Something Halloween

Waking up as the small spoon with Anon was amazing! Twilight had no idea how much she missed it until it happened again. She was refreshed, optimistic and very, very happy. She twisted her head back so she could plant a simple kiss on Anon's cheek. The spell had worked. She had been painfully aware of getting more and more tired - funny how you got used to not feeling that. By nine P.M. she had been ready to fall into bed. Luckily Anon obliged and they snuggled down properly for the first time that month.

The pony shuffled onto her back so she could more easily look at the man's face as he slept. It felt like it was still early, so she opted to stay in bed and maybe nap a little before it was time to get up. It was Halloween, which meant no work. She could lounge around and slack off until noon, if she wanted. She probably wouldn't, but the option was there.

Her shuffling roused Anon a tiny bit and he moved his arm until it found her leg to squeeze. "Mmm, g' back t' sleep, Twi," he mumbled. "'s early."

She giggled at his slurred, sleepy words. "Still having a nice dream? I hope you're dreaming about me!"

"Mmm..."

It seemed that was all she would get for now. Twilight floated over her phone and took a look. No wonder, it was half past six. She turned all the way, so she was facing Anon, and closed her eyes again. A few more hours of sleep sounded like an amazing idea! She gave Anon a kiss on the tip of his nose, making him wiggle a bit as she tickled him with her fur.

"Five mo' minutes," he begged.

"It's okay, we have hours. Love you."

His hand on her flank patted her a little and, to his credit, the human managed a reply: "'ove you too."

After a pleasant shower and a quick salad breakfast, Twilight decided she was feeling better than ever. She went out to the terrace, looking for the ghost lady, but of course she wasn't there. The sun was starting to peek out from behind the nearest buildings and it was pleasantly warm on her fur. There was no wind and it promised to be another very fine day in late October. Twilight was leaning against the railing, looking at the distant streets when Anon joined her, bundled up in his jacket and still shivering a little.

"You aren't cold?" he asked, incredulous.

The mare glanced down. All she was wearing was a simple bathrobe, but she didn't really mind the chill. "Nah, love keeps me warm," she answered.

"Cute."

She giggled at the dry way he said it. Then Anon unzipped his jacket, stepped right up to her, and wrapped the garment around them both. Of course it didn't reach, but it cover her withers and Twilight gratefully pressed her neck and cheek against Anon's warm side.

"This is nice, too."

Except that she felt the man tense up as the chill invaded the inside of the jacket. They couldn't stay there long, but a minute was plenty for her to enjoy the gesture.

"You really are a complete gentlecolt, you know that?"

He reached down and bopped her nose with a finger. "The word is 'gentleman', Twilight."

She shrugged. "I like the Equestrian term better."

"Fair enough. I'm making coffee, wanna go inside and get it?"

She gave in and pushed away from the railing. Her hooves made two distinct clicks as they landed on the tiles. "Sure. Before you freeze to death."

Twilight let Anon lead her back inside. She stopped just in the living room, enjoying the warmth for a moment while he slid the door shut.

"Go relax on the couch and I'll grab the coffee. I guess we have brunch and then get dressed up around three or so? Office thing starts at five, but I'd like to be there a bit early."

"Why?"

Anon shrugged. "Before everyone has had a chance to get at the canapes!"

It was a good reason and Twilight giggled a little. "Don't tell me you didn't order enough of them, again!"

The man raised up his hands defensively. "Hey, it wasn't me! Darlene is in charge of catering for the office parties! I keep telling her, but she thinks she's saving money or something..."

Twilight just kept chuckling. Saving a couple hundred bucks on a party now and then, versus their daily operating expenses which went into tens of thousands. The mare decided to have Darlene sit with her one time when she was doing budget, just to get things in perspective for the woman. Would that be too cruel? It came as a shock to anyone who wasn't an accountant. For that matter, it had come as a shock to Twilight as well, despite being used to Pony Society budget by the time she saw the company's.

Anyway, they'd get there early, have their fill of delicious hors d'oeuvres, then watch as the rest of the staff came in with their costumes. Should be a good party, the mare thought. She was looking forward to it.

"What do you wanna do until three?" she asked Anon, who was busy pouring in the kitchen.

"Huh? Oh, I dunno. Thoughts?"

Twilight considered it. Since the scare with the sleeping spell was over, she didn't have any particular plans. It could just be a lazy day. Celestia knew next week would be difficult once again. Without the spell, she would feel tired and sleepy. She had to go check on Pony Society and make sure Clarissa had things handled. She also had to start preparing for a few more talk shows she was doing in December.

At least most of her work for the company was done, so she could spend less time on that. It was something, at least.

The mare pushed those unpleasant thoughts from her mind. The spell had worked well enough for a while and allowed her to get all her work in hoof once more. Now it was just a matter of proper prioritizing and time management. Clarissa had proven herself as capable during Twilight's little crisis, so maybe it was time to give her more responsibility.

That settled, Twilight looked up as Anon held out a mug for her and accepted it in her magic. "Thanks!"

He didn't reply, just sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her barrel. Twilight nuzzled up against the human and took a sip. Sugary, milky, hardly tasting of coffee - just the way she liked it.

"Any ideas yet?" Anon asked.

It took her a second to remember what they were talking about. "Oh, that. Hmm, how about we go for ice cream? On hoof this time. There's this nice place near the park, ten minutes trot away..."

"Ice cream?! It's near freezing out there," Anon pointed out. His bewildered expression made Twilight chuckle.

"Yeah! This way it won't melt while we're eating it!"

"Crazy horse!"

"Hey, I heard that!"

They both laughed and Twilight knew it was decided. They would have brunch, then they would go for ice cream, and then it would be time for the office party.

Later that night, when they came home, hopefully slightly tipsy -

No, that wouldn't work. One of them would have to drive.

"Um, question: would you mind driving back so I can have a few drinks at the party?"

Anon gave this due consideration. "I guess I can make that sacrifice."

She quickly kissed him on the cheek to seal the deal before he could change his mind. "GreatthanksIoweyouone!" Then she buried her muzzle back in her coffee mug to hide her grin. Anyway, they'd come home, she would be slightly tipsy, and then they would do it. A long, messy, hot affair until they both fell asleep, exhausted. True, the sheets would need a thorough wash and they would both need a good, long bath the next morning, but one of those things wasn't a lot of hassle and the other was downright pleasurable. It was shaping up to be a really fine day, in fact! Twilight simply couldn't keep the smile off her muzzle and her surreptitious glances showed her that Anon was feeling the same.