These Chilly Feelings

by Soaring

Rating: teen
Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Romance, Coco Pommel, Anon
Length: 7227

Anon accepts Coco’s invitation to meet at her place for a walk of Manehatten. What he gets is more than he expected.

Anon and Coco have been friends for quite some time. They’ve hung out several times, too many to count on two hands alone. Yet, this time around, something was different. Something was really different. Anon couldn’t put his finger on it.

Coco Pommel knew. And she was not wanting to let him go without saying it to him. That's why she invited him to go for a walk to her favorite coffee shop.

Neither expected the outcome.

Inspired by SONS - Ghosts.

Pre-read by Rikkity.

Art by Styarema.

Published 2024-01-29 02:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-01-29 02:40:01 UTC

You'll Finally Find The Answers

Author's Note

Track list I used to write this one. No metal this time??:

SONS - Ghosts

Paul Conrad - Heresy Baby

Trapdoor Social - Away

Tsu Nami, Jedwill - Sanctuary

Hope to see you all in the next story/chapter I post!

You'll Finally Find The Answers

Coco sat on her couch in her apartment, wearing a pink sweater that ensnared her in warmth. She sat there, waiting for time to pass by. She could hear her rickety clock she had gotten at a clearance sale at a local knick-knack shop nearby tick tock the seconds of her life away. She sighed, and curled up on said couch, tucking her forelegs against her chest while her head rested against a pillow, fluffed up just right to soak in the comforts of the warm sun that pierced her balcony window.

She looked around. Her decor was much left to be desired. She had been living here for quite some time, yet the brick walls behind her conflicted with the solid color walls she had seen. Meanwhile, her chicken themed lamp contrasted the flowers and abundance of fabric she had collected to try to make the place more… like home, like her interests.

Yet, she didn’t know what this place was to her now. She didn’t know if it was a reflection of her or if it was Manehatten’s. She just knew this was hers to be in, at least that’s what she paid for.

Coco kept her eyes beaming at the door. She was hoping that the pony—er, human that was going to be visiting her place would keep her mind off things. He was one of her best friends as of late.

His name was Anon. Coco was introduced to him by Rarity and Applejack, who had returned to her months after the success of My Fair Filly. He… He had been around ever since, stopping by every week or two to meet with her to chat. They’d go out, get some food, see a movie; they even went to a zoo together. Heck, he even had gotten her the pink sweater she was wearing recently, which had now gained a few wrinkles from her nuzzling into the couch.

She sighed. It was a perfect day to wear this sweater. Manehatten was covered in snow now. Outside was brisk, chilly, and quite frankly, a brittle day. She knew this, so her scarf hung on a nearby rack near the door. She’d need it for today, just like the sweater.

After all, Anon was coming. He was coming to see her, and she wanted to take him out today.

The clock ticked and tocked, ticked and tocked. Click.

Click.

Click.

Click.

A knock on the door spurred Coco from herself. She got up, walked up to it, and unlatched it with her forehooves. There, she opened her door and smiled, her eyes peering at her human friend. He was wearing a puffy jacket with little gruppies on his hands. On his head was his lucky beanie (so he called it). His boots, which he had loosely on, contrasted his normal blue jeans.

What a goof.

“Hello, Anon.”

“Hey, Coco. Long time no see.”

“Likewise,” Coco said with a bright smile. She stepped aside and bowed, beckoning him forth with her hoof. “Wanna come in?”

Anon looked at her with a toothy grin of his. “Of course.”

He walked in, letting her shut the door with ease. She gently flicked it with her hindleg and let it click to a close. She didn’t lock it just yet, they wouldn’t be staying here for long. That’s what she planned, anyway. She looked down to see him slipping his boots off near her scarf rack. He gently placed them there and picked himself up. He walked over to the couch and sat down, which made her slowly walk her way over to him.

“How was your carriage ride here, Anon?”

Anon leaned against the backrest, before realizing he had one too many bits of clothes on. So, he began to shed his jacket, setting it aside on the end of the couch. He put his gloves there too, those little gruppies of his. He folded them neatly, before turning to her with a smile on his face. “It was good, for the most part, other than when the drivers found out who I was going to see. Then, they were way more curious than before.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, something about you being delightful and me being the exact opposite of that.”

Coco tilted her head. “Why did they say that about you?”

Anon chuckled. “Probably because I told them that they looked like they were being forced to wear what they had on.”

“And now I understand why,” Coco muttered, facehoofing. She hopped on the couch beside him and laid her head down. She shook it slightly, fluffing her mane. “Be careful next time, Anon. They’ll definitely blacklist you from their carriage if you’re too rude.”

“Alright, fair point. I’ll make sure not to tell them their outfits are too poofy looking next time.”

Coco rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m glad you got here in one piece.”

“Same,” Anon replied, his eyes peering down at her. She could feel them on her, just like his hand, which now greeted her like always: his touch slowly caressing her ear before giving it a few quick scritches. She melted into his gesture, humming to herself softly while she nuzzled his palm.

“Glad to see you’re still part cat, Coco.”

She let out a brief blow. “Sorry, your hands are just that tantalizing.” She munched on her own words as she felt Anon’s hand scoot further down her neck, before racing back up to pet her mane. She sighed. “As much as I’d like to lay here, you… you want to do something today?”

“Well, it’s pretty chilly out. Not sure if you wanted to just relax and—”

“The cold never bothered me anyway,” Coco interrupted, craning her head up at Anon. She smiled. “I’d love to go out, but…”

Her words trailed off. Why? Why did she stop talking?

Anon continued to pet her, this time more gently. “But? But what?”

“I don’t know, it’s…”

“Oh, I know this game,” Anon chirped. He paused his petting to clap his hands together. “Twenty questions! Although, I’m not a huge fan of asking these.”

Coco giggle-snorted, before waving her forehooves at him to get him to stop. “Okay, okay. You don’t need to—”

“You’re hot and bothered.”

“N-No!” Coco replied, her face going straight into the inferno, stained crimson. “What—”

“You’re allergic to fun.”

“No, Anon.”

“You’re allergic to walking?”

“How does that work?”

Anon shrugged, before throwing his hands up in the air. “I don’t know! I’m just asking logical, totally sane questions. It’s part of the whole spiel, y’know?” He licked his lips. “Are you allergic to oxygen?”

“If I was, I would be dead.”

“Fair point.” Anon nodded, before letting out a gasp and snapping his fingers. “I got it! Your stomach is queasy because you ate too much hay this morning!”

Coco groaned inwardly, putting her face in her hooves. She felt her blush still on her cheeks, the heat piercing her while she was put into the embarrassment spin cycle that Anon was unknowingly doing to her. “Anon…”

“Yes?” Anon said, smiling brightly. He leaned forward, his face getting closer to hers. “Did I get it?”

“No, no you didn’t,” Coco admitted, ears splayed against her head.

“Drat,” Anon said, leaning back against the couch. His gaze was now looking out at the balcony. Light was shining through. “Hmm… is it… too early to go out?”

“No, it’s probably fine to go outside now.”

Anon hummed to himself, rubbing his chin with his free hand, while the other went back to petting her mane, his fingers treading through her hair and rubbing her neck.

Coco cooed, sighing. She was enjoying this feeling more than the twenty questions. She hoped that he wasn’t going to—

“Are you sure you’re not allergic to fun?”

—ruin it.

“Yes, Anon. I want to have fun with you and—”

“Then what seems to be the problem, Coco?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Her whispering made Anon raise a brow. He stopped his petting again, this time choosing to look away and sniff at… something.

“Huh, I don’t smell like I just jumped into a dumpster…”

“Wait, does that mean you do jump into dumpsters?”

“No, no. Just a turn of phrase,” he mumbled before scrunching up his nose. “Uh… do I have something on my face?”

“N-No!” Coco chuckled. “Why are you being so goofy?”

“Because you’re goofy!” Her human friend said, pointing at her like she was the problem. “This hasn’t happened before. I mean, really, when was the last time you were this lost with what we should do?” He looked at her pensively. “Usually I just walk over here, give you a couple ear scratches and then we’re out of here, but here we are, aren’t we?”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “Anon, if I’m being goofy, then you’re the silliest human ever to exist.”

Anon raised a brow. “I’m sorry?”

“Clean your ears out,” Coco retorted, smirking. “Come on, I know what we should do. I just wanted to listen to you talk.”

“Bad day at work?”

Coco snorted. “I wish. It’s more like the lack thereof.” She walked over to the rack and threw on her scarf, flinging it just right around her without bringing her mane with it. She adjusted her sweater to make it less wrinkly, before she turned back to Anon and threw him a half-lidded glance. “Come on, Anon. I’ll tell you more about it when we get outside.”

“I’m not your dog…”

She smiled as her dog walked over to her, his jacket now on once again. He had his gloves on too, but the beanie never left him. That always stayed on.

Coco smiled. “Good boy.”

Anon rolled his eyes. “Alright there little horsey. Giddy up.”

“You and your horse jokes,” Coco jokingly chided. She snickered, before letting Anon out first. Once he was out, she walked out too and then turned around to lock it with her key she had on hoof. She flicked it rather haphazardly, and when she heard the lock to the door click, she shoved the key conveniently in the compartment under her doormat, where the key was magically sealed to only recognize her presence. She smiled, and turned to Anon like she didn’t nearly fumble with her keys. “So, are you excited today?”

“Positively radiant,” Anon droned. He shook his head. “Where are we going?”

Her dog’s question made Coco walk past him. “Nowhere in particular. Just… for a walk. Is that okay?”

“Surprising me, huh?” Anon asked with a cheeky grin.

She sported a soft smile in return. “Maybe…”

Anon nodded. “Okay, okay. I’ll let it be a surprise. As long as you tell me about your little moment inside.”

Coco snorted as she trotted by him. “With due time.” She flicked her tail as she walked down the stairs. “Come on, let’s not miss out on enjoying the weather!”

“Alright, I’m coming…”

Anon followed closely behind as Coco led them down the stairs and out of her apartment.

Outside, the busyness of Manehatten wore clear. Ponies were walking about, and the carriage drivers that Anon most likely had experienced were out too. The bustling streets were a place where everyday creatures roamed, and for Coco, she knew how to navigate it, taking a right out of her apartment, with Anon following close behind.

Trotting out, Coco laughed happily, prancing down the street. “Come on, Anon!”

He strode up to her side and pulled her close. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. You said you wanted to enjoy the weather, right?”

“Yeah…”

Yeah, she did. He was right. So, she slowed herself down, matching her pace with Anon’s. She looked up at him, his eyes piercing as they not only looked around to make sure nopony was giving them any trouble, but he also peered down at her with a slight smile. His breath etched out in the coldness of the morning, a plume of brittle cold air dissipating in front of them.

“So, is it too early to ask?”

Coco shook her head. “No… It’s not. It’s just… not sure how to really start.”

He tilted his head. “Did it not start in the apartment?”

“Well, it depends on what day you’re looking at.”

“Have… you felt this way for a while?”

Coco nodded. They walked up to the first intersection. They looked both ways before proceeding with Coco nestling closer to Anon as they walked.

“And you didn’t tell me this in your letters…”

“Because that’s not something I’d want to stress you out about. You already have enough on your plate, Anon.”

Anon took in a deep breath, before letting it all out, the plume massive. He snorted. “So do you, Coco.”

“Not as much as someone who’s an assistant of Rarity.”

“Pfft, that’s more of a title than anything. Besides, don’t hold her in that high of a regard.”

“Why not?”

“For one, she’s way sillier than you are.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah. If I wake up before her, I get to see this thing she does in her sleep with her hooves. It’s like she’s got her hooves talking for her when she’s asleep. It’s like they have a mind of their own, y’know?”

Coco giggled. “I’ve… I’ve never seen that from her. Guess you get that view because you live with her, right?”

Anon bobbed his head to a rhythm Coco couldn’t place. He hummed an affirmative. “She’s got my room and board right now because of the whole ‘assistant’ gig. It ain’t bad, but it ain’t what I want to do.”

He kept one hand around her body, while the other was shoved into his coat pocket. She nuzzled into him a bit.

“Sounds like you have other aspirations…”

He chuckled. “Partially. As I said, it isn’t a bad gig, but I am looking for something else. I feel like I’m inconveniencing her or something.”

“She probably doesn’t think of you like that,” Coco replied. She looked to her side to see a couple ponies leaning on a wall, smiling at her as her and Anon walked past.

“No, but I can’t help but feel that way. It’d be better if I lived on my own.”

“Yeah… maybe,” Coco breathed out. She gently exhaled, feeling those feelings of hers bubble up inside her. This feeling of hollowness, feeling of being just there, in a room. She didn’t know how to really word it, but it just exists. Having somepony else would stave that feeling but… maybe he didn’t feel what she felt because he hadn’t experienced that yet, since Rarity was still around.

Having somepony around…

Her heart leapt for a moment, the thought tingling that imagination of hers. She felt a slight blush grace her cheeks, but they offered no heat. Her ears were definitely pointed elsewhere, twitching all get out. However, her lips began to sag, only giving her a slight smile.

Her feelings were there, and they were all over the place.

She hoped Anon didn’t see them. She needed to move out soon. Maybe she should just pack up her things and move back home with her parents?

The thought had crossed her mind. She now felt a frown coming on. She needed to look at Anon. She needed to get rid of these thoughts of hers.

She looked at him. He was behind her, his gaze confused, his arms reaching out to her. She looked to her left, now facing an out of control carriage sliding toward her. The drivers were scampering, trying to get some form of traction to avoid her.

She froze, her legs locked in place. Was this the end? Was this how her day would go? Should she have stayed inside with Anon, letting him pet her while this happened to some other pony?

She closed her eyes.

…

She yelped as her body was flung backward. Her eyes opened wide. She hadn’t even heard Anon grab her, turning her away from the out of control carriage car. She watched in awe as the ponies were finally able to retain their traction, saving themselves and the carriage car too.

Her hooves were numb, her heart was racing, and her mind was locked in place, and yet, she still somehow could feel Anon wrap his form around her, his arms holding her tightly against his chest. Her face rubbed into the puffiness of his jacket, which made her feel safe, safe enough to flutter her eyes to a close.

“Coco, you alright?”

“Y-Yes,” Coco squeaked. Realizing where they were, which was on the ground in the snow on the sidewalk, she pulled herself from his impromptu hug and sat on her flanks. “I’m sorry about that, A-Anon! I lost track of time and—”

“I’m just glad you’re okay. You scared me there for a second.”

Coco watched as Anon peeled himself off the ground. He then walked over to her and placed his hand gently on the back of her neck. She smiled.

“Thank you for saving me…”

“No problem. It’s what any friend would do.”

Coco felt her heart sink as he said that, but she wasn’t going to worry him more with her silly feelings and thoughts. They almost got her flattened just now.

She looked over at the carriage crew. They had pulled over to a nearby curb. One of them had unstrapped themselves from their harness and was walking over to them. Upon recognition of her gaze, the stallion's ears flicked up, while his slow trot turned into a canter. Once he was in front of them, he bowed, panting too.

“Sorry for the scare, folks. Black ice had caused one of our guys to slide, which made all of us slide as a result.”

“No worries,” Anon said, waving his apology off with a hand. “You don’t need to be sorry about that. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”

The stallion nodded toward Anon. “Thank you.”

He returned it back in kind. With that, the stallion turned and left the pair alone.

She felt Anon’s eyes scouring over her. “Are… are you sure you’re alright, Coco?”

The blush from earlier was offering her no reprieve. “Y-Yeah.”

Anon put his hand on her withers and directed her to a nearby wall. It was vacant of any snow, dry from the canopy above directing the snow toward the street. He sat down on the concrete, with her sitting beside him on her flanks.

He put his free hand around her. “How about now?”

Coco hummed. “How did you know?”

“Your heart was beating out of your chest when I grabbed onto you the first time. I could feel it.” He sighed. “What a start to the day huh?”

She laid herself against him, nuzzling into his shoulder. “Definitely. I’ll try not to walk out in the middle of the street again.”

“Good, I don’t think your intention was to get flattened like a Coco pancake.”

Coco couldn’t stop herself from smiling and nudged him in his side. “Joker. But yeah, I wasn’t intending that at all.”

“Was your head in the clouds or something?”

Coco hung her head. “Yeah. Was thinking about what you had said earlier. How everything was off.”

“You want to talk about it?”

“A bit. Maybe getting the more nerve-wracking part out of the way would be for the best.”

“So you could avoid said flattening again?”

“Yes, Anon. So I could avoid that,” Coco said between giggles. She composed herself. “To answer your question on how long this whole thing has happened: it’s been a couple months.”

“A couple months?” Anon said, scooting over closer to her. He petted her mane. “Why did you keep this to yourself?”

“I kept it to myself because I felt like I was going to burden you with my problems.” She weakly chuckled. “Guess how much good that did?”

Anon snorted, his hand gently rubbing her neck. She cooed as he spoke, “Don’t beat yourself up. It was a honest mistake when you’re thinking too much. Especially if it stresses you out.”

“That’s an understatement. I’m surprised you didn’t notice how shaky I was as of late.”

“I thought it was because the heating in your apartment sucked,” Anon replied, shrugging.

“That is true…” Coco said, twiddling with her forehooves. “But like I said, the cold hasn’t bothered me like you think. It’s… it’s actually more of a feeling of loneliness that I have.”

“Loneliness?” Anon asked, his petting slowing down.

“Yeah. One minute, I’m happy that I’m home, and then the next, I want to go out again.”

Coco sensed Anon’s hand stop just shy of her head. It froze there, momentarily, at least, that’s what Coco assumed, before she looked up at Anon to see his eyes widened, and his arm returned to his side.

“You… don’t mean it like that, do you?”

Coco shook her head. “No, most likely not the way you’re thinking, Anon. More like… I’m unsure if home is home.” She took a deep, shaky breath. She let out a brief blow, her plume of cold air dissipating in an instant. “I… I always look forward to when we get together. It makes all those feelings wash away, mostly.”

“Until today—”

“Yes, until today.” She nuzzled his cheek this time. He gasped, leaving her to mentally note that for later. “Those questions of yours in the apartment brought them back up.”

“Sorry,” Anon said, scratching the back of his neck. He gave her a sheepish smile. “You should’ve told me that you were uncomfortable with me asking them.”

“No, I wouldn’t do that. Besides, they weren’t uncomfortable in the way you think. They were just embarrassing at best.”

“Pfft. I didn’t know being asked about being allergic to oxygen would break you like that.”

Coco giggle-snorted into her hooves. “Yes, Anon, I’m allergic to oxygen.”

He pulled her close again, wrapping her in his arm that he had previously had on her head. He kept it lingering on her side. “Hmm, well did you get a checkup?”

“Doctor said there was nothing they could do. I’ll just have to keep feeling jittery every time I’m with you.”

“Sounds serious,” Anon said lamely before letting out another shaky exhale. He turned to her. “Ready to get going now?”

She nodded. “More than ready. Thanks, Anon.”

He grunted as he pushed himself off the concrete with his hand. He dusted himself off before bending down to offer her a hand. She took it with her forehoof and he pulled her up, getting her on all fours.

“There we go. Good as new.”

“Am I carriage car purchase to you?” Coco asked, raising a brow.

“Brand spankin’ new,” Anon touted with a whistle. She flushed red, but she didn’t leave her gaze from him. “How far are we from this place you want to take me to?”

“Few blocks down,” Coco replied, adjusting her scarf and sweater before she walked in front of him with a smirk on her face. “Let’s go, Anon.”

“Gladly,” he said, walking beside her. The two crossed the next intersection, being extra mindful of any rogue carriage drivers. Thankfully, there were none.

She sighed, the feeling of walking next to Anon coming full force again. His arm had pulled her closer to him. This caused her to look up at him, just to see Anon protecting her, his head on a swivel. She lightly rubbed against his pant leg, her sweater wrinkling up.

“Hey, Anon.”

“What’s up, Coco?”

“Thoughts on window shopping?”

He tilted his head. “You guys do that here?”

It was her turn to tilt her head, this time also raising a brow. “Yeah… is that not normal?”

“No, it is…” Anon’s voice trailed off, before looking away from her. “Anyway, you wanted to go window shopping? This isn’t part of the surprise, I take it?”

“Nope,” Coco chirped happily, grinning at Anon. “I just wanted to do this with you. We’re still a ways away from the place I was going to take you.”

Anon looked back at her, only to roll his eyes. “Okay, so what did you want to—oof!”

As they were walking, a colt had galloped by, but not before clipping Anon, at least, from what it seemed. He kept himself firm and took the blow without knocking into Coco, but he definitely looked back at him. Then, he turned to Coco, wincing.

“A-Anon? Are you okay?”

He half-nodded. “Just a flesh wound,” he squeezed out, gritting his teeth. He sucked some more air in, his leg shaking. “Did someone get that colt’s license plate number?”

Coco snorted, but definitely was restraining herself. Why didn’t that colt not turn and apologize? Was he running from somepony? Coco looked around and didn’t see anyone running after him…

Was that done… on purpose?

Coco guided her human over to a nearby bench, which was luckily not taken by somepony else. She sat him down there, letting him groan out his pain. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Anon shook his head. “Nooo,” he began, holding his hand on his upper leg. “Just need to sit this one o-out for a bit.”

“Okay,” Coco murmured, before hopping next to him. She nuzzled his cheek.

“Thanks, Coco,” Anon hummed, leaning back. He sighed happily. “Surprising how one moment, a pony you don’t know can nearly kick your nuts in, and then somepony that cares can just melt that pain away like it’s some magical Advil pill.”

“Must be my new special talent,” Coco said in-between giggles. She hid them behind her forehoof. “I’ll make sure to stay by you while you recuperate.”

“Good, I wouldn't have it any other way.”

She smiled at that, resisting the urge to fall into him. “Say, Anon?”

“Hmm?”

“You think that colt did it on purpose?”

…

“Anon?”

She looked up at him, to see a very distinct frown form on his face. He looked out at the other ponies walking on the other side of the street. “I wish I could say he didn’t. He legit elbowed me right in my thigh.”

Coco growled, her brows furrowed. “I knew it!”

“Coco…”

Anger brewed in her. “Why would somepony do that to you?”

Anon shrugged. “Suckerpunching someone is a thing even here, I guess.” He twiddled with his hands. “I wish I knew. Must be because I’m not like you or something.”

“You… y-you think that’s the reason?” Coco asked, her voice cracking. She shook her head. “There’s no way, right?”

Anon licked his lips and looked down, away from her. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“You’ve had this happen more than once?”

He nodded. “Several times. Mostly in the bigger cities.”

Coco blinked rapidly at that. How could they?! “Why…?”

“It’s… something I’ve tried to figure out. Princess Twilight had actually seen it first hand once back in Canterlot and she forced the pony to apologize. But… when no one is there, everyone just stares.”

She wished she had wings right now, just to wrap him in a wing hug so tight he wouldn’t be able to leave, but she vouched to just nuzzle further into him, being extra mindful to not aggravate his injury.

“Anon…”

“Hmm?”

Coco gulped. Was this the right time?

She felt her heart race again, but she knew she couldn’t do it. Not now. It would feel… forced, at a notion of pain. She wouldn’t want to be associated with that. “Nevermind. It’s… not important right now.”

“Right now?”

“I’ll tell you when we get closer to the ‘surprise’.”

“You and your ‘surprise’ better be soon. Walking with a limp is going to suck.”

Coco rolled her eyes. “You’ll live. Maybe walking it off will help.”

“I—urgh—doubt it,” Anon said, adjusting himself in his seat. “Even moving makes it pulse.”

“Then, do you want to stay here?”

“No. It’s cold out, and the more you tease this surprise of yours, the more I want to know.”

Coco gave Anon a smirk. “Then we should probably get going. If you need me to help you keep you upright, I can support you.”

Anon stifled a chuckle. Why is he laughing…? “No offense, Coco, but you’re way too small to support me.”

Oh you’re not saying that right here, right now, mister! “You have never even done it, so how could you know?”

“While you’re right, I’m afraid I don’t have the guts to test that theory.” Anon casually booped her unknowingly scrunched up muzzle, her eyes going cross. She watched as two Anon’s pushed off the bench rather slowly, before those two became one. The one Anon was now fully standing on two legs, but he was still holding onto the bench for some additional support. “Yeah, I’m about to submit a request to Celestia to get me a walker. I am aching from a colt shoving his hoof right where it hurts the most.”

“I’ll make sure to mention it to her next time I’m in Canterlot,” Coco said, before hopping off the bench. She walked in front of him and eyed him up and down. “Are you ready?”

“As I ever will be—ack.” Anon grunted out. He hobbled over to her, clenching his upper leg again. He sighed. “Lead the way, Coco.”

Coco looked at him with concern. “Are you sure—”

“Never been more s-sure!” Anon groaned, rubbing his leg. “Maybe that colt needs to try out for a professional boxing match.”

“I’ll see if we can flag him down later so you can tell him that personally,” Coco said with a snort. She leaned against him, just gently enough to keep him propped up. “Does this help?”

Anon started to walk, with Coco matching his pace. “I hate that you’re right. It is helping.”

“You couldn’t hate me if you tried.”

“Try me,” Anon challenged with a smirk.

“I’d rather not, but I’ll pencil you in for next week for that one.”

“Wussin’ out on me, huh?”

“More like being courteous. Not going to knock you down while you’re already limping.” Coco giggle-snorted, much to Anon’s chagrin.

Anon groaned. The pair walked through the impromptu shopping district, where the crowds were large and swelled around them. Several shops accompanied this block: some were for general knick-knacks, some were for restaurants, and some were even for arcades and book stores, which was why Coco even suggested going ‘window shopping’ when they approached. But due to Anon’s injury, she’s now just bypassing it all. Unfortunate circumstances, but this would have to do, after all…

…there wasn’t anything wrong with getting to the main event, right?

Coco’s heart thumped louder in her ears. She was definitely not ready to say it to him. But she had to. She was committed.

They walked close to each other, passing the third block with relative ease, this time having ponies walking across so that way no carriage driver with an agenda to make Coco into an actual pancake.

The fourth felt much the same, although somepony was playing music with his trombone, a hat set on the ground for anypony to come by. Coco and Anon stood there, listening to the music before tossing a few bits in and getting on their way.

The fifth and sixth were also much the same, although, as they walked, Coco felt a bit more antsy, her hooves feeling all the more numb, and it wasn’t due to the cold. Each step reminded her of how this could all go wrong when she tells him how she feels and she’ll have to go home without anyone with her again. It would hurt, and it wouldn’t keep him around…

She took in a deep breath as they walked across the street. On the corner of this street was the coffee shop of her choice. It was a quaint building, with a sign shouting proudly BEAN’S COFFEE BEAN. It had a dark blue canopy above it, with a small staircase approaching its entrance. The blue door had a window that allowed ponies to peer into it, but not enough to get the full picture.

It was her favorite place to go to for her coffee blend. After all, working now as a Salespony for Rarity at her Manehatten location always required her to get a blend here before going into the shop.

She could smell the coffee as they approached the shop, the aromas powerful. The thought crossed her mind that she needed to save him from this place, because it was definitely too powerful even for her nostrils, but she knew he would be fine. He’ll live.

Mentally contemplating her life choices, she decided to put the visit on pause, the nearby bench looking way more appealing for them to rest at. She knew she would need to have him sit down for this moment. And she knew she wouldn’t be able to do it inside. All those ponies that were walking inside? She was not a fan of confessing to him in a crowded shop.

“Hey, Anon. Mind if we sit down for a moment?”

Anon, now not hobbling as much, tilted his head. “If we’re going into the shop, then sure.”

“Oh, we will, but it’s part of what I mentioned earlier.”

“You mean the not-so nerve-wracking part?”

Coco nodded, her lips twitching just like her ears. “I… yeah. I may have underestimated this part.”

“Oh? Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” Coco said, guiding Anon and herself over to the free parking bench away from all the ponies who were shuffling into the shop. She took a shaky breath. “Nothing is wrong, actually.”

“You said that before too,” Anon began, his hand shakily grabbing onto the bench. He fell into it, sighing. “This one was way better than the one I sat on earlier.”

“Oh? How so?” Coco asked, climbing onto it and laying herself down.

“There isn’t as much snow on it, that’s why,” Anon cracked his neck and smiled, his hand gravitating over to her. “Alright, so what’s the problem, then? Anything I can help with?”

She was about to lean toward him when she stopped. She steeled herself and looked him directly in his eyes. “Anon, do you have anypony that you like?”

She watched as Anon blinked, before staring at her like she just grew three heads. “Uh… that depends on what you mean by ‘like’.”

“Like, as in, romantically,” Coco replied, waving one of her forehooves around nonchalantly.

“Romantically, huh?” He said to himself, humming again just like before, only this time his hand was now grasping at his own chin. “Hmm… why do you ask? Do you—”

“Like you? Yes. I need you, Anon.”

Her heart was beating out of her chest now. She kept her gaze on him, hoping to see his reaction when it hit him, but all she saw was him staring blankly out at the ponies around them, and not giving her even an inkling of what he was thinking.

What was he thinking? Was he confused? Alarmed? Worried? None of those were even apparent in his face, just a deadpan. A blank stare, not even moving. Just watching, like he didn’t even hear her.

Yet, her mind couldn’t even string the words together. Just the ones of his reaction. Was he repulsed by her question? Was he trying to put the pieces together in his mind? What was his major malfunction? And more importantly…

What was hers?

She felt her lips start to sag. This was the wrong time. Maybe she should have told him when he was sitting on the bench where the colt had hit him. Maybe she should have told him when he first asked. Maybe she should have done more to hint at her feelings. Maybe…

Her stomach started to feel like it was about to flip inside out. A bubbling, nervous feeling ached there, and it raced up her spine. Her lips trembled, her eyes felt the tears start to bubble, and she couldn’t even talk now. Her throat was closing up.

She put a hoof to her chest, giving one last look up to Anon.

Nothing. Nothing at all.

She shakily sighed, gulping in her pride as she got to her flanks. There, she hopped off the bench.

“Sorry, Anon,” she began. She sniffled. “I-I didn’t mean to… put you on the spot.”

She looked at him, and saw his eyes were tracking her. His expression was still the same.

“If you want me to go, I can—”

Suddenly, Anon reached out and grabbed her, pulling her close. “Don’t go.”

Coco felt her nerves on fire, her voice stuttering out a reply, “A-Anon?”

She looked at the ponies passing them by. Most didn’t really care, but a couple did see what was going on, but they gave them the privacy they deserved. She sniffled again and, somehow, in the thicket of all this, cracked a slight smile, before she turned back to him.

His… everything, shocked her. He was laughing, tears were racing down his cheeks, and he was grinning from ear to ear. What did it mean? Was he returning her feelings or was he mocking her?

His laughter eventually calmed down, but his grip on her stayed firm. He nuzzled into her cheek. “Oh—ah—my god, Coco. I wasn’t… I wasn’t ready for that.” He whistled. “You actually like me?”

“Yeah, do you think I’m joking or something?”

“No, no. Not at all. Sorry, my GoFundMe campaign for my heart finally hit its target goal, that’s why it took so long for me to respond.” He gripped his arm at his chest before looking back up at her. “How did I not have a heart attack just now? I… I am so happy right now it hurts. Do you know how much that means to me?”

Coco’s heart rate skyrocketed. Does he…? “I don’t know, you were giving me some mixed signals and—”

“Then let me dispel those,” Anon interrupted, putting his finger on her lips. “I… I didn’t expect someone to like me. Me. Yes, me. I didn’t consider the possibility of being a thing. A normal thing.”

“Normal?”

“Well, in these circumstances, it’s not normal since I’m the only one of my kind here. Most ponies just look at me like I’m some exotic animal or something. And… and I have you. You. Like me!” Anon laughed. “I can’t. It’s… exciting. My brain is on overdrive right now.”

Coco giggled and nuzzled him back. “Well, you’re right. It is exciting. But, do you really think you’re just some exotic animal?”

“No, but that’s what I feel ponies think of me. I’m not like them, Coco. Not at all. We can talk to each other and that’s where the similarities stop—”

Coco growled and cut him off with something she’s wanted to do for a while now. She graced her lips onto his cheek, stopping him dead center in his thought. He gasped. “C-Coco?”

“Stop telling yourself that, okay? I like you. I need you. Isn’t that enough?”

Anon put his hand up to his cheek and nodded. “Yeah, but—”

“You don’t need to feel so different. Because you’re not. Yeah, you’re tall, and you definitely have a completely different makeup species wise, but you act like us… mostly. The neighing and what not aside.” Coco cupped his cheeks with her forehooves. “So, stop acting like you’re incapable of being liked. There are ponies who like you, I just so happen to like you in a way that differs from the rest.”

Coco studied his reaction. He smiled happily while he placed his hands on her forehooves. She felt him rub them gently, before taking them in his grasp and pulling her so close to him that she felt his hands rub her back.

She could feel his heartbeat. They were alike, hearts racing just the same.

“Thank you… Coco. Glad you could be the one to like me.”

“You’re welcome?” Coco said, her muzzle scrunched up. She was still confused—she thought they were going to kiss there, but he didn’t. He just held her. Was this something that humans didn’t do? “I’m glad I could…”

“I’m so happy that you do. I like you too, of course,” Anon confessed, which made a crimson hue rise to her cheeks. “Hell, if I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t have hung out with you so much. I swear, Rarity was thinking of just transferring me over to the store here because of how much I was visiting you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and man, I’m so glad that I could tell her that we’re together. She’s going to literally flip a lid, then her boutique, and then Spike. It’ll be hilarious.” He laughed to himself. “You think I should record it?”

Coco giggle-snorted. “W-What?”

“Record it. With a camera. One of those handheld ones I got. They would be perfect. And then—” Anon giggle-laughed in-between breaths, before nuzzling Coco again. “And then she’d go ‘Anon, stop recording me this instant!’ while Spike would just be clutching his gut, bursting out laughing. This is just an Equestrian gold standard film in the making.”

“Anon, what are you talking about?”

Anon shook his head and cupped her cheek. “Nothing, Coco. I’m just happy. Say, all this laughing has made me thirsty, and I think my thigh is finally not spasming out. You want to get that coffee now?”

Coco smiled. “Only if you hold me for a bit. Then we can go in.”

“Why don’t I just hold you while I carry you into the shop?”

Her blush flared again. “A-Anon! That’s totally inappropriate!”

“Oh?” Anon asked with a raised brow. “We’ve been cuddling on this bench for a while now, just giving all these ponies a show. I don’t think you’ve worried about that one bit.”

Coco looked around again, and then she realized that there were actual ponies looking at them. Various age groups, young and old, and—wait, was that Suri looking at her?!—her eyes widened, her tail flicking down to cover herself. “Anon, why didn’t you—”

“Because I’m into it, but more importantly, I’m just trying to make you realize that this was a very public confession.” He looked at the others and said, “Nothing to see here folks. Just a now happy couple.”

The ponies finally realized they were watching and scattered, pretending they totally weren’t just watching the moment like it was a stage act in the middle of Manehatten.

Coco blinked. “Anon?”

“Yeah?”

“You can carry me in.”

Anon hopped off the bench, cradling her in his arms. He landed happily on his two feet, his injury no longer affecting him. “Nice! What do you want for coffee?”

“Just get me a hot chocolate.”

“Any marshmallows?” Anon asked, his gaze deadset on the door.

“Sure,” Coco said, nuzzling into his chest. “Surprise me.”

“Gladly,” Anon replied as he opened the door and walked in, the chime ringing happily.