It was a beautiful day in Ponyville. The sun was shining, birds were chirping in the late summer, early fall air, and-
CRASH! BOOM! THUD!
Waffle Iron, Cake Iron and I all ran to the kitchen at top speed, trying to find out what had happened. We opened the door, and a cloud of flour rushed out. Coughing, the three of us walked in there.
Hysterical laughing came from the middle of the flour cloud, and when it disappeared, there she was sitting. Doubled over, laughing like nopony heard her.
My beautiful marefriend had successfully poured a bag of flour on herself.
"Did you see that??" She had gone into un-ladylike mode, a mode that often made me laugh beyond belief. This was her, quite naturally. She flipped her short hair, spreading another cloud of white.
"How did you manage to do this?" Cake Iron tried pulling off an unbroken bag, but her husband intervened before she broke her back with the heavy bag.
She giggled. "I was just humming along, cleaning up. All the sudden, I thought I was putting the broom away in the closet, and... It wasn't the closet!" She laughed even harder.
Waffle Iron laughed heartily. "Good luck with that one," he said to me under his breath.
I laughed and responded, "She's quite the handful sometimes."
"Now, how are we going to clean this up?" Waffle Iron wondered aloud, with a bright smile on his face.
•••••
"Hey, what are we gonna do today?" Cup Batter still was getting a bit of flour, now a doughy mixture, out of her hoof, even hours later. Our shift was done, there wasn't much work to be done at a pancake bed and breakfast after about lunchtime.
Both of us now worked at the place we had met with our best friend Fanny Pack for years. One day, I wanted to own it. It was a dream we both shared, but raising the money to buy it needed a job. Besides, we were old enough to where jobs were almost necessary. Doing it together not only was fun, but we learned in the process how to actually run a shop, thanks to Waffle and Cake Iron. Neither one of us had presented the idea to them, but the time to do that was soon. Cake Iron was old and weary already, and Waffle Iron tried staying strong, just for his wife.
But working at 'The House Of Pancakes' had its downsides. Sure, we got off of work at 1 PM, but we had to be there by 4:30 in the morning to start making pancakes. Many ponies were up way earlier than us, and I can't imagine the time the Iron's get up. Still, we got to talk to many people. All four of us did equal amounts of waiting to the tables, as well as cooking, and the well-loved job of dishwasher.
"Whatever you want!" Usually, I said this to be kind. Right now... I actually didn't care.
She rolled her eyes, but not without a smile. "You ALWAYS say that. Com'on, Carrot! You've gotta think of SOMETHING."
I laughed. And then yawned, not realizing how tired I was. "How about... We go home and sleep?"
Her mouth dropped open. "You mean... ALONE?" She loved being over dramatic at times, it always made me smile at least.
I played along. "Yes! And then... We'll wake up tomorrow, and see each other again!" I gasped and fell over, slightly giggling.
"Oh no. No no no." She might have been serious this time. "I am going to spend every minute of every day with you, or at least as much as I can!!"
"Weeellll... I just want to get out of this. Sun is my enemy today." We started trotting towards my house.
"Why?" She inquired, following me.
"I have no clue. It likes reminding me I wake up before Princess Celestia."
"You mean it reminds you I don't do a good enough job of waking you up?? Maybe I can!" She jumped in front of me and growled like... A tiger, I do believe.
My slow clumsy reaction time caused me to jump back. One of my legs folded beneath me. My entire body came crashing down.
She walked over to me, laughing. "Need help up, dearie?"
I took her hoof and got up. I shook my leg out a bit, trying to get some blood flowing back into it. Or whatever was wrong with it this time.
"Hmm... Let's go over by that tree, and sit down in the shade. Since sun is your enemy." She pointed towards a tree in the park and galloped off towards it, leaving me in the dust.
I was in no hurry. My parents always knew I like spending the day with her right after work, and not like her parents cared.
I looked around Ponyville. It was almost getting to become and old ponies' town. Every shop had aging owners, and its residents weren't getting any younger either. Of course, there were always young ponies. But most of them my age had gone to Canterlot, along with other places like Manehatten, and Prance to find fame, fortune, and jobs. I saw many of my old classmates waste their lives away in the paper, and I had seen many successful ones as well. I never wanted to leave Ponyville. I was born and raised here. I had the best marefriend any colt could ask for. I was content with my job.
I sighed and leaned up against the tree, her lying nearby. She leaned her head on my stomach, looking up towards me and the falling leaves of the tree. I caught her beautiful rosé eyes, sparkling softly.
"You want to know something?" She giggled, and even though I already knew what it was, I answered:
"Of course."
"I love you." She poked her nose with mine, causing a little nose poke war between us.
"I love you too Cup." I smiled.
"Prove it." She winked. Always keeping me on my toes...
"Oh really?" I giggled, trying not to let my awkwardness show.
"Of course. Unless you're too chicken!"
I took this as a challenge. "Umm, of course not!" I really was. She always kind of scared me. But not in a bad way. I was always the timid and quiet one, and she was always the feisty one. Not like I didn't mind.
I took up the challenge, and kissed her softly and sweetly, as I normally do.
She giggled when she pulled away. "I'm still winning." She giggled and winked, and got up and trotted away.
"What?" I swear, if I got this mare to stay in one place for just a moment...
She waved hi and talked with every pony in town. She got along with everypony. There was absolutely no exceptions. She either talked to everypony while she was attending to the tables, or out and about. I was always surprised that somepony could be so outgoing. She even managed to bring out the outgoing in myself, even when I was at my shiest. She always had a caring side. This never means she wasn't perfect. I didn't care. She was mine. I could trust her with anything, anypony. I loved that about her. I loved everything about her. Absolutely everything.
I snuck up behind her, as she was deep in a conversation with Granny Smith.
"Yes? And how is Big Macintosh doing? And how about Apple Jack? I bet they are completely adorable. I remember when I was a young filly... That was-" I casually jumper-cabled her, right in front of her hind legs was always the best spot.
Granny Smith smiled. "I see you two are doin' very fine on yer own. I'll 'eave yew two alone. Have a nice day!" She walked along, obviously laughing at us in a non-demeaning way.
Once she had gone, Cup flipped around. "Carrot! I was trying to get information out of that kind mare!"
She may have been furious. "What? What her grandchildren are doing?" I laughed, even though I knew I wasn't improving her mood.
She rolled her eyes and shrugged it off. "Whatever. I want to go make something. Food."
I loved making food with her, we always worked as a team. The best team ever. "What? Trying to fatten me up?" I joked.
"No," she said, rolling her eyes, "you can simply just have some of mine. DUH. That'd to the best for the both of us."
She was saying she was fat again. Ugh, I didn't like it. She was absolutely beautiful exactly how she was, and it was so hard convincing her of it...
"You aren't fat, you aren't even chubby m'dear. You're beautiful exactly the way you are." I leaned in close to her ear for extra effect. "And I love you for it."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah sure. Whatever. Let's just get back to your house, soon. I like cooking too much."
•••••
We sat right in front of the oven, slowly watching our cupcakes baking in the oven.
Cupcakes have always been her favorite. 'They're mini portion-sized cakes!' She had told me once. Of course, switching my view between her and the baking treats, thought. More than usual. I thought about mainly that possibly, her name could be Cup Cake one day. That is, if she married me. We never had even talked about the idea of being married together before. I actually had never even thought about it.
I could be with her forever. That would never bother me. She was my best friend, my closest pal, besides the fact that we both loved each other dearly. I loved being there for her. I understood her on a level so deep, I can't even begin to describe it. She brought a bright light to my days, and never failed to put a smile on my face. Being with that forever, I could do. I wanted to be her protector, her best friend, and everything in between.
Her hair had started growing back. It was a little past her ears now, and bobbed around with as much energy as she had in herself. She had no need for her hats anymore, even though she decided to wear them occasionally.
There was only a few minutes left on the timer, when there was a knock at my door. My parents were out of my house, so I naturally assumed it was them.
"I've got it!" I said, getting up off of our position on the floor. Cup stayed there, intently watching them bake slowly. It entertained her.
I oped the door, and greeted them, as I naturally would. "Hey-"
I was nose to nose with Cup's ex.
The first thing my brain screamed to do at all costs was to protect Cup. I couldn't let this jerk hurt her or touch her, ever again. I pushed him outside to do this, and slammed the door behind me.
"What do you want?" Cup had told me the stories. I knew exactly what he did to her... Every gruesome detail. Simply thinking about him got me mad enough to punch a wall. Being face to face with the pervert was something else though.
"I want to talk to you. Simply." The huge purple unicorn seemed cool and collected, even though half his veins from his muscular body looked like they were about to pop. He was twice my size, but there was no way I was going to let him get to Cup.
"What about? Make it quick." I wasn't a very kind person when somepony hurts anypony I love. Especially Cup.
"My name's Thunder Rain."
"Why are you here, Rain?"
"Just call me Thunder. Don't expect to be with her for long." His voice even boomed like his name.
Who did he think he was? I wanted to be with her, forever. "Why not?"
"Because. She's going to come back to me one day." Thunder raised his head high.
"What makes you think that?"
"Look bud. I know Cup better than you, and-" he looked me over disapprovingly, "she's gonna get sick of your cutesy-wootsy stuff. Face it. She doesn't love you. She just wants a filler while she tries getting over me, and one day she'll realize she can't."
Thunder was so arrogantly self-centered I could have vomited. "I know her better than you could even dream. She hates everything about you. She's never going to come back. You need to get over her." I was sickened. He only wanted her for his physical needs. And that disgusted me to the core.
He smirked. "I can easily live without her. She can't live without me, and you've got nothing there to give her-"
"I've given her everything she needs."
"Oh really?" Thunder gave me a skeptical look. "Why don't we go and ask her?"
I blocked the door with my life. "NO."
He laughed devilishly. "Why not? Too scared to face the truth?" His smirk wouldn't ever break me.
"I know the truth. You just need to face it."
"Fine, you can answer it for yourself. Do you- well, you know, every night?" He winked like this was some sort of sick joke.
I was so offended with this I could have slapped him. "Excuse me?! No, I do not! After two years, and still, I do not!"
He laughed. "Then, silly colt, you obviously don't fill her needs. You both obviously need it every night, or every other night or sometime-"
"Thank you, but no! My relationship is much better without it! Now, please get off the premises of my home!" I almost went into yelling.
He backed away, and started walking away. "I'll be back."
No.
He wouldn't.
In a split second, I had made up my mind.
I catapulted into the air, knocking him down.
I pinned him to the ground.
"If you have ANY brains left in that sickly mind of yours, you will NOT come near me or her EVER again! Learn that well, Thunder Rain!" I didn't care if I was making a scene for the rest of the town. Nothing matter to me in this moment other than protecting Cup.
I got off of him and started walking back towards my house.
From what I heard behind me, I didn't scare him near enough. This time, though, I didn't let my anger get the best of me. It would come back the next time I confronted him.
If he was dumb enough to come back.
Right before going inside, I composed myself again. I could hide my true feelings very well. No ponies ever detected it.
I walked in, with a smile. Cup would eventually turn this fake one into a real one, but I had to fake it for the moment.
"Dearie, the cupcakes are nearly done! Come over here and watch them with me."
"Of course." I said softly, resuming my seat right next to hers.
"Who was at the door?" She inquired.
"Oh, just an old friend who lost his way. I led him somewhere else though. I'm kind of busy." I winked at her.
She, however, was not amused. "That sounds ridiculous. If you're going to meet an old friend, you invite him in and introduce him to me. It wasn't an old friend, was it?" She always saw straight through all of my manipulations. Maybe because she did it herself, so she admitted.
"No," I said softly.
"Who was it?"
"Thunder Rain."
The house became eerily quiet.
"Oh. Him." She said, trying to fill the big gaping hole of awkward with more awkward.
The buzzer dinged.
"Oh! Yay! They're done. Now it's time to frost them." She pulled them out slowly, and placed them on top of the oven. I looked in the fridge for the frosting we made before.
She plopped them onto our dining room table, all face up, all in a little row.
I grabbed all of the frosting. I put it all on the table except for one little bowl of it, and it was all the way behind everything in the fridge.
Cup grabbed the sprinkles.
"Ahha!" I had finally found the frosting, and almost reached across the table to put it down, when-
Cup turned around quicker than I expected, and consequently, right in my tossing range from my fridge to the table.
A big splatter of purple frosting spread all across her. Luckily, there was still a lot left. But it still was funny seeing her reaction.
"Carrot!!" She rolled her eyes, and rubbed her frosting-covered nose across mine.
I softly kissed her nose, receiving some frosting in return. I then poked my nose against her lips. I almost got to kissing her. That was before she licked her lips and got all of her frosting off anyways.
"Darn it..." I mumbled under my breath.
"Cutie pie, you don't need a reason to kiss me."
And with that answer, I softly, yet slowly kissed her. I let her know exactly much I loved her by simply kissing her. It was nice, she always even said I was a good kisser to, which only ever wanted me to kiss her more. Honestly, I could kiss her forever, and be completely content with that. I tried to stay away from the feisty side of her. Which not every colt will tell you about their marefriend. I liked not having any sort of sexual relationship with her, not yet. It kept our relationship more fun, and I enjoyed spending time with her.
She softly returned the favor with a more... Seductive kiss, so to speak. Of course, I didn't object. This mare definitely knew my weak points, and that was definitely one of them. She never attacked me, no. She was the kind who would slowly introduce you to naughty things, only because she knew I was awkward and slightly uncomfortable with half of the things we ended up doing. Of course, we both set limits, only to maintain a perfect relationship.
I grabbed a little frosting from the table, and put a blob of it on her nose, her cheek, her lips, her neck. I started out by kissing her nose. Adorable as it was, she giggled. I moved onto her cheek, and she giggled as well. She pushed me to the ground. I didn't know quite how to feel about this, but I softly kissed her neck anyways. I then proceeded to her lips. This kiss was stronger, more intense. This time, she led it, the kiss rising and falling like our chests... I had started following her, this often did me best. I copied her every move... Not like she minded at all at anyways.
"Hey beautiful?" I asked her, after I decided to finally stop kissing her.
"Mmm?" She put her elbows down on the ground, about either of my shoulders so her face and her beautiful eyes matched directly with mine.
"You might want to get off me before my parents come home and see." I hated breaking moments like these, but sometimes, it was necessary. Besides, if I didn't say something then... I knew she's always have control of me. I wanted her warm, soft body to lie on top of me forever... Every one of her dips and curves on me forever.
"Oh darn." She leaned down a bit more. I really hated how sometimes she really got me distracted. She let her arms go upward, and soon, she was running her hooves through my hair... Then she leaned down some more and kissed me. She was fierce, but not in an overwhelming manner. I don't even know how to describe it. She was perfect, right there. I could have lived right in that moment forever.
I didn't come to my senses until I heard a knock at the door. She had lost me, in whatever she was doing... And I had lost track of time. That meant we were doing exactly that for at least another 45 minutes.
She jumped off of me, and gracefully stood up, and busied herself with the almost-melted frosting. I sighed, popped up quickly and booked it towards the door, and opened it.
"Oh, you're home!" My father, Yellow Cake, greeted me happily at the door. He always was a happy man. He was quite the opposite of your stereotypical army commander.
"We saw your friend Fanny today!" My mother came walking through the door soon after him. "Oh hello, Cup." She waved.
"We haven't heard from Fanny in awhile, either of us." I looked towards Cup to back me up. "I thought he went to Canterlot to go pursue his photography interests."
"I guess he hasn't left yet. He seemed really eager to talk to you again. He mentioned you guys haven't had much contact lately." His father wondered, "Why is that? You three used to be the best of friends. Now it's just down to two." He looked between the both of us.
My best friend Fanny Pack left for Canterlot to go pursue his favorite thing, photography. He told us last fall, but we hadn't seen much of him since. He occasionally sent a letter, but it was never long or descriptive. I think Cup was just as concerned for him as I was.
"I wonder why he hasn't been talking to us during the summer. Maybe he got himself a marefriend." Cup giggled.
"Hey," I got a little offended. "I would totally hang out with Fanny with you. I would have no problem with it."
"But, dear, Fanny might have an issue with it." My mother stated.
"I don't know why he would, he never said if he did before. Besides, he's our best friend, Cup! He would totally tell us. He tells us everything."
"Well, he DID..." Cup sighed.
"Well, dear, we will just have to find this out for ourselves, won't we? Let's go on an adventure!" I grabbed her hoof and led her out of our house.
We had almost gotten out of the house before my mother called behind us, "And you're just going to leave these cupcakes??"
I poked my head back into the door. "You guys can have fun frosting them, if you like. We don't have time for this yet, we're on an adventure! Besides, you don't need to be chefs to frost cupcakes."
And we were off on our grand expedition.
