>You are Coco Pommel.
>New resident of Ponyville.
>It was for one reason you chose to move from Manhatten to the rural village where Twilight Sparkle, Ms. Rarity and their friends live.
>Anon.
>At first, you were apprehensive about giving in to your boyfriend's request and leaving your life in the big city.
>But things are nice here.
>Everypony is nice here.
>And things are quiet-
>*BOOM*
>Your instinct to rear up and run braying is quickly stifled by your experience with this sort of noise.
>Opening the door to the basement, you gallop down the stairs.
"Anon! Anon?"
>The basement is filled with smoke.
>Your human boyfriend is laying in the corner, sitting against the wall.
>The front of his body all the way to his face is scorched with black ink.
"Anon?"
>He makes a flatulent noise with his mouth and spits black chunks out.
>"I'm fine, I'm fine..."
>By now, you know how resilient his body is to damage.
>It still makes you feel panicked to see him take any form of damage though.
>He may be a tough colt- human, but he's still just a male.
"What is that stuff on you?"
>Anon grabs a rag from the desk beside him and starts wiping his face in anger.
>"I was making a damn printer. The stupid thing blew up..."
"How?"
>"I don't know! It wasn't even plugged in!"
>This is becoming too common.
>Your stubborn little Anon blowing himself up.
"I'll get the bath going... Want me to wash your face for you?"
>Anon sits staring at the ground.
>One would think he is angry and pouting.
>But you've known him long enough to know that he is embarrassed.
>"Yes..."
>You smile and turn to head back upstairs.
"I'm sure you'll get it next time, Anon. Maybe I should help..."
>Now you know his is pouting down there.
>You go and start the bath with a devilish smirk.
>Maybe Applejack was right in that you 'couldn't protect a ditzy guy like Anon'.
>But you sure liked to see him flustered.
>Life in Ponyville isn't so bad.

---

>It will take a long while before you can get used to this lifestyle.
>The slow days of Ponyville.
>Everything is so...
>Calm.
>Anon is helping you with this.
>Aside from his obsessive energy when it comes to his inventions and his need to prove himself, the human really is good at adapting to his surroundings.
>He's really taken to this lazy way of day-to-day living in this town.
>You sit on the porch of your country style home, rocking gently in your rocking chair.
>A gentle breeze blows waves across the grass as you look out on your property.
>The birds chirp their songs in the sweet sunshine.
>It really is relaxing.
>You'll be sure to thank Anon for his suggestion to sit out here.
>Once he's done tinkering in the basement.
>The screen door bangs open and your boyfriend comes marching out onto the porch.
>You stop rocking and set your iced tea down on the wicker table.
>Anon is grinning from ear to ear and you can practically feel the excited energy coming off him.
>This will require your full attention.
>"Coco, look!"
>He holds out a small contraption in his hand.
>It looks like a metal ring.
>You blink at it and offer a polite smile.
"That's interesting, Nonnybear. What does it do?"
>He's so excited that he doesn't even comment on the nickname he hates oh so much.
>"I call it a Horn Resonator! I designed it to amplify the magic of unicorns, so even if a unicorn can't do much with their magic, once they slip this on their horn, their magic will-"
>The resonator suddenly sparks and catches fire.
>Anon yelps and drops it onto the porch, stomping on it.
>With the fire out and the gizmo done for, Anon looks back to you.
>You can see the frustration and embarrassment in his eyes.
>It makes your heart swell.
>Reaching over, you pick the ring up and sit back in your chair.
"It's a great idea. I'm sure you can make it work next time, Nonnybear."
>He flops down in his matching rocking chair beside you and huffs.
>"You know I don't like that nickname."
>He's so cute when he's pouting.
>You hold the ring up and look through it at the blue sky.
"If I put a sapphire on this, it would make a fine piece of jewelry..."
>Anon picks up your iced tea and takes a drink, rocking his chair in an irritated manner.
>"Do whatever you want with it. It doesn't work."
>You smile and look out at the property.
>The sounds of birds and insects mesh with the noise of both of your chairs rocking on the wood.
"This is nice, isn't it?"
>Anon crosses his arms and finally looks around at the trees being ruffled by the wind.
>"Ponyville, you mean? Yeah. It's okay, I guess..."
>You reach over and take his hand as you rock with him.
"Don't be grumpy, Nonnybear..."
>The two of you sit rocking the day away.
>Just another lazy Sunday in Ponyville.
>Your home.

---

>One thing the mares of Ponyville like to do is fish.
>When you were a filly, your mother would take you sometimes.
>It's been years since you've fished.
>But once you discovered a small pond on your large property, you knew it was the right thing to do.
>The ponies that owned this property before you and Anon bought it even left a wooden rowboat behind.
>So as the sun casts an orange glow across the evening sky, you sit in the rowboat on the pond with Anon.
>The bull frogs croak their deep calls in the brush at the edge of the water.
>Mayflies hover just above the pond edges.
>You hold a fishing rod, watching the line in the water with a smile.
>Despite the relaxing aesthetic, Anon sits behind you in one of his moods.
>You suppose fishing is really more of a mare hobby.
"Don't you want to try, Anon?"
>He looks up from the water with a frown.
>His concentrating face.
>The pole he brought lays on the floor of the boat, unused.
>"I wonder if I can make an alarm system for the house..."
>He's lost in his own little tinkering world.
>You just smile and start reeling in your line.
>Nothing is biting anyway.
>Placing your rod beside Anon's you turn and put your hooves on Anon's knees.
>"I could rig something for the doors and- hey!"
>He jumps in surprise at the closeness of your face to his.
>His eyes squint from the evening sunset blazing behind you.
"Come back to me, love."
>His eyes scan your face.
>You're so close you can count his eyelashes.
>"I'm right here, whaddya mean?"
>You lean forward and press your lips to his.
>He mumbles something against your lips, but then slides his fingers up into your mane, holding your head and returning the kiss.
>You pull back and give him a smirk.
"You were lost in your world again. Luckily, I know how to bring you back."
>He flushes in a bit of embarrassment and rubs his head.
>"Sorry... I guess I should pay more attention to you, Coco."
>Your smirk grows larger.
"No, you should go for a swim~."
>"Wha-"
>Without warning, you lunge forward and push on his chest with both hooves.
>He scrambles and windmills his arms, but finds nothing to grab on to.
>With glee, you watch your boyfriend fall off the back of the boat and into the water.
>A moment later, he resurfaces and gives you a disbelieving look.
>"Coco!"
>You giggle and jump over the side of the boat, crashing into the water beside him.
>After you resurface, Anon gives you a flat look.
>You only smile and peck him on the nose with your lips as you paddle in the water.
>"I hope you know..."
>You tread water and give Anon your best innocent face.
>"This means war."
>He suddenly 'jumps' at you and pulls you back under the water.
>After he lets go, the two of you surface again, wiping your eyes and laughing.
>A fish jumps out of the water on the other side of the pond.
>The sounds of the frogs and crickets have gone silent.
>Instead, they are replaced by the sounds of laughter and splashing as the sun sets on another day in Ponyville.
>The rowboat sways gently in the wake, forgotten along with the fishing poles.

---

>You awake to the morning sun creeping through the window.
>It silently sneaks into your country home, across the old wooden floor and up to your bed.
>Sitting up and rubbing your eyes, you find that Anon is not in bed with you.
>With a yawn, you get up and start making the bed.
>Once that is done, you leave the room and walk down the stairs.
>The wood creaks under your hooves.
>It's nothing like your loft back in Manehatten, but this old house is full of old charm, in a rustic sort of way.
>A strange noise comes to your ears.
>"A is for apulllllll..."
>It's a small metallic voice that drops a few octaves and makes a fizzling noise at the end.
"Anon?"
>You walk into the parlor and find your boyfriend sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace.
>In front of him is a pony toy.
>At least, you think it's a toy.
>The little pony figure is made of metal and painted like-
"You made a toy version of me?"
>Anon's grumpy face turns to you.
>"It's a Boop 'N Speak..."
"A what?"
>The little pony is painted to look just like you.
>It even has some sort of yarn-like material for the mane and tail.
>"Watch."
>Anon reaches forward and presses the toy pony's nose with a finger.
>"Boop."
>The pony toy comes to life, moving its head up and down.
>"Haha! That tickleeeeees..."
>The small metallic voice distorts at the end and makes the fizzle sound again.
>"And speak. I think I got something wrong with the voice box wiring though..."
>He rests his chin on his hands and stares at his creation with a furrowed brow.
>He doesn't notice the blush on your face.
>The poor innocent man doesn't realize how lewd a thing he has invented.
>It's honestly pretty cute how ignorant he is to pony culture.
>"Sorry, did I wake you up?"
>You stop admiring his brooding and shake your head.
"I woke up on my own. Are you hungry?"
>Anon sighs and picks up the Boop 'N Speak, examining it with a critical eye.
>"I already ate. I made you some breakfast. It's in the oven."
>You blink in surprise.
>He is now lost again, mumbling over his invention as he unscrews a panel with a screw driver.
>Though he tries to act like a marely guy, Anon can be quite the homemaker sometimes.
"Thanks, Nonnybear."
>"Mmm..." He grunts.
>You walk into the kitchen with a smirk.
>Anon put some buttered toast, flapjacks and apple slices on a plate in the oven for you.
>After you eat that, you head outside to do some chores.
>Chores.
>Those were always such a hassle when you lived in the city.
>But here... They're just a part of every day life.
>Now they seem less like 'chores' and more like habits.
>You feed the chickens.
>Do some weeding in the garden.
>Pick some fresh apples.
>And put some new screws in the squeaky front gate.
>By the time you're done, it's mid day.
>The sun sits high in the sky, shining down life-giving rays across the lush greenery of your property.
>You take a moment to admire what you and Anon have worked so hard on.
>There's still so much to do, but that's actually something to look forward to.
>Not chores.
>A way of life.
>You head back inside, out of the sun.
>The screen door slams against the wood frame behind you.
>It would probably be a good idea to get Anon to add some kind of buffer spring to that...
>You find your boyfriend
>Still exactly where you left him this morning.
>It brings a smile to your face, seeing him muttering over the now scattered pieces of the pony toy on the wood floor in front of him.
"Anon, you want lunch?"
>He looks up, surprised to see you.
>So caught up in his world, he didn't even hear you come in.
>You trot over to him and kiss his furrowed forehead.
>"You're all sweaty. You should have asked me to help, Co."
>You give him a slight smile and shake your head.
"Don't worry your pretty little head. Let's eat lunch."
>Anon gets up grumbling.
>"I'm not a woman..."
>You chuckle and nip at the edge of his flannel.
"Yeah, you're a BIG strong man, I know~."
>The two of you head into the kitchen and start making lunch.
>Together.
>In silence, you make sandwiches and sliced fruit at the counter, side by side.
>You can hear the chickens clucking right outside the window over the sink.
>Once finished, the two of you pour some sun tea into glasses and take your meal out to the front porch to eat in your rocking chairs.
>You watch Anon as he eats and rocks gently.
>He stares out at the garden.
>You know he's thinking about the toy.
"So, what made you want to make a pony toy?"
>Anon stops chewing and looks over at you.
>"I just felt like fillies here didn't really have many cool toys, I guess..."
>You nod, thinking of all the toys you had when you were young.
"And you even made it look like me. It's kind of embarrassing..."
>Anon's eyes scan your face.
>"Do you not like it?"
>You shake your head.
"No, I do. Ever so much."
>His eyes keep scanning your face and you can tell he wants to say something else.
>"I designed it after you for a reason, Co... Because I love you."
>This catches you off guard and you almost choke on your tea.
>Anon realizes what he just said and looks embarrassed, turning away and scratching his beard in discomfort.
"I love you too, Nonnybear."
>Anon grumbles.
>You smirk and rock faster, feeling an elation spread to the tips of your hooves.
>"You always make me say such cheesy stuff..."
>You swish your tail across the wooden porch below you.
"That's because you loooove me~."
>He just grunts and takes a big bite of his sandwich.
>You laugh and go back to eating as well.
>There's a few minutes of silence between you, the only sounds coming from your chairs rocking across the wood and the birds chattering in the fruit trees.
"Hey, Anon?"
>He stops rocking and looks at you.
>You can't help having the question in your mind.
>The reason he decided to make a pony toy.
"Do you... Ever think that you want children?"
>You can almost feel Anon tense up.
>It's not fair to ask him that ever so earnestly, you know that.
>There is near no chance that he can have foals with a pony.
>With you.
>Anon looks down at the ground, a million thoughts seeming to be going through his mind.
>"Not really. I mean, I don't think I can here."
>A sudden smirk comes to your face.
>Your body is tired.
>Nothing sounds better than going upstairs and having a mid day nap with Anon right now.
>You collect both of your empty plates and glasses, then stand up and make to go back inside.
"Maybe not. But... We could try."
>You stop and turn back to him, giving the most sultry look you can muster.
>His eyes widen and his face flushes a bit.
>That right there.
>That's what gives you the energy to wake up every day and do your work.
>His face.
>"It's weird when you're lewd, Co..." He mutters and stands up.
>You know he likes it.
>With a giggle, you turn and walk back into the house, shaking your hips a bit more than usual for his eyes to enjoy.
>As Anon enters behind you, the screen door slams shut behind him, making both of you jump.
>Anon turns and starts examining the door.
>"Damn. I should add some sort of spring to this... I think there's one in the shed."
>You set the plates and glasses in the kitchen, then go back to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder as he squats by the noisy door.
"Anon, how about you take care of that later?"
>He looks over at you and you can see him already working out blueprints for a new contraption in his head.
>"But, the door-"
>You silence him with a kiss.
>Pulling back, you rub his thigh with a hoof.
"Let's take a nap, love."
>You know he wants to refuse.
>To stay here and tinker with the screen door.
>But he can't fight your smiling face.
>Your sleepy eyes.
>"Alright. Just an hour."
>You turn happily and start marching up the stairs.
"Two."
>Anon's heavy footsteps make the stairs creak behind you.
>"Fine."
>Your trademark smirk comes back, but behind you he can't see it.
"We'll need the rest after we try to make a foal~."
>You can hear Anon's footsteps stop behind you.
>"Co..."
>You laugh and hop up the last few stairs.
"Only joking! Come on, grumpy pants."
>The two of you enter your bedroom.
>Anon undresses and you open the window to let the late spring air in.
>The two of you fall asleep, wrapped in each other's embrace as the sun shines across the bed.
>The chores make it seem like you are accomplishing something.
>And laying here with him makes it feel like those accomplishments matter.
>Like you belong here.
>Your home just a mile outside of town.

https://youtu.be/mGMcF4BDwi8

---

>Summer has came and went.
>Well, almost.
>The warm season is in it's final days.
>It has almost been a year since you and Anon have started living in the old country house with the large property.
>And a good year it has been.
>Your only wish is that there will be many more to come.
>No- your only wish is that there will be more years to come with just the two of you here.
>It really doesn't matter if things get rough.
>As long as he stays here with you.
>You trot out of the house and into the morning sun.
>The chickens scatter and cluck as you come stomping down the wooden stairs with a smile.
>You feel good today.
>Rarity came over for a visit last night along with Twilight Sparkle and Spike. 
>All five of you (including Anon) had a wonderful night eating a meal and just talking away.
>You all even got to try the cider Anon had been brewing for a few weeks.
>Except for Spike.
>Anon's cider was... A bit strong.
>All in all, the night was ever so pleasant.
>It honestly made your pride swell a little listening to Rarity and Twilight gush about how charming your home was.
>Rarity always did when she came over, but it was the first time Twilight Sparkle had been over to visit.
>Memories of the night roll through your head as you trot down the dirt path between the apple and plum trees.
>The whole reason you are out here is to find Anon.
>It's fairly common for him to wake up before you, but at least usually he's down in the basement, or just in the parlor tinkering.
>That wasn't the case when you woke up.
>Sometimes you wish he would just stay in bed longer.
>It would be nice to spend a morning or two just lazing on the quilt and doing... Things.
>You feel a bit of excitement well in your body and your tail flicks in agitation.
>There's no point in getting worked up in the morning.
>Anon is always too distracted to help you deal with those desires.
>Taking a deep breath and sighing, you trot from out of the walls of fruit trees and look over the open field leading to the front gate.
>There is Anon.
>You see your boyfriend squatting down by a portion of  the wooden fence that lines your property.
>Curious, you sort of gallop toward him.
>Of course you'd never mention it, but waking up in bed without him always made you feel a bit lonely.
>It always seemed to you that Anon wasn't the type to like a clingy mare.
>Odd, since it seemed that's exactly what most stallions say they want more of.
>But Anon is not a stallion.
>That's why you like him, you guess.
>The fact is, you feel clingy right now.
>Maybe it's the effect of the fading summer heat wave.
>You reach Anon and throw yourself over his shoulders.
>He yelps and tries to catch his balance, dropping the hammer he was holding.
>You squeeze him tight and dig your muzzle into the nape of his neck, inhaling the scent you love so much.
>"Coco! What are you doing?"
>At first, he tries to pull away, but realizes you are dug in too deep.
>Your lips start trailing kisses up his skin.
>You know he likes it.
"I missed you, Nonnybear."
>He balances again and sighs, letting you nibble on his ear lobe.
>"You still drunk?"
"I wasn't drunk..."
>"You had a lot of cider last night. I know you can't handle your alcohol too well."
>You raise your head and scoff.
"I can too!"
>A smirk comes to his lips.
>"Co, I had to physically lift you out of bed to take you to the bathroom after Twilight and the others left."
>Your ears droop and you can feel your face starting to burn.
>Now that's something you don't remember.
>"I took you to the bathroom, but you tried to pee in the bathtub. You don't remember that, huh?"
>You avoid his gleeful eyes and look around.
"I was dehydrated! It's been hot... Anyways! What are you doing out here?"
>Anon chuckles and shakes his head, picking up his hammer from the dirt.
>You can see that he has been attaching new chicken wire between the fence posts where the old wire has deteriorated.
>"Just fixing the  bad parts of the fence."
>Why though?
>The two of you had mentioned this before, but came to the conclusion that it wasn't really that big of a deal.
>Yet here Anon is, crouching down under the intense morning sun with a baseball cap and his trademark flannel on, pounding new tacking into the wooden fence posts.
"I thought we were going shopping in town today for some seeds and stuff? This is going to take you all day long to finish..."
>There it is again.
>You can't help it.
>It's that time of year.
>Your hormones are a little out of control right now.
>Stupid emotions.
>The only thing you want is to spend time with Anon.
>Just the two of you.
>Doing things together.
>You hope Anon doesn't mind this clinging.
>"We can go after lunch. I just really want to get this done."
>He stops hammering and wipes the sweat from his brow.
"Why though? Seems like you're really focused."
>He picks up another section of pre-cut chicken wire and measures it against a hole.
>"Yeah.  I just... I just want to get it done, okay?"
>There's something odd about the tone in his voice.
"Anon, what's up?"
>You move your face closer to him.
>There's nothing he can keep secret from you.
>Because you can always use your secret weapon...
>Okay, so this is something you can only do when it's the two of you.
>If anyone else saw this, you would DIE.
>You lay down on the grass behind him and roll onto your back.
>He tenses up, even though his back is to you.
>He knows what's coming.
>While on your back, you fold your legs to your body and curl your tail up tight against your belly.
>With your bottom lip pushed out, you make a whining noise and softly paw at the edge of his flannel.
"Anon... Please? Anon? Pay attention to me?"
>He's fighting it.
>But this always wins.
>The big grumpy, burly human is called 'Nonnybear' by you for a reason.
>Grizzly on the outside.
>Teddy bear on the inside.
>He lets out a big sigh.
>Victory is sweet.
>"Bandits."
>You stop your foalish pouting act and cock your head.
"Bandits?"
>"I'm... Doing improvements on the perimeter just in case bandits try to raid our property or something."
>It takes a moment to process his words.
>And then you laugh.
"Bandits?"
>Where did he get that idea?
>Was he reading fantasy novels again?
>"It's not funny! Twilight told me last night that her and the Elements Of Harmony had to stop a group of bandit mares at the edge of the Crystal Empire last week! They almost seriously hurt Prince Shining Armor!"
>You kick your legs in the air and do some rolling in the grass, unable to hold your laughter.
>Not only did the raging hormones of late summer make you clingy, they made you a bit loopy.
"Bandits?! Anon, I don't think bandits are going to bother with our little home!"
>He grumbles and goes back to work.
>"I'll give it a break at noon. You want to eat lunch here, or in town?"
>You roll back onto your stomach and slide a hoof up his back, along his spine.
"Can we have lunch in town? A date?"
>He stops hammering and looks back at you.
>"Date?"
>You nod and brush your mane out of your eyes.
"Uh huh, and I wanna kiss."
>His brow furrows.
>With a smile, you close your eyes and pucker up.
>"You're acting weird today, Co..."
>Despite that, you feel him bend down and kiss your lips.
>Too soon, it's over and he pulls away.
>You open your eyes and blink rapidly.
>Anon's face is still inches from yours.
>"It's cute."
>Your face flushes and your tail does a happy slap against the grass behind you.
>Your ears twitch and you have an urge to press your body against him again.
>He coughs and turns back around.
>"Alright. I'll see you at noon."
>You smile and get back up, happily trotting back toward the house.
>To get ready for your date.

---

>Anon is finished with his work at five past noon.
>You have long since finished getting ready to go into town.
>At first, you thought about wearing clothes.
>Just for the date.
>But instead, you decided to just fix your mane a little bit and put your trademark hair clip into it.
>And your sailor collar, of course.
>After that, without having much to do, you poured some cranberry juice for yourself and took it to the porch.
>As you sit in your rocking chair, you look at your garden just at the edge of the porch.
>You have been meaning to get some pumpkin seeds for a while.
>Anon wants to grow some large ones to carve this autumn.
>You take a drink of your juice and eye one of your hens creeping near the garden.
>There is some wire fencing around the area to keep them out, but this hen has been trying to get at the plants and the bugs they may hide for a few days.
"Hey you!"
>The chicken stops and looks up at you.
"Shoo!"
>The chicken clucks and goes running back toward the others.
>Never in your life would you have imagined yourself  sitting on the porch of a country home, shooing chickens away from your garden.
>It's still odd to think that you are so far from the city.
>Manehatten was home for so long.
>It's not as though you are homesick though.
>"If that hen gets into the snap peas, I'll have her for dinner."
>You are drawn from your thoughts as Anon comes clomping up the porch stairs in his boots.
>He looks pretty tired and you can see the sweat on his brow.
"Please don't eat any of my chickens."
>He smiles at you and you offer him your glass of cranberry juice.
"It's cold."
>He takes it from your hoof and thanks you.
>You watch him take a sip, then give it back to you.
>"I know you wouldn't let me. But seriously, she better not touch those damn peas."
>He grabs the screen door and pulls it open.
>"I'm just gonna wash up a bit, then we can go."
>You smile and nod, holding your glass in both hooves.
>Anon enters the house and you are left alone again.
>A crow lands on the railing at the end of the porch and caws loudly.
>You watch the hen come creeping back toward the garden again.
"Hey."
>She stops and looks at you again.
"I'll let him do it, you know."
>The hen skitters away and you smile.
"That's what I thought."

-

>Being a Thursday, Ponyville isn't that busy with activity by the time you get into town.
>You walk next to Anon down the road with your saddlebags on.
>Anon walks with his left hand just brushing your back.
>You like it when he does that.
>"Co, let's do the errands first, then get lunch."
>That sounds reasonable.
>Save the fun for last.
>So for a while, the two of you plod around the market, getting the few things you came for.
>Seeds, some more rope, a new saw, some sugar, candles and some random food you were out of.
>Around an hour of shopping later, you are done.
>Anon checks his list.
>"That's it, huh?"
>You just nod and shift your saddle bags.
"That's it. Now..."
>He folds up the paper and slides it into his back pocket.
>You are glad you chose not to get all dressed up.
>Not only because it's hot.
>Anon didn't bother putting on anything fancy either.
>He is wearing a blue flannel and a matching baseball cap with his best jeans and his boots.
>Anon is a creature of habit.
>Not one for flash.
>That's something to admire about him for you.
>What you see is what you get.
>"Where should we eat?"
>You answer right away.
"Licoriceia."
>Anon's eyebrows raise.
>"That fancy place?"
"Yeah. Is that fine?"
>He shrugs.
>"Sounds good to me."
>Licoriceia has the coffee you like.
>And roasted vegetable pierogies that are to die for.
>The two of you head out of the market and toward the small restaurant.
>When you enter, a stallion greets you and grabs two menus.
>"Just two today?"
>Anon nods and the host leads you to a table.
>The place is small, but fancy looking.
>The host is pretty professional.
>He didn't even give Anon (dressed like he was just out wrangling cows) the eye.
>The few ponies that are already at tables are not as polite.
>They stare at the human as you both follow the host.
>You simply smile and walk close to your boyfriend, lightly brushing against his legs.
>The host shows you to a small table, away from the other guests.
>"Can I get you something to drink?"
>You take a seat and look at Anon, trying to comfortably squeeze himself into a pony-sized chair.
>"Just water, please," He grumbles.
"Can I have the rouge cafe?"
>The host nods and places the menus on the table, then leaves.
>Anon opens his menu and squints in the dim lighting to read it.
>You leave your menu untouched and watch him with a smile.
>"You already know what you want?"
>Sliding your back hoof under the table, you brush it slowly up and down Anon's leg.
>He gives you a surprised look, then checks around to see if anypony is watching.
>So cute when he's flustered.
"The roasted vegetable pierogies. I've been thinking about them all day."
>Anon nods, then goes back to his menu.
>"Think I'll have the spaghetti."
>A waiter stallion comes to the table and sets your drinks in front of you.
>A glass of water with cucumber slices in it for Anon, and a small porcelain cup of coffee for you.
>He takes your orders, then leaves.
>The 'rouge cafe' is a special here.
>An espresso concoction with cinnamon infused.
>It even has a bit of cream on the surface, shaped like a heart.
>Anon takes a drink of his water while you let your drink steam in front of you.
>There is soft piano music playing from somewhere in one of the back rooms.
>"After this, I want to stop by one more place before we head home."
>Your hoof under the table goes a bit higher, brushing his inner thigh.
>You can't help but smirk as you watch him squirm.
"Where to, Nonnybear?"
>He tries to collect himself and clears his throat.
>"It's a surprise."
"Is it something I'll like?"
>"Probably."
"Is it something to do with those bandits you're so scared of?"
>Anon flushes a bit and grumbles.
>"I'm not scared of bandits. I just worry about you, okay?"
>You chuckle and stop rubbing his thigh.
>Placing your hooves on the table on either side of your drink, you give Anon a loving smile.
"Don't worry, Anon. I'll protect you from the bandits."
>He actually chokes a bit on his water.
>"Co..."
>Suddenly, he gets up from his seat.
>Walking around the table, he steps toward you until he is towering over you in your seat.
>For a moment, you feel a surge of adrenaline rush through your body.
>You can't help it.
>By now, you are used to being around him.
>But every now and then, you remember just how much bigger and stronger he is than you.
>Essentially, he is a predator.
>You know that he is a big softie on the inside-
>But there's still the fact that he is currently towering over you, smirking down upon your small frame.
>It's odd to feel so powerless because of a male.
>And maybe it's because you are a mess of hormones right now, but...
>The slight feeling of panic is more of a turn on than you realized.
>"It's funny that you think you need to protect me."
>Anon reaches down and grabs you by your sides.
>You really panic when he starts lifting you up.
"Anon!"
>You are careful to not kick your coffee over as your back hooves clear the table and Anon lifts you completely into the air.
>Moving with surprising swiftness, he takes your place in the chair you were just sitting in.
>And places you back down on his lap.
>It's your turn to flush now.
>This is NOT something you ever thought Anon would do.
>The two of you are out in public.
>With you sitting in Anon's lap like some little filly.
"Anon..."
>You tilt your head back, the top of your head bumping against his chest behind you.
>His face looks down at you, a smirk that says 'I win' on it.
>His hands slide down your sides and meet over your belly, making your back leg kick a bit reflexively and sending a feeling down your spine that makes it feel like you are melting into his lap.
>"Don't worry, Coco. I'll protect you from anything."
>As you stare into his eyes, the sudden sound of someone clearing their throat makes you jump a bit.
>The waiter is back with your food.
>He's confused as to where to put the food, since both of you occupy one seat now.
"I'll take your seat, Anon."
>You make to get out of his lap, but he holds you in place with his hands on your belly.
>"Please just set the food over here."
>The waiter sets both of your meals in front of you, then leaves.
"Anon?"
>Keeping one hand dangerously close to 'too low for public' on your stomach, he reaches forward with the other hand and picks up a fork.
>Skewering one of your pierogies, he brings it up to your face.
>"Say 'ahh'..."
>Oh Celestia.
>It's a good thing that no other ponies are around to see this.
>What would mares even think of this?
"Whyyyyy?"
>Your face burns as hot as the sun, but you close your eyes and open your mouth.
>Anon brings the food to your tongue and you go to take a bite.
>At the last moment, he pulls the pierogie away.
>You bite air and open your eyes.
>Anon leans down behind you and you tense up at his whisper in your ear.
>"You can dish it, but can you take it, Co?"
>You let your bangs fall over your eyes as you look down in embarrassment.
>"Say 'ahhh'..."

-

>That was the most memorable lunch date in… Well, ever.
>You still can’t decide what exactly to think of it.
>Anon has never been that affectionate in public.
>Actually, you have honestly never seen a male act that way in public.
>”Co? You alright?”
>After the two of you finished lunch (Of which you ate most of in Anon’s lap, until a mare walked by and was smirking at you and you begged Anon to let you go), you set out to the mystery place Anon wanted to go to before heading home.
>It’s still bright as ever outside and seems like most ponies are choosing to stay inside out of the glare of the sun.
“I’m fine. That was just… A lot of excitement.”
>Anon chuckles and puts a hand into your mane as the two of you walk.
>His fingers slide behind your ear and starts rubbing in a pinching manner.
“Oooof…”
>Your right front leg wobbles a little and almost gives out as you walk.
>Your ears are one of the most sensitive parts of your body.
>Anon knows this.
“Anon… Take it ea-easy.”
>The feeling of him stroking an ear between his thumb and forefinger is turning you into putty.
>The fact that he is yet again doing ‘private time’ things to you in public is turning you into a nervous wreck.
>Two mares walk past you and you can hear them snickering once behind you.
>Your face must be horrible right now.
“Anon, please?”
>You turn up to him and give him your best pouting face.
>He grins and lets go of your ear.
“Thank you. What’s gotten into you today?”
>You walk past the market again and head more toward the part of town that eventually leads to the Everfree forest.
>Anon shrugs.
>”Do you not like it?”
>No, you like it a lot.
>But at the same time, these public displays of affection are so…
>”It’s that time of the year for you, right?”
>You stop in your tracks.
“What?”
>Anon stops as well and looks around to make sure no other ponies can hear him.
>”You know, your estrus cycle? Ponies are long-day breeders, so I know that all of this sun and safe living on the farm free of stress must have triggered your hormones recently.”
>Your mouth hangs open and all you can do is stare at Anon dumbly as he speaks.
>”Well, Twilight Sparkle told me all about this stuff when I asked-”
“You asked TWILIGHT Sparkle about estrus?”
>”Uh, yeah. Well, I asked her why mares always act so weird during spring and summer. She said it was probably estrus and told me about it. Anyway, I know your cycle will last for about three weeks or so, and you’ve been on it for what, almost a week now?”
>You don’t know what to say.
>It seems like he knows all about it.
>But honestly, him asking Twilight Sparkle about estrus is just too embarrassing.
>The smirk returns to his face.
>”It’s good to know I can still fluster you.”
>You close your eyes and smile, sighing shakily.
“Okay, Nonnybear. You win. How about we just go now?”
>Anon chuckles and the two of you head off again.
>He walks with his left fingertips brushing your back as usual.
>Choosing to be patient, you let him lead the two of you closer to the Everfree.
>Eventually, you reach your destination.
>Fluttershy’s cottage.
>You didn’t even know that Anon knew Fluttershy.
>He walks right up to her front door and knocks.
“Anon?”
>You cast him a sideways glance, but he only puts a finger to his lips and makes a ‘shh’ sound.
>The door opens a crack and Fluttershy peers out.
>”Hello?”
>She sees that it is the two of you standing outside and opens the door fully.
>”Hello Anonymous and Coco.”
>A couple of birds fly out of the cottage behind her.
>”Is it that time already?”
>Anon nods, “Yeah. Is it fine?”
>Fluttershy seems a bit excited and nods.
>You notice her wings are outstretched.
>”Just wait her please and I’ll go get him.”
>Before you can ask what is happening, Fluttershy retreats back into her cottage.
“Anon?”
>He just smiles and shakes his head.
>”Just wait. It’s a surprise.”
>You’re starting to get nervous now.
>Your hooves start doing a bit of nervous shuffling.
“But why?”
>He shrugs, “It’s a special day, I guess.”
>Before you can ask why again, Fluttershy returns.
>With a puppy in her hooves.
>Your eyes widen at the animal held out before you.
>”Um, he’s a black Germane Shepherd. He just woke up, so he might be a bit confused.”
>Fluttershy holds the small black puppy in front of you.
>It’s eyes are half closed and it’s little ears are folded over.
>It yawns in your face.
>You turn and look at Anon.
>He grins and nods, “Surprise. Are you going to hold our new puppy?”
>With your words caught in your throat, you sit down and hold your hooves out.
>Fluttershy deposits the puppy into your legs and you cradle him close.
>He looks up at your face and sniffs at you.
“Our… New puppy?”
>Anon leans down beside you and lets the puppy sniff his hand.
>”Yeah. He needs a name, don’t you think?”
>The puppy sniffs at your collar and nips at it playfully.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
>Wait, this is why he was repairing the fence so fast?
>”It was a surprise, Co. Happy anniversary.”
>Your heart skips a beat and you whip your face to him.
>Anniversary?
>Oh damn.
>You forgot…
>What a stereotypical mare you are.
“I’m sorry, I forgot…”
>Anon nudges the puppy away from your collar and lets it chew on his finger instead.
>”That’s alright. I only remembered because last week, Rarity asked me how long we had been together.”
>You look back down to the puppy and rub along his little head.
>He lets go of Anon’s finger and tries to chew on your hoof.
“So you got us a dog?”
>Anon stands back up and reaches into his pocket.
>”Yeah. Well, after I pay Fluttershy.”
>He pulls an envelope out of his back pocket and offers it to Fluttershy.
>She seems to shrink away.
>”Oh no, I couldn’t-”
>Anon presses the envelope into her hoof.
>”Please, Fluttershy.”
>Fluttershy reluctantly accepts the payment.
>”Thank you. I have some puppy food and a couple of toys for you to take as well.”

-

>Your saddlebags were much heavier to take home than when you came into town.
>Not only did you carry all of the stuff you bought while shopping, but you carried the new dog toys and the small bag of puppy food.
>Anon tried to carry some, but you just wanted him to carry the puppy.
>The puppy.
>He needs a name.
>Now home, you and Anon sit on the wooden floor of the front porch, after putting everything away.
>The puppy is between the two of you, gnawing on the rope toy that Fluttershy provided.
>The puppy…
>It’s still not quite registering that you and Anon now have a dog.
>Growing up, your parents never allowed you to have any sort of animals in the house.
>You have always wanted a dog.
“He needs a name.”
>Anon grabs the little rope and tugs it.
>It pops out of the puppy’s mouth and he quickly tries to pounce on it again with his small paws.
>”You decide on a name, Co.”
>Anon holds the rope up, just out of reach for the puppy.
>He stands on his hind legs for a second, reaching up for it, then tumbles onto his back on the wood.
>Both of you laugh and Anon picks the puppy up, setting him on his paws again.
>A name, huh?
>Pursing your lips together, you give a little whistle.
“Come here, Pierogi.”
>The puppy turns to you and tilts his head.
>You smile and pat the floor in front of you.
“Pierogi~ come!”
>He does an excited sort of half-run, half-hop over to you and you pick him up.
>”Pierogi?” Anon raises an eyebrow at you as you kiss Pierogi’s head.
“Do you not like it?”
>Anon shrugs, “It’s fine with me. I just wasn’t expecting a food name, I guess.”
>Pierogi starts wiggling impatiently in your hooves and you set him back down.
“I think it fits. He’s small and adorable, like a pierogi…”
>Anon laughs and stands up.
>Pierogi flinches at the sudden movement and tries to hide himself underneath you.
>Anon steps over and bends down to you.
>He presses his lips to your forehead and ruffles your mane a bit with his hand.
>”I’m gonna go finish working on the fence, okay?”
>You pick Pierogi up from beneath you and hold him out.
“Don’t forget Pierogi!”
>Anon gives you a crooked smile and scratches the dog’s head with his fingers.
>Pierogi gives a sudden bark and the two of you laugh.

-

>While Anon went back to working on the fence repairs, you stayed in the house and played with Pierogi.
>He had only two ‘accidents’ in the house.
>You hope Anon knows how to deal with potty training.
>Because you sure don’t.
>By the time Anon comes back inside, Pierogi is asleep on the couch next to you, curled up against your side.
>Anon removes his boots and carefully takes a seat on the couch.
>He reaches over and picks Pierogi up, setting him on his lap.
>The little puppy only stirs a bit, not waking up.
“He’s had a pretty exciting day.”
>You get off the couch and stretch.
>”I think we all have.”
>You nod and smile at your boyfriend.
“Thank you, Anon. Today was ever so wonderful.”
>He looks down at Pierogi balled up on his thighs and grins.
>”Yeah. A good way to mark our first year here.”
>It’s getting late in the evening and you feel like it’s time to start actually getting something done.
“I’m sure there will be many more wonderful years to come. Are you hungry?”
>Anon leans back into the couch.
>”Kind of, I think I’m going to take a nap.”
>He closes his eyes and you head to the kitchen.

-

>After a shower, you decided to balance some of the finances in your journal.
>After a day like today, the numbers were going to change quite a bit.
>But it was worth it.
>You will need to find out how much Anon spent on Pierogi.
>He may be surprisingly good with tools and building things, but Anon is still a male.
>So it’s your job to make sure the two of you don’t go broke.
>Looking out of the kitchen window, you see that the sun is just about to set.
>The chickens have all gathered back near their coop.
>Small pink clouds dot the sky in whisps.
>Summer is ending.
>Soon you will enter into the autumn season with Anon.
>Your first together.
>It suddenly hits you how much you are going to miss the warm weather and long lazy days.
>You suppose it might be about time to start chopping firewood in preparation for the coming winter.
>Maybe you should do a bit more fishing before the warm days are gone as well.
>It’s so easy to get caught up in your hopes and dreams for the future here.
>You suppose it’s the fact that this is such a slow lifestyle compared to that of big city living that you have more time to daydream of the future.
>Sometimes you have to pull yourself back to the present.
>You head back into the living room.
>And find Anon now laying across the couch.
>Pierogi is curled up in the crook of his arm, his little face buried into Anon’s flannel.
>All thoughts of the future fade from your mind like the sun slipping away outside.
>This presently is far more satisfying than any dream.
>You walk quietly over to the couch and lift Anon’s free arm with your nose.
>Working silently, you squeeze yourself onto the couch against Anon’s side.
>He grumbles a bit and moves his head, still asleep.
>Finally, you get yourself into position.
>You now lay pinned to Anon’s side with your front right leg stretched across his chest, your hoof barely grazing the top of Pierogi’s head.
>You sigh at the feeling of Anon’s long arm limply laying over you, his fingers resting in your cutie mark.
>For a while, you lay like this and watch the two boys sleep.
>The sun finally gives way to the moon and you can see the fireflies hovering just outside the window.
>”Hey.”
>You look up and see that Anon has his eyes closed.
>”Stay away from the damn garden…”
>He’s talking in his sleep.
>A smile slowly spreads across your face.
>Moving your head, you place your lips right next to his ear-
>And start clucking.
“Bock bock…”
>Anon’s eyes open and he looks down at you wearily.
>”Coco?”
>You squeeze his chest a bit harder.
“Having an interesting dream?”
>He sighs and looks down at Pierogi.
>”I was dreaming about that hen getting into the garden, and then… And then you were a chicken.”
>You smirk.
“Oh? A chicken? But I’m Coco.”
>Anon closes his eyes again.
>”No, you’re a dork. Even in my dreams.”
>You flush a bit.
>Well, he has a point.
>You WERE just clucking like a chicken in his ear.
>Anon’s arm pulls you closer to his body and he turns his head, burying his nose in your mane.
>”I love you. Dork.”
>Now your grin is back.
“Anon, don’t you want to go up to bed?”
>He moves his head from side to side and begins stroking along your flank with his fingers.
>”No. Let’s sleep right here.”
>The three of you fall asleep like that, crammed onto the couch.
>Outside, you can hear a timber wolf cry out from the direction of the forest.
>A wall of sound created by crickets makes your eyes grow heavy.
>You know that not much work is going to get done in the morning because of the new puppy.
>But that’s okay.
>There will be many more days ahead to get work done.
>Anon will be there to help you.
>And you will be there for Anon.
>Because you share the same desires.
>A life well spent in the present and a future within reach of dreams.

https://youtu.be/oC-9aEf0Q-A