I’ve been sitting here waiting for Anon, and he still hasn't shown yet. I know the walk to school couldn't have taken this long. I feel my ears swivel a bit towards the door as I hear a bit of a commotion going on outside. It was probably those flower sisters again. I swear, I can't believe those three complain so much. I was going to ignore it and clean the house a bit while Anon was away, but I recognize a voice in all that noise. It was deeper and masculine. Was that Anon? I walk over to the door, turning a bit so my wing could grasp the knob. With practiced ease I hear the click and pull the door open.
I poke my head out and look around a bit to see if I could find that voice. Down the street, I see something that definitely makes my blood boil. Anon was standing in the middle of the market and a few of the elements of harmony were surrounding him. They were a little too far from me to hear, but from Anon’s expression, he wasn't very happy about what they were talking about.
I know it wasn't any of my business, but I couldn't just leave him alone like that. I quickly close my door behind me as I make my way over to him. The thought of tripping or crashing didn't even come to mind as I try to get there. Anon needed me right now and that’s all that matters.
“-old you it isn't any of your business.” I hear him say with irritation.
“Just tell us what in the hay is wrong with Twilight!” Rainbow Dash screams.
As I make my approach, I decide to get Anon’s attention.
“Is everything alright here?” I ask.
Anon looks down to me with a forced smile.
“Yeah, Derpy. Just talking about something.” He lets out a fake chuckle as he rubs his neck.
“Did Dinky make it to school alright?” I try to pull him away from the others.
He nods. “Yeah, she made it there just fine.”
I nod as well, taking my place by his side. I can see the elements are giving me mean looks. They probably didn't want me around to hear whatever they were talking about. Though it didn't seem to stop Rainbow Dash from speaking out as she looks back to Anon.
“I swear, if you hurt Twilight, I’ll mess you up!”
I feel my feathers ruffle as I take a step in front of Anon, forcing Rainbow Dash to take a step back. It felt as if my body was acting on its own, my wings spread open to make myself look bigger, my fur was standing on end as my eyes narrow at her. I could feel the muscles in my entire body tense as I stare her down. In only a few moments, I felt my eyes size her up.
While I knew she had an impressive amount of wing strength, I held over her the body of a well worked pegasus. What I lacked in flying, I made up for in body strength that could rival an earth pony. Carrying those large mail bags was something that came as second nature to me nowadays, but those bags made up more than double my weight. The tell-tale signs of a mailmare are endurance and strength. I have them both in abundance.
Time seemed to slow as we had our standoff. I never felt something so natural come over me than what was happening now. She is threatening my friend, and I wasn't going to let her get near him! We both locked eyes with each other, silently challenging somepony to make a move. That was, until Applejack grabbed ahold of Rainbow’s tail and dragged her back to their group.
“Now hold on one doggone minute!” She shouts. “We known Anon for a long time and he ain't been nothin’ but sweet and mindful of us! Now, I don't know what happened ‘tween the two, but I do know that he wouldn't go around hurtin’ Twilight.” She then looks to Anon. “Don't reckon I know why, but I can just feel somethin’ ain't right here, and it’s got nothin’ to do with Anon.”
Rarity gives a nod. “Anon has been a gentleman since he arrived, and I think it would be criminal to think he did something unbecoming. While I hate to admit it, Twilight does tend to get herself into situations like this.”
As I see everypony starting to calm down, I take my place by Anon’s side again.
Fluttershy steps next to Rainbow Dash and lays a wing onto her back. “I agree with Applejack and Rarity. We both know that Anon wouldn't hurt anypony. He is always helping us as much as he can, and while you can't see it now, I can tell that he is in a lot of pain.”
I look up to Anon as he holds his cold expression, I could see the pain locked behind his grim facade.
I look back to see that Rainbow has an ashamed look as she bites her lower lip. “Yeah, I guess you girls are right.” She looks to Anon again. “Sorry big guy, just, you know how I am.”
Anon nods. “I do. That is why you have no reason to be sorry.” He shakes his head some. “Honestly, girls, I think you need to talk to Twilight about it. It’s something she needs to share with you on her own.”
Applejack nods. “I can respect that. Sorry to bother you, Anon. We were just hoping to figure out what's been goin on.” Applejack then waves the others to follow. “Let’s try again, girls.”
I could still feel my nerves on edge as they slowly walk away. It isn't until there’s a good amount of distance between us that I afford myself some time to relax. I let out a silent thanks to Celestia that this didn't get physical. I look up to Anon and find that he is just looking to where the girls walked off to.
“You alright?” I ask gently.
He nods slowly. “Yeah.” A long sigh leaves him as he rubs his neck. “Just a lot to think about.”
I look to him then back to my home. “Come. I want to talk to you about something.”
He looks down to me with a raised brow.
“Uh, sure.”
I walk off to my home as Anon follows. He was kind enough to open the door for me as I walk inside, following right behind me as he closes the door. We both make our way to the couch, me taking a bit more time than him. As soon as I get onto the couch, I can see Anon is there waiting for me. His expression hard to read.
“So what did you want to talk about?” He asks in a neutral tone.
I poke the tips of my hooves together as I try to think of the right words.
“I just wanted to know what happened between you and Twilight.” I say honestly. I look up to see he has a rather sour look on his face. “I-I don't mean to pry. You don't have to tell me.” I knew that was stupid to ask. “Forget I ever asked.” I look away from him with some tears building.
“Derpy.” I look up to see his sour look has faded some. “I guess I owe you that much. You took me into your home without a single thought. I thank you for that.” He shakes his head some. “It’s just... It’s hard...”
“You know you can tell me anything. Right, Anon?” I gently lay my hoof over his hand.
He flips his hand over to take my hoof into his palm, giving me a gentle squeeze.
“Yeah, I know. I guess you can say that I’m still in a bit of shock over it all.” I can feel his hand shaking some. “I just can't believe it. I feel like I’m in a nightmare.”
I scoot a bit closer to him. “What happened?”
His eye start to gloss a bit as he looks off at a wall. I can see he is chewing the inside of his cheek.
“I-I thought she loved me.” He says with a choked sob. “The one time since coming here, I actually thought I had something normal.” Small trails of tears start to fall.
I’m not sure what to do, so I resort to what feels natural. I move closer to him and take him into an embrace. He buries his face into my chest as he lets loose. I can't help but feel a bit of enmity for Twilight build within me. To think she would hurt Anon this bad. I still wasn't even sure what had happened, but the only thing I could do was be here for Anon.
“No, shh, it’s alright.” I gently coo. “Don't worry. It’s going to be alright.” Sweet nothings. That’s all I could give him right now. Not a word I said could get to him, and yet, just by being there, I knew I was helping him in some small way.
“I should’ve know that a normal life for me wasn't possible.” I hear him sob. “I-I wish I had just died when I got here.”
I feel my fur stand on end as those words leave his mouth. I don't even notice as I lean back and slap him across the face. We just look at each other in shock as he holds a hand to his cheek.
“Don't you ever say that!” I feel tears flowing from my own eyes now. “Don't ever think that...” I bring my hooves to cover my face. “Y-You’re my friend a-and Dinky loves you.” I choke out. “I don't even want to think what our lives would be like without you...”
“Derpy, I’m sorry...” I hear him utter as something comes to rest on my shoulder.
I remove my hooves and see Anon’s hand there. I follow it up the length of his arm and see a small smile on his face.
“That means a lot to me, Derpy.” He says.
I wipe my tears away as I try to regain my composure.
“I’m sorry for slapping you.” I say, with a few hiccups.
He chuckles a little. “I think I deserved it. I didn't mean to say that. Just, emotional is all.”
I rest my hooves onto his hands. “Just promise me that, no matter what, you will come to me if you need help.”
I look into his eyes and see a note of surprise held in them. It soon fades as a genuine smile stretches across his mouth.
“I promise.”
I feel my heartache lessen at that. Anon has always kept his promises. I look over to the clock and see that I need to head to work soon. I let out a long sigh.
“I need to get to work. Can you pick Dinky up from school?”
He gives a nod. “I’ll pick her up after work.”
I give a thankful nod. I haven't picked Dinky up from school in a very long time. Again, my two shifts keep me very busy.
“I need to get ready.” I say.
“Same.” Anon agrees
We both get up and head off to get ready for the day. I head to my room to take a shower, and Anon takes the bathroom on the hall. I quickly get the shower ready as I carefully climb in. Once I make sure that my hooves were holding steady do I take a breather. The warm water showers over my body, clearing all the dirt from yesterday. I didn't get the time to wash up after Anon showed up at my door.
A long, tired sigh leaves me. My mind keeps playing over what Anon said. I knew that he and Twilight were getting close, but I didn't know that it had gotten to this point. Anon is so sweet. I feel confused as to why Twilight would hurt him. I think back to the elements, at least they weren't being so one sided. I knew that Anon would still have friends, and that meant a lot to me.
Another sigh leaves me as I feel the warm water slowly become cooler as I stand beneath it. I was clean enough for the work day. I pick up one of my towels and dry myself the best I could. I didn't need to be completely dry, thanks to the fact that I would be flying to work. I give myself a once over in the mirror before I enter the hallway.
The house was quiet. I guess Anon had already left for work. As I reach the front door, I give one last look inside before I lockup. Today was going to be a long day.