A light shines through the blinds and hits Anon right in the eyes. Rising from bed, he releases a large yawn, and feels Fluttershy’s warm body nuzzling against him. Just looking at her makes him sick to his stomach and fills him with hate. Pulling back his hand, Anon cracks her across the face waking her up like he normally does when she oversleeps. “Wake up you lazy bitch, I’m starving. Go make me some fucking breakfast.”
Fluttershy snaps awake and rubs her red cheek in pain and tries to not look him in the eyes for fear of more physical abuse. “I’m sorry I slept to long Anon. It won’t happen tomorrow.” Coughing up some phlegm he says in a gruff voice, “You’re damn right it won’t.” Kicking her in the ribs, she collapses out of bed and lands on her back with a thud “Hurry up, I don’t have all day. Some people have to work around her,” guilting her into doing his bidding.
Holding back a few tears, she sluggishly and sullenly creeps down the stairs. 20 minutes later, Anon walks down the steps scratching his sack. His nose is assaulted by the sweetness of the fresh warm bread and sizzling salted meats. Fluttershy can feel his eyes glower her back, sending a chill down her spine. “What smells so good? I know it aint your dumb smelly ass. Do you ever take a bath anymore after playing with your fucking animals?”
Changing the subject she adopts an even more caring tone and facial expression, “Oh good morning sweetie, I made you the most wonderful breakfast this morning. Eggs, toast and ham. Remember when I made this for you on our first Hearts and Hooves day?”
Scanning the room for something, anything, to complain about Anon says, “Well where is my coffee?” Fear starts to swell up inside her. This is not a good morning, not a good morning at all. “I… I was so busy making your food, I must have forgotten. I’ll make some now,” quickly rushing towards the coffee pot when Anon interrupts her.
“Don’t even worry about it now; I’m going to be late because of your mistake. Thanks for nothing.” He said casually as though it was her fault that he woke up late for work and not his own. Anon wasn’t normally this mean in the morning but he must be having a bad day she thought. Fluttershy gave him the benefit of the doubt. “I’ll put it in a bag for you while you get ready for work, if you want.” Without saying a word he stomped up the stairs.
Fluttershy sighed with relief, knowing she won’t get hit again, at least this morning. She thought, maybe Anon will love her like he used to. The only thing she ever wanted in the world was for someone to love her. One day she hopes everything will go back to the way it was when they first got married. Back when Anon cared for her and treated her like the only pony in the world.
She could still remember the first time they met. That was when he found a yellow chickadee with a broken wing and brought it too her to heal its wounds, back when he cared about animals, back when he cared about Fluttershy. He wanted to make it up to her so he took her to dinner at the fanciest restaurant in Canterlot. Anon even said her evening dress brought out her brilliant aquamarine eyes and she was the most beautiful pony not in Canterlot but in all of Equestria.
Walking out the door he ignores Fluttershy’s normal hug and kiss which she tries to gives him every morning. He even left his breakfast on the table. “I guess he wasn’t that hungry after all.” She was all choked up and a single wet tear ran down her precious face. After all the trouble she went through getting eggs from her coup, buying bread from bakery, and even buying some pork from the griffon butcher on the far side of town. It was nothing new for her, she felt heartbroken because of his rude, ignorant actions. Fluttershy couldn't forget that deep down, in that depressed husk of that man, lied her true lover but each day it kept getting harder to be a loving wife.
She went about her daily routine of chores until her hubby comes back home. The house was always spotless but she cleaned it again and again to keep her mind from wandering because she always would start crying when that happened. So, she began her daily household tasks of cleaning up the kitchen, washing the dishes, sweeping, mopping, dusting, making their bed… the same bed that they haven’t made love in for years.
They didn’t make love anymore, it was sex. It was only when Anon came back from the bar late at night, never telling her where he was but she knew. He always reeked of cheap alcohol and was more abusive than usual. He would grab her by the throat and put her against a wall, screaming obscenities and spitting every other word, her innocent face unfazed. Fluttershy’s problem was she could never say no, especially to Anon.
After Fluttershy completed her tasks she finally sat down to relax and tried reflecting on her life. They had a storybook marriage even though all her friends told her not marry a human. She couldn’t fight her feelings of love for him; he was a bad boy with a heart of gold, her perfect man. Anon use to take her to dinners, hold her hoof, and shower her with affection.
Anon even fought that dark skinned minotaur who slapped her plot at the Ponyville market. He was hospitalized with more broken bones then unbroken ones, suffered massive internal hemorrhaging, and was declared dead twice. Flutershy never left his side at the hospital, how could she when Anon fought for her even though he knew he would lose? It wasn’t about winning for him, it never was. It was about standing up for his woman no matter if it meant his own life.
Gradually, more and more tears started to trickle down the sides of her checks. Grabbing the closest thing she could find, she picked up a heart shaped pillow. It was maybe the worst thing she could have used to dry her face. Hugging the pillow tighter, more memories of Anon hit her like a ton of bricks.
While she would never forgot their first Hearts and Hooves day, Anon most certainly did. Sweeping it away like he did with what was left of his emotions. Pushing her face in the pillow she screamed as loud as she could, which was barely above her normal voice, and dabbed her at her damp puffy face. Hearing a knock the door open, Fluttershy threw the pillow down and flipped it over to hide the stain.
“The door was open so I decided to stop by,” said gently by a giant red stallion with green eyes. It was Applejack’s older brother Big Mac. Trying to not to sound like she was crying she welcomed him with a big fake smile, “Hey Big Mac, I’m glad you came to see me. I haven’t seen anyone else for a while.” Raising an eyebrow he saw right through her charade, “Are you alright? You look sad, have you been… crying?”
Trying to stare deeply into his eyes, her voice quivered, “Yeah, I’d rather not talk about it if that’s ok.” She hated keeping secrets especially from him Fluttershy and Big Mac didn’t keep many secrets being each other’s first love interest.
Almost everypony in Equestria thought they were a perfect couple. It was safe to assume they were going to get married. That was until Fluttershy found out she was barren and would never have children together. Family meant a lot more important to Earth ponies than Pegausi, especially to the Apple family. Their children were expected to take care of the farm and pass on the family name. Fluttershy was devastated and fell into a deep depression which led to their break up.
“I was worried about you… Buttershy. We never get together and see each other anymore,” Big Mac said as his emerald green eyes focused on her. “Big Mac, I’m married. I have Anon and a home to take care of. We’ve been down this path already,” her voice trembled with anxiety. She always felt guilty for not being able to bear his children.
“I know I’m not as stupid as everypony thinks… it’s just that, when I do see you, you always look so sad,” his stern yet soothing voice trailed off as Fluttershy quipped almost immediately “Well if you want to know I’m perfectly fine. Anon will be home any minute, so you better get going.” She was afraid of what Anon might do to her if he found out she was talking to Big Mac again. “You know where to find me if you ever need me. Keep in touch,” he said releasing a deep sigh and turned towards the entrance.
Walking out the door, Fluttershy resisted the urge to tell him everything and run into his strong hooves like she did when she was a younger, more innocent mare. Fluttershy always wondered how her life would have been different. If she could have had kids and married Big Mac who now owned the largest apple farm in Equestria. The Apple’s were one of the most successful families in Ponyville living like royalty nowadays.
Although he was accepted in Equestria as the only human, Anon was never really given the same treatment as the other ponies. The best job he could find was working as a minimum wage shit shoveler for the Wonderbolts. It was a terrible position to be in but at least he got to travel to various places and be outdoors. Nonetheless, he still hated his job and the way most ponies treated him as a second class citizen… that is except for Fluttershy.
Over the years, Fluttershy saw less and less of the money he scraped by with. She sold all her clothes and only wore tattered donated rags on special occasions while Anon spent the entire remaining funds on his selfish habits. Getting drunk, eating out and whatever else he did when she was left all alone at home to cry and wait for him.
He wouldn’t come home till midnight, sometimes not coming home for days, reeking of cheap liquor. Fluttershy sometimes thought he was cheating on her but she kept trying to tell herself that he wasn’t. Even if she ever found out, she wouldn’t know what to do. Her friends all moved on to bigger, better things and whenever she saw her old acquaintances, Fluttershy would lie and tell her how wonderful things were. She seemed to fade away into her memories, trying to relive her better days.
Looking up, she saw Anon walking through the door without him wiping the mud and shit caked boots, again. “Have you just been sitting there all day? Where’s my pipe and slippers?” Anon demanded with a scowl. Fluttershy gulps nervously before answering, “Coming dear. I just took a little rest from my chores...” Anon's scowl lightens the slightest bit. “I hope so, this house looks like shit. What did you do today?”
“Well, I did some cleaning, that’s about all that happened to me today,” the pegasus replies, not meeting her husband's eyes. “That’s not what I’ve heard. Did you talk to your old boyfriend Big Mac?” Anon said as he formed a tiny smirk. “Well, he just stopped by for a second to say hello,” she turned an even paler shade of yellow.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I don’t like you keeping any secrets from me,” his boot was giddily tapping the floor as he was waiting for her response. “I didn’t think it was important,” she said as beads of cold sweat rolled down the back of her neck. “You’re fucking him aren’t you? That’s why you’re trying to hide it from me, but I know!” he was getting louder and more angry with each word.
Marching over to her, he stood mere inches away from her and gazed psychotically into her eyes. “I swear we only talked!” Her pupils began to dilate as he reached for her. Anon grabs her by the jowls and stares into her deep teal eyes full of fear. “I know you only talked to him because you’re a piece of shit that would never think of cheating on me,” he enjoyed making her feel scared, weak, and powerless as the world around him did.
“I promise I won’t talk to him again,” It took almost every fiber of her being to stop her eyes from watering. “That’s what I wanted to hear, now get out of my face and start cooking dinner.” Anon tossed her head backwards as he released his grip, then he walked into the den, tracking dirt and stumbling through the house drunk.
When he was out of sight, she flew into the bathroom, locked the door, and washed her face in cold water. That way she when she looked in the mirror, she could tell herself that it was water dripping off her face and not tears.
