On Writing "Plus Ones"

So this story was a particular challenge to write for, one because it was in multiple chapters but also for the fact that its part of the Original Pairings Contest, so finding two characters who've never interacted in the show and imagine how they would interact is an interesting challenge.

If I were honest though, there is one more reason why this story was a challenge for me to write: I don't like either Garble or Pharynx in the show. I've never been a fan of Dragon Quest or Sweet and Smokey (despite my appreciation for Smolder and Fluttershy) and To Change a Changeling is my least favourite of any episode starring the changelings. Pharynx spent most of his only prominent episode being a whiney conservative brat, although Starlight Glimmer was still the worst character in the episode. Garble was and always has been a two-dimensional bully, while I'm not too surprised that they would make him have a secret sensitive side, I have personal issues with the character trope of bullies warranting sympathy because they're also victims of bullying.
_{Babs Seed and Diamond Tiara also have the same trope, but at least Babs apologised to the CMCs for her actions and Diamond stood up to her own bully.}

However, I'm not one to believe it's impossible to make a character better, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'll admit though that I was also inspired to write this story because I had an image in my head someone catching Pharynx in the act of being happy and dancing to himself, as well as a Garble being put on the spot because of his poetry.

There was one criticism that I can acknowledge with this story, there should have been a bit more of the two talking amongst each other. I did want them to talk to each other for longer, but I struggled with what they would talk about and wanted to keep this as a comedy. Most I could think of was them trying to be tougher on the other and the kind of jokes they would make.

I'm happy to take any more feedback, it's great to see the upvotes and favourites but I still see room for improvement. I'm curious to see what the judges of the Original Pairings Contest think, though unlike the Discovery Writeoff there wasn't any mention of feedback or a review.