>You’re not gonna lie.
>It’s a different feeling to be holding Barb’s hand now.
>Before, you did it because she liked it.
>Now, you do it because the both of you like it.
>… and you like it a whole lot.
 
>”I’m so excited to get some ice cream with you, h-honey.”
“Honey?”
>”D-do… do you not like that?”
“No, it’s not that!”
>”T-too soon…? S-sorry! I’ll j-just….”
“Don’t be silly… uh… h-honey.”
>You give Barb a goofy smile.
>She nuzzles your cheek.
>”You’re too much.”
 
>The two of you head into the Sugar Cube Corner and get your usual booth in the corner of the shop.
>Luckily, Pinkie was off for the night.
>Last thing you need is for her to throw you a party now that you and Barb are… together.
>Together.
>Wow, it even feels weird to say.
>Let alone think about.
>Hmm.
 
>After a few rough minutes, you manage to convince Barb to sit across from you.
>You assure her that there would be plenty of time to get close later on.
>Barb sits down with a cute pout on her face.
“Oh, Barb. Don’t be sad.”
>”I’m not sad! Hmph.”
>She folds her arms and looks away from you.
>You lean back and scoff.
“Wow. Our first fight.”
>Barb unfolds her arms and gives you a sad look.
>”We aren’t fighting!”
“No?”
>”No! Besides… I don’t ever want to fight with you, Anon.”
>Her bottom lip quivers.
“Oh, Barb….”
>”Can… c-can I at least hold your hand?”
>She puts her claw on the table, close to yours.
>You grab it without hesitation and give it a gentle squeeze.
“Of course you can, Barb.”
>She squees happily, giving your own hand a nice squeeze.
>You laugh, playfully trying to pull away.
>Barb frowns, extended her other claw out.
>You grab it, locking your fingers with her claws.
>”I love you.”~
“And I l-love y-“
 
>Mrs. Cake walks up to your booth with a smile on her face.
>”Hello, dearies. Oh!”
>Her cheeks blush as she sees the two of you holding hands.  
>”I hope I’m not interrupting anything!”~
>You pull your hands away from Barb, and cough loudly.
“Uh… h-hi, Mrs. Cake. A large bowl of mint ice cream, please....”
>”Oh of course, dear!”
>She trots away happily.
>You swear you hear her say something about the two of you looking cute together under her breath.
 
>You groan and hide your face from Barb, who is smiling happily at you.
>”Hey… my claws are cold again.”
>She reaches over the table, claws outstretched.
>You mumble something, before locking your fingers with her claws.
>”I knew you’d come back, honey.”~
“Yeah….”
 
>Honey.
>That may be your new name.
>As much as you liked the affection, it definitely will take some time getting used to.
>But dammit you were gonna try.
>It’s the very least you could for Barb.
>Who essentially fought for your life.
 
>”Is something wrong, Anon?”
>You look at Barb, who looks concerned.
>”Did I do s-something wrong?”
>You grumble and shake your head.
>”Huh?”
>She gives your hands a playful squeeze.
>”Anon….”
“Barb. Are we… official?”
>”Officially what?”
>You grumble again.
“Y’know… dating….”
>”What? I can’t hear you, honey.”
>She leans over the table.
“Are… we a couple?”
>”A couple of what?”
>You groan.
>”A couple of what, Anon?”
“Nevermind.”
>”No no! Tell me, sweetie.”
 
>SWEETIE.
>Oh man.
>You begin to sweat.
 
>Barb smiles at you.
>You shake your head.
“It’s nothing.”
>”It’s everything! Especially if it has to do with you, honey!”
>Your heart….
 
“Well… uh….”
>You sigh.
>Damn, why is this so hard?
>It’s just Barb.
>Regular ol’ Barb.
>Wonderful, gorgeous Barb….
>Cute… Barb….
>….
 
>You sit quietly for a bit.
>Barb
>”Hey… Anon? I know what will make you talk.”
>She makes a kissy face at you.
>You’ve only just accepted your feelings for Barb.
>And she’s already right.
>You lean over and peck her lips.
“Fine… I’ll try again.”
>You clear your throat.
“Barb… are you and I in a relationship now?”
 
>Barb’s cheeks becoming a deep shade of red.
>She smiles, and looks away.
>”W-well… uh… I guess that d-depends….”
“On?”
>She holds your hands a bit tighter.
>”It depends on h-how you f-feel about it, ya know?”
>You nod.
“Right… I guess it also d-depends on how YOU feel about it.”
>She nods.
“If we are gonna be officially together… we have to be a team.”
>She nods again, a big smile on her face.
>”Absolutely.”
>You rub her cheek gently.
“We’ve… we’ve always been kind of a team, haven’t we?”
>”Pretty much… through thick and thin.”
“And all across Equestria.”
>”There’s no one else I’d rather do it with.”
>She gives you an amorous smile.
>You rub her cheek once again, this time more lovingly.
“I’d have to agree, I think.”
>She nibbles your hand playfully before giving it a tender kiss.
>“You think?”
“Heh… no. I know I wouldn’t do it with anyone else but you, Barb.”
>She kisses your hand again.
>You take a deep breath and exhale, a goofy smile on your face.
 
“Do… do you remember the day we spent in Canterlot? After we delivered that package to Princess Celestia?”
>Barb’s eyes open a bit wider.
“You know… after our side expedition to Las Pegasus?”
 
>Barb’s eyes meet yours.
>”Yeah, Anon... why?”
>You can feel her get slightly uncomfortable.
>She never told you about the documents.
>And she doesn’t have to know that you know.
>You understand why she wouldn’t want to tell you.
>The sweetheart….
>You’ll have to repay her for that.
>Somehow.
>Someday.
 
>Your time in Canterlot, though.
>Though it was brief, you remember it clear as day.
>Especially the evening of your last day there.
“Do ya remember when we went to watch sunset?”
>”O-of course, honey. How could I forget it?”
>She gives you a loving smile.
“Yeah… I know what you mean….”
 
~
 
>Your last evening in Canterlot….
 
>Package delivered.
>Errands complete.
>Another job well done.
>Damn, you’re tired.
>You and Barb stand on a balcony outside of Princess Celestia’s castle.
>The sun gently floats across the sky, soon to be extinguished and replaced by the moon
 
>Barb sighs deeply.
>She was standing awfully close to you.
>You don’t mind it.
>The poor thing had looked quite disturbed since you arrived in Canterlot.
>You aren’t sure why.
>But it worried you.
>You knew it relaxed her to be close to you, so you let it happen without thinking too much about it.
>The sunset is beautiful as well.
 
“This is really relaxing, Barb.”
>”It sure is, Anon.”
>You lean over the edge, taking a deep, relaxing breath.
“I wonder why Twilight wanted us to deliver that package to the Princess.”
>”….”
“I mean… It was worth the vacation, I guess.”
>”Y-yeah… sure.”
>You turn to Barb.
>Her bottom lip was quivering, and she looked quite unsettled.
“Is… everything ok, Barb?”
>”Y-yeah, Anon.”
”You sure?”
>”Sorry. I g-guess I’m just… tired.”
>You pat her back, causing her mood to brighten up a bit.
“We can head back to the hotel after the sunset, okay?”
>She nods, smiling weakly at you.
>”Alright, Anon.”
“Besides, this is what you wanted, right?”
>”H-huh?”
“To watch the sunset?”
“O-oh! Uh… yeah. I r-really did. It’s nice.”
>You can tell that she is still out of it.
>You didn’t want to pressure her anymore.
>Instead, you put an arm around her and pull her close, taking her by surprise.
 
>Barb shudders as you hold her, before letting out a gentle moan.
>Her cheeks redden as you give her a friendly smile.
“I had a fun little vacation with you, Barb.”
>”A-Anon…!”
“Just letting you know that I’m enjoying it. I hope you are too.”
>Barb smiles, her cheeks a fiery red.
>”I… I r-really am! Thanks to you….”
>She nuzzles your chest.
>The sun gives its last push across the sky canvas, leaving a trail of orange and yellow.
>As soon as the moon peeks over the horizon, a number of fireworks launch into the air.
>Your heart jumps as the first few fireworks burst.
>They erupt into the most brilliant of colors, adding a unique texture to the existing canvas.
 
>”W-wow…!”
>You gaze at the sky.
“This is beautiful….”
>Fireworks continue to go off as the moon slowly rises.
>Their brightness and intensity increasing as the canvas darkens to a deep blue and purple.
>Barb pushes closer into you.
>Her warmth relaxing you further.
>She takes a deep breath and exhales, a bit of smoke escaping her snout.
>You can feel her heart beating much faster.
>The fireworks cover the sky in a dazzling array of color.
>You turn and look at Barb.
>Her face illuminated by the spectacle in the sky.
>She has a big smile on her face.
>For the first time in a few days, you can tell that it’s genuine.
>She’s happy.
>So very happy watching the fireworks with you.
>Just the two of you.
>Sharing such a wondrous moment.
 
>”This is amazing, Anon… I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Yeah….”
>”I’m glad you’re here, Anon.”
“Hm?”
>”I hope we can do stuff like this all the time later on.”
“Yeah, I think that’d be cool.”
>”I… I r-really… l-l-“
>Another firework bursts, a massive series of hearts erupting from it.
>Corny, but still very pretty.
>You scoff.
“Hey, check out the hearts, Barb.”
>She nods.
“Pretty lame, huh?”
>”Y-yeah… really lame!”
>She rests her head against you, sighing deeply.
 
>The two of you remain quietly as the fireworks continue to go off.
>Enjoying the view.
>Enjoying each other’s company.
 
~
 
>Mrs. Cake places a large bowl of mint ice cream on the table.
>It looks absolutely delicious; it’s even topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
>Such is the craft and expertise that Mrs. Cake provides.
 
>”Here you dearies are! A nice bowl of ice cream for the cutest couple I’ve ever seen! Enjoy!”
>She giggles as she trots away, leaving you groaning and your cheeks red.
>Well, they would be if you ever blushed.
>Which you don’t.
>Barb smiles and licks her lips.
>”Oh yes! I get to enjoy my favorite ice cream with my favorite Anon!”
>She immediately begins to dig in.
>You laugh and grab your own spoon.
“I better be your ONLY Anon.”
>Barb gulps a large bit of ice cream before winking at you.
>”Oh, Anon… you’re not jealous are you?”
>You glare at her.
“I NEVER get jealous. N-never….”
 
>Barb giggles.
>”My Anon… the jealous type. Who’d a thunk it?”
>You grumble as you eat some more of the mint ice cream.
>Barb eats spoonful after spoonful.
>Dang she can put it away.
>She’s a tiny bit larger than you remember.
>Or maybe you just never paid much mind to her size.
>Oh well.
 
>You get a few more bites of ice cream and give the rest to Barb.
>”You sure you don’t want anymore?”
>You shake your head and pat your stomach.
“I’m stuffed.”
>Barb lifts the bowl up and finishes the last bit of the ice cream.
“It was good though!”
>”Mhmmmm…. Mmm….”
>You smile at Barb.
>Gosh, she was so cute.
>Even when she’s eating like… well… a dragon.
>You feel butterflies in your stomach.
>What an odd feeling….
>You’ll get used to it soon.
 
>Barb places the bowl down.
>”Ah! So delish.”
“No doubt.”
>”Hey, Anon…”~
>You look up at Barb.
>She’s looking at you with an affectionate pair of bedroom eyes.
“Uh… y-yeah… sweetie?”
>Your heart begins to beat faster.
>She licks her lips again, reaching into the bowl and pulling out the lone cherry.
>”I saved this for you….”
“Oh, great! I l love cherries.”
>”Trust me, I know.”
>She puts the cherry in her mouth.
>You feel yourself beginning to sweat.
>”C-come and get it.”~
 
>You laugh nervously.
“B-Barb….”
>She blinks at you, baring the cherry in her mouth.
“In… here?”
>She nods slowly, and leans over the table.
“Ugh, fine… just close your eyes for me.”
>Barb obeys, shutting her eyes.
>Her cheeks redden.
“Here I come, honey.”~
>You reach over the table and pull the cherry from her teeth.
 
>You quickly throw the cherry back, chewing on it happily.
>”Oh! Hmph.”
>Barb pouts, and crosses her arms.
>”Anon! You’re no fun!”
>You rub her leg under the table with your foot.
“Relax. I’m just teasing you, Barb.”
>”Yeah, whatever, ya big goof.”
“You’re a goof!”
>”No you are!”
“You!”
 
“Ok, dearies! Was it good?”
>A happy Mrs. Cake stops your play fight.
>You and Barb laugh nervously.
>Mrs. Cake smiles at the two of you.
>The both of you silently nod in unison.
>”Well, I’m glad. It’s on the house!”
>You raise your eyebrow at the old mare.
“Wow, Mrs. Cake. Are you sure about that? I can cover it….”
>She puts a hoof up to you and smiles widely.
>”No need, Anon. I think you two are just so cute together. It’s on the house, so long as you take good care of Barb here.”
>She winks at Barb, who blushes furiously.
 
>Welp.
>Might as well not fight it anymore.
>You reach over and grab Barb’s claw.
>She looks at you, her eyes shimmering.
>You smile at Barb, and then turn to Mrs. Cake.
“I’ll definitely take care of Barb. You have nothing to worry about.”
>You give Barb’s claw a squeeze.
“After everything we’ve been through… I wouldn’t want anything else but to take care of Barb.”
>You turn to Barb, noticing that her eyes have welled up.
>”Anon….”
“I’m happy that I’m here Barb. I’m happy that I have a chance to live in Equestria with you by my side. And I’m damn happy that you love me as much as you do. Without your love, I don’t think I’d be here.”
>You smile, knowing how much truth was in that last statement.
>”Oh, Anon! I love you so much!”
>Barb jumps over the table and presses her lips against yours.
 
>You wrap your arms around her, kissing her back passionately.
>Mrs. Cake laughs nervously.
>”Ok, d-dearies! That’s enough.”
>You ignore her, continuing to kiss your dragoness.
>Barb flicks her tongue at yours, with you returning the gesture.
>You feel your mouth and throat heat up, as you’ve come to expect now.
>The warmth feels fantastic, causing you to kiss Barb with great verve.
>”Ok, I get the point, Anon! Y-you can stop now!”
>Mrs. Cake pulls the two of you apart.
>You and Barb blush furiously.
>You smile at Mrs. Cake, a wisp of smoke escaping your lips.
“Heh… s-sorry.”
 
>Mrs. Cake rolls her eyes at you.
>”The two of you have a safe night. Bye, dearies!”
>Barb waves at her as she walks away.
“Night, Mrs. Cake.”
 
>The two of you leave the booth and exit the shop.
>You stretch and yawn, giving Barb a warm smile.
“I’ve had a wonderful night with you, Barb.”
>She wraps her arms around your neck and pecks your lips.
>”Mhmm….”
>You run your hands up and down her back.
>Her curves still wonderfully outlined by her black dress.
>She pulls away from you and giggles happily.
 
>”I… I guess I should head back now, huh?”
>You scratch your chin.
>It was late.
>Barb should definitely head home.
>As should you.
>The two of you needed some rest.
>But….
>You didn’t like that idea.
 
“Well….”
>You hold Barb’s claw.
>”Y-yes?”
“We could part ways.”
>She nods, her ear fins slightly drooping.
>”Yeah, okay….”
>You give her claw a squeeze.
“But I’d rather you come back with me.”
 
>She perks up, her eyes widening.
>You kiss Barb on her cheek.
“Besides, I need to make sure nothing happens to my Barb.”
>Your dragoness smiles, nuzzling your nose lovingly.
>”Or… I could make sure nothing happens to my Anon?”
>You laugh and shrug.
“That probably is more likely, huh?”
>Barb laughs and kiss your lips.
>The warmth you feel radiating not only in your mouth and throat, but your heart.
>And it feels good.
>You pull away, and blow a smoke ring into the air.
>Barb laughs, her cheeks red.
“Let’s go home, Barb.”
>”Absolutely, Anon.”
 
>You lead Barb back to your cottage.
>She clings close to your side.
>Refusing to let you go.
>Her tail occasionally patting your thighs and rear.
>You leave a hand on her hip.
>Walking slowly, you take a deep breath and sigh.
“I love you. I really love you, Barb.”
>Barb squeezes you closer to her.
>”And I love you, Anon. I really do.”
>You lean over and kiss her on her forehead.
 
>Barb giggles, nuzzling your chest.
>You smile.
>Life is good.
>You’re happy.
>Barb’s happy.
>What more could you want?
 
>With that, you continue back to your cottage for the night.
>Looking forward to the morning.
>And your next job with Barb.
 
~