[FLUTTERRAPE] Empty Promises


                                            Originally uploaded to Pastebin: June 22nd, 2014

                                            ---


                                            A writing contest between SwiftM0nkey and I.

                                            Each had 1 hour to write whatever we could think of.


                                            This was what I created.


                                            Sorry.


                                            ---


                                            >"No means no, Fluttershy. Go home."

                                            >The door slams shut in your face.

                                            >For a while you don't bother to move; you just stare at the solid oak, wondering where you went wrong.

                                            >With a heavy heart you turn away from Anon's house and begin the trek back to your home.

                                            >A path you had taken far too many times to count.

                                            >How long has it been now?

                                            >You think it's been over two years.

                                            >The same thing every other day.

                                            >And yet you keep coming back for another shot.

                                            >Some desperate internal sense of optimism that makes you think that perhaps he'll take you one day.

                                            >Your friends wouldn't support your endeavours.

                                            >It's been a while since they had spoken to you.

                                            >At least a month, that much is certain.

                                            >As you walk through the trees to your home, you stare at the dirt road, steady hoof steps carrying you back to your little cottage.

                                            >The animals you had kept as company had all moved on; they had found homes or simply become bored with your company.

                                            >You don't mind.

                                            >It was always clear that their residence was temporary, so seeing them go didn't so much fill you with sadness as it did with pride.

                                            >Your little friends were growing up and moving on.

                                            >Something you should have done a while ago.

                                            >The cottage greets you, a small tired smile working its way onto your face.

                                            >Walk over the miniature bridge and past a bed of dying flowers.

                                            >You haven't had much time to water them lately.

                                            >As you reach forward and push open the door, you take note of the paint.

                                            >It's chipped in places, and peeling in others.

                                            >Another job for your steadily growing backlog.

                                            >But you'll get round to it.

                                            >Just as soon as you've woo'd Anon.

                                            >Then everything will be peaches.

                                            >You stand in your front room.

                                            >The dark corners seem colder than normal.

                                            >They used to hold life in the form of animals.

                                            >Now there aren't too many left.

                                            >A family of hummingbirds is somewhere in here.

                                            >You'll look for them later and see if they need food.

                                            >A noise to your left alerts you to a rapidly moving white shape.

                                            >Something small and furry collides with your leg and clutches on tight.

                                            "There there, Angel; I said I would be back!"

                                            >He just stares at you.

                                            >You've had him long enough to recognise pity when he shows it.

                                            "It'll be fine, I promise! I have a really good idea for tomorrow!"

                                            >He lets go and shakes his head.

                                            "Angel?"

                                            >The bunny gives you another hard stare before hopping away towards the kitchen.

                                            >You follow him, and watch as he tries to pull open a cupboard to get to its contents.

                                            >Drift over and gently pull the door towards you.

                                            >Angel doesn't thank you as he pilfers it for carrots and other vegetables.

                                            >He was always so much more independent than the other animals.

                                            >Made you wonder why he never left.

                                            >Probably for your cooking.

                                            >You smile at this thought and watch as your friend assembles a bowl of vegetables on the kitchen floor.

                                            "That looks good, Angel! I bet you'll enjoy that!"

                                            >Give him a big smile, the kind that he loves to see.

                                            >He doesn't respond, and instead pushes the bowl along the floor towards you.

                                            >Your eyes jump between the bunny and the food.

                                            "Aren't you going to eat it?"

                                            >He shakes his head and jabs a paw at you.

                                            "Oh but I'm not hungry! I ate this morning!"

                                            >Angel winces and points at the clock.

                                            >It's 10:22 at night.

                                            "Aww, don't worry about me, I'll be fine! You eat up."

                                            >Another shake of the head followed by another, more forceful paw jab.

                                            "Angel, I'm not hungry, honest."

                                            >Stand up and frown at him.

                                            >He rushes over and tries to get you to sit, pointing at you and the bowl over and over again.

                                            "Angel, no."

                                            >The bunny seems desperate at this point, and grabs his own ears, letting out a frustrated squeak.

                                            >You turn around and walk out.

                                            >Sometimes you just need to be firm with them.

                                            >Angel watches you go.

                                            >He looks back at the bowl and snarls before kicking it over and following you.

                                            >Ascend the stairs.

                                            >It's colder on the top floor.

                                            >You're sure you paid your bills.

                                            >Though you haven't worked in a while.

                                            >You just don't have the time.

                                            >Crawl into bed and sigh, thinking about what you were going to do tomorrow.

                                            >Angel follows you in and hops on to the bed.

                                            >He points at your mane.

                                            "Oh, I don't need to brush it, it'll be fine."

                                            >He points at your mouth.

                                            "Umm, I don't think I bought any more toothpaste while I was out, sorry..."

                                            >A sigh escapes him and he climbs in next to you.

                                            >He's warmer than your bed.

                                            >You pull him close and smile.

                                            "Good night, Angel."

                                            >He doesn't respond.

                                            >You snuggle him closer and close your eyes, letting sleep carry you away.


                                            >Wake up to the feeling of something slapping you.

                                            >Opening your eyes slowly, you see a blurry white shape stood over you.

                                            >Wipe the sleep from them and blink again.

                                            >Angel is stood on top of you, slapping your cheek with a paw.

                                            "O-Oh, good morning to you too, Angel."

                                            >He points at the clock next to the bed.

                                            >Look over at it, still drowsy.

                                            >Gasp when you see the time.

                                            "Eight fifty?! Oh my goodness, I'm late!"

                                            >You rush out of bed.

                                            >Angel seems glad to see this, and scurries after you.

                                            >He overtakes you on the stairs, even despite you using your wings and points at a sack of chicken feed in the corner.

                                            "I'll do that later, Angel, I promise!"

                                            >His paw lowers slightly; his enthusiasm curbed.

                                            "I really have to get going, Anon leaves for work in a little while!"

                                            >At the mention of Anon, Angel lowers his head and his shoulders slump.

                                            >Crouch down next to him and pet him.

                                            "Don't worry, as soon as Anon falls for me, everything will be okay!"

                                            >With that, you rush out the front door, not even bothering to shut it.

                                            >Angel will do so.

                                            >He's such a good boy.

                                            >You fly towards Anon's home, pushing yourself to get there before he leaves.

                                            >As his house comes into view, you see him locking up his home, ready to leave.

                                            >Land in front of him as he turns around.

                                            "H-hello!"

                                            >He takes one look at you and cringes.

                                            >"Good... Morning, Fluttershy."

                                            "So umm, what are you up to?"

                                            >"You know what I'm doing..."

                                            >He marches past you towards the town centre.

                                            "Working?"

                                            >Anon nods.

                                            >You swell with pride.

                                            "I know everything about you, Anon~"

                                            >"Yeah. I know."

                                            >Trot to keep up with him.

                                            "S-so um, want to go on a date?"

                                            >He doesn't reply.

                                            "I said: Do you want to--"

                                            >"I know what you said, Fluttershy. The answer is always no."

                                            >He turns to you, his face a picture of concern.

                                            >"It's always no. It's been no for years."

                                            >Your heart flutters as he looks straight into your eyes.

                                            >"Every day it's no. Please, Fluttershy, go home."

                                            >He seems so worried.

                                            >Is it your mane?

                                            >You knew you should have brushed it before leaving...

                                            >Reach forwards and touch his leg.

                                            "You don't have to worry about a thing, Anon; I have just the thing that will get you to fall for me, just you watch!"

                                            >He just stares at you.

                                            >A hand reaches up and wipes his eye.

                                            >Must have some dust in it.

                                            >These roads are in really poor condition.

                                            "You like sweet foods, so how about we go to Sugarcube corner? Doesn't that sound nice?"

                                            >Anon puts down his bag and squats in front of you.

                                            >Then he reaches forward and hugs you.

                                            >Oh goodness, it's finally happening!

                                            >He holds you close for a while and doesn't say anything.

                                            >You don't need him to~

                                            >Eventually he lets go and stands up.

                                            >"J-just go home, Fluttershy. Please. For me."

                                            >You give him a dopey grin.

                                            "Ohh, you're playing hard to get, I know. But just you wait!"

                                            >Take flight and beam down at him.

                                            "I'll be back tomorrow!"

                                            >"I know you will."

                                            >Turn and fly back to your cottage.

                                            >Anon picks up his bag and wipes his eyes again.

                                            >"You always are."


                                            >Flying back home, you think you saw Rarity talking to Twilight.

                                            >She sees you overhead and for a second seems like she's about to say something.

                                            >But she stops herself.

                                            >Maybe next time she'll think of something to say.

                                            >You haven't been to the spa with her in so long.

                                            >Things will pick up once you get Anon though.

                                            >When you get home, Angel is waiting inside with a bowl of vegetables.

                                            >He sees you enter and seems ecstatic.

                                            "Yes, I'm home early! Anon told me to come back."

                                            >Angel nods eagerly and points at the food.

                                            >Your stomach grumbles.

                                            "Oooh alright..."

                                            >He claps his paws together and pushes the bowl along the floor towards you.

                                            >You settle down next to him and help yourself to some of the carrots.

                                            >They seem to be a bit dirty.

                                            >Is this the same bowl from last night?

                                            >You ignore this thought and keep eating.

                                            >Angel watches you intently, pointing at each piece of nourishment in the bowl whenever you pause.

                                            >Under his watchful eye, you eat everything in it.

                                            "There, all gone; happy?"

                                            >He nods.

                                            >Giggle at him.

                                            "Thank you, little bunny~"

                                            >He allows you to pet him.

                                            "You're my guardian angel, you know that?"

                                            >The bunny just keeps nodding, albeit with a slightly more sullen expression.

                                            >Silence permeates the air.

                                            >Normally there would be the constant chatter of animals.

                                            >But now it's just you and Angel.

                                            >And possibly that family of hummingbirds.

                                            "You know, I think I'm finally making progress with Anon!"

                                            >Angel looks up at you, a pair of weary eyes looking into yours.

                                            >He motions for you to continue with a paw.

                                            >You excitedly launch into what you're going to do once Anon is living here.

                                            "...And we'll repaint the doors! And the back window will be fixed, and the roof will be patched up so that leak in the bathroom will stop!"

                                            >He just watches you talk, dutifully listening.

                                            >Pull him close into a hug.

                                            >He carefully returns it, but stays quiet.

                                            >You break the silence.

                                            "You know..."

                                            >A soft breeze blows through one of the cracked windows, shifting the musty curtains and scattering the dust that was gathering on the wooden floorboards.

                                            "I really think things are going to start looking up."

                                            >You shudder, clutching to your always warm companion.

                                            "Everything will get better once Anon is here..."


                                            "Everything will be... Fine..."


                                            The End.


                                            Damn, reading back, this is really depressing.