>save up
>go to shelter
>find a pony
>not the prettiest, she has scars
>not the most outgoing, she cowers away from you when you look her way
>not the healthiest, she has breathing problems from her time in the factories
>the one that needs you
>she's almost lived out her time in the shelter
>under a week before she'll be put down
>not the pony you want
>the pony that needs you
>that's the one you take home
>the one you treat tenderly
>the one you never raise your voice to or hit
>weeks pass, then months
>day after day of hard work at your job, followed by harder work at home
>taking care of her
>feeding her
>nursing her back to health, mentally and physically
>she wasn't the pony you wanted, you never regretted it
>she can meet you eyes now
>talk to you
>doesn't shy away from your touch
>a few more months and she seeks it out
>happily converses with you
>asks about your day
>enjoys snuggling up to you as you watch tv
>pushes herself to repay you
>cooks meals, though she can barely use your human appliances
>first time oil gets too hot, the smoke sent her into spasms, struggling to breathe
>a panicked call to 911 and more money than you can afford later, you're holding her hoof in the hospital
>released the same night
>forbid her from cooking, for her own safety
>she nods
>week later, you find her doing it anyway
>bacon and eggs
>thank her for the gesture, but remind her she's not allowed to
>don't want her getting hurt
>she nods
>doesn't stop
>never find her doubled up on the floor again
>the effort is good for her
>she grows stronger
>begs to take on more chores
>show her how to use the washer and dryer
>use vacuum cleaner
>do other housework
>now when you come home from work, you don't take care of her
>she takes care of you
>house is clean
>laundry done
>dinner ready
>friends notice, now that you have time for them again
>they joke about your pony slave
>they say she seems more like a wife than a fucktoy
>haven't touched her like that
>she blushes, ashamed of what they're saying
>angrily send them away
>apologize for your friends
>she says she doesn't mind
>that night, she makes her way into your bed
>tells you about her time in the factory
>the abuse
>she cries, thanking you for everything, for never raping her
>hold her
>hold her tightly when she asks you to
>she avoids you the next week
>house is clean, laundry done, dinner set out for you, but you barely see her
>she looks uncertain
>tell her she can talk to you about anything
>she nods, thanks you for everything, and goes to bed
>don't intrude, let her deal with her issues
>after the secrets she shared, there's bound to be some awkwardness
>give her the space she needs
>finally she finds her way into your bed again
>asks you to take her
>to make her yours
>ask her why this? why now?
>because of your friends
>ponies can't marry humans, but she's put thought into it
>she loves you
>you take her
>gently
>hands feel every one of her scars, but don't linger
>she's wheezing badly, but begs you not to stop
>she's not the pony you wanted, but she's the pony you love
>would never trade her for anyone else
>next morning she's gone
>hate yourself
>shouldn't have given in
>she's been through so much
>hurt so much
>abused so much
>were the one safe spot in her life
>gave it all up for one night of passion
>look for her to apologize
>find her in the kitchen, humming happily, tail swishing back and forth
>she abandons the stove to rush to your side
>she hugs you
>she tries to kiss you
>have to bend down for her to reach
>she sees the uncertainty in your eyes, asks what's wrong
>tell her your fears
>she doesn't laugh them away or dismiss them
>she solomnly nods
>she quietly admits you're not far from the truth
>she began wheezing when she had a panic attack
>she hugs you tight
>breakfast begins to burn
>she wants to get better
>she wants to be your wife, as best as she can be
>tell her she doesn't have to do things she doesn't want to do
>tell her she doesn't have to pay you back
>she insists she isn't
>she wants this
>she asks you to help her get better, like you have for so long
>asks you to help her take those final steps towards recovery
>she doesn't want to be scared of anything anymore like that
>she begins to cough
>breakfast is burning
>smoke irritating her lungs
>holds you tight until you agree
>that night, she shares your bed again
>no sex, instead a moment of intimacy beyond that
>she speaks of her time in the shelter, when she first saw you
>her fears and hopes
>how she went with you only because she was more scared of dying than of living
>speaks of her time with you, under your care, waiting for the other boot to drop
>waiting for you to get tired of her, rape her, beat her, throw her out onto the street
>all of her fears and how they turned to hope, then respect, then love
>then she asks you why?
>why her?
>were better ponies in the shelter
>cuter ones, healthier ones
>ponies without backs marred by scars
>ponies that can say more than two sentences before gasping for breath
>ponies that knew how to cook or clean, that didn't need to be taught
>ponies that didn't need constant care
>ponies that aren't her
>tell her that's why
>because she needed you
>because you wanted to help
>because something about her called out to you to be saved
>she smiles
>snuggles up to you
>rests her head on your chest
>calls you her knight in shining armor
>last words the two of you share that night
>not because you fall asleep
>just too comfortable and happy being together to waste more time on words
>lie awake for hours, enjoying holding her
>the feel of her coat, smooth velvet under your hand
>she falls asleep before you
>she always does
>no matter how hard your day, hers is harder
>don't tell her not to push herself because it wouldn't do any good
>wish she would take things easier, though
>she's still not healthy and never will be
>doctors confirm it, after several trips
>permanent scarring on her lungs from the chemicals
>can treat her symptoms with medication and therapy, but never cure her
>insurance won't cover it
>men can marry men, but you can't marry your pony
>company won't recognize her as your spouse
>pay out of pocket
>inhalers and pills help
>enough that you don't regret spending your vacation fund on them
>next month is harder, but you get through it with her
>never regret a moment of it
>go to work every day with a smile on your face, because of her
>come home every day with a smile, because of her
>find a way to budget, begin to save up again
>go on a modest vacation with her
>not much, you can't afford much and she can't handle much, but you take her on a vacation
>rent a little cottage in the woods for a week
>jokingly call it your honeymoon
>she agrees
>it's no longer a joke
>getting away from the city does her good
>fresh air, no pollution, no other people
>she breathes a little easier
>every night, you can feel her chest rise and fall a little more
>end of week, reluctantly leave
>go home
>she's coughing before you even enter the city
>she doesn't complain
>silently promise to save up again, take her out there again
>maybe even buy something out of the city
>commute would be a pain, but it would be worth it, for her sake
>go in to work
>find yourself the new manager
>old one had quit while you were gone
>between seniority, skill, and positive attitude, you had been chosen to take his place
>interview is basically a formality, you're taking over the duties before you know it
>she's overjoyed when she hears the news
>subtly asks about your next vacation and when it will be
>ruffle her mane and sit down on the sofa
>turn on TV
>she snuggles up to your side
>ask what she wants to watch
>she doesn't care
>turn it to something new
>coworker had suggested it
>enjoy it
>enjoy it A LOT
>she asks about it
>wants to watch other shows like that with you
>don't really think she's enjoying them, so much as enjoying watching them with you
>she insists and you give in
>show her some similar things
>slowly, her interest builds
>come home to find her watching something on her own
>house is clean, laundry done, dinner ready
>both eat dinner in the living room, watching the rest of the show
>she doesn't know, but it's your all-time favorite
>keep glancing at her to see how she feels about it
>always has a smile on her face
>doesn't laugh much, always ends in a cough when she does, but she wants to
>can see it in her eyes
>not a long series, and she'd started it before you got home
>finish before you have to go to bed
>ask her what she thought of it
>she loved it, except for one character
>ask who
>she tells you
>your face falls
>tell her to stay where she is
>she asks where you're going
>to get your belt
>stupid bitch shouldn't have talked shit about your waifu