Eye drops

>You hated when he made you pick your own punishment.
>Even now, just a few minutes later, your mind was screaming with second thoughts.
>You had opted for the eye drops.
>They were painful.. very painful.. but you just wanted this over with, and they were the quickest.
>But now as you sit on the cool bathroom floor, waiting while he gets everything ready, do the memories of just how painful really hit home.
>Most of all though, you hate yourself for messing up again.
>Things had been going so well, you were finally being a good pony.
>These last few years since you an Anon found each other had been the best in your life.
>Oh you had been quite a mess before you met him.
>But he cared for you, loved you, and together you had put your life back together.
>He punished you when you messed up, which honestly happened a lot early on, but he never abandoned you, never stopped caring.
>And now, after thinking maybe you'd finally moved beyond your past, you went ahead and screwed up... again.
>This time was different though, you had gotten away with it.
>You had wanted him to trust you so badly, had worked so hard for it, and now he did.
>You just couldn't look at him any more.
>He knew something was wrong, but refused to press the issue.
>Eventually it all became too much and you had to fess up.
>You didn't want to fall back into your old life.
>You needed to be punished.
>Your whole body tenses as a foot blocks the floor tile you were staring at, interrupting your train of thought.
>”Look up at me Colgate.”
>His voice is stern but not angry.
>He's never angry, no matter how badly you screw up.
“I... I'm really sorry.. Please.. ”
>You had resolved not to beg this time, to take your punishment with some dignity, but you couldn't help it.
“Please.. d-do you have to.. “
>You let out a loud sniffle.
“I-I'll try harder, I promise..”
>”I know you're sorry Colgate, and I don't want to do this either, but you made a mistake and you have to pay for it.”
”I-I know..”
>You finally force your head upwards, breaking into fresh tears as the small glass bottle comes into view.
>Tabasco he had called it, prepared by that annoying zebra out in the woods.
>The bottle is adorned with all manner of markings and warnings lest someone use it in error.
>Your heart pounds in your chest as the dropper slowly emerges, tears running down the side of your face as your eyelids strain to stay open.
>You only see the blurry tip holding the hellish concoction for a second before the first drop hits your right eye.
>Your eyelids immediately slam shut as you let out a shrill scream.
>The muscles in your face contract violently as you stumble forward, letting out gasping cries between ragged breaths.
>You scream out your apologies through the pain.
>Eventually the shock fades enough for you to feel his hand on your shoulder.
>”I know it hurts, but the sooner we do this the sooner it'll be over.”
>You allow yourself several more sobs before forcing yourself to sit up, trembles wracking through your entire body as you pry your left eye open.
>A loud sniffle escapes as you once again catch sight of the blurry tip.
>The drop wouldn't come immediately this time, you knew you'd have to stare at it for the three questions that were coming.
>It was all part of the ritual.
>”Tell me why you are being punished Colgate.”
“I-because I-I lied to you earlier. Y-you can't trust me if I lie, even over little things.”
>More tears run down your face. This time not out of fear, but guilt.
>”And..”
“A-and.. because.. because”
>You always struggle with this part.
“.. because I-I'm a good pony, but sometimes I make mistakes.”
>”And why am I punishing you?”
“B-because you love me and want to help me do better.”
>”Very good Colgate.”
>He speaks softly as the second drop finally lands in your other eye, searing pain driving the words home.
>You fall forward once again, burying your face in your hooves as you voice your agony.
>Muffled sobs echo off the cool ceramic.
>Mercifully it's not long before you hear the distinct sound of a large bowl being slid in front of you.
>You waste no time, barely giving him a chance to pull your mane out of the way as you plunge your face into the purple liquid.
>He pats your back gently as you force your eyes open in the strange fluid, relishing in relief as the potion does it's work.
>Large bubbles pop at the surface as the last of your sobs escape you.
>You stay under far longer than necessary.
>In part because of how nice it feels, but mainly to put off having to face him.
>You couldn't believe how stupid you'd been, what you'd risked.
>Eventually a need for oxygen forces you back to the surface.
>Purple drops fall from your face as you gasp for air.
“A-anon.. I'm.. so sorry.”
>You stare down at the floor, avoiding eye contact.
>”Shhh..”
>You feel his arm around your torso as he lifts you up.
>He wraps his other arm around your shoulders, pulling you into a tight hug.
>”It's over now, you've paid your debt... everything is forgiven.”
>You can't help but sniffle as you bury your face into his chest.
“Do.. do you think you'll be able to trust me again.”
>His hand runs gently down your side.
>“Oh Colgate, you might have strained my trust, but you haven't lost it.”
>Your tears once again flow freely.
"Thanks Anon.. I-I won't let you down this time."