toxic relationship :( bun is annoying his bonded partner

I’ve had Pepper for 5+ years and she’s been bonded with Dewie since we adopted him over 2 years ago. Pepper has always been the dominant one and Dewie loves her so much— follows her around everywhere and grooms her all the time. we moved to a new house with no issues with their bond.

a few months later we adopted another pair (foster fail) and tried to bond into a quad but it didn’t end up working out so we just kept them separate. that almost broke their bond with Dewie starting a fight because he was trying to switch the dynamics (humping, unsuccessfully demanding licks). i broke it up and redirected him and they were okay. kept an eye on them and it didn’t happen again.

it’s been like 6 months since we stopped trying to bond and keep them separate and out of sight from the other buns. Dewie still often chases Pepper sometimes with nipping, especially when it’s close to breakfast or dinner time. They are still very much bonded— they groom each other (mostly him grooming her), lay side by side, eat together, and live together full time without fighting. but Pepper does seem increasingly annoyed by him and often runs away when he runs up to her. (it never “bunny tornado” chasing, it’s very stop-and-go).

it wouldn’t be a huge deal but Pepper is getting old and has arthritis (she’s about 9 and Dewie’s about 5) so i feel bad that she has to run around when she doesn’t feel like it 🙁 does anyone have any suggestions or advice or anything?