Zipp Storm paced the floor of her room, her wings twitching slightly with each hurried step. The sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor as she walked back and forth, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
The day she had been preparing for her entire life was finally here—her coronation. She was to become the queen of Zephyr Heights, a title that carried with it not only the weight of tradition but the hopes and expectations of every citizen in the kingdom.
But despite the confidence she usually carried so effortlessly, today, she was a bundle of nerves. Her mane, usually styled in its trademark windswept look, had been carefully arranged by the royal stylists, though a few rebellious strands still fell into her face as she paced. The royal regalia lay on the bed, waiting for her to don it, but the thought of putting it on right now felt like the final step before stepping onto a stage where everyone would be watching, judging, and expecting her to be perfect. And then there was…that…
What if I mess up? she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. What if I’m not ready? What if he…
Just as her anxiety began to peak, there was a soft knock on the door. Zipp paused mid-step, her ears perking up. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and there stood Hitch, his warm, reassuring presence filling the room. In place of the nothing he would usually wear was an intricate cape made to match the mare’s wings. Something her sister had made just for him and his upgrading status from Princess’s Husband to Queen’s Consort.
“Pipp says it’s nearly go time, and…” The stallion paused, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of white pegasus before him. The way her wing twitched when she was nervous, the way her mane fell slightly out of place, the uncertainty in her eyes. It was plain to see something was wrong.
Nodding to no one but himself, he fully stepped within the room before closing the door behind him. With a gentle smile, he made his way towards the mare. “Hey there, Zipp…You doing okay?”
The soon to be queen’s eyes looked the stallion up and down, knowing that the smile on his lips belied the concern in his eyes. She shifted, timidly, something that was very much unlike her.
“Hitch…” Her voice was small as she spoke. “I…”
Before she could say another word he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he knew she might bolt if he moved too quickly. He reached out a hoof and gently brushed a stray strand of mane away from her face, his touch calming. “You love beautiful Zephyrina. You know that?”
The pegasus frowned, her expression turning into a mix of annoyance and embarrassment as she lightly battered him on the shoulder with her wing. “Don’t call me that, dork” she mumbled, her voice tinged with a touch of indignation.
He chuckled softly, clearly amused by her reaction. “What? It’s true,” he teased gently, though there was no mistaking the genuine affection in his voice. “You really do look beautiful.”
“Not that.” The mare hissed. "I told you it's only Zephyrina when we are in public. You call Zipp when we are alone…I’ll even take Zipper…But Zephyrina…not from you…”
Hitch’s grin widened. He leaned in slightly, his eyes twinkling softly as his hoof gently raised her chin. “So, you’re admitting that you’re beautiful, then?” he asked, his voice dripping with smugness.
Her blush deepened, and she huffed, trying to maintain her composure despite the warmth spreading across her face. “Dork!! I didn’t say that!” she shot back, her voice flustered yet playful. She tried to sound indignant, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, twitching upward into a reluctant smile.
Another laugh escaped the stallion, clearly enjoying the moment. “You didn’t deny it,” he teased, his tone light but filled with genuine affection. “It’s okay, Zipp. It’s just us here—no need to pretend you’re not stunning.”
She rolled her eyes, but there was no denying the flattered look in her eyes, even as she tried to brush off his words. “You’re impossible, you know that?” she mumbled, her voice softening despite herself.
“Maybe,” Hitch conceded with a wink, “But I’m the impossible stallion that caught your eye so…It’s my win.”
Zipp couldn't help but join in his laughter at his teasing remark, the tension that had been coiling in her chest slowly unraveling under the warmth of his presence. “Haha…okay…l…I needed that.”
“Good. Always happy to help. Now then.” He tilts his head to the side. “Mind telling me what’s up. You usually don’t act like this unless you have something big on your mind…or you stole your sister’s chocolate again and she found out.” the stallion paused. “You didn’t steal your sister’s chocolate again did you?”
A small laugh escaped her, white colored wings fluttering a bit as some of the tension in her chest finally started to ease. “No, no chocolate heist this time,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “Though, trust me, I’ve thought about it.”
Hitch chuckled, giving her a playful nudge. “Good. Because last time, I was pretty sure Pipp was going to launch a full investigation with security footage and everything.”
Zipp’s laughter grew, her nerves momentarily forgotten as she remembered how her sister had reacted to the missing chocolate bars. It felt good to laugh, to just be for a moment without the weight of the day pressing down on her.
But then the laughter faded, and she found herself staring at the royal regalia on the bed again, the knot of anxiety slowly winding itself back up. “But seriously,” she murmured, her voice softening, “It’s not the chocolate.”
The stallion’s playful smile softened as well, his eyes filled with understanding. He waited a beat before stepping closer to her, his tone gentle and full of concern. “So, what is it, Zipp? I know this day is a lot, but there’s something more, isn’t there?”
She bit her lip, feeling that familiar fear creeping back in. She didn’t want to admit it, didn’t want to show this vulnerable side of herself, but she knew he wouldn’t judge her. If anything, he’d only try to help.
“I just…” she hesitated, unsure of how to put it into words. “I’ve always been the one who jumps into things headfirst, you know? The one who takes risks and deals with the consequences later. But…this was different. I thought I would have been ready by now. To be queen of a whole kingdom. Its what I was trained to do… but… this…” She shook her head. “Hitch, this isn’t just a risk. This is everything. And this is real…”
Hitch’s gaze remained steady as he listened, his silence encouraging her to continue.
“I’m going to be a real leader now,” she went on, her voice trembling slightly. “A queen. I’m supposed to be perfect. And…I thought I was going to be ready for this but I’m not. I’m already in my room having a panic attack and the crown isn't even on my head. What if I mess up? What if I let everyone down?”
“Oh…” The stallion frowned softly as he made his way to the mare. “Yeah…figured that was it.”
The mare frowned. “You…figured?”
He nodded as he came closer. "Yeah. I mean, this is a big deal, Zipp. I’d be worried if you weren’t feeling at least a little nervous. You’re about to take on the responsibility of a whole kingdom. That’s… huge." He paused as he looked towards a nearby window. “And by extension, me too…No longer a simple small town sheriff but a queen’s consort…that’s like…five steps below king?” He looked towards the mare. “Right?”
A small, amused smile tugged at her lips as she watched him, his eyes searching the horizon outside the window as if he were seriously considering the implications of his new title. “Five steps below a king, huh?” she echoed, her voice lightening a bit. “I’m not sure that’s exactly how it works, Hitch.”
The orange stallion turned back to her, his expression a mix of mock seriousness and a touch of real concern. “Yeah, but still… it’s a pretty big deal, right? I mean, I’ve always been there to keep the peace in Maretime Bay, but this? Being the consort to a queen? That’s a whole new level.”
“There is a difference though.” The mare spoke. “You’re more than just a small-town sheriff. You’ve always been a leader, someone people can rely on. Whether it’s in Maretime Bay where the ponies adore you or here in Zephyr Heights where our guards really respect you, that doesn’t change. Ponies seem to just…I don’t know…look up to you…” She paused and gently pushed him. “That goes for me too. I don’t think you’re just five steps below a king. You’re my equal in this.”
Hitch’s eyes softened at her words, and he stepped closer, closing the distance between them as he gently grasped her hoof. “I’m glad you think so, Zipp. Because, honestly, this is all new territory for me too. You won’t believe how scared out of my mind I am about…well…all of this.”
She tilted her head slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face. “But… if you’re scared too, then why aren’t you panicking like me? I’m dang near a wreck.” she asked softly.
The stallion paused for a moment, his expression growing thoughtful as he looked into her eyes. Then, a gentle smile spread across his lips, one that held all the warmth and reassurance she had come to rely on from him. “Honestly?” he began, his tone soft but steady. “Whenever I start to feel like I’m panicking… I just think about you.”
The mare blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Me?”
He nodded. “When it was just me…Yeah I had others' respect like you said but…I really didn’t have anyone to turn to. Sunny was being…well…Sunny and Spourt was…well…you know…” He shook his head.”All I could do was rely on myself. But then you came and…as we hung out…I began to think about how strong you are, how you always charge ahead even when things seem impossible. You’ve always been the one who jumps in, takes risks, and shows everyone that it’s okay to be brave, even when you’re scared. I thought that I could be like that too…not being scared I mean.”
"But Hitch," the mare before him spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm am afraid. I'm afraid I won't be as good as my mother," She admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "She was such a strong leader, so sure of herself, and she always knew what to do. What if I really can't live up to that? What if I can't be the queen she was?"
The stallion smiled softly, as he leaned in towards her, kissing her cheek “I’m pretty sure I remember this conversation…back on that hill that night.” He smiled. “It's something I thought about a lot since I’ve been with you…so…I’ll say this…”
“You don’t have to be exactly like your mother. You’re going to be a great queen because you’re you. You have your own way of leading, your own strengths, and your own heart. That’s what’s going to make you a great leader—because you care so much, and because you’re willing to admit when you’re scared. That’s not a weakness; it’s a strength.” He smiled. “Like I said back then, it's not like you have to figure it all out on your own. You have your friends and your mother…and…well…me too. I didn’t run away when you said you wanted to be queen, now did I?”
“No,” she said softly, her voice gaining a little more strength, “You didn’t run away. Even when I still didn’t have it all figured out, you stayed.” She shook her head. “Why…did you stay?”
“That is because…well…i wanted to spend the rest of my life with you…because you are you.”
The mare’s gaze fell towards the stallion, before a soft laugh escaped her lips, light and hearty,"Geeze…You always say the cheesiest lines without even batting an eye," she teased, her voice light and playful.
The stallion grinned. "What can I say? It’s a talent," he replied with a wink. "Besides, it’s only cheesy if it’s not true."
Zipp rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. Despite everything—despite the weight of the crown, the expectations, and her own fears—Hitch had this way of making her feel lighter, like maybe everything really would be okay. She had always admired his steadiness, his ability to ground her when things felt overwhelming, and now, in this moment, she appreciated it more than ever.
“Well, you’re lucky it works on me,” she said, her tone still playful but with a touch of genuine affection. “Otherwise, I’d probably be kicking you out of my room right now.”
A soft laugh escaped the stallion as he stepped closer, nuzzling into her, his presence warm and reassuring. “Yeah, but you’d miss me too much,” he said confidently, though his voice softened as he added, “Just like I’d miss you.”
The pegasus’s heart fluttered at his words, her smile growing softer. She felt the tension in her shoulders ease, the pressure of the day no longer quite so heavy. Hitch had a way of reminding her that she wasn’t in this alone, and that meant everything to her.
“You’re right,” she admitted quietly, her voice filled with emotion. “I would miss you.”
For a moment, they simply stood there, the silence between them filled with a shared understanding. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but with him by her side, she felt like she could face them. He was right. She didn’t have to be perfect—she just had to be herself.
“And for the record,” she added, her voice lighter, “if you keep up the cheesy lines, I might just make them a royal decree. You know, make sure everypony has to hear them.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, don’t tempt me, Zippy. I’ve got a whole book of them ready. I call em ‘Dragon Dad Jokes’.”
The mare burst out laughing, her wings fluttering with the force of it. "Oh no," she managed between giggles. "I can only imagine what you've got in there, Hitch."
Hitch grinned proudly, clearly pleased with himself. "Oh, you’d love them. Sparky's a big fan too. They might be cheesy, but they never fail to get a reaction.”
Zipp shook her head, her laughter subsiding into a wide smile that lit up her face. “Rather thats good or bad is up for debate, Sheriff.”
The tension that had once filled the room seemed to have dissipated entirely, replaced by a warmth that wrapped around both of them like a comforting embrace. She nuzzled into him before pulling away, her gaze softening as she looked up at him.
“You know,” she began, her voice quiet but sincere, “you always know how to make me feel better. Even when I’m a nervous wreck, you just… make everything seem manageable.”
His smile softened, his eyes full of warmth and affection. “That’s what I’m here for,” he replied gently. “We’re a team, Zipp. And we’ve got this—together.”
The mare couldn’t help but feel a wave of gratitude wash over her. She knew, Hitch by her side, the challenges ahead didn’t seem so daunting. He was her rock, her steady presence in the storm, and she knew she could rely on him no matter what.
“Thanks, Hitch,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
His grin widened, but there was a tenderness in his eyes as he responded, “Lucky for you, you won’t have to find out.”
“Good…because I’m kinda pregnant.”
Hitch froze, his grin faltering as the weight of her words sank in. His brain seemed to short-circuit for a moment as he processed what she had just said. “I…What?”
Zipp, meanwhile, brushed past him with a confident smile, her tail playfully flicking under his chin as she made her way toward the door. She glanced back at him, amusement twinkling in her eyes as she took in his stunned expression. “Come on, King Dork,” she teased, her voice light but filled with warmth. “We’ve got a queendom waiting on us, and I don’t want to keep them waiting any longer.”
The stallion was utterly stuck in place, his mind still grappling with the bombshell she had just dropped on him. He blinked a few times, his mouth opening and closing as if he was trying to find the right words, but nothing came out. It was as though his brain had short-circuited completely.
“I…you…” He spoke up again. “You can’t be…”
“Was gonna tell you after everything.” The mare mused as she looked back. “But after all that teasing you dished out to me I deserved the last laugh. If it’s a girl, I’m naming her Zephyra. You know, keep the Storm legacy strong.”
Then, with a swish of her tail, she was gone, leaving Hitch alone in the room to pick up the pieces of his thoroughly scrambled mind.
He stood there for another beat, staring at the door she had just walked through. His heart was racing, his thoughts still spinning in a thousand directions, but then… slowly… a grin began to form on his face.
“She’s pregnant,” he whispered to himself, the words finally sinking in. “We’re going to have a foal…” He shook his head. “I hate how I love that mare so much…”
