Preening

by sabriel

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Derpy Hooves, Spitfire
Length: 1520

Derpy and Spitfire take turns preening each other's wings, but this time the former uses the time to talk about their future.

Derpy and Spitfire take turns preening each other's wings, but this time the former uses the time to talk about their future.

The two had been dating for a long time, both knowing what that came with; Spitfire's job being the main point. As a Wonderbolt, she wasn't always available to be with her marefriend.

But Derpy's okay with that. She made that commitment when they began dating.

In fact, commitment is just what she wants.

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A Derpy/Spitfire fic. Cover art drawn by yours truly.

Published 2018-08-12 06:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-08-12 06:50:01 UTC

Preening

Spitfire hummed as she slowly preened through Derpy's wings, taking gentle care in straightening each out of place feather. She'd use a hoof here and there, pushing up any unruly feathers, then would move in and adjust it proper with her mouth. As a Wonderbolt, Spitfire grew incredibly experienced in preening, taking note of just how to correctly arrange feathers in order to achieve the best fit for how she flew. However, she never really did it for pleasure until Derpy had suggested they preen each other's wings, showing just how comfortable she was with the other mare. Since then it became routine, and Derpy had picked up on the art of it fairly quickly. Days like these, when she had off time from the Wonderbolts, from work, was when Spitfire was the happiest.

A loving coo from Derpy brought her out of her thoughts, and she smiled fondly down at the grey pegasus. "Hmm?" she mused, raising her eyebrows a bit.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinkin' of stuff," Derpy replied lazily, looking back at Spitfire with a smile.

It was returned by the other mare as she responded, "What kind of stuff?" Her tone took on a bit of amusement, eyes sparkling. She watched Derpy's subtle, small movements as she preened the mare, making a mental note to schedule them both a spa day soon.

"Oh, you know... 'You' stuff. 'Me' stuff." Derpy paused, shifting a hoof a bit to show Spitfire to pause. She glanced back at her once again, moving her head this time to face Spitfire's. "'Us' stuff." With that, she leaned in for a kiss, which the other mare happily returned. For a moment they stayed still in that position, each enjoying the other's presence, before Derpy slowly moved her head back. "...M-My neck hurts," she said sheepishly, to which the Wonderbolt giggled.

"I wouldn't want you getting a neck sprain over me," she said teasingly, though she really did mean it. Neck sprains meant trouble. Lots of trouble. Spitfire thought back to Soarin and the incident with the cannon, and she shivered at the memory.

Derpy set her head down on the pillow in front of her, humming happily. "Well, in that case we can smooch later. It's still preening time, right?" she asked, her voice bubbly, betraying how happy she was in the moment. Spitfire tried really hard not to focus on just how cute her marefriend was, and instead focus on the task in front of her.

"Right," she replied softly, going back to arranging her feathers. Truth be told, Spitfire was basically done thirty minutes ago, but she usually extended her time preening Derpy's wings to get them 'just right' and to spend more time fussing over her marefriend. She loved to pamper Derpy, and she didn't mind however long it took to do so.

However, after a little bit more preening and little sappy coos at one another, Spitfire decided she'd put all of Derpy's feathers in such perfect places that there was nothing more she could really do at this point. "Alright, honeybuns. It's your turn," she told her, relaxing from her spot. Derpy grinned widely at the nickname, sitting up to face Spitfire. The latter let out a soft chuckle and a small grin before giving Derpy a quick smooch. Then, she turned over onto the bed, assuming the position Derpy had held not even a minute ago.

"Ready when you are," she said, closing her eyes. Derpy let out a nod and an affirming hum, and began her work on Spitfire's wings. Despite Derpy's clumsy nature, she was surprisingly precise and gentle in the way she worked on her partner's wings, taking great care in how she moved. Spitfire almost felt comfortable enough to sleep.

"So, Spitty..." Derpy started. Spitfire let out a snort, opening one eye.

"You just love usin' that one, huh? What's up?" she asked, her voice smooth and peaceful, just the way she felt.

Derpy smiled softly, then remembered to speak again. "R-Right... Well, I was thinking, you know. About us, like I said earlier." She paused, and Spitfire used that time to nod and hum, like a 'go on.'

"I was also thinking... about the future."

Spitfire opened both eyes then. "I think about it too," she replied seriously. Her voice was still rather mellow, but it was clear she recognized the weight of the topic.

Derpy nodded, which she realized served no actual purpose, and awkwardly cleared her throat. "Yeah, and, um. I know you're real busy a lot, with the Wonderbolts, and touring, and teaching young fillies to fly, and all that... but. I know... you still always make time for me. And... And I don't ever really feel like I'm put to the side, you know? Like... a lot of couples in situations like this always worry about that, and then they think 'maybe it just isn't meant to be' when that happens, but... I never do. I-I trust you more than that." Derpy was really putting her heart out on the line all of a sudden, she realized, and suddenly was afraid she'd ruined the mood.

However, Spitfire's expression appeared serene, yet still thoughtful. "That makes me really happy to hear. I've been afraid that the travelling might've been taking a toll on you, so I'm really glad it doesn't upset you. You know that you mean more to me than all that."

"Y-Yeah! Yeah, I know, which is kinda part of why it doesn't really bother me. You're an inspiration to a lot of ponies - m-me included. I'd never wanna take that away." Derpy agreed quickly. She made sure she was still focusing on Spitfire's wings, looking over the row she'd just worked on to make sure it wasn't imperfect.

Spitfire nodded a bit absently, thinking more. "I love you. You know I do." She paused. "I feel like this is leading up to something, though." This time, she spoke with a bit of mirth, a smirk appearing on her face.

Derpy's eyes widened. "Oh! Yeah, I can't believe I almost forgot that part!" She nodded furiously, as if trying to get back in The Zone. She stopped after a moment, looking determined. "Yes. I-It is leading to something. And... hopefully it'll make you happy."

"If it's with you, I'd be over the moon," Spitfire said softly, to which Derpy giggled like a school filly.

"Okay... Okay." Derpy breathed out, finished the last of her preening for Spitfire, and scooted back a bit. "I-I'm done, so, you can sit up now," she informed her, and just like told, Spitfire was up quickly.

Within moments they were sat face to face like before, and Derpy beamed at Spitfire lovingly. "Okay... Well... I-I've been preparing for this a while, so... here goes nothin'." She breathed in and out, leveling out her breathing, before reaching underneath the bed. Spitfire restrained herself from peeking to keep it a surprise, instead waiting for when Derpy brought whatever that was up to the bed. After a moment she found the thing, and her hooves rose up shakily as she looked up at Spitfire.

"S-Spitfire... You've already made me the happiest mare alive, more times than I can count. A-And... And I know that, when I'm with you, or, even when I'm not technically, because, you know, your job... Um - anyways... When I have you, I know that I'll always be okay. So... I want to be okay with you. Forever." With that she slowly opened the box to reveal two shiny rings; one silver, one gold. "Will... W-Will..." Her voice was shaky, and cracking, and shrill with the moment, but she continued on.

"Will you m-marry me?"

When Derpy finally had the courage to look up at Spitfire again, the Wonderbolt's eyes were filled with tears. Based on the huge grin on her face... happy tears. Suddenly, Spitfire tackled the mare in a hug, nuzzling her head into her neck. "Yes, yes! Yes! Of course I will, Derpy!" She let out a very un-Spitfire-like giggle, and moved her head up, leaving little kisses all over the mare's cheek. Derpy grinned even wider than before, her cheeks burning. After a long minute of hugging and lots of little kisses, they broke apart, Spitfire holding Derpy's hooves in her own.

"So... I was thinking, for the rings, we can either wear them like earrings, or on our wings somewhere. B-But you fly a lot, so that's why I figured maybe ear instead," Derpy explained, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face.

"Matching earrings would be incredible," Spitfire said seriously. She looked over to the box, picking up the gold ring with her wing, presenting it to Derpy with an exaggerated sense of drama. "My love... I present to you... the ring," she giggled, and Derpy took it with a smile. "I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too."

Author's Note

this is totally just a self-indulgent sappy shipfic for my rarepair. and you know what. i am not ashamed of that at all.

hope you enjoyed it!