Last Stop on the Mail Route

I've made snacks for Dinky before when she was hanging at my place, but this Filly was packing down Potato Wedges like nobody's fucking business.

I tried to take one as a joke, and she fucking growled at me. Derpy got a good laugh out of that, returning to her own salad. I left the little wedge-goblin alone.

It's times like these, which is basically every time I eat, that I miss meat. I could've slammed a clean BLT or something.

Instead, I've had a big surplus to how much salad I've been eating. The only reason I don't think I'm losing any weight, is because the second thing I'm eating the most of is pasta.

I really need some variety in my diet. At least the Alfredo I got is pretty good. If a little... green.

As we're about halfway through the meal, the server returns for Milkshake refills. I have no idea how these tiny horses don't have a rampant diabetes issue, but I begrudge myself to a cheat day.

Dinky, definitely hopped up on what is likely more sugar than she gets in an entire week, excitedly reaches out for hers. Her magical grasp of her triple-chocolate milkshake is shaky (heh) at best, flinging it towards her side of the table. Derpy tries to intervene, reaching out with her hooves to catch it lest Dinky make a mess.

Unfortunately, that knocks it out of Dinky's magical grasp, and onto my shirt, spilling her chocolately-rich shake down my front. Derpy lets out a small, panicked gasp as her hooves slap to her mouth, Dinky staring with wide eyes, sobered from the sugar-rush. Even the Server freezes, still holding the other two shakes.

"... Might need to get the squirt another, probably smaller shake. Think she's had enough sugar." I joke, palming a few of the napkins, starting to scoop up the mess. Hoo, it was cold -- but, I'm not going to get upset with Derpy when I'm the one trying to... you know, date her. The local clumsy Mailmare. It's just a milkshake. I'd be a bit of an ass if I got angry at her over it.

"...Right." The Server grunts, placing the other two milkshakes down before turning back to the kitchen. "I'll get you some extra napkins."

Derpy's horrified stare continues, watching from behind her hooves. Dinky's lips are pursed, sheepishly tapping her hooves together.
"...Sorry, Mister Muss."

"No biggie." I snort, starting a used-napkin pile. This stuff had cookie crumble in it too? No wonder she was fiending for it.

"...I am so sorry, Anon." Derpy barely squeaks out. I raise an eyebrow, looking up from the mess.

"All good. Shit happens. You get any on you?" I ask, reaching out across the table, offering her a fresh napkin.

She flinches.

"N-no, I'm a-alright." Derpy stutters, still shrunk back.

"...Are you alright, Derpy? It's just a shirt. Really, I don't mind." I ask, pausing my self-cleaning out of a rising concern.

Derpy's gaze flicks to me. She's reading my face, gauging my reaction.

I slowly put my hand halfway across the table, palm up, giving her a soft smile.

Tentatively, she places her hoof in my hand, exhaling as tension releases her body.

"A-Are you sure? I ruined your...because I'm so..." She asks quietly.

"I know what I'm signing up for, Derpy. You know I don't mind; hell, more than half of our interactions came about because you're you. I'm never going to mind that." I reassure, gently squeezing her hoof. "Plus your kid's just too damn cute. You too, actually. I can't stay mad at either of you."

That gets a smile back on Dinky's face, and a deep blush on Derpy's face as she holds my hand tighter.

"...Dinky, can you get Anon some more napkins? The Server is taking a while." Derpy asks quietly. Dinky salutes, slipping past her mom as she darts for the... yeah, she's a smart kid, she'll figure it out. I look at Derpy expectantly -- she's gripping my hand pretty tight now. She speaks up again, her tone different now that we're "Alone" for the moment.

"Anon. What you said earlier... did you mean it?" She asks, staring at me.

"...About the shirt, or before that?" I ask, not quite sure where she was going with this.

"About my scent." Derpy affirms. Oh, shit. That.

"Oh, uh... I mean, yeah? Yeah. Yeah? I might have... said something that came across a little strong, between our... you know, species, but... I like you, yeah. I don't know if there's like... a term, for dating here. Do you guys do... boyfriend-girlfriend stuff?" I ramble -- I wasn't trying to backpedal, but I had the feeling I had said something a lot heavier than I meant in the moment. Still, I kept to what I said.

Derpy giggles, smiling -- then sighing.
"...Coltfriend. Marefriend. I... you know Dinky is my priority, right? That Filly is my everything. She's so smart, so clever -- I want her to have everything I couldn't have, and so I... work. A lot. We wouldn't get a lot of time together, not like you would with another Marefriend."

"Of course Dinky's your priority. She should be. And I'm not here taking you two to lunch because I want another Girl--er, Marefriend, you know? She's a sweet kid -- and you're one hell of a sweet mare. I can work around your schedule." I reply, rubbing my thumb over her hoof.

"It wouldn't be a... normal, relationship." She says weakly.

"I mean, yeah, duh. Look at me." I snort.

"Not like that -- I mean... my situation is complicated." She trails off.

"Derpy, my idea of a good Sunday date night is as much this, as it is making pancakes for you and Dinky, and just relaxing all day. Seriously. I'm not asking you to take on more stress -- I'm asking you to let me help you get rid of some of it." I whisper, leaning closer.

"...But why?" She whispers back.

"I think some adorable bubble-butt went and stole my heart when she crash landed on my couch. Dunno, still looking into that one." I grin, giving her hoof a playful squeeze.

I feel relief as a giggle escapes her. She sighs, smiling and nodding.
"...Okay Anon. I trust you."

"ME TOO!" Dinky boasts, slapping napkins on the table, startling us both. "Took you long enough, Mister Muss!"

Derpy and I share a look -- and can't help but laugh. This fucking Filly, man.

We eventually get back to finishing our meals, once I managed to get most of the shake off of myself. The shirt was heftily stained, but whatever. A shirt didn't matter now, the way Derpy kept looking at me.

Something about the way she flinched doesn't sit well with me, though. That sits in the back of my mind for a while.

Prices were actually pretty good. Might end up going back there again. Kind of liked the back-of-the-room booth. Let me be a little cuter with Derpy while we were out.

Speaking of Derpy... after our conversation, I'm starting to realize the weight of the whole scent thing.

She had carefully navigated to my right side, and was walking close enough to me that she physically bumped, nudged rubbed against leg and hips several, several times. And I think each one was entirely intentional. And not that I was looking or anything, but I think her flank had a little more sway to it. Was this part of the... scent claiming thing? She'd literally rub her smell off on me?

...I could work with that.

I've got Dinky's science-box-supreme toy tucked under one arm; despite the proximity, Derpy is still keeping a stout watch on Dinky as she hops around, working off the sugar-rush. It frees me up to keep glancing down at Derpy, now that she's this close.

"...I know I said I'm down to take it easy on Sundays, but I hope this dress comes out to play now and then." I whisper down to her.

She glances up to me, giving me a playful huff.

"Dinky told me about how your people have a thing about always wearing clothes, right? Do we have visits to the Boutique in the future?" She teases, butting my hip with her flank.

"...Yeah, probably. Your fault for making it look so good." I return -- resting my free hand on her withers in a tentative but bold maneuver.

She hums softly in response, resuming her watch of Dinky.

"...This was really nice, Anon. Dinky and I... don't get out much, besides her birthdays." She says, the warmth in her voice clear.

"It doesn't have to end just yet, you know. Could keep doing stuff until the Dinkster crashes off her sugar high. Hit the park, or swing by my place." I offer.

She glances up, giving me a 'Really?' look.

I grin. "Not like that."

Her tail flicks, slapping my thigh. "I know; apparently your House is the second most exciting place in Ponyville, runner up to whatever the Elements get up to. No, Dink'll keep riding that excitement until we stop. Best to get her home; she's got some homework, and I've got some chores to do around the house to prepare for next week."

I nod, understanding.

We walk in silence for a few more minutes, Dinky pausing by the plaza fountain to stare into it.

"When I said my situation was... complicated." Derpy starts suddenly, though the strain in her voice is clear. I pat her back gently.

"You can tell me whenever you want to, if you want to, Derpy. I'm not going to pry, and you don't have to force yourself." I assure her.

"...Are you sure?" She asks. It's clearly a difficult topic for her.

"I'm sure. I'm not going anywhere." I promise.

"Thank you. I will tell you, but..." Derpy trails.

"I get it. Need to find the words. Right place, right time." I add.

"...Something tells me you're used to Mares with baggage." She teases, giving me a look.

I snort. "Baggage, sure. Got plenty of my own. Mares? Not a clue. I'm just some weirdo who likes to hang out in the woods, carving sticks."

She smiles, leaning into me as we walk. She's gentle about it, more going for the contact then actually pushing against me. Derpy has been surprisingly considerate towards my injuries; my face tingling slightly when I remember her kiss.

I don't get too long to swim in my slowly growing improper thoughts, as Derpy's house comes into view.

I wave Dinkster down to hand her the toy back as we reach the front door. Before she grabs it, she latches to my leg, giving it a squeeze.
"Thank you Mister Muss! That was fun! Can we go again?" She squeaks, staring up at me with, big, wobbly, deviously adorable eyes. Though funny enough, it's not that little munchkins face that wins me over. Its the half-smile and side eye that Derpy gives me as Dinky says the words.

"Of course, Dinkster. I'll even bring an extra shirt." I tease, ruffling her mane. She puffs her cheeks out, but trots inside with the toy floating behind her, glowing with her magic.

As I turn to Derpy, I hear a light flapping -- she's taken off, hovering close, bringing her face to face with me. Before I can say anything, her Hooves gently cup my face, and her lips meet mine. For a surprisingly long time. At one point, I just reach out and hold her, cupping underneath her flank and supporting her back. I'm extra careful not to let her dress touch the chocolately stain on the front of my shirt, but I'd been right about the satin-like material, soft against the back of my hand as it drapes downward.

Her wings furl in as she nestles into my arms, hooves softly gripping my shirt collar as she presses the kiss in deeper, plush lips tracing over mine. I have no idea how long we stood there for, but it only stops when I feel like we're out of breath. My heart is thudding loudly in my throat, and we're both blushing fiercely.

She pulls back, making a single, exaggerated huff.
"...Thank you, Anon. For everything."

"...I think that kiss was plenty thanks, Derpy." I whisper back, resting my nose against the tip of her snout. I feel her slowly breath in, taking in my scent.

"...I'll see you around, yeah?" She whispers back, watching my eyes.

"Of course. My door -- or window, your choice, is always open." I chuckle, watching that adorable smile take her face.

"Same to you. Though... I'd probably stick to the door if I were you. I don't think you have my practiced grace when it comes to open windows." She jokes, pawing me softly with a hoof. Leaning, I gently set her back down, Derpy trotting in a circle as she settles.

She gives me a parting smile, the door softly shutting behind her.

The walk home is a blissful blur. My heart doesn't calm down until I realize I've been sat on my couch so long that Dina walks in, shutting the door behind her.

She pauses, giving me a curious look-over, especially the stain on my shirt.

She doesn't say anything yet, but steps closer, sniffing me.

"...Went that well, huh?" She chuckles.