Last Stop on the Mail Route

If I was a betting man, I'd put twenty Bits that this Mare just hit the exact same spot she did last time. Though, I wasn't also on the couch last time.

I'm still leant back on my couch, but my book and coffee have long left my hands, somewhere on the floor. Beside me, ass-up and on her back, staring at me with wide, crossed eyes from between her legs, tail tucked right down the middle, is...
"...It's Derpy, right? Afternoon." I start slowly, giving her finer details a closer look over now that she wasn't trying to bolt back out of my window. Seems she chose the 'Frozen in shock' route this time.

Yeah, bubbles on the ass. Blonde mane and tail, uniform grey fur with some darker mottling that could be considered freckles. Golden eyes, crossed up and down. Cute face. Wings are sticking out in some awkward directions, too. She's... kind of sturdy, for a Pegasus. Compared to Dash, shes got some meat on her bones. From ferrying packages, or was one of her parents an Earth pony?

I'm torn from my churning pot of thoughts as she finally makes a noise.

"Oh... I did it again, didn't I..." She sighs, trying to wriggle in place to get up. Minimal success is found, weighed down by her saddlebags and her awkward position. "I'm sorry, Mister. I was trying to aim for your door, to knock... now I've gone and made a mess again."

It felt like someone was yanking on my heart directly, Oh My God. Bastard I might be, this was too much. I cut her off before she has a chance to make me any sadder.
"Well, I'd rather you hit my couch than my door, honestly, so we can chalk that up to a success."

As I start speaking, she quits wriggling, looking up at me -- okay, I have to go by where her nose is pointing to figure that out, because her eyes are not helping. She's like an Owl, looking directly at whatevers drawing her attention.

I reach down, nestling my hands underneath her back, between her and the couch. This elicits a small 'Eep' out of her, before I slowly push and lift her into a proper sitting position where she isn't folded up like a steel chair.
"Derpy, right? You hurt at all?" I ask, watching her get settled into a more recognizable sitting position. She's running her hooves through her mane, looking away at the floor.

"No, I'm alright... one of my softer Landings, actually..." She answered quietly, pushing off the couch; stepping in my spilt coffee. She looks straight down at it, and its like another wave of guilt hits the poor thing, like she's barely holding it together. I know Nurse Redheart said she was good at toughing it out, but... she must've had a shit morning.

"Oh, that was already like that. I just haven't gotten to it yet." I fib, scratching my neck.

She looks up at me; I can tell she doesn't buy it, but I think she appreciates the gesture.
"Before I make anything worse..." She mumbles, reaching into the saddlebag with her mouth. She pulls out a scroll--must be from Tia. Been waiting on her response to my latest idea. I take it from her, placing it on the table. Before I can thank her, she's got another thing in her mouth; a bag of bits.

"Fohr de dhamages..." She mumbles, mouth full of bits bag, before placing it on the couch beside me.
"I hope that's enough for the other day... i-if you give me some time, I- can r-replace t-the... t-..." She starts to trail off, tears welling in her eyes, shaking in place. I cant even stop myself from pushing off the couch, and just wrapping the poor thing in a hug, pressing her tightly against my chest.

Words forgotten, I can feel the hesitation before she slowly hugs me back, openly sobbing into my shoulder, shaking.

It's been about fifteen minutes. She's sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and sipping on some tea I warmed up for her. (I've got a few types. I'm not much if a tea guy, but Tia is determined to find a type I'd really like. Luna and I prefer coffee.) Her saddlebag is by the door, and I've cleaned up most of the mess.

The crying almost kicked back in when she noticed my leg, but I assured her she hadn't injured me; poor thing thought she knocked my leg right off. I'll explain what an IED is later.

...Actually, let's not.

Not really how I expected things to play out when Nurse Redheart asked me to give her a chance, but sometimes all we need is a hug. Lord knows that was the best one I've gotten in years.

Stepping out of the kitchen, I drop the rag I'd been using to clean up the coffee onto the counter after wringing it out. I take the bits bag she left on the couch, and tuck it into her saddlebags. She looks like she's about to protest, but I hold up a hand.
"You don't owe me anything. Shit happens, don't worry about it."

She sniffles and nods, looking at the floor again. I slowly ease myself onto the couch beside her, grunting as I settle in.

"T-thank you... you're a lot nicer than they say."
I almost miss it, it was so quiet.

So they do say things about me. Figured.
"You doing alright? Feeling a bit better?" I ask, looking to her.

It takes a moment, but she nods, setting the cup on the table. She clears her throat, unwrapping herself as she starts preparing to leave.
"I am. Thank you... I'm sorry for all this. I'll find a way t-to thank you, and I don't want to take no for an answer." She says, looking up at me. I think.

Awkwardly assertive. I like it.
"Sure, Derpy. In case you come by again before I get a mailbox, I'll leave the window open and put a cushion where you usually land." I joke, letting a smile take my face. I almost trip up and go to hide it, as habit--but she doesn't feel fazed this time, instead returning my smile with a weak one of her own.

I'm standing by the door, leaning against the doorframe as I watch Derpy resume her route, flapping off. She's got a pretty good speed, though she's all over the place.

My eyes skirt the letter Tia sent me, as I sip my newly made second cup of Coffee.

"Dear Anon,
No, we cannot temporarily send you to the Moon--"

I stop reading, making an exaggerated tsk sound as I head back inside. There go my dreams of being an astronaut.

Derpy

I watch him from a distant cloud, my hooves kneading its edge as he steps back inside.

I think I'd like another hug.