Last Stop on the Mail Route

The walk back through the side-streets of Canterlot wasn't as quiet we'd gotten used to, as the Career Festival winds down, with people departing, or late arrivals rushing to meet ongoing events. We, however, didn't say much. Derpy seems to be on autopilot after the whole confrontation. Deciding to be happy on her and Dinky's own is one thing -- being met face to face and having her plans trampled was another. Plans that she'd saved up for, and put time aside to achieve.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Dinky asks softly at one point.

Derpy only smiles, nuzzling her daughters cheek.
"Of course, Dinky. Don't worry."

When we got back to the East Equine Estate, not much was said either. Just a polite nod to the desk-pony, and back up the steps. Dinky was still brimming with energy, so I didn't scoop her up. Derpy didn't say a word, just scaling the steps silently. She actually outpaced me and my bum leg, getting the door for us.

When we got back into the room, with the door closed, Derpy quietly slings the purse over her head, resting it on a chair. She tells Dinky to go freshen up, and get ready for bed soon. The Bathroom door shuts as Dinky heads inside.

It's only then she falters, sniffling loudly and wiping her face with a hoof.

I'm laid back on the bed, Derpy half on my side, half on my chest. Dinky is squeezed in under my other arm, as I slowly brush my fingers through Derpy's mane. Dinky looks concerned, but isn't sure what else to do other than being nearby. It's quiet.

The last few hours after getting back have been pretty tame. Derpy preparing Dinky for bed. Normally, Dinky might argue on account of her bountiful sugar-fueled energy levels, but the filly does her nightly routine without issue. She can sense her mom isn't doing too great.

At first, Derpy went in to shower alone, me and Dinky sitting on the bed, talking about the Castle visit. She glanced at the bathroom, before waving for me to lean in, whispering in a hushed voice.
"Can you make sure Mom is okay? She gets sad whenever Dad gets brought up." Dinky asks, looking at me expectantly.

"Of course, Dinkster. Don't worry about your mom, she's just trying to watch out for you, and things took a turn. That's all." I agree, explaining a bit of it to her.

"...Okay." Dinky nods. She's a smart kid.

Then, Derpy asked for me. I left Dinky to entertain herself for a few moments to see if Derpy had fallen again, or something.

She just wanted me close by, something she expressed wordlessly. Just a sad face, and an outstretched hoof.

I sat outside the shower, fully dressed, with my hand inside for her to hold with her hoof. Pretty sure the water was hiding some tears, but it hid them well. She wasn't looking to speak just yet. And that's alright.

I was quick with my own shower, when Derpy was done. When I came out, Derpy was sat on the edge of the bed, Dinky half-buried in pillows, the two quietly playing.

When Derpy saw me, she patted the bed beside herself.

And here we are. It's not even night yet, and we're all snuggled in early. Derpy's breaths against my chest are stuttered and awkward, as she handles emotions that came to a slow boil.

And we stay like that for a while. Quiet. Together, my other hand messing with Dinky's ear, watching it flick every time I brush the fur.

Words didn't come until Dinky had eventually fallen asleep, snoring softly against my leg. Sugar or not, the last few days have been nothing but excitement.

It's only then that Derpy speaks up. Her voice is hoarse, and soft.

"...I ruined her chance, didn't I?" Derpy asks quietly. Her head is resting on my chest, looking at Dinky.

"I don't think so. It's one Career Festival of many. Kids got a lot of opportunities available for her." I disagree, my thumb brushing her cheek.

Derpy turns her head to face me. Her eyes are red, bottom lip trembling ever so slightly.

"She got a sponsorship, Anon." Derpy argues.

"At a school where Ponet works. There's other options for her out there. Other schools, other careers." I shake my head, holding her chin gently.
"Why didn't you mention what he's done to you? To Dinky?"

"That... I just want him gone, Anon. I don't want to ruin his life, I just... want him out. Out of Dinky's life. Out of mine. I've dealt with what he's left us, and I'll keep dealing with it. But trying to rectify it just... invites him back in, brings everything back up. Challenges him to bite back, and he can be petty. I knew he was at Canterlot, of course he was. It's all he's wanted, all he ever talked about. But the same school I was looking into?" She explains. It's a heavy mixture of somber and upset in her tone.
"I'm so stupid. I should have known."

"No you're not. You couldn't have known, Derpy." I refute, pulling her face close to mine as I lean down.
"You've done nothing wrong, and I'm proud of you for putting your hoof down like that."

"...Thank you for being there, Anon. For being here, with us, on this trip. I think it would have gone a lot worse without you." Derpy says to me, one of her wings stroking my side.

"Of course I'd be here. I'll go anywhere with you, Derpy. Call me clingy, but I don't want you dealing with things alone anymore. I'm in your corner. For good." I say softly, staring into those gorgeous golden eyes.
"Might get annoying at some points putting up with me, but you'll always have me nearby."

A long, slow sigh escapes her as she presses closer against me. She's not shaking like she was before, so I think she's at least calming down a little bit. Honestly, I think physical contact is a big thing for ponies -- or at least Derpy. Seems to really help.

Not gonna complain, either. Helps me plenty to have these two cute thing squeezed up against me.

Well, that, and I'm still enjoying the face he made whenever Ponet looked in my direction; but that's just me.

"You really don't mind this kind of thing? I never wanted to involve you with him..." Derpy asks softly. Her chin rests against my chest, watching my face. I run my hand along her neck, slowly over her shoulders, gently brushing against the feathers of her wing.

"You've got no idea the mountains I'd hurdle for you, bubble-butt. So what if he rears up now and then -- he's never going to lay a hoof on you again. You should know I don't mind a little baggage already."

She blinks slowly, staring at my face. I stare back, at that beautiful little freckle-speckled snout.
"The same goes for you, you know. Things have been... so much better with you, Anon, and I don't want you feeling it's one-sided. I know you're dealing with... things, and I want to be there for you too." Derpy says softly, her hoof reaching up to rest against my jaw.

"Guess we're just looking out for each-other, huh?" I smile, hugging her closer.

Derpy nestles in against me, pushing further up until her head is resting just underneath mine.
"...You really think Dinky will be alright?"

"That kid? She won a tenured Unicorn professor over in two days, not to mention she's a smart cookie. She's gonna be fine. Just... let her figure out what she wants to do. I have a feeling she's gonna be a pretty unique little one." I say, planting a little kiss into Derpy's mane.
"Also, odd fascination with axes. You know anything about that?"

"...Axes?" Derpy snorts, giggling softly to herself. "She's such a silly little thing... with so many different interests, and such excitement for them all. I want nothing but the best for her, Anon. She deserves the chance to do anything she wants. That's why I hate that I had to shut one of those potentials down." Derpy sighs.

"I know; and you did it with the best of intentions. But you need to remember, you deserve to have some things for yourself, you know?" I try to comfort her.

"Dinky is my priority, Anon. And I --" Derpy starts, but I don't let her.

"You protected her, Derpy. Things like that are going to keep happening, probably, and you nipped it in the bud before anything could happen. But there's time between making the best for Dinky -- and you can't keep that up if you don't take care of yourself." I swiftly cut in, pressing on her nose with a finger.

"...It doesn't feel like I did the right thing. Should I have said something about Ponet? I don't know anymore..." She deflates against me, looking at the wall.
"This is all so dumb."

"I think you made the right call. Showing up and throwing his life into chaos would have just set him back to gunning for you. Plus, this entire trip has been a positive for Dinky. She's getting worldly, meeting ponies and griffons and finding out about all kinds of career paths. You're doing great, Derpy. I can't think of a better mother, or a prettier mare." I smile, holding this sad little horse close.

Her ear twitches when I call her pretty, and she shifts on the bed. She's practically laying directly on top of me, her nose almost touching mine. She's silent for a moment, just reading my face as I smile at her.

"Anon... why are you attracted to me?" She asks suddenly. A bit of a hard turn on our conversation, but I'll roll with it.

"What do you mean?" I respond, searching for a little clarity to the sudden topic change.

"Like... physically. I know you care for me and Dinky, and I adore you. But... we're different species. How am I attractive to you?" She explains, her voice quiet but steady.

"...Well, you're not that different from my people when it comes to behavior, and despite the difference in body, things here are pretty similar. As are most ponies intentions. Emotions. Actions. And while you've got your quirks as a species, like the smell thing... there's lots of little things that add up that you do, that reminds me of my own species when I look at you, I suppose."

"Like?" She presses.

"...Your freckles. I've always liked them, and I think they're one of my favorite things about you." I point out.

"My freckles?" She laughs softly, finding the idea silly.

"Yeah. Every time I look at your face, or those gorgeous eyes of yours, my sight is always drawn to those little grey speckles along your snout. I like trying to count them, or seeing if they're elsewhere on your body."

She seems surprised by this notion, trying to look down at her own nose.
"...Are they?"

"Snout, base of the ears, thighs and butt, are what I've found so far. Still looking." I state.

"Hmph. I bet your search has been hampered by at least one of those areas." She scoffs, though there's a sly grin on her face when she says it.

"I'll... admit, there's a little crossover on the interspecies scale when it comes to... posteriors." I give, to which Derpy shakes her head.

"I appreciate that you're honest about these things without being... weird about it, Anon." She says, smiling.

"What about you? I'm a pretty far cry from a pony. You like that I'm tall or something?" I ask, turning the question around on her. She's not startled by it, but she bites her lip, glancing away.

"...Maybe a little. Did... you want the truth?" She asks suddenly, pressing her nose to mine.

"Uh... yeah?" I ask, wondering where this is going.

"You scared me, at first. When I saw you, you're... big. You eat meat. You've got... metal, for a leg, and I can always see your teeth. When I first saw you --"

"I remember the noise you made." I tease, laughing.

"...But you've been nothing but kind. Despite how you, you know..."

"Look like I just walked out of a hallway filled with bear traps?" I offer, getting another snort out of Derpy.

"Maybe. But... well, you've been one of the best things to happen to me in a long time. And I... kind of like how strange you are. Like... really like it. How... special you make me feel to you, in a world where you've got the attention of the Princess, you choose... me." She explains slowly.

"I didn't choose you, Bubbles. I fell in love with you. Swept me right off my foot-and-a-half, you did." I counter,

"Ha. Well, I... if I'm to be blunt like you were, I'm into how... intimidating you are. If you don't mind me saying."

"It's the teeth, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I like the teeth." She laughs, shaking her head. "It's... you've seen and been through some terrible things, but you try so hard to be kind. Positive. I... appreciate that a lot. Dinky is a pretty good judge of character, and that filly adores you. Somehow, you've put something so... terrible behind you. I can't help but admire you for that. You don't let it affect how you handle things, how you treat ponies." She further explains, tracing her hoof over my chest as she speaks.

...My heart gets heavy for a moment as I break eye-contact. Derpy tilts her head, concerned.

"...You remember when Scootaloo went missing? When I came back with Dina and Grant?" I ask.

...I really shouldn't say this.

"Huh? Yeah, you saved them from slavers in the mountains? What do you..." Derpy's words slow, as she reads my face.

I should drop this.

"Notice nobody talks about how?" I say quietly.

"...You killed them, didn't you?" Derpy says simply.

"Yeah."

Well, there it is.

"...I know." She says simply.

"You do?" I find myself asking. I'm surprised. I thought that was something I'd never speak of again, yet I just... blurted it.

"I asked a few ponies about it, until Twilight told me about it. Don't forget, Anon. I asked you about it directly." She reminds me. Well, she did... but she never asked details.

"Well... yeah, but I... I didn't go out there with the intention to save them." I try to explain, taking in a breath.

"But you did." Derpy cuts me off firmly.

"I..."

"You saved Scootaloo, one of Dinky's friends, and two Griffons, Anon. It doesn't matter what you went out there intending to do -- it matters that you brought them all back, unharmed. That you hosted them until they could return home. You've always spoken with your actions... and despite probably being one of the most dangerous creatures this side of Equestria, you continue to choose to do the right, kind thing." She says, slowly leaning over me while she's talking. By the time she's done, she's practically standing overtop of me, looking down at me.

"...I don't know what to say, Derpy." I say softly. I don't.

She... accepts me. She knows, and she understands me. I won't argue the dangerous point, though. The lethality pool in Equestria is probably pretty shallow after Tia's work on harmonizing the whole place.

"That's okay. You've got the looks to pull off a good strong, silent type." Derpy practically purrs, lowering her head and pressing our lips together. She's soft, like she always is -- but there's a surprising level of passion behind the kiss, her tongue flicking my lips, tasting me. She pushes hard, both of us leaning further into the sheets.

Her barrel is pressed against my chest, wings stretching up to stroke my cheek. She's never been this pushy or this intense before, even after the Wonderbolt track. This is...

She stops, her tongue tracing over the exposed teeth of my injured cheek.

That certainly gets my attention, as she hangs her mouth just over mine, smiling.

My retort is to slide my hand along her neck, digging into her mane and pushing her head down -- past mine, as my teeth softly press against her neck. Her wings practically launch outward, chuffing loudly.

"O-okay. We should... stop." Derpy manages to mumble, pushing herself up. Someone jumped in a little eagerly.

I don't hold her down, letting my hands trace along her body as she stands up again. Her face is flush, and she's panting.

I just smile.

"...You can still talk, you know. I do like your voice." She says.

"Okay." I grin.

The two of us just stare at each-other for a long moment, breathing heavily.

"...Are we going too fast?" She asks.

"You're the initiator half the time." I jest, getting a snort from her as her wings slowly calm down, furling back in.
"Plus, it's just been kissing."

"Well, not in the shower. I don't know, it just feels fast." Derpy repeats.

"That... was just kissing with extra steps. Honestly, I don't have enough experience to tell you. My relationships have never lasted long." I shrug.

"How come?" Derpy tilts her head, concerned.

"Lifestyle. The job I did... didn't really support dating. And I wasn't really looking afterwards, either." It's a simple enough explanation, but it's about as close to the truth as I can make it. Just was never really searching for that kind of thing. It took someone -- or somepony -- literally falling into my house through my window to kickstart something.

"...Well, I'm glad I've got you all to myself, now." She then whispers, assured.

"All yours. At your pace." I chime in, hand slowly stroking her side.

"And... if I want to go fast?" She asks quieter.

"Miss Hooves. Not with your daughter around." I tsk, playfully scolding her, just like she's done to me.

She huffs air on my face, smiling before she snuggles into me again, burrowing her face into my neck.
"Okay... noted." She mumbles into my skin, muffled. "Just wait til' we get home, then."

One of her wings drapes overtop of me, reaching over to lightly brush the sleeping filly, still out cold against my leg, snoring softly. The other lifts to graze my cheek -- her feathers are incredibly soft to the touch, but don't have as much give as I'd expect for a feather. Makes sense she's comfortable using them as a makeshift hand, if they're so durable.

One of my fingers gently presses between where her wings connect to her back -- wingblades? Like shoulderblades? -- as I spot another freckle.
"There's another one." I mumble, feeling Derpy's chest move as she laughs softly.

We pass out not long after that.