A zebra charged through the center of Ponyville, a rolled up scroll in his hand. As he ran through, Derpy barely clipped him, causing him to accidentally drop the scroll. He either didn't notice or was too busy to stop and pick it back up, as he kept running towards the other side of town.

“Hey mister, you dro- oh... well, I might as well see what he dropped.” Derpy said as she picked up the scroll. As she opened it, she saw that it was a very detailed,yet incomplete map of Ponyville. “Huh. That’s… a really nice map… I guess I should return it so he can finish it.” She shrugged, walking in the direction she last saw him.

After a few minutes of searching, she found the zebra. He appeared to be frantically searching himself for something- probably the map.

“Hey Mister! You, uh… dropped this earlier. I just thought it would be nice to return it, seeing as you aren't done with it yet.” Derpy said meekly.

The man turned to her, “Oh, thank you!” He said with a small smile. “I can’t los-” He paused as he finally looked up at her. He shook his head, “I can’t lose that… starting over would be too hard now.” He gingerly took a step towards her and took the map from her. “Um... would you happen to know where the post office is? That’s right around the last part I have to work on…” He said, his previous over-excited tone changing to a slightly embarrassed one.

“Oh, that’s easy, Mister! I work there, so just follow me! But, uh… if it isn't too much trouble, what’s your name?” Derpy said.

“Um… well… my nickname is Rush… and I guess that’s as good as any name…” He said, scratching the back of his head. “What’s your name?”

“W-well, my real name is Ditzy Doo, but most of my friends call me Derpy, because of my eyes. I don’t mind though.” She said.

“It’s nice to meet you Derpy.” He said, slightly extending his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Rush!” Derpy said excitedly, shaking his hand.

"Since you already know what I do… is it too much to ask what you do for a living?” Rush asked.

“I work as a mail delivery woman for the Ponyville Post Office!” She said.

“That’s great. And thanks again for returning the map… I really don’t want to think about what I’d have done if I had lost it.” He said.

“Um...If it’s okay with you, could you tell me what the map is for?” Derpy asked, a hint of shyness in her voice.

“Well... someone commissioned for me to make a detailed map of Ponyville… the pay was good and I really need it so… here I am making it.” Rush said with a shrug. “If I remember correctly… the man’s deaf daughter was moving here and he wanted to give her this map so she could find her way around.”

“Wow! You sound like a really nice guy, Mr. Rush!” Derpy said.

“It’s enough for me to get by for another month.” Rush said, once again shrugging.

“What’s wrong? Can you not find a real job?” She asked.

“Well… I make great sketches and drawings… but that’s not practical for most jobs… and I really love what I do.” He said quietly.

“Hmmm... maybe you could ask Rarity. She’s our town’s dressmaker, I know she could probably use an artist for drawing designs.” Derpy wondered.

“I could try.” He said.

“Oh, be more confident! Nobody is gonna hire somepo-er, zebra, that has no self-confidence!” Derpy said.

“It’s not really easy for me to… work with or be alone with any women…” He mumbled, his voice a barely audible whisper.

“W-what? Why not?” Derpy asked worriedly.

“I just don’t function all that well when I’m alone with them... I get antsy and nervous…” Rush said.

“Well, you haven’t been like that at all around me, and we’re all alone…” Derpy said.

“It’s more of… um… enclosed spaces… and close… contact… that start… freaking me out…” Rush said in a meek tone.

“Hey, don’t worry, I know what it’s like to be nervous around others too!” Derpy said.

"So… um… did you want to show me to… the Post Office?” He asked quickly.

"Silly, we’re right in front of it!” Derpy giggled.

“We are?” He asked quickly, looking around before the white stripes on his face turned a visible red. “Oh… we are.” He laughed nervously. “That’s… a little stupid of me not to notice that.”

“Oh, stop doing that! We were just caught up in a conversation, you aren't dumb. Now would you like me to show you around?” Derpy asked.

"Sure… that… that’d be nice.” He nodded. “I mean… I've been sketching everything and going by what the signs outside said… it’d be great to get to know the town.”

“No problem! I’m off today, so whatever you need to know, just ask me! Now, to start off, here is the Ponyville Post Office!” Derpy said excitedly.

----------------------------------------

A few hours later:

“Thanks for the tour.” Rush said with a smile as they stopped outside of the post office. “I think I've got enough now… and I think I’m going to go back to my hotel room and check back in, if that's alright.”

“Oh… okay.” Derpy said somewhat sadly. “Well, it was really fun hanging out with you Mr. Rush, and you better go talk to Rarity about that job! I don’t want to see a friend without a home.”

“Well… it’s still early and the hotel’s open most of the night. If you want me to… I can stay… a little longer.” He said.

Derpy turned her head and blushed a little, saying, “W-well, sure, if you want to.”

“I take pride in… getting to know my friends…” He said with a small and meek smile. “And it’s made a little easier when I have so few that… I um… actually… like to be around.”

“Oh... Well, c’mon, we’ll head back to my house. I hope you like muffins!” She said, trying to change the subject.

“Any food is alright with me.” He smiled.

“Great!”

They traveled through Ponyville, passing the market and a few other places, making casual small talk along the way.

“... And then he said ‘I made him cry by proving it’!” Derpy exclaimed.

Rush chuckled, “That’s a good one.” He smiled.

“Hah... well, here we are, at my humble abode...” Derpy said.

“It looks great.” He said. “I've been meaning to ask, do you live alone?”

“No... I have a unicorn foal, and her name is Dinky Doo! She’s about 5 years old, but she’s very skilled in magic... I’m saving up most of my bits to try and get her into Celestia’s school, so that’s why I have this cottage. It’s small, but I like the coziness.” Derpy explained.

“Oh… and where’s her father, if it’s not too much to ask?” He inquired.

“U-um… he isn’t h-here... I’ll explain more over tea, if that’s ok.” She said.

“No… no, that’s fine. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.” He said, giving her a warm smile.

“It’s ok, I feel like... I dunno, I just have a feeling that you should know. Now come inside, already!” Derpy said.

Rush followed her inside. “This really reminds me of my old home.” He said, looking around at the interior of the cottage. “Except I had my brothers and sisters living with me, along with my parents.”

“That must have been very crowded. Actually, where did you grow up? In Zebrica, or here in Equestrian?" Derpy asked as she made tea.

“Zebrica." He said. “And I usually slept outside… it was almost always warm and comfortable." He sighed happily, as if remembering a fond memory.

“That sounds wonderful! I've always wanted to travel, but... ever since I had my little Muffin, well, I haven’t really been able to. Not that I would rather have not had her, just... you know.” Derpy said.

“Eh… traveling is usually lonely… none of my friends wanted to go with me and well… It’s been lonely ever since.” He said. “But I know that if I had any children my life would be put on hold, just so I could care for them.”

Derpy nodded in agreement before hearing a shrill whistle sound throughout the house. “Oh, that should be the tea!” Derpy exclaimed. “Go and grab a seat in the living room, I'll be out in a moment.”

Rush nodded and walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch.

“Watch out, it’s a little bit hot!” Derpy warned as she brought the tea in. “Muffin! Do you want some tea?”

“Yes mommy, just give me sec’!” said an adorable voice from a few rooms over.

“That’s her.” Derpy said to Rush.

“I can’t wait to meet her.” Rush smiled.

A small foal came rushing out from the bedroom, her blond hair flowing over shoulders. “You said there was tea M-... Mommy? Wh-who is this pony?” Dinky asked.

Derpy smiled as she picked up Dinky and said, “This is Mr. Rush, and he is a zebra. He and mommy just became friends!”

Dinky looked at Rush before jumping over to him and hugging him, saying, “Thank you for being Mommy’s friend Mr. Rush... she doesn't have that many.”

“I’m more than happy to be your Mom’s friend.” Rush smiled as he returned the hug.

“Awww…thanks, Rush!” Derpy said. “Now, let’s all have some sweet tea!”

“Yaay! I love your sweet tea, Mommy." Dinky cheered.

“Mmm, I can’t wait.” Rush said.

Derpy poured out the tea into a few glasses, putting a few ice cubes into each glass. “Here you go!” She said.

“Thank you.” He said as he took a glass. He took a small sip, and said, “I can see why you love the sweet tea.” He smiled.

“Mommy makes it really good!” Said Dinky, “Nobody else makes it as good as her.”

“I can believe that.” Rush nodded.

Derpy blushed, saying, "Oh, it’s not that good… I just put a little more sugar in there than others.”

“That’s what makes it better!” He said.

Derpy giggled. “Anybody could do that, silly!” Derpy said.

“But no one else does.” He shrugged, his smile widening a little more.

“He’s right, Mommy.”Dinky said, smiling.

" Stop iiiit... It’s just regular tea!”Derpy said, squirming.

“It’s the truth.” Rush chuckled. “Come on, why don’t you sit down and we can all talk for a while?”

“Alright… but only if you stop teasing me about my tea!” Derpy joked.

“No promises for that." He smiled.

“Hmmm... well, what do you want to talk about?” Derpy asked as she sat down.

“Hm.”He mumbled as he scratched his chin. “I ca-”He stopped and chewed on his lip.

“Is something wrong?" Derpy asked.

“No… no nothing’s wrong with me.” He said. “It’s jus- No… no I already said I wouldn’t.”

“What is it Rush? Just tell me, It’s ok.” Derpy said, laying a hand on his.

Rush froze up and his face went blank.

“R-Rush? What’s wr- oh. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot!” Derpy said worriedly, taking her hand off of his.

He relaxed, “It’s… it’s fine…” He said with a few deep breaths. “Annndd it’s not about me…”

Derpy looked at him, confusion spreading across her face.

Rush silently glanced at Dinky before looking back at Derpy.

“O-oh...um, Dinky? Could you go and play in the bedroom again for a while?" Derpy asked.

“Ok Mommy! Goodbye Mr. Rush!”DInky said as she left.

“Goodbye Dinky.”Rush waved.

" So, y-you want to know about her father, right?”Derpy wondered.

“Yes… if that’s alright… if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine too.”Rush said.

Derpy prepared to tell her story, saying, “N-no, like I said earlier, it’s ok.”

“Okay.”He nodded. “I’m here to listen and… if I need to help.”He looked at her with a small smile on his face.

Derpy took a deep breath and said, “Alright. I was on my normal route throughout Ponyville one day, just delivering mail as usual, when suddenly a hand grabbed me out of an alleyway I was walking past. The hand belonged to a grubby looking unicorn, one with a smile on his face. He said, ‘Now, if you don’t scream, it gets easier for both of us, sweet cheeks,’ and then pulled out a knife... showing me the edge of the blade, saying, ‘Because I have no problem killing you.’” She paused momentarily, and gave a small shiver as the memory came back to her.

“It’s alright if you don’t want to go on.”Rush said quickly. “If you don’t like the memory at all then you shouldn’t ever have to relive it.”

“No... I-I feel like every time I relive it I get a bit stronger... s-so let me finish...”Derpy said.

Rush nodded for her to go on.

"So after he showed me the knife, he used it to cut off my clothes. Then h-he... h-he... he raped me. It hurt so bad, but I had to keep quiet, and I bit my lip so hard the doctors say it has scars….a-after he...finished, he just threw me on the ground and... And called me a “good bitch”... After that, someone found me in the alley, I think it was Lyra. Then she took me to her house to care for me... I stayed there for about a week, then I threw up in the toilet for a few mornings. We went to the hospital, and I found out that I was pregnant. Nine months later, I had Dinky... ever since then, it’s just been me and my Muffin living here.”

Rush scooted closer and slightly opened up his arms.

Derpy laid her head on his chest as she hugged him, sobbing quietly.

He was still slightly tense as he hugged her back, “If… you ever want me to be around… don’t hesitate to ask.” He said as he made his own crying quiet. “Or… if you ever need anything at all from me… I’ll be happy to help… No… more than happy...”

“Th-thank you, Rush.” Derpy said, “I feel... A little better now.”

"Don’t mention it… friends need to be there for each other right?”He asked, giving her a comforting smile. He squeezed her a little more before relaxing the hug. “And on that note… did you need anything right now?”

“Um...not really... But, there are a few muffins in the kitchen, so if you could get those.”Derpy trailed off, smiling up at him.

"Say no more.”He said, returning the smile in full. He stood up and quickly walked into and back out of the kitchen with the muffins on a plate. He handed the plate to Derpy and sat back down.

“Mmmm… banana nut is my favorite."Derpy said, nibbling on a muffin, "What about you?”

“I do enjoy banana nut… but I’d have to say cinnamon is my personal favorite.” Rush said.

“Hmm..oh! Dinky! We have muffins! Do you want some?” Derpy asked.

“Oh yesyesyes! Thank you mommy! I love muffins!”Dinky said, practically eating the whole thing in one bite.

“Watch out, eat slowly! I don’t want you to choke…" Derpy said.

Rush laughed a little, “Oh! I just thought of something!” He said as a wide smile grew on his face.

“Hmmm mmm mm?”Derpy mumbled, mouth full of muffin.

“You know I make maps, but I also make star charts and the like. If you ever wanted to you both could come out and I could teach you a bit about the stars.” Rush offered. “It wouldn’t be any trouble for me, and it’d make it less lonely.”

“W-well... it’s pretty late now, so if you aren’t busy, then."Derpy said.

"Sure…” He nodded. “I haven’t got anything else to do tonight… and now is as good a time as any.”He slowly stood up.

"Dinky, would you like to learn about the stars too?” Derpy asked.

“Hmmm...nah. I’m gonna go play with my dolls!"Dinky decided.

“Alrighty then. Be back soon!"Derpy said, "Now come on Rush, let’s go!”

" Sure.” Rush smiled as be quickly walked to the front door and opened it up. “It’s better if we lay down. How about you choose the spot?”

“Hmmm...my roof is fairly sturdy, and I can fly you up there. How about there?" Derpy wondered.

“That sounds great.” Rush nodded.

“Cool! Alright, here we go.” Derpy said as she hugged Rush, quickly flying him up to the top of her house. She set him down on the soft hay roof, brushing it off a bit. “Here, like I said, the roof is really sturdy, so don’t worry!”

Rush laid down and said, “Come on, join me.” He patted the area beside himself.

“Ok...now, what should we learn about first?” Derpy asked, laying next to him.

“How about the constellations?” He asked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later:

“You know… it’s nice not being outside alone for once.” Rush said quietly.

“Yeah, I know what you mean." said Derpy.

“Like I said earlier, if you ever need me for anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Rush smiled, looking over at her.

" Don’t worry, I won’t.” Derpy smiled back.

“It’s getting really late… I should probably be getting back to the hotel.” He said.

Derpy looked a bit crestfallen, saying, ”Oh… uh... yeah… I suppose…. let me fly you down then.” She once again wrapped her hands around him, gently landing on the ground after the short flight.

“If you wanted me to stay then… I won’t mind… I’d just have to go get my things.” He said.

“N-no, that... I couldn’t ask you to do that, you probably. I dunno, have things to do tomorrow." Derpy stammered.

“I don’t have very much to do… and I don’t know many people in town." Rush explained.

Derpy blushed as she thought, and finally said, “Y-yeah... Yeah you could stay the night. You would have to stay on the couch, so I could understand staying in the hotel, but... you can stay here, if you want, that is.”

“The hotel bed feels like I’m sleeping on a rock.” He joked. “And personally… I’d rather stay with a friend.” He smiled.

“Oh... well, do you want me to go with you? I could help you carry your stuff, I don’t mind” Said Derpy.

“I don’t really have all that much… so only if you really wanted to. Otherwise… I can get it myself.” Rush said.

“Hmm... in that case, I’ll stay here, seeing as I need to put Dinky to bed." Derpy admitted.

“I’ll be back soon, then.” Rush said as he ran to where he was previously staying.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Derpy heard a few knocks on her front door, so she went over to open it. On the other side, she saw Rush with a backpack on, with various rolled up papers sticking out of it. In his arms, he had a large box filled with what looked like a variety of art supplies. “Hey.” He smiled.

“Hey! Come on in again, I set up the couch for you!” Derpy said with a smile on her face.

“Thank you for this.” He said as he walked in.

“It’s no problem!" Said Derpy.

"So… um… is there anything you wanted to do?” He asked.

“Not particularly, but we could always talk." Derpy said.

“Okay.” Rush nodded. “Um… About… what?”

“Hmmm... well, how about you? You know... a bit… about me, so maybe we could talk about you?” Asked Derpy.

“Well… what is there to know other then I’m just out wandering the world… making maps and star charts?” He asked.

“How did you get here? Or, really, what are your goals, the things you hope to accomplish?” Derpy wondered.

“Um… well… I guess getting kicked out of the village for a ‘useless’ skill made me just… wander.” He said. “And… well, my goals… or more really… goal. Is to find some place to settle down… simple but… it’s incredibly hard to accomplish.”

“Well, I don’t see why you couldn’t…’Settle’... here. Ponyville is a very nice place, at least to me." Derpy said.

He chuckled a little. “Like I said… it isn’t easy to just… settle down when you’re like me.” He said.

“What do you mean? Because you’re a zebra, or because you’re an astronomer? Because Ponyville is pretty accepting on both counts.” Derpy said.

“No… it’s because with most women… I get really shy around.” He said. “It’s just… well… I’m kind of… adverse to any real… advances.” He mumbled.

“Well, you haven’t been shy at all with me, though I suppose you haven’t really made any…’advances’ to me.” She said. ‘Though I wouldn’t mind.’, she thought as a small blush came onto her face.

“Well you’ve just been friendly with me… and that helps ease away most of the tension." He said.

“Hmmm... well, I’m sure that with enough time, you could get past it.” She said.

“Yeah… I guess I could.” He nodded. “Though… it’s kind of hard to get over the first little bit… and it’s getting me worried that maybe working with this Rarity isn’t going to be easy for me.” He sighed. “Or… if…”

“If... what?”Derpy pondered.

“If… no it doesn’t matter.” He said.

“No, what is it? You can tell me, I don’t mind.” Derpy said.

“It’s nothing… I know it’s nothing." He said, halfheartedly.

“No, please, Rush. I care about what you have to say!" She said.

“It’s just… if you want me to live here… it’s going to be… um...tough… to not be so… shy.” He started.

“Oh... Well, that’s perfectly fine, I don’t mind at all! I’m not gonna ask you to change something about yourself like that." Derpy said softly.

“I… I mean you are very… um.” He continued.

“What?" Derpy asked.

“Beau…” He mumbled quietly, only the first half of what he said was audible.

“What? I...couldn’t hear…" She said, "Wait... beau... b-beautiful? You... Y-you think I’m beautiful?" Derpy asked shocked at the revelation.

Rush remained silent but the white stripes on his face turned a blazing red color.

“I...no… I-I’m not beautiful… nobody could like me anyway… I’m too klutzy… my eyes are messed up, I have a kid… y-you don’t mean that." Said Derpy.

“I… I do.” He said quietly. “A-as a friend… I do like you a lot.”

“But... why would you call me beautiful, then?” Derpy asked.

“I know sometimes the truth can hurt… but it can also be nice to hear, right?” He asked.

“I... I never said...that ... It was bad to hear." Derpy said, blushing furiously.

“And… I like telling people I know what I feel about them.” Rush said quietly.

“Well..th-thank you." Derpy said, giving him a tight hug.

“Y-you’re welcome." He mumbled as he returned the hug.

“You’re... the only person to call me beautiful.” Derpy said into his shoulder.

“You’re the only person who’s... ever... offered to take me into their home.” Rush said.

“You know what... y-you’ve been so nice to me... you can sleep on my bed tonight, I’ll take the couch." Derpy said, getting up to get her blankets.

“No… you should use your bed. I’m fine with the couch.” He said, gently grabbing her wrist.

“I i-insist….I’ve just never had anybody be this nice to me, not since Lyra, at least." Derpy said, "I’m fine sleeping on the couch.”

“You don’t have to give your bed up for me. The couch is perfectly fine.” Rush said.

“Well... since you won’t let me have my way... and I won’t let you have yours... we could... both... have our ways." Derpy said, blushing.

“What… do you mean?” He asked, the confusion clear on his face.

“I want you to... sleep on the bed….and you want me to sleep on the bed... so…” Derpy trailed off.

“Y-you mean like… sl-sleep together?” He asked, his face turning red as he blushed.

“I-in the s-same bed, yes.” She said.

“Um… al-alright.” He mumbled. “I… if you… w-want to…”

Derpy nodded and walked off to the bedroom, motioning for Rush to follow.

Rush stood up and slowly walked back with her. As he stepped into the room, he gulped a little.

“I’m going to... g-get into my bedclothes… you should do the same." Said Derpy, her voice emanating from the bathroom.

“I um… usually… just sleep i-in my underwear... if… that’s alright… with you.” He stammered.

“That’s ok... I do that too!” Derpy said, walking out of the bathroom.

“O… oh…” Rush said as looked at her, a look of shock clear on his face.

“What’s wr….oh, y-yeah." Derpy said, looking down at herself. She wore a grey bra, which for some reason only seemed to barely hold her bountiful breasts in, and grey panties that had an image of a muffin across the front of them. "Maybe I should’ve worn...pajamas.” Derpy said sheepishly.

Rush blushed brightly, “Um… I guess I should… get ready too then.” He said. “Can… I use your bathroom?”

“Uhhh... Y-yeah." Derpy said.

“Thank you.” Rush said as he quickly walked past her and closed the door behind himself. After a minute the door clicked open and he slowly stepped out, now in only his underwear which barely managed to contain his crotch. “O… okay I’m ready.” He said.

Derpy looked up and down his body, unable to contain herself from making an exceptionally good Fluttershy impression, saying, “Oh...my…” After forcing herself to look away, she gulped and said, "Uh… w-w-well i suppose it’s time to… go to bed now.”

“Y… yeah… I guess it is.” He nodded, “If… if you want me to I can… put something on.”

“No! I-I...uh..I m-mean, no th-that’s fine…let’s just... go to bed now." Derpy said, face as red as a tomato.

Rush slowly got onto the bed and under the covers, still shaking slightly as he watched Derpy, who quickly lifted up her end of the covers and got into bed.

He gingerly wrapped his arms around her and inadvertently pulled her against his body, then he gently kissed the end of her nose, “G-good night Derpy.” He said quietly.

Derpy blushed, then proceeded to give him a kiss also, but his time on the lips, and said, "Goodnight, Rush. "

Rush smiled a little and nuzzled himself closer before starting to close his eyes.

Derpy smiled too, and promptly fell asleep.

Author's Notes:

Wow, my first story!
I'd like to thank Patric12345, the academy....
Enough jokes.
Next chapter will be posted whenever I get back.
~ TOOWC