Author's Notes:

Love! The word has been used, and seriously this time, not a mistake!
Also, herding. I wonder who it'll be, hmm?

Probably Emerald Circlet, amirite.

To be honest, white chocolate is my favorite chocolate, and I've no idea why. I just like how creamy it, the way it melts in your mouth...Delicious! Next chapter should be fairly interesting, might even have three writers! Any guesses on the third person?
As always, much love to Patric12345, my one and only(so far) co-author!
~TOOWC (Long AN is long)

“Ruuush! I’m hooome!” Derpy said, walking into the cozy house. After a few moments with no response she looked around, noticing a very large sack of bits on the table. “Woah! Is this the money he got for the map? This is… this… this is more than I make in a month!” She gasped out, unable to believe the amount of money she was holding.

After a few moments, the front door opened and Rush walked in, carrying a few overstuffed bags of groceries. “Hi Derpy.” He smiled. Walking in beside him was Dinky, carrying a bag of her own into the house.

“Hi Mommy! How was your day?”

Derpy smiled, grabbing the bag and setting it on the counter before picking up her daughter, saying, “My day was great, muffin! And how about you, hmm? Did Rush get you to school alright?”

“He sure did, Mommy! After school, he picked me up, and we went grocery shopping, and guess what? Rush got me some gummi bears, and he got you some mmph!” Dinky tried to say before Rush softly covered her mouth.

Rush leaned down and whispered into Dinky’s ear, “It’s a surprise remember?”

“What’s a surprise?” Derpy asked, looking at the two.

Rush smiled widely, saying, “Nothing.” Looking down at Dinky, he winked.

“Uhhh… yeah! Is’sa secret, mommy!” Dinky said, giggling.

Scrunching up her face, Derpy *hmmphed*. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to get the information from you… with Tickle Torture!” Derpy said, quickly tickling her muffin’s little armpits.

“Ha Ha! N-nuh no! Sa-have me, Ruush!” Dinky squeaked out, wriggling in Derpy’s grip. Rush set the bags he was holding down, only to reach for Derpy, trying to pull her off of Dinky.

“You’ll never escape the clutches of the Tickle Momster!” Derpy said, laughing evilly.

“Oh really?” Rush said, starting to tickle Derpy.

“Nuh-no! Ha Ha heh he...stahahahaaap…” Derpy cried out, rolling off of Dinky.

“Yaay! Tickle fight!” Dinky said, starting to tickle Derpy along with Rush. “Get her feet, Daddy! That’s her most ticklish spot!”

“Got it!” Rush said, grabbing both of Derpy’s feet, taking her shoes off and tickling them rapidly.

“Ahuh… hahahHahaaa!*snort*” Derpy laughed out, letting out a cute little snort from laughing so hard.

Rush laughed a little and his smile grew. “So cute…” He said.

Derpy squirmed, her face growing red from how hard she was laughing, snorting constantly. “R-Rush *snort* quiiiit i-*snort*-it….” Her wings shot out, catching him in a fluffy hug of feathers. Rush smiled down at her.

“I think she’s had enough.” He laughed. Grabbing Dinky, he pulled her into the fluffy hug, all of them staying in the soft embrace for a few moments.

“So…” Derpy began, looking at Rush. “What is it?”

Rush shook his head, poking her in the nose as he said, “Boop.”

Derpy pouted again.
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Rush hugged Derpy, saying, “You’re so warm.”

“And you’re soft.” Derpy retorted.

“You’re cute.” He stated.

“You’re handsome.”

“You’re also beautiful.”

“Well... you’re...uh… “ Derpy blushed, and mumbled, “I ran out of appropriate things to say…” Rush chuckled and kissed the end of her nose.

“That’s fine… oh, and I have something to give you!” He said, getting out of the bed.

“Aww… well, if you have to leave, at least you’re getting something for me… you’re too sweet.” Derpy said, already missing his warmth.

Rush moved quickly from the room and only after a minute he came back inside, both his hands now behind his back. “Close your eyes.” He said.

“Fiiine…” She said, obeying his commands. Rush climbed back into bed and pulled Derpy up onto his lap, leaning her into his chest. “So… what is it?” She asked, getting a bit miffed from the wait.

“Open your mouth up.” He said.

A bit skeptical, the mare slowly obeyed him.

She felt his hand come near her face, and something was put into her mouth. Something sweet, cream- chocolate! White chocolate, to be specific. “Mmm! Oh my gosh, how did you know I loved white chocolate, Rush?” Derpy said, nomming on the sweet candy in her mouth.

“Dinky told me.” Rush said, gently feeding her another piece.

“Oooh… now I feel bad, because you got Dinky and I things, but we didn’t get you anything…” She said, getting a bit sad.

“You didn’t need to get me anything… I have everything I’d ever need with just you two.” He assured, gently nuzzling her neck.

Holding the next piece of chocolate between her teeth, Derpy turned her head towards Rush, sharing the chocolate with him. Rush bit down and put his lips to hers. Pushing her tongue into Rush’s mouth, Derpy relished the taste of his mouth, mixed with the sweetness of the chocolate. He playfully wrestled his tongue against hers, gently caressing her wings at the same time. After a few more moments he pulled back from the kiss, saying, “Derpy…”

“Yes, Rush?” Derpy asked, her eyes half-lidded from the passion of the moment.

“I know now… I…” He started, his voice becoming a mumble, “I love you…”

“I… what? You… you l-love me? When did… when d-did you start to think… that?” Derpy asked, blushing profusely.

“I… I don’t really know… I just know… that I do.” He said.

“Wh-why? I don’t… I’m nopony special, you could find better mares…” Derpy said, her ears drooping.

“Well… they can just move aside then. Because to me there’s nopony else I’d rather love.” Rush said.

“Wait… are you s-saying that you don’t like anypony else?” Derpy asked. “Do you want to stay monogamous, then? That you don’t want to herd?”

“Ehm...what’s a herd?” Rush asked.

“What?”

“I don’t know what a herd is.” He repeated.

“Ho- wait...wait, you’ve not lived here all your life! Okay, I get it. Well… A herd is when a stallion has not one, but multiple mares that he’s married to. The reason for this is because the gender ratio here in Equestria is abouuut… three, four mares to every stallion, I think? That way, there’s still a plentiful number of available stallions, instead of everypony being with only one partner.” She explained.

“Oooh.” Rush nodded. “I never really thought about that… um… I’d only do that if they got along really well with you. Otherwise, nopony but you.”

“Aww… really? You’d be comfortable with that?” Derpy asked, snuggling closer to him.

“If you are, then I am too.” He smiled, hugging her even more.

“Hmm… well, we have plans tomorrow, so let’s get comfortable here, so we’re able to do what we want tomorrow, yes?” Derpy asked giving him a kiss.

“Alright, good night.” Rush returned the kiss, nuzzling against her. Opening her wings, Derpy surrounded them both, the warmth quickly putting them to sleep.