On any normal evening, Lightning would have landed on the familiar balcony, torn off her panniers and blue uniform, and thrown herself onto the divan. This wasn’t a normal evening, a fact punctuated by the weight in her left-side pack. She flew carefully, making sure not to jostle her precious cargo, and landed with a gentleness that would have been tricky a year ago.
The balcony door was open, as always. Perking her ears, Lightning could make out the faint thrumming of a sewing machine. A new personal project, perhaps. She smiled and snuck her way into the apartment, her hooves clopping faintly on the floorboards. The place could still be described as ‘organized chaos’, but now there was more to it. Aside from the ponnequins displaying bridleway costumes, the racks of clothes, and the wall of mirrors were now posters of rock bands, a few trophies and shiny medals, and one old, folded Washouts flight suit in a display case on the wall.
Lightning tip-toed her way to one of the open doorways. She found Coco in her usual spot before the sewing machine, diligently focused on her work. The evening sun snuck dusty rays through the window next to her, highlighting her pale blue mane that swayed in a faint breeze. Lightning was tempted to stand there and watch, but she had work to do. Stepping back as quietly as she could, she made her way to the small table next to the balcony window and got to work emptying her panniers.
Two candles. Plates from the kitchen? No, too noisy to get them, and the boxes would have a certain contradictory charm Coco would appreciate. Pastas and salads in place. Paper basket of buttery rolls to one side. Plastic cutlery. A bottle of cider unopened next to two wooden mugs. Last but most important of all: a plate piled high with no less than five different flavors of cannolis. Peach included, of course.
All that was left was to turn to face the open door and call out, with a pleased grin, “Special delivery!”
The humming of the sewing machine ceased. Coco appeared a moment later, pausing at the sight of the meal set before her. Her eyes widened just a smidge as she took in the cannolis with a certain eagerness, her lips unable to resist rising at the corners. When those same lovely cyan eyes found Lightning, still in her post office uniform, the pegasus gave her a flamboyant bow and waved a wing at the table. “A certain pony appears to admire you, Miss. Postage paid in advance, of course.”
Coco’s giggle made her heart dance. “A secret admirer, is it?” The earth pony approached at a leisurely pace, hips swaying and eyes eager. “I don’t suppose this pony happens to be a pegasus mare, would it?”
Lightning stood up straight, head held high, and waved a denying hoof. “I’m only the delivery pony, ma’am.”
Humming, Coco made a show of rubbing her chin and letting her eyes roam the veiling. “I’m betting it’s a mare, with a light turquoise coat and brilliant amber mane. She sleeps on her right side, her feathers get into everything, and she’s got a distressingly aggressive sweet tooth.”
“Huh.” Lightning rubbed her mane back with a cocky grin. “That’s awfully specific for a ‘secret’ admirer.”
Pausing before her, Coco pressed a hoof to Lightning’s chest, running it along the buttons of her uniform. “I bet she works for the post office.”
Lightning chuckled. “A funny coincidence.”
“Isn’t it, though?” The sentence was punctuated by a short but sweet kiss to Lightning’s cheek and a warm nuzzle on the shoulder. Lightning wasted no time returning the motion. “Is that from the Seapony?”
“Only the best for my Coco Powder.” Lightning nipped Coco’s ear. It flicked against her muzzle in response, like a dainty lady swatting somepony over a naughty comment she secretly appreciated. “It’s an important day, after all.”
“Is it?” Coco stepped back, uncertainty washing over her features. “What day is that?”
Taking Coco’s arm in hers, Lightning led her to the table, guiding her into a chair. “It is the anniversary of the day the sweetest, kindest mare in Equestria invited me to live with her, of course.”
A little pink formed on Coco’s cheeks as the pegasus sat opposite her. “Oh, Lightning, it wasn’t that big a deal…”
“It was a big deal to me,” Lightning countered pleasantly. “I don’t think you’ll ever know how much you helped me out during that whole ‘Washouts’ fiasco, and I’ll never stop being grateful.” She rested her chin on her fetlocks and smiled across the table at her. “I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t been there, but I can safely say this is the better outcome by far.”
Now Coco was so pink she might have to change the coat color in her legal description. All trembling smiles and bashful eye-avoidance, she muttered, “You’re just trying to butter me up.”
Yes, yes she was. Buttering Coco up had evolved into one of Lightning’s favorite pastimes. Nothing made her feel so warm and pleasant and giddy like that timid, playful smile.
She sincerely hoped she’d be seeing it for the rest of her days.