Rocky Riff, the pegasus stallion whose sense of style and flare was just as golden as his wings, couldn’t be happier as he strutted across Maretime Bay. Things were just going so great for him lately. Of course, part of his chipper mood was influenced heavily by his regular nightly rendezvouses with a certain Sheriff. However, while Rocky enjoyed getting laid on a regular basis, there was a growing connection that he could no longer ignore. Over the past few weeks, it had become clear to Rocky that he just enjoyed spending time with Hitch. He loved the Amber Earth Stallions laugh, He liked seeing that twinkle in his eyes whenever he got super excited about a town event, and he adored what a devoted Dragon Dad Hitch was. Rocky especially adored waking up with Hitch cuddling his body.
This is why the pegasus was galloping to the nearest Donut Shop. He wanted to surprise Hitch with breakfast and while donuts weren’t the healthiest thing in the world, Rocky figured Hitch would appreciate them since the Earth Pony was a Stallion of Law Enforcement. Luckily, it didn’t take long for Rocky to find a donut shop and after he placed an order, his phone began to ring.
“Hey, Jazz.” Rocky said, as he stared at his best friend on the other side of his phone screen. “Everything going good at Mane Melody? I don’t need to come in, do I?”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that. Please, enjoy your day off.” Jazz Hooves said with a smile, but Rocky could tell she was trying to act nonchalant. “I…just wanted to see how you were doing, and to tell you that I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? For what?” Rocky asked.
“Well…” Before Jazz could finish, she was interrupted by her boss. The one and only Pipp Pedals.
“Is that Rocky? EEEE!!!” Pipp squealed in excitement as she appeared on the screen. “I am SO happy for you, Rox! You and Hitch make such an adorable couple!”
A blush burst onto Rocky’s face as he looked around to make sure no one heard Pipp’s outburst. Fortunately, he was the only one in the cafe area since the clerk was still in the back getting his order. He decided to go sit at the table in the corner before addressing his coworker and boss again.
“Jazz, you said you wouldn’t tell anypony.” Rocky said with a defeated sigh.
“It was an accident. We were joking about what you were doing this morning, and it just sorta slipped out.” Jazz confessed.
“Don’t be mad at Jazz, Rocky. You should be proud! Hitch is quite a catch.” Pipp said. Her bubbly personality always puts a smile on Rocky’s face. He almost didn’t want to break the news to her, but he knew he had to.
“The thing is. Hitch and I..aren’t dating. This is just a…casual fling.” Rocky admitted.
“SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?” Pipp and Jazz yelled in unison. They were both shocked but Jazz looked more confused than anything else.
“I thought you were gonna ask Hitch to make it official. What happened?” Jazz asked.
“I was…but then I started thinking about how different we both are. I’m a pegasus, he’s an Earth pony. Would he reject me because of the backlash we’d get for being together?” Rocky asked. His voice became more desperate as he allowed negative thoughts to take over his mind.
“Oh, Rocky. Do you really think Hitch is that shallow?” Jazz asked,
“No, but…” Rocky tried to argue with her, but he couldn’t think of a rational retort.
“Look, Rox. I’ve known you for a long time, and Hitch is one of my closest friends. If he makes you happy, and you make him happy, then you should go for it. Who cares what anypony else thinks.” Pipp said. She always had these nuggets of wisdom every once in a while.
“You’re right, Pipp. Thanks. I’ll go tell him right now.” Rocky said, with a new sense of confidence.
“You sure you’ll do it this time?” Jazz asked.
“Hoof to heart!” Rocky said, while bringing a hoof to his chest. “And hey, if I don’t, you can call these things on my back chicken wings from now on.”
“Hehe, I’ll hold you to that.” Jazz said, with a giggle.
“Go get ‘em, big guy!” Pipp said, before her and Jazz ended the call.
Rocky then heard his name at the counter. He walked up, put A small donut box and paper bag into his saddlebag, paid his bits, and left. He walked toward the Sheriff's office with a new sense of purpose. A hint of nervous energy still lingered in the back of his mind, but Pipp’s words from earlier kept his doubts at bay. When he reached the front double doors with the sar on them, he took a deep breath and stepped inside.
“Thanks for dragonsitting Sparky last night, Izzy. I really appreciate it.” Hitch was talking to Izzy as Rocky walked into the office. The Earth Pony had told the pegasus about this arrangement when he arrived last night. It was his way of assuring Rocky that their fun wouldn’t be interrupted.
“Hiya, Rocky! What brings you here?” Izzy asked, She was a little puzzled to see the golden-winged pegasus at the Sheriff’s office this early in the morning. “Got an emergency?”
“Nope, no emergency.” Rocky said with a nervous chuckle. He really wasn;t expecting the Unicorn to be here before he got back. Still, he pulled out the box from his saddlebag as he said his next sentence.. “Just thought Maretime Bay’s most hardworking Sheriff deserved some breakfast.”
“Gee Thanks, Rocky.” Hitch said as Rocky placed the box on his desk. “But, donuts might be a bit much for this little guy.” Hitch gestured toward Sparky who was sitting on the Earth Pony’s back. The dragon looked sad after hearing he wasn’t getting any sweets.
“That’s why I got these.” Rocky said, pulling out the paper bag marked with the words ‘Donut Holes’.
“Donut Holes?” Hitch took a pause to look at Sparky. The dragon was putting on his best ‘Please’ face. “Yeah, Sparky can have those.”
Sparky made a happy sound reminiscent of a ‘WHOO HOO’, as Hitch gave him the bag of donut holes. The dragon immediately began eating. The cute display of father and son made Rocky smile, but then he remembered what he came here to do.
“I was actually hoping I could talk about something with you, Hitch?” Rocky asked, putting on a ‘Please’ face of his own.
Hitch saw the look on Rocky’s face and knew this was serious. While still maintaining eye contact with the pegasus, he spoke to Izzy. “Hey, Izzy. Why don’t you take Sparky outside so he can burn off all of that sugar.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff.” Izzy said with a salute, before turning her attention to Sparky. “C’mon, Sparky! Let’s go play!”
Izzy placed a happy Sparky on her back , and walked out the door. Now that they had some privacy, Hitch spoke again.
“What’s on your mind, Rocky?” Hitch asked.
“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about our…situation.” Rocky said.
“Situation?” Hitch asked, hoping Rocky would be more specific.
“Right, the one where we are just kinda…” Rocky took a pause, trying to phrase his next word as delicately as possible. “Friends with benefits?”
“Oh…” It was all Hitch could say.
“Yeah and, while that’s been fun. Lately, I’ve been feeling a certain…spark between us.” Rocky started pacing as he continued talking. “And, I was wondering if…maybe…You wanted to make things a little bit more…exclusive?”
“You mean…like dating?” Hitch asked.
“YES!” Rocky screamed, before clearing his throat to compose himself. “I mean, if you want to.”
“Wow, uh…I didn’t expect you to ask me that.” Hitch was struggling to come up with words. It was now his turn to start pacing. “I mean, it’s true. There is…something between us, and I certainly enjoy your company…”
Rocky’s ears perked up at that. He was happy to hear Hitch had similar feelings toward him.
“But…” That was definitely a work Rocky didn’t want to hear. However, he let Hitch continue. “I haven’t even thought about dating since I found Sparky, you know? And while you are great with Sparky…Oh wow, this is so tough!”
Hitch clopped a hoof on the ground, which caused glowing green magic to surge towards Rocky. The magic stopped at the pegasus's hooves and sprouted a red rose between the tiles. Both stallions looked at each other in shocked silence for a moment. A blush started to form on Hitch’s face.
“A Rose? What does that mean?” Rocky asked. He knew Earth Ponies had the ability to grow plants, but he’d never seen the magic grow a rose before.
“I think it means…”Hitch closed the gap between him and Rocky. “...that I want to give this a try.”
Hitch then leaned in and met Rocky’s lips with his own in a tender kiss. The world seemed to spin in that moment. Everything felt like it was melting away and all that was left was the bond between Hitch and Rocky. However when they both opened their eyes, they saw Izzy staring at them from the doorway with a sleeping Sparky on her back.
“Congratulations you two.” Izzy said.
“How long have you been standing there?” Hitch asked. The blush on his face exploded all over.
“Oh, I came in right as the rose popped up. Gotta, say, I’m really happy to meet another couple. Now we can double date.” Izzy said cheerfully.
“Wait…who are you dating?” Rocky asked.
“Sunny.” Izzy said nonchalantly.
“WHAT!?!?!” Rocky and Hitch both screamed in unison.
Equestria is full of surprises.