To Mellow, flying was an ethereal, otherworldly experience. Something- he couldn’t quite put his hoof on what- about being suspended mid air, gliding through the endless expanse of the heavens, and riding the cool summer breeze effortlessly spoke to a deep, inner part of his soul. Often Mel would find himself so completely relaxed and deep in thought, that all sense of time, direction, or consciousness became meaningless to him. Especially during long flights, like the one he was on right now.  
In fact, he had zoned out for so long, that he forgot about the passenger on his back. That is, until a soft snore behind him pricked his ear. Mel blinked for a moment, stirring from his stupor, as he heard the wheezy noise again. Careful not to disturb the mare’s head leaned against his neck, he slowly turned around until he could clearly see her small frame in his peripheral vision.
 
Mel smiled at his marefriend. He had a hunch she would succumb at last to the bags under her eyes. After all, they had spent all day flying to Fillydelphia to deliver a client their newly rehabilitated cockatrice. But despite being a strong flyer, long distances easily tired Ophelia out and Mel wasn’t the least bit surprised when she took him up on his offer to fly her home. I mean, it’s not like it would bother him- she weighed about as much as she looked.
 
What did indeed surprise him, was just how adorable she looked when she slept- from her soft, feather like snores, to the look of complete peace on her usually frowning face. As silly as it was, Mel in that moment felt like he was carry a angel on his back to her home far beyond the physical world. Probably just the thin atmosphere talking.  
Still, Mel couldn’t resist letting out a wistful, sentimental sigh at the sight, and reaching over ever so gently, he softly kissed her banged forehead. Ophelia didn’t move, but Mel thought he could catch a slight pause in her light snoring, and maybe, just maybe, a twitch at the mouth. That was enough for him, and turning his beaming, blushing face back towards Ponyville- just a speck in the distance- he resumed his flight with vigor, determined to see that his little angel made it home to her actual bed.  

 
This art piece, along with it’s rushed, fluff-filled little story, is my half of an art trade with my dear friend Celestial-Rainstorm , featuring one of the couples from her nextgenverse, Mellow Vibes and Ophelia Moon. This couple is my OTP of the athenaverse and I enjoy every chance I get to draw these precious nuggets doing precious nugget stuff.
 
And if there is anyone out there whose been living under a rock and doesn’t know that Celestial has even more amazing beans just like the two I drew above, I strongly encourage you to go and check out her stunning gallery (link included below)! Maybe, if everyone jumps on this shipping bandwagon, we can convince her to bless the land with art of this precious ship huehuehue.
 
 
Characters featured:
 

 
 
Celestial-Rainstorms Gallery: www.deviantart.com/celestial-r…