My Shy Filly

by samiechu

The Hurt

"Make sure the house is completely clean!"

"Dew, cloud houses rarely get messy..."

"I don't care! Clean the clouds. Make sure they're white."

"Honey, all of our clouds ARE white..."

"THEN CLEAN SOMETHING." Dew squealed, perfectly propped into place on the table in the kitchen. He was panicking, furiously stampeding around for the past hour. It was only now that his mother managed to get him to stay still, even if it was on the kitchen table...

"Dew Drop, get down from the table and come here." Maxwell called from the study. For a few hours, avoiding household duties and carefully moving around stealthily, Maxwell had been precariously working on a novel. With all the ruckus from his wife and extremely nervous son, it was nearly impossible to get any work done. How else to deal with a noisy son then call him over to... well, calm him down?

"Yes father." Obedient and polite, he held his wings high and glided from the table to the floor. He had no problem going DOWN when flying. He just had an incline that maybe he would never be able to lift himself up and fly. Dew trotted to his father's study, shutting the door behind him to block out the noise of his mother's frantic cleaning of the dining area.

"Sit down." Dew looked around for a moment. He had never really been into his father's study before. From roof to elegantly plush floor, the entire area was crowded with bookcases and regal, vintage novels. Some of the shelves were adorned with beautiful and intricate carvings, and each shelf had their own gold plated labels. Dew had always wondered how such furniture was manufactured. It managed to comfortably sit on top of the plush clouds, with not a sign of wear or tear on either side. Glancing around further, he had noticed the red velvet seats located around the room. In a matching fashion, two rugs sprawled on the floor, with gold fabric for the tassels on the ends. Dew treaded carefully over the rugs, wondering if he dare step on such beautiful elements in his fathers study. He took a seat on the closest velvet chair, staring just below his fathers eye-line. For some strangely odd reason, he felt completely intimidated by his fathers power.

"Yes, dad?" A tremble quivered in his voice. Not through his recent growth, but through fear.

Maxwell took a sip of his chai tea sitting on the desk in front of him. "I understand the situation between you and Ms Fluttershy, you see... And your frantic bellowing around the house is quite normal." He eyed his son carefully, before continuing.

"When I was a colt, fresh to the Academy and feeling quite the same way you did, I wasn't too sure about who I was, who I wanted to be, who I would get along with in the world," Another sip. "Until I met Sapphire. She wasn't much of a confident flyer. She had the same problem Fluttershy does now, she had very weak wings but a very, perfectly capable body. It was something I found very unattractive in her, to be honest. After awhile of being in that Academy, my ambition was to become a fantastic flyer, or something greater than that. I despised any other who lacked the ability I knew I would become famous for." He lowered his eyes slightly, as if a great shadow had washed over him. "I bullied your mother for awhile. The same way those colts yesterday bullied you. I eventually saw what that did to a pony, not just yesterday, but when I had done it, and regretted what I had done to your mother."

Dew was silent. At that very moment, he was unsure of his father. Unsure of what he thought of him.

"I can see that expression on your face. It was what I expected when I told you this story, but I'm telling you this to make a point." Dew nodded, a soft, half hearted smile leering on his face. "What happened was that after I noticed what I had done to Sapphire, I apologised, and I tried to make it up to her by taking her on a date. She taught me much about myself, what I could be or become, and what she wanted in her life. I chose your mother because she gave me a second chance even once I hurt her."

"But what does this have to do with me? I haven't hurt Fluttershy..." Dew cocked his head to the side. He had no idea what his father was trying to explain to him.

"I'm getting to that, son. You see, she taught me about myself and when it came to that first date, I was frantic the way you are now. I was afraid. I didn't know whether or not to dress up in a suit, or put candles all over the house. I didn't know whether or not to buy her a rose, or some candy. I had no idea if I should have cooked or if I was going to make your grandmother do it for me."

Dew started to giggle a little bit. His father... he was so much like him.

"It's funny now but back then... Oh I was terrified. Look, I want you to know not to be afraid. I see what you two have between each other. Now, I don't know if she feels the same. Do you know that, son?" Dew shook his head, ears dropping back onto his head.

"I wouldn't fret. If anything, today is the perfect day to ask. Or, better yet, tell her how you feel. I know you're already the best of friends. From what I've heard, she seems far too kind to be inconsiderate about the whole situation. You'll be fine son. Take it from an old man who had himself in the same situation and had it almost end in turmoil." Maxwell reached over and put a hoof on his sons shoulders. Dew, in return, leaned forward for a powerful embrace.

"Thanks, dad." He leaned back and looked at his dad. A smile was still lingering, even after the giggles subsided from his fathers hilarious tale. "But one question...."

Maxwell tilted his head and smiled lightly.

"What should I wear?"

Dew's father instantly smacked his head on his desk. Dew let out a very loud laugh. "What? I listened to your story! But I wanna know what to wear." He grinned widely. He knew tonight was going to be amazing.

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"Oh wow. That was amazing. What was in it?" Fluttershy exclaimed, her soft voice filled with excitement.

"Pistachios, beans, lemon dressing and some sautéed daisies. Did you enjoy it?" Sapphire's eyes gleamed with joy, watching the filly gingerly scrap the plate with her hoof, tasting the juices tenderly. She closed her eyes, letting out a noise of utmost pleasure and joy. Dew giggled at the filly's display of thrill; he hadn't seen Fluttershy enjoy something so much. Not in a long while.

"More than you know, Mrs Drop! This is one of the best meals I've ever had. How did you get such good ingredients? I mean, if you don't mind telling me, that is." Her eyes brightened widely. Dew wiped his messy face with a soft linen cloth, placing it in the bowl in front of him. He always managed to eat messy with those types of dishes. A horn would come in handy.

Dew listened intently to his mother and his best friend chatting away. The night loomed closer as the talking pursued. His father had already retired to bed, resting off a long days work and preparing himself for the working day ahead. He worked so hard for his family, providing them with all the love and support they needed. Too bad his morals were completely stunted and had no possible means for a good personality. Dew sighed, leaning back in the comfortable silk chair. They were so beautiful; his mother had gone antique shopping not too long ago and brought many items of worth into the family home. Dew only enjoyed a few, those which he could sit on.

"...And then I ordered the pistachios in from the Pegasus market in Ponyville. They sell such amazing food there."

"Why did you order them? I mean... you could have flown there yourself. But if you're too busy... then that's okay."

Sapphire paused, sipping from her tea in front of her. Chai, brewed to perfection and garnished with extra cinnamon. "I thought Dew would have told you about that already." Her tone was flat, with a hint of distaste.

"Oh, no, he hasn't. How come you can't go there, or even Mr Drop? It shouldn't be too much hassle..." She tilted her head slightly, taking a swig from her more common drink of Ponynade, a fizzy lemon flavoured drink.

Sapphire shot a glare at her son. Dew was unsure why.

"We are a household that prefers to keep to our own kind. We follow the original ways of Commander Hurricane, before he was corrupted by the Earth and Unicorn ponies," She looked down at the book on the table she had kept since she set up for dinner. "I refuse to communicate with those... fools, so I order through a private seller who delivers them within the hour."

Fluttershy was silenced. She glanced at Dew, and he lowered his ears. She had noticed his discomfort in the situation, as well as how much he disliked this side of his mother. She stuck to the topic of food, rather than pursuing the conversation of disharmony.

"Oh, well if I could fly to the ground I would get all the ingredients! These pistachios, especially. They're so soft and hardly chewy at all. My cousin got the gross ones from the market here... I mean, they're okay but.. I like the ones from Ponyville much more."

This had brought a more joyful mood to Sapphire, despite the throwdown of the Pegasus market in Cloudsdale. She smiled, standing up to clean the dishes.

"Oh! Let me help, I like to do the dishes." Fluttershy flapped her wings and grabbed a few plates. Sapphire laughed and took them from her, placing them in the sink next to a gorgeous golden framed window. It shimmered with dull sunset light, changing the colour of everything in the room to a soft orange hue.

"Dear, you're our guest! And besides, it is getting a bit late. You and Dew are excused, you can go up to his room. Dew, honey, did you clean your room and put the spare bed down?"

"Yes, mother." He was quiet. Her mood swings when speaking of the pony topic had made him a little upset.

"Alright. You two, off to your room now. You've got a bit of studying to do tonight and also tomorrow. I'll come say goodnight in an hour and a half. I'll be in here reading, but I'll bring up some snacks and drinks before I go to bed." She nuzzled Dew, who giggled from the gesture. He kissed her on the cheek.

"Is dad asleep?" Sapphire nodded. "Well if he wakes up when you go to sleep, tell him we said goodnight." He smiled, and off him and Fluttershy went to his room.

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She had been reading over the studies of Pegasus culture and history for about half an hour, and Dew had wished she would stop speaking about it. Before he had a word in, the yellow filly had her words in.

"I'm sorry if this is bothering you, Dewy. I m-mean... what your mother said was a little strange and I just wanted to know what she meant. I can't understand it though..." She paused, staring deep into the blue colts eyes. "I've never met an Earth pony, or even a Unicorn, but how can they be any different to us?"

"Fluttershy, it says it in the book, silly." He smiled, slipping off of his bed to Fluttershy's bed on the floor. It was a soft, comfy blow up mattress with a foam base to keep it in place. "See, here: 'The Pegasi were the stewards of the weather. But, they demanded something in return: food that could only be grown by Earth ponies. The Unicorns, demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night.' They were all asking for things but wanted things in return. So basically.. they just took but didn't want to give, and that caused the separation. Does it make sense now?"

The yellow filly smiled, nuzzling Dewy's face. "Of course. Thank you, Dewy. You always help me all the time. You're a great friend."

Dew picked up his book with his mouth from his amazingly comfortable bed and propped himself on the mattress next to Fluttershy. He was reading something more laid back, something a little more... not for studying. It was a story about a Pegasus who could not fly, and was in love with an Earth pony. The Earth pony had a very studious Unicorn friend who forced a spell on the Earth pony to gain wings, natural Pegasus wings, and the power to walk on clouds. But the Earth pony began to feel homesick after a few days, and wanted to go home. Her wings, however, were 'broken' like her lovers. She decided to stay with her love forever, even if it meant she couldn't see her friends anymore. It was a sappy love story, but Dew loved the back story of it.
He was also trying to leave subtle hints on the unaware Fluttershy. Now was his time.

Before he was able to speak his desperate words, Fluttershy began to hum softly. She then started to speak.

"You are my best friend, right?" He nodded softly. She smiled at the gesture. "I need to tell you something... it's a secret... But it's about me, but also about someone else... Do you want to hear it?"

"S-sure... what is it?" Dew's heart was pounding a mile a minute. He had an idea of where this was going. But in what direction, he was unsure. There seemed to be a two way street here. It was either about him, or about someone else. Even then, there were more pathways from those individual choices. He started to sweat a little, but ignored it.

"You promise not to tell anyone? I mean it Dewy!" She exclaimed, staring widely into his eyes. He felt the tension, but also the warmth of her beautiful teal eyes penetrating his. He nodded again, his sweating beginning to rise. "This is so embarrassing... but... for awhile now, I've kind of had a crus-" She was interrupted by the press of Dewy's lips to hers.

He held her close, hooves wrapped around her neck. She wasn't struggling, he knew that it was him she was going to talk about. This was the moment. The amazing touch of her body this close, the amazing feel of her hot breath as he pressed his lips harder onto hers. She breathed heavily, a twitch in her body so tense that Dew could feel it. His heart was racing as her warm lips slightly opened against his. Dew opened his and attempted to slide his tongue into her mouth, but she squealed and he pulled back immediately. She had been struggling the entire time, but was immobilised by the situation.

"Dewy! What are you doing! Oh no no no... I didn't mean you! I meant Cappuccino! I'm so sorry!" She held her hooves over her mouth, eyes wider than he had ever seen them. Tears formed and she looked around frantically. Fluttershy relocated the rest of her belongings on the bed, pushing them to the side. She blew out a few candles, sniffling.

"I'm really sorry Dewy... I didn't mean you. You're my best friend, I could never have a crush on you. I'm sorry...." She swivelled to meet his gaze, but he had already snuggled warmly into his bed. He was far too embarrassed, too hurt to speak to her. The only words he said, were mumbled and extremely quiet.

"In the morning, I think you should go home." Fluttershy whimpered and softly whispered okay. Dew hadn't finished though.
"And you shouldn't come back. Ever."