//------------------------------// // Like One of the Family // Story: Prosopoanothenphobia // by TheTalentlessPony //------------------------------// "...Sugarcube? What's wrong? ...H-hey!" Applejack's cries were ignored as Fluttershy galloped past the orange mare, diving into the apple cellar as a last-ditch effort to hide from Big Macintosh. She then shut the door behind her and sat on the steps, panting as she placed the hat back on her head. I-I just had to look up... She whimpered a bit as the scene replayed itself in her head. She had been so calm and relaxed, yet was suddenly paralyzed with fear as she locked eyes with the stallion that she had fallen so hopelessly for. If it wasn't for that dumb phobia of hers, she probably could've stayed in his hold for the rest of the day; it would've been so wonderful. And...maybe... just maybe... she could've gotten a kiss too... ...I just had to go and mess it all up... The yellow pegasus felt a little self-hatred build up inside her as she lightly stomped at the floor under her. What was she meant to do now? Just hide in there forever and stare at the ground? Oh yeah, sure. That'd certainly be productive... "...Fluttershy? Somethin' wrong?" The mare jumped a bit at the voice. There was someone else here too? She had assumed that she was alone, but was apparently wrong. Turning her head towards the sound of the voice, she was met with the face of a red-maned yellow filly, who wore a large pink bow at the back of her head. Her eyes were full of concern and confusion, while her smile gave off a rather joyful vibe that filled Fluttershy with a bit of happiness; though not much, it still meant a lot to the yellow pegasus. "Oh... Apple Bloom. Hello," she greeted, smiling sadly and wiping away any indication of tears. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know that anyone else was in here." The small filly looked around for a moment, scanning the area around them, then replied with a simple, "Just me an' you." She then trotted towards the stairs and sat across from the pink-maned mare, repeating her earlier statement. "So... somethin' wrong?" Fluttershy blinked, unsure of how to respond. "W-well..." Could this little filly really help her? "I-it's... B-Big Macintosh..." "Mah big brother?" Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head slightly to show her confusion. "Y-yes. U-um... you see-" "Oh, right! Applejack sent Big Macintosh out to see ya earlier, right?" S-she was listening in on that? "Y-yes... she did. You heard?" "Mmhm! Right before comin' down here to do mah daily apple cellar check!" "Daily... apple cellar check?" "Ahuh!" The yellow filly smiled wide, but said-smile diminished as she blushed slightly. "Ah ain't quite fit to buck the trees yet, so ah do this instead!" "Oh. Yes, that makes sense I suppose," Fluttershy muttered, nodding in understanding. "So, what about mah big brother?" Apple Bloom asked, quickly getting back on topic. "O-oh! Well... you see..." "Do ya like him?" "W-what!?" the yellow pegasus asked, quickly blushing. This filly was smarter than she thought. "Haha! So ya do then?" S-shoot. She... caught me... "Well..." No sense in lying about it now... "...yes... I do." "So what's the problem then?" Apple Bloom asked, blinking innocently as if it was a normal conversation. "The problem? I... you see... I'm kind of... afraid of him." "Afraid? Of somepony ya like?" The yellow filly raised a brow, looking skeptical. "No need to be scared of mah big brother! He's just a huge teddy bear!" Reaching her hooves out to imitate the gesture of wanting a hug, she smiled wide. "Honest!" "I-it's not that, Apple Bloom." "Huh?" "I'm... afraid to look up at his face... up at anypony's face really. It's a fear I have..." Fluttershy explained, nervously rubbing at the floor with her hoof. "Ohh! Is that why you're wearin' mah sister's hat?" "Y...yeah..." "Just tell him then!" The pink-maned mare's eyes went wide as she stared at the yellow filly. Did she really just suggest that? "T-tell him? Apple Bloom, it's not that easy..." "Why not? Just tell him that ya really do like him, but you're just afraid! Ain't that the problem?" "No. The problem's that-" Fluttershy paused as the words caught up with her. Rejection? Was that the problem? Was she scared that Big Macintosh would reject her if she told him that she had such a fear? It was kind of a big deal after all, wasn't it? "...Ya know... us crusaders went campin' one time with our sisters." "W-what? What does that have to do with-" "Rainbow Dash came along too. Scootaloo wanted to impress her, but had a hard time 'cause she was scared of the campfire stories." The yellow filly smiled softly and stared up at Fluttershy's face. "Ya know what happened?" The shy pegasus was completely unsure of what the filly was trying to get at; how was this meant to help her? "No, what?" "She faced her fears. Not the nightmares she got though. Her real fear; that Rainbow Dash would think of her as a scaredy-pony." Her expression softening as she remembered the moment, she continued. "An' it all worked out. She had nothin' to be afraid of. Rainbow Dash didn't think any less of her." Staring Fluttershy directly in the eyes, Apple Bloom then put on a sad look. "You'll never know if ya don't try, Fluttershy," she told her. The pink-maned mare grew quiet, gazing at her own face, which was reflected off of the yellow filly's eyes. Is it all...in my head? Am I just...afraid of rejection? After a moment of deep thought, Fluttershy smiled softly and nodded. "I-I see... thank you." She then giggled slightly and patted Apple Bloom's head. "You're smarter than everypony gives you credit for." The yellow filly smiled wide at that. "Well, if ah wanna be the best pony ah can be, ah gotta know stuff, ya know?" Fluttershy giggled in response. "Yes, I suppose so." "Anyway, ah better go find Applejack and let her know that everything checks out." Turning away from the pegasus, the filly then began to head up the stairs. "O-oh, wait!" Apple Bloom paused for a moment, then turned back. "Yeah, Fluttershy?" "Here." Removing the hat from her head, Fluttershy reached over and gently placed it on Apple Bloom's, though it was somewhat off-center. "Take that back to Applejack too, okay?" Smiling bright, knowing that her words seemed to help, the yellow filly nodded happily and adjusted the hat. However, she stopped right before turning to leave, gazing right into the shy mare's eyes. "Uh... that reminds me..." "Y-yes?" Fluttershy asked, curious about the innocent gleam in the Apple Bloom's eyes. Reaching her hooves out, just like before, the red-maned filly giggled softly and smirked. "Can ah...call ya 'big sis' now?"