//------------------------------//
// Trouble in Paradise 
// Story: Flutterheart 
// by lilinuyasha 
//------------------------------//

Neither Trey nor Fluttershy had dreams that night. They hardly slept at all last night, instead spending the night “watching” movies, though really they were just cuddling on the couch enjoying each other’s company. Trey was propped up laying on his side, facing the TV.  Fluttershy lay on her side the other way, facing him. Midway through the first movie, when the kissing fever had worn off, they simply got to the point where they would just look at each other. Eventually Fluttershy yawned and closed her eyes.

“Trey?” she said, trying to talk to keep herself awake. She didn’t want to fall asleep on him. That was that much longer she couldn’t remember being with him.

“Yes, Flutterheart?”

She smiled at that. She really liked that name. It fit her. Every time she saw him, her heart would race, fluttering in excitement. “You’re a nice guy.” she said, yawning even bigger.

“I think you’re nicer.” said Trey, not closing his eyes. Fluttershy, tired, started to get a little loopy.

“Well that’s nice of you.”

He laughed. “Well thank you.”

“No...thank you.” she said. The mindless babble continued until Trey didn’t hear her ask another question. She was cute when she was asleep. Seemed like every filly always looked cute when they slept. She took slow, small inhales, gently exhaling on his arm, which was under her head. He was starting to lose circulation there, but he didn’t care...she was too cute to wake. He brought his free hoof up to the side of her face and stroked it. She was soft, cute...everything he’d ever desired in a filly.

“I love you.” he said softly, before kissing her lightly and falling to sleep.

Trey’s alarm jolted them both up. He’d brought it with him to wake him up for school. When Trey woke up, he saw those beautiful blue eyes of hers. It was the best thing to wake up to, he thought. He’d do anything to wake up next to them everyday.

“Morning.” he said. She smiled and blushed.

“Morning. I guess I kinda fell asleep on you. I’m sorry. I tried to stay awake...”

“No worries. You look cute when you sleep.” he said, bringing his hoof to her cheek, kissing her, then getting up to start the day.

“Do you want some breakfast?” she asked.

“Oh, I can’t. My schedule is so tight I usually skip breakfast and wait for lunch. Sometimes dinner.” he said, gathering his things.

“Oh...well...ok then!” she said, smiling.

“Don’t worry...I’ll take a rain check for the weekend.”

“Hm? Did Rainbow Dash give you money?”

Trey stopped for a bit, puzzled. It finally hit him that Rainbow Dash, a Pegasus, would control the weather...like rain. “No, no...it means I’ll take you up on your offer at another time.”

“Oh! Well I guess I sound stupid now...”

“Nah. I don’t think anything bad of you. How could I, with a face like yours?” She blushed. “Anyways, I’ll try and swing over later. Though it’ll be a little bit after school so I can get my work done.”

“Oh, I’ve put you so behind, I’m so sorry...”

Trey rolled his eyes and trotted over to her, kissing her. “It’s alright.” he said, smiling at her. She gained a look of wonder in her eyes. It seemed she was still trying to figure out why he liked her.

“Alright then!” she said as he began to trot out the door towards school. “Oh! Trey!” she said. He turned around to find her staring at the ground, like she did when she got nervous.

“Yes?”

“Um...I would appreciate it if my other friends didn’t know about this...It’s so...awkward...”

“I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of, but I’ll do it just for you.” She straightened up and looked at him.

“...thanks.” she said. She smiled and waved him goodbye as he trotted to school.

She turned back around inside, to see Angel staring at her.

“Oh, are you hungry?” Angel shook his head. “What is it, then, Angel?” Angel did a little conducting move with his paws. “Oh, Trey?” Angel nodded. “Well...what about him?” Angel sighed and pointed to his wrist, like a watch. “Oh, you want to know when he’s coming back?” Angel nodded again. “Well...I don’t know. Most likely later tonight. At least...I hope it’s later tonight...”

***

Trey finally got done with school a little later than anticipated. He kept the band 5 minutes over, but promised to give them 5 minutes at a later rehearsal. He hopped off the ladder, rushing home to get his work done. On the way, he found Twilight outside his door, knocking. Trey decided to sneak up quietly and stand behind her. Eventually she gave up knocking and turned around, to see him standing there, looking at her with a sarcastically mean, evil look.

“AH!!!” she screamed, falling to the floor. Trey started laughing and helped her up.

“So, what can I do ya for?”

“Well...uh...let’s talk in your house. This isn’t exactly an outside conversation.”

Trey raised an eyebrow. “Alright. Am I in trouble?”

“No, no.”

Trey invited her inside and the both of them sat down on his couch.

“I know you spent the night at Fluttershy’s last night.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Trey, I came by your house early, before you would leave. I had business to discuss and you weren’t home. Where else would you be?”

Trey didn’t say anything. He had no excuse.

“I knew it!”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, but...well...how do I put this...Fluttershy’s a very delicate soul. There’s been a lot of debate between Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity and I as to whether you’re able to handle it.” Trey raised an eyebrow again.

“So you came here to tell me you think I should leave her alone?” he felt sad. Twilight had been so supporting of him earlier...what changed her mind?

“I’m not saying that, per se...”

“But you’re still saying I should keep minimal contact with her?”

“I think that would be best.”

“I don’t think that’s fair. You were supporting of me earlier. What changed your mind?”

“Well I thought you were just friends who had a crush on each other. It seems you took it to the next level quite fast.” she said, giving him that look.

“Nothing bad happened. I swear. Flutterheart and I watched movies.” he said.

“Flutterheart? Is that what you call her?”

“Well...yes...”

“Look Trey, the decision is yours. There are just some...things...about Fluttershy that you don’t know yet.”

“That’s why I’m trying to get to know her.” he said, smiling.

“I don’t think you understand, Trey.” she said. Trey wasn’t getting it.

“Obviously not. What am I missing here?”

“Trey...” she said, getting up off the couch, heading towards the door. “We should probably discuss it as a group. Come over by the library later tonight and all 6 of us will discuss it.”

“I take it Fluttershy won’t be there?”

“Right. 9 at my library. We’ll discuss in more detail there.” she said, leaving. What the hell was he missing? What could he possibly not want to know about Fluttershy? He looked at his clock. 6. His mind raced trying to figure things out. He couldn’t concentrate on his work, instead pacing and muttering to himself. He refused to let this relationship go like his last one...suddenly, he got lost in memories.

“Trey...I think we need to separate.”

“I don’t understand. We’ve been good for nearly 6 months...”

“I’ve just been so busy with a social life lately, I just don’t have room for you...”

“Well...let’s think of our relationship like a car. Obviously I’m not in your passenger seat. I’m fine being in the back seat until you figure things out...I’ll wait for you.”

“I don’t want you to wait for me. I’m not even sure you’re in the back seat...”

“So I’m being dragged by a rope?”

“Yeah...kind of...”

“So you’ve considered breaking up as an option?” She nodded. “Have you considered it as the only option?” She nodded again. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I tried several arguments to keep her with me, but none of them worked. Eventually, I conceded.

“I understand if you don’t wanna take me home...” she said. I wasn’t that big of a jerk. Sure, she just ripped my heart out. Sure, my life didn’t seem to have much purpose anymore. But I had to keep a good impression just in case she decided to come back to me. I took her home.

“I guess this is goodbye...”

“Yeah...” she said.

I looked at her, sad, tears in my eyes. I kissed her one final time and trotted off without another word, furious at myself. Obviously I failed the relationship. Sure, she ended it, but obviously I failed her at some point. I went back home and screamed and cried until I couldn’t talk anymore. I fell asleep sad. I didn’t feel like eating much those few days. The worst part was she and I had decided to make love 2 weeks before...2 weeks. I’d always been a “save it for marriage” colt, but I loved her...I lost myself for her. I felt so ashamed of myself after that. I took something of hers that wasn’t mine to take. Ever since then, my slight erotophobia increased. I’ve been scared of deep commitments ever since.

8:30. Trey got lost in thought until then, thinking of his failed relationship. He snapped out of it and trotted over to Twilight’s library, where the gang had gathered. Pinkie wasn’t there, though.

“Oh good, you’re here.” Twilight said as he walked in the door.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” he said, cautious, looking for where to stand. He settled for standing by the doorway. Twilight raised an eyebrow, finding that weird, but simply settled for it anyway.

“Well, first, I have to know that what’s said here won’t leave this room.”

“You have my word.” he said.

“Good, now when Fluttershy was...” she started before Applejack interrupted.

“I think I’d better be the one to say this.” she said. Twilight conceded and let her continue. “Well, Trey, I first off wanna say that you shouldn’t think bad of anypony in this story.”

“I promise.” he said, intrigued.

“Well...it was a long time ago, when Fluttershy was a simple filly. She actually fell from Cloudsdale, and lived here ever since. Well, Bic Mac, my brother, took a liking to her. They were both young, and, long story short, they met out by the pasture one day. And...well...” she started, removing her hat. “Big Macintosh just...lost himself and took advantage of her. Not sex or nothin’, just touchin’. Fluttershy was still too young to understand what he was doing to her. All she knew was that it couldn’t have been a good thing. Somehow word got around. Big Macintosh felt bad there for a while but moved on. Fluttershy’s been stuck there. She hasn’t been able to get over it. That’s the main reason she’s so shy and not eager to meet new ponies, especially colts. Sometimes she’ll get lost in memories and start crying. She’s a different pony when she has flashbacks, Trey. I’d tread carefully where affection is concerned. That...that’s about all I can say.” she said, sad, as she put her hat back on.

“Well I truly can sympathize with her. I’ve been in that situation before. Well, kind of.” he said. He’d been young and foolish too. “I haven’t been able to move on from my mistake either. We’re in the same boat.”

“You have a boat?” asked Twilight. Was she serious?

“That means that we’re in the same situation. It’s a metaphor.”

“Oh. Anyways...that’s the long and short of it. We were all shocked when she admitted it to us. I honestly haven’t been able to view either of them the same way. All I can do is judge from what I know now.”

“Yeah...I’d appreciate you not Hatin’ or Mentionin’ this to Big Macintosh. He’s a good colt, I swear.”

“I don’t doubt that. Why has Fluttershy not been able to get over it?”

“We’re not really sure...” started Rainbow Dash. “I think it’s her memory. She’s always had a really good memory. Ever since what happened, she had nightmares for months. I think it’s been engraved into her mind. It really upset her. I don’t blame her.”

“Shortly afterward, she got more intensive with animals. Sure, she enjoyed taking care of them before, but she really got heavily addicted to them. She refused to talk to anypony, instead shutting herself off from the rest of the world and only interacting with animals. None of us know why, but I think ever since the incident, she’s been trying to understand it. This thing called love. She hasn’t been able to get it, since she shut herself off. The animals showed her more affection than anypony else did. She made that the equivalent of love in her mind. She’s always been waiting for somepony to love her like the animals, I guess. She’s really dependent on them. I’m just afraid she’ll get too dependent on you. If something should happen between you two, she’d be devastated and would probably shut herself off from the world again. Trey, I think you need to back out before you get too heavily involved.” Twilight added.

Too late, Trey thought. He was more than prepared to handle this. “She’s worth fighting for. She’s everything I’ve ever really dreamed of. I know that sounds cliche, but...well...it’s true.”

“That’s heartwarming, Trey. But seriously consider just being close friends. I don’t know what you two did last night, but it probably started a wildfire in her heart. You need to be careful not to get too close to her, Trey. She’s more fragile and volatile than you’d take her for. She can’t be made whole until she personally gets over her past.”

Trey sat there in silence, letting them continue. He didn’t have any intention of giving her up. He simply let them continue to let it all out.

“It would probably be in your best interest to back off of her.” said Rarity. Everypony was reiterating the same point over and over, pounding it into his head. Back off...back off...Trey couldn’t. She was just so perfect...but if she was as fragile as they said, maybe he’d accidentally break her. He’d broken one relationship before when he got too heavily involved. He didn’t want to break another one with somepony he loved, almost at first sight. He had a lot to think about tonight.

“I’m sure sorry, Trey...” started Applejack. “Just trust that we’re tryin’ to do what’s best for Fluttershy. We think you’re a good pony. There’s nothing wrong with you. She’s just...breakable. We’re just worried you not knowing some triggers might seriously hurt her.”

“I...I have a lot to think about then.” started Trey. He was nearly flabbergasted, unable to truly comprehend the sheer magnitude of this situation. He was in love with her. But he didn’t want to hurt her, and he had a better chance of doing that by staying with her. But he was a diplomat, and always looked for ways to peacefully solve problems. His generous, kind heart led him to want to help her. His mind wanted to do what was best for her. His heart wanted to stay with her...his mind knew better.

“I...I’d better go.” said Trey, hurriedly getting up and trotting out the door, never saying goodbye. He trotted at a fast pace towards home, lost in thought, never looking up from the ground. He fumbled his keys trying to unlock his door and flopped into bed, staring off into no known location, thinking about the situation. He slept tumultuously that night, never having dreams about her like he did.

***

Fluttershy sat on her couch. It was nearly 10. It didn’t seem like Trey was coming over. He must have had a lot of work to do. Surely he’d be there tomorrow, inviting her to another hoofball game. She sighed and got off the couch, looking out the top part of her door for him. Seeing nothing, she turned around and shut the door behind her, the door hitting her flank.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” she screamed, turning around, yelling at the door. She realized nopony was there and quickly closed the door before bursting into tears, dashing up to her bedroom, flinging herself under her covers, sobbing into her pillow. She hated these flashbacks. But she didn’t know how to get over it. She was stuck in an endless loop, always thinking about that day.

It was a bright day. I was still kinda new in town. I’d met everypony already and took a particular fancy to Big Macintosh. He was a really nice young colt. One day I trotted off to Sweetapple Acres to find him. He and I took a walk out along some of the far parts of the ranch. It was a nice, warm day.

“Hey, Fluttershy?” he asked. I turned around to face him.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Have you ever kissed anypony?”

“No...what’s that?” I asked. I hadn’t heard of anything like that in Cloudsdale.

“Well...come here and I’ll show you.” His voice sounded kind and gentle. I trotted over to him. He promptly put his lips on mine. I didn’t know what was going on. All I knew was that this was...awkward.

“That’s a kiss?” I asked.

“Eeyup.” he said.

“Well that was...nice.” I said, trying not to hurt his feelings. “Now let’s walk some more!” I said, turning around. Suddenly I felt a hoof between my legs. I froze, not knowing what was happening. Suddenly, it was between my legs. I didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t right. I tried to turn around, but he held me there. He pushed my front end forward, making me bend over.

“STOP!” I yelled. He continued regardless. I started to cry. That was when he stopped.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to hurt you...” I heard him say as I dashed off, running as fast as I could away from there. I was blinded by my tears. I had no idea where I was going. Eventually I reached the barn, finding Granny Smith rocking outside.

“What’s wrong, Dearie?” she asked me. I told her what happened and a look of contortion came across her face as the got angry. “We’re going to talk about that. Run home, dear. Don’t come back here.” I obeyed and galloped home as fast as I could, where I found my animal friends. Since then, I resolved never to get close to anypony. Animals were my passion...I wanted it to stay that way forever.