//------------------------------// // Bonus: A Flutterheart Christmas // Story: Flutterheart // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// “Angel, give it back!” warned Fluttershy, chasing after him. Angel had decided he wanted the trimming, and chomped down on it, hopping off, dragging a green, leafy snake-like decoration behind him. Trey laughed a little, putting his hoof down on the trimming, effectually stopping Angel from continuing on with it. Fluttershy picked him up as he shook about, trying to hop away with it again. “Now Angel, these decorations are for the tree, silly! These aren’t for playing.” she said, as he let his body relax, defeated. “Now let go, Angel.” she said nicely. Angel shook his head, refusing. “Angel...” she began. Suddenly, a knock on the door brought them both to attention. Fluttershy put Angel down, leaving to answer it as he hopped away with it again. Trey kept his hoof on the trimming, amused by Angel trying to force it from under him. “Hey, Twilight!” said Fluttershy. “Come on in!” she continued, opening the door for her. “Hey, everypony. I figured I’d bring something to eat, since you’ve offered your house.” she continued, levitating a casserole of some sort to the dining table. “Well that’s very nice of you!” said Fluttershy, smiling at her. “Oh, hey Applejack!” Applejack, who had been standing behind Twilight, obviously out of sight, tipped her hat. “Howdy, Ma’am. I brought the Apple family specialty again...hope that ain’t a bother.” “Oh, no, we look forward to it!” said Fluttershy. Twilight nodded her head as well. Applejack carried her saddlebag to the kitchen, setting it gently on the floor. “Trey? Can I trouble ya for some help?” “Oh, sure!” said Trey. He looked at the trimming beneath him, Angel still struggling. He rolled his eyes, bending down to bite off a small chunk, as Angel happily bounced away with a small portion of it. “Now on the count of three...” said Applejack, putting her front hooves under a giant vat of Apple Cider. As Trey and Applejack worked the kitchen, Rarity and Rainbow Dash entered unannounced. “Well, hello, darlings!” said Rarity, clad in a red scarf and green hat. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, flying inside. “Oh, hey girls!” said Fluttershy, slightly overwhelmed at everypony suddenly showing up. Pinkie Pie didn’t help matters as she happily bounced in, several boxes of red and green cupcakes in tow. How they managed to stay balanced on her back wasn’t quite understood, but then again, neither was Pinkie. “HI!” she yelled, beaming from ear to ear, shaking the boxes off her back onto the table. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought Gummy.” she added, pointing to him, suctioned on to one side of her face. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll behave.” said Fluttershy, smiling. “We didn’t really finish decorating...I hope that’s not a problem...” “Not at all! Why not let us help?” asked Twilight. “I don’t see why not.” said Trey, appearing from the kitchen. “Just don’t let Angel get a hold of the trimming and garland. He thinks it’s a giant vegetable.” he added, laughing. As each pony helped with their specialties, Applejack lifting heavy boxes, Pinkie setting party items on the table, Rarity making sensational adornments, Twilight laying those adornments out immaculately and perfectly where Trey and Fluttershy couldn’t, and Rainbow Dash lazing about on the couch, mentioning how great a job everypony was doing, the house slowly but surely came together in true holiday spirit. “I guess the only thing left is the tree.” said Trey, glancing about the room, smiling at how magnificent the cottage looked. “All the ornaments are in that box.” he said, pointing to one Applejack had set aside earlier. “Shall we deck the halls?” After about an hour, lights, trimming, garland, ornaments, bells, jingles, whistles, and a wide assortment of other holiday decorations adorned the walls of Fluttershy’s cottage. “All that’s left is the angel on top.” said Fluttershy. “I don’t think he’ll stay up there.” said Twilight, searching for him. Fluttershy picked up a small tree topper from the box, in the shape of an angel. “What was that, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy. “Oh, nothing.” she said, giving an awkward blush and smile. Everypony except Fluttershy let out a little laugh. “Um...okay.” she said. “Trey?” she began, turning towards him. “Yeah?” “Do you want to do it?” “Nah. I’ll get next year. You should get our first Christmas together.” he added, winking. Fluttershy blushed, smiling, as the other ponies smiled a bit. It wasn’t too long ago that Fluttershy had still been bed-ridden from the surgery. Only last month was she able to move and fly. Trey knew that even though she didn’t want to let it on, Fluttershy wanted to put the angel on top. He wouldn’t have it any other way. “Oh...alright then.” she said, still beaming as she flew above the tree, placing the angel on top. “Well, I must say, this cottage just looks fabulous!” said Rarity. The other ponies there all nodded in admiration and agreement. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah...when do we eat?” she asked. Pinkie Pie jumped up in excitement. “Oh, yes! Let’s eat!” she said. “I hope you like the cupcakes!” Twilight put her face to her hoof. She wanted to admire the room a little more, but whatever. “I don’t think you’ve ever made any bad cupcakes.” she began. “But let’s eat some real food first.” *** “Now, Applejack, is this the same cider you made last year?” asked Twilight. “Yes ma’am!” “Did you change the recipe at all?” “Nope. Is somethin’ wrong?” “No, I think it tastes a little better than it did last year. Are you sure you didn’t add something?” “You say that every year, Twilight.” began Rarity. “You just forget what it tastes like, darling.” “Oh.” said Twilight, sheepishly smiling. “You say THAT every year, too.” said Rainbow Dash, to which everypony laughed. “So...it looks like everypony’s done...” said Fluttershy. “Oh, yes. It was simply marvelous!” said Rarity. “Cupcake time!” yelled Pinkie. “Oh, yes...of course.” said Fluttershy. Pinkie quickly opened a box, dolling out the sweet treats hurriedly. Once everypony had one, she quickly buried her head in the box, inhaling several at a time. “Well...” began Trey. “They must be really good.” he continued, taking a bite, to which another round of laughter ensued. After dinner, all the ponies gathered in the living room, sitting, talking, admiring each other’s company on this cold Christmas Eve. “Say, Everypony, did you remember to bring a wrapped gift?” “Oh, yes!” said several of them, retrieving assorted boxes wrapped in paper. “I still can’t imagine what these are for.” said Rarity. “Yeah, why not just give gifts to everypony outright?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Well you can do that too, but this is something I just remembered from my days in Canterlot! The librarians and I would always buy some sort of cheap, funny gift, and wrap it up. But you never knew what gift was what. Everypony got a turn to pick one, and whatever gift you picked, you were stuck with! It’s really funny sometimes. We called it Albino Pachyderm!” “Albino what?” asked Applejack, confused. “Er...white elephant.” said Twilight, putting her face to her hoof. She forgot that technical words weren’t exactly well known down here. “Oh...I’ve never seen an elephant!” said Fluttershy, excited. “Well I’m afraid you won’t tonight. It’s just what we call it. So...everypony place your gifts on the table and we’ll draw names out of a hat to see who goes first!” said Twilight. She was way too excited. As everypony put their names in, Twilight, almost frantic to see what would come of this, shook her hat, pulling out a name. “Well...it looks like Rarity goes first!” *** “Well that was...intrestin’” said Applejack, still trying to figure out what sort of practical application she could find for horseshoe polish. Her hooves never stayed clean long enough for it to matter. “I have to agree.” said Rarity, still wondering what she could do with a dog collar. “Yeah, I kinda bought stuff with specific ponies in mind...” said Rainbow Dash, trying to understand why she got a horn filer. “I think it was kinda fun...” said Fluttershy, as she played with her new puzzle. Trey was too absorbed in figuring out how to open a can he was given. “Gummy liked it!” said Pinkie, as Gummy gently gnawed on his brand new ball. “I couldn’t be happier!” said Twilight, eying over her new quill set. “But don’t worry. I’m sure some of you got stuck with useless gifts. But the fun thing is, next year you can totally throw that gift back in if you don’t want it! Oh, the librarians and I had an ongoing joke where we wouldn’t want a book about making books!” she said, clopping her hooves together in excitement before realizing everypony was staring at her. “Ahem...yes...and I uh...got stuck with it the last year we did it.” she added, simmering down. “Oh!” said Fluttershy, as Angel hopped up in her lap, yawning loudly. He still carried the trimming he stole earlier, but soon fell asleep next to her. “Well it seems like Some little rabbit is ready for Santa Hooves to visit!” she said, smiling at him. “Well, I’d best get back to the farm. Applebloom’s gonna need to get ready for Santa Hooves too.” “And Sweetie Belle.” “And Spike.” “And Fluttershy.” added Trey, putting his head on her shoulder, still trying to figure out that can. “Oh, and Gummy!” said Pinkie. “He’s gonna make a haul tonight, I bet!” she added, scooping him up, letting him suction cup himself to her accordingly. How she could stand that was unclear...then again, so was Pinkie. “Well, I guess we’d better call it a night, girls!” said Twilight. “Can’t wait to do this next year!” “Agreed.” said Rarity, as the other ponies nodded their heads. “And on a side note...” began Fluttershy. “...I just wanted to thank you girls. I wasn’t quite sure I’d have this Christmas. So...thanks, everypony.” “Aw, Sugarcube...” said Applejack, getting a little teary eyed. Everypony there soon swarmed her for a large group hug before beginning to disband. “Trey? You alright?” “Yeah...” he said, wiping a tear from his eye, returning to his puzzle to seem busy. “I almost got...AGH!” he shouted, as the can burst open, launching copious amounts of confetti and streamers into the air. Pinkie fell to the ground laughing, kicking her legs up into the air as Angel, suddenly jolted awake, hopped off elsewhere in a hurry. Fluttershy screeched loudly as well, as the entire room sat in shocked silence for a second, before they all cracked up laughing. “You got me!” said Trey. “Guess I’ll have to return the favor one day, huh?” “Oh, Trey, you’re such a crack-up! Oh, you can keep the rest of the cupcakes!” she added, scooping up Gummy again, who’d fallen off of her, bouncing off into the chilly night. “Well, I guess we’ll see each other tomorrow or the day after.” said Rarity, bidding them adieu. “Well it was great seeing you guys again!” said Twilight. “Feel free to stop by the library anytime tomorrow if you want to visit.” “And another thanks for havin me over, Fluttershy.” said Applejack. “I’ll get the cider vat from ya later. Feel free to finish it off. See y’all later!” she added, trotting off. “And uh...yeah. We’ll do this again next year. Glad to see you’re doing okay though.” said Rainbow Dash. “Well...I’ll be in the sky. Scootaloo wanted me to visit tomorrow, so I’d better rest up.” she added, flying out the door. “That’s nice of her.” said Trey, closing the door. “Now...are you ready for Santa?” “Oh, yes.” began Fluttershy. “Angel?” she asked, hoping he would reappear. He poked his head from under the couch, anxiously looking around. “There’s nothing to worry about anymore, silly.” she smiled, picking him up, as he still gnawed on the trimming. “Why does he like that trimming so much?” asked Trey. “He seems a little spoiled.” he added, rubbing Angel’s head with his hoof. Angel yawned loudly once again, curling up against Fluttershy’s arms. “Well he’s a very tired bunny, if anything.” said Fluttershy, rubbing her cheek up against him. “Are you ready for Santa Hooves?” asked Trey. Angel lethargically nodded, trying to open his eyes to look Trey in the eye. “Well that’s good. Now, let’s get you to bed so he’ll show up tonight!” said Fluttershy, carrying him off to his little nook in the house, where he stayed in cold weather. Both Trey and Fluttershy smiled, watching him curl up and quickly fall asleep. “Oh?” said Trey, noticing the trimming on the couch. He picked it up and put it on Angel, who then hugged it before lapsing into sleep. “So...are YOU ready for Santa?” asked Trey. “Oh, yes. He’s my favorite pony.” she added giving him a small wink, kissing him lightly. “I still say Fluttershy is best pony.” said Trey, kissing her back. Fluttershy blushed, smiling. It never ceased to amaze Trey that even after months of saying the same things over and over, she still blushed at it. Not that he was complaining. Fluttershy started to head towards her room, flipping the lights off. As Trey and Fluttershy both settled into bed together, they started debating over whose gift would be better. “I think you’ll like my gift best.” said Trey, rubbing her cheek with his hoof. “I don’t think so, mister.” said Fluttershy, smiling at him almost deviantly. She wasn’t used to being authoritative and telling other ponies what they would like, but this was a welcome change. “There’s no way that my gift to the most beautiful mare in the world wouldn’t be the best.” he said, quickly putting his hoof to her chest. “And your body says it all, Flutterheart.” “Oh...” she said, blushing at him. She couldn’t help but smile, tears nearly welling in her eyes with happiness. “You know...ever since I met you, I knew that I wanted to spend time with you.” she started, catching Trey off-guard a bit. “I’m just glad that we can spend this Christmas together. It doesn’t matter that my gift is better than yours. The only gift I really need is you.” she finished, looking deep into his eyes, showing the ones he loved so much. “Flutterheart, I...” “Shh...” she said, putting a hoof to his lip. Trey quickly tried to shut up, unable to keep a smile off his lips. Fluttershy then slowly brought her face to his, kissing him passionately. “I love you, Trey. I love you more than anything.” “I love you too, Fluttershy.” said Trey, tears in his eyes from happiness. He gently kissed her back, letting his emotion carry him away as they caressed and cuddled for the rest of the night, eagerly awaiting the morning, eventually falling asleep in each other’s arms. *** “Ouch!” said Trey, suddenly jolted awake by Angel tapping his foot on his head. “Is it morning already?” he asked, to which Angel violently nodded, impatient. Fluttershy smiled as she woke up, laughing at him. “It’s too early...” said Trey, putting his head back on the pillow. “Oh, Trey, we did the same thing when we were young.” said Fluttershy. Trey knew she was right. Every foal woke up early, begging their parents to get up before the crack of dawn. Suddenly, Trey sprung forth with new energy, realizing that it was, indeed, Christmas Day, and that he had to give Fluttershy his gift. He rushed out of bed, nearly knocking Angel to the floor. As soon as Trey and Fluttershy were settled, they each divvied up the presents between each other, making sure angel got his first. He ripped up the paper, revealing a new bedding, surrounded by the same trimming he gnawed earlier. A few carrots sat on the bed, to which he devoured, hopping into his new bedding, snuggling against the trimming. “Well...I think he likes it.” said Trey, as he and Fluttershy stared in amazement as the scene. Paper surrounded him with a 15 hoof radius, carrot munchings and bits left about the vicinity. Fluttershy chuckled a little, pushing a present in front of him. “This isn’t the best one I have for you, but I want you to open that one first.” “Likewise.” said Trey, pushing a present to her, as he ripped the paper in front of him. “Oh, Trey...” said Fluttershy, smiling uncontrollably as she pulled out a bright colored sweater. Trey remembered that those were her favorite colors and couldn’t resist. Granted, they didn’t wear clothes much anyway, but it was good for cold weather. “Oh, wow.” said Trey, looking at a kit in front of him. “I went down to Parch’s Parchments and got a few things together.” she said, smiling. Trey pulled out several sheets of composition paper, ink, quills, and staff paper. “Thank you! I know just what I’m going to work on next.” he said. “What’s that?” “A song for you.” he said, smiling, pushing another small present in front of her. She blushed, opening up the small sack, pulling out two tickets. “There’s a huge concert coming up, and I thought you might like to go.” said Trey. “I know you’ve never been to the Canterlot Symphony Hall...I thought you might find it fun!” “Oh, yes!” she added, pushing another present towards him. Trey opened it, a large, square, flat package, revealing a huge framed picture of Ponyville High school’s band. “I got my hooves on one of those group photos you had and I had it blown up and framed.” Trey wiped a tear from his eye, setting it aside. “Is everything alright? Is it bad?” she asked. Trey said nothing, instead pulling her in for a tight hug, whispering a soft “I love you.” into her ear. She smiled and hugged him tightly. “Now...this one...” said Trey, grabbing the last box he had for her. “This one isn’t my last present, but it’s my second favorite.” “Oh?” asked Fluttershy, opening it curiously. She opened it to find a rather large, square book with several paper trimmings. “What is it?” “I got some help, and I made a scrapbook of all of our time together.” he said, opening it up to a random page, revealing a picture of Trey and Fluttershy at Winter Wrap Up, taking care of the animals. Fluttershy flipped through the pages curiously, tears in her eyes of happiness. Then she got to the last page. “I...I wrote a few things down in a journal while you were sick...and I felt it was a good note to end on.” he said, waiting for her to read it. She unabashedly bawled, putting the scrapbook aside, launching herself into him for the tightest hug she’d ever given. Trey simply returned it, tears of his own welling up. “I love you, Fluttershy.” “I love you, Trey...” she managed to choke out. Once they were done with the emotional scene, Fluttershy pushed her last present to him. “This one is my best present to you. I hope you like it.” she said, eagerly awaiting for him to open it. Trey carefully unwrapped the present, finding a small, leather journal. He curiously opened it, finding a long note that she’d written him. Trey, I know that nothing I ever say or do will ever be able to truly demonstrate how much I love you. Ever since I met you, that first day you came into town, I knew you were different. I knew there was something unique about you. I didn’t know what it was...all I knew was that I liked it. I was far too shy to say anything though, and I thought that I was bound to lose you before I even had you. I visited the band at practice one day, just to see what it was you do. Honestly, I just wanted to see you. I didn’t have any animals to take care of right then, like I said at first. I wanted to see you more, but was far too shy to say anything. When you invited me to the hoofball game, I felt the happiest in my life that I could remember for a long time. Then I embarrassed myself by forgetting to ask you the time and place, and I felt terrible, thinking that I may have lost you again. Then you showed up around me, somehow. I couldn’t do anything but apologize...and yet you refused to say that I had any fault in it. I felt so much better about myself then that I decided to take a risk for you. I knew my way home, I’ve done it several times, but I used the darkness as an excuse to spend more time with you. Then we met again the next day, and I couldn’t have been happier. We sat on the couch, talking. It felt great that somepony finally wanted to know about me. I felt like I could trust you. I...I had developed feelings for you at that point. And when you said you liked me, my heart raced...or fluttered, I should say. I could tell by the way you tried to cover your tracks that you were too shy to tell me you felt the same. I wasn’t sure though, until you told me. And I was so happy that day, that night. That was the happiest I’d ever been. Every night, I would lie awake and wonder if you felt the same. I knew I wanted to spend time with you, but I was too shy to ask that of you. But you came to me, instead. You taught me a new game, Frisbee. And though it’s fun to play, I know I hit you while trying to learn. I felt terrible after that, so I bandaged you up. A little much for a bruise, I know, but I just couldn’t help myself. And we spent the next day together as well, which made me truly happy. The day went by so smoothly, time seemed to travel in an instant. When the day finally ended, and you tried to go home, my heart nearly broke. So I took another risk, and asked you how your cheek was, since I’d hit it. I kissed your cheek, under the pretense of kissing to make it better. Really, I just wanted an excuse to kiss you. I know I shut my door quickly after that, but it was only because too many emotions stirred up in me that I couldn’t control. My legs felt like jelly, I was under your control. I’d never felt happier in my life. Then we met again, of course, and you made me even happier simply with your presence. But that night, you wanted to give me something. I had never wanted anything other than you, but that night, you told me you wanted to give me something, and I could hardly contain my excitement. When I heard you would want it back, I felt slightly disappointed, but you more than made up for it by asking me to close my eyes and hold out my hoof. When you unexpectedly kissed me, I was caught so off guard by it, I froze, unable to give you it back, which I so desperately wanted to do. Then, you left quickly, reminding me that you’d want it back. You broke the record again, making me the happiest I’d ever been. I could barely move, immobilized by love. I couldn’t sleep well at all that night, as I would picture that kiss over and over again, savoring the moment. I wanted to give you one so badly for so long, but never had the courage. Then, you gave me that courage the following night when I told you I had something of yours. I worked up my courage and kissed you back. I was on cloud 9, so to speak, for that entire night. When I told you I didn’t want you to leave, I never expected you to stay, but you made me the happiest I’d ever been again, as we spent the entire night kissing and cuddling, pretending to watch movies. From that point on, I knew that my like for you was love. I loved you, I just didn’t know how to say it. And of course we spent time together afterwards for as much as we could. I’m not sure what got into Twilight, but we overcame that little obstacle, since our love for each other was too strong. Then I put myself out there and trusted you completely with my past. You listened to every word, not saying much, instead only hugging me and telling me that everything was alright, that you loved me, and that things would get better. Nopony before I felt I could trust with that...I felt they’d run away...but...you stayed. And I can’t thank you enough. I loved you even more. But then it was really put to the test when I got attacked by the manticore. I still don’t recall much of that day, but I do know that when I woke up, you were right there beside me. I’ve never woken up to a more beautiful sight, than the stallion I love next to me in my time of need. Then we discovered I’d need a new kidney. You had to find out that I had a defunct one. I didn’t want you to know, lest you think I was imperfect. But, we searched and searched. You tried to donate, but it wouldn’t work. Things were put off until the last day. But those two days, you stayed by my side, never faltering. You cried, and I tried to stay strong. But on the inside, I was scared. I felt like I wouldn’t have a lifetime with you, that our time was short, that I didn’t have just one more time to tell you that I loved you. I thought all would be lost... Watching you cry, hearing you cry when you thought I was asleep hurt. But soon, it all came to an end as we found a mysterious donor at the last second. Soon, our lives were complete again. You took care of me while I was bed-ridden, helped me while I was still limited in my movement, and never once complained about what a dead weight I was. You mean so much to me. You’ve done so much for me. There’s nothing I can say or do that will ever be able to explain my gratitude. The only thing I really can say is that I love you. I love you so tremendously much and I don’t want to lose you. I am your Flutterheart. You picked the name well. I’m sorry I haven’t come up with one for you yet. But just know that regardless, I love you, and I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life with you. I. Love. You. Flutterheart Trey put down the journal, wiping tears from his eyes. This was the most emotional Christmas ever, if anything. He hugged Fluttershy tight for as long as felt right, before kissing her passionately on the lips. “None of those gifts I gave you come close to that. You’re right. You win.” he said. Fluttershy simply laughed a little bit, letting him continue. “But...my last gift for you...I think is better. Wait here.” he said, quickly, hurriedly, jumping up and trotting off. “Now, close your eyes.” he said from the other room. Fluttershy did so, smiling uncontrollably. “Now keep them closed.” said Trey, getting close to her, much like he did when he first gave her a kiss. “Now, Fluttershy, I know you said it best in your journal. But when you say that there’s nothing you can do or say to show me how much you love me, you’re wrong. Every time you kiss me, you show me. Every time you talk to me, you tell me. But Flutterheart, what I need from you now is only one word. Open your eyes.” Fluttershy opened her eyes, jumping back in shock, tears in her eyes. Trey was knelt before her, presenting a diamond wedding ring in a box. Tears streamed down Fluttershy’s face as she covered her mouth with her hooves. “Fluttershy...will you give me the best Christmas ever...and marry me?”