//------------------------------//
// Fluttershy 
// Story: Mane 6 Mistletoe Simulator 
// by CategoricalGrant 
//------------------------------//

“…Woah, Fluttershy, are you alright?”
The poor little pegasus standing on your doorstep was bundled up like a marshmallow, shivering profusely. What little of her face was exposed was bright red from the wind, and she let out a series of very feminine sneezes that obstructed her ability to reply.
“Here, just come in,” you say, pulling her quickly inside and shutting the door. She fumbles around in a weak attempt to take off her winter clothes, and you soon find yourself helping her.
“Th-thank you,” she stutters, sneezing again as you take off her hat.
You knew Fluttershy was both physically and emotionally fragile, of course, but this was ridiculous. It was only just below freezing outside and her cottage was less than a ten minute walk away. “Alright, that’s it.  No more visits for the rest of the winter- I’ll come to see you at your place, okay?”
The now nude Fluttershy nods softly, still shivering and largely unable to speak.
“Okay, come on,” you say, leading her to your fireplace. She collapses onto her haunches and you wrap a blanket around her tightly. “I’ll be right back.”
You return a moment later with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, placing it gently next to her. She picks it up apprehensively and takes a sip. “Thank you.”
“Of course, Fluttershy. Are you warm enough?”
“Mmmhmm,” she hums in affirmation, scooting over toward you and giving you a little nuzzle, which you return. “I-I brought your present. It’s in my coat.”
You smile, briefly running a hoof over Fluttershy’s mane to smooth out the damage caused by her hat before getting up and retrieving the present. It’s a small, round tube, which you observe closely as you return to the fire to sit with Fluttershy again. “Can I open it?”
“Absolutely!”
Inside the tube is a scroll-like piece of paper. Unrolling it, you find a watercolor painting of your quaint little home, covered in snow. “Fluttershy…did you do this?”
She nods. “I’m not the best at painting,” she says quietly, “so it took me a long time to make. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful…and still a little wet. Were you making this outside now? Is that why you were so cold?”
Fluttershy hides behind her mane. “J-just the finishing touches.”
“This is an incredible gift, Fluttershy. I’m going to have it framed as soon as I have the chance.” You lean in to nuzzle the top of her head affectionately.
“Anything for you after you gave every one of my animals their own Hearth’s Warming-themed snack packs,” she said. “They were all so happy! I just couldn’t…EEP!”
Fluttershy begins to shake, looking up at the ceiling where you had left some mistletoe hanging from a prior engagement. 
“Oh, I forgot to take that down,” you say nonchalantly. “I’ll get that.”
“W-wait,” Fluttershy whispers.
Pausing, you turn toward her again. “Yes?”
“M-maybe d-don’t? I should be more… assertive and have more fun.” She looks back up at you, her confidence seemingly growing. “Harry the Bear always tells me that before he hibernates for the winter.”
“So…” you continue, a lump forming in your throat and heat rushing to your cheeks as you realize what’s going on.
“So, um…” Fluttershy lets out a timid squeal of fear, drawing back again.
You sit down and put your hoof under Fluttershy’s chin, bringing her eyes up to meet yours.
“I-I’m very nervous,” she chokes out, her mane still disheveled and her coat still cool from the biting wind.
You shake your head. “You know what, Fluttershy? We can make our own house rules about mistletoe. How about the tradition in this house is that ponies hug under the mistletoe?”
Immediately, her ears perk up and her eyes shimmer with confidence. “I can do that!”
You spread your front hooves out wide in a beckoning of sorts, and Fluttershy closes the gap to wrap her hooves around your midsection.
Silently, you sit and hug Fluttershy close. She still needs the warmth, it seems, and nestles closer and closer to you with each passing moment. You tighten your grip around her, giving her a gentle squeeze every so often.
Fluttershy turns her head to rest under your chin, and you hold onto each other for almost a minute as the logs in the fireplace pop gently. 
As soon as you feel Fluttershy begin to pull away, you lean down and give Fluttershy a peck on the top of her head.
She immediately gasps, placing a hoof over her mouth, and within seconds her entire face morphs to become bright red.
“Tricked you,” you say with a dastardly smile. “Now, was that something to have been nervous about?”
Fluttershy’s eyes scan you, and she lowers her hoof away from her muzzle. “No,” she says, a smile slowly beginning to show itself on her face. “It really wasn’t.”
“Harry the Bear would be proud,” you tell her approvingly. “I do have one favor to ask of you, though.”
“Yes?”
“Never, ever tell your friend Discord that I did that, or I’m a dead pony.”