//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Feelings Bloom // Story: Second Chances // by Nailah //------------------------------// “Fluttershy...” began Flim as the two sat down outside a quaint little cafe, he figured it would be a lovely place for him to take her. “Yes? Is something the matter?” she asked noting he seemed concerned about something. “I...well I think you're lovely.” replied Flim with a soft blush. He couldn't believe that he wanted so much to change but more than anything else he wanted her to see him in a new light, he was determined to change his life, but he needed a purpose and he was left wondering what that purpose might be. “Oh. Well thank you, you are quite handsome yourself.” smiled Fluttershy with a soft giggle. “You didn't need to be nervous about that, I like it when I get complimented and often other ponies don't even notice me.” replied Fluttershy. How could they not notice her? She was amazing, beautiful, sensitive and willing to lend her hoof to literally anyone that needed help. She herself had said she helped Discord a being of chaos to be a good guy, so Flim was sure if she could do that, then she could help him change as well but he wasn't sure about himself. He still missed his brother, and he was disappointed with how things had turned out. He knew he couldn't change things. Even if he had some sort of time altering device it wouldn't fix anything, besides he didn't need Flam in his life. He was going to prove once and for all that he could stand on his own two hooves. He didn't need no help, but he knew he needed Fluttershy. Applejack didn't trust him, he understood that, but Fluttershy had reached out to him and he had to show her just how grateful he was. He knew she would be happy to have more time to herself and her animals would be well cared for in a zoo, everyone won right? He couldn't help feeling like something wasn't right, that there was simply something he was missing, like the key piece of a complicated one thousand piece puzzle, he rubbed his hoof against his chin deep in thought as he looked over to Fluttershy who was busy staring at the menu trying to figure out what she wanted to eat from the cafe. The waitress had already brought them each a cup of tea. Fluttershy looked up to the waitress and ordered just some simple sandwiches with a side salad. The waitress then looked to Flim. Flim decided to order chicken wraps with a tossed salad for his side. He couldn't help smiling towards Fluttershy while he spoke to the waitress. The waitress took down the orders and went off to take their order back to the cook so he could begin getting their order filled. Flim leaned on his one hoof as he admired Fluttershy from across the table. He couldn't help but wishing he could be more like her, just lead a simple life and not have to worry about making bits and having to fool so many ponies just to make a life for himself. He looked towards Fluttershy as he couldn't help but notice she was looking back at him. “Flim...I'm so proud of you for standing up for yourself. I know it can be hard to take that first step, but trust me no matter how hard it is, once you have taken it, everything becomes so much easier. It's almost like riding a bike for the first time.” smiled Fluttershy towards him. She was really happy for Flim and finding a new path even if he was unsure of what that path might be. “I'm just happy to be here with you. You have shown me something no one else has, kindness and a belief in someone like me.” “It's because I know you can change, and I believe you are serious about this. I don't think you would come all this way to simply con Applejack into hearing your own sob story. What happened between you and Flam?” she asked curiously. “It's complicated but all you need to know is it all started after we took over the resort. We were deciding how to double the bits we were already making, Flam suggested expanding the resort with a full on amusement park, and I suggested a restaurant that could be added to the resort that would be cheaper but still double our profits. He thought he was right, I thought I was right, we got into a heated fight and the next thing I know, I wake up the next day outside the resort with my bags thrown outside on the ground as I hear Flam shouting at me “Get out and don't come back!” explained Flim towards Fluttershy. “Hmm...I see that sounds rather unpleasant. It must have hurt your feelings for your own brother to throw you out like that. How did you manage to get to Ponyville?” questioned Fluttershy wanting to piece more of the puzzle together. If she understood exactly what had occurred perhaps she could help fix it. She still wasn't sure how she was going to talk to Flam when he was in Las Pegusus and she sure wasn't in no hurry to go back to the crazy loud awful place but Flim needed help. She had to think of a way to help him even if it would mean returning back to the resort she just hoped it wouldn't come to that. “I walked. Flam has all our bits so I couldn't even take the train here, it was rather exhausting but I finally made it and I had hoped maybe Applejack might at least hear me out, but no she turned me away just like every other pony I tried to ask. You are the first to actually want to help me. I can't even begin to explain what this has meant to me. I want to change but having someone believe in me is a good motivation.” smiled Flim softly as he couldn't help wondering what Fluttershy really thought of him, did she see him as a con artist pony or did she see there was more to him then meets the eye? “Oh dear. You must be exhausted.” began Fluttershy in a worried tone. She knew it was a long ways to get to Las Pegusus and to come all the way here alone and with no friends or anyone to talk to must have been horrible. Fluttershy had to do something but she wondered what she could do to help. “Well I felt a lot better after having a cup of tea with you in your cottage. It was such a small little act of kindness but it meant the world to me.” smiled Film. “Oh it was no trouble, I would do that for any pony. It doesn't matter to me who they were or where they come from. I'm always willing to listen.” replied Fluttershy softly. “After all I can tell that you really want to change, and you haven't even tried to scam any pony and to me that proves your words to be true.” “Yes well...even so I still need to find a purpose and I would be glad to lend you a hand anytime.” smiled Film. “Fluttershy... there's something I want to tell you.” began Flim nervously as he blushed softly not aware if Fluttershy even knew that he was beginning to grow feelings for her, and wondering if she might return his feelings. If she didn't he wasn't sure what he would think or do. “You can tell me anything Flim, I'm always willing to listen to what others have to say, please go on.” smiled Fluttershy softly as she would wait for him to continue. “Well...it's just you are so amazing and wonderful and I think I am beginning to grow feelings for a very special mare, one unlike any other.” spoke Flim. Fluttershy blushed deeply. “Oh...I'm sure this mare would be very lucky to have someone say that about her. No pony ever goes out of their way to compliment me or really notice me that much really, though I don't mind it honestly. It's okay if I'm not noticed, I'm just glad to be able to help with any pony's problems.” explained Fluttershy. “Never? How could no pony ever compliment such an amazing mare? Your mane matches you so perfectly. The way you tend to your animals is simply a spectular thing to watch in itself and your kind nature makes you shine brighter than even the brightest star in the night's sky!” announced Flim out loud almost like he was trying to market her to a crowd and soon the two were surrounded by a bunch of ponies wanting to take photographs of Fluttershy. He quickly pulled her into the back of the cafe to get her away from the crowd. “Sorry about that, sometimes I can get a bit carried away.” smiled Flim. Fluttershy giggled as she looked up towards him as the two were in the back hallway which was relatively a narrow walkway with a colt and fillies bathroom doors to each side of them and a water fountain in the back of the hallway. One for small colts and fillies and one regular sized for stallions and mares. The two weren't that far away from each other and Flim could feel the heat of the moment. He wanted so desperately to lean in to kiss her but he was afraid, scared he would be leaping into action without thinking things through and he couldn't afford to screw this up. He had one chance to prove himself and he wasn't going to let his old self, ruin his new chance for happiness in life, and perhaps that meant he could find happiness in a more simplistic life alongside her. “Oh it's fine, I didn't want to be in that crowd anymore either.” smiled Fluttershy, she blushed slightly as she looked towards Flim. She never thought she would have feelings for any pony but she couldn't help but to have this longing and she knew he had said he liked her. She couldn't believe it, he even said she was amazing. Oh she couldn't help but to giggle softly. “Flim...can I tell you something?” questioned Fluttershy the blush on her face grew darker as she turned her head to the side, trying to hide the pink rosy cheeks she was having. “Sure, you can always count on me Fluttershy.” smiled Flim, he was starting to feel confident in himself again and for the first time in his life, he felt like he didn't need his brother by his side to be a successful business pony. “I think I like you too.” spoke Fluttershy, not giving direct eye contact because she was nervous about what he might think. She didn't want him to think she was just saying this, because she truly did care for Flim, well in truth she cared for all her friends but there was just something about Flim that stuck out to her and Fluttershy couldn't quite pin down what it was, all she knew right now was she couldn't deny the feelings blooming in her heart, and she knew he felt the same. The two glanced into each other's eyes, as Flim made the first move as he pulled Fluttershy into a soft embrace. “Fluttershy...” he whispered softly. “Will you be my marefriend?” he asked hesitately. “Oh of course, I would love too.” replied Fluttershy with an excited yay so that the crowd wouldn't follow them. Flim couldn't help but stroke his hoof over Fluttershy's lovely mane as he held her close to him. Flim looked around to the small surroundings. “Perhaps we should find a more comfortable spot to get to know each other better?” he asked softly. “Of course that's a lovely idea.” replied Fluttershy as Flim happened to know this cafe had a back exit in case of a fire. “Follow me” stated Flim as he took Fluttershy's hoof in his and the two quickly left the cafe without actually getting their lunch, but Flim would be sure to send a letter with a tip for the waitress. Flim led Fluttershy back to her cottage, some of her animals were out including Angel who looked very upset and tapping his feet rather annoyed. “Oh dear Angel what's wrong?” questioned Fluttershy as she went up to Angel to try to figure out what was wrong. Angel was trying to tell her something about the animals she nodded as she listened to what he said. She looked towards Flim after speaking with Angel. “Angel says some of my animals have just disappeared. Oh dear I hope everything is okay.” spoke Fluttershy. “Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out but for now why don't we go in and grab a bite to eat?” smiled Flim with a drop of sweat running down his face. Fluttershy would hate him if she figured out what he had done. He had to find a way to fix things and keep her distracted. This would be the hardest scandal of his career, but for her it was worth the risk. “Oh I suppose you're right. Don't worry Angel after I grab a bite to eat we'll look for the animals okay?” she spoke softly towards Angel who just pointed towards Flim trying to say he had something to do with it. “Oh don't be silly Angel, Flim wouldn't do something like that.” and with that the two went into the cottage together. Flim was in big trouble, and how was he going to fix this mess he had created? Oh dear and no pony was ever going to trust him ever again if they found out that he betrayed Fluttershy's kindness.