//------------------------------//
// Fluttershy 
// Story: Crushes 
// by James Pwyll 
//------------------------------//

"...Oooooookay, it was nice talking with you," Twilight said with some uncertainty as she slowly backed away from the timid mare before her. Fluttershy had been so quiet, and so obviously struggling with the interaction, that Twilight silently decided that it'd probably be for the best if she left her alone. Fortunately, this was the moment when Spike finally arrived onto the scene, walking out from behind a nearby bush, and so she walked over to meet with her assistant.

But Fluttershy, seeing this small figure arrive, widened her eyes to the sight, and she flew a few feet into the air, looking completely ecstatic at this sight. "A BABY DRAGON!!!" She darted forward, not even aware of the fact that she completely knocked Twilight out of the way when she landed right next to Spike. But all she really cared about right now was that an adorable little critter was in front of her, and she was sure to let him know it. "Oh, he's so cute!"

Spike, who was always willing to let his ego be stroked every now and again, cast a smug look back to Twilight. "Well, well, well!"

Fluttershy smiled enthusiastically to this unexpected moment in her life. "Oh my, he talks! I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I...I just don't even know what to say!" She took his claw, giving it a gentle shake. "I'm Fluttershy! What's your name?"

Spike smiled back to her. "Oh. It's Spike. But you can call me Spiky if you like."

Twilight slapped her own forehead. "Really?!"

Spike frowned to her, but was taken aback at just how interested Fluttershy was in speaking to him. "I never seen a dragon before. I never knew they could be so...so...so... oh my!" She whisked him up, cradling him and holding him like he was the most cuddly teddy bear in the world. "I've been around so many wonderful creatures in my life, but I've never been around one as wonderful as you!"

Spike, though having been hugged by several ponies in his life, had never seen this level of affection directed to him, and so started to blush in the embrace of this mare. "Er...hehe...I try."

Fluttershy giggled, responding to that by giving him a quick boop on the nose. "Aren't you just the most precious little guy?"

Spike chuckled nervously, then glanced back to Twilight. "Can we maybe stay here and talk with her a bit longer? The party can wait, right?"

Twilight hung her head, groaning. "Note to self, never underestimate ponies' ability to be taken in by cuteness."