Mom and dad retired first, heading down the long hallway opposite the dining area. It was not too long after that Alex followed suit. She walked down the hall to the guest room across the hall from the master bedroom. Fluttershy followed, invited to share the room by Alex.
I found the bedding Mom left out and began the task of making the couch comfortable. I was reaching for a stray pillow when a yellow coat caught my eye.
"Flutter? What's wrong?"
"You're going to sleep all the way out here? All by your self?"
I shrugged, "Yeah, I usually do. Weren't you going to share Alex's room?"
"Oh... No. I couldn't."
"Why not?"
Fluttershy's answer was candid and to the point: "I'm not used to sleeping on the floor."
Part of me wanted to laugh, but I held back afraid of waking my family. Another part of me wanted to hug Fluttershy's wings right off. I would've called my sister an idiot, but she hadn't spent the last couple of months living with the poor pony, and sometimes we all need to be shown a little kindness. In the end I simply offered the couch to Fluttershy.
"Are you sure? I don't mean-"
"It's fine. Besides, it gives me a legitimate reason to sleep in my favorite chair."
The chair in question was made of a single, ergonomic curve. I envied my parents for keeping that chair to themselves. Then again, I was not too sure that I could care for that leather properly.
I helped Fluttershy get comfortable on the couch, then took a couple extra blankets from the linen closet for myself. It did not take me long to settle into the chair, wrapped in comfortable bedding. From my toes to my shoulders every muscle in my body relaxed into that chair.
My mind was a different story, however. Usually I would push these concerns aside with a good book. Reading was the quickest way for me to relax my mind and send me into dreamland. Even if it was a chapter out of a programming textbook, it would provide me enough distraction to easily find sleep.
I found myself thinking about everything. I reminisced about the time Fluttershy and I had spent together, and I worried about what the future would bring. I wondered whether or not she would ever get home, and I thought out scenarios for both situations. As I sat there, a tune reached my ears.
I will pursue this dream
'cause I know it's expected that I be serene
"That tune's lovely. What is it?"
Even in the dark of the night I sensed Fluttershy jump in surprise.
"Oh, it's ... don't you know?"
I allowed myself an unseen smirk and answered, "Yes I do... 'Again' originally by Japanese artist Yui, dubbed into English by a fan known as 'Geekymcgeekstein'. What I don't know is how you know about it."
"I found it... on your computer. I-I was kinda lost when I caused it to sing back. After that I learned how to find it again... and again."
"Yeah, it's a fun song, but why that one? Surely you found the rest of the library?"
"Oh! Umm... I guess I never really considered going through the rest of your music."
"That was kind of you," I said, "If it makes you feel better you have my permission to listen to whatever music you find on that computer, and/or criticise my music choices."
The empty silence let me know that there was more that Fluttershy was not saying. In the space my mind filled itself once more with concerns, and regrets. Fallacies that no longer concerned anyone but me paraded through my thoughts.
"Um... Do you think I'll ever get to go home?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I- Oh... I- (mumble)"
"It's okay I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it."
She drew in a breath and said, "It's starting to feel permanent, again."
"Just like cleaning your room?"
A muted two-toned acknowledgement barely reached my ears.
"Do you remember what I said then?"
"Yes, but... W-what about now?"
"Now?" I said, doing my best to organize my thoughts into a meaningful pile of drivel, "Now... I- Well I would be lying if I said I didn't want to hold on to you forever. At the same time I believe you should get whatever you wish. You want to go back to your friends and family, and you should. I could be okay missing you as long as I knew you were happy. But, sending you back is not a wish that I have the power to grant. At least not right now. So, instead, I do my best to make you as happy as possible in this world."
"I'm sorry..."
"For what?"
"For not being happier."
"Fluttershy, it's okay. As I said, I do my best. No one can force you to be happy."
A contented sigh, no louder than a drop of water, pierced the air. The melancholy of the evening dispersed, replaced by the cool calm of a winter's night. It didn't take long for her humming to resume. It was a different tune, but I knew this one just as well.
Casting it's spell that I am now under
Squirrels in the trees and the cute little bunnies
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," I said when the humming stopped.
"I keep forgetting how much you know. It's kinda scary at times."
"Yeah, I know, but I don't know everything."
"Oh?"
"Like why did you name the cat 'Rainbow'?"
"Oh... Because she's so pretty, and she has so many colors, she looks like a real rainbow!"
Now it was my turn to feel like there was more to the story. I was grateful for the darkness, because I did not want Fluttershy to see that look on my face. I dropped it, unsatisfied, but unwilling to pursue.
My name is Berry B.
And I am here to say
I'm gonna make you smile, and I will brighten up your day!~
A giggle came from the direction of the couch.
"You like that?"
"You only got about three notes right."
"At least I know what my special talent isn't"
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville, the sun shined through the scattered cloud cover and everypony was out and about. I happily trotted down the main street, offering friendly greetings to all the ponies I passed. Twilight had done a wonderful job with the transformation spell, turning me into a pale cream pony with light brown mane and tail.
I ran into Applejack and Rarity engaged in yet another of their arguments. This one involving oatmeal, I could only assume that the crusaders were responsible somehow. The two noticed my approach and decided to table the discussion for the time being.
"Howdy, partner! What'cha up to?"
"Nothing much," I answered, "Just on my way to pay Flutter a visit."
"Oh!," Rarity said, "Could you be a dear, and take this with you?"
A pouch with three pink butterflies floated towards me, held in a pale blue magic field. I rolled my eyes in time to see Rainbow Dash playing amongst the clouds. Returning my vision to the Blue-eyed unicorn I nodded in acceptance.
"Wonderful!" She chirped, "I meant to return it to Fluttershy yesterday, but I got so caught up in my newest design... You're such a wonderful friend."
The bag delicately floated into the saddlebags I had with me, and I was on my way. I looked up to find that Dash was nowhere to be found. It was so nice to see her be truly carefree, instead of worrying about the image she displayed for everypony. I shrugged telling myself that a pegasus with that kind of speed could vanish in the blink of an eye.
I did not make it too much farther before I caught sight of a familiar pink party pony. Instead of hopping along happily however, she was dragging her hooves as she crossed the street. Upon seeing me she froze where she was, locking her eyes on mine. I cautiously took a couple steps forward. She turned her back to me and started walking away.
"Pink? Uh... Pinkie?"
She sat down and slowly turned her head around to look at me, uttering two lonely words:
"Wake up."
I sat there, wide-eyed, in the chair I had been sleeping in. It took some time for me to unravel the real world from the dream. After a couple of minutes of doing nothing, I heard the softest sigh. Looking over I was happy to see Fluttershy sprawled out on the couch, sleeping serenely.
Every muscle in her body was completely relaxed. Even one of her wings had unfurled and was reaching for the floor. She held the pillow in her hooves and had laid her head on it at the slightest angle, giving her mouth room to fall open. I was jealous; I had never been that comfortable on that couch.
The scene was short-lived as the dogs came barreling down the hall barking their little heads off. Fluttershy woke with a start, hovering a good yard above the couch. It only took her a moment to recall where she was, and then she descended to calm the yipping maniacs.
"Oh, did they wake you? Sorry," said Mom.
"It's quite alright," Fluttershy answered, "They didn't mean any harm."
"As long as you're up, you ready for breakfast?"
"I am!" I chimed in.
Before she could speak, a growl came from Fluttershy's stomach. I snickered causing her to blush in embarrassment. Calling out to the kitchen I added, "Fluttershy says she's hungry, too."
After breakfast everyone returned to the livingroom, and presents were handed out. Fluttershy wound up with a trio of boxes with her name on it. She was surprised at this, but happy to participate. We each took turns opening our gifts, showing them off, and thanking whomever they were from.
The smallest of Fluttershy's gifts came from Letty. He had handed me the gift about a week before, and asked me to put it under my tree for Fluttershy. When she convinced me to spend christmas with our parents, I smuggled Letty's gift in, too. I had no idea what it was, and was surprised to see her pull out a hand-crafted necklace with a pink stained-glass butterfly. I smiled, Letty and his art would never cease to amaze me.
The next gift Fluttershy opened was from Alex. I cringed when I recognized the face on the signed photograph. Alex's sense of irony not withstanding, I couldn't help but wonder why she thought it was a good idea to give Fluttershy a signed picture of Andrea Libman. When she asked I explained that this was the human who sounded exactly like her.
Finally it was time for the timid pegasus to open the gift I got for her. She skillfully worked the box free from the ribbon and tore the paper off. I had thought I would have to help her with it when I wrapped it, but after seeing her open the previous two presents, I sat back and enjoyed the show. The lid was off in a flash, and sitting in her hooves was a reversible picture frame. On one side was a picture that took me forever surfing the web to find. It was amazing how hard a simple, natural picture of the mane six was to find, but there it was, just them relaxing in Twilight's library talking amongst each other, oblivious to the world around. On the other side of the frame was a picture that was taken during Thanksgiving. All of us Letty, Mike, Sky, Alex, Fluttershy and myself talking in the livingroom. Somehow, Sky being in the picture that she took didn't seem all that strange to me.
Hugs and thanks were passed all around, and good feelings were had by all. Then I noticed one last gift sitting on the coffee table. I examined it, and it was addressed to me, from Fluttershy. I looked at the pegasus who smiled, patiently waiting for me to open it. When I did I was amazed. It was Deeno, but he was fully restored. The worn fabric on his leg was whole, his googly eyes were no longer compressed and damaged, even some of the worn seams were re-stitched.
Gently I set him down on the table, and through streams of tears I said, "Fluttershy, Thank you!"