//------------------------------// // The Morning After // Story: Flutterheart // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// “Hey!” I said when I saw her. She turned to me, smiling. “Hey!” “Hey, um...I need a favor.” “Yes? I probably can’t help much, but I’ll try...” “I seem to have injured my hoof...” I said. “Oh...are you alright?” she asked, giving me a look of concern. “I don’t really have any gauze...” “Oh, it’s just a bruise. I just need someone to kiss it and make it better.” She looked at me, a faint shade a red starting to come onto her cheeks. “I don’t know that that may help much, but I’ll see what I can do.” I extended my hoof up, showing a slight scuff mark I inflicted on myself earlier. She looked at me with a gentle smile and kissed it, ever so tenderly. I couldn’t help but smile. She was so cute and innocent... “Does that help?” she asked. “A lot. I have a bit of a sore spot on my lip though...” She smiled, blushed, looked at me with those deep blue eyes, and leaned her face to mine. It was perfect...soft, tender, caring...absolutely fantastic. She only stayed there for about a second though, as she pulled back and gave me that look that made me melt. “Feel better?” she asked, smiling. “A little...but it may need some more attention...” I said, almost expecting something to happen. She laughed, then looked at me with those eyes. “You don’t have to fake an injury, you know.” She smiled. I looked at her, a smile forming across my lips. Everything was going my way today. “I know.” I said, bringing my face to hers for another kiss of passion. I was madly in love with her. I’d never wanted anything in my life as much as I wanted her. And now...I had her. Trey was jolted awake once again by his alarm. He slept soundly throughout the night, never once needing to get up for water or anything of the sort. This was becoming a more frequent occurrence after meeting Fluttershy. Trey got dressed and ready to meet the day. Of course, as much as he would like to simply trot over to Fluttershy’s cottage, he did have school duties. Sometimes life sucked. He was forced to choose between his two passions: Music...and Fluttershy. Fluttershy would be there later today, he hoped. He’d swing by then. Once again, the day moved slowly for him. He managed to keep focus on his work, though, which was good. But he still thought about Fluttershy all day long. Her gorgeous mane...those deep blue eyes...he was losing himself for her, and it would only be a matter of time before he felt he would crack and confess. Marching rehearsal went by smoothly, everypony got a lot of things done. Music really came together, marching issues were resolved, and they started drill on the second movement. “New beginnings” was bound to be a great show. He could feel it. As he dismissed the band, he climbed down the tower and began to trot off to Fluttershy’s cottage. “Hey, Trey?” Trey turned around to see Twilight. “Yes?” “We need to talk.” Twilight’s tone was concerning. “Uh...ok then.” Twilight led Trey back to her library, where she shut the door and invited him to a spot on her couch. “Am I in trouble already?” he asked, making a joke. “No, no...at least I don’t think so.” “What’s this about?” “I guess there’s no easy to say this.” “...say what?” “Well, have you noticed Fluttershy acting...different around you?” “I’m new here, I don’t have any previous knowledge to compare it to.” he said, to which Twilight mumbled a soft “oh yeah...” “Well...she’s not the same ever since you came around. She’s...happier.” “Really?” “Yes. I’m glad she’s like this. I honestly think she has a thing for you.” Trey’s heart dropped at confirmation. The cheek kiss fed the fire of suspicion, but Twilight simply confirmed it. “Really?” “Yes. Now, Fluttershy’s my friend. I want to make sure you won’t hurt her.” “I would have no intention of doing so.” “Good. Oh, horsefeathers.” she said. Trey remained silent as she fretted about. “I should not have told you that...oh, no...the fastest way to lose a friend is to tell a secret! Oh, I’m so sorry, Fluttershy! Oh, dear...” “Calm down, I’m not going to say anything.” “Oh, good. I mean, you’re new in town, it’s probably weird to just have ponies start liking you....” Trey smiled at the irony of that statement. “I mean I don’t want to scare you away from us already, if Pinkie Pie hasn’t done that already.” Trey laughed. “No, no, I like everypony here. Honestly, I’ve had my suspicions about Fluttershy.” “Oh? Good. I’d hate to have been the one to ruin things.” not like she already didn’t. She seemed to have a habit of scholarly analyzing things, much like he did. “No, no, you’re fine. I’ve been hanging out with Fluttershy a lot recently. I’ve caught on to a few things.” “Oh, you’ve been hanging out?” she asked, surprised. “Yeah. She stopped by band practice one day and I invited her to the hoofball game. I helped her gather flowers Saturday and attempted to teach her how to frisbee Sunday. If the slight bruise is any indication, she’s born to be a pro.” he said sarcastically. “Really? Did she throw it too hard?” she obviously didn’t get his humor. “No, she hit me trying to get the hang of it. She wrapped me up with gauze though.” “For a bruise?” “Yeah” he laughed. “But I couldn't not let her. She was just so cute.” His eyes opened wide as he realized he slipped yet again. Twilight looked at him with a sudden sense of curiosity. “You think she’s cute?” “Well I thought it was cute that she tried so hard to take care of me for a small bruise. By extension, that makes her cute.” “Trey...you like her too, don’t you?” Trey froze, unsure of what to say. “Well, I’m keeping one of your secrets, you get to keep mine. Yes, I’ve fallen for her. I really do like her a lot. She’s just so...innocent...I just...” he said, stopping himself before he went into too much detail. Twilight smiled. “I knew it. I knew there was a reason she was happier.” “The only problem is, I know she likes me now, but she doesn’t know I like her. I don’t know how to go about letting her know that either.” “I’m sure you’ll find a way.” she said, smiling. “Just pretend you never heard it from me. Now, I’m sure you were headed to her place anyway. Hurry along!” And with that Trey trotted out to Fluttershy’s cottage just before it started to get dark. He knocked on the door and awaited Fluttershy. As soon as she opened the door and saw who it was, she beamed with happiness and invited him in. “So, do you need something?” “No, I just wanted to come see you.” he said, smiling, to which she blushed a little and trotted off to the couch, waiting for him. He shortly joined her. “So, Fluttershy...” “Yes?” she asked, looking at him with those eyes he couldn’t resist. Angel hopped up on the couch with him and broke his concentration. “I was wondering...” “Yes?” “Do you like anypony in Ponyville?” She looked at him with a slight look of confusion. “Oh...well...just one pony.” “Oh? What’s he like?” “Well...” she said, looking away. “He’s nice...and kind...and he actually cares about getting to know me...” “He sounds like a nice one.” “He is...but I don’t think he likes me back...” Trey caught on. “Why do you think that?” “Well...I don’t know...” she said before mumbling off. Trey knew he had to make his move now or never. But he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Life was about taking risks but...he wasn’t good at that. “Fluttershy...what if he likes you back?” She looked at him with eyes full of wonder...and a bit of sadness. “Oh, I don’t think he does...I mean...I don’t know...” “Have you thought of asking him?” “Oh, I could never do that...there’s too much to lose...” Trey respected that comment. “Fluttershy, I can’t keep this up.” he said, putting a hoof to her chin. “I’ve liked you since day one. I’ve just always been too shy to say anything.” She gazed at him with wonder, sadness dissipating from her eyes. “I...you have?” Angel looked up at Trey, unsure of how to feel. He now knew Trey was a good pony, but what did that mean for Fluttershy? “Yes, Fluttershy.” he said, smiling. “I wouldn’t lie to you. You’re far too beautiful to be lied to.” She blushed. “You’re just saying things...” “No, Fluttershy...I’m not.” he said, smiling reassuringly. Fluttershy looked deep at him with those large, beautiful eyes he loved. He felt that they could finally be his. “Trey...I don’t know why I started to like you...I mean...you’re new...I hope that’s not weird...” she said, starting to look away. “Absolutely not.” he said, tilting her face back towards him. “I’m glad you did.” Fluttershy blushed and smiled at him. “I’ve never felt like this before...you make me feel...awkward...” Trey remembered that phrase from his dream. “I know that’s a new sensation, but it’s a good thing, Fluttershy. You’re a good thing.” “I don’t know why you like me...I’m not that special...” “You’re special to me.” She looked up at him with those eyes and smiled, a deep shade of red coming across her cheeks. “Really?” “Really really. You’re the most amazing pony I’ve met yet, Fluttershy.” he said, making her blush even more, which he didn’t think was possible. “Trey...” “Yes?” She looked at him, her eyes deepening. She looked like she was trying to make a decision... “I...” she stammered before reaching out and hugging him tight. “...don’t leave me...please...” Trey smiled to himself and hugged her back. “I don’t plan on it. I’d hate to lose you.” She breathed a deep sigh of relief and she clung on to him. He started to rub her back and sway back and forth, starting to hum a tune he learned as a young colt. “Hush now, quiet now...” she started to sing. “You know this song?” She pulled her head up, still clinging to him, and nodded, smiling. Trey had that much more appreciation for her. As he looked at her, their eyes locked, he could sense happiness in her...inside himself...something he hadn’t truly felt in years. “Fluttershy...” “Yes?” “You make me the happiest colt in the world.” to which he impulsively kissed her forehead. It was warm and soft, just like the rest of her body he still held. She blushed once again, smiling, never letting her gaze go from him. She got warmer after that. As Fluttershy still looked at him, he could tell she was trying to make a tough decision. “Whatcha thinkin’?” he asked. “Oh...nothing.” She said, smiling. “Just thinking about you.” She still sounded a bit distracted. Trey pondered over what this decision was she was trying to make. Eventually, she subsided and the two of them sat there, hugging each other until it became really late. “I suppose you have to go now, huh...” she asked, slightly sad. “I may have to leave your house, but I’m never leaving you.” he said. She smiled, blushed and walked him to the door. “Thanks for visiting.” she said. She’d been proclaiming herself a lot more recently, as opposed to open-ended statements. “I was glad to do it.” he said. “When will you be back?” “As soon as I can tomorrow.” he said, smiling. She smiled a bit and told him, “I’ll be looking forward to it.” as he turned around to trot off. “Trey?” He turned back around to find her looking at the ground, her body shrunk back. “Yes?” “You don’t think I’m bad for liking you...right?” Trey laughed at that and trotted back to her. “Hey...” he started. “You could never be bad in my eyes.” She tilted her head up a little, still not looking at him. He put a hoof under her chin and made her look at him. “Promise. There’s something I want to give you.” he said, formulating an idea. “Oh? For me?” “I think you’ve earned it. The only thing is, I’m going to want it back later.” “Oh...” she said. “Close your eyes and hold out your hoof.” he said. Fluttershy did so. Trey, on an act of impulsiveness, passionately kissed her, putting her hoof back on the ground with his. He kissed her with such emotion that he could feel her blushing, the heat emanating from her cheeks, as she leaned her head backwards ever so slightly, making him lean into her. He pulled away after a few seconds, opening his eyes to see her staring at him with the deepest, prettiest blue eyes, a dark, dark red line across her face where she had not stopped blushing. “Trey...I...” she tried to say. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything cohesively. “Remember...I’m going to want that back the next time I see you.” he said, smiling, bidding her goodnight before trotting home. Fluttershy stood at her doorframe for a long while before going back inside, plopping down on the couch. Her legs were like jelly. She’d never felt so weak and helpless in her life...she was totally under his control. She smiled and closed her eyes, thinking about him before she finally drifted off to sleep, where she and Trey romanced about. Trey trotted home slowly. His legs felt like jelly...he had never felt so weak and helpless...years of marching built up his legs but she made them worthless as he fell under her control. She was the greatest thing to ever happen to him. After his risky stunt...he felt he could finally have her. He could finally feel true happiness. He could finally call those blue eyes his...he fell asleep dreaming about them, and the wonderful pony they belonged to.