I looked at her. Something wasn’t right.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“...nothing...” she said. This wasn’t her usual demeanor. I put my arm around her, leaning my face close to hers, trying to look at her.
“DON’T TOUCH ME!” she screamed at me with an unmatched fervor I’d never seen or expected out of her. I quickly removed my arm and took a few steps back, unsure of what to do.
“I’m sorry...” I said, thinking that was the only safe option.
“You’re all the same. All you want is my body, caring nothing for me. Leave me and never come back.”
I froze. She couldn’t have been serious. “But...”
“NOW.” she yelled again, pointing her hoof at the door. I slowly trotted around and headed out. She slammed the door behind me as tears started to stream down my face. Even from the other side of the door, I could hear her crying too.
***
Trey looked at me. I smiled at him, trying to hide the internal rage going on in me. It was happening again. I was afraid I’d snap at him.
“Are you ok?” he asked me sincerely. What was I supposed to tell him? I nodded and looked at the ground, afraid to look at him. I could feel tears welling in my eyes as repressed memories flooded back to me. The farm...my youth...my stolen innocence...Big Macintosh.
“Fluttershy...” I heard Big Mac say. “Are you ok?” He put a hoof under my chin.
“Don’t Touch me!” I yelled at him. I looked up to see Trey standing there, scared. My eyes grew wide in fear as I realized what I’d done. Before I knew it, Trey was already galloping off in the other direction. I started bawling as I realized my fear. I was scared of losing him. Now it seemed like I did. I couldn’t live with myself. I’d lost the one pony who mattered to me...
Fluttershy woke up on a wet pillow. She’d remembered her dream vividly, and had obviously cried from it. Angel was on her bed, staring at her sympathetically. When Fluttershy stirred, Angel hopped on her and snuggled her, making her feel better.
“I’m sorry Angel.” she said. Angel simply snuggled more as Fluttershy pet him repeatedly, making herself forget that dream. She just wanted to lay down and cry more, but she had things to do. She knew she needed to talk to somepony...maybe Twilight. She was always very supportive. Fluttershy made up her mind, fed the animals, thanked Angel, and trotted off towards the library.
***
Trey woke up sweating. He remembered his nightmare vividly. Would she really snap at him like that? Probably not. This was his negative imagination settling in. He had a tendency to make things worse than it actually would be in his mind. This was no exception. Trey gathered his mind, his things, and trotted out the door, where he found Pinkie Pie waiting for him.
“Hey Trey.” she said, calmer than usual.
“Hey. What can I help you with?”
“Um...well...I’d like to talk with you about Fluttershy.”
“Twilight and the rest of them already told me.”
“No, no, it’s not that. Can I come by after your band stuff?” she said, almost sad.
“Absolutely.” he said, smiling at her. Life was certainly getting very interesting. He’d never expected to be involved with so many things when he got here. Love, troubling pasts, emotional confrontation...and now vigorous discussions with everypony. How did he suddenly get so important?
“Okie dokie lokie!” she said, her inflection changing as she bounced off like she usually did. Trey trotted off to school. He couldn’t wait to hear this one.
***
Fluttershy knocked on the door timidly, after hesitating. She really didn’t want to bother her with this, but she did have to talk about it.
“Oh hey, Fluttershy!” said Twilight as she opened the door. Fluttershy kept her head down, not making eye contact.
“...can I talk to you?” she said softly.
“Absolutely. Come on in.” said Twilight. She already knew what this would be about. She had a pretty good idea, anyway. Fluttershy and Twilight took a seat on the couch. “What’s wrong? Did it happen again?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Yes...”
Twilight sighed. “Was Trey around?”
“No...”
“Fluttershy...it wasn’t your fault. You need to move on.”
“...I’m trying...but...”
“There aren’t any buts, Fluttershy.”
“Twilight...please listen...”
Twilight stopped for a bit. She thought she had been listening. “Ok.” she said, conceding.
“I...I love Trey.” she said timidly. She didn’t want to have to say it. She didn’t want them to know.
“Fluttershy, we know.” she said smiling.
Fluttershy pulled her ears back. “I guess he told you...” she said. She couldn’t believe he would do that.
“No, we figured it out. We knew you liked him, anyways.”
That made Fluttershy feel a bit better. She could still trust him. “He’s the most amazing colt I’ve met yet...I feel things can be different with him...”
“Are you afraid you’ll snap on him?”
Fluttershy nodded, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
“Fluttershy...I think you’ll be fine. Do you want me to talk to Trey about it?”
“Oh, no...I don’t want him to know yet...”
Too late. Trey could keep a secret though. “Why not? He needs to be prepared.”
“But...”
“The more he knows, the more likely he’ll be to understand and not leave you. Fluttershy, you need to tell him.”
“I...I know...but...I just can’t...”
“I can tell him for you.” said Twilight, reassuring her.
“I...I should be the one to do it.” she said, looking at Twilight. Twilight sensed the urgency in her eyes.
“Alright Fluttershy. How are you going to break it to him?”
“I don’t know...”
“Fluttershy...are you sure you don’t want me to break it to him?”
“Yes. I need to be the one. I just don’t know...”
“Fluttershy...have you ever considered that you might just not want to get too close to Trey?” said Twilight.
Fluttershy glanced at her, almost glaring. “I love him too much for that...”
“But Fluttershy, it’s probably better that way.”
“How could it be better?”
Twilight froze. She hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Well you stand less of a chance of hurting him. And he doesn’t have to know about what happened.”
“But...I love him...”
“I know Fluttershy. But if you really love him, you might consider it.” she said. Fluttershy looked at her, sad.
“You...you really think so?”
“Fluttershy, it’s probably for the best. He’s new in town. Do you want to scare him away?”
“No...but...”
“Just consider it, Fluttershy.” she said, smiling at her. Fluttershy nodded and hopped off the couch.
“Ok...” she said, slowly trotting out the door.
“You’ll be fine Fluttershy. Just keep it in mind.” she said, as Fluttershy trotted out the door.
“O...ok.” she said.
“Come see me again if you need anything else.” she said, smiling at her.
Fluttershy said nothing, but trotted away. Twilight quickly closed her door. She knew it would hurt Fluttershy to lose him. But it was seriously better for both of them. Trey wouldn’t be scared out of town, Fluttershy wouldn’t go dormant in the case of her snapping at him. Oh, who was she kidding? She wanted Trey for herself.He seemed like one of the only other ponies that was intellectually on her level. She hated to undercut her friend, but it was mutually beneficial. She sat down on the couch and thought long and hard about it.
***
Fluttershy closed her door and plopped down on the ground, not bothering to reach her couch.
“I should stay away from him? I don’t understand...Twilight’s never had bad advice before...maybe she’s right...” she said. Angel popped his head from around the couch, hopping over to her angrily. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She was just going to give up on him? She was just going to let possibly the greatest thing in her life slip away from her? Whatever Twilight said wasn’t good. Angel knew it.
Angel stomped his foot in front of her, getting her attention. Fluttershy slowly glanced over at him. Angel conducted again. “Trey?” Angel nodded. He checked his watch. “What time’s he coming over?” Angel nodded again. “I don’t know...maybe he shouldn’t come over today...Twilight says I shouldn’t get too close. She doesn’t want me snapping on Trey...it makes sense...but...” Angel stomped his foot in fury. How could Twilight undercut her like that? He shook his head rapidly. “I shouldn’t give up on him?” Angel nodded. “I should?” Angel faceplamed and shook his head. “I shouldn’t?” Angel shook again. “Oh...I don’t want to Angel...but...I don’t know. I need to think about it.”
Angel could sense her depression. He hated when she got like this. He almost seethed with rage. Fluttershy had to keep him. Trey was really the only colt he’d actually liked. He could sense good in him. Angel hopped out the door as Fluttershy lazed about, pondering.
***
Trey hurried home. He had to hear this conversation. Only Fluttershy was more important, but this concerned her. Trey hurried into his house, impatiently awaiting Pinkie’s arrival. Soon, a knock sounded on his door, and he opened it to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. He wasn’t expecting Rainbow Dash.
“Hey. Come on in.” he said, showing them in. Pinkie took a spot on his couch while Rainbow Dash hung by the door.
“So, what did you need to talk about?”
“Well...” started Rainbow Dash.
“We think you should be Fluttershy’s coltfriend.” said Pinkie.
“Basically.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Wait, Rainbow, weren’t you there when Twilight said I should back off?”
“Yeah, and I didn’t like that too much. Twilight doesn’t realize that Fluttershy has always needed extra help. I knew her as a filly, I’ve seen her mature. Sure, her shyness really frustrates me sometimes, but I know exactly why. Honestly I believe you can be that extra help she needs to get over it.”
Trey sat there silently, listening. Pinkie spoke up, somber. “Yeah...I’ve known Fluttershy for a while, too. And I think you’re a pretty good colt. Trust me, I’ve had to help her get over a few things too. None of us can do it though. She needs a colt. Someone to prove to her that not all of them are the same.”
Trey was seriously taking some major responsibility. He hadn’t been here for two weeks and he was already the deciding factor in somepony’s personal retribution. “I’d be more than happy to do that. I really do like her.”
“You love her, Trey, we know.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Well...yes. You caught me. Only thing is, I don’t know how to go about it.”
“I think patience is the real key here. I know I’m slightly limited in that regard.” said Rainbow Dash.
“And you’re good looking too. Maybe that’ll help.” said Pinkie.
“Pinkie...you’re so random.” said Rainbow Dash.
“I do have a lot of patience.” said Trey. That was the only quality he’d ever learned to fully admire in himself. “I think I can do it.”
“Good!” said Pinkie and Rainbow Dash.
“So how do Rarity and Applejack feel about this?”
“Well...I don’t really know. I think Applejack’s for it, since it’ll help ease the awkwardness with Big Mac.” Trey could see that. “Rarity, I have no idea. They’re pretty good friends, so I have a feeling she’s for it as well.” said Rainbow Dash.
“So basically everypony’s on my side except for Twilight?”
“Well...I guess so, yeah. I have no idea what her problem is.” said Pinkie. “I think she’s just jealous. I know I am.” she said, smiling at him.
“Thanks.” said Trey, laughing a bit.
“Anyways, that’s all we really had to say. See ya later!” said Pinkie, bouncing out the door. Rainbow Dash stared at her with a dumbfounded look before shrugging. She flew to the door.
“Oh, Trey?” she said before leaving.
“Yes?”
“I think Fluttershy will be a lot better off with you. I can see she’s been happier. I guess I just want to say thanks.” she said, flying out.
“...no problem.” said Trey. He wasn’t sure how to feel about this. He’d been inundated with a lot of things recently. How he managed to keep up with the band at this rate was beyond him. Trey knew that Twilight had some legitimate points. If Fluttershy raged at him, and shut herself off from society again, Trey would ultimately be the cause. Then again, his love, tolerance, and patience for anypony would probably be enough to help her over her obstacle. He had a lot to think about. Trey decided to sleep on it and make a decision in the morning. He hadn’t spent any time with Fluttershy today. That slightly upset him. He’d been so busy he didn’t even see her. She was probably upset. He’d make it up to her tomorrow. Actually, he had a hoofball game then. When could he see her?
Trey brushed his teeth. Shortly before climbing into bed, he heard a knock at his door. This late at night? Trey trotted and opened the door to see Fluttershy.
“Trey...can I talk to you?” she asked timidly.
“Come on in.” he said, smiling at her.