Fluttershy awoke to a wonderful, warm softness around her. She smiled at the feeling and rolled over a little. Something soft brushed across her nose, tickling her and making the mare giggle. The pink maned pony opened her eyes to see a light blue wing covering her face. She looked at it for a moment as a flood of memories of the day, and night before came to her. She blushed deeply as she felt the hoof holding her own and the gentle breathing of the stallion next to her.
Oh my... we... and I... oh dear...
Fluttershy felt herself go pale and felt the comforting warmth slip away. "Oh dear, we... outside of marriage..." She felt her stomach drop. "What will his family think? What will my friends think? Oh, they will think I'm nothing more than a hussie... Soarin' will think I'm using him now!"
The mare began to fidget from the worried panic she was feeling. She loved the stallion next to her, and she would do anything to make sure he never left her, but after the events of the night before she didn't know how the relationship was going to evolve. She was beginning to really panic but felt something that made her pause. Soarin' let out a small sigh and cuddled up closer to her, wrapping his wing around her tightly, and nuzzling her in his sleep. The feeling of his gentle breathing on her cheek was relaxing and exciting at the same time.
She paused for a moment as she noticed that with all the movement, Soarin's hoof that held hers never let go. She could feel his heart beat with her wing that was against his chest. The warmth of his body pressed against hers sent ripples of pleasure through her body and she regained the warm calm she had awoken with.
The yellow mare smiled and snuggled up to the stallion as he let out another content sigh. Wrapped up in his legs and wing, Fluttershy fell back into a peaceful sleep with a smile on her face, and a quick glance at Soarin' revealed that he was smiling as well.
*knock knock*
Soarin' awoke to the noise. With a small groan, he lifted his head and looked around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary other than the sleeping mare next to him, using his wing as a blanket, and the rather messy appearance of his bed.
*knock knock*
The blue stallion sighed and slowly got out of the bed. He glanced over at Fluttershy and saw the peaceful look on her face. He walked over to her and gently gave her a kiss on the forehead. His heart skipped a beat when she smiled at the kiss. Soarin' tucked the mare in and made sure that she was comfortable before he made his way to the hallway.
*knock knock*
"I'm coming, I'm coming... patience please..."
The Wonderbolt reached the bottom of the stairs and paused for a moment to give himself a good shake to wake himself up. He reached the front door and yawned as he opened it up. Bright yellow greeted him with a large grin.
"Hey there Soarin', missed you after the game yesterday. How'd the date go?"
The stallion opened the door wider to let Spitfire in. "It went pretty good..."
A long yawn came from the stallion as flame haired mare walked next to him. She stopped after a couple of steps after she pasted him and lifted her nose. She looked around for a moment then looked at Soarin'
"Do you... smell that?"
The stallion stretched and shook his head. "Smell what?"
The mare walked up to him and gave a small sniff. "Wow... that's you. If I didn't know any better I would say you..." A sudden gasp from the mare made Soarin' jump, and that was followed swiftly by a wicked grin. "You did, didn't you?"
Soarin' gave her a tired and confused look. "Did what?"
"You know what I'm talking about. You reek of it, and if you didn't take a shower at her place then you must have done it here... is she still upstairs?"
The blue stallion just stared at the mare as his tired and groggy mind worked as face as it could. "Is she... reek of..." Soarin's eyes widened as he finally connected the dots and he felt his cheeks warm. "Oh... OH! Sorry! I should have taken a shower... I didn't think that anypony would be visiting..."
Spitfire's grin widened and she glanced up the stairs. "So, she is upstairs. Is she recovering from last night still?"
If Soarin' wasn't blushing before he certainly was now. He nodded. "Um... yeah, she is... she's still asleep..."
Spitfire gave him a grin that was equal parts mischievous and proud. "Tired her out that much huh? Good job!" She walked over and gave the stallion a quick hug. "So, how many rounds you two go?"
The stallion remained silent as his blush deepened. The flame maned mare laughed and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"I'm joking. Lighten up a little. I came over to let you know the end of the season meeting is tomorrow night."
The blue Wonderbolt gave a small smile. "Thanks... Do you want me to get you breakfast? I could make something really quick for you."
"Nah, I'm good. Thunderlane and I got breakfast an hour ago."
A soft voice drew the attention of both the ponies to the top of the stairs. "Soarin'? Where are you, and who are you talking to?"
"Down stairs, and I'm talking to Spitfire."
Down the stairs came Fluttershy, looking rather tired and her coat was matted and a mess. Her mane fell in its normal way, but was rather messy, yet to Soarin' she looked as graceful and beautiful as she did the night before. The stallion’s expressions softened as he watched her yawn and reach the bottom of the stairs.
"Hello there Fluttershy, have a good night?"
The mare finished her yawn and nodded. "It was very nice..."
Spitfire gave the couple a sly grin. "I bet it was. Well, I better get going. You two love birds have a nice day."
The mare Wonderbolt gave Soarin' a playful wink and, after some quick goodbyes, left the couple there. The blue stallion glanced over and found that the pink maned pegasus was stifling a yawn while rubbing her eyes. She looked up at him and smiled.
"It was nice to see Spitfire again..." She stretched and gave a tiny yawn. "Can we go back to bed now? I'm still pretty tired."
The yellow mare smiled and gave the stallion a kiss on the cheek. Soarin' nodded and walked back up the stairs with her. The pair made it to the bed and started settling in before Soarin’ remembered something important.
"We're going to need showers after we wake up."
"Why?" The sleepy mare responded as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"We smell like last night."
It took a few moments for the meaning of that sentence to sink in for the mare. "Okay... sleep first though... actually... could you um..." The mare unfurled her wings and gave them a small flap. "Could you please, um, preen my wings?"
Soarin' felt a sudden rush of affection to the mare sitting next to him. It was a very touching gesture among pegasai to allow another pony to preen their wings. Wings were the pride and joy of the pegasai, and they all took very good care of their wings, and many would only let somepony they trusted deeply to touch their wings. Even the best masseuses that offered preening needed to be very qualified, especially if they weren't a pegasus.
Soarin' smiled as the true meaning of the gesture struck home. She trusted him. He smiled and moved behind her to begin massaging her wings and back. He knew that she might return the favor, but he didn't care if she did, all he wanted to do was cuddle up to her and fall asleep with her.
"I love you, Fluttershy."
The mare turned around and kissed the stallion. "I love you too."
Nestled in her seat on a train, Fluttershy read a magazine. She was reading an article while Soarin' watched the landscape roll by. The article was about the Wonderbolts, or more specifically what the members of the Wonderbolts would be doing in the off season. She reached the final paragraph and noticed a picture of a very familiar stallion.
Even more impressive is the fact that we were able to get an interview with the co-captain Soarin'. The co-captain was busy talking to newest member Thunderclap when I found him. After he offered me a cup of fruit punch we talked about his summer plans.
"What will you be doing during the off season?"
The stallion replied to me with a warm smile. "Mostly sleeping and training I guess. Oh, and spending time with Fluttershy."
I accepted the fruity drink he had offered me. "Will there be anything you're looking forward to?"
He thought for a moment before he spoke. "Only thing that comes to mind is a family reunion that I'm going to. Nothing to fancy, but I’ve been looking forward to it."
"Family reunion?"
The stallion nodded. "Yeah, on the family farm."
Soarin's mother and father work on the largest berry farm in the kingdom, and the second largest farm in the world, second only to the Apple Family farm. Some of his siblings also live there.
"Will you be taking Fluttershy out there?"
Soarin' paused for a moment before he answered me. "Yeah, I've invited her to come along, and she said yes."
The conversation ended there as Spitfire and her stallion Thunderlane arrived and...
The yellow mare looked over at Soarin' and smiled at him. The foal-like grin on his face as he watched the landscape roll by. She moved closer to him and gently placed her head on his shoulder. The contact made him jump for a moment then he smiled and nuzzled her.
"Enjoy the article? I'm not a fan of talking to newsponies, but it was alright. Might do it again sometime in the next ten years."
The couple giggled and shared a small kiss. The compartment of the train they were in wasn't very large, but it was perfect for the long train ride they were on. Fluttershy stretched out on the seat and nuzzled the stallion.
"So, give me another quick run through of the family. I'm just making sure I have everything right."
Soarin' nodded and shifted a little. "My mother, Light Dazzler, and father, Strawberry Jam the fifth, live on the farm with my older brother, Strawberry Jam the sixth, the twins, Blackberry and Raspberry, and my youngest sister, Sparks."
Fluttershy nodded. "Okay, that's all of them living on the farm. Blackberry, Raspberry, and Strawberry Jam, all work and live on the farm because that's their talent, and it's a family tradition, while Sparks hasn't moved out, but she has a very similar talent to her mother. I got most of that right so far?"
With a smile the stallion responded. "Perfect so far. My brother, Golden Light, owns his own mining company, and my older sister, Pitch Perfect, trains musicians. That leaves just me, the stunt flyer, and you, the beautiful mare that has my heart."
Fluttershy blushed at the compliment and nuzzled the stallion. "I'm part of the family already? That was quick."
"I think a few months of dating and being in love is more than enough time." He kissed her and smiled. "They'll love you. Trust me."
She kissed him again and sighed. "I know, but I'm still nervous. It's your family; I need to make a good first impression."
Soarin' nodded and chuckled. "If you want to make a good impression, when my mother asks you to help her cook, do it. She measures ponies by their ability to cook for her family. She nearly made Spitfire freak out because of it."
Fluttershy looked at the stallion. "Spitfire met your parents? I thought you two never dated?"
"We never did, but when her parents invited me for dinner, and embarrassed her with a lot of stories and pictures of her as a filly, I figured it would be fair if I gave her the chance to let my parents embarrassed me in the same way." He paused to chuckle and sigh as the memory past through his head. "Both of our parents thought we were dating, and it took us nearly a year to convince them we were just friends."
The mare smiled and cuddled up to Soarin'. "That's very funny. I hope they don't tease you for that."
"They do, but it's all with love."
The mare closed her eyes and then gave a content sigh. "I think a nice nap will help pass the time.
The stallion smiled and kissed the mare on the cheek. "I think that sounds wonderful."
The train pulled into a small station in a tiny little hamlet of a town. As Fluttershy and Soarin' walked off the train, the mare took a deep breath of the country air. It smelled similar Ponyville, but there was a difference in the air. It was a light, sweet aroma in the air that held her nose and made her smile. Soarin' took in a deep breath as well and gave a satisfied smile.
"Home. I can smell the farm from here."
The mare giggled at the notion but could tell by the aroma in the air that Soarin' might have a point. The pair began walking off down the road, looking at the buildings that looked like they would be more comfortable in the medieval village, in a very aesthetically pleasing sort of way.
"Wow... this town is beautiful."
"Why thank you, darling. We do try our best to keep it looking its best."
The pair turned around and was met with an elderly mare smiling at them. The deep green earth pony mare behind them gave each of them a wide smile before giving Soarin' a small hug.
"Good to see ya' again kid. How has the big city been?"
Soarin' returned the hug and smiled. "It's been pretty good. Miss the smell of the country air though." He looked over at Fluttershy with his poster worthy smile. "Fluttershy, this is Mayor Chair. Mayor Chair, this is Fluttershy."
The older mare gave Fluttershy a smile, and then shook her hoof. "So, you're the lovely mare that has ensnared our flyer's heart."
The yellow mare looked surprised. "How did yo—"
Her answer came in the form of Mayor Chair holding up a magazine. "You two are in the papers. Granted, the town is very used to seeing him in the sports section, and now he's in the gossip columns as well." The mare gave them both a welcoming smile. "Great to have you home again Soarin', and it was a pleasure to meet you Miss Fluttershy."
The elder mare gave them both a quick farewell and walked down the road. Fluttershy and Soarin' exchanged a small look then continued down the road.
"Town loves you that much. You must be the pride of the town."
Soarin' looked at the mare and gave a small embarrassed smile. "Yeah, I'm the only real claim to fame the town has, and well... I've done a lot of charity events for this town. I like these ponies. I grew up with a lot of them, and well... it's my home town."
The yellow mare gave Soarin' a kiss on the cheek and walked alongside him, enjoying the look of the town.
A deep purple unicorn worked over the potatoes that she was going to cook, and wiped her forehead. The heat of the oven was getting to her, but she knew it was worth it. She loved cooking, and loved seeing the smiles on her families’ faces when they loved the food. She used her magic to lift a trio of lumps made of bread dough and began kneading it magically.
She looked out the window and looked over the farm the house she was in looked over. It was beautiful countryside, full of bright green grass, a wonderfully blue sky, and row upon rows of cultivated strawberries. She smiled to herself at the thought of simply tasting some of those sweet, red fruit, but after a moment her face fell as she glanced over at a clock hanging on the wall. It was almost two in the afternoon.
"They're late... I hope nothing happened on the train."
The unicorn glanced out the window that overlooked a path that lead to the house from the road. She spent a moment looking then sighed and then started working on the food again. She finished cleaning the potatoes and began peeling them. It was when she reached the sixth potato that she took a moment to check the path again. For a moment she was certain that nopony was there, but then she saw something at the far end of the path, just before a small bend that took it out of path. She spotted a moving blue and yellow object.
A smile came over her face. "It's about time. I was about to send out a search party." She chuckled to herself and placed the potatoes down. "That boy always makes me nuts."
She walked out of the home and stood by the front door of the farm house. She watched the path from the porch of the farmhouse and watched the pair of ponies draw closer. The blue stallion became immediately recognizable as her son, and the yellow mare next to him she could only assume was the mare he told her that he was bringing home with him. She walked off the porch with a wide smile and approached her son.
"You're late. Was there an issue with the train?"
The stallion placed the small travel bags and a few plastic bags down. "Hi mom, nothing was wrong with the train, we just got stopped a few times by some of the ponies that wanted to meet me and Fluttershy. Oh, I need to introduce you. Mom, this is Fluttershy." His mother hugged him tightly and he returned the hug happily. He gestured to the yellow mare next to him. "Fluttershy, this is my mother, Light Dazzler. Mom, this is Fluttershy."
The elder mare smiled and walked over to the younger mare. "Wonderful meeting you." The older mare hugged Fluttershy before she had a chance to say hello. "So you're the mare that has ensnared my young colt’s heart. You're very pretty."
Fluttershy returned the hug and blushed. "Thank you. Sorry about being late, but we picked up a few things for the family. Some sweets from the candy shop, and Soarin' thought some biscuits would be nice as well, and um, he got a few things for me... I got a little hungry before we got here. Sorry."
"No need to be sorry. A light snack won't ruin a meal."
The older mare lifted all the bags with her magic and looked over at the stallion. "Your father is off in the east fields with your siblings. Harvest is just around the corner after all."
The stallion nodded then walked over to Fluttershy. "You don't mind if I go say hello to them do you?"
"Not at all. Go say hello to them. I'll stay here with you mother, and get out things to the house."
After a quick kiss good-bye the stallion took off into the air to find his family in the east fields. The mare smiled as she watched him leave. A moment later she realized that Dazzler was watching her. She blushed and for a moment she hid behind her mane.
"Well, let's get this stuff inside to your and Soarin's room. Oh, before I forget, you can just call me, Dazzler, or mom. I'll answer to either." The older mare smiled then motioned for Fluttershy to follow her. "So, Fluttershy, what do you do for a living?"
The pair of mares reached the farm house and made their way inside. Fluttershy noticed that the house was very similar to Applejack's, only it was larger and had a lot more family photos.
"I raise, and take care, of animals mostly. Most of them are wild, or from my friends farm, but some of them I manage to get adopted by ponies in town."
They walked into a small room with a bed and a set of matching drawers. Dazzler set all the luggage in a small pile near a corner, and the bags on the bed.
"Do you mind helping me in the kitchen dear? I need a helping hoof with dinner."
Fluttershy shook her head. "I would love to help. Soarin' told me that his siblings help out on the farm, but he said his youngest sister just got her mark. Where is she?"
Dazzler looked over at Fluttershy. "Sparks? She's out in the east field with her father, waiting to ambush Soarin'. Do you cook much?"
As the yellow mare followed Dazzler into the kitchen, she nodded. "I cook a decent amount. I live alone, but I like cooking for my animals."
"I see. Do you cook potatoes often?" The elder mare pointed to the potatoes sitting in the sink.
Fluttershy nodded and walked over to them. "Would you like me to peel these?"
The unicorn nodded. "So, how did you and my son meet? Was it at a show?"
Fluttershy smiled and began peeling potatoes. "Well... it was a bit of a surprise for me to be honest..."
A large stallion wiped the sweat from his brow and took a moment to move the deep maroon mane out of his eyes. He looked over at his father, a stallion with a matching red coat the same color of their shared namesake. The only thing that really set them apart was the subtle differences in their marks, and the flecks of gray in the older stallion’s mane, as well as the wrinkles on his father’s features that gave him a wise look. Like many farming stallions in Equestia they stood nearly to heads taller than most stallions.
The younger stallion looked back to the bush of strawberries and inspected them. They looked nearly ready for the harvest, and from his experience they would be more than ready in less than a few weeks. He smelled one and enjoyed the aroma of the berry. For a moment his world was peaceful, and then he heard a voice getting louder.
"INCOMING!"
The red stallion looked up and less than a second later he was tackled by a bright blue blur. The pair tumbled in the dirt for a moment then came to a stop.
"Hey there dirt brain, harvest looking good?"
The red stallion gave a push and then pinned the blue stallion to the ground. "Yeah, it's lookin' like a great one. How you been airhead?"
Soarin' smiled up at his brother and pat him on the shoulder. The larger stallion helped the pegasus up and hugged him tightly.
"Really good, I got here a few minutes ago with Fluttershy."
As the hug ended the larger stallion gave the pegasus a inquiring look. "Fluttershy? Is she another friend on yers, like that Spitfire gal you brought home a few years back?"
"Yeah, only this time if you call her my marefriend I'll say yes."
Strawberry chuckled. "Finally settling down huh? Also, incoming."
"SOARIN'!"
The high pitched voice reached the blue stallion a moment after a tiny pink unicorn tackled him from behind. "How long have you been waiting to tackle me?"
The tiny unicorn looked her brother in the eyes and smiled. "All week! I missed you!"
The pair shared a hug. Soarin' heard the sound of hooves and turned to see the older stallion with the gray mane charging at him. The filly let out a shriek as the old stallion tackled them both and hugged them tightly, while Strawberry laughed.
"Yew know better than to let yer guard down when you haven' sed hello to me, boy."
Soarin' returned the hug as best he could with his forelegs pinned. "Hey dad... I can't breathe!"
The elder Strawberry dropped the stallion and then smiled at his son. "Sorr'bout that, needed to hug muh son. How have yew been?"
Soarin' hugged his father. "Doing pretty good, the last airshow was amazing, and I have a mare you need to meet."
"Yer mother told me yew were bringin' how a mare. She nice?"
The blue pegasus nodded as the pink unicorn jumped up on his back. She hugged Soarin' as she spoke. "Then let's go meet her!"
The older stallion chuckled and pointed towards the house. "You go ahead and head to the house, I'll wrangle the twins."
Soarin' nodded then turned around to carry his sister to the house. After all, she wanted to meet Fluttershy and he wasn't about to disappoint his sister.