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// The Brony 
// Story: As We Flutter On 
// by Stephen Cloud 
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	That guy, the one at the store. Something about him didn’t add up. After all, he had just seen what most would perceive as an alien. How could he just flash a button and act as if nothing ever happened? I don’t know why I’m so worked up right now; I guess it’s my fatherly instincts. 
Fluttershy seemed to notice that I was deep in thought. I had been giving her a bath in a trance the whole time. She nudged with her snout, effectively snapping me back into consciousness. I resumed scrubbing her yellow coat softly, still deeply in thought, but I put a little more effort into washing her which seemed to suffice for her. “Hey Fluttershy,” I said as I stared out into space, “why don’t we visit the store today?” She shrugged and said “after.” “Of course we’ll go after; we can’t have you walking out soaking wet!” I said with a giggle. She giggled back, although I don’t think she knew what I was laughing about. 
After she had dried off and brushed her hair (which took surprisingly long) we headed out the door, deciding to go with the dog costume after the last incident. It was a nice stroll, no one was outside, the sun was shining, and the weather was starting to warm up. But, as we neared the store I had gone over my questions in my head. I started to tense up as I approached the doors, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. But the doors had already open, no going back now.
I walked through the doors slow, yet fast enough to where I wouldn’t look suspicious. I’d decided that I should at least finish what I came here for and started to search for the guy I saw yesterday. As I rounded the corner I saw him restocking another row of shelves with what seemed to be baby food. He looked up from his dreary job and saw me. His eyes lit up and he gave me a cheery smile, then he returned to his task.
I strolled over, trying to act nonchalant. I stood beside him casually examining the wares in front of me. After a few awkward moments of silence the boy spoke up. “Sir,” he began,” I don’t mean to pry, but why do you need baby food?” My mind scrambled looking for a legitimate excuse for staring at baby food. “Uh… I… um…” I stuttered, trying to stall to give myself time to think. “It’s for her isn’t it?” he said calmly as he gestured towards Fluttershy, who was currently disguised as a dog.
“Actually no,” I said with sudden courage, “she’s old enough to eat real food.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just…” he said sheepishly, “so remarkable.”
“How so?” I said in a monotone voice.
“Well, I’m a big fan of the show, seeing her in the flesh is just-“He started to say, but towards the end he waved his hands saying “remarkable!”
“But wouldn’t this freak you out, even just a little?” I said with genuine curiosity.
“Well yeah, a little. But in the show she’s so kind and sweet, I can’t imagine her being any different.”  He said with a chipper smile.
“I only named her after that show, she’s not actually the one from TV. That would be impossible.” I explained.
“Oh…” he replied as his smile faded away.
“And what was with that button?” I asked trying to switch subjects. 
“Oh that,” he said, his smile creeping up his face once more, “That’s her cutie mark, Fluttershy’s that is. You see, I’m a brony. I thought if I showed you it that you would feel reassured, you’d understand that I wouldn’t tell.”
“Wow, that’s… really cool of you.” I said absorbing it all. “I uh… have to go. This will be our little secret ok?” 
“Sure thing, still need that baby food?” he said with a sly grin.
“I think I’m good.” I replied and chuckled as Fluttershy and I left.
There was a skip in my step as we walked home. Fluttershy noticed that I was happy and started skipping alongside me. Before we knew it we were both skipping on our merry way back home. It felt good to know someone was watching out for me, even if it was some random teenager at a store. Maybe there were more people like him, somewhere.