Later That Night
Fluttershy washed a ceramic plate. It was a beautiful white plate with dark blue flowers around the edges. She remembered that her grandmother had given it to her when she moved to PonyVille.
She handed the plate to Big Macintosh who gently and carefully placed it inside the cabinet.
Fluttershy shut the water off and wiped her hooves. Big Mac closed the cabinet and looked to Fluttershy.
“Hey sweets. Ya wanna...Ah don't know...watch the stars?” He asked hopefully. Fluttershy smiled brightly and gave him a peck on the nose. She giggled as he went cross eyed to look at his kissed snout.
“Of course,” she tossed the rag onto the counter and gestured to the door. Big Mac smiled and started to trot out towards the door.
The couple laid down a checkered blanket on the grass. It overlooked a free field with meadow flowers and lilies. They had a perfect view of the beautiful night sky. Big Mac took a seat in the middle and patted the spot next to him, an inviting smirk on his face.
Fluttershy sat down and cuddled up to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and admired the stars. She felt a light pressure on the top of her head. When she looked up, Mac was relaxing his head on hers, his green orbs looking up at the big black sky.
Big Mac looked down at her and looked at her eyes. The stars were reflecting like pools of water. As Fluttershy studied the atmosphere as Mac studied her eyes. Her speaking broke his trance.
“It really is beautiful.” Fluttershy commented.
Mac looked at her face: her eyes, nose, eyelashes, lips, ears, and mane. With a content smile he said, “Eeyup. Beautiful indeed.”
Fluttershy didn’t realize she was being watched until she snuck a look at her husband. When she saw he was already at her, she blushed. Fluttershy turned to face Mac.
Mac took a quick glance towards the sky only to return his eyes to the Pegasus. “Oh, did ya mean the sky? Yeah, that’s purdy, too.” He teased. Fluttershy blushed and giggled.
“Haha! Bet you can’t catch me!” The filly’s voice was sweet and youthful with a southern accent, her smile wide as she was chased around the yard playfully.
“What makes ya think that?!” A stallion asked, chasing after the little filly.
Fluttershy watched this from the porch. Sitting next to her was her son. He was a Pegasus, just like her.
“What’s wrong Sun Crest?”
Sun Crest had a cream colored coat matching his mother’s along with her teal eyes but with his father’s orange mane. It was longer, like Macintosh’s.
“Why don’t you join them?”
Sun Crest looked to the porch’s wood flooring, studying any nails or marks or different boards to keep from making eye contact with his mom.
“I-I just want to spend time with you.” Sun Crest didn’t have their southern accent, he had Fluttershy’s.
Fluttershy smiled and placed a hoof to her heart, touched.
“I appreciate it Sun Crest. But what is bothering you? You can tell me dearie.” Fluttershy said her motherly side showing.
Sun Crest sat in silence, tapping his hooves together. He looked up to see his dad and sister rolling on the ground. He regained his posture and looked to his mother.
“Okay…I’ll tell you.” Fluttershy faced her son, ready to listen.
“I-It’s just…there’s this filly in my class-,” Fluttershy’s eyes went wide briefly as she made sure she heard her son right. He looked at her with a slightly annoyed look. Fluttershy shook off the surprised look and motioned for him to continue.
“-and she’s…she’s…she’s really pretty. She’s taller than almost everyone, about my size-,” Sun Crest was developing and had grown over the shorter ages of…well…pre-puberty. Autumn Harvest, Sun Crest’s twin sister, reminded Fluttershy of when she gained her cutiemark.
“-she has really pretty purple eyes. She’s a unicorn. She’s funny and sweet and smart.” He had a look in his eyes that Fluttershy knew. Young love is adorable. She thought.
“She sounds wonderful dear.” Fluttershy said kindly. Sun Crest smiled.
“S-she is.” His smile disappeared. Fluttershy’s ears flattened in concern.
“Then what’s wrong sweetheart?” She asked, draping a wing over his young body.
“…the school dance is coming up…” that statement was enough to spell out the situation. Fluttershy moved closer and pulled the young Pegasus into a hug. She rested her head on his, his head resting on her shoulder.
“You’re a wonderful young colt, Sun Crest. You-,” she was interrupted by a hurt Sun Crest.
“But the bullies. They said that I’m not a good Pegasus. I can’t fly. They said I live here in PonyVille because Cloudsdale wouldn’t except me!” He wailed into his mother’s shoulder.
Fluttershy was powered by two things: anger and love.
She hugged Sun Crest tighter. Nopony would dare hurt her son again!
Once he calmed down, Fluttershy decided to speak. “Sun Crest?”
He looked up at his mom. “Yes mom?” He asked.
“You know…at your age…I was bullied, too.” She said sadly. Sun Crest’s eyes flew open in surprise.
“What?! Who would bully you?” He asked, fresh tears pricking in his eyes.
Fluttershy laughed as she wiped away her tears, both in amusement and in pain. “I ask myself the same thing about you. But I wasn’t a good flier, either. It’s most likely genetic…I’m sorry about that. I wished I hadn’t given it to you.”
Sun Crest hugged his mom, burying his head in her chest. His mom blushed as she nuzzles his head.
“It isn’t your fault. I don’t blame you.”
“T-thanks, Sun Crest. You don’t know how good it feels to hear that from you,” she said sincerely. “I just want the best for you.”
“Did people really make fun of you mom?” Sun asked concern on his young face.
“I-I’m…well…yes. I couldn’t fly while everypony else younger than me could. I was very clumsy, too. They called me names like ‘Kluztershy’.” Fluttershy felt a pain in her heart, remembering memories she once tried to forget.
“What happened? You can fly now.”
“Well…then I met Rainbow Dash. She was such a good flier and she wanted to be my friend. I couldn’t believe it at the time but I’m grateful it happened. She gave me little practices and I seemed to make progress. Eventually, overtime it got better. I promise it will for you.” She kissed his forehead.
“Thanks mom.”
“Now why don’t you go join your dad and your sister? Tell them I’ll start making lunch.” She sent him on his way and walked inside the cottage.
Angel Bunny watched the two from afar. Fluttershy’s head was still rested on Big Macintosh’s shoulder and he was still resting his head on her soft mane. The only thing different this time: they were asleep. It was supposed to be warm that night so Angel decided to let the two rest. Outside. Without a comfy bed.
While Angel rested inside. On that very comfy bed.
Life was sweet.