Fluttershy glided out of the Everfree and sighed a happy sigh to be out of the forest, back where the world made sense and where she could find Pinkie. She aimed into town and with a few flaps to stay level she headed to Sugarcube Corner. Even though it was night she caught a glimpse of a brown stallion pegasus flying away. It wasn’t totally odd to see except that she noticed him near Sugarcube Corner.
She turned to the upper floor window that led into Pinkie’s room to find it open. Pinkie had a habit of forgetting things but she always slept with the windows closed so bugs wouldn’t get into the bakery and infest the flour and ruin the cupcakes.
While the idea was sound it was kind of silly to Fluttershy. Every creature needs to eat and maybe if Pinkie and the Cakes would share the cupcakes it would keep the bugs out. Fluttershy was always sure she could work out a truce between the two but the Cakes would never have it. Too much risk and waste of product.
Fluttershy landed just inside the window to see Pinkie laying on her belly on her bed with Gummy climbing up the side at a slow careful pace. Fluttershy sighed to see the sleeping pink mare safe in her bed snoring softly with the covers covering her rear legs. Her forelegs were splayed out with her left hanging half off the bed near where Gummy was climbing while the other was parallel to her body crossing the bed.
Fluttershy walked over to Pinkie and looked at her face closely. A line of drool hanged from her mouth to the bed without moving or breaking, save for a wiggle when she’d inhale. Fluttershy took in the sleeping mare in her most innocent state and felt a smile creeping on her muzzle as she reached up and ran her hoof through the curly hair.
“I think I can love you, Pinkie. I don’t know why I didn’t see it sooner but you’re truly beautiful.”
Pinkie snorted and a rumble began in her stomach then she burped. The scent of carrot and pickles wafted across Fluttershy’s muzzle making her wince and step back holding back a cough.
“Well, you’re still beautiful but your breath stinks.”
Pinkie snorted and turned her head the other way curling into a more comfortable position.
Mrs. Cake called upstairs to Pinkie. “Are you up dear? It’s almost 9:00 and we could use your help for the late breakfast rush.”
Fluttershy walked in her usual quiet way, opened the door, stepped out and closed the door almost completely. She walked to the stairs as Mrs. Cake started to climb them and with a startled gasp Mrs. Cake took in Fluttershy at the top of the stairs. “Fluttershy?” She asked.
Fluttershy shushed her. “Pinkie isn’t well this morning so I’m looking after her until she wakes up. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but it was quite sudden.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Cake said softly, “I understand. She has episodes sometimes. Has her hair gone flat?” she asked with mild concern.
Fluttershy smiled lightly. “No, it’s better now. She needs to sleep and I’m making sure she’s okay.”
Mrs. Cake let a breath out she was hiding in a sigh of relief. “Oh, that’s good,” she said softly, “please make yourself at home and our kitchen is open to you if you need anything.”
Fluttershy nodded and watched as Mrs. Cake turned and walked down the steps. Fluttershy returned to the room and closed the door softly and returned to the bed to see Gummy chewing on Pinkie’s mane. Pinkie giggled like she felt it to Fluttershy’s amusement. She walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in laying next to Pinkie.
I don’t know if this is going to be okay with the others or the city but I’m willing to try it, Fluttershy thought looking at Pinkie. A smile crept onto both their muzzles as a squeak sound emanated from Pinkie’s mane. Fluttershy looked at Gummy chewing intently and noticed something in her mane. Reaching out she poked it and a yellow rubber duck popped out tumbling across Pinkie’s face and landing on the bed between them.
Pinkie reached and scratched her head and balloons, confetti, a roll of streamers, some candy, and a deflated beach ball fell out landing in the bed or tumbling to the floor. Fluttershy laid there wide eyed and mouth agape. “H-how?”
Pinkie reached in front of herself and scooped the items and with one motion turned over and held them tight.
“Hmm, so comfy ‘Shy,” Pinkie muttered as the duck fell to the floor with a squeak; the only item to escape her grip. Fluttershy laid at the far side of the bed watching Pinkie’s sides rise and fall in a steady rhythm and Gummy release his grip and crawl to the top of her head and slowly go to sleep.
“Sweet dreams, Pinkie.”
“OH NO,” Pinkie shouted jumping into the air, “Did I oversleep the day again? Oh no, Fluttershy, she saw me fall. I hope she’s okay.”
Pinkie had started running in the air and an engine noise filled the room.
“Pinkie, it’s okay. I’m here,” Fluttershy said at a slightly higher than normal volume.
Pinkie’s legs stopped in place and silence filled the room as Pinkie looked behind her at the mare in her bed slightly cowering. Pinkie fell to the bed and laid comfortably on her side facing Fluttershy.
“Heya ‘Shy, sorry ya had to see that. I don’t go squish, only poof. Kinda scary I guess, sorry I pranked you then fell to my death,” Pinkie said flatly as she grabbed Gummy with her free hoof and rolled over placing the sleeping alligator on the floor before returning to face Fluttershy.
“Pinkie, I’m just glad you’re safe. I was so worried and scared that you were going to be hurt and I wouldn’t be able to help you,” she said as her bottom lip trembled.
“Hey now, no saddy waddy ponies in this room. Lemme see a smile, ‘Shy. The smile I look for every day I see you.”
Fluttershy smiled at the thought of Pinkie being alive and well. They laid there for what felt like minutes before Pinkie scooted closer to Fluttershy. Closer and closer until their muzzles were inches apart. Pinkie leaned in slowly.
“Pinkie?”
“What’s up ‘Shy,” she replied softly.
“Your breath really smells.”
Pinkie snorted and laughed wholeheartedly followed by a series of soft laughs from Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy you’re worth your weight in cupcakes.”
Fluttershy stopped laughing and looked at Pinkie with a scowl. “Are you saying I’m fat?”
“Oh, nonono-”
“Gotcha,” Fluttershy said booping Pinkie’s nose sending them into a giggle fit.
“‘Shy, you smell really bad too. I’m really sorry I skunked you. Twilight can fix that in a jiffy.”
“Oh, okay then. I have a full bath setup at my cottage though.”
“Well, that’s not gonna do anything to make my bed any less smelly-welly.”
Fluttershy closed her eyes. Pinkie was right, she was stinking up the bed with skunk. “Okay, I’ll go get her.”
“Don’t move an inch. I like how you smell, turn over.”
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow but complied and squeaked as Pinkie pulled Fluttershy close to her body and nuzzled her. “I like this most cuz it’s called spooning and you eat desserts with spoons.”
Fluttershy moaned softly as the comfort she felt was filling her with joy.
“Yeah, you really do stink Fluttershy, go get Twilight and we’ll try this again some other time.”
Fluttershy blushed quickly and deeply as she opened her wings pushing Pinkie back. Rolling off the bed she landed on all fours. “I really liked that Pinkie, I can’t wait for next time. But, can you have less stuff in your mane next time?”
Pinkie smiled and nodded. Fluttershy trotted happily to the window and flew out as Pinkie fell onto the bed looking at the ceiling. “Best not dying ever, right Gummy?”