After an accident on the farm, it's up to Fluttershy to nurse Big Macintosh back to health. Can she do it without shying away?
“Let me fly then I need a release from,/These troubles of mine./Fix my feet when they're stumbling,/And well you know it hurts sometimes.” –The Killers, ‘Sweet Talk’
While on an errand to Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy runs into Big Macintosh. The two enjoy each other's company, however, after an accident on the farm, it's up to Fluttershy to help the red stallion the best way she knows, with tender, loving care.
Celestia's sun was shining down upon Ponyville. In the outskirts of town, the yellow pegasus, Fluttershy was in her cottage, tending to all of the animals that were taking residence in her home. A large number of animals are often under her care. She tends to their injuries and nurses them back to health. While making breakfast for her animals, her pet rabbit Angel was trying to get her attention by tugging on her pink mane.
"Oh? What is it, Angel? Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked as she placed the food for the birds in their feeder.
Angel hopped into the kitchen with Fluttershy following behind. He jumped up onto the counter and showed Fluttershy that she had run out of apples that were meant for her own breakfast and, more importantly to the rabbit, his breakfast.
"Oh my, I seem to have forgotten to get more apples last time I stopped by Applejack's cart. I'm so sorry, Angel," Fluttershy apologized. Putting her saddlebag on, Fluttershy rushed to the door and called out, "I'll be right back, Angel. I'm going to get some apples."
Closing the door behind her, Fluttershy trotted at a semi-brisk pace towards Sweet Apple Acres. She hoped that her friend Applejack would be there to aid her with the minor issue that had come up.
Arriving at the farm, Fluttershy saw that she was alone. Normally very timid and meek, she would have waited for somepony to arrive and assist her. However, since her animal friends were awaiting her return to be prompt, Fluttershy began to venture towards the open barn door.
Sticking her head inside the dusty barn, Fluttershy spoke out into the building, "H-Hello? Is anypony here?"
A low voice replied, "Eeyup."
This startled the peagsus, causing her to let out an 'eep' and retract her head from the barn. The barn door opened and revealed a red stallion. It was Applejack's older brother, Big Macintosh.
"Ah'm sorry, Miss Fluttershy, didn't mean to scare ya like that," Big Mac apologized.
Fluttershy tried to calm herself from her astonished state, "Oh, i-it's alright….I-I'm sure you didn't mean to….um, is Applejack around by chance?"
Big Mac shook his head, "Eenope, she said somethin' about payin' a visit to Miss Rarity fer somethin'."
Fluttershy looked down, "Oh, alright….you see, I kinda need some apples and I thought I could come here and get them since….well, they are grown here and all."
"Ah can help ya with that if ya'd like," Big Mac replied.
Fluttershy looked up at the stallion, "You can?"
"Eeyup, jus' lemme know what kind ya need."
"Um, some red delicious and golden delicious for sure, since the rabbits really like those in their meals. Some granny smith as well….oh, and if it's not too much trouble, a few gala apples as well?" the pegasus went over the list in her mind.
"Alright then, be right back with them, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac stated as he walked back into the barn. A few moments later, he returned to a patiently waiting Fluttershy with a basket of the apples she requested. "Here ya are."
"Oh, thank you so much, Big Mac. They look appetizing, especially the galas." Fluttershy peered into the basket happily.
"Not that it's any of mah business, but are all of these fer jus' you?" Big Mac asked curiously.
"Oh no, most are for the animals that I care for. They really do love the apples," she began to pack her saddlebag with the apples, "However, the gala apples are mine. Hehe, they are my favorite." Her cheeks became slightly flushed at her words.
Big Mac smiled, "That's really a nice thin' that ya do fer those animals. Ah'm sure they really are thankful fer ya."
Fluttershy smiled back, "Well, it is my special talent after all. Oh my, I should get back to them, they must be very worried. Thank you so very much, Big Mac!"
As the pegasus trotted away, Big Mac waved, "Take care, Miss Fluttershy."
Upon returning to her cottage, Fluttershy was welcomed at the door by many of her animals. She went to the kitchen to begin making Angel's breakfast, with Angel on the counter, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Angel. I got a little caught up at the farm. You see, Big Macintosh and I started talking and well….it was really just nice to talk to him," Fluttershy mused as she was unpacking the apples from her saddlebag.
Angel didn't care what the excuse was or that Fluttershy had enjoyed chatting with Big Mac, he just wanted his breakfast.
The next day, Celestia's sun rose over the land to wake its inhabitants. In the outskirts of town, Fluttershy was doing her normal morning ritual in her cottage. The yellow pegasus was feeding all of the residents in her home, from the birds to the rabbits, and to the chickens to the cats. She hummed a simple song, to which all of her friends joined in. However, their tune was interrupted by an unexpected knock at her door.
"Oh, I wonder who that could be?" the mare asked herself meekly as she trotted towards the door to open it.
On the other side of the door, there was a nervous and frantic orange earth pony with a brown hat on her blonde mane. It was Fluttershy's good friend Applejack. She seemed on edge.
"Oh, hello there, Applejack. This is a pleasant surprise," Fluttershy began with a smile, "would you like to come in for breakfast?"
Applejack wasted no time with her words, "Fluttershy! Ah need yer help an' fast!"
"Wha-?" Fluttershy was a bit taken back by Applejack's sudden outburst.
Applejack grabbed one of the pegasus's front limbs and pulled her out of the doorway, "C'mon, we need ta get to the farm an' now! Big Mac is in trouble!"
The yellow pegasus's ears perked at the name. She spread her wings and flew to keep with the pace that Applejack was setting, "Big Mac in trouble, oh my….what happened?"
Applejack was quick with her words as she sped up, "Big Mac got himself hurt when he was buckin' the trees. A big branch fell down and landed right on his back harder than a ton of bricks," she turned her head as she talked every so often to make sure Fluttershy was behind her. She would turn her head back and leap over any obstacles in her path, "Ah rushed to find Nurse Redheart, but I can't find her nowhere, so ah figured ah should ask ya."
Flying close behind, the pegasus covered her mouth with a hoof when she heard what had happened, "Oh my….we really should hurry."
"Like yer readin' my mind, let's go!" Applejack said as they sped up towards the farm.
Upon arriving at the farm, Applejack wasted no time showing Fluttershy where Big Mac was. The two arrived into a groove of trees where the strong red stallion was laying on his stomach on the ground in pain. Fluttershy was astonished to see Big Mac hurt. Taking a moment to address the situation in her head, she turned to Applejack.
"Um, Applejack? I will need a bucket of hot water, some rags, and a cart….um….if that's okay with you…." Fluttershy gave an order, but was quick to return to her meek and gentle voice.
"Can do, Fluttershy!" the orange mare saluted and disappeared quickly.
Fluttershy returned to assessing the situation. She saw that Applejack moved the branch aside and off of her brother. She then noticed exactly where the large branch had fallen on the stallion; square in the back. The pegasus then spoke.
"Um, Big Mac? Can you move your any of your hooves at all?" The pegasus with her pink mane came into Big Mac's sight.
"Eeyup," he spoke with some pain reflecting in his voice.
"Okay, um, please don't move them right now. But I do have some good news, there is no open wound on your back, and I don't think there is any internal bleeding or broken bones, just a bruise," she gave a reassuring smile.
The smile Fluttershy gave Big Mac made a smile appear on his face as well, despite being hurt, "That's mighty nice to hear. Thank ya fer this, Miss Fluttershy."
"Oh, you really don't have to, Big Mac," Fluttershy spoke "I just want to get you back on your hooves again."
Applejack returned as quickly as she came with a saddlebag on her back and a bucket in her mouth. Placing both down next the yellow mare, she spoke before galloping away again, "Ah'll be back with the cart shortly, go on ahead with what ya need ta do."
Fluttershy nodded as she opened the saddlebag and grabbed a few rags with her mouth. She dropped them into the bucket, allowing them to soak. She then turned to look at Big Mac and gave a warm smile, "Um….this might sting a bit for a couple seconds, but I do promise it will help you."
"Alright, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac replied in his low voice.
Fluttershy grabbed the soaked rags and one by one laid them across Big Mac's back. She felt a little embarrassed about performing this type of bedside manner with anypony, much less at stallion. Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she placed each wet rag on his back. It seemed to already be helping Big Mac's back muscles to relax.
"How are you feeling, Big Mac?" she asked after laying the final rag down.
Big Mac's voice seemed more relaxed, "Better fer sure, thank ya kindly, Fluttershy."
The pegasus's face burned red at his comment. She felt she should say something, but her voice gone due to her being flustered. She thanked Celestia that he couldn't see her red face. Fluttershy turned to see Applejack was returning the cart.
Applejack stopped the cart near her brother, "Alright, Fluttershy, now what?"
"Well," she spoke softly, "we should get him back to your home so he can rest. Can you help me assist getting him in?"
Applejack nodded and the two mares helped the stallion into the cart. Applejack pulled the cart back to the house while Fluttershy trotted along side her.
"So, how bad is it?" Applejack asked as they walked back.
"Oh, it's not too bad. I mean, it could have been worse, opening a wound or breaking a bone," Fluttershy shivered at the idea happening.
"Well, what should we do now with him?"
"He should have his rags replaced in about an hour, and then you should bandage all of the affected area."
Applejack turned to Fluttershy as she continued to trot, "Ya want me ta wrap him up?"
"Um….yes….if you don't mind….." Fluttershy said.
"Ah guess ah could, though ah was hopin' ya would do that fer him."
The low voice of Big Mac came from the back, "Ya know I can hear ya, Applejack."
"Don't take it personal none, Mac," she called back to her brother.
"Don't worry, Applejack. I'll be back tomorrow to check up on him. He should be fine in a couple days," Fluttershy reassured her friend.
"Perhaps less, Big Mac is quite quick with jumpin' back from injuries like this," Applejack predicted.
Fluttershy smiled, "Well, I do hope he makes a speedy recovery. I should get back home though, my animals are probably worried about me."
"Alright then. Thanks a lot fer helpin' out here, Fluttershy. We both owe ya one each," Applejack said.
"Eeyup, thank ya kindly, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac added in from his laid down position in the cart.
The pegasus flapped her wings and began to soar away, "I'll be back tomorrow to check up on you! Be safe!"
The next day, a number of clouds were tossed across the Equestrian sky. This was the weather that Fluttershy liked the most. It wasn't hot nor chilly, just perfect for enjoying the outdoors. However, this was not the reason why was trotting along today. Instead, she was on her way to Sweet Apple Acres. The pegasus made a promise to Applejack and Big Macintosh that she would return to help treat the stallion's injuries.
The yellow pony arrived at the farm. She trotted up to the porch and knocked on the door of the Apple home. As she waited she used one of her hooves to reach back to her saddleback. Fluttershy gave a sigh of relief when she felt the bandages inside. She was worried that she might have forgotten them.
The door in front of the pony opened to reveal a small yellow filly with a large pink bow in her red hair, "Howdy, Miss Fluttershy!"
"Oh, hello Applebloom. Are your siblings home?" Fluttershy asked meekly with a warm smile.
"Yup!" Applebloom exclaimed with a large smile. She didn't move.
Fluttershy stood in silence and started at Applebloom with a puzzled look, "Um….could you go get them for me….if you don't mind?"
"Oh, right! C'mon inside!" the filly spoke as she turned to scamper off to find her sister.
Fluttershy trotted slowly in and closed the door behind her. When she turned around, she saw her orange earth pony friend trotting towards her.
"Howdy, Fluttershy. Ya here to help Big Mac out?" Applejack asked.
"Oh….um….yes, I brought some medicine that will help his….um….injury," Fluttershy felt weird talking about the injury that the stallion had suffered.
"That's mighty nice of ya. C'mon, ah'll show ya where he's at," Applejack made a gesture to her friend to follow.
Applejack led Fluttershy upstairs to Big Macintosh's room. The two mares entered the plain room. The pegasus noticed there were only a couple of things in his room such as his bed, a dresser, and his harness. On the bed, there was Big Mac laying on his stomach, similar to how Fluttershy saw him the day before, just with bandages around his torso. His head was at the foot of his bed, looking forward at the wall, and on top of a pillow for support.
"Hey there, Big Mac, Fluttershy is here to help ya out. Ah know I told ya not to move or nothin', but whatever Fluttershy here tells ya ta do, ya do it. Got it?" Applejack said to her brother as she stood in his line of sight.
"Eeyup," the red colt replied.
"Good. Now, I gotta get back to buckin' those apples. Take care of my brother while ah'm gone," the blonde maned mare spoke as she trotted down the stairs.
Now, Fluttershy was alone in the room with Big Mac. Neither spoke for quite a bit of time. The pegasus finally was able to snap out of her dazed state. She rummaged through her saddlebags. She pulled out a small herb.
"Here, Big Mac. This is a special type of herb that will help make a speedy recovery," Fluttershy said as she trotted into his line of sight. She placed the plant in front of his mouth, "Um….it might not taste that good, but….um….I hope you don't mind…."
"Okay," the stallion replied in his low voice. He stretched his neck out to grab the herb with his mouth. Be began to chew it and his face reacted with disgust. He was able to bare the awful taste.
Fluttershy was worried, "Oh dear, I'm sorry you had to eat that, Big Mac….I do promise it will help."
Big Mac smiled, "It's alright, Miss Fluttershy."
The pegasus then pulled out of her saddlebag a roll of bandages, "Um, now I should take off the bandages that Applejack put on you and reapply them. How does your back feel?"
Big Mac spoke, "It's feeling better, but still quite tense."
Fluttershy nodded, "Okay then. Um, I'll take the bandages off now."
She moved from his line of sight and to the side of his bed. She began to take all of the bandages off slowly. The pegasus had to admit that Applejack did a great job at placing the bandages on her brother. With his coat out from underneath the bandages, Fluttershy looked at Big Mac's back. Placing a hoof on the area where the branch hit, she asked, "Does this hurt at all?"
"Not as much as yesterday, though it is tense," Big Mac replied.
Fluttershy thought for a moment and her face turned red. She figured it could work to help, but she was extremely nervous at the mere thought of it. She figured she should ask before she does anything. "U-Um….Big Mac?" Fluttershy was visibly shaken.
"Eeyup?"
"I-I could massage your back. That c-could help ease your tension and even speed up your recovery….i-if you want…." Fluttershy's face was a bright red. She was thankful that Big Mac couldn't see her embarrassed face.
Big Mac hesitated to reply, "Alright then."
With her face burning, the flustered Fluttershy confirmed his reply and then carefully placed her hooves lightly on his back. She was shaking slightly because she had never gave a massage to anypony before. She had given massages to help relieve stress in rabbits, chickens, and even bears, but never a pony. Placing her hooves firmly on Big Mac's back, she began rub his back. It really seemed to be helping the stallion as the painful look on his face was beginning to disappear. Soon a small smile was on his face. This made Fluttershy smile as well, knowing she was doing well with her bedside manner.
"Is this helping, Big Mac?" the pegasus asked shyly.
"Eeyup, very much so. Thank you, Miss Fluttershy," the stallion spoke.
"Oh, no need to thank me Big Mac, really," Fluttershy insisted.
She finished massaging back and got her bandages to wrap Big Mac's torso up again.
Packing her things into her saddlebag, Fluttershy gave instructions, "I think you will be able to walk on your hooves tomorrow and be good as new the day after that. So no farm work until then. Also, no sweets or the herb won't take full effect," she blushed before continuing, "And….if you don't mind….could you not tell anypony about the….massage?"
"Ah won't, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac warmly smiled to Fluttershy.
The pegasus smiled back with a pink tint, "Alright then, I should head back home then."
Big Mac spoke as Fluttershy was beginning to leave, "Miss Fluttershy?"
"Hmm?"
"Sorry about all of this. And thanks."
Fluttershy smiled and brushed it aside, "It's nothing Big Mac, I'm just more than happy to help!"
Celestia's sun rose into the sky, allowing for the dawn of another day to begin in the town of Ponyville. Fluttershy was already beginning her busy morning routine of mending all of all her animal friends. She happily hummed as she unwrapped a bandage from a blue jay's wing. Smiling, she told the small bird to try it out. The bird flapped its wings and took off around the living room before returning the pegasus, landing on top of her pink mane. Fluttershy smiled as she stood on her hooves.
"I guess we can let you return outdoors, if you would like Mister Blue Jay. Allow me to get the door for you," the yellow mare spoke as she made her way to her front door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a red stallion paused with his hoof in the air as if he was to knock on the door and a basket in his mouth. It was Big Macintosh.
The blue jay had flapped its wings and left the two ponies alone. They stared at each other for a good thirty seconds, if not more before Fluttershy had the courage to say something.
"H-Hello there, Big Macintosh….how….um….how are you feeling?" the pegasus spoke quietly with her cheeks turning lightly pink as her mind remembered what happened the last time they met.
"Howdy, Miss Fluttershy. Mah back is much better now thanks ta yer help," the red stallion spoke in his low voice after placing the basket down from his mouth, "Ah wanted ta come by and thank ya personally."
Fluttershy's cheeks kept their pink tint, "Oh, Big Mac, you really don't have to worry about anything like that. I just like help out anypony when I can."
Big Mac smiled and used his hoof to remove the cloth from the basket to show a small batch of gala apples, "Still, Miss Fluttershy, I really am mighty thankful fer ya help me, so ah figured that the least ah could do is give ya a fresh batch of gala apples."
The pegasus's eyes lit up the same way her friend Twilight Sparkle's did when she saw a book she had yet read, "Gala apples? Those are my favorite!"
"Ah know," Big Mac stated with a hint of pride.
Fluttershy looked towards the colt, "How did you know that?"
Big Mac was a bit taken back, "Ya told me, remember?"
The mare's face turned red as she remembered meeting with Big Mac at Sweet Apple Acres a few days before, "Oh…heh heh, right….I'm so sorry."
A smile crept onto Big Mac's face. He couldn't help but smile at how cute Fluttershy was when she was embarrassed, "No need to be sorry, Miss Fluttershy."
With her face still red, she replied, "But still, thank you very much, Big Mac."
With a nod, Big Mac watched Fluttershy set the basket just inside on a small table. When she returned, he spoke again, "Uh….Miss Fluttershy?"
"Hmm?" she gave a warm smile.
Big Mac seemed to be acting unlike himself before he finally spoke, "Ah was uh….wonderin' if ya would….uh….possibly go on a….date with me?" Big Mac looked downward after he spoke his statement, his face burning red.
This caught Fluttershy completely off guard. Her face went from a slight pink to a deep red. "I-I-I b-beg yo-your p-p-pardon?" she frantically replied, stumbling over her words.
Big Mac still looked downward and away from Fluttershy, "Ah was wonderin' if ya would like ta. Ah understand if ya don't, but ah do feel that ah should tell ya that ah am quite fond of ya, Miss Fluttershy."
Fluttershy was frozen in shock.
The stallion continued after he didn't hear her say anything, "Ah've been waitin' for sometime ta ask ya, and ah guess the injury helped me jus' get it out." He paused again, hoping the pegasus would speak. When there was no sound, he softly sighed before speaking again, "Well, ah thought ah'd at least tell ya how ah feel. Ah understand if ya don't wan-"
"I'd love to."
Big Mac raised his head to see Fluttershy covering her mouth with her hooves in a shocked manner, "I mean, if you don't mind me saying yes…."
"Ya mean it?" Big Mac was in disbelief.
The flustered pegasus nodded, "Yes, I really would love to go on a date with you sometime, Big Mac. Whenever you'd like." Fluttershy was surprising the both of them with how bold she was being. Yet, some part of Fluttershy knew that this was what she was hoping would happen.
Big Mac gave a small smile, "Well, are ya free right now, Miss Fluttershy?"
"But don't you have to work?"
"Well, mah doctor told me to not work today," the stallion winked.
Smiling and blushing, Fluttershy replied, "I guess she did say that, shall we go then?"