Fluttershy woke up, a crack of thunder silencing her sudden yelp. Her forehead felt hot, but that didn't matter. It was probably from the cuts from last week. Even though it had been a month since Angel disappeared, Fluttershy was still devastated.
She tossed and turned in her bedsheets. She didn't feel like getting out of bed at all today. She hadn't yesterday, so she didn't need to today, right? But she was hungry, and the animals needed food. Besides her mind's pleas to stay, she sat up sluggishly, her back hooves dangling off the sides of her bed.
Carefully, she let her back hooves touch the cottage floor, then her legs. Before she knew it, she was slowly walking down the stairs. However, her front legs slipped and she fell down the stairs, leaving a cluster of black bruises among her left wing.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten out of bed. She thought with a heavy sigh. All I'll do is cause more trouble. Just like always.
One of her squirrels noticed Fluttershy laying on the floor. He went up to her, nudging her right side to see if she was okay.
"Hi there, little squirrel," Fluttershy sighed. "I guess I'll get you some food. For you, and your friends,"
Fluttershy lifted herself off the floor. She went over to the cabinet, selected some food for her critters, and plopped it on the floor. She then ripped it open with a pair of scissors, the same she had used last week, and placed the bag on the floor. A heap of all of her animals jumped out of their homes, attacking the bag for the goodies inside.
However, there was then another sudden BANG! and the animals, after taking their share of food, scurried back to where they once were.
Fluttershy sighed and let a few teardrops escape her eyes. All I do is ruin everything! They must be scared! Of the thun- No, of me! I should just stay upstairs! She collapsed into the nearest chair and began sobbing to her hearts' content.
Between sobs, Fluttershy sneaked a peek out of the window. There was a vicious storm outside, ripping trees from the ground.
Fluttershy's cries stopped a bit, as she watched the wind and raindrops patter her window. Believe it or not, it was actually kind of interesting to watch them break across the window, one by one.
She felt her crying stop as she laid down and watched the raindrops. It was actually... a beautiful day. Fluttershy felt her spirits rise as she processed the idea. She felt it; today was going to be a beautiful day! Nothing matters anymore!
The window crashed into tiny pieces and blew into her cottage. Besides the environment, Fluttershy felt a miniscule smile upon her face, one that she hadn't had in a whole month.
Fluttershy heard the squeals and cries of her animals as the another window broke open, then another. They're going to be okay. She thought. Everything will be okay! Everything is okay! Because nothing matters! Nothing bucking matters!
Fluttershy had a slight wince as she cussed. Usually she didn't, but... she couldn't help it.
She heard a muffled sound behind her door.
"Fluttershy? Fluttershy, are you there? Open the door! There was an accident in Cloudsdale, and the storm will break down your house! Fluttershy!?"
"She's in there, Rainbow. She ain't come out for a month, ah say. Break down tha door, get'er out. She ain't comin' out!"
"Wow, that's the first time you've actually-"
"Ahm goin' in! She'll get killed!"
Suddenly, the roof of the cottage collapsed. Fluttershy closed her eyes, a quaint smile still on her face. She heard the animals squealing, and she could sense they were afraid. But everything would be okay!
"I'm flying in!"
"Rainbow, you'll getcha self killed too! Ahm breakin' down da door!" Fluttershy could hear the speaker against the door, the bang getting louder each time.
Fluttershy didn't mind if the door broke down. She didn't mind about anything. In fact, she didn't mind when a piece of wood knocked her out, sending stars to clear her vision.
She could still hear the door breaking down, and the ponies who were speaking.
Where is she? Is she hurt? Ah swear, if she's hurt, ah dunno what yer friends will think.
There she is! Over there! I hurt my wing, get her, Big Mac...
Ah can't see the door! Where are ya-
Agh!
Rainbow? Y'all okay? She's unconscious, ah think she should bring her ta Nurse Redheart er somethin'.
Rainbow? Rainbow, where are ya!?
Fluttershy's eyes opened, but were blinded by the sudden light. Where was she?
She couldn't move her body. Everything was sore, and it was even a chore to blink.
"Fluttershy, ya okay?" the voice sounded familiar. It was the one she had heard last. It was Big Macintosh. She had never really talked to him before, besides for a few moments of small talk. His eyes held sympathy that she had never seen in him before.
"She's fine," said Nurse Redheart, scribbling down a few notes as she felt Fluttershy's forehead. "Just some cuts, a fever, and some more things that need to be taken care of. She'll be out of here in no time,"
"Big Mac? What happened? Are my animals okay? Oh, ohmigosh, Rainbow Dash was with you, right? Is she okay? I-I Angel disappeared, and I didn't take care of the animals, and..." Fluttershy burst into tears, curling herself into a ball to hide the shame of herself.
"It's alright. Rainbow Dash is here, she's jus facin' a littl' difficulties," he responded. He sat on Fluttershy's hospital bed, brushing against her soft, pink hair with his hoof. "Ehm, ah got sumthin' ta tell ya," he blushed. "Ah... ah've kinda liked ya fer quite sum time, ya know. Ah should jus leave..."
Fluttershy's tears stopped flowing, due to her sudden feeling of... awkwardness. "It's... it's... okay..." she uncurled herself and sat herself into Big Mac's hooves. "I... I guess... um, I do... too?"
Fluttershy felt Big Mac relax as he cradled her in his hooves. "Um, Fluttershy... Ah don't mean ta make ya more upset er anythin', but yer house was destroyed in tha storm. Um, ya don't have a place ta stay, and... well... ya could stay with me."
"Big Mac..." she said, feeling another grin cross her face. "You know, I'd love to."
Fluttershy realized something that day.
That today was a beautiful day.
