Hole in the Heart

"Oh my."

Green awoke to a shy voice that hovered over from the corner of the room. Said room was clearly made of wood, painted a bright yellow that cheered the stallion. A large window to the left of the bed let in early light, signaling about seven in the morning. Usually Green wakes up only after light hits his eyes or someone throws him across a room.

Realizing that a voice had spoken, he turned to look at where it came from.

In the corner sat a yellow Pegasus mare with a long, flowing candy pink mane. She was currently looking at Green while hiding behind said mane. She kept her wings close to her body, but seemed properly kept and preened. Her eyes were large enough to hold anyone's stare.

This was all the information his brain took in. Unfortunately for that, his brain went blank as he looked at the mare. Wow she really is graceful. Even hiding behind a mane, she is easily ten times more beautiful and captivating than any models I've seen. "Dream," he blurted out.

"I, I'm sorry?" the mare was clearly confused as she asked the question.

"Oh, I said that, huh? Haha, me and my- AHHH!" Green started to say as pain flashed across his back and leg. Even his head seemed to protest at something. But what would have... Oh right. Now I remember. Great plan #1. It took him a few moments to remember the weird creatures, but when he did, a shiver passed through him.

"Oh, are you cold? I'm sorry, I'll fix that," said the mare.

"No, no, nothing like that. I just... remembered... something. It's nothing," he amended as the mare looked concerned. "Anyways, I run hot. So what happened? I mean I remember what happened before I blacked out, but how did I get here? And where is here?"

"Oh well, I just came home and found you laying on the ground, with some... blood... in the water. I took you to my cottage. I'm sorry," the mare apologized.

"Sorry? For what? Who knows how long I would have been unconscious there. Thank you. Oh and my name is Green Herb, but you can call me Green."

"Oh, I'm..." she forced herself to speak louder than usual at this part. "FLUTTERSHY!" she screamed. Fluttershy immediately looked horrified.

His ears ringing from the shout, he replied "GOOD TO MEET YOU. WHY DID YOU YELL THOUGH?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I can't believe I did that. I'm so sorry. It's just that I have been told to be louder when I introduce myself and I went too far, and I-" Fluttershy was held up by a hoof in the air from Green.

"It's alright, just please don't do that after I wake up from a concussion. It hurts much more than it should," he gave a weak smile. Without even knowing, he put a hoof to his chest.

"Okay." Looking out the window, she noticed some of the birds were up and flying about, stretching their wings after a long time inactive. "Oh, I need to tend to some animals that are around my house. I'll be back in a bit. Are you going to be fine without me for an hour?" After Green nodded, Fluttershy left the room. Only when her presence was gone did he notice his heartbeat was higher than usual.

Wow, am I hopeless... I can't believe she would do something like taking care of me! Even letting me sleep in her bed. I have to repay her somehow... Now what were those things? he thought. Obviously they wanted to get a hold of me, although I don't think for friendly tea. Now they said... they have to go back to somepony... or something? Ah, I'll think on it for a few days. Better not alert others to a possible fluke attack.

He attempted to rise again, only to find pain lance through his injured right hindleg as he left the bed. Grunting, he sat back down. Ah, buck me. He looked around the room for his saddlebags. Failing that, he thought They are probably here or still safe at the rivulet. I'll ask later.

Green yawned, surprising himself with his fatigue. Even though he had rested for a good half a day, he was still exhausted from the "thrill" of yesterday. Thinking his host wouldn't mind, he drifted off to sleep to interrogate his subconscious about recent events.

                                                                                           *

Fluttershy stepped away from her bedroom door, closing it quietly. Her guest had fallen asleep in her bed obviously too tired to leave. She even closed the curtains to keep the light out. She didn't mind though, he seemed kind, light-hearted, and a bit cute.

Wait, cute? When did I think that? What if he... Oh who am I kidding? That would never happen. He will just be on his way after he gets better. Although, he does live close by, or will live. Ah, this is probably nothing. I'm probably overreacting, yeah. Fluttershy hurriedly rambled.

Proceeding down the stairs to the rest of her cottage to continue her work as an animal caretaker, her eyes stopped on his saddlebags. The light brown bags had a hardy tome sticking out. Beginner Botanists was depicted in floral print above an artistic rendering of three herbs. Another book, this one titled Mechanics and Mares, lay next to it.

Having already read the other book, Fluttershy peeked into the other book a bit. I mean it's a published book, not his diary. If there is anything personal, I will put it down immediately she promised herself. Curiosity of determining the kind of stallion in her bed was gnawing at her.

Picking it up, she flipped to a random page, surprised at what she saw on the page. A few lines below a description depicted a mare dressed as a mechanic looking sultrily at the book. Or rather what she would be dressed in if she was completely clothed.

Blushing profusely, Fluttershy set the book down and avoided it like the plague. I didn't think he was that kind of stallion... she thought. As she set back to her chores around the house, her mind kept drifting to the current occupant of her bed.

Even if he is that kind of stallion, that's not really my business. After all, I have been lonely lately... No! Not thinking about that right now. And why am I? Fluttershy sighed outwardly and went outside to her small garden to relax and forget her tumble of thoughts.

Out the back door was a... nice... garden with a few beds of plants and herbs arranged neatly in the soil. Some of these plants were meant solely for her animal patients, others for herself and eating, and others just for decoration and aroma.

A wooden bench was seated looking at all the rows, the left end at the first row and the right end at the third row. Although the wood was old and the paint chipped, the bench had stood the test of time and weather. It even gave off a rustic, rugged look.

Sighing as she seated herself against the wood, Fluttershy inhaled the pleasant fragrance of her plants. Caring for animals was her talent, but learning about flora was important to keep her critters happy. She closed her eyes and let her heartbeat slow.

                                                                                           *

Her relaxation was interrupted by a knocking on the door. Fluttershy opened her eyes to notice the sun high in the sky. Time always melted away when she was in her garden.

"Fluttershy? Are you there?" came a voice. Walking over to the entrance, the yellow mare opened it to find a pink earth pony barely containing her nervous energy. Practically vibrating, she said "The party is all set! We just need the guest of honor to arrive and then he will make friends with everypony! Normalcy will return as I will be friends with everypony in Ponyville again!"

"Oh, I don't think that is a good idea right now, Pinkie. He's resting. I found him bleeding and unconscious in between our houses," Fluttershy explained. She didn't look happy at the news. Even Pinkie's mane deflated ever so slightly.

"Oh no. He got hurt BEFORE I threw him a party?! Oh no, he will think that ponies get hurt here and don't get thrown parties, and if he thinks that then he won't like our town. And if he doesn't like our town, then he will leave. If he leaves then we don't have a plot line! I need to make the party better for when he is able to enjoy it!" With that confusing train of thought, she sped away in a pink blur.

"Won't have a plot line? Oh, it's Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy reminded herself. Trotting inside, she was surprised to see Green Herb walking around the living room. "Oh, shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Well, I should, but I disagree. Plus I know from experience that if I'm hurt, walking around is good if I can manage. Gets the blood flowing and my leg muscles from atrophying," he replied while smiling.

"What do you mean from experience?" the mare asked. Has he been hurt before?

"It's a long story, or rather one that requires some explanation. I'll tell you only if you have time."

Looking around, she saw her animal friends were exploring the area surrounding the cottage. This time of day, the animals would run about and discover things, sometimes even bringing news back to their caretaker.

"Sure, I have time. Let's sit on the couch?"

"Sounds good. Although I just slept a bunch, I'm already fatigued from the walking. Sore muscles and all," he replied. Walking over to the couch, they both sat down. Fluttershy was seated closer to the door and turned slightly towards Green, while he was leaning against the right end and looking straight at her.

"I was born with a disease called Pectus Excavatum, roughly meaning 'chest excavated' or 'funnel chest'. It is not well understood as to how it occurs, but most think an overgrowth of connective chest tissue is the cause. While most have it from infancy or before, some can spontaneously contract it. Just tell me if you don't understand anything, okay?" Green explained and questioned.

Fluttershy nodded her head. "I have to keep some medical knowledge to treat my animals if they get hurt, but I'll let you know," said Fluttershy.

"Okay, remind me to ask you about your animals and medical knowledge after this. Anyways, the point is that I had a disease that caused my chest to curve inward." At this, he raised himself up a bit so he was sitting on his hindlegs, exposing his chest. "You can't tell because of the fur and whatnot, but you may be able to see a darkened area of fur. Underneath is even a large scar, and a few smaller ones."

After that, Green's face took on a slight frown from his previous happy demeanor. "If left untreated in my case, it may have kept growing inward, maybe even putting a hole in my heart after a decade or two. As it was, my esophagus was bent about an inch to my right or left, I don't remember, at the furthest point. It was getting worse and I had to have surgery. When I was a filly, about eight, I had major chest surgery which removed some of the bone from some of the ribs, causing my sternum to be 'floating'. They added a bar for extra support and to make my chest move back out."

Wow, that's... a lot to go through at that age, Fluttershy gasped inwardly. The stallion's frown deepened as the mare leaned forward and turned towards him.

"But the doctor performed an outdated procedure. He was supposed to leave the ribs intact and add a larger bar. Even the procedure he did was incorrect, as he was supposed to leave some bone to regrow. As a result, my chest is extremely fragile. If somepony decided to strike me in the chest hard, it could have dire consequences. In fact, the bar slipped about three months after the surgery, making me need another operation." Green looked down, obviously talking about this made feelings bubble up.

Huh, thought I had closure on this. Guess not... he thought bitterly. Hearing a small peep made him look up.

Fluttershy's eyes were watery, but yet she maintained her composure. Half shielded from the story by her mane, she asked "Umm... if you don't mind telling me, what made it slip?" As Green's attention turned back towards the story, she scooted a bit closer.

"Well, funny story. Kinda. My school had a 'Galloping for Good' event, like a charity run but for the school. I ran so hard, that the bar came loose and they obviously took it out. But right now, some bone and chest doctors are figuring out how to fix my chest so it becomes more stable. They are going to contact me about dates and info later." With this, his mood improved, but not to the optimistic air he gave off earlier.

Wow, I really don't know this stallion... I can't believe he went through all of that, she thought as she wiped her eyes.

"Heh, sorry."

"It's okay. I can't believe it. At eight..."

"Anyways, so tell me more about you, since you already know a large part of my life that made my personality stronger," Green smirked as he inquired. The mare opened her mouth to began her own life story, when she heard a small peep.

"Oh, I have to go feed the animals really quick." With that, she trotted to the kitchen and began filling bowls with food.

Bringing back a small platter of hay crackers, she settled back down to her spot and turned towards Green. "Feel free to have some while I talk."

"Thanks."

Green began to sate his hunger that he didn't know existed. Every so often if he had a question, Fluttershy would grab a quick nibble. She even eats cutely. he thought.

The stallion listened intently to Fluttershy recounting her life, neither noticing as they drew closer.

"Really? Fell all the way down here? Amazing. I would have been paralyzed for days if I was in your place."

Fluttershy chuckled as his obvious lie. "Well, that's how I came to find my calling to animals and also my cutie mark. Although later I found that I love flora almost as much as fauna."

"Really? Me too! In fact I got my cutie mark when-" Green began but was interrupted by a large yawn. Finally out of his trance of looking at the Pegasus recalling her stories, he noticed how close she was. Her yellow coat looked softer than the fuz on a leaf. The aroma coming from her was herbal, yet mysterious. Her partially lidded cyan eyes staring into his soul seemed to capture him. Her pupils were even larger than normal. Although clearly tired, she didn't notice. Wow... I knew she was cute, but this? Wowzer. And why are her pupils bigger? Does she-? Oh, no. Low light level... he thought with a defeated feeling.

Realizing that he wasn't continuing, Fluttershy noticed the barely foot of space between the two. She immediately blushed and scooted back a few feet. Wow, cute when embarrassed too. What else is to this mare? Green thought.

The yellow mare noticed the dipping sun and low light. Thanking Celestia for the excuse, she said "I guess we should probably get some rest."

"Yeah, I will see you around I guess. I need to go get to my inn room before it gets too dark or I'll stumble around like an idiot," he said as he got up.

"Wait!" Fluttershy blurted before hiding behind her mane. I'm never this assertive. Except for that one time, but I don't like yelling at my friends... "If you want, you could stay here."

"Oh no, I couldn't impose on you. You already tended to me for a day and let me recover. All I could do is repay you later," he replied with a shake of his head.

Well he could... No! Stop thinking like that! "Oh you wouldn't. I just don't want you to walk all the way back to the Six Stones and possibly get hurt again," she hurriedly amended.

"Haha, yeah. Don't have a good record of staying safe in Ponyville so far," he looked down and softly chuckled. Looking back up after a few seconds of thought, he replied "Okay, sounds good. But I take the couch. No arguing or I am out the door and on the ground!" he answered with a smile at his continuation of the joke.

"Okay, I will see you in the morning," said Fluttershy as she walked towards the stairs. Looking back at his eyes with hers partially lidded and a smile, she softly said "Goodnight, Green."

"Goodnight, Fluttershy." As she walked up the stairs, he forced his gaze away and laid on the couch. The light decreased further and his final thought was How did she know about which inn I was at?