Chapter 5: Caring the Caretaker

"Love doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be true."

"Good afternoon, Fluttershy!" Spike said with a smile on his face, leaving Doctor Smith breathing heavily in pain. His hand pulsed from time to time and groaned as his nerves delivered the message to his brain.

"Hey Spike," Fluttershy said, a soft cute smile forming on her face. She found herself staring into his eyes as his beautiful smile answered back. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Spike was careful not to crush her legs. Just his presence lifted up the atmosphere and made Fluttershy have a good queasy feeling on the inside.

"So, is the hospital treating you well?" Spike asked as a light breeze from the nearby window rustled the puke green curtains. The color of the curtains matched Fluttershy's hospital gown in which popped out her breasts.

Fluttershy nodded and smiled sweetly.

"Yeah, they are," she said as Doctor Smith was cursing under his breath out of earshot, "The staff here is really nice."

Doctor Smith wheezed and gasped in relief as an ice pack made contact with his hand. He glared at the back of Spike's head and muttered under his breath.

"That son of a bitch has a death grip..."

He couldn't believe someone a head shorter than him managed to inflict the pain he was feeling now.

"Well, that's good," Spike replied to Fluttershy's answer, his eyes looking into Fluttershy's for a second before looking away.

His face turned a bit red as he rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

"Say, Fluttershy..." he said, looking down in his lap, "What do you think of them?"

"Think of what, Spike?"

"The flowers, I meant the flowers!" Spike said, facepalming as Fluttershy looked over to the beautiful flowers on the small wooden table. The afternoon sun brought down a ray of sunshine onto the delicate leaves and lifted the atmosphere in a positive way.

"They're lovely Spike," Fluttershy said, watching the plants gently brushed by the wind, "Thank you for them."

"I-It wasn't a problem," Spike replied with a nervous chuckle, "I thought it would speed up your recovery and all..."

Fluttershy blushed and giggled at the comment.

"Aw, that's sweet, Spike," she said, "It would be a miracle if I'm checked out of the hospi-"

"Huh, Fluttershy..." Doctor Smith cut in suddenly with a clipboard in hand, "It says here you can be checked out today," he said, re-adjusting his glasses, "Would you like to go?"

"Uh, well, I don't know," she said, the tip of her index fingers pushing up against each other, "Should I?"

"If you have anybody at home to take care of you, I suggest that you can leave if you wish," he said, looking over the clipboard as Spike peeked over his shoulder. "I can lend you a pair of crutches."

"How bad is her injury?" Spike asked, his eyes reading the paper that the doctor held in his hands.

"Well, with the treatment that we gave her, we healed the small fracture in her femur and thigh bone and sped up the repairment of the tissues and-"

Spike began to chuckle as a surprised look went on Doctor Smith's face.

"What is it?" Doctor Smith sighed.

"You ramble on and on just like Twilight," Spike said as Fluttershy giggled with the statement, "You have no idea what she tries to bore into my head."

"Anyway," Doctor Smith said, shaking off of what was said, "All you need is someone to take car-"

"She does," Spike said, taking a step to be next to Fluttershy, "She has me."

Fluttershy was very surprised at what he was saying and blushed red in the face. Thinking about Spike in her cottage sparked about a few fantasies she had in a situation just like this. Spike would bring her home, and then...

"How about that, Fluttershy?" Doctor Smith asked unusually brightly as she was brought back to reality, "You have someone to look after you! Isn't that fantastic?"

Fluttershy nodded quickly and looked up at Spike, who also looked down at her.

"So, you want to go home, Fluttershy?" Spike asked, "If you want to go, I'll help you."

"Yes," Fluttershy nodded, "I would like to go home." Her face was a bright red, blushing harder as she felt a gentle hand placed on her shoulder.

"Hey, are you alright?" Spike asked, noticing her sudden change of behavior.

"Ye-yeah!" Fluttershy almost screamed, flipping the tray of food on her lap all over the covers.

What looked like to be pink jello and a stew of food was smeared all over the dark puke green blanket. The tray flipped over on itself as Fluttershy found herself blushing harder from the accident she just made. Her heart began to thump and feel anxious as mixed feelings battled in her heart. With fluffy feelings clashed with embarrassment, she didn't know how to react.

In the end, she started to cry and began to bawl into her gown.

"Wahhh!" Fluttershy cried, her salty tears leaking out from her eyes.

Spike almost jumped back in surprise by something so unexpected and immediately went in to comfort her.

"Fluttershy, shh, shh, shh, it's all going to be fine," Spike said with a forced smile, patting her on the head, "You didn't do anything wrong."

She continued to cry into her gown as Spike looked towards Doctor Smith. The doctor was also surprised by it and didn't know what to do. He shrugged his shoulders and then looked outside the room.

"I'll get the nurse," he whispered, exiting out rather quickly with the clipboard in hand.

Spike was crouched by Fluttershy's side, who was crying into his chest. He stood still, trying to comfort her as much as possible.

"Uh, let it all out, Fluttershy," he said, awkwardly, "Let it all out..."

"Fluttershy, are you sure you can go?" Nurse Redheart asked.

"Yes." she replied.

Nurse Redheart had an uneasy look about Fluttershy's breakdown, but Doctor Smith thought otherwise.

"Excellent then!!" he said, clapping his hands, "Spike here can escort you out right away!"

With a bright smile up on his face, the nurse next to him gave him a look with a raised eyebrow. Spike had a pair of crutches in his hands and waited for Fluttershy. She looked up at Spike, who smiled.

"Let's go, Fluttershy," he said with a warm tone, "Your animal friends are waiting for you."

"Ah!!" Fluttershy exclaimed, remembering them, "I forgot to-"

She bursted out of bed, but Spike stopped her before she put unbearable pressure on her leg.

"It's okay, I was taking care of them when you were out," Spike said, carefully laying Fluttershy back down. She was hyperventilating, puffing in and out air. Spike reassured her again, making her calm down.

"Aren't they just cute together?" Nurse Redheart whispered to Doctor Smith.

The doctor replied with a confused shrug as Spike helped Fluttershy to her crutches.

"Easy now..." Spike said softly, looking at Fluttershy's casted leg, "It's been quite some time since you used your legs. You might collapse."

Fluttershy nodded, feeling her muscles weak and worn by not using them for a few days. Her thighs slowly slid off them to put pressure of her fine leg and gently placed weight on it. Fluttershy's hand gripped on the bar of the crutches, using her arms to stabilize herself. But due to her weak legs, her fine leg gave out. Her knee buckled, her fingers unable to hold onto the handle.

"Whoa!!" Spike said, grabbing onto Fluttershy. He caught her before she fell to the ground. His palm was cupped her right butt cheek, surprising her. She squeaked, feeling his long fingers grapple her. “Careful!”

Fluttershy landed with a pomf on the bed, face red with embarrassment.

“Take it nice and slow, Fluttershy,” Spike said, “I know you’re excited that you’re well enough to leave the hospital. But just take it real easy.”

But Fluttershy couldn’t stop shaking from Spike’s gentle touch. His hand softly grasping her back made her heart go soft and squishy. Somehow able to contain herself, Fluttershy got up with assistance from Spike.

“Ready?” Spike asked.

“Ready,” she replied. Using the crutches to support herself, Nurse Redheart and Doctor Smith watched them walk out. The doctor then took off his glasses and rubbed them with his coat.

“Nurse Redheart, I have a question,” Doctor Smith said, looking closer at the lens of his glasses. They gave a bright sparkle as the nurse’s attention went towards him.

“Yes, what is it?” she asked.

“What do flowers mean to you?” he asked, pointing towards at the bouquets sitting at the window.

Nurse Redheart was a bit taken aback from the question, but answered with ease. “Well, I find flowers to be a very romantic gesture towards the one you care the most.”

“Ah, I see,” Doctor Smith said, carefully sliding his glasses onto the bridge of his nose.

“What do you think it is about, Doctor?” Nurse Redheart asked.

“I see flowers as a beauty of nature that dies with ease,” he said, nonchalantly, “It’s a depressing notion, I know. But I see flowers symbolizing death in the most romantic way.”

Nurse Redheart soaked that in as wondrous philosophy and nodded her head in slow agreement. “Beautiful, yes,” Doctor Smith said, walking over to the bouquet. “But deadly?” He touched a petal and whispered to himself, “It can be.”

Doctor Smith retracted his hand from the flowers and made a single petal fall. “Oh, and these are Fluttershy’s flowers,” he said, “I’ll go deliver it, Nurse Redheart.”

Fluttershy shivered and felt the cold wind go through her hospital gown. “I-It’s c-c-c-cold,” she said, bunkering in with the support of her crutches.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, we’re almost there!” Spike said, urging her on.

Fluttershy felt a warm glow and the gentle push from Spike. Leaves blew around them, leaving Spike to brace the wind in for Fluttershy.

“Wow, it’s really cold!” he said, between chattering teeth. Fluttershy giggled to herself to that and could hear his jaw freezing up from the chilly wind.

“It’s pretty cold, isn’t it?” Fluttershy asked.

“I can’t believe you’re actually fine in that measly hospital gown,” Spike said, putting his arm around her to keep her warm.

“I’m just fine because of you, Spike,” Fluttershy replied, embracing his touch, “How long has it been anyway? Almost nine years now?”

“Nine y-years and still counting!” Spike said, feeling a gust chill his core.

As they walked, the two got onto the familiar road to Fluttershy’s cottage. The rhythm of Fluttershy’s crutches and Spike’s steps were in perfect synch and harmony. Helping each other reach the cottage, Spike’s cold hand reached for the doorknob. He turned it and led Fluttershy inside. He closed the door and shuddered, feeling his skin desire warmth. Too focused on that, Fluttershy slowly made her way to the heater. She quickly turned it on and heard the sounds of animals greet her.

The little critters rubbed themselves on Fluttershy’s leg, making her giggle with their very soft fur. “They’ve been waiting for you,” Spike said, rubbing his arms to keep warm, “They didn’t really want to see me when I came in here,” he said. He looked at Angel, who was giving a glare. Spike returned it with his own. “I’m watching you, you little devil,” Spike muttered under his breath.

“You all missed mommy?” Fluttershy asked. A few birds landed on her as more animals came out to greet her.

Spike sat down on a chair and watched all the animals give their affections to Fluttershy. He smiled. It was amazing how close she was to animals. He crossed his arms and waited until the animals dispersed.

“I need to get out of this hospital gown, Spike,” Fluttershy said, grabbing her crutches. She slowly made her way towards her room, leaving him alone. Spike sat back in his seat and sighed relaxedly.

Fluttershy sat on her bed and nursed her leg. The cast was cumbersome, but she didn’t feel a thing. Leaving her crutches on the side, Fluttershy began to unbutton her gown. Underneath it was only her bra. Fluttershy got up on one leg until Angel bounced in with a shirt in his paws.

“Aw, thank you, Angel bunny!” she said, sitting back down on the bed.

The bunny just gave a small smile in return. Fluttershy grasped the t-shirt and slid it on. “Ooh, it’s just a bit breezy,” she said, looking around for a sweater. Her eyes laid contact with a green fluffy one. “There it is!”

Fluttershy happily stumbled onto her promising comfortable sweater and put it over her head. “Nice and toasty!” she said bubbly. Now, it was for her pants. However, it dawned on her that the cast was big. Very big. Frantically, Fluttershy searched her wardrobe in the hopes to find a good pair of pants. In only panties accompanied by a burdened cast, she wouldn’t dare walk out with Spike out there.

“T-There has to be something!” she said, throwing away pants after skirts behind her. Angel gave a dumbfounded look as he was bombarded with garments. A fluffy pink skirt fell on top of him. His paws uncovered the skirt, with the look of uncertainty.

“Shorts,” she said finally, looking into an empty drawer. She looked at the pile nearby Angel. There was nothing there that could go over the cast. The jeans were impossible. The skirts would get in the way of the crutches. But in the end, the cast was just in the way.

“Angel, can you help me get these on?” Fluttershy asked, sitting down on the floor. She crammed one leg of the shorts over the cast and spread her legs to put force into it. Angel shrugged and reluctantly hopped over. Fluttershy strained to not hurt herself. However, the leg hole could not fit around her cast. Angel scratched his head and tugged it in the same direction.

Spike looked at the birds perch up near the ceiling and observed the critters scramble along the floor. He gave a small frown and turned his head towards Fluttershy’s room.

What’s taking her so long?

He grumbled. Spike heard the pattering of the animals’ paws on the ground before hearing an almighty crash in the room.

*CRASH*

“Ahhh!!” Fluttershy’s voice yelled.

Immediately, Spike was now past her bedroom door. However, what he saw was Fluttershy spread-eagled. A remarkable view of her panties. Spike turned red in the face and looked away. He cleared his throat and still kept composure.

“A-Are you hurt, Fluttershy?” he asked, peeking a look to see if she was covered. Fluttershy used her arms to cover her groin, but her magnificent legs were displayed out.

“I just slipped,” she replied softly, flushing with embarrassment.

“Do you… need help?” he asked at the doorway, “You know…” he blushed.

“Yes, I actually do,” she said.

Spike gave a nervous smile and walked over. “Okay,” he said, getting on his knees. He could see the scrunched up shorts massed on her foot. Spike used his hands to gently pry it off. He straightened then and swiftly placed the casted leg in the leg hole. “Your other leg, Fluttershy.”

She lifted her legs, feeling Spike’s strong hands touch her on the thigh. She gave a small wince at the comfort. “D-Don’t tell Twilight this,” Spike said with a whisper, evening the shorts near Fluttershy’s waist. “But I help Twilight dress up like these since she’s so busy.”

“She-what?” Fluttershy said in surprise.

“I know, right?” Spike chuckled, “When I saw you struggle to get these on, it was like an instinct. A calling.”

Fluttershy giggled. Twilight? Needing assistance in putting clothes on? Who knew?

“Okay, I think you can put them on yourself, he said, “You’re not Twilight,” he gave a grin.

Fluttershy stood up by herself and easily brought up her shorts. “Spike,” she said, “Can you, uh, help me with this every time I need to?” she blushed a little red, feeling that the favor would be a bit too much.

“Of course, Fluttershy,” Spike said, “You’re my friend. I’ll be more than happy to help you.”

“Oh, thank you, Spike.”

“Anytime, Fluttershy.”

Author's Note

Hey guys.
Remember me?
Yeah, it's me.
It's been long. It's been a while. And yet, these updates are hauling. If you're still here, I love you very much.
Toodles~