The hearty thwack of a hammer on nail thudded rhythmically on the outside wall of Fluttershy’s cottage. With each strike, the nail burrowed itself further into the timber, holding the fresh hinge in its new fitting. With a final bang, the head of the nail found its way into the metal of the fixture.

Andrew smiled, placing the hammer to the side and grabbing the newly repaired shutter. With a soundless glide, the old weather-battered shutter swung firmly. He smiled, clapping his hands together while wiping the non-existent dust from them, the universal human gesture of ‘a job well done.’

The front door to the cottage opened, letting a small butter yellow pegasus trot out, a tray of tea balanced on her withers. Upon seeing the newly repaired fixture, she beamed.

“Oh thank you so much, Andrew. I was worried that I would have to replace it, but I see you’ve taken care of it,” she smiled, placing the tray on a nearby tree stump.

“Bah, think nothing of it shy. Just a little hammer time and she’s golden,” Andrew quipped, picking up a steaming cup whilst mouthing ‘thanks’ to the mare.

“I would have done it myself, but I’m not much use with tools. I just hope that it won’t happen again,” Fluttershy admitted, finding a spot on her lawn to sit and chat.

“Yeah, terrible shame about that storm. Dash said something about conflicting air pressures or something. I guess your shutter just wasn’t up for those winds,” the handyman said, cup of tea in one hand and a hammer in the other.

“Anyways, that should hold it for a few years. Well, that or the pony who sold me the nails is a bold faced liar,” Andrew shrugged, picking up a small biscuit that Fluttershy had also brought outside.

With a soft bite, the cookie completely crumbled, scattering particles into his scraggly brown beard.

Andrew grumbled, raking the crumbs from his face fungus with a few flicks of his hand.

Fluttershy cocked her head. “Isn’t that annoying?”

Andrew looked up at her. “The beard? You betcha. I swear I could feed myself for a week from all the crap I get caught up in there.”

“If you don’t like it, then why don’t you shave it off?” Fluttershy asked innocently, picking up and nibbling on a biscuit of her own.

“I would shy but there’s only one barber who does straight razor shaving in Ponyville.”

“Oh. You’re talking about-”

“Close Shave, yes. The Xenophobic prick.”

Despite having lived and breathed the Ponville air for nigh on four years now, there was the occasional pony who lived there who was still as downright terrified of the big human as the day he was first released from quarantine.

Among them was Cranky, Rose Luck, Carrot Top and Close Shave. Together they formed the official ‘stay-the-fuck-away-from-that-thing’ league. Ponyville division. This being the case, there were certain off-limits areas in the small town that the human had learned not to stroll through.

Despite being rather offended by this small party, their fear of Andrew seemed to be completely instinctual. On one such occasion, Rainbow Dash had pulled Rose Luck aside to talk to her.

‘I don’t deny that he might be a nice guy. But everytime I see him I just lock up. He scares me Dash and I feel so bad because of it.’

After that, there had been an unsaid agreement that they would try and stay out of each others ways. There was nothing Andrew could do anyway if the ponies who were afraid of him were too frightened to even talk.

Thankfully however. Ponies suffering this ‘anthrophobia’ were in the overwhelming minority. It seemed as soon as the elements of harmony deemed him safe, most of the town calmed,which was then muted entirely as soon as one of them started bunking down with him.

But this still left the problem of one long,annoying beard.

“I think it was something I ate when I went to Zecora’s the other week. I never really had a problem with this stuff till now.” he said, gesturing to the hair.

“Why don’t you just cut it off?” Fluttershy inquired.

“Scissors really aren’t very good at getting to the roots. Also, hairs tend to get caught in the joint.”

“Ouch,” Fluttershy sympathised.

“Ouch indeed. Seriously, why can’t you ponies just invent the disposable razor already?”

“Hmm,” Fluttershy mused. “Well... I guess I could cut it for you.”

Andrew perked. “Really?”

Fluttershy nodded, “Oh, yes. You see, sometimes when an animal comes in injured I have to shave the wound to get at it. It’s awful to see them in pain but shaving isn’t hard at all.”

“Really? Aw thanks Shy, I’d kiss you but then Dash might feel a little jealous,” he smiled, flashing his toothy grin.

Fluttershy giggled. “Oh, it’s nothing. Think of it as payment for fixing my window.”

Andrew scratched the now freshly smooth skin of his chin as he left Fluttershy’s cottage. The small mare had shown a surprisingly exceptional skill with the long straight razor. However, due to the unfamiliar landscape of Andrew’s features, a few tiny, prickly hairs remained.

Not that he minded though, it was simply nice to be rid of the long, hot beard. He made a mental note to return to Zecora and see if he was in any danger of growing another one too soon.

With a soft creak, Andrew pushed through the front door into the living room, being greeted by a small puppy.

“Hey Eureka, you little mongrel!” Andrew smiled, kneeling down to roughhouse with the small dog, using both hands on either side of the dogs face as Eureka tried to alternate between biting both of them, unable to grasp at them when Andrew pulled them away.

“Who’s a lil’ shit? Aye? Yeah you, you dumb animal,” he laughed, furiously rubbing the puppies belly.

The pup growled playfully, letting loose a powerful, if underdeveloped squeaking bark which earnt the attention of the houses other resident.

“Hey Drewey, how was Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked as she fluttered down from upstairs.

“Hey sweetie. Shy was pretty good, if a little rattled about the storm,” he said, not looking up from the young dog that was gnawing on his hand.

“What have you been up to today then?” he asked looking up at her.

Rainbow made to respond but stopped when she noted the severe lack of beard on her lover’s face. Her irises widened as she took in the detail. “Whoa, when did that happen?”

Andrew gave out a smug grin, getting the exact reaction from her that he was looking for. “What? You mean this?” he said pointing at his chin. “As it turns out, she's actually pretty good with a blade.”

With a graceful landing, Rainbow trotted over towards Andrew, eyes fixated on his neck and chin the whole time. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so clean-shaven.”

“I can’t tell you how good this feels. I mean I could deal with a bit of stubble but that whole damn beard was way too much. It was better than trying to trim it with scissors anyway.”

Dash said nothing, choosing instead to put her hoof on the skin of his neck, letting the sensitive frog of her underhood feel around.

“Hehe, it’s prickly,” she giggled, running her hoof up and down slowly.

“Well there are still tiny, tiny hairs left silly,” Andrew responded, quickly swiping his index finger down her nose, making her blink as he snapped her out of her fascination.

“That’s so weird!”

“How is it weird? I’ve seen stallions with beards, I know other ponies shave their faces,” Andrew waved her off.

“Yeah but not all the way down to the skin! The only time i’ve seen shaving like that is in hospital. But it really suits you,” she trailed off, returning to her affectionate gaze.

“What can I say? It’s hard not being handsome.”

Rainbow didn’t respond. A worrisome smile crossing her face.

“Andrew...” She started softly. “Could I have a hug?” She asked.

Andrew blinked before smiling. “You know you don’t even have to ask,” he said, opening his arms wide.

Rainbow quickly darted into the gap, launching herself into the best Pinkie Pie bone crushing hug she could muster. Andrew’s arms soon followed, wrapping themselves around the mare’s soft body and beautiful wings, eagerly intent on holding her as close to him as she could.

“You give the best hugs Drewey,” Rainbow mumbled, nuzzling into his chest slightly.

“Better than Pinkie?” he asked, rubbing the tip of his nose in the top of her fuzzy mane.

“Mmm waaay better,” She sighed, closing her eyes.

Andrew smiled, bending his neck to whisper down into her fluffy ears. “I love you Dashie,” he cooed.

Rainbow opened her eyes, turning to look straight up at him, her chin and neck flat against his chest.

“Aw, I love you too. But I’ve got something I want to tell you,” she whispered.

Andrew quirked an eyebrow. “What?”

“Come closer, I’ll tell you,” the mare whispered cryptically.

He complied, bending his head down as far as he could to put his ear next to Dash’s mouth.

Rainbow leaned in and ever so softly whispered her message.

“Psyke!”

“Wha-” Andrew barely managed half a word before Rainbow attacked him with a violent barrage of nuzzles. Furiously, she rubbed her face all over the remaining prickly hairs that scattered the human’s chin, giggling the whole while.

“It feels so cool!” she whispered, giving the tender flesh a little love nip.

Andrew sighed, once again being on the receiving end of one of Rainbow’s dastardly schemes.

“Goddamnit Dash.”

Author's Note

Sorry for taking so long, I've been sick recently and my editor is having some issues. Anyway have this completely pointless filler until future chapters come!