Fluttershy felt like she was trespassing.
She had already been granted permission for doing so, but it still felt wrong.
Relaxing in the continuous plantation of apple trees at Sweet Apple Acres had always been able to clear her head. She settled in the down-like hay that covered the ground under the apple trees. This was so the apples wouldn’t be bruised when falling to the ground. It also made an excellent mattress if needed.
Fluttershy started to think of the frustrating situation she was in.
First of all, she had begun to sing for Big Macintosh in the Ponytones. But what Fluttershy truly wanted, and that she subtly hinted by agreeing to every single request asked, was to actually sing in front of ponies. Of course, that probably wouldn’t be possible with the reoccurring stage fright she always encountered whenever she even came close to the spotlight.
Fluttershy sighed. Maybe if she were different, if she were a bit more outgoing and brave like Rainbow Dash, she wouldn’t be so scared all the time. She greatly disliked how everypony looked down and felt bad for her whenever she was startled.
Out of the blue, a splash of water fell on Fluttershy’s hoof. Hmm, she thought, shouldn’t be so bad. Probably just a drizzle. Nothing I can’t wait out under a tree. After five minutes, the rainfall had multiplied. What had started as a shower was now a brewing thunderstorm. Quickly, she half-galloped half-flew to Applejack’s farm. Her own cottage was too far away to take shelter in.
Fluttershy firmly knocked the door. At this point, she was completely soaked to the bone, shivering, and going numb in her hooves. Applejack opened the door, took one look at her, and pulled her into the comforting heat of the fire they had in the fireplace.
“Ah shoulda knew you would come. You even asked if you could,” Applejack ranted. “Now you stay here and start warmin’ yourself up. Ah’ll go get some hot chocolate.” Before she left, she wrapped Fluttershy in a thick quilt. It smelled like sweetest apples you could find on earth, which were conveniently located at Sweet Apple Acres. She knew because it was a classic snack food for all the woodland critters, bears and squirrels alike.
“Applebloom? Big Mac? Do any of y’all know where the darned cocoa powder is? Ah can’t find it anywhere.” Applejack hollered, frantically opening and closing cabinets, drawers and cupboards.
“Enope,” answered Big Macintosh, in a slightly hoarse and deep voice. She remembered that none of his family members knew that he had lost his voice. It was just between her and the Ponytones.
“Ah thought it was in the pantry. Granny keeps complainin’ about how far back it is.” Applebloom suggested. There was a brief shuffling noise, then Applejack returned triumphant with a small tin of cocoa powder. She then started adding milk, sugar, and cinnamon, handing it to Fluttershy. The warm mug started to warm her hooves up almost immediately.
“Thank you all very much. As soon as the rain stops I’ll be heading back home. No need to bother you all,” Fluttershy said. She didn’t want to cause too much of a problem for the Apple family. She sipped the cocoa. Mmm, delicious, Fluttershy thought. I bet Rainbow Dash would love this almost as much as cider.
“No way are we lettin’ you go back out there after almost dyin’ of hypothermia,” Applejack argued. “It seems like this storm is gonna last all night. Y’all can just spend tha night. No problem whatsoever.”
“Oh but really.” Fluttershy urged. “My animal friends will probably wonder where I am, I must be heading back.”
“Nuthin’ is gonna get to them after one measly little night. They can take care of themselves.”
“Well, if I must…”
“Y’all must.”
“I’ll just sleep on the couch then. You’ve already given me a blanket.” Fluttershy said, already getting comfy.
“Enope.” Big Mac supplied. Fluttershy was slightly confused. Didn’t they already agree that she could spend the night?
“Aw shucks, big brother. Are y’all givin’ up your room for Fluttershy here?” Applejack asked. Fluttershy was glad AJ was like a translator for the red stallion’s famous “eeyup” and “enope” answers.
“Eeyup.” At this, Fluttershy immediately blushed. This was very kind of Big Mac. After all, they had only made eye contact about five times before, and had never exchanged words.
“Thank you very much, but I’d rather sleep on the couch. I wouldn’t want to invade your privacy.” Fluttershy politely turned down.
“Enope.” Big Macintosh argued. Fluttershy didn’t like to argue, and this situation was no different. The large stallion was over a head taller than her, and seemed very intimidating.
“Well, then… Thank you!” Fluttershy feebly said. She then followed Big Mac to his room.
The entire room consisted of the usual; a dresser, nightstand, bed, and a desk next to the window. The bed was all green, and the interior was like a log cabin; cozy and homey. He didn’t spend a lot of time in his room, seeing as there were quite a few dust bunnies under most of the furniture. He quickly grabbed a pillow, said “Good night” and left (Was he blushing? She couldn’t tell with his red fur).
Sleepy and slightly damp, Fluttershy tucked herself into the spring meadow colored sheets, and felt like she was lying back in the apple orchard, relaxing. Sighing, she breathed in the apple scent, and dozed off.
Fluttershy awoke without any critters bothering her to be fed, or let out. Thankful for the extra sleep, she yawned, looked around, and was confused with where she was. Looking at the bed, she remembered of the stallion with the same colored eyes.
It was very kind of Big Macintosh to let me sleep in his room. I should thank him with something. Hmm… She thought.
Stretching, she wandered over to the desk. A small sketchbook was on the surface, along with a jar of charcoal pencils. Flipping the sketchbook open, she saw that Big Macintosh was quite an artist. He had drawn from Celestia’s sunrise, to Luna’s moon. She even saw several portraits of Applejack, Granny Smith, and Applebloom. There were a few of her other friends too, like Rainbow Dash and Cheerilee. Cheerilee’s was hastily drawn, with scribbles everywhere. Rainbow Dash’s also wasn’t very detailed, like he was in a rush to draw before she took off again.
Nearing the end of the book, she flipped to her own face. Gasping at the detail, she was amazed at how well he had drawn her. Fluttershy had only seen face to face with Big Macintosh a few times, so most of it must’ve been drawn by memory. She saw how he had had to redraw her eyes multiple times. And her mane, oh how it shined by the way he shaded it. Big Macintosh should really consider doing some professional work.
“Miss Shy?” interrupted Fluttershy’s gaping at the picture. “Breakfa-.” The workhorse suddenly broke off, seeing Fluttershy looking though his book. Only he himself has seen those drawings. If AJ saw them, she would urge him to draw for the fancy city ponies, even if he all he really wanted was to work on the farm. Besides, they weren’t all that great; just scribbles and doodles here and there.
“Oh I’m sorry Big Macintosh. I shouldn’t have been snooping around in your things. I hope you aren’t terribly mad at me…” Fluttershy said, looking at the ground. Big Macintosh was in awe. Even with her tumbled mane and tail after sleeping, she looked heaven-sent by the light from the window.
“S’alright. Breakfast’s ready.” His voice seemed to be returning to its usual deep tone. He sounded slightly nervous, Fluttershy noticed, like she had found out a big secret.
Fluttershy silently walked out, mentally kicking herself for sticking her muzzle where it wasn’t wanted. Breakfast was delicious, consisting of waffles with bits of apples in them, and a glass of apple juice.
Thanking everyone in the Apple family, Fluttershy trotted home thinking of how to repay them.
Three days later and Fluttershy was trotting back to Sweet Apple Acres with a basket clamped between her teeth. Inside contained some of her homemade apple pie (though she doubted it was better than the traditional Apple pie), and some things for Big Macintosh.
Upon arrival, Applebloom tried to help serve the pie, but only succeeded in making each slice a gloppy mess. No matter, the pie still tasted, claimed each Apple family member, “like heaven on a plate”.
Excusing herself to go the bathroom, Fluttershy instead snuck into Big Macintosh’s room, and left her gifts on the desk, with a note stuck on top saying, “Hope you use this well”.
