My Little Pony: Equestria's Mightiest Heroes

Hank and Fluttershy had spent most of the morning on individual tasks, Fluttershy entrusted Hank with caring for the insects. Hank wondered why insects needed to be taken care of, seeing they are relatively independent on Earth. This would give him an excellent chance to study them and how they acted. As he moved through his assigned duties, he thought about his current partner. Fluttershy seemed, nice. She was a bit timid, which was a pretty drastic change from his normal company.

Hank noticed that Fluttershy actually treated the animals like friends, much like people treated their pets, but she treated all the animals like that. He also noticed that she seemed to be able to effectively communicate with the animals. She would ask questions to the animals and listen to their chatter, then she would respond, which always seemed to make the animals happy. It couldn’t be just luck, she was right too often for it to be luck. He would ask her about this later.

…

Fluttershy didn’t really know what to think of Hank. He seemed to be excited about working with her and the animals. They didn’t really talk that much before getting to work. She wondered why he had such an interest, not that he couldn’t. Of course he could, she did. He just seemed to like animals in a different way than she did. As he was tending to the insects, she would watch him to see if she could figure any more out about him. He seemed to inspect the insects with fascination on his face. His look reminded Fluttershy of the look on Rainbow Dash’s face whenever the Wonderbolts were around.

Fluttershy thought that she should ask him about his enthrallment with the insects, before deciding that it probably wasn’t her place to ask. If he wanted to open up, he would. Maybe he just didn’t like talking. She would speak with the bugs later to find out anything else.

…

Hank finished his chores around eleven, he probably could have been done faster if he hadn't spent so much time admiring the insects. As he neared Fluttershy’s cottage, he noticed her coming out of the her chicken coup with a basket of eggs.

“Hey,” Hank called out as he got closer, “I finished with the insects.”

“Did they give you any trouble? They can be a bit difficult with newer ponies.” Fluttershy responded.

“No, no trouble at all. They seemed to be perfectly fine with me coming around. It was fascinating! Insects from where I’m from are a lot more cautious or territorial.” Hank said, without thinking. “Sorry. I get a bit excited around insects.”

“It’s fine. They are wonderful.” Fluttershy responded. Before turning and locking the gate to her chicken coup.

“Could I ask you a question?” Hank asked Fluttershy.

“Sure.” Fluttershy responded. “What do you want to know?”

“I watched you while you were feeding the animals…” Hank paused when he saw Fluttershy blush, he had forgotten that Twilight had warned him that Fluttershy was really timid. “Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just, you seemed to be talking to the animals. I thought that was really cool. My life’s work has been trying to communicate with insects and I still haven’t gotten up to the proficiency that you seemed to accomplish.” Hank finished, not entirely sure if he had made the situation better or worse.

“Oh…” Fluttershy responded, timidly. She had never been comfortable with being watched or with receiving compliments. But they were new here, and Twilight had trusted her to show Hank and his friends the kindness she had become known for. It was her element after all. “Thanks… It just kinda comes naturally.” Fluttershy finished, still as red as ever.

“Sorry again... but that is just amazing! I need my helmet to allow me to speak with insects… But you can do it naturally! That is… That’s just… WOW!” Hank exclaimed. He then, again, remembered how shy Fluttershy was. “Sorry… again. This’ll be the last time.”

“It’s fine.” Fluttershy responded. “We really don’t have much else to do. I normally help others with their pets, but today is pretty calm. We can go help Pinkie Pie set up for the party tonight, and get lunch if you’d like?”

“Sure, let’s go.” Hank said. He was hoping to be able to learn more about her ability to communicate with the animals, but decided he wouldn't push the issue.