It had been a day since mother and daughter were reunited. It didn’t take long for Fluttershy to gain legal right over Scootaloo and to move her, thankfully few, things in the cottage. At this point it was morning, the two had shared a peaceful night in Fluttershy’s bed, they hadn’t talked much since their last awkward conversation but neither minded too much.

Waking first, Scootaloo wriggled out from under her mother, taking a moment to gaze at her sleeping form dreamily. Stifling a yawn, the little filly stretched and ran over to the window to observe where the sun was in the sky “Almost time for school…” she muttered, peaking back over to Fluttershy who shifted slightly.

Scootaloo moved to the bed and looked up at Fluttershy, she hated to admit it but she was kind of nervous. Not setting any rules for the filly, Scootaloo didn’t know what action she was supposed to take, and despite observing how Sweetie Belle acted around her parents, she was too nervous to do much the same. Scratching her chin, she recalled how when the three woke up after their sleepover at Sweetie’s house she had dragged the three downstairs and had gotten them all a bowl of cereal and her parents didn’t mind ‘I guess that’s fine...’ she thought motioning for the stairs ‘But what if it’s not ok, what if she wants me too wait...’ she thought, but shook the thought away ‘Nah, she won’t get mad over something like that…’

Meandering downstairs she came upon the kitchen, it was clean and homey ‘My home.’ the filly thought happily before moving towards a cabinet that was far too high for her to reach on her own. Turning, she spotted a chair and pulled it over with her teeth, stopping at the front of the cabinet before leaping on. Now, stretched out, she strained to reach the handle, just barely batting it with her hoof. Realizing her efforts were pointless, the filly tried to use her wing, fluttering them with as much force as she could only for her to fail, tumbling to the ground alongside the chair as they both fell with a loud thump.

Awoken by the noise, Fluttershy darted her eyes every which one until finally she realized Scootaloo was missing. In a panic the mare ran down the stairs to see the toppled filly getting up, rubbing her head while muttering. In those few moments, a thousand scenarios played out in Fluttershy’s head about the possible, though unlikely, problems that would arise from the filly’s fall. Rushing over, she scooped the filly up, much to Scootaloo’s surprise, as she began to coddle her.

Surprised, and uncomfortable with the sudden assault of affection, Scootaloo wriggled out of Fluttershy’s grip, flopping to the ground ungracefully before turning to the older mare, whose eyes were beginning to fill with tears. Taken aback by her moms sudden crying fit, Scootaloo stood stock still before asking “Um… are you okay?”

Fluttershy wiped a tear away and nodded “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to over sleep…” she apologized.

‘Oh no, this is all my fault.’ Scootaloo thought ‘Stupid stupid stupid.’ she berated herself “I-I’m fine, you don’t have to be upset, see.” Scootaloo smiled widely

Sniffling, the buttery mare slunk down nervously, looking away timidly “O-okay…” she muttered, thinking to herself ‘It’s all my fault she got hurt, I’m so terrible.’ Clenching her eyes, Fluttershy laid on her belly quietly.

Rubbing her hoof with the other, Scootaloo turned up at the shelf and then back too Fluttershy, too nervous to speak. As the two sat, Scootaloo looked back out the window, realizing the time she started to move “I-I should get ready for school.” she muttered

Looking at the filly as she walked for the stairs, Fluttershy said weakly “Y-you d-don’t go t-today.” as soon as she finished she slunk back down “I t-told Cheerilee y-you wouldn't b-be…”

“Oh…”

Now that her tears had stopped running, Fluttershy retreated behind her hair shyly, glancing at the filly then to the chair and then the shelf “Umm, what were you getting?” she asked

“Umm, cereal?” Scoots replied questioningly.

“Oh…” Fluttershy hoofed at the ground for a moment before speaking again “It’s not up there, that’s filled with animal feed.”

Scootaloo blushed and rubbed the back of her neck “Oh, so uh-” she started before Fluttershy lifted herself up and hovered over to a different cabinet, pulling out a bowl, then too another pulling out a box of oats n’ mallows, setting it on the table, then she moved over to her fridge, pulling out some fresh milk from her favorite cow, Betty, placing it on the table besides the rest. Finally, she pulled out a drawer by the fridge and placed a spoon next to the bowl on the table. Once all was done the timid mare slunk away from the table. “Th-thanks.” Scootaloo thanked softly, sitting herself on a chair, quickly being shifted as Fluttershy pushed her in closer.

Breakfast was short lived and awkward as Scootaloo sat, munching nervously, while Fluttershy watched intently from behind her mane. Once she had finished, she moved to put the bowl into the sink but was stopped as Fluttershy hurriedly washed and put everything away herself.

When cleaning was done, Fluttershy and Scootaloo stood awkwardly once more, avoiding each others looks. Eventually Fluttershy muttered something about animals and flew off, leaving Scootaloo alone in the cottage. After internally scolding herself more for upsetting her mother, Scootaloo began for the direction of Fluttershy before feeling something hit her leg “Huh?” she turned to see none other than Angel, who glared up at her menacingly. Scootaloo was not amused, as she had become aware of Angel’s behavior from Rainbow “So, you’re the little jerk who’s been giving mom trouble.” she glared at the rabbit in return before smiling “You know, Sweetie Belle loves playing dress up with Opal, maybe she can come for a sleepover with some of her “beauty” supplies, what do you think?”

The bunny folded his arms, his foot thumping in thought. Deciding he wanted no part of that madness, from what Opal’s described anyways, he surrendered the moment, but wouldn't leave it without a small victory. Hopping over to the fridge, he motioned at it.

Tilting her head in thought, Scootaloo came quick upon what the rabbit was trying to get across “I think mom just went to feed you guys.” she mentioned, but the bunny wasn't convinced as it rubbed it’s belly, giving a pair of sad looking eyes.”I don’t think there’s anything for you in there little guy.”

“Oh, there you go angel.” the soft voice of Fluttershy sang out, noticing the two interacting “How sweet, are you playing with Scootaloo, what a good bunny.” she spoke softly, popping open the fridge before pulling out a fresh, orange carrot. “Here you go angel, be a good boy for Scootaloo.” she said happily as she handed the bunny his prize. Fluttershy turned to Scootaloo, her smile fading into anxiety as she waved briefly before rushing back outside.

Taking her moms behavior for her being upset, Scootaloo sunk down, ears folded. “At least somepony makes her happy.” she sighed into her hooves.

Chomping into his prize, Angel noticed the orange filly, and she looked sad. Turning around Angel decided he didn’t care, he got what he wanted yet. Huffing to himself he threw the carrot down and hopped to Scootaloo, kicking her in the face, arms still crossed. Looking up, Scootaloo glared “What the hay was that for?” she asked, getting chattering and flailing arms in return “What?”

Hanging his head annoyed, Angel moved away and began to hop up and down. Once the filly was paying good attention, Angel put his paws together and flapped them like a bird. The filly tilted her head, one eye squinting as she stared in confusion. Angel then pointed at the filly who pointed a hoof at herself, then he waved his arms, like he was motioning something about bigger. “Me big? Oh, big me!” Angel nodded and pointed at her again “Big me what?” Angel face pawed before taking his ears and folding them to resemble his owners mane “Oh, mom!” nodding excitedly he ran and grabbed a small cup of water “Mom’s thirsty?” Angel shook his head as he left his ears folded like Fluttershy’s mane, taking some drops of water and placing them on his eyes, pointing at Scootaloo. Ears flat, Scoot sighed “Rub it in why don’t you.” before looking away.

Splashing the water at the filly, Angel recaptured her attention, pointing at her and shaking his head “Me...no?” Angel nodded “Me yes?” face pawing, he picked up some of the splashed water, placing it on his eyes again and pointed at her, shaking his head “Mom, sad, me, no? So, she’s not upset with me?” the bunny nodded happily “But, she seemed really upset earlier…” she rubbed the back of her mane. Angel, still looking like a sad Fluttershy, pointed at himself “So she’s upset with you? You little jerk!” she scolded, much to the rabbits chagrin as he pointed to his earmane “She’s upset with her mane?” the bunny glared back at Scootaloo “Oh, she’s upset with her… herself?” the bunny nodded rapidly “Why?” she asked as the bunny reenacted Scootaloo’s tumble with a rock. “So, she’s upset at herself because I fell?” the bunny nodded “Oh… OH!” it dawned on her “I should talk to her!” she shouted, running outside. Proud with himself, Angel took his carrot back and began eating it again.

Tending to the birds, Fluttershy sighed to herself, as she watched the momma bird feed her babies. The momma bird turned to Fluttershy confused, chirping at her. Listening, Fluttershy blushed “OH, well… you see, as you all may know by now I have a little filly, Scootaloo, and, well… this morning she got hurt trying to get some food. It’s all my fault, I should've woken up soon.” the bird, unamused, crossed her wings and chirped “I’m no overreacting… am I? I mean, I thought I might, but I was just so upset, what if he cracked her skull and went into a coma, or forgot how to speak, or, oh, developed a different personality, oh that would be awful.” Facewinging, the bird flew up and continued it’s chirp rant “It’s not ridiculous… uh huh… oh, but… well, I know that but… what if… I know it wasn’t a far fall but… I know but…” the bird finished her chirping before settling next to her babies

Fluttershy sighed acceptingly “I know, I know, but I’m so nervous. It’s different, I didn’t always have Scootaloo like you have Percilious, Percinnamon or Persnickety, I don’t know what I’m doing.” down from below, Fluttershy heard the pitter patter of a squirrel, otter, chipmunk, cat, flamingo, and several more animals. The squirrel crawled up the tree and chattered at Fluttershy “Oh, it’s not as easy taking care of a filly as it is you guys.” the squirrel chattered some more causing her to blush “Oh, I don’t do that great…” down from below the flamingo squawked “Yes, well, the breezies needed my help.” next came from a buzzing bee that flew by her ear “Yes, I did make you apologize, but… “ next came from a frog, who croaked loudly “Oh, well that was nothing, really. Oh, maybe you’re all right, I’m acting silly.” she admitted “I just want to do a good job, but I don’t know how to be a mom… it’s not like she taught me anything…” Fluttershy pondered for a moment “Well, she at least taught me how not to raise a filly.” her ears unfolded “Oh, thank you all, I shouldn't overreact over such small things.”

“Mom!” Scootaloo screamed as she ran out the house waving her hoof frantically. Fluttershy motioned towards Scootaloo who proceeded to trip over a rock before rolling into a half empty bag of feed.

“Oh no, Scootaloo!” she shouted before feeling a tug at her mane. Fluttershy turned to see a squirrel glaring at her “Oh, right, it’s not that big of a deal… it’s not like she couldn't broken her hoof… or is going to suffocate in that bag… or accidentally swallowed some feed and has to go to the hospital for some unknown feed allergy!” she ended in a panicked yell as she rushed over to the bag, pulling Scootaloo out and coddling her as the animals all placed whatever appendage that had over their faces “Oh it’s all my fault, I should've seen that rock!” she cried into Scootaloo’s neck

Struggling out of her moms grip again, Scootaloo flopped to the ground for a fourth time that day “Jeeze, I’m pretty sure I’m more coordinated than this…” she mumbled, standing up and brushing herself off

“Oh Scootaloo, I’m so-” Fluttershy was cut off by a hoof to her mouth

“Mom, hold on for a second.” this caused Fluttershy to quiet down “Look, um, Angel told me how upset you were when I fell, but you don’t have to be upset, really, I’m fine. It’s not your fault, so, don’t be upset ok?” Scootaloo looked up at her mom with pleading eyes. Fluttershy returned the gaze, lifting a hoof to her mouth, eyes looking as if about to tear up again ‘Great, I’m making her cry more, this is going swell.’ Scootaloo thought before she heard the delicate chuckles of her mom

Fluttershy began to erupt into laughter (erupt being a strong word, more like slowly float to the top with laughter, but still) as she wiped a tear away “Oh, sweetheart, you’re absolutely right. I’m sorry, I’m just nervous is all.”

Scootaloo looked up at Fluttershy confused “Nervous?”

“Oh, um, yeah.” Fluttershy bit her bottom lip “I mean, I don’t really know what I’m doing, and I just want to be the best mom I can be and…” she was cut short by the filly who rushed into her with a hug

“You’re already doing good by being here.” she cooed, holding her mother tight “Besides, you take care of all these animals, and I can practically take care of myself, so, it’s not a big deal. And, too be honest, I was nervous too.”

“Oh, but why?” Fluttershy asked, stroking the filly’s mane

“Well… I just didn’t want to make you upset, I mean, I know how soft you are and…” the filly trailed off “I’m afraid if I make you upset…”

Fluttershy wrapped the filly up with her wings “Now now, no matter what you do mommy will always love you.” she said placing a soft kiss on Scootaloo’s head.

Author's Note

Here we go, 'nother chaptah. Nothing super fancy, but serviceable I guess. I don't know, on one hand I feel like it's a bad chapter, but I hate everything I write and on the other hand I can't find any glaring flaws with it, it's conveying what I intended for it too convey hrmm, whatever. If I bad I bad, that's life. Enjoy!