An Unusual 'Shylight' Fiction
“Clop-clop-clop”. There was a knock on the door. Twilight walked downstairs to answer it. “Clop-clop-clop”, went Twilight’s hooves on the wooden floor. Twilight opened the door, and standing in front of the library was her friend Fluttershy.
"Hello Fluttershy" Twilight said.
"Hi Twilight." Fluttershy said. "May I come in?"
"Of course!" Twilight stepped aside to let the yellow pony in.
Fluttershy stepped into the treebrary and hung her scarf on the hat rack with her mouth.
"What can I do for you, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, um… nothing Twilight." she responded.
When she saw the somewhat confused look on Twilight's face, Fluttershy decided she had better at least try to tell her why she was there.
"What is it called," Fluttershy asked, "when some pony wants to spend time with some pony else, but not talk or do anything?"
"I'm not sure there is a word for that Fluttershy." was Twilight's answer.
Fluttershy tried to think of a better way to explain herself.
*
It was late autumn. A chilly wind blew through Ponyville, taking red and brown leaves from trees and scattering them in the dirt roads and piling them by fences. Only a few ponies were out in the streets this quiet afternoon, and those who were were wearing hats or coats to hide from the cold wind. Occasionally, a few pegasus ponies could be seen flying high in the sky, preparing the clouds for winter.
Twilight shut the window of her room to stop the breeze. She glanced back at Fluttershy, who was now sitting quietly on her bed as usual, looking out the window on the other side of the room. Fluttershy had been spending a lot of time in the library lately, Twilight thought. She looked back down at her notebook and quill, then finished scribbling down a note and resumed her studies. The library was silent, apart from the occasional scratch-scratch of quill on paper. The faint rustling of dry leaves falling outside could be heard through the closed window.
Fluttershy turned her head towards Twilight's desk. She watched her friend as she made her notes and read her book. After a while, Fluttershy noticed that Twilight was writing fewer notes and glancing back at Fluttershy more often.
“Twilight?” She said softly.
“Scratch-scratch” went Twlight’s quill.
“…Twilight?” She said again.
“Hm?” Twilight responded.
“Is there something wrong? You look a tiny bit uncomfortable.”
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” Twilight turned to give Fluttershy a little smile.
“Okay.” Fluttershy said, relieved.
“I’m just not used to being watched while I’m studying, that’s all.” Twilight sighed.
“Oh… I’m sorry.” Fluttershy briefly glanced away, then back to Twilight. “Do you want me to go?”
“No, you don’t have to—!” Twilight started, “It’s okay. I really don’t mind at all.” She thought for a second. “Actually, I think it’s quite nice.”
“Nice? Are you sure Twilight?”
“Yes. I think you’re right after all Fluttershy. We don’t have to be talking or eating lunch or seeing a movie to have quality time together. Just staying close by as friends is enough.”
And though the weather was cold, the inside of the library seemed to carry a warmth.
