Second Chance: Fox

Standing in front of James’s door Fluttershy had her arm raised ready to knock on the door but didn’t, her mind was full of conflict one part feared she was being a nuisance while the other was reminding her that James didn’t see her like that. Taking a deep breath she steeled herself and was ready to knock when the door swung open revealing the fox smiling at the mare he said “Hey Fluttershy you ready for today ?”

“Yes Yes I am.”

“Ok,” James said staring at the pale yellow Pegasus infront of him today she wore a dark green collared shirt and a beige skirt, realizing he was staring James continued “C’mon in I have some snacks ready and a few documentaries queued up.”

“Really......do do I get to c-c-choose ?”

“Of course you do.” James said backing away from the door he invited the pegasus into his home, walking inside Fluttershy took note of how clean the home looked and smelled before saying “Ok........but......should I wait to pick one of the documentaries with you ?”

“You don’t have to do that Fluttershy, just pick what you want.”

“Ok.....thank you James.”

“No problem, just grab a seat and I’ll bring the snacks.” James said pointing to the sofa nodding her head Fluttershy took a seat and began to flip through the documentaries he had picked, looking over the screen she saw that he had picked a little over fifty movies for her. Feeling a smile come to her face at the kind gesture Fluttershy let out a small giggle, flipping through some of the titles she picked a movie called ‘Tour! Jacksonville Zoo’. Once she had the documentary picked Fluttershy set it so she just had hit play placing the remote down she started looking around the room.

With some thinking Fluttershy had a small realization that this was her second time in James’s house, frowning a bit she felt bad for not spending a lot of time with him but maybe she would try having lunch......tea.......maybe dinner. As her thoughts began to take off they were interrupted when James plopped down next to her with a full bowl of popcorn. Looking at her James smiled and offered her some of he popcorn smiling she took a handful and popped some into her mouth, picking the remote up she started the movie.

(Three movies later)

Finishing the third movie Fluttershys eyes were full of stars the videos had shown her a slew of different and exotic species from James’s home. All the species that she saw were amazing she loved seeing the bengal tiger, snow’ leopard, and and heck she loved all the new animals she saw. Letting out a squeal she began to jump up and down around the living room, she had so many questions about James’s world now and what other species were there. Walking around the corner James saw the pegasus dancing around chuckling he walked up to her and said “So I take it your enjoying yourself ?”

“Yes immensely James I have so many questions !”

“I’ll answer them as best as I can.”

“Ok ok are your zoos like ours where they each have there own design and species variation or are they all built the same with the exact same number species ?”

“Well each zoo is designed differently, certain zoos are larger than others but that’s due to where there location or the amount of funding they have, now for species some zoos have a wider variation of exotic species than other.”

“Really ok, so is species variation common ?”

“Eh sorta I mean most zoos will have the same species but depending on the size they may have a few more species compared to others.” James said taking a seat on the couch leaning his head back he looked up at the ceiling, sitting next to him Fluttershy asked “So the zoos they were started for conservation and study ?”

“Yeah the animals at zoos are pretty well taken care of......well in most cases.”

“What do you mean ?”

“Well professionally built and funded zoos are amazing and wonderful because they have actual compentant people running it who want to help animals but other-“

“Wait are you saying ?” Fluttershy gasped filling in the gap frowning James gave a small nod before saying “Yeah there are assholes who opened up shitty ‘zoos’ for a quick buck or for illegal activities.”

“Like what ?”

“Well somewhere in my world was a zoo that barely took care of their animals and usually sold them off for their body parts.”

“That’s horrible why would people allow it !”

“Corruption, laziness, indifference and a slew of other reasons none that are good.”

“B-b-but not all zoos are like that.......right ?”

“Of course not, a good amount took great care of their animals.”

“Oh that’s good......I wish I could visit one of them.”

“Yeah I think you’d love them, zoos are usually built to make learning about animals fun and they would have many activities for kids.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Yes it was, maybe if I get the time I’ll visit a zoo here.”

“Oh if you do visit one go to the Cloudsdale zoo they are wonderful I actually used to work there.”

“Really, what did you do ?”

“Oh I was a technician before I became a caretaker.”

“That’s so awesome Fluttershy !” James excitedly said sitting up suddenly letting out a small eep she look up seeing the smile James had, Fluttershy said “Thanks James, so maybe we could go one day.”

“Sounds like a plan, so what else would you like to know about my worlds zoos ?”

“Hmmm I know we keep going back to this but did disneigh have a zoo.”

“Yes, they called it Animal Kingdom It’s my favorite section of Disney World.”

“Ok, well I want to watch a video about the sea now.”

“Ok I have the perfect video for that.” James said scrolling to a video called Blue Ocean clicking play the video started, feeling something behind her Fluttershy realized James arm was behind her. Taking the chance she scooted a bit closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder, feeling the mare put her head on his shoulder James thought ‘Ok stay calm, breathe in, breath out, breathe.......is that mango ?’ realizing he was sniffing the mare James snapped his mind back to the screen. Feeling the James’s breath on her mane and his heartbeat on her arm Fluttershy began to relax, turning to the screen she watched as the camera zoomed in on some fish called a ‘Clown Fish’ giving a small giggle she continued to watch.

(Sometime later)
Slowly waking up James felt the stinging rays of the sun stabbing his eyes, letting out a small groan he reached to wipe his eyes. Feeling some resistance on one of his arms James looked to his right and saw........Fluttershy her head resting on his shoulder. Just looking at her he felt something bubbling up inside of him but before those feelings could be considered she started to stir, opening up her eyes Fluttershy tried blinking the sun away and said “Mmmn Rarity shut the blinds I want to cuddle more.”

“Uh Flutters.” A much deeper voice spoke jerking away Fluttershy looked up to see James giving her a nervous smile his ears were pinned back, seeing her wide eyed look James quickly said “So you want to go get breakfast with me ?”

“Uh yes I would........but I need to make a quick call and change.”

“Ok I’m just gonna go.......change.” James said standing up he went to his room, after hearing the door close Fluttershy quickly pulled out her phone and dialed to call Rarity, waiting for her to pick up Fluttershy had no luck and only got her voicemail......which Pinkie had done “Hey Fluttershy don’t worry I let the girls know where you were, I also snuck in and left you a change of clothes, now when you meet us in two weeks for our biweekly get together tell me just how comfy James was......ok bye bye love yah !”

Feeling a bit shocked Fluttershy couldn’t believe the message Pinkie had left, after a few moments she had realized the beep went off quickly leaving her message Fluttershy hung up her phone. Placing her phone Fluttershy on the coffee table she got up to get some water when James walked out holding a brown bag, walking up to Fluttershy James showed her the bag saying “I found this on my bed.......I think Pinkie broke into my house to do this.”

“Oh.......she does that.”

“Ok.......but everything was locked.”

“James you’ve met Pinkie.” Fluttershy said giving the fox a small deadpanned look, thinking back James remembered all the impossible things that Pinkie can do nodding his head James said “Moving on I think this bag has your clothes in.”

“Oh yes Pinkie told me.”

“When ?”

“Oh I called Rarity’s phone and Pinkie hijacked her voicemail and told me.”

“........wow.”

“Ok I’ll go get dressed so we can get breakfast.”

“Ok, I’ll wait outside for you.” James said while holding the bag out for the mare, gingerly taking it she walked back to the bathroom. Exiting the house James took a seat on the single step before his door, pulling out his phone James noticed a few texts from Rainbow and Pinkie raising an eyebrow he unlocked his phone to read them. Clicking on Pinkies text he read ‘James for breakfast take Fluttershy to ‘Flapjacks house’ it’s her favorite place !’ smiling he sent a quick thanks to her and moved on to Rainbows message it read ‘James I need a favor from you all me when you can !’. Raising an eyebrow James quickly called Rainbow after a couple rings she picked up saying “James thank Celestia I need your help !”

“Ok Rainbow What is it you need ?”

“Look next weekend me and Shy were gonna clean out our cottage while Scootaloo was at AJ’s, but I won’t be able to help her.”

“Uh ok.....why can’t you ?”

“Rarity and her parents want me to come over next weekend something about her cousin...........it sounded important.”

“Ok ok I’ll help you out just talk to Shy about this.”

“I pinkie promise I’ll do that........I owe you one James.”

“Pfffft Rainbow your my friend so just grab a drink with me sometime.” James said hearing some noise behind him he turned to see Fluttershy exiting the house, hearing Rainbow snort she replied “You got it.......is Shy with you now ?”

“Yup.”

“Ok could you hand the phone off to her ?” Rainbow ask in a small voice looking behind him James explained some of what was going on to Fluttershy and handed her the phone. Standing up James offered his arm to Fluttershy smiling she took his arm and he led her away from the house, while Fluttershy talked to Rainbow they walked through town making there way to Flapjacks house. Hanging up the phone Fluttershy let out a small sigh and handed the phone over to James, taking it and sticking it into his pocket James asked “So are you mad at her ?”

“No no im not........I’m a bit upset but she explained what’s going on.”

“I’m glad......she sounded pretty upset about ditching you.”

“Yes well we’ve know each other since grade school.”

“Really now ?”

“Yup.”

“Sorry for asking this but when did you two........you know ?”

“Start dating,” Fluttershy asked looking up at the fox a blush coming to his face he gave a small nod giggling she continued “Since senior year of highschool we both confessed to each other and well the rest is history.”

“That’s nice......wait so when did you meet the rest ?”

“A year later when we became the elements.”

“Oh ok when did you become a ‘herd’ ?”

“About a two years later ?”

“Wow so you’ve been a herd for about five years ?”

“A little less but yes.”

“Huh ok so I know guys shouldn’t bring up age but isn’t twiligh a year younger than y’all ?”

“Uh yes me, Dash, and Applejack are a year older than her.”

“Wait so how much older is Rarity and Pinkie ?”

“Oh well there twenty six.”

“Ok so both of them are the oldest.”

“Yup.......please don’t tell them I told you this.”

“Tell them what ?” James asked with a cheshire grin giggling at him she noticed that their arms were still interlocked, blushing she was about to let go when James said “Alright we’re here.”

Looking up Fluttershy realized that they were at her favorite breakfast place, seeing the Flapjacks House sign looking up at James he said “Pinkie told me this was your favorite place.”

“Well I’ll have to thank her for telling you.”

“Yeah I already sent my thanks, so after you milady.” James said while he opened the door with a small bow, giggling a little Fluttershy walked in giving her thanks to him.

(Across the street being a creeper)

Watching the two of them walk into the restaurant a figure with a medical mask dressed in a black hoodie and sweat pants sat in the bushes with small amounts of pink fur showing, following the two with a telescope she giggled to herself and said “Good now everything’s falling into place !” seeing them laughing and having a good time together Pinkie was constructing her next steps of what to do to further her plans for the fox over the next few months.

(Next weekend)

Walking up to Fluttershys cottage James was dressed in his cleaning clothes, making his way to the door he gave it a couple knocks and waited. It only took a minute for her to open the door looking at the pegasus James noted that she was wearing a stained blue shirt and stains grey sweats she had her mane tied up in a messy ponytail. Seeing the fox a wide smile came to her face grabbing his arm she dragged him into the cottage and explained what needed to be done.

After getting his orders James immediately got to work cleaning starting with the kitchen, walking James noticed cleaning supplies already set out to be used grabbing a sponge and some counter-cleaner he began scrubbing. After an hour and a half James finished cleaning the whole kitchen, walking out he saw Fluttershy walking down the stairs with some other supplies for cleaning. Smiling at the fox she instructed him to dust the shelves while she swept, nodding his head James began working while whistling a small tune giggling at the fox Fluttershy said “So James would you like to stay here for dinner ?”

“Sounds good Shy, will Scootaloo be joking us ?”

“Yes her and Sweetie, AJ is gonna drop them off in a little bit.”

“Oh ok, so what are you cooking ?”

“Oh I was just going to do a pasta dishes.”

“Mmm sounds good,” James said turning to look at the mare seeing her looking down seeing the upset face she was making James asked “What’s up Shy ?”

“Oh um nothing.”

“You sure Shy cause you can ask me anything.”

“Well I was curious if we could watch some of those disneigh movies.”

“Hehe yes we can I’m actually surprised none of you girls have watched them.”

“Oh well Rarity is caught up with her fashion and reality shows, Twilight has been watching a lot of documentaries, Pinkie and Dash have been watching comedies, sports, and any other shows they can while AJ doesn’t really watch it except for the sports.”

“Ahhh ok well that’s not problem I don’t mind watching them.”

“Really......I feel like I’ve been bothering you with all the disneigh stuff.”

“Shy you haven’t been bothering me with it I promise......but we are gonna start with my favorite if that’s ok.”

“No that’s fine........I’m if you don’t mind me asking what’s it called ?”

“Aladdin,” James said while he placed the rag and dust cleaner away in a basket he continued he continued “But since it’s only twelve would it be alright if I run home and change.”

“That’s ok I actually had to do some shopping.”

“Alright I’ll meet you back here around ?”

“Uh I should have everything ready around five.”

“Ok I’ll seen you then.” James said walking to the door he was stopped by the bare grabbing his arm stopping he asked “What’s wrong ?”

“Oh sorry it’s nothing......just be safe going home.”

“I promise, you have fun shopping.” James said giving the mare a nod while he walked out of her cottage, once the door shut Fluttershys face lit up like the sky on the Fourth of July. Collapsing against the door she felt her heart beating against rib cage, taking some deep breaths trying to calm herself she thought ‘Ok I’m gonna get cleaned up wait for Scootaloo to get home and then we’ll go shopping.’

Standing up she headed upstairs to get ready for the day after getting her clean clothes on she heard a knock coming from her door, walking downtown the stairs she opened it up revealing two of her daughters acovered in dry mud from head to toe with AJ behind them. Sighing she told both fillies to go upstairs and shower once the two were upstairs the mare turned to Applejack and asked “So what did they try this time ?”

“Well ah actually don’t know one minute they were tryin to earn ‘farming cutie marks the next they all were mud wrestlin.”

“Ahh ok......did they at least have fun ?” Fluttershy asked while looking behind her after the shower started, hearing her herd mate chuckle she turned back to see her wiping some tears away while she said “Yeah they did, ah think Sweetie enjoyed it tha most.”

“Well thank you for bringing both fillies home.”

“It’s no problem......sorry if they made a mess, tha place looks good though.”

“Yes James helped quite a bit we actually finished an hour ago.” Fluttershy said looking behind her to look at the job she and James had done nodding her head Applejack said “Ahhh ok......so you takin mah advice and makin him dinner ?”

“Um yes I invited him over.”

“Well what you got planned tonight ?”

“Not much he was gonna show me one of his favorite disneigh movies and I was gonna cook one of my pasta dishes.”

“Sounds fun........could yah ask him tah call me tomorrow when he comes back ?”

“Yes I can AJ.” Fluttershy said giving her herdmatw a nod smiling at the mare AJ leaned down a bit and gave Fluttershy a quick peck pulling away she said “Alright darlin I’ll seeya in three days fer our get together.”

“See you then, I love you.”

“I love yah too.” AJ said giving her a hug she turned and left to head home, watching her walk off Fluttershy turned to walk into the house taking a seat on her couch and waited for her daughters to come down so they could go shopping.

(Five o’clock)

Walking up to Fluttershys house James was looking forward to having dinner with her and her daughters. Reaching the door James knocked and waited for someone to open the door, he didn’t need to wait long before the door swung open revealing the orange pegasus tomboy and the pearlwhite unicorn girl. Smiling up at the fox they quickly dragged him inside and began telling him how excited they were, chuckling at them James let the two girls drag him into the living room and sit him down on the couch.

Walking out of the kitchen Fluttershy poked her head around the corner and saw her fillies talking to James, smiling at the fun they were having Fluttershy let out a small cough catching the threes attention she said “Ok you three dinners gonna be ready in five, after we eat we can watch the movie.”

“Ok !” Both fillies said giving their mom a salute giggling at them Fluttershy went back into the kitchen, smiling at the mare James looked at the fillies and said “Hey how about we go get the table set so Shy doesn’t have to worry.”

“That’s a great idea James I’ll get the utensils while you and Scootaloo get the plates and glasses.” Sweetie said pointing to the two while she walked into the kitchen, looking at each other James shrugged and said “You want to help me get the plates ?”

“Sure.” Scootaloo replied shrugging her shoulders standing up James followed her to the dining room, once there James walked up to a cabinet and grabbed four plates handing them to Scootaloo who then set them on the table. After the plates were placed on the table Sweetie walked in holding some glasses and utensils in her hands she placed them by the plates, walking out behind her was Fluttershy who was carrying the pasta dish. Setting down the ceramic dish she removed the lid letting the steam rise up taking a deep sniff James said “Whoa Fluttershy that smells delicious.”

“Oh thanks James it’s just a little something.”

“So does everyone in the herd know how to cook.”

“No James.......Momma Twilight is bad.” Scootaloo said a dark look coming across her face, looking down at the pegasus James asked “That bad ?”

“She made me a cake once.......it ran away.”

“It ran away ?”

“James it broke a window.” Fluttershy said looking over at the mare James gave her a surprised Look opening his mouth only for Fluttershy to say “Um I’ll tell you later we should eat before it gets cold.”

“Right right sorry, so let’s eat.” James said walking over he pulled out the chairs for each of the girls, once everyone was seated James took his seat and passed the dish over to Fluttershy who served herself. After everyone was served James took a bit out of the food and let out a small hum of approval looking over to Fluttershy he said “This is insanely delicious Fluttershy.”

“Thank you James I’m glad your enjoying it.”

“No problem Fluttershy thanks for feeding me.” James said his attention going back to his food while he answered some questions from the girls, looking up at the fox Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile at James and his kindness.

(After dinner)

Finishing setting up the app James had the movie set up and ready, taking a seat on the couch beside Sweetie looking up at the fox she asked “So James is this a disneigh movie ?”

“Uh yeah Sweetie......so have you or the other cmc watched any of the Disney movies ?”

“Not yet.....the night we watched Infinity War we were but that ending.”

“Right right.......well you guys should enjoy this.” James said looking down at the girl smiling at him she was about to say something until Fluttershy and Scootaloo walked In with popcorn smiling Fluttershy said “Ok the popcorn is ready.”

“Same with the movie Shy.”

“Ok let’s hit play.” Fluttershy said about to sit on the edge her intended spot was taken by Scootaloo, looking up at her mom she smiled giving frowning Fluttershy gave her a small glare. Taking a seat by the fox Fluttershy felt a small blush come to her face, looking up at her mom Scootaloo thought ‘I did what momma Pinkie asked me......I wonder how long I’d have to wait for the surprise she mentioned.”

Watching the screen the two fillies watched the silver castle appeared with the words ‘Walt Disney’ at the bottom, after a couple seconds music started to play and a voice sang “I come from a land, from a faraway place.........”

As the opening scene played James stole a quick glance at the three girls around him seeing their entranced looks James placed arms behind the couch and relaxed, after a couple minutes he felt two heads rest on his shoulders, letting out a sigh James relaxed and felt a smile creep onto his face while he watched the merchant scene and let out a small chuckle at the jokes while he thought ‘I hope they enjoy the movie.’