Fluttershy's Mate

Chapter 2: A Proposal.

The facial structure of a Red Fox is an interesting one. Unlike its relatives like the domesticated dog or the wolf, it is very much sleek and complex. Allowing for many expressions to be made. This may be the reason why upon Fluttershy’s question the fox seemed to have blushed and look perplexed even though by all biological evidence foxes couldn’t blush. Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at the adorable face he made, her hooves going to her muzzle to muffle the giggles as she watches the fox squirm in front of her.

The most striking features of animals is their eyes, they always looked so wide and innocent to Fluttershy, so accepting and open that it made her feel deeply happy to see them look up at her and smile. What was so compelling about foxes and this fox in particular is that their eyes are their wide irises and sparkling color, this cute little one she has in her lap had blue-green eyes that seemed to be very subdued in tone but beautiful over all. Beyond their color and look, they were often very active. Foxes were of course very cautious creatures so they tend to be called shifty looking, that didn’t seem fair to Fluttershy but they certainly seem curious about all the things around them. In her eyes, she thought they just looked adorable and attentive, their little ears perked and their eyes scanning around. But when it came to this fox at the moment they seemed nervous and unsure, even though their body was at ease they still seemed scared of something other than a physical threat as their eyes looked into their little lap and seemed to be trying to think of something to say to the out of nowhere offer.

Before the blush quite goes away he looks down at his forepaws and fidgets in place. Vocalizing in a show of primal communication beyond facial movements and looks. Showing that his tone unlike most other vulpines is very soft and gentle. To the normal pony it only sounded like strange animalistic yowling and yipping. But to the experienced caretaker like her it was like a second language. Everything from a low gekking to a very lively yell was like a normal conversation to her. Not only was she experienced but because of her special talent of animal caretaking she had a special insight through it all. Tone and body language helped immensely and made any guesswork vanish into certainty.

The small tod looked up at the butter yellow mare finally and whined a little before responding in his own way.

“Y-you are nice to offer… b-but you are not vixen, and you don’t know me.. I don’t want to bother you.” His soft voice sounding nervous and bashful to her ears much like her own voice before she gained confidence in herself.

The yellow pegasus smiles warmly and hugs the small tod with her gentle wings and soft forelegs. The sudden hug made the small vulpine squeak with fear but after a few seconds and a tentative hug back with his small paws he began to relax and breathe in her different but very pleasing intimate scent. To his sensitive nose she smelled so good, like lilacs and morning dew in spring. The fact she was in early heat definitely helped her smell enticing even to a male of another species. As he nuzzled into her chest fluff he purred slightly. A rare thing for a fox but something they were capable of when completely relaxed and at ease.

The sweet sound plus the tods affectionate nuzzling made her smile even more and have her wings fully cocoon around the little one, he was about half her size but he was very light, she slowly laid down next to the river with her new potential mare laying on her chest and tummy. He didn’t seem to mind as she nuzzled his head and stroked his back, only seeming to purr more.

“I know I am not a vixen and we just met, but I can’t stand to see such an adorable critter be all sad and alone this season, you deserve to have a mate too even if there aren’t any vixens left.” She says with a slight frown.

The fox comes out of his trance and grimaces a little at his forwardness, though he does not try to push her away or get out of the embrace. “I-I want a mate but… I am nervous since this would be my first time having one.” He looks away at that and stares at his own tail.

This was both incredibly cute and logical to the animal caretaker. Red Foxes mate for life and that always seemed sweet to Fluttershy. “Well its my first time being someone's mate too but I am willing to try if you are Mr. Fox… maybe tell me your name and we will go from there.”

The tod was confused for a moment for a couple reasons. He though, from what he had seen of ponies from foraging near the forest edge, that they had multiple mates and could even have more than one at a time. But he had never spoken to one before today so he didn’t know for sure. The other reason was that a pony had just asked him his name; But he didn’t know if he had one exactly. Foxes had specific calls for certain foxes but they didn’t function like names. He decided to give her that one since it was the closest thing he had to a name. “Um… I guess I am called Pebble.”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle just a little at the name, it was so fitting for such a small creature but also spoke of his ability to go unnoticed by others. It reminded her even more of herself and only made her want to help him come out of his shell as well. She nuzzles the adorable Pebble’s cheek and smiled. “Well I am Fluttershy and I would be delighted to have you come to my cottage for tea.”

Pebble squirmed and was as indecisive as he was furry. He wanted to stay with this nice pony very much even if they just met and he smelled no danger on her. But he had never left the forest before and the thought of it scared him more than anything. Yet as he worried over everything that could go wrong he couldn’t stop himself from just breathing the nice mares… no, Fluttershy’s scent, it was so warm and cozy, inviting to the fox. Even if he didn’t know why he wanted to stay as close as he could to her. So he nodded and hugged her of his own volition surprising the animal caretaker and slowly hugged him back.

Fluttershy smiled and picked up Pebble, placing him on her back which he quickly adjusted to and simply held onto her back and nuzzled into the back of her neck, she blushed at the suddenly very affectionate fox and began to pack up all the bowls in the clearing and pulling the cart back to her cottage slower than the trip there so she didn’t disturb the fox on her back who she suspected might have fallen asleep. She heard his even breathing and soft purring become slower and more relaxed. She squeals internally from this but keeps quiet to let him rest as he is a nocturnal and by his clock he is up pretty late as the sun climbs higher in the sky.

By the time the kind pegasus got back to her cottage and put away her small wagon she could feel him start to shift a bit from the unfamiliar smells and the smell of her animal friends. He lifted his head from her back and yawned with a small noise and looked around at the humble home.

He carefully jumped off of her back making sure not to scratch her and sniffed the air, backing away from the place a little and giving a nervous sound. “I d-dunno if I should be here, I-I smell bigger more predatory animals here.” He hides behind one of his prospective mates hind legs.

The kind caretaker automatically goes into her mother mode and picks up the scared fox, cooing to him, holding him to her chest, and petting down his back. “Its alright Pebble, they are my friends, I take care of lots of animals and they all get along with others.” She smiles and puts him on her back, petting him with her wings as she opens the door and walks in.

The animals inside were skittering and running about as they enjoyed the new day, some of them turning to the caretaker and her charge. Sniffing at her and the new animal before running off to do their own animal things. Fluttershy waving to each of them and petting some as they come closer, telling them in their own tongue who their new friend is. Eventually Angel hopped up looking very miffed, both because of her taking so long and especially for bringing one of his biggest predators into his home.

Fluttershy knew he wouldn’t be happy with another mouth to feed or a fox, but she knew how to get him to calm down as well. She picked him up as well much to his chagrin before lifting him onto the kitchen counter and placing Pebble next to him. “Angel this is Pebble, Pebble this is Angel.” She introduced the two as she got down Angels favorite snack; parsnips from the top shelf where she keeps the rest of the treats. She gives Angel one and gives one to Pebble. The rabbit automatically scarfing down the vegetable before eyeing the one the fox held.

Pebble looked to the pony questioningly, he didn’t eat such things, he was a scavenger. But she just tilted her head to Angel and smiled. Giving him the message silently and he got it after a couple of slow blinks. He held out the root vegetable to the rabbit and tried his best to be friendly, giving the fox version of a smile, a gentle trill, and lowering his head. Angel was wary as always since he didn’t know this creature at all but he simply took the parsnip and chewed on it. Giving Pebble side-eye before looking to Fluttershy and rolling his eyes, he knew he couldn’t stop her from taking in another animal but he didn’t have to be happy about it, He simply nodded to the fox and hopped off the counter to go about his own business. This perplexed the vulpine but Fluttershy simply smiled and watched Angel hop away knowing he would warm up to him eventually. She then turned back to Pebble and pet between his ears.

“Don’t worry about Angel, he is just grumpy but now that we are here. I can make us some tea and we can get to know each other better.” She said with a smile, getting out her kettle and other necessities while Pebble watched her with curiosity. He had never had tea before but he trusted her to now steer him wrong. Even if everything around him was new and maybe a little scary. He still felt at home weirdly enough, like this place was its own kind of forest filled with warmth and other creatures. So he laid down on the counter where the sun came in through the window, the warm material of the counter feeling good on his belly as did the rays of sun on his fur. He laid his head down and watched her set the kettle to boil before she started to pet his head gently causing him to purr cutely once more. His amber eyes slid shut and he fell into a gentle sleep like he did on the trip here. The small sounds of his breathing as she continued to pet him seemed to lull Fluttershy into this dream like state. Seeing a creature... no, an individual she related to and cared about so much being so at peace after such a bad day for them. Seeing them feel at home and… loved for lack of a better word and knowing it was all because of her filled with a sort of pride she had never felt before. She has always taken pride in her work and cared for all her animal friends but this was different. It really was a sort of love she felt for Pebble and it only strengthened her resolve to be the best mate she could be to this wonderful fox.

End of Chapter 2.