"I think it's really sweet of you to agree to go on this little trip with me, Anon... I, um...know things haven't been that great for you lately..."
The both of you were trudging through the forest on a warm afternoon, the trees were swaying gently in the breeze, branches crackling as they bent to and fro while leaves rustled as they danced with each other in a soothing rhythm that provided excellent ambience as the both of you stumbled along the brook, gurgling and babbling it's incoherent language as the water rushed on at walking pace.
Even the birds overhead were livelier than usual, chirping and twittering madly as they flew from branch to branch, bringing the foliage above you to life. You had reason to suspect that they had been there on cue, courtesy of the mare trotting a little ways in front of you.
Speaking of which, the mare in question had been acting unusual around you lately. You weren't exactly sure how you noticed, considering that she was always a tad bit timid around other ponies, and her shy demeanor towards any interaction in general was something that she was already well-known for.
But around you, you noticed that she was a tad bit more timid than usual, and her increased shyness around you was something so unexpected, coming from her, that it was a wonder that she was able to ask you out for a camping trip to begin with.
But here you were, taking a stroll through the woods, accompanied by the one pony who always had that air of tranquility around her, a complete mystery to you, and yet of all the creatures whom she could choose to spend her time with, she chose to spend it with you. A camping trip for the weekend, just the two of you, all alone. Together.
And there it was again. That fluttering feeling of the butterflies in your stomach, and you couldn't even figure out what it meant.
"Um... Anon, if you could just follow me here, please..."
Realizing that she strolled off the path, you turn and see her beckoning for you to follow her into a thicket, to which you oblige, ducking in after her as she maneuvers her way within the foliage. The bag you're carrying gets snagged by a few branches, and the brambles nearly trip you up as you struggle after the pegasus, but in the end, your efforts prove to be fruitful as you're met with a pair of concerned-yet-amused teal eyes.
"*giggle* I'm sorry, Anon, you just look a little funny when you're caught up like that..." her tone is apologetic, but you can tell from her expression that she's trying hard not to laugh.
You give her a look as if to say, "Really?"
"Oh, dear, I suppose I'll have to help you out of that, then... Here, hold on tight..." she moves toward you, and, hoisting you underneath your armpits with her forehooves, she lifts off the ground and, with a few wing beats, yanks you out of the bush. However, the action results in sending the both of you toppling out onto the grass, ending with you on top of a dazed Fluttershy.
Coming back to your senses, you find yourself staring down at a wide-eyed pegasus, a tinge of pink adorning her flustered expression. Realizing the suggestive position that you were in, you quickly get up, and proceed to help Fluttershy onto her hooves, apologizing all the while.
"Oh, that's quite alright... I'm fine, and, um..." she stumbles over her words, before her face brightens and her ears perk up. "We're here!"
You had indeed arrived at your destination, and you only had one word for the location.
Beautiful.
You were standing on what appeared to be an expanse of grass near the shoreline, and the majestic view of the lake was enough to take your breath away, the surface reflecting the rays of sunlight that would strike it, creating an almost mirror-like experience as the water barely stirred, the tranquil surface of the lake resembling glass that would shatter and reform as dragonflies would occasionally take a dip for a drink of water. But if it wasn't for the ripples that would appear on the surface of the lake, one could mistake the lake for a mass of shimmering lights that would mirror the sunset in the west.
Fluttershy had called this place her "secret spot", and now you finally know why she intended to keep it so.
You walk over to where she is, she's standing by the shoreline, eyes closed, taking deep breaths of the evening breeze blowing across the lake's surface. Her mane stirs slightly, but she doesn't seem to notice as she hears your footsteps crunching on the gravel as you walk towards her. You remark that the place she chose for your camping trip was wonderful.
"Oh...you really think so? I'm... I'm glad you like it." she looks back out into the distance, before letting out a peaceful sigh. "I haven't really told anypony about this place, it's, um...something I'd like to be just between the two of us."
The two of you?
You wonder to yourself what she could possibly mean by that. And what's more, it's very unlikely for Fluttershy to be keeping secrets from her friends, much less a secret like this. A beautiful side of nature that nopony had ever seen before.
A crunching noise interrupts your thoughts. Fluttershy had taken one step towards you, and her expression was quite unreadable. But the way she was smiling at you with those half-closed eyelids was enough to send your heart racing.
"I visit this place whenever I feel that I want to be alone for a while, it always calms me down to be here... But now that I'm sharing this place with you, can this place be just between the two of us?" she takes another step towards you, this time a little bit more subtle. "Please, Anon, can this be our little secret?"
You find yourself unable to refuse, you're both excited and puzzled at her change in behavior towards you, so the only response you can think of is to nod.
"Oh, wonderful! I really hoped you'd agree." she twirls around in her ecstasy for a moment before composing herself.
"Now, if you could get started on setting up the tent over there," she gestures towards a patch of grass with a hoof. "...and I'll get started with the fire, we'll have a nice, warm dinner ready before sundown."
Setting up the tent was an easier task than expected, it was just a small tent, capable of fitting at least two. You briefly wondered why Fluttershy couldn't bring her own tent, considering that the one you now had at hand was your own, and a little worn out. You then remember that sometime during your trek through the forest that Fluttershy had panicked that she had left her own tent at home, and then sheepishly asked if you could share one. Of course, you told her that it was no trouble at all, and you didn't mind sharing. She was strangely far more chipper and lively after that, though.
Once the frame of the tent was in place, and after making sure that the pegs were planted firmly in the ground, you stood back to admire your work. Not bad, considering the effort that went into putting it up. You then go to see how Fluttershy's doing.
The fire is roaring hot in the middle of a bare area of ground, crackling as the flames consumed the firewood ever so slowly. A metal pot sat just above it, the contents bubbling and steaming something delicious. Fluttershy was standing next to the pot, stirring the contents with a wooden spoon. You approach her, but not before your stomach gives a hearty rumble. She notices.
"*giggle* Don't worry, the food will be ready in a few minutes, we just have to let it simmer for a bit. In the meantime, why don't we sit for a while and talk?" she gestures towards a log that she placed next to the fire as a seat, "You look a little bit on edge tonight."
As you sit down, you jokingly remark that she's the one who looks on edge.
"Hm? What do you mean?" she looks puzzled.
You ask her why she's been acting unusual lately, and why she seemed a little distant with you the past few days.
"Oh...well, I'm fine, don't you worry, and I'm sorry if I seemed a little distant, I just...have a lot to think about." she looks a little uncomfortable, avoiding your gaze as she looks away nervously.
Talking helps, you tell her as you reach out with a hand and lay it on her hoof. She lets out a cute little eep! sound as you affectionately rub a thumb over her fetlock. You tell her that you'll always be there to listen, no matter what.
"Um, thank you... I, um...really appreciate it..." she seems lost for a moment, but she eventually snaps back once she sees the pot boiling. "Oh! The food's ready!"
You were just clearing away the last of your bowls by the lakeside when it began to drizzle. The droplets came slowly at first, but quickly escalated into a full-blown torrential downpour, sending ripples across the lake's surface.
You quickly scamper away from the lakeside and break into a little run towards the tent. You see Fluttershy headed in the same direction, prompting you to pick up the pegasus by her underbelly and with one quick motion, you heave the both of yourselves into the tent.
The both of you just sit there, panting, while the sounds of a heavy rainstorm ensue all around you. You and Fluttershy stare at each other for a moment before breaking down into hysterical laughter.
"*giggle* Oh, Anon, you know you didn't have to carry me like that through the rain... I can walk perfectly fine on my own..."
You don't mind, you tell her, and before you can stop yourself, you accidentally blurt out that you actually like the way it feels when she's pressed up against you like that.
Silence overtakes the confines of the tent, and you instantly regret blurting out that final statement. But to your surprise, Fluttershy merely breaks into another fit of giggles, this time covering her mouth with a hoof to hide her flustered expression.
"Is that so? Well..." she shifts a little closer towards you, much to your chagrin. "...looks like we'll be doing a lot of 'pressed up against each other' tonight, what with the small tent and all."
You struggle to find the words. She's acting so...un-Fluttershy. You hardly notice the way she's inching ever so slowly towards you, keeping her movements subtle and deliberate. The fluttering feeling inside you was reaching it's crescendo, an uproar of butterflies threatening to burst out through your already rapidly beating heart.
She must've noticed your conflicted expression, because she backs away from you, keeping her forelegs folded against her chest. She inches her way back into her corner of the tent, mumbling.
"Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, Anon... I-I was just teasing..." she looks almost ready to cry.
Your feelings of confusion and uncertainty are quickly replaced by pity for the shy pegasus. You reach out a hand to brush aside a portion of her mane that was obscuring her expression, and to your surprise, she leans into your touch, letting out a shuddering sigh.
With a hint of seriousness in your tone, you ask her if there's anything that she wants to talk about, anything at all. You tell her that she needs to be honest with you, that way you'll be able to understand how she's feeling.
"Oh, well... I don't know..." she meets your gaze, and she seems to be considering you with her own stare before finally letting out a sigh of defeat. "Oh, Anon... I just really hope you'll understand..."
You reach out with a hand and grip her forehoof, reassuring her that you'll be there to listen to whatever she has to say.
"Okay..." she takes a deep breath, before letting it out slowly. She's calming herself, you realize. Whatever she has to say must be really important, and you really want to help her out.
The silence between the two of you draws on, with only the pitter-patter of the rain against the tent and the rainfall outside in the clearing to be heard. But eventually, after a minute or so, Fluttershy begins to speak.
"Anon..." her voice is low and unsure, and you can tell that she's trying her best to find the right words. "...you told me that you'll always be there to listen to me, right?"
You nod.
"And...you'll be fine with whatever I have to say, no matter what?"
You nod again, this time giving her hoof a little squeeze.
"Okay...well, where do I begin... Anon." she gives you a firm stare. "I've been enjoying your company as a friend for a long time, ever since you came to Equestria."
You keep silent, you're going to let her have this.
"... And for the longest time, I've enjoyed every single moment we had together, from those picnics outside in the garden to those times that we would spend together with the girls, just...doing whatever we could to have fun." she smiles to herself, as if recalling a happy memory. "... Those were happy days, but now they feel even happier to me once I realize that you were in them."
"You've been a real great friend to me, and I don't know if I can ever repay the kindness you've shown me... The times you would spend listening to me, being patient with me whenever I would suddenly clam up when things would get a little intense, those were moments that show that you really do indeed care about my well-being, and you would stick things through with me till the end... Those were times when, for a while, I would be able to break out of my shell and be...free. I didn't always have to be the timid, shy pegasus that everyone seems to pass me up for."
"With you, I... I could do things, things that I could never do on my own... With you, I feel more empowered, I felt like I was actually somepony worth a lot to you. You! Yes, you! You made me feel like I really matter, I've told you things that I would never dream of telling anypony else, not even the girls. I've told you all about my insecurities, my fears, my hopes and dreams, and everything, to the point where there were no secrets between the two of us..."
You smile to yourself. Fluttershy truly was a different pony once you get to know her.
"But... Lately I've been feeling...different about you." she reaches out and tenderly takes your hand in between her forelegs. "It's hard to explain...but I really...really...want to...express it..." With each enunciated word and phrase, she shifts closer, and you can feel your heartbeat quicken.
"...to you."
She's so close now, you can count her eyelashes still lined with the tears that had formed in her eyes earlier. The sounds of the rainfall around you fade into nothingness, and the only thing you can hear is Fluttershy's breathing. Slow and deep. Shaky, yet calming and reassuring all the same. You find yourself breathing alongside her, in sync, while all traces of confusion and uncertainty melted away.
"Anon, I..." She shifts closer again, and with a jolt you can feel her tail swishing around, entwining lovingly around your shins in a ticklish sensation that you can't help but enjoy. She's leaning in dangerously close too, and before you know it, she's already slipped a forehoof around your neck, bringing herself up to look you in the eye. Pressing herself up against you, you can feel her heartbeat, and it turns out you aren't the only one whose heartbeat is racing out of control.
She swallows once, before she starts breathing in short, shuddering gasps, venting warm air onto your lips. Your breathing is erratic as well, and as the atmosphere grows warm you can't help but feel a little bit uneasy about the situation. She's being so forward in her actions towards you, and with all her prods and mild displays of affection, you already have an inkling of what she really wants.
"*giggle* Oh, Anon... I, um...know that you haven't had that much luck with mares in Ponyville...but I...think I may be able to help with that."
You feel your insides give a little flip-flop. And then there it is again.
That fluttering feeling.
Before you can think any further, Fluttershy leans in, just close enough that your lips are only an inch apart.
"Anon..."
Now within her embrace that assaulted your body with sensations that you couldn't explain, you have no other option but to listen to the words that Fluttershy was saying.
"Remember when I said that this place was our little secret?" her voice was barely above a whisper, keeping you hanging on to every word. "Well... I actually have one more little secret that I want to share with you."
You nod, gulping. You wish that she'd just get to the point instead of teasing you like that.
She pauses. And that pause is enough for you to feel that feeling within you begin to grow, until you can't take it anymore.
You lean in, closing the distance between your lips in a kiss. Fluttershy looks taken aback, before she matches your passion with her own. A fiery passion that you didn't think was possible, coming from her. She whimpers as she drags you deeper into the kiss, furthering the affection by enveloping you in her downy wings.
You both pull away after a while, panting. Fluttershy gives you an amorous, half-lidded glance before burying her face in your neck.
"Anon...you. You're my little secret. And you have been for a while now. I love you. I love you and I always have. And I always will."
She looks up at you, her gaze not faltering for one second. "I just need to know...if you feel the same."
You lean in, this time taking the initiative to further your affection. When you pull away, though, you whisper your own commitment, to love her until the end of time.
She giggles, burying her face in your neck once more. The sounds of the rainfall return, and you just notice that you're feeling a lot sleepier than usual. Fluttershy yawns as well, her eyelids drooping. "*yawn* You know, Anon, we're going to have to tell the girls...*yawn*...at one point. You wouldn't mind, right?"
You tell her that you wouldn't. And as the two of you drift off that evening, you think to yourself that maybe it was a great idea to go camping after all.
Author's Note
Just a cute scenario that I had to type down... I hope I was able to write Fluttershy well for this one.
I'll be getting back to the Twilight stuff, but I feel like taking a short break for a while, plenty of stuff I need to fix with myself.
Anyway, thanks for 13 Shades of Sunset for proofreading for me!
