Getting Shy

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
Chapter 3
Chapter 16
Chapter 25

Chapter 1

Patrick, or 'Pat', as he called himself to save time, was a more or less average dude, at least by his own description. His life was perhaps a tiny bit boring, but he was doing okay; working a call center job and drowning memories of irate customers in alcohol every weekend. There wasn't a whole lot of money, but the economy being what it was he couldn't complain. The paychecks were never late and his boss wasn't too much of an asshole. Life was comfortable and didn't require a whole lot of effort, which suited Pat just fine. He'd probably have continued in the same way forever, if something unbelievable hadn't happened.

Technically it hadn't happened to him, but rather to his neighbor, a certain Mr. John Mason, a big, important businessman who liked to work. As far as Pat could tell, Mr. Mason had absolutely no hobbies, a job which took him twelve hours a day and most weekends, and a butt-load of money.

Oh, and suddenly Mr. Mason had a pony.

Pat's bedroom overlooked the neighboring house, a blocky, post-modern eyesore which didn't quite fit with the rest of the buildings on the block. He could see some of the inside, often grimacing at what was clearly nonfunctional and uncomfortable furniture, meant only to impress. It wasn't the kind of place someone lived in, it was just a house they showed off. That was just as well, because Mr. Mason spent most of his days at work. It explained his wealth and the fancy car out front, and perhaps it also explained the lack of any family or social life whatsoever.

Except... Pat wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Mr. Mason got one of those pastel wonderhorses which had made news some weeks ago. No one knew exactly where they were coming from, but apparently there was already a black market. More importantly, the law hadn't yet caught up and simply defaulted to treating them like livestock, so people could own them.

Friggin'. Talking. Horses. Speaking English, no less! The first few times Pat had seen that news he thought it was a hoax or something. It had to be, right?! Even on supposedly professional cameras the creatures looked like cheap special effects. Surely nothing biological could be so vividly colorful?

Anyway, the hubbub died down, but the pictures and videos multiplied on the Internet, so after a fashion Pat had been forced to accept the truth of the matter. There were talking technicolor ponies, no one knew where they came from, or how, and some people owned them. It was utterly preposterous, of course. His great country had gotten rid of slavery and now it was coming right back! True, most of the news articles called it 'pet ownership', but in Pat's opinion, if it could talk, it was a slave.

For some reason, he wanted to touch one. Only with its consent, of course, but he really wanted to. That fur looked like it would be incredibly soft. Well, Mr. Mason had one now. A yellow one with wings and pink hair. When he first saw it being unloaded from a nondescript white van, Pat couldn't help thinking that the hair must've been dyed. No way that was a natural color. He wondered if Mr. Mason would have to reapply the dye occasionally, which would mean giving the thing a bath or something. Weird, why did that make him jealous?

Anyway, when the news spread there were onlookers. Most of the neighborhood came to stand in front of Mr. Mason's house at one point or another. Children squealed and pointed and even adults chattered excitedly among themselves whenever the pony dared glance out the window. They thought it was exciting, but it was not. It was bloody annoying! All that racket under Pat's room when he was trying to sleep.

One day it suddenly stopped. The lack of noise when he woke up made Pat go out to the balcony, which was overlooking the cul-de-sac, to make sure. The street was empty. Pat lit a cigarette, happy that he had his peace back, but still intrigued about the pony. He leaned over the railing and tried to see, but the creature was nowhere in sight.

"Mornin'," came the greeting from the porch below him. Pat hadn't even noticed his landlord, Mr. Petrinov.

"Oh, hi. People finally gave up?"

The dark, hairy, blocky man shook his head and chuckled. "Nope. Mr. Mason threatened them with lawsuits if they kept... what did he call it?" It took Mr. Petrinov a moment to remember the English word. "Ah, 'loitering'. That's what he said. Shut them right up!"

Pat shared the next chuckle before taking a drag on his cigarette. Mr. Petrinov sipped from his glass, which looked like it was full of scotch, or maybe whiskey. The man was quite a drinker, although after Pat had heard his story it kinda made sense. "Anyway, how are you doing, Mr. Petrinov?"

The man waved a dismissive hand. "I told you this before, Pat. Just 'Anton' to you, okay? You are living in my house long enough, we are almost like family, no?" His accent was almost completely gone, but Mr. Petrinov still sometimes betrayed his Eastern European origin. Well, the name didn't help there, either. From what Pat had been able to gather, Anton had moved from wherever it was he used to live to America, 'the land of freedom and opportunity' as the foreigner usually called it.

He came with his wife and spent a number of years in a shit hole apartment downtown, both of them working until they could afford the house. The very house Pat was renting now. Unfortunately the missus died. Anton didn't like to talk about it a whole lot, but Pat's working theory was cancer. His dream of having exactly two children thus ended. Strange how Anton sounded so certain. Two kids, not one, and certainly not three. Two, to replace him and the missus, thereby neither adding to overpopulation, nor letting the number of humans fall. Weird reasoning, but to Pat it sounded as good as any he'd heard. He didn't remarry, nor did he return back to his home country, which left Anton with a big house, debts to pay, and alone.

He tore down the stairs between the ground and the first floor, adapted the upstairs into a livable apartment, built a staircase on the outside and put an ad in the local paper. It hadn't even been that much work. There were two bedrooms, originally planned for the kids Mr. Petrinov now might never have, a bathroom, to which he simply added a washing and drying machine, and a living room, where it had been rather trivial to install a kitchen in one corner. Pat had been the person to bite and, the place and its owner being to his liking, had taken it. It was his first job and the first time living away from his parents.

"At least it's going to be quiet again. I work nights sometimes, I like to be able to sleep in."

The landlord nodded, even though he kept his gaze on his drink. "Same for me, Pat." Mr. Petrinov worked as a bartender nearby, which also meant some late nights.

After Mr. Mason's threat at the meeting, there were still children sometimes pressed against Mr. Mason's fence, but at least the adults refrained from these gatherings. In time, even that interest faded and things went back to normal. Except for Pat. His bedroom and his living room windows looked directly into Mr. Mason's house. Pat couldn't help it; whenever he stood up, his eyes strayed to his neighbor's house, seeking out the yellow pony. Every time he saw it, he quickly ducked out of sight, as if he'd been doing something weird or wrong. Why did if feel like peeking in on a girl showering? At least Pat guessed that was how it felt. He'd never done the thing, so he had no basis for comparison.

The pony was a maid. Maybe that was the most incredulous thing of the whole situation. An actual alien, shaped like a colorful miniature horse, and Mr. Mason used it as a maid. Well, Pat hoped like hell that was the only way Mr. Mason used it. Something in the creature's demeanor just screamed 'female' at Pat and of course he drew conclusions. Unwelcome conclusions, even though it technically wasn't any of his business. The matter nagged at him to the point where his attention at the call center had started to slip and his boss, one Mr. Harris, had to invite him into his office and explain to him the requirement to focus on his work. It took some doing, but Pat made sure to improve the quality of his performance. Losing the job was the last thing he wanted. Unfortunately, that just meant twice the fretting and worry when he was home. His gaming and movie watching suffered and he spent more and more time at the window, just waiting to catch a glimpse of the horse.

She - Pat had decided it was a girl after all - didn't look maltreated. Just resigned, perhaps a touch sorrowful, and infinitely bored. She swept, vacuumed, washed dishes, mopped, brushed and a million other things which ensured the house was kept livable. Before the pony Mr. Mason had had a professional maid over twice a week, but it looked like he didn't need one anymore. Annoyingly, that was another reason for Pat's jealousy. House work was a pain in the ass. Sometimes, when Pat worked nights at the call center and spent the day at home, he could watch what the pony did when Mr. Mason was out of the house. Sure, most of the time she got on with her work of tidying up, but every now and then Pat saw her lying on the couch, reading a book or watching TV. The angle didn't let him see what she was watching, though. Once or twice he thought he saw her smile, or laugh. That put some of Pat's darker worries to rest, at least for a while.

His obsession was slowly consuming him. Pat knew that, yet he couldn't stop. He could have moved away, or at least switched bedrooms to the other side of the house. Maybe then he'd be less tempted to watch Mr. Mason's house so intently. Except he didn't want to. Thinking about that stupid horse became his whole world. Reading about them filled the time while he waited for the creature to make an appearance. The strange fascination was exacerbated by sudden feelings of isolation. Perhaps he led a lonely life, but dealing with irate customers nearly every day had left Pat soured to human company. He preferred to spend his 'freedom hours' either playing games, watching movies or drinking, the latter only if it was the weekend. The few friends he had mostly liked the same things, so Pat saw them more in the multi player games than in real life. Every now and then one or the other would celebrate their birthday and they'd meet in person. He didn't feel a particular need for socialization and the occasional chat with Mr. Petrinov was enough to fulfill that urge.

At least it had been, until this damned horse.

Eventually Pat mustered up the courage to walk around in Anton's backyard, trying to get a closer look at the pony and perhaps get her to notice him. Maybe if he could speak with her it would be better. The articles said they were highly intelligent. Maybe she'd say something to finally put this craze behind him and he could get on with his life. Unfortunately, the pony never went outside in that first month. Or, if she did, Pat never saw it. He still had to work eight hours and commute for a cumulative hour and a half every day. He tried not to think about the pony frolicking in Mr. Mason's backyard while he was stuck in the call center. It just made him fret, which caused him to fumble the calls.

On one particular Saturday, Pat was on his third beer when he heard a sound at the same time familiar and unusual. Lawnmower. It was clearly coming from Mr. Mason's yard. That much wasn't unusual because the man employed a gardener to come and keep his lawn and flowerbeds in order, but said gardener hadn't been over since the pony had come and started doing everything else around the house. It stood to reason she might also have to deal with the yard. Pat jumped to his feet and rushed to the living room window to see.

Yes! He ran to his fridge where he had a small bottle of strawberry-flavored fizzy juice stashed for just such an occasion. He sometimes saw the pony drink one of those so he got it as an ice-breaker. Then Pat hurried out his door and down his stairs, before coming to a stop in the backyard. He had no idea what to do next.

Yes the pony was out, pushing a lawnmower around, but the thing was loud. No way he could talk with her until she was done. It wasn't a very comfortable situation, but some curiosity could be excused, right? Besides, the day was uncomfortably warm, so the icy-cold drink in his hand might even be welcome. Maybe he should go back inside, wait until the job was nearly done? Except he ran the risk of missing it, which Pat was unwilling to take. Too late he remembered that he hadn't brought a drink for himself, which made rushing out with a beverage for the pony who wasn't even his really weird. Hopefully she wouldn't think him a creep, even though she would be justified to it in Pat's case.

The noise changed and Pat saw the pony awkwardly turning the mower. That brought her face to face with him and she cast him a curious look. It sent his heartbeat into the two hundreds, at least, and Pat's grip on the bottle tightened. He gave a little wave, which the pony didn't return. Perhaps that was just because she couldn't, with both her forelegs being employed in guiding the mower. Pat opted to understand it that way. The approach gave him a chance to observe the pony from up close, which he gladly took. She was yellow, but it was a bit pale in the sunlight. It nicely complemented her pink hair and tail. There was also a pink and blue tattoo on her butt. Pat had seen that splotch before, but from this distance he could make out stylized butterflies. Strange. Was it her own idea, or something some human had come up with to make her look more cute for potential buyers?

Realizing he was staring right at her butt, Pat dragged his eyes away. At first he couldn't believe such a thing as winged horses existed. Surely no mammal had feathers, right? Those were a reptile or bird thing, if he remembered his natural history. Nevertheless, there they were. Wings with feathers the exact same shade of yellow as her coat. As she struggled with the heavy lawnmower, walking on her hind legs, they were partially outstretched, jerking this way and that to help her keep her balance. Above all, it was incredibly cute. Pat wondered if the horse could really, actually fly. The wings did look functional. Further up was her hair, quite long. It didn't look like a horse's mane at all. It was more like human hair, Pat thought. It reached down to her... shoulders? He couldn't see any discolored ends or streaks, so it really was pink, or Mr. Mason was doing a superb job keeping it dyed. The hair swung out of the way and Pat saw a collar. Well, he'd seen it on her before, but from up close he could see a bulge at the back of her neck.

Some online articles mentioned a GPS collar and there were even rumors of electric shocks. It'd explain how she didn't just run away now that she was outside, especially if she really could fly. Pat suddenly realized that the pony had finished the row and was looking at him with undisguised curiosity. When she caught his gaze she quickly looked down, pretending to be focused on her work. That moment had been there, though. She was curious, if a little scared of him, but she also had a job to do. The last thing Pat wanted was to have the pony scared of him. He wanted to be good with animals, but his efforts usually yielded complete disinterest at best, or fear at worst. Maybe, since this one could talk, he could make a better impression than on some crows he'd tried to befriend outside of the office.

It was something of a surprise when she stopped at the end of the row and reached a hoof to a small lever on the handle. The mower sputtered to silence. Apparently Mr. Mason, or someone, had taught her how to work the thing. Pat also noticed that the grip of the mower was much thicker than usual and looked to be made out of some kind of soft foam. It was low enough for her to drive either by resting her forelegs on the bar and pushing, or by gripping it with her teeth.

He lifted up the strawberry drink as a kind of a shield and stepped closer. He thought about smiling, but Pat knew whatever expression he summoned up would probably end up grotesque, rather than reassuring. He waved at the pony and leaned his elbows on the fence, as if idly lounging there for no real reason.

"Um, h-hello?" she ventured, carefully keeping the mower between them.

"Hi! Uh... I'm Pat! I got you a strawberry drink! Y'know, since it's hot."

The pony didn't make a move, though her eyes took in the bottle of what Pat had assumed was her favorite drink. She was probably weirded out and his hand with the drink lowered. Pat was about to excuse himself and go, but she spoke up. "T-Thanks," she mumbled, pointedly not looking at the bottle anymore, "but I'm not, um, thirsty right now."

"That's okay," Pat said as nonchalantly as he could manage, "uh, want me to leave it for later? It's cold!"

"I'll... um, I have to finish mowing the lawn..." she said, dodging his question.

At that moment Pat became aware of Mr. Mason walking over and his blood ran cold. The man had seen him talking to his pony and was undoubtedly angry. There had been that homeowner meeting, after all. A part of Pat had been hoping the man was away, but it looked like this was one of those rare Saturdays when Mr. Mason wasn't working. He'd also been keeping an eye on his new pet, it seemed. Either that, or he'd heard the mower stop. Still, Pat didn't move. He kept his elbows on the fence and steeled himself for being yelled at.

"Hi. Is there a problem?" Mr. Mason asked. "You don't mind the noise, do you?"

"No, not at all, sir. I was just-"

Pat hesitated, but luckily the other man jumped in: "Patrick, right? You're renting the upstairs apartment from Petrinov?"

"That's right." Mr. Mason didn't seem to be hostile, so Pat decided to try his luck. Good thing those years in a call center had taught him how to control his voice. He was able to make it completely steady and casual. "I was just curious when I saw your, um... pony, mowing. I didn't know they could do that."

This finally made Mr. Mason look away from him and down at the creature. "Yeah, quite versatile. Cleaning, washing, laundry, they can do anything. Gardening, too."

Pat nodded, as if actually considering getting one for himself, even though both he and Mr. Mason knew it was way out of his price range. "So, do they have names?"

The man reached down and patted the pony's hair. Pat had been watching and saw her flinch a little, but she stood her ground and waited, motionless, until it was over.

"Sure thing," Mr. Mason answered. "This one is called Flutter Shy. Suits her, too. Thing goes to hide in the closet if I watch an action movie. A real scaredy-cat." The man laughed at that, not noticing how the pony shrunk in on herself a little. Pat grinned, but he didn't feel like joining in. He lifted up the bottle and said the excuse he'd come up with just in case.

"Anyway, it's hot and I had one of these rolling around the fridge. Bought it by accident; I don't like it myself." Before the neighbor could reply, Pat added hastily: "Thought your pony might like it."

"Mighty neighborly of you, Patrick," Mr. Mason said, perhaps warming up just a touch. He nudged Flutter Shy with his shoe. "What do we say?"

The pony looked at Pat, then at the bottle, before lowering her gaze to the ground and murmuring: "Thank you, Mr. Patrick." She even walked around the mower and took the bottle with both hooves. She balanced it skillfully while she sat down, then dropped it in front of herself. Pat was about to ask what she was doing, but Flutter Shy gripped the bottle with her hind legs and used her forehooves to untwist the cap. Quite clever, actually. She only took a quick sip, then put the cap back. "Um, I'll- I'll have the rest when I'm d-done with the yard, Mr. Mason," she intoned, casting a slightly guilty look at Pat.

Once again the man patted her hair. "As you wish, just don't leave it out on the grass, okay?"

She nodded and began to inspect the mower. She didn't turn it back on, allowing her owner and Pat to talk without shouting.

Acting purely on some half-remembered movie scene, Pat stuck his hand out. "Well, nice meeting you, Mr. Mason. I didn't mean to pry, just- um, curious. They were all over the news."

The man took his hand and shook it in a firm grasp. "Likewise. What do you do for a living, Patrick?"

"Call center for Verizon."

"Good good. Well, Flutter needs to get back to work and I have some papers to go over. See you around."

"Yeah. Sure. Um, thanks." Pat turned and walked away, even though he was mightily curious to see how she would turn on the mower. The only way he could think of was for her to grab the starter handle in her teeth and yank it with her head. The noise of the little engine turning over was a good excuse for Pat to look back and see that he was right. The handle looked like it was made from the same foam as the grip, so as not to hurt the pony's teeth. On her second try the mower started and Pat saw how Flutter Shy's ears pinned back from the noise. She reared up, put her forelegs on the bar again and turned the mower around to keep going.

Pat made sure he walked slowly and nonchalantly, but inside his heart was hammering. Only some of that had been out of fear what Mr. Mason would say when he saw him chatting up his horse. Apparently he didn't mind at all, which was a huge relief. He could come speak with Flutter Shy whenever he saw her out in the yard! Most of his excitement, however, was from knowing the pony's name and having heard her voice. It was so timid, and quiet and precious! Hopefully she really would tend to the flowerbeds and he could find more moments to speak with her, perhaps without the mower. More importantly, without Mr. Mason. For the moment, however, Pat had a beer to finish and a window to sit at, watching Flutter Shy mowing Mr. Mason's lawn and then drinking the treat he'd given her.

Chapter 2

The next opportunity came only a week later. Pat had kept up his watch on Mr. Mason's house. His job at the Call center was at night for most of that week, which meant he was able to see Flutter Shy during the time her owner wasn't home. The pony went about her tasks methodically, but sometimes in the afternoon she fixed herself a snack on the coffee table in Mr. Mason's living room, which Pat could clearly see. He wondered if he should get binoculars, but that felt entirely too 'stalker-y' even for him. Perhaps he should stop watching her so obsessively too, but it was hard to give up. There was just something incredibly fascinating about Flutter.

The next Saturday was one of those working weekends Mr. Mason liked so much, which left the pony alone. Pat almost couldn't believe his luck when she put on a wide-brimmed hat, found a bucket somewhere, and went out to tend to the flowers. It was hard to sit still and wait a couple of minutes, but Pat forced himself. It would look mighty suspicious if he rushed out the instant she emerged from the house. Luckily, this time he was better prepared. Pat went to his fridge and grabbed a whole mango he'd bought a day ago. He'd seen Flutter Shy eating one, so she probably liked them.

After an agonizing fifteen minutes, Pat went out with the fruit and knife in hand. He came down the stairs and pretended to just then notice her presence. "Oh. Hi there," he greeted warmly.

The practice at the Call center really was paying off. Flutter Shy looked up from her work and blinked in surprise. "Um. Hi," she replied in that careful, soft voice.

That was enough invitation for Pat to slowly walk over, making it as nonchalant as he could manage. Just a neighbor being neighborly. "Weeding, huh?" He popped a piece of the fruit in his mouth as he looked over the flowers, feigning both interest and knowledge.

"Yup," came the simple reply and Flutter Shy just bent down. She was pulling a few weeds and digging at the soil, probably to aerate it or something. Not like Pat knew anything about gardening. He watched for a few moments, then held out the mango. "Want a piece?"

Flutter Shy looked up at the offering, blinked, then transferred her cyan gaze to Pat's face. It looked like she would refuse, but then, spotting it only because he had been looking, Pat saw her tongue dart out for an instant. "Uh, I c-can't," the pony said, holding up her muddy forehooves.

Pat cut a piece anyway, and just leaned over the fence to hold it head-high for her. "It's okay."

Again her gaze roamed from him to the fruit and back up, before Flutter Shy shrugged a little to herself and took a step closer. She took the mango mostly with her lips, careful not to so much as brush against Pat's hand. Then she chewed it and swallowed it so quickly that she must have either been starving, or mango was her favourite thing ever. Both eventualities were good. Some small talk was called for and Pat realized he didn't have anything in common with the creature. He focused on the one thing he knew.

"So... Flutter. Unusual name. Or- well, it's unusual around here. Maybe not so strange where you come from."

The pony shook her head. "It's actually 'Fluttershy', she pointed out. "Everypony says it wrong here. It's just one word."

"Oh. Sorry."

Another thing she'd just said tickled his memory and Pat went on: "Wait, you said 'every pony'? You mean 'everyone'? I've never heard it put like that. Strange."

She shrugged a little and moved to the next flowerbed, where she started to dig around with a small spade in her mouth. Pat followed along the fence, but waited quietly until she could answer. At long last Fluttershy spat out the tool and picked up the conversation as if there hadn't been a delay. "It's normal back home. Everypony - well, nearly everypony - is a pony, so it fits, even if there are non-ponies around. Nothing strange about that."

Pat gave a little shrug. Whatever place she came from sounded like it wasn't a part of Earth. He thought about asking, but maybe it could wait. "Want some more of this mango?" He realized he hadn't eaten any, so he quickly cut some more and put it in his own mouth first, just to keep up appearances.

Fluttershy put her head to one side, then nodded and stepped closer. This time her lips did brush Pat's hand and he thought he felt her tongue touch his finger. His breath caught and he said the first, stupid thing which came to mind. "Good pony."

Fluttershy jerked away and gave him a glare, which was only slightly spoiled by her chewing the fruit. "I'll thank you not to treat me like an animal," she said a little sternly.

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Um, while we're on the topic, you are a pony, right? I mean, you did say 'every pony' just now."

Luckily she understood Pat's insult had just come out of ignorance, not malice, and her smile returned. "Technically I'm a pegasus," she pointed out, stretching out one of her wings as if for proof.

"Pegasus..." Pat repeated to himself.

She must have thought he wanted something more and added: "Pegasus mare."

That made sense, especially since she was a miniature horse. Pat nodded to himself. "Okay. I like it."

Fluttershy was taken aback and frowned a little as she tried to make sense of this. "You like that I'm a mare, or you like that I'm a pegasus?"

The misunderstanding made Pat chuckle and he absentmindedly sliced another piece of the mango and ate it. "No, I mean I like your name. It... suits you."

"Oh." She looked away, but not quickly enough that Pat couldn't spot the tiniest of blushes. It made him a little bit giddy with delight to have caused it. "More mango?" he offered.

"Yes please."

He cut off a larger chunk and held it out. This time the mare wasn't at all worried and enveloped his fingers in her mouth, making sure none of the delicious juice was wasted. It took her a longer while to chew, which gave Pat some time to think of his next question. "So, um, Mr. Mason treating you well?"

Once Fluttershy had swallowed, she leaned her head to one side in thought again and shrugged. "He's hardly ever home. I guess I don't mind that. And the work is boring, but it's not hard. I guess he isn't too bad."

Pat almost asked her if the man had ever ordered her to his bed, but thought better of it. That topic could be delicate and he'd have to know the little mare a lot better before he could guess how she'd react to it. "That's nice. Do you get any free time? Are you allowed to leave the house?"

Fluttershy took another moment to study him, wondering just how much she could tell him. At length she shrugged again, mostly to herself. "I can go in the garden since today. Mr. Mason said he'd trust me to go further once I prove myself. As for free time... if I do all my chores Mr. Mason said I can do what I like the rest of the time."

It didn't sound too horrible, even though there was still that whole slavery thing. At least Fluttershy wasn't apparently suffering. Changing the topic yet again, Pat pointed at her wings. "Can you actually fly with those?"

This time the mare smiled and nodded more happily. "Sure can! Well, I'm not as good as some of my friends, but I can get around." Her gaze fell on the forgotten flowers and Fluttershy took a deep breath. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish this work or Mr. Mason will be mad."

It was just as well. Keeping his face calm and his hands still when he was this giddy with excitement was hard. Pat needed a break from the dialogue and then he needed some quiet time to think about it all. "Sure, no problems. Sorry for keeping you. Um, want the rest of this mango?"

There was a little more than half left. Fluttershy looked at it and licked her lips. "Don't you want it?" she asked.

"Nah, I'm good. Got another one in the fridge," Pat lied.

"Um, could you peel it and take out the pit?"

Pat happily obliged, even if it meant his hands were completely covered with mango juice. Hopefully Fluttershy would lick it off. Why did that sound so incredibly hot?! It was soon done and he held it out for her. The mare took it, barely touching Pat's hand this time, then sat down to chew it in peace. Amazing how the whole thing could fit in her mouth.

"Nice talking to you."

"Mhmm!" the mare replied and nodded, her mouth still full.

"I live just up there," Pat pointed. "Let me know if there's anything you need."

This made Fluttershy freeze for a moment and when she resumed her chewing it was slower. Pat also couldn't help noticing how her ears lowered. It had been a stupid thing to say, but luckily she swallowed and saved it with a polite little smile. "I'll... um, keep that in mind. Thank you, Mr. Patrick."

"Oh, it's just Pat."

"Okay... Pat." She bent back down to her flowers and Pat realized it was him who was supposed to leave.

He still had the pit from the mango in his hand and his fingers covered with juice. He went back to the stairs, wiping as best he could on his T-shirt so he didn't get his doorknob all sticky. Pretty soon he was inside, smiling to himself and pacing the length of his apartment. It took him nearly twenty minutes to remember to put the mango pit in the trash. That had been a successful conversation, he was sure of it! A couple more and he might be able to call this pony 'friend'. He ended up in his living room and looked out the window, to where Fluttershy was still digging at the flowerbeds. Hopefully she wouldn't do them all today and he'd be able to chat with her again the next day.

Somehow that became a regular thing. Weekends were when Fluttershy worked on Mr. Mason's flowerbeds, or mowed his lawn, and every time Pat came out to speak with her. For the most part it was just easy stuff, small talk. How the week had been, or the latest book Fluttershy had read, or a movie she had seen. It went the other way as well. More than once Pat found himself explaining a funny incident from work, or perhaps an annoyance. The mare was incredibly easy to talk to, always taking interest and offering words of comfort. He made sure to bring a mango, or a banana, or one time some ice cream for them to snack on, but to his slight regret Fluttershy always made sure to eat it before working, so he wouldn't have to feed her again with his hands.

Shame - that had felt nice for some reason.

Once or twice when Pat was leaning against the fence chatting with Fluttershy, Mr. Mason came out to say hello, but he never seemed bothered by the mare's association with their neighbor. Pat made sure to stay respectfully on his side of the barrier. Slowly, almost painfully so, Fluttershy seemed to be earning her owner's trust and was allowed more freedom. At first that manifested merely as the mare sunning herself in the backyard, or running in circles around the house for exercise. One particular day Pat woke up at noon and looked out his window only to nearly fall from his bed. Fluttershy was sitting on Mr. Mason's flat roof, staring into the distance. This was too unusual to pass up and Pat hurriedly dressed and ran outside. He came as near as he could to the fence and called.

"Fluttershy?"

Her face appeared above on the roof and she grinned. "Hi Pat!"

"What are you doing up there?"

She just giggled and waved a dismissive hoof. "Mr. Mason said I'm allowed to fly now, so I... um, came up here!"

It was good news and it answered Pat's question whether she could fly or not. Well, confirmed it, at least. Fluttershy had already answered it once. "What's it like?" he asked.

"I can see all those cars!" Fluttershy said, pointing with a wing this time. "There's... like this gray-white line. I dunno, like a road, but above the ground? Reverse bridge?"

Pat took a guess at what she was describing. "Highway?"

Fluttershy grinned and jumped from the roof, her wings spreading with a 'whoomph' of air, and she landed lightly in the grass. It was the first time Pat saw her wings fully outstretched and he was a little surprised at just how many feathers there were. The long ones along the edge were obvious, but he'd never expected there to be so many tiny little feathers up near the limb. He stared until the mare folded them up and only then moved his eyes to her face.

"Highway?" he repeated, not knowing what else to say.

"Oh, is that what it's called? It's certainly... descriptive. There's a lot of cars going up and down."

"Yeah, there usually are."

Fluttershy looked in the direction of the turnpike, but of course she couldn't see it from the ground. "Does it ever stop?"

"It slows down at night, but no. I guess not."

"Huh." She watched the horizon for a while longer, as if her gaze could penetrate the nearby houses, then shrugged and focused on Pat once again. She smiled pleasantly. "So, um... Mr. Harris get off your back yet?"

It took Pat a second or two to remember their previous conversation and he shrugged. "I don't think that'll ever happen. It's his job to make sure our numbers are up there, y'know?"

Fluttershy nodded to herself, as if she'd been expecting to hear that exact thing. "Being the boss isn't always easy. Rarity- um, my friend from Equestria, said you can't always be both a friend and a boss. She runs her own business, so she'd know."

It was another small glimpse into Fluttershy's mysterious world, but Pat knew better than to pry. If she shared a tidbit in the spur of the moment that was usually fine, but if he asked for any details Fluttershy was liable to just clamp up and go inside. She didn't like talking about what she'd lost, Pat figured. It made sense, too.

"I guess so. Anyway, it hasn't been the worst week."

The smile was back and Fluttershy laid down in the grass. "That's nice. Um, I have to start the laundry in five minutes. I just wanted to, uh, stretch my wings a little. I haven't flown in so long..."

Now that she'd reminded him, Pat couldn't help himself. "Can I see them? I mean, uh, if it's not weird."

Fluttershy gave him a slight frown, but then extended the wing she wasn't lying on, turning it this way and that.

"I didn't know horses could have wings," Pat admitted.

"Hey!" Fluttershy snapped, muzzle scrunching up in indignation. "I'm a pony, remember?!"

"Sorry."

She took a deep breath and then her smile returned. "It's alright, I forgive you. Just don't do it again!"

"Promise." There was a moment of silence and then Pat remembered something. "I didn't bring anything this time. I was... surprised to see you on the roof when I woke up."

Fluttershy ignored the lack of a snack, but she looked up at Mr. Petrinov's building. "That's your bedroom window?" she asked and pointed with a hoof.

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll remember that," she promised.

"Anyway, I got some grapes in the fridge if you'll wait a minute."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Nah, I'm okay. Thanks for offering. Um, are you done looking now?"

Pat realized she was still holding her wing outstretched for him to look. Her chastising him for his unintentional slight had thrown him off and he hadn't really looked at it. He did so now, very hurriedly. "Yeah, thanks. Looks soft."

She pressed the feathers against her muzzle before snapping the appendage shut. "It is. It's very warm, too. Nothing nicer than snuggling up with my wings around me in winter!"

It sounded incredibly comfortable and Pat couldn't help wanting to know what it felt like. "Um, can- c-can I touch? Only if it's okay with you!"

Fluttershy gave this some thought, staring right into Pat's eyes as if tying to decide what his ulterior motive was. She slowly stood up and walked closer to the fence. "Reach over," she said and partially unfurled the wing.

Pat ran a trembling finger along the edge, marvelling at how the feathers moved under his touch. It was incredibly warm, more than he'd expected. "This is so cool!" he said with a big grin.

After a moment Fluttershy smiled too, but she pulled away and folded her wings up again. "It tickles," she said. "Anyway, I have to go now. It was nice talking to you!"

"Uh? Yeah, same!"

As she walked back to the house, Fluttershy paused to look back and give Pat a slight smile. Then she was gone and Pat went back to his stairs. He couldn't help wondering what it would feel like to sit on the couch with Fluttershy, maybe watching one of those silly romantic comedies and have the mare put her wing around him. Too bad it was an impossible fantasy, but at least he could dream, right?

Chapter 4

The visits became a regular thing, although each time with some forewarning. Pat had told Fluttershy to come by any time, but she insisted on asking him if he had time at least a day in advance. His answer was always the same, but she still asked. Despite that, the arrangement suited Pat just fine. This way he never had to see Mr. Mason and be forcibly reminded that the man was Fluttershy's owner. He could simply pretend like the mare was a friend who sometimes came to visit. For the most part they played games and talked, although there were a few times when one or the other would cook and they'd have a meal together. More than once Pat had been about to joke about having 'dates', except he still didn't know how Fluttershy might react to that, so he kept quiet.

"Uuuurgh," the mare was groaning, sprawled sideways on Pat's couch, her hind hoof resting against his thigh. He'd started up Spyro Reignited, but this time she didn't seem interested in watching it. Instead, she'd spent the past few minutes simply complaining. "And then I said I guess I didn't use enough washing powder and he told me to wash all his shirts again! The others were perfectly fine!"

"Jeez, what a hard ass," Pat commented, commiserating.

"Yeah! And it wasn't my fault he got barbecue sauce all over his sleeve! Maybe if he knew how to eat without making a mess... Gah!" In a way, Fluttershy being annoyed with her owner was good. Pat liked it, because she then confided in him more and spent more time in his apartment with his sympathetic ear. A few times something Mr. Mason had said nearly brought Fluttershy to tears and she had welcomed Pat's embrace. Those soft, pony hugs were absolutely amazing, especially when she added her wings into the equation.

"I needed to get away from there, at least for a while!" Fluttershy concluded her rant. "I'm going stir crazy in that house! It's just so boring!"

Pat got an interesting idea and hit the pause button. "Hey! How about we go for a walk around the park? It's not too far, I can drive. We still have about four hours of daylight left!"

Fluttershy stared at the ceiling, then her hind hoof patted Pat's leg as she shifted in excitement. "Well, Mr. Mason is home. I c-could go ask him?" she proposed, both eager to go and frightened.

Perhaps she was afraid of a refusal, or maybe she was just worried about the unknown. Pat decided it was the latter. "There probably aren't even that many people around. And some of the trees are starting to go all brown and orange and stuff. Or at least they will, soon."

This clinched it and Fluttershy rolled off the couch. "I'll be right back!" she promised, rushed to give Pat a quick hug, then ran out. She neglected to close the door in her haste but Pat didn't mind. He had to go change his clothes anyway and he could get the door on the way to his bedroom.

So that was how Pat ended up with the remote for Fluttershy's GPS shock collar. Mr. Mason had been quite good-natured about letting the two go to the park together. He'd said that Fluttershy could use some exercise and to have her back by seven, so she could start on the load of laundry. However annoyed the mare had been about that dirty shirt incident, it seemed as if her owner hadn't even given it a second thought. He simply expected perfect obedience. In either case, that was in the future and Fluttershy was happy to forget it for a while. She had taken the passenger seat and Pat did his best to buckle her in. Now he was driving and she was staring out the window with curiosity.

"You're not gonna try and run away on me, right?" It was only partly a joke question, on some level Pat was a little worried. Luckily Fluttershy gave him a bright smile and reached over to place a hoof on his knee.

"Of course not!" she said, then her ears pinned back and she sighed. "Where would I run anyway? I can't take this off by myself-" she pawed at the collar, "and they'd just hunt me down and punish me. I don't want that."

It was a sad reminder of her station in life and Pat felt decidedly uncomfortable with the remote in his pocket. It was true that Fluttershy's collar was tied to it, but it also had a phone card which would let Mr. Mason know exactly where the mare was at all times. "Sorry. That was insensitive," he apologized.

Fluttershy just kept staring at the road ahead and her ears didn't move.

"For what it's worth, if I had the money I'd buy you off Mr. Mason..."

At this the mare turned and stared at him, eyes large and probing. "I d-don't think that's a good idea, Pat."

"Huh? Why not?!" It hurt a little for Fluttershy to say that. It would be infinitely better for her to live with him than Mr. Mason.

She took a deep breath. "I'm not sure I can explain it, really. Pat," she began and put a hoof on his knee again, "I like us being friends. Do you think we could still be... friends if you... owned me?" Her voice hitched at the word 'owned'.

"Yeah! I wouldn't think about myself like your owner, Shy. It'd just be a- a formality!"

She flashed him a small smile, then shook her head. "It's no use anyway. I don't think Mr. Mason would sell me..."

There was that, and it irked like hell. Now that he had the idea in his mind Pat wanted nothing more than to own Fluttershy. Surely if he had her and showed her just how he'd treat her she wouldn't be so reluctant. "Well, maybe someday," he muttered. "Anyway, we're nearly there. Let me just park there." This made her feel better and she focused her stare out the window, taking in the park with a decidedly excited expression.

Pat was just about ready to leave for work when there came a knock. It was rather unexpected, because Fluttershy knew he had his shift today and no one else really had a reason for a visit. He shrugged a little to himself and left the half-eaten banana on his table as he went to look. It really was 'Shy, if a somewhat nervous one.

"Oh. Um. H-Hi!" she began, rubbing a foreleg with the other hoof. "Um, do- do you have a minute? I p-promise it won't take long."

Pat quickly looked at his phone. It would be a stretch, but for Fluttershy he didn't mind coming in a bit late. "Sure thing. Always for you, 'Shy."

She flashed a smile and turned around. "Come with me, please. Mr. M-Mason would like to talk with you."

That didn't bode well and Pat was instantly apprehensive. Did the guy finally realize he'd been getting too close with the pegasus and was about to tell him off? Surely if that was going to happen 'Shy would have given him a hint or something. Furthermore, Pat thought, Mason probably wouldn't send her to fetch him at all. He'd just forbid her to visit and that'd be that. Not like Pat or Fluttershy could do anything about that, realistically.

He followed her, pausing only to close his apartment before she led him to Mr. Mason's modern front door. She didn't even pause as she slipped inside, but stopped to wait in the hall for Pat. He closed that door too and followed his friend deeper into the house. He knew the layout pretty well, at least some of it, and she led him to the living room where Mr. Mason was sitting, relaxed on the couch. He was dressed for work as well. This was unusual. Mason, being the workaholic he was, usually left for work before Pat even woke up. He was running quite late.

"Ah, Patrick. Thanks for coming on such short notice."

Surely he wouldn't be giving him an approving nod if he was about to chew him out, right? "Y-Yeah, sure. No problem..."

The man inspected Pat for a moment, then looked at Fluttershy, who was industriously studying her own front hooves. Her ears were completely flat and her wings were slightly spread. Pat recognized the pose. She was afraid of what would come next. His own heart began to beat even faster than it was and he clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking.

After a moment Mr. Mason continued: "Well, this is a bit sudden, I know, but I hope you'll be able to assist me with this one thing."

Was the man asking for some kind of help? Pat couldn't fathom what sort of assistance he could give the man, but it caused a glimmer of hope to spring up. Maybe it wasn't anything bad. "If I can, yeah." he answered, keeping it simple.

"Good, good," Mr. Mason said. He heaved a sigh and went on: "Anyway, I have a business conference in Paris the whole of next week, so I'll be gone from the country. I'm leaving later today, actually." He stared at Fluttershy again, considering, before continuing. "The house should have everything, but this little horse tells me she'd be lonely."

Pat glanced over just in time to see Fluttershy's mouth tighten at being called a 'horse', but she didn't look up or comment. It was obvious that Mr. Mason was a strict master. "So I was hoping you'd be willing to take her in. You know, since you've been spending all this time together. I'll pay for the food, of course."

It took Pat some time to properly understand the words and then he couldn't quite believe them. "Y-You want me to take care of 'Shy?!"

Mr. Mason took it the wrong way and stood up. "She's no trouble, really," he spoke quickly, trying to seal the deal. "I- uh- don't really have anyone else to ask, you see?" Before Pat could reply, the man was standing right in front of him, still talking rapidly: "If you can't, then that's that and she'll just have to stick it out, but she gets mopey when she's lonely and... well."

They both looked at Fluttershy, who was blushing furiously. Pat couldn't tell whether from embarrassment or anger, but Mr. Mason took it as the former and chuckled. "See?" he asked. "What do you say? She won't be any trouble and she can clean your place up while she's at it, right Flutter?"

Fluttershy finally glanced up and nodded emphatically. "Yes, sir!"

Pat finally managed to get a word in edgewise. "Sure! I m-mean, yes! I'll do it. No problem!"

Mr. Mason's shoulders sagged in relief. "Splendid! You're doing me a big favor, Patrick. Keep track of how much you spend on food and I'll pay you back double, deal?"

Pat, staring at Fluttershy who was smiling back at him, just nodded mechanically. The man grabbed his hand to shake it, which reminded Pat he had to say something. "It's no trouble, really..."

Then Mr. Mason turned to Fluttershy and pointed a finger. "As for you, I expect you to treat Mr. Patrick with the same respect you show me while you live in his house, understand?! I don't want to hear about your behavior from him!"

Fluttershy was happy enough that she didn't even flinch. "I promise, Mr. Mason!"

The owner turned back to Pat. "Anyway, I have to run now. She'll pack her things and- are you working today?"

"Uh, yeah. Just leaving, actually."

Mason grew thoughtful. "In that case, finish cleaning the house, Flutter and pack up your things. Mr. Patrick will come get you when he's back. Lock the door behind you, got it?"

Again she nodded happily. "Yes, Mr. Mason!"

"Good. Thanks again, Patrick. See you!"

Pat made some kind of goodbye, but he was still too stunned to really acknowledge the man. Fluttershy living with him for the whole week? It was like a dream come true, except he couldn't revel in it right now because was already late for work. He patted the mare on her head.

"I really gotta go, but this is gonna be fun, okay? You can have the other bedroom and everything." That last was more of an afterthought and mostly for Mr. Mason's sake. Secretly Pat was hoping the mare would want to cuddle at night. It'd be a totally amazing feeling to wake up with 'Shy! Even if they didn't do anything! He knew how soft the pegasus was. He'd refrain from doing stuff if it meant he could have his hands on her the whole night. Almost in a daze he followed Mr. Mason out of the house, then stumbled back home to grab his keys and wallet. It was going to be a fantastic week! A sudden thought struck him and Pat wondered if he could get some vacation days on short notice.

Chapter 5

The one time Pat wanted to get home fast there was impossible traffic. A less-anxious part of his mind said that the gridlock was no worse than on any other day, but with Fluttershy to get home to, it felt like an eternity. To top it all off, the car was low on gas so he had to waste another fifteen minutes on that necessary detour. On the plus side, he managed to snag a little surprise at the gas station.

Now he grabbed the liquor bottle from the passenger seat, not noticing in his haste that he had knocked his wallet to the floor in the process. He hurried to unlock his door and leave the special bottle in the hall, then simply left his flat open as he ran two steps at a time back down. He rushed to Mr. Mason's door and rang the bell. The fancy car was gone, probably left at the airport or something. It meant the man wasn't home and the mare was alone, a state of affairs which suited Pat just fine.

Not long after that the door opened and 'Shy peered out. When she saw who it was she dropped down from the handle and grinned. "I'll just grab my bag and be right out!"

In his impatient excitement Pat stepped from foot to foot as he waited. He realized he was grinning, but he wouldn't have cared even if there had been people outside. As it stood, it was a chilly autumn afternoon and there was no one on the streets. Pretty soon 'Shy came back with a shopping bag in her mouth. Pat reached down and took it.

"Thanks," 'Shy murmured and pointed with a hoof. "Um, there's a key in there. Could you lock the door? It's kinda hard to do with my mouth..."

Pat happily obliged and made sure to securely lock Mr. Mason's door. "This is gonna be so much fun!" he burst out, unable to contain himself any longer.

'Shy shared a smile and nodded. "Mhm! So..."

"Oh, right! This way."

Such a polite little mare, Pat couldn't help thinking. She waited for him to take the lead despite knowing exactly where he lived. He escorted her up the stairs to his place already making plans. "I got us some strawberry Vodka. You'll have a bit, right?"

He'd tried to get 'Shy tipsy before, wondering if she'd open up to more petting, but she'd always insisted that she needed her wits around Mr. Mason. That excuse was gone now, a fact Fluttershy realized, at least judging by her splayed ears. "Um... Maybe just a little," she agreed, even if it was a reluctant yes.

"Don't worry, we're not getting drunk. Just a bit to relax us and loosen the tongue."

At this Fluttershy stopped, the sound of her hooves ceasing and telling Pat she wasn't following anymore. He glanced back at her worried expression.

"What's wrong?"

"W-Why do we need to loosen our tongues?"

"It's just-" Pat tried, but couldn't find a good answer. "It's just something people do, y'know? Relax, enjoy the company. Drink helps." He remembered something one of his coworkers had once said. "It's like a social lubricant."

'Shy took this on board, but didn't seem entirely convinced. "I t-thought we were pretty relaxed already," she pointed out. "I already enjoy your company."

Pat put her bag just inside the door and went back to pat her mane. "Yeah, of course! Look, you don't have to. I'll just have a small glass, nothing more, and you can have some too or not, whatever you like." It would be a shame if Fluttershy said no. Pat imagined that getting the mare a bit tipsy would help her open up. Still, not a big loss; 'Shy was right in that she was good company and easy to get along with. This clinched it and 'Shy finally finished the walk upstairs. Pat closed the door behind them and let out a sigh. "Well, my home is your home, okay? Whatever you want, just take it. If I don't have it, tell me and I'll go buy it."

Fluttershy nodded towards the bag she'd packed. "Mr. Mason gave us the remote for my collar. He said I'm allowed to go places, but only if you're with me."

This showed just how much the man trusted 'Shy. With him out of the country, she could have taken the remote and ran away. "Well, make yourself at home anyway," Pat concluded.

"I'll go make my bed, um, if that's okay," 'Shy proposed.

When he looked, Pat saw that she had a set of bedclothes with her. It was quite sweet of her; this way he wouldn't even have to do laundry on her account after she was gone. "Cool, cool. Wanna play some Spyro when you're done? We can talk about dinner after that."

Now that the mare was in his apartment and staying there Pat almost panicked. He suddenly wasn't sure he had enough fun activities to keep them occupied for that long. Hopefully Fluttershy would have some ideas of her own. She was already on her way to the empty bedroom with the bag in her mouth, but she dropped her burden inside and poked her head back out to the hallway.

She gave Pat a weak grin. "N-No offense, b-but I thought... maybe... um..."

Was she about to propose something she considered impolite?! Pat's heart began to race, but he made sure to keep grinning. "Yes?"

"I thought, uhm, m-maybe I'd clean up a little first..."

His face fell a bit and Fluttershy shrank back, thinking she'd offended him. "It's not that it's... not tidy," she hurriedly explained, "I just, um, wanna. As- as a little thank you!"

Realizing what she must be thinking spurred Pat to hurry forward and put an arm on her withers. "Hey, of course it's fine. You absolutely don't have to do that. If it's too dirty for you, I'll clean it up, deal?"

Her smile returned and she shook her head with more confidence. "No, no, it's okay! I'm used to it, really. You go ahead and start Spyro and I'll join you as soon as I'm done."

It was a very tempting offer, though. Pat couldn't remember a time when the place hadn't been a mess. He relented, mostly because of Fluttershy's eager, pleading expression, but also because it would save him a lot of effort. 'Shy was right - with her experience at Mr. Mason's, this would be a snap for her. "Sure. And as thanks I'll give you a hoof massage, deal?"

She didn't have to know Pat would enjoy that just as much as her, or more. A chance to feel her up and play with her hooves. Fluttershy was blushing heavily and avoiding his gaze, but she made herself take a glance at his face. "Y-You really don't have to-"

"It's no trouble. 'Shy, I'm not your owner. Think of me as a roommate, okay?" A roommate was a good place to start.

That faint smile was back and the mare nodded. "Okay." She ducked back into her room to make the bed, but turned around again almost immediately. "Um, do you have a vacuum cleaner? Or a broom?"

"Both. I'll show you, just call when you need them, okay?" Another nod and she went to make her bed while Pat continued into the living room. Such a polite pony! "I'll just go and change out of these pants, 'kay?"

She called out of her room: "'kay!"

Patrick was trying to focus on his game, but he was hyper-aware of Fluttershy's slow progress around the flat with the vacuum cleaner. More than once he thought about getting up and offering to help again, but each time he changed his mind. Finally, 'Shy finished with the floor and Pat smiled to himself as she came into the living room. He looked over, wondering if she'd sit a bit closer this time, but the mare went straight to the kitchen and pushed a chair to the sink. She started to hum to herself when she opened the water and Pat realized she meant to wash the dishes. This was too much and he paused the game.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to do that!"

'Shy looked at him with a slight frown, then shrugged and smiled back. "It's okay, I don't mind."

While it was fantastic to have someone clean for him, the evening wasn't going at all the way Pat had wanted it to. It was time to put his foot down and at the same time earn some of those 'good friend' points. "Nah, that's my mess. I'll do it, 'kay?"

The statement made the mare giggle. "Pat, the floor was also technically your mess and I didn't mind."

"Well, this is different. Go. I just got to the Breeze Harbor, you take it from there while I wash up, okay?"

This was enough to make 'Shy flick her ears around. It was one of her favorite levels, after all. She pushed the chair back to the table, then brushed past Pat to give him a quick nuzzle. "You're such a gentlecolt, Pat," she praised.

Honestly, with that kind of encouragement it wasn't hard to do the dishes at all. Pretty soon Pat heard the game start back up and the clacking of the large, hoof-shaped controls he'd bought for Fluttershy. It was just a few plates and a pan in the sink in any case, so he was done rather quickly and could rejoin his guest on the couch.

All he got was a quick flicker of her eyes before 'Shy focused on the screen once more. "Want it back?" she asked during a lull in the action.

"Nah, you have fun," he told her and leaned back to enjoy the view. The view, in this case, being Fluttershy concentrating on her hoofwork. Her ears were perked up to catch all the subtle audio cues, her wings were slightly unfolded to help her keep her balance and her tongue was poking out in concentration.

Absolut Cute.

That thought reminded Pat about the drink he'd bought. "Oh, want a glass of that Vodka? A small one?" So intent was 'Shy on her game that she just wordlessly nodded and he hurried to fetch the bottle from where he'd left it by the entrance. He filled two glasses about halfway and took them to the couch, making sure not to walk between the mare and the screen. A quick glance at the score told him she was doing quite well and he didn't want to disturb.

He took a sip of his and held both glasses. It had a strong taste of alcohol, but it also smelled and felt like strawberries. Maybe Fluttershy would like it.

"Drat!" she mock-swore as Spyro fell into the lava. "I'll never get good at this!"

Pat chuckled a little and offered the glass. "Don't worry, it just takes practice. You're doing great."

He got a grateful smile in return and the mare accepted the drink with both forehooves. She sniffed at it. "Mmm!" Despite the apparently nice smell 'Shy only took a small sip. It was a good thing too, because she gasped and panted with her tongue out. "Eeesh!"

Even her discomfort was adorable, but Pat had enough presence of mind to steady her glass with a hand before she spilled it. "Just take it slow. You'll get used to it," he told her.

Fluttershy nodded at him, then gave the drink a determined glare. Her intention not to drink was apparently forgotten in the face of this challenge. He let the glass go when she tried another sip. This time she knew what to expect and just scrunched up her muzzle as the alcohol burned its way down. "Ugh, how can it smell so nice and taste so... burny?!"

"It's the way it is. Don't drink too much of it, though, it's pretty strong."

She carefully deposited her glass on the armrest and slid off the couch. "I need a glass of water," she murmured and went to pour herself one.

Pat realized too late that he should have helped. 'Shy had to push the chair back to the sink, pour herself some water, then return it to the table. She hobbled carefully back on three legs, somehow holding the glass in the crook of her ankle. It was probably a knack all ponies learned. Once back on the couch, Fluttershy sipped some water, then grabbed the other drink once more. "Well, here goes..." This time she took a significant gulp, followed rapidly with the water. She leaned her head to one side and smacked her lips. "It's not... quite as bad..."

Pat just grinned and took his own glass. "Gonna try the level again, or do you want me to do it?"

The mare waved at him with a wing since her hooves were full. "Go ahead. I'll have some more of this. I like strawberries."

Before long Fluttershy had worked through her glass, and now she looked a bit unsteady and quite flushed. The water had helped the alcohol go down smoother, but it looked like she'd had enough.

Pat felt bad for pouring as much as he did. He was about to ask her if she was okay, but she beat him to it: "Um, do you have any beer?"

"Huh?!"

'Shy blushed and offered an uncertain grin. "I, um, kinda like the smell. I think."

Maybe it was the alcohol talking already, but Pat wasn't about to deny her what she wanted. He paused the game and put the controller on the couch beside him. "I'll get some. Hold on." He had a couple of bottles in the fridge and it was the work of moments to fetch and open two of them.

'Shy accepted hers between her forelegs and sniffed at it. "Yeah," was all she said and Pat guessed she was talking to herself. He watched as she lifted up the bottle with her mouth to take a swig. When it came back down 'Shy smacked her lips a few times, staring off into the distance. "Kinda bitter, but not bad," she commented. "I like the- uuurk!" The small burp made her eep in embarrassment and cover her mouth with a hoof. "Sorry! I totally didn't mean to do that!"

Pat couldn't help chuckling, but he reached over and patted her withers. "You don't have to apologize. Just relax and be yourself, I don't mind." In a way, it was kinda hot to see the pegasus letting loose. She always had such a tight control over herself that it was a refreshing change to see her like this.

Still blushing, 'Shy lifted up the bottle again, but this time she took a smaller sip. She looked at the screen then shifted her gaze to Pat. "So, you gonna play or just, uh, wa- watch me drink?" She had a valid point and Pat grabbed his controller again. They both focused on the game. With how far 'Shy had gotten on her own, it wasn't too much longer until he finished the level.

All the while she had been taking swigs of beer, seemingly quite enjoying the taste of hops. It would make sense, Pat thought idly. She was a pony and they liked grain, no?

"Y'know," Fluttershy began slowly, as if still waiting for the thought to crystallize, "when poor, um dragon... Spyro. Yeah, when he got, um, misled in that portal at the beee- beginnin'?"

"Yeah?"

Fluttershy turned to Pat and gave him a triumphant stare. "Twi- Twiley'd never let that happen to, uh, her. She's... she's like, like totally amazing wiff, um, portals."

Pat blinked at this unexpected tidbit. Surely Fluttershy couldn't be drunk enough yet to openly talk about her life before Earth, which was usually a rather painful topic? "If you say so."

"Huh," the mare went on, apparently not having even heard Pat's remark. "On-t, on the other hoof, that way we woo- wee- w-wouldn't be here to help th' Eskimos, right?"

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Fluttershy heaved a sigh and shrugged. "Silver lining an' all that, I guess." There was nothing really to add and the mare had nothing else to say, judging by how she lifted up the beer bottle once more. She was watching the game so Pat kept playing it, but he couldn't stop himself stealing glances at the pegasus. Surely she couldn't be that much of a lightweight, could she?

Suddenly she sat bolt upright. "Um, got any- any that strawberry stuff left?" she asked.

Despite his misgivings Pat passed her his own glass, still about a quarter full. 'Shy took it and emptied it, following it quickly with the beer to wash the sting of alcohol from her mouth. "S'kinda, uh, kinda- yeah, kinda sweet when you get used to it..."

"Yeah, but I think that's enough. You're getting tipsy, 'Shy."

She shrugged a little and pushed the glass away. "So wha'?" she asked a bit more sharply then her usual timid tone. "Dam- damn Mr. Mason has me, um, maiding all over for 'im. I deserve to get drunk some-sometimes."

"Yeah, I guess."

'Shy drew a shuddering breath. "Not gonna see any of my friends again, b-but I still deserve to be happy..."

It could be tricky talking about that, but Pat went with his gut instinct and put the game controller down. He turned and shifted closer so he could hug the mare and carefully press her head against his shoulder. "You totally do. I'm sorry about you being stuck here, but you do deserve to be happy, 'Shy. Everyone deserves to be happy!"

She nodded against his shirt and returned the hug with her hooves. "I'ma... I'ma bit dizzy," she said, then giggled. "Or, or, or, maybe this..." she gestured with a hoof around her. "Yer room... s'spinning."

"Just ride it out. I can't believe you're drunk already, but you'll be fine. Here, drink some more water, it'll help."

She nodded, but didn't move her hooves so Pat simply placed the water against her lips and carefully tilted it up. Some of the liquid escaped and dribbled down Fluttershy's coat and splashed against Pat's pants. She didn't seem to notice it and swallowed what got into her mouth. After he put the empty glass down Pat used his sleeve to dry Fluttershy's muzzle and chest.

"There. I'll get you some more later, okay? Can you sit upright?"

Fluttershy just shrugged and burrowed her face in Pat's shirt again. "I l-like it here," she mumbled.

"Okay. This is fine," Pat said, more to himself than to the mare. The grip around him tightened and 'Shy muttered something else, but it was too mangled for him to understand. "What was that?"

"-said I'm lone- lonely wiff, um wiffout my fr'ens."

It sounded like music to Pat's ears and he patted her back. "I'll be your friend, 'Shy."

She nodded against his shirt but didn't speak. The hug was nice, though. Suddenly the little mare shuddered in Pat's arms, there was a hot, liquid feeling on his chest, and he pulled her away. It was too late; there was already sick spreading in a warm puddle down his shirt. "Ugh, 'Shy..."

The smell was like rotten strawberries and antiseptic, nearly making Pat throw up as well. Fluttershy, however, stared at him with wide, frightened eyes and put both hooves on her muzzle. "Urk!" More spurted out between her legs and down her own chest. Pat couldn't help noticing that her sick consisted of nothing but liquids. Fluttershy followed his gaze, but seeing the mess just made her groan and shut her eyes.

"You didn't eat anything before you came here, did you?" He sighed and took his shirt off. It was already done for, but maybe he could use to to protect the couch some. He bundled the cloth against the stain on Fluttershy's chest and managed to somehow catch the next stream. "Hold this!"

The mare had just enough presence of mind to grasp the cloth to herself. She still didn't look, so her next heave only partially hit the cloth and some of it spilled, but she caught most of the mess. That freed Pat's hands and he simply picked up the pegasus. Even now he couldn't believe how light she was. One of her wings unfolded but 'Shy didn't seem to be aware of it at all. She heaved a few times, but it looked like the performance was over, at least for the moment. There was nothing else to do but rush her to the bathroom, where Pat bumped the light switch with his elbow and then deposited the mare in the tub as gently as he could. She'd be easiest to clean up in there.

"Well, that didn't go like I planned," Pat said. He thought he should be disappointed, but somehow 'Shy managed 'adorable' even while puking all over herself. In any case, she was far too miserable for Pat to think about himself right then. She was still clutching the cloth to her chest and he pried it away from her. That finally made her open her eyes and look, but it seemed she was having trouble focusing.

"You should puke it all out, 'Shy. You gotta take a shower in either case, so it doesn't really matter."

She blinked in confusion and tried to look around to see where she was. The movement of her head was a mistake though and she groaned, grasping her belly with both hooves. "I... gonna..." she managed before bringing out some more mixed beer and vodka.

Yeah, perhaps Pat should have taken into account her weight before giving her strong alcohol. Not to mention her obvious inexperience with drink. He definitely should have asked if she'd eaten yet. Or, at all that day. She was sobbing now and it was a heart-wrenching sight. Pat climbed into the tub with the mare, completely ignoring how his pants were getting smeared, and pulled the poor thing against his chest.

At first she tried to push him away, but when he patted her withers a few times Fluttershy accepted and pressed her face in Pat's bare belly. "Izz... bluh!" 'Shy tried to say, but something gurgled and whatever the word was it turned into vomit. Pat almost couldn't believe how hot the liquid was against bare skin. Hopefully the mare wasn't running a fever.

"Noooo!" Fluttershy wailed, again trying to free herself, but Pat held her firmly and stroked her mane. He was smearing it with sick, but she'd need a full shower in either case. She tried to speak again. "Don'- look!" It was obviously important to her, because she managed to make the sentence work: "Don't look at me!" This time when she heaved there was nothing left. 'Shy hiccuped a few times then went back to wordless sobbing.

Something told Pat it wasn't just because of nausea and sickness. There was something deeper in Fluttershy's crying and the drink had merely brought it out. Then again, she had no shortage of things to be sad about. Pat scooped the pegasus up, sat cross-legged, and deposited her in his lap Her wing was still unfolded and shifted every now and then, but 'Shy didn't seem to have any real control over it. She managed to clutch Pat around his chest while he patted her mane and ran a hand up and down her withers in what was hopefully a soothing gesture.

"It's okay. Cry it out and then I'll help you wash, okay?" Fluttershy didn't seem to understand, or maybe she hadn't heard it, but it was what she was already doing so that was okay. It could turn into a long night, with him sitting uncomfortably in a puddle of vomit, but for some reason Pat felt elated.

This creature clearly needed him and he could give her comfort. She desperately needed something which her owner couldn't give. Perhaps no one on Earth could, except for him. Sure, her present misery was sad, but she'd surely trust him after this. She'd open up some more to the only human who listened. It really was a uniquely gratifying feeling. He smiled a little and bent his head down to brush Fluttershy's nose with his. "It's gonna be okay," he repeated. Hopefully he'd get used to the smell soon.

This time the little mare had heard and lifted her head to look at Pat. She gazed at him in near silence, except for her breathing, then let her muzzle fall again. "'m- mess," she fumbled the words. "'m a tot- total... mess!"

Pat just nodded sagely. Joy souring into guilt as he realized he had been feeling happy about her personal tragedy. "I guess we both are, 'Shy." He distinctly felt her hug tighten for a moment. The mare sniffled, but it didn't seem as if she'd go back to full-on sobbing. Pat placed his palm against her muzzle and ran his thumb through the soft fur on her cheek. He felt her hot breath as 'Shy exhaled and a slight chill when she drew a fresh lungful.

Her nose wiggled and her eyes popped open. "Ugh, stink," she complained.

"Yeah, we do." Luckily they were already in the right place to fix that. Pat was about to reach for the tap, but 'Shy squirmed and lifted her head. She held her breath for a moment, then made a sound half between a gargle and a choke, and heaved again. Nothing came out, but she was still pretty far out of it, so Pat decided to wait with the shower for a while. His reasoning was confirmed when Fluttershy gave a little groan and shifted so his knee wasn't pressing against her stomach.

Chapter 6

The first order of business was to wash away the vomit which had pooled in the bath tub. Actually, Pat changed his mind, the first thing was to unlatch Fluttershy's collar and place it safely on the washing machine which was the only surface in reach. Then Pat shifted Fluttershy to one side and opened the tap. At the sound of the running water her eyes opened and blearily tried to focus on the source, but upon seeing it was only the shower she relaxed again. Pat angled the stream to wash away the worst of the stuff and let the water soak his abused shirt. Then he wrung it out and tossed it into the sink where it could wait until later without making a big puddle on the floor. Already the smell in the bathroom was much improved, or else he'd just gotten used to it in the past hour or so. He wondered if he should do the same with his pants, but the situation was already quite awkward so he left them on for now. Funny how the words 'taking a bath with Fluttershy' had sounded so hot when he thought them, and then the reality was drastically different.

Pat chuckled a little to himself as he plugged the drain and let the water start building up. "'Shy? We're gonna take a bath, don't freak out."

She was barely present enough to manage a small nod, but she still pushed herself into a semblance of a sitting position. Even with her forelegs holding to the sides of the tub the mare swayed alarmingly. There was nothing to it but to begin. Pat looked 'Shy up and down, then decided to start with her chest. Or barrel, which was the more anatomically correct term. He made sure not to let the stream of water hit her face and instead began soaking her from the neck down. 'Shy sighed and leaned into the stream, apparently enjoying hot water. She pushed too far and got her muzzle into the spray, which sent her into a coughing fit when she inhaled some.

"Okay, okay, I have to hold you, I guess." An idea occurred and Pat turned the mare around so she was facing away from him. He was wondering what to do about her loose wings, but when he ran his hands down the feathers she pulled them tight against her body, solving the problem. It looked like it was an automatic reaction, but it worked for what he had in mind. Pat scooched closer, holding her in place, and pressed her back against his belly. She seemed quite stable between his legs and leaned her head against his collar at his urging. That left his hands free to scrub the worst of the sick from her chest fluff, while 'Shy made little grunts and squeaks of comfort at being thus massaged. It brought a smile to his lips. When he grabbed her leg she lifted it up, not realizing what he wanted. For some reason the reflex reminded him of how regular horses would present their hoof for inspection to the farrier.

"Just stay still, I've got you."

In lieu of a reply she reached her head just a bit further up and licked the underside of Pat's chin. The unexpected warmth of her tongue there made him freeze in shock. Pushing it out of his mind was hard, but Pat did so and went back to running his fingers down the mare's body. Most of the mess was there and on her forelegs. He turned the shower off and reached for his shampoo. A thought made him hesitate. Would the product be okay for a pony? It was just hair, right? Anyway, he didn't have anything else so it would just have to do. If 'Shy hated the scent she could take another shower by herself in the morning.

Pat took a big goop of the stuff and put the bottle back so he'd have both hands free. He brought the shampoo against Fluttershy's chest where the fur was thickest and would make the most amount of foam. As he began to lather, the pony shifted and her head slipped forward. Pat caught her and lifted it back up, but it left a smear of white foam on her muzzle. She tried to lick it off, but groaned and spit at the taste.

"Don't eat it! Just stay still, I'll be done in a minute," he gently chided. Fluttershy murmured something unintelligible, but she didn't lick any more. She went back to quiet groaning as Pat massaged her belly with the soap foam. He spread it as far as he could reach and then went a little lower. His hand came to a patch of skin with almost no fur and he froze. He suddenly remembered what was positioned around there on a pony body. She probably wasn't dirty in that place and the impromptu assisted shower was already too awkward, but he couldn't quite stop himself. It was just curiosity, Pat told himself. She wouldn't remember it in any case.

It was just a lather, anyway. You couldn't expect to lather someone up without touching them, right? His hand swept across her teats so quickly that he wasn't sure what he felt, if he felt anything at all. For that matter, he wasn't even sure what he'd been expecting. She was just... smooth and so incredibly warm there. It was still a very significant place and made his pants feel uncomfortably tight.

For a few moments Pat just waited in silence, hoping 'Shy wouldn't give a squeak of protest or struggle out of his grip. She had every right to, he realized as shame washed over him. Yeah, he could admit it now: he desired 'Shy and it wasn't just curiosity. Still, copping a feel while she was blind-drunk wasn't the way to go about it.

It was wrong. He almost pushed her away, but 'Shy would just fall and she was in no condition to finish showering on her own. Since he'd started it, he owed her at least to finish cleaning her up. Pat did his best to push away his guilt and quickly moved on to her forelegs. This time she didn't try to lift them away as he lathered her up. He returned his hands to her chest fluff every now and then to get fresh handfuls of foam, but with how much shampoo he'd used there was no shortage. Quite soon she was entirely covered, at least on the front. That just left her back.

There was about an inch of water in the tub and Pat carefully laid 'Shy into it. "Breathe through your nose!"

Maybe she heard and understood, or maybe it was a natural reaction to having her muzzle partially submerged, but Fluttershy obeyed and lay still. Pat inspected the job before him. The easiest part was opening the tap briefly to get the mare completely wet, so he did that first. Then he grabbed another blob of shampoo, smaller this time, and scrubbed it on her lower back. She wasn't at all dirty, but it had to be done for the sake of completeness. Pat had absolutely zero idea what to do about her wings, so he made sure to avoid them with the soap. Hopefully just water would be fine.

As soon as he had some foam going, Pat went for the most problematic part. Her tail. It had dragged in the sick when he'd brought 'Shy to the tub, so it needed a good scrub. It was also very near- He shook his head to try and dislodge the thought, but the damage was already done. His pants tented significantly and Pat was happy he wasn't still holding 'Shy in his lap. She would surely have felt that, drunk or no.

When he lathered her tail he was extra careful not to so much as brush her buttocks. A quick swipe down her belly was one thing, but groping her ass felt infinitely worse. Soon he had done the best he could with no experience and no guidance from Fluttershy, and Pat just let it fall. Only one thing left. He glanced at Fluttershy's mane, which was lying to one side and soaking up water. Most of her head was still dry, so it'd have to be the shower first.

"'Shy? Can you sit upright?" He lifted her into the approximate sitting position he'd seen her use sometimes, hoping she would get the idea. 'Shy complained about the chill as soon as she was lifted out of the water, but managed to remain mostly upright, if heavily lopsided. Her head hung down, but Pat could deal with that. He turned the shower on again, testing the water until it was nice and warm, then shielded her eyes with a hand and began to wet her hair. The source of warmth proved irresistible and 'Shy smiled as she leaned into both his hand and the spray of water. At least this time she didn't inhale any of it.

She also kept her eyes closed until Pat had moved the shower down her neck, then she blinked and tried to focus on him. "Ye- arr, uh- yer niiiice," she slurred. "Wor- warrrrm, hooman."

She was rolling her R's and Pat couldn't help smiling. He put the shower head down in the water and grabbed the shampoo again. He might be using too much of it, but he didn't mind at all. He could always get more. A quick glance up and down helped Pat decide where to start and he put both hands on the back of Fluttershy's head, far away from her eyes and nose. It quickly began to foam up and he followed the length of her mane, rubbing it in as thoroughly as he could. She wasn't dirty there at all, but now Pat had gotten into the swing of things and 'Shy was getting a complete shower, whether she liked it or not.

Once that part was done, Pat brought his hands back up. Fluttershy's head had started to loll again, so he steadied her with a palm under her muzzle while he brushed his fingers around her ears. Almost done.

"Stay still now. Close your eyes."

'Shy did so, closing first one eyelid and then the other, all the while giggling uncontrollably. Pat hoped he wasn't tickling her too much, but he wasn't ready to go any rougher. He steadied her head between both palms, then used his index finger to soap up her forehead and his thumbs to follow the lines of her muzzle. When he came to her nose 'Shy opened her mouth and Pat quickly moved his fingers out of the way.

It wasn't that he was worried she'd bite him, but he didn't want to bring any more shampoo into her mouth. "No! Close!" he chided and she obeyed, chuckling under her breath.

In either case, he was done, or at least as best as he could manage without her actual cooperation. All that was left to do was give her a good rinse. Fluttershy slid forward and Pat barely caught her in time. She stayed upright only by virtue of leaning against his chest and hooking her chin on his shoulder. It worked, though, and left Pat's hands free for the shower. He turned the water on and began to rinse down her mane and back.

'Shy murmured into his ear: "Mmmm... like," she breathed out. "Warrrrrm."

It brought a smile to his lips and Pat twisted the tap to get the water a tiny bit warmer. It soon changed and the mare practically moaned into his ear. Again he thought about what it would be like to-

No! Down, boy!

He focused on the water and watched as the white of the lather was being washed away. As Pat moved the jet down her body, he followed with his free hand to make sure her fur was thoroughly rinsed. When it came to her wings again, he just let the water play down the feathers and didn't poke, afraid he'd hurt something.

Her tail he left for later, since it was lying in water anyway. All that was left was the front. "'Shy? I need you to stay up just a bit longer, okay?"

She seemed reluctant as he peeled her away, leaving a print of her shape on his chest in white lather. Luckily, 'Shy locked her forelegs in place and remained reasonably upright, only swaying a little.

"It won't take long, don't move." He repeated the process, washing away the foam and following with his hand for thoroughness. Pretty soon he was finishing around her front fetlocks. "Okay, keep your eyes closed now," he instructed and reached to turn the shower almost all the way down. The trickle was perfect for gently washing her face without forcing any water or lather into her mouth or nose. Pat followed the lines of her muzzle with a finger, marvelling at how their combined effect gave 'Shy that sublime, warm expression.

Perhaps he took more time than he strictly needed with that, but the face was important, right? At last he reached behind himself and unplugged the drain, letting the foamy water drain. As it receded, he kept the shower going and quickly rinsed down her belly once more. It was done. Maybe he'd missed some foam here and there, but it'd get toweled off anyway. He was about to stop the shower, but remembered her tail.

"Can you stand?"

Fluttershy grunted and lifted up her rear, but that made her forelegs fold up and she smacked against Pat's chest. Luckily he'd been ready to catch her in case exactly that happened. "It's okay, just stay like this," he told her.

With her tail hanging limply, Pat was able to rinse it. All that was left were the traces of lather she'd picked up from him again. However, showering 'Shy from the front just made her sit down clumsily, putting her tail back in the last dregs of the foam in the tub. He just couldn't get both, but that was fine. Pat left her leaning against the side of the tub and holding on to the edge as he stood up.

"Wait here, I'll get some towels." The problem now was that his pants were soaking wet and he'd end up flooding the bathroom floor with them. There was nothing to do, except...

Pat looked at 'Shy, but she was leaning her muzzle on a foreleg, which was hooked on the edge of the bathtub. Her eyes were closed and she looked very nearly asleep. Sighing, he pulled his pants down, making sure to hold on to the underpants at least. He left the soaked piece of cloth in the tub to rinse and wring later. Some water still leaked from his undergarment, but that couldn't be helped. Pat ignored it as he reached for the two biggest towels he owned. He balanced one on the edge of the sink, careful not to dirty it from the shirt, then quickly dried himself a little with the other before spreading it on the floor.

"Here, let's get you out."

Fluttershy didn't resist as he hooked both arms under her and simply lifted her up. He still couldn't quite believe how light she was and, worryingly, now that she was wet he could see the outlines of her ribs. Maybe that was normal on a pony, but Pat couldn't help feeling like she was too thin. The mostly-dry towel on the floor quickly began to absorb the runoff water as 'Shy folded up on it. The other one Pat draped over the mare and began to massage her through it.

It seemed like the vigorous action woke her up somewhat and she turned her head to seek him out. "Wha-?" she asked, "weh- weh am I?"

"It's fine. We had a shower and now we're going to bed. Can you stand?"

The feeble attempt got Fluttershy's rump up in the air and Pat used the opportunity to wipe down her tail as best he could. If the towel grazed her other parts, that simply couldn't be helped. He tossed the soaked towel aside and grabbed another, smaller, one. "Okay, now sit. Here, I'll help." With his hand on her chest 'Shy managed to sit upright and Pat wasted no time in wrapping the towel around her and rubbing her dry. She soon began wobbling and he knelt in front of her to give her some support. 'Shy just leaned forward until her forehead was pressed against Pat's belly, but it looked like she could kinda sit with that kind of help. It also gave him a good angle to give her mane a thorough scrubbing.

When it was as dry as he could get it, Pat rummaged for another fresh towel and simply wrapped her up. With her size it was like a complete bathrobe. "Up we go. Let's get you to bed." As he carried her, bundled up and limp in his hands, Pat thought for a moment of taking her to his own bed. She'd need watching, after all, in case she threw up again.

Except that reminded him of his grope in the tub and he decided against it. Ponies slept on their bellies anyway, right? He pushed the door with his foot and sat on the edge of Fluttershy's bed. He saw the bedspread had flowers on it and smiled. She was a cute horse, even when she was passed out drunk. He pulled the blankets aside and deposited 'Shy on her mattress, still wrapped up in the towel. Then he covered her up.

"Well, I knew it would be interesting to have you stay here, but way to throw a curve ball, 'Shy." His hand patted her through the blanket and the mare mumbled something. "I'll get you some more water. It'll help with the hangover tomorrow," he told her.

Again he only got some unintelligible half-words. Pat sighed to himself and his smile faded. "It was my fault anyway." He'd started out with the thought of getting 'Shy a bit drunk to loosen up in the hopes it would lead to something. No doubt about it, he was a bastard. He'd need to make it up to her.

He went to fetch that water, before getting back in the bathroom and cleaning it up. Then he grimaced when he remembered there was still the couch to clean, unless he wanted it to stink of fermented strawberry and beer forever. Maybe it was punishment, but even so it was a price he was glad to pay to have 'Shy in his house.

Although, if she ever agreed to drink again, he'd make sure she ate before and went more slowly with the strong booze. Apparently pony constitutions were really weak. Or maybe it was just her.

Over the next hour or two Patrick went to check on his new house guest several times. He didn't turn on the light in the room, not wishing to wake 'Shy up, but just listened from the hallway until he caught the sound of her soft breathing. At length he convinced himself that she'd be fine. At some point she had turned away from the door, but she was still sleeping, apparently not bothered by any noise Pat might have made while cleaning the couch and then taking a shower. He was in fresh sweatpants and T-shirt when he took that promised glass of water to her. After he'd opened the door he paused to watch 'Shy sleeping for a moment. An ear twitched and focused on him, but she didn't say anything.

"I brought you some more water," he said as softly as he could. There was no immediate reply, so Pat walked over and sat on the bed. He leaned over and saw that Fluttershy's eyes were open and she was staring at the far wall. "Water?" he repeated.

An eye flickered to him and then she shook her head almost imperceptibly.

"Come on, it'll make your hangover better tomorrow morning."

Again she shook her head no, but this time she sniffed as well.

"You can tell me what's wrong, 'Shy."

Her eyes squeezed shut and finally she opened her mouth. "P-Please just go."

"Only if you promise you'll drink some water."

She didn't respond for some time, but finally 'Shy heaved a sigh and turned to her belly. She pushed herself upright and Pat clearly saw the wince. He handed her the glass in silence and the little mare obediently emptied it. "There, y-you can go now," she murmured, flopping back down.

"Look, I'm sorry I gave you that Vodka. It was stupid and I shouldn't have poured so much. This whole thing is my fault."

Her face was in the pillow, but 'Shy still shook her head. Pat put his hand on her back and gently scratched with his fingers. Encouragingly, she didn't shy away. "I'm sorry... I s-shouldn't have drunk it. I'm j-just a mess- messed up loser. May- Maybe I wanted to get drunk. At least I could forget for a bit." Her mouth twisted in a grimace and she repeated: "I'm just a loser."

Her words were muffled by the pillow, but still clearly understandable. Pat kept his hand there, thinking about what to say. At long last he reached under 'Shy and pushed her to her side. She didn't resist, limply allowing herself to be moved. Her eyes went to Pat's face and simply... stared. "Don't say that."

"It's true."

Pat shook his head and shifted his hand to her face, brushing the soft fur on her cheek. "You're not a loser to me, 'Shy. I think you're awesome."

He was watching closely and saw the faintest of twists to her mouth. "That's what Rainbow Dash would say."

"Well, they're a smart pony, sounds like."

'Shy didn't answer that, but her eyes, glistening in the faint light from the hall, never budged from Pat's face, except when she blinked. They waited for long heartbeats, then Pat broke the silence.

"I wanna help."

At the same time she answered: "She. Rainbow Dash is a she." As his words registered Fluttershy looked away. "You can't help."

"I can try."

She didn't have a counter to that, so she just closed her eyes and pulled away from Pat's hand and shuffled around until she was facing the wall again. "I'd like to sleep now."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but Pat heard it quite clearly. "Things will look better in the morning, you'll see. We'll talk, okay?"

There were obviously some demons she was fighting, all by herself. Pat wanted to know all about it and then do what he could to help. Someone- somepony as precious as Fluttershy shouldn't have to deal with that on her own. She shrugged, but at least that wasn't a hard 'no'. Pat stood up and pulled the blanket up to her withers.

"If you wanna talk, or if you feel sick again, or anything, just yell, okay?"

She didn't reply.

"Fluttershy."

She groaned and pinned her ears down, but she responded: "I'll yell if I'm sick again. Go 'way." Pat couldn't help noticing she'd only promised a part of it, but at this point he didn't mind. He gave her side a pat through the blanket and walked out, leaving the door open just a crack so he would hear if she made any noise. He turned off the light in the hallway and went to his own room, where he also left the door open.

It'd been a dreadful evening, but at the same time it had been enlightening. He was beginning to unravel the mystery that was Fluttershy and despite the obvious issues he still liked her. She had been forcibly torn from her old world and friends, perhaps even from her family judging by her young age. The brave façade she put up during the day was just that - a façade. That evening, with her inhibitions lowered by alcohol, Pat felt like he'd seen the true person underneath, and she was suffering. He wondered how often she'd cried herself to sleep in Mason's house while that jerk was completely unaware of any problems. Did he expect 'Shy to simply accept that she was now his property?! Pat's heart ached for the little pony and he resolved to make her happy - or as happy as was within his power. If nothing else, she'd have a friend. Hopefully, it'd turn out as something more.

He couldn't keep his thoughts away from the shower and the quick feel he'd gotten. He had also had a very good look at her backside when he was washing her tail. The glimpses he'd caught still left much to his imagination, but he really wanted to explore those parts of her in greater detail.

Much greater detail.

After she felt better, of course. His little revelation back in the tub had shaken him a little, but it also proved he wanted 'Shy, romantically. The only difference was that he'd have to do it properly. No more of those sneaky glances when she wasn't looking, or when she accidentally exposed herself. More importantly, no more getting her drunk, at least not to the extent she had been that evening. He liked that mare and she didn't deserve those kinds of things.

Maybe he liked her even more now, partly because 'Shy clearly needed a good shoulder to cry on and he could be that. Right at this moment, in the whole world, he was perhaps the only person who could hear her troubles. He'd have the whole week to talk it out with her.

Chapter 7

One of his first thoughts when Pat woke up was of Fluttershy. Was she okay? Hopefully the water had helped and her hangover wasn't too bad. Although, nursing a weak and poorly 'Shy to health in bed had a certain kind of charm...

Pat dressed quickly, opting to go with the same sweatpants and T-shirt combo from last night, then hurried to check on his house guest. The door was still ajar, just like he'd left it and even in the weak, pre-dawn light, the shape of the mare under the blanket was unmistakable. This time her ear didn't react to his presence, telling Pat she was still asleep. That was good, it meant he had time. He hurried to the kitchen and dug out the ingredients for his favorite hangover cure. Black coffee with a ton of milk and sugar in it. Just in case, he added a couple of Advil for that extra assurance.

He froze and wondered if horses are allowed to take Advil. A quick web search left him feeling uneasy about giving it to 'Shy and he sat at the kitchen table to do some more digging while the water for coffee was heating up. It didn't take more than a few minutes to find what he needed, but the only pain medication which was safe for both ponies and humans was one he didn't have in the house. He still wanted to help, so Pat finished making the coffee and poured a large mug for the mare. He added milk and sugar directly, even though he didn't know how much she usually took. When it was thoroughly mixed, Pat took the mug and the sugar bowl to the guest room. 'Shy was still asleep so he put them on the bedside table and carefully sat beside her. The movement of the bed didn't wake her, which gave Pat the opportunity to just watch Fluttershy's face. She looked peaceful and perhaps more relaxed than he'd ever seen her, even last night.

Pat couldn't help himself and put his fingers gently around her ear. It was quite warm and twitched at his touch, but he just began to massage it. 'Shy took a deep breath and stretched out, lifting the blanket with her hooves and wings. Then she winced and inhaled sharply through her nose. "Uuurgh," she groaned, but it turned into a whine.

"That bad?"

'Shy opened one eye, but shut it quickly in the light. "Ow, my head..."

Pat winced in sympathy. The kind of drunk 'Shy had been would leave her with a blinding headache, despite the water he had her drink the previous night. "Sorry. I brought you some coffee, it should help."

Her nose wiggled, catching the scent and 'Shy murmured: "Thanks. Um... help me up?"

Pat was only too happy to oblige and slid his arm under her barrel. He used his free hand to pull the pillow up and leaned her against it in a more or less sitting position.

She opened her eyes again, just a crack, and peered blearily at him. "What... happened?"

"Um... you had a bit too much to drink, 'Shy. Don't you remember?"

"I- I d-did? I remember feeling... sad."

Pat couldn't quite face the mare and cleared his throat before correcting. "I shouldn't have poured so much for you. Sorry."

"It's fine," 'Shy said in a defeated voice. "What time is it?"

"Early. Here, have some coffee and then rest some more," Pat urged, grabbing the cup. She gripped it feebly with both hooves and brought it up to her muzzle to sniff. "There's more sugar if you want and I can fetch milk if there's not enough."

'Shy gave him a short nod and took a careful sip. By now the beverage wasn't scalding anymore, but it was still pleasantly hot. She swallowed, then let out a sigh. "It's perfect."

"So, you drink that. I'll get you some more water, and then you can go back to sleep. I'll head out, but I'll be back soon."

It looked like Fluttershy was following the stream of instructions, if barely, but that last made her scrunch up her muzzle. "Hm? Why do y-you have to go?"

"I'm hitting a pharmacy for some headache meds you can take. I looked on the Internet." She was shaking her head, but Pat put a hand on her leg, careful not to jostle the mug. "It's my fault you got drunk like that, so this is one way I can help. I won't be gone lo-"

He fell silent when 'Shy plugged his mouth with a hoof. Or tried to, at least. She missed a little and hit his nose instead. The coffee mug she was holding against her chest wobbled. Her hoof was surprisingly smooth on the inside and smelled a bit of last night's shampoo and somewhat... musky. Not unpleasant. Didn't ponies sweat through their hooves? Or was that dogs or something? Pat really wished he'd done more reading about her kind.

"Shut up and let me talk," Fluttershy chided while Pat was momentarily lost in thought. She pulled her limb away and put it back on the mug. That was probably why it had felt so warm. 'Shy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Get the key to Mr. Mason's house from my bag. He has some medication for me in the bathroom, above the sink. I think there's... um, something called 'Banamine'. It's in a tube."

Pat nodded, repeating the word 'Banamine' to himself to commit it to memory. "I'll get it. Finish your coffee, I'll be right back!"

Shy began to nod, but froze and winced at the sudden motion of her aching head. "Please, h-hurry," she said in a hoarse whisper. She closed her eyes and eased herself back down on the pillow.

It didn't take Pat more than five minutes to fetch the drug. By the time he was back 'Shy still hadn't finished her coffee, even though she was working on it. The cup was almost empty. He sat back on the bed, breathing heavily from the effort of running up and down stairs, and showed the box to 'Shy. She nodded.

"Just give me a little, Mr. Mason said it's very strong."

Pat unscrewed the cap, then paused and looked at the mare. "Um, how- how do you want me to..." he asked, brandishing the tube of Banamine. "I can get a spoon or-"

"Just use your finger. It's fine."

He was suddenly blushing as he squeezed out a bit of the paste on his index finger. He glanced at 'Shy who nodded that it was enough. Then he held it out for her. She darted out her tongue and wrapped it around both the paste and his digit. Pat suddenly realized just how long it was and had to suppress a naughty thought of her using it on another part of him.

The way 'Shy grimaced, Pat guessed the medication didn't taste particularly well. It'd make sense if it was made for animals. She still licked up most of it and swallowed it quickly, all the while making faces. It was followed immediately by more coffee and she relaxed a little. "Ugh, that's gross," she complained.

Curious, Pat put the finger in his mouth to try. There were some traces of it and 'Shy was right. It was super bitter and he grimaced as well. The slight taste of coffee Fluttershy's tongue had left behind didn't even begin to cover it.

"Yuck. You're right." Suddenly he became aware that she was staring at him, blushing fiercely. "What? I wanted to see what it tasted like."

'Shy looked studiously down into her mug and murmured: "Pat, I just licked your finger and you-"

He also realized it. That was where the taste of coffee had come from. "So what?" he said as nonchalantly as he could. "It's not like you're poisonous or something."

'Shy hid her embarrassment by draining the last of her coffee, then she slid the mug to the bedside table and finally looked back at Pat. "So... now what?"

"Wanna sleep some more until you feel better?"

She shook her head and winced again at the headache, but Pat thought she didn't grimace quite as much as before. Her medicine apparently worked quite quickly.

"Okay, you can lie on the couch and we'll watch a movie, or play a game. How's that sound?"

It was beautiful to see how Fluttershy's face lit up and she nodded emphatically, even if it made her feel the headache again. "I'll- I'll just use the toilet real quick first," she announced.

"Cool. I'll take your pillow and the blankets to the couch. Yell if you need help!"

'Shy had used his toilet on occasion and once even complained that it was too high for her to get on comfortably. Pat didn't know if she could manage it with a hangover and he wouldn't mind helping. He'd go out of the room for her to do her business, of course, but just getting her up on the seat should be fine.

"Thanks," 'Shy replied and slid slowly out of the bed. She moved a little stiffly for a few steps, then paused and stretched. She arched her back, fluffed out her wings, then lifted and extended each leg at a time. She finished by turning her head this way and that. When it was done she heaved a sigh and looked back. "I think the medication is working," she announced. "Or maybe the coffee."

That reminded Pat of his other promise. "I'll get you a glass of water. You need a lot of fluids the morning after drinking."

"'kay," she answered and left, this time walking a bit more gracefully.

A few moments later Patrick heard her close the bathroom door. He stood up and gathered the bed things to take to the couch. Luckily he'd cleaned it well last night and it should be perfectly dry by now. One of the worst things for a stomach queasy from a hangover was to smell stale vomit. After he'd prepared her temporary bed he'd make 'Shy a big breakfast. He couldn't shake the memory of how light she was and how her ribs outlined her barrel. It was the least he could do to fatten her up a tiny bit while she was living with him. It was a good plan and Pat began thinking up what he'd cook. Eggs, certainly, maybe some toast with jam and butter. He still had a couple of oranges and a slightly overripe banana. Then it would be time to go shopping. Hopefully 'Shy would feel well enough to join him so she could point out the things she wanted to eat. After living with someone as controlling as Mr. Mason, the little pony deserved to have some choice in her life.

The breakfast had taken longer than he thought, but Patrick didn't mind. The medicine had taken hold and Fluttershy had been able to speak with him, despite her queasy stomach. She even got some plain, buttered toast and some orange juice down, which was a good start. By the time they were completely done it was already verging on noon and she confirmed she felt well enough to join him for shopping. A short drive later and Patrick was pushing the shopping cart down the aisle with Fluttershy plodding beside him. Her collar was back on. Luckily she had remembered even if Pat hadn't. Taking her out without it would cause problems. It was completely unfair how establishing the ponies as sentient, civilized beings who deserved basic human rights took all this time, but basic legislation requiring them to be collared at all times had been passed practically overnight.

He led the way to the breakfast cereals and stopped in front of the colorful shelf. "Anything you like?"

Fluttershy glanced up and down the bounty on offer, then walked over to pick something from a bottom shelf. "Um, this one." She held it up for Pat to take.

"Oat meal?"

It sounded plain and more than a little boring, but 'Shy nodded. "I, um, l-like the taste."

He shrugged to himself and dropped it in the cart. He glanced over the colorful array, looking for something for himself, but decided against it. Breakfast wasn't usually his thing. Most days he preferred extra ten minutes of sleep to eating. Lunch break came soon enough, anyway. This week, however, he'd take oatmeal with 'Shy. As bland as it might look, her presence would make the difference. "Okay, let's get some drinks next. I don't have any of the strawberry fizz left."

'Shy nodded, but waited for him to start moving. She didn't know the place at all, so she followed Patrick's lead. He took her to the drinks section and picked up a twelve pack of her favorite strawberry-juice. "You can get some other kinds if you like," he pointed out.

She stopped to look at the shelf of apple juice of all things and her ears drooped. "N-No, I'm fine."

"Really? You can get apple juice if you like, 'Shy. Cost isn't a problem here, and besides, Mr. Mason is paying for it."

She cast a longing glance at the apple juice, clearly wanting it, but shook her head again and walked resolutely away.

"Well, how about I get some for myself and you can share if you feel like?"

Fluttershy turned one of her unreadable, inscrutable expressions on him, but didn't comment. Pat went ahead and got a couple of cartons despite that. She had clearly wanted it, maybe she'd change her mind when they were home. "Okay, next up... sweets. You like sweet things? Like gummy stuff, or hard candy?"

For a few seconds that stare was back, but then 'Shy blinked and hung her head. "If-If you like," she muttered.

It wasn't a reaction Pat had been expecting. The few times he had brought her a piece of chocolate Fluttershy seemed to love it. He picked up some large bars, two plain, one with almonds and one with rice. Even if 'Shy didn't change her mind, he could put those away and eat them himself over time. Chocolate didn't spoil, right? When he glanced over he saw that 'Shy wasn't looking at anything, obviously lost in her own world. Maybe she was still feeling ill from the hangover and thinking of food was exacerbating it, he guessed. With that in mind, he hurried onward and Fluttershy followed with dragging hooves. They were mostly done, anyway. He had some baking supplies, mostly her ideas from the drive over.

It was the strangest thing. Even as they entered the store 'Shy had seemed positively happy. The headache meds had apparently taken effect and she was feeling more free than ever with Mr. Mason. Then, as soon as they came in the bakery aisle 'Shy seemed to shut down. She had looked at flour and powdered sugar and, in particular, the ad for some cake frosting, and then she'd simply shrunk in on herself. Pat wondered if it really was her belly, or if it was something else which brought out this change.

"Well, then just some fruit. If we forgot anything, I can just come back."

Maybe fresh fruit and vegetables cheered her up some, because 'Shy looked a bit more perky as they doubled back to the produce aisle. He didn't know why stores liked to put that first, when it was always the last thing he thought about and had to walk the entire length of the store. Maybe that was why. If he had to walk all that way and back before hitting the registers, he might remember something else he'd missed. The results was encouraging, however. 'Shy seemed to enjoy picking out a variety of veggies and several types of fruit to round out their diet. For some reason she avoided apples, but she got more bananas, a couple of big oranges and even a bunch of early grapes.

By the time they were done, she looked kinda happy.

He put the shopping cart in line for the only working checkout lane. There weren't many people in, especially since it was the middle of the morning on a work day. As they rolled up to the conveyor belt Pat put his hand on his back pocket to get his debit card and froze.

"Crap!" He patted his other pockets, even the one inside his jacket where he kept his cigarettes and lighter. "Crap, crap, crap..."

'Shy looked up, sudden worry filling her face. "Is everything alright, Pat?"

"I lost my wallet! Dammit," he swore. He pulled the cart out of the line and motioned to the lady standing behind him to go ahead. "Shit." Pat tried to think where the wallet might have been. He got out of the pants while 'Shy was making her bed in his apartment yesterday. He was sure it hadn't fallen out when he changed back for the store this morning. He had still had it going out of his job, because he used the employee ID card to check out. He distinctly remembered the twenty minutes of overtime he'd earned dealing with a difficult customer. Then all he'd done was fill up the gas tank...

"Crap, I forgot it in my car!" he announced. "I hope it wasn't stolen!"

Fluttershy's ears wilted and she sighed. "Oh, dear."

"Maybe it's fine. It's not a bad neighborhood. Except..." He was silent, unwilling to swear any more in front of the mare.

She leaned her head to one side. "Except what?"

"I didn't see it when we were driving over here," Pat explained, putting his hands in his hair. "Was the lock damaged? I didn't look." He sighed and steeled his resolve for all the hassle which came from cancelling his cards and ordering new ones. Harris would be livid about the employee ID card. He was uptight about security.

"I'm gonna go check the car. Can you wait here with the stuff? I'll be right back!" 'Shy just nodded and stepped closer to the shopping cart while Pat rushed out of the store. He'd parked all the way on the far side to give both himself and 'Shy a bit of exercise in the fresh air and now he was regretting it. He was out of breath by the time he ran up to the car. The windows weren't broken, which was a good sign. He couldn't see any damage to the lock on the driver's side and when he went around the car to check the passenger door, that was fine too. Maybe it had just rolled somewhere? Pat unlocked the vehicle and examined the dashboard. He always tossed the wallet there when he went to the gas station. It was empty, but he'd been suspecting that anyway. Next he checked the glove box, although it was a very unlikely place.

Aside from a few ancient CDs and a Mars bar which had expired sometime in the early 2000s, it didn't yield anything useful. "Fuck sake..." Pat got out of the car and felt under the driver's seat, only to find a paper tissue, fortunately dry, and an empty box for the headlight bulb. He remembered he'd had to change it some years prior. A quick glance at the back seat showed it covered with an old blanket and a discarded pullover. That would be a good next place to search. First, however, he leaned in, the shift-stick poking his belly, and felt under the passenger seat.

Success! Pat felt the familiar leather shape and pulled it out. There was also the receipt from the gas station and Pat remembered he'd tossed both the Vodka and his wallet on the passenger seat in his haste to get home. At least it hadn't been stolen, he thought. It must have fallen down while he was rushing to reach his house. Smiling with relief, he locked the car again and headed back to the store to finish his purchase and take Fluttershy home. She'd eaten some of the breakfast he'd made - just simple toast and fruit - maybe she'd be in the mood for something more substantial by the time they got back. Then he'd promised her to talk about whatever seemed to be bothering her. Hopefully she'd open up, even if she hadn't seemed very enthused about the prospect.

First, though, they had to finish their shopping. As he came back to the store Pat froze and watched. Several people were standing around Fluttershy, all with phones in their hands. 'Shy had a rather large and dangerous-looking dog on its back and whining softly as she scratched its belly.

"Whoo'sa good boy?" she trilled in a tone Pat hadn't heard her use yet. "'hoo'sa good boy! Oooh, you like that, don't you?! You're not mean at all."

Shockingly, Pat thought the dog nodded and wagged its tail at that statement. He pushed forward, not wanting to stop the show but wishing to see it closer. When 'Shy spotted him, she gave him a heart-melting grin. She looked happy, possibly for the first time Pat had seen. She really hadn't been joking when she said she missed working with animals. By the looks of it, she could put Cesar Millan out of business!

"Come on, Bruce!" A middle-aged lady pulled on the dog's leash and he whined, unwilling to move. Fluttershy smiled and prodded him with a hoof. "Go on, it's alright. I shouldn't keep you..." It almost looked like the dog was grumbling under his breath as he stood up and morosely followed the lady further into the store. The onlookers slowly began putting their phones away.

Pat grabbed the cart and got back in line, stealing glances at the smiling Fluttershy beside him. "So you really like animals."

"Mhm! Yes!" she confirmed twice.

"It looked like it."

Suddenly 'Shy reached up to touch the collar and her face fell. It damn nearly broke Pat's heart. "Except I can't have any," she said in a whisper.

He reached down to pat her head. "I'll talk with Mr. Mason. Maybe he'll listen to me?"

It was very unlikely and 'Shy probably knew that, but she simply had to have this hope. The smile came back and she threw her hooves around Pat's legs. "Thank you!"

They were up next, so Pat didn't have time to properly respond as he began to stack items from the cart to the conveyor, but his eye caught the array of colorful sweets by the register. "Want a piece of candy, 'Shy?"

She looked up at the bounty and thought about it. Then her hoof pointed. "Um, that one!" It was something chocolate-y in a very pink wrapper. Maybe it was because it looked like her mane, Pat guessed as gladly added it to the pile. Anything to see 'Shy smile.

Chapter 8

Pretty soon the groceries were packed away and Pat was sitting on the couch with Fluttershy. He reached for the console to turn it on, but hesitated. Instead, he turned to face the mare. "Wanna cup of tea or something? Coffee?"

She was bundling up in the blanket they'd simply left there. "No, thanks. I'm fine."

Pat still didn't put the game on, remembering the previous night and, to a lesser extent, the store. Maybe it was none of his business to pry, but he liked 'Shy and wanted to do something nice for her. Surely having someone to talk to would help, even if he couldn't do anything actually useful? "'Shy?"

She wiggled somewhere in the pile of cloth until her head was poking out toward him. "Mm?" she asked. Pat couldn't help but smile at the mental picture of her turning around in circles a few times to get comfortable. "I think we should talk."

'Shy scrunched up her muzzle in confusion. "What about?"

The decision to discuss this had been kinda sudden and Pat didn't know how to go about it. He took a deep breath and improvised. "Um, is there something, well, bothering you?"

'Shy raised one eyebrow. "Hmm? No, why do you ask?"

"Well, you seemed kinda... sad. At the store? Not to mention last night."

Judging by her face it was going wrong, but Pat didn't know what to do to get the conversation back on track. One thing he did suspect, though, was that she really didn't want him asking her these things. He realized Fluttershy wasn't really willing to talk about it, so he prodded some more. "Wanna talk about it?"

"N-No." Her voice was still as quiet and gentle as always, but now it also had a slight tremor in it. She even withdrew a little unto the blankets which now covered her like a protective shell, or a cave.

"Fluttershy..." This was probably pushing too far and her muzzle vanished entirely under the blanket. There was no reply. Pat moved closer and placed a hand on top of the pile. He felt 'Shy jerk at the touch, but at least she didn't try to make a run for it. "Come on, I just wanna talk," he pleaded.

"Why are you bringing this up?" came her quiet voice, now muffled by the cloth. If anything she sounded resentful.

"I wanna help."

Her answer was flat and she'd tried to make it emotionless, but her voice shook and betrayed her fear. "You can't."

Pat sighed and dug his fingers in, trying to convey through touch alone that he wasn't going anywhere and that he didn't believe her lies. They were probably good-natured, he thought. It was very like Fluttershy to try and spare him dealing with her troubles. "Maybe you'll feel better if you tell someone." There was nothing for a while and then the blanket shifted and a pair of cyan eyes looked out. Even partially obscured, Pat could see they were already filled with tears. "Come on," he urged, "you can tell me. I'm a friend, right?"

Surely it was a good sign when 'Shy didn't immediately hide again. Pat slid his free hand into her makeshift hidey hole and lightly brushed the fur on her muzzle with his fingers. She still didn't reply, but her eyes closed as she took comfort from the touch. Maybe 'Shy just needed some time. As long as she didn't try to hide again - or run away, Pat thought to himself - he could wait for a bit. He kept his hand on her cheek, stroking very slowly.

"Nothing is gonna change if you talk to me about it, except you might feel a little better." Her eyes opened and 'Shy pushed the blanket off her head. Her ears were completely flat and she was trembling a little. She nuzzled Pat's palm and he suddenly got an idea. Maybe it was a bad one, but he had to do something. Scooching closer, he slid both hands under the pegasus and carefully lifted her. She didn't resist as Pat brought her into his lap together with the blanket still covering her small form. Her head lay against his chest and her hooves automatically went around his midriff in an almost involuntary hug. Once she was there, he put his arms around the whole bundle to keep it in place.

Pat rested his chin on Shy's head, figuring another point of contact was a good thing. At the touch she looked up and pressed her nose right against his neck. It was wet and felt a bit cold, but soon her hot breath washed away any discomfort. "That's right, I got you. Look, whatever it is, I'll help if I can, okay?" he promised. "And if I can't, at least you'll have someone to listen." It was definitely something Mr. Mason would never offer. That man just expected obedience and 'Shy was supposed to deal with her problems by herself. He might be a blundering fool, but Patrick was at least prepared to listen.

He felt the young mare nod against the crook of his neck. It was both gratifying and exciting and Pat wondered if she could hear how hard his heart was pounding.

If she could, it didn't seem to bother her. "It- it's my friends," 'Shy said finally, in almost too quiet a whisper for him to hear. Even this single statement seemed to unburden her and she slumped a little as she relaxed against him.

Pat turned his head to bring his ear closer to her mouth so he wouldn't miss even the quietest words from her. "You almost never talk about them."

Fluttershy took a shuddering sigh and her hug tightened for a moment. "Because it's too- too..." she sniffed, but made herself finish: "Too painful." At first Pat guessed that maybe they didn't part on the best of terms, but luckily he didn't say it. Fluttershy drew a breath and let out a thin wail. "I'll nev-never see any of them again!" she cried, her hot tears already soaking into Pat's shirt collar.

"Are, uh," Pat had to clear his throat before continuing. "Are they on Earth?"

'Shy shook her head, but then paused. "I du-dunno. There was an accident. S-Some might be, but that's even worse. I don't want my friends to be slaves like me!"

Pat moved his hands under the blanket, letting one rest around Fluttershy's withers and bringing the other up to brush the fine fur on her muzzle. There were already wet trails down her face and he smoothed the fluff and tried to wipe them away as best he could. She gave it a perfunctory lick in a show of thanks, tasting her own tears on his fingers. "Wanna tell me what happened?"

"We were... um, c-camping just inside the Everfree forest with Ms. Cheerilee's class," 'Shy explained. "And there was an explosion. Um, Rarity was there with Sweetie Belle and Applejack with Apple Bloom and, uh, I think Rainbow Dash was there." Pat waited, eagerly absorbing these new, exotic names. After a moment's though, Fluttershy shook her head and shrugged. "I don't know what happened, really. One minute we were in the Everfree and the next we were on... on a road. There were cars."

"You were magically transported from your world to ours? How?!"

"I don't know! We just were," 'Shy said, shrugging again. "P-Ponies panicked. I think Rainbow Dash was with us on Earth, but I didn't see the others. M-Maybe they got back, or were left behind."

They were both silent for a while. The story didn't explain much, but it was a big sign of trust, Pat recognized that much. "So, how did you get separated?"

At this 'Shy clamped up and squeezed her eyes shut. Pat could feel her whole body shudder and fresh tears welled up, wetting his fingers again. He brushed them away, mostly to let her know he was still there. It wasn't all that hard to make some guesses. She and a lot of other ponies, by the sound of it, had been somehow magically transported to Earth. Then she was separated from her friends. Pat couldn't imagine any scenario where that would be voluntary. It could only mean they had been captured, probably while they were still confused about where they were and what had happened. They did look like animals, after all. Even in civilized nations a herd of what looked like ponies would probably be split up to make them easier to manage.

Someday he'd have to get her to talk her way through it all, but Pat decided there had been enough progress for now. Well, at least he called it progress. 'Shy was starting to trust him enough to tell him these things and maybe talking about it would make her feel better. Or at least she might find it easier to put behind her. "You don't have to say. It can wait."

Again the mare squeezed a bit more strongly with her hooves and lifted up her head to give Pat a brief nuzzle. In return, he gave her a kiss on the side of her muzzle. Even Pat didn't quite know why he'd returned the gesture like that, but it felt appropriate and 'Shy didn't seem to mind. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you'll see your friends again, 'Shy."

She just shook her head. "How? Mr. Mason won't let me leave the house. Um, ex-except when I visit you." She laughed a mirthless laugh. "Today I've been further from his house than ever since I got here."

It felt wrong to trap this beautiful creature, both in a place and in a role of maid. Pat wanted to help, but he had no ideas yet. "What if we find a way to get you away from Mr. Mason?"

Fluttershy's gaze slid away from Pat's face and she shook her head. "He's not gonna let me. He said he likes having me around."

"Well, I promise I'll think about it, okay?"

That statement elicited no reply from Fluttershy. Pat wrapped both arms around her barrel and hugged her close. He was happy that she tightened her grip on him as well. "Thanks for telling me. You can tell me anything, 'Shy." She didn't reply, but Pat felt another nuzzle, this time against his chest. "Sorry about your friends. Wanna tell me more about them?"

At this 'Shy pulled away and inspected his face. Her eyes were still leaking tears, but maybe she wasn't quite as distraught. After a moment she nodded and her gaze unfocused, as if she was staring into a great distance. "Well..."

"You mentioned, um, Rarity, I think it was? And Apple-something and Rainbow Dash. Wanna start with them?" Pat prompted.

"Applejack," 'Shy said with deep longing in her voice. "Pinkie Pie didn't go with us on the trip, so she's probably back home. Rarity..." she sighed, "maybe she was left back home. I didn't see her on that road. I think I heard Rainbow Dash shouting to calm everypony down. Then there's me and Princess Twilight in, uh, in our group."

"Princess?"

"Yeah. Twilight Sparkle," Fluttershy murmured, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips before it faded with a low groan of despair. "For the longest time I hoped Twilight would get us out. She's an alicorn princess. If anypony could find us and get us back, it would be her. She wasn't with us, so she should still be in Equestria."

There was a pause and Pat used it to ask the obvious question. "What's an alicorn princess?"

She opened her mouth to give a simple and quick answer, but then thought better of it and shrugged the blanket off so she could spread her wings a little. "You know how I'm a pegasus?" she asked, demonstrating with a little flap.

"Yeah, obviously."

The wings snapped shut and 'Shy went on: "Well, there's also unicorns - um, they have a horn, but no wings. Rarity is a unicorn. And then there's earth ponies like Applejack and Apple Bloom. They have neither."

"Okay, with you so far, but slow down so I can wrap my dumb human brain around it, 'kay?." It was a stupid joke, but it seemed to work. Maybe it was just what the mare needed at that moment, because she quirked her mouth up in a slight smile.

"Well, there's a fourth kind. They're called alicorns and they are very powerful. There used to be just two..."

"Okay, okay," Fluttershy was saying with a big grin. "So there's like, no way for us to cross, right? And that dragon is literally crying over his mustache, which is making the water go crazy." She was sprawled on her back, with her head hanging off the couch and her hind legs resting vertically on the backrest. She was close enough to Pat, who was sitting normally, for her wing to brush against his leg whenever she shifted.

Pat couldn't help it, he chortled with laughter. The mental image of a big river dragon so obsessed with facial hair was simply too incredulous. "So, what did you do?"

'Shy grinned at the memory. "You're not going to believe this. Rarity, chopped off her own tail and gave it to the dragon as a replacement moustache!"

"What? No way, the Rarity? Don't let me get my hooves dirty Rarity? Also, gave it to him? How does that even work?"

At first Fluttershy simply laughed at Pat's incredulity. "Yes, that Rarity," she confirmed, then shrugged a little. She also couldn't answer the other question, but she tried to guess: "Magic? I think?"

Patrick kept laughing at the lackluster explanation, but a prod from Fluttershy's hind leg against his shoulder made him stop. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make fun of your friends. So, that was on the way to... what did you call it?"

She lifted her head to give him a slightly disappointed look. Patrick didn't remember exactly when she'd turned around, but it was a position which spoke volumes of how comfortable she was with him. Especially considering how this way her belly was totally exposed to Pat's hand. He remembered to scratch again and 'Shy let her head drop once more. "Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree forest. That was where Nightmare Moon went."

"Right, right. It still seems incredible she'd be trapped on the moon for a thousand years."

"Well, that's how it happened," Fluttershy insisted. "Twilight saw how it started when she drank that potion from Zecora!"

It sounded more like a fairy tale than a thing which had actually happened, but then again Pat was petting a real, live pegasus. A yellow one, who could speak English and had magical powers. That last one was giving him some trouble. "By the way, you said you can talk to animals, right?"

'Shy lifted her head to give Pat a smile, doubtless remembering that dog at the store. It was a good thing they allowed pets inside. "Mhm!"

"It's like your magical talent."

"Cutie mark," 'Shy repeated and leaned her body to one side so he could see the picture on her butt.

"Oh, you mean this?!" Before she could react Pat moved his free hand there and tickled both the flank and her belly, making Fluttershy kick her legs against the couch backrest.

She squealed with laughter. "Stooop! Pat! Stop!" She rolled away and jumped up, out of Pat's reach. Her wings flapped a few times to move her faster and 'Shy landed on the couch, crouching low to protect her belly and facing Pat. Her soft bits were thus guarded from his inquisitive fingers and there was no chance of a sneak attack. There was a blush on Fluttershy's muzzle and her ears perked up to focus fully on Pat. She was waiting for him to strike again, clearly enjoying this new game.

Pat obliged and leaned over to get in range. He stuck his hands under both wings, guessing that she might be ticklish there. The area was usually protected by several layers of feathers when she folded them up, after all.

"Noooo!" she whined, backing away and hitting the pile of her blankets with her rump. "That's cheating!" Her wings had snapped closed, but it was too late. Pat already had his grip and now played with her fur under there. The giggling went crazy. "Eeeee- eee hee hee!" The sound was nearly high enough to break glass. She had an impressive pair of lungs on her, but it wasn't enough to make him stop.

In desperation Fluttershy flipped herself back against the pile of blankets, but unfortunately that just exposed her front.

"Aha!" Pat easily changed his assault to the softer fur on her belly. This left 'Shy completely red in the face and gasping for breath. "Sto-hp," she wheezed, "I'm gonna pee myself! Stop! Sto- hee hee!"

He relented and let the little pony go, but it took her some time to wind down, alternating between giggling and gasping for breath. It was some time later that she could speak: "That was mean, Pat!" she complained, but with a smile which put a lie to her words. There was a glint in her eye, one Pat found he liked very much. "What if I do it to you?"

Patrick just spread his arms so he was defenseless. "Go right ahead!"

'Shy thought for a few seconds, then pounced. She didn't have enough finesse in her hooves, but she still tried to run them up and down Pat's sides. Her fetlocks actually did tickle a little, but he managed to hold on to his stony face. That is, until 'Shy got a brilliant idea. Her hooves somehow hooked under his loose T-shirt and lifted it. She couldn't undress him, but it exposed plenty of skin. Then she brought her wing feathers into play. The touch was light, almost delicate, but that made it so much worse!

"Shit, ha ha ha, stop! Wait!" He tried to cover himself with his hands, but 'Shy just moved her feathers to his belly. When he switched his protection there, she flicked back. Her precision with those things was uncanny. At last Patrick remembered to grip her hooves and pull them down, covering his exposed skin with the shirt once more. That helped a lot and 'Shy struggled for a few moments to free herself. She came quite close, which was a real eye-opener for Pat. Small as the mare was, she was quite strong. If it were a matter of kicking, he doubted he could have stopped her. It was only because of the angle that Pat had been able to hold on.

"Okay, okay... truce?" he offered.

Fluttershy inspected his face for signs of deceit, then gave a single nod. Her wings snapped back to her sides and Pat let himself relax a little. She also stopped trying to pull free from his grip. After a few seconds she folded her ears down and murmured: "You can let me go now." She was blushing, Pat realized!

"Oh. Sorry. Right." He let her hooves go, but rather than scurrying away, 'Shy just let them fall and rest on his thighs. "You wouldn't really pee yourself just from tickling, would you?"

The blush deepened and 'Shy drew back, sitting as small as she could and wrapping her tail around all four hooves. "I... m-might. It really tickled!"

"Sorry."

The apology earned him a small smile. "Don't be. Um, it was fun. I can't remember the last time I laughed like that. I guess it was that time Discord told Twilight and Princess Cadence he was ill and they had to get this special flower."

"I don't see what so funny about that..."

Fluttershy chuckled into her hoof and blushed, unable to meet Pat's gaze. "Don't tell Discord this," she said in a quieter voice, "but it was really funny when he got sick for real from the Tatzlwurm!"

Perhaps you had to be there, or know these people better to see the joke, because Pat still didn't find it particularly funny. Fluttershy was giggling, which was the important bit. Suddenly there was a low growl emanating from somewhere in his abdomen. "Whoops, I guess that's me. We kinda... forgot lunch." A glance at his phone showed Pat that it was nearly three in the afternoon. "Oh, jeez. I better get cooking!"

Fluttershy's ears perked up at that. "I can help!" she offered.

It sounded like fun, so Patrick readily agreed. "Okay, what are we having?"

The mare gave it some thought, then shrugged. "You pick."

"How about a pizza?"

This seemed to hit the right spot because 'Shy clapped her hooves together in delight. "Oooh," she practically moaned, "it's been ages since I had pizza! Can we make it out of hay-dough?"

"Wait... hay? Like in dried grass, hay? I can't eat that!" Her ears wilted and Pat was immediately sorry. "It's not like I even have any in the house."

"I h-have some," 'Shy said, looking down at her hooves.

It might not be edible for humans, though Pat was willing to try. He came up with a good compromise. "Okay, okay, how about you go fetch it and we make half of the pizza with hay-dough and half with the regular kind?"

Fluttershy sprang to her hooves, smiling once more. "I'll be right back!" she promised and flew off. There was a thud as she landed in front of the door, the sound of it opening and closing, and then her hoofsteps faded down the stairs. Pizza out of hay. Pat shrugged to himself. He'd try anything once.

Chapter 9

On the plus side, Fluttershy had had a good chuckle at Pat's facial expressions as he tried it. Apparently it was absolutely delicious for a pony. She scarfed her own half down almost before Pat had put the plate on the coffee table. Just as planned. Having felt how light and thin 'Shy was, Pat was happy to see her eat. Not to mention that them cooking together had been an extremely fun experience. Fluttershy had to use a chair next to the counter to stand on, but she certainly did her part. It was amazing just how dexterous she was with nothing more than hooves and mouth.

Having finished her hay-dough pizza, 'Shy was sitting back on the couch with the blanket across her lap and with a bottle of strawberry fizz in the depression between her legs. Every now and then she skillfully lifted it up with only her muzzle and took a swig.

"So... movie?"

"Um, as long as it's not too violent," 'Shy pleaded. "I d-don't like people, or animals, getting hurt."

That ruled out most of TV, but Pat had a good idea. "So, I guess cartoons? Here, lemme check on Netflix." He flicked through a couple of pages on the smart TV until he found a good one. He glanced at 'Shy, who seemed to be engrossed in the colorful images.

"How to Train Your Dragon?" Pat prompted.

She observed the poster and read the short description, then nodded. "It does look interesting. Is it, um, nice?"

"It's a cartoon. Means it's make-believe, right? There are no dragons- on Earth at least."

Fluttershy swallowed and lowered her head. "I'm k-kinda afraid of dragons," she said in a voice so gentle Pat had to strain to hear. "Well, except for Spike. He's nice, but most dragons are scary."

"This one is not like that. Let's give it a shot and if you don't like it, we'll stop."

'Shy looked at him, then shifted her gaze to the TV. She licked her lips nervously, then gave a single, determined not. "Okay, okay. Hit me!"

Pat let it play and went back to his ketchup-laden pizza slice. It was at that perfect temperature where he could hold it in his hand, but the cheese was still melted.l "Want a slice of mine? So you can, like, compare?"

He watched Fluttershy's face carefully and saw her eyes dart to the plate on the coffee table. She chewed on her lip in indecision, then asked: "Can you put a bit more ketchup on it? It's s-sweet."

"Sure!" Pat dripped a few small blobs from the bottle on the few places which weren't already covered, then looked at 'Shy who nodded her approval. He even lifted the plate to her so she wouldn't have to stand up to get it.

"Thank you."

"Lemme know how it compares to the hay one."

She bit into the pizza goodness and gave a few thoughtful chews. She leaned her head to one side in thought and swallowed. "It's good."

"Good?"

"Good. I like it both ways."

They went back to watching the movie in silence, each of them slowly munching on pizza. Pat would end up having only about a quarter of it, but it was plenty and he was glad to give the larger portion to his guest.

"That was actually kinda sweet," 'Shy commented as the ending credits rolled.

"Yeah, these animated movies are usually a bit tearjerkers at the end."

He watched as she mouthed the word to herself: 'tear-jerker'. She repeated it again, then shrugged. "What does that mean?"

"Means they try to play with your emotions."

"Ah. Yes, I understand."

She was now fully covered with the blankets, leaving only her head outside. Pat wondered if the place really was that chilly, especially since 'Shy had all that fur and feathers to keep her warm.

He thought about putting on the sequel, but changed his mind. It was a cozy kind of evening, one where he could simply chat with Fluttershy and maybe get a session of petting in. "Want a beer?" he offered.

Her ears folded down in concern and she gave Patrick a worried look.

"It's nowhere near as strong as that stuff yesterday, and you won't be mixing it, so it should be fine. How about half of one?"

"I... do like the smell," 'Shy finally said, slowly as if in careful retreat.

Pat was only too glad to fetch a bottle from the fridge. He figured they could share the first one and then if 'Shy wanted more, he could get another. He sat back down and twisted the cap open. Then he patted the couch right next to him. She shuffled closer, taking the blankets with her. She ended up leaning against him with one foreleg draped across Patrick's leg. He offered her the bottle and she took a swig, using her hoof to keep it steady. The beer was heavier than the plastic bottle of strawberry fizz. As soon as she passed it back he drank himself. His free hand he placed around where he judged Fluttershy's withers were. After a moment she relaxed and leaned her head against his chest. He distinctly felt where her ear pressed through his thin T-shirt.

"So, I was wondering..."

"Mm?"

"You told me that story about Nightmare Luna-"

"Moon," 'Shy interrupted, ears flicking in annoyance. "She was Nightmare Moon when she was bad and became Princess Luna when the Elements saved her, remember?"

"Yeah, sorry. Well, you said Twilight was a unicorn. But earlier, when you were telling me how you got to Earth you told me she was an alicorn." It had been a minor point, but it was bothering Patrick. He hoped 'Shy wasn't making it all up. It might turn out she was simply... made, or bred in some high-security bio-research cloning facility or something. That wouldn't matter a whole lot, Pat knew, but he really didn't like the idea of 'Shy just lying like that.

"It's kind of a long story," she said. "Yes, Twilight was born a unicorn, but she earned her wings."

"I didn't know you could do that!" This made 'Shy giggle and Pat realized how he sounded. A few weeks ago was the first time he even heard about ponies, so it wasn't much of a surprise that he didn't know a lot about them.

"Actually," Fluttershy said, "most ponies didn't know either. Princess Cadence was born a pegasus and earned her horn and Twilight earned her wings. As far as I know, Flurry Heart was the only natural-born alicorn."

Pat mentally went over the names. "Okay, so what about Celestia and Luna? They also earned- uh, their wings?"

This time Fluttershy shrugged a little. "Uh," she said, looking away and blushing a little in embarrassment. "I don't really know. I guess I didn't pay enough attention in school. Or maybe nopony knows. It was just so long ago!"

Patrick didn't mind. After all, if she asked him about American presidents there'd be significant gaps in his knowledge and that was only a couple of hundred years. "It's okay, don't worry about it."

There was silence for a while, then Fluttershy spoke up. "Pat?"

"Yeah?"

"Mind if we, um, if we talk about you for a bit? It's... hard. It's hard remembering."

Suddenly Pat realized how stiffly the mare was sitting. He gently turned her head around with his fingers on her muzzle and saw that her eyes were glistening. "Oh! I'm sorry, 'Shy. I really didn't mean to-"

She shrugged and partially unwrapped the blankets from her. That allowed her to rest directly against him and cover them both with the fabric. She was incredibly warm, maybe from being bundled up or maybe it was her natural body temperature. Either way, it was very pleasant to cuddle with her. When the maneuver was complete, 'Shy sighed. "Let's just talk about something else. Um, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Nope. Only child. Mom said I was such a handful when I was young that she didn't wanna go through all that again."

'Shy managed a small smile. "That sounds cute. Wanna tell me what you got up to?"

"Okay, okay, lemme think. So, this one time we were on our summer vacation at sea with this little RV."

"RV?"

"It stands for 'recreational vehicle'. It's like a small house on wheels which you can drive around, so you don't need to bother with tents or hotels."

"Oh! That sounds nice!" Fluttershy trilled. "I wish I could do that someday. It's been ages since I was at sea!"

"Well, if we succeed and I can buy you off Mason we can totally go! I'll save up some money and we'll take a vacation with an RV!"

Her ears folded down and 'Shy looked away. "Y-Yeah," she said, but her heart suddenly wasn't in it.

It irked a little and Pat put a hand on her side under the blanket. "Shy, I told you. It'd just be a formal piece of paper. You know I don't see you as a slave!"

She sighed, but didn't look back. "I know."

"In fact! In fact!" Pat said, suddenly excited, "I promised you a hoof massage as thanks for cleaning up my place!"

Fluttershy shook her head. "You don't really have to-" she began, but Pat was already pushing her over. She wasn't heavy and allowed him to lay her down on her back, still wrapped up in the blanket. That was important so she could keep her modesty, especially with the angle from which Pat would look.

"Come on! I'm probably bad at this, but I can learn!"

Fluttershy sighed and closed her eyes, but she wiggled a hind leg free from the cloth. Pat carefully grabbed it with both hands. It was surprisingly wiry, he thought. All sinew and muscle and bone, with practically no fat he could feel. Even the fur there seemed stiffer.

"Okay, tell me how it feels, right?" At first he only ran his fingers up and down the limb, looking for where she had muscles and where there were just tendons. He prodded a few likely places with his thumbs, closely watching Fluttershy's expression. She didn't react to any of it. Next up Pat moved to the hoof, examining it. Strange how even the keratin was almost indistinguishable in color from her fur. That was quite unlike Earth horses.

"Hmm," he murmured to himself.

Fluttershy opened her eyes to see what he was doing. Patrick was feeling around the edge, watching with curiosity how the hard part made an U shape. He traced around it then put his finger in the middle. It was quite soft and surprisingly warm. The hoof jerked out of his grasp and he looked up to see 'Shy fighting a grin.

"That tickles, Pat," she said. "You have to push harder on the frog."

"The frog? Oh, yeah, right. Sorry." He took the hoof in his hands again, grabbing it so he could put his thumbs on the fleshy bit. He tried a slightly harder pressure, but he still kept it quite gentle. A quick glance at the mare's face told him that was the jackpot. Her eyes had closed and her lips parted as she exhaled in comfort. It was relatively simple, even with no skill. Patrick pressed various points on the frog and ran his fingers across it, each touch and movement making Fluttershy sigh or moan. He gradually felt the tension go out of her leg until he was completely supporting its weight in his hands.

"So you like this?" he asked, just to make sure.

At the sound of his voice 'Shy opened her eyes, but it took her a few moments of blinking before she could focus on his face. Then she smiled. "It's nice, actually. You're good at that!"

"Sure thing! Next hoof?"

She almost looked regretful as she lowered the limb and wiggled her other hind leg free. Patrick made sure to cover her up again and keep her warm. He wanted to go straight to the frog again, but since he knew that secret he set about finding some more. He began low and carefully felt along her leg, marvelling at how her knees bent backwards. He prodded along the muscle, then traced the tendons to where they vanished. All this time he watched Fluttershy's face, but she never reacted until he pressed his thumbs in the frog again. This time, as she relaxed, there was a smile on her muzzle.

Before he began Pat had been worried that giving a massage would be boring, but it was actually the opposite. The little shudders and moans were strangely exhilarating and he was glad the blanket was covering the massive tent he was pitching. It was also quite fun to see what sort of sounds he could get 'Shy to make. Besides, foot rubs usually led to... other things in books and movies, right? Maybe it was similar for ponies.

When he judged he'd given this hoof about the same amount of time as the last one, Pat leaned forward and placed a light kiss right in the middle of the frog. This made 'Shy start up with a gasp and jerk her leg away.

"Sorry! Sorry! I-"

He was about to apologize profusely and already felt the blush rising on his face, but she beat him to it: "That tickles, Pat!" She either didn't recognize the feeling, or was fine with it. Either was preferable to 'Shy being grossed out.

"Forelegs too?"

Fluttershy gave this some thought, but Pat could see the comfort win out in her expression. She smiled and nodded. "Yes, p-please. Um, if- if it's not too much trouble."

"Can I be honest with you?" he asked.

'Shy lowered her ears and gave a timid, uncertain nod.

"I really like doing this."

Her muzzle split in a smile and she giggled. "Probably not as much as I'm enjoying it!"

"I'd take that bet. Turn around..." He motioned with a finger and 'Shy shuffled in a circle so her head was in Pat's lap. He guided her down so she missed the problem spot. Maybe she wouldn't recognize a boner, but he wasn't yet prepared to take that risk.

'Shy thought nothing of it and settled down in the place Patrick laid her. She was facing away, which gave him easy access and a good angle to deal with her forehooves. Already she had one leg extended, waiting for him to grab it and begin his finger magic. Once again, to his surprise, her foreleg felt completely different from her hind. Sure, there was still some muscle and sinew, but the joints were a lot more free. Pat didn't know a whole lot about equines, but he knew Earth horses and ponies couldn't lift their forelegs above their head.

Maybe it was down to evolution and the fact that Fluttershy used her forehooves to pick up and manipulate items, Pat figured. Her back legs would still be used primarily for walking, but there was more dexterity developing in her front. He reminded himself that this wasn't comparative anatomy; it was supposed to be a massage. He felt the limb from where it joined her shoulder up to the knee. He kept going past the second joint and felt around what he remembered from his research as the fetlock. The fluff there was a bit thicker, but still the same pale yellow. Once again Pat inspected the almost seamless transition from fur to hoof. It was the same shape as the hind one, except perhaps a touch smaller.

For some reason he found it incredibly cute and spent a fun little minute just tracing his finger around the inside edge. Only when he noticed that 'Shy had her ears completely flat, her eyes closed, and was breathing hard did he stop. "Um, does it tickle?"

She opened her muzzle but no word came out. She had to work her tongue a bit before she could say, almost in a whimper: "No. P-Please keep doing that!"

This time he took the hoof in both hands, held it in place with his palms and placed all his fingers except for thumbs on the inner edge. With 'Shy's head in his lap, her leg naturally pointed away from him, so Pat figured it would be a more comfortable position. With everything in place, he just felt around the inner edge again, moving his digits in tiny circling motions. Fluttershy relaxed and let out a breath he hadn't noticed she was holding. Her wings unfurled a little as seemingly all her muscles loosened.

In the spur of the moment, Pat leaned forward and placed a small kiss on Fluttershy's hoof between his thumbs. He looked down, blushing a bit, to see what she'd say to this. Perhaps 'Shy hadn't even noticed, but there was a goofy smile on her muzzle and she was taking deep,luxurious breaths. "So I guess you like this?"

This time she opened her eyes and the smile was replaced with a small blush. "Um. Yes?" she ventured, uncertain even now. "It feels- uh. I l-like it." The red in her face and the way her gaze darted around, never really settling on his face was strangely familiar. Was the edge of her hoof an erogenous zone for 'Shy? Luckily for Pat she was still lying as he'd laid her down and she hadn't moved, otherwise the mare would certainly have felt the next-level tent which threatened to burst right through the fabric of his pants.

Despite that, Pat kept his ministrations up for a while longer, before extending his fingers and rubbing the inner softness of Fluttershy's frog. She suddenly slumped down, making him realize she'd been arching her back. She began to smile again and the blush faded, confirming Patrick's suspicions. He filed away this little fact for another day and went on. The important thing was to make sure and keep the pressure up, so as not to tickle. He spent very intense five minutes getting closely acquainted with the slight contours of Fluttershy's frog. There was a surprising amount of texture and features, something he felt he could spend ages just exploring.

With his tongue. The sudden, unexpected thought made him blush and let go, letting her hoof fall down to her side. Fluttershy sighed with infinite sadness and tensed to get up. Before she could, Pat put a hand on her chest. "You got one more leg, remember? Uh, if you like to, I mean."

Almost before he finished speaking the mare had relaxed, started to smile again, and jutted her foreleg up for him to grab. Pat was only too happy to oblige, except this time he didn't tease her by prodding that sensitive edge. A part of him wanted to, curious what would happen if 'Shy got more aroused, but something told him it might be a mistake. They needed to get to know one another better and 'Shy needed to trust him a lot more.

He worked in silence, watching her face for clues to know when he was doing a good job, then repeating the things she apparently liked. Her question came out of nowhere. "Pat? Tell me about the sea."

"Uh. Okay. Lemme think."

She'd said she hadn't been to the seaside in a long while. Pat thought back and realized he hadn't either. Not since elementary school, back when his parents still seemed to enjoy such things. "I hope I can remember. Anyway, we had this old, beaten up RV. There was a bed in the back, which my parents took, and a couch around the table in the middle." He smiled as he remembered staring at that thing from underneath. Supposedly there was some way to fold the table away and turn the couch into another bed, but he'd been small enough to just sleep on the seat. "Heh. I fell off that thing too many times to count! I didn't mind, though, I used to love the sea."

He wondered why they'd stopped going so suddenly. From one year to the next, the family vacation was simply gone. "Okay, so I remember this one time, I think it was the first morning in the camp. I woke up at first light, of course. Way before my parents. They said I shouldn't go out until they got up."

Fluttershy giggled a little and lifted up her other foreleg. Pat didn't even think, lost in memories like he was, before switching from the hoof he was holding to the offered one. "What did you do?"

"I tried to wake them up. There was this curtain across the place and I was super scared of seeing my parents naked, so I didn't dare go look. I just sat at the table, clearing my throat as loudly as I could." They both chuckled at the image. "God, I was so sore by the time they finally woke up!"

This time he mimed his voice being all raspy and croaky. "Like this!"

Fluttershy giggled almost maniacally at the image in her head. "Oh, goodness! What happened?"

Pat shrugged a little, focusing once more on the massage he was giving. "Mom yelled and told me to drink something. Dad just laughed and said I can go outside, as long as I stay near the RV."

'Shy smiled at that, eyes sparkling. From this close Pat saw something of that light blue seaside in her cyan eyes. "Maybe we can have a vacation like that someday, huh?"

For some reason this made Fluttershy sad and her ears splayed, coming to rest against Pat's thigh. He imagined he felt one of those tufted points brush his belly. "Yeah, m-maybe," Fluttershy said, but her heart wasn't in it. She was looking away and jerked her hoof out of Pat's grasp.

Having his hands free let him put his fingers around her muzzle, stroking. He gently turned her to face him again. "We'll manage it somehow, 'Shy. I promise!"

Instead of smiling, she just pressed her lips together before blinking slowly and re-focusing her ears. "Tell me about the sea some more, please?"

Pat was all too happy to leave the awkward moment behind them. He mentally put himself back to that camp he knew so well and dug out another anecdote. "Okay, so this was a couple of years before that, I think. Dad was teaching me to swim without water wings-"

This word made 'Shy open her eyes wider and interrupt: "Wings?"

Pat chuckled at the misunderstanding. "Not like actual wings. It's like two inflatable, plastic sleeves. You put them around your arms and they help you float. It's mostly meant for kids."

"Oh," 'Shy said. "We usually just call them 'floaties'," she explained.

Pat just nodded. He'd kept his fingers on Fluttershy's cheeks and now rubbed in small little circles. She wasn't complaining and the fur was so soft he couldn't bring himself to stop. "Anyway, Dad was teaching me to swim without those. The water was shallow enough for me to stand if I wanted, but I got so panicked I nearly drowned. In two feet of water!"

He chuckled, but this time 'Shy didn't share it. She seemed concerned. "I'm sorry."

"Nah, I laughed about it after I realized, don't worry. Anyway, I splashed so much I got our towels all the way on the beach all wet. Mom nearly died laughing."

The smile was crawling back onto Fluttershy's muzzle and she gave his hand a quick nuzzle. She didn't seem inclined to move out of his lap and Pat was perfectly fine with that. They could stay like that until night, for all he cared.

"Okay, so let me tell you about the second attempt..."

Chapter 10

Suddenly it was dark outside. At least it felt sudden. After a few more seaside stories, Patrick had started up the console and played... something. He hadn't been paying a whole lot attention, not with 'Shy nestled in his lap. She had turned on her side and covered herself with the blanket so only her head and hooves were poking out. Head on Pat's thigh and hooves off the side of the couch. Every now and then he looked down and saw the mare had her eyes closed. It was hard to tell with how quiet 'Shy was, but Patrick suspected she was napping, at least occasionally. Once or twice he caught her looking at the screen, but her eyes were half-lidded at best. It was probably the best thing for any remnants of her hangover, so he tried to keep as still as possible and had the volume almost on the minimum. The few times he had to move her to use the toilet or get a drink were a matter of deep regret.

He'd have to do it again, soon. He was starting to feel decidedly empty in the stomach region and Pat imagined 'Shy was probably the same. After all, their last meal was that half-dough, half-hay pizza in the early afternoon. What made it harder was the fact that 'Shy seemed to be asleep just then. He paused his game so his hands were free to stroke Fluttershy's cheek. "Hey. You awake?"

An ear flicked in his direction and then 'Shy moved. Her first action was to stretch her legs out even further and take a deep, luxuriating breath. Her wing lifted the blanket a little before settling back down with a feathery rustle. Only then did she open her eyes. She didn't seem in the slightest bit bothered by her 'pillow' this time. Previously when she'd woken up she blushed when she realized what she was lying on. "Mmmm," was all she could say as her eyes sought out Patrick's face.

"Want some dinner?"

She opened her mouth, but before she could speak another yawn took her and she drew in a big lungful of air. Her tongue stretched out, slightly curled at the tip. "What're we havin'?" she finally managed to ask, only slurring her words a little.

"What would you like?"

This gave 'Shy pause and her eyes danced around the room as she thought. She still hadn't lifted her head up from the warm thigh she was occupying and it didn't seem she would want to do that anytime soon. At long last 'Shy smacked her lips in some imagined taste and turned on her back. The blanket slid away, exposing her belly and giving Pat a very good view of the pink mounds between her hind legs. His breath hitched for a moment. "Can we make vegetable broth? Mmmm, with a lot of salt?" she proposed. "I'd like a lot of salt."

It wasn't something Patrick ever cooked for himself, being more of a junk food connoisseur, but he readily agreed. "Sure! You know how?"

"Mhm," 'Shy nodded and, once again, stretched her legs up in the air.

Patrick tore his gaze away from her midriff with an effort and looked directly down at her face. "Wanna guide me through it? You can help."

Fluttershy gave this some thought, then shook her head. There was a slightly mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her mouth and she corrected: "How about I make it and you help?"

Patrick couldn't help chuckling. "Deal. Wanna get up?"

Again 'Shy gave this some thought, then shook her head. "Not really, but I guess we have to?"Having said it spurred her into action and she lifted herself up to sit on the couch. Once again her private bits were hidden to Pat's simultaneous relief and regret.

"Good thing we picked out all those vegetables, huh?" he asked.

'Shy leaned over to give his face a nuzzle before jumping down from the couch and heading to the little kitchen. "Actually," she said, pausing a few paces away, "I kinda thought I might want broth one day so, um, I picked out my favorites. Sorry." She looked embarrassed about her perceived selfishness and Patrick stood up while 'Shy was still hesitating.

He walked past her, giving her head a quick pat with his hand. "It's okay. I wouldn't know which veggies to get anyway, so you actually did me a favor. So, where do we start?"

'Shy relaxed and followed him to the stove. "Okay, we're going to need a big pot. Fill it with water and give me the onions. You can start peeling a couple potatoes when you're done. Oh, and put plenty of salt in the water!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

'Shy just shook her head in amusement and didn't comment on the unnecessary formality. She pulled a drawer open with the edge of her hoof and picked out a wooden cutting board with her mouth. Then she went to fetch a chair so she could reach the counter top. "When you're done peeling, just cut the potatoes into big chunks. I'll slice up the carrots. Oh, where did you put the parsley?"

"Fridge," Pat said. He was already starting to peel. He was a newbie at this sort of 'serious cooking', so he focused on his work. In complete honesty, broth wouldn't have been his first pick, but it would make 'Shy happy so he could get behind it. He couldn't help but smile as the mare started humming to herself. Already she looked a lot happier with life in general than she ever had with Mr. Mason.

Despite not being used to food like this, Patrick decided he liked it. A bit salty, which 'Shy apparently enjoyed very much, but otherwise quite good and nourishing. If he kept this up for a week or two he might start to miss meat, but for now it was okay. Not to mention that the company far outweighed any junk food cravings which might arise.

It was starting to get very late and the two had been quietly talking on the couch as the light dimmed. Pat suddenly realized he could hardly see Fluttershy sitting opposite him. A lull in the conversation seemed like a good place to stop for now. "Well, I guess we should hit the hay," he said, trying to be funny.

"Oh, goodness! You're right!" 'Shy almost squeaked. "I shouldn't have kept you up this long! It's just so much fun talking... I completely lost track of time!" She was already on the floor, stacking the empty bowls together to take to the kitchen. "I'll wash these real quick, you can go to bed Pat."

He wouldn't have any of it and picked the dishes up before 'Shy could take them. "Nah, I'll just put them in the sink. They can soak a little and we'll do them tomorrow, 'kay?"

'Shy seemed a bit uncertain, no doubt thanks to her working for Mr. Mason. Yeah, 'working for', that's what it was. Easier to think about than 'slaving', at least. She didn't move.

"Go on. You can have the bathroom first if you wanna shower or something. Shoo!"

It still took her several long seconds before 'Shy turned and walked. She paused at the door and looked back, a lighter shadow in the dark. "T-Thanks, Pat."

"Think of it as a vacation, alright? You'll have plenty to do once Mr. Mason is back, but you can take a week off," Patrick pointed out, conveniently forgetting about her cleaning spree the previous day. Her eyes seemed to glitter in the faint light from outside and Pat could swear she was smiling. He headed to the sink in darkness and put the plates in mostly by memory. There were already some pots and utensils in there from their cooking, but it could all wait until the morning. He went to the hall, where 'Shy had already turned the light on. The bathroom door was closed and he heard the sink going. Could she even reach it? Even if so, it couldn't be too comfortable. Maybe he should take the chair from the kitchen to help 'Shy out.

He approached the door and knocked quietly. "Um, Fluttershy?"

"Come in!" came the answer and Patrick hesitated. On the one hand she was a pony and never wore clothes, so it shouldn't be too weird unless she was actually on the toilet. On the other hand, it was the bathroom. He had been ready to offer her a chair, but not for an outright invitation. Then again, he had washed her last night when she was too drunk to care. Not to mention that she had just invited him in. Pat opened the door, ready to avert his eyes if he should see anything untoward. When he finally looked, he couldn't help but gape in surprise. Fluttershy had turned the empty laundry basket around and was standing on it to comfortably reach the sink. Her bag was beside her and the mare had a toothbrush in her mouth, which she deftly manipulated with both hooves.

"Oh."

She took the brush out and gave Pat a quizzical look. "Um, y-you needed something?"

"No, no. I just thought maybe you needed a chair or something to reach the sink, but I see you figured it out."

'Shy gave him a brilliant smile. "Actually I do the same in Mr. Mason's house, so I already knew what to do."

"It's still a clever solution. Good job. Anyway, you gonna shower?"

Her eyes glanced at the tub and 'Shy blushed, evidently remembering at least some pieces of the previous night. She shook her head. "M-Maybe tomorrow. I'll be out in a minute!"

Pat waved it away. "Take your time. There's no rush." He got another idea and began to smile. "In fact, one of these days you can have a hot bath if you like," he offered.

'Shy glanced at the tub again, but this time she looked eager. "Oh. Wow, it's been ages- Thanks, Pat!"

He guessed Mr. Mason didn't allow baths. Probably worried about his heating bill, if Pat was any judge. People who were rich often tried to pinch pennies on the stupidest stuff. "No problem." Pat hesitated a little, taking the opportunity to look. 'Shy was in an unusual pose, leaning on the sink with her elbows and quite stretched out to reach it. Some... parts were quite nicely on display, even if she wasn't facing him directly. His eyes strayed again and again to the slightly protruding pink patch low on her belly. Suddenly he had to leave quickly or a certain discomfort would become quite obvious.

"I'll be in my room!" The teasing and the fondling the entire day had left him wanting. Pushing 'Shy too quickly was a bad idea, so Patrick decided to simply 'handle' it himself. With all the glimpses of those teats, combined with the memory of how soft, smooth and warm her coat was, he probably didn't need more than a minute or two. Luckily he had a few towels in his bedroom for just such an occasion. He hurried inside and remembered to close the door firmly shut.

There came a surprisingly strong knock at Pat's door. He hadn't expected 'Shy to have such a heavy hoof. "Um, c-can I come in?"

Luckily by that time Pat was already finished with his dirty little task and had changed into his pajamas. He kicked the soiled towel under his bed, where it would be concealed in the darkness, and sat down. "Sure, come in!"

There was a clatter as the mare reared up and pressed the door handle with a hoof and then she walked in the room. Pat just looked at her with an unspoken question. "The bathroom is free," 'Shy announced. "I, uh- well..." She glanced around the room, nose wrinkling, before looking directly at Pat's face and speaking again: "Mr. Mason likes me to tell him when I'm going to bed."

"Oh, you don't have to do that with me, but thanks anyway! Um, you need anything else?"

'Shy walked further inside, her ears splaying as she approached. She came right up to Pat, smiling vaguely, and extended her neck to give his hand a nuzzle. He replied to her gesture with a pat against her cheek. "I just wanted to say thanks," Fluttershy said, so near that Pat could smell the toothpaste on her breath. "You know, for taking me in. I'd be so bored all alone in that ugly house."

This made Patrick grin in triumph. "It is ugly, isn't it?! I always thought so!"

'Shy relaxed and sat on her haunches, her grin soon mirroring Pat's. "Oh, it's absolutely hideous! Mr. Mason calls it 'modern', but I just call it 'bleh'. Well, not to his face, obviously..." She stuck her tongue out at the word 'bleh' and Pat couldn't help grinning. Even that facial expression was cute on her. They both chuckled at that and 'Shy continued on her own: "Back home I just had a wooden cottage and it was lovely!" She heaved a sigh at the memory and nuzzled into Pat's palm again. "I miss it," she said, her voice suddenly full of longing. Already her ears were drooping and her head was bowing.

"Sorry," Pat replied, not knowing what else he could say. His hand found itself under her chin almost without his conscious control and 'Shy let him support some of the weight in a quiet sign of thanks. She closed her eyes for a few long seconds, then blinked and pulled away.

"It's okay," 'Shy murmured. She seemed undecided about something and looked around the room, sniffing the air again. Suddenly her eyes widened, she stood up and took a step backwards. "I should g-go to bed."

Patrick was a bit confused by her reaction. A moment ago she'd been sad and nostalgic for her home, taking comfort from his touch and now she looked almost afraid of something. Her ears were turned back and one of her hind hooves was a step back, as if she were about to turn and flee.

"You can stay a bit and talk."

Fluttershy gave this proposition some thought, then shook her head. "I think I'll go to bed. I'm kinda sleepy." She walked backwards to the door as she said it, keeping her eyes on him all the while.

Whatever might have disturbed her, Pat didn't have any intention of stopping her so he just shrugged. "Well, see you in the morning, I guess."

'Shy gave him a nod and replied: "Yes. Um, sweet dreams!"

Before he could answer, she had gone and closed his door behind her. Patrick sat on the bed, thinking about that last exchange. Had she somehow sensed he'd been jerking off? Did that explain why she wanted to get out so fast? He realized she might be worried he'd want to have his way with her, which was entirely the wrong impression. Pat's muscles jerked as he thought about getting up and going to reassure her, but he realized in time how that would sound and slumped back down. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but despite that little snag Pat still counted the day as a whole as a success. He felt they'd really bonded a lot. Once 'Shy made it to the next morning unmolested, she'd trust him. In the meantime he had to brush his teeth and use the toilet, so he got up anyway and left his room. As he made his way to the bathroom, he saw her door was already closed. Pat shrugged to himself, deciding to set his watch a little earlier than usual. Maybe he could surprise 'Shy in bed with a breakfast, or at least coffee again.

As he was going back to his bedroom Pat paused in the hallway. He thought he'd heard-

There it was again, a sound barely on the edge of hearing, but definitely coming from Fluttershy's room. At first he thought she might be masturbating, his own session still strongly on his mind, but he couldn't imagine the timid mare just going at it like that. Was she in some kind of trouble? A quick vision of 'Shy with the blanket tangled around her throat flashed through Pat's mind, but he quickly dismissed it as ridiculous. He still came closer and listened right at the door, but there was nothing more to be heard. He knocked, quietly so as not to startle the pony.

"Everything okay?" he asked in as gentle a voice as he could make it.

There was a muffled thump and a swish of fabric, but no reply.

"Fluttershy?"

Again that same sound from before, except this time he could identify it. A sniffle. Patrick didn't wait for an invitation and simply went inside. The room was dark, but the light from the hall was enough to see a lump on the bed, completely covered with the blanket. It shifted when he came closer and he stopped, but 'Shy didn't ask him to leave so Pat didn't. He sat on the bed, watching the bulge jerk again.

"Wanna talk?"

"I'm fine!" 'Shy answered, but her voice broke and the word ended with almost a growl. She very clearly was not fine. Maybe it was none of his business, but Pat wanted to help. He suddenly felt responsible for this fragile creature in his home. He grabbed the blanket and carefully peeled it away. 'Shy had her muzzle buried in the mattress and her hooves over her head.

"Was it something I said? Or did?"

One ear lifted towards him, but then she shook her head as best she could in that position. Pat put a hand on her back, making the poor pony flinch again. "You can tell me, you know. Maybe I can help."

Again she shook her head in denial, but there was still no dismissal or plea for him to leave. He took it as a good sign. Probably not worried about untoward advances, he decided. He had a gut feeling this was more of the same sadness from the previous night. If so, perhaps a similar trick would work again, Pat thought to himself. "C'mere."

He slid his hands under Fluttershy's belly, marvelling for just an instant how warm it was, then lifted her up. Her legs trailed as if she was thinking about grabbing something, but she didn't otherwise resist. She went in his lap once more and her muzzle sought out the crook of his arm to hide. As an afterthought Pat wrapped her covers around them both. 'Shy let another sniffle escape her, followed by a full sob. Her hind hooves were creeping around his waist just as her forelegs gripped as far as they could reach around his chest.

"There, there," he said, patting her back and hoping she wouldn't call him out on the cliché. Already he felt warm dampness through his pajamas where her tears were leaking through. In a way it was worrying to see just how much baggage 'Shy seemed to have, but there was also an unexpected glow of satisfaction. It felt nice to be able to be there for her and the fact she was holding on as if for dear life was oddly comforting. It said Patrick was probably doing something right. "Wanna tell me what's wrong?" he cooed.

One hoof slipped away and pushed through the blanket so 'Shy could wave it vaguely at the room. At the same time she pulled away from his shirt and turned her brimming cyan eyes up at him. "All... this," she answered quietly. "Everything." Pat didn't understand, but he didn't want to ask again or make an absolutely stupid guess, so he just waited a little longer. Fluttershy's gaze lowered and her foreleg fell, but she tried explaining it again: "I al-almost feel normal!" she said forcefully, muzzle scrunching up in distaste. "I don't- don't like it!"

"Why not? What's wrong with feeling normal?"

Her ears flattened and 'Shy let out a hot breath. "Because in a few days," she said, voice trembling and clearly on the verge of losing patience, "I will have to go back there." She looked up, looking for any sort of understanding in Pat's face. "You don't get it..."

"I'm trying. I think I do," he offered.

"It's just that- Pat, I don't like being a slave! B-But I almost accepted it. Not like I have any real choice, but I kept telling myself it wasn't so bad and I think I was starting to believe myself!"

"'Shy-"

She lightly hit her hoof against his side to get him to shut up. "I almost believed I was fine," she repeated, "I think I accepted it, but now... this." Again she waved at the room. "It's like I'm just staying with a friend."

"But we are friends."

She sighed and shook her head, but after a few seconds tried again. "You're not understanding me! Yes we are friends, Pat, but then I'll go back to Mr. Mason and it'll be just like the first time! I'll be miserable!"

"I'll try and find a way to get you away from him!" Pat promised.

Again Fluttershy shook her head in staunch refusal. "I t-think... maybe that would be worse."

"What?! Why?"

That cyan gaze seemed to pierce him and Pat almost looked away, but as intense as her look was it also seemed to hold him in place. "Pat," 'Shy said sadly, "friends can't own friends. If you owned me, we wouldn't be friends anymore."

This time it was Pat's turn to shake his head in denial. He squeezed the mare a little tighter. "Absolutely not! 'Shy, I swear nothing would change. You'd just be a friend- a roommate, okay? I don't give a fuck about a little piece of paper that says I own you, understand?" She seemed skeptical and Pat didn't know how to better explain it. "It'd just be like this week, okay? Here..." He turned and deposited her on the bed to free his arms and placed his right hand on his heart. Hopefully she'd understand the gesture. "I swear if I ever own you and you wanna leave, I will let you go. Okay? You wouldn't be my slave, ever!"

This time she didn't have a counter and just watched him, completely motionless. Patrick's heart was pounding as he waited for the verdict. It was important 'Shy understood what things would be like if he got her away from Mason. He needed her help to get the man to sell her, and sell her cheap. A beginning of a plan was starting to form in Pat's head. Maybe if she wasn't such a perfect little slave, Mason would be more open to selling.

At long last 'Shy heaved a sigh and lowered her gaze. "I hate this," she said, pawing at her neck where the collar usually sat. "All this. I just want thing to be normal again. Why can't things be simple?!"

She desperately needed comforting and Patrick leaned closer to put his arm around the poor, distraught pegasus. He went to plant a small kiss on her nose. At the last moment Fluttershy looked up. The kiss which was intended for her snout went to her lips instead. They instantly jerked apart, both already beet-red in the face and unsure where to put their eyes or limbs. Pat gripped his pajama bottoms and 'Shy fiddled with her forehooves.

He didn't know what to say, but the she didn't look disgusted, so maybe that was a good sign. Maybe he'd just had his icebreaker. If nothing else, his blunder certainly took her mind out of that dark place.

"Pat?" she finally asked, almost too quietly to hear. "Do- Do you, um, l-like me?"

The question was definitely loaded. "Yes. A lot." He glanced at her just in time to see a small quirk of her mouth before it vanished. She was okay with it!! It was all Pat could do to keep his breathing at least under control, if not exactly regular. His hands threatened to shake, so he kept gripping the fabric so tightly he was worried it might tear.

The next sentence came out in a kind of breathless whisper: "I l-like you t-too..."

Was she expecting something more? That had almost been a kiss, but did 'Shy want a real one? Should he- Pat sternly told himself to stop over-thinking it. If this was a mistake, she'd push him away, he'd apologize and things would go back to normal.

Eventually.

He leaned in again, moving his hands from his lap to the bed to more easily support himself. Fluttershy looked up at the motion and her eyes widened. "Pat, I don-"

She didn't get any further before their faces touched once again. She didn't move away, Pat couldn't help thinking victoriously in that split second before they came together. Even that thought vanished when his lips brushed the silken smoothness of Fluttershy's muzzle. She was completely still, almost stiff, but she wasn't going away. Pat held there, on the verge between pushing forward and pulling back. Gradually, ever so slowly, the mare relaxed. Only then did he withdraw and let them part the merest fraction of an inch. This time there were no roaming gaze, no embarrassment. They stared at each other from up close and Pat couldn't help noting the tiny blue flecks in her irises, almost like someone had sprinkled glitter in her eyes. They were bigger than his, he noticed, but the realization floated somewhere in the distance. It hardly felt like his thought at all.

This time it was 'Shy who moved closer, shifting her whole body so she could reach with her hooves. Pat gladly obliged and put his arms back around the little mare. Again their lips locked and they both closed their eyes. Except this time he felt her mouth open a little, as in invitation. He prodded carefully with his tongue and felt the softest brush of her fur.

He pushed further, finally reaching...

Her tongue was trembling when he touched it with his, so he didn't try and go any further. For now it was enough to lightly rub his tip against hers. It was enough to get a taste, but the only thing he sensed was her toothpaste. Maybe in a few hours, or in the morning, he could actually taste her. After about a minute of simply touching, Pat let go and pulled back. 'Shy was looking at him with large eyes and there was some uncertainty still in there. She didn't release her hug, though.

He suddenly noticed she had her wings wrapped around him and he couldn't help smiling. It felt like an incredibly intimate gesture. "Uh... I-"

"Shush, before I change my mind," 'Shy murmured back, interrupting whatever he was going to say. Then she leaned back and tugged at Pat's shoulders with her wings. He understood what she wanted and climbed fully on the bed. The blanket had slipped aside and now he pulled it back over them before lying down. Hesitating, he looked down so he wouldn't crush her wing, but 'Shy had already folded it back, making a space beside her. Pat was only too happy to lie on his side in the offered spot and a moment later 'Shy turned to face him. His fingers found her side and her hooves scrambled at his chest. They slid closer and again it was 'Shy who sought out Pat's mouth with her own.

Once more her tongue met his halfway, but this time she was a bit more curious, prodding and exploring, trying to get a feel for his shape and taste. Patrick was happy to stay still and let her do it for as long as she pleased. A wing snaked under the blanket to lie across his side and he reached further with his hand until he was running it up and down Fluttershy's back. He let it slide all the way down, almost to her ass, but as he neared the area she tensed and her tongue vanished, so Pat didn't go further.

Small steps with this mare, he thought to himself. He broke the kiss off and offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Tell me if it's too fast, okay?"

'Shy was biting her lower lip as she thought, then nodded. Her ears perked up and she attacked again, seeking entrance into his mouth with more urgency. Pat just let her, shocked at just how far she could reach. Her tongue was a lot longer than he'd thought! He moaned and pulled away when she struck a sensitive area he didn't even know he had in the back of his throat.

"Sorry!" this time it was her turn to apologize.

"Don't be. Do it again, just a bit slower!"

She grinned and then brought her lips to his again. Pat felt her short, shallow breathing on his cheek under her nose, but then realized his was the same. He moved his hand to her face and stroked the sensitive fur there. Once again Fluttershy's tongue invaded, exploring the roof of his mouth before slipping further. Meanwhile Pat tried to return the favor and reached along her length as deep as he could manage. It was hardly comparable, but that far back the taste of toothpaste was almost gone and he sensed her real flavor. A very faint trace of onion from their broth, but under that a heady and salty, somehow soft, aroma which was just... her.

If someone found a way to bottle that it'd be Pat's favorite drink. He became aware of her hoof running down his chest. Should he take it off? It was a dilemma. He wanted it, despite his yank earlier, but something told him it would be too much, too fast for 'Shy. With a measure of regret Pat made a decision to keep it to kisses only tonight. If 'Shy still felt the same way in the morning, they could take it further.

If not...

Better never to feel what she was like than spend the rest of his life regretting never getting any more. That made sense, right? He would stay in her bed, though, unless she kicked him out. He was certain of that much. To comfort her. She obviously wasn't doing that well being alone. He opened his eyes and saw she was looking back at him, her pupils dark pools in the faint light. That reminded him and he broke the kiss off. Fluttershy pulled away to get some of her breath back. "I left the light in the hall," he pointed out.

She just shrugged and her hoof moved to his side as if to hold him down. "Leave it," she said, smiling.

It was easy to obey when she came closer once more, this time trailing little kisses down his cheek and neck, stopping to lick at his collarbone. Pat almost gasped at how hot her tongue was on the skin there. He replied by planting a chaste kiss on her mane, then sliding his hand to her ear and starting to fondle it. It felt like it would be quite some time before either of them fell asleep. Maybe they wouldn't get any shuteye at all. That was fine with him. Pat didn't want to miss a single second.

Chapter 11

When Patrick woke up, the first thing he became aware of was a slight constriction around his chest. He looked down and saw yellow fur. Something tickled his left cheek and he glanced that way, right at a mess of pink hair. A pony ear was sticking out and it flicked as he watched it. Last night came rushing back and it was all he could do not to bolt upright with a gasp. As it was, his breathing quickened and he concentrated on not moving.

'Shy was still asleep and he wanted to keep it like that for at least another minute. He wanted to think. Had they done anything? Patrick slowly slid his right hand along his side, past his belly and to his pajama bottoms. He was still fully dressed, which meant they probably did nothing more than kiss. That was good. Going too quickly could be a bad mistake with how much baggage the mare had inside her. The fact that she was hugging him this tightly spoke volumes. Pat moved his hand higher up and encountered a few soft feathers. Yes, her wing was across his midriff too.

The light touch made Fluttershy sniff and her ear twitched again so Pat quickly removed his fingers. Let her sleep a little longer. Hopefully she wouldn't be disgusted when she woke up. Hopefully the last night hadn't just been a big mistake for her.

Perhaps, if he woke her up the right way...

Pat's left arm was being used as Fluttershy's pillow, so all he had to work with was his right. He sneaked his hand along his belly, under the wing and, finally, under her foreleg until he could bring it near her face. Then he paused and listened to her breathing. It was steady and unchanged. Good, she was still asleep. Patrick brushed the pink strands away as carefully as he could manage until he revealed a yellow muzzle. Her eyes were tightly shut, but the ear focused in on his breathing. He didn't have much longer it looked like, so Pat just ran his fingers from the tip of her nose, on her cheek, and up the side of her head.

It was cute how her nose wiggled at his touch. He did it again and this time her eyes opened. "Morning, beautiful."

The good news was that she didn't yell and jump away. There was a moment of confusion and then shock as memory flooded back. Her leg from atop his chest pulled back to cover her mouth. "D-D-Did we..." She couldn't even say it and already her muzzle was turning pink.

Patrick took comfort in the fact that they hadn't and that she still wasn't trying to wiggle free. "Don't worry, we didn't," he assured her.

Perhaps that was relief in her eyes and Pat was glad he'd made the decision to take it slow. Clearly 'Shy wasn't yet ready for more, but perhaps a bit of cuddling and some more kissing wasn't out of the question. "It's still early, you can sleep some more."

Her hoof was already on his shoulder and tensing, pushing her away. Her wing slid back to her side, but Fluttershy paused. "I shouldn't- I- I should get up."

"Nothing to do right now. Relax."

She was definitely undecided, judging by the way her lips pressed together and her ears folded back. Comfort won out and 'Shy settled back down. "Maybe five more minutes," she murmured.

This made Pat smile widely, especially when Fluttershy's foreleg went back on his chest and her head back on his arm. She watched his face with a blank expression for a while, then asked: "What happens now?"

"What do you want to happen?"

It was clear she didn't know and the indecision was making 'Shy pull her hoof back. Pat hurriedly put his hand back against her muzzle. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

"I don't wanna," Fluttershy began, but she had to clear her throat. "I don't wanna ruin our friendship," she finished in a whisper.

"We won't. This just makes it better."

Her ears focused and her muzzle scrunched up as if she wasn't sure, so Pat decided some drastic action was called for. He turned to his side and planted a small kiss on the side of her muzzle.

She just kept watching him quietly, but Pat didn't give up. He gave her another, closer to her mouth. This time there was a slight response, a turning of her face toward him. As he leaned in for the third time 'Shy closed her eyes and he knew she'd give in. Their lips met, their noses touched. He didn't prod any further, simply enjoying the warmth for now. When he pulled away, Fluttershy's lips were slightly parted and her muzzle was already a bit rosy in color. He slid his hand down to her chest fluff and entwined his fingers with her fur.

'Shy splayed her ears and bit her lower lip. It was clear she wanted more, but at the same time she was afraid. Patrick blinked in surprise. Was she a virgin? It would explain why she was so hesitant any at the same time eager. Then again, he wasn't one only thanks to college parties and copious amounts of booze. It wasn't as if he'd ever head anything steady. Most importantly, he didn't want 'Shy afraid, especially of him or what might happen between them. She had to feel that she was in control, which was more or less true anyway. Pat would never force his attentions on her, despite an occasional lack of judgement.

"We go just as far as you're comfortable, okay? I'm just happy to have you around, anything extra is a bonus." Secretly he hoped it would go all the way, but this pony needed very careful handling. If it took him months, then so be it. Something told Pat the wait would be very much worth it. 'Shy was so easy to talk to, so adorable, so... unique, he didn't want to blow it. Once he got her away from Mason it would be even better.

Finally she gave a slight nod and her ears lifted up. The lip-biting was replaced by a small smile. "I, uh, c-could be comfortable with another kiss," she suggested quietly, her eyes darting around and never settling on any one point for more than a second.

She was already lying on Pat's arm, so it was trivial to bring her closer for a proper kiss. This one lasted a bit longer and 'Shy let out a long breath Pat hadn't even been aware she was holding. He reached his tongue closer and encountered hers, questing forward. They played against each other for a few seconds, then split apart. Already both of them were breathing harder, but now a problem occurred. One the movies and stories never mentioned. The pair turned away from each other and took deep, grateful lungfuls of non-morning-breath air. Patrick stared at the ceiling, hoping 'Shy couldn't see his embarrassed blush.

Kissing was out of the question, at least until they either brushed their teeth or had some breakfast. Fluttershy actually giggled at their predicament as she laid her head back down on Pat's arm. "Maybe we can just cuddle for a few minutes," she proposed.

"Yeah, good idea. Sorry. I don't know why this happens, it's not like I don't brush each night!"

He felt the mare shift and looked over to see her lifting her shoulders in a slow shrug. "It's probably just one of those things..."

Despite the unexpected snag, having her warmth next to him was nice. The apartment wasn't cold by any means and there was still some summer left, but the touch of her warm fur was delicious. Pat bent his left arm at the elbow and brought his hand down against Fluttershy's side, hugging her against himself without taking away her makeshift pillow. His fingers ended up somewhere near her belly and he began idly scratching. In response, 'Shy squeezed herself closer, pressing her right pair of legs against him and spreading the left ones across his chest and thigh. It was pure luck she missed his... more personal part. It didn't help when Pat realized this position meant her teats were pressing against his hip. Suddenly he was sorry about the two layers of cloth there. He put his right hand on her hind hoof and squeezed. A moment later her wing snaked back across his belly and 'Shy heaved a comfortable sigh.

A few minutes she had said, which was just as well. Pat became aware of a pressure in his bladder and knew he wouldn't be able to lie still for very long. Maybe he could talk her into waiting in bed for him to return, but he doubted it. As soon as he got up the spell would be broken and 'Shy would soon follow. That was okay too. They'd make breakfast together and then make plans for the day.

In fact-

"Got anything you'd like to do today?" he asked.

"Mmm," the pegasus murmured, thinking. "Um, is there a luna park near here?"

"Luna park?!" Pat wondered where that'd come from.

'Shy lifted her head to look in his face, smiling at some memory. "You know! Cotton candy, carnival games, ferris wheel. Things like that? I haven't been in forever!"

"I'll check the Internet. Tell you what, if we can get there and back before night we'll make a day of it." Now that she'd said it, Pat also couldn't remember the last time he'd visited such a place. He must have done, but the last time was with his parents, at least fifteen years ago and probably more.

Fluttershy's smile widened and her limbs around Pat pressed down. Her muzzle went to his cheek and he got a friendly lick. "Thank you! That would be amazing!"

He remembered the previous day, in the store. "If there's none close enough, wanna go check out the Zoo?"

'Shy froze and her ears folded all the way back. "I'm... afraid to."

"What? Why?"

She looked away, her grip on him loosening. "I'm afraid..." she began, but her breath caught. Pat let her hoof go and put his hand against her muzzle for comfort. "I'm worried the animals aren't being kept well and they're sad. It would break my heart!"

He could believe it. Now that he came to think about it, his few memories from the nearby Zoo hadn't been all that great. Tiny cages, crap everywhere, miserable looking animals. Seeing something like that would probably depress her, silly little emphatic horse that she was. "Okay, I'll see if there are any good zoos near as well. The kind of place where they know how to take care of their animals so they're happy."

The ears came up a little bit and 'Shy gave him a hopeful look. "M-Maybe," she tentatively agreed.

"Don't worry, I won't take you to a bad place," he promised her. A hint of a smile crept back to her muzzle and the yellow tufts focused on him once more. Pat decided to put forward a suggestion of his own. "How about a dinner?"

"Dinner? Um, it's only morning, Pat."

He didn't know how to explain it without sounding like a fool. In the end he just went for it, fool or not. She'd probably laugh it off and that'd be the end of it. "I mean tonight. You know, like a d-date."

The word made 'Shy shrink back a little and she looked down, between them. The splash of red came back to her muzzle. "Date?" she asked, mostly herself.

Patrick sat up, letting her legs and wing slide off. "You're right, it's silly-"

"I'd like that," 'Shy interrupted. "Except..." She sat up, still not looking at him. Her ears drooped lower and lower as she thought about something.

"Except?" Pat prodded.

"Will they accept a pony as a guest?"

Now that she mentioned it Pat wasn't sure either. Would any restaurant serve a pony? No matter, the elation that she'd said yes was enough. "We'll find one that will. And if not, we'll pack the basket and have a picnic in the park, okay?"

That last one seemed more attractive to 'Shy and she perked up. "How about we just do that?"

"Sure, if you'd like. It's a date!"

Having decided, the word made her smile.

"And now, if you'll excuse me..." Pat pulled the covers off himself and lifted himself over Fluttershy. A few joints popped as he stood up. He remembered his thought form last night. "Stay here, I'll make you breakfast in bed!"

Already she was shaking her head. "No, no, I couldn't- That would be lazy-"

"I insist."

She bit her lip in thought, then shrugged a little to herself and flopped down on her back. "Okay, if you insist. Can I go to the bathroom at least?"

"Sure. As long as you come straight back to bed!"

Fluttershy put her right hoof on her chest and lifted the left one up. "I promise."

Pat couldn't help himself, it was just too cute. He leaned down and left a peck against the side of her muzzle before hurrying out of the room to empty what was full.

"Um, that was pretty good," Fluttershy said, still sitting in the bed which was now covered with crumbs. The empty plates were stacked on the nightstand beside them and she was just finishing her glass of strawberry fizz.

"Glad you liked it."

Her eyes wandered down to the mess they'd made. "It's just... this is why I prefer to eat at a table, Pat," she chided, brushing some breadcrumbs from the cover to the floor.

"Yeah, but sometimes it's nice to get waited on, isn't it?"

She didn't look entirely certain. "Not when I have extra work to clean it up after."

Patrick put one hand on her withers and took the empty glass with his other. "I'll vacuum, deal?"

Her muzzle scrunched up and she was about to shake her head in refusal, but Pat tightened his hold.

"I insist!" he insisted.

Fluttershy let out a breath she'd taken to repeat herself and nodded. Perhaps there was a small smile on her muzzle? "Okay," she agreed. "Thanks."

"Like I said, think of it as a vacation, right? I should've cleaned up the other day, not let you do it."

"I didn't mind," 'Shy said quickly. She was carefully folding the bedsheets off her so that the crumbs wouldn't fly all over the place.

When Pat saw, he reached out and took the fabric from her. He had to marvel how she was holding the edges in her ankles. She certainly was one clever, cute horse. Pony, he corrected. 'Shy didn't like it if he used the wrong term, even though Pat didn't know why. "Hey, are there horses on your world?"

Fluttershy blinked in surprise at the sudden and unexpected question. "It's hard to tell," she answered. "The ponies from Saddle Arabia are taller and they look a bit like Earth horses, but we still call them 'ponies'. I guess... maybe?"

"Huh. Interesting."

She slid to the edge of the bed and was about to stand, but Patrick kneeled on the floor and intercepted her. She froze, hesitating for a second, then leaned over so they could kiss. This time she tasted of strawberry and egg yolk. It wasn't unpleasant, especially when her hooves slipped around his neck and she got into it. Pat was noticing that 'Shy, true to her name, was reluctant to begin any kind of intimacy, but when it started she really enjoyed it and sometimes even let the sensations carry her away. Even now she pushed her tongue forward, giving him a better taste of her breakfast, and a quiet, low moan escaped through her nose. He looked, but her eyes were closed and she was apparently lost in the moment. His hands moved almost without his conscious control, sliding around the pegasus as he took her completely into his lap. Her hind hooves sought for a moment, but found purchase on his legs. Throughout it all Fluttershy never gave a sign that she wanted to end the kiss, even when she was held in the air only by Pat's arms around her and her hooves on his shoulders.

The entire time she wrestled with his tongue, exploring, tasting, retreating when he pushed at her, then regrouping and attacking again. Her sighing moans came with each breath now and Patrick felt feathers press against his back. She shifted her head, rubbing her nose past his. It tickled and he involuntarily pulled away. As he opened his eyes, he saw the tip of her tongue vanishing back into her mouth.

"Sorry. Tickles," he explained.

'Shy looked away and blushed, but Pat kissed the side of her muzzle.

"I kinda like it."

In response she gave him a gentle, ticklish nuzzle. He couldn't help chuckling, but it didn't last long. A moment later her lips sought out his once more and the assault began in earnest once more. 'Shy squeezed him more tightly with both legs and wings and ground her hips against the fabric of his pants. Her hind legs slipped, dropping her down so she straddled his leg. Even through the cloth he could feel how warm she was. When she pushed herself closer, a moan escaped her and Patrick knew this was it. He was already diamond-hard and now she really wanted it. Her tongue moved like lightning, twirling around his for a second, then pushing forward to flick past his teeth, then going back to run over his lips. She moaned again and got his lip between her teeth. She bit a little, surprising him enough to pull away.

"Ow!" It hadn't really hurt, but he wasn't expecting it and it had come as a shock from the normally reserved and timid mare.

His involuntary exclamation broke the spell and 'Shy gasped as she jumped back. "Oh, gosh! I'm so sorry, Pat! I don't know what came over me!"

He reached out and tried to pull her back, but Fluttershy moved out of his reach. "It's okay, I was just surprised," he pleaded.

Unfortunately 'Shy was shaking her head firmly. "N-No, um. I think we should s-stop," she said, muzzle quite red from both desire and embarrassment. She looked like she was about to bolt.

It was hard, but Pat closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. Too soon. She wasn't ready yet, despite her urgent moaning and grinding. She was still too afraid of it and he'd have to give her more time to get used to her new feelings and desires. "Um, 'Shy. Have you ever... well, you know. With a guy? Stallion, I guess?"

The blush deepened and she shook her head the barest fraction. It explained a lot and he'd been guessing the same. Pat made sure to smile as he reached, but this time only to lay a palm against her cheek, not to grab her. She allowed herself to be touched, but tensed up to move away if he tried to hold her. "That's nothing to be ashamed about. I still mean it, you know? We won't do anything you're not comfortable with."

It helped and her smile returned. She nuzzled his hand and closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened, she was staring right at him. "In that case, I think that was enough for now. I... I need to think."

"Sure. Take all the time you need. Wanna watch a movie or play a game?"

She jumped at the chance to take her mind off the present topic, but before she gave in her head leaned to one side. "Um,y-you said something about a- a picnic date?"

"Sure! I'll make us sandwiches and we'll go in the afternoon. In the meantime, I'll see if I can find a luna park or a zoo for us to visit, okay?"

Her smile... well, 'blossomed' was the only appropriate word Patrick could think of. She stepped closer and threw her hooves around his neck again. She kissed his cheek, careful not to start something she couldn't back out of. "Thank you, Pat! I'll go do the dishes from last night..." she began, but remembered her breakfast and grabbed the two plates from the nightstand. "I might as well do them all while I'm at it. Uh, could you bring the glass?"

"Sure. Want me to help with the dishes?"

She gave it some thought, then shook her head. "No, it'll be faster if I just do them." Her gait out of the room was a bit wobbly since she was balancing two plates on an upturned hoof.

Pat heaved a sigh and adjusted his severely chafing pants. He noticed a cold spot and looked a little closer. There was a tiny damp patch where 'Shy had been sitting. Virgin or no, she wanted it. He couldn't help grinning like an idiot. It was going to happen, sooner or later. He glanced around to make sure 'Shy wasn't standing behind him, then rubbed a finger on the damp spot. He brought it to his nose. It had the tangy sharpness of stale urine, which Pat guessed was universal, at least for mammals, but there was also a sweet undertone. Pat wondered what 'Shy tasted like. He inhaled again, but the faint smell was gone and there was just the scent of... well, ladyparts.

His pants began to feel constricting once more and he adjusted them again. Hopefully she wouldn't accidentally feel the boner when they cuddled, or if she did, she wouldn't be afraid of it. Maybe he could take a few extra minutes in the bathroom to take care of it, then he should be fine for a few hours. Strange how living with a little pastel horse was both exhilarating and weird. Pat shook his head in wonder and stood up. He remembered to pick up the glass before he left.

Chapter 12

The good news was that there was a small zoo with a very ethical-looking mission statement where Patrick could take Fluttershy. The bad news was that the drive was nearly three hours, which meant they'd have to leave early in the morning if they wanted to spend any significant time there. He explained it all to 'Shy on their way to the park and she happily agreed to getting up at six one day. It wasn't Pat's favorite thing, but he wanted to make her 'vacation' as memorable as possible. This put 'Shy in a very fine mood as they parked and grabbed the supplies from the trunk. She tried to insist on carrying the basket, but Pat waved her away.

It would have been awkward for her to lug the heavy thing around. Besides, this gesture gave 'Shy the freedom to wander around the path, inspecting flowers, humming to herself and all but prancing with delight, all of which combined to make an adorable sight, well worth the minor effort. Pat couldn't keep a matching grin from his face despite the fact that his arm was going numb. They'd packed too much, he figured, but at least it wasn't a long walk. The spot he had in mind was just over a small hill, past a thicket of trees and shrubbery, on a grassy knoll next to a stream. Unfortunately the water wasn't safe to drink, but it was still a nice bit of scenery which 'Shy would undoubtedly appreciate. He glanced up at the sky where the sun was already on its way down. It was still hot for late summer, but having running water nearby somehow made it feel cooler.

'Shy remembered the place from their previous walk once he'd described in and went ahead, but she stopped at the top of the hill and waited for him to catch up. Even from a distance he could see something was wrong when her ears slowly crept down. His mood soured when he saw there was already another family occupying that exact spot. He tried to guess if they were nearly done, but the two pre-school kids were chasing one another and the parents didn't seem in any hurry. The woman was lying on her back, apparently catching some sun and the man was solving some kid of a crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

"Shit, I was looking forward to this..."

'Shy, her good mood mostly undeterred, bumped her flank against Pat's, making him shift his stance which, in turn, made the contents of the basket rattle.

He nodded to her, a bit miffed that he'd have to carry the thing further, and turned to leave.

"Look! It's a pony!" one of the children called out. They were both boys and their shout made their father look around and their mother sit up to see. The woman's face darkened and she hurriedly wrapped a towel around herself. She had been sunning herself and her modesty was only covered by a simple bra. Maybe she was 'armoring up', Pat thought. She wouldn't want to face him and 'Shy in her underwear. That expression didn't look good and 'Shy caught it as well, slinking behind Pat's legs.

"Oi," the woman shouted when she thought she was suitably dressed. The father meanwhile waved his kids closer, just in case. "Oi!" the lady repeated. "You put that thing on a leash right now, or I'm calling the cops!"

This was something Pat would never have guessed and he did a double take at the incongruous words. "What?!"

Fluttershy nudged him in the shin. "Let's just go quickly," she offered, but it was already too late. Pat was getting pissed at the idiot woman's tone.

She took one step forward and pointed a very accusatory finger. "Yeah, you heard me! Leash that beast if you have to bring it in public!"

Pat said the only thing that came to mind. "Why?"

Her face darkened some more and she took another step forward. "Why?! Because I told you to! Those things are dangerous and there's children here!" Saying that, she reached out to one of her sons, who were now staring at Fluttershy with abject terror and stowed him protectively behind herself. Pat heard 'Shy sigh sadly and nudge him again.

Her talking that way about sweet, gentle Fluttershy sent Pat's blood boiling and he took a step forward again. "Yeah?! Maybe you should leash your kids then! You know, to keep them safe!"

Even at the distance between them Pat could see how her eyes widened and felt a momentary triumph, but then her husband was getting up. "What did you say to us?" he almost growled.

"P-Please, let's just leave," 'Shy begged. She sounded like she was on the verge of tears and it snapped Patrick out of his mood.

He looked down, noting that there was already moisture in her eyes, and sighed. "There's no law that ponies have to be on leashes, so push off!" he retorted.

The woman saw this as Pat backing down and there was a triumphant gleam in her eye which made Pat bunch up his fist in impotent fury. When she answered: "There ought to be!" it was almost too much for him.

Luckily 'Shy took his pants between her teeth and tugged. He desperately wanted to say some more things to the woman and if her husband came after him, so be it. It would be the guy who started it all, so at worst Pat could sue him for assault later. He grit his teeth and imagined the two of them all downcast and contrite in court as the judge ordered them to pay some ridiculous sum of money. Except 'Shy might get hurt and it would definitely ruin their day. It might already be ruined, but a fight would absolutely assure that. Even worse, if the woman called the cops, which Pat had to admit looked like a definite possibility, they were liable to side with her and demand that Fluttershy be leashed.

"UGH! Forget it," he said, barely biting back a swear. "'Shy, let's go somewhere else!"

At first it looked like the idiot woman would say something more, after which a fight would be all but inevitable, but the husband seemed to have some presence of mind and grabbed her arm to forestall his wife.

After that Pat wasn't looking anymore and returned to the path. The contents of the basket rattled significantly more than before as he almost stomped away in a mixture of frustration and anger. "Fucking idiots!"

Fluttershy heaved a sigh of relief as she walked so near Pat that her side sometimes bumped his thigh. "It does-doesn't matter," she said.

"That was... shit. I'm sorry, 'Shy. Some people are just fucking morons!" He was looking at her and saw her ears flinch at the swear words. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, at least a little. "Sorry."

"You shouldn't have yelled back," she said, more forcefully than Patrick was expecting. "We should have left when I said so!"

"But they were saying you're vicious or something!"

She bumped against his leg again, but this time on purpose. "Maybe so, but they were insulting me, not you. Sometimes it's just not worth it. I certainly didn't want to fight them!"

He stopped and put the basket on the hard-packed dirt, freeing his hands to put around Fluttershy's withers. She turned to face him, now that he was nearly at eye-level. "You're right. Sorry I didn't listen."

She closed her eyes and leaned her head forward to put her forehead against his. "It's okay. Let's just try and have a nice picnic."

Being this close made Pat give in to temptation. His hand went up to her chin and tilted her muzzle a little higher. At the same time he pressed his lips to hers.

'Shy gave a muffled squeak of surprise and jerked back. "No!" she whispered fiercely. "Not where somepony can see!" she hissed, then added: "Or some human!"

That brought him back and Pat hurriedly looked around, hoping there were no bystanders. The gesture had been quick enough that they probably wouldn't have caught it, but 'Shy was right. Being seen kissing her in public could turn out pretty bad. People would think he's some kind of pervert, obsessed with bestiality or something. "Sorry. Come on, let's find a place for a picnic."

Patrick was still fuming, even after he and Fluttershy had found a quiet place to sit further in the park. It was slightly on an incline, but there were trees on two sides, giving them a sense of privacy. The encounter kept replaying in his mind and Pat thought up wittier or nastier remarks, all useless now. Unfortunately 'Shy picked up on his mood and kept to herself.

A few other people walked nearby, often with dogs and one time with a cat on a leash, so the mare had something to watch, but each time she glanced at him her face darkened once more. "Um, Pat?" she finally spoke up, waking him up from yet another replay of the scene in his mind.

"Huh? What?"

She tapped the basket where Pat's hand was still holding the handle in a white-knuckled grip. "Wanna have some dinner?"

His gaze followed and he released his hold with an embarrassed grunt. "Sorry. Here." He went back to staring at the path, scowl returning to his face, but Fluttershy reached over the basket and laid a hoof on his knee.

Patrick blinked in surprise and looked at her. "What?"

"I meant both of us, Pat." She had a smile which was clearly a little forced, but with an earnest urgency in her eyes.

It finally broke through and Pat let his breath out. "You're right. Screw them. Let's eat."

It helped that their meal was a surprise. 'Shy had insisted on preparing everything by herself and hadn't allowed any sneak peeks. She even went to fetch some things from Mr. Mason's house and wouldn't tell him what. All Pat knew was that the basket was heavy and there were glass containers in there. He watched with curiosity as 'She lifted out the blanket.

"Get up," she ordered and spread the cloth when he obeyed. She moved the basket to the middle and hid it behind herself before he could get a glimpse of what else was in there. They both sat, but this time 'Shy chose a spot between Pat and the basket. She had to twist awkwardly to reach it, but that didn't stop her as she started to pull out items. First were a couple of sandwiches, wrapped in aluminum foil, followed by two beer bottles. That explained the glass and Pat couldn't help but smile.

"Now we only get one each, okay? We're not here to get drunk," Fluttershy commanded.

"Sure. Thanks." Pat unwrapped the sandwich, but before he could bite into it 'Shy put a hoof on his arm and stopped him. "Wait! It's not ready yet!"

He frowned a little as he inspected. Two slices of bread, quite thick, filled with cheese. It was pretty simple, come to think of it. He'd expected something fancier from 'Shy.

She rummaged in the basket and took out a plastic container. It took her a bit of fiddling to open it with hooves, but Pat saw neatly sliced tomato.

"Why didn't you just put it in the sandwich?" he asked. It would certainly have been easier to prepare.

'Shy shook her head firmly. "Nuh-uh! You don't just put tomatoes in a sandwich unless you're going to eat it right away," she explained. "The bread would get all soggy!"

Pat shrugged to himself and helpfully pulled the slices of bread apart so she could do it. She blushed a little and held the container out to him. "Um, c-could you? My hooves are dirty from walking, um, and I don't think you want me to pick it up in my mouth..."

Her embarrassment was actually kinda adorable and Pat chuckled at the sight. "I don't mind. Go ahead."

"B-But, Pat-"

"'Shy, I won't mind a little spit. We kiss-" he began, then hurriedly looked around and lowered his voice. "We kissed, for chrissake. It's okay."

The red in her muzzle went darker and her ears flattened, but she lowered her head and took a tomato slice in her mouth. She tried to touch it as little as possible while she brought it over to the sandwich.

"See? Nothing wrong with it."

Her blush didn't go anywhere, but some kind of ice had been broken and she didn't have any more issues layering a few more slices on Pat's sandwich. She gave him a questioning look which he interpreted as a question if that was enough. However cute and boner-inducing it was to watch her deftly handle the tomato with her lips, Pat decided he wanted to be able to hold the sandwich in his hand.

"That's good. Let me help you with yours!"

'Shy took the other tin-foiled packet and deftly unwrapped it. This time she held it open, apparently not as concerned about her dirty hooves when it was for herself. She'd left the container with tomato slices on the blanket between her hind legs and Pat reached down to pick it up.

An idea struck him and he grinned with mischievous deviousness. "Let's see if I'm half as good at this as you."

Fluttershy blinked in confusion, but when she saw what he was about to do she turned her eyes down and tried to prevent the latest blush. Patrick put his face right in the box and picked up a slice with his mouth. That meant he got a noseful of tomato, but it was worth it. Even better, his hair brushed Fluttershy's warm belly. He brought it over to her sandwich and laid it down, using his tongue to slide it in place.

In her shock, 'Shy was holding the thing too close to herself and Pat felt his head brush her muzzle. This close he could hear her breath catch. She didn't complain, so he kept at it. The next few slices were easier, but he still made a mess with his nose. His face just wasn't shaped for this kind of thing. "Um, t-that's enough," 'Shy suddenly said, but Pat already had a bit of tomato in his mouth. He brought it close to her, but didn't place it on her sandwich. Instead, he brushed the fruit against her nose. Only then did 'Shy raise her gaze to look. Their eyes met and Pat felt like he could become lost in her large, black pupils. Her breathing was noticeably faster now, but 'Shy didn't pull away. She opened her muzzle and extended her tongue. Clearly she was expecting Pat to drop the tomato for her to eat, but he had other plans.

He leaned a bit closer and pushed the piece right into her mouth. He kept a small nibble for himself, but didn't have time to chew. Their tongues met with the cool, sweet taste of tomato between them. Fluttershy's eyes closed and Pat quickly followed suit. Something about playing with the food right in her mouth was so incredibly hot that he had to reach down and shift the fabric of his pants. Her tongue lapped against his, greedily taking every last bit of tomato she could find. Patrick felt her swallow and then she came for more. Only one piece was left and he wasn't about to give it up without a fight.

'Shy tried to snatch it right out of his mouth, but he darted his tongue after it to get it back. He wasn't as dexterous as her, but it caught her by surprise and she let out a small moan. She tried again, but Pat pulled back as far as it could go. It proved no match for Fluttershy's long tongue and she fetched it right from the back of his mouth. This time it was gone before he could reach it and he felt the mare swallow again. Only then did they break and the happy little smile playing on Fluttershy's mouth and in her eyes sent butterflies through Pat's stomach.

"Thief," he whispered, voiceless.

Her smile widened and she shrugged a little. Her reply was just as quiet. "You had your chance before you gave me it."

"Want another one?" 'Shy bit her lower lip, but then she slowly shook her head. Pat nearly reeled from the sudden blow. He'd been so sure she was enjoying it!

"Somepony might come by," Fluttershy warned and Pat relaxed. She didn't hate it, she was just being cautious.

He suddenly realized he'd been passionately kissing 'Shy right there in the open. There weren't too many people in the park, but there were some! He looked around in near panic, but the path looked deserted. "You're r-right. Sorry!"

In either case, both their meals were ready so they could eat. Pat went back to looking at Fluttershy, noting how she held the sandwich vertically between her hooves and twisted her head to take bites. It was easier than holding it horizontally, he figured. Despite it being a plain cheese and tomato affair, the sandwich was surprisingly tasty. Pat wondered if that was because she'd made them, or because of the kiss. He couldn't help being hyper-aware of every tomato chunk in his mouth and judging by Fluttershy's slight blush she was too.

"Um, I brought some bananas for desert, but there's also cookies if you want," the mare pointed out. "We also have juice and- uh, yeah, a tin of cookies."

All that would certainly explain the weight. "Either is okay."

Fluttershy shrugged a little to herself and went back to her sandwich. She ate slowly, chewing for a very long time after each bite, her eyes darting around and observing their surroundings.

Pat followed suit and tried taking it all in. It would've been better if they could have their picnic by the stream, but this place wasn't bad either. The grass was pleasantly soft, the trees were lush and green and the sun was well on its way to the sunset. It was pleasantly warm, but not hot, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky and Fluttershy's presence was... easy. Pat thought about why he'd picked that word. It was strange, but despite being slightly nervous about making a wrong move or saying something improper, he felt relaxed around the mare. She was a very easy person to like, he decided. She was just nice!

The beer was gone and had been for a while, but 'Shy had prepared well and had several bottles of the strawberry drink. They were taking turns drinking from the same one. Patrick felt a tug at his hand and let go, which allowed her to lift it up and take a swig. When she brought it back down he grabbed the bottle once more and took it to his own lips. He was sitting back, holding himself upright with one hand on the blanket. His arm was starting to go numb, but he wasn't paying it any attention. The more important thing was the way Fluttershy was sitting sideways on his legs and leaning against his chest. The only times she peeled away was when she drank from the bottle, but as soon as that was done she came right back. Her mane tickled his face every now and then, but Patrick endured it gladly. The warmth of her fuzzy, pony body was just too nice to give up, whatever the discomfort.

'Shy put her hoof on his arm and pushed it lower so she could grip the bottle with her mouth again. Pat let it go and she lifted it up and drained it until it was empty. After that she just let it fall on the blanket and sighed.

This meant Pat had a hand free, so he switched arms behind him and used the freed one to wrap around her waist. His fingers tingled a little as blood returned, which made them twitch against Fluttershy's belly. The light touch caused her to giggle, but she didn't move or bat his hand away. By this time the sun had gone nearly all the way down and it was getting dark. They'd have to go soon, but Pat didn't want to leave just yet.

He tried to remember what they'd just been talking about. "Oh. Right, sorry," he continued, "So that was right at the end of fourth grade. Sam left even before school was out."

"I'm sorry, Pat."

"Yeah, his parents were waiting just for him to finish his exams and get his grades, then they all moved. Up to Washington or something, I dunno anymore." He sighed, still a bit miffed at his once best friend's parents for just pulling up their roots and leaving. He understood now it was because his father had gotten a lucrative job, but it still stung. "I mean, we did everything together. Practically every day he was at my house or I was at his. We even divided which games each of us would buy, so we could play more of them."

Fluttershy didn't answer with words, but she nuzzled against his neck which was just as nice, if not better.

"Ugh, my arm is killing me. Mind if we lie down for a minute?" Rather than waiting for her answer Pat simply folded back, pulling her on top of him. She gasped at the sudden moment, but didn't resist, except for involuntarily flaring her wings open. She slipped to one side and settled down on her back in the crook of Pat's arm. That way she could look for the first stars. He wasn't as interested in the sky, so Pat shuffled to his side and rested on his elbow. His other hand was free to rub Fluttershy's belly.

"Mmmm. This is nice," she said, looking at him for a few seconds then focusing on the sky once more. Her pupils were so large that Pat thought he could see the reflection of distant clouds in them. He brought his hand up and traced the line of her muzzle from the tip of her nose, around her eye and up to her ear. It wasn't very much like a horse's muzzle, he thought. He had done some research on the Internet, mainly so he knew what to call parts of Fluttershy's body, but he'd never really contrasted her against Earth ponies. Her head was a lot larger, for one. That made sense, especially since she could speak. The muzzle was smaller, but that wasn't a surprise either. Humans had done approximately the same thing in their evolution, after all. As they got smarter and started using fire, they didn't need those big teeth and strong jaws anymore. He returned his finger to her nose, but this time he went the other way. Her jaw flowed seamlessly into her neck and he followed it down. The fluff was thicker on her chest even as it became softer.

"Pat, you're tickling me," 'Shy warned. She didn't move her gaze from the stars, though.

"Oh. Sorry." He changed direction and traced his finger to her foreleg. It was folded against her side, but he carefully gripped it around the fetlock and extended it. Fluttershy didn't fight it, but she finally looked at what he was doing. It brought back memories.

"You don't like it if I massage your muscles there, or there?" He poked the two places he'd tried that time.

Fluttershy gave a small shrug. "Not particularly," she answered. "I guess I'm just not as sensitive there."

"But this feels nice?" Pat asked, brushing his fingers against the frog of her hoof.

"Mmm, yeah."

"And you like belly rubs?" To demonstrate, Pat placed his fingers on the mentioned area.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and wiggled a little to press herself against his hand. "Yesssss," she let out a deep breath and folded her leg back to her body now that he was no longer holding it.

Pat obliged by methodically scratching every bit of her belly he could reach. He ended up pretty low, on the verge of what was appropriate. When his fingers paused 'Shy let out a disappointed sigh. Perhaps she wouldn't object to some more, he thought and slid his hand slightly lower.

"Mmmmm," the mare moaned in a soft, luxuriating voice. Pat took it as encouragement and explored a little further. Her fur became thinner and gave way to warm, soft skin. He carefully scratched, keeping an eye on Fluttershy's face. Her tongue poked out and she kept it held between her lips. He ventured further and suddenly froze. There was a bump under his fingers and it was all he could do not to jerk his hand away.

Fluttershy felt him tense up and opened her eyes. They watched one another, then she smiled. "Y-You can touch," she said in a breathless whisper.

Patrick's grin soon matched hers and he felt around. The nipple he'd found was on a barely perceptible mound, clear of fur and very warm. He took it very gingerly between two fingers and rolled it a little. He felt Fluttershy's tail shift and brush against his leg at the same time as the mare gave a low, soft groan. Pat suddenly cursed that they were outside. This could have been it. 'Shy sounded like she wanted more and his own tool was granite-hard and straining against the elastic of his underpants.

He flattened his palm and laid it right across Fluttershy's mounds at the same time as he brought his head down and stole a kiss. She moaned right into his mouth and attacked his tongue with hers almost ferociously as he wiggled his hand against her teats. He let his middle finger stray a bit further, reaching for the next treasure on Fluttershy's body. He suddenly found a hoof pressing his hand down, keeping it in place. He broke the kiss and pulled away.

'Shy was staring at him. "N-No," she whispered.

"Why not?" Aside from the fact that they were outside, Pat couldn't see a reason not to go on.

It took 'Shy a long time to think it over, but then she folded her ears and shook her head again. "I j-just don't think it's a good idea." He took a breath and opened his mouth to argue some more, but she headed him off: "I'm sorry, Pat. I shouldn't have- It's- I'm sorry..." She looked like she was about to cry and Patrick quickly pulled his hand free so he could place it against her cheek.

"Hey, shush, it's fine, it's fine!" he quickly assured the distraught pony.

She let out a shuddering breath and closed her eyes, nuzzling into the warmth of his hand.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you. We'll do it when we're both ready, okay?"

'Shy nodded and took a deep breath. "When- when we're ready," she repeated. Her eyes opened and she finished: "I promise."

It was a disappointment, but Pat decided it was good enough for him, for now. After all, she'd practically encouraged him to cop a feel, which was a good sign of progress. Sooner or later she'd give in and then they would-

He forcefully brought his mind back from that place and suddenly realized he had to strain to see Fluttershy's face. "Oh jeez, look how late it is! We gotta get back!"

That broke the spell and 'Shy sat up with a surprised gasp. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about the time!"

"Yeah, me too! Good thing my phone has a light on it." He helped her gather up their trash and leftover food into the basket, then stepped off the blanket so she could gather it up and fold it.

Rather than trying to force it back into the basket, Fluttershy just draped the cloth on her back and shuffled her hooves until it was comfortable. "Come on!"

Pat had his phone's flashlight already on and lit the way back to the path. He couldn't help thinking one thought. They could totally have done it right there and then, no people walked around the park at night. He shook his head to clear it and focused on keeping the light steady so 'Shy would see where to go. It wasn't too far to the car and then it was just a twenty minute drive back home. "Um, 'Shy?"

She paused and looked back, even though her night vision was gone and she couldn't see his face. Maybe that made it easier to ask the next thing.

"Wanna sleep in my bed tonight? It's a lot softer than the guest bed."

They both stood still while she thought it over. Pat was about to promise again there'd be no hanky-panky, but 'Shy answered before he could do so. "I'd like that," she said and suddenly turned to walk. Pat had to scramble to catch up, but he couldn't keep a pleased grin from his face.

Chapter 13

When Patrick opened his eyes the next morning, two things became apparent. The first one was the strongest case of morning wood of his life and the other was a warm, fuzzy pony body at his side. Memory returned and he couldn't help grinning. Last night had included a lot of kissing. More than that, having 'Shy to cuddle made for incredibly restful sleep once he pushed past the desire and lust. He could definitely get used to that. The main problem was that when he tried to spoon her, his nose pressed against her mane. At first it was quite pleasant, but with how light and fluffy her hair was, it soon began to tickle so he had to sleep with his neck bent at a strange angle. Once that got old and uncomfortable, he turned on his back which seemed to do the trick. It wasn't exactly 'spooning', though.

He was determined to work something out anyway. Except that thought got interrupted by the unwelcome realization that 'Shy would go back to Mason in a couple of days, which meant no more sleepovers. This had been the first extended business trip ever, so it was a fair bet these opportunities would be quite rare.

All the more important to implement his plan to get 'Shy away from her current owner. He would get a loan if he had to! He sighed and turned to face the mare. The motion hadn't yet woken her up, but her ear twitched and Pat knew it wouldn't be much longer. He brought his hand up to brush a stray lock from her face. "Morning, 'Shy."

She blinked and focused her gaze. When she opened her mouth to reply, a yawn forced its way out instead and Pat got a very good look at equine teeth. Come to think of it, he hadn't looked up any images on horse or pony mouths, so Fluttershy's was the only he had to go on.

"Good morning," she said back as soon as she was able. She didn't seem ready to get up, but her nose wiggled as she glanced around the room. "What time is it?"

Pat reached for his phone since he didn't have an alarm clock. "Six thirty. Still early."

Her eyes closed and 'Shy nuzzled into the pillow. "That's good," she said.

Normally Pat would absolutely enjoy sleeping another two hours or so, but not this time. He raised himself up on an elbow and leaned over so he could pepper small kisses around her muzzle. "You look adorable when you're sleeping," he whispered to her. He paused and wondered for a moment. He'd read some of those sappy romance novels on a friend's recommendation, but he'd always found them gag-inducing. Weird how it wasn't nearly as awkward and phony when it was about 'Shy. Not to mention how it was making his balls sore. None of the books said anything about that. Pat wondered if that's what 'blue balls' felt like. He'd always thought that was more a mental thing. Still, he'd have to do something, even if it just involved his hands. The constant hard-on was starting to get bothersome.

Maybe it was time? He put his hand on Fluttershy's barrel, intending to slowly scratch his way down and see what happened, but feeling the ridges of her ribcage almost made him wince. "You're kinda thin, 'Shy. You sure you're eating enough?"

Her eyes snapped open and the mare frowned as she glared at him. "Excuse me?!" There was a scrunch in her muzzle which made him feel somewhat uneasy.

Patrick instantly knew it had been the wrong thing to say, but he still thought he could wiggle out of the predicament somehow. Perhaps is he explained in just the right way. "Well, I noticed how your ribs are showing. I just think you should eat a bit more, right? This can't be healthy!"

Unfortunately that just dug the hole deeper and Fluttershy's eyebrows lowered as she scrunched harder.

"Um, sorry..."

Her expression didn't relent. "Good. You should be!"

"I was just saying-"

"What?!" she interrupted. "You were saying I'm just a dumb animal who can't take care of herself?! Like I need you to tell me if I should eat more or less?" Her eyes narrowed and she pushed herself away with all four hooves pressing against Pat. "Or maybe," she went on, "I don't look exactly how you want me to look and I should change it just for you?!" She mare sat up, still glaring daggers. "So I guess I should fatten up some so you'd be pleased, Master?!"

That last word almost physically hurt and Patrick flinched when she said it. It sounded like poison on her lips. For an instant he thought he understood what 'Shy was so worried about if he came to own her. He didn't want her to look at him like that, ever! "No, that's not what I- Flutters, I said I'm sorry!"

At long last Fluttershy's expression untwisted and she lowered her head. Her hooves came up and she started sobbing. "I- I'm-" she tried to say, but couldn't quite get the words out. "Just-"

Maybe it was the wrong move, but Pat got to his knees and put his arms around the whimpering pony. "Hey, it's alright," he murmured next to her ear. "I'm sorry I said it. It was insensitive, okay? You're perfect just the way you are!"

'Shy shook her head and Pat was about to repeat himself, but she removed her forehooves and let her forehead rest against his chest. "No, I'm s-sorry," she said, a bit of strain showing in her voice. "I shouldn't have snapped like that."

"You don't have to apologize."

Again Fluttershy shook her head. "It's just wh-when you said I have to eat more..." She couldn't finish the sentence and sniffed again. She was keeping herself from full-on sobbing, but it was a near thing.

Patrick felt how her whole body shook with the effort. Not knowing what to say meant that Pat just waited, hoping she'd either explain or calm down. Once again he was reminded that 'Shy had some baggage and he didn't know all of it yet. Weird how the realization that she was damaged somehow seemed to just feed his boner. It was an uncomfortable fact about himself which he wasn't quite ready to face, so he pushed it down.

He did not get off on girls crying!

Luckily 'Shy didn't know any of his thoughts. "It's what Mr. Mason said, Pat," she explained. "He told me to eat more or else people would think he was starving me. And I d-didn't! I didn't want to!" Her next breath was ragged and it felt hot on Pat's chest. "I t-thought it was at least one w-way I could fight back. It was stupid..." She peeled herself away and her eyes focused on Pat's unshaven face. She must have seen some concern there, because she let out her breath and lunged forward to lock them in an unexpectedly passionate kiss.

Patrick froze for a while at the sudden assault, but he allowed 'Shy entry into his mouth and, after a fashion, played a little with her tongue. Even that was enough to wring an urgent, needful moan from her lips.

Just as suddenly as she had begun, 'Shy broke it off and pulled back. "You just reminded me of... what I am," she concluded quietly. The statement made her sigh.

He put a hand in her mane and placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose before replying. "I told you, you're not a slave to me, okay? We'll get you away from Mr. Mason and then you'll be free!" he repeated.

"Except on paper. Legally, you'll own me."

It was Pat's turn to heave an exasperated sigh. "I said it won't be like that. Fuck 'legally', 'Shy. All that matters is what we think!"

She studied his expression for a few moments, then lowered her eyes and asked the million-dollar question: "So... if there's a chance I can go home, you'll let me go?"

Pat's breath caught and he felt something cold and thorny grip his heart. That was the big one, wasn't it? That was the difference between loving Fluttershy, as he professed, and just lusting after her. The difference between owning her and keeping her safe. After living with him for a while she wouldn't want to go, he told himself. Not really. The question was purely rhetorical and he knew what the right answer was. If she wanted to leave after all- The opportunity might never even come up.

Her friends hadn't come for her thus far, Pat told himself. "Of course. If a way comes up and you can go home - and you really want to - I'll let you go!" He shouldn't have added the condition in the middle, Pat knew this as soon as he'd said it. Fluttershy's eyes seemed to cloud over and she looked down, but he lifted her muzzle back up with a hand. "I promise, okay?"

This time she nodded. "Thanks. It doesn't matter anyway, because Mr. Mason will never sell me..."

Luckily Pat had been working on a plan to arrange just that. He began to smile. It still wasn't complete, but the basic idea was there. "Well, not now, true," he acceded. "If you weren't such a perfect little slave, he might."

Fluttershy leaned away and her ears splayed in worry. "What do you m-mean?"

"It's just an idea, okay? I'm still working on it. Supposing you, um, y'know, didn't do such a good job. Leave some mess. Maybe break some dishes when you do them. Start talking back to him." Fluttershy was shaking her head, but now that he'd started, Pat had to finish the whole story. "Look, I'm not saying anything drastic. Just little things, so he's a bit annoyed with you. I'll drop some hints I might be interested in buying you, maybe if he's pissed enough he'll sell you cheap enough so I can afford it!"

She still wasn't convinced. "What if he just starts beating me?"

It was a snag in the plan and Pat didn't have a counter for it just yet. He sighed and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "We'll think it over. There has to be some way. Just- keep your eyes and your mind open, okay? We need to get you away from Mason, then everything will be better!"

This time 'Shy nodded, but she didn't reply. Her forehead thudded against Pat's chest and she gripped him around the waist with her hooves. She was agreeing, which was great news. Patrick began to have some hope of getting 'Shy into his house on a permanent basis. "It's still early. Wanna go back to sleep?" he asked.

She shook her head mutely.

"Wanna lie back down?"

This time she shrugged.

Unfortunately her mood for anything more intimate was probably shut, Pat thought, but they could get some more cuddles in. "Come on, I'll use the toilet real quick and then I can give you a hoof massage."

Another shrug.

Patrick decided to roll with it. He could take care of his 'stiffness' problem in the bathroom, take a quick leak, then come and play with Fluttershy's hooves. He knew that touching the inner edge was a big turn-on for her, maybe it would even lead to other things. Maybe he should reconsider the yank? Nah, the blue balls were killing him. Even if 'Shy agreed to move forward, it'd just mean he'd last longer. Those were all pluses. He lowered 'Shy down on the pillow and made sure she was covered with the blanket before sliding himself to the edge of the bed and standing up. "Be right back."

When Patrick walked out of the bathroom he nearly tripped over Fluttershy. He stumbled and flailed his arms to regain his balance, while she cringed away. She spoke up before he could demand why she hadn't stayed in bed. "Sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!" she almost squeaked. "I have to use the bathroom."

"Oh. Coming back to bed? It's still early."

For a split second 'Shy looked undecided, but then she shook her head. "Um, I- no."

The word was so soft Pat almost couldn't hear it. She was avoiding his gaze and fiddling with her hooves on the hallway carpet. He realized Fluttershy was worried about his reaction to this news.

"That's fine. What do you wanna do for breakfast?" he asked instead.

Fluttershy looked up and relaxed. "Ac-Actually, I was hoping we could, um. We could go see that zoo today?"

It wasn't something Patrick had planned, but it was early enough and it would mean a nice change of pace. It could be a fun day. He wasn't all that interested in animals, but if it made 'Shy happy it'd be worth it. "Sure. Lemme change and we can go."

She almost bounced up from the carpet to wrap her hooves around his waist and press her nose in his pajamas. "Really?!" 'Shy asked breathlessly. "I'll make us some sandwiches, quick!"

Before she could rush off Pat caught her with a hand on her back. "No need. We can stop somewhere for breakfast before we get there, and then again on the way back."

It meant less time before they could be off and Fluttershy was all for that. She turned in a circle, hooves tapping out a little dance on the carpet. The flip in her mood was hard to believe and Pat guessed she had been expecting him to say no. Proving her wrong was a good, positive step in getting her trust. "Okay! I'll just go real quick and then I'm ready! I can brush my mane in the car!"

She zipped past Pat into the bathroom and almost slammed the door shut in her excitement. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he went to get dressed. The pants from last night had a few green stains from the park, which Pat didn't even remember getting, but luckily he had a fresh pair in the closet. He just had to thread the belt and move his wallet over. His shirt was fine and he didn't really need much else, since it was still summer. He was in the process of pulling on clean socks when 'Shy came back. She stood in the door, brush in her mouth and tail swishing left and right as she waited. Her ears were perked up attentively, but she blushed and splayed them when he looked at her.

Luckily it didn't take long and the two made their way down the stairs.

"Morning, Patrick."

"Oh, hi Mr. Petrinov!"

The old man, who was standing on his porch, pointed with an empty shot glass. "What's the deal with that, Pat? Am I gonna have to charge you extra rent for pets?"

Fluttershy's ears fell at the word and she hid behind Pat's legs as best she could.

"Not a pet, Mr. Petrinov. Fluttershy is just staying with me while Mr. Mason is on a business trip."

The guy poured himself another shot and took a sip while Pat waited if there was any more. Truthfully, he wouldn't mind paying more rent if 'Shy was staying with him permanently. "Well, looks like a small horse," Mr. Petrinov pointed out, making Fluttershy behind Pat give an exasperated sigh around the brush she was still holding in her mouth. "Unusual color, but I guess that's normal for this lot. I saw the news."

Patrick was starting to get annoyed, but the man was his landlord and he'd always gotten on well with him, so he kept his temper in check. "She's a pony, Mr. Petrinov. It's just for a few more days."

This time Anton shrugged silently to himself. He seemed more than a little drunk already, which was kinda sad, considering the early hour. Pat figured he must've been working all night and just came home, especially when he took in the crumpled shirt and the stubble on his face. He was about to leave and put Fluttershy in his car, but it seemed the landlord had one final bit of advice. "Anyway, if she pisses on the rug you're paying for the dry cleaning."

"Okay, Mr. Petrinov."

'Shy was glaring daggers by now and there was a noticeable blush on her muzzle. Pat didn't think she liked the allegation that she'd soil the carpet like some animal. Perhaps it was a good thing that she had her mouth full, or she might have said something rude to Anton.

He opened the passenger door and patted 'Shy on her head to get her in there. She did so and Patrick closed her in as quick as he could to reduce the chance that Anton would say something else stupid, or Fluttershy would shout something back.

"Nice color, though," Petrinov went on, as if talking to himself while he poured more drink. "Yellow like the butter. I like."

Pat shook his head a little to himself and got in the car. Fluttershy was still red in the muzzle and glaring at the dashboard. She had dropped her brush on the seat between her forelegs.

"Don't mind him, he's just drunk."

'Shy looked over and sighed. "That's what I was trying to tell you, Pat. People just see me like some animal! I don't like it!"

"Sorry about that. For what it's worth, he said your color is nice. Like butter."

Fluttershy's head whipped around and she stared out the window, where Mr. Petrinov waved to her. She hesitantly lifted a hoof and waved back.

"Sit still, I have to buckle you in."

She was used to it by now and pressed herself against the seat so Pat could reach the belt and fasten it across her chest and belly. It looked comically oversized for her. "Anyway, I think it suits you. Heh, 'Buttershy'."

'Shy flipped her head around and gave Pat a shocked stare. "What did you just call me?!"

Pat's grin faded away, but he couldn't lie. He swallowed and repeated more quietly, hoping she wouldn't be too mad and that she'd accept his apology: "Buttershy."

They were perfectly still for a few seconds, but then 'Shy suddenly broke into a smile and giggled. "Actually, I kinda like that. It's new. Nopony has ever called me that."

Pat relaxed and grinned back. "How about I make that my nickname for you?"

The blush was instantly back and 'Shy focused on the dashboard again. "If y-you like," she murmured.

"Yeah, it's cute. Buttershy. Well, let's go then. We have a zoo to see."

This was infinitely better news and 'Shy clapped her forehooves together in excitement. She even gave Mr. Petrinov a big smile and another wave as Pat drove off.

Chapter 14

"Okay, okay, my turn. Hmmm..." Patrick paused with his slice of pizza halfway to his mouth while Fluttershy skillfully cut up her microwave vegetable lasagna by manipulating her plastic knife deftly with both hooves. She wasn't too enthused by it, but it was the best they could find among a myriad of meat dishes. They'd stopped at one of those small highway rest stops with a tiny bar and outside benches. The pair were the only people there and they'd taken the furthest table, one very nearly in the surrounding woods.

'Shy kept glancing at them so much that Pat was afraid at first she'd try and make a run for it, but when a bird landed on one of the nearby tables and the mare smiled brightly he understood. She was hoping to see some woodland creatures. He thought about offering to go for a short walk, but he really didn't want to spend too much time there. Besides, they were going to a zoo anyway.

At the moment, though, he was trying to come up with a question which would be at least interesting, if not exciting. "Got it! What's your biggest regret?" he asked. He nearly slammed his head against the table a second later. Of course being enslaved would be it, he didn't need to go dredging up painful memories just for her to confirm it.

Unfortunately it was out and Patrick watched Fluttershy's face with some trepidation as she looked up at the sky and scrunched up her muzzle in concentration. Strange, he thought, how this scrunch was entirely different from an angry scrunch. She really had a very expressive face. Her ears fell about halfway, which nearly made him wince, but then 'Shy shrugged and said: "If I had to pick, it's that I never got up the courage to ask Princess Celestia for that song."

Patrick, flushed with relief, gave her a questioning look and opened his mouth to ask for more details, but 'Shy understood his glance and headed him off.

"It was when Twilight earned her wings. She said that- well, in the place she got taken..." 'Shy shook her head and started again. "Sorry. She vanished right from before our eyes when she cast some spell and she said it took her to this weird place. It was like the night sky, except brighter and she could walk on air. That was where Princess Celestia appeared and made her into an alicorn."

"Okay, I think I'm with you so far."

"Well, anyway, the Princess - Celestia I mean, Twilight wasn't a Princess just yet - she sang this song and Twilight said it was very beautiful. She was blushing when she said it! It was about her, so I kinda understand why she was embarrassed." Fluttershy giggled at the memory and used the pause to switch from her knife to her fork and scoop a piece of the lasagna into her mouth. Pat waited patiently for her to chew and swallow.

"So, eventually I got Twilight to tell me the lyrics, but she couldn't sing the melody. It really does sound like a beautiful song and I always wanted to learn it, but I never quite managed to ask Princess Celestia. I guess I thought it'd be inappropriate." Her ears finished their journey all the way down and the mare sighed a sad sigh. "I guess I always thought there'd be another chance, but I don't think it's going to happen now."

They were both silent for a while. Pat wondered if he should say something, perhaps tell her he was sorry it happened that way, or reassure her that she'd go back home someday.

It was 'Shy who broke the silence. "Anyway, maybe it's silly, but I think that's my biggest regret."

"Shit. Yeah, um, I'm sorry Flutter- Buttershy. Wanna sing it for me?" The nickname brought out a faint smile and Patrick felt pleased with himself, even after realizing that his question had been stupid. Sad Fluttershy was a truly heart wrenching sight. He reached over to cover her foreleg with his hand for a moment and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Never mind, you said you don't know the melody. Why did you want to learn the song that much?"

The smile tugged at Fluttershy's lips some more. "I just always liked singing. It's like, um, I guess you could call it a hobby. My- my friends said I had a good singing voice."

Pat thought back on the time he'd spent with the mare, trying to remember if he had ever heard her sing, like with actual lyrics instead of just humming. "Well, I've only heard you hum so far."

Fluttershy shook her head. "I guess I only sing when I'm happy and that hasn't- it's just rare now."

This was nearly too much to bear and Patrick put his pizza down. He got up and went around the table, ignoring the curious glances from 'Shy. Once there, he stood behind her and leaned down enough so he could put his hands around her barrel. He brushed his nose against her cheek and then gave it a little kiss. "Don't worry, it'll get better. Once we get you away from Mason, I promise you'll be happy, 'kay?"

'Shy stiffened and her head jerked as if she was about to shake it, but then she let out the breath she was holding and whispered: "I believe you."

It made Pat smile happily. "Well, maybe if the zoo is extra nice, you can sing on our way home?" he proposed.

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"Let's finish the food, we still have about two hours in the car."

She nodded enthusiastically at the thought of the zoo and picked up the fork again while Pat went back to his seat. It promised to be a nice day. He'd never been one to visit the zoo on his own volition, but with how happy Fluttershy was about the idea he found he was looking forward to it as well. Besides, the sun was nice and hot, the sky was nearly cloudless and he still had three days with 'Shy after today. With some luck, they might even get to do... something 'fun' when they came home, if Fluttershy was pleased with her zoo visit.

Despite her assurances, Patrick was deeply uneasy about what 'Shy was doing. His muscles were tense and his hand hovered just above her back, ready to grab and pull her away at the first sign of trouble. Except- there was no trouble. The bear just on the other side of the metal fence was letting her rub its head with a hoof. The most it did was let out an occasional non-threatening growl which sounded more relaxed than threatening.

"That's right," Fluttershy was saying, "you're not really mean, are you?"

Much to Pat's surprise, the big bear gave a grunt he could have sworn was affirmative. "Um, 'Shy? When you said you can understand animals, you meant..."

She looked back, smiling, and waited to see if he would finish his question. When she decided Pat wouldn't, she answered: "I meant I can understand animals and they understand me. It's my special talent."

"Yeah, uh, I can see that."

When she had proposed to pet the bear Pat had said no, of course. Only after pleading with a promise of tears in her wide, shiny, sky-blue eyes had he relented. Even so he'd been worried she'd lose a leg or something, but all that happened was that the bear came over to inspect her more closely and she ended petting it on the head. Her giggles snapped him out of near absolute surprise. "You remind me of Harry," 'Shy commented and pulled her leg back.

"Who's Harry?" Pat asked, but she wasn't really listening to him.

"Are they treating you well? I'm sure if I went and told somepony I could-"

The bear gave a strange mix of growls, grunts and snorts while Fluttershy listened and nodded to herself. "Well, if you're sure," she answered.

There was another exchange which ended with the bear giving a series of what sounded like snores at first.

Pat blinked in shock. Was the bear laughing?! "What the hell?!"

Fluttershy still wasn't paying him any attention. This time her face darkened and she almost glared at the bear. "That doesn't sound very nice! I want you to promise me you won't do that again!"

It was just too much for Patrick. 'Shy was having an honest-to-god, real-life conversation with a bear. He laid his hand on her back, which finally reminded 'Shy about his presence. "Do what again?!"

She turned her gaze on Pat, still glaring. "Mr. Bear here says he likes to roar at his keepers when they bring him food! Apparently," she said with a tight voice and looked at the bear, who seemed to slump a little, "it's funny to see them scurry away!"

The next growl could have been an apology, judging by the way the creature hunched its shoulders and looked at the ground.

"Good. You better," 'Shy snapped. "I'll come back someday and I don't want to hear anything of the sort, okay?" She didn't wait for a reply and began walking onward. They had barely arrived and she obviously wanted to see more.

Pat hurried after her, throwing a glance back at the bear who was watching them leave. "You were serious."

His voice was flat as Pat still struggled with believing the evidence of his eyes.

"Fuck, 'Shy, that was- I don't even know what that was. Holy crap."

"Language!" she warned.

"Sorry. So you can talk to animals?!"

Fluttershy stopped and rolled her eyes, but she was smiling to take the sting out. "I've told you, Pat."

"That has got to be some kind of weird magic or something. Animals on Earth can't think. They don't shrug, or apologize, or, or, play jokes on people!"

'Shy didn't say anything, she just watched Pat with her bemused, slightly mysterious smile.

"Do they?!"

"Maybe if you took the time to listen," she said and shrugged. "Come on, I want to see the reptile house!"

There was nothing to do except follow her, hoping whatever other little miracles she pulled out of her tail wouldn't knock him on his ass too hard. More importantly, he hoped she'd use some discretion, because if people saw what she could do they might both end up in trouble. Especially with Mr. Mason. Patrick doubted very much the man wanted that sort of attention because of 'Shy. On the one hand, it might make him want to sell her, but on the other hand her value would go up, putting her even further out of Pat's reach.

It was still pretty damn amazing, though! "You're really something special, Buttershy."

Her ears folded down and she blushed in embarrassment at the praise, but didn't reply.

"Just try to keep it a secret, okay? People would go nuts if they found out you can do this."

This time she gave Patrick a worried look. "Really?"

"I think it'd be a whole lot safer if no one saw you."

"Okay, I'll be more careful, I promise."

Thinking back on their meeting with the bear, Pat was suddenly glad there hadn't been other people close enough to overhear. It had come as a shock and he hadn't been expecting anything like it. It was proving to be a very interesting day. He let his hand rest on Fluttershy's head as they walked and she angled herself to come closer and brush his thigh with her muzzle.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Pat."

"Welcome. We'll do it more often once we get you away from Mason, okay?"

She smiled at the suggestion, perhaps for the first time since he started bringing it up. Pat counted it as a win.

By the time the two finally rested Patrick was hurting. He was determined not to show it, but his legs were killing him. He'd done more walking in that single day than in any week before that. In truth, if it weren't for Fluttershy's enthusiasm, Pat would have given up and taken them back home pretty soon. As it was, there was no way he could break the little mare's heart by cutting their zoo visit short. The annoying part was that Fluttershy didn't seem in the slightest bit affected. She was perfectly okay, still prancing from enclosure to enclosure, exhibit to exhibit, pointing out anything she found interesting.

That is to say, she pointed out just about everything and Pat had to go check it out, even when all he wanted was to sit down for a minute. He finally got 'Shy to agree to a quick snack and some rest. Unfortunately the stand in the zoo didn't have much of anything. There were hot dogs, pizza slices and French fries. All easy to make quickly, Pat couldn't help noticing.

The pizza was no good for the mare, since they only had the kind with pepperoni, so he got her some French fries and took a hot dog for himself. Hopefully she wouldn't be too upset by seeing him eat meat. They found a free bench and sat opposite each other, ignoring the strange looks Fluttershy was getting. She was still uneasy and uncomfortable with all the attention, but the distractions of the zoo overcame any anxiety she might have felt.

"There we go. Hope French fries are okay, it was the only vegetarian option."

"French?" 'Shy asked, leaning her head to one side and turning an ear toward Pat as she watched the people walking past. "Don't you mean Prench?"

"No. What's 'Prench'? France is a country."

She shrugged to herself and waved a dismissive hoof. "I guess we have a place that sounds kinda similar. Never mind."

"Want any mayo or ketchup on that?" Pat offered the packets in his hand.

"Oh, ketchup please!" She bit it open and poured it over her meal. Pat was curious to see how she'd eat, but 'Shy just grabbed fries with a hoof... somehow. He watched for a while, but in the end he decided it was either magic, or some trick of extreme dexterity. It'd make sense either way. 'Shy had explained about magic and unicorns in her world, and from all he'd seen today he was starting to fully believe her. Maybe this was another, subtler type of magic which just helped her pick stuff up. If not that, she was pretty handy with those hooves, there was no doubt about that.

The thought made him suddenly chuckle and Fluttershy froze with a French fry on her outstretched tongue for a second before biting down on it. "Huh?"

"Nothing, just a joke I thought up."

She swallowed her morsel almost whole, proving that she was also quite hungry even if she hadn't shown it, then gave Pat a bright smile. "Wanna tell me about it?"

"I was just thinking you're quite handy with your hooves, that's all."

'Shy waited patiently for the joke, but then blinked and looked down at her forelegs on the table. She seemed to be thinking.

"Handy, get it?" Pat flexed his fingers, but 'Shy just watched with incomprehension.

"No," she said, quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. You probably don't have that expression, since you don't have hands, y'know?"

They went back to their food for a while in uncomfortable silence. Patrick desperately wanted to fill it, so he blurted out the only thing which popped into his mind. He couldn't help noting how the fading sunlight seemed to accentuate the shadows on Fluttershy's barrel from her ribs. "Sorry about that whole 'too thin' thing, 'Shy."

She blinked in surprise at the unexpected topic, but then shrugged. "It's okay. You couldn't have known."

The next bit was extra cliché, but Pat could no more stop himself than he could stop breathing. "You look cute just the way you are."

This time it got her to blush, which just increased her cute factor. Her ears went partly down, like a puppy who was expecting a head pat. "Um, thanks. I used to be a model for a little while, you know?" Strangely, she didn't seem all that proud of that particular achievement.

Patrick had just been about to put the last piece of his hot dog in mouth, but stopped and pulled it away in absolute shock. He looked at her with fresh eyes, but she didn't look any different. Maybe if he had seen more ponies he could compare. "Wow. Really?" So he was dating - or nearly so - an actual friggin' model?! Even a pony one. Perhaps that was even better.

"My friend Rarity said I should do it when Photo Finish said she wanted to sign me up. I didn't really like it, so I quit."

"Wow. Mare of many talents, I see," Pat joked.

Spurred on by his approving grin, 'Shy cleared her throat and went tentatively on: "Um, I was also in a q-quartet. That was... um, fun, but also scary."

This time Patrick just whistled in appreciation. He hurriedly chewed and swallowed his food and took one of the plastic bottles from the tray. He had gotten a coke for himself and that strawberry fizz for 'Shy. "Why scary?"

Fluttershy's mouth worked for a moment, then she looked down. "I don't really like attention," she replied in a small voice. "Ponies kept staring at me when I was a model and... I kinda hid when I was in the quartet. Well, until the end, that is."

"Wait, you hid? You sang on a stage, but you were hidden? How does that work?"

She heaved a sigh and shook her head. "It's a long story. I- I think I got over it, but I'd still prefer not to be in the center of attention. Or crowds."

"Well, would you sing for me sometime? I'm not really a crowd."

Fluttershy's blush deepened and she couldn't meet his gaze. Her ears went all the way down and she inclined her head so her pink mane covered part of her face. It was almost like she was hiding behind it.

"Please?"

A slight whimper escaped her lips and 'Shy looked uncomfortable. "I d-don't like singing in, um, public," she repeated almost too quietly for Pat to hear.

"It won't be in public, 'Shy. Just me. You don't have to if you don't wanna, I'm just offering to listen."

She finally looked up and there was a faint, half-smile on her muzzle. "I'll think about it, okay?" Seeing that he was already done with his food, 'Shy hurried up with her fries while Pat opened the bottle for her and placed it where she could reach easily.

"So, what's next? I think we've seen everything by now, right?" he pointed out.

'Shy nodded, swallowing her mouthful before speaking. "Yes, but I'd like to see the snakes again. Oh, oh, and the penguins! We didn't have them in Ponyville so I only ever read about them in a book!" She was watching him with some unease, obviously worried he'd say no. Of course 'Shy didn't realize Pat could never say no to her face.

"Sure thing. Let's see those and then whatever's on the way back to the car, okay?"

Her smile blossomed and suddenly Pat could hardly feel how sore his legs were. He'd get a chance to rest them on the drive home anyway.

It was late at night when Patrick finally parked and shut the car off. He took a moment to just rest and look around, but the neighborhood was dark and there was nothing to see. With all the instrument lights off, the only source of illumination was the street light somewhere behind them. It left a pool of shadow on the passenger seat, but Pat saw a yellow wing poking into the light. He didn't know exactly when 'Shy had fallen asleep, but her responses had been getting slower and slower until he'd stopped talking and just let the mare doze off. When he had glanced over some minutes after that, she was already curled up in a ball, seatbelt somehow looped around her back now.

Now that they were home Pat realized how exhausted he was himself. It had been an exciting and busy day for them and a good night's rest would do them good. The only remaining problem to overcome was getting them both inside. Pat suppressed a yawn and got out of the car. He made sure to shut the door as gently as possible, so as not to wake Fluttershy up. Likewise, he opened the passenger side door with exaggerated care. 'Shy was in a surprisingly small ball of fur, her muzzle pressed into the backrest and her rump supported mostly by the seatbelt in a way that didn't appear entirely comfortable. Pat put a hand on her back to lift it up, which made it easier for him to unbuckle her. Then it was just a matter of slipping one hand under Fluttershy's barrel, the other under her hind legs, and picking her up much like he would an infant. Her head came to rest on his shoulder and her hooves curled up against her body.

"Mmmmm," 'Shy moaned but didn't wake up during this procedure.

Pat pushed the door shut with his foot, then struggled to reach the key fob in his pocket to lock his car. "Almost there," he whispered to her as he carried the mare up the stairs. Unlocking his apartment was another exercise in fiddling, but somehow he succeeded with minimal jostling. He didn't bother with the light inside, but rather made his way to the bedroom by memory and feel. The bed was still unmade from that morning, but that was no different than any other day. Pat sat down, careful not to drop Fluttershy in the last minute. She was a lot easier to hold now that he could put her in his lap. A bit of stray light shone in through the window, lighting a patch of yellow fluff. Pat moved a little until the beam shifted to Fluttershy's face.

She was still asleep, but she looked like she was smiling in her dream. It really was a magical sight and for a moment Pat considered staying like that until morning. He easily held 'Shy with one hand, which freed his other and he brought it to her muzzle. He carefully brushed her mane away from her eyes, then spent a peaceful few minutes simply stroking the soft fur around her muzzle. After that he moved his hand to trace her hairline, lightly brushed her ear with a finger, and continued down to her jaw. Her muzzle scrunched up at the tickle and he took his finger away. He couldn't resist and tapped the tip of her nose, which made her scrunch harder. He couldn't help chuckling at the sight.

Anyway, he was getting sleepy and 'Shy wasn't getting quality rest with him teasing her like that. The bed looked incredibly inviting, especially with her to share it again. Patrick carefully leaned over and deposited the sleeping pony down on the mattress. She let out a small whine at the loss of warmth as he let her go. There was no time, nor need for pajamas, he decided. Hoping Fluttershy wouldn't wake up Pat discarded his pants and shirt, then pulled his socks off. He thought about brushing his teeth, but he didn't want to waste any more time. They could both do it in the morning. Wearing just his boxer shorts, Pat climbed in the bed next to 'Shy. It took him a bit of struggling to untangle the blanket, but he got it and pulled it over them both.

He was settling down when Fluttershy moved. "M-Pat?" she whispered.

"Hush, it's okay. We're home, you can sleep now."

She sought him out with a hoof, then wiggled closer. Her muzzle found his shoulder and 'Shy nuzzled into it, using his upper arm as a pillow. Her wing slipped around his bare belly and settled there.

Pat was suddenly aware of Fluttershy's hot breath against his chest. He leaned down awkwardly to plant a kiss against her cheek, then wrapped his free arm around her and settled comfortably to sleep. He didn't think it'd come soon, but just lying there, cuddled up as they were, was pleasant enough that Pat didn't want to move at all. All in all, despite the effort and the strange looks they'd gotten, it had been a really wonderful day. Exhausting, too!

Before he knew it, Pat was asleep.

Chapter 15

Patrick woke up later than usual, but that was okay because Fluttershy was still out cold. Somehow they'd gotten turned around in the night and she was on his other side. Her head was resting just off the pillow, but she didn't seem to mind at all. She was also hogging the blankets, but it was warm enough that being half-uncovered didn't bother Pat at all. He was about to roll to his side and spoon her for a few more minutes, but there was something extremely important he had to do first.

Carefully, gently, hoping she wouldn't wake up, Pat slid out of the bed and stood up. The bathroom beckoned and having slept in made it that much more urgent. Maybe the noise of the flush would wake 'Shy up, but he just had to take that chance. Pat hurried to do the urgent bit of business.

When he was back he sat on the bed and thought about bringing her breakfast again. He decided to rather just get back in bed and try to recapture that peaceful moment for a while longer. Fluttershy hadn't moved while he was gone, which meant she was probably still asleep and wouldn't mind some more snuggling. He slid back into the warm spot, letting out a luxurious sigh even though the room wasn't really cold. He wasn't wearing his pajamas and it was nice to press up against a very warm pony back. His hand went to her side and slid under her folded-up wing.

The touch finally elicited a response and 'Shy stretched out her hooves. She was quite near the wall, so all she did was press herself more firmly against Pat. In lieu of saying good morning Pat lifted himself up on his elbow and kissed her cheek. It was exactly when Fluttershy yawned, but it still counted, judging by the tiny smile afterwards. Her eye opened and focused on him.

"Ahh," 'Shy yawned once more and turned to her back. Pat's hand slid off, but she gripped it with her foreleg and deposited it on her belly. It was a nonverbal command he couldn't ignore and he started scratching. "Good morning," came the quiet, sing-song voice. "I had the most wonderful dream..."

"Wanna tell me about it?"

Her ears lowered and a blush appeared. "Um, I don't wanna say it out loud. Come closer."

Patrick did so, leaning down until their noses were almost touching. He waited, curious, to hear what 'Shy had to say, but she just lunged up into a kiss. A hoof caught him around the neck and pulled him down, pressing him more firmly against that soft, fuzzy muzzle. Before Pat could really respond, her equine tongue forced its way past his lips to sneak a taste. It only lasted a few moments before she released him.

"It was just that."

"Just that? Sure it wasn't anything more?"

Her blush went from a light rouge to a full-on flush, but 'Shy shook her head. "Just that. Um, there was a lot of it, though?" Her eyes slid away and her ears lowered. The red in her cheeks intensified until he thought he could feel the heat of it.

Pat suddenly knew. This was it. Their time.

It was going to happen. Before, whenever she'd suspected of things going this way, 'Shy had made her escape. This time, she was blushing, sure, but she wasn't making any move to get away, just watching him expectantly. There was both fear and desire in that look.

"How about if I do this," he said huskily as his hand travelled lower down her belly. He found her mounds and they seemed to be scorching hot under his fingers. For an instant Pat worried Fluttershy might have a fever, but he realized she'd been wrapped up in the blanket while he'd been out in the relatively cool air. She was hot under his hand and it felt great. He became aware that 'Shy was biting her lower lip. She liked his touch and that sent a lot of his blood flowing down. He kept the pressure against her teats and came in for another kiss.

Their lips barely connected before 'Shy went on the assault again. This time he didn't let her have full dominion and pushed her back, working his own tongue into her mouth. Each time he had done that he'd been surprised at how soft and warm she was and this time was no exception. Fluttershy yielded under his attack, merely brushing his tongue with hers and not trying to force him back out. He explored as far as he could reach, noting how her teeth were a lot flatter than his.

All this time his fingers danced on her mounds, finding first one nipple, then the other. She only had two, small, but perky. She wasn't 'endowed', not exactly, but that just made it more exotic. The bumps he found were incredibly stiff and it took Pat a few seconds to realize what that meant. She was turned on, hard. He pinched one between his fingers, making the mare gasp and draw breath from him. He kept the pressure on her nipple and the sharp inhalation turned into a low moan.

When he tried to pull back, 'Shy wanted to keep the kiss going and caught his tongue between her teeth. This in turn made Pat grunt in pleasant surprise. He pulled away anyway so he could see her expression. The red in her muzzle was still there, but her eyes were half-lidded and she was licking her lips where a bit of spittle had escaped. Her nostrils flared with each short, shallow breath she was taking.

"D'you," Pat mumbled. "Do you-"

Fluttershy froze and looked away. Even now she was uncertain, looking for answers in the room beyond. She bit her lip again and her eyes sought out his.

"It's gonna be fine, I promise. I won't hurt you." Perhaps there was a touch of begging in his voice, but Patrick needed it to happen. It had been too long, teasing, kissing, even sleeping in the same bed. It was time to move forward.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and Pat was starting to fear she'd say no again. He remembered his hand on her teats and gave them a hopefully encouraging squeeze, which made her breath catch. It felt like minutes, but was probably more like a few seconds, before 'Shy opened her eyes and looked at his face once more. She brought up a hoof and laid it against his cheek.

She mumbled something and looked away, muzzle going an even darker red.

"What was that?" He almost didn't dare hope she'd said yes. He turned his head to bring his ear nearer her mouth to hear better.

"It's my first time," she whispered, barely on the edge of hearing. She seemed embarrassed about the fact.

It just made Pat diamonds. He'd get to show this sweet little creature the delight of sex! Of course she both wanted and feared it, if she didn't know what to expect. Her reluctance made a lot of sense. Patrick turned back to give 'Shy a reassuring smile and kissed the tip of her nose. "We'll go slow. If you want it to stop, you just have to say, okay?"

That did a lot to calm her down and the mare gave a tentative smile.

Pat forced himself to forget about his own boner for now, this was Fluttershy's first experience and it was critically important for it to be the best possible one. He took his hand away from her mounds and lifted himself up so he was lying on her. Most of his weight was on his elbows because he didn't want to crush her pony body. "Just relax and enjoy yourself."

Pat was by no means a master of the art, but he'd spent a lot of time thinking about it, so he had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to do. First, he locked his lips with hers once again, because it was something familiar which she already enjoyed. He let her explore his mouth for a while before pulling back. He thought about doing the same thing she had, but he didn't want to bite her tongue, so he just caught it with his lips. They pulled apart with a wet slurp.

The next kiss was on her neck, where Pat did his best to get a good taste of her fur. She hadn't showered the previous day, so it only smelled of her and tasted a tiny bit salty. Fluttershy seemed to love his tongue there, at least judging by the moan she let out. Her hooves, not knowing where to go, ended up on Pat's shoulders and she did her best to keep him in place. Unfortunately he had other plans and pulled away. He lifted himself up so he could look down her entire belly. Her hind legs were splayed and her rump was pressing against his shorts. Pat could also see that her wings were slightly spread and she was using them to arch her back. He put a hand on her belly and gave it a light push.

"Relax," he commanded.

'Shy slumped down. Her forelegs, having slid from his shoulders, folded down at her sides and she watched him with a curious, if slightly worried expression. There was some fear there because she didn't know exactly what was going to happen. Patrick wondered if she'd read about it, or if Equestrian schools had sex ed.

"Remember, just say stop if you don't like something, deal?" It was important that she felt in control of the situation.

Her smile grew in response and she gave a slight nod. That was good enough and Pat slid back down, careful not to pull at her tail. He lowered his head until his face met that soft, furry belly. Her bellybutton was hard to see under the yellow fuzz, but Pat found it by feel. He poked his tongue in as gently as he could, but that made 'Shy squirm and bat at his head with her hooves.

"Stop it, that tickles!" she giggled. Rather than pulling away, Pat pressed more firmly, trying to get a good, solid lick. The giggles turned into a gasp and she stopped trying to push him aside. Her forelegs slid down lifelessly. For a short while Pat explored the tiny indent, very aware of how Fluttershy sighed and groaned, and how her hips bucked every now and then. Perhaps it was another erogenous zone, he thought.

He raised himself a little so he could see her face, but 'Shy wasn't looking at him. She was staring fixedly at the ceiling, mouth open so she could take quick breaths. Smiling a little to himself, Patrick moved once more, sliding even lower until he found himself face to face with her teats. He'd never had a chance to look at them this close, so he took a moment for a quick inspection. Her flesh was pink and the mounds were barely visible shapes, even without the fur. The biggest clues were the two, tiny bumps. Pat brought his mouth closer slowly, almost reverentially. He began by planting a kiss on the boundary between flesh and fur, which made Fluttershy gasp and twitch. She hadn't been expecting that, obviously. Then Pat followed with his tongue, first just the tip, then laying it flat against her flesh. When 'Shy let out her breath it came as a low, throaty moan.

She barely had time to take another deep gulp of air before it was driven from her once again as he dragged his tongue up and across the nipple. It felt as hard as a pebble when he caught it between his lips. He flicked his tongue at it a few times, before releasing it and giving it another long lick. It felt as if Fluttershy's whole body was pushing up, mashing her teats more firmly against his face. Pat repeated the same treatment for her other mound and the moan rose an octave. Her hind legs were trying to wrap around his neck and Pat helped by gripping her buttocks with both hands. This close to her private parts he could smell her arousal as a very pleasing mixture of sweet and tangy. It was hard to compare it to anything else because 'Shy smelled completely exotic.

It was probably because she was a pony, he thought. That reminded him and, with a last kiss, he sat up and left her sensitive breasts for a moment. Fluttershy gave him a slightly disappointed look, but then she realized he was probably about to move on and her breath caught. Rather than going further down immediately, Pat took one of her hind hooves with both hands and grinned at the confused mare. Her eyes widened when he brought it to his lips and ran his tongue around the inside edge.

"Oh-" she tried to say, but it got torn away from her in a long, drawn out groan. Her head slammed back on the bed and her back arched further as she pushed against the mattress with her wings. His second lick made her gasp and her leg jerked, almost kicking him in the face. Pat didn't mind, happy to be able to give her this much pleasure with something so simple. He flattened his tongue and pressed it against the frog.

"Oh, goodness!" she managed to get out this time, but it was quickly covered by another moan as Pat kept going.

Maybe it had been the abstinence, but he felt like he was about to burst just from doing this to Fluttershy. The thought spurred him on and he began licking her frog in earnest. He saw how 'Shy was gripping the bed with her forelegs and how her wings were spreading wider with each rise and fall of her chest. He also felt her free hind hoof press against his belly, desperate for something to touch. It was time to switch and he grabbed the errant hoof with his hand, but Fluttershy gave him a pained, pleading look. "P-Please," she whined. "I want it!"

Pat did, too, but he knew if he stuck it in her, he'd come in about two seconds flat, which was no good. At the very least he had to get her off before that. He let her hooves go and lowered himself yet again, this time bringing him face to face with her hidden treasure. It was a bit like the pictures he'd seen on the Internet, but smaller and somehow cute. The thought popped up unbidden: her mare's flower. As he watched she winked at him, which made him groan with suppressed desire.

A whine from up above reminded him that Fluttershy was waiting and he leaned down, tongue already extended. His aim was a little off, but that worked out perfectly. He touched her outer lips first, before licking up in a slow, luxurious stroke. He made sure to aim just beside where her clit was pushing out with each wink. She would be extra sensitive, especially for her first time, and too much stimulation all at once would border on pain, rather than pleasure. At least that's what Patrick figured; in any case it wouldn't hurt to take it slow and tease her a little.

Even that slight touch was enough to get 'Shy moaning and bucking her hips, desperate for some more contact. Fresh fluids dribbled out, adding to what was already a sizable puddle around her tail, and her clit winked out again and again, each appearance punctuated by a grunt or a whimper. Curiosity won out once more and Pat used his thumb to pull the labia away, revealing a very pink inside. The soft, supple flesh was well lubricated and slid out of his grasp when she winked again.

"Pleeeease," came another moan, desperate to go on, and Pat leaned in again.

He'd been a bit worried about what she might taste like, but it was mostly tasteless, perhaps just a touch tangy. It wasn't delicious, as he'd been led to believe by the Internet, but neither was it bad. His tongue was quickly coated with mare lubricant and he dragged it up, stopping just short of her winking button. The fluids dribbled around his chin, hot against his skin. He repeated the gesture a few more times, each time earning another moan, slightly higher pitched. Suddenly he wondered if, on some deep level, he'd known when he first met Fluttershy driving that lawnmower that he'd one day be nose-deep in her pussy.

Maybe that was what attracted him to her? Some kind of weird premonition?

Pat pushed the thought away and focused on servicing the mare, who was squirming under his touch, rocking her hips and trying desperately to grind herself against his face. He stiffened his tongue and dug it a little deeper, pleasantly surprised by just how supple and, above all, warm her insides were. More of her juices ran down his chin, but he ignored them and concentrated instead on getting his tongue inside the tight entrance, between her folds of wet flesh. The texture inside her was indescribable and Pat lost himself in the moment. He licked, he lapped, he kissed, all the while massaging Fluttershy's buttocks with his hands. Every now and then one of her hind hooves lightly smacked the side of his head as 'Shy was losing control of her limbs in the midsts of her euphoria.

The groans and moans were reaching an apex and 'Shy was bucking wildly now, grinding his nose into her folds and showing him she was very near her limit. There were no longer any restraints or shame, just her burning need and the sensations between her legs. Patrick replaced his tongue with a finger, reaching even deeper and massaging her inner walls. At the same time he planted his lips around her button and laid his tongue against it. A moan turned into a squeal and he would have pulled back, but Fluttershy's hoof pressed his head further in. He knew, or rather suspected, how sensitive it was, so he used a light touch, letting 'Shy get used to it before pressing harder and licking faster.

Her next moan went up in pitch and volume and Fluttershy tried to speak. "Yes... yes yes, please... I'm al-" she swallowed and let out another grunt as Pat flicked her clit with his tongue. "I'm almost-" she gasped. "Almost... Please! Yes!"

He kept up exactly what he was already doing, except that he pushed his finger even deeper, spreading her open a little wider as he looked for the fabled g-spot.

"Mpmhmphm!" she blubbered, unable even to form words anymore. There was urgent, desperate need in her wordless plea and her hind legs squeezed around Pat's head to urge him further. It might have been her first time, but 'Shy knew what felt good and wanted more of it. Suddenly she froze up, her squirming and rocking stilled. Her love button failed to make another appearance too and Pat suddenly worried something was wrong. Had he inadvertently hurt her? He was about to pull away and look, but Fluttershy must have sensed it, because her forehooves came down on his head and she held him there with all her strength. His face was mushed almost painfully into her eager marehood.

The stillness lasted only a few seconds, then 'Shy let out a deep-throated cry of relief and pleasure, and at the same time rolled her hips and ground her pussy against his face even while her forelegs held Pat in place. Her hind legs kicked feebly and erratically and Fluttershy came, hard. She squirted more of her fluids against Pat's chin and neck and her clit came out again and again, flicking against his waiting tongue.

"Aaaaaaaaah! Aah! Ah." 'Shy squealed as spasm after spasm shook her small frame. Her entrance clenched around Pat's finger and her wings thrashed against the bed.

For his part, Pat held still, making sure to keep both finger and tongue in place for Fluttershy to ride out her orgasm fully. Only when she slowed did he move, taking his mouth away and gulping down fresh, sweet lungfuls of air. She'd been mushing him against her pussy so hard that his breathing had been cut off for a while, but he didn't mind. He slowly withdrew his finger, releasing her dammed-up fluids with a quiet, squelching noise. The slight movement caused 'Shy to shudder once more and her to slit wink one last time, before she slumped down, suddenly panting hard. Only then did Pat lift his head up so he could look at her face above her belly. She was gulping down short breaths of air, open-mouthed and wide-eyed. Pat grinned at her and put his soaked finger in his mouth to lick it clean where she could see.

Just the sight of that made 'Shy jerk her hips again, as if one more orgasmic spasm had been waiting.

Seeing her like that, disheveled, sweaty, panting, and with that crazed, disbelieving look in her eyes was probably the single, sexiest moment of Pat's life. He glanced down where the fur on her rear and thighs was completely soaked with her juices. He saw a bead of sweat slide from her belly and down her side.

He also felt that red-hot need and he could no longer deny it. Urgently, desperately, he pulled his dick out of his shorts and crawled closer. That display she had given him, her thrashing and moaning, combined with the taste and the squirting of her juices as Fluttershy had come, had nearly been enough on its own. It took him only a couple of strokes before he exploded as well, splashing his thick seed against her teats. He held his pulsing member, pressing the head against her soft flesh until he was spent.

Only then did he look up, worried that he might have overstepped some boundary, but 'Shy was looking up at the ceiling, smiling faintly. She was still breathing deeply and sweat continued to bead on her belly and neck. She looked positively radiant in the afterglow of her pleasure, even if her mane was a mess and her fur matted. He crawled further up, until he could bring his mouth to hers for a passionate kiss. His dick twitched as he pressed it against her cum-soaked teats.

"That... was," Fluttershy said when he pulled away. "Goodness. Just- wow... I didn't k- I didn't know..."

"It's not over yet."

Her eyes widened in surprise, but then Fluttershy smiled. She shifted a little and Pat felt his sack brush against her wet and warm lower lips. Open and waiting for him. He quickly repositioned himself. It was strange how he didn't even need to aim with his hand. His member seemed to align with her opening all by itself and he felt the first touch of the hot, wet velvet around his glans as his slight pressure forward pried apart her folds.

"Ready?" It came out as barely a whisper.

Rather than answering with words, 'Shy closed her eyes and pressed her mouth against his for another passionate kiss. Pat pushed forward a little, which was rewarded by a spurt of her fluids on his cock and a shudder running through her body. He withdrew to thoroughly lube himself up, then pressed forward once more.

Fluttershy gasped and jerked away, pushing down on his shoulder with her hooves. "Ow! Wait-"

Her first time, Pat remembered. The thought was enough to make him want to push all the way in, but she was hurting and that'd ruin everything. "Okay, okay, sorry," he said, pulling back once more.

He waited until Fluttershy relaxed again. "Okay, s-slowly," she whispered and shifted her forehooves from his shoulders to the sides of his chest.

It was a hard order to obey, but Patrick managed. He inched himself forward, holding back as hard as he could. Each millimeter was sweet, agonizing torture as more and more of his length was enveloped by that incredible heat. He came to a tight part and Fluttershy's breath caught, so he stopped. She was trembling, all four legs tense with the expectation of pain. "Okay?" he asked her.

"It's okay," she reassured him, trying to give him a smile but not quite managing. "T-They said it hurts the first time..."

Pat pushed slightly and she whimpered. He was about to pull back and try to rethink his approach, but 'Shy wrapped her hind legs around his ass as far as she could reach and tried to draw him in. "K-Keep going!" she said. "Just do it!"

Wincing himself, Pat pushed, guided by her legs. Something gave and he slid all the way inside, into the tight, wet heat of her canal. Shy gave a louder squeak and all her muscles stiffened in sudden shock. There were tears in her eyes and Pat's breath caught. "I'm sorry!"

She shook her head and relaxed, her body slumping back down on the mattress. "I'm okay," she repeated. "It's over now. It's good." She inspected the ceiling as she focused on the new sensation, then shifted her hips slightly. "It feels good. Don't stop."

With her reassurance, Pat tried to pull back, exceedingly cautious not to cause her any further pain. When he was nearly all the way out, acutely feeling the cold air on most of his length, he pushed back. It was still incredibly tight, but there was no resistance this time and no squeak of pain. Instead, 'Shy let out a breath she'd been holding. She had tensed up once more, expecting a new wave of pain, and she relaxed when it didn't come.

"Better?" he asked.

She nodded and squeezed her hind legs to get him to keep moving. "It feels..." she whispered, but it was lost in a moan as Pat withdrew once more, pleasure finally making itself known.

He didn't wait this time but went on, pumping slowly so as to let himself feel every fold and curve of her delightful passage. It squeezed, though not too tightly, and slid easily, her lubrication refreshing itself with each stroke. Already he could feel that his balls were completely soaked in her warm fluids. That realization made him groan and push further, hilting himself in Fluttershy fully and making her gasp.

Her hooves were holding on to his chest with all her strength and she tried to buck her hips to match his pacing. Her inexperience showed and she sometimes missed the timing, making them move in the same direction, but that just made it hotter for Pat, somehow.

Even having orgasmed just a few minutes ago, he already felt himself building up to another peak. Meanwhile 'Shy was moaning more and more, but not yet near her second. She loved the new sensations and wasn't shy about voicing her pleasure, her cries only slightly muffled by their irregular kisses.

He simply had to make her come again while he was inside her, Pat decided. It was important! Maybe if he...

His lips pressed against hers and invaded her mouth with his tongue even as he continued to push. At first her tongue was unresponsive, 'Shy unable to think of so many different things happening to her body at once, but after a while she responded out of sheer habit. She kissed him back, moaning into his mouth and drawing breath urgently through her nose.

Pat picked up the pace of his thrusts, making 'Shy squeak with each slap of his groin against hers. He shifted all his weight to one elbow and brought his free hand down between them. He quickly found her clit and gently massaged it with his thumb. The squeaks became squeals and Fluttershy's bucking became more frantic. She broke the kiss to pant for air, forehooves scrabbling uselessly at Pat's sides. Her wings were starting to curl upwards, too.

Patrick lowered himself down and put his tongue flat on her neck. That made 'Shy wrap her wings around them both. "A-Pat," she moaned. "Pat! I'm about to- oh, Celestia!" Her movements were becoming jerky and uncontrolled as she rapidly approached her second climax. Knowing that she was near was also bringing Pat closer and he picked up his pace yet again.

The moans and squeaks became a solid groan of pleasure and Fluttershy went stiff again.

Pat slowed down just as he'd nearly pulled all the way out, then pushed inside her with all his might.

"Aaah!" 'Shy yelped and grabbed him with all her limbs, trying to push him even further inside. Pat took his hand away from between them so they could get that extra little bit closer. Her orgasm made her insides clench, as if milking his cock for all it had.

It proved too much for him and Pat came as well, with a low grunt and a desperate push of his hips to get even deeper. His first spurt seemed to flow with excruciating slowness, hindered by Fluttershy squeezing his member, but then it burst out in a veritable explosion. More and more spurts followed the first, each one racking Pat's body and making him jerk slightly.

When it was finally over, he slumped down, unable to hold himself upright anymore. He came to rest against her neck, gasping for breath, while 'Shy stroked his sides with her forehooves. Both of them were panting with exertion. Both of them were smiling with the afterglow. Both of them were happy.

When he finally felt he could move again, Pat lifted himself and looked into Fluttershy's eyes. "Was it good?"

She blinked in shock at the question, then grinned. "Um..." she said and looked around the room, thinking of the best way to put it. "Yes."

Pat shivered and pushed himself up more. He was still inside her, but his dick was going soft and slowly sliding out. He pulled away and a small spurt of their combined fluids followed. His belly was completely smeared with his first load from Fluttershy's teats and hers looked even worse thanks to her fur. "Um, we might need a shower."

She followed his gaze and gave a soft giggle. "You think?" He couldn't help chuckling while 'Shy rolled to the edge of the bed and stood, stretching her hind legs carefully.

"I'll just get the covers off so we don't ruin the mattress, go ahead and start the shower. You can go first."

She nodded and walked slowly out of the room, a little bit wobbly on unsteady legs which she compensated for with her wings.

Pat was left staring at a very slight trace of red in the stain on his bed. He winced a little as he realized just why exactly it had hurt 'Shy so, but at the same time his dick gave a small twitch. She'd really been a virgin, as if he needed any proof, and now...

Now she wasn't anymore. They'd shared this beautiful moment and whatever happened next, they'd always have the memory of it. He hoped there'd be many more like it, though. He'd been right. Now that he'd tasted Fluttershy, both with his mouth and his cock, he didn't want to give her up, ever. With a sigh he got up and started to pull the bedspread off. It was even more important now to get her away from Mason. He heard the shower start and wondered what 'Shy would say if he joined her. The thought made him hurry up and dump the dirty sheets right on the floor so he could go and see.

It wasn't like there was any further need for modesty between them anyway.

Chapter 17

It was still quite bright out when Patrick parked in front of the house but luckily the neighborhood kids were playing elsewhere. That was just as well, he didn't like the thought of people gawking at him and 'Shy.

"I'll get the door for you."

Before she could respond Pat was already out of the car and circling around to her side. He knew from Fluttershy's past attempts just how fiddly the door handle could be for hooves. He leaned inside to unbuckle her as well, catching a quick kiss in passing. Then he went to retrieve the pizza boxes from the back seat while 'Shy clambered out of the car.

She stood on the sidewalk and turned her head from side to side as she tried to loosen up her neck. "Just- a moment," she pleaded.

"No rush." He closed and locked the car, then waited for 'Shy to move. His stomach gave a loud growl at the smell wafting right in his face.

"You can have some, Pat. I'll take a shower by myself."

It was tempting, but he remembered she was just as hungry and eating first would be rude. It would also deprive him of playing with her wings. Letting the feathers slide through his fingers was a very interesting sensation and Pat didn't want to miss an opportunity. "Nah, it's fine. I'll put these in the kitchen," he told her and hurried inside. He left the boxes on the dining table and came back just as 'Shy had stepped through the front door. It was a bit of a relief to close them and cut off any potential peeping toms from the street. As he turned back he couldn't help noticing that 'Shy was still walking a bit stiffly with her wings held an inch or two away from her body. He followed her into the bathroom and shut that door as well.

While Fluttershy was climbing into the tub he undressed down to his shorts. He didn't mind if he got those wet and at least they'd conceal any undue 'excitement' on his part. It was supposed to be a massage for her sore muscles, after all. Pat could keep his libido in check. Sometimes. "So, how do I-?"

'Shy looked at him in thought, then brightened up. She tapped the edge of the tub. "Sit here."

Pat obeyed, but that put her face right between his legs, which made his member twitch with sudden desire. It took some mental effort to push past it and focus on 'Shy instead.

"A little further," she commented. "Okay, can you sit comfortably like that?"

His ass would be numb after about ten minutes, but it wouldn't be a huge discomfort so Pat nodded.

'Shy scooched a little closer, until her muzzle was all but touching Pat's belly, then took a deep breath. She grunted as she lifted her wings up and let them flop down over his knees. The limbs draped over Pat's legs and 'Shy heaved a sigh when she didn't have to hold them up anymore. "Now take the shower head and..." she began, but didn't know how to really finish that sentence so she just vaguely circled a hoof in the air. Luckily Pat didn't need more instruction and he did as commanded.

He started with lukewarm and slowly brought the temperature up until it felt comfortable. He angled the stream closer to 'Shy. "Too hot?"

She reached over with a foreleg to feel the water, then shook her head. "Hotter. Much hotter." Pat obliged until the shower was barely tolerable and looked at 'Shy again. When she tried it this time she nodded. "Perfect."

He still began gently, wetting her coat a little at a time and giving her time to get accustomed to the hot water. She sighed as he finally reached her withers and angled the stream so it ran down her whole back. The weight on his knees increased as 'Shy relaxed and her head would have fallen right in his crotch had he not seen her nodding in time and caught her with a hand under her muzzle. "Easy. I got you, just relax."

'Shy nodded and closed her eyes as Pat continued running water up and down her back. After a while he changed hands and brought the stream around to her front. That wrung out another mournful sigh from the mare's throat. "It feeeeeeels so niiiice," she moaned into his palm. He could feel her drool a little as she completely relaxed.

He kept slowly shifting the shower head around to give her equal treatment on all sides while 'Shy continued to melt into his lap. At one point Pat realized it would be nice to use some shampoo as well and turned the water off. Fluttershy opened her eyes, but when she saw he was reaching for the bottle she closed them again. "Thanks, Pat. You're a real gentlecolt," she murmured.

"I need both hands for this, 'Shy."

She moved her muzzle from his palm and laid it down on his thigh. That freed him up to give her body a good lather. It also meant running his hands all over, which made 'Shy jerk when he passed around her midriff. Slowly he narrowed down where her poor, strained flight muscles were. Good thing he hadn't started rubbing her wings like an idiot. She would probably have laughed. Now that he had a moment to observe it seemed pretty obviously that there would be few muscles in the wings themselves.

In time, with more gentle massaging 'Shy didn't seem as sore anymore. She no longer tensed up when Pat slid his hand down her side, nor did her breath catch when he rubbed with his fingers. She was starting to shiver a little, though. Before she could get too cold Pat brought the shower back and earned himself more luxuriating sighing as he washed the foam away. At some point 'Shy wrapped her forelegs around one of his calves and just held him in place, as if worried he might try to escape.

There was no fear of that, not with the cute expressions she was making as the heat soaked into her very bones. More than once Patrick was sad he didn't have his phone with him. That picture of 'Shy squeezing her eyes shut and her tongue lolling out would have won him some kind of Pulitzer prize or something, Pat was sure. Eventually, though, he was done and shut the water off with a sense of finality. She gave him a pleading look, but it had been more than half an hour since the shampoo and Pat was worried they'd run out of hot water.

Not to mention that his butt was getting seriously sore. "I think that's enough for now, Buttershy. Wanna go lie down on the couch while the pizza warms up? I could give you a massage if you'd like. Or continue it. Or whatever."

The thought of food woke her up and Fluttershy licked her lips. She straightened up and unhooked her wings from Pat's knees. "Mm, pizza does sound good. Um, those other things too."

His legs felt cold after all that time and the lack of weight was a strange feeling, but it really was time to go. Patrick stood up and nearly fell over before he realized he couldn't feel his ass any more. He tried to put it out of his mind, but couldn't quite control his expression.

'Shy became instantly worried and froze as she was climbing out of the tub. "Um, are you okay?"

"Sorry. Ass fell asleep from the way I was sitting."

She lifted a hoof to her muzzle in dismay. "Oh, it's all my fault. I'm-"

"Nah, it's fine. Just gotta stretch. Come here, I'll get you a towel." While he waited for the tingling to stop Pat draped a fresh towel over Fluttershy's back. She started drying herself on her own, but he felt better soon enough to lend her some help. With a combination of hands and hooves they were done in no time and could exit the bathroom without leaving puddles everywhere. 'Shy, upon Pat's insistence, went to the couch while he turned the oven on and put the pizzas inside. He made sure to set the timer on it so they wouldn't burn, then headed to the bedroom to change into some fresh clothes. That done, Pat joined 'Shy on the couch so he could deliver on his second promise of a massage.

She was already sprawled on her back and looking at him with an expectant smile. Her ears were slightly lowered and there was a barely perceptible tint of red in her cheeks, but she seemed a lot more comfortable about him touching her after the past few days. Her wings were resting against the cushions, her hind hooves were dangling over the edge, and her forelegs were folded at her sides. The position left her midriff pretty exposed so Pat would have easier access.

"Uh, so, do we use massage oil or something?" he asked, suddenly worried because he had none in the house.

'Shy shook her head quite emphatically and even grimaced a little. "No, that'd just make my coat all gross and sticky."

She was right, so Pat began by laying his hands on her belly. She was still slightly damp, but when he dragged his fingers through her fur he found they moved quite freely. Not knowing what to do, he just made little scratching motions as he inched upward. Soon he found the right spot and Fluttershy's breath caught. There were supposed to be knots or something in the muscles, but Pat didn't know how that would feel. 'Shy was just warm and soft. He tried increasing the pressure and that elicited a drawn-out groan from her.

"Here?"

Her eyes were already closed, but 'Shy put a hoof on his hand and pushed it around to her side. She was a bit less soft in that place and when he felt around with his fingers 'Shy let out a tremendous sigh. As he kept poking around, something relaxed in her side and became as soft as the rest of her. Pat tried to remember what it had felt like so he'd be able to find it again. Just as an experiment, he brought his other hand to the opposite side and carefully felt the area. Maybe that was a flight muscle, but it just felt like fur and stiff flesh. Despite that he pressed his fingers in and rubbed in small circles until it felt relaxed again. Then he focused on Fluttershy's face.

She had her eyes closed, but her mouth was slightly open. Her ears were sticking out to the sides and facing backwards in what Pat assumed was a sign of total relaxation for a pony. He couldn't help himself and leaned in to place a very light kiss on the tip of her nose. Her open mouth reformed into a smile but she didn't look.

"Keep going up- um, back, until the wing joint. Oh, and you can use a little more force."

Her request was not unreasonable and Pat switched from pushing with his fingers to kneading with the palms of his hands, like he'd seen in a massage video on YouTube months ago. It took some effort but it was worth it. 'Shy leaned her head all the way back and let out a deep, throaty moan. There was a very primal element in the sound which seemed to reach right into Pat's pants.

He sternly told himself that this was about relaxation, not sex, and maybe he even believed it. Meanwhile his fingers reached the place where Fluttershy's wing merged into her back. Patrick didn't have the faintest clue what to do there, but it was a good opportunity to indulge his curiosity a little. He focused on Fluttershy's left wing and brought both hands there. The joint was a bit like a shoulder joint, except a lot less limited in the directions it could move. The limb sticking out was somewhat thinner than one of her legs, but didn't look any less strong. It quickly fanned out with feathers, but the leading edge was solid and Pat guessed that was where the bones were. Did pegasi have hollow bones like birds?

Still pretending that he was giving her a massage, Pat carefully followed the wing. It had a series of complicated-looking joints where it could fold together, and straight parts where the longest feathers were anchored. He had just finished tracing his finger down a long primary when he became aware that 'Shy had opened her eyes and was watching him with intense interest. Her muzzle was quite red, her ears were completely flat and her lips were parted. Her eyes were round and big, eager to drink in even the faintest scrap of light.

"Oh. Sorry. I was curious," he apologized.

'Shy blinked a few times and her pupils shrank to a more normal size. "It's- uh, it's fine," she reassured him, but her voice had a husky undertone. "It's just..." She sought out the correct words, then her eyes slid away from Pat's face. "Wings are kinda... sensitive, Pat. Real sensitive. What you're doing..." She fell silent and her ears flicked.

"Yes?"

The next few words out of her muzzle were an indistinct mumble.

"Come again?"

More mumbles while 'Shy staunchly refused to look him in the eye.

"Sorry, you're gonna have to speak up."

This time 'Shy hid behind her mane and managed to raise her voice enough for him to catch a hint of words: "mumble mumble foreplay mumble"

Oh.

"Oh!" Pat hurriedly released the limb and let his hands drop down by his sides.

One sparkling, cyan eye peeked at him from behind a pink curtain. "I didn't say I didn't like it," 'Shy whispered.

Except the very next moment there was a loud grumble as Pat's stomach had finally had enough fasting. The two looked at each other, startled, until Fluttershy started giggling. Her laugh was infectious and they both ended up chuckling until the beeping from the oven alerted them. "Perfect timing. Don't move, I'll get it."

'Shy slumped back on the pillows and gave Patrick a grateful smile as he went to fetch their reheated dinner. Pizza was best fresh, but this was close enough and still good. It had been cut into slices, but the cooling and heating had caused it to 'heal' a little, so Pat had to separate the pieces again. Then he took two plates to the couch and held one out to 'Shy. She took it with a murmured thank you and placed it in her lap while Pat sat in the spot next to her. Driven by his hunger Pat tried to pick up his slice, but quickly let it drop with a hiss. He stuck his finger in his mouth.

Watching his antics was enough for 'Shy to understand that the pizza was too hot to hold, at least for a human. She touched it gingerly with her hoof, but then shrugged and tried to pick it up. Unfortunately the dough was soggy and pressed against her frog, which made her suck down a breath through her teeth and drop it back on the plate. She caught Pat's smirk and glared at the offending pizza. An idea occurred and she nudged the slice until the tip of it was sticking over the edge. That allowed her to simply lift the plate up and nibble at the pizza without worrying that she'd burn her hooves any more.

"Good idea!" Pat did the same. For some reason, the heat was easier to take with his mouth than his hands. As he chewed he caught Fluttershy's grin and returned one of his own. "Next time we're getting it fresh, okay?"

"Actually," she replied, pausing to see how he would take another suggestion. "Maybe we could get some, um, fellah- falls?"

"Huh? what's that?"

'Shy shrugged a little. "I saw it in one of Mr. Mason's magazines. Um, I saw it written down, but I don't know how you say it. It's like, um, minced vegetable balls fried in oil."

It rang a bell and Pat realized what she was talking about. "Oh, you mean falafels! Yeah, I think there's a Turkish take out or something in the shopping centre. Maybe we do that for lunch tomorrow?"

The offer made 'Shy smile widely and she bobbed her head in delight. "I'd love that!"

Mentioning the next day reminded Pat and his expression crumbled. Of course 'Shy noticed immediately and froze. "What's wrong?"

"Tomorrow's Friday," he said.

He didn't need to add anything more because she understood. "Mr. Mason comes home on Saturday."

"Yeah." Two more nights cuddling with 'Shy. Just two. It was nearly enough to break Pat's heart.

He felt a hoof laid gently on his knee. "Don't worry, I'll come visit. I'll, um, I'll sneak out sometimes, like I promised."

It was better than nothing, but Patrick really wanted more. He gave 'Shy his most earnest look. "You're gonna think about- what we talked about? You know, not doing such a good job? S-So maybe Mr. Mason will be open to selling you?"

Fluttershy's lips tightened and her ears flicked, but she heaved a long sigh and nodded. "I'll think about it. I'm sorry, but that's all I can promise right now."

It was more than enough and Pat's spirits lifted. He had two more nights with 'Shy, after all. Better make them count. "Okay, eat up. Want me to put on something Disney while I try that massage thing again?"

Fluttershy's mouth quirked up in sudden delight. "There's more?!"

"If you want it. I promise I won't tease your wings anymore."

She blushed at the memory and it was absolutely adorable, especially when she looked down and pretended to be engrossed in what was left of her pizza. "You can t-tease," she murmured demurely.

"After the movie, okay? How are your muscles?"

'Shy leaned her head to one side as if listening intently to her own body, then smiled and nodded. "Better! I think the shower really helped. Thanks!" Her hoof went out again to pat his knee.

"Well, we'll see what it's like tomorrow. You might still be sore."

This was met with an indifferent shrug. "At least I'll know I got some good exercise. It was fun to fly like that again. Just flying, I mean, with nothing to do."

"If you don't feel too sore we can do it again before Mr. Mason comes back. Actually, I guess we could do it sometimes even when he's home. Do you think he'll mind letting you go for a few hours every once in a while?"

'Shy gave Pat a piercing look. "He might if I'm not doing a good job," she pointed out.

"Oh... right," Pat replied, not quite able to look her in the eye.

"We'll work something out, okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks, 'Shy. Buttershy."

At least the nickname made her smile again. "Now, can you put on a movie?"

"Which one?"

"Um, you pick."

Pat gave it some thought. "How about Mulan?"

Of course 'Shy didn't know it, but she gave him a nod and Pat took up the remote to find it. By this time the pizza was cool enough for her to pick it up in her hooves and mare began to munch on the rest of her dinner.

Chapter 18

Patrick woke up to an empty bed. Strange how quickly he'd gotten used to having something soft to cuddle. Without 'Shy he felt chilly and lonely. For a terrifying instant he thought it had all been a dream and there was no such thing as a talking colorful pony. Dark, heavy depression threatened to set in. A talking, sexy, colorful pony. Had he dreamed the whole thing?

Luckily he heard the sound of running water and breathed a sigh of relief. 'Shy was real, she was in his flat, and she would probably come right back to bed once she was done in the bathroom. Patrick smiled to himself and turned on his back, already imagining the feel of her soft coat against his belly. Even better, if he teased her with little kisses and fondled her hooves she would quickly get in the mood for more. He was getting rock hard just by imagining it.

The water stopped and Pat grinned in anticipation. He briefly debated with himself whether he should pretend to be still asleep, or if he wanted try and give her a sultry look when she walked into the room. Any moment now. He decided to go with a stare and a promising smile.

There were hooves on the hallway carpet, but-

'Shy was heading away? She went into the kitchen and Patrick lifted himself up on his elbows to hear better. Maybe she was just thirsty? He heard a faint, dull thunk and then a fresh trickle of water.

What in the hell was she doing?!

Curiosity got the better of him and Pat got up from the bed. He was wearing nothing but boxers, but that was fine. They were past modesty and it was a warm morning. On the plus side, his bare feet made almost no sound on the carpet and he thought he might be able to sneak up on the mare. He paused in the doorway and carefully leaned, trying to see without being spotted.

'Shy had a bucket and a mop and was busying herself around the stove!

"What in the-"

"Morning, Pat," she trilled, not even looking. One of her ears turned to face him, but 'Shy remained focused on her task. She dunked the rag back into the bucket, then expertly wrung it out with her forelegs and bent inside the oven once again.

"You don't have to do that. Why are you doing that?" Pat asked, completely befuddled as his boner wilted.

Finally 'Shy looked around and gave him a faint smile. "I saw it was dirty yesterday so I thought I would clean it. I- um, couldn't sleep." Her ears lowered and her expression slipped into worry. "That's alright, isn't it? I didn't want to wake you up."

It was more than alright, even if Pat was miffed he missed out on morning cuddles. He walked over and crouched down beside 'Shy so he could slide his hand down her withers and back. "I'm grateful, really, but couldn't it wait? I missed you when I woke up, you know?"

Her eyes lowered to the bucket and the mop she was still holding and a tiny little blush appeared on Fluttershy's muzzle. "B-But the oven is dirty," she repeated quietly.

"When did you even see that?"

She looked back up, growing more confident with a less vague question. "I saw when I went to heat up some more pizza yesterday. Remember? You paused the cartoon for me."

He hadn't thought much of it at the time and 'Shy hadn't said anything. "Well, you should've told me and I'd clean it up. This is your vacation, remember?"

"It's no bother," 'Shy reassured him with her smile almost fully restored. "Besides, the knobs really need cleaning."

Patrick looked at the appliance and furrowed his brow. "They don't look that bad."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes and put a hoof carefully on Pat's bare knee. "Pat," she said patiently, "I use them with my mouth. Trust me, they need cleaning."

He couldn't find a flaw in her logic so Pat went back to pleading. "Come back to bed? We can clean it together a bit later."

Unfortunately 'Shy had already gone back to dragging the mop around the inside of the oven. "It's no trouble at all," she repeated firmly. "You go back to bed and I'll make us both breakfast."

"You don't have to-"

Her head snapped around and there was a near-frown on her face. "I want to!" she said forcefully.

"Fine. Fine," Pat lifted up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Suit yourself."

She was about to bend back down to her task, but paused when she saw the full sink. "I'll also do the dishes," she said, but it sounded as if she was speaking mostly to herself.

This was getting embarrassing. "'Shy, you really don't have to-"

"I want to," she interrupted again. "It takes my mind off my flight muscles."

He remembered her exertion the previous day. "That bad?"

'Shy winced when she looked at him and nodded. "I couldn't sleep. That's why I decided to get up and do something useful."

"Want another massage?" Translation: I'd like to feel you up again.

Fluttershy looked up at the ceiling in deep thought, muzzle splitting in an expectant smile, but then she focused on Pat again and shook her head. "Maybe a bit later?"

"Sure. Just remind me if I forget."

"Okay!"

She went back to cleaning and Pat realized he hadn't talked her out of doing the dishes too. The gentlemanly thing would be to get dressed and help her clean up. He looked at the stack in the sink. Some of those plates have been there for days. Whatever was stuck to them would be hard to get off, not to mention smelly. There was no avoiding it, he'd have to clean up sooner or later, but maybe he could let the dishes soak for a bit. It'd make washing them a lot easier.

Except he knew Fluttershy wouldn't agree with waiting any longer. Besides, she said she wanted to do it. There was a pang of guilt, but Patrick pushed it down and shrugged to himself. 'Shy had offered, after all. He'd just have to do something nice for her.

Speaking of.

"So, anything you'd like to do today?"

'Shy had her head deep in the oven and she didn't stop wiping the mop around as she thought. Pat kept his eyes on her flank which danced around with her little movements. Her tail mostly covered her private parts, but every now and then when she shifted her weight Pat would catch a small glimpse. He should have taken his eyes away, but he couldn't. Something about 'Shy being unaware he was looking made it all the hotter. What would happen if he leaned down, teased her tail aside and stuck his tongue right-

"Um," 'Shy said, and the way her voice echoed inside the metal box brought Patrick back to the present. "Can we go get some ice cream? Strawberry? And..."

She trailed off and Pat waited a few seconds to see if she would continue.

"And?" he prompted.

"Nah, it's silly."

"Tell me."

Fluttershy climbed back out of the oven and gave Pat a blushing, nervous smile as she stuck the mop in the bucket. "Well," she began, avoiding looking directly in his eyes, "I thought maybe I could go running today."

"Running?"

"Mhm! Like, if there's a nice field, maybe some grass and I could- hmm, stretch my legs? I could use the exercise and this way I can rest my wings."

There were plenty of places like that in the park, but they'd been there a lot lately. Maybe it was time for a change of scenery. Pat tried to remember the map of the immediate area. Had he seen some green bits strewn around? "I'll check the map and see if I can find a nice place. If not, how about the park?"

Fluttershy's head bobbed up and down. "The park would be lovely!"

"I'm still gonna look. You know, change of scenery and all that."

"And the ice cream?"

He'd almost forgotten. Luckily, that one was easier. "I know the perfect place. They make it themselves and it's the best ice cream ever. We can stop by and get a couple of scoops after your run, okay?"

This cheered her up and it almost felt like the whole room brightened up with Fluttershy's smile. She leaned in and gave his knee a quick nuzzle. "Thanks! Um, would you like to run with me? It wouldn't hurt!"

Patrick really wasn't a big fan of physical exercise, but something in her tone made it sound attractive. Who was he kidding, 'Shy could make anything sound attractive. Especially if she went in front and he'd get a nice view of her ass bobbing with each step, tail streaming in the wind. Pat cleared his throat and wrenched his thoughts back to the here and now. He was ready to burst through his shorts and 'Shy undoubtedly knew, but she was avoiding looking at it directly.

"Yeah, maybe a little. I'm out of shape, but you're right; it couldn't hurt."

Luckily there was one type of exertion he wasn't against. He reached out his hand and stroked her back, starting at her neck and sliding his hand down between her wings to finish on her flank. He paused there and dug his fingers in. "You sure you don't want that massage?" he offered again.

It was working and Fluttershy bit her lip. Her eyes darted to his shorts and her ears splayed out when she saw the bulge there. It was doing something, because her tail flicked, just once, lightly smacking Pat's forearm. "M-Maybe," 'Shy whispered. She looked at the bucket and her resolve stiffened. "When I'm done, okay? I won't be long."

Patrick thought about getting dressed while he waited, but there wouldn't be much point to it. If the massage went the way he wanted it to go, he wouldn't need his clothes for long. Knowing how sensitive Fluttershy's hooves were, Pat was pretty sure the massage would end up exactly the way he wanted it to.

Happy ending for the mare. And himself, eventually. Mainly for 'Shy, though. She deserved a nice reward for doing all that cleaning. Pat gave her rump one last, quick squeeze, then stood up. Fluttershy was wringing out the mop and getting ready to duck back into the oven, but he halted her with a hand on her muzzle. She turned her head to see what he wanted as he leaned down and guided her close so they could share a quick kiss.

"Thanks, Buttershy."

He got a nice smile in return. "It's my pleasure," she replied and bent back down to her work.

"You're going to have to hold that for me," 'Shy said when she saw the cones Pat was bringing to the table. As soon as he'd seen the brisk trade the shop was doing he had her occupy one of the outside tables for them while he got in line.

"Oh. I didn't think of that. How do ponies normally eat ice cream?"

Fluttershy patted the bench next to her. Patrick immediately understood it would be easier to reach, and sat down. "We usually get them in, um, like a glass bowl, or sometimes it's made out of cardboard. Or the waffle."

"So you've never had ice cream in a sugar cone?"

"Oh, I've had sugar cones, but they're usually flat on the bottom so you can put them down on a table so it's easier to eat."

"Huh. Makes sense. Well, ours are usually made to be held in a hand."

Rather than replying to that, 'Shy just held up a hoof to show him. She was quite good at gripping items with her wrist, but the cones were just a bit too small and too flimsy for that. It was okay, Pat didn't mind holding her ice cream for 'Shy. He took a lick of his own while simultaneously lowering the hand with hers so she could reach it.

"What did you get?" 'Shy asked, inspecting the cold, creamy treasure before her snout and sneaking a few glances at Pat's own cone.

"Two scoops of strawberry for you, like you said. I got lemon and mango for myself."

There was suddenly a look of longing in Fluttershy's eyes and she held his gaze as she took a tentative lick. The force of her tongue pushed against the cone and Pat had to focus on holding it steady for her. Unfortunately that meant his own ice cream was being neglected for a second.

"I'll let you taste mine if you let me taste yours," 'Shy offered.

"Sure!" Pat didn't hesitate in the slightest before changing hands. He took a lick of the strawberry, finding it quite good but a tiny bit too sweet, while 'Shy busied herself with his combination. When he looked down the mare had her tongue wrapped all the way around his ice cream. "Hey!" he snapped in mock anger. "I said one lick!"

Fluttershy's tongue snaked back into her mouth and left Pat's two scoops much reduced. "I only took one lick," she defended, a mischievous little smile trying to force its way to her lips.

"Well yeah, but your tongue is like twice as long as mine!"

She opened her mouth to reply, but then blushed and looked down. Whatever she was trying to say came out in a faint mumble.

"What was that?"

"I said: you didn't mind my tongue earlier..."

It was true and Patrick felt his own face flush. Who knew it could be that hot to have a girl lick your entire face while she rode on your-

Well.

"It's okay. You can have both if you like. I can get more, too."

"Nah, that's okay," 'Shy generously refused. "Yours is good, but I think I prefer strawberry."

Pat switched the ice creams once more and began absentmindedly licking his while she attacked her own with obvious gusto. Their run had probably gotten her both hungry and thirsty and ice cream sort of covered both needs at once. After a few moments 'Shy lifted up her forelegs, balancing on her haunches so she could grasp Pat's wrist to keep his hand steady. She leaned her head this way and that to get her tongue in the optimal position around the cone. More than once she bumped her nose against the cream, but 'Shy just absentmindedly licked herself clean.

It was more than a little cute and Pat nearly forgot about his own ice cream until it dripped on his hand. Even then he only took the barest minimum of licks to keep it from running. Pretty soon Fluttershy's two scoops were reduced to little more than the cone with some melted filling and she just took it in her mouth. Pat let it go when her teeth came together with a crunch. He still watched as she chewed, expertly holding the rest of the cone with her lips until she was ready for it. Her eyes wandered around the other tables where most people were doing their best to ignore the unusual sight.

Pat took a glance as well, relieved to see that there weren't any angry or offended looks this time. Just curiosity, especially form the children. In some cases even ice cream was forgotten in favor of looking at the yellow pony. When he looked back, Fluttershy's cone was gone and she was licking her lips and muzzle clean with smooth, practiced movements of her tongue.

Another cold drip on his fingers reminded him that he'd hardly made any real progress on his own. 'Shy saw that as well and her eyes seemed glued to the melting bounty in his hand.

"Wanna help me with mine?" he offered.

The reaction was really precious. First, her ears twitched and lowered. Her mouth quirked up in a smile, but 'Shy brought it under control almost immediately. She tried to feign indifference, but there was this sparkle in her eyes which put a lie to her calm, distant tone. "I guess," she said, her voice too neutral to be anything but an act. "I mean, if you don't want all of it."

Pat chuckled to himself and lowered his hand. Her hooves went around his wrist, holding it in place as if 'Shy was afraid he'd change his mind. She attacked the second ice cream with even more fervor than the first.

"Uh oh."

She froze, tongue extended to take another lick but not yet touching the ice cream. Her eyes sought out his and her ears perked up in interest.

"Won't this 'bad' ice cream ruin the aftertaste of that delicious strawberry, though?"

Fluttershy darted her eyes around as she considered this, but then she shrugged and closed the gap between her tongue and the treat.

"I guess I'll just have to get you another to wash this awful taste out of your mouth.

She brought her tongue back in with a quiet slurp. "You mean that?"

"It's just ice cream, Buttershy. You can have as much as you like," Patrick pointed out. He used his free hand to pat her forehoof, which was still wrapped around his wrist.

"That's not the best idea, Pat. If I have too much I'll get a tummy ache and then I'll be miserable tomorrow. Oh, and we should still leave some room for dinner."

She spoke sense and Pat shrugged to himself. "Yeah, that's true, but one more scoop won't hurt, right?"

Her little smile was accompanied by a blush. "One more scoop won't hurt," she agreed and plucked the cone out of Pat's hand. For a moment she just sucked on it, no doubt exploring the inside with her tongue, but then there was a faint crunch and she began to chew.

"I'll be right back!" The line was much shorter now, so 'Shy wouldn't have to wait nearly as long. Pat took a step, but then paused and turned back. "Want them to coat it with chocolate?"

Fluttershy froze in shock, the bit of cone sticking out of her mouth. "Fey aan 'oo fhah?"

Pat wondered at how he'd ever been able to understand that, but it only lasted a moment. "Sure they can do that. It's hot chocolate and they kinda dunk the ice cream in it. I didn't think of it before."

'Shy nodded with great enthusiasm for idea and began chewing on the last of her sugar cone. Pat took his place in the line once more. It was another wait, but the line was shorter this time and he could look back at Fluttershy who was herself watching the people at nearby tables. She didn't notice his eyes on her so this was the mare in her 'natural environment', so to speak. If Pat ignored the curious stares she was still getting it felt pretty natural.

He could easily envision a whole civilization of ponies, walking around their cities, sitting at cafés and enjoying ice cream. They probably wouldn't have collars, Pat thought, but the image was nearly perfect. Every time 'Shy caught the glance of someone looking at her, she smiled back and her ears lowered for a moment, but they went up instantly when she looked away. Maybe splaying her ears was a form of acknowledgment that she'd seen the person?

They certainly were expressive and filled the role of minute facial movements, which were slightly obscured with 'Shy because of her fur. Patrick was finding himself more and more used to her body language; the way she moved her ears, or rustled her wings, or swished her tail. Voice was very nearly the least expressive form of communication, especially after the way 'Shy ran her feathers along his cheek as they basked in the afterglow of their love. Those moments didn't need words.

Then again...

An idea occurred and Pat grinned to himself in sudden delight. 'Shy was going back to Mason in a less than a day, and she'd promised to visit whenever she was allowed or could sneak away, but maybe he could do more. Undoubtedly she would miss him just as much as he missed her.

Pat's thoughts were interrupted when he was next and had to order, but he remembered them and had good news for 'Shy when he came back to the table. He held out her cone so she could start on it, but couldn't keep quiet any longer than that.

"So, I got an idea."

"Mmuh?" She hurriedly swallowed and gave him an expectant look: "Yes?"

"Why don't we get you a phone? That way we can talk more often even when you can't... visit." He'd almost said 'sneak away', but something told him not to phrase it like that. 'Shy was struggling with breaking Mason's rules as it was. Pat wondered briefly if it was just her timid personality, or something they'd taught her when they trained her.

"Okay, but how would I use it?" she asked, lifting a hoof up above the table to show him.

"We'll get one of those phones with buttons and then you can use a pen or something. A small stick."

'Shy thought this over, then shrugged a little to herself. "I guess, but you'll have to show me how to use it."

"It's real easy, you'll see. It's just so we can stay in touch, you know? You can call me, or I can call you and we can talk for a bit each night. Or, if you're bored during the day, you can ring and I'll take a break from work for a chat."

When put like this she was instantly on board with the idea and nodded happily. "That does sound nice." Their chatting and the warm weather was making her ice cream melt and a rivulet ran down Pat's hand. He turned the cone around so she could see and 'Shy sprang into action. Her tongue was hot on his fingers and contrasted nicely with the cool ice cream. She followed the escaping treat up the cone and began licking in earnest to get it back under control.

She paused once the danger of melting was less imminent. "You didn't bring one for yourself?" she asked.

"Nah, one was plenty. I can get you more if you want it."

Her eyes went to the diminished cone and then came back to meet Pat's. "Want a lick of mine?"

"Maybe just one." It was pure luck that no one was watching, or if they did, there was no outrage or sounds of disgust. Pat realized too late what he was doing, but powered through the inevitable blush and returned the ice cream back to 'Shy.

By then it was small enough for her to take it into her mouth and she began crunching the cone.

"So I guess we hit the market to get you that phone and then I'll show you how to use it this afternoon."

"Mm-hmm!"

Chapter 19

There it was. Their last morning together. The knowledge hit Pat almost before he fully woke up. Fluttershy was nestled against his belly, a warm, fuzzy small spoon with her head resting comfortably on his arm. She was still asleep and Pat tried very hard not to squeeze her against himself and wake her up. Starting tonight he'd be going to bed alone and waking up in a large, lonely bed by himself. It really wasn't fair. He'd gotten used to her presence in just a few days and now life without 'Shy in his flat seemed bleak and boring. He let out a sad sigh and tried to drink in the soft moment. Her mane was tickling his chin and her slow breath played against his forearm. Somehow her tail had gotten between his legs, a bundle of delicate, silken hair which still felt incredibly solid. Pat's other arm was lying across Fluttershy's barrel and she was holding it in place with her wing, as if worried she might lose its warmth while she slept.

An absolutely perfect way to wake up.

The mare in his arms twitched and murmured something. She didn't wake up, but her mouth opened in a tiny yawn and she gave the arm she was lying on a lick with her incredibly hot tongue.

Scratch that. An absolutely adorable way to wake up.

Patrick couldn't resist and lifted his head so he could plant a careful kiss on her ear, which was sticking up from the tangle of pink hair. It flicked against his lips at the touch and 'Shy moved again. This time her hind hoof pressed against his leg and her wing squeezed on his arm. She tried to back up, slide further against his warm belly and the movement reminded Pat of their position. She was pressing her rear right into his lap and jerking her tail to free it from between his legs. He released it almost absentmindedly, but the movement brought her closer to waking.

Pat leaned further and left his next kiss on the side of her muzzle. From his new angle he could see her eye open and blink a few times, trying to focus on her surroundings. 'Shy drew in a deep, luxurious breath, held it for a moment, then let it go. She was awake now and a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Morning, beautiful."

The smile was joined by a slight blush, but 'Shy didn't look displeased about the greeting. "Hi. What time is it?"

Getting the answer meant Pat had to free his arm from under her wing so he could check his phone. "Six thirty. Still early," he answered.

Her eyes closed again and Fluttershy murmured: "Good. I don't want to get up yet."

"We don't have to."

He put the phone back on the bedside table beside hers and returned his hand to her belly. Her wing immediately pressed down on it with the clear intention of never letting go again.

"I'll need to pee in a while," 'Shy proclaimed.

"You'll come right back this time? Promise, or I won't let you go."

The idle threat made her roll her eye in exasperation. "You'll have to let me go."

"Nuh-uh!"

"If you don't let me go, Pat," 'Shy went on to explain with exaggerated patience, "I will pee the bed." She watched for his response, grin already turning triumphant. It faded when Pat didn't budge.

"Okay."

This made her blink and brought a noticeable tint of red to her face. "Okay?!"

"Okay."

'Shy shuffled around to her back so she could look at Pat with both eyes. "You'd be okay with me... um, wetting the bed?!"

"Yeah, if it meant you'd stay in it."

Her eyebrows drew down and she opened her mouth, but nothing came out. After a second she closed it and shook her head, obviously bemused beyond words. The second attempt went better: "I don't know if I should be flattered or disgusted, Pat."

"Why not both?"

'Shy grunted in annoyance and covered her face with a hoof. She gave up on the topic and changed it to something more serious. "Mr. Mason will be back before lunch. I really should be there at, um, ten."

"Wait, you said lunch. Why ten?" Pat almost whined.

'Shy looked just as sad as he felt. "I need to check the house and make sure everything is clean and ready. He'll never let me visit again if he comes home to a messy place. I'll also make lunch, because he'll probably be hungry from his trip."

"It's not messy! No one has been there for a week! And you're still too nice!"

Once more Fluttershy rolled her eyes. "There is such a thing as dust, Pat. And you like me because I'm nice!"

She was right and that stubborn look in her eye said there was no use trying to convince her otherwise. Patrick gave in. "Well, I got you until ten. I'll feed you pancakes and massage your hoofsies, deal?"

Her eyes closed and her smile came back. "That sounds kinda lovely, actually."

"But first..."

He didn't finish and waited for 'Shy to look. She was bound to wonder what the delay was. When she did, Pat leaned in and stole a kiss. Almost unconsciously his free hand went to her belly and began scratching in circles around her bellybutton. He pulled away to see her expression. 'Shy always made the cutest face when he rubbed her soft spots. This time there was a kind of hunger in her eyes as well. Her forehooves shot out around his neck and pulled him forcefully down, into another kiss. It lasted a lot longer and 'Shy jammed her tongue deep into Pat's mouth. At one point she wrapped it entirely around his, which made him groan with need and grind his hips against her flank.

They were both out of breath when they broke apart. Pat would have gone right for another kiss, but a hoof on his chest held him at bay.

"I really do need to pee," 'Shy said.

It was with some reluctance, but Patrick removed his arm and let her go. She slid from the bed and hurried out of the room, pausing only for a second to glance back and flick her tail before she vanished through the door. It had only been a glimpse, but it was enough to make Pat involuntarily buck his hips. That had been an unspoken promise if ever he'd seen one. He just hoped 'Shy wouldn't get it in her head to go and clean something while he waited for her at full mast. Pat listened to what she was doing just to make sure. Maybe if she did wander off he could head her off and entice her back to bed. So far the sounds coming from the bathroom were encouraging.

The dribble of water, which would normally be somewhat unpleasant, but just served to strengthen his boner right now. A bit of quiet during which Pat could almost hear her tear off a square of toilet paper. The flush, which filled him with anticipation. Then the sink, as 'Shy dutifully washed her forehooves. The click of her landing back on the tiles was unmistakable, as was the clop-clop-thud as she exited to the carpeted hallway. This time, Pat was happy to hear, she was coming right back to his room. In another few moments she reappeared in the door and paused. Her ears were splayed out and there was red on her muzzle, but whether it was a flush of anticipation, or of embarrassment, Pat couldn't tell. She held a smile, but it was a conscious choice, not a sign of any particular joy.

Pat lifted up the cover in invitation and that jerked 'Shy forward. Her eyes slid down his suddenly exposed body and her blush deepened. She didn't slow down, though. The bed creaked a little as the mare climbed up. She stood there for long seconds, looking down at her hooves.

Just as Pat was about to ask if she was alright, 'Shy patted the mattress closer to her. "Come here. Lie on your back."

Curious to see where she was going with this, Pat obeyed. He was still holding the blankets open and was starting to feel the early morning chill. Fluttershy stepped over his hips so she was straddling him, then lay down on his chest. Finally Pat could drape the covers back around them and recapture a bit of warmth. He shivered for a few seconds until Fluttershy's fur warmed him up again. They looked at one another, nose to nose. Fluttershy was biting her lower lip and her ears twitched, but then she seemed to decide something and dove in to kiss him.

For his part, Pat rested his hands lightly against her sides. It turned out that his palms almost perfectly covered her cutie marks in this position. Fluttershy's forehooves slid up, until they were on Pat's shoulders, but she never broke the kiss in all that time. She started to pull away, but changed her mind at the last instant and attacked yet again. It was incredibly hot. 'Shy was light enough that Pat could easily lift her, but the way she was lying on him implied that she had all the control.

He was letting her do whatever she wanted. They had time. For the moment all she wanted was tongue-play, but already her breathing was getting faster and there was an occasional low grunt from her throat. When she stopped for a moment there was a time of stillness and Pat felt her belly move with the short, shallow breaths she was taking. She brought her muzzle closer once more and Pat parted his lips to accept her, but instead of a sensual kiss, 'Shy began to lick along his chin. Her muscles tensed as she pushed herself higher so she could reach, and Pat obliged by turning his head sideways. Her tongue tickled in his ear as she explored and then her teeth bit down, albeit gently.

Suddenly he realized she was treating him like a pony. He still couldn't quite believe they really did nibble on one another's ears, but it was super hot and made him dig his fingers into her flank and pull her down, griding their bellies together. There was still the fabric of his underpants in the way, but that just served to tease them both by denying them the feel of each other's flesh. The promise was there and Patrick felt sudden, warm damp through the cloth. The feeling drew another groan from his throat. Meanwhile her forehooves clung to his shoulders and her hind squeezed around Pat's waist as 'Shy continued to nibble on his ear.

He was just getting into that when the pressure vanished and her muzzle nudged his face the other way. He turned to see what he wanted when her lips found his and the invasion began in earnest once more. Just before he closed his eyes to focus on the feeling, Pat saw Fluttershy's nostrils flaring as she sucked down an urgent breath through her nose. She was working herself into a frenzy. Pat slid his hands from her flanks and gripped his underpants to pull them down, but 'Shy just squeezed harder with her hind legs and pulled out of the kiss.

"No! Don't!" she gasped.

Pat blinked in confusion, but let the cloth go. Surely she wanted it? All the signs said yes.

He had his answer in another few seconds when 'Shy shifted her weight and deftly hooked a hind hoof under the elastic. She concentrated and tugged the underpants down, but Pat had to lift his butt to free them. "I wanted- wanted to do it myself," she gasped.

They slid most of the way and he worked his legs to kick them off completely. No more clothes between them. Both of them were as naked as it was possible to be. The thought made him grind up against her, which drew a surprised gasp from 'Shy. She was no longer looking at his face, her eyes focused on some distant point only she could see or imagine.

Remembering her erogenous zones, Pat sought out her hind hooves with his hands and felt for the edges. It wasn't the best angle for that and it was almost beyond his reach, but the lightest pressure was enough to draw out a deep, throaty moan from 'Shy. This time when she ground against him there was a feeling of heat and wetness against his balls. She was already all but squirting and the thought almost blanked Pat's mind with lust. He redoubled his efforts on her hooves and 'Shy bucked against him, slathering his shaft and belly with her juices.

When Pat could focus on her face once more he saw 'Shy had her lower lip firmly between her teeth. He didn't want her to injure herself, so he pushed his head up and tried to draw her out in a kiss instead. It worked and she released her lip to allow him entry into her mouth. Her tongue was quivering and jerking around, not fully under her conscious control. Her hips continued to grind.

"Want it?" Pat breathed out when they parted.

The red in her muzzle flared up, whether from embarrassment or desire was hard to tell. Despite that, she nodded, wordlessly.

"Say it."

Her blush deepened to near terminal levels and she jerked her head forward, expertly whipping her mane around to hide at least part of her face. She kept panting and grinding, but didn't speak, so Pat removed his fingers from the rim of her hind hooves. The lack of stimulation made 'Shy moan in desperation. "Please," she finally gasped, "please. I need it!"

Luckily she didn't notice that Pat was barely holding himself back. A few moments longer and he would have lost this little game which 'Shy probably wasn't even aware they were playing. All she knew was that she wanted to be filled up. She ground harder, unaware that it was making it more difficult for Pat to line up.

He put his hands back on her flanks and pushed. "Let up."

She quickly understood and lifted herself. The movement made a drop of her slick essence fall and land right on the tip of Pat's cock as he watched. It made him twitch and jerk upwards. He regained control of his muscles and relaxed. Then he guided 'Shy down with a light pressure on her flanks. She obeyed gladly, eagerly.

The first touch was like a bolt of electricity and Pat couldn't stop himself from pushing against her. By some strange luck his tip found exactly the right spot and her folds yielded to his entrance. It was like being enveloped in hot, slick velvet. He paused to savor the moment, but now that he was in her, Fluttershy suddenly slammed herself down as she let out a moan of relief. In that single stroke he was embedded inside her as deep as he could go and he could feel her passage twitching and squeezing along his entire length.

He opened his mouth to moan, but 'Shy covered it with hers and forced her tongue between his unresisting lips. Already she was lifting herself up, slowly and carefully until he was mostly outside. Then she pushed back down, her breath driven out of her lungs and into Pat's. He didn't know where to put his hands, so he settled on finding her flanks and gripping the fur there. He followed her movement up and then back down again.

The feeling was out of this world. Her heat as she enveloped him, the slick wetness of her juices, the soft, yet firm texture of her insides. It all combined in a symphony of carnal pleasure.

Their lips parted, allowing them both the breath they urgently needed. "Oh, sweet Celestia!" Fluttershy moaned as soon as her lips were free. She pushed herself upright and braced her forehooves on Pat's chest, which gave her a much better angle and allowed her to impale herself even deeper. Her wings were coming unfurled, but 'Shy didn't seem to care at the moment. Each movement, each push drove another squeaky moan from her lungs. Her pace was picking up and her urgent panting followed.

Pat moved his hands from her flanks to her forelegs, gripping around both fetlocks. He could feel the tension as 'Shy pushed herself back, braced herself against him, again and again. She was quickly getting there, leaving him behind in her hurry to orgasm. Pat glanced down between their bellies and saw his shaft connecting them. The view was obscured by the pink of her teats each time she slammed down, but the visual, and the knowledge that he had his dick inside her, was driving him closer to his peak too. He felt more of her effusion leak out and dribble down his balls. They were making a mess of the bed, but he didn't care. If anything, the feel of her fluids pooling around his groin was driving him further.

Already he was helping 'Shy by bucking up his hips, trying to time his thrusts with hers. Her teats met his belly with an audible slap each time she came down and a slick, liquid sound accompanied each dribble of her juices which escaped her pussy.

She wanted more. For a moment their eyes met and Pat was startled by the crazed hunger he saw there. 'Shy was going to milk him dry. In response he tried to push harder, faster, bucking against her with slap after wet slap, until his belly was glistening with her escaped fluids. He gripped her forelegs tighter and gasped for more oxygen to fuel his efforts. He could see 'Shy was doing the same.

Gradually her moans rose up in pitch and her movements became jerky and uncoordinated. Pat took his hands from her forehooves and put them around her waist to help guide her. With gentle pushes he got her back into a slow rhythm. Not much further now, but that was perfect because he couldn't last any longer himself. Already he felt the swelling deep in his balls as they prepared to unload.

"Yes! Yes! Oh! Yes! Please!" 'Shy babbled with every new breath, the words replacing her moans. She threw her head up and opened her mouth wide to gulp down more air. Her muscles went rigid and Pat knew this was it. He dug his fingers into her sides and pulled her down as hard as he could, embedding his cock as deep as it would go. He thought his tip brushed something new in there and that touch pushed him over the edge as well. He came an instant before 'Shy, the first rope of his seed spurting out just as she let out a high-pitched cry. She sat rigidly, all muscles clenched as her orgasm rocked her entire body. She swayed, but remained upright, breath driven out of her in a long, luxurious moan. Her passage spasmed and tightened, and Pat could feel her clit winking out against his groin.

They remained nearly motionless until the feeling passed, then Fluttershy slumped down on his chest and began to pant for air, eyes closed. As she moved, the dam was broken and their combined fluids began to dribble out, completely soaking Pat's balls. It was a nice feeling. He wrapped his arms around her, enjoying every sensation. The musky scent of her arousal, the brush of fur on his belly and chest, the sound of her rasping breath. Even the sticky feeling where her secretions had smeared into her coat.

He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose and concentrated on his own breathing. The sex had been short, but incredibly intense. They were both sweaty and Pat pulled the blanket away to let them cool down. He stroked Fluttershy's back, waiting for her to regain her senses so he could tell her just how good it had been.

At length her eyes opened and focused on his face.

"Hi," he said with a grin.

She managed a small smile and lifted herself a little so she could look at him properly.

"We made a mess."

"M-Made?" Fluttershy asked. Patrick was about to lift her up higher so she could see just how wet and sticky they were, but 'Shy interrupted him with a kiss. "We're not done making it yet," she said quietly. She ground her hips against his, making entirely new pleasurable sensations run up Pat's spine.

He had been growing soft, but the look in her eyes and the fresh stimulation was making him hard again. Could he finish again without any recuperation at all? Even if not, he wanted 'Shy to enjoy herself for as long as he could stay hard. She deserved it.

"Want me to do some of the work?"

She thought this over, then nodded. They rolled until he was on top, still embedded in her. He leaned down to kiss her neck, then began to pump. This time it was slower and much more sensual. They were both very sensitive, which added to the pleasure. Pat began to think he really could come again, even this soon after. It'd just take some careful, gentle lovemaking to this beautiful mare. He sought out her mouth for a kiss. It might take a while, but it already felt incredible.

"God, I love you Buttershy."

Incredibly that profession still made her blush and stammer. "I l-love you t-too," she finally managed.

He couldn't help it. Pat grinned. "You're cute when you say that."

Her smile widened, but then Fluttershy's expression grew serious and her ears folded down. She laid a hoof on his lips. "Shut up and rut me," she whispered.

Chapter 20

The day wasn't particularly cool, but both Patrick and Fluttershy were shivering, slick with sweat and other fluids as they lay on the bed and rested after their workout. They hadn't moved much since their exertion and 'Shy was still sprawled over Pat's chest and belly.

"Whoa," Pat said, yet again.

There was no answer because 'Shy was using her tongue to idly lick his slick skin. The patch of warmth only served to contrast the chill elsewhere on his body. He lifted his arms and patted Fluttershy's sides. His hands came away damp. She had really worked herself hard that second time, wringing out every drop of sweat and... other fluids from both of them. Her raspy tongue slid sideways, seeking out a fresh patch of his skin, and the light, ticklish touch made Patrick jerk and chuckle. He grabbed her muzzle with a hand and gently pushed her away.

"Maybe we need to get a shower. If you want salt I can make some toast and I can salt the butter, okay?"

'Shy jerked her head out of his grip and went right back to nuzzle his hand. "In a minute. I'm comfy right now."

Their lovemaking had taken a while, but they still had plenty of time so Pat relented. He could endure a bit of chill, especially with Fluttershy feeling so warm and solid on him. He could feel the gentle rocking of her body as she breathed deeply. It was no longer full-on gasping for air, but she was still a little winded. At least her flight muscles hadn't bothered her that much, or if they had 'Shy hadn't complained. She'd used her wings mostly for balance, so maybe that wasn't strenuous enough to bring back the ache.

He stared at the ceiling, their encounter playing over in his mind. "You really went at it there, Buttershy."

She didn't answer, but her face turned red and she looked away in embarrassment. However enthusiastic during sex, 'Shy still wasn't very comfortable talking about it.

"I thought ho- ponies didn't usually last that long."

This got her attention and Pat winced at his near slip up. He opened his mouth to apologize for it, but 'Shy beat him to it. "What do you mean 'ponies don't last that long'?" she asked, narrowing he eyes. "Just how many ponies have you slept with?!"

"What? None, 'Shy. Where would I even- Look, even if there were a bunch of mares around, you're the only one for me, okay?"

While that did mollify her somewhat, the suspicious, questioning look didn't leave her eyes. "So you know how long ponies, um, mate for, how exactly?"

Patrick shrugged a little and answered quickly, not wanting 'Shy to be upset. "Saw it on the Internet."

Somehow this was the wrong thing to say and she jerked her head back in shock. The sudden movement shifted her entire body and Pat became aware of the wet, sticky mess between them.

"You watch ponies- um do it on the Internet?!" Fluttershy demanded. "Why? Is that even a thing? Why is that a thing?!"

A few possible lies flashed through Pat's mind and were discarded. 'Shy sometimes had an uncanny ability to tell when he wasn't being honest with her. He didn't want to risk it and have a big fight with her on the day she was leaving. "Look, it was when I just met you, okay? Before we- before I even realized I liked you this much. I was curious."

Her eyes narrowed and Pat hurried on.

"Well, after that time you told me what your withers were called I went and looked up the rest. You know, so I wouldn't make a fool out of myself." It still didn't explain everything, but he was getting to the point. Luckily, 'Shy didn't look impatient, only worried. "Anyway, I learned about pony body parts and-" Now it was his time to blush and turn away, but he forced himself to continue. "I saw what their, well, behinds look like and I got curious. S-So I found some..." Pat shrugged helplessly. "You know. Videos. Um, of Earth ponies and horses."

Unfortunately her glare was still there. When he'd finished, 'Shy took a breath and said: "Let me get this straight. After you met me you went on the Internet and did some research on how to- how to make love to ponies?"

"Hey, you're making it sound sleazy!"

What Pat didn't bring up was his low key desire for 'Shy long before they really became friends. She didn't need to know about that and he wouldn't have acted on it if she hadn't shown any interest anyway. Luckily she had, and he had, and it turned out to be amazing. That thought totally made sense, he told himself.

She shook her head and stood up. Patrick's gut clenched up in fear that she'd storm away in anger and then refuse to see him again. He reached up with his hand and cupped her cheek. "Please, Buttershy. It was just curiosity, I swear."

The touch and the nickname worked and she paused. "Well, how would you feel if I watched videos of, uh, humans doing it just after I met you?!"

That one was easy and Pat's face split into a grin. "Honestly? I'd be kinda turned on. That sounds hot, actually. We can totally do that if you want!"

It wasn't the answer she was expecting and it disarmed her somewhat. 'Shy blinked in surprise and her mouth gaped open in shock. "R-Really?" she managed at last.

"Totally! We can do it, if you want. Then we'll be even."

The blush came back and Pat knew he was out of the danger zone. He sat up and put his other hand on her muzzle as well. That allowed him to guide her face closer for a very chaste kiss. "What do you say? Next time you come visit, we put on some porn and you can see how humans do it."

Her face was nearly the same color as her mane, but Fluttershy's eyes flickered back to meet Pat's gaze before darting away again. "Well... maybe," she said noncommittally. "I'll think about it."

"So you're not mad at me?" Pat asked, just to be sure.

This time her smile was more confident. "I guess I'm not. It's just weird. I wasn't expecting anything like that."

"Well, we're kinda weird, don't you agree? Us, I mean."

She pulled her head out of his hands and looked down, noting how he was absolutely covered by a mixture of her mare juice and his seed from the waist down. "I... g-guess," 'Shy mumbled. "Sorry about the mess. I don't know what came-"

Pat silenced her with a kiss and gave both her ears a quick scratch. "Are you kidding me? It was totally awesome! You're a beast when you're horny."

He caught a glimpse of her horrified expression and quickly corrected himself. "A beast in a good way. I really like it."

That seemed to make her feel better, but 'Shy still didn't manage to meet his gaze. "I guess we should shower," she proposed.

"Yeah, sure! I'll help wash you if you like!"

Her smile returned and she gave him a nuzzle in gratitude. "Okay, but just a shower, understand? We don't have time for- for- more."

"Don't worry. I don't think I even could right now."

Despite his words, Pat felt a twitch in his nethers, making him a liar. If 'Shy stuck her rump at him and wiggled a little, he'd be up for round three, no matter how long it took this time. She was right, however. They barely had time for a shower and a nice, leisurely breakfast before 'Shy had to leave. Then it'd be back to a lonely, empty apartment for him. Maybe it was a piece of luck that he had work the next day, Pat thought. At least it'd take his mind off the fact that his week with Fluttershy was over.

Hopefully they could come up with a good plan to get her away from Mason permanently. He pushed the melancholy thoughts away and stood up. With 'Shy sitting on the bed she had a good view of his midriff and Pat caught her sneaking glances. It was making her blush, but she kept looking, so he waited to let her examine him. She hadn't really had a chance to look before, Pat realized.

Except- all the scrutiny was starting to excite him and his member began to rise. "Sorry! It's what happens when a pretty girl is looking at me!"

'Shy gave a small squeak of surprise and whirled around to stare at the wall. "I wasn't- I didn't look!" she lied.

Patrick reached over and patted her mane. "You don't have to be embarrassed about it. Look as much as you like, I don't mind. It's kinda hot, actually."

She didn't turn around and he guessed 'Shy would need some time to get to terms with her sexuality. He could only imagine how confusing the feelings must be for her, especially considering the contrast between her normally demure self and her greedy passion.

"I'll get the shower going, you can join me or go after me, whichever you like."

She turned back, but kept her eyes strictly on his face. "Thanks. I'll join you, um, in a minute."

He gave her another pat and left the room. He caught her staring at his butt as he turned the corner and smiled to himself. A few more passionate nights and maybe 'Shy won't be embarrassed to ask for what she wanted.

There it was. Weekend shift, a price Pat had to pay for taking the whole week off. The only consolation was that he wasn't alone. Small comfort, though. Beside him there was Alex, an avid career climber, and Paul, who had been stuck in the same position for almost a decade and seemed to like it. The latter was happily married, or so he claimed and the former had a long-term girlfriend. In a way Pat wanted to talk to them about his experiences, but of course he couldn't mention Fluttershy.

Maybe if he pretended she was a human girl?

In any case, he wanted to get through the shift and go home as soon as possible, hoping that 'Shy might be allowed to visit, at least for a while. It was unlikely the first time Mason was back home for a whole day, but a man could dream. Pat glanced at the wall clock and grimaced to himself. It was barely two, which meant there were four more hours to trudge through. He took refuge in his memories of that last morning.

"Well, someone's in a good mood," Paul commented. His desk was directly opposite Pat's and the older man had been watching him with something akin to curiosity.

At the words his other coworker kicked away from the wall so he could look around the shoulder-high wall. "You're right," Alex said. "Probably got laid."

"What?!"

Alex grinned knowingly. "Yep, that's the 'laid' look right there. Anyone we know?"

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to gossip just a little. He was quite proud of his budding relationship with 'Shy, after all. "Okay, but don't spread this around, got it?"

They both looked at one another and shrugged. "Sure, whatever you say," Paul promised and Patrick knew he would gossip about it first chance he got.

It still didn't stop him, though. All he needed was a name, something which sounded like 'Shy, but was human and easy to remember. "Okay, so yeah, I have a girlfriend." For some reason saying that made him grin. 'Shy would have said 'marefriend', which was technically more correct, but would give entirely too much away if he blurted that out.

"Good for you," Paul congratulated. He had a bit of a leer on his face as he asked his next question: "What's she like?"

"Um... blonde."

She was, if you considered her coat color, Pat mentally justified, but the lie left a distaste in his mouth. "W-with pink highlights," he amended.

"Ugh, one of those," Alex grimaced. "Next you'll tell us she's a vegan and really big into animal rights, right?"

"No, she's not-" Again he paused as he felt his cheeks heat up a little. "She's vegetarian."

"Knew it," the younger of his coworkers said. "Don't stick it in crazy, but you obviously already have. Was it good, at least?"

Paul picked up the line of questioning from there. "Big tits?"

Again, Pat felt that a version of the truth was his best bet. "Not really. I kinda like them small."

"She is eighteen, at least?"

"What?! Guys, I'm not like that! She's twenty-something. I didn't ask, but definitely over twenty one." After all, 'Shy had gotten drunk, so she had to be old enough, right? Pat hadn't asked about the legal drinking age in Equestria.

He noted with relief that both guys believed him, but they still looked curios. It occurred to him that he could simply refuse to answer any more questions, but it felt quite inclusive to be talking about 'Shy. As long as he didn't let slip she was a pony.

"So?"

"So what?"

"What's she like in bed?" Alex insisted. He had a leer on his face, quite similar to the one on Paul's, which made Pat's ears burn.

"Good."

The guys burst out laughing until there was a bing on his computer and Alex had to take a call. Paul gave Pat a sly wink and said: "Well, if you're okay with crazy, good for you, man."

"She's not crazy. Just a bit shy."

"Well, bring her around sometime for drinks. I'm sure we can cure her of that," Paul concluded and went back to his computer.

Pat wished he could, but he didn't want to imagine what his coworkers would say if they found out 'Shy was a pony. Everyone at the office knew about them since they'd all talked at length about the phenomenon when it was on TV, but they probably never imagined meeting one. Not to mention Pat in a relationship with one.

"Yeah, I'll see about that," he promised, intending to do no such thing. He was starting to think that maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it at all.

"Oh, by the way," Alex piped up, having apparently already concluded his call, "what's her name?"

Pat reached for the first one that popped into his mind. "Uh, Felicity."

His coworker chuckled loudly as he rolled his chair back to his computer yet again. "Yep, sounds like the type. You sure she's not vegan?"

Patrick chose not to respond. Luckily he got a call and had to deal with a customer, which served very well to take his mind off the lies and insinuations. By the time he was done, two more were in his queue. It was going to be a busy day.

The rest of the day and the evening passed somehow and Pat could hardly remember what he'd been doing. Everything felt like a haze as he waited for 'Shy to call him as they'd agreed. He was unable to sit still and kept going back to his kitchen window to peer into Mason's house, but aside from the light being on he never caught any sign of life.

At long last his phone rang and Pat nearly dropped it in his haste to answer. It was Fluttershy and he stabbed the green button with a finger that was almost trembling in anticipation. "H-Hi!"

"Um. hello," she replied, but her voice was quiet and hard to understand. Pat wondered if her phone was defective and mentally cursed that they hadn't tried actually talking through it before. He'd shown 'Shy how to call him and helped her set it up so the phone wouldn't ring out loud, but that was about it. On the other hand, maybe she was just being quiet out of fear of discovery.

"Can you speak up a bit? It's kinda hard to hear you."

There was a brief pause and then her voice came through a lot clearer. "Oh, sorry. Is it better now? I g-guess I should keep my mouth closer to it."

Pat remembered how acute her hearing was and realized she must have heard him quite comfortably even without holding the phone up to her face. He could almost imagine her lying on her belly on the bed, with the phone nestled between her forehooves. She'd be focusing her ears on the device with rapt attention. The mental image made Pat smile.

"Yeah, that's good. It's nice to hear you."

"You too! Um..." More silence as 'Shy looked for something to say, but Pat beat her to it.

"So, how was your day?"

She thought it over for a while, then there was a faint rustle as she readjusted the phone or something. "Honestly," her voice came back, "it's been kinda lonely. Um, Mr. Mason was working the whole day and I didn't really have anything to do." There was a definitive note of longing in her words. "I wanted to go to the park, but I'm not allowed on my own."

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that," Pat commiserated. "Can you sneak over so I can cheer you up a little?"

No reply came for a while and he was about to ask if they were still connected before Fluttershy spoke up: "I d-don't think that's a good idea. Mr. Mason is working late. He said he has to catch up on his paperwork. He might come check on me."

"Okay, yeah, I understand. Some other day then."

"Some other day," she agreed. Then, more timidly: "I missed you."

"Yeah, same here. I know it's only been a day, but I really miss having you around, Buttershy."

There was some more rustling in the speaker, then a long, forlorn sigh, only slightly clipped by the bad microphone. "M-Maybe someday..."

"Have you thought about, y'know- not being such a good maid and all that? Like we talked about?"

She didn't answer right away, but this time Patrick waited with bated breath. He didn't dare risk interrupting her. Finally, 'Shy said: "I d-don't feel comfortable doing that, Pat. I-"

Her voice cracked and she cleared her throat before going on. "I think we should come up with a different plan."

It was a blow, but a phone call wasn't a good time time try and convince her. Pat realized just how much he'd come to depend on her body language and he wished he could see how she was holding her ears right then. There was an angle of half-splayed which meant she was afraid and wanted nothing to do with the conversation, but there was a slightly different position which meant she wanted to be convinced.

The thought of her soft, fuzzy ears made Pat smile and he changed the topic. "You know what I miss the most?" he asked. "I miss scratching you behind the ears."

There was a sharp intake of breath and he hurried on to take the sting out.

"It's not like I think of you as a pet or something, you know that! B-But- I mean- you enjoy it, right? And it's not like I do it without asking, s-so-"

"Pat," she interrupted with some force behind her words. "You almost never ask before touching me. When- um, when we're sitting together you just put your hand on my head and start scratching."

He hadn't even realized he was doing it! Maybe, on some level, he really did see her as a pet? If so, that would make their bedroom activities even weirder. "I'm sorry-"

Once again she spoke right over him, but her voice was quiet and trembled a little: "I kinda like it. Um, m-most of the time."

The admission made Pat relax and start to grin. He was perfectly fine fondling 'Shy if she liked it. "Okay, how about this then: If I start scratching your ears and you don't want it, just push me away or say so and I'll stop, deal?"

"Deal."

He wished he could do that right now, but unfortunately phones only worked for sound. He'd never realized just what a big limitation that was. If only he'd gotten her a phone which could do video calls, maybe that would be a bit better.

"Um," 'Shy said into the silence, "so how was your day?"

"Ugh. You wouldn't believe some of the customers we got!"

"Wanna tell me all about it?" she offered.

Patrick considered it for a moment, then shrugged to himself. Maybe she would get a good chuckle out of some of the cases he'd handled. A few of them were a bit ridiculous, after all. "Okay, so there was this lady..."

Chapter 21

The days seemed to blend together in Patrick's mind. He hated his dead end job even more than before and could think of little else than going home. Then, once he was on his couch, he stared listlessly at the TV, waiting until it was time to sleep. Every little noise around the apartment made him start, hoping Fluttershy would come visit, but it was usually a false alarm. Each time his phone dinged or vibrated he scrambled to look in case it was 'Shy trying to call him.

When he absolutely couldn't stand the emptiness anymore, Pat went out and walked around the back yard, hoping she would have some work outside or would simply come to chat with him for a while. The waiting was unbearable and Pat's hatred of Mr. Mason grew with every day the man kept Fluttershy too busy to see him.

Then came the good moments, when he caught her outside and they talked for a few moments, or when she came to visit, sometimes staying for a meal and occasionally bringing something she'd cooked herself. It felt as if all the color which had leached out of Pat's world came back in force during the time they spent together.

Yet more precious were those beautiful nights when 'Shy was able to sneak away and come to his bed. Pat wished it could be every night, but she was cautious almost to a fault and stayed put in her own room if Mr. Mason so much as set foot out of his normal routine. When he could think clearly Pat was glad she was calling the shots, because he could never show that much restraint if it were up to him. All the caution was what allowed them to be together undetected. Most of all Pat hoped his neighbor would take more extended business trips so he could spend whole days with 'Shy.

Little by little the couple grew closer and Pat could no longer imagine life without her. Seeing that smiling, lightly blushing muzzle peek around the door frame when she came to visit just made his day. Hearing her soft, quiet voice on the phone when she called during the day made it that much easier to deal with irritating customers. It was even starting to positively affect his job performance and Harris was starting to drop little hints of a possible raise in the future.

Pat didn't really care about the job, though. He had become so focused on the times they spent together that he barely noticed the season change. There was more rain, the days were getting shorter and the temperatures colder, but his routine never really altered. It was as if he flipped between two states: missing 'Shy and having 'Shy.

It was another chilly day in late October, a fact Patrick only registered because he saw some Halloween decorations around the neighborhood on his way from his job. The evening he had spent in a daze, trying to play some game or other on his console, but in fact just running down the clock before he had to go sleep and do it all again the next day. 'Shy hadn't been able to visit that entire week and if it continued that way Pat's weekend would be cold and lonely. She'd explained that Mr. Mason was working longer hours and was liable to ask for a cup of tea or a sandwich at any time. She simply had to stay in the house, free to do her things but always attentive. Luckily she had been able to call for a few minutes here and there, but even then Fluttershy's voice was tense with worry that Mason might walk into her room at any moment.

It irked Pat no end that he wouldn't afford her even the basic courtesy of knocking first.

Even worse, because of the unpredictable nature of his late-night work, 'Shy didn't dare sneak away in the evening. It sucked, but Pat could never blame her. He blamed that jerk of her owner. He could never really understand workaholics. It was as if they had no life. The small mercy of that was that Mason had little time or patience to really interact with Fluttershy, so she was left mostly to herself. She was often bored, which meant she risked calling him more often. She even told him she missed their... 'fun times'. When she was finally able to come over she would be very pent up and in need of some quality stress relief. That was something to look forward to.

Patrick put his controller down after realizing he'd been staring at the main menu for over fifteen minutes, trying to make himself get interested in the game. He glanced at the clock, which read half past ten. He checked his phone, but there hadn't been a call from 'Shy he'd somehow missed. It looked like another lonely night. With a mournful sigh, Pat shut the TV off, dragged himself upright, and went to give his teeth the most cursory of cleanings. He'd sleep, then he would wake and go to work. One more day and then it would be a Saturday. He wasn't working that weekend and a slim hope remained 'Shy might be able to talk Mason into letting her visit.

Pat didn't have many dealings with his rich neighbor, which suited him just fine, but he still knew a lot about the man's moods and the stress of his job through 'Shy. While Mason didn't seem to care about his maid and his neighbor being friends, neither did he go out of his way to enable them to see each other. Fluttershy was there to serve his needs first and foremost. He'd paid a lot of money for what was essentially twenty-four hour care and cleaning, and any time 'Shy took out of that was a loss on his investment. At least that was the image Pat had built up in his mind. The one redeeming quality Mason had was that he didn't want to take 'Shy to his bed. Pat didn't know what he'd do if that happened, but it made him sick to his stomach to even consider it, so he tried not to think about it.

Eventually he made it to his bedroom and slumped down on his pillow. His hand slid around, unconsciously looking for a warm, furry body next to his, but of course there was none. He sighed, turned to face the wall, and closed his eyes. Perhaps he'd dream of her at least, if he couldn't have the real thing. He inhaled as the all-too-familiar scent of her shampoo tickled his nose.

A familiar sound made him sit bolt upright, holding his breath and hardly daring to hope. He turned his head, trying to catch more noises. There it was again! A clop of a hoof on concrete stairs. Patrick suddenly began to smile and shifted over to make room in his bed. He always left his front door unlocked while he was at home these days so 'Shy could come in whenever she wanted. He listened expectantly as the mare struggled with the door handle and his heartbeat quickened when she closed up behind herself and made her way to the bedroom. It was dark, so all Pat could see was a shape in the door frame, but that profile was unmistakable.

"Um, are you asleep?" she whispered.

"No. Come in!"

She took a few more steps, but stopped in the middle of the room. "Oh, I'll just be a second, my hooves are wet..."

It was a slight delay, but Pat didn't mind. He listened as 'Shy walked to the bathroom and imagined he could hear the scrub of fabric against her legs. Not long after there was the noise of the hamper lid opening and closing and 'Shy came back. This time she approached the bed, looming over it, but still didn't climb in.

"Buttershy?"

"Um, I'll just wait a couple of minutes," she explained. "Someone was walking in the street so, uh, I hid in the bushes. I had to wait for them to leave, so I'm a bit cold."

Pat didn't understand the hesitation. "Well, come in and warm yourself up then," he suggested.

There was just enough light for him to see her shake her head. "I will, but my hooves are icy and I don't want to make you cold as well," she explained.

"It'll be fine. I don't mind, really." He held up the blanket and patted the mattress with his free hand. Even a chilly pegasus was preferable to an empty bed. Besides, Pat thought about how cozy and happy 'Shy would be when he put his arms around her and warmed her up.

She was still hesitating, so he patted the bed once more. "Are you sure? My hooves are really cold."

"It's okay, Buttershy. Let me help get you warm."

At long last she lifted a leg and climbed in. She hesitated and he was about to repeat his invitation once more, but 'Shy moved before he spoke. She settled down on her back at the far end of the bed and Patrick draped the blanket around her. Her fur was icy to the touch, but that just made him want to comfort her more. "C'mere."

"We really should wait until-"

Pat ignored her concern and reached around her barrel. 'Shy didn't resist when he turned her to face him, nor when he slid his other arm under her head to serve as her pillow. The momentary chill on his skin was nothing compared to the joy that she'd sleep with him that night. Without really thinking about it Pat pulled her closer, tried to tuck her against his chest. A single touch of her hooves on his flesh made him gasp in shock and jerk away.

It felt as if someone had taken four pieces of metal out of liquid hydrogen and pressed them against his bare skin. It was a piece of luck her hooves hadn't stuck to him!

Fluttershy pulled away when Pat hissed. "I'm sorry!" she whined. "I tried to tell you!"

He wouldn't be defeated. If her hooves felt that chilly, the poor thing must have been freezing. Pat wondered just how long she'd been hiding in those bushes. "No, come back. I was just surprised. Come."

She didn't resist as he put his arms back where they were supposed to be and pulled her closer once more. This time he was ready and held her against him, despite the unbelievable chill of her four hooves. Patrick gritted his teeth and tried to keep himself from shivering, but he persisted. "Here, slide a little more, there's my warm spot." He pressed himself against the far wall and allowed 'Shy to occupy the bit of the bed he'd warmed up with his body heat before she came. He hugged her close once more, this time barely reacting to her hooves. They already felt a little warmer. He tightened his hold around her barrel and she buried her face against his chest so her head was completely covered by the blanket. Her fur was still chilly to the touch, but after Pat ran his hand down her side a few times 'Shy was starting to warm up. He knew just how good a job he was doing when she began to sigh in luxury.

Each deep breath she took made Pat smile wider as it slowly heated the cozy space between them. He wanted to gather the poor, little shivering thing and cradle her against himself until she was nice and toasty.

"Gosh," 'Shy finally said, "I guess I didn't even realize how cold it was!"

Instead of reply, Pat lifted the blanket so he could place a tender kiss on Fluttershy's forehead. She moved her head up to return the favor and pressed her cold nose against his cheek. They shared a very chaste kiss, then Pat put his fingers on her muzzle and guided her down against his neck, where he carefully pressed her nose against his skin. He knew that the colder she felt to him the warmer it would be for 'Shy. She let out a breath she'd been holding and Pat could swear it turned into a purr at the end there. "I love you just so much. I'm really glad you came today."

There was a slight shift under the blanket and Patrick lifted it a little to look. 'Shy had folded her ears back and her eyes darted to and from his in rapid shifts. "I c-couldn't stand it," she admitted. It was too dark to see, but he was sure there was a blush on her face. "I missed you this whole week. I just had to come."

"That's sweet. I missed you too," Pat said and punctuated his words with another small kiss.

"I- I-", 'Shy began, but whatever word came next was lost in a slight whimper. She swallowed and tried again. "Would- would you- um, if it's okay, I mean. You totally don't have to..."

"Mm?"

She was about to ask something she felt was embarrassing, which usually meant sex. Patrick waited patiently, having learned it did no good to try and rush the mare. 'Shy swallowed and stole another little kiss to give herself some more time. She squirmed in his grasp, moving all four hooves to new spots on Pat's skin, seeking out more warmth. Her wing extended to rest across his side as she tried to pull herself a little closer. Finally she was ready to take another stab at her question. "What I wanted to ask- Uh, you can say no, okay? It's just- mumblemumblemumble."

Even that hurried, stuttering, incoherent little sentence was enough for 'Shy to start breathing faster. She took refuge in pressing her face against Pat's chest again as an excuse so she didn't have to meet his eyes.

"Say again?"

She swallowed another lump, but didn't move her head away. It would be easier if she hid her muzzle from sight, Pat knew, so he just put his palm against her cheek and waited. "I was wo-O-ndering," she began, a squeak nearly interrupting the word, "if you'd, um, d-dothatthingwithyourtongue."

It all came out in a rush, but this time Pat understood. He was never getting used to this and each time 'Shy suggested something sexual she was so timid about it as if she was a filly in her first time with a guy. Pat tried to encourage her, but the times 'Shy was able to openly talk about it were rare and mostly came either during their lovemaking or just after it. It was cute in a way, so he didn't mind at all, especially with how forward and needy she became once she got started.

"Sure I will!" he assured her. "You know I love doing that to you, Buttershy!"

She finally pulled her face away and gave him one of her signature timid smiles, somehow managing to get part of her face obscured by her mane even while lying on her side. "Thanks!" she squeaked. "I couldn't- um couldn't stop thinking about it all week..."

Patrick slid his hand down to her side, just below her wing, and twirled his fingers into her fur. "Just tell me when you're ready." Another thing he'd learned. Sex worked a lot better if he let 'Shy stew of a little before going at it. The anticipation would fill her up and then spill over, making her a completely different - and much sexier - pony.

"I'll. um, I'll have to go right after," 'Shy said with a pang of sorrow in her voice.

"Aw. Why?"

She shook her head and let out a sad sigh. "Mr. Mason is acting really strange and sometimes he gets up even earlier than usual. I really don't want him to catch me gone, Pat."

It made sense and he was sad to lose a full night of cuddling. In some strange way he enjoyed just sleeping in the same bed as 'Shy even more than the sex.

"Aw, I'm sorry. Maybe it's just a busy time or something. Companies finish their business year around now, so he probably has a whole lot of work to do."

Fluttershy nodded against his chest. "I guess. He's had me helping him with copying some papers. He never let me near his papers before."

"That's probably it, then."

He waited for a bit longer, wondering if she would want to talk some more. He'd get to enjoy her snuggles longer that way and delaying the lovemaking would just make it all the sweeter for anticipation.

After a few seconds 'Shy asked: "Pat, where is the Isle of Man?"

"Huh? Where did that come from?!"

Her question was totally unexpected and Pat couldn't make sense of it at first. Luckily she explained: "When I was copying those documents there were some things about, um, The Isle of Man. It sounded like a place, but I've never heard of it."

Pat thought back to his geography lesson.

"I think it's some thing over in Europe, isn't it? Technically a country, but I think it's under British rule."

"Huh."

It didn't sound as if 'Shy had understood anything beyond 'it is a place somewhere'. After some time she asked: "What about Cayman Islands?"

Before Patrick could dredge up something from his memory 'Shy went on: "I mean, I know they're some islands, but why is Mr. Mason's company doing something with all these islands?"

It was a very good question and a dark suspicion began to rise up in Pat's mind. Most of the times he'd heard those two names recently it was on the news and connected with scandals.

"Buttershy, can you remember what those papers said?"

'Shy scrunched up her muzzle in thought, then shrugged. "I'm sorry, I just saw those names. There were a lot of numbers and then something complicated I didn't really understand. Why?"

An inkling of a plan was starting to form and Pat barely dared think about it for fear it would vanish if he examined it too closely. "Could you maybe get me a copy of those documents?"

This got him a sharp gasp and she shrank back, away from him. "B-But Mr. Mason told me to be really careful with those papers. He said they're really important. It s-said 'Confidential' on them!"

It was making more and more sense. Pat didn't understand why Mason would entrust a task like that to his house slave, but what else could it be? His company was dodging taxes by sending money to tax havens and maybe there was a way to use that to blackmail Mason into giving him 'Shy. Pat was starting to get excited as his mind worked on a vague plan. "Please? I think it might be very important. It could help me get you away from Mason."

In the dim light Pat saw Fluttershy's ears wilt. In all their time together, that was the one point on which she remained elusive and defensive. "Pat, I-"

He didn't want another argument, so he put his fingers on her lips to shut her up. "Hush, I'm sorry. I won't make you do something you're not comfortable with. I'd just like you to think about it." Besides, he wasn't completely sure he had the right end of the stick, even. "Could you take a closer look when he gives you something like that to do next time and tell me what the papers say?"

She was obviously battling with her integrity and despite the difficulties it was causing him, Patrick couldn't help but feel a touch of pride. Enslaved and forced to work, but she still wanted to be honest. Well, as honest as possible, considering that she'd been sneaking over without her owner's permission or knowledge.

"Please, Buttershy? I promise we won't be doing anything illegal, I just want to know. Maybe Mr. Mason or his company are doing something bad. I need to make sure, okay?" Another angle occurred to him and Pat leaned in to kiss Fluttershy's nose. "If he is, I don't want you to get dragged down with him."

She still wasn't certain, but 'Shy sighed and gave a slight nod. "Okay, I'll try and remember what it says next time. For you, Pat."

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer once more, elated that he might soon have leverage on the unlikeable Mr. Mason. With luck, just a hint that he knew something, maybe a detail or two would be enough to get Mason to sell him Fluttershy at a price he could afford. Maybe he didn't even need the actual papers. Pat dug his fingers into Fluttershy's fur and kissed the side of her muzzle. Her hooves pressed against him again and they felt quite warm, very unlike that first moment when she came in.

He couldn't wait anymore. He placed another kiss just below, and the next one on her neck. It was somewhat cliché to trail kisses down her belly until he reached her treasure, but 'Shy absolutely loved it when he did that and it got her really hot and bothered if he took his time. She was already breathing deeply as he nuzzled the fur aside and gently kissed her collarbone. She curled her forehooves to her body and already spread her hind legs to give him access.

Pat was careful not to put weight on her wings which were coming unfurled as he kept moving lower. It had been too long since the last time they'd made love and he wondered if he could make her come just by playing his tongue against her teats. He'd only managed to do that once so far, but it was an incredible experience and 'Shy had absolutely loved it. She'd said it was a different kind of orgasm.

Pat decided to take it as a challenge. She would be going back when they finished, so he might as well make it last as long as possible. He'd get through work the next day somehow. That was why they invented coffee.

"Mmmm- oh, Pat," Fluttershy breathed. He sneaked a peek and saw her eyes were already closed and there was a smile on her face.

He changed his grip, so he was holding Fluttershy's midsection in place as he descended to her bellybutton. She always liked it when he paid attention to it and it was absolutely fascinating to him how it was covered with such soft fluff. He didn't know when she'd be able to visit next, so Pat had to make the most of this night.

He had to make her squeal.

Chapter 22

Patrick was lying in his bed, alone again, but this time a lot happier. True, 'Shy had to leave soon after their lovemaking, but it felt good to know she had missed him as well. The kind mare had even gone to fetch a towel for him before she left so he didn't have to get out of bed. Then she took a very quick shower, came back to his room to share a kiss, and left. There was one unwelcome thought: her entire visit felt very... 'sex-worker-ish'. He pushed it away and didn't let it spoil the afterglow. He didn't think of 'Shy that way and he was sure she didn't consider herself like that either.

Eventually he fell asleep.

Friday began a little better than most of the days that week. Some of it was simply because it was Friday and Patrick didn't work that weekend, but most of it was a kind of lingering afterglow. He kept thinking back on how 'Shy had squirmed, moaned and gasped as he played his tongue on her nipples. It took some effort, but in the end she came from that alone. Her muscles had locked up for a second, then she let out a deep, urgent groan and slumped down. Her hooves had gone to Pat's head, patting and stroking, saying a silent thank you.

For his part, Pat had simply rested his head on her belly and enjoyed the sound of her thundering heartbeat and rapid, shallow breathing. She calmed down quickly enough, but then she wanted more. Much more. It had been after midnight when she finally left, promising she would try and visit on the weekend. Patrick hoped that Mason wouldn't keep on working the whole time, or if he did, that he wouldn't demand Fluttershy's constant attendance.

"hello? Patrick?"

The sound of his name brought him back from the pleasant memories where his mind had wandered to. "Huh? Oh, what do you want Paul?"

His older coworker had a slightly worried expression as he watched him across the shoulder-high partition between their desks. "You okay?" he asked when he was certain he had Pat's full attention. "You kinda looked out of it just now, Pat."

"Oh, sorry. Just thinking."

"About this girl of yours?"

"What?! How did you- no!" Pat began, but quickly realized it was useless to deny it. "How did you know?"

Paul gave him a knowing grin. "Just that look. Everyone goes through it. The new-relationship euphoria."

There wasn't much he could say to that, so Pat just shrugged and glanced at his screen to see if he'd missed any calls.

"Yeah," Paul went on, reminiscing, "it's the best feeling in the world. And then it goes away and you find out whether you really love her."

"I do!" The sudden reply came out of nowhere and even Pat himself didn't know why he'd blurted it out. It was the simple truth, wasn't it? He loved 'Shy and their desire for each other hadn't faded in all these months.

Paul made his way around their two desks and pulled a chair from Pat's other neighbor who had gone home early. After sitting himself comfortably, Paul grinned. "You really got it hard for this chick, don't you?" He didn't wait for Pat's reply and his eyes unfocused. "I remember when I first started going out with Laura. I was exactly like you." Patrick didn't believe it and it must have showed on his face because Paul laughed at his expression. "Tell you what, join me and Alex for a pint after work. You hardly ever mention this lady of yours. What was her name again?"

He had to scramble to remember, but luckily he managed to keep his face neutral. Paul didn't comment on it, so he must have thought Pat was undecided about going out for drinks with them rather than struggling with the name. "Felicity."

"Yeah, the crazy vegan one. How's it going?"

"She's not-"

"Relax, relax," Paul raised a hand in apology. "Just messing with ya. So, beer after work?"

He wasn't expecting 'Shy that day, especially with her worries about Mason's unpredictable routine. If he went home, he'd just sit on the couch and stare at the TV for a few hours. "Okay, fine."

Paul gave him a grin and a thumbs up, then stood up and returned the chair to where he'd found it. "Okay, two more hours to go."

Before Pat could respond in any way his screen flashed and his ear piece gave a low ding, telling him there was a call coming it. He forcibly pushed 'Shy out of his thoughts so he could focus on his job. He'd need the income if he ever got Mason to sell her.

The bar his coworkers dragged Patrick to had a very British thing going on. It was even called 'Someone's Pub'. He'd forgotten the actual name about five seconds after coming in. He glanced down at the drinks menu and read it again, although he wasn't expecting to retain it for very long: Windsor's Pub. Definitely British or, trying very hard to seem like it. There was the Union Jack on one wall and a bunch of photos of soccer players on the other. Most of the bar was some heavy-looking dark wood and the lights on the walls were shaped like old-fashioned gas lamps, though they had electric bulbs in them. The beer came in big, thick glass mugs and it tasted pretty good, as much as Pat knew about such things. It wasn't too bitter and it was getting him pleasantly dizzy, so it must have been good beer, he reasoned.

That said, he only had the one pint, cognizant of the fact that he had to drive home. Paul and Alex were on their second, obviously used to doing this after work.

"So, pink hair you said?" Alex chuckled. "Vegan and dyed hair. I'd tell you to stay away from that, but seems you made up your mind."

"God, it's not like that, Alex! Pink hair kinda suits her." An image of Fluttershy's meek little smile with her mane covering most of her face crept into Pat's mind. "Besides, she's vegetarian."

Both of his friends laughed some more at that. "Same difference. Lemme guess, she really loves animals?"

It made her sound like some kind of PETA-crazy chick and Pat's face darkened. He didn't like the guys disparaging 'Shy and he sought for something to make them understand just how great she was. Without letting slip she was a pony, of course. "Well, yeah, but you should see her with animals. It's like she can understand them. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it."

"So, how many pets does she have?" Paul asked.

"None, actually!" Patrick was quite pleased about that one. 'Shy wanted pets and she had had a ton of them back in Equestria, but for once Mason's strict house rules were doing him a favor! "We went to a zoo in the summer and... it was amazing, actually. I'm telling you, S-Felicity has a talent."

"What's she do for a job then?"

It was pure luck that Pat had just lifted his mug when Paul asked, so he could use that swig to think about his answer. "Maid for hire. Like, people hire her to come clean their houses and stuff." He was half expecting another round of laughter, but then he remembered all three of them worked in a call center. The only thing worse than that would be retail. "It's just a temporary thing, though," Pat went on, trying to make 'Shy look better. "Once she has enough money saved up- I dunno. Something else."

The two nodded, having had a similar idea once upon a time. A dead end job just to earn some cash and get settled, then on to bigger and better things. Pat and Alex still had a chance for that, but Paul needed a steady paycheck to pay the mortgage on his house. His best chance to get out of customer support was by promotion, if he ever took it.

The three sat in silence for a bit, then Paul spoke up in a more serious tone. "Well, she sounds like a nice girl." Alex gave him an odd look, but the older man just went on: "I know we give you a hard time, but it's nice to see you happy for a change, Pat."

After a moment his other coworker murmured something affirmative and Pat felt a bit closer to them both.

"So," Paul said after another swig of beer. "When are you gonna bring this girl around so we can see her?"

This put the grin back on Alex's face and he piped up: "Yeah. Do you at least have a photo?"

Patrick swore a little to himself for not having thought of this question. He had to improvise, and fast! "I dunno. I don't have any photos on me. I'm not really into that whole thing and neither is she."

This news made Paul frown a little. "Well, you better get into it, Pat. Five, ten years from now, if you're still together, you'll want some memories of how it all started." He sighed and looked down into his mug. "Trust me. The one regret me and the missus have is that we didn't take more photos."

His words rang true and Pat resolved to snap more shots with his phone. He wanted to remember 'Shy, even if somehow it didn't work out. Especially if it didn't. He began to wonder if he could talk her into taking some sexy shots as well. "Yeah, that's a good point. I'll think about it," he said, not wanting to promise pictures. If it came to that, he'd try and find a picture of a random girl on Instagram. One with pink hair. It shouldn't be too hard. Hopefully the guys wouldn't notice Pat wasn't in the photo.

Even better, the two seemed to have forgotten their request to meet 'Shy personally. In a way it would have been nice to introduce his coworkers to the mare, but it would also be completely awkward. By now Alex and Paul knew he was sleeping with her. Not that it had been difficult to guess. A night with 'Shy always left Pat in good spirits, which spilled over into his work. He was a lot nicer with the idiot customers on those days. Even old Mr. Harris had remarked upon it. In either case, Pat didn't want to risk any more difficult questions or requests, so he drained the last dregs of his beer, then took his wallet out of his back pocket.

Alex waved him down. "Nah, man. Today's on us. You can get the next one."

He wasn't sure if there would be a next one, but Pat still nodded. "Thanks. I guess I'll see you guys Monday." They nodded at him and made their goodbyes, wishing him a good weekend. Pat did the same and left them to their beer.

The next piece of good news came on Sunday morning. Patrick was just resigning himself to a long, boring day when he heard the unmistakable clop of hooves in his hallway. He sat upright and looked over the couch's backrest in very welcome surprise.

'Shy was standing there, in the door to his living room with her signature demure smile. "Um, you said I can just come in," she said in reply to the question she perceived in his eyes. "Sorry I didn't call earlier, but I didn't really know if I would be able to come and then I just- well, here I am."

"Yeah! Yeah, of course!" Pat replied. "It's just that I wasn't expecting you."

Her ears wilted and Fluttershy rubbed at an imagined speck of dust on the floor with a hoof. "Oh. Is it a bad time?"

Patrick practically leapt over the backrest and slid to his knees so he could give her a proper hug. "You kidding?! It's always a good time for you." He pressed his face against hers and drank in the sensations. The mellow, herbal scent of her shampoo, the lush, soft feel of her coat, even the tiny sounds as her breath hitched and resumed. There was one overriding desire making itself known by a growing pressure in Pat's pants and he withdrew his face so he could plant a needful, breathless kiss right on Fluttershy's lips. "Wanna go to the bedroom?"

She pulled away and held him at hoof's length with her foreleg. Her ears lowered even further and she averted her eyes as she let her mane cover most of her expression. "I- Um, Pat," she began, not sure how to say it. "I, uh, I'm- It's just..."

He knew what she was trying to say and while he was disappointed, her embarrassed stutter was just too adorable for Pat to feel even slightly upset. "Relax, you can say no. I won't be mad."

"Then - no," 'Shy finished. "I mean, I'd like to, j-just not right now. M-Maybe later?"

He wondered why she wasn't in the mood. She'd always been in the mood after a few days apart, but he decided not to dwell on it. 'Shy wasn't in the mood and that was that. Instead, he ran his fingers through the soft fuzz on her cheek, tickled where her sideburns would be if she were human, and found her ear to scratch. She always loved that and today was no exception. "It's okay. Don't ever worry about telling me no, Buttershy."

Perhaps she heard him and maybe she even understood, but it was doubtful because she had closed her eyes at the touch and was now leaning heavily against Pat's hand. He scratched for a few more moments, then removed his hand, nearly making 'Shy fall over in her effort to follow his movement. She opened her eyes and colored a little more when she realized what had almost happened. "So, you're not mad?"

That answered his question whether she heard him, Patrick thought to himself. He made sure to smile and wipe any trace of disappointment from his face. "Of course not. I'm just happy to spend time with you. Come sit on the couch and I'll pla- massage your ears some more." He almost used the wrong word there. 'Playing with' or 'scratching' Fluttershy's ears reminded her that she was little more than a pet, however much Pat assured her that it wasn't the case. It was best just to avoid those terms.

'Shy had a faraway look as she contemplated the offer and a slight grin appeared on her muzzle in anticipation. "That sounds lovely. Uh, mind if I make us some breakfast first? Did you eat yet? I came as soon as I could."

It was quite late in the morning and it was uncharacteristic for 'Shy not to eat anything by now. "You okay? Why did you skip breakfast at- at home?"

Her ears folded down and her face fell. "Mr. Mason wanted me to make him eggs with bacon," 'Shy explained and shuddered a little at the memory. "It kinda shot my appetite. I feel better now, though. It was just the smell." A bit of her smile came back. "Actually, that's how I convinced him to let me come! I said I was nauseated from the smell and needed to go out anyway."

"Are you? Do you wanna lie down? Let me bring you a glass of water!" Pat was already standing, but 'Shy stopped him from rushing off by means of a hoof placed against his thigh. "It's okay," she assured him, "the fresh air really helped. Now I'm hungry again."

"How long do you have?"

"I promised Mr. Mason I'd be back before lunch." She walked past Pat, giving his legs a flick of her tail, and made her way to the kitchen. Her muzzle scrunched up when she saw all the dishes piled up in the sink and she gave him a slightly chilly look. "You promised you'd wash up after each meal, Pat."

All he could do was spread his hand in a gesture of defeat. "Sorry. Got kinda lazy. I really wasn't expecting you, otherwise I'd clean up first.

'Shy shook her head sadly as she started pushing a chair from the table over to the sink. "I didn't ask you to clean up because of me, Pat. I asked you because of yourself." She sounded sad and a bit defeated. Pat hurried over and stopped the chair with a hand.

"You're right, and I'm sorry. I'll take care of it. Shoo. Make yourself a sandwich or something, you know the fridge." Ever since Fluttershy's visits had become commonplace, Pat had organized his fridge so that all the meat products were in one of the drawers, where she didn't have to see them. He also made sure everything was closed properly so she didn't have to smell them either. The cold helped with that.

'Shy gave the fridge a look, then put her hooves on the chair again. "How about we do it together? I'll wash and you can dry. That way we'll be done in no time."

"Deal. You're too sweet to me, Buttershy, you know that?" She pretended to grumble and be annoyed, but he caught a smile before she could hide it behind her mane. He waited for her to stand down from the chair and moved it to the sink himself. He took the station next to it while 'Shy climbed on and sat comfortably on her haunches. "So, how've you been? I'm sorry you had to leave so quickly on Thursday."

"Okay," she replied as she opened the faucet and waited for warm water. "How about you? I hope you weren't too tired for work."

"Nah, it was fine." Pat remembered the discussion with his coworkers the next day in the pub. "Actually, I had an idea."

"Oh?"

"I was thinking we should take more pictures with my phone. You know, of us. So we have something to look back on."

'Shy just stared, her expression completely unreadable. Pat was starting to worry that he'd said something wrong, but then she gave a single nod. "Sure, if you like."

"You don't like the idea?"

She thought it over, using the distraction of washing a plate to give herself some more time. "No, it's a good idea. It's just-" she sighed and handed him the rinsed plate. "It'll just be a reminder for me that I'm a slave. Even if I'm not anymore then. You understand?"

"Actually, I don't. Why would pictures of us together be a reminder of- of what you are?"

She stopped and gave him a sideways look, before reaching up and tapping her hoof against her collar.

Pat understood. Her collar would be on all those photos. "Yeah. But if no one is looking we can take it off for a minute, no? You know you're not a slave when you're with me, 'Shy." He got a sudden bit of inspiration and his grin turned predatory. "Except to passion."

The effect was instantaneous and 'Shy looked away, ears splaying in embarrassment. She didn't get away unscathed, Patrick noticed. Her tail swished around at the memories she undoubtedly got from his little joke.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat after a few seconds. "Okay, I haven't thought of it that way. Sure, you can take photos of me, but only if you let me take photos of you as well."

It was a no-brainer and Pat slid his hand around the mare to squeeze her against his side for a moment. "Deal. Might be tricky to use my phone with your hooves but we'll figure it out." He put his phone on the counter and fiddled with her collar strap to unbuckle it. Luckily it wasn't one of those models which would raise an alarm if it was removed. Apparently Mason thought her being unable to take it off herself was sufficient.

"C'mere," Pat murmured as he picked the phone back up and started the camera. He nudged 'Shy and she obligingly turned around on the chair, careful not to smear foam from her forehooves on the fabric, or on him. "Pat, my hooves are all foamy!"

"It's fine. Shows we're doing a good job," he countered. His hand went around her withers and 'Shy leaned her head against his chest, then Pat took a selfie. He checked it out and then showed it to 'Shy.

She smiled at the picture, almost perfectly mirroring her expression in it. "You're right, it is kinda cute." The mare on the picture was holding her forelegs stiffly away from Pat, trying not to get foam on his clothes.

"Okay, now we should really get to it."

She gave a nod of agreement and turned back to the dishes. Patrick wanted to ask her about the other sort of pictures - the 'naughty' ones - but thought better of it. He had to get her a lot more used to being photographed first. She went back to the dishes and he replaced her collar. With the two of them the work progressed quickly and they were done in barely any time at all. Pretty soon all the dishes were wiped dry and stacked back into their respective cupboards.

"So, what do you want for breakfast?" Pat hadn't eaten yet either. He hadn't been hungry when he woke up and he had thought he would just roll breakfast and lunch into one, like for most of his off days.

'Shy leaned her head to one side. She didn't get down from the chair yet and she was at perfect height for him to give her a quick kiss on her nose as she thought. She flashed him a quick smile in return, then brightened up as an idea occurred. "Ooh! I wanna make muffins! I haven't baked muffins in forever!"

It sounded fun, but Pat wasn't sure if it was feasible. "Do we have everything for that?"

It didn't take 'Shy more than a few seconds to look around the kitchen and nod. "Yes, I think so. Um, get me flour from the cupboard above the fridge. I'll move the chair to the counter and get sugar. Oh, and grab some milk."

He went about his assigned tasks, already looking forward to tasting more of Fluttershy's cooking. She insisted she was nowhere as good as her friend Pinkie Pie, whom 'Shy made out to be this incredible, almost magical, baker. Despite her modesty, Pat couldn't praise her cooking skills enough. They were miles above his own and the things she produced in the kitchen were quite incredible.

"Can you get the bag of frozen berries from the freezer? There's some left from... from that week in the summer."

To his surprise Pat found she was right. It seemed like 'Shy knew his kitchen and the contents of his fridge better than he himself. It just went to prove how skilled she was with these things. Soon he had a small pile of ingredients on the counter while 'Shy was mixing something in a big, plastic bowl. She held the wooden spoon deftly with her ankle and kept the bowl pressed against her chest with her other leg. She was also starting to hum a little to herself, a sound Pat quite liked to hear.

"What's that song?" he asked.

"Um, I was trying to find the melody for Princess Celestia's song again. I don't know why but I just can't put it out of my mind."

It took Pat a few moments to remember. "Oh, that's the one when Twilight got her wings, right? She told you the words, but she couldn't even hum the melody?"

'Shy put the bowl down and grabbed the sugar bag. "Well, she tried to hum it, but she was so bad at it that it didn't make any sense. I'm not even sure if I remember it right."

"Wanna try and sing it for me?"

The request made her physically shrink back, but at least her cute blush was back. "I couldn't!" she said, voice barely a breathless whisper. "It's not ready!"

He reached out and patted her head, hoping it'd give her some comfort. "It's okay, you don't have to if you're not ready. I just want you to know you have a lovely singing voice." Patrick had only heard it incidentally, most often when 'Shy was happy about something and her mind was otherwise occupied. The mare sang to herself without realizing it.

"Thanks." She dropped more ingredients into her mix and pointed a hoof. "Can you grab the muffin tray?"

He obeyed, taking it out of the indicated drawer and turning it around in his hands a few times. "Huh. I didn't even know I had this."

"You didn't," 'Shy said. She stopped what she was doing and was looking at him with a bit of a scrunch in her muzzle. "We bought it in the supermarket, remember? I said I might want to make muffins sometime and you said I should get what I need."

It sounded like something he'd say, but the two of them had been in several stores over the months and after a while they'd kind of blended together. "Yeah, I guess. Good thing you can think ahead." He handed her the tray and watched as she deftly picked up the mixing bowl with both hooves and began to pour the batter.

"Turn the oven on to three hundred fifty."

"Okay, got it."

Her pouring was done and Shy reached for some tablecloth to wipe her hooves clean. She slid down from the chair and stretched, popping a few joints in the process. She smiled up at Pat. "Now we just have to wait for the oven to preheat. Um, I forgot to do it before. I always forget to preheat."

"Don't worry about it. Just gives us more time to talk. Uh, you have a bit of batter..." Pat pointed to his own face and lightly touched the side of his nose. Hopefully she'd guess where it was. He took the cloth from the counter top so 'Shy wouldn't have to climb the chair again.

She didn't take it, just crossed her eyes as she tried to see, then stretched her tongue out and licked her muzzle clean. It reminded him of a puppy.

"Cute."

The remark got him a confused look, but Pat didn't explain. He walked over to the couch and patted the cushion next to him. After a moment she followed and jumped up. Just as he wanted, 'Shy nuzzled up against his side and he draped his arm around her small frame. "So, how's it going? Mason still working like crazy?"

'Shy grunted, half in annoyance and half in reply. "Ugh. It's like that's all he does these days. Sometimes I think it's nice, because he mostly leaves me alone, but he shouts for tea, or coffee, or lunch, so I have to keep paying attention!"

"Yeah, it's like you're on call, 24/7."

"Mhm. Oh, he had me putting some papers in binders and I managed to get a look at them!"

This was better news and Pat's breath caught in excitement. He shifted in his seat so he was looking at 'Shy. "Yes?"

She shrugged. "It was like, I think they're called departments. How much money each would get next year, or something. It said 'budget planning' and Mr. Mason underlined some and wrote some notes, like 'reduce 20%', or 'check spendings last year'."

"Sounds boring." He was a little disappointed 'Shy didn't see anything obviously illicit. That photocopy job was probably once-in-a-lifetime. "So, he keeps all these papers at home?"

"Mhm! He says he wants to have copies of everything at his house, just in case someone tries to do something stupid in the office."

It wasn't a lost cause, then, Patrick decided. The fact that Mason had 'Shy copy those documents she mentioned the last time, and now this news, meant that incriminating evidence was probably in his house. "So, he just keeps a ton of paper in a closet?"

This time the mare shook her head. "No, it's a big metal safe. Except it doesn't have a turn-thingy, just a numbers-thingy."

"Turn thingy?"

'Shy shrugged a little. "You know how the bank safes have this knob you have to turn a certain number each way? Well, this one has buttons with numbers instead."

It sounded like something from a cartoon, or an old movie, but Pat realized what she was talking about. "Oh, you mean it has a keypad instead of that knob?" he asked.

"Yeah! I- um, I saw the number he put in. I guess he isn't worried if I know it," Fluttershy explained. She looked a bit guilty about what she probably felt was spying. "Or maybe he didn't notice I was watching. I'm sure he knows I can read and write."

"Cool! You think you can get in there and find those Cayman Island papers?"

Fluttershy's face darkened immediately and she pulled away from Pat's hug. "I could, but I won't," she said, voice filled with certainty. "I'm not that kind of pony, Pat!"

"Even if he's keeping you as a slave?" She opened her mouth, but didn't have a good response. "I don't want to talk about it, Pat!"

"Sorry, sorry. I know it's wrong, but you're miserable with Mason! If you were mine, you'd be much better off." For some reason those words just made 'Shy lower her ears and Pat thought he saw her eyes filling up with tears as she watched him. "What?"

She shook her head. "You said 'when I'm yours', Pat. I don't want to be your slave."

It was that old story again and Pat heaved a sigh. "Chrissake, 'Shy, we've been over this. I'm sorry I said it like that, but I didn't mean you'd be my slave. It'd be just like now, okay?"

"Except on paper," she pointed out. "I'd be your pet, legally."

"Well, yeah, but just because the law hasn't caught up yet. I don't think of you as a pet."

"Except when you pet me, and scratch my ears, and ruffle my mane." She wasn't angry anymore, just sad, and he decided to try and turn it into a joke. He didn't want 'Shy in that mood for the few hours she was with him.

"If you don't like that stuff just say so and I'll stop, remember?" he said, doing his best to hide his grin.

Fluttershy's cheeks turned pink and she lowered her gaze down to her hooves. "I didn't say I don't like it." It came out as a mutter.

He watched her face and waited until she looked up, whereupon they both burst out giggling. "Look, all I'm asking is that you think about it, right? What Mason is doing to you is not right. You know I don't see you as a slave. It'd be better." He thought of something else. "Besides, what he's doing is illegal. I don't think anyone would blame you if you stole some documents to prove it."

Her mouth tightened and Patrick quickly put a hand on her withers.

"Just think it over, okay? I won't make you do something you're not comfortable with."

She leaned her head in to nuzzle his arm. "Thanks. I'll think about it, I promise." A moment later she slipped out of his grasp again and dropped to the floor. "I'll put the muffins in the oven. Can you set a timer for twenty-five minutes?"

"Sure thing," Pat said and grabbed his phone to do just that.

She hadn't said yes, but it felt like she might if he kept at it. All he really needed was a photo of one of those documents, just enough to make Mason sell 'Shy. He didn't actually care if Mason's company was dodging taxes. Every corporation did it. He just needed some leverage on the man.

Unable to sit still, Pat stood and went to the fridge to get a beer. "Want one?"

Fluttershy glanced over and nodded. "Um, can I get a half? I don't want to be drunk when Mr. Mason sees me, or he'll never let me come over again."

"Sure thing. We can share this one and I'll get another for myself later. Need any help with the muffins?"

She turned around and used a hind hoof to push the oven closed. "I'm done. We just have to wait for them to bake. Can we put on a cartoon?"

"Of course, Buttershy. I'll even let you pick."

They both hurried back to the couch for some quality cuddling. Patrick took a swig of his beer on the way and offered the bottle to 'Shy as soon as they were sitting. Sunday had turned out a lot better than he'd expected. He had his cuddle buddy, even if only for a few hours. He'd get some delicious muffins for breakfast, and if all went well, 'Shy would be in the mood for some bedroom fun when that half beer took hold.

Chapter 23

Patrick couldn't help filling a little silly as he contemplated the array of plush toys on the supermarket shelf. There was a lot of choice, including sharks, which made him do a double take. Surely people weren't buying plushy sharks for their kids?

In any case, he knew Fluttershy liked bears, so he was trying to decide between a classical, brown teddy-bear or a black and white panda. Either would make a good Christmas present for 'Shy, he just didn't know which she'd prefer. She'd talked about her bear friend, Harry, from Equestria, which had sounded a little crazy at first but with time became almost normal. Harry sounded like a regular brown bear, or maybe a grizzly, so this could be a nice reminder of an old friend. On the other hand, maybe 'Shy wouldn't like to be reminded of what she'd lost.

Sighing, Patrick picked up the panda plush and put it in his basket. The important thing was that he had a gift at all, and if it was something soft she could cuddle with when she was feeling lonely that was all the better. She would surely appreciate it. Besides, Pat wanted to get out of the aisle for kids' toys already. He headed for Arts&Crafts next in search of some colorful wrapping paper and maybe a ribbon. With luck they'd have a pink one which would be similar to Fluttershy's mane color. Or any color. At this point Pat was getting fed up with the crowd in the store.

Shopping in the weeks leading up to the holiday season was something he'd rather avoid, but he hadn't thought to get a gift for 'Shy until their weekend lunch when she'd asked him about human traditions for this holiday. It turned out they had a different one in Equestria, something called 'Hearts Warming Eve', but by her account it sounded a bit similar, at least where it came to gift giving.

That reminded him. He had to swing by the office supplies and pick out a nice fountain pen for Mr. Mason. It wasn't from him, of course, but 'Shy wanted to do something nice for her owner, however illogical that sounded to Pat. He was sure as hell Mason wouldn't wouldn't do anything of the sort for 'Shy. She had insisted and in the end Patrick had caved. At least she'd wrap it herself. His mood was slightly soured by the thought of the kind and beautiful 'Shy carefully wrapping a gift for her jerk of an owner, so Pat grabbed the first wrapping paper he saw. It was red and green, which was close enough for the Christmas spirit.

He took a bit longer to look through the ribbons until he found what he was looking for. They had a pink one, but it wasn't quite the right shade. Hopefully it would be close enough, so Pat added it to the basket and headed back through the store to the office supplies aisle. The pen was all he needed and then he could get out of the place. Luckily he'd stocked up on frozen and packaged food so he wouldn't have to enter a supermarket until the holidays were over.

Thinking of how happy 'Shy would be with her present was quickly lifting Pat's mood and he caught himself humming along to the awful Christmas store music. Each time he stopped himself and tried to think of any other song. Of course it was impossible, not during this time where the same five or six catchy jingles blared out of every radio and TV. The best thing to do was pay as quickly as he could and escape, hopefully with his sanity intact. He had what he needed, all that was left was to wrap it.

Patrick sat down on the kitchen chair and inspected his handiwork. It wasn't exactly good, but the paper was loose enough so that it didn't betray the shape of what was inside. He'd been forced to use entirely too much sticky tape and the wrap might prove difficult to tear apart for Fluttershy's hooves, but he would be on hand to help out. Most importantly, the pink ribbon he'd tied in a bow looked decent enough and with luck it would serve as a distraction to keep 'Shy from inspecting the quality of the wrap.

In any case, it was the best he could do so Pat went to the living room and lifted up one of the cushions from the couch. There was some space under there, probably for storing bedclothes or something, but now it would serve him as a hiding place. The thought of him and 'Shy sharing a glass of wine on Christmas Eve, then reaching under there to bring out her present brought a giddy smile to his face. Her eyes would light up, her ears would lower, just like when she got a compliment. Maybe she'd blush a little, or stammer a thank you. Then...

Then she might need some help unwrapping it and then she would really like it when she saw what was inside. Patrick knew for a fact that 'Shy felt lonely at nights when she didn't manage to sneak over, and the plush would help with that, at least a little. Some of her long, murmured phone calls had proved that beyond doubt. Hopefully the panda would remind her of him and ease her loneliness somewhat. Anyway, it would be a nice evening and 'Shy had promised she'd speak with Mason and ask to spend Christmas Eve with Pat. Best of all, it was only a week or so away!

No sooner had Pat hidden the gift and sat down when he heard his front door open. He glanced at the clock and realized the wrapping job had taken him far longer than he'd anticipated. He'd barely gotten it done before 'Shy's visit! In a rush to seem casual, Pat grabbed for the TV remote and punched a random button, not really caring what it was as long as the picture showed up in time. Maybe 'Shy wouldn't ask what he'd been doing sitting on the couch with the TV turned off, but he didn't want her snooping around there. It was a completely irrational fear, a part of Pat's brain said, but he couldn't suppress it.

"Hi, Pat..." 'Shy had been about to say something more, but her voice trailed off as she stared at the table. Pat nearly slapped himself in exasperation. Of course he'd been so preoccupied with hiding the present and the TV that he'd forgotten about the mess he'd made wrapping it up.

"Uh, I got you that pen you wanted for Mason," he tried to divert. "It's there on the table."

Fluttershy kept looking at the bits of wrapping paper and sticky tape, then turned around. "Thanks! I don't know how I'll repay you, b-but... thanks."

He'd known she didn't have any money, but it was fine. One pen and some wrapping paper really weren't that expensive, even if it was a slightly fancier fountain pen. "Don't worry about it, it's fine."

She still didn't like not being able to pay for herself, but by now 'Shy knew him enough to understand he really didn't mind. She lifted herself up and placed her forehooves on the kitchen chair so she could see on the table. "Are you done with your gifts? Can I wrap up mine now?"

"Yeah, um, sure. Go ahead."

It was obvious she knew whom Pat's gift was intended for, but she didn't ask about it, for which he was quite grateful. An absolute gentlemare, Patrick decided, using one of her words. She climbed fully into the chair and he got up and walked over to help with wrapping the pen. She would obviously need it.

Except 'Shy apparently had it all in hand, or rather, hoof. She had unrolled some of the wrap to measure it out, then folded it and ran her hoof along the paper. To Pat's surprise, it easily tore in a straight line when she pulled the roll away with her mouth.

"Whoa."

'Shy gave him a questioning look, the roll of red and green wrapping paper still in her mouth.

"Hold that pose!" He had to rush back to the hallway where he'd left his phone in the jacket pocket, but luckily 'Shy hadn't moved by the time Pat made it back. He lifted up the phone and aimed it at her. The sudden attention made her lower her ears, but it just added to the cuteness factor as he snapped a few photos. "Beautiful," he commented.

Finally 'Shy was able to spit out the wrapping paper and focus once more on her task. Her hooves moved surely and precisely, evidently from long practice. In no time at all she had the gift neatly wrapped with Pat just staring dumbly.

Sure, her present was a simple box whereas his was a complicated and soft bear plushy, but she'd still done a far better job than he could. Maybe it was a pony thing, or maybe it was a girl thing, he couldn't decide which. "Good job on that, especially with hooves."

"Pat!" she said in a disapproving tone. "Just because I have hooves doesn't mean I'm an invalid!"

He was about to start apologizing profusely when he caught her grin and chuckled. "Tease."

She shrugged and looked around for the sticky tape. "It's still true. Hoof me that roll?"

Pat didn't comment on her choice of phrase and held the object out to her, wondering how she'd deal with that. As far as he knew, nails were the only way to find the end of sticky tape. Or, he revised his opinion, teeth also worked apparently. 'Shy pulled out a strip and deftly bit it off, then smoothed the paper on her package and fixed it with the tape.

"Just the ribbon now," she said. This one she couldn't bite, but she could still somehow manipulate scissors with both forehooves. In moments the box was wrapped and the bow was tied neatly.

"Jeez, you did that with your mouth?!"

"Mhm!" Fluttershy nodded, allowing herself a smile of pride. "We ponies are good with our mouths. Well, maybe not unicorns, but the rest of us are!" She slipped from the chair, easily picking her present up in her mouth, then started to leave. Pat had known she wouldn't be able to stay long, but he was still disappointed.

"What, no kiss goodbye?" he asked.

Fluttershy stopped and her ears folded down in sudden embarrassment. She placed the gift box down and came back. "Sorry! I didn't mean to forget, I just wanted to get this back before Mr. Mason comes home. I still need to hide it!"

Patrick didn't comment and just sat still at the table. He didn't have to wait long before she walked back and sat on her haunches. That freed her forelegs to grip his knees and lift herself up until she could reach his face. Fluttershy's kisses were always something special, even when they were rushed and her fur tickled Pat's nose. Her breath smelled faintly of cinnamon and her nose was cold against his cheek.

She didn't try to force her tongue forward, but neither did she hold back, catching Pat's and playing with it for a few moments. Long enough to excite him, but not so long as to promise anything. When they broke apart, there was a small, mysterious smile on her muzzle. "I don't know when I'll be able to sneak over, but I'm already looking forward to it," she murmured.

"Y-Yeah, me too!"

She didn't linger, because it would just make the parting harder. Instead, 'Shy grasped Pat's hand between her forehooves and pulled it closer until she could give it a quick nuzzle, then she turned and left. Flicking her tail around as she walked. At first Pat thought she was teasing again, but she didn't slow down or look back so he guessed it was just an unconscious reaction, probably to some thought. On her way to the front door she picked up the present for Mason and before she was out of sight she paused to look back and give Pat a smile around the bow in her mouth. He waved and she let her ears lower a little before leaving. That was a bit like a wave goodbye, Pat remembered.

A sigh escaped his lips. That had been the high point of his day. It was just lucky that he'd remembered to buy more beer when he'd been in the store. It'd take the edge off. Maybe he could finish Detroit over the weekend and then look for something more cheerful to play together with 'Shy when she came over for Christmas.

He was about to go do that when he noticed two grimy hoofprints on the chair next to him. His mouth tightened and he let his breath out in exasperation. 'Shy knew she had to wipe her hooves when she came in from outside, but she kept forgetting. Patrick wondered just how much like a stall her house in Equestria must have looked like. Part of him wanted to leave the dirt until she came back. If she made the mess, it was only right that she clean after herself, no?

Except that would mean several days, if not more, and the mud would be thoroughly caked in by then. Grumbling a little to himself, he stood up and headed to the bathroom to get the bucket and sponge. He'd just have to tell her again and hope she remembered this time.

Chapter 24

Eventually it was the last day of work for the year and Patrick had a full week to himself. It was Alex's turn to cover the holiday shift and on top of that Pat had cashed in some of his vacation time, so he wouldn't have to be back in the office until January. He was hoping to spend as much time with 'Shy as possible, but even without that some time off was a nice thing, especially over the holidays.

First up was Christmas Eve. Pat usually didn't put up a tree, but when he saw how enthusiastic 'Shy was about the idea he went to the trouble. It was just one of those fake, plastic trees, but with all the decoration haphazardly piled on top of it the thing looked almost real. He brought out his crudely-wrapped gift and left it under the branches. The whole thing actually looked kinda nice, Pat decided. Maybe 'Shy was on to something. Even if she was, the real magic was having someone special over to enjoy it with. Hopefully she'd be able to make it like she promised. It wasn't like Mr. Mason intended to celebrate Christmas in any way. In that, him and Pat were pretty much alike. Why go through all that trouble putting up decorations only to take them down a week later?

The important difference was that Mason didn't want to do it even for 'Shy.

One final touch was needed before she arrived. Pat went to his stove and rummaged in the cupboard for a metal pot. He'd bought some eggnog in keeping with the season and he wanted to try it warm this year. He poured the whole carton into the pot and turned on the heat. Then he added a generous portion of rum for that extra touch of special. Enough to ensure they'd both be relaxed, but not so much to get them drunk. Eggnog was basically milk, Pat remembered, so it might boil over if he didn't keep an eye on it. He gave it a quick stir then positioned himself so he could watch the pot and at the same time look out the window at Mason's house.

There was no one in the living room, but it was brightly lit and there was a mug of what looked like coffee on the table. As Pat watched, Mason came and sat down. He was watching something on the TV and he reached for his beverage. Just before he could take a sip he paused and looked in a different direction. Pat thought he spoke and there could be no doubt to whom he was talking. His heart sped up when he realized it was probably 'Shy asking to come over. Hopefully the man would say yes. Patrick found himself tensing up as he tried to read Mason's expression, or at least as much as he could see of it from the angle. After listening for a bit the man said something else and gave a curt nod.

His breath left him all at once and Pat grinned to himself. 'Shy was coming over to spend Christmas Eve with him! Everything was going to be perfect! In his exuberance he went and gave the eggnog another stir, uncaring that he spilled a bit around the stove. She was coming over! It was useless, he couldn't stay still. 'Shy would be there in a minute, but even that felt like too long to wait. He lowered the heat to the minimum, hoping it wouldn't boil over, but not caring even if it did, then went to the hallway. He waited at the door and listened for that telltale clop of hoof on concrete.

There it was!

His nerves held out for a few more seconds, but then Pat darted forward and pulled the door open with a big smile on his face. "Hi! Come right in!" he greeted.

Fluttershy drew back from the unexpectedly opened door and a wing shot out to protect her face. When she heard his voice she lowered the feathers a little and watched Pat in shocked surprise. "How have- Um, have you been waiting there for me?" she asked, obviously taken aback.

"No! Nothing like that! Well, maybe for about ten seconds..."

"Then how did you know I was coming over?"

A series of lies lined up for Pat to blurt out, each stupider and less believable than the last. He shook his head slightly and settled on the truth, even if it sounded a bit stalker-y. "I was actually cooking and happened to look through the window just when you were talking with Mason."

This placated 'Shy and she didn't ask the follow-up question Pat had been dreading. "Oh." She began moving again and he stepped aside to let her in.

Just before he could close the door Pat spotted a wet hoofprint on the doormat and looked up to see that the sidewalk was wet and covered in dirty slush. "Oh, hold on," he told the mare.

She had been about to walk forward, but froze with a forehoof in the air. "What is it?"

Pat almost told her to go back out and wipe her hooves on the doormat, but he thought better of it. Why not turn it into something nice for her? "Stay there, I'll be right back!"

He hurried to the bathroom and picked up a towel. It was clean and he'd only used it to dry himself after a shower, so it would do. In moments he was back with 'Shy who was looking at him strangely. "What are you doing?"

Patrick slid to his knees and carefully wrapped the cloth around the hoof she was still holding up in the air. He wiped as gently as he could and made sure to seek out every nook and cranny.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't even notice."

"It's okay," he reassured her.

He was done and unwrapped the towel to inspect his handiwork. In the spur of the moment he leaned forward to plant a quick kiss right on her hoof. He heard the slight hitch of her breath, but only because he'd been listening for it. A quick glance revealed that she also had the beginnings of a red tint to her face. She didn't say anything, however, when he held out his hand to accept her next hoof. The process was pretty much the same as before, ending with a kiss once it was clean. This time her tail flicked in expectation as Pat was bowing his head.

Then Pat moved to her side and 'Shy finally spoke up. "Um, y-you don't have to, I can wipe my own hooves-" She fell silent when he gently tugged on her hind fetlock. She couldn't lift it as high as her foreleg, but it was enough for Pat to wrap the towel around and scrub it clean.

For some reason doing this to 'Shy was hot in an indescribable, ephemeral way. He realized he liked pampering her, maybe because of how cute her blushes were. Again her tail swished, coming close to brushing his face. Fluttershy always tried to resist, but as soon as Pat's fingers were on her body she usually acquiesced, often with- he turned his head to look and saw that she was indeed biting her lower lip. Even that was somehow sexy as all hell.

He finished his scrubbing and 'Shy tried to tug her leg free from his grasp. "That's okay, you don't have to-"

Once again he interrupted her with a kiss right on he hoof, even if he had to lean down a lot. His hair brushed her belly and 'Shy shuffled away to give him room. There was just one of her legs left and Fluttershy began turning around to get it within reach, but Pat stopped her with a hand on her rump. Instead he reached under her and carefully grasped around her fetlock. The awkward position meant his arms brushed against her belly and, more importantly, her teats, but that just served to make Pat harder. Each time he touched her skin made Fluttershy's breath catch and her wings were already unfurling, which Pat had come to recognize as a sign of arousal. She tried to get them under control, but that only resulting in slight rustling as her feathers moved against each other.

If he felt under her tail she'd probably already be damp, but he resisted the urge and decided to drag it out as much as it could. Fluttershy turned into an absolute crazy mare in bed if she was pent up enough. Soon he had her hoof clean and Pat discarded the soiled towel. He could pick it up later and put it in the laundry, the important thing right then was the kiss. Her hoof jerked in his hand, but he held it firmly enough and 'Shy stopped trying to get away as he gave her that final smooch. On his way up Pat made sure to brush his head along her belly, making her inhale sharply through her nose.

"There, all clean." He glanced back to see that her tail was already flagging up, but Pat didn't pursue the feeling. Instead he sat on the carpet and slid back until he was by her head.

Her lips found his as soon as he was in sight and 'Shy wrapped her forelegs around his neck. Her tongue explored him almost forcefully, with urgent need.

"Someone's feeling frisky tonight," he said when he could pull away for a moment.

Fluttershy blinked and her ears perked up as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You- I- After- What?!" she managed, before catching Pat's grin and falling silent. She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Her wings settled back with a show of finality. "Like that's a surprise after your, um, 'performance'!" 'Shy said and stomped a hoof in mock annoyance.

"Speaking of surprises, there's a present for you under the tree!"

This completely derailed her train of thought and a smile blossomed on her face. "For me?! You didn't have to!"

"Maybe, but it's there. Come look."

There was an extra bounce in her step and a dance-like shuffle of her hooves and 'Shy hurried forward, unable to hold herself back. She looked a lot younger like this, Patrick remarked to himself. A child excited for her Christmas gift. It took him a few seconds to stand up and follow, and when he made it to the living room 'Shy was already examining the roughly-wrapped item. This was an unexpected benefit of his poor wrapping skills, Pat mused, since she couldn't tell what was inside just from the shape. He'd been slightly worried she'd laugh at how crudely it was made, but instead, there was a cute little smile on her muzzle.

She'd been trying to find the edge of the paper, but with how much sticky tape Pat had put on it, that pursuit was entirely futile. In the end she simply bit at some loose paper and tore it away. In seconds she had the panda plushy free of its wrapping and held it up at hooves' length to inspect it. Since it was a toy for children it had very exaggerated eyes and a smiling mouth sewn into the fabric. Pat realized it reminded him strongly of 'Shy. Perhaps that was what had drawn his eye to it.

"I love him!" 'Shy squealed and hugged the plush to her chest. She rocked a little side to side as she stuck her muzzle against the panda's small face and gave it a nuzzle.

"Well, I remember you said how lonely you feel sometimes at Mason's, and how much you miss your animals. Well, it's not as good, but maybe it'll help a little?" It sounded silly now he got to say it out loud, but apparently 'Shy thought otherwise. She unwrapped her hooves from the plush, but only for long enough to lunge at Pat to hug him instead. The panda was crushed between them but neither of them paid it any mind as they shared a kiss. Once they broke apart 'Shy placed the plush in her lap and inspected it more closely.

"Why did you say 'him' when you saw it?" Pat asked.

This question made her giggle quietly. "Because it's a boy. Don't you see it?"

Patrick blinked in confusion. It was a cartoon-faced plushy panda, there was no way it could have a gender, was there? He mutely shook his head.

'Shy turned the plush around to show him and pointed with her hoof. "See the shape of the black patches around his yes? And how this patch from his forelegs wraps around just here?"

Pat blinked in confusion and shook his head. "Just looks like any other panda to me."

This made her chuckle again and 'Shy shrugged. "Well, I'm the expert on animals here and I say it's a boy panda. That should be good enough for you."

It wasn't actually possible that 'Shy could distinguish male and female panda on sight, was it? On the other hand, would that be significantly stranger from her being able to talk to them? "Sure, if you say so. So it's a him. Got a name in mind?"

She leaned her head to one side in thought, then looked at the plushy. "Um, I'll call him Mr. Rollie."

Pat shrugged a little to himself and grinned at 'Shy. "Sounds good. Mr. Rollie it is. Anyway, I'm glad you like it."

Her gaze remained fixed on her new toy, but Fluttershy's smile became somber. "I love it, Pat. Thanks."

"What's wrong?"

Finally she looked at him and seemed to consider if she even wanted to tell him. "I didn't get you anything."

"That's fine," he shrugged. "I don't really need a present to know you care about me, Buttershy. I'm just happy you're here."

She was shaking her head even before he'd finished talking. "It's not about that, Pat," she said glumly. "I wanted to get you something, but Mr. Mason said no. I guess-" Her ears splayed and she pressed the newly-named Mr. Rollie to herself, "I guess it's just another reminder I'm not my own pony anymore. It wasn't my decision and I absolutely hate that!"

Patrick was about to point out that this would change as soon as she was his, but something told him 'Shy wouldn't appreciate it right then so he kept his mouth shut. Instead he reached out and laid a careful hand on her withers. "Things will get better, just don't lose heart, 'Shy."

She gave a slight nod and was about to say something, but there came a splash and a hiss from the stove. "Oh jeez, the eggnog!" Pat jumped up and sprinted to the kitchen to halt the unfolding disaster. Hopefully the drink wasn't entirely ruined and would be good once it cooled down.

He heard Fluttershy's hoofsteps behind him, but she had to grab a chair, which meant it was up to him to turn the heat off an put the pot aside. By the time 'Shy was able to poke her head up above the stove the damage was already done. The spilled eggnog was cooling on the stove top and the pot looked only about three quarters full now. Pat was wiping the outside of the pot with a wet sponge.

"It's best to clean it up right away, otherwise it'll dry out and make a big mess," Fluttershy suggestd.

"Yeah, just let it cool down for a bit."

Rather than listening, 'Shy held out a hoof for the sponge. "Gimme," she commanded with quiet authority. "I've got hooves, I'm okay with hot."

Pat passed it along without further comment and she began soaking up the spilled eggnog. "You can pour the rest of it into a couple of mugs so we have something to drink when I'm done," 'Shy suggested.

"Good idea. Thanks, Buttershy."

She lifted up her muzzle and puckered her lips in a clear invitation and Pat gave her a quick kiss before taking the pot to the counter a few steps away. He already had the mugs ready.

"Um, can you put on a Hearts- uh, Christmas movie? I've been seeing the commercials for them since November and I really wanna see one."

"Sure thing. Want me to open some cookies as well?"

"Oh, yes please!"

Chapter 26

If Mason cared that Patrick was giving 'Shy presents for Christmas he didn't show it. In fact, the guy spent most of January deeply engrossed in his work and out of the house most days, leaving Pat and 'Shy to do mostly as they pleased. She was able to visit quite a lot and even made Pat come over to Mason's place a few times for a meal. Perhaps she was trying to make herself feel more at home in that house, but it didn't work and their lunches were awkward, overly-cautious affairs. It felt to Pat as if Mason was a constant, oppressive presence in his house even when the man was at work. They'd even tried making love in the small room where Fluttershy lived, but constantly worrying that Mason might come home unexpectedly put Pat off and they hurried back to his place to finish the job.

Life settled into a kind of routine and at times Patrick almost forgot Fluttershy didn't belong to him. The pair spent a lot of time simply sitting on the couch and watching movies, or playing some game or other. Occasionally 'Shy couldn't stand to sit still anymore and she dragged him out to play in the snow. By then she'd acquainted herself with all the neighborhood children and the novelty of a talking pony had faded enough so 'Shy could sometimes join their games. She urged Pat to partake in the fun, but he felt too old. If any of their parents saw him playing with their kids it would undoubtedly look creepy.

He contented himself with waiting nearby and keeping an eye on things while Fluttershy had her share of the fun. There were chases, hide-and-go-seek, several ball games with rules Pat couldn't quite grasp even after observing whole matches. A few times they'd even had a good, old-fashioned snowball fight which left 'Shy covered in snow, her mane frozen together in lumps and shivering, but ever so happy. Her flush of excitement was simply too adorable and Pat snapped a lot of pictures of the mare in that disheveled state. Each time he hurried her home and put her in a hot shower, which would result in a very passionate bout of lovemaking as 'Shy worked out her leftover excitement from the game.

All in all, it was the happiest time of his life Pat could remember. The only shadow hanging above them was the fact that 'Shy belonged to Mason and she was completely at the whims of that man. The one thing he feared above all others was Mason realizing how sexy 'Shy was and ordering her to his bed. He didn't want to share that part of the mare, but if she said no he had no doubt Mason would simply make her. If she persisted in denying him, he might get rid of her which would be the ultimate blow. Many nights, when 'Shy couldn't come over, Pat lied in bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering how he could make Mason give or sell him Fluttershy. He always ended up in the same place: blackmail the man with his suspicions of financial fraud.

The problem was that he needed more proof and Fluttershy was utterly unwilling to spy. Despite him bringing it up repeatedly she remained resolute that she wouldn't do anything quite that dishonest, regardless of how wrong it was for Mason to own her.

"Two wrongs don't make a right," she'd quote. Or: "That may be wrong, but I'm not gonna stoop to his level!"

Surely it was only a matter of time, though. Patrick could see how being a slave was affecting 'Shy and she spent some nights simply weeping on his shoulder over the life she'd lost. Sometimes she opened up about her friends, or her time in Equestria, but it usually ended up in tears.

Patrick's mind flashed through memories of their good times as he held the crying mare in his lap. It was already past midnight and she was still inconsolable. He wanted to get some sleep before his job in the morning, but despite her keeping him up he wouldn't have said no to her visit and the resulting sex. He ran his hand through her mane, careful not to tug when he snagged a tangle or a patch damp from her sweat. 'Shy was trying to stop, choking back her sobs and failing, only making herself feel worse in the process.

Maybe he shouldn't have asked a follow-up question when she mentioned one of her friends, but curiosity had gotten the best of him and he felt like getting these things off her chest was better in the long run. Her outbursts had gotten worse as she began to trust him more, but sometime in the past month she'd plateaued out and now he felt it was a little less bad each time.

Patrick was sitting on the edge of the bed but his legs were getting cold so he carefully rolled on his back, pulling 'Shy down with him. She didn't seem to notice with her muzzle pressed against his bare chest. "Here, let me cover us up so we don't catch a cold or something," he murmured. He laid her on her side and she grasped for him with her hooves when he pulled away. He wasn't going anywhere, but he couldn't reach the blanket without letting her go for a moment.

"Don't leave me!" 'Shy squeaked when she lost his warmth. "I co-couldn't stand it!"

In another instant Pat was back and gathered up the grateful mare in his arms once more. She clung to him with her forelegs and even wrapped her hind hooves around one of his legs. "It's okay, I'm not going anywhere." He placed a gentle kiss on Fluttershy's cheek and took one hand away from her side so he could brush the fur on her muzzle. "Just let it all out. You'll feel better after."

His soft words encouraged 'Shy to speak what was in her mind. She pressed her nose against Pat's chest once more, a point of chilly wetness which he ignored. "I did- didn't really like our Spa visits!" she mumbled. "I'm so sorry, Rarity, but I mo-mostly just went to make you happy!"

Patrick patted the back of her head, then slipped his hand under her mane and took her ear between his fingers. She let out a breath she had been holding which was confirmation enough that she liked it.

"I loved spending time together and I never told her that I'd rather go- go for a nice meal or a walk! She just loved that Spa and I couldn't say no to her!" 'Shy sniffled and plunged right on with her story: "I always went along, but I felt so guilty because Rarity always paid for it. I mean, she was the Element of Generosity, but it still felt wrong to take advantage of it. I meant to tell her but I never did!"

"It's okay, Buttershy," Patrick whispered in the lull which followed. "I'm sure she enjoyed spending time with you and didn't mind paying for the Spa. Rarity sounds like a good friend."

These words made 'Shy nod vigorously, smearing her tears more evenly across his skin. "She was! I mean, she was a bit prissy and she worried about her coat and mane too much, but when it mattered she didn't mind getting dirty! Oh, Pat, I miss her so!"

Talking it out was helping and her sobbing had nearly subsided. He began to hope he might get to sleep sometime soon and placed another kiss on the side of her muzzle. "I know, sweetheart. Don't lose hope, maybe you'll get to go back someday."

This was the wrong thing to say and 'Shy froze in his arms. Her ears folded down and she slowly let out her breath. "No I won't," she said quietly. "I'm stuck here. I'm stuck with Mr. Mason and even if he sells me I'll just be stuck with someone else." A hoof slid up between them to touch the collar on her neck. "I have this and it won't let me go more than a few dozen hoofsteps away before it starts beeping. There's no escape."

The talk about another owner was painful and Pat drew back in shock. "There won't be another owner, 'Shy. I told you, I'll get you somehow and then it'll be just us. You know I won't really be your owner, right?"

She closed her eyes and shook her head, but didn't speak. Patrick wanted to interpret it as a confirmation of his words, but though deep down he knew 'Shy didn't want to belong to him. This lack of trust rankled and he heaved a sigh. "I already promised, what more do you want me to do? Buttershy, I swear you won't be my slave, okay? You'll be free to go wherever you want. I'll set your collar so it never stops you." He gave her his best sad, hurt look he could muster in the dark. "I trust you completely."

She still wasn't having any of it and kept shaking her head. At length she put a hoof against his cheek to stop him from talking. "I know you trust me, Pat," she whispered back, "and I trust you too. I just-"

Pat waited for a few moments to see where she was going with this, but 'Shy didn't continue. "You just what?"

Her head lowered and she pressed her forehead against his chest. "I don't think I could love my owner, even if it is just on paper."

This was a very low blow and he jerked in surprise. For a few moments he didn't know what to even say to that. The words themselves had felt like a sliver of ice stabbing right through his heart. "You don't mean that?" he finally managed. "'Shy, I promised I'll never see you as a slave. What more can I do?"

She was silent for long seconds while Patrick waited with bated breath. At last her tentative voice returned: "You promise you'll let me go if there's a way for me to go home?"

He'd already promised her that, but he still secretly hoped the moment would never come. He knew he could keep 'Shy happy for the rest of her life if she stayed with him, all he needed was time to prove it to her. If she saw that, she wouldn't want to go home. "I promise!"

She watched him in the darkness for a long while, then shook her head. "You promise, but I don't think you really mean it."

The accusation wrenched Pat's stomach despite, or perhaps because of, how true it was. "You don't mean that, 'Shy! I promised, didn't I? Do you think I'm a liar?" He tried to imagine Fluttershy leaving when a way home appeared. She'd be sad, but also happy. She'd leave him alone without a second glance. He had already promised her everything, was going to sacrifice so much to spend his life with her. He'd have to do it in secret, but he was fine with that.

To be so easily discarded...

"No, I'm not saying that," 'Shy said with an even, measured tone of voice, "but I don't think you realize what you're promising. Pat, if I get a chance to go home and see my friends again- my family. My home! I'm going to take it, even if it means I'll never see you again." She heaved a sigh and pressed her hoof more firmly against his cheek. "I love you, but I can't just leave everything I know if I get a chance to go back. I need you to understand that!"

This slap in the face made Patrick grunt and move away from 'Shy. He regretted the loss of her warmth, but he needed her to accept his promise and at least open herself to the possibility of staying with him in the long term. It was supposed to be a compromise, after all. "I get it, 'Shy. I really do, but now I need you to believe me when I promise I'll let you go if it ever comes to that! Can you do that for me?! And I need you to give me- us a chance! You can't just keep talking about leaving and expect me to just take it!"

His tone was a tad too sharp and 'Shy drew back, ears flattening. She shuffled to the edge and the slid out of the bed.

"Where are you going?"

She glanced back at the door, then at Pat. "H-Home," she said quietly. "I need to think."

Pat was instantly sorry for his tone and lifted up the blanket. "Come on, get back in bed. We'll talk tomorrow and somehow I'll convince you I really mean it, okay?"

She took a step back and unsuccessfully tried to hold back a sniffle. "I promise I'll visit tomorrow so we can talk, but right now I think I want to be alone. I need to think," she repeated.

"'Shy..."

She didn't answer. Fluttershy turned around and walked resolutely out the door. A few moments later Patrick heard her open and shut his front door, then the diminishing clop of her hooves down the concrete steps. He sighed and buried his face in the pillow. It didn't help that her scent soaked all his bedclothes. He shouldn't have snapped at her.

Obviously she didn't believe his promise to let her go. More importantly, she was fixated on getting back home, but could Pat blame her? After all, she had lost everything so suddenly. Besides, he didn't really believe his own promise himself. Would he really be able to just let her go? He'd never keep her on Earth by force, but what if he saw a way for her to go home and she didn't. Would he tell her? Wouldn't that be just as bad as chaining her up?

No, Pat was certain he'd do the right thing, even if was painful. All he wanted in return was for 'Shy to seriously give him a chance, to try and have a life together. Somehow he had to come up with a way to prove it to her the next day. She promised she would visit, so he would get his chance. Unless she decided it wasn't worth trying and just broke it off. She was emotional enough to come up with something like that. Hopefully not, though. They had something good and 'Shy would want to keep it. They'd be fine. He'd apologize and they'd make up and that was that. He still had to get through his job before that, so Pat forcibly relaxed his tense muscles and tried to sleep. It was probably a useless attempt, especially without Fluttershy's soft, warm body to hold in his arms, but he still had to try.

Tomorrow would be hell with regret and self-recrimination and lack of sleep would just make it worse. "Damnit, why can't you just believe me?!"

It was about as bad a day as Pat had expected. His mostly sleepless night finally became morning and he dragged himself to work. Several cups of coffee and a cigarette before his shift made it almost tolerable and allowed him to deal with the never-ending stupidity of customers. His coworkers noticed his foul temper and simply ignored him, content to focus on their own work. Well, all except for Paul, who came around to his desk within minutes of him sitting down.

"I know that look," he commented as he pointed at Pat's face.

"I'm not in the mood."

"Fine, fine," Paul added, already backing away, but before he returned to his own chair he asked: "You up for lunch later?"

It wasn't an unusual request, but with how tired Pat's mind was he scrutinized it for hidden meaning. What was Paul after? Maybe he was just being paranoid because of lack of sleep, Patrick decided. Going to lunch with coworkers wasn't something nefarious, after all. Furthermore, maybe some inane chatter would take his mind off Fluttershy, which would be an added bonus. "Fine."

He glanced at the clock and suppressed a groan. It wasn't even ten in the morning yet. It would be forever until he could see 'Shy and clear the air between them. He just hoped she wasn't stewing on their argument. Actually, had it been an argument? The whole thing had been so stupid.

***

"So, what's up?" Paul had waited with the million dollar question until they were seated in the burger place and had placed their orders. Despite having expected it, Pat still flinched at his coworker's nosy, yet sympathetic expression. "Come on, Patrick, it's girl problems, I can tell."

"What?! How do you know that?"

Paul just chuckled to himself. "You think you're the first guy to moon over a chick? Lemme guess, one of you said something stupid but you didn't realize that until it was too late?"

Patrick didn't have to answer as his expression did the work for him. He lowered his gaze to the menu, printed on the table mat, and sighed.

"So, what was it about? Come on, I've been through it all."

Maybe he could get some useful advice, Patrick realized. Sure, his relationship with 'Shy was unconventional, but Paul was right: he'd been through a lot during his marriage and maybe some of it would translate to the mare. The only problem was how to phrase it. He didn't want to discuss slave ownership with Paul, at least not in the same context as his girlfriend. It'd raise too many questions.

He tried to think of an analogue. "Well, I- kinda asked her to move in with me and she doesn't want to," Pat explained. It was close enough to the truth, anyway.

The statement made Paul blink in surprise, then burst out laughing. He held up a hand in apology as he wheezed. "Sorry, sorry," he managed to choke out. "Sorry, Pat, but that's a first for me."

"Why?"

"Usually it's the other way around. Ladies are the ones who prefer some kind of commitment pretty early on. Well, usually they do. So, what exactly did she say?"

This was another problem which needed some translating. Just saying 'Fluttershy wants to go home to her family and friends' would sound like a non-issue if she wasn't a slave. Or stranded in a different world. Pat remembered something vague he'd seen in a movie or a show and decided it was close enough.

"As far as I understand, she's not sure she wants to stay with me. Y'know, long-term."

"Do you?"

The question came out rapidly and caught Patrick off-guard. He blinked in surprise then nodded when he had a few seconds for the words to register. "Yeah."

"Tough," Paul commented. They fell silent as the waitress brought their food, but then the older man continued his thought before getting started on his burger: "Way I see it, you've got two options," he began.

Pat's hand paused on the paper wrapper and he looked up with sudden hope. It sounded as if Paul knew what to do!

Paul's gestures were fully automatic as he lifted the top bun and reached for the salt while he continued to talk. "One: you break it up now. If you have different ideas about the future, it's just gonna be harder and harder as times goes on. It sounds like this girl will get tired of you before you get tired of her, so- yeah. Not pleasant."

Even before he'd finished Pat was already shaking his head. He would not give up on 'Shy, no matter what came. They were in love, he was sure of it! All he needed to do was make her realize that and decide they were more important than her old life. It'd be easier and easier as those memories faded into the past, just the opposite of what Paul had said. Or the same as the man said. Patrick tried to make his tired, sleepy mind work. It'd be harder to break up as the time went on, but that would work on both of them.

"Well, in that case, it leaves you with two," Paul went on. "You keep going, but you gotta accept someday she'll wanna leave. Don't make it too serious." He paused, then replaced the bun on his burger and picked it up with both hands. Before biting in he asked: "She said there's definitely no chance? Like, is she a 100% that this is just a temporary fling?"

Once again Pat had to translate between Fluttershy's situation and his fake scenario for Paul. "Not... exactly," he said, brightening up. "It's like- if something better comes along she'll take it. She pretty much said that."

"Oof," Paul mumbled with his mouth full. He chewed, eyes scanning the ceiling in deep thought. Patrick took the chance to take a bite out of his own burger as well.

At length his coworker swallowed and heaved a sigh. "Sounds like you're some kind of a rebound or something. Tough break, Patrick. It doesn't change my advice. Either quit it now while you're ahead, or be prepared to be dumped later."

This wasn't what Pat wanted to hear, but he told himself the scenario he'd told Paul was different from what was actually happening between himself and 'Shy. He shook his head. "What if that 'something better' never comes?"

"If you're good to her, sure. I guess it's possible. However, it sounds to me like she's already made up her mind to wait for it. You'll always be the second fiddle while she waits for a Prince Charming. I wouldn't be surprised if she starts sleeping around once she gets a bit bored of you. Is that really want you want?"

"I guess not." Fluttershy wouldn't do that, would she? A pang of jealousy made Pat's stomach clench before he could disabuse himself of the notion. He had to remind himself again that the example for Paul was different from reality. 'Shy hadn't really said she doesn't want to be with him for the long term, it's just that she would take a chance to go home if it came along.

The two ate their burgers quietly for a while, until the silence became uncomfortable for Pat and he tried to break it up. "I'll think about it. Maybe we can talk it out or something."

Paul shrugged to forestall his reply while he finished his current mouthful, then he wiped his chin on the back of his hand and went on: "Sure, you can try. Good luck with that." Again the silence stretched until Paul spoke up again: "You really got it bad for this chick. What'd you say her name was?" Patrick nearly panicked as he tried to remember, but luckily his coworker remembered soon after. "Felicity, right? Got a picture for me to see?"

This was easier, because Pat had prepared for just such a request after the last time he'd talked about 'Shy with his coworkers. He pulled out his phone and went to the pictures folder. It'd taken some browsing but he found an average-looking girl with her blond hair dyed partially pink, photographed against believable living-room background.

"Here."

Paul inspected the image on the phone for a bit, then shrugged. "Not bad, not bad. I still think vegan chicks who dye their hair are crazy, but I can see the appeal."

Pat just shrugged, not much interested in what the girl on the picture actually looked like. His mind was set on 'Shy and he suspected she'd ruined him for Earth women forever. There was just something about her wings and her soft coat.

Hopefully their spat the previous night wouldn't prove fatal to their relationship. Pat sighed and put his burger down, not very hungry anymore. He waited patiently while Paul finished his, then fished out his wallet to pay. "It's on me," he said.

This earned him a grateful grin and he waved to the waitress while Paul cleaned himself off with a napkin. The burgers were good, but they always left a mess on face and hands. On clothes too, if you weren't careful.

Pretty soon after that the two were outside and walking slowly back to the office. Seeing Paul light a cigarette reminded Pat to the same and he hoped it would calm his nerves at least a little. He was ready for the day to end so he could talk with 'Shy and see where they stood. The uncertainty was killing him.

"Anyway, we'll talk. I think we can sort it out somehow," he commented.

It took Paul a few seconds to connect his words to their previous topic, but then he shrugged. "Give it a shot, just be careful you don't burn yourself. If it's over, it's over. No sense trying to force it."

"Yeah, I get it. Thanks."

There was nothing else to say and the two focused on finishing their cigarettes before they came back to the office. The day was half over and Pat hoped if he focused on work the second half would pass quickly.

Patrick tried to sit down for the umpteenth time, but he couldn't stay on the couch for more than a minute before jumping up again and going to his kitchen window to look into Mason's house. The man was sitting in his living room with a tray on his knees and apparently watching some TV show. Once again Pat tried to will him to eat faster. He knew Fluttershy wouldn't be able to come over until Mason's dinner was done and the dishes washed. Today of all days he really wanted to see her so he could apologize.

That had been another piece of advice from Paul when they had reached the office, and it sounded like a good one. Start with an apology and take it from there. It certainly couldn't hurt. Pat's nervous pacing brought him around his couch and back to the kitchen. The situation in the neighbor's house was unchanged and he groaned in frustration.

"Hurry the fuck up!"

For a split second he thought about going over to Mason's and asking to see 'Shy, but he absolutely did not want the man to start thinking too much about Pat and his pony. As far as the man knew, they were just casual friends. With luck he wouldn't find out anything more by the time Patrick managed to get 'Shy away from him and their relationship would remain a secret forever.

This evening, not even thoughts of Mason finding out distracted him. He was far more afraid of Fluttershy dumping him than getting found out. He was about to go and try the TV again when he saw 'Shy walk into view in Mason's living room. She talked for a moment and flashed her owner a small smile. Mason responded and punctuated his words with his fork.

If only he could guess what they were talking about! Patrick briefly considered a crazy scheme of planting one of those spy microphones in Mr. Mason's living room, but thought better of it. Even if he ordered one from Amazon he'd probably install it wrong, or the man would notice it, or something.

Fluttershy spoke again and looked at Pat's window. Their eyes met and she blinked in surprise, but didn't otherwise betray anything on her face. She focused once more on Mason's reply, then inclined her head and walked off. Only then did Pat let his breath out. He stayed at the window for a bit longer, but 'Shy didn't come back into view and Mason kept slowly eating his meal. By the look of the thing, it would take him at least twenty more minutes to finish, which meant 'Shy wouldn't be able to come in the next half hour, at least.

Maybe he could play something, or go look at some memes on the Internet. Pat wandered back to the couch and picked up his laptop from the coffee table. A sudden noise from the front door made him sit up. A moment later he heard a distinct hoofstep and shot up, nearly tossing the computer to the floor.

"Buttershy?"

The sight of that beautiful yellow face in the living room door had never been so welcome. "Um, am I disturbing?"

"No, please come in!"

While she made her way over Pat returned the laptop to the coffee table and patted the cushion next to him. Despite his invitation, 'Shy remained standing and lifted up a foreleg to explain: "Wet hooves."

"Oh. Okay."

It didn't feel right talking to her about something important while sitting above and looking down on her. He simply slid from the couch and sat on the floor so they could speak eye to eye. After a moment 'Shy also plonked down on her haunches.

"'Shy, I'm sorry," he began.

At the same time she also spoke up: "I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly-"

They both shut up and waited for the other to continue. Pat was the first to react. "You first."

Her gaze lowered to her forehooves and 'Shy repeated: "I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly yesterday. I-" She swallowed a lump and tried again: "I've done some thinking."

This was the moment of truth. Was she sad? Was this is? Pat held his breath as he waited for the verdict. "And?"

'Shy sighed and looked up, right into his eyes. "Pat, I need you to understand: If I get a chance to go home, I'll take it." Her gaze slid aside and she shrugged a little with her wings. "I love you, but I have friends and family in Equestria. It's my home."

She was probably going to break it off and Pat's heart sank. She was going to end it now in order to save herself greater pain later. His vision blurred and he blurted out the first thing that popped into his mind. "I'll come with you! Please..."

This shut her up and made her look back, frowning slightly when she saw his expression. "Are- are you okay?" Sudden realization widened her eyes and 'Shy gave a small gasp. "No, Pat, I'm not saying we should break up. I just-"

The rest of her response was muffled as Patrick surged forward in sudden relief and wrapped her up in a hug. He buried his nose in her mane and drew in her scent. A hoof carefully patted his back, leaving a chilly wet spot on his shirt. "There, there," 'Shy whispered in his ear. "I didn't mean to make you think that." She pushed away and watched him with a small, gentle smile. "I just wanted you to understand that I will go home if I get a chance, okay? I- I thought it was best we both knew now."

Suddenly that part of it felt like the smallest of issues. The thought of losing 'Shy this suddenly and the relief that it wouldn't happen overshadowed every other concern, even one of losing her at some undefined future date. Pat reached out and picked up one of Fluttershy's forehooves with both hands. It was chilly from the walk she took outside and wet from the slush on the pavement, but he didn't care. He had to slide himself a little closer until he could place a kiss right on her hoof.

"Yes, I understand," he said, words spilling out almost on top of one another. "And I promise I won't stop you if that chance comes, okay? Do you think I could go with you?"

This was a new idea and 'Shy looked around the room as she thought it over. He could see how she turned the problem around in her mind. Eventually she shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'd have to ask Twilight. Um, maybe?"

Would he actually do it? The chance was remote, Pat thought. If Fluttershy's friends had been able to come and get her, they would undoubtedly have done so by now. Pretty soon they'd decide she was lost to them forever and stop trying, if they hadn't already. Pat idly stroked her hoof with his fingers, then let it go and leaned closer to offer her a kiss instead. She accepted and their lips met for a short while. It was a chaste thing, arising not from their lust, but from a simple need to to be together and have the other know that.

"I'll get a towel. We'll be more comfortable on the couch."

'Shy shook her head and stood up. "Actually I have to go right back. I told Mr. Mason I'd only be a minute to say hello."

"Oh." He was sad to miss out on some kissing, especially since they'd only just made up, but Pat could look forward to next time now that he knew there would be a next time.

"I'll try and visit on the weekend, okay?" 'Shy murmured and darted back to steal another kiss. "Um, bye."

"Bye, Buttershy."

Patrick watched her walk away and pause in the door to look back at him. She flashed him a smile, blushed at a sudden thought, then flicked her tail from side to side a few times to tease him with short glimpses of the treasure she was hiding there.

Even that split second view was enough to get Pat instantly hard and he wondered how much trouble 'Shy would be in if he rushed after her and delayed her for just a few minutes. Of course she'd also need a shower, because going back to Mason with his spunk dripping out of her wouldn't be the best of ideas. Then, after the shower she'd need to dry up, and the best way would be to wrap herself up in a big towel and cuddle with him on the couch for a while. The few minutes would probably turn into an hour, if not more.

Mason would be furious and he might start asking questions which 'Shy had no way of answering, so Pat thought better of it and heaved a forlorn sigh. It was going to be just his hand for this evening.

The weekend should be fun, though, if 'Shy was able to make good on her promise. She clearly wanted him. Patrick wondered if she would touch herself late that night as well. The thought was incredibly hot and he resolved to ask her to do it once in front of him. He suddenly realized he could have asked her to call once she was alone and they could listen to each other doing it.

Maybe if he ringed her phone, she would notice it and call back! Pat hurried to find his cell and do just that.

Chapter 27

Fluttershy was weeping. Again. Maybe it was because of the cold and dreary weather, or maybe she just trusted him more, but she'd been using Patrick's shoulder to cry on a lot lately. He didn't mind. He kept telling himself that, reminding himself that he loved 'Shy and if she needed someone to confide in, he could be that. Right at the moment it was a bit inconvenient, though. They were both naked, wrapped up in each other and about to...

'Shy had sneaked over in the middle of the night and woke Pat up with a very pleasant kiss. Things have just been getting interesting when Fluttershy sighed and her head slumped down on his chest. "I can't do this right now," she said. "Sorry. I thought I wanted it. To- to take my mind off... things."

Patrick tried to get her back in the mood with a kiss, but 'Shy turned her face away. She would have slipped off him, but he held her in place with his hands and so far she didn't seem to want to struggle free. "What's wrong?"

She drew a long breath and let it out, the air tickling the hairs on Pat's chest. "Just- not right now. You can go ahead and... um, do it. I don't mind."

For a moment he was tempted, but it sounded awful when he thought about it for more than a second. Pat definitely didn't want to just use 'Shy like a toy while her mind was somewhere else, probably in a dark and lonely place. That was a surefire way to get her to despise him. "I don't want to unless you're enjoying it too, Buttershy."

She opened her mouth, doubtless to lie and claim she would enjoy it, but then shook her head. "I'm sorry."

Their position was making it hard for Pat to think, so he carefully turned to his side and let her slide down beside him. She tried to curl up into a ball right away, but he wrapped his arms around her barrel and firmly held her against him. Her face pressed against his chest and 'Shy let out a shuddering breath she had been holding, while Pat reached for the blanket and covered them both to keep them warm now that the passion was fading.

"Want to talk to me about it?" Patrick prompted.

She shook her head, but he knew it was a lie. 'Shy always claimed she didn't want to talk about her problems, but each time when he'd coaxed it out of her she felt better afterwards.

"Well, wanna go home and think about it by yourself some more?"

This proved her previous statement a lie because Fluttershy's wing unfolded under the blanket and wrapped around his waist to keep him in place.

"It's okay, we can just cuddle, Buttershy. I wish you'd talk to me though."

It worked and she took another, deeper breath. "Ha-Have you ever thought about, um, foals?"

The question was entirely unexpected and it made him stiffen in shock. She wanted kids?! It'd make everything so complicated! Where would they even live? With Mason? At Pat's place? Would they belong to Mason along with 'Shy, or how would that work? Not to mention the bigger problem of letting people know he was together with the mare. Pat's mind seized on a very comforting fact: their biological incompatibility. "I don't think we really can, 'Shy. We're different species."

She was already shaking her head even before he'd finished speaking. "No, that's not what I meant," she admonished and pulled her face away from his chest long enough to give him a tiny glare. "You're not listening to me."

"Okay, so tell me what you mean."

"I always knew I'd want foals someday," 'Shy explained. "With you- I dunno, maybe there's a spell, or maybe we could adopt. Ex-Except we can't. Not while I'm like this-" At the words she lifted a hoof and tapped on the collar she still wore. Recently Pat had realized there might be a silent alarm so he was afraid to take it off, especially at night. Mason hadn't noticed so far, or maybe he wasn't using that feature, which might suddenly change. During that one week she'd spent with him it had been fine, but these night visits were supposed to stay a secret. He really didn't want Mason to barge into Fluttershy's room because his phone alerted him that she'd removed her collar, only to find her gone.

"Another reason to get you away from Mason," Pat pointed out.

She was silent for a long while, then put her face against Patrick's chest once more. "Maybe."

"What prompted all of this?"

Fluttershy's breath hitched and he felt her ears fold down at the question. He shifted one hand from her back up to her head and sought out one ear with his fingers. That always helped her calm down. It took a bit longer, but Pat was patient and 'Shy finally spoke up: "There was this documentary. A-About horses."

Patrick waited for her to say more, all the while idly massaging her ear. He felt her move her head a fraction closer to his touch. "Pat, I don't want to be... b-bred. They take their foals away from those poor mares and- and usually they don't get to see their children ever again!" 'Shy sniffled and held her breath as she tried to prevent a sob from escaping. She almost succeeded, but her shoulders jerked up even if no noise came out of her mouth. "I'd rather never have any foals than have that happen to them!"

"Don't worry, I won't let it, Buttershy. We'll run away if we have to, deal?"

She didn't seam to hear, lost in her own world apparently. "They'd breed me, Pat. E-Either with a stud, or- or just with a syringe, and I don't know which would be worse!"

Since his words weren't getting through, Pat used more direct means and released his hold on 'Shy so he could bring both hands to her muzzle. He cupped her face and gently lifted it up until she had no choice but to look in his eyes. Then he bent down and kissed the tip of her nose, just briefly. He followed it with more tiny kisses, peppering her entire muzzle.

After the first couple 'Shy closed her eyes and relaxed, began to breathe more easily. "Thanks," she said after a while. "I think I needed that."

"Well, it changes nothing. We have to get you away from Mason and I swear nothing like that will ever happen to you. If you'll want to adopt someday, we can do that."

It'd mean getting a bigger place, maybe somewhere out of the city, Pat thought. He'd need money for that, which would probably involve a better job. There was also the question of what to adopt. He didn't expect there to be any Equestrian orphans any time soon, and 'Shy adopting a human child would just be weird, if it would even be allowed. In the eyes of the human bureaucracy, it'd just be Patrick adopting as a single parent. He'd deal with it when the time came, Pat decided. For now he could promise a 'some day'.

Their life together was a more pleasant topic, though. He found himself looking forward to it. Maybe this would be the kick in the pants he needed to make something out of himself? It sounded right in his head: him and 'Shy, making each other's lives better. He held his breath when he realized she wasn't immediately refusing.

Her ears folded down once more, but she didn't try to break free from his gentle hold of her muzzle. "Maybe it would be worth it... for that." Her eyes unfocused as she looked at whatever future she was imagining. "Maybe I could be your- your slave to avoid being bred."

The words nearly made him groan in exasperation, but he held it in check. She simply wouldn't let go of her stupid idea that she'd be his property just because he technically happened to own her. He had run out of ways he could think of to explain, so he tried another tract. "Well, I'd love you just as much and I'd give you everything you wanted. Including if you wanted to leave. Would it really be that bad?"

"I g-guess not..."

"Buttershy, I never saw you as a slave, okay? Can you understand that? To me, you were just, um..." What was a good way to put it? "You were just a girl I met. Remember that first week you came because Mason was out of town? You had your own room. You still can, by the way. If you just want a place to sleep out of Mason's house, you can totally have that room. You already have the key anyway, so it's yours whenever you want it."

Looking at it from this perspective got Fluttershy thinking and she didn't immediately dismiss the idea out of hand. It gave Patrick a slight hope that maybe, this time, she'd understand.

"If I bought you from Mason or something- well, it'd just be to free you from him, not to own you."

"You still would," 'Shy began, but lifted a hoof and put it on his lips to forestall his exasperated groan. "Let me finish," she chided. "You would technically own me, b-but maybe that's okay. I'm just not sure we could still love each other. Not really. I just don't know."

Patrick had his own thoughts on that. If anything, he would probably love 'Shy more if she was his and wouldn't have to sneak around all the time. Spending more time with her around would just be better all around. He could almost see himself coming home from work, only for Fluttershy to meet him in the hallway, maybe with her mane tied back because she'd been doing dishes and didn't want to get it wet. She walk forward while he was untying his shoes and give him a friendly nuzzle. He'd respond with a kiss, then follow her to the kitchen where he'd have a good dinner already waiting on the table.

Well, only if 'Shy felt like cooking that day, of course. Sometimes he'd pick up pizza on the way, and sometimes they'd just cook together when he came back. It was an exceedingly lovely image and Pat's heart ached for it. He gave 'Shy another little kiss on her nose. "Okay, good. So you don't know," he told her. "I know it can work, so- let's just try, okay? If it doesn't work we'll still be friends."

He tried to read Fluttershy's expression, but those large, dark, cyan-rimmed pupils didn't seem to hold any answers. At length she looked away and let out her breath. "I want to try," she said, her voice filled with hope and longing.

"Good. I'll keep working on a way to get Mason to sell. Keep your eyes open in case you find anything, okay?"

"I will."

The comfortable position and the murmured conversation had done its magic and Pat realized he wasn't hard anymore. Unfortunately the thought was enough to get him going once more. He still had 'Shy in his bed, they were both naked and he hadn't seen her in several days. He let her muzzle go and ran his hand down her side, ending with his fingers resting on her cutie mark. "Buttershy?"

She blinked and came back from whatever dream she'd slipped into. Her eyes focused on his face.

Rather than ask with words, Pat brought his lips to hers and pressed his fingers into her flank both at once. Fluttershy's hips jerked forward reflexively, grinding her hot teats against Pat's belly. At the same time a low, involuntary moan escaped her and her warm breath washed across his cheek. He broke the kiss for a moment so he could look at her face. Her mouth was left slightly agape and her eyes were half-lidded. Her ears splayed, not quite folded down like when she was worried, nor upright like when she was alert.

Patrick inched his hand lower and closer to the treasure he sought. "Wanna pick up where we left off?"

She had been slightly flushed before, but now Pat could clearly see her blush even in the dim light from the street lamp. "Will, uh, will you do that- that thing. Um, with your tongue?" she asked, haltingly and nervously. Even after the months they'd been together, she was still shy about sex. For some reason that just made it that much hotter.

"For you, always. Lie back."

She rolled on her back quickly, the jerkiness of her motions betraying how eager she was. She must have been just as excited as him before her thoughts had been distracted by that breeding thing, Pat guessed. He didn't know how late it was and he had a job the next morning, but in that moment as he ran his hand down her belly and touched her teats, Pat decided he'd take his time with her.

Fluttershy needed to forget her worries and he knew exactly how to make her. Coffee would fill any lack of sleep.

Even as he lingered on her teats, circling each fleshy nub in turn with his finger, Pat shuffled closer and began kissing Fluttershy's neck. He made sure to press his tongue against her each time, to make her feel the heat of it.

She responded with low, throaty moans and feeble kicks of her hind hooves each time he touched one of her sensitive nipples. Pat smiled to himself and increased the pressure just slightly. Her hoof came down, searching for her winking marehood, eager to relieve the pressure herself, but he pushed it aside. There would be no cheating tonight.

In response 'Shy let out a disappointed mewl, but she didn't keep trying to pleasure herself. Her restraint merited a reward and he moved a little lower. His hand strayed to the inside of her thigh and he trailed his kisses down to her chest fluff. Fluttershy's wing kept bumping against him and she shifted her rear to try and get him to touch her there, but Pat smoothly moved with her and didn't allow his hand more than a slight graze.

Even that made 'Shy tense up and hold her breath for a moment before she slumped back and began to plead: "Pleas- Please..."

"You like this," Pat murmured in a husky tone of voice. He laid his cheek on her rapidly rising and falling chest and locked eyes with her.

"Yes!" she breathed. "More!"

A pushy, demanding Buttershy was just about the hottest sight Pat could imagine and he rewarded her by inching his fingers closer. He began to rub her lower lips, feeling how hot and moist she was already. The flesh under his touch spasmed as she winked and Pat's dick twitched in response. He kept fondling her, teetering just on the edge of slipping his finger inside while he moved lower still and got his knees under him to give him a better position. This way he could put his mouth on Fluttershy's bellybutton while he kept exploring her flower with his hand. He stuck his tongue into the slight depression and pried the fur aside so he could feel the skin inside. His gentle touch made her giggle and squirm, but Pat just increased his pressure against her entrance and 'Shy subsided with a small gasp.

Out of pure desperation she grabbed his free hand and brought it to her muzzle. She began to lick his fingers and nuzzle his palm, unable to keep herself from reciprocating in some way at least.

Patrick didn't mind, even if her tongue tickled and distracted him a little. He moved once more and quickly caught one of her nipples between his lips. At the same time he pushed his fingers inside 'Shy, earning a deep, throaty moan. It was an octave he wouldn't have guessed the little mare possessed, as it only came out during moments such as this. She took his index finger into her mouth and sucked on it for a moment. When he slid his digits deeper into her moist folds she applied some teeth and whimpered around the finger in her mouth. Her grip on his wrist tightened and her hips bucked. In the momentary silence Pat could distinctly hear the wet, slick sound of her marehood twitch against him. Warm liquid flowed between his fingers, further lubricating the passage. He pushed further and pretty soon had two fingers as deep as he could inside 'Shy. He marvelled for a moment how her passage hugged and squeezed him. He withdrew and took a few moments to explore her in greater detail.

After a few moments of gentle tugging 'Shy released his hand, though not without a whimpered complaint. She was squirming under him and trying to buck, to win more stimulation, but Pat wasn't in such a hurry. He repositioned himself between Fluttershy's legs and brought both hands up to feel what she was like. His fingers hooked under a fold and Pat spread her lower lips, trying to see. It was just shadows in the dim streetlight, so he resolved to have a closer look during daytime someday. For now, he traced the fleshy fold around with a finger until he came to a nub. Her clit was hiding under there. He massaged it very gently in little circles and was rewarded by a wink.

It had been something completely alien to him until he met 'Shy, but now it was one of the sexiest things he could imagine. It meant she really wanted him, that she was aroused and her body was begging for penetration. The wink made her love button flick against his finger, which made 'Shy squeak in surprise and delight. It looked like it felt amazing and Pat was jealous for a moment. He traced his thoroughly soaked fingers around the edge again to the opposite side, where the lips of her marehood seemed to seamlessly mold into her ponut. Pat felt around the rubbery rim, conscious of how 'Shy sucked down a breath and held it.

This was completely unfamiliar territory for her and she was focusing on the experience. He wanted to make it a pleasurable one, but he wanted to be sure she was ready. "You like that?"

At first her voice broke and the word was unintelligible. 'Shy cleared her throat and repeated: "Y-Yes."

It sounded uncertain, so he took it slow. His finger was slick with her own fluids and he prodded at her back door very gently. He kept an ear to 'Shy, but she was quiet, focused entirely on the new sensation. For now he only worked the tip of his finger inside, marvelling at how tight the fleshy ring felt around his digit. Someday he hoped to put his dick in there, but it would take practice, time and patience. 'Shy had to want it.

The main treasure was just in front of his nose anyway and Pat remembered to pay it due homage. He leaned forward just a bit and laid his tongue against her lips. They parted easily and he tasted the searing hot flesh inside. His sudden, unexpected intrusion was nevertheless welcome and 'Shy let out a moan before she could stop it with a hoof. She winked again, her clit flicking Pat's nose. He licked upwards, working his tongue between her folds until he had her button cupped. Again and again it twitched against his lips.

This was apparently Fluttershy's favourite thing - the "tongue thing" as she called it. Patrick simply held his tongue in place and the mare rubbed and winked herself off against him. She was super sensitive and more than once she had to bat his hands away and admonish him to be gentle, but his tongue was smooth enough and she was in control of just how hard she was pressing against it. Her hips jerked a little and she began to breathe more deeply while Pat explored what he could reach of her depths with his tongue.

In the meantime he remembered that he had the tip of his index finger in her ponut. He gave it an experimental wiggle and Fluttershy's moan suddenly rose in pitch. She obviously liked the combined sensation, so he pushed a little further, just to his knuckle. There was plenty of lubrication flowing from her pussy down and coating his hand.

"Mmmm-ph!" 'Shy tried to say, but seemed to be having problems forming actual words. "Yessss!" she went on. "Please... yes!" It was a mixture of pleading and ecstasy, familiar to Pat by this point. She didn't want to talk dirty, so this was her only outlet. "M-More, harder," she begged, squirming and bucking wildly. Pat realized he had let her push his face away and she was straining to keep the pressure against his tongue. He obliged by pushing down and was rewarded by renewed moans as she ground her winking marehood in his face.

All gentleness went out the window as the little mare chased her orgasm. Her ponut clenched around Pat's finger and he wiggled it a bit deeper inside. He couldn't be sure if 'Shy even noticed as her breathing became urgent panting and any semblance of words was lost from her guttural moans and gasps. She managed a last bit of coherence: "Pat- A- Pat! I- I'm-" Then she was lost in her own world of bliss as she pushed her clit against his tongue with a mighty heave and held it there, frozen for an instant.

The dam broke and 'Shy hardly moved, all muscles locked rigidly in place as she came, her passage grasping and tightening around the tip of his tongue. Her breath came out in a prolonged moan of pleasure while she rode out her climax. More fluids gushed out, coating his chin with a new layer and dribbling down around his finger still inside her back door.

Her ponut tightened until it felt like a vice and Patrick was both impressed and worried about what might happen if he had his dick in there when she came. After a few moments all of Fluttershy's muscles seemed to relax at once and she slumped down. That took her pussy away from Pat's lips and drew a moan of despair from the mare. He quickly followed her down and put his lips back on the fleshy nub where her clit was hiding. The sad sigh changed to a satisfied groan.

Even now she kept twitching gently as she rode out the final few waves of pleasure. He waited it out with her, unmoving, breathing through his nose and feeling himself twitch in response. He carefully pulled his finger out, earning himself a few more spasms against his tongue and a renewed moan from Fluttershy's lips.

She was left breathing deeply and staring at the ceiling. "That- That..." she was trying to talk and Pat slowly lifted his face, breaking the contact between them. This time there was no disappointed growl. "That was amazing," 'Shy finally managed. Her hoof came down to pat him gently on his head, conveying her thanks and affection. She brushed his hair from his forehead and smiled when their eyes met. "Wow," she went on, "that was- wow. Y-Your finger... um..." She looked away and even in the dim light Pat could see a deeper blush on her muzzle. "I l-liked that. Um, a lot."

"I'll remember it."

He got a quick flash of a grateful smile in return, then her eyes slid away once more. "Uh, w-want to keep going?" she asked. The thought was enough to make her wink, showing her pink button in all its glory for a moment.

"As my lady commands," Pat replied and inclined his head in mock bow.

Her hoof batted his cheek in annoyance, but 'Shy was being very careful not to actually slap him. It was just in mock annoyance. She sighed and spread her forelegs apart. "Oh, come here and give me a kiss!" she said impatiently.

He didn't need to be told twice. After her performance Patrick was absolute diamonds and couldn't wait to slip himself into that warm, wet embrace. Yeah, Fluttershy's pony body was infinitely more interesting than any woman. He hadn't even made her come to playing with her wings yet, after all! He'd have to try that someday, see how sensitive they were! For now, Pat lost himself in her needy kiss and allowed 'Shy to ruin him for women a little more.

Chapter 28

Patrick was in the process of finishing a banana which was on the verge of going bad. He would have preferred something less healthy and more tasty, but 'Shy had insisted he get some fresh fruit in his home and she made a point of eating a piece each time she visited. It was probably good for him, so Pat didn't complain, even if he had to hurry sometimes to beat spoilage. If he had to toss anything 'Shy might never find out, but if she did there'd be hell to pay. He glanced at the clock but then shrugged to himself. He wasn't expecting Fluttershy to visit that night. She'd said she had something with Mason and would be busy the whole evening.

His mouth was full of soft, over-sweet banana when someone hammered on his front door. Patrick jumped up out of pure reflex, dropping the half-eaten fruit on the coffee table as he hurried to see who it was. Maybe Anton needed something. That was probably it. Just as he was leaving the room his phone started to ring and Pat swore under his breath. Of course it would ring exactly at the same time something else was happening. It wasn't as if the thing had had a whole afternoon of time during which to ring!

The phone would have to wait, he decided. He could always call them back later. He hurried to get the door, where the fierce knocking continued. He wondered who it could be in such a hurry. Patrick couldn't imagine any other visitors and he knew Fluttershy would have just let herself in. He left the door unlocked specifically for her. He remembered to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand just before grabbing the door knob and opening.

Mr. Mason was very red in the face and had a wild, crazed look in his eye which almost sent Pat reeling backwards. A moment of pure shock prevented him from speaking just before the man punched him right in the face. The sight of his infuriated neighbor and the ringing blow were enough to push him over and Pat fell on the carpet with a painful grunt. He covered his head with his arms while he tried to make sense of the situation.

"You sick fuck!" Mason shouted, advancing into the hallway with his fists bunched up and a snarl on his face. "Degenerate piece of trash!" He kicked, savagely, and Patrick cried out from the sudden pain in his shin. It felt as if the bone was broken, but there was no time to check before Mason tried to grab at his clothes. Pat rolled out of the way as much as he was able. "Admit it you little shit! You are fucking my horse!" Mason yelled, his assault momentarily forgotten so he could shout at Pat.

"How did-" Pat immediately clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late. Maybe - maybe - Mason hadn't been completely sure before, but he knew now.

He kicked again just as Pat was crawling away on his back. "How did I find out?! I'll tell you how I found out!" Mason kept shouting as he advanced over the prone figure. "My fucking vet told me, that's how I fucking found out! I take Flutter for her checkup and they accuse me of being a god-damned animal fucker! Animal fucker, you piece of shit! ME!" He tried to kick again, as if to punctuate his words, but the blow glanced off Pat's arm.

He had taken her to a vet. The thoughts felt sluggish and unfocused in Pat's mind. He still couldn't think clearly from the sudden shock. He'd taken Fluttershy to a vet. "It wasn't-"

"Don't give me that crap," the man interrupted. He extended a trembling hand and pointed an accusatory finger. "Who else?! I checked the GPS and she's been sneaking over here at night! You've been taking her collar off, you sick bastard!"

It was a secondary thought but Pat suddenly went cold. Of course a smart, GPS- and SIM-enabled collar would have an alarm if it was removed. He'd thought that himself, but never took the idea seriously. Maybe Mason just hadn't been checking it, or else he'd have figured it out a lot sooner.

Mason tried to kick him again, but the initial explosion of his anger was over and the blow was weaker. Patrick crawled further back, but his infuriated neighbor easily kept pace. He was still pissed and there was spittle running down his chin, and Pat thought he wouldn't beat him to a pulp, at least. "You've been fucking my horse- You piece of shit have been fucking my animal every night! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

It wasn't true about every night, but Mason didn't seem like he'd listen to reason. Perhaps it was a sign of shock that Pat fixated on that little fact. It wasn't really important and it wouldn't make a lick of difference even if Mason believed him. Luckily Pat's back hit the door frame to his bedroom and he was able to pull himself upright. His leg throbbed where Mason's stiff shoe had connected, but at least the bone wasn't broken.

"You'll pay for this!" Mason went on, voice suddenly growing calmer and quieter. He no longer looked like he wanted to kill Pat, but his hands still shook and his eyes were wide with rage. He nearly snarled his words: "I'll sue you so hard your fucking grandkids will still be paying me off! Not that you'll have any, you fucking degenerate!"

He was still reeling, despite being upright, and Pat desperately needed to get away. He had to think and he couldn't do that with Mason yelling in his face. He needed time, at least a few seconds, to process this. "Get out of my house."

"What did you say?!"

Pat's hands bunched up into fists and he straightened up. He was taller than Mason and less fat. He would kick his ass if he had to and the consequences be damned. The sudden pain of loss flooded in and Patrick clung to anger so he wouldn't have to think about never seeing Fluttershy again. "Get the fuck out!"

"Everything okay in there?"

The voice was the most welcome thing Pat had ever heard. Mr. Petrinov had noticed all the noise and had come to investigate. Mason spun around and almost growled when he saw the owner. "No!" he spat. "Your tenant has been fucking my horse!"

Patrick winced at the accusation and was about to deny it again, if only for Anton's benefit, but his landlord lifted up his eyebrows and shrugged. He seemed calm, but one of his hands was still holding the door handle in a white-knuckled grip and he'd stuck the other in his pocket. Maybe he had a weapon in there, Pat thought. "Don't know about your horse, Mr. Mason. None of my business so you'll have to discuss it with him, but I will not be having you yelling in my house and assaulting my tenant, understand?" His voice was a mixture of calm and threatening, and Pat dared hope Anton would somehow fix everything. It didn't make sense, but he was still reeling from the unwelcome realization that Mason knew about him and 'Shy.

For a moment it looked like Mason would strike Petrinov next, but he somehow brought himself under control, maybe frightened by Anton's calm demeanor. His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths, but he didn't say anything more.

"Now," Anton continued, "I suggest you leave before I am forced to call the police. If you have a problem with my tenant, solve it somewhere else."

The angry neighbor spun around and Pat flinched, expecting another hit, but the man just pointed a finger again. "You haven't heard the last of this, Patrick, believe me! I'll see you in court!"

He stalked away and Mr. Petrinov shut the door behind him. That left him alone with Pat and he observed the young man with a slight frown of worry. "So it is true? I suspected, but this is not something you accuse another man, you know?"

It was pointless trying to hide it, so Pat just sighed and lowered his gaze.

"I am not the one to judge what it is you do when you are alone, but this is a big pile of shit. I hope you know that."

"What should I do?"

That sudden, irrational hope that Anton would be able to help died when the man shook his head. "Like I said, it's none of my business. I just didn't want him smashing up my house, right?"

No help. If Anton caught Pat's disappointed look, he didn't show it. He sighed and opened the door. "Good luck, Pat. Something is telling me you're going to need it."

With that he was gone. Pat stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame for long minutes as the incident replayed in his mind. He'd always been afraid something like this would happen, but he'd never expected Mason to react this violently. Whenever he had dared think of it, his imagination painted the other man as outraged, disgusted, but at least willing to listen. Patrick could have explained that 'Shy was a person. That they were in love. He hadn't expected the man to just walk over and start beating him. Mason had said he was going to sue him. He'd probably win and- Pat almost barked a laugh. Whom was he kidding? There was no 'probably' about it. Even if bestiality hadn't been against the law, Mason could afford the best damned lawyer in the country. It was unfair and it sucked, but both the law and money were on Mason's side, Pat knew.

"Fuck!" he swore.

It didn't help, but it was just about all he could do. There was no way out of it. He'd probably go to jail or something. The worst part was that all his friends and family would think that he was a horsefucker. They would never understand that 'Shy wasn't an animal.

What about Fluttershy?! What would happen to her? He'd been trying, unconsciously, not to think about her, but he suddenly knew that their relationship was over. No more of those soft, warm nights with her cuddled up against him. The icy realization clenched around his gut like a frozen fist. He loved her, he really did, but now he'd be lucky if he ever saw her again at all. He desperately wanted to see 'Shy, but she wouldn't thank him for putting her in the middle of this mess. Mason probably had her locked down tightly. Did he-

The thought was chilling and made Pat tremble in sudden worry. Surely he wouldn't have killed her?! Even for this?

He stood up on jerky, uncoordinated legs and stumbled his way to the kitchen. He leaned on his counter and looked out the window to his neighbor's house. The lights were on, but he didn't see neither 'Shy nor Mason. Maybe he was hurting her right now?! Patrick nearly ran out and barged into his neighbor's house, but movement caught his eye and he saw the man pacing up and down the living room. He had his cell phone pressed against his head and was gesticulating wildly.

Probably already talking with his lawyer.

Everything had gone to shit and it would be even worse tomorrow. Pat pushed away from the counter and sat heavily in the kitchen chair. The place was getting dark, but he didn't really need the light. At some point he remembered the half-eaten banana, but he didn't want it anymore. It didn't matter anyway. All he could think of was the immediate future. Would the police come for him? Could he escape into a different state? That'd mean abandoning 'Shy to her fate. She'd be heartbroken, but maybe she'd understand. It was a completely messed-up situation and he couldn't see any way out of it.

The phone began to ring again and it sparked Pat's anger. Whatever jerk wanted him in the late afternoon could have waited to get a call back. There was no need to harangue him like this, not when he had this new pile of shit on his plate! He stomped over to the coffee table and grabbed his phone, intending to switch it off. He froze when he saw who was calling.

Fluttershy.

In his haste to answer Patrick missed the button a few times, then he didn't drag it far enough to pick up with how hard his hands were shaking. He succeeded on his fourth try and fumbled the phone to his ear. "hello?!"

There was a sniffle, followed by an exhale of breath before 'Shy spoke up. "Are you t-there?" She sounded about as bad as Pat felt. The thoughts about the trouble he was in quickly sank under pure worry for her. Had Mason beaten her?

"Yeah."

"T-They-" she fell silent again and Pat didn't know what to say, so he waited. There was another sigh. "I didn't- the doctor-" She sounded afraid and heartbroken and all Patrick wanted to do was hold her and comfort this poor, miserable creature. Of all people in the world, 'Shy deserved this crap the least.

"What happened?" he asked and tried to keep his voice steady.

"She- She put her fingers-" Fluttershy began and she didn't have to go on, Pat could imagine. He suddenly didn't want to hear about it.

"I know. It's not your fault."

That finally broke the dam and 'Shy began sobbing. The speaker crackled as she breathed right into the microphone. "I'm sorry, Pat! I didn't know they would do that! I di-didn't tell them! I wouldn't! B-But Mr. Mason-" she paused so she could suck down a lungful of air. "He just knew!"

More than ever he wanted to take her into his arms and comfort her, but it wasn't possible, not over the phone. It might never happen again and the realization made his stomach clench up with the sudden, hollow realization of loss. "It's not your fault."

"I called you as soon as we came home, b-but you didn't pick up," 'Shy went on, talking in rapid, clipped tones as if she was trying to occupy herself with something, anything, or else she would start crying again. "Mr- Mr. Mason came back and I think he's even angrier than be- than before. I c-can hear him cursing."

For a moment Pat considered telling 'Shy to hang up and hide the phone. If Mason found out about that he'd take it away. This way at least Pat had some way to talk to her. It wasn't much and she couldn't help him, but she was the only other person in the world who knew and would be sympathetic right now. He couldn't bring himself to tell her to hang up, though. She sounded like she was in shock. More than that, he needed the lifeline of her voice right then. He didn't have to think about never seeing her again while they were talking.

"It's going to be okay."

"It's not," she replied flatly, her monologue about Mason momentarily interrupted. "Pa- Patrick, he said he'd beat me for doing this."

"If he does-"

"I don't care about that!" she interrupted him with some force, but then fell silent.

He waited for what would come next. He was a little bit grateful because he really didn't know what he could do. Bust into Mason's house, knock him down and take 'Shy? Like some kind of damned hero in a stupid story? They'd have to run away and it'd have to be pretty far, Patrick thought. He probably wouldn't be able to find a job after that. They'd be homeless and broke, living under some bridge or in some dump, eating from garbage. Everything would suck.

"He-" Fluttershy finally broke the silence. "He s-s-said-"

"What did he say," Pat prompted after waiting for a while longer.

"That if I- if I r-really wanted to fuck hu-humans he'd sell me to a whorehouse..."

It was like a knife in Pat's gut. He stood up, determined to get the poor mare out of that place, consequences be damned. "That's not going to happen! I'm coming to get you out."

Her reply didn't come right away, and when it did it was quiet. "Don't," she said. "It was just- just a threat." Maybe she was trying to convince herself, or maybe it was just for Pat's benefit. "If you come he'll call the police and they'll p-put you in prison, Pat."

"But-" Patrick sat down with a heavy sigh, his free hand going to his hair just for something to grip. "I'm not gonna let him put you in a- in a place like that."

"He w-won't," 'Shy reassured him again. She sounded more certain this time and Pat chose to believe her.

"If he does- Call me. Scream or something. We'll run away together." The spike of adrenaline faded and Pat put his head on the table. It was all he could do to hold the phone up. His face hurt where Mason had hit him and his shin ached, but he didn't even care about those. It was a small blessing that it wasn't really broken, but the loss of 'Shy was the real pain. He wanted to fight back against the injustice. He needed something. Physical violence wouldn't work against Mason. He would need something more.

Patrick clutched at straws in desperation. "The papers!"

It was sufficiently unexpected that it jerked 'Shy out of the dark place in her mind. She had been quiet, but now she asked: "What?"

"Those papers. Mason was laundering money, or dodging taxes or something for his company, I'm sure of it! You said you can get into his safe!"

So far 'Shy had refused to even hear about that option, but now her life might be on the line, so she didn't immediately reject it. She didn't agree, either, Pat couldn't help noticing.

"Please, Fluttershy. We're both completely fucked, it's the only way! M-Maybe if I have those documents I can make Mason back off. Please!"

"I'll- He's coming, I have to go!"

There was a sudden beep in Pat's ear and the line went dead. The timing was way too convenient and he was afraid 'Shy was lying about Mason coming to her room so she didn't have to answer. Maybe she just needed some time to think. That was probably it. She'd call him back later. He'd make her understand, somehow. It was his only chance. If he got some incriminating evidence about Mason and taxes, he could get the man to leave him alone. He'd take Fluttershy and move. As long as Mason didn't try anything stupid, Pat would never send the papers to the IRS.

It had to work! It had to!

Chapter 29

The evening passed in a daze and Patrick only noticed when it was too dark to see inside his apartment. He was still sitting at the table and his thoughts had been going in circles for the past several hours. Surely he wouldn't go to prison for this, would he? He wouldn't survive prison, Pat thought. Did people go to prison for bestiality? He could have checked on the Internet, but he didn't dare. As long as he didn't know for sure, he could hope for the best. Maybe it'd just be a fine or something. Probably whatever Mason won in damages would hurt a lot more, and the shame from his family and friends. For a few moments here and there he managed to convince himself that it wouldn't happen, that 'Shy would come through and get some incriminating dirt on Mason. Then, as the phone continued to be silent despite Pat checking it every few seconds, he became depressed, thinking she didn't call because she didn't want to talk about betraying her precious Master.

He immediately felt guilty for assuming that about Fluttershy and quickly told himself that she simply wasn't able. Maybe Mason was watching her too closely. Perhaps he'd found her phone and taken it away, which meant she would never be able to call. It was nearly enough to make Patrick cry out of frustration. If only he had a plan other than waiting for 'Shy to save them both! The phone told him it was nearly midnight and its battery was running low, doubtless from him checking it so often. He didn't want it to run out just when 'Shy was able to call, so he stood up and dragged his feet to the bedroom. The charger was permanently plugged in beside his bedside table and the cable had slipped behind once more. He fished it out, shoved it into the phone and dropped the thing. He thought about eating something, but his appetite was gone. Then he thought about sleep, but immediately knew he wouldn't be able to.

Was it even worth trying? Patrick sat down heavily on the bed and heaved a sigh as he buried his face in his hands. It had all gone to shit within a single afternoon. Damn Mason and damn his vet and the whole world which didn't understand that he and 'Shy had something beautiful. It sucked that she was a slave, but it sucked even more that Pat couldn't see any real way of getting her, unless she came through with those papers. Pat groaned and fell on his back, feeling utterly helpless. If only he knew what Fluttershy would decide. At least then he could plan or something.

Maybe she would call once Mason had gone to bed. Pat settled down for the long wait.

It had to be nearing morning already and still no sleep had come. Not that Pat had expected any better, but he had been hoping for Fluttershy's call. Just a few words and she could have put his fears to rest. Well, some of his fears, at least. In the quiet hours of the night he began to worry about her future as well. Even if Mason didn't beat her, he was liable to sell her off. Who knew what kind of an owner would she get next? Maybe some rich fucker who'd want a taste of that horse pussy. Someone who wouldn't listen to her 'no'.

Even thinking about- Patrick swallowed a lump and mentally changed the next word. Even thinking about the 'R-word' and Fluttershy in the same sentence was making him physically ill. His hands gripped the sheets and he still couldn't get them to stop shaking. He simply had to talk to her. Maybe she could lay his wild imagination at rest. Maybe she knew Mason well enough and would be able to gauge just how pissed he was. She might already know if she'd stay with the man.

Pat couldn't stay still. He had to try something. It was probably a bad idea and if Mason caught him it would make everything worse. He barked a laugh. How much worse could it end up? The bastard was going to drag him through the courts anyway, what's one more charge of trespassing beside the mountain of horse- besides that? He groaned as he stood up and made his way to the front door. He stopped with his hand on the door handle and tried to talk himself into trying to sleep. What he was doing was completely stupid and it'd serve no real purpose. Closing his eyes he leaned his forehead against the cold wood. He had to at least see that she was alive. With luck, she would see him as well through the window. She'd know he hadn't abandoned her.

Each other was pretty much all they had at that point.

Patrick resolutely drew in a fresh lungful of air and let himself out. The night air was chilly and his breath misted in the light of the street lamp, but he ignored it. He thought about going back for a coat or something, but he told himself there was no time. It had to be near morning already. The sky was still dark, but maybe there was a hint of gray in the East? He wasn't sure, but he still hastened his pace. He hurried down the steps and gratefully stepped out of the circle of light and on the grass between their two houses. He walked rapidly, but tried to make as little noise as possible. In the still air, each footstep made a squelch and the rustle of dry grass could surely be heard from the other side of the street!

Unfortunately there was no holding back now. Pat sped up until he was nearly jogging, eager for the thicker darkness away from the lamps. He paused at the fence to inspect Mason's house, holding his breath and listening intently for any sounds coming from within. Once he was certain all was quiet, Pat clambered over the fence and bit back the swear as the rough wood caught on his pants. He tried to lift himself up, but could not get off. In the end, he tugged wildly, desperately. His hand on the pointy stake slipped and he pitched into Mason's yard. The fabric ripped with a deafening noise and the wood scraped his leg, but he was free.

Patrick barely caught himself on his hands, gasping as the freezing mud smeared across his palms. He fumbled a few more steps but managed to get his legs under him. He nearly slipped once more until he finally stopped and straightened up, breathing heavily. He was there, anyway. Except that he was looking into Mason's dark living room. Fluttershy's bedroom was on the other side, past the master bedroom window. Pat stopped just before turning the corner and waited until he got his breathing under control again. Then he crouched down and hurried under Mason's window. He kept the crouching run for a few more steps, just to be sure, then straightened up when his legs felt like they would fold up. Crouch-running was a lot harder than it looked in the movies.

Then again, he was probably out of shape.

Nothing to be done about that now. He waited a little longer and listened intently, trying to decide if he'd woken his neighbor up. After a few seconds he thought he heard a snore and relaxed a little. Only a little further to go. Pat turned the final corner and came to the correct window.

The inside of the room was completely dark, but by then his eyes had adapted to the dim light and he thought he saw a lump on the bed. His heart leapt and he wanted to call out to her, but fear clamped his mouth shut. He couldn't leave without knowing she'd seen him too and Pat bit his lip in thought. How to get her attention? His fingers found themselves on the glass and he gave it an experimental tap. It had three layers or something, because the thud was almost too faint to hear even outside. He tried again, this time with a little more force. The tapping was clearly audible this time, but nothing changed inside.

"Come on, 'Shy. Wake up!" Patrick couldn't believe she was able to sleep, not after what had happened, but what other explanation could there be? In desperation, he smacked his entire palm against the window, then made a fist. He was about to try for a stronger knock, but finally the mare in the bed shifted. She sat up and Pat saw she had been facing away from the window. When she turned around he could clearly see her face, staring out in a mixture of fear and shock. It only lasted a few seconds before she slid to the edge of the bed and hurried over to him. He had to wait for her to move a chair from the desk in her room so she could reach, but then she was pushing the handle and a moment later swung the window inwards.

"Fluttershy!" Patrick reached for her, but 'Shy drew back and folded her ears down.

"Shush," she said.

He obediently became quiet and then Pat heard a low, dull buzzing. "What is-" he began.

"My collar," she answered and took another step back. The buzzing stopped. "It's that," she pointed with a hoof.

Pat followed it and saw a discreet plastic box above the window. "That's just Wi-Fi."

Fluttershy shook her head. "You're not listening to me," she whispered and flicked her ears in annoyance. "They put that there about a week after I got here. Mr. Mason said- um... it was a bit complicated. Something to do with proximity or something." She turned around and stretched out a hoof. "There's another above the door and a few more in the kitchen and living room. Mr. Mason said he-" When she faced him again, her ears were hanging down once more. "He said he didn't think he'd have to use them, but now he has to. This," she tapped the collar, "starts to vibrate when I get too near them and he said there will be an alarm if I try to leave."

Patrick tried to remember if he'd spotted those devices when he visited 'Shy in Mason's house, but he couldn't recall. Maybe he simply dismissed them as Wi-Fi. "B-But I thought your collar has GPS tracking!" he bleated, voice getting desperate. Perhaps he hadn't even thought about it yet, at least not consciously, but simply grabbing 'Shy and running for it had always been a last-resort plan. He knew the alarm would sound as soon as she got too far away, but with how imprecise GPS was, Pat had been hoping they could at least get to the car before Mason realized what was happening. He could take her collar off, but that alarm would sound immediately. Now it seemed that this one would as well!

"It has that too."

"Oh, 'Shy..."

She finally stepped close enough for him to touch, but the collar began its low, rumbling buzz once again, so she stopped. It was barely enough to brush the fur on her muzzle with his fingers, but at least it was some contact. "Can you climb over?" she finally asked.

"Can't. I'll track mud everywhere and Mason will know I've been here."

Fluttershy closed her eyes and pressed against his hand, her breath warm in his palm, and Patrick leaned forward as much as he could without falling over. She had her wings extended to keep her balance on the chair and Pat thought he could lose himself in the soft rustle of her feathers.

"Your hand smells of of it. Dirt," she told him.

"Oh. Yeah, I fell."

"I don't mind."

They stood there, enjoying each other's physical presence for a while before 'Shy pulled away. "Uh, so what happens now? He-" she gulped and looked at the far wall, in the direction of Mason's bedroom. "He said he would beat me, but he hasn't and I don't think he will. W-What if he sells me?"

"I don't know, 'Shy." He held his arm out for a few more seconds, hoping she would come back to nuzzling it, but the moment was over so he dropped it to the window frame to balance himself.

"I'm afraid. If he really sells me to- to that place..." She fell silent and Pat's breath caught at the unwelcome mental image. He pushed it aside and remembered the reason he'd come there.

"You have to get me those papers, 'Shy. It's our only hope."

Fluttershy watched him in silence and her ears slowly lowered as she considered it. After a few seconds she dropped her gaze to the floor. "I-" she began, but clamped her mouth shut. She looked up at Pat and swished her tail in agitation.

"Please. I can't think of anything else. Please, Buttershy!"

This was the moment on which hinged their future, Patrick realized. If she still refused, even now, he probably wouldn't be able to see her any more. After Mason told everyone that he was a horse- that he and 'Shy have been together, he probably wouldn't have a job. He'd have to move, most likely back in with his parents. They'd be disgusted and disappointed and that would be his life from then on. The other way- if she got the papers and they turned out to be genuine-

It was a big unknown, but it was also the only hope Pat had left. He'd threaten to send the documents to IRS and maybe Mason would back down. Maybe he'd give him 'Shy rather than risk prison or something. Patrick was pretty sure tax fraud had a prison sentence. In any case, Mason would be ruined, so however much he'd paid for 'Shy would be a preferable loss. At least that's what Pat hoped.

At long last 'Shy let out the breath she had been holding. The cloud of mist drifted around Pat and he realized her room had gotten as chilly as the outside. They probably didn't have a lot of time left. Mason might feel the cold and decide to come check if his slave had found a way to escape.

"Okay," 'Shy said quietly. She had still been looking at the floor, but now she lifted her face and stared directly at him. Her cyan eyes seemed to glow in the faint pre-dawn light. "Promise me you'll let me go if I can return home."

That one was easy. "I promise," Pat said smoothly.

'Shy was shaking her head. "No, give me a real promise. Pinkie swear!"

He remembered something about that. Supposedly it was an absolutely unbreakable oath in Equestria, although he had thought Pinkie was just one of Fluttershy's friends and didn't understand why a promise to her would be anything special. "Um, how does it go again? Something about a cupcake?"

"Cross my heart," Fluttershy began, still staring directly in his face. Her eyes seemed to expand until they filled Pat's vision and he felt small, insignificant in front of her.

"Cross my heart..."

"-and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake..."

"Oh, right. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." The feeling suddenly vanished and Pat felt dizzy for a moment. His grip on the window frame tightened in an effort to keep him upright.

"What just happened?"

"You gave me a Pinkie promise. You can't break that."

"I won't."

They looked at teach other for a while and Patrick suddenly thought that Fluttershy's expression looked a lot more fierce than usual. He only got that impression after her face softened from the intense, focused stare she had been giving him.

He felt as if he needed to say something. "I love you, Buttershy."

She blushed a little and there was suddenly a smile on her muzzle. "Um, I love you t-too," she mumbled back. It was cute as all hell and for a moment Pat's heart lightened. He really would give this little horsey everything she wanted, he realized. Even if it meant letting her go. Hopefully it would never come to that.

Once again 'Shy glanced in the general direction of Mason's bedroom. "I'll try and get the papers tomorrow when he's at work. Or maybe the next day. If- if he lets me out of the room. He's gotta let me use the toilet."

"Okay, I'll wait. Just- just don't take too long. I don't know how quickly he'll act on his threat, but I'm afraid we don't have a whole lot of time, 'Shy."

She turned back and gave Pat a single, firm nod. "I'll get the papers. I'll call you when I do."

That seemed to be it. Nothing left to do but sneak back home, shower, change, and try to go to work. The day would be awful, but he needed the money, perhaps now more than ever. "Thanks. Um... bye?"

'Shy lightly shook her head. "I want a kiss before you go."

Patrick pointed at the box above the window. "What about the alarm?"

Fluttershy's mouth tightened, her tail flicked, and then she shook her head, as if disagreeing with some internal debate. "Screw the alarm! I want a kiss and I'll just tell Mr. Mason I needed some fresh air!"

It would work, but he would have to hurry away right after. He leaned as far inside as he could while still keeping his balance. 'Shy put her hooves on the windowsill with two faint clicks and came closer. The collar's buzzing intensified as their lips met.

The kiss was pretty chaste, but all the more meaningful for the implied warmth and love 'Shy managed to convey. Pat brought a hand up to caress her face and 'Shy let out a breath in a long, relieved sigh. "It's gonna be okay," she whispered when they parted. "Go."

The incessant buzz of her collar reminded Pat of the danger and he settled back down just outside the window. "I'll- we'll talk," he mumbled, not sure what to say.

She gave him a wave and a smile, then he was off.

Pat remembered that he didn't have to go all the way around the back of Mason's house and sighed to himself a little for his earlier stupidity. He could just get to the street on this side and then take the sidewalk back home. All he'd have to do was make sure no one was watching before he jumped the fence. This time it went a lot better and he didn't scrape himself. The street lamp was uncomfortably bright and Pat kept listening for that indignant shout behind him, but it never came and he made it back home.

It had worked, though. He'd gotten to see 'Shy and laid both their fears to rest, at least somewhat. They had a plan and she would help him. Help them both.

Maybe, somehow, it would all turn out alright.

Chapter 30

Work passed in a kind of haze for Patrick. He was aware of answering calls and filling out paperwork, but couldn't remember the actual content of either. The silver lining was that his coworkers seemed to have sensed his mood and didn't bother him. An added bonus was that they didn't even invite him to have lunch with them. It was just as well, Pat wasn't hungry anyway. He took a cola from the vending machine for the sugar and sat in the tiny kitchen in the empty office.

'Shy had still not called and he was starting to worry about her. She had promised she would let him know when she got Mason's papers. That shouldn't take this long, should it? She said she knew the combination to his safe, so it was just a matter of walking over there and taking them. Maybe Mason didn't allow her to leave the room, but Patrick was sure 'Shy would have called him and said something. The silence was unnerving. His will broke and he dialled her a few minutes before his lunch break was over, but there was no answer. It just made him worry more.

Had Mason found Fluttershy's phone? Was he watching it ring? The caller ID would tell him it was Patrick calling and undoubtedly piss him off. The thought was thoroughly unpleasant and Pat dropped the call and hurried back to his desk. Paul and Alex were already there, but they fell silent when he entered the office. Pat had the feeling they had been talking about him, especially by the way they avoided looking in his direction. He didn't care about their gossip and he had bigger problems. He just had to get through the second half of his shift and then-

Then he'd go home. Nothing much could change, but at least he wouldn't have to act normal. Maybe he would see 'Shy through the window or something. If she didn't call by midnight, Pat decided, he would go to the house just like that morning and try to talk with her.

Unless - the idea chilled his spine - Mason had already gotten rid of her.

Surely he wouldn't act that quickly, would he? It'd take him a few days to find the buyer and get the paperwork in order. Pat had to rush back to the kitchen and grab a glass of water. The thought that she was gone and he'd never see or hear 'Shy again was turning his stomach.

He ran into Harris on his way back. "Jeez, you look like crap, Patrick."

"Yeah- uh. Sorry. It's..."

The boss took a preemptive step back and held up his hand for Pat to keep his distance. "If you got the flu or something you should've stayed home. Don't need you spreading it to everyone."

Pat blinked a few times in confusion. Flu? Did he look bad enough for people to assume he was sick? It was a good excuse and he latched onto it. "Yeah, flu. I'm not feeling too well."

Harris looked annoyed, but there was a glimmer of sympathy there. "You know the rules, Patrick. Take a sick day or two. You shouldn't have even come in."

"You're right. Sorry. I didn't think it was this bad..." He was only half-paying-attention to his boss, but the thought of being able to go home and maybe see 'Shy before Mason returned from work was suddenly very attractive. "I think I'll head home. Um, I'll call tomorrow."

"Don't forget to get a doctor's note. Now git!"

Patrick hurried back to his desk. Having something concrete to do was helping his stomach, but his hands still shook with fear for 'Shy.

Paul finally looked his way and raised an eyebrow when Pat started packing his things.

"Flu," Pat explained. "I don't feel good." He wasn't sure if his coworker bought the excuse, but it looked like he wasn't going to challenge it.

Paul gave him a single nod. "Hope you feel better, Pat. Take care."

"Yeah. Thanks."

He hurried out of the building, practically ran to his car in the parking lot, and headed home.

The afternoon wasn't much better, but at least he didn't have to work. For a while he had stared at Mason's living room, hoping to see 'Shy until his eyes watered, and he'd walked down the sidewalk past the house several times when he couldn't sit still anymore.

It looked deserted.

Patrick kept telling himself the pony was just confined to her bedroom, despite the other, less pleasant theories which kept creeping back in. He wanted to go and look through her window, but there was a lot of traffic in the street, both cars and pedestrians and he couldn't risk it. Any one of his conscientious neighbors might tell Mason that Pat had been sneaking around his house. It'd have to wait for the night again. Of course, by the time that rolled around Patrick might lose what little sanity he had left, he thought.

He was standing on his balcony and nervously smoking his fourth cigarette when he saw his neighbor's car pull up. He ducked behind the fence, unwilling to let Mason see him, and looked through the crack between two of the planks in the railing. The vehicle parked in front of the house and after a moment his bastard of a neighbor climbed out. Pat was expecting him to go into the house, but the man headed the other way. Probably needed to fetch his suitcase from the trunk or something.

Strangely, Mason continued going until he was on the opposite side, where he pulled open the back door and leaned inside. He straightened back a moment later with a rope, or a strip of something in his hand. Patrick's stomach dropped and, sure enough, when Mason gave it a tug 'Shy jumped out of the back seat. She was being led around like an animal on a leash! Pat's fists bunched up but of course he could do absolutely nothing about it.

The little mare looked around, stretched, then smoothly followed Mason back to the house. Pat didn't dare straighten up until they'd gone from sight and closed the door behind them. Well, that explained why the house was deserted and why 'Shy hadn't called. Of course she wouldn't risk bringing her phone if Mason took her away. The problem was that it raised further questions. Where did the man take her and why? Surely it wasn't- Pat's throat seized up at the thought- Surely Mason wasn't taking her to see potential buyers?!

He was still trying to put that idea out of his mind a few minutes later. The cigarette was slowly burning down, unheeded between his fingers, forgotten. A noise from his pocket woke him up. His phone was ringing and he took it out with a trembling hand. It was Fluttershy.

Patrick dropped the cigarette butt and hurried inside even while he pressed the button to answer. "Yes? 'Shy?"

"I couldn't get it," she said, straight to the point. "Um, Mr. Mason took me to work with him. H-He said it was to keep- keep me out of trouble."

He wasn't trying to sell her, or at least not yet! Pat practically sagged with relief and caught himself on the hallway wall with a hand.

"I'm sorry... I'll try tomorrow."

Another day of waiting and worrying without any news sounded like absolute hell and Pat was already shaking his head even before 'Shy had stopped speaking. "Can you do it tonight? Please?"

There was silence, or nearly so. Patrick imagined he could hear the mare's soft breathing. He vividly imagined her uncertain, ears-splayed, muzzle-scrunched expression so clearly in his mind that she might have been standing right in front of him.

"I'm not allowed to leave my room at night anymore, Pat."

"What if you tell him you need to use the bathroom? If you do it a few times he'll get tired of getting up and maybe he'll set your collar to..." He didn't have to finish, they both understood.

More nothing from his phone.

"Please. Buttershy? We really don't have a lot of time!"

This time, when she exhaled, Patrick clearly heard her sigh. "Fine, I'll- I'll try."

He nearly sagged with relief. He suddenly realized that basically the whole of his plan of getting out of this predicament hinged on Fluttershy. He hadn't even thought about getting a lawyer to defend him in court if it came to that. He hadn't even considered the costs, nor where he would get the money if, or rather when, he was found guilty. Everything depended solely on 'Shy.

"Look, I know I'm asking for a lot, but it's about you as well, right?" Pat explained. "Things will be better when it's just us, and- and..." This next bit was still hard to say, but he forced himself to continue. "-and I'll let you go if... when your friends come for you. I promised, remember? You won't be my slave, okay?" Making it seem more possible than it actually was couldn't hurt.

"I know all that," 'Shy replied, but there was a note of longing in her voice. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Can we talk about something else?"

Patrick wanted more assurances that she would get him those critical papers on which everything depended, but he didn't want to push her. "Um, s-sure! What do you want to talk about?"

She hummed a little as she considered. "Umm, I don't know how long I have. Mr. Mason is in the shower, so I might have to leave suddenly when he comes out. Um, how is work? Are you coming home soon?"

For a moment Pat wondered if he should tell her that he'd been sent home on account of looking ill, but decided against it. Fluttershy sounded like she desperately needed at least a semblance of normalcy. "It's fine so far, but I'm not looking forward to the commute. Sometimes I think the night shift is better, because there's no traffic to and from work, you know?"

"Oh yes, traffic on Earth is just awful," 'Shy agreed, her voice lighter and a definite smile behind her words, he could imagine it clearly. "Traffic was never a problem in Equestria, you know? I guess unicorns who could teleport and pegasi, and our flying carriages, kinda helped."

"Oh, you bet it helps. We have aircraft too, but they're like- organized transport. You can't just get a small airplane or chopper for yourself, although they've been promising something like that for ages. I wonder if it will ever happen..."

Ever since Fluttershy had opened up to Patrick about her past life, as one of what sounded almost like superheroes of Equestria, he'd been quite skeptical of her claims. It sounded far-fetched, even for a magical talking pony. He had never told her that, though, unwilling to offend her by accusing her of making stuff up. He was glad he hadn't, now that he saw 'Shy in action. Once she'd agreed to help him, she simply took charge. The uncertain, timid pegasus was gone and a sort of 'in-charge-persona' replaced it, one which was confident and bossy, and knew how to plan and act. In a way it was a relief, although Pat felt slightly guilty that he was letting 'Shy take charge of what was mostly his problem. She'd all but ordered him to report to her window once again and the tone she used meant she didn't have to say it twice.

It was dark and overcast, which was perfect for concealment and this time Patrick didn't rip his clothes and dirty himself on the way to Fluttershy's room. The last time he checked it was well past midnight, so Mason was fast asleep. 'Shy had assured him of that and told him she could hear the man snoring. It still felt incredibly sketchy sneaking into her bedroom at night, but Pat pushed that thought aside and focused on the positive. He'd get to hug and kiss her for a while.

"There. Step on the towel and then take your shoes off," 'Shy commanded.

Patrick did as instructed and lowered himself from the window sill carefully onto the brighter patch on the floor.

"Good, close the window so it doesn't get too cold."

He obeyed that as well. By the time he turned back, 'Shy basically lunged at him and wrapped her forelegs around his waist. He still had to bend down a little, but he gladly obliged so they could kiss. It went on for a while and Fluttershy shoved her tongue into his mouth with a lot more force than he was used to. His hands strayed down her sides and under her incredibly warm wings, which were folded against her. She couldn't hold back a quiet moan as he dug his fingers into her fur and her hind hooves danced on the carpet as she tried to push herself higher. She stepped on Pat's foot but he ignored it, welcoming yet another physical reminder that she was there.

He lowered himself down on the carpet until he was sitting and 'Shy was in his lap. She still hadn't opened her eyes and was continuing her assault on the inside of his mouth. Eventually she broke it off and had to focus on her breathing. Her nostrils flared wide to get as much air as possible with as little noise as she could make and her ears folded down when she caught Pat's gaze.

"I ju-just missed you, okay?" she whispered.

"I missed you too."

"I should get those papers..."

"He let you leave the room?"

"I said I need to pee sometimes in the night. Well, it's true." She was slipping out of his grasp and Pat was sorry to let her gentle warmth go, but he remembered the reason for his midnight visit and released the mare.

Fluttershy hesitated for a while longer, then motioned to her bed. "Hide behind that, just in case. Oh, and put your shoes out of sight."

Pat quickly obeyed. The shoes, wrapped up in the towel, went under her writing desk and then he slid himself across the floor until he was behind the bed. She was right. His hiding spot wouldn't offer any real protection, but at least Mason wouldn't spot him immediately if he happened to be standing in the hallway and peeked inside.

'Shy paused in the door to make sure he was hidden as best he could, then nodded to herself and turned around. She took her steps slowly and carefully, obviously from long practice. Her bedroom had a thick carpet, but the hall was hardwood and her hoofsteps would ring loudly if she didn't take care. As it was, each clop sounded entirely too loud in the still house and Patrick winced to himself, hoping like hell Mason wouldn't wake up and come check on her. He kept listening to Fluttershy's progress and frowned a little to himself. She was heading in the wrong direction! She should have turned right, toward Mason's study, but she went left instead! Patrick was about to crawl to the door and try to call her back when a sudden fear gripped him. Surely she wouldn't go fetch Mason on him, would she? If she told the man he had broken into her bedroom and was forcing himself on her-

Maybe she'd told him something like that already to make him go easier on her?

She wouldn't!

Patrick trusted her. She'd said she loved him and he fully believed her. He breathed a sigh of relief when he hear the distinctive click of the bathroom light. The next few clops sounded on tiles and then the door shut. He imagined he could hear a tinkle of water. It made sense - 'Shy would want to have an actual alibi in case Mason heard her walking around and came to check. Patrick waited patiently until she finished, flushed, washed her hooves and came back out. This time her hoofsteps passed her room and she headed in the correct direction. She slowed down and even Pat had to strain to hear her careful steps.

It felt like forever, with very little audible clues of what she was doing, but eventually Pat recognized that she was coming back. Her face poking into her room was the most welcome sight in years and when he saw she was holding a sheaf of papers in her mouth Pat couldn't stop himself from smiling. This was it. With luck, one of those documents would have something incriminating which he could use to make Mason relent.

"Thank you! Thank you 'Shy!"

She let the papers drop on the floor beside him and nuzzled her way back into his lap. "I'm afraid we might get caught. You should go." Before he could move, though, she grasped him around the chest. "Except... I don't want you to go yet. Can you sit with me for a while?"

Patrick put his arms around her as well and returned her nuzzle. The fluff on her muzzle was as soft as he remembered and the scent of her shampoo made him feel at home. "For as long as you want me."

"He'll probably beat me when finds out, you know?"

"What?" Pat tensed up.

"The papers I s-stole," 'Shy explained. "He'll figure out it was me and he'll try to make me give them back. I think he might beat me."

"Fluttershy, I-"

She silenced him with a kiss. "I don't mind. I decided-" she began and swallowed. "I decided you were right. Slavery is wrong, so it's not like it's really stealing, okay? I don't mind if he beats me, as long as it all works out in the end!"

The little pony was braver than himself, Patrick thought. He hadn't thought about this until now, but 'Shy was right. Mason would go crazy once he discovered the papers missing, especially if it really was something incriminating. He swallowed and considered having 'Shy take them back. Would the man go far enough to beat her to death? Did Patrick dare risk it?

Fluttershy seemed to have noticed his dilemma and she lifted his face with a careful hoof so he was forced to look at her. "I said I don't mind. Just- just call him tomorrow morning. He probably won't notice they are gone in the morning before we leave for work."

"I will, I promise." Patrick decided he would build upon Harris' incorrect impression about him being ill and call in sick the next day. That'd give him the morning free to examine the documents and decide if they were useful to him. Maybe there wouldn't be anything incriminating on them, but they were still financial documents for a large, multinational company which Mason was keeping in a safe. Maybe he could threaten him that he'd release his company's finances or something.

He shouldn't tell 'Shy, though. She had her doubts about the whole thing as it was and thinking that Mason was doing something illegal helped.

"You think he'll make you go to work with him again?"

"Yes," she replied. "I don't mind, really. The lady at the desk gave me one of her books to read and I just sat in the lobby the whole day. It wasn't that bad."

Obviously the man didn't trust leaving her home alone, even with the alarm he'd put in place.

"Okay."

"Um, Pat?"

"Yes?"

The mare nuzzled against him and tightened her grip. "Tell me what it's going to be like when we're... um, together. You know, living together. Are we gonna move away from here?"

It was further than he had thought, but now that 'Shy had mentioned it, he really didn't like the idea of staying Mason's neighbor after all of this. "I guess, yeah. We'll find a place somewhere else."

"That's good," 'Shy said as she closed her eyes and leaned against Pat's chest. "I'd like to move away. I don't like this place. I don't want to stay near it."

"We'll figure something out, I promise."

"Tell me what it will be like," she repeated.

"Okay, okay. I guess we'll have an apartment. It'll probably be smaller than I have now, but that's okay. We just need one room and a kitchen, really. Oh, and a bathroom."

Chapter 31

Patrick slept well and even woke up feeling slightly optimistic. He'd taken a cursory glance at Mason's papers before bed and although he couldn't quite understand what they were about, he was certain they represented significant payments going to very sketchy places. He was sure the guy wouldn't want the things released and would give him 'Shy in exchange for those documents. All he had to do was call him and tell him he had all this incriminating evidence.

For a moment he worried Mason might get violent, but he told himself that Mason wasn't some kind of a mafia boss. He still worried a little, but it was probably because he'd watched too many movies. The important thing was to figure out how to pack up his stuff and find an apartment somewhere else in the city. Maybe a little closer to his job. That reminded him that he'd need money, so Patrick decided to go to work. He could tell Harris that he was feeling better, that it hadn't really been an illness. It'd be hard enough to square up his previous half-day and he didn't want to add another full one. He obviously wouldn't get a doctor's note since he wasn't really sick, so the previous day's episode would probably cost him some vacation time.

On his way out he wondered briefly why Mason's car was still parked in front of his neighbor's house, but dismissed it. It wasn't like the man never worked from home and with having to keep an eye on Fluttershy he might be more inclined to stay put. It wouldn't be very comfortable for the mare, but Pat told himself it wouldn't be too much longer. He'd call Mason during his lunch break, get him to agree to hand 'Shy over, papers and all. With luck, she'd be with him, and legally his, before the day was over!

Then he'd give Mason his papers back-

Patrick froze in the process of unlocking his car and repeated the thought to himself. As soon as Mason had the papers back he'd go right back to the lawsuit. Maybe all that knowledge from movies wasn't completely useless. He ran back in his flat, gathered the documents from his kitchen table and returned to the car. He'd have to make copies and leave a set in a safe place. Mason would just have to believe him when Pat promised not to show them to anyone. A little bit of insurance was important in cases like this. He glanced over at the man's house and saw that the living room was well-lit. Probably having breakfast. Most likely 'Shy had prepared it.

Knowing that the bastard was using her as a maid and a cook left a sour taste in Pat's mouth, but he told himself it wouldn't last for too much longer. "Just hold on through today, 'Shy. I'm coming for you!"

Patrick felt as if the weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he drove to work and he even whistled along in tune with the radio. It was going to be another, endless day at the office, but the thought of coming home to 'Shy - permanently with him - made it worth it. They'd have to start arranging his move right after and he'd have to hunt for apartments, but that was a small price to pay. A little place of their own, away from Mason. Just them. He and 'Shy would spend a lot more time together. They'd talk, and go out for walks. Maybe they'd even find a restaurant or two which would be willing to serve ponies and they could have actual, proper dates. Fluttershy would soon realize she wasn't really a slave, except on paper. Patrick was certain she would stop talking about going home once she got a taste of what their life would be like.

The rest of his drive passed in a hazy blur of imagination. He remembered their week together and tried to visualise something like that, except 'Shy would never have to leave. Sleeping in the same bed every night, waking up together every morning. It was going to be awesome!

The day dragged on, but despite the drudgery Patrick felt okay. The papers were under the floor mat in his car and he had a solid plan of what to do next. He waved to catch Paul's attention. "Hey. Lunch? It's on me."

His coworker gave him a doubtful look, but then shrugged. "Sure. Alex?"

"Just us. I got a favor to ask you."

This made Paul rise his eyebrows, but he didn't press any further. "When?" he asked simply.

"Actually, I'm done with this fucking spreadsheet. Wanna go now?"

Paul glanced at the clock on the nearby wall and shrugged a little to himself. He turned around on his office chair and signalled to Alex. "Hey, gonna take lunch with Pat. I think he's going to tell me a secret. See you later."

They both laughed and Pat joined in with a nervous chuckle. It was uncanny how close to the mark Paul had guessed.

He stood and put on his hoodie. It was still technically winter, but the days were getting too warm for coats. A moment later Paul did the same and they left, pausing only briefly at Harris' office to say they were going out to eat.

Once outside Paul turned toward their favourite burger place, but Patrick stopped. "Just gotta grab something from the car, I'll be right back."

He hurried off to the car park, but slowed down when he saw Paul was coming with him. "So, everything alright? Yesterday you looked like someone died and today you're all chipper and shit."

"Yeah. I guess it was a stomach bug or maybe I ate something. Felt like crap. Heh, spent half the night in the crapper, but it's fine now."

"As long as it isn't something catching."

"Nah, nothing to worry about. Here, let me grab this."

Patrick unlocked the car and fetched Mason's papers from under the mat. He caught a glimpse of his coworker's surprised look, but Paul didn't ask. He was waiting for Pat to explain.

"Look, I need a really big favor, okay? I don't know who I can trust," he explained hurriedly.

"Okay?"

"You gotta promise me. I need to make copies of these and you'll take one copy, okay?"

Paul tried to read the papers, but Pat pulled them away. He needed Paul's word before he let him see what it was about. "Promise?"

The older man rolled his eyes, but he sighed and said: "Fine, fine. I promise. Now that's this about?"

"Okay, so there's this guy- um, threatening me. Saying he'll sue me or something..."

"Sue you?!" Paul blinked in a surprise and had to do a double take. "What the fuck, Patrick? Why would some guy want to sue you?"

"Look, we got into a fight, it doesn't really matter. It's just- he's got money and lawyers and crap, so I'm basically screwed."

Paul snapped his fingers. "Oh, was that why you had that black eye the other day?"

"Y-Yeah..."

He reached out and plucked the documents from Pat's nerveless fingers. "Okay, so what's this then?"

"Look... I got a hold of some of his papers. He's like... CFO of that."

One look at the logo made Paul whistle through his teeth. "Jeez, dude. I wanna ask how you got these, but I don't think I want to know. I don't think it's a good idea."

"Please. All I need is for you to hold on to these and... well, if anything happens send them to the IRS, or the newspapers or some shit."

"Fucking hell, Patrick. What kind of shit are you playing with here?!"

The man was holding the papers away from himself and it looked like he would walk away, but Pat pushed his hand back. "Please, it's the only thing I can do. If I can't make this dude back off I'm basically ruined. He's gonna put me in prison and that's it. I'm not gonna release his papers, I just want him off my back, okay?"

Seeing that Patrick wasn't taking the papers back, Paul dropped them on his car seat and took a step away. "Look man, whatever crap you got mixed up in, I can't afford to be a part of it. Now, I like you so I'm not gonna say anything about this, but..." He sighed and turned back to the office. "If you want my advice, give these back and beg for forgiveness. Settle out of court if you can, it'll go better for you. You don't play around with shit like this, Pat."

"So you think these are incriminating?" Pat asked hopefully.

"I don't know shit, but a big multinational like that? They'll destroy you before you can do anything to them." He heaved another sigh and began walking away.

Patrick grabbed the papers and shut his car door before hurrying after Paul. He folded the documents up and put them in his pocket. This flat-out refusal had never been a part of his plan. He'd never imagined Paul would do something like this. "It's my only choice. Please, all I'm asking is you hold on to them for a while. Don't shaft me like this. Who else am I gonna ask?!"

His coworker shrugged. "I'd say try Alex, but I don't want any of us mixed up in this. Sorry Patrick, this isn't a movie. This is serious shit and people go to prison for it."

He walked away without another word and Pat was left standing there, dumbly watching after his coworker.

"Fuck..."

Perhaps the only bit of good news was that Paul had promised not to tell anyone. He might have just called the police or something and then both Pat and 'Shy would be thoroughly screwed. It'd just have to be up to him, Patrick told himself. He could hide the papers somewhere. Maybe he could get one of those safe deposit boxes at a bank or something and leave the documents in there. The last thing he wanted was to lose them or something equally stupid. Suddenly he wasn't feeling hungry anymore, so he headed to the bank a couple of blocks away. Maybe he could sort it out sooner rather than later.

It looked like Paul no longer wanted to take lunch with him, which was just as well.

Patrick was just coming back from the bank and feeling good about the world when he got a ring. It was Fluttershy, which made him smile involuntarily. Maybe Mason hadn't taken her to work with him after all! "Hey Buttershy!"

"You little fucking bastard!" Mason's voice growled from the speaker and nearly made Pat drop his phone from suddenly nerveless fingers. "I knew you two were somehow speaking!"

"Uh..."

There was a loud bang as Mason slammed his fist down on the table. "Listen to me you degenerate. You're going to bring my papers back right this minute. Or else!"

He knew! How he knew Patrick couldn't say at the moment. He swallowed a lump and tried to remember the words he'd thought up during the morning. "No."

"What did you say to me? Do you even know what you're dealing with?"

"Something illegal, looked l-like," Pat tossed back with only the slightest hitch in his voice.

"You don't know shit-"

"I know enough to know you're worried!"

He'd finally found his voice and at least a part of his courage. Okay, so maybe it wasn't the most eloquent of statements, but it was the best Pat could do at short notice. "You're gonna give me 'Shy or I'm sending those papers straight to the IRS!"

The man laughed, his breath making the speaker crackle because he was holding it too close to his mouth. "Oh yeah?! And what do you think they're going to do? You'll go to jail for this, you little shit!"

"IRS and all the newspapers I can think of!" There was silence this time and Patrick dared hope he'd hit the mark. He tried pushing further:"Give me 'Shy and I'll destroy the papers. It's as simple as that."

This made Mason chuckle some more and Pat imagined there was a manic edge to his voice. "Tough shit, you dickhead. She's gone."

"W-What?!" Suddenly his legs threatened to collapse under him and Patrick staggered to a nearby park bench. His grip on the phone was making his hand cramp up, but he didn't care. His ear hurt from how tightly he was pressing the device against it, but he didn't dare miss a single word Mason said.

"Yea, you heard me. I'm not gonna have a stealing, lying whore under my roof. She's back where I bought her from and I even got most of my money back!"

Everything was coming down. It couldn't have happened so fast! Pat's last few minutes with 'Shy that night couldn't have been the last time he ever saw her, could they? "N-No... no! You're lying!"

Tears were streaming unheeded down his face and he could hardly see the ground in front of him through the blur. It felt as if his stomach was doing somersaults and Pat felt like he was going to throw up.

There was nothing from the phone for a while. "So here's what you're going to do," Mason said slowly and carefully. "You're gonna bring those papers to me and you're gonna give them to me. Maybe if you say you're sorry, I'll forget about the lawsuit."

He was obviously very worried about what was in those documents, but Patrick didn't care anymore. Fluttershy was gone, beyond his grasp.

Unless.

"Where?!" he suddenly barked.

"Huh? You know where I live, you dipshit-"

"No, where's 'Shy? Where's the place?!"

There was no answer.

"Tell me!"

"Bring me the papers."

Patrick rubbed his forehead in a futile effort to stop his brain from racing to all the darkest places. 'Shy had said she'd probably end up in a breeding facility. It made sense. People would want more of these ponies and as a mare, she'd be a prime investment. "No. If you tell me where 'Shy is, I'll promise I won't show them to anyone, but I'm keeping them." He remembered what he had wanted Paul to do. "Oh, and if anything happens to me, or 'Shy, the papers will get out."

Once again he was met with silence.

"Well?!"

There was another thump, as if Mason had hit something else, but the man's voice was calm, if a little strained. "Do you think this is some sort of bullshit movie or something? You're completely stupid, aren't you? I'll say it once again: Bring me my documents or I'll make you regret it, okay?"

Patrick realized he couldn't do a whole lot, not shaken as he was and not with Mason fixated on the papers. "Fuck you! If I don't get 'Shy back I'm sending those papers to everyone I can think of! You can shove your threats up your ass!"

Mason started to say something else, but Pat cut it off with a jab of his finger. He watched the screen where Fluttershy's name still showed until it turned off. That damned jerk wasn't supposed to sell her this quickly! He wasn't supposed to figure out his documents were missing that soon! Everything was falling apart faster than Pat could ever have believed. For all he knew, 'Shy was already being tied up and-

He forcibly stopped that line of thought before he made himself physically ill. His hands still shook and Patrick realized he couldn't go back to the office. Not like this. He tapped the phone again and called Harris.

"Huh?"

"Uh... it's back. I thought I felt better, but I guess it was just the meds working. I really don't feel well."

"Oh. So you're ill again?"

Pat had a feeling his boss didn't believe him, but at that point he didn't care. "Look, I need to take another half day. Uh, and maybe tomorrow. That OK?"

Harris exhaled in a sigh, then went on in a noncommittal tone of voice. "Fine by me, Pat. Just make sure you get something from your doctor."

"Ugh, what if I take vacation days? I don't think I wanna leave the house until I feel better."

"Fine. Fine. See you Monday, I guess?"

"Yeah, I hope I'll be better by then."

Either he'd have 'Shy back and all would be well, or she would be lost to him and it would never be okay again. Funny, Patrick thought to himself, how he could consider both alternatives so dispassionately. It was probably just shock.

Fluttershy was gone.

He hung up on Harris and looked at his phone for long minutes, wondering if he wanted to call Mason back. He needed the address of wherever he'd taken 'Shy and other than threatening him over those documents Pat had no real leverage. Somehow he had to show the man he was serious.

An idea occurred and he up suddenly. Mason didn't believe he'd publish his precious tax fraud?! Well, there were ways to get the information out without really publishing it. Maybe if Mason saw the documents with some careful redacting on a web page he'd believe him. All it'd take was photo editing software to put in some black boxes. He'd send Mason the link and threaten he'd publish the uncensored version if the guy didn't tell him what he wanted to know. Heh, he could even have the papers back once Pat had digital copies.

He still felt sick to his stomach when he thought about 'Shy, but at least now he had some sort of a plan. He headed back to the bank to retrieve the contents of his safety deposit box less than twenty minutes after putting them in.

Chapter 32

"You get Fluttershy back or I'm putting them all online and sending the links to everyone!" Patrick was doing his best to sound cool and determined, but his heart was hammering and he was holding his lighter in a death grip. He'd just had a cigarette before calling Mason and he already wanted another one.

His asshole of a neighbor didn't reply.

"That's the deal. You can have your papers back, but I scanned them all!"

"You fucking-"

"Shut the fuck up!" He was tired of listening to Mason swear and it was getting them nowhere. Pat dropped his lighter on the kitchen table and ran his hand through his hair as he sighed. "Look. If I put those financials out you'll sue me, I get it. I'm not gonna do it unless you make me."

This time Mason made what could loosely be called a laugh. "You'd go to prison for a fucking pet?!"

"You wouldn't understand," Patrick said, trying to keep the defeat from his voice. What had they called this back in college before he flunked out? Mutually-assured destruction? "Give me 'Shy and we're done. You'll never hear from me again."

This was the third time he'd called Mason in as many days and each time it had ended in a shouting match, a lot of swearing and one of them throwing the phone down in anger. The fact that they hadn't started yelling yet this time was giving Patrick some hope. Hope was something he had in short supply. Who knew what Fluttershy was going through and he was no closer to finding her as he had been at the start.

"Your word is worth jack shit," Mason began but Pat interrupted him.

"It's the best you'll get! Look, at least tell me where she is or I'm going right to my computer and sending those scans to everyone, okay?!" He was no longer trying to hide the manic edge in his voice.

More silence.

"8861 Theatre Street," the man finally mumbled. Pat almost couldn't believe his ears.

"What?"

There was another sigh. "The fucking address! Take it and fucking leave me alone you piece of shit!"

Patrick rushed over to his 'everything drawer' and rummaged for a pen. He wrote the street and the number down before he'd forget it.

Mason kept talking in the meantime: "Listen, if so much as a word from my documents gets out I'll fucking destroy you, get it? I'll ruin you, and your parents, and your friends, and your barrista and the fucking girl on the counter in the supermarket! Everyone you so much as looked at in your entire life!"

Maybe he should give the man a promise or something, but he obviously wouldn't believe it. Patrick just hung up the phone. He hurried to the coffee table and fumbled his laptop open. He tapped the floor nervously as he waited for it to boot up, then grumbled a few curses when it took a long, fucking time to start the browser.

Less than a minute later he was looking at the street photos. The address looked like some kind of a warehouse in an industrial area on the other side of the city. Surely it wasn't some kind of a trap, was it? Pat panned around the image, but of course it wouldn't be able to show him if anyone would be waiting there for him.

"Fuck, you better appreciate this, 'Shy..." He couldn't wait a single minute longer. It was almost nine P.M. but he simply had to find out. He slammed the laptop shut and got his phone out to put in the address. It was more than an hour's drive, but he didn't care. He'd have to stop for gas on the way there, but that was just another minor detail. Pat almost ran out of his house and barely remembered to lock the door before going for his car. He remembered to glance at Mason's house, but aside from a light in the living room window he didn't see anything out of place.

It was a relief that the man hadn't come outside to watch him run off, though.

In moments Pat was buckled in, turned the car on and drove away.

Patrick arrived at the place in the middle of the night and the area seemed deserted. There were no houses or apartments on that street and the factories and warehouses seemed to dominate. Everything was still and quiet. Aside from the street lamps and an occasional sign, there was no illumination. His heart sank. How was he supposed to find 'Shy in this? He parked by the side of the road and got out with his phone in hand. He walked around a little to make sure the GPS was accurate, then headed for the pin exactly where Mason's address was shown.

There was a ramp and a small guard hut, but it looked deserted and lifeless so he approached. If anyone asked, he could always say he was lost and ask for directions. Luckily no one showed up and soon he was looking into the empty shack. Beyond the ramp there was a large space with a few parked trucks, and further on was a wide warehouse building. It didn't make sense, but it was the best lead he had. If it turned out Mason had sent him on a wild goose chase, he'd make him pay.

Perhaps he could remove a few of the black boxes on one of his documents and post it again. It was highly unlikely anyone would see it, not unless Patrick specifically sent the link to newspapers and social media, but it would show the bastard he was being serious.

At the moment there didn't seem anything else to do, so Pat glanced around to see if anyone was coming then ducked under the ramp into the parking lot. He pushed down the strong feeling of wrongness and kept walking. The trucks were dark and quiet, but their drivers might be sleeping inside, Pat remembered, so he made sure to walk behind where he would have less chance of being seen. There was no outcry or sudden spotlights, but he didn't relax even when he reached the warehouse.

It looked abandoned and all the doors seemed tightly shut. Just as an experiment Patrick walked over to the nearest human-sized door in the wall and tried the handle. Locked. He didn't know what to do next. Maybe he could break in somehow, but that would require knowing how to pick locks or smash down doors. Not to mention that there would probably be an alarm. He groaned in frustration and began walking along the wall, intending to fully circumnavigate the building. Maybe there would be a window or something and he could see inside. All he needed was a sign that 'Shy was really here! He could work out a plan for getting her out after that.

It was slow going because he tried every door he came across, even the large ones for trucks. They didn't have handles, but Pat tried pushing them up in the hopes that one of their mechanisms was faulty and didn't lock properly. Unfortunately everything seemed well maintained and soon he turned a corner without a single opportunity to get inside. The side wall was completely bare, so Patrick just hurried on to reach the back. Maybe they would be less diligent on the side which didn't face the road. The pavement only extended a few feet from the wall and then changed to grass, so he moved there and hastened his pace. It was easier to walk quietly on the softer surface.

He kept his gaze on the ground before him so he wouldn't step on something noisy and that turned out to be his lucky break. He spotted a patch of mud and hurriedly took out his phone. The little light it provided wasn't much, but it was enough to reveal a clear hoofprint. This nearly made Patrick smile. There really were ponies around this place and here was proof. Maybe they let them out for exercise or something. He scanned the ground for more, but the grass didn't show anything and Pat didn't have the first idea how you went about tracking something.

The patch of mud had been a stroke of luck, it seemed.

He hurried on, hoping to see something specifically pertaining to Fluttershy, but Patrick was pretty convinced she was there. The fact that Mason had broken down and told him the address, and that there actually were ponies there, told him that the man was probably really worried about those documents getting out. In a few minutes, and with his heart hammering in excitement, Pat rounded the next corner. There were more truck-gates, but that parking lot was a lot smaller and no vehicles were standing on it. He hurried along the wall, once again pausing to try each gate and door he came across. No luck, but by the time he had made it almost to the other side he began to smell a powerful stink. It was out of place for an industrial area and reminded him more of a farm or something. He'd kept his phone out and began to shine it further ahead to try and find the source of the stink.

Once he spotted a low, walled pit he knew. He couldn't guess what the thing had been used for before, but now it was half-full of manure. Of course, if they had any number of ponies they'd have to do something about their bodily functions. Patrick grimaced in distaste. He knew for a fact that ponies could use the toilets without issue, but here it looked like they were being treated as farm animals. Probably kept in stalls or cages and their crap shovelled out every day. His blood burned and Pat eyed the nearest door, wondering if he could knock it down after all. Fluttershy deserved to get out of this place. He hated the thought of her being stuck in there a minute longer than necessary. After a few moments he subsided. He wouldn't do either of them any good if he got caught breaking into the place. He needed a plan. He kicked at the wall of the pit, doing nothing except hurting his foot, then stalked off around the final corner.

The side wall was pretty much the same as the other one, so Patrick just hurried along it, not paying much attention to the ground. He had what he'd come for, but now he was faced with a new problem.

How to get 'Shy out of there?

Breaking in would have to be a last resort, he decided. Maybe he could bargain for her or something. Maybe if he got Mason to call and tell them to sell her cheap Pat could afford the price. He'd have to get a loan, there was no doubt about that. He had some savings, but nothing nearly sufficient. He'd have to get one of those barbaric, overpriced, dickish 'general-purpose' loans and simply swallow the large overpayment the bank would extract in return. It was for 'Shy and Pat was willing to do anything.

However, he could only do that if the people who owned the ponies came. There was nothing to do but wait. Patrick went back to his car, completely forgetting to check for traffic until he was ducking under the ramp. He froze and looked both ways, but the street remained deserted so he let out the breath which had caught in his throat. He walked to his car and sat inside. He could drive home and get some sleep, but Patrick didn't want to leave. 'Shy had slipped through his grasp once already and he didn't want to leave now that he had a pretty good idea where she was. If they tried to move her in one of those trucks there was nothing he could do. Very likely he wouldn't even know they were moving her, but he still couldn't bring himself to leave. There was a chance, however slim, that he'd see her. Maybe he could park at a place where he could see that grassy bit at the side through the chain link fence. Just a glimpse would do! He had to know if she was alive!
Patrick wrapped himself more tightly in his coat and prepared to wait out the night in his car. It'd be chilly, but he'd be fine. He'd endure any discomfort for that sweet, yellow mare.

He must have nodded off at some point in the night because Patrick woke up when it became too bright to ignore. He was stiff and cold and somehow felt more tired than the previous night. It really hadn't been quality sleep. He forgot the discomfort when he looked at the street. Several other cars were parked at the entrance to that warehouse and he could see a couple of trucks waiting to go inside. The guy in a guard's uniform was examining the papers from one of the truck drivers. At first glance it looked like a regular warehouse, but Patrick knew for a fact they had ponies in there. Surely they didn't need that much food, did they? Maybe whoever owned it didn't want to give the whole place over to keeping ponies and still used it for its intended purpose in part? It would explain the number of trucks.

In any case, now was his chance to find out more. Pat got out of his car and walked down the sidewalk to the little guard hut. The man was just finishing with the last truck driver and sauntered over when he spotted him.

"Whatddya want?"

Patrick hadn't given much forethought to his words which was just as well. He was better at improvising anyway. "Hey, I heard I might be able to buy one of those maid ponies over here."

The guard scrutinized him up and down, doubt plainly evident on his face. Pat didn't look rich enough to afford a technicolor alien horse. There was nothing he could do except wait and hope the man decided to believe him. Finally he stirred and shrugged a little to himself. "You want Nigel Patterson," the guard said and pointed at where a group of men were leaning against a couple of forklifts. "Big guy, black hair and beard."

"Yeah, I see him. Thanks."

Patrick walked in through the small pedestrian gate by the hut, which was open now that it was day. He glanced back after a few steps, but there was a new truck waiting to get in and the guard was heading over, apparently having already forgotten about the unexpected visitor. It was just as well. Pat made his way to Nigel and his friends, who fell silent when they noticed him approach. They didn't seem hostile or resentful, but neither did they look too curious about why he was there.

Pat decided to start the conversation so he'd appear more confident, more in control. "Hey, you Nigel?" he prompted.

The big man gave him a single nod.

"The name's Pat." They briefly shook and then Pat decided to cut straight to the chase. "I'm looking to buy one of those maid ponies."

This got him a chuckle from Nigel. "I don't think you can afford one, pal."

He was right, but Patrick was trying hard not to show it. "You never know. So you selling or what?"

Nigel looking him over once more then seemed to decide it wasn't his problem. "You'll have to talk with the boss. I just take care of them."

This proved too much and Patrick couldn't hold his mouth shut. "I'm looking for a specific one. Yellow, pink hair. Pegasus," he described.

Nigel blinked in surprise and straightened up. "Huh..." he murmured to himself. Then he pointed at the other men around. "You guys, back to work. I need to talk with Pat here."

There were one or two grumbles that their smoking break was cut short, but the men obeyed and drove away with the forklifts. They probably weren't supposed to ride on the forks in front, but Patrick wasn't about to go complain to OSHA. He followed Nigel to one of the smaller doors and his heart began to race faster. Maybe he'd get to see 'Shy at least.

"I should've recognized the name straight away. The horse talks about you."

"S-She's here!" He couldn't keep the tremble out of his voice and Nigel smirked when he looked back.

"Yeah, that's basically all it talks about. Is it true you fucked it?"

The word 'it' irked, but Patrick did his best not to show it on his face. He needed Nigel friendly and willing to bargain. "How much for her?" They reached the door and Pat was poised to follow Nigel inside, but the other man stopped and leaned against the wall. He wasn't taking him anywhere, Pat realized, he just wanted to clear the parking lot so they wouldn't get run over by something. Pat didn't know what to do with his hands, so he stuck them in his pockets as he waited for the verdict.

"Dunno. That one probably isn't for sale. Boss said to send it to retraining," the man explained and the word 'retraining' made Pat's blood run cold. Fluttershy still hadn't talked about what had happened to her after she was captured, but he felt it was probably awful.

"I can take her off your hands, save you the trouble. I can train her myself," he said, trying to appear as nonchalant as he possibly could. Nigel didn't say anything, so he went on. "Come on. How much?"

"They normally go for a hundred large," he said. The word 'normally' there made Pat hold his breath with sudden hope. "Female ones used to be a hundred and fifty, but we're not selling them any more."

Patrick resisted the urge to start begging. Something told him there was a 'but' coming up.

Nigel chewed the inside of his lip for a moment, then sighed. "Look, I'll level with you. The yellow one is- Well, I was going to tell the boss we should cut our losses."

"What?! Why?"

At least the man had the decency to look uncomfortable as he went on. "Well, it's moping around all the time and refusing to eat. The pegasus ones don't have that much spare flesh to begin with. I doubt retraining would have helped either. I've seen this kind of thing before. Sometimes they just give up, you know?" He shrugged a little and spat on the ground, narrowly missing Pat's shoe. "I can't be assed to force feed them and it doesn't even work, really. Too smart, you see?"

"Well, so just sell her to me. You don't care if she dies after that, right?" Patrick tried. Saying that left a stone in his belly, but it was just an act. He knew 'Shy would be right as rain as soon as they were reunited. It was unsettling that they'd give up on a pony after less than a week, but Patrick reminded himself that these people sold living, thinking beings as slaves or worse, so maybe it wasn't too unusual. His best hope right then was if Nigel believed 'Shy would be more work than she is worth, so he'd prefer to sell her for a fast profit.

The guy still looked a little doubtful. "Well, sometimes they get better after a while."

"If she didn't by now she probably isn't going to. Look, I'm offering cash. Today. Off the books. Just tell your boss she died or something and you can keep it all. I'm not gonna tell anyone!"

"How much?"

This gave Patrick real hope that he might get 'Shy after all. He paused to thank human greed and think about a good number. He did a fast mental calculation about what kind of a loan he might get away with. "Ten thousand?"

Nigel grimaced, obviously weighing the prospect of personal profit against the possibility of getting caught. "Fifteen," he countered.

"Deal."

"Not a word to anyone, get it? Anyone asks, the horse refused to eat and died. I don't wanna see you around here again, or it."

"I swear! I'll go get the money right away-"

The man held up a hand to forestall him. "Don't be stupid. Come back after midnight. Let's say one or so. I'll wait for you at the ramp."

"I'll be there!"

Patrick reached out his hand to shake on it, but Nigel just grunted and went inside the warehouse. So that was it. All his savings plus a significant loan, but for 'Shy it would be worth it. The living would be tough for a while until he paid the bank back. With Fluttershy there it would be bearable, even if they had to eat nothing but bread and water for a while.

He hurried back to his car. Hopefully the bank could give him the loan quickly. It was still early in the day.

Chapter 33

It was total bullshit and Patrick had a hard time keeping a tight rein on his temper as he stalked out of the bank. Their ad was a complete lie! 'Instant loan' it said, except that in this case 'Instant' meant something like two or three days! Not to mention that he hadn't been able to get as much as he needed. The way things were going he might be able to pay off Nigel, but it'd leave him almost nothing to live on. He'd have to stay in Anton's flat for at least another month, no way he could afford to move before he got a paycheck or two.

Perhaps the only blessing in disguise had been that he wouldn't have to start paying the loan back for a couple of months which gave him some breathing room. If he could get his security deposit back from Anton and if he and 'Shy didn't mind living very frugally, they could move next month. It'd mean they'd both be very near Mason for a while longer which wasn't a situation Patrick particularly liked. The worst part of it was that there was no way he could get money to Nigel that night. He'd withdrawn a couple hundred bucks, hoping he could put it down as a deposit or something with a promise that he'd bring the rest and get 'Shy on Friday.

He somehow made it to his car and sat, staring out at the road in frustration. Things just kept getting worse and worse at every turn. What irked him most of all was that it was 'Shy who paid the price. She was the one stuck in a cage or something!

"Fuck!"

Swearing didn't help in the slightest and Pat slumped back in his seat. It was still early and he'd have to wait the whole day before he could try talking with Nigel. It was a distasteful idea, but the only thing Patrick could think of was to go to work. It wasn't far, he had some deodorant in the car and if he swallowed enough coffee he'd make it through the day. He would really need the money. He'd even have to start picking up more overtime so that he and 'Shy wouldn't starve while he was paying back the damned loan shark bank!

With luck he'd be able to focus on his job at least enough that Harris wouldn't fire him for incompetence by the end of the day. Pat put the key in the ignition and seriously considered going home. At least there he wouldn't have to deal with people, or look at his coworkers.

Except...

He imagined sitting in front of the TV and waiting for the hours to pass. It would drag on and on, each mindless show more inane than the last. Maybe having something concrete to do would be slightly better, especially if it resulted in more money at the end of the month. Maybe his luck would change and Paul wouldn't ask about the documents he'd seen. Pat really couldn't handle coming up with a believable explanation, not on this day. He looked at piece of paper in his hand once more, just to make sure he had everything correct. Ten thousand. That was all the bank was willing to give him, based on his salary, spending, and the fact that he didn't want to say what the loan was for.

Ten thousand. Still five short from what he needed.

If he emptied his account and maxed out his credit cards it'd get him there, but it wouldn't leave much room for error. He tried to think back to his flat, remember what he had in the fridge and the freezer. He wouldn't be buying any significant groceries until the next paycheck, which wouldn't come for at least the next two weeks. Hopefully 'Shy had stocked more food at his place, Patrick hoped. With her cooking they might be able to get through it. Maybe he could do odd jobs or something for a bit of quick cash. They were always looking for Uber drivers, weren't they? There was no denying it and the knowledge felt like a physical weight, sitting on his lungs and making it harder to breathe. Getting 'Shy out of this mess would basically bankrupt him.

The critical intersection was coming up and Pat grimaced to himself as he took the left lane. That road led to the office. He'd really need the money and he had time to kill.

"Go on, get out of here Patrick," Harris was saying as he passed his desk. He had his coat and suitcase, obviously on his way out, but Pat was still flipping through the report sheets on his computer. He glanced at the clock and almost groaned. Barely past six. Seven more hours until he could try and do something about Fluttershy. Almost a whole shift.

"Just gonna finish this paperwork."

His boss stopped and examined his screen. "It can wait until tomorrow. Come on, you probably have better things to do."

"I really don't. I'll wrap it up in a minute."

Harris gave up and shrugged. "Well, suit yourself. This isn't overtime, by the way. If you wanna do overtime, you have to tell me in advance so I can run it past HR. They've been getting strict on it."

This was important news and Patrick looked up from his work so he could pay attention. "Okay, I wanna do more overtime. I need the money," he told the man.

"You're not developing a drug habit, are you?" Harris asked, but then immediately chuckled to show it was a joke.

Pat laughed as well, but it was a bit forced. His heart wasn't really in it. "No, just wanna move closer to work so I need a bit of extra cash for a while."

"Well, come by my office tomorrow and we'll see if we can move some people around. A few of them in Complaints have been yammering about reducing their hours."

It was one of the least pleasant jobs in the whole department, but Patrick kept his face neutral. He really needed the money. "Sure. I could do that for a while, give them a breather at least."

Harris patted his shoulder and then picked up his suitcase again. "Keep it up and you'll get yourself a promotion, Pat."

That would be even better paycheck-wise and Patrick perked up. He hadn't really thought about striving for a better position because he'd always known he would be moving on to a better job soon. Except that 'soon' had lasted for over two years now. Maybe 'up' was an easier way out of the call center? "I'll try. Um, sorry about yesterday. Oh, and the day before. It was just one of those things..."

By this time Harris was getting impatient to leave so he waved it away. "Don't worry about it. It happens. Bye!"

Patrick didn't reply as he turned back to his screen. He had nowhere else to be until eleven. The drive to the warehouse was about an hour and he wanted to get there a little sooner so he wouldn't miss Nigel. That meant he still had a lot of time and might as well do some of his paperwork so he wouldn't have to do it the next day. He hadn't lied to Harris, it would just take a few more minutes and then he'd leave.

He got another idea and stared at the far wall in deep thought. He had to visit home for a short while and speak with Anton. In fact, having something concrete to do - something directly related to him and 'Shy - was infinitely preferable to Excel. He jabbed his finger at the monitor to turn it off, then stood and hurried out of the building.

With luck his landlord would be home this evening.

It took a bit of knocking on the door and some waiting, but eventually Anton made his way to his front door. He opened it a crack and peered out suspiciously until he spotted who it was.

"Patrick? Why are you banging on my door at this hour?"

"It's seven, Mr. Petrinov."

"Hold on," the man said and closed the door fully so he could unlatch it. Then he opened it and stepped aside in an invitation.

Strange, Pat reflected as he stepped inside, how it felt weird to walk into an apartment less than six feet away from his. Everything was eerily familiar, yet strangely different. Whatever architect had designed the house, they hadn't changed the floor layout much between upstairs and downstairs. Anton led his unannounced guest to the kitchen table and motioned to a chair. He didn't sit himself but went to rummage in one of the cabinets.

It was full of bottles, every imaginable shape and color. Patrick remembered once again that the man worked in a bar. It would make sense his home was quite well stocked. He also couldn't help noticing that the sink was full, there were dirty dishes on the table and items of clothing on the couch. It reminded him strongly of what his own flat had looked like before Fluttershy had become a more permanent visitor. A bachelor's pad, almost straight out of the textbook.

He only realized that Anton had sat down when the man slid a glass over. It had the smell of strong spirits, but he couldn't recognize what exactly at first glance. Maybe some kind of gin? It was only polite to take it and wet his lips, but Pat didn't want to drink, especially tonight.

"So, what brings you around?" his landlord asked. "Mason still giving you trouble?"

Patrick blinked in surprise. He'd hardly even thought about his other neighbor that day. All his energy was focused on getting 'Shy out of that warehouse and seeing them through the immediate future. "Actually no. We sorted it out," he said truthfully.

Anton raised his glass and inclined his head. "Good, good," he commented before taking a sip himself. "So, what can I do for you? Everything okay with the flat?"

This was a hard topic to broach but Patrick swallowed the lump and gave it a try: "A-Actually, I'm thinking of moving out..."

Petrinov's mouth quirked up in a knowing half-smile for a moment. "I see. Because of Mason?"

"Yeah. Um, partly. I also wanna be closer to work, I can't keep driving an hour each way."

Unfortunately Anton didn't buy it and chuckled. He paused only long enough to take a gulp from his glass, then went right back at laughing. "You wanna live somewhere everyone doesn't know about you and that little horse of yours, yes?"

That hit too close to the mark and Patrick couldn't stop his face from growing hot.

Seeing that, Anton just chuckled harder. "Listen, Pat," he finally went on, "I am not the one to judge. Back where I come from? Every other house there is a goat-fucker, or a sheep-fucker." He sighed and got a faraway look in his eyes, missing his homeland despite his disparaging remark. "Sometimes I am thinking the only reason we aren't having more horse-fuckers is because we don't have many horses."

He started to chuckle again and Patrick felt obliged to join in, as if the man had told a joke. He didn't know what to do with his hands, so he took his glass once again. Anton noticed that and raised his as well.

They clinked, then drank a little. "So, how can I help you achieve this American dream?"

Pat relaxed a little. He'd known Anton was mostly fine with him and Fluttershy, even if he laughed.

"Well, I was wondering... can you take my next rent out of my security deposit? The flat is fine, so I don't think you'll need it. I'm thinking I'll move out next month. Um, could you give me back what's left over after rent and utilities?"

Mr. Petrinov worked his mouth as he regarded him, but then he shrugged a little. "Fine. Fine. I'll come up tomorrow and we will check on things. If everything is alright I am not seeing a problem."

This was good news and Pat managed a small, relieved smile. "Thanks. Really. It means a lot."

"So where is that little horse of yours? Mason keeping her in the house?" Anton asked, pouring himself another shot of liquor. He downed about a half of it in one go, then pointed at Patrick with the glass. "He looked pretty mad the other day."

Pat wondered how much he could tell Anton. "Nah, he got rid of her," he said at last. His landlord was fine with them, but there was no real reason to push it.

Anton shrugged and emptied his glass with his next gulp. "Shame. She was a pretty little thing. Yellow, like butter. I am never seeing a yellow horse before, but I'm thinking it looked good."

"Yeah..." Patrick settled back and fingered his glass some more. The fact that he wouldn't have to pay rent next month and get some money back from Petrinov was a load off his chest. It'd make moving significantly easier. The only hurdle was whether he could convince Nigel to wait a couple of days. Hopefully the bargaining skills he'd picked up working in a call center would come in handy.

A glance at the clock showed him he still had four hours or so. Maybe he should shower and change his clothes. He should probably also eat something. He became aware that he other man was talking.

"So what do you say?" Anton finished.

"Huh? Sorry, I was thinking about work."

Anton grinned and repeated: "I am saying: wanna stay for dinner? I have a nice link of kielbasa ready to be fried and you can tell me more about your horse."

"She wasn't really mine."

That statement made the old man bark a laugh. "Ha! Maybe not on paper, but that horse was yours. Trust me!"

"Well... okay," Patrick conceded. "For starters she really doesn't like being called a horse..."

The agreed time was almost there and Patrick felt more and more nervous by the minute. He really hoped Nigel wouldn't just dismiss him out of hand because he couldn't get the money in time. He sat in his car next to the ramp outside the warehouse and waited for the other guy to show up. It was already past one in the morning, so Pat was starting to fidget a little. To his relief there was a sudden car driving down the street. All he could see were the headlights, but no one else seemed to come near the area so maybe it was Nigel.

His hunch was confirmed when the other car stopped next to his. He waited in his seat until he saw Nigel get out and then quickly followed.

The man didn't greet him and went straight to the point: "You got the money?"

It was the question he had been dreading, but Patrick gathered his resolve and tried to make his voice as matter-of-fact as possible. "Bank's gonna need a few days. That's not a problem, is it?"

Nigel looked doubtful and turned to get back in his car, but Pat went on with a touch more urgency than he would have liked. "Listen, I'm gonna get it. The deal is still on, I'm just asking you to wait a few days. I'll have it Friday latest."

The other guy was already sitting down and lighting a cigarette. He shrugged. "Okay, it might still be here on Friday. It's not eating so I can't say when it'll fall over. I can't promise anything if that happens, I'll have to call a vet."

"Okay, okay. How about if you let me see her for a minute? I'll talk her into eating and you can keep her around until Friday?"

Nigel was about to laugh, but Patrick pulled a wad of bills out of his pocket. "Here! Let's call it a down payment, okay? I got five hundred right now, you let me see Fluttershy and I tell her to behave until Friday, how's that?"

The mention of money instantly changed the atmosphere and Nigel put his car key back into his front shirt pocket. It was an encouraging sign. Pat held out the wad of cash and Nigel took it.

"I'm not giving you the money back if it's gone by Friday."

His continued use of 'it' for Fluttershy was starting to really bug him, but Patrick clamped his mouth shut and didn't say anything. With luck, he'd only have to deal with the jerk for a few more days and then never see him again. "Just try your best to keep her here. I'll have the rest of the money."

Nigel gave a shrug as he took a cigarette out and lit it. "Friday," he confirmed. "Come on..." He walked over to the guard's hut and pulled a different keyring out of his pants pocket. It jingled as he searched for the right key so he could unlock the flimsy-looking building.

Pat didn't understand why he needed to get in there, but didn't comment as long as he'd get to see 'Shy shortly.

A minute later Nigel came back and closed the door, but didn't lock it. Seeing Pat's silent, questioning look, he explained: "Had to turn down the security cameras and motion sensors. I'll put them back when we're done."

That made sense and Patrick was suddenly grateful he hadn't tried breaking in the other night. A fresh worry popped up, though. "Um, the cameras. Are they just inside or around the building as well?" he asked.

"Inside. Truckers sometimes sleep in the parking lot so there's been too many false alarms."

Relief flooded through him and Patrick followed the tall, bearded man through the passenger gate. It looked like it wasn't locked and he felt a little stupid for climbing under the ramp the other night. They crossed the parking space in silence and Nigel didn't seem at all concerned about the parked trucks. Maybe the drivers weren't sleeping in them this particular night. Nigel would, of course, know about that if he worked there. Pretty soon they were at the human-sized entrance Pat had first tried the other day. This time it went better because Nigel had the keycard for the scanner next to the door.

It was finally the moment when he'd get to see 'Shy again, but against all reason Patrick was suddenly nervous. Would she blame him for her situation? What if she was upset that she'd ended up in this place and thought it was all his fault? Maybe she wouldn't even want him to rescue her.

He shook his head in denial. No, Fluttershy would want to get out and be with him, surely.

The other man flipping his cigarette on the ground woke Pat from his thoughts and he followed Nigel into the building, where he was immediately hit by a strong scent of manure. The smell reminded him of a farm and he could see hay scattered on the floor. It was weird to think that part of the warehouse was still being used for its original purpose and this part had been converted into a makeshift stable. The floor was partitioned into small stalls with what looked like wooden walls. The front was made of iron bars and hinged so it could be opened, and there were pipes running above the whole thing to deliver drinking water.

Patrick could only see the nearest cage and a gray lump lying in the middle. He recognized the unmistakable shape of a pony and his heart sped up when he thought he saw wings, but Nigel flicked a switch and the stalls were instantly bathed in a harsh, white light. It wasn't 'Shy. It was a light pink pony with a mane even more garishly pink than Fluttershy's. She - Pat had a feeling it was a girl - was facing away so he could see her cutie mark. It was a pink and blue cupcake.

The sudden light made the mare wake up and blink at him, before scrunching up her muzzle in distaste and laying back down, intent on ignoring him.

"This way," Nigel urged.

Patrick followed, but couldn't stop himself from glancing in each stall, or cage, whatever they were. The second pony was pink again, but her mane and tail were mint-green. She was smiling and staring right at him with big, hopeful eyes.

"Hi mister!" she chirped as soon as she caught his gaze. "Are you looking for a pony?"

Patrick blushed and looked away, suddenly feeling sorry for himself for having to crush this young pony's dreams. She obviously wanted to leave this place, unlike the last one. "S-Sorry, m-maybe some other time," he mumbled.

Up ahead Nigel glanced back and laughed. "Don't look at them," he advised. "They'll say anything to get out of here." He banged on the wood next to him and raised his voice: "No begging, you lot. Back to sleep!"

Pat kept walking, but couldn't keep himself from sneaking a few more glances. The ponies remained standing for the most part, but they stole nervous glances at Nigel and kept quiet. They didn't spare their big, soulful, longing eyes, though.

The next pony had to be male, Pat decided. Brown, but with a dark red mane and tail. He quickly moved on, seeing a larger mare, purple and with three flowers as a cutie mark. She wasn't begging to be taken, but she was sitting upright to see the newcomer. If he had to name her expression, it was resigned. She looked older than the three before her. The next one, a little more optimistic but not meeting his gaze was a violet mare with a blonde mane.

None of them were unicorns, Patrick couldn't help but notice. Maybe those were too valuable, or maybe they were kept elsewhere because of their magic. These simple cages surely wouldn't present an obstacle to someone who could do actual magic. For that matter, he hadn't seen many pegasi either. A cough sounded and Pat hurried on to where Nigel was waiting for him in front of one of the cages. His stomach felt tight when he realized it was probably Fluttershy's.

He came to a stop next to the other man and looked inside. The sight was heartbreaking. Despite the light and the commotion, 'Shy was still curled up into a tight little ball. She'd never been fat, but now he could clearly see each rib and her legs looked even thinner than before. He could also see her hips starting to protrude a little in contrast to her gaunt belly.

"H-Hey, um Fluttershy," he said softly.

He thought, just for a second, that it would be easier if she didn't wake up. Except, if he left her without hope, she might not even make it to Friday. Was she even drinking water? At the sound of his voice one of her ears flicked and focused on him. 'Shy stirred and dragged herself up into a sitting position. When she turned around and blinked in the strong light, Patrick could see how red her eyes were and he had to struggle not to tear up himself.

"Is- is it really you?" she asked in a small, tired voice.

"Yes! I'll get you out of here, I promise. You gotta trust me, okay?"

She glanced at Nigel, then back at Pat with fresh hope in her eyes. "Really?" Her voice was barely above a whisper and he had to strain to hear it.

He turned to the other man. "Can you open the cage for a minute?"

Nigel thought it over, then shook his head. "Sorry. Bring money Friday and you can take it home and fuck it all you want, but it stays locked today."

Patrick sighed heavily and turned back to 'Shy, trying to put the obnoxious guy out of his mind. "Look, 'Shy, I'm putting together the money to get you out. I'll have it on Friday, okay? That's just a couple more days. I need you to eat and drink so you don't fall over by then, okay?"

She leaned her head to the side, disappointment almost washing out the hope from a moment earlier. "So you're not taking me out?"

"Just two more days. I'm sorry, I really am. I can't get it any faster, okay?"

She hung her head for a moment, but when she looked up there was a brave little smile on her muzzle. "It's okay. I'll wait... f-for you."

"You'll eat?"

Once again she looked down in thought, then shrugged a little to herself. "Okay."

It was a relief and Patrick allowed himself to breathe a little easier. He stepped closer and crouched down so he could be closer to her. The bars were barely wide enough for his hand, but he still reached inside.

"Careful, they sometimes bite," Nigel warned, but Pat ignored him.

He couldn't quite reach Fluttershy and she stared at his hand dumbly, as if not understanding what he wanted. At last she stood up on shaky legs and came a little closer. Only then did Pat spot a heavy-looking chain connecting her collar to a ring in the floor.

It rattled as she moved. "Pat- I'm- they..."

"Hush. It's okay. Just a couple more days and you'll be out of here."

She looked around, but the walls of her stall blocked her sight on all sides. "Can you take my friends out as well?" she asked.

Her expression said she already knew what the answer would be, but it still broke Patrick's heart to have to tell her. "I'm really sorry, 'Shy, but I can hardly afford to get you out of here. I- I just can't."

She nodded, but it was absentminded and meant only for herself. Maybe she was silently answering her own question in the privacy of her thoughts. Patrick strained to bring his hand closer, but his elbow was too big to fit through the bars.

Fluttershy noticed and came a little closer still, enough so she could sniff his fingers.

"Just a few more days, okay? I'll come get you and we'll go away. No more Mason, just us, okay?" Pat said.

It took her a few more moments, but then she nodded, even if her mouth was pressed firmly together in a line. She would probably be sad about her friends for a long time, but right then Patrick's main concern was to get her out. The others could wait.

Finally she closed the last bit of distance and nuzzled his palm, closing her eyes and sighing in comfort. He kept his hand still and let her rub her muzzle against it as much as she wanted. He hooked his fingers in case she wanted a scratch, but she just kept pushing her nose between his fingers and inhaling as deeply as she could.

Finally she give his palm a warm lick and pulled away. "I'll wait. I promise," she said.

"Thanks. I'm sorry. I'll come get you, I promise."

Above him Nigel cleared his throat and Patrick withdrew his hand with some regret.

"Cute," the guy said. "You've seen it, now let's go. I can't leave the cameras off for too long or someone might get suspicious."

Pat gave him a nod as he followed, but he kept looking back at the cage where Fluttershy had sat down again and was staring out at him. Soon he lost sight of her and focused on the ground in front of his feet. Seeing 'Shy, knowing that she was alive and mostly well was good, but it had drained him. All he wanted to do was sleep. He still had work and by the time he made it home it would be extremely late. At best he could hope for a couple of hours of sleep before he had to get up.

Hopefully he wouldn't nod off behind the wheel on his way back, Patrick thought to himself as he followed Nigel back into the chilly night air.

Chapter 34

This was finally the big moment. Perhaps the most important one in Patrick's life so far. He was sitting in his car in front of that stupid warehouse, waiting for Nigel to bring 'Shy out. The man hadn't wanted him to come inside and that was fine with Pat. He'd flashed his wad of cash to show Nigel he really had it, now he was watching all around in case the other guy had some clever plan to get a few of his buddies and rob him. Maybe he'd watched too many movies, he thought. He felt the envelope with cash through his jacket and sighed. Nearly fifteen thousand dollars and it made a depressingly small wad.

Just minutes now and they'd be home free. Fluttershy would need to hide at his flat for a few weeks, but once they moved they could enjoy their new life to the fullest. No more sneaking around at night and they could do more things together. Patrick nearly got lost in the reverie, but snapped back to the present when he heard a distinctive hoofstep. He twisted around on the driver's seat to try and see, but the little guard house was in the way. The next clop was unmistakable and once he caught it Pat clearly heard the quiet, rhythmic steps of a pony. It was an unmistakable sound, especially on tarmac or concrete.

Soon enough Nigel's phone flashlight shone and Patrick reflexively closed his eyes. He held up a hand to shield himself from the too-bright glare and squinted to see that butter-yellow coat. She hadn't spotted him yet because her eyes were on the ground and she seemed resigned to whatever fate Nigel was dragging her off to. Maybe she'd forgotten that Pat would get her out, or perhaps she hadn't believed him. 'Shy had been very aware of how expensive ponies were and she must have thought he would never be able to afford the price.

"Fluttershy!"

Her ears snapped to attention and as she looked for the source of the voice her muzzle scrunched up in incomprehension. "Pat?"

She sounded surprised and looked at Nigel, then back at the car. A thick rope was looped around her neck and the man was firmly holding the end of it in his hand. He had to pull to get 'Shy moving again and she never took her eyes off Pat, perhaps worried he might vanish if she did.

Nigel dragged her around the front of the car and opened the passenger door. "Up!" he commanded and gave the rope a sharp yank.

Fluttershy carefully placed her forelegs on the floor of the car and tried to jump up. She fumbled it and hit her face on the seat. She flapped her wings to keep her balance, but it didn't help and she folded down beside the car.

"Dammit," Nigel grumbled and yanked the rope again. "I said UP!" he commanded again.

"Hey, take it easy!"

Fluttershy got back on unsteady hooves and put her forelegs in the car again, but by this time Patrick was already leaning over and had his hands under her barrel. He winced at how sharp her ribs felt, but he pushed the thought away and helped her up mostly by gripping her fur between his fingers.

She didn't complain and pushed with her hind legs. She wouldn't have made it on her own, but with Pat supporting her the little mare flopped across the seat and just focused on breathing after that little exertion.

"Money," Nigel commanded.

Patrick was only too glad to be rid of the man and away from the place, so he took out the envelope and gave it to him. He was about to start the car, but Nigel kept the door open while he counted. It was the exact amount, he had made triple sure.

When he was done, Nigel rustled around his front pocket a little and took out some paper of his own. Patrick didn't understand what that was about, but he took it when Nigel held it out to him.

"The papers. I had to fudge it a little but you own it legally now. Have fun!" He didn't wait for a reply, or even said so much as a thank you, before closing the car door and heading over to the guard hut. Pat remembered he still had to turn the cameras and alarms back on. It didn't matter. He wanted to get away from the place as soon as possible in case Nigel changed his mind at the last moment.

He had Fluttershy in the car and that was what mattered. She was trying to reach the seat belt, but even in the best of times her hooves weren't quite suited to the task.

"It's okay, you don't need it," he assured her.

The engine turned over and he drove away. As soon as they were moving, he put his right hand on Fluttershy's withers and began rubbing little circles, hoping she would take some comfort from the touch.

"Is- Is it real?" she finally asked. "I dreamed about this. Maybe this is another dream."

"It's not, Buttershy. It's really real. You're out of that place."

He glanced at her and was encouraged to see that she was looking out at the dark, quiet buildings passing by in the night. She seemed alert, which meant she probably wasn't too traumatized. "I t-thought-" she began, but a hiccup racked her body. "I thought he- he was taking me- the man..." Her breath hitched and 'Shy drew another through her nose, sharply. "I t-thought they were going to..."

She fell silent and Patrick felt her move as she collapsed in on herself. Her muzzle was quickly hidden under her wing and she began shaking in great, powerful sobs. So much about not being traumatized, he thought to himself grimly.

He made a decision and parked the car at an empty bus stop. He thought about leaving the engine idling, but that'd just prove that he didn't take Fluttershy's mood seriously. She looked like she would need some time and it didn't make sense to waste fuel, or draw unwelcome attention. He shut the engine down and unbuckled himself.

"C'mere. Let me hold you."

She didn't move on her own, but when he put his hands around her barrel 'Shy unwrapped herself and let him move her over to his lap. It was a little tight with the steering wheel, but Patrick reached down beside himself and pulled the lever to slide his seat all the way back. That gave them enough room.

'Shy wanted to fold down again, but he sat her in his lap and held her against his chest so that her muzzle ended up resting on his shoulder. She stank of the place, but he ignored it. "It's okay. I've got you now. It's over," he murmured.

The dam burst and Fluttershy began sobbing miserably. "T-They looked up to me!" she wailed. "M-My friends! They- they begged me to save them!"

Patrick began to understand what it was about, but he didn't know what to say to make it better so he just waited and let 'Shy cry herself out in peace. They had the whole night.

"I couldn't," she went on. "I'm supposed to be an Element of Harmony, but I couldn't do anything!" Fluttershy whispered. If she weren't speaking almost directly into his ear, he wouldn't have heard it at all. She suddenly put her forehooves on his chest and pushed herself away so she could stare at his face. Her eyes blinked away tears, trying to focus on Pat, but she gave up and squeezed them shut. "They put us in stalls, Pat! Like animals! We- we had to poop right there! Like animals, Pat! I hated it!"

That last came out in a low growl. "I hate them and I hate what they're doing to us!"

"Shh, it's okay now. I got you out. I don't think you're an animal, okay?" He didn't know if 'Shy heard it or not, because she didn't reply. She pressed her face back in his shirt and sobbed, but her hind hooves went around his waist and Patrick felt infinitely better. She was turning to him for comfort which meant she wasn't shut off completely.

He slid his hand up to her tangled, grimy mane and felt around until he found an ear. He took it between thumb and forefinger and rubbed it, careful not to pinch too hard. Maybe her sobbing decreased, or maybe it was just his imagination, but he kept it up. He waited in relative silence for the tiny, shivering pony to cry herself out. He kept ministering to her fuzzy ear, only stopping occasionally to wipe the tears from her muzzle with his fingers.

Eventually the sobs subsided and 'Shy shook her head to free it. Her eyes opened again and the nearby street lamp made the twin trails down her muzzle glisten, but Patrick didn't have much time to observe. 'Shy lunged forward and pressed her lips against his even as her forehooves gripped his shoulders to keep him in place.

He didn't fight and allowed 'Shy to pry open his lips so she could shove her tongue inside his mouth. The taste of no toothbrush for a week, combined with whatever they were feeding the ponies was bad, but he ignored it, happy simply to have her with him again. She almost flailed her tongue around in her mad rush for something even she probably didn't understand and Pat lifted his hand to put against her cheek to try and calm her down. Before he could, though, 'Shy pulled away as suddenly as she had begun the kiss. A small dribble of her saliva ran down his chin, but he paid it no mind.

"I love you," she said in a breathless whisper. "You came back like you said! I'm sorry I didn't believe you..."

"It's okay, I understand. I love you too. It's gonna be better now, I promise."

"You're taking me away? I'll- I'll live with you?"

She still felt fragile and Patrick remembered her misgivings. He took a second or two to find the best way to put it. "As long as you want."

It was the right thing to say and Fluttershy suddenly smiled. She darter forward again to leave a small peck on his lips, then lowered herself back into his lap with a sigh. Pat hadn't even noticed that she had stood up for her kiss. He could feel her trembling, weak from a mixture of fear, relief and malnourishment.

"Are you cold? I can turn the heat up."

She shook her head and rubbed her muzzle against his chest. "I'm just... I'm tired. I didn't want to eat. Pat, I wanted to die in that place..." Her voice was suddenly filled with horror and her ears folded down. He tightened his hug around her.

"Hush, I understand. You're safe now. Do you want something to eat?"

"Fries!" 'Shy suddenly burst out and pushed herself away yet again to stare at Patrick's face. "Fries and, um, pizza! And something sweet. Milkshake?"

It'd eat a bit of their grocery budget, but he couldn't say no, even if he would have to call his parents and borrow some money to make it to the next paycheck. Patrick still had some cash in his wallet and it'd be enough for a meal. He remembered how her ribs had felt and nodded to himself. It was time to feed his pony.

The thought had come unbidden and his breath halted for a moment when Pat recognized it. His pony. He had the papers. Fluttershy was his, legally. Not that he wanted a slave, but at least now she wasn't at the whims of some jerk of a master. He cared for her, he really did, and he'd make sure she was well. "Okay, let's get you some food then. You must be starving."

She nodded, but didn't show any inclination of wanting to leave his lap. "Hay and raw oats. That's all they fed us..." Her ears lowered and 'Shy looked away. "Um, did you really visit me the other day? It's all a bit of a blur."

"I did. I had to see you and make sure you were okay. I'm sorry it took so long."

"I- I know I promised I would eat..." she began, hesitating as she sought for words. She added hurriedly: "And I did! It just- wasn't a lot. I didn't know if it had just been a dream."

"That's okay. The important thing is we're together and now we're getting some decent food, okay?"

A smile flashed across her muzzle, but was gone almost before Patrick could see it. Still, it was a good sign. "Yeah. I think I'd like that."

"Here, I can't drive with you like this. Can you move over?"

For a moment 'Shy looked like she would start crying again, but then she lifted herself on shaky legs and more stumbled than stepped into the passenger seat. He kept a hold around her barrel the whole way or else she would have fallen. Once there, 'Shy started to curl up into a ball again, but Pat put a hand on her back.

"Wait," he said." He quickly shrugged out of his jacket and then draped it around her. As soon as 'Shy understood what he was doing, she lifted up her forelegs to put them in the sleeves. They were far too long for her, but she didn't seem to care and almost... immersed herself into the fabric.

"It's got your smell," she said as she wrapped the cloth more tightly around herself. "Thanks."

"I'll turn up the heat too, if you don't mind. It's a bit chilly still."

She gave a nod and settled back. Patrick was relieved to see she was sitting upright this time. He considered putting on her seatbelt, but decided against it. The roads were empty, he'd drive carefully and there should be no police. Even if there were, the novelty of seeing a pony in a car would outweigh the fact that she wasn't buckled in.

"I know just the place. They have pizza 24 hours."

Despite their tight budget Patrick also became hungry when he entered the place. It was basically a shack just off the highway and he'd picked it because it offered delivery so it was mostly deserted this time of night. He got two simple cheese pizzas, large fries with ketchup, and a bottled water. They didn't have milkshakes, but there was a freezer with some Popsicles, which might be a good alternative. 'Shy had agreed to wait in the car, snuggled up tightly in his jacket. It was a bit chilly to be walking around in just a tee, but he didn't mind.

The cooks were fast and he got back to the car scant minutes after he'd left. He pushed the seat all the way back once more and put the boxes in his lap. The carton with fries he offered to 'Shy, since there was no room for it elsewhere.

She sat up and patted the seat between her legs, where she could easily keep the fries upright. "I m-missed you," she admitted with her eyes lowering and ears splaying in embarrassment.

"I'm back now. Let's eat!" Patrick tore off a slice of pizza and 'Shy balanced it on a hoof. Her other one strayed to the fries and she deftly scooped up some into her mouth.

It was good seeing her eat and he could have watched it for a while, but the smell right under his nose was impossible to ignore and Pat bit into the pizza himself. Fast food somehow tasted better in car, he thought to himself. Curious how that happened. This same pizza at home and on a plate wouldn't be nearly as good.

For a while they didn't speak and the air was filled only with noises of chewing, swallowing and an occasional hiss of air as they both tried to cool the scalding food already on their tongues. Pretty soon the first pizza was demolished and Patrick simply moved the empty box to the back seat and opened the next one. Fluttershy's eyes lit up when she noticed there was more and held out a hoof for another slice. She had eaten more than half of the last one and that was perfectly fine with him.

He gave her a big piece and grinned. "Nice to see you so hungry, Buttershy."

She froze mid-chew and her ears flattened. "No. No, don't call me that. Please." Her eyes seemed on the brink of filling up with tears once more.

"Huh? Why not?"

The little mare shook her head. "It reminds- reminds me of- I-" she sighed and the hoof with the pizza slice lowered somewhat. "I just don't like it anymore."

"That's okay. Anything else you want me to call you?" Pat offered.

This took some thought but finally she shrugged. "I guess 'Fluttershy' is fine. It's my name, after all..." She still didn't begin eating again and instead kept her eyes somewhere on the floor. One of her ears lifted up and she looked at him. "Um, Pat? There's something I have to tell you..." Of all things she sounded afraid.

"Sure. Anything, 'Shy. Oh, is 'Shy okay?"

Fluttershy waved a dismissive hoof. "It's fine. Um, back in that place? They-"

Mere memory was enough to make her wince and Patrick started to worry. It didn't look like she'd be able to go on, so he tried to guess? "Did they beat you?"

She started to shake her head, but then paused and shrugged. "A little. When I didn't want to eat, but that's not important."

It didn't sound unimportant and he reached over to grip her free hoof with a hand. "I'm sorry."

'Shy shook her head again. She didn't say anything more, but she also didn't resume eating, so he tried again. "Did they- uh, did they, y'know. Um, force you to..."

She looked at him strangely, but then realized what he was referring to and her ears instantly snapped down. She seemed to fold in on herself and her breath hitched for a few moments before she forced it out through her mouth. "No, no no!" she hurriedly explained, but she wrenched her hoof out of Pat's gentle grasp and put it on her belly. "Nothing like that, d-don't worry. They didn't rape me..."

Her behaviour didn't quite match her words and Patrick felt the sting of boiling anger which took some effort to keep in check. "It's okay, you can tell me. I won't be mad at you."

"They didn't rape me, Pat!" 'Shy repeated more firmly and glared at him. "You need to believe me! It's just..."

"What then?!" His voice might have been a bit too forceful and he was instantly sorry, but before he could apologize 'Shy spoke up again.

"They treated us like animals. Me and my friends from Equestria. I- I hated it." She heaved a heavy-sounding sigh and lifted her half-eaten slice of pizza again. She looked at it as if surprised to find it in her hoof, but then bit into it.

"It's not right," Patrick commented. "What they're doing."

Even before 'Shy swallowed she shook her head in agreement. "No, it's not. Pat, I have to go back. I have to find a way back home and I have to tell the Princesses! They'll know what to do!"

Doing that would be pretty much impossible, he suspected, but this wasn't the time to crush Fluttershy's hopes and dreams. He put his hand back around her hoof. "We'll try. I promise we'll look for a way, okay?"

This earned him a smile, albeit a small and fleeting one. She leaned closer and nuzzled the back of his hand, leaving a greasy pizza stain. As soon as she noticed, she flashed him another grin and apologized: "Sorry!" She began trying to lick it clean, but since she'd eaten a lot of it, all that she managed to do was spread the grease around.

"It's fine, don't worry! I have paper towels somewhere."

That did the trick and 'Shy stopped trying to obsessively clean his hand. She looked up at Patrick and even in the dim light from a street lamp he could see her tiny blush. He chuckled at the sight and a moment later 'Shy followed.

It was a huge relief to hear her laughing.

"Finish your piece, there's more where that came from. Oh, and they didn't have milkshakes, but I can get you some ice cream if you'd like."

Her eyes circled the interior of the car as 'Shy thought it over, then nodded. "Sure! I'd like that."

Another idea intruded upon his mind and he decided to bring it up. He'd rather have 'Shy ready for it than have to face it as a surprise later on. "Oh, just so you know: You'll have to hide for a few weeks back at my place, okay? The money I paid to get you out was a lot, so we can't move right away. Don't worry, it'll just be a month, maybe two, okay?"

Her ears went back down and 'Shy shuddered. "We r-really can't move?"

"Sorry. You were really expensive, you know?" As soon as it was out Pat realized that it sounded completely wrong. It was confirmed when 'Shy began to drawing in on herself once more and her eyes began filling up with tears again. He quickly shifted his hand from her hoof to her cheek, where he cupped her chin and stroked the tears away with his thumb. "I don't mind, really. I don't care about the money, 'Shy, I just care about you. I'll earn it back and then we'll move, I promise."

She blinked a few times to clear her vision, then let out a long sigh through her nose. The rushing air tickled the hairs on his wrist. "I don't like being your property, Pat."

"You're not." To punctuate his claim Patrick leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. He remembered a funny, Equestrian word she'd used herself in the past. "You're either my special somepony, or my roommate, whichever you'd prefer."

Her mouth did quirk up in a smile and Fluttershy lifted both ears as if to hear better. "You'd prefer the former, wouldn't you?" she asked.

"Mhm!"

"Okay. I guess that's okay," she said, but her eyes slid aside and her muzzle scrunched up in distaste. Pat decided to drop the topic for now. She'd get around the idea in time, once she saw what it would really be like.

"Okay, let me get you some ice cream. What flavor? They only have vanilla and chocolate."

"Chocolate please!"

"Coming right up!"

Chapter 35

Pat got a strong feeling of deja-vu when he parked in front of his flat. Once again he had gotten home late with a sleeping Fluttershy in the passenger seat and he'd probably have to carry her inside. It was just like that time they'd gone to the zoo. Except that had been a happier time, without this horrible experience she'd just been through. Although, their time together had been limited then, but it wasn't now. 'Shy was coming to live with him permanently.

He unbuckled himself and leaned over to put a hand against the mare's cheek. "We're here. Want me to carry you inside or do you wanna walk?"

She shifted her hooves, but only to wrap Pat's coat more tightly around herself. "Carry," she replied, but it was heavily slurred.

He was only too glad to obey and hurried around the car to the passenger side. 'Shy wasn't buckled in, so it was just a matter of wiggling his hands under her and lifting her up like he would an infant. She tried to help by putting her forelegs around his neck, but it was haphazard and uncoordinated. She was very light anyway, so Pat didn't have any trouble holding her up, even with one hand while he locked the car. Too light, he thought to himself.

The first time he'd brought up her weight 'Shy had been upset because she thought he was trying to control her, but this time there was no denying it. She was emaciated, or damn near it anyway. At least that was what it felt like to him.

"Come on, let's get you inside..."

It was extremely early in the morning, so there were no people around to see him carrying the half-sleeping pony up the stairs. That was just as well. He'd rather no one knew 'Shy was with him. This way Mason wouldn't find out either. The jerk probably couldn't do anything to them now, especially with how effective Patrick's threat of publishing his precious financials had been, but there was no good reason to risk it.

A minute later they were both inside and the front door was locked. Pat suddenly felt the last week of sleepless nights catch up to him and he felt ready to collapse. He turned directly into the bedroom and had 'Shy laid down on the covers in a few more seconds. She didn't want to let him go, but he gave her nose a kiss and promised he would be right back. All he needed was a piss and a very quick brushing of teeth and he'd be ready. He gave the mare a final pat on her head and pulled at his jacket to completely cover her up.

He felt almost happy as he hurried away. No more having to wake up at some ungodly hour to see 'Shy leave. They'd sleep together until morning and then they'd have breakfast. No more lonely nights when she couldn't sneak over. They'd share a bed every day now.

Patrick couldn't wait to start and he rushed through his evening routine. He was almost done with brushing when a faint clop alerted him and he turned to see 'Shy standing in the doorway.

"I need to pee," she explained. Her little nap in the car seemed to have rejuvenated her and her eyes were no longer half-lidded. She pushed her forehooves further and stretched out her back with a relieved grunt.

"Go head, I'm almost done," he told her.

He hurried to wash out his mouth and give her the room, but 'Shy twisted her neck and sniffed at herself. "Ugh, I stink..."

Pat had noticed it too, in the car, but hadn't said anything. Fluttershy smelled strongly like a stable, no doubt from the filthy pen she had been kept in. He wasn't going to mention it, at least not until the following morning when they were a little more rested. "It's okay, it can wait until the morning and then we'll shower and change the sheets. Don't worry about it."

She was already shaking her head. "No, not soon enough," she almost growled. "I need a bath right now."

"Now? It's the middle of the night."

When 'Shy turned back there were fresh tears in her eyes and Patrick nearly backed away from her expression. "I want to be clean, Pat!" she spoke. "I need to be clean right now!"

There was no arguing that tone and if he tried, he had no doubt 'Shy would begin weeping again. He thought longingly about his bed, but shook his head. It could wait a little longer. "Okay, I'll help you. Use the toilet and call when you're done, I'll be just outside," he promised.

'Shy gave a single nod and already began climbing up to the toilet. She was alert, but still weak from her ordeal. Normally she'd flap her wings a few times and be sitting, but this time she had to do it the slow way.

"Need any help?"

"No," the little mare replied in a tight voice. "I have to do this myself."

"But you'll take my help with the bath?"

It was a bit of a contradiction and Fluttershy heaved a sigh, although that might just have been the relief once she was sitting on the toilet seat. "Yes. Pat, I've been- doing my business in front of other ponies and humans for a week. I want to do it alone this time, okay?" She suddenly smiled and glanced at the bath tub for a second before returning her gaze to him. "I'm not gonna say no to you helping me bathe. It'll be a lot faster and, mmm, more pleasant." Her gaze flicked down to his hands and her smile widened a little.

It made him instantly hard, but she was probably in no condition for sex, both physically and mentally. He'd have to control himself. Pat was fine with this. There'd be plenty of time, the important thing was that they were together; permanently this time. "Okay, call me when you need me!"

He didn't want to waste any more time, so he ducked out of the bathroom and closed it behind himself. 'Shy didn't wait and he heard water dribbling almost before the door was fully shut. It didn't take long before she flushed. There were a few moments of silence, then 'Shy raised her voice: "Okay, you can come back."

Pat wondered for a moment why she hadn't washed her hooves, but then he realized she was about to have a bath anyway. Not to mention that the sink was high and Fluttershy was probably too tired to stand on her hind legs.

"Okay. Do you want it hot?"

She nodded with what could almost be an eager expression. She was already clambering over the edge of the tub, trying to keep the clattering of her hooves on the plastic to a minimum while anon took off most of his clothes. He paused for a bit when he came to his boxers, but decided to keep them on for now. Less temptation that way.

Memories came rushing back as Pat sat on the edge. "Well, this seems familiar," he commented.

Fluttershy plopped her rump down in the tub and blinked at him in confusion. She looked around the room, but then brightened up. "Oh. When I was drunk!"

"Yeah!"

She shrugged a little, probably not remembering a whole lot. In the end she gave Pat an uncertain smile. "I'm glad I'm not drunk this time, though."

"Me too." Patrick reached for the shower head and opened the tap to what should be pretty hot water. It took a minute for it to warm up, then he plugged the drain and held the stream out in front of 'Shy so she could try it.

"Mhm. That's good." Almost before the words were fully out of her mouth Fluttershy slid forward and put her head under the water. She lifted up her muzzle into the stream and a luxurious sigh escaped her as the heat began to soak in. Now that her fur was getting wet the smell intensified, but Pat ignored it. It'd wash out. He focused instead on getting the mare as uniformly soaked as possible. The runoff pooling around her hooves was stained and there were flecks of dirt which had come loose from her coat. A few moments later she opened her mouth to fill it with water and swish it around in lieu of brushing her teeth. When she spat she noticed that she was sitting in dirty water and stretched forward to pull the plug back out.

"Sorry. I was thinking we'd make it into a bath, but I didn't realize how- well, how-"

"How dirty I was," 'Shy finished the statement. "It's okay. We can have a bath tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure."

"Um, here, stay still," she commanded and turned so she was facing away from Pat. She slid back until she was sitting mostly between his legs, then straightened up to rest almost completely on her haunches. Patrick was about to ask what she was doing, but 'Shy lost her balance and would have toppled over if she weren't leaning against him. This freed up her forehooves which she ran down her belly to try and scrub the filth out.

After a few seconds of this she froze and twisted her neck to look at Pat. "Um, mind doing my mane and back?"

"Oh! Right, sorry!" He could easily hold the shower head with one hand, leaving his other free to run his fingers through the fur on her back. She didn't seem to be as dirty there, but Pat didn't mind giving her this impromptu massage, especially when he felt her relax with a low, drawn-out groan.

She unfolded her wings as much as they would go between Pat's legs. "Just water, please. I'll preen tomorrow. I'm too tired now."

"Can I help?" So far all he'd been allowed to do was play with her feathers a little bit here and there, mostly after lovemaking when they were both tired and mellow. He wanted to do more, but Fluttershy had been really... well, shy about her wings.

This time didn't seem any different and she shook her head. "I'm too tired to guide you. Tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure thing. Shampoo?" he proposed and shut the water off even before hearing her reply. Luckily there was still her bottle on the edge of the tub and Patrick squirted a generous amount on her back. The floral scent nicely covered the other stink. He had both hands free and was able to lather her mane thoroughly.

'Shy worked on her front, but it was slow going with hooves. She didn't mind in the slightest when he leaned down and wrapped his arms around her barrel to reach her soft belly. She lifted her head to give him a foamy nuzzle. "Mmm, thanks. You don't know how much I needed this."

"I can imagine."

He played with her belly longer than strictly necessary, but 'Shy didn't comment or pull away. The few glances he sneaked of her face proved she was smiling at his ministrations. Eventually, though, she held out a foreleg in what was clearly a sign to move on. Pat let her go and moved his hands around the offered limb. With her still facing away and pressing back into his belly, it was easy to lather it up, though it did make him wince when he felt how thin and bony her leg had gotten. He kept his mouth shut, though, unwilling to make her upset by mentioning her weight again.

Pretty soon he had finished lathering at her hoof and 'Shy let her foreleg fall. She held up the other one and Pat simply repeated the process.

"Thanks," she murmured. "Ju- aahh," she yawned, then smacked her lips and tried again: "Just help me rinse, um, and then towel and- and bed."

"Yeah." Patrick reached over to the tap once more and opened the water. He nudged it a little more to the hot side and carefully tested the stream with his fingers. It felt good, but he still offered it to 'Shy so she could test it herself.

"Perfect."

He began at the top of her head, carefully shielding her eyes with a hand while he rinsed out her mane. The water ran down her neck and back, where it wrapped around her body and made her positively moan with pleasure.

It drew all the air from her lungs, after which 'Shy paused for a few seconds before inhaling through her nose. "Buuuuck, meee," she sighed.

Patrick couldn't help grinning at the reaction. It was as near to swearing as 'Shy usually came. Soon her mane was clean and he moved down to her face. It took some careful aiming and shielding with his hands, but 'Shy kept perfectly still and let him work. Except for when she parted her lips and let the water rinse out her mouth again.

"I'll need a toothbrush," she said. She'd never stayed the whole night after that first week and Pat hadn't remembered to buy one for her. Of course he'd have to get one now.

"I'll go to the store tomorrow, for groceries. Um, we'll have to talk about that. We don't have a lot of money for the next couple of weeks and we have to make it last. Can you look in the fridge and see what we need so we don't starve?"

'Shy nodded, but Patrick didn't think she fully heard or understood what he'd asked. That was okay, they were both more than half asleep and suddenly he wanted to hurry up the shower, however pleasant it was. Bed was calling for them both. He angled the stream down at her belly to rinse out the lather, then switched the shower head to his other hand to get her back. She was still keeping her wings slightly open and he ran some water down her feathers. They looked messy, even to his inexpert eye, but 'Shy had said she was too sleepy and it could wait until after they woke up the next day.

Now that he was concentrating on his task the job was going much more quickly. Pretty soon 'Shy was as clean as she was going to get, except for her backside.

"Um, your tail?"

She shrugged. "It's fine. I scrubbed it while you were doing my back. It's okay for now," the mare explained and tried to stand up, only to flop to her side. Pat had to support her with a hand under her belly before she could lift herself on shaky hooves.

"I meant, um, under your tail."

"Oh. It- it's fine. It's fine," she said, but it didn't sound as if she was certain and she was staring fixedly away.

Patrick began to fear that something really might have happened, even if she had denied it before. "'Shy, if someone-"

She stomped a hoof to punctuate her words. "I said it's fine!"

It'd have to wait. He wasn't thinking clearly and if he kept pushing now he'd probably do more damage than good. Pat bit back the demand for her to tell him and focused on washing her. He rinsed off her hindquarters as best he could through her tail, then shut the shower off and let 'Shy sit back down.

"Let me get you a towel," he offered.

This time he hadn't been sitting for long enough to make his legs fall asleep and Pat was easily able to stand up and look for a fresh towel on the washing machine. He selected the largest one and simply draped it over the pony, who was starting to shiver a little. They were both quite exhausted and he didn't worry about drying her off too thoroughly. He figured he'd simply wrap 'Shy up in a fresh towel and put the entire bundle in bed. He rubbed her mane as dry as he could in a minute or two, then followed the contours of her body under the fabric.

It was soon soaked through and he simply dropped it on the floor. "Come on, let's get you out."

'Shy didn't complain or resist as he simply lifted her up, one hand under her barrel, the other around her rump. She managed to stand upright on the tiles and Pat quickly fetched another towel. He remembered just in time to wipe himself dry as well. While he was at it, he simply slipped out of his wet shorts and left them on the floor. Then he draped the towel across 'Shy, wrapped it under her belly, and picked her up again. He had to bump the light switch with his elbow and find his room mostly by memory in the dark. He shuffled carefully forward until his shin found the bed, then he laid the pony in his arms down.

There was still his jacket 'Shy had worn when he brought her from the car, but Patrick just tossed it on the floor. Meanwhile she shuffled to the far side of the bed and waited. In moments he had joined her and 'Shy gratefully scooched her rump back into his lap. She lifted her head to allow his arm to snake under it, then laid back down on his forearm. His other hand wrapped around her barrel and found her belly. Both of them sighed in comfort.

"I ju-just thought of something, Pat," 'Shy whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I don't have to get up and sneak back into Mr. Mason's house in the morning."

The statement made Pat grin and he was sure Fluttershy was smiling as well. "No, you don't. You can sleep in as long as you want and I'll be right here with you, okay?"

"Good..."

Maybe she wanted to say more, but there was nothing else. A minute later Pat briefly wondered if she was already asleep, but he was drifting off himself. The long, sleepless nights and all the worry and anguish had finally caught up with him and the warmth of Fluttershy's fuzzy body in his arms did the rest.

Chapter 36

Patrick woke up because he was very uncomfortable. Quite aside from a mess of pink hair tickling his nose, there was severe stiffness in his back and joints from having laid in the same position for hours and hours. There was also a slight pain in his hand, the one on Fluttershy's belly. He tried to roll over to his back so he could stretch his aching muscles, but something hard and sharp held his arm in place.

Fluttershy was still resting her head on his forearm and she was probably still asleep, so Pat was extra careful when he lifted himself up. She'd curled her legs in and pressed her back to his belly, but the weird thing was the way she was holding on to his other arm. He remembered wrapping it around her as they fell asleep, letting his fingers rest lightly on her belly, but now 'Shy was keeping it pressed there with her forehooves. That was the source of something hard and sharp on the back of his hand.

She was just afraid of losing him this soon after he found her again, Patrick thought to himself and smiled. It was cute and he hoped the position had let her sleep without bad dreams. He inspected her face for a while, but it didn't look as if 'Shy was dreaming. She looked peaceful, except for the death grip on his hand. He wanted to let her sleep a little longer, but his hip was starting to really hurt so there wasn't any choice.

"Hey, beautiful," he murmured by her ear.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked around without moving her head. She soon spotted him and noticeably relaxed. "Oh. Hi," she replied. The pressure against his hand faded and Pat tried to take it away. 'Shy quickly put her hoof back to hold him in place. "L-Leave it!" she pleaded. "Please?"

"I need to turn over. Stretch. Come on, let's switch positions."

This seemed acceptable and 'Shy removed her hoof. Patrick was finally able to roll on his back and stretch both legs and one arm. The other was still trapped as Fluttershy's pillow, but that was okay. He looked at the back of his free hand and saw a distinct imprint of a hoof. She'd really been holding onto it. There wasn't any more time to wonder if the hoofprint was permanent because 'Shy was already wiggling to turn around. She stuck her nose in the crook of his arm and put a foreleg and a back leg across his belly. Her touch reminded Pat that he was completely naked, but he ignored the thought for now. Fluttershy's reluctance to let him go even for a second was a bit worrying.

"You okay? How did you sleep?"

All he could see from that angle was one eye and an ear. The former stared at the wall, past him, and the latter flicked. "I'm fine," came a muffled voice from his side.

"'Shy, you really need to talk to me about these things," Patrick pointed out.

Her ear folded down and she kept staring into the distance.

After a few more seconds he decided he wasn't getting anywhere and opted to try something different. His arm was still mostly under 'Shy and it was a simple thing to lift her up on his chest. She didn't resist as she straddled him with both pairs of legs. That brought her face to face with him and forced her to look in his eyes. Already she was starting to breathe a bit faster and Pat grabbed her hind fetlocks, mainly to remind her he was there.

"Come on, you can trust me, okay?"

She thought it over and eventually closed her eyes shut. "It's called 'survivor's guilt', Pat," she explained. "It means I feel awful that you took me out of that place and my friends are still there!"

"Okay, I get that. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for them, 'Shy." There was no immediate answer and Pat tried to think up yet another way to apologize for something which wasn't really his fault. "Look, if there was any way, I would-"

"I know. I wanted you to take me."

"Maybe, like you said, if you can get word to-"

"Hush," 'Shy said and pushed her nose against his mouth to shut him up. "I know all that. It's-" she began, then sighed. "It's not a nice place, Pat."

He was a little confused. Mason had said he'd sold 'Shy back to where he bought her, so she should have remembered everything from the last time. "Well, you already knew that, didn't you? What about when they first caught you and... well, trained you?"

She still hadn't told him much about that, but from what he'd seen of the conditions they were forced to live in, it didn't look very nice. And that was probably the understatement of the year.

Fluttershy shook her head, brushing his nose with her fluff. "It wasn't the same. It was different that time!"

"Oh?"

"I guess they didn't know what we were, or what we could do, so they were being careful. Then- I don't know how it came to that, but the people started selling us, so they decided to train us... They didn't keep us in stalls, Pat!" 'Shy was staring into the distance again. "This time... I don't think they were going to sell us again, Pat."

"How do you know?"

She looked back down and bit her lip. "Can we not talk about this?" she begged.

"We really should. Come on, you know I'm here for you, right?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

'Shy closed her eyes and almost immediately tears began to leak. They were hot where they dripped on Patrick's chest. She opened her mouth a few times, but nothing came out, so he decided to try and guess. The sooner he got her to spill everything, the sooner she'd cry it out and get it over with. This slow prying it out of her was getting bothersome.

"Did they beat you?"

She shrugged her shoulders, but didn't say anything. Pat guessed that was a "yes, but I don't care about that".

"I already know you had to live in your filth and that sounds horrible, but you're out of it now, 'Shy. I'm really sorry about your friends, okay?"

Once again she shook her head in denial.

"Look, I promised I'd help you get back home, okay? I still will, as much as I can."

It wasn't an easy thing to promise again, but if it lifted Fluttershy's mood then it was fine with him. Hopefully the day would never come, but if she really did want to go home- Well, she'd promised she'd ask her Princess Twilight if he could come too. Would he move to a completely new world just for 'Shy?

Patrick had absolutely no idea. Maybe he'd know by the time the moment came, if it ever did. Right now he had a distraught mare to console. He released her fetlocks and moved his hands up to cup her muzzle from both sides. He brushed her mane out of her eyes with his fingers and then rubbed them in little circles on her temples as an impromptu massage. "Just remember I love you, okay?"

'Shy sniffed and then let her breath out through her mouth. She focused on a spot on Pat's nose and suddenly licked it. It tickled and he turned his face away, but that just resulted in his ear being slobbered next. He became aware of a new sound and realized that Fluttershy was whimpering urgently. She pushed herself higher and alternated between nuzzling his cheek and licking it. "I don't wanna go back there," she whispered when she paused for breath. "I'm a bad friend and a bad pony. I d-don't deserve the Element of Kindness, but, oh Celestia, I don't wanna go back there!"

"Hey, hey, you never have to, okay? You're mine now and I'll keep you safe!" Patrick realized what he'd blurted out but it was already too late. Luckily 'Shy only paused for a second before starting to kiss his neck. "'Shy, I'm-"

"I understand!" she interrupted.

"You're not a bad pony, nor a bad friend."

All the reply he got was another quiet whimper, but Fluttershy's assault didn't abate. Her hind hooves scrabbled for purchase against the fabric as she pushed herself closer so she could reach his mouth. She sought it out and began giving him small kisses until he relented and turned back to her. Then she fastened her lips against his and tried to pry his open. Her sudden eagerness was starting to remind Pat that he hadn't felt her touch in over a week. He wanted to taste her, in more ways than one.

He let her in and was rewarded by a mouthful of pony tongue. It trembled against his and twirled around to explore. Already he was as hard as he could get from having 'Shy lie on him and wiggle around, and the new sensation made Pat buck his hips a little. His member brushed fur and he couldn't hold back a moan.

'Shy pulled away and stared right into his eyes with an expression he could only call 'hungry'. "I-I've been thinking about you," she whispered. "I've been wanting you."

She slid a little lower and ground her hips, expertly catching his dick against her teats. Both of them grunted at that and the breath 'Shy let out made her shudder. She nuzzled his chin away so she could reach his neck, where she gave him a sudden, sharp nip.

"Ow!"

Rather than apologize she ground herself against him again, taking his mind off the unexpected pain. His hands moved almost involuntarily as they came to rest on her buttocks.

"Yes," 'Shy sighed. She pulled away for a moment to inspect Patrick's face and her eyes filled with fresh tears. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered urgently.

"I wasn't gonna let you go."

She went back to kissing him, as passionately as she knew how, but Pat was getting impatient and squeezed her rump with his hands again. Fluttershy knew what he wanted and lifted herself up enough so he could align himself. There was nothing hesitant or uncertain in the way she slammed down. A small cry burst out of her as he dug deep into her welcoming folds. For a moment she waited, trembling, but then she suddenly seemed to wake up and pushed herself upright. She began moving up and down rapidly, as if she wanted the whole thing to be over as quickly as possible. The way she was going would get her that, Pat realized. His unintentional abstinence had made him super sensitive and just about ready to blow.

"Slow down, you're gonna make me-"

"Yes!" 'Shy interrupted him. She'd been doing that a lot this morning. "I want it!"

There was no blush this time and she didn't avert her eyes. "Pat," she said softly, between quiet gasps, "I want you to fill me up! Breed me!"

This was new and Patrick worried for a moment. Was she suddenly back on the foal thing? The good news was that they couldn't do that, so he was happy to indulge her little fantasy. "I'll do it. 'Shy, I'm almost there!"

For some reason there were fresh tears dripping from her muzzle while 'Shy kept slamming down with reckless abandon. She was near orgasm herself and she wanted it, badly. "B-Buck them," she murmured. "I want this! I'm just a- a- whore and I don't care!"

That word was so sudden and shocking out of Fluttershy's mouth that Pat lost his stroke for a moment. He'd been right on the edge but it receded in cold fear. "What?!"

The little mare couldn't answer because she was right on the verge of her climax. She increased her pace and slammed herself down with audible, wet plops. Her insides were already clenching around Pat's dick and her forehooves were scrabbling for purchase on his chest. She sat nearly straight upright and let out a relieved cry as she locked up for a moment. Her own weight pushed her down and made Pat hilt as deep as he would go. The stillness lasted only for a moment before more whimpers escaped Fluttershy's mouth and she began to rock her hips, grinding Pat in her pussy without letting him out as she sought out that extra bit of stimulation. Warm liquid ran down his balls and the inside of his thighs.

It had just been the heat of the moment, Pat thought to himself as he pushed Fluttershy's strange behaviour aside and focused on her. He still had his arms around her midriff and he pushed her down to keep himself inside against her squirming.

"Mmmmmph," she moaned and leaned down to catch an urgent, breathless kiss. She played with his tongue for a few seconds, then settled down fully against his belly, panting for air.

Patrick wanted more and bucked his hips a little to keep going, but Fluttershy seemed spent and just moved with him. He put one hand on her muzzle and pushed her away to get some breathing room. "Turn around?" he suggested.

Her eyes and cheeks were still wet, but 'Shy nodded and even managed a smile. "Yes. More! I want more!"

They rolled around until Pat was lying on top of her, still hilted inside her depths. She was no longer massaging his member in the throes of her climax, but she was even wetter than before from her orgasmic squirting. Her limbs fell away from him and she lay there, akimbo, waiting for him to continue. Pat didn't need to be told and he began thrusting, slowly at first. He wanted it to last a little longer, simply to enjoy how soft and warm she was.

Ponies had a slightly higher body temperature than humans, so her passage felt incredibly hot. He focused on that sensation, and on the way she seemed to squeeze him tightly and yet part easily when he pushed.

After a few thrusts 'Shy began breathing deeply once more. She looked away and sniffed. "I'm- I'm sorry," she said. "About before. I didn't- I'm a bad pony!"

It looked as if she was about to start crying again, which would certainly end their fun. Pat didn't think he could stay hard if 'Shy cried while they were having sex. It felt wrong. He slowed and stopped, still buried inside her but focusing on her face this time. He gently turned it back with a hand against her cheek.

"You're not a bad pony, 'Shy. I didn't mind you biting me, I was just surprised." He wasn't certain exactly what she was apologizing about, but he didn't feel like he needed any apology from her and went with the most likely thing. "If anything, I'm sorry I put you in that situation with Mason. Um, we- we could have handled that better."

'Shy shrugged a little. "It's okay. It- It was my fault as well."

"It was no one's fault except Mason's. He didn't have to go crazy and sell you like that!"

She blinked and opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind. Patrick waited and after a few moments she went on: "Well, I kinda understand it. We did steal from him, Pat."

"Only as a last resort. Without that, you'd still be in that stall right now!" The word was enough to bring back the memories and make her wince. Pat was immediately sorry. "Do you wanna stop?"

His dick almost hurt with the need to finish, but he could always do it with his hand. It wouldn't take more than a few strokes.

'Shy smiled up at him and put her forelegs against his arms. Her back legs weren't long enough to pull him closer, but she tried to wrap them around his ass anyway. "Keep going. You should finish," she said.

"Not if you're not enjoying it."

Her ears folded down for a moment and then sprang back. A sly, knowing smile spread across her muzzle and she suddenly bucked her hips. The sudden motion on his cock made Pat gasp. "Shut up and finish inside me!" 'Shy commanded.

It sounded more like her old self and he gladly bent down to share a kiss as he resumed his thrusting. With all the teasing and waiting it didn't take a whole lot longer before he felt that familiar, sweet pressure deep in his groin. "Almost-" he warned.

'Shy reached up to his head with her forehooves and pulled him against her mouth once more. She tentatively touched his tongue with hers, but then withdrew, inviting him. She didn't have to beg and Pat pushed into her mouth just as his cock was pushing into her passage.

He increased his pace and they both moaned together, their breath mingling. His thrusting was becoming erratic as he neared his peak.

'Shy broke her kiss just long enough to whisper: "Do it inside me!"

It was the last straw and Pat tensed as the wave travelled from his balls, up his length and spurted into Fluttershy's waiting womb. He moaned into her mouth and hilted himself deeper inside her as spasm after spasm rocked him. After his second spurt he felt 'Shy stiffen as well and her whimpers joined his. The feeling of his seed inside her had been enough to push her over the edge one more time.

They didn't dare to move, lest they somehow spoil this beautiful moment. Even as Pat's orgasm tapered off, he kept pushing into his lover to let her ride out her own climax. Eventually she let out a deep, final sigh and slumped down on the bed. Her legs fell away from Pat and she focused on her breathing.

"I think-" she said, gasping for air, "I think I- I needed that."

"Yeah, me too."

She was looking at him, intently, then bit her lip. Her ears folded down once more and fresh tears filled her eyes.

Patrick's gut nearly froze over at her expression. Had he just made a huge mistake?

"Pat-" she began, but stopped to gulp and her eyes slid away from his. "Pat- At the stall-"

She was about to tell him that she was raped, he knew it. Maybe he had just caused her irreversible damage. The realization made Pat's cock shrivel almost instantly and he slid out of her. He still held her, hoping it would give her some comfort. "Please remember I love you."

She shook her head and placed a careful hoof against his cheek. "Pat, I'm pregnant."

It felt like a slap and all he could do was gape. It was a good thing he was lying down, or he would have fallen over. "W-W-"

"They didn't rape me," 'Shy said, guessing his thoughts. "It was with a syringe." She was talking faster and faster, trying to get it out before her resolve broke. "T-They gave me a shot when I came to make my estrus come quicker. It- It wasn't too far off anyway. T-Then they used a syringe and..."

She didn't have to finish.

Finally Patrick was able to move and pushed himself upright. He belly was wet from her juices and the sheets were a mess, but all he could see was Fluttershy's belly. It looked normal, but suddenly he understood why she'd been holding his hand there so tightly.

"Are- Are you sure?"

She nodded urgently and put a hoof on her midriff to run it in small circles. "I am. I'm a mare, Pat. I just- kinda know." Her expression turned to pure panic. "Please don't be mad!" 'Shy whimpered. "I couldn't stop it! They just did it! I didn't get a say in it!" She sniffled and wiped at her eyes with a fetlock. "I was so afraid! I thought they'd take my foal away from me! That's why I wanted to d-die! I wanted us to die together so we wouldn't have to feel that pain!"

What else was there to do? Fluttershy needed him. Patrick swallowed his own lump and pushed his own worries aside.

"That's why I'm a bad pony," she whispered. "I'm a bad mother."

Pat hardly heard her words, he was already lost in the terrifying future. How would they even care for a foal? What would it do to their lives?

It didn't matter, not now. He shook his head and remembered the words she'd just said about herself. He reached out a hand to grasp her hoof. "You're not and it's okay. We'll manage somehow. You're not a bad pony for giving in to despair, not when they- when that happened."

One of her ears lifted slightly and 'Shy met his gaze. "You- you're not going to send me away? You're not disgusted?"

"No. I still love you," Patrick began, searching for better words. He thought of some and smiled. "I still want you. We'll figure something out."

Fluttershy's entire body shook as she tried to hold back the sob, but it burst out and she scrambled upright so she could throw herself in his welcoming hug. "Thank you!" she wept, "thank you, thank you, thank you! I know you didn't want foals, but- thank you!"

Patrick just patted her back. The one good thought about it all was that the birth would be many months away, which gave him time to get into a better financial situation. There'd be a lot of complications, but that could wait for a while.

First, he needed to get used to the idea.

Strangely enough, it didn't change how he felt about 'Shy. He still wanted to spend his life with her and what the world said could be damned.

"We'll figure it out somehow. Come on, let's get you that bath... and some breakfast."

Chapter 37

Things soon settled into a new equilibrium and Patrick decided he kinda liked it. It wasn't perfect, especially with Fluttershy's rapidly changing moods, but it was still pretty good to have her at home. Who knew something as simple as her greeting him when he came from work would make such a big difference? It positively brightened his day and no matter how bad the customers had been, Pat forgot about them the moment 'Shy shared one of her soft, warm kisses with him.

Of course, kissing usually led to other things and that was another welcome change in the mare. Maybe it was her hormones running wild, or maybe she had finally liberated herself from Mason's oppression, but she was insatiable!

There were bad days, of course. A few times Patrick came home to no greeting and found 'Shy sprawled on the couch with the TV off as she stared into some unknowable distance. She still had nightmares, though she wouldn't talk about them.

"They're just dreams, it doesn't matter," she'd say, and if he kept digging she'd start to cry. The fear which was still bothering her, he knew, was that somehow people would take her baby away.

All Patrick could do was reassure her that it wouldn't happen, that he'd keep her safe and that no one was coming for her, or her foal. It usually worked, although upon hearing that 'Shy would burst into a fresh bout of tears as often as not, only those ones were gratitude. She clung to him, thanked him and lavished little kisses on any patch of skin she could reach.

He was gratified by her trust in him, but also more than a little afraid. If he couldn't uphold her promise to keep her safe it would break her, and probably him by extension. If Mason decided to act upon his grudge, things could still go pretty sour, pretty quick. He couldn't bear the thought of losing 'Shy again. There was no denying it, he had fallen for that little horse through and through.

Luckily no one in the neighborhood knew about the pony in his house, Patrick was certain of it. He'd left her with strict instructions to stay away from windows during the day and keep the lights either on or off during the night. She told him she was being careful and he believed her. He had a sneaking suspicion Anton knew about 'Shy - after all, sometimes their passion got the best of them and they weren't all that quiet - but his landlord hadn't said anything and neither had Pat. In any case, they'd be out of the place pretty soon.

***

Pat had good news on one particular day and he smiled to himself as he parked the car and climbed the steps up to his place. The paycheck had come and it was even better than he'd hoped thanks to all the overtime. Since he didn't have to pay rent this month and Anton was just going to take it out of the security deposit, it meant he and 'Shy could go apartment hunting the next week. He'd already spoken with Harris and gotten the night shift, which left his days open to visiting potential flats and choosing a nice one. It'd be a very tiring week, but Pat was quietly hoping he'd find a good place quickly.

"Hey honey, I'm home!" he called. It was amazing how good that cliché little saying felt when it was coming from himself. Patrick listened for the telltale clop of hooves, but there was nothing. One of her bad days, then. He suppressed a sigh and went forward into the living room. The sight before him was heart-wrenching.

Fluttershy was lying on her back on the couch and staring at the ceiling. There was a bag of marshmallows open on the coffee table and some of the white, sugary cubes were strewn about. There were a few more on her chest and belly, but most of the bag's contents were gone. A few flecks of powdered sugar stained her muzzle as the proof of where the marshmallow had gone. She didn't react to his presence, so Pat simply went and sat on the couch beside 'Shy. He picked up a marshmallow cube from her belly and tossed it to the coffee table. That action finally made her stir, but only to grab two of the things and quickly stuff them into her mouth before he could take them away. Her eyes remained on the ceiling as she chewed.

"Feeling down?"

Even as 'Shy swallowed the sugary goop she heaved a sigh, but her forehoof went to rest on his hand. Only for a moment, though, before she nudged it to a particular spot on her belly and pressed it down. She wanted his hand there while she slept and Pat guessed it made her feel safer about her foal.

"We're gonna have a colt, Pat."

"Huh? How do you know?"

Finally she lowered her gaze to meet his eyes and even flashed him a brief smile before shrugging. "I just do. It's a mare thing."

"Well, that's nice."

Her gaze sharpened and her ears rose up and focused on Patrick. "Will you love him?"

The question was unexpected and he didn't know what to say. 'Shy waited for long seconds, then asked again: "Pat, will you love my foal?"

"Y-Yes." What else could he say? The child wasn't his, but he'd thrown his lot in with Fluttershy and her problems were now part of his world. What had happened to her in that stable was criminal, but it was done now and there was no undoing it. Not to mention that it was partly his fault, too.

Besides, Pat realized, he'd meant it. He had promised 'Shy undying love and that was exactly what she was going to get. Her foal would be a part of that, because it was a part of her.

"That's good," she said and relaxed her stare. "That's important to me." Her hoof reached for the coffee table, but she couldn't find any of the marshmallow cubes in reach. She flailed around for a bit, then Pat sighed, reached over and picked one up. 'Shy smiled at him and then closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide.

Maybe she was snapping out of it? She had been weeping less and less over the past few days as the memories of Mason and the place he sent her receded from her mind. She was smiling more. There was hope for the future.

"Aaah!" 'Shy intoned as she waited for her morsel.

Patrick stopped turning it around and around in his fingers and a wicked grin spread across his face as well. So she wanted to play? He put the cube in his own mouth and leaned down. He brushed it against her lips and 'Shy tried to wrap them around the marshmallow to take it in. Their tongues met and she snapped her eyes open in surprise. A moment later her ears splayed out and her face tinted pink.

She didn't relinquish the morsel, but rather held it firmly between her lips even as she worked her tongue around to try and steal as much of it as she could. She flicked around it, prying into his mouth and trying to distract him enough to let go. Eventually the cube began to melt and Pat lost his grip, which allowed Fluttershy to wrap her dexterous tongue all the way around it and yank it away with a small squeak of triumph. She broke the kiss off while she chewed, but her muzzle was decidedly red by now and her nostrils flared as she breathed more quickly.

"We were supposed to make s'mores today, remember?"

That bag of high-calorie sugar was supposed to be their entire dinner. Patrick guessed they could still have the waffles, but he'd have to fill them with jam or something and he probably couldn't toast them without making a big mess.

'Shy shrugged and swallowed. "I had a craving," she explained. "I'm sorry." At those last words she lowered her gaze down to her belly and let her ears fall all the way in a perfect picture of contrite pony.

Patrick put his palm against her muzzle and guided her back up into a quick kiss on her nose. "It's okay. I'm glad you enjoyed them."

She glanced at the coffee table. "There's still some left," she pointed out. "We could still make a few s'mores."

"I guess you're right."

"You can have them," she offered magnanimously in deference to the fact that it was her fault they were running low. It would be only fair for her to have to go without and she was willing to make this heroic sacrifice. Her tongue darted out to lick at the few traces of sugar around her mouth, though, and her eyes remained fixed on the marshmallow cubes.

"Hey, hey," Patrick said to break her fixation.

She looked back and raised her eyebrows in question.

"What kind of a boy- um, coltfriend would I be if I didn't share? I think we can make, let's see, three s'mores. One and a half for each of us, right?"

This statement made a new, beautiful smile blossom across her lips and 'Shy nodded happily. Her ears flicked forward, but went back almost immediately and her eyes slid aside. "Um, w-will you- Uh, will we share it like- like we did the marshmallow, j-just now?"

It sounded like an interlude into something a lot hotter and more pleasant and Pat was only too happy to accept. "Sure! I mean, it's the only fair way to share it, isn't it?"

"Mhm!" 'Shy turned to her side and smoothly slid from the couch to her hooves. "Come on, let's go make s'mores!" she trilled as she hurried to the kitchen.

Patrick remembered just in time about his big news. "Oh, by the way, I got my pay today!"

She stopped in the middle of grabbing a chair and turned back with her ears attentively focused on him and a faint, uncertain smile on her face.

"It's good. Better than I thought, actually. I was thinking- we could go look for apartments on Monday."

This was extremely good news and Fluttershy rushed back, jumped on the couch again, and threw her hooves around him. "That's great! I can't wait! Um- how will we sneak out without anypony seeing me?"

"We'll figure something out. Hopefully we can find a nice place soon and then we can move before the end of the week. No more hiding."

She seemed thoughtful and her ears lowered slightly. "I'll have to wear a collar when I go out. I m-mean if I go out alone. Mr. Mason explained it to me. A collar with a tag- and, um... you'll need to get me a piece of paper saying I'm allowed to go out by myself."

"We'll figure it out. I'll get you whatever you need, okay? Of course I will."

"One of those collars is expensive," she went on. "It has to be the- um..." 'Shy began, but scrunched her face up at the unfamiliar word. "Electronic one? It's supposed to be able to track me."

"Okay, so maybe the collar next month, but at least I'll be able to take you out to the park. It's okay if you're with me, right?"

She gave it some thought then nodded and the smile returned. "I guess so!"

"Okay, let's get you those s'mores and then we can go on the Internet and look for a nice place."

"Okay!"

"And here is the balcony, sir. It opens from the kitchen and the bedroom," the estate agent was saying as he demonstrated that the doors did indeed open. The balcony itself was small, wedged as it was in a fold in the building's facade, but it would allow Patrick and Fluttershy to get some fresh air and sun without having to leave the building. So far the place seemed nice and it was within their price range too. Although by this point Pat was ready to sign anything just to get it over with. The search had been long and, so far, fruitless. He and 'Shy had seen some almost usable apartments, though none nearly as large as Anton's. They ended up being too expensive, too far from Pat's work, or in such a poor condition that 'Shy didn't even want to consider living there.

A few places had outright refused them once they saw he had a pony. After a few of those he'd started mentioning 'Shy before anything else, to save them these needless trips and spare her the insult of being called a 'pet'. For the most part landlords, or their real estate agents, didn't seem to care that he would be living with a pony, as long as he paid rent on time.

"Thanks. So, what do you-" He was about to ask 'Shy her opinion, but she had gone and Pat looked around in sudden fear. "'Shy?"

"In here!" came a slightly muffled reply and he hurried toward the sound of her voice. She was standing in the bathroom and staring at the sink with a speculative look on her face.

"Everything okay?"

She blinked at his concern in confusion, then realized where she was. "Oh! No, I'm okay, don't worry."

One of their tours had been early in the morning and it turned out that ponies, at least Equestrian ones, also suffered from morning sickness. Luckily they were already in the apartment and 'Shy made it to the toilet in time, but the landlord hadn't been enthused about housing a 'sick pet' in the place so nothing had come of it.

"I'm thinking about how high the sink is. I'll need some sort of a stool or something," 'Shy explained.

"Okay, that shouldn't be a problem."

She shook her head. "Except it will be. There's no room here to put a stool and move it out of the way for you."

Now that Patrick looked again, he saw that she was right. The bathroom was tiny, as if the architect had wanted to squeeze out every bit of space on the floor. If Pat and 'Shy brought any kind of stool or stepping-thing for her to reach the utilities they'd have nowhere to stow it.

"Huh..."

"I d-do like the kitchen, though," 'Shy murmured and bit her lip in indecision. "You said we can afford this one?"

"Yeah, and it's closer to work so I won't spend as much time on the road. hell, once we get that GPS collar, you could probably come meet me at the office from here."

A moment later Pat regretted offering, because then he'd have to explain 'Shy to his coworkers, which meant he'd have to lie in front of her, or admit to them that she was actually the 'Felicity' they'd been hearing so much about.

Cross that bridge...

He was trying to imagine that conversation with Paul and Alex and completely forgot about the apartment for a few moments, while Fluttershy looked around some more. She walked into the shower and called out: "Oh, Pat, come look!"

She was pointing at the faucet which had a spout as well as the shower head. For some reason it was mounted lower in the wall than customary and 'Shy had her hoof on the handle. "I can use this just fine," she said with a big smile, having found the solution to her sink problem. "Just get me one of those hoof-held mirrors and I guess this will do."

Pat was doubtful and more than a little weirded out at the suggestion. "You'd brush your teeth in the shower?!" he asked.

Fluttershy opened the faucet and let a bit of water splash on the shower floor. "Why not?"

"Well, it feels... wrong. Not to mention you'll get wet each time."

This put a damper in her enthusiasm and Fluttershy's ears drooped as she considered this new problem. He was right and she had to step away from the small puddle she'd created. "Hmm. Okay, how about if we put the stool over there?" She pointed a hoof through the bathroom door to a closet on the opposite wall.

Pat guessed it was meant for winter coats and such, since it was in the hallway near the front door. He walked over and opened it. There was the metal bar for coat hangers and no drawers. He supposed he could put a small stool in the bottom and still leave enough room for clothes. "I... guess?"

"Besides, you'll help me with it if I need it, won't you?"

That was something they had briefly talked about before. Fluttershy had told him she would get pretty big as her pregnancy progressed and she might have problems standing on her hind legs for the sink. She'd need some support, like a big, strong human to keep her steady while she washed.

"Of course!"

She walked out of the bathroom and reared up with a hoof on the wall to support herself as she flicked the light switch. "Then I think it can work. What's the bedroom like?"

Patrick held out a hand in invitation and then followed 'Shy as she went to look. She gave a friendly nod to the agent, who blinked in surprise and couldn't keep from staring at the mare, despite having met her a few minutes before.

"We would like to see the bedroom now, please," 'Shy asked with as friendly a smile as she could make.

It worked and the man walked over to the last unopened door in the hallway. "Right this way. Um, there's room for- like a doggy bed or something..."

Fluttershy leaned her head to one side in thought and her smile turned glassy as she tried to decipher what he meant.

"It's okay, we'll figure something out," Pat explained.

Fluttershy stiffened once she understood. Patrick could spot a bit of red in her cheeks, but she hid her annoyance pretty well. "Yes, we like to cuddle," she said in a quiet tone of voice and with a slightly suggestive smirk.

This made the poor estate agent look from the mare to Pat and half-open his mouth to ask the obvious question. Luckily he thought better of it and just shook his head to himself.

Pat couldn't help flushing a little at the implication himself, but 'Shy seemed completely unperturbed as she walked into the thickly carpeted room. She put a hoof on the bed and tested how stiff it was, then walked over to the nightstand to inspect the drawer.

Trying to avoid further scrutiny Patrick went to the window and pulled aside the full-wall curtain. "Oh, you mentioned the door to the balcony, I guess this is it?"

The agent was grateful of the distraction and almost rushed to join him. "Yes, here, let me open it for you."

"The curtains come with the place?"

"Yes, and there is another set in that closet over there. That way you can change them and wash at your leisure."

"Oh, that's right. I saw a washing machine in the bathroom."

The man nodded and jerked as if to go show Pat right away, but thought better of it. "Indeed, indeed. The previous tenant bought one of those collapsible stands to dry their laundry on the balcony."

Fluttershy had joined them and Patrick reached down to put his hand on her head. "That's a good idea," she agreed. "Um, Pat?"

He crouched down so he could focus on what she was going to say, but he kept his fingers in her mane.

"I kinda like it. I guess we'll need dishes and bedclothes and some other stuff, but I think it could work."

"Yeah?"

She just gave him a nod and shook his hand free, but only so she could push her nose against his palm and close her eyes. "Let's take it," she whispered.

The estate agent heard and was starting to tentatively smile at having nearly closed the deal. "Any other questions?" he asked in an effort to move them along.

"I guess not. You told us about the utilities, the rent is okay. I guess we'll take it."

The guy inclined his head. "Very good. I'll let the landlord know and send you a contract in your email, that okay?"

"Sure."

Fluttershy butted Patrick's leg out of the way and walked out on the balcony while he exchanged the address with the estate agent. She peered through the bars with a frown, then reared up and put her forehooves on the railing. It was just low enough for her to look over it and she took in the view. Pat was watching and saw her wings twitch as a gust of wind ruffled the fur on her face. Her nose wiggled at a scent she caught and she lifted up her ears to focus on the street below.

Seeing her like that nearly brought tears to Pat's eyes. She looked like she belonged on that balcony, like she was about to leap up and go for a flight to stretch her wings. She'd come back once she tired herself out, of course.

Her tail swished and brought Patrick's mind back to the present. "Oh. Sorry. Yeah, I'll check the contract and send the money over tomorrow. When can we get the keys?"

The agent followed his gaze and watched 'Shy for a few seconds before shrugging to himself and focusing on the task at hand. "Once the transaction has cleared I'll call you and we can set a time. I'll meet you here with the keys and two copies of the lease to sign, and that should be it." He held out a hand to shake on the tentative deal they'd just made. "Congratulations, Mr. Patrick. I'm sure you and- uh-"

"Fluttershy."

"Yes, you and Miss Fluttershy will be quite happy here."

So it was done. No more phoning around and driving all over the place to look at apartments. They could start packing the next day and move over the weekend.

Pat went out to the balcony to stand beside 'Shy. "What are you looking at?" he asked her.

She glanced briefly at him, then shrugged. "Just- the view. It's nice to be up high."

The flat was on something like the fourteenth floor, so it was above most of the city, at least if you didn't look at all the skyscrapers in the center, which was just visible off to the right.

Fluttershy went on: "I guess it's a pegasus thing, but we like to be up high. I lived on the ground in Ponyville, but I liked to visit my parents..." She fell silent and heaved a sigh for the world which was probably lost to her forever. Her hoof moved over to rest on his hand and she reached out with a wing to hug him. It only lasted a few seconds before she let go and fell back to all four hooves. "I guess we should go back now? You need sleep and I'm hungry. I'll make us dinner."

"Yeah. Thanks, 'Shy."

They left the apartment and waited in the hallway while the agent closed all the doors and locked it behind them.

"Thanks again, Mr. Blaker," Pat told the guy.

"Absolutely no problem. Have a good day and we'll talk soon."

They didn't wait while he made some notes on his clipboard. Patrick headed for the lifts but 'Shy put a hoof on his calf and pointed at the stairs. "Let's walk," she proposed. "I'd like the exercise and I don't like how cramped the elevator is."

She splayed out her ears with that admission and Pat couldn't help chuckling. "Well, you should have thought about that five minutes ago. We're committed now, so you'll just have to get used to it."

He smiled as he said it and 'Shy grinned right back. "Nuh-uh, I can fly. I can go straight from the parking lot to the balcony, no problem. You'll have to get used to it!"

"I don't mind the elevator."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Well, that's good then!"

"Good!"

"Good."

Chapter 38

Patrick put the cardboard box down on the mattress and began ripping it open to get at the items within. He was searching for a very specific thing and didn't care how he rumpled the clothes. It was getting pretty late and he needed to find the box with their bed stuff so he and 'Shy could even sleep in their new place.

"Um, this one is plates and glasses," his marefriend announced from the hallway. There were sounds of crinkling paper as she dug deeper, then some rattling pottery when she moved it out of the way.

"That's fine. Look for sheets and pillows, they gotta be somewhere."

A faint clop of hooves on the linoleum and then Fluttershy stuck her head in the bedroom. "Maybe it's still in the car?" she suggested.

"Good idea. I'll go check."

"I'm coming with."

"It's fine you can stay here and-"

Her ears flattened and she interrupted him: "I said I'm coming with. I can help you carry the boxes. Besides, you're not going to open them in the parking lot. Let's just bring everything up, okay?" She had insisted on helping with packing and taking the boxes from their apartment to the car, too, and she didn't care who saw her. It was their last day in the neighborhood anyway. The move had taken several trips to get everything to the new place and now the weekend was almost over and they still hadn't unpacked very much.

At least she'd found the crockery, which meant they'd be able to have breakfast the next morning.

"Okay, let's go then."

He followed the yellow pegasus out of the apartment and down the hall to the lifts. She still didn't like how cramped it was, but 'Shy bore it stoically and didn't complain. The only signs of her discomfort were the way she shuffled her hooves, swished her tail and kept her head down. She had also insisted on carrying the heavier boxes to and from the car. Patrick had objected on the basis of her being a girl - not to mention pregnant - but 'Shy had assured him in no uncertain terms that she wasn't an invalid and the boxes weren't a burden at all.

"So, I guess this is it?" he murmured to break the silence as the lift clanked and rattled its way down.

"Yep. I'm glad we're out of that place. It was too close to- well, I'm glad."

Patrick also felt relief to be away from Mason, although he knew he'd miss the flat. It had been far larger and more comfortable than this one, even if it was further from the office. This new place would be cozy, though, especially with Fluttershy there to share it. He let his hand slip from his pocket and brush against the mare's ear. She flicked it at the faint touch, but then took a half-step closer and leaned her head into his palm.

"It's going to be fine," she said, perhaps aware of Pat's nostalgia for his old home.

They reached the ground floor and the inner elevator door slid open. There was a faint click as the bolt retreated and Patrick pushed the outer door open. 'Shy almost scurried out of the tight space, but managed to keep herself to a walk. It'd seem even smaller to her, walking on four legs as she was, he thought.

They found the car in the dark and he unlocked it. There were two boxes left, one in the trunk and the other on the back seat. Fluttershy waited patiently while he pulled out the one from the seat and she turned her side to him so he could place it carefully on her back. She lifted up her wings, still mostly folded, to balance the burden, then shifted her hips to check how stable the package was. "I'm good," she told him so Pat could take his hands away. She was right, he had to admit. As a pony, she seemed very capable of carrying the burden. He shut the back door and went to the trunk to fetch the last box. He had to put it on the ground for a few moments so he could close and lock the car, then he picked it up and followed 'Shy back to the building.

So far they hadn't encountered any of their new neighbors and Patrick was a bit glad of that. Moving this fast was tiring and he didn't really have the energy to explain about 'Shy.

"One more trip," she murmured to herself as she waited for him to open the lift door. It took some balancing, but he held it for her, then swung it and stepped inside before it could close on him.

With the boxes the small lift was even more cramped and 'Shy let out a slow breath. She closed her eyes, obviously trying to calm herself while Pat hit the button for their floor with his elbow.

"Just a few more minutes and we can go to bed," he told her.

The statement did make 'Shy smile, but she kept her eyes closed. Patrick wanted to scratch her ears again, but his hands were full and there was no room to put the box down. It'd be over soon, anyway. The lift stopped and he began juggling the package so he could push the door open, but it moved on its own and an old lady nearly walked right into them.

"Oh my! Whoops, nearly- uh- nearly..." She trailed off when she spotted Fluttershy in the lift. A trembling hand came up to prod at her glasses, perhaps to make sure she still had them on. "Is that a- um, hi?"

"Oh, sorry. Name's Patrick. I guess we're your new neighbors." He spotted the floor number painted on the wall behind the old lady. "Upstairs neighbors, I guess."

'Shy shifted her hind leg and stepped on his foot, but didn't put all her weight down. It was enough to remind him, though.

"Oh, right. This is Fluttershy."

Despite how tired and uncomfortable she was, 'Shy managed to offer the woman a pleasant smile. "Hi. It's nice to meet you!"

Hearing the pony speak made the lady take a step back. "It can talk?!"

Patrick had the box in front of him so his vision was mostly blocked, but he saw Fluttershy's ears fold down out of the corner of his eye. "Fluttershy's a 'she', ma'am. Of course she can talk," he clarified.

The lady blinked and tore her gaze away from 'Shy to inspect him again. "Oh. Right, of course. I'm sorry. Um, nice to meet you?" That last had the inflection of a question, as if she wasn't sure herself.

For a moment it looked like they were in a stalemate, but then Patrick shrugged to himself and moved the conversation along. "If you could let the door close, ma'am?"

She got the hint and gasped again. "Oh, of course. Where are my manners! I- I guess I'll catch the lift on its way down!"

"Thanks. Um, Mrs?"

"Oh, right. Mrs. Padgett."

"Nice to meet you. Bye now!" Patrick kept his voice polite, but firm, a skill learned from his years on the phone. It brokered no argument and the woman finally let the outer lift door go. A few seconds later the inner one closed as well and the lift went up that last floor. The two hurried to their apartment, where Pat had to put the box down again so he could get his keys. He soon had it unlocked and they both went inside, grateful that they were done with the job of carrying boxes.

As soon as the door was closed behind them Fluttershy started to giggle.

"What?"

She shook her head and flexed her wings, silently telling him to remove the box from her back. He did so, and waited until she was able to speak once more.

"Did you see her? She was looking up the stairs while you were unlocking the door."

"No, I didn't."

The little pony chuckled some more. "I swear her eyes were as big as tea saucers. I'll bet before long everpony- um, everyone in the building will know about me."

"Well, hopefully they won't cause us trouble. Maybe you should stay inside for now, just to be sure?"

'Shy shrugged, but inclined her head in acquiescence. She was already running the edge of her hoof along the seam on the box to open it. "Yep, here they are," she confirmed and Patrick saw it was full of white cloth. Their sheets and blankets.

"Cool. I'll just go and- Hey, I'll do it, you can rest a minute."

'Shy had begun dragging the package to the bedroom even while he was offering to do it. She had the piece of cardboard in her mouth but let it go so she could talk. "I've got it in hoof. I'll make the bed, you can go and make some tea! My stomach still isn't feeling right." Her hoof went to her midriff as she said that, but she didn't seem to be in significant discomfort.

Patrick shrugged to himself. If she really wanted to make the bed he wouldn't object. "Where's the pot and cups?"

'Shy inspected the few opened boxes in the hallway and pointed a hoof. "That one. I already put the tea away, it's in the middle drawer by the sink."

That sounded easy enough to find, except for- "The kettle?"

This made Fluttershy freeze and she scrunched up her muzzle in thought. Her eyes went through the boxes again, then shrugged. "Maybe the one you just brought up?"

"Okay, I'll check. Don't worry, I'll find it. Is it really bad? Your belly, I mean?"

'Shy shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile, though her ears remained splayed, putting at least a small lie to her words: "I'll be fine. Just a bit of a cramp."

"You should've waited up here and rested."

This time she shook her head more forcefully and folded her ears all the way down. She had that look when she was about to dig in and maintain her position against everything Pat could say.

"Fine. Fine. Just saying."

'Shy relaxed and abandoned her box for a moment to come closer. He knew what she wanted and knelt down so they could embrace. "I wanted to help," she murmured near his ear. "We're in this together, okay? You're already working a job to pay for all this, it's the least I can do to help around the house."

Even after a whole day of exertion, packing, car travel, and unpacking, 'Shy still smelled of her fresh, herbal shampoo. Patrick couldn't help rubbing his nose against her ear even as he dug his fingers into her coat.

He got a lick on his cheek as a reward before 'Shy extricated herself. "Go and see about that tea. I'll join you in the kitchen when I'm done."

"Sure. Yell if you need anything."

Patrick would have liked to sleep in, especially since the strange bed had kept him awake most of the night, but Fluttershy had nudged him out of bed so they could have breakfast together. He didn't complain, especially once he was up and sitting on one of the lawn chairs on their balcony in the warmth of the early morning sun. They had been an impulse buy on a suggestion from 'Shy, but now he was glad they got them. One of these days he should also get the plastic table to go with them, Pat thought.

There was still a bit of a chill in the air and 'Shy felt it too, judging from an occasional shiver, but despite how fresh the air was, the bowl of oatmeal in his hands warmed Pat nicely. He'd have to leave for work soon, but there was enough time to enjoy a meal together.

"Oatmeal, huh?"

Fluttershy took it the wrong way and looked down as she blushed. Her nose twitched at the scent from her own bowl. "I- There's still a lot to unpack and put away, I didn't want to spend a lot of time searching for cooking things."

"I'm not saying it's bad, just that it's an interesting choice."

She looked up and her spoon rattled as she gave a small shrug and bumped the bowl sitting between her hind legs. "I like oatmeal," 'Shy admitted. She deftly grabbed the utensil between forehooves and stuck it in her mouth. A moment later her ears wilted and let it clatter back into the bowl. Patrick was about to ask if everything was alright, but kept silent when he saw that 'Shy was going for the sugar. The paper bag was on the seat of her chair as well and made a slight rustling sound as she sprinkled it in her food.

"You do like things sweet, don't you?" he asked, mostly for something to say.

Another shrug while she stirred her oatmeal. "I'm just used to it from back home," she explained. She picked the spoon up, gave it a lick, then nodded to herself in satisfaction.

"Sounds like a very sweet place."

The mare finished licking her spoon clean before replying, but she gave Pat a slightly nostalgic smile and stared off into the distance, lost in her memories. "Not really, unless you were friends with Pinkie Pie. Well, everypony was friends with Pinkie Pie, so I dunno. Maybe?" Her eyes focused on Pat and she put the spoon back in the bowl. "Do you think I eat too much sugar?"

"No, no," Patrick replied quickly. "You should have exactly as much as you want to."

That made her smile, partly in gratitude and partly in relief. "Oh. Okay..."

As if to take advantage of the offer she reached for the bag again and sprinkled some more in her bowl. She offered it to him next, but he shook his head. He had put a small pinch in his and it was enough.

"Any plans for the day?"

Fluttershy leaned her head to one side, trying to decide if he was joking. "I need to put everything away, remember? I'm not too sure about that bathroom either. There's a smell, I'm telling you."

"Yeah, your nose is a lot better than mine. I believe you."

"I'll clean it again, just to make sure. We're not living in filth, Pat."

"Didn't you say you used to live in a cottage full of animals?" he pointed out.

"Yes," 'Shy explained in a level, patient tone of voice, "but it wasn't dirty. Just because somepony says 'animals', that doesn't mean it's dirty. Most animals are quite clean, actually!"

"Sorry. You're right, I shouldn't judge without seeing first."

"That's right. You shouldn't. Oh, speaking of cleaning, can you bring me some bleach from the store on your way back?"

Patrick nodded and committed the request to memory. He had to go fetch some groceries anyway. "Sure. Anything else?"

'Shy leaned back and looked at the ceiling in deep thought. "Bananas," she finally decided and licked her lips in anticipation. "I'd like some bananas, please."

"You got it."

"Now finish your breakfast before it gets cold!"

There was no disobeying that almost motherly tone and he did as instructed and washed it down with some chilled milk before glancing at his phone. "I guess I have to go. I'll see you tonight."

Patrick stood up, empty bowl and glass in his hands, and headed inside to put them in the sink. Just as he was about to go back and give 'Shy a kiss goodbye, she walked into the kitchen as well. She hadn't yet finished her own breakfast and her bowl was tucked against her barrel with one foreleg. She walked a bit strangely on three legs, but she didn't seem too encumbered. She lifted it up to the table for the moment so she could spread her forehooves wide and accept the hug she knew he was about to give her.

He went down on his knees to make it easier for her and they embraced. She kissed his cheek and murmured in his ear: "I'll miss you."

"Yeah, me too."

They were silent for a bit, then 'Shy broke it with a hesitant admission: "Pat? I'm- um, I'm glad I'm yours."

He wanted to repeat again that it was just on paper and she wasn't really a captive, but it had been said before and 'Shy knew it all. He'd just sound like a broken record. Instead, he thought of a different way to put it. "Only for as long as you want, 'Shy."

She pulled away and peered at him in surprise, but then a smile slowly spread across her muzzle. "That..." she began, but paused as she buried her face in his shirt. "That actually helps."

He patted her back and waited for long moments until Fluttershy extricated herself from the hug. "You should probably go," she said and it was obvious she didn't want to. She was looking at the floor and her ears were completely flat. Even her wings were bunched up, as if she was considering flying after him.

If he delayed it, Patrick knew, his resolve would only weaken. Maybe he could have called Harris and taken the day off, but it would put the load on his coworkers and it'd mean a bit less money at the end of the month. He ran his fingers through the fluff on Fluttershy's cheek, then stood up. True, parting for the day was a bit sad - although why it should be worse now than in their old apartment he didn't know - but he'd come home to 'Shy in a couple of hours and they'd have the rest of the day, and the night, together. They'd face more hardship, he suspected, especially once the bank started taking back the money they'd loaned him. He'd have to work longer hours to make up for it.

Then there was the fact that 'Shy was an alien in his world, with very few rights to her name. Things would complicate further once she gave birth and they had to deal with a child.

Patrick had absolutely no idea how they'd get through that, nor what their life would be like. For that matter, he hadn't told anyone about 'Shy and didn't even want to think how his parents would take it. Looking at her now, however, at her smile which was both melancholy and hopeful, the way she watched him attentively and how her ears followed his every move- the sight made him believe it was all worth it.

She was infinitely better off here than she'd been with Mason. They'd make it. Somehow they would.

He gave 'Shy a little wave and turned to go to work.

She'd be waiting for him to come home.

END

Epilogue

It had been a tiring day, but now it was over and Patrick was glad to be home. Despite his new apartment's proximity to the office, it didn't really shave a lot of time off his commute. Traffic was still a bitch. Going shopping during the rush hour also didn't help.

The important thing was that it was Thursday, he was home and there was only Friday left to go before the sweet, blessed weekend. Summer was in full swing and Fluttershy had been asking to go somewhere. Maybe he'd have her pack a lunch for them and they'd drive off somewhere for a picnic. The thought was enough to make him smile, even though it wasn't the weekend yet.

"I'm home!"

The place was quiet and Patrick got worried. With her superior hearing, 'Shy should have heard him by now. Especially since she'd bragged that she could identify him from the way he stepped off the lift.

"Fluttershy?"

There was an empty feel to the apartment and Pat hurried to poke his head in the bedroom. He'd found the mare asleep sometimes in the afternoon, especially if he was running late like today. The bed was unmade, but there was no pony in it. He went to check the kitchen next and a piece of paper stuck to the fridge with a magnet caught his eye. It was in her hand- or rather mouth-writing.

"Pat. I've gone to visit Mrs. Padgett. Call me from the balcony when you come home!"

It wasn't signed, but there was a drawing of a heart on the bottom which would have made him smile if he wasn't worried. Visiting their neighbor? They'd discussed it and he had insisted 'Shy stay at home when he wasn't with her. Some more news had broken recently about the blooming pony trade and a mare would be worth a lot, especially in her condition.

There was something he had to do first, though. Patrick opened the fridge and quickly loaded up the things from the bag in his hand to their proper places. The last one went into the freezer compartment. Those were the items which could spoil, the rest could wait for a moment and he left the bag on the kitchen table. Then he went out to the balcony through the door which had been left open and leaned over the railing.

"Fluttershy!" It came out weak and choked off, so he cleared his throat to call again. "Flutt-"

"Coming!" sounded that singsong voice of hers from the balcony below them. There was a quiet rattle as 'Shy pushed a chair away and a few murmured words of conversation. He had already turned around to go and open the front door to let her in, but a familiar whooshing sound made him look back.

A yellow pony was swooping away from the balcony beneath them. She flapped her wings a few times and then banked to come back. She was smiling at the experience and Pat couldn't help grinning back, even though the sight worried him a little. She was getting quite heavy and he wasn't sure she should be flying with that belly. They were pretty high up and if she lost her balance or whatever a fall from this height wouldn't end well.

He stepped aside to make room and 'Shy braked with her wings, fluttered for a few more beats, then neatly landed on the balcony tiles.

"Hi Pat," she almost chirped as she rushed forward to wrap her forelegs around his waist. "You're late. Did you have a good day? What do you want for dinner?"

It was a veritable barrage of questions and the fastest way to shut her up Pat could think of was to kiss her. He slipped down to his knees and put his arms around her, as best he could reach. They shared a quiet, comfortable moment, then he held her at arm's length and smirked.

"Which of those do you want me to answer first?"

"Um. What do you want for dinner? I haven't done anything yet, sorry. I was going to be back sooner, but Mrs. Padgett and me started talking and..."

That reminded him and Pat's face darkened. "Should you really be seeing her like that? Aren't you worried it might be dangerous?" he asked.

Fluttershy chortled and covered it up with a hoof. "Dangerous?! Mrs. Padgett?" She had to giggle some more before she could continue. "Pat, she's a nice old lady and I like to have tea with her sometimes."

"Well, okay, but-"

"At worst she's hurting my feelings because she thinks I'm just some kind of a clever pet, and I don't really mind that, Pat. You said you didn't want people to know- uh, about us."

Patrick ceded that point. The old lady was probably harmless. "Okay, but are you sure you should be flying. In your condition, I mean."

Fluttershy cocked her head to one side in confusion. "Why shouldn't I?"

"You're, well, heavier than usual."

He suddenly had a feeling that this had been the wrong thing to say. Fluttershy was still looking at him sideways, but now her ears were lowering with excruciating slowness as she studied his face.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, don't you have to, like, flap harder? What if you get tired and... um, fall?" Pat trailed off.

'Shy snorted through flaring nostrils and pulled away from his touch. Her voice was calm and quiet, but he knew her well enough to detect a hint of anger behind her words. "Pat, I'm pregnant, not an invalid."

"Yeah, but-"

She put a hoof on his chest and her muzzle scrunched up. "I can fly while carrying another pony, you know? Not very fast and maybe not very far, but I can! I can certainly fly between two balconies, even if I am pregnant, Pat!"

"Okay, okay, sorry."

"Maybe Mrs. Padgett isn't the only one who's treating me like a pet."Fluttershy huffed, swished her tail and pushed past Pat to the kitchen. She paused in the door and looked back. "You haven't said what you want for dinner."

That was unexpected and Patrick blinked in surprise while he was straightening up. "Huh?"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation and her tail swished again. "I said: I'm going to cook dinner. What do you want?"

"Um, whatever you're having is fine."

Fluttershy turned away, but not quickly enough and Pat caught a tiny glimpse of a grin. "Good," she said with a voice that was far too nonchalant to be anything but a joke at his expense. "Hay fries it is! Or hay-something. I'm craving hay!"

"Wait, no, I didn't mean that!"

Patrick hurried after 'Shy who had gone inside and was heading straight for the stove. There was already a chair in front of it and she jumped up with an easy hop. When she looked back she was smiling again. "Relax, it's a joke. I'm not mad."

"You're not?"

She sighed and looked down. "No, I'm just disappointed. You still think I'm fragile!"

There was no denying that and he didn't even try. Fluttershy was right.

"Well," she continued with a faraway look, "except when we're making love. You're not worried I might break something then. Just- treat me like that the rest of the time, okay?"

Patrick felt indignant. He was extremely careful with her large and sensitive belly. They only ever did it doggy-style, which 'Shy called 'pony-style', or with her on top of him. So maybe sometimes he gripped her a bit more firmly, she had never complained. There was no real winning this fight, though and he let out his breath. He spotted the grocery bag still on the kitchen table, but ignored it for now. It could wait.

"Okay. I'll try. I'm just worried about you, you know?"

Her smile widened and 'Shy nodded, which made her mane slip and cover her eye. She brushed it aside with a hoof. "That's sweet, but I'm sturdier than I look, Pat. Just remember that."

He gave her a nod and stepped closer once more to put his arms around her barrel. On that chair she was nearly as tall as him and it made hugging and kissing that much easier. Once the kiss was over he tried to step away and give her room, but 'Shy put a hoof on his hand and slid it lower to rest on her belly. "Hold me for a bit longer, okay?" she pleaded.

"Oh. Sure." He leaned his head on her shoulder, but she stretched away to grab a pot and fill it with water in the sink. He waited until it was back on the stove and then laid his chin against her neck.

Not for the first time Patrick wondered whether 'Shy bathed several times per day, or kept a hidden perfume bottle on her at all times. No matter how long had passed since her last shower she always seemed to smell faintly of flowers.

"Hold on," she suddenly said and wiggled out of his grip. "I need to use the little fillies' room."

She slid from the chair and walked toward their tiny bathroom. Pat suppressed a grin, but he couldn't stop himself from thinking it. Fluttershy waddled. Her gait had always had a slight swing to her hips, which he guessed came from her being a quadruped, but with her belly getting noticeably bigger she had to widen her stance to better keep her balance. The result was that her hooves landed a bit further apart than what she was used to and her entire body swayed from side to side. It put him in mind of a plump duckling, if one which had four legs.

Pretty soon her tail vanished around the corner and Pat heard Shy move the chair from the closet to under the sink. She always did that first, before using the toilet. He stopped paying attention and instead walked over to the table and got the TV remote. It was off this time, probably because 'Shy had conscientiously switched it off before she went on her visit with Mrs. Padgett. She was doing her bit to save on the electric bill. Patrick didn't keep secrets from her and she knew the money was tight. It'd be hard for a while longer, until his bank loan was repaid.

"Best damn money I ever spent," he told himself under his breath. He was saving as much as he could from each paycheck, putting it aside just in case...

It wasn't a pleasant thought, that 'just in case'. In case Fluttershy's pregnancy went wrong and they had to pay a large vet bill. It irked her that she'd have to visit a vet, but Patrick had pointed out that human doctors weren't specialized in equines, while vets were, at least approximately. Whatever she felt about it, if things went wrong that would be their best chance. It'd be expensive, so it made sense to have some money put by just in case. With luck, they'd never need it.

Patrick sighed and sat on the tiny couch. The kitchen wasn't really big. A table barely large enough for two, the fridge, sink and stove, and that couch. Luckily he'd been able to bolt the TV to the wall above the table, but it was still uncomfortably close. Not to mention that he had to clear the table and hook up a console if he wanted to play anything. He sighed, but then told himself it was fine. With 'Shy around there wasn't all that much time anyway.

She wanted to go out, even if it was just a walk in the park. She hated being cooped up in the flat for entire days while Pat was at work, so it was the least he could do to take her places. Besides, it was surprisingly fun to go on their little dates. The ice cream place was their favorite and they were becoming regulars. Most of the serving staff knew them by name, not that it was hard with someone as noticeable as Fluttershy.

That reminded him and Patrick clapped his hands in excitement. He looked around for 'Shy, but she wasn't quite done yet. Getting up on that chair in front of the sink wasn't easy and took time, as did carefully climbing back down once she'd washed. He heard her move the chair back in its place in that closet and then the quiet clopping of her hooves on her way back.

"Hey, guess what," he asked her.

"Mm?" She paused with one hoof on the chair by the stove and looked at him with a question in her eyes.

"I got you something!"

He didn't wait but went to the fridge and grabbed the item from the freezer compartment. He showed it to her and Fluttershy's eyes widened in delight. "Pistachio-mint-chocolate chip?!" she squeaked.

"Yep! And that's not all."

He also reached over to the kitchen table and took out a small bottle which was still in there.

"Chocolate syrup!" She was staring fixedly at it and licking her lips, so Patrick put it back on the table and hid it with his body to break her fixation.

"You're not going to drink this one, okay? It's gotta last a bit!"

Her ears fell to the side and 'Shy blushed as she lowered her gaze. "I promise."

She made sure she kept her hooves in plain sight. Pat wouldn't fall for the same trick again. Besides, whoever heard of 'I had my hooves crossed'?!

"Gimme! Oh, but I have to cook!" 'Shy looked seriously disappointed as she glanced over at the pot of water. She was torn between her sense of duty to cook for her coltfriend and her cravings, which had gotten pretty strange lately.

"Okay, tell you what. I'll feed you a few scoops while you cook and then we can have some more after dinner, deal?"

Her head bobbed up and down, happy with this resolution to her dilemma. She turned back to the stove and deftly turned the knob with her forehooves. Then she stood up on her hind legs and pulled a few ingredients from the cupboard above the stove. The fact that she placed her hoof right next to the pot on the stove didn't seem to bother her. Pat was amazed how she hadn't singed herself by now.

He opened the tub of ice cream and grabbed a clean-looking spoon from the table. Fluttershy kept glancing back even as she placed her ingredients on the counter beside her. "Plenty of chocolate, please," she said softly.

"Sure."

He scooped out a spoonful, drizzled it liberally with the syrup, then brought it over to her. It started to drip so he put a hand under it to protect the floor. There wasn't time for more than a single drop to escape before 'Shy put her lips around the spoon. Her expression unfocused and her ears splayed as she got lost in the apparent bliss of that strange flavor.

"Mmmmmmmm," she all but sighed through her nose.

Patrick withdrew his spoon and waited for 'Shy to swallow before he'd get another one. She did so just as he noticed that a drop of chocolate had stained his palm. He reached for the cloth to wipe himself clean, but the mare grasped his forearm with her hooves and pulled him closer. Before he could protest her tongue was on his hand, chilly after that ice cream but alive and flicking around to get every last touch of the sweet treat.

"More?" she asked when she was done. She had a sheepish smile on her muzzle and busied herself with stirring the water in the pot.

"One more. You can have some after dinner."

She looked vaguely disappointed, but then 'Shy shrugged to herself and smiled once more. "Okay. Um, thanks for getting it. I didn't know if you'd remember."

"I remembered."

There wasn't really any reply she could make to that so Patrick went over to the table and prepared another large spoonful, once again with a thick coating of chocolate syrup. It'd drip again, but he didn't mind that. Fluttershy's icy cold tongue on his palm felt really nice. He couldn't help imagining what it might feel like... elsewhere.

"One more?" she pleaded, but it was a long shot and 'Shy knew it. She still tried to give him that splayed-eared, puppy-eyed look.

"After dinner, okay?"

She shrugged to herself and turned back to whatever she was going to cook

Patrick looked over the ingredients and made an educated guess. "Pasta?"

"Mhm!" she nodded, not looking up as she tossed a bit of salt in the water. "It's nice and simple and tasty!"

"Okay, I'll leave you to it. I probably need a shower anyway."

Her nose wiggled at that and she gave a slight shrug. "I don't mind."

"I do. The AC in the car can't quite beat this heat wave."

The wooden spoon clanked softly against the edge of the pot as 'Shy let it free from her wrist. Pat knew what she wanted and waited beside her until she leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek. Then he went to shower.

Thankfully it got a little cooler as the sun slid under the horizon. Patrick was sitting in nothing except his shorts in one of their plastic chairs on the balcony and toying with an unlit cigarette in his hands. He heard the dishes clanking as 'Shy finished washing up. He briefly considered going to help, but she'd insisted she had it in hoof and the kitchen was so small they'd mostly get in each other's way. Far below him the traffic of the city was dwindling down, but the nearby highway still emitted a dull roar of sound. He'd gotten used to it and now it was barely more than white noise. There was some splashing of water, a few moments of silence, then hooves landing on the floor. It sounded as if his marefriend was done with her chore.

The other chair was beside his, already waiting for her, but Pat pulled it a little closer. It was too hot to have 'Shy sit in his lap, but he liked to run his fingers through her mane and scratch her ears. Judging from the sounds she let out, 'Shy also enjoyed that.

As he waited for her to come out, Fluttershy walked around the kitchen as she searched for something.

"Oh shit, I forgot about the ice cream!" he called back to her.

"Later," she answered and her voice was a little muffled. There was a clink of glass and Patrick realized she was getting glasses.

She emerged with a tray held between her teeth and he couldn't help marvelling once again how she was able to hold it this steady. "Mmmphm mm!" she said and he took it from her. "Thanks, hold that. I'll be right back!"

"What are you doing?"

She didn't answer, so Pat was left holding a tray with two empty glasses and wondering what she was up to. He had to drop the cigarette on the armrest and he hoped he wouldn't forget it and crush it with his elbow. The fridge opened and closed, then 'Shy came back with a carton of apple juice held awkwardly in her mouth. He rested the tray on a knee and took the juice from her without having to be prompted.

"We already drank after dinner, what's this for?"

"Shush. I'll be right back!" Fluttershy ran off once again, leaving him ever more confused and curious. He twisted in his chair and watched as she went to another cupboard and opened it. She found what she was looking for and returned, this time with a dark glass bottle.

"Wine?!"

She put it on the floor and nodded. "Mhm! I thought we could have a little toast!"

"Oh, so that's why juice for yourself."

Her ears lowered slightly and the mare heaved a sigh. "I wish I could have some too."

"Huh, I never thought you were the drinking type. Well, aside from that one time, but that was partly my fault as well."

'Shy shook her head. "I'm not. I mean, I wasn't. I mean, not usually. But..." she was blushing a little at what she considered extremely naughty behaviour. "I'd like to do it, uh, again. Um, after I'm- after my foal is born. That wouldn't make me a bad pony, right?"

"Not at all!"

She was waiting so Patrick wrangled the carton open with one hand and poured a glass for her. He handed it down to her and 'Shy put it on the floor. She also accepted the carton, which she placed down and then lifted up the wine bottle.

"I can't open this with one hand. Here, hold the glass for a minute."

The juggled the items and soon Patrick had both glasses filled in his hands. Only then did 'Shy climb up into her seat. She accepted her own drink and they clinked them together and took a sip.

"Why did you buy the wine anyway?" Fluttershy asked suddenly. "I found it in the cupboard."

Pat realized he didn't actually have a good answer. "Dunno. I thought we could celebrate someday. It was just one of those spur of the moment decisions."

"We will," 'Shy confirmed. "Just... after."

"Yeah, sure." He tasted the beverage again. Was it good wine? He couldn't really tell, beer had been his usual choice for most of his life, with strong liquor when he wanted fast results.

They said fine wine went well with a good cigar, didn't they? Maybe he was just making it up out of two unrelated sayings, or maybe he'd misremembered. In any case, he fished his lighter from a pocket of his shorts and the luckily undamaged cigarette from the armrest.

"Do you really have to do that?" 'Shy complained with her muzzle preemptively scrunched.

"It calms my nerves, 'Shy. It's been a hard day, okay?"

She looked away with ears hanging down. "I don't like the smell. And- um, I don't like how you taste after."

"I'll brush."

Her mane swished as she shook her head. "It's never really gone. I wish you'd just stop."

They'd had the same discussion before and he agreed with her in principle, but any half-baked resolutions he made went out the window once he'd been without a smoke for a few hours. Sometimes he could make it a full day, but never much longer. It was just a deeply-ingrained habit at that point. He'd work on it someday, when their financial situation wasn't quite as dire and there wasn't that much stress at work.

"I'll just have the one, okay?"

'Shy sighed, but she looked back and nodded. "You really should try to quit. I'll help."

"Someday, I promise."

There was no reply to that and they took another sip of their drinks. Things felt awkward and Pat sought for a way to break the silence with something positive. "So, I was thinking we pack some lunch and drive someplace nice on Saturday."

This perked up her ears immediately and 'Shy began to smile. "Oh, I'd love that! Anyplace special you have in mind?"

"How about you pick?"

She stared out at the distant, darkening horizon and furrowed her brow in thought. "Hmm, how about that hiking trail? You know? That place we saw the deer! Maybe we'll see it again and I can ask how his mate's leg is doing."

Patrick snapped his fingers in recollection. "You mean the one that pulled something when he was running from a coyote?"

"Mhm! That's the one! Gosh, I hope they are alright."

That entire 'conversation' had been surreal. Pat had never been that close to a wild deer and Fluttershy was just chatting away as if it were their next door neighbor. What was more incredible, the animal had snorted and huffed and grunted back.

He really shouldn't be surprised at that anymore, he figured.

"Oh, and you promised we could get a pet animal next month, remember!" Fluttershy reminded him. Patrick had managed to delay it a little, mostly because of their bad finances, but she was pining for an animal friend so he'd relented.

Well, he'd promised her that ages ago, so it wasn't really 'relented', just 'upheld his promise'. "Yep. Any thoughts on what?"

Her smile widened even further and Pat could swear Fluttershy's eyes glittered in the dim light. "A pair of rats! I'd like to have rats! And, um, m-maybe a bunny," she began, but then corrected: "Later, I mean. A bunny later."

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself at her hopeful tone. He didn't mind, but he also didn't want their entire place to get completely stuffed full of animals. If nothing else, the landlord would complain when he came on his yearly inspection.

"Sure, both of those sound fine. I just don't want you to go overboard." He got an idea of how to convince her. "You'll have your hands full with the child when it comes, remember?"

That immediately got her thinking and 'Shy placed a forehoof on her belly. "I guess you're right. Okay, a pair of rats and maybe a bunny in a few months, and that's it!" She concluded in a firm tone of voice.

Come to think of it, she sounded exactly like Patrick when he determined to quit smoking. It probably wasn't going to happen, at least not in the near future. Besides, he couldn't really blame her. It was her cutie mark, after all. He didn't have nearly as good an excuse.

A cutie mark for smoking? What would that even look like? Pat wondered for a few seconds, but then realized he had an expert sitting next to him.

"So, um, unrelated question. What would a cutie mark for smoking look like?"

'Shy froze for a moment, then chortled. "What?!" she managed between giggles. "Where did that come from?!"

"Answer and I'll explain."

She looked up at the balcony ceiling and pursed her lips in thought. "Mmm, let me think. It'd be a cigarette, but not just that. Otherwise it could be a tobacconist or something. Maybe a lit cigarette? With a bit of smoke curling up from the tip?"

Patrick waited patiently as she talked through her thought process.

"No, that's not quite right. Um, maybe a cigarette with a red glowing tip, on a puff of smoke? No, wait!" she clapped her hooves together. "In a smoke ring! And it probably wouldn't just be for smoking, that's not a skill. Maybe making smoke rings and stuff like that? Yeah!" She turned back on Pat with an expectant smile. "Now tell me why you're asking that!"

Waddle. Pat couldn't help occasionally chuckling to himself as he watched Fluttershy trot around the park. She really did waddle with her belly and it was all the more noticeable when she walked a longer distance than from one room to the next. She paused to smell the flowers, raptly watched the butterflies and politely said hello to various birds they met. All in all, it was a nice day out and the picnic had been delicious. It was just PB&J 'Shy had prepared, but a bit of physical exercise had done wonders for Pat's appetite. He wouldn't mind something more substantial on the way back, though.

"Hey, 'Shy?" he called.

She paused in the process of whispering something to a squirrel and looked back with her ears perked up to catch his words at that distance.

"Pizza on the way home?"

There was a moment of silent contemplation, then 'Shy grinned and nodded. "Can we go to that place where they have milkshakes?" she asked.

"Sure!"

A nice, frosty shake would feel good on a hot, cloudless day, Patrick thought. They also had benches outside which were mostly empty so he and 'Shy would have some privacy. There were those umbrellas to keep them out of direct sunlight, too.

They continued down the path at a leisurely pace. This section of the park was heavily wooded and the shade helped prevent sunstroke. Even 'Shy was affected, he saw, with damp patches of sweat on her coat. She hadn't flown this time, much to his quiet relief, but she didn't keep to the shade like Pat either. Fluttershy finished her conversation with the squirrel, who chittered something and vanished into the undergrowth. She stared after it for a few seconds, then trotted back to Pat's side.

"It's been a nice day," she said and briefly pressed her side against Pat's leg. "Thanks. I really needed it."

"Yeah, I can imagine. Cooped up all the time at home."

Her ears fell slightly as 'Shy nodded. "Yeah, it's a bit boring sometimes."

"Nothing interesting on the TV?"

She shrugged with her wings even as they resumed their walk. "I guess I'm not that easily distracted by the TV, Pat. I mean- sure it's fun to watch every now and then, but I can't do that the whole day!"

"So you go visit with our neighbors?"

"Just Mrs. Padgett, Pat."

"Okay, I guess she's okay. Just be careful with strangers. I'm worried they might wanna kidnap you."

She sighed and her head lowered at those words. "I saw the news," she said more quietly. "Ponies are worth a lot of money now. I'll be careful. I can fly away if there's danger."

"Good point."

They continued down the forested path to the parking lot. Few other people were out in the heat, but there was an occasional jogger. Their reactions to 'Shy were usually quite amusing to see. This time they didn't meet anyone on the way back and soon they were in the parking lot. Pat unlocked the car and opened all the doors to air it out, while 'Shy pulled the nearly empty basket from his hand and rummaged in it for what was left of their water. She expertly opened the plastic bottle and drained about half, then held it up for him as well. It was lukewarm, but still delicious after their hike. Patrick drank it greedily, all the while dreaming about the ice-cold shake they'd enjoy later.

"Hey, is that your pony?" a voice intruded into his daydream.

There was an older man at one of the benches with a fast food bag in front of him. That made sense, since there were several drive-through restaurants nearby and eating in the park was a lot more comfortable than sitting in your car in front of the place. 'Shy had said she just wished people wouldn't leave their trash on the benches and Pat agreed.

"Yes, why?"

The man was beckoning them closer, but Patrick didn't move. He was wary of people too interested in 'Shy. When it became obvious he wouldn't oblige, the other guy gave up and simply raised his voice: "She's pregnant, right?"

He didn't like where the conversation was going and neither did 'Shy, judging by how she quietly crept closer and pressed against Pat's legs. He put a hand on her head. "Yeah, why?"

"I'll give you five hundred bucks for the baby!"

Fluttershy drew a sharp breath through her mouth at that and her ears flattened completely. She sat on her haunches and put forehooves protectively on her belly.

"No."

The old man looked a little annoyed, but he forced himself to keep that fake smile. "Okay, okay, you're right. Pedigree dogs go for what, two thousand or something? I'll give you two thousand."

"My foal is not for sale!" 'Shy yelled back.

That just made the guy snap his fingers. "Oh, right! That's what they're called. Come on, two and half for the foal. It's good money!"

Patrick very much doubted it. Even if he had the slightest inclination to sell Fluttershy's child, which he would never ever do, the prices for ponies were in the multiple tens of thousands. More for pegasi and unicorns.

"Absolutely not!" He ended the conversation by the simple expedient of turning to his car and loading the picnic basket in the back seat.

It didn't sit too well with the other man and Fluttershy's hoof gripped his calf. "I think we should go," she said quietly.

Pat glanced and saw that the man had stood up and was making his way over. Surely he wouldn't try and just take 'Shy, would he?

"Get in," he told her.

She didn't need more prompting and hurried around to the passenger side. She jumped in the front seat and grabbed the cord Pat had tied around the handle with her teeth. It was a simple something to help her manage the door by herself. It slammed shut and he closed the trunk as well.

"Come on, dude, it's just an animal. Three thousand, I'll give you cash right now!"

"I said no!" He quickly shut both the back doors and walked around the front to the driver's seat. He caught Fluttershy's gaze and she looked troubled and more than a little afraid. "Bye!"

As Patrick sat down and shut the driver's door, he just barely caught the next offer from the guy before it was cut off: "Five thou-"

He didn't waste any more time. The last thing he needed was for the jerk to try and open one of his doors. Pat started the engine and went to back out of the parking spot. Unfortunately the man was standing right in his way. He really didn't want to talk with him any longer, so he revved the engine. That did the trick and the guy stepped aside in fear of simply being run over. Pat didn't hesitate and quickly backed out. Luckily the parking lost was mostly empty, so he had plenty of space to turn around the guy. As he pulled away, the old man was shouting something, undoubtedly telling him to stop or blurting out more offers.

Luckily they were soon out of sight and he relaxed a little. He felt Fluttershy's hoof cover his hand on the gear shift. He glanced her way and saw that her ears were still flat and she was breathing deeply. "It's okay. I'm not gonna let someone take you, or your foal, okay?"

She glanced at him and managed a smile, even if it was weak. "Our foal, Pat. It's not mine, it's ours."

For some reason that made him chuckle. "Okay, our. Anyway, it's not happening. If anyone ever tries something, fly away and look for me. Or fly home, or something. Worst case, you can wait on the balcony until I get there, right?"

That gave him an idea and Pat went right on: "Actually, how about we leave the bedroom door open? At least while it's warm out. It's not like someone can just get up there, it's the thirteenth floor."

"A pegasus could."

That was true, but Pat didn't think the odds were very good. Who would buy a pegasus and use him or her for petty theft? "Yeah, but there's not many of them on Earth yet, right?"

Talking helped with the remaining tension and 'Shy was slowly relaxing. She leaned over and placed a hot lick on Pat's forearm. "I guess not," she admitted. "Just me and maybe a few others."

"Makes you all the more special."

"Aww."

He was starting to sweat, which reminded Patrick to turn on the A/C. He also pushed the button to crack open his window a little for some immediate relief until the A/C took effect.

'Shy looked over at the sudden noise of rushing air and spoke up: "Mine too, please!"

The little button was hard for her to push with a hoof, so he obliged and lowered her window a few inches as well.

"A bit more, please?"

He did so and the mare stuck her head in the stream of air. She closed her eyes and smiled as the wind ruffled the fluff on her face and whipped her mane around.

"So... pizza and shakes?"

'Shy didn't open her eyes, but she grinned wider. "Yes, please."

She returned to enjoying the feeling of wind and Patrick focused fully on the road. 'Shy wasn't wearing her seatbelt. She said it was very uncomfortable with her belly, so he didn't make her. It just meant he had to be extra careful.

There were other dangers as well, as that crazed old man at the park had just showed them. Once the foal came, there'd be more problems. He took a glance at the passenger seat and tried to imagine how big 'Shy would get before the end. She had said she'd need help with bathing and washing. Life would certainly get interesting and a lot more complicated.

For now, they were fine. It was a beautiful Saturday, they'd get pizza and then they'd head back home. The pregnancy was making Fluttershy a lot friskier, which would probably lead to some "fun" in the afternoon.

All in all, things were good for the moment.

The future would bring what it brings. They'd face it together.

Chapter 3

On one beautiful, late summer afternoon Pat and Fluttershy were able to have a picnic. By now Mr. Mason allowed the mare to leave his yard and go into Pat's, so the two could talk more easily. She'd brought a blanket to lay down and Pat had procured cucumber sandwiches, apparently her favorite. There were also some tomato and lettuce ones for variety. The pair sat on either side of the basket Fluttershy insisted was necessary for a picnic. The discussion so far had been mostly about Pat's work.

He flicked through his phone until he found another picture and turned it to show her. "Here, look. It's Harris' office. He usually leaves the door open. He says we should come to him anytime we have a problem."

Fluttershy inspected the image with curiosity, smiling to herself. "That doesn't sound too bad."

"You wanna know what I think?" Pat asked, then went right on and answered: "I think it's just because Harris wants to hear if we're slacking off."

Her smile faded, but Fluttershy gave Pat an earnest look. "Well, he does have a business to run..."

"Nah, he's just middle management."

It took a few seconds Fluttershy to wrap her head around the unfamiliar expression, but she grasped the concept amazingly quickly, especially since she'd never been exposed to large bureaucracies before. "He still has to make sure you're all doing a good job, right? Or else somepo- some people would get fired."

"I guess..."

She smiled and placed a surprisingly warm hoof on Pat's wrist. "See? There's always more than one side to things."

Pat waited until she removed her hoof, then took the phone back and flicked through the images some more. "Oh, here's one. It's Jen's new car! She was so proud."

Fluttershy examined the phone once Pat showed her and then giggled. "Oh my gosh, it's so green! How does she find it in the grass?!" They both laughed at the comment. It really was the most unusual color. While Pat looked for another interesting picture, Fluttershy browsed in the basket. "There's one tomato sandwich left, um, if you want it."

"Nah, I'm good. You have it," Pat offered.

Fluttershy did so, holding the triangular piece of bread with both forehooves. For some reason she reminded Pat of a chipmunk, the way she nibbled at it and he couldn't help smiling at the sight. "So, what's new with you?"

Fluttershy took the time to finish chewing her piece before replying. "Oh, nothing much. It's just... so boring! Laundry and dishes and dusting," the little mare complained. "Same thing every day. If I'm lucky, Mr. Mason lets me cook something. Only stuff I don't have to touch with my hooves, of course." Her ears splayed out and she lowered her gaze to the ground. "He wouldn't let me have any animal friends."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

When Fluttershy looked up, her eyes were brimming with tears and Pat froze in sudden fear. Hopefully he hadn't upset her and cut their picnic short. "Ba-Back home," she sniffled, "I used to care for a lot of animal friends... Oh, Celestia how I miss them!"

She wasn't running away, just infinitely sad. Pat put his phone down and moved the basket out of the way. That let him shuffle closer and put his hands on her sides. Before he knew it, Fluttershy's hooves were reaching around his chest and her muzzle was buried in his shirt. The only thing he could think to do while the mare cried was to pat her back with a hand, careful not to hit the wings.

"There, there," he said. Another cliché, but it seemed to work. "I'm sure if you explain-"

Fluttershy spoke into his chest, her breath incredibly hot even through the fabric. "I tried! I explained, a-and I begged, b-but Mr. Mason said no!"

Her whole body shook with her sobs and Pat couldn't keep the question back. "Why is this so important to you?"

At this the mare pulled away and glared at him, but at least she didn't shake his hands from her shoulders. Instead, she twisted slightly and patted her butt with a hoof. "This!" she snapped. "This says what my special talent is! My purpose in life! To care for animals and be their friend!"

Pat frowned at the picture. It was just butterflies. "Your tattoo?"

Fluttershy gave a small gasp and jerked away, glaring daggers at Pat. "It's a cutie mark and it's important to me! It's not a tattoo!"

All he could do was lift up his hands, palms out in a conciliatory gesture. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I only know about things you tell me. I didn't mean to offend you."

When she relaxed Pat saw that her fur had been standing on end. He wondered if that was a sign of how angry she was. "Well... apology accepted. I guess you couldn't have known."

"Wanna tell me more about it?"

Fluttershy gave him a long look, but then shook her head. "No. I mean, not now. Another time?"

He was just happy she wasn't permanently mad with him. A look in her eyes when she snapped had made Pat feel decidedly uncomfortable. It was too intense by half. "Sure, whenever you're comfortable with it. I'll try and not make any more stupid remarks."

He put an emphasis on 'try', since there really was no avoiding it. Fluttershy understood and gave him a faint smile. "Good. It's important to try."

At least she seemed to have moved past her sorrow at not having any animal pets. Pat made a mental note never to bring that subject up again. There was another thing she'd said he could perhaps use to spend even more time with her. "Anyway, if you're bored, get Mr. Mason to buy you a console or something. Then we can play games together when you have time. It's a lot of fun."

Fluttershy perked up her ears. "Console? What's one of those?"

"Ah, jeez, it's complicated to explain. It'd be easier just to show you mine."

Fluttershy got a thoughtful look, then put her head to one side and smiled. "What if I ask Mr. Mason if I can visit you tomorrow? A-After my chores, of course. Or maybe before?"

Pat was stunned, but he recovered quickly. "That'd be great! I'll clean up the place."

Fluttershy giggled and leaned closer to put a hoof on Pat's arm. "You don't have to anything special for me, Pat. I'm sure I'll like it even if it's a little messy."

"That's just it. If I spend the whole day tidying up I guess I can bring it down to 'a little messy'."

She positively chortled with laughter at the joke. At length she just lay down on her side across the blanket and heaved a sigh. "Thanks for making me laugh, Pat."

He tipped an imaginary hat, taking the opportunity to watch Fluttershy's belly. It looked incredibly soft and he wanted to touch, but it would be entirely the wrong thing to do. She was quite skittish and he had to be careful with things like that. However, when she stretched out her legs he noticed a flash of pink flesh low on her belly and Pat's breath caught. His research on the Internet told him that's where the tits were on a horse. He sat up straighter and forced his gaze back to her face. Fluttershy had her eyes closed and it looked almost as if she would fall asleep. Taking the lead from her, Pat also lay down on his back, close enough that her hooves brushed him when she shifted. He looked up at the clouds, trying to come up with something to say.

Fluttershy beat him to it. "This is nice. Um, is there any strawberry juice left?"

He didn't even have to look in the basket to know. "Yeah, there's one bottle."

"Could you get it for me?"

It was the work of moments for Pat to sit up, grab the drink from the basket and uncap it. When she heard the hiss of air the mare opened her eyes and rolled to her belly. That pressed her side against Pat's thigh, but he didn't mind that in the slightest. When she sat up, her face was mere inches from his. Pat froze up, wondering if she'd kiss him, but Fluttershy just smiled in faint puzzlement.

"Well?"

Suddenly he remembered the bottle in his hand and offered it. Fluttershy expertly grabbed it with her mouth and teeth, and lifted it up to take a long swig. When she lowered it once more, Pat grabbed it before she had to look for a place to put it down. It was easier with hands and she flashed him a grateful smile. "Thanks. Um... so," she looked at the horizon where the sun had mostly set and the clouds glowed orange. "I guess I'll have to go now. Um, I'll let you know what Mr. Mason says about tomorrow, okay?"

Pat just nodded, both sad that the picnic was over, and grateful that he'd get some time to sort through all these new thoughts and emotions. He couldn't decide whether Fluttershy was warming up to him romantically, or just stringing him along and using him for snacks, or if she really was that innocent and didn't realize. For that matter, Pat didn't know himself how he felt about the silly little horse. She was incredibly endearing, cute almost to a fault, and smarter and more perceptive than any girl he'd ever met. Yet the fact remained that she was a pony. An entirely different species. Sure, he liked her as a friend. Liked her a lot, in fact.

The question was, could there ever be anything more? He both wanted and feared it. An ugly word forced itself into his mind whenever he thought about it. He had to keep reminding himself that she wasn't really an animal.

"Sure. My next shift isn't until Monday, so you just come up and knock anytime, okay?"

Before answering, Fluttershy put her mouth on the bottle again and Pat released it so she could lift it up and empty it. Then she twisted her neck to drop it neatly in the basket.

"Oh, I'll clean up, don't worry," Pat offered.

Fluttershy just gave him a smile. "It's no trouble. Anyway, the basket is mine and I have to wash the blanket. I might as well pick up the bottles and wrappers."

It was incredibly sweet of her and Pat easily agreed. He got up and stepped off the blanket so she could fold it up and place it in the basket. Then it really was a work of moments for her to gather up the small amount of trash they'd produced. After she was done Pat felt like he should have insisted. After all, it was easier for him to pick up trash with his hands than it was for Fluttershy with her mouth.

It was over, anyway, and she gave him another warm smile. "Thanks for a lovely picnic, Pat!"

"Yeah... same."

Pat gave her a little wave, then turned and walked back to his house while Fluttershy headed to the street. There was no door in the fence and that was the only way she could get back to Mr. Mason's house without simply jumping over. Well, she could also have flown, but Pat had noticed Fluttershy sometimes didn't remember she had wings and preferred to walk. It wasn't far, anyway, and maybe she wanted to stretch her legs. When she was on the sidewalk the mare looked back and gave Pat another wave with her wing, which he returned, before they both entered their respective houses.

Pat was about halfway through his bacon-sandwich-based breakfast when there came a knock at the door. Surely it was far too early? He dropped the uneaten half on his plate and hurried to the entrance. A quick look through the peephole revealed nothing. Pat opened the door to find a nervously grinning Fluttershy on his doormat. It was the first time she'd visited and the mare was looking curiously around Pat's legs at the dimly lit interior.

"Oh! Hi! Come on in!"

She didn't need telling twice and stepped inside while Pat shut the door behind her. Fluttershy sat on her haunches and grabbed something she'd been gripping with a wing. "Um, I got you this. Uh, it- it's a gift."

It was a packet of cloth and when Pat unwrapped it he revealed a piece of-

"It's marble cake," Fluttershy explained, looking at him nervously to see how he'd take it. "I baked it last n-night."

"Thanks! Looks delicious!" He took it to the kitchen, where he still had the bread knife out and could slice it up for both of them to enjoy. Fluttershy followed, but she paused to look in each door until she came to the living room, where she simply stopped in the entrance. "Here," Pat said, putting two slices on a plate and leaving a third on his counter for later. "You'll have some too, right?"

There was no reply, so he just took the thing to the table before looking around for his guest. She was still waiting right in the door, inspecting the place with some curiosity.

"Fluttershy?"

She jerked her gaze back to Pat and gave him a nervous grin with her ears sticking out nearly horizontally. "Oh. Sorry. I was just... looking." She finally walked to the table and clambered up on the chair opposite Pat. Her gaze landed on his half-eaten sandwich and her nose wiggled. She didn't say anything, but Pat remembered her love for animals and quickly grabbed the offending, meat-filled thing.

"I'll- I'll just put this- I'm done with it anyway." He took it to the counter and left it there before hurrying back. "Sorry about that."

Fluttershy shook her head, but Pat imagined there was this air of indefinable sadness around her. "It's okay. Many humans eat... uh, m-meat. I'm... okay with it." She certainly didn't sound it and Pat suddenly felt very guilty. He didn't know what to say, though. He liked his salami and bacon and an occasional steak. Not that he could cook one himself, but out in the restaurant near the office they served most delectable cuts.

Pat wrenched his thoughts away from that place and focused on Fluttershy in the present. He nudged the new plate with her marble cake. "Here, let's have your cake instead. Looks delicious." That seemed to work and Fluttershy smiled more widely. She waited for Pat to select a piece, then grabbed the remaining one. For a short while they ate in silence, then Pat remembered to praise it a little. "It's good. You're a fantastic cook, Fluttershy."

She blushed at the praise and averted her eyes, but she clearly liked the compliment, at least if her flattening ears and fluttering wings could be believed. "Um, thanks, but it's just something I learned from Pinkie. She's an amazing baker!"

Again a piece of her old life, but Pat knew enough not to follow up with questions. If she was in the mood, Fluttershy would tell him more on her own. This time she didn't and instead looked around the place, taking note of the dust on most furniture and the odd piece of clothing lying here and there.

Pat had meant to start cleaning up right after breakfast, but Fluttershy had surprised him by how early she came over. "Sorry about the mess. I don't clean as often as I should."

Rather than looking offended, or grossed out, Fluttershy smiled instead. "Actually, it looks kinda cosy. You know? Um, lived-in. I didn't have all that much time to clean back in my cottage either, not with taking care of all the animals."

That sadness was back, but Pat didn't know how to dispel it. He tried a distraction instead. "So, wanna see the rest of the place?" he offered.

'Shy was happy with the suggestion and put the remnant of her marble cake piece back on the plate for later. "Sure!" It wasn't a long tour, but Fluttershy seemed surprised that Pat had two bedrooms. She looked at the unused bed for some time in silence, then turned that gaze on Pat. "You often have guests sleep over?" she asked.

"No, it's not- Um, how do I explain this?"

She waited patiently while Pat thought about what to say, then just decided on the simple truth. "You see, Anton - he owns the place - he meant the upstairs for his family. He wanted to have two children, but, um, his wife died. So he turned it into an apartment to rent out, but it still has two bedrooms. I just use the one."

Her ears wilted and Fluttershy took a step closer to lean her muzzle against Pat's leg. "Aw, that's so sad!" she commented and he realized she absolutely, one hundred percent meant it. The horse really was a sweet soul and it was utterly adorable.

Pat couldn't help himself, but Fluttershy didn't seem to mind when he put his hand on her head and fiddled with an ear. It was soft and warm, very pleasant to touch. Unfortunately scant seconds later she pulled away and blushed a bit. "Sorry. I, uh, get emotional sometimes."

"Nothing to be sorry about. Anyway, there's just the bathroom left, b-but.. um." He'd just remembered that he'd undressed there last night for a shower and just left the clothes, including his possibly non-too-clean underwear right in the middle of the floor. "Actually, will you excuse me for a moment?"

He hurried into the bathroom, slipping inside and shutting the door quickly so that Fluttershy wouldn't see. The pile was exactly where he feared and he picked it up and stuffed it into the hamper. Then he waited a few seconds and flushed, to give the appearance of really having needed to go. A quick wash in the sink and he was done with one potential embarrassment averted.

Fluttershy was waiting in the corridor, looking up at some paintings Pat had hung up. Pat hardly paid them any mind lately, colorful images of landscapes and animals. It was the latter ones the mare paid close attention too and Pat heard her give a forlorn sigh. He made a possibly stupid decision, but if it would bring smile to her face it would have been worth it. "Say, I've been thinking about getting a pet or something, y'know?"

That much was true, Pat had considered maybe a cat, or a small dog, or perhaps a rabbit. One of his best friends from elementary school had a pet rabbit and from what Pat understood, they were quite low maintenance.

Fluttershy's eyes lit up. She wasn't allowed pets of her own, but maybe she could live her talent, her cutie mark, through Pat. "You'd do that?" she asked, voice trembling just a bit by giddiness.

"Sure! Except I don't know a whole lot about animals, so... maybe if you helped me take care of it?"

Pat could swear Fluttershy's eyes positively sparkled with delight and her grin threatened to split her face in half. "Of course!!" She was about to jump and hug him, but a thought occurred and her expression darkened. "If- if, M-Mr. Mason doesn't m-mind," she stuttered, having found the problem in the plan.

"Well, you ask him. I'd be willing to give you a key so you could come and check when I'm at work. I trust you." Not to mention it would give the mare many excuses to come visit, which suited Pat just fine. Fluttershy was very nice company, filling a hole in his solitary life he hadn't even realized was there. "Come on, let me go show you the console. Remember? We talked about it yesterday."

Fluttershy didn't answer, but she followed and there was extra spring in her step. She very nearly pranced and her hooves tapped a cute little melody on the hardwood floor. She was also smiling beautifully. Pat was happy as well. This was a fantastic development. Thoughts of the mare just casually strolling into his apartment for a beer or a game filled his head. True, it'd mean he'd have to keep the place at least reasonably tidy, but on the other hand maybe she'd help with that as well. It'd be just like having a roommate. A hot, girl roommate. He paused when he realized he'd just thought about 'Shy being sexy. He'd meant it, but it was an unexpected idea. Was he physically attracted to a member of an entirely different species?

So what if he was? He sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to him, but Fluttershy chose instead to sit a bit further away. That was fine, Pat thought. Her animal-like nature and soft-looking coat made him want to pet 'Shy, but he wasn't quite that familiar with her yet, or she with him. These things took time. He could show her some video games in the meantime.

"Well, this is called 'Playstation', okay? Now I'm guessing you won't like shooting, violent games, right?"

Fluttershy shook her head and her ears fell, so Pat scrolled past the various shooters and RPGs, landing on something which might suit the mare perfectly.

"Hm, I don't even know why I got this. Probably on a sale or something, but I'm glad I did. It's called 'Harvest Moon'."

Fluttershy glanced at the screen and was instantly captured by the colorful graphics. Maybe it was love at first glance, but Pat knew she would simply adore the game. It had been boring to him, originally, but Pat had a savegame he could show off. He entered the barn in the game and Fluttershy gave a little gasp.

"Baby cows? Cute baby cows?!"

"Yep, there sure are. So you like it?"

Fluttershy looked at him with shiny eyes and nodded emphatically. Except, that presented a new problem. There was no way the mare would be able to use the controller.

"Hmm, this might be a bit tricky. I don't think you can play it with hooves."

Her ears wilted instantly, but then she gasped and clapped her hooves together. "I know! There was this, um... Mr. Mason called them 'commercials'. It was for ponies! Like, they said it was for playing games." She looked around the room for inspiration, then saw the controller in Pat's hand. "It looked kinda like that, except bigger."

Was it possible? It made sense, though. These ponies were expensive, it stood to reason that people who got them would be willing to spend more money on 'accessories'. "I'll check on the Internet. If it's not too expensive, I'll order you one!"

This statement made Fluttershy's eyes grow large and extra-sparkly. "You'd do that for me?!" she gasped.

"Sure! It shouldn't be too big of a problem." No matter how overpriced the thing was Pat would buy it. The mere thought of having this pony sitting on the couch beside him and playing a game together was reward enough. Not to mention that Fluttershy scooched closer and nuzzled into his side. "Thanks! It really does look like a lot of fun! It's a- a game about animals!"

"Well, not just animals. It's mainly about farming." He laid his hand carefully down around the yellow mare, patting her- her withers, if the anatomical diagrams he'd seen on the Internet were to be believed.

"Heh. Applejack would like this, I think. She is all about farming."

It was probably one of her old friends, but Pat didn't think he'd enjoy this Applejack's company as much as Fluttershy's. He probably wouldn't have anything to talk about. "Well, there's other kinds of games. Maybe you'd like some of the ones for kids. Like, I think I have Spyro somewhere, but I'd have to download it."

Fluttershy released him and pushed herself upright once more, a faint blush on her muzzle. Pat took the cue and removed his arm, even though it was a mental struggle. She was so soft! Her fur was like silk between his fingers.

"Um, I'm sure I would like it if you think so," Fluttershy said at last. "B-But right now I wanna see more of this!"

Pat remembered the game on the screen. "Oh. Yeah, sure. We can play for a while."

The words reminded Fluttershy and she scrunched up her muzzle in thought. "I should be home in an hour to start my chores."

"Sure. That's plenty of time."

Chapter 16

Patrick and Fluttershy ended up doing nothing in particular the whole morning. Even their breakfast had been a quick and easy affair of porridge with milk and sugar. Luckily there were a couple more Disney movies 'Shy had wanted to see and Pat was quite happy to simply lounge and enjoy the feel of her fur on his bare skin. He'd put on some underwear, but didn't bother with a shirt or pants. When she saw him lying on the couch like that, 'Shy had blushed a little, but she draped herself over Pat without hesitation. After a while she even laid her head down on Pat's chest.

This position - lying on his back with the mare sprawled across his chest and belly - made it difficult to watch the TV, but Patrick didn't really mind. His hand rested lightly on her flank and he played with the fur on her cutie mark. He knew the movies and just listened to the dialogue and music as he reveled in the feel of Fluttershy's coat. His legs were quite sore after their second round in the shower. It turned out the difference in height meant he had to crouch halfway down to align himself and despite Fluttershy's assurances that she could take his weight, Pat didn't want to lean too much on her back. In the end he had been forced to admit defeat and change positions. Pony-style just wouldn't work until he built up some leg muscle.

Then again, holding Fluttershy's back against the wall worked well with the added bonus of being able to kiss her. It was still pretty strenuous, but at least his legs were straight and 'Shy wasn't very heavy. Now there was a very pleasant kind of soreness in his dick and Pat was happy as could be with life in general, as long as he didn't think about Fluttershy leaving in a couple of days. That would suck, but it was still some time away and there was no point in stressing over it.

"'Shy?" he asked, then corrected: "Buttershy?"

"Mm?" She didn't look away from the TV, apparently just as tired and lazy as he was.

"You'll visit, right? I mean, until we find a way to get you here permanently. D'you think Mason will let you spend the night sometimes?"

She shook her head, lightly bumping her muzzle in his chest. "I don't think he will, Pat," she said in a soft, sad voice. Her ears were already creeping down as she realized the implications.

This hadn't been his intention. Pat didn't want to spoil this precious moment. "Don't worry, we'll find a way!" He brought his free hand up and pressed his fingers carefully against her cheek. 'Shy gave him a grateful lick in return.

"Maybe..." she began, but bit the word off. Her ears flattened and she struggled with an unwelcome thought.

"Yeah?"

She was very uncertain about whatever she was about to suggest and it took her some time to turn head and look at him. For a moment 'Shy just lay there, with her muzzle on Pat's chest and gazing into his eyes. Her ears went lower and she took a deep breath. "Maybe I can... uh, like, sneak away. At night, I mean. Mr. Mason doesn't really check on me after he's gone to bed. I'd just have to make sure I wake up before him in the morning so I can sneak back." The suggestion left a bad taste in her mouth, but 'Shy took a breath to stiffen her resolve. "It's not like I'd be running away, exactly."

It sounded like an extremely workable solution, except for the fact that 'Shy wouldn't be getting a whole lot of sleep. "No, it's not like running away. Are you sure that'd work though? I don't wanna make you get up so early every day."

"It's no trouble at all," she reassured him with a happy smile. It seemed as if laying his worries to rest was also giving her more confidence in the plan. Fluttershy's tail whisked this way and that in anticipation of the excitement between them and she stole a quick kiss from Pat's lips. "I can always take naps while Mr. Mason is at work!"

Patrick began to grin as well.

"Besides, who said anything about 'every day'?!" 'Shy asked, giving Pat a piercing gaze.

He tried for an apologetic grin and shrugged. She was right, she never said 'every day', it had just been his wistful desire. Pat sought out her ears with both hands and began rubbing by way of apology. "Sorry. Sounds good tho! Don't worry, it won't be for very long, okay? We'll figure out some way to get you to me."

Fluttershy pushed herself forward with a small grunt of effort until her lips locked tightly with Pat's. She wasn't as passionate as usually, but it was still nice and warm.

He let his hands slide away so he could focus on the feel of their faces touching.

When she pulled away, 'Shy was still smiling. "Now hush," she said firmly, "I want to see what happens next!" She didn't wait for Pat's nod before turning her head to the TV again and laying her cheek down on his chest once more.

Pat went back to staring at the ceiling and playing with Fluttershy's fur again. His hand slid down her side until it came to rest next to her hind hoof. He inched his fingers forward until he was holding it cupped and drawing little circles on the hard keratin with his thumb.

"Can we go flying in the afternoon?" 'Shy asked suddenly, putting a lie to her own request for quiet.

"Sure! But I'm making sandwiches this time," Pat offered.

Fluttershy shook her head. "Actually, um, can we go get a pizza when we're done. I feel like pizza today. That way neither of us has to cook!"

It sounded like a perfect afternoon and Pat patted her cutie mark with his palm.

A sudden, silly thought made Pat chuckle, which earned him a confused look from 'Shy. "What?"

"You said 'neigh-ther'."

Her muzzle scrunched up and she said firmly: "No I didn't! I said 'neither of us'. Neither."

Despite her careful enunciation, Pat still laughed. "Neigh, neigh!"

Fluttershy rolled her eyes in exasperation, but ended up smiling anyway. "Careful," she warned, still grinning. "Call me a horse one more time and you aren't getting any tonight!"

This shut him up with sudden worry and Pat sought to change the subject. "So, pizza today? It's a date!"

Fortunately that word still made her blush and she forgot about the whole 'neigh' thing. Pat did as well; her red muzzle was adorable. "Now hush for real, okay?"

Pat just chuckled as quietly as he could manage.

There was something quite enchanting about a pegasus in flight. Pat had been worried he'd be bored sitting in the park and waiting while Fluttershy flew around, but he ended up watching in rapt attention. She was true to her word and always stayed within sight, even if it limited the space she had. 'Shy didn't seem to mind the limitations as she flapped in a big circle above the trees. The sun was already on its descent and it lit the underside of Fluttershy's wings when she banked to the east. Those were the moments which made Pat smile. She was just... beautiful. Strange how a small pony, flying on illogically small wings would evoke such joy just by watching her momentary freedom. Her mane and tail streamed in the air and she held her legs close to her body to reduce the air drag, except when she swooped past Pat and waved to him with a hoof.

A few times she rolled to her back, or angled herself almost vertically up until she stalled and fell into a dive. At first Pat had been worried, but he saw her smile and realized she was doing it intentionally for the thrill. It was strange how her shy personality seemed to be buried under exultation while she flew.

Eventually she came down, gliding around Pat in a large spiral and finally landing in front of him. He realized the sun had moved quite a bit since they arrived. 'Shy was pretty winded and she held her wings stiffly by her side as she panted. "Wow," she managed after a while. "I guess I'm out of shape."

Patrick crouched down as she walked closer and reached to pat her withers. He withdrew his hand in surprise. "You're completely wet!" he exclaimed in surprise. Now that he looked closer, sweat was dripping from the mare and she was starting to shiver despite the warm day.

"It's oh- okay," 'Shy panted, "just proves- proves that I-" She mumbled to silence when Pat grabbed her muzzle for a moment.

He let her go so she could suck in air again. "Breathe. Come on, sit down."

She obeyed and folded her hind legs beneath her as she sat on her flank. Her nostrils flared as she drew in more air, but after a few lungfuls she seemed to be slowing down. "Thanks," she said, finally able to speak again. "It just proves I had a real workout. Rainbow Dash would be proud of me." She was still completely soaked, her mane plastered to her neck and her tail pooled on the ground and starting a puddle. In a flash of inspiration Pat pulled his T-shirt off. 'Shy looked at him strangely. "What are you doing?"

Before he could think better of it, Pat draped the garment around Fluttershy's shoulders and began to rub her down. She tried to wiggle free, but he just held her in place.

"Pat!" she almost squealed, "your shirt will get wet! Stop!"

"It's fine. I don't mind."

She stopped struggling and Pat did his best to wipe her dry, or as near as he could with the unsuitable fabric. That'd leave him nothing, but even if people stared or commented on his bare chest it wouldn't be the end of the world. He was soon done with her barrel and turned the shirt around until he found a dry bit for her face. 'Shy closed her eyes while he gently wiped the sweat away. By the time he was done the shirt was soaked, but at least the mare wasn't anymore. She was no longer shivering, which was good enough.

"Wanna lie down in the sun for a bit so you dry out fully?"

When she opened her eyes, Fluttershy's muzzle had a light scrunch of displeasure. "I could have done that all along, Pat. Now your shirt is ruined!"

"Don't worry about it. It'll dry," slightly disappointed that she wasn't more grateful. They were some distance from the main walking path so there should be no onlookers and it was a warm day, so Pat didn't mind going without a shirt. He spread it out on a nearby bush to dry faster and went back to where 'Shy was sitting in the grass. He joined her and couldn't help smiling when he remembered her little display. "Fancy flying, by the way."

This praise made her blush a little and her eyes went... sad? After a sigh, she confided: "Rainbow Dash taught me some of those tricks. She's really good! I was just faking it."

"Didn't look fake to me. Looked pretty impressive."

The red in her cheeks intensified and 'Shy waved a dismissive hoof. "It really wasn't. I'm out of practice."

"Will you take a damn compliment?!"

Fluttershy flinched at his tone and the swear word, which made Pat instantly regret it.

"Sorry. Just- believe me when I say you're beautiful when you're flying, okay?"

The sting was quickly forgotten and 'Shy gave a slight smile. "You really think so?"

"Yeah."

She shuffled a little closer so she could look directly into Pat's face, perhaps trying to see if he was telling the truth. Pat sought for more words to affirm she was a good flier, but 'Shy surprised him by asking quietly: "Can I get a- a kiss?"

The question was unexpected enough to make Pat blurt out the first thing that popped up in his mind. "Well, you came to the right place." Both of them stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. Pat was the first to recover, but only just. "Sorry, I dunno where that came from."

'Shy finished with a giggle and shook her head. "Don't worry. It's cute. Cheesy, but cute." She wasted no more time and leaned in to take that kiss. Her muzzle was still damp from sweat, but no less pleasurable for that. Her fur was silken soft and warmer than usual and her rapid breath felt hot against his face. He put his hands around her neck to bring her closer as she moaned into his mouth. Her hooves came up to touch his skin, anywhere she could reach and 'Shy pressed forward, seeking more with urgent need. A moment later they lost their balance and Pat toppled to his back. 'Shy tried to stay upright by flapping her wings, but the motion made her gasp and pull back. She landed back on all fours, but her legs were shaking with effort and she drew her breath in with a sharp hiss.

"Owww," she whined, holding her wings as still as possible. "I might have overdone it! Ow, my flight muscles!"

Pat remembered a dim piece of advice from his marathon-running colleague. "We should get them in a hot shower then. Oh, and a massage, otherwise you'll be sore tomorrow."

"But what about our pizza?"

That was true, neither of them had eaten since their half-hearted breakfast that morning. Pat made a quick decision. "I'll call it in and we'll just pick it up on the way back. You won't even have to leave the car so you can rest. We can reheat it after the shower, okay?"

'Shy nodded happily at that solution and turned around. "Okay, give me just one moment," she asked and gingerly folded her wings up. The process took longer than usual and she winced a little. "I swear it wasn't that bad when I was actually in the air. I guess I didn't really feel it."

"Good thing you came down when you did, otherwise you could have hurt yourself."

'Shy gave a nod. "Yeah. I never realized how out of practice I was."

It made sense. She'd been with Mr. Mason for a couple of months during which she basically never flew. Add to that however long it took them to capture her and send her through the auctions, or however the ponies were being sold... Come to think of it, Pat still hadn't asked Fluttershy what'd happened to her after her capture. He opened his mouth to bring it up, but thought better of it and kept silent. He went to retrieve his shirt, but it was still quite damp. He slid it on despite that, only shivering a little when the cold cloth touched his bare skin. Strange how the fact that it had Fluttershy's sweat on it wasn't in the least bit disgusting, he thought to himself. It hadn't even occurred to him until he had the shirt completely on. He took the lead and headed back toward the path and the car. Pizza would be nice, but giving 'Shy a hot shower and then massaging her wings sounded even better. Food could wait.

Chapter 25

The movie was perhaps not the most interesting to him, but Patrick still enjoyed simply lying on the couch and soaking up Fluttershy's presence. She, on the other hand, absolutely loved 'Miracle on 34th street'. She was sitting in his lap, stealing hurried kisses whenever there was a lull in the movie, and holding the panda plush against her belly the whole time. She let the toy go for a few moments when the movie ended so she could clop her hooves together in delight. "Wow, that was lovely," she commented and reached to the couch armrest where Pat had placed a bowl of biscuits.

It was empty, but her eyes landed on Pat's hand which was holding the last cookie. He'd almost forgotten he even had it until her poignant stare made him aware. "Oh, you want this?" he teased.

Her tongue darted out to lick up a few imaginary crumbs around her lips and 'Shy nodded. "Yes, please."

Patrick quickly thought up a small game to relieve the boredom after that cheerful Christmas movie and put the cookie in his mouth. He didn't bite through it, just held it between his teeth and leaned a little closer to 'Shy.

She soon understood and a blush painted her muzzle pink. She'd have to get it from him... With her mouth. Her hesitation didn't last too long. After all, she did enjoy kisses and this was the last cookie. Everyone knew the last one was the most delicious of all. It took some care, but 'Shy pressed her lips against Pat's and gently gripped the piece of pastry with her teeth. It wouldn't do to break it off, after all. He didn't relinquish his prize immediately, enjoying the soft tickle of her fur against his face and the warmth of her breath on his cheeks.

Out of desperation Fluttershy probed with her tongue, trying to get him to loosen up and her imprecise technique, along with her cookie-lust, ended up in her licking blindly at his lips. It worked, but mostly because she tickled Pat until he involuntarily let go of his prize. 'Shy sensed that, wrapped her tongue around the cookie and flicked it away before Pat could really react. She had a smug grin on her muzzle as she chewed, but rather than being upset Pat just chuckled at the sight.

"You really are a cute little horse, you know that?"

Her brows knit together for a moment at the word, but she knew him well enough by then to know he didn't mean it as a derogatory term. She swallowed the last of her delicious bounty and returned the grin. "You like little horses, don't you?"

"Nah, just you." It was true. Pat would never admit this to 'Shy, but he'd tried jerking off to pictures of horses and ponies a couple of times, only to realize it wasn't working for him. What was worse, human girls didn't seem to do the trick either anymore. Just Buttershy. Maybe that was love? Only thoughts of 'Shy, especially his memories of her panting as she strained against him, really got him going lately. The mental image sent a pleasant tickle down his body and he leaned closer to punctuate his claim with a kiss on the tip of her nose.

She didn't know how to react to his words just yet, so 'Shy was averting her gaze while she got her blush under control again. Finally she looked back up. "Really?"

"Yep. You're the only girl for me, Buttershy."

It made her smile a lot less hesitantly and she leaned closer against him. That was pony body language, Patrick had learned. They hugged, but that didn't sound nearly as intimate as he'd originally thought. Fluttershy, for example, hugged all her friends whenever she saw them, or at least that was the impression he got from her stories about home. The real sign of intimacy was her leaning against him, relying on his strength to keep her upright. It showed trust and devotion, she'd explained. Even if she hadn't ascribed any special significance to the act, it would still have felt incredible. She was warm and solid, and pressing herself against him made it impossible to forget her presence.

A moment later she noticed that her new plush was missing and looked for it on the couch beside her. It hadn't gone far and 'Shy pressed ti against her belly once more with a happy little sigh. It must have reminded her because she nudged Pat's side with her nose.

"I actually did want to bring you a present, you know? I just- couldn't."

"That's fine. It's the thought that counts, right?" He was pretty sure that was one of those 'friendship lessons' Fluttershy sometimes mentioned.

"I guess," she agreed.

"What were you going to bring me?"

"A game for your console."

"Oh? Which one?"

She had to think for a bit to remember. "You told me you wanted to play it that one time, but not enough to get it yourself. Um, what was it again? Just the Few Of Us? Something like that. Um, it had a two in it as well." Her inability to recall the title was making 'Shy giggle. "I'm sure I would have remembered when I saw it in the store. Except Mr. Mason wouldn't take me. He said I was being silly." As she said that Fluttershy's hooves tightened around her plush.

"Oh, Last of Us 2. Eh, maybe I'll get it myself next year. It's not going anywhere," Patrick shrugged.

Another sigh, less happy this time. "It isn't about the gift, Pat. It's about the gesture and I'm not even able to make that."

"It's really fine, Buttershy."

She was silent for a long while and Pat picked up the TV remote to find something else to watch. Of course the TV was full of Christmas movies, so he just picked a channel at random and let it play. Eventually one of Fluttershy's ears lifted up and she opened her mouth, but one look at Pat made her look back down and blush heavily.

"What is it?"

"M-M-Maybe, um. It's- Uhhh," she floundered and had to stop to swallow a lump. "What if, um, I gave you... Like, maybe it doesn't have to be, you know, a physical gift."

It sounded as if she was warming herself up to say something romantic and Pat couldn't stand to see her this awkward so he put a finger on her lips. "It's okay, I understand."

She shook free and a hint of a glare entered her eyes. Perhaps that helped her get the words out. "No, you don't understand," 'Shy exclaimed. "I was just saying I can give you, um, a different sort of gift."

Patrick didn't know what she was getting at, so he just waited for her to explain some more.

Her hoof went to his belly where she began stroking in little circles. The touch was pleasant and surprisingly warm, even through the fabric. Pat was still wondering what 'Shy was getting to when she slid her hoof lower and pressed. It made him inhale sharply in sudden excitement. "Different... gift," she breathed, doing her best sultry voice. She smiled at Pat and the look in her eyes sent his pulse into overdrive. "With my mouth." After a moment she remembered to lick her lips, slowly and sensually. That look was incredibly hot on 'Shy and Pat involuntarily bucked his hips against her hoof. "Oooh, you'd like that wouldn't you?" she asked.

"Y-Yes." It had come out as a whispered squeak and seemed to give 'Shy courage.

Her ears lifted up and focused on him, and her wings unfurled a little. She put her plushy toy beside them on the couch and brought her other foreleg to bear on Pat's midriff. She put her weight on him and stood up to bring her muzzle close enough to steal a kiss. Pat's arms automatically went around her and he tried to pull her up in his lap. Except 'Shy had other plans in her mind. She easily slipped out of his grasp and nosed down his chest, inhaling his smell as deeply as her lungs would allow. Pretty soon she was at his belt which she tried to unbuckle with her teeth. She might have done it eventually, but Pat didn't want to wait and helped her. He even lifted himself up so she could slide his pants down.

It was really happening. He'd tentatively asked 'Shy about oral before, but she'd always clamped up at the idea. Patrick didn't mind, but he was really curious what it'd feel like. Her lips and tongue were incredible enough when they were just kissing, so this should be absolutely unforgettable. The thought of what was coming was enough to make him twitch. He put his hand on Fluttershy's neck and applied the smallest amount of pressure, hoping to nudge her to continue. She obeyed and approached his diamond-hard member. Her nose wrinkled as she scented it, then she gave it a very light kiss. Her fur tickled but the sensation was entirely pleasant. When she exhaled her hot breath washed over Pat's skin and he groaned quietly.

Seeing that it was working, 'Shy kept on with small kisses down his shaft until she ended at his sack. At that point she inhaled once more. "Mmm, I like your smell," she commented. Before Pat could really respond she gave him a lick, her tongue searing hot against his balls.

"Ffff-fuck!"

To his infinite sadness she pulled away then and her ears folded down. Pat was about to groan in disappointment, but 'Shy spoke up: "Could you turn? It'll be more comfortable and I won't fall that way."

Patrick was only too happy to oblige and put both legs on the couch around 'Shy. It was a bit of a squeeze and he had to take care not to fall off, but the sight of the cute yellow mare between his naked thighs was worth a little discomfort.

She slid back a bit to give herself room to work, not noticing that she bumped her plush out of the way. Then she settled down and pressed her nose against his cock. She sniffed him again and laid her warm, wet tongue against his sack once more. It was everything he'd imagined and more. Pat wanted to buck, but he made himself sit still and give 'Shy time to get used to the act. This was her first time doing it, after all.

Her tongue trailed a line of fire up his length, but stopped just short of brushing his head. He didn't complain because 'Shy didn't pause and immediately began another long lick, this time trailing back down to the base. She leaned her head sideways and wrapped her tongue fully around his shaft. She held it like that, halfway in her mouth, for a few seconds, then let him go. Her eyes sought out his face to see how she was doing and the expression of pure rapture on Pat's face gave her confidence.

"Is it... good?"

"Yes. God, yes. Don't stop."

This emboldened her to try something new. 'Shy lifted herself a little to get a better angle and brushed her muzzle against the head. Pat's twitch almost make his cock slap her in the face and the reaction seemed funny to her, at least judging by her giggle. She teased him like that a few more times until he couldn't take it anymore.

"Please... fuck, Buttershy, please do it already!"

She licked her lips and her ears folded back in uncertainty, but 'Shy didn't disappoint. She took the tip of Pat's dick in her mouth. Her soft, velvety, hot mouth. The sudden sensation of being enveloped in warmth and wetness made him groan once more. For a few moments all that moved was Pat's heaving chest. Then 'Shy probed carefully with her tongue and the need momentarily overwhelmed his mind. He pushed forward, urgently, desperately.

'Shy made a slight choking sound as he hit the back of her mouth and tried to push forward into her throat. She pulled away and some spit spilled out of her mouth as she gagged.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

"Don't move!" 'Shy commanded and Pat relaxed. He'd been afraid their little experiment was over. "I'll do it, just don't... force it, okay?"

"Yeah, okay."

She licked her lips rather nervously, but despite her misgivings 'Shy lowered her head again. She took his tip in her mouth again and slid further until it was comfortably inside. Pat's breath hitched for a moment and turned into a quiet moan. Once more the mare explored with her tongue and probed the nooks and crevices with the tip. She paused for a moment to feel at his urethra before twisting around to lick the head. The sensation was indescribable, somewhere between a tickle and a light touch. Pat's hips jerked, but he somehow kept himself from pushing again.

Fluttershy's tongue moved down to rest against his shaft and she began to move. She didn't come close to taking him whole in her mouth, but whatever length she could manage was pure bliss.

"F-fuck..." Patrick glanced down briefly to see 'Shy smile around the cock in her mouth. She apparently liked the noises he was making and her efforts redoubled.
Unfortunately, with her haste she forgot about her teeth and his glans grazed them, making him grunt in pain and pull back.

"Sorry," it was her turn to say when she let him out.

He was exposed to the cool air and Pat's cock twitched with the need for more stimulation. "It's fine, please keep going."

She gave a slight nod and took him into her mouth again. Once more Pat had to fight his instinct to buck and remained still. This time 'Shy was more careful, but that also meant she was slower. She tried to make up for this perceived lack by stroking him as best she could with her tongue. Saliva escaped through her lips as she bobbed up and down and soon coated his balls.

He felt himself rising once more, nearing that magical place. Pat looked down and met Fluttershy's eyes and his urgent moans spurred her to greater speed. Once more he hit her teeth and his pleasured moan turned to one of sudden pain. He jerked back, slipping out of her mouth and his cock slapped wetly against his belly. "Shit, I'm sorry. I was just surprised."

Fluttershy's ears lowered and she shook her head. "No, it was my fault. I'll be more careful, I promise."

Patrick suddenly understood why people always talked about blow jobs as a learned skill. It looked as if 'Shy had some ways to go and he was more than happy to help her along. She waited for his smile before she took his dick in her mouth once again. More saliva dribbled free and she slurped as she tried to prevent a mess. This time she kept her pace sedate and relied more on her tongue to stimulate his sensitive tip. It was working and his moans rose in pitch and frequency. His hands strayed down to rest lightly against her muzzle, following her movements up and down.

Pat kept looking, unable and unwilling to tear his gaze away from the pink-framed yellow face engulfing his length. It would have been hotter if she could take it all and press her muzzle against his groin, but this was enough for now. He was quickly reaching his peak. A week's abstinence did that. His fingers crept further and further until Pat was holding Fluttershy's head and helping her move up and down. The motion was unaccustomed and she was tiring quickly, so he tried to make her go faster. Hopefully she'd last just long enough. He began to help a little more by moving his hips, pushing himself deeper and deeper with each stroke.

'Shy grunted, but didn't resist when he began to guide her deeper with the pressure of his hands.

Almost there...

His muscles began to tremble uncontrollably and his hips jerked without his conscious control. His grip around Fluttershy's head tightened and he impaled her mouth again and again, chasing that moment of release. A hoof slapped his hand away and 'Shy pulled forcibly away with a gasp for air. His cock was freed from its warm, moist cave and Pat bucked into the air a few times out of sheer momentum.

"No, please..." He'd been so close! A few more seconds and he'd have finished. Pat grabbed his dick and reached his other hand for Fluttershy's head to finish the job, but she held up her hoof and shook her head. She was still coughing after the forced intrusion into her throat.

"I'm sorry," she finally managed, "but it hurts! I don't think I can do this!"

Pat didn't want to stop. He was close and he stroked himself slowly. An idea popped up. "Okay, okay. I'll finish it myself. Open your mouth!" He climbed up to his knees and aimed his member at Fluttershy's face. She looked relieved that she wouldn't have to take it down her throat again and complied, opening as wide as she could and extending her tongue out to catch any spills. Her open, inviting mouth was one of the sexiest things he had ever seen and Pat began jerking himself off, knowing it wouldn't take more than a few seconds.

It felt as if his whole body swelled as he felt that familiar tightness deep in his belly. "Here it comes," he managed to warn her. A moment later his next word turned into a groan. Pat barely had enough presence of mind to aim his dick right into Fluttershy's mouth. The first spurt of his seed went directly in.

The sudden squirt surprised her and 'Shy involuntarily closed her mouth and eyes. The rest of Patrick's load unloaded in thick coils all over her muzzle. It began to drip down while 'Shy urgently swallowed and opened her mouth again just in time to catch the last of it on her tongue.

Pat held his dick after it was done, then squeezed the last bit of semen out. She saw it, beading on the tip and obediently licked it clean. "Fuck, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mess you up..."

For a moment he thought she was annoyed, but 'Shy smiled. "No, I'm sorry I couldn't... well. I hope you still, um, liked your present." It was her first time oral, so it hadn't turned out as well as he'd dreamed. Besides, Patrick had spoiled it himself by his inability to control his reaction. He sought out her hoof with a hand and gave it a squeeze. "It was perfect."

She gave him the most skeptical look he'd ever seen on her and pressed her lips together. It looked like she was about to deny it, but her face relaxed and 'Shy shook her head as her smile returned. "If you say so," she finally agreed.

"We both need some practice, I guess."

She looked uneasy and didn't quite meet his eyes. Pat had a feeling she wouldn't want to practice. It was a bit disappointing, but he didn't love 'Shy for her blow jobs.

"If you ever want to try again, I mean. It's fine if you don't."

His words put her at ease and 'Shy smiled once more as she gave a slight nod. "Maybe... someday. Um, I have to go clean up."

Pat had been half-hoping she'd lick her muzzle clean with her tongue, but he guessed she didn't like the taste. That was probably just a lie concocted up for porn, he thought. "Sure. I'll make us some hot chocolate."

She grinned widely at that suggestion and leaned in to give Pat a careful kiss. A bit of his own seed smeared against his cheek, but he didn't mind. Then 'Shy slipped from the couch and made her way to the bathroom to wash her face.

Meanwhile Pat wiped the spot with the back of his hand and stood up to pull his pants back on. He was quite wet from Fluttershy's slobber, but he just ignored it for now. He'd go and change his underpants when she was done in the bathroom and he was going to shower later anyway. Then he headed to the stove to warm up some milk. He'd enjoyed his 'present', but he was also looking forward to some regular sex with 'Shy later on, after he'd recovered a little. He really liked seeing her squirm and hearing her moan and he wouldn't give that up for anything. Just the thought was enough to make his dick twitch in fresh anticipation.