Getting Shy

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.