Getting Shy

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.