Getting Shy

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.