Getting Shy

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!"