Getting Shy

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