Getting Shy

The one time Pat wanted to get home fast there was impossible traffic. A less-anxious part of his mind said that the gridlock was no worse than on any other day, but with Fluttershy to get home to, it felt like an eternity. To top it all off, the car was low on gas so he had to waste another fifteen minutes on that necessary detour. On the plus side, he managed to snag a little surprise at the gas station.

Now he grabbed the liquor bottle from the passenger seat, not noticing in his haste that he had knocked his wallet to the floor in the process. He hurried to unlock his door and leave the special bottle in the hall, then simply left his flat open as he ran two steps at a time back down. He rushed to Mr. Mason's door and rang the bell. The fancy car was gone, probably left at the airport or something. It meant the man wasn't home and the mare was alone, a state of affairs which suited Pat just fine.

Not long after that the door opened and 'Shy peered out. When she saw who it was she dropped down from the handle and grinned. "I'll just grab my bag and be right out!"

In his impatient excitement Pat stepped from foot to foot as he waited. He realized he was grinning, but he wouldn't have cared even if there had been people outside. As it stood, it was a chilly autumn afternoon and there was no one on the streets. Pretty soon 'Shy came back with a shopping bag in her mouth. Pat reached down and took it.

"Thanks," 'Shy murmured and pointed with a hoof. "Um, there's a key in there. Could you lock the door? It's kinda hard to do with my mouth..."

Pat happily obliged and made sure to securely lock Mr. Mason's door. "This is gonna be so much fun!" he burst out, unable to contain himself any longer.

'Shy shared a smile and nodded. "Mhm! So..."

"Oh, right! This way."

Such a polite little mare, Pat couldn't help thinking. She waited for him to take the lead despite knowing exactly where he lived. He escorted her up the stairs to his place already making plans. "I got us some strawberry Vodka. You'll have a bit, right?"

He'd tried to get 'Shy tipsy before, wondering if she'd open up to more petting, but she'd always insisted that she needed her wits around Mr. Mason. That excuse was gone now, a fact Fluttershy realized, at least judging by her splayed ears. "Um... Maybe just a little," she agreed, even if it was a reluctant yes.

"Don't worry, we're not getting drunk. Just a bit to relax us and loosen the tongue."

At this Fluttershy stopped, the sound of her hooves ceasing and telling Pat she wasn't following anymore. He glanced back at her worried expression.

"What's wrong?"

"W-Why do we need to loosen our tongues?"

"It's just-" Pat tried, but couldn't find a good answer. "It's just something people do, y'know? Relax, enjoy the company. Drink helps." He remembered something one of his coworkers had once said. "It's like a social lubricant."

'Shy took this on board, but didn't seem entirely convinced. "I t-thought we were pretty relaxed already," she pointed out. "I already enjoy your company."

Pat put her bag just inside the door and went back to pat her mane. "Yeah, of course! Look, you don't have to. I'll just have a small glass, nothing more, and you can have some too or not, whatever you like." It would be a shame if Fluttershy said no. Pat imagined that getting the mare a bit tipsy would help her open up. Still, not a big loss; 'Shy was right in that she was good company and easy to get along with. This clinched it and 'Shy finally finished the walk upstairs. Pat closed the door behind them and let out a sigh. "Well, my home is your home, okay? Whatever you want, just take it. If I don't have it, tell me and I'll go buy it."

Fluttershy nodded towards the bag she'd packed. "Mr. Mason gave us the remote for my collar. He said I'm allowed to go places, but only if you're with me."

This showed just how much the man trusted 'Shy. With him out of the country, she could have taken the remote and ran away. "Well, make yourself at home anyway," Pat concluded.

"I'll go make my bed, um, if that's okay," 'Shy proposed.

When he looked, Pat saw that she had a set of bedclothes with her. It was quite sweet of her; this way he wouldn't even have to do laundry on her account after she was gone. "Cool, cool. Wanna play some Spyro when you're done? We can talk about dinner after that."

Now that the mare was in his apartment and staying there Pat almost panicked. He suddenly wasn't sure he had enough fun activities to keep them occupied for that long. Hopefully Fluttershy would have some ideas of her own. She was already on her way to the empty bedroom with the bag in her mouth, but she dropped her burden inside and poked her head back out to the hallway.

She gave Pat a weak grin. "N-No offense, b-but I thought... maybe... um..."

Was she about to propose something she considered impolite?! Pat's heart began to race, but he made sure to keep grinning. "Yes?"

"I thought, uhm, m-maybe I'd clean up a little first..."

His face fell a bit and Fluttershy shrank back, thinking she'd offended him. "It's not that it's... not tidy," she hurriedly explained, "I just, um, wanna. As- as a little thank you!"

Realizing what she must be thinking spurred Pat to hurry forward and put an arm on her withers. "Hey, of course it's fine. You absolutely don't have to do that. If it's too dirty for you, I'll clean it up, deal?"

Her smile returned and she shook her head with more confidence. "No, no, it's okay! I'm used to it, really. You go ahead and start Spyro and I'll join you as soon as I'm done."

It was a very tempting offer, though. Pat couldn't remember a time when the place hadn't been a mess. He relented, mostly because of Fluttershy's eager, pleading expression, but also because it would save him a lot of effort. 'Shy was right - with her experience at Mr. Mason's, this would be a snap for her. "Sure. And as thanks I'll give you a hoof massage, deal?"

She didn't have to know Pat would enjoy that just as much as her, or more. A chance to feel her up and play with her hooves. Fluttershy was blushing heavily and avoiding his gaze, but she made herself take a glance at his face. "Y-You really don't have to-"

"It's no trouble. 'Shy, I'm not your owner. Think of me as a roommate, okay?" A roommate was a good place to start.

That faint smile was back and the mare nodded. "Okay." She ducked back into her room to make the bed, but turned around again almost immediately. "Um, do you have a vacuum cleaner? Or a broom?"

"Both. I'll show you, just call when you need them, okay?" Another nod and she went to make her bed while Pat continued into the living room. Such a polite pony! "I'll just go and change out of these pants, 'kay?"

She called out of her room: "'kay!"

Patrick was trying to focus on his game, but he was hyper-aware of Fluttershy's slow progress around the flat with the vacuum cleaner. More than once he thought about getting up and offering to help again, but each time he changed his mind. Finally, 'Shy finished with the floor and Pat smiled to himself as she came into the living room. He looked over, wondering if she'd sit a bit closer this time, but the mare went straight to the kitchen and pushed a chair to the sink. She started to hum to herself when she opened the water and Pat realized she meant to wash the dishes. This was too much and he paused the game.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to do that!"

'Shy looked at him with a slight frown, then shrugged and smiled back. "It's okay, I don't mind."

While it was fantastic to have someone clean for him, the evening wasn't going at all the way Pat had wanted it to. It was time to put his foot down and at the same time earn some of those 'good friend' points. "Nah, that's my mess. I'll do it, 'kay?"

The statement made the mare giggle. "Pat, the floor was also technically your mess and I didn't mind."

"Well, this is different. Go. I just got to the Breeze Harbor, you take it from there while I wash up, okay?"

This was enough to make 'Shy flick her ears around. It was one of her favorite levels, after all. She pushed the chair back to the table, then brushed past Pat to give him a quick nuzzle. "You're such a gentlecolt, Pat," she praised.

Honestly, with that kind of encouragement it wasn't hard to do the dishes at all. Pretty soon Pat heard the game start back up and the clacking of the large, hoof-shaped controls he'd bought for Fluttershy. It was just a few plates and a pan in the sink in any case, so he was done rather quickly and could rejoin his guest on the couch.

All he got was a quick flicker of her eyes before 'Shy focused on the screen once more. "Want it back?" she asked during a lull in the action.

"Nah, you have fun," he told her and leaned back to enjoy the view. The view, in this case, being Fluttershy concentrating on her hoofwork. Her ears were perked up to catch all the subtle audio cues, her wings were slightly unfolded to help her keep her balance and her tongue was poking out in concentration.

Absolut Cute.

That thought reminded Pat about the drink he'd bought. "Oh, want a glass of that Vodka? A small one?" So intent was 'Shy on her game that she just wordlessly nodded and he hurried to fetch the bottle from where he'd left it by the entrance. He filled two glasses about halfway and took them to the couch, making sure not to walk between the mare and the screen. A quick glance at the score told him she was doing quite well and he didn't want to disturb.

He took a sip of his and held both glasses. It had a strong taste of alcohol, but it also smelled and felt like strawberries. Maybe Fluttershy would like it.

"Drat!" she mock-swore as Spyro fell into the lava. "I'll never get good at this!"

Pat chuckled a little and offered the glass. "Don't worry, it just takes practice. You're doing great."

He got a grateful smile in return and the mare accepted the drink with both forehooves. She sniffed at it. "Mmm!" Despite the apparently nice smell 'Shy only took a small sip. It was a good thing too, because she gasped and panted with her tongue out. "Eeesh!"

Even her discomfort was adorable, but Pat had enough presence of mind to steady her glass with a hand before she spilled it. "Just take it slow. You'll get used to it," he told her.

Fluttershy nodded at him, then gave the drink a determined glare. Her intention not to drink was apparently forgotten in the face of this challenge. He let the glass go when she tried another sip. This time she knew what to expect and just scrunched up her muzzle as the alcohol burned its way down. "Ugh, how can it smell so nice and taste so... burny?!"

"It's the way it is. Don't drink too much of it, though, it's pretty strong."

She carefully deposited her glass on the armrest and slid off the couch. "I need a glass of water," she murmured and went to pour herself one.

Pat realized too late that he should have helped. 'Shy had to push the chair back to the sink, pour herself some water, then return it to the table. She hobbled carefully back on three legs, somehow holding the glass in the crook of her ankle. It was probably a knack all ponies learned. Once back on the couch, Fluttershy sipped some water, then grabbed the other drink once more. "Well, here goes..." This time she took a significant gulp, followed rapidly with the water. She leaned her head to one side and smacked her lips. "It's not... quite as bad..."

Pat just grinned and took his own glass. "Gonna try the level again, or do you want me to do it?"

The mare waved at him with a wing since her hooves were full. "Go ahead. I'll have some more of this. I like strawberries."

Before long Fluttershy had worked through her glass, and now she looked a bit unsteady and quite flushed. The water had helped the alcohol go down smoother, but it looked like she'd had enough.

Pat felt bad for pouring as much as he did. He was about to ask her if she was okay, but she beat him to it: "Um, do you have any beer?"

"Huh?!"

'Shy blushed and offered an uncertain grin. "I, um, kinda like the smell. I think."

Maybe it was the alcohol talking already, but Pat wasn't about to deny her what she wanted. He paused the game and put the controller on the couch beside him. "I'll get some. Hold on." He had a couple of bottles in the fridge and it was the work of moments to fetch and open two of them.

'Shy accepted hers between her forelegs and sniffed at it. "Yeah," was all she said and Pat guessed she was talking to herself. He watched as she lifted up the bottle with her mouth to take a swig. When it came back down 'Shy smacked her lips a few times, staring off into the distance. "Kinda bitter, but not bad," she commented. "I like the- uuurk!" The small burp made her eep in embarrassment and cover her mouth with a hoof. "Sorry! I totally didn't mean to do that!"

Pat couldn't help chuckling, but he reached over and patted her withers. "You don't have to apologize. Just relax and be yourself, I don't mind." In a way, it was kinda hot to see the pegasus letting loose. She always had such a tight control over herself that it was a refreshing change to see her like this.

Still blushing, 'Shy lifted up the bottle again, but this time she took a smaller sip. She looked at the screen then shifted her gaze to Pat. "So, you gonna play or just, uh, wa- watch me drink?" She had a valid point and Pat grabbed his controller again. They both focused on the game. With how far 'Shy had gotten on her own, it wasn't too much longer until he finished the level.

All the while she had been taking swigs of beer, seemingly quite enjoying the taste of hops. It would make sense, Pat thought idly. She was a pony and they liked grain, no?

"Y'know," Fluttershy began slowly, as if still waiting for the thought to crystallize, "when poor, um dragon... Spyro. Yeah, when he got, um, misled in that portal at the beee- beginnin'?"

"Yeah?"

Fluttershy turned to Pat and gave him a triumphant stare. "Twi- Twiley'd never let that happen to, uh, her. She's... she's like, like totally amazing wiff, um, portals."

Pat blinked at this unexpected tidbit. Surely Fluttershy couldn't be drunk enough yet to openly talk about her life before Earth, which was usually a rather painful topic? "If you say so."

"Huh," the mare went on, apparently not having even heard Pat's remark. "On-t, on the other hoof, that way we woo- wee- w-wouldn't be here to help th' Eskimos, right?"

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Fluttershy heaved a sigh and shrugged. "Silver lining an' all that, I guess." There was nothing really to add and the mare had nothing else to say, judging by how she lifted up the beer bottle once more. She was watching the game so Pat kept playing it, but he couldn't stop himself stealing glances at the pegasus. Surely she couldn't be that much of a lightweight, could she?

Suddenly she sat bolt upright. "Um, got any- any that strawberry stuff left?" she asked.

Despite his misgivings Pat passed her his own glass, still about a quarter full. 'Shy took it and emptied it, following it quickly with the beer to wash the sting of alcohol from her mouth. "S'kinda, uh, kinda- yeah, kinda sweet when you get used to it..."

"Yeah, but I think that's enough. You're getting tipsy, 'Shy."

She shrugged a little and pushed the glass away. "So wha'?" she asked a bit more sharply then her usual timid tone. "Dam- damn Mr. Mason has me, um, maiding all over for 'im. I deserve to get drunk some-sometimes."

"Yeah, I guess."

'Shy drew a shuddering breath. "Not gonna see any of my friends again, b-but I still deserve to be happy..."

It could be tricky talking about that, but Pat went with his gut instinct and put the game controller down. He turned and shifted closer so he could hug the mare and carefully press her head against his shoulder. "You totally do. I'm sorry about you being stuck here, but you do deserve to be happy, 'Shy. Everyone deserves to be happy!"

She nodded against his shirt and returned the hug with her hooves. "I'ma... I'ma bit dizzy," she said, then giggled. "Or, or, or, maybe this..." she gestured with a hoof around her. "Yer room... s'spinning."

"Just ride it out. I can't believe you're drunk already, but you'll be fine. Here, drink some more water, it'll help."

She nodded, but didn't move her hooves so Pat simply placed the water against her lips and carefully tilted it up. Some of the liquid escaped and dribbled down Fluttershy's coat and splashed against Pat's pants. She didn't seem to notice it and swallowed what got into her mouth. After he put the empty glass down Pat used his sleeve to dry Fluttershy's muzzle and chest.

"There. I'll get you some more later, okay? Can you sit upright?"

Fluttershy just shrugged and burrowed her face in Pat's shirt again. "I l-like it here," she mumbled.

"Okay. This is fine," Pat said, more to himself than to the mare. The grip around him tightened and 'Shy muttered something else, but it was too mangled for him to understand. "What was that?"

"-said I'm lone- lonely wiff, um wiffout my fr'ens."

It sounded like music to Pat's ears and he patted her back. "I'll be your friend, 'Shy."

She nodded against his shirt but didn't speak. The hug was nice, though. Suddenly the little mare shuddered in Pat's arms, there was a hot, liquid feeling on his chest, and he pulled her away. It was too late; there was already sick spreading in a warm puddle down his shirt. "Ugh, 'Shy..."

The smell was like rotten strawberries and antiseptic, nearly making Pat throw up as well. Fluttershy, however, stared at him with wide, frightened eyes and put both hooves on her muzzle. "Urk!" More spurted out between her legs and down her own chest. Pat couldn't help noticing that her sick consisted of nothing but liquids. Fluttershy followed his gaze, but seeing the mess just made her groan and shut her eyes.

"You didn't eat anything before you came here, did you?" He sighed and took his shirt off. It was already done for, but maybe he could use to to protect the couch some. He bundled the cloth against the stain on Fluttershy's chest and managed to somehow catch the next stream. "Hold this!"

The mare had just enough presence of mind to grasp the cloth to herself. She still didn't look, so her next heave only partially hit the cloth and some of it spilled, but she caught most of the mess. That freed Pat's hands and he simply picked up the pegasus. Even now he couldn't believe how light she was. One of her wings unfolded but 'Shy didn't seem to be aware of it at all. She heaved a few times, but it looked like the performance was over, at least for the moment. There was nothing else to do but rush her to the bathroom, where Pat bumped the light switch with his elbow and then deposited the mare in the tub as gently as he could. She'd be easiest to clean up in there.

"Well, that didn't go like I planned," Pat said. He thought he should be disappointed, but somehow 'Shy managed 'adorable' even while puking all over herself. In any case, she was far too miserable for Pat to think about himself right then. She was still clutching the cloth to her chest and he pried it away from her. That finally made her open her eyes and look, but it seemed she was having trouble focusing.

"You should puke it all out, 'Shy. You gotta take a shower in either case, so it doesn't really matter."

She blinked in confusion and tried to look around to see where she was. The movement of her head was a mistake though and she groaned, grasping her belly with both hooves. "I... gonna..." she managed before bringing out some more mixed beer and vodka.

Yeah, perhaps Pat should have taken into account her weight before giving her strong alcohol. Not to mention her obvious inexperience with drink. He definitely should have asked if she'd eaten yet. Or, at all that day. She was sobbing now and it was a heart-wrenching sight. Pat climbed into the tub with the mare, completely ignoring how his pants were getting smeared, and pulled the poor thing against his chest.

At first she tried to push him away, but when he patted her withers a few times Fluttershy accepted and pressed her face in Pat's bare belly. "Izz... bluh!" 'Shy tried to say, but something gurgled and whatever the word was it turned into vomit. Pat almost couldn't believe how hot the liquid was against bare skin. Hopefully the mare wasn't running a fever.

"Noooo!" Fluttershy wailed, again trying to free herself, but Pat held her firmly and stroked her mane. He was smearing it with sick, but she'd need a full shower in either case. She tried to speak again. "Don'- look!" It was obviously important to her, because she managed to make the sentence work: "Don't look at me!" This time when she heaved there was nothing left. 'Shy hiccuped a few times then went back to wordless sobbing.

Something told Pat it wasn't just because of nausea and sickness. There was something deeper in Fluttershy's crying and the drink had merely brought it out. Then again, she had no shortage of things to be sad about. Pat scooped the pegasus up, sat cross-legged, and deposited her in his lap Her wing was still unfolded and shifted every now and then, but 'Shy didn't seem to have any real control over it. She managed to clutch Pat around his chest while he patted her mane and ran a hand up and down her withers in what was hopefully a soothing gesture.

"It's okay. Cry it out and then I'll help you wash, okay?" Fluttershy didn't seem to understand, or maybe she hadn't heard it, but it was what she was already doing so that was okay. It could turn into a long night, with him sitting uncomfortably in a puddle of vomit, but for some reason Pat felt elated.

This creature clearly needed him and he could give her comfort. She desperately needed something which her owner couldn't give. Perhaps no one on Earth could, except for him. Sure, her present misery was sad, but she'd surely trust him after this. She'd open up some more to the only human who listened. It really was a uniquely gratifying feeling. He smiled a little and bent his head down to brush Fluttershy's nose with his. "It's gonna be okay," he repeated. Hopefully he'd get used to the smell soon.

This time the little mare had heard and lifted her head to look at Pat. She gazed at him in near silence, except for her breathing, then let her muzzle fall again. "'m- mess," she fumbled the words. "'m a tot- total... mess!"

Pat just nodded sagely. Joy souring into guilt as he realized he had been feeling happy about her personal tragedy. "I guess we both are, 'Shy." He distinctly felt her hug tighten for a moment. The mare sniffled, but it didn't seem as if she'd go back to full-on sobbing. Pat placed his palm against her muzzle and ran his thumb through the soft fur on her cheek. He felt her hot breath as 'Shy exhaled and a slight chill when she drew a fresh lungful.

Her nose wiggled and her eyes popped open. "Ugh, stink," she complained.

"Yeah, we do." Luckily they were already in the right place to fix that. Pat was about to reach for the tap, but 'Shy squirmed and lifted her head. She held her breath for a moment, then made a sound half between a gargle and a choke, and heaved again. Nothing came out, but she was still pretty far out of it, so Pat decided to wait with the shower for a while. His reasoning was confirmed when Fluttershy gave a little groan and shifted so his knee wasn't pressing against her stomach.