Getting Shy

One of his first thoughts when Pat woke up was of Fluttershy. Was she okay? Hopefully the water had helped and her hangover wasn't too bad. Although, nursing a weak and poorly 'Shy to health in bed had a certain kind of charm...

Pat dressed quickly, opting to go with the same sweatpants and T-shirt combo from last night, then hurried to check on his house guest. The door was still ajar, just like he'd left it and even in the weak, pre-dawn light, the shape of the mare under the blanket was unmistakable. This time her ear didn't react to his presence, telling Pat she was still asleep. That was good, it meant he had time. He hurried to the kitchen and dug out the ingredients for his favorite hangover cure. Black coffee with a ton of milk and sugar in it. Just in case, he added a couple of Advil for that extra assurance.

He froze and wondered if horses are allowed to take Advil. A quick web search left him feeling uneasy about giving it to 'Shy and he sat at the kitchen table to do some more digging while the water for coffee was heating up. It didn't take more than a few minutes to find what he needed, but the only pain medication which was safe for both ponies and humans was one he didn't have in the house. He still wanted to help, so Pat finished making the coffee and poured a large mug for the mare. He added milk and sugar directly, even though he didn't know how much she usually took. When it was thoroughly mixed, Pat took the mug and the sugar bowl to the guest room. 'Shy was still asleep so he put them on the bedside table and carefully sat beside her. The movement of the bed didn't wake her, which gave Pat the opportunity to just watch Fluttershy's face. She looked peaceful and perhaps more relaxed than he'd ever seen her, even last night.

Pat couldn't help himself and put his fingers gently around her ear. It was quite warm and twitched at his touch, but he just began to massage it. 'Shy took a deep breath and stretched out, lifting the blanket with her hooves and wings. Then she winced and inhaled sharply through her nose. "Uuurgh," she groaned, but it turned into a whine.

"That bad?"

'Shy opened one eye, but shut it quickly in the light. "Ow, my head..."

Pat winced in sympathy. The kind of drunk 'Shy had been would leave her with a blinding headache, despite the water he had her drink the previous night. "Sorry. I brought you some coffee, it should help."

Her nose wiggled, catching the scent and 'Shy murmured: "Thanks. Um... help me up?"

Pat was only too happy to oblige and slid his arm under her barrel. He used his free hand to pull the pillow up and leaned her against it in a more or less sitting position.

She opened her eyes again, just a crack, and peered blearily at him. "What... happened?"

"Um... you had a bit too much to drink, 'Shy. Don't you remember?"

"I- I d-did? I remember feeling... sad."

Pat couldn't quite face the mare and cleared his throat before correcting. "I shouldn't have poured so much for you. Sorry."

"It's fine," 'Shy said in a defeated voice. "What time is it?"

"Early. Here, have some coffee and then rest some more," Pat urged, grabbing the cup. She gripped it feebly with both hooves and brought it up to her muzzle to sniff. "There's more sugar if you want and I can fetch milk if there's not enough."

'Shy gave him a short nod and took a careful sip. By now the beverage wasn't scalding anymore, but it was still pleasantly hot. She swallowed, then let out a sigh. "It's perfect."

"So, you drink that. I'll get you some more water, and then you can go back to sleep. I'll head out, but I'll be back soon."

It looked like Fluttershy was following the stream of instructions, if barely, but that last made her scrunch up her muzzle. "Hm? Why do y-you have to go?"

"I'm hitting a pharmacy for some headache meds you can take. I looked on the Internet." She was shaking her head, but Pat put a hand on her leg, careful not to jostle the mug. "It's my fault you got drunk like that, so this is one way I can help. I won't be gone lo-"

He fell silent when 'Shy plugged his mouth with a hoof. Or tried to, at least. She missed a little and hit his nose instead. The coffee mug she was holding against her chest wobbled. Her hoof was surprisingly smooth on the inside and smelled a bit of last night's shampoo and somewhat... musky. Not unpleasant. Didn't ponies sweat through their hooves? Or was that dogs or something? Pat really wished he'd done more reading about her kind.

"Shut up and let me talk," Fluttershy chided while Pat was momentarily lost in thought. She pulled her limb away and put it back on the mug. That was probably why it had felt so warm. 'Shy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Get the key to Mr. Mason's house from my bag. He has some medication for me in the bathroom, above the sink. I think there's... um, something called 'Banamine'. It's in a tube."

Pat nodded, repeating the word 'Banamine' to himself to commit it to memory. "I'll get it. Finish your coffee, I'll be right back!"

Shy began to nod, but froze and winced at the sudden motion of her aching head. "Please, h-hurry," she said in a hoarse whisper. She closed her eyes and eased herself back down on the pillow.

It didn't take Pat more than five minutes to fetch the drug. By the time he was back 'Shy still hadn't finished her coffee, even though she was working on it. The cup was almost empty. He sat back on the bed, breathing heavily from the effort of running up and down stairs, and showed the box to 'Shy. She nodded.

"Just give me a little, Mr. Mason said it's very strong."

Pat unscrewed the cap, then paused and looked at the mare. "Um, how- how do you want me to..." he asked, brandishing the tube of Banamine. "I can get a spoon or-"

"Just use your finger. It's fine."

He was suddenly blushing as he squeezed out a bit of the paste on his index finger. He glanced at 'Shy who nodded that it was enough. Then he held it out for her. She darted out her tongue and wrapped it around both the paste and his digit. Pat suddenly realized just how long it was and had to suppress a naughty thought of her using it on another part of him.

The way 'Shy grimaced, Pat guessed the medication didn't taste particularly well. It'd make sense if it was made for animals. She still licked up most of it and swallowed it quickly, all the while making faces. It was followed immediately by more coffee and she relaxed a little. "Ugh, that's gross," she complained.

Curious, Pat put the finger in his mouth to try. There were some traces of it and 'Shy was right. It was super bitter and he grimaced as well. The slight taste of coffee Fluttershy's tongue had left behind didn't even begin to cover it.

"Yuck. You're right." Suddenly he became aware that she was staring at him, blushing fiercely. "What? I wanted to see what it tasted like."

'Shy looked studiously down into her mug and murmured: "Pat, I just licked your finger and you-"

He also realized it. That was where the taste of coffee had come from. "So what?" he said as nonchalantly as he could. "It's not like you're poisonous or something."

'Shy hid her embarrassment by draining the last of her coffee, then she slid the mug to the bedside table and finally looked back at Pat. "So... now what?"

"Wanna sleep some more until you feel better?"

She shook her head and winced again at the headache, but Pat thought she didn't grimace quite as much as before. Her medicine apparently worked quite quickly.

"Okay, you can lie on the couch and we'll watch a movie, or play a game. How's that sound?"

It was beautiful to see how Fluttershy's face lit up and she nodded emphatically, even if it made her feel the headache again. "I'll- I'll just use the toilet real quick first," she announced.

"Cool. I'll take your pillow and the blankets to the couch. Yell if you need help!"

'Shy had used his toilet on occasion and once even complained that it was too high for her to get on comfortably. Pat didn't know if she could manage it with a hangover and he wouldn't mind helping. He'd go out of the room for her to do her business, of course, but just getting her up on the seat should be fine.

"Thanks," 'Shy replied and slid slowly out of the bed. She moved a little stiffly for a few steps, then paused and stretched. She arched her back, fluffed out her wings, then lifted and extended each leg at a time. She finished by turning her head this way and that. When it was done she heaved a sigh and looked back. "I think the medication is working," she announced. "Or maybe the coffee."

That reminded Pat of his other promise. "I'll get you a glass of water. You need a lot of fluids the morning after drinking."

"'kay," she answered and left, this time walking a bit more gracefully.

A few moments later Patrick heard her close the bathroom door. He stood up and gathered the bed things to take to the couch. Luckily he'd cleaned it well last night and it should be perfectly dry by now. One of the worst things for a stomach queasy from a hangover was to smell stale vomit. After he'd prepared her temporary bed he'd make 'Shy a big breakfast. He couldn't shake the memory of how light she was and how her ribs outlined her barrel. It was the least he could do to fatten her up a tiny bit while she was living with him. It was a good plan and Pat began thinking up what he'd cook. Eggs, certainly, maybe some toast with jam and butter. He still had a couple of oranges and a slightly overripe banana. Then it would be time to go shopping. Hopefully 'Shy would feel well enough to join him so she could point out the things she wanted to eat. After living with someone as controlling as Mr. Mason, the little pony deserved to have some choice in her life.

The breakfast had taken longer than he thought, but Patrick didn't mind. The medicine had taken hold and Fluttershy had been able to speak with him, despite her queasy stomach. She even got some plain, buttered toast and some orange juice down, which was a good start. By the time they were completely done it was already verging on noon and she confirmed she felt well enough to join him for shopping. A short drive later and Patrick was pushing the shopping cart down the aisle with Fluttershy plodding beside him. Her collar was back on. Luckily she had remembered even if Pat hadn't. Taking her out without it would cause problems. It was completely unfair how establishing the ponies as sentient, civilized beings who deserved basic human rights took all this time, but basic legislation requiring them to be collared at all times had been passed practically overnight.

He led the way to the breakfast cereals and stopped in front of the colorful shelf. "Anything you like?"

Fluttershy glanced up and down the bounty on offer, then walked over to pick something from a bottom shelf. "Um, this one." She held it up for Pat to take.

"Oat meal?"

It sounded plain and more than a little boring, but 'Shy nodded. "I, um, l-like the taste."

He shrugged to himself and dropped it in the cart. He glanced over the colorful array, looking for something for himself, but decided against it. Breakfast wasn't usually his thing. Most days he preferred extra ten minutes of sleep to eating. Lunch break came soon enough, anyway. This week, however, he'd take oatmeal with 'Shy. As bland as it might look, her presence would make the difference. "Okay, let's get some drinks next. I don't have any of the strawberry fizz left."

'Shy nodded, but waited for him to start moving. She didn't know the place at all, so she followed Patrick's lead. He took her to the drinks section and picked up a twelve pack of her favorite strawberry-juice. "You can get some other kinds if you like," he pointed out.

She stopped to look at the shelf of apple juice of all things and her ears drooped. "N-No, I'm fine."

"Really? You can get apple juice if you like, 'Shy. Cost isn't a problem here, and besides, Mr. Mason is paying for it."

She cast a longing glance at the apple juice, clearly wanting it, but shook her head again and walked resolutely away.

"Well, how about I get some for myself and you can share if you feel like?"

Fluttershy turned one of her unreadable, inscrutable expressions on him, but didn't comment. Pat went ahead and got a couple of cartons despite that. She had clearly wanted it, maybe she'd change her mind when they were home. "Okay, next up... sweets. You like sweet things? Like gummy stuff, or hard candy?"

For a few seconds that stare was back, but then 'Shy blinked and hung her head. "If-If you like," she muttered.

It wasn't a reaction Pat had been expecting. The few times he had brought her a piece of chocolate Fluttershy seemed to love it. He picked up some large bars, two plain, one with almonds and one with rice. Even if 'Shy didn't change her mind, he could put those away and eat them himself over time. Chocolate didn't spoil, right? When he glanced over he saw that 'Shy wasn't looking at anything, obviously lost in her own world. Maybe she was still feeling ill from the hangover and thinking of food was exacerbating it, he guessed. With that in mind, he hurried onward and Fluttershy followed with dragging hooves. They were mostly done, anyway. He had some baking supplies, mostly her ideas from the drive over.

It was the strangest thing. Even as they entered the store 'Shy had seemed positively happy. The headache meds had apparently taken effect and she was feeling more free than ever with Mr. Mason. Then, as soon as they came in the bakery aisle 'Shy seemed to shut down. She had looked at flour and powdered sugar and, in particular, the ad for some cake frosting, and then she'd simply shrunk in on herself. Pat wondered if it really was her belly, or if it was something else which brought out this change.

"Well, then just some fruit. If we forgot anything, I can just come back."

Maybe fresh fruit and vegetables cheered her up some, because 'Shy looked a bit more perky as they doubled back to the produce aisle. He didn't know why stores liked to put that first, when it was always the last thing he thought about and had to walk the entire length of the store. Maybe that was why. If he had to walk all that way and back before hitting the registers, he might remember something else he'd missed. The results was encouraging, however. 'Shy seemed to enjoy picking out a variety of veggies and several types of fruit to round out their diet. For some reason she avoided apples, but she got more bananas, a couple of big oranges and even a bunch of early grapes.

By the time they were done, she looked kinda happy.

He put the shopping cart in line for the only working checkout lane. There weren't many people in, especially since it was the middle of the morning on a work day. As they rolled up to the conveyor belt Pat put his hand on his back pocket to get his debit card and froze.

"Crap!" He patted his other pockets, even the one inside his jacket where he kept his cigarettes and lighter. "Crap, crap, crap..."

'Shy looked up, sudden worry filling her face. "Is everything alright, Pat?"

"I lost my wallet! Dammit," he swore. He pulled the cart out of the line and motioned to the lady standing behind him to go ahead. "Shit." Pat tried to think where the wallet might have been. He got out of the pants while 'Shy was making her bed in his apartment yesterday. He was sure it hadn't fallen out when he changed back for the store this morning. He had still had it going out of his job, because he used the employee ID card to check out. He distinctly remembered the twenty minutes of overtime he'd earned dealing with a difficult customer. Then all he'd done was fill up the gas tank...

"Crap, I forgot it in my car!" he announced. "I hope it wasn't stolen!"

Fluttershy's ears wilted and she sighed. "Oh, dear."

"Maybe it's fine. It's not a bad neighborhood. Except..." He was silent, unwilling to swear any more in front of the mare.

She leaned her head to one side. "Except what?"

"I didn't see it when we were driving over here," Pat explained, putting his hands in his hair. "Was the lock damaged? I didn't look." He sighed and steeled his resolve for all the hassle which came from cancelling his cards and ordering new ones. Harris would be livid about the employee ID card. He was uptight about security.

"I'm gonna go check the car. Can you wait here with the stuff? I'll be right back!" 'Shy just nodded and stepped closer to the shopping cart while Pat rushed out of the store. He'd parked all the way on the far side to give both himself and 'Shy a bit of exercise in the fresh air and now he was regretting it. He was out of breath by the time he ran up to the car. The windows weren't broken, which was a good sign. He couldn't see any damage to the lock on the driver's side and when he went around the car to check the passenger door, that was fine too. Maybe it had just rolled somewhere? Pat unlocked the vehicle and examined the dashboard. He always tossed the wallet there when he went to the gas station. It was empty, but he'd been suspecting that anyway. Next he checked the glove box, although it was a very unlikely place.

Aside from a few ancient CDs and a Mars bar which had expired sometime in the early 2000s, it didn't yield anything useful. "Fuck sake..." Pat got out of the car and felt under the driver's seat, only to find a paper tissue, fortunately dry, and an empty box for the headlight bulb. He remembered he'd had to change it some years prior. A quick glance at the back seat showed it covered with an old blanket and a discarded pullover. That would be a good next place to search. First, however, he leaned in, the shift-stick poking his belly, and felt under the passenger seat.

Success! Pat felt the familiar leather shape and pulled it out. There was also the receipt from the gas station and Pat remembered he'd tossed both the Vodka and his wallet on the passenger seat in his haste to get home. At least it hadn't been stolen, he thought. It must have fallen down while he was rushing to reach his house. Smiling with relief, he locked the car again and headed back to the store to finish his purchase and take Fluttershy home. She'd eaten some of the breakfast he'd made - just simple toast and fruit - maybe she'd be in the mood for something more substantial by the time they got back. Then he'd promised her to talk about whatever seemed to be bothering her. Hopefully she'd open up, even if she hadn't seemed very enthused about the prospect.

First, though, they had to finish their shopping. As he came back to the store Pat froze and watched. Several people were standing around Fluttershy, all with phones in their hands. 'Shy had a rather large and dangerous-looking dog on its back and whining softly as she scratched its belly.

"Whoo'sa good boy?" she trilled in a tone Pat hadn't heard her use yet. "'hoo'sa good boy! Oooh, you like that, don't you?! You're not mean at all."

Shockingly, Pat thought the dog nodded and wagged its tail at that statement. He pushed forward, not wanting to stop the show but wishing to see it closer. When 'Shy spotted him, she gave him a heart-melting grin. She looked happy, possibly for the first time Pat had seen. She really hadn't been joking when she said she missed working with animals. By the looks of it, she could put Cesar Millan out of business!

"Come on, Bruce!" A middle-aged lady pulled on the dog's leash and he whined, unwilling to move. Fluttershy smiled and prodded him with a hoof. "Go on, it's alright. I shouldn't keep you..." It almost looked like the dog was grumbling under his breath as he stood up and morosely followed the lady further into the store. The onlookers slowly began putting their phones away.

Pat grabbed the cart and got back in line, stealing glances at the smiling Fluttershy beside him. "So you really like animals."

"Mhm! Yes!" she confirmed twice.

"It looked like it."

Suddenly 'Shy reached up to touch the collar and her face fell. It damn nearly broke Pat's heart. "Except I can't have any," she said in a whisper.

He reached down to pat her head. "I'll talk with Mr. Mason. Maybe he'll listen to me?"

It was very unlikely and 'Shy probably knew that, but she simply had to have this hope. The smile came back and she threw her hooves around Pat's legs. "Thank you!"

They were up next, so Pat didn't have time to properly respond as he began to stack items from the cart to the conveyor, but his eye caught the array of colorful sweets by the register. "Want a piece of candy, 'Shy?"

She looked up at the bounty and thought about it. Then her hoof pointed. "Um, that one!" It was something chocolate-y in a very pink wrapper. Maybe it was because it looked like her mane, Pat guessed as gladly added it to the pile. Anything to see 'Shy smile.