Fluttershy gently flies through the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, expertly weaving around dozens and dozens of trees. Her wings barely make a sound as she feels the calm breeze on her mane. She lightly hums to herself as she continues on her merry way, following a creek through the trees and knowing exactly where she's going.
It's a late summer afternoon. The sky will soon be painted many shades of orange and yellow as the sun begins to set. It's a bit warm, but as the daylight fades, it will cool off. It has been a very long day for Fluttershy. Heck, it's been a very long week. There weren't any major emergencies or anything like that, just a buildup of small things that she was forced to deal with. Of course, even Fluttershy can only take so much. All in all, she's stressed, she's frustrated, and she's tired.
But that's exactly why she's taking this little trip.
She smiles to herself as she finds what she's looking for. The creek she had been following comes to an abrupt stop. In its place, a sizeable pond sits hidden amongst the trees. Most notable about this pond, however, is the waterfall pouring into it. The water drops about fifteen feet from a rock face that the pond sits next to. While the water doesn't come down particularly hard, it does cover a fairly wide area. All in all, the waterfall is about six feet wide. The water itself is crystal clear, and the sound of the water hitting the pond below is extremely soothing for Fluttershy's nerves.
Fluttershy sighs as she takes a seat next to the water. This isn't what she's come for, but she needs a moment to clear her mind. If she is going to relax here, she needs to sort out her thoughts first.
Let's see. The sanctuary has already been dealt with today. None of the animals in her care have any pressing issues, and everyone has been taken care of. Her friends do not have need of her today. It's a Friday, meaning her responsibilities at the School of Friendship are done for a couple of days as well. That should be all that stressed her out... right?
Fluttershy glances at her reflection in the water. Of course it's not. She can't really avoid it, can she? For the past few months, something else has been on her mind, and that something is her dear friend Anon.
Anon showed up in Equestria years ago. Twilight wasn't even a princess back then. Everypony was having a nice, normal day when all of a sudden this weird fur-less creature just... fell from the sky. The fact that Fluttershy and her friends were nearby was nothing more than a coincidence. Nopony knew what he was, and everyone looked to Fluttershy for answers. Of course, she didn't know what he was either. Just as she started trying to examine him, he woke up. He was very freaked out. As a result, so was the ever-antsy Fluttershy.
Turns out, he comes from another world. He also has no idea how he got here, and to this day, that mystery remains unsolved. However, thanks in no small part to the assistance of Fluttershy and her friends, he has adjusted to living here moderately well. That isn't to say that there aren't still many big issues he has to face, however. Many ponies still treat him like an alien (which, Fluttershy supposes, is technically true, but it's still rude!), his lack of magic and physical skill doesn't do him any favors, and he's an all-around anxious guy.
At least that's something he and Fluttershy have in common.
In fact, Fluttershy finds herself relating to him extremely often. More than that, she finds that he is the subject of her thoughts a lot.
Nowadays, he's doing alright as far as she can tell. He has a house, he pays his bills, he's a great friend to have, and as far as Fluttershy knows, he's mostly happy. However, events from a few days ago still weigh on Fluttershy's mind.
Classes at the School of Friendship had just wrapped up for the day. As Fluttershy gathered her things and prepared to go home, she noticed Anon quietly exit one of the nearby classrooms. Glancing at the door he came out of, she remembered that he was substituting for Pinkie Pie that day, as she apparently she went back home to throw her sister a birthday party. As Fluttershy saw Anon, she felt her heart skip a beat. It's been doing that a lot when she has been around him as of late, and she's fairly certain she knows why. However, it didn't seem to be the time for her to dwell on that thought, as when she looked at his face, he had a thousand-yard stare and never looked up from the floor. His shoulders were slightly slumped, and he walked with a bit less energy than she had come to know from him. To most, he probably just looked like anyone would after a long day of teaching, but Fluttershy recognized that something was definitely wrong with him.
So, she followed him out. She knew that if something was wrong, he wouldn't want to talk about it where others could hear. She understands that well, as she is the same way. Once she had caught up to him a bit farther into town, he finally noticed her presence.
"Oh, hey Fluttershy."
"Good afternoon, Anon. Um, how did it go today?"
Anon lets out an empty chuckle.
"It went fine, Fluts. What about you?"
Fluttershy looked at Anon with concern. He's a terrible liar.
"The students were as energetic as ever, and they're moving through the material faster than I expected."
"That's nice. I'm sure your excellent teaching played a big role in that."
"Um... maybe..." Fluttershy trailed off, not knowing quite how to steer this conversation back in the direction she wanted. "Er, are you... you know... feeling alright?"
Anon's eyes widened briefly before he went back to looking at the ground.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know. It's just... your posture and everything."
Anon made a show of straightening out his back and forcing an obviously strained smile.
"How's this?" Fluttershy just looked at him, the concern never leaving her face. Once Anon realized that Fluttershy can more or less see right through him, he practically deflated. "...Yeah, you got me. Today, er, wasn't great."
"What happened? Um, if you don't mind me asking."
Anon hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"I'm just lost in my own thoughts, I suppose. Dwelling on things I shouldn't."
"Oh? Like what?" Fluttershy lightly gasped as she made a realization. "N-never mind, pretend I didn't ask! That'll just make the problem worse!"
Anon let out a genuine chuckle and lightly poked Fluttershy in the cheek.
"Don't worry about it. I probably wasn't going to be forgetting anyway." After another moment of hesitation, Anon spoke up again. "The students naturally wanted to know where Pinkie went. When I told them that she was visiting family, they started asking me about... well, MY family."
"...Oh." Fluttershy was having a difficult time finding the right words to say. She knows very little about Anon's family except for the fact that it's a sore subject for him. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. It's not like they were acting maliciously or anything."
"What did you tell them?"
"I told them I don't have a family. I'm the only human in Equestria, and that's not going to change. They started feeling bad for me." Anon shook his head. "But I don't want to be pitied. I'm doing just fine for myself."
"Then what are you lost in thought about?"
Anon looked at the ground.
"...Those kids reminded me of the things I've had to give up. The things that Equestria just... can't provide for me."
"Oh..."
The two came to a stop as Fluttershy realized that they'd finally made it to Anon's house.
"Well, thank you for your concern, Fluts. I'm glad I have someone like you I can rely on."
Fluttershy gave Anon a concerned smile.
"Don't be afraid to reach out if you need to talk, okay?"
"I hear you loud and clear, Fluts. Have a nice evening, okay?"
"Y-you too."
Fluttershy hasn't seen Anon since that day. Even after their discussion, it was clear that he wasn't giving her the full picture. What exactly did he have to give up? And why did being reminded of his family send him to such a dark, sad place?
Fluttershy watches a few fish swim around just below the surface of the pond. She knows that there isn't much she can do for Anon, but she also can't help but worry about him regardless. That's just the kind of mare she is.
Understanding that she won't be able to clear her mind completely, Fluttershy finally turns her attention to the waterfall. That's the real reason why she's out here today, after all. After getting back on her hooves, she gently flaps her wings and flies over to the waterfall, stopping when she gets just close enough for some of the water to graze her nose.
With a deep breath, Fluttershy prepares herself. After a couple of seconds, she throws herself forwards into the waterfall.
Instead of hitting the rock face, Fluttershy passes through the mouth of a cave that was obscured by the waterfall. Beneath her long, wet mane, she glances at the ground beneath her and lands safely. Taking a few steps further in, she begins to shake herself around. She begins wringing out her mane and tail while she does her best to puff out her floof. Thankfully, the gentle nature of the waterfall combined with her speedy entrance means that she didn't get completely soaked, and within a couple of minutes she is dry again. With a contented grunt, she walks further into the hidden cave.
After about a minute or so, the cave suddenly opens up. A small crack in the ceiling provides natural light, showing off a large chamber filled with water. Stalagmites and stalactites alike adorn the edges of the chamber, and several large, flat areas where rock reaches above the water's surface provide ample space to stand, even if they are mostly covered in moss. The sound of gently flowing water and numerous droplets from the ceiling hitting the water below fill the space. A couple of unlit lanterns rest on various rocks throughout the area, left there courtesy of Fluttershy.
This hidden grotto is Fluttershy's little secret. This is the one place in Equestria where she truly feels at peace.
Normally she wouldn't keep secrets like this from her friends, but this is an exception. She feels a little guilty not sharing this space, but the fact that it's her own personal getaway is a part of what makes it so magical. Here, there is no risk of being found, no chance of being interrupted.
In here, she can well and truly relax.
She walks up to the surface of the water and looks down. It's crystal clear, and if previous experience is anything to go on, it's probably pleasantly cool to the touch, especially compared to the humidity of the grotto. With a smile, she flies over to a nearby rock where an unlit lantern rests, undisturbed by the environment around it. However, just as she is about to light it, she suddenly catches a whiff of something. Pointing her nose to the air, she smells... incense?
Looking around, she notices something unusual. From behind a few particularly tall rocks near the back of the grotto, a light is shining along the back wall. She knows that she left a lantern back there, but she's positive it wasn't lit the last time she came here. Between that and the smell in the air, Fluttershy makes a startling realization.
She isn't alone in here.
She nervously gulps. Stepping away from the lantern, she takes a moment to think about what to do next. Does she leave? Does she approach whoever is here? Does she stay put and see what happens?
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of gentle humming coming from behind those rocks. For some reason, she feels as though she recognizes the voice.
Her concern now replaced with curiosity, she silently takes to the air yet again and approaches the rocks, stopping just before whoever is on the other side might hear her. The humming continues, and she finally notices a shadow in the light against the back wall. Although it's obviously deformed against the rocky surface, it's clearly not a pony. Suddenly being hit by a realization, she carefully turns the corner and looks behind the rocks.
Sitting half-submerged in the water next to a shelf of rock is none other than Anon. His head is leaned back and his eyes are closed as he hums to himself. Sitting on the shelf are the lantern that she left here months ago, a small plate of lit incense, and a pile of clothes. He seems completely absorbed in his own thoughts and hasn't noticed Fluttershy yet.
Fluttershy feels her face immediately go red. Once again, her heart skips a beat when she sees him. After doing so, it feels as though her heart rate is increasing. Blood rushes to her cheeks as she realizes that he isn't wearing a shirt. She's never seen that much of him, and that sight coupled with the million thoughts that race through her mind when she's in his vicinity are doing a number on her right now.
Good gravy, she has it bad.
She stares at him for a few seconds. It seems that he is enjoying the grotto in much the same way that she does. She opens her mouth to speak, but as she does so, she remembers their conversation from earlier in the week.
He needs this.
Smiling to herself, Fluttershy starts to turn around. However, in the process of doing so, she accidentally bumps into the rock that had obscured Anon from her view. The sound, while not loud, is more than noticeable in the quiet grotto, and sure enough, she turns around to find Anon looking right at her in surprise.
"O-oh! Er, hi, Fluts. What are you doing here?"
"Um... I could ask you the same thing."
"I uh... I like to come here to relax sometimes. You know, get away from it all."
"Yeah... me too..."
Anon chuckles.
"I take it these lanterns are yours, then?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
"Nice touch. They give the place some nice ambient light, especially after the sun goes down. Er, sorry for using them without permission. I didn't know you knew about this place."
"I thought I was the only one, too."
The two stare at each other in silence for a few awkward seconds before Anon closes his eyes once again.
"Well, now that you're here... care to join me?"
"O-oh, I don't want to impose!"
"Come on, Fluts. Neither of us were expecting to have company tonight. It'd be awkward for either of us to just up and leave now, wouldn't it?"
"I... I guess so."
After a moment's hesitation, Fluttershy brings herself to the water next to Anon, slowly lowering herself beneath the crystal-clear surface. As she had guessed, it's a bit chilly, but it's a pleasant sort of chilly. It takes her body a few moments to get used to the temperature, but after a little while she finds herself naturally feeling relaxed. That IS what this grotto is for, after all.
...Even if her face is beet red and her heart feels like it's about to pop right out of her chest.
There, the two sit in silence for several minutes. Fluttershy takes frequent glances at Anon, but his head is tilted back and resting in his hands with his eyes closed. Somehow, he seems to be better at this than Fluttershy. She tries to mimic his actions, but ends up slipping on the rock beneath her and nearly falling completely underwater. It's only Anon's quick reaction speed that catches her and prevents her from going under.
"Sorry about that Fluts, forgot to warn you that it's slippery over here."
Her blush deepens as Anon deftly places her back into a sitting position.
"Th-thank you."
"Hmhm."
The room is silent yet again, but eventually Fluttershy just can't take it anymore.
"Anon?"
"Yeah?"
"Is there something on your mind again?"
This time, Anon doesn't hesitate.
"Yeah."
"Oh. I... I wasn't expecting you to answer so confidently."
"I've had all week to dwell on it. It's probably for the best that I finally get around to talking about it. What about you? Did you have a reason to come here?"
"Just... general end-of-the-week stress. Y-you know how it goes, hehe..." She trails off, realizing that it would be a bit awkward to admit that his worries are also why she's here.
"Yeah, life is like that sometimes. Not every week can be a winner."
"S-so, uh... have you gotten everything sorted out in your head?"
"...Kinda? I mean, it's not like I can actually do anything about it, so, you know."
"You can't?"
Anon sighs.
"I suppose I should stop beating around the bush." Anon takes a moment to prepare himself before speaking up again. "Do you remember what I said the other day, about my family and the things I've had to give up?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well... my family sucked."
"H-huh?"
"I don't miss them one bit. They... they didn't treat me very well. My mom died when I was little, leaving me with just my dad and my brothers. They... er..." Anon's eyes lose focus for a moment as he clearly takes great pain in finding the right words. "Well, they did some bad things to me. Still made for excellent role models, though. Role models for the type of person I know not to become."
"Anon... I'm so sorry. That's terrible, I-I didn't know!"
"Not your fault, Fluts. Besides, they're worlds away now. Literally, haha!"
Anon smiles as he laughs. While it isn't a hearty laugh or anything like that, it's clear that he finds genuine relief in knowing that he will probably never see his family again.
"I just assumed that when you talked about giving stuff up, you meant that you missed your family."
"No. I was... I was talking about my dreams."
"Dreams?"
Anon stares at nothing in particular for a while before looking back at Fluttershy. He smiles at her, and she recognizes that despite the pain and the longing in his voice, the sparkle in his eyes make it clear how passionate he is about what he is about to say.
"You know the old saying, 'people want what they can't have?'"
"Well, here it's 'ponies' instead of 'people,' but yes. I've thought that about myself before."
"I'm no different. Ever since I became an adult and went to college before getting sent here, I always wondered... what would it be like to have a family of my own?"
"Hm?" Fluttershy tilts her head inquisitively. A feeling of hope begins to well up in her chest, and she doesn't quite know why.
"You know... find a partner. Have children. Make my OWN family. One that will actually receive the love they deserve."
Fluttershy is quiet for a moment before she gives Anon a warm, knowing smile.
"That sounds just lovely, Anon. That's a wonderful dream to have!"
"Heh... well, it doesn't matter anymore."
"Why not?"
Anon tilts his palms downwards, gesturing to himself.
"Gonna be hard to make a family in Equestria when I'm the only human."
"O-oh..."
Fluttershy looks downtrodden, and her gaze falls upon the water not far from her face. This catches Anon's attention.
"Woah, woah. You okay there, Fluts? I know you sort of caught me telling a sob story, but I wasn't expecting you to react like that."
"It's fine, Anon."
The blush on Fluttershy's face disappears. Her look of sadness slowly transforms into a completely blank stare, and she doesn't lift her gaze off of her reflection in the water.
"It doesn't look fine to me. D-did I say something out of line?"
After a moment, Fluttershy sighs.
"So what if you're the only human?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I said, so what if you're the only human?" Fluttershy turns to look at Anon, her voice extremely serious. "Do you think that makes you undeserving of a pony's love? Or do you think that you can't love a pony like you can a human?"
Anon is caught completely off guard by Fluttershy. It's not like she's yelling or anything, but her voice sounds... strange. It's as though she's simultaneously concerned about him, acting accusatory towards him, and terrified of what he might say next. Anon takes a moment to ponder this before responding, his own expression becoming just as serious as Fluttershy's.
"I think ponies are lovely, Fluttershy. I just... I have enough self-esteem to love myself. I understand that perfectly well. But I wasn't even popular amongst my fellow humans. I know better than to assume that here, where I'm a literal alien, that things will be any different."
For a moment, Fluttershy looks relieved. However, this expression is quickly replaced by a look of disappointment. Not like a sad disappointment, more like the disappointment of a teacher that expected better of their student that just misbehaved.
"And what is that supposed to say about me, huh?"
"Y-you?"
"We all care about you, Anon! Twilight, Pinkie Pie, all of us! You yourself told me that we're closer with you than any humans you ever knew! How can you possibly say that a pony can't love you when you've seen the contrary with your own eyes?"
"Fluttershy, I appreciate what you're trying to say, but that doesn't change the fact that none of you see me as a-"
Anon is suddenly cut off by Fluttershy closing the distance between them and pressing her lips onto his. His eyes go wide as their faces make contact. She's... really soft. And she smells nice.
However, just as quickly as she kissed him, Fluttershy backs off, her own eyes just as wide as Anon's. Both of them are extremely red in the face, and they both need to take a few moments to process what just happened.
"F... Fluttershy?"
"..."
"D-did that just happen?"
"..."
Anon can practically see steam rising off of Fluttershy's face as she quickly sinks into the water, doing her best to obscure her embarrassment. However, as she does so, she slips on the rock beneath her. Like before, Anon moves to catch her, but only succeeds in falling in alongside her. Just before her face is submerged beneath the water, he thrusts her upwards while doing his best to catch himself on the rock below with his comparatively larger body, submerging himself in the process. Immediately dragging himself out from beneath the surface, the two try to catch their breath before realizing the position they are in.
Fluttershy has been turned around and is currently sitting in Anon's lap, her face mere inches from his own.
They both go red again and look away, but neither try to break out of their position. After what feels like an eternity, Fluttershy finally speaks.
"I-I'm sorry..."
"About what?"
She somehow goes even redder and closes her eyes.
"K-kissing you..."
"...Hmhm. Don't worry, Fluts." Anon gently brings a hand to Fluttershy's chin and turns her towards him. She opens her eyes once again, quickly locking them with Anon's in surprise. "I heard your message loud and clear."
Without hesitation, Anon leans forward, pulling Fluttershy into a second kiss. This time, rather than act surprised, they both lean into each other. Given their position, this isn't hard. Fluttershy slides forward and presses up against Anon's chest while he wraps his arms around her back. As he gently squeezes her, Fluttershy lets out the quietest of moans.
A few moments later, the two part once more to catch their breath. Unlike last time, neither look away from the other.
"Anon... I love you. Please don't give up on your dreams." Before he can respond, she leans forward and rests her head on his shoulder. "They're my dreams, too."
With a smile on his face, Anon reinforces his grip on Fluttershy, relishing in the warmth of her body and the softness of her fur.
"I love you too, Fluttershy."
As the pair embraces in their secret grotto, the sun outside finally sets. The natural light pouring in through the ceiling disappears, and the only light illuminating the grotto is the lantern sitting not far from the pair. As the night goes on near the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, the occasional sounds of giggles being stifled and sweet nothings being whispered can barely be heard from behind the waterfall.
Author's Note
WHY IS FLUTTERSHY SO CUTE IT'S NOT FAIR 
As always, I appreciate any and all feedback!
