The Meek and the Brave

Chapters

Mouth full of mint
Cold hooves and Warm hearts
Breakfast and Lunch
Coffee is for Closers
A Date

Mouth full of mint

Cicada song filled the air as Soarin skimmed the tree tops. He was glad not to have to wear that infernal jumpsuit in this heat. It was too hot and the air density to low to do any real flying. He had two months to himself. Spring air shows long past and summer training concluded. Not that he ever stopped training, he just got to train how he wanted, and today that meant a long distance low altitude flight to his favorite apple cart.

He had started to go around the Everfree forest, but decided he wasn’t up for quite that long of a distance flight. Instead he just flew low and fast over it. He could see Ponyville approaching now, he was almost through Everfree. The forest was starting to thin out by degrees, he could even see a large clearing not far from the forests edge.

///

The most timid pony in the kingdom had built her house less than a hundred meters from the Everfree forest. Which was, as far as most ponies were concerned, the source of all nightmares. She also ran a charity animal shelter and wildlife rehab center. Why had she picked such a strange place to live and how did she earn a living? The answer was mint, wildcraft mint.

Mint doesn't grow wild in Equestria. Not that it couldn’t, it just didn’t. A sprig of mint couldn’t get more than a centimeter tall before it was smelled out and eaten by a pony, all ponies instinctually loving the taste of mint.

It did grow wild in Everfree though, and Fluttershy had found the motherload not long after falling into the area. It was a long narrow hectare of shallow soil along a low riverbank. A crisp sweet mint grew on one side and a spicy woody mint on the other. The fertile floodplain produced some of the best mint in Equestria, and it was all her little secret; she alone knew how to get to it.

It was a harvest day. A bushel from each side, every week throughout the summer months, would fetch her more than enough bits to support her through the year. She was carefully picking the new growth form the plants and pulling any weeds she found up by the roots. She had finished the woody side and almost had her quota form the crisp side when something caught her eye. A pale blue Pegasus streaked overhead.

///

Soarin cleared the last tree before the clearing. Looking down he saw a butter yellow Pegasus with hair of pink silk. She stood in a bright green field, looking up at him with big eyes. It was a visage he couldn’t look away from, her eyes entranced him. He forgot the first rule of flying, “you fly where you look”. The ground came up fast, but he was faster. Just a hoof's-reach from the ground, he pulled up. Then something filled his muzzle. He had plowed through not a small amount of the thick wet foliage the covered the ground.

Soarin was one of those unlucky ponies that was said to “have the taste for mint”. That is to say that a thing loved by all was a Sirens call to some. His eyes no longer looked to the sky above the trees, they were firmly focused on the clump of mint that had stuck to his muzzle. The smell overwhelmed him, his tongue lashed out to pull the foliage into his watering mouth. He hit a tree at near top speed.

///

Fluttershy squeaked in horror as blue feathers exploded from a tree. She ran as hard as she could to get to the crashed pony. He was in bad shape, but he was breathing. Panic set in as she realized she didn’t know what to do. Help couldn’t be brought to him, it would take too long for the round trip. She couldn’t leave him alone that long. She looked around for ideas, dancing in panic all the while.

“Calm down, you know what to do.” she said to herself. She was a veterinarian tech and trained first responder, but that all went out the window at times like this. Breathing intentionally she closed her eyes and imagined what she would do if this was one of her bird friends. Her nerves settled a bit as she thought out a plan of action.

///

The darkness faded into light that blinded him. His whole body was being rattled, making every bruised and broken rib scream. He tried to look away from the light but found his neck braced and his body lashed down to something indescribably uncomfortable. The searing light started to take shape. A green forest canopy made the noon sun blink at him, each pulse cutting through his eyes and shooting pain into his skull. He was being dragged through a primeval forest on a sled he couldn’t see. The smell of mint registered to him, pivoting his eyes around he realized that on either side of his head were two great baskets of the stuff. So close, yet he had no hope of reaching it.

“So, This must be Hell” He winced as his words echoed in his skill, only enforcing the idea.

The infernal shaking subsided a bit as his sled slowed down. “O’ you’re awake, please try not to move.” an angelic voice instructed him. “You hit that tree hard”

“Who are you, where am I?” He could remember leaving his house for a trip to Ponyville, but everything past that got fuzzy.

“Shhh... Don’t try to talk.” the angel cooed still outside of his vision. “I’m Fluttershy and you had a bad crash in the Everfree forest. Now rest, but don’t go back to sleep.”

///

Fluttershy could finally see her house, a streak of rainbow colors was flying about it. ‘That’s right, Dash and I were going to have lunch today.’ She called Rainbow Dash’s name, but her little voice simply wouldn’t carry that far. Mustering all her courage she took a deep breath and tried to yell as loud as she could, still not loud enough. She raised up go give it her all when she felt the makeshift sled fall off her back and hit the ground with a thud.

The thud was loud, but the cry of the Pegasus was very loud. “Ahhh!” echoed through the field.

Soarin regretted the reflexive yelp. His head had been splitting before, now he couldn’t even see from the pain. A distorted voice spoke near him, then a second joined it. The pain receded and his vision started to clear. Two mares were looking down at him. One of butter and pink and the other was a familiar face, Rainbow Dash.

Dash hovered above the downed Wonderbolt, looking between him and her friend. “Ugh, Fluttershy, this isn’t like that book 'Misery' you lent me, is it?” Landing between the two she popped a sprig of mint and started chewing it slowly, looking to Fluttershy for an answer.

“No, Dash! I saw him hit a tree while I was gathering mint. I think he’s hurt bad, go get the doctor.”

Dash shrugged and lept into the air, leaving her rainbow contrail behind her as she went to find a doctor.

///

The butter and pink mare looked down at him again with sad eyes. “You’re going to be ok. Lets get you in the house.” Her voice was soft and caring.

“You’re Fluttershy?” he asked. Making sure the voice from earlier belonged to this face.

“MmmHmm” she nodded with a faint smile.

‘She has a really cute smile’ he thought. Her face vanished from his view and the sled again began to grind along the ground. ‘At least the ground is smoother here’

After a moment sky vanished and was replaced with a panel ceiling. The sled again dropped to the ground, but this time with a gentle motion. He watched the baskets beside his head get carried off, going somewhere unseen. With the wicker blinders gone he could see Fluttershy fetching a pile of blankets from a closet. Carefully she laid them out to make a bed parallel to him.

“I’m going to move you again” the soft voice warned.

The sled lifted and slid on top of the bedding. A uncontrolled sigh of relief escaped him as he felt the makeshift gurney unleash from his body and slide out from beneath him, leaving him on the plush bedding.

“There I bet that much better.” cooed the mare. He smiled in response, his neck still braced. “I’m leaving the neck splint till the doctor says it’s safe though” she continued.

She sat near him and placed something on the floor near him. The sound of sloshing water told him it was a bowl of water. He winced has a warm wet rag brushed a tender wound.

“I know, it hurts, but I have to get the dirt out of your wounds”

The care was painful, but soothing at the same time. She hummed a soft tune as she worked on cleaning every cut and scrape. As a colt he envied his friends whose mothers would dote on them like this. When he came home with a bad case of cloud-rash his mother’s response was always to hand him a little rain cloud and a can of disinfectant spray, with orders of “Go out back and clean up, don’t bleeding on anything.”

A door opened somewhere and a new voice entered the room. It was the doctor they had sent Rainbow Dash to fetch.

Soon the familiar tingle of a doctor’s unicorn magic rippled through his body. It was the same spell that they all started with. It would let them see bone, muscle, and tendons alike; as if he were made of glass.

“Well, no neck injury, the splint can come off. But, you have a mild concussion, several cracked ribs, and you pulled a lot of tissue in your back, muscle and tendons alike. You should recover one hundred percent, but I’m going to ground you for a month. For that matter you’re not allowed to do anything strenuous for a month. no flying, not running, no lifting. Just take it easy and let your body heal.”

Soarin felt the neck splint slide off. Slowly he sat up and looked around. Fluttershy was busy with something in her kitchen, Rainbow Dash stood near the door. He met the doctors eyes. “Grounded, for a month?”

“Yep, and don’t push yourself and treat those wings like new born foals, or I’ll be sending a letter to Spit Fire telling her about how you have to sit on the bench for a season.” The doctor gave him a firm look.

///

After further examination and a thorough bandaging, the doctor had left; Rainbow Dash quietly went with him. Leaving him alone with Fluttershy in her house. He felt he should probably get up and get to finding a place to stay for a few days before it started getting dark. His efforts to stand and walk quickly made it apparent that he wasn’t going anywhere unaided.

“Dash, Soarin, I have dinner ready.” Her gentle voice called from the kitchen.

“Ugh, Dash left with the doctor” Soarin said looking up at her as she came into the living room baring several plates.

“O’ strange. Dash never turns down a free meal. She must of wanted to talk to the doctor about something in private” The three plates found their way gently to the floor in front of him as she sat down on a cushion near him.

He looked at the meal as the mare seated herself. It was a cornucopia salad, fresh mixed greens with fresh fruits and vegetables of all kinds laid around the edge of the plate and a citrus smelling vinaigrette drizzled with care over the whole. Hunger suddenly bit at him as his stomach growled. Not waiting for his host, he took a mouthful.

///

She really didn’t think too hard about Rainbow sliding out like she did, and there’s no sense wasting food, her and her guest would just have their fill tonight. Though she wasn’t much for eating on the floor, she knew getting Soarin to the table would be a painful exercise, so she just joined him where he lay. It wasn’t until she looked up from her meal to the sound of Soarin humming in delight as he chewed, that the situation clicked together for her.

The late afternoon sun dimly lit the room where she was sharing a home cooked meal with a handsome stallion in romantic seclusion.

Cold hooves and Warm hearts

Swallowing her food in a gulp, she froze not sure what to do. He was busy with his meal and hadn’t looked up yet. She stifled the reflex to bolt out of the room. ‘Breath Fluttershy, breath. Don’t freak out. Nothing’s going to happen. If we have a panic attack he’ll worry about us and he’s in no condition to be worrying.’

Looking out from behind her hair, she saw her guest was happily eating, not paying her any particular attention. A sigh of relief escaped her as she devoted herself to eating the dinner and enjoying it.

The two ponies dispensed with all three plates in relative quiet. The silence only broken by polite offers as the third plate was being split between them. With the meal finished Soarin leaned back onto his bedding and looked out the window to see the sun hanging low on the long summer evening.

“Well, I guess I need to limp into town and get a room at the inn. Thanks for all the help Fluttershy” He gave her a gentle smile before trying to get up.

She watched in dismay as he tried to stand. His body visibly protested to the strain. Reflexively she reached out and placed a hoof on his withers and chest. “You need to rest here tonight” She blinked at her own statement. Her ward for his part only looked up at her in confusion as she laid him back down.

///

Soarin watched helplessly as the mare eased him back to the bedding. As much as he didn’t like the idea of imposing on her, it was clear he was stuck here. He hurt bad enough laying still, walking back to town would have been well beyond his limits.

“Thank you.” He said as he accepted that the pile of blankets would be his bed for tonight, at the very least. Not that the bed was uncomfortable. Firm, yes, but he found it a pleasant change to the cloud-beds he normally used. He supposed a firm bed would be better for his back while it’s healing too.

The evening was still young and it would be some hours before he could even try to go to sleep. As he laid there staring at the ceiling, his host took to fussing over his bandages again. He could tell the swelling was starting to kick in. Aches were turning into throbs. He knew that by sundown he would be in quite a lot of pain. “Do you have anything to make me sleep?”

The sudden question caught her off guard “Sorry, what?” she mumbled with a long strip of bandage still in her mouth.

“Herbs, something to make me sleep through the worst of the swelling tonight”

“MmmHmm” she nodded. Tieing off the bandage, she rose to her hooves and disappeared again into the kitchen.

///

Fluttershy hovered to the top of a pantry to retrieve a key she kept hidden there. Not that it was really a secret, it was just a precaution for safety's sake. Unlocking the stout cabinet nearby she opened the doors to reveal a host of jars, bottles and dry herbs. Most of the plants here were common and safe, but enough of them were rare and or dangerous that she liked to keep the ideally-curious out.

‘A couple poppy heads, valerian and maypop root. That’ll get him through the night.’ Practiced hooves plucked her ingredients from their shelves and placed them on the counter to be prepared. Next she pulled an ornate glass bottle from the medical cabinet. It was filled with distilled wine; something that Berry Punch sold only to those who knew how to ask. Two shots worth went into a cup and the herbs joined the spirits.

With her sleeping dram in hoof she went back to her ward. She could tell he was hurting more than earlier. “Here, drink this fast.” she whisked the mix one last time before placing in in his outstretched hoof.

///

He could smell the medicine well before it got near him. It burned his nose and curled his tongue. Looking into the cup didn’t help any, it was a thick emulsion of dark earthy colors.

“Drink it all before the herbs settle to the bottom” she reminded him.

Out of whimsy he gave a cheers solute with the glass before throwing it all down his throat in one pitch. By will alone he gulped the muck down, gasping and coughing the very next breath. He had never been consciously aware of his esophagus and stomach quite like he was at the moment. It was a simple feeling that he could easily describe with one word.

“Burning” he gasped.

“I know” the mare sympathized. “Here let me make you something to sip on to get the bad taste out.”

When she returned she was holding a concoction of crushed green material floating in iced clear liquid. The burn of the medicine was just abating when she sat it on the floor next to him. “That’s not more of the stuff that burns is it?”

She let out a bright giggle at the question “Oh no. That just muddled mint and ice water”

His interest perked, he reach out and pulled the glass to his lips, pausing to smell before drinking. Mint tasted wonderful, but it was the smell that had him enchanted. The lovely tingle filled his nose and ran deep into his sinuses. When the iced water found his tongue it was a little sweet and bright with mint.

It was a better mint muddle that he got from his favorite place in Canterlot, and he paid four bits a glass there. He made a point to nurse on the drink as slowly as he could.

///

The mention of mint made his ears jump, leaving them high and focused on the glass. She had know a few ponies that ‘had the taste’, and she was pretty sure he was among them. Watching him take a slow intentional sip only confirmed it.

She was happy to see somepony enjoy something so much. “If there is anything you want let me know. You’ll start feeling the medicine very soon”

He returned with a nod. “Just another blanket and pillow will do.”

She noticed his sleep speech was just a little slurred. “Are you feeling cold?”

“A bit, yea”

Pegasus are immune to cold air, but strangely weak to to their own internal temperature. A chill or fever that an earth pony could walk off, would leave a Pegasus a wreck. She had heard of ponies getting chills after a concussion. She hoped it was just the medicine setting in. The poppies would make him sleep, but they lower blood pressure too.

///

He took another sip of the cold drink before laying down. He wanted to drink more, but he was cold to his very core and the ice water only made it worse. The room spun a bit as he laid his head down. Whatever she had given him was strong. The pain was already feeling distant and his mind foggy. A shiver rolled across his body, forcing him to curl up in a ball trying to conserve every bit of body heat could.

The pretty mare returned to his side with a heavy quilt and an extra pillow. He heard her say something soft but he couldn’t make it out. The fog was quickly taking his senses and willingly gave it his sight as he closed his eyes. The weight of the blanket was welcoming, he pulled it tight to himself even as she was tucking it around him.

When her hooves pushed the pillow under his head he could feel the warmth of her coat and reflexively pressed his cheek against the soft warm foreleg. The warm coat held there motionless, lending him warmth and comfort as sleep demanded its attention.

Blackness filled his existence before becoming aware of movement. His mind refused any thought, the world was moving around him. Even as his eyes opened he couldn’t make anything out. It was dark and he was in a small space. Something pulled at him as he felt himself being dragged up some impossible rough surface. The only sensation he could put words to was cold.

He was impossibly cold, it robbed him of all perception and control. Through shivering and delirium he could feel a warm body grasping him, tugging him; its movements were frantic. At some point he realized they were on the stairs, he was being dragged up the stairs. Dark sleep again demanded it’s tribute.

A dream came to him in this demanding slumber. The gentle sound of falling water echoed through thick fog. Firm warm rocks held him as he soaked in deltifully warm water. The Canterlot hot springs were at there finest on this summer day. A beautiful spa mare gently rubbed sore muscles. Occasionally her pink hair would move just enough that he could see her face, the mare’s absent minded smile warmed him as much as the water.

“Soarin” she called to him. Her voice seemed odd, both distant and urgent.

He couldn’t remember her moving, but now she was behind him holding his head and lapping the warm water up into his chest. “Come on Soarin wake up” she urged him.

Bright white filled his vision. The waterfall sound was replaced with the distinctive hollow noise of water filling a bathtub. He was still cold, but warm water embraced him and the mare’s hooves were vigorously rubbing at his coat, bringing the blood back to his extremities. Wincing, moaning he allowed his eyes to adjust to the bright bathroom and its white porcelain. He was awake, though his mind still groggy from sleep and drug.

Another shiver racked his body. It made sinking a little deeper into the steamy bath all the more welcoming.

///

Finally he was awake. Another shock of shivering had taken him, but that was better than the non-stop fit it had been. The hot bath was slowly lending him its warmth. It had taken all her strength to get him up the stairs and into the tub. She was glad he was a Pegasus, she would not have been able to carry an Earth pony or Unicorn.

Keeping her hooves on him, she moved in front of him placing herself in his line of vision “Can you hold yourself up?”

She felt him test his own strength against the tub before responding “Yea, I’ll be fine”

She had not bothered to take his bandages off before getting him in the tub. Now she could let go without fear of him slipping under the water. Diligently she sat about removing the bandages; not allowing him to help any more than she absolutely needed.

He hadn’t shivered in a while, that was a good sign. She was wet up to her chest, with both forelegs standing in the warm water. Her hair stuck to her neck as she pulled away the last bandage with her teeth. Letting the bandage drop to the soggy pile in the floor. It had just occurred to her what a wet mess she was when a hoof weakly brushed the hair out of her eyes.

“Thank you” he whispered.

Hair no longer blocking her view she could see him meekly smiling at her, his hoof still resting on her shoulder. For a moment she was trapped in his gaze.

///

Fluttershy had spent the last few minutes fussing over getting his wet bandaging off. His agent of mercy was taking great pains on his behalf, he was starting to feel bad about how much trouble her had caused her. A few times he had tried to say something to her, but she took it as him trying to help her and she was having none of that.

As she worked, he watched her face, or at least tried to. Her hair seemed to forever be hanging in the way. When she paused after the last wrapping had been discarded, he decided to take matters into his own hooves and brush back the pink vail himself to get her attention and tell her ‘thank you’.

She first looked at his hoof, then met his eyes. It was an electric moment he hadn’t expected. Their eyes held in magnetic lock for several heartbeats. What little chill was still with him was quickly driven off.

“Well I should probably get out of the water befor I get a fever.” he blurted. looking away from Fluttershy as if to contemplate how one goes about getting out of a bathtub.

///

“Oh, I suppose you right” she mumbled, looking away from the stallion with the excuse of finding a towel. She hoped he hadn’t noticed the blush she felt on her cheeks.

Returning with the towels she found that he had drained the tub already. He stood on his own but was clearly uneasy about trying to get over the walls of the tub unaided. With a wing and a hoof she steadied him as he climbed out. As clumsy as it looked it was far better that the way she had rolled him into the tub earlier.

His movements were slow and she caught him wincing from time to time as she helped him rub his coat dry. “No sense in trying to get you back down stairs, you should sleep in the bed since you’re up here.”

“What time is it anyway?” he asked.

“I think about three”

She felt bad for him. He was clearly distressed about the late hour.

“I so sorry, I can’t believe I kept you up all night” He whimpered.

“It’s ok, now lets get you in bed again” she cooed giving him a little support as the walked across the hall to the bedroom.

///

She let him lean against her as they walked to a bedroom. It was too dark to make out any details. The bed was a welcome thing though, soft and warm it was already turned down.

As his eyes adjusted to the dark he realized that this was not a guest room, but rather her bedroom. “Are you giving me your bed? Where are you going to sleep?”

Looking up he found her already curling up in a large chair. “I’ll be fine, I want to stay close in case you need me.” she replied.

“At least share the bed with me.” He heard himself say, before realizing the implications. It was meant in all innocence, but still an awkward thing to say.

“Um... Are you sure you’re ok with that?” She asked quietly with her ears lowered.

“Yea, I’ll feel bad knowing I ran you out of your bed... Besides it’d be nice to have somepony warm next to me, I’m still a little cold.” he confessed. For all his worries that she would be offended by the idea he felt the bed shift with her weight as she moved through the shadows.

After a few moments wrangling the sheets he found himself comfortable and politely sharing a bed his mare of mercy. It was in fact nice to have her warmth under the sheets and the bed was much better that the makeshift one downstairs. Sleep pulled at him again, with gentle tugs this time.

Breakfast and Lunch

* * *

Angel Bunny sat in the living room, greedily eating the meal Fluttershy had laid out for him. It was a few days after the fall out between Fluttershy and himself, and that whole Iron Will nonsense. She had left the room when he felt a cool breeze, one of the other critters had slid a window open. Someone wanting out, or in, the others didn’t seem to even notice. He went back to his meal, but was interrupted as one of his ears moved of its own accord, the most primal part of his self stirred a warning. Slowly looking back to the window he saw Hawk had flown inside. Again the other critters didn’t even acknowledge the presence.

Hawk unnerved him, but he wasn’t afraid. Fluttershy would never let him be harmed. Though she wasn’t here, her authority still held. Hawk would never risk being outcast from this sanctuary, and it would only take one of the animals telling her he had hunted one of them.

Plowing his face into his food he took another bite. Looking back up as he chewed a horrid sight fell on him; nothing, or rather no one. The two dozen critters that had filled the room were gone; all but one, Hawk. He was totally alone with the bird of prey, and obviously the center of his attention.

His heart beat in his ears for what he thought was hours. Then Fluttershy’s voice carried a song into the room through an open door. He looked desperately towards the interior door for his salvation. Movement near the window told him Hawk had moved the moment he looked away. ‘Never take your eyes off a predator’ his mothers voice echoed in memory. He winced into a ball and accepted his fate.

“Are you ok Angel?” Fluttershy asked.

Looking up he found himself in the Mare’s shadow and the room full of animals mulling about their own lives. He knew what had happened now; that was a message, and he got it loud and clear.

* * *

Warm summer sun awoke Fluttershy, immediately she knew she had slept in by a few hours. As her senses started coming back to her she realized she was being held by the other pony. A wing and a foreleg were thrown over her and a muzzle sat in the small of her neck. She really didn’t know what to do. It was a terribly loving embrace. Her heart raced, but she wasn’t sure why. Anxiety for sure, but bolting away from the attention wasn’t her first thought. No, she wanted to lay perfectly still.

Head motionless, her eyes scanned the room to find Angel bunny setting on the chair by the bed. He had a concerned look. It wasn’t long ago he would have pelted her for sleeping in. A gesture told her he wanted to know if she was ok. A smile answered his question and he left the room shaking his head. ‘He has calmed down so much in the past year. I wonder why?’

Her bedmate stirred a bit, pulling her tight to his chest and mumbling into her neck. There was a brief pause before the warm embrace vanished. The stallion had put space between them with amazing speed. “I’m so sorry” he blurted.

Rolling over just enough to see him she smiled slightly “It’s ok, you were asleep” Gracefully sliding out from under the sheets she got out of bed. “I have to feed the animals. You rest here. When I’m done I’ll bring breakfast up.”

///

While she was gone he took to examining his injuries. You can always tell the real damage after the first nights sleep, what will heal and what is going to take some nursing.

His first big annoyance was finding his wings hanging a few centimeters out from their proper ‘tucked in’ position. They were stuck in a half limp state, he couldn’t pull them tight or stretch the all the way out. He had strained a lot of flight muscles, it was only the middle range that he had power over. The feathers were a wreck too. He wasn’t sure what damage was from the fall and what was from sleeping on unfurled wings.

Trying his weight on his legs confirmed what the doctor had told him; he had a few cracked ribs. This wasn’t his first time cracking a few. It makes flying impossible and walking hurt, but they heal fast if you let them. The rest of him was just good old fashioned bruised. Two days and that much would be cleared up. Best of all, that skull throbbing headache was already gone.

///

Fluttershy found her animals in good health, if not a bit hungry. She had missed the normal morning feeding by a few hours. It was a good time of year to be late on the task though. The summer months meant plentiful food and pleasant weather outside the house. It was a stark contrast to the bustle of hungry, cold creatures that crowded her house in the winter.

With her morning work done, she pondered what to make for their breakfast. Laying a pan on the stove she turned to her pantry. ‘He’s going to need protein to heal faster. So, eggs in a basket and fresh fruit.’

With the tray perched on her back she walked into the bedroom to find Soarin attempting to preen himself; it was rather pitiful looking. He was obviously unable to reach the majority of his wing. “Breakfast.” She sang out. Pulling a nightstand away from the wall she sat the tray on it, making a table at the edge of the bed.

She watched him make careful movements as he edged over to the meal. She could tell he was still hurting, though his spirits were good. His appetite was good too, making quick work of the meal, punctuating it with a happy groan. “That was really good” he said breaking the silence.

“Thank you” she replied. She was only halfway through her own meal. “So how are you feeling, did you sleep well?”

Soarin stretched a bit as if to find the answers to her question. “I feel like I got ran over by a cart, but I think I’ll be fine. And I slept really well once you got me back to bed.”

Something spun in the back of her mind at the last bit of his comment. Forcing the thought aside she focused on her wards injuries and how to tend them. Moving the tray of empty plates aside she retrieved the massive sports warp that had been drying in the bathroom. “Lets get your wings wrapped.”

Slowly sliding off the bed, he stood so she could easily get around his barrel. She had to push the wings into place before binding them. As she pressed the first wing into its tucked position he gave a wince. His ruffled feathers were binding and twisting. She knew all too well that he would be miserable unless he got a good preening.

Dropping the wrap she nudged him back towards the bed. “Lay back down” she said softly.

///

He was confused by the order, but complied anyway. She guided him silently until he was laying prone in the middle of the bed. His confusion was traded for a blush when he felt her stretch out one of his wings and start preening it. “You... you don’t have to do that.” He stammered.

She gave him a sad look from over his wing. “But, you’ll be miserable if I don’t and you can’t reach them.” She cast her eyes to the ground as a sad shadows crossed her eyes. “Unless you just don’t want me preening you”

It was look he couldn’t bare. “No. I mean yes. I mean...” He took a deep breath to collect his thoughts. “It would be very nice if you preened my wings for me, but only if you want to.” His comment earned him a smile before she took to tending the wing again.

Letting his head rest on the bed and enjoyed the attention. She had a good touch, he imagined that she gave a good massage too. He had drifted into the happy half-sleep that massage and preening are want to send one to, when he felt her move beside him. She had gotten up and moved around to lay nose to tail; leaving her own wings right next to his head.

It was by some sort of reflex that he reached out and took her wing in his mouth. He had already tended a few feathers before he realized what he was doing. Any worry of having offender her quickly passed as she continued working on his wings and made no effort to retract her own appendage from his attention. With a mental shrug he went back to tending the yellow wing. It was a lazy, cozy scene; two Pegasus preening each other on a bed, bathed in the warm light of the morning sun.

///

Fluttershy laid the last feather in place on the wing she had started. ‘Now to the other wing.’ As she stood up she carefully pulled her own wing from it’s attention. She repressed a coo when he gave her a disappointed look as it left his reach.

She would repeat the process on the other wing; first pass form the trailing edge, second pass from the leading edge. As she started in on the grooming she watched him doze off again. ‘He’s cute when he asleep. Actually, he’s always cute.’ she blushed at her own thoughts.

With the bulk of the damage straightened out she moved around the outstretched wing to get at the leading edge and begin the more delicate portion of the process. She had just started when she felt the stallion take the opportunity to again groom her. It was nice, though she felt a bit guilty too. She should probably tell him he didn’t have to return the attention, but she was afraid he would stop.

About an hour after her first attempt to wrap the stallion’s wings she finally had them properly secure. “How’s that feel” she asked

He shifted his weight around a bit and took a few steps to see how the binding would shift. “You’re better at that than our team’s sports therapist.” he replied.

“I have some business in town this morning.” she said as if apologizing. “So, please make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a few hours. If you get hungry, help yourself to the kitchen.” her eyes popped open as if she just remembered something. “But, please don’t strain yourself!”

“I think I’ll be fine” He assured her.

“Ok, but let me help you down to the living room.”

The last of her mint delivery was to the cakes. She had dropped off the larger order first, the vendor was out of Canterlot and would fly the harvest straight there. Now with the last package she walked into Sugar Cube Corner.

“Afternoon Mis. Shy” Mr cake called out to her.

“Hello Mr. Cake. I brought you some sweet mint”

Mr Cake popped the till open and counted out a small stack of bits. It was an obviously practiced transaction as he passed her the money and she walked back into the kitchen to leave the produce with whoever was baking at the time. Today that was Pinkie.

“Hay Fluttershy!” the pink pony exclaimed amidst a pile of dough. “Put it in the icebox. I’m about to go to lunch you want to join me!”

With the package safely stowed she gave a nod to her friend. “That would be nice.”

The two mares sat across from each other eating their sandwiches. Pinky had been rambling about her week since they sat down. Not that she minded, she liked listening to her stories, Pinkie always had something interesting going on in her life.

The earth pony finally permitted a moment of silence in the meal. She had paused to ponder the virtues of vanilla bean over vanilla brandy. “I think I have a crush on somepony” Fluttershy blurted out in a whisper.

Pinkie actually fell out of her chair. It was a short lived displacement though. Just as fast as she had fallen she was back in the chair “Oh! who is it?” She whispered, leaning across the table; she was visibly restraining a tremendous outburst. Before she got a response her face transformed from excitement to confusion. “But wait, I thought you already had a special somepony?”

Fluttershy was left speechless beyond her normal quiet nature. She blinked for several moments till her thoughts found voice. “Goodness no. I don’t have a special somepony.”

Pinkie sat back into her seat and took another bit of her sandwich. “Then why did you get Twilight to cast the no-foal spell on you this spring. We all assumed you had a colt on the side that you were just too shy to introduce to us.”

The Pegasus fidgeted for a moment before answering “My heats are kinda intense, and that spell takes the edge off them. Plus if I do something... impulsive I don’t have to worry.”

“Oh” the pink pony replied “That’s smart. So, anyway, who is it?”

///

Pinky listened intently as her friend told her a hurried story of seeing a Pegasus crash in the forest and her care of him for the rest of the evening. It was when she got to the part about waking up in his arms that she found her friend getting a little dreamy eyed and suddenly adding a lot more detail to the story until it ended with her leaving him alone in her living room. There was no mistaking it, her friend had a crush.

Coffee is for Closers

Soarin managed laze about the house for half an hour before cabin fever set in. While his injuries made doing anything more than walking slowly impossible, he could at least go outside and get some air. To say she had a lot of pets was an understatement. They had been an ever present background inside the house. Outside the home, it was a comedic scene of animals that had no business near each other. A sleeping bear being used as a bed by a family of hedgehogs summed up the experience.

Pacing about the grounds, he found a hive of song birds near a creek. It was a lovely view and the water and bird song made it all the more tranquil. It was a perfect place to lay down and think. He had just gotten his legs tucked under himself when a white rabbit appeared before him. He had seen this one earlier, Fluttershy doted on it a bit more than the others. It was an expressive little creature. While it was a running joke among the Wonderbolts that he could turn the most vicious pet into a wiggling puppy, the gift to speak with the creatures was not among his talents. By whatever means though, this rabbit had a gift for projecting even complicated ideas by way of body language and sighs.

“...”

“I’m just another wounded bird she’s taking care of.”

“...”

“What!? No, I did no such thing.”

“...”

“Well yes, but it was totally innocent.”

“...”

“I would never do that to somepony. And I’m not sure how I feel about getting called promiscuous by a rabbit.”

“......”

“Sorry! Sorry, I shouldn’t stereotype.”

“...”

“Sure, but mares like that aren’t single”

“...”

“She is?”

“...”

“OK, fair enough Pops. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

He watched the rabbit nodded in satisfaction and bolt into the tall grass. That had been a strange conversation. One part protective father, one part setup.

Fluttershy had managed damage control with Pinkie. She had gotten her on the topic of a get well party, and that seemed to satisfy the Earth pony’s desire to do something proactive. Still, it was nice to get the confession off her chest, talk it out a bit with somepony.

Of course, Pinkie intended for her to be the date of guest of honor, but she could put that out of her mind for the week until the party was scheduled. And she would need to tell him that he was having a party held for him. Though, she should mention that pretty soon, because he would probably want to get a room as soon as he could walk, and she might not see him again after that. That’s if he hadn’t already gotten sick of her place and just paid for a wagon into town. Or for that matter, a train back to Canterlot. Then she would have to break the news to Pinkie that she had no guest of honor. Though she knew Pinkie would feel more bad for her than the loss of the party. Which means that she would be on the receiving end of a cheer-up party, if not another one of Pinkie’s blind date setups. Those always go so miserably. But, she really does...

“Hey Fluttershy. What’s wrong?” A sharp voice above her, snapped her out of the runaway train of thought.

”Oh, hay Dash. I was just thinking...”

Her foalhood friend landed with a plop beside her. “How’s your Wonderbolt?” There was a implication of something in her voice. The turn of phrase wasn’t lost on Fluttershy, but she had no idea how to respond to it. Had Pinkie already told her she had a crush on him? It hadn’t been five minutes since she left the bakery. No, Pinkie Pie had promised to keep her confession a secret and nopony keeps a secret like Pinkie.

“He had a rough night, but he’s a lot better this morning.” she said, answering only the obvious side of the question. Grasping at a chance to change the subject away from herself “I was surprised you left with the Doctor. Everything all right?”

Dash scoffed at the question with a smile. “Yea, I just wanted to let you and flyboy have some alone time. Three's a crowd ya know.”

The gears inside Fluttershy’s mind spun apart. “YOU WHAT!?”

Rainbow Dash watched her friend’s face cycle through emotions. It had started with anger but had currently settled on confusion. Dash was scared she had really offended her. Letting out a nervous chuckle, she scrambled for the best apology. Before her lips could form a coherent sound, Fluttershy interrupted her.

”Thank you” Fluttershy meeked. Her posture having returned to her normal shy, half curled-in pose.

Dash didn’t waste time getting out a “You’re welcome” and throwing a hoof over her friends shoulder, she poised a confident expression before it sank in “What what!?”

“He’s been nothing but a gentlecolt to me and he’s really cute” her voice bubbled.

Dash slumped with a tsk. “He’s Soarin. He’s not cute. Hot, yes. Handsome, sure. Not cute.”

“But he had the cutest face when he was preening me” Fluttershy pouted.

Dash coughed violently before getting words to come out “He preened you?”

Fluttershy pulled under her own mane a bit. She hadn’t really thought about how intimate the act was normally considered. It had all happened so naturally. “I had to preen his wings, so I could wrap them... and he just started to work on mine at the same time.”

Dash’s face took a lavender hue as she again froze for a moment. A distant gaze and slow blinking, tattled on her vivid imagination. Hugging her friend “I’m so proud of you.” she squeaked. Stepping back from the embrace she had a nervous fidget about her. “I’m... going to go find Mac now. If you see Applejack tell her to stay clear of the east barn.” And with that she was gone in a chromatic streek.

Her weeks harvest sold and groceries for a few days in her saddlebag, Fluttershy headed back home. She was lost in thought as she neared the little bridge that marked the front of the land. She was jolted out of the trance be the call of “Welcome home.” She jumped slightly at the interruption, but what she saw replaced any fright she had with giggles.

Soarin sat in a thick patch of clover near the stream with his legs tucked under him. He was being held firmly in place by a mother deer, who was diligently grooming the top of his head. A spotted fawn laid curled up against him. “I’m afraid I have been adopted. She will not take no for an answer.” he said with a faux air of indignation.

Fluttershy couldn’t stop bubbling laughter even as she spoke to the deer. “Thank you Ro’ for taking care of him for me. I’ll take it from here.”

The doe nodded at the yellow Pegasus with a whistle sound. Looking back at the tangle of mane she had been working on, she seemed to shrug as if saying ‘I’ll fix that later’. Passing her attention over the stallion, she nudged the sleeping fawn; bringing it to its hooves. She gave Fluttershy a departing sound before the mother and child ambled into the hedgerow.

Fluttershy stood over the prone Wonderbolt in the void left by her deer friend. She was watching Ro’ disappear into the woods when she felt eyes upon her. Looking down she found Soarin looking up at her. Their muzzles were were close enough that their breath mingled. Her eyes locked onto the line of his jaw and mouth. Something in her chest throbbed with desire to lunge forward.

By force she tore her eyes away from his lips and looked into his eyes. Her gaze snapped him out of whatever he was lost in and he returned her attention. The eye contact was far too intense for Fluttershy, she had to find a way to break the tension she felt.

“Did you eat lunch?” she blurted out, looking away from the source of her nervousness.

///

Saorin was lost in the mare’s nervous smile. If his cracked ribs didn’t make him reconsider every movement he would have tackled her right there. But, that was probably for the better. The last thing he wanted to do was alienate the gentle mare that had been so kind to him.

The sudden question jolted him out of his fixation. “Yea, Earth pony special.” he said happily.

She did not quite turn to face him before letting out a “Huh?”

He pointed to a nearby swaf of cropped clover “Clover off the root and water from the stream. If ya want to heal like an Earth pony, eat like an Earth pony.”

The Pegasus mare showed a little surprise at the comment. “Oh. Not many Pegasus will eat off the root.”

The Wonderbolt looked at the clover beneath him. “Yea, I dated an Earth pony for a while. She always insisted that eating off the root would make you heal faster. It’s a habit now.”

“Well she was right. It’s very healthy.” the mare interjected.

“And tasty.” he added with a grunt as he rose to his hooves.

Following her back into the house he kept her company while she put away the groceries. It was an awkward silence that Fluttershy ended up breaking. “Pinkie is throwing a get well party next Wednesday... That is if you’re still in town”

“Can’t think of a better place to be” he replied without thinking. He really hadn’t thought about where he would live for the next two months. His home in Cloudsdale would be far too awkward and the Wonderbolts’ facility would be a lonely place this time of year. If it was good food and fresh air he wanted, nothing compared to Ponyville. So, there wasn’t really any reason to leave, and one very cute reason to stay.

Fluttershy started to ask when he would want to leave and find a room in town. But she couldn’t find a way to ask, without making it sound like she wanted him to leave. Deciding she would just wait and see, she left the question unvoiced. “Good, I’ll let her know then. You don’t mind do you? The party that is.”

“I not going to be doing much dancing, but it sounds like fun.”

Fluttershy got up from the table to go light the lamps in the house. It had finally gotten too dark to see properly without them. Leaning back from the table Soarin rubbed his stomach. He was still full from the meal an hour ago. Looking at the cards in his hand he wished he was spry enough to peek at the ones she had left face down, without getting caught. She had beaten him three out of four so far.

“I turned down the guest room for you.” She told him as she settled back at the table.

The past few hours had gone so quickly. Ever since she had gotten back from the market they had passed the time talking about one thing or the other. Dinner had turned into a game of cards, and now the sun had set. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. I didn’t mean to impose on you for another night.”

She gave him one of the little smile that he found so beautiful. “It’s ok. I don’t mind. It gets lonely out here sometimes.” She mused as she laid some cards face up on the table; that made four out of five.

The guest room was on the third floor of the house. Though his ribs protested the incline, they did so less than they had earlier in the day. The hot shower he had stopped for on the second floor had made the whole trip worthwhile. His caretaker had taken his wing wraps off before leaving him to shower; the hot pounding water had felt wonderful.

Now he stood in the cozy room overlooking the back side of the property. Fluttershy was already in the room when he came in, she was straightening something in the corner. “Lets get your wings wrapped again so you don’t sleep on them wrong.” she chimed.

As she took to tucking and binding his appendages he noticed she was placing a towel between the folds of his wings. “What’s that for?” he asked.

“You’re still a bit damp. They’ll wick up the moisture overnight.” she lectured without breaking her concentration.

With the task done Fluttershy gestured towards two glasses on the night stand. “You didn’t seem tired. So I made you a nightcap” Passing one to Soarin she took a sip from her own. “It’s mix Berry Punch taught me”

He knew the name, she was the premier winemaker and distiller that lived in Ponyville. It was an art few ponies approached. The memory of the harsh tincture that he had been given the night before made him pause and examine the cocktail. It smelled sweet of mint and malt. A hesitant taste reminded him of the mint muddle she had given him to wash down the medicine, but there was a caramel malt flavor that accompanied it. A supple burn in his nose told him this was far stronger than it let on.

Fluttershy had settled on the corner of the bed to sip at her drink. It was far sweeter than she normally made for her nightcap. It was good though, she knew it was something he would like. She had no idea what she was doing right now, she was caught in a string of actions that she couldn’t quite justify.

A bit of alcohol before bed was her normal routine, much to Rarity’s chagrin. Her friend insisted that it was a bad habit and a sign of some other problem. But, Fluttershy found no harm in a glass of something strong before going to bed. It quieted her mind and made for dreamless sleep. Offering her restless guest a drink was also perfectly normal. It was a tasty treat that would let him sleep better, heal faster.

But why had she brought both drinks into his room? It was if she was trying to get her self in trouble. She was sipping from her glass lost in thought when the stallion spoke.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” he asked with a laugh. “This has some buck to it.”

“It’s just two jiggers of distilled wine in it. My normal bedtime drink” she replied to the jest. Give or take a small amount it was true. This was an idle amount of alcohol to her.

Soarin looked wide eyed at the drink. ‘That’d plaster me to the floor!’ he thought. Taking a long sip of the drink, he watched the mare work on hers. She had already put down half the glass. He had no intention of drinking that much, while she was definitely on a mission to the bottom.

Something about her struck him as wounded suddenly. She was a gentle creature, but everything he had seen up to now told him she had an inner strength that few could match. Taking his glass with him he slid closer the the plaintive creature. “You ok?” he asked.

Clutching her drink she gave a smile that held none of the magic that pulled his heart. “Just thinking” she told him.

Taking a last pull from his own drink to savor the flavor, he removed the glass from her hooves and set both the drinks on a dresser. She was giving him a bewildered look when he returned to sitting besides her on the bed. “So, tell me how you met Ro’” he asked the dazed mare.

She perked up at the prompt for conversation. “Oh, it was a few years ago. She had gotten lost...” He pulled his hooves under him as he listened to a story of a small adventure with a lost doe. He was amazed at her willingness to risk herself for others. With a little prompting she segwayed from that story into another one. He was afraid that the liquor was going to leave her drunk, but he soon figured his head was swimming a bit more that hers; though it had definitely loosened her tongue a bit.

He had started to doze off a bit, against his will, when he noticed a long silence; she had fallen asleep between words. She laid limp at the foot of the bed with her head between her hooves. His wings strained at the cloth binding them to his chest, instinct wanted him to place a wing over her. Instead he just laid beside her and let himself fall asleep.

Fluttershy awoke to her internal clock. Cracking her eyes open she found a wall of blue, Soarin’s back was just inches from her face. His warmth was so close, yet so far. She yearned to press into his muscled back and take in the warmth, but he might as well have been miles away. Sliding onto the floor, her heart hitting the ground with her hooves, she left him sleeping as she went about her morning chores.

She was mostly through with her morning rounds when her guest came out to greet her. “How are you feeling?” she asked with her nursing tone.

“Better. Still hurt though.” He paused a moment to consider his own state. “Would it be ok if I stayed one more night?” His voice trailed off.

Her heart fluttered at the question and it was all she could do to keep her wings and hooves from telegraphing the rippling emotion. “Sure.” she chimed “No problem. I’ll make breakfast in a bit. You should stay off your hooves.” A mothers tone crept into the last bit.

Fluttershy passed the day with idle housework and tending to her animals. Always keeping her ward just in sight. Comfortable silence punctuated with casual conversation. She could tell that was getting fidgety after lunch. So, she found some small tasks around the house to keep him busy. She giggled at how happy he was to have something to do. It reminded her a of how much Rainbow hated being still.

Another dinner was shared between them and the sunlight again began to fade. Fluttershy found herself sitting on her haunches next to the stallion, who laid on his side. They were engaged in the awkward conversations, that hopeful lovers, afraid to confess their hearts, revel in; sharing little secrets, one at a time.

The late hour finally registered to her as she tended her brief nightly ritual of lighting a few lanterns and pouring a drink. “You want something to drink?” she called for across the room.

“Coffee. Black” he responded. It wasn’t the answer she was expecting. But, she wasn’t one to question a pony’s choices.

Placing the hot cup in his hooves and sitting her nightcap on the table in front of them, she sat back on her haunches next to the stallion. She watched him blow across the cup and take a long gentle sip before placing it besides her tumbler, half full with a thin amber liquid.

He hadn’t fully pulled his hoof back when she went to reach for her own drink. The two hooves passed in opposite directions for a moment. The passing was interrupted abruptly when the larger hoof intercepted the smaller one halfway into the motion.

She watched as her hoof was enveloped in a strong fetlock and pulled away. Pulled towards the chest of the stallion next to her, her balance went with the abducted limb, causing her to tip over. The little fall was accelerated when a second foreleg wrapped around her withers and shoulder. She landed against his side, curled half on top of him and half spooned inside his barrel. A foreleg pressed her close to a beating chest and another ran beneath her head and held her hoof.

Frozen, she waited with bated breath for the next action. When seconds passed with no further actions, she wasn’t sure if she was glad or disappointed. Catching her breath she relaxed into the embrace, staring at the crook of the foreleg that she found her head laying on. She felt the firm muscle that held her relax just a bit as she gave in to the embrace.

Long moments passed to total silence. The stillness only broken by subtle movements of two hooves exploring each other without giving up their hold. After a time she felt his other hoof lift from her shoulder, only to return to her on her brow. With a gentle touch it swept her mane from her face and laid in behind her ear. The hoof didn’t quite seem content with its work though. It traced and retraced the lines of her brow, ear and neck. She closed her eyes to enjoy the gentle attention.

A slight shift from the stallion that held her jolted her awake. She had dozed off, though she was sure for only a few moments. The caressing hoof had gone still, finding a job of helping his other hoof hold her. She stretched and moved a bit, rolling slightly on her back, the forelegs never giving up their hold on her. Looking at the stallion’s face, he was so close it was hard for her eyes to focus on him. When he met her eyes, their breaths mingled again. This time she had no thought of restraint. Her neck pushed her muzzle forward across the small space between them.

When her lips found his, she brushed the two together before tilting her head and giving him a proper kiss. It was a short tender kiss that sent her heart into spasms that stole her breath. She felt him chase her when she pulled away, every bit of his expression begged for more contact. Her heart roared at her and demanded passion. Conscious thought left her as she snaked a foreleg around his neck and pressed in for another kiss.

Her lips struggled to explore the mouth pressed against hers, the hard enamel of teeth invited her tongue to join the exploration. The teeth parted and a warm damp tongue found her own. Firm forelegs shifted around her redoubling their embrace. Somewhere deep in her mind she knew she was clutching at him just as tight, twining thick mane around her hoof.

Racing pulse and passion finally robbed her of more breath than she could part with, pulling back she gasped for air. She felt the stupid smile smeared across her face, but didn’t care. She could only hope that it looked as pleasant as the one Soarin wore. He was breathing just as hard and his eyes were locked onto hers with a wild energy.

She made to lean forward again, but he slowed her. “We should pace ourselves” he panted. Her senses scrambled to find hidden meaning in the comment. A loving peck of a kiss snapped her back into the now. “Lets get some sleep. We can talk in the morning”

He was afraid to rush things, she found solace in that. With a shaky voice she managed to steel herself enough to ask what she had been afraid to the night before. “Would you like to sleep in my bed again?” nervously considering her words she added, “Just sleep. Well, and snuggle.”

His wild eyes were replaced with a dopey grin. “Yea, I’d like that.” With a little nudge he motioned for her to lead the way. Her house felt like a dreamscape as he followed her into her room. He was ever the gentlecolt as he slid between the sheets with her, pulling her tight when she rolled to lay her head on his barrel. The drum of his heart sent her quickly to sleep.

Elsewhere

Applejack shucked her hat and saddlebags by the door. It had been a long hard day, the sun had set an hour ago and she was just now getting in. She found the family room quiet, but not empty. Big Mac sat in the corner with a dumb smile on his face, reading a book and drinking that cider of his, that he only brought into the house when he had either a very bad day, or a very good one. “What ya’ readn’?” she asked.

Mac had a caught in the act look for just a moment before shrugging and silently handing the book over so she could read the title herself. ‘Preening and wing massage for the non-Pegasus’

A Date

A subtle stir awoke Soarin. He had slept all night in the same position. Which was not uncomfortable by any means, just odd. He normally moved quite a bit in his sleep, but he was still on his back with the yellow mare tucked next to him, her head on his chest.

He picked the hair out from her face with a free hoof. Another small movement told him she was awake, though he suspected she was intentionally dozing in and out before making the resolve to get out of bed.

“Morning,” the soft voice called to him. It was followed be a little yawn.

It was a perfect moment and he had no desire to speed its end. “Good morning.” he replied. Laying his free hoof over her, he found it just reached the base of her closer wing. Rubbing little circles into the tender flesh, he felt her melt into him with a content sigh. “So, what are your plans for the day?” he asked softly

“Spa day. Rarity.” she mumbled into his coat.

Turning his head down, he brushed his lips across her forehead, giving it a quick kiss as he felt the soft fur. He used the motion for a moment to think. He had a good chance at a relationship with the beautiful mare. He needed to slow it down though, put a little space between them to make sure this wasn’t just a case of attraction by proximity. But for now, he would simply hold her as best he could with his cracked ribs.

The moment finally faded when Fluttershy peeled herself away from the warmth of her bedmate. It had been such a peaceful night’s sleep. Her muscles had started to ache for movement though, and she had her morning chores to do before heading into town for the weekly spa date. She giggled to herself at the thought of sharing the past few days with Rarity. She knew the unicorn would be in a flutter over the little romance.

Straightening her mane in the mirror, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched the stallion slide onto his hooves. He had been watching her since she had gotten out of bed. Normally so much attention would have been terrifying, but this morning his bright gaze was a welcome companion.

///

Soarin watched the butter-yellow mare ease out of bed. Her mane was a tangled mess, and that only made her appearance all the more endearing. It also seemed to be the first thing on her agenda to fix this morning. While she was tackling her bed-mane in the dresser mirror, he decided it was time enough to get to his hooves. He looked to the floor as he eased his weight onto his forelegs. The cracked ribs weren’t bad as long as his movements were gradual.

“How are you feeling today?” He heard her ask. A certain tone in her voice told him she had seen him wince.

“Better, I think.” he mused aloud, testing his own movements to see how the pain would respond. “Back is starting to cramp up a little, from not moving my wings... Need to stretch them out.” The compression bandages had done their job, but now he needed to start stretching his wings; gently of course, but all the same, they needed to move.

Fluttershy watched as he nipped at this bindings, trying to lose his wings from their restraints. She had put the bandages on herself, he would have a hard time getting them off. “Here, Let me help you,” she called with a melodic tone.

Soarin’s wings fell limp with the bandages as they hit the floor. He gave them a concerned look as he slowly tried moving them. With more effort that he was willing to admit, he managed to extend them out and gently move them through their range of motion. He still had some loss of range, though not as bad. He couldn’t quite pull them tight and a full flex was out of his ability too.

“You want me to give you a sports massage?” His lovely friend asked.

His head tilted slightly in question. “You know how to do a sports massage?”

Her smile came with a nod “Mmm hmm, chiropractic and shiatsu too. I work on the bears when they come out of hibernation. Their backs are always a mess.”

“You’re a well studied mare.” He said in surprise. “Yea, I’d love a good stretch”

Fluttershy moved a chair out of the way and told him to lay in the center of the room. He felt two hooves ease their weight onto his withers. Once a good portion of her weight was bearing down on him, she started a rhythmic kneading. The petrissage transitioned into manual stretching. With foreleg and wing she manipulated his wings. The therapy hurt, but it was a delicious sort of pain. She had an uncanny knowledge of when she had move the limbs to their limit. It was a trick all good massage therapists had. “How do you know when to stop?” he asked as she once again relinquished a stretch, at the exact moment the line between pleasure and pain gave way.

“You twitch,” she responded automatically. “It’s a reflex, you just have to know what to look for”

“Hmm,” Soarin chimed. With his mystery solved, he resolved to rest his head and allow his wings to be worked over. Wing massage came in many forms. This was definitely on the far side of therapeutic, not much different than what he regularly got from the large male Pegasus sports therapist that the team kept on staff. Wings are a delicate thing, extremely sensitive for good and bad. The right touch could send the toughest Pegasus into coos, or take them to their knees in agony. Allowing another pony to touch your wings was an act of absolute trust; it was no wonder that many considered the act tantamount to foreplay.

His wings being tucked back to their resting place and a few gentle kneads signaled an end to the massage. With the therapy complete, a long growl escaped his stomach as his body suddenly realized that he was a few hours behind his normal breakfast time.

“Goodness,” Fluttershy giggled. “I guess I’ll make breakfast first, then do my chores.”

Soarin sat on the sofa where they had embraced so franticly the night before, while gentle sounds echoed from the kitchen. The little critters of the house bustled about, looking for their morning feeding. He could hear her stop whatever she was doing and feed the pets as they came in turn to beg.

Fluttershy eventually emerged from the kitchen with a number of bowls in wing. It was a rather brunch like layout, large salad, eggs and toast. He was rather delighted to find the salad contained no small amount of mint and he ate at it greedily. About half way to the bottom of the salad he became aware of his sudden lack of table manners. He winced with embarrassment as he looked up to see what his hosts reaction was. She was obviously withholding a snicker when their eyes met from over the bowel, something in the moment of eye contact pushed her over the edge and she erupted in a sweet and rolling laugh.

Pulling herself together quickly, Fluttershy looked back at Soarin. He had a coltish look of embarrassment, with his ears and neck slightly lowered. “Sorry.” he mumbled once he managed to swallowed the mouthful he was working on. “It’s really good.”

Rarity watched her dear friend approach as she waited outside the spa. It was a milder day than it had been and she wanted to enjoy the sun before going in to their appointment. What surprised her was the she had a well-build Pegasus stallion walking, or rather limping, beside her. At times they were close enough that their wings touched.

“My dear who is your friend?” Rarity inquired with careful diction.

The two Pegasi exchanged a brief glance before Fluttershy spoke up, “Oh, this is Soarin.”

“A pleasure to meet you Ms. Rarity,” Soarin interjected. “I’ll leave you girls to your spa and go get myself a room at the inn”

He turned to part from them, but was paused when Fluttershy put a hoof on his shoulder. “You don’t have to. You’re more than welcome to...”

“I simply can’t keep imposing on you, I’ll feel bad,” he interrupted with earnest concern. “Though I would like to treat you two to a late lunch when you’re done in about....” he drawled out looking to Rarity for an answer.

“Two hours.” she finished his sentence.

“Good! see you then.” he chimed. Again he turned to leave, and again he was halted by a tawny hoof. But, this time no words of protest followed. Only a gentle kiss on his cheek. Then a loving voice told him, “See you then.”

Fluttershy watched him leave for a moment before turning back to her friend. Her display of affection suddenly dawned on her when she found Rarity stuck between jaw-droppingly shocked and manically excited.

Two mares sat in the sauna, by luck they had it to themselves today. Fluttershy had been slowly telling everything that had happened during the past few days, while Rarity hung on every word as if she could pull the story out faster. When the Pegasus got to where they had kissed, a distance dreamy gaze put even more space between the words of the story.

Rarity filled the gap, breaking her long edgy silence. “I told you, you were leaning on the bottle too much,” she chided. “But, really? You kissed him? Was he a good kiss?” The earlier tone of disapproval gone and replaced with excited interest.

“Yea...” was the only response she got to the question. The sauna already had her coat a slight orange tint, so she could only guess at the extent of the her friend’s blush.

Soarin sat patiently inside the spa, he had gotten there a bit early. One of the sisters that ran the place had given him a very convincing sales pitch when he entered. The promise of a long hot soak and a massage had quickly convinced him to make an appointment for the next day. Besides it wasn’t like he had much else to do.

A familiar laugh jolted him from the magazine he was reading. He looked up just in time to see the two mares emerge from behind the door that led into the inner sanctum of the spa. They were casually giggling at some unheard comment. “Enjoy yourselves?” he asked.

The two startled for a moment at his interruption, a knowing glance between them returned the smiles to their face. Fluttershy answered him with a glowing smile and a nod of “Mmm hmm” There was no restraining his expression. That smile was a boon by itself, but the already beautiful mare was radiant from her afternoon pampering.

Mechanically he snapped himself out of the stupor and spoke up again, “Shall we go eat?”

Daisy Duce had been the recommended place for a casual but nice dinner. Fresh food and some of the best hot tea in town. It was a small place, more seating outside than in. But the weather was nice, so he felt it was a good start. The food came to their little table in prompt time and he certainly wasn’t disappointed in either the ginger tea or the daisy salad he had gotten. The girls chewed happily on their meal in between conversation. He mostly kept quiet, only joining the conversation when he was asked something. He had his own question and he was building up courage.

“Would you like to go on a date tomorrow evening?” he blurted in between a lull in conversation.

Fluttershy’s face took a sunset hue before retreating behind her mane. His heart sank suddenly anticipating the word ‘no’. A wave of relief hit him when she nodded just a little and a “I’d like that.” squeaked out from the wall of pink hair.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a predatory grin sprout on Rarity’s face, he was a little worried about what she was about to do... she held still though, even as he could see wheels spinning in her mind.

“Meet me at Solaris at five then?” he said with as much confidence as he could muster, “I’m sorry I can’t pick you up. You’ll have to forgive me that much.” Dropping a few bits on the table for a tip he stood and excused himself. “It’s has been lovely, but I will leave you two to your day. I am going to get a bit of rest.” He had already walked more that he should have today. As much as the idea of laying down annoyed him, he needed to get off his hooves or he would be in no shape for tomorrow.

Rarity ushered Fluttershy into the inner sanctum of her shop; the idea room. Protests ran through the tawny Pegasus’ mind, but she bridled them for once. Her friend took such joy in these little moments and for her own part she really did want to impress Soarin tomorrow.

“How did he get reservations at Solaris on such short notice,” Rarity dithered as she scanned her shelves of fabric.

“I’ve never been there. It isn’t expensive is it?” Fluttershy asked blinking through an otherwise flat expression.

Rarity thought better than to answer the question directly, “I’ve been there a few times.” the seamstress paused as something caught her eye, inspiration twisted her face. “It is a small venue. Uncluttered and beautiful, all their meals are made of the best ingredients in equestria, no sauces or fancy spicing; only careful preparation.” Looking to her client, she sized her up to overlay the mental image. “That’s how they ended up here, in Ponyville, a lot of produce comes through our little town before getting sent of to the bigger cities. Here they can get food two days fresher than they could in say, Canterlot.

‘Oh” Fluttershy replied. It was a lovely review of the restaurant, but it really didn’t answer her question. She was about to revoice it when a bolt of fabric unfurled and draped itself around her. The color stunned her for a moment, deep indigo and her trained eye knew it to be natural hoof dyed pigment. The satin sheen of the tightly woven silk yarn made the color glow. “Rarity, this is beautiful” she beamed.

“Yes dear, it is.” the unicorn agreed. “It compliments your pelt and accents your eyes.” she continued as she examined the silk as though it were a glass of fine wine. “It will be an evening gown. We will not hide you beneath a layered dress, we will accent you with simple elegance.”

Soarin paid his tab at the little spa. A good spa was one of his guilty pleasures. Having free access to the Wonderbolts’ hot tubs and massage therapists had only made him more appreciative of the experience. He still wasn’t going to be running or flying for a few weeks, but he felt limber and refreshed.

Fluttershy’s friend had been a little too excited about fixing his problem of not having any formal wear. His early morning visit had gotten an excited welcome, she had rambled about some new stallions line she was working on. Which was convenient for him, as she already had several suits on the hanger, they just needed altering. She promised they would be ready by the time he got out of the spa.

The bell alerted the seamstress to Soarin’s return. The work had been done and she was just hanging the clothing back on their hangers, it was excellent timing. “Here you go sir.” she offered the bundle before he could even speak.

“Thank you so much. What do I owe you?” he asked digging into his saddlebag.

“I won't hear of it. You simply wearing my work out in public is payment enough.” she contested.

“Well at least take this then. From one spa-connoisseur to another” he passed her a stiff laminated card.

Rarity’s eyes widened in a smile “A day pass to the Canterlot hot springs?” she gasped in delight. “Oh thank you!”

It was nearing five. He had gotten there early, wanting to be sure and be first. If he couldn’t pick her up, he could at least escort her the last few meters to the door.

The summer sun hung behind him as he looked towards where she would come from. His eyes caught the movement of that pink mane and yellow coat. As she got closer and cleared the crowd another color struck him; iridescent blue, or purple, the color challenged his notion of both hues and it shined with a haunting luster.

Soarin sat in stupefaction as she approached him. Her hair styled just enough to give it a intentional bed-tossed look. The dress begged him to watch the fabric move in all the tight curves of her body. A simple cocktail dress that left her wings and tail unhindered, but worn with deadly intent. He could easily imagine he was meeting a heroine right out of a spy thriller movie.

///

Fluttershy found her date waiting for her at the corner near the restaurant. He sat and smiled warmly as she approached him. He was wearing one of Rarity’s suits that she had become so proud of. She had to admit it was a strikingly handsome suit; masculine, without crossing the line of machismo; serious, with a whimsical nod to an earlier time.

“Shall we go in?” he asked, presenting her a wing. The formal courting made her grin and blush. Offering her wing in return she followed him to the large glass doors.

Glass building would be a better description. Solaris was, in fact, a moderately large solarium garden. The plant life was lovingly cared for, to give the place an atmosphere that could only be called enchanted. A dozen or so tables were spaced wide apart, giving each the feel of a private garden.

An Earth pony in a bright yellow sundress greeted them as soon as they passed through the garden lobby. Her smile was as bright as her dress and her voice bubbled, “Welcome to the Garden Solaris.” She paused still smiling a warm welcome, never hinting at the need for a reservation.

“Soarin, for two. The Wonderbolts’ garden.” he answered the unasked question.

Without checking any list she nodded in acknowledgement. “Good to see you again, follow me.” she said as if they were old friends.

Fluttershy smiled and looked around the manicured atrium as she was taken to their seat. Everything about this place was the exact opposite of what she had expected from a formal restaurant. It was bright, full of life and the staff all had smiles. No dark tables with sullen waiters moving about like ghosts. Their journey ended at one of the many little garden clearings. It was large enough that one of the bigger tables could have fit in the space. But, tonight a table for two sat in the glade.

Her date pulled the chair out for her and motioned for her to sit. It was terribly romantic, she had never had a stallion treat her so formally before. Her head was still swirling around, her eyes taking in the fantasy landscaping. Eventually her gaze fell across Soarin, to find him looking at her contently. Her eyes reflexively locked onto his, invoking a subtle smile from him. “This is really nice, thank you.” she said in a low and cheery voice.

Looking to the table’s surface she found no sign of a menu. Soarin read her thoughts and offered an explanation before she found her voice, “There are no menus. It’s all chefs choice.” he explained.

Before she could comment two friendly looking Earth ponies sharply dressed in springtime colors deposited a tea service onto the table and tray of small snacks. With casual conversation they poured their tea and made friendly comments on the tidbits that they had brought them.

Small trays of food came and went from their table over the next hour. It was all delicious. Nothing she would call fancy, but everything done to it’s best. Comfortable silence reigned over most of the meal. Punctuated by casual discussion of the foods being presented to them and simple questions about each other's daily lives.

The dining experience was ceremoniously ended with a sweet burnt cream dessert that they shared. The meal concluded, Soarin stood and pulled the chair back for her as she stood. Again she blushed at the chivalry. Seeing only the healthy tip he had left on the corner of the table, she realized she had never seen the check delivered. “Where do we pay?” she asked. .

“We have a standing tab here. The team uses this place to court advertisers and dignitaries.”

Fluttershy winced at the thought of receiving such VIP treatment.

Leaving the Solarius he led her into the old market streets of Ponyville. “I thought we could just have a nice stroll,” he commented absentmindedly.

“That’s fine” she smiled at him. “It’s been a lovely evening so far.” He returned her a nod and smile.

Conversation flowed more freely between the as they paced the old streets of the market. It was all sweet nothings and compliments, but the two seemed hungry for each others voice. Soarin was summarizing his normal seasonal schedule when a little sign caught her eye; her secret little haunt. She suddenly had the urge to share one of her favorite escapes with him. “I want to take you somewhere, follow me.” she bubbled.

///

Soarin was a little surprised with the sudden declaration, but her excitement was contagious. As long as she had that happy look he would follow her anywhere. The trip however ended across the road at a short stairwell leading under the market street buildings. A gruff but not unfriendly looking stallion stood atop the stars. “Evening Ms. Shy. You’re dressed to the nines this evening. Who’s your friend?” The stallion looked over to him and gave a slight nod, a wordless acknowledgement of acceptance.

“This is Soarin, my date for the evening.” She said with a little bit of pride.

“So, what is this place” Soarin asked looking down the stairs. Both ponies replied by pointing at a small iron plaque on the wall that read ‘Nicker Blaines’ “It’s a bar, of sorts. You’ll see,” Fluttershy added. With that she lead the way down the stone steps to the door below, leaving the solemn stallion at his guard post.

The room was dark, lit by brass oil lamps spaced wide apart and hung at shoulder height. They seemed to cast shadows not light. What glow they did provide was intent on making every mare beautiful and every stallion mysterious. The smell of lacquered wood and liquor filled his nose long before his eyes adjusted to the room. When they did he found himself in a lounge of sorts. Dark wood, brass, and iron made up the walls and furniture. There was no shortage of walls or furniture ether. the whole place was a never ending living room. armchairs and sofas clustered around coffee tables.

There was a bar at the far end, but it had few patrons at it. The majority of the ponies were sitting comfortable, chatting, laughing, and sipping dark liquors from glasses. Faces hidden in shadows, but somehow he could see they were all smiling. She lead him through the maze to what he suspected to be her regular place, against the far wall deep in shadow, even for the dimly lit atmosphere, a sofa just big enough for the two of them.

They had no more that sat down when a unicorn placed two glasses of water on the little table in front of them, “Can I get you anything?” she asked.

“Two of the usuals, but make them short tonight.” His date replied. He could see the appeal of the place already. Live music played softly in one corner, filling the place with soulful jazz. A pony could sit in the shadows and enjoy the atmosphere without ever having to be seen. It would be hard to feel lonely here.

Two snifters each with a shallow pool of amber liquid found there way to the table before them. Taking a careful sip he found it to be a pleasant aged liquor; somehow it was the right thing to drink in this place. They sat leaned against each other on the sofa, nursing their drink and soaking in the other’s company. Their conversation followed no particular path, and long moments were spent admiring the music together.

“Are you going to sing for us tonight Ms. Shy?” a voice asked from nearby. Turning to look he saw it was one of the unicorns that had been playing on the stage just a moment ago.

His date tucked under her mane for a moment before looking at him through the vale. The eye contact seemed to rally her courage and she gave him a perfect smile before turning the the unicorn and nodding,”Yeah, I think I will.”

The musician let out a mellow but nonetheless enthusiastic “All right.” before following her to the stage.

Soarin was literally on the edge of his seat now. He had no idea of what to expect. This was all some secret little facet to the shy and loving mare that only made him want to know how deep her waters really ran.

As she approached the stage the lights were changed. Highlighting the band and leaving the fore-stage in shadow. When she took her spot in front of the band, the back light made her nearly impossible to make out. She whispered something behind her and the band started playing.

The she started singing, she sang to him. Through the darkness he knew she was looking at him. Soft and smokey her voice rolled through the room, bringing silence wherever it reached. She sang of love and sadness, cold nights and warm lovers. She sang more than one song, but he didn’t know how many. He was lost in time, the beautiful mare was his own personal siren and her was powerless in her spell.

He was still in a stupor when he realized she was sauntering back to him. She let out a little yawn before reaching him, “I think I ready to go home,” she mused.”Did you have a good night?”

Soarin collected his senses and nodded, “Yes, a very wonderful night.” Dropping a few bits on the table he stood, offering her his wing and escorted her back to the streets of Ponyville.

An awkward question faced Soarin as he walked down the street with his date, where does he go now? He couldn’t properly escort her home, going back to the spot they had met at seemed good, but Fluttershy seemed to have her own plan. He soon realized that he was following her more than the other way around.

Soon enough they found themselves at the inn. He realized she had wanted to make sure he got back safe. He knew she could fly home in a matter of moments, while it would take him a long while to walk back to the inn if he had taken her home or even half way.

Finding his door he turned to Fluttershy she was waiting calmly beside him. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said before leaning in for a kiss. When he pulled away he could still feel her on his lips and tongue.

Walking into his room he looked back expecting to see her already flying into the distance. Instead she stood just outside the doorway biting her lower lip and regarding him with devouring eyes. He pursed his lips to say something, but before words could form, a yellow blur met him, barreling them both into the bed behind him.

===

And sometimes there is a story After the end of the chapter. If you wish to look in on these two, you can find it filed away in with my other stories as.