Ever Growing Friendship

Written By: Cloudline Dasher

Edited By: Bytestorm

Chapter 17: Scent of Home

The many nights his mares had spent in his home had made the old wood take hold of scents that associated the home to his herd members. A deep lemon that was often used to clean with. The couches, and his bed, contained the scent of Fluttershy's pet shampoos she would often use on her animals. Lyra would often visit Bonbon, and would come home smelling of candy. All of those scents now ingrained into the home made it almost impossible to feel alone in the house. It had been a month since Lyra left for the Royal Euphony, yet the house had barely lost any of those fragrances. Trace was thoroughly reminded of the time she spent with him in his house, as well as the many nights Fluttershy had stayed.

However, another scent had become much stronger, one of another family member; Thumper. The small black bunny had a nice little bed in the corner, and a bowl filled with carrots. She was no longer a baby rabbit, but still rather young; most likely a teenager, as far as bunnies go. Trace turned his attention away from the sleeping bunny in the corner to the fireplace. The spot hadn't been lit since the last couple days of last winter. All the hearth was at the moment, was an empty hollowed area covered in burnt marks that no amount of scrubbing would help.

Too lazy to check the time, Trace guessed it had to at least be two or so in the morning. Fluttershy had reluctantly left for home around midnight, unwilling to leave him alone, despite the fact that she knew her animals needed her. The heat of the night indicates it is well into summer time. A sigh escaped Trace as he brought a glass of warm milk up to his lips. He had been coasting the past month, and the only time he really enjoyed himself was when he was with Fluttershy. His days were pretty much; finish work, go see Fluttershy.

Knowing full well that Lyra didn't want them coming until the show in Canterlot, he doubted he would last much longer without her. Glancing down to his left hand, he eyed the tickets once more, engraving the date into his mind. The first day of autumn the Royal Euphony would be playing in Canterlot hall. Everypony of importance would be there, Celestia, Luna, the Elements of Harmony, Cadence, Shining Armor, and most likely many others. It was technically just another gig, but a separate section was set up just for the so called 'higher ups', and thanks to Fluttershy, Trace would be sitting with royalty.

Upon receiving the tickets in the mail from Derpy, the local mail mare, Trace's mind raced. On one hand, the tickets gave him an exact time for when he would get to see her again. On the other hand, it made him impatient and unwilling to wait two months to see here again. Trace and Fluttershy both received letters on a weekly basis, and they both made sure to share what the other would talk to Lyra about.

Deciding that sitting here sulking wasn't doing any good, as well as the heat contributing to his discomfort, a shower was in order. Finishing off his glass of warm milk, he discarded it into the sink and then off to the shower. Once removing his only clothing, his boxer shorts, he stepped into the shower. Turning only the cold water on and slowly easing his way under. This cold water was almost unbearable, especially since how hot he was, but he didn't care; it was a welcome relief. After the shower, it was off to bed, hopefully he could sleep this time.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

Fluttershy's Cottage-

After being convinced to go home, Fluttershy reached her cottage around thirty minutes after midnight. Yet she didn't feel tired, all she could manage was to think about her herd members. Sure she missed Lyra a whole lot, but her years of caring for her animals instantly set her mind on Trace. Common sense told her that missing Lyra couldn't be helped, but comforting Trace could. All she could really piece together in her mind was that Trace was here, and even if she couldn't feel any better about missing their third, maybe, just maybe she could help their stallion.

Topping off the animals water bowls for the night, Fluttershy's mind kept wandering to new random smells since Lyra and Trace had started spending random nights over at her cottage. Lyra's was easy, she often enough smelt of candy and baby powder. The minty unicorn would, often enough, use powder on her hooves to handle the Lyre. Lyra had admitted once that she often felt awkward playing with magic, she just didn't know what to do with her hooves when she used only magic on her lyre. That was why she used her hooves to play instead of magic. Using her magic to levitate the Lyre, but plucking the strings with her hooves. Trace, however, was a tad bit harder; working with his hands meant his scent changed with the job. Sometimes he would come home smelling of wood, depending if he was fixing a roof, or creating more closet space for a client. Other times he smelled of sweat, which came to be a familiar, and rather intoxicating scent.

Blinking a few times, Shy noticed her water pail was empty and the bowl on the wooden floor was full and the floor soaked around it. Taking another deep inhalation before sighing gave the loving Pegasi one more whiff of her herd members, before she went for a towel. After the mess was cleaned, she found herself sitting in the middle of her living room, and for the first time, it felt empty. The large multi-bedroom home felt almost haunted. It still had various animals traveling the home that stayed in various parts of the cottage, but without her herd around, it just felt... empty.

Locking the door to her cottage, she skipped the stairs by flying up to her room and closing the door. Nosing her way under the covers, she curled up, her eyes glancing over to the window. She knew sleep was probably impossible, she would still need her sleep for Trace and her animals. Despite her full mind and her body betraying her by making her think she was hungry, sleep finally befell her.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

The next day:

Knock! Knock! Was all Trace's mind caught as his eyes cracked open; not sure if it was animals, or someone at the door. Either way, continuing his sleep was futile in this heat. Even with the shower from last night, he yet again smelled of sweat and salt. Without an A/C unit of his own, the house remained hot and humid, keeping it impossible to stay clean. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, once again knocking was heard. Knock! Knock! Knock!

Grunting loudly, the groggy human got up, lazily making his way to his clothes from yesterday. Unwilling to dirty clean clothes with his sweaty body before another shower. Once fully clothed in his usual blue button down, and his tan work pants, he made his way to the front door. The door made a creak as it opened, the hinges crying out from this dry humid air. Trace rubbed sleep from his eyes as to make sure it was actually who he thought it was at the door, “Fluttershy? You're here early.”

“I took care of the animals and... and I thought I would come with you today!” Fluttershy had a big smile on her face, but as to if that smile was fake, was a total mystery to the brown haired human.

“I have several jobs today, and with this heat, I'm trying to keep them to a minimum. Though, everyone keeps having problems with their central air unit...” Trace frowned, just knowing everyone is fighting over his expertise.

“That's OK! I'll be your assistant for the day!” Fluttershy giggled with that same smile once more. Which this time it made him suspicious, but quickly disregarding the feeling, knowing that spending the entire day with her would be fun. Not to mention if she got tired, she could just go home and he could finish the rest. With a chuckle and an honest smile of his own, Trace nodded, “Sure, I don't have to leave for a little while. I'm going to get a shower so I can start fresh.”

Stepping inside, the yellow Pegasi quickly went for the couch, “I'll be here when you're done!”

Heading down the hall and too the shower, Trace's mind made a note to Shy's odd behavior, 'I bet she misses Lyra as much as I do. I'll just see if she doesn't mind me staying the night tonight. I could even bring Thumper. She is always running the air for her animals, it'll be more comfortable there.' Shaking his head, he sighed, 'I shouldn't use her for the comfort of air conditioning.' Trace grinned as he stepped into the water, 'but if it keeps her from being lonely, then AC is a plus.' He couldn't help the short guilty chuckle, and quickly pushed the thought to the back of his mind, for now.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

Later On;

The first couple jobs went by fairly quickly, which usually meant working in sweltering heat inside a house to hopefully fix a ponies central unit. Most homes that had a magical imbued AC unit usually meant that a component could no longer endure the magic keeping the unit going, and those were easy fixes. Thanks to Twilight's library, and her help on understanding the technical specifications of the machines, the magical ones seemed like a breeze and were fixed within minutes. However this current one, was of the electrical variety and needed to be fixed in a hurry, seeing as it was in Sugarcube corner, and not having it meant products going bad in the store. The Cakes pretty much had to pick and choose what they could put out to sell and shove as much as they could into their fridge, and the freezer they have down in the basement. It was the whole reason Trace decided to do this one as soon as possible.

Even with the sign turned to closed, a line was formed outside, with dozens of ponies demanding a slice of ice cream cake. Ms. Cake enlisted Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in selling as much as they could, but without the air working, they couldn't distribute it as fast as they would like. They couldn't place the ice cream cakes and their frozen pies without them melting. Wiping his brow, Trace was about to reach for his tool box, but was stopped by Mr. Cake, “Just tell me what you need, the girls can handle the rest.”

Immediately thankful in the enthusiastic aid, Trace held out his hand, “I need a 1/8th inch wrench.”

Within seconds Mr. Cake hoofed over the appropriate wrench. Deciding to add small talk, Trace smiled, “So you know your tools, Mr. Cake?”

“Just a little. I've been fixing this unit for a while now, but lately it just seems out of my league. I'm good with tools, but I'm no expert.”

Trace was a little astonished he was being so honest about it, back in his world, most men wouldn't admit not being able to fix something. Then again, this was Equestria, and other than herds, gender roles didn't really seem the same, let alone all that important. “I'm just happy these things are similar as the ones in my world, and the magical units don't seem all that difficult. I don't understand magic, and I probably never will, but the basic mechanics seem like an easy fix, and magic does the rest.”

“I've never dealt in the magical stuff. It's a lot cheaper to have a magical unit, but if you're not a unicorn, it can be just as expensive to have a unicorn come out to charge it...” Mr. Cake admitted, hoofing over a screwdriver that Trace had pointed at.

“Yeah, a couple of unicorns were telling me about them. I was thinking of getting central unit in my home, but I'm not even sure if I want to stay there anymore.” Trace admitted without really thinking about what he was saying.

Blinking in confusion, Mr. Cake tilted his head, “Are you not happy here in Ponyville?”

“I'm very happy here, Mr. Cake, but I just don't want to get central unit if I'm not gonna stay there. Fluttershy has her cottage, and if the relationship works out, I can't picture her leaving to move in with me. Most likely I would have to move in with her, and she already has central unit.”

“Trace...” Mr. Cake whispered as he nudged Trace's shoulder, but he didn't really notice as he continued, “It would be far more beneficial to move in with her, that is if she even would like me living with her.”

“I would love for you to move in, Trace!” An oh-so-familiar voice filled the air, followed by the AC unit kicking on, blasting his hair back in a sudden burst of cool air. Trace froze before slowly turning to face Fluttershy, “Shy... I was just talking, I didn't mean...”

His yellow mare's excited expression faded into a worried sadness. Out of fear of hurting her feelings, he quickly and nervously chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck, “I mean, I just don't want to move in without talking it out with both you and Lyra.”

A small grin formed on Fluttershy's face as she replied, “Okay, we will write her a letter then.”

Deciding it better not to continue the issue for now, Trace stood up and closed the panel to the AC unit, and used a rag to clean dust and grime from his hands, “All done here, this AC should last for a while, but the way it looks, it may be time for a new one.”

Mr. Cake seemed to have a saddened look on his face as he answered, “Yeah, but we are trying to make this one last until the new one arrives. We can't close shop until then because we would lose business.”

“Just give me a call if you need me, I know Sugarcube corner depends on keeping the food cool.” Trace stated as Mr. Cake dropped a bag of bits into his hand.

The tall human was about to offer to help put out the foods, but before he could, Mr. Cake started, “I know you are busy, we have it from here. Thanks again Trace for arriving on such short notice.”

Waving goodbye, not even getting to enjoy the cold air from the now working AC unit, they were out to their next job.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

At Fluttershy's cottage:

Along the way after the last job, Trace had asked if he could spend the night and Fluttershy eagerly accepted. They had dropped by Trace's home for clothes and Thumper, and after that, went straight home to Fluttershy's. They were greeted by Angel and Thumper's mother upon entering, and they scurried off outside. A sigh escaped the tall human as he plopped down onto his herd member's couch. Even though Fluttershy was pretty much just along for the ride, and didn't do much more than to pass him the appropriate tool, he could tell she was exhausted. She tiredly jumped onto the couch before laying her head across Trace's dust covered tan pants. He was about to protest because she was going to get dirty, but as he eyed her form, it was clear she was already dirty from sweat, dust, and grime. Working inside AC's was definitely dirty work, and dust often enough collected inside. Not to mention whenever you had the casing open when it kicked on.

Looking up to the ceiling, a thought occurred to him, he had never showered with Fluttershy yet. It was always with Lyra, but now that they had spent so much time alone together, Shy could possibly be comfortable enough with him to take a shower together. He spoke in a tired and soft tone as he asked, “Shy, would you want to shower with me?”

The yellow mare's ears flickered as she lifted her head. She looked up to her stallion and gently nodded, “Yeah, I would love too.”

In the past month, Trace was surprised at how much more confident Shy had become with him. He could still make her blush pretty much on command, but he could tell she seriously trusted him and was comfortable around him. Then again, a shower wasn't much different than standing in the rain for a pony. They didn't wear clothes, so it probably wasn't a big deal to bathe together, even with somepony that are just friends. Either way, Trace could tell they needed a shower, and he was too physically exhausted to wait.

Upon entering the bathroom, Fluttershy headed straight to the shower, using her hoof to turn the water to an appropriate temperature. She turned as she watched Trace undress, a small blush crossing her face. After he was stark naked, he couldn't help but chuckle at her, “What's the matter, still not used to me being naked?”

Scratching the floor tiles with her hoof, Shy adverted her gaze, “When I look at other ponies it's normal to see them naked, but you are always wearing clothes... and when you are naked, it just feels... naughty...” that last word seemed to make Shy cringe as if she were cussing, but Trace could tell she was slightly aroused by it. Her wings were slightly stiffening with her arousal.

He loved Lyra, but he couldn't help but love the fact of how tempestuous Pegasi were and being able to clearly tell her emotions by her wings. He couldn't help but chuckle at her adorableness, but when he did, Fluttershy looked at him with hurt in her eyes. Getting down on one knee, Trace gently placed his palm to her cheek before guiding her head to his, and connecting their lips. The loving mare didn't hesitate to return the kiss, her hurt quickly forgotten, her wings stiffening even further. Trace never knew why, but after a long day, and with all of his muscles sore, no matter how tired he was, that was always when he was the most aroused. The kiss slowly broke apart as they both panted from loss of breath, “How, how tired are you, Shy?”

Fluttershy cutely blinked suddenly, marked with a hint of confusion, “A little, why?”

Wanting to be subtle about mating, especially since they hadn't truly mated since that day in the sauna, Trace brought his lips once again to hers before lightly pecking her lips, “I know it'll probably feel weird without Lyra, but...”

She seemed to catch on quickly as a blush quickly crossed her expression and her wings stiffened even further. She didn't verbally say anything, but gently nodded, “I... I agree, but I don't know... Let's get in the shower, we are wasting water.” She seemed hurried to dismiss it and jump in the shower, so he didn't push, following his mare under the water. Once under, they both started to wash. Trace could tell Shy was distraught about it, and the air was thick with awkwardness. After a couple moments however, Shy's soft voice could be heard, “We couldn't do it... in the shower... could we?”

Surprised by her sudden and rather forward question, Trace couldn't help but ask, “Lyra and myself have; why?”

He could tell she was keeping her face hidden, all he could see was the back of her head and a bunch of pink mane, but that couldn't stop him from hearing her speak, “I... I hear that sex in the shower... washes away any natural lube, and...” Fluttershy seemed to trail off at the end and her words becoming more and more inaudible.

“Shy.” Was all he could say before she continued, “and it becomes hard to do in the shower...”

Sure it was slightly harder, especially due to the loss of lubricant thanks to the water, but Trace wasn't sure why was she asking, “Where did you hear that?”

“A... a book...” Shy quietly murmured.

“Couldn't quite hear you.”

“A b-book...” Shy managed to spit out.

Intrigued by what she could possibly of been reading, he just had to ask, “What book?”

Truly embarrassed at the question, silence was all that could be heard besides the shower. After several moments, Shy answered, “Let's finish... and... I'll show you...”

Hurrying to clean off, Trace couldn't help but let his mind run wild, 'I wonder what she has been reading. I can't picture her reading anything that graphic. Maybe it's just a how too book? Twilight seems to have a lot of those in her library.'

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

After the shower and in Shy's room:

Even in the AC cooled cottage, Trace wore a pair of tan shorts and a blue sleeveless undershirt. He sat on the floor, his back leaning up against the foot of Shy's bed, watching her eye her book shelf. He couldn't tell from where he sat, but apparently there was another row of books behind the front ones. The ones in front were mainly cook books, animal care, and how to sew books, all hard copies that looked like they were professional and very expensive. However, what she pulled from behind those was an inexpensive soft copy and seemed to easily be three hundred or so pages long. She gently held the book in her teeth, unsure to let Trace see. Laying the book down, he was about to reach for the book, before Shy stopped him by placing a hoof firmly on the book, “I've never shown anypony this... When I still lived in Cloudsdale I came across books that Pegasi would write about unicorns and Earth ponies.”

Falling silent for a moment, Shy gathered her courage before continuing, “My parents were fighting, and they were upset that I had fallen to the ground during Rainbow Dash's race at junior speedsters. Dad wanted to send me to Cloudsdale rehabilitation camp.”

“Rehabilitation camp?” Trace asked with a raised eyebrow.

Looking up to her stallion, she didn't know quite how to explain, “Some higher class Pegasi think the ground is contaminated, that if you touch it, you become...” She trailed off, seemingly searching for an appropriate word.

“Impure?” Trace asked.

His yellow mare gently nodded as she started once more, “Dad wanted to send me away so I could be purified. When ponies go there, they are... twisted when they come back... As if mentally forced to hate the ground. They sent Rainbow Dash, but she ran away after the first few days. Mom refused to send me, not wanting me to run away also. She never did have the same hate toward the ground, and that ended up in my parents’ divorce. Mom won full custody and Dad was out of our lives.”

“I'm sorry Shy.” Trace held up his hand to halt her, “I'm happy to be learning about your past, and am very sorry that you had to go through that; but what does this have to do with the book?”

Looking from the book up to her stallion, a small embarrassed grin could be seen, “Well, I think... the reason mom didn't hate the ground like the rest was... well, she liked to write. I found her books that she liked to read for inspiration.”

“What kind of books were they?” Trace grinned.

“Most of the higher class Pegasi hate the ground, but that is just because they strongly believe in tradition and keeping Pegasi pure, most have accepted getting along with Unicorns and Earth ponies. Some even write, Landscape Erotica.”

Crossing his legs, he couldn't help but chuckle, “Landscape Erotica?”

“Some pegasi fantasize living and falling in love with unicorns or earth ponies, and write books about it. With Rainbow gone, and not really knowing how to properly fly yet, I didn't have any friends. I turned to books as my only friends. Mom never knew I was borrowing her books.” Shy calmly stated, a pang of embarrassment and guilt marking her features as she gently released the book on the floor, allowing Trace to pick it up.

“A Pegasi's Passion?” He questioned as he eyed the cover of the book. It was a picture of a faded green Pegasus laying on her back in a bed of different colored rose petals. Next to her head hovered a full rose stem and all, clearly encased in Unicorn magic. The book clearly seemed old and well read, definitely read several times with its use. The book's spine seemed like it has spent most of its life open and when it wasn't held closed, it would force itself open. The pages turning to a random place each time. A book mark stuck out from the top, marking Shy's last place she had looked in the book.

Shy remained quiet, her eyes adverted off to the side as Trace used a finger to open the book to the page Shy had left off on. It was a picture of the unicorn and pegasus, apparently lovers. Once again the Pegasi was in the rose petal covered bed, but this time she sat up against another pony. A dark, almost black, purple unicorn. His hooves wrapped around the pegasus' torso, his mouth on her neck, clearly scrapping her neck with his teeth. The picture wasn't naughty, but it could be questionably suggestive. Similar to some of the books Trace remembered from his world. It was definitely enough to arouse somepony, without raising the adult rating of the book.

Suddenly a yellow hoof gently pulled the book from his hands, gently placing the book off to the side, “I would like you to read that, if, if you don't mind.”

“I'll read it.” Trace grinned, more than eager to show interest in something Shy was into.

Upon agreeing, his lips were met with Shy's, and the kiss quickly deepened into a romantic embrace. Fluttershy broke the kiss, her hooves being thrown around her stallion's chest, holding him close to her, “I love you Trace.”

“I love you too Fluttershy!” Trace chuckled as he held her close.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

'Lyra Heartrings,

Usually we send letters to you separately, but we thought it better to ask together in the same letter. Trace and I want him to move into my cottage, and we wanted to include you in the decision and also the invitation to move in when you come home. We received your tickets to the Canterlot world’s fair, and we will most certainly be there. I hear all of my friends will be there thanks to the free admission from Mr. Melodic Whistle, wanting Royalty, along with the Elements of Harmony, to attend. So honestly along with your tickets, I now have two of them. I gave one to Spike seeing as Melodic Whistle didn't include him for some reason.

Love,

Fluttershy

P.S. Thumper says hi and she misses you very much.'

'Dear Lyra,

I'm not very good at writing letters yet. I hope the Dear didn't make it seem too much like were just friends or something. I hadn't planned on asking Fluttershy about moving in, at least not until you returned, but she overheard me talking to Mr. Cake about it. Anyway, I've talked it over with Shy, and if you say yes, I will move all our stuff over to Shy's and you can just sort through your stuff when you get back.

Love,

Trace Lawrence

P.S. Just thought I should mention if we do move in with Shy, I will probably sell our house. Don't know what else to do with it...'

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

Upon completing the letter, Trace had placed the envelope with the proper stamps into the mailbox, raising the flag for the mailpony in the morning. He had walked to the mailbox wearing his simple boxer shorts and blue t-shirt, which he didn't pay it much heed since Shy lived on the outskirts of town, and ponies usually went stark naked. Stepping back into the cottage, and up to Shy's room, he found the pegasus easing her way under the covers for the night. Without needing any invitation, Trace lifted the sheets momentarily, sidled up to his mare.

Trace loosed a comfortable sigh, hearing the cooling unit purr as it shot a cool breath throughout the home. Taking a small sniff, he glanced down at Shy, and her eyes connected with his. He took a mental note of her familiar fragrance. She didn't smell so much like her animals shampoos at the moment, but smelled strongly of her favorite flower shampoo, rose petal, maybe with a hint of sweetness, like honey. Trace blinked when Fluttershy suddenly drove her face into his neck, and felt her deeply inhale as she nuzzled him firmly, most likely taking her own mental note of his scent.

Sure enough the yellow pegasi was taking him in. Though they took a shower together, and smelt of her favorite shampoo, he still contained his musk. A small, intoxicating shiver ran down her spine as she pressed herself as much as she possibly could against her stallion's chest. Since he was laying on his left side, it was fairly easy, as he was pretty much encompassing her smaller frame. They both sighed as they noted that a third smell seemed to be missing. They hoped that seeing Lyra at the show in Canterlot would be sufficient to tide them over until her return.

The comfort one another offered just by simply cuddling together, seemed to be enough, as they were lulled off to sleep, both with a deeply engraved picture of Lyra in their minds. As well as the fragrance they refused to let out of their memory.

Author's Note

Check out my tumblr everypony! http://cloudline-dasher.tumblr.com/

Okay, like I was hoping, we finished this one far more quickly. ten days instead of thirty XD both Bytestorm and my schedules have been hectic, but hopefully we can be a little more efficient with the stories. Sorry for the wait everypony and stay tuned for the next chapter of 'EVER GROWING FRIENDSHIP'

:D