Even a Monster Has a Heart - Part Two - Dawn's Light (WIP)

>Clean. That's the first word that comes to mind when you look about at this restaurant's décor. Rarity had pestered you incessantly to attend Ponyville's newest and most chic little eatery and you had found yourself with no choice but to give in, assuring her you'd report back with a suitable summation.

>It was all straight lines and minimalistic colour tones and materials, the kind of ultra-modern look sure to appeal to the hip young crowd. Still, it afforded a nice view of the town's fountain, watching ponies go about their day. Especially that rather eye-catching yellow pegasus... Fluttershy? Yes, it's her and she's coming right towards you, looking quite pleased about herself.

>You set down your coffee cup, looking forward to a chance to meet with her. You hadn't seen her over the last few days since she called that night.

>You catch her eye and she halts suddenly, freezing on the spot before retreating behind her long pink tresses. Sitting back into your chair you sigh to yourself before gently waving her over. She does come but it's haltingly.

>Fluttershy takes a seat directly opposite you as a single eye peaks out at you. "H-Hi Anon..." You're almost sure you can hear sniffling from behind that hair.

>"It's good to see you again. How've you been? I haven't seen you since..." She lets out a little sob and you curse yourself internally for bringing that up. "No, forget about that, you've changed. You just go ahead and tell me how you are."

>She takes a moment to compose herself, bringing a hoof up under her hair. "Um... I-I'm okay... There's a new... family of squirrels that... moved in yesterday..."

 

>"Alright, that sounds nice. Have you got room for them, are they okay?" You reach a hand out to her little yellow hoof resting on the table but she snatches it back at your touch, glancing from your hand to your face rapidly.

>This isn't going to work. You get up from your seat, that eye following you as you move to one next to her, sitting down and putting an arm on her as she tries to shy away.

>"Fluttershy, stop. You've changed, remember?"

>There's no sound for a moment but she does nod.

>"Alright. So that means we can be friends now, okay? And friends like to spend time together. So why don't you tell me a little about this family of squirrels."

>That yellow face pokes out a little more, a tiny smile on her lips as she starts. "Well, um, they said their home in the... Everfree Forest was destroyed by a... um, manticore so I'm taking care of them until they can find somewhere..."

 

>Your hand trails down her mane, her little sniffles stopping as you do so. "That's great! You housing them, not their home being destroyed I mean."

>She giggles softly, a more genuine smile creasing back her lips. Seeing her like this gives you a little idea.

>"You know, I wouldn't mind seeing this new family."

>She gasps suddenly, retreating back under her mane. "B-But you'd have to... come out to my home!" You feel her start to shiver.

>"And?" The shivering stops at your gentle tone.

>"You... you don't mind?"

>"Fluttershy, I told you, you've changed. I trust you now." You give her as wide a smile as you can, your hand running through her mane once more.

>She pushes her head out fully, showing a smile matching your own and watering eyes. "R-Really?"

>"Yes." It's that simple. You put your hand on her hoof, this time she doesn't flinch. "Now, will we go?"

 

>The walk to her home is quiet but not any kind of awkward silence. You feel at ease around her now and by the way she walks at your side you presume she's a little more confident of being with you.

>Under previous circumstances, you'd never really appreciated how beautiful a location her house was situated in. With the small creek just outside it and the trees all around it looked just another part of the landscape. Animals scampering and flying about naturally helped its image.

>Fluttershy pauses at a few of the creatures, enquiring as to whether they've enough food and that some of the more boisterous ones are behaving themselves around the smaller animals. You feel a little pang of regret that it's taken so long for you to be able to see this side of her.

 

>She leads you on into her house, a white rabbit waiting for her, tapping a foot impatiently. Seeing you his eyes bug out and he makes a series of gestures to Fluttershy.

>"No, it's okay Angel Bunny, he... he's here because he wants to be. Right, Anon?" She turns, showing a hopeful little smile.

>"Yes I do. And I really am glad I decided to come out, it's a beautiful day for it."

>She beams down to her pet. "See? Didn't I tell you?"

>He begrudgingly offers a nod before beginning his tapping once more, gesturing to her kitchen repeatedly.

>"Oh, excuse me Anon, I just need to get Angel's dinner."

>You nod and proceed into her living room as she makes her way into the kitchen. The couch she owns is particularly comfortable and sitting down you take an opportunity to look about. You'd only been here once before... her unpleasantness but now you've got a real chance to appreciate just how homely it feels.

 

>Across nearly every inch of the walls are birdhouses and other homes for various small creatures. What space is left unoccupied is taken up with paintings and photographs. You spot among them a group shot of Fluttershy and her friends, one of what appears to be her parents, a family picture of the Apple family and... ah yes, the one that was taken not long after you arrived here. Each of the girls had wanted a picture taken with you. And it looks like that's the only one she has of you. One where she's sitting next to you, both of you smiling.

>Light clopping comes from off to your side and you see Fluttershy trotting in, brandishing a bowl of what looks like mixed vegetables and greens. She places it down gently in front of Angel who sniffs at it, frowning, before taking a smile bite. Satisfied, he lays into it amidst some of her giggling.

>"Now you take it slow, okay Angel? You don't want to get a tummy-ache."

>She looks up and spots you, giving a soft 'oh'. "W-Would you like some... um, tea?"

>You nod, smiling. "That'd be nice, thank you."

>She turns and trots off lightly into the kitchen. Yes, she's definitely looking in better spirits already. You sit back into the couch, listening to her soft humming over the sound of the kettle coming to a boil. Light clopping, more humming and the sound of water being poured followed by Fluttershy carrying a tray back in.

>She sets it down and sits next to you. You'd half expected her to sit on one of the chairs off from the couch but you're glad she doesn't. There's no need for her to.

>"So, Anon, um... how are -you-?"

 

>She pours out two cups as you tell her about your new job assisting Rarity with various errands as well as being taught how to help in some of her sewing. Fluttershy sits listening intently, taking little sips from her cup now and then.

>You prompt her to tell you about the new squirrel family and she goes into a little story about walking along near the Everfree Forest, keeping a check on some of the animals that live near or just inside it when they came running out, looking horribly upset. Naturally, she'd offered to take them in to her home and had been keeping them since.

>Over the course of the conversation she scooches a little closer and leans up against you, still sipping her tea as you do the same, enjoying the simple pleasure of her company in a way you'd never been able to before.

>She bolts up suddenly, looking at you very intently. "I-I'm sorry!" Her eyes start to moisten. "I-I-I didn't mean t-to touch you like that!"

>A gentle hand on her shoulder stops her before this goes any further. "Don't. You were just relaxing while you were talking right?" She gives a hesitant little nod. "And since I was right next to you, you naturally started to lean up against me. It doesn't mean anything."

>She takes a shuddering breath, shaking her head. "B-But it does... to me. I... I still like you, Anon. I like being close to you. E-Even though I know... I shouldn't..."

>"There's nothing wrong with that." She still shakes her head. "Look, it's okay that you like me and once you're not forcing anything I'm even okay with you touching me."

>Her features soften greatly hearing that and she turns to you. "Really?" You nod. "You don't mind i-if I... um, lean against you or... t-touch you with my... hooves?"

 

>You take one and hold it in your hand. "As long as you keep them out of places they shouldn't be we'll be okay."

>She giggles softly at your words, eyes drying up. "Thank you, Anon..."

>"I should be thanking you, you know. You're the one who did all the work. You took the first steps and now we can share this."

>A tiny blush rises to her cheeks and she looks away. "I-I didn't really... do anything..."

>You turn her face to you, very gently. She's smiling a little smile. "You let go, Fluttershy. You overcame those urges and let go of that part of yourself. Like you say, you still like me and that's not a problem." Did her eyes always look so soulful, so... pleasant to look into? Surely not. "And who knows what the future might bring, right?"

>Her mouth slips into an 'o' and she whips her head away again. "You... you don't have to say that... Just to make me feel better... I mean..."

>"And I'm not. A lot has changed since I arrived in Equestria." You give her hoof a gentle squeeze and feel it wrap around your hand slightly. "We've all changed in our own ways. So let's you and me keep in touch and we'll let happen what happens. By itself."

>With her head still turned away she nods slowly. "J-Just friends, though."

>You don't answer, save to take a little sip of your tea as she looks back.

 

>You don't stay a lot longer after that but it's early evening by the time you leave. Fluttershy stayed seated by you and you sat and listened as she talked about some of the animals she'd be setting off into new homes and such.

>It was nice to relax and get away from the bustle of the town like this and when you did leave you told her you'd be back again, if she didn't mind.

>She assured you she didn't.