The Pains Of Love

"Now, Fluttershy. Dash, AJ, and I play ball pretty hard. Are you absolutely sure you want to join in?"
>She's obviously skittish about the whole thing, but nods resolutely
>"Yes, I'm sure."
>Shrugging, you wave at the other two ponies already out on the field to signal that you're both coming in
>Dash and AJ know what Fluttershy's like, you can all simply pull your punches around her and play normally otherwise
>You're sure it'll be fine
>Jogging over, you quickly dive into the action and get into a rough three-way scramble for the ball
>It's complete chaos as the three of you kick and tackle your way across the field, no one ever having control for very long before someone else steals it away
>After a little while, Dash and AJ have each scored once, and you're all sweating and exhausted
>Except for Fluttershy who's been doing nothing except watch from the sidelines
>You know you only have a brief window left before the game ends to tie things up so you aren't the only one who hasn't gotten any points, excluding Fluttershy, obviously
>Pouring every ounce of energy you have left into the game, you manage to steal the ball and make a break for the goal
>Kicking as hard as you can, you watch in anticipation only to have your shot veer wide
>Unfortunately this puts the ball on a direct path to Fluttershy
>Screaming out a quick "DUCK!" you're confused when you see her start to look around the field eagerly
>Her eyes go wide in fear as she catches sight of the incoming projectile a split second before it hits her square in the face
>You're already sprinting over to her when she drops to the ground and curls up in pain
>Getting over to her, you can hear her whimpering and holding back sobs
"Oh, fuck. Fluttershy, are you okay? Why didn't you move?"
>She whimpers even more and looks away through her tears
>"Thought there was... little duckies."

>You can feel your heart about to burst from sheer adorableness overload
>Leaning down as Dash and AJ run up beside you, you grab her chin and tilt her face toward you to check for injuries
>Fluttershy is lucky and manages to not even have a black eye, just a red mark and a bit of a bloody nose
>You tell the other two as much when they ask how she is
>Guilt wells up in you regardless, and you grab the bottom of your shirt to dab gently at the blood until it's cleaned off
"I'm so sorry, Fluttershy. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
>She smiles through the tears and shakes her head
>"It's okay, Anon. It was an accident."
>When she sniffles you can't resist scooping her up in your arms and hugging her to your chest, getting a squeak as a result
"You're too nice for your own good. C'mon, let's go get some ice cream."
>"Oh, that's okay. I don't want you to feel like you have to."
>With a smile you press a finger to her lips and shush her
"We're getting ice cream and that's final."
>Blushing faintly, she gives you a shy little smile
>"O-okay."
>After you say your goodbyes to the other two, you walk over to the ice cream shop with Fluttershy cuddled against your chest the entire time
>She looks so happy and comfortable there that you couldn't bring yourself to put her down
>The adorable way she occasionally nuzzles into your shirt only reaffirms your decision
>After a short time you have your ice cream and get settled onto a bench, Fluttershy seated on your lap
>It's surprising how much she seems to enjoy being close to you, especially since she's such a shy pony
>Though lately you've been seeing a lot more of her since she's started to tag along to some of the various sports and athletics you like to do
>In fact, she's gotten hurt a few times because she was tagging along
>Though luckily it was never anything serious
>You'd comforted her then as well, even though you hadn't been at fault for those
>Her sad, doe-eyed look manages to bring out your protective instincts every time

>Still, it was odd that she would continue to come along after getting hurt so much
"Hey, Fluttershy. Why do you keep going with us to these things when you always seem to get hurt? It doesn't look like you have much fun, either."
>She glances away awkwardly and stammers a bit
>"Well, um, as long as my friends are having fun, I'm happy."
>You scoff, shaking your head in bemusement
"Yeah, but you don't need to put yourself in pain for that. Honestly I don't get why you want to be there."
>Her lip quivers and her eyes start to water as she bows her head in embarrassment
>"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a burden, I just..."
>Fluttershy looks like she wants to say more, but can't bring herself to do it
>You were regretting bringing it up
>All she probably wanted to do was spend more time with her friends, and here you were criticising her for it like a complete asshole
>Immediately you pull her into a tight hug to try and convey how sorry you are
"Shh, it's okay, Flutters. I'm glad you're here.
>Petting her mane gently, you smile down at her
"Besides, you're too cute not to have around."
>Blushing fiercely, she buries her face in your chest and mumbles something into your shirt
>You chuckle and set aside your mostly neglected ice cream, not really minding when Fluttershy stays cuddled against you
>It was nice, just sitting there and holding her with no words needed
>These quiet moments with her somehow always manage to be the highlight of your day
>Eventually she leans back to look up at you and breaks the silence
>"Anon? I have a, um, bit of a confession."
>You wait silently as she gathers her courage
>It was unusual for Fluttershy to be doing something like confessing anything and you didn't want to scare her off
>"Um, you asked why I keep going to things where I get hurt. And the truth is..." She takes a deep breath and rushes the words out. "I like it when you take care of me. I'm sorry please don't hate me!"

>Looking away in fear of your reaction, she squeaks in surprise as you pull her in a tight hug and give her a reassuring squeeze
"Is that all? To be honest, it's kind of nice for me too."
>She stares up at you with wide, astonished eyes
>"R-really?"
>You nod and give her a sincere smile, holding her close
>With a happy little squeal she returns your hug, and you feel a comforting warmth grow in your chest
>"Could we maybe do this some more, then? If that's okay with you, I mean."
"Minus the part where you get hit in the face, I assume."
>That gets a giggle out of her
"Yeah, I think I could find the time."
>She squees and presses against you, hugging you as hard as she can
>It's still not very constricting since pegasi are light even by pony standards
>Your hand moves to her head and starts stroking her mane almost unthinkingly, but once you realise what you're doing you don't really feel like stopping
>Fluttershy seems to be enjoying the attention as well, judging by the quiet but obviously pleased noises she's making
>The two of you spend the rest of the afternoon that way, simply sitting together and cuddling as you enjoy each other's company
>You're sure there are going to be many more days like this one after today