500 Days of Flutter (Unfinished)


                                            Day 500

                                            >You stumble backwards, vision blurry.

                                            >Falling back onto the couch, you lift a hand to your nose, gently wipe your upper lip, and stare at it.

                                            >A red droplet trickles down your finger.

                                            >Explosions out the window. You turn your head lazily to see colorful bursts of light in the sky.

                                            >The grandfather clocks chimes a resounding BONG. Again, and again. Then nine more times. Midnight.

                                            >"Oh, Anon, are you alright? I didn't mean it! Here, let me take a look. I'm sure it's nothing! You'll be fine, don't worry, it's a little scratch, barely anything. I'm going to fix it right up and you'll be all better in no time. Next time don't get so close to me! I didn't know what you might do and I just reacted quickly. You have to be more careful!"

                                            >Between the explosions outside, the bell of the grandfather clock, and the ringing in your ears, you can barely hear her.

                                            >Your head is spinning, the room looks fuzzy, and you can't seem to focus on a single thing.

                                            >Fluttershy's pulling some white box out of the cabinet and fumbling through it. She pulls something out and holds your chin, turning your head to different angles.

                                            >After she examines you, she dabs your face with some kind of gauze.

                                            >When she pulls it away, you can see it's stained red.

                                            >Slowly, the world shifts back into focus, and you start to piece together the situation.

                                            >You're trembling now.

                                            >An all-too familiar sense of dread blankets you.

                                            >It's almost suffocating.

                                            >Your throat closes up.

                                            >You're fighting back tears.

                                            "Fluttershy," you choke out. "Did... did you just hit me?"


                                            Day 499

                                            >"Please tell me you're almost ready. I can't have you looking like a pig in front of all my friends."

                                            >You stare at yourself in the mirror as you struggle with your tie for the sixth time.

                                            >It has to be just right. If the length is even a little off, she'll notice.

                                            >She always notices.

                                            "I'm sorry, dear, I'm really trying to be quick. I know you want me to look good and get ready fast but it's really hard to do both."

                                            >Fluttershy floats into the bathroom, flapping her wings so she can be at your height.

                                            >She always wants to be at eye level. She can't stand being lower than you; heaven forbid you ever look down on her.

                                            >"Ugh, are you really this incompetent?" she chastises you, grabbing ahold of your tie and undoing the knot. "You would think having those gangly fingers would make this easier for you to manage, but noooo."

                                            >You stand there silently while she redoes your tie. In one fluid motion, she whips out a perfect full windsor.

                                            >Maybe you really are incompetent.

                                            >"Now let's go. I'm not going to be the last one to show up at the party because of you."

                                            >She flies out of the bathroom, and you hastily follow her, putting on your blazer as you leave.

                                            >Pinkie's annual New Year's bash. Should be fun. Like last year.

                                            >That was the night you and Fluttershy made your big announcement.

                                            >God, has it really been a year? It was all fun and light back then. You felt good. Confident. Now? Now, you're...

                                            >You watch Fluttershy in her evening dress as you follow her out of the cottage.

                                            >She really does look stunning in blue. She looks gorgeous in anything. You don't know how she does it, but that pegasus can pull off any outfit and make it look good.

                                            >Okay, maybe you're just biased.

                                            >You always thought she was the prettiest pony in all of Equestria. And you were absolutely shocked when she agreed to a date. You constantly wonder how someone like you ever landed a pony like her.

                                            >You don't deserve her.

                                            >The party is already off to a great start when you two arrive. Pinkie spent days decorating the town square for tonight and her effort really showed.

                                            >The pegasi made sure the night sky was clear for the fireworks celebration. Everything had come together for the perfect New Year's in Ponyville.

                                            >Fluttershy floats over beside you and wraps her hoof around your arm. "Now you be a perfect gentleman," she whispers, smiling and waving at her friends, "or you're sleeping outside tonight."

                                            >You smile nervously as you walk over to the girls with your beloved at your side.

                                            >Twilight is the first to greet you. "Hey, lovebirds, so good to finally see you two!"

                                            >Pinkie pulls the two of you in for a hug. "Welcome to my wowie-winter-wonderland-New-Year's-celebration!"

                                            >"Why thank you, Pinkie," Fluttershy says, cheerfully. "You've done such a wonderful job setting up this year's party." She jabs your ribs discreetly, the move obscured by Pinkie's embrace.

                                            "Oh! Uh, yeah, g-great work, Pinkie, it really looks like a blast," you stutter out, trying to come up with a compliment Fluttershy would approve of.

                                            >Pinkie pulls away from the group hug and beams at you in thanks.

                                            >Rainbow Dash comes up to you and bumps your fist respectfully. "Speaking of blasts, you guys gonna stick around for the fireworks show at midnight?"

                                            >That's still a few hours away, and the idea of socializing in front of Fluttershy for that long... just thinking about it gives you anxiety. You don't want to slip up.

                                            "I don't know, actually, I have to work in the morning—"

                                            >Fluttershy shoots you a subtle, but intense, glare.

                                            "But I- I think we can stay for the show. After all, it wouldn't be New Year's without a countdown kiss!"

                                            >You pull Fluttershy closer, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

                                            >The girls, save for Rainbow Dash, sound out an adoring "Awww" at your romantic gesture. You give your best proud smile, your arm still wrapped around your marefriend.

                                            >You're in for a long night.

                                            >The party carries on, and you engage in the festivities with Fluttershy at your side at all times.

                                            >In every conversation you're sure to drop constant compliments about her.

                                            >You mean them all, of course. She's every bit as wonderful as you're hyping her up.

                                            >So why does it feel so strange saying it?

                                            >The two of you are chatting with another couple. She's taken a break from floating at your side, instead choosing to stand normally.

                                            >You're finally starting to relax when, out of the corner of your eye, you catch a large white figure arriving at the party. You trail off mid-sentence when you see who it is.

                                            "Princess Celestia?"

                                            >She sees you. She's coming over.

                                            >No, no, no. This is bad.

                                            >Fluttershy immediately zips back up to your side, tightens her grip on your arm, and puts on her friendliest smile.

                                            >"Ah, Anonymous," Celestia welcomes you warmly, "it's so wonderful to see you. It's certainly been a while since we've spoken."

                                            "P-Princess? What are you doing here in Ponyville?"

                                            >"Don't worry, I'm not here in any official capacity. Twilight invited me and I decided I could pull away from the festivities in Canterlot to make a quick appearance." She turned to the pegasus beside you. "I did hear you've struck up a relationship with somepony in town. I'm glad to see it's a familiar face."

                                            "Yes! I'm dating Fluttershy."

                                            >Your response is unnaturally loud and stilted.

                                            >"Yes, she's certainly quite the catch. I doubt you could find a better mate than the element of kindness!" She chuckles affably.

                                            >You force out a laugh similar to hers.

                                            "Right! She sure is kind."

                                            >Fluttershy bats her eyes and leans her head on your shoulder. Her hair tickles your neck and you jolt in surprise, pulling away from her.

                                            >"Anon..." she stresses under her breath.

                                            >"Are you alright?" Celestia asks. "It's been a while since we last spoke, but you seem far less composed than I remember."

                                            "No— yeah! I'm great."

                                            >You quickly pull Fluttershy back in.

                                            "How could I not be great with her?"

                                            >You can feel the sweat accumulating on your forehead.

                                            >"That's wonderful to hear. Fluttershy, I hope he's been nothing short of a gentleman with you?"

                                            >"Oh, yes," she answers, squeezing your arm lovingly. "Just the best, in fact. We've been together over a year now and every day of it has been such an adventure. We're very much in love."

                                            >Celestia smiled. "Do I hear wedding bells?"

                                            "W-Wedding? You're coming to the wedding?"

                                            >You're visibly panicked now.

                                            >"Oh, you're already engaged?"

                                            "What? No! I mean, not yet, I-I—"

                                            >"Maybe you should go get me and the princess some punch, Anon," Fluttershy insisted firmly.

                                            "Right. Punch."

                                            >You excuse yourself to go to the refreshments table.

                                            >"Is everything alright?" Celestia asked. "He seems to be on edge."

                                            >Fluttershy forced a smile as she watched you walk away. "He's fine, just fine."

                                            >You're pouring a couple of drinks when Twilight comes up to the table.

                                            >"Hey, Anon! Saw you and Fluttershy talking to the princess."

                                            "Yeah."

                                            >You answer halfheartedly, wincing in embarrassment.

                                            >"Aww, what's wrong? Didn't make a good impression?"

                                            "I totally came off like a creep. I got all panicky out there."

                                            >"Why?" she asked, pouring her drink. "You met her plenty of times and behaved just fine. I mean, I was there."

                                            "Fluttershy..."

                                            >You whisper the answer, watching her and Celestia chat a little ways away.

                                            >"Awww... you got all excited to show off your marefriend?" She totally misread you.

                                            "Twilight?"

                                            >You're not quite sure how to ask this.

                                            "Have you ever noticed... Fluttershy acting different?"

                                            >"What do you mean?" she asked, looking over at Fluttershy and Celestia with you.

                                            "Different... personality."

                                            >"Yeah, I think I know what you're talking about."

                                            >You whip your head to face her.

                                            "You do?"

                                            >"Of course I do! Thanks to you, she's really started coming out of her shell. Just look at her!" Twilight pointed over to her, catching Fluttershy's eye. "She's frittering away casually with the princess like an old friend. And before she met you, she had such a complex when it came to flying. Now? She's constantly flying everywhere with you just so she can walk arm in hoof! It's so precious."

                                            "Right."

                                            >You sigh. You can't even trust your intuition anymore.

                                            >Fluttershy's noticed you just standing and watching her. She excuses herself from the conversation and starts heading over to you.

                                            >"You really should be proud, Anon. You've helped her so much."

                                            >Is that true?

                                            >"Hi, Twilight," Fluttershy says, reaching you, "Sorry, but we have to go. Anon's not feeling too well." She takes your arm and pulls you away, forcing you to leave the drinks on the table.

                                            >"Oh," Twilight replies, watching you leave. "Uh, okay. Feel better!"

                                            >Once you're out of earshot, here comes the admonishment.

                                            >Right on cue.

                                            >"What the hell were you thinking back there?" she scolded.

                                            "What, I—"

                                            >"Ugh, never mind. We'll talk about this at home."

                                            >She dragged you the whole way back to her cottage.

                                            >You could walk just fine, but she didn't seem to care. You always kept a stupid pace anyway.

                                            >She used to blame it on you having only two legs.

                                            >As soon as the door closed, it was on.

                                            >"What do you have to say for yourself?"

                                            "I'm sorry."

                                            >You didn't even know what for. Everything, probably.

                                            >That's what you do. Fuck up without even knowing it.

                                            >"You completely embarrassed me tonight! In front of all my friends! Just like I said you would! I can't believe you made us leave right before midnight! You couldn't keep it together for one measly night, could you? Now everypony's going to be gossiping about why we didn't stay for the fireworks!"

                                            "But... what did I..."

                                            >You're trembling. You hate seeing her angry. You're the only thing that makes her angry.

                                            >You're nothing.

                                            >"How about acting like a loser when we arrived? Or bringing up my looks to everypony we talked to? Or talking like an idiot in front of the Princess of Equestria?"

                                            "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was nervous at first, I kept saying you were pretty, I didn't know the princess was even coming!"

                                            >You can barely keep up with the accusations as she levels them.

                                            >"You moron!" she yelled. "She thinks you don't even like me! That's what you were trying to do, wasn't it? Send her a secret message that your marefriend's a bitch?"

                                            "N-No! Not at all! I swear I'm happy with you, I love you, I just didn't know how to say those things to her! She caught me off-guard, that's it!"

                                            >"Yeah? And what about when I sent you to get punch for me and her?"

                                            "I did! I had it in my hands!"

                                            >"You sure did! You were standing there with our drinks in your hands, talking to Twilight while the princess was waiting for you! You think your time is worth more than hers?"

                                            "No, I promise—"

                                            >"And what were you even telling Twilight anyway, huh? I saw her pointing right at me. You feel big talking to her about me behind my back?" She poked her hoof forcefully into your chest.

                                            "That's not it at all, I promise!"

                                            >You were weeping uncontrollably now. She's reduced you to a quivering mess.

                                            >"You don't want to marry me, do you?"

                                            >She was starting to cry now, too. Tears of sadness, tears of anger. It was all the same anyway.

                                            >"That's what you told the princess." She floated back away from you, a look of utter betrayal cast upon her face.

                                            "Of course I do! I'll marry you right now if I have to!"

                                            >"If you have to? Of—"

                                            "No—"

                                            >"—course that's what you'd say. You don't love me! You never loved me! Over a year together and it's all been a gigantic waste of time! The only thing you want is to make me miserable!" she cried.

                                            >You can't stand it anymore. You love her. You know it. She's everything to you. She's all you ever think about.

                                            >You weren't planning on doing it here, now, but all her jabs about you not committing to her... You have to show her none of that is true. It's time to prove your love.

                                            >You reach your hand into your pocket and approach her.

                                            >But instead of the impassioned response you were hoping for, you got only a blinding pain across your face in return.

                                            >The jewelry box flies out of your hand and hits the ground.