Chapters Discord wouldn’t stop staring at Fluttershy. Her face felt warm and the pace of her heart quickened as she sensed the motion of him taking another look at her. This was an ongoing process each night that they would eat together at her table fit for two.
Maybe it wasn’t her that he was looking at. It could have been anything over or to the side of her head. This was a possibility that she liked to think was the reason he kept raising his head in between pokes at his food.
That was another weird habit of his lately. It consisted of him poking around his plate with his fork, and every five or so jabs he would make a rather loud sound which was the annoying clink of his utensil meeting the china. This irritated her quite a bit—well, in the back of her mind it did.
Ruining her beautifully crafted porcelain along with her silverware was not something she tended to be necessarily happy about.
“Discord,” Fluttershy said, giving him a soft smile, “are you feeling okay?”
He looked up and furrowed his brows in confusion. She was not sure what he seemed to be confused about, though.
“I’m…fine,” Discord cleared his throat, oddly still looking at his plate.
“Okay…” she mumbled. “Are you not hungry?” This was a question she had to repeat for the last couple of weeks.
“It’s not that…I'm just a little tired,” he admitted and yawned with the usage of his best acting—along with a few mouth smacks.
“How can you be tired? ” Fluttershy thought to herself. “All you have been doing is sitting on the couch and twiddling with your claws… ”
Discord could hear this, he could hear everything that she was thinking. Whether it was a mumble, sigh, utter, and even a thought. Of course she did not know of this and was oblivious to this unknown sense of his.
“Discord you haven't been acting like yourself lately, what is wrong?” Fluttershy asked him.
“Well…” Discord began, but couldn't manage to get the words out for a few moments. “Are you angry at me, Fluttershy?” To this, she did not respond but simply turned her head away and her eyes were not filled with worry—they were vacant. Nothing from her mind or eyes revealed any emotion that could have been a hint for her mysterious unsaid response. He needed an answer from her, but there was not a possible way to get it from her if she kept staring blankly off into space.
He flicked his tail a couple of times and it eventually brushed up against Fluttershy’s side. She jumped up in surprise and made a small squeal. She covered her mouth to hide her hysterical smile. Her glare at Discord made him a little discouraged but he tried being more persistent with his attempt to get something out of her by flicking his tail once again towards her side.
“S-Stop!” Fluttershy demanded with a shaky voice that had a hint of uneasy laughter.
“Stop what?” Discord inquired innocently.
“I don't find this very amusing,” Fluttershy hid her face, mumbling.
“I don't think you find me very amusing either,” he sniffled and spawned a handkerchief with a single snap. A droplet of saltwater appeared in the corner of his eye and he dabbed it generously. Fluttershy got caught up in his little hoax and couldn’t bear to see him this way.
“I’m sorry, Discord,” Fluttershy apologized and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His cheeks flushed and he felt his tail whip on instinct. It seemed to have hit her somewhere on accident and he saw as a few strands of her pale yellow fur fly past him. “EEK!”
He wore an amusing look and took his tail as it flew back into his paw. It was very odd that his tail would do something like this at an oddly placed timing, but it definitely seemed like it was appropriate for his tail. Discord wouldn’t have had it any other way, but Fluttershy most likely could have.
Her face turned beet red and tears began to well up inside her emerald green eyes that were starting to turn glassy. A single sob escaped her mouth. Discord bared his teeth and felt a sliver of remorse as she turned around to storm off. A single red slash had been marked upon her once-unblemished behind. He rubbed his temples with a claw and banged his head on the table.
***
Fluttershy whimpered as she looked at the fearsome slash mark on her rum. A single touch with the tip of her finger and she felt a whole series of unbearable pain that made her want to scream into a soft pillow. Maybe that was what she needed. To sleep on all of this thinking of Discord and his bizarre attitude business with a comfortable pillow to rest her head on.
She could also think about it: what he was up to and why he was acting the way he has been for the last couple of weeks. There was one thing she knew for sure, and that was it had something to do with the encounter with Tirek. He had even asked her if she was still upset about his betrayal towards their friendship.
To be honest, she wasn’t sure what to think of it. Her heart had shattered into a million pieces when those cucumber sandwiches had fallen to the ground. It was because she knew. That look in his eye was something she had seen before and dreaded that she would see again one day.
Fluttershy had seen it coming but didn’t listen to the tiny voice in her head, the one that was the second opinion and rested in the back of her mind. She thought it was meaner and more brutally honest than her first opinion. It was why she did not use this often and tried her best to avoid it.
She shook her head and slapped her cheeks with water. This was something she would not want to ever think about again, but the voice in the back of her head told her different, as usual.
Yes, Discord did things on accident and found them to be something he would most likely do on purpose. It was a habit of his, but in good terms to where it would not be called a vice. Slashing Fluttershy’s backside wasn’t something he was necessarily proud of, although, he was not ashamed of doing so either.
He should have gone up the stairs and entered her room, apologizing with a fake sincere look which would most likely wrap up her feelings. The only reason it would be a false apology was because the chaotic brain of his truly did feel no remorse, just humor in humility of the poor girl—and he did not do this due to the policy of honesty that stuck on him annoyingly. Courtesy of Applejack.
“She might be asleep by now…” Discord said aloud. It was a possibility, though it was more of an excuse for him not to apologize. He sighed and did a real yawn, as he was very tired from arguing about this for the past hour in his head. Although his eyes were growing heavy, he noticed the table still had the contents from dinner. With a snap of his paw, the food and refreshments were gone, leaving an empty table with a beautiful silk cloth draping over it.
Discord now knew he was drained. Of course, it did not appear as he was doing something all day, he actually was. This morning, while Fluttershy was still asleep, a disturbance stirred in the Everfree Forest and a sense of excitement started to brew in Discord. He had gone to the middle of those woods and saw quite the commotion, and it only took a matter of time for him to fix a few problems.
It mattered none that Fluttershy thought he was doing nothing but, “Twiddling with his claws”. He only cared that she was not upset about the matter, because if she was, he could have boasted about it immensely as he usually did. Being humble and then noble the next moment was something he did most often.
Discord tried thinking no more so his head would clear and he could rest. Unfortunately, there was not one spell in Equestria that could help with that unless there was literal memory loss involved. It sounded like something he should make possible…but that could wait until morning.
***
The morning sun peaked over the mountains that rose above the castle in Canterlot. Fluttershy’s window pane let the sunlight pass through it and beams of beautiful sunshine gleamed onto her bed sheets. Her eyelids squeezed tight and opened to reveal her green eyes.
A small smile appeared on her face as she heard the birds outside her window chirp cheerfully, their musical notes carrying through the window. The more she thought about it, though, it didn’t seem very realistic as she did not usually wake up to sound of tweeting. As much as she would love such a morning routine to wake up to, it got chilly in the night and she did not leave her window open.
Throwing the sheets off her body and climbing out of bed, she opened her window and let the doors fly open. The birds remained on the seal and skipped around, but not once did they sing a single note. Her head titled to the side and her pale pink hair slipped off her shoulders.
“Well, although you do not make music, you are very beautiful birds,” Fluttershy sighed and brought out her finger. A bird hopped onto her index and fluffed their cyan wings, spreading feathers around them. Suddenly, the door opened rather dramatically opened and Discord came out—a tray full of steaming food on it.
“This is quite awkward, I was going to feed you breakfast in bed,” Discord chuckled. Fluttershy pressed her lips in a line and furrowed her brows.
“Is there something you would like to say to me?” Fluttershy cleared her throat. His expression went blank and he remained to stand there, seemingly to have his head in the clouds. She scanned over what he held. There was a glass of a dark orange substance along with eggs, a blueberry muffin, and some grits that seemed to be glazed over on some parts with melted cheese.
There was also something other than the drinking glass and plate, though. A piece of pale yellow paper was beside the two items. She blinked rapidly and felt as the claws of the small bird release its grip on her.
“Uh…I don’t know about you, but cold breakfast is something I do not stomach well,” Discord broke the silence by saying. Fluttershy’s face muscles relaxed and she dropped her arms to the side.
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” she said softly with a small smile. He hesitantly left her and she could hear his heavy footsteps on the stairs get fainter. “Huh…”
He had come up to give her breakfast, in bed . It was obviously stated by him and she still wondered why the single word of feed sent a strange shiver down her back. He had done it many times before, though. Surely was nothing different about this time, if he had fed her while she was in bed. Fluttershy had done it herself many times as well. Maybe it was just the fact that he had done it to say sorry instead of doing it for the exercise of kindness that she had done with him. This is what she told herself as she went into her bathroom.
Looking in the mirror, she saw sleep remain under her eyes and the friction in her hair that caused it to be a tad messy. There was also something else she tilted her head side to side trying to figure out. It her as soon as she looked down; she was not wearing anything but her usual undergarments. Her face turned beet red, but she took a hard swallow and ignored the whispers in the back of head.
After that, it took her little time to squeeze into a flush pink shirt and a pale yellow skirt that cut at the upper thigh. She pulled it down a little and sighed.
“Hopefully Rarity’s boutique is open today…” Fluttershy muttered. She closed her door behind her as she left her room, then skipped down the stairs. She hopped off the last step and quickly glanced at Discord, who was sitting at the table with his hands on his head in a very relaxed position. He looked up, seeing her very compromising outfit.
He seemed to be a little bewildered and coughed to cover up his growl. Fluttershy sat down next to him and saw the tray that Discord had brought into her room. The piece of paper was the first to be picked up. She tilted her head as she read the bold marker that was also oddly in neat cursive.
I’m sorry, Fluttershy, I hope you enjoyed the morning music and—this breakfast.
Beneath the writing was a picture of Discord putting a band aid on Fluttershy’s behind. She felt a little bubble of laughter pop inside her and a quiet giggle escaped her mouth.
“Thank you, Discord,” Fluttershy sighed and hugged him tightly. He embraced her back and the moment seemed to linger...
Words Aren't Enough
Soaking in every word from her book, Fluttershy’s pace became faster as she knew the novel was close to conclusion. It was her favorite part of reading, being near the end of a satisfactory book brought just that. She giggled and flipped to the next page, only to leave her with a ripped piece of parchment.
“Oh…” Fluttershy gulped slowly. She tried subduing the small sliver of frustration that started to boil. Taking a sharp intake of breath, the anger almost completely dissipated into a substance of relaxation—but, one of her ears twitched. “W-What…the horse feathers?”
Discord chuckling came to a slight halt as he watched in the disguise of the decorative lamp he had created beside his friend. His own eye twitched as he smelled something distinct.
“How unfair!” Discord huffed. In a blink, he escaped the lamp and was nose to nose with Fluttershy.
“Eek—!” Fluttershy yelped.
“How…how dare you!?” His voice shook.
“What?” What is it!?” Fluttershy’s irritation escaped like a hiccup.
“You’re in heat? For my sake, you could have warned me!” He stuttered. Fluttershy whimpered and a single tear was near departure. Her face then flushed and she closed the book, the smack of its closing so quickly made Discord flinch. He never cowered—ever. As he thought this, his eyes softened and realized how fast all this was escalating.
“S-Shut up!” Fluttershy choked and bit her lip as a sob escaped quickly after.
“Fluttershy…I apologize,” Discord sighed.
“How do I know you mean it?” she whispered. “I can’t take this any longer, Discord.”
“What do you mean?” his voice became blanch.
“You broke my heart when you decided to betray me. It really hurt, and you will never know how much...” Fluttershy cried, “…how much it really hurt me.” Discord let his claw briskly touch her cheek, and she did not flinch away.
“I can feel, Fluttershy, as much as it seems I cannot,” Discord said with a cool and soothing murmur. “Your friendship is more than I can handle, as no one has made me the way I feel about you.”
“Stop…” she sniffled and grabbed Discord’s wrist, “don’t you dare say it—that’s so selfish of you.” The corner of his mouth tugged up hesitantly.
“If anybody is being selfish, my dear, it is you,” he said simply, “do you understand what I am saying? I would kill for you.” Seeing it coming was nothing he used to avoid the blow, and Fluttershy had slapped him.
“And I would die for you, but never would I see death as an option of something used in terms of harmony,” Fluttershy whispered.
“You’re killing me,” Discord growled.
“Hey, Fluttershy,” a voice from her doorway startled her. She blinked and realized that Discord was long gone and the book was in her lap—the possibly once missing page no longer absent. Her shoulders drooped and her head tilted to the side.
“Hi, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy swallowed dryly and smiled faintly.
“Uh…you alright?” Rainbow asked as her wings beat the air and she made her way into the living room, then continuing to drop onto the ground—letting her wings rest.
“Yes…” Fluttershy closed her eyes and mumbled.
“Okay,” Dash squinted her eyes and cleared her throat for clarification of continuing. “I was wondering if you could watch Tank for the weekend. Twilight and I are going to Canterlot for some Princess business.”
“Sure,” Fluttershy blinked rapidly and nodded.
“Where’s Discord?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I don’t want to know,” Fluttershy laughed.
***
Discord wiped his eye, cursing, growling, and huffing as he made his way to Twilight Sparkle’s castle. Impatience grew rapidly and he snapped fiercely, making the sound of thunder echo throughout Ponyville. His loud steps created an earthquake in the Princess’s fortress, and the alicorn cocked an eyebrow as she saw the enraged creature coming towards her.
With no fear, she stared at Discord with annoyance.
“Not this bastard…” Twilight grumbled; elbowing Spike, who awoke with a snort and lazy eyes opening and closing.
“Did Rainbow Dash clash the continent’s plates again?” Spike sleepily mumbled.
“I wish!” Twilight hysterically exclaimed. “What in Celestia’s name do you want?”
“Don’t you be angry at me too, you ludicrous Princess of waving and smiling!” Discord snapped, jabbing a finger in her direction. Spike’s eyes fully opened and he looked away, snarling.
“What’s he doing here?” the baby dragon groaned.
“What is with you all!?” Discord’s voice cracked. Twilight’s eyebrows furrowed and she folded her legs, shifting in her throne.
“Why do you storm into the castle and yell at me?” Twilight muttered. “I have done nothing.”
“I could the say the same thing! I have done nothing to deserve this torment of glares and rude snarls!” Discord barked hysterically.
“Boo hoo, Discord,” Twilight giggled, “your life is truly troublesome.” The lord of chaos made an agitated groan and pulled at his eyelids.
“What have I done…?” He sighed.
“Well, I am not particularly upset at your presence or past betrayal…” Twilight admitted solemnly.
“It’s just…we all sort of saw it coming just not sure when—” Spike attempted to finish for his Princess.
“Spike!” She chuckled and held his lips shut with her magic. “If you feel exclusively offended, then I take it Fluttershy is still deeply upset.” Discord looked away from the direction of the circle of thrones.
“You need to give her some time to comprehend why you did what you did: betraying her like that,” Twilight explained. “We all still do not understand completely why. But, your motive was clear.”
“I did it for power…and it has flawed our friendship,” Discord said earnestly. Twilight grinned and blinked only once before shaking her head and chuckling.
“You and I are full of faults just like the decisions we make that affect our life—but we are not born this way and can only decide to live on with these faults that make us who we are,” Princess Twilight Sparkle told him.
“My fault?” Discord scoffed. “I feel that mine were sewn into my soul at birth.”
“Yes,” Twilight hissed, “I suppose it is like saying Rainbow Dash was born a homosexual.” Discord turned his head back at the alicorn and felt confused by the irrelevant statement.
“But, that doesn’t make sense…” Spike said, dumbfound.
“Rainbow Dash. She’s gay?” Discord’s eye twitched.
“Yes,” Twilight said loudly. “Hypocrite.”
“I have matters to attend,” Discord bit his tongue. “And I’m not gay!” He snapped and this time it was silent as he disappeared from the room.
The magic on Spike’s lips dissolved.
“He totally digs her,” he snickered.
“No shit, sherclop.” Twilight slumped in her seat.
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