Cucumber Sandwiches

by RarityTookManehattan

Rating: everyone
Tags: Angel, Romance, Fluttershy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Random, Discord, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 1561

It's been a while since Fluttershy and Discord have met up for one of their tea party, cucumber sandwich get-togethers. After an accidental reminder of recent events, their meeting takes an unexpected turn.

It's been a while since Fluttershy and Discord have met up for one of their usual tea party, cucumber sandwich get-togethers. Determined to be a better friend than ever before, Fluttershy pulls out all the stops - but after an accidental reminder of Discord's betrayal, the meeting takes an unexpected turn.

Short story written for the fluttercord prompt tag :pinkiesmile:

Published 2014-10-31 21:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-31 21:40:02 UTC

Visiting Fluttershy

Celestia's sun shone through the cottage window as Fluttershy gently floated from room to room, preparing her home for Discord's first visit since the fateful events of a few months earlier. Angel squeaked at Fluttershy indignantly as she took his favorite cushion in her mouth and placed it upside down on top of the lampshade.

"I know it's not how you're used to it, but I'll be putting everything back to normal in an hour or two," Fluttershy gently soothed. "I just want to make sure Discord feels as comfortable as possible. He obviously felt we were suppressing his... chaotic nature, so maybe if I try and be a bit more welcoming of his true personality he won't resent us any more." With all her strength she tried to pull her armchair into the air so that it'd be upside down when he arrived, but after a few desperate tugs she decided maybe it'd be ok simply lying on its side on the floor.

Angel starting angrily squealing again and Fluttershy hesitated in her task of arranging flowers on the light fixture.

"I know you think he doesn't deserve me as a friend... but really it was my fault for not being a good enough friend to make him happy." Her eyes began to water and she gulped a little. "But that's all going to change!" she added with determination.

Angel hit his paw against his face and once again started squeaking but Fluttershy gently interrupted.

"Discord is a good friend, Angel, so please try and be kind to him when he arrives," she implored, her teal eyes sadly staring down at him. Angel rolled his eyes and hopped up the stairs, grumbling.

After a few minutes Fluttershy glanced around at her normally tidy home.

"Oh Fluttershy, this won't be chaotic enough for him," she quietly chided herself.

The armchair lay on its side, its cushion removed and balanced precariously atop the lampshade - which she'd decorated with a mishmash of random ribbons she'd borrowed from Rarity. The rug which normally lay on the floor had been awkwardly pinned to the roof, where it hung threateningly above Fluttershy's head. Flowers were arranged in unusual positions across the room: poking out of the bird house, threaded through the light fixture, peeping out of the bare floorboards and even in Fluttershy's hair. Random objects were strewn across the floor and decorated the walls, from acorns to yoyos with even the odd xylophone. The overall effect was a jarring kind of mess; a strangely orchestrated disorder that drew your attention in every direction.

"Ooh and I almost forgot!" With her gentle hooves she pulled a Discord-shaped lamp, specially bought from a trader out of town, and placed it on the table in the center of the room - probably the only piece of furniture which remained in its previous position. She added a little flower to the Discord lamp's head; then removed it; then added it again. Just as she was about to deliberate some more a knock sounded at the door. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she floated towards the sound.

With a deep breath, Fluttershy took the handle and pulled the door open. Of course, stood behind it was Discord - freshly dressed in a dark suit with a small gift in his hand.

"Why if it isn't everypony's favorite pony!" was Discord's typically exuberant greeting. Fluttershy couldn't help but smile and blush, even though she was sure it wasn't true. "A gift for you, my dear," he added, slipping a small bouquet of rainbow colored flowers around her wrist - a sort of unique corsage. Her smile faded a little and she looked up at him, puzzled.

"Th-thanks... but, what's this for?" she asked nervously. He blinked back at her for a few seconds then regained his composure.

"Why, I wanted to surprise my bestest friend of course!" he cried, snapping his fingers at the word "surprise" and creating a shower of confetti and streamers not unlike that produced by Pinkie's party cannon. "Though if I'd known you'd already have a flower in your hair perhaps I wouldn't have bothered..." His right paw gently stroked her pink hair before he realized what he was doing and quickly snatched his hand back. Fluttershy's heart skittered and there was a brief moment of silence before he jovially exclaimed: "Let's go in then shall we?"

When he entered the room, Discord was surprised - and amused. Clearly she had made some feeble attempt at creating chaos, possibly in an attempt to make him feel a little more comfortable in her home. Her efforts, while poorly executed, were nevertheless undeniably... what was the word...? Endearing. He instantly changed his outfit to that of a business-like quality inspector, with a hard hat and a pair of spectacles, which he pushed to the end of his snout-like nose.

"Some excellent chaos," he lied, making notes on a clipboard. Fluttershy's face lit up and Discord felt an odd sensation, like his heart was melting into pink goo.

"Really?" she asked, smiling. "I wasn't sure if I'd got it quite right..." Her voice trailed off and Discord couldn't help but feel there was an underlying note of tension.

"Should we eat? I've brought the cucumber sandwiches!" Discord exclaimed, snapping his fingers and producing a tray of perfect cucumber sandwiches in the air. He was horrified to see tears well in Fluttershy's eyes as she quickly turned away. Alas, too late he realized that the harmless delicacy would be a reminder of his betrayal of the ponies to Tirek. With a sigh, he clicked his fingers and they vanished once more.

"Fluttershy..." Discord began.

"It's ok," Fluttershy told him, with a quiet sniff. "I... of course you'd bring cucumber sandwiches. It's our tradition." She gave him a watery-eyed smile that didn't quite seem genuine.

"No, it's not ok," he pointed out. "I betrayed you, and I never should have done it." He conjured a tissue out of the air and gave it to her. She took it gratefully and dabbed at her eyes.

"It was my fault," she mumbled, her voice sounding miserable. "If I was a better friend it wouldn't have happened." Discord's heart sank and he placed a claw under her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Now listen to me, Fluttershy," he began. With his spare paw he brushed her hair out of her eyes and she blushed. "What happened was in no way your fault. Nopony could be as good a friend as you are." She looked as if she was about to object. "But-" she tried to interject. "No buts!" he told her. "I could never hope to be worthy of your friendship... of your... love." Her heart faltered. "All I can ask is that you forgive me and, more importantly, forgive yourself. What happened was my fault, not yours. I don't think anything bad in the world could ever be your fault," he added softly.

Fluttershy glanced down at the ground, feeling a kind of warmth she'd never really experienced before. Nopony had ever said such nice things about her. I could never hope to be worthy of your friendship... of your love. Discord's words echoed around her head. What did he mean by that last part? About... love?

"I'd better leave," Discord mumbled, a dark cloud literally hanging over his head. With a snap of his fingers, Fluttershy's cottage returned to normal and the cloud vanished. He was about to teleport away when a certain pale yellow, soft pony jumped forwards and wrapped her arms around him with enough force to make him fall onto the floor. Luckily he made a soft mattress appear in time for them both to land on it.

Turning his head, Discord found a pair of glittering turquoise eyes staring into his own. His heart jittered in his chest and he couldn't help but smile hesitantly. Fluttershy gently leaned her head towards his and kissed him.

Thousands of tiny fireworks set off all around the couple. Fluttershy slowly pulled away and smiled warmly at the little display, giving a tiny giggle.

Discord felt there was a genuine possibility he'd explode with happiness.

"What're you writing, Fluttershy?" asked Scootaloo to the distracted pegasus. Fluttershy - sat with an untouched daisy sandwich outside the cafe in Ponyville - looked up in confusion, a pen in her mouth.

"Huh?"

The three Cutie Mark Crusaders took the opportunity to peer over Fluttershy's shoulder at the letter she was penning. Their eyes widened as they scanned the page before Fluttershy had the chance to snatch it out of the way.

"Was that... a love letter?" asked Apple Bloom.

"N-n-no..." Fluttershy stuttered unconvincingly.

"Fluttershy has a very special somepony!" cried Sweetie Belle.

"Awwwww!" crooned the Cutie Mark Crusaders in unison. Fluttershy blushed and folded the letter up, carefully placing it in her bag.

Discord, watching unnoticed from behind a newspaper at another table, laughed quietly.

"Discord, Lord of Chaos, Fluttershy's very special somepony..."

He smiled and returned to his newspaper.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Was only gonna do one scene but I couldn't resist adding the last bit with the CMC :scootangel: it's my first one-shot so I hope you liked it :pinkiesmile: tell me in the comments what you think! :heart: