The Heat

Chapter 6:

“So, you’re ‘aving your first heat,” Applejack chuckled as Fluttershy sighed. They were sitting in Fluttershy’s kitchen at the table. Fluttershy hadn’t felt like making tea but Applejack had graciously offered to supply the mixings and brewed a pot of Southern sweet tea. There was enough sugar in the teapot to caramelize a full set of pony teeth but it did not bother the two friends. For now, it was a welcome change.

Fluttershy sipped her tea. “Yes, I thought I had it under control, but then Discord…” She let her voice trail off and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment again. They had been moments away from the edge and to have Applejack burst in while she was pinned under the heat induced Discord probably didn’t look too good for her male friend.

Applejack winced. She was still getting used to Discord’s personality. She had realized, especially after the Tirek incident, that she and the other girls had not always been as friendly to him as they should have. Heck, most of the times they weren’t even polite to him so it was no surprise that he was able to be manipulated to the force of evil when 5 out of his 6 “friends” didn’t seem to really want to be friends with him. She and the girls were working on being better friends with the chaotic god and he had seemed to appreciate it.

“Yah, he’s a bit unpredictable,” she admitted.

“He didn’t mean to do this!” Fluttershy quickly defended her friend earnestly. She was taken aback by the assertive way she said this. “Um, I don’t think he meant to-”

Applejack held up a hoof. “Ah believe yah, Fluttershy. Prankster is one thing. Rapist-nah.” Fluttershy blushed. Applejack put on hoof on Fluttershy’s arm. “Listen here, the first heat is always the worst. If Granny Smith hadn’t been there for mah first, ah coulda turned out a total wreck.” Fluttershy relaxed as Applejack sheepishly admitted it. “Did ya get through any of Twi’s book?”

Fluttershy sighed. “Sorta. I got a bit preoccupied when the heat started. It was so hard to concentrate,” Fluttershy winnied. She glanced around. “Um, where did Big Mac put Discord?”

Applejack smiled wickedly. “They’re outside having a boy’s talk so we’re on the same page about this.” Fluttershy wasn’t sure how much of a talk the three could have when one only spoke in Yups and Nopes and the other could only squeak. But Applejack seemed confident so Fluttershy trusted in her judgement.

“So how long does a heat last?” Fluttershy asked.

Applejack sighed. “A few days.” Fluttershy groaned and rested her head on both hooves. “Were ya planning on tryin to stay in your room the whole time?”

“Um, kinda.”

Applejack laughed and gave her a hard slap on the back that made her almost choke on her tea. “Ah, no no no. Ya can’t do that. You’ll go crazy. You’ll have nuthin to do but focus on your heat. Nah, ya gotta distract yourself.” Applejack puffed out her chest with pride. “Ah always used hard work..but that might not work for ya,” Applejack admitted, noting Fluttershy’s slender figure.

Fluttershy contemplated that. “Well I guess hanging out with a friend might distract me…” Fluttershy began. Applejack suddenly reached over and shook Fluttershy quickly and she gave a startled cry. “What did you do that for?” Fluttershy asked.

Applejack gave her a stern look. “Not Discord.”

“I-I didn’t say anything about Discord,” Fluttershy protested but Applejack stopped her.

“Ah know, but your body is saying otherwise.” Applejack pointed out. Fluttershy looked down at herself and paused. Sure enough, her whole body shifted toward the nearest door to the outside. Even her tail was flicking agitatedly in that direction. She quickly readjusted herself to face her friend.

“Oh Applejack, what should I do? I don’t even know if I want to have any friends over after all of this happened! Everything here reminds me of something” Fluttershy moaned.

Applejack thought about it for a moment and then smiled broadly. “Well, what if we all hang out somewhere else?”

Fluttershy’s looked at her in confusion, “Like, Sugarcube corner?”

“No, no. Not even in Ponyville. Listen…”

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“Okay, all better now! Can I go talk to Fluttershy now?”

“Nnope.”

“Really, this is ridiculous. I’m fine!”

“Nnope”

“I’m not fine?”

“Nnope.”

Discord grumbled as he gave up talking to Big Mac. It was hard to converse with someone whose vocabulary consisted of only Eyup and Nnope. He glanced at Angel who was still eying him suspiciously. Big Mac had managed to get the rabbit to stop assaulting him for now. But the moment the big stallion’s back was turned, that deranged bunny would go straight for the throat.

Discord fiddled with the ropes again but gave up quickly. The Apple family was an industrious and strong willed family who didn’t quit easily. Their knots were no different. He knew he could just snap his fingers and wish himself away to be with his dear Fluttershy but part of him decided against it. It’s not fun being predictable and god like all the time. Plus, it gives me a chance to figure out what the heck happened.

He started at the beginning of his day. Woke up on the tower, ate a breakfast of plastic play pen balls, rode the leftovers into the throne room and skedaddled on a rainbow colored moped before the Fuzz showed up. Nothing unusual there. He mentally stroked his beard. No, this all started with Fluttershy.

“So...our friend Fluttershy is in heat?” Discord questioned.

“Eyup.” Discord raised an eyebrow at the stallion’s calmness.

“Ah.” Discord mulled over this information. A sharp twinge of suspicion made him narrow his eyes at Big Mac. “So you’re a colt too.”

“Eyup.”

“You wouldn’t have any interest in Fluttershy would you?” The words came out before he could catch himself. They came out a little darker than he would have liked to as well.

His mood actually darkened when the stallion started heartily chuckling at him. “Ehnope!” Discord was annoyed at the laughter but calmed down. I might not be able to understand certain members of the Apple Family, but I know they are all PAINFULLY honest.

Discord returned to reflecting. The weird started when I found Fluttershy. That amazing aroma around her. I felt like a bee to a flower. She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

Or maybe she was always like that, he thought with a smile. Discord hadn’t admitted it, but he did really look forward to their hangouts together. She tolerated his pranks and could laugh with him. I don’t feel judged or constrained with her. I think I am actually more free with her than I was when I ruled Equestria. He caught Big Mac smirking at him and Discord realized he had a stupid grin on his face.

He scowled at the colt but couldn’t shake the strangely warm fluffy feeling that had settled in his chest at the thought of her. We went to her bedroom and I locked the door...and I kissed her. He paused. He could still taste her on his lips. I kissed my best friend. And she didn’t stop me. “I kissed Fluttershy.” he announced out loud. She liked it.

Or did she? His brow furrowed. Well maybe she wasn’t willing at first. Maybe I did go a bit overboard. “She didn’t say no!” he argued outloud, “But I don’t know if she liked it.” He paused and grinned. “Of course she liked it. I’m Discord! I’m amazing at everything!” he announced, attempting to strike a pose but ended up flopping over onto his face.

Angel and Big Mac exchanged looks and continued to observe the Draconequus as was absorbed in his self narration. Discord ignored his audience, “Maybe I did go overboard,” he admitted, “She said she was scared of us?” He glanced over at Angel, “Fuzzball, do you know what she meant by that?”

Angel shrugged before lobbing a sharp stick at Discord which he caught with his tongue and chewed on thoughtfully.

Maybe she was scared that she could get pregnant. “Fluttershy is a virgin, right Angel?” Discord asked casually. He zoned out the angry shrieks and squeaks this question instigated as Big Mac was forced to calm down the rabbit before he could jump the cheeky Draconequus. Pregnancy was scary and I’m not sure I would make a really stable father. He smiled again as he caught another stick and swallowed it.

Fluttershy would make a most excellent mother...and a very desirable wife.

Wife? There was that thought again.He tried to shoot it down with mental lasers but it floated away quickly, leaving him to contemplate another aspect. Maybe she was worried about what other ponies would think of us if she had slept with me. Reputations were not something Discord was all that concerned about since he was used to basically doing what he wanted without worrying about the consequences. But Fluttershy was different.

Fluttershy deserved some type of normal family life. The thought of other ponies gossiping about her angered him but he finally dismissed the thoughts. Thinking is hard and I’m bored now.

“Well,” Discord stretched, snapping his fingers and turning the ropes into glitter, “This has been truly delightful but I’m afraid I must go to Fluttershy.” He eagerly shook a surprised Big Mac hoof and Angel paw, “But both of you...Absolutely fantastic conversationalists. Both of you. We must really get together for a guy tea of our own. Ta ta!” And with another snap, he disappeared in a pile of jelly beans.

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Fluttershy considered the idea. “You really think that’s a good idea, Applejack?”

Applejack nodded enthusiastically. “Ah course ah do. The change in environment will keep your mind off your heat. Besides,” Applejack added with a grimace, “This will finally get Rarity off our backs about never taking a girls’ trip. We’ll leave in the morning, get there, we’ll spend the day and night there and come back the next day. Good weekend trip”

“All the way to Canterlot.” Fluttershy said, almost dreamily, “I haven’t been on a vacation in a while. It would be nice to get away for a bit,” She admitted. Maybe it will give me a chance to actually figure out what I think about Discord. “When are we leaving?”

“Tomorrow mornin’ ah reckon,” Applejack admitted, “Once Rarity’s got an idea, ah know she wants to jump on it quick. We’ll all meet at Sugarcube corner tomorrow morning-”

“Oh goody!!! Where are we going?” A third voice exclaimed, causing both Fluttershy and Applejack to jump in their seats. Discord materialized right next to Fluttershy and immediately draped himself over her shoulders.

“Oh, h-hey Discord!” Fluttershy stammered, unprepared for the sudden physical contact shot of warmth up and down her body., “We-we were just-”

“We are going on a weekend vacation,” Applejack firmly stated, reaching forward to push Discord off of Fluttershy. He repositioned himself to avoid the cowgirl’s hoof so he was wrapped around Fluttershy’s front leg.

“Oh! A vacation! I’ve been wanting to go on one in ages. Being trapped in stone really does a number on your back. We’ll go pack our bags,” Discord smirked, “Applejack, you get yours.” He attempted to shoo Applejack away but she wasn’t having it.

“It’s a girls’ trip.” Applejack clenched her teeth and swung for him again.

Discord stuck out his tongue. “Oh picky picky! Fine!” He snapped his fingers and soon sported a very 70s style female blonde wig. “I do nails but I won’t be braiding anyone’s mane. That’s just too girly for me.” Discord caught Applejack’s hoof and pushed her by her head toward the front door, “So go pack your bag and Flutters and I will see you in the morning.” Discord shot Fluttershy a mischievous grin at the word “morning” that unnerved Fluttershy and made her heart skip a beat.

Applejack stuck to her guns. “You’re not coming.” She tried to push Discord’s paw off her face, but the height disparity made it very difficult for her to do so, leaving her to swing at the empty air.

Discord snorted. “Oh posh, it’s a friends’ trip. Fluttershy, surely I am allowed to go?” His question was met with silence. He coughed awkwardly and looked over at Fluttershy. She wasn’t making eye contact with him. “Um...Flutters...I am coming with you, right?”

Fluttershy bit her lip. “Well...um...maybe...I don’t think so. I think this is going to be a girl’s trip. Without you.”

The silence afterward was crushingly awkward to say the least. Discord quickly recovered and cleared his throat. “Well, ahem, yes, I guess based on certain circumstances and other pony opinions- that I suppose some female alone time might be called for.” He attempted to laugh as he said this as he quickly disentangled himself from Fluttershy.

“You don’t mind?” Fluttershy asked carefully.

Discord waved his hands dismissively as he backed out towards the door. “No, what me? No. Don’t worry about little old me. I’ll be fine. Just fine.” He walked to the door, opened it, stepped through and shut it after him.

Applejack and Fluttershy exchanged a concerned look before Fluttershy trotted over to the door and knocked on it. “Um, Discord. You’re in the pantry.”

Discord reopened the door and sheepishly grinned. “I knew that. I know everything,” he insisted as Fluttershy walked him to the door. “Like how many woods can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? And the number of licks to the center of a Tootsie pop!” He reached the door and his shoulders sagged.

Fluttershy sighed, “Discord...”

“31 woods.”

Fluttershy approached the Draconequus. He didn’t look at her but shuffled his feet awkwardly. “Discord,” she took his paw and he looked up at her hopefully, “We’ll talk when this is all over. I promise.” His ears sagged and his head drooped down to her level.

“Fine...fine...I’ll do it your way.”

Fluttershy felt guilty seeing the dejected Draconequus and quickly leaned forward toward him and planted a small peck on the cheek. He look up eagerly and reached for her only for her to quickly shut the door in his face and knock him down the steps.

“I’m sorry, Discord!” Fluttershy called from the house as he sat up from his fall.

“93 licks!” He called back triumphantly before he vanished in a rain of muffins.