Author's Note

This Chapter contains no sex and is SFW. I would love to hear feedback on this as it is my first work and I'm looking to improve. Hope you all enjoy!

Confrontation

Chapter 2: Confrontation

Almost two months have passed since Discord and Fluttershy became more than just friends. Things were going better than they could ever imagine, but something kept eating at Fluttershy. She had yet to tell Twilight and the others about the new development and it kept chipping away at her because she felt like she was almost lying to them by hiding their relationship from them. Fluttershy would never intentionally lie to her best friends that had been with her through everything, but she knew they wouldn’t react well to her taking things to the next level with Discord; and why should they? He had stretched their trust very thin ever since the Tirek incident when he had betrayed not just them but all of Equestria.

She understood their concerns very well without even having to talk to them. They had all been very edgy around Discord and seemed to put up walls against him so they didn’t get any closer to him than necessary. In fact, the main reason they even came around him was for her sake, even Twilight who had saved him from Tirek solely because she knew that Fluttershy would never forgive her if she didn’t regardless of the betrayal no one deserved to be prisoner to anypony. Still, she knew that she couldn’t hide it from them forever, and it was not fair to Discord to make him keep things under the radar.

Fluttershy looked at herself in the mirror, she had a few bags under her eyes as she hadn’t slept well for a few days now from worry. Sure she was learning to be more assertive but that didn’t make facing her friends with something she knew they wouldn’t approve of any easier. She wiped her eyes to help get the sleepiness out of them. She went to a water bucket she had for her use in the mornings to splash her face with and stuck her whole face down in the cool water allowing it to envelope her in its gentle touch. When she finally pulled up she had to gulp in air to fill her deprived lungs. Okay, I know it’s hard but I can’t do this anymore…today I am going to get everypony in my house and break the news….they are my friends, surely they’ll understand.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light that almost burned her tired eyes from the sheer level of brightness. As the light dissipated she could make out the figure of her beloved draconequus and she squeed in delight as she rushed over towards him. Discord smiled widely his one over-sized fang making him look slightly goofy and picked up his little angel with a tenderness that would surprise even himself in the past. He held her like a babe and nuzzled against her in an almost playful way. Noticing how her eyes looked like she hadn’t been sleeping properly he became worried. “How has my special somepony been?” He asked with a bit of concern.

Fluttershy had hoped he wouldn’t notice the small signs in her face that revealed her restless nights. She bit her lower lip unsure of how to tell him she was practically afraid of her own friends. To stall for time she kissed him deeply and hoped that in the moment of passion an idea would come to her; it didn’t. With a sigh she tried to look him in the eyes as she spoke. “It’s just,” she started timidly, “well we have been like this for about two months now….and my friends still don’t know about us.”

Discord was a bit confused, if that’s all that was bothering her then why didn’t she just tell them? In truth, he didn’t know why she had asked him to keep things discreet but he would do anything that she asked within his power. True she had always been very timid and even anti-social in some situations, but these were her friends and she had never really been this distraught over something that involved them. After pondering on it for a bit and still coming up with very little he decided to just ask her why this bothered her. “Fluttershy, why can’t you just tell them? Why is this bothering you so much that you can’t sleep? Are you sure it’s just the fact they don’t know or is there more to it?” Discord inquired.

This was the question she feared, how could she tell him that the reason she cannot spend a moment in peace is because of how she knows her friends feel about their relationship? How could she tell him that she isn’t sure she could handle the confrontation that would bring on her? It would surely make him feel as if this wasn’t the most important thing in her life which was quite the contrary she wasn’t sure she could ever go back to friendship even if the unthinkable happened in the unforeseeable future and they fell out of love. Her emotions were exposed and raw with even the slightest touch agitating her in an almost agonizing pain. Finally, she spoke if only to break the silence. “Discord, it’s not so much that telling them is the problem. I’m ecstatic to be with you and would shout it from the rooftop, if only I wasn’t so shy, but it’s the aftermath I am worried about. You know how they have been since, well you know, and they are sure to disagree with our relationship…right now I’m just not sure I could take my oldest friends going against my heart’s desire, even if it is only out of their love for me,” she said in a voice so soft it was barely audible.

Discord felt anger building up inside him, oh yes the incident, of course those stubborn mares haven’t even given him the first chance to begin with and now they were all but eager for him to leave for Canterlot to help the Princesses when they so desired. He ground his teeth together, who do they think they are to tell Fluttershy whom she can or can’t be with?! Who are they to uphold the value of friendship but forget it when it is convenient for them as with Discord? They had never really believed he could be reformed and after that whole affair with Tirek they certainly wouldn’t. The only one who even showed a fraction of the real friendship and trust Fluttershy did was Pinkie, and it could be argued that it’s just in the party pony’s nature. At any rate his blood was boiling in rage, so much so that he could barely keep himself calm for Fluttershy’s sake. “We should tell them together that way I’ll be there on your side and ready to protect you. I won’t let anypony hurt you my dearest little pony, not even your friends….and I suppose I should add that I won’t threaten to harm anypony or send them to another dimension or alter them in any way shape or form,” he said reluctant to add the last bit but knew Fluttershy would worry about her friends safety if he didn’t.

Fluttershy could tell that Discord was at the least upset over her words and she wondered if it was right to say anything at all. She knew this would have to be addressed at some point but was it still too soon? She didn’t have much time to reflect on it as she heard Discord snap and it brought her out of her thinking for a moment. “What did you do?” She asked curiously.

“I sent a message to each one of your friends telling them that their presence was requested as soon as they could possibly manage at your abode,” he said simply as he sat down on the couch still holding Fluttershy.

As they waited for them all to arrive nothing was said and the only movement was that of their eyes and Discord’s hand flowing through her mane. Her mane was soft and smooth like a cotton candy chocolate raincloud, and just as alluring to him. Her eyes spoke all her concerns without the need for verbal communication between the two. She was scared, excited, anxious, and a bit apprehensive which was nearly the opposite of Discord’s anger. The two stayed like that for a while unsure of how much time had passed but not really caring either, they were too engrossed by each other to fret over such a trivial matter as time. Finally, they heard a knock on the door and Fluttershy got up to let her friends in trembling with fear but not stopping to second guess herself.

“Hey Flutters we got this note, it was kinda weird but we decided to come anyway,” Rainbow Dash said as she entered.

“What she means sugarcube is that the writin’ didn’t sound like yours,” Applejack clarified as she trotted in behind Dash.

The others followed suite until they were all gathered around and on the couch, Dash taking the single chair for herself and Pinkie sitting on the other side of Discord bouncing excitedly hardly able to control herself she was so anxious to find out what this was all about. The others sat on the floor near the couch not really minding it because Fluttershy was very tidy and the floor was spotless. After everyone had settled in Twilight was the first to speak. “So you’re message told us that you wanted us here, but didn’t say anything as to why. Also it didn’t mention Discord although with the wording I probably should’ve concluded the message was from him and therefore he would be present,” Twilight said trying not to sound too caught off-guard.

Fluttershy could feel and hear her heartbeat and she suddenly felt like this was a really bad idea, but it was too late now that they had all shown up. Her throat tightened threatening to cut off her air supply as her anxiety rose to panic attack levels. She swallowed hard and made a few incoherent noises in attempts to speak before Discord finally cut in having waited much longer than his patience for this situation, especially due to Fluttershy’s utter emotional breakdown, would allow. “We’re together. We have been for the past two months and we decided to tell you now because Fluttershy thought you all had the right to know. Not that you’re entitled to our private affairs or anything,” Discord said with an exhale of air through his nostrils to further express his feelings on the matter.

The air almost became physically thick with all the emotional tension that manifested between the seven of them. Dash glared at him as if this were all his fault. “Did you mess with her brain again Discord?!” Dash accused venomously. “There’s no way she could be with you after you betrayed us!”

Discord’s eyes glowed dangerously as his anger rose against the rainbow maned mare. He glared at her with the intensity of a madman and was about to retort and possibly loose it when his sweet angel sat on his lap and kissed him unexpectedly. Discord was too surprised by this to kiss back at first but soon joined his lips back against hers passionately. Dash’s mouth hung open her eye’s wide in shock as she could barely register what was happening. Everypony’s eyes were open in amazement at the sight of these two particular individuals sharing an intimate moment. Fluttershy broke the kiss and stared at Rainbow with a look that radiated how hurt she felt. “Listen, Discord didn’t do anything! One day we were talking and he told me how he felt, and I had felt the same way for a long time so when he asked me to be his special somepony I said yes. He has never done anything I didn’t want him to do and he has bent over backwards to try and hide our relationship because I asked him too. He has been nothing but kind, gentle, and loving since this whole thing began and I will not have you accuse him of manipulating me into loving him!” Fluttershy exclaimed loudly with a little of her anger showing through.

Discord felt his heart fill with pride in himself and love for the way his angel had defended him against her own friend. He gently ran his talons through her mane in a show of appreciation and affection. Rainbow was taken aback as her oldest friend came back at her in a harsh way for her usually calm demeanor. “Hey, Flutters I-I didn’t mean to insult you. I just don’t trust him and I can’t see how you could either,” Dash said with her usual air of confidence.

“Well maybe if you’d ask me instead of automatically dragging Discord’s integrity through the mud I might not feel insulted. And I trust Discord because unlike you I can look past a pony’s past mistakes and give them a second chance, just because he has done something in the past, that he regrets deeply, doesn’t mean that act defines him,” Fluttershy said with equal confidence her hurt and anger not letting her back down.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh does this mean I get to throw a ‘Fluttershy and Discord special somepony’ party!?” Pinkie Pie asked excitedly. “I can make a cake with you frosted on it inside a heart! It’s gonna be so exciting! Maybe Discord could even make a cotton candy chocolate raincloud indoors for refreshments!”

Discord knew that the pink party pony didn’t mind him as much as the others, but was still surprised when she blurted out her request. Although in hindsight anything that made her friend happy and could be turned into a party was definitely going to be okay with her. Discord flashed Pinkie a wink and a smile to signal that he’d be more than happy to provide a little chaos for the event. He wondered how much he could get away with in the name of fun though, but for Fluttershy’s sake he would keep things well under control. Before Fluttershy could speak Applejack butted in. “Now Pinkie let’s not be too hasty. Sugarcube I know how ya feel for him, but do ya really think that you can trust him?” AJ asked in a tone of concern.

“I do. I have been with him for long enough now to decide on my own if I can trust him and what he says. Never once has he told me something insincere and never once has he given me cause to doubt him,” Fluttershy replied in a firm tone.

“Darling how can you be sure his feeling are sincere?” Rarity asked. “After all it is in his best interest to stay on good terms with you, and there is no greater level of love and trust than a relationship with somepony.”

“If there is one thing I’ve learned from all of our adventures it’s that you can never be certain of anything, but I’ve also learned to follow your heart and feelings. So I truly believe with all my heart that his feelings are true and his intentions are pure. I love him and he loves me it is as simple as that,” Fluttershy replied almost insulted that they could think she was so naïve as to not have that this through.

“I know that my words won’t matter to you ladies, but I love Fluttershy with every fiber of my being. Her kind, sweet, and caring nature makes me realize just how much she means to me. The way the light emits of her yellow coat brings warmth to my heart. She accepts me for all my faults and loves me in spite of them. I would do anything within my power to insure her happiness,” Discord said as he kissed the top of her head. “I don’t care what you think of me so long as you can trust Fluttershy’s judgement. This is entirely her decision to make and as her friends you should respect that.”

Discord held Fluttershy close to him and nuzzled the top of her head sweetly to emphasize his sincerity. It was true that they were worried solely out of their love for her, but they seemed oblivious to the pain their words caused inside the gentle mare. Fluttershy had a mixture of feelings from anxiety to mild anger at her friends for handling the situation as if she were a foolish filly who didn’t know any better. She was timid and shy yes but not easily manipulated.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Discord is right girls. Whether we agree with her decision or not it is still her decision and as her friends we should accept it regardless of personal beliefs,” Twilight said knowing full well that, for once at least, Discord knew friendship arguably better than them on this point. They had all been focusing entirely on him and how he was the problem without respecting her choice enough to really listen and absorb everything she said. After all, if this made her happy and she truly believed in Discord’s love for her then they shouldn’t try to push the issue.

Dash and AJ still looked doubtful but decided it was best to take things at face value for now. Pinkie and Rarity nodded in agreement, though Pinkie’s was more energetic than Rarity’s abrupt nod. Fluttershy felt her emotions calm to a more tranquil state as her friends at least agreed to trust her. “Can we talk about their party now?!” Pinkie blurted out impatiently.

Fluttershy laughed and looked at Pinkie with cheerful eyes. “Pinkie you’re the world’s best party pony. Of course we’d want you to throw us a party,” she responded happily. “I’m sure Discord would love to cause a little chaos to help you with it too.”

Discord’s ears flopped in eagerness a mischievous grin plastered on his face. Pinkie smiled widely and got up and bounced around the room giddily. “All right Fluttershy, I’ve got to get going to plan for the best ‘special somepony’ party ever!” She called as she bounced out the door and towards Sugarcube Corner.

“I think we are all going to leave too, it was nice seeing you Fluttershy, and I’m glad you’re happy,” Twilight said as the rest of the girls followed her out saying basically the same thing.

As they all became distant figures on the horizon Fluttershy got up and shut the door. All in all it went better than she thought it would, sure AJ and Rainbow we’re a bit difficult, but things could’ve ended up badly with their feelings towards Discord. In the most extreme case she imagined Discord going berserk after things got so heated that she began to cry, but she was relieved that the worst to happen was Rainbow’s outburst at the reveal. Fluttershy was surprised by how much that accusation had angered her and even more so how she adamantly defended him against her harsh words.

After all of this emotionally draining talking Fluttershy found herself drowsy. She yawned audibly as she went to the couch and laid her head on Discord’s chest barely able to keep her eyes open. Discord held her close as she drifted peacefully into sleep feeling secure in the fact Fluttershy loved him and wanted to be with him. He had been afraid of losing her for one reason or another but after today those fears were alleviated. He knew he was seen as evil and cruel by a lot of ponies still to this day and he wasn’t sure if some part of her was afraid of him for that. Now as he looked down at the sweet sleeping mare he was certain of her feelings. Discord soon followed his beloved into the dream realm as he laid his head on top of hers and closed his eyes.