An Apple a Night...

Discord always enjoyed his time spent with Fluttershy. Mind you, when he wasn't spending time with her, he was usually doing this or that for the Princesses or spending time alone, but that didn't make it any less valuable to him. Yes, despite the more annoying animals, small house, and Fluttershy's need to keep things normal enough so the house was still functional (honestly, that was just asking too much!), he loved spending time with her.

And 'love' was not a word he used often, especially in its strongest definition.

Today actually wasn't their tea day, but both had no plans, and when they didn't have plans, it was easy to just default onto each other. Seeing as neither had very consistent jobs, it was almost habit at this point. Heck, even Discord himself would admit that it was a fine thing to schedule! Any time with Fluttershy was time well spent in his book!

Speaking of Fluttershy, the pegasus was looking down at the board game they were playing, anxiety in her expression. She hesitated, then tapped at her playing piece with her hoof, shifting it by one space.

"Is that a good move, you think?" she asked, forelegs up near her muzzle.

"Perhaps! Remember, dear Fluttershy, there are no rules to this game!"

A snap of his fingers brought up a scroll. Though upside-down, it clearly read, "NO RULES! (that means you, Fluttershy)".

Discord continued talking over Fluttershy's giggle, "However, that may change going onwards. Still, for now, there are no rules! Move your piece however you like!"

She nodded in understanding; she was used to it by now, and faced the randomness (sorry, chaoticness) with a smile.

"So, are you hungry, Discord?" she asked, shifting topics completely.

"Trying to distract me with snacks now? I thought you were a fair player, Fluttersly!"

"I-I am! It's just—" Her voice trailed off as she saw Discord's playful smile. She made a cute face at him, then got up from her sitting position. "It's just that we haven't eaten since you got here, and Pinkie Pie made the most delicious cherry pie!"

Discord gasped as if chaos was happening somewhere and no one had bothered to invite him. "Are you telling me that someone in the Pie family... MADE PIE?!"

His noodle-ly form flew backwards and concealed itself under the couch. "The world is ending! Wake me up when this nightmare is over!"

After a moment of listening to Fluttershy's concealed giggles, he popped his head out, resting it on his palm while his elbow was against the floor.

"Though, honestly, I suppose that's nearly out of the norm, considering the rest of her family lives on a rock farm and thus wouldn't make baked goods often, much less pie. I swear, that family is odd, and not in the super chaotic fun way!"

"Are there requirements for being chaotic-ly odd?" Fluttershy asked, wanting to continue the silly chit-chat as she made her way to the kitchen.

Discord was about to give a snarky response, but noticed her walking towards the kitchen and flew out from the couch, landing swiftly in front of her.

"Ah ah ah!" He waggled a finger. "I'll get the pie. You sit impatiently over there for my glorious return."

"Y-you don't have to do that!" Fluttershy gasped.

"And let my board game buddy handle a knife with her shaky little hooves? I don't think so!"

"M-my hooves aren't shaky..." she argued, "...sometimes."

"I rest my case... and also you!"

Another snap of his fingers teleported Fluttershy back to her seat. She lowered her head, but smiled shyly at him, showing she was grateful.

He smiled back; it wasn't often that he did so genuinely, but with Fluttershy, it was easy. "I'll return in an instant; I don't want to see any pieces moved while my back's turned!"

He turned away and started walking, his tail stretching and thwapping against the underside of the table, nudging her and Discord's pieces over a couple spaces.

He paused, then turned his head and gasped. "Fluttershy!"

He felt a pair of gentle hooves against his back - trying to move him - and the breath from a stifled giggle, so he just chuckled and moved on to the kitchen. It was simply too fun to tease her!

He went to the fridge, opening it up and searching its contents. It wasn't something Fluttershy used often, as most of her food supplies were stored in regular cupboards and such, but there was still a decent amount in there. Pleasant scents wafted over from the variety of natural fruits, vegetables, and sweets, all of which he welcomed. He found the cherry pie on the second shelf, full as can be, but stopped before he had it completely out.

Now, Discord was not a creature of perfect memory. He'd forget details about this and that if it wasn't something important to him.

But this was Fluttershy, his best friend, whom he remembered everything about.

And one of the shelves, reserved for fruit, was missing something that always used to be there. That was strange; more than strange even.

"Something wrong, Discord?" Fluttershy called from her spot at the table, recognizing that he wasn't back in his usual timespan.

Discord straightened himself up, then looked over to her, pie in hand. "Whatever could be wrong?"

In a flash, he was back at the table, the cherry pie already cut into slices (or squares, in this case) and on very Discord-esque plates for the two of them. "Though, I'm curious as to why the apples are missing from your little refrigerator. I know it's been a few days, but didn't you always have them?"

His eyebrows raised at her startled face. She looked away, trying to hide her face with her hair.

"I-it's nothing, really..."

A stutter?

Discord's grin spread across his face. Now he was immensely interested, and Fluttershy could tell as he leaned over the table to stare at her.

"Ohhh, you're keeping secrets!"

"N-no I'm not! Discord, please, c-can we just continue our game?" She hid more.

"Come now, my dear; there should be no secrets between you and your best pal Cordy!"

She let out a small whine, looking over to him. "I-I know, but..."

"Is it something embarrassing? Please tell me it is! Those are the best kinds of secrets—"

"It's nothing!"

Discord reeled back, surprised at Fluttershy's outburst. She didn't sound angry, but to raise her voice at him at all immediately had him on guard.

Aaaaand then came her watery eyes. Discord was quick to teleport next to her, nudging her reassuringly.

"Fluttershy, please, you know I have no intention of hurting your precious little feelings."

She sniffled, then met his gaze. "I-I know. Can we just... please not talk about it right now?"

He knew better than to crack jokes at a time like this. "Yes, yes, of course. You know I love to pry, but I will resist, because I'm your best friend!"

He poked her nose. "Still, don't think I'm giving up on this now that I see it's bothering you!"

Part of him would've easily let it go if she had a relatively reasonable excuse, but this was nothing like that. Apples were missing for a reason, and the fact that she was upset by his prodding didn't make it any less interesting, though it did make it more important.

She wiped her unshed tears away, then nodded her head at him. "O-okay..."

"Now, let's resume our—" He stopped reaching for his piece as Fluttershy moved hers a few spaces.

He pretended to be offended. "I believe it was my turn."

She slumped on the table, looking up at him with a tilted head and an innocent gaze.

"I thought there weren't any rules?"

He opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came to him.

"...I did say that, didn't I?"

The two grinned at each other.