"Am I Really Your Favorite?"
Fluttershy's hooves made a clip-clopping noise on the streets of Ponyville, as she galloped along them. She looked left and right repeatedly, watching her surroundings. Although, she's not paying attention to what could be in front of her. Plus, there's a certain somepony- er, creature that she needs to talk to. And that is Discord.
While Discord was battling against King Sombra, he was talking about how friendship always wins. He even said that Fluttershy is his favorite, because he thinks that she should get most of the credit for it. Today was the day after, and Fluttershy thought about it, and she wants to know why. Is she really Discord's favorite?
The clip-clopping from her hooves was put to an end when she bumped into somepony. She collapsed onto her haunches. "Oh my,... I'm so-", she cut off her sentence, when she realized it was Applejack she bumped into. "Oh, hello, Applejack." She got back up on her hooves and walked over to her friend to help her up. "Sorry about that."
"It's alright, Fluttershy.", Applejack said, taking Fluttershy's hoof and letting her pull her back up to stand on her hooves. With a back hoof, she flipped her hat in air and it landed on her head. "Didn't somepony ever tell you to look forward as you're walking?"
Fluttershy blushed and giggled. "I know.", she whispered. "I was just looking for Discord. It's about yesterday."
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "When we were battling King Sombra?", she asked curiously.
Fluttershy nodded. "He said that I'm his favorite.", she said, scraping the ground with a hoof as she blushed again. "And I want to know why."
"Why ask him about that?", Applejack asked, confused. "Do you know that he looks up to you a lot?"
"Yes, but, there's got to be more than that.", Fluttershy said, now drawing circles on the ground. "And that's why I'm looking for him."
Applejack shrugged. "Tell you what, Sugarcube.", she started. "Go to your cottage. If I see him, I'll tell him to meet you there. Is that alright?"
It took a moment for Fluttershy to decide to say 'yes' or 'no' to that suggestion. And, she finally spoke. "Ok.", she answered. She turned around and walked the opposite way. "See you later, Applejack. Thank you." She left the cowgirl behind as she walked her way to her cottage.
-0000000-
Fluttershy opened her front door, surprised to see Discord already in her cottage. He was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in his paw. There, stood next to him, was a small table with a teapot and a second cup of tea on it. A small seat awaiting for her included. He turned, wide eyed to see Fluttershy standing at the door way. "Oh, Fluttershy, there you are.", he greeted.
Fluttershy giggled. "I was expecting you to meet me here.", she responded. She walked over to her chair and planted her haunches on it. "And here you are."
Discord chuckled. "I would never forget our regular Tuesday Teas.", he said, taking a sip of his tea. He offered Fluttershy the cup of tea that was on the table by wrapping it in his magic and handing it to Fluttershy. "Well, it slipped my mind when I was resting on somepony's roof, enjoying a nice drink of chocolate milk. Then, I spotted you talking to Applejack. I looked through my binoculars and the way you were talking to her, it looked like you were talking about me." He raised his eyebrows a few times.
"W-well, I was strolling through Ponyville, looking for you.", Fluttershy nervously answered. She took a sip of her tea.
"Oh, you were, were you?", Discord asked slyly. "I was told by her that you had something on your mind, and that's why I arrived here before you. So, what is it?"
Fluttershy placed her teacup on the table and fidgeted with her hooves with a timid frown. A shade of pink came to her cheeks. "Um, I don't know if I should tell you.", she whispered.
Discord started to feel suspicious. "Keeping it personal, are we?", he asked. "I'm not gonna have any of that, dear. You know how I feel when you keep secrets from me. If you have something you must tell me, then go ahead and do it."
Fluttershy knew Discord was right, if there's something he needs to know, then he has to know. She took a deep breath and slowly blurted it out. "Am I really your favorite?", she asked.
Discord stared at Fluttershy with wide eyes. That question took him back to the battle with King Sombra back at Canterlot Castle. Then, to end the silence, he burst into chuckles. "Oh, hahahahaha. Is that all?", he asked, between his laughter. "Was that what you wanted to ask me? Are you really my favorite? Of course, you're my favorite. You've been my favorite since we became friends."
Feeling bashful, Fluttershy looked down at her back hooves with a smile. "I was thinking there was a reason why you said that.", she said.
Discord sighed contently. "My dear, ever since you made me change my life, you made me feel at home with the ponies.", he said. "I thought I was never the same before I met you. I wouldn't have become special again if I haven't."
Fluttershy's smile turned into a frown once more. "I was never special back in the day.", she sighed sadly.
Discord was stunned. "Excuse me?!", he gasped. "Excuse me?! You, not special?! You're the element of kindness! Why would you consider yourself not special?!"
"When I was a filly, I was teased for being fearful of heights.", Fluttershy answered.
"That's no excuse for saying you weren't special when you were younger.", Discord scoffed, crossing his arms. "Almost everypony can be special in their own way. Even you."
"I know.", Fluttershy said with a shrug. "Thanks for the advice, Discord. But, still, nopony thought I was special when I was little."
Discord smiled sympathetically at Fluttershy. He snapped his fingers, making a mirror appear in front of him in a flash. "Come sit by me, Fluttershy.", he softly commanded, giving her space on the couch for her to sit on.
She did, and looked in the mirror.
Discord put his hands on the Pegasus's shoulders. "Look, what I see is a beautiful yellow pony, who is so kind and caring.", he described her. "This pony has been taking care of animals for years now, and she never stopped since." He gently took hold of her forearms and held them wide open, with the mare, hypnotized by her reflection. "These hooves are the things that kept your animals safe. And as for animals, I mean the animals that you loved, and always there for them if they need you the most." He then held out her wings wide. "These wings are the things that are part or you. And when you flap them and fly in the air, you're the sun's partner to help shine down on all the ponies. They're also the secret weapon to shield the tickle spot." He used the tip of his tail to brush against Fluttershy's side.
Blushing, Fluttershy let out cute giggles as she squirmed and wiggled, trying to make Discord stop tickling her. "Nohoho. Stop. Hehe. Discord, please. Hahahaha."
Discord put an end to the tickling and released Fluttershy's forearms and wings. "You see?", he asked. "Nopony wants this mare to change. This mare is prefect the way she is. And nopony can be better without her."
Fluttershy smiled at her reflection, watching as it copied her. "Thank you, Discord.", she whispered, wrapping her arms around Discord's torso for a hug.
Discord returned the gesture, closing his eyes, and gently rested his chin on the Pegasus's head. "You're welcome, Fluttershy.", he crooned. His eyes were forced open when he heard the sound of snoring beneath his head.
There was Fluttershy, resting the side of her head against Discord's stomach, sleeping. Her back rising and falling as her snoring went on. She snuggled deeper into Discord's fur, like it was a bed to her.
Discord smiled, not minding it at all. Fluttershy's snoring was like the music to his ears. It warmed his heart seeing the Pegasus in her sleep. He gently patted her on the head and leaned down to whisper in her ear: "Sweet dreams, my dear."
