Butterflies and Chaos and Zephyrs, oh my!
Warm sunlight flowed through the large window in Fluttershy’s living room, bathing the room in a soft golden light. Various snacks, desserts, kettles, and cups decorated the table in a cozy sort of chaos.
How fitting.
It was Tuesday, her favorite day without contest. It was that cozy, homey, feel blended with whatever chaos Tuesday Teas brought that made it so enjoyable. She loved tea, but she loved the day's company even more.
Fluttershy glanced up at the little wooden cuckoo clock that hung just above one of her loveseats. Five minutes till two, and Discord could be there any moment.
She surveyed the table checking each plate to be certain everything was there. She mentally checked off each item as she saw it. Teacakes, scones in various flavors-including his favorite, chocolate raspberry-fruit tarts, various mini desserts from the sugarcube corner, and of course, because no Tuesday Tea would be complete without them, cucumber sandwiches.
The day’s assortment of tea included special blends created by Discord: Flying Orange Tea (He’d assured her no real flying oranges were harmed in the making) which caused its teapot to sprout wings and fly-though the pot seemed to be resting judging by how the wings fell to the side the pot drooping more than normal. Was it also… breathing? There was always a new surprise with that one. Of course, when teatime came the pot seemed to act more like a little bird than a teapot. The next was Snozzberry tea, though she had to wonder what in Equestria a snozzberry was. She knew not to question Discord’s antics and creations, and frankly, she liked it that way. It always left her feeling a sense of wonder and bewilderment.
She had just one last teapot to prepare before then. One much less chaotic than Discord’s creations, a simple Passion Fruit Lemonade Tea. And, by the sound of it, the pot was nearly ready.
When a knock came at the door, her content smile widened to one full of enthusiasm. If there was one thing she knew about Discord was he never liked to arrive at the same time or in the same way each week. The draconequus was either early or right on time, but never late.
There was once a time when he had arrived a whole hour early, unintentionally sending her into a panicked state in order to get everything ready immediately for his unexpected early arrival. He had insisted it wasn't necessary and that he’d simply come to enjoy more time in her company. He even offered his help. She, the timid and anxious mare that she was, hadn’t reacted the best and was so frenzied she’d hardly registered his assurances. She always blushed at the memory, a little embarrassed by it but touched he’d wanted to spend more time with her.
He’d never done it since and instead kept his early arrivals to fifteen minutes tops. That never kept him from staying long after tea was finished and cleaned up though.
Her gentle hooves tapped against the wooden floor in a graceful rhythm as she approached the door, prepared to greet her anticipated guest. She opened the door as her eyes lifted up to where he’d usually be. Only, he wasn't there…
Her smile fell, eyes darting downward to eye level where ponies typically stood.
That was where her eyes met a pair of familiar lilac eyes surrounded by a coat of seafoam.
“Zephyr Breeze?” Her jaw dropped and ears folded back.
“Hey sis,” He grinned inviting himself inside and ruffling her mane as he passed, “How’s it goin’”
Her eyes warily followed him as she found the first words she could, “Not to be rude, but, Zeph, what are you doing here?”
He turned to look at her rolling his eyes and letting loose a small chuckle “I wrote to you last week, said I was coming over, remember?”
Fluttershy blinked, “I remember that you said Wednesday. As in, tomorrow.”
“Did I?” He shrugged it off carelessly and made to enter her living room but was stopped by a piece of paper pushed to his muzzle.
“Yes, you did,” She insisted, eying the letter as he grabbed it from her. She knew he’d find, in his own hoof writing too, that he was to be expected Wednesday evening. Not Tuesday afternoon.
“Oh,” He chuckled nervously after scanning the letter, “Well, my mistake, but…” He tossed it aside pushing past her again, “Seeing as I’m already here, I might as well just stay. Kay?”
“Zeph, I’m sorry, but no,” Fluttershy shook her head, “It’s Tuesday, which means I have tea with a very good friend of mine, and It’s rude to just have you barge in on our afternoon, especially if it’s usually just the two of us.”
Zeph turned around and surveyed the living room where the tea was all set up. It looked quaint and cozy, steam coming off the plates of fresh food and out the teapots.
“You sure it’s just two of you,” He raised a brow, “cause it looks like you could feed a small army with all this food,”
She blushed “I might have outdone myself a little, but he usually eats what I don’t,”
Zephyr’s ears perked, “He?”
Oh no… Fluttershy could practically hear the smirk in his voice and imagined the teasing that would come. That’s what brothers did, especially brothers like Zephyr. They teased.
To her dismay she was right. He wasn’t going to let the sneaky little detail pass him.
She knew that the moment he turned to her again, his eyes sparkling with glee, “Tea with a stallion? Has my little Flutter Butter gotten herself a coltfriend at last?”
She knew he would pester and tease, she didn't think he’d get right to it though, “Coltfriend?… no… I-”
“Ooo~ I think she does,” He singsonged dancing around her, “How precious,”
“No, no, no, no, no,” She shook her head rapidly, “It’s not that kind of thing, he’s a good friend of mine, simple as that,”
“Or is it?” He laughed, “Admit it, you like him,”
“Of course I like him, he’s my friend,”
“Say what you will, but your blush tells me all I need to know,” He commented smugly, polishing his hoof against his coat.
Checkmate, she could hear him in her head and had little doubt that was exactly what he was thinking.
Fluttershy gasped, swiftly lifting a hoof to her warm face. Though she couldn’t be sure if she was really blushing or just flustered with Zephyr’s comments, it was warmer than it should have been.
“Tell me sis, are the two of you really just friends,”
“Yes,” She growled intimidatingly.
“I don't believe you,” Said the stallion who believed he was a love expert now, “I don't think you believe you either,”
Fluttershy’s hoof introduced itself to her face as she shook her head again, “I don't have time for this Zeph,” She turned on her heels to enter her kitchen and retrieve the last kettle, which shrieked insistently, from the stove, “I’m certain you can find something to do in town. If you could just come back later tonight-”
“Tonight!?” He chuckled, “How long do these tea parties last anyways?”
She ignored his next insinuations as she entered the kitchen to mix the last brew. She loved her brother, really, but he had the worst timing, and little respect for others. He came and went as he pleased, and right now, she hoped she could get him more interested in leaving than staying.
“Come on sis,” He called after her, “Now I’ve got to meet him,”
Fluttershy said nothing but winced as the door behind her shut louder than she meant it to.
Tell him to go pester Rainbow Dash, she thought regrettably.While that was sure to get rid of him, she knew Rainbow wasn't the biggest fan of Zephyr and she’d rather deal with her brother in a way that didn't push him onto somepony else for the day.
Removing the steaming pot from the kettle, she dropped in a tea bag to steep. As she waited she grabbed one of her many teapots-a white porcelain with a purple lid and base and gold trimmings and accents-and filled it halfway with lemonade.
Zephyr was something else, really. They’d been close when they were young but quickly became two entirely different ponies. While that never really diminished their bond, it did make it hard for her to drop everything for his sake.
But… What was so wrong about letting him join the tea party? It took her less than a second to find answers to that question. For starters, it was a special tradition for her and Discord. Inviting anypony else along without prior notice was a major faux pas in her opinion. He was the only creature she really talked openly to. Sometimes during one on one outings with the girls she could get comfortable enough to talk casually, but never to the level she’d been at with Discord. They just accepted her as quiet in any situation but Discord had encouraged the conversation out of her, his personality demanding it in the best ways. Adding another pony to the mix almost always caused her to clam up. Even if it was her brother.
Was it so wrong to just want to be alone with him?
She remembered how Zephyr had teased her. He hadn't even met Discord and he was already assuming he knew their dynamic.
And there lay another issue. Her whole family hadn't met Discord. She couldn't help but wonder if they knew of his reformation at all? He was her dearest friend, but how would they react to him? What would they say when they found out that after all this time she had never bothered to introduce them?
Did it bother her that in minutes Zephyr recognised so easily what she’d been struggling to admit to herself for Celestia knows how long? And he’d said it like it was nothing. It was a little joke to him.
Her relationship with Discord was not a joke.
With a sigh she rested her forehead against the kitchen counter, waiting for the tea to finish.
Of course I like him. He’s my friend. Her words repeated again and again until she had to remind herself that she was probably overthinking things. She just had to kindly ask Zephyr to leave so they could have a nice uninterrupted afternoon, no big deal...
Just as she pulled the teabag out of the kettle and began to pour the steaming liquid in with the lemonade, a shriek came from the front room. If she didn't know it was Zephyr, she would have thought a little filly had made the sound.
“Fluttershy!!! Help!” He cried in desperation,
With a sigh she finished pouring the tea and took the teapot with her into the living room.
“Zephyr, I swear, if you saw another spider-” Pausing in the threshold between the rooms she felt her annoyance melt away as she saw Discord standing in the middle of the livingroom, even if he was staring down her brother
“Discord!” She smiled, setting down the teapot and rushing into his open arms for a warm embrace, “I’m glad you made it safe!”
“As am I, dear,” The draconequus said, patting her head and hugging her tighter.
Zephyr, of course, was not to be forgotten about as he whined in fear, “Fluttershy? What are you doing!?”
Letting go of her friend, she quirked a brow at Zephyr who had stolen one of her pillows for a shield.
“I could ask you the same…” She paused, watching him tremble in a defensive stance one the cough, “Are you… Zeph, are you afraid of him?”
His head shot up and he glared in her direction.
“Yes!” He cried indignantly, “I don't know if you remember but that creature over there turned our world upside down! When the literal god of chaos pops into your living room, you run,”
“Unless the god of chaos is your friend,” She returned his frightened glare with a stern one of her own, one just a few steps away from being her legendary stare.
“Heh, thats a funny joke Flutter Butter,” He laughed sarcastically, “But I’m serious, I’d rather be around to see tomorrow,”
Serious, huh, well, there's a first time for everything…
“Flutter Butter?” Discord repeated Zephyr’s little name for her, “How'd you come by that little nickname?”
Something was off in his voice and it caught her attention immediately. It was restrained, clipped, she thought she almost caught a sense of… jealousy? Perhaps. But there was also hurt.
Fluttershy knew Discord more than anyone, which meant she knew how deeply he took his mistakes to heart. He’d spent years trying to make up for his past but there was always a reason for somepony to remind him. She didn't doubt it hurt to come into your best friend’s home to find some unknown pony terrified of you and, by the looks of it, believing you to be a monster. He would deny it, hide it, pretend it was nothing, but she knew it hurt him all the same. That’s why it was best to reach an understandind before things went any further
“I don't believe you two have met,” She spoke calmly yet surprisingly stern, “Discord, this is my little brother Zephyr Breeze, and Zeph-”
“Oh I know who he is,” He cut in, “We’ve certainly met,”
“Nope,” Discord chirped teasingly, trying not to sound upset by the harshness of Zeph’s voice, “I would have remembered meeting Fluttershy’s brother,”
“Sure you would have,” He growled, “But I suppose you stole magic from so many ponies it’s hard to keep track of who’s who,”
His pupils shrunk, his carless demeanour failing, “What?”
“Zephyr,” Fluttershy warned. She didn't like where this was going, Celestia help her if she didn't try to stop it, “Choose your next words wisely,”
“How can you defend him like that!? Celestia gave him a second chance and how did he use it? He betrayed Equestria to Tirek,” Her heart froze at the harsher than necessary reminder of that event, “He even brought Tirek to Cloudsdale to drain the magic from every last pegasus up there!”
“Stop!” She stamped her hoof in outrage.
“No! You of all ponies should understand what it’s like to be stuck on a floating mass of clouds without wings to carry you.
“That’s in the past Zephyr,” She knew what Discord had done, she didn't need to hear it from yet another pony, “We’ve forgiven him for it,”
“It’s terrifying. And he did that to us! Do you realise how dangerous it was? Why Fluttershy? Why defend him?
“Why did you forgive him again rather than turning that monster back to st-,”
“Enough Zephyr!” She cried desperately before he could finish, scaring him enough he fell totally silent.
Fluttershy turned to Discord to find he hadn't moved an inch. His paw and claw were clenched at his sides, head lowered in regret. The light caught, for a brief moment, a single tear that ran down his cheek.
“I’ve forgiven him because he is my friend,” She spoke with determination, watching Discord intently and fighting back her own tears, “It doesn't matter how many mistakes he makes I will forgive him. Until seventy times seven if I must. Because I know that he is trying to be better. He has always tried to be better,”
Discord began to shake as he fought back any tears, but when she returned her gaze to Zephyr she found he was focused on her, his gaze confused and mistrusting.
“I should go,” Discord spoke shakily, “I don't want to intrude,”
“No,” Fluttershy insisted sharply, “you're not the one who’s intruding,”
Resolutely, she fixed her gaze to Zephyr’s, “As long as he is trying to be better I will forgive him. I know not every pony feels the same. But he is my dearest friend. If you want to barge in uninvited, fine, I’m used to it. But you will not insult Discord again. And as long as I am around you will not speak ill of him. Otherwise... it may be you who I won't forgive,”
Zephyr lowered his head in shame, seeing his sister strong in her resolve to defend him.
There was tense silent as they mulled over what was said. Zephyr was the first to speak probably because he had to be. Fluttershy wanted her words to sink in and Discord was hurt enough at is was, why provoke anything more.
“I-I’m sorry Fluttershy,” He said, surprising her, “It’s not a memory that’s sat well with me, I guess I wasn’t expecting too see him again so soon, I didn't realise how much he meant to you as a friend… or I forgot, take your pick,”
“I understand,” She sighed accepting the humble apology, “But I’m not the only one you need to apologize to,”
He nodded, setting aside the pillow and stepping towards a now much calmer Discord. Fluttershy’s words had succeeded to calm him and keep him there.
“Look, I’m sorry for freaking out at you. And for probably crashing your tea party…” Discord smiled in amusement, and Zeph continued, “If Fluttershy trusts you... I’m willing to give it a chance and trust her,”
To the surprise of both Fluttershy and Discord, he offered his hoof to the draconequus. An offering of peace, she realized. And Discord seemed more than happy to take it.
“Thank you Zephyr, you have no idea how much that means to me,” Fluttershy had a pretty good guess though. They were friends. And if he had the trust of her family it would mean everything to him. She knew because it meant everything to her as well.
“Let’s start over, shall we?” Discord suggested before making a dramatic bow, “I am Discord, lord of chaos, and Fluttershy’s best friend,”
Zephyr laughed and mimicked the gesture, “Zephyr Breeze, Fluttershy’s best little brother,”
“You are my only little brother,” She rolled her eyes playfully.
Fluttershy and Discord had discussed it briefly and decided to invite Zephyr to join them for tea. And by discussing it briefly, I mean they went back and forth between Fluttershy worrying he’d be upset Zephyr was cutting in on their Tuesday and him assuring her he didn't mind it just this once. It would be a great opportunity to get to know her brother. So, after much reassurance, the three of them managed to sit down to a lovely afternoon tea.
"You know,” He started after a sip of tea, “everypony sort of knew you'd been freed, there were so many stories and rumors… we never quite knew what was true. But we always knew the Elements of Harmony were involved... Did you really do that Fluttershy?"
"What do you mean."
"You were the one to reform him, weren't you?"
"I… well, yah… I guess it was,"
"She's humble, but yes. It was her, and only her," Discord proclaimed, happy to brag on her, "Dear Fluttershy here, through her unyielding kindness, forgiveness, and understanding, showed me I really could have a second chance. I could be more than I thought I was. I deserved none of it. I know I didn't. But, she gave it anyway. It was her who showed me what friendship was,"
"Magic," Zephyr guessed. It had been said enough among ponies seeing as it was the motto of the Elements of Harmony, their heroes, “I thought so. It’s amazing what you did, sis,”
"Heh, yeah, it is," he chuckled, meeting Fluttershy's gaze, “When I look in her eyes, and I can see myself how she sees me, I start to like who I am. That's not something I thought could happen. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. In my thousands of years of existence, none of it was worthwhile. Until... I met her,"
Zephyr nodded slowly, sitting back and taking a bite of a doughnut. He watched the two stare deeply into eachothers eyes. There was so much adoration between them and for a moment he thought they might just go in for a kiss. As weird as the idea was… he'd get used to if for Fluttershy’s sake.
They definitely aren't just friends. He thought smugly. Fluttershy said otherwise, but her eyes spoke volumes of truth.
"I took that for granted once…” Discord whispered, “Never again,"
That was a promise if he ever knew one. As long as they were making promises this was his: he'd never doubt his sister. He'd give Discord a chance, he'd learn to trust the chaosbringer. As long as Fluttershy was happy, that was what mattered.
Zephyr couldn't help but look at the mare with pride. She really had done it. She overcame fear, she had to have. She let go of fear for the sake of another. She found a friend in an unlikely place and held true to that friendship. No matter what anypony said.
She was braver than ponies gave her credit for, she was determined and fierce. If she never saw it, he did, and he was certain Discord did to.
If there was one thing the two had in common it was their love and adoration for Fluttershy. That would never change. That was a promise.
Author's Note
Heres a little something I cooked up to pay homage to my favorite ship in the universe.
It was actually pretty fun to write even if it was the tiniest bit of a downer for a moment. It seems I just enjoy writing sibling stuff, who knew?
Now, hope to post at least once more this week, so stick around as we discover which prompt will I actually have time to write for? No pony knows!