//------------------------------//
// The calm 
// Story: Nothing Like You 
// by flutteredchaos 
//------------------------------//

 	"Where have you been?" She cried, jumping up from the couch. Her face was scrunched up in that cute expression she always had when she was angry. He huffed and tugged off his jacket.
"I went for a walk and got a little lost." 
"You could've called my mother to pick you up." She murmured.
"Perhaps I didn't feel like returning." He muttered. She glanced down and sighed.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. He turned to her, eyebrows raised. She really is too good for me.
"What are you apologizing for?" He sighed. "You were- er- you were right." He struggled to get the word out. Her wide teal eyes observed him curiously. Discord was...admitting he was wrong? "You have every right to attend the dance with whoever you want." She looked away from him, feeling guilty. He shook his head at himself. He couldn't believe he got so worked up over something as mundane and frivolous as a high school dance. She turned to go, but paused. Biting her lip uncertainly, she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him. 
"I'm glad you're okay." She whispered into his chest. "I was really worried." He was frozen, not having been hugged since childhood. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around the timid girl. He shut his eyes, relishing the warmth having her in his arms brought him. Tirek's threats were all but forgotten as he stood there.

He roused in his bed the next morning to the smell of something cooking and the sweetest sound he'd ever heard. He opened his eyes blearily and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hardly remembered falling asleep. He stood up and peaked his head out the door, watching her in the kitchen. She had her long blonde hair tucked half-up messily, and she wore a smile on her face as she hummed a melodious tune. Her hands worked gracefully as she flipped a pancake into the air. 
"I didn't know you could cook." He stated, arms folded. She gasped and whipped around, her hand on her heart. 
"You startled me." She breathed. 
"What was that tune you were humming?" He asked, approaching her. "It was very...familiar." 
"Oh, it's just this song I like...'I know I'm a wolf." She stated, returning her attention to the stove. 
"Are you making one of those for me?" He smirked. 
"Would you like one?" She shot him a genial smile. 
"Sure..." He murmered, snaking toward her and grabbing her hand. 
"Discord," She grunted, attempting to keep her eyes on the stove. "Stop." She couldn't help but giggle, though she tried to suppress it. He grinned, having her pressed against the counter. She moved away, shaking her head. 
"Discord!" She gasped when he pulled her back. She tried to wriggle away, laughing the whole time. In all their playing, she turned to push him and accidentally knocked over a bowl of flour. It fell to the ground, flour flying into the air. She put her hands to her mouth as she stared at him, a giggle erupting from her throat. Flour covered his mismatched hair, and was scattered around his face. Fortunately for her, none seemed to land on her. 
"You think this is funny." He smirked, grabbing a handful of pancake mix.
"Discord," She warned, a smile on her face. He laughed, and flung the batter at her. She screamed and ducked. It hit the wall behind her, oozing down slowly. She smirked triumphantly, and grabbed her own handful of pancake mix.
"Oh no you don't." He laughed. She screamed as he grabbed her into his arms and flung her over his shoulder. 
"Discord!" She giggled. "Put me down!" 
"What is going on in here?" Nora asked, her eyebrows raised and a hand on her hip, the door wide open behind her. A gust of wind blew into the room, causing them to shiver.
"Mom?" Shy gasped as he quickly put her down. "Uh-what are you doing here?" She tried to adjust her disheveled clothes.
"I forgot my purse," her mother explained. "This room is a mess! How did pancake mix get on the wall?" The two exchanged a look and giggled.
"My apologies, this is my fault." Discord admitted. 
"I don't really care whose fault it is," Nora sighed before her daughter could argue with him, a smile on her lips. "Please get it cleaned up." She grabbed her purse and glanced back at them once more, shaking her head with a laugh. She knew what love looked like. She had done the same thing with her husband when they were young.
Once she was out the door, they started laughing. Shy hadn't felt such bliss in a long time. 
"Shy," he began when their laughter faded. She looked at him. "Can I ask you a question? It's a bit personal." 
"Anything," She said, grabbing a broom to sweep up the mess. He put his hand over hers, stopping her. She glanced up, her eyes meeting his for a breif moment. 
"How did your father die?" She gasped at the question. She didn't expect him to ask her that. 
"Well...it's.." She swallowed the growing lump in her throat. "It's hard to talk about..." She whispered. 
"I understand...it's just, I was at his funeral. My parents made me attend, despite the fact that they hardly knew him." He rolled his eyes. "I remember seeing you, you were crying. I was only twelve at the time, I wasn't the type of kid to feel sympathy for others. But I did, that day." She sniffed, wiping a tear away from her face. Her eyes were glued to the ground. 
"He committed suicide..." She murmered. He raised his eyebrows. She glanced up at him, her blue green eyes glassy and sad, and her cheeks wet with tears. 
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." He said softly. She wiped her cheeks. 
"It's fine." She sniffed. They stood in silence for a few moments before she spoke. "The song I was humming, it was played at his funeral." She said. "That's probably why it was familiar." He blinked at her. "It's my favorite song." 
"Sing it for me," He said, before even realizing what he said. She looked puzzled. "Sorry, you just- you have a beautiful voice, my dear." 
"I don't really sing in front of many people..." 
"It's only me, dear." She hesitated, then nodded with a sigh. She sat atop the counter as he leaned against the island behind him. She took a deep breath, and avoided his eyes with the first note. 
Dear rabbit... She began, her voice soft and soothing. My legs are getting weak..chasing you.. The snow fields wouldn't seem so big if you knew...She glanced up shyly at him, her cheeks red. 
"Well, don't stop now." He chimed, an enthusiastic look on his face.
She blushed and began again. That this blood on my teeth, it is far beyond dry. And i've captured you once, but I wasn't quite right..So i'm telling you...that you'll be safe with meeee...Her voice faded out, lulling him out of his melody induced trance. Her voice was one of the most comforting things he'd ever heard. 
"That was...lovely." He almost physically rolled his eyes at himself. Lovely? Really? Who am I, Mary Poppins? But it was true, she sounded lovely. She was lovely. He couldn't think of another word for it. She grinned at him, her face still burning. She toyed with her hair nervously. 
"T-thanks." 
They spent the rest of the day cleaning, and then talking. She had never felt so at ease with someone in such a short period of time. She felt like she could talk to him about anything. They found themselves lying together on her bed, sitting close enough so that their sides touched. He was showing her a youtube video and pretended not to notice when she rested her head against his shoulder.
"So what's your favorite color?" She asked. 
"Don't have one," He answered.
"Favorite food?" 
"Don't have one." He uttered. She cocked an eyebrow. 
"Favorite song? Or let me guess, 'don't have one'." She mocked his tone teasingly.
"I actually do." He said, pushing himself up. "It's called Say nothing." She blinked at him, never having heard it. "It really helped me get through a very rough patch in my life." He continued. She said nothing, but pulled out her phone and looked it up, playing it. He raised his eyebrows, but didn't object. It started slow, a gentle ballad playing rhythmically. The man began singing. They sat in silence, listening to the soft melody. The longer the song went on, she sadder she felt. She could somehow feel Discord's sadness and longing through the song. 
Maybe I don't wanna talk about how...this life layed me down...The song continued.
"For a long time," He started, interrupting her thoughts. "I wasn't speaking. I didn't speak to anyone, not even to my parents. I thought the entire world was against me. Then again, what fifteen year old doesn't?" He glanced at her, noticing her eyebrows were furrowed. "Er, no offense. But still, I truly believed there was nobody out there who cared what I had to say. Nobody who could care for me..." He drifted off, not understanding why he was telling her all of this. Months ago he would have found the idea of spilling his sorrows to some girl to be quite fatuous. But she's not just 'some girl.' He thought.  Still, he had never opened up to someone this way and to him, it was alarming. 
"I do." 
"Huh?" He asked, snapping out of his thoughts. 
"I care about you." She whispered with a gulp, prepared for him to laugh or push her away. Instead, his gaze caught her fleeting eyes. She stared at him for a moment, watching him sit up, eyeing her. Without warning, she grabbed his face and pulled him toward her. She kissed him softly, his eyes shut quickly. He relished the feeling of her warm hands cupping his cheeks, as he grabbed her waist. It was different from all the other times they had kissed, with only one goal in mind. The room had grown had dark, as the light from her phone had flickered off when the song ended. She carressed his hair gently, wanting to heal every broken peice of him. He sighed at the fleeting warmth as she pulled away. He could barely make out her figure in the dark, but his eyes widened as he felt her tugging at his shirt. 
"W-we don't have to-" He stuttered. 
"I know." She whispered. She tugged off his shirt and kissed him again, and he did not argue. That night was not about an alternative motive or some hidden scheme to be sent away. It was much, much more than that. 

"He has until tomorrow to give me an answer." The voice growled. Several figures draped in cloaks nodded understandingly. "He gives me the correct answer or," He snarled. "This girl he so stupidly mentioned, well..." His snarl grew into a sinister smile. "It's been a while since any of us had a treat, yes?" The figures in the room nodded and cheered. "Now go," He ordered several figures. "And make sure he gets the message...loud and clear."  They nodded anxiously and darted off.

He watched her tenderly, as she began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings before her face flushed in embarrassment. She was wrapped in her blanket. 
"Morning." She murmured, a shy smile growing on her lips. 
"Good morning." He uttered stoically. She furrowed her brow and sat up instantly, clutching the blanket to her chest. 
"What's wrong?" He looked at her, a hostile expression on his face. Was he angry with her? Had she done something wrong? She tried to remember, to think back to last night. "Discord." She huffed. 
"What?" She was stunned by his tone. 
"Are you upset with me?" She intoned. He scoffed lightly and shook his head. She glared at him. "Then what's wrong?" He got up from the bed and looked away, he felt guilty enough without those wide teal eyes analyzing his every move. Her anger grew as he continued to ignore her. Hastily, she grabbed a pillow and chucked it at him. He whirled around as it struck him, his face dumbfounded. His eyes met her angry one's, her face filled with disdain. "Tell me what's wrong." She demanded, her face softening. 
"I'm sorry." He growled. She cocked her head. 
"For what?" 
"I'm not angry with you..." He muttered. "I'm angry with myself." 
"Why?" She shook her head, not understanding. 
"I've ruined you." She raised an eyebrow at his words, and was tempted to grab another pillow. 
"Don't infantalize me, Discord." She said, grabbing his hand and forcing him to face her. "I wasn't anymore innocent or pure before than I am now. Purity isn't real." 
"But-" 
"You didn't do anything wrong." His eyes roamed away from hers, and he sighed. She smiled sweetly and rose from the bed, grabbing her clothes. He watched her captivatingly as she slipped into them. She blushed as he regarded her. A knock at the door made her jump. 
"Shy?" Her mother called. "You up yet?" Her head whipped toward him, panic written across her face. He shrugged, just as surprised as her. 
"Uh- yes- but i'm getting dressed!" There was silence. 
"Okay...Just come out soon, I want to take you and Discord out for lunch. It's a nice day out." Her voice faded out as they heard her walk away. She breathed a sigh of relief and nudged him slightly as he began to laugh. 
"You're a terrible liar." He simpered. A smile grew on her face. 
"You should hear Jackie lie. Now that's funny." 

They were eating outside of a small restaurant called Granny Smith's. It was a hot day for fall, she noticed as she picked up her fork. It had been an awkward car ride once Discord managed to sneak out of her bedroom without being seen, though her mother didn't seem to suspect anything. Or so she hoped. 
"So," her mother cleared her throat. Shy looked up from her plate. Oh no. She swallowed. That's her 'I know something' voice! "I've noticed that you two have been spending a lot of time together." She glanced at the two of them, her daughter looked utterly mortified, all the while Discord seemed rather amused. "There's nothing wrong with that, and I don't mind if you two share romantic interests in one another...but...I don't want you partaking in any sort of...activities while you're in my home. There are boundries." The two exchanged a nervous look. 
"Uh-I-m-mom who do you think I am?" She asked nervously. "I-I mean, come on." 
"Nora, I would nev-" 
"Save it, just please respect my rules. In my house, no kissing, no 'fooling around' or whatever the kids call it nowadays," She listed them rigorously. "And absolutely no sex." Shy choked on the tea she was drinking. 
"Mom!" 
"Look, your dad and I weren't saints. We gave into our desire before we were married and I never regretted it, bu-" 
"Mom, we get it." She huffed quickly, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. Discord sat there, observing the altercation. He zoned out as Nora started to argue with her daughter. So much for that last rule, he thought. As each day passed, Tirek's threat kept popping into the back of his mind. He knew he'd be stupid if he ignored it. Sombra was not one to make threats and not come through with them. Three days. It had only been two, would Sombra come for him at the dance tomorrow? Was he really stupid enough to commit some deplorable act in a highschool gym? He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his name. 
"You okay, Discord?" She asked sweetly. 
"Ah, yes, sorry. I got a little distracted." 
"I was just saying that I can leave if you two would like to be alone while I go and get some groceries." Nora offered. 
"If you wish," Discord answered absentmindedly. Shy eyed him curiously. Nora smiled and grabbed her purse, waving to them as she got into her car. 
"Are you okay?" She asked. 
"Hm?" He glanced at her. 
"You seem out of it." 
"It's nothing, my dear." He reassured, smiling at her. She smiled back, just as credulous as she was when they met. They talked for another hour, waiting for her mother to return.
"So," He burst. She looked up at him curiously. "Have you talked to our friend huckleberry?" 
"His name is Mac, and yeah...I texted him." 
"You have his number?" 
"Yes, Discord I have his number." 
"Hm. How nice for you." He took a sip of his tea. She squinted at him and set her cup down. 
"Am I the only one of us who remembers last night?" She muttered angrily, though she couldn't help the glow that appeared on her cheeks.
"The jealousy thing is something I could work on..." He stated guiltily. 
"I told him I was sorry, I mean...I didn't want to make him feel bad, but, that I'd rather go with someone else." She murmured. He smirked.
"Are you sure there isn't something else we can do that night?" He asked suggestively. She rolled her eyes. "Alright...I just...school dances have never really been my thing." He explained. 
"You'll be fine." She smiled warmly. "Oh, that reminds me, I'm going to be volunteering at the animal shelter after school tomorrow. I hope I have time to get ready..." She trailed off, lost in her thoughts. He grinned, and snatched her up into his arms. 
"Hey!" She gasped, before their lips met. She smiled briefly against his mouth, sighing with delight. He set her down, laughing at the giggles bubbling from her throat. She rose up on her toes and kissed him again. They jumped apart at the sound of a horn honking behind them. She shot a sheepish smile to her mother, who was cocking an eyebrow at the two of them. 
"To be fair," Discord began as he got into the car. "We weren't in the house." Shy resisted the urge to slap her palm to her forehead. Nora just laughed, rolling her eyes at the teen's unprecedented way of breaking awkward silence.