//------------------------------//
// Matters of the Heart 
// Story: Demonic Brother 
// by kurusagi16 
//------------------------------//

Matters of the Heart




Fluttershy was unable to help but feel thrilled as she trotted down the street with her friends, taking in the sights and sounds that the capital had to offer. Along the way to the stops where Twilight was leading them, she would gaze at the places in-between with intrigue. Places like a curio shop, a dozen or so cafes and fashion shops, an art gallery, a theater, and many more that you wouldn't normally see out in the country. She wanted to take in everything  that was around her, to make up what she missed for all these years.

"Why do I have to move around in this form, again?" asked Discord. At Twilight's behest, he was now in his Pony/Unicorn form, and didn't look too happy about it.

"Because." replied Twilight. "If you were to move about in your true form, everypony would freak out and end up calling for the police or something."

"But I'm a New World citizen now." he protested. "I have all the paperwork and writing cramps to prove it."

"You just finished today. That means you won't be fully processed and in the system. So, until then, you're just gonna have to deal with that form for now."

Discord looked like he wanted to argue with her, but kept quiet. Fluttershy slowed her pace so that she would be next to Discord, and asked him, "Everything alright?"

"I'm fine." he sighed. "I mean, I don't mind being a pony too much, but it can be rather bothersome. Not to mention it just doesn't compare to my true form." 

"Papa's the same way sometimes." she said. "After a long, hard day, he loves nothing more than to stretch out his wings and relax in his study.  Sometimes, I'd even find him sound asleep on the sofa in this vampire form." 

In his mind, Discord tried to picture Alistair sleeping peacefully on a sofa, but couldn't seem to properly visualize it. While the stallion had consented to letting him stay at his villa, Alistair never once smiled at him or showed him any kind of graciousness and warmth, unlike Fluttershy however who was more than hospitable. Then again, he supposed that was to be expected. Discord had managed to get off the hook for his team up with Eldra by saving Fluttershy, but he still wasn't quite forgiven for kidnapping her and getting her into the whole mess in the first place. 

"So, how is the old man anyway?" Discord asked, truly curious to know. "I haven't seen him in a while now."

Fluttershy's expression became serious and somewhat forlorn. "He's still out with the Pure Bloods, looking for Eldra." she said. "So far they haven't been able to find a single trace of her. They're thinking that maybe she went back to the Old World to go into hiding."

Discord's face softened. After Eldra's sudden escape after the fight, the vampires began to search for her, so that she could be properly tried for her heinous crimes. "What about you, what do you think?"

Fluttershy gulped. "Well, to tell the truth, I really don't know." Her body then began to shiver with fear. "Knowing that she's out there, and that she could come back..." She shut her eyes tightly, not wanting to think about or remember her horrible aunt. To her surprise, Fluttershy felt an arm wrap around her, she looked to Discord, as he pulled her close to his side. She didn't object to this action and allowed herself to be held in his warm, and comforting touch.

"You don't ever have to worry about Eldra." he whispered into her ear. "After that little stunt she pulled, I doubt she'd ever show her face around here again."

"Really?"

He nodded, his eyes showing genuine sincerity. 

"Um, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" asked Twilight, who had stopped walking when she noticed how the two of them had also stopped and were now facing one another with glistening eyes. 

Their heads whipped toward Twilight, both of them hurriedly said, "No!" and looked away from one another in embarrassment. They had both momentarily had forgotten Twilight was there, as they were about to get swept up in the moment. 

Twilight gave them a bemused look. "Well, alright then. Let's keep going, the observatory should be just up ahead."

The two mumbled under their breath in reply, as they continue to follow her. Fluttershy took a quick glance at Discord and whispered, "Thank you, for trying to make me feel better."

"It...it was nothing." he whispered back. 

Twilight looked out of the corner of her eye, seeing the little interaction between the two. 'I wonder, are those two...?' She then shook her head and thought. 'No, there's no way. It's probably just nothing.' Thus, she shrugged the whole thing off, believing that it was truly nothing, as they went on with their little tour. 






As promised, Twilight had managed to show off all the notable hot spots in the capital, along with some her own favorite places. By the time they were done, the sun was already beginning to set, and nightfall was about to approach. So, with their fun visit coming to a close, the three of them went down to the city's edge, where the carriage was waiting. 

"What a day." said Fluttershy happily. "I never knew how much fun the capital was, we should come by here again sometime."

"That would be nice." said Twilight. "But right now, I just want to get back to the villa and relax. All that walking around and talking about different parts of town can be pretty tiring."

"I'll say." said Discord. "I'll feel good to be in my own body again." As they approached the carriage, he used his magic to open the door for the two mares. "I hope you have a safe journey back." 

Fluttershy hesitated before heading inside the carriage, turning to look at Discord. "You're not coming with us?" she asked.

"No, I think it'd be easier if I just head back on my own." he said.

"Are you sure? I mean, it'll be a little while before we get back, so you'll be by yourself for some time."

Discord waved a hoof. "I'll be fine. I'm sure I'll be able to find some way of entertaining myself while I'm on my own."

"On your own..." Fluttershy muttered to herself. His words stirred something in her, as she thought about those times she waited for her father to return, and how lonely she'd get being all by herself. "Wait!" she said, she then turned to Twilight. "Um, Twilight, is it okay if I head back with Discord instead?"

This questioned surprised both Twilight and Discord. Twilight considered it for a moment and answered, "I guess so, I mean, if that's what you want."

She nodded. "Yes."

"Well then, I guess I'll see you both later." And with that, Twilight stepped into the carriage, closing its door. The carriage pulled out and drove out of town, leaving Discord and Fluttershy behind to watch as it disappeared from sight. 

"So, shall we get going?" asked Fluttershy, turning back to Discord. 

Discord, said nothing, but merely nodded. He extended his arm out to Fluttershy, which she graciously too, and the two were instantly teleported back to villa, landing in the study. With a stretch of his limbs, Discord reverted back to his true self, feeling relief to be his unusual self once more. 

"You know, you didn't have to do that." he said to her. 

"I know, but I wanted to." she replied.

"I meant what I said before, I would've been fine just heading back without you."

"Yes, but you would've been all by yourself, and...well...I thought, maybe you'd like it better if you had somepony to keep you company." 

Discord did his best to remain composed, but the way she was showing such thought and consideration for him was making his heart beat so rapidly he could practically hear it. 

"You're an interesting pony, you know that?" 

Fluttershy tilted her head. "What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I mean, you're interesting. You're the first pony to consider me a friend, to think of my feelings and such, and..." His voice dropped a little to an almost barely audible whisper, "...the only one who's ever made me feel this happy before."

Fluttershy went up to him and rested a hoof on his paw, smiling up at him. The gesture made Discord's body grow warm, time seemed to stop, as he gazed down at the Pegasus. He took in her graceful features, her kind smile, and her deep, caring eyes. She was nothing short of an angel to him, for showing so much forgiveness, compassion, and understanding to him. She looked like she was about to say something, when the sound of an opening door interrupted her. Followed by a pony's voice calling out.

"I'm home!"

Fluttershy turned to the voice, her eyes lighting up. "Papa!" she cried. She made a dash for the study door, but stopped for a moment to look at Discord. "Um, Discord, you don't mind if I--"

"No, no, by all means, go ahead." said Discord. "After all, I'm sure you've missed your father quite a bit."

Fluttershy beamed at him. "Thank you Discord, you're the best!" 

Those simple words hit Discord right in his heart, leaving him standing in a daze as Fluttershy hurried out to greet her father. The best...she had said he was the best. He slowly placed a claw over his chest, and gulped with a very sudden realization, which in retrospective now seemed completely and utterly obvious. And it was with that sudden realization, that the very thought of it almost overwhelmed him. He had, without a doubt, deep feelings for Fluttershy. And it was all entirely possible...that he might even, love her.

His head was reeling, and all he could manage to utter with great anxiousness was, "Oh boy..."



* * *




Fluttershy rushed up to her father with open arms and wrapped him in a tender hug. "Papa, you're back!" she said happily.

Alistair chuckled to himself. "Yes, I had to settle a few matters before getting here, but I wanted to make it in time so that I'd be able to help with the upcoming ball." 

Fluttershy gasped. "Does that mean you're coming?" 

The stallion nodded. "Yes my dear, I wouldn't miss this year's ball for anything, if it means getting to see my beautiful daughter there."

Fluttershy smiled and blushed a little. "I'm glad you'll be there papa." she said.

"Oh, that reminds me, I brought you a little something in honor of the occasion." he said.

"Really? What?"

Alistair pulled out a box he had tucked under his wing and handed it over to her. Fluttershy didn't hesitate to open it and pulled out of it a splendid white gown. She pressed it against her chest. "Oh papa, I love it! Thank you so much." 

Alistair beamed. "I knew you would. When I saw that dress, I thought it of how lovely it might look on you." 

Fluttershy twirled around with the dress. "Can I wear this to the ball?" she asked. 

"That's exactly why I brought it for you. Why don't you try it out and see if it fits."

"Okay." Fluttershy dashed away to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. 

Alistair chuckled once more to himself as he headed for the study, it was there that he spotted Discord in his little daze. He cleared his throat loudly and said, "Good evening, Discord." he said.

Discord shook his head, coming back to his senses. "Oh, Alistair, good evening to you as well." he replied. "How was the little vampire hunt coming along?"

"Not too good I'm afraid." he said grimly. "It's completely baffling, all of it! I mean, it's been months now since Eldra was last seen, and there have been no reports of any attacks or killings since."

"Wouldn't that be a good thing?" questioned Discord.

"Under these circumstances, no. My sister, while cunning and patient, has always had a flare for dramatics. Even if she may be in hiding, you'd think she'd have sent a warning of some sort by now. Or that she'd show some trace that she was still here."

"Well, maybe it's like those other chaps said and she headed back for the Old World." suggested Discord.

Alistair shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I can't explain it, but, something doesn't feel right to me. It's almost as if Eldra has disappeared completely. It makes no sense."

Discord bit back a laugh as he watched Alistair pace. He then stopped and faced Discord with a serious expression. "I want you to promise me something." he said.

"Promise you what?" asked Discord. 

"Promise me, that no matter what happens, you'll protect Fluttershy with your life. That you'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Discord blinked. "Um, not that I'm objecting or anything, but, why are you asking me?"

Alistair sighed. "Because, as much as I hate to admit it, I can't protect Fluttershy on my own. And since you're a friend of hers and seem to be quite capable of defense, you seem like you'd also be capable of protecting her."

Discord stood there in silence, and then finally answered, "I give you my word, that I will see to it myself that no harm will befall Fluttershy."

"Then it's settled." and with that, the two shook on it, sealing the promise. 

"Papa, I'm all dressed, come and see!" called Fluttershy. 

"I'll be right there!" Alistair called back. He stopped partway through the study door and said gravely, "Remember, I hold you to your word." and with that, he left Discord all alone, with his thoughts and feelings to himself.