A few months had passed since Twilight's 20th birthday. Everypony had been managing fine; they had grown in a sense.
However, the only real change for Fluttershy and Discord was that Discord had moved into Fluttershy's cottage - after all, it wasn't like he had any place to go.
At first, everypony was a bit hesitant to trust the draconequus - but Discord completely understood. He did try to take over Equestria, and he was the reason that Nightmare Moon returned.
While Fluttershy was perfectly happy - doing what she usually did, feeding and playing with her animals - the residents of Ponyville would constantly whisper about him, and he knew it. He wasn't sure if his beloved Fluttershy could hear them, but he assumed she didn't - after all, she would try to comfort him or tell him it's okay if she did.
While Discord was insecure, he didn't let it show. He also felt a weird, tingly feeling whenever he was with Fluttershy.
It was certainly strange, but Discord thought nothing of it.
Well, at first.
He would brush it off as plain friendship. However, over time, he realized that it was much more.
When he was around her, he blushed, stuttered, and felt slightly nervous.
Discord didn't know what to think of it.
He did and didn't like the feeling.
Whenever she would go away - be it when she went to visit her friends, or just went outside to feed the chickens - he would feel lonely again, feel like something was missing from his life.
He just couldn't place his finger on it.
Why was he feeling this way?
"Discord?" Discord snapped out of his thoughts, the tingly feeling returning as he heard the soft, angelic voice of his beloved Fluttershy.
Her mane was tied up neatly into a ponytail.
Discord laughed mentally.
Ponytail.
"O-oh! Fluttershy!"
"Are you alright?" The small pegasus said, concern in her voice.
Discord glared at the golden locket dangling from her neck, which she had received at Twilight's birthday party.
"I'm fine.. t-thank you, my dear."
Fluttershy blushed.
'My dear.'
Discord thought it was adorable when she blushed. His pupils dilated slightly when he realized that he was blushing as well.
"W-well," Fluttershy stuttered. "I was thinking.. why don't we have a picnic with all of our friends? It's beautiful this morning."
"Indeed you are.." Discord murmured.
"What?"
"Erm, nothing!" His blush worsened. "Well, we should get our pony friends, shouldn't we?" Discord quickly changed the topic.
"Oh, yes!" Fluttershy smiled warmly at the draconequus. "I'll go get them."
Discord's ears flattened slightly.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry." She said softly.
"O-okay.." Discord sighed as the beautiful mare exited the small cottage.
A few moments later, Fluttershy had brought all of her friends (plus Spike) for their picnic.
"Ooh, I love picnics!" Pinkie shouted enthusiastically. "Are you excited? 'Cause I'm excited! Ooh, nopony could be more excited than me right now!"
"Simmer down, Pinkie."
"Okay!"
"Wow! It really is gorgeous out here, darling!" Rarity swooned.
"It looks awesome!" Rainbow agreed.
"I have to agree. It really is the perfect spot for a picnic!"
"And truth or dare!!" Pinkie gasped in realization. "Can we play it?"
"I don' see why not." Applejack shrugged.
"Yay!"
"Discord!" Fluttershy called. "I'm back!"
Discord whipped around to see all of his friends.
"Hiya, Discord!" Pinkie greeted enthusiastically. "We're gonna play truth or dare!"
"Just lovely." Discord murmured.
"Oh my!" Fluttershy gasped. "I was so excited to invite my friends that I forgot to set up the picnic!" Fluttershy face-hoofed at her own stupidity.
"Do not fret, my dear, I can handle this." Discord snapped his fingers, a picnic blanket being spread out across the green grass.
"Oh, Discord, this looks lovely!" Fluttershy's teal eyes lit up, causing a blush to creep onto Discord's face.
Pinkie snorted.
Everypony turned to look at the pink earth pony.
"What?"
Everypony rolled their eyes and settled down for a nice picnic - as well as a bit of truth or dare!
"Who wants to-"
"Ooh! I wanna start! I wanna start!!" Pinkie screeched.
"Alright.." Rainbow narrowed her eyes.
"Okay.. hm... Dashie! Truth or dare?"
"Dare, duh!" Rainbow smirked smugly.
"I dare you to fly 10,000 laps around the entire cottage!"
Rainbow's eyes dilated, but she scoffed. "Pssh, that's too easy!"
Rainbow finally finished her 10,000th lap, collapsing on the ground. Sure, she was good, but it really took the energy out of her - especially with her flying so fast.
"R-Rarity... truth or d-dare..?"
"Truth!"
"Have you e-ever been caught acting un-ladylike?"
Rarity's cheeks flushed. "N-no.."
"Tell the truth!" Applejack said through clenched teeth.
"Oh, fine! I confess! I was caught.. eating like a slob!" Rarity dramatically put her hoof over her forehead. "Alright! Fluttershy, darling, truth or dare?"
"Oh.. um.. t-truth..."
"Do you have a crush on somepony? - ah, you don't have to say who."
"W-well.. um... y-yes..? Kind of.." Fluttershy stuttered.
Discord's ears perked slightly, his interest in the subject growing. He clenched his teeth.
Who could she possibly have a crush on? He thought, his jealousy growing. Wait, why do I care anyway?
"Ooh! Who is it?" Pinkie asked, knocking down the food as she got close to Fluttershy's face, staring her down.
"U-uhm... uh..."
"Pinkie! That's enough!" Applejack whisper-yelled at the pink earth pony.
"Aww, but I was having so much fun!" Pinkie pouted, crossing her hooves.
Rarity rolled her eyes. "You don't have to answer her, darling." She glared daggers at Pinkie.
"O-oh.. it's... my turn... I suppose.." Fluttershy murmured. "Um.. Discord! Truth or dare?"
"Hmm," Discord thought. "Truth, I guess."
"Really?" Rainbow rolled her eyes. "You're the Lord of Chaos, and you can't even do a dare!?"
Discord snapped his fingers, zipping Rainbow's mouth shut.
"Mmf!" Rainbow tried to insult the draconequus, but, alas, her mouth was zipped shut.
"Oh dear.. no need to argue," Fluttershy, even though trying to help, stifled a giggle. "Anyway.. Discord, have you ever dated anypony in the past?"
"Nope," Discord said. "I mean, have you even seen me?"
"Mff." Rainbow crossed her hooves.
Fluttershy glanced at Rainbow Dash, unzipping her mouth.
"I think that's enough for now." Fluttershy giggled.
"Alright.." Twilight gobbled down a sandwich. Everypony stared at the purple princess. "What?"
They all broke out into laughter.