//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Hearth's Warming // by GoldenChaos //------------------------------// Hearth's Warming Day 1~ Discord was confused. Why did Fluttershy kiss him of all ponies? Discord shrugged. It was all she could do. He got her a present, and she kissed him to return a present. Though, the thought saddened Discord as he realized it was only a gift, nothing more. She obviously didn't like him like that. Discord heard a soft humming as hoofsteps sounded in the hallway. He had fallen asleep on the couch. Fluttershy walked in, and smiled at Discord, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Good morning, Discord," said Fluttershy in a sing song voice. "Happy Hearth's Warming!" "H-Happy Hearth's Warming," repeated Discord. "My first Hearth's Warming out of stone." "I'm glad you decided to spend it with me, even though I'm nothing much," said Fluttershy. She had a soft, warm smile on her face that made Discord want to scoop her in his arms and hug her tightly. "Nothing much? That is the biggest lie I have ever heard. Applejack would be ashamed," said Discord, faking disappointment. "You are everything to me, my dear." "Oh, my," said Fluttershy, who smiled as she turned bright red. "T-Thanks for saying that. It was the kindest thing I have ever heard." "What would you like for breakfast?" asked Discord, clapping his paw and claw together. "W-What? I should be asking you that question! Oh, I'm such a bad hostess," said Fluttershy. "You're perfect," said Discord, and his face turned pink as he said that. "I mean, you're a perfect hostess. I just want to make breakfast on Hearth's Warming for my... For my friend." "Okay," said Fluttershy. "Pancakes with caramel on top?" Discord offered, and Fluttershy's eyes widened. "M-My favorite," said Fluttershy wistfully. "How did you know?" "I, er, listened in on a conversation?" "Oh well, that's fine if it was for a good cause," said Fluttershy, shrugging her shoulders. "My treat," said Discord. He snapped his talons, and the room transformed. The area was covered in snow, but was warm to touch. Discord made the snow out of vanilla. There was a candy cane table in the center, with a Hearth's Warming tree growing out, with ornaments of Fluttershy and Discord's moments together, with a bright, golden star on top. Animals hopped everywhere, eating the vanilla. On the table lay two plates with pancakes drenched with caramel with a single piece of chocolate on top. "I-It's beautiful," said Fluttershy. "Glad you like it," said Discord. Fluttershy walked toward the table, running her hoof over the candy surface, and giving it a lick. She smiled, radiating a warm glow. Discord teleported into one of the seats at the table. "Let's dig in!" Fluttershy sat across from him. Discord gave her a sly smile, and snapped his talons. Fluttershy gasped as a red coat with fluffy ,white, cloudlike edges formed around her, and a piece of holly stuck behind her ear. "Discord, this is very nice," said Fluttershy, blushing slightly. "Glad you like it," said Discord. It definitely looked good on her. Fluttershy picked up a fork, make of hard candy, and took a bite out of her breakfast. She smiled contently, and Discord forgot about his own food. "Are you not hungry?" asked Fluttershy, setting down her fork. "Oh! I'm hungry all right," replied Discord. He quickly took a few bites from the cakes on his plate, and savored the flavor. Fluttershy giggled, and went back to her own food. They ate for what felt like ages to Discord, and he was bored. Finally, Fluttershy was finished, and he could finally make her do something actually fun. "So, do you like ice skating?" asked Discord. "I-Ice S-Skating?" stammered Fluttershy, her ears flat on her head. "Um, Discord, I don't really think-" "Great news!" interrupted Discord. He grabbed her hoof, making them both blush. "Let's go!" He teleported them to a lake by the outskirts of Ponyville, which was frozen over. The grass was a pale yellow. "So, what hoof size ya wear?" "Um..." "Done!" Discord snapped his fingers, and Fluttershy had four ice skates on, and she was on the ice. Fluttershy's hooves slid all over the place, but Discord, just in time, caught her. "Ah, ah, ah, no falling!" Discord tutted, and clapped his paw and claw together, momentarily letting go of Fluttershy. "Let me show you. Sit down." Fluttershy didn't need to be told twice. The ice was probably cold, but she sat anyway. Discord smiled, and started moving his hind legs. He glided across the ice, with barely any effort. "Just keep going, left, right, left, right, left, right." Discord twirled on the ice. "And soon you will be a pro!" "I don't think I will be very good," said Fluttershy, hiding behind her mane. "No excuses!" Discord dragged her across, making her squeak. He smiled. "Come on, move your hooves! One side at a time. Left, right, left, right." Fluttershy started moving her hooves. "Left, right, left, right, left, right..." muttered Fluttershy. Soon, she was gliding across the ice, Discord still holding onto her abdomen. "Discord, this is so fun!" "I knew you would like it," said Discord. "I'm going to let go." "W-What?! No," pleaded Fluttershy, turning her head to face Discord. "If you remember what to do, you will be fine," assured Discord. "Three, twoone!" His paw and claw released Fluttershy, and she sqeaked. "Ah, ah," Fluttershy made her legs sturdy, and stopped. She moved her left hooves, and her right. She muttered under her breath, words Discord couldn't hear. He smiled as she picked up the pace, and smiled. "Woo!" She glided past Discord. "Hey, wait up!" called Discord, following after her. "You can't catch me!" said Fluttershy, laughing merrily. She squeaked as she realized she was getting too close to the edge. She looked in fright at Discord, her eyes begging for help. "Point your toes inwards!" cried out Discord as he caught on. "Ah!" screamed Fluttershy, and she plopped on the grass. Her red coat was ruffled. Discord teleported over to her, and he noticed her nose was pink. "I think we had enough ice skating for today," said Discord. "How about some hot chocolate, and maybe a few gifts to exchange?" "I-I think that sounds nice," replied Fluttershy. They sat by the fire, with mugs of hot chocolate in their hooves/claws. Discord had a feeling of contentment, which was strange for just sitting so still. Fluttershy gazed into the firelight, and Discord couldn't help but admire how beautiful her eyes were as they reflected the fire. A soft smile was etched on her lips, and Discord wondered what they would taste like if he were to kiss them. But doing something like that would probably ruin their friendship. Discord stretched, and fell back on the couch, flashing his cup of hot chocolate onto the table. Fluttershy glanced over to him, and gave him a giant smile. "Are you about ready for present time?" asked Fluttershy. "Never thought you'd ask," replied Discord. He put his paw behind his back, and conjured a present she was sure to love. He made sure there were holes in it. Fluttershy walked to the corner of the room, where a pile of presents were, and took out a plain blue box. "Sorry if it isn't chaotic enough," said Fluttershy. "My dear, anything from you is perfect, chaotic or not," replied Discord. He handed her his gift, while Fluttershy handed Discord the blue box. Discord ripped it open eagerly, and smiled as he saw a nice, pale blue sweater checkered with hot pink. "My, this is chaotic enough!" Discord snapped his talons, and the sweater appeared on him. Fluttershy lifted up her present, and almost dropped it as a small squeak came from inside. She opened the box, and saw a small puppy. His ears were floppy, and his fur was pitch black, with a light pink nose. "Woof!" said the puppy. "Aw, he's adorable," said Fluttershy, stroking his head, and giggling as he licked her hoof. "I think I will call him... Ace." The puppy licked her nose. "Thank you Discord." She set the puppy on the floor, who rolled onto his back, whining for a belly rub. She gave him a few strokes on his belly, and came over to Discord, and hugged him. "This will be a nice twelve days of Hearth's Warming. Happy Hearth's Warming." She nuzzled Discord, and he blushed. "Happy... Hearth's Warming, Fluttershy," said Discord. "I'm happy to spend it with a friend," said Fluttershy. Discord frowned. He had hoped they could become more, but he had to take it slow. It was, a happy Hearth's Warming.