//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Hearth's Warming // by GoldenChaos //------------------------------// Hearth's Warming Day 5~ Fluttershy yawned, her eyes fluttering open. Her vision was blurry, but cleared up as she blinked. She felt great. Whatever Discord put in the soup made her sickness go away. Suddenly, Discord sighed, who was curled around her. Fluttershy blushed. Did they fall asleep-again- together like this?! Fluttershy hoped nopony saw them because this would be pretty much a scandal. Then, she remembered she didn't have any windows in her bedroom, due to fear. Discord's eyes were closed, and Fluttershy assumed he was still asleep. Hopefully he was, or Fluttershy would die of embarrassment. She raised her head, and kissed him on the cheek, lingering for a few moments. She laid her head, now brighter red, back on her pillow. Fluttershy didn't know how many minutes had passed after that. But, she barely cared. She was sleeping with Discord, who was surprisingly soft. Fluttershy couldn't think of anywhere else she would want to be. Discord yawned beside her. Fluttershy's head snapped up at the sound, startled. Discord's mismatched eyes blinked open. "Hello, my dear," said Discord softly. "Feeling better?" "I feel perfect," replied Fluttershy. She smiled warmly at the draconequus. "Feeling up to the ball today?" asked Discord. Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Oh, no!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "If I don't hurry, I will be late to get my dress from Rarity." Discord's eyes flashed with undoubtable disappointment. "Well, I was looking forward to a nice breakfast, but I suppose I can let it go for a day," said Discord. He snapped up a slice of toast, and handed it to Fluttershy. "Here, at least eat this." Fluttershy took the bread, and took a small bite. "Thank you Discord. I better be going," said Fluttershy. "Not without a sweater!" exclaimed Discord. He snapped his talons again, and Fluttershy wore a pure white sweater with light blue snowflakes decorated all over it. She had matching white earmuffs. "Another beautiful sweater," said Fluttershy happily. "Discord, you will have me prepared for all winters at this rate." Discord chuckled. Fluttershy didn't stay to chat, and flew out the door. Though her flying wasn't very good, she was going faster than she could walk. Soon, she saw the place she had been looking for. She fluttered down, and landed with the snow crunching under her hooves. She knocked on the purple door of Rarity's house, and the white unicorn opened the door. "Ah, Fluttershy, darling," said Rarity, scanning her over. "You're right on time. Tell me, dear, where did you get that fabulous sweater?" Fluttershy blushed, and smiled. "Discord gave it to me," said Fluttershy. Discord's name made Rarity's eyes widen, but she smiled at the last part. "Well, I'll give him he has a sense for finding a nice present for a friend," said Rarity. "It is gorgeous. Oh, where are my manners? Come on in. The others are trying on their dresses as well." They walked inside, and sure enough, the four others were sitting there. Twilight was admiring her dress, with was pitch black, turning into a dark purple at the edges with silvery sparkles running through it. Pinkie was bouncing in her pink dress with red and green swirls. Rainbow was having trouble getting in her golden dress with red patterns. Applejack, was bare. Her hooves were crossed, her lip in a pout. "Rarity, for the last time, Ah'm not goin' to be wearin' a dress!" snapped Applejack. "Darling, everypony else is, so you will too," huffed Rarity. "If you're not going to wear the dress, I will force you." Rarity used her magic before Applejack could protest, and a light brown dress appeared on her, with green ribbons on the neck. Applejack pouted. "Fine, ya win," said Applejack. Rarity turned to Fluttershy, her eyes full of excitement. "Fluttershy, yours was the one I've been the most excited for," said Rarity. "I know you don't like the special attention, but stallions will be looking at you." Fluttershy blushed. "Um, but I have one already in mind," said Fluttershy. "Big Mac?!" exclaimed Rarity, smiling. Fluttershy's heart stopped, and she frowned. "Um," started Fluttershy. "I always knew you had something for him! Wait until Applejack finds out. Be right back, and I will bring your dress, too," Rarity galloped over to Applejack, and told her of Fluttershy's 'love interest' as Fluttershy wanted to crawl in a hole. That was not the pony she was looking for. She looked to Applejack, who was looking at her in surprise. "Fluttershy, can we talk for a minute?" asked Applejack. Fluttershy gulped, and Applejack walked over. "Ah'm not really comfortable with ya likin' my brother, but-" "I don't like him! Sorry, but I have somepony else in mind," said Fluttershy. "Also, no offense to him, but I don't know him very well." "But Rarity jus' told me-" "Well, I'm sorry, but she was wrong," said Fluttershy. Applejack smiled. "Well, heh, Ah'm sorry for the misunderstandin'. Have a nice time with yer dress," Applejack winked, and walked away. Fluttershy smiled after her. Rarity walked over, with a dress in her hooves. "Did Applejack give you her blessing, darling?" asked Rarity. Fluttershy opened her mouth. "Ah, that's good." Discord was having a hard time figuring out what suit to wear. Black? Too plain. Orange? He already did that. Discord groaned, and flopped down onto the floor. He laid there for a few minutes. "Come on, you idiot!" shouted Discord to himself, spinning midair and landing on his couch. "Fluttershy doesn't want a miserable stallion as a lover!... Or a monster..." Discord sighed sadly. Even though Fluttershy was happy he was going to have a dance with her, it was probably because it would be with a friend. Fluttershy probably loved Big Mac or somepony like that. Discord groaned. She was so perfect, with her teal eyes... That's it! Teal! It looks nice and it would resemble that Discord really appreciated Fluttershy. Discord shot straight up, flapping his wings, and snapped his talons. He wore a teal suit, with a teal hat like the one at the gala, except it had white stripes and a piece of mistletoe sticking at the side. Discord smiled mischieviously. The mistletoe will come in handy. "Fluttershy, be prepared for the best day of your entire freaking pony life!" hollered Discord. He flashed away. Discord nervously waited for Fluttershy. She had arrived back shortly after, and Discord had a big issue with hiding the suit. He had it back on, and was waiting for Fluttershy. She was probably stalling for time, so she would not have to dance with Discord. Discord groaned, smacking his face. Suddenly, a small sqeak sounded, and Discord's jaw dropped as he saw Fluttershy. She was wearing a snow white dress, with green and red striped laces. There were golden, shimmering designs embedded into the hems, and she wore a simple piece of holly behind her ear. Fluttershy was simple, yet the most beautiful thing Discord had ever seen. Fluttershy was blushing, and Discord saw her eyes run down his suit. He tinged red. "Oh, um, you look... pretty," said Discord, and he mentally slapped himself. Despite that poor compliment, Fluttershy smiled and blushed redder. "Er, I mean beautiful. And, the suit color is because your eyes are so pretty, and um, I wanted to show that off?" Discord inwardly groaned inside. But, Fluttershy still smiled. "Discord, that is very sweet of you," said Fluttershy. "But, we have to go! In ten minutes is the ball, and I need to be there early for the girls!" Discord snapped his talons, and they appeared in the gazebo. Fluttershy staggered, but luckily, Discord caught her. "Don't worry, I got it covered," said Discord, smirking. "Please warn me before you do something like that again," said Fluttershy. Discord slowly let go of her, and disappointment ran through his mind. Couldn't he have held her for a little bit longer? No, it would only scare her. "My dear, you see them anywhere?" asked Discord. "Over there," replied Fluttershy. She turned and smiled at him. "I will be gone for a few minutes. Try to talk to Big Mac and Spike." She gestured over to the two, who stood awkwardly. "They could use some of your humor." Discord smiled. He teleported them. "HELLO WASSUP?!" "GAH!" cried Spike, nearly falling over. Big Mac's eyes widened, but there wasn't much more of a reaction. Spike steadied himself, and glared at Discord. "Do you seriously have to do that every time?" "Do you seriously have to get scared and scream like a mare every time?" shot back Discord. Spike rolled his eyes. "That greeting was uncalled for, right Big Mac?" Spike nudged the large red stallion. "Eeyup," agreed Big Mac. "Oh, whatever," said Discord, rolling his eyes. "You just need to lighten up." For emphasis, he snapped his talons, and Spike lit up. Spike gasped, but then the light disappeared. "Please never do that again," said Spike. "So, going anywhere with that crush on Fluttershy?" Discord's eyes widened. "How did you- I mean, what do you mean?" asked Discord. Spike's deadpan expression made Discord slump. "Oh, I'll never get anywhere with her. Big Mac, I'm jealous of you. I mean, she probably likes you." "Eenope," said Big Mac. "I'm taken." "By who?" asked Discord. Big Mac turned his muzzle away, and his gaze rested on a gray earth pony, with a darker gray mane, and purple eyes. "Alright, then." He felt relief wash over him. One less stallion as competition. Discord snapped out of that thought. Big Mac was his pal. He was not 'competition'. Discord looked over to Fluttershy, where she was laughing with her friends. Discord sighed sadly, getting a look from Spike. But, Discord was deep in thought. Fluttershy was so beautiful when she laughed. Why couldn't he always be the cause of her laughter? "Equestria to Discord," said Spike, crossing his small, scaly arms. Discord's attention snapped to him. "Oh, um, yes?" Discord fiddled with his fingers, nervously smiling. He'd been caught staring. "I suggest less staring," said Spike. "Some ponies are questioning you." Sure enough, some ponies were watching Discord suspiciously. Some were whispering. Discord growled. "Well, they better stop," said Discord. "Or I'll send them somewhere they will lose their sanity." "Will Fluttershy approve of that?" Spike snickered. Discord blushed and growled. "Look, buddy, watch what you're saying," said Discord, butting his forehead to Spike's. "I wouldn't want a new species of purple frogs taking over Equestria." Spike's eyes widened, and gulped. "Yes, sir! S-Sorry, sir!" said Spike nervously, shrinking down. Discord smiled and patted his head. "That's better," said Discord. His eyes momentarily met Fluttershy's. He blushed again. Discord groaned to himself, wondering what in Equestria made Fluttershy so attractive. A small hoof tapped his shoulder. "Hey, Discord," said Fluttershy. "Want to grab some punch?" She smiled, though Discord could see her anxiety. She was in a crowd of ponies. Discord knew he wouldn't like it if he was a beautiful mare (He was far from that) and was very shy. "Sure, my dear," said Discord. Fluttershy and Discord walked over to the punch. Fluttershy glanced at him with an emotion that made Discord's heart pound. Discord turned bright red, hoping nopony could hear it. Somehow, he was sweating, regardless of the coldness touching his skin. He intook his breath and let it out slowly. Fluttershy handed him a cup of pink-purple liquid. Discord gulped it down quickly, and sighed in relief. "I needed that," said Discord. "Discord, the music is about to come on!" exclaimed Fluttershy. Sure enough, a small orchestra gathered under the gazebo. "My dear, I will be right back," said Discord, seeing in the corner of his vision Big Mac looking panicked. "I need to help Big Mac." He teleported over to Big Mac. "Hey, going to dance with Marble?" Big Mac's breath caught. "Nope," he said with a strained voice. "Oh, don't break the mare's heart!" snapped Discord. "Get over there!" Discord's arms gripped Big Mac by the sides, and he teleported them to Marble Pie, who was alone at the side. "Come on! Get together and dance!" The two ponies didn't look at each other. Then, they smiled. Big Mac looked into Marble's eyes, and the decision was made. He offered his hoof to the gray mare, and took her out where couples started to gather. Then, a sweet, slow music started to play. Discord heard pounding in his ears, and flashed nearby Fluttershy, who was talking to a stallion. Jealousy gripped his heart. Before he got angry, though, Fluttershy shook her head, and the stallion's head lowered as he walked away. Discord rushed over to her. "Mind if I have this dance," said Discord. Fluttershy's head was lowered. "Sorry, sir, I already-" She looked up and blushed. "Oh, Discord! Of course." Discord felt the glares of some stallions, probably rejected by Fluttershy. Discord smirked, and reached down his paw to her. His heart leaped with joy as her hoof connected to his paw. He gripped her other hoof and lowered himself down. Discord honesty didn't know what he was doing, but he felt right holding her to his chest. They spun to the energetic, but beautiful slow music. Fluttershy seemed to be comfortable, much to his delight. Spinning her, making her gasp, made Discord chuckle. Fluttershy laughed with him. Discord realized some of the couples stopped dancing, and were staring at them. Heat rushed to his face, but he continued. He was dancing with Fluttershy, the love of his life, and he wanted the world to know about it. As the music came to a close, Discord dipped Fluttershy to the ground, and all eyes were on him. It struck him. The ponies were waiting for him to kiss Fluttershy. After all, she was beautiful tonight, and maybe she felt the same. Discord felt like she might. So, Discord leaned down a bit. Fluttershy's eyes widened, and she closed the gap. They embraced, but it was a second. Applause sounded, and Discord turned bright red. "Thank you for this dance," said Fluttershy, equally red. No, she probably did it because everypony would be disappointed if she didn't. Discord sighed sadly, though he was very cheerful, being able to dance with the mare of his dreams. "That was a wonderful dance," said Twilight, smiling warmly. "Even if you and old Dipcord kissed," added Rainbow, gagging. "Darling, it was only because everypony was expecting her to," said Rarity. Fluttershy frowned. "Especially when she has an eye for Big Mac." "Ah don't think she does," said Applejack. Fluttershy gave her a grateful glance. "And you wouldn't know that," said Rarity. "I'm the romantic. I know who a pony should go for." "Actually, no offense, but you don't," said Fluttershy. "Why, whatever do you-" "I don't like Big Mac like that," said Fluttershy. "I told this to Applejack. I have an eye for somepony else." "And Ah can tell when somepony is lyin'," said Applejack. "She was tellin' the darn truth." "Oh well," sighed Rarity. "You would have made a nice pair, but if you don't want this, then neither do I." Fluttershy gave her a smile. "I'm glad you understand," said Fluttershy.