//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Living Nightmare // by fluttercordlover232 //------------------------------// *One month later* Fluttershy was doing much better, she was regaining some weight and the dark circles that were under her eyes were almost gone completely. Thanks to that medicine Dr. Rubix gave her. She still struggled with her same nightmare sometimes, but it was becoming far less consistent than it had in the beginning. Where it once occurred every night, now only occurred a couple times throughout the weeks. Discord had to come in sometimes in the middle of night due to that spell he had cast to alert him if Fluttershy was having any of her nightmares. So far, he's only had to come in twice a week, but recently, it has moved down to once a week, which was a big improvement compared to what it once was. Even after a month, Discord still didn't really believe that her nightmares were stress related. When he tried to say anything about it, Fluttershy would deny anything he said otherwise. He couldn't help but feel that she was hiding something from him... Fluttershy was lying casually on her bed, all four hooves tucked underneath her as she read from the open books in front of her. She was currently reading from one of the books Dr. Rubix lent her. She only read them when she knew Discord was not around, for obvious reasons… Fluttershy sighed, she hated keeping secrets from him…but this one was necessary. Discord constantly asked her what the real problem was, she knew he was growing suspicious and the worried look he always got on his face when he had to shake her awake from her nightly horrors would always break her heart. It was times like those where she was so tempted to tell him… But then she would be reminded of his reaction if she did so…she would lose her Discord… He would be gone physically and emotionally if he found out..he would stay away from her..afraid of causing her anymore pain then he already did... Discord would distance himself from her in order to protect her…from him… Fluttershy could not let that happen. No matter the cost. After all, as much as she hated lying to him, it was far better than Discord knowing the full truth... Fluttershy heard a knock on the door, she knew it was Discord coming over for their date. She took a deep breath and got down from her bed. She walked out of her bedroom, on her way downstairs to greet her coltfriend. Little did she know, she left without realizing she left the books lying wide open on her bed... Discord stood patiently at the door as he heard his marefriend's hoofsteps approaching from the other side. The door opened, and Fluttershy was standing there with a smile on her pretty face. Discord found himself smiling back at her. Even though he was still suspicious about what was really going on with her, he did have to admit that whatever her doctor had given her was working wonders. Fluttershy smiled more often, her ribs were starting to disappear back inside her coat, and her sleeping pattern was improving greatly. Discord leaned his head toward her and gave her a kiss before he walked through her cottage door. "Can you please tell me what we're doing? You know I don't like surprises." Fluttershy said as she closed the door. "I know you don't, but you'll like this surprise I promise." Discord told her with a knowing grin plastered on his face. "Now, all you need is your binoculars and then we can go." "Oh, well there in my room. I'll go get them." Fluttershy started to walk forward but Discord put his paw up to stop her. "No need my dear. I will get it." He turned away and started for the stairs. Fluttershy was really confused as she watched him walk up her stairs. "Um..Discord...where are you going?" He turned his head back to look at her from the stairs. His lion paw resting on the railing as he looked at her. "Getting your binoculars of course." Discord could sense Fluttershy's internal question before she could ask. "A true gentlecolt, which I am, would manually make the effort to get his lady something instead of using magic." He said proudly as he turned and continued up the stairs. Fluttershy watched him go with a sweet smile on her face, although, she couldn't help but feel like she was forgetting something other then her binoculars... Discord found the binoculars on top of her dresser. She's going to love what I've got planned for her! He thought to himself as he pictured her reaction. He grabbed the binoculars and turned to leave when something in front of him caught his eye. There, lying on her neatly made bed, were three books...