//------------------------------// // The Details Are a Bit Shy // Story: Running on Fumes // by TheTalentlessPony //------------------------------// Thump, thump, thump... "N-ngh..." Fluttershy couldn't comprehend why her head was throbbing so hard. Every motion she made caused her to become dizzy - well, more dizzy - and her face felt particularly hot. She could even hear the pounding of her heartbeat echoing in her ears. W-what happened...? She squirmed, her blurry vision still able to recognize that she was on her bed, though she couldn't recall ever actually going to bed. Well, almost, but it was so foggy that it might as well have been a non-existent memory. She placed her hoof down against the mattress, then pushed, attempting to sit up. It was a bad idea, only making her head throb further. "I've taken care of all your little chores for the time being, Fluttershy. You can rest easily today." "H-huh?" Despite her swaying, she shifted, seeing Discord relaxing on a wooden chair near her bed; well, as much as a large draconequus like him could relax on a chair made for a pony. Her hoof was at her cheek as she wondered why he was there in the first place. "W-what time is it?" "Far past the normal time you typically wake up at," Discord taunted with an amused smile. Her eyes widened, and she nearly panicked before his earlier words caught up with her. "...W-wait, you... did everything for the animals today?" "Don't get any ideas!" he said in typical over-dramatic fashion. He was at her side in a minute, gesturing to himself. "I have no intention of taking your job! I simply took over while you were," he paused, "incapacitated." "Oh gosh, was I?" she asked, rubbing her head. "B-but I don't remember... what happened?" He debated on whether or not to tell her, but she was staring at him, as if begging him to. "...Well." He briefly considered telling her the fun Discord-y way, but it didn't take a genius to see that loud noises and bright flashes of magic would only startle and make her current condition worse. For once, he'd be considerate about telling someone a story. He tried to leave the more... "enthralling" details out, but he didn't skip anything important. He told her the story, explaining how she came home, how she was affected by dragon fumes, and how she practically had animalistic - as he'd described them - instincts while chasing him around the cottage. He still had to suppress the occasional chuckle. Fluttershy listened carefully, though gasping as he talked about her pouncing on him. She couldn't imagine herself doing such bizarre things, but Discord wasn't a liar, so she believed him. As much as Discord had tried to leave her exact words out, a certain three were digging into the back of her mind. She seemed to notice, leaning closer to him as if pressing for the whole truth. "...It was the oddest thing, really," he began, looking off in the distance. "The moment I tried to leave you to yourself, you belted out in the clearest voice," he made a dramatic gesture with his hand, "a declaration of love, Fluttershy, just for your old buddy Discord!" He snickered at the memory, despite the warmth across his muzzle. "I've seen ponies on dragon fumes before, but nothing quite as bizarre as that has ever happened! I wonder if it was because the former Dragon Lord was the one affecting you?" He looked back to get her opinion on it, but faltered as he noticed her face. She looked like she'd just seen a ghost, her pupils shrunken in as she stared down at the blanket. Was she embarrassed? Horrified? He brought his head down to be within her field of view, but she immediately averted her gaze. "Y-you... you think it's weird, d-don't you?" He tilted his head. "Fluttershy, you weren't yourself! You didn't mean—" He noticed her wince, and it clicked with him. She had meant every word. She might not've been in the right mindset, and a few of the silly things she did definitely weren't things she'd do, but the affectionate phrases she'd used at him and the love she declared were very much real. He was silent for a long moment, seeing that Fluttershy was looking rather miserable about the whole thing. Then, he snorted. The snort turned into chuckles, and the chuckles turned into loud fits of laughter, like he'd just heard the funniest joke in the whole world. Fluttershy's eyes widened at him, and of course her immediate thought was that he found her crush funny. She hung her head, embarrassed beyond belief, then moved, trying to get off the bed. Discord stopped her, trying to calm himself down. "I-I'm sorry, Fluttershy! It's not you! It's just too hilarious!" He shook his head, his laughter slowly dying down. Fluttershy was near tears, not understanding, but then noticed that Discord's expression wasn't mocking in the slightest. In fact, he looked positively elated. She'd never seen him so happy, actually. "Here I was, avoiding you that entire time, when I never had to!" It took another moment until he was finally calm. Fluttershy was still gazing at him with the most confused expression he'd ever seen on her. "W-what do you mean?" He smirked. He predicted that reaction. "It was ridiculous to think you wouldn't have actually fallen for me, wasn't it? I agree!" His voice was actually shaking with delight, dripping with the essence of his previous laughter. Fluttershy squeaked as he took her face in his hand, looking up at him with a small blush on her face. "D-Discord?" "Now now, my dear," he waved his free hand dismissively, "let me apologize properly like the gentleman I am." She only had a moment's notice on that before he suddenly kissed her. Her ears straightened. The warmth in her cheeks intensified and spread to the rest of her. The throbbing in her head eased. For the moment his lips made contact with hers, she felt back to normal, and even a little better. She was in a state of bliss. The daze she was in returned as he pulled away, though she was unsure if it was due to her condition or the kiss itself. He loved her, he really did, just like she loved him. She couldn't stop a smile from spreading across her face. Discord was looking adorably smug about it, probably due to how flustered he'd made her. She looked down at the blanket below, lightly running it between her hooves to shyly avoid his gaze. "Discord?" "Mm?" His smile was full of even more confidence than usual. He could tell that she liked the kiss. "W-would it be too much trouble if I asked you to make us some tea?" She blushed. "I'd like to relax and have tea with you today." "And you don't like to relax and have tea with me any other day?" he asked with mock hurt. The pillow thrown in his face by a flustered Fluttershy gave him his answer, the two sharing a small giggle over it. He got up off the bed, glancing back at her before leaving in typical Discord fashion, turning into a slinky and fleeing down the stairs. She smiled, then turned, laying on her side and pulling the nearest pillow to her. A small squeal of delight left her, and she hugged the pillow lovingly while fondly whispering Discord's name. Even if she hadn't confessed in the way she wanted, she still did it. She spent the rest of the day with him at her side. They drank their tea, and she occasionally uttered sweet nothings to him, almost as if she was back in her loopy state of mind. Only this time, she was fully aware of what she was saying, and felt great joy in not needing to hide it.