//------------------------------// // Chapter VI: "He's my teacher!" / "She's my student!" // Story: My Chemistry Teacher. (Fluttercord AU) // by MinionsFanatic //------------------------------// That tea party was the first of so many. Every Friday, at 3 pm, Discord would finish his class and go to the Club's room to meet Fluttershy for their weekly tea parties; and sometimes they would talk after her Chemistry classes with him were done. Since just one hour to talk wasn't enough, they both agreed to meet at 3 pm so they could have more time to chat about each other's days. They spent hours talking about simple things; like which classes they liked more, how good was the cafeteria food; their pets and many other things. Discord also sometimes went to the club when other students and teachers were there too. It helped him practice his people skills, how to begin a conversation, to always listen to what the other had to say. Even though he spent most of his life going place by place in his youth, he never really had a real conversation with anyone in a really long time. He would never admit it but, he missed it. But, as much as he liked getting to know people at college better, he always preferred to talk with Fluttershy, alone. Just the two of them, chatting and laughing about whatever they talked about. It wasn't just about the peace he felt talking to her, but the way the did it. He felt like he could tell her anything, that he could trust her but most importantly, that she actually trusted him. When they got together to talk, they felt like they've been friends their whole lives, like they have always known each other. Discord knew it was crazy since he was just her teacher, but he really felt that, for the first time in his life, he had a real friend. Back when he was young, he wasn't much of a reliable person, especially to Celestia and Luna. He wasn't a people's person. But with Fluttershy, he didn't feel like a disgrace, like a disappointment or like a fraud. He didn't even feel like a teacher; he felt like himself. And he had not felt that way in a really long time. They were just in the middle of their seventh tea party, just talking about their day and funny but also embarrassing moments. They still had an hour until the club was closed, but for them, time just flew by. Fluttershy was laughing non-stop from Discord's jokes and pranks he pulled off when he was a student. "And then," Discord said laughing. "When he got up again, his pants were down!" Fluttershy was laughing uncontrollably with Discord trying to cover his mouth. "Hahahahaha! Oh my!" she said. "Did he figured out it was you?!" "He almost didn't! That tattle-tale Luna told him it was me after we all stopped laughing," he said chuckling. "That old Starswirl really needed to light up! That's how I got my first strike in college." "Well, he was the Dean back then," Fluttershy said chuckling. "I still can't believe you didn't get expelled!" "Hehehe, well. I got my tricks." Discord said smugly. Fluttershy giggled, covering her mouth. "I've never imagined you could cause such mischief!" she said. "Oh, trust me, my dear. You'd be surprised," he said in a sassy tone, drinking a cup of tea. Fluttershy couldn't help but blush a little about that comment. He has been referring to her or calling her "my dear" ever since they first talked. At first, she thought he told that to every girl student, but she figured he only called her; and even though it was a little odd; she actually liked it. It was like a little nickname she had for their tea parties. She has talked and had chats with every teacher in college ever since she started it five years ago, but she had never had a friendship with a teacher like she had with Mr. Discord. She really enjoyed having these tea parties, but she enjoyed them, even more, when she spent them only with him. Suddenly, an alarm came from Fluttershy's phone. She took her bag-back and looked at it. It was a message from her mom. She smiled warmly. "You ok?" Discord asked. "Oh, yes. It's just a message from my mom," Fluttershy said. "We haven't seen each other for almost two months. I know it might not sound like a lot of time but, we're really close. With my dad too." "Oh, I see. Is everything okay?" he asked concerned. "Oh, yes. Don't worry. She's just saying that she and dad miss me, that my brother is gonna visit them next week and they can't wait to see me after the semester ends." she explained. "Ah, you have a brother?" Discord asked. "Yes. His name is Zephyr. He finished high school two years ago." she said. "Oh, and where is he studying?" he asked. "He's... not. He's traveling through the country, finding his 'calling'." Fluttershy said, making quotes with her fingers. "Oh ho ho. I know that tone anywhere. Especially the quote fingers," Discord said chuckling. "I'm assuming your brother is... how do you call it?... finding himself?" "I love my brother, but he has never tried to do anything by himself. I'm just worried." Fluttershy said concerned. "Trust me, my dear. If anyone knows how it feels not knowing what to do with your life, is me." Discord said seriously. "You may not like this, but I think this 'finding himself' trip might actually help him. We are all lost at some point in our lives." "Really?" Fluttershy said confused. "I've never felt lost before. I've always known what I want in my life." "Well, you're one of the lucky ones. Maybe, someday you will," Discord said calmly. "But about your brother, I wouldn't worry. Some people just need to... get away from everything to find themselves. And yes, I didn't lose the irony on that part." Fluttershy chuckled a little as she looked at him and then smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mr. Discord," she said smiling. "I feel better now." "I'm glad." he smiled at her. Fluttershy returned the smile and then looked down, thinking about how Discord knew almost everything about her, but she didn't know a lot about him. Sure, he has told her his pranks and experiences in college but nothing before that. Not that she wants to be intrusive but it would be nice to know how he ended up teaching in his old college. That wasn't just a coincidence. And that talk about leaving everything you know behind to find yourself? It was clear he wanted or at least needed to talk about it. Maybe now it was time to bring up the topic. So, taking a deep breath, she looked up at him again. "Um, Mr. Discord. I was wondering if I could ask you something," she asked shyly. "Sure, my dear. What is it?" Discord asked as he drank his tea. "Um... I just wanted to know... What did you do before coming back to your old college?" she asked nervously. Discord's eyes widened and he spitted his drink, shocked. He started coughing, trying to catch his breath. Fluttershy gasped, horrified and guilty. "Oh My Goodness! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to... Um... l-let me help you with that" she yelled. She got up and got some napkins, while Discord continued coughing. Once he got cleaned up and calmed down, he cleared his throat and rubbed his hands. "Um... why do... why do you ask that?" Discord asked nervously. "Uh, well. I..." Fluttershy tried to think of an excuse but it was too late now. She has asked a personal question and she can not just let it lie there as nothing happened. She took a deep breath and looked at him. "I asked that because I've been wondering the reason you would start teaching just now after all that time you finished college. You are a great teacher, you explain Chemistry like no-one I've ever known and you seem to have enjoyed your time in this college back then," she explained calmly. "I just wanted to know, why you just started working here when you could have started years ago." Discord looked at her stunned for a minute, then he looked down with a sad look on his face and took a breath. Fluttershy got worried that she may have gone too far. Before she could apologize or even say something, Discord sighed deeply and looked away to the side. "Because... I didn't graduate from college," he said shutting his eyes in shame. Fluttershy was in silence with her eyes widened. She was too stunned to say anything. She would have never imagined that would've been the reason. She didn't know what to say or do, as guilt was starting to take over her. "Did... did you fail the classes?" she asked shyly. Discord opened his eyes but kept looking away, clutching his shoulders in embarrassment. "No." Discord said, shaking his head a little. "I almost did. But, I didn't. I... I dropped out. Just weeks before finals." There was silence in the room. Fluttershy felt horrible. She never should have pushed to talk about it like that. If he didn't bring it up it was for a good reason. She took a quiet deep breath and put her hand in his shoulder. He continued to look away. "Want to talk about it?" she asked kindly. "Not really," he said. "But... I kinda have to now." "No you don't. I'm sorry for bringing it up and for upsetting you. You don't have to tell me." Discord turned around and looked at her a little sad. He knew she didn't mean to make him feel bad. She deserved to know at least something about him. They have been talking these last three weeks after all. They were friends. So, he took another breath and turned around completely, looking at her. "It's okay. And, yes I do," he said. "It's important you know this." Fluttershy put her cellphone down and put her hands on her lap, waiting for him. "It's true I studied here. And it's true I was, and still am, a troublemaker. But I actually got grades decent enough to graduate with honors. I wasn't gonna specialize in anything, I was just told it was important to have a college degree to have a 'good future' and stuff like that. But, one day, I was just tired of everyone telling me what to do with my life and how I needed to act like a 'grown-up'. So, just days before the finals exams, I just abandoned my studies and left town, with no intentions to return ever again," he told her. "I know now it wasn't right to leave like that, not even saying good-bye to Celestia and Luna. We were friends way before all of that. But... I just didn't like what my life was becoming, so I left everything I knew and went to 'find myself'. Kinda like your brother is doing right now." Fluttershy chuckled a little about his mocking tone in that last part, before listening to him again. "So, that's why I didn't come back before. I was just a little lost," Discord said looking down. "But...not anymore." He looked up at her and smiled. "I got help, got a place to live, got a job, and now... I got a friend." Fluttershy's eyes widened a little but then she smiled back warmly. "Well, I'm glad," she said cheerfully. "And... I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable talking about this." "It's alright my dear," he replied calmly. "You were just curious. And you had every right to be. You've told me things about yourself, it's only fair I do the same." "... Thank you for telling me this. And I promise not to tell anyone if you don't want me to." she said. "Yeah... it would save me a complaint from Luna." Discord said joking. Fluttershy giggled. "Don't worry. You can count on me. I'm so glad we're friends, Discord." Fluttershy said, taking a sip of her cup, closing her eyes enjoying the flavor. Discord looked at her stunned for a second. She didn't seem to have noticed but that was the first time she actually called him by his name. He then smiled warmly still staring at her while drinking her tea. "Yeah... me too," he said warmly. He did sure enjoyed their Friday teas, but what he enjoyed the most was spending time with her, talking to her, listening to her, laughing with her, and hearing her laugh. He was so glad to have taken this job, and got the chance to meet her. He liked teaching to his other students, but he liked hanging out with Fluttershy more. Every time the talked, he felt his heartbeat twice as normal, his cheeks blushed and a wide smile on his face. After that realization, Discord stood there shocked by those things he was describing. It was almost as if, he had... feelings for this girl. NO! It was impossible! He's not even the romantic guy! How could he know for sure he was feeling... that?! Maybe he just felt like that because she was very kind to him, nothing else. Right? It could be just that. Discord didn't know what to think, but he was sure he would have to deal with this eventually, better soon than later. Discord was tired of a long week. Since he's been staying longer for his tea parties, he has got later at home for the last weeks, making Smooze miss him even more. That's why he was so happy when Discord came in the door. He jumped non-stop as his master walked into the apartment. He ran to his plate on the floor and barked again, asking for food. But then, he noticed him going straight to the sofa and sat down, sighing deeply. Confused, he went to him and nudged his feet. Discord looked down at him. "Sorry buddy. I'm just a little off," he said. "I... I've been feeling weird lately. Well, weirder than usual, you know. I think I might need some of our 'therapy' sessions. What do you say?" Smooze looked at him and barked again. "Right. After we eat." He got up and served him his food in his bowl. Smooze enjoyed it while Discord went to his room to change into his cheap pajamas. He heard Smooze barking at his bedroom door and turned to see him. "Hehe. You ready for the session?" he asked jokingly. Smooze barked. He went to him and jumped into his bed. "Okay... Give me a sec." Discord opened his night table's drawer and find a stress ball, but before he could close the drawer, he saw a dusty book. Curious, he grabbed it and looked at it, widening his eyes. 'How to deal with Anxiety Attacks?' Discord sighed and looked down. Seeing that book made him remember how much he struggled to control his anxiety attacks back then. After what he saw, it was not a surprise to him he wouldn't be the same again. His mind started to go away to those times and he felt like he was in that dark and cold room again. He closed his eyes trying to throw away those sounds, scream, and voices in his head while grabbing hardly the book, but they only grew louder. Along with those noises, he heard a cold-hearted and sly laugh far away. No! Not him! Not again! He started to have trouble breathing and he was at the verge of tears until he felt Smooze's tongue licking his cheek. He gasped, opened his eyes, and looked around him, finding himself again in his room. He began to try to catch his breath and then sighed deeply. "It... it happened again..." he said trembling. Smooze looked at him concerned. He knew what just happened. That was what he was trained for: trouble breathing, trembling body, watery eyes, and anguish vibe. He saw it before in his master, and he has seen it again, after two years, it happened again. Trying to cheer him up, he went to him and lick his hand. Discord looked at him and smiled. "Thanks buddy. I'm okay. Really," he said calmly. "How about that session now, huh?" Smooze barked and sit beside him as he put the book again in his drawer and grabbed tightly his stress ball. "Well, let's start." Fluttershy has just finished her homework, which was perfect at the time because she was lost in her thoughts right at the moment. She couldn't stop thinking about how she made Discord open up to her like that by telling her such secret about him. Though she was glad he trusted her with that, she still felt a little guilty for insisting too much. She just wanted to get to know him better, not as a teacher, but as a person. She really loved his stories in college and his hobbies, but she still felt like there was something bothering him. If only she knew so she could help him. But she has already done too much. She was so distracted in her thoughts that she didn't notice Angel pulling from her bedsheets, trying to get on the bed with her. She sat on the edge and looked down at him. "Oh, Angel. I'm sorry. I didn't notice you." "Yeah, no kidding! You got your head up in the clouds!" Angel said crossing his arms. "Are you gonna help me get up or not?" Fluttershy rolled her eyes playfully and put him up next to her. He just stayed there, looking at her still crossing his arms. She looked at him, confused. "Alright. Who is he?" Fluttershy's eyes widened. "W-what?! What are y-you talking about?" she asked nervously. "Oh, please! You can't fool me!" he said annoyed. He pointed at her. "You come home with a wide smile on your face; you finished your homework an hour later than usual; humming songs while cooking, and worst of all; you haven't played with me all week! Something is in your mind. Or should I say... someone?!" Fluttershy stood still, stunned about how she's been acting. Has she really been day-dreaming? She didn't even notice! "So. Spill the beans! What's going on with you?" Angel said. Fluttershy started sweating a little, trying to avoid eye contact, but she knew how determined and stubborn Angel was. He wasn't going to let that go. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay. I will tell you. But you have to promise me you won't freak out!" she said. "Yeah... we both know that's not gonna happen." he said smugly. "I'm waiting." Fluttershy bit her lip, feeling nervous. "Okay... It's not what you think!" she said. "I've just been distracted thinking about... Mr. Discord... my Chemistry teacher." Angel stood there with his little eyes widened, shocked. "WHAT?! YOU'VE BEEN DAY-DREAMING ABOUT YOUR TEACHER?!" he yelled throwing his little arms around. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" "I told you! It's NOT what you think! I'm just... curious about him, that's all," she said. "Oh really? And why is that? Is he the only teacher in your college?" he asked. "No... but you know we talk sometimes after class and on Fridays," she said. Then she looked to the side, smiling shyly. "Besides; he's funny, intelligent, gentle, selfless, charming, and... kinda cute." "ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOURSELF RIGHT NOW?!" Angel yelled, trying to get her attention. Fluttershy snapped out of it and looked at him again, embarrassed. Her whole face turned red tried to look away so he wouldn't notice, but he did. "I...I-I... I don't know what's happening to me, Angel! I know he's my teacher but... he's also my friend and... I... I care about him sure, but... I don't know why I feel this way!" she said while hugging her legs. Angel rolled his eyes. "Alright, I think I know what's going on." he said rubbing his little forehead. "You... you do?" she asked curiously. "It's obvious you're going through some 'high-school' cliché like every other girl. You're having a little crush on your teacher. It's completely normal. You never had a crush on anyone in high-school; your words not mine; so it's happening now in college, with this teacher you're really close to." he explained calmed. "But don't worry. It would pass. You'll get over it in no time. And once you do, you better play with me again!" Fluttershy just stood there looking at him. How could he explain it so clearly and sure if she doesn't even know how she feels? "Um... Angel. I... I don't think it works that way." she said unsure. "Of course it does! Trust me, you'll be over this whole 'feeling thing' in a few days. Just try no to think about this old guy for now on and it'll be over soon." Angel said annoyed while getting off the bed. "He's not old!" "Whatever! Just forget about him for one night and you'll be fine!" he said laying in his tiny bed. "Tomorrow I'd better get my breakfast salad with extra cherries! Goodnight!" Fluttershy just rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. She loved Angel but sometimes, he could be a real jerk. He's just pampered. He really needed to learn not everything was about him every time. She lay down on her bed, looking to the side, thinking about what her bunny said. Could it be what she is feeling? Could she be having a crush on her teacher? She couldn't! He wasn't only her teacher, he was her friend. These feelings could ruin everything! She wasn't even sure what she was feeling. Maybe she was just touched by how Discord treated her. So kind and gentlemanly. No boy has ever talked to her that sweet before or care about her feelings and thoughts like he did. Then again, Discord wasn't a boy. He was a grown man, a kind and charming man. Who loved listening to her and made her laugh. Fluttershy felt her face hot again. She realized what she was thinking and she covered herself with the bed-sheets. "Oh, I really need to stop feeling this way," she said calming herself down. "He's my teacher! We could get into so much trouble. But... I kinda like feeling this way." She sighed and closed her eyes, drifting to sleep, trying not to think about her dear friend. "And that's... pretty much it. I feel like I'm losing my mind Smooze. What should I do?" Discord was lying in his bed upside down, still pressing his stress ball, while Smooze was on top of him looking at him. They've spent the next three hours talking about Discord's weird feelings around Fluttershy and what he thinks he should do about it. Smooze looked at him and barked. Discord's eyes widened and sat on the bed with his legs crossed. "WHAT?! Are you crazy?!" he yelled. "I can't tell her! Or Celestia. Or Luna. Or anyone for that matter! I could get fired or worse!" Smooze moved his head to the side and looked at him confused. Discord sighed closing his eyes. "Besides... this thing will probably go away soon. It's not worth the risk," he said calmly. "I'm sure it's just my self-esteem hitting me. After all, no-one has ever been this kind to me. And they certainly weren't as sweet, gentle, compassionate,... and... beautiful as..." Discord's eyes widened shocked, realizing what he was saying. He looked at Smooze, who was panting with his tongue out. "What are you looking at?!" he yelled covering his face, embarrassed. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. It's just... sometimes I wish you could talk back to me and give me advice but... you can't," he said. "And the only one I trust enough to talk about this... is the same girl I can't tell this stuff about." Smooze sensed stress in his master and sit on his lap, whimpering. Discord looked down and smiled kindly. "It's okay buddy. I wouldn't change you for anything in the world," he said and then hugged him. "I'm glad I have you with me, even though you don't understand me." Smooze whimpered happily. Discord put him on the other side of the bed and got under his sheets. He turned off the lamp and grabbed his old phone. He saw a picture of him and Fluttershy he took on their third tea party. He was giving her bunny ears with his fingers and she was trying to cover her mouth from laughter. He sighed deeply. "I don't know what to do Smooze. I don't know why I'm feeling this way, but I have to do something about it. I could lose my job if this goes on, but more importantly it could ruin our friendship. And that's the last thing I want." Discord said nostalgically. He put the phone down, lay down, and turned to see Smooze, who was already sleeping. He sighed and looked up the ceiling. "I'll just ignore this for now. I mean, there's nothing much I can do about it right now," he said. "After all, she is my student. He sighed one last time, before closing his eyes and falling asleep.