“These tears… I hear them… every night…”
Those words echoed in her mind, as the yellow Pegasus with the pink mane and tail stood outside the house of a rather unusual environment. Fluttershy didn’t always come to his world, given the area twists and turns unlike back in Equestria, but she just felt she had to come. Quietly, she placed a soft hoof upon the door, her ear pressed as she could wish that somehow one small act of kindness would be the support he’d need.
Fluttershy had no idea where his emotional outbursts were stemming from. All he could do is silently hope this mysterious display of comfort, known only to her personally, would stop the loud wails bellowing from inside the house. Hearing his loud reply made Fluttershy shy, reminding her of those nights back at her place when his cries could freeze the warmest heart. Not that he’d have notice her presence on the other side of the door, he almost never did.
“Please…” She begged softly. “No more tears…”
Fluttershy couldn’t help but think of the irony of the situation. So loud was his bragging, Discord crying out to be this all-powerful being with a brave face, only to fall when he is alone. So boisterous, almost as if he were ‘trying’ to show off and shout to the world how great he is. Yet the more she thought about it, she wondered if Discord really meant it or if he was simply shouting for the world’s attention.
Whether the cries she was hearing were out of joy or wails of despair, whatever reason there was remained unknown to Fluttershy. Yet when it comes to Discord, he never failed to grab somepony’s ear regardless of his behavior. For that reason alone, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel he was crying out for help… more importantly, he was crying out for her.
“Help me! Is that what your tears are saying? Are you crying out to me, Discord?”
Every night, the louder his cries grew, the more she would back away. Who could blame Fluttershy? How could a pony so quiet, so weak, and nervous everyday could ever find the right words? How could a Pegasus like her stop his painful tears? Every night up till this evening, Fluttershy would listen to what her mind would tell her to do:
Stand… listen… pray…
“Do you even know I’m out here? Do you really cloud this loud because you think no one can hear? Or are you secretly hoping some pony will come?”
Fluttershy’s thoughts never reached the hurting beast, she could imagine him enduring the worst pain any creature could ever take. She wanted to approach him, to say at least ‘something’ to let him know he doesn’t have to bear the sorrow alone. But she’d always pull back from the booming cries bellowing within the room. She couldn’t help herself; he’d frighten her when he acted this way.
“So much pain… and for what? I wish I knew what he was going through?”
The realization hit Fluttershy hard, sighing as it slowly came other.
“The others don’t even you’re hurting… do they?”
Fluttershy cringed while her mind again spoke as if this had become routine.
“Hold back, he will come to you when he’s ready. When he wants to talk, he will come. Just stay quiet; let him cry out in pain.”
Yet Fluttershy could only ask herself ‘Why’ over and over, as if hoping for an answer to just come to her.
“Why during the day you hold everything behind a smile? Grinning and laughing with every pony? Why do all that with them, but cry to me?”
Violet eyes traveled slowly around the floor all the way toward the back of the door. The Pegasus bit her life, staring straight toward the cage noise. Her pale, soft hoof massaged along the door as she was lost in her own silent thoughts.
“It’s because of what happened with Tirek, wasn’t it? It’s because you turned back on every pony, didn’t you?”
Just as quickly, Discord’s old words played in his mind like a record. The very words spoken long ago; on the day he was just realizing the true meaning of friendship. She remembered them very well…
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“Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship. But there is nothing worth more, I see that now. He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth.”
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Fluttershy’s eyes watered as the words rang like a bell through her head. She quickly threw her head down, trying hard to hide tears from no one in particular. All she could do is listen to his own cries. How in character they both were? His tears ringing loud, while her hidden… more reserved tears… cried silently in the night. It’s like her mind was telling her not to cry, telling her how a lady like her should act.
“My friend is hurting, and I can’t even help…”
Pushing her lips together, Fluttershy tried desperately to keep her own burning drops inside. Her mind told her to hold back, she couldn’t help but listen to the little voice in her head. When she wanted to listen to the voice in her heart. For with each cry, each falling tear, chock, and sniffle, they all felt like a stab toward her heart. He was crying out to her; she was in pain just as him. Silently screaming to end the pain before it broke her, as much as it was breaking her.
“Help him, Fluttershy. Help yourself by saving him! End the pain for us both.”
“Just wait. When he wants to talk, he’ll call. He’ll let you know when the time is right. Just stay.”
Fluttershy’s heart pounded; her mind arguing back and forth. The Pegasus was left unable to decide what to do.
“It’s forgiveness, isn’t it… that’s what you want? You wish to be forgiven because of what happened?”
“Help him!”
“Stay!”
“What would I say? I can’t help…”
The dreadful howl bellowing from the draconequus bellowed louder than ever. Fluttershy’s heart felt like crying having to listen to him.
“It hurts…”
“Yes, it hurts. But… it hurts him more than it does to you.”
Blinking her tears away, Fluttershy could imagine her own mind slowly agree with her heart.
“He’s my friend… he’s in trouble and he needs help. He’s crying for me; can’t you hear him?”
Slowly, Fluttershy’s eyes darted straight toward the door. A look of determination crossed her gaze as she looked ahead.
“He will smile to everyone, but only cry for me. Because… because… he’s my friend! And I’m the only pony who can help him. The only pony he will cry to!”
“Then, help him…!”
“Right… I can’t bear it anymore. He’s my friend!”
Barging dramatically into the room wasn’t truly Fluttershy’s character; if anything, that’s what Rarity would do. But neither were Discord’s with his tears, he would never cry this way without reason.
“A friend’s hug… I bet you’ve never truly experienced those either…”
Quickly turning the knob, the Pegasus threw herself into Discord’s house. Flushing lightly for her boldness, Fluttershy stood tall in the living room. Her heart sank upon the scene before her. It was exactly as she initially expected, and yet it was a dreadful sight just the same.
Discord, Fluttershy’s closest friend, lying on the couch and wallowing in despair. Her strange friend, who influenced Fluttershy to be more than as she seemed, a strange to any pony she’d known for years. Yet here he was shedding painful tears for seemingly no reason at all. All Fluttershy could do his watch, as his yellow eyes moved slowly from his paw and talon, returning Fluttershy’s gaze with his own.
Fluttershy’s mind shook, seeing his tear-stained cheek. His puffy eyes gone red through hours of crying, some of the tears flushing down his nose. And still, Fluttershy made certain to keep her gaze toward his. Seeing the shock in his eyes to her sudden intrusion, the surprise represented by his slightly dropped jaw. Though he was hunched, he slowly rose back up as her solemn pupils watched him with intent.
Was he truly surprised that Fluttershy barged in so suddenly? Was he even the slightest bit taken aback, over how it took her so long to approach him? Whatever the case may be, Fluttershy couldn’t help but dart those determined eyes to the side nervously due to how watery his own looked. It wasn’t long before Fluttershy grew uneasy with her actions, her mind drawing a blank as she tried hard to think of what to say, just anything as a gesture of comfort for her friend.
However, if there was a plan in mind, Fluttershy’s very heart was ahead as it drew Fluttershy’s focus. Raising her hooves forward, a slight blush crept along her cheeks. Her eyes furrowed in determination as she stared down at him, flexing her hooves awkwardly as if offering a wordless invitation. Her lips curled back, seeing the confusion in his eyes, yet the heart encouraged her otherwise.
Slowly, Fluttershy marched forward, her hooves remaining outstretched as the Pegasus stood only a foot away from her friend. His moist pupils look up toward her determined gaze, as Fluttershy gave a nod in hopes he could understand the gesture. Her heart raced as she watched his yellow eyes narrow, his jaws quivering. The hot tears poured from him once more like running water in a faucet, as she quickly reached for him while he wrapped his shaky arms over her.
Fluttershy had forgotten this was a big draconequus hugging her, but rather they were embracing like he was a filly begging for a mother’s hug. His wails pierced through her ears, as she felt him pull her down toward the foot of the bed. This emotion slightly surprised Fluttershy, seeing the desperation indicated by the way he hugged her. The way his arms wrapped tightly over her waist, the matter of how he buried his head into her chest and feeling those exploding tears rush over her.
“I’m sorry…”
Two simple words, the only words he managed to utter out. Discord said nothing else, only pulling her closer into the embrace. It was as if he were to release her, at any moment, she would fly away, and he’d never be close to her again. And yet, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile lightly. So much so, she returns the words with a gentle stroke upon his head like brushing a hand atop a cat.
Gently, she rocked him side to side while he kept his head upon her chest. As out of character as this seemed for them both, their hearts were the real culprits. Both of them crying to each other for help and would no longer be ignored.
“Discord… my dear, sweat friend,” Fluttershy whispered softly. “No matter how quiet or loud you are, I can always hear you. You don’t need to apologize around me.”
Eventually, his tears subsided, and he only stared out apathetically as she rocked him back-and-forth. Their hug, tight as it was, continued while he nestled his head upon her chest. No words were needed between the two, not during this most tender moment. All they could offer is ‘care’, care for one another knowing just how they can rely on each other in times of great duress. Even at his lowest point, his biggest breaking point… the only matter Fluttershy was sorry about was not acting sooner.
A mistake that Fluttershy solemnly vowed she would never do it again…