Fluttershy’s night was a long and restless one. She’d tossed and turned for hours, practically turning into a mush of mixed and wild emotions and thoughts. She was so incandescently happy to know Discord had thought so highly of her, she felt a little guilty that she’d left Twilight’s castle in such a tizzy when Discord was just trying to include her in something that was special to him, and she was beyond nervous by what it all meant and how she’d go about the looming task of asking him on a “date” with her.
She replayed Rarity’s tips of advice over and over in head. The mention of “males liking a chase” had stuck out to her and gave her a brilliant idea. She finally reckoned that she could propose their rendezvous as a simple picnic dinner. This way she wouldn’t feel like she was pressuring him into something that he may not feel comfortable doing. It was a pass time that they both enjoyed frequently already and as the night went on, she figured fate could take the reins from there. She also knew he’d particularly enjoy what she had planned leading up to the picnic itself. “Just have fun,” she repeatedly told herself before letting the emotional exhaustion of the day finally lull her to sleep.
When morning came, Fluttershy treated herself to some extra time to rest and collect herself after quickly feeding all her animals their breakfast. Today was going to be a special day, she’d convinced herself, and an even more special night if all she had planned went smoothly.
She made sure to take her time getting ready, giving her mane a little extra attention and her coat a thorough grooming. She gave herself ample time to enjoy the quiet moment of sitting by her kitchen window, sip her green tea, and look out to the Everfree Forest that edged her property. She’d felt something different stir in her that morning. She felt just a little new; like a heavy fog had been lifted from her. She was still beyond nervous for what the night would hold for her and her dearest friend, but the knowledge that they’d enjoy themselves regardless helped put her at some ease.
She took one last, small sip from her mug before gently setting it down and looked to her beloved Angel Bunny who was accompanying her at the window. “Well…here goes nothing,” she whispered before scooping him into her saddle bag and headed out the front door.
Celestia’s sun was nearing its midday height as Spike, Big Mac, and Discord where milling about the town marketplace. Discord was visibly looking a little hot under the collar as he followed his pals through the streets, a bouquet of pink roses and white daisies in hand.
“Alright, Discord. You’ll do just as we rehearsed. You’ll go up to her, give her a compliment and the flowers, and then ask if she’d like to get dinner with you. Got it?” Spike said giddily.
Discord was too distraught to speak at the moment, and it didn’t go unnoticed by his friends.
Spike halted in his tracks to fly up to his friend’s eye level. “Discord, I promise you have nothing to worry about! Fluttershy cares about you and I can’t imagine she’d turn down the opportunity to just enjoy dinner with you.” He had a devilish idea and gave Discord a smirk. “Besides, I also can’t imagine the Lord of Chaos would be so afraid to just talk to a pretty pegasus.”
Discord didn’t like what Spike was insinuating, but it did light a fire under him. “You’re right! I wouldn’t be afraid!”
“Yeah!” Spike and Big Mac cheered in unison.
“I am the all-powerful Spirit of Chaos! Speaking to an adorably, breathtaking pegasus could never frighten the likes of me!” he declared as he held the bouquet to his chest.
“Yeah!” his entourage chorused.
“Oh, look. There’s Fluttershy right there,” Spike calmly announced and pointed towards the town square.
Discord gasped so loudly and deeply that he inwardly turned into a shivering apple and disappeared into the barrel of honeycrisps behind them.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Spike growled before grabbing the bushy eyebrowed apple and chucked it towards Fluttershy.
She looked up just in time to see the apple quickly bouncing towards her before a flash of light obscured her vision. In its place was Discord skidding up to her on his haunches, bouquet in hand. On the sidelines, Spike and Big Mac shared a fist to hoof bump.
“Oh, hi, Discord. I um… was actually looking for you,” Fluttershy said, pawing the ground nervously.
Discord fought back a stutter. Here she was suddenly before him, as radiant as usual, and he was desperately searching for words.
“Oh my! W- well I was looking for you, my dear!” He so badly hoped that she didn’t notice how shaky his claws were as he extended the bouquet to her. “I just wanted you to have these.” He gulped before delivering his next line but was failing to hide the heat rising to his cheeks as he said it. “I’ve always thought spring colors complimented your eyes best.”
Fluttershy graciously took the bouquet in her forelegs and quickly used it to shield away the growing pink in her own cheeks. Unbeknownst to her, Discord had noticed and could feel himself start to physically melt. She looked so ethereal, bashfully peeking through the petals of pink and white. “T-thank you, Discord,” she managed to whisper.
“Of- of course, my dear.” The words felt like they were drooling out of his mouth. “Oh, but I’m sorry!” He caught himself. “I cut you off. You said you were looking for me?”
Fluttershy lowered the bouquet to reveal her whole face. Discord quickly moved to hide his eagle wing that had already melted off.
“I was looking for you, because I… I wanted to ask if you’d like to join me for a nighttime picnic this evening?”
Discord threw his other arm around his back to catch his bat wing that had completely unhinged at the sound of her proposal.
He couldn’t hold in his excitement. “Yes, of course, my dear I’d love to! Er… I’m assuming we’ll meet at your cottage than? What time should I arrive?”
“How about dusk? Just as the sun sets?” She was beyond relieved that Discord had said yes, and seemed rather elated about it too.
He gathered himself together and sprang to the air, just hovering above her. “Sounds perfect to me! I’ll meet you then. Should I bring anything?”
“Nope. I’ll have everything covered.”
“As you wish, my sweet,” he said before giving her a wave goodbye and began floating backwards towards Spike and Big Mac.
Fluttershy turned to start heading back to her cottage, carefully cradling her bouquet in one hoof. Angel Bunny finally poked his head outside her saddlebag to watch Discord still floating away and waving, “That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” he squeaked to her.
Just behind them, Discord blissfully floated back to meet his companions. “So, how’d it go?” Spike asked.
“Oh, she asked me.” His replied still dreamily watching her leave.
“WHAT?”