//------------------------------//
// More Than "A Bit Off" 
// Story: More Than Trust 
// by TheTalentlessPony 
//------------------------------//

An awkward silence surrounded the dinner table, the animals remaining still with their eyes locked on the draconequus, who sat across from the yellow pegasus that those animals loved so well. Discord wasn't stupid; they were clearly upset with him about his earlier betrayal. Only a few weeks ago, the princesses had sent him off to arrest Tirek; an evil entity who sucked out magic from any race of pony, unicorn or otherwise. Discord was a fool when he had agreed to help him, and he knew that. He apologized countless times until his guilt only remained as the tiniest of holes in his heart. He was lucky that his friends hadn't abandoned him and forgave him for his misdeed.

Now though, he couldn't be sure if he should feel happy or not. Sure, the weather was sunny and some birds were happily chirping outside, but not everything was so cheery and bright.  Across the table, Fluttershy was blankly staring down at her cup, her normally expressive eyes lacking the emotion that Discord had grown so fond of. Normally, this wouldn't be a huge deal and he'd just laugh it off, but he'd been on edge lately. After the situation with Tirek, Fluttershy had grown more and more distant with him. He couldn't be certain that it was on purpose, but it was a noticeable change that frightened him, though he wouldn't admit it if asked.

Things had started out okay, and he felt sure that everything was alright once Fluttershy had given him a hug to show that she forgave him. After that though, the usual cheer in the house began to diminish. The spring in Fluttershy's step began to falter, and she eventually stopped humming that cute tune to herself every morning. She also grew tired; very tired, possibly from her constantly getting up. Often, though she probably wasn't aware of it, Discord would be woken up in the middle of the night whenever Fluttershy trotted downstairs, moving to the kitchen for an occasional glass of water. Multiple times, he felt like he should ask, but his stubbornness and need to feel "tough" won over that.

Even now, he could tell that she wasn't feeling right. Besides her empty eyes, her wings draped downwards rather than being neatly folded against her waist. Her ears weren't perky, and her hair was slightly unkempt. Discord was a fan of things being unusual and strange, but he wasn't enjoying Fluttershy's uncharacteristic behavior in the slightest. 

"...Did you see any of them today?"

Discord blinked at the sudden voice, glancing across the table and watching as Fluttershy mindlessly caressed the warm cup of tea with her hoof, her eyes locked on the liquid.

"I beg your pardon?"

Fluttershy's eyes slowly motioned upwards to meet with his. He felt a twinge of nervousness shoot through his spine at her gaze, but he ignored it.

"Twilight. Rarity. Rainbow Dash. Applejack. Pinkie Pie," she muttered, clearly trying to show some enthusiasm but effectively showing none. "They're your friends, aren't they?"

Discord frowned. Her words implied that she thought he wasn't aware of the fact, but her voice showed much more tenseness and... aggression? Is that what it was?

"Of course they are, dear Fluttershy—" Discord flinched as Fluttershy's gaze flew back down to her cup. "—but I'm still planning a nice entrance to make, you know?"

"As always?" Fluttershy asked in reply, lifting her cup to her face despite not taking a sip.

Discord managed a chuckle, albeit a weak one. "Obviously."

Another silence followed, and he couldn't resist digging a claw into the wooden table; anything to ease the tension. If Fluttershy noticed, she didn't show any sign of it.

Granted, if this had been any other pony, he would've been throwing a fit over how "boring" this was for him instead of just ruining the wood of a table. However, the months he had spent with Fluttershy had taught him much about her, and even more so about himself. He felt how she felt, and years upon years of chaotic destruction couldn't even come close to convincing him that joking about this situation was a good idea.

He glanced downwards, not wanting to look at the moody pegasus any longer.

"Is something wrong?" Fluttershy suddenly asked, most likely noticing his downcast gaze.

He looked back at her and raised an eyebrow. "You stole my line."

She blinked.

Then blinked again.

"What do you—" Fluttershy paused as one of squirrels began to tap on her leg, holding an acorn out for her to see.

She grimaced slightly. "A-ah, yes, food? I'm getting right on that, just let me—" She halted her sentence, putting a hoof to her forehead and rubbing vigorously.

What was that? Did she just sound... annoyed?

Discord left his seat to glide over to her side. "Is everything alright?" he asked cautiously.

"What? Yes, yes, I'm fine," the mare replied with slight insistence.

Discord's gaze sharpened, but he couldn't bring himself to sound aggressive towards her.

"F-Fluttershy—" Did I really just stutter...? "—there's clearly something suspicious going on with you, and I want to know what it is!"

Fluttershy shook her head slowly, looking up at the standing draconequus. Discord didn't particularly enjoy towering over her like he did, but shrinking himself down would probably make the situation seem much less serious, which was something he couldn't let happen.

"I've just been feeling a bit off lately. Maybe having the magic sucked out of me and then put back in threw me off somehow."

Liar. The other ponies would be feeling the same way if that were true...

Discord stood firm, but Fluttershy moved past him after taking a large sip of her tea.

"And where are you going?" he asked, tempted to teleport in front of her if she failed to answer.

"I...I'm going outside to feed the animals, of course. Then I'll be heading over to Rarity's house," she replied, turning her head only slightly to look at him.

"Wonderful. I've been meaning to ask her to make me a nice suit," Discord said, slight amusement in his tone. "I'll come with you."

"NO!"

Before he could blink, Fluttershy jerked around and stood on her hind legs, her front hooves pinned to Discord's chest.

The draconequus raised a brow. "And just why not?"

Fluttershy blinked. "B...because..." She lowered her gaze. "...you can't."

"Are you trying to avoid me, Fluttershy? If I'm not welcome here—"

"—You are!" Fluttershy insisted, her tone showing frantic and mixed emotions. She paused, taking a moment to stare at him, then slowly brought her forelegs around his waist, leaning into him as she gave him a gentle hug.

"...You can't leave..."

Discord stiffened somewhat at the mixed messages being thrown at him. Was she upset with him or not? Her tone said "yes", and her actions couldn't decide.

Nevertheless, he still enjoyed the physical contact. He had missed her hugs, which was another thing that had lessened after the event with Tirek. Obviously, he couldn't bring himself to tell her that, but he reached for her to return the hug anyway.

However, as he touched her mane, she instantly retracted her hooves, taking a few steps back while gazing at him.

"...I need to go."

Discord watched with a small frown as she turned away and trotted out the door. He considered following, but knew that he'd likely get nothing out of her.

If he wanted answers, he'd have to get them out of someone who'd be willing to talk.

...Maybe he should go see Rarity after all...