> An Apple a Night...
>  by TheTalentlessPony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Fridge Case
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Discord always enjoyed his time spent with Fluttershy. Mind you, when he wasn't spending time with her, he was usually doing this or that for the Princesses or spending time alone, but that didn't make it any less valuable to him. Yes, despite the more annoying animals, small house, and Fluttershy's need to keep things normal enough so the house was still functional (honestly, that was just asking too much!), he loved spending time with her.

And 'love' was not a word he used often, especially in its strongest definition.

Today actually wasn't their tea day, but both had no plans, and when they didn't have plans, it was easy to just default onto each other. Seeing as neither had very consistent jobs, it was almost habit at this point. Heck, even Discord himself would admit that it was a fine thing to schedule! Any time with Fluttershy was time well spent in his book!

Speaking of Fluttershy, the pegasus was looking down at the board game they were playing, anxiety in her expression. She hesitated, then tapped at her playing piece with her hoof, shifting it by one space.

"Is that a good move, you think?" she asked, forelegs up near her muzzle.

"Perhaps! Remember, dear Fluttershy, there are no rules to this game!"

A snap of his fingers brought up a scroll. Though upside-down, it clearly read, "NO RULES! (that means you, Fluttershy)".

Discord continued talking over Fluttershy's giggle, "However, that may change going onwards. Still, for now, there are no rules! Move your piece however you like!"

She nodded in understanding; she was used to it by now, and faced the randomness (sorry, chaoticness) with a smile.

"So, are you hungry, Discord?" she asked, shifting topics completely.

"Trying to distract me with snacks now? I thought you were a fair player, Fluttersly!"

"I-I am! It's just—" Her voice trailed off as she saw Discord's playful smile. She made a cute face at him, then got up from her sitting position. "It's just that we haven't eaten since you got here, and Pinkie Pie made the most delicious cherry pie!"

Discord gasped as if chaos was happening somewhere and no one had bothered to invite him. "Are you telling me that someone in the Pie family... MADE PIE?!"

His noodle-ly form flew backwards and concealed itself under the couch. "The world is ending! Wake me up when this nightmare is over!"

After a moment of listening to Fluttershy's concealed giggles, he popped his head out, resting it on his palm while his elbow was against the floor.

"Though, honestly, I suppose that's nearly out of the norm, considering the rest of her family lives on a rock farm and thus wouldn't make baked goods often, much less pie. I swear, that family is odd, and not in the super chaotic fun way!"

"Are there requirements for being chaotic-ly odd?" Fluttershy asked, wanting to continue the silly chit-chat as she made her way to the kitchen.

Discord was about to give a snarky response, but noticed her walking towards the kitchen and flew out from the couch, landing swiftly in front of her.

"Ah ah ah!" He waggled a finger. "I'll get the pie. You sit impatiently over there for my glorious return."

"Y-you don't have to do that!" Fluttershy gasped.

"And let my board game buddy handle a knife with her shaky little hooves? I don't think so!"

"M-my hooves aren't shaky..." she argued, "...sometimes."

"I rest my case... and also you!"

Another snap of his fingers teleported Fluttershy back to her seat. She lowered her head, but smiled shyly at him, showing she was grateful.

He smiled back; it wasn't often that he did so genuinely, but with Fluttershy, it was easy. "I'll return in an instant; I don't want to see any pieces moved while my back's turned!"

He turned away and started walking, his tail stretching and thwapping against the underside of the table, nudging her and Discord's pieces over a couple spaces.

He paused, then turned his head and gasped. "Fluttershy!"

He felt a pair of gentle hooves against his back - trying to move him - and the breath from a stifled giggle, so he just chuckled and moved on to the kitchen. It was simply too fun to tease her!

He went to the fridge, opening it up and searching its contents. It wasn't something Fluttershy used often, as most of her food supplies were stored in regular cupboards and such, but there was still a decent amount in there. Pleasant scents wafted over from the variety of natural fruits, vegetables, and sweets, all of which he welcomed. He found the cherry pie on the second shelf, full as can be, but stopped before he had it completely out.

Now, Discord was not a creature of perfect memory. He'd forget details about this and that if it wasn't something important to him.

But this was Fluttershy, his best friend, whom he remembered everything about.

And one of the shelves, reserved for fruit, was missing something that always used to be there. That was strange; more than strange even.

"Something wrong, Discord?" Fluttershy called from her spot at the table, recognizing that he wasn't back in his usual timespan.

Discord straightened himself up, then looked over to her, pie in hand. "Whatever could be wrong?"

In a flash, he was back at the table, the cherry pie already cut into slices (or squares, in this case) and on very Discord-esque plates for the two of them. "Though, I'm curious as to why the apples are missing from your little refrigerator. I know it's been a few days, but didn't you always have them?"

His eyebrows raised at her startled face. She looked away, trying to hide her face with her hair.

"I-it's nothing, really..."

A stutter?

Discord's grin spread across his face. Now he was immensely interested, and Fluttershy could tell as he leaned over the table to stare at her.

"Ohhh, you're keeping secrets!"

"N-no I'm not! Discord, please, c-can we just continue our game?" She hid more.

"Come now, my dear; there should be no secrets between you and your best pal Cordy!"

She let out a small whine, looking over to him. "I-I know, but..."

"Is it something embarrassing? Please tell me it is! Those are the best kinds of secrets—"

"It's nothing!"

Discord reeled back, surprised at Fluttershy's outburst. She didn't sound angry, but to raise her voice at him at all immediately had him on guard.

Aaaaand then came her watery eyes. Discord was quick to teleport next to her, nudging her reassuringly.

"Fluttershy, please, you know I have no intention of hurting your precious little feelings."

She sniffled, then met his gaze. "I-I know. Can we just... please not talk about it right now?"

He knew better than to crack jokes at a time like this. "Yes, yes, of course. You know I love to pry, but I will resist, because I'm your best friend!"

He poked her nose. "Still, don't think I'm giving up on this now that I see it's bothering you!"

Part of him would've easily let it go if she had a relatively reasonable excuse, but this was nothing like that. Apples were missing for a reason, and the fact that she was upset by his prodding didn't make it any less interesting, though it did make it more important.

She wiped her unshed tears away, then nodded her head at him. "O-okay..."

"Now, let's resume our—" He stopped reaching for his piece as Fluttershy moved hers a few spaces.

He pretended to be offended. "I believe it was my turn."

She slumped on the table, looking up at him with a tilted head and an innocent gaze.

"I thought there weren't any rules?"

He opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came to him.

"...I did say that, didn't I?"

The two grinned at each other.
> Apple of Discord
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"H-hello? Anypony there?"

Fluttershy trotted along the forest path. She couldn't remember how or why she was traversing it, but she felt a need to get home.

There was a light wind that flew by, making her ears twitch uncomfortably. The air was unsteady, and she felt alone.

Far too alone.

She only vaguely remembered that she put her animals to bed for the night and... then what?

She drew a blank, despite racking her brain for some time. Even her mane was a mess! What happened?

Against her better judgment, she tried calling out again.

"Hello?"

Perhaps it was the complete silence that compelled her to do so. No rustling, no chirping, no crickets. She expected some sort of dragon, or monster, or just... something! Maybe it was Discord's influence, but she was almost disappointed.

Almost, and only because the stillness was freaking her out.

"...Discord?" she called out specifically, knowing that he usually came when she shouted.

She waited for a while longer on that one, ears twisting about to detect even the slightest sound.

No answer. That time was the most discouraging.

Her ears flopped. "Maybe he's upset with me. I didn't mean to snap at him..."

"Fluttershy?"

She perked up, looking around. "Discord? Discord!"

She ran about, trying to find out where his voice was coming from. "Where are you?"

Her stress heightened. Was she hearing things now? She couldn't find him anywhere!

She turned this way and that, but by that time, she knew it was pointless; any inkling she had as to where he was had vanished when she had lost her original orientation.

She sighed, then noticed a pond in the distance and walked over. She really needed to clear her head.

She leaned forward to drink, but gasped as she saw her reflection, flailing her forelegs to the point where she fell back on her flank in surprise.

She saw herself in her reflection, only it wasn't herself. She had teeth - vampire teeth - and bat wings, and red eyes, and—!

"Fluttershy!" Discord's voice sounded louder now.

"D-Discord?!" She stood up with a start, looking around frantically. "W-wait, don't come any closer!"

She shielded her face, fearing the worst for when he finally would see her.

Then, another voice cut in.

"Does something trouble you, young Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy paused, then slowly put her forelegs down. "P-Princess Luna? Does that mean...?"

She turned, seeing said pony standing behind her, hovering slightly over the lake.

She gasped, covering her face again. "Wait, I—"

"You are disturbed. I've seen signs of fear from your previous moments of sleep, but this is the first time I've sensed an oncoming nightmare."

She stepped onto the grass and sat down next to her. Fluttershy frowned, avoiding her gaze.

"I don't want anypony to think differently of me. Discord caught on, and I don't want him to see me like this, but I don't want to hide anything from him either!"

"Then don't," Luna told her simply. "He worries about your well-being. Even disregarding that, if you have to hide yourself to be friends with him, is that truly friendship at all?"

Fluttershy's ears drooped lower. "I-I know, but... I'm still scared."

"That too will pass," Luna assured, "Given what I've heard, you always overcome your fears by facing them head-on, do you not?"

"...Yes," Fluttershy admitted. This particular situation was different, but still similar enough.

Her hooves came up to her chest. "...Wait." She looked over at Luna. "Why did you come so early? I thought you were only meant to interfere if things turned into a true nightmare." She paused. "And... how did you know Discord was worried about me?"

Luna giggled, head raised and eyes closed. "I can answer both questions with one response. It is true that I tend not to interfere unless things truly become bad, but I had to speak with you and knew my time would be cut short, because..."

She leaned close, her voice a whisper.

"he's here."

"FLUTTERSHY!"

Fluttershy gasped as she awoke, her breaths heavy from shock as her eyes met with Discord's. His mismatched eyes were laden with concern, though it turned to relief and almost embarrassment after a moment. Had he thought she was...?

"D-Discord?"

"Oh, Fluttershy!" he exclaimed, suddenly in over-dramatic mode again, as if covering up his earlier mood. "Here I come to the sound of you calling for me, and you can't even bother to wake to my presence! I'm hurt, harmed even, my dear! You've wounded me!" He clutched his chest for emphasis.

"C-calling for you?" She wondered silently to herself; perhaps she'd mumbled his name in her sleep? "I'm sorry. I was... dreaming..."

"About me?" Discord asked, sliding up next to her, so close that Fluttershy turned pink at the cheeks. "Oh, then of course you wouldn't want to wake, silly me~"

He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, her pink cheeks becoming red. "Still, you have the real deal here now; no need for any wild fantasies!"

She leaned slightly into his embrace, partially hoping that he wouldn't notice. There was always a sense of comfort when he was near, but physical contact was something she cherished the most when it happened.

"...Discord? Do you remember," she paused, looking away from him, "what happened earlier? With the fridge?"

"Mmm~?" He raised his brows. "I hope you realize I haven't given up yet."

"No, no, that's not..." she looked up at him, "I mean... I want to tell you."

"Oh!" He seemed extremely surprised by that, but very accepting. He grinned, taking Fluttershy in both hands and holding her out. "I knew you would come around eventually! My persuasion is irresistible!"

He suddenly recalled a long time ago, when he tried to persuade her into a discorded state, yet she forced his hand and made him change her himself.

She was a special one, for sure.

"D-do you have an apple?" Fluttershy asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, of course!" An apple appeared, though his hands were full so he caught it with his tail. Setting Fluttershy down on the bed, he offered it to her, and she hesitated before taking it gently in her hooves.

A red, ripe apple, so shiny that she could see her worried reflection.

"Can we a-also be... not here? Maybe a quiet forest without any animals?" She brought the apple up to her face to hide herself. "I-I'm sorry for asking so much! I just--"

Discord huffed. "Have you forgotten who I am?" In a flash, they were in a forest that matched Fluttershy's description exactly. "Nothing's too much for me."

Unless it was anyone else asking; then I would most definitely say 'no'...

Fluttershy smiled at his demeanor. Where others would find it obnoxious and loud, she only found comfort.

Still, she lowered her gaze to the apple with another concerned expression.

"...T-there is... one more thing," she said softly.

"Hm?"

"Y-you have to promise... not to react."

Discord's face shifted to pure confusion immediately. "Not react? At all? Surely you aren't serious?" He crossed his arms, looking away from her as if insulted. "Even no reaction is technically a reaction!"

He paused, then looked back, seeing her staring down at the apple nervously.

He gave a low whine under his breath, then relented, "Very well."

She smiled at him, which at least warmed his heart a bit and made him feel like it was worth it. "Though, honestly, I can't comprehend what exactly is going on with you!"

He disappeared in a flash, then reappeared floating in the air, "lying" on his stomach with his face right in front of hers. "But it does make me immensely curious."

She blushed at their closeness, but Discord gave her space after a moment, standing back up on the ground and watching her with expecting eyes.

Fluttershy looked back down at the apple, taking a moment to collect herself. She took a breath, then finally bit into the apple, a bit of the juice seeping down from it.

She swallowed, feeling a mild tingling sensation. A shudder ran down her spine, and the transformation began.

The sounds around her became louder as her ears adjusted to that of bat ears. Her wings stretched and skewed, becoming large bat wings. Two of her teeth lengthened, sharpening to a point, while her cutie mark traded away butterflies for bats. Her mane and tail became unkempt, and her cyan eyes shifted to a deep red, finishing off the form change.

She looked down at herself, giving her bat wings a soft flap, but stiffened, remembering that Discord was watching.

She slowly eased her gaze upwards, seeing him just... staring at her. She did ask him not to react, but now she was starting to regret that.

She searched his eyes for a positive reaction, but unfortunately, he'd stuck to his promise, though standing still like that was probably not easy for him.

Her nerves were getting to her, and she quickly scrambled to her feet, dropping the apple.

"I-I'm sorry. This...this was a mistake!"

She turned, flapping her wings, gaining a lot more height than she thought, but still flying off. "I need to go!"

"W-wait, Fluttershy!"
> Monster All Her Own
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy flew as fast as her large bat wings could carry her, trying to evade Discord as much as possible.

Though, fleeing from the Spirit of Chaos wasn't exactly feasible. A flash of white appeared in front of her, and she didn't have the power to stop before plowing right into Discord's brown fur. Before she could escape, his eagle arm snaked its way around her, trapping her against him.

"You're an enigma, Fluttershy! You react to my lack of reaction taking it as an actual reaction after you reacted to us being here by specifically telling me not to react! I'm all for not making sense but there has to be a line somewhere!"

She blushed in embarrassment, hooves over her mouth. "I-I'm sorry."

"Yes you are. Now..." He landed on the grass below, then set Fluttershy down, crossing his arms. "This is what you were afraid of me seeing?"

She lowered her head, ashamed. "I-I...I'm scary, Discord."

Her blush reddened as Discord suddenly burst into laughter. He floated upwards slightly, clutching his chest and practically howling. Fluttershy bent over, hooves over her face to hide herself.

"Oh, that's priceless! Don't tell me you honestly think that some fangs and bat wings make you look like a—"

His voice trailed off as he noticed her hunched over. He sighed, then sat down on the grass, lightly tugging at one of her ears.

She squeaked slightly, but peeked out at him, her red eyes meeting with his own.

"How did this happen exactly?" he asked, both out of curiosity and trying to help her vent. He wasn't good at comforting others, but he tried.

She looked down, not responding. He wondered if maybe he'd asked too much, but then felt her shuffle onto his lap.

Neither said anything about it, but were silently glad to be so close.

"There were some vampire fruit bats that invaded Sweet Apple Acres. I-I didn't want to - I tried to offer other solutions - but they had me use my Stare so Twilight could cast a spell to stop them from eating all the apples."

"Magical refraction..." Discord muttered, already seeing where this was going.

"Oh, I wasn't conscious for it, but they told me what happened! I turned into this, but I wasn't myself; I ate so many apples and..." she sniffled, "I ruined Applejack's chances of winning that apple contest, because she had to sacrifice her biggest apple to stop me..."

"Implying that she wasn't the one who got you into that situation in the first place," Discord said bluntly.

"I know, but..." she put her hooves over her face again, "if I'd been stronger... maybe I could've controlled myself."

Discord let out a snort. "Desire magic is very finicky, especially if it was so strong that it physically transforms. Ponies are extremely weak-minded when it comes to such things. Anypony would've fallen prey to that."

Fluttershy took in his words, but had nothing to reply with. She glanced up, seeing that Discord's eyes seemed to be encouraging her to continue her story.

"...Once they stopped me, Twilight cast the spell to get rid of the... desire, I suppose, but I still change when I eat apples at night. I keep my free will, but..."

"And just what's wrong with a little change every now and then?" Discord asked. "After all, we still match by a wing, see?"

She looked as he spread his bat wing, looking extremely proud of the fact. She stared at her own wings, then giggled. His other wing was more of an alicorn wing, but it was hard to argue against his smile. "Y-yes, I suppose so."

"No supposing!" he said, lightly pressing on her snout. "You just agree with me."

"Okay." She couldn't help smiling, but it didn't last for long. "...Discord?"

"Mm?"

"Desire magic... would a transformation take any of the pony's personality?"

She noticed that he didn't fully understand what she meant.

"L-like... if it were to be transferred to a pony who was really mean; would they be meaner in a transformation than a nice pony would if they transformed instead?"

"That depends on so many different factors, Fluttershy..." he answered, unsure of where she was going with this. "Why do you ask such things?"

She mumbled something under her breath. Discord was patient with her, holding her muzzle and bringing her head up to face him.

Her eyes closed, and she let out a pained sigh.

"I...I'm a monster."

Discord frowned. "I thought we had reached a mutual agreement that I wasn't bothered by this."

Her hooves came up to hold the hand that had been gripping her muzzle. "T-that's not what I mean."

The tears started. "I... I've said a lot of bad things; things I didn't mean to. I've lost my temper so quickly and easily. I've driven some of my friends to tears." She placed a hoof on her chest. "I get scared seeing myself like this b-because... it's like this is who I am inside. I-I'm afraid that p-ponies will see me for who I really am..."

Discord's eyes went wide. "You don't really believe that... do you?"

He almost sounded offended. She glanced up, and it was clear that he didn't like what she was saying. She averted her gaze again, voice lowered.

"M-maybe..."

She winced, afraid of how he'd react, only to then feel his lion hand on her head, stroking her mane and earning a confused squeak out of her. "D-Discord?"

"You are far from a monster."

A blush briefly passed over her muzzle; he said it with such belief... such sincerity, and when she didn't respond, he took her face in his hands and brought her gaze up to his. He seemed frustrated.

"I'm speaking from experience, Fluttershy! I've been a monster; I am a monster! I've met countless monsters in the thousands of years I've been alive, and you have certainly never counted as one of them!"

His eyes sharpened. "You gave me a chance and reformed me because everypony makes mistakes, yet you blame yourself for everything and never forgive yourself for any of it. Where's the logic in that?"

He side-glanced. "Not that I would know much about the matter, but my point still stands..."

Her eyes shimmered faintly as her blush reappeared. Discord frowned at her lack of response, then pulled into a hug. She inhaled sharply from surprise, partially because he was squeezing her fairly tight, but also because she felt how tense he was. His body was rigid, and his arms seemed intent on not letting her go.

"D-Discord..." Her voice was so quiet that she could hardly hear it over the sound of her own heartbeat. He was so much sweeter than he gave himself credit for, and he gave himself credit for a lot of things.

She swallowed shyly, then brought her hooves around him, embracing him in return.

He said nothing, but she could feel his muscles relax, his lion hand running up and down her back. She shuddered a bit, flustered by the sensation. Discord pulled his hand away, wondering if she disliked it, but Fluttershy clung to him tighter, disproving that.

"You're not a monster either," she noted, conviction in her tone, "a-and even if you were, you'd be the most wonderful monster I've ever met."

She could hear him stifle a laugh at how utterly cheesy she sounded, but she was sure he was grateful too. She didn't regret saying the truth.

"Why thank you~" he said with a bit of exaggerated pride. "And look at you; you actually managed to surprise me with how fast you flew back there!"

"I-I did?" Her bat wings fluttered underneath Discord's touch. "W-well, these are a bit more useful than my normal wings."

"I should take you flying sometime," he mused. "We could go over the Celestial Sea and you can meet all the little sea critters."

The thought excited her. A night out with Discord, flying low over the water with Luna's beautiful sky reflecting off the surface. She sighed happily. "That'd be wonderful..."

She hummed quietly to herself, then tightened her hold on him. "B-but not now."

"Hm?" He pulled her away with a bit of effort; it wasn't like her to turn down an offer like that.

She looked at him, noticing how close they were. It wasn't like Discord to sit still for so long, but the idea that it was for her warmed her heart.

Though hesitating at first, she leaned up, her snout touching his. Not for long, and not with any sort of intent to kiss, but it was a motion of deep affection nonetheless, like she had channeled all her feelings through it.

Discord could feel his face heat up as she hid herself back into him, returning to their previous hug. He could feel her heart beating rapidly against him, his magic swarming around inside his body from the rush of emotions. It was a tantalizing feeling that he silently hoped to have again sometime soon.

He smiled, then brought his arms around her again. They'd hugged before, but it never felt so enticing, though not that he was complaining.

So, they sat there together, remaining silent in the embrace and not needing to say a word.

They both had a feeling that they knew what the other would've said anyway.