Chapter 6

Fluttershy sighed through her nose and nuzzled deeper into her blanket, surprising her by its warmth since it was so cold outside. What a wonderful dream… She thought as her memory drifted back to her dream about Discord the last night. How she was afraid, yet exhilarated; angry, yet in love. He was so forceful, but he had allowed her the space she needed to explore him. At least in her dream he had. She remembered the sweet thought of him telling her that he loved her, and the sweet memory of her telling him the same. But that would never come to pass… I'm too shy and I'm sure that he doesn't…

She squeezed her eyes shut and blocked out the thought. Instead of worrying about it, she continued to snuggle deeper in her bed, relishing the scent of Discord on it… Wait! Discord…? Why was Discord's scent in her bed? In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she didn't know where she was.

Her eyes fluttered open to see something brown blocking her vision. What is…? Her breath caught in her throat as she sniffed again and recognized the scent once more. Discord… She realized that she was in his bed, in his castle, under his covers…

He brought me here… but why? She thought, but the realization soon hit her. Oh my… I suppose that… that it wasn't a dream… I only hope that… nothing happened while I was out…

It seemed that he was turned with his back to her. The more she studied him, the more she realized that he was awake. His breath was struggling not to rise and fall rapidly, his cheek would twitch every now and then, as if he was concealing a smile, and he felt as though he were trying hard not to turn around and face her.

She reeled back a bit, half from fear, half from shock. Trying desperately to move back further only caused him to perk his ears and she felt her face pale as he moved. Oh no…The blankets were caught in her legs and wrapped around her front hooves, trapping her in one spot. She shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep as he turned to her fully.

His eyes were filled with love, staring down at the supposedly sleeping mare. She stiffened slightly when she felt him snake his arms around her sides and attempt to pull her to him. Stopping suddenly when he realized she was tangled made him chuckle. He snapped his fingers and the blankets slipped away from her. He moved his finger forward, causing her body to slide to his.

Fluttershy was now trembling slightly. His fur was so warm, but she didn't want to be pulled to him too much, for fear of what might happen. She whimpered out of habit, but it wasn't quiet. He chuckled and held her tighter.

"Fluttershy, darling?" he whispered. "Are you awake?"

She froze. How am I supposed to respond? He was so close to her, and if she even moved a muscle he would know she wasn't really asleep. She dared to draw in a small breath, but that was the last straw and he knew instantly.

"My dear," he chuckled, "you don't have to pretend anymore." He reached out with his claw and stroked her mane which he had freed from the bun on top. She shivered from the touch, but out of slight fear.

"Discord…" she whimpered. "W-what are you doing?"

He buried his snout against her head and in her mane.

"Why, what I always do, my dear." He smiled and tightened his grip on her, causing her to stiffen.

"Discord…" she said shakily.

"Darling," he pulled back slightly, "what's wrong?" Discord frowned a bit.

"I…" she took in a deep breath. "I just… feel a bit uncomfortable…"

His frown deepened. "You… you feel uncomfortable? Why?"

"I… I just…" she hesitated, but continued. "You didn't… do anything while I was asleep… did you?"

Discord widened his eyes, but chuckled. "No, my dear. I would never take advantage of you. It's just that last night you were so peaceful after everything and… and I realized how much it would pain me to leave you, so I brought you here." She sighed a bit.

He smiled down at her and pulled her close to him again, growling softly as he felt her fur against his. Fluttershy almost felt reassured by the sound, but didn't quite. It still felt strange to be in some pony else's bedchamber.

"Do you remember what you said to me last night?" He asked suddenly.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to think. Yes! I told him that I loved him…

"I…" she paused, "I told you that I love you."

He groaned lowly and tightened his grip on her. "And do you remember what I told you?"

"Of course," she sighed, "you told me that you love me." Fluttershy rested her head on his chest as she recalled the memories once more of the previous night.

Heart fluttering and face flushing, Discord growled and lifted her head to meet his.

"And I mean it…" He pressed his lips over hers and began to hungrily kiss her, wrapping her body in his arms and pinning her down on her back for easy access.

She moaned slightly against his lips. The sound made all of his previous passion burn brighter and he slowly slid his tongue in her mouth. She blushed deeply, but allowed him to explore her once more. When her tongue met his, he felt as though he would explode and let another groan escape his lips. Fluttershy tried all along to keep the passion inside her from building a moan too loud, but it was too late.

The sound rocked his body further and he moved from her mouth to her neck, placing soft kisses on the tender muscles. She let out a whimper and he chuckled slightly, nipping her neck with his sharp teeth. Flinching away only made Discord want her more and he moved back to her face, running his lips over her soft cheeks.

"Discord…" she whimpered. "I really don't think…"

"You love me, don't you?" He asked, knowing where this was going.

"Yes, of course I do! But I… we're not married, and…" As soon as she said this she gasped.

Discord smirked and spoke. "We have to be married first? Oh, of course, my dear. I understand…" He snapped his fingers quietly and a velvet box appeared in the paw behind his back.

The mare underneath him shivered. "What do you mean?" She hoped that he wasn't just playing some prank, because if he wasn't…

"I mean," he started, "Fluttershy, you are the kindest mare I've ever met. Even when I let my passions loose on you and start to worry about possibly going too far, you invite me deeper. You are my heart, my life, and my love. Make me the happiest stallion in Equestria. Say you'll marry me?" He chuckled when she widened her eyes.

"I…" she breathed, tears misting her eyes, "yes! Oh, I'll marry you a million times over if it makes you the happiest stallion in Equestria. I love you so much!" She kissed him passionately and he shivered when she grazed his ear with a slight nip.

Discord placed the ring on the chain around her neck and returned her kiss. Never happier, he groaned slightly and joined his tongue with hers.

He pulled away slightly. "Darling, I know where this is going. On our wedding night, then we can let lose all of our passions, but for now, we must face the day."

Fluttershy furrowed her brows. "When is the wedding going to be?"

He smiled. "It will most likely be a month from now… unless you can't wait…" he added slowly, a playful threat to his words.

"No, don't worry," she said, sitting up and slipping out of his bed, "I can wait."

He smiled and watched as she signaled for him to send her home. He snapped his fingers and she was sent back to her cottage, but he was still shivering from the adorable wink she gave him before she left.

. . .

Fluttershy was at the Ponyville Day Spa once more with her friends to discuss what had happened the night before. Slipping into a spa robe, the pegasus clopped over to a chair and laid down to allow the hooficure to begin. Twilight was getting a facial treatment with Rarity, while Pinkie Pie and Applejack were in the tub, and Rainbow Dash was getting another massage.

From her seat beside Fluttershy, Twilight said, "So girls, how was last night?"

Rarity sighed dreamily. "Marvelous."

"Why's that?" Applejack inquired.

"Fancy Pants…" she trailed off, blushing slightly. "He… he danced with me, and during the fireworks he… i-it was small, but he kissed me." By the end her face was a pinkish scarlet color.

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "I can't believe you guys get all lovey-dovey with stallions. Honestly, you don't see me doing that." However, her bubble was soon popped by Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, really?" she asked. "Because I remember quite explicitly when you came back to the food table blushing because… oh, who was it? Oh, right! It was Soarin'!" Pinkie Pie giggled at Rainbow's crimson flush.

"Wha… Soarin'? Pfft… n-no way…" She stuttered, trying her hardest to throw them off the subject, but it wasn't working.

"Really, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight spoke up. "Because I saw you two dancing…" She trailed into laughter at her rainbow friend's glare.

"Fine! Fine, I admit it!" She blurted. "We danced. But trust me, it wasn't that slow…"

Rarity giggled. "Oh yes, quite fast indeed."

Rainbow growled, but put her face down into the face hole.

The white unicorn turned to Applejack. "Did you find your special some pony?"

Widening her eyes caused Rarity to be more suspicious.

"N-no!" she denied. "Nope, none o' them stallions really… r-really caught my eye."

Twilight Sparkle giggled. "Is that so? I must say myself that I didn't find any pony in particular." The alicorn stopped giggling when she realized something. "You know what, Spike came back last night all dreamy looking, blushing, but when I asked what was wrong he just replied, 'nothing, absolutely nothing'." Applejack flushed red.

"W-well, maybe he met a fancy m-mare somewhere…" she tried to change the subject.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Alright, if neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash wishes to spill the truth about their secret lovers, then who else would like to share? Pinkie Pie, what about you?" She asked, turning to the pink mare.

"Ooh!" she squealed. "I had so much fun! I met Cheese Sandwich last night! He was so great, but we didn't dance until the slow songs were over."

Rainbow Dash lifted her head. "I didn't think Cheese liked fancy affairs."

Pinkie nodded. "Oh yes, that's what I thought too! But it turns out that he was just trying to find some way to find me! Oh, he's such a gentlecolt!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Well, I thought I saw him last night, but I wasn't sure, so I'm glad he came." The purple mare turned to Fluttershy who was dreading her turn. "What about you?" She winked.

Gulping nervously with all of their eyes on her, she spoke. "I-I was… I was with… D-Discord…"

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "And what did he do? Make it rain chocolate milk on you and say it was just for fun-?" She was cut off when Applejack jabbed her in the side with a swift kick. "Ow! Hey!" she complained.

The southern pony turned to Fluttershy. "It's alright, Sugar Cube. Discord's a fine fella and if you wanna tell us about what happened, we won't be judgmental."

Fluttershy's breathing quickened. She remembered that she was still wearing his ring, but none of her friends had noticed it. "I… well, we… we got comfortable and… and we watched the fireworks…"

Twilight lifted her hoof and tapped her chin. "Hey, speaking of last night, where were you, Fluttershy? I went to your cottage early this morning to drop off your animal books, but you weren't there so I left them on your couch."

She froze. I can't tell them that I was at Discord's all night! What would they think? Widening her eyes, she tried her best to think about other excuses but couldn't.

"I-I…" the pegasus sat unblinking while the spa pony worked on her hooves.

"What is it, hon?" Applejack asked.

"Well…" she murmured quietly. "I was with… Discord…"

Twilight blinked. "You mean, like, out to breakfast?"

She tried to say yes, but something was holding her back. I have to tell them! What would Discord say if he found out that I have been denying him?

"No… I was… a-at his castle…" the rest was inaudible.

Rainbow Dash's brow furrowed. "He took you to his castle? Where is that punk?! I'm gonna beat him up for taking you away against your will!"

The pegasus shook her head. "No, he… well… we're… engaged…" each word was quieter than the last and only Twilight and Applejack heard the last word.

"What?!" Twilight gasped happily. "You're engaged? That's great! I knew he loved you-!" She broke off when she realized that she had yelled it and all of her friends heard it.

Rarity coughed slightly. "He… he loves you?"

Fluttershy blushed. "Yes… and I… I love him."

The white mare sighed. "Darling, if you really are happy… then I suppose it's alright."

"I really am…" she murmured, thinking about her loving mate.

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Are you kidding? He probably put some sort of spell on you to make you agree! You can't be serious!" She glared at the yellow pegasus who shrunk under her gaze

Fluttershy gasped after realizing what she said. "He would never! He loves me and I know it!"

"No, you don't know it!" she huffed. "Discord is a monster and there's nothing you can do to change that! How do you even know his intentions are pure?!"

"Because he kissed me!" the pegasus blurted out.

The whole room fell silent at her words. Tears threatened to make their way out of her eyes as she stood up.

"He's not a monster! I don't care if you agree. I'm marrying him no matter what!" Fluttershy screamed, bolting from the room.

The pegasus left, crying harder and harder. She didn't really know where she was going, but continued to run anyway.

When she was far enough away from the Ponyville Day Spa, she stopped, taking in her surroundings. She realized that she was near her cottage, not too far from Discord's castle. Wanting nothing but to be in his arms again, she took off towards the Everfree Forest and through the patch to his home.

White blurred around her as snowflakes began to fall from the sky. She started to become cold. Without stopping the mare broke through the trees and into his property.

Since she was one that he cared about, she was aloud in and out of the protective force field. Fluttershy ran to the door and knocked on it, desperately hoping that he was there.

She shuttered in relief when the door opened and Discord appeared in front of her.

Seeing her tear streaked face, the draconequus widened his eyes and picked her up in his arms.

"What is it, my darling?" he asked smoothly.

Fluttershy sniffled. "My… my friends, they… well, Rainbow Dash was… was so critical, and… she-she called you a m-monster and… and thought th-that you cast a spell o-on me…" She rambled into Discord's shoulder as he brought her to his room.

"Shh… sh-sh…" he soothed. "Darling, they were surprised. Don't worry about it. I'm sure that they'll get used to it."

Secretly the draconequus was fired to the bone that some pony would be as vulgar as to hurt his dear Fluttershy's feelings. She'll get what's coming to her… He thought menacingly.

Discord laid his fiancé down and covered her with a few blankets to comfort her.

"Stay here, darling." He cooed. "You most likely need a rest."

Fluttershy nodded and closed her eyes.

Once her breathing deepened into sleep, Discord growled and flashed himself out of the castle. He appeared on a cloud in front of the Wonder Bolts Headquarters. Using a tracking spell and thinking about Rainbow Dash brought him to the place; otherwise he wouldn't have gone there in the first place.

Slowly, he knocked on the door. His anger boiled over when Spitfire opened the door.

"Ahh!" she yelled, reeling back in fear at the angry draconequus.

He flew in, fixing his glare at the cyan mare in the corner of the room.

"We have a problem to discuss…" he growled lowly.

Rainbow Dash widened her eyes in realization when he thrust his face in front of hers.

"What problem?" she asked, throwing her face towards him in anger. Though she understood what he meant, she was trying to hide the fear threatening to bubble to the surface by denying it.

"I think you know…" he drew back slightly. "A certain yellow pegasus came to my door crying about how harsh you had been. You made my fiancé collapse in sobs… and that's not okay with me…"

Spitfire stood back up and gasped. "You're engaged to Fluttershy?"

"Of course I am!" he spat at her, but turned back to Rainbow Dash. "Isn't there something you would like to say?"

The mare tried to back away, but Discord used his magic to lock her in one spot.

"I-I'm sorry!" she spoke in desperation. "I didn't mean to hurt her…"

Discord smirked cruelly. "Is that so? Because if you didn't mean to hurt her, then why did you try and talk her out of the engagement by suggesting… suggesting that I'd put a spell on her?!" He roared

Rainbow Dash was now quivering with fear. "I-I really didn't mean to hurt her! She just… I just didn't expect it… really Discord, please, forgive me!" she begged.

The draconequus released her and stood to his full height once more, still smirking and glaring at her. "I will… but note this: If you ever hurt her again… let's just say I won't be so nice next time…" He backed away and left in a flash.

Rainbow Dash was left alone with Spitfire once more.

"Wow." The orange mare rasped. "He's terrifying when he's angry!"

"Yeah…" In fact, the more she thought about it the more she earned respect for the chimera. "It almost makes me… semi… allow his engagement to Fluttershy…"

Spitfire scoffed. "Well, duh! After what I just saw, I'd say that he's intent on marrying her, and if that means knocking sense into one of her friends, then he's obviously going to do it."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "I guess maybe I don't hate the pair after all… he really does care about her enough to protect her against anything… even if it is going a little overboard." She started to become more comfortable with the fact that Fluttershy was marrying him.

From then on, Rainbow Dash didn't quite mind it so much and even started to befriend him… a little bit.

. . .

Fluttershy awoke feeling refreshed. She didn't remember what had happened, but she noticed that she was in Discord's house again. What was it this time? Then she remembered everything at the spa and then running to Discord and him telling her to get some rest. Speaking of which, where is he? She wondered.

Her answer came sooner than necessary when she turned over to see him on his side, his claw under his chin, gazing at her with amusement in his eyes. Squealing in shock, she reeled over to the other side of the bed, getting tangled in the covers once again.

"You know, my dear," Discord said as he snapped his fingers, causing the sheets to slide away, "you are most interesting to watch while you sleep." He pulled her forward with a motion of his paw and nuzzled her mane.

"O-oh," she sighed, "what did you do while I was sleeping?"

He smirked. "I only dealt with the problem at hoof. I don't think Rainbow Dash will be criticizing you anymore." Discord kissed her lightly, sitting up out of the bed.

Fluttershy furrowed her brows confusedly. "What did you do?"

Rolling his eyes secretly, he turned to her with a smug grin. "Only what was necessary to knock some sense into that mare."

She gazed at him suspiciously and then just shrugged it off, hoping that nothing happened that was too severe. Sitting up, she clopped to the door, but stopped when Discord appeared in front of her.

"Why the rush, my dear? Where are you off to in such a hurry?" He asked.

The pegasus tilted her head. "Why does it matter? Did you have anything planned?" She gasped when he lifted her in his arms and stroked her mane.

"No," he said calmly, "but I don't know why you'd want to leave when you don't have to. Where are you going?" He asked again.

Fluttershy widened her eyes in realization. "I guess I don't really know. Maybe my animals need feeding or something."

Discord scoffed. "Please, if you needed that done I could do it in no time." He smirked. "Would you want to stay here for a little longer?"

Instantly squirmy, she wiggled out of his grasp. "No, I-I'm fine. I just… I really should get going. I'm sure there's something I need to do." She flew out of his bedroom door and through the front door.

Letting out a sigh, she flew through the forest and out of his property. She knew that he could flash her back if he wanted, but she hoped he wouldn't. Something about the way he was speaking to her made her nervous, like he was starting to become… possessive. Fluttershy ignored it and flew into town, landing when she arrived in town square.

Trotting along eagerly and seeing if she needed to fetch anything for Angel Bunny made her notice someone. His coat was a minty blue color with a darker mane and navy blue streaks in it. Slightly like a Mohawk, she recognized him instantly and widened her eyes with delight.

She galloped to him, causing him to stop in front of her.

"Seafoam!" She gasped. "How have you been? It's been so long since I've last seen you! Oh, I've missed you so much!"

The stallion looked confused for a moment, but then understood.

"Fluttershy!" He exclaimed. "I've been doing good, you?"

She giggled with excitement. "Fine. What are you doing here? I thought you were living in Manehatten now."

The pegasus flipped his mane exaggeratedly. "Oh, yes, well, my wealthy life became quite the bore. I came here on a business trip. I've been here for about four days and was going to make this my last, but since I saw you, I'm thinking about extending my stay." He threw his hooves around her in a tight embrace, and she squeezed him happily.

"Oh, I hope you do," Fluttershy said through his mane. Releasing him, she stumbled back a bit but straightened up when he lent her a hoof. "Thanks. What are you doing on this side of town?" She asked.

Seafoam tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know. I guess I'm just taking a walk."

At that moment an idea struck the yellow pegasus.

"Do you want to take a walk to the friendship castle?" She asked.

His eyes widened to the size of frying pans. "What?! The Princess of Friendship allows her subjects to visit her castle?"

Fluttershy giggled. "You didn't know? Oh, I guess she wasn't the princess when I last saw you. Twilight Sparkle, my friend, is the princess. She lets me visit whenever I want. Hello? Element of Kindness?" She lightly tapped his head with her hoof.

"Oh!" He gasped. "That's so awesome! You're Princess Twilight's best friend! Could we go now?"

She nodded and clopped forward with him beside her. More snowflakes began to drift from the sky. Tiny crystals landed on the already covered ground, creating a thicker blanket of snow along the roads. Tingling slightly from the cold, Fluttershy sped up and paused when she emerged onto the staircase up to Twilight's door.

"Such architecture!" He exclaimed. "This is amazing!"

Lightly, she knocked on the door and brightened when she noticed her friend appear in the doorway.

"Fluttershy," she nodded to her in greeting, "who is this?" Twilight turned her head to the minty pegasus beside her.

"I'm Seafoam," he said cheerily, "I'm one of Fluttershy's old, old friends. When she told me that I'd be visiting the Princess of Friendship, I guess she really wasn't kidding!" He bowed lowly. "It is an honor to be in your presence, princess!"

The yellow pegasus giggled. "You don't have to do that. I want you to meet the rest of my friends, so come on!" She lifted him with her hoof and walked through the door which Twilight had widened slightly to let them through.

Excitedly, Seafoam gazed around with wide eyes, taking in all of the stain glass windows and crystal walls. When the three emerged into the throne room, he nearly passed out with delight.

"Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie!" He gasped. "All of the Elements of Harmony together!" Everyone looked at him, confused.

"Uh…" Rainbow Dash stammered. "Wh-who are you?"

Fluttershy decided to take it. "This is Seafoam; he's an old friend of mine. Seafoam, would you like to tell them about you?" She inquired.

The pegasus nodded. "I'm a business pony from Manehatten, but I'm here on a business trip. I own the Antique Boutique in Canterlot and the Elegance store in my hometown. I came here to get some more ideas on small town fashions, but I never knew that I'd be so successful as to meet the whole of the Elements of Harmony!" Seafoam beamed when Rarity gasped.

"The Elegance Boutique?" She squealed delightedly. "That is one of my favorite shops in Manehatten! Oh, such beauty. Do you design all of your own outfits?" Rarity waited expectantly.

"Well…" he chuckled. "Yes, yes I do. Though, every once in a while my friend, Pixie Thimble, helps me with details and hems. As you would have figured, it's kind of hard to sew with hooves, so Pixie also helps me with keeping my lines straight and tinier things like that."

"My, my, Seafoam," she battered her eyelashes, "such talent."

"Thank you." He ducked his head shyly. "You all seem so nice. I think you'll be my favorite new group of friends!"