'The 'Burbs' was playing and Fluttershy was enjoying some nerd ropes which she nawed on simply for the sake of nawing on it.

Discord chuckled to most of the movie as he munched on his own odd treats. Pretzel sticks dipped in strawberry sauce and cayenne pepper along with other similar spicy and sweet things that Fluttershy honestly didn't know were possible.

She was far too comfortable to even feel guilty she stole his hammock-bed along with his blankets and pillows-most of them at least. When she looked, he didn't seem to mind at all, though she wasn't sure if that was from his chivalry or if he wanted her to be happy. Her neck did ache from earlier but was happier here in his room, simply for the fact she felt content to relax. No fear gripped her when she was here.

"Discord?" Her voice was soft as usual.

He looked over immediately, a brow raised in question.

"Why do you sleep in a hammock?" She truly didn't care that he did, she was just curious and wanted to hear someone's voice.

He looked up, seeming to actually think of an answer. With how he acted usually she did like it was an interesting change that he didn't just brush her off.

"It feels natural, I suppose. Why do YOU sleep in a bed?" He countered.

She smiled, giggling. "If it wouldn't hurt my back, I would've loved nests. Like-like maybe a burrow or cave or a bundle of soft grass and hay under a large hedge. Not like birds though, I don't like heights."

He chuckled, his eyes squinting. "Really? You remind me of a bird. Sweet, quiet, lovely voice." He shrugged.

She blushed but huffed a small laugh. "I don't like heights. So unless I nest like a ground-dwelling bird, you're sore out of luck, bud."

That got a snort and a laugh from Discord, though this one was quieter. He grinned widely, revealing his snaggle tooth and other teeth.

"Hmm...maybe a penguin?"

She thought but shook her head. "I'm not a fan of super cold."

His smile lessened but wasn't any less bright. He poked her legs where they were sticking out, making her squeak. "Maybe an Emu or Ostrich? You have the legs."

She gasped., "You, Sir, are one to talk!" She reached out and swatted his shoulder to which he turned his long body oddly, wrapping his arm around her waist and his other to prop himself up.

"What about no bird then?" He asked.

She buried deeper into the pile of pillows and blankets. "I'm not sure how we got on that topic anyway. But if we continue, you'd be a platypus."

He quirked his brow, obviously curious. "Why's that?"

Fluttershy peaked her head out more and smiled. "Cause you're both unique. The platypi-platypuses?- are so unique anyone could tell you what it is. You're the only Discord, but that means I could never lose you. Also, fun fact, the male platypus has a poisonous spur on their hind feet and glow in UV light. So...that's cool too."

She knew she was blushing, even though all she said was true. He went silent but then with a light chuckle, he seemed to scoot closer.

"Chrissy would be a mantis. Biting the heads off the guys she dates-or fucks-whatever. Either way, they never last." Discord waved his hand that was on her, around in a wishy washy movement.

The mention of Chrysalis had made Fluttershy remember her reaction earlier. She hadn't meant to react that way, she doubted Chrysalis knew she'd done it. She would have to apologize.

She felt a poke against her cheek and saw Discord looking at her, like his mind was thinking.

He usually looked like that. Like he was observing and learning. Always reading.

She saw his face morph again, like judging how to react based on her.

"You're doing that thinking thing again, My Dear. I don't have a penny but maybe I can write you an IOU for your thoughts?"

She grinned, her heart swelling happily. Then it fell, not knowing what to tell him.

She averted her gaze, sitting up.

"I realized, I need to apologize to Chrysalis. I know what she did wasn't on purpose. She didn't deserve my crying." Fluttershy sighed. "I feel like I owe you all an explanation for my troubling you."

Discord stood up, going over to change out the movie. Or at least take out the one cycling over and over on the Home Screen. Then he picked her up and sat in his hammock, her on his lap. He looked at her, eyes narrowed lazily.

"Do you think we need an explanation? Or do you need someone to speak to about it?"

Fluttershy's eyes widened. "I...I wouldn't want to trouble you."

He took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. "You didn't answer me. Fluttershy, we don't need you to explain anything you don't want to. But...if explaining and sharing why this is happening, why you're reacting how you do to situations, maybe seeking comfort knowing we'd do what we could to make you feel better, will help you and is something you want, then sure, explain. But just know which it is you want."

Fluttershy opened and closed her mouth multiple times. She looked him in the eye, trying to decide which to do. Anxiety clenched her heart like Twilight with a stress ball as the thought of explaining what happened in January-wait-

"What month is it again?" She blinked.

Discord raised his brows, obviously confused. "June, Dear. Why?"

Oh, yeah, they were starting Summer break tomorrow.

Wait...June?

"Has it really only been 6 months?" Her voice quivered and eyes shined like she'd cry again. Her brows furrowed. She hadn't meant to ask that out loud.

No wonder she was still a wreck.

"6 months since what?" Discord asked, playing with her hair.

She wanted him to keep playing with it. To erase HIS touch. So, with that in mind, before she answered him, she moved both his hands to her hair, then moved one of them soon after to rest on her neck, above the bandage.

Her breath shuddered as she tried committing Discord's touch to her memory over the other.

"Since...I lost them. I...truthfully it's felt longer."

He hummed in acknowledgment but allowed her to do as she pleased.

That was another odd thing she'd quickly noticed. With how he presented himself and how he looked, one would think he wanted to be the one in control. All the time. But...even with Chrysalis and Sombra, Discord allowed all of them to get away with a lot.

Or at least, that's what she got from the stories the others would tell.

"Losing someone important is always hard. Time both moves so quickly and yet so slow. Grief...is quite the pain. Unless it's dire, you can tell us when you feel you can." He allowed his hand to cup her neck gently.

They sat there in silence for awhile, neither saying a word, both in their heads, basking in the physical comfort the other brought, but lost in memories.

"I'm not sure If you'll see Chrissy before she has work tomorrow. Might want to check if she's up." Discord's voice brought her out of her mindless spiral.

Fluttershy nodded, getting up. She hesitated at the door and looked back.

"Can I come back after?"

Discord looked to her, coming out of his thoughts. He smirked. "I don't know. Can you?"

She smiled lopsidedly. "May I?"

He smiled, revealing the teeth that went past his canines. "I wouldn't know why you'd want to."

She rubbed her upper arm and he frowned at her uncomfortable posture. "Tell me when you get back." He ended up saying softly.

She looked at him surprised, before opening the door and leaving.

Fluttershy tried to stay calm but now that she was sitting there at Chrysalis' desk chair, watching the woman care for her beetles, it made thinking of an excuse hard.

"So-uhm-C-Chrysalis? I just wanted to apologize for earlier. Discord helped calm me down and I realized I must've reacted oddly."

Chrysalis looked at her, a look of 'duh' written there.

"I was worried sick, then next thing I know, you're home covered in blood and unresponsive. Then you break into tears when I touch you."

She walked over, trying to gauge Fluttershy's response.

Fluttershy looked away. "I...you turned into my mom. And...and when you-" her breath caught, but she pulled through, remembering it was Chrysalis in front of her, not her mom, "you spoke, it sounded like her." She shook her head before she could get lost again. "A-anyway, I am sorry for-for worrying you. That-that's all."

There was a silence as Chrysalis processed. She seemed to decide to drop it, knowing if she didn't immediately tell her, Fluttershy wasn't ready.

Fluttershy looked around Chrysalis' room, this being the first time there and found it filled with little, old things. Like childhood trinkets.

It looked like something a mother would keep over the years her children gave her. But, Chrysalis didn't have kids.

"Did you have neighborhood kids you watched or something?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Chrysalis looked to see what she was looking at. Her eyes became guilt ridden.

"Kind of. I was the eldest at an orphanage and pretty much took care of the younger ones. I tried teaching them what I could so they'd be able to stay in school and be more than "orphan kids", you know? But the moment I found my dream of FX makeup, I hightailed it out before I was 18. Never looked back."

Fluttershy hummed. "I'm sure...they're fine. I bet they took your lessons to heart. And since-since they're older, some probably the age you were, they'd definitely understand. I bet some have gotten a home too!" Fluttershy clenched her fists, determination in her eyes over people she'd never met, simply for the knowing her friend knew them. Loved them.

After her initial shock, Chrysalis broke into a fond smile. "Thank you."

They spoke back and forth about mundane things, including what lessons she taught the other orphan kids.

Lessons like, love yourself: because no one else will until YOU let them, tricks to fit into society: despite what lies they tell you as kids about "being yourself", how to, even in your posture and voice: become someone else to get what you want and need, and above all, protect yourself: even at the cost of others.

Soon, though, Chrysalis had to get sleep since she had work, so, with promise of hanging out soon, maybe a girls day, Fluttershy left her room, heading back to Discord's.

She may have been feeling a bit better, but she still felt the bugs under her skin at the thought of being in her own room.

She did stop by it though, to grab Angel. The poor bunny seemed relieved she was alright and home, and equally confused when Fluttershy headed upstairs with him.

She hoped Discord wouldn't mind.

She knocked, but he didn't answer. She wondered if he nodded off, so to check if he was okay, she only cracked the door a bit to peak and saw he was standing near his bookcase, looking through a small box, taking out what looked like Polaroids. His brow was slightly scrunched but a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Discord?" She asked softly.

He shot his head up to look at her and put the box away.

"You took awhile. Everything alright?"

She nodded. "Chrysalis understood. I was actually able to learn a bit about her myself." Angel squirmed in her grasp and she remembered. "Oh, also, is it okay if he stays too? I feel so bad being gone all day then away from my room."

Discord looked at her for a moment, "You never did tell me why you wanted to sleep in here." Even though he was asking and made it sound like he didn't want her there, he walked over to his hammock, making a spot for her as well.

She hesitantly walked in, now unsure if it really was alright to be there. But the sudden thought of being alone in her room, in that large bed alone with just Angel, if that, scared her. She didn't want to be alone.

"I...I'm only okay right now...because of you and when I chatted with Chrysalis. I'm...heh- I'm-uh, too scared to sleep alone tonight." She fidgeted, embarrassed at her confession.

She saw the blush rise to his high cheekbones and he averted his gaze. He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. He sighed and mumbled something under his breath, though he might've not actually said anything, since she couldn't hear him.

"Better get into pajamas then. If it's anything like that other night, I don't want you clinging to me in jeans."

Fluttershy's brows furrowed in concern but she nodded.

"May I not sleep here? You seem hesitant and I don't want to be trouble."

Discord shook his head, shooing her to change.

In the hammock Fluttershy laid similar to last time, curled against his side while one arm wrapped around her back, like a nest. Her head laid against the side of his chest. They'd laid there already for a few hours, hoping for sleep, but not finding it.

Angel laid curled around a blanket she brought in on the floor, the hammock barely big enough for Discord, let alone another person.

"Discord?" Her voice was a whisper. He hummed in response, obviously still awake. "Why aren't you asleep? Am I being a bother?" She moved her head to try looking at his face.

He sighed and moved his body to face her, she felt unexpectedly sad he did move. She was comfortable.

She could see the moon light making his yellow eyes glow. She suddenly felt more vulnerable with his eyes on her, with his full attention.

"I just don't know how to share a bed, is all. Especially with a lady. I'm not sure where to put myself where it won't turn into a misunderstanding."

She heard his voice crack at the end, quite an odd noise for the face making it. His tone made it where she knew, he wasn't joking. He was awkward and uncomfortable. She didn't even think of it, how he'd feel. She had simply assumed because he let her feed off him, he'd be okay with this.

She took a breath, making sure he was looking in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't-I had assumed since you let me feed on you, then this was okay."

He didn't laugh. She wasn't used to how quiet he was. "Feeding off me and THIS...are different... aren't they?"

He was asking.

She gulped, her own voice quiet. They didn't need to be whispering. No one was awake. "I'm not sure. People don't usually feed of each other."

That got a huffed laugh. "No, I suppose not." He ducked his head, she could tell he still wasn't sure.

Maybe she was the one taking advantage and making him uncomfortable? She hadn't even thought of it.

She removed her legs from against his, "Discord? I'm sorry...I didn't even ask if-if any of this was alright with you. I just thought...I thought you'd tell me 'no' if I was stepping over a boundary".

Growing up, even with her parents and Zephyr, she was taught to ask, to communicate no matter who it was. She'd forgotten that included people who would allow her to do a lot. "Can we...can we talk? A-about what's okay between us?"

Her heart was beating so hard in her chest it hurt. She felt the chill of anxiety, of shyness run down her neck.

The rock against her rib cage hurt.

He looked to her eyes suddenly, catching her off guard. His face showed uncertainty. "This is so embarrassing, for an adult to not know these things."

She saw him blush slightly, through the moonlight.

For some reason, she felt she needed reassurance it was alright for her to be near. She reached her hand out the short distance there was and barely touched his hand with her fingertips.

He looked her in the eye for a long time, before slowly turning it palm up and curling his fingers to gently brush his fingertips against her's.

She could feel the shake in his hand and heard the gulp he took.

"How...how about...we tell each other...what's okay and what...isn't? I don't want...to overstep something. I...want you to see me...as a safe...ngh-thing-er whatever."

He turned his head from her gaze.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, her chest felt tight.

Slowly, like she was frightened of messing up, like the wrong pace or movement would shatter the fragile moment it was, she lowered her hand all the way, grasping his palm and pulling.

She placed his hand over her shoulder, scooted closer...so slowly, and tried to imitate earlier, but couldn't, so she was forced to speak.

"This is...okay to me. M-mainly if..." she gulped, her mouth dry, "if I've had a rough time or...or nightmares. Or-maybe-if I'm too tired from-from eating. B-but anytime is-is good. I feel-with you-I- p-please tell me...you too."

She could feel his trembling. For such a large man, she found it odd...but nice. She knew she was no better and she could feel the heat from her blush all over her face. It was too hot, and not because it was June.

Discord slipped his hand from her's, then grasped her wrist. Hands were too much, then...but he didn't show her what was okay.

He just held her wrist, like moving it or doing more was too much. He met her gaze again.

"You can bite anywhere, to feed. Just don't chew on my neck or-or nest there...to me, I'm not even sure why, but...it's too much." He took a deep breath, not quite done. "There's something you have to know, Fluttershy. I'm not...touchy. I never had these cues of-of what is acceptable with someone. Or when it is with certain relationships. But I do-I know what society would see right now and I'm not wanting you to think it's like that. I don't know what you think...when I hold you. When I allow you to drink from me. I-I'll tell you...if there's more."

By the time he was done, his face was a bright pink and he used the hand not holding her wrist, to hide his face.

Fluttershy wasn't any better for wear and she could feel the sweat on his hand.

She knew he needed her confirmation on what SHE deemed acceptable during...this. Knowing he was in a similar boat when it came to it, she drew up her confidence.

"I can't really explain it either. I feel safe and your blood is delicious to me. Having-", she choked, "having to deal with all this and-and things from such a short time ago has left me scared. I feel so ashamed that I took your pillows and I'm so sorry but it just makes me feel safe an-and like-like no one can hurt me again-" she ripped her wrist away and covered her mouth, eyes starring wide at him. She hadn't meant to let that slip.

She waited, tears threatening to well. She waited for him to laugh or to ask questions. To her surprise and relief, Discord stayed looking her in the eyes and lifted her, setting her on top of him. He didn't say anything as he rubbed her back.

"This okay?" His voice scratched after awhile.

She could only nod.

With her face buried in his chest, inhaling his scent from everywhere, his heartbeat still quick but he too, seemed to be calming, she drifted off as the dawning light filtered through the window.

Or, she would be, if as they were both finally resting enough, after a long emotional night, Discord's phone went off.

She snorted as he slammed his hand against the phone sitting on his nightstand.

She heard him mutter curses under his breath, thinking she had nodded off.

She couldn't hear what the person on the other end said, but she heard Discord's annoyance as he hummed and agreed to whatever they said.

She didn't expect the whine that left her lips as he lifted her off, she opened her eyes and felt a strange feeling as he smiled tiredly but fondly at her.

"Sorry to wake you as you fell asleep. You can sleep here. I have work."

She allowed herself to be moved, too lazy to move herself but she did grasp his wrist as his feet hit the floor and began to sit up.

"Why so early?" She was already drifting off when chuckled lightly.

"Because I left unexpectedly yesterday. Get some sleep, My Dear." With his other hand, he petted her head.

Fluttershy hummed, being killed by his scent and the remaining warmth of his here he laid. She stayed still, watching him with tired eyes as he left to change.

Once he gathered his things, and she heard the door creak, she bolted up as panic rose suddenly.

"Discord!"

He paused, looking behind. "Get some sleep, Fluttershy." He whispered.

She didn't lay back down, but she did swallow the lump in her throat. "Be safe."

He smiled and nodded before giving her a peace sign and leaving, quietly closing his door behind him.

She was vaguely aware of her own phone going off, receiving texts and a few calls from her friends as she curled farther into the hammock and let exhaustion claim her, dragging her to hopeful dreams, away from the chilly nightmares.