A/N: I am SO sorry this took me so long! I've hit a rough patch (Depression is fun yaaaay!), but I'm on new meds, so fear not, for I have returned! I couldn't leave you guys hanging, now could I? Plus, it's Christmas, so along with my Home Alone story, consider this my Christmas present to you. Merry Christmas! Now, onward, my loyal readers! Also, I don't own MLP (I always freaking forget to do that!)

Discord tossed and turned his hospital bed, clenching the sheets tight in his good hand. He had mixed feelings about sleep now. During that horrible year, he slept often because it was his only respite, but after a few months, his dreams often weren't pleasant. But he could at least wake up from a nightmare, but sometimes he was left wondering if he really wanted to…

Discord's heavy eyelids slid shut against his will, snapping open a few seconds later. He lifted his head to take another look around the hospital room. It was eerily silent, even the machines monitoring him seemed dulled, but the silence was shoved into the back of his mind when he made a frightening realization: Fluttershy was gone.

Gulping, he called out for her. "Fluttershy?" when silence was his only response, he gulped again, dread filling his stomach.

Thump… thump… thump… Were those footsteps? Thump… thump… thump…

Discord sat up slightly, wide eyes trained on the door, which slowly began to open…

Oh no… oh Celestia please no…

Yellow eyes glared down at him, a large red hand reaching toward him…

Discord woke up with a start, finding himself curled and tangled in the now sweat-soaked sheets. Untangling himself, Discord day up, looking around frantically, allowing himself a breath of relief when he saw Fluttershy fast asleep on the sleeper sofa. He wanted to wake her up, but decided against it. Instead, he settled himself into his sheets, curling up as much as his broken ribs would allow, tucking his casted hand against his chest protectively as he watched his friend.

-.-.-

Nurse Redheart had been a nurse at the Canterlot Hospital for fifteen years, recently promoted to work the high-security ward. There weren't a lot of patients in this ward, which made her job a little easier. At nine in the morning, she did wake up calls. Most patients were very reluctant to wake up, Redheart's attempts usually met with cursing and groans. Although she was reluctant to enter this particular room, she couldn't shirk her duties. Besides, he'd been a lot less trouble than anyone would've initially guessed…

As the nurse entered the room, she was surprised to see Discord already wide awake, curled up under his disheveled, sweaty sheets. She hesitated, then cleared her throat. Discord jumped, head turning to face her with wide, mismatched eyes.

"Er… have you gotten any sleep?" Discord hesitated, then slowly shook his head. "Oh… if you wouldn't mind, we have medicine that can help—" he shook his head again, much more insistent this time. "Okay… well, I have your breakfast. You can have it after I change your bandages, okay?" a pause, then Discord nodded.

Pushing the food cart into the room, Redheart sat next to Discord's bed. Using her hooves, she nudged Discord's left arm over to her, gently using her mouth to unravel the bandages, being as tender as possible as she rubbed ointment into the healing burn and antiseptic into the cuts, Discord wincing minutely at the slight sting, then she wrapped a fresh bandage around his arm. After repeating the action with his legs, Redheart turned to the cart, carefully taking a tray containing a bagel and scrambled eggs, along with a necessary utensils and a carton of milk, between her teeth. Placing the styrofoam tray on the nightstand, she looked up at the draconequus.

"Is there anything else you needed?" Discord just shook his head, already beginning to eat his food. "Alright. Just tap the button if you need anything." Redheart said, putting another tray next to the sleeper on her way out.

Discord was just finishing up his food when Fluttershy began to stir, and he watched her wake up.

"Mmmm…" she hummed as she woke up. "Oh, good morning Discord…" when she saw the shadows under his eyes, she got a worried look. "Oh Discord, you didn't sleep well." all he could do was shake his head. For once in his life, he didn't really feel like talking… "Did you have nightmares?" he nodded. "About… him?" another nod.

Fluttershy was sure what to tell him, so she just got up, ignoring her breakfast as approached the bed, getting up on her hind legs so she could muzzle him. Discord leaned into the comforting touch, sighing softly.

It would be okay… everything would be okay…

Why couldn't he believe himself?