Clingy (Patreon)

my last discussion status on deviantart got me thinking

playing around with an AU (or maybe I'll just add it to my canon story? Idk), where Twilight and Discord, rather than getting married and living mostly happily ever......now instead play out a bit more realistically, a bit more in line with their interactions in the show. They don't marry. They do not form a stable partnership. What they do do is make a baby together, and then everything after that is kind of a mess.

Far be it from me to descend into more melodrama though. Here's the gist of things:

Following her research into the nature of chaos magic, Twilight forms a secret relationship with Discord. It's shaky, and not very serious, but the old goat can be a little charming sometimes, so sue her. Their "experiments" lead to the creation of an egg that Discord claims is half his, half Twilight's. Twilight has an "oh shit" moment, but decides to take a shot raising their child together, in a loving home, as a happy family.

Except it turns out Discord isn't so good at the whole 'domestic' thing. He's not a great partner or father, much preferring to spend his time sowing strife into the hearts of mortals. When Twilight gets upset, he's a little put out- did she really expect him, the lord of chaos, immortal being of pure magic- to waste his talents changing diapers? Pushing a pram? Checking in more than once a month? Their relationship was light and noncommittal before, he doesn't get why things have to change.

This sparks a big argument, with Twilight trying to open Discord's eyes. Discord cares about Twilight and Panny both, more than he even understands, but continues to dismiss the entire notion of love as pointless (drawing on how he acts in The Break-up Breadown). He is ancient and powerful and very much still sees mortals as playthings. His fling with Twilight was a game, and now Twilight's changed the rules. She's the one whose not being fair. Did she expect him to sweep her up in a white wedding? Play nice with Canterlot nobles? Fall in love? Play happy family? All these things are antithetical to who he is, he says.

Twilight can accept that.....and she can also kick him out, because she's got too much self-respect to forever play the nagging wife to an irresponsible hubby. She decides being a single mom will be her newest princess mission. 

Over the years, Twilight does date around, hoping to settle down, but things never seem to work out, for one reason or another. She and Discord are salty exes, and on-again, off-again lovers. When things are good between them, they're really good, Discord is fun and knowledge personified. But when they're bad, they're really bad, and Twilight kicks him out again. Each time she says it will be the last, but the damned noodle keeps worming his way back into her good graces. They do love each other, but they're not very good at being functional.

All this instability affects lil Pan. She's as anxious as ever, and struggles being torn between two completely different heritages. Also, because Discord isn't around a lot, she's rather clingy of him and believes he can do no wrong. Dad is fun and freedom, her stuffy mom just doesn't get it. She very much enjoys being daddy's little princess and trying like mad to keep his attention.......until she eventually realizes that Discord is old and bitter and lonely, and maybe she doesn't wanna be like him all that much. She begins repressing her draconequus half and puts her all into getting coronated as a princess. She desperately wants to be adored and validated by the little ponies, because Pan isn't sure how to love herself on her own. She's carrying some subconscious daddy issues (and mommy issues, Pan is a mess), but does not like addressing them. She has to believe that her father is good and noble and has a good reason for leaving over and over again.

Discord views Panny as his little mischief buddy, he has no clue how to be a real parent or deal with her emotional needs.