Heart-Shaped Horseshoes

“Fillies and gentlecolts, I present to you, your heroes...the Wonderbolts!”

The entire crowd cheered as the dashing blue and yellow streaks soar the skies above the stadium. They did a flawless routine and landed one at a time, following the chain of command. The crowd cheered in return, their stomping diminishing as they moved from Captain to Lieutenant and simple squadron members.

When Thunderlane landed, he barely got a cheer. He wished his brother was there to get at least one enthusiastic follower. However, he had a position in the team and must keep a straight face, no matter what.

“For your services to the kingdom, I´m honored to give you this honor...” Princess Celestia said as she placed a medal on Spitfire. She bowed to the Princess and the alicorn moved to the next pegasus.

Thunderlane watched Soarin lower his head and smile at the Princess. A few seconds ago he was looking at him from behind, like he usually does. Rainbow Dash always cracks a joke about it but it can't be avoid, his position is always at the back of Soarin. Now, he finally gets a chance to look him at the face and watching his humble smiling face makes his chest feel warmer. But the feeling soon went away when he noticed that Princess Celestia is too far away and she isn't carrying enough medals.

Later that night, Thunderlane barely talked to anypony during the reception. He stayed in a corner, gulping drink after drink. He couldn't stand being in a crowd when there was nothing hanging from his neck.

“Hey there, where have you been all night?” he heard a voice behind him. Soarin approached him with a goofy smile and a little red on his cheeks, proving he had been drinking a lot. Some of the red was also lipstick, proving that he was still popular with the ladies.

Thunderlane ignored him and continued with his drink.

“I was starting to feel suffocated in there. Those snob ponies of Canterlot can be quite clingy,” Soarin joked and placed an arm over him. Thunderlane kept drinking in silence. “But it does feels nice getting a little bit of attention now and then. Usually Spitfire gets all the looks, if you know what I mean!” Soarin joked and leaned his head against Thunderlane, softly nuzzling him. Thunderlane responded pushing him aside with a wing.

Soarin looked confused at him but the brown pegasus said nothing and left the bar, moving to a balcony.

Soarin catched up with him and asked Thunderlane what was wrong.

“That,” he said, pointing at the medal hanging from Soarin´s neck.

“What about it?” he asked, still confused.

“You don't get it,” Thunderlane said and turned around, facing the night sky. He still had his drink on a wing and decided to finish it.

“Hey, talk to me. What´s wrong?” Soarin asked.

Thunderlane lowered some of his defenses and said. “How long has it been since I first put on the uniform?”

“Well, I wasn't there to check you on but...”

Thunderlan growled, not in the mod for Soarin´s jokes.

“What exactly are you asking, Thunderlane?”

Thunderlane took a deep breath and looked at the stars before answering. “I'm always looking at your back. Always behind you. That didn't used to bother me but it does now because now I feel I will never catch on with you, that I will never be your equal.”

“What are you talking about? Of course you´re my equal! Damnit, have you been listening to those rumours again that you're using me to get a promotion?”

“No, it´s not that...but they do have a point. It´s obvious that I don't have the talent to be in the Lead Squad, not even dating the Second in Command of the team.”

“Cut it off, Thunderlane!” Soarin said and turned him around. “You have talent, you're one of the best fliers I know!”

“Then why I'm always behind you?”

“Because...because I need you behind me.” Thunderlane watched Soarin as he struggled finding the words, fighting against the cloud of alcohol and doubts. “Look, one day you will be at my side or hay, maybe even ahead of me. But right now, I need you behind me. I'm not saying that I've been pushing your application to the Lead Squad or anything. Truth is, you're far down in the list. You can guess who is the top spot, right?”

Thunderlane just rolled his eyes, not even needed to say that cocky mare name.

“But even if you were the top candidate, I'll still be nervous. I dread the day that you will move from your position and no longer cover my back. I´m not that strong, I need to play the part for them, to look confident and strong; but the truth is, that I really need somepony to catch me if I ever fall.”

Thunderlane looked straight into Saorin´s eyes, repeating every word he just heard. He then smiled and gave a small punch at his coltfriend´s chin.

“Seems the booze is getting into your head. Since when are you so sappy?” he joked.

“And since when you´re not the soul of the party? Are all those stories I heard about you bringing a snow cloud into one of Pinkie Pie´s pool parties a lie?”

“Hay no! I made it snow all over the pool! Flitter and Rarity chased me across town because I ruined their tanning!”

Soarin laughed and patted Thunderlane in the back. Thunderlane leaned forward and gave him a small kiss on the lips. Sorin smiled and returned the gesture and they nuzzled for a while, big goofy smiles on their faces.

“Wanna come back inside?” Soarin asked.

“Sure. Lead the way.”