Chapters Chapter 1 (How it all began)
Braeburn felt sweat drip down his muzzle as he was trotting his way through Ponyville. The weather was hot, and I mean really hot. There were no clouds in sight and the sun was even higher than usual on this hot sunny day. It was even hotter than back in his hometown, Appleloosa. It had been a long time since he had visited his cousins in Ponyville. He had to stop and ask a few ponies for directions after every little while. Luckily the ponies in Ponyville were much kinder than the ponies back at his hometown. He followed all of the directions he received until he could see a few apple trees up in the horizon.
He began galloping as the trees grew bigger in his sight. Soon he could see a barn. It was nice and red with an odd shape. Finally, when he was close to the gate he slowed down. He opened one of his saddlebags and pulled out the letter in a white envelope that he had already read at least 30 times. He let his eyes pass over it again, just to make sure he wasn't going crazy.
Dear Braeburn.
It gives us great honor to invite you to the official wedding of Big Macintosh and Spitfire.
He didn't need to read the rest. Just that sentence made shivers go over his spine every time he read it. Big Mac? With a mare he had never heard of? It didn't make any sense! He hadn't even heard a word about this before he got that invitation. He just had to go inspect what the hay was going on.
He slowly opened the gate to the farm. He had really hoped, that he could go there without barging in like that, but there wasn't anypony outside and he just had to know! He slowly walked towards the big house. It looked just like he had remembered. He quickly wiped off all the sweat on his forehead. His leather vest wasn't making anything easier. Finally he rose his hoof and have the door a few knocks. He waited for a moment, before he noticed the doorknob turn. The turn was opened and he could see an orange mare with three red apples on her flank, standing at the door.
''B...Brae? What on tarnation are ya'll doing here?''
''Howdy Applejack! Ah hope ah'm not troubling you...''
''Not at all, come on in cuz''
Braeburn stepped in from the door. He smiled as he felt the cold air inside the house. How had they kept it so cold in this extreme weather? The room looked just as he remembered. He sat into a big green chair that faced the fireplace. (that of corse, wasn't burning at the moment) Applejack took a seat on the couch right next to the chair.
''Ah'm sorry for bargin' in like this. Ah just got this letter and just had to come and check if ah'm not going crazy''
He handed the mare the white letter.
''Oh, this is no joke... Ah was surprised too at first, but turns out ma'h brother and Spitty really clicked. Ah was amazed at how well they worked together''
''Ah had no idea...''
''Wha? Ah thought Big Mac sent ya'll a letter months before this one... Didn't ya'll get it?''
''Eh... no?''
''Oh... well then it's a good thing ya'll here. Big Mac chose ya'll to be the cuz' who will be his important party planner''
''He what?!''
''Don't worry. Spitfire is choosing a close friend of hers to help ya'll on the planning. Unless if ya'll refuse...''
''Of corse not! Ah would never let Big Mac down!''
''That the spirit! We were actually expecting you to come next week, since thats when we will begin to work on the marriage. Big Mac and Spitfire are just working on the details for now''
''Oh...''
''But ya'll can stay here anyway until the planning if ya'll want''
''Ya'll sure ah wont just get in the way?''
''No worries. If ya'll want cuz, ya'll can even help us on the farm''
''Great! Ya'll want me to start now?''
''Ya'll don't have to... Its really hot outside, but suit yourself''
With that said Applejack watched as Brae jumped off the chair and walked out of the door. He wanted to let all of this in. He still had to get used to Big Mac getting married and him having to plan most of the party. It was allot of pressure and he just wanted to do something that would take his mind off of it all, and what could be better than doing the thing, that his cutiemark represented.
Those thoughts were thrown out of the picture as he stepped outside. The heat literally shocked him, but he didn't want to turn back. He walked over to a tree. All of the apples were very red and obviously taken care of with lots of love and care. He walked up to a tree that had three buckets under it, turned his back to it and gave it a good kick. Thanks to his earth pony ''magic'' all of the apples dropped perfectly into the buckets in a perfect pile and not a single leaf or branch fell with them. Braeburn looked at his work with a proud smile and walked up to another tree.
He tried to hide his face under his worn out cowboy hat, hoping that he wouldn't get a sunburn. He turned his back towards the tree and was about to kick it before he heard a loud scream. From the scream he could form the words ''WATCH OUT!''.
He tried his best to find the direction where the yell was coming from. All of his surroundings were empty. He heard yet another scream much closer. He looked up in shock. There was a blue pegasus flying closer and closer in extreme speed right at... him?
''Buck...'' is all he could say before his sight went black
The scent of apples entered his muzzle. The soft grass under him was wet from all the sweat the sun had caused him to make. How long had he been laying there?
Brae gave out a small whimper from the pain he was caused. He slowly opened his left eye to see a blue pegasus standing in front of his head, looking at him upside down. He looked quite concerned. Brae was surprised to see the pegasus begin to chuckle when he saw the earth pony wake up.
''Heh... sorry dude... I'm still working on that new flip I'm forced to learn... Woah you're a real hottie!''
Brae's eyes shot open as he quickly sat up. He grabbed the back of his head which hurt the most. He had probably hit his head against a rock. Just then did he realize what the strange pegasus had just called him.
''Who the buck are ya'h?!''
The feathered ponies eyes widened at that question. ''You're not from around here are you?''
''No... a'hm not...''
''That explains it... If you were from here you would know me... I am Soarin, the Wonderbolts co-captain''
''W... Wonderbolts?''
''Yea dude... We're kinda famous all over Equestria... I'm surprised there is actually someone who doesn't know me... I'm kinda glad to tell you the truth'' he said with a grin on his face when Brae grumbled at the pain he finally felt in his back hooves as well.
He didn't like this pony. Not even a little. His one of these kinds of ponies who do absolutely nothing that could help other ponies, and still get lots of attention and money. Money that they don't even need, but other ponies do.
Brae had always been the opposite. He had worked years on the apple farm back in Appleloosa for people who hated hi, but he knew, that in their small town every farm pony counted since the town was in starving point. He suddenly felt guilt for leaving the town for two whole weeks. It didn't matter how many times the ponies had beaten him up and called him names, he still helped them with all his might.
''Braeburn...''
''Huh?''
''Ma'h names Braeburn... Ah'm here in Ponyville only to visit ma'h cousins'' he said as he pointed his hoof to the red barn.
''You're here about the wedding aren't ya? I don't wanna brag but... The mare in the happy couple, Spitfire, asked me to be her important party planner''
''WHAT?!''
Soarin's eyes widened at the sudden reaction, but then put his proud grin back on his face. ''Yup! It's allot of pressure, but i'm supposed to get another pony from the farm pony's family to help out. Not that I really need the help'' he said with a wink.
''S... Somepony like me...''
''Wha?''
''Big Mac chose me to help you out''
Soarin's eyes went wider than ever before. Then his grin came back. Brae absolutely hated that grin.
''So I get to plan my best friends wedding AND have this hot stuff to help me out? Awesome!'' He said with a sudden smile. The smile didn't look fake, like it did on most people back in Appleloosa. His smile was real and worked perfectly with his messy mane and green eyes, that matched Brae's eyes.
''Stop calling me'h that...''
''Oh and that sexy accent! You really don't know anything about me do you?''
The earth pony gave him a quick shake with his head. He hoped his blush wasn't very notable. The pegasus chuckled.
''This is gonna be a fun month...''
The sun was slowly going down as Braeburn continued bucking trees. Soarin sat under one of the apple treed enjoying the sight of Brae working his flank off. Luckily it wasn't so hot anymore, but Brae still felt sweat drip down from under his mane and vest. Soarin was calmly enjoying one of the apples as he mumbled a well-known song. After finishing his apple he got bored and chose to entertain himself.
Without Brae noticing him standing up he sneaked over to hard working Braeburn. Brae felt his hat being taken off and then heard wings flapping. His tired face was replaced with annoyance as he watched the blue pegasus fly above him and place the hat on his messy mane.
''Give me'h ma'h hat back!'' he shouted in annoyance.
''Ah reacon thias hawt looks mighty swell on me'h'' he spoke in a terrible western accent. Brae's serious face tuned into a huge grin. Then he began to chuckle and right after that he was laughing so hard, it was hard to breathe. He laughed even harder when he noticed Soar's face flush a slight tone of red. He landed on top of the apple tree Brae was about to buck earlier.
''BhahaHAHAHAHA! Ah didn't expect ya'll to be the one to blush! And ah sound nothing like that!''
Now Soarin was the one who began to chuckle. ''Ar' ya'h kiddin'? Ah soun' EXACLY like ya'h!'' After a small pause he took off the hat, but didn't give it back to Brae just yet. ''I haven't blushed since I was a filly. Not allot of ponies make fun of me... uh... thanks''
''Yer thanking me'h for laughin' at ya'll?
''Yea... You see... I don't like to be treated like a celebrity. I feel like I don't even do anything helpful to other ponies and they still adore me for nothing. Thats why I admire you. You worked you're flank off all day in this extreme heat and most of the world doesn't know one thing about you, but you don't let that bother you''
Brae's eyes shot open wider than ever before. He was silent for a long time. He had thought Soar was exactly the opposite of what he had just said. It was like he had read his mind about what he thought he disliked about the pegasus. Brae suddenly felt a hard flow of guilt from judging the pony without even knowing him. Finally the blue pegasus spoke up.
''Why the long face?''
''A... ah just thought that... ya'll...''
''You thought I was an attention whore i'm guessing?'' He said with a grin. ''I used to be... But lately I have tried my best to avoid any kind of press or fans. Just doesn't feel right to seem amazing while i'm just doing something that is no problem for me''
Braeburn was amazed at how wrong he had been.
''Ah'm... sorry...''
''Hey! Don't you dare feel guilty! This doesn't mean i'm still not a huge dick'' he yelled out with a wink. Brae raised an eyebrow at the choice of words the other had used.
''Can ah have ma'h hat back now?''
''Nope'' he said with a smug. He quickly let himself glide lower, pass the hat right in front of Brae's muzzle and pull it away with a chuckle as the other tried to grab it.
''Yer right, ya'll still are a dick'' he mumbled through his teeth in annoyance. He was only a little bit angry tho. He was actually enjoying the teasing. He liked the strange personality the other had.
Soarin chuckled and flew back on the ground. ''Glad I you finally understand the way I play'' is all he said before placing the hat back on the earth ponies head. He stepped a few paces back as he looked at Brae from hooves to ears. Braeburn was hoping the other wouldn't see the tiny bit of blush under his fur that he desperately tried to hide.
''Hmm... yes yes.. the hat indeed looks better on you than me, and thats something!'' he commented with a chuckle. ''Yup, that is certainly an attractive body you have there'' He said with a serious nod.
Now Brae's face really did flush in a bright tone of red. He blushed even harder when the other began to chuckle again.
''Thats all I wanted! You have no idea how adorable you look when you blush!''
''Ah... uh..''
Before Brae could even reply the pegasus extended his wings. ''It was nice meeting you Brae-Brae... Really nice'' He said with a wink and took off.
Brae just sat there with a face red like a tomato. After a while of just sitting there he finally let out a few words to himself.
''Br...Brae-Brae?''
TO BE CONTINUED...
Chapter 2 (Lies, confessions and... pie?)
Braeburn cried out of pain as his dad beat him. ''Why daddy why?!'' Is all he kept saying. He didn't even try to defend himself. It was hopeless. Daddy was always right. He knew that very well. No matter how hard he tried to be interested in a mare, it just never worked. It felt wrong. His thoughts always turned to colts as he imagined his future family. He never dreamed of having a wife. Dad just said that he had to learn to like mares in the more painful way.
A loud scream finally woke him up from his awful dream. ''Brae-Brae!!!!''
There was only one pony who would ever call Braeburn that.
''Calm down partner. No need to yell like that. What are ya'll doing here Soar?'' he mumbled with his eyes closed.
''I came to surprise you and wake you up myself until I found you crying you you're sleep! Are you okay pal? You don't look as cute as usual when you cry!'' he said with concern.
Braeburn finally opened his eyes and grumbled at the bright sunlight coming from the window. As he wiped his eyes he could definitely feel tears flowing down his cheeks.
''What the...'' he said as he looked at his now wet hoof.
''Bad dream?''
''Not really a dream... A memory'' he said without thinking. He quickly tried to change the subject but it was too late. Soarin's attention was caught.
''What kind of memory?''
''It's nothin'...''
''Can't be nothing if you cried like that...'' Braeburn looked at the blue pegasus sitting on the top of his bed. There was no hint of teasing in his voice. His concern was almost scaring him.
''Forget ah said anythin'... Ah'm starvin', lets go eat!'' he yelled out, trying his best to not look shocked at his sudden outburst either.
''Tell me!''
Braeburn looked at Soarin who really did look worried. He wasn't going to give up on this was he? Brae sighed in defeat.
''Lets just say ah didn't have a mighty kind family''
''How come?''
''Well... actually it was just ma'h pa'. Ma'h ma' died when ah was born so ah never knew her. Ma'h pa blamed me for her death. He beat me up allot'' Brae bit his lower lip after saying that last part.
''Brae... you're not telling me something... I don't think thats the only reason he beat you is it?''
Brae's eyes dropped down. How had he knows so easily? ''Ah... no... that's all...''
Soarin looked at Brae, who was trying his best to avoid eye-contact. Brae knew very well how much the other wanted to know the rest, but was surprised to see the pegasus stand up and walk to the door.
''Come outside when ready. I want you to meet Spitfire'' he said before closing the door after him.
Brae quickly got up from bed and went to the bathroom that happened to be right next to his room. He took a quick glance in the mirror and gasped at the sight. His mane was messier than ever before, his eyes looked tired and red and he had marks on his cheeks from crying. How long had he cried in his sleep?
He quickly brushed his teeth and did his best to fix his face with some cold water. He put on his hat and vest and walked outside. He instantly saw a bright orange pony talking to Soarin. Suddenly Soarin pointed at him as the orange mare looked at him. She looked terrifying at first, but then she gave Brae a kind smile to show that she meant no harm.
''Heya! You must be Braeburn? I heard you don't really know the Wonderbolts so I guess I should let you know that i'm Spitfire''
Braeburn looked at her right in the eyes. He smiled at the mare to make things less awkward''
''So yer the one marryin' ma'h 'cuz eh? Nice to meet ya'll''
Brae's eyes widened in confusion as the mare chuckled slightly. ''You were right Soar. His accent is just as adorable as Mac's!''
Soarin laughed with her. Their smiles widened when the earth pony blushed.
''Aww, don't be so shy hot stuff! Common, lets go eat breakfast''
''Hot stuff?!'' Brae yelled out in annoyance. He noticed Spitfires eyes go wide at Braeburn's shock.
Soarin began walking towards the town as Brae and Spitfire followed him from behind.
''Where are we going'?''
''We're going to this place me and my pals like to go to for breakfast''
''But ah left ma'h bits in ma'h saddlebags back in the barn. Hold on, ah'll go get 'em'' he said as he began to gallop towards the barn, but was stopped by a certain blue hoof that was firmly placed on Brae's tail.
''Don't worry, i'll pay. Lets just go''
''No, thats okay... Ah'm actually not very hungry anyways'' he said. That sentence was followed by a loud growl coming from his stomach. He blushed as the Wonderbolts around him chuckled.
''No worries hottie! I'll take care of that loud stomach of yours''
Brae growled just like his stomach at how the pegasus had called him yet again. As they walked down the path Spitfire almost whispered to Braeburn ''You really don't know huh?''
''Know what?'' He mumbled back.
''Don't get mad when he calls you things like that. He does that to every colt''
''Wait... wha? Ya'll mean his...''
Spitfire gave him a nod. ''Don't take it too seriously tho... Thats kinda like his way of being friendly''
Brae's eyes widened. He looked at Soarin. The other was just as tall as Brae, if not even shorter, tho his crazy mane made him seem much taller. The mane stood up on his head with probably loads of hair gel. It had pieces going everywhere, but somehow it wasn't complete chaos. Somehow the huge dark blue mane complimented his modest light blue fur. The blue was so light, it almost seemed white.
Brae suddenly felt weird staring at Soarin from behind, even if he was just looking at his crazy mane. He looked away over to the apple trees. The straight road to the town was long. Finally Soarin stopped and cause of that, by instinct, so did he.
''Brae-Brae, you afraid of heights?''
Braeburn just rolled his eyes at the dumb nickname. ''Nope, why?''
Suddenly out of nowhere Soarin grabbed onto Brae and held him tight as he took flight. Spitfire followed them using her own wings.
''BUCK SOARIN! PUT ME'H DOWN!'' brae yelled as the glided over the town.
''Calm down Brae-Brae! I'm just hoping to avoid fans from the town. I already got tackled by one of Applejack's pegasus friends. I bet Ponyville has many more of them!''
''Ya'll mean ya don't live in Ponyville?''
''Of corse not! I just came to help on the wedding. I was hoping to leave my visit here as a secret and you're yelling isn't helping!''
''Well you COULD have warned me!'' he yelled as they flew above the clouds to avoid anyone seeing them.
Soarin chuckled. ''But whats the fun of that?''
Brae just rolled his eyes and enjoyed the air pushing against his face. So this is what it felt like to fly? He liked the freedom of it, but he still preferred the ground, where he could use his earth pony magic. He looked up at Soar.
His crazy mane was flying around. It almost looked like it was dancing. His eyes began to glow in the enjoyment of flying. Brae noticed how his friend wasn't ''just flying''. He was doing it with his heart. Soarin's face was so different while he was flying. He didn't look tired or even a little troubled. Quite the opposite. He looked like a flower ready to blossom. A very strong, muscly flower...
Braeburn looked away and felt guilt for thinking of something stupid. He knew better! It was wrong! He couldn't! His mind was filled with hurtful names his father had called him. Daddy was always right! He used to repeat that to himself allot. He still did. Biting his lower lip he felt his eyes go wet again from the pain in his chest.
Damn... Why am ah such a crybaby? he thought to himself as he fought back the tears. He turned his face as far from Soar as he could. He wanted to show no weakness to the strong pegasus. Finally one tear got free from the grasp of his eyelashes just happened to land on the front hoof of the winged pony. The other immediately looked down to the earth pony he was carrying over Ponyville.
''Brae-Brae? You okay? We don't have to fly if you don't wanna...'' he said with obvious discomfort to the idea.
''No! Ah'm fine! Ah actually like the flying''
''Then why are you crying?'' he said with that scary concern yet again.
''Just ignore it. There was dust in my eyes...''
''Brae...''
''Are we close yet?''
The pegasus sighed and to the earth pony's surprise Soarin began to glide down slowly. They landed behind a white house. It was just a dark corner where nopony would ever come. Spitfire and Soarin walked over to the brown back door on the white house.
''Hey, what giv's?''
''Sorry handsome, but the Wonderbolts are forced to enter from the back door. A friend of ours owns this restaurant and helps up not get so much attention on ourselves''
Braeburn was a bit annoyed at the names this pegasus kept calling him, but Spitfire had told him to ignore it so he did. He just followed them to the door as they opened it. The door led to a white kitchen with a couple of cooks making something. They were greeted by a sudden very cheerful and active purple colt who almost jumped on them. Braeburn yelped but Spitfire and Soarin were obviously used to the sudden approach.
''Heya Soar, Spitty! The usual table?''
''You know it Bucky! And we have an extra today, Rapidfire had a stomachache so his missing breakfast''
Suddenly the colt grabbed Braeburn's hoof and shook it violently.
''Heya pal! Call me Bucky and welcome to Bucky's breakfast!'' he almost yell into the earth pony's face in extreme speed. ''And how can I call you newcomer?''
Brae had huge trouble speaking cause the purple earth pony was still shaking his hoof violently. ''A... A... Ah'm Br... Bra...''
Finally Soarin stopped both Bucky's and Braeburn's hooves. ''His Braeburn, his helping me on Spitty's wedding''
Bucky took a good look at Brae and then nodded. ''Yes yes... I approve''
''E.. Excuse me'h?'' mumbled confused Braeburn. Out of nowhere suddenly Bucky pushed Brae to a small corner table while Soar and Spitfire followed.
''I already know what they want, what do you want Brae?'' he again spoke in extreme speed, leaving the ends on the words unsaid.
''Err...''
''He'll just have what I have'' said Soarin.
With that Bucky just dashed off.
''He's an... interestin' fella...''
''Yup... You just gotta love the guy'' Soar replied with a chuckle.
After eating a huge pile of pancakes and sandwiches Brae almost felt sick as he looked at his giant apple pie on the table. He didn't remember when was the last time he had eaten so much. He watched as Soarin slobbered his face in the pie.
''Commo' Blaeblururn... Yo gotte eat yo pieh!'' He mumbled with his muzzle still deep inside the pie.
Braeburn looked at the pie with an unsure look on his face. Spitfire giggled.
''Don't worry, I promise the pie wont bite you if you bite it first''
''It's not that I don't like pie, I'm just full'' he said as he cut himself a small piece. Soarin had just finished licking off any ounce of pie left on his tray. He watched as Braeburn took a bite of the apple pie. His eyes widened when Brae just let out a ''mh'' sound to mean ''Meh, it's okay''. Spitfire giggled when Soarin just stared at Brae with his mouth wide. Brae understood the unsaid ''How can you not adore it?'' question,
''Ah make apple pie almost every week. Tho ah think ah prefer ma'h own recipe...''
''WHAT?'' Soarin almost yelled.
''Uh... Sorry?'' Brae cowered at the unexpected response.
''You make pie?! Omg you gotta make me pie RIGHT NOW!'' He said while grabbing Braeburn and flying out of the back door again. Spitfire rolled her eyes, placed a few bits on the table and left.
Braeburn used his front hoof to hold Soarin from tackling him and slobber his face in the still burning hot apple pie.
''Geez Soar! Ya'll really like pie! But ah can't give it to ya before it's cooled down!''
''But I want PIE!'' he said with puppy-dog eyes.
Brae rolled his eyes. After ten more minutes Brae finally gave the pie a quick dash of powdered sugar and placed it on the table. The pegasus slammed his face in the pie and moaned a few minutes later.
''Thios ihs ABMAZIN!'' he tried to say through the pie.
Brae smiled at the sloppy pegasus enjoying his pie. He sat on another chair by the table and enjoyed the view from Applejack's kitchen window. It was beginning to get dark. He didn't even notice Soar finish his pie and looking at him.
''Um.... buddy?''
Brae was surprised to not receive any kind of mocking nickname.
''Hm?'' said Brae when he looked at the feathered pony. The other had that scary serious face again. He knew exactly what was coming next.
''This seems like a good moment for you to tell me what happened to you in the past... Why did you're dad beat you?''
''It doesn't matter... It's the past''
''From those bruises, I wouldn't call it just the past''
''It's none on yer business!''
''But I just wanna-''
''STOP ASKIN' ME'H!'' He suddenly yelled out. He was surprised at the roughness of his own voice.
Soarin sighed. ''It's getting late... i'll get going''
Brae just nodded and walked the other to the door. They were both shocked to see rain pouring down fast. Soarin stepped outside for a second and tried to fly but then let himself come back down.
''It's too dangerous to fly up to my home in the skies in this weather. The wind is coming from the east and wont let me control my wings correctly plus the rain slows me down''
''Ah guess ah'll ask Applejack if ya'll can stay here for the night'' Brae said after sighing.
Applejack had no problem with Soar staying, but since Brae had the only guest room they had to share. Luckily they found an old extra mattress where Soar could sleep. The night wasn't very calm. The thunder was loud and the rain threw itself on the window. Brae couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard he tried. The thunder reminded him of his father. He shook his head. He wanted to think of anything but Appleloosa.
He turned his head over to where Soarin was sleeping. The other looked so peaceful, not even a little bothered by the rain. His messy dark blue mane was covering parts of his closed eyes that were so bright and green in the day when they were open. Brae just now noticed how soft the others chest seemed. Braeburn blushed at the idea of using the pegasus as a pillow but quickly got rig on the stupid idea. Brae then noticed his muscles. He wondered if maybe the pegasus actually worked harder than he thought with all of this flying. The muscles tightened as he breathed in and loosened up when he breathed out.
Brae looked away for a second but then found his eyes fall back on the blue pony. How could a pony like him be a coltcuddler? He was every mare's dream colt Brae thought to himself. He let his eyes move over to the others flank. He was about to smack himself but then told himself that he just wanted to see the cutiemark. Thats not weird, right?
A lightning bolt. Just like the ones outside, but this one seemed so much... cleaner? It seemed like the extended wings held up the lightning bolt and didn't let it struck down. It seemed to explain his character in the best way possible.
''Nice huh?''
The voice scared the crap out of Brae, as he almost fell off of his bed.
''Wh... wha? ya... ya'll aint sleepin'?''
''Nah don't feel like it... And about this...'' he said as he pointed at his cutiemark. ''This baby I got once as a filly when I was pushed off of a cliff by a storm. I was so young, I didn't even know how to correctly fly yet, but I flapped my winds as hard as I could. Finally I told myself to calm down and Began to control my wings in a slower motion.
That gave the wind enough time to get caught in my feathers and allow me to glide through the air. It was allot more dramatic than it sounds with the rain and thunder around me. I lost control of my flight more than once and finally landed on the ground with a slight hot, but still survived with no extreme damage. I was taken to a hospital by a passer-by and by morning after waking up I noticed my cutiemark'' he finished with a smile.
Brae raised an eyebrow and thought about the story for a bit.
''Ah got ma'h cutiemark when ah was also just a filly. Ma'h legs were still weak and ma'h pa' used to beat me'h even more back then, so ah was always covered in bruises. Ah was the weakest pony in ma'h school. Ma'h small town was at starvin' point, so one day I couldn't take it anymore and ah went to the apple farm with no permission. The ponies at the farm did notice me trying ma'h best to buck the trees with ma'h weak hooves, but instead of stopping me'h they laughed at me'h and left me be.
So ah continued. It soon got dark. Luna's full moon was my only source of light. Out of nowhere ah felt dizziness and finally fainted, but that doesn't mean ah didn't do a good job. In the mornin' the other farm ponies came back and were shocked to see that I had finished the work that a normal stallion farm pony would do in a week. The other ponies found me by a tree and I remember seeing a yellowish pony point at my flank when I was just wakin' up. Ah was happy as a bee with a fresh hive when ah noticed ma'h new cutiemark''
''Thats a great story Brae... but i'm still concerned... Why did you're dad beat you?''
''Ah told ya'll it not yer business!''
''Was it because of a girl?''
Brae's eyes went wide. He really hoped his blush would be hidden by his fur, but he knew it wasn't when he saw the grin on Soar's face. Soar seemed extremely surprised at his following reply:
''Not exacly...''
''Wha?''
Brae looked down. He didn't wanna talk about this, especially with the colt that seemed to have the same problem, but wasn't bothered by it. Brae blushed even more when he thought about what might happen if the blue coltcuddler found out.
Soar didn't leave the hint unnoticed.
''You... You don't mean you're..... No that would be crazy, you would be too perfect for mares to like colts... right?''
Sorin's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open when Brae didn't reply. He just kept his eyes away from the pegasus and sticked on the floor.
''Why didn't you tell me?! I mean, you knew I was... I mean... I heard Spitfire telling you but... I had no idea you were-''
''Ah don't wanna talk 'bout this'' Brae tried to say with a loud manly voiced, but instead it came out more like a sad whisper.
They were silent for a minute. Then that turned into five minutes. Just those five minutes felt like forever. Finally Soarin broke the awkward silence.
''So thats why you're dad...''
''Yea...''
''Brae... I'm sorry...''
''Nah it's 'kay...''
''No really... I shouldn't have bugged you so much'' he said before wrapping his wing around his new friend.
''Ah told ya'll... It's fine''
''But uh... seriously, why didn't ya just tell me you were a coltcuddler?''
''Cause... Ah never wanted to be...''
TO BE CONTINUED...
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Chapter 3 (A special surprise from both ponies)
''Common Soar! Ah need ya'll to help me'h on choosing a place for the wedding!'' Braeburn yelled at the blue pegasus as the other was making flips and twirls in the air.
He felt annoyed. He was extremely tired cause of the lack of sleep he was having. He had basically told his whole childhood life to Soar last night. Now it felt like they were brothers. He was the only one who knew his secret. They made a promise to not talk about it anymore and act like Soar didn't know. It was just easier this way.
His thoughts were thrown away when the pegasus replied.
''Sorry Brae! Maybe later! I gotta get in shape for my next show!''
Braeburn just rolled his eyes. He understood that the pegasus worked harder on his flying than he had thought, but he still saw it as just an entertaining sport. Kinda like hoofball or tennis.
''Hold on... Brae, you want me to stay right?''
''Ah don't want ya'll to stay, ah just need ya'll to stay or else that friend of ya'lls will kill me'' He replied with a chuckle at the thought of Spitfire strangling him to death.
Now it was Soar's turn to roll his eyes. He chose to ignore that comment and just get to the point. ''Well... Why don't you come see my show?''
''Pardon?''
''Dude! You should totally come see my show! You can still make it to Canterlot in time if you catch the next train!''
''Wha? Theres no way ah'm goin' all the way to Canterlot!''
''It's either the train or i'll fly you there myself by force!''
''Ah'll go buy a ticket now... Just keep those wings away from me'h''
Soarin grinned happily. Braeburn secretly actually wanted to go see what the big fuss was about, but there was no way he would ever admit that to Soar.
The train ride was so boring. It was a long way, but he still couldn't get even a bit of sleep. He wasn't normally the traveling type of pony. He had never been to a big city like Canterlot so he almost completely freaked out when he saw the tall buildings. He yelped as he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder.
''Calm down dude. I passed the train a long time ago and was here way before you'' he said with a wink as he extended his blue wings to show them off.
Out of nowhere he grabbed tight hold of Brae again and flung both of them up into the air.
''SOARIN! Ah could just walk there while you flew!!''
''Are you kidding me? You're body is so sexy that you would become a celebrity like me just from walking down the main road once!'' he replied as he teasingly winked and held his tongue out. ''Besides... I quite like holding you like this''
Braeburn's face lit into an even brighter shade of red as the Wonderbolt held him tighter and breathed his warm breath onto Brae's neck.
''Haha, sorry Brae, you know i'm just joking around. You don't have to be so shy around me''
Brae pulled one of his hooves loose from the others grip and pulled his hat across his face. He hated it when the feathered pony apologized. Not because he thought the pegasus didn't mean it... No, it was the opposite.
He didn't like how Soarin managed to be attractive and funny but he also always had the ability to calm you down right before you thought you were gonna snap. Everything about him was just so... perfect... So why the hay is he hangin' out with somepony like ma'h? brae thought more than once.
Brae pulled his hat even lower on his face to cover his blush. He felt butterflies in his stomach as they finally began to land. Soar placed his hooves on the ground perfectly and caught Braeburn who just had tripped and was going to fall.
''Uh... thanks partner'' he said, hoping that his face has finally cooled down a bit. Soar just gave him a smile and walked towards a large stadium. Brae had seen it on pictures, but he never realized it was this MASSIVE! Brae followed him as he opened up a back door with a keycard that he had in one of the saddlebags he had taken.
They both stepped in and were faced by a large light yellow corridor. Soar walked a few steps and used the keycard again to open the second door on the right.
''Here we are!''
''Where exactly is here?''
''This is my private room. I used to be in the public dressing room with all of the other Wonderbolts until they made me my own room cause i'm the co-captain of team A and one for Spitfire too since she's the full captain''
Brae raised an eyebrow and took a look around. There was allot of dark blue furniture and the walls were all light blue. There was a huge couch in the corner of the room with a large lightning bolt with wings on it, a radio on a desk and many treadmills and other sports equipment. He even had his own shower room!
Soar caught Brae's attention when he dropped his saddlebags on the floor and took out some sort of blue fabric.
''Give me a sec ok? I'll be quick'' he said before dashing into the shower room to change.
A few minutes later Brae heard the door open and he turned around to look at Soar. His eyes widened when he saw the other in his Wonderbolts suit for the first time. He expected it to be more... Showoff-y? But this actually looked kinda appropriate.
''I'm ready, common dude, lets find you a seat in the crowd''
''Don't ah need a ticket or something'?''
''Nope! On the house for my handsome friend'' he said with another wink. Brae just rolled his eyes.
''WHAT?! No blush this time?!'' Soarin yelled out in a terrified voice. ''I guess I gotta try harder to get that adorable red face of yours in sight'' he told himself in a suspicious voice.
Braeburn just smiled for a second at the thought of what he might do, then when his thoughts turned a bit dirtier his face blushed red immediately and he smacked himself.
''Haha!'' Soarin laughed in a cheerful voice that made Brae smile again. ''Common dude, lets get going''
The stadium seemed even more massive on the inside! Soar had led Brae through a hidden door to not get too much attention since Soarin was famous and all.
Brae stepped into a medium-sized room with a red carpet and dark gray walls. The room looked modern and had only three walls, the last wall was replaced with a balcony, where you could watch the show from. The mares in the room had huge dresses and fancy jewelry while the colts had tall hats and different colored ties neatly on their necks. One of the colts even had a monocle. Brae noticed a large sign with golden letters saying V.I.P-Very Important Ponies.
Brae's eyes widened. ''Why am ah standin' in a V.I.P room?''
''Cuz a special pony like you needs a special seat'' Soar commented with a chuckle. Brae rolled his eyes.
''But ah don't fit in. These ponies won't like me'h''
''Do you care?''
''Not really...''
''Good... now I gotta go... Grab any free seat you want, the show will begin in five minutes. Make sure you cheer for me'' he said with a wink as he pulled his goggles down from his forehead to cover his eyes to get ready.
''Good luck partner''
Soar gave him one last smile before walking towards the door they came from.
Suddenly Brae's ears perked up when he heard horns being played. The crowd went wild with cheers. Only the sophisticated ponies around Brae stayed quiet and just gave each other a few smiles and nods as the show began. He felt really out of place, but he tried to ignore it.
Sparks blasted by the stage as Brae could see three ponies in the same blue costume that he saw Soarin wear earlier flying out of the smoke that the sparks had created. Brae had chosen a great seat that allowed him to easily recognize the flaming mane of spitfire. He also saw a pony with a bright yellow mane and white fur peeking out. She seemed to fit the description of Surprise, who Soarin had told him about. Braeburn glared at the pony. She looked exactly like one of his cousins best friends, but with wings and different colors. Even the cutiemark matched!
Braes thoughts melted when he saw a blue pegasus speeding up from the smoke. Soarin was so easy to identify. Ponies were still blasting up from the smoke. Finally there were six ponies with wings doing their own special dance with the wind, but Soarin still seemed to be sort of... different. His movements seemed cleaner and less predictable. His mane was flipping and twirling everywhere in the wind. As much as Brae didn't want to admit it to himself, Soar really did look attractive in that suit.
Braeburn's eyes widened when he saw every single one of the Wonderbolts split into two groups and fly around in loops and difficult complicated shapes in a mirrored motion. Everything was so perfectly balanced. Finally the two groups broke away from each other and they all did a extremely speedy twirl that made the color of their tails leave a quick dash on color into the sky. Brae stared at Soarin, who let his dark blue line follow him as he made super fast and unpredictable movements in the air. Brae suddenly stood up from his seat and gave a loud cheer when Soarin did a quick dash down and then up again. Brae could swear that he saw Soar smile at his cheer as he flew in extreme speed right past the V.I.P balcony.
Brae looked around himself and got a load of annoyed looks. He blushed and sat back down. He stayed quiet and watched the show. His green eyes were shining at the wonderful things he could see happening in the sky. He wasn't watching the whole show tho. His eyes focused on one certain blue pony. He smiled widely when he saw Soar glide with his back towards the ground. Then suddenly with no warning he wrapped his wings, let himself fall down and the catch flight in the last second. Repeating the process Brae had much difficulty to stay quiet. He soon let out another cheer and chose to not feel embarrassed about it.
He joined everypony else with many cheers for the rest of the amazing show. It didn't matter how many ponies didn't like it, he didn't care. He was there to enjoy the show and cheer on his friend.
''OOH OOH! And do ya remember that flip? The speedy one? That was AMAZIN'! Oh, and I LOVED the finishin' pose ya had! Where'd ya'll get the money for the fireworks? And WOW! That fifth drop was ESPECIALLY low!''
Soarin chuckled ''Hold on... You actually counted my drops-and-flows? Even my superfans don't do that''
''Yea well, ah was paying attention...''
''And did you even look at any Wonderbolt besides me?''
''Of corse ah-'' Brae didn't finish. He realized that the other was right. He had hardly paid any attention to when the other winged ponies were doing. His thoughts were always on Soar.
Soar noticed the sudden discomfort and tried to change the subject quickly. ''I'm glad you liked the show Brae, but I beg you... Please don't turn into an extreme stalker-fan'' he said with a chuckle and then grinned. ''Tho that could be nice in a way...''
Brae's face flushed red when the pegasus said that as he placed his wing on the others back. His warm breath made Brae's ear feel all tingly. The blue pony began to laugh at the others funny face, but Brae's face didn't cool down. Not this time.
''Haha, common Brae. You know I would never do that to you'' the winged pony relied with a tiny bit of worry in his voice.
Brae turned his head away from the other. The park looked nice. The wooden bench they were relaxing on had finally warmed up and he could see white strains of light behind the trees from Luna's moon. His head was spinning from the bar they had gone to earlier that day right after the show. He wasn't sure if he was drunk or not, but he didn't care.
Braeburn was deep in his own thoughts again. The last thing his friend had said was now in his mind. What if I... he shook his head. From the strange and confusing thoughts he was having he was pretty sure he was drunk, but why did he not feel drunk then? He pulled down his hat. Memories of his childhood were coming back to him but he tried his best to block them.
''Umm... Brae?''
''Hm?'' Brae felt his friends feathery wing move a tiny bit behind his back, but it still stayed in place, keeping Braeburn nice and warm. He never got this kind of warmth from his father... He bit his lower lip, trying to forget every single bit of his awful memories.
''Are you okay? You seem a bit quiet...''
Ah never got this kind of concern from ma'h pa Braeburn thought, biting his lip even harder.
''You can tell me anything you know...''
No... A'h can't... Ah must be strong, especially in front of this strong, muscly, sexy, smart and kind celebrity. Ah must try and stay strong
''Brae... I wanna help you''
No.... Nononono... He probably just wants to tell someone and make fun of me'h. Just like ma'h pa
''Listen... buddy... you have turned out to be very important to me... You're not just a stranger I crashed into''
He probably hates me'h. His like ma'h pa, or even worse
''You're not just a random pony who I have to plan a friends wedding with''
He will totally ditch me'h right after the weddin' and never talk to me'h again
''But still, I can't call you a friend...''
Ah knew it. So why does it still hurt? Ah was prepared for this and ah still feel like at just got stabbed
''Cause you're more than that...''
HehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesmeHehatesme
''You're my best friend''
Brae's eyes struck open wide. His heart was pounding.
What?! No... His just sayin' that to know... uh... Ah'm not sure what, but he certainly just wants to know... something
''And i'll do anything I can...''
He hates me
''To make you feel better cause...''
No...
''I care a lot for you Brae-Brae''
Braeburn stared at the others smile. His face was kind. It didn't look fake. Brae had a hard time trying to trust him since he was grown up with only one rule: don't trust anyone, but this was the last straw. He had now stuck right over the limit. He felt a slight taste of blood from his lower lip that he had bit so hard, but he didn't care. He was here and now.
The full moon was giving him just enough light to see where he had to throw his hooves to grab the others head. With no warning he quickly threw his lips on the others. He didn't do it like he had seen it on the movies. Their kiss was gentle. They kept their tongues locked in their own mouthes and just enjoyed the others warmth.
It was so magical. But also so painful. Brae opened his eyes just a tiny bit to see the others shocked face staring into his eyes. Braeburn knew he looked terrible. He knew he had black circles around his eyes, he felt sick from the earlier alcohol, he was rubbing blood from his yellow muzzle onto the others and he soon felt tears coming from his tired green eyes. It was so painful to fight with everything you had even been taught. Finally Soarin pulled away when he noticed the others tears.
Brae saw Soarin open his mouth and close it again various times, but no sound would come out.
''Soar?'' Brae said with a weak voice.
''Y... Yea?'' were the first works the pegasus could squeeze out.
''When we get back to the farm, ah'll make ya'll some pie...'' is the last thing the farm pony could say before fainting either from the sickness, pain or just tiredness.
