Deep in His Eyes

by Guilygryph

Rating: mature
Tags: Sex, Braeburn, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Soarin, Romance
Length: 15775

Braeburn is Down to Earth, Soarin' is Up in the Clouds. A story about Love, Denial and True Identity

It's always the way with these things - you fly, you Soar and then you fall.
For Braeburn Apple, life has one constant: work. But when one day, his workforce abandons Appleoosia's Orchard to see the travelling Wonderbolts Show, even that has to change. And change it does, when none other than Soarin' of the Wonderbolts comes crashing - literally - into his life.

What follows is a story of blossoming love, and one colt's struggle to overcome what is expected of him in order to find his true self.

WARNING: 18+, contains clop and some bad language, not to mention the copious amount of coltcuddling.

Published 2012-05-23 20:14:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-01 23:19:11 UTC

Chapter 1

Obligatory Content Warning: This story contains mature content and coltcuddleing, if you don’t have the stomach for it or just don’t want to read it here’s a little shortcut Alt + F4. Enjoy!

Deep in His Eyes: Chapter 1

The warm spring breeze blew back Braeburn’s mane as he bucked at an apple tree looking out over the orchard and grumbling to himself "Gosh darn it, all those lazy good for nothing ponies I told 'em that work weren’t canceled today, not on account of some fancy flying show." He dragged a bucket half filled with apples up a small hill to the next tree, and looked out over the orchard "We'll be so far behind; we might not even get to the south field before the crop goes bad at this rate." He grumbled some more and adjusted his hat, a streak of blue catching his attention off in the distance and squinted at it trying to make out what it was. The streak darted across the sky, its darker shade clashing against the early purple of evening. In the distance, the earth pony could hear the faint cheers and woops of a crowd, and it hit him, "A'course..." he muttered, frowning. “Can't jus' leave me be, they gotta put the show right in mah eyeline."

Braeburn shook his head and forced himself back to his work, lashing out at the tree behind him and collecting the fallen apples as he continued to grumble under his breath. The feeling of his hooves meeting the tree trunk was the only thing keeping his temper under control as the early flashes of a headache were forming in his skull. He was trying as hard as he could to maintain a cheery, relaxed outlook so as not to worsen it. Suddenly, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He flicked his head round, brushing a thick clump of his flowing blonde mane from his eyes and tipping his hat back in order to make sense of what he was seeing. The streak of blue from before was getting rapidly larger and larger, the sound of wind through pegasus feathers reaching a deafening cacophony.

"OH Y'ALL HAVE GOT TE BE KIDDIN ME!" the Country Stallion yelled in frustration, as a member of The Wonderbolts, Equestria's finest fliers and aerial acrobats, hurtled over head and rose high into the air, spinning and cart wheeling as they did so.

"GET YER OWN AIRSPACE, YA ATTENTION SEEKER!" Braeburn shook a hoof at the sky, but huffed in resignation and turned back to the job at hoof. His headache had, after all his best efforts, worsened. The young stallion continued onto the next tree, ignoring the showy and flamboyant activity in the sky directly above him. He came to the trunk of the next tree, kicked a basket underneath the branches and raised a rear hoof to buck.

"AND NOW, FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS-" came the tinny, megaphone enhanced voice of a commentator from the distance, "Soarin' of the Wonderbolts will now perform his patented signature move, The Soarin' Showdive!"

Braeburn's ears perked up. Something about the announcement, and the suddenly very noticeable increase in sound was making him very uneasy. He glanced upwards, squinting in the early evening sun, and saw the streak of blue diving straight down towards the ground.

"... Ahh, horsefeathers..." He managed, just as the blue pegasus pulled up at the very last second, cutting the air with a clap similar to thunder and forcing the blades of grass around the orchard to blast backwards underneath his speed. The earth pony felt the wind speed and scrunched his eyes to protect them from the stinging air.

"WHOAWATCHOUTYACRAZY-" was all he heard. The next thing he knew, something very fast and very strongly built had collided with him, and he was spinning through the air, dazed and confused. Braeburn laid there on the grass a tangle of limbs, his vision completely obscured by blue as he felt a weight on top of him.

"Uuuuuurgh... Wow, wipeout, huh?" came a groan of pain from the mass of blue on top of him.

Knocked out of his confused stupor by the words of the Wonderbolt, Braeburn focused on regaining the wind that had been knocked out of him and with a loud grunt attempted to push the pegasus off of him. The blue mass rolled aside, pushing himself up so that he was sitting on his haunches, his hooves rubbing his shoulders steadily. Braeburn forced himself to his hooves, counting himself lucky that no bones had been broken. He then turned quickly and severely, and scowled at the pegasus intently.

"What the HAY did ya’ think you we're doin, you could a killed somepony!" Braeburn shouted as he moved closer to the Wonderbolt in front of him. The earth pony looked up to survey the damage, only a few broken tree limbs, one of which had a piece of blue fabric impaled on it, waving in the breeze like a flag. Of course it had to be Bloomburg, he thought, good thing his cousin wasn't around to see it no telling what she would have done in his place.

"Hey! It's called SHOWMANSHIP, its somethin' us performers do!" the pegasus snapped, still rubbing his shoulders with his hooves. Braeburn sneered, and was about to let this idiot have it, when he noticed the Wonderbolt’s uniform. It was skintight, to maximize aerodynamics, blue and yellow combined to make a suit that was both efficient and flashy, but not indestructible. A sizeable hole had been ripped from this one's uniform, stretching from his hip around his stomach and all the way to his -

"Oh mah..." Braeburn gasped, his eyes widening.

As the Pegasus massaged his aching muscles, moving to his hind legs, Braeburn stared at the rip in the uniform. Through it, the pegasus's fur could be very clearly seen, but even more clearly was the bulging package between his hind legs. Braeburn gulped. Brae, stop lookin! He thought to himself, feeling a pressure building in his own groin. Dern it Brae! What are you, a coltcuddler?!

But of course he knew the answer. Ever since he could remember being old enough to be interested in subjects of sex and love, he had known. He had looked at his male farmhands admiringly while they worked up a sweat harvesting wheat and hay, he had on more than one occasion taken considerable notice of the strong muscular flanks of his chief applebucker, and one time he had even managed to sneak away late at night to the house of ill repute in Appleloosia’s town center to ease his guilty urges. But mares just didn’t do it for him. And now he was confronted with this, although infuriating; muscular, athletic pegasus stallion, his - impressively sized, he noticed - member on display.

"Oh my Celestia!" the Pegasus yelped, clapping his hooves over the rip and blushing brightly. "How did... Oh, wow, that's embarassin..."

"Ah wussn't lookin'!" Braeburn shouted, flicking his head away and glaring off into the distance a little bit too quickly.

"Oh Celestia, I can't do the show like this!!" the Pegasus groaned, standing up and crossing his hind legs. "This is all your fault! If it hadn't been for you standing right in the way of my trick…"

"MAH FAULT!? I was workin’ here minding mah own business when YOU crashed into ME."

"How could you NOT see me?! I was flying at Luna knows how fast, how was I meant to see you, huh?! Besides I... Wait... Were... Were you..."

Braeburn looked into the Pegasus' face, scowling and impudent, but suddenly realized what he was being asked.

"Whut?! Ah never - no ah was not!" he stammered, leaving the Pegasus to hobble over to the tree they had crashed under and fiddle with the tear in the uniform.

"Listen I... I gotta get back to the show, just watch it next time, huh?" the Wonderbolt said, his voice calmer now and more collected. As Braeburn listened to his words, the harsh, brash accent seemed to disappear and instead became smooth, quiet and almost effeminate. He glanced at the stallion and for the first time of the night he took in everything. He was taken aback by his physique. The skin tight Wonderbolts costume hugged the muscular stomach and chest, tight, sculpted flanks and handsome shoulders. And his face; the green, shining eyes, mane spiked up and dramatically dark blue. He was very handsome, and Braeburn found himself staring again. the Wonderbolt turned back and Braeburn noticed the rip had, disappointingly, been repaired temporarily with a makeshift knot.

"You know, you should come to the show." The pegasus said, his powder blue wings unfolding and letting him soar into the sky, "Save you getting in the way again..." he said, before jetting off into the distance once more, leaving an annoyed, sore and strangely aroused Braeburn marveling in his wake.

*******************************************************************

Braeburn sighed, allowing the warm embrace of tired relaxation to wash over his sore muscles as he slumped down in the red, cushioned armchair, the fire crackling away in front of him and bathing the room in a mellow orange glow. The dark night outside was not welcome here, this was his respite, his well earned rest from the days labors.

He breathed in deeply, knocking his hat from his head and letting it drift to the floor as he kicked his legs up onto the footstool near the chair. At last he could calm down. But try as he might, the memories of the day just wouldn’t leave him; the original frustrated anger and annoyance at his workforce's refusal to work, the tiring stress of doing it all himself, and of course; him. The blue Wonderbolt who had so perfectly added the cherry on top of the farm pony's cake of a day.

But, it hadn't been all bad, he assumed. After all, the pegasus may have almost broken his neck, but at least he gave him an eyeful, albeit unknowingly. His emerald eyes flickered open and glanced around the room. He lived alone, in his small wooden cottage overlooking the Orchard. The views he received every morning upon opening his curtains were astounding, and made the loneliness almost worthwhile. Although, loneliness had its upsides, the earth pony closed his eyes once again letting images of The Wonderbolt from before dance across his vision. He imagined the stallion in all of his glory, the tight uniform, flowing mane, beautiful eyes, and of course the revealing tear.

He tried to push the thoughts from his head. It was bad enough that the idiot had collided with him, now he was thinking about the showoff? He shouldn't be thinking about the pegasus like this, he should by all rights be furious. But the image of the rip, the tear in that form hugging flightsuit, the exposed, proud stallionhood bulging out of the gap. Braeburn allowed his eyes to close again, and once more he felt a discomfort; a pressure building in his groin. "Aw, dangit..!" he hissed to himself, as his erection began to show, "Go away you, ah don't need this right now..!" But he did. Deep down he knew, deeper than he was willing to admit to himself, that despite the skyward stallion's klutzy and moronic mistake and selfish, egotistical manner, he had certainly been a sight for sore eyes. Reluctantly at first, the apple farmer took one last guilty glance around the room, before stroking a hoof down his bare front to his crotch.

With a gasp of a mix of surprise and excitement, he clasped his firm, stiff member with his hoof and gently began to stroke, feeling a shiver through his body at his own touch. He hadn't enjoyed himself for a while, if anything, he'd earned this. Opening his eyes, his blond mane waft in front of his brow, he admired his stallionhood. The one thing despite his work ethic that he genuinely was proud of himself for was his size. Sure, maybe not the biggest stallion, but it certainly got the job done. He began to speed up, his strokes becoming fast paced pumping, and he allowed himself to let out a short, high "ah!" in his moment of pleasure. He was nearing the point of no return; he could feel the pressure building and the sparks of ecstasy building, ready to ignite into a full blown fireworks display. When there was a knock at his door. "SWEET MERCIFUL-" he yelped, almost falling back off of his chair and clutching at his chest. Through the short, soft fur he could feel his heart beating; no longer from passion, but from embarrassment, shock and dread.

"Hello?? Anypony home??" Came a voice from the other side of the door.

Braeburn recognized it, soft, smooth, almost unnoticeably effeminate… oh no. "Jus' a second!!" The tan earth pony shouted back, then immediately cursed himself. Why didn't he just keep his mouth shut? Then the bucker would have probably flown away. Hastily scampering to his hooves, the apple farmer darted to his washroom and grabbed a towel. Flinging it around himself, he tied a taught knot so as to hide his - stubbornly erect - member, and then cantered over to the front door, dreading the upcoming confrontation. "Y'just had to go an' clop to this motherbucker, d'in't ya?" he muttered to himself, and swung the door open rapidly.
“What are you of all ponies doin' at mah front door?!" The earth pony glared at the startled pegasus standing on his door mat.

"Whoa... That how you greet all your guests, country boy?" the pegasus smirked, his cocky attitude shining through in spades. Despite this, he respectfully, almost subconsciously, took a step back. "I... Why are you wearing a towel?"

"It's how I address those that decide to almost kill me with their flyin." He continued glaring and quickly thought up an excuse, "Well ah was just finishin' gettin' cleaned up from workin' all day, if you must know." He rolled his eyes along with that last statement trying to give off a convincing air of annoyance, as he silently prayed to Luna that either the stallion would leave soon or his hardon would go down.

"... Kay..." the Pegasus said, taking the hint of annoyance better than Braeburn had expected before continuing, "Actually, that’s kinda what I'm here for... I’ve been thinking and I uh... Shucks, I feel terrible about that whole crash thing earlier and how I acted and... Well, I just wanted to say sorry, I guess..." he looked down, kicking his front hooves like a schoolcolt who's just been reprimanded by the headmaster.

The apple farmer cocked his head for a moment confused, was that an apology? He continued staring forward blankly and took in the sight before him. The pegasus wasn't wearing his trademark Wonderbolt uniform, his powder blue coat a striking contrast from his darker mane and bright green eyes. Braeburn felt a new stirring in his loins. Aw, Consarn it! He thought.

"..so uh... Anyway, what would an apology be without a celebration..? That is, if you accept my apology of course." The pegasus grinned, and Braeburn felt a small twinge in his stomach; that was a cute smile. "Oh, Luna, where are my manners?!" the Pegasus clopped a hoof to his forhead and then offered it to the Earth Pony. "The name’s Soarin’, Soarin’ the Wonderbolt... Unless you already knew that in which case forget I said anything... Uh..."

Braeburn blinked and shook his head back and forth rapidly to bring his attention back to the present conversation, kicking himself and wondering just how long he had been staring. "...Um name's Braeburn... Braeburn Apple, and uh I guess its okay... Ah mean nopony got hurt and all." He accepted the Wonderbolt's hoof and shook it firmly with the strength of an apple bucker.

"Wow, mighty fine hoofshake you got. Firm, I like a colt with a firm hoofshake, shows you can trust them." Soarin smiled again, and again Braeburn felt the twinge, "So, now all that unpleasantness is behind us, it’s time for that celebration!"

The earth pony attempted to hide a blush at the comment on his hoofshake and said, "Er sure, why not, I wern't doin' anything tonight anyways... Lemme jus’ go get mah hat... Be right back." The earth pony slowly shut the door behind him dropping the towel and thanking Celestia that his stallionhood had gone down. He quickly moved into his living room putting on both his hat and his vest and returned to the front door opening it once again.

Soarin’ still stood there, greeting the return of the earth pony with a raised eyebrow. "You're gonna wear that hat?"

"Ah course ah'm gonna' wear this hat!" He stated very matter-of-factly half-way glaring at the other stallion daring him to tell him why he shouldn't, an annoyed edge slipping into his statement.

The Pegasus widened his eyes, those shimmering, light green eyes, and let out a short chuckle. "Alright then, Cowpony. C'mon, I'm sure you know all the best spots in this little town, right?"

The earth pony snorted at Soarin’s comment. "This... little town here, has some ah' the best Cider in Equestria as ah matter of fact, follow me." He put extra emphasis on the word little in an attempt to reprimand the Wonderbolt for the condescending remark about his beloved Appleloosia.

The Wonderbolt sniggered to himself and motioned to Braeburn to lead the way. "You're pretty proud of this place, huh? I don't blame you. Back home in Cloudsdale is the most beautiful place I've ever seen... Course I guess it changes from pony to pony. Somepony's brought up in Phillydelphia they'll think Phillydelphia is the best place in Equestria..." he suddenly went quiet, "I'm talking too much... Heh, sorry..."

Braeburn waved a hoof in the air. "Nah ya ain't... But you're right, I am a 'might proud of this here city, it's just so gratificatein' to see the results of something ya' build with your own two forehooves." He stopped for a moment to admire the shops around him, just a few years ago this had been nothing but a desert wasteland, and sure they had had the run in with the buffalo, droughts, and the like. They had their fare share of problems, but it was just such a beautiful city on such breathtakingly scenic land.

"Whoa... You helped build this place?" Soarin’ gasped, genuinely in awe at the humble apple farmer’s last statement, "That’s... That’s..."

Still lost in looking out at it, "Mhm, boggles the mind, we settler ponies built all this in just the past two years, don't it?"

"It does... It really..." Soarin’ spoke, awe hanging heavily in his voice. Hastily, he shook himself out of it and a jokey tone returned to his voice, "And here I was thinkin' all you settler ponies did was sit around playin' banjos!"

"Hey! If'n you remember I'm still an apple-bucker wouldn't want nopony tah get a facefull of hoof now would we?" Braeburn said this jokingly over his shoulder at the pegasus's statement smiling a bit at Soarin's admiration of his town.

The blue pegasus grinned, and chuckled slightly. “If you could catch me, you could buck me!" He paused, an awkward silence falling between the two before he realized his mistake, "KICK me! I MEANT KICK ME! Ah, horsefeathers, that was embarassin'!"

The blond maned earth pony broke his stride for a second at the remark catching himself and continuing on as he trotted in front of the Wonderbolt silently thanking Celestia that Soarin' couldn’t see the deep blush on his face and simply gave a hardy laugh as a response. The two of them continued into the Appleloosian night, the blue pegasus following Braeburn closely as he was lead to the towns most prestigious bar: ‘The Salt Lick’.

"Now 'ah told yah that we're famous for cider, and this place serves the best!"

"I've tried the stuff in Ponyville... You sure this place is better than Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Heh Heh So you tried mah cuz's cider huh? Well it's the same Apple Family recipe, but the acres ain't got our trees. No sir.” As Braeburn spoke he walked with the pegasus through the swinging doors of the bar and smiled at the barkeep who waved back at him.

"Everypony's so friendly round here..." Soarin' smiled, as a small, smartly dressed filly and - presumably her father - came over to him.

"Excuse me, sir," the colt said, an air of reverence in his voice, "Are you Soarin’ the Wonderbolt?"

The Pegasus glanced over at Braeburn, who was peering over the stallion's shoulder at the unfolding scene.

"Uh... Yeah, that’s me..."

Braeburn watched as the young filly approached Soarin’, asked for a hoofprint and photograph, and her father did the same. A feeling of distaste crossed his mind as the winged pony finished up and trotted over to his side once more.

"...what’s that look for?"

"Eh nothin' I'd just almost forgotten that you're a celebrity... Now how bout that cider?" Braeburn trotted over to the bar and ordered two apple ciders reaching into a pocket in his vest to pull out a few bits.

The blue colt tilted his head slightly and stepped up to the bar. "What’s uh... What’s up Brae?" he said. Braeburn started, that was the first time Soarin had used his name at all that evening, and it sounded amazing coming from his voice.

The earth pony slid the bits across the counter, picking up his own cider and sliding Soarin's down the bar. "Why don' we go find ah seat?" His voice had lost a bit of his trademark charisma as the thought that he was pining away after a superstar who could have any mare he wanted entered his head. At this Braeburn walked over to a booth in the back corner sliding onto one of the benches and ignoring the pegasus's question.

Soarin’ watched him, then clasped the mug in his hoof and steadily made his way over to the booth. Gingerly, he sat down opposite the apple farmer and grinned.

"This place sure does have a nice vibe to it, huh??" he said, but Braeburn seemed preoccupied.

He simply nodded at this as he sipped at his cider gingerly and pulled his hat off setting it on the table next to him, he set his cider down on the table and looked across it at the pegasus staring back at him with those beautiful green eyes. "... Uh... You alright buddy..?" The green eyes spoke, no, it wasn't his eyes. Damn it, Brae, get a hold of' yourself! The earth pony scolded himself and nodded.

“... Brae? Are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit..." he trailed off, and for the first time that night met Braeburn’s emerald eyes with his own. "Whoa..." He didn’t know why he said it. He didn’t know exactly what it meant, but it felt right.

"What... What d'you mean, whoa?" He stammered, coming back to reality.

"Uh... Nothin!" Soarin’ said, a little too quickly. "Hey, uh... How about we drink our cider, huh? Y'know, to new friendships."

As the pegasus raised his mug, Braeburn smiled and clinked his own against it. As the wooden vessels made contact, the apple farmer caught sight of Soarin's slim smile, relaxed eyes; dark blue mane gelled into its trademark spiked quaff. And as the two ponies drank, he could have sworn the Pegasus never took those glowing eyes off of him.

No, it must have been his imagination... Soarin couldnt... He didnt seem...

Or maybe...

"I really hope you're okay about that whole 'crashing into you' thing earlier..." the pegasus said, quietly, placing the half finished cider onto the table.

"Yeah," Braeburn smiled softly, "Ah was pretty ticked off... But Ah'm okay now. Ah'm just glad nopony got hurt."

Soarin nodded, before taking another swig of his cider.

"Tastes harder than the stuff in Ponyville... If I didn't know better I’d say you were trying to get me drunk!" he giggled, as Braeburn laughed gently along with him.

Again, silence fell onto the table, a silence that lasted, until Soarin spoke up again.

"So you uh... You noticed the hole in my suit then..."

Braeburn blushed and averted his eyes "y-yeah" he stammered quietly.
Soarin’ was quiet for a while, shuffling his drink across the table. "Anyway, um... On a lighter note, what were you doing' in that field? Didn't you come to the show?"

Braeburn finally looked back at Soarin’ with a slightly perturbed look on his face, "Yah know some of us actually have to work for ah living. Everypony don't get’ah prance around in the sky to the sound of adorin’ fans all day."

The pegasus was taken aback, but started laughing to himself, "Y'know, that's actually pretty funny. Everypony thinks that we're so amazing' and spectacular. We aren’t even the best fliers in Equestria, we just put on a good show. Trust me, we ... Well, I don't anyway; think we're better than anypony. It's just... You play the hoof you're dealt, right?"

“Hmph I guess thats the truth but the hoof ah’ve been dealt sure as sugar ain't as glamorous as ya'lls." He scrunched up his face looking down at the table and taking another swig of his drink.

Soarin’ watched him, a raised eyebrow and look of concern across his face. "Is something wrong?"

Looking back up at The Wonderbolt, he reached a hoof round the back of his head and scratched it. "Yeah all my orchard hands decided tah skip work 'n go to your show today and ‘ah was out there working by my lonesome all day... 'n then you have the audacity to come crashing into me. But ah guess yah didn't mean no harm by it." He kept scratching his head, awkwardly ruffling his mane.

Soarin’ chuckled a little and attempted to emulate Braeburn’s accent. "Ah certainly di'n't mah good colt, ah were jes' puttin' on a show for the lil fillies an' colts’in th'audience!" Giggling to himself, "I'm sorry, that's just an awesome accent... That sucks that you had to stay and work though... Couldn't you have had the day off?"

The blond maned stallion glared daggers back at Soarin' suppressing his own laughter at the imitation, "Apple season don't stop for nopony no-how and apples need buckin’ or the town don't eat."

The blue coated pegasus sat and once again raised an eyebrow. "That's fair enough... If a job needs doing, it needs doing. But surely one day wouldn't have hurt?" He smiled, then leaned forwards on his hooves. "Tell ya what. I cost you your workforce, and I don’t have another show till next week, so how about I help you out at the orchard tomorrow? As an apology for making little old you work so hard?" He chuckled again.

Braeburn rolled his eyes leaning forward on his own hooves "Ya think a fancy flyer like yourself could handle ah day of honest farm work do yah?"

Soarin’ grinned widely and narrowed his eyes. "How hard can it be if a young country buck like you can do it?" He proceeded to stick his tongue out and then down his drink in one gulp.

The earth pony finished his own glass and picked his hat up off the table putting it back on "We'll see tomorrow now won't we."

"It's a deal." The Wonderbolt smirked and offered his hoof to shake.

Braeburn stuck out his own hoof and shook with the pegasus. “A deal it is”.

Chapter 2

Obligatory Content Warning: This story contains mature content and coltcuddleing, if you don’t have the stomach for it or just don’t want to read it here’s a little shortcut Alt + F4. Enjoy!

Deep in His Eyes: Chapter 2

A rooster crowed; somewhere out in the distance of the orchard. The rising sun cast long shadows across the fields, between the hills and trees, leaving a crisscrossed pattern over the landscape. Slowly, the light edged itself up to the window of a lone wooden cabin that sat atop one of the hills, and pierced its glass, filling the room inside with its warming light. Braeburn stirred, the thin blanket wrapped around him rustling as he sat up, letting the heat from outside fall upon his bare body and warms him to his core. Contentedly, he breathed in deeply and sighed, letting the scent of the early dawn fill his nostrils.

"Ahhhh..." He breathed, stretching his legs and forehooves out.

The tan stallion shuffled to the edge of his bed, letting his hooves drop over and click against the wooden floor. A day as glorious as this simply couldn't go unappreciated, and what better way to do so than with a hearty breakfast and good old fashioned hard work? For the young farm colt, it was ideal. He ran a hoof through his blonde mane, ruffling it and yawning a little as he stood himself up with a good amount of energy for somepony who had just awoken. He trotted over to his wardrobe and swung the doors open, taking his vest and hat from their respective places. After a quick freshen-up in the washroom, he stepped out of his bedroom and towards the kitchen. He passed through the main hallway of his humble cabin passing by framed pictures from past apple family reunions. He stopped for a moment to stare at one in particular, when there was a loud knock at his front door. Braeburn stopped, he thought, he remembered.

"... dangit... Eager little bucker, ain't ya?" He chuckled to himself, walking the remaining length of the hallway to his front door and opening it.

"Well yah sure ah’ here early..." He trailed off as he held up a hoof to his muzzle yawning.

The pegasus was hovering about a foot off the ground, his large powder blue wings flapping elegantly to maintain his height. "Hiya Brae!" he said, far too enthusiastically for this early in the morning. Even though Braeburn enjoyed his work, this level of excitement was, new to say the least.

The earth pony yawned again motioning the Wonderbolt inside. "Howdy, yah had breakfast yet?" He said a bit lazily and clearly not fully awake.

"Are you inviting me for breakfast, Cowpony?" Soarin' laughed, touching down with his hooves and trotting happily inside. "I haven't as a matter of fact. I thought we were just going to get started, show you exactly what a ‘fancy flier’ can do."
"Ah' course... Ah' course... But not before we get ah’ bite to eat. No since in havin' ta'take a break later just cuz we're hungry." He walked over to the kitchen and began rummaging through his cupboard.

The pegasus stood in the doorway, his wings relaxed and folded at his side. As he watched the apple farmer lean down to search the cupboard, his eyes searched with him. He saw packets of oats, fresh fruits, a couple of bundles of hay. Eventually, Soarin's eyes drifted from the cupboard along the kitchen surface until, purely by chance, Braeburn's face fell into view. Somewhere deep inside Soarin', a twinge went off and gave him a shiver along his front. "Whoa..." He uttered, shaking his head and opening his eyes again, only to have them fall upon the farm pony's raised flank as he leant deeply into the cabinet. Soarin's eyes went wide. The twinge went off again, but this time a tingle accompanied it, his cheeks prickling red with blush. Before he could do anything about it, his wings leapt up into a ready position with a loud 'pomf'.
"BUCK" He yelped, before clapping a hoof to his mouth and glancing away nonchalantly, as Braeburn turned to look at him.
The earth pony turned around to look at the pegasus, an expression of pure confusion on his face. Fortunately for the Wonderbolt, he was half awake and the raised wings didn't register. "Uh... Somethin' wrong Soar?"

Soarin' shifted awkwardly on the spot, his eyes avoiding Braeburn's gaze. "Ha, I'm fine! Honest! Just uh... Hit my head on the doorframe. Y'know, flyin' too high... Indoors..." The uncertainty in his lie was thick and clear to see.

"Well... Uh maybe ya'... should put them wings of your's away an' not fly indoors. Ah don't want ya' breaking nothin." He pulled two packets of oats from the cupboard and a bit of the fruit opening a drawer and setting two bowls on the counter.
The pegasus breathed a sigh of, relief? Maybe. Either way, the farmhand seemed to have bought his excuse. The buck was that about, Soarin? He thought to himself, I'm not... I don't... He couldn’t think. His mind was suddenly and inexplicably clouded, his erect wings were distracting him and he simply couldn’t take his eyes off the young, busy colt in front of him. He had noticed last night. One look into the Earth Pony's emerald eyes had hit something inside of him. Something powerful. Something that, until now, he had only felt in the heat of the moment as he lay underneath a mare, their loins grinding and bodies writhing together. But now he felt it about this, slight built, flowing maned, beautiful eyed, sculpted flanked stud of a...What the buck are you thinking? He thought.

"Could yah go ta' mah fridge an' grab us some milk please?" Braeburn poured the oats into the two bowls and carried them over, one at a time, to his small kitchen table just big enough for two. He looked sleepily over at the pegasus, seeing a very perplexed looking stallion and wondered what exactly what he was thinking. "You sure ya' didn't hit your head too hard? Maybe ah’ should take a look at it."

Soarin' absentmindedly nodded, before realizing what he had just agreed to. "Ah, no, I'm okay, that’s alright..." He said, shuffling over to the fridge and getting the required ingredient. Snap out of it Soarin'. You're not a coltcuddler and neither is he, his thoughts rambled on. Relax and stop obsessing over something so stupid!

Braeburn raised an eyebrow questioningly but dismissed it taking two spoons over to the table and taking a seat. The pegasus watched him sit and began to pour some of the milk into his bowl of oats, before stopping and looking up at the apple farmer. The earth pony smiled at him and kicked the other chair out, inviting him to sit down. He's a cutie, for a colt, right? Soarin’s mind continued, as the blue coated Wondebolt smiled nervously and sat down at the table.
"Y'gonna eat, or..." The earth pony said, spoon halfway to his mouth. Soarin' responded in some kind of half minded nod-smile-giggle combination, before practically slapping himself round the face and scooting his chair forwards.
"Yes, yes I am. Thank you." He said, taking up the milk and pouring it into the bowl.

As the milk flowed onto the oats, Soarin's mind once again betrayed him. Hey, he lives alone right? I bet he clops every single day, I know I would if I had my own place. His mind rambled. He hated it, but loved it at the same time. Speaking of clopping, just imagine what he looks like when he…

"SOARIN." A country accent split into his consciousness, and he was once more brought back into reality. White liquid dripped from the edge of the table, Soarin’ gulped. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He said, putting the milk down and mopping up the spill with a stack of nearby napkins.

"How about we jus' finish up here an' then we'll get started..." Braeburn said a concerned tone in his voice.
"I'm sorry, Brae, seriously. I... I.. must have hit my head harder than I thought." The pegasus stammered, before sighing and shoving a large spoonful of the oats into his mouth as Braeburn did the same.

Wow. He can fit A LOT in his mouth. They both thought, as they made eye contact across the table.

************************************

"Ah'right so ya’ just plant yer forehooves firmly in the ground like this; and quickly lash out yer rear hooves and plant 'em squarely on the trunk." The earth pony bucked at an apple tree behind him, dropping a tree-full of apples into several strategically placed buckets as he turned to the pegasus with a broad grin on his face.
Soarin', on the other hoof, severely lacked the enthusiasm of his farmer counterpart. They had been working on repairing the barn, digging and ploughing the fields for the new crop, and painting the orchards fence. He stood before Braeburn bruised, dirty and covered in paint.

"So... I..." the pegasus panted, getting into position. "Like this?"

"Mhm that’s exactly right, now be careful to plant ya’ hooves flat on the trunk or you'll just wind up hurtin' yourself. Take ah few practice bucks without puttin’ power behind em first."

The exhausted Wonderbolt raised a rear hoof and patted it against the tree trunk. "Just here..?" Braeburn nodded. It was astonishing how unaffected the earth pony seemed to be; the work had barely even messed up his mane. With a deep breath, the pegasus reared his back legs and bucked with all his might. The tree shook, and a couple of apples fell out. Not much, but Soarin' grinned, pleased with himself.

Maybe he'll suck your dick if you can kick ten out at once? His brain mocked him, and he immediately scowled, annoyed at himself for thinking such thoughts.

"That's pretty good for 'ah start. Yah got the form right, ya' just need more power behind it!" Flashing another smile the earth pony bucked at the tree sending the remainder of the apples tumbling to the baskets below them. "Ya' can try again on the next one okay?" He drug one of the baskets over to the next tree and waited for Soarin' to bring the other one.

The smile the farm pony gave turned the blue stallion's stomach over, sending his chest fluttering with a feeling of pressure and that same, familiar twinge. Hey, his mind whispered as he approached the tree, you might not be a coltcuddler, but you’re certainly gay for this pony.

“Ya gonna come and try again? Or just stand there starein' at me with ah goofy look on your muzzle all day?"
Soarin’ snapped back to life, trotting over to the farm pony and taking up a position next to him. Go on. Touch his cheek, urged his mind, feel those muscles in his flank. He ignored it. The two ponies bucked at the tree in unison, and every single apple fell from the tree landing in the baskets below. The earth pony looked over at the exhausted Wonderbolt and shouted. "YEEHAW ya' did it! Boy do you look plum tuckered out."

Soarin' beamed widely, feeling a bit of heat rush to his cheeks as he blushed. Whatever was going on, he was certainly crushing on the young farm pony, and it was turning him into a damn filly.

"Thanks Brae... But wow... I have NO idea how you do this every day..."

"Heh, I hope ya' have ah bit more 'priciation for us workin' folks now." He sat on his haunches under the tree motioning for the pegasus to sit down next to him, breathing out a sigh of happiness as the early evening breeze blew through his mane. He removed his hat setting it next to him and leaning against the tree behind him.

"I do, I do!" The pegasus huffed, dropping down onto his back next to the tan earth pony and putting his hooves behind his head. His gelled mane had drooped from the sweat of the day, and as Braeburn looked at him he noticed for the first time how nice the Wonderbolt’s mane actually was.

"You ponies have a hard time... But I guess it's alright for you all huh? I mean, you seem to like it." Soarin's voice low and quiet, barely above a whisper.

Braeburn pondered for a second, then lay back next to the exhausted pegasus and gazed up at the clouds floating past lazily in the Appleousian sky.

"Ah guess... Ah guess it helps to keep mah mind in check. A routine, te' keep this muddle of a life we all lead makin' sense." His green eyes scanning the heavens. Next to him, Soarin's own were gazing back at him. "There's a feelin' of accomplishment. Like ah done somethin' worthwhile that everypony'll appreciate. Ah don't see much proof o' that though..." The farm pony sighed, closing his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Soarin' asked. "You don't think they appreciate you?"

The earth pony turned away from the pegasus for a moment and plucked two apples from the closest basket offering Soarin' one. "It's a whole mess a' work gettin' these here apples down... As I'm sure you learned tahday..."

Soarin' took one of the fruits from Braeburn without much hesitation; he had worked up a mighty appetite, after all. But he was preoccupied with the revelations about Braeburn's philosophy on work.

"Brae..?"

"...not to mention all the work that went into planting them. Hay, the whole town would likely starve if I wern't out here workin' mah tail off every day..." The farmer simply stared at the apple in his hoof letting locks of his blonde mane fall in front of his eyes. "It'd just be so nice ta' hear a thank you now 'an again... tain't much ta ask for..."
There was a silence, heavy and thick, the only sound the wind rustling through the leaves of the apple trees. Slowly, quietly, the silence was broken by a subtle whisper, coming from the Wonderbolt next to him.
"Thank you..."

Braeburn couldn't help allowing a small smile creep across his muzzle. "Ya' know what Soar?” He paused for a moment breathing out a contented sigh. “Ah sure am glad ya' did crash inta' me yesterday..."

The pegasus shuffled up to his forearms, propping himself up against the tree behind them both.

"In a weird way... So am I..." He said, slowly. "You're like nopony I've ever met before. You have this amazing outlook on life and ponies in general... You're hospitable, you're kind, you're funny, you're hot, you…"

He stopped dead.

BUCKBUCKBUCKBUCKBUCK DID HE HEAR THAT? His mind panicked.

Another silence, this one lasted longer than it should. Soarin's heart pounded madly against his ribcage. Braeburn just sat, his forehooves crossed in front of him between his legs. He was staring out over the orchard, the wind blowing through his mane and letting it ruffle in the breeze still obscuring his face. Soarin' just watched, beads of cold sweat running down his forehead.

Finally, Braeburn spoke. "Ya’ smell awful."

Soarin’ didn't quite register what had been said, blinking. "...uh..." The single syllable was rife with confusion.

"Ah said ya’ stink." The apple farmer said, peering through his mane at the pegasus and smiling lightly. "Hard work don't agree wit'ya, huh?"

The blue pegasus frowned and looked down at himself. Did this mean he had gotten away with it? That his slip of the tongue had in fact gone unnoticed? "I... Huh, I guess..." He muttered, as Braeburn started to giggle next to him.

"Ya’ll be wanting a bath a’fore ya get goin." he said, scrabbling to his hooves. "An' as a matter of fact, ah will be too."

Soarin’ pushed himself up, using the tree behind them as support. "I... Yeah. I'll get one back at my hotel, I'll..."

"Non-sense!" The apple farmer scoffed, turning to face the Wonderbolt with a small grin across his face, his pearly white teeth gleaming at him. "Ah know a place nearby. Ah go there to relax every now an' then. Don't see much harm in lettin' you come along just this once..."

The earth pony began to walk away, as Soarin stood still, a mixture of feelings washing over him; tiredness, confusion, frustration, and most of all disappointment.

He looked up at Braeburn as he walked away, before noticing he was no longer wearing his Stetson. The pegasus looked down at where they had just been sitting and, sure enough, the farm pony had left it behind.

"Hey!" He yelled, picking up the hat with his teeth and jogging up to his partner's side. "You uh... Were going to leave this behind..."

Braeburn stopped, forcing Soarin’ to follow suit. For a second, both pairs of green eyes were on the hat, before it's owner picked it up and smiled broadly at the Wonderbolt.

"Thank you..." The apple farmer murmured softly. But instead of placing it on his own head, he gently flopped it onto Soarin's flat, unkept mane. "Here. You hold onto it fer now. Ya look good in it..."

With that, he turned once more and beckoned to the pegasus to follow him. Soarin’ just watched as the slim, attractive, kind, wonderful stallion strode away from him. Was it his imagination or was he wiggling his hips ever so slightly? He shook his head, before cantering off in pursuit.

********************************
The sun was setting. The oranges and purples of the sky were dying away into dark blues and blacks, and the fantastic night sky was already beginning to fill with stars. Princess Luna was doing her work and soon, Equestria would be under her quiet, respected reign for another night. The two wandering ponies trotted onwards through the quickly darkening desert. They had been walking for a half hour maybe, and had long since left behind the thick canopy of Appleloosia’s orchard. The town was just a few lights in the mid-distance now, and Soarin glanced back at where they had come from.

"Uh… Brae?" The pegasus whispered as two of them walked underneath massive eroded stone structures of the desert.
The earth pony looked over his shoulder back at Soarin' noticing how good the pegasus looked in his hat. "Somthin’ wrong Soar?"

"Wh... Where exactly are you taking' us? It seems an awful lot of hassle just for a wash." the pegasus said, flicking his head around at a sudden movement that, ultimately, only turned out to be a bird. "Its getting' dark and... I'm not sure it's safe out here this late..."

"Aw don't worry ya' big baby, we're almost there. Trust me when ah' say... It's worth tha’ walk." He couldn’t help but muster up a laugh as the frightened Wonderbolt jumped at the sight of a small snake slithering under a rock, as they continued forward towards a large outcropping of rock.

Soarin’ ruffled his brow, thanking Celestia, or should that be Luna? That it was too dark for his blush to be made out. "I am not a baby..." He muttered, eliciting another small chuckle from Braeburn as they walked through a crevice in a rock face in front of them and up a natural stone staircase.

"C'mon, you gotta admit this is..."

He was cut short by the sight that awaited him.

They had ended up on a large, rocky outcrop that jutted out from the cliff they had scaled. It was huge, easily large enough for a small house to comfortably sit there without fear of falling into the oblivion over the edge. But even then, it was only so high as to grant the two ponies a spectacular view of the lights of Appleloosia, without any of the unpleasantly strong winds caused by the altitude.

Soarin’ stood, mouth agape as he surveyed the area. A single tree stood proudly, rooted firmly in a patch of soil that seemed out of place. Underneath the tree was a wooden crate, on top of which a large metal lantern stood unlit. Next to the crate was a single sleeping bag, weighted down by a small stone on each corner. But most spectacularly, and what Soarin noticed as soon as the heat struck him, was the steaming pool of water that was near the cliff face. A natural hot spring, this high up.? To quote the apple farmer, it boggled the pegasus' mind.

"This... This..." He stammered, and Braeburn couldn't help but burst out into laughter.

"...was worth the trip?" The earth pony finished Soarin's sentance amid bursts of laughter and trotted over towards the edge of the cliff to look out, takeing in the view and breathing deeply. He turned around and smiled broadly at the pegasus who hadn't moved. "Ya' just gonna stand there lookin’ shocked ah’ll night?"

"Its so..." The Wonderbolt managed, taking Braeburn's hat off his head and laying it next to the lantern as he walked over to stand by the farmer's side. "Its amazing..."

"Ain't that the truth? I was as shocked as you when Little Strongheart showed me this here place."

"So... You come here a lot, then..." Soarin' said, looking at the lantern and sleeping bag.

"When 'ah can get away from mah work for long enough..." Braeburn smiled over at Soarin' nudging him softly with his hoof. "Heh and ya' was right about to turn back weren’t ya?"

Soarin' blushed again, but this time with a smile on his muzzle. "I guess I should keep in mind that I can actually trust you..."
Braeburn nodded, a look of self accomplishment jokingly across his face as he picked up his hat and hung it on a tree branch. He trotted over to the wooden crate and picked up the lantern, popping his hat on one of the tree's branches. He pushed the lid of the crate open and reached in it, shuffling some things around for a few minutes before pulling his hoof back out holding a box of matches. He struck one and lit the lantern, shutting the crate back with a happy sigh. "Ah... There we go!"

As the apple farmer raised the Lantern up, casting its impressive light around the area, two pairs of emerald eyes met across the night. Soarin’ was staring. His mind was telling him to stop, that it was rude, but Braeburn wasn't breaking eye contact. The two ponies just stood there, as the lantern's candle flickered and then stabilized.

Finally, Braeburn chuckled and placed the lantern onto a rock near the edge of the spring, before reaching up with a hoof and slipping his vest off one shoulder. "Uh... Brae, what..." Soarin’ said, his mind too occupied with watching the stallion undress to prevent him from staring.

"We did come here for a bath, didn't we?" The apple farmer smiled, letting the vest drop from his body onto the rocky ground. Soarin’ continued watching, his heart beating in his chest as his hungry eyes wandered over the young colt's slim, toned body.

“Oh... Yeah, that's right..." the pegasus said, forcing himself to look away and over the view of Appleloosia.
Braeburn let a miniscule smile pass his lips, as he sat himself down on the edge of the pool and dripped his hooves in. "C'mon Soar, y'still stink, ya know!" He grinned, snapping Soarin’ out of his trance.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming'..." The blue pegasus said, another red hot blush prickling across his cheeks.
As Soarin’ approached the edge of the spring, Braeburn watched him from his perch as the Wonderbolt tested the water with his hoof. The earth pony saw the look of pure wonder and happiness spread across his face. "Whoa..." The pegasus said, and Brae giggled.

"Feels good, don’it?"

Soarin’ glanced up at him, eyes glowing with youthful excitement. Braeburn's own eyes were half closed, relaxed, and that thin, contented smile was still on his lips.

"Are you gonna..." The pegasus asked.

Thoughts ran through the apple farmer's mind. Quick thoughts. Secret thoughts, thoughts of the stallion stood before him.
"You first, Soarin’..." The words like velvet as he did.

Soarin’ felt a twinge, that same twinge from that morning, and goose bumps ran up and down his spine. "Heh... If you insist..." He said, the effeminate side of his voice showing through again. He dropped his rear legs over the edge, and then slowly lowered himself into the warm, enveloping water. "Ooooh Celestia..." He murmured, sparking a tingle in the watching earth pony's groin.

Braeburn continued to watch as Soarin’ lay back in the water, the steaming liquid glistening off the short fur of his body and highlighting his subtly toned athlete's muscles.

"Oh wow, Brae... I am SO coming here again..." The pegasus smiled, his eyes closed as he lay back, before dipping his entire body underwater and resurfacing a second later, his mane completely flat against his neck.
The apple farmer sat on the edge of the pool, admiring Soarin's movements. He was, despite a total showoff in the air, extremely graceful in his movements, his hooves stroking over his arms and chest as he washed the sweat of the day away.
"Uh... Brae?" the pegasus spoke, noticing the adoring look on the farmer's face.

The Earth pony didn't respond, but gazed longingly into the glowing, relaxed eyes of the stallion in the spring. Soarin’ stared back, feeling himself relax entirely, as though all the stresses he had felt before were simply washing away into the steaming, refreshing water. The two ponies shared their gazes for what seemed like an eternity, unspoken thoughts passing through their minds as they did.

Eventually, Braeburn let a small, pearly white smile pass his lips that made Soarin's heart skip. He couldn't help it. With a slight splash, his saturated wings sprang into life and stuck up proudly, a tingling sensation running from his shoulder blades to the tip of the longest feather.

"Oh, my..." The pegasus said, hastily ducking under the water as Braeburn giggled and covered his mouth with a hoof.
"Hit your head again Soar?" He chuckled, as the wonderbolt slowly reemerged just enough so that his nose and eyes were out of the water, hiding his bright, glowing blush.

The sight of the, clearly embarrassed, pegasus acting like a bashful alligator made the apple farmer giggle even louder, before leaning back on his elbows and sighing loudly. "Hey..." He said, as Soarin turned and was about to get out of the pool, "Where you goin'?"

"I... I made a fool of myself I'm..."

Before the wonderbolt could finish, Braeburn had shuffled over to him and leant down on his legs, his deep, lush eyes once again gazing into Soarin's. "Hush, y'aint done nothin of the sort..." he said, velvety voice and all, before slowly lowering his entire body into the water in front of the pegasus.

Soarin’ simply watched as the earth pony dipped his head under the water, then stroked his hooves over his shoulders, chest and stomach, washing himself clean in the warm water. His slim, beautifully toned body shone in the lamplight as the water saturated his thin fur coat, and Soarin felt his wings tingle even more.

"Y'know... If'n yer worried about makin' a fool o' yerself..." Braeburn smiled softly again, "Jus imagine how ah feel doin' this..."

Soarin’ was about to ask: Doing what? But the earth pony’s answer came fast enough.

Chapter 3

Obligatory Content Warning: This story contains mature content and coltcuddleing, if you don’t have the stomach for it or just don’t want to read it here’s a little shortcut Alt + F4. Enjoy!

Deep in His Eyes: Chapter 3

Their lips met. It was sudden. It was quick. But to Braeburn Apple it felt like an eternity.

The apple farmer closed his eyes as he pressed his soft, tender lips against the Wonderbolt’s, breathing deeply through his nose and taking in the scent of the athlete. Soarin’ froze. His entire body went stiff and rigid with surprise, eyes wide and staring into space as he felt the subtle pressures and squeezes of Braeburn's mouth on his own. Apart from their lips, the two of them were still completely separate, something that Soarin’ wasn’t sure whether he liked, or hated.

Finally, Braeburn broke himself away from the pegasus and blushed deeply, his eyes deliberately avoiding the other pair of bright, emerald pupils. "Ah... Ah'm sorry ah..." He hushed, as Soarin’ stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. "Ah... Ah think Ah've made a mistake here..."

He slowly edged backwards, but stopped as he felt two hooves on his shoulders. He sensed himself being pulled slowly forwards, but didn't quite believe it until he was met by Soarin's relaxed, amorous and gorgeous eyes.

"You did... Allow me to correct it..." The Wonderbolt whispered, as he pulled Braeburn's muzzle close to his own and wrapped his hooves around the earth pony's waist.

This time, Braeburn felt pure electricity fire down every nerve and fiber in his body as the amazing pegasus pushed his lips against the earth pony’s and kissed him back; not once, not twice, but countless times. They were short and subtle, but each one sent sparks cascading down the farmer’s body.

"S... Soar..." He panted, opening his eyes ever so slightly to take in the face of his lover. Soarin’ kissed him again, his eyes closed. This time it was longer; one uninterrupted display of passion. Both ponies breathed heavily and moved their heads in tandem, moaning softly at each touch. Braeburn moaned in the heat of the moment and parted Soarin’s lips with his tongue, finding his way into the blue coated pegasus’s mouth. He was rewarded with the gentle stroke of the Wonderbolt's own.
“Mmmm..." Soarin’ moaned slightly, allowing his tongue to move and caress the earth pony's cheeks and lips as he felt him doing the same. Braeburn smiled, and sighed happily gazing back at the pegasus. It was amazing, the feeling of the two of them giving in to their true desires and wishes and allowing each other to do so. It was unity, understanding, true and unbridled passion.

Again, they parted lips and held each other, Soarin's hooves around Braeburn's waist and the earth pony holding onto the pegasus' cheeks and mane. They moved as one, leaning their foreheads against each other and breathing each other's breath, mouths agape and panting from the energy building up inside their chests; feeling their hearts beat in unison.
"Brae I..." Soarin’ began, but the apple farmer cut him short.

"Shh... Shh, hun..." He said, stroking the pegasus's cheek with his hoof. "Ah know... It's yer first time, huh..?"

The pegasus blushed brighter than ever, as Braeburn gently pushed them both to the edge of the pool, guiding Soarin’ onto a raised rock that acted like a semi-submerged seat. "I... I'm not..." He tried again, but couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't lie any more, not now.

Braeburn ignored the words, pushing himself against the Wonderbolt’s nude body and gently grinding his chest against Soarin's, hooves stroking his lover's muscular chest in circles. The pegasus threw his head back and moaned, letting, allowing himself to stroke all the way up the colt's back, caressing his shoulders before going down, down, all the way to just above his tail.

"Ooh... Ah like that..." Braeburn grinned, before leaning into Soarin's ear, "...ah am so hard right now..." The whispered words sent shivers down Soarin's body, as he felt the earth pony's impressive member was in fact pressing against his belly.
"S'alright... Y'can look, Soar..." the apple farmer cooed, gently nibbling on Soarin's ear, "Ah've seen yours... Make it fair, huh..?"

Soarin's cheeks burned bright, as Braeburn leant back, straddling the pegasus' waist and moving a hoof down to his own lap. The Wonderbolt followed Braeburn’s hoof, all the way to the stallion’s strong, hard and proud erection.

"Oh... Wow..." Was all he could manage, excitement, lust and passion running through his veins. Braeburn just laughed, before floating away slightly on the water and kissing Soarin's chest. With his free hoof, the apple farmer stroked down the Wonderbolt's chest, all the way to between his loins, and sure enough he felt his reward.

"You can talk, big boy..." The earth pony giggled, taking Soarin's already throbbing cock in his hoof and giving it a few slow, gentle strokes. The feeling was incredible; Braeburn knew exactly what he was doing, as he kissed Soarin's neck, chest, and stomach, all whilst stroking, pumping and tugging on Soarin's stallionhood. The pegasus groaned, bucking his hips as the farmer clopped him off. He never in a thousand years would have thought that another colt could make him feel so good.
"Oh Celestia... Brae… This is just..." But he had to stop to allow a grunt of pleasure to escape his mouth.

Braeburn smiled as he kissed his lover's body, his hoof clopping faster at Soarin’s rock hard dick, making the Wonderbolt moan and groan in pleasure. As his cock was stroked, Soarin’ explored the earth pony's body with his hooves, caressing his shoulders, chest, back, and all the way down to what he really wanted; that soft, toned, juicy plot. He took hold of both flanks, squeezing and rubbing the muscles in the applebucker's finely toned ass as he continued to work his shaft with his hoof, eliciting small murmurs and groans from the earth pony.

"Unn... Brae..." He gasped, his voice only managing high, feminine tones with his pleasure, "You've... Ah... You've got a fillie's ass..."

Braeburn had to stop with his laughter, and Soarin’ too broke into a fit of giggles.

"Wow... Ah guess thanks?" Braeburn chuckled, as Soarin continued to squeeze, stroke and gently caress his soft, round plot. The pegasus giggled quietly into the apple bucker's ear, as Braeburn slowed his hoof movements and eventually relinquished his grip on Soarin's, now fully hard and hot, member.

"Oh, baby don't stop..." Soarin’ moaned, pulling his lover's rear closer and ever so gently brushing his lips across his chest. "I was enjoying that..." The slim earth pony gasped and closed his eyes, grinding his hard crotch and belly against the Wonderbolt's toned stomach, his mouth grinning widely.

"If y'all enjoyed that... You'll love this..." He said, before dismounting Soarin’ and slipping out of the water onto the side, letting his hooves dangle over the edge as he beckoned the stallion over to him with a hoof. The blue pegasus, cheeks red and heart pounding, made his way over to the earth pony and reared himself up onto his hind legs, putting his forehooves on either side of Braeburn's hips. The water was only up to his flank in this part, and as he looked up he came nose to nose with the giggling earth pony again. Their lips met once again as Braeburn's hoof stroked Soarin's neck, then chest, stomach and finally reached his wet, slippery hardon.

"Ya sure you wanna do this..." He asked breathlessly between kisses, but Soarin’ didn't answer. Instead, he pushed his hips between Braeburn's thighs, guiding his cock to the earth pony's tight plothole and pushing a little against it. His kisses on the earth pony's neck were now soft love bites, and Braeburn couldn't help himself but moan and yelp in pleasure with each nip.
Finally, the earth pony felt the wide, hard tip of Soarin's stallionhood slide into him, and he bit his lip and buried his muzzle in his lover's shoulder. Soarin’ grunted as he slowly, steadily, so as not to hurt his partner, entered the apple farmer and gradualy pushed his entire shaft into him.

"Oh, Brae... Oh sweet Luna, you... Ooh..." He managed, as Brae whimpered, quietly into his shoulder.
The earth pony let out a loud moan as he wrapped his forehooves around the stallion mounting him, pulling their bodies close together. "Nnnnnng you're even... Ah... Bigger around, 'an ya' looked... Ouhhhh."

Soarin’ couldn't help but feel a small stab of pride in his chest, and he smiled as he slid the majority of his shaft out of his partner before pushing it back, still moving slowly to ensure no harm came to his lover.

"This feels so bucking good..." He murmured into Braeburn's ear, his voice breathy and almost exhausted sounding.
The apple farmer clung on to the Wonderbolt, throwing his head back as Soarin' thrust further and further into him, his mane spread out behind him, mouth agape in another loud moan. "...oh, Celestia...nnnn..." Soarin’ began to speed up, his heavy balls smacking against Braeburn's soft, cushiony ass. He kissed the earth pony's neck, stroking his tongue up and down as his partner sighed, grunted and moaned under him.

"Oh Luna… Harder!" Gasping in an overload of ecstasy the apple farmer started bucking his own hips back towards Soarin' keeping in rhythm as he let out a chorus of very high pitched moans. Soarin’ felt the apple farmer tightening around his shaft, and obeyed his orders. He thrust his hips deeper, quicker, pounding Braeburn’s sweet little plot like there were no tomorrow.

"Ah... c'mom babe... C'mon..." The Wonderbolt panted, kissing, biting and licking at Braeburn's cheeks and neck.
"Ah! Soar! Yes!" He moaned out, almost yelling as the pegasus hilted in him time and time again. He was assaulted with waves of pleasure as his own stallionhood rubbed between the two colts' chests, the nips at his neck pushing the amazing experience even farther. Leaning his muzzle closer he nudged the other stallion and locked lips with him, panting into a passion filled kiss.

Their tongues danced as the pegasus stroked down to the young cowpony's hips, grabbing them and moving them perfectly in time with his own thrusts. Braeburn grunted and tensed up, a slight discomfort before the pleasure overflowed inside of him again. The earth pony’s cock continued to be assaulted on all sides by their entwined bodies moving in rhythm with the pegasus's thrusts sending wave after wave of pleasure coursing through his rock hard shaft as he moaned into the mouth of the stallion of top of him.

Suddenly, he broke the kiss and opened his eyes, his cheeks red and glowing as he gazed into Soarin's face. His eyes were still closed, his teeth clenched and his mouth open as he thrust away, small, almost unnoticeable grunts escaping him.
"Oh, mah..!" Braeburn yelped. "Ah... Ah..."

Soarin’ opened his eyes, pushing himself further up Braeburn's chest so that they were perfectly muzzle to muzzle.
"Ah'm..!" Braeburn gasped, as the Wonderbolt’s kisses began on his neck again, "Ah’m so close… Ohhh…!"

Soarin's mind paused for a second, but his body continued to thrust. This was new. This was exciting. His first ever time with a colt and he had managed to do everything right. It was like learning a new trick; and now for the grand finale.

"Do it baby..." He whispered into Braeburn's ear, as the earth pony moaned and writhed under his body, his forehooves clutching at his flank and pulling him in deeper. The apple farmer's back legs were high in the air now, and as they tensed and went rigid, Soarin knew what was about to happen.

Braeburn yelled out, his eyes clenched shut and his mouth wide open, tongue held mid kiss as he let out a long, powerful moan. Soarin’ felt the entirety of his lover's body tense up and then relax, as he felt hot, thick seed spray over his stomach and chest.

But it wasn't over, Soarin’ felt himself inching closer and closer, and with the clenching and twitching of Braeburn's plothole, he reached the point of no return.

"AH, BUCK!" He screamed, letting himself go and feeling the pulses of warm, pounding pleasure inside his cock as he came, jetting his cum into the earth pony over and over again.

To Braeburn, it felt like he was being filled from bottom to top. He had only ever done it twice before, but neither colt had ever emptied this much of a load into his tailhole.

Both ponys tensed, becoming taught and rigid as their groaning subsided, and then finally dropped, panting and sweating despite their previous bathing. The two held each other, panting as Soarin' remained inside the earth pony who had wrapped both his hind and fore legs around the Wonderbolt. They lay there on the side of the pool as Braeburn softly nuzzled the pegasus's neck before he spoke up, the only sound besides breathing. "Soarin'... That was incredible..."
The Pegasus turned his head, sniffing Braeburn's mane and breathing in that warm, hayseed smell. "I've..." He panted. "I’ve never done that before..."

"R-Really? You mean you've never been with anyone before? Ah’ han’some stallion like yerself? Ah’d expect ponies would fall all over ya..."

The Wonderbolt giggled and shuffled a little, letting his still erect member, and a stream of cum, slip out of his lover, and lying next to the earth pony, staring up at the stars.

"I've been with mares... But never a colt... And nopony ever like you..."

"So I'm your first stallion huh...? Figured ya’ were inta’ colts the way ya’ve been looking at me a’hll day..."
The earth pony looked back locking eyes with Soarin' and murmuring. "Know what?"

"I never thought I could be a coltcuddler... I've never even looked at stallions like that before but..." He trailed off, lost in his lover's eyes. "Last night in the bar was... I saw a side to you I'd never seen in anypony before..."

Braeburn blushed nuzzling the other stallion. "Well, ah'm flattered that little old me would do that to ya... Me on tha other hand... Coltcuddler through and through..." He trailed off still nuzzling.

Soarin’ hugged the young pony tightly, letting the feeling of warmth emanating from his body penetrate his heart deeply.
"How long have you known...? Was it... Was it easy for you?"

“Well uh… Folks round here don’t take too kindly ta’ things that’re different…” He trailed off burying his muzzle in his lover’s chest.

The pegasus shuffled, before releasing his partner and splashing some of the warm spring water up his front, cleaning off the mess from their lovemaking. "Huh... I guess somepony's just don’t understand..."

Braeburn blinked and leaned up, slipping into the water himself letting out a happy sigh as he felt his own seed be washed away from his chest. The Wonderbolt watched him, a small smile on his lips. He was, for the first time in a while, completely happy. The slim cowpony made him feel right. Everything he had just done felt right. Sitting, watching the first colt he had ever had sex with wash and relax against the rocky spring all felt; right.

"Ah'll say it again... Ah sure ahm glad ya' crashed into me!" Braeburn giggled as he waded over towards the pegasus.
Soarin’ laughed, moving to meet him half way and then wrapping his forehooves around his shoulders in a tight embrace, his chin on the earth pony's shoulder and eyes closed, contentedly.

"It's funny how things work out, huh..?" He sighed contentedly.

They held each other closely, the space lit only by the lantern and the night sky. "Mmmm...I don't believe in coincidences." He put his own chin over Soarin's shoulder as he closed his eyes, silently thanking Luna for the experience he had just been a part of.

The two of them leant apart before coming back together for another kiss, their lips pressing against each other each feeling the other's smile.

"I'm totally beat..." Soarin chuckled, parting the kiss and gazing at the adoring Earth pony in his arms through heavy lids, "You've tired me out, big boy..."

Braeburn giggled and winked at the pegasus. "Well ya've worked hard today in more ways ‘an one. But there's only one sleeping bag…" The earth pony winked playfully mocking the Wonderbolt.

Knowing that they would have to dry off soon, and for the first time that night displaying his athletic strength, Soarin’ giggled and quickly dunked Braeburn completely under the water. He clambered out of the spring and collapsed, laughing as the earth pony glared daggers at him with an unimpressed look on his face.

Braeburn climbed out of the water, and couldn't help but giggle at how cute the Wonderbolt acted as he trotted over to the wooden crate and lifted out two towels. A quick dry off later, and a good shakedown from Soarin to air out his wings, the two ponies stood dry and far cleaner.

Braeburn blew out the lantern and spread the sleeping bag out in the moonlight just far enough away from the edge of the cliff that the two wouldn't tumble off of it in their sleep. He motioned the pegasus over as he lifted one side of it up sliding into the opening. "Wouldn't wanna be droppin' off now, huh?" He smiled, as Soarin’ snuggled down next to him, nuzzling Braeburn as he went.

"Brae, I was brought up on a cloud. If I fell off I'd be alright." He giggled, provoking a playful punch in his arm from the earth pony.

Soarin’ slid in behind him, wrapping his forehooves around the apple farmer as Braeburn snuggled back into his chest and softly said. "Well I don'ave wings like you..."

The pegasus chuckled and rested his cheek against the earth pony's soft mane.

"Well... I wouldn't let you fall anyway..." He murmured into his lover's ear, stroking down the colt's back and down to his soft flank, stroking it softly, comfortingly.

"What's it like flyin' anyways? Ah've always looked up in tha’ sky watchin the birds an’tha pegasai soarin' through it... And ah've always wondered..."

The earth pony felt Soarin's embrace tighten.

"It's amazing... It's so... Liberating. Like, you feel so trapped and down when you're grounded but as soon as you take to the sky you just... You're free..."

He looked down at the Earth pony, snuggled up warmly close to his body.
"Heh... Its kinda like being with you..."

Despite all that the two had done that night the earth pony blushed hearing the pegasus talk. He snuggled back tighter into Soarin's embrace his mind raceing and trying to come up with the right words to say. "You're the sweetest colt I've ever met."
There was a short, silence as Soarin’ cupped Braeburn's face in his hooves and brushed his lips against his own.

"Brae... I've never felt this good with anypony... No mare has ever made me feel like this and..."

He was cut off as the earth pony turned around and locked lips with him. The kiss lasted for what seemed like an eternity before Braeburn uttered four very simple words; the words which had been lost to his mind just moments before.
"I love you Soarin’."

The pegasus practically stopped breathing. He could feel his heart beating, but couldn't hear anything. All he knew was the young colt lying in his arms, his emerald eyes gazing up into his own, a soft blush on his cheeks and true emotion in his words.

Soarin’ opened his mouth slowly. "I... I love you, Brae..."

The earth pony felt a flood of emotions, he had just spent the most wonderful night of his life with a stallion; a stallion who loved him. He leaned back up and locked eyes with the pegasus a broad smile on his face.

Soarin’ looked back, eyes half closed and an equally large grin on his face. "C'mon... Let’s get some sleep... I'll see you in the morning, Brae..."

Braeburn turned back around; still smiling as he snuggled back into the Wonderbolt's arm's feeling as giddy as a school filly. As the warm, soothing embrace of sleep took over them, Braeburn thought of the three words they had shared and sighed, happily.

Soarin closed his eyes and cuddled Braeburn close to him, a smile on his face. But in his head, his mind once again betrayed him. The Buck have you got yourself into? He thought, as he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 4

WARNING: This story is rated Mature for a reason. It also contains Coltcuddling as it's main theme. You have been warned!

Deep In His Eyes

CHAPTER FOUR

Celestia's sun raised slowly, easing itself above the distant hills and mountains of the Appleoosan desert. A few birds cawed overhead, as the sweet, cool sunlight crawled across the sands. Eventually, it fell upon the face of a certain Blue Pegasus, who stirred and grumbled as it edged him back into consciousness.

Soarin couldn't bear to open his eyes. It was far too comfortable where he was, plus the sun may have actually fried his brain.

Actually, where was he? And who was this, slender, sleek, long maned figure he was snuggled so closely to?

In his early morning confusion, and still half asleep, he pressed his muzzle into the figures neck and gently kissed it, stroking a hoof down that soft, smooth belly, onto those tight, wide hips and evenually taking a gentle squeeze of that finely shaped flank.

"She's a hot one..." he thought to himself, nuzzling against the shape's cheek, eyes still closed. "Good choice Soar, awesome plot on this one..."

Something went off in his head, alarm bells almost, as if what he was saying didnt make sense. But, of course it did. Who else would he be...

"Mmmmm..." murmured Braeburn, the tender touch of last night's lover waking him, "Well, g'mornin' to you too..."

Ah. That was what it was.

The Pegasus opened his eyes and wished he hadn't. The sun's bright light hit him like a hammer, and he groaned as his eyes stung.

Braeburn sighed, turning his head and gently kissing Soarin on the cheek.

The Pegasus quickly shuffled and sat up, relinquishing his hold around the cowpony's body.

Braeburn opened his eyes, and turned his whole body around, leaning his head on his elbow and watching the wonderbolt as he rubbed his eyes.

"Y'alright pardner?" he giggled quietly, as Soarin glanced over his shoulder at him.

"Uh... Yeah, yeah, I'm great..." he said, a little too quickly. In his head all the memories of what had happened came back to him, the moments of passion, the cries of pleasure and the romantic moments the two had shared the night before. He swallowed, as conflicting feelings filled him.

"Ya sure ya' didn't hit your head again or nothin?" The earth pony giggled, stretching and yawning as he threw the top cover of the sleeping bag off.
Soarin couldnt help but giggle at their private joke, and he felt a tingle in his wings.

"Uh... No." he said, bringing himself back down. "Honest I'm alright..."

"Well alrighty then!" Braeburn gave the pegasus one of his huge signature grins as he leaned up on his haunches and yawned again, rising to his hooves and trotting over to look at his reflection in the pool in an attempt to return order to his surely messy mane. As he rubbed a hooffull of water into his flowing locks, Soarin - still in a half asleep daze - rubbed his eyes and grumbled under his breath.

"Calm down... Hey, calm the buck down, it's alright, he's probably feeling as awkward as you..."

After he had fixed his mane the apple farmer gave a wink and sat down next to the pegasus. "Well ah'm famished, how bout's we get some food in us?" He flashed another toothy grin at the Wonderbolt, reveling in the night the two had spent together, his sore flank a constant reminder.

Soarin glanced up at the earth pony, and tried his best to feign a smile. But the earth pony saw something... Not quite right.

"I'm alright, actually... But uh, thanks..." he said, unconvincingly. His mind yet again cut in - Would you calm the hell down? I mean, cmon. He's no different than he was last night and you bucked him senseless, remember?!

The Apple Farmer leaned his head over onto Soarin's shoulder quizzically. "Ya' sure you're ahllright hun?" He nuzzled the Wonderbolt softly, complete rapture filling his heart for getting to spend more time with the wonderful stallion.

The sudden jerk from Soarin wasn't intentional - he had no idea why he'd done it. But he did. He pulled away from Braeburn and hunched up, before getting to his hooves and straightening his own mane out.

"Look, I've just got a lot on my mind, alright... I got a show today, uh... I should get going..." he gushed, cursing himself.

"Oh... Alright then..." The earth pony didn't quite seem dejected, but there was a sad undertone in his voice that quickly disappeared. "How about we hang out after your show?"

The Pegasus didn't respond, instead just gazed at the Farm pony. In that moment he felt fine, but knew as soon as their eyes broke contact he would be back into his confusion.

Instead of an answer, he gingerly leant down and stroked a hoof along Braeburn's cheek, their emerald eyes still gazing lovingly into each other.

"Kiss him, you idiot..." Soarins mind rambled, but he pulled himself away. "I'll catch you later, Brae..." he said, flexing his wings and sighing, "I promise..."

The earth pony still sat there slightly sad and confused, but the prospect of spending more time with the handsome pegasus regardless of when, brought a smile to his face. "Thank ya' Soar’... For las' night ah mean..."

The memories flooded Soarin's mind, and this time the feelings were warm, comforting... But the unease quickly returned.

"I... I can't hang around much longer, sorry..." he said, avoiding Braeburn's eyes as he broke into a jog, and threw himself clear of the outcrop, his wings catching the breeze and taking him high into the air.

Braeburn sat, solemnly quiet as he watched.

He sat there for a long time, watching the pegasus fly further and further away, until he couldn't even see a blue dot over Appleousia. It was at this point that the earth pony's smile faded as he let out a sigh. "Well ah better get this place packed up..." He said to nopony but himself as he began to roll up the sleeping bag, and gathered up the lantern, placing them back in the crate. He slid the lid back on and grabbed his hat, flipping it onto his head. He sighed one last time as he looked around the empty cave and began the long walk back to his home, once again alone.

*********************************

The wind sang in Soarin's ears as he jetted through the sky, his wings beating against the breeze and occasionally folding shut to increase his momentum.

The feeling of flight always cleared his mind, helping him get thoughts straightened out in his head and make sense of everything. It gave himself time to hear his own thoughts, everything else drowned out by the rushing wind. And currently, as he zoomed in between two large, pillar like rock formations towards Appleoosa, his mind was yammering.

"YOU IDIOT. WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!"

His ever helpful inner monologue hadnt left him alone since he had flown away from the spring on the cliffside. And everything it had been saying had been true. And heartbreaking.

"YOU TOLD HIM YOU LOVED HIM. YOU SHARED SUCH AN AMAZING TIME TOGETHER AND YOU'RE WILLING TO THROW THAT ALL AWAY BECAUSE OF YOU'RE PRIDE?!" his mind scolded him, and he shook his head, clearing his eyes of the tears that had filled them. It was the wind, he wasn't wearing his goggles.

Of course. That was it.

Eventually, his target came into view - just on the outskirts of Appaloosa's main road, right by the entrance to the Apple Orchard, were the three large, shining trailers that belonged to his second family - The Wonderbolts.

A yellow mare sat on the steps to the center trailer angrily scanning the sky. She let out an exasperated sigh as a blue streak appeared over the horizon and lept up, flapping her wings rapidly gaining altitude in order to confront the Wonderbolt, her orange mane plastered back by the wind.

Soarin recognised her instantly. This was the LAST thing he needed.

"AND WHERE THE HAY HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Spitfire shouted, catching the Blue Pegasus in mid air and slowing both of them down to a gentle hover. But The look on her face was less than gentle.

"Fleetfoot has been all over this darned town looking for you, because we have a SHOW WE NEED TO PRACTISE FOR, and you decide to soar on over here OUT OF UNIFORM?!"

Soarin' was at a loss for words, his mind was full of turmoil and he couldn't deal with Spitfire right now, it took enough energy on a good day. He hovered slowly down to the earth below, landing and shrugging.

"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Spitfire bellowed, grabbing Soarin by the shoulder and turning him to face her.

Soarin' didn't even blink, he was too preoccupied thinking about the apple farmer. He never made eye contact with Spitfire and muttered. "It means I'm here now allright, and I'm ready for the show." He attempted to walk past her into the trailer.

But the yellow pegasus wasn't having any of it. With surprising strength for her slim, subtle stature, she zipped infront of him and stood, face to face with him.

"You were buckin' somepony, AGAIN, weren't you! I've told you about this, Soar!"

Soarin' leaned his head back, images of the stallion from the night before dancing before his eyes. He slammed them shut and shook his head rapidly from side to side. "N-no! I was flying out over the desert looking at the scenery, it was getting dark so I just slept out there..." It was a feeble attempt of an excuse and something he knew she would see straight through. This was just too much to deal with.

The blue pegasus looked at Spitfire's unimpressed face. Her expression said it all, a mixture of total disbelief and just plain disappointment.

She spoke again, this time more calm and much softer.

"It's not good for you, Soar. One of these days you're gonna end up hurting somepony who's dumb enough to fall for you."

The words fell on Soarin's ears heavily. And they hurt. They really hurt.

"Look, Spitfire." he spoke, trying his best to sound defensive and innocent, "What I get up to outside of work is nopony's business, alright? Just leave me to it. I turn up to work, I get the job done, so what's the buckin' problem?!"

Spitfire just scowled, frowning at her colleague as he turned away and let out a long, frustrated groan. She didn't react when he span around and slammed a hoof into the wall of the trailer.

"Luna's sake, just get out of my way and leave me alone, okay?!" he yelled, and the yellow mare closed her eyes and shook her head.

"It's only because I care, Soar. I don't wanna see nopony get hurt." she said, with the tone of a disappointed school teacher.

Soarin just stared at her as she stepped to the side, letting him pass. Now he felt even worse - not only had he made himself look like a total ass in front of Braeburn, he had lost his temper and made Spitfire feel awful too.

"Ugh... I'm... I'm sorry." he said, quietly, as he walked past her and up the steps to his trailer, "You... You didn't deserve that."

She stayed quiet, not looking at him. As he turned away and pushed the door open she spoke.

"I didn't deserve a lot of things, Soar. A LOT of things."

With that, she flapped out her wings and took off, heading towards the main center of town.

Soarin bowed his head and sighed. He knew EXACTLY what that meant.
With another sigh he trotted into his trailer and closed the door. Still leaning against it, he glanced around the dim, shady single room and sniffed.

It was small enough for him, with a bed that neither fitted just one pony or two comfortably. A wetroom stood behind a partition, and a large window hung over the headboard, covered by thick, light blocking blinds. It gave the warm, yellow air of appleoosa a cool, blue feel. Perfect for sorting Soarin's head out.

He took a single step over to the bed and lay down, hooves behind his head and staring at the ceiling. Once again, his mind decided to step in.

"You've really gone and bucked this up. You've got a wonderful guy pining after you, who you completely blew off, and now Spitfire's pissed at you because you can't keep it in your flightsuit. Good goin', Soar. Nice work."

He groaned and closed his eyes. Maybe sleep would help him think clearer once he woke.

As he drifted, he thought on Spitfire's last words to him.

"I didn't deserve a lot of things..." he mouthed to himself, as he fell asleep.

******************************************************

Spitfire screamed out, her mouth smiling widely and her eyes closed as she came, running a hoof through her relaxed, unstyled mane. Soarin buried his muzzle into her plump, plush chest and gasped, his hooves grasping her shoulders tightly as he too tipped over the edge.
The two of them flopped, panting and sweating back onto the bed. Soarin lay on his back, Spifire still on top of him, brushing his neck with tender butterfly kisses.

"Well..." he managed between pants, a stupid grin on his face, "I guess... That's... A pretty good way to celebrate our first show..."

The yellow mare giggled slightly, pulling her muzzle away from his neck and kissing him gently on the lips.

"I thought so..." she said, sitting up, still straddling him. "You were awesome... We shoulda done this YEARS ago."

The blue pegasus chuckled and stroked his hooves down her sides, all the way to her thighs.

"Doesn't this... Doesn't this feel weird like, at all?" he asked, looking up at her.

She put her hooves in front of her, resting them on Soarin's stomach, and tilted her head slightly.

"Why would it?" she asked, coyly.

"Because... Y'know..." Soarin said, "You and me have known each other for so long and... Well, i thought maybe it... Might have got a little weird."

The yellow pegasus raised and eyebrow and rolled off her partner, lying on her back next to him. She didn't understand what was going on - the show had gone great, the agent had approached them and had them sign the contract, they'd gone for a few drinks to celebrate, everything had gone fine. But now, Soarin was getting worked up... Convenient how it was right after they had just bucked each other.

"Well... Is it weird for you?" she asked, lying on her side and stroking a hoof over her partner's muscular chest, trying to calm him down.

"No... Well... No it's..." he said, pulling away from her touch and sitting up, "I feel... I..." he sighed, and bowed his head, "Okay. Yeah, I feel... Weird."

Spitfire lay there, gazing at him. She admired his body, his wings that were only just losing their stiffness, his toned, muscular back... And then his words hit her.

"Oh... O-okay..." she said, quietly, shuffling over onto her back again.

"I-it's not you... Don't worry..." the Blue pegasus said leaning over to her and placing a hoof on her shoulder, "I still want to be with you it's just... I don't think I can I..."

Spitfire interrupted - "No, no, it's fine... I... I understand. We've known each other for... Well, pretty much all our lives... I get you, honest..."

Soarin didnt get any of the clear disappointment in her voice.

"It's just... Maybe we should forget this happened?" he said. Immediately, he felt awful for saying it.

Spitfire just lay there. He was right, really... They were close friends and they DID work together... But still...

"I'm just not ready for a relationship, that's -" Soarin began, but was cut off by Spitfire again.

"No. I get you. It's fine." she said, turning away from the blue pegasus and resting her head on the pillow, "Its fine. Honest."

Soarin heard it that time.

"... i'm sorry, I..."

He was cut off by the yellow pegasus swivelling round, practically throwing the covers off the bed and jabbing a hoof in his face.

"Y'know you've got some nerve, Soar! I honestly thought you wanted something out of this!"

Soarin started and stared at her, noticing the tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"We had a great time out there today! Months of hard work and we finally made it! We finally get our names out there and get signed on, but that's not good enough for you is it?!" she yelled, a singular tear running down her cheek, "We MADE it, Soar! And you've gone and bucked this all up!"

The blue pegasus opened his mouth to speak.

"No!" Spitfire cut him off again, turning away and sitting, cross legged on the edge of the bed. "Because you couldn't keep it in your damn flightsuit AND I'M BUCKING STUPID ENOUGH to think you ACTUALLY WANTED ME..."

"Spitfire, please!" Soarin said, leaning across and putting his hooves on her shaking shoulders, "It's not that, I just... I don't want to ruin what we have at the moment, that's..."

"Just stop..." Spitfire hushed, her voice low and shaky, "You're nothing like I thought you were... You get my hopes up and then you dash them all over the floor... I can't look at you..."

She pushed his hooves off her shoulders.

"I'm going. I don't want this to get any worse." she said, the anger and tears still thick in her voice, "As stupid as I am I still care about you... Just... Remember that you're gonna hurt somepony someday..."

Soarin blinked.

"And that somepony's gonna be somepony you will NEVER get back..." she said, getting to her hooves and grabbing her flightsuit from the floor, before shoving the door to the trailer open and storming outside.

The blue pegasus sat, staring after her. He felt like shit - his chest hurt, and the hot, prickly sting of tears from behind his eyes was building up to more than he could handle.

He ripped his eyes away from the quickly dissappearing mare in the darkness, and slumped onto the bed, her last words ringing through his brain.

"... I promise." he whispered to nopony in particular, "I'm never going to hurt anypony again... Not like this..."

*********************************

Soarin opened his eyes. He looked around the dim, cool, blue trailer and sighed.

"Some promise..." he muttered.