Author's Note

Long time, no see, fimfiction family. Sorry for the slow updates on this fic. Life has been crazy at the moment. But I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Planning And Execution

When Soarin came home later that day, his exhaustion was similar to the other day, but somewhat lessened as his body adjusted. His energy was slightly up, but his ability to process things, to create, to enjoy, was severely depleted. Using it to help those in the Wonderbolts Academy, along with his regular Wonderbolts practice, meant that he was sucked dry of those qualities. He got home emotionally exhausted.

Sky Streak had been waiting for him when he got there. Of course she had. He had told her about this week before it came to pass, and she had tried to prepare herself accordingly with all the support, encouragement, and love he deserved. She smiled to see her boy come in the door and went over to give him a kiss.

“How was your day, baby?”

“Exhausting.” He said.

“Do you want to take a nap?” She asked.

He seriously contemplated that for a minute, then shook his head. “No, I think I’m just going to take a shower.”

Sky nodded with a smile. “Of course. I’ll be here if you need me. And I’m making grilled cheese for dinner.”

Soarin smiled at that. He’d used to love eating those sandwiches as a kid. Then, he hugged his mother, and went to take a shower. He stripped off his Wonderbolts uniform as the water began to run, and waited a few moments before he got inside. The warm water instantly relaxed him as his limbs became gelatinous. After years of Wonderbolt training, he might have thought it would make him immune to feelings like that. But, as it were, he was not. There was something oddly nice about the feeling, that knowledge that he’d really gave himself a good work out, despite the otherwise uncomfortableness of it. Still, it wouldn’t matter much anyways. He had decided to take his mother's suggestion when the feeling struck, and intended to go straight from the shower to bed for a well-earned rest. When he was cleaned off, he toweled himself dry, and noted he’d need to preen himself soon- his feathers were starting to irritate him a bit. Then, clean and dry, he went to his room.

Sky Streak considered herself a very tactful planner. Nothing happened that she wanted that she did not prepare for. She liked to think that had she been around in the days of General Flash Magnus and the Royal Legion, she would have made a good strategy planner for strikes in war. In anything and everything she did, there was a plan- a clear goal if not an all around method to her madness. She devised a strategy she felt would work best, and had several contingency plans for if things did not go according to her original design. Soarin having some much needed playtime was no exception to this rule. Her main strategy this time was not overly complicated. It didn’t need to be. She knew her son well enough to know when his mental barriers were low, and this was that time. She hoped that in doing this, she could inspire him, help revitalize some of his energy, and overall help him to be happier. All she’d done to prepare for this was move his Doggie Do onto his bed, where he’d see it before he went to nap. This being the midst of his hectic week, his energy was bound to be low enough for it to be necessary. All she had to do now was wait.

Soarin approached his room and tossed his uniform aside, uncaring of where it landed. He’d get it later when he wasn’t so physically tired. His eyes locked onto his bed, which called to him with a siren song. But then, he noticed that something sat atop it. He got a bit closer, and recognized Doggie Do, his old stuffed companion from when he’d been a foal and very young colt. Except this Doggie Do didn’t look like the one he’d occasionally glanced at on a shelf. His fur was spotless, and free of any wear and tear. His eyes gleamed brightly, and he seemed… Fresh. Like he’d been gotten only a day before. As he tried to process this, the only thought that came through his head was that his mother had been cleaning his room and done some retouching on his old friend. It wasn’t like her to leave him where she knew he was supposed to go, but he figured maybe she wanted to show him what she’d done to restore his old toy. It made him smile, oddly enough, this evidence of her care. That was about all he had the energy to do though.

He didn’t want to bother putting the toy back on the shelf, so he simply grabbed it, pulled back the covers, and got into bed. As it happened, he nestled into his covers and noticed how soft his toy was now. It had still had places before where it was soft, but stains and worn places had made it lose that effect over time. Now, without any consent from his mind, he snuggled the toy. It was so fluffy now. Almost like another pillow, but softer. He decided maybe his Doggie Do didn’t need to go on the shelf yet. It could take a nap with him. He pulled the plushie close to himself, popped a hoof in his mouth, suckled, and slowly let his eyes begin to droop shut. Sooner than anticipated, he was asleep.

When Sky Streak came by to check on him half an hour after the water from the shower had shut off, she smiled at the sight of Soarin cuddling his old friend. It heartened her to see that her work in completely repairing the old toy hadn’t gone to waste. Soon, she hoped, she could see him play and smile again. The longing to see the joy in his eyes was one so great she couldn’t even put it into words. All she wanted, all she had ever wanted, was to see her boy happy. And now, looking at the contentment on his face, she could only think one thing:

Her plan was working perfectly.