The Wonderbolt Academy

Fuchsia and Watermelody set down a circular table in the corner of the bar, both wiping sweat off their eyebrows as they both examined the interior of the room as Soarin continued cleaning up a back room.

“Last one,” Fuchsia leaned against the shiny oak table. “Thank Celestia and the maker.”

“Yeah. I gotta bring over some paintings Soarin asked for. Something about livening up the place,” Watermelody started looking around at the bare walls. “Sheesh. It could use it.”

“Wish Wallflower didn’t work today. She’s scarily strong,” Fuchsia muttered and took a sip from her water bottle with her cutie mark on it. “Like, probably throw a manticore strong.”

“Seriously?” Watermelody gave a tired laugh as she leaned against the table. “You’re joking.”

“Nope,” Fuchsia deadpanned and Watermelody sat up straighter at her serious expression. “I’m not one to make jokes often.”

“Damn. So she could easily do this by herself without even needing us,” Watermelody mused as they both made out Soarin singing and the two snickered, Fuchsia nodding.

“Easily.”

Watermelody didn’t necessarily know what to say to that. Wallflower never lift anything super heavy around her, only the occasional plant or basket of apples.

“She doesn’t broadcast it often. She got made fun of for it in the past so don’t confront her about not telling you. She will tell you, or more accurately show you all when’s she ready,” Fuchsia warned and flicked an ear. “Why did Soarin stop singing?”

“I don’t know. Soarin!”

The two mares shot each other wary looks and trotted into a back room that had a small kitchen, the two staring at a trembling Soarin ontop of a counter.

“What in Equestria is going on in here?” Fuchsia demanded finally and Soarin pointed a shaky hoof at a spider on the wall. “It’s a spider, what about it?”

“I hate spiders!” Soarin answered and Watermelody bit back a laugh.

“You’re a literal Wonderbolt who does dangerous life threatening stunts, perform in front of millions of ponies and a member of the literal Equestrian military and you’re scared of a teeny spider?” Watermelody asked with a grin.

“Shut up,” Soarin snapped and glared at the two as Fuchsia and Watermelody grinned at each other wickedly.

“Oh don’t worry Soarin. I’ll protect the Wonderbolt from the big bad scary spider,” Fuchsia mocked with a grin and Watermelody burst out laughing.

“Oh yeah. That spider is terrifying!” Watermelody added and Fuchsia giggled before laughing loudly. It was a surprisingly sweet sound considering Fuchsia was an abrasive sounding mare normally.

“I swear, you two are insufferable,” Soarin grumbled and hid the small smile on his muzzle as the two mares kept laughing. “You girls are worse than Surprise and Lucky Charm.”

“We’re not laughing at you, we are laughing with you,” Watermelody clarified as she and Fuchsia supported each other.

“I’m laughing at me,” Soarin grumbled and watched as Fuchsia slammed a boot against the spider. “Thank you.”

Soarin jumped off the counter as Watermelody nuzzled him with a wide grin as he blushed.

“Was that so bad?” Watermelody teased with a grin and winked at him. “You can always get us to kill the big bad spiders for you.”

Watermelody flicked her tail under his nose and trotted out towards the bar, leaving a stunned Soarin and Fuchsia behind to watch her leave.

“What just happened?” Soarin asked finally as Fuchsia snickered and bumped her flank against his with a large grin.

“What do you think, Soarin?”

“What’s with him?” Spitfire asked as she pointed a fork at Soarin. “He’s not even eating his apple pie. That’s not like him at all.”

Soarin sat a few tables away, idly pushing his apple pie around as Spitfire and Blaze both locked eyes as the two had a silent discussion.

Blaze gave a subtle nod and abandoned what remained of her dinner as she approached Soarin, nudging him with a smirk.

“Come on, let’s go for a flight,” Blaze suggested and Soarin nodded slowly.

The two were watched leaving by the others as Lightning Streak raised an eyebrow.

“Captain, why have Blaze talk to him? Why not one of us?” Lightning asked curiously and Spitfire pointed at his flank causing him to look at his lightning bolt cutie mark. “My flank?”

“Blaze has a burning heart for a cutie mark. It’s her greatest asset and her biggest weakness. She wears her heart on her sleeve and it’s what I love about my sister most. Her talent is understanding ponies emotions and helping them under stand them. Blaze is the best pony to help Soarin sort out whatever is bothering him.”

Blaze dropped down on a cloud next to Soarin as the two stared at a reflection of the moon over the water.

“So you know Watermelody, right?” Soarin asked and Blaze nodded.

“Of course. Element of Loyalty. Closest ally to Princess Celestia and both my sisters. Good mare though a bit dramatic at times for my liking. What about her?”

“There was a weird moment at the bar with Fuchsia. She nuzzled me Blaze. Just out of nowhere. I’ve never seen her act so-”

“Flirty?” Blaze suggested and Soarin nodded. “I have an idea of where this is going.”

“Yeah. I mean, of course Watermelody is attractive. She’s creative and quick on her hooves. She’s the Element of Loyalty for crying out loud so I know she’d be obviously by my side no matter what.”

“I’m sensing a but coming,” Blaze commented and shifted on her cloud as Soarin nodded again. “And it’s related to Fleetfoot, isn’t it?”

“You know about that?” Soarin gave her an incredulous look and Blaze rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Soarin everypony knows about that,” Blaze scoffed and paused before amending her statement. “Well, everypony but Fleetfoot that is. She’s oblivious somehow.”

Soarin sighed and shifted his weight on the cloud and Blaze rested a wing on his back.

“Soarin, I love you like a brother. Brother I never had. You’re gonna have to make a choice, keep chasing after Fleetfoot or go after Watermelody. You and Fleetfoot have always been here for me along with my sisters. You personally took care of a bully when I was in middle school. Only you can make that choice and you’re obviously gonna have to hurt one of them in the process,” Blaze leaned against him and Soarin wrapped a wing around her before nuzzling her forehead. “Naturally, my own love life is admittedly poor so I’m just following my flank and my mark so.”

Soarin snorted and stretched his forelegs out.

“I hate romance. It’s so complicated,” Soarin grumbled and Blaze snickered before brushing her mane down. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like being your horseshoes. Sunset and Spitfire are fiercely protective of you. I’ve seen them scare your boyfriends off countless times.”

“I love them with all my heart but they can be annoying. It’s like they only see their baby sister and not an adult mare. They make me mad,” Blaze admitted and shook her head. “But this isn’t about me, we’re here about you.”

“So what do I do? Oh, what have I gotten myself into?” Soarin groaned and removed his wing, flopping onto his back on the cloud.

“Talk to her,” Blaze answered bluntly and finished brushing her orange mane. “Whichever one you like the most, go to her. It’ll hurt the other but would you rather hurt watching both mares go away to other stallions?”

“You know what I’m starting to realize? Children of Stormy Flare don’t hold back at all. And here I thought it was just Spitfire and Sunset who were as blunt as you just were. I guess you have a point. Thanks Blaze.”

“Anytime Soarin,” Blaze winked and the smaller mare hugged him. “And no matter what decision you make, I’ll be here to listen about it.”

“Thanks. And Blaze?” Soarin nuzzled her with a smirk. “I love you too. You’re like a sister to me.”

Blaze nuzzled him as the two hugged on their cloud.

“Now go get your mare Soarin,” Blaze pushed him forward with a grin.

“Thanks Blazey. And you’ll find a pony, mare or stallion or whatever you’re into,” Soarin winked and prepared to fly as Blaze laughed loudly.

“I’m into stallions. I don’t judge my mares are Sunset’s thing. I much prefer my stallions,” Blaze grinned and Soarin gagged.

“I’ve heard enough. Time to go before I hear something I don’t wanna know,” Soarin plummeted off the cloud and Blaze watched him soar back up into the sky with a chuckle.

Blaze glanced around and snuck quietly down the hall of the Wonderbolts cadets rooms, pausing at a room and knocking quietly as she shifted on her hooves.

“Oh hey,” Banana yawned into his hoof as he looked around. “What’s up Blazey?”

Blaze blushed and nuzzled him with a grin.

“Nothing. Just wanted to see you,” Blaze admitted and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’ve missed you a lot. It’s been hard keeping it a secret from my sister.”

“Yeah, my commanding officer dating me behind the Captains back. It’s pretty difficult,” Banana agreed and kissed her forehead. “You look nice.”

“What, don’t I always look nice?” Blaze teased and leaned into his hug. “You’re doing great. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from my sister.”

“You do. One day we’ll be up there together. Stupid rules forbidding my superior officer from dating a cadet,” Banana grumbled and wrapped his wings around Blaze. “This is a huge risk, you know? I thought we agreed to only see each other during training.”

“I’m feeling romantic tonight after giving Soarin some advice. Sue me.”

“The Commander finally going after the Lieutenant?” Banana asked with a smirk and Blaze shrugged.

“Who knows. Whoever he goes after, I’ll support him. Just like I’ve been supporting you dear,” Blaze nuzzled him again and smiled fondly at him. “I’m just glad to finally have a boyfriend without Spitfire or Sunset finding out. They ruin all my relationships.”

Banana chuckled quietly and the two hugged quietly in the shadows, missing Fleetfoot watching in stunned silence from around the corner.