Poor Braeburn. He can't have a nice day without a camera in his face. Still, it is useless for Braeburn to lie who he is in Cloudalse because he don't have wings.

This has got to be tough for braeburn. On top of the paparazzi, he's moving to a new town where he can't move around as much as easily as he wants to.

celebratory cuddle

Called it.

"Aw, I was gonna surprise you with breakfast."
"No problem," I said as I dropped my head onto the pillow and fell back asleep.

No need to mince words. It's funnier this way, anyway

"We don't have all, Soarin',"

The first of two missing words I noticed. This one's more obvious than the second, especially considering I couldn't even find the second one when I reread it.

I knew what Spitfire was doing. She's clever like that. That extra thirty laps? That was my punishment for putting the rest of the team through the scandal, but when it was done, when I'd atoned in front of everypony, she made sure that the whole team moved on, made sure that they knew we soared or plummeted together, as a group. She made sure that they knew: no matter what, if we had the skill and the competitive spirit, we had a place on the team.

I love this paragraph. If nothing else, this is how I think Spitfire shines in this fic, as well as the Wonderbolts themselves as you write them. When you've been around someone long enough, you don't need words to communicate. If you know them well enough, you can guess pretty accurately why they do something and what you need to do to compensate for any mistakes and bring them back up to excellence.

"Gonna be a rough week or two."

Something tells me this is an understatement.

I know I've said this before, but it's really noticeable how much Soarin's changed for the better since the beginning while still being himself. He's still cocky, but it's a humble kind of cocky. He's a lot softer and a much better friend to his teammates since being with Braeburn than he was a few months before.

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It can definitely be tough to relocate like that. Have you guys had to move a lot in your lives?

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Called it.

I love when people get things right. I just wish I could tell them. But I've sworn myself to no spoilers.

The Wonderbolts are absolutely fascinating as an organization, and even from what little we see of them, there's a lot we can pick up. Expect me to gush over them at MLP-MSP.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm glad that you're seeing the changes in Soarin' over the course of the story, since I can't always be a good judge of that sort of thing when I'm in the thick of it. Like many things, I think it's a balancing act – allowing the character to grow while still keeping who they are at their core.

7118046 Depends on the location. I used to live in my childhood home before I have to move to my Auntie's house because my mom is having the house remodel and there is dust everywhere. That can mess up my senses. I was fine about moving.

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I think you've hit on something there, talking about the senses. For me, it's all about the air quality of a new place. For whatever reason, that's the detail I always pick up on when I go someplace new: how the air smells, how it feels in my lungs, what temperature it is... It's amazing how much of an effect an environment can have on you.

...aaaand now with all this talk of air, I'm wondering if my OC should have been a pegasus.

7118244 A pegasus would be nice, but your OC is much better. Out of curiosity, is he an anthro earth stallion with human hands and feet?

7118046 not a whole lot. moved a good chunk of the state away for college and i'm going through all the typical moving every year stuff right now. Moving to college was a bit of a culture shock though. The college of engineering at my school admitted more people this year than the population of my hometown. Took some getting used to and i'm still getting used to it.

These last few chapters have been really touching, seeing how close Soarin' and Braeburn have become and how much security they give each other. Really happy to see that things are looking up for Soarin' as he returns to career and is starting to rebuild his connections with his teammates. I really like how you portray the wonderbolts as kind of an extended family and show how much they care about each other and care about Soarin'. Heh, I will say it's all kind of bittersweet knowing this newfound peace is gonna go south eventually, But I've been preparing for feels so give me your best shot! <3

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Thanks! I'm pretty happy being an Earth Pony, to be honest, and I think it fits me for a number of reasons.

To answer your question, he's officially a quadruped, like the ponies in the show. It's just that my artist friends mostly just draw anthro, so that's how he's often depicted. Plus, it's easier to hold a quill that way.

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That definitely seems like a big change. I grew up in a small town, too, but I went to a pretty small college. Best of luck with your move after the semester. I'm so happy I have a house and don't have to do that anymore.

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Thanks, Stratus! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I really like the Wonderbolts as an organization, and I think Soarin's experiencing something that a lot of people go through: finding out that more people care about you than you know.

And don't you worry. I'm putting everything I have into this story, especially after the next couple chapters.

Wow I finally reached to the point where I keep up with the story. And damn it I am happy it's alive.
But seriously this is the best story in fimfiction (and I've read tons of them) not from just gay stories, but from all romantic ones. This idea where we go over Soaring reminiscence and all to the details like pet names and alone moments is so perfect.
This story really made my week and all the feelings manipulated my mood in a good way. Heck I even got one almost sleepless night because of it.
And to wrap up this big comment: for all the champters before and from now on I'd just say that I can't thank you enough. Keep on this masterpiece dude!

7121174 it took some getting used to. I'm still getting used to things after 3 years. I grew up in a really small town. I had a 25 minute commute to high school. I'm looking forward to not moving all the time. Hopefully I can get something a little more permanent this year.

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Thanks, Digi! This comment made my night. I'm glad your enjoying the story so much, and it means a lot that you'd let me know with such a thorough comment. I'll keep up the quality as best I can, and I hope you continue enjoying it. Thanks again!

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Best of luck finding someplace more permanent. I'm sure you'll be able to adapt, no matter the circumstances.

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Jeez, I'm all over the place with these. Thanks for pointing them out!

I'm finally caught up! I've been meaning to read this for a while and boy, am I glad that I did! I'm am in complete love with this story! It also helps that Soarburn is my OTP ship, hehe. There's just too many things that I absolutely loved to even name here! I'm also already preparing myself for the major feels that I expect to happen soon. I most definitely cannot wait until the next chapter though! Keep up the amazing work!

Totally random but there's this song called "The Other Side" by Jason Derulo that totally reminds me of the whole Las Pegasus trip Brae and Soarin took. Whenever I listen to that song, I feel super warm inside thinking of the connection and love that developed between Applebutt and Big Blue. (I love all the cute names ;3)

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Aw... thanks, Pelzi! I'm glad you're still enjoying it, and it makes me super happy that you think about these two from time to time.

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Thanks, Sylvian! I'm glad you've been enjoying it so much, and it means a lot to me that you're reading it so actively and with so much thought.

It's weird writing towards a specified ending, isn't it? Constraining, but also kind of freeing. Certainly a different style of storytelling. What's been your experience with it?

I hope you feel better, and at the very least, a sick day is a day you can spend reading fanfiction.

I look at the clouds beneath me. "I'm sorry I asked about Braeburn."

I think I was speechless for a good 15-20 seconds after reading this, I wasn’t ready for it.

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I can’t help but think of the opening riff from the Melee stage when I hear “Big Blue”. :P

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The Other Side fits perfectly! Now I wish I could have listened to it while reading about them on the strip haha.