Sensation (SFW Version)

by Vivid Syntax

Chapter 33 - All That We Need

Spitfire's shoulders were set. Her uniform was perfectly crisp, just like her posture. She looked like a monument. When they give her a statue on the Academy grounds someday, she'll be the perfect model for it, especially if the artist can capture that solid smile and those direct, fiery eyes that will make you better flier. "Glad to see you back, Soarin'."

I didn't make a crack about her feelings. Instead, I just felt weightless. "Glad to be back, Spitz."

Spitfire took two steps into the room, looked at Braeburn, and held out a hoof. "Braeburn, right? Nice to meet you. You keeping Soarin' from running his name into the ground?"

"Best I can," he replied with a small laugh. He shook her hoof, and I saw two quick blinks when he realized how solid Spitfire's grip was.

"Well, nopony's going to blame you if you can't. It's a bigger job than any of us could handle. And sorry to be blunt–" She was apologizing? "–but Streak's going to be fired unless he gets out to the team in five minutes. We don't give extended breaks."

Streak laughed. "Thanks for the warning. I mean, they'll need me out there, since you're fired for abandoning your troops."

Spitfire's shoulders relaxed, and she laughed, too. There was just a hint of electricity in the air.

Streak shifted. "And I'm sorry to disobey an order captain, but one of us should probably stay here with Braeburn, at least so security doesn't catch him alone."

"Good judgment, Streak." Spitfire turned her head to Braeburn and said, "Braeburn, do you mind if I take your coltfriend for a few minutes? I need to speak with him privately. It shouldn't take long." Her voice was still raspy, but it didn't have the same edge as it did with the recruits or the media.

Braeburn responded with a nod. "Be my guest."

I bumped my flank into his. "What, you sick of me already?"

"Naw. I just find the décor so fascinatin'." He nudged my shoulder with his nose. "You go ahead. We'll be okay."

'We'll be okay.' I liked that. There was a soothing calm in Fire Streak's barren office, kind of like when you've finished the dishes and realize that it was the last chore of the day. We all breathed easily for a few seconds and just enjoyed it.

After a little more teasing, Spitfire led me outside, and we walked down the hall and into her office. She hadn't changed anything from what I could see. It was full of the standard-issue file cabinets, chairs and desk, but with some of her own flare. Little statues sat all over the place – she's always loved those – and a big area rug with a forked lightning bolt took up most of the floor. She had portraits of her parents on the wall behind her desk, pictures they'd taken when they were still 'Bolts. The blinds were all up, and the sunlight poured in through the windows, giving the whole room a warm glow. Nice when some things stay the same, right?

We got comfortable, me on a metal stool and her in the high-back chair that looked like it should squeak. She folded her forelegs and led with, "So, you still employed?"

I flashed a smile. "Yeah. Thanks to Braeburn and Streak."

I filled her in on what had gone down in Bottom Line's office. Keeping still, she absorbed it all, then slowly spun her chair halfway around to look out the window. She had a good view of the marching grounds and the recruits that practiced takeoffs there. "Fire Streak's full of surprises. We're lucky to have him, Soarin'."

Her voice was a little softer than usual, but I ignored it. "You got that right."

"Really. We are," she said matter-of-factly as she turned back around, forelegs still folded. "Both of us. He's been exceeding everypony's expectations. Not just during the shows, but as a leader, too, even when it's gotten tough." Her head tilted slightly more towards me, and her voice became more even and direct. "He cares about this team, Soarin', and he cares about you, too. I think his first show really hit him over the head with it."

I cocked my head to the side. Streak had been super cagey about what had happened, and I figured Spitfire could help me out. "Yeah, he seemed kinda on edge about that. How did it go?"

"It went well." She took a deep breath and let her eyes drift upwards. "I won't spoil it, though. You should ask him to tell you the whole story sometime."

'Dammit.'

Spitfire reclined in her chair. "He's done pretty well since then, too, even if he almost stepped down when he found out Bottom Line was gunning for you."

I nodded. "Yeah, Bottom Line seemed pretty pissed about it. Did Streak really threaten to quit?"

Spitfire leaned in. Her voice was hushed. "Last Wednesday, when you were officially AWOL, Bottom Line called us in. He hadn't even gotten through saying congratulations before Streak just said…" She held up a hoof and tried to imitate Streak's voice. "'If you cut Soarin', I walk, and I'm talking half the team with me.'" She put her hoof down and sounded like herself again. "Completely straight-faced. Calm, too. He knew exactly what he was doing, and Bottom Line and I were stunned. Heh. Didn't know he had it in him."

I searched her face, and it was clear she was telling the truth, but something didn't add up. I'd seen how Bottom Line had reacted when Streak had threatened to walk. Bottom Line doesn't cave that easily. My voice was low and inquisitive. "Spitfire, what Streak did for me was amazing, but… Bottom Line's hard-headed. Losing a new captain wouldn't have stopped him from getting me out of the picture. Did you…?"

Spitfire smiled. Her armor was cracking again.

…no, not cracking. This wasn't like when I'd yelled at her or any of those times that the team had gone silent when she'd approached them at a party. This time was different. She wasn't on edge or trying to hide what was behind those eyes, and she wasn't rushing to put her sunglasses back on her face. She wanted me to see. She wanted me to know she was sincere. "I told him I'd take the other half."

My cheeks flushed, and I felt that lifting feeling in my chest all over again. Without noticing, I was on all fours in front of her desk. "Spitz! Seriously?"

She nodded. "Seriously."

I thought my smile was going to rip my face in half. 'This is what family is supposed to be,' I thought. I was home. Being a Wonderbolt isn't just about the flying or the fame or the competition. It's the team. You do it for the team, and they do it for you, and when you've been through as much as we have, things just click. Spitfire's a part of my family, too, a friend that's more than a friend. Braeburn has his cousins, and I have my friends, and my friends are the best.

…like, objectively the best. You noticed that we all ended up being captains, right?

Spitfire shook her head. "We're a team, Soarin'. I gotta watch out for my 'Bolts, especially the ones that can't watch out for themselves."

"Wow…" I swallowed. "Thanks, Spitfire."

"And hey, Soarin'?" She was blushing slightly.

I cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

She pursed her lips, and I saw the gears turning in her head. "While we're being candid…"

My tail swishing, I sat back down. "What is it?"

She paused. Her tongue rolled around her mouth, and she raised an eyebrow at me.

I grinned and whined, "Whaaaat?"

She drew a quick breath. "I'm deciding whether or not I should tell you. The last time I tried to open up, you pretended to sneeze."

My chest felt heavy for a second. "Oh. Sorry." I didn't want to be a downer, so I perked up and held my head high. "I promise I'll overreact to whatever you say."

She smirked. "Probably best to get it out of your system, right?"

I puffed out my chest. "Right!"

"Okay." Her shoulders relaxed. "In that case, you're–"

"Meeeee?" I said, opening my eyes wide as I slapped my chest and contorted my face.

"Hm-hm. No. There's nothing–"

"Nothing!?" I gasped, grabbing the sides of my face and pulling down on my cheeks. "How can there be nothing? My whole life is a lie!"

She rolled her eyes and spoke louder. "There's a rumor going–"

"A RUMOR??? Oh, no!" I jumped up and threw my front hooves onto her desk. "Spitfire, what the hell are we going to do? The Wonderbolts have never had to face something as serious as a rumor before!" I sighed heavily. "Ugh…" My shoulders sank. I sniffled, then set my shoulders and squared my jaw. I looked directly at her with a low grunt. "Spitfire, I'm sorry, but we have no choice. These rumor-spreading ponies are a threat to all of Equestria." I slapped her desk with a quick smack! "That's it. I'm calling in an airstrike." I held a hoof up to my face and shouted towards the door. "Code red! Signal H! Ice cube! Capybara! Shuttlecock!"

Her voice was flat, but I could hear a chuckle stifled beneath it. "Soarin', I didn't even tell you who was spread–"

Solemnly, I turned my head, narrowed my eyes, and drew out every word. "It's too late, Spitfire. There's going to be blood on all our hooves in mere minutes." I bowed my head and put a hoof on my heart. "Luna forgive us."

I looked up when I heard a slow clap. Spitfire was snickering. "You done?"

I smiled and thought for a minute. "Mmm… Yeah, I'm good."

"Good. Soarin'–"

"No, wait. One more." I leaned in with bright, crazy eyes. "Eeeeeyessum?"

Her expression flattened. "Too far."

I rocked onto my back hooves. "'Kay."

"There's a…" She glanced at me. "…rumor going around. You know about our policy with relationships among team members?"

I winced. "Ouch, did Silver Lining and Misty Fly finally get caught?"

Spitfire clapped her hooves in front of her face and rested her chin on them. She said, pointedly, "Yes, but we haven't taken any action on it. Things have been weird enough as it is. No, the teams are saying that Streak and I are seeing each other, which, as you know, could be construed as a conflict of interests."

I sneered. "Jeez, they're probably just trying to take you down." I flared out my wings and looked directly at her. "Don't worry. I don't believe it."

She rolled her eyes and flatly added, "Well, you should, since it's true."

I felt like I'd taken a mallet to the side of my head. "Whobittywhatabuh?" My jaw hung open.

Spitfire reached for her sunglasses, but then she paused and put her hoof back down. "Nothing serious yet. It's only been a couple weeks."

My eyes felt like they were being held open. "Gubadahuh?"

"Exactly." Her hoof looked like it was shaking just slightly, and she had a little trouble looking at me, but she maintained a steady voice. "It started a few days after his first show, once he'd gotten a feel for everything and figured out what it all really meant to him. He's been great to talk with, and even if he's still a little jumpy sometimes, his heart's in the right place."

"Whuthuh… Okay. Okay okay." I blinked a couple time. "Okay, but… why Streak?"

She threw her head back. "Ha! With the way you two are, I'm surprised you haven't made a move on him yourself." She snickered and pointed a hoof at me. "I mean, you'd give him a try, right?"

I paused, thought about it, paused some more, thought way too hard about it, started picturing… stuff, then slowly nodded and let out a high-pitched, creaky, "Mmyeh. Probably."

"See?" she said, waving a hoof. "That's all. I just wanted you to know." No armor. Her guard was down.

And so was mine, and that was okay. "Thanks, Spitfire. For, like, everything." I started picturing them together, and I felt giddy, like back in elementary school when you found out that two of the teachers were secretly dating. Then I started imagining everything they could do together as co-captains, and my heart warmed. "You two will be great."

She took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks, and you're welcome, Soarin'." She leaned back in her chair again. "Heh. But if you ever cost me my job, I won't forgive you."

I smiled back. "Wouldn't have it any other way." I turned to leave, but a thought stopped me. "Oh, and hey? I know you probably won't want to come, but…"

Spitfire perked up. "Yeah?"

"We're, uh…" Spitfire never came to the parties. They always made her uncomfortable, and the words felt awkward in my mouth. "We're having a party at my place on Friday. Just to, like, welcome Braeburn and introduce him to everypony, and…" I stopped and looked at her, at a pony that was like a big sister to me, and it became a little easier. "And I'd really like you to be there." The room felt warm, and I added, "I mean, if you don't wanna–"

"I'll be there." Her eyes had lit up.

It was… weird, but I liked it. "Great!" I turned around again. "I gotta get back to Braeburn. Should I let Streak know you told me about you two?"

She chuckled. "Yeah, go ahead. And rub it in a little; he deserves it. He fired me fourteen times yesterday." Her voice took on that strong, captain-y quality again as she took some paperwork out of her desk. "Now get back to your coltfriend, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

I saluted. "Yes, ma'am!"

As I left, I realized that, for the second time that day, my family had gotten a little bigger.

* * * * *

I nibble on my falafel. It's too hot to pop into my mouth, but Soarin' digs right in. Good thing he didn't have jaw problems after the accident. Once he's nearly done chewing, I say, "It sounds like Spitfire was doing pretty well. And… sorry, but I'm curious: are they still together?"

Soarin' swallows. "Oh yeah. Totally. Bottom Line was pretty pissed, but those two are professionals. I mean, I'd never admit that Fire Streak's done a better job with the team than I have, but I do still go to their shows, and no, them being together hasn't hurt the performances at all."

My chest feels warm. "I'm glad you still keep up with them."

He swallows another bite. "Totally. They're the only family I've got, Syn. They even had me over on the solstice for a big meal."

He didn't say "us."

Soarin' stuffs another falafel into his mouth and says, "But tha wuh later."

* * * * *

I got back to Streak's office right as Streak stepped into the hallway. "Oh, hey! I was just going to come find you. How did…" I couldn't help but smile and narrow my eyes, and Streak frowned a little. "What is it, bro?"

I showed a few teeth. "You dog."

Streak blinked, then half-frowned, half-sneered. "Aw, dammit! I wanted to tell you!" He cast a smile and a half-lidded stare at Spitfire's door. "She is so fired for this."

I punched his shoulder. "It's cool, Streak. You think it's gonna be a thing?"

He looked back at me and shrugged. "Dunno. Honestly, I think she needs a good friend more than a coltfriend. We've spent most of our time together just talking about stuff."

I raised an eyebrow. "So… no sex yet?"

I half-expected a snappy response, but Streak's voice was still low and calm. "No, not yet. Maybe not for a while, even. We've both been through a lot lately, and we'd rather have somepony that just understands, you know?" He grinned. "And some of us know how to take things slowly."

There it was. Good ol' Streak.

I chuckled. "Heh heh. Long as you don't slow down at the shows."

"Never. And that means keeping the team in top shape, too." He hopped into the air and saluted. "Got to go, Number One-and-a-Half. Glad to have you back." I said goodbye, and he zoomed off.

We're all very lucky to have him.

When I opened the door to Streak's office, Braeburn was staring out the window. He turned to me with a bright "You ready?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

We may not have been able to go out and get wasted and party all night, but we did have to celebrate, and there was one place I knew Braeburn would love. It was downtown, but it would be worth the risk. We found Eagle Eye again and slipped away to the north side of the Academy, where a covered sky taxi was waiting for us. Eagle Eye got in first, and I asked, "You got assigned to babysit?"

He shrugged from inside. "Well, I've been with you so far, so they figured I might as well keep going. It's not like we really scheduled your visit."

Two pegasus mares pulled us, and we spent the fifteen-minute ride talking to Eagle Eye. He didn't say anything I didn't already know: what it was like being in the reserves, how exciting and stressful it was watching the shows from the sidelines… Braeburn loved getting another perspective on the Wonderbolts, though, so he didn't notice that we'd made it downtown and were parked by the curb.

Eagle Eye got out of the carriage, did a quick sweep of the street, and then disappeared inside a small building with big windows.

Braeburn peeked through the velvet curtains to see where we'd landed. "Bad Sun Rising? Oh! This is your favorite restaurant, right? Huh… That logo almost looks like Celestia…"

I beamed. He was in for a treat.

Eagle Eye gave us the all-clear and escorted us from the busy, dirty street into the restaurant. "Lunch rush looks like it's over. I've already asked the other patrons to give you space."

We stepped out of the taxi. "Aw, hope ya' weren't too rude!" Braeburn said. "Wouldn't want to spoil their meal."

That earth pony of mine… Even after being swarmed by the crowds outside the Academy, he still cared about strangers' happiness.

We walked past the hostess' podium and sat down at a booth – my booth – where the early afternoon sunlight rested on the brim of Braeburn's hat. Eagle Eye sat at a table nearby, but I was focused on Braeburn. He looked curiously around at the old, hoof-painted art and the red and gold décor that made the Bad Sun look like a retro diner from downtown Manehattan, though this place had a much higher ceiling. Soft music played from an auto-magic piano in the corner, and sitting there in the slightly stuffy air made me want to just grab a coffee and pony-watch out the window for hours.

After a few seconds, Braeburn lifted his nose and started sniffing. "What the…" It was a sweet and spicy and creamy smell, one that was incredibly complex and foreign. I hadn't been able to read the specials board as we'd walked past it, but I knew what the smell was.

Then Braeburn's eyes caught something behind me, and he smiled as a familiar female voice spoke up. "Been a few weeks, Sugar. I was worried you were gone for good." She stepped up to the table and looked as radiant as ever.

Holli. Creamy coat, egg-yolk-colored mane and tail. Half-lidded eyes and a slight lilt to her voice. Soft, smooth feathers and a body with curves that could raise more than just eyebrows. She wore a simple, pink apron with deep pockets, which held a few quills and notepads. The thing I noticed the most though? The comfortable feeling I got from being around her, the kind you only get from somepony with a gentle heart. "And you must be Braeburn," she said with a slight bow of her head. "Welcome to Cloudsdale. Hope you've liked it so far."

Braeburn tipped his hat. "Thank ya' kindly, ma'am." He wore a smile that strained to grow larger. "You must be Miss Holli, right? Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Cloudsdale's been pretty great so far, and Soarin's told me a bunch about this place. Got pretty high expectations."

"Well, we'll try to live up to them." She glanced around the diner, no doubt making sure her other customers weren't waiting for her, before leaning in. "So what are you two up to today? Touring the city? Need some recommendations?"

Braeburn took a deep breath and leaned back into the seat. "Honestly? I'm likin' this place quite a bit. Maybe you've seen the papers. We've been runnin' around all over Equestria, and I'll be darned if my first day up here hasn't already been eventful enough." He looked around. "This place, though? It's quiet. It's got some of the finest smells I can imagine, too, and there's plenty of space. Reminds me of my aunt's house. Reminds me of home." His eyes found Holli again. "And if the food's half as nice as the waitress, well, I imagine I'll be a frequent patron."

Holli let out a small laugh. Her butt wiggled just slightly, and her tail swished back and forth. "Oh, you're just an angel. It'll be my pleasure to serve you." With a coy smile, she turned to me. "Sugar, it took you long enough, but I think you finally found a pony worth keeping."

I turned to see Braeburn's cheeks glowing. "Definitely."

Holli stood up straighter and took a notepad and quill from her apron. "I'm curious about why today's been so eventful for you, but I won't keep you waiting any longer. What would you two cuties like?" She sat down so she could write more easily, then started with me. "How about you, Sugar? If you're feeling adventurous–"

I held up a hoof. "I really, really just want the usual, babe." I smiled and winked. "I'll even pay for it this ti–"

I startled, my eyes open wide.

Braeburn sat up straighter, and his ears swiveled towards me. "What's wrong? You okay, Big Blue?"

"I…" My ears flattened against my head. "…Fuck."

The corners of Braeburn's eyes turned downward, and he reached a hoof for mine. He spoke softly. "What?"

Holli snickered. "I might have a guess."

I sighed and slapped a hoof to my face. "I totally forgot to grab my check from Bottom Line again."

Braeburn snorted a laugh and slapped at my hoof. "Aw, dammit. You goof!"

When I looked up, they were both smiling at me, and Holli was shaking her head. "Don't worry about it, Soarin'. Worse comes to worst, I know where you live." She winked at me, then jotted down my order. For Braeburn's benefit, she said, "So that'll be a garden wrap and a rosewater shake." She looked up again and brushed the tip of her quill's feather against Braeburn's nose. "And how about for you, cutie? Same?"

Braeburn tilted his head back and took another long sniff of the air. "Nah, I gotta try whatever's givin' off that spicy smell. It's downright enchantin'!"

Holli's chest puffed out a little. "That'd be our special, cutie. Tweaked the recipe myself. Neighpalese curry with imported spices and herbs grown right here in Cloudsdale."

Braeburn stuck out his lower lip. "Fresh herbs? How'd you manage that? Reckon there's not a lot of fertile ground up here."

Holli nodded and gestured out the window. "There's a stretch of cloud over in Longfilly – one of the neighborhoods up here – with a big sort of greenhouse. Uses dirt from the soil down south. It's a big collective that a bunch of the restaurants up here invest in." She winked. "And the manager's an earth pony. He oversees everything. Promise."

Braeburn smiled and nodded. "Well, it sounds mighty tasty! I'll try that, please, along with one of those rosewater shakes."

Holli flipped her notepad closed. "You got it, colts. Shakes'll be out soon." She trotted away, hips swaying just slightly.

I looked back at Braeburn. He was staring at Holli and straining not to laugh. I asked, in a quiet voice, "Whaaaaat?"

He started chuckling to himself. It was a mix of a high-pitched giggle and a low rumble in his strong, muscular chest, and he covered his mouth with a fetlock to try and contain it. His eyes squinted tight as he turned his head. That little earth pony couldn't hold it in forever, though, and his laughter grew louder. His body shook, and suddenly, it all burst out of him in a loud, open-mouthed roar of joy. He threw his head back, laughing and laughing and holding his stomach to contain all that energy. He was full of life, full of happiness. And when he finally settled down, he looked right at me with those beautiful, watery eyes, breathing hard and still snickering, and I felt at peace.

It was just like I'd imagined.

Braeburn wiped a tear from his eye. "Sorry, just – hoo! – just picturin'… Heh heh. Well, it really ain't appropriate."

"What are… Oh, no." I blushed and covered my mouth with a hoof. He was remembering what I'd told him on the train ride out of Appleloosa: that I'd growled Braeburn's name while plowing Holli back at my place.

"Eeyup! Don't know if I've ever turned anypony gay, but that might be pretty close. I'm, uh…" He scratched his chin. "…little curious, though: which feels better?"

I laughed and flashed a grin. "What, you mean, like, to have sex with?"

He smirked as he rocked his head back and forth while making circles with his eyes. "Well, yeah. You've had it both ways. Which feels better?" He narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe you just like bein' the mare."

My neck tightened, and I looked out the window. "I dunno. I mean, mares…" I trailed off.

"Careful how you answer, slick." He was leaning in with his head turned to the side.

Ponies milled around outside. A group was waiting at the bus stop down the block, a few were window shopping, and a couple bored-looking taxi drivers made small talk while they waited for customers. The tall buildings across the street kept me from getting a great view of the city or the outskirts, but even in the middle of the day, the city felt like it was alive, just waiting for us to take in.

My head felt clear, and I sighed. "They're just… different, I guess. They both feel great, but I think…" I turned back to Braeburn and put a hoof on his. I flinched a little and looked down, trying to hide a smile. "That stuff… doesn't feel so important anymore. I mean, yeah, you definitely know how to please me, but it's a lot better than just the sex, you know? Like, it just feels better when it's with you. All over." I touched my chest with my other hoof. "In here." I looked up at him. His eyes were sparkling. "Right?"

With his free hoof, he gently took his hat off and set it on the table. "Heh." A smile had spread across his face, and he looked back up at me. "I am so Celestia-damned lucky you bumped into my cart, Big Blue."

We leaned in and kissed across the table. When I pulled away, I said, "I am, too."

We chatted until the food came. Mine was exactly what I'd wanted: a simple, fresh wrap and a shake. Braeburn stared at the orange-yellow broth in the white bowl in front of him. "Wow! That's about the most vibrant soup I've ever seen!" He leaned in and sniffed it while Holli stared at him, carefully gauging his reaction. "Smells even better up close."

Cautiously, Braeburn lifted his spoon.

He dipped it in, scooping up a potato chunk with the curry.

He lifted it to his lips.

He blew on it once.

Holli held her breath.

Braeburn opened his mouth, then closed it around the food.

Holli leaned in closer. I could hear the muffled conversations outside through the glass window.

Finally, spoon in his mouth, Braeburn paused, eyes wide.

"Mm!" His worked the curry around his mouth. "Mm!" His head dove down closer to the bowl, and on the second spoonful, he worked like a machine. He rolled his tongue around his mouth, his face scrunched up. He'd cock an eyebrow, chew, turn his head, lick at his molars, turn his head again… He made about a dozen faces, and it all ended with him nodding his head and staring at nothing, deep in thought.

"I could make this. I gotta make this!" He looked up at Holli with a smile. "Yummy!"

Holli let out her breath. "Not too shabby, is it?"

Braeburn perked up. "Oh, most certainly not! This is mighty delicious, Miss Holli." His smacked his lips. "Hoo, spicy, but wow! I gotta try makin' this sometime." He looked sheepishly up at Holli. "Though I wouldn't presume you'd give out the recipe."

Holli chuckled. "I'll see what I can do. Maybe we can trade sometime."

We invited Holli to sit with us, but she had to take care of her other tables. She did, however, volunteer to let Braeburn try life on the straight side for himself in case he was curious. He politely declined: he said that he really preferred stallions and that if he wanted a mare, he could make one out of me. It made me feel warm and fuzzy, bizarrely, even if Holli still teases me about it to this day.

We finished our meal, we paid (I did still have a few bits on me), and Eagle Eye cleared the way for us. As we left the restaurant, I invited Holli to the party.

Holli beamed at us. "I'd love to come! Sign me up for an appetizer, and I'll be sure to bring that curry recipe over. Would you like any help getting set up? I'm off this Friday."

Braeburn nodded at Holli. "Well, if it's alright, I'd love the help." He looked at me. "That alright, Soarin'?"

I nuzzled his cheek with mine. "It's your house, too, babe."

He shivered a little. "Heh heh. Well, then, sure!" He tipped his hat at her again. "That'd be spectacular. I'll certainly need some help findin' my way around town for a while."

"Sounds like you could use a daytime escort," Holli said with a purr. "How about I swing by after work one of these days? I might be able to get you into that greenhouse with the herbs. And don't worry, Soarin', I'll keep my hooves off. Promise."

With a devilish grin, I wrapped a wing around Braeburn, who let out a small "eep!" as I pulled him close to me. I glared at Holli. "Mine."

Braeburn laughed, said, "Eeyup!" and kissed me on the cheek.

We finished our goodbyes, then headed out into the street. We'd managed to not get tailed by any fans, so the flight back home was quick.

Once we'd gotten back, we dismissed Eagle Eye and the taxi, and he said he'd be back at sunrise. Braeburn offered to make him breakfast – sweet Luna that pony is amazing – but Eagle Eye declined. "Professionalism." He left after a quick salute.

And… that was it. That was our day. We were at home. Our home. Together. Safe and sound, knowing that we had good friends – good family – that had our back. Our house was full of a gentle stillness. The air was a little stuffy, but in a good way, a way that made our lungs feel full and our day complete.

We slouched down on the couch in the parlor and sighed. For a while, it was quiet, a good quiet, and before long, Braeburn was in my forelegs, and I was petting him and kissing the top of his head. "Big day."

His chest rose and fell. We were breathing together to the same rhythm. "Eeyup. Good, though, overall."

"Eeyup." I brought his chin up so we were looking at each other. "And there's a lot more ahead, right?'

He smiled, and his eyes became unfocused, dreamy. He was imagining them. "Eeyup."

And we shared a long, long kiss.