> Tangled Wings
>  by Steel Quill
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Tangled Wings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chance is a fickle, tricky thing in the walk called life. Chance is something that nopony can control, that some ponies try to manipulate or bend to their will, only to have their bits ripped from their hooves and thrown out onto their rumps.  But chance can be kind; its chance that gives the promotion to the surprised factory worker, chance that allows a pony wealth beyond their imaginations.  It even grants the rarest of all circumstances; to let two hearts come together to be one, to unite in an eternal bond.

“Wait!  Please wait!”

Most of the time though?  Chance was a fickle fiend who liked getting his kicks in at the worst times.

The white hoof that was outstretched towards the cabby lowered slowly as the vehicle sped off, leaving the snow-colored pegasus to pout and stamp her opposite hoof against the concrete.  Lightning Bolt was on vacation for once in her life, at the insistence of one of her marefriends back in Ponyville, Minuette.  The blue earth pony had sworn by her two-colored tail that if she wanted to have fun and be free of Ponyville’s day to day laidback style, she should go to Manehattan.

She was beginning to regret that decision.

So far, she had been repositioned on the train ride here three times, nearly lost her luggage to a gaggle of ponies all clamoring for the nearest Wonderbolts fan shop, had to argue with a snooty receptionist at the hotel she managed to afford and almost lost her reservation when thankfully, the manager had shown up and cleared her through.  That had been good news.  But now she was out on the streets of Manehattan, and while she was trying to lose herself in the charm that Minuette had promised would sweep her away, so far all she’d gotten was trouble.

She shook her blue mane out of her eyes and brushed it behind her ears.  Her wings were tucked to her sides, kept there by her instinctual decision to try and stay on the ground.  Many pegasi would be confused as to why a pegasus would be so fixated on the ground, but for Bolt, it had to do with her new surroundings.  She couldn’t just fly in the sky and head for the rooftops; she had no idea where she was going!  If even hailing a taxi was going to be this hard, then maybe she was better off back in Ponyville.  The mare sighed again and turned, only to be bumped into.  Giving a squeak, she fell back onto her rump, rolling onto her side.

“Hey!  What’s the big deal-“she began to say, only to be cut off at the imposing sight in front of her.  Towering over her smaller body, an earth pony was staring down at her with a rugged gaze.  He was garbed in some of the dirtiest rags she’d seen, a half-torn black jacket with the sleeves ending in ragged strands.  His face was unshaven, the bristles of a beard trying to poke out around his chin and muzzle.  Even his mane was unkempt, bland yellow strands poking out from under a sock cap pulled over the top of his head.

“S-sorry…I-I didn’t mean to run into you.” Lightning immediately said, getting up and re-adjusting her saddlebag.  It clinked dimly against her side, carrying the few spare things she chose to carry with her on the busy street.  She’d been advised to travel light when on hoof; muggers and street robbers tended to pick easy, burdened targets.

“Oh, that’s fine, miss.  It happens around here more than you think.  But I feel you’d give me due compensation.  Say…twenty bits?” he held out a hoof towards her, turned up.  She blanched; it was as if he’d dragged the limb through the dirt and muck of an alleyway.  His words caught up with her mind, and she scoffed.

“Look pal, I’m not some chump tourist.  And I’m not gonna give you twenty bits, so you can forget that.  I said I’m sorry, and that’s that.” Turning away with a flick of her tail, the pegasus took only a couple of steps before she was cut off by the same stallion, whose grin had remained plastered on his face.  It was a smile that made her want to find the nearest shop to hide.

“Now, ease up, miss.  I know you’re smarter than that, a beauty like you?  Obviously you know what you’re doing.  But why don’t I be a courteous gentlecolt, and treat you to a good time where it’s just the two of us?” His proposition was twice as disgusting to consider, three times as worse to imagine.

“No way!  Get the heck away from me, you freak!” She turned tail again, intending to bypass him and quickly get away from the rapidly deteriorating encounter, only to be snagged by her bag as the ruffian held onto it.  Trying to tug it away from him, she found them in a stalemate, her possessions rattling inside the bag.  “Let go!”

***Tangled Wings*****

“Soarin, I’m going out for some air.  I think I’ve had enough of this whole publicity show.” His voice could barely be heard above the clamoring ponies around the trio.  “Besides, they’re all here for you really, not me.  I’m just extra beef.”

When the Wonderbolts go off tour, some might think it’s a chance for them to experience some down time.  Rest, recuperate, bask in the adoration of their fans; the sort of deal celebrities should get.  And they’d be right; Head Captain Spitfire was taking a personal leave for her own pursuits of rest, keeping even their manager and publicity agent in the dark to where she’d headed off too.  Soarin had joked that she had a hot date with somepony, but dismissed the claim afterwards, saying he knew Spitfire just wanted time to herself.

When you’re not able to escape the grasp of your manager, you wind up much like Soarin, Fleetfoot, and Silver Lining.  Soarin and Fleetfoot, both part of the main lineup for the Wonderbolts, had hundreds of fans in every city, and often basked in such treatment of being in the public eye.  Soarin especially relished the chance to flash his grinning muzzle for any camera trained on him; it was a part of his ongoing quest to get himself, as he called it, “the best pies his mares can give”.  Silver couldn’t help but snort at the idea, knowing half the time he was only talking about the food and not any actual mare at all.

“Aww, come on, Silver!  It’s only been what, two hours?” Soarin called back to him before turning back to the pink and green maned mare, grinning as he signed her autograph book.  The white maned pegasus had to hold back a groan as the mare bit her lip when Soarin added his hotel room number for her on the back.  “Keep in touch, and I do mean in touch.” Strike that, he was aiming for a full blown faceplant into the desk.  Thus Silver’s decision to leave before he lost anymore sanity.

“Just keep on, I’ll be back later.”  Stepping away from the table and towards the back exit, he gave a nod to his security escort who cut a swath through the mingling crowd.  Few spared him a glance as he went, many re-converging on the two swarmed stallions at the table.  Reaching the door and stepping into the free air, Silver could feel the tension leaving him with every gust of wind.  He smiled for the first time since that morning had begun, and flapped his wings before taking off.  He had to laugh as he felt his wings seem to groan in likewise relief; being cramped at a table like that did little good to him.

With the air rushing beneath his feathers and rustling his grey coat, the only thing left to greet the stallion was the rooftops of the skyscrapers, and he laughed; he had quite literally escaped the jaws of a wretched and often harsh fate.  Did he feel sorry for Soarin and Fleetfoot?  The immediate answer was no; those two ate up the cameras and news reporters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  They could never have enough of a chance to show their face to the public, promoting themselves and the Wonderbolts to every fanboy colt and swooning filly and mare.  The latter especially applied to Soarin, considering how many times he’s had to divert fan clubs of mares away from their room just so he could sleep peacefully.

Slowing his flight and flapping his wings every few seconds, it brought a sense of freedom to the athletic pegasus.  The Wonderbolts kept their members to a strict routine: practice, training, food, rinse and repeat until the day’s over.  Getting social time was time usually spent in front of the cameras or out in the stadiums, not really with friends.  ‘Tartarus, the last time I spoke to Thunder was back with that business at the Best Young Flyer Competition…and even that wasn’t exactly a fun time, though that Sonic Rainboom was one wicked finish.’ He turned and slowly drifted over the streets below, idly counting the numerous ponies going on their way.

‘With all these tours and shows, I can barely get time to myself.  How does Soarin or Spitfire even manage it?’ he thought on, remembering the countless times they’ve been on tour and one or both would mysteriously vanish out of sight.  He pondered if the two were hiding a relationship, but with the way Soarin flirted with every mare with a round flank or fluttering eyes, he doubted it.  Deciding to try and blend into the crowd, Silver dived down, flapping his wings to ease his descent as he came to land on the concrete walk.  His loosely curled mane fluttered around his head as the wind blew by, his trimmed grey coat providing a little resistance to the chill wind.  “I’ll have to remember to find a scarf or something next time…” he muttered as he began to trot down the street.

His ears flicked lightly as he imagined somepony running up to him, recognizing him without his Wonderbolts suit.  He scoffed and shook his head, dashing the mental image.  For all the pepping up and bragging his coaches and trainers made of his physique, wing span, appearance; none of it mattered when he stood next to the real stars.  He was secondary, and should just be happy to have a solid career.  Maybe one day, the mares will call for him…

“Help!”

Help?  Why would they call for help? He blinked and looked around him before turning around.  Down the walkway, a mare and rough looking stallion seemed to be struggling over a bag.  The bag was hung over the pegasus mare’s shoulder, meaning it was her property.  Silver’s eyes narrowed.  There was not one single pony doing something about it.  If anything, everypony around them was actively ignoring it.  “For Celestia’s sake…” he huffed, trotting to the pair with purpose in his stride.

“Look, lady, just hoof it over!” the thug demanded, digging in with his rear legs to try and overpower the mare.  She compensated for this by using her wings, flapping to pull back.  Silver reached the pair and tapped the stallion on the shoulder to get his attention.  “Can’t a guy be left alone to his business?” the gruff male glanced over his shoulder to look at Silver.  It was the last remark he had before he met a hoof straight to his cheek, knocking him off balance and even off his hooves.  Releasing the bag, the white-coated mare was sent reeling back as the thug fell to the ground.

“It’s been awhile since I visited Manehattan.  But last I checked, mugging wasn’t the business of anypony I know.” Silver growled out, extending his wings to bolster his appearance.  The regime he’d kept to for the past few years paid off in that moment; he looked every bit the tough, strong stallion he posed himself as being.  It was the other reason he was a secondary in the Wonderbolts; his strength was enough that he could keep up with the primaries, and still keep on going.

“H-hey man, I don’t want trouble.  I-I was just…just, uh…” the stuttering in his answer was as incriminating as the swelling bruise on the punk’s face.  The mare had gotten her balance back and returned, looking equally infuriated at the earth pony.  “I’m out!” he declared, bolting for the alley and knocking over a trashcan as he fled the scene.

“Jerk!” The blue-maned mare called after him, shaking her hoof before sighing and turning to Silver.  “Thank you.  It hasn’t been the best of a day for me today.” She remarked as she smiled up at him.  Silver smiled in kind, nodding his head.  “My name’s Lightning Bolt.  Weird name for a mare, I know.” She introduced herself, holding out her forehoof.  Silver took it with a chuckle on his lips.

“No worries.  Where I come from, there have been stranger names.  Mine’s Silver Lining.” He brought his hoof up and shook hers, admiring in the grasp how soft her fur felt.  He let go of her hoof and tilted his head.  “You didn’t lose anything because of that guy, did you?”

“No, no, not at all.  You came in before he could take anything.” She assured, patting her bag with her wing.  “Not exactly how I expected to start my tour of this city…” Bolt remarked, looking around them with a frown.  “Being a tourist makes things a lot harder when you’re by yourself.”

Silver nodded at this.  It was like when he went on tours into new towns and cities; without a guide, he’d be clueless to where to go for food, or a hotel, or anything.  It’s half the reason they traveled and attended events as a group: strength in numbers, or at least security. “I know the feeling.  I’ve been in this town a few times here and there, and I’m mostly familiar with it by now.” He peered up towards the skyline and smiled before looking to the mare again.  “Though I’m more used to flying above everypony rather than walking.”

Bolt gave a small giggle at his humor.  It was a refreshing, even relieving, change of pace to have.  “You said you’re not from here, are you a tourist as well?” she asked.

“Me?  Nah, I’m here on business of sorts.  I’m from Cloudsdale, actually, born and raised.” He answered.  “I think I’ve actually seen you up there once or twice, now that I think of it.” He tilted his head and trotted around her once, Bolt’s tail swaying slightly in the breeze before he paused beside her.  “Did you happen to stop by the Best Young Fliers competition last year?”

The mare thought back and nodded in memory.  “I did, actually.  It was to watch one of my friends participate; he didn’t get very far though.” She tried to place the stallion in front of her at the scene, but couldn’t.  “I’m sorry to say I don’t remember seeing you there.  I was probably lost in the audience.  It was great getting to see the Wonderbolts though!”

‘So she’s a Wonderbolts fan, huh?’ Silver thought to himself as she continued.  “I had thought to participate, but I don’t feel like I’m much built for speed or all that.  I like flying just to fly, strange as it might sound.”

“No, no, I completely understand.  I rarely get the chance these days to just go for a casual flight, with all that the Wond-work, I do.” He stumbled on his words as he spoke, smiling sheepishly.  ‘Probably best not to mention that I’m one of those Wonderbolts.  It might make her either go all starry-eyed or intimidate her.’

Bolt didn’t catch the slip of the tongue and instead nodded.  The conversation lapsed into quiet for a moment before she cleared her throat.  “I…don’t guess you’d have an idea of sights I should try to see?” she asked.

“I would have to say there are a few things here and there.  There’s an art museum a few blocks down Sun Avenue,” he turned and pointed to a street leading to the right, heading uphill where Silver knew the higher class buildings and locales were kept.  “But there’s also a few theatres and cafes and such, local shops.  They might be more your style.”  He lifted up off the ground and flittered behind her to point over her shoulder.  Silver saw it as a simple guiding gesture, but she couldn’t help but focus more on just how he seemed to overshadow her.  There were a fair few stallions back in Ponyville who were bigger than her, but she never really got that close.

“T-thanks!” she let out as he came down to stand beside her.  ‘Man, he is built…Harvest would be drooling right now if she was here!’  Looking up at him, she found her eyes wandering as she traced how his mane hung around his face, the curls adding to his handsome visage.  His blue eyes peered at her in a way that couldn’t help but make her smile.  She realized that he was watching her in kind and shuffled in place before stepping back, turning away.  “I guess I’ll go on then.  It was…nice meeting you!” she said, smiling at him before trotting on her way.  

Silver watched her take a few steps and frowned suddenly.  What was he doing?  He was not just five minutes ago wanting to find something to do for himself, to enjoy his own freedom.  And here he was, watching the first mare that actually paid attention to him, without introducing himself as a Wonderbolt, walk away.  ‘I should…well, shouldn’t I go after her?  With her?  But how would…what would Soarin do here?  He always is good with this!’ He continued to watch as the pegasus mare slowly drifted towards the shopping district he’d pointed out.  ‘What, you can’t ask a girl to see if she’d like some company?  Come on!’ He challenged himself and flapped his wings, taking off after the mare.

Unknown to him, Lightning Bolt was having the same thoughts.  “Stupid girl…I should’ve been smoother!  Why can’t I just…” she muttered aloud to herself.  She had always felt off in Ponyville, watching her circle of friends in the dating scene.  After witnessing so many dates as a third wheel (she still hadn’t forgotten the time Berry Punch brought her along for an alleged groupie night), you would think she’d know better.  And here had been the perfect chance, with a somehow miraculously single stallion, and all she could manage was to ask for sights?  He was the real sight! “He probably thinks I’m some snooty, snobby, nose up high mare…” she continued.  “…and he was good looking even!  Minuette would have been hooves on in getting to feel that mane of his…” she trailed off as her shadow grew around her.  Looking up, a shadow flew overhead before diving down towards her.

Hearing a flapping of wings settle to her right, she blinked in surprise as Silver Lining appeared beside her.  “You know…I don’t have anything planned for the rest of today.  And I think I can find myself enjoying the day more in the company of a nice mare like you.  If you don’t mind my tagging along, that is.” He explained as he rubbed the back of his head shyly.

“You…want to go with…me?” Bolt asked in disbelief.  ‘Is this happening?  He…wants to spend time with me?  A stallion like him?’

“Well, if you feel better not to, I’d understand.  I mean, I’m just some random stallion, after all.  Hundreds more out there!” Silver forced a laugh as he internally smacked himself.  ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid!’ “I’ll just go on then and…”

“No, wait!” Bolt’s hoof reached out for his, and held tight.  Silver blinked when his senses informed him of how soft her fur felt against his own skin.  Was her mane this soft?  Her tail? The trail of thoughts paused as Lightning continued.  “I-I…I’d like you to come with me.  Somepony who can show me around and help me enjoy being here would be great!” Her beaming smile made his own lips twitch upwards, warmth spreading to his cheeks that he was sure wasn’t from the sun above.

‘Maybe…’ He started to think to himself.

‘Maybe…’ Bolt thought as well as the pair started to walk together towards the many shops.

‘Maybe today’s going to be a better day after all!’

***Tangled Wings***

The pair had walked in an enjoyable quiet together, keeping close as they perused through some of the street vendors and local shops that Silver knew of.  He wasn’t entirely sure what would appeal to her interests, but so far, she seemed to be enjoying the time with him.  She carried on with this smile on her muzzle that made him nervous, but not in a bad way.  It was a relatively new sensation to him, to have someone focused on his words and direction.  He pondered if this was how Soarin felt when he had a mare hanging onto him, but knew it was somewhat different.

“Oooh, let’s try here!  My friend Berry was telling me I needed a new hat.  Though I don’t tend to wear them too often while flying.” Lightning said, pausing to stop at one display window.  The mannequins placed there each had some sort of high fashion design, making Silver tilt his head as he imagined his companion with them on.

“Hmm…I never took you for a hat mare.” He commented as he followed her inside.  The inside was much the same as the display, with mannequins lined with various hats.  It was a curious thing, Silver had to admit; when a pony found a business to match their cutie mark, it was often that they stuck to it as their sole means of income.  The walls were equipped with various racks of hats as well, though he could see that the shop included a few accessories as well to match the hats, such as sunglasses, scarves, and other pieces.  The wooden floor announced their entry, the unicorn shopkeeper looking up from his newspaper with a grin.

“Ah, customers!” He placed his paper aside and raised his head, clopping his front hooves together.  “Welcome!  How can I help you today?” His yellow mane was short and tidy, kept under his own stylish hat that sat perched on his head.  His coat color was a light coffee colored brown, and jade green eyes that drifted between glances at the two potential customers.

“I need a new hat for the summer seasons.  Something to keep the heat off of my head when I’m out in Ponyville.”  Lightning explained, looking from side to side.  “I’m from there, Ponyville.” She added, smiling at the vendor.

“I see!  I have not been to Ponyville, but I hear so many stories.  Is this uh…gentlecolt carrying the wallet, how you say?” His accent made the saying all the more confusing, causing Silver to chuckle.  “I think you mean footing the bill, and yes.”

Lightning glanced up at him in surprise.  “Now, hang on, you don’t have to go and do that!”

Silver replied, “I don’t have to, but I’d like to.  Think of it as a ‘Welcome to Manehattan’ gift.” At her uncertain look, he added, “I could honestly use an excuse to spend some bits.  You sit on too big a pile; you tend to look more like a dragon than a pony.”

Lightning relented finally, accepting his goodwill with a nod.  The shopkeeper, hearing his customers were well-off, was eager as well.  “Come, come!  Let us try you out, while your coltfriend waits.” He tugged on her hoof and pulled her to a display mirror, large enough for her entire body to be seen in the reflection.

“H-he’s not my coltfriend!” Lightning squeaked out, her cheeks flushed as she laughed, embarrassed.  Silver didn’t comment, choosing to rub at his forehoof sheepishly and look away.  The various hats ranged from the simplistic to the flamboyant, and more than one had the stallion questioning the sense of fashion in the world right then.  Looking back to the other two ponies in the shop, he chuckled quietly as the vendor turned the mare into his own test mannequin, offering tips on how to best wear the hat, when to wear it, and other things that the stallion looking on couldn’t pay much heed to.  What he did pay attention to instead was the unobstructed view of his companion.

She was actually a rather pretty mare, now that he could observe her fully.  Her form was sleek much like most pegasi would be, but it didn’t carry the firmness or athletic muscle that he was used to seeing with the Wonderbolts.  She was…more alive.  Her wings, tucked to her sides, weren’t overly large or wide, appearing delicate.  He could even call her more attractive for carrying herself in such a fashion that gave her a soft quality that differed from the rough or firm and toned flanks he had to stare at in flight practice.  She wasn’t a wide pony, but she was…full.  Wholesome.

Bolt was turned away from him, looking into a mirror as the shopkeeper critiqued and swapped hats back and forth.  From here, he could admit – and with a blush on his face to show his guilty pleasure – that whatever diet she had, it went into the right places.  Her tail was moving to and fro, a blue teasing curtain that hid her privates from sight.  But it didn’t stop him from appreciating the sight of her wide flanks leading to her rear, the emblazoned lightning bolt cutie mark on her flank on display.

“What do you think?”

Silver gave a start and blinked rapidly.  She had turned back around to him and now had on a red, rounded hat that had a small flower tucked into the band surrounding the top.  Trotting up to her, the Wonderbolt gave a few cursory hums of thought.  Truth be told, he was using the chance to better observe the mare’s facial features.  She had no blemishes, no marks; her muzzle was narrow, and her smile even carried into a dimple on her right cheek.  Her blue mane allowed a few strands to hang from out beneath the brim.

“Hmm…to be honest?” He chimed before suddenly lifting the hat up, freeing her mane as it spilled about her shoulders, making Lightning blink.  “You look more beautiful with your mane free.” His comment drew a rosy blush from the mare, and Silver blinked before his brain caught up with his mouth.  “I-I mean…uh…t-that uh…” he started before the shopkeeper intervened.

“No, no!  This stallion is correct!” The pair turned to the vendor who sat beside a pile of hats.  “What you need, my dear, is something to draw out that blue color most wonderfully!  It’s a part of you, and my hat must not hide beauty!” He ruffled through the pile carefully, mumbling under his breath as the two waited, before he held up a tan hat with a bell shape, a black band surrounding the brim.  Placing it atop her head, he stepped back and gave a gasp.  “Perfection!”

The mare fiddled with the hat a little, adjusting it as her cheeks remained red from the praise.  The tan-coated vendor she knew was simply admiring how his work complimented her, but she focused more on the stallion beside hers words.  It was a rare occurrence to be called beautiful, in her book; she hadn’t had such praise since the last coltfriend she had, and he’d left her after four months of dating when she said she wasn’t ready to be his mate.  She otherwise felt she blended into the background too well, and she didn’t blame herself for thinking so.  With local beauties like the Elements of Harmony around, a normal mare would have trouble stacking up in comparison.

Yet…there had been a degree of open honesty from Silver Lining.  He may not have intended it, but he’d looked in her eyes when he said it, and she knew he had spoken truthfully.  She paused when they stepped out of the shop, her head bowed as the newly acquired hat helped hide her eyes from view.  When the grey stallion turned to look at her, she spoke up.

“Did…did you mean that?  That I looked beautiful?” she asked.

“I did and still do.  It may not be my place to say so, but…you’re a very good looking mare, Bolt.” He answered, looking away and rubbing at his forehoof again.  He had hoped in vain that she would let it go, but knew better.  He probably had gone a step too far.  The same had happened the last time he’d approached a mare he found that appealed to his interests, only to be shot down harshly as she informed him he was not in her league.  Granted, that had been several months ago, and he should be over it.  But some things just stick in your mind.  He realized she was still sitting there quietly and he spoke up.  “I’m sorry if I’m stepping over the line.”

“It’s alright, really!  Just…I can’t say I’ve ever really been called beautiful before.” She explained, smiling sheepishly up at him.  “Most ponies just overlook little ol me.  The last guy who really looked at me just…well, let’s say he saw me as a goal, not as an equal.”

Silver balked at that.  “You…you’re kidding!” His exclamation drew no objection from the mare, making him shake his head.  “Lightning, look!” He threw a hoof around her shoulder, pulling her to him and making her squeak as they were turned back to the window, their reflections visible.  She did her best to focus on his words as he spoke instead of how firm his musculature was, as her forehooves rested on his chest for balance.  “Trust me when I say I’ve been around, and you look great!”

She tried to object, pushing against his chest, but he held firm.  The fact that he was being so vocal in public was a little embarrassing, but his praise tugged at her mind as she listened for more.  “You’ve got a great body, a wonderful coat, your eyes are gorgeous to look at, and you got a smile that’d light up a stadium!” His declarations were met with simple silence, and he glanced down to see her cheeks had gone nearly maroon.  He let go of her and felt his stomach nearly flip.  “Sorry…I…I tend to get a little dramatic.  If I offended you, I-“his words were cut off as a soft pair of lips met his cheek.  It was his turn to blush hotly as he looked back at the mare beside him, whose own blush stood out amongst her white coat.

“Thank you…” she finally said, looking up at the stallion.  “And I like your energy.  It sure beats what I’m used to back home!” Her laugh relaxed the stallion, who gave a smile.  “If anything…I’m glad I ran into you.  I can honestly say you’ve made today a lot better already than what I expected.” At her admission, she leaned up and gave him a brief nuzzle before pulling back.  

Silver returned the nuzzle and smiled as an idea struck him, inspired by the smell of hay fries wafting down to them from up the street.  “Hey, I got a great idea.  Why don’t I treat you to a good meal?  Let you get a taste of what a mare like yourself really deserves.”

She blinked as she pondered the suggestion.  Go back to the hotel for some cheap, low-quality grub that was waiting for her, or go with the stallion who was offering to treat her.  “You…you don’t have to do that!” she weakly protested, but he only shook his head.

“You’re right; I don’t have to do that.  But I want to do that.” She felt her heart skip a beat as he beamed at her with those blue orbs.  There was a quality to him that she was coming to realize was something she’d been looking for that couldn’t be found in the personal ads or in Berry’s gossip pile: honest affection.  Here was a prime example of a stallion that was focusing on her, complimenting her, spending time with her of his own accord.  The way his eyes shone when he smiled at her…how his body felt when she pressed up against him…she blinked as he held a hoof out to her.

“Come on; I know just the place to take you, if you don’t mind the company of this stallion.” She looked from his hoof to his smiling expression, and laid her hoof in his, a smile spreading to her own.  He nodded and flapped his wings, lifting off the ground with ease.  Even as she rose with him, letting him tug her into the air, he made no show of heavy exertion.  He uplifted her spirits like the wind carrying her now beside him, as he guided her away from the shops and towards the north, where many of the fancier, bigger buildings resided.  She didn’t have to fly hard to keep up with him; he kept pace beside her, his broad wings hovering over hers as she flew along with him.  His stature and build let him keep the afternoon sunlight from shining in her eyes, but also let her admire his physique much like she’d seen him do in the shop.  The mirror hadn’t been that narrow; she had noticed his wandering eyes as she’d busied herself with the hats.  To know it was her that was making him stare like that, to drink up the view of her…a shiver passed into her being that had nothing to do with the winds.

They eventually landed together in front of a lavish looking restaurant.  The front was decorated with multiple lights and a grand display depicting the name: “Serendipity”.  Even though it was mid-afternoon, the line was already forming for customers wanting to get inside, many dressed in their finest evening wear, with top hats and canes and dresses galore.  Standing to the side and away, Bolt instinctively moved beside Silver, her wings now tucked again to her sides.  “S-silver, we don’t need to go in here!  I-I’m not…I mean, look at how great everypony looks!  I don’t even have my mane done up!” Her words were compounded by a brief glare sent by a stallion that huffed and raised his head up, as if dismissing her presence.

Silver shook his head.  “No…you don’t need to.” His simple response drew a questioning look from her, and he explained.  “You see…these ponies all have to be dressed up, wearing their money if you will.” He gave a similar look to the stallion from before, who blinked as he could hear the grey pegasus and knew he was speaking of him.  “You, however, don’t need that.  You’re a natural beauty.” His praise drew forth a smile from the mare.  “Besides, I’m hardly dressed up either, and to be honest, I’d rather not be.  I wear suits enough as it is.”

“You do?  I didn’t think high class outfits were your style?” she questioned.

Silver laughed and shook his head.  “You’re right, they’re not.  My kind of suit…well, let me show you.” His response made her blink, but she followed as he bypassed the line, drawing many a protest from the waiting ponies.

“Excuse me.  If you’re going to try and bribe me, sir, you’ll find zat at least a dozen of you have tried.  You will wait your turn in line, just like all ze others.” The maitre’d flicked his tail at them in dismissal, refusing to look up from the listing of ponies that had reservations.  His grey eyes were reading over the list steadily, his stance that of a pony who meant business and only business.

Bolt frowned and looked up to Silver, but he still held that same smile, making her wonder what he had planned.  “Look again: you’ll find that there’s a special reservation under Silver Lining.” He said firmly, drawing a look from the suited pony who clicked his tongue in distaste as he flipped through the pages.  It was a tense silence before a gasp was drawn out from the maitre’d, who laid down his quill pen and smiled warmly at the pair.

“Mr. Lining, please, forgive me for my rudeness.  Had I known that a Wonderbolt had come to my establishment ahead of time, you would have been shown right indoors.” He bowed his head as Bolt open-mouthed gaped at the stallion with her.

“You’re…you’re a…” she mumbled as Silver glanced at her.  He smiled apologetically as they walked inside, escorted by one of the waiters who was aiding the maitre’d.

“I am…I hope you don’t hold it against me that I didn’t say so straight away.  You could say that sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the suit and the shows to have some freedom.” He explained as they were led to their seats.  The inside was as lavish as the outside; plush red carpets that muffled their steps, brass-lined furniture for seating.  The mare was in awe at being led as a guest inside the establishment.  A girl with her meager income could only fantasize about such a place, but here she was with Silver Lining.  The name carried a new weight with it with his status unveiled.  “We came here for a little public show, some signings and whatnot.  But I didn’t feel like sticking around.”

The pair was escorted to their seats, a table for two to the side and away from the main dining area.  Their seat had the additional prospect of a window view, letting them admire the world outside as it approached the evening life, with bright city lights coming to life as some shops closed while others opened anew.  The sky was clear of any clouds, letting the stars begin to wink into sight as Luna’s moon was rising in the distance.

“I can understand that.  And don’t worry; I’m not bothered by you hiding it.  You wouldn’t want a fan-mare on your hooves, now would you?” Bolt looked away from the window to see Silver watching her, a playful grin on his muzzle.

“No…but I think I like who I got on my hooves now.” He replied, making the mare’s wings flap in surprise before they tucked back into her sides.  Her response made him laugh, easing her worry of embarrassment.  Feeling the weight of the hat atop her head, she chose to take it off, setting it beside her on the window railing.  She brought a hoof up and adjusted her mane, feeling it pool to the side of her head.  “So…” she started to say before the waiter appeared, catching her off guard.  After both ordered simple water, she continued.  “I hope you can forgive me, but…just what is it like?” she asked.

“Don’t worry, it’s alright.” He responded, easing her worries.  “If anything, it’s nice to be asked about it.” He scratched his cheek as he thought while the mare across from him looked on.  “I would have to say it’s a hard job sometimes.  All the flights, the training sessions, the public shows and stunts.  It sure does make for a nice paycheck.”

Bolt nodded, resting her head on her hooves as she listened.  “I hear a ‘but…’ coming up.” She commented, drawing a sheepish smile from the stallion.

“But, more than once, you tend to get a little worn out, being kept to the side while a select few get to be center-stage.  The last time I led a flight must’ve been a year or two ago, and that was when Spitfire had an injured wing while Soarin led another troop.” He said, closing his eyes at the memory.  “It was…a great feeling, to be recognized.  But it didn’t last long once boss got back on her hooves.”

“Didn’t anypony say anything about how good a show you did?  I mean, you must’ve made a great leader, I’m sure!” she insisted.  Her words made his heart warm as he looked to her.  “If I’d been there, I’d have been cheering so loud, the ponies around me would be deaf!”

He laughed, making Bolt laugh as well.  “Trust me, I think I’d remember a pretty mare cheering my name for once instead of Spitfire or Soarin’s.” he remarked, making her blush at being called pretty.  The mention of Soarin made her giggle again, and at Silver’s look, she explained.  “The only thing I remember of Soarin is how much of a pie enthusiast he is.  You all keep fit, I know,” she waved at him, indicating his form.  “But more than one mare I know has commented on that pudgy belly from all those sweets.”

“We always warned him it would show wherever he put those pies.  But to hear it so directly like that?” He laughed and pulled back, the blue-maned mare across from him beaming at humoring him.  His laugh and smile was something she liked seeing on him.  When the stallion spoke next, she felt a spotlight shine on her.  “Do you have any favorites on the team?”

“Way to put a gal under the light, Silver.” She teased at him, making him open his mouth to apologize, but she cut him off.  “No, it’s alright!  I…well, I do.  And it’s…kinda funny, actually, now that I think about it.” She said softly, tapping her forehooves together.  It made the stallion raise an eyebrow, but he nodded for her to continue.  “There was a pin-up calendar you all did…w-where you got to pose and show off a day in the life of the Wonderbolts.  Spitfire had the one picture with her jacket and the sunglasses?” she asked, hoping to draw out his memory.

He nodded again, his mind recalling that particular calendar he’d taken part in.  “Well, I…there was this one shot of a stallion who I didn’t know at the time.  He was…really strong looking.  He had his portion done in the gym, and it was right after he got done working out.  His mane was down, and he…he looked so…alive!” her admission drew a blush from her cheeks.  “I didn’t tell Berry or Minuette, but…I kept that one.  In my room.”

Silver raised an eyebrow, but didn’t tease her.  That particular photo had been one that got him a fair deal of fan responses; Soarin had given him a good ribbing from all the mares asking for more of Lining’s image.  But he hadn’t put much thought to it at the time, thinking it was only a fleeting moment.  And now, across from him, the hidden gem of a mare he’d found had actually kept the picture.  “To think I’d be the lucky one to get such treatment from a mare like you…I hope the real deal doesn’t disappoint?” he asked.

“Of course not!” she immediately responded, her wings flapping out again.  He raised an eyebrow at the outburst.  “How could you be?  I mean, you saved me from that mugger, you escorted me around town, and you talked with me when you could’ve been off at some high-end party or such.  You’re even treating me to dinner.  You’re being the perfect gentlecolt, and…and you think I’m beautiful, and…and…” she paused for breath, trying to think of how best to summarize it for him.  “…I really don’t want you to be pushed away from me or feel bored because I’m a plain old mare tourist.”  Her wings tucked back into her slowly as she looked away.

Silver was touched and sat down his glass, reaching over to take her hoof in his, making her look up at him.  “You’re not plain, old, or just some tourist.” He said firmly, grinning up to her.  “Considering that you’re not demanding for photographs, autographs, flight lessons, you’re already a lot better than any other mare I’ve had around me.  Besides that, I’ve told you before,” he reached closer and tucked aside a stray blue bang of her mane.  “You’re beautiful.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we walk out of here and you find yourself being called on by other stallions aside from little ol me.”

Feeling him hold her hoof and say such words made Bolt’s heart pound, and she smiled warmly in kind.  The pair stared into each other’s eyes for a time before the waiter reappeared, ready for them to order.  Regrettably letting go of each other, much to Bolt’s internal chagrin, Silver made an order first, a simple salad of vegetables.  Looking to the white-coated mare, Bolt tried to think of what to order, of what might impress or be approved of by Silver.  But seeing the menu, she couldn’t find much to strike her fancy amidst the confusing language of the restaurant.  “I’ll have the same as him.” She finally said, smiling sheepishly when the waiter left.  “I’m not entirely used to this sort of treatment.  It’s usually something with hay back home.” She joked, making Silver chuckle.

“Been a long time since I’ve had anything like that.  Maybe I should make a pit stop in Ponyville, get your recommendation?” the idea of Silver stopping by for her sake made her heart skip a beat.  Lightning could only imagine having Silver by the hoof as they walked together through the main marketplace, making Berry and Minuette jealous for having such a stallion on her hooves.  Said stallion couldn’t help but stare at the maniacal grin she had, but just chalked it up to her imagination.

Once their salads had arrived, Bolt dug in to her food with caution at first, testing it while hoping to not seem a slob in front of her date.  She paused after a gulp of delicious lettuce.  ‘Date?  When did…I…’ she paused that train of questioning as she did a quick mental review of the entire day.  It had felt like a date, was as enjoyable as a date, and her partner was treating her to the time of her life.  Peering up at Silver, who was busy with his own meal momentarily, she smiled to herself and accepted the fact that this stallion had managed to hook her heart into his hold.  And she wasn’t regretting it; she’d had the best day yet.

She watched him for a time before he glanced back up at her, a leaf hanging on the corner of his lips as he licked it up.  What he missed, however, was a dab of the dressing still atop his muzzle.  She giggled, bringing her hoof to her muzzle as she saw him blink.  “What?” he asked, confused to her snorting.

She pointed at his face, and he shrugged, looking down and around him, completely missing the white dressing on his nose.  “I don’t see it, what?  Did a bug land on me?” he questioned, his tail flicking behind him in a flash of white.

Lightning thought to herself for a moment before deciding to be bold, a risk that made her heart beat faster but was just too good to ignore.  She waved him closer, and he shrugged mentally before doing so, leaning over his plate to the middle of the table with ease.  Once there, he saw her grin before he watched her lean forward too, and then lick the tip of his nose in one long motion that started from the very top of his lips to his nose.  He felt his face flush red as the white dressing vanished onto her pink tongue and into her mouth, and when she swallowed, she exaggerated the motion with a bob of her head, opening her eyes to wink at him.

“…what were you saying about you being a plain old mare again?” He asked teasingly, causing both to laugh as the sexual aura left for the moment.  The pair ate in a comfortable quiet for a time, before Bolt felt something brush against her tail beneath the table.  With a gentle tug, she realized that Silver had wrapped his own tail tip around hers beneath the table, making her smile warmly and glance up at him shyly, seeing his own knowing smile.

Bolt knew what that sort of touch meant, between two ponies: being the initiator, Silver was giving her a signal that his affectionate gesture was genuine, wanting to hold her like that.  She nearly gave a start as her heart flipped in her chest when he wrapped around it moreso.  Her inexperience with stallions was showing somewhat in her flushed face, but she didn’t reject him, letting her tail give him an appreciative squeeze all the same.

“So…tell me more about Lightning Bolt’s life.” Silver finally said, peering over to the mare in front of him.  “What sort of shenanigans does she get up to in her spare time?”

***Tangled Wings***

By the time their salad bowls were emptied and their water glasses replaced with wine (at Silver’s suggestion), the pair were both having a laugh after Bolt told the tale of Minuette spending the day being a substitute for the local dentist, who somehow had the same coat and mane color and style.  The only way to tell a difference between the pair was the cutie mark.  “And when the guy asked if this was going to hurt, she answered by basically shoving the painkiller formula into his mouth.  He was knocked out like a light and when Colgate came back, all that was left was her spare dentist smock.”

Silver laughed and took a sip from his wine glass, finishing it off.  “I don’t know how you all managed to pull that off, but that’s some clever thinking.  Remind me to be watchful of any stand-in mares should I wander into that office, huh?”

Bolt giggled, having her nerves loosened slightly by the alcohol in her system now.  She wasn’t a softie when it came to the spirits, since she had Berry Punch as a constant companion.  The blue-maned mare had lost count of the numerous birthday and holiday gifts substituted as excuses for alcoholic beverages of all kinds.  Still, she could feel herself enjoying Silver Lining’s presence with her more.  Not once throughout the dinner had her tail let go of his, nor he of hers.  It was like second instinct for the mare at this point.

Glancing outside, she stared out into the now darkened, star-lit sky, the dotting of lights twinkling down on the city.  Though many would expect that having the street lights and city lit up would block the view, it actually didn’t work that way.  Luna made sure that the night sky she crafted would be visible for all to enjoy, her celestial magic keeping the lights of the city proper from altering or reaching the sky and dimming the view.  She smiled and sighed, basking in the calm.  She blinked as she remembered her company, and glanced back to Silver, who was staring at her rather than outside.

“You keep staring at me like that; it’ll stick to your eyes.” She teased, drawing a smirk from the stallion across from her.

“If this is what I’ll be seeing when I close my eyes, I think I’ll be quite happy.” His tone made her blink, and when she met his gaze, she shivered.  He appeared so firm, so dead set on what he said that it made another shiver run through her, imagining that same gaze with him atop her, splayed out beneath him, chest to chest…she gulped, feeling her face warm.

“You’re just saying that.” She tried to dismiss his words, but a tug from his tail interrupted her.

“No…I think I really mean it.” Goddess, that voice.  It was a mix of a purr and a hum, low and gentle, but with an underlying meaning.  That raw honesty of a stallion telling a mare his feelings.  “I think the sight of Lightning Bolt’s beautiful face would be something that I honestly can’t find being replaced by anything or anypony.” Another shiver passed through her, and she felt herself lean closer as he did so, his tone lowering to a whisper as she hung onto every word.

“The way her eyes light up when she laughs, the way her smile crosses her whole face…” closer, closer still.  She could smell the scent of vegetables with a trace of alcohol on his breath.  “…how much I’d like to touch her mane and just…hold her…” their lips met, ending speech and entering an explosion of sensation.  Bolt’s soft, sensual lips met Silver’s generous own, neither pressing hard at first as they both became awash at the flood of sensory detail hitting each other at the same time.  It was Silver who pushed it into a deeper kiss, tilting his head to the right as she felt him add pressure.  She couldn’t stop the squeak of pleasure that left her throat when his tail tugged on her again, and both separated for air with Bolt panting while Silver was left grinning.

“…I…oh, my…” the pegasus mare murmured to herself, her tongue absentmindedly leaving her maw to lick at her lips, tasting him and probing for more of him before retracting.  Silver could only chuckle lowly at her mumbling.  “S-Silver…y-you’re a really good kisser, you know?” she giggled out, her cheeks remaining red as she knew her whole face would likely be lit up.

“You think so?  Maybe we need to…try again to make sure?” he teased lightly, remaining leaned forward as she had pulled back.  Her wings, having spread out behind her when the kiss started, remained poised as she nodded, her half-lidded gaze looking to him as she leaned forward.  Just before they could reconnect, a commotion burst into the room from the front doorway.  Both paused, their air of intimacy lost in a gush of wind as a proud, almost arrogant voice called from the front. 

“Stand aside, peons!  Your prince has arrived to dine and be entertained!” The unicorn standing beside a disgruntled appearing Maitre’d was none other, much to Silver’s dislike, than Prince Blueblood.  “I am absolutely famished and must have my appetite satisfied, and I expect the best service possible!” Turning to glance behind him, cameras were flashing brightly as the various media associates all combatted to get the best pose and position of Blueblood possible.

“Ugh…not here two minutes and he’s a right buzz kill.” Lightning’s voice brought Silver back to reality, and he quickly realized the predicament that could come to pass if he was caught here.  He was not embarrassed to be in Bolt’s presence by any means, but knowing the Prince, he would try to corral the Wonderbolt to dining with him as an effort to boost his popularity further, what little of it there was.  The white-maned pegasus looked to the mare across from him and grabbed her hoof.

“We better get out of here.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like being a part of the Prince’s publicity spree.  That and…I think you and I could enjoy a more private setting than here.” The way her wings stretched to their limits told him that she agreed with his thinking, a hopeful if anxious grin popping onto her muzzle.  “Think you can fly pretty quick?”

Lightning nodded, the liquid courage (as Berry called it often) giving her the belief she can indeed fly fast.  She picked up her hat and donned it, letting her mane be free beneath it down her back. “Fast enough to get out of here with you?  You might as well hoof over your suit to me.” The joke eased Silver’s tension and nervousness about his suggestion, and he gave her a nuzzle she returned before placing some bits on the table.  “So how are we doing this?”

Silver’s smirk drew a thrilled shiver from the mare.  “What better way than the direct route?” He held his hoof up for her to take and she gladly took it, squeezing it.  It was only a moment’s pause as the two hovered into the air before all she suddenly knew was speed.  Chairs, ponies, the doors; all blew by in a blur as she gave a shout of excitement, the wind blasting around her as Silver guided her out of the restaurant and into the night sky, free from the media horde now trying to gather their thoughts from the exciting escape.

Now free of the watching populace, the mare clung close to her guide and leading pony, flapping hard to keep up as they stayed hoof in hoof.  Her hat shook atop her head, but held firm; the shopkeeper had mentioned it being meant for a pegasus.  Noticing her efforts, Silver slowed his speed considerably, down to an easy float as they soared above the city.  The harsh winds slowed as well, becoming a light breeze that ruffled his mane and hers as they stared at each other once more.  He didn’t say a word and merely wrapped his other hoof around her middle, drawing her closer as he met her lips once more, her forehooves clasping around his neck as she surrendered to it.  With his other hoof free, he entangled it in her mane and stroked it, feeling the soft hairs brush against his hoof and allowing him to enjoy her for what she was: a beautiful, affectionate, wonderful mare who was focused not on Silver the Wonderbolt, or Silver in the background; it was Silver Lining she wanted, and she had him.

They parted for air, and he smiled before nuzzling his cheek to hers, the pair remaining in their embrace as they hovered.  It was Silver who spoke first.  “Do you…want to come with me?  I’m not sure where your hotel is, but I think mine’s close by…” he trailed off, knowing that she would pick up on his offer and what it could entail.

She knew what he was leading to, and to herself, she could not find it in her to deny him.  It’d been too long since the warmth of a stallion had held her in place in her bed, too long to be able to recall her last bout of passion with somepony other than herself.  Perhaps she was rushing a little, but it felt right with him.  Bolt replied with a kiss to his cheek and a nod.  “I think I’d enjoy that very much…” before her grin turned into a challenging smirk.  “We could race, even.  Place a wager?”

Now she had his interest.  “A wager on flying, huh?  Name the game, missy.” He agreed, nuzzling his nose to hers as he waited.
“First one to get there gets to make one request of the other.  Anything goes.” Her challenge showed her bravado, if only to hide her racing heart.  She was anxious, not knowing entirely what might happen when they arrived.  But the chance, the thrill of him being with her filled her entire body more than anything else in that moment.

“You got it.  Let’s see what you can do, missy!” she blinked as he vanished from her sight, already sailing in the direction of a high-reaching building that she could see in the distance.

“Hey!  So unfair!” she laughed as she gave chase, her wings flapping and body stretching as she reached out to him.  She caught up with him, but she didn’t relent, knowing he wasn’t going his fastest.  Deciding to get under his collar, she raced forward ahead of him, catching him by surprise before she smirked.  “Come on, if you want to even have a chance of catching this!” she reached behind her and gave her rear a light tap, her tail lifting before she dove down, catching a gust that boosted her further.

It was Silver’s turn to feel his face heat up; the momentary glance he’d given to her taunting had left him with an eyeful of what had been hidden by the blue curtain of her tail.  The flash of a shining pink slip in contrast with the white of her plush rump caused a fire to erupt into him, the potential demands of the wager becoming much more realistic, and much more instinctual, as he gave chase.  He chose a more direct means of approach, coming to a hover just above her.  When the shadow of his torso fell over her, she looked up, only to be treated to the sensation of his lips kissing her forehead.  He pulled back and winked before giving her rump a smack with his tail, drawing a surprised exclamation from the mare as he raced on, leaving her behind him as he approached the front landing of the hotel.

Arriving in a blur of wind and smoke, the customary wind trail of the Wonderbolts, Silver only looked on and grinned as Lightning pulled up beside him only a couple moments later, her mane looking wild as she huffed.  “Ok, that…was unfair.” She tried to protest, but was silenced when the grey pegasus leaned over and kissed her once more.  Any objection died on the spot when he pulled away.  “Consolation prize.” He said simply, drawing a small smile from the mare as she nuzzled into his neck, the pair walking in together.

The hotel itself was a fairly nice sight, similar to the restaurant from before that they’d dined at.  With only a nod from Silver, the luggage ponies stayed at ease as they trotted on to the elevator, Silver’s wing draped over the backside of Bolt as they entered the shaft.  He reached up and hit the floor button, and turned to face Bolt only to find his lips captured by hers again.  Surprised but certainly not unhappy, he returned the lip lock and brought his hoof up to caress her cheek, rubbing it slowly before they broke apart.

“So it looks like I owe you one request.” She finally said, her cheeks blooming red at the admission and from the kiss.  “What did you have in mind?”

Deciding to tease her, Silver turned away and adopted a thinking pose, while his tail rose up behind him.  “Hmm…what could I ask for…” he murmured aloud, doing his best to look the part of an aged philosopher and not the youth he was.  She giggled before a shiver went up her spine as the skillful tip of the stallion’s tail pressed against her backside, trailing up it much like his hoof would.  She withheld a moan as he continued.  “I could ask for a dance…or maybe a massage by your hooves…” he pondered, conjuring various images that played on Lightning’s imagination.  The teasing of his tail continued, drawing nearer south on its down stroke as it passed the base of her blue tail.  She could feel herself warming to his teasing, in more ways than one, and almost vocalized it before the doors opened.

The stallion beside her stepped out first, casting a playful glance back at her as his tail brushed up and by her wings before returning to him.  She knew he was ruffling her feathers, and by Tartarus’ flames, he did it well.  The hallway was thankfully empty as they found his room, and he held the door open for her before following her inside.  It was well-furnished, with a large bed capable of holding three ponies with room to spare.  The silken sheets were a deep shade of red, the headboard bearing a carved imprint of clouds in the sky.  The window view let one peer down with ease at the city streets, and Bolt took the chance to look out as Silver joined her, placing himself beside her and nuzzling his cheek to the top of her head.  His muzzle became buried in her mane, and he sniffed lightly, the whiff of floral shampoo and her own light scent a pleasant sensation.

The pair sat together like that, Lightning running her hoof against his chest lightly, feeling the hairs brush against her fetlocks.  When he sniffed her again, she shivered involuntarily, but not out of fear.  He was partaking of her, and that knowledge alone sent a tingle of sparks through her being.  He was warm, and she could envision him in the cold of winter by her side, the pair cuddling in front of the fireplace together, tails and hooves entwined.  But his next words made her feel as if she’d been asked to fly for Celestia herself, the imaginary fireplace roaring to life in her mind.

“I want you to let me preen you.”

Forget sparks; she could’ve lit up a whole Hearth’s Warming tree with the heat radiating from her, and it wasn’t purely from her cheeks.  “Y-you…w-want to preen me?” she asked, looking up to the stallion who was watching for her reaction.

“Yes.  I…I want to do it for you.” He explained.  “All that flying, the excitement, it probably caused some of your feathers to maybe get a little mussed up.  So…I thought maybe I could help you there.” He paused and tilted his head at her.  “Unless you…feel uncomfortable with that?”

Uncomfortable?  Being seen to by a stallion like him?  Bolt shook her head.  “I…I think I’d like that.” Her wings straightened out behind her, and she turned away, but his hoof on her shoulder made her pause.  “Silver?”

“Not here.  On the bed.  To be comfortable.” He said quietly, nodding at the wide mattress.  Bolt blushed, but smiled and led the way, climbing onto the bed.  Her playful side couldn’t resist bringing her tail up to brush his chin as she passed, knowing it exposed herself and giving her a thrill all the while.  The excuse of her feathers being mussed was hardly solid.  She knew what he really wanted, and she also knew what she wanted him to do.  To let him get close like that, to commit an action only a…a lover, would make.  The thought made the tiny pool of warmth growing in her belly to swell just a little more.

Laying herself out on the bed, belly down and wings spread, Bolt closed her eyes and murmured for Silver to hear, “Start whenever you’re ready, Silver…I’m ready.”

The grey stallion took that moment to savor the view before him.  Her lean body was spread out onto the bed; her forelegs outstretched in front of her while her rear legs were spread as well, the hooves dangling just over the edge.  Her tail obstructed her nethers from his sight, but he could see the curtain of blue shift every other moment.  She was wanting to move, but didn’t want to appear too eager.  He smiled and climbed atop her, spreading himself out as his chest pressed against her back.  Silver was careful to not let too much of his weight lay onto her, his forehooves resting just above her wings.  He had to admit, she was a gorgeous mare, with the way her rump was already shifting to rub against his crotch.  He grinned again and leaned down to begin.

While he was prepping himself, Lightning was shivering already in anticipation.  Her wings were twitching in wait as she felt his weight shift to press against the middle of her back.  The sensation of knowing he was atop her, so similar to the way a lover would mount his mare, sent a delightful shiver down her spine to her core.  Her mind was half split on focusing to keep her tail down; she knew she was ready for him, but the chance to have such an intimate thing done…would he use his hooves? That question was answered as she felt his lips clamp down on the base of her wing, drawing a surprised gasp from her lips.  His grasp was gentle on her wing, his teeth barely grazing her as he worked at her tender, sensitive flesh.

“S-Silver!” she squeaked out as he began moving up along the limb.  The entire wing was a delicate mixture of nerves and sensitive flesh, and though she had never admitted it, she loved taking the time to fix and preen her wings.  It was common knowledge to adult ponies that a pegasus’ wings were an erogenous zone, one that served as an easy route of access for pleasure between two ponies.  What most don’t realize is that to the pegasus having it done; it’s an intimate and arousing action.  And right now, Lightning’s mind was trying to keep pace with Silver’s movements.  He had added his hoof to the motions, caressing from the base to wingtip, rubbing the muscle with care as his teeth went and carefully began adjusting and shifting her feathers.

Bolt’s moans were reaching the stallion’s ears and filling his mind with images of the white-coated mare in multiple ways, making those same moans as he took her for himself.  He decided to add more to it, able to feel his own arousal starting to make itself known as it left his sheathe.  The mottled black length pressed itself against the flesh of her plot cheek, and he squirmed to move it between her rear cheeks, using the valley there as a place to further stimulate the mare.  He moved his hips carefully, slowly grinding against the mare as he pressed on, her moans guiding him to her sensitive spots.  Reaching her wingtip, he gave it a tiny nibble, making her quiver as he began to lick and trail his way back down to the base.  When he found it, he gave it a sensual lick around the width of the base before turning and beginning treatment of the opposite wing.

The pleasure-stricken mare had only been granted a brief respite when he switched wings, able to draw in a breath of air before tensing and then going limp as her opposite wing was given the same delicate, sensual affections.  By now, her marehood was twitching for more action, her juices running down her wiggling thighs as her breathing grew faster.  “Silver…Celestia, Silver, please!” she whispered when he reached the tip again, licking at it before nibbling his way down.  His lips left her now twitching, stiff wings to kiss at her neck, the contact causing her to whimper as her marehood winked.

“Well, the preening’s done…but I think there’s somewhere I missed…” his voice was deep and husky to her ears, the firm tone laced with desire as he turned her over onto her back.  Her wings remained splayed out to the sides, and Bolt tucked her forelegs to her chest as he peered down at her.  With him atop her, she glanced down and couldn’t stop the moan from escaping her as she eyed his length.  Seeing where her gaze went, he grinned as his cheeks bloomed from how hungry she appeared.  He captured her lips in his, holding it for only a moment before he broke off, his action making her look up to him in confusion.  “S-silver?” she asked softly.

“I’m loving this, Bolt, I am…I just…don’t want you to feel pressured, that we’re going too fast.  If you want, we can…wait, and cuddle.  Or…or something else, if you’d like…” he offered.

She was touched by his concern and brought her hoof up to his head, running it in his cloud-soft mane before dragging it to his cheek.  “No…I do want this…with you.  I want you to…to please me…” the admission drew another twitch from down below for both, and he smiled before kissing her once more, then beginning to kiss a trail down her neck and chest.  She cooed as he progressed down, her eyes never leaving the mop of white as it dragged down her form.

When he reached her barrel and continued, her eyes widened as she anticipated his action.  She was in full swing, her marehood continuously winking, almost urging the stallion to act.  “S-SilveerrRRR!” she started only to break into a gasping screech as he pressed the bulk of his tongue against her swollen lips, catching a full taste of her juices as she gasped for air.  “Do that again.  Oh goddess, please, again!” she begged of him.  He complied happily, giving several swipes of his tongue across her now dripping lips.  The effect was intense on the mare, her hooves clinging to his scalp as she pushed down on him, his muzzle being pressed now against her marehood.  “Don’t stop!  Don’t stop!” she repeated, the mantra an encouragement for the stallion.

Her world became a mass of stars and color as Silver went to town, using his hooves to rub at her thighs while his tongue wiggled and licked all along her swollen pink walls.  She became idly aware her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, but couldn’t feel an ounce of embarrassment for the overwhelming ecstasy this stallion was granting her.  It was all she could do to remember to breathe as he worked her over with his lengthy muscle, the wiggling organ covering her with ease.  Everything about him seemed to be stronger than she expected, it seemed.  When he paused in his motions, she blinked as the fires stalled momentarily before she was sent reeling; he’d taken his hooves and tugged on either side of her nethers, causing her entrance to spread wide and leave her exposed entirely.

Silver’s hungry eyes took in the wet and winking mess before him with perverse glee, her juices stringing from wall to twitching wall within her.  The blue-maned mare’s scent was washing over him with every breath he took, an enriching smell that caused his member to twitch against his belly in desire.  He dove in greedily, his tongue writhing within her moist, hot nethers as his muzzle sunk into her core.  The effect was instantaneous as Bolt arched her back, screaming incoherently.  It was as if he was hitting every hot spot within her at once, and once he began to encircle around her inner walls, slowly but with light jabs at her sides and the roof of her marehood, she lost the ability to speak entirely, moans being the only sound she could utter.  Her hooves clamped down and pushed harder, as if to get more of the treatment, which he gladly provided.

Time passed slowly as Silver Lining continued to drink up the mare’s juices, her femcum flowing steadily out into his waiting maw.  He made sure to keep on breathing through his nose, her musky scent intoxicating as he persevered.  The stallion became acutely aware of a bump brushing his chin on every lick, and shifted back to eye it.  He grinned into her marehood as he spied her throbbing clitoris, and made one more circular swipe within her before he withdrew to clamp down on it and suckle.  It was the finishing blow for her; with an arched back and spread wings, she called his name as her orgasm slammed into her, waves of femcum gushing from her nethers and onto her lover’s muzzle and tongue.  He drank her up greedily, his tongue wiggling within her to extend the pleasure for her as she writhed beneath him.

When the orgasm ebbed away finally, Bolt returned to reality, gasping for air and sensing her body still twitching from the aftermath of the orgasm.  She peered down at Silver, who was busy cleaning off his face with his tongue, drops of her still present as he paused and grinned down at her.  She said nothing, shifting around slowly as her limbs trembled, still weak from the initial experience, and kissed him tenderly, uncaring that it was her sweetness that she was tasting on his tongue.  Pulling back, she pushed him to lie on his back as she straddled his lap, her juice-stained marehood grinding against the hot pole of flesh pressed against her groin.  The tip of him rested against the underside of her belly, demonstrating his size and making her tremble in both anticipation and lust.

“You…did all the work for that.  Let me…treat you…” she panted out as she began rocking her hips, letting her grind her mound against his member.  He panted and brought his hooves up to her flanks, helping her keep her balance as she teased and rubbed against him.  His length quickly became soaked in her juices, some of them having clung to the fur on her thighs as she rose up.  Using her wings to steady herself, she rose up high, and spread her rear legs wide as the tip of him pressed at her flower.  She looked to him, and he met her gaze.  The silent, final question passed in that look, and he nodded as did she.  With a smile, she wiggled her hips a little more, before finally plunging his tip into her depths.

There was resistance at first; even with the previous climax, his girth was enough that she felt the air leave her lungs in one gasp.  Her wings twitched and flapped once as she began to sink down onto him, every inch drawing a gasp of higher and higher pitch from the mare as she relished the sensation of fullness he was granting her.  Silver was likewise grunting and doing his best to keep his hips still, not wanting to disrupt her with roughness.  The tight, wet grip she had on his length was mind-blowing, a perfect key to her innermost depths.  When she reached halfway, she paused, breathing deeply.  She could feel every pulse of his thick stallionhood against her inner depths.  She could have paused there, but instinct drove her on, demanding she get all of him in.  So she took in a breath, and squeezed hard around him before plunging the rest of him into her nethers in one swoop, causing her to throw her head back and shiver, muzzle open in a silent gasp, her wings flapping lightly.  The mare’s plot rested in the grey-coated stallion’s lap, her tail brushing his balls teasingly as they rested there.

“You’re…you’re filling me up…s-so much, Silver…” she whispered, looking down to the pleasure stricken stallion.  For his behalf, he was pondering how she could be so hot inside; it was a surge of heat and wetness that clung to every bit of his length that it could hold.  Sweat was beginning to form on his brow and chest, dampening his coat as he looked up to her.  Pure affection beamed down at him, and she lowered herself to kiss him on the lips as she began to move her hips, rocking side to side to stimulate him.  It helped to also ease the sensation of stretching as she clung to him; going so long without had made her canal tighten of its own accord, and his pillar was quickly remedying that.  Breaking for air, she stayed close to him, gazing into his eyes as her mane fell over her shoulder, brushing his head as she spoke.  “I want all of you…all I can get…” she said before closing her eyes and raising her hips up.

The Wonderbolt bit back a curse as her tight, wet flesh tugged on his own rigid member, unable to stop the groan that escaped his lips when she pulled up to the final couple of inches of his length, before suddenly sliding back down to the base.  Bolt huffed out loud, the impact of his tip brushing against her marehood’s roof driving currents of fire down her spine.  “Yes…Yes…” she whispered under her breath as she continued to ride him, moving slowly as she adjusted to his size.  When the rough resistance had ceased, she could take him in earnest and did so, her hips moving in quick strokes.  The bed started to squeak in protest as she bounced in his lap, the sound of their flesh meeting filling their ears.  “Oh, Silver!  Silver!” she proclaimed his name as his length rammed into her again and again, her senses becoming a mixed focus on the full feeling she took from him, especially when he started lifting his hips in tandem, pushing his cock even deeper into her.  Her wings flapped desperately, wanting to make every motion, every impact, that much more resounding.  She could envision his pulsing member inside her pink walls, gripping and tugging with every stroke.

It continued for some time in a lustful cycle of pleasure; Silver’s hips would rear back while Lightning would raise her body up, and the pair would meet midway with a mutual thrust of their bodies, lubricated by the juices now flowing freely around the tight seal his member made within her.  Heat emanated from her entrance around his member as well as from their bodies, the room becoming a storm of pleasure and affections.  At one point, Silver had raised up to meet her for a kiss, and both of their tongues became entangled in a wet and slippery tongue war in mid-air, their saliva chaining the pair’s lips together as they both held to each other in longing.  The mare suddenly gave a gasp as she felt him swell within her, his flare pressing against her innermost depths as he grew stiffer and larger still.  “G-gonna…g-gonna cum soon…” he warned in a whisper, panting as he did his best to stave it off.

Those words seemed to draw a renewed effort from the winged beauty in his lap, whose bounces became faster and harder as a result.  “Inside me.  Please…please, cum inside me.” She said quickly, the mental image of his shooting cock stimulating her mind.  “Oh goddess, cum inside me.  I want to be full of your seed, Silver, please!” her words quickly devolved into begging as she felt him twitch within her depths.  Streaks of fluid were already gushing down his length and onto the bed from her filled marehood.

Her demand set loose the barrier in his mind as Silver bucked his hips up while pushing down on her flanks, effectively pinning her onto his pole as his climax rushed forward into her waiting nethers.  Thick ropes of his seed blasted from his throbbing length, painting her pink and wet walls with his essence as she squirmed before screaming, his hot spunk colliding with her canal causing her orgasm to trigger, further flooding her marehood as their juices mixed.  Soon, drips of his seed and her femcum began to drip out around the seal of their joining, running down his length to his crotch and balls as both were awash in their ecstasy.

When she came down from the mental high, she tried to take stock of her situation.  Her marehood was an absolute mess of stallion seed and her own cum, seeping onto her thighs and tail beneath her.  Sweat was dripping from her mane and down her backside, heightening the sensation of lovemaking she was enduring.  Yet she felt something twitch within her, and stared in fascination as she comprehended that Silver was still hard inside her.  “Oh goddess…you’re still hard?” she asked in surprise.

The stallion in question smirked up at her, his mane hanging around his neck as he peered at the now excitedly trembling mare.  “Wonderbolt stamina, darling…comes in handy for a lot.”  He twitched inside her again and she shivered with a moan.  “Do you have the strength for another?”

Lightning pondered on it for only a moment before grinning, her cheeks flushed.  Truth be told, she was tingling from the idea of being sore.  Her last mate had been a quick shot, barely getting her going before he’d finished.  She intended to take full advantage of this stallion’s stamina.  “I do…h-how would you like to do it?”

He answered by leaning up and kissing the mare gently, his tongue invading her maw which she welcomed gratefully, her wings coming around to wrap around him in a loving embrace.  When they parted for air, his grin sent a shiver down her spine.  “How’s about I show you what kind of speed I really have?” His words made her marehood contract around him, causing both of them to shiver.  “That’s a yes then.” He laughed as he slowly pulled her off of him.  She groaned as her stuffed full nethers were vacated, the sensation strange to her.  When he popped out, she gave a start as a gush of seed flowed down and out of her pussy, causing her to blush hotly.  The sensation of being empty was too wrong, too lacking; her hips wiggled as her leaking marehood winked again, her pink femness begging.  If it gave Silver pause, he didn’t show it as he laid her out on the bed, pulling a pillow from the head of the bed for her to lay her head on.  

Getting the gist of what he wanted, she rested her head onto the pillow and raised her rear up into the air, her tail up and to the side.  She could still feel droplets of femcum and seed pouring from her slit, and shivered at the wet sensation.  Bolt felt her heart hammer in her chest again as a thick and long rod made itself known by pressing against her plot cheek, rubbing against it slowly before coming to grind against her thoroughly soaked nethers.  He was teasing her with it, and she bit back a moan as he gripped both of her plot cheeks firmly, giving them both a squeeze as he kept grinding against her heat.

“Is this what you want?” he questioned as he kept on moving, rubbing the fullness of his length from tip to base against her lips, able to feel her body’s response before her own could reach her lips.  The mixture of their juices left his dark member shining in the room’s light, the sheen of it making it contrast that much more with her snow-white coat.

“Y-yes…please…” she whimpered, wiggling her hips as she tried to maneuver him to re-insert it back inside her waiting depths.  She needed him inside her again, to fill her…it was a craving unlike any she’d felt before for a stallion.

“Please what?” he prodded on, the tip of his member pushing through her tail as she felt his heavy balls lay against her opening.  Oh goddess, she could feel the heat from them.  Licking her lips, she opened her mouth to speak and fell into a moan as he gave a light smack to her rear.  He relished how her rear shook from the impact, certain he wanted to make it do more.  Bolt shuddered as she felt his hoof caress the same spot on her rear he’d smacked.

“Please…please mount me…” she whimpered out.  She didn’t know why she didn’t outright demand it from him.  Her whole lower half was shaking now, in desire and anticipation.  She gasped and gave another pleasurable moan as he read her mind and struck the opposite cheek this time, making her rear shimmy from side to side from the hit.  “I can’t hear you…” he growled out, making her heart race.  By now, she was panting quickly, lust surging in her veins.

“Please, buck me!  Buck me hard!” The words had barely left her lips when a sudden large something pressed into her lips and plunged into her depths.  Eyes wide, incoherent and barely conscious from the rough entry, she turned her head around to see him buried to the hilt inside her, his torso hunched over her own form as he grinned down at her.  “Oh goddess, yes…fill me with that cock, Silver!  Give me your cock!” She was quickly overwhelmed as the stallion snorted through his nose and reared his hips back before giving another powerful buck, his hips slamming into her rear as they met, drawing out another groan from her.  The faster and harder pace was turning her mind to mush quickly, all thought driven to the thick meat pounding into her marehood.

She turned her head again to say something, but lost it when she discovered a unique fact about Silver: He wasn’t just a speedy flier.  He had taken to quickly pounding his shaft down her tight nethers, aided by her slick walls and his and her juices.  Their joining had taken on a new lewd element from the position; strings of her juices were clinging to Silver’s dampened and quickly growing soaked fur, making the sound of his thrusts be accompanied by wet smacks every time he thrust into her.  She could feel every inch of his throbbing mass filling her pussy, and found it very desirable to let go and be taken as his own fucktoy.  His strength in his thrusts, the way he could hit every edge inside her, make her tighten around him as much as she could…she gasped as a surge of heat struck her, her front hooves trembling as the stallion continued.  She couldn’t tell if she’d came or not; all she could comprehend was demanding it never stop.

A smack to her rear brought her back to conscious thought, her plot tingling from the blow as she groaned lowly.  Her tail was bouncing by now, a rhythmic motion as her rear met with his lap in rapid successive thrusts.  Numbness was beginning to overtake her extremities, her rear legs trembling now.  “M…more!” she gasped out, drooling now as he groaned behind her, holding on tight as he pounded away.  But her request was heard as he slowed his thrusts, hilting within her before becoming disoriented as he turned her onto her side with him.  He grinded against her insides all along the way, a pleasurable transition as one of his hooves hooked around her waist while the other caught onto her leg and lifted it up, letting him have more room as he resumed his thrusts.  Her wings flapped against his chest as the new position drove away any sense of rationale, giving way to screams of pleasure as they mated.

For Silver, it was perhaps the best experience with a mare he’d had yet.  With this position, she was so much tighter still on him, every thrust he gave feeling like it was entering a nirvana of heat and wetness.  He knew he couldn’t last much longer in this state, and decided to throw caution aside.  The rhythm he’d been using gave heed to a sudden jackhammer speed, his hips a blur as he held onto her tight.  His muzzle became buried in her mane, losing himself in the sensation of their intense, sweaty, heated lovemaking as she continued to scream beside him.  She could only manage his name as she came again, her marehood squeezing him like a vice.  Silver groaned as he pushed in to her tight wetness, and nearly lost it.  

“Lightning…I’m gonna cum…again…d-do you want it in or out?” he managed to get out as he panted hard, sweat dripping down his form as the bed groaned loudly.  The sheets were stained dark by the juices she’d spilled out previously and currently.  His stallionhood swelled again, the flared tip already dripping into her begging pussy as he hammered away.

“Inside!  Inside!  Inside!” she begged, and her pussy seemed to agree with the idea, becoming even hotter around his length and tighter, effectively trapping him.  “Fucking cum inside me!”

Her cursing set off his own orgasm, and with one final buck, he groaned out her name as he flooded her marehood with his seed.  He could feel her trembling in his hold as his load surged inside her, and was already flooding out of her by the second burst.  Had she been in season, she would surely be sired by now, three times over.  He panted deeply, remaining buried face first into her mane and neck as they rode out their sexual highs.  The mare’s wings slowly began to settle, folding into her side after several minutes had passed and he had ceased climaxing.  He remained buried inside her, only at half-mast now, but refusing to budge.  He instead let go of her leg and joined his other hoof around her waist, keeping her close.  The air smelled of sweat and sex, yet the only thing he could detect was the floral scent of her skin as a tide of exhaustion washed over him.  Lightning was already unconscious, a smile on her open lips, and Silver grinned before giving a kiss to her cheek, snuggling up to her in definite contentment.

When morning came, both awoke together as the rays of Celestia’s sun spread over them from the window.  During the course of their slumber, Silver had wrapped his wings around her as a form of warmth, draping over her shoulders as he held her close.  With a small groan, Bolt opened her eyes, disorientation slowly clearing as she took in her surroundings.  A pulse down below accompanied by an intense soreness reminded her where she was, and she glanced behind her to see the grey-coated stallion nuzzled into her neck, a smile on his face.  She brought a hoof up and stroked his mane slowly, though she blushed as she became distinctly aware that his arousal was back to full stock inside her.

She could only coo softly as he came to, his hips moving causing his member to act the same.  Opening his eyes, he looked down to her blushing face and smiled, though without lustful intent.  “Morning, beautiful.” He whispered before kissing her lips softly.  She gladly returned the kiss, keeping it gentle as they remained in each other’s embrace. “That was…fantastic.  Better than anything or anypony I’ve…ever experienced.”

His admission brought a rosy bloom to her face as she nuzzled her cheek against his.  “It was…it was like a dream.  I don’t want it to end, Silver.” She brought a hoof up to his on her waist and held it.  “It’s too good to end.”

Silver only smiled and gave her a reassuring squeeze back.  “Who says it has to?”