First Flight

Thunder stared at the princesses as they took off into the sky, their wings aglow with magic. “Woah...”

As the royal pegasi flew overhead the green stallion felt his wings tingle with magic. He glanced at his glowing wings as they fluttered out. With a gasp, he saw his normally green wings shining with a surreal golden yellow glow. He shared a surprised glance with the nearby forest green unicorn. As the mare’s horn began to glow he felt pegasus magic surge within his own system. He felt like he could fly.

With the wonderful new magic surging through his wings he gave them a tentative flap and was rewarded with a huge upward jerk. “Woah!”

Thunder fell earthward and crashed into strong blue forehooves.

“Careful.” Zoom Zephyrwing smirked at the green stallion in her hold as she hovered just above the ground.

The stallion smiled up at Zoom’s friendly face. “I can fly...”  

“You nearly flipped onto your back.” Zoom Zephyrwing chucked as she returned Thunder’s hooves to the ground. “Try again. This is amazing!"
The mare launched herself into the air, joining the other pegasi.

 After a moment admiring the glow of Zoom’s wings and the way she cut through the skies, Thunder readied his glowing wings once more. “Okay wings. Let’s try this again.”   

With careful flaps, the guard pony rose off the ground like a cautious foal. His face broke out into a delighted smile as he continued to rise, accident free this time. A strong sense of confidence flooded his system and Thunder flapped his wings hard.

Thunder shot out over the ocean. The rainbow of colour overhead continued to dance, giving the waves a magical look.

Zoom Zephyrwing pulled up alongside the light green colt. They shared a smile as they maintained course out to sea.

“This is so awesome!”

  “I know!” Zoom Zephyrwing tried a barrel roll. Her wings carried her loosely around, upside, then she dipped back down and around. She quickly ascended to match the grinning stallion who was watching. “You have to try this!”

“Okay!” Thunder looped slowly around his companion. He kept himself level to the sea and sky, not quite feeling confident enough to flip upside.

A snicker drew his attention. “Come on, it’s easy!”   

Zoom put on a spurt of speed and spiralled around and around in a growing spiral that ended with a wonky correction as she slowed down and glanced back.

Wide eyed, Thunder admired the show. With a jolt, he realized he should probably catch up and decided that this time, he was not to be outdone. The stallion flapped his magically empowered wings and began to spiral. The loose circles in the sky began to tighten as the speeding pegasus concentrated and tightened his flight.

The sparkling spiral shot past Zoom. The blue mare laughed and powered along to catch up to her companion.

The two speeding pegasi flew far out to sea, their crazy zigzags and loops highlighted with magical sparkles and laughter.

Feeling his underused wings cry out from the exertion of sustained speeds, Thunder slowed the hectic pace and closed his eyes. He caught a warm gust and slipped into a glide. His rapidly beating heart began to calm again and he allowed his eyes to close in bliss.
He breathed deep the crisp sea air, revelling in how invigorating it felt. “The wind in my face feels soo nice. I could fly forever.”

“I know... Hey.”   

Thunder regarded the grinning mare. “Yeah?”  

“Let’s dive.” Zoom dipped her wings and shot toward the sea.

After a brief moment’s surprise, Thunder was quick to follow. Led by the bold blue mare, the pair pulled up a few feet above the sea then carefully dipped a little further till their hooves began to skim the low rolling waves as they passed underneath. Thunder grinned, her tail almost within hooves reach, an alluring fluttering call to follow.

Deciding he had better move, Thunder veered away from the flittering purple and flew along the crest of a wave. He let his right forehoof sink back into the cold ocean. He cut a wake sideways through a long slow rolling billow. He admired the cold water as it sparkled in the sun. So rich and deep. He laughed to himself. This was utterly mad but also totally awesome. His attention snapped up skyward as Zoom passed overhead.

Thunder eagerly rejoined the blue pegasus, and together they flew higher and higher into the sky. The pair shared giddy looks of delight as they circled in a loose vortex. They broke off their ascent once they were a few hundred feet in the sky. Taking a moment to admire the view, they cruised side by side. Catching her companion’s eye, Zoom Zephyrwing winked at him then folded her wings and dropped like a sleek stone toward the waves below.

  Thunder carefully dived after her. His breath caught as her wings shot out just in time. She corkscrewed upward and away. With a huge grin, Thunder cut a wake through cold water as he banked across the waves and trailed the beautiful pegasus high into the sky.  

The guard mare was laughing like a filly as he drew alongside her once more. “That was such a rush. You have to try it!”   

“Yeah?”

  “Just remember to pull out in time!” Zoom Zephyrwing called playfully as she beat her wings, spiralled around once then snapped her glowing wings closed.

The green stallion admired the falling beauty with wonder. As she broke out of her free fall and shot low across the water, he decided it was time to try too.

With a deep breath to steady himself, Thunder carefully angled himself nose first toward the sea and folded his wings. The sea rushed up to meet him at an alarming rate. His eyes widened fearfully and he broke off the free fall ten feet from the water. His heart was pounding like a war drum his wings quivered. He corrected his wonky flying, fighting back the rush of adrenaline. That was as intense as almost getting smashed in the face during training. The stallion forced a smile. Actually, this was a lot more fun than sparring.

Zoom Zephyrwing arced around and passed below him. “It’s more fun if you let yourself get closer!”   

She raced high into the sky, and with Thunder’s awe filled gaze on her, Zoom closed her wings and plummeted seaward. With her forehooves confidently out front, the dive steepened and quickly reached a crazy velocity. Blue wings shot out a moment too late and her eyes widened with sudden fear. Time seemed to slow as huge wall of sparkling blue filled her vision. Wings strained as Zoom attempted to pull up into a tight U turn. She smashed hooves first into the crest of a large rolling wave and her whole body flipped like ragdoll.

Panic shot through Thunder as water exploded from the impact before him. He frantically sprinted toward the pony cannonball as she arced through the air. Zoom hit the water back first, carving a wake as she skidded along the surface. Her speed quickly dwindled and she began to sink. Green hooves slipped side on under the sinking mare back, locking against shoulder and rump as Thunder tried to pluck her from the grip of the sea. The stallion's wings frantically buzzed as his lower body dipped into the calmly rolling ocean. With a mighty heave, he lifted her upward, trailing water as they ascended in a loose upward arc.

“Are you alright!?”

  “Woah...” Zoom groaned as she found herself carried bridal style on her back, held aloft by strong green forelegs. Thanks to the sharp impact with the sea, the world span. All she could see were three or five Thunders looking at her. Her brain noted that each fuzzy good looking stallion looked a little bit too scared for his own good.

Thunder frantically checked her damp form for any clear signs of injury. Quickly eyeing head and neck. He briefly admired her forelegs before his gaze continued to wander down her well toned form. His gaze lingered low on her hind legs, admiring the way her muscles moved as she lay upside down. No breaks. A relieved sigh escaped the hovering stallion.
The stallion quickly surmised it probably felt like hitting a wall... Just faster and harder. The desire to cuddle her and try everything in his power to ease the pain surfaced. Not that he had the faintest chance with such a wonderful mare...

Zoom shook her head trying to clear her wonky vision. She was pretty sure Thunder's lovely blue eyes were fixated down south. A dry grin cracked out. “At least take me out to dinner before looking down there.”

Quick avert his gaze, Thunder’s cheeks heated to a darker green. “Sorry, I was just making sure you’re okay.”

“You’re lucky. Anypony else would be going for a swim in the deep about now.”

 “That’s... nice?” Thunder tentatively glanced down to her side and visually checked her exposed wing. He felt the feathers from her other wing shift against his barrel as she wiggled a little. “I’m amazed that you seem to be okay.”

Zoom cracked a smile. “Heh. I think it’s some of that legendary pegasus magic.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m still really sore.”

  “Well, you did hit the sea at a very high speed.”

“True. If my angle had been any steeper I might be at the bottom of the ocean right now.”   

Green ears flattened as Thunder flinched. “Please don’t say that.”

“Sorry. Good catch by the way. I wish somepony had filmed that.” Zoom Zephyrwing chuckled dryly as she squirmed around a bit to better lie in the forelegs of her saviour. She wrapped a hoof around his shoulder, loosely holding him back. For better grip of course.

Purple eyes met blue as they shared a quiet moment, hovering high in the sky.
With a slight blush, Thunder turned his gaze toward the now distant waterfront town.

Zoom eyed the water far below and stretched her one free wing. “Maybe some practice is needed before we get too crazy...”  

“Agreed. Do you think we should go back?”  

The vibrant blue mare shook her head. “Not yet.”  

“But we are kinda supposed to protect Queen Haven.”  

Zoom looked out toward the damaged lighthouse. The streaks of flying pegasi and unicorn’s magic in the air were clearly visible. Poines looked like they were having fun.
She shrugged. “Looks like everypony is having fun with their new powers. There are other guards with her. We can go back if you wanna mix and mingle though.”

“Can we... I dunno... kinda enjoy a bit more flying.”

Zoom caught the nervous stallion’s eye. “Just us?”

  Thunder nodded, a slight blush spreading across his cheeks.   

“Why not. Let’s aim for that cloud.” Zoom pointed to a cloud that looked about half way back toward shore.

“Think you’re okay to fly?”   

Zoom nodded. “It hurts, but nothing is broken. I'll be okay.”

The stallion nodded then struck out for the cloud. His upright position made the flying slow going but with his sodden companion relaxing in his forehooves, there was no way Thunder wanted to fly faster right now.

After about a minute of slow flying, the cloud was now close and Zoom Zephyrwing was itching to hit the skies again. "I think I'm feeling better."

"Yeah?"

"Drop me." The free blue wing flicked a few times, dispelling droplets of water in preparation for flight.

Wary, Thunder loosened his grip and allowed the blue mare to roll out of his grasp and into the open sky.

"Wahoo!" Purple-blue wings shot out, glimmering with live magic. Zoom quickly caught a gust of wind and was off soaring, happy like a filly in a huge playground.

Delighted to see her airborne once more, Thunder swooped down and kept pace alongside the beautiful blue mare.   Her wet coat shimmered tantalizingly in the sun.

Zoom was pretty sure she felt his eyes upon her. Although tempted to catch him in the act, she instead admired the coastal town and enjoyed the feeling of the wind in her feathers. She ignored the pangs of pain that ripped through her body with each wingbeat. This moment was far too amazing to let pain diminish its awesomeness any longer.

As she reached the cloud, Zoom playfully lashed out with a kick. The cloud exploded in a shower of raindrops.

The surprised pegasi shared a glance.

"Huh." Zoom eyed the spot the cloud had been moments ago. "Didn't expect that."

"So we can destroy clouds too? Looks fun." Thunder ducked off toward a nearby white puff and punched it hard.

The cloud exploded. The stallion giggled as he watched little white specs turn into water and fall to the sea.

"This is awesome!" Zoom careened past her fellow guard and carved her way through several clouds in a row. One after another puffed out, sprinkling the waves below.

Thunder hastened to join in. He veered off after a couple of clouds and extended his forehooves ready for impact. With a pleasing 'poof' each cloud he cut through vanished. After clearing the beachhead of cloud cover, the stallion circled back over the sea to join his friend.
It was then he noticed she was hovering above the last of the clouds left over the water.

“Wonder what else this pegasus magic lets us do...” Zoom wondered aloud as Thunder fell into place beside her.

  “I dunno...” Thunder eyed the last offshore cloud. It looked like a cloud... he gave it a poke.

It shunted along a few inches then continued to drift.

He swooped to the other side and gave it a shove toward Zoom. It floated along a good few pony lengths till it came within reach of blue hooves. The tough mare gave it a harder shove back at her fellow guard.

Thunder stood tall and bounced it against his belly. The cloud impacted his chiselled chest and span out of control. Zoom laughed as the spinning cloud passed her by.

She looped over the spinning puff then headbutted it back toward the shining stallion.

Thunder tried to dive over the cloud but his hind legs caught on its edge and he faceplanted into the soft fluffy puff. With two leg prints in the side, the cloud continued to slowly rotate as the green stallion sat up and shook his head.

Zoom gaped. “Woah...”

The stallion blushed. “Just pretend you never saw that... heh...”

Still wide eyed, a blue hoof lifted to point under her mate’s hooves. “You’re sitting on a cloud. Like actually sitting on a cloud.”

Thunder froze and looked down. He was in fact sitting on the same cloud he had clumsily faceplanted into. “This is amazing...”

Zoom Zephyrwing zipped in and landed on the right, next to her companion. As her wings settled down to her sides, the left one brushed against Thunder. Pleasant tingles left both ponies with lightly heated cheeks. “Sorry.”   

“No. It felt ...nice.”

  “It did?”

Thunder nodded as he placed his helmet off to the side then rolled onto his back. He smiled up at the pretty blue mare by his side as he chilled out. “Yea, I kinda liked it.”

Zoom held her gaze forward as she settled beside the downed stallion. She wasn't sure but, was he deliberately trying to flash her, or was he just behaving like a big colt?

“You should totally try this...” Thunder giggled as he admired the upside town and shoreline.

“I’m fine.” Zoom replied softly as she lay down. Her damp back pressed against the light green stallion and blue hooves slid to the edge of the cloud. A small smile broke out across her lips. Of course, he was just being a big colt. What else...

After a few peaceful moments, Thunder gave his mostly dry lower body a wiggle then rolled over onto his stomach. He relaxed his forehooves out front. He noticed there was once again space between them. The blissful warmth from Zoom’s coat seemed ever so distant. Where she had pressed up against him was still wet, but no longer warm and fuzzy.
Yet there was no way he could reach out and initiate contact. That would be unprofessional for two guards who worked closely together.

A blue hoof broke the stallion out of his thoughts as it slipped over the top of his own. Thunder tensed with surprise, his cheeks flushed. Quickly he glanced over to check Zoom’s own reaction.

The contented looking mare closed her eyes and continued to hold hooves with her companion.   

Moments passed. Thunder slowly slid his forehooves closer together to better hold the precious blue one he had been given. In response, Zoom scooted closer. Their sides touched and warm tingles rushed outward from the contact point. There was that warm, still slightly damp coat of his favourite pony.   Thunder gazed at his companion in wonder.   Zoom smiled happily back.

Deciding to be bold, Thunder freed his wing from his side then daintily laid it over his companion’s back. A nervous rush tingled through him and he almost withdrew until he felt the warm mare press a little harder into his side.

Zoom Zeypherwing hummed with contentment and used her right hoof to remove her helmet. Stunning short locks of violet mane cascaded down to her shoulders. She placed the helmet off to her right then settled her head in their forehooves, right under the delighted stallion’s chin.

“You look really pretty without your helmet on...”   

Zoom chucked at the comment.

...And then Thunder realized what had escaped his mouth and froze. “Uh... I meant-”

“You aren't bad yourself.”

“I- I am?”

Zoom drew her head up to gaze into the eyes of the stallion she was currently sharing body heat with. Their muzzles were inches apart. With the green wing over her back, it was growing awful warm all of a sudden. And not just because she was drying off. A sudden temptation to kiss the blushing stallion rose. Fighting her inner urges, the blue mare instead smiled. “Yep.”

Zoom snuggled back down and allowed her chin to rest on top of green forehooves.

The light green stallion sat there, unable to believe that the tough as nails Zoom Zephyrwing herself was cuddled up to him. The wing he had over her back continued to tingle pleasantly, surely thanks to the magic they had been given. His heart soared into the sky with giddy excitement. He could feel each breath the powerful pegasus took. It was like a warm gust against his forehooves, ticking them with a softness he never thought possible. As she shifted a little and leaned harder against his shoulder it felt like an army of butterflies cascaded from the warm contact and rushed through his insides.

He grinned like a delighted idiot. If anypony else saw them like this it would be assumed that they were a couple.

Thunder quite liked that thought.

Tentatively he lowered his head till it brushed softly against the mare who was resting her chin on his forelegs.

When no complaint was raised, he lightly nuzzled her short violet mane, revelling in how soft it was.   The stallion froze when a hearty chuckle broke the quiet.   Why was she laughing? Had he just done something dumb?

“Awww... why did you stop?”

Surprised, Thunder glanced downward at his blissful blue companion. “You- you like it?”

“Yeah.”

A huge smile broke out across Thunder’s lips. With a greater sense of purpose, he nuzzled against the top of Zoom’s head. Her mane mushed up against his chin. As he gently rubbed against her, he especially relished the way her ears flapped as he passed over them. So soft... yet pokey. Thunder allowed himself to be lost in the bliss. It was magic, finally showing his affection for such a special pony.

Time wandered peacefully by for the duo as they lay snuggled on their lone cloud.

After a while longer, they noticed that the ponies at the lighthouse seemed to be moving out somewhere.

"I think that's our cue. Let's go." Zoom offered a final under chin nuzzle as she withdrew a contented smile upon her face.

"Right." Thunder sat up and quickly put his helmet back on. A pleased smile slipped past the professional persona as he readied himself for a quick flight.

Zoom settled her helmet in place and together the duo kicked off from their cloud and sped toward shore.

"Thank you for all your help today. You two are dismissed." With that, the queen and her two remaining guards wandered into the shorefront hotel leaving the green and blue pair outside.

"We could have stayed like everypony else." Thunder commented.

"Na. Come on, one more flight for the day."

The stallion glanced at the low sun, less than an hour and it would be setting. "You sure, we don't have much light left and it took ages to get here."

"You forget, we walked. Now... we have these." Zoom Zephyrwing playfully swatted her companion's muzzle with a wing then allowed her feathers to drag across his forehead and down his nose.

The poor stallion stood there smitten. Completely stunned, dumbstruck.

A giggle escaped Zoom and she shook her head. "What's got into you, you're being really easy today."

With green cheeks darkening considerably, Thunder shook himself. "I- I... Let's just go. I wanna see what home is like from the skies."

Zoom Zephyrwing smirked, eyes on the embarrassed stallion as launched himself into the skies and cut a path inland toward home.

Thunder flew for a good few minutes in silence. The stallion loosely followed the pathway out of town and over the fields. In the distance, he could see the rolling hills of some range off to the right, a few taller mountains far off to the left and in the middle, lower lying forest land. The pathway vanished into there somewhere.

The green stallion took a deep breath. It was so peaceful and calm way up here...

Where was Zoom?

His muzzle scrunching up a little with concern, Thunder glanced behind him and spotted a blue form shoot into the sky. The speeding mare took his breath away as she glittered in the late day sun. Glowing wings propelled her speedily toward the cruising stallion.

Thunder pulled off his best pout as his fellow guard pulled up alongside him.

Her ecstatic smile remained affixed as she spotted his pout. "Sorry, I'm late. Got distracted when I saw a hot stallion."

Thunder's ears pinned back against his head. "What?"

Zoom nodded solemnly. "Oh yeah. Hot hunk stole my breath and I needed a moment."

A scowl broke out across Thunder's muzzle. "Then why aren't you back there with him if he's so good looking?"

"Cause he ain't there doofus." A hint of a smirk tugged at the mare's cheeks.

Thunder did a double take. "What?"

Zoom Zephyrwing laughed, "no need to be jealous, I was talking about you, silly."

"But... you took like five minutes to catch up. I was wondering where you were."

"Yeah. Took a minute to recover after that awesome show you gave me. Don't want me dropping out of the skies do you?" The vibrant blue mare pulled in closer, her cheeky gaze filled with growing affection.

The green stallion turned away, his cheeks on fire. He silently prayed that the chilly wind would cool his face and allow him to look at the sunlit beauty once more.

A few moments passed and eventually, he glanced back at the mare who was flying at his side. Warm sunlight danced with the magic on her wings. Once again, Thunder found his breath taken away. She was spectacular.

He quickly averted his gaze when she glanced his way. A smirk crossed the tough mare's lips but she chose not to comment.

Just as Thunder thought it was safe to chance another look, he immediately returned his gaze to the green below.

She.

Was.

Looking.

This way...

Right at him!

Tentatively, the light green stallion chanced a look at his angel.

The grinning mare swooped in a little closer, cut him off, and ticked his nose with her tail.

Thunder banked a hard right. "Hey, no fair."

"Oh, everything's fair now loverboy." The tough mare threw herself into a steep dive toward the bush below.

Thunder hastened to follow her, eager to exact some kind of revenge.

Under the light of the moon, two pegasi cruised up a steep mountain. One they both knew led to Zephyr Heights.

"It's funny... we've walked this moutan so much... but it feels almost too easy doing it like this," Thunder noted as they crested the top and their home city came into view.

"Yeah." Zoom slowed her pace, taking a moment to enjoy the night lights of home. "I could get used to this."

"Long as we keep being friends with the other races, I'm sure that can be arranged."

Zoom slowed to a stop, hoving over the last stretch of rocky mountain. Right ahead lay the lights and sounds of civilization. Home. "Say... Thunder?"

"Yeah?" The stallion looped around, quick to return to his mare. "What's up?"

"I'm feeling tired. All this flying... I uh..." The tough mare carefully landed on a rock and sat down. "You want some company tonight? My home's on the other side of the city and I really can't be bothered walking that far."

"Yes! I mean- sure." An eager smile broke out across Thunder's muzzle as he landed nearby. "We've done like, heaps of flying. A good rest is probably in order."

"Yeah." Zoom agreed as she struck forth, her hooves carrying her into town. Her head was held high, tired but proud.

"Wanna get something to eat?" Thunder offered as he matched her pace, hooves falling in sync as they wandered under a few flying pegasi.

"Dinner's good."

Mare and stallion wandered the streets together. A light green wing lay across the blue mare's back and they shared a contented silence. All too soon, Thunder had to remove his wing, they had arrived at his home.

Thunder unlocked his front door and wandered inside. Zoom followed.

The tough mare eyed the stallion's rather full looking shoe rack and shook her head.

The green guardian caught his mare looking, "what?"

"Oh, you know what," Zoom smirked. She wandered over to the corner of the rack of sneakers and placed her helmet own on top of a pile of carefully stacked shoeboxes. With a shake of her now free flowing mane, she wandered off into the adjacent lounge. "Thank you again for dinner. I feel about ready to crash."

Thunder hurried over to the discarded helmet and quickly removed it from atop the shoebox. He placed the helmet on the floor nearby and quickly checked to make sure the sneakers inside the box were okay. Glad that the added weight had not creased anything he slid the box back on top of the stack of shoeboxes.

Satisfied, Thunder scooped up the downed helmet.

"I thought that was just an empty box... are they all full?"

Thunder jumped in shock. He had not sensed her return. A defensive stony look slipped onto his face. "Well yeah. The box protects them."

"Uh, isn't the point of having a collection so you can see them?"

The green stallion shook his head, "gotta keep them looking perfect for the right occasion. Then there are different shoes for different kinds of outfits and events"

"They're sneakers..." Zoom shook her head. Too tired to bother with the line of inquisition, she wandered off.

"Guys gotta have his sneakers," Thunder muttered as he trotted further inside and took a right, into the dining room. A small table in the middle and corner kitchenette greeted him. The stallion wandered up to the table and offloaded their kit. Freed of both items of armour, he took a deep, nervous breath as thoughts of who awaited him in the next room surfaced.

He quickly ran a hoof through his mane. Ready to help his beautiful guest settle in, he crossed into the adjacent room and stopped as he beheld the creature who was trying to settle down on his large couch. Thunder was quick to notice that she looked even prettier without any armour on at all.

"You trying to catch flies?"

"Huh?" Thunder blinked.

"Standing there with your mouth open and wings up like a stunned colt. It's funny."

"I'm sorry," slightly fluffed green wings settled and the stallion plonked himself down in the doorway. "You just kinda look... nice."

Zoom smiled at the bashful comment. "Yeah, well show me where to wash up and I guess it's time to settle down for the night."

"You know... the bed is nicer."

Zoom sat up, caught off guard by her companion's comment. "Thunder. Did I hear right? We haven't even had a proper date and you're inviting me to bed with you?"

Thunder's cheeks flooded with heat and green wings rose. "I- I didn't mean it like that. I mean... I was just thinking... it's been a long day... guard duty... our first flight, you crashed into the sea... then we flew home. I can always sleep on the couch."

"You've had a long day too."

"Come on." Thunder invited as he turned to lead down the short hallway.

"Alright. Shorty." A smirk slid across Zoom's snout as she rose trotted up to him.

The light green stallion span around. "Who you calling short?"

Zoom strode up to her partner and smirked at him. Standing within kissing distance, it was clear he was ever so slightly shorter. Almost two inches shorter nose to nose. But that was enough...

"Looks to me like I have a short coltfriend."

"No."

"Hmmmmm..." The powerful blue mare hummed as she stepped closer and nudged Thunder's nose under her own.

Zoom slipped a quick kiss on top of her short coltfriend's nose then strutted off, rather pleased with herself. "Yep. Definitely a cute midget. Now where's the washroom, I wanna get ready for bed."

Thunder blushed furiously, his wings puffed up. Unable to believe his first kiss, from the mare of his dreams no less, came right after she called him short.

Zoom Zeypherwing lay on the large bed listening to the sound of the shower run. Having already cleaned up, she was waiting for a certain pony. The tired mare blinked back sleep a few times as she lay there, half under the covers.

After what felt like ages, the sound of running water ceased and soon after, a stallion with a short fuzzy green mane wandered into the room.

"Well... I hope you have a good night's sleep. I'm off. I'll see you in the morning Zoom."

As the stallion turned to head out, Zoom half sat up. "You know... those cuddles we shared on the cloud were nice."

Green wings quivered as Thunder span around to face the mare in his bed once more. "You- would do that? Now? In bed?"

"Well, I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"I'm just... surprised." A shy smile slipped out across the stallion's muzzle. He wandered a few steps closer to the bed and paused in contemplation.

"Well... I do feel very comfortable with you around." Zoom admitted as she allowed herself to fall backward onto the bed.

Thunder turned the light off then wandered to the opposite side of the bed to where the sleepy beauty lay. "If you're sure. I mean... the bed is big enough for us both to take a side..."

"Make a decision. I'm going to sleep in this nice smelling bed."

Green wings fluttered upward. Say what?

With great care, Thunder slipped into bed and carefully wiggled backward till his hooves were no longer poking out the side. The last little wiggle brought him back to back with his bed buddy. She was already so nice and warm.

Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all...

The green stallion lay there for a few moments, suddenly no longer quite so tired. Instead, he felt... all fired up, invigorated...
His mind buzzed and his heart fluttered. Zoom Zeypherwing was in his bed.

He repeated that to himself a few times and found himself grinning.

This was both completely unexpected and amazing.

The stallion turned his mind from the mare behind him to himself. What was going on? One moment he felt ready to drop. Now he felt as though he could stay up all night with Zoom cuddling... and doing whatever else she wanted to do.

"Hey... you still awake?" Zoom's whispered question broke the silence.

"Yeah." The green stallion admitted.

"Wanna snuggle?"

"Aren't we already?" Thunder wondered softly.

"We can do better than back to back."

Supposing her comment was an invitation for action, Thunder rolled over and found his face buried in the short soft mane of his bed buddy. He inhaled deeply then unleased a satisfied breath. All thoughts were banished as the tough mare settled right up against his barrel. Quick to ever so slightly rearrange his lower quarters, the stallion allowed his hooves to wrap loosely around her, enjoying the feeling of holding such a precious pony.

She was his little spoon.

This was bliss. Thunder gave one last slow nuzzle enjoying the calm that came with their close snuggle. "Goodnight Zoom."

"Night Thunder." Secure in his hold, Zoom slowly drifted off, feeling safe and loved.

First Date

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Ever the early riser, Zoom Zephyrwing awoke at the crack of dawn. However, something felt odd. Her bed was softer than usual. The drowsy mare also felt very warm and safe. Something heavy lay across her shoulder. It twitched and her eyes shot open. The odd room swam slowly into focus.

A sparkle of rich blue and green feathers caught her attention.

With a rush, Zoom realized her pleasant dream had in fact been real. A green forehoof shifted from her shoulder to lay on her neck. She glanced from the hoof that held her to the lush green-blue feathers that covered her side like a warm blanket.

She was in his bed. They were cuddling and it felt perfect. A blissful smile slipped across her face as she nuzzled affectionately under her stallion's chin.

Thunder murmured happily as he came to. "So... warm..."

His blissful state was ruined as he found himself spitting out hairs. There was a soft dark purple mane in his face. His buried foreleg tingled, begging to be released from the mare who was lying on top of it.
...Suddenly his unexpected problems faded. Zoom Zephyrwing was rubbing herself slowly and affectionately against him. And it felt good...

"Good morning big boy." Zoom chuckled.

"Morning..." Murmured Thunder. His free wing folded carefully over his mare and together they settled back down for more cuddles.

As time wandered on, both pegasi were so caught up in the blissful moment that neither wanted to move.

Eventually, the tingling in Thunder's buried leg reached an intensity that was no longer possible to ignore. "Hey, Zoom..? As nice as cuddles with you are... Please release my foreleg, it's still asleep."

The blue mare rolled over to face her companion, a playful smile lingering.

Thunder withdrew with a light blush. He sat up in bed and gave his dead leg a good shake to rid it of the annoying tingling. As feeling returned to his limb he relaxed and allowed his gaze to linger on the beautiful pegasus before him. "So uh... how did you sleep?"

"That would be my best sleep in a long time..." Zoom conceded. "I never thought I would like being the little spoon, but I admit... you were real nice. Even though you are shorter than me."

Thunder huffed. "I'm not short. But that was my best sleep ever."

"Well, it's either all that flying we did yesterday..."

"Or the company." Thunder finished, hopefully.

"Only one way to confirm..." Zoom replied as she slipped out of bed and wandered toward the door. "We might have to try this again some other time."

A delighted grin ripped across Thunder's face. He pranced over and gave the pretty mare with the fuzzy bedmane a peck on the cheek.

And then his brain caught up with his action. Alarm shot through his system only to be silenced by finding himself tackled to the floor. The powerful blue mare towered above the downed, blushing stallion. She slowly leaned down then gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek.

"Gotcha. I'll save the proper first kiss till you've taken me out on a date." With a coy smile, Zoom left the room with a graceful swish of her tail.

"S-sure." Thunder lay on his back, stunned for a few moments as he collected his senses. The day was off to an amazing start. He could hardly wait to see what developments were to come.

Dressed in their regular guard attire, Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder touched down upon the mountainside they regularly patrolled. Back into routine...
The sun was shining, the clouds were thick along the horizon and they were alone.

"You know... since we now are a couple and we can sit on clouds..." Thunder trailed off hopefully as he eyed the cloud cover that obscured everything beyond the dip off the side of the mountain.

"No displays of affection while working." Zoom rebutted as she strode off.

"I- Sure. Of course." Thunder took a flying leap to catch up. He relished the way his wings could now give an instant boost. It felt... powerful.

Zoom cast a sideways glance at her companion as he trotted along with his wings out. A sly grin crept across her face. "Doesn't mean we can't find a cloud to cuddle on during our break. You just have to pick one further out so no ponies coming up the mountain can see us."

Thunder glanced around the empty mountain. "Hey, do you think we will get any visitors today?"

"Other than idiots in the sky? I dunno. Maybe a unicorn or two. I think their wood is close enough to make it here in a day if they really wanted to."

"Right. Well, I think it would be cool to get to welcome other ponies here."

"Yeah. It would make our job more exciting." Zoom agreed.

As the couple reached the edge of the plateau, Thunder's wings unfurled and he took a flying leap onto the clouds. The guard landed lightly on the soft white puff and span around face his mare.

Zoom quirked an eyebrow at her partner.

With a playful smile, he strutted in a circle on the clouds, enjoying the soft fluffiness under hoof.

Zoom shook her head, a smile playing at the edge of her lips as she regarded her stallion. "You know... our next part of the patrol involves going under the clouds, right?"

"Of course. I'm just enjoying the feel of clouds underhood. I bet they would make a good bed."

"Yeah, if you wanna get wet in the middle of the night. What's to stop them raining?"

That gave Thunder pause. "Well... I don't know. But I still think it would be cool."

Blue-purple wings unfurled with purpose and Zoom spiralled high into the sky, looped over the stallion, then plummeted through the cloud cover. Thunder smiled at the puncture as he wandered closer. He took a dainty leap and let gravity carry him though. His wings glowed softly as he banked to follow his mare. He quickly caught up to the circling pegasus, admiring her powerful form as she cut through the sky with ease.

Zoom smirked back, "see something you like?"

Thunder let his gaze slip away to the mountainside. "Well... yeah." he cleared his throat, "anyway, surrounds look clear."

"Hey."

The shy stallion glanced back up at his companion.

Zoom Zeypherwing smiled as she swooped closer to her fellow guard. "As long we’re dating, you’re allowed to check one mare out. Care to guess who?"

“Well, I only have eyes for you,” Thunder admitted softly as he fell into a hover.

Zoom winked at her stallion. “Makes a girl feel good when she hears things like that.”

“And it’s true.”

  “As long as the patrol remains quiet, I don’t mind if you take a look at the merchandise.” Zoom winked. She began to circle her date while keeping a loose eye out for other creatures.

Hovering in place, Thunder grinned back. “Sure. Thank you."

Zoom shook her head, a playful smile slipping out as she dived to check the lower mountainside for any activity. "With flight, I bet our job is gonna be real easy."

“Easy and fun.” Thunder agreed as he fell into position by her side.

A speeding red pegasus plummeted past the couple clipping Zoom on the nose with his wings.

"Woah! Watch where you're going!" Zoom yelled.

A green hoof trailed the progress of the speeding pony, "should we-?"

"Yeah." The tough mare nodded as she tilted and dived after the red speedster.

Aside from a few run ins with speeding pegasi, the next two days were fairly quiet. On their second day back home at Zephyr Heights, Zoom and Thunder welcomed the occasional unicorn who had ventured out of their woods for a bit of sight seeing. After work, they went their separate ways, each looking forward to what the next day would bring.

Four days after the return of magic, Zoom and Thunder enjoyed their busiest day of guard duty on the mountain top to date. The couple welcomed numerous unicorns to their home city while patrolling the skies, ensuring their own kin kept within the newly reinstated speed limits. News that Queen Haven would return along with the leader of Bridlewood reached the city as the new couple were finishing their last round. Zoom and Thunder discussed possible diplomatic reasons for such a visit as they soared over the clouds and found a spot a few miles out from town to relax.

Serene quiet fell as two sets of hooves touched down on a patch of cloud. Zoom eyed the soft golden puffs under her hooves. She gave the clouds a poke. The soft cloud rebounded as she withdrew. "I still think this is amazing."

"Yeah, it's pretty cool." Thunder grinned as his date gave the cloud underhoof another soft jab.

They quickly found a comfortable patch to enjoy some cuddle time. Their attire was quickly stripped off and placed off to their right. With the setting sun lighting Zephyr Heights in the distance, they cuddled up to enjoy the views. After a few pleasant minutes holding his mare, Thunder shifted so their hooves were splayed out to the side and their bodies were pressed comfortably together.

A green wing slipped over the blue mare’s back.  “Zoom. Would you like to go out on a date tonight?”

Zoom cast a look at her partner. "Sure. Do I need to dress up?”

“If you do, I can wear one of my nice pairs of sneakers to match.”

Zoom laughed, “nice? Sneakers? Why not.”

With a playful nuzzle, the powerful blue mare relaxed into her stallion’s side. The couple fell into contented silence as they watched tiny specs of ponies move around the outer city.

A contented sigh escaped Thunder. "You know... It just... it feels like I'm the luckiest stallion in Equestria right now."

“Oh you are, are you?”

Green wings rose in elation. "Yeah, this is so cool. We are going to make the greatest team ever!"

Zoom playfully bumped her shoulder against his. "I think we already do."
The couple fell into pleasant silence for a few moments before the blue mare had an idea. “Say Thunder… you don’t mind if I take you someplace for our date?”

“Does it have good food?”   

Zoom thought for a moment then nodded. “Yeah. It does.”

“Then I’m in.”

In her clean, simple home Zoom Zephyrwing smiled as she strode through her living room toward the front door. The military mare wore a simple purple dress, trim and tidy with dark blue patterns around the edges.

She opened the door to reveal her date.   Thunder stood nervously before his marefriend’s home. He was dressed in a snug dark green formal shirt with black and white sneakers.

Purple eyes scanned the stallion down, rested on his shoes a moment, then wandered back up. Zoom gave the hopeful looking pegasus a dry look. “Mmm dunno... I ordered a good looking date.”   The door swung closed.

“But...” The muffled voice of Thunder caused Zoom to crack a cheeky smile. She waited for a beat before throwing her door open again.

Thunder gave his date a very sad stallion pout.

The blue mare broke out into full blown laughter. “I’m joking. You look good.”

Green wings sagged a little. “And now the big meanie is laughing at me…”

That broke Zoom’s mirth. “Hey, I said I didn’t mean it.” A sigh escaped the tough pegasus. “Don’t tell me you need a hug, softie.”

Thunder wandered closer. The stallion was still downcast and looked in serious need of emotional support.

As he drew close, Zoom sighed and held out her forehooves for a hug. The couple embraced and held the hug for a few moments while the tough mare waited for her date to brighten up.

A smirk shot across Thunder’s muzzle and he snatched his mare and shot off into the sky. “Gotcha!”

“Hey!”

Thunder adjusted his grip to better hold his mare and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. “I do quite like your hugs. Thank you.”   

Held tightly in his forelegs Zoom couldn’t help but grin. “So that’s how you wanna play?”

Zoom pushed off from her date and spiralled around. She dived back down to her home and quickly secured the door.

Thunder carefully landed in the middle of the street, eyes on his date.   “So what if two can play?”

Zoom checked her dress and mane as she rounded on the eager stallion. “Then play. But watch the dress. I don’t have many of these things.”

“Well, I think you look beautiful.”  

“Because of it?”   

With a shake of his head, Thunder approached and offered a shy nuzzle. As his lips drifted closer to a blue ear, he whispered; “You were already super pretty.”

The couple withdrew, Zoom smiled thankfully. “Charmer.”

“Where are we going for dinner?”

“You will see…” Zoom chucked as she wandered off down the street toward town. “Stallions and food... Have patience."

Thunder cantered eagerly after his mare. As he drew alongside her, blue wings shot out and with a sparkle of magic, Zoom took off into the sky. Green wings unfurled and the light green stallion was quick to join his mare in the sky.

The couple flew toward the busy central city. After a few peaceful moments flying above the streets, Zoom veered off to the right. Thunder shot her a confused look. The leading mare winked back and twirled around. With one last look toward the closest restaurants, Thunder banked right and rejoined his date.

“So… you know we’re turning around.” The confused stallion posed the beginning of his question.

“Yep.”

“And heading away from the best places to eat.”

“Correct.”

Thunder scowled. This was odd. “So… did you find someplace out your way?”

“Sorta.” Zoom smirked as she continued to fly in a wide circle. Soon enough she swooped downward and alighted before her own home.

Thunder gave his date a confused look as he landed beside her. “Did you forget something?”

“Nope.” Zoom threw her door open then rounded on her date. “Welcome to my home. I know it’s not much, but I thought it might be nice to cook for you.”

Green ears perked up as the stallion gazed at his mare, pleasantly surprised. “You... cook for me?”

“Thought I might try to make you something extra special.” Zoom wandered inside.

The grinning green stallion was quick to follow.  

In her modest kitchen, Zoom Zeypherwing was hard at work. She was preparing a meal for two using a variety of fruit and veggies. She first prepared a small salad then got to work on a soup. Tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and several other tantalizing foods were chopped up and thrown into the pot. A mix of sauces and spices followed.

The few times Thunder attempted to sneak too close he found himself playfully swatted by a blue wing and told to back off. Zoom continued to work, enjoying the feeling of cooking while being watched by her hungry coltfriend. The eager stallion occasionally would ask about what she was creating. Each question was given a vague answer before Zoom continued to stir away.

Thunder's phone began to play soft music as he browsed the web, occasionally glancing up to admire his mare. Once the pot was left to simmer away, Zoom led Thunder into the small lounge. Zoom brought out her tablet and they enjoyed a film and cuddles while they waited. They snacked on the salad and fed each other greens, paying at least as much attention to each other as the film.

Finally, an alert pinged and Zoom hastened up to check the meal.

Thunder gazed at the doorway where only moments ago, his date had vanished.

"It's ready!"

The hungry stallion's tummy gave a mighty rumble and he hastened to the dinner table in the adjoining room. Ever eager to sample his date’s cooking, the stallion dug in as soon as he received her confirming nod.

They started their meal in comfortable silence. Both pegasi would occasionally glance up from their own bowl to admire their partner. Each time Thunder met his mare’s gaze he would make silly facials and humms of pleasure. This earned amused smiles and giggles in return. It was clear the meal was well and truly being enjoyed.
As their bowls emptied and bellies began to fill, the couple slipped in and out of small talk. Seconds were had and half way through her second helping, Zoom's eating slowed.

Thunder was the first to finish. He settled back in his seat with a delighted grin. “So good...”

Zoom scoffed, “oh come off it.”

“No, I’m serious. I don’t need any fancy city food if you keep making food like that for me.”

Zoom Zeypherwing smiled as she set about finishing off her own meal.

Thunder turned his attention from his mare to the sparse room. “You uh... not much for decorating? Honestly thought there would be more here than just a shelf with some photos on top.”

Zoom shrugged as she eyed the aforementioned wall. “Yeah. I got better things to do than make a rental look pretty.”

“Like guard duty and adventures?”

  “Exactly.”

“When is your next outing?”

Zoom shrugged. “almost two weeks.”

“Do they let stallions come too?”

“Fire Bolt brought her partner along once. It was weird.”

“Girls only. Got it.”

The tough mare smiled back as she settled into her seat. “If you really wanna see what our adventures are like, I’m sure I can ask the other girls to bring their partners too. Could make a fun first group adventure in the sky.”  

A peaceful silence returned as Zoom carefully finished off the rest of her meal. Thunder assisted in cleaning up and the couple jumped from one topic to another as they worked. As the last of the dishes were put away, silence fell.

Side by side, they stood at the bench and surveyed the clean kitchen.

“Say... uh... today’s been nice. Thank you.” Thunder cast a sidelong gaze at his date.

Blue wings ruffled as Zoom sat. “Yeah.”

“Have we really only been going out a few days?”

 “Feels longer, huh?”

The bright green stallion nodded.

After a few still moments Zoom’s musing broke the silence, “I’m glad the captain still lets us patrol together.”

“She knows?”

Zoom cast a sly look at her companion, “considering captain Bolt asked a month ago if you were my coltfriend...”

Green wings stood up in surprise, “wait. Really?”

Zoom smirked back. “And over the last few months, well, I may have already told a mare or two to back off, you were mine.”   

“You did what!?”

Zoom gave her coltfriend a quick nuzzle. “Don’t mind, do you?”

“Well, no. I’m just surprised.” Thunder admitted softly.

The tough mare withdrew to once again meet her stallion’s eye. “Never noticed any other mares looking at you funny?”

Thunder shook his head, clearly unable to bring any such occurrences to mind.

A cheeky giggle escaped Zoom. “You really are oblivious.”

With a shrug, Thunder nuzzled up to his date and gave her a winged hug. “Guess I was always too busy hanging out on patrol with you or relaxing with the boys.”

The admission left Zoom feeling all bubbly and happy inside. She contented herself with returning the affection shown by her partner.

The couple continued to sit in happy silence sharing in slow, loving nuzzles and tentative caresses. Thunder dipped his nose lower to run it in circles around the muscular chest of his mare.

A few soft giggles broke out. Zoom swept the cheeky stallion’s muzzle up then dived in and blew a raspberry on his stomach. Giggles erupted into full blown laughter as the two guards playfully wrestled around on the floor.

After an intense, brief struggle Thunder found himself pinned down. The deep blue mare towered above. She held a stoic look for a few tense moments.

“I win.”

The downed stallion gazed up at his mare, still shocked to be on the bottom.

“You should see your face...!” Laughter broke forth from the tough mare.

“Well, I didn’t expect to find myself on the floor.” Thunder lay there, wings splayed out on either side, at the mercy of his companion.

Zoom slowly pressed herself back down on top of the capsized stallion. “Didn’t want to be on the bottom?”

With a growing blush, Thunder realized his rather unguarded position on the ground. He quickly rolled onto his side then sat up. “No.”

The playful smile vanished from the blue mare as she relinquished her date, “sorry. I just thought it was funny.”

“No. It’s okay.” Thunder mumbled as he sat up and ruffled his feathers back into place.

“It just... you looked kinda cute lying there and I thought it was funny seeing the stallion on the bottom after our little playfight.”

“No- no. You’re fine. I just...” Words failed Thunder as he rubbed his forehooves together.

Concern blossomed across the tough mare’s muzzle. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Just didn’t expect you so close and on top and all.”

“This from the stallion who flashed me while we were in Maritime bay.”

“What?” Thunder withdrew a bit, scandalized by the revelation.

“What? You did.” Zoom stated as though it were the clearest thing in the world.

“I did?”

“Lying on your back on that cloud while I sat next to you...? Nevermind.”

A few moments of hard thinking passed till realization blossomed across Thunder's face. “Wait, you looked at my-”

“I said nevermind. Okay!”   

Thunder jumped backward as though burned. As the moment’s shock wore off it became clear that there were in fact two blushing pegasi in the room. The stallion grinned as he eyed heated blue cheeks. “I don’t suppose I get a look, you know..?”

“No.” Zoom deadpanned as she tried to brush the blush off her muzzle. “We also snuggled all night. I thought being up close and personal was fine. What's wrong now?”

“Almost feels like too much too quickly, you know?”

Zoom shrugged. “Not really. But I’m glad you’re telling me now rather than later.”

“What did you think we would do later?”

The tough mare shook her head. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

“Okay..?”

The couple fell into an uncertain silence that dragged on slowly as neither pegasus met the gaze of the other.

Thunder cast a quick look out the window at the dark street beyond. “Well... I guess I better be going.”

“You sure?”   

The stallion nodded.

A drawn out sigh escaped Zoom. “Alright.”

The couple wandered to the front door. With expert ease, Thunder slipped on his sneakers. They stood for an awkward moment, side by side. Thunder gazed at the door handle, as though willing it to operate magically.

“You sure you don’t wanna stay over?” Zoom offered. "We could finish that movie then I dunno... whatever you wanna do."

The stallion shook his head slowly. “Maybe another night. It’s been nice though.”

As a light green hoof came to rest on the door, Zoom carefully embraced her date. “Hey, I didn’t break any boundaries, did I?”

“Na. Just feels kinda fast. One day we were great friends who worked together and I could just be a big colt and not worry about anything... now? Well...”

“Do you like having me as your marefriend?”

Thunder quickly ensnared the blue mare a winged hug. “Of course.” He straightened up and withdrew his own wings. "But my head's spinning and my heart can hardly believe we are here. It's like the best thing ever but I really don't know what I'm doing or what to do."

The couple shared a tender look as they both relaxed a bit. Zoom smiled at her nervous partner. "You know, now I'm really glad you said something."

"You are?"

Zoom nodded. "Yeah."

A long relieved exhale escaped the stallion. "I was worried you would be mad."

"Mad at you?"

"Well yeah. I ruined a perfectly good date."

Zoom huffed. "Now what have I told you, I don't wanna push you. And I don't want either of us to feel uncomfortable. If you need a bit of time to think. Take the time. I'm not going anywhere. Come on, we even get to work together."

A smile tugged at the corners of the green stallion's mouth as he gazed at the door again. "Yeah. Thanks."

"And Thunder."

"Yeah?"

Zoom waited till he met her gaze. "I'm sure we can work out what we're doing as we go. So just try to relax and if you need to talk to anypony, I'm sure your friends or I will be there."

Thunder nodded. "Yeah. Do you, uh... mind if I hug you again?"

"I love your hugs." Zoom grinned back.

With a light blush on his muzzle, the stallion nipped in for a quick hug then withdrew. He rounded on the door and hesitated.

Zoom pushed open her front door. Crisp night air greeted the pegasus couple.

Thunder eyed the street. Then the pretty mare by his side. After a long moment, he cast his gaze back outside. “You know... That meal. It felt more like we were family than just dating.”

“Glad it wasn’t just me feeling it.” Zoom softly admitted.

“So... you would cook for me again?” Thunder asked as he wandered out the door.

With a dry chuckle, Zoom nodded as she joined him outside. “Of course. Why do you think I offered in the first place.”

“You’re feeling pretty serious about us then?”

“I thought we both were.”

Thunder nodded, once again deep in thought. “Yeah.”

“Just need some time to think?”

Thunder nodded slowly. “I’ll see you in the morning, alright?”

“Right.”

The couple embraced. They stood there in the street, forehooves and wings engaged as they held the last hug for the day. The sweet moment dwindled and slowly came to an end.
The pair withdrew, eyes meeting under the glow of the street lights.

“Good night Zoom.”

“Night Thunder.”

Zoom Zeypherwing watched as her date flew off into the night. “Well...”   

With a sigh, the lone mare wandered back into her home. The door slammed shut. Feeling oddly flat after such a wonderful day, the tough mare decided it was time for an early night.

Maybe everything would be better in the morning.

First Kiss

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Zoom awoke to a crink in her back and a cold bed. With no desire to drag herself out of bed, she simply lay there trying to fight off the fog of sleep. The mare sighed as her gaze fell upon the empty space by her side. Nope. Everything was not all better in the morning. She had only been awake moments and yet already felt lonely.

Maybe it had been a bit too hopeful to think Thunder would want to join her in bed after their evening together.
Maybe she had been a little too forward?

Why did he even need time to think? It was clear as day to her that he was perfect life mate material. With a groan, she forced herself to get up and out of bed. “I won’t push him... but...”

The tough mare surveyed her bedroom. ‘it would be nice if he would just relax.’

Two pegasus guards sat side by side on a cloud overlooking the mountainside outside their home city. The rocky landscape vanished into the mist. Thunder sat at attention, clearly ready to go in case they spotted any movement. He kept his wings to himself and had been largely quiet all morning. Zoom Zeypherwing scanned their surroundings with far less vigour than her companion, slightly bored with how slowly the day was progressing. The lack of their usual banter only served to leave the mare wishing something would happen.

Sighing with defeat since no pony was forthcoming from the mist, Zoom paused her watch of the mountainside to stare at her companion. “Why are you being awkward?”

“Huh?” Thunder broke out of his thoughtful stupor.

Zoom rolled her eyes and gave her partner a shove. “Relax. Or I’ll have to find myself a new partner.”

The stallion shot his mare a tough look. “No you don’t.”

Zoom snorted, “then relax.”

“But what if I’m still thinking...?”

“Then stop. You’re being weird.”

Thunder cocked his head to the side, confused. “I am?”

Zoom sighed. “I got asked by Striker and two of the boys why my coltfriend was being weird. Now we are alone, your all stiff and quiet.”

“Wait... They know we are going out?”

A dry smile flickered across Zoom’s muzzle. “Everypony already seemed to assume we were together.”

“That’s weird.”

With a shake of her head, Zoom returned her gaze to the expanse of cloud that lay before them.

“Okay. So, what did I do?” Thunder asked, “I don’t feel like I’m being weird.”

“Well, you are.”

Thunder eyed his mare. “Okay... Are we still well...”

“Together?”

Thunder perked up a little. “A couple?”

Zoom biffed her stallion playfully over the head with her wing. “Duh.”

A relieved sigh escaped Thunder and he relaxed somewhat. “Oh good...”

“Worried?”

“Yeah." Thunder nodded, his motions quick and nervous. "I’ve uh... never done this before.”

Zoom eyed her fellow guard. “But you’ve had at least two fillyfriends at school.”

The stallion recoiled, his wide eyed gaze locked on his mare. “You remember that..?”

An annoyed huff escaped the blue mare.

“As I remember, we weren’t even hanging out much at school.” A sly grin crept across the green stallion’s lips. He lent in close and offered a quick nuzzle. “Was somepony jealous?”

With a snort, Zoom stuck her nose in the air at such an accusation.

Unable to believe the cute response from his mare, Thunder giggled. “Were you wanting me to ask you out or something?”

A smirk crossed Zoom’s lips as she kept watch over the horizon. “Somepony was too popular with the fillies. I never got a chance.”

“I went out on like two dates.”

“Four.”

“Well, yes it was- wait.” Thunder did a double take. “How did you know that?”

Zoom shrugged. “Good guess?”

The green stallion levelled his best serious look upon his fellow guard.

“Okay, so I know how many dates you went on. Can’t a girl hold a crush?”

“You were a full year ahead of me. That woulda been weird. Wouldn’t it?” Thunder wondered out loud.

Zoom shrugged.

Thunder watched his fillyfriend in silence, hoping for a greater response. When none was forthcoming he resumed watching the skyline from their cloud. “Maybe that was just teenage me being silly.”

“True.”

“Hmmm... you really think we could have worked, even back then?”

Zoom shrugged and flicked her wings dismissively. Her eyes remained fixed upon the horizon.

Thunder settled down onto their cloud. “Okay, now you’ve got me wondering what it would have been like to ask you out back then.”

The mare eyed her stallion. “Well, you didn’t.”

“Yeah, but it would’ve been real cool.” A sudden smirk erupted across his muzzle. “Imagine all the antics we coulda gotten up to at basic.”

Zoom rolled her eyes, a playful smirk crossing her muzzle. “Forget it.”

“But imagine if they let us share a bunk? I woulda had the best sleep every night with my amazing cuddle buddy!”

Zoom sniggered. “No pony ever would get any sleep, you mean.”

“Why? Oh...” Realization dawned on the suddenly blushing stallion. “Yeah. Now I really wish this happened sooner.”

Still smiling, the blue mare shook her head dismissively. “We had fun as friends and we made a great team. Besides, we’re here now.”

Thunder nodded, “yeah.. true.” With a wistful sigh, he settled down again and leant tentatively against his fillyfriend.

Zoom playfully shoved her companion off. “What did I say about work?”

“Right.”

Zoom stood and stretched. “Okay, I guess we should do another round of this patrol.”

“Hey... uh, Zoom?”

Hind leg still raised, the mare eyed her companion, “yes...?”

“When I said I’ve never done this before... I kinda meant like... A fillyfriend. Not a date but yeah...”

“Oh?” Zoom straightened up, her attention wholly focused upon her coltfriend.

Realizing that it was up to him to continue, Thunder sucked in a deep, nervous breath. “Yeah. I guess I realized that night, like almost a week ago that you’re the first one I’m really serious about.”

A pleased smile slipped out across Zoom’s lips “Right. And what brought all this on?”

The green stallion fidgeted. “Well.. it just felt right. Us. Like that. And you cooking for me... amazing.”

“Awww...” Zoom cooed and lent in for a quick nuzzle.

With a deep breath to steady himself, the grinning stallion continued softly; “And my bed just kinda felt cold and empty without you there.”

Zoom barked out a laugh. “Is big tough Thunder admitting he was cold and alone last night?”

Thunder shot his date an offended look. After a moment of looking tough, he wilted under her gaze. “Maybe.”

A chuckle escaped the tough mare, “I kinda missed cuddling you last night too. I did invite you to stick around.”

“I know. But it just kinda felt...”

“Sudden? Too fast?” A dry chuckle escaped Zoom, “I don’t wanna rush you. Long as we are together I’m good. Just don’t make me wait till I’m an old mare before taking the next step. I can’t wait that long. And neither can our parents.”

Thunder nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting from his beautiful companion and back out to the open skies. “Sorry. I guess I had too many things on my mind.”

“This again? I thought you moved on to wishing we had dated since school?”

“Sorry. I do and I don’t wanna keep you waiting or anything but-”

“Thunder. Relax. We’re a team and we can tackle this together. Like everything.” Zoom playfully shoved her coltfriend. “I love you just the way you are, but you can be a bit of a dummy sometimes.”

Thunderstruck, the stallion stared back “you... love me?”

Zoom clamped her jaw shut half way to answering. After a few awkward moments, she relaxed. A slow sigh escaped and her gaze fell to the cloud underhoof. “Yeah. I love you. Guilty as charged... I uh... guess I have for a while.” Zoom glanced sheepishly up at the pony who held her heart.

“I-” Thunder paused his reply as he realized just how deep the admittance was. “Wow.”
Drawn to the pegasus who had just made a confession of love toward him, the stallion’s jaw continued to slacken as he admired her.

Although enjoying the attention, Zoom couldn’t help but wonder if the dopey look was because she had accidentally broken her stallion. “Do you... feel the same way toward me?”

Thunder blinked a few times and composed himself. He realized his wings were partially extended. With a ruffle of feathers, he settled them down at his sides once more, embarrassed by the free show he had given. “Well, I dunno how long I’ve really liked you. Like- liked you. And you’re kinda the most amazing- look! Unicorns!”

The excited stallion rushed off to greet the guests who emerged from the cloud cover. Zoom shook her head. So much for a magical exchange of ‘I love you’s’. Still, she couldn’t help but admire her stallion. Even if he wasn't yet ready to return her love in kind, she knew he was still worth her love.
And now... he knew.

As her wings quivered and rose. Realizing where her thoughts were headed, Zoom forced her wings to reach for the air currents and she rose into the sky to join her stallion.

“Welcome to Zeypher Heights.” Thunder greeted their third small group of inquisitive guests. Two of the younger unicorns with muted forest colours for coats stared back at the eager stallion wide eyed.

The eldest, a dark grey, stocky unicorn smiled. “Greetings. I am here to see Queen Haven.”

“You must be Alphabittle.” Thunder smiled, “I remember you.”

“And you two were the guards helping the queen.”

“That’s us.” Thunder proudly replied. “The queen is attending to royal matters and should be in the castle. Would you like us to guide you there?”

“Well, I don’t mean to impose.”

“It would be our honour to accompany the leader of the unicorns to meet our queen.”

Alphabittle chucked at the green stallion’s words. “Lead on then.”

Thunder turned to his companion, expecting her to take the lead as usual. He found her smiling fondly at him and gave a nod for him to lead the group.

Thunder strode off, "you know, we were expecting you."

"Really?" Alphabittle cast an inquisitive glance at the eager guard.

"Oh yes, some of our fellow guardponies even thought you might return with the queen."

Zoom rolled her eyes at her companion's words.

Alphabittle gave a short laugh, "yeah? Well, I had a few things to sort out in the forest before making my first official trip to your fair city."

"Well..." Thunder's nervous grin was infectious and everypony was smiling as they walked over the ridge and spotted the gleaming city rising out from behind the clouds.

"Wow... That's pretty." Alphabittle commented.

The three unicorns stared at the city, wide eyed and full of wonder.

Thunder grinned like a colt who had been given free candy, the newcomers expressions were making up for the dull morning.

Thunder waved goodbye to the third group of ponies headed into their city. The guard couple watched as the five unicorns vanished into the metropolis.

Zoom turned to the grinning green stallion. “Well look at you. You’ve been on fire since we started getting visitors.”

The eager stallion nodded in agreement. “Well... your company helps a lot.”

“Heh, wanna have dinner at my place again?”

Thunder perked up, “Really?”

The blue mare smiled back, “it’s nice to have somepony around who enjoys my cooking.”

Thunder quickly checked his phone, “well... we got an hour left on our shift. But then I’m super keen!”

A pack of pegasi flew out from the bounds of the city.

Thunder was quick to notice the airborne ponies and pointed them out, “looks like we have some of our own out exploring.” He took to the skies to better supervise the happy ponies who were experiencing the skies

Zoom watched, an amused smile on her face. She caught herself staring and quickly forced her professional appearance back to the forefront. Good thing no pony had been watching. With one last glance around, Zoom took to the skies to watch over the civilians.

Zoom and Thunder met outside the palace early on a sunny Monday morning, almost two weeks after the return of magic. Thunder unleashed a gigantic yawn as he alighted.

Zoom watched the slightly frazzled stallion. “You look like you need more sleep there mister.”

Thunder nodded as he wandered closer. “I need you to sleep properly.”

The tough mare rolled her eyes. “It was one night.”

“Yep. I’m surprised that’s all it took. Now I feel like I’m totally dependent on you to sleep properly.”

“So... wanna try a night of snuggles tonight? Or still thinking?”

With a thoughtful look, Thunder led the way inside. “Can I answer that after work?”

Zoom eyed her frazzled stallion as he wandered through the grand entrance room toward a small hallway off to the right. “Hold on.”

“What?” Thunder watched as his mare passed him by.

“Follow me, doofus.”

“Okay.” Thunder yawned as he obediently followed behind his partner, not paying any attention to the other ponies in the grand entrance.

Zoom pulled Thunder aside into a side room. After a quick glance around to check they were alone, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Thunder perked up at the loving gesture. “Say, why did you push me into here? I didn’t know we had a spare moment for kisses.”

"Gotta have my coltfriend looking his best on duty," Zoom commented as she began to quickly preen her partner.

Absolute bliss fell upon the stallion and he stretched slowly as his mare worked. “Ooooh yeah... that feels good.”

With a chuckle, the blue mare winked at her stallion, then resumed her careful work on his wings. As Zoom worked her teeth through his feathers, she began to drift. Somehow it was easy to imagine doing this in bed... to her husband. With a blissful sigh, she discarded that thought.

“What?”

“Huh?” Zoom paused to spit out a loose feather. “Oh... I’ll tell you later once we’re off duty.”

Thunder sighed in pleasure as his partner finished up on his right wing.

Just then, a squee of delight pierced the silence.

Both shocked pegasi turned to the door and spotted their princess, Pipp, phone in hoof, and a rather awkward looking Hitch still holding the door half open.

“Aren't they super cute!” Pipp gushed, “Pippsqueaks, I didn’t realize that two of our outstanding guards were a couple. Congratulations guys!”

“Hey, turn that thing off!” Zoom broke out of her stupor, panic flooding her system.

Pipp backpedalled in shock, “why? You two looked so adorable together, I totes had to share!"

"This was private. Now turn that off!" Zoom hurried toward Pipp.

Pipp hid behind Hitch, phone temporally out of the annoyed guard’s reach. "Awwww..."

Hitch intervened and snatched his companion’s phone. He fumbled with it for a few moments as Zoom and Pipp fought to claim the phone. The last thing the many fans of Princess Pipp saw was Hitch’s face deep in battle with the technical device.

“Hitch!” Pipp complained as her companion withheld her beloved phone.

“Finally! I think I got the stream to stop. And no, I’m not giving it back yet.” Hitch gave his date a warning look.

The pink pegasus fell into a pout.

Hitch turned to the two guards. “Sorry guys. I didn’t realize she was live until it was too late.”

Thunder stepped in, cutting his annoyed marefriend off before she even started talking. “It’s okay. Our relationship was going to become public at some point. I just didn’t expect today to be the day.”

All eyes in the throne room were upon the pegasus guard couple as they strode in for duty.

Queen Haven glanced up from her phone and with a light scowl returned her attention to her mobile device. “I do not understand these hashtags but there is documented evidence that you two were doing private things on my time.”

"Technically it was before our shift started, oh queen," Zoom stated carefully. “I only pulled Thunder aside to quickly fix him up. Couldn’t have him looking off form for duty.”

“Why did you not prompt him to sort his own wings out?”

“It was a quick fix. That did not cross my mind.” Zoom admitted.

A grin flashed across Thunder’s muzzle. He was quick to calm his expression.

While a few pegasi in the room noticed the stallions break in decorum, the queen was once again busy checking her phone. The faint sound of Pipp squeeing reached the couple’s ears as the video was replayed and paused.

The queen glanced at a few of her senior guards before returning her gaze to the younger pair before her. "Be that as it may. You know the protocol for workplace relationships. Reading the chat attached to my daughter's latest livestream, the general population appears to be under the impression that the two of you are a married couple. Am I wrong?"

"Well, we aren’t married yet." Thunder tentatively replied. He caught sight of the shocked expression on Zoom’s face and a smile slipped out as he continued; “but kinda are dating.”

"Interesting. That’s an awful lot of casual intimacy for two dating pegasi. I was aware that among your comrades they jokingly refer to the two of you as our couple in the guard. But I was under the impression it was mere jest.” The queen paused to size the couple up. “Official protocol stands for a reason. What do you think, Silver Sheild?"

The greying guard captain was caught off guard at being asked for his opinion on such a matter. "I think it would be a shame to break up such a hard working pair."

"Thunder and I have proved we work well together," Zoom spoke up.

"Agreed. Do you think you can operate as professionally together as you used to?" Queen Haven asked.

Both young guards were quick to nod.

The queen settled back and drew her phone up and tapped away. After a long moment, the royal pegasus finished typing. "I have made an official publication. My two trusted personal guards featured in my daughter's morning livestream are in fact our only dating couple with permission to work together. This capture was before their shift and taken without permission.” Queen Haven glanced up at the stunned couple. “I expect your current level of professionalism on the job to continue."

Several guards shared surprised glances while the couple in question relaxed.

“Yes, your majesty.” Thunder promised, bowing low alongside his marefriend.

Zoom and Thunder flew out of the city after work that day and kept going until they found a private cloud outside the city limits.

“Crazy day huh?” Zoom gave a dry laugh as she landed.

Thunder landed carefully next to his partner and was quick to admire her. “Who would think the princess would catch you preening me.”

“Yeah…” Zoom mumbled as she lay down and tried to relax.

“Say… about earlier.” Thunder tentatively prompted.

“When? Is this about me quickly tidying you up?”

“No. Yes! Would you, maybe… consider preening me again sometime? It felt really nice.” Thunder admitted softly as he twiddled his forehooves.

Zoom chucked, “as long as you don’t mind the idea of preening me.”

The green stallion quickly perked up. “I would love to.”

“No half-arsed efforts like I fixed this morning.”

“Of course, I’ll do my best.”

A knowing smirk crossed Zoom’s face. “All I can ask for. Say... wanna sleep over at mine tonight?”

Thunder thought carefully for a few moments, “You’re offering food?”

A smirk slipped out across the blue mare’s face. “And some cuddles, if you don’t mind trying out my bed.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea.” Thunder grinned as he lay down and snuggled up against his marefriend.

After a few blissful moments, Thunder turned to his marefriend, “Say... Zoom?”

“Yes, hot stuff?”

“...” Thunder felt the words he wished to say, catch in his mouth, unable to escape to fill the silence that had descended. “Thank you.”

The green stallion gave Zoom a quick kiss on her cheek then quickly turned away, blushing.

While a part of her was disappointed in her coltfriend’s words, her whole face was left tingling pleasantly from the surprise kiss.

“Gotta look after my stallion.” Zoom snuck in a quick kiss of her own, right on his cheek.

A dopey grin erupted as Thunder’s eyes met Zoom’s playful gaze. The lovestruck stallion pounced upon his mare and proceeded to shower her in kisses and nuzzles. Zoom laughed as she lamely fended him off. She began to return the favour, darting in for a kiss on the neck, cheek or chin every chance she got. All of a sudden the pair froze, their lips connected for the first time ever. Thunder stood over his mare, green wings up like twin flags, eyes wide open. The poor creature was clearly in shock.

Zoom's eyes fluttered closed as the surprise of their first lip lock faded, replaced with the burning desire for a proper kiss. She leant upward, pressing a loving kiss home. Feeling no active response from her coltfriend, she withdrew, disappointed. Zoom's eyes opened as she lay flat upon the soft cloud.

Thunder blinked a few times, his mouth slightly open. Then he closed it. "Bah... bah... wha...? You... kissed me?"

"Or was it you who kissed me?" A nervous laugh escaped Zoom. Her smile faded, "not much of a first kiss though, huh?"

"Oh..." Green wings at last sank from their outstretched positions. Thunder awkwardly stepped away from his mare and settled beside her capsized body. He licked his lips thoughtfully, a smile slowly forming.

"Are you feeling okay there? Cause I could totally try that again if you will actually kiss me back." Zoom offered as she continued to lie on her back and gazed with concern at the stunned stallion by her side.

Green wings slowly unfurled as cogs continued to turn in Thunder's brain. The soft feathers covering the blue mare ticked her belly as they settled.

Thunder swallowed nervously, his gaze finally returning to meet the eyes of his lover. "You know..." The stallion's gaze flickered between Zoom's eyes and her lips.

As Zoom Zephyrwing continued to hold the gaze of her nervous coltfriend, he slowly leant toward her. As their sides touched and noses almost met, he paused. The soft touch of the wind ruffled his mane as he gazed lovingly down at her, silently asking permission to proceed.

A delighted smile crept across Zoom's muzzle and nervous fuzzes danced inside the excited mare. This could be it, they would finally get their first real kiss!

With a deep, unsteady breath Thunder closed the distance and met her waiting lips with his own. Green wings lifted with excitement as they continued to kiss slowly. Although their motions lacked any sense of sync, Zoom and Thunder held onto their first kiss, unwilling to simply end their newfound intimate experience.

Blue wings shot out to lie flat on either side of Zoom. Her feathers tickled Thunder's tummy as he continued to sit, slightly elevated to better maintain their kiss.

With a big gasp for air, Thunder broke off. A big dopey grin covered his face as he gazed at his mare. "Woah..."

Zoom licked her lips as she rolled onto her side and lay there smirking. "I could try that again."

Quick to take her offer, Thunder dove in for a second kiss.

The first light of the new day broke through the edge of the curtains to Zoom Zeypherwing’s bedroom. In the bed lay two pegasi cuddled up together in bliss.

Zoom was the first to return to the waking world. While she would normally hurry out of bed and begin her active day, today was not one of those days. She carefully backed up a bit to better be encased within the loose hug from her coltfriend. Yep, this was the best.

She sighed blissfully and captured his exposed forehoof that was draped over her with her own forehooves and held it possessively. Zoom knew she would happily take Thunder to bed every night. If only he would finish thinking and take decisive action. Only one night here and there would drive her crazy.

As her bed buddy shifted, Zoom realized her possessive hold on the green forehoof had probably tightened. She loosened her grasp and was rewarded by her coltfriend bringing her in for a sleepy hug.

“That...” Thunder yawned, then gave his mare a kiss on the neck. He took a long slow sleepy moment to breathe her scent and enjoy the warm snuggly moment. “That was an amazing sleep.”

Zoom carefully flipped over to face her bed buddy. “My thoughts exactly.”

“Today is our day off, right?” Thunder asked as he closed his eyes.

“Yeah.”

“Wanna sleep in some more?”

A soft thoughtful hum escaped Zoom as she pretended to consider. A grin escaped as she nestled deeper into her partner's loving cuddle. “I won’t complain.”

“Oh good... I like cuddles...”

The couple fell into blissful silence, content to snuggle.

Their extended cuddle session continued for an unknown duration as both lovers simply enjoyed the moment.

Zoom eventually felt her body itching to move a bit and wiggled her body around to bring her face to face with her coltfriend.

A smile was quick to grace Thunder’s muzzle as he admired his mare up close. “Hey Zoom..?”

Zoom booped their snouts together playfully. “Yes, hot stuff?”

“Would you, uh... consider moving in with me?”

Zoom withdrew in surprise and stared wide eyed at her suddenly shy stallion. “Now who’s being too fast?”

Thunder fidgeted, eyes downcast. “I mean, you don't have to. I-I yeah...”

The stuttering stallion was rendered silent by a kiss from his eager marefriend.

Zoom withdrew and nuzzled her stallion. “If you are comfortable and feel ready. Then I’m keen.”

“Y-you mean it?”

Zoom cuddled up closer and lay her head against her partner’s chest. She could feel his heart beating fast with excitement. “Yep.”

“Wow... Super cool.”

Zoom hummed softly in agreement and allowed the tranquil silence to return. Thunder slowly snuck his head in closer and gave his blue mare a long slow kiss on the top of her head.

After another few cuddly moments, Zoom stretched out a bit and gazed into her partner's eyes. A cheeky smile graced her lips. “You do realize we are doing this all the wrong way around?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well... we've only been dating for almost two weeks. Our first kiss was yesterday and now you already invited me to move in with you.”

“Oh... yeah.” A nervous chuckle escaped Thunder.

With a flare of her wings, Zoom rose and towered over her coltfriend. The powerful mare lent down and nuzzled her lover. She paused, her mouth near his left ear; “does this mean a hoofband is coming soon too?”

With a sly smile, she leapt out of bed leaving a grinning stallion flat on his back.

“You know...” Thunder gazed up at the ceiling with a dopey look on his face.

“Yeah?” Zoom paused to smile at her stallion.

Thunder met her with a faint smile, "Um... maybe?"

"Maybe?"

The smile on Thunder's face gained traction. "Yeah. Maybe."

Zoom laughed as she strode off. "Today is a good day. I'll make us some breakfast!"

"Yeah..." Thunder relaxed as he lay back against the pillow, wings loose at his sides. Ideas were swirling around his brain. While he knew it was too early to commit to marriage, he felt at peace with the state of his relationship with Zoom and delighted to have her by his side. As far as he could tell, they both knew where they were going and seemed to be on the same page.

Next step, say those three little words...
As Thunder cast a quick look toward the bathroom, he knew that she already knew. But maybe it would be nice to tell her.
Thunder sat up, suddenly energized. Maybe today could be that day.

Moving In

View Online

Today was not the day.

Thunder sighed as he kicked his sneakers off and then leaned against his closed front door. It had been an enjoyable day for sure, but oh boy. No opportunities for a confession of love existed once their day started. At least, Thunder was pretty sure no good chances had presented themselves. Another sigh escaped the stallion.

Ah well, maybe he should do some packing of stuff before bed? The stallion pulled out his phone, flicked over to his recent messages and paused. As he stared at Zoom’s profile picture his mind wandered to earlier that day.

After the couples extended cuddle time in the morning, they enjoyed a quiet breakfast at Zooms place.

Content to simply enjoy each other's company on their day off, the couple proceeded to wander around the central district of the city. Zoom proceeded to playfully make up profiles of many of the ponies they passed in the street.

“Deafeningly a snobby banker.” Thunder agreed with a snicker as his mare led them down a side street away from the mare they had been talking about.

Zoom smirked back then spotted a tough looking pegasus at the opposite end of the narrow street. “And what about that stallion? The one chatting to his boys about something cool. I reckon he’s packing. Maybe even enough to take on our commander. Or Hitch.”

“It might be funny to see Hitch fight him. But that would make Pipp sad.”

Zipp snorted. “Well yeah, but come on.”

“How about...” Thunder trailed off in thought.

Zoom allowed silence to fall as they trekked closer. They passed the group and came out onto another busy street.

To their left, a small group of pegasi just up the road came into view. They were chilling under a billboard of Princess Pipp promoting a new collection of beauty products. Thunder immediately recognized the group to be Zoom's friends.

As he took a step away, ready to depart and leave Zoom to it, he felt her wing land on his back. The green stallion gave his marefriend a questioning glance. She gave a slight motion with her head for him to join in.

“But I’m not wearing my best sneakers,” Thunder’s reply was met with an eye roll.

“They won’t bite, now come on.”

Thunder gave an exaggerated sigh in defeat.

Zoom playfully cuffed him over the head then let her wing fall across his withers.

Thunder staggered as though he had been struck a mighty blow. “Ow, war wound. This guard needs to seek medical attention fast.”

Zoom grabbed her stallion and planted a kiss on the top of his head. “There, all better.”

A dopey grin lit the stallion’s countenance. “Super effective heal too.”

“Come on.” A light chuckle broke from Zoom as she strode onward, Thunder at her side.

“Hi Zoom!” A bouncy purple mare greeted the couple as they wandered closer.

“Hi, Midnight.” Zoom was quick to reply.

“Finally made him your coltfriend I see.” A sunny yellow mare with a coy smile approached the couple. She winked at Thunder, “he’s even cuter than I remember.”

Zoom smirked, “and he’s mine.”

Summer Breeze scoffed playfully, “You’ve been saying that for years.”

Thunder cast a concerned glance at his mare. Zoom shrugged, playing off her friend's comment. “Ignore her.”

“Right.” Thunder quickly nodded.

“Hey, don’t be mean Zoom.” Summer Breeze protested.

“That’s what you get for flirting with everypony’s coltfriends.” Sweet Serving, a two toned, creme and blue mare commented.

“It’s just some fun!” Summer Breeze exclaimed.

Sweet Serving gave her sunny friend a dry look. “You would flirt with anything with a pair of wings-”

“Hey, I have standards.”

“That no pony else can follow it seems.” Cumulonimbus, the fourth and final mare of the group spoke up softly.

Summer Breeze eyed the cloudy grey mare. “Anyway... back to our good friend Zoom and her hot coltfriend.”

“Off on a date?” Sweet Serving asked hopefully.

“Na, just hanging out.” Zoom casually reaffirmed her winged grip on her stallion.

Midnight eyed the wing. “It looks to me like somepony is even more serious than she was letting on.”

“You hide him from us for months, then suddenly show up acting like he’s your husband or something.” Summer Breeze’s accusation caused the couple to share a look.

Thunder rubbed at his muzzle to try and cover the growing blush.

“Wait, you haven’t already proposed... have you?” Midnight eyed Thunder.

Green wings shot up. “What? No!”

“Then what’s with you?” Midnight asked.

“We both know what we want and where this is going,” Zoom spoke proudly.

“I assume that means a hoof band is coming.” Cumulonimbus inquired softly.

“And foals? I bet you two would totally make cute babies.” Sweet Serving gushed.

“Woah, slow it down.” Zoom cut in.

“What, afraid of giving him ideas?” Midnight smirked.

“Moving in together gives us both plenty of ideas, thank you,” Zoom stated.

“Really?” Sweet Serving’s vibrant pink and blue wings rose excitedly.

Thunder nodded. “Yeah, like... pretty soon. We’ve decided to look for a new, bigger place to share too.”

“Amazing!” The vibrant pink and light blue pegasus flittered closer and then dived in for a hug.

Zoom’s other three friends were quick to join the group hug. Thunder stood stiffly, wings at his side and hooves down while Zoom returned her friend's affections.

“Why don’t you invite him along on our next trip?” Summer Breeze asked as the group withdrew with large grins.

Zoom cast a questioning glance at her date, “hmm, I dunno.”

“Come on, it would give us a chance to catch up.” Summer Breeze insisted.

“You mean, grill him.” Zoom shot playfully back.

“All part of the fun.” Summer Breeze playfully added. “Besides, I bet things have changed from the ‘just friends’ days.”

“It will be a little awkward if I’m the only guy.” Thunder spoke up softly.

“What if Midnight, Cumulonimbus and I bring our stallions?” Sweet Serving asked hopefully.

Zoom shrugged. She met her stallion’s gaze and smiled. “Thunder’s in.”

“He is?” Midnight glanced between the mare and her stallion before setting her critical eye upon Thunder.

“I am?” Thunder asked, confused.

“Yep, I can see it on your face.” Zoom affectionally patted her green stallion’s jaw.

Thunder huffed and pulled out his phone.

Zoom rolled her eyes, a cheeky grin creeping out across her muzzle. “This will be interesting.”

“Want a hoof with moving in?” Summer Breeze asked.

“Sure.” Zoom shrugged.

As the afternoon sun sank lower on the skyline, A group of eleven pegasi were busy loading boxes into Zoom and Thunder’s new home.

Sweet Serving and Zoom watched on while Thunder and one of his friends, a grey stallion called Gale Force, carried a large box of shoes in the front door. Zoom’s parents, a cloudy mare and sandy colored stallion followed the two boys in with smaller boxes.

Zoom rolled her eyes. “I forget he had so many.”

“Oh, you will be tripping over those forever.” Sweet Serving commented softly.

“He’s tidy.” Zoom shot back.

“Five bits says you're tripping over his sneakers by the end of the week.” Cumulonimbus offered as she joined the conversation.

“Easy bits, I’ll take you on,” Zoom stated confidently.

Midnight sidled up alongside the pair, a playful smirk on her face. “Ten says you see how messy he is by the end of next week.

“I’ll meet you at ten. But no tidying up after his shoes and I win if he makes a big mess any time this week.” Cumulonimbus confidently laid down her bet.

“He can tidy up after his own self. He’s been self sufficient, unlike you girls stallions.” Zoom retorted.

The other two mares giggled.

“Oh girl, you have much to learn.” Sweet Serving shook her head. “I’m not betting, but I agree with Cumulonimbus, it will not take long for you to realize how messy stallions are once they have you.”

Zoom huffed. “Whatever, let's get back to work.”

Meanwhile, inside at the opposite end of the house, Thunder wandered into the open kitchen and living area. He immediately spotted his dad, a dark green stallion helping his mother, a light purple mare with a pink mane, loading plates, cups and other items into cupboards. "How's it going in here?"

The older stallion turned and motioned for his son to join them.

“Yes?” Thunder wondered aloud.

The greying, dark green stallion, Rapid Chaser, grinned at his son, “so... when are you going to give her a hoof band?”

“Dad...”

“What?” Rapid Chaser turned to his mare for support. “ Sapphire and I were just talking and figured that if you were ready to move in that maybe you might have another surprise too?”

“No.”

“I think this will be a lovely home to raise foals.” Sapphire Wish commented with a smile.

“Mom!”

Gale Force wandered in carrying a box haphazardly. “Did I hear some pony calling for his mommy, Awww...”

“Bro, get out.” Thunder gave Gale Force a playful shove.

“Na. I’ll stay. Getting bossed around out there is no fun.” Gale Force shot back.

“Who’s calling for his bro.” A lanky brown stallion strode in. “Don’t tell me I’m missing the fun.”

Thunder replied. “Go back to unpacking the guest room, little brother.”

“You face.”

“Maelstrom.”

Maelstrom grunted and gave a flick of his wings.

“Do you think Zoom is due a hoof band?” Rapid Chaser asked.

Gale Force chucked. “Oh, I see where this is going. I think they’re cool. We know Thunder moves at his own speed.”

“You mean slowly?” Maelstrom chuckled. “I bet a hoof band is years away.”

“I’m just glad they finally making a move,” Sapphire added.

“Yeah! This move sure took me by surprise.” Gale Force added and gave his green friend a cheeky feathered ribbing.

“It makes sense.” Thunder retorted, suddenly rather defensive.

“What makes sense?” Sweet Serving asked as she wandered in.

Gale Force shot the mare a look. “Oh you know, guys stuff.”

The creme and blue mare smiled knowingly. “Summer Breeze will be sad that such a hot stallion is off the market.” Sweet Serving locked eyes with Thunder, “but I always knew you and Zoom were cute together. That makes a-mazing sense.”

With a twirl and flick of her wings, Sweet Serving left the group to their own devices.

Thunder sighed. “Let's get back to work before anypony else hears my parents grilling me about a hoof band or foals.”

“Your folks only just started asking? Dude, you got it easy.” Gale Force commented.

“Gale, let's grab some more boxes. I wanna at least put my TV up before it gets dark.”

“And put on a game of hoofball?” Maelstrom hopefully asked. “The new game’s out and I brought it round so...”

“Read my mind.” Thunder smiled.

“Bro, I’m down!” Gale Force cheered.

“Dibs on first round,” Maelstrom added.

“Two versus two, then Zoom can join in.” Thunder amended.

“I’d prefer dad,” Maelstrom glanced hopefully at his sire.

The older stallion chuckled. “I suppose I could be encouraged to join in for a few games.”

Later that evening, in the open kitchen - living space, a slightly smaller group of pegasi sat on beanbags around the couch that Zoom and Thunder shared with Maelstrom perched on the edge. The most completely set up room of the house included Thunder's gaming console and Tv. Currently, Zoom and Thunder were playing two aside hoofball world league against Maelstrom and Rapid Chaser. Gale Force sat nearby cheering them on while he waited for his turn. Midnight quietly relaxed next to Zoom on the floor, watching.

Sweet Serving reclined against the kitchen bench top talking softly with Sapphire Wish. With a final goal from Rapid Chaser the two mare’s attention was drawn to the father and son pair who had just won.

Thunder passed the controller to Gale Force who eagerly accepted. “Okay my bro, now I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Zoom passed her controller to Midnight who stared at it for a moment. “Are you sure?”

Zoom shrugged. “I only feel like playing with Thunder.”

“Has she ever played?” Gale Force wondered with concern.

“I play adventure games, if that helps.” Midnight accepted the controller.

The grey stallion groaned. “I’m doomed!”

“One more game, hon. Then we should take our bones home.” Sapphire spoke up.

“But these epic battles...”

“I will drag you by your tail.”

“Killjoy. Alright you lot, let's go!” The older stallion flared his wings as if to shield the group from his wife’s gaze.

Thunder smiled as Zoom snuggled up closer and they settled down to watch their friends and family play a round.

Little over a week later, a mare's annoyed shot broke the calm at their new home.

“Thunder!”

“What?”

“Just come here!” Zoom called out from the entrance of their new, larger apartment.

A few long moments later, the green stallion wandered down the hallway from the open lounge.

Zoom tapped a hoof impatiently as she waited for him to approach. Once he finally stood before her, she gestured at the four pairs of sneakers that were scattered haphazardly against the wall. “What's this?”

Thunder glanced at his shoes and shrugged. “My sneakers.”

“A mess.”

“Hey, they are valued part of my collection.”

“Then what are they doing in a place I can trip over them?”

“I guess I never got round to putting them away? I’ll probably wear those three again soon anyway.” He gestured to most of the discarded shoes.

“What happened to always having a tidy shoe rack and most of them in boxes?”

“Uh... maybe I just always made sure it was tidy when I knew a certain pretty pony was coming over.” A sheepish smile tugged at Thunder’s lips.

Zoom huffed. “Want me to chuck them outside?”

“No!”

“Then put them away. I’m not your mom.”

“Thankfully.” Thunder muttered.

“What was that?” Zoom took a step forward, wings raised to cuff him over the head.

Thunder leapt backward. “Okay, fine. I’ll do it now. Geeze...”

Zoom smiled keenly, “if we’re gonna live together, please at least try to put things away.”

“Can I at least leave one pair out, ready to go?”

Zoom tapped her chin in mock thought, “as long as I’m not tripping over your sneakers to get to the door.”

Thunder brushed up alongside his mare as he carefully moved his sneakers to the shoe rack on the wall and placed one of the pairs back in its box.

“Thanks, Thunder.” Zoom offered a quick nuzzle.

“Gotta listen to the mare I love, right.”

“Excuse me?” Zoom rounded on her coltfriend.

Thunder dropped the shoe he was holding as realization struck. “Uh. yes, you heard. I totally am in love with you, Zoom.”

Blue wings rose. “You finally said it!”

“I- yes.”

Zoom tacked her coltfriend, pinning him to their front door. “You know... I love you two, you silly colt.”

Green wings flared upward and a dopey grin threatened to split Thunder’s face in two. “Y- yeah?”

Zoom smiled back as she lent in and gave her stallion a slow nuzzle. She hummed softly in confirmation.

“Not exactly where I imagined it happening, but I’m glad I finally was able to tell you that I love you.” Thunder admitted with a nervous giggle.

“What were you waiting for?” Zoom wondered.

Thunder sheepishly scratched the back of his head, “well... I dunno. Maybe a nice cloud somewhere... just the two of us.”

Zoom withdrew, a flat look on her face. “Dude, that’s been most evenings after work.”

“The words just didn't wanna come out, okay?”

A dry chuckle escaped the tough mare and a smile broke forth once more. “I wondered...”

“Wondered what?” Thunder cocked his head slightly to the side.

“Oh, I just caught you looking at me sometimes like you had something you wanted to say... but you never did.”

“That’s oddly patient of you.”

Zoom lent in for a kiss, “you have been worth waiting for.”

The couple shared another chaste kiss, then withdrew with shared smiles.

“I’m getting faster, I think.”

Zoom smirked back, “No rush, stud. It’s not like I’m demanding kids in a year or something crazy.”

“Yeah... that would be scary.”

Zoom placed a quick peck on her stallion’s cheek then withdrew. “But I also am not waiting forever, remember that.”

“Gotcha.” Thunder smiled and moved in for a nuzzle.

“Oh shit.”

“What?” Panic flooded the stallion at the sight of his mare's sudden change.

Zoom lightly facehoofed. “I just forgot about a dumb bet. Midnight wins too.”

“Serves you right for making a dumb bet.” A moment passed then realization flashed across the stallion’s face. “Wait, were you betting on me?”

“Yep.”

“What sorta bet about me... Hmmm?” The green stallion lent right into kissing range as he awaited a response.

Zoom booped his nose playfully. “Why would I tell you?”

“Because you just lost.”

“Don’t worry about it Thunder.”

“But now I am worrying about it. What did I do wrong?”

An exasperated sigh escaped Zoom. “Sneakers. In the way. Making a mess like some uncouth earth pony. Wait, that's a bit harsh on the earth ponies now that we've met them.”

Thunder quirked a brow, unimpressed. “I just moved them and everything. Can we go back to kisses and cuddles, please?”

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea...” Zoom agreed as she leaned in for a kiss.

That night, once the couple settled down and ready for sleep, Thunder rolled over in their large bed to face his mare.

Zoom eyed her lover, “I know that look. What’s up?”

“Well..." Thunder hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with the blanket as his eyes darted everywhere but at the watchful gaze of his mare.

Zoom gently lifted her partner's chin to gaze into his trepid gaze.

Thunder cleared his throat nervously, his gaze unable to leave the beauty before him. "Well, you see... I know I only just told you today that I love you.”

“And I love you too.”

A smile blossomed across Thunder’s face and he lent in for a quick kiss. He withdrew only far enough to properly stare into her eyes. “I probably have loved you for a while. It just... you know... took me a while to work out that my beautiful best friend was actually more than that to me.”

“Awww... really?”

The green stallion nodded, “really really. I- I don’t think I could tell you... when things changed... but I think I've been feeling special attraction toward you for a while and probably even loved you for a year... maybe a bit more.”

A hint of tears threatened at the edges of Zoom's eyes as she continued to hold the gaze of her beloved. “That's...” She trailed off and simply gave her stallion a soft kiss on the lips content to cuddle as she processed his words.

After a few moments of peaceful contemplation, Thunder built up enough willpower to force himself to continue softly. “And even when I kinda realized you were something special... I didn’t know what to do. I didn't want to ruin what we had. But you also just felt right. We felt right together. I was glad we got to work together like... all the time and even hang out after work. And you know the rules at the castle and all...”

Zoom dapped at her damp eyes, a bright smile upon her face. “So... what changed?”

Thunder pondered her question for a moment before he gulped. “I think... magic. That day magic returned...”

Zoom simply smiled and waited for him to continue.

“That day was magic... it’s like suddenly nothing else mattered. Just you... and me. Everything felt so right.”

“Feel.”

“Huh?”

“Everything we do feels right,” Zoom affirmed lovingly.

Thunder wiped his eyes to clear his suddenly misty vision. “Yeah.” He pulled his love in tighter and kissed her cheek. “This feels right. Zoom, that day... I realised that without a doubt, you were it for me. But you know... I've only just worked up the courage to tell you all this today.”

"Well..." Zoom gave her stallion a soft kiss. "I'm glad you finally have told me. Because you know what?"

"What?"

"I feel exactly the same way about you, hot stuff."

Thunder sighed with bliss, as though a hidden weight had been lifted and he lent in for another, longer kiss.

A few moments of snuggle time passed peacefully by till Zoom pulled back to stare at her handsome stallion.

“Well, I know... I’ve had the hots for you for a while.” Zoom’s playful smirk lit the room.

Thunder considered her words for a moment. A smile broke forth as memories surfaced. “Is that why your friends always put us together?”

“Yeah.”

“Afraid Breeze would try steal me?” A cheeky look crept across Thunder's muzzle.

Zoom scoffed. “I made it clear you were off limits a long time ago...”

Thunder withdrew to better size up her words. “Uh... just how bad did you have it for me?”

A cheeky grin took over as Zoom eyed her coltfriend. “Oh if you had asked me out during our guard training I probably woulda been young enough and crazy enough to try sneak into your bed.”

Thunder sat up suddenly. Green wings rose as he stared down at the beautiful mare below. “Zoom Zeypherwing are you serious?”

A tender smile slipped out as Zoom nodded. “Yea. And you have been worth the wait.”

“Yes, but if you had said something...”

“Said what? I thought at times you were totally into me too, but sometimes I couldn't be sure.” Zoom shrugged, trying to downplay the strong emotions that were welling up within her. “I guess brave ol’ Zoom wasn’t bold enough to break the social norm and ask her stallion out. Even if I did find you totally hot.”

“Well, we were friends, yes. And you were really attractive too.” Thunder admitted.

Zoom stretched and let her hooves spread out in front as she faced her coltfriend. “Okay, I’ve been wondering something... all those times you flashed me, did it not once occur to you what you were actually doing?”

“Uh, how many times do you think I flashed you?” Thunder wondered with great concern.

Zoom smirked and her wings quivered, threatening to rise at the many memories. “A few. And you only ever seemed to roll over like a little colt around me.”

Thunder thought carefully for a few moments then a smile slipped out. “Oh, yeah... I guess I did.”

Zoom chuckled. “Yep. That wasn’t you quietly offering me sex, was it?”

“No, well... no. Nothing as intimate as that, at least...” Thunder laughed awkwardly.

Blue wings settled, “just being a big colt huh?”

“I guess it just felt right being open around you and all.” The stallion’s playfulness slipped away as he met his mare’s gaze. “And I still don’t get a peak?”

Zoom considered her answer for a moment. She sat up to better face her stallion. “I’ll think about it.”

“Oh come on...”

“You gave me a free show.”

Thunder did his best pout, “lots of free shows by the sound of things.”

Zoom tried to shrug and play it off as nothing, but her wings flared outward as her mind conjured up the mental images and the many vivid dreams that typically followed. “And who’s fault is that?”

Thunder stared at the outstretched blue wings and wondered what exactly had caused such a reaction. “Yeah, but-”

Zoom leaned in and kissed her green stallion, effectively silencing him.

As they slowly withdrew from the sweet kiss, Zoom laid her forehead against her lover’s. “I have never lifted this tail for anypony. But if you really want to see all of me... I’ll show you, if you’re sure that we will be life mates.”

Thunder withdrew, his eyes meeting hers. “That sounds like a whole lot more than just a requirement to give you a hoof band.”

“Consider me interested.” Zoom lay on her side, a wing covering her lower barrel. “For a lifetime with you, that is.”

Thunder stared back, wide eyed “Like.. married and... and... like forever?”

“Sorry. Too soon?”

“Maybe? At this point, I dunno.” A chuckle escaped the stallion and he gave a little stretch, “But I do think you would make an amazing wife.”

Zoom tackled Thunder onto their soft bed. She had her capsized coltfriend pinned down. Not that he seemed to mind if the smile on his face was anything to go by. “Oh really?”

“Yeah... be my cuddle buddy and bestest companion, make sure I look good for work and even cook me amazing food. What’s not to like?”

A playful snort escaped Zoom and she pushed herself up, freeing the grinning stallion. “And what do I get out of it?”

Thunder opened his mouth about to speak, paused, then closed it. After a few moments, a sheepish grin crept out across his lips, “so, what do you get out of it? I have an idea, but I dunno if it’s appropriate.”

The blue mare’s gaze flickered down her coltfriend, “I hope you’re not referring to what you're packing down below.”

Thunder sat upright. “Hey.”

“What? It’s etched in my mind, hot stuff.”

Thunder wrapped his mare in a tight hug and brought her ear close to whisper; “so... when do you want that hoofband?”

Zoom pushed herself up to stare down at her smiling stallion. “Is that a serious offer?”

“If you’re not offering me a sneak peek before I buy, I might as well do it sooner rather than later. Then I can claim the whole of you as mine.” Green wings rose to possessively touch Zoom’s barrel. “Besides, I think I too want you for ever and ever.”

The blue mare leaned down and gave her lover a long slow kiss. Blue wings fluttered upward as Green feathers came to rest on their bed. Thunder pulled Zoom in closer as they began a sensual battle of the tongues.

As they withdrew, sharing dopey smiles, both pegasi took a moment to admire their partner.

“You’re so beautiful... you know that...” Thunder whispered, awestruck.

Zoom chucked, “you look rather handsome too. Maybe I should take you up on that serious offer.”

“Better have a chat with your folks then.” Thunder pulled his mare down for another kiss and rolled onto his side, bringing her with him.

“Yeah. Well, goodnight Thunder.”

“Good night beautiful.” Thunder kissed his mare on her cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Soaring Hearts

by lillytheomegawolf

First Flight

First Date

First Kiss

Moving In