There´s an old tradition among the Wonderbolts. You don't get to chose your wingpony, it´s always assigned to you based on the criteria of your superior. That´s it until your final year, when you make the transition to permanent squad member and you get the chance to chose the one partner that will fly at your side on every mission, on that day you give that pony a gift, a sign of commitment, a medal or an earring or anything that has the shape of your Cutie Mark.

Everypony in the squad has either given or received one, all but me.

I got named Captain too early, special recommendation by Princess Celestia herself after heroics actions in protecting the city of Las Pegasus from a stray tornado. The youngest mare to ever earn the spot, I barely got time to react before I got promoted and I lost my chance to pick a partner. After all, the Captain is supposed to lead the entire team, can't have a pony messing with her style.

I got this medal here, years ago, for Soarin. Makes sense, we were partners for three full years, assigned by former captain Firefly, she told us we were “the perfect match”; and we were, always flying in sync.,

Uh, smaller than I remember it being.

I never got around to giving it to him, even after I was named captain I could have just give it to him as a gift, a simple gesture. Why I enver did it? Maybe I was worried what others may say? I know Fleetfoot always teased me with the fact that ponies who gave the medals usually end up married but that´s  a silly story.

Besides, there´s nothing going on between me and Soarin. We´re just friends, best friends, best pals, nothing more…

“Oh horseshoes!”

“...”

“Nevermind, I can clean that. And I can clean that too. ANd that one.”

What in the hay is he doing? All he has to do is move his stuff to the office in front of me, simple as that. Of course being Soarin, he has to crash half of the place just moving some boxes. I better go help him.

“Oh, I hope I don't have to pay for that lamp…”

“It comes with the office, Mayor.”

“He, feels weird to have a rank now…

“You'll get used to it. Here let me help you with that”

He, always the same old Soarin. Picking up the strangest things, who keeps a rubber finger as a souvenir? Half of this stuff is from our different gigs, back when we were cadets. Souvenirs from Baltimare, Trottingham, Las Pegasus…

“...Soarin, this medal...is shaped like your Cutie Mark…”

“Oh that, yeah, I forgot I still have it.”

Is he blushing?

“Remember that gig on Las Pegasus, the one with the giant tornado? Well, I got this just the day before, I was kinda hoping to ask you to be my permanent partner, you know tradition and all that. Guess the sky that day got other plans, heh.”

“You know, you could still have give it to me later. Just as a gift.”

- TIME LIMIT-

“Yeah, I thought so but...you know…”

“Know what?”

He, he´s cute when he blushes.

“Nevermind then. Come on, let´s finish unpacking before the start of the morning practice.”

“Okay. Hey Spitfire, I think this fell from your pocket. It´s...oh.”

“Oh that yeah…”

Great, how do I get out of this one?

“You know, you´re kinda cute when you blush.”

“Shut up, Soarin.”

Maybe we didn't miss our chance, maybe we shouldn't have care that much about tradition.

Just maybe…