“So, how did things go with Midnight?” Rainbow asked.

Soarin yawned a little and grinned. It had been a week since him and Midnight had had sex and things had been going pretty well. It drove him a little up the walls, and not in a good way, that she could be untrusting and while open minded to most things, tended to be pretty judgmental and critical when it wasn’t necessary.

“Uh,” he chuckled as he put on a grim smile. “They went very good. I think we’re gonna be okay.” That isn’t true. He didn’t know how to explain his feelings about the unicorn. He enjoyed her company, thought she was sweet and pretty and was a fairly fun girl. But she didn’t challenge him, didn’t excite him, did not make him want to live. Not that she made him want to die. He just felt that he only existed when he was with her, and that would not be enough for a long term commitment.

“That’s great!” Dash told him. “So what’d you guys do last time?”

“I actually helped her with the shop for a bit,” he answered. “I think I did an okay job, seeing as she only pointed out about three mistakes that I made the morning after,” he noted. Apparently he was too casual, too forward.

“It’s no big deal, but maybe you just shouldn’t help out. Not really your thing,” Midnight told him honestly. Soarin bit his lip and concealed his slight offence with a close lipped smile. Just like a school crush, after getting to know them more, your feelings started to fade.

“Don’t worry, the time I tried to help Rarity out was a disaster. She was stress eating ice cream and laying on that fainting couch of hers. Last time I offer her any sort of help.”

Hearing her story made him feel better and made him laugh. Rarity could be dramatic. At least from Dash’s point of view.

“Come on Wonderbolts! To the gym now!” Spitfire shouted.

“Shit,” Soarin muttered, flying to his locker and getting his suit out.

Dash did the same and waited for him by the door. Once he was dressed and goggles were placed on his forehead, he glanced at her sleek body and ruffled mane. “Race you,” she quipped, her classic smirk all over her face.

His eyes narrowed. “Bring it on.”

She won, as usual.

“So, Soarin, you and Crash seemed to be pretty friendly today, huh?” Rapid nudged him.

Soarin, Lightning Streak and Rapidfire were taking a walk around Cloudsdale, enjoying the sunny weather.

“What?”

Lightning nudged him. “Yeah, during practice and lunch. You guys were laughing and talking amongst yourselves.”

Soarin blushed a little. “I- I guess we were.”

“You guess?” Rapidfire snorted. “It looked like you two were about to make out or something.”

“Now come on, that ship has sailed. We’re just work friends,” Soarin protested. “As she said, we discuss the weather and help each other with our problems. Because we’re moving— wait, no, we’ve moved on.” He painted a smile onto his face, deciding to lie to himself. “I have a marefriend and I like her and I am very happy,” he concluded.

Lightning placed a hoof on his shoulder and stared. “Dude...” His dark amber eyes widened. “I know you guys had sex but...”

Soarin cocked a brow. “But...?”

“You liked each other? I mean, I know you liked her, but what else was going on? Why haven’t you told anypony yet?!” he shouted. A bunch of weather Pegasi glanced their way and Lightning chuckled. “Uh, sorry,” he called. They all shrugged and turned back to their work.

“I told Spitfire and Fleetfoot,” Soarin responded.

“Why them and not us? Like it or not, Clipper, we’re your best male friends,” Rapid said with a fake accusatory look.

Soarin rolled his eyes and grinned. “Unfortunately, that’s very true.”

“Oh shut up,” Lightning said, light flitting around his eyes. “Come on man, we wanna know.”

Soarin nodded and pointed to a cloud. “Fine, but we’re doing it over here. I don’t know what I would do if somepony heard.”

“Okay,” Lightning agreed and spread his wings. “One, two, three go!”

The three blasted off and landed on the wide cloud at exactly the same time. “I’m not going into full detail,” Soarin warned. “That would end up taking forever. And no, I did not tell Spit and Fleet every single thing either. It’s between me and Dash at the end of the day.”

The two bit their lips. “Fair enough,” Rapid said.

“Just start at the very beginning. We don’t have all day, you know,” Lightning interrupted, kindly impatient.

Soarin chuckled. “Alright, alright. After the whole thing when her parents visited, we hung out at her house and we ended up getting into a bit of a fight,” he started. “Barely spoke to each other for a couple months. I guess she really took it personally.”

Rapid nodded as understanding dawned on him. “Oh, I remember that. Sheesh, the whole team was so confused. Oh! And then she asked me and Spitfire for your address one day,” he recalled.

“Yeah. Anyways, she came to my house and we made up. We started talking and then I was on top of her... that was the first time we did it. I really wanted to be with her, but she deserved better than me. I wouldn’t be able to give her enough time.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Lightning stated.

Soarin kept going. “So for about six months, it was a friends with benefits, except all the sex and feelings and attraction were there. So it was just basically a relationship undefined now that I say it out loud,” he mused. “We’d hang out whenever I wasn’t busy with work and she wasn’t busy with her friends. It was... difficult to hide it, but we did it,” Soarin said slowly. This was the first time he had really explained the story of him and Dash out loud. “And then after Spitfire came back and we all went to Las Pegasus. And I saw you.” He turned to Lightning. “And her together. Very, very close.”

Rapid turned to Light and shook his head disapprovingly. “Dude, not cool.”

Streak flushed. “I know. I’m sorry about that,” he replied regretfully.

Soarin frowned. He had never really confronted his friend over that, and the curiosity was killing him for than ever. “What was up with that anyways, Streak?”

Lightning shrugged. “Honestly? I kind of liked Rainbow. Honestly though Soarin, I had no idea about you two. I... that night she was talking about you. And I was a little jealous. But I had also had a bit of a thing for Fleetfoot, but she and Blaze... anyways, I guess I was a little mad. And Dash and I were talking and it was nice. I’m the one who asked her to go to the VIP section. I’m the one who kissed her first.” He stared at Soarin with a heartbreakingly upset look on his face. “I’m sorry, Soarin. I was really confused.”

Soarin placed a hoof on his back. “You didn’t know about us, Lightning.”

“Maybe not, but I knew you liked her. And I knew she liked you. It was really uncool of me. So I apologize.”

Lightning was a man-whore, a flirt, arrogant. But he was a good guy and a great friend. “Thank you,” Soarin told him.

“Eh, should’ve said it sooner.”

Rapid snorted. “Yeah, alright alright. Get back with the story, Clipper.”

“Okay,” Soarin yawned. “I was jealous. And I asked her if she wanted to be with me. As in a couple. She didn’t know what she wanted, said she did want to but she couldn’t... and then,” he scoffed. “I told her I was ridiculously in love with her. Like, those words came out of my mouth.”

“Aw, congrats dude! My man fell in love!” Lightning exclaimed.

Soarin swatted at him. “No congrats! Cause then I ended it and we were estranged for a couple weeks. We could barely keep to ourselves and we started to flirt a little again. And so then she kind of ended our little mental relationship. Then that time in Manehattan after I got annoyed with the interview questions, she was there for me. And then we kissed at night in the Crystal Empire when we were supposed to be just teammates.”

“Oooh.” Rapid waggled his eyebrows. “How romantic.”

Soarin sighed. “And then at Celestia’s party in Manehattan, I met Midnight Star and invited her to hang out at the derby the next day. We had a pretty good time. I decided I liked her,” he said.

“And you still do, right?” Lightning inquired.

Soarin looked out into the distance and closed his eyes. “I do, I guess. I’ll get to that in a second. At the end of the season party, Dash and I slept together.”

Both of their eyes widened and they whisper shouted together, “You guys did it?!”

Soarin’s eyes widened too. “Five times.”

“Five times? You lucky piece of shit,” Rapid muttered.

“Yeah, well, that was our break up sex. No more, no more. We’re moving on.”

“God,” Lightning voiced. “For somepony who claims to not be interested in romance...”

“Oh, you know when she told me she didn’t want our mental relationship anymore, I forgot to mention that apparently she loves me too. She said that. She said that,” Soarin repeated a couple times.
“I hate loving you!”

Those words still haunted him.

“Wow, Soarin. That’s a lot,” Rapid said.

Soarin placed on a sarcastic smile. “Yep. So, then I asked Midnight out on a date. And she said yes. And now we’re dating and Dash and I are~”

“Work friends,” Rapid finished for him.

Soarin nodded.

Lightning raised a hoof. “So, do you actually like Midnight?”

Soarin went quiet for a moment. All these emotions and thoughts about Midnight and Rainbow Dash were confusing. “Have you ever just had a passing attraction? Or liked the idea of some girl? Thought she could help you with something?” he asked them.

Lightning shook his head. “Not... really.”

“I have,” Rapid interjected.

Soarin sighed. “Midnight’s great. She’s nice and funny and owns a business. She likes pie. But more than anything... I want her to help get me over Dash. And I’m starting to resent the fact that it’s not working.”

He saw Rapid whisper something into Lightning’s ear and the duo both nodded. “Soarin, how do you feel when you’re around Midnight?” Lightning asked, brows furrowed.

Soarin tapped his chin and thought for a minute. What did she make him feel. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I guess I feel... calm? I guess I feel a little more excited if we’re kissing or something. But that’s just ‘cause I’m being kissed. It’s not the pony I’m doing it with.”

“Huh,” Rapid murmured. “So you do like her. You find her attractive.”

“I don’t know,” Soarin exhaled. “She is pretty. But I just imagine her as all these things she could be.”

His two friends exchanged hushed whispers and a nod once again. “Alright, how do you feel when you’re around Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash. Just the mention of her name brought a slight skip to his heart and a smile to his lips. “I feel... happy,” he decided. “Free. It’s like I can forget everything because all I can focus on is her.” He smiled contentedly.

“You know the girls are my best friends, Soar,” Dash said, staring at the sunset. “But you... you’re my pony. You’re more than a best friend.” She faced him and smiled warmly.

“Dash is my pony,” he finally told them.

Rapidfire raised an eyebrow. “Your... pony?”

Soarin nodded confidently. “Yeah. She just gets me. We connect. We can argue and fight and disagree, but at the end of the day, we’re always gonna understand. I can tell her anything and everything, because I trust her with my life.”

The two just listened, letting Soarin talk.

“She makes me feel normal and special at the same time. And she’ll make me see things in a different light and it makes the world better. I don’t get that with Star,” he said softly.

After a long silence, Lightning cleared his throat. “I’m a whore. I know that.”

Soarin blinked. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“And I’ve used sex as a way to not hurt for bit,” Lightning continued. “But I’ve never lied to a girl about feeling something for her when I clearly don’t.”

Those words hit. “What do you mean?” Soarin’s voice quavered just a little.

“He means that you need to end things with Midnight. Because you’re still in love with Dash.”

“Yeah, but maybe I could love Midnight one day,” Soarin insisted.

Rapid sighed. “We should get going.” He stood up and looked back at Soarin. “Soarin, I don’t think you’re going to get over Dash when you see her almost everyday. What you need is a break from the girls. Take some time for yourself.”

Soarin huffed a laugh. “Are you really the best one to be giving advice about this stuff?” Maybe that was a little harsh, but this whole love thing was really bothering him. Making him act a bit more out of character. Using girls to get over someone was not what Soarin did.

Rapid shrugged. “I don’t know. But I know I’m right, and I think you know it too.”

Lightning stood up as well. “He’s right, man. We gotta go eat, but we’ll catch you later, okay?”

Soarin nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought. “Okay.”

Rapid and Lightning exchanged worried glances before flying away.

“So, your name is Midnight?” he asked the unicorn, now back with her while Copper went to bow to Princess Luna.

She smiled. “Midnight Star, actually.” She looked down and stared at a hoof. “I know, I look nothing like a. ‘Midnight’,” she chuckled and looked at him with green eyes. He liked those eyes, he decided, they calmed him.

“Well, would you take me for a~”

“Soarin?” She smirked and ran her eyes over him. “Probably not my first guess.”

“What would you take me for, then?”

Her teeth bit her her bottom lip and she tilted her head, tapping her chin like she was actually
considering it. “Hmm... maybe, Ice Cube. You’re kinda coloured like one,” she pointed out.

Soarin lay in bed, replaying the first time he had met Midnight. The moment he had started to think she was interesting.

A flash of a blue coat and she was there, holding it in her hooves, a split second from spilling everywhere. She checked to make sure it was okay, and then rose a bit, holding it out to him. He kept his expression neutral yet thankful. He recognized this mare, with a mane like hers it was easy to. She had saved his life, won the title of best young flier, and saved his pie. He gazed at her outfit. She had on a rainbow streaked dress with fluffy cloud trimming, golden laced up silk shoes, and a necklace with purple beading around her elegant neck. What he really liked though, was her hair. That spectacular rainbow mane had been curled and fluffed, and tied to the side, with a leaf of gold laurel near her bangs, hooking around her ears. She smiled sweetly, lighting up her rosy pink eyes. She was a sight to behold.

“You saved it,” he said gently, sending her his best smile. “Thanks.” He took the pie from her hooves.

“Hey, no prob,” she replied.

The first time he had really talked to her was there. She had done something so simple. Save his pie. And then she danced with him, saved his life again, and had him wanting to see her everyday. She had quickly become one of his favourite ponies ever.

“Duh,” she laughed. “You’re my friend, right? I respect you. It’s what we do, forgive.”

They had built up a close friendship.

“Right here. Be real with me right now.” She walked closer, magenta eyes examining him.

To be truthful, you’re one of my favourite ponies in all of Equestria. “I’m not lying, Crash. You are.”

“Oh,” she looked stunned before smirking. “Can’t believe I doubted myself there. ‘Course I am.”

Soarin chuckled and poked her gently. “Me either. Don’t know what I’d do without your inflated pride.”

She growled playfully and poked him back. “Ha. You said it, don’t know what’d you do without me!” I really don’t.

He smiled at that memory. That was the night he realized he had a serious crush on her. A crush that developed into so much more.

He let their bodies touch, and he lowered his mouth to hers, placing a lust filled kiss on her sweet lips. They moved together in sync, and Dash tentatively wrapped her arms around Soarin’s body, crushing him to her. He didn’t resist as he expertly licked her lips, begging for an entrance. He felt her smile and nip his lip before allowing him in, letting him explore the cool taste of her tongue.

Then they were lovers.

She smirked, facing him. “Gotta make you wait sometimes. Build the suspense.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he wondered aloud.

“Oh, Soar,” she sighed gently, hiding a seductive smile. “That’s where all the fun is.” She peered into the distance and turned to him. “Race you back to HQ?”

Soarin grinned, getting into stance. “You’re on, Crash. Three~”

“Twoonego!” she shouted and took off.

Soarin rolled his eyes and sped off, catching up quickly until they were neck and neck. “Hiya, Dashie.” He winked and flew past her.

“Hey! How’d you catch up so fast?”

He grit his teeth and flapped his wings harder. Almost there. “What can I say?” he called over his shoulder. “I’m just so awesome!”

And with that, he landed first in front of the compound, Rainbow flying in a second later.

“Did I. Just. Beat the awesome Rainbow Danger Dash?!” he yelled, beaming.

“Ha, only ‘cause I let ya.” She nudged him and trotted towards the door.

Each other’s ponies.

“Oh, Dash,” somepony groaned, followed by a sharp breath.

Soarin rounded the corner, and felt his heart drop as he witnessed Lightning push her against the wall in a suggestive manner, kissing her neck while she rubbed his back.

“So, whatever this, whatever this half friendship, flirting thing where we exchange glances and be friends and help each other with our problems, but not hang out alone or sleep together... whatever the fuck we had, all of that, all that we started to have again, it’s over. Because like before, we have no idea what the hell we want, we’re busy, all of that crap. I can’t take us acting like this and not being able to be with you properly.” No tears fell from her eyes, and she just stared stoically at him. “Okay, Soarin? Look, if you every truly need me, I’m here. Seriously, I am. Element of Loyalty, ya know? But... please, let’s just... try to move on,” she whispered.

He cast his gaze at the blue sky. These were things he already knew, yet he felt he was breaking inside anyways.

He was in the mess hall by himself when she stomped in, the force of her glare keeping him quiet.
She shoved him a little. “I care about you,” she stated. “I care about you. And you can think that I don’t, Soarin, but I do. And- and... I miss you right now. I liked you! I still do! I was probably falling in...” She blinked back tears and stopped talking. “You are the only stallion to ever make me feel this way. And I hate you for it. But screw you,” she snapped, “screw you, for not believing me when I say that you are the only one I want,” she whispered, tears running down her face though her voice stayed steady. “And even though we can’t seem to work, you will always be the only one I want for the rest of my life.”

She didn’t even look at him as she stalked out.

The cause of each other’s pain.

“I just want some privacy,” he said. “Is it so much to ask not to be followed almost everywhere I go? Or to have these downright private ass questions spat in my face, being demanded an answer? Nopony respects my business! I don’t want to have to answer every question in a goddamn interview!” he shouted in frustration. “I just want to live my life! Why can’t I be free? Why can’t I be normal? Why can’t I be~”

He was cut off when Dash quickly wrapped an arm around his neck. “It does kind of suck,” she murmured.

This was what he needed. Oh how he had longed for her touch. “All my life, I just wanted to fly. I just want to put on shows and inspire ponies, meet my fans,” he continued quietly. “I don’t need all this pressure of trying to be perfect all the time. I do one wrong thing and...”

“You’re shamed for weeks on end, I know,” she said. “It’s awful, Soar.”

He let go and hesitantly leaned into her. “I want these stupid problems to go away.”

His eyes closed as she stroked his mane. “I can’t make them go away,” she muttered in his ear and took her hoof off him, looking up through lidded lashes. “But you will never, ever have to face them alone. ‘Cause you have the team. Spitfire, Fleet, Wave...” she counted off and blushed as she stared at him. “And you have me. Always. No matter what happens, okay?”

“What’s going on with you guys?” he asked as they headed to the gym.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, you know how her and I will sometimes take the day to do stuff together?”

He nodded.

“Basically, we tried to that while Twilight and her class were watching, something about being really different from one another. So we tried each other’s things but Rarity kept getting distracted by her dumb fashion and shopping.” She scowled and waved a hoof dramatically. “She didn’t care about Buckball or I don’t know, treasure hunting... any of the stuff I liked! It was all about her. So long story short, we’re not friends anymore. She didn’t even wanna give Daring Do a try!”

Soarin’s eyes widened. “What?!” he exclaimed.

“I know! Seriously!”

He shook his disbelief away and focused. “Look, maybe give the book a chance, I know it isn’t your thing...”

“You bet your ass it’s not my thing,” she laughed.

Soarin gave her a small nudge, and gave a little cheer when a small smile lit her face from the contact. “You guys had no problem with your differences before, maybe you’ll work it out. You’ve been friends forever.”

“Yeah, well, now we’re not,” she huffed. “She can’t respect the things I like~”

“Rainbow, I’m not accusing you of anything, but did you give the things she liked a try?”

They entered the gym, where everypony craned their heads to look at them, already warming up.

Dash looked away. “Well...”

“What happened? Why aren’t you with Midnight Star?” Dash asked him eventually.

Rubbing his temples, Soarin let out another sigh. He seemed to sigh a lot these days. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yes I do,” Dash insisted. “That’s why I asked.”

Soarin looked over her slightly blurry figure. He could only make out her large, concerned eyes. “Seriously, Rainbow Dash, I don’t think you do,” he pressed back.

“Soarin, we’re friends. Work friends. We discuss the weather and help each other with our problems.” She nudged him a little. “You can tell me.”

Confidants.

“What would you do if you were a unicorn?” Soarin asked, biting into his pie.

Dash giggled, also eating a slice of chocolate cake. “What?”

“I’m serious.”

That didn’t stop her from laughing. “I would cast a spell to give me wings,” she decided.

“Oooh.” He grinned. “Like Rarity’s?”

She rolled her eyes while smirking. “Yes Soar, I’d like wings like Rarity’s so I can fly up to the sun, burn them off and fall to my death.”

“I’ll be there to save you this time,” he remarked with a wink.
“Nah.” She brushed his chin with her tail. “I prefer to be your hero.”

He flew into the air, raising a few feet above her. “You always will be.”

She cringed a little but let a smile peek through. “Sappy sappy sappy,” she chimed, meeting him in the air.

“Aw, you like it,” he replied cockily.

They had a look in each other’s eyes. Usually a look that happened before they kissed. But he had another idea. Grabbing Dash by the arm, he pulled her into him and whispered, “chase me” before flying away.

She was everything. Dash was everything.

But he too cared about Midnight. He had liked the thought of her helping him get over Dash. He had liked the idea of not having somepony who drove him to feel so much. He liked the idea of loving Midnight because he thought that they were doable.

But he did not love Midnight. He cared about her, sure, did not want her to get hurt, wished her the best. But no feelings. That little ‘crush’ had faded.

“It’s no big deal, but maybe you just shouldn’t help out. Not really your thing,” Midnight told him honestly. Soarin bit his lip and concealed his slight offence with a close lipped smile.

The moment he knew he wasn’t really interested anymore.

Lightning and Rapidfire were right. I can’t do this to her anymore. Star deserves someone who doesn’t lie to her.

Soarin sighed. He was going to end it with her.

“Hey Soarin!” Midnight greeted. She stepped aside to let him into her house.

He smiled. “Hey Star. How’ve you been?”

She pecked him on the lips. “I’m good. You?”

Just about to hurt you, no biggie. “I’m good too,” Soarin lied. “I- I actually can’t stay long, heh. But I just needed to talk to you quickly.” Good. Quickly. Means he had to do it fast, rip the bandaid off, get it over with, apologize and get out. He could do this.

Midnight raised a confused a eyebrow and nodded simply. “Okay,” she said. “What’s up?”

“Uhh...” Spit it out, just do it.

She tentatively took a step closer. “You can tell me, Soarin,” she told him gently.

No, I can’t. He swallowed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. “I....”

A worried look finally took place. “Did something happen?”

Dumbly, he nodded his head. Okay...

“You can tell me,” she repeated,

Okay, okay, okay. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply a couple times.

He opened them. “I’m breaking up with you,” he said finally.

Soarin cringed as a confused, hurt stare was put on her pale pink face. “What?” she whispered.

“I’m breaking up with you,” he repeated, voice a bit smaller.

She sat on the floor. “I thought we were gonna be okay.”

He sat down across from her. “Me too. But~”

“But what?” she interrupted. “I know we don’t like a lot of the same things and that we live in different cities...” Her voice trailed off.

Soarin sighed and looked at the ground. “It’s none of that. It’s me.”

“That’s code for ‘it’s actually you but I’m being nice.’ You know that right?” she asked.

He did. “Yeah, but it’s actually true.”

“How is it true?” Her eyes narrowed.

Moment of truth. “You were right,” he answered.

She looked up.

“About my feelings for Rainbow Dash. It wasn’t just a fling where we liked each other,” he confessed guiltily. “I was in love with her. And after we ended things I found out she loved me too.”

Midnight blinked. “Why did you lie to me?” Her lip quivered a little, but she remained mostly calm. “You’re back together with her or something?”

He shook his head. “No... her and I are done. But I still feel the same way.”

“But then why did you~”

“You were nice and sweet and elegant and classy and you liked pie,” he murmured. “You didn’t make me crazy with lust or fill me with adoration.”

She winced at his words.

“I liked you though. I really did. I thought that you might be the one to help me get over her.” He exhaled through his nose and closed his eyes. “But it didn’t work. I was... using you,” he admitted.

Midnight pushed herself up from the floor.

“I didn’t really realize I was until a couple days ago,” he added. “But I knew I couldn’t do that to you. You deserve better.”

She peered at him, eyes glistening. “Do I? Cause if I did, how could you do that to me? How could you lie?”

“You do deserve better,” he insisted. “And that’s not normally how I treat mares, despite what this looks like,” he muttered. “I didn’t want to lie anymore. So I’m being honest now.”

They stood in silence. Then she pointed to the door. “Thank you for telling me,” she said.

He nodded. “Midnight, I’m sorry.”

“Look, whatever. At least you came clean.” She walked towards the door and opened it. “It was nice getting to know you, Soarin.”

He smiled faintly, ashamed of how he used her. “You too.” He stepped out and turned to her. “I hope you find somepony who treats you good.”

She gave him a small smile and nodded weakly. “Me too. Um... I guess... I hope you do as well.”

“Don’t say that now,” he joked.

She laughed a little. “I don’t lie,” she told him. “Have a good day and um....”

“Life,” he finished for her.

“Yeah,” she said. “Good luck Soarin.”

He flapped his wings and turned back. “Good luck, Midnight Star.”

And the door closed.

“So how’d it go?” Fleetfoot asked, swallowing some whiskey.

Soarin placed his cup of scotch down. “Pretty okay, honestly. She was kinda hurt though.”

“As expected,” Spitfire interjected.

“So what’d you say? Was it sad, was she angry, did you fight, or was it a peaceful one? Details please!” Fleetfoot exclaimed, shaking Soarin slightly.

He laughed and rubbed his eyes. “I told her I was breaking up with her because I still liked Dash. And that it wasn’t fair and I was using her.”

His best friends looked at each other. “Was it one of those awful ‘it’s not you’.” Spitfire put a hoof to her chest. “‘It’s me’?”

“How’d you know?” he groaned.

Spitfire shrugged. “Just a hunch.” She took a tequila shot.

“Yeah, well, basically that was it. We parted pretty okay though. Still, I feel super bad for using her.” He placed his head on the table and sighed. “And now I’m alone and pining over a girl I will never get over.”

“Way to be a downer, Soarin,” Fleet scoffed.

“Hey, I just broke up with my girlfriend and I can’t be with the one I love. I get to be a downer.”

Spitfire motioned for another drink for him and spoke. “We all have problems Soarin.”

“Yeah,” Fleet agreed. “What matters is how you deal with them.”

“What you need is a break from the girls. Take some time for yourself.” Rapid’s words took place in his mind and Soarin straightened his back. “You know what, I’m gonna do what Rapid said.” He nodded firmly.

Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did he say?”

Soarin shrugged. “You know, clear my head, take some time for myself, eat some pie...” He flushed slightly. “Actually I added the last one, but all the other stuff came from him.”

“Huh, that’s actually not bad advice,” Spit mused, nodding with approval.

Soarin’s eyes lit up. “Then it’s decided. I’m taking a break from romance.” He raised his glass. “To single life, guys!”

“Cheer to yourself, Soar,” Fleetfoot said and finished her drink. “I’m a taken mare, and so is Spitty.”

“Don’t call me that.”

Fleetfoot smirked. “Spitty.”

Spitfire’s eyes narrowed and she started to get up from her seat. Soarin stopped her. “Woah, hey, calm down, Spitty,” he laughed. Him and Fleetfoot bumped hooves.

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Whatever. But she’s right, you’re the only one out of us three that’s
single.”

Soarin decided to be positive. “That’s okay. Single life is good.” He smiled calmly. “Now I’m gonna go find a place to spend the night.”

“Don’t eat too much pie!” Fleet called as he walked out.

takes place a lil before and during S9 E12, (The Last Crusade.)