Moments That Brought Them Together
Chapter 34: Quality Time
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Lasagna
“You sure you wouldn’t rather try baking? It seems more up your alley,” Thunderlane suggested in the HQ kitchen. Surprise nodded in agreement.
Soarin waved a hoof and shook his head. “Nah, come on! This cafeteria can use something above average to eat. And I need to learn something new.” He looked at all the ingredients spread out on the counter— pasta, tomato sauce, spinach, feta, mozzarella, ricotta, and an egg. “Uh, what are we making?”
Surprise jumped in place. “Vegetarian lasagna!”
“My specialty,” Thunder added and organized the pots and bowls. “Seriously Soarin, you don’t have to do this.”
“Thunder, I want to. I like lasagna.”
“What’s with the questioning?” Surprise asked Thunder.
“Well... I was talking to Lightning and...” He cast a glance in Soarin’s direction. “Never mind.” He shook his head. “C’mon Commander, let’s do this.”
“Okay, so now that the pasta is boiling, we’re going to mix those.” Surprise pointed to the cheeses, egg, and salt. “Soarin, you do that and me and Thunder will make the sauce.”
Soarin nodded and walked over to the bowl and ingredients. Carefully, he gathered the cheese and salt and began to carefully stir the ingredients together. Once it seemed fairly well mixed, he cracked the egg and added the yolk, combining it in so it was smooth. “Uh, I think I’m done here,” Soarin called.
Thunderlane flew over and checked it before nodding. “Pretty good. Okay, now here’s some tongs.” He gave them to Soarin who placed them in his mouth. “And the pan beside the pot with the pasta? After Surprise lays down the sauce, I’ll put the mixture on top and shred some cheese, then you’ll place a noodle on top, okay? We can take turns of course.”
Soarin nodded and watched as Surprise ladled the sauce onto the pan, followed by Thunder placing the cheese mix and pre-shredded cheese on top, while Soarin carefully tonged the pasta and placed it neatly on top.
They all switched positions with Thunder on pasta duty, Surprise with the cheese, and Soarin with sauce, and the three somewhat messily layered it u til the last noodle was placed on top.
“Okay! Let’s put it in the oven,” Surprise chirped, biting the glove on top of the pan. Then she paused and frowned. “Umm, why isn’t the oven turned on?”
Thunder frowned as well. “I don’t know, is this thing working?” He pressed the buttons and the oven started heating up. “That’s weird.”
Soarin flushed a little. “Uhhh.” Surprise and Thunderlane turned to him. “I might’ve forget to turn it on,” he admitted sheepishly.
“It’s no biggie. I have to go see Rumble in about half an hour, but Surprise? You’ll make sure it gets in the oven?” Thunder asked.
Surprise nodded at an impressive speed. “Okie dokie lokie pokie!”
“So... is it good?” Soarin asked, staring at the whole team, except for Dash and Thunderlane, intently.
They all slowly chewed while some made ‘nom nom’ sounds and swallowed.
“It’s really good,” Wave Chill, Surprise, High Winds, Silver Zoom and Lightning Streak all said in sync.
Soarin looked to the others. Misty finally shrugged. “Better than the normal stuff.”
“It’s decent,” Blaze and Spitfire said.
That left Fleetfoot. She hadn’t taken a single bite. “Oh come on, Soarin! You know I don’t like lasagna,” she protested.
“Oh, right.” He rolled his eyes and they moved to the place where Dash usually sat. She wasn’t there, seeing as Pinkie Pie had needed her for an emergency.
He wished she was here.
Stop it, you guys are finished.
He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Oh come on, Fleet, you’ll like it,” he proposed, pushing her plate towards her.
“No.”
“Please.”
“Soarin, I don’t feel like throwing up today.”
He placed some on her fork and brought it to her mouth. “Come on. One bite.”
“No!”
“Please.”
Fed up, she rolled her eyes and took a bite, taking her time and letting it roll around in her mouth. Finally, she swallowed.
“So...?” he asked, brows lifted in hope.
She cringed. “Disgusting.”
Pie Regrets
“Uh, Soarin, you sure you want to do this?” Spitfire asked again just as Rapidfire and Silver Zoom brought in more pies.
“Yes, yes I am.”
“Come on Spit, it’s one of the things he’s actually good at,” Fleetfoot chuckled.
Soarin glared at her and stretched his wings out, bouncing from one hoof to the other.
Surprise and Misty Fly were at two other ends of the room, their own tables filling up with pies. After Dash had wondered out loud how many pies Soarin could eat, Misty Fly had challenged him to it, and Soarin had agreed, seeing as he surprisingly hadn’t had a pie in a while. Surprise had quickly volunteered Misty to compete against him and also decided to join.
A week later and Sweet Apple Acres had made sixty pies, twenty for each pony. All the ‘Bolts were currently in the mess hall, the tables except for three pushed to the sides.
“There we go, sixty pies in total,” Silver groaned, setting the last pie on Soarin’s table.
Soarin looked them over, each smelling sweet and warm, armoured by a thick and flaky crust. He was going to enjoy this.
“Alright,” Dash called, “Let’s uh... let’s do this.” She looked around. “Are you three ready?”
Misty, Soarin, and Surprise nodded.
“Okay, then, um, ready set eat!” She lifted her hoof to signal. Her lips formed a smirk all of a sudden. “My money’s on Surprise!”
Their eyes met and Soarin playfully glared at her. “Where’s the faith, Rainbow Crash?”
“I don’t take chances when it comes to winning,” she shot back and joined Spitfire and Fleetfoot in the air, watching the eating contest.
Soarin placed the pie closer to him and dug in headfirst, savouring the taste as the warm apples and the flavour of light cinnamon and sugar coated his tongue. It was amazing, ten out of ten as usual.
He continued to eat, savouring each bite as to really memorize the taste of the best food in all of Equestria. His eyes shot to Rainbow, who was watching Misty, and he blushed as he remembered the way she tasted. The only thing better than the treat in front of him.
“Clipper, Slowpoke’s beating you!” Blaze said hushed. She was standing right beside him.
Soarin glanced up and saw Surprise was already starting her second pie while Misty was almost done her first. Picking up the pace, Soarin chewed more quickly while still trying to enjoy it.
He finished his first.
And his second.
Third.
Seventh.
“Ugh! I give up!” Misty whined, plopping down
Tenth.
How was this even possible?
He tiredly glanced up and saw Misty still sitting on the ground while Surprise continued to calmly eat her pie, as if she was on her first or was coming out of malnutrition.
He cut a slice of his eleventh and began to grind it down, swallowing the the last crumb. Soarin blinked. He didn’t want to look at a pie. He had never been more full in his life. He didn’t want to eat anymore, didn’t think he could if he tried. His belly and jaw ached like no tomorrow and he was exhausted. And for once in his entire life, he did not want pie.
He too let himself fall to the ground and Blaze looked up and nodded. “I’m guessing Clipper gives up as well.”
“Yep,” Soarin groaned.
“Okay, Surprise wins! Everypony else who isn’t insane, let’s move the tables back,” Spitfire instructed.
“Yay!” Surprise exclaimed. “I win, I win!”
“Heh, me too,” Dash called and landed in front of Soarin as Lightning Streak and Blaze begrudgingly handed her five bits each too. “How you doin’ there, Clipper?” She smirked.
“Ugh, I’ve been better,” he replied slowly.
She chuckled. “Still, pretty impressive. For somepony besides Pinkie and Surprise.” She patted him on the back and Soarin felt a jolt of electricity down his back. Then she sighed. “I gotta go back to Ponyville and get ready for tomorrrow. Twilight has me coaching a cheer squad and they’re all upset because I won’t teach properly or whatever,” she grumbled. “Does cheerleading even matter that much?”
Soarin’s ears perked up. “Wait, before you go... You know there’s sometimes cheerleaders at our shows?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
He managed to get to his hooves and cringed when he felt the pie move in his stomach. “Anyways,” he managed. “Cheering’s what gets the crowd excited.”
Dash just raised an eyebrow, not believing him. “Uh, pretty sure the ponies come to see us, Soarin.”
Stubborn as usual. “True. But cheerleading’s important to your squad and lots of ponies in the crowd,” he pointed out. “And I know you care about these guys, right Dash?” He looked at her in a way that he knew she wouldn’t lie to.
She sighed. “Yeah, I care about Smolder and Yona and Ocellus.”
He chuckled a little. “The princess of friendship is your best friend. Just ‘cause you don’t care about something doesn’t mean you don’t try for the ponies who care about it.”
Dash smiled a little. “That’s pretty sappy.”
“All I’m saying, is that they are going to be...” He waved a hoof. “Awesome cheerleaders who put on a great show if you’re their coach. Even if it isn’t really your thing.”
Dash stared at him for a minute before looking down. “Huh,” she muttered.
Feeling the need to go lie down, Soarin walked to the exit of the mess hall. “Just consider it!” he called before turning away.
Chess Tournament
“Okay everypony! Are you ready?” Twilight called.
The ‘Bolts were having a chess competition. Yes, a chess competition. An official one. All being good friends, the Wonderbolts regularly did things together outside of flying. All the members of the team except for Misty, who had decided to go visit an “old friend” as she put it, and Surprise, who went to visit her family, were there, sitting in a chair opposite of their current opponent. Soarin had Wave Chill, Lightning had Surprise, Dash had Silver, High Winds had Blaze, Fleetfoot had Thunderlane, and Spitfire and Rapid had each other. Princess Twilight was there with Spike and a chalkboard, excitedly waiting.
“Okay, we’re ready Twilight,” Dash answered.
“Yep!” Fleetfoot agreed.
“Okay then!” Spike cheered. “There will be no talking. Raise your hooves if there’s a stalemate, and after you’re done, wait against the wall after telling us who won.” They all nodded. “You may start... now!” He nodded as the clock started it’s round of sixty seconds all over again.
Soarin narrowed his eyes at all the pieces and shoved the pawn right at the edge two spaces forward.
Wave Chill did the same.
Soarin moved his right knight.
Wave Chill did the same.
His left knight.
Wave Chill did the same.
Lucky for Soarin, he was actually okay at chess and could gradually see that Wave was not exactly sure what to do.
It continued like this for five more minutes, Wave copying Soarin’s every move, until Soarin smiled on the inside and used his bishop to take Wave’s queen.
But being in the exact same position, Wave was also able to do the same.
Aw, crap.
Focusing harder, Soarin moved his pawn again and this time, Wave moved his bishop. “Check,” he whispered, smirking. Soarin’s lips parted a little. Wave was good. Actually, he remembered little flashes of Spitfire telling him that, but he guessed his mind was wondering off when she did.
He placed his bishop in front the king and Wave backed off.
The two continued, finally making headway while Lightning, Surprise, Blaze, High Winds, Silver Zoom and Rainbow Dash all finished up. Only three games still in progress.
Ten minutes later, Soarin only had his king, two pawns and a knight, while Wave managed to have two rooks, and one bishop, along with his king.
Biting his lip and trying to scan the board, Soarin smiled when he realized he could get Wave’s bishop and did just that. He expected a fall of his friend’s mouth, but instead he just nodded and stared.
Wave moved his rook all the way down, only one square away from being at the edge of the board.
Unfortunately, Soarin’s king was at the edge of the board, and he moved his king sideways.
Wave took his other rook and placed it on the last row of the board, the same row as Soarin’s king, but not close enough for Soarin to be able to get it.
Aw fuck, he was in-
“Checkmate,” Chill said.
“Shit,” Soarin swore and looked up, grinning. Soarin had his pride, but he had never really been a sore loser. As he thought about this, his eyes wondered to Twilight, engaging in conversation with Spike and Rainbow Dash. Soarin had always admired Dash’s friendships with her Ponyville friends. They were the closest best friends could be, doing everything they could for each other and caring deeply despite their differences. Dash would do anything for her friends, just like he would do anything for his friends. Which now, included her. And he knew she cared for him as well.
Him and Wave walked away and told Twilight who had won.
“Wave, you’re good at chess?” Dash asked, eyes wide.
“Don’t seem so surprised,” Spitfire told her, walking over. “Oh, by the way Twilight, I won.” She smirked as she glanced over at Rapid who was grumbling about it in the corner.
“It’s a secret thing.” Wave shrugged and smiled a little.
Soarin sighed. “Well I’m just gonna go over here and sit in the loser corner,” he droned and made his way over to Lightning, Rapid, Silver and High Winds.
“You lost too?” Winds inquired.
“Yep.”
“Why’d I have to get paired with the captain? She’s the best at everything!” Rapid wailed and everypony in the room turned to look at them. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“Why’d I have to get paired with Crash?” Silver also complained. “She’s also the best at everything.”
“That’s right,” Dash called and grinned.
The treat stayed silent, the sounds of Dash and Spike’s whispering the only noise.
Soarin watched Fleetfoot triumphantly pump her hoof in the air as it became clear that she had beat Thunderlane.
Twilight cleared her throat. “Okay, everyone. I’ll pair the winners up with the winners and the los- I mean, uh...” She glanced at Soarin and his three friends and chuckled. “The non-winners up with each other. If a pony who lost this time loses again, they’ll be out. If a pony who won last time but not this time, then you’ll go with someone that win this time and not last time. Got it?”
They all nodded.
It began again, Dash and Wave, Soarin and High Winds, Lightning and Rapid, Spitfire and Fleetfoot, and Silver and Thunder.
The second round ended in a quick half hour and Soarin had won, much to his surprise. High had actually been on the chess team when she was back in school and had gotten a silver medal for it.
Winds, Lightning, and Thunder were out, while Soarin, Fleetfoot, Dash and Rapidfire were on the same level now, Dash losing to Wave and Fleet losing to Spitfire. Spitfire and Wave Chill were paired up.
Seeing as they had both won two games in a row, the other four, deemed by Twilight, would not need to participate, much to their, especially Dash’s boredom.
“Anypony wanna place bets?” Dash asked in a bored tone.
“Rainbow Dash, do you really have to~” Twilight started.
Soarin watched as magenta eyes rolled. “Oh come on Twilight! We need some entertainment around here.”
“Shhh, they’re playing.” Spike motioned to the couple, both chins resting on their hooves respectively.
As Dash moved away from her purple friend, Soarin approached her and nudged. “Seven bits for Spitfire,” he whispered, dangerously close.
A small, mischievous smile lit up one side of Dash’s face. “Deal, Clipper,” she whispered back, cool breath fanning his face.
A blush so faint that it could be considered microscopic covered his cheeks, but he kept his cool. Why did a single, simple action from her make his heart beat faster?
“Checkmate,” Spitfire called out and crossed her hooves, smirking at her boyfriend.
Wave’s eyes widened for a moment before leaning back calmly and nodded. “Well done, Captain.” He lifted his blue hoof and she tapped it against his, smiling teasingly yet sweetly at him.
Twilight looked at the check board before shrugging. “Alright, guess Spitfire wins. Good job.”
Spit nodded and flew into the air. “Thank you, Princess Twilight.”
Twilight scoffed. “Oh please, Twilight’s fine-”
“You’re going to rule soon, just take it,” Dash interrupted and walked to Twilight’s side. “I’m gonna go hang out with AJ and Fluttershy for a bit, but I’ll be back for dinner.” She glanced at Spit and her eyes drifted to Soarin. “I’ll see you all later.”
“Don’t be late for our meeting or you’ll be doing extra laps,” Spitfire warned.
Dash just smiled. “Yes ma’am.”
Freedom Racing
“Can’t believe you challenged me to a race, Clip,” Dash said, stretching out her wings.
Soarin did the same as the two stood side by side on a cloud. “Just making sure fame doesn’t go to my head,” he retorted teasingly.
She chuckled as she got in a stance, ready to take off at any moment.
“Soarin, what is wrong with you? You know you’re going to lose,” Spitfire deadpanned through the megaphone
“Shut up Captain!” he yelled and lowered his front portion of his body and flared his wings out. “Ready, Crash?”
Spitfire’s sigh was amplified and she shoved her shades over her eyes. “On your marks...”
“Oh, Clipper.”
“Set...”
He faced Dash as she spoke. “I’m always ready.”
“Go!”
Soarin shot off at the word, blasting through the initial clouds. He didn’t risk looking back and focused on the upcoming hoops. He soared through them with ease and that’s when he felt Dash zoom by him, blue coat a mere flash as she passed him. He flapped harder, wishing he had brought goggles as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. The duo made their way around a curve, almost in line with each other, Dash a couple inches ahead.
He felt some nostalgia— doing this reminded him of when they were “together” and had raced, no pressure. Just them and the sky. Feeling the wind in his mane, Dash beside him and the steady beat of their wings was always pure bliss to Soarin.
He still felt the same, wishing they were back then so he could stop short and pull her onto a cloud and kiss her. Soarin could be competitive, losing not the overall best feeling, but found he didn’t always care about winning when he was racing with her.
When he was free.
Soarin was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the poles he had to fly through before approaching the finish. But being a Wonderbolt, he was trained for this and with the help of his expert agility, he gracefully flew through them, as did Dash.
He matched her again in pace, though he could hear her breathing heavily. Dash was fast. And ever since she had become a member of the team, her short endurance had increased by a lot. But Soarin had eight years on her endurance wise, and that was the only reason he crossed the finish line with her at the same time.
“It’s a tie,” Spitfire spoke, voice laced with minor surprise. It was a rare thing when Soarin— or any ‘Bolt for that matter, beat Rainbow Dash in a race.
“Impressive there, Clip. You’ve been doing some extra training?” Dash nudged him with a wing.
He shrugged and looked at her, mane slightly out of place and cheeks red from the exertion. It had been a long race. “Nah, just my natural talent,” he quipped.
She looked him over and despite his joking tone, she realized he was serious and raised her eyebrows. Then she paused and giggled. “You never fail to surprise me, Soarin.”
“Same goes for you, Rainbow Dash.”
They bumped hooves and he swore she had let hers linger for longer, and did little to hide the dorky smile that crept onto his face.
He relished the feeling of flying. Especially when it was with her.
Today, he got to feel wildly free.
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