The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon when Rumble finally left the schoolhouse, his wings drooping slightly as he made his way home.
It had been a long day. Math drills, history essays, a pop quiz on Equestrian geography—all the boring stuff that never seemed to end. The only thing that kept him going was the thought of the Young Flyers Competition try-outs happening later today.
But as he reached his house, a part of him already knew how the next few minutes were going to go. Thunderlane would have something to say. He always did.
Sure enough, the moment Rumble stepped inside, the smell of vegetable stew filled the air, and his brother's voice came from the kitchen.
"You're home late. Go put your saddlebags away and set the table."
Rumble sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."
Dropping his things in his room, he dragged himself back into the kitchen, setting the plates down with just enough force to make a clinking sound—just enough to let Thunderlane know he wasn't in the mood.
Thunderlane, as always, didn't react. He just ladled out the stew and took a seat.
For a while, they ate in silence. The stew was good—Thunderlane was a decent cook, he'd give him that—but Rumble barely tasted it. He just wanted to finish, get his homework out of the way, and head straight for the try-outs.
Then, of course, Thunderlane had to say something.
"Rumble, slow down. You're gonna choke."
Rumble froze mid-bite. His jaw clenched.
That tone. That "I-know-better-than-you" tone.
He'd heard it his whole life.
"Wash your teeth again, Rumble."
"Eat all your vegetables."
"What do you have to do for school tomorrow?"
Thunderlane was always watching, correcting, reminding, controlling.
Rumble took a slow breath through his nose, forcing himself to chew slower, if only to avoid another comment.
Then, as casually as possible, he said, "After I finish my homework, I'm heading to the Young Flyers Competition try-outs."
Thunderlane didn't even look up. "You sure about that? You still haven't done the chores from yesterday."
Rumble blinked, his wings twitching. "What?"
"You were supposed to do them yesterday, and you didn't," Thunderlane said simply. "So you have to do them today."
Rumble's feathers bristled. "Come on, Thunderlane, today's the last day for try-outs!"
Thunderlane finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Then maybe you should've done your chores earlier."
That was it. That was the last straw.
The frustration that had been boiling inside Rumble all day—no, all his life—finally burst.
"Why do you always have to control everything?!" he snapped, slamming his hooves on the table. "You're always telling me what to do—what to eat, how to fly, when to sleep! You never let me do anything on my own!"
Thunderlane, caught off guard, frowned. "Rumble, I—"
But Rumble wasn't done. The words were just spilling out now, sharp and cutting like knives.
"You act like you're so much smarter than me, but guess what? You're not! You're just some nopony bossing around a bunch of pegasi in Ponyville! That's all you'll ever be!"
Thunderlane's expression darkened.
But Rumble was too angry to stop.
"While I'm actually trying to do something with my life, you're stuck here, playing babysitter and running a stupid weather team. What an achievement!" He laughed mockingly. "Dad would probably be ashamed if he saw what a joke you've turned into."
Silence.
Thunderlane just stared at him. His shoulders went tense, his wings half-spread as if preparing for a fight—but the worst part wasn't the anger.
It was the hurt.
For the first time in a long while, Rumble actually saw it.
But instead of stopping, instead of apologizing, he doubled down.
Thunderlane's voice, when he finally spoke, was dangerously quiet.
"Don't. Ever. Bring Dad or Mom into this."
Rumble swallowed, suddenly unsure.
But Thunderlane wasn't finished.
"You don't get to talk about what they'd think, Rumble. You don't know anything about what they went through. You don't know anything about what I've gone through, trying to raise you and keep us together while you sit here acting like a spoiled brat."
Rumble's breath hitched. His ears flattened. "I'm not a brat."
"Really? Because right now, you sure sound like one."
That hit harder than expected.
Rumble's heart pounded, a painful, heavy pressure in his chest.
And then, before he could stop himself, before he could even think, he spat out the words that would change everything.
"I wish you weren't my brother."
Thunderlane stopped breathing.
The room froze.
Rumble barely had time to register what he'd just said before the damage was already done.
Thunderlane's wings drooped slightly, his expression going from frustration to something worse.
Pain.
For a long moment, he just stood there, completely silent.
And that silence was so much worse than yelling.
Rumble felt something twist in his stomach. He saw the look in his brother's eyes—the same look he'd had when their parents died, that moment when everything changed forever.
A sharp, stabbing guilt started creeping in.
But before it could fully take hold, before he could let himself feel it, he did the only thing his pride would let him do.
He turned and stormed out the door.
Leaving Thunderlane behind. Alone.
The night air was cold and heavy as Rumble walked home, his hooves dragging against the dirt road.
He had given it his all—pushed himself past exhaustion, put everything he had into those try-outs. And yet…
It wasn't enough.
The judges had called out the names of those who qualified. His name wasn't among them.
The rejection had been a punch to the gut, but what made it worse was the knowledge that Thunderlane had been right. He had let his chores pile up, let everything else slip away, all for a competition that didn't even want him.
And now, the last thing he wanted to do was face his brother.
As he approached their house, he hesitated for a moment at the door. The lights inside were still on. Thunderlane was awake.
Rumble's heartbeat quickened. If Thunderlane saw him like this—**if he asked what happened—**he didn't know if he could handle it.
He pushed the door open quietly, slipping inside.
The house was eerily silent. The usual warmth of home felt… different.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Thunderlane sitting on the couch, staring at the floor. His face was unreadable, expression hollow.
For a split second, Rumble thought his brother was going to say something. But he didn't. He just sat there. Watching.
Rumble turned away before their eyes could meet.
He hurried down the hall, his chest tight. He wasn't sure if he was running from a conversation or the guilt pressing down on him.
As soon as he reached his room, he shut the door without a word.
Rumble blinked awake as the morning light streamed through his window. He sat up, stretching out his stiff wings.
For a brief moment, he expected to hear the familiar sounds of Thunderlane moving around in the kitchen—the clatter of plates, the smell of eggs, maybe even an off-key hum of some dumb song stuck in his head.
But the house was silent.
Confused, he pulled himself out of bed and trudged to the kitchen. No Thunderlane. No breakfast waiting for him.
Instead, there was a single note on the table.
Rumble's brow furrowed as he picked it up.
Rumble,
There's food in the fridge. Make sure you eat.
I'll be working all day.
It wasn't signed.
It didn't need to be.
Rumble stared at it, feeling something… off.
Thunderlane had never missed breakfast before. No matter how busy, how tired, how much of a pain Rumble had been, Thunderlane was always there in the morning.
The fact that he wasn't today…
It stung.
Rumble scowled and crumpled the note in his hooves.
With a flick of his wing, he tossed it into the trash bin, watching it disappear under some old wrappers and yesterday's newspaper.
Fine. Whatever.
If Thunderlane wanted to act like this, then Rumble wasn't going to care.
He grabbed a quick breakfast, barely tasting it, then threw on his saddlebags. As he stepped outside, the cool air hit him, but he barely noticed.
As he made his way to school, he kept telling himself that he was right.
Thunderlane had it coming. He was overbearing, controlling, annoying.
But still…
Something gnawed at him, deep in his chest.
A feeling he didn't want to name.
A feeling that made him avoid thinking about the look in Thunderlane's eyes last night.
So instead, he shoved his hooves into his pockets and walked faster.
Pretending he didn't feel a thing.
Rumble sat at his desk, staring blankly at the chalkboard as Cheerilee's voice faded in and out like distant wind.
He tried to focus. Tried to take notes. Tried to care.
But the words blurred together, his mind replaying the argument with Thunderlane over and over again.
"I wish you weren't my brother."
He clenched his jaw, his pencil pressing harder against the paper until the tip snapped.
Several heads turned at the faint crack, but Rumble didn't acknowledge them. Instead, he sighed and slumped back in his seat, barely listening as Cheerilee moved on with the lesson.
As the second break rolled around, Rumble lingered inside the classroom, absentmindedly tapping his hoof against his desk. Most of the other students had already rushed outside, eager to enjoy the fresh air, but he felt no urge to leave.
His friends were probably still talking about that arcade game. Something he just couldn't bring himself to care about right now.
He sighed and slumped forward, resting his chin on his hooves.
Across the room, Cheerilee was flipping through a stack of assignments at her desk, occasionally jotting down a note with a red quill. She hummed softly as she worked, but when she glanced up and noticed Rumble sitting alone, her expression shifted.
"Rumble?" she asked gently. "Is something on your mind?"
He hesitated.
For a split second, he considered just brushing her off. Saying he was fine. Saying he was just tired.
But when he looked up and saw the patient warmth in her eyes, the words stuck in his throat.
"...I had an argument with Thunderlane," he admitted finally, keeping his eyes on the desk.
Cheerilee nodded, closing her grade book. "I see."
She didn't ask for details. Didn't push.
Instead, she leaned forward slightly, resting her hooves together. "Would you like to talk about it?"
Rumble scuffed a hoof against the wooden floor, his tail flicking. "...Not really."
"That's okay." She gave him a soft smile. "But I hope you know that no matter what happened, Thunderlane still loves you. He always has."
Rumble swallowed hard.
He wanted to believe that.
But the look on Thunderlane's face last night—the way his voice had cracked, the hurt in his eyes when Rumble had shouted I wish you weren't my brother—it wouldn't leave his head.
"I don't know," Rumble muttered. "I said some stuff. Bad stuff. I don't think he'll just… forget it."
Cheerilee watched him for a moment, then exhaled softly.
"You know," she said, "when Thunderlane was in this very classroom, you were one of the things he talked about the most."
Rumble's ears perked up.
"...Huh?"
A small chuckle escaped her. "It's true. Even when he was just a colt, he always spoke about you like you were the most important thing in his world. Whenever we had show-and-tell, he'd bring in something that had to do with you—one time, he even brought a drawing you made when you were barely old enough to hold a crayon."
Rumble blinked. "...What?"
Cheerilee smiled at the memory. "It was a complete mess, really. Just a bunch of scribbles. But he was so proud of it. He kept saying it was 'the first thing my little brother ever made!' and insisted on keeping it in his desk for months."
Rumble shifted, feeling a weird lump in his throat. "...I don't remember that."
"You wouldn't," she said gently. "You were really little. But he never stopped talking about you. Whenever we had essays about our goals for the future, most foals talked about becoming Wonderbolts, inventors, or even royalty."
She paused, her gaze turning more thoughtful.
"But Thunderlane? He said his biggest goal in life was to make sure you'd be okay."
Rumble's stomach twisted.
"He was so mature for his age," Cheerilee continued, tapping a hoof against her desk. "But also so… tired. Even back then, I could tell he felt like he had to grow up faster than everypony else. He never said it outright, but I knew he was struggling."
She hesitated before adding, "Losing your parents… it was hard on him, Rumble. And I think, in some ways, he never really had time to stop and grieve."
Rumble froze.
He had always known that their parents' death changed their lives. But he had been five. Barely old enough to understand what was happening.
By the time he had fully grasped the weight of it, Thunderlane had already stepped into the role of caretaker. Always there. Always making sure Rumble was fed, had clean clothes, did his schoolwork.
But had he ever actually thought about how Thunderlane must have felt?
How hard it must have been?
The memory of their argument flashed through his mind.
"You never amounted to anything."
"Dad would probably be ashamed of you."
He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling sick.
Seeing the shift in his expression, Cheerilee softened her tone.
"You don't have to talk to him right away," she said gently. "But I hope you take some time to think about what he's done for you. And when you're ready… maybe let him know how much you appreciate him."
Rumble didn't respond right away.
Instead, he stared down at his hooves, turning over her words again and again in his head.
"...Yeah," he muttered finally. "Maybe."
Cheerilee smiled. "Good."
As he stood up to leave, she added, "And Rumble?"
He turned.
"No matter how bad the argument was… I know he still loves you."
Rumble swallowed and nodded.
But as he walked out of the classroom, his chest felt heavier than ever.
Rumble sat outside on the schoolyard bench, staring blankly at the dirt path beneath his hooves. Button Mash and Featherweight were sitting on either side of him, chatting excitedly about something—something he wasn't really paying attention to.
His mind was elsewhere.
Still stuck on Cheerilee's words.
Still stuck on the memory of Thunderlane's hurt expression.
"I know he still loves you."
Did he, though?
Did he still love him after what he said?
"Rumble?"
He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Button Mash was waving a hoof in front of his face.
"You okay, dude? You've been kinda zoned out."
"I—yeah. Sorry," Rumble muttered, rubbing his forehead. "What were you saying?"
Featherweight tilted his head. "We were talking about the new arcade game at Button's place. Mega Minotaur Mayhem?"
Rumble frowned. "...Never heard of it."
Button Mash's jaw dropped. "Dude! It's only the biggest release of the month! The whole gaming club's been freaking out about it!"
Featherweight nodded. "I read a review about it in Power Ponies Monthly. They said the gameplay is crazy good, and there's, like, fifty different levels to explore."
Button practically bounced in place. "Yeah, and the minotaur king at the end? Apparently, he's, like, impossible to beat unless you get the golden battle axe!"
"That… sounds cool," Rumble said half-heartedly.
Button Mash narrowed his eyes. "That was the least excited 'cool' I've ever heard in my life."
Rumble sighed. "Sorry. I just… I dunno. I guess I'm not really in the mood."
Featherweight gave him a concerned look. "Everything okay?"
Rumble shrugged. "Just tired."
Button Mash frowned. "Are you sure? 'Cause you haven't been yourself all morning."
Rumble tensed.
For a moment, he considered telling them.
He and Thunderlane had always had little arguments here and there—normal sibling stuff. But this? This had been different.
He had said things he never should have said.
And now… he didn't know how to take them back.
But how was he supposed to explain that?
How was he supposed to tell his friends that he had insulted his own brother and then stormed out of the house like a brat?
They wouldn't understand.
They still had both of their parents. Their families were normal.
So instead, he forced a smirk and said, "Nah, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep great."
Featherweight didn't look convinced, but he didn't push.
Button, on the other hoof, grinned. "Well, if you need a pick-me-up, you have to come over after school. I'm hosting a Mega Minotaur Mayhem tournament at my place. Winner gets a free hayburger!"
Rumble hesitated.
Normally, that would've sounded awesome.
But right now?
The thought of playing games and pretending everything was fine just felt wrong.
"…Maybe another time," he muttered.
Button Mash blinked. "Wait… You're turning down free food? Who are you, and what have you done with the real Rumble?"
Rumble rolled his eyes. "Ha ha."
Featherweight elbowed him lightly. "You sure everything's okay?"
Rumble forced a smirk. "Yeah, don't worry about it."
They didn't look entirely convinced.
But before they could press him any further, the school bell rang, signaling the end of recess.
Rumble exhaled, relieved.
As they walked back to class, he couldn't shake the weird, nagging feeling in his chest.
Like even though he was surrounded by his friends… he still felt completely alone.
The schoolyard was slowly emptying as foals left for home, either trotting off alone or meeting up with waiting parents. Rumble stood off to the side, watching without really seeing, his mind still trapped in the weight of his earlier thoughts.
"Hey, Rumble!"
He blinked and looked up just in time to see Scootaloo trotting toward him, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom close behind. The sight of them made some of the heaviness in his chest lift.
"Hey," he said, forcing a small smile.
He had always gotten along with the three of them, but he'd always had a soft spot for Scootaloo. Even before she and her friends had formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders, he and Scootaloo had clicked in a way he didn't quite have with other fillies. She wasn't all frilly or obsessed with dresses like some of the others—she liked flying, racing, and sports just as much as he did. And while some colts used to tease him for hanging out with her, he never cared. His real friends, like Button and Featherweight, never had a problem with it, and that was all that mattered.
Scootaloo gave him a curious look. "What's up? You look kinda down."
Rumble quickly shook his head. "It's nothing. Just tired."
Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "You sure? You seemed fine this morning."
"I said it's nothing," Rumble repeated, a little more sharply than he meant to. He sighed. "Anyway… what are you guys up to?"
Sweetie Belle perked up. "I have to help Rarity clean the boutique. She said it's 'disastrously cluttered,' but it honestly doesn't look that bad."
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "That's Rarity for ya. Ah'm helpin' Applejack at the farm."
Rumble hesitated. "Actually… have you seen Thunderlane at Sweet Apple Acres today?"
Apple Bloom blinked. "Thunderlane?"
"Yeah. I mean, he's been spending a lot of time there lately."
Apple Bloom frowned, thinking. "Nah, Ah didn't see nopony outside mah family when Ah was leavin' for school."
Sweetie Belle suddenly smirked. "Why? Getting curious about him and Applejack? Maybe you're trying to keep an eye on your future sister-in-law?"
Apple Bloom's face immediately turned red. "What in the hay are ya talkin' about?! That's the dumbest—"
"Ohhh, you're not denying it, though," Sweetie Belle sing-songed.
Apple Bloom stomped her hoof. "Because it's ridiculous!"
"It's totally not ridiculous," Sweetie Belle teased. "He's always around, Applejack likes him—"
Apple Bloom huffed. "This is the last time Ah tell ya anything!"
Rumble smirked a little as the two bickered. It was nice—this kind of normal, easygoing talk.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm hanging out with Soarin and Rainbow Dash today. It's friday, so you know… tradition."
Rumble nodded absentmindedly. "That's cool."
Scootaloo furrowed her brow. "Alright, what's really up with you?"
"What?"
"You've been acting weird this whole time," Scootaloo said, crossing her hooves. "So spill it."
Rumble hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about it, but something in Scootaloo's sharp gaze made him sigh. "I got into a serious argument with Thunderlane last night," he muttered.
Scootaloo's ears flicked. "Like… how serious are we talking?"
Rumble shook his head. "Doesn't matter."
She studied him for a second before nodding. "Well, if you want, I can ask Rainbow and Soarin when they get here. Maybe they know what's up."
Rumble quickly shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. I don't wanna bother them with it."
Scootaloo didn't look convinced, but before she could say anything else, a familiar raspy voice rang out.
"Yo, squirt!"
Rumble turned to see Rainbow Dash and Soarin descending from the sky, their wings flaring as they landed near them.
"Hey, Scoots!" Rainbow ruffled Scootaloo's mane before glancing over at the rest of them. "What's up, guys?"
Scootaloo wasted no time. "Rumble had a fight with Thunderlane."
Rumble groaned. "Scootaloo—"
Soarin looked at Rumble curiously. "You okay, dude?"
Rumble shrugged. "I guess."
Soarin thought for a moment. "As long as Thunderlane's cool with it, I don't see why not."
Rumble let out a dry laugh. "Thunderlane's working the whole day, so I can do whatever I want."
There was something about the way he said it—like it wasn't a good thing.
Rainbow Dash, who had been watching him closely, suddenly grinned. "Alright then, kiddo. You're coming with us. And you know what? I'm making it my treat. We're going to Sugarcube Corner."
Rumble hesitated. "I don't kno—"
"Not up for debate," Rainbow cut him off. "You need a pick-me-up, and Pinkie Pie's got the best desserts in town."
Rumble still wasn't convinced.
But then he thought about Soarin.
About Rainbow Dash.
About how Rainbow used to be Thunderlane's subordinate, back when she was just a weather pony.
About how Soarin still was.
About how Soarin had been Thunderlane's friend since fifth grade.
And suddenly, that hollow feeling inside of him cracked just a little.
Maybe… maybe he did want to go.
Maybe he just needed something—anything—that reminded him of his brother.
"…Alright," he mumbled.
Scootaloo pumped a hoof in the air. "Yes! Best Friday ever!"
Rainbow smirked. "That's the spirit! Let's go!"
Thunderlane didn't work on the farm. He didn't need to. But over the past few months, he had developed a habit of dropping by to help Applejack with her chores. He'd tell himself it was just to get some extra exercise, or to pay her back for all the times she helped him with Rumble.
But lately… he wasn't so sure that was the reason anymore.
Now, as he bucked another tree, watching the apples rain down into the baskets, he exhaled through his nose. The physical labor was good. It kept him moving, gave him something to focus on besides the words he'd said to his brother that morning.
"Spoiled brat."
He clenched his jaw. He hadn't meant it. Not really.
Applejack, who had been working a few trees away, noticed. She always appreciated an extra set of hooves helping with apple-bucking, but she could tell something was bothering him. She had known Thunderlane long enough to recognize when he was carrying more weight than just apple baskets.
She trotted over, wiping the sweat off her brow. "You're kickin' harder than usual, sugarcube. Tryin' to knock the tree down instead of just gettin' the apples?"
Thunderlane exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Just… got a lot on my mind."
Applejack studied him. He was tense, his wings slightly unfurled even though he wasn't flying, his jaw tight. She gave him a light nudge. "C'mon now. We're friends, and friends don't let each other stew in their own thoughts. What's eatin' at ya?"
Thunderlane hesitated, his ears twitching. He wanted to brush it off, say it was nothing, but something in Applejack's steady gaze made him sigh.
"It's Rumble," he admitted. "We got into a fight this morning. A bad one."
Applejack frowned. "How bad?"
Thunderlane swallowed. "I… I lost it. Called him a spoiled brat."
Applejack winced. "Oof." She took off her hat and ran a hoof through her mane before setting it back in place. "That ain't easy to hear from your big brother, I reckon."
Thunderlane let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, well, I didn't exactly plan on saying it. It just… came out." He shook his head, staring at the ground. "I don't know, AJ. I'm just trying to look out for him. He acts like I'm trying to ruin his life, but all I want is to keep him from making dumb mistakes. It's like he thinks I'm just trying to control him for no reason."
Applejack was quiet for a moment, her green eyes thoughtful. "Let me ask ya somethin', Thunder. When you were his age, did you ever mess up?"
Thunderlane snorted. "Obviously."
"And what happened when ya did?"
He hesitated, shifting on his hooves. "…I learned from it."
Applejack nodded. "And did anypony hold your hoof through every little thing, makin' sure you never so much as stumbled?"
"…No," he admitted. "My parents were there when they could be, but they let me figure things out on my own. They didn't stop me from making mistakes… just helped me up when I fell."
Applejack smiled. "And yet, here ya are. Ain't ruined, ain't broken. You turned out alright."
Thunderlane let out a long breath. "Yeah… but that was different."
"How?"
He opened his mouth, then shut it.
Applejack continued, "Lemme tell ya somethin'—I know a thing or two 'bout wantin' to protect your family. I used to hover over Apple Bloom somethin' fierce when she was younger. Thought I had to be on her tail every second, make sure she didn't mess up, keep her from doin' somethin' she'd regret." She chuckled softly. "But ya know what? Turns out, that was more for me than it was for her."
Thunderlane tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?"
Applejack leaned back against the tree, glancing up at the branches. "After Ma and Pa passed, I started thinkin' I had to keep everypony safe. I felt like if I didn't stay on top of things, somethin' bad would happen again. I spent years treatin' Apple Bloom like she was made of glass, but all that did was make her feel like I didn't trust her. And if there's one thing a pony don't wanna hear from their family, it's that they ain't trusted."
Thunderlane frowned, turning her words over in his mind.
"I ain't sayin' let him run wild," Applejack added. "But you gotta give him space to grow, Thunder. Let him make mistakes. Let him figure out who he is. If you keep holdin' him too tight, one day he's gonna push back, and that push might send him further away than you want."
Thunderlane's ears flattened.
Applejack nudged his shoulder. "You're a good brother. Ain't no doubt about that. But part of bein' a good brother is knowin' when to let him breathe."
Thunderlane swallowed, the weight on his chest easing ever so slightly.
"...Yeah," he murmured. "I guess I never really thought about it like that."
Applejack smirked. "Well, that's what I'm here for. Knockin' sense into ponies is kinda my specialty."
He chuckled softly. "Yeah. It really is."
Applejack grinned, satisfied. "Feelin' any better?"
Thunderlane exhaled, stretching out his wings. "Yeah. I think so."
Applejack stood, brushing the dust off her hooves. "Good. Now, c'mon—we still got trees to buck."
Thunderlane got to his hooves, the tension in his body finally starting to fade.
They worked in silence for a while, side by side, the crisp autumn air carrying the scent of apples through the orchard.
And then, as Thunderlane glanced at Applejack out of the corner of his eye, something stirred in him.
The way the sunlight filtered through her golden mane. The way her freckles crinkled when she smiled. The way she always seemed to get him, even when he couldn't get himself.
And then—just like that—his mind drifted back to her words that night.
You get me.
Maybe that was the moment this all started—the way his chest felt a little tighter whenever she smiled at him, the way her voice always calmed him, the way he kept looking forward to the days he got to spend with her.
And it wasn't just today. It wasn't just this moment.
This feeling had been creeping up on him for a long time.
The realization settled in his chest, warm and terrifying all at once.
He liked her. Really liked her.
Maybe he always had.
Applejack caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. "You alright there, partner?"
Thunderlane blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
Rumble tightened his grip on his scooter's handlebars, the wheels skidding slightly as he leaned into a sharp turn. The wind whipped through his mane, and for a brief moment, he felt weightless, soaring through the air as he launched off the ramp. The world blurred as he twisted his body mid-air, executing a near-flawless trick before landing with a solid thud. The thrill of the stunt sent a rush of excitement through him—until reality came crashing back in.
His argument with Thunderlane replayed in his head like a broken record, souring his mood. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder, trying to drown out the memories with the adrenaline rush. But it was no use. No matter how many tricks he nailed, the look in Thunderlane's eyes when he said, "I wish you weren't my brother," refused to fade.
Scootaloo zoomed past him, her laughter ringing through the air as she expertly maneuvered her way across the skate park. "C'mon, Rumble! Keep up!" she called out, glancing back at him with a teasing grin.
Normally, he'd have some sort of witty comeback, but his heart wasn't in it. He forced a smirk and picked up the pace, his scooter flying across the pavement as he caught up to her. He always loved hanging out with Scootaloo—among all his friends, she was the only one who shared his love for extreme sports. Even Button Mash and Featherweight, his closest buddies, didn't quite get the thrill the way she did. Lately, though, it wasn't just their shared hobbies that made him enjoy her company so much. He found himself thinking about her more often, noticing little things about her that he hadn't before. The way her mane bounced when she rode, how determined she looked when she landed a difficult trick, and how her laughter made his chest feel weirdly warm.
But even that warmth couldn't push away the dark cloud looming over him. The guilt sat heavy in his stomach, making his movements sluggish. His tricks became sloppy, and soon, he found himself simply rolling along instead of trying anything daring.
Scootaloo skidded to a stop beside him, concern flickering in her eyes. "Okay, spill it," she said, nudging him lightly. "I can tell you're still thinking about your fight with Thunderlane."
Rumble sighed, running a hoof through his mane. "Yeah… it's just—ugh. It won't get out of my head."
Before Scootaloo could say anything else, Rainbow Dash and Soarin descended from the sky, landing a few feet away. Rainbow ruffled Scootaloo's mane with a grin before glancing at Rumble. "Hey, squirt. You doin' okay?"
Rumble hesitated. He wanted to say yes, to brush it off like it didn't matter, but something about Rainbow's concern made him pause. Maybe it was how she and Soarin had been so cool to him all day, how they'd made an effort to cheer him up. Or maybe it was because they knew Thunderlane so well—Rainbow had worked under him in the weather team before becoming a Wonderbolt, and Soarin had been his best friend since grade school.
He took a deep breath. "It was about the Young Flyers Competition tryouts," he admitted. "And chores. He wanted me to finish them first, but that was the last day for tryouts. It just… turned into something bigger."
He hesitated, but the words were already forming, bitter and sharp. "I told him he's a nopony who never achieved anything in his life."
Soarin's eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing. Rumble swallowed hard and continued. "He called me a spoiled brat. And then I… I told him I wished he wasn't my brother."
Saying it out loud made his stomach twist. He rubbed his foreleg, suddenly feeling small under their gazes.
Rainbow let out a low whistle. "Yikes."
"Yeah," Rumble muttered. "I didn't mean it, but… I don't know. He looked—he looked hurt." He frowned. "And then this morning, he wasn't there for breakfast. He left this note saying he'd be working all day. But that's not normal. He never misses breakfast, no matter what."
Soarin's ears perked up slightly, but he kept silent, filing away a mental note. Thunderlane wasn't working all day today. He had finished his shift by 3 PM like he always did on Fridays. Yet, he had left that note for Rumble, saying he'd be gone the whole day. Why? Soarin didn't bring it up. Thunderlane clearly had his reasons for keeping that to himself.
Rumble stared down at his hooves. "I didn't mean it. But I was so mad, and I just… I wanted to hurt him back. I just feel like he's controlling every aspect of my life. Like he won't let me do things my way."
Soarin exhaled through his nose. "That's not it, kid."
Rumble frowned. "How would you know?"
"Because I've known Thunderlane since the fifth grade." Soarin sat down beside him. "And I know the real reason he's 'just a head of weather patrol in Ponyville.' It's you."
Rumble blinked. "What?"
Rainbow nodded. "Before your parents died, Thunderlane was on track to be one of the best flyers out there. He won most of the Young Flyers' Competitions. He could've been a Wonderbolt if he wanted. But he gave it up."
Rumble felt his heartbeat slow. "Why?"
Soarin looked him in the eye. "Because of you, Rumble. He could've chased his dream, but he chose to stay and raise you instead."
Rumble stared at them, his mind reeling. He always knew Thunderlane had taken care of him, but he never realized just how much he'd given up. The weight of it pressed down on him, and for the first time since the fight, he felt the full force of guilt settle in his chest.
All that sacrifice. All that effort. And what had he done? He'd called Thunderlane a failure. Told him he didn't want him as a brother.
His throat tightened. "I…" He swallowed hard. "I didn't know."
Rainbow's expression softened. "Look, Thunderlane's not perfect. And yeah, sometimes he might go a little overboard with the whole 'big brother' thing. But that's because he cares. More than you know."
Rumble bit his lip, looking down. He had been so angry, so caught up in his own frustration, that he hadn't seen it. Thunderlane wasn't trying to control him—he was trying to protect him. Guide him. And Rumble had thrown it back in his face.
Scootaloo nudged him gently. "Hey, maybe you should talk to him. You know… before it gets worse."
Rumble hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded. "Yeah. I think I should."
For the first time all day, he knew exactly what he needed to do.
Rumble trudged home, his thoughts swirling with everything that had happened that day. The argument with Thunderlane still lingered in his mind, but the conversations he had with Cheerilee, Soarin, and Rainbow Dash had shifted his perspective. He had been so caught up in his frustration that he hadn't realized how much Thunderlane had sacrificed for him.
Guilt gnawed at him. Thunderlane had put aside his dreams for Rumble's sake, and what had Rumble done in return? Lashed out, called him a nopony, and said something he wasn't sure he could ever take back. The pain in Thunderlane's eyes when he told him he wished he wasn't his brother flashed in his mind, and he winced.
As he walked through the quiet streets of Ponyville, the soft glow of lanterns flickering in windows, he considered ways to make it up to his brother. Maybe he'd wake up early and bring Thunderlane breakfast in bed. Or maybe he could take over some of the chores without being asked. Something—anything—to show that he was sorry, not just with words, but with actions.
His thoughts were interrupted as he reached their house. The lights were on inside. His brow furrowed. If Thunderlane was supposed to be working all day, then why—?
Pushing the door open, he stepped inside and immediately spotted Thunderlane sitting on the couch, staring off into space.
"Uh… hey," Rumble said hesitantly, closing the door behind him. Thunderlane turned to face him, his expression unreadable.
"Hey," Thunderlane replied. He rubbed the back of his neck. "You're home late."
"Yeah. Hung out with Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash, and Soarin." Rumble paused, then narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were working all day."
Thunderlane barely flinched, but there was a split second of hesitation before he said, "I, uh, got a letter from management saying I could head home early."
Rumble raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure why, but something about that answer didn't sit right with him. Still, he decided not to press it. Not now.
The air between them grew thick with unspoken words. Neither of them moved, both searching for something to say. Finally, at the exact same time, they both blurted out, "I'm sorry."
They stared at each other for a moment before a small chuckle escaped Thunderlane. Rumble found himself smiling, the tension between them easing just a bit.
Rumble shifted on his hooves. "I, uh, talked to Cheerilee today. And Soarin. And Rainbow Dash." He hesitated. "They told me about how much you used to talk about me when you were younger. And how you sacrificed your career in competitive flying."
Thunderlane exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… I guess I never really told you about that, huh?"
"No, you didn't," Rumble admitted. "I had no idea."
Thunderlane leaned back against the couch. "It wasn't something I felt the need to talk about. I made my choice. And I don't regret it, Rumble." He gave his little brother a reassuring look. "You were more important than anything else."
Rumble felt his throat tighten. "I… I said some really awful things."
Thunderlane nodded. "You did."
Rumble winced. "Gee, thanks."
"But," Thunderlane continued, "I also realized something today. After thinking about it… I need to let you breathe. Let you make your own decisions. And, yeah, maybe that means letting you make some mistakes." He sighed. "I never meant to make you feel like I was controlling your life. I just… I wanted to protect you. I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed."
Rumble swallowed past the lump in his throat and stepped forward, wrapping his forelegs around Thunderlane in a tight hug. Thunderlane froze for a second before returning the embrace, warmth spreading through both of them.
"I'm really sorry," Rumble murmured.
"Me too, kiddo," Thunderlane said, squeezing him briefly before pulling back. "Tell you what—why don't we go to the cinema tomorrow? My treat. As much popcorn and soda as you want."
Rumble's ears perked up. "Anything?"
Thunderlane smirked. "Well, within reason."
Rumble's face lit up with mischief. "What about—"
Thunderlane cut him off. "Not breaking the law for our brother-bonding time, Rumble."
Rumble sighed dramatically. "You're no fun." But despite his words, he was smiling.
Thunderlane stood up and stretched. "I gotta head out for a bit, but I'll be back soon."
Rumble tilted his head. "Going to Sweet Apple Acres?"
Thunderlane froze. Rumble grinned, clearly amused. "Say hi to Applejack for me."
Thunderlane groaned, rubbing his face as he headed for the door. "Yeah, yeah."
Rumble watched him leave, his heart feeling lighter than it had all day. Things weren't perfect, but they were getting better. And for now, that was enough.
The sun hung low over Sweet Apple Acres, bathing the orchard in warm hues of orange and pink. The air carried the scent of ripening apples mixed with the earthy aroma of fresh hay. Applejack stood by the pigpen, pouring the last of the slop into the trough. The pigs eagerly crowded around, their delighted grunts breaking the otherwise tranquil evening. Wiping her brow with the back of her hoof, she let out a satisfied sigh. Another day's work done.
Just as she was about to head toward the barn, a familiar gust of wind rustled through the trees, accompanied by the soft thud of hooves landing on the ground. Turning around, she spotted Thunderlane standing there, his wings still half-spread from flight. Something was different about him—his posture more relaxed, a certain lightness in his expression.
"Howdy, Thunderlane," she greeted, tilting her hat back. "Yer lookin' mighty chipper this evenin'. What brings ya here?"
He took a step closer, rubbing the back of his neck with a wing. "Hey, AJ. Thought I'd see if you needed any help with the chores."
Applejack raised an eyebrow, glancing over her shoulder at the now-fed pigs. "Well, ya got here just in time to find out I already finished 'em." She gave him a knowing look. "Now, unless ya really wanted to roll up yer sleeves and do some shovelin' for fun, I'm guessin' that's not the real reason ya stopped by."
Thunderlane chuckled, shaking his head. "Okay, ya got me. I mean, I do like spending time here, but—" he hesitated for a second before taking a breath. "I actually wanted to thank you."
Applejack leaned against the fence, crossing her hooves. "For what?"
"For talkin' to me earlier. Helping me see Rumble's side of things. I think I finally understand what I was doin' wrong." His gaze softened, and there was genuine gratitude in his voice. "I had a long talk with him when I got home. We patched things up. I feel...lighter. And I owe a lot of that to you."
Applejack smiled. "Well, I'm real glad to hear that, Thunderlane. Y'all are family, and family's important. I just helped ya see what was already in front of ya."
She expected him to nod, maybe give a casual thanks and be on his way. Instead, he hesitated, shifting his weight from hoof to hoof like he had something more to say. His wings twitched slightly at his sides.
"That's...not the only reason I'm here."
Applejack's ears perked up slightly. "Oh?"
Thunderlane took a slow breath, steadying himself. "Ever since that night. The night we watched over Apple Bloom and Rumble. Ever since we talked about our parents…" He trailed off, looking momentarily unsure, as if choosing the right words was harder than expected. "Before that, I always saw you as a good friend. Somepony I've known since we were foals. But something changed that night. When you hugged me and said, 'You get me'... somethin' shifted inside me. It's been on my mind ever since."
Applejack remained quiet, her green eyes locked onto his. His heart pounded in his chest as he continued, words spilling out now that the dam had broken.
"I guess what I'm tryin' to say is—I don't just think of you as a friend anymore. It's more than that. And if I'm being honest, I don't think I've felt this way about anypony before. It's new, and kinda scary, but... I know it's real."
For a brief moment, silence stretched between them. The only sounds were the distant chirping of crickets and the rustling of the trees. Thunderlane felt a lump form in his throat. Had he just ruined everything?
Then, Applejack spoke. Her voice was steady, but there was something different in it—a warmth, a quiet excitement. "Y'know, that's funny. 'Cause I've been thinkin' a lot about you too. Ever since that night, somethin' about the way I see ya changed. Not just a friend, not just some pegasus I've known forever… but somepony I wanna be 'round more. Somepony who makes me feel... safe. Happy. I think—I think I feel the same way."
Thunderlane blinked, hardly daring to believe his ears. "You do?"
Applejack chuckled, shaking her head fondly. "What, ya think I don't got eyes, sugarcube? A mare would have to be blind not to notice how good of a stallion you are."
A smile broke across Thunderlane's face, and before he knew it, his hoof was covering hers. It was warm, steady. "I won't lie, I'm a little nervous. I mean... your family's pretty protective."
Applejack smirked. "Oh, don't you worry about them just yet. Let's take things one step at a time."
They were close now, close enough to feel the warmth radiating off one another. Applejack could hear the subtle hitch in Thunderlane's breath, and he could see the slight rosiness dusting her cheeks.
Neither of them knew who moved first, but suddenly, the space between them vanished as their lips met.
It was gentle at first, both hesitant, as if testing the waters. But as the seconds stretched, something warmer and deeper took hold. Applejack felt her heart thudding against her ribs, her pulse racing in a way that no amount of hard labor ever caused. There was strength in the way Thunderlane held her, but also tenderness, like she was something precious. And for a stallion used to flying high above the clouds, he felt completely grounded in this moment, as if she was the only thing tethering him to the earth.
By the time they pulled apart, both were slightly breathless. Applejack blinked, as if she couldn't quite believe what had just happened. Thunderlane grinned, his eyes alight with a mix of exhilaration and awe.
Neither of them needed to say much after that. The look they exchanged spoke volumes.
"Guess I'll see you tomorrow," Thunderlane finally said, his voice softer than usual.
Applejack nodded. "Yeah… see you tomorrow."
They shared one last lingering glance before he spread his wings and took off, disappearing into the evening sky.
Just a few yards away, Apple Bloom sat on her haunches by the barn window, eyes as wide as dinner plates.
She had been on her way back to the house when she spotted Thunderlane flying in. Curiosity got the best of her, and she had crept up to the window to eavesdrop. What she had witnessed was something she never expected in a million years.
Her sister… kissing Thunderlane.
Apple Bloom's mind raced. What did this mean? Was Applejack in love? Did this mean Thunderlane was gonna be around even more? Would they start acting all mushy all the time? The mere thought made her scrunch her nose in mild horror.
At the same time, though… she had never seen her sister look that happy. Not just content, but genuinely happy.
Apple Bloom bit her lip, leaning her forehead against the wooden frame of the window. This was big. Really big. She needed time to think, to process.
One thing was for sure—tomorrow, she was going to get some answers.
With a final glance out the window, she turned and trotted back toward the house, her mind buzzing with thoughts of what this all meant for her big sister.