Being a Wonderbolt and a parent was hard work. Lightning Bolt was only a few months old and he’d already become one of his parents’ biggest challenges yet, as they struggled to find the balance between rearing him and staying devoted to their careers. It didn’t help that they didn’t exactly plan to have a baby so soon. But he was still their baby, and Soarin and Rainbow Dash were willing to put in the work.
 
Today was Soarin’s turn to take on baby duty during lunch break. Usually they would’ve hired a babysitter, but nobody was available that day so there was no choice but to bring little Lightning along for the ride. Soarin didn’t mind; he liked showing off his boy to the other ‘Bolts. Plus, many of them were more than willing to help out, especially his longtime comrade High Winds.
 
“Need anything, Clipper?” The mare asked, smirking at the mention of his nickname.
 
“I think we got it, Hoof-In-Mouth,” Soarin quipped back. “He seems to have quieted down for now,” he looked down at the baby, who was quietly suckling on his bottle.
 
“Gotcha!” She grinned. “Just let me know whenever. I know this parenting stuff’s hard.”
 
“I’ll say,” Soarin chuckled. “I’m trying to be a good dad and all, but boy, it gets really hard.” He frowned. “Doesn’t help that I haven’t exactly had the best role model…”
 
High Winds furrowed her brows in concern. “Oh. Bad family life?”
 
“Yeah, kinda. My mom’s fine, but my dad, I guess, didn’t really want to be a dad. He didn’t treat us so good before he left. Thunderbolt was his name. I don’t want my boy growing up like that, y’know?”
 
“I hear ya. Wait, Thunderbolt? Huh, that’s funny,” High Winds pondered. “That’s what my dad’s name was too! I never met him, but still, I’ve heard quite a lot.”
 
Soarin’s eyes widened in realization. “You don’t think…”
 
“Did he have a really bad mullet?” High Winds asked, quickly catching on.
 
“Yes!” Soarin exclaimed. “Holy cow, I think we’re related!”
 
“Oh my gosh! I think we are! No wonder we look so much alike!”
 
“You didn’t notice that till now?”
 
“I didn’t want to say anything!”
 
The two pegasi stared at each other, taking in what they just realized. If the evidence lined up, they really were half-siblings. All these years working together and they didn’t even realize it.
 
“Clipper! Hoof-In-Mouth! Lunch is over, slowpokes!”
 
The two pegasi jumped up, rushing to finish up and follow Spitfire’s orders.
 
“Let’s not tell Spitfire about this, deal? We’ll never hear the end of it.”
 
“Deal,” High Winds agreed. “But Soarin?”
 
“Yeah?”
 
“If it helps, you’re already a better dad than ours was. And remember, Auntie High Winds is always around to help out,” she gave him a nod and prepared to take off.
 
Soarin smiled back. “Sure thing. Catch ya later, sis.”