Thunderlane entered the office, head bowed. “You wanted to see me, boss?”

“Sit down.”

Thunderlane did as he was told. When the weather manager took that tone of voice, it only meant trouble.

Cloudy Skies leaned over her desk, looking him in the eyes. She sighed. “Look, Thunderlane. You’re here because I’ve been getting heat from Cloudsdale. They insist I’ve been too easy on you. They want me to fire you for what you did today.”

Thunderlane’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? What did I do to deserve being fired?”

Reaching into her desk drawer, Cloudy pulled out a picture of clouds, spelling out “Happy birthday, R”. She placed it on the desk.

“So I tried to make a birthday message. What’s the issue?”

“Those clouds were meant for Sweet Apple Acres.” Cloudy moved the picture to the side, then turned back to Thunderlane. “Since they didn’t get the full amount of rain, they complained. There was plenty there for a report, what with the picture and all. I’m just glad somepony stopped you before you took all of it.”

Leaning back, Thunderlane said, “I still don’t see the problem. I’ve done this before and not gotten into trouble.”

Cloudy shook her head. “You know full well that you need to file a request for this kind of stuff. I was able to let you slide the last few times since you used extra clouds, but this time, you blew it.” Cloudy sunk into her chair, running a hoof through her mane. “Why do you do this to me, Thunderlane?”

He set his jaw. “I had a good reason to.”

“‘A good reason’, you say.” Cloudy rolled her eyes. “It’s always a good reason in your eyes. But I’ve got news for you: Cloudsdale doesn’t see it as a good reason when you’re constantly doing this for your mare of the week.”

Thunderlane said nothing, only opting to stare defiantly back.

“Well? Aren’t you going to say anything else in your defense?”

“It won’t happen again. I’ll file the request next time.” He leaned forward. “But this time was different. Birthdays only come around once a year, you know.”

“Unless you celebrate a new one every week.” Cloudy waved a hoof dismissively. She once again stared at Thunderlane. “I really should fire you. But darn it, I like you. You’re a good worker when you’re not distracted by mares.” She closed her eyes for a moment as she thought. “I can’t just let you off with a warning, considering your history.” She opened her eyes again. “But I will let you off with just a writeup. I’ve told you you’ve broken the rules, you’ve acknowledged that, and that’ll be the end of that. But next time, I will have to suspend or fire you. Got it?”

Thunderlane nodded.

“Sign the bottom of the paper, and you’re free to go.” After Thunderlane did so, she stopped him. “Don’t let this happen again. Please.” She rubbed her temples. “It’s easier for both of us.”

---

The first thing Thunderlane did upon getting home was collapse on the couch.

A familiar blue colt raced to his side. “It’s about time you got home!”

Smiling, Thunderlane wrapped his brother in a big hug. “Sorry, bro. It was a long day at work.” He brightened up. “Did you see what I wrote?”

Rumble beamed. “I sure did! And here I thought you forgot all about my birthday!” He hugged Thunderlane tight. “You’re the best brother ever!”

Thunderlane mussed Rumble’s hair. “Anything for you, Rumble.”

There was no need for Rumble to know how much trouble Thunderlane had gotten in, nor did Thunderlane particularly care right then. One look at his little brother’s smiling face was all it took to know he’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

Totally worth it.