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Burning Blaze hovered over the heap of melted brass that once was her adversary’s army, watching in slight amusement as the madman himself fled back to the neighboring kingdom. She rued how the situation had gotten to the point of necessitating the use of the Sol Emeralds, but nonetheless appreciated the aid they had provided her.
She floated back down, the grass charring in the wake of her undying flames; she glanced at her own fiery cloak, pondering what to do with the time she had left in this form. A moment later, she was struck with the idea to pay a certain someone a long overdue visit.
From an outsider’s perspective, Sonic appeared to have not a care in the world; he dashed through the forest with astonishing speed, stopping only for the briefest of moments to admire the scenery once he arrived at the nearby meadow. And, to some extent, that inference would be correct. But it was evident from his melancholic expression as he glanced toward the horizon that something was eating at the hedgehog from the inside: An odd sense of longing.
It was, of course, difficult for him to acknowledge such feelings, but they sometimes grew to a point where even he couldn’t ignore them. He missed Blaze; it had been months since they’d last seen each other, and while he knew that their relationship would bring about long periods of separation, it—alongside the yearning that followed—was something he had yet to get used to.
He often went on runs to distract himself, but these feelings would always catch up to him eventually. Now was one of those times, and he found himself wandering the plains as he reminisced.
Memories of their time together—be it racing, sparring, or simply just relaxing—resurfaced. He thought of her embrace, a common routine of theirs beaten only by their tendency to hold hands. Of her beautiful smile, and how it managed to break through her stoicism. Of her love; something he yearned to reciprocate again.
He knew focusing this much on the past wasn’t like him, but Sonic couldn’t bring himself to stop these thoughts, this time; he wasn’t exactly sure why. Either way, he wanted to see Blaze again.
It was as if the universe chose to pity him, as a great pillar of fire manifested before him; from it emerged a being cloaked in flame, whose radiance and beauty made the sun itself appear dim in comparison. She lowered herself down to the awed hedgehog.
“Sonic,” Burning Blaze began with a gentle smile. “It is wonderful to see you again; how have you been?” She took Sonic’s hands in hers.
The heat from her touch was almost overwhelming; not from intensity, but from how it spread through him—it felt like an embrace in its own right. Nonetheless, he was quick to keep himself cool. “It’s great to see you too, Blaze! I’ve been doin’ fine, myself; how ’bout you?”
“I have been feeling well, thank you.” She followed up her reply by planting a quick kiss onto her lover’s lips.
He was a tad flummoxed for a moment, before asking “S-so, what brings ya’ here, anyway?”
“O-oh, well…” Burning Blaze paused, lightly pulling Sonic closer to her. “I just wanted to see you.”
Sonic couldn’t help but blush. “What a coincidence; I’ve been wanting to see you, too.” They kissed once more, forgoing the brevity of earlier. They embraced quickly after they parted, with Sonic basking in his lover’s warmth. “I’ve… I’ve really missed you, Blaze,” he managed to say.
A mutual, loving silence passed before Burning Blaze spoke again, sadness tinting her words: “I cannot stay long.”
The hedgehog closed his eyes. “I know…”
The silence returned, and Sonic was content to rest in Burning Blaze’s arms, caressed by her lambent flames.
“Sonic…” she eventually broke the silence, and the Blue Blur could infer what she would say next, and slightly tightened his grip. Burning Blaze was unfazed; taking his hands in hers once again, she continued: “I have to leave now.”
He struggled to maintain eye contact.
“Hey,” she guided his gaze towards her. “I’ll see you again; never forget that.”
Sonic smiled. “Yes… Again…”
Burning Blaze floated backwards, before vanishing in another pillar of fire.
Now alone one more, the hedgehog struggled to maintain his expression. He shivered, for he only realized how cold it was once he knew her warmth.
He sunk to the ground, blanketed by the frigid air, wishing she could’ve stayed just a bit longer.