Whenever I need to think about Sonic, I find myself walking to Never Lake.

Never Lake feels euphoric, especially now in late summer. The water reflects the early evening sun in a way different from any other lake I've seen. The endless ripples atop the water's surface glisten and shine hues of white, yellow, orange, and pink, catching the light from both the sun and the ever-sparkling flowers that dance in the wind. The grass-topped mountains and rock pillars that surround the lake act as long-standing walls and guards, protecting the creatures, flowers, and memories formed within their borders. The grass has grown lush since the first time I was here. From my mountain cliff view, Never Lake looks more like a meadow than a valley. The long blades cushion my seat as I take in the view and the light breeze on my face.

I think it helps that I met Sonic here, too.

I giggle as I remember dashing here for the first time, fresh off my fortune, and falling into awe as I stood before Little Planet above the lake. The planet was so big and small all at once – truly no other way to describe it. So dark and metallic, too, as Eggman and his mech army overran the townspeople and took over. A single link from the chain he had to use to keep Little Planet in place was bigger than me. The juxtaposition of the then-barren grass and lake to this sphere of metal was a haunting image I'd seen nothing like at that point in my life. I scoff at the idea now, given what my life's become, but I felt like I was dead walking, balancing up that chain, hundreds of feet into the air.

I had to, though, because whatever was waiting for me up there was my destiny.

Naïve? Yes. Stupid? Absolutely.

Do I regret running so foolishly into danger – no, adventure? Not a chance in hell.

I smile and gaze at the lake, thinking about the day my life changed forever and the boy who changed it.

Oh, right. He's why I'm here. Well, kind of.

When I said that I come here to think about Sonic, I don't mean to "daydream." I come here when something's bothering me – most often, it's him. Today's no exception.

A lot's happened within the last year, and I don't think he realizes it, but Sonic's starting to let on that it's irking him more than I'm sure he'd like. Well, at least to me. I think I'm the only one who's noticed.

He's more brooding now, but not in the way that Shadow broods. He broods whenever he's not performing – y'know, like in battle, a team meeting, or when he's talking to Tails or Cream. Whenever he has a moment to himself, he's stoic. Lost in his head with furrowed brows and a little scowl on his face. That's also assuming he sticks around long enough for me to catch a glance. I actually haven't seen him in weeks.

Last time we talked, I asked Sonic how he was doing, kind of to get a sense of where his head was but expecting nothing more than a wink, a smile, and an "I'm fine, Amy," but his response shocked me… and stung a little, too.

I got my wink, and I got my smile – I even got his face up close to mine so he could look me in the eye – but the new fatigue and strain on his face told me that there was something more, a button encased in glass, that I had no right to touch.

'Has it ever occurred to you, Amy, not to poke your nose into everything about me?'

Ugh.

I'm at such a loss with that boy. Confident, heroic heart-throb or not, Sonic's just so closed off to the world when it comes to his emotions. How can I support him – how can I love him – without coming off like a full-frontal attack?

Not to mention how stubborn he is…! Hm?

Movement in the grass by the lake pulls me from my thoughts, and my eyes dart to the bobbing blue head peeking out of the tall grass. I sit up straight and squint my eyes, raising my hand to shield my vision from the sun to get a better look. Huh – what are the odds?

Sonic trots to a stop on the opposite end of the lake and stands among the flowers, staring into the water. He's far away, but close enough to see a wide, closed-lipped smile on his face as his arms swish through the grass and flowers. I sigh and giggle at the sight.

Should I call out to him? Wave? Hide? He seems at peace… happy. Would I just disturb that?

Before I can strategize, Sonic raises his head and sees me atop my cliff. My spine straightens. Both our faces fall blank as we catch each other's eye. A moment passes before Sonic smiles and waves at me. I wave back and cross my right leg over my left. He lowers his hand behind his quills and looks away for a second, then turns back, tilts his head, and points at me. I smile and nudge my head to the side, and Sonic starts jogging toward me. I'd expect a faster pace by nature of who he is, but my heart flutters at Sonic's delicate steps through the grass and between each flower. My tail feverishly brushes the grass as Sonic, halfway across the lake's length now, winks at me and chuckles. Soon, he's jogging up and over the crest of the hill and stops to the left of me.

"Hey," he says.

"Hi," I say, glancing at him out the corner of my eye before looking back to the lake. "I'm surprised you asked before coming over…"

"Eh, I don't know. You didn't exactly react when you saw me. I wasn't sure if…" Sonic's thought fades back into his mind. "Erm, well, anyway, I wanted to apologize about what I said last time. I wasn't giving you credit… you're really not that nosey."

My eyes widen at him. Good timing, Hedgehog.

"I know I'm not," I say, winking at him. Sonic rolls his eyes as a smile wobbles across his muzzle.

"Yeah... Besides, I know you meant well. You always do."

"Yup." I glance up at him and smile, sitting up straight and turning my torso to face him. "You just don't like when I ask."

Sonic smirks and cocks an eyebrow, rubbing his nose. "I don't get a single win with you, do I?" He asks, squatting down to my level.

"Nope, not after that comment of yours," I say, leaning forward to gaze into his emerald eyes, matching his smirk. "But really, I forgive you. That's a win, isn't it?"

"I guess so, but you know how competitive I get," he says, and I giggle.

"Yeah, I do," I whisper back, watching him. His quills catch the perpendicular breeze and sway side to side behind him. They look pillowy and soft – content. That's good. His fur looks soft, too. Shiny and free of shrapnel – things are quiet with Eggman. Also good. His eyes are playful today – probably just woke up from a nap not too long ago – but he's raising an eyebrow at me.

Oh jeez, I'm gawking at him! I blink myself back to life and sit up straight, creating some distance between our faces.

"Erm, what brings you back to Never?" I stutter, looking him over a little faster, this time.

"I was just coming back from Vista View, actually, and… I like to run through here whenever I have the chance." Sonic settles himself on the ground and tucks his legs to his chest before resting his arms on his knees. "But this," he continues, gesturing his hand toward me, "was a surprise. How about you?"

"I wanted a quiet place to think and… I thought watching the sunset on the grass would be a nice change of pace," I say.

"Oh, am I interrupting 'you' time?" Sonic laughs, but he puts a hand on the ground to get back up. I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. His emerald eyes dart to my hand for a negligible second before looking at me.

"No, don't worry about it. Stay." I smile, and he settles back into the ground, extending his legs outward.

"Alright, cool."

I take him in for a few more seconds, admiring how the yellow glow of the sun melts into his fur, before gazing at the lake once more. Wherever he's been, it did him well.

"Can't say you won't get bored though." I throw a wink at him.

"Bored? Have you seen a sunset?"

"I meant with me, Sonic."

"Oh." Sonic brings a hand to his chin and furrows his brows. "Have you ever been in your presence?" He leans in closer to me and flashes a big grin that makes me laugh.

"Only every day." I roll my eyes.

"So, then you know you don't need to worry about it." Sonic's emerald eyes stare into my own and his grin softens into something more comfortable. I nod.

"Okay, Sonic."

The sky's sunset hues coat Never Lake with a slightly richer hue of warmth, but the light wind persists. Yellow, pink, and blue flower petals sway on their stems, and I focus on a particular blue tulip to distract myself from my hammering heart. So much for thinking, huh.

"Why do you like to come here so often?" I ask. Sonic glances at me only to gaze back at the lake with a soft smile. He bends a knee up to angle his arm on.

"Never's… special to me. I don't know… I guess a lot happened here – a lot of firsts. First time time-travelling, first other-world adventure, first robot-double, first…" Sonic's eyes steal a glance at me before cocking his head, brows furrowed. "Well, you, but I guess 'first Amy' doesn't make any sense." Sonic shakes his head a couple of times, laughing. "Eh… Anyway… a lot of nice memories here."

"That's for sure," I gush. "I kind of lied before – this isn't really a 'change of pace' at all. This is my thinking place. I love it here." I extend my arms toward the lake and meadow, basking in their sweetness.

"I'm shocked we haven't run into each other here sooner, then." Sonic leans back on his open hand.

"Me too." I laugh, then turn my head away from him as my face flushes a bit at my next thought. "Maybe… we could come back here together, one day?"

"That could be fun," Sonic responds, eyes bright, smile warm. "Maybe when my head isn't all upside down…"

My head swivels quick enough to catch Sonic's face falter for a moment before he put a smirk back on, but before I can act on it, he's moved on. Classic him.

"On that note, actually, I kind of miss Little Planet. I haven't been back there since we met, and even then, I didn't really get to take all that much in." Sonic says. "You were there for the sights, no? Did you happen to see anything untouched by Eggman? Any recommendations?"

His comment pulls a light scoff out of me, which prompts his head to snap toward me.

"S-Sonic," I laugh.

"What?"

"Don't make me slap you."

"W-What? What am I supposed to know?" He shrugs, a crooked smile forming on his muzzle. I raise an eyebrow at him, smirk, and turn my torso to face him.

"I wasn't on Little Planet to go sightseeing, Sonic. I was there to meet you," I say. Sonic blinks once before his eyes go wide. I want to believe his reaction is some sort of act, but his ears open and turn inward – I've piqued his interest. I continue: "My tarot cards told me that I would discover my true destiny on Little Planet, whatever that meant, and it turns out that it was you."

Sonic turns to the horizon and furrows his brows briefly before recognition coats his face. "Hm, I do remember you talking about fortune telling in the past with Cream, but…" His thought trails away for a moment before he chuckles softly. "Do you really believe in all that?" he asks, giving me a side glance.

Oh, he wants to tease me, huh? Alright, I'll play.

"Well…" I place a hand next to his and use the support to lean up close to him. My proximity prompts him to turn his face toward me – a fatal mistake for him as I seize the opportunity to bump his nose with mine. "You've kept me around this long, haven't you?" I whisper, batting my eyelashes a couple of times. Sonic coats his muzzle with a smug smile, but his sharpened spines show me that I've won, so I settle back into my place.

"Amy…" He shakes his head, that smug smile hanging on.

"Alright, look. The way I see it, what are the odds that those cards sent me to this mystical planet that warps here one month out of the entire year on the same day I meet the single most care-free, adventurous, loyal, kindest, selfless, funniest, and insightful person I've ever met? Not to mention with the biggest heart the world has ever seen and the embodiment of everything I want to be," I say, boasting a prideful smile until I make eye contact with the boy I'm rambling about, who's staring at me with such wistful eyes that flushes heat across my face. I tuck my knees to my chest and bury my face into them for a regrouping second before I stare ahead at the flowing leaves of the horizon. Ignoring his stare, I push through my fluster. "Even as my best friend, you in my life and all the fun and livelihood and danger and people that follow you are no accident. I won't dwell on it, but in some way, shape, or form, you are my destiny, and I don't want to fight with fate for even a second."

I dare myself to look him in the eye to see that wistfulness replaced with a glowing, reassuring playfulness.

"Okay, Amy." He nods.

I gaze into his eyes for a couple of seconds longer before I lower myself to lie on my back. His eyes follow me down, but his stare softens before I close my eyes. Arms out to either side of me, his incredulous smirk makes me giggle to myself.

Have I really never told him that before? He's one to play dumb with me, sure, but he rarely engages in things like this. Don't get me wrong, that's okay – he doesn't need to – but I'm just shocked I've never made that properly clear.

A hand wraps around my left arm, lifts it, and moves it to rest across my torso. I open one eye to watch Sonic settle on his back next to me, where my arm was, and tuck his hands behind his head to prop it up to look at the clouds. I roll my eyes and watch the yellowing sky.

Well, now he knows, and the ball's in his court, but…

There's still more I can do for him.

"All that said… It's okay if I'm ever 'too much,' though, you know – I just need you to tell me when. I really did mean well when I asked you how you were feeling before. I wasn't trying to get my nose in your business…"

"Amy–"

"I know I'm silly and loud and cheeky and never quite lay off enough, but the absolute last thing I want is to make you wholly and truly uncomfortable. I want to be a safe place for you to land, but lately, I feel like I've just been one of the people tossing your life up like a salad." I rip some grass from the ground and grip it in a fist.

"Ames…"

"Do you feel like that, at all? Do you–"

"Hey," Sonic stops me. "My life is better because you're in it." My head whips in his direction to see him staring strictly into the sky. His nose twitches twice as a gentle smirk played on his lips. His emeralds look at me for a second only to return to studying the clouds.

"So, don't worry about any of that." His smile deepens, and its contagious nature trickles across my face.

"…Okay," I whisper.

"And… really? I'm so sorry I said that. I didn't even mean it." His face falters again, and his ears detract slightly. I pull myself to sit upright.

"I already said I forgive you, but then why say it?" I ask. Sonic purses his lips and sits upright with me.

"Well, I think I meant it at the moment, because I actually was upset about something – don't ask – but I really don't find your concern all that overbearing." He says, avoiding my gaze. "I'm okay, now, though."

I sigh and lift my hand to rub my eyes. When I finish, Sonic's watching me, quills erect but not quite defensive. His eyes are wide, though, and his ears are open.

"Sonic, I'm glad you're okay now, but what happens the next time you're not?"

"Amy…" Sonic starts, the scowl on his face projecting his thoughts, but I stop him.

"Sonic, I need you to hear this. Please listen." I grab his hand and hold it in my lap. My free hand grabs Sonic's head and turns it to face me. I caress his cheek a couple of times before my hand flows to travel the length of his quills, which relax under my touch. Sonic sighs and nods, urging me to start.

"You have the world's hardest job, and you're trying to handle it all by yourself." Sonic lowers his head, but I press forward. "I won't sit here and pretend I understand even a fraction of what it means to be in your place, to hold the responsibilities and status you do. I can't imagine how hard it is to even sit down and think for a second about the things that must run through your head. Eggman, the war, our friends and their safety, the lives we live and the stakes that come with them, the world, yourself – all of it."

Sonic stares at his hand in mine, a frown on his face. I squeeze his hand and continue.

"Sonic… You're so clearly hurting, and you've been hurting for years. I understand that you're not ready to let anyone in and that's okay because I'll be here the second you are, but…" I pause, lost for the right words. "Please… Don't push me away. All I want to do is support you in the way that you want to be supported, even if all that means is us sitting together in silence. I don't need details," I whisper. "I just need you."

Sonic's head whips back up to face me, his mouth agape. I offer a warm smile, and he chuckles a bit. He squeezes my hand and smiles back for a few seconds before letting go and turning back to face our lake, which now glows orange and pink in the presence of the sunset.

"I… I love…" Sonic starts but bites his lip. He takes a quick, sharp breath through his nose and continues: "I love… how well you get it." He turns to smirk at me, his emeralds glowing. I giggle.

"It took me way too long to get here," I whisper, "but I'm happy I've gotten here with you."

"Better late than never, right?"

"Late? You?" I laugh.

"Thank you, Amy." He whispers, hugging his knees, gazing at me.

"Always, Hedgehog."

A cloud passes over the setting sun and shrouds Never Lake in darkness for only a second, but long enough to remind us of the night to come. Sonic stands up and stretches his limbs, taking in the lake and the now-glistening meadow one last time before turning to me.

"Can I take you back home?" He asks, extending a hand to pull me from the ground, which I accept.

"Oh, don't worry, I'll be okay! Part of my adventure today is the walk back," I say, smiling at him.

"Don't I know it," Sonic says, stretching his legs.

"Where to, now?" I ask. "Off on another month-long adventure?"

"Y'know, maybe not, actually." Sonic raises his arms behind his head, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. "I wasn't that sure before, but I think I'm going to stick around Central City for a while. I've missed everyone."

I stare at him with wide eyes, and when his smile deepens in return, I flush.

"Well… Good," I say. "Expect a warm welcome from the gang, then."

I… I should say it. I never say it.

"I shall," Sonic says. "Well, if you're sure you don't want a lift home, I guess I'll be seeing you." He waves and turns on his heels.

What if it's too much?

He jogs toward the crest of the hill.

Oh, screw it.

"Wait… Sonic?" I shout and stumble a couple of steps forward, reaching my hand out to him.

"Yeah?" He skids to a stop and looks back at me over his shoulder, his emeralds wide and curious. It's so much harder when he stops.

I open my mouth only for the words to cling to my throat, and my outstretched hand slinks back to my chest. I look to my side and purse my lips as my cheeks flush hot.

"Hey… What up?" Sonic turns around and walks a couple of steps toward me. His brow furrows a little, but his eyes soften as he studies my face.

I open my mouth again, but my voice cracks and my face flushes hot again. I jut my clenched fists to my sides, squeeze my eyes shut, and take a deep breath. With a sharp exhale, I turn to look him in the eye.

"Sonic, I–" My voice cracks again, and I steady myself with another deep breath. "I love you."

Sonic's eyes widen as he stands upright. His mouth falls agape briefly before he purses it shut and turns his head away, raising a hand to scratch the back of his ear.

"Heh… heheh…" Sonic chuckles, but he holds his breath for a couple of seconds as he stares at me, his sheepish smile softening to a small gape as he watches. I bite my bottom lip as I hold eye contact, relaxing my fists with another slow breath.

His ears and spine flex to attention for a second before softening again, and his emeralds blink a couple of times. He lowers his arm and opens his mouth to say something, but quickly shuts it and looks away.

His eyes dart back to steal a glance, and another chuckle slips out of him with a small smile. He turns his body away from me and brings his hand to his chin. I can't look away from him, so I study his legs as he kicks a lone pebble down the hill.

Sonic chuckles again, steals another glance, and turns to face me fully. He takes a slow, deep breath and nods a couple of times, and his face melts into a soft, genuine smile.

"I… I know," he whispers through his smile.

We hold each other's gaze for a few seconds. I clasp my hands together in front of my waist and nod back at him, smiling with a warmth only he can bring out of me.

Understood, Sonic turns to the setting sun and readies himself to dash off – feet planted firmly into the ground, one in front of the other. He looks back at me one last time, studying my eyes before offering a final, single nod. In the next second, he's gone into the horizon, his gentle wind blowing through my quills as I tilt my head to the side. I gaze into the distance, radiating in the warmth of the sun casting its glow upon the meadow ever still.

"I know, too, Sonic."

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