Blaze's own heartbeat was deafening.

Their stereo, at the end of its batteries and hushed lest it attract attention, sang a love song from an unlabeled CD. The candles around the room burned even quieter, in exchange for meager illumination. Silver sat on one of their rickety stools, facing a concrete wall.

Blaze didn't know what she was doing. Crushing came easily, but she wasn't sure of this tender of a commitment. Sure they lived, fought, and died together, but she never imagined so sweet a union. Indeed, she had a habit of committing to things she didn't fully understand…

With a reflective metal plate bolted across her wall, Blaze realized it worked as an improvised mirror. She was glad she'd instructed her companion to sit elsewhere. Blaze had already removed her purple coat, stripped down to white leggings and a blouse. Clad in pure white in this dusty grey ruin, she felt out of place. She untucked the hem, then lifted it above her head, revealing her toned stomach and bra. It felt so wrong.

Not because she didn't want to disrobe for him… Gaia, what was she saying. The thought made her face beet red. There was just something about becoming so vulnerable, exposing this much of herself, that made her stomach turn regardless of circumstance. She could barely even bathe without crumbling to a nervous wreck.

On the other side of the room, Silver had hardly anything to undress save for gloves and boots. Still, he felt bare to her. Watching him hunched on the stool, she took in the scars she had never noticed before, the muscles in his back, the way his quills grew shorter around his extremities. Both he and she were so unprotected.

Once she undid the straps, fully revealing herself, Blaze couldn't bear to peep any more. She hid her face in her hands, covering the one thing she had left to cover. "... You can look now."

Trembling, Blaze watched Silver turn on the stool, his eyes widening at her. She hesitated in the shadows, unsure of his reaction, until she clambered onto the crummy gray covers of the rickety bed. She had to invite him to join her. Cautiously, Silver approached. As he knelt on the dingy mattress too, she found it impossible to touch him, like an invisible barrier.

He stuttered, as if his tongue were too large. "Y-you're pretty." His rough hand touched her own on the sheets, and she recoiled.

"Sorry..." She shamefully returned her hand, allowing him to hold her.

He shook his head, also looking down. He bit his lip. It was cute. "Don't be. I'm nervous too." He was the one who suggested this in the first place.

Their glowing eyes connected in the candlelight. "Why is it so scary?" Blaze asked.

"I don't know..." His fingers rubbed the back of her paw, psychic symbols glowing slightly. His nose was so noble, his boyish face so handsome. "Maybe because it means so much." That sincerity smote her.

Blaze's other hand met his broad shoulder. "You're the only one I ever touch like this..." She stroked his fur; she wanted to hold him, she really did. "But this is still... weird."

Nevertheless, she warmed inside to know both of them were so petrified. Sure the horrors of the hellscape city were bad, but they paled in comparison with this ultimate, unknowable force: affection. Sliding on the bed, they sat side by side. His toes were wiggling, her tail fidgeting. Silver still held Blaze's hand, now purring into her neck. "It's okay if you want to sleep alone. We don't have to do it tonight."

"No." She surprised herself. "This is what I want... I think." Her tail moved around his waist, taking in the lovely curve of his hip.

"Want what? Me?" Silver solicited.

"Of course I want you, darling." Her tired eyes met his again. "I just... don't want to submit you to this."

"Blaze, whatever do you mean?" He turned, his fluffy chest brushing her mediocre bicep. "I asked for you. There is nothing to be ashamed of."

She sighed. "I know, I know... I'm just..." She kept saying that, looking for an excuse that Silver would understand (that she would understand), but it was all so illogical.

One of her claws grazed his hand. "Sorry." He was quick to apologize first, even though it wasn't his fault. He didn't need to feel guilty for this discomfort. That was so like him - regretting asking for what he wants. Her claws had done worse, but the distraction gave her time to formulate a statement.

"Since I was a child, I never imagined doing this… I was taught someone would hurt me." Her fingers curled around his. "But you've brought me so much light, Silver. I trust you."

He gave a hum, stroking her cheek. "I never thought I'd meet someone like you, Blaze. You've brought just as much light to me too." His breath was hot.

Blaze still didn't know what to do, her body yearning but her soul afraid. She shuddered. "Can we just... stay like this?"

Silver blinked slowly. "Another time?" He still wanted it.

"Yes. For now, baby steps..." she giggled, feeling decidedly un-sexy. "I'm sorry, Silver."

He laid a kiss on her temple. "As long as you're with me."

Blaze's heart shrank for denying him what he wanted. So rare was it that he requested anything; she felt indebted, but could not provide.

"Lie for me," he commanded.

Oh. Overcome by his sudden authority, Blaze shuffled down to lay her head on his lap. He ran his fingers through her hair, like usual. She closed her eyes.

It felt funny, being faced with the object of years of fantasies and yet failing to take it. Her body craved his since the day they met as sexually-repressed teenagers, and now as a fresh adult lacking such anxiety, she faltered. The fear of love in a world where everything smoldered of lava was too much. She felt like a helpless child again. A distant roar rang out, belonging to one of the hellspawn. Such noises had become routine, but it confirmed her fears: this world was not kind to love. There was safety in backpedaling, avoiding awkwardness or insecurity or interruption.

"You know, sometimes I forget we're traumatized." She wasn't sure if it was a joke or not.

"Yeah." Silver exhaled, amused by her grit. "Don't hold it against yourself. We have nothing but time."

Blaze only partially agreed. Yes, they had survived for now, fighting an endless battle. But those infernos and monsters had already claimed the lives of too many innocents. Silver thought he could save them all. She didn't doubt his abilities, but she always wondered, she always feared, what he would do without her.

"We should kill Iblis again tomorrow." It came off her tongue so naturally. Every time they needed a break, this was their comfort. It was routine: struggle, kill Iblis, have a day or two of respite, struggle, repeat. Hopefully one of these cycles it would stay dead, though Blaze doubted it. That fire was immortal. But it was all they could do.

His thigh shifted beneath her head, somewhat excited. "He's been weaker the last few rounds, I can feel it." Well she didn't feel it. His optimism was lying to him again - she had to respect his hope, but wondered how long it would last.

Silver was lucky to have found the one beast whose flames did not mindlessly destroy, and who would curl up on his lap so willingly. Still, lying here, had she let him down? He had requested love, and all she could offer was another plan to kill. What a freak. She didn't feel worthy of his embrace. Her hand grasped his, resting in her hair.

It was like he could read her mind. "Even if we never win, Blaze." He whispered, filling her with warm honey. "As long as you stay with me, it will be worth it."

Blaze was glad Silver didn't take her for granted. But she hoped it didn't burn him.