femslash feb 2022 prompt 8: constellations.

I Also Saw the Stars With You

Princess Sally was gone.

It was a statement that gouged Mina. It clawed deep into her body, sinking fangs and nails through her. She didn't want to believe it, no one did, but it was the undeniable truth. Whenever Mecha Sally attacked New Mobotropolis, Mina was unable to act. She could only sing and perform for the masses who relied on her music, forcing her to push her anxiety to the back of her mind, her smile plastic.

But when she was alone in the comfortable sanctuary of her trailer, she wept. She mourned for the friend who she had lost. Sally had been her one-time rival. They had both sought Sonic's affection, and in the end, he chose Sally. She never resented the princess, of course, and they had become friends, even if Mina had made a terrible mistake by using her music in a way that maltreated another Freedom Fighter.

Nicole was also gone. If Mina had known the truth about Nicole's false allegiance with the Iron Dominion, then she never would have sung that misinformed song that speared through Nicole's heart. Though, they had forgiven each other. Nicole gracefully accepted her earnest apology, even if Mina felt she hadn't earned a full absolvement. Mina praised Nicole whenever she could during her tours and took a stand against King Naugus in the middle of her concert when he was helpless to aid her. She did it all for Nicole and Sally, the loss of their friendship still a brutal blow to Mina's heart, like salt smearing across a fresh wound.

For now, Mina returned to Freedom HQ. Ash and her bandmates were enjoying a night on the town, providing Mina with the perfect opportunity to talk with Nicole. It had been two weeks since her performance before the king. With her mother winning a position on the Council, they had succeeded in volleying for Nicole's imminent return to public life. Nicole was free from Freedom HQ, but while it had been her penitentiary, it still provided privacy for conversations traitorous to the monarchy.

Silence filled the common room. The room was bare and smelled of the earth. She strolled by the couch and listened for signs of life. She didn't hear any noise coming from the bunks, so she scampered upstairs to the lab, fighting the temptation to shout for Nicole in case she startled her.

Reaching the lab, she peered inside from the doorway. The various monitors embedded in the walls were off. A familiar hum of electricity filled the room, quieted only by her boots crossing the tiled floor.

"Nicole, are you here? It's Mina," she called, approaching the center monitor.

The screen brightened, then dimmed. Mina glanced from side to side, checking for strangers when a flash of green appeared in front of her. She gave the nanites space to form Nicole, who thanked Mina for coming on such short notice.

"Of course. Is anything wrong?" Mina asked, glancing at the entrance. "Does it have something to do with Team You-Know-Who?"

Nicole shook her head. "No, no. They're busy with their affairs. Rather, I wanted to show you something."

Mina blinked, surprised, but offered a quick nod. Nicole effortlessly passed at her and requested for her to follow. She didn't hesitate, walking behind Nicole while she guided her out of Freedom HQ.

As they left, the obvious question rolled in Mina's thoughts. Nicole had left the purpose of their meeting unknown. She was busy with the Secret Freedom Fighters and her civil duties to New Mobotropolis. She hardly had a moment to spare for others uninvolved against Naugus, but Mina was an outlier. Mina had been present when Harvey approached Nicole to join his operation. While Mina couldn't participate on account of her stardom and how her absence would have been notable, her new music and moral support were what she offered.

"That, my dear, is more than enough to help sway public opinion and assist us in removing Naugus from power," Harvey had said, grasping her shoulder.

Reflecting on his words, Mina breathed in the fresh forest air. The night was still young. Fireflies roamed and flickered as they trekked up the knoll. Nicole searched for a suitable spot before lying down. When she glanced at Mina, the mongoose held up her hair and flopped on her back, her violet locks splaying out above her.

Mina expected Nicole to start speaking, but instead, she gazed at the sky. Mina shifted in place, the grass tickling her shoulders. She heard cicadas cry out from deep in the woods. The wind whistled, hitting a note that Mina couldn't. She looked everywhere else until there was nothing new to see before letting her attention fall on Nicole.

She was still looking ahead. Mina's gaze drifted as well. Before them were hundreds of bright dots blinking across the ebony sky. Hints of azure streaked through the darkness. Not a single cloud covered the stars, letting them shine, connecting and painting pictures.

Mina hadn't focused on the evening sky in recent days. Performing had taken a toll on her nightlife. She often fell asleep the moment she finished a concert. But it still begged the question of why Nicole wanted to just stargaze with her, and she took a breath, prepared to ask.

Nicole beat her to the punch. "When I first tested this form, Sally discovered me."

Mina's heart sank like a jagged stone in a ravine. She gripped the ground and dug her fingers through the dirt. "I-is that so? What happened?"

Her smile stretched and made her eyes crinkle. "We watched the stars together for as long as I had the power to generate this form," she said, looking at Mina. "I had never seen them before."

Mina breathed out her surprise. She hadn't known any of that. Sally and Nicole had been friends for far longer than Mina had known any of the Freedom Fighters. Their bond was unshakable. Anyone who tried harming one faced the fury of the other. When Mina had pivoted their community's trust away from Nicole, Sally had been the one to set the record straight, and Mina regretted the nearly irreversible disservice she had caused.

But she had been forgiven by them. She kept reminding herself of that truth. Still, as she stared at Nicole, her heart fluttered. She wanted to hear more. She nestled closer to Nicole, remembering how Sally and Nicole would lean together and whisper, sharing a smile meant only for each other. Sometimes, she wished that grin was directed at her, but it only reminded her of the days when she chased after Sonic, and she murmured Nicole's name.

Nicole sighed, her bliss waning and voice lowering to a hoarse murmur. "I miss Sally. I miss her every single day. I miss Bunnie and Antoine. I miss Sonic and the other Freedom Fighters. I miss how it used to be." She reached out, and Mina grabbed her hand. "I wanted to share this with you, Mina. You're one of the few true friends I have left."

Mina's chest squeezed. Her throat dried, and her eyes watered. She tightened her grip on Nicole's hand, and she nodded, her lips pursing together. "I get it. I understand. I'll stay with you for as long as you need me."

Above their heads, the stars glimmered and formed constellations. Nicole informed her of their rich history, filling the void between them. If Nicole had the opportunity to tell her about the stars forever, then Mina would have listened.

Nicole inched closer. She rested her head on Mina's shoulder, and Mina wrapped her free arm around her. Nicole sucked in a breath that gagged her. Her teeth hit, and if they were real, Mina feared they would have chipped. Nicole buried her face into Mina's chest. She clung to her, shaking so terribly that Mina trembled as well, an influx of sorrow washing over them.

Nicole didn't cry. Mina knew that she had already shed countless tears for Sally and their friends. But alone, in Mina's comforting arms, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, and Mina's heart swelled for her. She cradled her, stroking through her hair, wanting nothing more than to reassure Nicole that she was safe in her arms.

"Whatever you need, Nicole, just ask me. I promise I'll be there for you," Mina crooned.

Nicole nodded, thanking her and relaxing in her embrace. Mina stared at the stars, realizing that she, too, was also seeing them for the first time.