Hey there! I thought I would give you another gift this Christmas as I felt I still had more to go over and explore their relationship after my story. This is the result of it, set one year later after the events of Either Now Or Never. I hope you enjoy it!

Characters owned by Sega.

I had never really thought of all people you would be the one I would be falling for. I do not regret it, but it seems like when you're dead set on something you become blind to just about everything else. My only disappointment is that it didn't happen sooner.

Yes, one does have the freedom to insist as much as they want on something, and for the longest time I barked at the wrong tree myself. Admittedly, maybe I was a bit excessive sometimes, but what about all the other times when I wasn't? It was as if they did not at all count, and that did hurt, quite a lot.

The truth is that, though I kept running and chasing him, everytime he went away like that with an speed I just did not manage to match, when I would be home alone, I would cry right after entering through the door. That day in the sunset, I just could not hold them in like I did every time. It had hurt more than other times. I had behaved perfectly, until I didn't and everything went downhill.

The difference was that you were there, right in front of me. I still remember your warm embrace as you saw my tears. You looked so worried, heartbroken even, as if you had been the one who had been rejected once more. That moment I felt consoled, but the tears just would not stop flowing. I am so glad you didn't let me go alone home, but provided me shelter in your base as remained close to me. Some affection and being treated well was nice for a change after all. The plans you suggest to help with that goal I had before, but especially the movie night with popcorn and ice cream made me feel something I thought I was not allowed to. I did not want it to end, but when I had to return home, well, did that not feel weird. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't. When I arrived home I smiled: perhaps that was our little first date.

Joy... that word had partially lost its meaning to me. I could feel it after something I had done that made me happy, but not after someone did something to me that would make me happy. Save for Cream's antics and playfullness, there really was not much in that department of someone making me happy. That until our lips met for the first time. The immediate pressure on my lips made me open my eyes wide; it surprised me, I was not ready for that. Little by little I realized that it was not the only thing that I was not ready for. What was that strange feeling suddenly creeping into my heart again? It was warm, caring, and full of... love. Was I even allowed to experience any love that was not just one-sided, that meaning my feelings were just never reciprocal and I was the only one feeling everything? This did not feel like that, and I could not help but want to allow myself to feel more of it, even if I didn't exactly know everything that led us to this. I closed my eyes and held to your lower lip.

It surprised me when you jumped away and ran, but I was even more surprised at how I ran after you. I did not care about the obstacles, whatever it took, I would not be letting you go. Not you, the one who returned my feelings.

"From now own, all I wanna hear about is you"

I must really have saturated your mind talking about him, but at that moment I did not have any thought other than this one. Did you really say those words, or was I just dreaming? I could barely speak anything as I lacked air, and it was not because of the running. As I reached you, I longed to hear you keep going, even if I knew you were not him.

You were right in everything you said. It was no longer just you being a good friend and supporting me, but you had become closer than a friend, more like a companion with the same objective. An objective to make me happy - and to be happy with me. It was no longer just you helping me, but it was you and me.

How could I possibly take this long to realize you were the one who truly cared for me? Why did I have to be so infatuated with the guy when my happiness was in fact, right beside him? When you finished your confession, it was as if I had gone to heaven and back, and brought a two-tailed souvenir from there. And how did I want to keep it close. My thoughts tried to trick me out of my blessing, as they once again reminded me of the blue hedgehog, but as much as I liked him, I just wasn't willing to do away with someone I loved for someone I just admired.

Locking lips with you instantly sent me back to that heavenly place, as if I had finally arrived to my destination from where I would not be having to leave. I wanted more, so I politely asked you to allow me to enjoy more. I was so happy when you not only obliged, but came looking after me as your tongues met and danced around each other, and when you brought my face closer to yours and deepened our embrace, right then I lost my breath. I was sure at that moment you had lost yours as well. It did not matter. The feeling we provided each other kept us going. When we reluctantly had to stop and breathe, I did not only feel joy, but I exhaled it, and inhaled it back as you breathed nearly the same air as I did.

I finally had what I ran so much after, not the blue blur, but true love. I wanted that moment to last forever, and it has been one year already. One year of us. I could not wish for anything else, other than you remaining by my side, forever. And I sure will be by yours too.

Happy Anniversary, my love.