Chapter 1: The Waiting

Sonic was holding the young fox in his arms, cradling him like a baby, as he walked through the garden, talking softly with Inferna. Radovan walked beside Sonic, no reins holding him in place, while Seine rested and Sonite played tag with the wind between the trees.

Tails was half asleep, lulled by Sonic's sweet voice, his calming laughter. Sonic had the amazing ability to make anyone feel safe, no matter the peril they faced. But, he was watching Inferna, too. The things she had done to him were still fresh in his mind, though Sonic had promised that, once he felt better, he would give Tails a present to make him forget every wrong done to him by the phoenix. Still…Tails felt sick around the phoenix, and was amazed at his love's ease around someone who had wronged them both greatly.

"Are you certain you are well enough to leave so soon, Sir Sonic?" inferna asked, lifting her purple robes daintily away from Sonite's nipping teeth.

"Yes. I can run. It makes me tired, but I can run." Sonic answered her smoothly.

"Even this walk seems to rush your heartbeat." Inferna pointed out. Tails nodded in affirmation. He had to agree with Inferna: Sonic's heart was pounding with all its might against his chest. The poison of the curse he'd placed on himself was still evident, and it had severely weakened him. Sonic needed a month more of bed-rest before he was ready to run again. "Are you positive?"

Sonic sighed. "Tails doesn't want to stay here any longer. There's too many memories of his past." Sonic was lying: Tails was only afraid of Inferna, but he was sparing her feelings. Tails shook his head firmly against the hedgie's chest, but Sonic only kissed his forehead. "And I'll do anything for Tails."

"Sonic," Tails moaned. "Please, it's okay. Rest some more."

"Oh! I think we woke him." Sonic chuckled softly, lifting his eyes to the phoenix again. "Prince Tails needs to sleep now. I'll coax him back to Nod, and you go tell the cooks to prepare lunch for us."

Inferna curtsied. "Yes, Sir Sonic. I will make haste! See you back at the castle." Then, the phoenix took a running start and flew off back to the castle.

Sonic flopped down underneath a tree with pink leaves and round, ripe fruits. Radovan chomped on one, and gave one to his daughter, too. Sonic yawned and rocked Tails across his knees. The wild pace of his heart hadn't been slow since he'd woken up this morning.

"You don't have to leave because of me." Tails told the hedgehog, flushing. "I don't want you getting tired before we get home."

"It's not a big deal, Tails. I wanna get home, too." Sonic kissed him, but it was easy to see he was exhausted.

"Your recent adventure has left you wearier than you think. You can't hear or feel how much your heart is pounding." Tails argued, pulling back to look at his lover. "I need sleep?! You can't even kiss me without gasping."

Sonic breathed out a sigh, his ears flattening. "Okay, maybe not. But, what choice do I have?"

"You can choose," Tails nuzzled Sonic's face with his snow white cheeks. Sonic sighed deeply and relaxed instantly to the treatment, "to stay here for a little while longer and rest up for a long journey."

"Mmmm," Sonic nuzzled back. "How about after lunch? Does that count?"

Tails rolled his eyes, and Sonic laughed. "Only if you think you can make it," was the fox's saucy reply.