Pitter-patters echo off the walls of the grand corridor as my feet connect with the marble floor. Boots in one hand, purse in the other, I walk through the empty banquet hall, only recently abandoned by all the guests of tonight's gala. I sent the girls running ahead when I realized my purse was no longer with me, likely left somewhere in all the excitement, and told them I would catch up later. So, now, having left the Lost and Found with my bounty in hand, I stroll down the white marble path with a dreamy smile on my face.

Tonight was the fourth annual Heroes Gala, a fancy party held by the mayor of Sunset City to honour the people who give back to the community. It's a fun night where I get to wear a fancy dress, eat good food, and dance with my friends. You could call it a publicity stunt by the Mayor's office to schmooze other decision-makers and people with complexes, but I like to take the little wins.

The piano was the most magical part of the night. A gifted pianist played classic and modern melodies throughout much of the evening, but guests were invited to play around with the keys as they liked. Some people bashfully gave the professional a run for his money, but the pianist gladly sat with little kids and curious teens, teaching them to play simple scales and familiar melodies. He was even patient with me as my fingers stumbled through "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star," skipping notes and missing others. It wasn't long before I called on Cream to bail me out, but I'm perfectly fine with that if it means I get to listen to little Creamy Girl giggle herself to yet another victory.

Again, it's the little things.

As I approach the fork in the corridor between the reception room and the vestibule to the outside, the faintest hint of a piano wafts into the space. The melody is shy, like the player barely presses on the keys, yet confident and experienced. Lighter on my feet, I tiptoe to the edge of the room and peer in.

The reception room is dimly lit, now. The only light spills in from the corridor or peppers periodically from little spotlights on the ceiling, yet Sonic absolutely glows before the grand piano, his soft smile basking in the shine of the ivory keys as he plays.

This is the first time I've seen Sonic alone all night. He's usually a pretty big hotshot at these types of things—usually because he rarely shows up—but Tails won an award tonight for a new security system he established, so Sonic wouldn't miss his little boy growing up for the world. That said, between celebrating Tails, Sonic being pulled in every direction by friends and admirers alike, and my own time with Cream and Blaze, we barely saw each other all night.

So, my eyes soak up every inch of him as he finishes his melody. As his fingers rest back in his lap, I swing my boots under my arm and clap.

Sonic jumps a little in his seat, but chuckles once he sees me. "Oh, it's just you."

"Have no fear," I muse, giggling. "What are you still doing here? I thought you'd be the first to leave."

"You're telling me! Anything to get this jacket off." Sonic rolls his shoulders back to readjust his blazer. "But I've been eyeing this piano since I got here. I wanted to play around with it before I left."

"No chance to play sooner, I imagine."

"Yeah, barely, but I just didn't wanna take an opportunity from anyone else, y'know? Besides, I don't really gotta play for others." Sonic's fingertips drum together in his lap.

"Since when don't you wanna showboat?" I walk over to the bench, rest my things on the floor, and sit next to him.

"Hey, wow!"

"You know I'm right! And besides, the difference between your big head and some loser's is that you actually have the power to back it up." Sonic furrows his brows, unimpressed with my compliment, so I press on.

"And the skill… the tenacity, the courage, the sense of justice."

"Amy…"

"The looks, the charm, the compassion."

"Amy, stop," he pleads, but his light laugh betrays him.

"The humility… sometimes, anyway." I punctuate my list with a light smirk. Sonic shakes his head with a scoff, but stares back with half-lidded eyes.

"Thanks, Ames… But trust me. In this case, I'm nothing to write home about. Besides, I don't know any grand songs or anything." Sonic turns his head toward the piano and runs a hand through his quills.

Sonic's such an outspoken person. He commands attention in every room he's in and puts people in their place—for better or worse. Yet, whenever it's time to admit to himself his winnings, he gets all flustered.

Shy looks good on him.

"Awh, come on. I guarantee you're worth at least a postcard. Know anything I might know?"

Sonic chuckles. "Didn't I just say I don't play for people?"

"Is that all I am to you? Just 'people'?"

"Hey. No favourites."

I scoot closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder. "But aren't I just?"

Sonic sighs, shaking his head again. The fur on his cheeks tickles my ears with the friction.

"Oh, Amy, Amy…"

Sonic lifts his hand to the keys and drums aimlessly. His fingers dance along ivory and midnight in waves of scales. Sonic's arm moves softly to accommodate my head on his shoulder, but the rocking motion pulls me into the edge of a dream. However, as Sonic plays a certain clutter of notes, he pauses. He plays the notes again in a different rhythm. Another time, and his shoulders tense slightly.

"Hm?" I hum my curiosity to him. He responds with a breathy laugh.

"Actually… You might know this one." Sonic's fingers slide to the keys he's looking for and plays the rhythm again. In the right key, the prelude triggers a bell in my mind.

"Hold me close, I want you so…"

Sonic's voice is soft yet deep as he sings. Hearing him sing is such a rare gift. Every time, the vibrato in his voice trickles over me like rain and I ignite like a match.

I lift my head from his shoulder and gape at him. He watches me as he finishes his lyric, eyebrows raised. I blink myself out of my trance and answer his call.

"…don't you know that, baby?"

Sonic smiles. His eyes dart to the keys to guide his hands to the next chord. When his eyes reconnect with mine, there's an impish glint to them. A giggle flutters through my chest, and Sonic's laugh slips into a rhythm with mine. Sonic plays the next chord, we take a breath, and we sing.

"Your love has touched my very soul."

Sonic turns his head to the keys, watching his hand with flustered eyes. The tips of his ears glow pink in the dim light. Our nervous voices settle into a harmony as we go on, though not without a mess of giggles.

"Can't you feel it baby? Oh…"

"Never let me go…"

"Darling,'cause we're so in love…"

"And we can dream on."

"Sweet dreams."

Sonic's gaze falls into mine during the final lyric, and my last note slips into another giggle. My chest flutters the longer he stares, and his smile deepens the more I laugh. Sonic pulls his gaze back to the keys, and I do the same, but we catch each other's stolen glances.

"I like your voice," he says, finally.

He draws his hand away from the keys, next to mine.

"And I like yours."

I thread my fingers between his and lean into him, resting my head in the nape of his neck. He lets me stay there, and as he squeezes my hand, I know why.

It's all in the little things.