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Bright pink petals flourished in contrast to the dark green stem and leaves. The rose smelled fresh as Tails expected, filling his workshop with a pleasant, floral aroma mingling with the usual scent of the sea breeze wafting in through the windows. The flower still nestled into rich, dark soil, protected by the white clay vase Cream had given Tails to plant the seed many weeks ago.
Tails brushed his finger along the side of the closest petal. As anticipated, it was soft, reminding him of velvet. He nodded to himself, satisfied, and he raised the watering can over the vase. Slowly, he poured clean, distilled water on and around the rose. It sunk into the soil, darkening the brown hue and giving the rose a sparkling sheen that reflected sunlight, hints of blues and yellows appearing in the droplets.
Setting aside the watering can, Tails pulled up his stool and sat by his desk. His eyes remained on the flower. His thoughts of that fateful battle resurfaced the longer he gazed at Cosmo’s remnant. She had given her life to save countless planets, a majority of which would never know her name. Although his heart squeezed, he acknowledged they had done what needed to happen; it was what Cosmo wanted.
Resting his elbow on the table, he set his hand to his cheek and sighed. He felt like there was more he could have learned about Cosmo. He understood she was one of the few remaining survivors of her race, and she must have had stories to tell. She had her mother and other guardians on their lonely spaceship, and they also had rich histories imparted to her, tales which the fox would never have the chance to hear. He regretted never inquiring, but that was simply something he had to live with on a planet without Cosmo.
He cupped the side of the pot and brought it closer. Screwing his eyes shut, he held his head up, sniffed, and exhaled. Opening his eyes, he wiped them with the back of his palm and smiled at the flower. It was all he had left of her, one physical reminder of the times they had shared on several worlds across the galaxy.
Cosmo had been a dear friend, someone his heart yearned for in the final moment of her life. When they had laughed and explored together, Tails visited those memories in his dreams. Each time, the scent of flowers accompanied them. Their fingers laced together as they ventured through dank caverns, thick jungles, or simply walked down a long hallway in the Blue Typhoon, their footsteps echoing, not a word needing to be said. And when he woke up, the floral scent lingered for a minute as if Cosmo was reaching out to reassure him she was happy.
“Hi, Cosmo. I’m glad you finally bloomed,” Tails said, chuckling. “It took a while, huh? I guess your seeds are different from the ones on my planet. It took me a whole month to get a vegetable garden up and running, but Amy, Cream, and her mom helped me. Knuckles gave me a few pointers, too. He’s still big on self-sufficiency.” He shook his head. “He got upset when I let my tomatoes rot, but I couldn’t help it. Eggman took over a coastal town on the other side of the world, and Sonic and I had to spend a few days over there to help the locals destroy his base.” He shrugged, heaving out a sigh. “But they grew back again really nicely, and Cream’s mom helped me make really yummy oven-roasted tomatoes.” Cupping his hand around his mouth, he whispered, “By the way, I learned Vector likes her, and I think that’s why he tried kidnapping Cream on the Blue Typhoon that one time.”
The wind blew in from the open garage. The petals fluttered, swaying slightly in the breeze. Tails leaned back, chuckling and gazing outside, the hint of the scarlet sun still peeking out over the horizon.
“Charmy told me what the Chaotix were trying to do with us during that party. He said Vector wanted to set us up as thanks for helping him with their ship,” he said with a laugh, “but even though I said I love you, I don’t think I was ready for that kind of relationship. We’re both too young for romance, I think.”
The petals shifted again as if in agreement. The sun dipped lower into the sea, casting a hue along the shoreline that reminded him of her. Tails picked up the vase, grinning and pushing out his chair as he stood up, his tails fluttering behind him. He embraced it to his chest, dipping his head low to breathe in her scent, a quiet part of him wishing for her arms around him as well.
“I have to go to Amy’s place now. She’s hosting a potluck, and I’m bringing over a fresh vegetable dish,” he said as he set the vase underneath a heating lamp on the lowest setting. “Bye, Cosmo. I’ll keep this running for you, okay?”
He gave the rose one last stroke before parting. His tails spun as he carried himself out into the world. Pressing down on a hand scanner, he watched the garage doors slide shut, and the wind bristled his fur, sending a slight chill down his spine, but it carried something that made his ears stand at attention.
See you, Tails.
“Cosmo?” he cried out, glancing over his shoulder.
He gazed at the sea that glittered under the last hint of sunlight. He looked from side to side and found only the paved runway for the Tornado, tilted palm trees, and mountains carved out of limestone. Only Tails existed on the beach; Cosmo’s tangible form didn’t.
Still, a smile tugged at his lips. Just as Cosmo wanted, he was at peace on the planet that she had loved and protected. She had given up her life for him, and he didn’t want to shed a solemn tear in her name. Cosmo was with him. She was the sea, the sky, the flower in his workshop, and he felt her presence everywhere, propelling him forward to a future created because of her.
Flying to his cottage to retrieve the meal, Tails laughed and hoped she heard his joy.