Chapter Text
It was always fun running through the sparse forests of Chun-nan, Sonic never had to force his way through the undergrowth and there weren’t many obstacles besides the occasional fallen tree. He was soaking in the medley of dappled sunlight and soft, fragrant scents. There was a soft tap on his shoulder, an involuntary sensation, letting him know his brain buddy was with him. It made a smile crease his cheeks and a soft mote of warmth spread in his chest.
He didn’t feel the need to reply to the tap.
Silver was probably having a great time experiencing the sights and sounds of the new landscape. Was this the first time they had stopped in Chun-nan? Well, if that was the case, then Sonic would have to show him something.
The two had gotten into a simple rhythm whenever Sonic was in a new area. He’d find something he liked and Silver would plug into his senses and experience whatever it was they were doing through him. Of course, these were all activities Sonic had done before. Eating fried bread under an aurora in Holoska or exploring a farmer’s market in Central City were just a few they had done together. But, the way Silver described everything made it feel like Sonic was experiencing them for the first time, too.
It was after Silver had described the scent of a flower to him that he had gotten an idea. Maybe these small interactions could help Silver remember parts of himself. It hadn’t worked so far but hey, the two of them were having fun and that’s all that really mattered in the end.
Sonic gradually slowed to a walk. His hand trailed across the rough tree bark and he let the foliage brush against his legs. He had noticed himself paying attention to the physicality of his environment more and hadn’t really felt a need to stop. He always hoped Silver was enjoying it. Then he spotted what he had been looking for, a delicate flower growing in a patch of sunlight and moss, its thin vines twisting up the irregular surface of the tree. He approached it and crouched so he was sitting on his heels.
After a moment just examining the flower, he said, “You should come smell this for a moment.” He knew Silver didn’t often plug into that sense but this was going to be good and he knew his brain buddy would want in on this particular sensation. He got a tap of acknowledgement on his shoulder. “Ok, ok. What’s your thoughts on this one?”
Sonic leaned forward and let the scent of the flower waft into his nose. It was nice, he had always enjoyed running among them when he could and letting the pleasant scent coat his fur.
“It’s honeysuckle,” he explained. “Found around a few of the continents but right now we’re in a smaller forest in the Chun-nan region.”
Silver replied almost immediately, Oh, this one is super sweet! Sugary, and I think I smell some vanilla? Sonic wished he could see Silver’s expression, but the excitement in Silver’s voice that reverberated through his skull would have to do. It reminds me of the cakes that Amy made for you guys last week.
Sonic took in the smell again and, yeah, Silver was right. He never would have made that connection by himself. To him honeysuckle just always smelled like honeysuckle. Now, though, he was connecting it to past memories of delicious food made by his friend.
He smiled warmly, “Any particular feelings?”
Silver mulled that over for a moment, at least, Sonic guessed that’s what the figment in his mind was doing. The only times he really ‘felt’ Silver was either when he was altering his sense of touch or if he was somewhere deep within his brain. Sonic tried to focus on where Silver was in his mind but, like always, came up blank.
Hmm… Silver finally started. It feels happy, in the way your body relaxes after a long day in the field, and the transition of an adventure into a calm afternoon.
Sonic was speechless.
It was such an intense description, the warmth in his chest bloomed and he couldn’t stop smiling. “That’s a pretty nice feeling.”
Yeah, I think this is one of my favorite flowers you’ve shown me.
He wished his figment was plugged into his emotions at that moment, that Silver would be able to feel just how fond Sonic had grown for his brain buddy. Instead, he just settled on sitting down and pulling out his journal. Surrounded by the gentle, sweet scent of the honeysuckle, he wrote down what Silver had described, happy that they could share this moment together.