Work Text:
It was early morning in the Sol Dimension, the sun rising as a koala dressed in a sky blue military uniform marched the halls of the Sol Empire's palace. Blaze's personal guard and retainer, Gardon hummed to himself as he moved with purpose, stopping in front of a set of purple painted double doors before rapping his knuckles against the wood.
"Good morning, your Highness! It is time to rise, his and her majesty will be awaiting you and Sir Sonic in the dining hall for breakfast."
Inside, not one, but two occupants were awoken from the koala's wake up call. Blaze slowly sat up in her regal bed, hair undone and wearing a sleep gown as she yawned loudly before trying to reply.
"Thank you, Gardon. I'll be down in but a few moments, do let mother and father know they may start eating without us."
"Understood, your highness. We shall await your arrival." As his footsteps carried him away from Blaze's bedroom, a child like yawn was heard above the cat. Right above her bed, a hammock built into the ceiling rocked with the rousing of Blaze's second retainer and adoptive little sister, Marine the Racoon.
"Anyway we can talk your Ma and Pop into letting us sleep in today?" She asked sleepily, accent flowing out as she tried to rub the sleep from her eyes. Blaze sighed wistfully, pulling herself out of bed and moving to her mirror mounted vanity desk to grab her hair brush.
"As much as I wish I could, you know very well we can't. Especially with Sonic staying over last night. Hopefully he actually stayed in his room, I don't want a repeat of the guards finding him sleeping in the middle of the courtyard, mistaking him for an intruder." She shook her head at the memory, recalling the mild embarrassment of having to explain how her fiancé often preferred sleeping amongst nature rather than in the comfort of a bed and a roof. Her thoughts of that night were broken by Marine dropping from her hammock and onto Blaze's bed with a bounce or two, giggling at the memory herself.
"Aye, a couple of the night patrol blokes tried chasing him down, only to be left in the dust. Maybe try talking him into sleeping by yer balcony, technically outside and still on the palace grounds." She suggested as Blaze went to her adjoined bathroom to shower and freshen up before breakfast.
"That would require actually getting him to agree to such a thing, and you know he's been clear on our respective boundaries regarding our relationship before we're officially married."
"He's going to be me brother-in-law, I'll figure a way to talk him into the idea~!" The young racoon chuckled to herself, gears turning in her head as she brainstormed how to get Sonic and Blaze closer. The princess couldn't help but sigh with a smile at her sister's antics as she got herself ready for the day.
---
"I'm telling you, he may look like a walking tank, but Big is one of the most gentle giants you can ever meet. One heck of a fisherman too, caught a whole shark with ease. Yet, surprisingly easy to miss when you're not paying attention." Sonic chuckled, recalling how often someone found Big in the Restoration's HQ purely on accident whenever he visited with fresh catches to share with the cooking staff.
"Sounds like quite the interesting fellow, and he's truly strong as you say?"
"He punched through one of Eggman's robot's like it was nothing, the guy's all muscle under that fur, your majesty!" His words got a jovial laugh from the man sitting to his right at the dining table, a dark purple Bengal tiger in royal attire and a crown on his head. His size rivaling Vector in height with his voice deep yet regal, but carrying a carefree tone as he spoke.
"I dare say, he sounds like someone who could give me an actual arm wrestling challenge. It's been far too long since I met a man or woman who could last longer than a few moments against me."
"You boast strength to rival two squads of our finest, Weld. It's little wonder why it's difficult for you to find a real challenge for your silly tests of brawn." A female voice bounded from the head of the table, a light purple Siamese cat in a dress straight out of a fairytale with a scarlet tiara resting on her head. A puff of flame was blown from her mouth, aimed at her cup of coffee before taking a sip. "But, I have to agree. The more you regale us with stories of your friends, the more I can't wait to officially meet them, Sonic. Especially your mother, Vanilla was it?"
"Yep. I'm sure you'd get along well, Queen Ember. Mom adores Blaze ever since Cream met her, always inviting her over whenever they can."
"Probably because I couldn't say no to them, even if I tried." The three turned in their chairs, Blaze entering the dining hall in her royal tunic with Marine and Gardon in tow, bowing to her parents before taking her seat next to Sonic. "Good morning, mother, father, Sonic. Apologies for my lateness."
"It's quite alright, sweetheart. We've barely began to eat." Weld reassured with a big smile as Ember added.
"Indeed, Sonic has been keeping us entertained with tales from his world. I dare say, a metallic dragon that came from a machine of his likeness raises questions of how we never had such issues with Eggman Nega before his defeat."
"Cause the Eggman from Sonic's world is a right and proper psychopath, needs to walk the plank with the rest of his maniacal rust buckets!" Marine spoke up, sitting next to Blaze as Gardon stood diligently at the entrance. "He hardly had a chance to cook up his own Metal Blaze or whatever before she and Sonic kick him right to the curb!"
"I mean, a Metal Blaze would probably be scarier than my metal counterpart." Sonic said sheepishly at the thought. "It'd have speed, yeah. But, her flames along with it? Even I wonder if I could take that on."
"Oh, please. As if any machination copy could mimic the flames of Sol, it'd just be weaker sparks in comparison." Queen Ember chided, finishing her cup of coffee as their maids and butlers entered with platters of breakfast. "But, enough about the madmen of our respective worlds. It's time to eat, dig in everyone."
And dig in they did, despite being royals, Ember, Weld, and even Blaze ate like it was a casual affair. The king put away pancakes as fast as Sonic, both rivaling each other in terms of appetite while Marine enjoyed her bowl of fruit with hardly a utensil. Blaze indulged in her crepes, while more mannerly just like other speedsters, she carried an appetite that needed plenty of energy for her day.
---
Said day began with Blaze in her throne, sitting to the right of her mother while her father sat to the Queen's left. Sonic stood alongside Gardon and Marine to the side as the Imperial family spoke to their subjects and staff, listening to their woes, complaints, and requests with the confidence of royalty.
"Queen Ember, our crops are yielding a plentiful harvest, but the vermin grow confident. We fear they may try to abscond with the fruits of our labor before we can provide for the city." A male badger spoke, Ember humming in thought before looking to Marine.
"Marine, dear. You still have those, what was it, spice scented incense? The ones you saved from last year's Hallows Eve?"
"Ah, I know what you're on about, your Majesty! I'll have a dozen delivered over to the fields, the scent will make those greedy beasties think twice before coming close to the veggies!"
"Good girl, the incense will keep the vermin at bay. Please send a missive if you require a resupply." The badger bowed, grateful for the solution as he left for another loyal citizen to make their case, one of the Empire's nobility by the way the avian woman was dressed.
"Your majesties, your highness. I come as an envoy of House Lowen, we have the concepts ready for the new tapestry in accordance to the upcoming wedding, but we're without the necessary materials. We worry that we won't have them ready in time, especially when we've yet to receive a date for the wedding itself." The noble gave a worrisome look, for it was true. No date has been confirmed for Blaze and Sonic's wedding, as they were focused on bridging their respective worlds so that their friends could attend in person. A difficult endeavor, but one the princess and hero intend to see through, however long it takes.
"I understand your concern, but you needn't worry." Blaze spoke up from her seat, her hand grazing the wedding band underneath her glove. "I can assure you, you'll have ample time for the tapestry. As for the materials, speak with the local fabrics seller near the windmill. I've worked with them myself in the past, you'll find what you need from them." That seemed to satisfy the noble avian, giving a curtsy before leaving for the next subject. Sonic sighed before glancing to Gardon and Marine, his voice low as to not disturb the imperial family.
"Is it really necessary for me to sit in on this? Blaze agreed that I wouldn't have much in actual authority when we're married."
"I'm afraid so, Sir Sonic." Gardon confirmed with a nod as he stood ready for any trouble. "While you may not have royal authority for such decisions, big or small, after your marriage. It would do well to know what her highness does deal with in her day, as to aid her when they get stressful, and is in need of guidance that isn't focused solely on the affairs of the Empire."
"Ah, in other words, be ready to give a second opinion that doesn't require big words and serious thinking."
"A crude way to put it, but indeed."
---
"I thought you said you didn't wield weapons in your world, yet you handle that blade like a seasoned knight!"
"And it's true! This is just muscle memory doing the work!"
Sonic and Weld bantered back and forth, a training sword in Sonic's hands as he clashed with the king's claymore. The two were sparring in on the palace's training grounds with other knight's watching in excitement, while Blaze watched with mild concern. To her right, her mother sighed as they watched their respective lovers parry each other's strikes under the afternoon sun.
"I'm terribly sorry, dear. But, you know your father, having to gauge everyone with any semblance of fighting skill. Still, I am impressed with the way Sonic wields a sword. It's almost as if he's done it before. Yet, isn't his world more advanced with weaponry than us?"
"They are, indeed. I believe Sonic's aptitude in swordsmanship came from a previous adventure of his, though I couldn't tell you which as he's been on countless with his friends and family. Still, at least if some pompous noble foolish enough to challenge Sonic for my hand in marriage, we know he can handle his own in a du-"
CLANG! THUNK!
Both Blaze and Ember slowly looked down, seeing what looked like half of Sonic's training sword now embedded into ground right in front of them before looking up, both Weld and Sonic whistling innocently while the hedgehog hid his now broken weapon behind his back. Ember gave them both a tired and scrutinizing look before speaking up.
"Boys?"
"Yes, your majesty/my dear?"
"I think you're done sparring for today, don't you?"
"Yes, your majesty/my dear..."
"To this day, I'm ever so glad to not have inherited father's terrifying physical strength..." Blaze sighed, as Sonic and Weld put away their weapons.
---
"One. And two. And three. That's it, your highness. Keep the angle..." An elderly looking panda mobian spoke with a motherly yet instructional tone as Blaze moved her body to the music being played by her servants. It was the start of the afternoon as Sonic sat with Marine to watch Blaze during her ballet practice, the princess having changed into a practice leotard and slippers. The hedgehog watched as Blaze moved with experienced grace, her movements flowing seamlessly around the practice room unfettered, he hadn't even noticed his was slowly blushing. Marine, however, did. Looking up at Sonic with a cheeky grin on her face.
"Enjoying the show, eh Sonic? I get it. Blaze is amazing when she gets in the zone, gotta keep an eye on her or else she'll be putting on a solo performance into the the evening. And it's hard to snap her out of it when it's so mesmerizing, ain't it, mate?"
"I mean, sure. I'm more of a breakdance fan, but I suppose it's..." His words trailed off, his gaze focused on Blaze performing a slow pencil turn, a spark of flame flicking as she did. "...Interesting."
Marine didn't even bother to hide her teasing grin, watching Sonic become enamored by Blaze's movements, she wondered if she even needed to meddle. But, as Blaze's adoptive little sister, she feels obligated to meddle as much as possible!
"Easy, Sonic. I may have to empty out the fountain to cool you down."
That snapped him out of it, fear of getting soaked to the bone from the raccoon's hydrokinetics. He already has to be careful of that with Kit back home. "I'm good, Marine! Really!"
"Marine, cease with your childish meddling please." Blaze called out, wiping the sweat from her face with a rag as she approached the two. "Need I remind you of how easily mesmerized you were watching me practice in your first year of living with us?"
"Haven't the foggiest clue what you mean, Blaze~" The raccoon replied playfully, earning a just as playful eyeroll from her older sister.
"Regardless, I'm going to get changed before we head to the palace cathedral."
"Ah, right. The rehearsal. Do we really need to practice so soon? We still don't got an ETA on a gateway from Tails and Kit." Sonic reasoned, Blaze shaking her head with a gentle gaze.
"True, but considering the weight of the ceremony, it's better to be prepared ahead of time." She reasoned back, walking off to change back into her royal tunic. Sonic's gaze on her back the whole way without realizing it, before Marine pinched his arm, eliciting a yelp out of him.
"Eyes north of the equator, mate." She snickered as he was rolling his eyes now.
---
The cathedral of the palace looked like it was constructed and moved straight from a whole building itself with how grand it was, a place of worship to this dimension's god. It has seen many a ceremony of the royal family, weddings, funerals, and memorials to name a few. And today, it was for rehearsal for the day Sonic and Blaze officially say their vows. The head priestess stood between them, an elderly sphinx cat that looked between the two. Sonic was a bit stiff, not used to sitting up like this for so long while Blaze was a bit more composed. Though, the way is clutched the fake bouquet of flowers would make one think otherwise. "You know say your vows."
Blaze took a deep breath, looking Sonic in the eye as she spoke with practiced ceremony. "Sir Sonic, by our union, I entrust my heart to you. My life tied to yours, my flame embraced by your passion. Through poverty and fortune, through plague and wellness. Under the light of Sol, I pledge my soul, to you."
Sonic gulped, taking a deep breath of his own. He had rehearsed his end of the vows time and time again with his friends, but actually saying it hear still made him nervous. "Lady Blaze, by our union, I entrust my loyalty to you. My soul tied to yours, my heart embra- I mean, hearth! My hearth embraced by your love!"
A snicker snuck out from the pews, Blaze sighing as she tried to hold back a grin of her own from Sonic's slip of the tongue. Both the king and queen, alongside Gardon and Marine were supervising the rehearsal, having played their parts in the practice ceremony already, the rulers giving their daughter away with Marine as the flower girl. Sonic groaned as he blushed from missing his line by a dang syllable.
"Glad my fam isn't here for this now."
"Don't let it get you lad, when I was practicing with my dear Ember, it took me two weeks to not stutter during our rehearsal!"
"And accidently said 'Under the might of Sol', your great aunt wouldn't let me live it down for a month." The king and queen both chuckled at their respective memories, it seems like rehearsal mishaps we a generational constant of the Sol Imperial family. The tension between the princess and hero diminishing from the light heartedness of Blaze's parents as the head priestess chimed in.
"Alright, let's try again, Sir Sonic."
"Yes, ma'am." He calmed himself down with a deep breath, returning his gaze to Blaze's as she spoke. "Lady Blaze, by our union, I entrust my loyalty to you. My soul tied to yours, my hearth embraced by your love. Through wealth and privation, through vitality and pestilence. Under the warmth of Sol, I pledge my life to you."
"Good. I could hear the conviction in your tone that time, you'll ready for your special day before you know it!" The head priestess reviewed, taking the fake bouquet before setting it on the altar. "Next would be where her highness would breath a wisp of flame into your hands, you bring it to your heart, embracing and accepting her affections for you. Then you'd kiss the bride~" She instructed, a subtle blush on both of their faces after as Ember stood up.
"Well, I think that'll do for rehearsal. It's almost time for supper, will you be joining us in the dining hall, Sonic?"
"Actually, mother. If I may, I have a bit of a selfish suggestion..."
---
"Oh! I think that's a constellation there! Where did tuck me journal?"
"Marine, eat first. I'm not having you go to bed on an empty stomach again, young lady."
"Yes, yer majesty..." Marine picked up a forkful of her dinner at Queen Ember's light scolding, her gaze returning to the night sky above them as they ate in the palace garden at Blaze's behest. Servants on standby to keep the grounds clean, as the family ate together.
"It has been so long since we had a nice outing like this under the sky, the last I can recall was when Marine had recently joined the family. It took so long to get her to accept her place with us, skittish about everyone and clinging to Blaze like a lost cub-"
"Father/Your Majesty!!" Both Blaze and Marine blushed at the memory, Marine was a wild child when Blaze snuck her into the palace, both surprised when Ember and Weld agreed to adopt the infant raccoon into the royal family as Blaze's sister.
"Doesn't sound to far off from when mom took in Tails after he helped me beat Eggman in our early days." Sonic added, his head in Blaze's lap as he watched the stars above. "Tails was practically attached to me if not busy tinkering with something. I almost miss those days."
"Well, hopefully he isn't missing you too much over here." Blaze teased, running her ungloved paws through his quills. "I do intend to visit Cream as well, I've heard she's made progress in her training. To think such a small girl could lift so much on her own now."
"Can she now?"
"Weld, no."
"But, dearest!"
"She is a child, no." Ember immediately shot down Weld's idea of arm wrestling Cream if he had the chance to meet her, once again, Blaze felt grateful she didn't inherit her father's strength.
"It'd be nice to see the beloved little sister, me-self. See just what's so cute about her!" Marine spoke up before trying to stifle a yawn, getting a chuckle out of Sonic. "Pipe it! I ain't tired just yet! Just a bit...lethargic from dinner! I can stay...up!"
"Come here, little scamp. Before you conk out in one of the rose bushes." Weld said, picking up Marine in his arms, carrying the fussy raccoon to her and Blaze's bedroom as Ember stood up as well. Their dutiful servant staff making quick work of cleaning things up.
"I suppose it is time for us to retire for the evening, I assume you'll both be out a bit longer?" She asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yes, mother. As father said, it's been too long since we've had a moment of solace like this."
"No objections here. I'm quite comfortable where I am."
"I wonder why..." Sonic playfully stuck his tongue out as Ember gave them a gentle smiling before departing back into the palace for the evening, leaving the cat and hedgehog alone in the royal garden under the starry night sky.
They both sat in comfortable silence, Blaze's claws gently raking through Sonic's quills as he removed one of his gloves, leaving his left hand bare. Paw pads on his palm and fingers exposed to the wind, his wedding band visible and glinting under the moonlight as he interlocked his hand with his fiancé's. No words were spoken, just peace. Yet, in their minds, three words rang that they both told themselves could wait to be said when they were both sure of their feelings. If this marriage would be far less platonic than how it began a year or two ago. For now, each other's presence was more than enough for the future monarchs of the Sol Empire.