Forget Me Not (Sapphire's end)

Please and thank you

When the flowers have taken over three of her left fingers, Surge is the one who offers the pub first. He didn’t look sad, didn’t look bored, he just hopped off his seat and held out a hand. Sapphire, of course, doesn’t touch it, but he doesn’t look offended. Sapphire passes him the water and he passes her the lemonade. Sapphire still thanks the waiter when they are served.
“Why do you do that?” Surge asks when the waiter walks away a little brighter. Sapphire tilts their head pointing to herself.
“Yeah, you, darlin',” he says. Sapphire thinks over how to string her words as they place the lemonade down on the bar.
"I want to be polite,” she says, “People don’t deserve to be treated that way...you shouldn’t be rude to people for nothing.”
“Doesn’t mean you have to be polite all the time,” Surge says, “You don’t even know anybody here. You could just leave it as it is and talk to no one.”
“I could be rude,” Sapphire says, "But I don't want to. Don’t have to.”
“Huh.” Surge eyes them for a second and then raises their bottle of water, “Cheers.” Sapphire giggles, for the second time in such a long time down here, and raises their own glass, “Cheers.”

The next time they go to the pub, Sapphire has started to go numb with the poison. Surge notices and doesn’t hold out his hand this time. Sapphire smiles to herself.
“Can I ask you something?” Surge asks.
“You already did.”
“Heh,” Surge huffs a small smile appearing on his muzzle. He waves a hand towards them,
“Why flowers?” Sapphire for a moment pauses to admire the sketches.
“I don't know, everyone's are different, I know what they mean though.”
“Which is why your staying in the town, darlin'”
“Nope," Sapphire says, “Still heading home. Wanna come though?” That’s the first time they’ve offered and Surge actually throws his head back and laughs.

“Just one Mobians last breath,” Calista explains once they’re back in the town. Since Sapphire has been going with Surge so much the girls had gotten enough time to research their journey, “If a Slarian gets a Mobian to take a last breath and not come back to life at the gateway then the barrier will shatter and we can go back through the portal and lift the course forcing them to kill." She shifts "You know what that means, right?.” Sapphire nods. "To let everyone else out one of us has to sacrifice ourselves to...,” Calista trails off. Crimson carries on for her. She sighs and looks away. Sapphire reaches out and touches a her cheek and she can feel the poison...

Sapphire wanders by Surges station too late, she was intent on another pub hang out just to cool down from getting killed again, and instead Negro catches them talking. Well, in the process of actually starting to talk. Surge was going to wave, maybe be the one to offer this time, but the stomp of boots makes both of them freeze and Negro catches them in what appears to be mid-conversation. He frowns and turns to his partner.
“A Mobian is here,” he starts, “And you’re not even bothering to kill them?” Surge says nothing and lowers his hand. “Were you trying to befriend them?” Negro asks. Surge leans back into his chair.
“No,” Sapphire says, “I was trying to befriend him.” Both demon hedgehogs heads swivel towards her. Negro tuts and then turns to Surge.
“Kill her, then.” Surge blinks. “What?”
“Kill them,” Negro repeats.
“What?” Surge asks, louder this time. His partner huffs.
“They want a friend, don’t they?” he says, “And good friends show friends how things work in the neighborhood.” Sapphire clenches her fist. She looks at Surge, but he’s staring at Negro and sweat is breaking out on his forehead. Negro sighs.
"Are you actually just going to stand there?" he snorts, “Fine then. I’ll take care of the mobian. I never know why you’re still sentry, but I guess it has to do with THIS.”
“Negro,” Surge says, but his partner doesn’t listen.
“I’m always the one who does everything here. And even when the opportunity presents itself, you act useless-"
“Fine, I’ll do it.”

Sapphire closes their eyes in defeat. Surge looks at Negro and they stare each other down for a few seconds before Negro smiles and takes a step back. He mocks a bow and gestures towards the blue hedgehog who’s slightly shaking.
“All yours, partner.” Surge stiffly gets off his seat, out of the station and walks in front of Sapphire. She doesn’t open her eyes and bows her head. They hear a sniffle before they're engulfed by black flames.