A few days later, Blaze walked to college alone- Ricky didn't have class on a Thursday. After convincing Blaze that he would be fine after half an hour of trying, Ricky had gone back to his own apartment to study. Or at least, that's what he had told Blaze.

Vincent met Blaze at the entrance to the building. She seemed a little down.
"Hey, Blaze. Is Ricky not with you?"
He asked.
"Ricky doesn't have class on a Thursday. You know that."
She glumly replied.
"Are you okay, Blaze? You're not usually the gloomy type."
Vincent gave her a concerned look.
"I'm worried about Ricky. Every moment I'm not there is a moment where he could need help, and I won't be there. I just wish I didn't have to leave him."
She told Vincent.
"Right. It's only natural for you to worry. I do too. But Ricky is a tough Pokemon- he'll be fine. Besides, he can still call you if anything goes wrong, can't he?"
Blaze sighed.
"I suppose..."
She didn't feel much better about it.
"Well, I have to go. I need to be at my first class in ten minutes. It was good to talk to you Blaze."
Vincent left Blaze alone as she walked into the building to start the day.

Ricky on the other hand had a surprise for Blaze- he hadn't told her, but he was going for an evaluation at the hospital to see whether or not he would be able to remove his cast. Much to his delight, that seemed to be the case when he arrived.
"I will say the bone is healing quite nicely."
The Sylveon that was examining him l told him.
"I feel confident in letting you remove it if you want to. Or, you can keep it on, to be safe. Your leg will be fully repaired in a few days either way, provided you don't damage it again."
Ricky had it removed and returned home, keeping his crutches should he need them. He had been looking forward to the day where he would be able to greet Blaze and sweep her off her feet when she got home. Now that he was able to walk again, he could.

When she returned home, Blaze was ecstatic to see Ricky without his cast. They both entered her apartment where she hugged him tightly and kissed him with a fiery passion, excited that her love was feeling better.
"It'll be fully healed in a few days, as long as I take it easy still."
Ricky explained as they separated from the kiss.
"That's good to hear. I'm so happy for you- I hated seeing you wearing that."
She replied.
"I had to- without it, I probably would have damaged my leg more. It was a necessary thing to do."
He told her, holding her close.
"But I'm okay now. It's getting better."
He assured her.
"Trust me, I'm gonna be okay."

Later that day, Ricky was glad to be able to shower again; his cast had stopped him as it wasn't waterproof. As he entered the bathroom after getting a towel, he saw Blaze with her fur wet. He also noticed that she was blushing slightly.
"Blaze, why is your fur wet? I didn't think a fire type like you would get wet unless it was absolutely necessary."
He was a little nervous as he noticed her blush.
"Well, I thought since you just had your cast removed, that you wouldn't mind me helping you... clean off. Just to make sure."
Ricky knew she cared about him, but this seemed a bit excessive. Either way, she was only trying to help him, and her fur was already soaked; he didn't want to disappoint her and have it all be for nothing.
"I know it all seems a but much Ricky..."
She walked up to him and stroked his cheek softly.
"But I only do it because I care about you."
She was far too cute to just say no to, and he gave in.
"Alright. If you insist."
He replied.
"I do, Ricky. I'm just trying to help."

Although his cast has been removed, Ricky's leg was still rather sensitive, meaning he used Blaze to support him as she helped him clean off. She was extra careful when she got to his leg, feeling him tense up a little as she touched it.
"Relax, my love. I'll be gentle, I promise."
She was true to her word, being more careful and letting Ricky relax a little. Her touch was so soft, even when her paws were wet. That helped as her soft touch didn't make him feel uncomfortable in any way.

After she has finished, she stood up and held him in an embrace, her head resting in his chest (she was mindful of his spike). She just held him, and he wrapped his arms around her as well.
"I really do love you, Ricky. Nothing will ever change that."
She told him softly, nuzzling into his chest a little more.
"I love you too, Blaze. I hope we're never separated. I'll love you until the end of time, and I'd travel to the end of space to be with you."
He replied. She put her forehead against his gently, enjoying their little moment. The only sound in the room was that of the water hitting the drain. Shortly after, Blaze couldn't hold herself back anymore. She kissed him passionately, with a burning desire. Ricky seemed to realise, kissing her back with just as much passion as herself. They continued for a few minutes before the two both stepped out of the shower, dried off and went to Blaze's bedroom, where their makeout session continued. Ricky slowly pushed Blaze back over the bed, his body looming over hers. The two didn't separate, the desire rising inside both of them.

Blaze pulled back for air, looking at her love with affection.
"You're so passionate, Ricky. I've never seen this side of you before."
Ricky smiled back at her.
"I'm just getting started. There's still much more you haven't yet seen."
The two connected again, enjoying the sensation for several more minutes.
"Do you want to take it further?"
Ricky asked, not wanting to force it on her.
"Yes, Ricky...I'm okay with it."
She replied. After hearing that, Ricky felt something growing under him. Blaze noticed it too, and just before she reached out to touch it, the phone rang.
Both of them jumped, not expecting such a sound.
"Who could that be?"
Blaze asked curiously,
"I'm not sure..."
Ricky replied, picking up the phone.
"Oh, it's Vincent."
He answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ricky."
Vincent replied.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
Ricky looked back at Blaze, who was waiting on her bed.
"Actually, Vincent-"
Ricky didn't get to finish.
"Good. I need to see you. Get over to my place so we can chat."
Vincent almost demanded.
"Vincent, I'm kinda busy right-"
"No! My place, now!"
Vincent persisted. Ricky sighed and hung up without another word. He was rather frustrated and his friend's defiance.
"What did he say?"
Blaze asked.
"I need to go see him, now."
Ricky replied.
"Oh, okay..."
Blaze looked a little disappointed.
"Don't worry. We'll continue this later."
He assured her, giving her a kiss before leaving.

Ricky walked through the chilled Autumn streets, thinking of how soon snow would begin to fall as winter approached. He could see his breath as the darkness and the cold sent a chill down his spine. Vincent didn't live too far away, but Ricky was still rather cold by the time he got there.

"So, do you want to tell me why you made me walk through the cold and the dark to get here at 9:00 in the evening?"
Ricky asked as Vincent let him inside.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I had to make sure you came here. It's... kinda important."
Vincent explained. Ricky took a seat on Vincent's couch.
"Well? What is it?"
Vincent sat down across from him and explained everything. The news hit Ricky like a ton of bricks.
"Oh, well I guess that is kinda important. Sorry for being so impatient. I didn't know it was that bad."
Vincent sadly smiled.
"I know. And I understand. I just thought I should tell you face to face rather than over the phone. So, can you help?"
Ricky thought for a moment.
"I'll see what I can do. If I could, I would do it. You know that."
Vincent nodded.
"Of course I do. That's all I needed to say. You can go now if you'd like."
He told Ricky, standing up. Ricky nodded.
"I should get home to Blaze."
Vincent raised a brow.
"Really? What are you two doing tonight? Are you spending the night together?"
Vincent asked, laughing.
"Shut up."
Ricky replied, smiling and shoving him lightly. Vincent held the door open for Ricky as he stepped out.
"Thanks again, Ricky. It means a lot that you're doing this."
"If I can. But like I said, I'll try."
Vincent nodded in understanding.
"Alright. Good night, Ricky."
"Take care, Vincent."
Ricky waved as he headed back to his home with Blaze waiting. He certainly had a lot to think about after that conversation...

He returned home, colder than he would have liked as he arrived at his apartment again. Blaze got up from the chair she was sitting on, walking up to him and putting her paws on his chest.
"Ricky, you're freezing."
Ricky looked down at her with a warm smile.
"I have just been outside in the cold, Blaze. Would that be why?"
She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"It doesn't matter why. Let's get you warmed up."
"How do you plan to do that?"
Ricky asked, getting a smile from the Braixen.
"Come on; it's getting late. I'll show you how."
She lead him to the bedroom, getting comfortable on the bed and allowing Ricky to do the same. Once they were covered up, Ricky was as warm as he could be.
"Good idea, my love. I feel much better."
He planted a small kiss on her forehead.
"I'd hate for you to be so cold. I'm glad you're nice and warm again."
She cuddled up to him, nuzzling his chest.
"Goodnight, Babe."
Ricky cuddled her back as she began to doze off, Ricky following after. It had been a long day for both Pokemon, and both were ready to get some much needed rest.