Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Babbysitter Affair ❯ Hopes and Failure ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Mel Meiko Mei Ling
Knuckles was wishful thoughts of what he would like Rouge to do to show she loves him as much as he loves her.

Sonic and Amy have more akward moments and Akai and Amethyst know something they shouldn't.

Non Anime: Sonic Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.04.2008 | Pages: 14 | Words: 12.6K | Visits: 304 | Status: Work In Progress

A/N: It's been 4 years since I started this story...and I'm nowhere near the midway point yet!
 
 
The Babysitter Affair: Chapter 15
 
--
 
Hours passed as the vast darkened sky exchanged its ebony cloak with a welcoming warm-tinted hue.
It was early morning and the sun's presence meekly peeked over the horizon before it.
Awake at such an hour, Knuckles hardly blinked at the rising sun. His steady and distant eyes remained plastered to the darkened ceiling in the room.
He managed to get a few moments of sleep before another disturbing nightmare woke him up.
And since then, he couldn't get back to sleep and gave up trying.
Quiet shades of orange played about his stiffened features and glossed over his still gaze.
'Rouge...'
He had thought of her constantly. He hadn't admitted it openly before to Amy nor Sonic, but he missed her immensely when he came to their house.
Laying in bed without Rouge left him feeling slightly empty and alone.
But he wondered if it was her warmth next to him he missed, her touch, or just her.
His thoughts lingered less on the latter and more on the first two. As frivolous as that seemed, he did love his wife.
He just loved certain aspects of her more...
Silently, his eyes trailed over to his sons sleeping on either sides of him on top of his arms.
Amethyst lay snuggled against his broad biceps while Akai rested with his arms crossed and only let his head lay against his father's shoulder.
Being with them silently soothed his discomfort and he gently brought them closer to his chest without disturbing them.
Lovingly, he planted a soft kiss on both of their foreheads then laid his head back on the pillows let the ceiling occupy his gaze yet again.
Thoughts of his wife wavered back into his mind and his warm features faded into a distant fixture.
Just what was she doing on that vacation?
The thought crossed his mind to give her a call, but he didn't bother.
Rouge needed her space for whatever reason, he figured. Maybe after this getaway of hers, she'd come back fully refreshed and forget about ever finding that band in his dreads and accusing him of cheating on her.
Maybe she'd be overjoyed to see him and fly into his arms... so he could take her home and throw her in the bed and plunge into her until the next morning.
A light smile edged his lips at that last thought.
He knew all of this was just wishful thinking, but he was sure Rouge would change for the better at some point.
And perhaps, she would be willing to lovingly fly into his arms as if her love for him was one of the greatest things she held for him and only him.
 
Realistically, he knew she practically hated the fact they were married so fast. And maybe she was even upset that they were married in general.
 
Without realizing, he shook his head.
 
He refused to believe that.
While it may hold true that he felt for her and loved her more than she ever loved him, there was that slither of some kind of affection he knew she had for him.
And as long as that still lingered within her capricious heart, Knuckles felt he still had a chance.
A chance in her showing him as much love as she possibly could.
 
As much love as he deserved.
 
He wouldn't even care for an apology. He just wanted her to return his love.
When they first married, he had noticed her hesitance with showing her feelings. It was almost as if her heart was torn between himself and something else.
 
Not knowing any better, Knuckles thought it was her freedom. And while that was part of the reason for her distasteful moods and snappy attitudes towards him a lot, that wasn't the whole reason.
 
He sighed. His head began to hurt from being wrought with so many different speculations and deliberations. He placed a mitt to his temples to massage them without waking Akai and led his burdened violet eyes to the clock atop a dresser.
 
5:30 A.M.
 
His body shuddered at how early it was. And as it did, his mind drifted to images of Amy as he figured she would probably but up around this time.
And as if he called it before it happened, he could hear sounds of movement coming from another room and the muffled sound of soft footsteps briskly heading downstairs.
A faint hint of a smile curved his lips and he closed his eyes.
That girl...
Always going the extra mile for what she believed in.
Sometimes Knuckles wondered if she were just a little older and they had met under different circumstances, then maybe things would be better off in both their lives.
Amy wouldn't have to worry about her boyfriend's hesitant feelings and Knuckles wouldn't have to worry about his wife's.
 
Come to think of it, their situations were similar again.
 
At first, they both had ones they loved who didn't seem to love them in the same way they loved them.
Now they both had ones that felt something for them but they weren't too sure what.
Did Sonic even love Amy?
It wasn't any of Knuckles' business to pry. Sure he made jokes about the two of them, but it still wasn't his place to know their business.
 
Suddenly, a precipitant whirring sound buzzed in the room and shattered his distant speculative wandering.
Instinctively looking down at his pants pocket, he instantly realized that his cell was vibrating.
Hastily, he reached down to fish it out of its cloth inventory without waking his sons.
His violet orbs squinted at the number then widened.
 
Rouge was calling him?
 
Without wasting a second, he accepted the call and placed the phone to his ear.
“He--” he began in ecstatic surprise that she called him, but his exuberance dropped immediately when he heard the click on the other end.
Dumbfounded, he took the device away from his ear and stared at it as if it could answer the silent pain and confusion written across his face.
When it all sunk in, he sighed deeply, then sadly chuckled to himself. “Who am I fooling. I knew it was too good to be true that she would actually want to talk to me... Dammit... Got my hopes all high and everything...”
He sighed again and glanced over at Akai and then Amethyst still sleeping soundly.
“Sorry boys. Your mommy's being a real b!tch right now. Hard to believe she's even your mother sometimes!” he forced himself to chuckle, then stopped abruptly, pondering the last thing he said.
Then shook it off.
He hadn't been intimate with any other female and he had mostly kept a close eye on her after they got married and after she had the boys, so there was nothing to worry about on her side either.
But for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling she was hiding something from him with this whole vacation of hers. But he dismissed that thought instantaneously.
 
He trusted his wife.
 
Secretly, he waited for the day for her to wake up and return that gesture towards him.
All the more reason for the to of them to start moving away from the city.
One day soon, he'd propose to her again and they could have a second and more appropriate wedding than their first one. It seemed a bit rushed to him and he knew if he felt that, she had to really feel that way.
 
“Don't worry, I'll make it upto you, Rouge.” he silently vowed to himself.
 
Just as he reached down to put the phone back in his pocket, it vibrated in 3 short bursts this time.
The action caught Knuckles off guard and he dropped it on Amethyst.
The smallish echidna woke up with a sleepy groan.
“Sorry, buddy.” Knuckles whispered to his son and held the phone upto his face, squinting again to see the number.
 
Rouge again. And this time she sent him a text message.
Knuckles' expectant orchids traveled quickly over every word, every sentence and mumbled them to himself under his breath.
 
“Hey Knuckie. Sorry I haven't been in contact with you lately, but I wanted to let you know that I am enjoying myself here. How are the boys? I hope they're fine.”
 
Knuckles frowned a bit after reading this. “Knuckie?” he repeated with a disdainful half-frown. “She knows I hated that awful nickname of hers... That woman just loves to make me suffer doesn't she...”
 
Sighing, he continued to read.
 
“Anyway, I wanted to let you know not to wait up for me. But you will see me sometime soon.
...If the situation allows it.”
 
He paused, taking in that last statement. “ 'If the situation allows it' ? What situation? ...That's an awfully bold statement for her... I don't remember her ever saying things like that.” He shrugged. “Maybe the vacation really is something she needed... It definitely seems to get getting to her...”
His eyes scanned down to read the remaining contents of the message, but a tiny voice interrupted him.
 
“Daddy...” Amethyst prodded, tugging at his father's dreads.
Tearing his eyes away from the long message, Knuckles turned to his son. “Yes, Amethyst?”
“Can...Can I get some water?” he asked, looking at his father with wide plum-colored eyes.
Knuckles' expression softened looking at his child and a warm smile brushed across his face. “Sure, son.” He chuckled lightly and patted Amethyst's head.
Slowly, Knuckles sat up and gingerly slid his arm from under Akai's head.
Amethyst crawled down the middle of the bed to the edge while Knuckles swung his legs over one side and stood up.
Eagerly, but still a bit drowsy, the smallish echidna took hold of his father's mitt and grasped it securely.
Knuckles glanced down at him, then closed out the message and put the phone back in his pocket.
He gave one caring and lingering glance to his other son, still sleeping proudly with his arms crossed, before chuckling warmly and heading out the room with Amethyst.
 
--
 
Away in the morning sun-kissed tropics of Dry Lagoon, a lone couple lay cuddled in the other's embrace.
Rouge lay softly in the grass with her body facing Shadow and her hands embedded within the tangles of his chest fur. Light winds brushed past her nude form and mingled with her thick and matted locks of hair.
Shadow rested next to her on his back with an arm laced around her waist.
His rich carmine eyes glinted from the rising glow of the sun as they lingered on the digits of Rouge's cell phone.
Staring at it for a few moments more, he smirked to himself.
When no reply from Knuckles was received, Shadow laid the phone down above Rouge's head where she had it last night.
Wordlessly, he entwined his deceptive hand with one of hers and grasped it firmly.
 
He didn't contact Knuckles posing as her to make himself seem like the bad guy. But if he knew anything about her husband, he was bound to get restless and come looking for her.
 
And he had every right to. She was his wife after all.
 
But Shadow wasn't ready to run into him again, nor was he ready to leave Rouge just yet.
And from the serene look glimmering across her features in pure solace, Shadow knew she wasn't ready to leave him either.
For one of the first times since 4 years ago, had he seen her look so happy and relieved.
And seeing her like that caused a warm happiness to swell in his chest.
Silently, he leaned towards her and nuzzled his lips against her forehead before dipping low and sampling another taste from her rosy lips.
“Mm... Kn..” she breathed, but stopped herself when Shadow's scent wavered into her nose.
Luckily for her, Shadow took her folly simply as an 'ngh' sound.
 
Slowly, she lifted her lightly colored eye-lids and captured Shadow's calm and inviting expression within her glistening aqua jewels.
And the moment she did, the actions of last night came rushing back to her and she smiled broadly without realizing.
“Good morning...” she spoke softly.
“...Good morning...” Shadow whispered back and claimed her lips again in a slow and delicious heated kiss.
'I love you...' he thought, as he squeezed her hand and pressed further into their kiss.
She responded with slight eagerness of her own and giggled against his mouth as he rolled on top of her.
 
--
 
 
The faint glimmer of sparkling daybreak shifted through the windows of Amy's room and played about the walls. A soft glowing blanket of warm sunrise spilled in speckles over the dozing hedgehog on the floor and Amy's empty bed.
A low grumble escaped Sonic's lips as he turned on his side and gradually opened his heavy eyes.
With a yawn, he aimlessly scanned over Amy's bed and had to blink twice to realize she wasn't there.
“Amy...?” his voice hushed in a faint whisper. Drowsily, he allowed another yawn to pass as his tired eyes trailed over to the clock on her nightstand.
The glowing red numbers seemed to glare “6:45 AM” at him.
Blinking naturally, he looked towards her shadowy bed and failed to fight back a deep yawn.
“Amyy...” he called with his mouth wide open in a yawn.
The soft shuffling of feet whispered into the room and padded by Sonic.
“Morning Amy” he managed to drag out from an utter to a yawn.
“Morning, Sonic” Amy's soft voice responded quickly as she rummaged through the top drawer of her dresser.
 
Today was the actual day of her interview and she couldn't bear to be even half a minute late.
While she searched for clean clothing, Sonic finally pushed himself off the floor just enough to prop his body weight on an elbow.
His heavy beryl eyes aimlessly trailed upto his rosy significant other. “Isn't your interview a couple of hours away, Amy?”
Annoyed, she sighed. “It sure is. But I want to make sure I get the job! So I've gotta look my best!” she beamed with a wink.
 
Sonic yawned.
“Cover your mouth” Amy lightly scolded, not bothering to look at him.
A soft chuckle fluttered in his throat. And just to spite her, he yawned again without covering his mouth. “This is...my house....”
Amy half-smiled. “Keep that up and you may end up with something in there!”
Sonic closed his eyes, still relishing in his drowsiness, then opened one lazily at her.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah!” she responded, placing her hands on her haunches.
The two of them continued to playfully glare at the other until Amy started to laugh. It wasn't long before Sonic followed suit.
“Oh Sonic...” Amy smiled. She loved the warm feelings her body received when she was around him. If she didn't know any better, she was sure she was rapidly falling in love with him with each passing moment.
Yawning again, Sonic began to stretch on his back. “Well, when that time comes, make sure it's a chillidog with extra onions, would you?”
 
She snickered and stepped closer to him. Her viridian eyes glistened as she peered down at him. “How about something with a little more fiber?” she asked, her voice littered with mischievousness.
Eyes closed, he managed to raise a brow. “As long as it doesn't give me a stomachache, then...” he paused to let another yawn pass “... good lu..augghk..?”
His words were immediately clogged as something soft and silky fell into his mouth.
His eyes shot open and he immediately sat up.
Amy couldn't stop laughing as she watched him reach upto his mouth and pull out a lacy pair of light pink panties.
 
Instead of words, Sonic could only gasp as he felt his face start to warm up.
Bashfully, he looked to Amy for an explanation. A hint of confusion swam in his eyes.
Once her laughter subsided into chuckles, Amy bent down and snatched up her panties.
A sly gleam sparkled in her eyes as she waved them in front of him.
“The next time you don't cover your mouth when you yawn, you'll get something else dropped in there. “ Grinning darkly, she knelt beside him on the floor and nuzzled her lips against his ear. “And I promise it'll be worth your while...”
All the color nearly drained from his face as he sat perfectly still with a dumbfounded look spread across his features.
Suddenly, he began to feel a bit light-headed as he felt a rushing stream of warmth snake from his head to elsewhere.
Embarrassed, he crossed his legs and leaned back on his hands.
Amy became fully aware of his sudden arousal and inched her face closer to his.
Although she appeared confident, inside she was terrified.
All these emotions she felt were still very new to her. Sure, she had been wanting to be with Sonic for years, but now they were actually a couple.
 
And now that that “impossible” goal had been obtained, she felt so nervous of what levels their relationship would go.
But no matter where, she still loved him and wanted to be his.
 
Gently, she placed a hand on one of his and closed her eyes.
Sonic could feel the quills on his back start to quiver as Amy's moist lips brushed across his and her chest rubbed against his.
“...A...Amy...” he whispered. His body suddenly tensed up when her legs crept up on either side of him.
His forehead began to bead with cold sweat while he eyed her robe start to loosen and fan past her legs and part at the tops of her thighs.
“Sonic....” she cooed, slipping her tongue against his lips. Sonic did nothing at first while she silently begged for entry.
A soft warmth he had never felt before brushed over his leg and it didn't take him long to realize she wasn't wearing anything under that robe...
 
Overwhelmed, his body shuddered a bit.
It took almost all he had not to leap off that floor and bolt out of the room.
He had to remind himself that they were a couple now. Kissing and fondling was something that couples did.
So why act so afraid about it?
'Calm down...' he mentally scolded himself. '...Just calm down...'
Minutes had already passed, and Sonic still seemed hesitant about returning her endearing actions.
Pulling back just enough to look at him, Amy's full eyes began to narrow. A wavering film of liquid glistened in them from his indirect rejection.
Once he felt the heated air between them rapidly start to melt away, Sonic bashfully opened his eyes.
To his relief and also to his dismay, Amy had given up in her advances and started to stand to her feet.
She quickly turned her back to him and tightened the ribbon around her robe.
In the midst of her personal struggle with trying to be a good girlfriend, mastering her patience and failing, Amy muttered something incoherent and stormed out of the room.
 
Alone, Sonic stared blankly at the doorway she left through. The only sound he could hear was his quick and deepened breathing.
Amy had given him quite a scare. But what was he doing? Why did he always clam up when she wanted to show her affections to him?
He couldn't understand.
And now she was crying.
He cursed himself for making her cry and immediately pushed himself to his feet.
Once he made it to the door, he could hear the distinct sound of the shower being started.
With the guilt of making her sad weighing heavily within him, he zipped down the stairs and into the bathroom.
Amy didn't even have time to acknowledge his presence when she felt her body be whisked around one second and then her back pressed against the wall the next.
 
A gasp was all that managed to slip from her mouth before Sonic's covered it hungrily.
Firmly, he held both of her wrists against the wall on either side of her head and continued to kiss her deeply as best as he knew how with his inexperience.
 
A small moan escaped her and sudden jolt shot through her body from the warm friction she felt from Sonic's hips.
 
Was Sonic actually, and willingly, engaging in foreplay with her?
 
Embarrassed by his mistake of grinding her, Sonic whispered a stammering apology and released his grip on her wrists.
Regaining her freedom, Amy aggressively threw her arms around his head and pulled him into a hot and dominating kiss.
Eagerly, she grabbed his hands and pressed them to her chest.
Sonic hesitated from the sudden touch of her skin but when he didn't pull away from her, she led his hands downward.
Sonic felt his senses start to slip from him as his head spun with dizziness from the passion and spontaneousness of this moment.
A low and hungry growl fluttered in Amy's throat as she gripped his hands around her soft curves.
 
Finally she was getting what she wanted the two of them to experience for years! She needed this so badly, it hurt.
As Sonic's hands continued to fumble with her clothing, the loose tops of it began to slide down, exposing her bare shoulders.
“Yes....” she murmured, grasping a tuft of his quills in one hand while using the other to guide one of his to her thigh. “Sonic...please...” she begged breathlessly.
As the seconds passed, Sonic had begun to leave his insecurities aside and simply act on instinct to please this girl.
He could feel bad about it later.
She wanted it. It was painfully clear she did. He wasn't forcing anything on her. If nothing else, she was almost forcing him.
But he didn't mind that.
Before he realized what was happening, he had lifted her up against the wall and she had both legs wrapped around his waist.
“Sonic...please hurry...” she moaned, trying to press her need into him.
Her moistened warmth nudged against him and his abdomen was tickled by the hint of fuzz.
Somehow, Sonic managed to regain a slither of his senses to find his voice. “A-Amy...”
“Y-Yes, Sonic...?” she asked in more of an airy gasp than mere words.
Gingerly, his lips nuzzled against hers. “I...I...”
“Say it...” she coaxed in an alluring hiss and kissed him softly. “Say that you love me...”
Sonic stopped breathing. He realized the impact her words carried and the same impact he had to deliver.
Hugging her closer to him and slightly straying her back from the wall, he buried his face in her shoulder.
She shuddered as he brushed his lips against it. “I... Amy, I..... .....you...”
She shivered from excitement in what she thought she heard in broken sentences.
But, had he really said the whole thing or did he skip a word?
“Wh-what did you say to me...?”
His body shook lightly and he lifted his heavy head from its comforting hiding spot.
Facing his fears, as well as her passion-induced half-lidded eyes, Sonic's soft emeralds buried themselves into hers.
“I said...I lo--”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DADDYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!”
The sudden childish shriek rang out and tore Sonic and Amy apart in an instant.
Sonic dropped Amy to her feet and she fell into him and lost her balance harshly enough to send them both spiraling to the tub.
Both of them fell in half-way, Sonic on top of Amy, and started squirming to stand back up.
“DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!” Amethyst's tiny cute voice hollered again and a barreling of heavy footsteps bounded down the hall, followed by a flustered Knuckles.
“What is it , Amethyst??” he asked with urgency in his tone, and only saw his son.
“In there!” Amethyst cried, and pointed into the bathroom.
Knuckles' frantic and wild eyes followed his son's direction, only to shrink in size at what he saw.
 
Sonic's hips were bucking briskly against Amy's bottom as they both hung over the tub.
 
“Sonic, move already!!” Amy shouted, trying to push her way out of the slippery tub with her fingertips while Sonic tried the same.
Needless to say, it wasn't working. His fingers kept slipping, and his body kept colliding into hers.
“I'm trying to Amy! But, I think we're stuck!”
“Stuck?!” her eyes began to flare. “You better get us out of here!”
 
Watching them toil fruitlessly to get out of the tub, Knuckles threw his head back and laughed heartily.
“HAHAHAHA!!! This is perfect!”
Hearing his voice, Amy swore loudly and managed to push Sonic off of her so she could push herself out.
He landed on the floor rug with a muffled “oomph” and quickly moved out the way when Amy landed not too far from him on the rug.
Her bangs were drenched with water from the shower and she angrily flicked them on top of her head.
Her face glowing a bright red, she glared at Knuckles, pointing an accusing finger at him. “SHUT UP AND GET OUT, KNUCKLES!!!”
Knuckles didn't reply. In fact, he couldn't. He was too busy laughing.
 
Sonic said nothing at first but meekly watched his crazed girlfriend shout at the older echidna.
Amethyst only watched the adults with wide and amused eyes.
Then he too started laughing because his daddy was.
 
Amy had had enough!
 
Scowling, she glared down at the smallish echidna. “Amethyst, just because your oaf of a father is laughing doesn't mean you should laugh too!”
 
Being scolded, the tiny echidna gasped and hid behind his father.
“Whoa whoa, hold on Amy. Just calm your happy tail down...” Knuckles chuckled, his lips curved in a smirk.
“Don't get mad at a child. It was your fault for leaving the door wide open.”
Amy humphed and turned her head away from Knuckles. She was completely unaware that her robe was still lazily framing her exposed shoulders.
Knuckles' eyes lingered there for a moment before shifting behind Amy to Sonic.
Instead of remaining dazed, Sonic pointed in front of him, towards the shower and mouthed. “Wait for me downstairs!”
Knuckles blinked at the request then nodded subtly enough for Amy to ignore it and for Sonic to understand. Just what was that crazy hedgehog planning?
 
“Ewww daddy she's naked!!” Amethyst's small voice whined from behind his father.
Smiling, Knuckles turned to his son and knelt down to meet his height.
Warmly, he patted the young boy's head. “That's my boy...!”
Amy blinked. “WHAT?!!”
Grinning, Knuckles stood to his feet. “At the tender age of 2, my son has the knack for finding the brighter side in life. He'll become a fine treasure hunter...!” he boasted proudly, still laughing.
 
Amy started to turn bright red and shook angrily. “GET OUT!!” Amy roared, pushing Knuckles out the door.
Laughing, the older male took his son with him downstairs.
Groaning in annoyance and slight embarrassment, Amy closed her eyes trying to build up the strength to face Sonic. As she turned to face him, she felt a slight breeze flutter past her.
And when she opened her eyes, Sonic was gone.
 
Dismayed, her body slouched in disappointment. First she gets laughed at by Knuckles, then Sonic runs out and leaves her alone...again.
 
Sighing deeply, she ran a hand through her hair and gave up for the second time that morning.
Facing the shower, the form of another caught her attention from the corner of her eye and she gazed over in its direction.
A smirking Akai stood in the doorway watching her. All the commotion from his daddy had woken him up and he quietly snuck down the hall.
Amy said nothing to him for a moment, guessing he had just woken up and wasn't spying on her.
But the flickering telltale smirk on his face told her otherwise.
She pursed her lips together tightly in a thin line.
“Is there a problem, Akai...?” Her lingering anger accented every word.
He quickly shook his head, ignoring his thick dreads smacking him in the face. “No. Not yet Miss Amy.”
Her eyes narrowed as she instantly felt her blood boil. She could imagine Knuckles saying something exactly like that with an intentional double meaning.
Those boys were definitely his. In every way. Part of this relaxed her because no hint of that snobby bat was present within them, but another part of that vexed her.
 
Curse those strong echidna genes.
 
Without even bothering to tell that child to leave, Amy simply walked over to the door and closed it sharply in his face.
 
 
As soon as Knuckles made it downstairs, Sonic grasped him by the shoulder and tried to fling him on the couch.
But the flustered hedgehog wasn't strong enough to follow through with the motion and Knuckles merely bumped into the edge of it instead.
“Sonic, what is your--”
“Thank you man, thank you!” Sonic cheered, trying to contain how relieved he actually was so Amy wouldn't hear him.
 
Aghast, Knuckles blinked twice and pushed the hedgehog away when he tried to hug him.
“Whoa whoa! Hands off, Sonic. I'm shirtless!”
Still excited from having a reason to escape the pressure Amy had put on him from expecting him to take her, Sonic let loose a large whoosh of air.
 
Laughing nervously, he sunk down to the carpet and plopped on his bottom.
 
Amethyst made it down the steps around this time and glanced over at his daddy, then shifted his attention to Sonic.
“What's the matter, Mister ...uhm...” he paused cutely to try and remember Sonic's name.
 
He and his brother never really saw him that much in comparison to how much they've seen Amy.
“Sonic”, the exhausted blue hedgehog said as Knuckles said “Idiot.”
Amethyst gulped, not knowing which name to go by but naturally, went with his father's judgment.
“Mister Idiot!”
Knuckles chuckled while Sonic smiled. He was too relieved to even care.
 
But Knuckles couldn't say the same.
With slow heavy strides, he stepped over to Sonic and crossed his arms.
“The hell's wrong with you?! “
Sonic blinked innocently and opened his mouth to speak, then stopped himself. He glanced to Amethyst and then back to Knuckles, silently signaling to him that he was swearing with his young son in the room.
 
Knuckles took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, then looked to Amethyst.
“Son, go get yourself that glass of water.”
Amethyst nodded. “Ok daddy!” he chirped and scampered off into the kitchen.
Sonic leaned to the side, looking past Knuckles to watch how the small child would reach the cupboards.
When he saw him grab a chair and push it to the dishwasher then stand on top of it to open it instead of the cupboards, Sonic nodded to himself.
“Smart kid.”
“I know.” Knuckles replied, opening his violet eyes half way, as if he were partially in thought.
 
“I guess he gets that from his mother. I can't see you being too smart about anything...”
“Is that an insult?”
Sonic chuckled. “Not really. It's the story of your life, Knucklehead.”
“Shut up.” Knuckles replied half-heartedly.
Sonic caught on immediately. “What's wrong?”
“Rouge.” Knuckles spoke simply.
 
One name was all he had to say and Sonic understood.
Then all of a sudden, he jumped as a thought hit him.
Shadow was with Rouge!
At least he was a few days ago. Actually, Sonic didn't know what Shadow did after he texted him to stay away from her.
But he didn't come back to the house.
He wondered if Knuckles knew anything.
He started to ask, then mentally kicked himself. If Shadow had done anything to or with Rouge, telling Knuckles like this was the last thing to do.
Besides there was no proof anything was going on between the two.
Or at least, Sonic hoped.
 
Saying nothing, he let Knuckles continue.
 
The older of the two stared into space a bit, then dropped is arms at his sides. “I don't know what's going on with her... But I'm not going to bother her until she's done with this...'vacation'.”
“Oh?” Sonic spoke up, instantly interested and nervous at the same time. He chose his words carefully. “What do you think its all about?”
Knuckles pondered for a moment. “...I think she wants to get away from me...” he muttered softly, as if thinking aloud. “I don't know” he stated at a more audible level. “Maybe she just needs a rest. I'll admit the boys and I have been a bit of a handful. And with her thinking that I got fired from job, that's more than enough to drive someone up a wall...don't you think?”
 
Sonic made a sound of agreement, but he wasn't really sure how to answer that question.
“Hmm...” Knuckles thought. His dark eyes glimmered with a glassy film as he continued to linger on the situation.
Then after a while, he sighed heavily and threw his arms up. For the moment, he gave up coming up with a solution.
“I give up. ...I'll just talk to her about it whenever she's ready to come back...I guess.”
“I guess that really is all you can do at this point...” Sonic added.
His beryl eyes watched Knuckles as he went over to the couch and flopped down.
Then he quickly stood up as if he remembered something and headed into the kitchen.
Moments later, Knuckles and Amethyst came out, with the younger echidna skipping happily with his half full glass of water.
At this, Sonic decided to stand to his feet.
He knew Knuckles was torn from the way Rouge really saw him and wanted her to return his heartfelt feelings.
Knuckles... he must be going through more than he realizes.
And from this thought, Sonic cringed. He realized that he and Amy were going through a similar situation, with her probably feeling the way Knuckles does towards Rouge with him.
 
Sonic knew he wasn't being the best boyfriend to her, but he did care for her.
He just...couldn't...
“Couldn't what?” he whispered softly for only his ears to hear.
He refused to say.
 
“You again?? Get out of here, Akai!”
 
Knuckles, Sonic and Amethyst stopped what they were doing and darted their attention to the stairwell.
A grinning Akai bounded down the steps, much like his father would, and jumped off the next to last one.
Not too far behind him, Amy emerged.
Fully clothed and accentuated with make up that caused both older males mouths to drop open.
Much to her discomfort, she declared to herself that she kind of looked like Rouge when she last looked in the mirror.
Make-up wise, though.
Her hair was curled inwards at the ends and she had a small red clip on one side.
Her face was lightly powdered and brought out the sheen in her radiant red eye shadow and long eyelashes.
Light splashes of blush played about her cheeks and emphasized the plump red color of her lipstick and gloss.
 
She wore a thick gold necklace about her collarbone with a cute short white jacket with black and gold stripes on the sleeves and pink tank top that latched to her curves gently.
Her small hips sported a red belt and a black frilly mini skirt with white and gold trim. Thick gold bracelets occupied both her arms.
White sheer stockings clung to her legs and flowed silkily into red thick-heeled platforms.
 
“Woooooow” Sonic mouthed while Knuckles went “Damn, Amy!”
Akai and Amethyst exchanged boyish grins and shocked expressions at hearing their daddy swear.
 
Enjoying the compliments, Amy giggled sweetly to herself at the attention and spun in a small circle.
“So, what do you think? Am I a bit overdressed?” she asked honestly.
 
Sonic was too shocked to speak but shook his head quickly, no.
 
Knuckles laughed. “I think under-dressed is more the word, Amy!”
 
She playfully snorted at his remark, but found truth in his words.
“Yeah, I guess, but, it fits the place I'm getting interviewed for.” she added, peering down at herself.
Knuckles made an inquiring face and stepped more into the room. “Where did you say you were trying to get a job at again?”
Amy looked up cheerfully. “At this prestigious restaurant in town!”
“Eh, table dancing?” Knuckles wondered, which granted him a shocking gasp from Amy and a narrowed glare from Sonic.
“N-no!” Amy shot back and touched her hair back into place. “To be a waitress and a hostess!”
“Ahhh” Knuckles understood. “So if you get the job, you'll be greeting people and taking orders?”
She nodded. “Yep. I need to do as much as I can to raise enough money for a new place...” she trailed off and looked over at Sonic.
An instant blush washed over the silent hedgehog as her eyes studied him.
He was still embarrassed from earlier, she could tell but she pushed that aside.
Although, she did need to talk to him.
The original plan for letting her stay with him was so she could get a new job and raise enough money to move out and get her own place.
But now that she and Sonic were together, was that all still necessary?
 
“Sonic, we need to talk.” she addressed to the nervous hedgehog.
He hesitantly nodded.
“S-Sorry about this morning Amy...”
But she waved his apology away. “Forget it. Anyway, Sonic...” she glanced up at Knuckles with a faint smirk, “..and you... I' ll be heading out now.”
She returned her attention back to Sonic. “Wish me luck!” she smiled and skipped over to the door.
As she opened it, Sonic dashed over a short distance until he was behind her.
Turning with a loving and triumphant smile, Amy gazed up dearly at Sonic.
She was glad he came to her side and she didn't have to ask him.
Happily, she leapt up and threw her arms around him.
“Oh Sonic...” she murmured against his chest and sighed delightfully when she felt his arms hug her back.
The sharp sting of tears pricked at the backs of her eyes she was so glad, but she forced herself not to give off the hint she was starting to cry.
“I love you, Sonic.” she spoke clearly.
She said it in such a way that even Knuckles heard it from where he stood.
Sonic took her words to heart and lightly led a hand upto the back of her head.
Softly, he whispered a kiss against her cheek and brushed his lips against hers.
“Good luck with your interview, Amy” he confirmed in a hushed tone.
Amy's heart fluttered from his warm and caring support, but it soon sunk into her stomach when she realized he didn't 'correctly' respond to her words.
Pulling away from him, she gazed up silently in his eyes.
Delicate pain looked back at her. But his lips were curved into a caring smile.
Her breath hitched in her throat and her hands tightened around his shoulders.
He was lying to her again, she knew it.
“...I knew it...” she muttered barely above a whisper and quickly shut her eyes when she felt her tears welling up again.
 
Not bothering to look at him, she turned her back to him and stepped out the door.
 
Once the door closed behind her, Sonic's body relaxed and he exhaled deeply.
He still couldn't understand why he acted that way towards her.
Irritated, he swore under his breath and turned right into a smack upside the back of his head from Knuckles.
“What is the matter with you, Blue?!” Knuckles shouted.
Sonic rubbed the back of his head as his dormant rage bubbled to the surface this one rare time. “I don't know, allright?! And it's pissing me off!” he retaliated back.
Knuckles winced and so did his sons. But they soon became bored and plopped down on the couch and flipped the tv on.
 
Ignoring the cartoon intrusion from the television, Sonic sulked and ran a hand through his quills.
“I wish I knew, Knuckles....really I do. But I just can't... get close to her” he gestured with his hands “I just...can't.”
Knuckles listened to his friend with narrowed eyes. “Do you love her, Sonic?”
“No... I mean...” he sighed. “I don't know what I feel. But I do care about Amy...”
“In what way...?”
“...I don't want to lose her.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Can you see yourself with her longer than a few days, Sonic...?”
The hedgehog in question blinked, trying to decipher the true meaning hidden behind those words, if any.
 
“What are you trying to say...” he uttered lowly, getting on the defensive.
Knuckles picked up on his friend's animosity but ignored it. “Is she more to you than a fling?”
 
A simple question.
A simple question that Sonic couldn't answer but he did actually have an answer for it.
He just refused to voice it.
Knuckles was growing impatient. “Sonic....”
“Just give me some more time, okay?”
“More time?” Knuckles repeated. His conversation with Amy flashed before him when she mentioned he said the same thing before.
 
'I need more time, Amy'
 
Knuckles shook his head. He hated to admit it, but Sonic was doing what he did best from one of the most important choices in his life. Run.
“ Sonic, just how much more time do you need?”
“More than what I'm given...”
“Oh shut up! This girl has been after you for years and you finally decided to get with her! I don't know what 'changed' your mind, Sonic but you had better realize it and realize it soon. Or if the time comes down to it, I will have to physically help you make a move.” Knuckles warned, shaking a clenched fist at Sonic.
 
Sonic eyed his fist, then slowly nodded. “Please do that, Knuckles. But remember, if you do, I'll have to punch you back.”
“Anytime.” Knuckles agreed, flatly.
While the two of them glared at the other, sharing more silent threats, the front door inched open a bit, then flew open, creaking loudly.
 
And standing there as if she had been eavesdropping on the whole conversation, Amy appeared with her hands in taut balls.
Shocked, Sonic was the first to speak. “A-Amy?”
As if his voice alone held some soft of mystifying power, Amy gradually allowed herself to become relaxed on the spot.
But instead of meeting her boyfriend's eyes, she looked upto Knuckles instead.
“I want to talk to you...” she insisted placidly.
Nodding, Knuckles started to walk out the door with her but turned to look at Sonic.
A thousand things to say to him blazed through Knuckles' mind but the only words that came out were: “Watch the boys. I'll be back.”
“W-ait! Hold on a minute, Knuckles!” Sonic retaliated but was met with the door slamming in his face.
 
 
 
 
 
-Mel