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"And this is... well, I never really figured out what this is."
Sonic let go of Finn's arm, motioning with his free hand to the pond before them. They were somewhere, deep in cyberspace, somewhere beyond the dangers locked away in Sonic's memories. This was something entirely different, something tranquil and serene. It wasn't too much unlike the islands they had been exploring through the past couple days. The jackal inhaled, taking in the familiar scent of grass, trees, and the light scent of algae lingering in the pond. He was surprised to feel a gentle breeze and hearing the rustling of leaves and grass. It all felt so real.
"How did you find this?" The jackal asked, looking around in awe. There were a few giveaways that they were within the realms of cyberspace. Like the red lines occasionally pulsing along the sky, or the way the light didn't hit the water quite right. But regardless, it was beautiful. The red lines appeared to touch down along the grass not too far off from the pond, seeming to imply that they were in a limited space. "It's... unlike anything I've ever seen, and it appears to be bountiful with life, albeit..."
"Fake? Yeah. I just came through a portal my first time on Kronos, and wound up here." The hedgehog made way, approaching the dock and a lone fishing rod left behind. "I actually found a friend of mine here, he taught me how to fish." With a swift motion rod was picked up and baited it with ease. "Spent a good chunk of time here last time I was on the island."
Cocking a brow, Finn walked towards the water, stepping on the dock and noting that the wood beneath his feet was firm in comparison to the soft grass he was stood in previous. "I thought your last trip to the island was to save your friends."
"It was!" Retorted Sonic quickly, flushing a little and taking his place at the edge of the dock, "But it's like time moves differently here. I'd come, catch some fish, and I'd leave and it'd be like no time passed at all." Without another moments hesitation he cast his line into the water, and wiggled himself down until his legs dangled off the edge of the dock. He was sure something would bite quickly, but he still wanted the chance to rest his legs. He hadn't really stopped since he first arrived on the Starfall Islands and it was nice to finally take a break. Looking up to the jackal, he patted the dock beside him, trying to beckon the ex-villain forward.
And there was no hesitation, Finn smiled quietly, moving to Sonic's left and sitting down beside him comfortably. His eyes first drifted to the gentle waters beneath their feet. They slowly cast forward, settling at the edge of the line, against the buoyant little frog indicating where the hook and bait was. "It sounds to me like you certainly needed the break." And they wandered once more, scaling along the line and to the tip of the rod, before falling back to the hedgehog himself, "You took off without so much as a word."
"Hey, in my defense--" He froze, making momentary eye contact with Finn, trying to put his thoughts to words quickly, "I didn't think I wasn't going to be unreachable. I thought my communicator was still going to work. I actually planned on calling you when I had a second!" His mind stuttered and, lost for words once more, he returned his gaze to the water, the bobber stagnant and still. If it would catch a bite, this awkward tension could dissolve. "But then... things got serious."
Finn noticed the way Sonic shifted in his spot and added, "Which you only briefly touched on." Followed with a gentle touch on his arm. "I just know that it was rather taxing on you." His fingers traced up and down his arm slowly, the jackal honing in entirely on Sonic. There was something amiss with his behaviour, and Finn couldn't help but notice. He wasn't sure if it was the way his quills were resting, or maybe the way his fingers were gripping the pole, but there was something in the air, a familiar smell.
Fear. Or anxiety, something in that light that was unbefitting such a confident hedgehog.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Sonic?"
"No--"
"You're hiding something. I know you are."
"I'm not, I just--"
"You forget. I can smell your fear."
A small jump, and green eyes darting back and forth between the line and the still waters beneath them. "I'm not scared of anything." He just needed a fish, just one to take the bait. He could end this conversation for a moment and maybe move Finn onwards, "I just have a lot on my plate right now." Still no bites, nothing, even though he could watch the fish in the pond beneath him. "C'mon, you guys were so eager last time I was here."
"You're avoiding the subject." The tone was flat, annoyed. "After our past year together, I've come to know your mannerisms. We may have only been romantic a short time, but..."
"We've... spent enough time together that you can tell. Yeah." He took in a deep breath, exhaling deeply and taking a few moments to stare listlessly at the water. There was a clear moment where Sonic's mind was churning, taking his head places he didn't want it to go, shoving him through thoughts he wasn't ready to have. Finally, his voice grew quiet and with a wilted expression admitted, "Everyone left."
"What do you mean everyone left?" Heterochromatic eyes jumped to Sonic immediately. It was true, he had come back alone when he returned from the islands, but considering the others didn't know about their friendship, let alone their relationship, it hardly struck him as odd. The only far removal from Sonic's standard behaviours is that the smile he had greeted Finn with seemed almost... forced.
Their silence hadn't spanned exceptionally long, but it was long enough that when Sonic spoke again and broke the quiet, Finn's attention focused entirely on the words leaving his mouth, and the sorrow hidden behind them as he finally seemed to reach his epiphany, "I mean, everyone left! They all found reasons to travel, they all wanted to grow on their own, and... I'm proud of them but..."
"But they all left you behind. You're feeling a sense of loss, right?"
"Yeah... I've never really been without them. I mean, Amy and Knux go off and do their own things sometimes, but I've always had Tails." He paused again, ears wilting and spines puffing out a little bit more. "But it's like the islands gave everyone these... goals that they want to achieve, and I want to see them grow but..."
Within a moment, Finn's hand was on Sonic's far shoulder, pulling the hedgehog against him with care. He didn't want to get poked, but the blur clearly needed contact. "I understand." He wasn't sure if he needed to say more, but instead he leaned closer once more and placed a gentle kiss on Sonic's cheek, noting the immediate flush and the way his eyes snapped to the jackal. "But you're not alone. I'm here."
As fast as their eyes met, Sonic averted his again, letting his head fall to Finn's shoulder while his fingers flexed and gripped along the base of the pole. "But you're here on the island too now... are you going to find your purpose too?" There was a second that he cringed inwardly against himself for how quiet his voice came out, he didn't mean for it to sound so small and timid.
"I'm not." A response came without a seconds hesitation. His arm resting firm against Sonic's far hip. "I was given a new purpose the day you found me after the war. I may not have accepted it for a while, but I understand it now." His muzzle pressed against Sonic's forehead, helping his partner nestle his way further into his neck and shoulder. "I don't need to find a deeper meaning to my life. I'm content with the one I've built here." Lips brushed against Sonic's forehead, "The one I've been building, with you. My only desire is to remain by your side."
It took a few moments, but Sonic finally pulled himself out of Finn's shoulder, looking up at him with a quiet smile. "Thanks, Finn... that, that means a lot." He felt the jackal tighten his hold around his waist and return the smile with gentle pride. He jumped slightly, feeling Finn's free hand rest over one of his hands holding the fishing rod, rubbing his thumb over Sonic's. Without really thinking, Sonic let go of it with his left hand, using it to cup Finn's cheek and lean in slowly, capturing his lips with his own. There was always a fluttering feeling when the two of them shared tender kisses like this, like a warmth from his lips that travelled down his spine and made his very core feel warm. He loved the feeling, the brief touches and kisses.
When the two parted, Sonic couldn't help the smile on his face or the lingering gaze that comfortably held Finn's. His hand slipped down to his shoulder, and without much thought he stole a second, briefer kiss. When the two met eyes again, Sonic felt a tug on his other hand, eyes darting over to the rod when he noticed the bobber jiggling on the surface. He was to his feet, practically dragging Finn up with him before the jackal could even register what was really happening, "Oh man, we might have a bite! C'mon, grab on too, you're already halfway there, we'll pull it in together!"
Hesitation only stalled the jackal for a second, before Finn moved quick, grabbing the rod with his other hand and Sonic joining him the same way. It was nearly instantly that the frog dipped under the water. "Pull up, we gotta hook it!" He lead Finn's hands, yanking up and hooking something severe. Sonic laughed loud, grinning as he fought with the fish with Finn's help, "Feel the way it's pulling and pull harder the other way! We've got this!" With another few tugs, Sonic motioned for Finn to pull up, "Give it everything you've got!" With a hearty yank on the rod, they managed to hook and catch a massive fish, it's nose was long, sharp, nearly like a sword.
Once it was on the dock and Sonic was tending to it to remove the hook from its mouth, Finn hovered over. "What is this? It doesn't look real."
"Oh it's a real kind of fish! It's a marlin! They're not the easiest to catch, you did great!" The hedgehog beamed back, looking up at him with pride, stood next to a fish easily the same size as him. "I think some people call them swordfish, because of their sword noses, but that could be something else! I really only learned fish from Big."
"A swordfish, it has a much more appealing ring to it than a marlin. A name that embodies strength." This was immediately met by another hearty laugh from his partner.
"I don't think a cool name makes him any stronger than he already is." His partner reminded him softly, fitting the statement with a warm smile. He extended his hand, motioning for him, "Wanna come get close before I toss it back? Not everyday you see a fish this cool!"
He hesitated, but closer he came, kneeling down beside Sonic and looking over the caught fish. It really was majestic, large, proud, it looked threatening but... not intimdating once he really took in its features. "Do you need help returning it?" An enthusiastic nod and Sonic moved off a little more to the side, giving Finn a chance to kneel down and help hoist the fish off the deck. The two threw it back together and watched the way it swam off and joined the other fish in the pond once more. "Such a simple task. It's just... monotonous. But there's a beauty to it I can't describe."
"For me, it's like going for a run while sitting still." Placing the rod down on the dock once more, he stood to face Finn, a hand resting comfortably on his hip, "It doesn't quite get me the same way a run does, but there's still that thrill and excitement that you get from the wind in your spines." Looking back towards the water, he continued with a smile, "It's the freedom to do it. That's what it is for me at least."
"Honestly? I just enjoy being able to sit with you. I've enjoyed all of the places you've taken me." He admitted with a smile, stepping up close to Sonic once more and gazing out over the water. "My favourites are the places you've taken me at sundown."
"Is that because you like sunsets or... was it because we first kissed at one?" Azure asked with a smug grin, his other hand on his waist while he leaned in a bit. When he was met with reddening cheeks he straightened up, rubbing his cheek with his finger, "They're my favourite too. Maybe tonight we can... watch the sunset from the top of the tower. The view's great." With a few moments to think, he added with a more comfortable smile, "I can get our sleeping bags up to the top and we can stay up there tonight. If you think the sunset's great already, just wait until you see the sunrise!"
"I think that sounds wonderful." Finn acknowledged immediately, looking back towards the entrance they took to get in for a moment, "I'll help however I can. I may not be able to use the ruby anymore, but I can still carry things."
A quiet chuckle was shared between them, and Finn took both of his hands, giving him another gentle kiss, lingering for a few moments to savour the closeness and comfort Sonic gave him. "Shall we be off? I think we've got our own adventure to start."
"Yeah." He responded, taking Finn's hand in his own and tangling their fingers together while he took point heading towards the portal entrance. "I'm excited to see where we'll go. Wherever it is, we'll do it together."