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"Hmph...!"
It was the first thing to come out of Sonic's mouth since they had picked him up from the battlefield.
It wasn't a word, of course. More like a groan, a whimper; an involuntary sound his throat let go of as he bounced on the stretcher he had been dropped in.
"I told you to be CAREFUL!!" Amy scolded.
"He'll be alright...!" The echidna simply replied. Although something in his eyes confessed he hadn't intended to be as harsh.
"I won't be sure until Maddie checks him. He needs to rest now..." Tails spoke. He was visibly affected by his brother's state, but his voice came clear.
The fox wouldn't let his emotions get to him, as he knew it was on his hands to bring Sonic and the others back home.
Turning to face his teammates, he allow a little smile to form. "It's time." Then head to the door, Knuckles right behind him.
"—Amm..."
"...!"
"...!"
They turned again, Amy had stayed right where she was. "I'm thinking maybe one of us should stay with him...! I mean, to make sure he's alright and... doesn't fall off or something...!"
The girl's voice came out low and hesitant. Picking her fingers, she avoided their faces.
Blink. Tails studied her for a moment, a tad surprised. With how bold and straightforward he knew the Pink could be, it was rather funny whenever she would suddenly get all shy and hide her intentions.
It confused him, honestly. But deep down? The fox thought it was cute.
"It's a good idea, Amy." He replied and smiled gently. "...I still want to run some checkups before leaving. —Knuckles?" Hands to his hips, he faced him. "Can I ask you to go outside and clear the terrain a bit?" A thumb back. "—I made quite the rough landing before."
The Red nodded and soon they both parted.
With their figures out of sight, and the door closed with a mechanical swish and click; Amy brought her attention back to Sonic.
He seemed... peaceful; all things considered.
Slightly curled up and breathing slowly, he looked... small, almost fragile. As something that needed to be protected.
'Hah.' Funny thing to say about a guy who had saved the universe three, four times already? She thought.
"You probably wouldn't want to hear that, huh?" She smiled a little. "Would you get mad...? —You'd at least look at me funny..."
Ahh...
If Amy had to be completely honest, she found easy to forget Sonic was a kid her age. After all, the girl had seen, first hand, what he was capable of. All his power, all his strength.
But looking at him right now, she was reminded again that Sonic the Hedgehog, great and mighty, Earth's legendary hero...! Was simply... one guy.
"—But like... in the best way possible."
Approaching, she took hold of her skirt and slowly sat near him on the stretcher.
Observing him attentively, she could note the burnt parts of his fur and the bruises across his body. All in all, he didn't look too bad; he was dirty, more than anything.
A long sigh escaped her still. Was this state her fault? Of course not. Even so, she couldn't help to feel guilty.
'I should've done more.'
'I should've been there.'
'I should've keep you safe.'
"Sorry..."
Gaze back to him, she tried to put on a smile. "Well—! I guess you're still on one piece...!! Hah... hopefully your parents won't get too mad at us... or you."
Blurring her vision, all the events of the last days recapped before her. —It sure had been one CRAZY week! Or was it two...? It was honestly hard to tell.
Everything happened so fast, yet almost painfully slow at the same time. And now...! All from the sudden, it was over!
She scoffed. "You were amazing out there, y'know? Like... you ARE amazing. Yeah, you know that already; you're the first to point it out at any given time, but... you are...!
...I really think so."
No response.
Sigh. "...He gave you a bad time, didn't he?"
The Metal complex had turned into a burning inferno. Falling apart, the Team had little time to reach the ship. But from it's flames and smoke the one who started it all rose again for one last dance. He wouldn't let go without the promised 1v1 they all feared inevitable.
Their leader had put on a truly spectacular performance. Deciding to stay behind so the others could escape, he kept his chrome counterpart busy the best he could. But alas —at the very end— once Metal was down, Sonic had gave a final bow of his own and dropped unconscious; giving in to the exhaustion.
The image remained vivid on her mind; the fear it caused within her, too. She had rushed to his side along the others, her breath cut short, her guts twisted.
Never before she had felt a bigger relief in life than when she saw the slow rise of his chest. Even now she kept seeking it, just to reassure herself.
Amy could've carried him herself, but Knuckles had beat her to it.
'Bummer.'
Under her skirt, her legs still trembled for all what she herself went through. But she could've done it! Of course she could have...!
The girl had grown more and more convinced she could do anything for Sonic... Was it something to be concerned about...?
Her frown had yet to leave his frame. The tranquility of his stance came almost mocking.
'What are you crying about!? —Two arms, two legs, not a scratch...! I'm completely fine, you SEE..!!' She could almost hear him say on that annoying, careless tone of his.
Her eyes rolled. "Of course you'd say that..."
Before she knew it, a smile had formed again on her muzzle. Amy couldn't help it. Something about his stupid little blue face made her happy, simple as that.
"Don't worry...! We'll get you home in the blink of an eye!
—You'll be sleeping in your cute funny race car bed in no time! And it will all be like it was just one big, weird dream...!!"
Sight set forward, hands to her sides as she balanced a bit. "Oh, but don't worry! I'll be RIGHT THERE to remind you it was all very real!" A pause.
"Very, very real..."
Talking softer, her head bowed down. Smile becoming timid and turning back to meet his face again.
Amy simply observed him for a moment. Taking in every detail of his features; a little blush tinted her own.
His quills and pointy ears, his short lashes and funny shaped —very boop-able— black nose. Even his fur, dirty as it was, remained a nice shade of his signature blue.
"...Gosh, you're pretty."
Silence cut by a sigh and a light chuckle. "Heh, is that a weird thing to say...? I hope not..."
A grin. Getting just a bit closer, she kept speaking. "Maybe not that word? You might prefer something like... handsome; or attractive...?" A hand waved up. "—Stunning?"
The corners of her mouth kept curving up. "What about just... hot." Ah. Hands to her face, legs kicking; her giggle filling the room.
She got closer, her face teasing.
"Or what aboooout..." She lifted a pinkie. "...breathtaking?~"
The guy's respiration was her only response. All honest, it was probably for the best. For her part at least...!
Head moved to the side again.
"Ahh... I don't even know what I'm TALKING ABOUT...!!" A single finger pointed back at him. "I blame YOU. It's your fault! —You make me DO and SAY the weirdest, most stupid stuff, I swear...!!"
Gaze to her lap. Her smile hadn't faded, but it became tender again. "Seriously! What have you done to me...?"
Silence. Through her lashes, her eyes moved back to him.
Was it rude to stare at the boy like that...? Amy suddenly wondered. I mean, she was already shamelessly installed right beside him. But like... was it?
Was she allowed to? Would he allow her...?
...Did she really care?
Sigh. "You have no idea, do you...? —I don't even know myself." Her voice returned; softer, somewhat insecure. "It's... weird, and you might think I'm crazy, but..."
Her eyes avoided him. "Do you think it was meant to be...? —Our encounter. I don't know why, but like, in that moment I just... knew it."
Amy faced him once more. "—That I could follow you to the end of the universe....
...and back."
.
.
.
'Now THAT'S a weird thing to say, innit!?'
Hah. She was caught surprised by her own words. What was she TALKING about!! —Oh NOW she was truly thankful the guy was beaten up, and not hearing a thing!!
Hands to her face, a soft sort of slap. "MAAAAN—! A grown up lady shouldn't fall this EASILY...!!!" She whined. "—I'm a failure! I'm cooked! It's ALL over for me now...!!" Slow yet exaggerated moves accompanied her over-dramatic speech.
"Why do I even keep speaking! It's your fault, YOU SEE...!? You have me FILLING the awkward silence with NONSENSE...!!" Arms out. "Why won't you stop me...!? Is this funny to you!? Do I entertain you!? —OH, I bet you're having a BLAST down there!!!"
SIGHHHHHHHH.
"Heh."
A grin back at him. An elbow to her leg, chin to her hand. "Yunno—? This would be the part where you reveal you've been awake the whole time, and I pretty much... DIE out of embarrassment...!!" She stared with a funny face.
A flinch. "You're not, right?" Eyes suddenly open wide and a little fear taking over her.
Stare.
Stare.
Stare.
A finger lift to poke him lightly. And then again, two more times. Just a little harder.
Did he move? —I think he did...? Maybe not.
"WELL...! If you are, and you're just pretending, to be nice...!" She backed up slightly, hands clasped over her skirt. "—I'd appreciate if you keep doing so...!"
Stare. No response.
Amy beamed. "There we go!! —WHAT A GUY! You see...!? That's why I like you...!"
Sigh. Mouth flattening.
"I ah..." Playing with her fingers, her head tilted and her tone came serious again. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say any of this if it wasn't true or I didn't wanted you to know...!
—Yes, it's unfair to do it like this; and one day I'll make sure to tell you directly, promise! This and... more."
Pause.
"Still. Right now I just... don't feel ready." She smiled a little. "Might go against your likings, but I don't want to rush... this." A flinch and a nervous chuckle. "AH. Wh-whatever this is, I mean...!!"
A smile, sincere. "No... I don't want to..."
Sight lifted, she met the door. Amy snapped her head upwards, mouth movements quick and almost hand puppet like. "...Aaaaaaand! If anyone else aboard is listening, I TOO would appreciate if they pretended they didn't!
—I clearly don't seem to mind that much...!? but I still like to believe I'm given some level of privacy when I'm pouring my heart out...!!"
A quick sequence of thuds and clanks echoed back to her, as if someone had tripped and dropped something metallic. She grinned.
"ARGH...!" A yelp. "I- I'm almost done with the checkups here!" It was Tails voice. "I'll let you know when we're taking off...!"
The girl could've scoffed. "Okay!~" She sang back; could simply never get mad at the little guy.
More movement. Knuckles was called, and the pink hedgehog heard him join Tails in the cabin. She could almost see them taking position on their seats and locking their belts. Planting her own feet sturdier on the ground, she prepared herself as well.
"We're out of here!!" Tails announced as the ship's engines began rumbling. They all felt that gravity pull of being lifted in the air followed by that floaty sort of emptiness in the stomach. Amy had instinctively reached to hold Sonic's shoulder.
There were no windows on the back room, but she could tell they were moving forward, higher and higher. Closing her eyes the girl could even make up the image of the burning, devastated scenery wich —not an hour ago— held their foe's base.
It was getting further and further away, becoming nothing but a black stain in the landscape; then a smaller one, smaller, smaller, until it became simply... a dot.
"We're jumping in a minute, hold on tight...!!" Tails spoke again. She nodded, even when he couldn't see her.
The whole aircraft began trembling. It's many pieces colliding and making weird noises; almost as if it would break apart at any minute. Her heart was pounding, but not out of fear; she trusted Tails and knew he would get all of them safe and sound.
As the shakes became more violent, Amy bent over Sonic. A hand to his head, the other close to his chest; covering him up the best she could with her own body, determined to keep him steady.
Her irises moved around as that familiar purple-ish light from their first trip began shining across all cracks and divisions of the metal, it was the Time Energy becoming present.
Only this time, it flickered and suddenly more colors showed up. Beams of rainbow light illuminated the room; she opened her eyes further. Was it that even in close proximity the other jewels reacted to the one they had connected to the ship?
It was quite the spectacle. A sea of bright tints danced in hypnotic patterns; melting and mixing with one another, glowing in the light show of a lifetime. Even so, her gaze fell once more on the single individual missing it. The colorful sparkles painted his face, and traced his silhouette.
Amy smiled. "Heh, something tells me this trip is gonna be much shorter...!"
As she held onto him, she began humming the 'Back to the Future' main theme, or at least the best she could recall it. Sonic had done it about a hundred times their first jump. 'On his honor!' She thought.
It was cut short by one final violent jump, she leaned closer and held him tighter before the ship finally stabilized.
Lights faded and her head lifted slightly. She could tell they were now just floating on the black void between time and space, just as the first time. Just then the girl sit up again, yet her hands remained over him.
"Everything good back there...!?" Tails spoke.
"Yeah!" She was quick to answer. "—Sleeping beauty here hasn't moved an inch!"
The fox snorted. "It should be all smooth from here. —Are you staying there?"
Standing up at last, she gave Sonic a look before facing the door. "Nah, It's okay...!! He needs to take some rest. I'll give him room." Hands to her hips. "I... think I'll just go to my seat!"
"Do as you please...!" She knew he was smiling.
Eyeing the shelves on the sides, Amy spoke again. "I believe there's still stuff in here....! I can probably come up with some quick snacks, I bet you boys are hungry!"
"Oh right!"
"YE-HEAH!" They cheered.
Amy giggled and walked over. For a moment inspected what was available. "tsk-tsk-tsk-tsk-tsk..."
"—Yeah, this will do!" Picking some crackers, peanut butter, bananas and... grapes. She simply put one and two together, banana slice on top.
As she worked she hummed. "Bah, bah, bayah... bayah...!~"
Had Sonic said anything? Not really. Still she eyed him. "Don't worry, I'll save you some...! I know you wouldn't forgive me if i didn't!"
No response.
"Come on, hedgehog! Give me SOMETHING!" She arched her arms down, tone playful. "—BOY, I can't get used to you being this still and quiet...!! It doesn't suit you at ALL, Mister Gotta Go Fast...!!" Giggle.
A sigh and a smile; and back to work. Plates clicked.
"At least I hope you wake up once we get there! You'd hate to miss the big 'WELCOME BACK' party! —We couldn't possibly do it without you...!"
She opened another bag of crackers. "And don't worry, I'll stay a little...!" Head tilted. "We'll have that STUPID movie marathon you can't shut up about!! —And choose whatever! I don't even CARE anymore...!!"
Her smile grew. "Wanna make me watch all FIVE HUNDRED 'Fast and Furious' movies...!?? Well, DO." She chuckled. "I'll humor you!! You've earned it...!!"
Silence. Amy was looking at him again, her teasing look had softened, gaze becoming sweeter by the second. It couldn't be helped.
Snap. "Okay! Okay! I'll shut up, I'll leave!" Hands up. "Don't be like that! I get it...!! —GEEZ!"
The made up snack tray was almost full at that point. —The grapes I mentioned? She simply washed them and put them in a separate plate.
Pause. Was it time to leave already? Was it bad if she wanted to stay just a little longer...?
'Actually, I think I'll stay.' No, she couldn't just say that...
She could come up with an excuse, maybe...? I don't think either Tails or Knuckles would care. They wouldn't even say a thing...!
'I won't stay.'
Doubt. She hadn't move. Her head was tweaking slightly, yet wouldn't turn all around yet.
What is it, Pink?
What are you thinking about? Is there something else you want to say...?
Well, speak! He can't hear you, you know? And even so, either could pretend it never happened. You could ask him to do that...
Okay, I guess the other two are listening (the ship has proven to have outstanding acoustics, sheesh!), but if you talk low enough they won't!
... Isn't that why you're hesitating?
Before realizing, she had walked over again. An almost frightening silence abruptly surrounded her and the boy in front; as if everything else in the world had vanished. "I just, ah..."
Deep breath. "Thank you; for everything. I'll make sure to tell you again when you're awake but, I wanted to say it." She moved her head around. "It has been quite the ride and— Well! Not everything was fine and dandy, I'm still a little shaky, my neck still hurts but, am..." She was even avoiding his face.
Girl, the guy is not even LOOKING! —He can't stop you! He won't say a thing! Whatever it is, just SPIT IT OUT!
She smiled, as if she had actually listened to me. "I guess that... what I wanted to say is..." Her gaze met his closed eyelids, turning tender once more. "I'm glad I met you." The silence remained, but it didn't scare her anymore; the world had yet to show up again, though.
Did she noticed how close she had gotten? Cause let me tell you; she was close, very close. And she wouldn't stop! As if something she had no control of had taken over her. Was it her own heart?
Leaning over him, she dared to lift a hand to gently stroke his quills. Grabbing her own now, she held her breath and slowly dove forward; aiming for his forehead, she then just did it. Before any rational thought could reach her, she had done it.
Amy had graced Sonic with the sweetest, most sincere little kiss.
It made a 'click' sound. So soft and subtle she was sure, for once, only he and she could have possibly heard it.
He smelled like ashes and dirt, and his fur tasted all the same. But she didn't care.
Still holding to the sides of her face, a endearing smile remained on it. "...You need a bath." Okay maybe she cared just a little.
Standing up, she kept staring at him as she let out a gentle laugh again. "Well—! I guess we all do...!"
Glancing down, she contemplated her own poor state. —Golly! Her precious red dress had seen better days. The lovely pink of her fur had lost it's brightness and now looked closer to a dull mauve. Her quills were probably one big mess too...!!
—Oh well...!
Hands up. "Okay, I'll leave now! For real!" 180° spin, she took the plates and head to the door. "—And I won't be coming back. So you better behave! No falling off, you hear me...!?"
One last, gentle look. He hadn't moved still.
"...Rest well, Sonic."
Stepping into the hallway, her appearance became immediately celebrated by her teammates. Their cheers echoed throughout the ship, and got just partially muted by the back room door, now closed.
We stay on said room as the camera pans back to the hedgehog.
...And it slowly begins to zoom to his face.
What'cha say, is he gonna open his eyes?
Should I do it? Wouldn't it be cliche? Am I gonna be that guy?
Boy, oh boy! It's still zooming! I think is gonna happen! Oh, ho-hoo! Should I cut it here!? Should I leave it out for interpretation...!?
Oh, that's tempting, I might do it...!
It keeps zooming! Is very close now!!
Ahhh...
Yeah.
I think I'm gonna cut it.
Ahh... I guess we're reaching the end of the-
NAAAAH...!! I'm kidding! I'm kidding!
Keep reading!
Sonic opens his eyes.
Is a simple action; a small and smooth, almost undetectable movement, but it seems as if it had brought him back to life entirely.
He just stares ahead; not looking at anything, really. Speechless by all he had managed to hear on that short time, he debated what part of it he had just imagined. Cause he was sure at least SOME of it HAD to be!!
Not even on his mind he found the will power to respond any of the girl's words. Nor her silly remarks or half-jokes, nor her butchered take of the 'Back to the Future' theme. —Heck! Not even her compliments...!!
Glancing down and shifting slightly, ignoring the little pain it caused, and the MUCH more concerning pounding tickle on his forehead. He brought himself to answer, just for himself to hear at least, to a single thing she said.
"...I'm glad I met you, too."