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Experiencing the near-end of the world thanks to a zombie robot goo, an intense celebration was highly expected.
Music blasted from every window, confetti and party poppers were launched from the floor, to the sky and smiles grew in size as the day went on.
Knuckles had never been ‘used to’ having stampedes of people reaching out to him; placing a thankful hand on his shoulder, tossing an arm around him and pulling him into practically their armpit while cries were shared into his ear. (Happy cries of course, but not less irritating.)
Of course he was grateful and was experiencing his own confused but appreciative emotions, but he was still in the middle of processing on ‘what on earth has been going on since I retired?!’
One minute he was napping on Angel Island and was rudely interupted, then the next he was fighting a ‘zombot’ version of Shadow, whilst having the contagious goo crawling up his arms and all over his body.
10/10 would not be recommended, in his opinion.
But during the aftermath, it was expected that a few people weren’t currently fond of being touched immediately after physical contact was one of the main attributes to the outbreak in the first place; Knuckles being one of those affected.
So while no-one was looking, Knuckles took the opportunity to dive out of view and make his way to one of the cafe balconies. Thankfully the manager of the place immediately recognised him and managed to oversee that the one balcony were to be left to Knuckles, and Knuckles alone.
ALONE.
‘Hey Knuckles!”
The shock of being spoken to almost made the echidna lose his footing; but he quickly regained himself, and then turned to the voice.
Amy Rose.
The hedgehog that took over his position after he left the Resistance; and had been a rock throughout the entire ordeal. Of survivors, of teammates, of friends.
All the things he should've been doing.
There she was, sitting on the balcony railing, swinging her legs back and forth without a care in the world; facing the echidna with a smile that was filled with an emotion; longing. It had been a while since the two had seen each other in circumstances that were not life or death.
“Amy, how did you get up here?”
The pink hedgehog pointed down, directing the echidna on where to look. There were a few stalls down below, as well as a drain pipe. One jumps onto the roof of one the stalls, then takes hold of the pipe and then shimmy their way up to the balcony.
Simple parkour move.
“Just because the world is at peace for a few months, it doesn't mean that all my lessons in parkour go to waste.” Giggling, Amy winked at the echidna, whose cheeks burned up and he begrudgingly let out a huff.
“Yeah for once. Until next week Eggman decides to try and blow up the planet again.”
Knuckles still couldn’t believe that the insufferable doctor had been mere minutes away from destroying life as it is.
A warm feeling suddenly placed itself on his shoulder, and Knuckles looked up to find Amy, who still had a warm smile on her face, had placed a reassuring hand.
“Then let's take the moment while we can.”
Knuckles, coming from the sudden shock of having her hand on his shoulder, slowly formed a smile. He placed his gloved hand on hers.
"...yeah."