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“No.”
The response was delivered like a punch rather than a reply. It was quick, calculated, and struck the gut of the recipient with the intent to shut down any retort. Said recipient stared ahead for a short while before shaking their head and insisting once more.
“Camelot is safe, Lancelot. The corrupt king vanquished. Allow yourself a mere moment to make merry with the rest of us!”
A firm shake of Lancelot’s head accompanied another short, “no.” He continued to remove his armor, sliding the plated helmet from his dark quills. Sir Percival stood her ground, crossing her arms over her chest.
The sounds of merriment from the square drifted into the corridors of their barracks. Since Sonic’s victory over Merlina, the kingdom had declared a weeklong festival to celebrate their brave hero before he was to return to his own world. The knights of the realm were still on high alert–Lancelot more so than the others–but they had all agreed that their presence at the festivities would discourage trouble. The ebony hedgehog entertained the idea for half a second before changing his mind altogether. He was not going to allow such frivolities to disrupt his duties.
Percival dropped her arms to her sides in frustration. “Even that blasted sword has relented to allow us this celebration,” she pleaded. “You do not mean to tell me an animated bit of metal is less uptight than yourself; do you, comrade?”
Lancelot’s left ear twitched at the comparison to Caliburn. His thumb ran along the smooth edge of the helmet before placing it gingerly in its rightful place near his made up cot. He nodded with approval at the neat display. A place for everything and everything in its place, he thought to himself. A hint of a smile began to dance at the corner of his lips as his companion let out an exasperated sigh.
“Perhaps that is exactly the case...” Percival contorted her face at Lancelot’s prideful stance in front of his displayed armor. Her body leaned against the doorway as she searched for any other reason to drag the stubborn hedgehog out. Suddenly, she perked up. “The Hero King may be in attendance.”
Lancelot froze in place, his small smirk dropping from his face as his cheeks burned red. He cleared his throat, “is that meant to change my mind, Sir Percival? Surely you must not think me so simple.”
“Simple? No, my dear friend. Boring? Yes. But simple? Do not wound me so.” Percival placed a hand over her heart in a dramatic display. A devious grin fought its way onto her face as Lancelot’s ear twitched once more.
He let out a sigh as his body relaxed some. Turning around to face his counterpart, he took a few steps to close the distance between them.
Percival dropped her hand and stood to face Lancelot, allowing her lips to pull back fully into a knowing smile. “Someone should be around to... assist him, if need be.”
An annoyed scoff escaped the dark hedgehog, “assist the hero who saved us all? Percival, it is too late in the evening for your jests.”
“I do not jest. You are the most skilled and surely the most perceptive of us all.”
Lancelot sucked in a sharp breath as he searched Percival’s expression.
Letting out a small chuckle, her fist made contact with Lancelot’s shoulder playfully. “Put your hyper awareness to good use, friend. I’m sure even after a tankard or two, your steel nerves would not suffer.”
“You did not mention drinking before, Percival.”
She swatted away his retort with her hand. “Spare me your grumblings, it’s a celebration after all!” Percival paused a moment, raising an eyebrow. “You’ll come, then?”
Lancelot stood in silence as he steadied his gaze with Percival’s. After a long moment, he finally relented and reached for his sword.
༺𓆩༒︎𓆪༻
The crowded streets were full of life for the first time in many a fortnight. Lancelot traveled alongside the other knights through the square. Even with its rejuvenated energy and splendor, he disregarded it all in pursuit of his mission. His companions stared in awe at the floral garlands that decorated the streets’ archways.
Sir Gawain sniffed the air hungrily. “I haven’t had festival food in months.” He inhaled deeply, taking in the different smells of food wafting through the streets, “do you think they’ll have turkey legs?”
His inquiry went unanswered as Lancelot scanned the crowds. Percival matched his stride as she directed her gaze where her companion’s was.
“You do not think Caliburn would allow the King to wander off, do you?” His pace quickened as they weaved through the streets. Percival struggled to keep pace as the crowd pushed against them.
Percival guffawed, “you are a fool to believe Caliburn could disallow the King from doing as he pleases.”
Lancelot grumbled unintelligently in response, his fingertips twitching above his holstered blade. “I do not remember Camelot being so... populated.” He sidestepped around a group of children that ran past them. In their hands were dragons crafted out of paper whose wings flapped gracefully in the air as the children picked up speed.
Percival smiled warmly after them. “You forget yourself and what we swore to protect, my friend. You are far too ornery given the current state of your surroundings. Is this not a joyous occasion?”
“Joyous, indeed...” The hedgehog grumbled as they drew nearer to the castle. Their group came to a stop near the neighboring stables that housed their destriers when Sir Galahad stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Lancelot’s shoulder. The hedgehog instinctively began to shrug it off, but was quickly stopped by Galahad’s grip tightening in protest.
“Compose yourself, my friend. Let us not get in the way of you accompanying our King.” Galahad gave his companion’s shoulder one more squeeze before releasing it. “We will be near the food stalls. I fear Gawain will pounce on our steads if we do not sate his appetite soon.” He motioned toward the echidna whose sniffing had escalated to drooling during their walk.
Lancelot looked to Percival for a moment before nodding silently, “I will find you shortly.” He turned to make his way up to the castle before calling over his shoulder, “I will give the Lady of the Lake your regards, Sir Percival.”
The blush on his companion’s cheek confirmed Lancelot’s suspicions of her fondness for Lady Nimue. He gave her a mischievous grin and as Lancelot continued on his way, playful jabs at Percival’s expense could be heard behind him.
༺𓆩༒︎𓆪༻
“You incessant knave!” Caliburn’s exasperation was limitless as it addressed its counterpart. The blade hovered in the side of the room opposite Sonic, fidgeting from side to side impatiently.
“I ain’t a knave anymore! Or did you forget the title you so generously gave me after saving your butt?” Sonic chomped down into the side of the apple in his hand as he shot the blade a cocky grin.
Caliburn’s face contorted at the display of juices running messily down the hedgehog’s chin. “No, unfortunately, I did not forget. I am also quite aware of how big that’s made your head. Alas...” It steadied its hovering as it let out a sigh. “You are the chosen one, nonetheless. As such, you must make an appearance to address the kingdom.”
Sonic tossed the half eaten apple over his shoulder before wiping at his chin with his gloved thumb. The persistent blade had bartered with him most of the evening to prepare a formal address to Camelot. No amount of insisting on its end would convince Sonic to do so. “Oh, I’ll make an appearance! ‘Chosen one’ or not though, it ain’t my style to make a speech.”
The pair’s bickering was cut short as the Lady of the Lake entered the room. She smiled patiently at the two of them before giving a polite bow toward Sonic. “I see the people of Camelot are not the only high spirited ones this evening.”
“Forgive us, Lady Nimue,” Caliburn tilted its hilt toward their visitor to imitate a bow. Sonic greeted her with an enthusiastic salute.
Nimue remained composed as she beckoned for them both to follow her. The pair obliged and their group made their way through the grand halls of the castle toward the large double doors leading outside. “Camelot owes you a great debt, sir knight. Offer a few words so that we may celebrate your triumph.”
The great doors opened before them, and the once muffled sounds of the festival were drowned out by cheers. Sonic stepped forward and shot his signature grin at the crowd formed in front of the castle steps. He waved at the people of Camelot as his companions followed closely behind him. Nimue and Caliburn corralled Sonic to the center of the top of the stairs in an effort to encourage the spunky hero to speak.
Nimue placed a hand on Sonic’s arm. “It’s time.”
He looked out at the crowd as it was silenced by the Lady of the Lake’s raised hand. With little other choice, he searched his mind for something to say. He chuckled under his breath. “Camelot!” He began, his voice loud and confident. “It’s been a blast and I am glad I could help.”
His counterparts waited with bated breath on what Sonic could possibly say next, his address already too informal for their particular liking.
“Now... Let’s party!”
༺𓆩༒︎𓆪༻
Lancelot stood with his arms crossed as he scanned the cheering crowd. He looked toward the source of their excitement and let out a sigh of relief. Immediately, his search was over as his ruby eyes settled on the cobalt hedgehog standing at the top of the castle steps. Unsurprisingly, Sonic was accompanied by the Blade of Legend and the Lady of the Lake as the king addressed Camelot. It was much shorter than any speech Lancelot had bore witness to and was over just as quickly as it had begun. As the crowd resumed their festivities, Lancelot began his ascent up the steps.
“My king.” He bowed reverently before Sonic, holding himself there for a moment before hearing the king’s laugh.
“Lance! Nice to see ya again, bud!”
Caliburn scoffed. “What a disgraceful way to address a knight...” The blade continued its grumblings as it approached Lancelot. “Apologies on behalf of the king. He forgets himself.”
The dark hedgehog rose once more to meet Sonic’s gaze as he answered the blade. “I believe the King knows himself well enough.” The king leveled his stare, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Lancelot cleared his throat, “I am here to accompany him to the festival.”
Sonic scoffed with twice the amount of disapproval as Caliburn had expressed before. “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need a babysitter.”
Caliburn interjected, “while I strongly disagree to that particular notion, I believe having an escort is more than reasonable. The rest of the knights have taken to enjoying the celebration and we don’t know what mischief could be brewing.”
Lancelot placed his fist over his chest, “I vow to not interfere with your enjoyment of the festival, my king.”
Sonic tapped his foot impatiently before letting out a long sigh of exasperation, “fine. FINE. But I am going to need two... no, SIX chili dogs and a race around the kingdom.”
“As you wish, my king.” Lancelot bowed his head in agreement despite his confusion about Sonic’s request. What in the world is a chili dog? He and Sonic began down the stairs before the knight paused and turned to Lady Nimue. “Forgive me, my lady, I almost forgot. Sir Percival sends her highest regards and the small hope to see you during the celebration as well.” He bowed once more and continued toward the square.
Nimue’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she bid the pair farewell. After a moment of silent deliberation, she turned to Caliburn. “I think I will go and find the knights to give them my own personal thanks.”
Caliburn gave her a knowing look as she followed after the king and his escort. It called after her, “give Sir Percival my regards.”
༺𓆩༒︎𓆪༻
As Sonic and Lancelot waded through the streets of Camelot, the people around them stood in amazement. Most bowed as they walked past and their gesture was met with a dismissive and somewhat uncomfortable wave from Sonic. He flashed a half hearted smile at the crowd that parted to allow them unhindered passage. Lancelot kept his eyes forward as his heart raced from his close proximity to the king.
“So...” Sonic cleared his throat as his smile faltered. “Which way is the chili dog stand?”
His guide continued forward. “It is nearly summer, your grace. I do not believe any of the dogs would find themselves to be cold, nor would they have a stand for such a thing.”
A slapping sound caught Lancelot’s attention as he turned to find the king’s face in one of his hands. “That’s not... you know what, let’s just get out of here. I’m not a fan of being gawked at.” Sonic positioned himself to run as he turned to look at the knight. “ReadysetGO!”
Before Lancelot could comprehend the king’s words, he was a blue blur nearly a mile in front of him. He panicked as he bolted toward Sonic, causing a round of gasps from the crowd as they barreled their way past town.
Within minutes, the pair slowed to a stop as they reached the Deep Woods. The king leaned against a tree and laughed aloud at the shock on Lancelot’s face. “I’m surprised you kept up with me!” He wiped at his nose thoughtfully before joining the knight’s side in the middle of the path.
Lancelot took in the scenery around them. “This is where we met.”
Sonic looked around for a moment before confirming the knight’s statement. “Yeah, I guess it is, huh?” He turned his attention to Lancelot, letting his gaze rest upon his companion’s face. Sonic had already drawn many comparisons between his friends back home and their lookalikes here; each counterpart too similar to the other and it made him long for home.
Lancelot, however, was much less crass than his counterpart, Shadow. Something about him drew the blue blur in. His hardened features were scarred from past battles; a scar adorned his highlighted brow and tanned cheek. A bit of his ear was cut, leaving a triangular slit near the tip. More than that, the way he spoke to Sonic made his heart flutter in his chest. Lancelot was the very essence of a king’s knight. He was loyal, protective, and dutiful, and although these features made for a poor party companion, it made Sonic admire him even more.
“My king?”
The knight’s address snapped Sonic back to reality and he shook his head to break the eye contact that had been made between them. His cheeks flushed a deep red before he leaned against a nearby tree once more. The wandering thought of how long they had stared at each other haunted him.
The combined acknowledgment of Sonic’s flustered state and something in Lancelot drove him to be more bold than he ever would dare to be normally. He inhaled sharply before he blurted, “I admire you a great deal, your grace.” He swallowed thickly as the fluttering in his stomach threatened to shut him up. Another great swallow and he continued, “I am aware you are bound for home soon... Much sooner than I–or anyone–might like.”
Sonic fiddled with a piece of moss he had taken from the trunk he had acquainted himself with. “You guys will be alright!” His heart thumped loudly in his chest, ringing in his ears as it attempted to drown out any reasonable thought. The stringy green bits of moss crumpled between his persistent fingers. Something in him pleaded for Lancelot to continue, but to also stop as he fought within himself. His heart was bound to leap from his chest if this kept up.
“I am not one for festivals myself, but I do enjoy some parts of it...” Lancelot tried to silence the incessant inner voice that threatened to die of embarrassment as he searched for the words to make his request. “I’m particularly fond of dancing.” Idiot, idiot, idiot. You put the court’s jester to shame! He cleared his throat.
An awkward pause fell between them as they both fought back their own pride.
“I didn’t take you as one to like dancing,” Sonic managed. The moss was nothing but dust in his palm.
“Might I ask for your hand?”
Sonic whipped around to face the outstretched hand of his companion. Lancelot could not bear to look the king in the eye as his tanned muzzle was four shades deeper than it naturally was.
“Ask for my hand?”
Lancelot jumped, “to dance! J-just to dance! Might I ask for your hand... to dance. With me.”
The hero king chuckled, which only made the knight’s muzzle grow darker. Sonic obliged him, taking pity on the flustered hedgehog before him. “Sure. Why not.” The butterflies in his stomach soared.
The pair took their places with one set of hands clasped together while the other found their partner’s shoulder. Lancelot looked past the king’s quills as he began to count his steps. 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1, 2...
“What about music?” A half cocked smile rested on Sonic’s lips.
Lancelot’s steps stuttered as he blinked rapidly. He had not even considered that they were dancing in silence in the middle of the woods. His head nodded slowly as he racked his brain for a suitable tune. The knight began to hum quietly. Each note was enunciated by his mental counting; each “1” was louder than the following numbers and only varied slightly in pitch after a few of the same became too obviously repetitive. The only tune that had come to mind was a marching cadence that had been sung to his troop when he was a young squire. It made for a useful song to count steps by.
Sonic’s own steps fell into place as he listened intently to the low hums from Lancelot. His fingers grew more confident as they tapped along the knight’s shoulder in time with the song.
“This is nice.”
The knight made no answer as he continued his humming.
Sonic let out a soft laugh, “are we just not going to talk, then?”
Lancelot’s humming was replaced by the sound of a soft growl. Sonic was tickled to know he had broken through the knight’s composed exterior. “You’re breaking my concentration, my king. You request music and then demand conversation. Which is it that you want?”
The ebony hedgehog’s frustration was enough for Sonic to break. He threw his head back, allowing his chest and stomach to heave with each loud laugh that rang out through the trees. Lancelot stared at his dancing partner with shock and then amusement as he moved the hand he had on Sonic’s shoulder to his slender waist. The gesture silenced the king altogether as he attempted to compose himself.
A deep red burned Sonic’s cheeks as he gazed into Lancelot’s eyes. Time stood still as they took in the sight of the other. Lancelot imprinted each detail to memory; the smell of the earth beneath their feet, the cool breeze that carried the floral scent of a far-away flower field, the feeling of the king’s hand in his, the short fur on Sonic’s waist that had gone unkept, and the flicks of gold hidden within the king’s emerald eyes. Their joined hands drifted downward to their sides as Lancelot pondered his affection toward Sonic.
The king let his eyes wander to the knight’s lips and before he could bring himself out of this moment, he took the risk to kiss them.
Lancelot broke away from the kiss just as the taste of Sonic’s lips registered on his tongue. I forget myself. He removed his hand from Sonic’s waist and placed a contemplative finger along his bottom lip. The shock of the sudden break caused the color in the king’s face to drain.
Sonic quickly pulled his hand out of Lancelot’s. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know where that came from. I–”
Lancelot’s thoughts raced. I forget myself. I forget my place. I forget my duties. The king continued his nervous ramblings as he began to turn away from the knight. He was going to run.
“You are a fool to believe Caliburn could disallow the King from doing as he pleases.”
“Apologies on behalf of the king. He forgets himself.”
“I believe the King knows himself well enough...”
Just as Sonic prepared to bolt, the knight caught his wrist before he had a chance to leave. Sonic looked at him, his eyes pleading for Lancelot to do something.
To let him go. To forget all that had happened. To kiss him again.
Lancelot pulled the king into an embrace as their lips collided. The voice that would advise him to contain himself was muffled by their shared warmth and passion. Each flick of their tongues against the other’s was a display of devotion. Each gasp marked the days their shared admiration for the other went ignored. Their hearts sang in unison as the climax of their kiss came to a close.
They pulled away after what felt like an eternity being joined together. Lancelot had always taken pride in remaining composed in the most stressful situations, but in this moment found composure beyond his reach. Sonic eyed him for a short while before chuckling.
“For what it’s worth,” he began, wiping at his bottom lip with a great deal of reluctance. “I’m going to miss you.”
༺𓆩༒︎𓆪༻
The festival had lasted many days past what was originally planned and Sonic had used it as an excuse to delay his departure. Lancelot had insisted on being assigned to the king’s side. The stolen kisses between them were taken liberally, each one lingering longer than the last. The knight was determined to set aside his pride to savor them. It was his way to cope with the king’s inevitable absence.
As the moon hung over Camelot on Sonic’s last day, Lancelot took his hand and placed a gentle peck along his knuckles. The king inhaled a deep breath as he gave the knight a gentle look. “I think y’all will be alright. They have you.”
Lancelot’s lips lingered over Sonic’s hand. “Yes. But, who will I have, my king?”
Sonic caressed the knight’s cheek. “Me. You’ll always have me.”