a/n: Endlessly, a proving ground. Another project that I'll look after. Let's see how far we can make it fly. If you're tuning in, hopefully you enjoy the ride.

"Alright, I've got beef ravioli, black beans, and tomato paste. Mm...these noodles don't look too bad, either."

"..."

He leaned back in his chair and watched as she punctured the cans with a small knife, then pried them back like paper with one dainty finger. The remaining fluorescent light cast a dull glow over the combination kitchen and dining area. The white tiles were coming up from the ground and spotted with dirt.

A burst of heat came from the gas stove, and she hummed to herself as she set the pot down with its broken handle. She grabbed a paper towel and wet it under the tap before wiping down some of her surroundings.

"It's not exactly home, but it'll do." She turned her head to give him a smile, her green eyes still bright with happiness. The pink quills and soft fur that she had let grow out to a wavy length made her look grown up enough. Something like a Hollywood actress, even now with the small bits of dirt that crept in. Some of that styled hair liked to cross over her right eye, and she would brush it back gently or toss her head to make it shift.

The All-American beauty, Amy Rose.

He closed his eyes for a few moments and slightly moved the red scarf at his neck. Two golden rings with unreadable inscriptions were on his wrists, just underneath the cuffs of his blue and white gloves.

Amy wiped her hands on her rolled up jeans and pulled down her shirt on reflex. She frowned as she could see a bit of midriff showing. Did it shrink somehow?

She returned her attention to the stove and stirred the mishmash of ingredients. A few minutes passed with her humming quietly and occasionally stirring, until she felt that everything was ready.

"Here ya go~! One Amy Rose Mystery Meal, fresh off the stove!"

"Thanks, Rosie-o."

"You got it!"

He opened his eyes and saw the pot in front of him, resting on the table and burning the wood.

"Where's yours?"

"Mm?"

"Your plate."

"Nothing for me. It's fine."

He sighed and reached to pull her down by the waist into his lap. He stuck a gloved finger in her face. "Don't you do that."

"What?"

"That. It's not gonna make me happy, and it's bad for your health."

"You know you need your strength, Sonic."

"Ah, geez. Amy...what kind of husband doesn't take care of his wife?"

"Um..."

"A bad one. Ya ditz." He poked her on the nose, making her frown.

"Hey."

"Go ahead and eat with me."

"Fine. It's really okay?"

He nodded and she stood up to get another chair. He handed her the wooden spoon and she hesitantly ate from the hot pot.

"It'll be fine, Amy. We just have to get down to the next station and take it out. Then we can grab another bite."

"Okay. I'm sorry, I was just..."

"You don't need to apologize," he said with a tender smile. "You were just being you."

"Yeah. Thanks for looking after me, too," she added with her own smile, blushing.

"And that. You don't need to do that. That's my job."

She passed him the spoon as she finished eating. "Half should be okay?"

"More than fine. Muchos gracias, Chef." He quickly ate the mixture of beans, meat, and tomatoes. "You really are a magician, you know?"

"I try," Amy said modestly.

"I believe it."

She looked at the calendar on the wall nearby. Had it really been only a week? It seemed much longer.

"Well, I'm good. Let's mosey," Sonic said, flexing his strong legs as he stood up. "Gonna let that food settle..."

"Yeah. We'll start walking." Amy strode to the door, sneakers squeaking against the tiles. She opened the door and Sonic followed, adjusting his scarf.

Smoke wafted up from where the pot had burned itself into the table.

Sonic + Amy ~ A turning wheel of fate

Revolutionary Operation Type Zero: Kinetic Sky