Sonic raced up the steps of the Master Emerald's shrine and sunk down into a cross legged position opposite Knuckles, who was staring at him with great irritation.

"Haven't I seen enough of you recently?" Even though the echidna knew that it was simply a part of Sonic's morning ritual to stop by Angel Island he never gave up on putting up a fight about it.

"Aww don't be like that Knucks! You know you like my company, so the more Sonic the better right!" The blue hero rocked back and forth in pure joy, if he was ever to compile a list of his hobbies, then teasing Knuckles would certainly sit at number one.

"I was hoping that your little visit last night would've earned me a free morning."

"Yet here I am!"

"…Indeed." Knuckles suppressed his rage, his eyebrow twitched with the strain. "You know, you're lucky I didn't tell her all about the real reasons behind your outing."

"Pfft, yeah. You did a better job than Tails! He almost blew everything!" Sonic hadn't registered that Knuckles was making a threat, not a statement.

Knuckle s' frown turned into a toothy grin, he loved teasing Sonic as much as Sonic loved teasing him. "So, why don't you just tell her you looove her?" He leaned towards Sonic with a mocking tone, the hedgehog leaned as far back as he could and started to blush and frown.

"I don't love her! I barely know her!" He bit back.

"Oh c'mon, Rouge tells me everything! You love her!"

"Ohhh that's nice! A couple of gal pals and their gossip!" Sonic sniggered and Knuckles snarled at him. "…She is pretty cool though, am I right!" The conversation had finally levelled to its serious talk. It was like this every morning, once the banter was out of the way, the two friends would share their thoughts- well the manly ones anyway.

Knuckles let out a deep breath. "Yes, I suppose she's decent enough. Not like that Tiara character."

"Oh you know you like her more than that; you loved all that attention last night! I bet it makes a nice change having someone who actually asks for one of your longwinded stories!" Sonic joked.

"I love how you're not bothered by the fact your date was much more interested in me the whole evening." Knuckles said with his sharp grin, the banter was too plentiful to ignore this morning. He sighed "But did she find last night helpful at all?"

"Yeah, everything's cool Knucks, thanks."

"…Isn't she a bit, well, quiet for you though? I mean, I had to strain my ears just to hear the girl!"

"You have no ears. Of course she's quiet to you." Knuckles responded with an annoyed growl which told Sonic to get serious. "I don't know Knuckles; as shy as she is, when I look into those eyes, all I can see is this bright little fire. It's so subtle, but it drives her, I can tell." Sonic's eyes were glazed over as he spoke, he thought back to the day he first saw her, and about her little list.

"Have you said that to her?"

"Why? Have I moved you Knuckles!" Sonic said dramatically before a swift punch sent him sprawling to the floor.

"Talk or leave hedgehog!" Sonic swore that Knuckles had gone a new shade of red, whether that was out of embarrassment or rage he did not know.

"No I haven't said that to her" Sonic cradled his cheek in his hand and answered in a childish tone "Seriously, how would you feel if someone who you think you've just met turns around and says you've been the centre of their world for like 3 months!"

"Creepy."

"Exactly." Sonic said with a swollen cheek and a large pout. He was suddenly feeling very embarrassed at this whole situation, he really did sound like some creep. "I better get some ice on this."

"See you tomorrow." Knuckles folded his arms and returned to his usual stony look as Sonic dashed off.