Chapter 11: Comfort and Tempting Forbidden Love

Present Day:

"After we both escaped from the river, me and Chuck ran until we couldn't." Sonic let out a sigh, letting his emotions flow out. Everything he kept to himself for years, finally seeing the light after so long.

Sonic held a tight grip on the fabric of his cape, pulling the hood closer to his face almost in a weird comforting manner.

"Ever since then, I've been in hiding. But eventually King Andriet figured out I was the Winged Saber and he's been trying to kill me since."

Amy let it all soak in. Slowly everything that came out of Sonic's mouth, was being processed in and out her ears. There was so much information to take in from his story. So much…

The princess had a hard time finding the right words to say next. On one hand, she could just stay silent, but there was just too much to process. So much that just rushed out so fast. Even still, she understood it all and didn't even question it.

Amy can't say she couldn't believe what she heard. She actually was more upset with herself that she didn't realize her father had killed Athena. Not only that, but he didn't hesitate to kill Sonic's father either.

What happened to her father?

Amy remembered how happy her, and her parents were when she was a kid. It was rays of sunshine and just… blissful.

Yes, they had their fights. What parents didn't? But never in Amy's life did she even think her father would go to the extreme. Ever.

And for what? Power? That's so slimy and just… It just wasn't right to kill Athena for power. She meant more to the family than being the crown of the kingdom. She was a friend, wife, and a mother.

She was more of a mother to her people than anything. She would stick up for her country, like a mother would to her child. She was protective of her people and family. Especially of Amy.

But now, she's gone. Forever.

Amy looked at Sonic, who was searching the right words to say to the princess.

"I," Sonic started, "I wish… I could've done something. I let her die... It's my fault. It's all my fault."

Confusion was painted on the girl's face. How could he blame himself for what happened? None of this was his fault.

"Oh, Sonic…"

Amy pulled on the hooded hedgehog, forcing him into her embrace. This made Sonic jump and squirm a bit, but he relaxed feeling her touch and hold on him. It was actually quite comforting for him… It almost felt as warm as his parent's embrace…

That feeling was so distant that Sonic was surprised he even remembered what that felt like.

"Sonic, this is not your fault." She softly spoke to him.

"It is my fault…" Sonic argued, letting his eyes follow the floor. "If I was just faster… Maybe I could have-'"

"Stop that." Amy rubbed his back, running her hand through his quills. "I know how hard that must have been to say to me."

"But you should be the one who's upset. Your mother's dead because of your father…"

"I know, but my father also ruined your life. Not just mine… We both share a loss of some sort. I should have been more sensitive to your feelings and your past."

"Amy…" Sonic held her face up to his, rubbing her cheek as he held it still. "I should have been more honest… I think I'm more at fault."

"Who cares who's more at fault, Sonic. Either way, we both needed some type of closure." Amy rubbed his hands, smiling at him with teary eyes. "Thank you though."

"No, thank you."

Amy could feel the emotion behind his words. It broke her heart to hear him blame himself for something he couldn't control. She couldn't help but feel terrible for blaming him in the first place without knowing the full story.

"I should not have been so harsh to you in the beginning."

"You didn't know, Amy…"

"I know, but I apologize for that. It was wrong of me."

"Well, I apologize for not telling you sooner, but now you know."

"But it still doesn't make it right for you to kidnap me like you did." Amy let a blush escape to her cheeks. "But I'm glad you did."

"You're glad…?" Sonic raised his brow, clearly not understanding what her words meant. "You're glad someone kidnapped you?"

"No, Sonic," Amy looked to the side, embarrassed at her words. "I've felt… more connected with my mother through you. Through your memories and just… Does that make any sense?"

"Kind of, but I think it's more that she's shining through you, not myself." Sonic moved his hands to her own and moved them above her heart. "She's there and she's always been there. She's never left you, Amy."

Amy was speechless, but his words moved her. She almost felt her eyes water once again, but held it in, hoping Sonic wouldn't notice.

He noticed.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Amy couldn't help but smile. She had never thought of her mother still being with her. Sonic had such a beautiful and bright way of seeing things and this was no exception.

While Amy was still sad her mother was dead, she also felt his words were truth. Her mother may not be here physically, but Amy could definitely say that her mother was with her in her heart.

"I don't remember much of your father, but I know if he saw you now, he'd be very proud." Amy told him.

Sonic eyes became distant and clouded. At that moment Amy suddenly panicked, worrying she said something she shouldn't have.

"Ah- I'm so sorry, I didn't-'"

"No, no…" Sonic let a small smile blow away the storm in his eyes. "I… I needed to hear that, Amy."

"You're not mad?"

"No," Sonic said quietly, his voice nearly cracking. "I just haven't spoke of my parents in five years…"

Amy felt her heart ache once more. She didn't like seeing him so upset. She wasn't sure why, but it just broke her heart seeing him so… Well, broken.

Actually, she's been getting a lot of weird feelings since she started warming up to Sonic. Feelings she can't really explain, but every time she was near Sonic, her heart and mind would feel peaceful.

How strange.

"I need you to promise that you'll hold my hand whenever I'm scared." Amy quickly spoke.

"Uh, okay..." Sonic kind of brushed off what she said to him, not thinking much of what she had requested.

Amy quickly grabbed Sonic's hand, squeezing it lightly.

Sonic was taken aback by her sudden gesture, but more baffled on what her reasoning for gripping his hand so suddenly.

"What are you scared of?" Sonic asked her.

"I'm scared if I let your hand go, you'll disappear like my mother."

"What..?"

"Sonic, if you fight my father, he'll kill you…"

"Amy, someone needs to put an end to this and it needs to be me." Sonic eyes became distant again, holding a fire of fury in them. They only seemed to shimmer down once Amy grabbed his attention back to her.

"Sonic?"

The blue hedgehog looked back to her, "I want you to fight by my side, but I don't want you to get more hurt than you already are."

"And I don't want you to get hurt either, Sonic."

"I won't."

"How do you know that?" Amy asked, letting her eyes plead into his.

"Because I'm Sonic The Hedgehog and I can do anything I put my mind to."

Well he was confident, Amy could give him that at least.

"Besides," He continued, "I'll do anything for you, even if it means putting my life before yours."

Amy felt her cheeks heat up, feeling her heart starting to skip a few beats at his words. Something as simple as that made Amy gush out like she was.

She was too easy sometimes.

Amy saw Sonic start to lean himself more toward her lips. She felt her heart beat against her chest and her hands shake, but she somehow relaxed her body.

Something inside her was begging her to just give him a soft kiss, but her nerves were also fighting her. Amy pushed those nerves aside seeing Sonic's eyelids half closed, gazing into her own almost in a flirtatious manner.

It nearly made her melt like wax on a candle.

Don't be chicken, Amy Rose. She spoke to herself. Just kiss him already! He's practically begging for permission at this point.

Amy got so lost in his eyes and felt herself lean in as well. She forced herself to move closer and closer to him. Their lips were but only a breath away from contact. She could hear his slow breath and feel the warmth coming from his body.

But nothing came.

Amy saw Sonic's eyes shrink and suddenly jolt back into his chair. He nearly made the whole chair go tumbling down. He looked like a deer in the headlights.

She blinked at few times, bewildered by his actions. First he wants to kiss her, then suddenly he jumps back like she was the Black Plague.

What was up with him?

"Sonic, are you…?"

"Fine!" Sonic's voice shook as he spoke, feeling his wind pipes go higher in pitch. "Just-fine-why-wouldn't-I-be-fine? Is-it-hot-in-here...?"

"Sonic."

"Yes?"

"Sonic, it's okay." Amy reached for his hand, which shook in hers when she held onto it. It was like he just came out of a snow storm.

Sonic knew what he was doing was wrong… Or was it? The blue hedgehog knew that falling for the princess was a fool's move. Especially when Shadow had basically threatened him days before not to.

Sonic was so unsure why his actions and body kept doing these weird things to him. He didn't like Amy. There was no way he liked her… I mean, he couldn't, right?

She was the princess and he was an outlaw. It's not like he even stood a chance.

Heck, a dead body had more of a chance of marriage than he did.

Sonic knew he felt something for her, but was unsure what it was exactly. His plan all along here was to get her to his side and dethrone the King, not fall in love with her.

No, that was never his intention.

So, why was he feeling this way then?

Sonic thought hard for a second, then he remembered how different he felt around her: Sonic felt like he could be himself. With everyone else he knew, he felt like he had to put on a mask. Pretend he was brave all the time and always positive. This was especially true to the people of his village and even his little brother, Tails. Sonic felt like he could be more than just positive around her.

He also felt like he could share his secrets and desires with her. His trust in her was stronger than anyone else he knew. Amy had such a way of not judging a book by its cover, and she did such a good job with that towards Sonic. It just felt so right.

Sonic did notice, after spending so much time with her, that he just liked her presence. No, he loved her presence. Having her around was like having the warmth of the sun beside you.

Whenever Sonic left her side, even during a fight, he felt lonely and like he was missing something. But when he was right back by her side, that feeling was gone and his heart felt at peace.

Could this be…Love?

No, it couldn't be that, or, maybe it is.

Sonic wasn't entirely sure, but he was starting to feel more and more convinced that he, Sonic The Hedgehog, was falling in love with this girl.

This wasn't good.

Sonic moved his hands from Amy's, seeing her eyes look hurt from his rejection.

"Sonic…"

"Uh," Sonic searched for anything to get him out of the situation. Anything. "Amy, I gotta- gotta go!"

With that, Sonic ran straight out the door of the tavern, leaving Amy by herself with only the fire to keep her company.

Sonic let his feet come to a complete halt after he made some distance from the tavern.

He felt his heart race faster than himself. Eventually, it slowed to a normal speed. Sonic took a deep breath and cursed at the sky as he held his fist up.

"Good going, Sonic!" He ridiculed himself. "You slipped up, again!"

"I thought I told you to stop pursuing her."

Sonic jumped back, seeing the black hedgehog's back against the tree. He had his eyes firmly on Sonic's, not losing eye contact even slightly.

"Gez, you scared me, Shad."

"I told you to stop pursuing the princess." Shadow repeated, but putting more anger in his words.

"Shadow, believe me, I'm not trying to."

"Really?" Shadow asked, not sounding convinced at all. "Seems to me that you wanted to kiss her back there."

"So, you were watching me…"

"Not all of it, but I saw you jump back before you did kiss her."

"But I didn't."

"You almost did."

"Shadow, I'm not falling for her."

"Are you saying that to me or yourself?"

That hit harder than Sonic would have wanted it to.

"Sonic, I'm warning you: stay away from her heart."

"I get the message. Alright?" Sonic pulled his hood closer to his face, huffing as he kicked the dirt.

Sonic felt his heart suddenly ache. The same feeling he's been getting whenever he left Amy's side. That hard and distant feeling...

He hated it, but now he knew why. As much as he did not want to admit it: Sonic knew he was falling for Amy and falling hard.

For a hedgehog who's kept his heart distant for years, he sure was letting someone open those doors quite easily.

What is wrong with me?

ANDDDD THERE'S CHAPTER 11!

I nearly didn't get this done. I've been so busy this semester with college and I can't even tell y'all how much homework I have right now.

I just love reading everyone's comments after I write a chapter XD I wish I could just hug all of you lovely people. And hey, thought it would be fun to announce that this story already has over 3,000 views. Again, y'all are amazing.

Next Thursday Chapter 12 will be posted.

~Anyway, Thanks for reading and reviews are GREATLY appreciated! ;-)