Guardian Angels

by KatherineTheMoth

After saving the Sol Dimension from being taking over by Battra, Kathy the Moth teleported him and herself to Sonic's dimension where she will stay there as her new home dimension and protect it from Battra and from other evil forces. By Battra's meddling, Kathy had crash-landed on Angel Island and was found by Knuckles. But little did he realize that he had found Mothra herself.

7. Angel and(pt 2)

Guardian Angels

S1:E6: Angel And...(Pt. 2)

Kathy and Knuckles soon walked downstairs and had stood in the kitchen. They both can smell the delicious waft of pancakes and bacon sizzling on the stove and had smiled happily at the nice scent. Tails was getting the milk out of the fridge and had turned around to see Kathy and Knuckles standing together near the stairs. He smiled back at them and had said calmly, "Ah. There you are, Kathy. Breakfast is almost ready. Please. Have a seat. I'll give you your meal in like three minutes".

Kathy nodded happily at Tails and had exclaimed brightly with a grin, "Okay! I will! But wow! This meal smells delicious! Is that what I'm going to be eating?!".

Kathy had pointed at the pancakes and bacon at her right when she said that. Tails smiled in amusement as he carried the milk to the counter while answering calmly, "Yes, it is, Kathy, and it's going to be just as delicious when you eat them. I can guarantee that".

Kathy beamed brightly and had clasped her hands together as she exclaimed happily, "Oh, boy! I can't wait! My mouth is already watering just by smelling it!".

"Uhh...Heh..." Knuckles muttered shyly as he looked at Kathy with a sheepish smile. Me too, Kathy. Me too...Knuckles thought in embarrassment while calmly staring at Kathy's happy face.

"Well, I can't blame you for that, Kathy. It does smell pretty good. However, I already ate my breakfast about an hour ago, so, I'm not that hungry. It's all yours, Kathy. Enjoy!" Tails replied calmly with a smile as he poured the milk into a glass and had placed it onto the counter. He then got the plate out and had waited for the pancakes and bacon to finish.

"Hehehe! Yay!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a giggle as she walked towards the counter, grabbed her glass of milk, and walked to the dinner table to sit. She then took her seat at the southern side of the table. She can see that Tails had finished preparing her meal and was putting the pancakes and bacon onto the plate. She can also see Knuckles still standing near the stairs with his arms crossed. She beamed at him and had waved to him. Knuckles smiled back in amusement of this and had waved back.

He was still looking shy as he stared at Kathy with a sheepish smile on his face while pondering. Geez, what am I doing? I could just walk over to that table and sit with her, but I...I...I just don't know what's preventing me from doing it. Should I just stay back and guard her like this? Or should I...just...just...be brave and overcome my shyness? Well, on one hand...I am supposed to be protecting her, so, this is perfectly okay for me to do...but then again I...I kind of...umm...

"...I want to go to her..." Knuckles whispered quietly to himself as he still had his arms crossed.

"Huh? Did you say something, Knuckles?" Tails asked in confusion as he looked at Knuckles.

"AH!" Knuckles yelped loudly in panic as he looked at Tails with wide eyes and with a wide-open mouth. Tails just looked confused as he stared at Knuckles while holding a butter container in his hand. He can see Knuckles blushing bright red in embarrassment as he stared back at him.

"Is something the matter, Knuckles?" Tails asked curiously in confusion as he stared skeptically at Knuckles.

"YES! I MEAN! NO!" Knuckles shouted quickly in panic and in shyness.

"Wait. Huh? Are you feeling okay, Knuckles? You look rather flustered," Tails replied in confusion as he raised one eyebrow at him.

"I AM PERFECTLY FINE! REALLY!" Knuckles shouted defensively with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Hmmm...Are you sure?" Tails asked curiously as he still looked skeptical.

"YES! I AM! STOP ASKING ME STUPID QUESTIONS, TAILS! I SAID THAT I AM FINE!" Knuckles shouted furiously both in irritation and in embarrassment as his blush had deepened to a different shade of red.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehe! Aww, Knuckles! Hahahahahahahaha!" Kathy laughed a lot in amusement as she stared at Knuckles with a huge smile on her face.

Knuckles blushed even deeper than the one before after hearing Kathy laughing at him. He stared at Kathy with a humiliated look on his face. ...I...I forgot that Kathy was in the room watching this. ...Ugh...I'm such a fool. Knuckles brooded with a nervous yet embarrassed expression on his face. He felt even more shy than ever after embarrassing himself in front of Kathy.

Tails looked at Kathy first before at Knuckles and had smiled as he understood what's going on with Knuckles. Tails then shrugged as he casually replied, "Alright, Knuckles. Suit yourself. If you say that you're fine, then I'll believe you".

"...(Sigh)...Thank you, Tails," Knuckles muttered in exhaustion as he sighed deeply.

Tails then looked smug as he replied, "Besides...if you truly are fine, then you won't have a problem going over to the dinner table and sit by Kathy".

"Ack! What?!" Knuckles yelled in shock as his eyes went wide again as he stared at Tails.

Tails shrugged as he replied calmly, "You heard me. So, what are you going to do, Knuckles?".

"Umm...Ummm...Uhhh...I'm...Uhhh..." Knuckles muttered quickly like a nervous idiot as he stared at Tails with wide eyes before staring at Kathy. Kathy just smiled gently back at him as she waved at him again. Knuckles could feel his heart beat much faster in nervousness as he stared straight at her. With scared, nervous, violet eyes, Knuckles then thought in nervousness. Does "Running away like a scared, little boy" count as an option?

Kathy just stared back at Knuckles with a serene, sweet look on her face. Knuckles just stared at her face with all the fear that he has in his heart. He found it kind of amazing that out of all the monsters that could frighten him...he had never expected that it would be the most adorable-looking monster of all.

"Ummm...Uhhh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly while still staring at Kathy's sweet face.

"You want to go over there?" Tails guessed with a knowing smile on his face as he pointed towards Kathy for emphasis.

"Eeek! NO! NO! I'M JUST GOING TO STAND HERE AND GUARD HER LIKE THIS! HMPH!" Knuckles shrieked a bit like a girl before shouting angrily in embarrassment. He then pouted again while still having flushed cheeks.

"Hahahahahahahahaha! Awwwwww! Hahahahahahaha!" Kathy laughed and cooed a little as she stared at Knuckles' pouty face. That was so adorable! Hehehehehehe! He must be very shy then if he doesn't want to sit with me! Awwwwwww! Also...Hehehehehehe...Did I just hear him shriek? Hehehehehehe! He sounded like a little girl there! That's so funny! Hahahahahaha! Kathy pondered in amusement while laughing.

Tails just shook his head while smiling in amusement as he thought. Oh, Knuckles. You never change even when you have a crush. Aw well. I better finish preparing Kathy's meal already.

Knuckles stared at Kathy in humiliation while she was still laughing happily. He frowned sadly as he felt so embarrassed with himself. While frowning, he brooded. Ugggh...I hate my own cowardice. Why can't I just go and sit with her? She's...She's just being silly and happy. What's...Just what's so scary about that? I...I don't know why I'm like this sometimes. I can fight tons of enemies no problem, and yet...I can't socialize with girls...And the worst part about this is...I can't just run away from Kathy. No matter how much I want to. ...I'm supposed to guard her...I'm supposed to protect her...Which means...I must stay close to her...and...keep my eye on her...In other words...

Knuckles gulped nervously with a shy look on his face as he finished his thoughts with.

...I have to face my fears.

"...And...Done! Okay, Kathy, your meal is ready!" Tails replied brightly with a smile as he carried Kathy's plate over to the dinner table.

Kathy beamed brightly as she looked at her plate. "Ooooooh! Yummy!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a silly smile as she stared at her plate.

Tails smiled in amusement as he placed the plate in front of her and said, "Here you go! Warm and tasty".

"Thank you, Tails! Mmmm!" Kathy exclaimed warmly with a sweet smile before she gave him a hug.

"Heheheh! Aww..." Tails replied calmly with a chuckle as he hugged Kathy back. After hugging for a couple more seconds, they broke apart and smiled at each other.

"Oh! Wait! I almost forgot!" Tails exclaimed suddenly.

Before Kathy had said anything to him, Tails quickly walked over to the cupboards and brought out a bottle of syrup. He then walked back to Kathy and said while opening the syrup bottle, "Pancakes are very delicious when they have syrup on them".

"Huh? 'Sy-rup'?" Kathy asked in confusion as she tilted her head in a cute way again as she stared at Tails and at the syrup bottle.

Tails nodded and smiled to her as he calmly explained, "That's right, Kathy. This is syrup. It's a very sweet liquid that moisturizes pancakes, waffles, and French toast. The syrup tastes so sweet because of all of the sugar inside of it".

"Ohhh...Okay," Kathy replied calmly with a slow nod as she stared at the syrup falling onto the pancakes. Tails poured the syrup onto the pancakes until it had covered them completely.

"There. Now, that's better. Hmmm..." Tails replied calmly with a smile before he looked at Kathy. He can see her staring at the pancakes in curiosity. His eyes had widened suddenly when he saw Kathy trying to lift the pancake with her fingers.

"Ah! No, Kathy. That's not how you eat pancakes," Tails replied calmly as he quickly grabbed the pancake from Kathy and had placed it back down to the plate.

Kathy looked at Tails in confusion as she asked, "Then how do you eat pancakes?".

"Huh? You just have to use-Oh! Ooops, I forgot. You don't know how to use a fork and a knife, do you?" Tails replied in confusion before in realization as he had a sheepish look on his face.

Kathy shook her head "no" as she replied, "Nope. I only know how to use a spoon. You taught me how to use one when I ate soup last night. Remember?".

"Ahahahah...Ah...Right...Sorry about that, Kathy. It's still going to take a while to get used to having you learn the outside world. But don't worry. I'll help you. Here. Let me show you how to cut the pancakes first before you try doing it yourself," Tails replied awkwardly with a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his head before grabbing the fork and the knife.

"Oh...Okay," Kathy replied quietly with a nod as she stared down at her pancakes with an innocent expression on her face. She can see Tails holding the fork and knife. She then saw Tails puncture through the pancake with the fork and then cut it with the knife.

"Do you see how I'm holding the fork and knife, Kathy? This is the proper way of holding these utensils," Tails explained calmly with a smile as he cut the first pancake into pieces.

"Uh huh..." Kathy muttered lightly in understanding as she nodded her head.

"And do you see how I'm cutting the pancake? All I'm doing is holding down one piece of the pancake with this fork and moving the knife with my other hand to cut through it. You just keep doing that until you had cut the entire pancake into little pieces," Tails explained further with a calm smile on his face.

"Uh huh..." Kathy muttered lightly as she nodded again in understanding.

Tails then finished cutting the first pancake into pieces and had pushed the pieces to an empty spot on the plate. "There. See? All these little pieces are ready to be eaten. All you have to do is pick them up with this fork," Tails explained calmly as he used the fork to pick up one piece for emphasis.

"Ohhhh..." Kathy awed in understanding as she stared at fork holding the little piece of pancake.

Knuckles was being quiet as he watched Tails teach Kathy how to use the fork and the knife. He was watching Kathy in particular as she looked at the pancakes, the fork, the knife, and at Tails as she learned the process itself. He saw her light-blue eyes twinkle in curiosity, and her little mouth hanging open as she stared at the pancakes. He even saw her nodding her head at times as she understood what Tails was talking about in his example. All those little changes of expression in her curious face had made Knuckles' heart squeeze a little in adoration. Despite this squeezing feeling, he still had a calm, solemn expression on his face as he usually does. The only difference is...his violet eyes were sparkling in fondness.

"...Hmm..." Knuckles mused quietly as he stared solemnly at Kathy with a frown on his face. Knuckles then brooded calmly. ...I...I want to teach Kathy everything myself...so that...I can see her learn and grow...I know that I should let others teach her as well...but I...I...

"Ah! There you go, Kathy! You did it! That's how you cut the pancakes!" Tails exclaimed cheerfully as he saw Kathy successfully cutting one piece of the pancake off itself.

"Huh? I did it?" Kathy asked in confusion as she looked at Tails with curious eyes.

"Yeah! You did! Look! You're holding a piece of the pancake right now!" Tails exclaimed happily with a smile as he pointed at Kathy's fork.

"Oh? …Ohhhh!" Kathy replied in confusion as she looked at her fork and had exclaimed in surprise and in wonderment as she saw the little pancake piece on her fork.

"..." Knuckles was still silent as he stared calmly at Kathy's intrigued face as she looked at her fork. He kept brooding with a solemn stare. ...But I...I want to be the one to do it. I feel...such satisfaction for teaching Kathy something new. I just...just...adore her curious expression so much. Seeing her look surprised and in awe of something...makes me feel so...so...happy. I...I crave to teach her everything in the world...just so that...so that...

Kathy looked at the piece of pancake for a little bit before deciding to take a bite of it. As she was eating it, her eyebrows were raised in shock. She was very surprised on how tasty the pancake was. After swallowing it, Kathy's face changed from a surprised look to a joyful one as she was beaming very much. With a huge smile, Kathy exclaimed jovially, "Oh my goodness! That was so good! It's...It's so tasty! So yummy! So delicious! So...So...".

Kathy's eyes then sparkled with joy as she muttered softly, "So...wonderful...".

"..." Knuckles still stared solemnly at Kathy's face while staying silent. His sparkling, violet eyes were staring solely at Kathy's sparkling, light-blue eyes. ...So that I can see that happy expression on her face. Her happiness...is my happiness. Knuckles brooded calmly with a solemn look on his face.

"Do you like it?" Tails asked calmly with a smile.

"I love it! Hehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a giggle as she stared at Tails with a smile.

"I'm glad that you do enjoy it, Kathy. I see that you can handle it on your own now. In that case, enjoy your meal, Kathy. I'm just going to watch T. V. in the living room with Sonic. Call me if you need anything, okay?" Tails replied calmly with a smile before he walked to the kitchen door and looked back at Kathy briefly once he held the door.

"Okay! Thanks, Tails!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a smile as she waved "goodbye" with her left hand while she held her fork on her right hand.

"Your welcome," Tails replied calmly with a smile before he pushed the kitchen door and walked out of the kitchen.

"Yay! Nom!" Kathy exclaimed jovially with a silly smile before she picked up another pancake piece and ate it. As she munched onto her pancake, she had a bright, jovial smile on her face since she enjoyed the taste of syrup and pancake. "Mmmmmmm! It's fantastic!" Kathy exclaimed happily after swallowing another piece.

"..." Knuckles was still silent as he watched Kathy eat her meal. He still had his arms crossed and had a solemn look on his face. He watched Kathy carefully as he was guarding her. Like a dog watching his Master eat at the dinner table. He doesn't care how ridiculous he's acting right now. The only thing that he cares about is the jovial, silly, moth girl sitting at the dinner table across from him. The only two things on his mind are Kathy's happiness and her safety. As long as those two things are okay, then he could care less about what he's doing right now. Even if it's just him...standing in front of the stairs while...being a few feet away from her.

He was...a few feet away from his Master.

...Hmph...This situation feels oddly familiar somehow...Hmm...Ah...Of course...how could I forget? ...The Master Emerald is basically a few feet away from me from where I usually stand at. Hmm...It's like I'm at home again...Except...this somehow feels much warmer than my own home. It feels...rather pleasant this time. It's...peaceful...Knuckles brooded with a frown as he stared at Kathy. His eyes still twinkled calmly as he focused onto Kathy. He can see how happy and relaxed Kathy is as she ate her pancakes in peace. He doesn't care if he's going to stand the whole time and just watch her eat in peace. He doesn't care if she's eating the warm, fluffy pancakes with syrup and butter on them...or the tasty bacon...or the milk...or the delicious smell...or his mouth watering...or even his...

GROWL!

"Huh?" Kathy muttered in confusion as she looked up from her plate and at Knuckles after hearing that surprisingly loud stomach growl. She can see Knuckles blushing beet red in embarrassment after he heard his own stomach growl like that. When Knuckles saw that Kathy was staring at him now with that cute, curious expression on her face, his blush deepened even more in embarrassment as if he was caught doing something wrong or stupid. He doesn't even know what to say or act in this awkward, embarrassing situation. So, he stood frozen still while staring at Kathy with the most reddened face that he has.

"...Umm...Uhh..." Knuckles muttered quietly in embarrassment as his mouth was open a little and as his eyes were open wide.

"Hmm? Knuckles?" Kathy asked curiously as she titled her head in a cute way again.

"...! Y-Yes?" Knuckles asked nervously with a gasp after seeing that adorable tic again. ...Ugh...My...My weakness...That head tilt gets me every time...Knuckles pondered with a flushed look on his face.

"Are you hungry?" Kathy asked quietly with a curious look on her face.

"...Tha...Ahhh...Wahh...Ahhh...Daah..." Knuckles muttered shyly as his cheeks glowed bright red at that question.

"Huh? What are you saying, Knuckles? I don't understand you," Kathy replied in confusion as her light-blue eyes sparkled in curiosity. Is he speaking in a different language or something? I don't know what he's saying right now. Kathy thought in confusion as she stared at Knuckles closely.

"Ack! Ahhhh...D-Daaaahh...Uhhh...Ummmm...I..." Knuckles muttered quickly in embarrassment and in shock as he realized that he couldn't get his mouth to work properly. AH! MY...MY MOUTH ISN'T WORKING! COME ON! SAY SOMETHING, KNUCKLES! SAY ANYTHING! ANYTHING! Knuckles pondered in panic as he had a nervous, shocked expression on his face.

"...Umm...Are you feel-" Kathy asked in confusion before Knuckles cut her off.

"I LOVE YO-(PFFFFM!)" Knuckles blurted out of nervousness and of panic before he quickly slapped his mouth with both hands since he couldn't believe what he was about to blurt out. With a blushing, freaked-out expression on his face, Knuckles pondered in panic. WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU THINKING, KNUCKLES?! WHY OF ALL THINGS DO YOU WANT TO SAY THAT TO HER?! FIRST OF ALL, YOU DON'T LOVE KATHY! SECONDLY, YOU'RE NOT IN LOVE WITH KATHY! AND LASTLY, YOU JUST HAVE A STUPID "THING" FOR KATHY! IT'S NOT...IT'S NOT LOVE! IT'S NOT! BESIDES, I DIDN'T LITERALLY MEAN "SAY ANYTHING"! I JUST MEANT TALK TO HER! GOSH! WHY AM I SO STUPID?!

"Eh? 'You love'...what, Knuckles?" Kathy asked in confusion as she stared innocently at Knuckles.

GREAT GOING, GENUIS! NOW, KATHY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY! PLEASE, KNUCKLES! SAY SOMETHING THAT ISN'T DUMB! Knuckles pondered in panic as he stared back at Kathy with a freaked-out expression on his face.

"Hello? Knuckles? Did you hear m-" Kathy asked in confusion as she noticed that Knuckles was being strangely quiet for some reason.

But then, Knuckles blurted out something that had thrown themselves off.

"I LOVE YUMMY PANCAKES!" Knuckles blurted out of nervousness and of panic.

---

…

…

…

A long period of silence fell into the kitchen after that...ridiculous outburst. Both Kathy and Knuckles had shocked faces as they stared at each other in silence. They don't know what to say...act...or think after that awkward moment they just had. They could only stare at each other in shock and in confusion.

…

…

…

"...Hehehehehehehehehehe...Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy burst out laughing after the long stretch of silence. She then clutched her stomach as she laughed in amusement after processing what she just heard. "Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, my goodness! Knuckles! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! You're so ridiculous! Ahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehe! I...Hahahahahahaha! I love pancakes too! Just now in fact! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed while laughing in mirth as she clutched her stomach.

Knuckles was still blushing in embarrassment as he watched Kathy laugh herself into hysterics. He also realized that what he had just said...was possibly the STUPIDEST THING that he had ever said in his life. ...And yet...he can't resist but to laugh into such hysterics too.

"Pfffff! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Heheheheheheheheheheh! Ahahahahahahahahahah! I...I knohohohohohohohoho! Hahahahahahahahahaha! I'm just that ridiculous! Ahahahahahahahahahahahah!" Knuckles exclaimed happily as he laughed hysterically. He then bent down to grab his knees again since he's laughing so hard.

"Hehehehehehehehehe! You sure are, Knuckles! Hahahahahahahahaha! And funny too! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed jovially as she laughed cutely.

"Ahahahahahahahahahaha! Alright! Fine! You win! Hahahahahahahahaha! I am funny! Hehehehehehehehehehe! There! Happy?! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed happily while laughing hard since he gave up.

"Yes! Hehehehehehehehehe! I told you so, Knuckles! Hahahahahahahaha! And yet, you didn't believe me! Hehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed triumphantly with a grin as she laughed some more.

"That's because you were being silly, silly girl! Ahahahahahahahahahah! I'd never believe in a claim that's so...so...silly! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed in mirth as he laughed so much. He looked at Kathy while saying that.

"Hahahahahahaha! Yeah! A silly girl who likes pancakes! Hahahahahahahaha! Right?! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed jovially with a smile as she laughed.

"Yeah! That's what! Hahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahaha! But...it seems that I'm the silly one now! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed happily as he laughed in amusement. He shook his head after saying that.

"You sure are, silly boy! Ahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy teased playfully before laughing again.

"Oh, shut up! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a smirk before laughing even more. They both laughed together in amusement for a few more seconds before they started giggling silly. By just staring at each other, they had sent the other into giggle fits since they were smiling widely at each other. They tried to calm down a few times, but they just can't stop giggling thanks to the other staring at them.

"Hehehehehehehehehehe! Knuckles! Stop! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested playfully as she giggled cutely.

"No! You stop! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles protested back while giggling.

"But you did it first! Hehehehehehehehehehe! Stop staring at me! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back while giggling.

"No! You stop staring at me, silly girl! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! You're making me giggle! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a huge grin while giggling.

"No, I'm not! Hehehehehehehe!" Kathy argued back while giggling.

"Oh, yes, you are! Hehehehehehehe!" Knuckles argued back with smile as he giggled in amusement.

"Nuh uh! Hehehehehehehe!" Kathy argued back playfully while giggling.

"Yeah huh! Hehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles argued back playfully too as he giggled.

They soon both stopped giggling for a moment to stare at each other in amusement after that. They both had smug faces since they know what the other is doing...and they adored that.

…

…

"...H-How dare you! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy and Knuckles exclaimed boldly at the same time as they pointed at each other before giggling silly again. They both had another giggle fit that went on for about a minute.

[Meanwhile In The Living Room]

"Ahahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy and Knuckles giggled loudly in the kitchen.

Sonic and Tails looked at the kitchen door with amused faces as they heard Kathy and Knuckles giggle a lot. Sonic then shook his head as he said in amusement, "Oh, good grief. Just what had set them off this time? It seems as if every time that they're alone together, they just can't help but laugh a lot".

Tails smiled calmly and looked at Sonic as he replied, "Yeah, it is a little strange. But it's rather sweet, nonetheless".

Sonic nodded and replied calmly with a smile, "True. It is very sweet. I'm glad that there is someone who can make Knuckles laugh like this and very often too. He really needs to lighten up for a change, and I'm glad that Kathy is capable into making that happen".

Tails nodded too as he replied calmly in amusement, "I'm glad too, Sonic. It's about time that Knuckles gets to laugh some more in his personal life. As long as Kathy is making him happy, I think that he's going to be alright".

Sonic smirked as he crossed his arms and replied playfully, "Oh, he certainly is going to be alright. That's for sure! Heheheheh!".

Tails smiled in agreement to that. He and Sonic listened to Kathy and Knuckles giggle some more until they had finally stopped.

[Back In the Kitchen]

"Ahahahahahahahaha! ...Hehehehehehe...Hehehehe...(Sigh)…" Kathy and Knuckles giggled until they had slowed down finally and took a huge sigh of relief. They then looked at each other with huge smiles on their faces.

…

"...Hahahahaha...(Sigh)…" Knuckles chuckled a little as he wiped some tears from his eyes. Oh, man...That made me lose it. Still...I needed a good laugh from that. Hmm...You know what? ...I think that I can see why people laugh when they're nervous. It's because they're trying to calm themselves down from their excited nerves, and it seems that...I'm no different from that. I will say though...I feel more relaxed now than I was before. I think that now...I'm more ready to face Kathy. Knuckles pondered with a huge smile as he stared calmly at Kathy.

Kathy smiled gently at Knuckles as she asked quietly, "Knuckles?".

"Hmm? Yes, Kathy?" Knuckles asked curiously with a confident smile.

"I was just wondering...Umm...Why are you standing there all by yourself?" Kathy asked curiously with a sympathetic look on her face.

Knuckles blushed very much at this question. He then looked sheepish as he answered shyly, "Uhhh...Err...I...I was...umm...g-g-guarding you. It-It-It's my duty to guard you. You know?".

"Huh? Guarding...me? From what?" Kathy asked in confusion as she titled her head in a cute way again while looking curious.

Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment while answering shyly, "Ummm...W-Well...Uhhh...F-From...ummm...From...a...a m-monster...that...uhh...eats breakfasts from...others?".

"..." Kathy was silent as she stared at Knuckles curiously. Knuckles just stood still while blushing very much in embarrassment. He then pondered to himself in humiliation. ...I...I just said something dumb again, didn't I?

He was then proven right by Kathy giggling at him again.

"Hehehehehehe! There's no monster that eats people's breakfasts! There's not even a kaiju monster like that! Hehehehehehehe! You're just being silly, Knuckles! Hehehehehehe! I'm fine!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a silly smile as she giggled cutely.

Knuckles blushed even deeper after hearing that. Ugh. I know that, Kathy. You don't need to rub it in. Hmmm...Ah! Knuckles thought in embarrassment before in shock as he had an idea.

He then smiled teasingly while still blushing a lot as he replied playfully, "Oh, they exist alright. In fact, if you don't finish off your breakfast right now, the breakfast monster will show up".

"Hehehehehehehe! No, they won't!" Kathy argued back with a smile as she giggled some more.

"Oh, yes, they will," Knuckles replied teasingly with a playful smirk.

"No! Hehehehehehe! They don't exist! Hehehehehehe!" Kathy argued back happily while giggling.

Knuckles smirked even more deviously at Kathy as he crossed his arms again. He then replied with a devious smirk, "Oh, yeah? Then what was that growl earlier? That could be coming from the breakfast monster for all we know".

"Hahahahahahahaha! But Knuckles! That was from your stomach! Hehehehehehehe! You're the one who's hungry here! Not the 'breakfast monster'! Hehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a grin as she laughed again.

Knuckles smirked playfully in amusement as he replied casually, "You don't know that. The breakfast monster is invisible. Because of that, you can't see him eat your breakfast when he shows up".

"Ahahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehe! ...You're funny, Knuckles," Kathy laughed happily before she replied calmly to Knuckles.

"Heh. I know that. Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly with a chuckle as he closed his eyes.

Kathy smiled brightly and longingly at Knuckles as she thought. Knuckles is so silly and fun. He always makes me laugh. I wish that he could come and sit with me. Maybe I could ask him to come!

She then asked sweetly, "Knuckles? Do you want to sit with me?".

Knuckles' eyes flung wide open at that question. He blushed brightly in embarrassment and had looked nervous again. "Umm...Uhh...N-No...No, I'm fine. I...I'm more comfortable standing here and guarding you like this. You could...eat by yourself...if you want..." Knuckles replied shyly in a whimpering tone of voice.

Kathy then looked a little sad as she asked gently, "Are you sure, Knuckles? Aren't you...hungry too?".

Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment and had closed his eyes as he hated seeing Kathy's sad face. Ugh...Curse my shyness...I...I can't do it...Knuckles thought as he cringed at himself for doing this. "I'm...I'm fine, Kathy. I'm not...I'm not hungry," Knuckles lied with a frown while having his eyes closed.

"Oh..." Kathy muttered in disappointment as she looked at her meal instead. She frowned in sadness as she thought. What am I doing? I shouldn't expect Knuckles to do everything I ask him for. I...I can't push him into something that he doesn't want to do. He wants to stay comfortable, and I...I should respect his space.

"Alright, Knuckles. If you say so..." Kathy muttered sadly with a frown before she grabbed her milk and drank it.

Knuckles cringed again after hearing the disappointment in Kathy's voice. He opened his eyes again and had a sad look on his face as he stared at Kathy. He can see her drinking her milk before stopping and putting it back down to the table. He can see that Kathy had made no move to eat her breakfast after that. Knuckles felt very guilty for lying to Kathy and for refusing her offer to sit by her. He can't help but look sad as he stared at Kathy's sad face. With a sad frown on his face, Knuckles brooded to himself. Ooooh...What have I done? I've made her feel sad. She really does want me to come sit by her if she's sad.

Knuckles was still frowning before he looked shocked when he realized something. Wait a minute! If she's sad that I didn't take her offer, then that must mean that...that...Knuckles thought with a shocked look on his face.

He then looked warm as he smiled fondly at Kathy. His heart exploded into warmth as the realization had settled into his mind. He then thought with a fond smile on his face.

...She really does want me. She wants me to be...beside her. Sigh...

"Kathy?" Knuckles asked softly with a warm look on his face.

"Yeah?" Kathy asked sadly as she looked up from her plate.

Knuckles smiled gently at her as he uncrossed his arms and had...started to walk towards the dinner table. Kathy's eyebrows went up in surprise when she saw Knuckles walking towards the table. She stared at him with wide, sparkly eyes as he went towards her. Knuckles was just smiling calmly at her as he walked closer to her. He didn't look away from her eyes. He stared at her with gentle, longing eyes as he walked towards the seat on Kathy's left. Once he got to the adjacent chair, he pulled it out a little and sat in it. He placed his hands on the table and stared gently at her with a warm smile on his face.

"...Knuckles?" Kathy asked softly with sparkling, light-blue eyes as she stared at him.

"Heh...Is this seat taken?" Knuckles quipped playfully with a smile as he winked at her.

Kathy gasped quietly in shock as she stared at him. Knuckles was just staring calmly at her with half-lidded eyes. He didn't say anything else but stared silently at her. Kathy was just in awe as she didn't understand why Knuckles would want to sit by her even though he had declined her offer before. What...What have I done to have changed his mind? I don't know what I did to deserve his kindness. I mean...I...I would understand if Knuckles wants to be left alone and have his space. Even if I'm sad that he won't sit by me, I would still be fine regardless. But he...he decided to change his mind. For what reason though? Kathy pondered in confusion as she stared at Knuckles with curious eyes.

"...Why do you want to sit with me?" Kathy asked tentatively with a curious look on her face.

Knuckles smiled calmly at her before he smirked playfully as he answered, "Simple. To protect you from the breakfast monster of course".

He then winked at her while snickering a little in amusement. Kathy gasped again in surprise before she beamed at him since she's glad that he's cheering her up. She then replied happily with a grin, "But the breakfast monster isn't here!".

"You're right. He's not," Knuckles replied playfully with a smile before he looked devious as he added teasingly, "But it doesn't mean that he won't come though".

"Hehehehehehehe! Knuckles! Hahahahahahaha!" Kathy laughed happily as she gently pushed Knuckles' right arm a bit in amusement.

Knuckles smirked even more at her as he teased playfully, "I'm serious though. If you don't eat your food now, then he'll come inside this kitchen and eat it instead".

"Hahahahahahahaha! Okay! Okay! I'll eat! I'll eat! Hahahahahaha! You're so silly, Knuckles!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a smile as she laughed.

Knuckles shrugged a little as he casually replied with a smile, "Hey, what can I say? I got my silliness from the silliest person ever".

"From who? The breakfast monster?" Kathy asked teasingly with a playful grin.

Knuckles grinned back at her before he poked her left side playfully while exclaiming happily, "No! You! You silly girl! Heheheheh!".

"Eeeek! Hehehehehehehehe! Don't! Hehehehehehe!" Kathy shrieked a bit in surprise before she giggled a lot at this. She then swatted Knuckles' hand away from her side after receiving a few playful pokes.

Knuckles then smirked evilly at her as he rubbed his hand. "Heh. 'Don't' what?" Knuckles asked teasingly with a smirk.

"Don't poke me! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back while giggling cutely.

"Hmph. That's what you get for poking me earlier, silly girl. Don't think that I hadn't forgotten about that," Knuckles replied playfully with a smirk.

"But you said that it was nothing! Hehehehehe! I thought that you had forgiven me for that!" Kathy exclaimed back with a grin as she giggled a little.

"Oh, I forgave you alright," Knuckles replied with a smile before he looked devious again as he added, "...For the most part at least. Think of that as a warning before you try poking me again. I'm going to poke you back when you least expect it. Understand?".

"Hehehehehehe! Okay! I understand! Hahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a nod as she laughed. Knuckles just smiled at her as he watched her laugh a little. She then calmed down again and smiled gently at him. Knuckles raised his eyebrows and smiled even more at her in fondness. They then smiled more playfully at each other as they both thought. Kathy/Knuckles is going to be so much fun to be with as time goes on. I'm going to love this little "game" that we have here. Sigh...

---

…

They stared calmly at each other's eyes for about a minute before Kathy said brightly, "Well, I guess that I'll continue eating then!".

Knuckles nodded as he replied gently with a smile, "You do that, Kathy. I'll just keep an eye on you then".

Kathy beamed sweetly at him before grabbing her fork again and picked up more pancake pieces. She then ate quietly while Knuckles stares at her silently with a smile. He then placed his arms on top of each other on the table as he continued to stare at her. Kathy was smiling happily since she's enjoying her pancakes, and Knuckles was smiling happily since he's enjoying Kathy's happy face. It was a rather quiet and peaceful moment. They can hear some muffled sounds from the T.V. in the living room, but it was still quiet, nonetheless.

"...Mmmmm! Delicious!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a bright smile after swallowing another pancake piece. She beamed sweetly as she's enjoying her meal.

"..." Knuckles was still quiet as he stared calmly at Kathy with a smile. If I was told that eating pancakes was the key for achieving true happiness, then I'd believe it in a heartbeat thanks to this jovial girl right here. She's like filled to the brim of happiness here. I wonder if I'll ever get to be as happy as her one day. Knuckles pondered with a fond smile.

Kathy then decided to try out the bacon next after finishing off the first pancake. She grabbed the strip of bacon with her fork and then ate it. Within two seconds, Kathy's eyes went wide in shock as she ate the bacon. Oh...my...gosh...Kathy thought in shock as she swallowed the bacon. She stared back down at the bacon with a stunned look on her face.

Knuckles saw that change of expression on Kathy's face and smiled even more in amusement. "Let me guess...you love the bacon too, right?" Knuckles asked with a knowing smile.

"'Love...it'?" Kathy repeated slowly as she turned her head to look at Knuckles with a stunned look on her face. Her eyes then sparkled as she answered in amazement, "It's perfect...".

"Pfffahahahahahahahahah! I'll take that as a 'yes' then! Hahahahahahaha! You're so funny, Kathy! Hahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed happily with a smile as he laughed.

Kathy beamed sweetly at Knuckles after hearing that. Teehee! He really does think that I'm funny. Awwww...He's so sweet...Kathy thought with a warm look on her face. Kathy then smiled wider as she got an idea.

"Hey, Knuckles?" Kathy asked with a smile.

"Hahahahaha! Yeah? What is it? Heheheheheh!" Knuckles asked with a smile as he calmed down his laughter a bit.

Kathy then smiled gently at him as she asked quietly, "Do you want me to feed you some of my meal? I can give you some pancakes and bacon if you want".

Knuckles laughed until he gasped when he heard Kathy's offer. He blushed in embarrassment again as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes. He then shyly asked with a little frown on his flushed face, "...Are...Are you serious? Aren't you hungrier than me? This is...This is your meal. Not mine...".

"But I just ate some of my meal. I'm probably less hungry now than I was before. So, I don't mind if you have some of mine, Knuckles. That's what sharing is all about! Teehee!" Kathy replied calmly with a sweet smile.

Knuckles blushed even more after hearing that last part. He then looked shy again as his eyebrows went upward, and his arms were moved back towards himself. He replied shyly with a small frown, "W-Well...Yeah...B-But...You love pancakes and bacon...and...I thought that...you want to eat all of them yourself...".

Kathy then smiled a little deviously as she teased, "But Knuckles...I thought that you love yummy pancakes. Don't you want some?".

Knuckles then blushed furiously at Kathy's teasing. He looked even more shy as he smiled sheepishly at her while protesting weakly, "Kathy...Don't...Don't bring that up...It's embarrassing...".

"But isn't it true though? Don't you love pancakes, Knuckles? They're very yummy indeed, you know," Kathy teased with a playful grin as she leaned slightly forward towards Knuckles.

"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock before turning his head away from Kathy in shyness. He closed his eyes as his face blushed even redder in embarrassment. Ugh. I knew that Kathy isn't going to live it down. I...I feel so helpless now, and I can't even fight it. Can this get any worse? Knuckles brooded in embarrassment while having his eyes closed.

"Knuckles...Oh, Knuckles...Come on...Knuckles...You know that you want it..." Kathy teased with a mischievous smile as she held a piece of pancake on her fork and held it under Knuckles' nose while moving it slowly in a taunting way.

...Oh...no...It did get worse... Knuckles thought with an embarrassed smile as he smelled the delicious scent of the pancake.

"Come on, Knuckles. ...Don't you want to take a bite of it? I bet that you want to!" Kathy taunted with a playful smile as she noticed Knuckles drooling on his fixed smile.

Knuckles shook his head "no" while still smiling widely on his flushed face. Grrrr...How dare she taunt me like this! H-How dare her! Hahahahahaha! Knuckles thought in amusement as he wiped the drool on his face. "I'm not hungry," Knuckles replied calmly with a smile while he still had his eyes closed.

Kathy smiled knowingly as she placed her fork down to her plate a bit. "Are you sure, Knuckles?" Kathy asked teasingly with a grin.

"I'm positive," Knuckles answered calmly with a smile as he had his arms crossed.

"Okay...Then how about...this?" Kathy replied playfully as she used her fork to grab a strip of bacon along with her pancake piece. She lifted the fork back under Knuckles' nose and moved it slightly.

Knuckles immediately smelled both the bacon and the pancake and had his eyes flung wide open at the tempting scent. He had a shocked look on his face as he stared at the fork in front of him. The food looked very tempting to Knuckles, and this had made him drool again. He felt the drool coming down from his mouth and had wiped it again with his hand. He can feel his mouth water as he stared at the fork with huge, twinkling eyes. He even followed the fork with his eyes as Kathy teasingly moved it back and forth.

"That's it, Knuckles...Look at the yummy pancake...Look at the tasty bacon...They're yours, Knuckles. I could feed it to you...Come on...Cooome oooon..." Kathy teased playfully with a smile as she moved the fork back and forth.

Knuckles followed the fork with his head now, and soon enough, a huge, sheepish smile had formed on his face since he knows that Kathy has him in the palm of her hand. ...Kathy...No...Don't...Quit it...You're teasing me...Heheheheh...Knuckles thought weakly with a sheepish smile as he stared at the fork.

"There's nothing wrong in admitting that you're hungry, Knuckles. Just say that you are, and I'll fed you..." Kathy teased with a knowing smile as she can see that Knuckles was slowly breaking now.

Knuckles chuckled nervously as he looked at Kathy with an embarrassed look on his face. "Heheheheheheh...N-N-Never..." Knuckles protested weakly with a shy smile as he chuckled a little.

Kathy then smirked playfully at Knuckles as she asked teasingly, "Are you trying to act tough towards me? Is that why you won't eat my offering? Hmm?".

"I said that I'm not hungry! Heheheheheheh! Just leave me alone! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed with a smile as he chuckled even more.

Kathy giggled a little as she teased, "Hehehehe! Awww, I think that someone is being shy. It's okay to ask, Knuckles. You can even beg if you want to".

"I'm not going to beg! Heheheheheh! That's ridiculous!" Knuckles exclaimed back as he chuckled a little in shyness. He blushed even more when he heard Kathy calling him "shy".

"But you're my little doggie! All dogs beg to their Masters to feed them yummy food, Knuckles. I'm sure that even you want to eat some yummy food too," Kathy replied playfully with a grin as she moved the fork back towards Knuckles' face.

Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment as he moved back into his chair after he saw Kathy moving the fork towards him. He had a huge, goofy smile on his face as he resisted the food coming towards him. "Heheheheheh! Kathy! Quit it! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles protested loudly with a smile as he chuckled in amusement. He kept moving his head left and right to avoid the fork.

"Come on, little doggie. ...Here boy...Here boy...Here's your food...Come and get it..." Kathy teased playfully as she tried to reach Knuckles' mouth with her fork.

"No! Never! Heheheheh!" Knuckles protested weakly as he chuckled.

Kathy then sighed a bit and had put her fork back. With a sad smile, she then replied calmly, "Aww...Alright. Maybe I was being a bit too forceful towards you, Knuckles. I'm sorry. I was just...hoping that I would feed you. You know...just for fun...like the last time we did it".

Knuckles stopped chuckling and looked at her with a sheepish look on his face. With a shy smile, Knuckles replied calmly, "Aww, it's okay, Kathy. I know that you were just playing around. But still...thanks for being considerate towards me. You're very sweet, Kathy".

Kathy smiled brightly at that and replied calmly, "Why thank you, Knuckles. I guess that you aren't hungry after all".

Knuckles then smirked triumphantly at that and replied while closing his eyes, "Hmph. I told you that I'm not hungry. I'm more resilient than you think".

But of course, after Knuckles had said that...

GROWL!

Knuckles' eyes suddenly opened wide again, and he blushed very much in embarrassment after hearing his stomach growl again. He slowly looked down at his stomach and gulped as he realized that he had been caught on his own weak lie. I just had to jinx it, didn't I? Knuckles thought in slight annoyance as a sweat drop formed on his head.

"Knuckles?" Kathy asked coyly.

Knuckles then slowly shifted his eyes towards Kathy while having a nervous, shy expression on his face. His eyes had widened slightly in nervousness when he saw Kathy's mischievous look on her face. He then shyly asked, "Y-Yes?".

"Are you the breakfast monster?" Kathy asked teasingly with a playful grin and with playful eyes.

"Uhhhhh...Ummm..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a deep blush on his face as he stared nervously at Kathy.

"If you are, then...Hehehehehe! Is that why you were hesitant to sit with me? Or take a bite from my offering? All because you were worried that you're going to eat all of my breakfast? Hmm?" Kathy asked teasingly with a grin as she leant forward towards Knuckles in amusement.

"Errr...Umm...W-Well...I..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly as a sweat drop fell from his head.

With a playful smile and with playful eyes, Kathy asked teasingly, "Were you trying to protect me from yourself?".

"Ummmmmm..." Knuckles muttered nervously with a flushed face as his eyes went wide. That's...That's ridiculous! As if I'd ever eat Kathy's food just because of how...how...hungry...I am...Knuckles pondered in embarrassment before he slowly looked at the meal and drooled again as he saw how appetizing it is.

Kathy smiled in amusement of this and had placed the fork onto the plate before getting up from her seat. Knuckles didn't care that Kathy got up from her seat. He just stared into the pancakes and bacon with huge, sparkling eyes. ...So...So delicious...and...tasty...Must...Must...eat...Knuckles thought in a trance as he slowly reached for the fork. But just before he grabbed the fork, Kathy grabbed his hand and held it up from the fork.

"...!" Knuckles gasped in surprise of this and had looked up at his right to see Kathy standing next to his seat. He can see her holding his right hand with her own. She even had her left hand on his right shoulder. She was smiling gently yet playfully at him as she stood next to his seat. Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment as he stared at her like this. He didn't know what to say to her at this point. So, he was silent as Kathy spoke.

"Trying to eat my food, huh? Hehehehehe! Well, nice try, 'breakfast monster', but I'm not scared of you," Kathy said playfully yet calmly with a giggle as she stared at Knuckles with a smile.

"..." Knuckles was silent as he stared at Kathy with a nervous expression on his face.

"After all...I know how to stop you..." Kathy continued playfully with a devious look on her face.

"...M-Meep..." Knuckles squeaked in nervousness as his eyes went wide. Wh-What is she going to do to me? Knuckles thought in worry as he had a bad feeling about this.

With a playful smile, Kathy simply said, "All I have to do is poke you".

...Huh? That's it? I don't see why I was so worried-OH, WAIT! NO! I KNOW WHY! Knuckles thought in slight confusion before in panic as his eyes went very wide in realization. He immediately wrapped his left arm over his stomach for protection.

Kathy giggled at this cute reaction. Awwwww! That's so cute! He's scared of me poking him in the tummy! Maybe he is ticklish then! That reaction alone is proof of that! Too bad that I wasn't going for the tummy anyway. He's in big trouble now. Hehehehe! Kathy thought in amusement as she giggled cutely.

"Are you trying to protect yourself, Knuckles?" Kathy asked teasingly with a grin.

"..." Knuckles was still silent as he stared at Kathy with worried eyes.

"Hehehehehe! I guess I'll take that as a 'yes' then! However...I hate to disappoint you...but you're not completely safe from my playful pokes," Kathy replied mischievously with a smile as she giggled a little. She then bent down a bit to reach Knuckles' eye level to smile playfully at him. She then continued by asking teasingly, "Do you want to know where your weak spot is, Knuckles?".

Knuckles' eyes went very wide at that question. He then repeated nervously in a worried tone, "My...My 'weak spot'?".

"Yeah, your weak spot! It's very easy for me to get. After all..." Kathy replied brightly with a smile before she looked devious as she asked, "...Why did you think that I had left my fork on the plate in the first place?".

"H-Huh? 'Left...your fork'?" Knuckles repeated in confusion as he looked at the fork in question. He can see that the fork was below...his own hand...which is still being held by Kathy's hand. It took about a couple of seconds to let what he's seeing sink in.

---

…

…

…

...OH NOOOO! Knuckles thought in panic with a freaked-out expression on his face. But just as Knuckles had finished processing the horrible situation that he's stuck in now; Kathy had immediately begun prodding his exposed armpit with her left hand. IT WAS A TRAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Knuckles thought in panic before in amusement as he burst out laughing in response to the poking.

"Bad doggie! Bad! You! Don't! Eat! My! Food!" Kathy exclaimed playfully with a smile as she prodded Knuckles' underarm multiple times.

"Aaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahah! Noooooohohohohohoho! Not there! Not there! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahahahahap! Kathy! Please! Stop! Ahahahahahahahahah!" Knuckles squealed as he laughed hysterically to the torturous poking that Kathy is giving him. He squirmed in his seat as Kathy kept prodding him playfully.

Hehehe! I didn't know that Knuckles could squeal like that. I'm only just poking him, and already he's losing it. He must be very ticklish then if I could get him to laugh this hard by poking him. I can only imagine how hard he'll laugh when I eventually tickle him. He certainly can't act all tough when I do that to him. That's for sure! Kathy thought in amusement as she smiled playfully at Knuckles while prodding his armpit some more.

Knuckles continued to laugh hysterically to the poking, and his laughter had easily reached to the living room.

[Meanwhile In The Living Room]

Sonic and Tails jolted a bit in shock when they heard Knuckles squealing before he began laughing hysterically. They quickly stared at the kitchen door with shocked and confused faces after hearing that. They had no clue what had spurred this on suddenly. All they knew was that...Kathy was doing something alright.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Kathy! Please! Stahahahahahahahahahap! You're-Hahahahahahahahaha! You're going to pahahahahahahahahahahay for this! I swear! I-Ahahahahahahahahahahahahah! I swear!" Knuckles yelled in amusement as he laughed hysterically.

Sonic and Tails then looked at each other with confused faces. They then exclaimed in confusion at the same time, "Just what in the heck is Kathy doing to him?!".

"Hahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! Quit it! Heheheheheheheheheheh! Please! Plehehehehehehehehehease!" Knuckles pleaded loudly while laughing hysterically.

"Ummm...Maybe I should check to see what they are doing..." Tails replied awkwardly with a confused look on his face as he looked back at the kitchen door.

Sonic smiled sheepishly at Tails as he replied, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Also, can you give me a soda, Tails? You can get one too if you like".

Tails stood up from the couch and looked at Sonic with a smile. "Sure, buddy. I'll do that," Tails replied calmly with a smile before he turned around and walked towards the kitchen door.

Knuckles' laughter can still be heard from the kitchen.

[Meanwhile In the Kitchen]

"Ahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! I'm begging you! Stop! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stop it! Heheheheheheheheh! I can't! I cahahahahahahahahan't!" Knuckles pleaded even more as he laughed hysterically. At this point, Knuckles has tears in his eyes, and he's squirming his body backwards into the chair while kicking his legs onto the floor. Meanwhile, Kathy just can't resist but continue to poke him due to how much fun she's having. She's smiling a lot since she enjoys hearing Knuckles' laughs and seeing him smile. I can't help it. He's just being utterly adorable right now. It's kind of hard to stop at this point. Kathy thought with a sheepish look on her face.

However, Kathy soon sobered up when she saw Knuckles leant his chair back a little too far. Ack! He's going to fall! Kathy thought in panic as she immediately stopped poking his armpit and quickly grabbed the two sides of the chair instead.

"I got you!" Kathy exclaimed quickly in a panic as she quickly held tightly onto the chair. Luckily, Kathy had managed to save Knuckles from falling from his chair.

"Hahahahahahaha! O-Okay! Hahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed in amusement as he still laughed. He immediately held his right armpit after Kathy had stopped poking him there. He was still laughing even after the little, poking attack.

"Okay! Just what is going on here?!" Tails exclaimed in confusion after he entered the kitchen and stared at Kathy and Knuckles at his left.

Knuckles had sobered up immediately after hearing Tails. He and Kathy then looked at Tails with embarrassed and shocked looks on their faces. They blushed in embarrassment since they know what happened earlier...was...in a sense...childish and silly. But it's not my fault! Kathy was the one who had started poking me! I couldn't help myself but get caught up in these silly and ridiculous situations! I...I just...Knuckles pondered in shock and in humiliation as he kept blushing.

He then blushed even more in embarrassment when he thought. ...I just...wanted to have some fun. Is that...wrong somehow? Is that a wrong thing to do?

Knuckles then looked sheepish as he frowned sadly at Tails. He then answered quietly in shame, "It's...It's nothing, Tails. Really".

"Huh? Are...Are you sure, Knuckles? You were laughing very hard a few seconds ago. Was Kathy doing something to you?" Tails asked in confusion and in slight worry as he frowned at Knuckles.

Knuckles blushed even more at that question. He then closed his eyes and exclaimed in embarrassment, "I told you that it was nothing, Tails! So, just shut up!".

"Hey, no need to act so harsh towards me, Knuckles. It's just a simple quest-" Tails replied in confusion as he shrugged his shoulders and looked skeptical again.

"When I said that it was nothing, I meant that it was nothing! So, stop asking me these stupid questions!" Knuckles yelled back in irritation and in embarrassment as he blushed further.

Tails sighed and had slumped his shoulders. Of course, Knuckles is going to be stubborn about it. Alright, it's Kathy's turn now. Tails thought in exhaustion as he stared at Kathy now. "Kathy? Just what did you do to Knuckles?" Tails asked with a little frown on his face.

"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock as he opened his eyes and looked up at Kathy with a worried look on his face. ...Kathy...Don't you DARE tell Tails about what you did to me. Please...Knuckles thought with a nervous look on his face as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes.

Kathy blushed even more at that question. She shyly repeated, "Umm...'What I...did'?".

"Yes, Kathy. What did you do to make Knuckles laugh like that? Sonic and I had never heard Knuckles laugh like that before or even squeal like a little girl before," Tails replied with a confused look on his face.

"A LITTLE GIRL"?! Knuckles thought in humiliation as he briefly looked back Tails with an embarrassed and shocked look on his face.

"Ummm..." Kathy muttered awkwardly as she stared at Tails with a blush.

"Well? What is it, Kathy? What did you do?" Tails asked again while looking slightly impatient.

"Ummm...Errr..." Kathy muttered shyly as she looked at Tails before at Knuckles.

Knuckles just stared back at her light-blue eyes with his own nervous eyes. He looked sheepish since he's worried that Kathy will expose his "secret weakness" to Tails. Knuckles gulped nervously as he thought with a worried look on his face. Sonic and Tails will never live it down if they know about my "secret weakness". Please, Kathy. I beg of you. If you keep this a secret, then I will forever lo-

"Umm...To tell you the truth, Tails..." Kathy answered slowly as she looked back at Tails.

OH NO! SHE'S GOING TO TELL! Knuckles thought in panic as his eyes were as wide as dinner plates. He can feel his heart beating faster in nervousness. He can feel the dread filling up in his stomach as awaited Kathy's answer to this. Goodbye, dignity. I'll miss you...Knuckles thought in humiliation as he closed his eyes as he anticipated the answer.

Kathy then smiled gently as she answered calmly, "...That is a private matter. It is something that's only between me and Knuckles. Sorry, Tails. But it's the truth".

"What?!" Tails exclaimed in shock and in confusion since he couldn't believe what he's hearing.

WHAT?! Knuckles thought in shock and in confusion too since he couldn't believe it either. His eyes were open wide again as he stared at Kathy in stunned silence.

Kathy nodded as she continued calmly, "You heard me right, Tails. It's private. But don't you worry about it. Knuckles is completely fine. He's not harmed in any sort of way. Right, Knuckles?".

Knuckles jolted a bit in shock when Kathy called out to him. He can see her smiling gently at him with a calm look on her face. He had no idea where Kathy is going with this, but he decided to play along anyway.

"Uhhh...Y-Yeah...What Kathy had said. I'm not hurt at all. I'm just fine. Honest. I'm fine," Knuckles answered awkwardly as he looked at Tails with a confused look on his face.

Tails was just confused as he stared at Kathy and Knuckles. He can see Kathy smiling calmly at him and Knuckles frowning at him with a confused look on his face. Tails sighed again and thought to himself. I...I give up. I guess that Knuckles is fine then. Aw well. I'm thirsty anyway.

"Alright. Fine. I get it. I won't question what you guys do together on your own anymore. If it's private, then maybe it's something that should not know...at all..." Tails replied tiredly with a frown.

"...(Sigh)...Thank you, Tails," Knuckles replied calmly as he sighed in relief.

"Anyways, I'm going to get myself and Sonic a soda. You guys...just do whatever..." Tails replied calmly yet awkwardly as he walked past them and went towards the fridge. Kathy and Knuckles both sighed in relief as they watched Tails open the fridge and grab the two soda cans. He then closed the fridge and walked out of the kitchen without looking at Kathy and Knuckles again. They stared at the door swinging open and closed for a few moments before looking at each other.

---

…

Within a moment of silence, they blushed very much in embarrassment as they processed the awkward situation they are in now. Knuckles could see that Kathy was still holding onto his chair, and Kathy saw that Knuckles was looking up at her like a child would do. They felt very embarrassed at the other as they stared at each other's eyes.

…

"Ummm..." Kathy muttered shyly with a blush as she stared into Knuckles' violet eyes.

"Uhhh..." Knuckles muttered shyly with a blush too as he stared into Kathy's light-blue eyes.

As Kathy blinked her eyes, she then slowly yet gently pulled Knuckles' chair back down to the floor. Even after putting his chair back down, Kathy still held onto the chair. Knuckles still looked up at her with a stunned look on his face. Kathy shared the same expression as Knuckles' as she stared down at him.

…

…

After a few more moments of silence, they soon smiled sheepishly at each other with flushed faces. "Ummmm...Heheheheh...Uhh...Hey..." Knuckles muttered shyly with an awkward chuckle as he smiled at Kathy.

"...Hey..." Kathy muttered softly with a shy smile.

"Uhhh...Heheheh...Soo...You chose to not tell Tails what you did...Ummm...Why?" Knuckles replied awkwardly with a sheepish smile since he felt shy again.

"Hehehehehe...Ummm...No reason really...Hehehehehehe..." Kathy answered shyly while giggling.

Knuckles smiled even more at this as he replied a little playfully, "Hmm...'No reason' huh? I still wonder why though. I mean...You were just poking me...".

Kathy smiled back at him as she replied calmly, "Yeah, I know. But...I figured that...it would be more fun if it's just the two of us doing it...In private of course...".

Kathy blushed even more when she said that last part. Knuckles blushed even more too when he heard Kathy's reasoning for hiding the truth a little. As his eyes went wide, he then thought with a shocked look on his face. "Just the two of us doing it"? ...Together? In private?

Kathy then looked warm since her eyelids went down halfway. She continued by calmly saying, "I...I just poked you again because I...I wanted to have some fun with you. We're a team now, and I think that it's natural for teammates to just mess with each other, you know? It's fun to just play around and tease the other like this. Wouldn't you agree?".

"..." Knuckles was speechless when Kathy had said that. He only just stared calmly at her with wide eyes.

Kathy then smiled even more gently as she grabbed Knuckles' shoulders and had knelt slightly to meet him face to face. Knuckles stared at Kathy's serene, sweet face with a stunned look on his face. Kathy then finished by asking softly, "Don't you want to play with me, Knuckles? Just play around with me...tease me...mess with me? And in turn...I mess with you...tease you...and play around with you? I just think that we can have so much fun together if we do that. But of course...we can do that...only unless you're comfortable with it. Do you...want to do that, Knuckles? Do you want to play with me...in private?".

"..." Knuckles was still speechless as he stared at Kathy with wide, twinkling, violet eyes. He doesn't know why his heartbeat had gone faster after hearing Kathy's suggestion. He doesn't understand why he's feeling excited over this idea. Was it because he had spent his entire life dedicating himself to his job that he had developed a longing for childish things? Was it because he had been so serious and mature for most of his life that he secretly craved childish fun and wonderment? Was it because of his solemn demeanor that he can't help himself but feel attracted to...the silliest and most childish girl ever? If that is the case, then...it's no wonder why he feels so weak towards Kathy. He craves her attention. He craves her playfulness. Her light-heartedness. Her humor. Her brightness. Her childishness. And...And...

Knuckles then smiled a little with a longing expression on his face. And the one thing that I crave the most from her is of course...her affection. Her...unrestrained affection. Knuckles thought fondly with a little smile on his face.

He then replied softly with a smile, "Yes, Kathy. I do want to play with you. We can do that whenever we're alone together. I...I won't mind at all if you do want to tease me or mess with me. Besides...".

He then smirked playfully at her as he finished teasingly, "...I'm just going to get back at you for doing those things. Like poking me for example".

Kathy smiled even more in amusement of that as she replied, "Hehehe. I'm sorry that I did that to you...relentlessly".

Knuckles then smirked even more deviously as he replied playfully, "Oh. You'll be sorry all right when I poke you back...just as relentlessly as you did to me".

Kathy just giggled in response to this, and Knuckles can't help but chuckle a little too. They then smiled warmly at each other in amusement. Kathy rubbed his shoulders a little as she asked gently, "Still, though...Are you okay, Knuckles? You really did lose it back there".

"Hahahaha...I'm fine. I'm fine. I...Hahahaha...I'll admit that did drove me a bit insane, but...I had fun with it too..." Knuckles replied calmly with a smile as he chuckled a bit in amusement. He then added with a grin, "...Only because you were the one doing it to me. That's the reason why I had fun in the first place".

Kathy smiled gently at that since she's happy that she was the reason for Knuckles' enjoyment. Knuckles smiled gently back at her as he suggested calmly, "Hey...Why don't we... finish our breakfast together?".

Kathy then beamed at this suggestion as she asked, "Does that mean you will...?".

Knuckles nodded and answered calmly with a smile, "Yes, you can feed me, Kathy. I am pretty hungry in fact".

"Yay! Mmmm!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a silly smile before she gave Knuckles a warm hug.

"Heheheheh...Alright. Alright...Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly while chuckling a bit as he hugged Kathy back. As Knuckles warmly hugged Kathy, he then pondered with a smile as he stared at her. This...This just feels so warm. So nice. So comforting. ...How...How long had I craved this? This warm...unconditional affection from someone? The hugging...the snuggling...the nuzzling...the cuddling...and...the poking? How I had desired and waited for someone to show affection towards me without any fear or hesitance. I...I...

Knuckles smiled even more in fondness as he held Kathy tighter and had closed his eyes. I...I want Kathy to keep doing this to me. I'm...I'm so happy that Kathy is willing to hug me. I'm very happy that my...my "thing" is hugging me. I adore this warmth, and I don't want it to stop. Ever. Knuckles pondered some more in elation.

"Mmmmm..." Knuckles mused quietly as he hugged Kathy.

"Ummm...Knuckles?" Kathy asked quietly with a sheepish look on her face.

"Mmmmm? Yes, Kathy?" Knuckles asked gently with a calm smile.

Kathy smiled a little as she replied sheepishly, "Umm...I'm sorry that I had hugged you again, Knuckles. I just...felt like it. I can't help it. I'm sorry...".

"Kathy..." Knuckles muttered softly as he then gently pulled Kathy's face back and held it so that he can see her. With a small, sad smile, Knuckles asked gently, "What reason do you have to feel sorry for? You're not harming me. You're very gentle whenever you do that. Why do you always have to apologize for that?".

Kathy frowned a little in shame as she answered quietly, "It's because...I was worried that you might get uncomfortable whenever I hug you so suddenly. Like right now for example".

"You were worried that...I'll get...uncomfortable?" Knuckles asked curiously with a fond look on his face as he felt touched by what Kathy had said.

Kathy's antennas went down in shame as she nodded. "Yes. It seems that I'm not doing a good job at being a gentlewoman as of late. I keep poking you and hugging you without your consent," Kathy replied sadly with a frown. She then looked down in shame as she added, "It seems that I still have ways to go before becoming a true gentlewoman like my mom once was".

Ah. So that's what this is all about. Knuckles thought with a smile as he figured out why Kathy keeps apologizing to him every time she's being affectionate.

"Kathy...It's okay..." Knuckles replied softly with a gentle smile while he rubbed Kathy's left cheek with his hand as he lifts her head up.

"Huh?" Kathy asked quietly in confusion as she looked at Knuckles curiously.

Knuckles smiled widely at her as he replied, "I'm sure that your mom does think of you as a gentlewoman even when you do hug me or poke me. No one is going to be a perfect gentleman or a gentlewoman. It's good to have manners and be polite when needed to, but...".

Knuckles then fond at her as he continued, "...there's nothing wrong with being playful and affectionate towards someone you care about. You don't have to apologize to me every time you want to express your emotions like that. I'll still see you as a polite lady even when you hug me and poke me. I'll be fine with it. Really".

Kathy looked surprised at first until she looked confused. She asked with a confused look on her face, "Are you sure that you will still see me as that? I mean...It's a bit childish and impolite to poke someone".

Knuckles then smirked deviously at her as he replied playfully, "What? You mean like...this?".

Knuckles immediately prodded Kathy's stomach after saying that, and this had already sent Kathy into a hard giggle fit.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stop it! Hehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested happily as she giggled a lot. It didn't help that Knuckles was holding her with one arm as he does this. She tried to struggle out of Knuckles' fierce grip, but his incessant poking kept weakening her and had made it easy for him to trap her. Knuckles was smirking evilly at her as he listened to her bubbly giggles.

"Ahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles! Please! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahap! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested more as she kept giggling hard. She held onto Knuckles more tightly now since she gave up trying to break free of his hold. She had her head onto his left shoulder and had giggled as much as she could.

"Heheheheh...I told you that I'll get you back every time you poke me, silly girl. Now, it's time for payback," Knuckles replied calmly yet deviously with a smirk before he moved both his thumbs under Kathy's armpits and prodded her there next. This just made Kathy explode with laughter.

"Eeeeek! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stahahahahahahahahahap! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy shrieked before she laughed hysterically at this.

Knuckles chuckled at this before he stopped and replied calmly, "Heheheheh...Okay. Okay. I'll stop. I think that you had enough".

Kathy kept giggling as she held onto Knuckles more tightly after that. Knuckles held her back just as warmly. He rubbed her back gently with his hands and had stared at her fondly with a smile on his face. As he watched Kathy calm down her giggles, he thought to himself with a longing smile. This...feels so right. Holding onto an adorable girl like this...It feels...so unbelievably warm to me. I...I wish that...that...

Knuckles then lowered his eyelids at her as he finished his thoughts with a warm smile. ...I wish that I could hold onto her forever and never let go.

Kathy then calmed down and looked at Knuckles again while beaming at him. Knuckles smiled back at her in fondness. Kathy then replied happily with a smile, "Knuckles! Hehehehehe! That was so mean!".

Knuckles smirked playfully at her as he replied calmly in amusement, "Hey, you did the same thing to me, but you don't see me complaining about it".

"I know! Hehehehehe! But still! Don't do that!" Kathy exclaimed back with a giggle.

"And why not?" Knuckles asked playfully with a smug grin.

"Because I'm ticklish! Hehehehe!" Kathy answered happily with a giggle.

Knuckles raised his eyebrows in amusement before he shook his head as he smiled. He then replied calmly in amusement, "Of course, you are, silly girl. You giggle very easily at anything that happens around you".

"No, I don't. Hehehehe!" Kathy argued back with a smile as she giggled a bit.

"Oh, yes, you do. I know you how you work," Knuckles replied teasingly with a grin.

"No! You do not! Hehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back while giggling harder.

"Then why are you giggling right now, silly girl?" Knuckles asked playfully with a smug grin.

"Because you're making me laugh with that face of yours! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily while giggling a lot.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Knuckles replied teasingly with a knowing grin.

"It's right there! You're making me laugh with that grin of yours! Hehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back with a giggle as she pointed at Knuckles' mouth.

"So?" Knuckles asked playfully while grinning even more to further tease Kathy.

"So, stop it! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested with a smile as she giggled a lot in amusement.

"Heh. I'm not going to stop. Do you want to know why?" Knuckles replied calmly with a grin.

"Hehehehehehe! Is it because you like being mean?" Kathy asked as she giggled.

Knuckles then lowered his eyelids halfway as he replied smugly, "Maybe".

"Ahahahahahahahaha! I knew it! Hehehehehehe! Bad doggie! Bad! Hehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a smile as she laughed and poked at his chest.

"Hey, firstly, I said 'maybe', silly girl, and secondly, that wasn't my real answer," Knuckles replied playfully with a grin as he gently poked Kathy's stomach briefly to get back at her.

"Hahahahahahahaha! Okay! Okay! Fine! Hehehehehehe! Then what was your real answer anyway?" Kathy replied in amusement as she giggled a lot at the poking.

Knuckles just smiled warmly at her in amusement. He then held her a little closer to him as he answered softly, "It's because I like seeing you laugh and smile, Kathy. If I had to be mean to get you to laugh and giggle, then I'll do it because I know that it'll make you happy".

Kathy's eyes sparkled with joy after hearing Knuckles' answer. She then smiled warmly at him as she replied calmly, "But...it's still mean and impolite though".

"Heh. It is. But...it still makes you happy though, right?" Knuckles replied calmly with a smile.

"...Yes...Yes, it does make me happy when you are mean. It certainly makes me giggle a lot," Kathy replied calmly yet happily with a smile.

"And that's what's important here. Your happiness is more important than being polite," Knuckles replied wisely with a calm look on his face.

"Wait. Huh?" Kathy replied in confusion.

Knuckles smiled more fondly as he explained with a gentle look on his face, "Kathy...I'm not saying that you should stop being polite towards me. I'm just saying that it's okay to just express yourself and your true feelings towards me. Whether you feel playful or affectionate...you should express it openly to others. Not bottle them up or apologize if you do it. The only times that you should apologize is when you had genuinely hurt somebody. Not when you think that you did".

"..." Kathy was silent as she stared at Knuckles with twinkling, light-blue eyes.

Knuckles continued as he spoke softly, "Besides...it's much better to be mean than to be polite. Being polite can make someone look nice, but that doesn't mean that they're always sincere though. Sincerity comes through one's true thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, sincerity hurts people's feelings, and that's the reason why society hates mean people. They just can't take the raw emotions of others. It's too overwhelming for them, however, those people need to learn to adapt so that they can handle the real world...which is a place full of mean people".

"..." Kathy was still quiet as she continued to listen to Knuckles' speech.

Knuckles then rubbed Kathy's arms as he continued calmly, "But I know that you can adapt, Kathy. I'm certain that you had dealt with a lot of mean people in the past, but I believe that you can overcome that and build some thicker skin for yourself. If I can make you laugh by being mean to you, then...I'm sure that someday you'll laugh when someone else is being mean to you too. I mean. If you can laugh it off and not get your feelings hurt, then you're the winner in that scenario. But if you get sad and cry after someone had hurt your feelings, then you've lost. Plain and simple. If there is someone in your life that you don't like, such as Battra for example, the best way to get back at them is just to genuinely laugh and smile at their mean attempts. They'll certainly be disappointed when they couldn't get the reaction that they had wanted from you. That's for sure".

Kathy just blinked her curious eyes at Knuckles as she mulled over what Knuckles had said to her. ...Is that why...my childhood memories were so painful? Was it because back then...I couldn't handle people being mean to me? All because I wasn't...smiling or laughing? So, all those struggles and hardship of becoming a hero would've been less agonizing...if I had laughed and smiled more? Is that...what Knuckles is saying here? Kathy brooded as she stared quietly at Knuckles' gentle eyes.

Knuckles then finished by saying calmly, "...Just understand this, Kathy. I don't care if you decide to be mean or not. I'll always accept you as you are. Just as my happiness is important, your happiness is important too. Besides...you can't show love through politeness. The only thing that politeness does is restrain meanness. Without meanness, then there's no sincerity or love. Only niceness. Sure, it may sound great if everyone is nice, but by then, no one would know if people truly love them or not. But with meanness, however, it can go in either two ways whether it be love or hate. When someone is being mean or trying to be mean to a person, they always have a tell in whether they truly like the person or not. It all comes down to their intent. Do you understand now, Kathy?".

Kathy stared into Knuckles' eyes even after he had finished his speech. She then slowly nodded her head in understanding. Knuckles smiled warmly at her and had replied calmly, "There you go, Kathy. No more incessant apologizing, alright?".

Kathy smiled a little at him and had replied shyly, "I'll...I'll try not to".

Knuckles smiled more fondly at her and had pulled her in for another hug. Kathy hugged him back with a happy smile on her face. Knuckles chuckled quietly as he replied gently, "Heheheheh...That's the spirit, Kathy. Just do your best".

They kept hugging each other with such gentleness and warmness. They both had huge smiles on their happy faces as they enjoy the sweet, warm moment that they have with each other. It was rather quiet and peaceful for a little while...until suddenly...

GROWL!

Kathy and Knuckles soon pulled a bit from each other after hearing that stomach growl for the third time this morning. They smiled hugely at each other in amusement of that. Knuckles replied awkwardly with a smile, "Uhh...Heheheheh...S-Sorry about that, Kathy. I kind of...ruined the moment there. Umm...".

"Hey..." Kathy replied playfully with a bright smile as she poked Knuckles' nose. She continued teasingly, "...Don't apologize to me when clearly you hadn't done anything wrong to me".

"Ahahahahahaha! Wow, you learned quickly! Heheheheheheh! You're right. I forgot. Whoops..." Knuckles replied in amusement as he chuckled a lot.

"Yeah, it's not you who's at fault here. It's the breakfast monster's fault! He had interrupted our moment together. He's the one who's supposed to apologize here. Not you," Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a silly smile.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! I hate to break this to you, Kathy, but 'he' will only apologize when 'he' gets food in his belly! That's how mean 'he' really is! Heheheheheheh! 'He' gets mean when 'he's' hungry! Heheheheheheh! So, you better 'feed him' now or else you won't get to eat the rest of your breakfast! Hahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed playfully with a grin as he laughed a lot in amusement.

"Teehee! Well, thanks for telling me about 'your' secret, Knuckles. Now, I know why you're mean all the time. You're always hungry!" Kathy replied brightly with a smile as she teased Knuckles a little.

"Oh, shut up! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed with a huge smile as he laughed happily.

Kathy beamed at him in amusement, and Knuckles smiled widely at her in amusement too. After giving Knuckles one, last, quick hug, she then pulled away from him and stood back up. She then walked around Knuckles' chair and had carefully pushed him back towards the table. As Knuckles placed his hands onto the table again, he looked up at Kathy with a smile and had said, "Hey, there you go, Kathy. You pushed me in correctly this time. You're catching on quickly, Kathy. I'm proud of you".

Kathy beamed at him and replied happily, "Yep! And guess what I'm going to do next!".

"Hmm? Uhh...Put a napkin in my lap?" Knuckles guessed in confusion as he raised an eyebrow at her.

"No, silly! I'm going to give you a glass of milk! Besides, why do I need to put a napkin on your lap? Napkins belong on the table!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a smile before she looked confused.

"Uhh...Umm...N-Never mind that, Kathy. That's just another table manner that you hadn't learned yet," Knuckles replied calmly yet a bit awkwardly with a little frown as he waved his hand at her.

"Oh...Uhh...Should I...learn it? Like right now?" Kathy asked curiously as she put a hand under her chin and had titled her head in a cute way again.

Knuckles raised his eyebrows at that and had smiled in amusement. He answered calmly with a smile, "Not right now. Maybe later when we're in a restaurant. I'll teach you about that when we eventually go there. Okay?".

"Okay. I get it. But...uhh...What's a 'rest-uh-rant'?" Kathy replied in understanding as she nodded before she asked in confusion and in curiosity. Her light-blue eyes were twinkling in curiosity when she had asked that, and Knuckles adored that curious look with all his heart.

He smiled warmly at her as he replied calmly, "It might be easier for me to show you one than explain one to you, Kathy. In fact, I'll take you there myself".

"...! You will? For me?" Kathy asked with a gasp as she covered her mouth with her hand.

Knuckles nodded and had replied gently with a smile, "Yes, I will. For you, Kathy. I'll take you there tomorrow. Consider it a da-".

Knuckles then blushed very much in embarrassment when he realized what he was about to say next. ACK! NO! NO! NO! STOP THAT, KNUCKLES! DON'T YOU DARE SAY THE WORD "DATE" TO HER! WE'RE JUST TEAMMATES FOR NOW! TEAMMATES! Knuckles pondered in panic as his eyes went wide and as his mouth went agape.

Kathy looked confused when she saw that Knuckles had stopped talking and had blushed instead. She then asked in confusion, "Umm...Knuckles? What was it that you were about to say?".

"Ummm! Uhhh! I...I...I had meant to say...daytime...hangout...Y-Yeah..." Knuckles replied nervously yet awkwardly with a deep blush on his face. Really, Knuckles? "Daytime hangout"? That's the best alternative name you have for "date"? Why are you such a pansy, Knuckles? You're only embarrassing yourself. Knuckles brooded as he cringed a lot after saying that.

Of course, Kathy was naturally oblivious to this as she replied simply with a smile and a nod, "Oh, okay. Daytime hangout it is then!".

See? Now, when Kathy says it, it's more natural and confident. But with you, Knuckles, you say it like a wuss. Man up for crying out loud! Knuckles brooded with a frown as he berated himself in annoyance.

"Well, anyways, I'll fetch you some milk, Knuckles! Hang on for a second!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a smile before she turned around and walked towards the fridge.

"Alright. You do that...(Sigh)…" Knuckles replied calmly with a quiet sigh as he placed a hand over his forehead in embarrassment. Just get a grip, Knuckles. You're lucky that Kathy doesn't know your "thing" yet. It's the only silver lining that you have. Now, just relax. Knuckles thought with a little embarrassed frown on his face as he's recovering from his embarrassment. He then shook his head a bit and took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

As Knuckles did that, Kathy grabbed the milk from the fridge and went over to the counter. She opened the cupboard that has the glasses in it and took one out from it. She placed glass down onto the counter and had started to open the milk. It's a good thing that I know how to pour a drink while I had lived on Infant Island. It certainly is easy to pour water from a coconut shell to another one. So easy that a child such as I can do it. Kathy pondered calmly with a smile as she carefully poured the milk into the glass until its full. She then closed the milk again and had walked back to the fridge to put it back. She did that and had walked back to the extra glass of milk. She grabbed it and had carried it over to the dinner table.

By that time, Knuckles had recovered from his embarrassment and had looked calm again. When he saw Kathy putting his glass down, he looked at her and smiled gently at her. "Did Tails taught you how to pour drinks into glasses too?" Knuckles asked calmly with a smile.

Kathy smiled gently at him and had shook her head "no". "My mom was the one who had taught me how to do that. Using coconut shells as cups was a brilliant way to drink water in my island," Kathy answered calmly with a gentle smile.

"Ah. I see that we have another thing in common in our upbringing. I also used to drink water from coconut shells too. I have to in order to survive on my island," Knuckles replied calmly with a smile as his eyebrows were raised in surprise of that fact.

"Really?! Wow! You're like an expert survivalist here! I wouldn't have thought that if I was living all by myself as I kid! I'm glad that my mom was around to have taught me basic survival skills because otherwise I don't think that I'd be alive today!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin on her face.

"Yeah...It certainly is a miracle that you are alive at all, Kathy. I'm...I'm happy that you...exist...in my life..." Knuckles muttered quietly yet slowly with a little, fond smile on his face as he stared gently at Kathy. His violet eyes twinkled in fondness as he stared at her. Kathy smiled gently at him with twinkling eyes too.

"Yeah...I'm glad that you exist in my life too, Knuckles. Fate has a strange way of working things out for us," Kathy replied softly with a fond smile as she stared back at him.

"It sure does..." Knuckles agreed softly with a fond look on his face. They stared gently at their eyes with fond smiles on their faces. They felt at peace staring at each other in the eyes again. They felt happy that they can be together like this, and they just know that nothing could make them happier than each other.

...Kathy...Oh, Kathy...You have no idea how happy I am that you do exist in this dark, depressing world that I live in daily. For all the darkness that exist in this world, you bring light into it. You're the reason for my excitement and joy that I have right now. The excitement that life is about. Now...whenever I wake up in the morning...I'll know that you exist in this world. Because you exist, I can't stop thinking about you whenever I'm apart from you. I feel peace and happiness again thanks to you existing in this world. I...I...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly as he stared intensely into Kathy's eyes. He didn't stop staring at her eyes even when Kathy had walked back to her seat and sat down. Kathy smiled gently at him as she walked back to her seat. Even she didn't stop staring at Knuckles eyes as well when she moved. They both smiled gently and stared at each other fondly while they sat together.

...I...I'm so happy for your existence, Kathy. Without you, the world would be a sad place to live in. …Hmmm...Hey...Wait a minute...Knuckles pondered fondly with a smile before he looked slightly surprised as he remembered something that Ms. Vanilla had said to him two days ago.

"...Birthdays are very special days because it reminds everyone including yourself that you are alive and well. Those days should be treated as days of appreciation of your existence in life. If you weren't born, Knuckles, then this world would be a miserable and horrible place to live in...".

...

"...I'm glad that you exist in my life too, Knuckles...".

...I...I understand now. I understand why...Ms. Vanilla had said that. If I weren't alive right now, then Kathy would have never met me, and I would never meet the silliest, sweetest girl in my life. If I had cut my life span short, then...Kathy would be very depressed and lonely. The only reason that she was able to keep on smiling was because...I was there to help her when she had needed it the most. She's here with me now because I had chosen to help her. Because I had chosen to...to...live longer. Knuckles pondered with a stunned look on his face as he had an epiphany. He then smiled warmly at Kathy again as he thought.

Because I had wanted to live longer...for her sake.

"Kathy?" Knuckles asked gently with a warm smile.

"Yes, Knuckles?" Kathy asked gently too with a sweet smile.

"When's your birthday?" Knuckles asked gently as he looked at her fondly.

"Oh? It's July 30th!" Kathy answered brightly with a smile. (A/N Fun Fact: The original "Mothra" movie premiered on July 30, 1961. So, I think that it's fitting that Kathy's birthday should be on that day too.)

"Really? Heh. Well, it seems that your birthday is coming up in two weeks. Feeling excited?" Knuckles replied calmly with a smile as his eyebrows were raised a bit in surprise.

"Oh! You're right! Hehehehe! It is getting rather close, isn't it?! Yeah! I'm feeling very excited now since you had reminded me! This will be the first birthday that I have while having friends by my side!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a bright smile.

"I'm sure that you're going to have a fun time when your birthday comes around. It'll be great. In fact, I'll tell Ms. Vanilla that your birthday is coming up so that she'll throw you a birthday party on that day. Her and her daughter, Cream, will certainly make the party special. I'm sure of it," Knuckles replied calmly with a smile.

"R-Really? Ms. Vanilla and...Cream?" Kathy asked tentatively in confusion as she titled her head in a cute way again.

Knuckles smiled even more in amusement when he saw that adorable head tic again. He then replied calmly as he put his arms onto the table again, "Ms. Vanilla and Cream are Sonic's friends and my acquaintances. Ms. Vanilla is 26 while Cream is just 6. They are very kind people and...heh...and very polite too. You'll feel right at home with them around, Kathy. They'll accept you easily".

"...! They're...They're polite too? Even Cream?" Kathy asked in shock with a huge smile as she gasped a little.

"Yes, even Cream, Kathy. She's a little sweetheart. I'll admit. She helps her mother with the cooking and the cleaning. She also has a little pet Chao named Cheese. She's a sweet and innocent child. You will adore her when you meet her, Kathy. You two will become best friends instantly," Knuckles replied calmly with a smile and a nod.

"Ooooh, I certainly will! She sounds so cute! I bet that she looks cute too!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a grin as she clasped her hands together.

"Heh. We'll see when we meet them soon," Knuckles replied calmly with a fond look on his face. Oh. Kathy is going to be so thrilled when she meets Cream for the first time. She's going to shower Cream with all the affection that she has in her bubbly body. She's just that sweet. Knuckles thought with an amused smile on his face as he stared calmly at Kathy.

"So, when's your birthday, Knuckles?" Kathy asked brightly with a smile.

"Hmm? Oh, it's February 3," Knuckles answered calmly with a smile and with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, I see. Your birthday is pretty far away," Kathy replied bluntly with a little frown.

"Well, duh. It's in the middle of winter. Also, it's only about 6 and a half months from now. So, it'll take a while until I have another birthday," Knuckles replied casually with a shrug as he frowned a little. It's not as if I care or anything. I don't think very much of my birthday anyway. It's not that big of a deal to me. Knuckles thought with a little frown.

"Hmmm..." Kathy mused a bit while having her fingers under her chin.

"Something on your mind, Kathy?" Knuckles asked curiously as he stared at Kathy closely.

Kathy then beamed at Knuckles and exclaimed brightly, "Yeah!".

"Oh? What is it then?" Knuckles asked curiously as his eyes went wide a bit.

"Happy early birthday, Knuckles! Teehee!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin.

"Oh...Heheheheheh...You don't need to do that, Kathy. Really. It's fine," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement as he chuckled a bit.

"But I wasn't here to celebrate your birthday five months ago! So, I want to make up for that by celebrating it now!" Kathy exclaimed with a little frown on her face.

"...! ...I...I...Kathy...I..." Knuckles muttered quietly with a gasp as his eyes went wide and as his mouth went agape in shock. He felt speechless by this. He himself may not care so much about his own birthday, but Kathy, on the other hand, cares about it so much that it's making his heart squeeze in adoration. I...I should have seen this coming. The only person who would make it a big deal would be this sweet girl right here. If she thinks that it's important, then who am I to say otherwise? Knuckles pondered fondly with a warm look on his face as he smiled longingly at Kathy.

"Kathy...You shouldn't have..." Knuckles muttered softly with a warm smile on his face.

"But I do! In fact, how about I give you a present right now?!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a bright smile as she looked excited.

"Huh? 'A...present'?" Knuckles repeated in shock and in confusion his eyes went wide again.

"Yeah!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a silly smile on her face. She then grabbed her fork again and lifted it towards Knuckles' mouth again. She then continued with a huge smile on her face, "An early birthday present! Here's your present, Knuckles! Breakfast! Now, open wide so that I could feed you my present!".

Knuckles instantly laughed at this. "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Ah! Of course! Breakfast! Hahahahahahahah! I should've known! Heheheheheheheh! You're so funny, Kathy. Heheheheheheh..." Knuckles replied happily with a huge smile as he laughed a lot.

Kathy beamed jovially at him, and Knuckles smiled a lot too after that. He then opened his mouth wide to let Kathy feed him. Kathy then put her fork into his mouth, and Knuckles bit into the bacon and pancake combo with a smile on his face. Kathy then pulled the fork away from Knuckles after he had eaten it. Knuckles then swallowed his food and had smiled even more after that.

"Did you like it?" Kathy asked brightly with a grin.

Knuckles nodded calmly to her with a huge smile on his face. Kathy beamed again as she exclaimed brightly, "Haha! So, you do love yummy pancakes then! And bacon too it seems!".

Knuckles just smiled sheepishly at Kathy as he felt shy again. Heh...I actually do love pancakes and bacon. I'm just...too shy to admit it. ...Especially to her. She's...Heh...She's my weakness. Knuckles thought in amusement as he looked shy.

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's eat some more pancakes and bacon together! Here! Have another pancake, Knuckles! Teehee!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a smile as she picked up another piece of pancake and gave it to Knuckles.

Knuckles chuckled a little before opening his mouth again. Kathy put her fork into his mouth, and Knuckles bit into the food again. Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she watched him eat again. Knuckles had swallowed his food again and had smiled fondly at Kathy.

"Yay!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a silly smile since she's happy that Knuckles is enjoying the meal too.

"Hmph..." Knuckles grunted calmly in amusement since he's happy that Kathy is happy. Kathy may say that this breakfast is my present, but I think otherwise. She is my present. A wonderful, beautiful, adorable, funny present that makes me smile and laugh every day. It certainly would've been fantastic if she had shown up on my birthday, but...it's better to show up late than to have never shown up at all. At least...that's how I see it. But nevertheless...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile on his face.

"Here, Knuckles! Here's some tasty bacon for you!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a smile as she put her fork next to Knuckles' mouth again.

"..." Knuckles was silent as he lowered his eyelids halfway at Kathy while having a fond look on his face. He then finished his musings with this thought.

...This is the best present I had ever received in my life...

Man, I miss the old days for writing Blaze the Cat: Monster Outbreak when chapters were quaint and were below 20, 000 words. I can't go back-Oh wait! Yes, I can! I'm going to do that right now! That's right, folks! We're going back to simpler times with shorter chapters! And with shorter chapters, I might be able to post more chapters quickly! Of course, the episodes will be divided into parts like this one. So, I can still write what I had originally intended while still being manageable by having chapters short! Hopefully, you'll like this new change! Thanks for the support and feedback, guys! Anyways, let's see more bonding time between Kathy and Knuckles next chapter! Onwards to part 3!