Guardian Angels
S1:E6: Angel And...(Pt. 3)
Kathy and Knuckles both ate the pancakes and bacon together in silence. They took turns to eating the meal. Kathy would eat some of her pieces, and Knuckles would eat some of the pieces that Kathy gave him. They also both drank their milk at times as they waited for the other to finish their food. It may have been silent as they ate and drank, but they had enjoyed the silence together with huge, warm smiles on their faces. After they saw that the meal was gone, they smiled at each other again in happiness.
"Man...That was delicious..." Knuckles replied calmly with a smile.
"It sure was! Hehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a giggle.
"Hmph...I'm glad that you had liked it. Now, then..." Knuckles replied calmly with a smile before he pushed back in his chair and stood up from it. He then went behind the chair and pushed it back while saying calmly, "...Shouldn't we go outside already? There's a lot of places to explore out there. Especially since we need to go search for the Sol Hearts anyway. Might as well try to go search for them while we still can".
Kathy nodded excitedly with grin as she exclaimed, "Why of course! Good idea, Knuckles! Let's explore!".
"Hmph. Then what are you doing sitting around for? Get up and put the dishes into the sink. Like so," Knuckles replied calmly with a smirk. He then grabbed his glass and walked over to the sink for emphasis. After he put it into the sink, he had looked back at Kathy with a smile.
Kathy smiled back at him and replied brightly, "Okay! I can do that!".
She then pushed back in her chair and stood up from it. She stretched a bit before walking behind the chair and pushed it back in its place. Next, she placed her fork, knife, and her glass onto the plate. Then she carefully picked the plate up and held it as she walked over to the sink. Once she got there, she placed them into the sink and had rinsed them a bit. Knuckles was smiling the whole time as he watched her do this. He was happy that Kathy is catching on as she learned how to live in a modern environment. Seeing her pick up her dishes and cleaning them in the sink had been fascinating for him to watch all the way through. She even knows how to push the chair back after a meal. It may seem like a minuscule thing to feel excited over, but I can't help but feel proud of her for doing it correctly. She's slowly growing and learning right before my eyes, and she's going to keep on growing even more. I can just feel it. Knuckles pondered in fondness as he smiled warmly at her.
"Okay! I'm finished!" Kathy exclaimed cheerfully with a happy smile as she turned off the faucet and looked over at Knuckles.
"I can see that. Good job, Kathy. You did well into cleaning the dishes," Knuckles replied calmly with a smile and a nod.
Kathy beamed proudly at him, and Knuckles smiled back just as proudly. He then walked over to her and had grabbed her hand. "Hey...Let's go, Kathy. Let's go have another adventure together," Knuckles said gently with a fond smile as he held her hand. Kathy stared at him with twinkling light-blue eyes since she's happy that Knuckles is holding her hand, and Knuckles stared back at her with twinkling violet eyes since he's happy that Kathy is allowing him to do this.
Kathy then smiled gently at him as she replied softly, "Alright, Knuckles. Let's go...".
She then walked forward towards the second kitchen door, and Knuckles turned around and walked with her towards the door. They both pushed through the door together while holding hands. After they had entered the living room, they both walked over to the front door. But of course, just as they had reached the door, Sonic spoke up.
"Hey, where are you two lovebirds heading off to? A secret dating spot?" Sonic asked teasingly with a grin as he had his arms over his head.
"Ah!" Kathy and Knuckles exclaimed in surprise as they turned their bodies around to look at Sonic and Tails. They both blushed in embarrassment and in shock of this. Sonic just stared back at them with a smug grin on his face. Meanwhile, Tails just looked sheepish as he felt rather bad for Knuckles and Kathy right now. Oh, Sonic, just give them a break. They don't deserve this. Please. Tails thought with a frown.
…A...A...s-secret d-dating spot? Kathy thought in embarrassment as her eyes went wide and as her mouth was open a little.
A SECRET DATING SPOT?! Knuckles thought in panic and in embarrassment as his eyes went very wide and as his jaw had dropped.
"Well? Are any of you two going to answer or are you just going to gawk at me? Sonic asked teasingly with a grin.
Knuckles blinked a bit in shock before he shook his head. With an embarrassed, irritated look on his face, Knuckles then yelled back, "We're not going to a dating spot! We're just going out to explore!".
"What's the difference? You're still going out together, are you?" Sonic asked teasingly with a smug grin.
Knuckles blushed even more in embarrassment after hearing Sonic's teasing remarks. He felt even more irritated as he argued back, "It's still not a date! Firstly, Kathy doesn't know her way around this place! And secondly! We need to search for the Sol Hearts! It's very important that we do that or else our world is doomed! So! Are you going to go out to look for the Sol Hearts too or not?!".
Sonic then pretended to think while having a playful look on his face. "Hmmm...You have a good point there, Knuckles. I mean...It's true that we need to help Kathy out in any way possible..." Sonic replied coyly with a smirk as he rubbed his chin with his finger.
"...Yes...We should, Sonic. So...what are you going to do?" Knuckles replied in a calmer tone as he relaxed a bit after seeing that Sonic is being slightly reasonable here.
Sonic smirked even more deviously as he stared at Kathy and Knuckles. He then thought mischievously. What I'm going to do you ask? Well, that's easy. ...I'm going to be pushing Knuckles into the "right direction". Heheheheh...
Sonic then looked calm as he closed his eyes and answered coyly, "Simple. I'm going to be the one who gets to guide Kathy here. Kathy and I are going to search for the Sol Hearts together..."
Sonic then added smugly as he opened his eyes halfway, "...All by ourselves...".
"...!" Knuckles gasped in shock after hearing what Sonic had said. With a shocked face, Knuckles then thought in worry. ...N-No...He...He wouldn't...He wouldn't!
"Huh? You mean...you're going to be my guide as we travel around the world? Is that what you're saying, Sonic?" Kathy asked curiously with a flushed face as she tilted her head in a cute way again and had a hand under her chin.
"Yep! You and me, Kathy! Besides, Knuckles needs to guard his emerald anyway. He can't just slack off in his guardian duties just to play hooky with you, Kathy. Right, Knuckles?" Sonic replied casually as he opened his eyes fully before looking devious at Knuckles.
What?! Knuckles thought in shock as he stared at Sonic with a surprised look on his face. He can see that Sonic is looking devious at him, and he...felt ticked off at that. Grrrrrrr...Sonic...What are you planning now? Don't tell me that you're going to use this opportunity to get close to Kathy, are you? You better back off now, Sonic. Because Kathy is...is...Knuckles brooded with gritted teeth as he growled in anger.
"Oh...Does he? I mean...I knew that, but..." Kathy replied slowly in confusion and in slight disappointment as she stared at Knuckles with sad eyes.
"Aww, do you want Knuckles to be your guide instead?" Sonic asked teasingly with a grin as he saw Kathy's disappointed face.
"Huh?! Uhhh...Ummm..." Kathy muttered in shock and in embarrassment as she looked back at Sonic with a flushed look on her face.
Sonic shrugged casually as he replied calmly with a smile, "Hey, I mean, it's your choice, Kathy. You can pick either Knuckles or me to be your guide. I can also you help you find the Sol Hearts too. With our fast speeds, we can find the hearts as fast as possible. Besides...".
He then lowered his eyes halfway again as he continued coyly, "...It'll certainly be more fun if we hang out together, Kathy. I've never met a fast flier that could rival my running speed before. I want to see how fast you can really go. Trust me, Kathy...".
He then finished as he looked fondly at her, "...I'll be more exciting to be with than old, boring Knuckles here. He's just going to be strict and serious all the time. A fun girl like you shouldn't hang out with a stubborn, short-tempered, dull echidna around. I'm serious, Kathy. He's nothing but tro-".
"WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY?! KATHY IS GOING OUT WITH ME! SHE IS MINE!" Knuckles shouted furiously with a vein popping in his head as he pointed at Sonic before pointing at himself.
"...!" Kathy gasped in shock as she looked at Knuckles with a stunned look on her face. She was flabbergasted that Knuckles had shouted such a bold declaration like that. Wh-What? Knuckles wants me...to go with him? Does he want me to...choose him? Kathy pondered with a shocked look on her face.
Tails was just speechless as he stared at Knuckles with wide eyes and with a little, open mouth. Well...that was unexpected. Tails thought with a stunned look on his face.
Sonic was also speechless at Knuckles' bold outburst. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was agape as he stared at Knuckles too. ...Huh...That was easy. Heh. Sonic thought in shock before he looked amused again as he smiled widely at Knuckles.
"WHAT ARE YOU SMILING ABOUT NOW?!" Knuckles shouted in fury as his eyes narrowed at Sonic.
"Oh, nothing. I just want to clarify you on something. ...Kathy is yours, huh?" Sonic replied coyly with a knowing smile.
"YES!" Knuckles shouted in determination.
"...Okay...But didn't you say that you and Kathy were just teammates? Why are you referring to her as if she's your girlfriend?" Sonic asked teasingly with a mischievous smile.
"G-G-G-GIRLFRIEND?!" Knuckles shouted in shock and in embarrassment as he stuttered a little. Knuckles had a freaked-out look on his face as he shouted that.
…"Girlfriend"? Kathy thought curiously as she stared at Knuckles with a blush. She can see Knuckles' face turning bright red in embarrassment.
Sonic smirked deviously at Knuckles as he replied calmly, "What are you so shocked about, Knuckles? I mean. If you do see Kathy as your girlfriend, then there's no need to feel so flustered. Unless...".
He then looked smug again as he added coyly, "...You're just saying that she's yours without really meaning it. You just don't feel that way for her, do you? Makes sense since you keep saying that what you have is not a cru-".
"OF COURSE, I HAD MEANT IT! SHE IS MINE BECAUSE SHE'S MY MASTER!" Knuckles shouted defensively in anger as he glared at Sonic while blushing hard.
"Ah!" Kathy exclaimed in surprise as she blushed very much at that. She then looked sheepish as she thought. Oh no...What have I done? I...I...I only referred to Knuckles as my little doggie out of jest and of affection. I was only being playful with him whenever I had called him a "doggie". I..I..I hadn't intended for him to take it so literally. This has gone too far. I...I better clarify it to him now before it gets even worse.
"Umm...Knuckles? There's something that I need to tell yo-" Kathy spoke tentatively with a worried look on her face as she stared at Knuckles.
"Sorry, Kathy, but can it wait until we're outside? Because right now..." Knuckles replied calmly yet tersely with a frown as he briefly glanced at Kathy before glaring at Sonic again. He then held Kathy's hand much tighter while adding with a furious look on his face, "...I need to tell Sonic that we're going to look for the Sol Hearts together".
"B-But...But..." Kathy muttered quietly with a worried frown.
"No 'buts', Kathy. This...is...personal now..." Knuckles replied sternly with a grimace as he glared harshly at Sonic. Knuckles' body even shook a bit as he said that. Kathy frowned even more in worry as she thought. Ooooh...This is going to be a disaster. Talk about taking a joke too far. Ugh...
Sonic just smirked smugly at Knuckles as he asked teasingly, "'Your Master', huh? Is that why you're holding Kathy's hand? Because you can't go anywhere without your Master at your side? Ohohohoho boy! You really are a guard dog through and through, Knuckles. Let me guess...you're excited to go for a walk with her too, aren't you? Just like a dog would do".
"...! ...Ah...Ah...AH!" Knuckles gasped and muttered in shock and in embarrassment as he looked at Sonic with wide eyes and with an open mouth before looking at Kathy next. Knuckles' face was completely red as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes. His eyes went wider in shock as he noticed that he was still holding onto Kathy's hand...very tightly he might add.
"GAK!" Knuckles yelped in shock as he immediately lets go of Kathy's hand as if it was on fire. He then held onto his own hand and rubbed it while staring at Kathy in shock. WHAT HAD I BEEN DOING THIS WHOLE TIME?! HAVE I REALLY BEEN HYPONTIZED BY KATHY'S CHARMS THAT IT HAD MADE ME WANT TO HOLD HER HAND AND...AND...DO AND SAY ROMANTIC THINGS TO HER?! HOW COULD I LET MYSELF BE CAUGHT DOING EMBARRASSING THINGS LIKE THAT?! IN FRONT OF SONIC AND TAILS EVEN?! HOW COULD I...Knuckles pondered in panic as he had a freaked-out expression on his face. Then it dawned to him the very reason he did those things in the first place.
...It was the "Thing" that made him do it.
"Thing"...You and I are going to have a talk later. Knuckles thought in annoyance and in humiliation as he blushed deeply with a grimace. Knuckles then turned his head back at Sonic and yelled back in annoyance, "Look, Sonic! Just because I'm guarding her does not make me a guard dog!".
"Eh. True. But you are still excited into going for a walk with her, right?" Sonic asked teasingly with a smug grin.
"I'm just going out to look for the Sol Hearts! It is something that I have to do!" Knuckles yelled back furiously with gritted teeth and with clenched fists.
"Pfft! 'Have to do'? Yeah, right," Sonic scoffed with a smirk.
"But it's true! Battra will get the Sol Hearts instead if we don't find them now! We have to do it to save our world!" Knuckles argued back passionately as he raised a fist at Sonic.
"Au contraire, Knuckles. You don't have to do it. It's Kathy's job to find the Sol Hearts. Remember?" Sonic argued back calmly with a smile as he waggled his finger at Knuckles before putting his hand back behind his head.
"I...! ...Ah!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock as his eyes went wide again in realization. …That's...That's right...It's actually Kathy's duty to find the Sol Hearts. Not...Not mine technically...Knuckles pondered with a stunned look on his face as he lowered his fist down back to his side.
"Now, you get it. Since it's Kathy's job to save our world from Battra, she gets to decide who she wants as a guide. It's her choice on who she wants to have in her own adventures. I'll be glad if she chooses me as her partner in her adventures. But then again, she might choose you, Knuckles. You got to respect her choices you know..." Sonic replied calmly with a smile while still having his arms behind his head. He then smirked and winked at him as he added, "...If you truly care about her that is. Heheheh...".
Knuckles blushed very much at Sonic's last remark. He then frowned sheepishly in embarrassment and in sadness as he brooded while blushing. I know that it's her choice to choose who gets to help her. But I...I...Ooooh...When I had woken up in this morning, I was feeling so excited to meet Kathy again. I was excited because...I thought that...we would...spend more quality time together...as...as teammates.
Knuckles frowned even deeper in sadness as he continued to brood. I've...I've completely forgotten that it's Kathy's choice to do what she wants to do. I can't control her decisions, and yet, I was so dead-set into leaving this house with her at my side...without her consent. Although...she did look like she wanted to go with me since I had suggested it to her that we should explore together. So, I could say to Sonic that she had already chosen me. ...But...then again...
Knuckles then slowly looked at Kathy with a sad frown on his face. He can see her frowning in worry and in sadness too as she stared back at him. Knuckles grimaced in sadness as he finished his musings with.
...She might change her mind since Sonic had offered his help to her.
"...Kathy?" Knuckles asked quietly with a frown.
"Ah! Y-Yes?" Kathy replied tentatively in surprise.
"Do you...(Sigh)...Do you want to go out with Sonic instead?" Knuckles asked calmly yet quietly with a sigh.
"H-Huh? Why are you asking that?" Kathy asked in surprise and in confusion as her eyebrows were raised at him.
"Because...it is as Sonic had said..." Knuckles answered calmly yet solemnly as he turned to her fully to face her. He frowned solemnly at her as he continued, "It's your choice, Kathy. Do you want me to go with you, or do you want Sonic to go with you? I can't force you to go with me. You should decide what you want to do. Just go with what your heart desires. Don't let either Sonic or me tell you otherwise".
"..." Kathy was speechless as she stared deeply into Knuckles' sad eyes. Knuckles...Kathy thought with sympathetic eyes.
Knuckles then frowned sadly as he finished with, "...And...remember, Kathy...Your happiness is more important than being polite. If you really want Sonic to be your guide and helper, then you should just choose him. Don't just choose me because you feel bad for me or that you're worried that I'll feel sad or disappointed. Because... I can take it. I can take your sincere answer here. Do you want to know why?".
"...W-Why?" Kathy asked softly with sparkly eyes.
Knuckles frowned even more in sadness as he held her shoulder while answering quietly, "...Because I care about your happiness, Kathy. I don't care if my feelings will get hurt. I...I only care about your happiness here. As long as you are happy here...then...it's going to be okay".
"..." Kathy was silent as she stared at Knuckles with sparkling eyes. It almost looked like she was about to cry over what Knuckles had said. But she blinked and had frowned instead. ...Oh, Knuckles...You're...You're so kind to me...It hurts to see you being sad. I...I can see how much you want to go out with me...Kathy brooded with a frown as she stared into Knuckles' sad face. As she stared into his sad, violet eyes, she then thought. I can see it in your eyes.
Meanwhile, Sonic and Tails were staring at Kathy and Knuckles in silence. Tails was both confused and stunned by what's happening here. Sonic was just smiling calmly as he waited for Kathy to answer to Knuckles.
"Umm...Sonic? Why did you-?" Tails asked quietly in confusion before Sonic placed his hand over his mouth.
"Shhh...You'll see..." Sonic whispered with a knowing smile. Tails was even more confused after that. But he stayed quiet and kept staring at Kathy and Knuckles.
Meanwhile, Kathy stared gently into Knuckles' eyes. As she stared into him, she then placed her right hand onto his left cheek. With a little frown, Kathy replied quietly, "Knuckles...I've...I've already made my choice...".
"...You...You did?" Knuckles replied quietly with a frown. Here it comes...Knuckles thought with a sad frown as he awaited Kathy's answer to this.
Kathy nodded slowly to him and then...smiled gently at him as she answered, "I...I want you to be my guide, Knuckles. I'll be very happy if you go out with me".
"Wait! What?! You...You choose me?!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock as his eyes went wide and as his mouth went agape. I...I don't believe this. Kathy wants me to do it? I...Knuckles thought in shock before he shook his head and frowned. No...She's just being polite again, isn't she? Knuckles thought in sadness.
"Of course, Knuckles. I want you to be with me," Kathy replied calmly with a smile and a nod.
"Kathy..." Knuckles muttered softly as he grabbed her other shoulder and moved a little closer to her. He continued with a sad frown on his face, "...You don't have to force yourself into spending time with me when you really don't want to. I'll understand if you want to be with Son-".
"But I really did mean it, Knuckles! I want to be with you! I really had thought that we're going to go out together when you had suggested it to me!" Kathy exclaimed back with a little frown on her face.
"Kathy...I..." Knuckles muttered quietly with a frown as his eyebrows went upwards in sadness.
"When you had said that we should explore and search for the Sol Hearts together, I was very happy and thrilled that we're going to spend more time together! I really had thought that starting today...we're going to have another adventure. I mean..." Kathy replied sadly with a frown as she held onto Knuckles' cheeks. She then frowned even more in sadness as she finished with twinkling eyes, "...It was my idea that you would visit me all week so that you can help me get used to my new home dimension, and because of that, you had made a promise to me that you will visit me and help me get adjusted to it. So...in other words...I really was expecting you to be my guide today, and not just today but rather...the whole week...".
"..." Knuckles was speechless as he stared at Kathy solemnly. ...Of...Of course...How had I forgotten about that promise? I already did tell her that I will be with her all week to teach her about this world. If that's the case, then...that means...she...she...Knuckles pondered in shock as he still looked stunned. But then his eyes went wide again as a realization had hit him. ...She...She was expecting me to do it from the beginning! Knuckles thought in surprise as a huge, fond smile had formed on his face.
"Ah...That's...That's right. I did promise you that," Knuckles replied calmly with a fond smile on his face as he stared into Kathy's eyes. He then lowered his eyelids halfway at her and rubbed Kathy's shoulders a bit as he added, "Well then...Since you had chosen me from the start, I guess that means that you didn't choose me out of pity or politeness. ...Umm...Thank you...Kathy. Thank you for choosing me genuinely".
Kathy smiled brightly at this and had decided to give Knuckles another warm hug. Knuckles was pleasantly surprised by this and had hugged Kathy back just as warmly with a huge smile on his face. Kathy was smiling happily as she hugged him. She then replied gently with a sweet smile on her jovial face, "You're welcome, Knuckles. I just know that we're going to have so much fun together. That's the reason why I had picked you in the first place. We always have fun whenever we're together".
"...We sure do, Kathy. We sure do," Knuckles replied softly with a longing smile on his face as he looked at Kathy fondly.
"It's also because I...I...uhhh...umm..." Kathy replied awkwardly with a shy smile on her face as she blushed pink.
"Hmm? You what?" Knuckles asked curiously with a confused look on his face.
"Um! Nothing! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed in amusement as she giggled happily with flushed cheeks.
"H-Huh?" Knuckles muttered in confusion as he stared at Kathy with curious eyes. Eh? Was she...about to say...what I think that she's going to say? Hmmm...Nah. That can't be. That's just wishful thinking. She'll never say...that...Sigh...Knuckles pondered in curiosity with a confused look on his face before he frowned a little in disappointment.
"Awww, well, isn't this sweet? It seems that the two lovebirds are going out on a date after all," Sonic teased with a calm smile as he stared at Kathy and Knuckles.
"Ah!" Knuckles exclaimed in shock and in embarrassment as he quickly pulled out of Kathy's hug and glared at Sonic instead. He was still holding onto Kathy's arms as he glared harshly at Sonic. Kathy was blushing as she looked at Knuckles. …"A...date"? Kathy thought curiously as she stared at Knuckles' furious face.
While blushing hard, Knuckles yelled back in irritation, "For the last time, Sonic, Kathy and I are not going out on a date!".
"But Kathy had said that you and she always have fun whenever you're alone together. Heh. What kinds of things that you guys do together when you're alone? Holding hands? Cuddling? Kissing?" Sonic replied teasingly with a smug grin as he narrowed his eyes at Knuckles.
"WE DON'T KISS!" Knuckles shouted furiously again with a deep blush on his face. Kathy blushed very much when Knuckles had shouted that. Ummm...Y-Yeah...We...We don't...Umm...Not that I...don't mind...if...we...Ah! What are you saying, Kathy?! Come on! I mean...Yeah, I have a "thing" for Knuckles, but that doesn't mean that I want to...umm...Ack! Stop thinking about this, Kathy! You don't even know what...that's like...y-yet...Kathy pondered in embarrassment as she blushed deeply while staring at Knuckles.
"Heh...So you do admit that you cuddle and hold hands with Kathy then. Heheheh...If that's the case, then you guys are dating then," Sonic teased playfully with a smirk as he chuckled a bit.
"ACK! UHH...UHH...S-S-STOP SAYING THE WORD 'DATE'! WE'RE NOT DATING!" Knuckles shouted in shock and in embarrassment as he looked furious. His blush had deepened even more after Sonic had teased him again.
"Oh, okay then. So, you're just going out with-" Sonic replied casually with a teasing grin and a shrug.
"AND STOP SAYING, 'GOING OUT'! WE'RE NOT GOING OUT!" Knuckles shouted in irritation as a vein had bulged in his head.
"Okay! Fine. Geez, relax, Knuckles. I get it. You're not dating or going out with Kathy," Sonic replied calmly with a frown as he placed his hands in front of himself.
"FINALLY!" Knuckles shouted in exasperation as he closed his eyes and moved his head back towards Kathy again.
Sonic then smirked again as he crossed his arms and replied teasingly, "You're just going out for a nice, long walk with your Master. Heheheh...".
Knuckles immediately opened his eyes again and had blushed very much at that. Kathy blushed too and stared at Knuckles in pity for him. She can see that Knuckles' eyes were very wide, and that his face is completely red now. Knuckles then began to shake in anger and had closed his eyes again in irritation. He growled in anger again and had brooded with a vein popping in his head. Grrrrr...Just what is with Sonic today?! Why does he keep on teasing me like this?! Ugh! That's it! I've had it up to here with his shenanigans!
"Knuckles? Are you alri-?" Sonic asked in slight concern as he noticed Knuckles' body shaking in anger.
"WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEARCH OUTSIDE!" Knuckles shouted in fury as he blushed very much. He opened his eyes again and had let go of Kathy's arms. He then grabbed her hand again and turned around towards the front door. "Come on, Kathy. Let's just go already," Knuckles said quickly with some irritation in his tone as he opened the door.
"Ah! Knuckles! Please calm down! You're being a bit unreason-!" Kathy exclaimed in alarm as she held Knuckles' hand while looking concerned.
"Kathy! We are leaving!" Knuckles exclaimed back in irritation with a frown as he looked at her.
"But Knuckles...Please...Listen..." Kathy muttered in concern as her eyes sparkled in worry.
"I...I...Ugh..." Knuckles muttered in frustration as he stared at her worried eyes. Not...Not those eyes...Uggggh...It's...It's weakening me...Knuckles brooded with a frown as he still looked frustrated. He then closed his eyes again and sighed deeply. "...(Sigh)…...Alright...I'll listen to you, Kathy," Knuckles replied tiredly with a sigh.
"Whew...Okay then...Umm...You see, Knuckles, I-" Kathy replied in relief with a little frown.
"But after we're outside," Knuckles replied sternly through gritted teeth as he opened his eyes again and glared coldly at Sonic one last time.
"O-Oh..Okay..." Kathy muttered sheepishly as she looked at Sonic too.
Sonic just smiled sheepishly and had shrugged at Knuckles after that response. Knuckles had pouted at Sonic again before turning around and walking out of the house. Kathy was slightly surprised by this and had quickly walked out the door with Knuckles. Once they were outside, Knuckles then slammed the door closed in frustration.
SLAM!
Sonic just sighed at this and shook his head. "Poor Knucklehead. He doesn't have a clue that what he has is a crush. But..." Sonic said calmly with a shrug as he looked at Tails. He then smiled as he finished with, "...It sure was fun teasing him about it! He gets flustered so easily! It's great!".
"Sonic...Just what was that all about?" Tails asked skeptically with a frown as he stared at Sonic.
"Oh, that? That was me pushing Knuckles in the 'right direction' there," Sonic answered calmly with a smile as he placed his arms behind his head again.
"Wait. What?" Tails replied in confusion.
"When I said 'right direction', I meant by...encouraging Knuckles to go after Kathy," Sonic replied calmly with a wink.
"Really? That is what the whole teasing thing was about? Sonic. I'm sorry, but that is being a little too mean. You know how much Knuckles hates being teased and mocked by someone. Especially from someone like you, Sonic," Tails replied in slight annoyance as he frowned even more at Sonic.
"Heh. That may be true, but...does he hate it if it's Kathy who's teasing him?" Sonic replied with a smirk.
"Huh? Well...yeah...shouldn't he?" Tails replied awkwardly as he looked confused.
Sonic chuckled and shook his head. He then replied calmly, "Oh, Tails. Even though you were in love once, you still don't know many things about love".
Tails blushed in embarrassment and replied weakly, "Cut it out, Sonic. Of course, I won't know much about it because I'm still a kid".
Sonic then patted Tails' back briefly before he replied calmly with a smile, "I know, buddy. I know. But that's why I'm here for you. To explain some things that a kid like you won't understand until you're older".
Tails rolled his eyes in annoyance before replying calmly, "Yeah, yeah. Just please explain it to me already. I just don't understand why you're doing this in the first place".
Sonic shrugged casually before he explained, "I'll be happy to. You see, Tails, when a man and woman love each other very much-".
"Okay, maybe not that part!" Tails exclaimed quickly while waving his hands at Sonic.
"Hahahahaha! I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Hahahaha!" Sonic exclaimed in amusement as he chuckled a lot.
"Sonic...please be serious for once," Tails replied tiredly with a frown as his ears went down.
"Alright! Alright! I'll be serious again. Just give me a moment...Hahahaha..." Sonic replied in amusement as he calmed his chuckles down. When he had relaxed again, he then explained calmly with a smile, "Anyways, Tails...When someone is in love, they will want their crush's attention no matter what. Sometimes, they tease their crush just to get their attention, and if their crush teases them back...well...let's just say a happy feeling occurs in one's heart when they get teased. In other words, they don't get mad at the person who just gave them a happy feeling in their chest".
"You mean...the person wouldn't care if they get teased since they feel euphoric about it?" Tails replied calmly with a curious look on his face.
"Yeah, that's right...Umm...Does 'euphoric' mean-?" Sonic replied calmly yet sheepishly as he looked slightly confused in the end.
"Yes, Sonic, it means 'happy'. 'Intensely happy' to be more precise," Tails answered in slight annoyance as he rolled his eyes a bit.
"Oh, good then. But anyways..." Sonic replied calmly with a smile before he looked slightly serious again. He continued by saying, "Because the person felt good even after they are teased, they would do it again and again to get their crush's attention and most importantly their affection. Sure, the person may feel embarrassed every time they are teased by their crush, but they still feel happy about it because it's fun to them. But of course, if the teasing came from somebody they don't like, they're just going to react negatively about it. Just like before with Knuckles' reaction there".
"Yeah, I think that I got that part, Sonic. But still, why are you teasing Knuckles like this? What will that accomplish besides humiliating him?" Tails replied in confusion as he shrugged.
Sonic smirked a little as he answered, "Simple. It will encourage him to get closer to Kathy. Even though Knuckles will deny the fact that he likes Kathy, his heart is secretly begging for a motive to get closer to her. Such as...me pretending to go after Kathy for example".
"Huh? Wait. You were just acting like you want to go with her? I thought that you had meant it," Tails replied in surprise and in confusion as his eyebrows were raised.
Sonic smirked even more in amusement as he rubbed his nose a bit in a cocky way. "That's the power of acting for ya, little buddy. If Dr. Eggman can do it, then so can I!" Sonic replied cockily with a smirk.
"W-Wow! That...That sure fooled me," Tails replied in shock as he stared at Sonic with a stunned look on his face.
"Heh. It certainly fooled Knuckles. He looked so ready to kill me after he saw how 'flirtatious' I was to Kathy. Although I will admit that it was kind of easy for me to do since...well..." Sonic replied calmly with a smile as he rubbed the back of his head. He then blushed a little as he added, "...I...might have a tiny crush for her too".
"Oh? Really? You have a crush on her too?" Tails asked in surprise and with intrigue as his eyebrows were raised at that.
"Heh. What can I say? She's very beautiful. Heheheh...And very cute too. Soo...I can't help it, you know?" Sonic replied in amusement as he chuckled a bit.
Tails smiled a little at that as he replied calmly, "Well, objectively speaking, she is beautiful and adorable. So, I guess that I can't blame you for liking her, Sonic".
"Heheheh...Yeah. But I will say that my crush is nowhere near as HUGE as Knuckles' crush is. That is a fact! Hahahahah..." Sonic replied with a grin as he chuckled some more. Tails smiled even more in amusement and had shook his head. As much as I hate to admit it, Sonic is right on that account due to how Knuckles had behaved around Kathy so far. Knuckles really has it bad for her. Tails thought with a sheepish smile.
Sonic then looked calm again as he continued explaining, "But back on the subject here, Knuckles does need some motivation to get out of his comfort zone so that he could get closer to his crush. If making him jealous will get him to come out of his shell, then I'm going to pretend that I'm interested in Kathy so that he'll stay close to her and develop his relationship with her".
"But Sonic, do you really need to use jealousy as a motivator? Knuckles could get closer to Kathy on his own you know. Making him jealous would just make things worse for him and Kathy," Tails replied calmly with a frown.
Sonic frowned a bit and replied, "Well...I guess that is kind of true. But on the other hand, Knuckles needs all the help that he can get when it comes to socializing. We both know how stubborn and shy he is when it comes to girls. Rouge was certainly a difficult one for Knuckles to handle. We all know how they turned out when they used to be together".
Tails frowned in sadness as he replied, "Yeah...Knuckles had it rough with her. But since you brought it up, I kind of wonder how Knuckles had felt when Rouge had teased him in the past. Did he really like it, or did he hate it? I mean...Knuckles used to have a crush on her too, you know".
Sonic then scratched his head in confusion as he replied with a frown, "I'm just as stumped as you are, little buddy. At first, it did look like that Knuckles secretly enjoyed being teased by Rouge. After all, why else had he dated her to begin with if he hadn't enjoyed that? But...since he had broken up with her, I guess that means he actually hates it. I still don't know why Knuckles had decided to break up with her, but I'm going to take a guess and say that he had a change of heart".
Tails shrugged as he replied, "That is what I think too. People can change and move on from things they used to like. Crushes are no exception to that. In fact...Hmmm...".
Tails then rubbed his chin as he asked curiously, "...You don't think that Knuckles would move on from Kathy too, do you?".
"Pffft! Nah! He's going to fall so hard for her! He's such a sucker! Hahahaha!" Sonic exclaimed in amusement as he chuckled.
Tails smiled a little in amusement as he replied, "Yeah, what the heck am I saying? Kathy has Knuckles in the palm of her hand. He can never escape from her no matter how hard he tries. He may act tough to us, but he's definitely a softie when it comes to Kathy".
"Yeah, especially since she had made him laugh a lot this morning. I don't know what Kathy's secret to that is, but I'd love to find out what it is so that we can make him laugh too," Sonic replied in amusement as he smiled brightly.
"It certainly would be nice if we can know that. But like Kathy had said, it's private. So who knows?" Tails replied with smile as he shrugged again.
"Heh...I guess only Knuckles knows since Kathy had made him laugh in the first place," Sonic replied calmly with a smirk.
"Heheheh...True. Very true..." Tails replied calmly with a chuckle. He and Sonic smiled a bit at each other for a little while.
…
"...But anyways...Is that what you're planning to do, Sonic? You're going to tease Knuckles and make him jealous so that...he would want to get closer to Kathy? Do you think that it's going to work?" Tails asked calmly yet solemnly with a frown.
"I'm positive, little buddy. We all know that Knuckles has a spot of jealously for me. It's because of that jealousy of me that had led to so many fights and arguments in the past. Even after we had teamed up multiple times to defeat Dr. Eggman and other foes, we're still rivals through and through. We're going to stay as rivals to the bitter end, and I don't doubt for a second that it will ever change," Sonic answered calmly with a smile as he crossed his arms.
Tails frowned for a bit but had smiled a little as he replied, "Yeah, I suppose that's true. I don't think that he'll ever stop being jealous of you, Sonic".
Sonic then smirked a little deviously as he replied, "Yep. He won't, and that's why I'm using that to my advantage when I 'encourage' him to go after Kathy. If he challenges me to a fight, then I'll volunteer to fight him if it will make him desire Kathy more. I'm going to make him think that there is a 'love triangle' when in truth there's not. It's the perfect matchmaking plan!".
"Sonic...That's...very cruel to do if you ask me," Tails replied in amusement as he smiled a lot.
"It is, but that's the cost of love for ya. Hahahahaha..." Sonic replied with a grin as he chuckled.
Tails then looked smug as he asked teasingly, "Is this what happens when Amy is away? Becoming a matchmaker just to set your friends up to date each other?".
"H-Huh? H-Hey, where's this coming from suddenly?" Sonic asked in surprise and in confusion as his eyebrows were raised at this.
"Hey, I'm just saying man. You're...slowly starting to act like Amy. You know...with all the romance and the matchmaking schemes. Seriously, dude, she's rubbing off on you," Tails replied in amusement as he smiled a lot.
Sonic blushed in embarrassment as he retorted, "What?! N-No, she's not! That's just crazy! It was...It was just a coincidence that I want to set Knuckles and Kathy up just when Amy was away! That's all there is! A coincidence!".
Tails then lowered his eyelids at Sonic as he teased, "Sonic...I'm starting to think that you're missing Amy a little".
"No! No, I'm not!" Sonic argued quickly with a blush.
"Yes, you do," Tails argued back calmly with a smug smile.
"No! I do not!" Sonic argued back with a frown.
"You sure do, buddy," Tails replied playfully with a smile.
"No! No! And lastly, no!" Sonic argued back with flushed cheeks.
"Did you visit her vacant house today, Sonic?" Tails asked with a knowing smile.
"Uh, as a matter of fact, yes-Wait! No! I meant no!" Sonic replied calmly before he yelled in panic as he blushed some more in embarrassment.
"Ahahahahahahahaha! Sounds like Knuckles isn't the only one who has it bad for someone! Hahahahahahaha! Now...how...hahahahahah...how big...is your crush on Amy, Sonic?! Hahahahahaha...Is it as tiny as it is for Kathy or maybe as HUGE as Knuckles' is! Heheheheheh!" Tails exclaimed in amusement as he laughed a lot.
Sonic blushed very much in embarrassment of that. It's not my fault that Amy and I had hanged out every day together for at least five months. Of course, I'm going to miss her now since I've gotten used to her company already. But that doesn't mean that I've developed a crush on her or anything! We're still friends, and that's all it's going to be between us. Nothing else. Sonic pondered with a frown as he stared at Tails. Sonic then smirked playfully at Tails as he asked, "So, you think that's funny, huh?".
"Hahahahaha...A little...Heheheheheh..." Tails replied a bit as he laughed.
"'A little', huh? Heheheh...Well...we may not know how Kathy had gotten Knuckles to laugh a lot, but I know what will make you laugh a lot," Sonic replied teasingly with a chuckle as he looked mischievous towards Tails.
"Really? Hahahahaha...What is it? Heheheheh...Is it your 'undying love' for Amy? Hahahahahaha!" Tails replied playfully with a grin as he laughed some more.
Sonic smirked even more in amusement as he replied playfully, "Heh. Nope. But it certainly is not my 'undying love' for tickles. Oh, wait. Yes, it is! Come here, you little comedian! Laugh as much as you want with this!".
As Sonic had said that, he then lunged over at Tails and started tickling him at his stomach and sides. Tails doubled his laughter after Sonic had started tickling him.
"Ah! Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! S-S-Sonic! Stahahahahahahahahap! Please! Hahahahahahahaha!" Tails protested loudly as he laughed a lot while having his back on the cushions of the couch.
"Think this is funny now?" Sonic teased playfully with a devious smirk as he tickled Tails some more.
"Hahahahahahahahaha! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Hehehehehehehehehehe! Stop! Hahahahahahahahaha! Plehehehehehehease!" Tails apologized while laughing a lot. He squirmed a lot as he tried to apologize.
"Heheheh...I'm sorry too, little buddy. Because Kathy won't save you from the tickle monster! Now, come on! Let's have a little bit of fun!" Sonic replied teasingly with a smirk as he chuckled a bit. He then tickled Tails a bit faster and had started tickling him at his armpits too.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Thahahahahahahahahahah! Sonic! Stop! Hahahahahahahahahaha! That tickles! Hahahahahahahaha! Have mercy! Hehehehehehehehe!" Tails protested loudly as he laughed hysterically while squirming a lot now.
Sonic just smirked playfully at Tails as kept tickling him. He then thought to himself. Hmm...I wonder what Kathy and Knuckles are doing now after they had left. Maybe having a lot of fun right now just like I am with Tails here.
[Meanwhile With Kathy and Knuckles]
After Knuckles had closed the door, he just stood in front of it while having a disgruntled look on his face since he's still frustrated. Kathy just stared at him with a sympathetic look on her face. She can see Knuckles hanging his head down while growling in frustration.
...Poor Knuckles...Kathy thought sympathetically with a little frown on her face.
I've never felt so humiliated in my life. The fact that Sonic dares to tease me about Kathy as my Master in that way...it...it just ticks me off so much! Yes, I may have said it to him, but he shouldn't just rub it in and tease me about that too! I...I...Grrr...Why did he had to be such a know-it-all like that?! I just...just...Knuckles brooded in frustration as he growled.
"...Knuckles?" Kathy asked softly as she gently squeezed Knuckles' hand.
"...Grrrrrr...What?" Knuckles asked irritably as he growled.
Kathy frowned even more in sympathy as she stared at him. She then moved closer to him and had wrapped her other arm over his back as she gave him another hug at his side. She even had her head onto his right shoulder as she side-hugged him. As Knuckles felt the hug, he then moved his head back up and at his right to see Kathy hugging him with one arm. He frowned at her but hadn't said anything. He can also see that Kathy isn't saying anything either. Knuckles was still frowning in frustration, but he had soon sighed deeply and had looked sad as his eyelids went down halfway. He soon realized that no matter how frustrated he can get; he can never stay angry if Kathy is here comforting him like this. Because just as Kathy is his weakness, she is also his strength. That is another thing that Knuckles had learned after Kathy came into his life.
…...Sigh...Let me guess...Kathy wants me to calm down...doesn't she? …...Ugh...Of course, that's what she wants...Because...she wants me to be happy...Not being angry and definitely not being...unhappy...Knuckles brooded with a sad frown on his face as he sighed deeply.
"...(Sigh)…...Kathy?" Knuckles asked quietly as he sighed again while having his eyes closed.
"...Yes?" Kathy asked softly as she hugged Knuckles tighter.
"...Did you...(Sigh)…...want to talk to me with something?" Knuckles asked slowly while sighing tiredly.
"..." Kathy was silent on that. But she had nodded her head a bit. She had nuzzled Knuckles' right cheek a bit as she nodded. Knuckles had felt the light nuzzles on his cheek and had...smiled a little in amusement of that.
"Heheheh...I'll take that as a 'yes' then..." Knuckles replied quietly with a chuckle. He then opened his eyes again and smiled a little more at Kathy as he squeezed her hand a little. Kathy felt Knuckles' hand squeezing hers back and had lifted her up to look at him. She can see him smiling calmly at her again, and this had brought some relief to her heart.
She then smiled a little as she replied quietly, "...Umm...Knuckles? Can we go to...umm...Leaf Storm Forest again? I...I want to have our talk there".
Knuckles nodded gently to her and had replied quietly with a little smile, "...Sure, Kathy. Whatever you say. If you want to go there, then I won't stop you".
Kathy then smiled sweetly at him and had stopped hugging him. She then turned around while saying tentatively, "Then...shall we go?".
"Sure. Let's go," Knuckles replied calmly and had turned around too. After readjusting their hands again, Kathy and Knuckles walked together on the sidewalk and had turned left. They held hands tightly as they walked together, and they had calm yet solemn looks on their faces as they walked. They were quiet, but again, it was appreciated since...they wanted some time to cool down and prepare for their talk. So, they stayed silent as they walked through Emerald Town and into Leaf Storm Forest.
...
After walking for about ten minutes, Kathy soon decided to walk towards one tree that was on the left side of the path. Knuckles walked with her towards that tree and had stopped under the tree with her. Kathy soon lets go of Knuckles' hand and had turned her body to look at him. Knuckles stared back at her with a small frown on his face. Kathy frowned back at him as she muttered quietly, "Please... Hake a seat, Knuckles".
Knuckles nodded solemnly and had sit down next to the tree trunk. Kathy then sat down next him and had sighed a bit with a frown on her face. Knuckles stared at Kathy with a frown too as he thought. I wonder what Kathy wants to talk about with me. It seems rather...serious it looks like.
Kathy was still quiet for a little bit but had soon sighed again as she asked, "...(Sigh)...Say...Knuckles?".
"Hmm? Yes?" Knuckles asked back calmly while looking intrigued.
"...Remember when I had said that I think that you're funny when you get mad at others?" Kathy asked quietly with a sad look on her face as she looked down on her lap.
"Huh? Umm...Y-Yeah...I do...What about it?" Knuckles replied calmly with a frown as he nodded a bit.
Kathy was frowning in sadness as she muttered quietly, "Well...I...I don't think that you were being funny back there".
"..." Knuckles was speechless as he looked stunned at this surprising statement. He then looked sad again since he felt hurt that Kathy would say that. With a sad frown on his face, he listened to Kathy further.
"...You were being too angry there, and...in all honesty...I was feeling worried for you due to how upset you were. I thought that you were going to go out of control and hurt Sonic and me..." Kathy continued sadly with a frown on her face.
"...! But! But I would never hurt you!" Knuckles exclaimed in surprise with a gasp as he looked shocked.
Kathy frowned further as she looked at Knuckles with a sad, worried expression on her face. Knuckles looked sad too since his eyebrows were raised upwards, and his eyelids were down halfway. He then thought in sadness. Kathy...I...I would never hurt you. You're too precious for me. I...I just care too much about you to even want to do that...
Kathy then replied sadly after the small bit of silence, "...But...Knuckles...You were being very curt towards me while you were arguing with Sonic. Especially when you had wanted us to leave. You were making me very nervous since I thought that you were going to yell or shout towards me again".
"...!" Knuckles gasped again in shock when he heard that last part. He can already feel his heart breaking in guilt after hearing that. "K-Kathy... …!" Knuckles muttered in sadness before he gasped again in shock when he saw Kathy's tears in her eyes. Don't...Don't cry...Please...Anything but that...Knuckles thought sadly with a worried look on his face.
As Kathy had tears in her eyes, she then whimpered softly in sadness, "...(Sniff)...You...You were so scary...(Sob Sob)…".
Kathy then put her head down and had covered her eyes as she cried softly. Knuckles gasped again in shock before he quickly scooted closer to Kathy and had wrapped his arms around her to comfort her. He hugged her very tightly and pulled her close to him to further comfort her. With a guilty look on his face, Knuckles then whispered, "Please...Please don't cry...It hurts me so much when you cry...and...it's because of me you cry...".
Kathy then held onto Knuckles' waist as she cried softly. She had her head on his chest and had cried into it. "...(Sob Sob Sob)...But I can't help it...(Sob Sob)…You really were so scary back then, Knuckles...(Sob Sob)...I was afraid of you at that time...(Sob Sob Sob)…" Kathy whimpered sadly as she cried softly. She even screeched sadly yet lowly in her native language.
KIYOOO...
Knuckles frowned very much in sadness after hearing that sad screech. He stared at Kathy with a guilty look on his face. N-No...I've...I've scared her again...Why did I scare her? Why couldn't I control my anger better? You should know by now on how sensitive Kathy is with that. I've...I've made her afraid...and it's all my fault...I'm...I'm such a monster...Knuckles brooded with a sad frown on his face.
As Knuckles hugged Kathy even tighter in his arms, he apologized softly to her, "Kathy...I'm so sorry. I've scared you again. I really did lose my temper back there. I just couldn't take Sonic's teasing, and...that just made me lose my cool. I'm so sorry about how I had acted and how I had treated you, Kathy. I've never intended to scare you like that. I didn't want you to become afraid of me. I'm...I'm very sorry...".
"...(Sob Sob)...Y-You...You mean it?" Kathy asked softly while she cried as she moved her head up a bit to look at Knuckles.
Knuckles stared down at Kathy's teary-filled, light-blue eyes with a sad, solemn look on his face. His heart was aching in grief on how much he had frightened Kathy with his anger. As he stared calmly at her with solemn eyes, he brooded. An angel such as her should never cry. Angels like her should be happy and full of peace...not anguish and sadness. My...my...sweet Angel is supposed to be the happiest girl in the world, and I'm...I'm going to make that happen.
"Yes...Yes, I do mean it, Kathy. I meant every word of it. Just...please don't cry anymore...Please..." Knuckles whispered softly with half-lidded eyes and with a solemn frown as he stared into her eyes. He then cupped Kathy's cheeks with his hands and held it as he added softly, "...Don't cry...my little Angel...Don't cry...Don't cry...".
He then gently rubbed her cheeks and had wiped some of her tears from her eyes. Kathy just stared quietly at Knuckles as she let her tears fall. But every time she does it, Knuckles simply wiped them away with his thumbs. He was being very quiet as he does this. He doesn't care if he had to wipe a thousand tears from Kathy's eyes. He's very determined to get Kathy to stop crying. While he wipes Kathy's eyes, he had a gentle, longing look on his face. Kathy's eyes sparkled when she saw that look on his face, and that...had somehow made her relax a bit. She sniffed a bit as she calmed down her crying. She kept staring into Knuckles' gentle, violet eyes as she recovered. Knuckles saw that Kathy is recovering a little from her crying and had smiled gently at her.
"That's it, Kathy...Just calm down...and relax...Don't cry...Don't cry, my little Angel...Don't cry..." Knuckles whispered softly as he encouraged Kathy. He smiled longingly at her as he gently rubbed her cheeks and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. The more he encouraged, the more Kathy had relaxed and calmed down. It went on for a couple more minutes until she stopped crying finally. Knuckles smiled gently at her as he's glad that Kathy had stopped crying.
He then gently rubbed her head as he whispered softly, "There...That's much better now...Are you feeling better, Kathy?".
"..." Kathy was silent as she stared into Knuckles' gentle eyes. He was just smiling gently at her as he longingly held her back with one hand while rubbing her head with the other. Kathy then felt more relaxed as she's enjoying Knuckles' gentle look and affection that he's giving her. She then smiled a little as she sat up much straighter. Knuckles smiled back at her as he held her. Before Knuckles could say anything, Kathy then hugged him fully as she wrapped her arms over his shoulders instead of his waist. She snuggled her head onto his left shoulder again as she hugged him tightly and warmly with a happy smile on her face. Once again, Knuckles was pleasantly surprised by this. He smiled widely at this and had hugged Kathy much tighter too.
"Heheheh...I'll take that as a 'yes'...Heheheh...There you go, Kathy. ...Just keep on smiling. It'll be okay..." Knuckles replied quietly yet gently with a fond smile as he chuckled a little and rubbed Kathy's back a bit.
Kathy just smiled happily as she hugged Knuckles warmly, and Knuckles was smiling too in happiness as he's glad that he had cheered Kathy up again. That's it...Perfect...All is well now...Knuckles pondered calmly with a longing smile as he held Kathy dearly in his arms.
…
…
…
Kathy and Knuckles had hugged each other for a long time in silence and hadn't let go yet. Knuckles was just in sweet bliss as he held onto Kathy. He felt at peace as he hugged her. He had enjoyed the warmth that the hug gave to him. He can feel his heart beating calmly in bliss as he enjoyed the long and welcoming hug that Kathy is giving him right now. Kathy was very relaxed and relieved as she hugged Knuckles. She felt comforted and safe again.
"...Knuckles?" Kathy asked softly as she broke the long silence.
"...Yes, Kathy?" Knuckles asked softly with a smile as he looked at her.
"...Thank you for cheering me up...And...thank you for apologizing to me...I...I feel much better now...and safe again..." Kathy replied slowly yet softly with a smile.
Knuckles smiled warmly at this and had rubbed Kathy's back even more as a response. "You're welcome, Kathy. ...And...I'm glad that you feel safe with me again...I promise that I'll do my best to make you feel safe and relaxed while you're with me. You have my word on that," Knuckles replied gently with a warm smile on his face before he closed his eyes at the end.
"...Hehe...Yay..." Kathy replied happily with a little giggle.
"Hmph..." Knuckles grunted calmly in amusement as he smiled a lot. I really am such a sucker for her, but...I can't help it. She's the chink to my tough armor. How can she not be with her smiles and giggles? I feel incredibly weak towards her...but...maybe that's a good thing because...that means I'm more responsive to her feelings and emotions. And if I'm more responsive...then that means I'm more attuned to her...Sensitive even...Hmm...Kind of like...Knuckles pondered calmly with a smile as he opened his eyes and stared at her again. His eyes then widened in shock again as he stumbled upon another realization.
...Kind of like how I'm sensitive to the Master Emerald whenever it is in distress...Knuckles pondered in shock as he stared at Kathy. He then looked fond again as he stared at her longingly.
...That...That makes so much sense...No wonder I feel so concerned whenever Kathy is in distress or sad...I feel attuned to her emotions just like I am with the Master Emerald's energy. Whenever something is wrong with either of them, I always run to their side to aid them and find out what's wrong with them. ...And...if something is wrong with either of them...I...I do my best to fix it...or...should I say..."restore" them which will turn them back to normal again...Knuckles pondered some more in fondness with a smile.
He then lowered his eyelids halfway as he finished his musings with a warm smile. And just as I want the Master Emerald to be safe and secure, I want my Master to be safe and secure too. I want her to feel safe with me. I want her to feel safe with...her guardian...or as she puts it..."her little doggie". My Master's safety is important...and I'm going to do my best to make her feel safe. My Master's happiness...is important to me...My...My Master...Master...Mmmm...
Knuckles then closed his eyes and whispered fondly with a smile, "...Mmmm...Master...".
"...Umm...Knuckles?" Kathy muttered awkwardly with a frown.
"Mmm? Yes, Master?" Knuckles asked calmly while being in a trance.
"Uhh...There is something else that I...need to talk to you about..." Kathy replied awkwardly with a blush as she looked guilty.
"What is it? You can tell me...(Sigh)...anything, Master. I'll listen to you...Anything..." Knuckles replied calmly yet fondly with a smile as he sighed in adoration.
Kathy blushed even more in embarrassment and in guilt as she looked at Knuckles. Ooooh...I think that it just got worse. Knuckles really believes that I see him as my little doggie and that I see myself as his Master. I've really messed with his head. It's all my fault that he's like this. It might damper his mood a lot if I tell him that I don't really see him in that way or myself rather. But...he needs to know the truth and how I truly feel about this. Knuckles had said it himself that my happiness is more important than being polite, even when it hurts one's feelings in the process. I think that telling him about this will be good for the both of us, and I'll be very happy if some things in our relationship are set straight again. Besides, if I don't clear it up right now, then...it'll get even worse from here. Okay, Kathy...Don't let his disappointment sway you from this. He needs to know this. He really does...Kathy brooded with a sad frown on her face.
Kathy looked downwards even more when she replied solemnly, "L-Listen, Knuckles...I...I understand how passionate you were when you had wanted to be with me on this adventure. You clearly wanted to help me, and I don't mind that at all. But...I think that there is one thing that you took too far-".
"I know. I know. I was being too angry and got upset with Sonic's teasing. Again...I'm sorry..." Knuckles interrupted calmly with a little frown.
Kathy frowned even more when she replied sadly, "That...That wasn't what I was referring to, Knuckles".
"O-Oh? Is it...something else then?" Knuckles asked in confusion as his eyes were open again since he felt intrigued already. Kathy nodded slowly before she pulled away from Knuckles so that she can see him face to face. She can see that Knuckles was looking curious as he stared at her with intrigue in his eyes. She frowned even more in sadness as she thought. I don't want to do this. I really, REALLY don't want to do this. I don't want to see his face, but I...must...He must know that I'm serious.
After taking a deep sigh, Kathy then replied to Knuckles while looking sad and solemn.
"Y-Yes...It's about you...calling me your...'Master'...literally..." Kathy replied sheepishly with a sad look on her face as she stared directly at Knuckles.
"W-Wait. H-Huh?" Knuckles replied in surprise and in confusion as his eyes went wide at that statement.
Kathy gulped a bit before she continued solemnly, "Uhh...Umm...Yes, that's right. I don't...want you to literally refer to me as 'your Master'. I mean...".
She then blushed in embarrassment while she continued sheepishly, "...You...You do know that's not true, right? I...I don't own you...at all...and...you're not really my 'little doggie'. You are Knuckles the Echidna, Guardian of the Master Emerald. The only thing that is a 'Master' in your life is that emerald. Not me as a person, you know?".
"..." Knuckles was speechless as he listened to this...world-shattering speech. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was agape in shock. He kept staring at Kathy as she continued.
Kathy then smiled sheepishly in embarrassment as she continued, "Umm...Look, Knuckles. I...I do say that you're a guard dog and that you're my little doggie, but that...that was usually out of affection and playfulness. You know...like a jest or a pet-name... I do say that sometimes because I enjoy what you do and your funny actions, but...I'll never see you as 'my real little doggie'. Besides, I'll...I'll never treat you as one. You deserve as much respect as I do. I'm not superior to you or anything. Technically speaking, I am a Queen, but...I'll never see myself as one. It's the same thing with me being 'your Master'. Because I'm not a Master. I'm...".
Kathy then beamed in amusement as she continued brightly, "...I'm Kathy the Moth, the descendant of Mothra and Guardian of the Sol Pendant! Hehehehe! I'm just a moth monster! Even if I was just a regular moth, I will still not be someone's Master! I just want others to be free! Not to serve me or anything! Hehehehehe! I mean...I'm just being me! I don't deserve to be served by or worshipped by someone! Heck! The original Mothra didn't ask to be worshipped either! She was just doing her own thing and was protecting others because she cares about them! People just came to her and had worshipped her out of choice! But as for me...".
"..." Knuckles was still speechless as he listened to Kathy's speech. He still had a stunned look on his face as he stared at Kathy.
Kathy then lowered her eyelids halfway as she continued calmly with a gentle smile, "...I...I don't want that to happen again. All I ever want from you is to treat me as a friend. Not as a Master. Besides...I'm going to treat you as a friend too. I mean...We both wanted to be treated equally and be respected as equals. Not as if one of us is better than the other and deserves more respect and credit from the other. I don't want to develop some form of a power struggle between us. Since there's two of us in this team, we need to be respected equally. That means...nobody here is 'a dog' or 'a Master'. It's just two friends who just want respect and attention, and it's our jobs to do just that. Heh. If nobody in the world is going to respect us, then at the very least we can respect ourselves and each other! Right?! Hehehehe!".
"..." Knuckles was still silent as he stared at Kathy with wide eyes and with a wide mouth. He was still silent as he continued to listen to Kathy's speech.
Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she rubbed his shoulders. She then finished her speech by saying, "So...in other words, Knuckles...just treat me as a normal girl. All I have ever wanted in my life is a friend, and even though you won't say that we're friends, I'll still see you as my friend. And now that I have that, I don't think that I'll ever need anything else in my life. I'm content with this, and I'll be content if we stay as friends forever and ever. Do you understand now...my little doggie? Hehe!".
"..." Knuckles was still speechless after hearing Kathy's speech. He didn't know what to say or think of this. But when he had heard that last part of her speech...somehow...he just heard his own heart breaking in two. Somehow, just hearing Kathy say that she doesn't want him to think of her as his Master just cut through his soul. Even though he knew at first that Kathy was just playing around and was being a tease to him, he...somehow liked the idea of having her as his own Master and being like a dog to her. It was just because...she was already treating him as a friend. He was okay with that idea because he was being treated right and respected by her. He wouldn't have liked it if Kathy had treated him wrongly and harmfully just like what Rouge did to him in the past. That was why when Kathy had said she didn't want him to see her as a Master, it just broke his heart. He was ready to commit to that idea, but when she had shot that idea down or had made it apparent to him that it was just a joke, he felt like his own world had ended. Not to mention...the part when she said that she'll be content if they're just friends forever and ever...it's like rubbing salt in the wound in Knuckles' broken heart.
It was just too painful for Knuckles to even feel it.
"Hmm? Knuckles? Are you still there? Hello? Are you listening to me?" Kathy asked innocently with confused eyes as she gently shook Knuckles' shoulders.
"..." Knuckles was still silent as he blinked his eyes at Kathy.
"Knuckles...Hey...Are you alright?" Kathy asked slowly in concern as she looked worried for Knuckles. She still shook his shoulders to get a response from him. It's not working! He's not responding! Kathy thought in worry.
"Hey! Knuckles! Can you hear me now?! Hey! Knuckles!" Kathy yelled with a frown as she tried to get Knuckles' attention again.
But Knuckles still hadn't responded.
"Knuckles! Come on! Hey! Listen to me! Hey! Knuckles! ...Knuckles! ...Knuckles! ...Knuckles!" Kathy yelled louder while shaking Knuckles' shoulders.
But Knuckles hadn't responded at all to Kathy's yelling. In fact, he just blanked out for a long time after hearing Kathy's speech. So, instead...he was just silent as Kathy yelled out his name for a while.
…
…
…
…
...
"...Hmm? H-Huh? D-D-Did you say something, Kathy?" Knuckles asked quietly in confusion after blinking his eyes a bit.
"Umm...Yeah...I was yelling out your name for over a minute...Seriously, Knuckles, are you alright? Please tell me if something is wrong. You can tell me if something is bothering you. I'll listen to you. Honest," Kathy replied in a worried tone as she looked sad.
Knuckles blinked at Kathy for a moment before replying simply with a little frown, "Umm...Nothing is wrong, Kathy. It's fine".
Kathy looked even more worried as she replied softly, "Are you sure, Knuckles?".
"Umm...Y-Yeah...I'm fine. Nothing is bothering me. D-Don't worry about it," Knuckles answered simply with a little frown.
"R-Really?" Kathy asked in worry with a frown as her light-blue eyes sparkled.
"Uhh..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a frown before he smiled a little as he answered awkwardly, "Y-Yeah, I'm fine, Kathy. I...I understand what you just said. We're just...uhh...teammates. Teammates forever, right? Heheh...Uhh...Ah...Umm...".
"..." Kathy was silent as she looked deeply into Knuckles' eyes with her sparkly ones.
However, Knuckles noticed that and had smiled even more confidently as he calmly replied, "Hey, what are we doing sitting around here for? Our talk is done, Kathy. Let's just start searching for the Sol Hearts together. Okay?".
"..." Kathy was still silent as she stared at Knuckles carefully. But once she saw that Knuckles showed no signs of hurt or disappointment in his eyes or face, she then smiled calmly at him and nodded.
"You're right, Knuckles. Let's get searching right now! How about we go search in Central City? I mean. I still technically hadn't visited that place fully. Only briefly when I had my fight with Battra yesterday. Let's just go there and see what is in that place!" Kathy replied brightly with a sweet smile on her face.
"Central City, huh? Uhh...Alright. Sure. We can go there. Only the eastern part of the city had been destroyed, but the western area is still intact. Let's just search in the western portion then. Okay, Kathy?" Knuckles replied calmly with a smile and a nod as he lets go of Kathy and stood back up.
Kathy lets go of Knuckles too and had stood back up as well. She smiled brightly at him as she replied with a nod, "Okay! That's just fine! I can't wait to see what the city is all about! This is going to be so fun!".
"Uhh...Heh...Y-Yeah...F-Fun..." Knuckles replied slowly and awkwardly with a little smile. He looked a bit sheepish when he said that since his eyebrows were upwards, and his eyelids were down halfway.
Kathy just smiled sweetly at him before she grabbed his right hand and walked away from the tree. Knuckles walked with her, and soon enough, they held hands again as they walked along the path again. As Kathy held his hand, she then said, "Say, Knuckles? Can you lead me to Central City again? I still don't know where it is".
Knuckles looked at her and smiled a little as he replied, "Ah. Sure thing, Kathy. As long as we keep walking along this path, it will lead us to the city. It'll take a while to get there by walking, but we'll be fine".
"Oh! Thank you, Knuckles! You did well, my little doggie! Thank you! Hehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and a giggle.
"...Ah...Y-Yes...Y-You're...You're welcome..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly and slowly with a sheepish smile before he turned his head down and away from Kathy as he whispered with a sad frown, "...Master...".
"Huh? Did you say something, Knuckles?" Kathy asked curiously yet innocently as she stared at Knuckles.
"Oh! Uh! I said, 'You're welcome, Ma-err-Kathy'! Yeah! That's what I had said!" Knuckles exclaimed in awkwardness as he looked back at Kathy with a flushed face.
"...Okay! Teehee!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a smile and a giggle.
"...Uhh...Heh...Yeah..." Knuckles muttered sheepishly with an awkward smile on his flushed face before he looked away from Kathy again. Kathy was just silent this time and had looked ahead of the path before her with a content smile on her face. Knuckles, however, was frowning in sadness and had placed his left hand on his head as he brooded.
...What...What just happened while I had blanked out? Did I...Did I feel anything from that? I could have sworn that I had felt my heart breaking, but...I...I didn't feel any pain from that. Was it...my imagination? Did that talk actually happen? Was I daydreaming? I...I...I don't remember anything from that...except for...except for...
"I don't...want you to literally refer to me as 'your Master'...".
...
"...You are Knuckles the Echidna, Guardian of the Master Emerald. The only thing that is a 'Master' in your life is that emerald. Not me as a person, you know?".
…
"...I'll never see you as 'my real little doggie'...".
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"...All I ever want from you is to treat me as a friend. Not as a Master...".
…
"...I'll be content if we stay as friends forever and ever...".
…
"...Friends forever and ever..." … "...Friends forever and ever..." … "...Friends forever and ever" ...
"...Friends forever and ever..."...
"...Friends forever..."...
…"Friends forever", huh? ...Sigh...As...As you wish...
Knuckles frowned even more in sadness as he finished his brooding with this sad thought.
...Master...
Aw man, this is like the saddest thing ever. Poor Knuckles just wants serve Kathy, and yet, she doesn't want that to happen since she wants to set things right for their relationship. But that's how things are in the real world. You can't have a strong, lasting relationship without being friends first, and Knuckles is going to have to learn that the hard way. But anyways, I hope that you're enjoying this story so far! And don't worry, we'll getting close for some action scenes again! It'll come after the next chapter! What will happen then? Just keep on reading when I post the future chapters! Thanks for your support and see you all in part 4!