Chapter Eleven: Deadly Passion
Laughter. Laughter of innocence. Laughter containing joy. This sense of joy, he could vaguely recall. It's origins leaving him clueless. The only familiarity associated with the memory were the feelings that came with this laughter; security, warmth and who knew, for a moment, perhaps it was the feeling of love?
The joys of that little boy rang through his mind, escaping from the shadows of his darkened past he had locked away. It was haunting, tormenting him to his bereaved surrender.
Suppress it.
Tipped back went the whiskey bottle into the general's throat, the intoxicating liquid guzzling down the oesophagus and into his system... But the relief never came. If anything, the echoing laughter got evermore profound.
Leaning back in his office chair, Jules's head fell back, a half satisfied intoxication with his anguish seeping through. He brought the substance back to his mouth, desperate for release from his woes. The burning of his organs were secondary pain to the agony that consumed his mind.
That laughter. That sweet, innocent laughter.
"How about we go on a little trip today?"
"No..." He muttered, closing his eyes tightly. His teeth grinded against one another with enough force to chip the ivories.
"Just don't tell your father, okay?"
"No... no... no." His distress burdened into his tears and streamed from his bloodshot eyes. The visions accompanied the audio of his past, adding to the already excruciating pain. That day it had all began. The day he realised his family was not a family at all.
Giddy yet apprehensive the infant appeared. Stood on the last step to the stairs, he watched with hopeful eyes as his mother fiddled over the appearance of her hair in the mirror. Beauty defined and highly maintained she was in the absence of her husband. Subtle makeup of natural tones to compliment her rich green hue.
To match her efforts in cosmetics, she dressed herself in sophisticated captivation. A beige polo-neck jumper tucked into her sleek, black pencil skirt. A belt around her waist clinched the fabrics tightly to her shapely body. Along with her black heels, she was destined to turn heads.
He smiled with pride at the person that was his world. Innocently he admired her elegance, blissfully of her traitorous intent.
"Come on, boys. We don't want to keep Uncle Gray waiting." She said optimistically, bouncing on her heels in her excitement.
"I don't feel well..." Charles mumbled.
His mother stunted, her vivacious nature no more. Spinning back on her heel, her eyebrows dipped heavily, demonstrating the lack of patience she held for her son.
"You'll feel better on the way there. We've planned this trip for weeks! Don't ruin this for your brother." She scolded him.
He recalled turning to his brother with his own scowl. He blamed his brother for his attempts of ruining their big adventure. Little did he know of his brother's efforts to protect his innocence.
Opening the front door, the mother took off towards the car. Wrapped up in her ecstatic excitement, her children were left in the home to make their own way down the front garden.
Letting out an exasperated huff, Charles grabbed his brother's hand and walked alongside him toward the vehicle at the end of the driveway. Closing the front door behind them, Charles sighed. Yet again, his mother's lack of responsibility came with the unlocked door. He endeavoured to lock it, but with his impulsive, impatient younger brother tugging and pulling on his hand, the simple task became difficult.
"Hurry up! We'll be late!" His mother yelled at her eldest child.
He grunted beneath his breath while he struggled to hold his brother. Mentally, he pleaded for his mother to just step in and take over. To take her responsibilities and ease his overburdened mind.
His efforts were unsuccessful. Hyperactive and exuberant, Jules broke free of his grasp and ran around the garden, flailing his arms in excitement and laughing uncontrollably.
"Julie, dear, Come on." She coaxed her youngest child to walk to the car. Enthused, he jumped towards her, his display of joy managing to aggregate his antsy mother. "Hurry up! We don't have time for this!"
However her complaints barely registered with the infant, for his excess energy from the euphoria had him bouncing merrily across the front lawn.
"Fuck sake..." She grumbled, getting out the car and marching across the grass. She roughly pulling the boy up off his feet and into her arms. "Charles!" The mother screamed. "Get in the car, now!"
Hearing the intolerance in her voice, Charles rushed to the car and strapping himself in. He watched his mother resentfully place his younger brother in his car seat and rushed back to the driver's seat in a frustrated rage.
Sighing her anger away, she checked herself out in the rear view mirror, being attentive to any flaws in her looks. "All set?" She asked the boys.
Hesitant of her temper, Charles bowed his head. "The front door's unlocked..." He spoke timorously.
As he predicted, his mother expressed her annoyance."God sake! Must I do everything around here?!" Complained the mother as she flounced her way out of the car and towards the house.
Though sensing his mother's anger, the young hedgehog's delight for the upcoming trip couldn't be hampered. Weeks of keeping his mother's secret adventure to himself had finally paid off. With his father on deployment, the adventure could finally begin.
He was itching to find out exactly what his mother had planned.
Seeing his mother return to the car resulted in his instinctive wild kicking. He giggled excitedly in his seat, oblivious to his older brother's sorrowful, silent demeanour.
That day had seemed so usual. No different to a minor blip in routine; like a last minute trip to the supermarket, or a spontaneous trip to the park. It left him blind; openly blind to the trauma he would later face.
"Okay, boys. Here we are! Stellar Land!" Their mother chimed, turning back to them with a delighted smile.
Looking out the window, his eyes dazzled in reaction to the variant colours that graced his golden eyes. Bright lights flashing before him begged for his attention. It was easily given. Enthralled, he stared at the entrance to the amusement park, wide smile stretching to maximum dilation.
It took a minute for him to look back at his mother. His bewitched being was met with overwhelming awe by the twinkle in his mother's eyes. He wasn't certain he had seen it before. Possibly too young to remember, but in that moment he truly believed that was the first time he had seen the exuberance in her sparkling blue eyes.
"Does Dad know Gray is joining us?" Charles leered back at her.
The glimmer of elation settled down, the life-lacking dullness returning to her stare. "Charles, don't start. This is a fun day out with a friend. One for you and Jules to enjoy."
"Friend? So he's not our uncle?" His questioning disgraced her. She was foolish to underestimate her son's logic. He was fully aware of the situation; Uncle Gray being the lover of whom was not known by his father. Though she insisted Gray was family, she gave little effort to hide the nature of their relationship in front of him and his younger brother.
Her reasoning could only be truly understood from her perspective. She was unhappy in the marriage; as a homemaker. While her husband provided for her and their children, his traditional values hindered their relationship. When back from deployment, his time was spent with the boys, instilling the roles of a man into them, providing maintenance to the house, or out with his friends.
There was minimal time for her. Minimal being the frequent quantity to his efforts to keep their marriage afloat. She was starved, malnourished of love and excitement. She wanted to live, to feel like she was more than a mother, a chef and a maid.
She deserved more. For her son to not see that was inexcusably selfish. "Why do you have to be like this? Do you want your mother to be unhappy? Are you gonna ruin my chance of happiness?"
The infant turned to his brother and pouted. His child self blaming his sibling for his mother's misery. Only with maturity could he realise her tactic of manipulation.
"... No ..." Charles gave in from his sustained stare. His head becoming heavy with devastation. He was to remain powerless to his mother's intentions; a victim of her motives.
"Good. Now, let's go." She insisted, getting out of the car and freeing her infant from his car seat.
The last few hours of genuine happiness were spent at that amusement park. All the security and guiltless lack of responsibility voiced in his gleeful laughter. Running through the park, arms uncontrolled in the air, legs bouncing forcefully off the ground, unmatched smile plastering his face; he was exultant.
And then; it was all gone.
At the end of his run was his father, stood at the end of the pathway. Away from his deployment and in pursuit of his wife; he had found what he had speculated.
It was the last time he had seen Gray. The dark toned cat was given the offensive warning to leave his family alone with a harsh punch to the nose. While the sight of violence and anger left him affright, it could not prepare him for what was to come.
The roaring arguments, the brutality, the drink and perpetual lies. All he had felt from those few hours in the park were never to become familiar to him again.
"Stop... Please... Stop." His jittering voice pleaded vocally with his mind. He dropped his heavy head onto his desk, his tears gushing across his face and onto the mahogany woodwork. Small sounds of anguish disintegrated into the air. No matter the volume of alcohol he ingested, the relief was unattainable.
His quenchless need for relief brought on the suppressed guilt accumulated over the years. It came to him like a twisted creature in his mind, snarling menacingly as it tortured him with a different laughter, one that grappled his heart so vigorously.
The laughter of his precious little boy.
"N-no. No please!" He wailed, his shaking hand reach for the whiskey bottle, the uncontrollable jitters deteriorating his motor skills.
Visions of the young blue hedgehog crowded his consciousness. Seeing him running wild, hearing his laugh, not forgetting his beautiful smile. Such an innocent, beautiful smile.
His eyes wondered to the photograph of his children and himself sitting on top of his desk. The picture taken by his wife to commemorate the first day Amy had joined their kin. To see the triplets so happy, to see himself genuinely happy...
Made him see how hollow he had become.
Hastily, he ripped open the bottom draw to his desk and moved the fake board out of place. Beneath, he found one bottle of Brodvoxin. Just enough to rid his mind of the pain.
He snatched the bottle eagerly and hurried to remove the lid. A final glance at the photograph, his eyes fell on the smile of his eldest son before the tears blurred his vision.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, a quaking inhaled breath catching in his throat. With equally quaking hands, he brought the toxin to his lips, desperately guzzling back the poison. The searing pain within distracted him from his psychological agony.
With his intake more than he could sustain, his upper body slumped over, his head hitting the desk with a loud thump. Eyes rolled to the back of his head, their lids slowly closing over them. "I'm sorry..."
The day he had previously anticipated was greeted with the sullen behaviour of the blue hero. His original plans for romance were foiled, any newly concocted ideas being poor substitutes. Chipped and monitored like a wildling, he was to be confined to his home, prohibited from expressing his love to his girlfriend.
It made him rather envious of his family members. Having the privilege of privacy, they all had plans for the evening; Sonia would be heading to some restaurant with Knuckles, Manic was most likely up to something for the eve and of course, his parents would be partaking in their share of romantic activities.
And Amy? Overtly forbade to be within metres of the hero. If he was to remain locked up in the house, she was to be forced out of the house until supervision was acquired.
That would've been the plan, had Manic not suggested a loophole in his father's knowledge.
Under the illusion that his youngest daughter was dating the gruff echidna, all Amy had to do was leave the home with Knuckles, let her parents go to their romantic evening, and then head back to her beloved. Ergo, everyone could enjoy their evening while avoiding suspicion from the father.
It was an all-round win.
Other than the substitute for tropical weather, soft sands and warm hues of orange, pink and red painting the sunset. The closest thing they would have to the desired destination was warmth from blankets. Worse, due to his inability to travel anywhere without the anxiety of being watched, he had been unable to come up with any ideas to make his evening with Amy truly special.
He was fortunate to have an understanding girlfriend such as her. No disappointment was shared, little lost of satisfaction to know their plans would be dramatically diminished. As she had told him, there was no better place to be than right by his side. Her confidence towards her statement and the glow of her beguiled eyes could only support her claims.
Yet his own insecurities couldn't let him shake off the fear of disappointing her. Not only was this date ruined, but their entire relationship sat on the brink. His dad had seized complete control over his every move, leaving him reluctant to express his love for her out of fear of getting caught. Though she also understood his reasoning to be withdrawn and cautious, he could see the pain he was causing her with his neglect.
He couldn't afford to lose his only source of happiness.
The weighty emotions wore heavily on his head, clouding his mind. Thoughts parading around, blaring their sentiments to induce a headache. Soon, he would regain some peace. With the touch of his lover's soothing comfort, his grief would be once again put to sleep.
Closing his bedroom door behind him, his eyes hung as low as his head, peering down at the red hoodie he clinged to over the past week to hide his more unappealing discolourations he had amassed. The punishment he received for his outburst at the arena and Amy's acceptance into his team had been exceptionally, yet expectedly ruthless.
Forcibly taken to the Bethalegion forests, he was beaten mercilessly before being dragged towards the lake. Too senseless to be fully aware of the familiar surroundings, he was given a wake up call by the bitter cold waters filling in chest. That burn he remembered all too well.
Dipped twice, he ingested more of the fresh waters on the second round after coming round and realising the situation. He screamed. immutable cries of immobilising fear. Upon throwing himself away from his father and the lake, he vocalised his terrors into the tranquil forest, his screams travelling through the trees.
Then there was quiet.
Neglected by his father, the hero laid on the cold, pebbled ground, legs retracted to his abdomen in a firm lock. He held himself, unconstrained tears falling onto the rocks beneath him as the unsettling sobs unwillingly released. He divulged his struggles to the trees around him, their whispers offering to soothe his pain.
It had been long passed midnight once he had made his way back home. His emotions spent, he spoke not a word of the punishment to his family. Only with the sceptical eyes of his lover did he reveal what had happened.
To everyone else, he had gained a sense of fashion.
Another click to a door made him look up from his hoodie. On the opposite side of the landing stood the pink hedgehog. She slowly turned away from her bedroom door to see him staring back at her. A delighted smile grew on her lips, compelling him to express the same gesture.
She hurried over to him, her arms instantly finding their way around his neck. Instinctive were her lips to cling to his own and engaged him in a salacious dual.
Anxious, he pulled away from her, surveying the area with diligence.
"Sorry." She gasped, looking down at his hoodie. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, no. I'm fine..." He assured her, his eyes still bouncing in every direction. "We're just a little... exposed. Where're Mum and Dad?"
"Mum's at work until four and Dad has locked himself away in his study doing who knows what." She smiled flirtatiously and brought herself closer to him once more.
"Probably keeping an eye on me." Sonic hypothesised. Despite his bitter expression, his hands shortly found refuge on her hips. The small touch providing enough comfort to conceive a genuine smile.
Amy scouted the corners of the landing, searching for any surveillance cameras potentially out of sight. "I'm sure he wouldn't breech the privacy of his whole family just to catch us..."
She was met with the risen eyebrows of her boyfriend, his head tipped forward to express his disapproval. She giggled coyly, acknowledging her naivety. "Don't underestimate him. He's proven too many times what he'd do to maintain his ideals." He reminded her.
"True..." Her eyes began to drift around the landing once more, shortly settling on the bathroom door. She grinned. "I know one thing for certain." She said as turned back to her lover. "He's hardly gonna spy on everybody when they're using the bathroom."
His eyes peered over to the bathroom. A cunning grin soon appeared. "A plausible blind spot." Looking back at his girlfriend, his grin widened to hear her squeal as he picked her up and raced into the bathroom. Secluded in discretion, they indulged.
An aching yearn was enthusiastically emptied on their connection. His fears and woes seemingly dissolving from the heat of her longing. The cure to both of their turmoil; ending his shrouding gloom and her starvation for his attention.
Perched on the granite countertop, she was titillated by his tender touch. His delicate handling against her back held the power to stimulate her nerves. A brush against her hip and affectionate caresses down her spine reacted the pulsating sensation to rattle through her. Muffled her sounds of satisfaction emitted from their kiss. His response was a smile against her lips, his own enjoyment adding to her thrill.
With his melancholy eased, his thoughts became occupied with her . She engulfed his entire mind, every thought creating bursts of warming hormones exploding throughout his consciousness and raining the comfort and security he had craved. His security brought confidence. The confidence to return the favour for her sweet medicine.
His hands seeped beneath her oversized shirt and clinged to her waist, slowly bringing them, along with the fabric, upwards to disrobe. He caught the brief second of surprise she conveyed in her pause before she blissfully sighed away her apprehension. Though acknowledging her nonverbal consent, he nevertheless broke the kiss and kept his hands near to her ribs, refusing to go forth until she was equally comfortable.
"You alright?" He questioned in a whispered tone.
Amy nodded back profusely, a coy persona making her claims less believable. Reddened cheeks across her face and lips slightly puckered from his departure. Her appearance post kiss left him enamoured. "Yeah, yeah. Why'd you stop?"
"You hesitated."
"Oh... Didn't realise I was that obvious." She giggled bashfully. Avoiding his eyes, she bit her lip, fearing she had let her fears take over the moment. "Sorry... I messed it up, didn't I?"
"No." He responded, lowering his hands back to her hips. "I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."
"I'm not. Really, I'm not. I want this more than anything... It's just--"
"The guilt?"
That particular emotion spewed onto her face as she brought her eyes to meet his own once more. "Yeah..." She admitted. Frustrated, she tipped her head back and sighed heavily. "Ugh, I'm sorry. I should be over this by now."
"Hey, don't worry about it. That feeling is hard to shake." He assured her.
"You seem to be pretty good at handling it."
Lightly blushing, her lover looked down at her lap to hide his sheepish smile. He chuckled away his nerves. "That's because it hits me afterwards. In the moment, I just think about how lucky I am to have you and how much I love you."
Ceasing her motion and ability to blink, she gawped at him, getting lost in a moonstruck bedazzlement. The sensation of her heart radiating within gained the priority of her emotions. Guilt still present, though gradually subsiding.
Huffing away her hesitation, she took control of her thoughts and her surroundings. Swiftly, her shirt was discarded to the ground. Liberated both mentally and physically.
Taken back by her sudden actions, Sonic laughed, stifled and subdued as he bowed his head.
"There." She breathed out. "No more worrying." Amy smiled back at him, placing her hands against his forearms.
"You know you really don't have to force yourself, Ames. There's no rush for anything." He told her, lifting his head to look back into her eyes. His sincerity communicated through his gaze.
"I'm not forcing myself." She interjected. "I don't want to be held back by these emotions anymore. I want to be like any other couple. I want us be able to go out together without looking over our shoulders, to tell the world that I'm madly in love with you... And I get that we can't. I accept that we need to be discrete. But the very least I want to do is show you, in the deepest form, just how much I love you. Without fear. Without this guilt of circumstance."
Her sentiment was strongly shared. Today being the day he would've made these desires come true. And while he intended to give her an exceptional first date, the potential of their relationship to advance had been a thought. He knew of her inability to shake the shame, so the subject was never bought up.
If she was willing and determined to rid herself of the shackles of their parents' indoctrination, perhaps she just needed a little encouragement.
Although, maybe it was best to not make that intimate leap in the bathroom.
Bringing her hands to sit in his own, he planted a single kiss of endearment on her lips. "We'll get over the guilt together. When we're both ready."
"But I--"
"When we're both ready." He repeated, smiling reassuringly back at her as a silent promise of their intimate copulation.
Returning a submissive smile, the girl giggled playfully and pulled the blue boy back into another kiss. He fondly reciprocated her love, his arduous approach leaving her swooning.
A pounding at the door brought their hearts to their throats. Ripping apart from their kiss, the couple gawped at the door, nauseated with quickened heartbeats. The handle rattled vigorously, followed by another round of heavy knocking.
Sonic grabbed the shirt off the floor and handed it back to its owner. Looking around the bathroom, he searched for a hiding spot. "You go. I'll hide."
"Hide?" Amy furrowed her eyebrows at her boyfriend, arranging her shirt after having dressed herself. "Where do you intend to hide? In thin air?"
"Have you got a better idea? Because I'm all ears."
"Actually, I do." She told him as she hopped off the counter. Turning towards the door, she called out and made her presence known. "Just a minute!"
"Amy?" Her brother's voice came from the opposite side. "Are you growing pretty in there? Hurry up!"
Relieved to hear his voice, Amy walked towards the door. Upon grabbing the handle, she instructed her boyfriend to hide behind the door until she was certain he was alone.
Opening the door, she was met with an impatient Manic. He stood before her, frowning with his arms crossed. "Took you long enough..." He complained.
"Sorry, Man..." Amy apologised. Seeing no one else around, she directed her eyes towards her boyfriend, signalling their safety.
Her signal was noticed by the green hedgehog. Stepping forward, he budged her out of the way and peered behind the bathroom door. His eyes were instantly met with the eyes of his brother, how they danced with blindsided astonishment.
"Heh... Hey Manic..." Sonic smiled sheepishly.
A sneer grew onto his younger brother's face. "What were you two doing in here?" He interrogated the pair, immediately regretting his questioning. "No, wait. Don't tell me. I don't think I wanna know..."
The looks of embarrassment on their faces was enough to answer his question.
"If you're needing sanctuary, you'll be pleased to hear that the room is free. I'm gonna be in here a while." He told his siblings as he ushered them to the door.
"Thanks, Manic..." Sonic said, turning back to face his brother on exiting the bathroom.
"Yeah, yeah. Just let me take a dump in peace." He said, being brisk to shut the door behind them.
"As charming as ever..." Amy said.
"Manic wouldn't be Manic if he didn't have anything crude to say." Sonic commented. "Still, he speaks a lot of sense. We'd better head into my room."
Flirtatious smile and suggestive eye contact lured him to follow her as she took his hand and heeded his recommendation. Walking into the bedroom, he closed the door behind them, securing their rendezvous for another moment.
Reclined on top of his bed, the hero lounged in the company of his brother while his sister and girlfriend embellished themselves for the romantic occasion.
Fingers smashed on the console controllers in strong competition. The green hedgehog sat on the floor beside him, cross legged and tongue hanging from his mouth from his fierce determination; showing as much emulous aggression as he displayed.
"You're not bad for a novice." Manic taunted his brother, grinning at the partial side-eye Sonic had given him.
"I was just about to say the same thing to you. Are you sure you played this before? Mum could play better than you."
Manic snorted. "I bet she could." He played along. Focusing back on the combat game, the brothers perdured a comfortable silence.
"So, what you got planned for tonight?" Manic eventually broke the peace.
"Not much, just staying in..." Sonic answered, his disappointment could be easily mistaken for disinterest.
The green hedgehog returned the previous side-eye he was given. "You didn't plan anything?"
"It's a little too risky to do anything local." He lied, his frown undeniably displaying his contempt for the situation his father had forced him into.
"I guess... But I thought you'd take her somewhere out of Central City. I don't know, somewhere far? You are pretty much the fastest thing alive, you might as well use your speed to your own advantage."
Sonic hesitated to respond. Bearing the pain and frustration he tolerated from keeping the dark secrets. The words he longed to speak curled beneath his tongue. Only more lies were released to protect his younger brother from the bitter reality.
"It's too much to risk, Man. I'm lucky enough to get time alone with her today, without Mum or Dad around."
The genius nodded in return, a valid argument. Had he been in such a ludicrous situation, he wasn't sure he would want to risk exposure either. Being caught with anyone was awkward enough as he had previously experienced. To be caught dating your relative? He cringed at the thought.
The lack of privacy sounded monstrous and all. "So you haven't had sex yet?" He blabbered out, his face gave away his shock.
Blushing lightly, Sonic kept his eyes fixed to the TV screen. "You say that as if that's the leading factor to a relationship..."
"It is in mine..." Manic laughed away his awkwardness. "So that's why you're eager to be alone tonight."
"No it's not--"
"Yeah, sure... You can cut the virtuous act now. You don't have to act like the righteous hero around me. I'm your brother. There doesn't need to be this... pretence between us."
"Tsk..." Sonic breathed out. He was somewhat baffled by his comment. Had he really come across as pretentious and meritorious in his eyes? "I guess I've thought about it..." He admitted.
"I'm surprised you lasted this long to be honest. You two have been together on the down low for how long and you haven't tried anything?"
"It's not that simple."
His brother paused the game and stared quizzically at him. "Okay, just how virtuous are you? You know how to do it, right?"
"Of course I know how!" Sonic quickly confirmed. His cheeks threatened to combust in their sweltering heat. "I meant there's a lot more to it than just sex. There's guilt involved... This overwhelming shame for feeling the way we do for eachother." He sighed, dropping the controller onto his bedsheets, he sat up and held his knees close, looking down solemnly as he spoke. "Whenever we try to get close, those feelings take over and stop us from going too far."
"Because Mum and Dad don't approve?" Manic speculated. His theory was confirmed by the blue hedgehog. He scoffed. "Fuck what they think."
"What?"
"If you spend your whole life trying to cater to everyone, you're never gonna be happy. You don't see me abiding by any rules."
"That's because you're a hell of a lot braver than I'll ever be." The eldest smiled.
His admiration came as a shock to the rebellious teen. Such admiration he refused to believe was genuine. "Yeah right. I've simply learnt that following rules not only makes you unhappy, but it also makes you invisible. A backdrop to someone else's vision." He appeared momentarily stern. Resentful and acrimonious. Leisurely, he rose to his feet and sighed away his venomous temper. "So, yeah, fuck what everyone else thinks."
The blue hedgehog paused, taking in his brother's message. Not only for the advice, but for understanding. His once docile and sensible brother had changed to counteract the feeling of neglect he felt from his parents. All of his questionable behaviour was a defiant cry for the nurturing he desired. An essential necessity given to the more challenging children rather than him.
He wasn't the only one to be a victim to their parents.
But unlike Manic, he didn't have the option to rebel. Something his brother wouldn't understand.
Watching the green teenager walk towards his bedside table, he saw him open the top drawer and pull out two packets. "Here." He chucked the packets towards his brother. "Whatever you do, make sure you have one of those. And you better treat her right." He threatened. "You may be my brother but she's my little sister. If you hurt her, I'll fuck you up."
Blinking in bewilderment, Sonic snorted before proceeding to break down into a fit of laughter. "You've been wanting to say that for awhile, haven't you?"
Manic laughed along with him. "You know Sonia doesn't need any kind of brotherly protection."
"I wouldn't say Amy does either."
"But she's my youngest sister so it's different."
"I guess so." Sonic said, placing the contraception in the pocket of his hoodie. "Thanks, bro."
"Don't mention it." He said, sitting on the edge of the blue boy's bed. "Give it to her good."
A wave of awkwardness washed over them. Both stunned to silence after what was said. Gormless, Sonic broke their silence. "Did you just re-evaluate what you said?"
"Yeah..." Manic said, full of regret. Hopping off the bed, the green hedgehog walked towards the door, humiliated. "I'm gonna go wash my mouth out with soap... or bleach." He said, scurrying out the door.
Chuckling faintly to his brother's mortification, Sonic turned his attention back to the contraception. Pulling them out of his pocket, he considered the possibility of either one slipping out should he be running anywhere anytime soon. Looking back to his bedside table, he chose to place them in the top drawer, securing them beneath the miscellaneous books and papers. If and when the time came, he'd find them.
His first priority was to ensure his parents stayed well away for the evening. With his plan in place, he could only hope it all went accordingly.
Fiddling with her hair, Amy intensely stared at her reflection, being particular over every feature she possessed. Nervous yet enthused, she held a beaming smile, one that emitted her joyful emotions.
Her sister leaned over her shoulder, looking at herself in the tabletop mirror. Her emerald eyes peering over to the pink hedgehog, she reflected her smile.
"Someone's excited." Sonia commented, her eyes set on Amy's reflection. Her intrigued smirk indicated her knowledge of her evening plans. Surprisingly so; she nor Sonic had breathed a word of the potential occurrence.
"Aren't you excited about Valentine's Day?" Amy asked.
"Of course. It'll be my first Valentine's Day spent with Knuckles. I intend to go all out." She said. Standing upright, she took a step back and admired her fitted black dress. "You must be pretty nervous and all. First Valentine's Day, first date... Possibly your first time?" She grinned back at the blushing teen.
"Did Sonic tell you?"
"No. It's written all over your face; the nerves, the excitement, the anticipation." She smiled empathetically to her sister's embarrassment. How she looked down at her lap to avoid her gaze. "Don't be embarrassed. I've been there, you know."
Her jade eyes glimpsed back into the mirror, showing her attention was on the fuchsia hedgehog. She watched as her sister walked towards her and took both of her hands, lightly tugging her to stand and follow her to her bed. She conformed, sitting on the edge of the bed and turning her body towards Sonia. Her sister kept her hands around hers, her reassurance displayed in her hand gesture and smile.
"The first time can magical... But it's important to remember the consequences that come with it if you're unprepared."
Amy leaned back, uncomfortable and stupified. "Wait. Are you giving me the talk?"
"I'm giving you advice! It's not always like the movies where everything is perfect and the setting is romantic. It can be spontaneous and sudden... And before you know it, it's over." Sighing softly, Sonia looked down, regret on her face. "I was too young when I lost mine. Too eager to impress Knuckles and ended up rushing into it. Like, I'm grateful that we ended together because of it, but if I could go back and change it, I would."
The remorse on her face left the younger girl concerned for her sibling, as well as for herself. She had been so determined to see passed her own feelings of shame, she hadn't considered the possibility of regret afterwards. In fact, she hadn't considered many aspects. The only thing she had thought about was her love for Sonic transitioning to the most intimate form.
"... Why do you regret it?" Amy asked, sounding more genuine.
"Many reasons. First being the setting. It was in a forest, in the dark. Even in the summer, it was cold and it was on the ground... Not particularly comfortable or luxurious... Then there was the business with Rouge..." Again, she sighed, her lips drooping with every example. "Knuckles was still pretty hung up over her after finding out what she did to him. We went from giving each other suggestive smiles and harmless conversation over the summer, to having sex... All because he was heartbroken and I was infatuated with him."
"Oh..." Amy looked down.
"Plus it was unprotected sex. Luckily I didn't come back pregnant." She laughed faintly through her emotional reflecting. "My point is, just because it's Valentine's Day, that doesn't mean you should feel pressured to do anything you're not ready for."
"But I am ready."
Sonia stared back at her, reading her facial expressions. She squeezed her hands gently and leaned forward. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes." She answered with confidence. "I sympathise for the situation you found yourself in, I really do... But I'm not wanting this because Sonic does. He was the one who insisted on waiting... I want to share everything I am and everything I have with him. After everything we've endured to be together, I want to give him all that I can." She could feel the tears build up in her eyes as the image of her lover came to mind.
"Don't start crying. You'll get me going too." Sonia chuckled, sniffling away her emotions. She smiled wholeheartedly at her little sister, providing another comforting squeeze to her hands. "I already know your experience will be different to mine. To give yourself to someone you truly love and to know they feel the same way, nothing compares to it."
"Thank you, Sonia."
Blinking her tears away, Sonia sniffled, bringing her arms up to invite her sister in for a hug. "I'm so happy for you." She cried.
Wrapping her own arms around Sonia's waist, Amy squeezed her gingerly. "I'm happy for you too."
They parted from their hug, smiling through their tears. "Gah, everytime I say I won't cry, I end up a mess. Now my make-up's ruined." She said, wiping the blackened tears away. To distract herself and aid her sister, she handed her an array of candles from the top of her drawers. "Take these. They'll help make the place romantic. And please, please, please remember about protection. It would've been bad enough if I ended up pregnant, I can't imagine how Mum and Dad would react to you having a baby."
"I will." She nodded in agreement.
"Good." The elder sister nodded back before turning her attention back to her reflection. "Right, before I fix my makeup, show me your cover up."
Rising from the bed, Amy threw her pink and white striped jumper over the white mini dress clinging to her body. A pair of black leggings were placed over the skirt to hide the eye catching dress beneath.
"Perfect. They won't suspect a thing." Sonia approved. Hearing the sound of her communicator, she looked at her wrist and shrieked in panic. "He's coming! Oh my gosh, I'm not even ready!"
Rushing to their shared dresser, the girls frantically scattered the elder sister's makeup across the surface and got to work on readying the elder sister for her date.
Fluttering stirrings overwhelmed her stomach. Their freedom only moments away.
Jules slouched in his armchair, his piercing stare never leaving the young man. His finger tapped the fabric of the seat, an outlet for his irritation and disdain towards the echidna.
Knuckles remained poised. Keeping his tact and respect for the general. Sat upright and hands on his lap, he made occasional eye contact with the father. Though fearless by the glare, the intensity caused him some unease.
"It's a pleasure to be taking your daughter out for Valentine's Day, Sir." Knuckles said, hoping to break the ice with his commander.
The blue hedgehog scoffed. "I bet it is... Having the privilege to take my daughter out should be the only pleasure you'll be getting tonight. Understand?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I'm not talking to you as your commandant, I'm talking to you as a father. A father to two indescribably beautiful daughters." He said, sitting upward, he leaned forward and intensified his gaze. "If you intend to date my youngest daughter, I expect you to have only the best intentions for her. No messing around, no quick flings. Because so help me, if you so much as make her cry, I'll end your whole career."
Swallowing back his nerves, Knuckles complied. "Understood, Sir."
Overhearing the teen calling her husband 'Sir', Aleena came to the boy's rescue. "Oh Jules. Leave the boy be." She smiled at her husband as she placed an earring in her ear.
Taking his eyes away from the crimson male, Jules looked up to see his wife standing behind the sofa. He instinctively gasped, jumping to his feet in amazement. She fashioned a red midi dress with a side slit bearing her knee. With her dress, she wore heels of the matching colour. An outfit that had grasped his attention and caused his heart to skip a beat.
"Oh..." He fell head over heels, walking towards her in a stupor. "I'm not worthy of your beauty, Sweetness."
"I beg to differ." She smiled flirtatiously, placing a brief kiss on his lips. "Mm." She grunted. "Is that whiskey on your breath?"
Jolting slightly by surprise, he played off the volume of alcohol he had consumed throughout the day. "I may have had a shot to loosen myself."
"Julie." His wife scolded him. "You're supposed to be driving."
"I still can."
Tutting at her husband, she walked towards the kitchen. As she took a few steps, she was close to be knocked over by Sonic who had dashed passed his mother and stood in front of his friend.
"Hey Knux." Sonic greeted the boy.
Knuckles rose from the sofa and gave his friend a fist bump. "S'up. Is she nearly ready?" He questioned, referring to his real date rather than the fraud.
"I 'unno." Sonic rubbed his nose, a previously discussed signal to alert the red male of the girls' short arrival. "Sonia and Amy have been locked up in their rooms all day. Chaos knows what they're doing."
"Probably making unnecessary fuss over what outfit to wear." Jules speculated. "Which means you'd better be appreciative of my Amy's efforts." He informed the guest. Knuckles nodded back, already eager to leave.
"Jule." Aleena muttered in a scolding tone. Her husband tutted back at her and walked into the kitchen, eyeing the boy as he passed. Shaking her head at her husband's overprotective behaviour, she turned back to the guest and smiled to give her apologies for her husband's attitude. "So, Knuckles. Where are you planning on taking Amy tonight?"
"Restaurant Swa. I know how much she loves Spagonian cuisine."
Sonic eyes widened after hearing his friend's mistake. He had referred to Sonia's favourite rather than Amy's.
This mistake was recognised by the father. "No she doesn't."
Realising his error, Knuckles hesitated to respond, not wanting to make another blunder. Sonic too remained silent to keep himself out of his father's suspicions.
"I'm sure she'll enjoy it anyway." Aleena told the teen, desperately wanting to ease his anxiety. She turned her attention to her son. "And what are you doing tonight, Sonic? Are you taking Sally anywhere nice?"
Puzzled yet intrigued, the echidna looked to the blue hero, interested to hear how he would answer the question. According to HQ gossip, he and Sally were strictly platonic. His mother on the other hand had other news for him.
Sonic gawped at his mother, astounded by the question. He had forgotten the lie he had followed regarding his relationship with Sally. A rookie oversight. "N-no. She's, uh, going out with Sonia."
"Oh... Why's that?"
"Sonia was complaining 'bout being single on Valentine's Day, so Sally suggested they go out on some girl's night."
Nodding her head wearily, Aleena took pity for her son. "That's not really fair on you to miss out on Valentine's Day."
"It's no big deal. I can just chill out around here." He shrugged back at her.
His father was still unconvinced. "I wasn't aware she and Sonia were that close. Now that I think about it, wasn't she close to Rouge, who doesn't seem to get along with your sister?"
"Sally's in the middle." He responded quickly. "She wants to be there for Sonia but is also loyal to Rouge."
"Right..." Jules said, wary. He examined his son's expression, no signs of anxiety in his obvious lies. "And your relationship with Sally... How's that going?" He stepped before the teen, his eyes blinding with suspicion.
Fuck...
Unintentionally, his mother had dropped him into a lie too easy to detect. In hindsight, he gathered he could've suggestive a rift in the relationship, throwing off the suspicion of his father while answering his mother.
The eyes of his father said it all. He had caught him in his deceit. "Fine..."
As though he was saved by Chaos himself, his sisters rushed down the stairs and into the living room.
"We're ready!" Sonia declared, demanding everyone's attention.
Unconstrained violet eyes softened in a lustful daze at his girlfriend. Dressed in casual blue jeans and leather jacket, his lover nonetheless had him mesmerised.
And vigilant eyes of the general slowly trailed from his daughters, to the echidna. Originally expecting him to be smitten with his youngest, he was astonished to see him bewitched by his third child.
He reserved his judgement, piecing the clues together.
"Hi Knuckles..." Amy greeted her fraudulent date, awkwardly kissing his cheek.
"You look nice." He complimented her.
"Thanks." She smiled, avoiding his gaze.
His puzzle was getting more and more solvable. "So, Sonia. Where're you heading tonight?" Her father asked.
"I'm meeting Sally in Central City. Gonna be a girly night." She responded casually.
So his daughter was lying too? Going along with some arranged plan? Or perhaps his son had been genuine in regards to her plans with Sally? If that were the case, why was the echidna gawping at her rather than his date? Why did he and Amy seem so uncomfortable amongst each other?
His puzzle was suddenly more complicated.
"Alright. Well, make sure you're back by 10pm."
"I can live with that." Sonia agreed.
"And you?" He said sternly, turning back to Knuckles with his wagging finger. "I want my daughter back at 9:00pm."
"Jule..." His wife reprimanded him.
"9:30pm..."
"Jule..."
"Fine. 9:45pm, and that's the latest!"
Standing to attention, Knuckles bowed his head. "You have my word, Sir."
Handling his finances towards his children, Jules lead everyone, save Sonic, out of the house. He opened the car door for his wife and waved his daughters and Knuckles off. As he got into his car, he watched his children walking along the path.
"Is everything, Honey?" Aleena asked her husband.
"Yeah... Just piecing things together." He said, starting the engine to his car, his attention was too preoccupied to see his wife's bemused expression.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it." He smiled reassuringly before fixing his rear view mirror. "I think I've figured it out."
Driving off the driveway, he slowly drove pass his daughters and opened his wife's window. "You sure you guys don't wanna ride?!" He called to them.
"We're fine, Dad. Go and have fun!" Sonia told him, waving to her parents.
"Love you both." Jules said before driving off.
"Love you!" His girls yelled. Whether their calls reached their father or not was not a concern. As they saw his car fade into the distance, the pair smiled at one another, their plan a success.
"Are you heading back now?" Sonia asked.
Amy nodded. "Yeah. Don't wanna keep my boyfriend waiting." She insisted, being weary to not say his name in front of her sister's boyfriend.
Knuckles however was too invested to keep quiet on the topic. "Who is this boyfriend of yours?"
"Knuckles." Sonia muttered to him. "I told you already. You don't know him."
"He seems to be causing a stir in the family if you're all keeping it a secret."
"Knuckles, it's honestly for the best if you stay out of it. Trust me." Amy said.
The teen huffed. "I'm already apart of it. I'm a big part in this lie of yours, and no offence, I can't say I'm comfortable being touchy with my girl's little sister."
Linking her arm in his, Sonia leaned against her lover's shoulder to calm him. "I'm sorry you're caught up in all of this, Babe. We'll make sure you're not put in that situation again. We'll think of something." She said as she looked back to her sister. Amy nodded back at her in gratitude.
"Let me take your stuff." Amy held her arm out to her sibling.
"Oh yeah." The fuchsia female pulled down her jeans and gave them to the pink hedgehog. Her black dress was pulled to the correct length and her jacket unzipped. "So, how do I look?" She grinned at the male.
As before, he stared in a captivated bewitchment. "Whoa..."
"I knew you'd approve." She giggled. Giving him a light kiss on the cheek, Sonia shortly looked back to Amy. "Good luck tonight, by the way."
A light blush found its way to her cheeks. "Thanks..."
"Now go! Your time is precious!"
Giggling with excitement, Amy waved to the couple and rushed back to the house. Overcome with giddiness, she found herself running along the sidewalk, a child-like glee.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o
Stood outside the house awaiting Amy's return, Sonic tapped his shoe against the ground impatiently and mildly anxious. His slip up in front of his father could most definitely backfire on him. With his dad's paranoia now festering away with his uncovered lies, there was a chance he had kept Amy hostage with him and his mother, maybe he cracked the whole charade and he was planning something in return.
Now he too was paranoid.
"Chill out, bro." Manic advised his brother, breathing in the fumes of the vofegon root between his fingers. "Your spines are threatening to attack me." He watched the quills becoming razors.
"Sorry." Sonic breathed in heavily in an attempt to calm himself. "I'm a little worked up."
"I'm sure she'll be heading back about now. A simple plan like that can hardly fail. If he can believe Knux would wanna date Amy, they'll believe anything."
"Maybe..." Sonic agreed to disagree. The dad he knew was too paranoid to believe what he saw. Everything would've needed to be perfect in order for the plan to have no consequences. Perfect, it had not been.
Choosing to distract himself, he looked to his brother and made conversation. "What are you doing tonight anyway? Are you taking Kelsey out?"
"Mm-mm." The teen muttered, breathing out the smoke. "Nah. She's going out with Aaron. I'm taking Morganna out."
Squinting his eyes, he stared at his brother. "Who's Aaron?"
"Dude we hang out with."
"... And you're cool with the fact that she's seeing someone else?"
Manic gave an equally puzzled face back at the blue hedgehog. "Didn't you hear me say I'm taking another girl out? Besides, we're not exclusively dating so it's not a big deal."
"Does she know that you know she's seeing someone else?"
"Yeah. She did try and hide it at first but..." A grin formed on his lips. "Didn't take long for me to find out. So I returned the favour."
His brother's grin left him curious. "What happened?"
"I slept with him. Made sure she walked in and saw it."
"Manic." Sonic laughed. "That's a next level of petty."
"I wasn't being petty." Manic said. "The guy's good looking and really knows what he's doing. Know what I mean? I'd be stupid to turn him down."
"But you made up with Kelsey, obviously."
"Obviously." He empathised, taking in more of the fumes. He breathed out the smoke in short puffs. "The three of us made up. Think we were all satisfied with that entanglement."
Shaking his head, Sonic exhaled a short breath. "You really have some stories, don't ya?"
"Oh yeah. Lots of 'em. I would divulge a little more but I wouldn't want to tarnish your virtuous ears."
"Shut up." He shoved the green hedgehog lightly. The pair chuckled, easing the blue hedgehog's anxiety. "Thanks, Manic. I think I'm alright now."
"Ah, you see. It pays to hear the adventures of Manic the delinquent." He jested.
A glimpse of pink caught their eyes. Looking towards the girl, they smiled to see her; Sonic moreso than his sibling.
"That's my cue to leave." Manic said, putting out his narcotic. "Catch you later, bro. Don't do anything I would." He teased, holding out his fist to bump his brother's.
Instead, he was shocked to be pulled into a hug. "Love you, Man."
The words of affection were as shocking as the spontaneous hug. Blinking his astonishment away, Manic slowly returned the hug, patting his brother on the back. "... You too..."
Pulling away from the blue boy, Manic nodded back at him before turning on his heel. He walked down the driveway and deliberately bumped into his younger sister, smirking as she turned back to glare at him.
As she walked up to the front door, she beamed a jubilant smile at her boyfriend, earning a smile just as big as hers. Opening the door, Sonic waited for her to walk in before following her. He made sure to lock the entrance behind him.
Spinning back on his heel, his girlfriend dropped the clothing in her hand and stretched both arms out wide. Leaping into his arms, she giggled in her delight. His arms fell around her, gingerly squeezing her and placing his head against hers.
"I can't believe that worked." Sonic said, in disbelief of their triumph.
"I know. My stomach was in knots the whole time." She told him. Stepping back from their hug, she bought her hand to rest on his cheek. "But I'm better now I'm with you."
Another broad smile lit his lips. "Finally... Only problem is, we have so much time to burn, I dunno what to do with it."
"First things first." She snickered, pulling off her jumper and following that discard with her leggings. Pulling down her dress, she awaited for the reaction of her lover.
His mind frazzled, stunting any potential vocabulary. Eyes spellbound to her being. He feasted on her beauty, too many angles to decipher and still all greatly observed. His perception exemplified her as a deity wrapped in a majestic aura. Her subtle makeup, her glossing hair and head-turning outfit all contributing to his lovestruck condition. Knowing her efforts had all been for him succeeded in melting his heart.
The lack of words and dumbfounded staring left her questioning his response. Vague signals of his reaction were given; reddened cheeks, lips parted and spines standing on end. She was certain he was charmed. His unblinking stare however had her second guessing.
"Sonic?" She tried to break him out of his daze.
Letting out a short breath, Sonic blinked, focusing back on his girlfriend. Still in an infatuated befuddlement, he bought her back into his arms. "You look amazing."
"Really?" His compliment had triggered a radiant smile.
"Without a doubt." He grinned. "You're playing with my willpower, that's for sure."
Her lips relaxed, falling agape ever so slightly in her seduction. "You know you don't have to hold back..." She spoke softly, her eyes filling with amorous implications.
Despite the temptation, he held back from indulging. There was a whole evening ahead. He didn't wish to rush to the potential finale. "I know. But for the time being, I'll keep holding on." He told her, caressing her cheek lightly after seeing the disappointment on her face. He released her from his hold and took her hand in his. "So, whatcha wanna do?"
Raising her brow at her lover, she walked ahead of him and lead him up the stairs. Compelled by his curiosity, he willingly followed her to his room and closed the door behind him.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o
"Yes!" Amy cheered, throwing her fist into the air.
"Oh c'mon! You cheated!" Sonic complained, gesturing his hand to the TV screen.
Sat upright on his bed with his girlfriend resting between his legs, the couple competed against one another in Brutal Combat. With two to one lead, Amy grinned at the victory she held against the blue hedgehog, knowing his defeat was crushing him internally.
"No I didn't. I just learnt the combos rather than smashing buttons!"
"Pfft. Learned combinations... More like learnt to hack the game!"
"Aw... Is my baby upset because he's losing?" She patronised him, bringing her hand up to caress his cheek.
Huffing at the girl, he pushed his body against her and prepared himself for another round. "You'll be the one that's upset in a sec."
"Bring it on, Blue Wind."
Hands gripped tightly to their controllers and eyes engulfed in contentious flames, the pair entered another round of virtual combat. With Sonic's technique being speed and defence, his girlfriend's was more focused in strength and endurance.
His character dodged most of her attacks, causing Amy to groan with frustration. "Stay still already!"
"And let you win? Yeah right!"
He had gotten cocky in his avoidance. As his new strategy, he would evade and attack. Hitting her character in the back before retreating and going in for another assault.
"You're so annoying."
"And you love me for it." He snickered, injuring her character til their power bar was near spent.
Too frustrated by his gameplay, Amy tapped in a combination for a special attack. Her character grabbed Sonic's and slammed him into the ground. As it let Sonic's avatar go, Amy slammed down a double kick to the abdomen, knocking the opponent down.
"What?!" Sonic yelled.
"I win!"
"But-- How di-- ... Grr..." He slumped against his pillows and pouted at his defeat.
Looking back at her boyfriend, Amy giggled and rested against his chest. "You look so cute when you're sulking."
He held his pout for a moment before succumbing to a contented surrender. "I will beat you in Brutal Combat one day. But good game this time round." He congratulated her with a light kiss against her lips.
"You were pretty good yourself." She praised him, healing his bruised ego. They moved in for another kiss when they stopped at the sound of the pink hedgehog's growling stomach.
"Your stomach is just as demanding as you are." He teased, snickering at her offended expression.
"I'm not demanding!" She denied, sulking before him.
"I'm just messing with you. What'cha want to eat?"
"Hmm..." She contemplated to herself. "I really want something sweet."
"I'm afraid cannibalism is frowned upon."
"What?" She tilted her head.
The blue boy smirked back at her. "Think it through..."
It took her a few seconds to realise he had suggested she was sweet. "Oooh. Aw..."
Chuckling to her realisation, he gently moved her out of his lap and got up from the bed. In a flash, he vanished and instantly reappeared with a leaflet and home phone. "How much did Dad give you?" He asked.
"Twenty rings."
Favouritism was at play again. He had been given ten rings less than her. "Looks like I got the short end of the hand out." He said, pulling out ten rings from his pocket.
"Don't worry. Thirty rings is more than enough to order desserts."
"True..." He said, a tinge of disappointment shrouded him. The last thing he wanted was for his girlfriend to pay more than himself.
Their first date was turning out to have many downgraded substitutes; No beach, no sun, and now the humiliation he felt for relying on her financially.
Not that Amy seemed to mind. "Can I have the--"
"Strawberry shortcake with extra strawberries. A drizzle of lemon sauce and whipped cream on top?"
Taken back by his ability to remember her favourite, personalised order, Amy smiled appreciatively. "Impressive."
"And I'll even get those Spagonian cannoli you're always eyeing up."
Her heart fluttered with gratitude. To express her appreciation, she jumped up from the bed and embraced her lover, placing a kiss against his cheek. "I love you."
He smiled at her love words. "Did you want anything else?"
She shook her head back at him. "What're you ordering? Oh, no, wait. Let me guess... Chocolate cobbler with vanilla ice cream and crushed cookies as a topping."
Guessing correctly, the blue hedgehog grinned. "You guessed it."
Bouncing on her heel, Amy clapped merrily. Her joy unobtainable. "We should watch a movie downstairs. I'll pick the movie, you can order."
"Yes, ma'am." Sonic agreed with her. With a smile, Amy left the hedgehog to his task. He couldn't help but notice her contentment lifting her feet with every step she took. The blissful light she gave off was blinding, eliminating the gloom he held.
He sighed, feeling assuaged. This happiness she rained, may it never dimmer.
The finest bistro in the city accommodated to many couples for the evening. Providing the most endearing atmosphere for romance to kindle. A dim lit establishment with small, accumulating bulbs resembling the night sky above their heads, reflecting against the dark, walnut tables with lit candles being made centrepieces. Faint chatter was drowned by the delicate play of the live piano in the corner. An opulent setting, the finest for his wife.
"This place is so beautiful." Aleena gushed. "I remember walking passed this place while it was under construction and hoping we'd end up dining here one day. Now here we are."
Lost in deep thought, her words flew over her husband's ears. His mind still plagued by the questions of his children's motives. Had they lied? Was there some truth to what they had told him? He was certain, completely certain, of Sonic's mastery over deceit. But Sonia? His baby girl? Never.
Yet without the belief of his precious daughter lying to him, his puzzle just didn't fit together.
So maybe Sonia had an alibi for tonight... But was it variable? Maybe if he contacted Sally, maybe he could find the whereabouts to his child. Or perhaps she would confirm that Sonia wasn't as innocent as he thought.
And what about his youngest? Her relationship... it just didn't seem natural. To see her interact with her supposed boyfriend felt forced, as though she was disgusted by his touch. It begged the question; was her relationship with Knuckles real, or a cover up?
A cover up to the fact she was back in the arms of her own brother.
"Jules?" Aleena enquired.
"Hmm?" He lifted his head from his hands. Her moments concern had formed to annoyance. He had missed something. "Sorry, Sweetness. What did you say?"
"I was just talking about this place." She informed him. "... Not that it matters. What's bothering you, Hun?"
"It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it."
"You've been stuck in your head ever since we left the house. As your wife, I am going to worry about you and I expect you to share your burdens with me."
He made the mistake of looking at her. With one glimpse, he faltered. "... Do you believe Amy's really dating Knuckles?"
Aleena took a sip of her glass of red wine before answering. "Honestly? I didn't believe it when you told me. I thought Sonia had a thing for him originally. For Amy to start dating him, and Sonia being totally fine about it, I was surprised."
He leaned back in his chair, horrified. So it was possible. Highly possible. His children were in on the cover up and hiding the dark truth.
All the while, he was sat in a restaurant, allowing it to happen.
"Jules..." Aleena called to him, deeply perturbed by her husband's paranoia. "I know you're concerned for our children, but please don't let any worries stop us from enjoying our first night out together in years. It can be just like old times. You and me, against the world. Remember?" She began to reminisce, sliding her hands across the table for him to hold.
Looking down at her small hands, he took in her words. She was right. The first night together after so long was truly a precious time for them both. He owed it to his devoted wife to see it through. To enjoy her company.
His hands fell into her own. "There's no place I'd rather be then right here with the most beautiful women in the world." He smiled at her.
"Thank you, Hun." She smiled back at him.
Sitting back in his seat, he was overwhelmed by the urge to ease his whirling mind. "Although, I might have to take a trip to the men's room."
"Hurry back."
He briefly nodded before rising from his seat and heading to the restrooms. As he turned the corner, he pulled his flask from his tuxedo jacket and harshly screwed the lid off. The poison was quickly guzzled, relieving his mind only slightly, all the while burning his organs
It was enough to endure a few more hours.
Eyes fixated on the movie, the young couple were distracted by the thriller in the midst of their feast. With every jump scare, Sonic found himself chuckling to his girlfriend's yelps and screams.
"Eep!" She squealed, looking away from the TV following the latest scare.
"Why did you pick a thriller, knowing you can't handle it?" He asked, chuckling once more to see her shudder at the screams of the innocence.
"Because I've wanted to watch this for ages!"
"You're hardly watching when your eyes are behind your hands most of the time."
"That's why you're here to tell me what I'm missing." She joked.
Lightly chuckling, the blue hedgehog turned back to the movie. Though staring intently at the screen, he was absentminded, too caught up in his own insecurities. He just couldn't believe his girlfriend had been completely thrilled with how their first date had turned out. He had promised her the world and had delivered little to nothing in comparison.
As though reading his mind, Amy leaned towards him, hanging severely close to his face. She smiled playfully in her attempt to jump him once he awoke from his thought process.
Seeing her pink fur in his peripheral vision, he grinned instantaneously. Slowly, he turned to her and lightly headbutted her.
"Hey!" She giggled.
"Oh sorry. I thought you were challenging me to a head dual."
"What even is a head dual?" His girlfriend laughed.
"I dunno. You tell me." Sonic shrugged, looking back at the movie.
His lover once again leaned towards him, making him chuckle at her childish behaviour. "Now I really think you're challenging me."
"You're overthinking." She told him.
Her observation silenced him. She knew him too well. "I am?" He played none the wiser.
"Yep. Your frown and intense stare says it all." Her light-hearted approach became more sincere. "What's wrong, Sonic?"
Knowing he couldn't keep quiet for long with her around, he sighed and leaned forward. "I wanted today to be perfect. To be totally different to our circumstance. Away from everyone we know, in a place far from home... Instead, I could only give you videogames and cake, which you mostly paid for."
"Oh Sonic." She sighed. Placing her head on his shoulder. "I have everything I need right here. I told you already, as long as I'm with you, nothing else matters. So we're not on a beach with fruity drinks with little umbrellas on the side, but we have eachother, and cake. Who doesn't like cake?"
Humbled by her reassurance, he rested his head against hers. Of course she was right. They were together, alone. That was a blessing in itself.
And like she pointed out, they had cake, a delicious attribute to their date. "Now I want cake." He mused.
Faintly laughing together, the couple turned back to their cakes on the coffee table and feasted on their sugary confections. Taking a bite of her shortcake, she had accidentally gotten cream on the corner of her lip.
He snickered at her clumsiness. "What?" She questioned him, he only continued to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing. It's just-- Here, let me get it." He insisted, leaning towards her, he licked the cream away from her lips. She quivered lightly, his tongue slightly cold from the ice cream had gradually warmed with her blush. Surprised, she turned her head towards him as he slowly pulled away.
Implication set, a feverish yearning was exchanged through their lustful gaze, dazed eyes shortly falling onto longing lips and then back to the drunken love state they found themselves in. Dilatory in movement, he brought himself back towards her and captured her lips.
Submissive under his perfervid might, she fell back against the arm of the sofa, bringing him to tower over him. Engrossed by his passion, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in his influence.
His resistance was spent, his desire in abundance. No longer holding back, he bore all his restrained love into her.
Deeply stirred by her lover's affection, Amy pulled away from the kiss and gasped for air, panting heavily as she stared at him in her lecherous condition. The day's determination absorbed all the hesitation he had held, leaving her wildly amorous.
She pulled him back into another hungered kiss, this time with her taking the lead. Forcing herself upward, she rested on her knees, ascending over him. Hands rising to his cheeks, she returned the intensity and craving.
Giving in to the instinct to breathe, the couple panted softly, gripping onto one another tightly, eagerly. "Are you ready for this?" He whispered. Having little control over his will power, he brought her lips back into a brief and pining kiss.
A salacious moan left her lips. "More than anything."
He held up his hand for her to take. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his and walked with him towards his bedroom.
Surrendering all concerns and consequence at the door.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o
Delicate brushes of bare fingertips and gentle squeezes against shaking hands were the acts of kindness amongst the debauchery. An act too depraved in the eyes of their guardians. And yet, an act calling on the celestial realm in it's bliss begged for blind eyes. If what they expressed was immoral, they would wear their sin on their sleeves and would gladly burn.
Uttered breaths and liberated cries orchestrated reticent emotions and the release of calculated deception. Free to express their truth. From him; his pain showed aggression. His endurance bridled his fervour. And his loved ravished her. From his lover came her unhampered adoration she had held for too long.
At first, unrhythmic and primarily controlled by impatient desire, they soon fell in sync. Melodic soundings filling the air becoming increasingly frequent. The heat radiating from their love perspiring into one.
Every breath resonating in their quickened hearts, all sounds soaked into the mind, each movement getting more desperate until their end. Trembling in the wake, a laboured kiss was shared before dropping onto dampened sheets.
The high fading, the girl smiled. Genuine happiness, all the while bittersweet. She held no regrets to their actions, but felt unease towards the consequences of their forbidden love. What their parents would think. How their actions, completely natural to others, were deemed disgusting to the rest of the world.
Seeking comfort from her beloved, she embraced him, holding him tightly. "I love you." She said, the guilt in her voice undeniable. Unable to hold back her tears, she allowed them to fall.
"Hey, it's okay." He reassured her, providing a hug just as tight as hers. "It's okay..."
The guilt and pain in his voice was evident. As she looked up, she was surprised by what she saw.
He was crying too.
Watching the flashing tracker on his phone screen, Jules kept his eyes glued to the location. His son hadn't left the house in the time he had been away. It offered very little reassurance of his son's motives. He may have not moved since he left, but that didn't guarantee that somebody hadn't gone to him.
"Jule." Aleena groaned. "Can't you leave your phone for two minutes?"
Though bothered by her nagging to get off the phone, he nevertheless complied to her demands this time. "Sorry, Sweetness." He apologised, putting his phone in his pocket. "Work emails have got me super swamped."
"I can only imagine. Your work is so demanding and I admire all the effort you put into stopping that Doctor Robotnik fellow. But--"
"I know. Tonight is our night. I swear, no more distractions, no more losing myself in my had." He picked up his glass of water and held it up to toast. "To my beautiful wife."
Smiling endearingly, she picked up her glass of wine. "And to my amazing husband." She said, clinking her glass against his, the couple sipped to their appreciative toast.
Walking along the pavement, Sonia leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder, heading in the direction towards her house.
"Tonight has been wonderful." She gushed.
"It sure has. It's a shame we have to end it so soon though. I was enjoying your company."
Stopping briefly to look at her communicator for the time, Sonia smirked to find it was only 9:00pm. "Looks like I have an hour."
"We can do a lot in an hour." He smirked back at her.
"You're right. Maybe we should take a detour then." She implied, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him tenderly. Stimulated by her affection, his arms fell onto her hips as he returned her love.
Unbeknownst to the fuchsia hedgehog, her romantic actions were spotted by her father who had been looking out of the window.
Slamming his glass onto the table, the father glowered at the young couple before rising from his seat and rushing out of the door.
"Jule?" Aleena gasped. Turning back towards the window, the reason for his husband's abrupt behaviour left her stomach churning. "Oh..." She muttered. "Jules... Jules!" The purple female jumped up from her seat and followed her husband outside.
"Sonia!" Her father bellowed. His yell was enough to break her from the kiss and cause her to yelp.
"Dad?!" She stammered back. "What are you doing here?!" His daughter gasped, unaware he would be dining at this particular restaurant.
"You!" He growled at the red male. "If you're here, where's Amy--?" Nausea corrupted his organs at the realisation. His suspicions were correct the whole time. "Oh, I'm gonna fucking kill him." He roared, marching towards his car.
"Dad! Dad, wait!" Sonia begged, racing after him. Upon turning the corner, she witnessed her father speeding out of the car park, stopping before her mother.
"Get in!" He ordered.
"Mum, please!" Sonia cried out, pleading with her mother to have some compassion towards her brother. The build up of frightful tears in her daughter's eyes only made her sickened by what she was covering.
She was fearful of what she was going to find back home.
Her eyes not leaving her daughter, Aleena got into the car, her daughter's betrayal hurting her heart.
Failing to stop her parents, Sonia watched hopelessly as the car sped down the road.
"Fuck!" She shouted into the air. Pulling up her communicator, she slammed her finger onto Sonic's name and attempted to warn him. The call dialled through before beeping to the failed call. She tried again, only to flat line. Then she tried Amy's... Nothing. "Answer your fucking communicators!" She screamed into her own device. In despair, she ran her hands through her quills and whimpered, her head falling back in her turmoil.
"Sonia? What's happening with Sonic?" Knuckles demanded to know, grabbing her hand to both console her and stop her from avoiding his question.
"I can't tell you, Knuckles." She sobbed. "Trust me when I tell you I want nothing more than to confide in you about all of this, but I can't. All I can tell you is that my brother is in a lot of trouble right now and it's all because of me!" She cried.
Wrapping his arms around her, he soothed her by rubbing her back gingerly. "Don't say that. It's not your fault you have an overprotective Dad."
"I should've been more careful. I should've kept an eye out for them." She criticised her actions. Even with the guilt consuming her, she feared her self-pity was stopping her from saving her siblings. She had to get back to them. "I'm sorry. I have to go." She told her lover.
He nodded back at her and released her from his hold. "Keep me updated."
"Will do. I love you."
"Love you too."
Planting a brief kiss to his cheek, Sonia turned into the opposite direction and ran back to her house. Activating her communicator once more, she called Manic to inform him of the trouble ahead.
"Yo." Manic answered.
"Manic. They know!"
"Who knows what?"
"Mum and Dad! They know about Sonic and Amy! You need to get home now!"
A moment's pause occurred before his response. "Shit. I'll be there soon."
Hanging up the call, the girl sprinted back to her home. Requiring all her energy, she endevoured to make it back before the wrath of their parents was unleashed on her siblings.