In the days that followed, Sonic had learned fairly quickly how to live as a Merhog. The food that Merhogs and other Merbians ate was fairly healthy, which was nice, and it was easy for Sonic to make money since there wasn't exactly a lot to spend money on in Mertopia. Of course, Merna being with him most of the time really helped him settle into his new underwater home as well.
Sonic was lying on his bed in his bedroom in the Mertopian palace, his tail resting off the edge of the bed. The cobalt blue Merhog smiled as he stared at the ceiling, his hands behind his head. It had only been a few days, and he was already starting to get used to his new life as a Merhog. And he got live his new life as a Merhog close to a Merhog he already knew, which made things even more easier for him.
"I'm glad I get to spend my new life as a Merhog with Merna out of all Merhogs in the ocean. She's a very pretty Merhog. And a very pretty Merhog princess at that. Who would've thought?" Sonic told himself with a chuckle as his tail flicked a bit at the thought. He suddenly heard a knock on the door, and the cobalt blue Merhog turned his head towards it.
"Come in!" Sonic called as Merna proceeded to enter the room. "Oh, hey, Merna. Is there something you needed from me?" He asked the orange Merhog with a smile as she proceeded to close the door behind her.
"Yes, there is." Merna replied as she swam over to Sonic's bed and sat down at the edge, looking at the cobalt blue Merhog. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you for the past few days since you moved into Mertopia."
Sonic raised a curious eyebrow. "And that is?" He asked her.
"Well, the Mertopia Valentine's Ball is tomorrow, and I haven't gotten a date for the ball yet. There had been many suitors who wished to be my date for the ball, but I just wasn't interested in them all. That's why I came to you, because I wanted to ask you...Would you like to be my date for the ball, Sonic?" Merna asked Sonic as a faint blush appeared on her face.
Sonic smiled at as he got up and sat down next to Merna, putting his left arm around the orange Merhog. "Of course I'd love to be your date for the ball, Merna. After we shared that kiss after Tails and I saved Mertopia years ago, I haven't forgotten about you. I've actually been wanting to try and get a date with you ever since I moved into Mertopia a few days ago, and I'm glad I finally get that opportunity." He told her.
Merna smiled at that as she hugged Sonic. "Thank you, Sonic...You have no idea how much this means to me..." She told the cobalt blue Merhog happily.
Sonic chuckled as he hugged Merna back. "Anytime, Merna. Anytime. I'm already looking forward to the ball." He told the orange Merhog with a smile.
"So am I..." Merna sighed happily as she continued to hug Sonic.
The next day, around 8 PM, it was finally that time: The Mertopia Valentine's Ball. The ball took place inside the Mertopian palace, in the ballroom, obviously. A bunch of Merhogs, as well as other Merbians such as Merfoxes, Mercats, Merrabbits, Merdogs, et cetera were present inside the ballroom.
Queen Diana smiled as she was wearing her crown on her head, along wild golden earrings and a sapphire necklace. "Ladies and gentlemen, Princess Merna and Sonic the Hedgehog! Or Merhog, as of recently." She announced with a sheepish giggle.
Sonic and Merna soon swam into the ballroom, having their arms winded as they did so. Sonic was wearing a golden crown with a ruby studded into the middle along with a golden necklace with a ruby studded into the middle. Merna, on the other hand was wearing a pearl tiara with a pearl necklace.
The other Merbians in the ballroom clapped as Sonic and Merna entered the ballroom, and the two Merhogs smiled at each other. "I feel like a real prince wearing this stuff." Sonic told Merna with a chuckle, referring to the crown and necklace he was wearing.
Merna giggled a little bit. "Well, if you're gonna end up marrying me some day, maybe you'll actually become a prince." She told Sonic with a smile.
"I can't wait for that day to arrive." Sonic told Merna with a wink as they swam onto the dance floor. "Well, shall we?" He then asked the orange Merhog.
"Yes, we shall." Merna smiled as the band began playing slow music for everyone to share a dance to. Sonic and Merna took each other's hands and began to dance together. Sonic chuckled lightly as he danced around with Merna. He was a pretty good dancer, even with the Merbian tail.
As the night went on, Sonic and Merna continued dancing with each other, not taking their eyes off of each other. The two Merhogs had a soft smile on their faces as they continued to dance through the night with each other.
"I never thought I would say this, but I'm going to say it...I love you, Sonic the Merhog..." Merna told Sonic as her eyes glistened happily.
Sonic's eyes glistened happily as well. "I love you too, Merna..." He replied before leaning forward and kissing Merna on the lips for the first time in years as he wrapped his arms around her back.
Merna sighed happily as she wrapped her arms around Sonic's neck as they kissed and floated in each other's embrace. The other Merbians in the ballroom, as well as Queen Diana applauded at the sight of this.
I know I'm wrapping up this short story long after Valentine's Day is over, but I still hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day this year, and hopefully we'll be able to celebrate next year's Valentine's Day without COVID-19 getting in the way of our romantic plans! Until next year's Valentine's Day! – Alexneushoorn