Heart
"Nervous, sugah-hog?"
"Who, me? Nervous? Nah."
"Really? Because this is the third time you've raced up and down the aisle."
Sonic frowns as Bunnie and Amy smirk at him. Nicole politely giggles behind her hand. He supposes he had it coming. Jitters propelled his legs for a quick jog around the cathedral, dashing through guests and bolting up and down the carpet.
Then again, he can hardly move as quickly as he'd like in his tuxedo. It was a steam-pressed, black ensemble with a blazing blue tie and his regular sneakers that had been polished for the special occasion. He tugs on his gloves, the fabric worn but comfortable. He twists it between his fingers, glancing over at the women, the trio dressed in violet gowns with a sash around their waists.
Sonic hears a snicker behind him. Leering over his shoulder, he finds Tails, Rotor, and Knuckles playfully sniggering at him. They're dressed in a similar suit as Sonic, but Knuckles wears his traditional echidna robes. They give Sonic a knowing look, their belief in Bunnie and Amy's insinuation painfully on the nose, and Sonic turns his back on them only to find the girls grinning at him.
Yes, he is nervous. He faced death-defying situations countless times before in his life. He defeated warlords, sorcerers, and mad doctors. He saved Mobius a hundred times over.
But today is the most heart-palpitating moment of his life. As he stands in the cathedral, decorated in soft lights and every pew filled with friends and family, he knows what will come in the next few minutes. He searches the crowd, spotting the Chaotix on her side and Team Dark, Rob, and his wife on his. Hershey, Geoffrey, and the Secret Freedom Fighters congregate in the closest pew on her side. Mina and her band sit on his side, the singer waving at Sonic when they catch eyes. There are Freedom Fighters and allies from all over the world, a sea of supporters. All of them have arrived in Mobotropolis just for today.
When the organ suddenly plays, Sonic straightens. He breaks into a goofy grin, earning a giggle from Amy. Everyone rises, turning their attention toward the door that slowly opens. Sonic waits with bated breath.
At first, Cream walks with a straw basket. She carefully tosses daisies, roses, and forget-me-nots. She throws them to the beat of the music, a slow, harmonic song that will beckon forth the princess and her entourage. And when Cream reaches the end of the aisle, she curtseys, smiles at Sonic, and joins her mother sitting in the front with Rosie.
As soon as Cream sits, a bouquet still held in her basket, the bride arrives. Sonic exhales. He falls like fainting as he takes in her white silk gown with a long trim and a veil covering her face. Her crown is nestled in her curly hair, and she meets Sonic's eyes, her smile as gentle and confident as always.
Sally and Sonic's wedding, as it would happen today, is something he once thought impossible. It was a fantasy meant for a different time. But he is the prince consort, his title and honor renewed, a welcomed addition to the Acorn family.
Sally isn't alone. Maximillian, although much older, holds her hand. Alicia flanks Sally's other side, grasping her other hand. Antoine stands behind the king, gripping his wheelchair. He quickly wipes his forehead, and at Sally's nod, they walk to the music, Antoine slowly pushing his king forward.
As Sally approaches, Sonic forgets to breathe. Her beauty is incomparable. Her grace as she strides toward him, maintaining eye contact all the way. It takes Knuckles lightly jabbing him in the back to suck in a breath, briefly glaring at the smug echidna when the Acorn family pauses at the end of the aisle.
Sally crouches in front of her father. Maximillian slowly pushes her veil back, a tremble in his hands and lips. She immediately hugs her father and mother, grabbing them tightly. They whisper something Sonic cannot hear to her.
When they part, Antoine nods at Sonic, slowly moving Maximillan to a special gathering seat next to the bridesmaids and pulling out Alicia's chair. Sonic would have liked Antoine as one of his groomsmen, but the previous king's age took precedent. Antoine wanted to help him walk his daughter down the aisle, choosing to stand with the former monarch throughout the wedding.
Sonic glances over his shoulder. His family is seated across from the Acorns. Bernadette wipes her eyes, and Jules pats her back. Chuck immediately gives Sonic a thumbs-up, his reassurance appreciated.
He quickly turns to Sally. He offers his hand, which she accepts, lacing their fingers together. She joins him on equal footing, her eyes faintly wet, finally together with him.
"Hey, Sal," he whispers.
"Hi, Sonic," she whispers back.
"You're lookin' fine."
"You're not half bad, either."
They chuckle, footsteps coming from in front of them. King Elias approaches, dressed in his flowing, scarlet cape and royal blue coat. The guardsmen fill the aisle, swords at their sides, as he takes his place in front of the couple. The current members of the council shuffle behind him, taking their seats in an aisle behind the Acorn family. Elias looks at his sister, grins, and clears his throat, lifting his head to the packed audience.
"Friends, family, and honored guests, we are gathered here today for the wedding of Princess Sally Alicia Acorn and Prince Consort Sonic the Hedgehog," he proclaims. Sonic is grateful Elias had stuck with his nickname. "For these two, they have been united for their entire lives. They have faced despotism with courage and fortitude since childhood. Together, they usurped the greatest dictator to ever haunt Mobius, and they paved a new meaning for the word 'heroism.'" Elias chuckles. "If you look the word up in the dictionary, you'll find a paparazzi photograph of them at Chuck's Diner."
A round of laughter echoes off the walls. Sonic itches his nose, knowing that's true.
"Sonic and Sally have fought not only for Mobotropolis, not only for Knothole Village but for Mobius. Without them, we all would have roboticized ages ago," he says, but his grave tone quickly lightens, "but today isn't about the world. Today is a celebration of their happiness, which the world relishes for you both."
Sally sniffles. Sonic squeezes her hand.
"Mobius has been peaceful for years because of these pillars of the Freedom Fighter. Now, as I'm aware, a certain hedgehog hates waiting for any preamble-" He eyes Sonic, who rubs his nose. "-Sally, Sonic, your vows, please."
They face each other. Sonic reaches into his pocket and pulls out a crumpled sheet of paper. He tries smoothing it against his tuxedo, ignoring Antoine sighing in quiet frustration behind him. Clearing his throat, he holds it out and takes a breath.
But he doesn't speak. He stares at Sally, taking in her hint of golden eye shadow. She's beautiful, in and out, whether she's wearing her boots or her silver heels. He's about to be wed to her, and all of a sudden, the words he spent hours writing are meaningless.
He flings the paper over his shoulder. He hears Knuckles yelp as he goes to catch it. Sonic doesn't care even when Knuckles glares a hole through the back of his head.
"Sal, I'm not one for expressing myself with words, so this might sound pretty clumsy, but you and me have been through it all. Eggman, Naugus, Kodos, the Xorda, the Dark Egg Legion, and way more baddies to count. We beat 'em all back to where they came and made sure they couldn't hurt anyone else, but I couldn't have done it alone." He reflected for a moment, those memories coming forth of countless adventures. "We always had each other's backs, but it went beyond that. We weren't just fighting for freedom; we were fighting for each other to make way for our life together. I wanted to become the best me I could for you."
Sonic became who he is through Sally. They improved themselves because of each other. When he was short-tempered, she reeled him in and offered a different solution. When she needed a breather, he brought her out of her headspace with a run. Together, their hands still held, they strove for greatness through the other, falling deeper in love.
"Doesn't matter if we're kickin' butt or walking in the woods, I'm my best self with you, Sally, because you helped me and loved me no matter what." Sonic flashed a broad grin that showed off his teeth. He was tempted to dip her and kiss her, but he restrained himself for the sake of the wedding. "But to make it short and sweet, I love you, Sally Acorn. How's that for a vow?"
Hushed awe falls over the cathedral. He hears Nicole sniffling and Amy whispering to her kind comforts. He glances at Bunnie, finding her with a supportive grin, and he brings his attention back to Sally, his heart hammering.
She's smiling. Her eyes are wet, but she doesn't cry. She simply soaks in his honesty and holds up their hands together, her radiance brighter than the chandeliers.
"Sonic, you took the words right out of my mouth," Sally said. "I don't think I could have articulated it any better, but I do have two statements for you."
He lowered his voice. "And what's that?"
"I love you, too, Sonic the Hedgehog. Let's do it to it."
He can't help but let out a hoot. It echoes in the cathedral, and the onlookers applaud. The Chaotix are the loudest, and the global Freedom Fighters join in their hollering. Even Shadow smirks and claps, Hope's whistling piercing right next to him, causing Rouge's ears to twitch.
Sally glances at her brother. "Elias, if you will?"
"Of course, Sally." He gestures at Sonic's family. "May I have the rings?"
Muttski springs to life at Chuck's side. The older dog hobbles forward, a basket in his mouth. He raises it to Elias, who takes two gold rings and pets him as thanks. As Chuck calls back Muttski, Sally and Sonic take them, their initials engraved inside, smaller gifts from the Lake of Rings in the Chao Garden.
"With the vows given, please, exchange your rings," the king declares.
Hand in hand, they give the other their ring, sliding it on their finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Sally murmurs.
Sonic's voice quivers. "With this ring, I thee wed."
Elias throws out his arms, his voice booming over the growing enthusiasm of the guests. "I now pronounce husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Sonic cheered. "Don't mind if I-!"
But Sonic never has a chance to finish his sentence. Sally snatches his waist and spins him around. Sonic yelps as he tumbles, but he never falls, balancing on one leg. Sally smirks at him, dipping him low, before capturing his lips in a sudden kiss. Blood rushes to his head, his brain pounding as everyone bursts with excitement, but all sensations fade.
There is only himself and Sally. He embraces her in return, keeping himself steady. He closes his eyes, melting into her. Warmth spreads from his head to his toes, and he wants to run with her to the ends of the planet.
Sally parts, a slow, gentle smile on her face. "Too fast for you?"
Sonic winks. "You know that's how I like it."
They stand together. He can't help himself when he grabs Sally and hoists her into the air. He catches her, spinning in place, causing a small whirlwind. As his friends recover, the crowd cheering, the soldiers saluting, he realizes he's made the bouquet shoot up from Cream's basket.
But Sally catches it before it can fall. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she tosses it over her shoulder. The surprised yelp from a certain pink hedgehog hits Sonic's ears. He beams at Amy, who cradles the bouquet, her shock and bliss mixing on her face. (He also notices how she shoots a glance at a certain canary on Sonic's side of the aisle, her bashful nature always a gem. And Rob's eccentric gasp, fainting into Mari-An's arms, is just plain silly.)
"Okay, folks, the formalities are done! Let's get the party started! It's time for the reception!" Sonic shouts, and he swears he can hear all of Mobius' merriment for their union.
Sonic leads the crowd out, but he's a blue blur to them. He's booking it across Mobotropolis to the castle for the reception, and as he runs, he has to ask.
"So, you ready for that honeymoon?"
Sally sighs. "A honeymoon that spans all over the world. Oh, I can't wait, Sonic."
He feels Sally nestling against the crook of his neck. She's as light as ever, and she smells of lavender. He wants to hold her close for eternity.
"Where do you want to go first? Albion? Casino Night Zone? Leung Kar? The Nerb Kingdom?"
She laughs as free as the wind he loves. "Anywhere so long as I'm with you."
"Sounds good to me, Sal. Sounds good to me."
And as he looks over his shoulder with Sally, their friends and families jogging after them to Castle Acorn, they press their foreheads together. Their wedding rings shimmer in the sunset, and for the first time, Sonic can truly say all is right in Mobius.
Together, they won, and now, the future is ready to be explored by them. With Sally in his arms, their love cemented for all to see, they are forever entwined.