MAOH! MAOH! MAAAAAOOOOOOHHHHH!

That's the wake-up call coming from our cat whenever it's morning and I normally throw a pillow at her to make her shut up lol. At least it's better than the next door neighbor's rooster and fortunately it sits far away from their yard so we can barely here it.

Anyway apologies for the yet once again delay of a new chapter since I got busy that week and was only able to look through the other works and not this one in time. I have good time management but alas even some small important things pop up that I have to delay the works until the following week. Hopefully it doesn't happen too often, but I'll ensure to keep you updated for anything that happens as well! ^u^

So here's the next chapter and you guessed it... it's them! I actually like this pairing to the point I want it to be canon, with how Sonic X showed them in their romantic moments I do want it to happen actually lol. Anyway let's not keep you held up so hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.


Warmth: Vectnilla

POW!

SLAM!

BAM!

"Alright kids that's good enough! Training's over!" a rough voice shouted at a group of students currently in workout clothes with boxing gloves on. They were all in a section of a gym with several sports equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals and weights. The students themselves were throwing fists at punching bags while several others were sparring against each other on a small boxing ring located in the center.

The students-athletes looked at their coach with sweat covering their bodies with several of them panting from an intense session. The sight of their hard work impressed the coach, a sharp tooth grin appearing on his face. "I see some of you went all out which is good! However don't go overboard as we need that energy for this week's match against Metal Charter. Head to the lockers and rest up, you kids have done well and I'll see y'all Monday!"

With grins of their own they returned a farewell with several passing by him and giving the coach either a fist bump or a high five. With how well they got along with each other meant that the group respected their coach and see him as a great mentor.

The fact that he was one of the previous boxing champions from back in the day at this same school also meant that many looked highly upon him and although he graduated from the school many years ago, he loved the culture around it that he took the position as boxing coach to teach the next generation on how to defend and prove their strength against others of the same or greater caliber.

Within sportsmanship rules of course hehe.

The coach himself chuckled as almost everyone left, save for one that was the last yet to leave. Goldenrod eyes watched a red echidna approach him, the former's smile raising higher upon seeing this specific individual.

His best boxer and overall national champion.

"Ah Knuckles my star pupil! How was training for you today?" the coach said. Knuckles returned a smile of his own hoisting his gym bag over his shoulder. "Not too bad Coach Vector, though I've been a bit sore around my right side today but then again it's because I let my guard down a bit when I sparred against Storm. Doesn't hurt much but knowing how much he wants to prove he's better than me I feel like he's literally after me or something."

Vector let out a small laugh placing his hand on Knuckles' shoulder. "Don't worry too much about it Knux. Just make sure you put ice on it and rest up, tomorrow you'll be on light duty training. Remember I see all of you as equal so regardless if you are my best boxer, you're still getting the tougher trainings no matter what!"

"Hehe yeah coach and no worries I'll be taking it easy." Knuckles replied.

"Do that and make sure you don't lose focus. Storm is a good rival for you and I expect competition between each other to boost performance, but don't let it get to your head. Stay focused and remember not to let yourself lose control." Vector released his shoulder and adjusted his black tracksuit jacket. "Now head on out and I'll see you Monday as well."

"Will do coach!" Knuckles said with a thumbs up.

"Knuckie! Are you ready to go?" a feminine voice shouted behind them. Knuckles immediately turned red with embarrassment while Vector turned his head in curiosity. His eyes spotted an orange echidna standing there waving at the two happily.

Vector himself raised a smirk and slight elbowed Knuckles. "Hey I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend...!" the red echidna whispered loudly embarrassed. Vector simply laughed quietly and gave a thumbs up. "I'll see it that way for now, but I didn't even know another echidna attended this school. She's a real looker though Knux and you sure are lucky. If you need any tips just stop on by and I'll tell you how to win her heart."

"Stop coach alright alright! I'll see you later!" Knuckles gave a sheepish grin still flustered as he ran over to the female echidna. Upon approaching her did she get very close to him and Vector wasn't one to be fooled easily; they were already holding hands by the time they stepped out the gym doors.

"Hehe seems like you're still bad at lying. Good luck with her Knux." Vector then proceeded to check over the room for anything out of place and once he was satisfied did he leave the gym locking the doors behind him. 'Knuckie huh? That's a cute nickname coming from a cute girl like that… ah I wished I had the courage like he does… man back then kinda sucked…'

Vector stood in the teachers' lounge brewing up water to a boil. Upon the surface of it bubbling did he bring down the heat and added a tea bag in it, seeing the water becoming green afterwards. Letting out a sigh upon smelling the earthy scent coming from it he headed towards one of the empty tables and sat down, staring at the cup within his large hands.

'Man today was a long day. Having to set up schedule for next week's training sessions, seeing which of the team will be sparring against the other school's team, and making sure the kids are good and rested.' Vector thought blowing the steam off his tea and taking a small sip. The warm water gushed through his mouth and down his throat as he let out another sigh, the tea's effects slowly kicking in. 'That hits the spot. Tea sure is a good way to destress.'

The green crocodile then raised his eyes to look around the lounge, noting how he was the only one in it.

"That's right… it's last period so school's done for the day. It's always like this for me… by myself with no one to talk to…" he whispered to himself.

Vector taught boxing which was the last period before school ended so when he finished up, he normally stops by the teacher's lounge to unwind. However due to the staff taking their leave immediately after classes are done, the lounge becomes empty. For the boxing coach he would come in everyday to take a refreshment and think to himself before heading home.

He enjoys training the kids and although they can be a handful he doesn't mind the added pressure when it comes to their performance.

If anything the other reason he took the position… was because of the first thought he had after Knuckles left the gym today. Of how he wished he had the courage like the red echidna. Courage is one aspect Vector has most of the time but in terms of what he witnessed between his boxing prodigy and the other echidna, the green crocodile did wish to have that kind of bond.

'Offer tips on how to win her heart? Bah like I would have good tips. I mean I never had something like that back then so what good will my tips help for Knux?' Vector took another sip of his tea and lowered his eyes sadly. 'I still would like to have a connection like what he has with that echidna girl. It looked like they would get along really well too. Man how much I would kill just to have some relationship of any kind… but then again, I never really could… maybe I just don't-.'

"Hello."

Vector nearly jumped out of his seat and nearly spilt his tea. "H-HUH WHA?! WHO'S THERE?!" he shouted. A tap on his shoulder had the green crocodile turn quickly with wide eyes.

Only for his heart to skip a beat upon noticing a cream-colored female rabbit looking at him in concern. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to startle you like that?"

'N-NO WAY?! MS. VANILLA?! HERE?! W-WHAT'S SHE DOING HERE?!' Vector hollered internally. Outside he shook slightly and took a small gulp. 'FORGET ABOUT THAT! SAY SOMETHING DAMNIT!'

"If you aren't okay then I can leave you to yourse-."

"NO!"

The doe jumped back slightly in fright as Vector stood up abruptly, his expression turning into panic. "I-I mean n-no it's fine! Just… had a long day and I didn't expect anyone to be here hehe!" he said scratching his head timidly with a grin.

Vanilla lowered her hands and settled herself. "Oh, well I decided to stop by the lounge today for a bit after taking my daughter to ballet practice. It's a shorter distance from our house so that way I can just drive directly there after picking her up."

Vector's expression turned into one of intrigue. "Ah alright I see. I don't usually expect anyone here after school so it's normally just me."

"Oh my goodness Vector that's very unfortunate." Vanilla said in concern. "Do you not ask any of the other staff for company?"

"Not really, they just take off after school ends so it's just me. I normally don't mind it though."

"Well if that's the case and I hope you don't mind… would you like some company for today?" the doe asked Vector. The green crocodile's heart nearly burst out of his chest and it took all his willpower to keep his eyes from bugging out. 'SHE WANTS TO SIT NEAR ME?! WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!'

In reality both Vector and Vanilla knew each other but they didn't take time to socially converse properly due to their schedules. They would do some small talk while walking towards their destinations but if anything the boxing coach would somewhat stumble a bit on his words while the cream-colored rabbit would laugh softly at how he acted. Vanilla saw Vector as interesting and didn't mind him as someone to talk to, but for the latter it was a very challenging task just to speak normally to her.

For Vector basically has a crush on Vanilla.

The fact that she has a daughter however made him assume she was already taken by someone. And it hurt him immensely.

The fact that there's someone his age that he took a liking to and there's no way they can be together… hurt him as well.

It was as if faith was against him in terms of having a special someone.

"Vector… are you doing fine?" Vanilla asked waving her hand in front of him. This broke his train of thought and he blinked rapidly back into focus. "O-Oh uh yeah, just had something on my mind but it's good hehe!"

Vanilla looked at him a bit suspiciously but brushed it off. "Well okay if you insist." they then both sat down at the table. "So how has boxing been going so far for you? Are the kids doing well?"

"O-Oh well they are doing great to be honest. We look fit enough to win this week's match no problem, but I do have to keep an eye out for my star Knux since one of his other teammates did give him a good sparring match the other day." he explained.

"Ah that is good to hear. When you mean Knux you do mean Knuckles correct?"

"Yeah, if you heard he's basically one of the best athletes in the school. Today I did see him with another echidna as well and I thought he was the only one. What's more surprising is that it was a girl echidna."

Vanilla's eyes widened. "Oh I think I know who you're talking about. That's the new student that came from another country to study here. Her name is Tikal."

"Tikal huh… well I told Knux that she's a beauty and cute at the same time. He got flustered and tried to lie about it hehe. Ah kids these days." Vector said with a laugh. Vanilla giggled on her part. "Yup, young love is a wonderful thing. I did see them get close quickly and already I tend to see them holding hands and talk with each other a lot."

"Wow that's pretty crazy! Hehe it looks like there's someone to take care of him out of the ring." Vector joked.

"Indeed but if anything they are one out of many blossoming within the school. I have seen Sonic and Amy getting closer as well and not only that, but my daughter has been taking an interest to one of our brightest students as well."

Vector was surprised as he has seen the doe's daughter who was very young. "Wow that's mind-blowing. Isn't she like six or something?"

"Yes but the person she's interested in is eight. I don't see any issue with that."

The green crocodile was a bit stone-faced. "Wait… so you'll allow your daughter to date at such a young age…" he questioned. 'Also what the heck we have a student that young?! He must be freaking smart!'

Vanilla saw his reaction and laughed. "Well it depends on many things, but I see the person she's interested in having a kind heart and is a smart individual. I have seen their interactions and they looked very adorable."

"Wow I'd love to see that. Ah even at single digits do people find their potential other…" Vector drifted off in the end.

Vanilla noticed it however. "Vector… is there something you aren't telling me?"

"…"

"You don't have to hide it. It can stay between us if you'd like?"

"… promise you won't laugh?" the green crocodile responded. Vanilla was surprised at that but gave a serene smile shaking her head. "I won't."

"Alright, so basically I'm having this issue. I've been having it for a while now and to keep my mind off of it I focus a lot of time into boxing and stuff. But to be blunt about it… I never had someone to call special in my life." Vector admitted.

"Is that so?" Vanilla said with a gentle tone. Vector was embarrassed in saying this that his cheeks turned red. "Y-Yeah, just seeing Knux with that Tikal girl made me realize how I never had the courage he did. I mean there was this girl I liked back then… but I never had the guts to confess."

Vanilla didn't have a proper response to this, biting the inside of her cheek in thought. She gave it a go nonetheless. "It's okay Vector, it takes time to find someone and I know you will. I mean it took time to find mine-."

"And I can probably assume you and him are doing well so far right?" Vector said completing her statement.

The doe looked at him shocked for a few seconds, shaking her head afterwards. "Oh no don't be absurd Vector! I actually don't have anyone right now."

Vector was now the one to be shocked, his jaw almost dropping to the floor. "B-But y-you have a d-daughter-."

"Vector, I have a daughter but no husband. He left me and Cream behind when I was still an older teen and after that I remained single. Not many people know about it but I plan to keep it secret since I don't want to reminisce too much about it." Vanilla stated slightly upset.

'Oh dang… good job Vector for being so stupid!'

"S-Sorry Vanilla… I didn't mean to." he replied sadly.

"It's quite alright. You didn't know so I'm not too upset."

"W-Well if that's the case I guess I will take my leave then." Vector then began gathering his things as he lifted himself off the chair. Vanilla watched in surprise. "H-Huh? Wait though I said I'm not-."

"No it's alright." Vector replied with a smile. "I don't want to bring you into my problems and expect you to solve them. This is my issue and I plan to solve it on my own, but if it'll stick with me for the rest of my life then I will live with it."

The green crocodile began walking towards the door. "I had a nice conversation with you Vanilla and it was good to see that we had a proper one this time and not just doing small talk. I'll see you Mond-huh?"

Vector felt the nicest sensation around his hand.

A foreign touch unknown to him.

A gentle and warm one.

Another hand grasping his own.

It felt so nice for the boxing coach that he couldn't help but slowly curl his fingers to grab it, but he stopped himself halfway.

Turning around, Vector came face to face with Vanilla standing. Their hands were holding to one another with the doe not letting the crocodile go.

Vector saw her expression. It's as if she didn't want him to go, a slight amount of panic mixed in with worry.

"W-Wait Vector. You may not want to bring your problems onto me which is fine, but on my part I have brought my problems onto you." she stated.

"Y-Yeah but that was a mistake I shouldn't have said on my part. I didn't know." Vector replied.

"It's fine, you had the right to question if I had someone due to Cream. To be honest… I'm also searching as well." Vanilla said looking to the side nervously.

Vector couldn't believe it.

This beautiful doe in front of him is on the lookout as well?

Does he stand a chance?

May faith be changing in his favor?

Vanilla looked back into his eyes causing him to freeze a bit. "If you want to talk more however, would you like to have some tea and dessert at the local café tomorrow? It's the weekend as well so I will have time, but if you are doing something else then-."

"N-NO W-WAIT! I MEAN- yeah yeah! I have time, I got plenty of time!" Vector said a bit excitedly.

Vanilla raised a smile upon hearing that and took out a pen while raising his hand that she held. "Just call this number tomorrow and I will pick up." she said writing on his palm. "I will be taking my leave as well, but I hope to see you tomorrow Vector." The doe then stepped back a bit and gave a cheerful expression before turning around and also gathering her things. Vector stood shocked almost not noticing Vanilla walking past him silently.

Leaving him alone in the teacher's lounge.

His mind going a million miles an hour.

"Holy cow… I can't believe it… I HAVE A CHANCE! I HAVE A CHANCE!" Vector cheered loudly as he jumped up and down while doing a bit of dancing. "OKAY OKAY CALM DOWN VECTOR YOU GOT THIS! Just take it easy and… NO I CAN'T I HAVE A CHANCE! I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL THIS TO ESPIO AND CHARMY WHEN I GET BACK HOME!"

The green crocodile then bolted out the door and ran threw the hallway with the biggest grin on his face.

His heart feeling the missing thing in his life.

The feeling of warmth.

Vanilla stood behind a corner watching Vector rush through the halls incredibly happy, giggling to herself.

"There he goes, that cute man." the doe then sighed once… and began to cup her face as her cheeks instantly turned beat red with a flustered expression. "OH MY GOODNESS I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID IT! I ACTUALLY DID IT! Okay Vanilla… just head home and be ready for tomorrow."

Vanilla composed herself and began walking towards the exit smiling normally… except in her mind she was still ecstatic with one statement in it.

'I have a date tomorrow… with the man of my dreams… I would've said yes to you regardless if you didn't have the courage back then… for I was shy to ask you as well. Thank you, Vector.'

Fin.


Alrighty that is it! As usual some mush and Vector acting a bit gaga on some parts with Vanilla being a bit like a high school girl in the end lol.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and as of this point there are three more pairings afterwards. Who will they be? o^o

Tune in next time and check on my bio for updates! ouo/