Candles
As she woke up in the morning, Rouge yawned and pulled back the covers. She rubbed her eyes. She glanced at her clock on the side table, which said 12:28. "Damn." She thought to herself. She stood up and walked over to her dresser, where she opened up her bra drawer. She took her robe off and looked in the mirror. Her necklace was still on from last night. She removed it and grabbed her red strap bra. She put it on and walked over to her closet. She immediately grabbed for her heart top, but decided on a purple t-shirt with a big R on the front. "Yeah… loose fit. Perfect." She then looked for some jeans, and found a perfect pair. It was a black pair with chains hanging off the top two pockets and a red belt. She checked herself in the mirror and went to the bathroom to put some makeup. She put on her pink eye shadow and blush. As she did so, she thought of what she was going to do today. She immediately thought- find a jewel. But, her jewel days were getting old, just for this moment. "And there's nothing to do in Station Square…" She batted her eyes and went to grab a pop tart. Berry flavored, her favorite. She slipped on her boots and went outside for something to do. She decided to go down to the coffee shop. A cappuccino sounded good at the moment.
As he laid on the ground looking up at the sky, Knuckles grew bored. "Nothing's happened here. And I'm hungry." He hopped up and stretched. "Ow, I think I pulled a muscle." He said as he stretched. He yawned and scratched his rib. "And there's never any company. And when there is, its dear old Sonic wanting help with a battle or something." He shook his head. "Can't he invite me to a party? Years of guarding this precious thing, and doing a damn good job of it, deserves one." He kicked the dirt and watch the dust settle. He then realized he'd probably go to Destination Coffee. He looked around for any sign of danger. After realizing no one was there, he sighed. "And no action, either." He laughed out of pure boredom and he was off.
As Rouge walked into the coffee shop, she saw Knuckles sitting at a table with his back to her. She walked up to the counter, Knuckles still not noticing her. She ordered a vanilla cappuccino and walked over to Knuckles' table. He put his daily newspaper down and looked at her, totally surprised. "Hey Knuckles." He shook it off.
"Hey Rouge." She looked at him with her right eye closed.
"Don't see you coming down from that throne of yours very often." Knuckles looked back at his paper.
"Yeah? Well, I even need a break sometimes." Rouge giggled as she took another drink of coffee. She looked at him for a while.
"So, how's your time alone been? We haven't seen you in a long while." Knuckles took a drink.
"Yeah, I know. And my time alone has been great. No disturbances for a while." Rouge looked deeper at him. She wanted to know about the Emerald.
"How's your precious jewel?" Knuckles looked at her, suspicious.
"And, just exactly why? You're not thinking on stealing it are you?"
"Maybe." He laughed.
"Don't even try. I don't want to have to beat you down." She looked at him calmly.
"Oh, of all the times, you just can't beat a girl." Knuckles was now infuriated at Rouge's comment.
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU!" He sat down, breathing heavily. She laughed.
"Calm down Knucklehead, I was just kidding." She looked at him very hard now. "Ya know, you're kinda cute when you're angry." He looked at her.
"Thanks." He then continued to read. She finished her coffee.
"I have nothing to do. You know, Station Square and Metropolis, and even Angel City get boring once you've been everywhere, done everything… and stolen everything." Knuckles looked out the window.
"I kinda like it here. Only because I'm always guarding the Master Emerald." She handed her cup to the next waiter. Knuckles, who had finished his, did so. He walked out, Rouge following.
"I haven't seen Sonic around. Have you, Knuckles?" Knuckles nodded.
"Yeah. He went to the beach with Thystan, Frynic, Tails, and Hitail."
"Oh." They had a long conversation until Knuckles turned to her.
"You coming?" He pointed to Emerald Island.
"Yeah, if you don't mind." Knuckles looked at her seriously.
"Don't try ANYTHING." She waved him off.
"Oh, calm it down, you red headed jewel brain." They stepped on Emerald Island, and saw Team Restlex looking for them. Knuckles rolled his eyes.
"Knux! Where are you! The Emerald isn't being guarded."
"I'm right here, Liartra." They ran to Knux and Rouge.
"What's Rouge doing here, Knuckles?" Knuckles looked at Squire.
"She's company. It does get boring sometimes." Squire laughed.
"I think Knuxy has a girlfriend!" This confused dear old Knuckles. Rouge smiled at him. Then, he took it in and was angry.
"ZIP IT!" Team Restlex flinched at Knux's sudden scream. "Go play tag or something!" They nodded and ran off. Rouge looked at Knuckles, still smiling.
"Do you ever calm down?" Knuckles walked forward.
"Well, they get annoying." She shook her head.
"No, you're just paranoid. Can't you take a child's joke?" He blushed a little, Rouge not noticing. He sat down at the top of the stairs as Rouge looked at the flowers around the Master Emerald.
"The flowers are nice here." Knuckles looked down.
"Yeah, they actually are. They're fun to stare at when you're bored." Rouge laughed.
"You have to mock everything don't you?" Knuckles laid down and put his hands behind his head.
"I speak my mind, nothing less." he said with a serious look on his face.
Rouge picked up a pretty red flower and walked up the stairs. She handed it to him. This, once again, confused dear old Knux.
"What's this for.?" She looked at him, about to burst out laughing at Knuckles' lost expression.
"I figured I'd do something nice, since you don't have many people around to do just that." He shrugged.
"Oh…" He said thanks and put the stem in his mouth sideways. Rouge sat down and looked at him. At this moment, looking at him, laying there so quietly and calmly, she realized for once in her life that she had something for him. She didn't know what, but it was something. She started a conversation and they talked for about two hours, her occasionally saying something that pissed Knuckles off. Then, she started to fly home.
"See ya, Knuckles." He waved. She winked, and turned home. She thought for a minute. 'I need to make him angry more often.' She flew faster now, as the time reached mid-day. Knuckles just went to sleep, despite Cream was now in the feild picking flowers, andunaware that this was the last day that would be normal for him.
This was sort of a fruity chapter. I show little pride in it. Chapter two will be up after at least 2 reviews.
