Summary: Soulmate AU with Rouge and Knuckles. I might do part 2 of this.
Knuckles stares off in the distance, gazing at the ocean blue sky. As the wind whispers by his form. Which sat in front of the master emerald; the echidnas back slouching against it. Nothing special had occurred so far; it has just been a nice and quiet morning. No one to talk with, no bandits coming to cause trouble, no Eggman trying to steal the master emerald (for the millionth time). It was only peaceful. Knuckles took a moment to look down his body; his eyes tracing each scar carved into his body. Most of them were caused by the bandits that would frequently come by. The very first scar he had gotten was around the age of 15. Three thugs had jumped Knuckles as soon as he began to have a nap. During the fight, one of them had slashed Knuckles chest. The scar isn't easy to hide due to how large it was. He sighs, attempting to think of anything else other than his scars. Unknowingly seeing the female bat flying around the area.
Rouge was scanning the island, looking for any other treasures than the shiny emerald which the echidna was guarding. She flew around the temple (where the master emerald was) a couple of times, quickly making a plan on how to take the giant jewel without awakening its guardian. As she began to fly down to the ground, she took an extra glance at the red echidna. Who seems to have just fallen asleep. Or he was just deep in thought. Then again, the answer doesn't matter. Rouge descends just a few inches behind the master emerald. As carefully as Rouge could in her heels, she sneaks her way closer to the jewel. This will need to be fast. So fast that the guard will no time to react when she'll fly away with the emerald. Once her hands grab around the emerald, a sudden force places themselves on top of her hands. Due to how large the jewel was, Rouge had to move her head around the side to see what was on her hands. With a puff of surprise; she sees what was the source of the force.
"What do you think you're doing?!" The red echidna growls, for Rouge to swiftly pull her hands away. She tries to play it cool as if she wasn't surprised by his sudden touch. The touch did feel rather warm.
"Oh come on, echidna! I need this beautiful jewel to add to my collection." Rouge smirks. Knuckles glares at her, running around and in front of the emerald. Being its shield to block from the bats grasp. Upon getting a full body look of the echidna, Rouge's eyes land on his chest. Mainly noticing the large scar; It was the same shape and size as her tattoo. The first tattoo she has ever gotten was when she was 15 years old. It freaked her out that day. One second, she was bathing and scrubbing her chest -then the next, dark ink unexpectedly roams across her chest. Creating a diamond with vines wrapped around it. Rouge was in a state of shock before her mother explained how and why had this happened. It was because of the soulmark, that whenever her soulmate had something new on their body (tattoo, scar, piercing etc) that it would form something on hers as well.
Knuckles raises his fists, preparing in case the bat wouldn't take no for an answer. "Well, it ain't going into your batty hands! This emerald contains a lot of power. I'm not letting some treasure thief take the master emerald." Rouge takes a step forward but moves backwards when Knuckles fist pushes forward. Attempting to collide his fist with her cheek.
Rouge raises her hands in defence. "Hang on, handsome! There's no need for violence." He notices her teal eyes wander down to his chest. Knuckles eyes dart down -only for a second- then they move back to Rouge. "I... I'm just curious, but when did you get that scar?" She points down to his chest. Rouge wanted to be sure that this was her soulmate. If it is, then maybe she could negotiate and get that beautiful emerald. Along with a red cute echidna.
Even though Knuckles was puzzled by this question, he still answers it. "I got it when I was around 15. Why does this matter to you?"
The bat giggles, as this now confirms that he was her soulmate. "What's so funny, batty?" His tone was building with anger. Believing that she was going to make fun of the scar. Knuckles wasn't a stranger to that. It never truly cut deep into him, but it does annoy him whenever people would laugh or joke about his scar.
"Nothing, it's just-" Her hand reaches up to her chest. Reaching to her chest plate and begins to pull it down. She does her best to not fully show her breasts, but show enough to notice the tattoo. Knuckles eyes the tattoo, more puzzled as to her reasoning for showing it. "-you're my soulmate!" He squints his eyes as if he couldn't fully see or understand what she meant. Knuckles never cared for this soulmate stuff. He wasn't that interested in a soulmate; he had to protect the master emerald. When would he have time to find his soulmate?
Rouge never truly cared for the soulmate thing either. Having a soulmate was only a small goal in her life. She was never that interested in love; her heart is set on finding all of the prettiest jewels on the earth. Yet now that she sees who her soulmate is, it makes her re-think setting on not just one goal. Knuckles lowers his fists as the realization hits him in the face, "R-really... you're my soulmate?" Rouge laughs, believing Knuckles was as gullible as he looks. He crosses his arms, "Out of everyone on Mobius, it had to be you? A filthy bat thief?"
"Excuse me?! That's no way to talk to a lady, let alone your soulmate!" Rouge glares at him with a pout. Which causes him to chuckle at her reaction. Although he won't admit it out loud, he does like how she reacts to his teasing.
"Oh please, what kind of lady goes around and steals gems anyway?" Upon noticing Knuckles cheeky smirk, Rouge gives him one back. Deciding to start a certain game with her soulmate.
"That beautiful gem is mine!" She jumps to fly up and above the emerald. Knuckles was quick to turn and look up at the bat. His eyes full of anticipation on her next move; Knuckles was agreeing to play this game.
"I'd like to see you try and take it batty!" With all of her strength, Rouge manages to pull the emerald up. She begins to fly toward the forest, edging for Knuckles to be the seeker. The red echidna has a quick stretch of his legs, before lounging forward. Following the bat's path into the forest. Beginning this game of Hide and seek.