Guardian Angels
S1:E7: Traveling Around the World With You (pt. 4)
Kathy and Knuckles soon stopped hugging after ten minutes and had started to pick flowers together while being on their knees. They both have calm smiles on their faces as they carefully picked up the flowers that they wanted while also thinking about which ones to pick. They were still being silent as they enjoyed this peaceful activity too. ...Huh...You know...I never thought that picking flowers would be this peaceful...It's...It's rather nice...Knuckles pondered calmly with a smile as he picked up a violet tulip before looking at Kathy in amusement. Kathy soon looked at Knuckles and smiled in amusement.
"What are you smiling about?" Kathy asked calmly in amusement as she smiled a lot at Knuckles while holding some daisies, roses, and tulips.
"Nothing. ...What are you smiling about?" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement as he smiled wider at Kathy.
"Hehehe! Nothing...I'm just feeling happy and relaxed," Kathy replied calmly with a sweet smile and giggle.
"Heh...Me too. I feel very relaxed myself. It's been a long time since I had felt this way. I'm just glad that I can have this feeling while being with you, Kathy. It just...makes this whole experience a lot more special," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile.
"...I know...That's why I like being with you, Knuckles. I always feel relaxed whenever I'm with you. You're just enjoyable to be around," Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a warm smile and gentle eyes.
"...A-Ah..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a fond smile as he blushed deeply at that compliment. ...Heh...If only the others can see me in that way too...Knuckles pondered calmly with a fond look on his flushed face as he stared gently at Kathy.
"...Say...Knuckles? What made you decide to bring me here first? Is there some reason for that besides helping me know the layout of the world better?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a little frown and a head tilt as she stared gently at Knuckles.
"O-Oh! Uhhh...Ummm...I..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly in shyness as he frowned a little while blushing some more in embarrassment. He stared at Kathy with wide eyes as he saw how curious she looks right now.
"Hmm?" Kathy mused curiously in confusion as she stared gently at Knuckles with twinkling, intrigued eyes.
"..." Knuckles was speechless as he felt nervous answering Kathy's question. The answer is rather simple, but it's just embarrassing for Knuckles to say it out loud. ...It also doesn't help that Kathy is staring at me with those curious eyes of hers...She's making me feel vulnerable and weak whenever she inspects me...I don't know why I feel that way whenever Kathy looks at me like that, but...I just do...And I...I...I kinda like it...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly in embarrassment as he smiled warmly while blushing deeply at Kathy again.
"...W-Well...If you must know...I..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly with a shy smile and a blush as he looked back at the flowers and continued picking them. He continued calmly yet shyly, "...I...I just figured that you like flowers and...well...uhh...even if you don't...you can't say that this place isn't beautiful or peaceful...Besides, I...I like this place...I like it because it is peaceful and beautiful...Umm...Yeah...That's why I...brought you here first...".
"R-Really?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a surprised look on her face as her eyebrows were raised and as her mouth gaped a little.
Knuckles looked at Kathy again with a sheepish smile on his bashful face. He replied calmly yet awkwardly, "Uhh...Heheheh...Y-Yeah...It's a pretty lame reason, isn't it?".
"What? ...No. No, it's not. It's rather thoughtful of you to bring me here under the assumption that I like flowers, and luckily for you, I do like flowers! I love them very much!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a warm smile while shaking her head a little.
"Oh! Really?! Well then...Whew! I guess that I was lucky on my assumption then. I was worried for a while," Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly in relief as he sighed a little while smiling widely in amusement.
"Huh? What had gotten you so worried about? Were you worried that I won't like flowers?" Kathy asked curiously with a little frown as she looked confused.
"Ummm...Well...Partially...But I was worried that you might...uhh...umm..." Knuckles muttered awkwardly with a sheepish smile while blushing a lot.
"That I might what?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously in confusion as she stared at Knuckles.
"...That you might...uhh...kick my butt for assuming such stereotypical things about you that...might not even be true...Such as...liking flowers for instance..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly with a sheepish look on his face.
"Huh? 'Stairy-o-tipi-cal'? What's that? Is it a special type of stairs that I don't know about?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously as she looked even more confused than before while tilting her head a little again.
"...Eh? Stairs? What stairs? I was talking about... Ah! Oh!" Knuckles replied calmly while looking confused before he looked shocked when he realized what Kathy was referring to. After realizing it, Knuckles smiled very much in amusement. Oh, good grief, Knuckles, you've gotten yourself worried over nothing. Haven't you forgotten already that you're dealing with an innocent, silly girl right here? She's sheltered from the world, remember? Of course, she wouldn't know what stereotypes are or what's stereotypical about girls or guys. She's just...cares about having fun, and that is what...really matters here. Just have fun, Knuckles. Relax...Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement as he smiled a lot at Kathy.
"What is it, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly with a curious look on her face as she stared at Knuckles' amused face.
"Heh...Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! It's nothing! Nothing! Hahahahahahahahahaha! Don't worry about it, Kathy! Hahahahahahaha! There's nothing for you to know about! Heheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed happily with a huge smile as he laughed a lot in amusement.
"Huh? Really? Are you sure?" Kathy asked curiously as she stared at Knuckles in confusion.
"Yes! Yes! I'm positive! Hahahahahahahahahaha! You're fine, Kathy! Heheheheheheheheh! I was just...just...Hahahahahahahahahah...I was just being silly. I was worried for nothing. That's all. Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly with a huge smile while laughing a lot as he stared back at Kathy in amusement.
"Oh, uh, okay. If it's nothing for me to worry about, then I won't question it further," Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a little smile.
"Thatta girl, Kathy! Hahahahahahahaha! Just relax and have fun like you always do! Heheheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly with an amused grin as he laughed some more.
"Hehehe! I will, buddy! I will!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and a giggle as she gently rubbed Knuckles' back with her left hand. Knuckles kept laughing in amusement while enjoying the affectionate back rub that Kathy is giving to him right now. Geez, I don't know what had gotten Knuckles to laugh this much, but I'm very happy that he's enjoying himself. I'm sure that it must be a rarity for him to do that especially since...he doesn't laugh or giggle often just as he says...and after knowing what Tails had told me...it makes a whole lot of sense...Mmmm...Poor Knuckles...I promise that I'll make you the happiest echidna ever. You really deserve happiness. You really do. Kathy pondered calmly with a smile before frowning a little in sadness as she kept rubbing Knuckles' back.
"Hehehehehehehehe...Oh, good grief...Hehehehehehehehe..." Knuckles said calmly with a huge smile as he giggled a lot while covering his eyes with right hand.
"Are you going to be okay, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly in amusement as she smiled again.
"Kathy...Hehehehehehehehe...I'm giggling again...Hehehehehehehehe..." Knuckles replied calmly with a huge smile as he uncovered his right eye to look at Kathy while giggling a lot.
"Umm...Is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" Kathy asked calmly yet awkwardly in concern as she smiled sheepishly at Knuckles while rubbing his back.
"Hehehehehehehehehe...It's a 'yes', Kathy. Hehehehehehehehe...I'll be fine...Hehehehehehehehe...I...Hehehehehe...I just got the 'giggles' again..,Hehehehehehehehehe..." Knuckles replied calmly with a huge smile as he put his right hand down and stared at Kathy in amusement while he giggled a lot.
"Hehehehe! I knew that you do giggle, Knuckles. It's just a matter of when that you do," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and a giggle as she kept rubbing Knuckles' back affectionately.
"Oh, shut up! Hehehehehehehehehe..." Knuckles exclaimed in amusement with a huge grin as he gently pushed Kathy a little while giggling silly. Kathy giggled a little too after being lightly pushed from Knuckles. She stopped rubbing Knuckles' back after that and had focused onto picking flowers again. Knuckles saw that Kathy was picking flowers again and had soon joined her by picking flowers too while calming down his giggles.
"...Say, Knuckles? Do you like flowers too? You said that you like this place because it was beautiful. Do you think that flowers are beautiful, Knuckles? I think that they are," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile as she picked up some sunflowers.
"Hehehehehe...Hehehe...(Sigh)…Yes, Kathy. I do like flowers. They are certainly beautiful. I've seen plenty of flowers in my island. In fact, there's a secret cave in my island that is like a huge garden, and tons of flowers grow in there with a river flowing around it. It's a rather stunning sight to see, and trust me when I say this...the garden is much bigger than these meadows...like really bigger," Knuckles replied calmly with a huge smile and a sigh as he finished giggling while looking at Kathy.
"...! R-Really? Bigger than...this?" Kathy asked in awe with a gasp as she smiled widely at Knuckles.
"Yep. It's like paradise in that part of the island. It's so beautiful. I bet that you'll love it when I show it to you someday," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and a nod.
Kathy smiled warmly back at Knuckles as her light-blue eyes twinkled in adoration. She felt rather pleased that Knuckles likes flowers and thinks they are beautiful too. She replied softly with a shy smile and a light blush, "I...I would love to see it someday. Maybe when...we hang out on your island all day...".
Knuckles lowered his eyelids halfway as he looked fond at Kathy. He felt rather pleased that Kathy is interested into his seeing his secret garden. He never really showed that place to anyone before. Not even Sonic nor Tails knows about that place. Only Knuckles knows about it. It's one of his best kept secrets on his island, and...he's very happy that Kathy wants to see it. His heart is just melting in warmth and in adoration for Kathy right now, and he knows that it'll never stop.
"...Yeah...Someday, we'll do that...Just you and me all alone on my island...I...I can't wait for the day when that happens..." Knuckles whispered softly with a fond smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared gently at Kathy. Kathy beamed sweetly at him while not saying anything, and Knuckles smiled even more in fondness as he sighed in adoration.
I just know that when that day arrives...it's going to be one of the best days of my life...My island may be a prison for now...but when my Angel comes and stays on my island...it's going to become a true paradise...Maybe then...my island will truly be deserving of its name...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a longing smile and with half-lidded eyes as they twinkled in adoration.
Kathy and Knuckles stared at each other in fondness for a little while before they looked back at the flowers and continued to pick them up. They were silent for a while, but they had calm smiles on their faces as they did this.
…
…
…
"...Say, Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly with a warm smile after breaking the long silence.
"Yes, Knuckles?" Kathy asked curiously with a warm smile as she picked up some petunias.
"...Can you please keep my huge flower garden a secret? I...I really don't want anyone to find out about it...or know about my secret likeness for flowers. It...really doesn't do much for my...uhh...tough-as-nails image that I show off to others. I'm only telling you my secret because I...I..." Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly with a warm smile as he picked up some chrysanthemums. He then looked at Kathy again with a fond look on his face as his violet eyes sparkled. He finished softly with a fond smile, "...I trust you, Kathy. You can keep this a secret, can't ya? ...Please do it for me...I believe in you...wholeheartedly...".
"...!" Kathy gasped and looked at Knuckles in shock after hearing that last part. She was surprised when she saw Knuckles looking at her with sparkly, violet eyes and with a fond smile. Her heart pounded in adoration as she stared into that adorable, handsome look on Knuckles' face. Awwwww...I hadn't seen this look on Knuckles' face before. He's...He's so adorable...So handsome...And...so shy...Kathy pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile as her eyelids went down halfway in fondness.
"Alright, Knuckles. I'll keep it a secret. I promise that I won't tell it to anybody," Kathy replied calmly yet quietly with a warm smile as she stared at Knuckles.
"Thank you, Kathy. I'm glad that I can confide into you like this without being mocked or ridiculed. It's...rather refreshing honestly," Knuckles replied calmly with a relived smile and a nod as he stared back at Kathy.
"Well, I mean...I never had any friends while I was growing up. So, I have no reason to mock or ridicule people that could possibly be my friend. All I ever wanted as a kid was to have some friends. Not push others away by mocking them or ridiculing them. It's just not right," Kathy replied calmly with a little frown.
"That's...understandable...I have no intention into ridiculing others that I meet for the first time. The only times that I ridicule others is when they ridicule me first. Besides, I'm..." Knuckles replied calmly with a little frown before he looked down at the flowers and frowned deeper in sadness as he continued quietly, "...I'm...I'm not as rough or as cold as I made others believe. Like you, Kathy, I also wanted some friends as a child. Since nobody ever comes to my island, I felt very lonely. I was desperate to have anybody as my friend as long as they don't steal my emerald or invade my island. In fact, before I had met Sonic and Tails, Dr. Eggman was the first person who I had ever met in my life and...".
Knuckles soon stopped a bit and sighed tiredly as he closed his eyes. He finished calmly with a frown and with closed eyes, "...in a way...he became friends with me...".
"...! Really? Is it true?" Kathy asked curiously with a gasp as she looked surprised. Didn't see that one coming! Kathy thought in surprise as she stared curiously at Knuckles.
Knuckles nodded slowly and had opened his eyes halfway in a sad way. He replied calmly yet solemnly with a sad frown, "...Yes, it's true. I used to be friends with Dr. Eggman. I was 15 at the time when I had first met him. It was surprising the first time I had met him. His huge spaceship called the Death Egg had crashed into my island after Sonic had destroyed it. I had no clue why his spaceship had crashed down into my island or who he is as a person, but when I first saw him...I thought that maybe...it was my chance to have a friend at long last...".
"..." Kathy was silent as she looked both sad and intrigued while listening to Knuckles' story.
Knuckles continued calmly yet solemnly with a sad look on his face, "...When I had met him, he was unconscious like you were when I first met you. I figured that he needed some help, so, I did whatever I could to take care of him. I've patched up his injuries; I've given him food and water; and I've given him shelter all so that I could encourage him to be friends with me. ...And...to my surprise...he did want me to be his friend especially when he told me this...".
"Please! Oh, please be my friend! No one had ever wanted me as a friend! No one had ever been kind to me or had been considerate towards me before! Knuckles...you are too kind. There are not many people like you in this harsh world. There are lots of cruel, disrespectful people in the world! People who love to crush down others and roll them over! They love to take advantage of the good people of the world and make them feel worthless in the end! They're that heartless! But not you...No...You won't take advantage of me or crush me down...like the others had...Will you?" Dr. Eggman said in fake sadness as he was on his knees and had his hands together in a pleading way.
"...When I had heard that...I felt very disappointed that the outside world is like that. The fact that there are cruel, heartless people in the world who hurt others, take advantage of them, and make them feel worthless just destroyed my perception of what the world is really like. ...And...I find it ironic that the one who had said that was Dr. Eggman himself. He was definitely a cruel, heartless person and still is...Now that I look back on it...it was blatant that he was manipulating me...How could I just give in to his lies like that? I'm...I'm probably more empathetic than I thought," Knuckles continued calmly yet solemnly with a sad frown before he face-palmed himself and grimaced in the end.
"Knuckles..." Kathy muttered softly in a caring tone as she frowned sadly while placing her left hand onto Knuckles' back again. She rubbed it gently again while staring at him in sympathy.
"...(Sigh)...You know...it makes more sense why I would let myself get tricked by him...We were basically in the same boat...I was lonely...He was lonely...None of us had any friends...We're both misunderstood...Because we have those things in common...we have a strong connection to each other that no one could break...Perhaps it was for that very reason that I still hear him out at times even though I know he had tricked me in the past...I just thought that...I could be the friend that he never had...and I had hoped that...I could help him see the errors in his evil ways and help him to change for the better...But...nevertheless...it was the same thing over and over again...I listen to him; I get tricked; and I become a complete idiot in front of everybody...Rinse and repeat..." Knuckles continued calmly yet solemnly with a sigh and a sad frown as he puts down his hand and stared down at the flowers below.
"..." Kathy was silent as she looked very pitiful while she comforted Knuckles by rubbing his back. Knuckles was grateful that Kathy was rubbing his back but hadn't said anything to that.
Instead, he continued calmly yet solemnly with a sad look on his face, "...I suppose that it was inevitable that Dr. Eggman would see my weakness...He can see how much I wanted friends, and he had used that as a means to manipulate me into believing his story...".
"You have no idea what I have gone through, Knuckles! I'm so misunderstood by others! All I had wanted was to make the world a better place to live in! A world where there are less cruel people and more good, obedient people! But no! My plans are always crushed by that heartless Sonic and his devious, new, buddy, Tails! Those two are the worst! Especially Sonic! He doesn't see things my way and would do anything to stop me! He would rather let things be and never want me to change the world into a better place! Please, Knuckles! You have to help me! Let's turn this terrible world into a better place to live in! Help me stop Sonic and Tails! If we work together, then we can get what we both want! A better world...and a new friendship...What do you say...buddy?" Dr. Eggman said in fake sadness as he made some gestures with his arms before clasping his hands together again in a pleading way.
"...You know what? I'll do it. I'll help you...buddy," Knuckles replied calmly with a solemn frown and a nod before he smiled a little as he gave out his hand to Dr. Eggman to shake it.
"Oh, why thank you, Knuckles! You are so kind! But...uh...hey. Remind me again...Is this place really the legendary floating island known as Angel Island?" Dr. Eggman replied brightly with a grin as he grabbed Knuckles' hand and shook it.
"Uhh...Yeah. It is. Why do you ask?" Knuckles replied calmly yet curiously while looking confused.
"Oh, no reason really. I just wanted to know where you live so that I can visit you from time to time, buddy! What are good friends for?" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet brightly with a grin as he kept holding onto Knuckles' hand.
"O-Oh, I see. Thank you, Dr. Eggman. I'd love it if you visit me often. You are welcome at any time to my island," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile.
"Why thank you again, Knuckles. I promise that you won't regret it!" Dr. Eggman replied calmly yet brightly with a grin and with a nod.
"...(Sigh)…'Won't regret it' he said. That should've been the clue that he's going to betray me in the end...How...How did I let him use me like that? I'm so...so pathetic...So gullible...So stupid...And so..." Knuckles continued calmly yet sadly with a sigh and with a grimace as he cringed at those bitter memories. He then closed his eyes again and grimaced even further as he finished softly, "...So worthless...".
Just as soon as Knuckles had said that, he felt Kathy's left arm wrapping around his shoulders and her left side leaning against his right as she side-hugged him again. Her colorful, left wing had also wrapped over his shoulders and back. She gently rubbed his left arm in comfort as she hugged him tightly. She also had leant her head onto Knuckles' right shoulder and had slowly snuggled it a bit in comfort.
"...You're not worthless, Knuckles. You never were, and you never will be. I know that you aren't. You're so...so helpful to me. Without your help...I would've been in a much worse place than I am right now. I'm forever in your debt thanks to your help. You have my sincerest gratitude," Kathy consoled calmly yet softly with a sad frown while having her eyes closed.
"Hmm..." Knuckles mused quietly with a frown as he still had his eyes closed. ...She's...She's right...If I wasn't there to help Kathy, then she would have been very lonely and sad. Since I'm here, I can help her out and make her very happy. I can't be worthless if I do that. I...I mean something to her. She needs me...She wants me...and I...Knuckles brooded calmly with a little frown as he opened his eyes and looked at Kathy. He then smiled a little in fondness as he finished his musings with this thought.
...I want her...
"...Thank you, Kathy. Thanks for comforting me. I...I needed that," Knuckles thanked calmly yet quietly with a little smile on his fond face.
Kathy smiled a little at that and had squeezed Knuckles gently to return his gratitude. Knuckles smiled a lot at that sweet gesture and had closed his eyes again in happiness. She's so sweet...Sigh...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile on his face while having his eyes closed.
Kathy soon opened her eyes and lifted her head up a bit to look at Knuckles. She smiled even more in fondness when she saw how happy he looks right now. There's that cute, handsome smile. Hehehe...And I just know how I can make that smile even bigger...Kathy pondered calmly with a fond smile on her face before she looked mischievous as she moved her batch of flowers towards Knuckles' tummy and lightly brushed it.
"H-Hey! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! Stop! Hehehehehehehehehehe! It tickles! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement as he burst into giggles the second he felt his tummy being tickled by the flowers. He smiled even wider as he giggled a lot at this surprise tickle attack.
"There you go, you silly, little doggie. No more self-deprecating thoughts, okay?" Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile as she kept tickling Knuckles with the flowers. She kept moving the flowers along his sensitive tummy and along his right side. Knuckles giggled a lot at this playful action.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Okay! Okay! I won't think of them anymore! Hahahahahahahahaha! Just please! Stop! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! You're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles protested playfully with a huge smile as he kept giggling silly while squirming a lot as he felt his tummy and right side being tickled.
"Awww, but you're smiling and giggling. I don't want to see you being sad and down. I want to see you being happy and cheerful. And just look at you...you're much happier now than you were a few moments ago," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully with a sweet smile as she kept brushing Knuckles' tummy and right side with the flowers.
"That's because you're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! Quit it! Hehehehehehehehehe! I'm very sensitive! Hahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Plehehehehehehehehease!" Knuckles protested playfully with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he kept giggling a lot while trying to push Kathy away from himself. Kathy giggled at this and had soon stopped tickling Knuckles with the flowers. She also released him from her side-hug and had unwrapped her wing from him after she stopped tickling him.
"Hehehehehe! But that's just one of the things that I like about you, Knuckles. You are sensitive," Kathy replied calmly yet happily with a bright smile and with a giggle as she sat a bit from Knuckles again.
"Well, duh. Heheheheheh...I giggle and laugh every time you tickle me," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a wink and with a huge smile while chuckling a bit as he clutched his stomach with his right hand.
"I'm not talking about that even though I do like that about you too," Kathy replied calmly in amusement with a sweet smile.
"Of course, you do, you tickle monster," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with an amused grin as he stared at Kathy.
Kathy giggled a little at that remark before she replied calmly with a gentle smile, "Hehehehehe! ...Anyways, I was talking about how much you really like flowers. I really do like seeing your sensitive side, Knuckles. You're even more adorable than before now that I know about your secret fondness for flowers and tickling. I'm just glad that I get to see this side of you that no one else sees. I'm very lucky!".
Knuckles blushed very much in embarrassment after hearing Kathy compliment him again. He smiled sheepishly at her while blushing brightly in shyness. He replied calmly yet shyly with a sheepish smile, "Well, what can I say? I'm a sensitive guy, and like I had said before, I trust you, Kathy. The only reason that I'm showing you this side of me is because I trust you very much. I would never show this side towards anyone else. If you see me being rough or cold towards others, just know that I'm doing that because I don't want them to think that I'm a pushover and that I'm not as tough as I look. I don't want to let down my guard in front of others. I just don't want them to take advantage of my weaknesses or make fun of me because of that. And that's...".
He looked even fonder as he lowered his eyelids halfway while finishing softly, "...that's why I feel comfortable whenever I'm with you, Kathy. With you, I don't have to worry about being made fun of or being taken advantaged of. I feel safe whenever I'm with you, Kathy. Because of that sense of safety...I feel like...I can tell you about anything. I...I like confiding into you, Kathy. You really are helping me express myself a lot more and lift some things off my chest. Honestly...talking to you about my past had been relieving to me. I feel a lot better now that I have someone who listens to me and comforts me whenever I talk about my bad experiences. I feel...less lonely that way...".
Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles as she stared gently into his fond, half-lidded eyes. Knuckles smiled warmly back at her as he stared gently into her calm eyes. He felt his heart beating gently in adoration as he felt more closer to Kathy than ever before...and...he wants to become even more closer to her.
"...Hey, Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly yet quietly with a fond look on his face.
"...Yes, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet quietly with a fond look on her face.
Knuckles smiled even more in warmth as he scooted closer to Kathy and wrapped his right arm over her shoulders. He side-hugged her back tightly while smiling a lot at her in fondness. He then asked softly, "...Do you like nature?".
"Oh, why yes, I do. Nature is so beautiful," Kathy answered calmly yet gently with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles.
"It is, isn't it? I...I love nature. There are so many beautiful things in this world that I like that it's hard to say which ones that I like the most," Knuckles replied calmly yet softly with a fond smile on his gentle face as he gently rubbed Kathy's right arm while side-hugging her. ...Okay, that last part was a lie. There is only one beautiful thing in this world that I like the most...and it's sitting here right beside me...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes.
"I know. There are just too many beautiful things to count. I don't know where to start," Kathy replied calmly yet happily with a sweet smile as she side-hugged Knuckles at his lower back.
"Well...we can both agree that we love flowers, right?" Knuckles replied calmly with a fond smile.
"Yeah! They're very beautiful!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a jovial smile.
"They are indeed...What about trees?" Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod.
"Oh, trees are lovely! As a kid, I used to swing around trees with my own silk! I even climbed trees by using silk too!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a jovial smile.
"Heh. I can climb trees too. Except that I only use my own muscle strength to do it," Knuckles replied calmly with a smirk and with amused eyes.
"Well, of course, you do. You're a tough, little doggie," Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles in amusement.
"Heheheheheh...I am, Angel. I am. Although I will say that I don't swing around trees by using silk. I swing around by using vines and ropes instead," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement as he chuckled a bit while smiling a lot.
"Well, duh! It's because you're an echidna! Not a silkworm!" Kathy exclaimed jovially with a silly smile.
Knuckles smiled smugly at Kathy as he asked calmly yet playfully, "How long did it take you to figure that one out, silly girl?".
"Hehehehehehehehehe! I knew it when I first met you, silly! You even told me that you are one!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a bright smile as she giggled a little.
"Well, I'm glad that you've paid attention to me because otherwise I would've spit at you just to prove to you that I'm not a silkworm," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with a smug smile as he held Kathy more tightly in fondness.
"Hehehehehehehehe! You better not! Because that's just gross!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin as she giggled some more.
Knuckles smiled a lot more in amusement as he looked devious. He then replied calmly yet playfully with a devious smile, "But Kathy, dogs are always slobbery. You may never know when I want to drool all over you or lick you out of affection. You can't stop me from doing that".
"Yes, I can! Hehehehehe! As your Master, I command you to not drool over me or lick me! I don't want to be drenched in saliva! Yuck!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a silly smile and with a giggle as she stuck her tongue out in the end for emphasis.
"Heheheheheh...Alright, Master. As you wish...But I'll warn you though...I have a weakness for making trouble," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with a smirk and with a chuckle.
"I know that, you little Troublemaker! If you do that, I'm going to get you back!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a bright grin as she hugged Knuckles more tightly in fondness.
"And I welcome it, you little Angel. I don't mind you stopping me or getting your revenge against me. I just think that it's...fun," Knuckles replied calmly yet warmly with a fond smile and with half-lidded eyes as he hugged Kathy back just as tightly in fondness. Kathy smiled fondly at Knuckles as she hugged him, and Knuckles smiled fondly back her as he hugged her back. They felt happy being close together like this. They enjoy being together as one because it makes them feel whole.
"...Heh...We've gotten a bit sidetracked there. But back on the subject...I like trees too, Kathy. They are very lovely indeed," Knuckles added calmly with a warm smile.
"Hehe! They really are...Say...do you like the beach, Knuckles? Beaches are so wonderful," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a giggle.
"They are. Especially when there is a sunset. I love being at the beach at that time of day," Knuckles replied calmly with a fond smile.
"Ooooh, I love sunsets! They're so pretty! Do you love sunsets too?" Kathy replied happily yet brightly with a grin and with sparkly eyes.
Knuckles lowered his eyelids halfway again after seeing the sparkles in Kathy's light-blue eyes. He replied calmly yet softly with a fond smile and with half-lidded eyes, "...Yes. I love sunsets too, Kathy. They are so colorful with its reds, oranges, yellows, blues, and pinks...Heh...Reminds me of you, Kathy. You are the epitome of the sunset itself".
"... ...Knuckles..." Kathy muttered softly with a shy smile and a quiet gasp as she blushed pink. Knuckles stared gently at Kathy in fondness while not saying anything. ...No wonder that you had caught my eye, Kathy. You remind me of a sunset. A beautiful, colorful, gorgeous sunset that is so bright and warm. I guess that...I am unable to resist you because of that. Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a gentle smile.
"Say...what about rainbows, Knuckles? They're very colorful and beautiful too. I love them as well," Kathy replied calmly yet softly with a shy smile as she's still blushing pink in embarrassment.
"I love them too. Rainbows are always a pleasant sight to see. It's too bad that they're rare though," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod.
"I know. I wish that I can see them more often," Kathy replied calmly with a sad smile.
"Me too, Kathy. Me too..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a sympathetic smile as he gently rubbed Kathy's right arm a bit more.
Kathy smiled warmly at Knuckles after feeling him comforting her a little. She then replied calmly. "...Do you like oceans, Knuckles? They are so beautiful when seen up close. I love them. Especially since I had swum a lot in the past".
"Heh...I like oceans too, Kathy. I do swim in them at times whenever my acquaintances drag me to the beach. Speaking of which, do you know who hates the ocean? Sonic. He can't swim at all," Knuckles replied calmly with an amused grin.
"Aww, that's too bad. He's really missing out on it," Kathy replied calmly with a sympathetic smile.
"Eh. Maybe. But I'm not complaining. I'd rather let him fear water than having him dunking me down in it," Knuckles replied calmly with a grin and with a little shrug.
"Oh, he's afraid of water? Now, I can see why he hates the ocean so much," Kathy replied calmly with a sympathetic smile while looking a bit surprised.
"Heheheheheheh...Oh, yeah...He despises it with a passion. In fact, one time, I dragged Sonic by the feet to the ocean as a way for me to get back at him for dragging me to the beach. Heheheheheheheh...Oh, if only you could've seen the look on his terrified face when I held him in the ocean, then you would've agreed that it was the most hilarious thing ever. It was one of those rare times that I was howling in laughter since it was so funny. Heheheheheheheheheh...That beach trip was so worth it just for that," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a huge grin as he chuckled a lot while recalling the time he went to that particular beach trip.
"Knuckles! That's so mean! Hehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed happily in amusement with a huge smile as she giggled a lot.
"Oh, you say that it's mean, but you're still giggling about it, aren't you?" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement as he grinned even wider at Kathy.
"Yes, because it's funny! Hehehehehehehehehehe! You're funny, Knuckles. And mean," Kathy replied calmly yet brightly with an amused smile as she giggled some more.
"Heheheheheheh...Yeah, I am, but at least I know that I had made you laugh with it. It was so worth getting bonked in the head by Amy's hammer just so that I can remember that amusing moment and share it with you, Kathy. It was really worth it," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and with a chuckle as he stared fondly at Kathy. Especially now that I have two fond memories instead of one. Knuckles thought calmly yet fondly with a warm smile.
"Hehehehehe! I guess so...But anyways...are there other things in nature that you like, Knuckles? What about waterfalls? They are pretty to look at, right?" Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and a giggle as she stared curiously at Knuckles.
"I like waterfalls too, Kathy. I have plenty of them in my island. They are very pretty. I agree with you on that. ...What about ponds? You were staring intensely at the pond in Leaf Storm Forest two days ago. Did you like it?" Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and a nod as he lowered his eyelids slightly in fondness.
"Oh, I loved it, Knuckles. Ponds and springs are so beautiful and peaceful. That is why I love the Sacred Springs in my island. That place is very relaxing," Kathy replied calmly yet happily with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles with twinkling eyes.
"I'd believe it. Ponds and springs are certainly relaxing to watch and are beautiful to look at. I...I also enjoyed staring at that pond too," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as he stared back at Kathy. Especially since you were there, Kathy. You made that experience extra special...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile.
"Hehe! ...Say...what about rivers, Knuckles? Do you like them as well? I know that you have a river in your island since you told me about that secret cave. Do you love that river in particular?" Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and a giggle as she looked curious.
"I do, Kathy. I love rivers very much especially the one in that secret cave. It's quite calming to me," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and a nod.
"I know. They are so peaceful and pretty. I love rivers when there's a waterfall nearby. It makes the view so beautiful," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes.
"I agree completely. Somehow...it makes the viewing experience a lot more pleasurable...Hey...do you like lakes?" Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and another nod.
"What's a 'lake'?" Kathy asked calmly in confusion as she stared curiously at Knuckles.
"Oh, you have never seen a lake before?" Knuckles replied curiously with a wide smile and with raised eyebrows.
"No. I've only seen oceans, ponds, springs, rivers, and waterfalls. Not lakes. What are those?" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with a little frown and a headshake.
"Well, you see, Kathy, a lake is like a pond but only ten times bigger. It's still smaller than an ocean, but it's still pretty big. There is one lake that I go to a lot whenever I wanted to meditate. I would stand there for hours while staring at its beautiful, sparkly waters and its little island," Knuckles replied calmly with a gentle smile and with amused eyes.
"Oh? That lake has island?" Kathy asked curiously in surprise as her eyebrows were raised.
"Yeah, it's in the middle of the lake. I would always stare at it in particular since...I'm very curious of that place. I haven't been to that island before. You have to get there either by boat or by flying, but since I want to go to the island the old-fashioned way via boat, I...am unable to travel there...Unfortunately..." Knuckles replied calmly with a smile before he frowned a little at the end.
"Awww...Knuckles..." Kathy muttered softly with a sympathetic frown as she gently squeezed Knuckles in comfort. I just hope that Knuckles could visit the little island someday. I suppose that I can't help him out by flying him there. If only that there was another way to help him...Hmm...Maybe an opportunity will present itself in the future...but for now...I guess that we'll have to wait...Kathy pondered calmly with a little frown as she stared at Knuckles in sympathy.
"Hey, it's okay, Kathy. I'm not too upset by it. It's just the way it is. Maybe I'll get there someday or maybe not. Besides, it's not important. It's just something that I wish that I could do but...just can't...Okay? I'm going to be fine," Knuckles replied calmly with a sympathetic smile and with half-lidded eyes as he felt touched that Kathy cares about his feelings. Kathy still frowned at Knuckles in sympathy and had hugged him tighter in response. She then leant her head onto Knuckles' right shoulder again and snuggled it in comfort. When Knuckles had felt those two, sweet actions, he chuckled quietly and had hugged Kathy very tightly in fondness.
"Heheheheheheh...Oh, Kathy...Heheheheheheheheh...You're too sweet," Knuckles muttered calmly in fondness as he chuckled a lot while gently rubbing Kathy's right arm. Kathy kept snuggling Knuckles' shoulder for a bit before she stopped and just rested on it instead. Knuckles soon stopped chuckling and smiled fondly at Kathy instead. He then slowly leant his head onto Kathy's in fondness.
With a fond smile, Knuckles then asked gently, "...Hey, Kathy? ...Do you like clear, sunny skies?".
"...Yes. I do. I like that today the sky is clear and sunny. It's such lovely weather, isn't it?" Kathy replied calmly with a little smile as she gently squeezed Knuckles again.
Heh. I never thought that I'd see the day that I'd be talking about the weather. But here we are...Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a warm smile on his fond face as he stared at the beautiful flowers.
"...It is. I do love this type of weather. It beats dull, grey, clouds any day," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes.
"But...I like the grey clouds. I love it when it's about to rain. The sky looks so beautiful when there are tons of grey clouds in it," Kathy replied calmly with a frown as she moved her head from Knuckles' shoulder to look at him.
"Huh? Really? You think that is beautiful? I just think that it looks boring," Knuckles replied calmly in confusion as he looked at Kathy with wide eyes and with a little frown.
"But it is beautiful. Especially when it rains. You would see a white sheet of rain falling from the sky against the dark, grey clouds from above. What's even more beautiful than that is whenever you see lightning flash across the sky. It looks amazing whenever that happens and so stunning to watch too," Kathy replied calmly with a little, gentle smile as she stared at Knuckles with sparkly eyes.
"...O-Oh...Really? Does...Does this mean that you love the rainy weather?" Knuckles asked calmly yet awkwardly with a surprised look on his face before he smiled a lot in amusement.
"Why of course! I love the rain! Staring at the rainy weather is one of my favorite things to do! No matter what time of the day it is, the rainy weather looks so beautiful to me! I'm surprised that you don't like it very much!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with an excited grin and with sparkly eyes.
Knuckles can't help but grin a lot in amusement while listening to Kathy talk about the weather. She's making it sound like it's the best thing in the world...Heheheheheh...She's...She's just too pure...It's ridiculous! Hahahahahahahahah! Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a huge grin before he burst out laughing.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Well, no one would love it more than you do, Kathy! Hahahahahahahaha! That is a fact! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed happily in amusement with a huge grin as he laughed a lot.
"Aww...But I think that it would be great if there were more people who love the rain as much as I do," Kathy replied calmly with a sad smile as she stared at Knuckles.
"Hahahahahahaha! Yeah, it would be great. But it seems that only you see the beauty in something dark and dull like rainclouds. Hahahahahahahaha! I mean! I don't see it! But you do apparently. Heheheheheheheh! Honestly...I'm rather surprised that a bright, cheerful girl like you would love something so dull and grey," Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly with a huge smile while laughing a lot.
"Hehehehehehe! Well, it's because of something that my mom had told me a lot," Kathy replied calmly with a bright smile as she giggled a little.
"Oh, yeah? Heheheheheheh! What did she tell you? Hahahahahahaha!" Knuckles asked calmly yet curiously in amusement with a grin as he laughed a little less so that he can listen to Kathy.
"She simply said this: 'Beauty is everywhere. It's only your choice to appreciate it or not'. That's what she had told me, and I'll never forget it. Ever," Kathy replied calmly with a sweet smile.
Knuckles soon slowed down his laughter after hearing that and soon stopped while smiling a lot at Kathy in amusement. He can't help but feel amazed by Kathy's hidden wisdom again. Sure, it may have come from her mother telling her that, but the fact that Kathy kept it in her mind for all her life certainly shows how wise she is. Heheheheh...She is the most ridiculous girl that I had ever met in my life...but...she is also the wisest...To be honest...I just don't like the rain because it reminds me too much of myself...I'm dull, colorless, gloomy, thunderous yet quiet, raging, and mostly...depressed...I...I'm not sure if I'll ever appreciate or love the rain and its dark clouds...but...I should at least try...If Kathy can see something of worth within that kind of stormy weather...then...I should try to find something of worth in that kind of weather too...And hopefully...I'll...I'll...I'll find something of worth within myself too...Knuckles pondered calmly with a sad smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared gently at Kathy.
"...I'll...I'll never forget it either, Kathy. Thank you for telling me about it. I...I learned something new today," Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes.
"I'm glad that you had learned it, little doggie. Will that help you appreciate the rainy weather a little?" Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile and with a nod as she hugged Knuckles some more in fondness.
"No," Knuckles replied calmly yet bluntly with a smug smile on his playful face.
"Awwww! But why not?!" Kathy exclaimed with a frown as she looked disappointed.
"Because I don't like getting soaked thank you very much!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement as he grinned a lot.
"Oh? Is that your problem?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with an amused grin.
"Yes, it's my problem! Let me remind you that dogs don't like being outside when it's raining! And that includes me!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin.
"Then just go inside when it's raining," Kathy replied calmly yet innocently with a little smile as if she doesn't see a problem in Knuckles' statement.
"I can't!" Knuckles exclaimed back in a way that sounded like a laugh.
"But why?" Kathy asked calmly in confusion as she frowned a little and as she tilted her head in a cute way again.
"It's because I have to guard the Master Emerald! I can't just leave my post just to take shelter whenever it's raining! Some thieves could come by and steal my emerald away while I'm inside! You silly girl! How could you ever forget that my huge emerald is outside?! You saw it yourself two days ago!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with amused eyes as he did his best to not laugh while explaining.
"I know, but...couldn't you just move your emerald inside whenever it rains? Maybe you could put it inside your shack and have it hang out with the red Chaos Emerald in the drawer. At least, that emerald is safe from the rain. So why not the Master Emerald?" Kathy replied calmly with a sheepish smile and with a shrug.
That time, Knuckles genuinely laughed at that.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy...You're so silly. Heheheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles replied calmly with a huge, amused smile as he laughed a lot while face-palming himself with his left hand after putting his flower batch down in front of him.
"Hey, I'm not wrong, am I?" Kathy replied calmly with a grin as she watched Knuckles laugh a lot in amusement.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha! In theory, no! Hahahahahahahahahaha! But there's just one problem with that! Hahahahahahahahahaha! The Master Emerald doesn't fit through the door! Hahahahahahahahaha! It's too big! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile as he looked at Kathy again while laughing a lot.
"Then just break it into smaller pieces and then go through the door," Kathy replied calmly yet bluntly with a little frown.
After hearing Kathy say that, Knuckles just lost it.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I...I...Ahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! I'm not breaking the Master Emerald just so that I can through a dohohohohohohohohoor! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed loudly in amusement with the goofiest smile on his face while laughing hysterically as he clutched his stomach with his left arm. He found Kathy's innocent statement to be so funny that he felt like he was being tickled.
Kathy smiled a lot in amusement since she saw that she had made Knuckles laugh very hard again. She giggled a little with him since his laughter is getting to her too. She asked calmly yet brightly with a sweet smile, "Hehehehehehehehe! Well, how else would you protect the Master Emerald while staying indoors?".
"Hehehehehehehehehehehe! You don't! The emerald stays outside where it belongs! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile as he kept laughing hysterically.
"Says who?" Kathy asked calmly with a playful smile.
"Says me! Hehehehehehehehehe! I put it there myself since the Hidden Palace wasn't the best place to hide the emerald! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! So, it has to stay at the altar where it belongs! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a huge grin as he laughed a lot while calming down a little.
"And where is the Hidden Palace located?" Kathy asked curiously with a coy smile.
"Inside a cavern! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back with a grin as he laughed a lot.
"Knuckles...You obviously have no excuse for not hiding the emerald indoors when it's raining. Putting the emerald inside a cavern seems like the smartest thing that you can do while staying dry," Kathy replied calmly with a smug smile and with playful eyes.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha! Hehehehehehehehe...Hmph..." Knuckles laughed a little more before he stopped and grunted quietly while smiling smugly at Kathy. How dare you make such a valid argument against me! For a silly girl, you can be pretty smart at times. Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with an amused, smug smile on his face.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Kathy asked calmly yet teasingly with a smug grin.
"Shut it, silly girl. Heheheheheh...Look, Kathy. Just because you make a good point, that doesn't mean that I'm going to move my emerald back to the Hidden Palace. Let this be known to you: It's my emerald so it's my rules. If the Master Emerald is staying outside, it's going to stay outside where it belongs. End of story!" Knuckles replied calmly with a smug smile and with lowered eyelids as he chuckled a bit. Kathy smiled a lot more in smugness and in playfulness, and Knuckles smiled back at her just as smugly and playfully as her.
Kathy then replied calmly with a smug look on her face, "...You really are a stubborn echidna, Troublemaker".
"..." Knuckles was silent on that as he smiled even more in smugness at Kathy. He then responded by playfully poking her stomach with his left hand. This playful action had easily set Kathy off into a hard giggle fit.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles! Stop! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! You're tickling me! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested playfully with a huge smile as she giggled a lot while squirming a bit back from Knuckles.
"So, you think that I'm stubborn, do you?" Knuckles asked calmly yet playfully with a smug smile as he kept prodding Kathy's plump stomach with his left hand.
"Hehehehehehehehehehe! Yes! But I'm sorry! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe! I'm sorry that I called you that! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed back with a silly smile as she giggled some more.
"Heheheheheh...You better be. Because I'm not letting you go sassing me like that, silly girl. I'll poke you if you do that," Knuckles replied calmly with a smug smile and with a devious chuckle as he stopped poking Kathy and just held her tighter instead.
"Awwww, but it's fun! You're really fun, Knuckles! That's why I like to sass you at times!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a jovial smile as she held Knuckles just as tightly in response.
"Heh...It is rather fun. I'll admit that," Knuckles replied calmly with a fond smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared gently into Kathy's amused eyes. Heh. I never thought that I'd see the day that I hear someone call me "fun". Of course, Kathy would call me that. She's just a silly girl who gets amused very easily by me. Apparently, I'm her kryptonite. Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile.
"...So, the reason why you don't like the rain is that you get soaked every time while guarding your emerald?" Kathy asked calmly with a sweet smile as she stared curiously at Knuckles.
"Yep. That sums it up quite nicely," Knuckles replied calmly with a smug smile and with a casual shrug.
"Hehehehehe...Man, that just sucks," Kathy replied calmly yet bluntly with a playful smile and with a giggle.
"Pffft! Ahahahahahahahahahah! You had hit the nail on the head, Kathy! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly with a huge smile as he burst out laughing again. Kathy! Don't say it like that! Hahahahahahahahahaha! That just tickles me! Hahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement as he kept laughing a lot while face-palming himself again with his left hand.
Kathy smiled a lot at Knuckles as she watched him laugh a lot in amusement. She's very happy that she can get him to laugh easily with her sense of humor. I really must be his kryptonite then if I can get him to laugh this much. Kathy thought calmly in amusement with a bright smile. Knuckles soon calmed down his laughter again and smiled a lot at Kathy in amusement.
"...Heh...I think that I can see why you would love the rain, Kathy. You watch it go on while being indoors," Knuckles replied calmly with a huge, amused smile and with amused eyes.
"Hehehehehehe! Yeah, I guess that would partially explain why I love the rain so much," Kathy replied calmly with a bright smile and with a nod as she giggled a little.
"I knew it," Knuckles replied calmly with a smug smile and with half-lidded eyes.
"Hehehehehehehehe! But! The main reason why I love it so much is because I usually watch it while I'm eating my fruit in the Sacred Springs!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a jovial smile as she giggled some more.
"Really? Do tell," Knuckles replied calmly with a bright smile and with raised eyebrows.
"Okay! You see, the Sacred Springs has a large hole in the ceiling so that the rain can nurture the plant life in the cave. Within that cave, there is a ginormous tree at the center of the springs, and I usually go there for shelter whenever it rains. Whenever I wanted to eat in Sacred Springs, I usually take my food to that huge tree and sit down under the shade or lean against the tree bark. So, whenever it rains in the Sacred Springs, I get to see a huge, white sheet of rain pouring down into the cave and drenching the cave around me. The sight is so beautiful to see. The Sacred Springs is already beautiful enough, but with the rain pouring down in there, it looks absolutely stunning! That's why I love the rain so much! It makes the beautiful parts of the world even more beautiful than before!" Kathy explained calmly yet brightly with a jovial smile as she looked excited.
Knuckles was quiet as he listened to Kathy explain why she loves the rain. He was smiling calmly yet brightly at Kathy in amusement while looking curious towards her. His eyebrows were raised again when he heard that last part of Kathy's explanation. He looked rather amused as he pondered to himself. I...I kind of see where Kathy is coming from here. Whenever I see the rain falling into my island, it does give it a more mystical vibe to it than it already does. Perhaps Kathy might be onto something there. Maybe when I see Kathy being soaked in the rain again, then I'll like the rain a little bit more since...it'll make her more gorgeous to see than she already is...
"I...I see...Hmm..." Knuckles muttered calmly with an amused smile as he stared into her eyes.
"Say, Knuckles? Do you like to eat while being under a tree whenever it's raining?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a sweet smile as she stared back into Knuckles' amused eyes.
"Pffft! Heheheheheheheheh! What kind of a question is that? Heheheheheheheh! Of course, I'll eat under a tree whenever it's raining because I have to! Hahahahahahaha! I don't want to get soaked!" Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a grin as he chuckled a lot.
"True, but do you like doing that? Hmm?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously with a bright smile as she inched closer towards Knuckles' face.
"Heheheheheheh! Umm...Maybe? I don't know! Hahahahahahaha! I've never really considered it. Why are you asking me about that?" Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a grin as he chuckled some more.
"No reason really...It's just...umm..." Kathy muttered calmly yet awkwardly with a shy smile and with a blush.
"'It's just' what, Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with twinkling, violet eyes as he smiled widely at Kathy.
Kathy blushed even more in embarrassment when she saw the amused look on Knuckles' face. With flushed cheeks, Kathy replied calmly yet quietly with a shy smile, "...It's just...I'm curious to see if you're an outdoorsman type of fellow. I mean. You had raised yourself in your own island and had lived outside for most of your life. So...I'm just asking if you do like eating outdoors while taking shelter from the rain. After all, I...I like eating outdoors too...I lived on an island too, you know...".
Knuckles' eyebrows were raised yet again in amusement after hearing that. He smiled even wider at Kathy since he's amused by this. He held Kathy even tighter and affectionately rubbed her right arm in fondness. He then asked calmly yet softly in amusement with a warm, wide smile, "So...you like outdoorsmen then, do you?".
"Hehehehe! Maybe..." Kathy answered shyly with a sweet smile and with a little giggle as she inched closer towards Knuckles' face.
"And you like guys who can tough it out in the rough, huh?" Knuckles asked calmly in amusement with a coy smirk as he inched closer towards Kathy's face while staring deeply into her light-blue eyes.
"I...I guess...Hehehehe..." Kathy answered shyly with a sheepish smile and with a quiet giggle as she blushed some more while staring deeply into Knuckles' violet eyes.
"Heh...You guess, huh?" Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly with a playful smirk and with amused, violet eyes as he inched slightly closer towards Kathy's face.
"Hehehe...Well...I mean...I do like guys who can live outside, but...Hehehehe...I'm not sure if I like them if they can't handle some measly rain..." Kathy replied calmly yet shyly with a sweet smile while giggling a little as she blushed some more.
"Hahahahahahahaha! I can handle the rain just fine! Hahahahahahaha! I just don't like getting soaked!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly with a huge grin as he laughed a lot.
"Well, that's because you're soft!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a silly smile.
"Oh! Ohohohoho! You did not just say that!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a mischievous grin as he chuckled a little in deviousness.
"But it's true! You might love the rain more if you weren't being such a softie about it!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet teasingly with a playful smile and with amused eyes.
Knuckles grinned a lot at that and lowered his eyelids at Kathy. He can feel his heart pounding in warmth and in adoration of Kathy after hearing her teasing him a little. He can't help himself but be playful with her after hearing that. He then grinned smugly at her with half-lidded eyes as he asked calmly yet playfully, "You know what a girl like you gets after saying that to me?".
"No. What?" Kathy replied calmly yet curiously with an innocent smile and with a headshake.
"A big tickle! Come here, you silly girl! I'll show you who's soft!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly yet playfully with a devious grin as he quickly tickled Kathy in the armpits again.
"Eeeek! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles! Don't! Stop! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy protested loudly with a huge smile and with a shriek as she burst out laughing as she felt Knuckles' thumbs tickling her armpits. She immediately dropped her batch of flowers as she felt tickled. As Knuckles tickled her more, she then fell backwards while laughing a lot.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Knuckles! Please! Stop! I can't take it! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy protested some more in amusement with a huge smile as she laughed a lot while squirming on the ground.
"Nuh uh. I want my revenge after you made me admit that I'm soft. So, let's just say that you're in trouble for a little while," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with a devious grin as he kept tickling Kathy's armpits before he moved his hands to her stomach and sides. With the best that he could do, he prodded and gently grabbed Kathy's stomach and sides to try to tickle her, and it had successfully worked since Kathy doubled her laughter and squirmed a lot more by moving side to side.
"Eeeeeeehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Make it stop! Stahahahahahahahahahahahahahahap! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Stop it, Knuckles!" Kathy exclaimed loudly with another shriek and with a huge smile as she laughed even harder than before.
"Heheheheh...No. Now, fess up. Where's your worst tickle spots, Kathy? I've given you mine. Now, it's time that you give me yours," Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully with a chuckle and with a devious grin as he kept prodding and grabbing Kathy's stomach and sides.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Will you stop tickling me after I tell you?! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Kathy asked loudly with a huge smile as she kept laughing and squirming.
"Heh...Maybe," Knuckles answered calmly yet teasingly with a smirk and with lowered eyelids.
"Aww, come on! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Please! Have mercy, Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! Please!" Kathy exclaimed loudly with a huge smile while laughing a lot.
"Heheheheheh...Aww, alright. I promise," Knuckles replied calmly with another chuckle and with a gentle smile.
"Okay! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! My...My! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! My tummy and my sides are the worst! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! My feet are the second! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! And...And! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! And my armpits are the third! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! There! Hehehehehehehehehe! Happy now?! Hahahahahahaha!" Kathy exclaimed loudly with a huge, cute smile while laughing uncontrollably and while squirming a lot.
"Hmph. Definitely. Shows you that I'm not the only soft one here. You're pretty soft yourself, silly girl," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a mischievous smirk as he stopped tickling Kathy and placed his hands on his lap instead while looking down at her.
"Hehehehehehehehehe! I know! Hehehehehehehehehehe! I'm sorry! Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet happily with a sweet smile as she giggled lot while looking up at Knuckles and while holding onto her stomach and sides.
"Heheheheh...It's alright, Kathy. I forgive you. I knew that you were just playing around. I just wanted to play too," Knuckles replied calmly with a chuckle and with a gentle smile as he stared down at Kathy.
"Hehehehehehe! Yay! Knuckles wants to play with me!" Kathy exclaimed happily with a bright smile and with a giggle as she sat back up and stared back at Knuckles.
"Heheheh...I sure do, Kathy. I sure do," Knuckles replied calmly yet fondly with another chuckle and with a warm smile as his eyelids went down halfway in fondness. Kathy beamed happily at Knuckles as she sat on her knees now with her hands on her lap, and Knuckles smiled warmly back at Kathy in fondness with hands on his lap too. Heh. Even if our worst spots are different, we still have the same worst one: our tummies. Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly in amusement with a warm smile on his face.
"...Hey, Knuckles? Why don't we finish making our flower batches? We were sidetracked for a long time," Kathy replied calmly with a gentle smile.
"Heh. True, we were, but we were having fun though, right?" Knuckles replied calmly with a warm smile and with amused eyes.
"Yeah, we were! We always have fun when we're together, Knuckles! Always!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a sweet smile and with a nod.
"...Yeah...Always..." Knuckles muttered softly in fondness as he smiled warmly and as his violet eyes sparkled. I don't want this to end. I want us to have fun every day and at every waking hour of our lives. I want us to stay together forever and just have fun. I want us...to always have fun...Always...Knuckles pondered calmly yet fondly with a warm smile and with half-lidded, sparkling eyes as he stared deeply into Kathy's jovial face.
"Come on, little doggie! Let's go finish making our flower presents!" Kathy exclaimed brightly with a grin as she crawled over to the flowers behind Knuckles and started to pick more of them up while grabbing her batch of flowers. Knuckles turned his head around at his left to look at Kathy and smiled fondly at her as he watched her pick more flowers.
"...Yes, Master," Knuckles muttered softly with a fond smile as he turned around and crawled over next to Kathy to pick up his flower batch and to pick up more flowers. As he picked up more flowers, he looked at Kathy with a fond smile and with half-lidded eyes. He watched her pick up more daisies and sunflowers and stared at them with a happy smile on her sweet face. Knuckles sighed quietly in fondness as he mused one last time with a fond look on his face.
...Always...
Well, I thought that I might get done with Emerald Meadows in this part, but I guess it'll be the next part that gets finished! I promise that we'll go to a different place next chapter! I think that I just wanted to extend Kathy's and Knuckles' time in Emerald Meadows just so that we can see them bond some more in that beautiful place! But don't worry! They'll bond some more when they travel to different parts of the world! For now, it's time to move on to part 5!