Guardian Angels

by KatherineTheMoth

After saving the Sol Dimension from being taking over by Battra, Kathy the Moth teleported him and herself to Sonic's dimension where she will stay there as her new home dimension and protect it from Battra and from other evil forces. By Battra's meddling, Kathy had crash-landed on Angel Island and was found by Knuckles. But little did he realize that he had found Mothra herself.

29. TATWWY (Epilogue pt2)

Guardian Angels

S1: E7: Traveling Around the World with You (Epilogue Pt. 2)

[At Adabat's Pier]

Eventually, Kathy and Knuckles walked all the way towards the pier and sat on the edge of it. As the sun sets over the sparkling ocean in the horizon, the two guardians watched the gorgeous sunset in silence while having either concerned or depressed expressions on their faces. Kathy soon looked over at Knuckles on her left and saw him looking downwards at the ocean while having his arms over his lap. She hadn't dared to utter a word to Knuckles after they sat down together. So, she simply waited until he spoke.

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"...This whole day feels so undeserved..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in sadness with a little frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at the water below.

"Huh?" Kathy muttered calmly yet softly in confusion with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as she stared curiously at Knuckles while tilting her head slightly in a cute way.

"...This wonderful, fun, relaxing day...shouldn't even happen in the first place...So many times in the past, I had lost something good in life...so quickly...that it slips through my fingers even before I ever grasped it fully...Nothing that I get is ever good...In some form or another, it's always something bad...annoying...troublesome...or even painful...It's never something soothing...or fun...or even good...It's just headache after headache with me...Nothing that ever calms my nerves or makes me smile...Nothing..." Knuckles continued calmly yet quietly in sadness with a little frown and with downcast, twinkling eyes as he stared at his depressed reflection in the water.

"..." Kathy was silent as she listened attentively to Knuckles' venting while staring at him with a sympathetic look on her face.

"...Yet despite that...we ended up spending the whole day together...while having fun...and while getting closer together as teammates...This day as well as the past two days shouldn't even exist...It's just too good to be true...I mean...The last time an echidna and a monster befriended each other...it ended in disaster...Even though they now stay together forever as spirits...they left a huge, unforgettable scar onto my clan...One that could never be repaired nor healed...Because of that disaster, my ancestors became embittered towards all monsters in general and would be appalled if something like that had happened again..." Knuckles continued calmly yet quietly in sadness with a little frown and with downcast eyes as he kept staring at the ocean below and not at Kathy.

"..." Kathy was still silent as she kept listening to Knuckles vent out his thoughts while she kept staring gently at him with a sympathetic look on her face. Oh, Knuckles...I can see where you're going with this, and now...I can see why you're feeling so sad because...I feel sad too...Kathy brooded calmly in sympathy with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as she silently stared at Knuckles with twinkling eyes.

"...(Sigh)...It's so ironic that the best thing that could ever happen to me just so happens to be the very thing that my clan absolutely despises...We weren't meant to be teammates...No...We were meant to be separate...Never at all being together and bonding with one another...If my parents or even my grandparents were around, then they would have denied me from hanging out with you and speaking with you...Sure, you could have hidden your identity the same way that you did before when you had first met me, but...there's no mistake that if my parents found out your real identity then they would've been furious with you and with me...All because...they feared that another disaster would occur..." Knuckles continued calmly yet quietly in sadness with a deep sigh and with a solemn frown as he closed his eyes.

"..." Kathy was still silent but looked slightly surprised after hearing Knuckles say that. She soon looked sympathetic again as she continued to listen to Knuckles while staying silent.

"...Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if my parents would rather want me to hang out with a thief than with a monster like you. Sure, my clan's hatred for thieves is apparent and justifiable enough to understand, but compared to their abhorrent hatred towards monsters however, it's not even close. It's like comparing a pond to an ocean...There is no way to convince my clan or my parents that monsters can be good even if you had saved me plenty of times before and make me very happy as well...Just the thought of us being together even as teammates is simply...inconceivable...To the point that it sounds...ridiculous..." Knuckles continued calmly yet quietly in sadness with a solemn frown and with closed eyes as he face-palmed himself.

"Mm..." Kathy quietly mused in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as she stared at Knuckles while she kept listening to him vent.

"...(Sigh)...In one reality, I could have my parents and grow up having them as my family...but I would be unable to have you as my teammate...However...that is not the case...Instead, I have no parents...and yet...I have you...which is my reality...Argh! ...It's just so unfair...No matter which reality I'm living in, I'll never receive any sort of happiness in it! I'm just...not destined to be happy...Any ounce of happiness that I get will always disappear, and any sort of happiness that I could get would never appear ever! Never! Just...never..." Knuckles continued calmly yet quietly in sadness with another deep sigh and with a solemn frown before finishing bitterly yet irritably in frustration with a deep grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as he clutched his head with his hands and lowered his head downwards towards himself.

"Aww, Knuckles...It's okay...I'm here...Remember? I'm here..." Kathy consoled calmly yet gently in concern with a sad frown and with downcast, twinkling eyes as she quickly scooted closer towards Knuckles and wrapped her arms around his waist. She then leant her head on top of his right shoulder and hugged him gently to comfort him. He could even feel her beautiful, left wing covering his back and shoulders as if it was a blanket. Despite trying to stay frustrated, his tense body relaxed as he enjoyed the simple comfort tactics that she is employing here. He eventually stopped gripping his head and instead held her right arm with his own arms.

"...I know that you're here, Kathy, but...at the same time...you shouldn't be...Not that I don't want you here, but because...you simply can't...The fact that you're here by my side comforting me like this is just baffling to me...I don't deserve to have you here; I don't deserve to be teammates with you; and I sure as heck don't deserve any sort of happiness that you offer me simply because...because..." Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in sadness with a grimace and with upward eyebrows as he opened his eyes halfway and stared grimly at the ocean below while shaking his head a bit for emphasis. He then frowned very deeply in sadness as he added calmly yet dreary with downcast eyes, "...I don't deserve to be happy...no matter how much I want to be...".

"Ah...Oh, Knuckles...Don't say that...You deserve to be happy as much as everyone else. There's no reason to say you aren't allowed to be happy because you are and can be happy," Kathy replied calmly yet softly in a consoling way with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as she briefly pulled her head away from Knuckles to look at him before snuggling his right shoulder again and gently squeezing him to comfort him some more.

"Yeah, well, tell that to fate. It doesn't seem like it wants me to be happy due to how much it likes to screw me over. It's pretty much telling me that I can't ever be happy no matter how many good things happen to me. Just accept it, Kathy. I'm fated to never become happy. I just can't. Okay?" Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in slight annoyance and in bitterness with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he looked at Kathy and stared at her while holding onto her right arm.

"No! It's not okay! If you can't be happy or feel happy, then I'd be very selfish for being happy despite knowing that you can't! I can't accept the fact that you can't ever be happy! It's impossible for that to happen!" Kathy exclaimed back in sadness and in concern with a little frown and with a headshake as she closed her eyes and squeezed Knuckles much tighter in response.

"...! ...K-Kathy..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in sympathy with a gasp and with a sad frown as he stared at Kathy with downcast eyes. Oh, Kathy...You're so naïve...Of course, you would say something like that...but as much as I would like to believe that...I have to disagree with you there...It is possible to stay unhappy throughout the rest of your life...It's just...what pessimistic minds like mine do to us...We can't help it...It comes naturally to us...Knuckles brooded calmly in sympathy with a depressed frown and with downcast eyes as he gently held her right arm.

"I understand that you had a rough past as you lived alone on your island and had dealt with troublesome people and situations in the past, but that doesn't mean that you're incapable of receiving happiness nor are you undeserving of it. Everyone experiences hard times and have rough pasts, but one way or another, they overcome it and become happier people as a result. You're not alone here. I mean. I had a rough past too, remember?" Kathy continued calmly yet gently in concern with a sad frown and with downcast eyes as she opened them a little.

"Yes...I remember, Kathy. I remember..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in sympathy with a little frown and with a nod as he stared at Kathy.

"Mmhm...So, you see, even though we both had different, rough pasts, had gone through hard times, and were unhappy through it all, it doesn't mean that we can't ever be happy again. Misery ends eventually even when it feels like it'll go on forever. The feelings of happiness and misery interchange with one another like the weather does. At one moment, rain starts pouring down from the gloomy clouds, but in the next moment, the sun breaks through the gloomy clouds and shines beautifully throughout the sky. In other words, things start and end eventually even when it takes a long time for that to happen," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in concern with a little frown and with a nod as she pulled her head away from Knuckles and stared at him again with twinkling eyes.

"..." Knuckles was speechless at that as his mouth gaped and as his eyes widened in surprise. He wouldn't have thought that something so simple as the weather would be compared to something as complex such as happiness and misery for example. Furthermore, he hadn't thought that the weather topic, which he hates talking about, would be a perfect comparison to associate misery with, which is a feeling that he hates dealing with.

Ugh...Go figure...Of course, it goes back to the weather...Why am I not surprised? I bet that's the reason why Kathy loves the weather so much because it reminds her of happiness or the feeling of happiness. Hmph. Typical. I'd wish that I could view the weather the same way that she does. It probably would help me feel more optimistic about my future if that was the case. Knuckles brooded calmly in annoyance with a little grimace and with slightly furrowed eyebrows as he stared silently at Kathy while he grabbed onto the edge of the pier after holding onto her right arm.

"...So, you're saying that my misery will soon go away...just like how the rainclouds will go away once it stops raining...Right?" Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in slight annoyance with a little frown and with a raised eyebrow as he stared skeptically at Kathy.

Kathy then beamed sweetly at Knuckles and nodded to him as she answered brightly in optimism, "Uh huh! Just like how monsoon seasons work!".

"Kathy! That's...!" Knuckles exclaimed back in exasperation with a solemn frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he slightly glared at Kathy.

But despite him looking serious and a bit annoyed, Kathy kept beaming sweetly yet innocently at him as if she had no problems with comparing his trials and tribulations to monsoon seasons at all, and unfortunately, despite his best efforts to look annoyed, the edges of his mouth kept twitching upward since he was amused with her bold yet innocent statement.

...Gosh darn it...It's that dang smile of hers that's making it hard for me to stay annoyed with her...I swear. She has the most contagious smile that I have ever seen...and I hate how effective it is against me...I'm supposed to be the serious one here! Come on! Heheheheh! Knuckles pondered calmly yet bit brightly in amusement with a little smile and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Kathy before closing his eyes and grinning a little while he tried to contain his bubbling laughter.

"...That's...That's the most 'you' thing I had ever heard you say! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Heheheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles muttered calmly yet slowly with a little grin before exclaiming boisterously in amusement with a huge grin and with closed eyes as he burst out laughing.

Kathy quickly joined Knuckles by giggling silly as she exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a sweet smile, "Hehehehehehehehehehehehe! But it's true, Knuckles! It's true! Hehehehehehehehehehe!".

"I know, and that's why I'm laughing so much! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! How dare you compare my misery to something that I hate! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he kept laughing a lot.

"Hehehehehehehehehe! You mean the rain? Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy asked calmly yet brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she kept giggling a lot.

"Yes, but more generally, the weather! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I can't stand talking about it let alone it being referenced to something else! Heheheheheheheheheheh! It drives me nuts! Ahahahahahahahahahahahah!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with closed eyes as he kept laughing a lot while grabbing onto his left temple.

"Hehehehehehehehe! Wow! Really!? I didn't know that! Hahahahahahahaha! But if that's the case, then why were you fine talking about it earlier today with me?! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with curious eyes as she stared at Knuckles while giggling a lot.

"Look! That was different! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I was telling you more about myself at the time! Hahahahahahahahahaha! I was more than willing to deal with the mundane topic of the weather by telling you what I like and dislike about it rather than talking exclusively about it as if it's the only talking point! Hahahahahahahahaha! Trust me! There's a difference! Heheheheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stared back at Kathy while laughing a lot.

"Hehehehehehe! So, you think that the weather is boring, do you?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in amusement with a giggle and with a teasing smile as she stared playfully at Knuckles.

"Yes! Heheheheheheheheheh! It's just stating the facts, alright?! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with closed eyes as he kept laughing a lot.

"Ah. I see. Well, if that's how you feel about this lovely weather, then I guess that you don't need me here to tell you how great it is. So, bye!" Kathy replied calmly yet jokingly in amusement with a teasing smile and with playful eyes as she released Knuckles and unwrapped her left wing from his back and shoulders before briefly gesturing towards the gorgeous sunset for emphasis and before standing back up to walk away from him.

"Oh, get back here, you! Heheheheheheheheh! Why do you act so silly at a time like this!? Hahahahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing a lot as he quickly grabbed Kathy's right hand and yanked her back down next to him.

"Because...Hehehehe...it's so that I could get you to laugh and smile. See?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge smile and with a little giggle as she sat next to Knuckles and tenderly drew along his mouth and cheeks for emphasis.

"Well, don't do that! Heheheheheheh! That's my weakness! Hahahahahahahahaha! H-Hey! Hehehehehehehehehe! Just what are you doing, Kathy!? Hehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in slight protest with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing some more as he felt Kathy's finger tracing along his mouth before it screwed a little into his cheeks.

"Nothing...Just making you smile...and it's clearly working apparently..." Kathy replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a teasing smile and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles while she tenderly kept tracing his mouth and cheeks.

"Yes, because it feels funny! Heheheheheheheh! Just cut it out! Quit it! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in protest with a huge grin and with closed eyes while laughing a little less as he cringed a little whenever he felt his cheeks being screwed into. As he protested, he grabbed Kathy's finger and held it to stop her from tracing along his face.

"Hehehehe! Awwww! Look at you! You're smiling a lot now! See?! You can be happy!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement and in fondness with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she stared at Knuckles while pointing at his happy face with her other hand.

"Look, Kathy! Heheheheheheh! That-! I-! Hahahahahahaha! That...Heheheheheh..." Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing a bit before he calmed down as he puts Kathy's hand down and places his hands back on the edge of the pier. He then looked back down at the ocean below and muttered calmly yet gently in amusement with a sad smile and with downcast eyes, "...That doesn't count...I wasn't smiling because I was happy...I was smiling because...you were being ridiculous...".

"Aww...But...But I'm sure that with me being ridiculous, you would feel happy...I mean...It had gotten you to laugh at least..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a sad smile and with downcast eyes as she stared at Knuckles while gently combing through the right side of his dreadlocks.

"Heh. Yeah, well...That was...out of reflex...I've gotten pretty used to your silliness that I'd laugh every time I see you do something or say something ridiculous...It's not like I...I..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in slight amusement with a sad smile and with downcast eyes while silently appreciating the tender combing that Kathy was giving him as he looked downwards and at his left before frowning deeply as he continued quietly in depression, "...laugh every time that I'm happy...Sometimes...I laugh just to avoid the intense feelings of despair and pain...It's a coping mechanism for me...After all, if I wasn't laughing...then I would be...crying...".

"...!" Kathy gasped in surprise as she stared at Knuckles with an alarmed look on her face. She immediately stopped combing his hair and just stared at him in shock.

Knuckles frowned even deeper in depression and stared blankly at the pier and at the ocean with downcast eyes while he continued quietly in sadness yet a bit loudly in frustration at the end, "...I'd cry every time you do or say something sweet, kind, considerate, or even silly towards me all because I...I...lost that childlike innocence a long time ago...and it hurts to see it in someone else...More specifically...in someone who is around my age...Not in a little kid like Cream or Tails...They have the excuse of actually being kids...But you, however...don't have that excuse...You're a teenager for crying out loud, and yet, you act no differently than a kid! I just-! Just...".

He then grimaced deeply and face-palmed himself with his left hand this time as he finished calmly yet solemnly in sadness, "...I just don't understand...why you think like that...and how...I can't think like that...My mindset is always serious...always responsible...and always undeterred at the task at hand...It's never silly...nor irresponsible...nor even carefree...It could never truly think like that, and I couldn't afford to think like that because if I do, then I'll endanger the entire planet by letting the Master Emerald to get stolen and be used for nefarious purposes...If I ever truly act as you do, Kathy...then I'll clearly fail as a guardian...No doubt about it...".

"Ah...Knuckles..." Kathy muttered calmly yet softly in concern and in sympathy with a sad frown and with downcast, twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles before scooting slightly closer towards him and gently grabbing his right shoulder to comfort him.

Knuckles could feel Kathy gently squeeze his shoulder in comfort and once again silently appreciated her for giving him much-needed attention. He then muttered calmly yet quietly in sadness with a deep grimace while he kept face-palming himself, "...To be honest, Kathy...I don't know if I had truly felt happy while spending time with you today or in the past two days...I mean...On one hand, I had legitimately enjoyed your presence and your playful, childlike nature...I certainly had fun while playing with you and getting to know you better...But on the other hand, I may have been trying to escape from my problems by spending time with you and trying to forget them as I laugh and smile with you...Either way sounds plausible, and unfortunately...I don't know for sure which scenario is right...".

"Awwwww...Knuckles...No...Don't say that...Please...That can't be right...You must've been happy while spending time with me...You weren't escaping...You couldn't be..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a sad frown and with closed eyes as she quickly leant forward and hugged Knuckles very tightly around his chest while snuggling her head onto his right shoulder.

"...Then what if I was, Kathy? Then what if I was?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in graveness with a solemn frown and with determined eyes as he put his left hand down and held onto Kathy's right arm instead while staring at her.

"Then...Then that would mean that everything up until now had been meaningless...All the times that we had laughed and smiled together were pointless...I would've been the only one who was genuinely happy during all that while you weren't, and I...I can't bear to deal with that...I've been trying my best to please you and make you happy because I care about you...Heck, I gave up helping Tails fix his plane because I was more concerned about your happiness than with his...I...I just..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in sadness with a little frown and with closed eyes while she snuggled Knuckles' right shoulder before opening her eyes halfway as some tears formed into them. She then finished by muttering softly in a broken tone of voice, "...I just want you to be happy, Knuckles...There's no reason why. I just like seeing you laugh and smile. That's all...".

She immediately closed her eyes after that and cried silently while sniffling a little. Knuckles briefly looked shocked before cringing a lot after hearing her say that. He felt a twinge of pain in his heart after hearing that simple motive. Of...Of course, that was your motive, Kathy...Of course, it was...Sigh...The more I get to know you, the purer you become...and perhaps...much simpler to understand...Knuckles brooded calmly in sadness with a depressed frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at Kathy while holding onto her right arm.

"I know, Kathy. I know...But I can't help my feelings...You may have done the best that you could into making me happy, but I may not feel happy in the end...Only briefly amused..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in sympathy with a solemn frown and with downcast eyes as he stared gently at Kathy while tenderly rubbing her right arm for support.

"...(Sniff)...So...(Sniff)...So, you're saying that...there's nothing that I can do?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in a broken tone of voice with a grimace and with closed, teary eyes while sniffling a little as she cried silently.

"I'm...I'm afraid so, Kathy...much to my disappointment..." Knuckles answered calmly yet grimly in sadness with a solemn frown and with a slow nod as he closed his eyes.

"N-No..." Kathy weakly whined in sadness with a little frown and with closed, teary eyes as she snuggled Knuckles a little for comfort. Knuckles went silent after that and kept holding Kathy's right arm while having his eyes closed. He eventually comforted her properly by wrapping his right arm around her. He slowly yet gently rubbed her right arm while staying silent yet grave.

Trust me, Kathy. I'd wished that there was some way for you to get me to stay happy and not be depressed anymore...But there simply isn't a way...Instead...you're essentially a painkiller...You can't take away the pain nor heal it, but rather... you lessen it...That's who you are, Kathy, and it'll never change no matter how much time we spend together...It's a hard truth to accept, but we must accept it regardless...Knuckles brooded calmly in sympathy with a little frown and with closed eyes as he hugged Kathy back with his right arm before opening his eyes and looking ahead at the beautiful sunset while frowning much more in solemness.

He and Kathy remained silent as they kept holding each other in comfort. Even though they both felt despair and pain in their hearts, they took solace in the fact that they're comforting each other in silence. Despite the coldness of reality, they felt some tiny bit of warmth in their hearts as they kept each other's company.

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"...Is there...(Sniff)...Is there anything that you could do...to make yourself happy?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in concern after being silent for a while with a little frown and with a sniffle as she wiped away her tears and looked upwards at Knuckles with sympathetic eyes while hugging him dearly in comfort.

Knuckles kept frowning deeply yet solemnly as he stared silently at the gorgeous sunset without looking at Kathy. As he gently squeezed her back in comfort, he answered calmly yet quietly in sadness with a grave look on his face while closing his eyes, "...I...I don't know, Kathy...I don't know...That's the sort of question that I'm trying to answer myself...I just...don't know what to do to make myself happy...It's just...a big mystery to me...".

"O-Oh...Uhh...I see...Hmmm..." Kathy muttered calmly yet quietly in awkwardness with a little frown and with downcast eyes as she looked downwards at the ocean below while holding Knuckles. Her antennas went down in disappointment of his answer. She pondered calmly yet curiously in confusion with a solemn yet sympathetic look on her face. Just what could Knuckles do to make himself happy? I don't have a clue. I've only met him like three days ago, so, I don't know him well enough to give him any sage advice that would help him...Well...save for one thing though...

She then smiled a little as she pulled back from Knuckles while releasing him from her hold. Knuckles looked at Kathy in slight surprise with a confused expression on his face.

"K-Kathy, I..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet curiously in confusion with a little frown and with wide eyes as he stared at Kathy while having his hands on the edge of the pier.

"Knuckles...I may not know you personally yet, but...I do think that there is one thing that you can do to get yourself to be happy...It's something that anyone could do...All that matters is whether you choose to do so or not..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in consolation with a little smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as she stared at the stunning sunset while having her hands on the pier.

"Eh? 'Choose to do so'? Whatever are you talking about, Kathy? What is this 'something'? What is it that I can do?" Knuckles asked calmly yet curiously in confusion with a bewildered look on his face as he raised an eyebrow at Kathy while staring at her.

"Well...It's rather simple...You just simply have to accept happiness..." Kathy answered calmly yet wisely in consolation with a gentle smile and with half-lidded eyes as she kept staring at the sunset for a bit before looking at Knuckles.

"Wait. Huh? Okay, now, you've lost me there. What do you mean 'accept happiness'? Shouldn't that just come naturally to you whenever you feel happy? What's the point of accepting happiness when you are feeling happy at the moment? Isn't that...a pointless thing to do?" Knuckles replied calmly yet curiously in confusion as he looked even more bewildered than before while he stared skeptically at Kathy.

"Well, in some ways, it may be seen as pointless, but you'd be surprised on how important that aspect of happiness really is. Think about it. Have you noticed how many times people want more in life instead of accepting the good things that they already have and make themselves happy because of them?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in consolation with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

Knuckles opened his mouth as he was about to give a counterargument to that before he closed it and looked rather stunned the more that he thought about it. He slowly looked down at the ocean below as he felt astounded by Kathy's hidden wisdom yet again. I mean...She has a point there...That sort of thing happens to a lot of us...Too often in fact...Knuckles pondered calmly yet curiously in amazement with a stunned look on his face.

Kathy smiled gently at Knuckles as she noticed that her wise observation got to him. She then looked back at the sunset and continued calmly yet gently in wisdom with a warm expression on her face, "...You see, Knuckles, I feel as though that we often forget to accept the happiness that we receive simply because we believe that to be common knowledge and not something to remind ourselves of whenever we feel happy. In some ways, it feels instinctive and not something to boldly say out loud...But personally...I think that it should not be the case. We must personally take the time and effort to accept our happiness and enjoy it to its fullest. Otherwise...".

She then frowned a little in sadness as she looked downwards while continuing quietly yet solemnly, "...we would be unhappy with ourselves and with our own lives despite all the good things that had happened to us over the years...".

"..." Knuckles was silent as he stared deeply at the ocean below while having a little frown on his sad face. He slowly yet surely leant forward and placed his arms over his lap and on top of each other while contemplating over what Kathy had said as he kept listening to her solemn yet wise speech.

"...(Sigh)...I'll admit that...I'm rather hypocritical for saying that since...the whole reason of me coming here was because I was unhappy with the life that I had lived back in my home dimension. I hadn't received any appreciation or thanks for trying to protect the people in the Sol Dimension, and due to that harsh environment and response, I felt resentful towards the people that I was protecting and felt rather longing for a better life to live in than the one that I had. Truthfully, I'm not the best example of what a content person should be or looks like...However, if there is one thing that I know for certain and for what I'm doing currently, then that is..." Kathy continued calmly yet quietly in somberness with a sigh and with a little frown as she closed her eyes.

She then opened her eyes halfway as she continued calmly yet quietly in somberness, "...accepting and appreciating all the little, good things that are happening now with my new life...I just know that if I don't start doing that now, then I'll keep making myself miserable and be unsatisfied with my life...I know now that my new life here won't be completely smooth sailing, and it won't ever be perfect...But I do know that it'll be better especially as I acknowledge all the good things that I have now and are currently happening to me...I've really taken things for granted in my younger years...So many things...However, now is the best time to rectify that mistake by enjoying and accepting every good thing that I have now...Such as...".

She then slowly looked back at Knuckles and finished her wise speech while looking rather sympathetic, "...you, Knuckles...You're that good thing that I have now...and I'm not going to take what we have spent together for granted...I now know that things may change drastically for us, and we might not even be friends anymore or even be alive anymore...So... I'm willing to spend as much time that I possibly can with you, Knuckles. Our endearing friendship means a lot to me, and I'm sure that...it means a lot to you too, doesn't it, buddy?".

"Mm..." Knuckles mused quietly in sadness with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared silently at the ocean below with slightly downcast eyes.

Kathy's wise words had cut him deeply into his soul. Not that her words themselves were mean or insulting to him, but rather, it had mirrored himself and what he had gone through personally. The more that he keeps hearing her life story, the more he realizes how much in common that he has with her. Aside from the obvious fact that he doesn't have a clan anymore while she has one and that she used to have a parent while he had none, his personal experiences and feelings towards outsiders were really identical to what she had with the people in the Sol Dimension. Bitterness and frustration were the two main feelings that he had towards outsiders and towards his acquaintances due to how they rarely appreciated him and thanked him for his help. He felt like was being taken advantaged of and never truly felt like he belonged in his group of acquaintances.

He felt like he was alone...even within his circle of his so-called "friends".

Of course, it means a lot to me, Kathy. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like I was completely alone...Just being in your presence is enough to relieve me from the stress and burden of my job...I've always felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders every time I spend time with you...No other person could ever give me that kind of feeling or relief...It was always you, and because of that...I do care about our friendship...I don't want it to end...ever...Because if I do...then I'll lose something very dear to me...You, Kathy...You...Knuckles brooded calmly yet solemnly in sadness with a little frown and with slightly downcast eyes as he stared at the ocean before he slowly looked at Kathy at the end of his thoughts.

"...Kathy?" Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as he stared at Kathy.

"Yeah? What is it?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in curiosity with a little frown and with sympathetic eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles hadn't said anything but simply stared silently at Kathy with a little frown on his sad face. He then realized that he couldn't bring himself to say how much he appreciated Kathy for caring about him and her friendship with him. He didn't know how to express it, but he was genuinely grateful for it.

"Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet curiously in confusion with a puzzled look on her face while tilting her head a little after noticing that Knuckles hadn't said anything to her yet.

"Ah...Uhh...Umm...N-N-Nothing...Never mind...Forget I said anything..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a little frown and with upward eyebrows while blushing a little in embarrassment as he briefly stared at Kathy before looking back down at the ocean.

"O-Oh...Uhh...Okay..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in awkwardness with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as she kept staring at Knuckles in sympathy.

"Mm..." Knuckles mused quietly in a way that almost sounded like a whimper as he squirmed a little in embarrassment. Geez...I'm just too shy to tell her about my feelings...Even if they are just feelings of appreciation and gratitude, I...I just...I just get embarrassed easily...Why am I so bad at expressing my feelings through words? It really shouldn't be that hard to do, but it is for me somehow...Sigh...Knuckles brooded calmly in embarrassment with a little, shy frown and with upward eyebrows while blushing a bit as he stared silently at the ocean below.

Kathy kept staring at Knuckles for a while as she waited patiently for him to speak up again, but when she realized that he would rather stay silent, she decided to look at the beautiful sunset again and stare at it while she spoke to him again.

"Well...I suppose that's all that I can help you for now. It's really up to you to accept happiness or not. There's nothing much I can do to change that. As sad as it is...you're on your own, Knuckles...Really...You are..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in consolation with a little, hopeful smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at the gorgeous sunset.

"Yeah..." Knuckles whispered softly to himself in agreement with a little frown on his sad face as he stared at the ocean with downcast, twinkling eyes.

Accepting happiness, huh? That doesn't seem to be too hard. In fact, it seems rather simple...almost too simple to even work. But...I suppose...that it could work...Alright...Here I go...Hmmm...Knuckles pondered calmly in curiosity with a little frown and with downcast eyes as he stared at the ocean before he closed his eyes and tried to meditate on all the good things that he has now and try to accept them.

…

His mind raced through the past three days that he had with Kathy and recounted all the wonderful memories that he had shared with her.

…

All the laughs, smiles, hugs, cuddles, snuggles, nuzzles, noogies, pets, pokes, jokes, teases, tickles, chases, and the playful fights and arguments that they had shared together filled his heart and mind with such unbelievable warmth. He can say without a doubt that they were some of the best memories that he had in a long time. In truth, it would be easy to accept those happy memories and accept the unbridled happiness that Kathy gives him daily. That doesn't seem to be a problem, right?

…

...Right?

---

…

…

…

...Wh-What...? ...Wh-Wh-Why? ...Why can't I accept them? Why can't I accept those happy memories? Why can't I accept the fact that Kathy gives me happiness? Also, why...can't I accept my own happiness? I...I...I want to be happy! I want to be happy so that I could end this stupid depression that I have! But why...can't I do that? Why can't I allow myself...to be happy? Why can't I accept...happiness? Knuckles brooded solemnly in confusion, in frustration, and in sadness as his expression changes from being shocked to confused to irritated and to depressed.

"...Just what is...wrong with me?" Knuckles asked calmly yet quietly to himself in confusion with a little, gaped mouth and with downcast, twinkling eyes as he stared at the ocean below again.

"Huh?" Kathy asked calmly in confusion with a little frown and with raised eyebrows as she looked at Knuckles again after hearing him speak again. Boy, Knuckles sure was silent for a long time. I didn't think that he would speak up again. I wonder what's on his mind now. Kathy pondered calmly yet curiously in confusion with a little frown on her intrigued face as she stared silently at Knuckles.

"I thought that...accepting happiness would be easy...Not hard...Why? Why is it so hard for me to do that? It's so simple, yet...it's so hard...I just don't...understand why it is that way with me..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in confusion with a little frown and with downcast eyes as he slowly looked at the left while he kept looking at the ocean below.

"Ah...Knuckles...Don't tell me that you didn't try-" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in slight disappointment with a little frown and with upward eyebrows as she stared at Knuckles while slowly reaching out towards him.

"It's not like I didn't try! I tried my hardest! It's just that...that...I...I couldn't bring myself to be happy! I couldn't accept happiness! My mind just wouldn't let me!" Knuckles yelled back in frustration with a deep frown and with furrowed eyebrows as he quickly shot a cold glare at Kathy and raised a fist towards her before he moved his head back down and tightly closed his eyes while gripping hard onto the edge of the pier.

Kathy flinched back in surprise of Knuckles' sudden outburst and looked even more sympathetic after hearing his sad reasoning. She slowly lowered her hand and stared gently at Knuckles as she muttered calmly yet softly in sympathy, "Oh, Knuckles...".

"Let's just face it, Kathy...I'm hopeless...I'm really, really hopeless...I just can't be happy, and I can't accept the happiness that I receive no matter how hard you or I try to...I'm just...incapable of accepting happiness...There's nothing that either I or you can do to make it so...It's impossible..." Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in despair with a depressed frown and with closed eyes as he bent forward and covered his face with his hands out of defeat.

"..." Kathy was silent as she stared sadly at Knuckles with the most dejected look on her face. Awwwwwww...Poor Knuckles...Are my words...really meaningless then if Knuckles...couldn't be happy at all? So, that means...I really can't help him out then...Oh no...What should I do? I can't force Knuckles to accept something that makes him happy. That's simply...not...possible? Kathy brooded calmly in sympathy with a sad look on her face as she stared closely at Knuckles before slowly looking surprised when a mischievous idea formed into her head.

She then smiled coyly in amusement as she last thought. On second thought...maybe it is...

"Knuckles...I really do think that you are capable of being happy. It's actually a lot easier than you think," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in encouragement with a warm smile and with upward eyebrows as she scooted next to Knuckles and tenderly placed a hand onto his right shoulder while staring at him in sympathy.

"Oh, yeah? Well, tell that to my brain because it thinks that it's the hardest thing in the world," Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in defeat while he kept covering his face with his hands.

"Perhaps it is...well...under normal circumstances at least. I think that there is one thing that makes you happy no matter what kind of bad mood that you're in," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little smile and with twinkling eyes while nodding a bit in agreement as she held Knuckles' right shoulder with her left hand while raising a finger up with her right hand.

"Oh? ...You think so, huh?" Knuckles asked calmly yet solemnly in skepticism with a little frown and with slightly annoyed eyes as he finally dropped his hands from his face and crossed his arms over his lap again while he stared back at Kathy.

"Yep!" Kathy exclaimed brightly yet confidently in amusement with a sweet smile and with another nod as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Really? Well then...what is it? What makes me happy? Tell me what it is," Knuckles replied calmly yet solemnly in curiosity with a little frown and with a raised eyebrow as he leant a bit back and placed his hands behind himself.

"..." Kathy said nothing but just smiled brightly yet playfully at Knuckles while having her hands onto her lap. Knuckles silently stared back at Kathy while having a curious yet skeptical look on his face. He wondered why she hadn't said anything yet or why she was staring at him while having a sweet yet playful expression on her face. He kept staring skeptically at her in confusion before his eyes slowly yet surely widened in shock as a thought dawned onto him as to why she is looking at him like that.

She's intending to make him laugh whether he likes it or not, and the worst part about it is that he does like it as embarrassing as it sounds.

Oh no...Oh no, no, no, no, no...Not that...Anything but that...Please...Knuckles thought calmly yet worriedly in amusement with a little, sheepish smile and with wide eyes as he stared back at Kathy in nervousness and in slight panic while a sweat drop fell from his head.

"Kathy, no..." Knuckles denied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a little, sheepish smile and with wide eyes as he stared at Kathy while feeling his heart beating a bit fast in nervousness.

"Aww, come on, Knuckles. I haven't said or done anything yet," Kathy replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a bright smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"I know, and I want to keep it that way! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with a nervous chuckle as he cautiously stared back at Kathy.

"But Knuckles, you turned me down before I even started," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Yes, I did, and that's because I know what you're going to do! Heheheheh! Which is 'no' by the way! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while he chuckled some more out of nervousness as he stared back at Kathy.

"Oh, but you haven't even tried it yet," Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a playful smile and with mischievous eyes as she leant a little bit forward towards Knuckles while having her hands up.

Knuckles' eyebrows quickly shot upwards in surprise and in panic after seeing her playful hands being raised and being arched towards him. He immediately sat straight up and grabbed both of her hands while snickering a lot in amusement.

"Heheheheh! No, I haven't, but I do know that it doesn't work on me! Hahahahahaha! Come on, Kathy! You know that I'm not a little kid! Seriously! It doesn't work! Heheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while he stared back at Kathy as he snickered a bit before chuckling a lot again out of nervousness.

"Hehehehe! If you say that it doesn't work on you, then why are you stopping me?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a little giggle and with a teasing smile as she stared playfully back at Knuckles.

"Because I...Heheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with a little chuckle as he stared back at Kathy before he looked at the ocean and grinned coyly while he added quietly in playfulness, "...I don't want to get tickled. That's why...".

Kathy grinned a lot in amusement after seeing that Knuckles had addressed the "one thing" that she had mentioned before. She could see that he was grinning a lot just as much as her despite looking rather shy. Even though he's hesitating, it's very clear that he's enjoying this playful moment with her. So much so that he's gently squeezing her hands in fondness.

"So...you really don't want to get tickled, huh?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in amusement with a coy grin and with a raised eyebrow as she stared at Knuckles.

"N-No...Heheheheh..." Knuckles answered calmly yet weakly in amusement with a sheepish grin and with a nervous chuckle as he stared at the ocean while his eyebrows were furrowed upwards.

"Then...do you mean it? Do you really truly not want to get tickled? Because I won't tickle you if you truly mean it. I won't do it if you say 'no'. Really, Knuckles. I won't," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in consolation with a sympathetic smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at Knuckles while slightly lowering her hands down for emphasis.

Knuckles then coyly looked back at Kathy and looked slightly surprised and rather amused as he saw how sincere she is right now. He could see how sympathetic she looked by how she's smiling gently and staring fondly at him. He grinned a lot in amusement as he knew that she had meant by what she said. He can tell that she is trying her best to cheer him up, and sadly for him, it's working.

She didn't even need to tickle me to cheer me up. She already did so by just suggesting me to let her do so or not...Although...I kind of...want her to do so...Simply because I...Heheh...I kind of want a good laugh...Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stared fondly back at Kathy while lowering his hands down as well.

"Well...To tell you the truth, no, I didn't mean it. I really don't mind you tickling me. After all, I trust you. Besides, I...Heheheheh...I was only doing it out of reflex. As much as I can handle tickling, I still get rather nervous every time you're ready to 'attack' me. It's just a self-defense tactic. I swear," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes while chuckling a little as he stared at Kathy before looking back down at the ocean in shyness.

"Awwwww! That's so cute, Knuckles! But, hey, I understand. It's just something that everyone does out of instinct. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, it just makes you a whole lot cuter, Knuckles! Really! It does!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement and in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she released Knuckles' hands and placed her hands back onto her lap while staring playfully at him.

"Heh...Thanks," Knuckles thanked calmly yet quietly in shyness with a sheepish grin and with amused eyes as he coyly looked back at Kathy while having one hand on the edge of the pier and while having the other hand onto the pier. He blushed a lot in embarrassment after he heard Kathy compliment him on being "cute" again.

"..." Kathy was rather silent as she stared playfully at Knuckles while grinning hugely yet fondly at him.

"..." Knuckles was silent as well as he stared playfully back at Kathy in amusement while grinning hugely yet shyly at her.

They both know what's coming next, and yet, they can't help but stare at each other in amusement as they felt both warm and excited. It's the same feeling that they had whenever something like this comes up, and that feeling occurs whenever they wanted to play. So, play they will.

"...Aww...Come here, you," Kathy muttered calmly yet dearly in fondness with a warm smile and with playful eyes as she lunged forward towards Knuckles with her hands out.

"Wait! Hang on there, Kathy! Hahahahaha! Let's scoot backwards towards the pier! I don't want to accidently fall into the ocean just because you were tickling me silly, and I don't think that you want to fall in there either just in case I take you down with me! Heheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while he chuckled a little as he reflexively grabbed Kathy's hands again.

"Aww, but where's the fun in that?" Kathy asked calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a silly smile and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles while holding onto his hands.

"Just get over here, you silly! Heheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he chuckled a lot while scooting towards the right to get closer onto the pier. Kathy followed suit as she scooted with Knuckles towards the pier and away from the edge of it.

After Knuckles felt that he could lie safely onto the pier without falling off of it, he soon released Kathy's hands and readjusted his sitting position so that he could see the sunset behind her. Kathy had her hands at the sides of her legs as she watched him readjust himself while having a relaxed yet fond expression on her face.

"Okay, Kathy...Heheheh...Do your worst, but at the same time...try to go easy on me...Heheheheh...You know how I get when it comes to tickling...I'm pretty helpless whenever it comes to that..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet gently in amusement with a little grin on his sheepish face while chuckling a bit as he stared at Kathy with his right arm over his right leg.

"Hehehehe...I know...But I can't say that I could keep that promise due to how...ticklish you are...It doesn't matter where I tickle you since you're sensitive everywhere...like...right here for example! A coochie coochie coo!" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little giggle and with a playful smile as she scooted next to Knuckles' right side and tenderly traced along his body with one finger starting from his right arm, going across his chest, and finishing by going down his left ribcage before quickly scratching it in a teasing way.

Knuckles grinned a lot in amusement when he felt Kathy's finger gently tracing along his body since he liked the nice, physical attention that he's getting before he burst into tons of cute giggles when he felt his left ribcage being tickled.

"Hehehehehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Kathy! Quit it! Hehehehehehehehe! That's my ribs! Hehehehehehehehehe!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while he giggled cutely yet silly as he squirmed a lot to the light tickling.

"Awwww...Does the little doggie like to be tickled there? I think that he does!" Kathy commented calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she lightly tickled Knuckles' left ribcage with one finger before she deviously tickled it with all five.

"Ahahahahahahaha! Nohohohohoho! Dohohohohohohon't! Hehehehehehehehehe! Stop it! Stop! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles protested even more in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while he giggled harder as he squirmed even more to the tickling.

"Hehehehe...Aww, you do like to be tickled there, don't you, you little doggie?" Kathy asked calmly yet teasingly in amusement and in fondness with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she tickled both of Knuckles' ribcages this time.

"Hehehehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Yes! Yes! I do! I do! Just quit it! Hehehehehehehehehehehe! I can't! I cahahahahahahahahaha! I can't!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in protest with a huge smile and with closed eyes while he giggled even harder and a bit sillier as he squirmed a lot from both left and right after feeling both of his ribs being tickled.

"Hehehehehe! Okay...I'll stop tickling you there...for now at least...Perhaps it's time to go to a different place...Such as..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with another giggle and with a teasing smile as she stopped tickling Knuckles' ribs and instead stared at him much closely while deciding where to "attack" him next.

Knuckles simply snickered in amusement while he rubbed his ribs as he recovered from that brief tickle attack. But just as when he had finally received some sort of relief, he cringed a lot when he felt his neck being tickled silly.

"...right here! Coochie coochie coo! A coochie coochie coo!" Kathy finished brightly yet teasingly in amusement with a playful smile and with twinkling eyes as she tickled both sides of Knuckles' neck with her hands.

"Aww, come on, Kathy! Heheheheheheheheheheh! Stop it! Heheheheheheheheheh! It tickles! Hahahahahahahahahahah!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with closed eyes while he chuckled a lot as he cringed and squirmed a lot at the tickling.

"See? What did I just say? You're sensitive everywhere, Knuckles. I don't know how I could go easy on you if you keep laughing or giggling or whatever on every place that I touch," Kathy commented calmly yet gently in amusement with a teasing grin and with playful eyes as she tickled Knuckles' neck for a couple more seconds before she stopped and placed her hands onto her lap.

"Heheheheheh! I can't help it! My body is naturally too sensitive! Heheheheh! Besides, I'm not used to tickling since I had lived remotely on my island for almost all my life! How could someone like me get used to a funny sensation like that?! Hahahahahaha! I'd say that it's impossible! Heheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes while chuckling some more and while rubbing his neck with his hands as he stared back at Kathy.

"Hehehehe...True...It is...But I think that makes it even more fun...Don't you agree?" Kathy replied calmly yet fondly in amusement with a little giggle and with a warm smile as she stared playfully at Knuckles while gently stroking his body with both hands.

Knuckles' eyes widened in surprise when he felt Kathy stroking down his chest, his ribs, his sides, and his stomach. He smiled very widely in amusement as he enjoyed this tender touch. This whole thing felt so nice to him since he craved this warm, loving touch from someone who genuinely cares for him, and he's glad that it's Kathy who cares for him because it makes this whole experience wonderful to him.

"Y-Yeah...I agree completely...It really is a lot of fun...especially since you're the one who's doing it...(Sigh)...It's times like these where I keep getting reminded of how safe I am whenever I'm with you. I don't have to worry about anything. This whole, fun experience is just between us and no one else..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with a deep, longing sigh as he stared back at Kathy with half-lidded eyes while pulling her much closer to himself and holding her dearly in his arms.

"...Yeah...I feel safe too, Knuckles...I'm just happy that we're both safe together..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes while she stared back at Knuckles as she hugged his waist after she felt him pulling her into his arms.

"Hmph...Me too, Kathy...Me too..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back at Kathy before closing his eyes and hugging her much tighter in dearness.

They both hugged each other dearly for a couple of minutes in silence. They wore huge, warm smiles on their faces as they enjoyed this tender, sweet moment together.

---

…

"...Mm...Mmhmhmhmhmhmhm...Kathy...Don't...Heheheheheheheh..." Knuckles protested calmly yet weakly in amusement after musing a bit with a huge smile before grinning hugely while he snickered a lot as he felt Kathy's fingers digging into his neck again. He cringed and snickered a lot at the playful tickling while hugging her much tighter in response to that.

"What? Don't think that hugging me will make me stop tickling you, Knuckles. Hugs don't stop the tickle monster, you know," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a teasing grin and with playful eyes while she stared at Knuckles as she held him with one hand while tickling his neck with the other.

"Aww, come on! Heheheheheheheheh! We were having a moment together! Heheheheheheheheh! Don't ruin it! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while he chuckled a lot now as he cringed and squirmed a bit at the tickling.

"I'm not ruining it. I'm just transitioning it to another wonderful moment...like this one for example," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a teasing grin and with playful eyes while she stared at Knuckles as she tickled his neck before stopping and then started tickling his right side with her other hand.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! NOOOOOOOOO! NOT MY SIDES! NOT MY SAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOP! STOP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! LET ME GO! LET ME GOHOHOHOHOHOHO! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Knuckles squealed and laughed girlishly in amusement with a huge smile and with wide, panicky eyes before he closed them tightly as he cringed and squirmed a lot at the vicious tickling while he tried to get out of Kathy's hug.

"Hehehehe...Okay. Suit yourself," Kathy replied calmly yet casually in amusement with a little giggle and with a playful smile while shrugging a bit as she released Knuckles from her hug and briefly stopped tickling him.

"Heheheheheheheheh! Just don't do that! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing a little less hysterically than before as he leant back from Kathy after being released from her hug.

"What? Are you saying that I'm not allowed to do...this...or this... or maybe this as well as this? Hmm? Hmmm?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a mischievous smile and with playful eyes while she leant a bit close to Knuckles as she stared at him before she quickly tickled his sides and tummy in a teasing way.

"AAAAAH! AAAAAH! NO! NO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO! STOP! STOP IT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! QUIT IT! JUST CUT IT OUT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles shrieked and squealed in surprise and in amusement with a huge smile and with wide eyes while laughing hysterically again as he cringed and squirmed a lot when he felt his sides and tummy being tickled briefly yet quickly. He felt like he was being jabbed due to how quick Kathy's tickles were, so, out of reflex, he tried to push her away.

However, that might have been his biggest mistake yet since she started to ruthlessly tickle his armpits after she dodged out of the way.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! KATHY! STOP! STOP! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed in surprise and in amusement with a huge smile and with wide, bulging eyes while laughing hysterically as he cringed and squirmed very much to the tickling. He ended up falling on his back and started kicking his feet in the air as he kept laughing hysterically at the tickling.

"So? Are you feeling happy yet? Are you ready to accept happiness?" Kathy asked calmly yet coyly in amusement with a gentle smile and with playful eyes as she stared down at Knuckles while she kept tickling him silly.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHY WOULD I ACCEPT HAPPINESS IN A SITUATION SUCH AS THIS!? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THIS IS A FULL-ON ASSAULT! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! AND I WANT YOU TO CUT IT OUT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing hysterically and while kicking his feet as he squirmed from side to side on the pier.

"Aww, come on, Knuckles. You know that you're having fun, and when you're having fun, you feel happy...Right, Knuckles?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a teasing smile and with playful eyes as she leant a bit closer towards Knuckles while she kept tickling him relentlessly.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH! I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING TO THAT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I TOLD YOU! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME HAPPY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing hysterically as he cringed and squirmed some more at the tickling.

"Hmm...Maybe you're right...Maybe it is impossible..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little smile and with twinkling eyes while she kept staring at Knuckles as she stopped tickling him and sat straight up while having her hands on her lap.

"Hahahahahahaha...Yeah...Maybe...Heheheheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes while he laughed less hysterically than before as he stared back at Kathy. He crossed his arms in a protective way as he stared playfully at her in amusement while grinning a lot.

"..." Kathy was silent as she stared fondly at Knuckles with a warm yet amused look on her face.

"..." Knuckles was silent as well as he stared playfully back at Kathy while having a huge grin on his face.

---

…

"...Well...Even if it is impossible, that doesn't mean that I can't try though...Besides...Hehehehe...I haven't actually given you a full-on assault just yet..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement after being silent for a moment with a coy smile and with a little giggle as she stared playfully at Knuckles.

"What?! Yes, you have!" Knuckles exclaimed back in alarm and in amusement with a huge smile and with wide, panicky eyes as he stared nervously back at Kathy.

"No, I haven't," Kathy calmly argued back in amusement with a teasing grin and with twinkling eyes while she stared playfully back at Knuckles after she noticed the panic in his response.

"Yes, you have! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles argued back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he chuckled a little out of nervousness.

"Oh, I certainly haven't...After all..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a mischievous smile and with playful eyes as she leant a bit forward towards Knuckles and raised her devious fingers at him.

"..." Knuckles said nothing to that but grinned hugely at Kathy in amusement while staring at her with twinkling eyes as he awaited the onslaught of tickles that he's about to partake. However, it doesn't matter how prepared he was for them because he was still surprised by how he was tickled every single time, and this moment was no different.

"...I hadn't tickled you everywhere all at once! A coochie coochie coo! A coochie coochie coo!" Kathy finished brightly yet teasingly in amusement with a sweet smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared at Knuckles while she playfully yet quickly tickled him everywhere from his neck to his ribs to his sides and to his tummy.

Just as when Knuckles felt those quick, horrible tickles, he immediately lost it.

"AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! AAAAAH! AAAAAAAH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! HELP! HELP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed and shrieked girlishly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while he laughed hysterically as he cringed and squirmed hopelessly at the tickling. Never had he ever felt so vulnerable than right now, and as much as he can boost about how he can handle tickling, he certainly can't handle it right now due to how he's being tickled.

"Hehe! Now, are you going to accept happiness? Hmm?" Kathy asked calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a light giggle and with a playful smile while she stared at Knuckles as she kept tickling him silly.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'M NOT ACCEPTING ANYTHING! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT IS FINAL! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! I'M NOT BACKING DOWN FROM THIS! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NEVER! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with some tears in his closed eyes while he kept laughing hysterically as he cringed and squirmed a lot. He doesn't care that he's crying now. He is having too much fun with this.

"Really now? Hehehehehe! Well, now, we know why you can't accept happiness, and that's because you have a stubborn mindset!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a sweet smile and with another giggle while she stared playfully at Knuckles as she kept tickling him in a teasing way.

"YOU BET THAT I DO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AND I DON'T CARE! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! IF I'M NOT HAPPY, THEN I'M NOT HAPPY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! END OF STORY! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed back in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes while laughing hysterically as he cringed and squirmed some more in response to the tickling.

"Knuckles, I'm trying to help you. You can't keep refusing happiness like this. You'll never be happy if you do that," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in sadness with a little frown and with upward eyebrows while staring sympathetically at Knuckles as she eased up on her tickling a bit.

Knuckles' eyelids flung wide open upon hearing that. He briefly sobered up and stared at Kathy with a surprised look on his face before he laughed in amusement again since he was still being tickled.

"Hahahahahahaha! Aww, come on, Kathy! It's not like that! Heheheheheheheheh! I just...just...Heheheheheheheheh! I just want your attention! That's all! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with sympathetic eyes while he stared caringly back at Kathy as he laughed a little less at the tickling.

"R-Really? That's why you...?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in surprise with a shocked look on her face as she tickled a lot less.

"Heheheheheh...Yes, that's why I don't mind you tickling me like this...Heheheheheheh...I may be unhappy, but that doesn't mean that I want to be left alone...Hahahahahaha...I just want you to cheer me up...Hahahahaha...I just want your company...Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with twinkling eyes while he chuckled a lot as he stared back at Kathy.

"...! ...You...You really mean it?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in fondness with a gasp and with a warm smile as she finally stopped tickling Knuckles and placed her hands back onto her lap.

Knuckles chuckled a little and held onto his stomach as he took his time recovering from that ruthless tickle assault. But soon as he calmed down and wiped the tears from his eyes, he smiled hugely yet fondly at Kathy as he slowly yet carefully sat back up. He then gently grabbed both of her hands and held them dearly in his as he stared fondly at her with a warm expression on his face.

"...Really, Kathy. I do. I do mean it. Listen, even if I couldn't get happy, I'm at least glad that you're willing to cheer me up. It's...probably the only type of happiness that I'm willing to accept funnily enough. Heheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with a little chuckle as he stared dearly at Kathy with half-lidded eyes.

"Awwwww...Knuckles..." Kathy cooed softly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes while blushing a bit as she leant a bit closer towards Knuckles.

"Heheheheh...I know. I know...I'm sweet..." Knuckles commented calmly yet gently in amusement with another chuckle and with a huge grin as he stared back fondly at Kathy with half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

"You really are..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as she stared back dearly into Knuckles' own half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

They both stared fondly at each other in brief silence while they held hands. They both felt a wave of warmth and relief in their hearts after having that playful yet wonderful moment together. It's that type of relief that makes them feel at ease with one another, and it's something that they wouldn't trade for in the world. At last, things are finally returning back to normal.

---

…

"...Still, it's such a shame that you couldn't be happy with anything else. I thought for sure that tickling would do the trick," Kathy muttered calmly yet softly in slight disappointment after being silent for a moment with a sad smile and with upward eyebrows as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Heheheheh...Yeah, well, I told you that it doesn't work on me. You can't force me to accept happiness by simply tickling me. It may make me smile and laugh a lot, but it doesn't make me happy in the end. It only cheers me up. Besides, that only works on little kids, and let me remind you that I am not a little kid! I'm 16 for crying out loud!" Knuckles replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a chuckle and with a huge grin as he stared playfully back at Kathy while gently squeezing her hands.

"That may be true, but...I still think that you're like a little kid even though I'm slightly younger than you," Kathy replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with a little, shy smile and with a small blush as she released from Knuckles' hands and held onto his arms instead.

"What the heck does that even mean?! Heheheheheh! If anything, I think that you're like a little kid despite me being slightly older than you! It makes sense if I see you as a little kid! Not the other way around!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge grin and with another chuckle while he stared back at Kathy with twinkling eyes as he held her arms in response to her holding his.

"Hehehehe! True. You may have a point, but there is one reason why I think that you're a little kid deep down inside, Knuckles. Want to know what it is?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a little giggle and with a sweet smile as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Alright. I'll bite. What is it?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sheepish grin and with a lowered eyebrow while he casually shrugged his shoulders as he stared playfully back at Kathy.

"Well..." Kathy muttered calmly yet coyly in amusement with a teasing grin and with mischievous eyes as she looked behind herself and spotted Knuckles' shoes while adding playfully, "...despite you saying that tickling doesn't work on you, I have a very strong suspicion that your feet tell a different story. I mean...I haven't tickled them yet...".

Knuckles immediately grimaced sheepishly as his eyes widened significantly in panic of that line of reasoning that Kathy is thinking of. A sweat drop fell from his head as he feared of what he thinks will happen next. You better not...Knuckles pondered nervously in worry with a sheepish grimace and with wide eyes as he stared cautiously at Kathy.

"...Even if I did, I'm sure that you can't resist that funny feeling no matter how stubborn you are. Any little kid couldn't resist it, and neither could you...Isn't that right, Knuckles?" Kathy continued calmly yet gently in amusement with a teasing grin and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles' shoes before she looked back at him.

Knuckles flinched a bit in surprise of that question before he masked his panic with an amused look on his face. He replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge grin and with upward eyebrows, "S-So? It still wouldn't make me accept happiness. Even if it tickles horribly, I still would be unhappy. Seriously, I still would".

"So, you say that it won't make you happy, huh?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in amusement with a knowing grin and with a lowered eyebrow as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Yes, I am. It does not work like that," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge grin and with playful eyes as he stared worriedly back at Kathy.

"Hmmm...We'll see about that..." Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a mischievous smile and with playful eyes as she looked back at Knuckles' shoes while letting go of his arms.

Panic surged through Knuckles again after hearing Kathy's response. He stared intensely at her with a sheepish grimace and with wide, panicky eyes as more sweat fell from his head. He slowly yet hesitantly released her arms as he allowed her to touch him again. His right leg twitched and shivered at her gentle yet playful touch as she slowly yet torturedly stroked the underside of his leg. He tried to remain calm as he allowed her to stroke down his right leg, but when her fingers finally found their way to his sock and shoe, he almost immediately grabbed her shoulders and turned her around since he couldn't take the nervousness anymore.

"Alright! Alright! I'll...I'll accept happiness! I'll accept it right now! I'm...I'm happy! Really! Heheheheheh! I'm very happy right now! Hahahahahahaha!" Knuckles blurted out in nervousness with a sheepish smile and with a sweat drop on his head as he chuckled awkwardly in slight amusement.

"Hehehehehehe! I knew it! You couldn't resist being happy whenever somebody tickles your feet or even attempts to, could you?! Hehehehehe!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes while giggling a little as she stared at Knuckles and gently poking at his chest.

"Heheheheh...I'm not admitting to any of that..." Knuckles replied calmly in amusement through gritted teeth with a low, devious chuckle and with a huge, mischievous grin as he closed his eyes and as his cheeks blushed bright red in embarrassment.

"Hehehe...You're not admitting to what?" Kathy asked calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a little giggle and with a silly smile as she leant a bit forward towards Knuckles and stared closely at him.

Knuckles kept grinning mischievously in amusement while having his eyes closed until he opened them and looked rather playful towards Kathy. He then pulled her into a big, endearing hug and tenderly rubbed her back with both of his hands while he replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a mischievous yet fond look on his face, "...To the fact that tickling my feet makes me happy...It's just too silly to even be true...It might make sense if it makes you happy, Kathy, but with me? Tch. Come on now. That's just ridiculous at that point...".

"Well...Yeah, it might...But then that would mean we'd have another thing in common with one another..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she looked back at Knuckles while hugging him gently yet tightly around his waist.

"What? Like the fact that we both have ticklish feet?" Knuckles asked calmly yet playfully in amusement with a mischievous grin and with a lowered eyebrow as he stared at Kathy while gently yet tightly hugging her in his arms.

"No...I mean...We both get amused easily by the silliest things in life..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes as she moved her head a little to look at Knuckles face-to-face.

"...! …'The silliest things'?" Knuckles repeated calmly in surprise and in confusion with a gasp and with a gaped mouth as he stared back at Kathy with wide eyes.

"Yep! The silliest things!" Kathy exclaimed brightly in agreement with a nod and with an innocent smile as she stared back at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles was speechless as he kept staring at Kathy with a stunned look on his face. He slowly yet surely moved his head a bit away from her while he kept staring at her in stunned silence. ...You know...if that were true...then that would explain why I get amused so easily with Kathy here. She's just the silliest person that I have ever met...and yet...I feel so drawn to her...I feel so attached to her already even though that shouldn't be possible...Maybe I crave for this kind of silliness...The kind that makes me...laugh and smile...and perhaps...even happy...Knuckles pondered calmly in curiosity and in fondness with a stunned look on his face before it changed into a warm one as he stared dearly at Kathy with twinkling eyes.

"Kathy, I..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as he stared at Kathy.

"Hmm? Yeah? What is it, Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"...Uhhh...Umm...I...Uhh...Well..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows as he coyly stared back at Kathy while blushing very brightly in embarrassment. Of course, it had to be the silly ones that gets me all bashful. It doesn't even help that Kathy is so gosh darn cute that I can't help but adore her so much. She's both silly and cute. A deadly combination to be sure...and the very one that gets me all tongue-tied...Knuckles pondered calmly in amusement and in fondness with a sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows as his cheeks flushed bright red.

"Awwww...You're blushing, Knuckles. Is there something that you want to tell me but are too embarrassed to say out loud? Hmm? Is that what it is?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with a sweet smile and with twinkling eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"What?! No! It's...It's nothing! Heheheheh! Really! It's nothing!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement and in embarrassment with a huge smile and with raised eyebrows while he chuckled a little in nervousness as he blushed deeper in shyness and as he coyly looked down at his lap.

"Aww, come on, Knuckles. Don't be like that. There's no need to get all shy on me. Go on. Tell me. Tell me what's on your mind," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she lightly poked against Knuckles' right cheek with her finger.

Knuckles grinned widely in amusement and blushed even deeper in embarrassment after feeling those gentle pokes to his cheek. He felt like he's going to turn into mush due to how flustered is right now. As much as he felt completely embarrassed, he absolutely adored Kathy's tender attention towards him. He doesn't want to admit it, but he's starting to crave this kind of attention very much. He could only wish...that he could get this kind of attention every single day.

"Heheheheh...Alright. Alright. Fine. I'll tell you one thing that's on my mind. After that, it's nothing else. Got it?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a chuckle and with a huge smile as he looked back at Kathy and grabbed her finger before putting it down.

"Hehe! Got it! So then, go ahead, Knuckles! Tell me! Tell me what it is!" Kathy exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a light giggle and with a cheerful smile as she nodded a little to Knuckles while hugging him much tighter in response.

"Hmph...It's simple...Just..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes while he stared playfully back at Kathy before he grinned hugely and pushed the back of her head onto his right shoulder as he added brightly in amusement with a chuckle, "...Just snuggle me already, you silly girl! Heheheh!".

"Awwww! Hehehehe! Why did you say that, Knuckles? Why do you want me to snuggle you?" Kathy asked calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with another giggle as she closed her eyes and snuggled against Knuckles' right shoulder and body just as he said.

"Ah. Ah. Ah. I said that I'd tell you only 'one thing' that's on my mind, and that was that. I'm not telling you anything else," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he dearly held Kathy while also tenderly stroking the back of her head.

"Ooooh! That's so not fair!" Kathy whined sadly in disappointment with a little frown and with closed eyes as she snuggled Knuckles' right shoulder.

"Yeah...Well...Deal with it...Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet bluntly in amusement with a teasing grin and with playful eyes as he snickered a little while he held Kathy dearly in his arms.

Kathy pouted a little as she tried to stay annoyed, but the more she felt the warmth and tenderness of Knuckles' arms being wrapped around her, the more it was easy for her to smile a lot again especially after hearing him snicker a little in amusement. She figured that as long as he's happy or at least in a good mood, she could let this little teasing slide. After all, it beats having him being all sad and depressed just as he was before a few moments ago.

"Mm...Alright...I will..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a gentle smile and with closed eyes as she rested dearly against Knuckles' body.

Knuckles soon stopped snickering and smiled fondly at Kathy after hearing her response. He squeezed her gently and leant his head on top of hers as he replied calmly yet softly in fondness, "I'm glad, Kathy. I'm glad".

They both grown silent again as they were busy snuggling each other in affection. Kathy kept her eyes closed as she dearly hugged Knuckles while enjoying this close contact with him. Knuckles simply stared at the beautiful sunset with a fond smile on his face as he held Kathy dearly in his arms while resting his head on top of hers. It's always the quiet moments that brings these two guardians together, and this situation was no different. This silent moment was pure bliss to them.

---

…

…

…

"...(Sigh)...This sunset is so beautiful...I'm so glad...that we were able to see it...together..." Knuckles commented calmly yet gently in fondness after being silent for a long time with a deep sigh and with a warm smile as he stared at the sunset with half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

Kathy slowly opened her eyes halfway and smiled warmly after seeing the beautiful sunset too. She replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes, "...I'm glad too, Knuckles. This sunset really is gorgeous. Your idea for coming back here was truly wonderful. I'm just happy to be here with you, Knuckles. Really. I am".

"...Yeah...In some ways...I feel the same way..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a longing smile and with half-lidded eyes as he slowly lifted his head from Kathy's head and stared at the sunset.

"Hmm?" Kathy mused curiously with a little smile and with twinkling eyes as she looked up at Knuckles and watched him look down at his lap after he stared at the sunset for a moment.

"...I suppose that...there is one other thing that I accept being happy for, and that is..." Knuckles continued calmly yet gently in fondness with a longing smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at his lap before closing his eyes and dearly squeezing Kathy in affection while he finished softly, "...being here with you, Kathy. I accept this type of happiness".

"Ah...Awwww...Knuckles...I'm relieved that you feel a little bit happy. I'm glad that I had cheered you up at least even though I kind of...'forced' you into doing that...Umm...Sorry about that..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm look on her face before looking slightly apologetic in the end as she moved her head up and stared at Knuckles. She gently squeezed him back in response to him squeezing her in affection.

"Hey, it's okay, Kathy. I'm thankful for you cheering me up. I'm glad that...I got a good laugh out of it," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a playful grin and with twinkling eyes as he looked at Kathy again and stared fondly into her eyes.

"Oh! Well, that's a relief! I'm glad that I had made you laugh with it!" Kathy exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile and with twinkling eyes as she nodded a little to Knuckles while staring back at him.

"Heh...Yeah...Even if you didn't do that, I just know that you will cheer me up one way or another...You just...somehow do...and I'm very grateful that you are able to do that...I feel as though I have a...a..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with amused, twinkling eyes as he stared back at Kathy while inching a bit closer towards her face.

"'A friend'?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly with hope in her voice as she stared closely at Knuckles with an intrigued look on her face.

"Umm...N-No...An angel...I feel as though I have an angel by my side whenever things get hard or troublesome for me...You're my angel, Kathy...My Angel..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a surprised yet bashful look on his face before it changed into a warm one as he stared dearly at Kathy while he tenderly cupped her left cheek and stroked it.

"Aww, Knuckles...That's so sweet..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as she slightly inched closer towards Knuckles' face.

"Yeah, well...I can't help it...I'm just...telling you how I feel...That's all..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge grin and with closed eyes as he blushed brightly in embarrassment.

"True though. But it would've been a whole lot sweeter if you feel as though I'm your friend-" Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she stared at Knuckles' flushed face.

"Don't ruin the moment, silly girl," Knuckles interrupted calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a smug grin and with half-lidded eyes as he stared back playfully at Kathy while blushing a little less.

"Hehehehehehehehe!" Kathy giggled sweetly in amusement with a cheerful smile and with playful eyes as she warmly hugged Knuckles yet again while having her head over his left shoulder.

Knuckles smiled hugely in amusement as he hugged Kathy back just as warmly while he stared fondly at her. He listened to her cute giggles yet again and felt as though his heart is as light as a feather. It certainly feels relieving hearing somebody else's giggles and laughter other than his own, and after what he had felt earlier, this light-hearted feeling is very much welcome.

Sigh...Oh, Kathy...Don't you ever stop being your silly self...Just never stop...Knuckles pondered calmly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he hugged and stroked Kathy dearly in his arms while he silently stared at her.

Kathy soon stopped giggling and just hugged Knuckles for a while in silence. She stared at the gorgeous sunset again with a little smile on her content face. It's so pretty. I wish that I could watch it forever with Knuckles here. He means...so much to me...Kathy pondered calmly in fondness with a gentle smile and with half-lidded eyes as she silently stared at the sunset.

---

…

"Hey...Kathy?" Knuckles asked calmly yet softly in fondness after being silent for a while with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy while holding her dearly.

"Yes? What is it?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at the sunset while holding Knuckles dearly.

"Do you want...to finish watching the sunset with me?" Knuckles asked calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he gently squeezed Kathy in affection.

"...I'd be delighted to..." Kathy answered calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she gently squeezed Knuckles back in affection.

"Good. Well then...Shall we scoot back to our spots and watch the sunset together?" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he pulled back from Kathy and stared dearly at her while holding her still.

"Yes. Let's do that," Kathy agreed calmly in fondness with a warm smile and with a nod as she held onto Knuckles while she scooted back towards the edge of the pier. Knuckles scooted along with her, and eventually, they reached back to their spots. They briefly released each other from their hug to get themselves comfortable onto the edge of the pier before they leant into each other and hugged the other by either both arms or with one arm. Kathy then wrapped her left wing around Knuckles to give him some warmth and some extra comfort. He grinned very widely at this and gently squeezed her with his right arm. Once again, another moment of silence filled the air as the two guardians held each other while they listened to the waves crashing into the coast.

…

"...This had been a rather fun day, Knuckles. I'm so glad that I had made the right choice into spending time with you. Because of that, we had a lot of good memories together," Kathy muttered calmly yet softly in fondness after being silent for a moment with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she leant her head onto Knuckles' right shoulder and watched the stunning sunset in the horizon.

"...Yeah...I'm glad that you had done that too...I don't think that I'll ever forget this day...So many good memories...So many precious moments...It just...feels so unreal sometimes..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he leant his head on top of Kathy's head and watched the serene sunset as well.

"I know...I've seen so many new places in one day and eaten even more delicious food...I'm so happy that I was able to share these new experiences with you, Knuckles...You made those experiences unforgettable to me...Thank you," Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stared at the sparkling ocean and the stunning sunset while gently squeezing Knuckles in gratitude.

"Hey...It's no problem, Kathy. It's no problem...You've also made those experiences unforgettable to me as well...Especially as I watched your expressions whenever you visited to a new location, or whenever you tasted a new type of food...In fact...Heh...How was it like eating a sundae for the first time?" Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness and in slight amusement with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at the sunset before he grinned a lot and moved his head a bit from Kathy to look at her.

"Oh! It was fantastic! I've never thought that it would taste so good! Just...what was in that sundae that made it taste so good?! I know about the cherry part of it but not the rest! So...what's the secret, Knuckles?! What is it?!" Kathy exclaimed back brightly with a cheerful smile and with twinkling eyes as she slightly moved her head to look up at Knuckles.

"Hahahaha...Oh, you know...Just some basic ice cream flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry...Not to mention the swirling, white, whipped cream as well as the dark, chocolate syrup...Mm...Tasty...Isn't it?" Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a little chuckle and with a coy grin before he smiled mischievously at the end as he tried to tease Kathy a bit.

"Ooooh...Don't make me hungry again, Knuckles! I just ate!" Kathy exclaimed back in slight annoyance after moaning a bit with a pout and with furrowed eyebrows as she irritably jabbed Knuckles in the stomach a few times.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha! Dohohohohohohohon't! Kathy! Stop it! Heheheheheheh!" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while laughing a lot as he squirmed a lot at those teasing jabs and as he kicked his feet a bit since it tickled him a lot.

"Alright. I will. But I hope that would teach you not to tease me!" Kathy replied calmly yet irritably in slight annoyance with a little frown and with furrowed eyebrows as she stopped jabbing Knuckles and just hugged him tighter instead.

"Hahahahaha! Aww, but where's the fun in that? Besides, you teased me a lot today by simply tickling me, and as I recall yesterday, I told you to do that occasionally. Not often, you silly girl," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement with a chuckle and with a huge grin as he stared playfully back at Kathy.

"True. You do have a point there I admit...But to be fair...you did admit that you like tickling, right? So, how was I supposed to know whether you truly want me to stop or not?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in understanding with a sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows while she stared back at Knuckles as her antennas lowered a bit in awkwardness.

"Heheheheh...Okay. Fair enough. I guess I can see why you would want to tickle me a bunch since you do know my weakness for that sort of thing. Truthfully, I really don't mind you tickling me whether it's occasionally or often, and that's because...I know that you just want to play with me...So...I let you do just that..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with another chuckle and with a huge, warm smile as he stared back at Kathy with twinkling eyes.

"...!" Kathy softly gasped in surprise and beamed sweetly at Knuckles after hearing him say that while staring at him with twinkling eyes. She could feel her heart pounding a bit faster and feel her cheeks warming up as she felt touched that he knew how much she wanted to play with him. She felt accepted and understood by him, and in some ways, he felt the same way as her. They may not have said it out loud, but they somehow knew how much the other wanted to feel vulnerable yet safe at the same time. They like discovering the other's deepest desires and greatest weaknesses; and just allowing the other to be open with them just makes them grow so much closer to each other than ever before.

"...You know, Knuckles...I mostly tickle you because I...I...I like seeing you laugh and smile...You just look so cute whenever you get tickled, and because of that, you're...you're quite irresistible to me..." Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with a pink blush as she stared much closer at Knuckles while snuggling him affectionately.

"Aww...Is that so?" Knuckles asked calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with closed eyes as he leant his right cheek against the side of Kathy's head and nuzzled it dearly.

"Yes. Hehehehe...You better watch yourself, Knuckles. The tickle monster adores your cute giggles and unrestrained laughter. It may give you a break for a few days, but that doesn't mean that you are safe forever. It'll always show up whenever you least expect it," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sweet smile and with a little giggle as she nuzzled Knuckles back while hugging him dearly in her arms.

"Well, that's fine then because I'm always up for a challenge. Heh. I might even put up a fight against it just to see how it likes it," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a huge, warm smile and with closed eyes as he kept nuzzling Kathy's head while hugging her fully this time with both arms.

"Teehee! You might, but we both know who's the ticklish one between the two of us," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a light giggle and with a playful smile as she nuzzled Knuckles' cheek.

"Heheheh...Shut it," Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in amusement with a snicker and with a huge, playful grin as he stopped nuzzling Kathy and stared down at her with half-lidded eyes.

"Hehehehehehehehehe!" Kathy giggled silly in amusement with a sweet smile as she stared up at Knuckles with twinkling eyes.

"Hmph..." Knuckles grunted quietly in amusement with a huge smile and with playful eyes as he watched Kathy giggle a lot in happiness. Heheheh...I may be the ticklish one of the two, but I sure know who's the giggler of the two...Yet...I can't help but adore that giggler...Her infectious giggles easily make me smile...and...make me feel warm inside...Knuckles pondered calmly in fondness with a huge, longing smile and with half-lidded eyes as he stared at Kathy.

Kathy eventually stopped giggling and stared back at Knuckles with a warm look on her face. Knuckles raised his eyebrows and grinned a lot in amusement after seeing that warm expression on her face. They stared silently into each other's twinkling eyes while having amused yet warm looks on their faces. They held each other dearly in their arms as they enjoyed how warm and soft the other's body was. They kept staring at each other with amused looks on their faces before their eyes slowly widened in shock and their cheeks flushed deeply in embarrassment after realizing how close their faces were to each other.

"...Uhhh...Ummm..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in embarrassment with a huge, sheepish grin and with upward eyebrows while he stared at Kathy as his cheeks blushed in dark red.

"Ummm...Er...Mm..." Kathy muttered calmly yet awkwardly in embarrassment too with a little, sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows while she stared back at Knuckles as her cheeks blushed bright pink.

"Uhhhh...Ummm...Heheheh...G-Geez...We're...Uhhh...We're pretty close again, aren't we? Heheheh..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a huge, sheepish grin and with upward eyebrows while chuckling nervously and while blushing deeply as he stared back at Kathy for a bit before he coyly glanced away from her.

"Uhh...Y-Yeah...Hehe...We are..." Kathy replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a little, sheepish smile and with a light giggle as she stared curiously at Knuckles in amusement while blushing a lot.

"Yeah...Like...You know...Uhhh...Ummm...Like...that time we...we..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a huge, sheepish grin and with half-lidded eyes while blushing deeply in embarrassment as he stared down at the ocean below and not at Kathy.

"O-Oh! Uhhhhh...Hehehehehe! Yeah...Like...that time..." Kathy replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a surprised yet flushed look on her face before it changed into a sheepish one as she giggled a little in amusement.

"Heheheheh...Yeah...That...Heheheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge, sheepish grin and with half-lidded eyes while chuckling a little out of nervousness as he kept staring at the ocean.

The two, shy guardians couldn't resist but feel completely embarrassed after being reminded of that special moment that they had in Twinkle Snow. They could feel their hearts beating fast as well as their faces melting since that precious memory burns them up to their core. Just reliving that moment makes them feel weak and flustered but also warm and loved. As embarrassing and nerve-racking as it was, it was simply amazing and unbelievable. It was so wonderful that...they could hardly contain their excitement as they asked the same question simultaneously.

"How was it like for you?! Ah!" Kathy and Knuckles blurted out simultaneously in excitement while having enthusiastic looks on their faces as they stared at each other before looking surprised and embarrassed after hearing what the other had said. It's moments like these that makes them wonder if they're each other's lost twin by how often they say the same sentences simultaneously. However, they pushed aside that mystery for now to focus on what they really want to know, and that is...how was it like for them to get kissed on the cheek.

"Uhhh...Ummm...You first, Knuckles...You tell me how...you like it..." Kathy muttered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a little, sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing bright pink as she stared at Knuckles.

"H-Huh? Uhhhh...Ummm...No, no, you go first, Kathy...Er...Go ahead and tell me how it's like...to be kissed on the cheek..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a huge, sheepish smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing deeply as he closed his eyes and rubbed his head in embarrassment.

"O-Oh...Ummmm...Hmm...O-Okay...I'll...I'll tell you, Knuckles...I'll tell you how I thought of it..." Kathy replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a little, sheepish smile and with a deep blush as she coyly glanced away from Knuckles before she stared at him again in fondness.

"Oh...Uhh...Well then...Umm...G-Go ahead, Kathy. Shoot. Tell me how it was," Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a little, sheepish smile and with wide eyes as he looked surprised before looking embarrassed again while he stopped rubbing his head and just stared down at the ocean again.

"Uhh...Okay! Teehee!" Kathy replied calmly yet brightly in shyness with a sweet smile and with a light giggle as she blushed a lot.

"..." Knuckles was speechless as he stared at the ocean with fond yet shy expression on his face. He felt like his cheeks were burning due to how embarrassed he was at the sudden topic. But...at the same time...his heart was fluttering in bliss.

Just what is she going to say? Is she going to say that she enjoyed it? I mean. I...I enjoyed it too...Really enjoyed it...Knuckles pondered calmly in curiosity with a sheepish grin and with upward eyebrows while he blushed deeply in embarrassment as he kept staring at the ocean with half-lidded eyes.

"Well, Knuckles...You see...I...I really liked that kiss...I haven't been kissed by a boy before, yet...it was so amazing...That kiss felt so warm to me that I wondered if...it was the same for you too," Kathy answered calmly yet softly in fondness with a shy smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing a lot as he stared at Knuckles with half-lidded eyes.

"Are you kidding me?! When you kissed me, that kiss felt hot! Uh! ...Aaaah!" Knuckles exclaimed back brightly in excitement with a delighted look on his face as he immediately looked back at Kathy after hearing her saying that before he yelled in shock and in embarrassment after realizing what he had just blurted out. He immediately released Kathy and slapped both of his hands over his mouth while he jerked his head away from her and stared completely at the ocean below in shock and in embarrassment. He blushed furiously in humiliation, and his eyes bulged out since he was flabbergasted that he had admitted to something so embarrassing that he questioned whether he's truly being himself or not.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!? WHY DID I ADMIT TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! DID MY MIND JUST STOP WORKING BACK THERE!? WHY COULDN'T I JUST KEEP THAT LITTLE PIECE OF INFORMATION TO MYSELF?! WHY DID I HAVE TO BLURT IT OUT LIKE THAT!? AM I...AM I JUST STUPID OR SOMETHING?! OR AM I...I...Knuckles brooded irritably in frustration and in humiliation with wide eyes and with a dark, red blush as he stared blankly at the sea below.

"Knuckles?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in concern and in curiosity.

"...!" Knuckles gasped in surprise as he quickly glanced back at Kathy and felt his eyes widening yet again. He could see her smiling warmly and staring fondly at him while gently holding him in her arms. He felt even more shy under her gentle gaze and looked even more timid as he shrunk his posture a bit. There is no escape for him now. Whatever embarrassing circumstances that are going to come from this will happen one way or another, and as much as he doesn't want to go through with it, he has no choice but to endure it like a man. However, if he had the choice...he would've run away like the scared, little boy that he is on the inside.

"(...Umm...Uhh...What...is...it?)" Knuckles asked calmly yet slowly in nervousness with wide, panicky eyes and with a deep blush while he stared intensely at Kathy as he still covered his mouth with his hands.

"Do you...really think that? Do you really like my kiss that much?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in curiosity with a little, shy smile and with a deep blush as she stared fondly back at Knuckles with half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

"(Ummmm...Uhhhh...Mm...Y-Yes...I did...I...Uhhh...I really did like it that much...A little...too much...)" Knuckles answered calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with wide eyes and with a deeper blush while covering his mouth with his hands as he stared back at Kathy for a bit before coyly looking back down at the ocean.

"Hey...There's no shame in liking something so much. I find it rather sweet that you like my kisses so much. They really must've meant a lot to you then if they had elicited a response like that," Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she snuggled closer towards Knuckles and stared closely at him.

"(D-Duhhhh...Uhhhh...Ummmm...I-It's...It's not...l-like that...I...I just...just...Ummm...b-blurted out what was on my mind...I wasn't...Umm...thinking straight...and...Ummm...)" Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with wider eyes and with a dark, red blush as he quickly looked back at Kathy out of nervousness before looking down at his lap.

"Aww, come now, Knuckles. You're just being shy. I'm very sure that you've meant what you said and felt very strongly about my kisses. Why don't you put your hands down so that I can give you another kiss? Hmm?" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with a sweet smile and with closed eyes as she snuggled affectionately against Knuckles' right side and shoulder.

"(WHAT?!)" Knuckles shouted in shock with huge, bulged eyes and with the darkest blush that he could muster as he looked back at Kathy while having his hands covering his mouth. He felt even more embarrassed after hearing her suggestion. A part of him does desire that warm kiss, but another part of him is screaming in shyness since he felt incredibly flustered. His heart is beating at an incredibly fast rate since his nerves are out of control. He may not know what to say or do at the moment, but he did stare intensely at Kathy out of nervousness and out of curiosity.

D-Does she...really want to kiss me? Am...Am I dreaming or something? Knuckles pondered calmly in curiosity with a shocked yet intrigued look on his face as he stared intensely at Kathy while blushing furiously in embarrassment.

"You heard me, buddy. Just put your hands down so that I can kiss you on the cheek again," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as she stared back at Knuckles.

"..." Knuckles was speechless at that as he stared back at Kathy with wide eyes and with a deep blush. He could see that Kathy wasn't kidding when she said that she would kiss him again. But thanks to that confirmation, he felt very reluctant to do so thanks to his shyness holding him back. Instead, he moved his head a bit away from Kathy while he kept staring at her with wide, nervous eyes.

"(Mm...Mm...)" Knuckles mused quietly in shyness with wide eyes and with a headshake while blushing deeply in embarrassment as he kept covering his mouth with his hands.

"Awwwww...Come on, you silly, little doggie. You know that you want one," Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a sweet smile and with playful eyes as she started lightly scratching Knuckles' tummy with one finger.

"(...! Mmmmmmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm! Don't...Heheheheheheheh!)" Knuckles weakly protested in amusement with a gasp and with an amused yet flustered expression on his face while snickering a lot to the light tickling as he squirmed a little and as he kept covering his mouth with his hands.

"Come on...Come on, Knuckles. There's no need to feel scared. It's just a little kiss," Kathy replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement and in encouragement with a mischievous grin and with playful eyes as she started tickling Knuckles some more on his left side as well as his tummy.

Hehehehehehehe! But that's exactly why I'm scared! Hahahahahahaha! It IS just a little kiss! Hehehehehehehehe! It may be little, but it's huge enough to make me die out of embarrassment! I...I can't do it! Hahahahahahahaha! Knuckles pondered brightly in amusement with closed eyes and with a deep blush as he giggled and squirmed a lot to the tickling while covering his mouth with his hands.

"(Hehehehehe! Hahahahahahahahahaha! Stop! Stop it! Hehehehehehehehehehe!)" Knuckles protested playfully in amusement with closed eyes and with a deep blush while he giggled silly at the tickling as he still covered his mouth with his hands.

"Okay. I'll stop. But are you sure that you don't want me to kiss you again? I won't kiss you if you don't want me to...I just want you to feel free with what you like to do..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in sincerity with a little smile and with upward eyebrows as she stopped tickling Knuckles and held him again while staring caringly at him.

Knuckles soon stopped giggling and looked back at Kathy in amusement and in fondness. Even though he's still covering his mouth with his hands, he was smiling hugely underneath in amusement since he felt cared for. It's moments like these that reminded him of why he likes Kathy in the first place. At one moment, she may be silly and playful towards him, but then, at another moment, she would be sincere and concerned for him...like a true friend would. It's those endearing moments that make him feel rather shy around her.

"(...Well...If you really want to find out what I truly want you to do...then you'll have to make me put my hands down first...Heheheh...Good luck trying to do that. Heheheh...)" Knuckles replied calmly yet coyly in amusement with playful eyes and with a deep blush while he snickered a little as he kept covering his mouth with his hands.

"Make you, huh? Hehehehe! Well, that's easy enough to do...if you know what I mean..." Kathy replied calmly in amusement before mischievously at the end with a playful grin and with a little giggle as she leant a little closer towards Knuckles while staring at him with half-lidded eyes.

"..." Knuckles said nothing to that but grinned widely under his hands as he knows exactly what Kathy is going to do next. After all, he was secretly asking for this when he had covered his mouth with his hands. It was simply...more playful tickling.

"...Alright. Come here, you little Troublemaker. Let's see what you want," Kathy added calmly yet gently in amusement with a playful grin and with mischievous eyes as she viciously tickled Knuckles' armpits with all of her fingers. Unsurprisingly, it worked effectively against him since he immediately dropped his hands after he felt his vulnerable armpits being tickled.

"PFFFAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OKAY! OKAY! I'LL TELL YOU! I'LL TELL YOU! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! JUST STOP! STOP IT! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! STOP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knuckles squealed girlishly in amusement with a huge smile and with a dark, red blush while laughing hysterically as he cringed and squirmed a lot at the playful tickling. He leant against Kathy while laughing a lot, and she continued tickling him by getting his tummy and sides too while also holding him close to herself so that he won't fall off the pier.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! PLEASE! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!" Knuckles squealed some more in amusement with a huge smile and with a deep blush while laughing hysterically as he squirmed and kicked his feet a lot.

"Alright. Alright. I think that you had enough...Easy, Knuckles...Easy..." Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she stopped tickling Knuckles yet again and simply hugged him dearly instead while tenderly rubbing his left side and tummy.

"H-Hey! Heheheheh! I could feel that you know! Heheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while chuckling a lot as he hugged Kathy back in affection and as he squirmed a bit when he felt her rubbing his tummy and left side.

"Yeah, I know, but I said 'Easy'. I'm just trying to soothe you," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a playful grin and with half-lidded eyes as she kept holding and rubbing Knuckles affectionately.

"Uh huh. Sure. Whatever you say, silly girl, but remember though, I'm watching you. I don't know if I trust you with those devious hands of yours. Heheheheh..." Knuckles replied calmly yet playfully in amusement with a huge grin and with twinkling eyes while chuckling a little as he snuggled much closer to Kathy after feeling more of her gentle rubs.

"Aw, what are talking about? It's not like I'm going to tickle you again or anythi-HA!" Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement little smile and with upward eyebrows before she exclaimed playfully with a huge grin as she suddenly grabbed Knuckles' left side.

"Eek! Dohohohohon't!" Knuckles shrieked in surprise before he laughed a little in amusement with a huge smile and with wide eyes while squirming a bit as he held Kathy much tighter after feeling her grabbing his left side without warning.

"Awwwww...You're a sensitive, little echidna, aren't you?" Kathy cooed calmly yet sweetly in amusement with a warm smile and with twinkling eyes while staring at Knuckles as she gently yet affectionately rubbed his left side again.

"Yes, I am! Heheheheheh! Now, just cut it out! Quit it! Heheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes while chuckling a lot as he dearly hugged back Kathy in affection.

"Hehehehe! Alright. I'll stop. For real this time. I think that you deserve a good cuddle instead," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a little giggle and with a warm smile as she stopped rubbing Knuckles and just hugged him tighter in her arms.

"Heheheheh...Yeah...I think so too...(Sigh)…" Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in fondness with a chuckle and with a huge, warm smile while sighing deeply as he stared at the ocean with half-lidded, twinkling eyes.

They cuddled together in silence with Knuckles feeling relieved that the playful, tickle moment had finally passed. As much as he enjoyed that fun moment, he felt much more relaxed in this warm position that he is in now. With Kathy holding him dearly in her arms, he could just lean onto her left side and shoulder and just relax due to how soft she is. He felt so comfortable that he closed his eyes and rested for a few moments.

---

…

…

…

"...(Sigh)...You're like a pillow, Kathy...A soft pillow..." Knuckles commented calmly yet gently in fondness after breaking the long silence with another deep sigh and with a huge, warm smile while having his eyes closed as he snuggled Kathy.

"Oh, really? Hmm...Looks like I'm not the only one who is like a pillow here. You're like a pillow as well, Knuckles," Kathy replied calmly yet gently in amusement with a sly smile and with a lowered eyebrow as she looked at Knuckles and tenderly squeezed him.

"Huh. You don't say," Knuckles replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a huge, playful smile and with twinkling eyes as he straightened up a bit and stared directly at Kathy while holding dearly onto her.

Kathy beamed sweetly at Knuckles, and Knuckles smiled hugely at her in amusement. They stared fondly at each other with twinkling eyes as they both knew what's going to happen next. Naturally, they both felt excited at the wonderful opportunity that they have now, and that is...deepening their emotional bond with another kiss on the cheek.

"So...Do you want another kiss?" Kathy asked calmly yet softly in shyness with a coy smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing a little as she stared fondly at Knuckles.

Knuckles grinned widely in amusement and blushed a little too as he stared fondly at Kathy as well before closing his eyes and answering calmly yet simply in shyness, "...Yes, I do...".

Kathy grinned a little too in amusement as she blushed even deeper in shyness. She then replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a sheepish grin and with twinkling eyes, "Okay then...I'll kiss you...again...".

Knuckles kept his eyes closed while grinning a lot in fondness as he waited for Kathy to kiss him on the cheek. She soon leant forward towards his right cheek and eventually kissed it in the softest yet warmest way possible.

Smooch!

He blushed much deeper in embarrassment after feeling that soft yet warm kiss from her. It felt just as unbelievable when he was kissed the first time by her. In fact, he's enjoying it so much that he made her deepen the soft kiss by pushing the back of her head onto his cheek. She didn't mind the fact that he made her kiss him longer because she intended to do so in the first place. She liked kissing his soft yet tender cheek, and she wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. They both...want to enjoy it as much as possible.

…

After kissing Knuckles' cheek for about a minute and a half, Kathy eventually pulled away and stared fondly at him with a bashful look on her face. Knuckles, however, looked giddy despite blushing a lot in shyness since he felt even more enthusiastic about kissing Kathy back than ever before.

"Kathy, I...I have to confess...That...That kiss...felt even more amazing than the first...I...I loved it. Heheheheh..." Knuckles commented calmly yet softly in fondness with a huge smile and with twinkling eyes while blushing a lot as he chuckled a little in amusement.

"O-Oh...Uhhhh...Ummm...I'm...I'm glad that you loved it. Hehe..." Kathy replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with a coy smile and with a light giggle while blushing a lot as she stared at Knuckles.

"Heheheh...Yeah...Ummm..." Knuckles replied calmly yet awkwardly in shyness with another chuckle and with a huge, warm smile while he blushed deeply in embarrassment before grinning sheepishly as he stared back at Kathy. He then asked calmly yet coyly in shyness with a sheepish look on his face, "...Do you...want a kiss?".

"...! ...Ummm...Y-Yes...Please?" Kathy answered calmly yet softly in shyness with a gasp and with a coy smile while blushing deeply in embarrassment as she stared back at Knuckles with upward eyebrows.

"Heheheh...Don't mind if I do..." Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement and in fondness with yet another chuckle and with a huge grin while blushing deeply in embarrassment as he stared back at Kathy with twinkling eyes.

He then leant forward towards Kathy's left cheek after saying that and closed his eyes as he kissed her back. She soon closed her eyes and smiled fondly in happiness as she hugged him much tighter in affection after feeling him kissing her cheek.

Smooch!

The kiss was also soft but a bit more passionate as Knuckles held the back of Kathy's head and pushed it towards his own lips. His blush darkened into another shade of red as he kept kissing her cheek. She was smiling sweetly and was blushing deeply in fondness as she enjoyed the warm, soft kiss. She squeezed him gently yet tightly in affection, and he squeezed her back with his one arm. Once again, their hearts were fluttering in bliss since they were really enjoying this loving kiss, and yet again, they both wished that it would last forever.

…

After kissing for another minute and a half or perhaps even longer, Knuckles eventually pulled away from Kathy and stared closely yet fondly at her with half-lidded eyes.

"...Did you like it?" Knuckles asked calmly yet softly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded eyes while blushing dark red as he stared gently at Kathy.

"...Yes...Yes, I had liked it...In fact...I loved it...I loved it so much..." Kathy answered calmly yet softly in fondness with little smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing bright pink as she stared back at Knuckles with sparkling eyes.

"Me...Me too, Kathy. Me too..." Knuckles whispered softly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes while blushing deeply in embarrassment as he gently rubbed the back of Kathy's head.

Kathy then beamed sweetly at Knuckles again before she embraced him fully and snuggled her head against his chest. Knuckles smiled very much in fondness after feeling her warm embrace and simply embraced her back very tightly while gently rubbing the back of her head. They could feel the warmth burning inside their hearts as they hugged each other. Kathy smiled fondly as she enjoyed the loving yet silent affection that Knuckles is giving her, and Knuckles was also smiling and staring fondly at her as he enjoyed having his silent affection being reciprocated by this close contact. They are still confused as well as intrigued as to why they feel such strong feelings for each other despite knowing each other for only three days, however, at this moment, they didn't care about any of that. They're just happy to be holding each other in a very warm embrace. They're happy that they're together, and that's what matters at the moment.

…

Kathy kept hugging Knuckles while having her eyes closed until she opened them and looked up at him. He smiled hugely at her after seeing her staring at him straight in the eye. He then muttered calmly yet softly in fondness with a huge smile before it changed into a grin, "Heh...We've really kissed each other again, haven't we? I guess you can say...that our partnership...has become very special then, huh?".

"Yeah...It really has...Hmmm...Say...are you...planning to...tell someone about this? About our...special bond?" Kathy replied calmly yet softly in shyness with a coy smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing a little again as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Heh. Me? Please...I'm not telling anyone about this...You?" Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in amusement with a huge grin and with a lowered eyebrow while blushing a little again as he stared back down at Kathy.

"Well...Not really...I think that it'll be much sweeter if we kept our special bond a secret...That way...we can enjoy bonding moments like this a lot more often...Don't you agree?" Kathy replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a shy smile and with upward eyebrows while blushing deeper in embarrassment as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Ah...Heheheheh...Of course, I agree, Kathy. I agree completely. Let's just...keep this special bond between us...Okay?" Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with a snicker while hugging Kathy much tighter as he stared back at her with half-lidded eyes.

"...Okay..." Kathy whispered softly in fondness with a warm smile and with half-lidded eyes as she pulled a bit away from Knuckles' chest and stared back at him directly.

Knuckles smiled much fonder at Kathy before he leant towards her left cheek and nuzzled it with his right cheek while having his eyes closed. Kathy smiled much fonder and closed her eyes too after feeling Knuckles' right cheek nuzzling against her cheek. She also nuzzled back his cheek as she enjoyed receiving his tender affection. They nuzzled each other for a bit before they stopped and pulled away from each other again. With huge smiles on their faces, they stared silently at each other in fondness.

…

After staring at Kathy for about thirty seconds, Knuckles then slowly readjusted his sitting position yet again and placed his left hand back onto the pier again while smiling hugely in amusement. He soon calmly yet softly suggested in fondness with a huge smile, "Hey...Why don't you rest against me for a while? Okay?".

"Alright...I will..." Kathy agreed calmly yet softly in fondness with a warm smile and with a nod as she readjusted her sitting position too before leaning against Knuckles' right side and shoulder.

Knuckles hugged Kathy back much tighter with his right arm and stared at her fondly in adoration with half-lidded, twinkling eyes. Kathy...Sigh...Knuckles thought calmly in fondness with a huge, warm smile and with a deep sigh as he stared at Kathy for a bit before staring at the beautiful sunset. The sunset is close to being over but still not quite, which gave the two guardians plenty of time to relax together in peace.

"...This day...has been one of the best days of my life...I feel like that's been a running theme in these past three days, but this day in particular really shows it...I certainly hadn't laughed or smiled this much in one day than I had in years...and..." Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in fondness while staring at the sunset as he slowly leant his head on top of Kathy's head before he finished in gratitude with a huge, warm smile and with half-lidded, twinkling eyes as he glanced at her, "...it's all thanks to you, Kathy. You were responsible for making that happen. I'm so glad that you had decided to spend time with me today...Thank you, Kathy...Really...Thank you...".

Kathy smiled hugely in warmness and closed her eyes as she snuggled Knuckles a little while replying calmly yet softly in fondness, "...You're welcome, Knuckles...You're very welcome...I'm just happy that I got to spend time with you today. I've really enjoyed myself...".

"...(Sigh)...Yeah...Me too, Kathy...Me too..." Knuckles replied calmly yet softly in fondness with another deep sigh and with a huge, warm smile as he stared at Kathy with half-lidded, twinkling eyes while gently rubbing her right arm.

"..." Kathy was silent while smiling contently with her eyes closed as she simply enjoyed holding Knuckles and being held right back.

"..." Knuckles was silent too while he stared dearly at Kathy with a fond look on his face as he also enjoyed holding her and being held right back.

He figured that now is the best time to truly stay silent since the sunset is close to being over, and he doesn't want to miss a gorgeous sight like this. However, he can't stop staring at Kathy. He felt drawn to her. He felt vulnerable towards her. He felt...very soft towards her. Like a little flame growing into a great inferno, so has his passion for her grew. His unspeakable feelings towards her were immense and intense. Hundreds of thoughts were swirling in his mind as to what he wanted to do with her. So many desires of affection flooded into his heart...and he wanted...to express them to her.

But alas...his heart is just too weak to do that sort of thing.

He suddenly blushed deeply in embarrassment and lifted his head up before looking away and closing his eyes. While feeling flustered, he grinned widely in shyness as he pondered calmly in fondness with a deep blush. Sigh...I just can't do it...I'm...I'm too shy...No matter how much I feel for her, I simply couldn't express them without hesitating...I get all flustered whenever I wanted to show her how I feel. Geez...I'm pathetic...Hmm...Could I not at least show her a little about how I feel? Like...showing her that I care?

He then opened his eyes and looked back at Kathy with a little smile on his face. His eyelids lowered halfway in fondness as he stared dearly at her while she silently rested against him. He could see that her head is currently resting onto his right shoulder, and he slowly raised his eyebrows as an idea formed into his head.

...On second thought...maybe there is a way...A little way to be more precise...It may not be much, but...it's very important because...it'll show her that she's safe with me and that I'll...protect her...with my very life...Knuckles pondered calmly in fondness with a little, warm smile and with raised eyebrows as he stared at Kathy with twinkling eyes. He then lowered his eyelids halfway again and smiled much wider in fondness before he slowly yet carefully leant his face down towards the top of her head and gently kissed it with his eyes closed.

Smooch!

He immediately pulled his head away from Kathy's head after giving it a gentle peck. She blushed a little in shyness and smiled gently in fondness after feeling him kissing her head. He could feel her arms gently squeezing him after she had received another kiss. He smiled hugely in amusement and in fondness as he felt enthusiastic and a bit proud after seeing that she was happy to have received that kiss. He gently squeezed her back with his right arm before leaning his head on top of hers again. After taking in another deep sigh, he stared silently at the stunning sunset with a fond look on his face.

They certainly had traveled around the world together and visited a couple of places, but there are plenty of more places to go before they have truly traveled everywhere in the world. In other words, the adventure had only just begun, and Knuckles couldn't be any more enthusiastic about it...especially since...he has his Angel at his side.

And thus concludes this epilogue and episode seven! I'll admit that excluding the epilogue this episode was unnecessarily long, but that was mostly due to me winging it as I wrote this episode. That's not to say that I hadn't planned out this episode at all. I had certain plot points in the episode, but the journey to said plot points was a lot longer than the destination intended to be. So, that's why this episode was longer than usual. Hopefully, this will be the last time I have an episode to be this long. But for those who are curious as to why this long episode was made in the first place, well, the central idea behind it was to have Kathy and Knuckles bond a lot together. This was simply a bonding episode, and there will be several more episodes like this in the future. So, hopefully, you're excited about that!

Also, as a side note, I will eventually post those one-shots that I had mentioned in Sonic X: Season 3: Shuffle Edition. I could have posted them last month, but procrastination got the better of me. So, the mini project was pushed back a bit. But now that I've finally finished this episode, I could take a break from this story and just focus on making those one-shots, which might come out next month (hopefully). Speaking of one-shots, one of them is more like a collection of one-shots featuring Kathy and Knuckles, and it'll be titled "Angel and Troublemaker". It'll simply be a bunch of cute, fluffy one-shots of them bonding and spending quality time together in the most adorable of ways! So, would this mean that there will be less fluff in the main story? Err...Probably not, but there won't be many epilogues for a while. That much is certain. Some episodes will have them while most of them will not. Which is exactly what this one-shot collection was made for! A dump for excess filler!

With that said, I hope that you enjoyed this very long yet adorable epilogue and are willing to read some more when the next chapter/episode comes out! Thank you so much for your patience and support! Again, now, you can send me your reviews to these chapters! Anyways, onwards towards episode 8! What'll it be about? Who knows? It'll be made clear when the new chapter gets out! See you all next time, and Merry Christmas everybody! Consider this two-part epilogue your gift!