I Want To Be Alone On Valentine's Day
Part 4: Beach Time!
It was Friday at 5: 55 PM. Knuckles was waiting outside the entrance of Neo Green Hill. He had his eyes closed and his arms crossed as he waited patiently for Amy to show up. He doesn't doubt that she would stand him up after the date that she had planned on the fly while she was talking to Sonic. He knew that she would come. He did hear from her yesterday on the phone that she got prepared for their date. She asked him if she could bring a bag of clothes with her just in case they want to swim in the ocean. He said that he didn't mind, and he had said to her to bring some towels if she does want to swim. She sounded excited about that, and he can't help but smile a little at that. So, now, he is waiting for her at the boardwalk. He soon heard her voice a few minutes later.
"Hey there, Knuckles! I'm here!" Amy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile while running to him with her bag.
Knuckles opened his eyes and turned around to see Amy. He saw that Amy did dress up for the occasion. Her outfit was still casual but cute looking. She wore a white blouse with some pink flowers decorated on it; a black skirt that goes down to her knees; and lastly, some red sandals with a daisy on each of them. He was mildly impressed that Amy looked good in it. So, he decided to compliment her on it.
"Wow. You dress nice, Amy. You look pretty wearing that," Knuckles replied calmly yet gently in amusement while giving Amy a small smile and a nod as he stared at her.
"Aw, thanks, Knuckles! For out of all the clothes to choose from, this one was perfect since we're going into this date casual! I still wanted to look nice for the occasion, you know! I think that you deserve having a good date. So, that's why I'm treating this very seriously!" Amy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a cheerful smile while feeling enthusiastic as she stared back at Knuckles.
Knuckles shook his head and face-palmed himself but out of good-humor. He then replied calmly yet gently in amusement while still smiling a little as he stared back at Amy, "I still think that it's too ridiculous to put much work into a fake date. You could have just come here in your usual red dress, and I wouldn't have mind it at all. I guess that girls think differently than me".
"Ain't that the truth! Hehehehe! But hey, it's fine if you think that way. I can't convince you otherwise since you're so stubborn like that," Amy responded calmly yet cordially in amusement with a bright smile and with a little giggle as she stared back at Knuckles.
"Says the girl who went through all the trouble to wear an outfit for one date just to prove her point. Yeah, I'm the stubborn one here," Knuckles replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement with a playful smile and with half-lidded eyes while shrugging at Amy as he stared back at her.
Amy smiled back just as playfully as Knuckles, and soon enough, they both laughed together in amusement. She then exclaimed brightly in excitement with a huge smile after laughing a bit, "Hahahaha! Hey, let's go to the beach already! I can't wait to make sandcastles and swim in the ocean!".
She then ran past Knuckles and went towards the white beach at the end of the boardwalk. Knuckles' eyes went wide as she ran past him. He turned his head around and yelled in alarm with a shocked look on his face, "Hey! Wait up!".
"What are doing standing around for?! Just follow me!" Amy yelled back in amusement with a bright smile while looking back at Knuckles.
Knuckles then just shrugged and ran after Amy. She was still running while deciding where to put her stuff on the beach. There was one small umbrella with two, white, lawn chairs that was left in the middle of the beach. She decided that she and Knuckles could borrow that spot for their date. She ran there and placed her bag on the lawn chair.
Knuckles then caught up to Amy and asked calmly yet curiously in concern with an uncertain look on his face, "Are you sure that it's okay for us to borrow this?".
"Hey, no one's here on the beach, so, no one will complain. As long as they're taken care of, no one will suspect a thing!" Amy answered cheerfully in amusement with a bright smile as she looked back and stared at Knuckles.
"Well, okay then. What do you want to do first? Take a walk on the beach? Make sandcastles? Or go for a swim?" Knuckles suggested calmly in curiosity with a little frown on his intrigued face and with a nod while being respectful to Amy as he stared at her.
Amy put her finger under her chin as she thought for a moment until she made her decision a few seconds later.
"Let's make sandcastles first! Then we go swimming! And lastly, we could take a walk on the beach! How's that?!" Amy answered brightly in amusement with a huge grin as she listed off her decisions in order.
Knuckles nodded again in understanding as he replied calmly in agreement with a little frown on his somewhat coy face, "Sounds good to me. No objections here. If you ever want something, don't be afraid to ask. I'm sure that at some point you will want something to eat. It is around dinner time, after all".
"Okay! Sure! We can do that! Hehe, you really do act like a gentleman even when you're not aware of it! It's cute! Hehehehehehe!" Amy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge, cheerful smile while giggling a little as she pointed and stared at Knuckles.
Knuckles blushed deeply in embarrassment and looked away from Amy as he felt flustered. He couldn't help it if he acts like a gentleman at times. It just comes naturally to him whenever he respects a girl. The only time when he's not a gentleman is when he doesn't respect a girl such as Rouge for example. With Amy, however, it could go either way considering how she acts towards him.
"Well, we're not going to stand around all day! Come on! Let's go build some sandcastles already!" Amy exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile as she went a few feet ahead of Knuckles and knelt down onto the sand.
Knuckles then shrugged casually again and walked to her. He knelt down next to Amy and watched her start making her sandcastle or something of the like. Amy was trying her best to bring some sand dunes together to make a wall. She turned her head and noticed that Knuckles was not doing anything but stare at her.
Feeling a little confused, Amy calmly asked him in curiosity with a little frown on her intrigued face, "Hey, why aren't you trying to build sandcastles for yourself or with me? There's nothing wrong trying to build one".
"Hmmm... Well, it's just that you were the one who wanted to do it. I don't have any desire to build sandcastles. If you want to have fun, then it's fine by me. I'll just sit here and watch," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in somberness with a little frown while looking away from Amy as he crossed his arms again.
"Huh? You just want to watch me build sandcastles and not do it yourself? That's a rather strange thing to do. You could play with me if you want. I won't judge you for it," Amy replied calmly yet gently in confusion and in encouragement with a little frown while looking a bit concerned for Knuckles as she stared curiously at him.
"Nggggh! ...I'm not a child, Amy. I'm not supposed to play at my age now. I must be the responsible adult here," Knuckles responded calmly yet dully in somberness with a grunt and with a grimace while closing his eyes as he denies Amy's suggestion.
Amy's eyelids drooped down halfway as she heard that statement before she replied calmly yet sadly in sympathy with a little frown, "Oh, Knuckles. Don't say that. You're still young enough that you can do these sorts of activities at your own time. It's not like once you've grown up that you have to stop having fun. Here. Try building a sandcastle with this".
As she said her last sentence, she immediately dug up some sand and put it near Knuckles' knees.
Knuckles looked down at the pile of sand and stared at it as he grimaced even deeper. He doesn't want to admit it, but sometimes, he wished that he could be comfortable with himself so that he could afford to be childish and do activities that children would do. The very things that children take for granted. However, as a Guardian of the Master Emerald, he has no time to indulge in such activities even when he's away from the emerald. It's just a part of his identity, and he must live up to that role as a guardian. So, sometimes, he must sacrifice childish activities and games so that he could reflect his serious character as a guardian. He doesn't trust Amy or the others enough to allow him to be himself and act as a child without being mocked for it.
Knuckles then gritted his teeth in frustration. He hates his own guardian title and persona. Why can't he be himself without his so-called "friends" mocking him? They get to live their own lives, get invested in their hobbies, go around the world to take vacations or adventures, and they all still get respected by what they do. Does Knuckles get that kind of luxury? No. No, he does not. They still tease him and make fun of him even when he is living up to his expectations as a guardian. It's another reason why he isn't close to his "friends", adding to the fact that all of his relationships with them are currently strained. It had been in the rocks for many, many months. Also, because of their behavior and treatment of him, it's another reason why he secretly hates them. The fact that Amy had suggested to him to have fun is insulting in his mind.
Instead, he bit his lip to avoid speaking about his true thoughts to Amy. He then calmly yet curtly responded in somberness with a solemn frown while closing his eyes again, "Amy, I'm a guardian. A guardian to one of the most powerful gems on the planet. To try to get my mind off of it is not something that I could afford to do. I'm sorry, but I can't play with you like this. I just don't have any reason or desire to do something like that".
Amy frowned deeply in sadness at his reply. She wished that she could do something to convince Knuckles to at least try a little. She then felt stubborn and quickly grabbed Knuckles' wrists to move them onto the sand. Knuckles' eyelids immediately snapped open as he felt his arms being pulled away from his body.
He then exclaimed in shock with a surprised yet confused look on his face, "H-Hey! What are you doing?!".
"If you're not going to try playing yourself, then I'm going to help you! I didn't want to force you to do this, but you leave me without any other choice!" Amy exclaimed back in determination with a solemn look on her face as she moved Knuckles' wrists so that his hands are moving the sand.
Knuckles first felt confused before feeling annoyed as he frowned deeply and furrowed his eyebrows a lot. He fought against Amy as he tugged his arms back from her grip while she tried to pull his wrists forward. They both tugged back and forth while feeling frustrated with each other.
Knuckles then yelled out in frustration with an annoyed expression on his face while he kept tugging his wrists back as he slightly glared at Amy, "Amy! Stop it! This is ridiculous! I said that I don't want to play! Now, quit it!".
"No! You have to at least try! What do you have to lose if you do this?!" Amy yelled back in frustration with a determined look on her face while slightly glaring back at Knuckles as she briefly stopped pulling onto his wrists.
"My dignity," Knuckles answered calmly yet flatly in annoyance with a solemn frown while rolling his eyes as he glared coldly at Amy.
"Oh, give your stupid pride a break, will you?! It's not even that bad! Why even 16 ½ year-old teenagers can still play in the sand and build sandcastles just as children do! They are not ashamed in doing it! So, why are you?!" Amy yelled back in annoyance while also rolling her eyes as she frowned solemnly too and as she slightly glared back at Knuckles.
"I have full reason to—Hey, wait a minute! What do you mean 16 ½ years-old? I'm 17 now. I had my birthday not too long ago. Remember?" Knuckles replied irritably in confusion and in doubt while he coldly glared back at Amy as he looked annoyed.
"Oh, Knuckles. Didn't Tails told you already that after Sonic had saved us from the Time Eater that we had stopped aging? We can't age now since then. So, even when each of our birthdays come around, we will still be the same age and a half like Sonic is since he's 15 ½. That Time Eater basically took away his year and made him and us permanently young. So, that's why you're 16 ½. Therefore, I think that this is a good reason to at least try and play in the sand," Amy replied calmly in amusement with a bright smile as she stared back at Knuckles.
Knuckles blinked for a bit before he shook his head. He still doesn't understand why that is the case for them, but then again, he doesn't care. He knows that he's a grown-up and should behave like one regardless if he's young or not.
"Look, just let go of me already! I'm not going to enjoy this! Just play on your own! I can just watch you enjoy yourself and still be satisfied!" Knuckles exclaimed back in annoyance with a solemn frown and with furrowed eyebrows while pulling his wrists away again as he slightly glared at Amy. Amy kept holding onto his wrists and pouted. She tried to keep pulling him to the sand, but he kept struggling. Eventually, she sighed tiredly in defeat and finally released him.
"Alright. Have it your way. I'll just play by myself," Amy replied calmly in a depressed tone of voice with a disappointed look on her face as she scooted a few inches away from Knuckles to give him some space.
Knuckles rubbed his wrists after they were being yanked for a few minutes. Amy went back into making her sandcastle and digging up some sand too. He looked back at her. He could see that Amy was trying to enjoy herself by having a little smile on her sad face while she played. Knuckles' eyelids went down halfway in sadness as he frowned sheepishly in shame. He can't help but feel guilty for not allowing her to help him enjoy himself. He knows that she had meant well, but sadly, there is still a part of him that hates her. He didn't mean to hurt her. He just couldn't look past the hurt that she is doing to him unintentionally by taunting him as she gets to be herself while he can't. She could try to force him to do silly, childish things, but it wouldn't come from his heart. His wrists may not have been hurt, but his heart did get wounded from that.
He took a quiet sigh. He continued to watch her have fun. It was a few minutes of silence that went by as Amy built her sandcastle and other sand sculptures like it. Amy looked like that she is feeling better as the minutes flew by. She had a content smile on her face and was humming sweetly to herself. Knuckles wondered if he should apologize to her for being rude to her on this fake date. He kept staring at her while having a depressed look on his face. He was lost in thought as he watched her.
Amy looks quite content right about now. She does seem happy into doing this childish activity. Hmmmm...It's strange. The more I watch her, the more I feel like this isn't right. I'm not talking about the whole fake dating thing. I'm talking about...this strange sensation that I'm feeling. It's almost like an epiphany or something. It's as if you're trying to fit a puzzle piece into a place that doesn't fit. Amy is that puzzle piece that doesn't fit. Rouge is also another puzzle piece that doesn't fit. I don't know why I feel this way, but...somehow...I feel like someone should be here right now. Someone is supposed to be right there beside me but somehow isn't for some reason. It's as if fate is withholding that final puzzle piece from me. That person should be the one playing in the sand while having such a joyful smile on their face because that's who they are. Someone who is childish yet mature at the same time. It's definitely a paradox for sure, but somehow, I wouldn't mind it if that's the case. After all, it would give me such a peace that I haven't experienced before. A calmness...a serenity that would soothe my empty and ruptured heart. Why? Why isn't that person here yet? Knuckles brooded calmly in somberness and in sadness with downcast eyes while feeling depressed as he grimaced deeply.
He can see Amy smiling even brighter after finishing another sandcastle, and he felt his heart ache after seeing that.
He then shook his head as he irritably yet drearily brooded again in somberness with a frustrated yet hurt look on his face. Argh! Just stop it, Knuckles! There is no one like that! There is no girl on in this planet or dimension who is like that! Besides, even if there was, they wouldn't have given me a second thought! I'm an outcast! Even Tails eventually got accepted in society after helping Sonic on his adventures! I don't get any special treatment, and even I had helped Sonic in the past! I don't even think that there is a girl who is interested in a boring guy who only cares about the Master Emerald and nothing else! Why would anyone want to spend time with a boring, extremely serious person like me?! There are plenty of guys who are more fun and interesting like Sonic for example! ...I'm...I'm just a monster to these girls. Even Amy must think that I'm a monster too. I wouldn't be surprised if I am intimidating to her. It's probably for that reason that she likes Sonic more. He's not threatening at all! But I am. Sigh. Why do I bother thinking on what type of girl that I want when there is no girl who'll be interested in me? Ever.
"Hey...Knuckles? Are you going to be alright?" Amy asked calmly yet abruptly in confusion with a concerned look on her face as she laid a hand on top of Knuckles' shoulder.
Knuckles flinched as he looked back at Amy. He seemed to have spaced out while he was thinking such depressing thoughts. He then answered calmly in slight awkwardness and in curiosity with a little frown and with a nod as he stared at Amy, "Oh, um, I think so. Why do you ask?".
"You seem out of it again, and you seem rather sad as well. Is something wrong, Knuckles?" Amy asked calmly in concern while staring sadly back at Knuckles as she frowned a little and lowered her eyelids in worry.
"Umm...Well, no, it's fine. I was just thinking about a lot of things just then. It's nothing. Don't worry about me," Knuckles denied calmly yet quietly in sheepishness with a little frown and with upward eyebrows while shaking his head "no" as he stared back at Amy.
"Are you sure that you don't want to talk about it?" Amy calmly asked again out of worry with a concerned look on her face as she stared back at Knuckles.
"No, it's okay. Thanks for your concern," Knuckles replied calmly yet politely in gratitude with a little frown and with a nod as he stared back at Amy.
"Hmm... If that's how you feel, then I won't push you to say it out loud," Amy responded calmly in understanding with a sympathetic look on her face while nodding back to Knuckles as she stared back at him.
"Thank you, Amy. Oh, uh, by the way, I... Uh...want to...Um...apologize to you. I haven't been very interactive with you so far in this fake date. I keep pushing you away and not giving you much attention. I know that you want me to be more involved in your interests, and I wasn't very supportive of that. It's not your fault. It's mine. I'm...I'm sorry. I'll try to give all my attention to you for the rest of the date," Knuckles apologized calmly yet awkwardly in somberness with a sheepish frown while he looked down in embarrassment.
Amy's eyes had widened in surprise at that. She didn't know that Knuckles felt that guilty for ignoring her.
She then gave a gentle smile to him as she replied calmly yet brightly in understanding, "Knuckles, I forgive you. It's alright. I understand now. You're just not used to doing fun activities like this. So, you don't know what to do. It's fine. You do things differently than I do, and that's alright. But hey, the date's not over yet! You can have a second chance by playing with me in the ocean over there! We can go swimming together! Of course, if you want to join me that is".
Knuckles smiled gently back as well as he looked back at Amy with half-lidded eyes while he replied calmly in consideration, "No, I'll come with you this time. I think that...you deserve it after how I had treated you thus far".
"Hey, I already said that I forgive you! But thanks for being considerate, Knuckles. Anyways, you should stay here while I go change into my swimsuit. Then, we'll go swimming together!" Amy responded calmly yet brightly in amusement while beaming at Knuckles as she stared at him.
"Alright. You go change. I'll wait for you," Knuckles agreed calmly in amusement as he nodded and gave a small smile to her. Amy soon got up and brushed off the sand from her legs; Knuckles got up and brushed off the sand from his legs as well. She went to get her bag and ran to the nearest changing room.
Knuckles went to sit on one of the lawn chairs as he waited for Amy to get back. After five minutes of changing, she got back wearing her cute, red, two-piece swimsuit. Knuckles was busy staring at the ocean when Amy got back.
She placed her bag on top of the other lawn chair and calmly yet brightly asked Knuckles in amusement with an enthusiastic look on her face, "Are you ready to swim? I have towels in my bag, you know!".
Knuckles looked back at Amy after he stood up from his chair. He was about to say something until he notices the swimsuit. This was his first time seeing Amy in a swimsuit, and already, he felt rather flustered. Amy's body may not be very sexual as Rouge's body was (and he had seen Rouge's body more than enough times than he would've liked), but it is certainly giving Knuckles a hard time to be gentleman about it and ignore his active hormones.
As a way to be considerate, Knuckles looked up at Amy's face instead and replied calmly in agreement with a little frown and with a nod, "Ah, yes, I am ready. Lead the way".
"Hehe, hey, Knuckles. Do you like my swimsuit too?" Amy replied calmly yet teasingly in a sweet voice with a light giggle and with a playful smile as she stared curiously at Knuckles in amusement.
Knuckles blushed very much as he panicked. He was staring at Amy's swimsuit again...unintentionally, of course.
Dang it! I thought that I was looking away! How did that happen?! Knuckles brooded irritably in frustration and in confusion while looking completely flustered as he berated himself for being slightly perverted. He then turned his entire body away from Amy as he continued to blush deeply. He quickly crossed his arms and closed his eyes as he tried to come up with an answer to that question. Amy felt confused and a little concerned as she saw Knuckles's body shaking a little.
She reached to him and placed her hand on top of his right shoulder as she asked calmly yet curiously in concern with a worried expression on her face, "Uh, Knuckles? Are you...ok-?".
"YOU'RE VERY BEAUTIFUL!" Knuckles shouted out of uncontrolled nervousness while looking incredibly flustered as his body shook and as his arms were crossed. He was blushing furiously now after he shouted that as he finally realized what he had just said.
NGGGGGHH! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY DID I SAY THAT?! THAT WAS JUST THE STUPIDEST THING THAT I HAD EVER SAID! JUST WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! WHY DO I HAVE TO BE SO SHY AROUND GIRLS?! IT'S LIKE A CUSRE OR SOMETHING! Knuckles brooded intensely in frustration with a flustered expression on his face while he cringed a lot at himself as he blushed deeply in humiliation.
Amy immediately released her hand off of Knuckles as she blushed deeply as well. She then looked away while feeling awkward. She was rubbing her right arm as she stared at the ocean and soon frowned sympathetically.
What just happened there? It was just a simple question. He did compliment my outfit before. Why did he have a hard time doing it this time? Still, that was unexpected. Does he honestly think I'm beautiful in this swimsuit? Hmm...Nope, this is just getting weird now. If I wasn't in love with Sonic, my heart probably would've melted if Knuckles had confessed that to me. It was kind of adorable that he couldn't say that while facing me. He probably feels more embarrassed than I am right now. I should probably give him a hug. He is having such a hard time during this date so far. He deserves it. Amy pondered calmly in confusion and in awkwardness with a sympathetic frown as she watched the waves go back and forth on the beach.
She then smiled gently as she turned back around and saw that Knuckles was still standing there with his back facing her.
Meanwhile, Knuckles was still berating himself in his mind while looking flustered as he kept his arms crossed. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Is it any wonder that Sonic still teases me for being a knucklehead?! I'm an idiot for crying out loud! I'm just stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stu-!
Suddenly, Knuckles felt Amy's arms wrapping gently around him as she was hugging him from behind. She was hugging his arms and his chest as she put her head onto his right shoulder. Knuckles snapped his eyelids wide-open as he felt the hug. His mouth was agape, and his mind went blank. The hug felt very warm to him. His heart was pumping fast as he felt nervous yet a bit at ease. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
Amy then consoled calmly yet quietly in understanding with a gentle smile and with closed eyes, "It's okay, Knuckles. You don't need to feel embarrassed anymore. I understand how you feel. Why not we just...forget about it?".
Knuckles blinked a bit as he listened to Amy. He had to admit that it was pretty kind of her to brush off that comment and give him a hug. He had tough time on this date. He really doesn't know how to behave during a date. He was grateful that Amy was merciful today because he wouldn't know how to react if she got mad or continued to be persistent in this line of reasoning.
He then had a small smile on his face as his eyelids went down halfway in relief while he muttered calmly yet quietly in gratitude, "Thank you, Amy. I would appreciate that very much".
Amy smiled warmly as she gave Knuckles one final squeeze before she released him. He turned around and smiled gently at her.
She smiled back just as gently as she coyly put her hands behind her back while she calmly suggested in amusement, "Hey, let's go cool off in the ocean already. What do you say?".
He simply nodded and replied calmly in agreement with a gentle smile on his relaxed face, "Yeah, I think that's a good idea".
With that, they both walked towards the ocean. Amy then took off her sandals near the ocean and ran in to swim in it. She was swimming happily after she got into the ocean. Knuckles went into the ocean too and swam as well. He didn't bother taking off his gloves, socks, and shoes because he's used to going underwater in them anyway. He's also not very close to Amy, so, he feels uncomfortable about showing his hands and feet to her. He will take them off only if he feels secure and intimate with someone that he trusts completely. It's a way for him to express that he feels safe while being vulnerable to someone.
They were starting to enjoy themselves swimming in the water. Amy decided to splash some water at Knuckles. He smiled a little as he retaliated Amy's water attack with his own. Amy laughed a lot as she was getting dowsed by more water. They kept playing in this small water fight as they splashed and swam away from each other. They were smiling and laughing very much as they kept attacking playfully.
As they were busy swimming in the ocean, they haven't realized that they were being watched by Sonic. Sonic had been watching them the entire time as he hid in the bushes within the forest. He saw them playing in the sand; he saw them having a moment where Knuckles admitted that Amy was beautiful and where Amy hugged him; and now, he's watching them having fun by playing in the ocean. He was frowning sheepishly as he had his arms crossed. He had wondered how their date will go. He had hoped that it would go horrible so that he wouldn't have to worry about Amy moving on from him. But as of right now, he wasn't so sure about that happening.
He still didn't want Amy to be his girlfriend, but he still wanted her to be his best friend besides Tails. After a few days of Amy not chasing him, Sonic realized how boring the day was without someone chasing after him. Sure, he did hang out with Tails, but there wasn't anything to do besides going on rides on the Tornado or playing video games with him. Another fact is that Eggman hadn't made any plans to attack Sonic lately. So, days had been rather boring and slow lately. He hates being bored. He also hates slowness in general. He then began to realize how lonely and empty he is without Amy chasing him. He soon realizes that she did that out of fun, not intentionally being annoying or anything. She's just being a kid and wanted to have fun in her own special way. He could respect that considering how much he had emphasized having fun during his own adventures. He then thought back to what Amy had said that day.
"Why couldn't you at least spare me your time and effort into spending some quality time with me?! We could play that board game right now! Hey, there's an idea for you! Why don't you take the chance and hang out with me?!" Sonic mused with a disheartened look on his face as he replayed that memory over and over again.
He can't help but feel guilty for not spending his time with her. He realizes that he is very unappreciative of Amy's loyalty and attention. He took them for granted. He is starting to consider that he should treat Amy as a friend more than treating her as a stranger. Yes, she's an obsessive fangirl, but she is his friend and should be treated with respect just like any other friend. Maybe he might make it up to her by hanging out with her on Valentine's Day. He could surprise her by meeting her while she goes on a date with Knuckles. Then, he could convince her to have him join her and Knuckles and just hang out as friends. That could work out. He could even apologize to her by then too. After making that decision, Sonic smiled brightly and ran off, leaving Knuckles and Amy alone.
Meanwhile, Amy and Knuckles continued swimming happily. He then tried to dunk her into the water by pushing her down. She laughed a lot in amusement as she kept swimming away from him. He caught up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. This time, he pulled her closer to himself and constrained her.
Amy giggled a little while squirming a bit as she exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile, "Hehehehe! Hey! Let me go! Hahahahaha!".
"Ha! Not a chance! I've captured you, and there's no way out!" Knuckles joked in amusement with a playful smile while staring teasingly at Amy as he held her tightly.
"Hehehehehe! Oh, Knuckles! You can't keep me here like this! I'll get out!" Amy exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a little giggle and with a huge smile while kicking her feet to try to swim away and free herself.
"Not unless I do this!" Knuckles exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a playful smirk and with mischievous, twinkling eyes as he pulled her up from the water and held her in his arms.
Amy squealed as she was held up into the air. She kept giggling as Knuckles took her out of the ocean. Knuckles was smiling a lot in playfulness as he does this. It goes to show that strength can be a useful thing sometimes. She was still giggling silly as he walked to the beach. He soon put her down once he was out of the water. She kept giggling a lot as she soon got her sandals back on.
She then exclaimed brightly in amusement with a light giggle and with a cheerful grin, "Hehe, that was fun, wasn't it?!".
"Yeah...It sure was. Say, let's get cleaned up so that we could get something to eat," Knuckles replied calmly yet quietly in amusement with a gentle smile and with twinkling eyes while standing next to Amy as he stared at her.
"Of course! Oh! I want to get some burgers! We could have that for dinner, and maybe some ice cream for dessert!" Amy exclaimed excitedly in amusement with a huge grin and with a nod as she stared back at Knuckles.
"That sounds fine with me. Come on. Let's go clean up," Knuckles agreed calmly in amusement with a gentle smile and with a nod while staring back at Amy as he pointed to the bag on the lawn chair for emphasis.
Amy nodded in agreement and went to fetch her bag while Knuckles followed her. She quickly took out two towels and gave one to Knuckles. They had soon dried themselves off after a few minutes of cleaning and had put the towels back into the bag. She then grabbed her bag and told him to wait for her as she went back to get changed again. After she had gotten done changing, she went back out to meet with him and went to the boardwalk with him to get something to eat.
They enjoyed having a quiet meal together while watching the sunset. Amy bought their burgers and ice cream. Knuckles can't help but apologize to her for not paying for her or at least pay half of it. Amy shook her head and said that she didn't mind it at all. She wanted to have some burgers and ice cream anyways earlier today. So, she came prepared. It was a pleasant experience for the two of them.
After the two of them ate, they decided to take a walk on the beach one last time before they leave. They were walking side by side as they continued to watch the gorgeous sunset go down into nighttime. They talked for a bit while still being a little playful with each other.
"Hehe, you know, Knuckles, I'm honestly not that surprised that you refused to play earlier. After all, you're basically the 'Dad' of the group," Amy teased calmly in amusement with playful smile and with her hands coyly behind her back while giggling a little as she stared at Knuckles at her left.
Knuckles groaned as he face-palmed himself while he replied calmly yet tiredly in a bit of annoyance with an irked expression on his face, "Ugh. Don't remind me. You and your friends hadn't let that down ever since that 'six-month incident'. Why do you guys always call me that whenever I refused to participate in your crazy activities?".
"Hahahahaha! Oh, chill out, Knuckles. We always call you that out of endearment!" Amy replied calmly yet brightly in amusement with a huge smile as she laughed a bit while comforting Knuckles a little by rubbing his right arm.
Uh huh. Sure, you do. Knuckles thought calmly yet sarcastically in annoyance with an irked expression on his face as he turned his head and looked back at Amy with narrowed eyelids.
He frowned solemnly as he countered back by saying in annoyance, "Oh, yeah? How could calling someone a 'Dad' could possibly be out of endearment? You know that I'm still young, single, and DEFINITELY not having a kid! Why do you guys keep saying that?!".
"Hey, there's no need to be grouchy! It's actually a compliment! I mean! You're practically the most mature person of the group! So, it's only natural that you would be looking out for us and be taking care of us as if we were your children! Hehehehehe!" Amy replied giddily in amusement with a bright smile and with a little giggle as she stared back at Knuckles.
Knuckles slightly glared at Amy as he growled at that. He then raised a clenched fist as he yelled loudly in frustration while having a disgruntled expression on his face, "Grrr! If I had a son who grows up into another Sonic, then I would have given up on life at that moment! Don't get me wrong! I would still love my child, but dang it, that child would be the biggest pain in my butt if I had to ever had to raise him! It would be my absolute nightmare!".
Amy laughed hard at that as she exclaimed brightly in amusement with a jovial look on her face while clutching her stomach, "Ahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, Knuckles! Hehehehehehehehe! You're so funny!".
"It's not funny! It's horrible! I already have a tough time dealing with Sonic! I'm serious when I say that I don't want to have another one!" Knuckles yelled back in anger while having his clenched fist up as he gritted his teeth and as he furrowed his eyebrows at Amy.
"Hahahahahahaha! Only you Knuckles would think that Sonic is horrible! Hehehehehehehehe! You and you alone!" Amy exclaimed back playfully in amusement with a huge smile on her cheerful face as she continued to laugh a lot.
Knuckles briefly pouted and looked away while crossing his arms before he grimaced deeply as he yelled and shouted back in frustration and as he got passionate at the end, "But it's true! Do you have any idea on how hard it is to watch out for his spiky, blue butt all the time?! He might be cocky and says that he could handle it and get the job done, but every time he says it, something bad happens to him and to all of us! Remember that time we got transported to Earth just because Sonic thinks that he could handle it?! Yeah, that's right! He's the one who gets into trouble, and yet, he still gets praised for doing nothing! This is why I always have to be the straight man and confront him at times! He needs guidance and a little bit of humility if he's going to face reality for what it really is and realize that the world ACTUALLY DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND HIM!".
Amy stopped laughing for a moment and stared wide-eyed at him. Knuckles sighed tiredly in exhaustion as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. Amy couldn't tell if Knuckles really cares for Sonic or hates him because of what he had said. She had defended Sonic in the past by saying that it was not his fault that they had gotten sent to Earth unintentionally. However, after having more adventures with Sonic, she is starting to see where Knuckles is saying here. She too believed that some situations could've been avoided if he wasn't overconfident or refused his friends' advice. Many of times it feels like the world is Sonic's oyster, and that the rules don't apply to him. He believes that he could do whatever he wants without suffering the consequences of his actions.
However, Amy knew that isn't the reality that she lives in and not how the real-world works. She wonders sometimes if her perspective on Sonic had changed a bit as she had more experience dealing with him than adoring him like the little fangirl that she used to be. She still loves him, but nowadays, she is starting to get annoyed on how often Sonic would excuse himself by saying that he needs to save the world without her at his side or wants to go on a run alone. She is starting to believe that she deserved to be treated better and be truly cared for. Kind of like how Knuckles is doing currently. She sighed tiredly in exhaustion.
If only I wasn't so smitten to Sonic, then maybe Knuckles and I could have gotten closer. We could've possibly been a real couple even. Alas, this isn't the case, and I'm sure that Knuckles feels the same way about me. He really does deserve someone good in his life. Someone who would adore him in everything that he does and make him feel happy. If there is a girl out there who could help him be happy, then just please be there for him because I can't fill the empty void in his heart. Amy meditated calmly in somberness with a sympathetic frown on her face as she prayed a little in her heart.
She then looked back at Knuckles as he was still looking away from her. She smiled gently and tapped his shoulder.
He turned his head around and asked calmly in curiosity with an intrigued look on his solemn face, "What is it?".
Amy then gave him another hug, this time on the side. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and back. Knuckles' eyebrows were raised as she does this.
But he then slowly smiled a little as he calmly yet gently replied in gratitude, "Hey, I don't know why you're doing this but thanks. I needed that".
"Yeah, anytime...Dad," Amy replied calmly yet genuinely in endearment and in amusement while being a bit playful in the end as she smiled playfully at Knuckles.
Knuckles quickly narrowed his eyelids at her and frowned solemnly as he exclaimed back in annoyance, "I'm not your Dad!".
Amy then looked up at Knuckles while having a huge grin on her face as she then teased him by playfully saying in amusement, "Oh, Knuckles. That's such a Dad thing to say!".
"Oh, cut that out! I'm not!" Knuckles retorted in annoyance while looking displeased as he slightly glared at Amy.
"Yeah, whatever you say...Dad," Amy teased calmly in amusement while having a coy smile on her face as she stared playfully back at Knuckles.
"Hmph!" Knuckles grunted in annoyance with a solemn frown as he stared back at Amy with fierce eyes.
Amy just kept smiling coyly back at Knuckles until she started giggling and laughing at how defensive he is being right now. Knuckles pouted again as he saw Amy laughing again. But very slowly, he began smiling a little too then a lot as her contagious laughter kept going. She was holding onto him dearly as she laughed onto his right shoulder. Her joyful, contagious laughter eventually got to him as he then laughed with her.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! This is so stupid! Hahahahahahahaha!" Knuckles exclaimed brightly in amusement with a huge smile and with closed eyes as he laughed a lot in sincerity.
"Hehehehehehe! Yes! Yes, it is! Hahahahahahahaha!" Amy agreed brightly in amusement with a huge smile while laughing along with him.
"Hahahahahahaha! Aw, come here, you! Heheheheheheheheh!" Knuckles exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a huge smile while laughing genuinely as he put his right arm over Amy's back and shoulders and pulled her closer to himself. They continued to walk the entire beach while holding close to each other after they had finished laughing.
After thirty more minutes of walking, it was time to leave the beach as it was getting dark out. Knuckles and Amy said their goodbyes and went on their way back to their respective homes. As Knuckles was walking back home, he continued to ponder on his epiphany with a relaxed look on his face before it changed into a somber one halfway through his thoughts. Sigh. Well, the date was okay at best, however...I still wonder what it would be like if that someone was there instead of Amy. Maybe the date would have been wonderful, amazing even! But...it's not like I'll ever experience something like that anytime soon. I guess that Amy is the only person that I know who could fill the void in my heart. It will still be incomplete, but at least, it's something. It won't be perfect, but then again, nothing on this worthless planet is perfect. Who knows what will come to tomorrow as we go on to another fake date?
After finishing his thoughts, Knuckles continued to walk alone to his home in the vast darkness of nighttime. In some ways, the outside atmosphere reflects his heart. Dark, empty, quiet, and lonesome. But regardless, he kept traveling onto the dark path to his home and quite possibly in his mind, his prison: Angel Island.
Well, another chapter done. We're now at the halfway mark in this short story. Knuckles sure can't escape being the "Dad" in multiple situations. Poor guy. Well, I hope that you guys enjoy this chapter! Please R&R if you had enjoyed this! See you in the next part!
P.S. That part about Knuckles being 16 ½ as well as Sonic being 15 ½ for example. That is going to be a running gag that Sonic and his friends stopped aging at that point thanks to the Time Eater. Please understand that it's just my head cannon and doesn't reflect on their actual ages. I just think that it's funny how easily people keep thinking that Sonic and friends kept aging as each game goes by except that they aren't. Not to mention the fact their ages kept being changed over the history of its franchise. Let's also not get started with the Archie Comics as they had their own cannon on how old Sonic and his friends were throughout the decades of comics. So, yeah, there's no reason to correct me about this. Just letting you know in case you're confused. So, let's have fun with this joke and roll with it!