Ayo!

Okay so basically I am close to reaching a historical milestone that even I couldn't believe myself: I am close to reaching a year anniversary of joining ! It's nothing too amazing I know lol but if anything I felt as if I posted a new work almost every week and am also close to reaching another milestone as well which I'll keep a bit of a secret on! Aside from that I kind of feel proud of myself with how far I've come in terms of writing ability and I hope I am doing well hehe, but regardless I know I can keep doing better! :D

So pretty much from that and aside from the crazy weather we'll be getting this coming week, here's a cute and horrifyingly fluffy Knuxikal one-shot! Hope you enjoy! ^u^

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.

More Cuddling

Tikal couldn't be feeling more alive than she is right now.

Well, if one experienced over 3,000 years of death, the young echidna REALLY couldn't be feeling more alive than she is right now.

Early death was something that Tikal did not expect back in ancient times, but unfortunately a calamity happened which required her to sacrifice herself in order to save the world. It wouldn't have to be that way if it wasn't for her father's interference with the emeralds in his quest for world domination, but the power-hungry chieftain wanted nothing more than to rule the other nations with an iron fist. She tried her best to convince him to stop his obsession, but he merely pushed her aside and headed towards the altar along with the rest of the echidna warriors. Tikal watched helplessly as her father commanded the Master Emerald for limitless energy… but it came at a cost. A cost that made her closest friend turn into a monster that annihilated the tribe and everyone in it. In order to save what she can… Tikal had to give into death, throwing away her physical form in order to seal Chaos and herself within the Master Emerald. It was an experience she couldn't imagine as black nothingness filled her vision, unable to move as well for three millennia. It wasn't until an outside force released her and Chaos from the large gem that she was set free into the modern world, but as a small orange spirit orb. She became familiar with who was good and who was bad, helping the blue hedgehog named Sonic and a red echidna named Knuckles stop the evil Dr. Eggman who took command of her former friend who was being fed the Chaos Emeralds for energy. In the end their efforts were able to succeed with the former stopping Perfect Chaos with his super form while the latter was able to restore the Master Emerald back together. From there she reconciled with Chaos and floated off into the afterlife, free from their crystalline prison. For the first time in her post-life she felt warm and happy.

A recent event however caused her to be resurrected and now she is back to the land of the living, warmer and happier than ever. Reason being?

"Zzzz…"

Tikal giggled as she looked up from underneath the bed sheets she shared with another occupant in a large king sized bed. She woke up a moment ago to which her sleepy ocean-colored eyes fell upon the occupant. Red quills were splayed among the pillow behind them with sharp eyes closed from sight, hiding their true colors underneath. A nicely tan muzzle showed underneath them with a slightly open mouth and a black nose which radiated soft snoring. For the echidna princess, this display warmed her heart and made it beat ten times faster.

'I hope you are having pleasant dreams my love. Just as I dream of us both during our slumber.' Tikal thought as she stared at the sleeping form of Knuckles the Echidna.

The current guardian of the Master Emerald and formerly the last of his kind looked peaceful in his sleep as the orange echidna laid on top of him. Tikal took note of how soft his crimson fur was upon her own peach-colored one yet at the same time felt incredibly tough. Humming lightly she ran a small ungloved hand through the side of his torso and admired the rock-solid feel of his abs that were hidden underneath due to years of training and experience. Tikal always wondered how he managed something like this if he devoted his life to protecting the Master Emerald prior to meeting Sonic; from what he discussed about his life to her Knuckles indicated that he didn't fight much before meeting the blue hedgehog.

That was another thing that she disliked: fighting. The male echidnas back then always saw it as a way of pride, ego and glory which corrupted them into power-hungry savages. Her father was the root cause of it and because of his actions led to the near extinction of her people. Tikal truly never liked violence and if she were attacked wouldn't be able to defend herself even if her life was on the line. She felt uncomfortable when both Sonic and Knuckles had to fight both Dr. Eggman and Chaos, but it was necessary in order to restore peace and save the world.

Fortunately Knuckles was different compared to the males back then. He was more reserved and doesn't really like to fight much. The red echidna uses it primarily as a last resort and if all else fails, though it also depends on the mood he is in hehe. Aside from that he primarily fights to protect his friends and the good in the world, only wanting everyone to get along and live peaceful lives. His personality might lean more towards the rougher side of things but it's his warm heart and strong courage to never give up that made Tikal fall in love with him. If anything his devotion to protect the emeralds from the hands of evil also meant that he cared about the tribe's most valuable relics and would defend them until his last breath. However it was what Knuckles said some time after he requested the Master Emerald to bring her back that made the echidna princess cry in bliss.

'I was given the duty to protect the emeralds with my life even though I still do not know why. Now that we are together… I can now live my life with purpose and cherish the one thing… no, the one person that's more valuable than the Master Emerald. That is you Tikal, and I will make sure that you live a happy life free from pain and suffering with all that I can. I love you and I can't thank you enough for relieving this burden of mine as the last of our kind.'

Thinking of those words again made Tikal silently squeal as she wrapped herself tighter around Knuckles. Her arms held his upper body closer to her smaller one with her legs tangling more into his bigger ones as she felt more of his warmth. She giggled again from the same thought of how she tackled Knuckles to the ground after his confession and kissed the living daylights out of him. His dazed expression was one that she will always remember and admire now that she can spend the rest of her life happy and alive with her new soulmate.

"My Knuckie…~." she mumbled with her face hidden in his broad chest. Tikal inhaled his earthy scent that surprisingly had a hint of both cinnamon and pine, most likely with how much Knuckles spends outdoors. His scent occupied her mind as Tikal nuzzled further into his chest, the small sounds of purring beginning to manifest from her own body with her tail wagging side to side gently underneath the sheets. Just his scent brought comfort knowing that he would always be there for her to relieve her of the terrible past she had and at the same time follow his promise to give her a bright future in the modern world.

"Mhmmgh…"

Tikal looked up a bit startled to see Knuckles beginning to stir, tightening his eyes on and off while muttering quiet nothings. The echidna princess gulped slightly, blue orbs observing him silently with worry.

"Tikie… mmm…" Knuckles groaned lightly as he held Tikal tighter, the echidna princess almost forgetting that the emerald guardian also held her. Her heart radiated joy of feeling his strong muscles cover her small frame like a second blanket which made the orange echidna feel safe and comfortable. Tikal's smile returned as her gentle gaze remained focused on the slumbering echidna.

"Thank you for caring so much my Knuckie…" Tikal raised her hand to his face and slowly caressed his cheek. Her face blushed a light red upon seeing Knuckles unconsciously react to her touch and lean further into it with his own smile forming, still not waking up.

Tikal then moved herself a bit higher to be on even level with the emerald guardian as she leaned closer and gave him a small kiss on the lips. She kept her own on his in the most gentle way possible as to not wake him, slowly moving her lips light like a feather while pouring as much of her love into him as she can. Her other hand came to his other cheek which she cupped and moved her thumbs along the edges the same way, soft mewls coming off the echidna princess. Knuckles himself groaned lightly and likewise responded with his own movements, Tikal reciprocating with fervor as she deepened the kiss.

"Mmm…~." Tikal moaned gently upon feeling Knuckles move his hands down to her lower back and caressing the area there. She loved the way he touched her with the upmost care as if she was a porcelain doll ready to break, the peach-colored girl joyful to know that Knuckles is nothing like the savages from back then. Ever since she was resurrected and both she and Knuckles got together the red echidna acted very chivalrous to her which was a far cry from his normally rowdy nature. He respected her and always made sure that she was taken care of before other things. This gave him a bit of teasing from Sonic and Tails but ironically Knuckles brushed it off and was proud for being an amazing boyfriend to her while he countered Sonic with the fact that the blue hedgehog would almost always run away from Amy. This caused a few laughs aimed at Sonic to which the cobalt hero grumbled with no comeback of his own, but nonetheless he was pretty much correct in that. Tikal was happy to be back with the friends she made as a spirit, now as a physical living person. She was a bit down that Chaos wasn't able to return but if anything she was happy that he was living peacefully in the afterlife among the Chao that didn't survive the calamity back then. Even more, she was joyful to have made Knuckles truly happy to know that he was no longer the last living echidna. Especially when she witnessed Knuckles turn down a certain batgirl as Tikal cheered in victory.

'Oh~!'

Tikal silently gasped upon feeling Knuckles' large hands rest on her bare behind. She almost forgot that they were sleeping naked with no clothing on.

'Hehe, Knuckie is very adventurous.' Tikal purred more as she continued to kiss him, the emerald guardian beginning to caress her lower posterior with soft motions. The echidna princess leaned her lower half further into his hands relishing the warmth and massage he was providing, Tikal impressed at how good he was even in his sleep. Air suddenly became a necessity to which she slowly broke it off and panted lightly, opening her eyes once again to gaze at Knuckles' still sleeping face with his mouth slightly open.

Tikal moved slightly down to her original position and placed her head under his neck beginning to lay butterfly kisses upon it. This caused Knuckles to start his own purring as he twitched from the action, the orange echidna grinning as she continued. His hands then moved away from her butt with one resting upon her midback and the other moving close to her head, the palm of it in contact with the back of Tikal's head and moving her closer with both arms as Knuckles inhaled the top of Tikal's head deeply.

"Grapes…" he mumbled.

Tikal giggled. 'I really have to thank Amy for that grape scented shampoo and conditioner. He really loves it~!'

Tikal continued her ministrations upon his neck with each kiss laid with immense love for the red echidna. Her path began from the tip of his chin down the curve of his neck with a few detours to the left and right of his collarbone. Her destination ended up upon his upper chest to which her eyes took note of the crescent symbol upon it. Raising a hand her thin fingers traced along the edges of the mark, feeling the soft fur upon it. His chest moved up and down slightly from his steady breathing as her fingers continued to dance delicately upon him, Tikal's eyes never leaving her tracing.

'You have gone through so much pain in your life my Knuckie… do not worry, for I am here to care for you…' her own eyes became half-lidded as a yawn came to Tikal. The effects of drowsiness came back with sleep slowly approaching her way, her touch upon the larger echidna getting slower. However her strong willpower kept her awake not wanting to lose sight of her lover.

Tikal wants to remember every moment such as these. Every sight. Every scent. Every touch.

Everything that has them two together sharing affection and warmth.

The orange echidna decided on one last thing before heading back into slumber as she slid herself further up past his head until her bosom was close to it. Without hesitation Tikal grabbed his head and brought it close to her chest as she closed her eyes with a sigh feeling his face and breathing upon it.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine." Tikal began whispering a lullaby. "You make me happy when skies are grey. You will never know dear, how much I love you. Please do not take my sunshine away."

Knuckles shook slightly from her voice and nuzzled into her closer letting out a soft whimper. His arms kept a firm hold on her body as Tikal giggled, the emerald guardian having heard it in his sleep letting out a sigh of his own to which the orange echidna felt it on her chest. Her eyes looked down and admired his calm features as she continued the melody, pouring her soul into making it as soothing for the both of them as possible.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You will never know dear, how much I love you. Please do not take my sunshine away… please do not take my sunshine away…" she softly finished. Knuckles' eyes tightened hard to which Tikal noted the small sheen of tears threatening to come out.

A soft gasp emitted from the echidna princess and swiftly yet fairly she brushed them away with a finger. Her gaze never left him as she continued to hold him there feeling his warmth upon her body. Once again the spell of drowsiness started hitting Tikal with her eyelids lowering and the blue hues disappearing under them little by little.

'Oh my… well it is still quite early in the morning… the more time together the better as always hehe.' she thought. Before fully accepting the realm of slumber she lowered her head a bit and kissed the top of Knuckles' own and gave off one last sigh.

'Sleep well my Knuckie… love you…' And she was off like a light.

…

…

Knuckles raised an eyelid to look up at her sleeping face with a smile. He had been awakened by her finger brushing away at his tears, yet he didn't mind it. If anything couldn't be angry at her since Tikal's presence was the most soothing he had ever experienced. Especially when his face was in her plush mounds.

'Thank you Tikie, for caring.' He then closed that eyelid and drifted back off into sleep.

…

Back into his dream of him wearing a black suit as he stared in awe at Tikal upon the emerald altar.

Wearing a beautiful white wedding dress holding a bouquet, gazing back at him with love and tenderness.

Fin.

Well dang that was pretty wholesome and fluffy haha!

So yeah hope you enjoyed it and if anything soon I'll be approaching that anniversary and in order to celebrate it... well I still got no idea so maybe I can come up with a special story or something but so far got no clue lol. If it comes to having no special plan then it'll just be a regular work as usual but not to worry, I will think of something! :D

Hope you enjoyed the work and please check out the other ones if you didn't get the chance! Til next time! ouo/