Chapter Title: She Is Kind
AN: Hello, everyone! It sure has been a while but I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Four
Sonic slumped against the shed wall, his brows creased and face tense. When Amy leaned her shoulder against him, fingertips tracing the words in the picture book, he read outloud,"Ri-mem-ber the... l...light!"
"You're doing well, Sonic!" Amy said sweetly as she clapped her hands together and smiled proudly.
"Thank you!" He gleamed happily.
"Where did you learn to speak though?" Amy wondered as she placed a loose quill behind her ear and looked over at him.
"My mama taught me," Sonic explained nonchalantly as he gazed at the pictures within the book in glee and amusement. "She learned from Jules."
Amy blinked, head tilted. "Jules?" She asked curiously.
Sonic's gaze did not move from the book, though he kept his tone light. "Yeah, he was some lost boy she met in the forest when she was little. She lead him out but he kept visiting her after that for years until one day he just went away. That's what mama told me."
The pink maiden watched the cobalt hedgehog with genuine curiosity. His mother had been taught the basics of language by a Normal? That itself seemed dangerous and beyond illegal. Though she couldn't say much about that since here she was teaching a Feral how to read a children's book. Her heart fluttered. She never imagined she would be able to use it ever in her life after not bearing a child within a year in her marriage. Though, she had always hoped to use it when she first saw it at a bookstore when she was only six years of age.
The pages were full of vibrant colors and told the story of Beauty and the Beast. The beautiful girl who fell in love with a prince who was cursed to be turned into a ferocious beast instead of the heartthrob of her village. Thus the journey of love and hurt was expressed and Amy found it absolutely beautiful and romantic.
She only hoped to be able to share it with her child.
And even though she had no children, Sonic was almost like a child in a sense with how excitedly he seemed about it. It made her feel happy. It was like he was some big baby.
Though he physically looked much older than a child so it made the pink maiden wonder around what age he might be. Possibly late teens or young adulthood perhaps but she found that odd if it was true. He acted so innocent and full of youth that it was hard to see him as a full grown man of that was the case.
The pink maiden placed a pointed finger on her lip. "How old are you, Sonic?" She asked.
Sonic paused, counting with his hands unsurely until he smiled. "Twenty two." He announced, holding up the peace symbol with one hand and his index finger with the other. Not exactly how you were supposed to count but he really tried to pretend he knew how to count with his hands. It was amusing yet Amy didn't have time to giggle at the proclamation.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Our ages aren't to far off! I'll be twenty one soon. My birthday is in a few days actually." Amy admitted with a small smile. "In three days to be exact."
"Whoa, will you make a grand celebration?" Sonic beamed as he wagged his tail excitedly. "I hear that's what Normals do!"
"Your mother sure taught you a lot." Amy giggled. "No wonder you were so open when meeting us even though we're Normals."
"No, she told me never to open myself up to any outsiders or I would be alone." Sonic said cringefully as he calmed himself and tapped him chin. "It makes no sense, huh? I mean if I open myself up then how can I possibly be alone? Besides, I know now that isn't true. Mr. And Mrs. Robotnik are very kind mobians!"
Amy paused, then asked, "Where is your mother now?"
"A magical place!" He said with a grin.
"Is that so?" Amy giggled, humoring him as he grinned. "And where might that be?"
He held a sad smile on his lips. "Heaven." He admitted.
Amy's eyes saddened and she immediately regretted asking. "Oh, I'm so sorry... I didn't... "
"Its fine though because one day I'll be able to see her again." Sonic said as he shut the picture book and forced a smile on his face. "I was actually kind of hoping I would see her if I would of actually bled out."
"Don't talk like that!" Amy snapped suddenly, making Sonic jump in surprise. "It's never too late to be happy!" She turned him around to face her. "Stuff your eyes with wonder," she said, "live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than you believe. Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal."
Sonic blushed as the female held his face delicately and caressed his cheek as he took in her words. Her eyes were filled with a kindness that seemed so innocent and geniuine so endless: as big as the sea. It set him aright and made him happy. Her hands lapsed with him holding them for a second and squeezing kindly.
"Rose, can you make us something to eat?" A deep voice interrupted as the shed door was pushed open and Shadow walked in and caused the pink hedgehog to pull away from Sonic in surprise. The cobalt hedgehog himself already missing her touch as he placed his own hand on over his other where she had just had hers. He had never felt anyone show so much care to him other than his mother.
Amy on the other hand didn't seem to notice as she raised herself from the ground and patted her skit from any dirt. "Sure thing, honey." She replied simply and turned back to Sonic and poked his nose with a bright smile. "Remember what I said, okay?"
The cobalt hedgehog blushed deeper but nodded. She had left him breathless as she walked away gracefully and greeted her husband. He couldn't help the flutter in his heart as she sent him a final smile his way and waved goodbye and he waved back almost mesmerized.
However, when he was met with Shadow's cold gaze he froze as he walked over to him. Sonic watched him curiously as the older male towered over him with an unreadable expression on his face. He seemed very intimidating. The cobalt hedgehog had even crounched over more at his mere presence. He was accepting him as his alpha though Shadow knew none of this by the younger male's genture and simply nodded toward Sonic's wrapping.
"How is your wound now?" Shadow asked, voice laced with no emotion.
"Better..." Sonic admitted unsurely as the ebony hedgehog grabbed a few farming materials from the corner of the room where they were hanged up against the wall.
Shadow threw him a shovel which Sonic clumsy caught. "Then I think it's time you start paying off your debt."
—•—
Dirt flew across the ground as Sonic dug up the dirt from underneath his feet as Shadow had instructed him and wiped the sweat off his forehead. The two males had been working for almost eight hours straight since the early morning and his muscles were beginning to strain as he continued to work.
He was surprised to be so tired since he usually had more stamina but he blamed his wound. Even though he was practically cured, spending so many days asleep and feeling weak made him less active. He felt less energy and more tired though he was surprisingly still catching up to Shadow.
The ebony hedgehog was very hardworking, Sonic had noted.
Even so, it made Sonic wonder how the other male was able to work this way all on his own everyday. It seemed so tiring. He was glad however when he heared a wise coming from the house.
The pink maiden stood by the patio with a flask and two cups in hand. "Lemonade for the hard work, boys!" Amy said happily as she waved them over.
The cobalt hedgehog was already wagging his tail in delight despite not knowing what "Lemonade" was and turned to Shadow expectantly. The cobalt hedgehog nodded to him as they dropped their shovels and made their way over the pink hedgehog who served them their cold drinks.
Sonic sipped on his drink and couldn't help but grin cutely at the sweetness.
It was the first time he had ever sipped such a thing.
The pink maiden made amazing foods and drinks he had never seen before!
Sonic stole a glance at the pink maiden wiping her husbands face with a cloth and couldn't help but admire her being once more.
She had a kind of understated beauty, perhaps it was because she was so disarmingly unaware of her prettiness. Her pale skin was completely flawless. She was all about simplicity, making things easy, helping those around her to relax and be happy with what they have. Perhaps that is why her skin glowed so, it was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features. When she smiled and laughed you couldn't help but smile along too, even if it was just on the inside. To be in her company was to feel that you too were someone, that you had been warmed in summer rays regardless of the season.
That's how he noted that she is a kind an gentle woman.
—•—
Delicate fingers gathered the pink quills of her head and braided them for bed. The pink maiden gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she did this and smiled as she admired her work. Her hand ran itself over her face but stopped short as she stared at the wrinkles under her eyes.
Her eyes ran over the rest of herself as gripped her waist through her bed gown gave a sigh. It was now becoming evident to her that her body had changed so much over the years. She was aging and she wondered if her husband still found her attractive.
It had been a while since they had last tried for a child afterall.
Oddly enough, she felt like she was able to live out her motherly instincts even the slightest bit with Sonic around. He seemed so lost and alone without her help. It made her giggle at the way he act d like a hopes puppy at times.
She seemed to have been spending a lot of time with him the last few days with him helping her around the house and her teaching him everyday chores and whatnot.
It even seemed like he was getting better at constructing sentences after speaking so much with one another. She noted his replies before were very simple and short. Now he spoke so much!
It felt like such a long time ago since she had spoken with someone so much.
Amy was known to be very talkative through the village and when she first got married with Shadow she remembered she always talked about how their future would be like. All the children they would have and how their farm would grow. And even though Shadow never really spoke much, he would always nod and agree with a hint of smile.
Looking back now, it had been so long ago since she had seen him so happy.
Now he always seemed distant and they never spoke about that again.
She only wondered what her husband was thinking half the time.
She bit her lip and frowned as she gazed out towards the open door to the left of their bedroom. "Shadow, honey, are you coming to bed?" Amy called out from within their bedroom as he leaned against the rail of their balcony.
"Give me a moment." Shadow replied simply as he watched the moonlight and stars sparkle in the night sky in deep thought.
He felt less tired today than others with the help of Sonic's assistance.
In a way he was thankful to have been able to get help from the Feral.
Working on the farm on his own was beginning to take a toll on him and he often ended up working past sundown. Today was the first time since Amy's father died that he was able to finish working the farm so early and that was almost seven years ago.
Shadow was only thankful that his wife seemed more livelier than usual.
He had taken note how Amy's mood had changed and how she treated the Feral almost like a child.
The knotting in began as he shut his eyes tightly in despair.
It made him feel guilty that she was not able to show her motherly skills to a real child of their own. He hated living like this. He only hopped he would be able to make things change.
If I get at least six reviews by the end of this Thursday then I will upload the following Chapter by Midnight (If not I will update until Monday or later depending on reviews).
And for the people who are curious about when the actual "deal" occurs let me just inform you that it will happen soon but I don't like to rush things. I prefer a bit of character development. But let me know what you think of the developments so far!
Also is there anyone willing to edit and give me feedback on future chapter before their posted?