A continuation of "It'll surely backfire"!
I've been laughing since I wrote that one, because I immedaiatly went "yep, he's gonna fall in love by accident and go 'well now what?'" and end up taking him all over the place. Even if he's kind of...subconsciously doing it at first. He just can't handle Ark and how precious he can be is all.
So congrats Scourge, you played yourself
Also! Gave a bit of backstory to this Scourge's homelife when he was a lil bean of blue! I'm just...Kind of bummed we never got a word on his mom in the comics but that was probably on purpose now that I think of it. I've been doing twists of what his childhood was like since I started writing and actually changed it from the other one I usually headcannon, which is a dark HC mind you but I'm not talking about that one.
ANYWHO, enjoy the fluff!
And yes, Ark is super short compared to Scourge XD Scourge can't deal with how strong the small bean is though shhhh
He didn't know what happened...it was supposed to be simple. Find the weapon, take his vengeance, go off to wreak havoc and be the free hedgehog he deserved to be. Untouchable and allowed to do what he wished…
Yet here he was, somehow forgetting his vengeful plight as he watched the newfound weapon gasp over the sight of the zone they were currently in.
From the star studded Casino Royale Zone, to Ocean Bay Zone, the weapon; or Ark rather; wanted to see all he could.
Scourge found it hard to say no when the other looked so happy and excited.
So here they were in the Safari Zone, Ark looking at all the native plants and animals he could peek at.
With an ex-con and king following behind with a dumbfounded expression.
HOW?
The teen watched the bandaged hedgehog hop down from a small fence and rush over to another, rubies wide and sparkling as he gasped. "WHAT IS THAT?!," he pointed to a multicolored animal.
"It's a Zebra…," Scourge found himself saying.
Ark turned to look behind him, smiling happily and giggling a bit," A what?" He laughed," Why Zebra?"
Dammit Dammit Dammit-
"I got no idea stripes, I ain't no zoo person," he shrugged, walking over lazily as the other hopped down.
After their accidental trip to Ice Zone, Scourge found himself breaking into his old 'home' while Ark slept.
No one knew who broke the window to the untouched home of the once proud royal governor who caused the beginning of the Great Peace...and no one missed the old sweatshirt stolen from his 'son's' room.
He was disgusted that the house became a landmark, but more so hurt when he found his old room hidden away by a false wall.
A bitter reminder of how 'important' he was to his old man…
Scourge watched as Ark sunk into the hoodie; his heart clenching at how ridiculous the huge piece of clothing looked on the other.
His...other parent gave him that, thinking he'd grow into it...but he preferred jackets more than that...He appreciated it though…
'You'd give it to another person' he remembered her saying when he barely came up to above the coffee table.
He wished he remembered more about her.
All he could make out now was a blur of blue and gold, that warm smile and gaze.
It was all hazy...and it's all it ever would be now….
"I-I'm sorry," Ark muttered, his face flushed a soft red as the hoodie hid his mouth a bit. "I- what? What for?"
"W-well, you said you had things to do and...I've been making you take me all over and you got me better bandages and clothing and-...I haven't really-" The beony hedgehog sighed, ears flicking down.
"You're putting everything on hold because of me…"
The teen cocked a brow.
...Was he?
"...Eh, don't worry about it stripes," he waved it off, shocking the other. "I- but- mission take greater importance-"
"Hush it, it's fine. It's all boring stuff anyway. It can wait." The rogue shoved his hands in his pockets, a soft red in his cheeks.
"S-still I-I-," the experiment seemed to stall, his crimsons looking away as his sleeve covered hands nervously rang together.
"Hey. I said it's fine Ark," Scourge smirked, blues half lidded as he slid over. His side gently bumping the other," 'sides, this is more fun anyway." he sniffed.
"I- really?" Ark looked up, rubies slightly wet as his cheeks tinted pink.
DAMNIT DAMNIT DAMNIT-
"Yeah, it is," he smiled, the green hedgehog's heart fluttering awkwardly at the adorable look. "Er- come on, this place has hippos.."
"What's a hippo?"
"Oh-ho your mind's about to be blown," he laughed, an arm coming loose to settle over Ark's shoulders.
"You remember that cow from that farmland?"
"You mean the giant 'moo' baby?"
"...Yeah...imagine that naked and swimming."
"WHAT?" The lab creation squeaked, rubies filled with excitement and awe.
Clicking his teeth, the rogue looked away. A bright red in his cheeks. "Yeah, I know right? They beat up gators for fun."
"Ep- Let's go! I bet there's some here!" Ark hopped happily, his hand grasping the one over his shoulders and tugging the startled hedgehog along.
….Maybe this was better than he thought….
Especially when he saw that smile.
...Maybe...he could get used to it….If it meant seeing that warmth again.