Hey guys! :D

I had this idea going through my head ever since I heard about this technique from doing the Daily Calm through the Calm app a while back. And don't worry, you don't need to read Sonic and the Little Merhog to read this one shot. Think of this as one of those short stories that isn't really connected to others and is like a slight AU within an AU (if that makes any sense XD).

Enjoy!

NOTE: I DO NOT OWN SONIC! THAT RIGHT BELONGS TO SEGA! I ONLY OWN MY OC!

COPING TECHNIQUE

It was early morning, and Sonic and Selene were out in the middle of a field surrounded by wildflowers. They were doing a friendly race when they found the field, and they decided to stop and rest for a while. They were both lying on their backs, with Sonic resting his eyes and Selene watching the clouds with a smile on her face.

As the merhog watched the clouds, she couldn't help but think of the many adventures Sonic had told her during her long stay on Mobius. For as long as she has known him, she sees him as an optimistic hedgehog without a care in the world and was always smiling. She wondered if the hedgehog ever got worried about the dangers and if something were to go wrong.

It doesn't hurt to ask, she thought before looking at Sonic. "Hey, Sonic?"

Sonic opened one of his eyes and looked at Selene. "Yeah?"

The merhog twiddled her fingers a bit, hoping what she says next doesn't make her friend uncomfortable. "I was just wondering… Have you ever gotten…nervous on your adventures?"

Sonic blinked and sat up to look at her better. "What do you mean?"

Selene sat up as well. "I mean, was there ever a time during your adventures that made you nervous about the outcome?"

This was a first for Sonic; as far as he knew, this was the first time someone has ever asked him that. He looked down in thought as Selene waited with a patient look on her face.

Eventually, the blue hedgehog sighed. "Okay, I will admit, most of my adventures have made me…stressed. I know it sounds silly, but…"

"No, of course not," Selene shook her head. "I don't blame you. I mean, the story you told me about Eggman splitting the world? Even I felt like a nervous wreck; and I wasn't even there!"

Sonic let out a weak chuckle. "Yeah…" He then frowned and wrapped his knees to his chest. "I would get these thoughts flooded into my head, like… Will I ever make it through this? Or will my friends make it through this? I'm glad everything worked out in the end, but even with my friends' help, being a hero is not easy."

"So is being a Moon Keeper and princess," Selene said, causing Sonic to look at her as she looked at the shifting clouds. "Whether it's doing my duties as keeper or princess, training, or just making everyday choices. I would always feel nervous about what's going to happen."

Sonic couldn't help but feel sad. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that she's just like him. They are both heroes who protect their worlds from all sorts of trouble, no matter how big or small.

"I don't suppose you have a way to not stress too much?" Sonic asked.

Selene smiled. "Yeah, actually." She looked at Sonic. "My mentor, Oracle, taught me a great coping technique. I could teach it to you if you want?"

Sonic couldn't help but get excited. "That would be great!"

Selene giggled at his reaction and then got down to business. "Okay. Take some deep breaths, and focus."

Sonic closed his eyes and took steady breaths and waited to hear the next step.

"Now…" Selene began. "What are the five things you see around you?"

Sonic opened his eyes and began to look around the field. "I see…the clouds, flowers, trees, rocks, and…my shoes?"

Selene giggled. "Very good! Now, keep breathing, and tell me the four things you can touch around you."

"I feel…the grass, the gloves on my hands, the dirt…" Without realizing it, Sonic moved his hand and gently brushed Selene's fingers.

This caused the merhog to gasp quietly and began to blush. She looked at Sonic and was surprised to see him blushing a bit and rubbing his spare hand through his quills, not even looking at her.

"And…my quills…" Sonic finished saying.

Is he…embarrassed about touching my hand? Selene thought, still blushing. She looked away and cleared her throat. "O-Okay. What are the three things you can hear?"

Sonic smirked, although deep down, he's a nervous wreck. Knowing what the remaining senses are, he hoped that the merhog doesn't hate him for what he's planning to do. "I can hear the birds…some insects…" He gently intertwined his fingers through hers, causing the merhog to squeak. "The wind blowing through the trees…"

"T-Two things you can smell?"

Sonic sniffed the air with his eyes closed. "Hmm… I can smell pine…" He opened his eyes and looked at Selene. Selene tilted her head at this and gasped when Sonic closed his eyes again and sniffed in her direction. "And vanilla…"

Is he…? Selene was blushing hard now. "A-And…the one thing…you can taste…?"

This made Sonic open his eyes halfway and looked at her. Selene gulped, having no idea what to think or feel. Before she could think or even say anything, Sonic leaned in, closed his eyes, and kissed her on the lips. The merhog made a muffled gasp, eyes wide as dinner plates, but she didn't pull away.

Sonic gently pulled away with a light blush on his face. "Pineapple…"

Selene was sure she forgot how to breathe. Both hedgehog and merhog leaned in and kissed again, this time a bit more passionately. Selene ran her hands through Sonic's quills, moaning as they deepened the kiss. Sonic had one arm wrapped around the merhog's waist while his remaining hand caressed her cheek. They slowly pulled away, both panted with flushed faces.

Selene then whacked Sonic's shoulder, causing the hedgehog to laugh. "Jerk!" The merhog pouted at him. "I can't believe you did that!"

"Aw, come on," Sonic smirked at her. "I know you liked it."

Selene puffed her cheeks, but she looked down and muttered, "Yes…"

Sonic chuckled and pulled her into a hug. Selene gasped a bit, but smiled and nuzzled into his embrace, feeling safe.

"Thanks for the lesson…" He whispered into her ear, gently running his hand through her long, maroon quills.

Selene closed her eyes in absolute bliss. "You're welcome…"

They both stayed like this for the rest of the morning before heading back to Tails' workshop. But now they know what to do if either of them feels stressed again.

THE END

I hope you all found this adorable. I wanted to use the opportunity to practice writing anything involving passion XD. I might do more of these in the future if inspiration hits. Although, I will admit, I was inspired by the cute one shots fellow author Lykcan (Zenphyre on AO3) wrote. You should check them out!

Have a great rest of the weekend and a Happy Independence Day! :D

See you next time!