Amy ate her breakfast silently with Dash as she watched one of his cartoons with him.
It was the next morning and she was struggling to keep her eyes open. It was so warm and humid that it was impossible to sleep comfortably last night without moving onto the floor, where the wood was nice and cool- but also caused a slight back ache when she woke up.
Chaos, she was the crankiest she's ever been in the mornings.
But… it was nothing like some good pancakes and coffee she made to lift her mood a bit.
She smiled at the sight of Dash using both his hands to hold his glass of orange juice as he drank it slowly, his eyes trained up on the TV against the wall beside their table. She trailed her gaze over to the empty spot next to her, the food and drink going untouched.
Dash helped her set up the table, and she wasn't expecting him to place Sonic's plate next to hers. Amy didn't question it and let it go, because she also wasn't expecting his company. Not after hearing how cooped up he was in his office.
Besides, after what happened last night, it seemed to be for the best. Amy hated the awkward tension.
And she was hurt when he didn't even try to go after her when she walked away when he knew how upset she was when he took that phone call.
Amy closed her eyes for a moment. She sounded so pathetic right now, didn't she?
She wasn't angry. She was too exhausted to be angry right now. She was annoyed and disappointed with him, for sure, but not angry. It'd be pointless to showcase any more of that in front of Sonic when she was so close to somewhat amending her relationship with him.
After those confessions and kisses… Amy didn't want to be the one backing away from the situation at all.
He was making it awfully difficult not to though.
Biting her lip, Amy shook her head and stuffed her face with another piece of her pancake. Regardless of why Mariko decided to call him at that moment, it shouldn't matter at all. She needed to get her head out of her butt and start thinking rationally. Her insecurities shouldn't keep building up the second whenever she was around his work.
She knew Sonic deserved better than that.
"Wow. Something smells good."
Speaking of the devil.
Dash lit up once he saw Sonic. "Mornin', Dad!"
Sonic entered the room with a casual grin, ruffling Dash's hair as he passed by. "Mornin', buddy. How's it going?"
Amy, managing a small smile, greeted him with a nod. "Morning."
Sonic's eyes flickered briefly to the empty seat next to Amy, and then to the untouched plate of food. He hesitated for a moment before pulling out the chair and sitting down. "Mind if I join you guys?"
She shrugged nonchalantly, though her eyes betrayed a hint of tension. She wanted to point out the obvious that he was already picking up his fork, but refrained from doing so. "Sure, help yourself."
As Sonic began to dig himself into the pancakes, Dash couldn't contain his excitement. "Dad, did you see that last episode of 'Rocket Raccoon and Friends'? It was awesome!"
Sonic chuckled, taking a sip of the coffee she had prepared. "Nah, I missed it. But I'm sure it was cool, buddy. Maybe you can fill me in on the details, huh?"
Dash eagerly started recounting the episode, his hands and face animating what happened. Amy occasionally glanced at Sonic as he paid close attention to what their son was saying, even throwing in a comment or two whenever he could.
She stayed quiet and gazed at the table. They were sitting together like a family again. Because the weather was so lovely yesterday, she thought to have their dinner at the beach, which just included them sitting on a blanket and having tasty food from the nearby vendors.
However, now all three of them were sitting at a table, albeit with breakfast, but it was still the same. The last time they all were at the table was when Dash broke his arm and… the tension was just as awkward as it had been now.
It couldn't have been this way if the events from last night didn't occur.
Amy sat back against her chair before stealing another glance at Sonic. He caught her this time, mid-sip into his coffee and looked at her. The moment lingered and lasted for only a second as she broke eye contact first, turning her attention to her coffee mug.
As Dash finished his recount of the episode, Sonic gave him a small praise for his good storytelling as they sat there, watching the rest of the cartoon in relative silence.
Dash said he needed to use the bathroom so Amy got up and took the empty plates to the sink, and began cleaning them. Even though the TV sounds should be distracting her, it didn't tone down the fact that she could practically feel Sonic's eyes on her. She could hear his knife and fork hitting the plate, and his mug being picked and placed back down on the table. Amy bit her cheek as she vigorously used the sponge to clean the jam off the plate. She wanted to pretend that his potential staring at her back was doing nothing to her.
"You know we've got a dishwasher, right?"
Amy glanced over her shoulder, her eyes following Sonic as he came to stand beside her at the sink. "What?"
"Dishwasher," he said and gestured down the bottom from where they were standing, "Comes in handy."
"Oh," She blinked and continued scrubbing the other dishes, "I didn't see it."
"Yeah. This one tends to blend in with the cabinets. Easy to miss, I guess."
Amy took note in his attempt to lighten up the mood, but it honestly made things more awkward and tense between them. Now wasn't the time for small talk, was it? At least not for the sake of it.
She didn't say anything when he helped her clean up. He helped her dry the plate and cutlery and took the initiative to wipe down the table.
"Mom, Dad!" Dash called out as she heard his footsteps coming down the stairs, "I see Uncle Tails outside!"
"Hm?" Amy dried off her hands and poked her head into the hallway to see him running for the front door, "You do?"
Dash opened the door and practically jumped into Tails's arms once he came into view. "Uncle Tails!"
"Hey, little bud!" Tails laughed and placed him along his hip, "You guys enjoying the beach so far?"
"Yeah! We did sooo many things! I even built a sandcastle!"
Amy smiled and walked over to them. "Hey, Tails. How's everything going with you?"
Tails returned the smile. "Hey, Amy. Everything's good. Just working on some projects and, you know, the usual. How about you? Enjoying your time here?"
"Yeah, it's been... interesting." Amy glanced briefly over to Sonic, who had just come out of the kitchen to stand near her.
She noticed Tails was dressed casually, and looked ahead outside to see Knuckles waiting in the driver's seat of the car, looking ready to go somewhere. Mildly confused, she asked, "Are you heading anywhere?"
"Oh! Uh…" Tails casually flickered his eyes over to Sonic, which she didn't miss, and then back at her, "There's a new amusement park just past this beach and I was gonna take Dash along with us to check it out."
"Oh," Amy blinked, "So you, Dash and Knuckles?"
"And Rouge as well. Is that okay with you?"
…It finally clicked into her head as to what was going on.
Oh.
They were trying to get her to be alone with Sonic for the rest of the day.
Amy had to bite her cheek to prevent a groan from coming out of her mouth. Without moving her head, she dragged her eyes to Sonic, who only looked away from her with a low whistle, hands behind his hand as he leaned against the doorframe casually.
She squinted at him for a second, before assessing the situation again.
"Can I go, Mom?" Dash pleaded, cutely collapsing his hands together, "Pleeeeaaase?"
Despite her pondering and her obvious realisation, she smiled at her son's enthusiasm and his natural talent to diffuse her inner turmoil. After a moment and a small exhale, she nodded. "Sure you can, baby," She went over and grabbed a handbag from underneath the stairs with Dash's essentials. "Here. Could you make sure he puts his sunscreen on?"
"Aw, but I don't like putting sunscreen on…" Dash pouted.
"Do you want me to find you all red and burnt up when you come home, Mister?" Amy said as she wagged her finger in disapproval, "We don't want that to happen again, do we?"
Sonic laughed and took the bag from her and handed it to Tails. "Listen to your mom, Dash. Sunscreen is important."
"Fine, fine…" Dash grumbled as Tails put him down.
Tails looked at both of them and smiled, pulling the bag behind him. "I'll make sure he does. You two enjoy your day, okay?"
Amy forced a smile, quickly exchanging a look with Sonic. "Thanks, Tails," she said and knelt down to Dash, kissing him on the cheek, "Have fun, and be good to your Uncles and Aunt Rouge!"
Dash grinned and hugged her tightly. "I will, Mom! Love you!"
"Love you too, sweetie," she replied, leaving another kiss against his hair before standing up. She watched as Sonic came over to give Dash a hug and a small kiss on the head before the little hedgehog took Tails's hand. Tails gave her one last look, to which she sent him a knowing one back before they left- the door shutting right after.
Once Amy realised she was alone in the house with Sonic, the situation really began to kick in. Her back was still facing towards him, and she was mulling over the moment in plea.
Sonic cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ames."
"Yeah?"
"...Can we talk?"
"About what?" Amy turned around, facing him with a neutral expression.
He looked at her, his eyes shifting from her to the side a couple of times. "No. I mean like, can we talk? About us?"
Swallowing the unexpected lump against her throat, Amy just gingerly nodded. "Sure," she said, walking past him, "Let me just take a bath."
Of course, that was just an excuse to temporarily escape from the situation so she could get her thoughts together. However, he seemed to have realised that quicker than she would've wanted.
"Amy," Sonic grabbed her arm and she gasped when he whirled her around so they faced each other, "I wanna talk. Now."
Her eyes met his, and that serious and vulnerable look on his face never failed to put her off guard. Chaos, she hated how weak she was against it. It was difficult to put up a fight and not show to him that she was so easily forgiving when it came to it.
She promised him after their kiss on the night of the Gala that they'd talk. She did.
She was ready… but also not ready.
But seeing and feeling how his grip on her arm had tightened ever so gently, Amy found herself nodding again. "Okay."
Sonic let go of her arm and she was confused when he began leading her to where his office was. "Wouldn't it be better if we were talking in the living room, on the couch?" She asked, still not moving.
He stopped walking and looked at her. "Would you prefer talking in my room, on the bed?"
Amy bit her cheek and squinted at him, detecting the teasing in his tone despite the atmosphere between them right now. Going into his bedroom was the last thing on her mind right now, let alone going into his office. "I don't see how that correlates with what I asked," she said, putting her hand on her hip, "I just feel like sitting on the couch and talking is better."
A muscle ever so slightly clenched against Sonic's jaw, but it disappeared quickly as it came. "If you think that, then we should talk on my bed."
She could feel a vein threatening to pop in her head as he practically sassed her back. Well… it's not like she didn't deserve it at this point. She totally did. "That wouldn't work."
"Then we talk in my office."
"How is us talking in your office any better?"
He stared at her and she only stared back, expecting him to respond to her remark but was a little surprised when he didn't, as he stayed unusually silent. Despite Amy knowing that she was displaying arrogance, she felt slightly unsettled.
Finally, Sonic sighed and walked up to her. Before Amy could even remotely think to say anything else, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
Amy's eyes widened as she yelped in surprise. "What the heck are you doing?! Put me down, Sonic!"
"Nope," he replied and adjusted his grip on her legs as he walked, "If you aren't going to listen to me then we're just going to do this my way, Ames."
She pounded her fists on his back, her face flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You think this is the best way then? You can't carry me around like a sack of potatoes!"
"I totally can," Sonic said, laughing whilst giving her a playful pat on her backside, "Less chance for you to escape."
As they entered his office, he shut the door and gently sat her down on the chair opposite his desk. Amy shot him an indignant glare. "...You're impossible," she huffed out.
He sat down on his chair and leaned against it. "Yeah? Well, sometimes being impossible is the only way to get through to you."
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she looked away. He was right, really. She was stubborn, even as she was trying her best to hide the blush that dusted her cheeks from the way he just picked her up a moment ago.
She heard him let out a sigh again and she could see him running a hand down his quills from the corner of her eye. "I know I really messed up last night, Ames."
"You did," Amy quipped, looking back at him.
Sonic nodded slowly, giving her his undivided attention. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken that phone call."
"You shouldn't have."
"I'm… so sorry, Ames. I get that you're mad-"
"Stop, stop," Amy said gently, sighing as she sat up on her chair, "I'm not mad, Sonic. I'm just…" She closed her eyes and hunched down her shoulders, "I'm just disappointed."
"Disappointed is worse," he mumbled, running a hand through his quills again. "I get it, though."
She pressed her lips together as she looked at him tentatively. "Do you really?"
"Huh?"
"Do you really get why I'm so upset?" Amy locked her gaze with his, dead-set and unnerved, "It's because that's the reason why we broke up in the first place. You kept putting those phone calls and work before me." She tried her best to prevent the quiver that threatened her eyes, "Not once did you try and focus on me and whatever the heck we were doing together."
There was a lot of weight in her words and she was struggling to process that. Amy was trying to stay put, she was trying to keep her emotions in check- but it was so hard when all those memories from five years ago came rushing back like a storm.
She could yell at him, she could stomp out of this room so he wouldn't see how… repulsed her body threatened to become despite fighting it back with all her might.
But what would that ever accomplish? Not after what they've already been through. Not after everything they've already communicated with each other between… heated kisses and touching.
Sonic leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, and looked into her eyes with a sincerity that felt both comforting and painful. "You know I'll always regret that, Amy. I never came to terms with it until it was too late, and I still hate myself for it."
Gripping on the lace of her dress, Amy just nodded and for a moment, gazed off at his desk. He was being sincere. She knew he was being truthful. That was what she wanted from him.
"What did she call you for?" Amy asked bluntly when she looked back up at him.
That was when she saw his eyes flash with guilt again, just like the time when he didn't tell her who he was with when he had that conference months ago. She saw it through her computer screen, but seeing it in person was different.
The lump was at her throat again.
He was hesitating, and at that point, she wasn't trying to be sceptical. She saw the answer in his face.
"It was about work," Sonic said slowly, looking at her carefully as if contemplating to continue. When she just stared at him with no particular reaction, he sighed and shook his head, "I don't want you getting the wrong idea because it was actually about work. She started getting into a casual conversation with me, but I'd shoot it down and try and get back on topic with her."
"Does she know you're with me?" Amy had to refrain from biting out that question.
He nodded at her. "Yeah, she does. I told her from the get-go. Not that it was any of her business."
"Yet, she still decided to call you and you still decided to take that call in the middle of…" Amy trailed off, her mind going back to their kiss last night and how close they were to completely losing themselves to each other. "...Our moment," she finished, cursing at the stupid growing crack in her voice.
From the way his eyes shifted for a second there, she could tell he was also recalling it as well.
"I know-"
"But do you really know?" Amy pressed on, leaning forward against the desk. "Can you imagine if some other guy called me in between all of this? Like Jace? What if he constantly kept calling me? How would that make you feel?"
She knew she was pushing buttons, but the only way for them to actually communicate and solve this was to get to the worst before it got better.
Sonic's expression changed, and for a moment, there was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes before it was replaced by irritation. "Okay, that's not really the same thing," he argued back, his voice low as he sat up, "He obviously has something for you. Nothing to do with your work at all."
"And you're trying to tell me that call with her wasn't her trying to distract you from your family time?" Amy scoffed. "Give me a break, Sonic. She seems to always want to insert herself whenever you're with me."
"Amy, how many times do I have to tell you you're the one I want?" He squinted at her, his frustration with her evident, "You're not making anything easier right now. You think every time she's mentioned, she's in my pants."
Amy's eyes widened at his blunt comment, disbelief on her face. Even though she knew he was right. He hit the nail on the head. "I-Is that really what you think this is about?!"
What are you doing, Amy? Why are you getting so defensive when he was right?
"Well, what am I supposed to think? Every time her name comes up, it's like you're ready to jump down my throat."
Something inside her ignited. "You know what, Sonic? If you're so convinced that I'm making a big deal out of nothing, then why don't you just go ahead and continue your little conversations with her and see where that takes you."
"I didn't say you're not making a big deal out of nothing, Ames," he calmly stated, but she could tell his voice was on the verge of snapping, "I know she doesn't like you, and you don't like her. But you gotta understand that I'd never let her come between us."
"Yet, you're having the hardest time trying to prove that," Amy couldn't help but snap at him anyway as she shot up from her seat.
"Don't even say that, Amy," Sonic's tone suddenly grew stern as he also stood up from his chair, his eyes furrowing into a glare.
But it had no effect on her as she let out a dry laugh, her voice almost reaching to hysteria. "She's one of the reasons why the papers couldn't leave us alone when we were dating. She resents me for even standing next to you and would push past her way to see you. And you barely did a damn thing to stop it!" She heaved and matched her glare with his, "Why can't you see that?!"
"...I never realised it until you told me because I was so caught up with the company," he said, his jaw clenching, "You never tell me anything and expect me to just know everything. It doesn't work like that."
Amy bit her lip, feeling her eyes water but she refused to back down. "It does when you keep telling me you're trying to prove me wrong."
This time, he let out a dry chuckle- even looking away for a moment. "Back to this again, huh?" He walked around his desk and stood in front of her, his glare on her intensifying, "What else do I need to do to prove to you that you're the only one I want?" He pretended to ponder over it, counting with his fingers on one hand, "Be best friends with you? Go out with you? Fall in love with you? Have a child with you? Oh, wait… I did all those things!"
It was the first time he yelled at her in a long time. In fact, the intensity of his words made her flinch and suddenly, she felt like she was back in the same moment from five years ago.
This time, if there was one thing she was sure of-
She deserved it.
The room fell into a heavy silence as Sonic's words hung in the air. Amy's eyes glistened and with no seconds to spare, tears were rapidly falling down her cheeks. The weight of both their frustrations and her own insecurities finally pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.
She wasn't cut out for this anymore. She wasn't ready, she wasn't ready...
This shouldn't have been so hard. Asking him if he wanted to try again, it shouldn't have to be difficult to be transparent with him.
Embarrassment flooded her. She found herself looking around helplessly for an exit, a way to escape the situation, a way to escape from Sonic. Her already fragile courage crumbled beneath her and she felt weak. So weak.
She didn't want to be in this room.
With the strength she had left, Amy avoided eye contact as she made a beeline for the door.
But she felt him tugging on her arm the moment she opened it. Before Amy knew it, she was spun around to face him. With his hand, Sonic shut the door behind her and then pinned her against it.
"No, no," Sonic said, his voice gentle but firm, "That's not how this is gonna work, Ames. You can't keep running away from everything."
She still refused to look at him, ignoring how flushed her face had gotten through her tears. "...Let me go."
"I'm not letting you go again. Not this time."
Amy was startled by his statement, startled by how close his face was, and startled when she felt his hand underneath her chin, slowly lifting it so she could finally see him.
Sonic's expression softened when he saw her tear-streaked face. His thumb gently wiped away a stray tear, and he sighed. "Amy, I get it. I messed up, and I know I need to do better. But running away won't solve anything."
She bit her lip, swallowing down the lump in her throat. Slowly but surely, Amy took another deep breath and nodded, not trusting her voice just yet.
He leaned closer so that their breaths mingled. "You're the most stubborn person I know," he said and cupped her face, "I can manage my time better now. You and Dash will always come first."
Amy stared into his eyes. "Of course. Dash should come first."
"And you," he insistently added, his look betraying nothing.
"Stop saying that," she whispered, her voice cracking, "Just stop, Sonic. You shouldn't have to deal with such an idiot like me."
Against all of her odds, Sonic just gave her signature charming smile. "Do you really think any of the women I've encountered over the last five years could compare to you?"
She didn't respond.
"They didn't, Ames," he chuckled out and ran his thumb down a strand of her hair, "They couldn't. I'd be damned if they did."
Amy's knees buckled and he used that opportunity to trap her between his arms. Compared to him, she felt so small. She always was when he was by her side. "Y-You're not just saying that?"
He tilted his head.
"You're the most goddamn beautiful woman I've ever met... inside and out."
Finally, after holding it in the entire time, Amy burst into tears and cried.
Sonic immediately panicked.
"A-Amy? What's wrong? I thought I said-! Dammit Ames, I just complimented you!"
"I know!" Amy yelled, using the back of her palms to wipe off her cheeks and take control of her breathing, "I-I just… I just don't deserve you."
Sonic sighed and cupped her face again. "C'mon Ames, we've been through this. You do deserve me. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world."
She shook her head, sniffling. "I don't deserve you after the way I acted. I'm so difficult, Sonic."
"You're not difficult, Ames," He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, "And hey. If you're difficult, then I'm no better either."
Amy closed her eyes and finally decided to lean herself against him, closing the gap between their bodies as she laid her head on his shoulder. She breathed in, the mixture of his cologne and natural scent instantly filled her senses, and she relaxed. She was sure her eyes were red and puffy. Her nose was runny and she was ruining his perfectly ironed shirt, but she knew he didn't care when she felt his arms enclosing her waist, pulling her closer to him.
It felt so nice being in his arms. She felt safe and warm.
"It's hard seeing you with her," Amy murmured, unsure if he heard her, "And I hate it. I get it, but I hate it so much."
"I know, Ames," Sonic whispered, his fingers gently stroking her hair, "But I'm not letting her or anyone else come between us. I promise you that."
She held onto him tighter. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Sonic pulled back to look at her, wiping away another stray tear on her cheek. "Hey, none of that. I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I'm sorry for making you feel like that for so long," he said, smiling at her, "I love you, Amy."
Amy remembered the last time he said that to her. It was such a long time ago, but it was so ingrained in her head that she eventually gave up on trying to remove it completely. How could she? When he smiled so innocently and so lovingly, neither of them realised that back then they were close to breaking up after another argument soon after that.
Just hearing him say it now… made her want to relive that moment and do better.
"I love you too," she said, her eyes glistening with tears again as her hands gently held his face, "I love you, Sonic."
Sonic smiled again, his eyes reflecting genuine happiness. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender and apologetic kiss. Amy kissed him back, her arms tightly wrapping around his neck, feeling the warmth and relief in his touch.
The comforting taste in Sonic's mouth, his hold, his breathing- everything.
His lips suddenly reached her ears, in another tentative whisper. "Jump."
Amy immediately complied, wrapping her legs around him as he held them tightly. There was a sense of thrill in her body as he carried her up the stairs, swiftly opening his bedroom door with his foot and shutting it with a kick. Before she knew it, she was gently placed onto her back on his bed and he was hovering over her, placing soft kisses along her shoulder and neck. Closing her eyes, Amy let out a quiet content sigh all whilst her heart was racing in rapid motion. Tingles were building up against her skin and she welcomed the light squeeze he gave on her thigh, where his fingers were closing in under her dress.
When Sonic's phone rang, he stopped and groaned. Amy watched him pull away and take out his phone from his back pocket. He looked at who it was and then rolled his eyes before turning the phone off and throwing it away to the corner.
"What was that?" Amy asked, even though she clearly knew who was calling him.
Sonic just grinned. "Nothing important."
"...Are you sure?"
"Do you want me to stop taking off your dress right now?" He asked her, his grin not fading as his hands pulled on her underwear, "Because I really don't want to, Ames."
Amy smiled before letting out a laugh as she pulled him closer, her eyes closing halfway once she brought their lips together again. "No," she said and surrendered herself, "Please continue."
It'd been a long time since she felt so complete.
