#( IMITATIVE POLYPHONE; NEUTRAL VERSE. )

[timeclipsed]

@hiswrlds asked: The blue blur's color is vibrant against the purity of winter's coat . It dashes throughout the curves of forests, leaving clear paths in the woods for whoever decides to venture. It speeds across a crystalline frozen lake, the ice takes a few seconds to melt by the severity of speedster's heat after he's already gone . And he continues, unabashedly scarring the winter wonderland until he spots a certain bundle of warm layers & warmer amber fur . " Tails !! " He calls out loudly, somehow managing a perfect halt to speeding pace without tumbling over into the snow . Steam emerges from beneath every footstep now, melting the snow as shoes adjust to temperature & he takes leisurely simple steps towards the fox . As he trots, one can spot a gift bag bouncing on a sling to his arm, and one can only wonder how it managed to survive the trip here at all . " I'm glad I found you, here, I got you something . " Gloved hand reaches inside the bag to pull out a simple caramel brown scarf, it's ... quite big . A really large scarf, Sonic has to put the bag on the ground to be able to hold the length of the scarf with both hands . At the very end corner of it, there are flowers in blue & yellow embroidery, which doesn't look like the work of skilled hands . The blue hedgehog smiles regardless, sharp-toothed grin a little sheepish . " Did the flowers myself, I know they're not really special, but they were the easiest shapes . " It's very hard to admit he's inadept in certain aspects, but he tried . " I know it's not the time for gift-gifting yet, but I didn't know if we'll be able to see each other when it is, so ... "

— ;; CONCURRENTLY ADDRESSED AND GIFTED THE homespun article of warmth, he stares rather wide-eyed and astonished at both it and the gift giver. Strive's guest appearances in his life had become more frequent over weeks and months, to the point where no one at the shop batted an eye whenever he strode in unannounced, flopping down somewhere to make himself at home or to begin trailing Tails during his afternoon tasks.

There shouldn't be a reason, he thinks, why he's this surprised at the fact that Strive would go out of his way to concoct the perfect present for him in the name of the holidays, but nevertheless he still finds himself dry in the throat and rapid blinking away the daring emotions. How long this must have taken, the cost of the garnered materials, the many attempts it certainly took to complete to a level of arguable perfection. One glance can easily read his admitted delectation just by studying his facial features for a second, by noting the way he trails digits along the stitchwork, admiring every bit of the piece gratefully.

Enmity soon fills his stomach at the thought, however, at the audacity, ebbing him further into a spiraling path of seclusion. For him to want to be this close, to already feel this close, to make this trip so frequently, all just because he wants to. Following an invisible line of moral code that jumbles up and reads nonsensical to anyone else who'd dare step up in an attempt to understand.

Betrayed, even then, by the spark of jubilance the scarf brings him, which balled fists clamp rigidly down onto, he realizes he has to end this now. Before they attach at the hip, before his own feelings come spilling out haphazardly, before he learns how to love again.

❝Oh yeah, cool. Thanks. I think there's space for it somewhere in my closet.❞ Spoken flatly, carelessly bunching it up within one hand, he turns to make his way back into the shop. ❝I didn't get you anything. Sorry or whatever. Seeya!❞

— ;; INSTANTANEOUS REMORSE SETTLES DEEP WITHIN as he slams the door in Strive's face, but he doubles down, flipping the OPEN sign around to read a reddened, bolded CLOSED. Scurrying away, briskly, escaping up the stairs and into his bedroom, a trademark red scarf is promptly discarded onto the floor, replacing the fabric wrapping around his neck with the new flowery, caramel one.

Sinking to the ground onto tremulous knees, arms wrap around his form tightly. Wails leave his lips, cradling himself back and forth to self-soothe effetely.

❝It's beautiful,❞ he susurrates, vicious hiccupping sobs shortstopping words and syllables, ❝it's one of the best gifts I've ever gotten. You idiot, you stupid dumb idiot, I love it. I... I love you. Please stop coming back. Please...❞

[timeclipsed]

Don't mind me, just gonna...