#Free As The Wind: chaosworthy

[familylightfox]

Having Tikal nearby was comforting. While it didn’t completely quell the hybrid’s worry for his husband, he offered her an appreciative smile nonetheless. Might have even flicked the tip of his tail, since that was the only part that could move without disturbing the napping Chao. But Volt’s eyes soon returned to watching what was going on.

He couldn’t really take his eyes away.

That black energy getting quills and fur on the back of his neck to raise instinctively. Both Arrow and himself knew what it was, what it could do. The reminder of how bad his soulmate looked when they had rescued him from Dark’s clutches was still fresh in his mind.

Not to mention the more recent memory of what had happened when the roles had been reversed and the adverse effects.

When their eyes met, it was easy to see how much of a struggle it was for Volt to remain seated where he was. Even lips just barely being held from becoming a frown. Mismatched hands flexed and ears folded back.

He had to stay put. He couldn’t interfere. He promised… It didn’t mean he had to like it.

    {➹} – THE REMINDER WAS appreciated, and returned with a pulse somewhere between thankful and an apology. Something reflected in emerald hues as they looked at his partner, then to Chaos with a small nod. They might as well start and get this over this, even if the hero had low hopes of any real progress being made. He always did, and the more he thought about the more he wondered if there ever would be.

Not that Chaos shared the same thought, clearly. The demi-god seemed almost too determined to get this to work at times, and yet there was no complaint from the hedgehog as they took up what was now their usual position for this exercise. Facing one another, both light blue and tan hands out stretched, one hovering just inches above the other and palms facing each other's.

Tikal had taken it upon herself to sit near Volt, far too shy to sit much closer than a few feet but still enough that they could hold a conversation as they both settled in with the group of Chao who seemed determined to use them as a napping spot.

"Neither do we." It was quiet but still heard if the way mismatched ears flicked back was anything to go by. Had this been any other situation, any other person, Arrow wouldn't have stood there unflinching as a black mass started to form in one of the water god's hands. A wriggling ball of dark energy that brought a shiver to the hero's spine, and even Tikal's tone took on something more serious. "But...I do understand what Chaos is trying to achieve here. It truly is for the greater good, even if it doesn't seem like it."

Whether or not Arrow agreed was up for debate, and after a brief glance to his partner all his attention was back on Chaos. On the matter at hand. "Ready."

Chaos nodded, though waited a moment more before lowering his hands and that sphere in turn into the hero. Though their gaze remained fixed on the green eyes as bright as their own. << Remember to focus, Sonic. >>

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​ said:

     "Do you think we could have sunflowers too?" The question was asked as the hero was looking out of the back window from the kitchen, towards the garden with a content, but thoughtful, expression. It would add a bit more color, not to mention they were his favorite flowers. Well, one of them anyway.

                                            ——————————

     Volt looked up from the other windowsill, where the very small herb garden had been started as well as some of the plants for their vegetable garden that would need to be transplanted soon. For only a moment, the hybrid considered the question while looking over what he could see of their backyard before smiling.

     “I don’t see why not. They need a lot of sunlight so we’ll have to pick a good spot for them to flourish, but over there would work.” He pointed to the part of the fence that even in the afternoon was still full of sunlight. “And once the flowers are fully grown, we can harvest the seeds too.”

     The smile remained, even as he turned to face his partner, leaning back against the counter and tilting his head to the side. “Was thinkin’ of using the other side of the yard for some lavender since it doesn’t get as much sun so they won’t dry out, and I know Harmony’s been diggin’ holes for the wild flower seeds she picked up the other day after the doctor sent me home.”

     A small pause as said pup picked her head up from outside after hearing her name from the open window. She went right back to work when he gave a wave to show it wasn’t something to worry about. Now Volt moved a little closer to Arrow, getting a gentle cuddle in while it was just the two of them in the kitchen. “What other flowers do you think we should get? There’s some sill planters on the front of the house that could use some color.”

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​ said:

Arrow was just going to plop down next to Harmony, a telltale grin on his muzzle. "So, the weather's s'pposed t' be decent the next week or two. Think you're ready for your first lesson?"

                                              ——————————

     Was probably a good thing Arrow had come over when he did. Saved Harmony from playing too much with her ears and the earrings but her smile had been quick to form on her face as she placed both of her hands on his knees and nodded. 

     She hadn’t forgotten the birthday gift her dad had promised her and had been looking forward to it. Not to mention the preteen was also looking forward to having some time to bond with her dad one on one as well. 

     “I’m ready when ya are.” With only a minor pause as she thought of something. “Ya already told Unca Knuckles we were comin’ right? So he ain’t gonna be spooked if he hears noises at the tornado, right?”

     Better to double check than forget and make the Guardian grumpy. 

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​ said:

Arrow was not a happy person. Something had been going on with Volt but just how bad it was drove through him like a stake that evening. Seeing his boyfriend all but collapsed on the kitchen floor had nearly made his heart stop, watching Volt lose consciousness? That was a whole new level of panic. The hero didn’t know what was going on but he was sure that his partner was not fine and there was a note of urgency in his voice when he turned to Harmony. “We need t’ take him t’ a doctor...”

                                            ——————————

     Everything around him felt like he was covered in cotton. Voices were muffled and it was like a fever dream with the lights that danced behind his closed eyes. His head was killing him and the pain would cause his body to tense harshly and leave him trembling after. As things began to clear and Volt managed to very slowly open his eyes, the words of his boyfriend managed to just barely register with his mind. 

     “N-No. Ya can’t!” Harmony’s frantic voice brought a bit more focus to his thoughts, but the kitchen overhead light was almost blinding and made it that much harder for him to open his eyes without letting out a hiss of pain. It was enough to get the pup’s attention as Volt forced his organic hand to move over his eyes and shook his head slowly. 

     “I’m fine... Wh....What happened?” Confusion filled his tone, as well as the hazy violet eyes that were now doing their best to take in their surroundings. What was he doing on the kitchen floor? He’d be doing something in there a moment ago, right? 

  The dishes... that was it.

     Slowly, his vision began to clear as the headache started to dull. The stars that had overtaken his sight were fading and allowed him to start focusing. Even though the light in the kitchen was still a bit too bright, Harmony seemed to understand as she ran over to turn it off. The light from the living room would be enough for them to see what they were doing for the time being if it made him more comfortable. She began to fidget, pick at her fingers and Volt knew that was a sign that she knew something was going on and tilted his head carefully to the side, resting it on Arrow’s shoulder to recover as well. 

     “I’m okay love...” Part of him didn’t actually believe that, but Volt said it anyway in hopes of easing his partner’s worry.

     “N-no yer not... yer hurtin’... And yer not gettin’ any better.”

[familylightfox]

That smile had been one the hybrid had been hoping to see at his offer. After the way the month had gone, Volt could think of no better way to get his husband's mind off his current affliction. A few more steps were taken away from the porch as he returned the squeeze. Just a little more space for the white wings to open without the risk of knocking anything (or anyone) over in the process.

"And here I thought you'd wanna be dropped mid-flight." Two could play the teasing game, but it was clear that Volt had no intention of doing such a thing. In fact, he closed the space between them to share in a soft kiss. His wings acted like a small shield from passersby to see them.

Violet eyes gazed into amber, a gentle bump of their noses, and Volt released the hand in his own. He needed both in order to scoop the hero up into his arms. Mismatched arms kept a firm hold with only one question left to ask.

"Ready?"

↳ @familylightfox asked: "I promised somethin' before the month ends..." It helped that they had already settled at the Inn for the upcoming festival. One hand was offered as Volt stepped off the front porch with a smile.

"So... 'Bout that flight."

{➹} – THE HEDGEHOG HAD raised his arms over his head in a stretch as they walked onto the porch. With only a few days left in the month he was looking forward to the end of it and his current state, but not before a few festivities there in the mountain village. They would be just what he needed to take his mind off things, and have a little fun during one of his favorite holidays.

And, more importantly, their daughter's birthday.

Maybe it was because his husband knew what was going on in that head of his, or because the opportunity was too perfect but that one gesture, the one offer, had made the hedgehog unbelievably happy.

"Just take it easy on me." A small tease before that hand was taken and squeezed, the hero's smile a mile wide. He wouldn't lie, he had been looking forward to this.

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​ asked:

While it may have made more sense for the hero to go to Tails with the idea that had brewed in his head, it wouldn't take a genius to see that the hedgehog was just a bit uncomfortable around the fox. It technically had nothing to do with the version of the two-tailed inventor in that Zone, but rather experiences with his own that had made the hero a tad paranoid. Hence why the hero had chosen to go to Augustus that evening. Fortunately, he had thought to bring a small tray with two steaming cups. A recognition of the times the canine had done the exact same thing for the hedgehog.

"I'm...going t' take it there's still not much luck with a cure, yeah?" There was a despondent undertone in the question but the hero really didn't expect much, yet he did want to pick Augustus' brain a little before posing his idea.

                                             ——————————

     It hadn’t been that long after the older canine had switched out with said fox in overlooking the code they were trying so desperately to break that Arrow had decided to join him. Which may have been the reason for his startled jump when the hero’s question had filled the empty workshop. For just a moment, one hand had settled on his chest in hopes to still his rapid heartbeat as he turned to see who it was. 

     Near instantly his expression softened, using one hand to wave Arrow over and then gesture to the screen. The cup was appreciated as it was taken in hand to be sipped. Such a good flavor and definitely the pick me up he needed to spend the next few hours typing away at the computer. But that still hadn’t answered his friend’s question. 

     “Ve are almost zhere. I can feel it, but I admit zat it is slow going. I am not good vith hacking, but I vas able to isolate a single nanite from ze rest… from ze sample ve collected vhen kleiner flaum locked up Herr Sonic. It is so much easier to study vhen isolated.” While he didn’t expect Arrow to understand the jargon on the screen, he still gave the hero a few moments to look at if he chose before bringing up the image of the nanite. “I am zhinking zat if ve can break down ze code and rewrite it, ve might be able to wirelessly broadcast ze new commands zat vould have zhem reverse ze roboticization process. Zhen it vould just be getting everyone ze vaccine so it vill never be able to happen again…

     “At least, zat is my running theory.” After another sip from his mug, Augustus looked to the hero was a small tilt of his head. “But tell me. How are you holding up? I hope ze Freedom Fighters have not been running you as ragged as zhey have kleiner flaum.”

[familylightfox]

A Great Dad:           Arrow & Harmony Bonding

     5 years can definitely play a part in how a child views an adult. Especially when that adult means so much already to her family. Arrow will always be a role model and someone she looks up to, but even Volt can’t deny that he’s pretty happy to see that she thinks of the hero as a father figure too.

     To bad she can’t curl up completely in his lap like she used to.

Free to Reblog/Do NOT Repost

Arrow: @chaosworthy Art and Harmony: Me All work completed in Procreate

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​

That was exactly what the hero hadn't wanted to hear, his frown enough to announce as such whether he had wanted it to or not. He was silent for a moment, eyes lingering before raising to look at his partner, curious but also with a dim hope. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do t' help?"

     Volt paused at the question. Not just in responding, but in movement as well. The only thing to move were his eyes, that had taken a downward turn towards his wrapped hand. A part of him was wondering if maybe there was something that they could do together, but there was one thing that was holding him back. One worry that had come to a bit more light after they had returned home from the day he had caused the injury.

     “I don’t want you to waste your energy on something that might not even work.” He knew that his use of negative energy had impacted his boyfriend more than he had let on. Just like he knew that the energy fluctuations hurt more than Arrow was willing to admit. So he just curled his organic fingers inward and shook his head.

     “I’m not in any pain, so I can just keep it covered for now… Until the fur grows back.”

[familylightfox]

chaosworthy​:

   {➹} – IT HAD BEEN one of the worst things about all of it. Watching the planet he loved and protected so fervently fall apart because of one man. Watching fear rise in the eyes of innocents and something more than that in his friends and family. To say nothing of himself, and the hero was suffering more than he had ever let on in the last few years. Just like everyone else he was full of uncertainty, dread. He just couldn’t show it.

     Although there, with Volt by his side, the hedgehog could feel certain walls slipping. His guard was coming down and that, frankly, terrified him with the state of the world being as it was. It was a notion he refused to linger on then and there, but it burned dimly in the back of his head. Faint but still there, even as he gave the hybrid a puzzled look. Seemed there would be a lot of that today as he tried to catch his partner up in the most unideal location.

     "I don’t think so…? The Zone Bosses are all we really know about, an’ as far as we can tell they’re mostly regular people. Just…cruel, and loyal t’ Robotnik t’ the point where they’ll do anything he asks. An’ I mean anything,“ he said with a particular bitterness before shaking his head and offering a small smile, a sign he was alright. And that things weren’t all that bad. "The only exception t’ them is Khan, a newer member we picked up back when the emeralds scattered. He’s the leader of one of the underwater cities, and came t’ his senses when he saw what Robotnik was trying t’ do, thankfully. He was one of the Bosses, but now he’s on our side.”

     A blessing in disguise really. Khan had given them a lot of needed information and in turn The Freedom Fighters had given him, his family and people, protection and camaraderie. A rare thing these days. It was one of few good things that had happened, but none of those aforementioned events compared to the couple reuniting and it was Arrow’s every intention to make sure they did so a little more properly once they were done with their mission.

     Only a half glance back was given at the joke as they moved along, though there was a faint spark in the hero’s eyes to go along with it. All before his gaze and mind went back to the matter at hand. His steps were cautious, but there was still a method of knowledge about the hero’s movements. He knew this Zone well and that would play into their hand the further they went along. He never strayed from their cover, stopped to analyze any unusual sounds and lead them right to a small cliff where they could overlook the town without being seen.

     Even from where they were it was easy to see that Marble Zone had a similar feel and style to Green Hill. Quaint, if not a little more fancy with its marble accents and more stone based architecture. Still, what caught the hero’s attention the most was the state of the town, where jagged pieces of marble were missing from buildings and some even seemed to be smoldering. Others lay entirely in ruins, with badniks crawling around the fallen buildings like spiders. And it was then the hero noticed something else.

     "Where are all the people…?“

     In all honesty, the description matched quite a bit with the Grand Masters Volt had been talking about. Mobians (and overlanders) who were loyal to the then Robotnik cause, ruthless and terrifying in their own right. But they had been given enhancements to make the job easier when it came to controlling that area he had set up a base. Thankfully they were being replaced by Eggbosses, but even they were a pain in the tail when battling.

      Mostly due to the cybernetic enhancements, but Volt shook a good portion of those thoughts from his mind to focus on the mission at hand.

     “Remind me to have Nicole send over a file on the Grand Masters to Kintobor when we get back. Might not be the same, but maybe you guys can use the info...” While the name Khan rang a bell, the rest of the information didn’t line up with anything Volt could use to match with his own Zone. But then again, he wasn’t really expecting to as he followed along the path his partner was taking to get them closer.

     As they crouched behind the foliage on the cliff side, violet eyes scanned the town below. It didn’t take long for the hybrid to see exactly what Arrow was also quick to point out. The place looked deserted, abandoned by the Mobians that lived there. But had they left, had they been driven out… or had they been captured? It was questions that Volt himself was considering as he tried to take in as much information as he could see.

     “That’s a good question…” Was this a worst case scenario where the townsfolk had been decimated by Robotnik’s forces? It couldn’t be… there would be bodies, right? Volt shook his head from those dark thoughts and looked to his partner, again reaching out to place a hand over gloves fingers.

     “He could be using them as workers in his factories…” That seemed like a more likely scenario. “I don’t really want us to get any closer if we can help it, but let’s see if we can find that hooded figure they were talking about. Maybe we can catch a glimpse of their face to add to the rest of the information we gather.”

     Might as well make the most of the situation as Volt looked back over the town. So many badniks. It was a wonder that the rest of the beautiful architecture hadn’t been destroyed by their movements. Hopefully they’d be able to figure out how to put a stop to Robotnik and bring the Zones back to their former glory.

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​ said:

Worried didn't quite do justice to how the hedgehog was feeling. It didn't even begin to describe how he was feeling at that moment but he did take some solance in knowing the hybrids were going to be alright according to the villagers. He had no reason not to trust them, after all.

But concern was etched on his features all the same, eyes downcast as he sat at Volt and Harmony's side before letting out a heavy sigh, a troubled sound. Amongst that concern and worry, there was a dread that had settled in the pit of his stomach. He had a nasty suspicion today's events weren't a one-off thing. Not by a long shot.

                                           ——————————

     They had expected him to arrive, or at least the woman standing in the doorway of the room that both hybrid’s had been brought into had been expecting him. As had the wolf currently switching out some of the heating pads that had been placed under the thick blankets. Both of them had been relatively quiet in order to give Arrow a little time to think, but after giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder and heading out the room was when the other spoke up. 

     “It is good thing Herr Voltage’s phone is vater... vhat is vord... not proof, but keep vater out.. abweisend [repellent]... No... not that... ah, you know vhat I mean.” Greta spoke plainly as she looked over to the two beds. “They vill need time to varm up und Augustus varned that his arm vill need repair. The gunshot broke something and vater managed to get in. He can explain more vhen he comes back, but you can use room as long as you need. Sternenberg is safe.”

     While he wasn’t gone long, the Wolf had returned with two cups and a few more heat pads. He had to squeeze himself passed Greta but placed the one cup on the table next to the hero with a smile. After a second to adjust his glasses and his ponytail, Augustus checked on both father and daughter. His voice was much softer than the sheep’s. “Ve vere able to get to zem quickly und I expect a full recovery once ve varm zem up. kleiner Flaum [small fluff] is responding vell as is Herr Voltage, but I hope you vill not mind mein company as I vatch zem. I need to vait until he vakes to try to take collar off und make repairs on his arm.”

     “If you are in need of anything Herr Arrow, you come downstairs und ve help you, ja? I vill be at front desk to make phone call.” With that, Greta took her leave to head downstairs. 

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​

"The surprise is half the fun anyway."

     “Yeh! And if we dun say nothin’, daddy can’t give us ‘the look’ till after!”

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​

"Maybe...?" He totally is, he wants cuddles, don't be fooled Volt.

     Volt knew that look, but he was going to just give his boyfriend one in return. “Maybe huh? I dunno if I can concentrate with a maybe...” Is he being cheeky, yes. Is this his way of getting Arrow to ask... Most definitely. 

     “Maybe a kiss will help me concentrate.”

[familylightfox]

“Then we’re in agreement.” Infant, toddler, child, or teen. It didn’t matter to either of them what age of the child they welcomed into their home. They would find nothing but love from the couple, not to mention their teenage daughter who would be ecstatic to have a sibling, and raised as if they had been there all along.

With a gentle nudge of his nose against his partner, Volt leaned in so they could also share a soft kiss before they went back to it.

As far as he could see, it all looked straightforward. Fill out the applications to the best of their abilities, and provide documentation where needed, although he was a bit curious about some of the fees he saw. They were given a quirk of an eyebrow and a glance to his soulmate. Not that they couldn’t pay it, but it just seemed silly.

“No time like the present to get started right.” He got up for just a moment to step inside and come back with a more firm surface, as well as a pen. “You’ll still have to do most of the writing, but let’s try to fill out one to see how things go.”

The worst case scenario he could see was they got rejected by the one, but there were plenty of others there on the table. It would give them a chance to figure out what they needed to improve or clarify on the next. After sitting back down, Volt allowed ample room to write, but close enough that he could continue to cuddle as they went over the questions, together.

   {➹} – NO MATTER WHAT the requirements Arrow had a feeling that there was going to be some explanation needed on the couple's part whenever they got to the next stage of things. Both because of his partner's history but also because of his own. The hero wasn't the most open person when it came to his personal life, and was more than a little guarded when it came to certain info. He had to be to have some semblance of a regular existence but he knew agencies were nothing if not thorough. They had to be and while he respected that, it didn't mean he wasn't a little nervous about it.

More reason to stick to their mantra of 'one step at a time'.

Though the couple were on the same page about one more thing. That the age of their new member didn't, wouldn't, matter. They would be loved unconditionally no matter what. The only so-called hang up would be their experiences with anyone younger than two or three, especially if they were in diapers.

"Never have so I can't say whether or not I would. Truth be told I haven't been around infants much, except for some of the kids in the village. But 's not like I was doing much then other than making them laugh when they passed by." And occasionally watching them for a tick while parents had their hands full, but that was it. Hardly enough to amount to anything significant but he let the thought pass when his partner initiated their next bout of affection. One the hero was all too glad to meet.

Long road ahead be damned, he was overjoyed to be there with Volt and just as excited for their future together, as a larger family. "I don't have a preference, not really. 'S not going t' change how we feel about them either way, or the fact that we'll figure it out together if we need t'."

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​

"Er...what if 's not a -physical- thing?" Was there a touch of nervousness to his voice? Absolutely.

     “I meant what I said love. No matter what it is, I’m gonna love it because ‘s from you.” Although the tone did have him a bit more curious as he closed the space between them. The back of his hand was used to affectionately brush against his partner’s cheek with a soft smile.

     “Besides… We’ve shared not physical things before, right?” At those words, the energy they shared gave a soft little pulse. Just a reminder if anything. 

[familylightfox]

                   Reunited Again

I wanted to do something soft. Arrow and Volt have seen each other through hell and back multiple times. Maybe it’s time they got a little time for just one another… Once all this hell has stopped breaking loose. 

Free to Reblog (Reblogs Encouraged)

Arrow: @chaosworthy/ @tatsdoodles Volt and Art: Me/ @/amooglesdoodles

[familylightfox]

@chaosworthy​      He's frowning, but it's hard to tell if it was from the realization or bad memories.

     Volt gave his partner a soft smile. “All any of that means is that we’re just careful with our energy usage around each other.” Which they already had been doing anyway.