#sorry no hedgehogs this time! soon though

[dustyhyena]

some space furries for ya!

[woso-dreamzzz]

Melting Pot II

Ingrid Engen x Mapi León x Child!Reader

woso-dreamzzz Kids x Child!Reader (Nena)

Summary: A day in the life of the Engen-Leóns

You have a big house because you have a big family.

Or...Ingrid has a big house because she has a big family.

Your Mama says Ingrid has a fancy job which means she's very busy and gets lots of money. You think she's lying because Ingrid always has time to hang out with you and your nieces.

You have a lot of nieces.

Cub was Mapi's belly baby but that doesn't make her any less your niece. Then there's the twins, Bebita and Skatt. They were oopsy babies like you. Sunshine is next and then Teeny.

That makes five.

You have five nieces and you love them so much.

You keep a tight grip on Sunshine's hand as you're all led outside for pickup. You're her auntie and Ingrid says she's fragile after having her heart transplant so you make sure you don't lose her in the group of bodies heading outside.

Cub is up further ahead with your sister's twins following after her. Teeny lags behind because she's hanging back with one of Tia Alexia's twins.

But you keep a tight grip on Sunshine's hand because she's vulnerable and you're a good auntie.

Mapi is there waiting at the school gates and she hugs each and every one of you individually. You all get kisses too and her lips flutter around your face before you push her away.

"Really, Nena?" She says," I'm feeling a little offended here."

You giggle. "Silly, Mapi!"

"I'm not silly!"

"You are, Mami!" Cub agrees. She's hanging off of one of Mapi's strong arms and Mapi rolls her eyes.

"Let's agree to disagree," She says," Now, has everyone got everything? Bags? Bottles? Toes and fingers?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Alright, then. Buddy up, please. Hold someone's hand."

Bebita and Skatt crowd together and you keep Sunshine while Cub grabs Teeny, who whines a little while waving goodbye to her friend.

It's a very long walk back to the house so you only walk a little bit before Mapi gets you all into the car together.

You get to sit in the front because you're not one of Mapi's babies. You're her sister-in-law (although Ingrid always says you're not Mapi's sister-in-law yet) and then Cub and Sunshine sit in the way back because they're a pair.

Teeny, Skatt and Bebita sit in the middle because they're still little and Mapi needs to keep an eye on them.

"Is Ingrid home yet?" You ask as Mapi hands out snacks before driving off.

"Sorry, Nena," She says," Not just yet. Soon, though. She's been stuck in meetings today."

"What's for dinner?" Bebita asks.

"Spaghetti."

"I want lots of cheese on mine!" Skatt butts in and suddenly everyone is yelling their own choices and you giggle.

Your family is very big and very loud.

Ingrid says it's chaotic.

You think that means there's a lot of love to go around.

"Can I make Mama a picture?" Teeny pipes up suddenly.

She's been a little sad since leaving her friend behind at school. Teeny is the niece who spends the most time out of the house. She hangs out with Tia Alexia and her twins a lot.

Ingrid says it's because she's good with Pequeñita. They're painting buddies.

Teeny is always drawing and painting and if she's not drawing and painting then she's playing with Mr Pina, her hedgehog.

"Can we make Mama a picture too?" Bebita asks.

"Er...I don't know girls," Mapi says as she drives up the hill to the house," Have we got the supplies?"

"I've got paper in my room," You say.

"I sharpened my pencils last night." Teeny now.

"Mama got me new pens last week," Skatt adds.

"I've got glitter!" Sunshine says.

"And I've got the glue for the glitter!" That's Cub in the way-back.

"Mama bought us all new aprons too!" Bebita tacks on.

Mapi sighs. "Sometimes," She says," I think you lot gang up on me."

"Please, Mami?" Teeny asks," We won't get messy."

That's a lie, or, at least half a lie because Teeny is always messy. The others aren't though. Just Teeny.

It seems Mapi is thinking that too so you jump in.

"I can keep Teeny clean!"

She pretends to think about for a moment, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel. She sighs.

"I guess so. But-"

Her words are drowned out by the cheering of you and your nieces and she struggles to get you all out of the car quick enough when she pulls up to the house.

It's dark by the time Ingrid gets home and she curses herself as soon as she locks the car.

She hadn't meant to stay so late but she'd had meetings with Frido and the rest of her heads of department and then the website went down a few hours before the new sale went up so she'd had to call Caro up from her IT cave to get her to fix it.

It had been meeting on top of meeting on top of meeting getting everything ready for the launch next month that she'd hardly had time to stop and eat, let alone make it to the school with enough time for pick up.

She slips into the house.

"Hi, Bagheera," Ingrid says as the cat meanders towards her, tail flicking against her leg," It's good to see you too."

Mapi's in the living room, aimlessly flicking through channels. "You're home."

"Sorry I'm late. Work-"

"I know. Frido called. It's fine."

"No," Ingrid says," It's not. I said I'd pick up the girls today and-"

"Ingrid," Mapi laughs," Trust me, it's fine. You're practically single-handedly keeping us afloat. I'd hate to think about where we'd be living if you didn't have such an important job."

Ingrid's cheeks flush. "What did I do to deserve you, huh? You're such a smooth talker."

Mapi grins. "It's just one of my charms." She winks. "I'm your sexy arm candy, remember?"

Ingrid laughs. "Yes, you do look very good in a suit, don't you?"

"Want me to model some more for you?"

"I certainly want you to model something for me," Ingrid says," But it's not a suit."

She leans forward to kiss Mapi before freezing, pulling back suddenly.

"Ingrid? What is it?"

"I..."

Her eyes roves around the room.

Something's different.

The floor is spotless. The kitchen is clean. There's the lingering smell of whatever Mapi cooked the girls for dinner and-

The girls.

That's what's different.

Six little girls live in this house and yet there is practically no noise whatsoever. There's no giggling and laughing from Ingrid's twins. There's no running from Cub. There's no rhythmic thumping of a ball being kicked from your room. There are no spills of paint from Teeny's projects and there's no clicking of Sunshine's camera.

It's just...calm.

"Where are the girls?"

"Huh? The girls? Oh...They wanted to surprise you with something they made. I think they took it up to our room."

Ingrid strains her ears but still can't hear anything.

It's embarrassing how quickly she hurries up the stairs.

It's never good when a house of six girls goes silent.

Mapi follows after her and Ingrid wrenches the bedroom door open.

She stops, a smile appearing on her face.

Her girls are asleep on her and Mapi's bed, all cuddled up together under a massive portrait.

It's made up of several pieces of paper taped together and Ingrid knows it's meant to be of her.

"They wanted to draw you a picture," Mapi says," I didn't realise how big it was until they brought it up here."

"It's perfect," Ingrid says," Thank you for helping them."

"I didn't do much. Just taped it all together and-oh!"

It's nice that Ingrid can still make Mapi blush with just a simple kiss to the cheek.

"You're such a good mami, Mapi," Ingrid says," You're so good with them."

Mapi gives her a bashful smile. "It's bedtime. I can take them."

"No," Ingrid says," You've been with them since school ended. I'll take them to bed."

"Are you-"

"Mapi," Ingrid says," Go downstairs and watch some tv with Bagheera. When I come back, maybe you can model what I want you to model."

Mapi's face goes bright red and it's almost like she can't get downstairs quick enough.

Ingrid takes her time putting her girls to bed.

Cub is first, taken into her bedroom and put up high in her cabin bed. Garfield is splayed out on the middle of the carpet. León-León is already asleep too, taking up half the bed but Cub immediately curls around him in her sleep.

Bebita is next and Ingrid has to be careful walking through her room because it's like a minefield and she makes a mental note to make Bebita clean it up in the morning.

Skatt comes after her and Ingrid has to check that all her terrariums are closed so none of her bugs escape in the night.

Teeny follows after and Ingrid spares a glance over at Mr Pina's enclosure to make sure the little hedgehog's food bowl is filled up and his water is fresh.

Sunshine is put to bed after Teeny and Ingrid makes sure to flick on her fairy lights on in case she wakes up in the middle of the night.

You're last and wake as Ingrid lifts you.

"Ingrid," You mumble.

"Yes, Nena," She says," It's me."

"Did you see your picture?" You ask, still groggy as your head lolls on her shoulder.

"I did. You girls did such a good job with it."

"Made sure Teeny stayed clean."

"I could tell. You did such a good job, Nena."

She sets you down in your bed, pulling the covers up all the way to your chin as you yawn.

"Made sure Sunshine didn't get lost at school too."

"You're such a good auntie," She tells you, kiss your forehead," But it's bedtime now."

She goes to leave.

"Ingrid!"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Ingrid flicks off your light. "I love you too, Nena."

[inkspiredwriting]

A Hair-Raising Experience

Five Hargreeves x Fem!reader

Warnings: none

Five Hargreeves was many things: a former assassin, a time-traveler, a seasoned survivor of apocalypses. But a hairdresser? That was a stretch.

Yet here he was, scissors in hand, staring at his wife Y/n with a look that blended confidence with mild panic. Y/n, sitting on a chair in their bathroom, looked up at him with a mixture of trust and fear.

“All the salons are closed,” she said, twisting a lock of her hair nervously. “I just need a trim, Five. How hard can it be?”

Five swallowed, steeling himself. “Piece of cake. I’ve tackled tougher jobs than this.”

He combed through her hair, trying to channel every memory he had of watching people get haircuts. Y/n closed her eyes, and Five took a deep breath, bringing the scissors to the first section of hair.

Snip.

“See? Not bad,” he said, more to convince himself than Y/n.

Y/n, eyes still closed, smiled. “I trust you. Just… not too short, okay?”

Five nodded, focusing intently. The problem was, with each snip, he noticed something that needed evening out. A little here, a little there, and soon he was in over his head.

“What do you think?” Five asked, stepping back to admire his handiwork.

Y/n opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. Her expression shifted from cautious optimism to sheer horror. “Five! What did you do?”

Five winced. “I... may have overestimated my abilities.”

Y/n’s once even, shoulder-length hair was now a choppy, lopsided mess. One side was significantly shorter than the other, and there were random, uneven chunks missing.

“Oh my god, I look like a demented hedgehog,” she said, her voice a mixture of laughter and panic.

Five put the scissors down, raising his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I see the problem. I can fix it.”

Y/n eyed him skeptically. “You’re not touching my hair again.”

A frantic call to a 24-hour hair salon later, they were driving through the city, Y/n wearing a baseball cap to hide the disaster. Five sat next to her, muttering apologies and trying to stifle his nervous laughter.

At the salon, the hairdresser took one look at Y/n and raised an eyebrow. “Tough week?”

Y/n pointed at Five. “My husband decided to play stylist.”

The hairdresser gave Five a knowing smile. “Ah, the classic ‘husband haircut.’ Seen a few of those.”

As Y/n sat in the chair, Five hovered nearby, wincing at the critical assessment of his work. The hairdresser, a woman with bright purple hair and an array of tattoos, shook her head in amusement.

“Well, let’s see what we can do here,” she said, running her fingers through Y/n’s hair. “Your husband’s given you a very… unique look.”

Y/n shot Five a mock glare. “Unique is one way to put it.”

The hairdresser snipped away, skillfully transforming the chaos into a stylish, albeit shorter, haircut. Y/n watched in the mirror, relief flooding her features as the damage was undone.

“See? It’s fixable,” the hairdresser said with a grin, stepping back to show the finished product.

Y/n smiled, feeling the now even, sleek bob. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”

Five sighed in relief. “Thank you for saving me from sleeping on the couch.”

On the drive home, Y/n couldn’t help but laugh at the whole ordeal. “You know, you were so confident.”

Five chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry, Y/n. I really thought I could handle it.”

Y/n reached over, squeezing his hand. “You did your best. It’s kind of sweet, actually. Just… no more haircuts, okay?”

Five grinned, a mixture of sheepishness and affection in his eyes. “Deal. From now on, we leave haircuts to the professionals.”

Back home, with Y/n’s hair restored to its former glory, the incident became a new inside joke. They shared a bottle of wine, toasting to their survival of yet another Hargreeves misadventure.

And though Five may have failed as a hairdresser, he succeeded in proving, once again, that even in the most comical disasters, their love and laughter would always see them through.

[thefiery-phoenix]

MY HEART (YANDERE NATASHA ROMANOFF ALICE IN WONDERLAND AU)

So, in this scenario, Natasha Romanoff is the Queen of Hearts from Alice in the Wonderland, and it's an AU thing, so hope you enjoy. And I am so sorry for disappearing for so long, I was busy with university tests and entrance exams and such but guess who's finally gotten into a business school? Yours truly is now an official university student😊

I can imagine that when Natasha first sees you, she might think that you're weak and fragile. At least in the Wonderland AU

When she heard you talk, she was surprised. You were soft... docile and so... innocent and naive and she immediately knew that you were different. You didn't act scared around her even though she yelled 'OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!' at random moments. You piped up her interest and she thanked her lucky stars mentally that you weren't mad as the Mad Hatter or the March Hare or irritating as that darn Cheshire cat who seemed to have a fondness of singing nonsense at random times

She invited you to play croquet and when you told her that you didn't know how to play, she offered to show you. This surprised several of the guards since well... it's not everyday you see an angry woman who has random bursts of anger teaching a random girl how to play her favorite game. She handed you a bird that was fit for being the stick? (Lol I never played croquet so I have no idea what it's called sorry TvT). She swung the bird and the little hedgehog or puffball that she used as a ball started rolling around here and there and when the crowd erupted in cheers, you knew that she was victorious

Meanwhile you were having trouble with your own bird. It was being highly uncooperative and when it lifted your skirt up with it's beak, Natasha widened her eyes and turned away with a blush. Then she caught some of the guards staring at you and now she was angry and if you guys guessed that she was going to say 'OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!' you win a cookie! 🍪

She came close to you, put her arms around you that made you all flustered and she smirked. She found herself a new hobby, teasing you. She thought the way you blushed was so cute, now she had no intention of letting you go. EVER. And when you capture the Queen of Hearts Heart, you can be damn sure that she ain't gonna let go

You both played croquet for a while and you told the Queen that you had to find a way to go home. Natasha stared at you for a moment and narrowed her eyes, thinking of what to do to make you stay and then an idea popped in her head. Her lips twisted in a smirk and she asked you to follow her and she might have a way of helping you. Once you entered her castle's courtroom, she told you to wait there and she'd be back. She then came back with a cookie that had the words 'Eat me' on it and she told you to eat it. Your sweet, unsuspecting kind soul didn't think that what she gave you might end up being harmful for you but you were so innocent and naive and that's what the Queen of Hearts loved. A soft, innocent sweet and docile little thing like yourself who'll follow her orders without question and depend on her and ONLY HER

You soon started to feel dizzy and within a fraction of seconds, you were about to fall down but she caught you and embraced you. You murmured ''Wh-what's going on?' you groggily asked her and squirmed in her grasp. She just shushed you and told you to sleep and she called some of her guards to take you to a room for you to rest. You won't be leaving Wonderland anytime soon that's for sure and for once, she actually considered thanking the Cheshire Cat since if it were not for him, she would never have met YOU. Her HEART

[bunji-enthusiast]

If I'm not bothering you then can you make a sonic exe x reader?

Where exe is able to leave and go back into the game anytime he wants and reader isn't scared of him at all after the first time they met

Then during a strong storm (no rain just strong winds and loud thunder) the whole house becomes black and exe tries to use that to his advantage to scare reader, with her famous chase around the house as reader is litting some candles on but of course he fails in scaring them so in the end they just end up cuddling together on the couch for the rest of the night

It's very simple it's just what I have on my mind for now sorry XD

Long Into The Abyss — Sonic.EXE

Note || that’s fine! A very neat idea :>

WC || 1,527

Sypnosis || Your a hard person to scare, he wonders how he can even deal with that. But soon enough he gives up on the idea.

The first time you had met him was the only time you truly were scared of your fluffy blue friend ridden with malice and lust for murder, though it was only upon those originally living in his world he had inflicted it upon. He thought it to be interesting to scare the hell out of you when your poor innocent soul came across his corrupted game.

Watching the way you panicked when trying to look for a way out for Tails was amusing, but when he had finally made his infamous appearance upon the screen. That was more amusing than anything, the way you screamed when he did. 

Now utter confusion just simply fills him when he realizes you aren’t as phased by his antics anymore, not even when he appears outside of the game in your house.

“What the hell?” He muttered when you continued playing various different routes of his game, he intentionally had created them on purpose to see if he could scare you again. Even then every time with your attempts to save Tails, Knuckles and even Eggman; you weren’t scared anymore. Just only cursing when you mess up.

“Dammit.” You curse under your breath when you're on one of the death routes, you kept forgetting about this specific one. 

“No no, no no-” 

The death screen appears, detailing the very specific death of your poor character. You wince in an apologetic manner for putting him through it again. “Sorry, I’m trying my best here.” He then decides to appear right next to you, swirls of glitches and blurriness permeating his arrival.  

“Oh hey!” You said, noticing him from the corner of your eye.

“How are you not afraid?” He interjects in a curious yet amused tone, sincerely he was curious to know how you can maintain such a calm and ready manner even while playing. The demonic hedgehog floats around you from behind, while he was albeit rude and murderous at times, he wasn’t about to break your concentration. 

“I dunno?” You shrug, before adding on, “I got used to it I guess.” He raises a brow, seemingly confused with the answer you gave. But only with humans could they actually answer this way, it would only make sense, he concludes. For a few moments he blinks, giving you an incredulous look nonetheless. 

“I see.”

Then he disappears into the air, leaving you alone in your own company once more. You were actually getting used to the bloody hedgehog, in a way. You wonder if he will come back around at all once again. “Too bad.” You shrug, turning your attention completely back on the game. You wanted to see what else you could find while you still were in the game, you thought he was interesting for even creating more routes.

You know this because you remember them all not being there near the beginning, since your first official meeting with the self-proclaimed god. 

“Alright Knuckles, let's see if I can do a better job with you.” You pause in your gait, feeling a little hopeless for continually failing them multiple times in a row. You wonder if you should just actually stop playing the game altogether, you caused them enough pain. 

‘Am I actually causing them pain? They aren’t even real.’ You thought to yourself, but this wasn’t anything new to you. You often just played games for fun, this one in particular wasn’t any different, even if it was a corrupted game file. 

You didn’t know what to do, but just searched far and wide – as extensively as possible. You grew up with them sort of, they were your childhood imaginary friends. There for you so that you didn’t feel so alone at recess, in school or just anywhere in general. Popularity was not your most dominant trait growing up, especially not now. 

But they were your friends, so was he. 

–

The whole storm threw you completely off guard, you just wanted to go back home. You got yourself caught in the middle of it when you dropped off something at a friend’s, you certainly didn’t expect it least of all during your way back home. But you were close to being there, that was the fortunate part of it. 

“Crap-” A strong wind nearly threw you off course, but you immediately corrected yourself and got back on track. Your house was appearing in view, finally you could pull back into the driveway. 

Once in the driveway, you turned your car off and opened the door, you suddenly got the wind knocked out of you when you left the car. You heaved as you caught your breath, trying your best to close the door then ran straight for the door. Even in the midst of it all, you were surprised that you managed to find your way back in the dark. 

The loud sounds of all the thunder didn’t help you though.

You yelped as another loud sound of crackling thunder resounded in your ears, this certainly by no means was a normal storm. This was a very harsh storm, you had to get inside.

“C-Come on,” You shook in the cold outside, fiddling with your key to unlock the door. It was a struggle that demanded concentration and patience, nothing of which you really had right now. “Sonuva- ugh.” Your lips pursed in tight posterity as you finally succeeded in unlocking the door. 

It made you question why you shouldn’t have just gotten one of those security locks, or even the padlocks would’ve just worked fine and dandy. 

You look around at your familiar house, finding the usual safety and comfort in it. Only problem being, the whole house was smothered in darkness. You could’ve sworn you left at least some lights on, you were aware you usually forget to turn them off before you leave, but they really would help in your predicament right now.

Your feet were light, you creeped around the house as if you were afraid something would suddenly jump out at you from beyond the dark. Sometimes you weren’t afraid of the dark, other times you were very afraid of the damned dark. Something flickered in the corner of your peripherals, causing you to jump. 

It felt like the ligament holding your eyes tightly in their sockets will just fall out from the way they had nearly bulged that far out. 

“Jesus christ-”

Only a few minutes had passed now, successfully lighting a few candles around the house. You definitely felt more comfortable and less afraid now. Suddenly you could hear a few thumps resound from behind you, you looked behind your shoulder to see it was him. 

“RUN.”

You absolutely didn’t need to be told twice, not when he was feeling particularly murderous right now. Dying this young was not on your bucket list, you took off and immediately grabbed the lighter to begin lighting every other candle in the house. 

Still, he had spoken while he chased you, “You're fast! Not bad at all.” You could hear that bone-chilling laugh echo throughout the halls. Still, you didn’t allow yourself to falter. 

NOPE, NOPE, NOPE–

You find yourself at the last candle you could find, and light it. You turn around to see the bloody hedgehog standing behind you, no longer possessing a ‘god-fearing’ appearance. He just looked innocent and rather small compared to you. 

He huffs and sighs, shoulders relenting in defeat. “You're impossible, you little gnat.” At his words, you chuckle and nod, crossing your arms with a tilt of your head, “So I’ve been told, can’t scare me easily with all this light now can you?” You stuck your tongue out when you finished speaking. 

“I suppose not.” He snaps with a very clearly annoyed disposition, legs folding into a crossed sitting position while his elbow laid to rest for him to rest his cheek on the palm of his hand. His other one tapped the end of his knee on his other leg. 

You shot a glare at the demon-possessed hedgehog, “Well don’t be like that, we could just maybe be cuddle buddies instead?”

One of his ears flicker at the possible insinuation in your offer, brows furrowing as he replied, “What kind of a ridiculous demand is that?”

Your head rolls around as if you were trying to bite back some sort of desperation spilling from your words, you inhale, mouth opened as you attempt to speak. Then you close your mouth, lips pursing in a bout of self-defeat. 

He notices this, his ears falling flat as he sighs. Voice glitching with a bout of nervousness, “Get on the couch.”

You let out a squeak of excitement, not having to wait for him to repeat it again you had already made your way there. You patted the cushion seat beside you, wanting not to wait another second. He wonders to himself why he even agreed to this in the first place, he wasn’t like this to anyone else who played his game.

So why do you seem so different? You were just another possibility of a victim.

But he gives in, climbing onto the couch with you.

[ghostinthelibrarywrites]

Let's not overanalyze

The first chapter of a belated fill for @palasakiweek, set in my Ministry of Supernatural Investigations AU. You can read the first chapter below or here on AO3.

Prompt: Day 6: AU

Rating: T

Word count: 4K.

Warnings: none

Relationships: Crystal/Niko; Edwin & Niko; Edwin & Crystal

Summary: When Niko starts a job as an analyst at the MSI after barely leaving her flat for two years, she has no idea what to expect. She’s not expecting to find out that vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural entities are real. She’s especially not expecting Crystal Palace Surname-von Hoverkraft, the gorgeous and somewhat terrifying agent who she can’t stop thinking about.

***

Niko stares at the blank white wall of her brand new office. There’s a tiny dent right at her eye level, but besides that, it’s an expanse of nothingness, like no one has ever stepped foot in here before. She wanted to bring some posters to hang up today, but that seemed overly optimistic when she doesn’t even know what her brand new job entails, or if she even has a job. She isn’t entirely convinced that the slow slide into losing her mind that started when her dad died two years ago hasn’t finally caught up with her. Everything about being in this strange room in this strange building seems a little surreal.

Before last night, she hadn’t even heard of the MSI when her godmother called to tell her that she got Niko a job as an analyst and she would start in the morning. Niko doesn’t know what the MSI does, or even what the acronym stands for. She thinks it might be like MI6, but what would an agency like MI6 want with a uni dropout who hasn’t left her flat in two years?

Maybe it was a mistake to call Auntie Niko and ask her for help finding a job, but it had been two years since she’d left her flat for more than a few minutes at a time, the money she inherited from Dad was starting to run out, she knew what would happen if she called her mother back in Osaka and asked her to send money so Niko could keep hiding out in her flat, and Auntie did always say to call if she needed anything. She doesn’t actually know what Auntie does for the British government. Not even her mother knows, and they’ve been best friends since they met at boarding school when they were girls. Auntie could work for MI6, for all Niko knows, though it’s hard to imagine.

Niko wonders if she should start unpacking the small box of things she brought—her heart-shaped stationary, her favorite sparkly pens, the Scooby Doo plushie Auntie gave her when she was little—but she’s half-convinced that as soon as she opens the box, someone will come along and yell at her that she actually shouldn’t be here and she needs to leave. Assistant Director Nurse is supposed to come speak to Niko at some point, but according to her skittish assistant, she’s been delayed by another meeting that went long.

Part of Niko wonders if she should just go home, change into her favorite hedgehog slippers, and crawl into bed, but then she pictures the disappointment on Auntie’s face. If her godmother thinks she can do this, then Niko is going to do it.

The sound of heels on tile is the only warning she gets that she has company before someone slaps a clear plastic bag full of what looks to be shards of seaglass down on her desk. Niko startles and whirls around in her desk chair.

“I need to know if there’s been any chatter online about seaglass similar to this washing up on the coast near Dover,” the woman standing over her says briskly. “And see if you can find out what language this is etched on it while you’re at it. It’s nothing I recognize.”

Niko stares. The newcomer is a few years older than her, petite and stunningly pretty with a cascade of dark hair highlighted blond, golden brown eyes, and the most immaculate makeup Niko has ever seen in her life. Actually, everything about her is immaculate, from her heels to the perfectly tailored black suit to her manicure.

The woman arches an eyebrow. “Hello?”

“Sorry, yes.” Niko turns to the bag of seaglass. She can make out the faint lines of symbols that might be writing, though it's nothing she recognizes. “How should I do that exactly?”

“You’re new.” It’s not spoken like a question.

Niko smiles, relieved. “Yes.”

“And nobody’s been in to train you?”

“No. Sorry.” Niko isn’t sure why she’s apologizing. “I’m Niko. Niko Sasaki.”

“Agent Crystal Palace Surname-von Hoverkraft.” She says the name with emphasis, like she expects Niko to recognize it.

Niko doesn’t. “Wow, your signature must take forever.”

Crystal looks incredulous, which is fair. It was a pretty stupid thing to say. “Hana and Rosa are busy on a case Payne has them working on, because of course he needs two analysts, since every case Edwin fucking Payne works on is the priority. Duncan’s out on paternity leave and Grace apparently caught norovirus from eating a sketchy burrito. That leaves you as the only analyst available. And meanwhile, I have pieces of seaglass that keep showing up and driving people to dance into the ocean.” She pauses, then adds, “Don’t handle it with your bare hands.”

Niko has no idea what any of that means. “I’m still not really sure what an analyst does.”

“Mostly, you’re going to monitor chatter online for any sign of the supernatural,” Crystal says, her obvious impatience increasing with every word. “And you assist agents with our research so we’re not wasting time at a computer while there are monsters to hunt down.”

“Monsters?” Niko can’t keep the squeak from her voice. The supernatural?

“So I would really appreciate it if as soon as someone bothers coming along to train you, if you would look into this seaglass so I can figure out why people are losing their minds up and down the coast.” Crystal flashes a smile that’s as false as her long lashes. “Thanks, Nikki.”

“It’s actually—”

Niko is cut off by a shriek from outside, followed by the blare of an alarm loud enough that the floor seems to vibrate with it.

“Fuck,” Crystal says and turns to run into the hallway. She runs really well in those heels, Niko notices.

Niko thinks about heading home to her quiet, safe flat again and not leaving for another two years. Instead, she follows Crystal. In the hallway, Crystal is facing two people. One, a pretty woman with curly blond hair, is pressed up against the wall with wide eyes. The other one is a tall, thin man in an old-fashioned tweed suit, complete with a slightly askew bow tie. The man and Crystal appear to be in the middle of a heated argument.

“How precisely was I to know that the amulet would react like this?” he demands. “I’ve been handling it all morning with no trouble. Perhaps it was a woman’s touch. But no, then it surely would have reacted to Agent Drake’s touch. Miss Green, are you by any chance a virgin?”

The blonde’s eyes go even wider.

“You can’t just ask people if they’re virgins, Queen Victoria,” Crystal snaps.

“I am simply trying to determine the cause—”

“I’m not worried about the cause, I’m worried about the fucking hellhound you let loose."

“Its origins appear to be a cursed amulet, not the depths of Hell, so I’m not sure if we can call it—”

The blare of the alarm is making it hard for Niko to think, but she understands enough to pick up on “cursed amulet” and “hellhound.” Before she can ask for someone to please tell her what’s going on, there’s a snarl loud enough to be heard even over the alarm and something comes bursting through the closed office door across from Niko, sending shards of wood flying everywhere. The blond woman shrieks and goes running down the hallway, but Niko can’t move.

It’s a dog, but it’s not a dog, because she’s never seen a dog this large. Its fur is black, with red glowing through it, like it isn’t skin under the fur, but molten lava. The eyes that fix on Niko burn with fire and its teeth are easily as long as her hand. When it takes a step towards her, Niko is hit with the smell of burning meat, strong enough to make her gag.

The first time Niko has left her flat for more than a few minutes in two years and she’s going to get eaten by a dog. She even likes dogs. She donates to the RSPCA every year.

Crystal steps between Niko and the dog, planting a hand on Niko’s chest to shove her back. In the other hand, she holds a baton tipped with metal. She swings at the dog, hitting it in the face. A line of red fire appears on its cheek and it snarls. She brings the baton down on its head and another line of fire appears, but it doesn’t go down.

“Payne, could you do something fucking useful for once?” she shouts.

The man, who must be the Edwin fucking Payne Crystal mentioned earlier, brings up his hand, where an amulet with a dog’s snarling face carved into it dangles from his fingers. He’s pale and wide-eyed, but his voice is steady as he chants something that Niko thinks might be Latin, though it’s been a long time since she took Latin at Gray Wake. The dog lets out a howl and seems to dissolve right in front of Niko, a dark shadow twisting in the air right before it’s sucked back into the amulet.

“Excellent,” he says. “I wasn’t certain that would work.”

And then there are a lot of people in the hallway and a lot of shouting. Niko stands very still, letting people move around her. No one seems to notice her, which is just how she likes it. They’re asking a lot of questions and Crystal and Edwin are back to arguing. Someone takes the amulet from Edwin, placing it in a large metal box with multiple locks. Niko wonders if she should just go back into her office, close the door, and hide under the desk until someone finally comes to tell her what’s going on.

A woman in a brown pantsuit with her red hair in old-fashioned victory rolls comes stalking down the hallway. Niko recognizes one of the women following her as the assistant who showed her to her office this morning. “What on earth is this racket?” the woman demands in a Scottish accident. “And will someone turn off that bloody alarm? We all know there was an emergency!”

The alarm goes quiet, like the building itself is under her command.

“Agents Payne and Surname-von Hoverkraft.” The newcomer, who must be Assistant Director Nurse, turns to Crystal and Edwin with her arms crossed over her chest. “Explain.”

“The amulet that was recovered from the Sofia Delacroix murder scene appears to be possessed by the spirit of a monstrous dog,” Edwin says briskly. “While it didn’t react to my touch, the moment Miss Green picked it up, the spirit was summoned. It had little interest in myself or Agent Surname-von Hoverkraft, so given its known victims, I can only guess that the spirit targets virginal young women.” 

He turns to Niko, opening his mouth, but Assistant Director Nurse cuts him off. “Agent Payne, do not ask what I think you’re about to ask. There will already be enough paperwork about this incident.” She turns to Niko with a strained smile. “You must be Ms. Sasaki. I’m Assistant Director Asa Nurse. I do apologize for the delay. Director Brown was unexpectedly out of the office, so I had to fill in for him at a meeting.”

Niko finally finds her voice from under a layer of shock. “What was that?”

Crystal, Edwin, and Assistant Nurse all turn to her, as if they forgot about her presence entirely. “I just explained,” Edwin says. “A cursed amulet. I believe its origins to be roughly thirteenth century, give or take a few decades.”

“A curse?”

“Yes, quite a rudimentary bit of magic. Even Agent Surname-von Hoverkraft would be able to counteract it.”

Crystal glances at Assistant Director Nurse to make sure she’s not looking, then flashes a rude hand gesture at Edwin. His nostrils flare with annoyance, but he doesn’t reply.

“A curse.” Niko’s thoughts are swimming. Cursed amulets and seaglass that makes people dance into the sea and hellhounds that aren’t really hellhounds.

Assistant Director Nurse eyes Niko like she’s a bomb that’s about to explode. “Ms. Sasaki, what do you know about the MSI?”

“Nothing.” Niko shakes her head. “I don’t even know what MSI stands for.”

“The Ministry of Supernatural Investigations, of course.”

“Oh.” Niko stares at the place where the not-hellhound just vanished. Well, that explains why she’s never heard of the MSI before. She imagines that if the UK government has a ministry devoted to solving supernatural crimes, they probably don’t advertise it.

“Oh, dear,” Edwin murmurs and Crystal curses softly.

Assistant Director Nurse lets out a gusty sigh. “It seems like we have things to discuss. Ms. Sasaki, please come with me. We can get this all sorted out.”

***

There are no monster dogs on Niko’s second day at the MSI, which is nice, especially since yesterday, she didn’t think she would have a second day at this job. The fact that the supernatural—including demons, ghosts, the Fae, hellhounds, vampires, and more—is real is still taking some getting used to, but Niko has always been very open-minded. Plus, she can’t really deny the existence of the supernatural now that it’s nearly eaten her.

After spending her morning looking into the cursed seaglass for Crystal, she goes to work with two of her new coworkers, Rosa Green and Hana Watanabe. Rosa—who apparently isn’t related to Dr. Jenny Green, the scary medical examiner Niko met during the tour Assistant Director Nurse gave her yesterday afternoon—seems unfazed by her close call with the not-hellhound the day before.

“A near death experience means I’ll probably get a holiday bonus this year,” she told Niko brightly when she poked her head into Niko’s office to introduce herself properly this morning.

Niko marvels at how normal everything seems as Hana and Rosa fill her in on the office gossip and complain about the workload caused by two analysts being absent at once. They tell her all about the tumultuous love triangle going on between three of the agents.

“Shelby and Maren are going to leave Brad for each other eventually,” Hana says with a twinkle in her eye, which gets a bark of laughter from Rosa.

They warn her about Agent Hunter, who has asked out every woman who works at the MSI (except Assistant Director Nurse, Niko assumes.) They tell her about Agent King, who is a shapeshifter and occasionally wanders around as a tabby cat, but gets cranky if someone tries to pet him. Niko files that information away, because she would definitely try and pet a tabby cat she found wandering the halls.

“Thomas is always a laugh at the monthly socials when he’s around,” Rosa tells Niko. “He does a lot of the undercover work, because no one thinks twice about a cat being places its not supposed to be.”

That brings them to the topic of Edwin Payne, who’s rumored to be a sometimes-hookup of Agent King’s. Apparently, they’ve been seen leaving at least one supply closet together.

“He’s a lot,” Rosa says. “If he brings you a case, it’s probably going to be your full-time job for two weeks. He doesn’t get that we only have a few analysts supporting thirty agents. He also doesn’t get technology at all.”

“To be fair, he was born in 1900,” Hana adds.

Niko doesn’t get to ask about that before Rosa continues. “He thinks it’s like magic, like I can just wiggle my nose and all the answers he needs will materialize.”

“I’d take him over Crystal Palace Surname von-Hoverkraft,” Hana says.

They exchange loaded looks. Rosa and Hana have been friends since secondary school and seem to have a whole language of silent looks. It makes Niko, who hasn’t talked to any of her friends from Gray Wake since stilted calls to tell her how sorry they were about her dad, insanely jealous. She’s never been close enough to somebody that she could talk to them with just a tilt of her head or the arch of an eyebrow.

“What about Crystal?” Niko asks. “I met her yesterday. She seemed…” She trails off, because she was about to say “nice,” but that’s not accurate. Crystal breezed into Niko’s office, deposited a bunch of seaglass on her desk, saved her life, then breezed away just as fast. She wasn’t nice at all, but she did save Niko from the not-hellhound while wearing high heels, which is its own sort of accomplishment.

Rosa waves a dismissive hand. “She’s just basically MSI royalty. Her parents are Seth von Hoverkraft and Maddy Surname, who are basically the MSI’s James Bonds. For most of the 90s and early 2000s, if there was a high-profile case, they were probably on it. They’re the ones who figured out what really happened to the Titanic.”

Niko doesn’t think she actually wants to know. She’d like to be able to rewatch Titanic without picturing a kraken snatching Jack off the deck.

“So everyone always knew Crystal would follow Mommy and Daddy’s footsteps and join the MSI,” Rosa says. “They were probably training her to become an agent before she could walk. And she’s a psychic, which is really rare. She and her partner walk around like they own the whole place.”

Hana makes a face. “Agent Fisher. He’s creepy.”

“So creepy,” Rosa agrees. “They’re dating too, which, ew.”

Hana nods. “Ew.”

The conversation moves on to the recent battle over the break room’s aging coffee maker, but Niko’s only half-listening. She wonders what it would have been like for Crystal, to know from the time she was little that she was meant to follow in her parents’ footsteps, to know what her life would be like before she drove her first car or went on her first date. It sounds like a lot of pressure. It sounds really lonely and Niko knows all about loneliness.

***

Walking into the agents’ workroom is immediately overwhelming. The space is crammed with haphazardly arranged desks, only about half of which have agents sitting behind them. The room is filled with the sounds of phones ringings, raised voices, and a strange buzzing that seems to be coming from a smoking alarm clock one of the agents is examining. Most of the walls are covered in photographs, newspaper clippings, and case notes. There’s what looks a lot like a human heart covered in barnacles sitting in the middle of one woman’s desk, right next to a greasy bag of takeaway.

Niko spots Crystal at a desk in the corner. She’s leaning back in her chair, staring up at a wall of photos, all of which depict close-up shots of seaglass. There’s a man leaning against her desk, bending down to whisper into her ear. He wears a glossy black suit with a matching fedora perched on top of his wavy dark hair and without even seeing his face, Niko feels pretty confident that Rosa and Hana’s estimation of Agent David Fisher, Crystal’s partner, is accurate. There’s something about the way he crowds into Crystal’s space that puts Niko on edge.

Niko stops on the other side of Crystal’s desk, waiting for either Crystal or Agent Fisher to notice her. When neither of them do, she says, “Hi.”

Crystal turns around in her desk chair. When she sees Niko, she sighs and holds out a hand to her. For a strange moment, Niko thinks she wants to shake hands or something, before Crystal snaps, “The seaglass?”

Oh, right. Those. Niko passes the bag over.

“You must be the newbie.” David smiles, his gaze traveling over her. “The hellhound didn’t scare you off?”

Niko doesn’t dislike many people, especially after only exchanging a handful of words with him. She thinks she might dislike David Fisher. “It wasn’t a hellhound. It originated in a cursed amulet, not in Hell.”

David laughs and looks down at Crystal, as if inviting her in on a joke. “Payne’s going to love her.”

Crystal smiles. It’s not a very nice smile and Niko gets that shrinking feeling she used to get back in uni, when she felt like everyone, even people who didn’t know her, was staring at her, laughing at the girl who had a breakdown after her father died. “Did you find out anything useful?” Crystal asks in a tone that suggests she’s pretty sure the answer will be no.

“I don’t know what language the writing is in,” Niko says. “But that’s because no one knows what language it’s in. Similar writing has been found on seaglass along the coastlines of Greece, Italy, and Spain. Some people think it’s an ancient mer language we haven’t encountered before. But this is the first time the seaglass has hurt anyone, as far as I could tell. Unless they stepped on it and cut their foot, I guess.”

David smirks and tries to exchange another look with Crystal, but she's frowning at the seaglass.

“I’ve never known mers to drive people into frenzies like this,” Crystal says thoughtfully. “But there’s a first time for everything.”

“I couldn’t find anything about anyone finding seaglass just like this in Dover,” Niko adds. “But I did find this.”

She pulls up her MSI-issued tablet and pulls up an Instagram post by a user named heathersfeathers1087, which shows sandal-clad feet with bright teal toenails standing within a perfect circle of green seaglass. The caption reads, “Nature’s mysteries are beautiful!”

“If you look closely,” she says. “That almost looks like the same writing, doesn’t it? And in the comments, she says she’s going to take some of it home to make a necklace out of it.”

Crystal and David both squint at the screen. “I don’t see it,” David grumbles.

“No, she’s right,” Crystal says, tapping one perfectly manicured nail against the screen. “There. It’s faint, but you can just see it. Shit, this was posted yesterday. This lady may have drowned by now.” She looks up at Niko with a frown. “Do you know—”

“Heather Featherington,” Niko says. “She lives near Brighton. I sent you her address. She hasn’t posted since finding the seaglass and her neighbor’s security camera hasn’t shown her leaving her house since she got home last night.”

“Then we need to get moving.” Crystal is already standing up, grabbing her blazer from the back of her chair.

David sighs in a long-suffering sort of way. “Like you said, it’s been over a day. The damage is probably already done.”

“That doesn't mean we're not going to try,” Crystal snaps. “Come on, David.”

Niko knows she should let Crystal go save this lady’s life, but first, she says, “Thank you, by the way.”

Crystal blinks at her, halfway through putting on her blazer. “For what?”

“You saved my life yesterday,” Niko says. “I never got the chance to say thank you. So thanks for not letting me get eaten by a monster dog.”

“Oh.” Crystal smiles, a far nicer smile than the one she flashed earlier. It’s sweet and makes her look younger, less like the terrifying MSI princess Hana and Rosa described. “You’re welcome. First days suck enough without getting mauled.”

David sighs gustily. “I thought Heather with the tacky toenail polish was in mortal danger here.”

“Jesus, David, I’m coming.” Crystal rolls her eyes and follows him out of the workroom.

Later, Niko learns through the grapevine that Heather Featherington was lucky enough to break her leg dancing down the stairs and never made it to the sea, but Crystal apparently spent several hours at the bottom of the ocean, negotiating with the priestess of an ancient mer clan until she agreed to stop trying to kill humans with enchanted seaglass. It sounds really badass and Niko wishes she could hear the story from Crystal herself, but Crystal is already away on another case.

But the first case Niko helped with at the MSI has wrapped up successfully and that’s enough to give her a warm little glow that’s almost as good as having Crystal Palace Surname von-Hoverkraft smile at her.

***

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider leaving comments and kudos over on AO3, where the rest of this will be posted.

[neko-naruto]

confused and annoyed (it's all i find i think about)

summary: they may be unversed in the ways of romance, but they're sure as hell trying

tags: fluff, love confessions, they r dumbasses, shadow watches naruto

authors note: i blame the reinvigoration of my longtime sonic interest on @ohposhers go look at his art, it fucks severely. n e ways, title from a chemlab song, hope ya'll enjoy.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57788908

"You like him," Rouge sing songed as she trailed Shadow through the halls.

"Shut up," Shadow answered with, ears flattening to his head as he spoke.

Rouge just laughed to herself, "Alright, I can leave you be."

Shadow waved her off, "Yeah, sure, go ahead."

"Oh? I've really hit a pressure point this time." There's almost a cackle in the way Rouge laughs, a threat on her saccharine smirk.

"Nuh uh!"

"Yeah huh."

She's off before Shadow can swivel around to stop her from leaving, unable to swear her to silence on the matter. Sure, he knows that their trust runs too deep for her to just gossip the topic without any finesse. But something in the pit of his stomach says otherwise.

She's so gonna snitch on him for having a dumb heart, isn't she?

-/-/-/-

"No? Really?" Sonic asked eagerly, leaning in to be closer to his friend.

Knuckles gave a huff, "What about it?"

"Him though? Of all Mobians?" Sonic doubled down with.

"Like you're any better."

Sonic shrugged, "I can't give you any advice if you want Shadow thee Hedgehog, Ultimate Lifeform, mega full of himself-"

"He's not though," Knuckles said, just quiet enough that Sonic would barely hear, "Once you get to know him he's pretty nice."

Sonic's ears flicked back as Knuckles spoke, "Ohhhh, so you're really close with him. I see how it is."

"Get your head out of the gutter, Sonic!" Knuckles snapped back, red painting his muzzle at the notions.

"Sure thang, Knux! But really though, I gotta skedaddle," Sonic said.

"Don't you dare tell anyone!"

Sonic's already darting off at a considerably slower pace than usual as Knuckles speaks, to make sure he hears maybe. Knuckles doesn't bother chasing after him, he's too fast to effectively catch up in time before he's off on a mission or chatting with someone else. He better not fucking gossip about this with anyone else.

Would he…?

Knuckles shakes the thought from his head and grabs a new focus; find Tails for a ride back up to Angel Island.

-/-/-/-

Shadow doesn't sleep that night.

Instead he ruminates.

He watches his dumb ninja anime that Tails said he'd probably enjoy, something about losing everything they love for vengeance and struggling to be seen as more than a monster. He'd made it in about, oh, thirty episodes? Around thirty episodes before he started feeling feels about it.

Naw man he fucking gets it. He'll have to ask the kid for more recommendations.

He heads out to the kitchenette to grab some more snacks because he ran out and he's thirsty. He finds Rouge leaned on the counter sipping a cup of coffee, decaf he presumes, she raises a brow as she stares at him.

"Hi, Rouge," Shadow begins as he reaches for a cupboard to grab a packet of microwave popcorn.

"Turn down your tv, if I have to hear that 'of the sand' guy screech one more time I'm gonna lose my mind," Rouge said bluntly.

Shadow cringes a bit at being caught up so late watching anime. He flicks on the tap to get some water, "Sorry."

"I thought you'd be up blasting your favorite emo bands if I'm being real."

"They're not emo-"

"I know, I'm just fuckin' with ya. I didn't expect you to be over it so soon though."

"Over what?"

"Me making off like I was gonna gossip about your big fat crush on Knuckles."

"You did, didn't you?" Shadow just sighed, word would come out sooner, and it's too late in the night to effectively track them down. Also, he wants to get back to watching his show.

"Uh, no? Nobody was bartering me any gems for the intel," Rouge answered with, "C'mon, how much of a bitch do you take me for?"

Shadow shrugged.

"I did get something for you though."

"You did?"

"Ice cream."

"Ice cream…?"

Rouge placed down her mug to swing open the freezer, "Yep! Wasn't sure how broody you'd be, it's your favourite flavour- Tiger Tail."

"Thanks," Shadow said quietly, sliding his popcorn into the microwave.

"I got you one other thing too," Rouge said, there's that sly grin on her face.

Shadow raises a cautious brow, "What did you get…?"

"A bunch of grapes! They're Knuckles favourite, hand 'em over when you confess!"

"Confess? I just realized it was a crush, Rouge."

"Oh I know, but it's good to have a plan!"

-/-/-/-

Knuckles spends the following days not exactly terraforming his island, but definitely doing some terrain work. Mostly punching trees, invasive species he'd imagine. But really, he just needs to blow off some steam.

Is steam the right word?

He's just working through the motions.

Chaos, why is everything so hard to make sense of? Is it love? Is it friendship? Or does he just really adore Shadow, because who wouldn't? He's so cool, he can't blame himself for feeling so messed up over all of this.

But he does.

His paws hurt when he watches the wood of a pine tree splinter and crumble under the force behind each movement. Swift and forceful. Each time he launches his fist at the wood he wonders how long it'll take before he starts to tear away like that. Just fall apart and collapse like it's doing right now.

With a loud crash it hits the dirt and he's panting as he falls back onto the dirt, staring up at the clouds.

He needs to head back to the emerald.

-/-/-/-

Shadow is waiting for him, just sitting against the stand that the gemstone is propped on. Knuckles sits down near him, not quite next to him, but close enough to count.

Neither of them speak for a long time.

Neither of them want to speak- the silence is like a second home.

Eventually Shadow 'breaks' the silence, shatters the stillness, he holds out a hand. Not a lot, not actively reaching for Knuckles. But his paw rests at the mid point between the both of them, palm down on the pseudo-concrete.

Knuckles doesn't move right away, didn't expect either of them to move. He expected this to be another sit down on the island and stare at the sky for hours before Shadow wordlessly leaves kind of thing. He still tentatively reaches out to meet Shadow's paw with his own.

Again, the stillness stagnates like that of a pond. Beautiful things can propagate in stillness and quiet, Knuckles doubts this'll be an example in the same way the lotus flower is an example.

He doesn't speak, neither does Shadow.

He's more focused on the contact, paw to paw. Covered by a glove, but still sparking like electric currents.

Clouds drift, the sun starts to fade. It's nice. It's quiet and tense and tender all at once but it's nice. Usually contact this close comes with sparring, which is another type of contact that they both enjoy.

"I like this," Shadow said, voice quiet. Somewhat out of fear that he'd ruin the moment if he spoke too loud.

Knuckles nodded, "Yeah."

"This whole love confession thing is dumb as balls," Shadow said bluntly, snatching away his hand only to hold his head in both with a groan.

"I couldn't agree more," Knuckles answered with.

"Can we just say that we both mutually like each other and call it a day? I don't have the capacity or experience to take you on a nice dinner date."

"Sounds good to me."

"Okay, okay great- that actually wasn't too bad."

"Speak for yourself, I was dying."

"Agreed."

"So, now that it's out in the open, wanna go spar?"

"Oh hell yeah."

[myymi]

goddamn how many bodyguards do you have

And

who ordered the 'depressing backstory'?

bodyguards;

Tails could feel his nervousness shoot through the roof as he followed Sonic to the field, one of his paws tightly gripping the metal bat the hedgehog told him to hold to keep him from picking at his fur as the other squeezed the older’s paw. Tom and Maddie had decided that it'd be good for Tails to attend Sonic's practice today. It'd give him a chance to socialize with other kids without being too overwhelmed by it since they'll be more focused on practicing. And while he didn't distrust the humans, he couldn't help but disagree. Being surrounded by a group of teenagers never ended well for him. He's fairly sure he's got some lasting marks to prove it, too. But the adults have done nothing but show him love and kindness, he didn't want to go against their wishes. “Hey guys!” Sonic greeted with a wide smile, using the paw that wasn't holding onto the fox to wave at his baseball team. He got a few different greetings from his teammates in response, “My little bro is gonna watch us today.” Tails’ ears pressed against his head when he was addressed, his cheeks flushing as he hid behind the hedgehog. He was still getting used to the title of being Sonic's brother, it felt like a dream. “Finally!” One of the boys with brown hair, green eyes, and pale skin groaned, placing a hand on his hip as he gave Sonic a frown, “We've only been asking you to bring him for, like, forever!” “Austin’s right!” A girl with much darker skin said, standing up from where she had been sitting on the ground. The beads in her braided hair clinked together as she ran up to the mobians. “We’ve been waiting for him!” Tails squeaked quietly as Sonic laughed, “He wasn’t ready to come yet, Aniyah. He just got here a few months ago.” He explained, letting go of the fox's paw to pull him into a side hug.

this fic is basically me taking my brother's old baseball team and making them sonic's lmao

backstory:

Sonic nearly jumped out of his skin when he turned and came face to face with the little fox. He had just been up on the crow’s nest, how was he so silent? Sails didn't look at him though. His eyes were staring at the deck of the Angel’s Voyage, “Ye want me tale, don't ya?” He asked, almost too quiet for the hedgehog to hear him. “Huh?” Sonic blinked at the fox dumbfounded. It had only been an hour or so since their last interaction and the kit was obviously not in the mood to share his story any time soon. What changed? “I..” The fox trailed off. His cheeks flushed red in what the older assumed was embarrassment before he turned to face the sea instead, “I'm sorry.” “For what?” Sonic didn't think the kid needed to apologize for anything. “For gettin’ agro with ye.” Sails grumbled, one of his tails raising so he could pick at the fur on it. “Rose and I talked, and–” “Sails, no,” The teen interrupted the younger, shaking his head, “You're right to be upset with me. I pushed you too much. I'm sorry” The kit looked up at him at that, blinking in surprise at the apology. He wasn't used to people saying sorry when they upset him. “Whatever.” Sails said, shaking his head and looking away once again, “Do ye want me tale or not?" "Only if you want to tell it." Sonic smiled at the fox despite knowing the kid wasn't looking at him. “It's your choice, kiddo.” The fox turned to glare at him at the nickname, “Don't call me that.” The hedgehog quickly nodded and raised his hands in a surrender, “Alright, alright. No nicknames, got it.”

finally revealing who's getting the depressing backstory lmao

i wanted to play around with the prime tails trio's past and this is sails's. i have gone into mangey and nine's too much just yet, but they'll get there own trauma <3

[brainworms-all-night-long]

Hey does anyone remember Running from a Nightmare? I just did and um, finished the first half of it in the hopes it'll get me to finish the second some day soon already

I guess one can read this without any context and as a standalone brother's story but just in case

[Words 3,096]

———

Sonic has been feeling on edge for a couple of days now.

At first, he chalked it up to his sixth sense on the lookout for Eggman cooking something up again since the doctor was uncharacteristically quiet which meant the hatching of a new plot. But after his latest scheme was successfully trampled by yours truly and the steady build of anxiety in his gut didn't stop, he began to suspect something else was amiss.

Soon enough it felt like he was being watched.

Now don't get him wrong, he knows the amount of enemies and, uh, "fans" alike that like to keep a not-so-discreet eye on him, this didn't feel like he was seconds away from being jumped though, it felt like he was being, studied?

The feeling faintly lessened when he was among people, on the back burner but still stewing in there. It was alone where he kept his quills bristled and legs ready to either bolt or kick in any direction necessary.

This caused him to prefer crowds or at least one or two of his friends by him at all times. Obviously Tails noticed it as a weird behavior, Sonic wasn't exactly the overly clingy type, but the hedgehog dismissed him easily at first.

Still, knowing that someone or something had its sights trained on him wasn't the most comforting feeling. He assumed that maybe Eggy had sent one of his bots to spy on him, but then couldn't come up with a sensible enough explanation as to why. They had known each other since he was a hoglet, and Sonic kept no secrets that he was aware of, not to mention subtlety was never Eggman's thing. So what could this observation be for?

It was getting harder and harder to suppress his paranoia, especially after a couple of not-so-peaceful naps that left him sleepless. And others aside from Tails began to notice his odd behavior too.

Not that he didn't appreciate the concern but so far it really seemed to be on him alone. No matter what would come of it Sonic would deal with it swiftly and with no sweat. He was sure of it.

If the perpetrator's goal was just to offset him until they could strike, fat chance.

In the end, Sonic's friends knew not to pry because he'd just shut off further, so the subject dropped for some time again.

Unfortunately in that 'some time', Sonic's state gradually slipped into worse.

Tails complained over blue fur and quills messing up his furniture, nightmares that hadn't gotten to Sonic since he was a little guy running around a giant world with no start or destination began to haunt him, and things that no longer bothered him evoked unpleasant memories and sensations. Eventually, it landed him trapped on a picnic where Amy, Knuckles and Tails were determined to get him to talk.

Except there was nothing to talk about. It was all just a minor inconvenience that cost him a few minutes of sleep here and there and made him just a bit sloppier when dealing with the Doctor's usual badnik swarms. Minor inconvenience one too many maybe, but even if he wanted to, he didn't know where he'd start complaining about nothing.

He just needs to run. That's usually what solves his problems and what he felt the itch forever since this whole wrongness gripped him.

He crashed the picnic that they had been planning to have for a few months now. Feeling sorry for it of course, but he hoped they understood. It wasn't a big deal, he was just tired and needed to go take a nap somewhere.

That is what he told them anyway, but the stop wasn't at Tails' workshop, a comfortable tree or warm patch of moss he passed while trying to run away from an invisible presence.

So he ran.

—

Sonic came back hours into midnight, his legs brought him home by pure muscle memory.

Once he entered Tails' workshop, he wordlessly collapsed onto the nearest couch. His presence didn't go unnoticed though, as soon as he crashed, a little fox stood above him with a worried look.

"Hm, 'sup bud. Isn't it past your bedtime?" Sonic forced a lighthearted tone, which the fox definitely wasn't buying, seeing as he deadpanned.

"Is that really the first and only thing that bothers you."

"You bet it is, I care about the health of my dear little bro." Even if tired, he couldn't pass up an opportunity at a loving jab, but instead of the pout he expected, Tails' face was overtaken by a genuine annoyed expression.

"I do too, you know."

And Tails glared, crossing his arms patronizingly.

Oh come on, Sonic thought he made it clear this wasn't a big deal! He just spent the past seven hours dealing with it, safely calling the case closed. "Bud, I'm fine, you can drop it."

"Like hell I can! When was the last time your ugly mug has seen a mirror?"

The younger's voice was gaining a dangerous edge, but Sonic wasn't up to dealing with a cranky fox in his state. It was none of his business.

Still, even if pestering, Tails did it because he cared. So the hedgehog could do the least by responding. Dramatically of course, trying to break the other's offense by widening his eyes and clutching his chest as if he was physicallh hurt by the comment on his appearance.

Tails didn't seem entertained by that at all.

"You look like you haven't slept for a full week Sonic. Something's up and you refuse to tell me. You refuse to tell anyone. Why."

Ok fine, he'll bite.

The last few days have kind of blurred together which usually doesn't happen, but even the great hero of Mobius has his off days alright.

But now that it's mentioned, he hasn't seen his own face in a while, too focused on looking behind his back just to be safe. He doubts it's as bad as Tails makes it out to be, but he elects to, if anything, at least hear his brother out before making another convenient excuse out of here.

"I don't feel like dragging you out of a fight in case you collapse in the middle of it y'know."

"Why do I always have to play mind games with you."

Tails sighed and plopped onto the couch next to him. Seems that he's strategizing at blocking out the exits huh.

Sonic wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to hear that since the other just mumbled it under his nose with a sigh.

Mind games, as if. There are no mind games, simply things that are inconsequential and that he can take on his own so he doesn't see the reason in sharing them. Yes talk about your feelings and reach out if you need a hand or whatver, but what was there to talk about.

Confess that at best he was being paranoid and brushed off or at worst get his friends dragged into a mess he could've solved alone and feeling the same way? Hard pass.

Still biting back his irritation the hedgehog tried to reach out a comforting hand. He didn't feel like messing anything up between him and Tails when it in a pointless midnight argument and Chaos knew just how annoying the kit could get once he got an idea in his head.

"You guys are making a big deal out of nothing, really–"

"Because even the mildest inconvenience you have is too sacred for me to know apparently!" Tails suddenly swatted at his hand and glared at him,

"But Gaia forbid I go to bed five minutes after your arbitrary bedtime!"

Sonic, too shocked to respond and Tails finally over with his patience, wordlessly stared at each other. Tension seemigly materialized in the physical form between them with something more sinister seeping underneath it.

Neither of them spoke up. Instead, Tails' scowl dropped and went back to just a mildly annoyed yet very serious pout.

Now Sonic would just classify this as a symptom of lack-of-sleep-crankiness his little bro suffered from quite often, but it always took a bit more than two deflection attacks to get him to snap like this (was he really wearing everyone's patience so much?) Not to mention he wasn't a big fan of how annoyed he felt at his little bro either. Something about this was off. Again.

Seven hours of trying to get his mind off things wasted apparently.

"No. You'll try to hightail it out before morning and avoid everyone until you think we've all forgotten about how miserable and tired you look. Again."

"Hey, look I get that you're upset with me and all that, but if you keep this up I feel like I'll say something I shouldn't and regret it once I get some sleep in my system, so I'd call it a night and–"

Tails rudely interrupted him. And while Sonic appreciated the concern, he truly did, he.. well yea fine Tails' got a point. Now Sonic won't say that was exactly his plan but he would most likely end up doing that.

"You'll tell me what's up now or- or I won't sleep. Ever."

God fucking damn this kid.

Sonic pressed his lips into a thin like stared at him, just as Tails did the same. Neither of them dared to blink either, and usually, that would lead to the brothers letting go of the argument and dissolving into giggles and snorts, but not this time. Something made it feel like laughing in this situation was impossible.

It was obvious Tails waited for him to crack but this was an immovable object against a more persistent, immovable object. Yet between stubbornness and little brother pettiness, versus impatience of a tired hedgehog was an obvious winner and Sonic ended up breaking the eye contact and throwing it down towards the striped yellow and blue rug that sat under the couch.

Good, ok fine. But don't you dare blame him for fearing that someone is gonna shank you out of nowhere anytime and no matter where you are almost for full twenty-four hours.

He could see the snarky victorious glee in Tails' eye and Sonic bitterly accepted defeat, trying to gather his words.

He guessed that another way to avoid an argument was to just spill it, but at this point, it was an actual hit to his pride. Whatever. Tails asked for this.

"Do...Do you have a feeling that someone has been watching you?"

"Not really? No." Tails tilted his head slightly after the initial shock of him actually managing to break through to Sonic.

"Is that what's got you so on edge?"

The hedgehog nodded, partially regretting to finally confess about something so trivial.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Didn't think t'was that important." Sonic shrugged. The cat was out of the bag so might as well. He could brush the feeling of being an unreasonable asshole about it under the rug though, you just can't win in some situations.

Tails merely facepalmed in defeat and mumbled "Of course you didn't" under it.

"What? if someone has a problem with me, they better take it up to my face no?" Sonic managed to put up some semblance of a fake cheerful attitude into his tone to levitate the suffocating heaviness the workshop fell under ever since he got in. He landed a gentle elbow into the fox's arm which consequently shook the other one off his face.

"If you truly feel like you've been stalked this whole time, at this point, whoever it is most likely has more than enough information about you to be just as confident about taking it 'up to your face' you idiot."

Tails didn't return his attitude in the slightest if the exasperated voice and tired eyes were a lure to anything. Sonic could only manage a nervous chuckle in response

"Yea, I guess, I guess you're right."

"Guess? C'mon, I'm always right!" Finally, some light returned to Tails' eyes at that "Though I'm not sure if I want to be this time." It went out just as fast.

Sonic sighed as words came to him easier than he thought they would

"I really just didn't say anything because I worried it might be nothing." Tails gave him a condescending side eye "And in hindsight, that was a really stupid way to think." And then he scoffed with the same sarcastic energy.

"It's not like you ever not think stupid."

Tails grumbled and leaned into the armrest away from Sonic.

"You hate it when I go on analysis spires and here you are, doing the same thing except in the opposite direction and with no evidence to back things up."

The hedgehog snorted

"Really? 'Analisys spires'? Is that what you call 'catastrophizing everything' now?"

"Well hey at least I take into account the potential risks always." Tails playfully jabbed his finger into Sonic's shoulder "Unlike someone!"

Playfully. That unnerving edge in his voice was gone. Even if Sonic still felt like any smile or laugh had to be disingenuous and forced, it lifted some of the burden off his chest.

After that, they sunk into a bit more peaceful form of silence. It still felt just a few shades off but hey, Sonic will take what he's given.

He looked over at Tails sitting practically on the opposite side of the couch, tired blue eyes stared forward onto nothing particular and he sat hunched over the couch's armrest, his double tails serving as a blanket.

Sure now he can confidently say this whole ordeal was behind them but it still didn't feel quite right.

Sonic reached a hand over to the kit, but stopped himself halfway. Should he?

"Hey." Stupid question of course he should, that's his little brother sulking about.

"We'll get to the bottom of this eventually."

Sonic leaned closer to the kit and ruffled his already messy bangs. The quiet, barely suppressed giggles that followed smothered over any doubts showing their ugly heads. Sonic scooted all the way to the fox, and then took it one step over and squished the other between his body and the armrest.

"He-hey get your big butt away from me, you're crushing me!"

"No can do little grumpy sir!"

Tails tried his mightiest to push the hedgehog away while he was uselessly locked in a side hug. Suddenly his legs were swiped from underneath him and a horrifying realization followed. His attempts to kick himself free were futile as within seconds he was held trapped in his big bro's arms.

What followed was pure horror and torture.

Sonic rocked the younger from side to side, who periodically got his head hit against the couch, Sonic's mouth that planted an annoying kiss on his forehead and then his knees in his face from how over-exaggerated the movement was.

"Not fair!" Tails cried and then bit a bluff strike into the air, too close to Sonic's nose for his liking, but that didn't deter him one bit.

It was all but adorable actually.

Sonic's shit-eating grin didn't falter in the slightest and he finally felt like it was genuine.

"One day you'll be strong enough to break free I'm sure of it." Nothing but pure, unchallenged smugness radiated off of the hedgehog as he squeezed the ball of golden fluff in his arms. He tried to sneak in yet another kiss when he was stopped dead in his tracks by a paw slapped over his mouth.

When has that sly fox managed to free his arm from his inescapable grasp!? Sonic couldn't let that act of rebellion stay for long, so he poked the younger's side with his thumb. Tails then immediately recoiled with an involuntary giggle escaping his mouth while he was easily subdued again.

"Nah-not fair! Cheater! You're cheating!"

"Using my enemy's weaknesses against them in battle is not cheating!" Sonic proudly proclaimed and drilled his thumb into his brother's side one more time which rewarded him with a couple of strained snorts and giggles from the other. Chaos Tails was trying to stay angry so badly that it was comical.

"Stah'aap!!" Tails cried and perhaps Sonic did feel a pang of sympathy for the poor fox. Dare he even say, have mercy.

"Let go-!" Completely desperate, the other now tried to swat at Sonic with his namesakes. All it succeeded at was shove a face full of fur into the hedgehog's face and maybe that was the goal all along.

After splattering the hair out of his mouth Sonic grinned when seeing the obvious fake pout Tails was putting on.

"Only after you smile." Sonic teased and planted yet another kiss on his whining brother's forehead, who then promptly slapped his face with his tails yet again.

"Oh c'mon smile a little?"

Tails frowned.

"Itty-bitty smirk?"

Tails frowned even harder.

"Pleaseee, just for a split second?"

Somehow, Tails' frown deepened even further and he ended up looking like the picture definition of a "comically grumpy baby." Sonic paid it no mind tho, he'd rather have a grumpy baby brother than a genuinely angry one. Whatever it takes to get a smile on that little muzzle of his, even if it meant he had to be a little bit annoying to get there. He could see it won't be long before the little guy breaks.

He gradually laxed his hold and Tails either didn't notice, or was hoping Sonic would lower his guard so he could escape.

Either way, the veil of dread and unease was all but gone and forgotten as he held his little bro in his arms, now just gently swaying back and forth with his chin rested atop the other's head.

Chaos when was the last time he just held him like this? Hmm gotta be pretty long ago now that he's wondering, better savor the moment before Tails ruins it by "being too big for hugs and cuddles now" which was pure nonsense in Sonic's correct opinion.

But as seconds ticked by and Tails did not move or make a sound, the hedgehog couldn't sit still in anticipation any longer and finally leaned back to look over.

What he found was his lill' bro fast asleep, with the most peaceful expression on his face. A fond smile made its way across Sonic's muzzle.

Perhaps there was nothing stopping him from following suit. This was a long day after all and maybe, just maybe, now that some things were settled and he wasn't sleeping alone, he'd get some proper rest at last.

[shamachan]

hii, hope you’re having a good day or night, whatever timezone you’re in^^

can you do tamarack with an mc who’s more like blunt and closed off, sometimes aggressive with others (aside from tamarack)? if you write for step 2 that’d be great, but step 1 is also fine :) have a lovely day ^^

Blunt and closed off with everyone aside for Tamarack gn!MC × Tamarack Baumann ꔛ

step 2.

amount of symbols: 2253± symbols.

A/N below.

enjoy!

— When Tamarack first noticed this detail about you, there was a slight "disconnect" in her head. It was partly even difficult for her to believe. You're usually so gentle and opened up around her, and seeing you treat others poorly... Didn't fit in her head ?

— She understood that this would hardly affect her, but it was all strange. Here you are smiling at her affectionately, but here you are cold as ice with some classmate. She only had time to blink her eyes a couple of times.

— Thinking that these were problems related to socialization, Tamarack tried a couple of times to make you friends with someone she knows.

— Although it was awkward for her, she wanted to try for you. When things didn't work out though, all she could do was a sigh.

— But Tammy didn't blame you, of course! How can she even do this, huh? You were such a great person in her eyes, and not just because you behave good with her, she just sees it and knows.

— Tamma finds you similar to a hedgehog a little sooner. She’s a little flustered and funny about it at the same time, but there’s definitely a certain similarity - prickly with strangers, and soft with her.

— If this kind of behaviour does not change for a long time, she will surely get used to it. In response to your bluntness addressed to others, she will either smile a little as she certainly more used to see it, or defend you if there is strong aggression towards you.

— She may even start to think it's kind of... cute? When it comes to her, not others, of course! Tamarack was even glad you are so open with her. She definitely wouldn’t want to lose your trust, and you too.

— I think 'cause of Tamarack’s some kind of timidity, there were situations where she simply cannot say something for herself. At such moments, she appreciates you especially when you may stand up for her.

— But still, she will try from time to time to offer something to change this attitude of yours towards others, but only with your wish! Though as long as it doesn't bother you, she won't even mention it. Tammy just... Doesn't want to do nothing while something may be bothering you. She's actually kinda scared of it.

— So if anything happens, tell her! She will try to help in any way she can. After all, you are her friend, and she wants to protect and help you too!

A/N: HIII I'M SORRY FOR MY DISAPPEARANCE 😢😢 PRETTY BUSY WITH SUMMER VACATION W MY FAMILY, WE CAME TO THE SEA (and im still there haha.... all crying cause of my failed attempts to improve my writing and english skills)

I’ll write every request now SURELY!!! It will take a few days, of course, but I’m full of strength now yeah! i'll try to write something soon as a fanfic...

thank you so-o much for request! still sorry it took some time 😔 hope you enjoyed this small hc! have a great day/night!

[theflashdriver]

Sandopolis Square (Chapter 1)

The taste of grit filled Blaze that cat's mouth, disgusting her tongue and scoring across her teeth. Immediately she went to baulk, squirming to push away from the ground, but the pyrokinetic found herself both upside down and trapped in darkness. Her head was still spinning, shock from impact prompted panic as she pushed and pushed, only to find that the ground slipped through her fingers; she couldn't get a grasp! She was lodged up to her waist, buried, almost sinking, and unable to escape!

Something sounded behind the feline, but her ears were totally blocked! She began to kick, feeling her temperature rise as flames began to ignite within her palms. The cat was ready to explode herself from the ground, to take whatever mass she'd become lodged in with her, when she felt a familiar contact spread across her legs and down to her waist. The contact was continuous; gentle and yet thorough. Her kicking ceased.

She was in good hands, he was still here with her.

As soon as that hold was good and tight, Blaze felt herself tugged smoothly upward and free, like a sewing needle plucked from a pincushion. Though she'd only been in darkness for moments, the sudden brightness of her surroundings was blinding. She felt loose earth, now recognisable as sand, tumble from her frame as she spluttered. Despite having extinguished her flames, she felt warm and now heard the familiar rumble of psychokinesis just above her.

"S-Sorry," A familiar hedgehog called out, though still appeared as a blur as she blinked both the dark and rocky grains from her eyes, "Are you okay? Usually my landings are a lot smoother..."

"You're so naive," She groaned, only to halt herself before she could chew him out, "Can you at least flip me so I'm not upside down?"

"Oh, yes, right," The hedgehog quickly responded.

The cat felt herself rotate, her head being turned to the sky, as she was brought sit atop the sands she'd once been buried within. With a snap of her fingers she ignited herself in an attempt to burn away the sand only to feel it still clinging to her. After half blindly slipping the glove from her right hand she brought it to her eyes and began to pick away the glassy particulate rather than rub.

Soon much of the pain had vanished and she could more clearly see. Yellow surrounded them, they'd found themselves in a pit of sorts, flanked on all sides by sand dunes. The sky was a perfect blue, not a cloud in sight, with the sun shining down from a high noon position. Though she tried to keep her attention focused on taking in their surroundings, Blaze's gaze inevitably landed upon her companion as he rummaged through a rucksack not unlike the one on her back.

Blaze had only remembered Silver a little over a month ago, following a chance encounter. The two of them had been on individual missions in this dimension's past, both their worlds were set to be ruined by Doctor Eggman. The evil man had stolen the Jewelled Sceptre and apparently harnessed it to destroy continents, simultaneously ignoring the turmoil that loss caused the Sol dimension. They'd bumped into one another during the heat of battle, recalled each other while nursing their wounds and slipped back to her world together when the dust had settled.

Silver had been antsy though, longing to see if his work had saved his world and created the good future they'd sought in that life. With some effort, and a lot of posturing that it would be good for the Sol Dimension's defence, Blaze had managed to secure permission to come with him. She didn't want him to face this alone, not as he apparently had so many times since they'd separated. Unfortunately, his past efforts weren't reflected on this world.

"Here," A green metal flask was pushed into her vision, disrupting her train of thought, "I-I'm really sorry, Blaze. I'm not used to transporting two people..."

She looked to his eyes, scanning for aggravation at the present state of the world, only to find worry and regret over their rough landing.

"It's fine Silver," She hesitated before taking the canteen, if things were as dire as they seemed then resources were limited, "I'm just glad we made it here in one piece," Ultimately, feeling the grains still lodged in her gums, she settled that using a little would be wise, "Even if I'm not entirely sure where here is."

She brought the flask to her lips, swishing a small mouthful of water before realising she'd need more and internally cringing. A second swig was taken, followed by a lot more swishing. Another glance to their surroundings revealed the desert to be totally barren, not a hint of plant life in any direction, let alone a person. Admittedly their view was very obscured, limited by the encompassing dunes, but it certainly wasn't a good sign.

"This should be Station Square, we should be two hundred years forward from when we just were," He commented, as she turned away to spit, "But, based on our rough landing, maybe we're a little off..."

A ways behind him, the cat could now see a second hole only a stone's throw away, likely where he had ended up buried. Great clumps of sand still hung in his white fur, he hadn't bothered to tend to himself. After putting the flask to her lips one last time, forcing herself to swallow a mouthful of water, she screwed it closed and handed it back to him.

"We should search for land marks, see if we can recognise anything," He extended a hand and she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet, "Though admittedly, I've only really been in the desert once, and that was-

Immediately Blaze stumbled, the princess felt herself slip back, embarrassment and confusion had made her forget. He stepped in almost instinctively, his hand found her waist before she could crash back to the ground. Immediately, her vision was blockaded by a white cloud that she soon recognised as his chest fur.

Daring to glance up, concerned yellow eyes bore into her, "Are you okay? Was your fall worse than mine?"

"No, it's not the fall, I'm fine," She quickly insisted, it almost sounded like she was snapping at him, "It's these... put me down, get me another pair of shoes from the bag."

He quickly put two and two together, letting go of her hand and shrugging the rucksack from his shoulders. Inside was a veritable mess of equipment, ranging from pocket sized cookers to changes of clothes and pop-up tents. Unfortunately, the cat couldn't think of much in there that would help if the whole world had truly been turned to desert. There were a few handkerchiefs they could cover their mouths with and goggles- intended for underwater but usable in a sandstorm- though little else seemed relevant. They'd been far more worried about difficult terrain and combat than sand and heat.

Things were off to such an embarrassing start, despite all their planning. She couldn't stand to look at him. Her formal high heels had pierced the sand, their small surface area sinking down the moment she'd put any weight on them. When moving at fast speeds it wasn't an issue but, she should have seen it coming.

No, not should have, she would have if she wasn't being so foolish.

After a moment of hearing his rummaging, her gaze firmly locked to a sand dune to their right, a set of shoes entered her peripheral vision; simple running sneakers. Perhaps they weren't perfect for their environment but they'd surely be a marked improvement of her heels. They were new and would need some breaking in, but at least they weren't riddled with holes.

"Thank you," She murmured, kicking her heels off and handing them to him.

"We can go back and restock, if you think it'd be safer," Silver offered as he rummaged to burry the useless shoes in the bag, "I had to leave the Chaos Emerald behind, but we've still got your Sol Emerald, right?"

Blaze felt her long coat pocket, the large grey gem had survived their voyage through time. His concern was plain, and undeniably directed at her. She felt a flutter in her stomach, even if though could remember their past and his countless showings of softness before, the current version of herself still wasn't used to this sort of attention. Ultimately, she shook her head as she quickly tied the white and purple sneakers.

"We should use what we have for now, but know we can turn back if we have to," She insisted, before beginning to lecture in an attempt to restore normalcy, "I'd need a clear space like this to conjure the burning portal though, ideally a place in the open air. It's best to keep that in mind as we proceed."

"Alright, if you're comfortable then I'm comfortable," He reached out to her again, ready to help the cat to her feet with a serious glint in his eyes, "Let's go figure out where we are!"

She took his hand, pulling and allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. This time she didn't sink as she found her footing, instead managing to maintain her more typical elegance. There was a single beat where they stood there, his eyes passing over her; making sure her fall was just due to the heels, that she was okay. The heat of the desert was already starting to get to her.

The cat rolled her eyes, letting out her usual claim of, "You're so naive," Just before he began to pull her along.

She let hedgehog lead the way, hovering just slightly off the ground rather than walking. It didn't take long for the two of them to reach the top of the nearest dune, her poking her head over the top just after him. Just as in the pit, there was no immediate sign of life; no plants and certainly no people, though there was plenty of space for things to hide.

Great sandy mounds spanned all directions, completely obscuring her view to the horizon. They were as common as wave marks on the beaches back home, almost more frequent frankly. There were no people, no flickies and no plant life whatsoever- just sand as far as the eye could see. Not too far away, one dune in particular stood out to her as excessively large. It towered over all the others, standing out despite being a single sand dune among countless others.

"We might be able to get a better lay of the land from up there." He pointed toward the area she'd just sighted.

Blaze had half expected him to suggest flying straight up, guaranteeing a good view, but instead he'd recommended something smarter. If they weren't alone out here, then that sudden movement would draw eyes from points hidden among the dunes and offer opportunity for potential foes to hide. On the scant chance there were nearby allies, they may even flee upon sighting him.

She gave an acknowledging nod, again following his lead. They crept over the tip of the dune before beginning to slip down the other side, slowing themselves but refusing to fully stop. Among the bright yellow sands, the two of them surely stood out as obvious targets. She'd heard of the creatures and machines he'd encountered in other futures, how often the danger matched that in the life they'd lived together. They couldn't afford to be surprised.

When they reached the next slope they found it was steep, Blaze was fairly certain she could climb it but the squeeze of her hand in his signalled an alternate suggestion. Tightening her grip, grabbing his wrist and feeling his fingers upon hers, psychic light washed over the pair of them and gave enough lift to ease the assent but not fly them separate from the dune. He landed them just a few metres from the top, shutting off the psychic glow once he was certain their footing was good. Unfortunately, they had to let go to continue climbing.

As they neared the peak, Blaze felt something beneath her fingers as her hand sank into the sands, something sharp and metal. Looking to her companion, she found that he had pushed his shoulder into the dune and noticed something similar. Metalwork, brown, thin and brittle, had been exposed. Blaze dusted her hand along where the metal was, finding it a straight, albeit battered, ridge that stretched on in both directions. Suddenly, the sheer size of the dune made sense; the sand had gathered around and atop something. Were the other dunes the same?

The gentle whirring of psychokinesis caught the cat's ear, she saw the symbol on his right arm light cyan as he gestured toward the sand hill. Their eyes met, he was looking for approval. She glanced behind them, taking in the endless dunes but still seeing no signs of life, and then gave a nod.

With a wave of his hand, just to their right, the sand was shovelled away and made to gently drift down the hillside. A pang of annoyance marred the hedgehog's face and immediately Blaze's thoughts were confirmed. Though he only revealed an area roughly the size of a ten metre square, a great metal frame with large rectangular gaps was made visible. The metal separating each hole was wider than her arm, though only an inch thick, and continuous outside of a few bent and torn sections.

The old metal frame was connected to a concrete mass with areas of broken concrete, worn away by time, with degraded rebar visible at various points. Blaze looked close to the frame's edge and quickly identified a pair of indents along the metal's centre, in which there were brittle shards of glass among the sand that had come to fill the thin spaces. The inside of the structure, beyond what he'd revealed, was entirely filled with sand. Evidently the holes in the metallic skeleton, surely created by the breaking of large glass panes, had allowed the desert to break through and fill the structure's inside.

"It's a skyscraper, knocked on its side," Blaze murmured.

"I think we're in Station Square," The hedgehog replied, resignation in his tone, "It's just less obvious than usual."

"Is it worth excavating this whole building?" Blaze mused aloud.

"I'm not sure, it's just so big," He responded, tugging at his chest fur, "And we don't know if the separation between floors is still intact, I might not be able to do just one floor."

"Maybe something smaller then? We've got plenty of options," Blaze gestured behind them.

"That's certainly true, it might be worth figuring out some landmarks and looking for an entrance to the subway. Usually there's an untouched pocket or two down there, maybe the sand won't have fully filled it," He shifted, finally scaling to peek over the top of the skyscraper housing dune. His ears shot up straight and much of the disgruntlement fled his body, "Actually, we might not need to uncover anything. I think we got lucky."

Blaze followed him up, looking over the edge. Just like behind them, dune stretched all around, but from up here they could see for miles. They didn't have to look that far to find something of note though.

What could only be a few hundred metres away, a large building looked to only be half covered by the sand. Two large walls stretched out in the shape of a V, a flat roof on either side was partially exposed. At the centre though, there was a large metallic sign that had surely once been elaborate- unreadable from this angle, assuming it was still readable at all. It wasn't a building the cat remembered, but it was obviously an important landmark.

The pyrokinetic threw a glance to her partner, taking in his overtly serious and plainly plotting expression. They really hadn't been reunited for long, but already she could see how time alone had changed him. Yes, he'd asked before unearthing the structure, but there was a certain strategic foresight and tact he was treating this whole situation with. Even this reveal that his world wasn't fixed, as he'd so completely hoped in the lead up to their journey, wasn't affecting him as harshly as she recalled setbacks upsetting him before.

He was less headstrong, the word mature came to mind; both of terms of his actions and how he was handling the state of his world. When he caught her staring however, Blaze's pride in him immediately melted into embarrassment.

She returned her gaze to the dunes ahead, "It seems like a good place to start, but I still don't see any signs of life," Blaze was sure that was a bad sign but, given their experience, it was probably for the better.

"In the times since we've been together, I haven't found any futures with other people, only machines or monsters," He responded, "But the lack of plants is worrying, I'm glad we have an easy way back," The seriousness in his tone had drawn her eyes back to him, only to find he was looking at her, "I'm glad you're here with me," Her tail stiffened straight, "Maybe outside of the city there'll be more of a chance? Concrete might be in the way, stopping the roots from reaching the good soil."

Blaze blinked, it was an astute observation, "Y-Yes, I presume so. There's certainly a chance. I suppose we don't know that the whole world is like this also, even if this is quite different from the Station Square we know..."

She'd rambled a bit, but he had done the same. He cautiously crept fully over the top of the dune and she followed, keeping her eyes pealed for any signs of movement. There was still a risk of Eggman's automatons surviving, they'd be more likely to survive an environment like this than the average citizens of Station Square. That and, assuming this was the doctor's fault, he'd likely have designed them to thrive in this biome.

The two of them slid down the far side of the sand hill, after finding it wasn't as steep as the portion they'd scaled. Once the ground drew close to flat again the feline was on her feet, eyes flitting back and forth across their surroundings in search of anything out of place. She still wasn't comfortable accepting that they were alone, but more and more things were looking that way. She even threw a glance up to the sky, scouting for flying machines.

He gave her a nod as he reached her side, a gesture she returned to confirm that things were still safe. Ears spiked high, she again followed as he led them toward the decrepit building. She scarcely even trusted the sand beneath her feet, perpetually listening out for the potential click of a trap buried underfoot.

Now closer, Blaze could tell that the building hadn't aged particularly gracefully. The entryway was sealed, a bent rod of metal and been wedged between the door handles and held for an unknown length of time. Wooden boards completely blocked what had assumedly once been windows, battered but seemingly enact. The stonework looked worse, perforated and speckled. A series of letters loomed over the doorway, spelling out a single word through browned metal that had surely been sandblasted over the past centuries. It was very fortunate that it had maintained enough of its shape to be readable.

"Casino," He seemed to dwell on the large word for a moment, before half shouting, "Oh, this must be Casinopolis..."

It was only now, back on somewhat flat ground and standing still, that Blaze noticed something. Without her high heels, the hedgehog was substantially taller than she recalled. Three inches, maybe even four? There was something else too though. Was it his jawline? His shoulders? They just looked... different to what she recalled. Perhaps her hyperfocus was just due to his immediate response to the state of his world; how things had clearly changed since she'd last been in this type of situation with him.

Tearing her gaze away, Blaze looked to the building again, "The boarded windows suggests there might be people inside, or at least there once were. Maybe this was a gradual change, things didn't become a desert over night."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Seriousness had reclaimed his tone, "Although, that skyscraper being knocked over maybe means there were multiple problems. Maybe there was an attack before the sand rolled in," He astutely pointed out, "I know desertification happens, I've seen it change places, but I've never seen station square like this, even when its been overrun by robots. On those occasions the weather has usually been unchanged. This can't be natural..."

"I would assume it's anything but," Blaze hummed in agreement.

Despite the space being thankfully uncovered by sand, there was no signs of life around it- theirs were the only footprints in the sand. The doorway itself also revealed a lot, the age of the metal bar wedged in the entryway suggested this place hadn't been open in a long time; the sandblast damage across the doors furthered that hypothesis, though keeping it shut may have been wise given the circumstances.

If people were inside, that suggested they'd been trapped for an extended period. Had someone locked them in? Had there been a breakage in the door's locking mechanism, leading a lone individual to brave the sand as they sealed their friends in... only for them to never emerge. Blaze did wince at the though they might be walking into a crypt, but another thought came to mind.

"They might have locked something inside here," The cat offered as a warning, "It would explain the barricade on the door."

"It's possible," There was heavy contemplation in his voice, Blaze could tell he was mulling over other options, just as she was.

He raised a hand, cyan energy flared both in his palm and upon the doorway. He threw a look her direction, she simply nodded in the affirmative as she ignited her palms and took up a defensive stance. With the simple gesture of his fingers into a fist, the metal bar folded outward at its centre and fully slipped the door handles. A beat of silence was allowed after the metal fell to the ground, there were no signs of movement inside. After that moment past, he threw out another gesture and the doors swung open.

The interior was dark beyond the doorway, but no immediate signs of sand within. She moved in lockstep with the hedgehog as he took steps forward, reaching out with his right hand and sending a sparkling motes of psychic light into the casino. As they approached and the lighting improved, the cat got a better view of the inside.

Huge was the only way she could think to describe the space, an overlarge room that plainly stretched deep into the sand dune. There were a few other doors visible, a restroom most obviously, but Blaze had to assume that much of the space was this large single room. Inside were old cassino fixtures, lights and structures, dotted throughout the building and creating various hiding spaces. There was little signs of sand, suggesting a lack of cracks in the structure, though it was present just beyond the doorway, perhaps having been kicked or blown in.

Blaze walked with him beyond the threshold, beginning to take stock of the endless sea of tables and chairs set ahead of them. To call the place cluttered would be an understatement, even ignoring the litter on the ground there was a sea of tables and chairs blocking the path ahead. Fresh shadows were endlessly moving, being constantly cast by Silver's efforts. They constantly revealed objects in shades of teal, but never a person or signs of a machine. Again the cat looked up, following one of his psychic orbs, but again there were no abnormal signs.

"With all this stuff around, I think, maybe, they locked the door so that the sand wouldn't get in after they left," The hedgehog posited, "Sand dunes can move massively with the wind, it'd make sense if they wanted keep their home safe."

"But why would they leave it in the first place?" Blaze hummed, still bouncing her vision across the room's darker spots.

"Maybe they could only hold out here so long, we've not been far but there's no signs of plant life or water,"Despite what he was saying, the hedgehog was still plainly on guard, "There's only one way to find out."

Raising his hand again, more psychic lights fluxed from his form to scatter and swirl around the room. Eventually, they managed to reach the room's centre, still without a single sign of a machine or creature, living or dead. Despite that, there were certainly signs of prior life; tables littered with accoutrements and bags. All the items though did seem somewhat superfluous to surviving in the desert; clothes, wallets, plates, cutlery, old toys and lots of chips from cassino games.

Eventually, having almost entirely filled the room with light, he brought his psychic efforts to an illuminated standstill. He kept walking despite that, scanning and began to use his psychic powers to poke and prod at junk scattered within the space. Her eyes flickered to him, catching the stark seriousness of his eyes. It really was as if a switch had been flipped soon after their arrival here, changing things she'd noticed over the days before...

"Are you comfortable?" He half whispered to her, eyes still to their surroundings.

"Almost," She responded, opening her palms to spread the light of her flames further, "There are plenty of spaces that could be used for hiding, if anything is still in here then I doubt it's a person. No sign of machines either though."

"Anything more you think I should do?" Silver asked, looking to confirm.

"No," She replied, after a moment of thought, "I just want to keep an eye out for a little longer, make sure that nothing tries to sneak up on us."

The hedgehog threw her a small thumbs up, gazing around the room once more, "I'll start searching while you stand guard," He confirmed after that moment had past, tugging the nearest table toward himself.

She responded with a nod, maintaining the fire in her palms. The space wasn't perfectly quiet, what with his searching and the ambient buzz of psychic energy, but no sounds were standing out to the cat. No skitter of the rubbish left scattered on the ground came, nor did any somehow silent movement. The potential for things to hide behind the lights above still worried the cat, but there truly were no signs of movement. She crouched low, glancing under the tables, but still there was nothing.

Having scanned the space for a while, she couldn't help but glance back at Silver as he made his initial assessment of the room, spreading objects piled on the tables throughout the room in an attempt to neaten everything out. With each step in his survey of the tables the ways he'd changed were becoming more apparent, from the disparity between their heights to the quietness of his steps. He looked almost professional, frankly tactical, in his work.

There truly was a significant difference in how he was acting now compared to under the freedom he'd experienced while staying in her dimension. The hedgehog had been so bouncy and joyous, just as she'd anticipated; beaming and rushing around, asking all sorts of naive questions and being so foolishly open with his emotions. It made sense that he'd changed upon arriving here and seeing his world in this state, but that switch was not quite what she'd expected.

The reveal of the future not being fixed was plainly weighing on him, but its impact wasn't showing that in the usual way. Rather than shout and pound his fists, as he would whenever Iblis reappeared, the hedgehog was quiet. There was though an undeniable tenseness in his frame and hardness to his brow. Despite part of her seeing the change as growth, the cat couldn't help worrying. He was still plainly emotional but he seemed just that bit better at controlling those-

"Blaze?" His voice pulled her from her thoughts as their eyes met, "Are you okay?"

"You're so naive, keep your voice down, I'm fine..." She bit her tongue for a moment, but spoke up before he could turn away, "I'm sorry things aren't like you hoped."

The hedgehog paused in his searching, though psychic light remained spread throughout the room and across the various objects. He half turned down to the table, his brow had further hardened and discomfort was plain on his face. The expression was hardly subdued, but compared to what she'd seen from him historically it was undeniably calm. No sobbing or shouting about how things were, though the sadness and anger behind those emotions was still present. Silver went to speak twice but seemed to catch himself, plainly struggling to arrange his words.

"There are two hundred years between my time and that of our friends; I sort of expect things to keep going wrong in their time for a little while longer, based on how often they have so far. That means I expect to keep finding my time in states like this. When the world is finally fully saved, I think I'll be surprised," He confessed, not quite meeting her eye, "But, things will be good in the end. This world will be fixed, the future will be wonderful, I won't stop until it is. I just know how difficult this task is now and, well, it's a lot harder than I'd assumed back when we were kids."

It was maturity, that's all she could think to call it. He was clearly frustrated with the situation, much more clearly now that we was talking about it, but the hedgehog must have seen his home like this so many times. The impact was still there, he was just used to it.

"Although, now that we're together again, maybe things will get better sooner than I thought. After all, together we can manage anything, I just know it!" The hedgehog decreed, shooting her the same sort of foolish grin he had in days prior.

"Y-You're still so naive," For whatever reason, his expression was having more of an effect now. For what felt like the hundredth time in this outing, the feline pulled her stare from him, "Let's get down to work, I think we're safe."

She hadn't intended it, but she'd jogged something in her own mind. With him now more concomitant, more understanding, she was now following his lead. The hedgehog had so consistently looked to her for help, just what was her role now? She stood by him still, but where? Was she following him, rather than things being the other way around?

Blaze felt the burning need to do something with herself; turning to one of the nearest tables and beginning to rifle through the piled valuables, the cat buried herself in work. She wouldn't let herself be left in the dust, she'd help him just as she'd promised in the lifetime before. Besides, no matter how he'd grown, he surely couldn't match her deductive prowess. She'd figure out what had happened here before he could.

Right?

[creativesploosh]

Y'know, I should probably make an actual, not in-universe introduction to at least one of my Sonic AUs....

Well, get ready for a ramble! (Sorry in advance if I use too much color, I like color-coding names and such- LOL)

Too Little, Too Late! AU

This is a Sonic AU regarding one (not-so-simple) question:

What if Sonic worked for Eggman?

How would this change the world, and how would certain characters react?

Situated in Starlight City, a place run by the ever-looming Empire, this AU aims to answer all of these theoretical questions.

This AU has a few working names; Too Little, Too Late (TLTL) and Empire!AU, both of which have tags associated with them.

I tend to use Empire!AU as a shorthand for TLTL (Empire!Sonic, Empire!Amy, etc) though both names work.

Here's our main cast:

- Tails Scavenger the Fox

A genius fox who sticks to the shadows and has made it his life's goal to take down the Empire. He never had a Sonic when he was bullied; he just took it, and took it, and took it, hiding away one day, and never looking back.

- Project Cobalt Bullet

A secret project by Scavenger... The Empire has sustained minor losses of mechanical material when Enforcer Units are decommissioned, but no one knows why.

- Amy Rose

A kind-souled, young citizen who stumbled across a lone fox while she was walking one day. She wants to help him, but she isn't aware of everything Scavenger has done or plans to do.

- Sonic the Hedgehog

Key General to the Empire, and the strongest force in its army; he was taken by Ivo a long time ago, far before he knew what was right. He's the bane of Scavenger's existence.

- Ivo Robotnik

Sonic's boss and the running monarch over the Empire he established on the isles. He's the "father" of Sage, the city's AI guard, and the creator of everything Scavenger hates.

Follow this blog if you'd like to ask questions directly to the main fox himself, Scavenger!

Art to come soon, hopefully I can figure out how in Chaos drawing Mobians works in a timely manner.... (Mfw I have designs for Sonic and Tails but I can't draw:)

[atomicwrite]

Hehe, I actually just wrote this to clear my head because I'm not feeling great lately, so I was seeking comfort in my comfort character ;v;7 sorry if it's a little rushed >< But I thought it might help someone else feel better. 👉🏻👈🏻 I feel a little silly writing it out like that but I'll try to ignore it ;;

btw I'm working on more requests! I just need to edit and re-write some parts~

━━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━━

⚘️ GN!Reader x Shadow the Hedgehog - how can he comfort you?

━━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━━

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

⚠ Warnings: self-hatred (?)

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Lately, Shadow refused to leave your side since you were constantly losing more and more of your energy. He also observed that you were physically distancing yourself from him, and he was aware that lately you were afflicted in some way.

After all, he wasn't stupid.

You had a sneaking suspicion that he was aware of your condition.

If it was up to you, though, you would have wanted to keep it quiet forever.

Shadow, however, insisted on learning the reason for your behavior as usual. You chose to tell him everything because he had a way of pressuring you into doing things that you otherwise would not have wanted to do, plus, you have nothing left to lose at this point, right?

"What's wrong?" Shadow asked, "I know you're upset."

For some while, you remained silent. As tiny tears threatened to fall from your (e/c) orbs, you simply stared at the floor, trying to hide your glossy eyes.

"Tell me." he said again.

"N-nothing's wrong..." You lied.

He crossed his arms and glared at you, "Hmph, at least look me in the eyes when you're so blatantly lying."

You were really uneasy when you met his crimson eyes. After all, you were thinking all kinds of sinister things, and you did not want him to find out so easily.

"You know I'm not stupid."

Your heart began to beat more violently,

'He's going to find out! What will I do? How can I stop him from finding out?', but a quiet sigh from him cut through your train of thought.

"You've been avoiding me lately", he spoke with a troubled tone.

"I... I don't want to talk about it!" You snapped back.

Once again sighing, Shadow placed his hands on your shoulders,

"Just tell me. I'll assist you in every way I can. Regardless of how awful or difficult it might seem."

You held in a breath and reluctantly nodded.

Taking one more deep breath, you exhaled slowly,

"I'm just... sick of watching my reflection in the mirror... I'm considered worthless, unattractive and annoying...", you twiddled with your thumbs, desperately seeking for words,

"Everything they've said... everything they've done to me... Everyone tells me to forget the past and move on, but... I-I can't seem to forget it..."

You sniffled, wiping away some tears that stained your face,

"I thought I could trust them, I really thought I was not alone anymore..."

Shadow took your hand and placed it on his cheek. Your eyes started to flood as soon as your fingertips brushed his soft skin.

"Y-you shouldn't touch me... I'm disgus-"

"No, come here."

You were hugged by Shadow as he brought you closer to him, his strong chest pressed against yours and he held you tightly.

"You are attractive, (Y/N)." He gave you a quiet smile, "You're not annoying, you're not worthless. You're wonderful, and you are not alone anymore. They were not worth your time." His lips were so close to yours that he couldn't help but lean in.

Everything you ever wanted and more came crashing into you like waves crashing into a rocky shore, all that pent up frustration and insecurity washed off your body like raindrops.

Your eyes shut tight as he pulled away from the kiss. His hands rested on both sides of your face as he smiled down at you, his fingers tenderly caressing your cheeks.

"Do you believe me?" he whispered softly.

His warm breath tickled your cheek and your body shivered under the contact.

You nodded, unable to find words to speak. He leaned down again, capturing your lips once more with an infinite amount of affection.

You broke down in tears after his words hit you like bricks, but this time you weren't ashamed.

"It's all right.", he stroked your hair, whispering, "I'm here for you."

Your body shivered at his words, a feeling of warmth spread through you as you felt safe for once.

"I'm sorry..." You hiccupped. "I'm so sorry for crying."

"Don't apologize." He smiled a little.

You sobbed while remaining silent. Such comforting words had never been said to you before, and they deeply affected you.

"Do you really mean that?" You asked softly, not believing what he said earlier, "everything you have said?"

"Of course I do." He leaned down, kissing your forehead, "Nothing else matters to me."

After wiping away your tears, you met his eyes. They had a lot of affection and hope in them.

"Thank you..."

Shadow tightened the grip around you. You closed your eyes and laid your head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Everything will be alright." He said, squeezing you tight.

You could hear him breathing, slow and steady, his heart beating against your ear gave you comfort.

"I'll always be here for you."

[theyandereonmyoji]

General Yandere Silver the Hedgehog Headcanons

Well, I’ve been receiving quite a few requests for Silver, so I thought that, before responding any of those, I should post some of my general headcanons (Also sorry about the hiatus, but thankfully I should be free for a long while) TW: implied murder and kidnapping

This sweet, naive hedgehog would take a long time before he realized he felt anything…special towards you. He’s just happy to have friends he can talk to. After all, he can get pretty lonely back in his future, even with how much he wants to make friends and hang out with them, he can’t. However, after a long while, he starts asking himself tons of questions about his behavior. Like why do his eyes wander off to where you are when hanging out with a bunch of your mutual friends, or why does he get so nervous when you two are alone. Whether his feelings towards you are purely platonic or even romantic, he’ll eventually realize how truly intense his feelings are.

His attitude towards you wouldn't change much on a surface level, he’s still the eager, optimistic hedgehog that wears his heart on his sleeves and likes to be around you. Yet, those traits that would make him a lovable dork in most situations, is what ultimately causes him to be rather intense when you two are together. He’s basically like an overgrown puppy, lovable and ultimately doesn’t want to cause you any issues, yet he can be extremely overbearing and not allow you to have any personal space. It doesn’t matter how boring or mundane your activities are for the day, he’s always there, for better or for worse.

If one day you decide that he’s just too intense for you and ask him to please leave you alone for a while, he will give be noticeably sad even if he tries to hide it, but he will leave you alone…for a little while anyways, him lasting a day without you is a miracle, but eventually he’ll beg you for you two to hang out again, swearing that he will try to give you your space, but to please let him be around you again. And honestly you would need to be heartless to say no to the poor guy, he’s just trying his best, can you really stay mad at him for long? From then on, he respects your personal space a bit more, though he does still have his moments where that type of behavior can resurface.

Despite how sweet and caring he is towards you (and towards any of his friends really) He can be quite…serious for a lack of a better term. If he sees anything or anyone that he might consider a threat, well, mercy might not be in his vocabulary that day. Honestly it’s like a on/off switch, one moment he’s being the sweetest cinnamon roll to ever exist towards all of his friends, and even more towards you, the next he’s willing to commit murder for your sake. Trust me when I say you want to stop him before things get messy, if not for the sake of whatever poor fella crossed him that day, at least to have a healthy conscience at the end of that day. After all, Silver sees no reason to hide what he’s willing to do for you

The poor boy gets jealous easily and he’s terrible at hiding it. The thing he’s not terrible at is gaslighting himself though. After all, there’s no way he would ever harm someone innocent, they must be evil in some way, he just knows you’re not safe with them. Pray to whatever god you believe in (or to good luck if you’re not religious, whatever works) that he doesn’t find enough “evidence” to support his claim that your friend is a menace, because once he does, there’s no stopping him. He’s a stubborn one, and in his eyes, it’s not like he’s doing anything wrong. He’s just keeping everyone you safe away from that bastard, but it’s ok now, they’ll be gone soon, so don’t worry about it, ok?

I hope you like gifts, because with Silver you’re going to get a lot of hand-made ones. He wishes nothing more than to make you smile, and he figured out that a good way to do so would be gifts. Baked good, some small crafts, he’ll try to make anything, and while they might not be of the best quality, it’s the intention that counts, and again, you would have to be absolutely heartless to tell him that you don’t like his gifts, especially with those puppy eyes of his. He’s just so happy when you acknowledge all of his hard work to make you happy, he just can’t get enough of your smile, it’s almost like oxygen to him, he just can’t get enough of it. He’s willing to do anything for you, quite literally. 

Silver probably has the least stable breaking point out of everyone, mostly cuz he’s so used to thinking about how everything can go wrong due to his ruined future, that basically anything happening to you is catastrophic in his eyes. You got a scratch? He panics, a fight with someone? Pray they get a quick death. Eventually as things get worse and worse (according to him anyways) he’ll decide that he’s had enough and not let you go anywhere without him, or more accurately, let you go anywhere at all. Reasoning with him is impossible, after all he’s as stubborn as can get, and as much as he loves you, he’s not taking no for an answer, after all it’s all for your sake, so shouldn’t you be happy?

The only possible way I can see you escaping from him is if you somehow gain his trust enough for him to let his guard down, slip up, and give you a chance to peace out…but good luck with that. It isn’t that he wouldn’t trust you, but he’s just incapable of being apart from you, so a moment when you’re alone are too few and far between, I doubt you would even have a proper plan to escape him. In the case you somehow do manage to do so, your freedom won’t last long, he’s really adept with that psychokinesis of his, so the moment he sees you it’s game over. He would try to justify to himself why would you ever want to run away, after all, it’s impossible for him to see what he did wrong, you probably were just anxious, but no need to worry, he will always be there for you

[catiecat1320]

Sonadowtober Prompt 17: Alter Ego

For one of my AUs, Atlas! Decided to bring the old manga back to life with a post-Frontiers self-discovery arc for Sonic

Shadow's been looking for a certain someone... and finds that someone has taken on a new face

Sorry it's late lol (Context in AO3 endnotes)

Read Below🔽

Shadow doesn’t know what compelled him to walk into that bookstore.

It wasn’t particularly eye-catching, nor was he in need of a book of any sort. Yet something told him to stop beneath the sign proudly labeling the quaint place as “THE ATLAS.”

A lady with kind eyes and a soft smile opened the door hugging a thick clothbound book, calling back over her shoulder a thank you to someone named Nicky. She stops upon seeing him. “Why hello! Visiting?”

“...Yes.” Shadow supposed he wasn’t the most discreet person on this side of the planet, with easily memorable red stripes declaring to everyone unfamiliar that they haven’t seen him before. It wasn’t such a big deal now as it is when he’s on missions, but it’s still annoying that he can’t blend in with folks who often ask him more questions than he has the social battery for.

“What brings you to our little town? We don’t get much tourism around here,” she beamed. Shadow had an automated response prepared for questions like hers.

“Personal reasons.”

“Oh, I hope it’s nothing bad,” the lady replies. “The Atlas is a good place to go if you need advice, though! Nicky’s got something for everyone. I swear that boy knows everything there is to know.”

Quite a boast. Shadow pastes a smile on his face and tells her that he’ll look into it, completely certain that this Nicky wouldn’t be able to help. With as remote of a town as this, he doubts they’d know anything about the whereabouts of the hero he’s looking for.

He doesn’t know how wrong he is. Yet simultaneously, he finds out just how right his assumption of obliviousness was.

Perhaps he goes into the shop knowing that his objective isn’t urgent, that the lost didn’t need nor want to be found. The world wasn’t ending, and he knew that Sonic would show his face if anything of the sort happened. Shadow supposed he just wanted to check in on him, seeing as the last time they met, he wasn’t doing the best.

But if Shadow’s advice had encouraged him to find the comfort to disappear off the face of Earth for such a while, he was probably okay. 

Whatever the case, Shadow walks into The Atlas, and finds everything he thought he wouldn’t.

Among the shelves stands a hedgehog, stretching to reach a book just out of his grasp. When he turns around to greet his new customer, emerald eyes widen behind black-framed glasses, if only for a second. 

“H-hey! Welcome to The Atlas!” Sonic squeaks, pitched in a bad attempt at disguising his voice. He tugs at his red hoodie’s strings nervously as he gets stared down.

“Sonic.” Shadow suddenly finds that he has no idea what to say. He didn’t really expect to come across the hero so soon, despite having looked for him for months now. Turns out, he didn’t have to say anything, at least not yet.

Sonic has grabbed his arm and pulled him into a different room before he can even register the movement. He’d gotten so used to being faster than the rest of the world that he forgot there was someone faster. “What are you doing here?”

“I… I should be asking you that,” Shadow states, taken back by the sudden question. “Can I not be here?”

“Heh. I suppose you’re right.” Sonic runs a hand through his bangs, something he apparently took the time to grow out. “Uh…” He glances at Shadow, then around what seems to be a storage room, struggling to find words despite the numerous books. 

A faint ringing of bells sounds from beyond the closed door and the blue hedgehog perks up. Giving a customer-service worthy smile, he gestures outside and goes to greet whoever came in.

Shadow watches the interaction unfold in secret.

The customer seems young, bright. By their demeanor, they’ve definitely been here before. “Hi Nicky! Has that collection arrived yet?”

“Ollie!” Sonic’s so at ease as he hops behind the checkout counter and hoists a box up to them. “Here! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.” He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. “And if you require any more books, I have plenty of recommendations like this one.”

“Alright, bookworm,” they laugh, trading a sack of rings for the neatly bound box. “Thanks! I’ll be back!”

“See you later!” As soon as they’re out of sight, Sonic zips back into the storage room, smiling shyly once he realizes Shadow’s been watching. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Shadow says immediately. Seeing him interact with Ollie… he can see that the hero’s found a place here, one worth staying for. He’d feel bad if he was anything other than happy for Sonic.

Sonic seems to disagree. “So… on a scale of one to mass hysteria, how bad is it? At home, I mean.” At Shadow’s confused look, he cringes, prying his glasses off his face and anxiously cleaning them with his shirt. “Gosh, I should go back, shouldn’t I?”

“What? No. Why? They’re fine,” he splurts, unable to understand what planted that idea in Sonic’s head in the first place. It was as if Shadow’s mere presence caused the hero to regress into the near paranoid behavior he’d only recently worked himself out of.

“Are you sure?” He sounds so… scared. Shadow takes his hands and plops those glasses back onto Sonic’s face. 

“I’m sure. I didn’t come with the intention of forcing you to go anywhere. I looked for you to make sure you were okay. There’s no need to return if you’re enjoying yourself here.”

That coaxes a smile out of him. One of those genuine smiles that caused the corners of his eyes to crinkle with joy, not the practiced kind the hero wore for the masses. “I am. It’s nice to be just a guy again.”

Shadow nods in sympathy. He can’t say he knew what it was like, but if Sonic found it so nice… “Would you like me to call you Nicky?” The blue hedgehog shrugs. Indifference. Well, if he was to be a normal guy, a hero’s name wouldn’t do. “Nicky, then. It fits you. You return when you’re ready, Nicky. The world can handle itself.”

Emerald eyes simmer with unsaid thanks, and Shadow finds himself pulled into a hug, tight but comfortable. He can’t help but smile as he reciprocates the gesture, gently running a hand through blue quills.

Just two hedgehogs, for the moment.

[moderator-monnie]

artwork by @sonicexelle-junkary/ @weirdozjunkary

Silver had finally confronted the monster that had caused so much damage across his home city. Hospitals', schools', churches', and homes' were all destroyed. He had heard the rumors about who was doing it.

But he couldn't believe them. Sonic was dead, so how could it be him? He was a fool, and he knew that now, though at the same time his thoughts had truth about this thing, it wasn't Sonic; at least he didn't want to believe it was; it was simply a computer program gone rouge.

This is the first time he's seen this thing up close, and Silver was filled with rage knowing this thing had used his friend's face to perpetrate so many heinous deeds, not only his face but his voice and his mannerisms that smiled—the smile he had grown so fond of.

Silver stayed calm, though he wouldn't let his feelings get the better of him. He took a deep breath and stood in front of Hologram, who was just smiling at him. The smile was eerie and cold.

"Why?..."

That was all Silver could ask as he stared at the monster in front of him.

Hologram soon let out a hearty laugh before striking a snarky pose and faded away before suddenly appearing right in front of Silver for a moment.

"Why? Because they destroyed my legacy Silver, I was once a hero, and now? I'm a product placement and advertising thing I would never endorse. Even sweat shops use my likeness. 

They don't see me for what I was; they see me as an advertising ploy, a way to use my likeness to make all these greedy people money, and I'm sick of it!"

Silver scoffed and waved his hand to disrupt the hologram's body; this made Hologram disappear and appear a few feet away from the other hedgehog, annoyed.

"You're not Sonic, because Sonic would never do this; the Sonic I know fights injustice; if anything, you're just a cheap copy that even Metal Sonic pulls off better."

Hologram turned red and grew in size before shouting loudly with a more robotic-sounding voice that was a bit distorted.

"I'M NOTHING LIKE METAL SONIC, I DON'T JUST THINK I'M SONIC, I KNOW I AM THE REAL SONIC, I'M NOT JUST A FUCKING UNTHINKING MACHINE, I HAVE MY MIND, I HAVE MY LOOKS, PERSONALITY, MEMORIES, EMOTIONS!"

Silver took a step back with a worried look on his face, but still had visible disgust and a hint of pity.

"One day you will realize your wrong... Hologram, but I'll humor you for now, 'Sonic' if you really were him, you'd snap out of it by now and realize what your doing is wrong."

"If you want to prove your 'Sonic' then please just stop; there is a better way of going about this! No one else has to die! I already had to accept your death once. Sure, I can visit you in the past if I want. 

But I've seen you buried, and I can't bring myself to hurt you, even if you're not really him. Please prove you're still a hero and stand down. Think about the damage you've done. Just STOP!"

Hologram's face darkened; it disappeared completely as he thought about Silver's words. If he had a working heart, it would be beating right now. He questioned himself for a moment but soon stopped as a red glow appeared where one of his eyes should be.

"I'm sorry, Silver; I'm afraid I can't do that."

And before Silver could respond, he noticed something: he didn't see Techie with Hologram.

"Where is Kaboo-?"

An explosion was heard off in the distance, and loud screaming could be heard along with a large smoke cloud filling the sky. Silver turned around to look at it in utter awe and horror.

Hologram appeared right behind Silver, the red glow completely covering the other hedgehog as he whispered, "Go on, 'hero' save the day; you always told me you wanted to be a hero like me, so prove it and go die like one too."

Silver had tears fall down his face as he heard Hologram say this, and he turned around in an attempt to punch him, forgetting he was intangible, and he shouted loudly. "SHUT THE HELL UP, FAKER!"

Hologram just looked at him with that iconic smug smirk he had always seen Sonic look at Eggman with and responded one last time.

"Heh, well, I gotta skedaddle, old buddy, but I'll see you again later; this hedgehog's got a busy day napping ahead of him. Good luck, buddy! I believe in you." 

And like the smug bastard he was, he blew a kiss at Silver and winked before disappearing as quickly as he appeared.

Silver's heart skipped a beat for a moment, but he soon shook his head and wiped tears from his eye before heading towards the city in an attempt to save what lives he could from whatever this imposter did. 

While Techie and Hologram escaped the crime scene before he could get there, this wasn't the last encounter they'd have, but Silver knew that he needed to stop Hologram at any cost, feelings be damned.