HOME | DD

Description
Seeing that I have done everything known to man to get this chapter up, I have no choice but to put it here. At least its readable, and thank you for being so patient!
I apologize for the sloppy chapter art, I had to speed things up seeing the chapter had long been finished.

Welcome back. It’s long overdue, in many more ways than one, hmm?
‘Tis time, readers…
(I am so excited! x3)
---
In the dead of night, a silent form had gracefully found its way to the open balcony door on the left side of Castle Acorn. Stealthily, soundlessly, the distance was closed between the balcony rim and the doorway into the bedroom.
It was one of the hottest nights the year had brought their way, and luck allowed the doorway to be thrown open in an effort to welcome a breeze. The curtains billowed outward, dancing aimlessly in a weave on the crest of the warm wind.
The guards below, meant to guard the princess from sun up to sundown, would have been able to thwart and arrest any other individual.
Shadow the hedgehog?
Could move faster than their eyes could dare to follow. He was created to best anyone who challenged him, or acted to stop him.
With a minor smirk, he sifted easily into the room and took a seat on the edge of her bed.
Her red hair cascaded messily over her plush silk pillow, grabbing moonlight. One of her legs were poking out and over the top of her expensive bedspread. He stroked one finger along the back of the vulnerable foot, and she twitched ever so slightly, unresponsive- before shooting up in alarm.
She gasped, hands fumbling desperately for the emergency button cleverly placed underneath her night table. In a flash he was seated next to her at the top of the bed, clutching her fingers and shushing her with a chuckle. Her wide, frightened eyes stared up at the streak of moonlight which revealed a red eye, surrounded by black and scarlet fur. She heaved out a long, whistling gust of relief, and joined his chuckling.

“Shadow!” She hissed. “What’re you-”

“If I recall you asked me to return today.”

“Today?!” She snorted, rubbing at an eye tiredly and grinning in amusement. “Today as in the day-”

“Technically it is the day. It’s 1:30 am. I grew impatient.”

“Impatient?” She laughed now, and then quickly covered her mouth, eyes darting around as though someone might hear. She looked at him with a rather excited glint, shuffling over to give him room. “You can stay if you want, but I still want my beauty sleep-” she put this in quotation with her fingers sarcastically “tomorrow is the big deal.” He seemed satisfied by this, saying nothing as he left his air-shoes beside the bed and got in.

“The big deal? You mean Sonics banquet in the evening? The blue fool does know how to make a scene, doesn’t he. It is refreshing to at least know he has the ability to create initiative and hold steady to it.”

She gave him a quirky look, laughing again to herself. “He makes a scene? Meanwhile you invite yourself into my bedroom while I’m sleeping? You’re insane, you know that? You’re actually insane.”

“Have I offended you?”

“Thoroughly.” He looked mildly concerned by this, his expression stern serious. This time she cackled louder than she would have liked, more rebellious and less worry wart, losing her age old straight laced train of thought momentarily. “It’s a joke!”

“I see…”

“Well, now that you’re here, um… when an opportunity presents itself. See, I kind of don’t have a date for tomorrow’s banquet.” She confessed sheepishly. “Got a suped up dress with nobody to wear it for.”
She seemed more amused than anything about this, but the pink that rose to her cheeks gave her away.

“Coincidentally, I have no partner to attend the event with either…” He raised a brow invitingly at the flushing princess then, who snorted before being taken completely by surprise as he raised her hand to his lips. “Must I lay out the majority of your royal guard to get you to attend with me?” He murmured against her hand, and at that she wriggled down low into the sheets, face now scarlet.

“Make it so. Now shut up and go to bed, creep.” She said, rolling over with her back to him- concealing her elated, foolish need to withhold a squeal of mirth. She hadn’t felt something like that in too long.
He hadn’t felt something like that even longer still: the knowledge that you were actually needed.

They both grinned soundlessly into the dark.

---
THE day, in the throes of the evening…

“Where is he?!” Mina panicked, hopping down from the stage and crossing the Caos De Oro ballroom to stand beside Tails and Knuckles.

“He was here about half an hour ago-”

“Maybe he just stopped outside for a minute, he‘s been working his-”

“I’m here, guys.” Sonics voice carried across the expanse of the beautiful dining lounge of the Caos De Oro, and Tails, Knuckles and Mina looked up to find him standing in the doorway leading to the stage dressing rooms. “AWOL 15 minutes and you all think I jumped ship? C’mon, dudes…“ He attempted his usual taunting, but the waver in his voice only revealed his true anxiety.

Instantaneously, as if a reflex, his hand went to the back of his head self-consciously then. “I was just rehearsin‘.“ They all moved toward him in a singular motion, his bleak and slightly frightened expression seeming off for the occasion.

“What is it, Sonic?” Tails fussed, concerned by Sonics distant expression. The blue blur huffed out a long, heated breath.

“I’m worried, guys- this is flippin‘ madness. I mean what if she doesn’t like it? What if it’s too-”

“What you wrote? Too what- too honest?” Mina protested, taking Sonic by the wrist gently. “Don’t worry, Sonic. What Amy wants is the truth. Every girl wants that.”

“Exactly!” Cream consented as she hopped down from the stage, where she was speaking to the band.
“Mr. Sonic, why not go back through the dancing one more time, huh? It will help take your mind off of it- and It won’t hurt to have a bit more practise, it‘s fun!” She beamed, taking Tails by the hand. Knuckles and Sonic shared an uncomfortable look that made their friends laugh.

“Define fun.” Knuckles glowered, arms folded as per usual.

“Can I dance with Mina this time?” Sonic pleaded, to which Knuckles nodded anxiously.

“LEASE? I‘m sick-a bein‘ the lady.” Knuckles grumbled, and was more than happy to take a seat amongst their friends who sat chattering at dinner tables. Rouge leaned it in to him, taking a mitt into both of her hands, and winked. They both knew what it meant: this is so damn exciting!

It was very close to 6:30, and as the time approached, everyone felt nervous for Sonic, but nobody felt it worse than himself. Sonic felt an increase in his jitters, and if only he could have a run before all of this went down…there was no time. What had to be done was done, and he couldn’t stand the waiting. Rehearsing was the alternative, the lesser of two evils as they say. All the same, he followed Tails and Cream arm and arm with Mina. Others observed as the four took center floor. The band struck up harmoniously, and they fell into rhythm.

The Caos De Oro was one of the classiest places to dine on Mobius. It featured a wealthy dance space and a stage that provided a live band every evening to enjoy. That said, its clear why it was hard not to enjoy yourself- it always gave one a sense of lavish pampering, the true meaning of fine dining. It’s distinguished glittering table surfaces with its wine, gold and cherry wood décor made it
easily the most sophisticated dine, wine and dance location on Mobius. Tonight it was illuminated by its luxurious candelabra’s, both long necked and short pedestals along tables. Each table top possessed a delicate bouquet of white roses, which were custom ordered upon request for special occasions. The Caos De Oro kept ties with the local florist for such an occasion- who just so happened to be Cream’s mother. (This is a business that would later be overseen by Cream herself, with deliveries being made by Miles Tails Prower- her future husband- via Tornado. The things you do for the wife!). Vanilla had happily donated the roses freely, without pay, when she found out who and what they were for.

The price tag for this kind of service from the Caos De Oro? Well, it was unheard of to go to such extremities, hand in hand with taking over the upper crust dining facility for a night. So the cost? Why, only the most handsome item on Mobius: a chaos emerald.
To Sonic, it was well worth it. And, with an inward grin, it provided a welcome challenge he hadn’t had in a while. He was getting too good at keeping those things from Eggman- he’d love to see Eggman just try and get that emerald out of the vaults belonging to the pompous owner of this joint.
He’d be more than ready to whip Eggy’s yolk for the upteenth time, and try not to yawn doing it.
A couple runs through the dancing and Knuckles crossed the dance floor to whisper something in Mina’s ear. They exchanged a look, and he returned to his seat at the dining table. Each table was done up in fours per guest…
That is, save for one.
Mina looked at Sonic with a smile that read both encouragement and slight nervousness, squeezed his hands, and whispered:

“She’s on her way.”

That, held Sonics breath in his lungs for a moment. The tense nervousness prickled in his nerve endings, and he took a few gulps to steady himself, although the dizzy feeling had set in. She was coming here, and the moment was coming at him- flying at him at a velocity he wasn’t sure he was ready for, even a man of his speed. Steady man, steady. He had to pull this off- confidently. Tails gave Sonic a one armed squeeze, an act of support before he seated himself at the same table as Knuckles and Rouge. Cream threw her arms about Sonic excitedly, letting out a small mewl of joy.

“Oh this is going to be the best night ever for Amy, thank you Mr. Sonic! Good luck!” She pealed in her high, sweet voice. As she went to sit across from Tails, Sonic walked to the two person table. He lifted the single white rose from the table top, the only one outside a vase. He could feel the eyes on him around the room, and for a moment they were a strange audience. his fears turned them into people there to judge what he was going to do, strangers who had unsuspectingly stumbled in on a big event. No, you’re crackin’ up man, chill!
These people weren’t just anybody. These people were his friends.
These were people who saw this coming a long time before he did. These were people who wanted this- who wanted the best for him and Amy. And even more than every person in that room combined, he wanted that. It was his duty to make sure it happened, to see it through.

He brought the white rose to his nose unthinkingly, and it brought back a strong memory in that white flash manner -that your mind reels one in rapidly: not unlike that surprise catch of the long day, where nothing was biting until it yanks you off guard. The smell is what brought the memory on- that feeling of the grass under the knee that was supporting him (I‘m touching Mobius again! His mind had been crying that day, the first time he‘d touched sweet Mobian ground for months), that crisp clean delicate scent of the rose, of morning, of Amy mere inches from him. There was a feeling… a low, deep, thrumming, almost ancient feeling, as though it had been passed down for centuries upon centuries… in a way, yes, it had. That pure, golden moment. One of those rare, honestly pure moments, where no dirt of the cynical, often unforgiving world was going to stain it, for one moment you really got to believe that feelings alone could keep you the most content person living.
It was school’s out for summer, man! It was like the bride down the isle. The idol, live in concert. Getting to that damn ice cream man on time and he’s still got what you ran out of breath for- it’s winning!
For Sonic, in that moment, it was seeing a person you dearly, truly loved, after being robbed of the ability to do so.
It was so strong, he actually felt it now, a ghost, as though he honestly hadn’t seen her for months.
Her eyes, reflecting gold threads of sunlight amidst the kelly green, quivered with tears- a prism of color as a few escaped, embodying the purest of happiness.
His own voice.
‘Don’t you worry, Amy. I never will…‘
He was literally torn back as his eyes snapped open to an uprising of cheers and clapping,. He vaguely realized in a slight daze that he was here now, nearly a full decade later. He wasn’t on Amy’s front lawn, he was in the Caos De Oro, surrounded by his whooping friends.
So many things had happened in his life since then. So many battles- so many they all blurred, tapered and eroded over time into one giant accomplishment for Sonic the hero.
But that memory… he could still see, smell, feel it all, right down to which way the sun had shone down and warmed his fur.

That told him more about his true values than he’d really stopped to realize.
He did utterly cherish those stolen moments they’d rarely gotten to spend with each other.
He also realized he had walked to the center of the room, bold, the flower still grasped in his hand. The cheering had followed him to his rightful spot, an onslaught of encouragement that was a blatant reminder: everyone here is here for you.
The memory had done wonders for his anxiety, because it reminded him of what he was here for.
They might be here for me, but I’m here for her, he reminded himself- and not a moment too soon.
Amy Rose the hedgehog had just pushed open the entrance doors to the Caos De Oro.

---

It was overwhelming.
For a moment, Amy wasn’t sure if she’d walked straight into a dream.
One of those cheesy, ludicrous, feel-good romantic comedy endings that Cream and her mother loved snuggling up to and blubbering at after tea and cookies.
Because this was unreal.
Unreal.
She felt the very gust of air trapped in a frozen moment in her lungs, the thunderous applause behind the door like a rock slide of sound- a stark contrast to the dimming dusk quiet evening behind her.
Candles, the faces of so many of her good friends, the elegant manner in which they’d dressed- roses. Countless, beautiful roses. It was actually quite close to being too much for one poor romantic soul to take in. Still, she had a knack for that if anyone- she appreciated it more than perhaps anyone else in that room.
But that isn’t what made her vision begin to swim, the raw emotion of it nearly sending her carefully executed eye makeup cascading down her cheeks.
It wasn’t the luxurious dining hall, her friends, their voices, the décor, the extreme lavishness of it all.
It was the person standing alone and brave seven meters down the rolled path of red before her.
It was Sonic.
It was the knowledge that he was behind this.
It was the fact that he was wearing a small bowtie- Sonic, in a bowtie- and her mind instantly conjured up the name James Bond without prompting.
His expression was a well concealed bouquet of a taste of fear, and a whole lot of hopefulness.
His eyebrow arched, his fingers snapped in the air, and instantly, the band on-stage (it was Mina up there!) launched into a melodious rendition of Foolin’ Myself by Billie Holiday.

I try to keep you out of my heart
But somehow I find
Trying to keep you out of my heart
I'm out of my mind
I tell myself "I'm through with love
And I'll having nothing more to do with love"
I stay away, but every day
I'm just foolin’ myself…

He had moved toward her now, slow and confident, though if there were such a thing as masking a heart attack, he was quite earnestly doing it with grace. She watched wide eyed as in a smooth motion he was on bended knee, eyes never leaving hers, and the single white rose he offered up to her just about did it. A single tear managed to escape, a prison break from the fierce guard she was holding against the wavering cluster gathered along her eyelids. His smile, his usual half grin, cocked to one side as she reached for it. He took the hand, lightly, and thumbed it. He didn’t even get to kiss it.
She sunk down before him, taking in a shaky gasp, holding him softly by the upper arms now.

Tell my friends that I don't care
I shrug my shoulders at the whole affair
But they all know it isn't so…
I'm just foolin’ myself

“S-Sonic…” She barely squeaked, trembling, and her lips flapped uselessly for a moment as she could muster up nothing. She bit down on them briefly and stuttered “I-I-is all t-this…” His smile broke from a half grin to a full fledged beam. He got to his feet, sliding the delicate flower into her fingers, and had to guffaw at the well past astonished expression she was wearing. She was so overwhelmed, for once in her life, the poor girl was utterly silent.

“If I’d have known you were this starvin’ I wouldn’t have made you walk. Can‘t even stand up!” He winked, his usual charming voice joking at the way she’d dropped to the floor- and to her further bafflement, he proceed to lift her gently. Cat calls, whistles and joyous shouting of laughter followed them as he fluidly escorted her to the table in his arms, the music a warm blanket in the room. Her eyes were level and breathtakingly close to his own now, and he couldn’t help but muse to himself at the kaleidoscope of emotion he saw brewing madly there.

And every time I pass
And see my face in a looking glass
I tip my hat and say
"How do you do, you fool
You're throwing your life away…"

Seated at the table, Amy seemed to be struggling to regain some sliver of dignity. She was adjusting her hair shakily and let out an exuberant bark laugh at Sonics indulgent grin. He leaned toward her inquisitively, an eyebrow lifted high in speculation.

“D’ya like it?” And under the tidal wave of cool collection, Amy could see a wavering strand of insecurity wading in his confident gaze. Both of her hands thumped the top of the table, her mouth falling open- her reaction so abrupt that it made him jump.

“Do I- a-am I- Sonic!” She barked, her flapping mouth finding no other words as it moved soundlessly and uselessly. Her hands tossed up into the air, and came back down with nothing. “Sonic…” She stressed again when she found her voice, and this time when she looked at him, his mouth was hidden in one of his hands. He was cackling with glee as her emotion crested. “I, am just… YES!” She wailed loudly, and he went wide eyed as she resisted bursting into tears, grasping at his hands tightly.

I'm acting proud
And every time I see you in a crowd
I may pretend
But in the end
I'm just foolin’ myself

As the meal was laid before them, briefly intervening with their hypnosis, they met eyes as the waiter left over the flicker of the candelabra. They were exchanging the warmest of smiles- his triumphant, hers a touch curious- and as if reading each others thoughts, they both raised their wine glasses.

“For what?” She asked quietly, their glasses hovering a moment away from each other. Without hesitation, his smile widened once more, and his eyes darted downward with a mild case of humiliation before finding hers again. There was a shameful flush rising to the surface of his cheeks.

“For puttin’ up with me, Amy.” A snort of laughter from her, and they both got lost in a gale of it.
They clinked drinks.

When I see you in a crowd
I just want to shout aloud,
I’m just foolin’ myself…
And I mean it, just fooling myself.

---

Everybody in the room fell almost instantly into a lapse of silence at the start of a fork dinging against the side of a wine glass- Knuckles was standing, the culprit, and the rest of the room went up like wind chimes until the talking and tapping had ceased. The only sounds that were made from the company then were small gasps of surprise as a spotlight abruptly cut through the center of the room and moved stealthily like a predator up the aisle to the stage front.
There, seated on a stool completely alone in the light, was Sonic.
There was an explosion of cheers, and suddenly Amy came to realize why Sonic had taken so long when he’d excused himself for the bathroom.
That fibber.
He shook his head, laughing at the applause of those he knew best.

“Alright, alright dudes…” he warned, and the room was quiet in interest. “This night isn’t about me. It’s about…” he twisted his seat, eyes finding Amy in the crowd, who was clasping her mouth with both hands, anticipating what might lay ahead. They locked gazes. “Amy. I’m… “ He put his hands up, brow creasing with effort, and dropped them in a guilty manner. “I know. I know, I don’t really say enough. I know most of my talkin’ goes to Eggman. But you… I’ve… God.” He laughed then, flushing madly, cupping his head with a hand. “Do you have any idea what these past couple weeks have been for me? No. No, I guess you wouldn’t seein’ I don’t say shit. Well, I… Amy, I don’t care who’s here now. “ He was looking at her intensely now, and it did things to Amy’s insides. She’d never seen Sonic gaze at her while wearing such a passionate expression. It was near dizzying. “Things have gotten crazy these past few weeks and I’ve gotta say, I haven’t been this… I haven’t been scared like this in my whole life. I don’t say a lot, but I think. I think things when I should say them, and… well, better late than never, right?“ He tested the tuning of his guitar with one quick run of his fingers down along the strings, before meeting eyes with her again. If he was shit baked right at that moment, nobody would have guessed.
But oh, how he truly, fretfully was. He was. He licked his lips, the only outward sign of nervousness, and continued on, eyes never leaving the overwhelmed pink hedgehog nearest the stage. It was as if everyone else there had melted into the dimness of the Caos De Oro.

“I wrote this for you, I don’t remember exactly how many years ago I did. But it’s way past due. I shouldn’t have waited, I’m an idiot. You can piko me later. But- please, hear me out.” A thick swallow. With that, wearing the barest expression of mixed fear and anticipation, Sonic looked so unlike the hero as he mildly slid his guitar strap into place on his shoulder.
Here was the Sonic she didn’t know.
Because here was the Sonic that belonged to her, and her alone.
She just hadn’t been properly introduced to him yet.
The melody of the song wafted over the audience, clear and endearing, the sole guitar the only sound within the elegant room. If there had been a mic set up next to his chest, surely Sonics spastic heart rate at that moment would have been an appropriate back beat. He found courage in the sole purpose of this song, of this night, of his torment over the prior weeks.
Whether he was ready for this or not, he had to be.
He could not lose Amy.
So he fixated his eyes to where she sat, nobody else- a girl turned woman he had known so long, he had no idea how to function without her.
He began to sing.

I’m not one for love songs…
The way I’m living makes you feel like giving up
But you don’t,
And I want everything for you

My disappointment,
Because you’ve been left behind
And the world has its shine…
but I would drop it on a dime for you.

And whatever it takes…
I’m gonna make my way home
We can turn our backs on the past,
And start over…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to…
And I want you.
More than you could ever know…

The blue hedgehog on stage erupted into a crimson flush, delving into the most intimate of the lyrics.
This verse was a pebble of personal honesty that he had shared with no one- absolutely not one soul outside his own mind. This is where his eyes closed, and he mustered most of his age old bravery to be this emotionally bare.

Before I met you,
I used to dream you up and make you up in my mind…
And all I ever wanted
Was to be understood
You’ve been the only one who could,
I could never turn my back on you.

And whatever it takes.
I’m gonna make my way home.
We can turn our backs on the past
And start over…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to…
And I want you.
More than you could ever know
More than you could ever know…

...It’s you.

As his guitar wrung out a meaningful detail of harmony, he chanced opening his eyes to find her once more. He could see the tear streaks flickering in shining paths along the apple of her cheeks. She stood, hands clasped, and even from where he sat, he could see her trembling. He took in an unsteady breath, closing his eyes to fall back into the words…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along.
Gave me something I could hold on to
Oh, I had to try to hold on, to…
Not long ago, I gave up hope
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to
Oh, oh…
And I want you,

More than you could ever know…

At the last strum, and thus the break of the spell that seemingly held Sonic boldly in the spotlight on the stool, he lay the guitar down into the crook of the stand beside him. His heart was a steady drumbeat pounding away in his throat, anxiety rolling over him and down his back in a rattling wave.
Good, great powerful God almighty.
He did it.
He actually did it.
In front of everyone.
And now… now, he was so certain he was going to have a stroke.
What was the expression on her face? Was it happiness? Was it rage? Was she even still standing in the place he’d watched her move to once he introduced the song?
He didn’t know.
Because amidst the clapping, the cheering, the thunderous applause that his surprising performance had made, his supersonic speed threw him through the stage door to backstage. The blackness of the halls back there were mere seconds in Sonics vision, as somehow, the dressing room door exploded open and slammed behind him. It was only when he sat on the plush chez lounge in the dressing room, shaking like one pulled up from falling under ice, that he realized he’d run exceedingly fast from the stage to this room in less than 6 seconds.
Because he was horrified. Relieved, but horrified.
It had been the very first time that the people he loved… the girl he loved… had experienced him as a whole, and not just a hero.
He’d DONE it!!!
…but at what cost?
His nerves regretfully but instantly got the better of him.
Hands shaking furiously in the dark, he fumbled clumsily for the mirror lights, a dim pooling of light in the black of the room. It illuminated the area in a faint, surreal haze of gold, and he returned to the chez lounge on quaking legs. He was taking gasping breaths, managing a cool glass of water from the cooler and wiping his mouth with the back of a convulsing wrist…
BANG!
He just about went through the roof. He didn’t even register the remainder of the water falling over his legs as he dropped the paper cup. He was numb.
The dressing room door was open, and silhouetted in the doorway was something he’d never forget.
Amy was there, trembling nearly as ferociously as he was.
The neat, tidy pile of hair she had piled onto her head now fell in wisps along her shoulders, but even that looked beautifully planned. The dress was red, red, always red… elegant, v-necked satiny red. Simple, stunning, and so very Amy. She clasped at the doorway for balance briefly, puffing tendrils of pink out of her line of vision before she threw herself in huffing. She kicked the door closed with a black-pump heel as she did so. She stood heaving before him, her face tense and startling.
She looked furious.
She was crying.
For once, Sonic didn’t feel like laughing at a riled up Amy.
They stood in this strong, heated silence for what felt like hours, yet it was mere seconds. Feeling the weight of it, coming crashing through whatever euphoria that experience had been for him, Sonic acknowledged her rage with a forlorn guilt.

“Amy…” His voice was low, husky with remorse. “I-I’m sorry I-”

“You’re sorry?!” Her voice was strangled, utterly pinched. Her legs weakened, and upon her wobble he briskly made room for her on the chez lounge. Instead she simply sat before him on the floor, legs folded beneath her as he began stammering. She was shaking her head. He reached toward her madly.

“A-Amy you’re sitting in the water I-”

“I don’t care, Sonic!-”

“I-if I embarrassed you, I‘m-”

“Sonic.” She hissed, and he flinched, but ploughed on in high-strung gusto. His hands were moving rapidly in an invisible explanation for what he’d just done.

“Amy , I- I could’ve-”

“SONIC!” She roared, and that one stopped him dead in his tracks, mid sentence.
He stared at her wide eyed.
She stared back.
She burst out a sob, and drew her breath inward sharply, attempting to console herself. “Sonic, just- would you just SHUT UP for once!” She snarled hoarsely, taking him by the arms and giving him a brief shake. He would have been mortally wounded if the next thing she had done would’ve been anything else. But without pause, she swept forward on a crest of overbearing emotion, still grasping him about the upper arms, and with a bubble of laughter threatening her lips at his bewildered expression, she yanked him down into a crushingly tender kiss.

...You gave me something I could hold on to,
More than you could ever know…

---
Just, uh… just give me a moment.
…EIIIIIYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEE HEE HEE!!! (Spinning wildly, cartwheel-)

Ah, ahem.
I’m back.
So what a TIME, this has been!
Does Sonic know how to throw a she-bang or WHAT?
Don’t worry, those dancing lessons weren’t for nothing. x3
We’re closing in on the final chapter now… the FINAL!
My God, this truly is a Sonamy novel isn’t it?
It’s been quite a ride, sadly this one is almost over.
But I’m going to make certain you’ll all feel quite elated by the time its through. ;3
I’ll see you next in closing, with one big, fat juicy chapter left to go…
Much love and thanks for reading thus far everyone!

Songs:
Foolin’ Myself - Billie Holiday
*Sonic’s song is actually a slowed down acoustic version of a song by one of my favorite bands, it’s called The World Has its Shine by Cobra Starship. The moment I heard this song, it was a straight up Sonamy for me.

Art done in prismacolor leds, as per usual.

Description
Seeing that I have done everything known to man to get this chapter up, I have no choice but to put it here. At least its readable, and thank you for being so patient!
I apologize for the sloppy chapter art, I had to speed things up seeing the chapter had long been finished.

Welcome back. It’s long overdue, in many more ways than one, hmm?
‘Tis time, readers…
(I am so excited! x3)
---
In the dead of night, a silent form had gracefully found its way to the open balcony door on the left side of Castle Acorn. Stealthily, soundlessly, the distance was closed between the balcony rim and the doorway into the bedroom.
It was one of the hottest nights the year had brought their way, and luck allowed the doorway to be thrown open in an effort to welcome a breeze. The curtains billowed outward, dancing aimlessly in a weave on the crest of the warm wind.
The guards below, meant to guard the princess from sun up to sundown, would have been able to thwart and arrest any other individual.
Shadow the hedgehog?
Could move faster than their eyes could dare to follow. He was created to best anyone who challenged him, or acted to stop him.
With a minor smirk, he sifted easily into the room and took a seat on the edge of her bed.
Her red hair cascaded messily over her plush silk pillow, grabbing moonlight. One of her legs were poking out and over the top of her expensive bedspread. He stroked one finger along the back of the vulnerable foot, and she twitched ever so slightly, unresponsive- before shooting up in alarm.
She gasped, hands fumbling desperately for the emergency button cleverly placed underneath her night table. In a flash he was seated next to her at the top of the bed, clutching her fingers and shushing her with a chuckle. Her wide, frightened eyes stared up at the streak of moonlight which revealed a red eye, surrounded by black and scarlet fur. She heaved out a long, whistling gust of relief, and joined his chuckling.

“Shadow!” She hissed. “What’re you-”

“If I recall you asked me to return today.”

“Today?!” She snorted, rubbing at an eye tiredly and grinning in amusement. “Today as in the day-”

“Technically it is the day. It’s 1:30 am. I grew impatient.”

“Impatient?” She laughed now, and then quickly covered her mouth, eyes darting around as though someone might hear. She looked at him with a rather excited glint, shuffling over to give him room. “You can stay if you want, but I still want my beauty sleep-” she put this in quotation with her fingers sarcastically “tomorrow is the big deal.” He seemed satisfied by this, saying nothing as he left his air-shoes beside the bed and got in.

“The big deal? You mean Sonics banquet in the evening? The blue fool does know how to make a scene, doesn’t he. It is refreshing to at least know he has the ability to create initiative and hold steady to it.”

She gave him a quirky look, laughing again to herself. “He makes a scene? Meanwhile you invite yourself into my bedroom while I’m sleeping? You’re insane, you know that? You’re actually insane.”

“Have I offended you?”

“Thoroughly.” He looked mildly concerned by this, his expression stern serious. This time she cackled louder than she would have liked, more rebellious and less worry wart, losing her age old straight laced train of thought momentarily. “It’s a joke!”

“I see…”

“Well, now that you’re here, um… when an opportunity presents itself. See, I kind of don’t have a date for tomorrow’s banquet.” She confessed sheepishly. “Got a suped up dress with nobody to wear it for.”
She seemed more amused than anything about this, but the pink that rose to her cheeks gave her away.

“Coincidentally, I have no partner to attend the event with either…” He raised a brow invitingly at the flushing princess then, who snorted before being taken completely by surprise as he raised her hand to his lips. “Must I lay out the majority of your royal guard to get you to attend with me?” He murmured against her hand, and at that she wriggled down low into the sheets, face now scarlet.

“Make it so. Now shut up and go to bed, creep.” She said, rolling over with her back to him- concealing her elated, foolish need to withhold a squeal of mirth. She hadn’t felt something like that in too long.
He hadn’t felt something like that even longer still: the knowledge that you were actually needed.

They both grinned soundlessly into the dark.

---
THE day, in the throes of the evening…

“Where is he?!” Mina panicked, hopping down from the stage and crossing the Caos De Oro ballroom to stand beside Tails and Knuckles.

“He was here about half an hour ago-”

“Maybe he just stopped outside for a minute, he‘s been working his-”

“I’m here, guys.” Sonics voice carried across the expanse of the beautiful dining lounge of the Caos De Oro, and Tails, Knuckles and Mina looked up to find him standing in the doorway leading to the stage dressing rooms. “AWOL 15 minutes and you all think I jumped ship? C’mon, dudes…“ He attempted his usual taunting, but the waver in his voice only revealed his true anxiety.

Instantaneously, as if a reflex, his hand went to the back of his head self-consciously then. “I was just rehearsin‘.“ They all moved toward him in a singular motion, his bleak and slightly frightened expression seeming off for the occasion.

“What is it, Sonic?” Tails fussed, concerned by Sonics distant expression. The blue blur huffed out a long, heated breath.

“I’m worried, guys- this is flippin‘ madness. I mean what if she doesn’t like it? What if it’s too-”

“What you wrote? Too what- too honest?” Mina protested, taking Sonic by the wrist gently. “Don’t worry, Sonic. What Amy wants is the truth. Every girl wants that.”

“Exactly!” Cream consented as she hopped down from the stage, where she was speaking to the band.
“Mr. Sonic, why not go back through the dancing one more time, huh? It will help take your mind off of it- and It won’t hurt to have a bit more practise, it‘s fun!” She beamed, taking Tails by the hand. Knuckles and Sonic shared an uncomfortable look that made their friends laugh.

“Define fun.” Knuckles glowered, arms folded as per usual.

“Can I dance with Mina this time?” Sonic pleaded, to which Knuckles nodded anxiously.

“LEASE? I‘m sick-a bein‘ the lady.” Knuckles grumbled, and was more than happy to take a seat amongst their friends who sat chattering at dinner tables. Rouge leaned it in to him, taking a mitt into both of her hands, and winked. They both knew what it meant: this is so damn exciting!

It was very close to 6:30, and as the time approached, everyone felt nervous for Sonic, but nobody felt it worse than himself. Sonic felt an increase in his jitters, and if only he could have a run before all of this went down…there was no time. What had to be done was done, and he couldn’t stand the waiting. Rehearsing was the alternative, the lesser of two evils as they say. All the same, he followed Tails and Cream arm and arm with Mina. Others observed as the four took center floor. The band struck up harmoniously, and they fell into rhythm.

The Caos De Oro was one of the classiest places to dine on Mobius. It featured a wealthy dance space and a stage that provided a live band every evening to enjoy. That said, its clear why it was hard not to enjoy yourself- it always gave one a sense of lavish pampering, the true meaning of fine dining. It’s distinguished glittering table surfaces with its wine, gold and cherry wood décor made it
easily the most sophisticated dine, wine and dance location on Mobius. Tonight it was illuminated by its luxurious candelabra’s, both long necked and short pedestals along tables. Each table top possessed a delicate bouquet of white roses, which were custom ordered upon request for special occasions. The Caos De Oro kept ties with the local florist for such an occasion- who just so happened to be Cream’s mother. (This is a business that would later be overseen by Cream herself, with deliveries being made by Miles Tails Prower- her future husband- via Tornado. The things you do for the wife!). Vanilla had happily donated the roses freely, without pay, when she found out who and what they were for.

The price tag for this kind of service from the Caos De Oro? Well, it was unheard of to go to such extremities, hand in hand with taking over the upper crust dining facility for a night. So the cost? Why, only the most handsome item on Mobius: a chaos emerald.
To Sonic, it was well worth it. And, with an inward grin, it provided a welcome challenge he hadn’t had in a while. He was getting too good at keeping those things from Eggman- he’d love to see Eggman just try and get that emerald out of the vaults belonging to the pompous owner of this joint.
He’d be more than ready to whip Eggy’s yolk for the upteenth time, and try not to yawn doing it.
A couple runs through the dancing and Knuckles crossed the dance floor to whisper something in Mina’s ear. They exchanged a look, and he returned to his seat at the dining table. Each table was done up in fours per guest…
That is, save for one.
Mina looked at Sonic with a smile that read both encouragement and slight nervousness, squeezed his hands, and whispered:

“She’s on her way.”

That, held Sonics breath in his lungs for a moment. The tense nervousness prickled in his nerve endings, and he took a few gulps to steady himself, although the dizzy feeling had set in. She was coming here, and the moment was coming at him- flying at him at a velocity he wasn’t sure he was ready for, even a man of his speed. Steady man, steady. He had to pull this off- confidently. Tails gave Sonic a one armed squeeze, an act of support before he seated himself at the same table as Knuckles and Rouge. Cream threw her arms about Sonic excitedly, letting out a small mewl of joy.

“Oh this is going to be the best night ever for Amy, thank you Mr. Sonic! Good luck!” She pealed in her high, sweet voice. As she went to sit across from Tails, Sonic walked to the two person table. He lifted the single white rose from the table top, the only one outside a vase. He could feel the eyes on him around the room, and for a moment they were a strange audience. his fears turned them into people there to judge what he was going to do, strangers who had unsuspectingly stumbled in on a big event. No, you’re crackin’ up man, chill!
These people weren’t just anybody. These people were his friends.
These were people who saw this coming a long time before he did. These were people who wanted this- who wanted the best for him and Amy. And even more than every person in that room combined, he wanted that. It was his duty to make sure it happened, to see it through.

He brought the white rose to his nose unthinkingly, and it brought back a strong memory in that white flash manner -that your mind reels one in rapidly: not unlike that surprise catch of the long day, where nothing was biting until it yanks you off guard. The smell is what brought the memory on- that feeling of the grass under the knee that was supporting him (I‘m touching Mobius again! His mind had been crying that day, the first time he‘d touched sweet Mobian ground for months), that crisp clean delicate scent of the rose, of morning, of Amy mere inches from him. There was a feeling… a low, deep, thrumming, almost ancient feeling, as though it had been passed down for centuries upon centuries… in a way, yes, it had. That pure, golden moment. One of those rare, honestly pure moments, where no dirt of the cynical, often unforgiving world was going to stain it, for one moment you really got to believe that feelings alone could keep you the most content person living.
It was school’s out for summer, man! It was like the bride down the isle. The idol, live in concert. Getting to that damn ice cream man on time and he’s still got what you ran out of breath for- it’s winning!
For Sonic, in that moment, it was seeing a person you dearly, truly loved, after being robbed of the ability to do so.
It was so strong, he actually felt it now, a ghost, as though he honestly hadn’t seen her for months.
Her eyes, reflecting gold threads of sunlight amidst the kelly green, quivered with tears- a prism of color as a few escaped, embodying the purest of happiness.
His own voice.
‘Don’t you worry, Amy. I never will…‘
He was literally torn back as his eyes snapped open to an uprising of cheers and clapping,. He vaguely realized in a slight daze that he was here now, nearly a full decade later. He wasn’t on Amy’s front lawn, he was in the Caos De Oro, surrounded by his whooping friends.
So many things had happened in his life since then. So many battles- so many they all blurred, tapered and eroded over time into one giant accomplishment for Sonic the hero.
But that memory… he could still see, smell, feel it all, right down to which way the sun had shone down and warmed his fur.

That told him more about his true values than he’d really stopped to realize.
He did utterly cherish those stolen moments they’d rarely gotten to spend with each other.
He also realized he had walked to the center of the room, bold, the flower still grasped in his hand. The cheering had followed him to his rightful spot, an onslaught of encouragement that was a blatant reminder: everyone here is here for you.
The memory had done wonders for his anxiety, because it reminded him of what he was here for.
They might be here for me, but I’m here for her, he reminded himself- and not a moment too soon.
Amy Rose the hedgehog had just pushed open the entrance doors to the Caos De Oro.

---

It was overwhelming.
For a moment, Amy wasn’t sure if she’d walked straight into a dream.
One of those cheesy, ludicrous, feel-good romantic comedy endings that Cream and her mother loved snuggling up to and blubbering at after tea and cookies.
Because this was unreal.
Unreal.
She felt the very gust of air trapped in a frozen moment in her lungs, the thunderous applause behind the door like a rock slide of sound- a stark contrast to the dimming dusk quiet evening behind her.
Candles, the faces of so many of her good friends, the elegant manner in which they’d dressed- roses. Countless, beautiful roses. It was actually quite close to being too much for one poor romantic soul to take in. Still, she had a knack for that if anyone- she appreciated it more than perhaps anyone else in that room.
But that isn’t what made her vision begin to swim, the raw emotion of it nearly sending her carefully executed eye makeup cascading down her cheeks.
It wasn’t the luxurious dining hall, her friends, their voices, the décor, the extreme lavishness of it all.
It was the person standing alone and brave seven meters down the rolled path of red before her.
It was Sonic.
It was the knowledge that he was behind this.
It was the fact that he was wearing a small bowtie- Sonic, in a bowtie- and her mind instantly conjured up the name James Bond without prompting.
His expression was a well concealed bouquet of a taste of fear, and a whole lot of hopefulness.
His eyebrow arched, his fingers snapped in the air, and instantly, the band on-stage (it was Mina up there!) launched into a melodious rendition of Foolin’ Myself by Billie Holiday.

I try to keep you out of my heart
But somehow I find
Trying to keep you out of my heart
I'm out of my mind
I tell myself "I'm through with love
And I'll having nothing more to do with love"
I stay away, but every day
I'm just foolin’ myself…

He had moved toward her now, slow and confident, though if there were such a thing as masking a heart attack, he was quite earnestly doing it with grace. She watched wide eyed as in a smooth motion he was on bended knee, eyes never leaving hers, and the single white rose he offered up to her just about did it. A single tear managed to escape, a prison break from the fierce guard she was holding against the wavering cluster gathered along her eyelids. His smile, his usual half grin, cocked to one side as she reached for it. He took the hand, lightly, and thumbed it. He didn’t even get to kiss it.
She sunk down before him, taking in a shaky gasp, holding him softly by the upper arms now.

Tell my friends that I don't care
I shrug my shoulders at the whole affair
But they all know it isn't so…
I'm just foolin’ myself

“S-Sonic…” She barely squeaked, trembling, and her lips flapped uselessly for a moment as she could muster up nothing. She bit down on them briefly and stuttered “I-I-is all t-this…” His smile broke from a half grin to a full fledged beam. He got to his feet, sliding the delicate flower into her fingers, and had to guffaw at the well past astonished expression she was wearing. She was so overwhelmed, for once in her life, the poor girl was utterly silent.

“If I’d have known you were this starvin’ I wouldn’t have made you walk. Can‘t even stand up!” He winked, his usual charming voice joking at the way she’d dropped to the floor- and to her further bafflement, he proceed to lift her gently. Cat calls, whistles and joyous shouting of laughter followed them as he fluidly escorted her to the table in his arms, the music a warm blanket in the room. Her eyes were level and breathtakingly close to his own now, and he couldn’t help but muse to himself at the kaleidoscope of emotion he saw brewing madly there.

And every time I pass
And see my face in a looking glass
I tip my hat and say
"How do you do, you fool
You're throwing your life away…"

Seated at the table, Amy seemed to be struggling to regain some sliver of dignity. She was adjusting her hair shakily and let out an exuberant bark laugh at Sonics indulgent grin. He leaned toward her inquisitively, an eyebrow lifted high in speculation.

“D’ya like it?” And under the tidal wave of cool collection, Amy could see a wavering strand of insecurity wading in his confident gaze. Both of her hands thumped the top of the table, her mouth falling open- her reaction so abrupt that it made him jump.

“Do I- a-am I- Sonic!” She barked, her flapping mouth finding no other words as it moved soundlessly and uselessly. Her hands tossed up into the air, and came back down with nothing. “Sonic…” She stressed again when she found her voice, and this time when she looked at him, his mouth was hidden in one of his hands. He was cackling with glee as her emotion crested. “I, am just… YES!” She wailed loudly, and he went wide eyed as she resisted bursting into tears, grasping at his hands tightly.

I'm acting proud
And every time I see you in a crowd
I may pretend
But in the end
I'm just foolin’ myself

As the meal was laid before them, briefly intervening with their hypnosis, they met eyes as the waiter left over the flicker of the candelabra. They were exchanging the warmest of smiles- his triumphant, hers a touch curious- and as if reading each others thoughts, they both raised their wine glasses.

“For what?” She asked quietly, their glasses hovering a moment away from each other. Without hesitation, his smile widened once more, and his eyes darted downward with a mild case of humiliation before finding hers again. There was a shameful flush rising to the surface of his cheeks.

“For puttin’ up with me, Amy.” A snort of laughter from her, and they both got lost in a gale of it.
They clinked drinks.

When I see you in a crowd
I just want to shout aloud,
I’m just foolin’ myself…
And I mean it, just fooling myself.

---

Everybody in the room fell almost instantly into a lapse of silence at the start of a fork dinging against the side of a wine glass- Knuckles was standing, the culprit, and the rest of the room went up like wind chimes until the talking and tapping had ceased. The only sounds that were made from the company then were small gasps of surprise as a spotlight abruptly cut through the center of the room and moved stealthily like a predator up the aisle to the stage front.
There, seated on a stool completely alone in the light, was Sonic.
There was an explosion of cheers, and suddenly Amy came to realize why Sonic had taken so long when he’d excused himself for the bathroom.
That fibber.
He shook his head, laughing at the applause of those he knew best.

“Alright, alright dudes…” he warned, and the room was quiet in interest. “This night isn’t about me. It’s about…” he twisted his seat, eyes finding Amy in the crowd, who was clasping her mouth with both hands, anticipating what might lay ahead. They locked gazes. “Amy. I’m… “ He put his hands up, brow creasing with effort, and dropped them in a guilty manner. “I know. I know, I don’t really say enough. I know most of my talkin’ goes to Eggman. But you… I’ve… God.” He laughed then, flushing madly, cupping his head with a hand. “Do you have any idea what these past couple weeks have been for me? No. No, I guess you wouldn’t seein’ I don’t say shit. Well, I… Amy, I don’t care who’s here now. “ He was looking at her intensely now, and it did things to Amy’s insides. She’d never seen Sonic gaze at her while wearing such a passionate expression. It was near dizzying. “Things have gotten crazy these past few weeks and I’ve gotta say, I haven’t been this… I haven’t been scared like this in my whole life. I don’t say a lot, but I think. I think things when I should say them, and… well, better late than never, right?“ He tested the tuning of his guitar with one quick run of his fingers down along the strings, before meeting eyes with her again. If he was shit baked right at that moment, nobody would have guessed.
But oh, how he truly, fretfully was. He was. He licked his lips, the only outward sign of nervousness, and continued on, eyes never leaving the overwhelmed pink hedgehog nearest the stage. It was as if everyone else there had melted into the dimness of the Caos De Oro.

“I wrote this for you, I don’t remember exactly how many years ago I did. But it’s way past due. I shouldn’t have waited, I’m an idiot. You can piko me later. But- please, hear me out.” A thick swallow. With that, wearing the barest expression of mixed fear and anticipation, Sonic looked so unlike the hero as he mildly slid his guitar strap into place on his shoulder.
Here was the Sonic she didn’t know.
Because here was the Sonic that belonged to her, and her alone.
She just hadn’t been properly introduced to him yet.
The melody of the song wafted over the audience, clear and endearing, the sole guitar the only sound within the elegant room. If there had been a mic set up next to his chest, surely Sonics spastic heart rate at that moment would have been an appropriate back beat. He found courage in the sole purpose of this song, of this night, of his torment over the prior weeks.
Whether he was ready for this or not, he had to be.
He could not lose Amy.
So he fixated his eyes to where she sat, nobody else- a girl turned woman he had known so long, he had no idea how to function without her.
He began to sing.

I’m not one for love songs…
The way I’m living makes you feel like giving up
But you don’t,
And I want everything for you

My disappointment,
Because you’ve been left behind
And the world has its shine…
but I would drop it on a dime for you.

And whatever it takes…
I’m gonna make my way home
We can turn our backs on the past,
And start over…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to…
And I want you.
More than you could ever know…

The blue hedgehog on stage erupted into a crimson flush, delving into the most intimate of the lyrics.
This verse was a pebble of personal honesty that he had shared with no one- absolutely not one soul outside his own mind. This is where his eyes closed, and he mustered most of his age old bravery to be this emotionally bare.

Before I met you,
I used to dream you up and make you up in my mind…
And all I ever wanted
Was to be understood
You’ve been the only one who could,
I could never turn my back on you.

And whatever it takes.
I’m gonna make my way home.
We can turn our backs on the past
And start over…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to…
And I want you.
More than you could ever know
More than you could ever know…

...It’s you.

As his guitar wrung out a meaningful detail of harmony, he chanced opening his eyes to find her once more. He could see the tear streaks flickering in shining paths along the apple of her cheeks. She stood, hands clasped, and even from where he sat, he could see her trembling. He took in an unsteady breath, closing his eyes to fall back into the words…

Not long ago
I gave up hope,
But you came along.
Gave me something I could hold on to
Oh, I had to try to hold on, to…
Not long ago, I gave up hope
But you came along
You gave me something I could hold on to
Oh, oh…
And I want you,

More than you could ever know…

At the last strum, and thus the break of the spell that seemingly held Sonic boldly in the spotlight on the stool, he lay the guitar down into the crook of the stand beside him. His heart was a steady drumbeat pounding away in his throat, anxiety rolling over him and down his back in a rattling wave.
Good, great powerful God almighty.
He did it.
He actually did it.
In front of everyone.
And now… now, he was so certain he was going to have a stroke.
What was the expression on her face? Was it happiness? Was it rage? Was she even still standing in the place he’d watched her move to once he introduced the song?
He didn’t know.
Because amidst the clapping, the cheering, the thunderous applause that his surprising performance had made, his supersonic speed threw him through the stage door to backstage. The blackness of the halls back there were mere seconds in Sonics vision, as somehow, the dressing room door exploded open and slammed behind him. It was only when he sat on the plush chez lounge in the dressing room, shaking like one pulled up from falling under ice, that he realized he’d run exceedingly fast from the stage to this room in less than 6 seconds.
Because he was horrified. Relieved, but horrified.
It had been the very first time that the people he loved… the girl he loved… had experienced him as a whole, and not just a hero.
He’d DONE it!!!
…but at what cost?
His nerves regretfully but instantly got the better of him.
Hands shaking furiously in the dark, he fumbled clumsily for the mirror lights, a dim pooling of light in the black of the room. It illuminated the area in a faint, surreal haze of gold, and he returned to the chez lounge on quaking legs. He was taking gasping breaths, managing a cool glass of water from the cooler and wiping his mouth with the back of a convulsing wrist…
BANG!
He just about went through the roof. He didn’t even register the remainder of the water falling over his legs as he dropped the paper cup. He was numb.
The dressing room door was open, and silhouetted in the doorway was something he’d never forget.
Amy was there, trembling nearly as ferociously as he was.
The neat, tidy pile of hair she had piled onto her head now fell in wisps along her shoulders, but even that looked beautifully planned. The dress was red, red, always red… elegant, v-necked satiny red. Simple, stunning, and so very Amy. She clasped at the doorway for balance briefly, puffing tendrils of pink out of her line of vision before she threw herself in huffing. She kicked the door closed with a black-pump heel as she did so. She stood heaving before him, her face tense and startling.
She looked furious.
She was crying.
For once, Sonic didn’t feel like laughing at a riled up Amy.
They stood in this strong, heated silence for what felt like hours, yet it was mere seconds. Feeling the weight of it, coming crashing through whatever euphoria that experience had been for him, Sonic acknowledged her rage with a forlorn guilt.

“Amy…” His voice was low, husky with remorse. “I-I’m sorry I-”

“You’re sorry?!” Her voice was strangled, utterly pinched. Her legs weakened, and upon her wobble he briskly made room for her on the chez lounge. Instead she simply sat before him on the floor, legs folded beneath her as he began stammering. She was shaking her head. He reached toward her madly.

“A-Amy you’re sitting in the water I-”

“I don’t care, Sonic!-”

“I-if I embarrassed you, I‘m-”

“Sonic.” She hissed, and he flinched, but ploughed on in high-strung gusto. His hands were moving rapidly in an invisible explanation for what he’d just done.

“Amy , I- I could’ve-”

“SONIC!” She roared, and that one stopped him dead in his tracks, mid sentence.
He stared at her wide eyed.
She stared back.
She burst out a sob, and drew her breath inward sharply, attempting to console herself. “Sonic, just- would you just SHUT UP for once!” She snarled hoarsely, taking him by the arms and giving him a brief shake. He would have been mortally wounded if the next thing she had done would’ve been anything else. But without pause, she swept forward on a crest of overbearing emotion, still grasping him about the upper arms, and with a bubble of laughter threatening her lips at his bewildered expression, she yanked him down into a crushingly tender kiss.

...You gave me something I could hold on to,
More than you could ever know…

---
Just, uh… just give me a moment.
…EIIIIIYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEE HEE HEE!!! (Spinning wildly, cartwheel-)

Ah, ahem.
I’m back.
So what a TIME, this has been!
Does Sonic know how to throw a she-bang or WHAT?
Don’t worry, those dancing lessons weren’t for nothing. x3
We’re closing in on the final chapter now… the FINAL!
My God, this truly is a Sonamy novel isn’t it?
It’s been quite a ride, sadly this one is almost over.
But I’m going to make certain you’ll all feel quite elated by the time its through. ;3
I’ll see you next in closing, with one big, fat juicy chapter left to go…
Much love and thanks for reading thus far everyone!

Songs:
Foolin’ Myself - Billie Holiday
*Sonic’s song is actually a slowed down acoustic version of a song by one of my favorite bands, it’s called The World Has its Shine by Cobra Starship. The moment I heard this song, it was a straight up Sonamy for me.

Art done in prismacolor leds, as per usual.