sranks | ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

( catchall for some dumb hedgehogs
also seasons tdm link for reference! )

[Sonic's actually surprisingly good at listening to instructions! Omochao's trained him well, what can he say. But while Sonic may be an idiot, he follows instructions carefully and to the letter. The last thing he wants to do is end up screwing something up and causing Neo to end up getting hurt because of his neglect. He treats Neo like he would one of Tails inventions; with the care it deserves, and the instructions it needs to flourish.

Not that it's easy, mind you, but Sonic listens and he watches Neo, lowkey thankful that Neo can't see the way that his ears droop down a bit, watching the robotic hedgehog. His words are so even and careful, yet paused, and...

...Is he shaking? Sonic's almost thankful Neo can't see the bit of concern on his face, and he's thankful his hands are working on getting his doppelganger's inner workings back in order. Lest he do something stupid like put a hand on his shoulder, or something else impulsive. Baby steps.]

Yeah? I mean. At least I hope so. We know not to mess with those bunnies, now. [Sonic continues to work while they talk.] Still, it was pretty impulsive of me. I should've at least asked if you were okay with that, and for what it's worth, I am sorry for springing that on you. That wasn't fair.

[...]

I haven't exactly been fair to you since we stopped talking to each other. [Sonic lets the words come out, and they're not easy, but he's trying.] I kinda went and kept dodging your questions like they were attacks on me. I didn't...really know what to do, I guess, but that still didn't make it right.

I wanted to try and understand you a bit, but I kind of just kept shutting you out, huh?

[Neo's grip on his knees tightens further as Sonic continues, and he only stops when the metal-on-metal scraping finally registers as a sound for him. His hearing is immaculate, but acknowledging it is a different beast altogether. And here he is, struggling with... all of this, really.

The incident - the kiss isn't the issue. He's not sure if Sonic assumes it is because Neo's been avoiding him or if it simply is in Sonic's nature to apologize because he is sorry for something so inane. That doesn't matter to Neo. It's what the kiss represents that is the problem - the feelings that may or may not come with such a thing and navigating such a strange and unfamiliar path that relies solely on things he can't simply explain away with logic and numbers.

And Sonic just continues, apologizing for things that he doesn't need to. As though Neo has been any more "fair" to him? As though they've done anything but circle each other like sharks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to bite down and never let go? They are enemies. They aren't supposed to talk with one another, especially not about such things.]

Don't treat me as though I'm—

[fragile.

breakable.

weak.

...]

I— [why, why is this so hard, when sonic so effortlessly continues, as though he doesn't need to think at all before he speaks?] You are not the problem here.

[And suddenly it hits him how horrifically true that is. Sonic isn't the problem. His treatment of Neo is not the problem. His attempts to dodge the questions and fire back is not the problem. The kiss was not the problem.

The problem is that Neo doesn't understand. He has all this data at his fingertips and yet he cannot add one and one and get a stationary, safe answer of two. He is left only with more unknowns and uncertainties, and as a result all he can do is tirelessly seek the only way he can think of to make things make sense again.

And the problem that he's been pointedly avoiding thinking about: is it too late for things to go back to the way they were? With Sonic continuing to reach out a hand to him over and over again, he has to wonder if maybe one of these days, he won't swat it away.

That thought truly terrifies him.]

You aren't--

[It's just Sonic's nature; he figures it's easier to start with his own apologies when they're both kind of in the wrong, just to at least clear the air a little bit. It's not like he's necessarily been nice to Neo, after all. Enemies they may be, he can at least acknowledge that, but this is...

Neo isn't fragile. Sure, he's more breakable than most by virtue of being a robot, but Sonic's not trying to treat him like he is. He doesn't know the first thing about dealing with problems that isn't defeating them and hoping for the best. For all he's traveled and lived his life, he's never really been made to actually deal with something like this in a lasting manner.

He's always run from Amy. Shadow has always found a way to come back. He's never really and truly lost someone like this, who wasn't already gone, and--

You are not the problem here.

Those words hit like a knife to the heart, and Sonic's not sure why.]

...What's on your mind, Neo? [It comes out soft--surprisingly so as he works, and while he's tempted to leave it at just that...] Talk to me. You sound like you're getting eaten alive by whatever's going on in that big brain of yours.

[You expect him to use his words to express himself?? Absolutely not.

...

...

...

...Okay, so he's not exactly going to be able to get Sonic to let this go if he doesn't use his words, but it is so unfairly difficult to actually express himself like this. Who knew talking was such a pain? Maybe he never should have bothered giving himself a voice. The gloating was sort of nice, though.]

I... don't know where to begin.

[It is an agonizingly slow admission. Each word feels like a weight pressing down on him, further anchoring him to the floor where he's unable to fire up his engines and leave. If only he could simply outrun this problem.

But Sonic is unfortunately right. His choice of words may make Neo want to nitpick them - as he is certainly not alive, but they've already had that conversation once - but the sentiment is the same regardless.

He's been stuck in his head for far too long, and he's slowly being consumed by those thoughts without an outlet for them.]

I am used to calculations; to determined outcomes and clear paths. I am a machine - I have always done what I am programmed to do. I follow my primary objective; that is all I have ever needed to do.

[Kill Sonic.

It was so much simpler back home.]

But since arriving here, I have been... unable to determine the best course of action. This world operates in unfamiliar and strange ways, and it seems as though no matter how much I learn, it is never enough. How am I to operate at peak efficiency when I have to spend countless hours simply building up my databanks in order to guide my decisions?

[But that's... not exactly what Sonic's asking about, is it?]

...I have never needed to consider... emotional matters. What information my databanks have on such matters is lacking. The best I can do is make assumptions about why you have decided to treat me this way, and that simply isn't good enough.

I do not understand what you want from me.

[...]

And I do not understand what I want from you either.

[Sonic waits. He's already made his decision that he's willing to wait for Neo, or at the very least willing to be patient. He's never been good at that, but he wants to try. For whatever this all is, whatever it turns into in the end. If it doesn't, if it does, it doesn't matter to Sonic really. He wants Neo to be able to choose for himself, what path he wants, and he...]

You're used to things making sense. Following orders, finding ways to kill and become me, whatever it is you feel you need to do at the time. But this place has kind of gone and turned it on it's head--that's what you're saying, yeah?

[Sonic at least sort of gets that, even if he doesn't fully; he can attribute that mostly to Eggman's building of his other, metal half, but being dragged away from that...no wonder Neo feels the way he does. He needs direction. He needs purpose. He's been deprived of both things since coming here, and it's no wonder the poor guy latched onto him at the first opportunity. He didn't have anything else.

It's the rest of that, that gives Sonic pause. Because now he's gotta explain everything, and perhaps surprisingly, the words come somewhat easily while he continues the finishing touches of his work on Neo.]

...I meant what I said, Neo. That I don't care what path you followed, as long as it was one that was your decision. I've never really known how much of your decisions come from your own will or Eggman's, but it always felt like you had something of your own inside of you? Some kind of will of your own. That it wasn't just how he built you, that kept pushing you to take me on. And that you don't give yourself enough credit for the stuff that's you.

I'm not good at this emotional stuff either. Big shock, I'm sure. [Sonic chuckles a bit, and it straddles the line between soft and almost self depreciating.] I don't want anything from you. I liked what we had going on, and I guess it kept making me mad, seeing you constantly act like your life doesn't matter. Because it does matter. At least to me. I really did enjoy how you kept pushing me to better myself. Still do. I just wish I could get you better, or at least that you could see that...I don't know. Being yourself isn't all that bad, maybe.

[...]

But...I think I at least get what you're trying to say. You've had a rough time trying to get used to being in this place, haven't ya, Neo?

[...Neo, not Metal.

His gaze drops from some distant point on the wall (or perhaps far, far beyond it) to his claws, his gauntlets, his arms and chest, all the things that were shaped in his own image. All of the things that make him Neo instead of just "Metal Sonic". He is still "Metal Sonic", of course, as that is his designation, he is merely an upgraded form, one better suited to the task of killing.

And yet Sonic has chosen to address him by this name instead of the one he's always used.

He doesn't know what it means - and any assumptions he could make would likely be off the mark or completely wrong - but it means something. It's important. Maybe not in the grand scheme of things but... It's important to him.]

...Yes. [He doesn't like admitting weakness. He doesn't want to admit it. But he's already said as much, so there's no sense in pretending otherwise.] This place has caused me to question things I never had a reason to question before.

[As for the rest...]

I am not like you, nor am I like your friends. I am a machine; lines of code and mechanisms unified through the Doctor's genius. I cannot be anything other than what I was made to be. I cannot deny my purpose any more than you can stop breathing, or stop your heart from beating.

Your... patience would be appreciated by anyone else. But I am incapable of such a thing. Surely you must see that this is a waste of your time.

[He wants Sonic to agree. He wants Sonic to go back to treating him like just another enemy. He wants everything to go back to the way it was.

...And yet, he can't help but wonder what it would be like if Sonic argued with him.]

[Sonic pauses, finally finishing the last touches to get Neo back in perfect order. It'll never be perfect as Eggman could likely ensure that he'll always be--hell, Tails could probably do it faster. But Sonic wanted to do this, and he's hopeful that Neo will be satisfied by the job as well.

But Sonic listens to Neo, and there's something determined in him. Determined to get Neo to see himself, to see that there is more to him than he's willing to acknowledge.

To maybe, on his own terms, break the shackles that bind him.]

You're wrong. [Sonic's words are firm, and full of conviction.] You ever looked in a mirror lately, Neo? You can't tell me that the way you look right now is a result of Eggman's genius. Or even just a result of that. And what about that whole plot to rule the world, the one you were willing to go behind Eggman's back for?

[Sonic's doing an amazing job of keeping a level head right now, but his voice still carries the fiery determination that made him try to shout that Neo was alive, all of those days ago.]

You wanted something for yourself there, and you were willing to seize it with your own two hands. To fight all of us for it, including old Egghead there. You gave all of this to yourself, and you wanted us all--the whole world, to see you as you were. You said it yourself; see you as you are, unafraid of anything.

Even here...you saved my life, even when that Octofish could have done your job for you. I could've been left dead here and you wouldn't have anymore obstacles to being the real Sonic anymore. And you still saved my life, because you couldn't accept anything less than you getting the final blow on me. And you're not even the first machine to go against your programming; you remember Omega, right? He was able to tell Eggman that he was done and make something of himself. Rouge and Shadow, they made sure of that.

You're not just code, Neo. You being here, right now, the way you are...that's proof of that. Everything you've done is proof of that. You made yourself into something you wanted to be, and nobody here can take that from you.

[Sonic places his tools on the ground now that he's done, and while he's almost certain Neo's going to smack his hand away...one of his hands moves, and it places itself on one of those spiky shoulder blades. Something he didn't have, prior to becoming Neo Metal Sonic.]

What's this place got you questioning, Neo?

[Those words again. Unafraid of anything. He remembers saying them, and yet it almost feels like they weren't his words at all. How could he experience fear in the first place, when he doesn't have feelings to begin with? But the power that came with that form, with surpassing his own limits and becoming something stronger, something he was certain could finally succeed in filling his primary goal...

If he could seize it again, he would. In that moment, he was certain he could do anything. There was no hesitation. There was no circular arguing and questioning locked deep within his own mind. He was not shackled by his own views of what he should be, and he was not chained by Eggman's orders or demands - he was truly, truly free.

Could he experience that once again? Is that even possible without taking that form once more? If he can cast off the doubts, the uncertainties, the fear—

He would seize it with his own two hands. Regardless of what it takes.]

Is that why I was brought here? To... give me the opportunity to be... me?

[Not to be Eggman's weapon. Not to be the Metal Overlord. Not to be Sonic's doppelganger. But instead to be simply Neo, an opportunity he otherwise wouldn't have again.

No, he's attributing intention to something the mages already admitted did not have a reason in picking those brought to this world. Still... the thought is almost... comforting, in a way. Warm, like the hand on his shoulder.]

I wanted nothing more than to return home. I thought that if we did that, everything would go back to the way it was supposed to be. That the differences this world has brought to both of us would fall away and that we would go back to being enemies again. I would no longer have to question myself.

[He finally turns just enough that he can look at Sonic, one visible optic trained on the hedgehog.]

...But I was wrong in that assumption. Things would not change simply from returning home.

[Sonic has taken the first few steps, and even given Neo a push or two to get him to walk this path as well. The least he can do is try to meet his opposite halfway.]

I want my freedom. I will not be the Doctor's again. I will remain Neo. And I will kill you, Sonic - no matter how long that may take. Your life is mine to take, and I will not let anyone or anything kill you before I can.

[...jesus christ neo what kind of attempt was that]

[That's my guy.

Sonic doesn't know why that's the first thought that enters his head, but he discards it almost immediately. After all, Neo said it himself. He wants his freedom, to not be the Doctor's again--and that's gotta, by proxy, include being Sonic's.

And he's perfectly fine with that.]

I can't say whether or not that was why you were brought here--but if you have this opportunity, why not seize it with your own two hands and see where it takes you?

[Now that Metal can see Sonic's face, even slightly--he can likely see how proud Sonic looks. The look on his face is still full of that determination, but he's smiling, and he looks so absolutely proud of what Neo has become. What Neo has decided to seize with his own two hands, and take for himself with no one else's input.

No longer is he Eggman's pawn. No longer will he be Eggman's pawn. Neo's decisions are his own to make, and Sonic doesn't know why he's almost tempted to kiss Neo again for that. That was something that caused this mess in the first place, maybe he should avoid giving Neo any more crises to worry about??? ...No, he knows that's impossible deep down, but Sonic at least doesn't add that on top of what's going on. Be thankful.]

I'm not gonna go and die a second before you get that opportunity. 'Course, I'm not just gonna give it to you outright because of this--if you wanna take my life, you're gonna have to work hard to make sure you can keep up with me to do it! But I don't think that's gonna be a problem for you at all. I'll keep beating you down as long as I'm able to, long as you keep pushing me to go even harder!

Take that freedom and run with it, where ever it takes you. You're not anyone's but your own, Neo, and I'm so proud of you.

[His grip remains firm on Neo's shoulder, supportive despite everything. All of his friends have tried to kill him once--what's one more for the pile??? Neo's life is his own to lead, and his own to seize, with his own purpose to find now.

Maybe that is the reason he was brought here.]

[You're not anyone's but your own, Neo, and I'm so proud of you.

Once, he'd wondered if he'd ever hear words like that from Eggman. If after he killed Sonic, Eggman would be proud of him. It had been such an inane, pointless thought that he'd vowed never to think of it again, and yet hearing those words now from someone else fills him with warmth, as though his jets are on full blast.]

Then I expect you to push me to my limits - no, beyond them. I will reshape this body with my own hands as many times as it takes to kill you. And only then will I decide how I will live my life afterward.

[Maybe he won't ever be able to become Sonic. Though he was made with his doppelganger's life data, they are not the same person. He could never be the hero that so many need when they look to Sonic the hedgehog.

But that is a problem for future Neo, and it is not one he will waste any more time considering right now. They still need to return home first, and he will need to prepare an even better plan to catch Sonic off-guard.

Until that day comes, there's no reason why he can't experience their rivalry for what it currently is.

Neo finally shifts, moving to properly face Sonic with no more reason to remain turned away. He wants to reach out - to return that touch, to initiate more, to feel his heartbeat and warmth again - but he doesn't know how to go about initiating something like that. Sonic makes it look easy. Sonic makes everything look easy.

Does he like Sonic the hedgehog?

Yes.]

Edited 2024-12-19 09:32 (UTC)

Oh, don't even worry--I'm not gonna stop keeping you on your toes for a moment. Wouldn't exactly be fair of me not to do that, right?

[Sonic laughs, and it rings out bright and cheerful and warm in this empty, almost lonely workshop. All of a sudden the space feels so much less oppressive, like it's something all their own that they've made together. Sonic doesn't even know what they are, or what this truly is at this point, but does he care? No. He feels; he doesn't think.

Sonic likes Neo; all of the different shades of him, programmed by Eggman and not. Neo's made them all his own, and seized that life of his all for himself, and Sonic likes that. Sonic likes him. His precious, irreplaceable rival. The hand on Neo's shoulder stays there, but Sonic's other hand comes up and cups Neo's cheek, opposite of that shoulder, and green eyes stare into red optics with that warm, fiery determination that Sonic is known for.]

I expect...no. I want you to stay alive, then--if it's between the two of us, then what happens happens. But nobody else is allowed to take a fatal blow at you. I'll keep learning how to do upkeep and stuff like that so you don't end up in anything but tip top shape yourself again, but nobody else is allowed to kick your butt. You're irreplaceable, Neo; no matter what happens, here or at home...don't you ever go forgetting that, yeah?

[Sonic lets that sit, once that's out there. They're so close now, and Sonic wants to hear what Neo has to say to that before anything else. Neo's choices are his own to make, but...well. Let's just say the feeling is mutual in that regard. Sonic wants nothing more than to bring them together again, to kiss Neo properly, but he wants to hear this first.

(And maybe, just maybe--he hopes Neo will understand what he means. Perhaps he'll even learn from Sonic how to feel his way forward, and take the initiative that's right in front of him. He wants to kiss Neo so bad again it hurts, but...

Maybe he just wants to see Neo want him--this, just as bad.)]

[Sonic's other hand finds his cheek and without thinking, Neo leans into it. The warmth isn't something he truly needs - were he capable of feeling cold, he could simply warm himself up, after all - but he seeks it out precisely because it's Sonic. Because he's offering these little gestures that Neo doesn't know how to initiate, and because he just wants to be close to his rival.

He still thinks that Sonic is a bit too worried about him, but it fills him with pride to know that the feeling is mutual - that Sonic is worried because he doesn't want anyone else taking his rival from him. Neo understands that, he can accept that. Just like that, the pieces of this baffling puzzle are slowly clicking into place and the world comes into clearer view once more; things have changed, and yet this much, at least, remains the same.]

Nothing will take me from you. I will come back to you, always.

[One of his hands comes up to rest against the one on his cheek. He's careful with his claws, so much more gentle than he's ever tried to be before.

Neo leans in, free hand resting on the ground near Sonic's hip to balance himself. He wants Sonic to get the message - to take the initiative he cannot. More than anything else, he wants Sonic to understand the flurry of thoughts circling in his head that no longer feel like the same oppressive force they once had been. His voice is softer now, quiet in this shared space for just the two of them.]

I am yours to destroy.

[As if a mirror of his own robotic self, Sonic leans into Neo's hand and closes his eyes. It feels so foreign to him--the cold fast shifting to something warm, something close as Sonic lets himself listen to Neo's words and take them in. It feels like a tangible promise, like an oath. He's never given thought to anything like this, only wanting to experience the world and everything it has to offer; to live for himself, with the friends he's made and the friends he can make in the future. But this...

Sonic's still not sure what this is, but it doesn't matter what happens. He'll never give up the fight to keep Neo on his toes, to keep himself in pristine shape for his rival--to keep pushing himself, themselves, further and further. So long as the voice inside him tells him to keep running, to keep fighting, to keep pushing them both...

Well. Does it really matter, what is wrong and what is right?]

Then I'm yours, too. Even if the day comes that you manage to really win...I'll always find a way to be with you, somehow. Promise, Neo.

[He feels it, practically, the flurry of thoughts raging in both of their minds--and yet Sonic's mind has never been more clear than in this moment. He gets the message loud and clear, and the hand on Neo's shoulder goes to settle at the back of the metallic hedgehog's head, before pulling them both together and finally closing the distance between them.

The kiss tastes like metal, and it's a little cold, but there's nowhere else that Sonic would want to be in this moment than in this little room, with his sworn rival, in their own little world. The rest of it can wait; this moment is theirs, and theirs alone.]

[Good. Good. Because he wants nothing more than exactly this. The promise that they'll be together somehow rings in his head and Neo can't help but think...

It'll be a long time before he's able to best Sonic. He doesn't mind that idea anymore. That just means he'll have more time with his rival.

The kiss is different this time; it's hard to pinpoint in exactly what way, but the air between them has changed and this isn't the same clumsy attempt that ended in a crisis. This is a vow between them - that their relationship may have changed here, but that they will still continue their best for one another. That even though they may see each other in a new light, they are still Sonic and Neo, still two opposites destined to clash.

Neo shifts, the arm not being used for balance moving to find the spines down Sonic's back, tracing through the quills and fur before settling there as if to keep him close. He isn't allowed to go until Neo lets him this time - not because of the cold, but because he desperately wants the contact, the proximity, hell maybe even just Sonic himself. Absently, he increases his body's heat, so maybe that will convince Sonic to stay put, at least for a little bit longer.]

[Life's all about living and learning; there's a part of Sonic that's almost excited to see how Neo lives his life in the moments they aren't clashing. Just what he'll do with himself, how he'll make his own life...and hell, even how he'll oppose him. It gets Sonic excited, and there is the temptation to end the kiss just so he can yap at Neo for a while, just talk about everything and anything...

But Sonic feels Neo shift and trace through his quills with his free hand, and Sonic almost chuckles into the kiss that he continues to give; if Neo wants him to stay so bad he guesses he can, but then he feels Neo start to warm up and...

Oh. That's nice, actually; Neo will likely be able to feel the way Sonic lets himself relax into Neo, bit by bit, as the hand behind Neo's head moves it's way along and touches those strange robotic spines. The things made in his own image; he wonders if Neo can feel anything, which keeps Sonic's touches on the lighter side as if wanting to memorize the reactions of his rival a bit, but that hand shifts at a thought that might be revealing a weakness of his own.

He doesn't know exactly how Neo works, but as he steadies himself with the grip on Neo's shoulder--probably the only solid thing about him at this point, given how straight up boneless he feels with how considerate Neo's being in sharing his body heat. He's practically melting into the guy--Sonic's hand goes to gently run a thumb along one of Neo's ears, to see how he reacts. It may be a little bold, but call Sonic a little curious.

(It may be an inward signal to Neo, too--to try and encourage him to explore. Neo's always been good at mirroring him, and even if Sonic's not used to this, he's enjoying it and just wants to enjoy this time with his favorite murderous space heater. But it's permission in it's own way, too.)]

[Sonic relaxes into him and vaguely it occurs to Neo that this cannot be comfortable. He is made of unyielding steel and sharp edges meant to cut and hurt, not to hold. Maybe he can have a crisis about that later, but for now, he's more interested in all the strange new sensations that come with the proximity of someone else in his space, particularly a living, breathing being.

Neo's ears are primarily decorative; they do not bend or twitch as an organic being's would to the touch, but he's still capable of feeling it. After all, if he was entirely incapable of feeling, that would be a detriment in combat. Knowing where one is injured is important to better continue fighting, even if one cannot feel the pain that should be associated with it. This is... different. He's never been touched so curiously before, and some part of him catches onto Sonic's meaning without even realizing it.

He's as foreign to Sonic as Sonic is to him; after all, it's not like Sonic's ever truly had the opportunity to sit down and study any of the machines he was beating up.

The hand on Sonic's back remains there - because Neo is serious about keeping the hedgehog here, thanks! - but the other one moves to mimic Sonic's. His claws lightly trail up the side of the hedgehog's face and then to his ear as Neo marvels at the feeling of it. It's nothing like his own and far more flexible than he'd thought. Which yes, means that he is absolutely flicking Sonic's ear curiously, but like, what did you expect here.]

[Neo can continue to think that all he wants, but Sonic is just very happily going to continue to be a boneless hedgehog. Was he supposed to get the memo that Neo is sharp and pointy and uncuddleable??? Well, he sure didn't. Sonic is positively relaxed right now.

Though, the lack of reaction from Neo's ears is a little disappointing, Sonic doesn't mind it too much; it means that that free hand can roam a little bit, down Neo's face and jaw and onto that opposite, jagged shoulder, idling for a brief moment while he considers his next move, but Neo's a step ahead. At least a few of them, at least.

Neo follows his lead and Sonic makes a soft noise into the kiss, which has slowly just kind of settled into multiple small ones; given that Neo doesn't have a mouth, there's no sense in boring the guy, right? But Neo's hand finds his ears after trailing up his face, earning a small shudder at first before that soft oh escapes on flicking contact with his ears.

His ears do move a little bit, funnily enough; the flicking is a pleasant sensation that Sonic shudders a bit into, pleasantly surprised at how much more it makes him want to relax. It results in Sonic rubbing idle circles into Neo's shoulders, hoping the gesture is encouraging enough. His heartbeat has relaxed almost entirely, and it's...

...Man, it's the most comfortable he's felt in a long time.]

[Is that a good sound? If it wasn't, Sonic likely would have stopped kissing him to tell him so, so Neo assumes it is. It's a very nice sound, regardless. Something he's never heard from Sonic before and something he very much wants to commit to his memory - though earning a few more to go along with it would be nice too.

Sonic should be able to feel the soft whirr and hum of machinery; though usually it's fairly quiet without his jets on, the increased heat means that his internal components are working harder than usual, making them that much louder. Not that Neo minds, of course; he could say as much if he did, and he's remaining silent.

He finally stops playing with Sonic's ear to slide his fingers back through Sonic's quills. They're so different from his own spikes; his are static and stiff, unable to be bent or moved at all. Perfect for stabbing, if he decided to headbutt someone, but mostly just decorative and edgy. Sonic's are different. They are flexible and almost as soft as his fur, easily moving with Neo's claws as he does the equivalent of petting Sonic. Is this how you raise affection with your ~~Chao~~ boyfriend??]

[Sonic definitely feel that--honestly, a lot of that is going a long way toward making Sonic absolutely relaxed. He doesn't always crash at Tails' house, but it reminds him of those winter times when he does, with one of those little plug-in heater fans going in the room. It feels like a strangely nice white noise, the more Sonic listens to it, and Sonic keeps kissing along his boyfriend(?)/rival's silly face as he finds himself chuckling a bit softly. He honestly wouldn't mind falling asleep here...

But he's not going to bore Neo, and he's especially not going to stop once Neo gets it into his head to go through his quills--Neo gets another one of those light shudders, and man, Sonic...isn't used to this. He really hasn't let anyone this close; sure, he probably wouldn't mind cuddling with the homies for fun, but you can't just ask that, can you? At least Neo seems to be craving this as much as he is, and one of his hands goes and settles on Neo's side for a moment as he...

Well. A fun fact for Neo; when a hedgehog is very content and comfortable or getting pet in just the right spot? They purr. And Sonic hasn't completely realized it yet, thinking it's another one of those machine noises coming from Neo, but he's absolutely purring up a storm the longer this goes on. Enjoy that!!! Even when his mouth is occupied, it seems Sonic can't shut up--]

[Neo is acutely aware of the sounds his machinery makes and what each and every one of them means, so this sudden, unfamiliar noise must be coming from Sonic. But it isn't another soft sound, instead it's something completely different. He cants his head to the side as his fingers still against Sonic's head curiously.

At first he thinks Sonic is shaking. The soft tremors running through him could mean any number of things, but the steady rate of them is confusing. Trembling can be a sign of cold (impossible, as Neo is plenty warm right now) or an emotional reaction, though Neo couldn't even begin to guess at what those emotional reactions might mean. Though this coupled with the odd noise...]

Do you like this?

[His voice is quiet, though it still cuts through the silence far too harshly for his own liking. There's no reason not to ask; it isn't as though he has a mouth to be occupied by the kisses, after all. But then it occurs to him that Sonic will probably start talking instead of kissing him and damn, he really should've thought this through. The kisses are nice, though...]

[It takes a couple of seconds for Sonic to respond; he's a little slow on the uptake with how he's feeling, but that noise stops briefly as he pokes his head up just a little bit to look at Neo, head tilting very slightly.]

Yeah? Trust me, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. This is...this is real nice actually, heh.

[It starts again when he idles a bit, when his eyes close and he presses another couple of kisses on Neo's cheek, chuckling in the process.]

I like it here, with you. You're warm. Honestly, I could probably stay here all day if you keep this up... [Though, idly, he thinks to ask...] This isn't gonna cause any problems for your internals or anything, yeah...?

[It comes out almost a little drowsy sounding, but the purring persists as long as Neo's got his hand in those quills. He doesn't quite go back to kissing yet, electing to nuzzle Neo a bit while he waits for a response.]

[Hmm. Nuzzling is an acceptable compromise. Nuzzling is something he can return as well, though his movements are a bit stiffer, more mechanical; a copy of what Sonic's been doing to him.]

No. At most, I will require approximately 3% longer to charge. Hardly noteworthy at all.

[And even if it were to cause problems, Neo would find a way to fix it himself, because he doesn't want to stop. He's never had the opportunity to hold someone like this. He's never had the opportunity to be gentle before. He doesn't want this moment to end.

Neo falls silent for a long moment, machinery humming softly as he nuzzles against his rival.]

...We should move before someone returns.

[...Look at all the moving he's doing right now, though.]

[Huh. That's good to know at least, though Sonic might be putting welding on his list of things to learn in the future just in case. Nice as this is, he'd rather not have Neo develop any problems from keeping him warm.

But maaaaaaan...]

But you're so waaarm...

[Neo nuzzling into him is really nice, and at least makes the comment feel slightly less like a complaint while he's doing it. Even he has to admit Neo's right, though, and Sonic will lift his head up a bit, bringing one of his hands up to cup Neo's cheek. He really doesn't want to move at all, honestly, and he's not moving much more than this right now, the hand at Neo's hip just kind of going around his rival's back, but a little lighter and less possessive. Knowing their luck, someone would walk in, and...

...

Well, he's not sure if it'd hate it, honestly. But it'd involve questions he's not sure he knows the answer to. So there's a little bit of quiet in the room after that, before Sonic speaks up.]

...I could take you back to my place, if you want? [Sonic chuckles a bit at the thought, though there's a brief spike in heartrate that Sonic decides to ignore as he moves to look into Neo's eyes with a bit of a grin on his face.] I kinda just wanna take up more of your time right now, but if you're really worried about someone coming in, we can move there. Unless you'd prefer yours.

[Sonic's thoughts mirror his own; the idea of having to explain this to anyone is the problem, not the idea of being caught cuddling his rival. Neo's undoubtedly going to have a hard time explaining this to himself once he has time to process everything, so to an outsider? Hard pass.

He notices the sudden spike in Sonic's heartbeat, which he assumes is a good thing...? Hearts are such baffling organs that react in confusing ways, and his databanks do not contain nearly enough information on how they work and how they react to emotion in order to discern exactly what that means. But even if it's a bad thing, there's really only one option.]

Your place. I haven't bothered returning to mine.

[...Perfectly normal things, don't worry about it—]

Lead the way. We can resume... [a brief pause as he tries to figure out how to word it] this once we are at yours.

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