sranks | ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

Neokins...!

[Dorothea seems surprised, truth be told. Sure, she and Hubie have heard plenty about people coming back to life, but she always thought those were merely rumors. Seeing Neokins in the figurative flesh, well, it's shocking to say the least, but...

Dorothea's expression warms, and she opens the door for Neo, though he can watch her gaze avert for a moment--Sonic's still asleep, after all, and she's...]

...I don't know if you want to see him like this, but feel free to come on in. He's asleep right now. He's been doing a lot of that, lately.

[The apartment is in pretty good shape, all things considered. Dorothea's been doing an excellent job at maintaining it, and the only real difference is the lack of blankets on the couch, but, well...he can find them easily piled up near his charger, where Sonic sleeps curled into them. Curled into a ball, waiting for someone he assumes is never coming back.

Dorothea's gaze is...sad, certainly. But Neo wants to see him; Dorothea isn't going to keep him from doing so.]

...I'm sorry that your first sight of your sweetheart has to be like this, Neo. [Just this once and just for him, she'll avoid the nicknaming. He's...probably got questions. Dorothea keeps her voice down, just to let Sonic sleep, but...] It really is good to see you back though, dear. Are you holding up alright?

Edited (adds paid time to get better expressions--) 2025-01-05 09:18 (UTC)

[See him "like this"? Like what? What could she possibly be referring to...? Well, he finds out soon enough as Neo enters the room and finds the bed empty. His head cants to the side and he follows his systems' metrics to the next closest heat source— ah.

Sonic has taken to sleeping on the floor. Next to Neo's charger.

He feels— angry, maybe. Upset. Frustrated and hurt and devastated; all things he could have felt so much more clearly in Sonic's body that now seem like mere ghosts. They're present, certainly, but they're easier to control. To tamper down. After all, what good are any of those emotions right now? Sonic is clearly looking worse for the wear; he needs his sleep. Neo can wait a little longer to wake him. Still, he so desperately wants to run his claws through those quills, to let Sonic know that it's okay now, that he's here, that—

Ah, Dorothea's speaking. A-And calling Sonic his "sweetheart" which may be true but is sort of embarrassing...]

I am, yes. I have suffered no ill effects from returning and my body is in peak condition.

[Though whether that's because Sonic took care of it for him or because it was reformed(?) with him is unclear. Regardless, he's here, and that's what matters.]

How long has it been since I...

[He hesitates on the final word. There's really only one word for it, given he was in an organic body at the time. He died. He's been thinking of it as death and he's accepted it, but here and now... it's suddenly harder to do that. To think about the fact that he, a robot, managed to actually die. True, being completely destroyed would be the equivalent of killing him, but...

Now isn't the time for that. Neo shakes his head.]

Please, tell me what's happened since then.

[listen, that's how dorothea do baby, you gotta deal with the embarrassment!!!]

That's good to hear. I'd only heard of people coming back as mere rumors, so I wasn't sure how it would end up being for you. I'm certainly glad there's no ill effects on you, Neo.

[There's a pause as Dorothea looks to Neo, and to Sonic; part of her should leave the both of them alone, but Sonic genuinely does need this sleep. And though she doesn't know Neo as well as she does her dear friend, she can see that this isn't having a good effect on Neo, seeing him like this.

It's a bit overly familiar, sure, but Dorothea gently puts a hand on Neo's shoulder--quick to remove it if he's not comfortable with it.]

...Let's go somewhere else to talk, first. Okay?

[It's gentle, but she knows he must be hurting, seeing Sonny like this. The least Dorothea can do is try to be a good friend for the decidedly more metallic blue blur that she doesn't talk to as much.

It doesn't take long for her to bring him down to the lobby of the apartment, blessedly empty as she bids him to sit down on one of the couches in the lounge area. She starts to explain once they're settled.]

Well, for starters...it's been about a week since you two defeated that monster. Sonny carried you all the way back to town as fast as he could, but he was...well, pretty devastated at what happened to you. Sonny wouldn't stop blaming himself for what happened there, and it took a long while to get him back to the apartment to clean him up and...get you taken care of, afterward.

[She doesn't go into detail about that; she doubts he needs to know where his own body was buried, or how much it took to even get Sonic back in the apartment.]

Once all was said and done...well, Sonny tried to stay in the apartment by himself for a night before coming and knocking on mine. [Dorothea's gaze averts at that.] He said he needed someone to talk to, so he wasn't trapped in his own head. I wound up just staying at the apartment afterward to make sure he was taking care of himself. He wasn't...really in any state to be doing so himself.

[...]

He really missed you, Neo. Losing you...I don't think I've ever seen someone so lost in my life, if you want me to be honest.

[That's at least the start, and she lets that settle for a moment to let Neo process it.]

[Finally it clicks in his head that Sonic... might not have known he could come back. Neo had been adamant in chasing down those rumors to ensure that they were real - after all, back then he'd wanted nothing more than to kill Sonic and had only ruled it out once he was certain it was pointless to try to do so. But he'd never actually spoken about that with Sonic, and he has no idea if his counterpart discussed it with anyone else. What if he had no idea? What if he truly believed that was simply it for Neo, that he'd died, just like that?

Ohhh, he does not like this sinking feeling. Dread, he thinks. The terror of realizing how horribly he may have screwed all this up (though was it really a mistake? he would do the same thing a hundred times over if it meant Sonic was safe) sends icy claws through him that hurt more than dying actually did. He mutely nods at Dorothea's words and follows her silently, consumed in his thoughts until he's directed to take a seat in the lobby.

Her words confirm his worst fears. Not only was Sonic unaware that he could return, but he blamed himself for all of that. As though any of this was his fault? How could he blame himself, when Neo was the one who had reservations about it, when Neo was the one who chose to jump into that attack, knowing exactly what would happen?

And hearing that Sonic was so lost and upset... Even if he can't feel these emotions the same way he could in Sonic's body, they're still overwhelming. His claws tighten into fists and he shakes his head, doing his best to draw himself from his endlessly spiraling thoughts. He can't afford to do this right now. He can panic and worry and beat himself up over all of this later.]

I hadn't realized it would take me so long to return. I should have told him about this before I— Never mind.

[A soft, static-y noise leaves him.]

Thank you for taking care of him. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you as well.

[Seeing a dear friend going through something so traumatic and being unable to do much at all to help... He doesn't have lungs to breathe and yet it still feels as though the air has been punched out of him.]

I didn't... I didn't think. I didn't analyze the situation or determine the best possible outcome, I simply... had to get him out of the way of that attack, regardless of the personal cost. I couldn't let him die.

[Even knowing that Sonic would return? Why is it that it's fine for Neo to die, but it isn't acceptable for Sonic to die?

Ah, he truly hates this.]

[Dorothea's never really had the chance to really talk with Neo for an extended amount of time. He truly is different from Sonny; that blue blur wears his heart on his sleeve and tries to hide some emotions much like she does. It's familiar. Neo's a lot more like Hubie than she could have thought; there's an intensity to his emotions that she can see as she watches him, watching him ball those fists. He absolutely must be spiraling too, and it hits that Sonny and he have some similarities after all. They both internalize, in different ways.

They're both willing to destroy themselves for the people they love, and it's...]

It really isn't any trouble, you know. I'd gladly do it for him; Sonny's a very dear friend, and I wanted nothing more than to make sure he's okay. It's what I'd do for anyone dear to me.

[Dorothea's smile is soft, but there's a tinge of sadness there as she listens to Neo. This poor boy...]

Hey, hey. Don't blame yourself for this either, okay? [It's remarkably gentle, but Dorothea manages a certain firmness with it too.] You did what you thought you had to in that situation. You wanted to keep Sonny safe, and you succeeded in that. It might not have been the best way to go about it, but when you're in a rough situation like that, you have to act before it's too late. It's the same as any battle...

...Though I imagine it's of little comfort for you to hear, with everything considered. [Dorothea pauses, briefly, her tone soft still.] ...I've had to watch one of you beat yourself up for a whole week over this--I'm not letting you do the same. Neither of you are at fault for this. Beating yourself up like this...is it going to help anyone?

Be kind to yourself, dear. You're alive, and he's going to be so relieved to see you once he wakes up.

[...]

Neo...if it isn't too uncomfortable for you, would you mind if I gave you a hug? [Dorothea tilts her head a bit, gently smiling.] You seem like you could use one, sweetie.

Edited (yeets a quick edit before sleeping--) 2025-01-05 10:17 (UTC)

[He's not entirely sure when his optics dropped to stare at his hands - as though there's anything to see there, though it may be a habit he picked up from his time in Sonic's body, where his eyes were so quick to dart away - but Dorothea's words get him to look up at her. Though there's no visible emotion in his face, he does slowly release his hands.

She's right. This isn't the sort of situation with anyone clearly at fault. There were things he could have done better, yes. There were things he and Sonic could have done differently. Maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this had they made different, smarter choices. But they didn't, and they're here now, so what's the point in thinking about those what-ifs?

Beating himself up like this isn't going to help either of them. It's best to put it aside.]

...Yes. You're right. I— Thank you, for the reminder.

[It's the next part that gets him to pause, and he very nearly says the completely inane and stupid thought of but I'm made of metal before remembering that it doesn't matter to Sonic. Some organic beings seem not to mind such things. And... he is a person. To her, she sees a person who is struggling with this, and her solution is to offer a hug. That's...]

It wouldn't be uncomfortable for me, no. That's... Yes, that's acceptable.

[It isn't like him to stumble over his words like this, and yet he finds himself doing it anyway, changing what he wants to say even as the words leave him. Neo shifts a bit so that Dorothea can hug him when she's ready, already carefully warming himself up so that she won't be hugging cold metal, at least.]

Don't mention it, Neo. Sometimes we all need a little reminder. I know I've needed it a few times after battle, myself. What are friends for, after all?

[Congrats, Neo, you've been friendopted. Dorothea's expression shifts to a soft smile as she waits for him to make a decision, and deep down, she can't help but think that it's sweet that he's willing to let a stranger hug him. Sure, she's not entirely a stranger; Sonny always has the habit of talking about the people he likes, and Dorothea's no different in that regard. She knows a lot about Neo secondhand, just from how Sonny talks about his beloved, but knowing him firsthand is a different experience entirely that a social butterfly like her hasn't gotten much of a chance to do.

...He's really grown from the way Sonny has talked about him at the beginning, she thinks. Dorothea can't help but be proud of him by proxy for opening up.

Dorothea takes Neo into her arms gently, a soft oh escaping when she realizes how warm he is--not that she would have minded him being cold, but Dorothea wraps her arms around him gently and pulls him in, rubbing Neo's back a bit as a kind gesture. She doesn't know if he can feel it or not; she doesn't care. He's hurting, and Dorothea wants to soothe that ache somewhat.]

Thank you, dear. You're very sweet. [It's softly said, but no less kind.] ...You're in a lot of pain too, I'm sure. I know I can't take it all away, but if I can help just a bit...well, that's good enough.

I certainly see why Sonny thinks the world of you, though.

[Dorothea chuckles once that's out there, warmly.]

Edited (get friended, idiot) 2025-01-05 16:45 (UTC)

[Friends. Well, it does make sense, they share a common "friend" (to put it lightly) in Sonic, so that does make them friends by proxy, right? Is that how this works? Well, that's how it works now, and Neo is perfectly content with it. The hug is different from when he hugs Sonic - but then, of course it is. They're two very different people with two very different relationships with Neo. Dorothea has likely never hugged someone quite like Neo either, but she doesn't seem to be hesitant or bothered by it at all. It doesn't take long for him to relax into it.]

You've already done so much for Sonic; I can never thank you enough for that. But still, allow me to thank you for this moment of weakness as well.

[He hasn't felt this damn tired in... well, ever, really. At least, not in this body. Maybe it's the stress of the situation, or perhaps the very idea of how horribly his death hurt Sonic, but regardless, all Neo wants to do right now is let himself be held, just for a moment longer. Things will make sense again soon enough and he'll be there for Sonic, but he can allow himself this one moment to feel all these conflicting emotions so vividly.

(And perhaps he's a little glad that he's in his own shell for this; he can't even begin to imagine how much more difficult this is for Sonic, who feels everything so vibrantly.)]

Think nothing of it; I'm glad to do it for you. We all feel things, you know?

[For the both of you goes unsaid, but Dorothea chuckles and it's bright and warm. That's just how Dorothea is as a person; it'd be different if he was a human, of course, but Dorothea doesn't see him as any different than anyone else right now. Any different than another kid who could really use an ear and a hug.]

You just got done with coming back to life. I think you can be afforded a little grace, and a little bit of weakness. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, let me know and I'll gladly give them a sound walloping.

[...It at least sounds genuine and kindly said, but holy shit Dorothea--

Either way, light begins to pour in the room from the rising of the morning sun, and Dorothea finds herself smiling at it; she's always loved getting up around this time to see the sun rise like this. It used to just be a reminder she survived each day, but now...it's the dawn of a new morning for two hedgehogs who love each other dearly. Dorothea couldn't be happier, that this place allowed them this chance.

Dorothea will keep holding him for as long as needed, but once Neo's ready...]

Ready to go back upstairs and wake your sleeping beauty from his slumber, Neokins? He should be up by now, if you're ready.

[Heh. He can absolutely see why Sonic is so fond of Dorothea. She's quite the firebrand, isn't she?

Neo's attention is caught by the rising sun, and his internal clock indicates that Sonic should be rising soon, assuming his schedule is mostly the same. Of course he's ready; he's had his moment of weakness and he's ready to face Sonic.]

Yes. I'm ready. Once again, thank you for what you've done for us both; I won't forget it.

[Though there simply isn't any way he could ever possibly repay her for all she's done, it's greatly appreciated. He can't even imagine what would have happened to Sonic without her help... and he doesn't want to think about it any further. So with that, Neo pulls back and moves to stand; are you coming with, Dorothea?]

[As if she'd be anywhere but his side? Dorothea smiles warm and bright when Neo speaks up, her chuckle warm and ringing out as they make the walk back upstairs to the apartment.]

Anytime, dear, anytime. If you ever need anything else at all, I'm only a few more floors up. And if I happen to be out...well, Hubie knows where I am nine times out of ten. He'll certainly let you know where to find me.

[She really is so glad that he's okay now. It may be tough for a little bit, but Dorothea has faith that he'll be able to make it through. After all, the two of them are together again; why wouldn't they make it through?

Dorothea's quick to unlock the apartment door, taking a quick peek inside before opening it fully; Sonic's awake and more than a little lethargic, though he seems to be...trying to figure out tea...aww. He's got a couple cups out, so he was clearly thinking about her when making it. He turns when the door opens, though, greeting her.

"Mornin', Dotty." He sounds drained as usual, but...he tries to smile. "I, uh. Tried to make you something, it's--"]

["Oh, Sonny, you're sweet. You didn't have to! But, well...I have a guest here to see you. You're gonna want to see him."

Sonic looks a little apprehensive for a moment, but he does wait for Dorothea to let in her little guest. He's not sure what to expect, really, but...

When Neo enters, Sonic almost drops the little tea kettle that he's borrowed from Dorothea; it's something she definitely brought with her, but when he sees Neo properly, he's stunned. He didn't think Neo could come back from that, he...]

N...Neo? Neo, is that really you...?!

[Sonic practically darts at Neo and pulls him into a tight hug--mostly to see if this is...if he's real, if any of this is real. It's a shock to the system for him, to say the least, but...

Oh, Sonic's so relieved.]

[There's no sense in being apprehensive about this. He already knows it's going to be difficult - primarily for Sonic - but it'll be worth it. After all, he's suffered far too much and now Neo's back. It won't make everything right immediately, but it should help. Still, he finds himself hesitating a bit as Dorothea gets the door and introduces him...

Until he's being hugged by his boyfriend, and Neo's arms are around Sonic's back in an instant. His grip is tight - not painfully so, of course, he's mindful of his strength as always - and he nuzzles against the top of Sonic's head instinctively as he's done so many times in the past.]

I'm sorry for leaving you, but yes, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere again. You have my word.

[The words are soft, but there's a force behind them; an emotion that he can't quite get across in any other way. Neo doesn't have the words he needs for a proper apology for all of this, but for now... For now, this is good enough. Sonic needs to know he's physically here, that this isn't a dream or cruel prank. He's here, and he isn't letting go anytime soon.]

[It's real. This is real, this is happening, Neo's...Neo's alive. Neo's alive, in his arms again, just when Sonic thought that it was over, that he'd screwed up royally, that Neo was never coming back...he kept his promise. He kept it, he found some way to keep it, and--]

...I'm sorry, Neo. I'm-- [Sonic sounds completely choked up, honestly. He's trying so hard not to cry, but he's so relieved and holding Neo so tight it's like he fears he'll disappear.] T-Thanks. For...keeping your promise. I...I don't know how you did it, but I'm so glad you're back--

[Dorothea's quick to get around them and grab her own cup of tea; she gives Neo a small wink before she lets them have their privacy. She can come back for her kettle and a few other things of hers in a while, after all. But for now...

For now, Sonic lets himself tear up and start to cry proper. He hates this, but he can't hold it back.]

I'm sorry--I'm sorry I got you killed...!!

[Neo's optics find Dorothea and he offers her a nod of wordless thanks as she takes her leave; he'll be sure to help her gather her things soon. But for now...]

Sonic.

[Just his name, coupled with a gentle scritch behind the ear.]

None of this was your fault. Do you understand me? You didn't do anything wrong. I acted as I did because I couldn't bear to see you get hurt. [Not again.] But I didn't think; it didn't occur to me how badly it would upset you. The situation was... less than ideal, but it isn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself.

[He can explain what happened after Sonic's calmed down a little, but this is the most pressing thing to address first. This isn't Sonic's fault. He needs to believe that.]

[The utterance of his name gets Sonic to pause in his apologies--he wants to apologize for the stupid plan, for getting him hurt, for failing him, but that gentle scritching gets him to stop for a moment and just. Try to calm himself down, listening to Neo's words as he holds him tight. He never wants to let go again.]

...I don't blame you either, Neo. I just...if I'd known that the monster was so strong--if I hadn't been overconfident, we wouldn't have gotten into that mess, and...

[Sonic stops himself. Neo's already asked him to stop blaming himself; the least Sonic can do is try to do that.]

But you've...you've got nothing to be sorry for either.

I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. Even if we struggle to accept what happened and our parts in it, that much is true.

[Some part of him will always blame himself for that. He imagines Sonic feels the same way. It isn't something they can simply move on from so easily, but they can't let themselves be consumed by the guilt either.]

So... let's try not to blame ourselves.

...I can try to do that, yeah. I...

[Neo's right. He's always had a way of calming Sonic down in the times where he overthinks, and for as much as Sonic's cared for Neo, Neo has always returned it tenfold. Sonic finds himself finally able to kiss one of Neo's cheeks as he wills himself to calm down a bit, still holding on tightly.]

...I'm so glad you're back. I thought you were a goner for sure.

[Neo nuzzles into it, machinery whirring softly in something that nearly mimics Sonic's purr.]

This world's magic is capable of bringing the dead back. I don't understand the specifics, but I did speak with someone who experienced it first-hand not long after I arrived.

[His gaze darts, but Neo forces himself to continue.]

My apologies for not bringing it up before now. It hadn't occurred to me that you might not know.

[Given what he was like when he first arrived here, Sonic can probably put the pieces together for why Neo was so insistent on learning about death in this world, but he doesn't want to think about that right now, so he won't bring it up!!]

[Honestly, that scans when Sonic thinks about it. It took them quite a while to actually talk like human beings, and Sonic had just gotten done with his own near death disaster at any opportunity it would've come up. Sonic chuckles a bit; it's still soft, still trying to recover from that week long depression, but it's there.]

Hey, it's alright. I mean...we had no reason to bring it up once we actually got talking with each other, y'know? It wasn't like we were in a situation that'd force us to think about it.

I'm just glad it actually worked. Magic's really weird and finicky, and I still don't get it, but...you're back. You're back, and that's what matters right now.

[Sonic starts to nuzzle Neo properly once all is said and done, though; not abating one inch in his hugging, though. It's as if he's still fearful, though he does his best to keep it off his face. It's all too apparent in how he clings to Neo, though. But Sonic listens while he does that, and...]

...I don't think I've ever heard you do that before. [Sonic pauses for a moment, looking into Neo's optics. He's not sure if this is what this is, but...] You're--you're alright right now, right? Are you...happy...?

Yes, that's true.

[Neo's not sure he could pinpoint the exact moment where he decided that killing Sonic was no longer his top priority. He's not sure when it fell off the list of priorities entirely either. Or when he decided that protecting Sonic was something he wanted to do instead of killing him. The transition has felt natural, something he's never truly sat and questioned, and he's not about to start now. After all, he likes this.

That much should already be obvious, even without the mechanical purr, but...]

Of course I am. I'm back where I need to be - want to be. I don't want to leave your side again. You mean everything to me, Sonic.

[And knowing how much he means to Sonic in turn is... overwhelming. Though the circumstances are far from ideal, how could he be anything but happy seeing how much his beloved rival cares for him?]

You mean everything to me too, Neo. Always have, and always will. But...

[Sonic's expression seems to brighten a bit, eyes slightly wide but full of light and vigor that he hasn't had since Neo died, and he finds himself kissing Neo's cheek again with a grin on his face.]

Neo, you're...you're purring! That's so cool! I didn't know you could do that!

[Sonic sounds absolutely delighted, like he's several years younger with way too much joy in his little body to contain. Sonic laughs, and it isn't subdued--it's bright, it's lively, and--]

I love you so much, Neo. I'm...I'm glad you're back home. I'm glad you're by my side again, and that I can hear something that cute from ya...!

[Ah... There was never any doubt in his mind, but at this moment, seeing Sonic so vibrant and happy makes it crystal clear: he truly loves his organic counterpart. That fight, no matter the consequences, was worth it, just to see Sonic smile and laugh so freely again. Neo will gladly accept the limitations of his own body if it means that his boyfriend can express himself to easily and fully like this, and being able to make him smile so is Neo's greatest accomplishment.]

I wasn't aware I could do it either.

[It's not as though he even really understood it until he was in Sonic's body experiencing it, and apparently his own body can react in kind now that he does get it. He's happy, and he wants to express that, and it manifests in a mirror of Sonic's own happiness. Fitting.]

I'm glad you like it, because you're undoubtedly going to be hearing it quite a bit.

[Sonic makes him incredibly, unbelievably happy, after all.]

As if I'd not wanna hear you get to be happy? Neo, this is...!

[Sonic hasn't quite eased this entire conversation, still wondering when the dream's going to be over and fade and leave him lonely and asking if he can hug Dorothea and cry but--no. This is real. This is real, and Sonic couldn't be happier.]

...Neo, I'm so proud of you. I know you ain't had an easy time learning to be yourself, but look at you--you're expressing yourself even more. You've always been trying, but I'm just...

It makes me really happy to see that you're able to seize it for yourself, and let yourself do it. I...gosh, I love you, Neo. If I can make you happy enough to do that, then that makes me real happy too.

[Sonic's laughter continues, bright as ever, and he just kind of finally eases into his boyfriend at long last. He finally feels at ease, at peace in a way he didn't think he'd get the chance to.]

I've missed you so much, Neo. It's...it's been rough without you here, but I'm...I'll get this place back to normal, promise. You should get some rest after all of that, yeah?

[There's...admittedly a lot Sonic's leaving unsaid, unsure if he should even talk about it at all. He still needs to get those blankets back on the couch, after all. And...get Dorothea's stuff back to her. And drink his tea that's likely gone cold now...]

[He scritches Sonic's ear again as if to confirm that yes, of course he's happy. He's pleased that this is something Sonic's so excited about - and maybe it is a good sign, that there's more he can do with this body than he realized. Something to consider later, anyway.]

My body is operating at peak efficiency, as though no damage was ever done to it. You don't need to worry about that.

[He flicks Sonic's ear at that. Come on now, you're the one who should be resting!!]

Please, leave the clean up to me. I kept you waiting for too long, so it's the least I can do.

[...]

Though you're welcome to stay right here with me, for as long as you'd like. There's no rush, after all.

[He can't imagine Sonic would want to let him go any time soon after what happened...]

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