metaloverlord: (𝟎𝟎𝟖)
𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 ([personal profile] metaloverlord) wrote in [community profile] sranks2024-12-16 11:17 pm

ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

( catchall for some dumb hedgehogs
also seasons tdm link for reference! )
lovesadventure: (Just living by my word)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-19 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
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.)]
lovesadventure: (Well I don't show off)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-19 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[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.]
lovesadventure: (I'm just living by)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-20 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[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.)]
lovesadventure: (But I ain't out of control)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-20 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[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.]
lovesadventure: (Don't criticize)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[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--]
lovesadventure: (But I ain't out of control)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
[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.]
lovesadventure: (Though it might be tough)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[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.
lovesadventure: (My own feelings)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
[...

neo please don't tell him you've gone homeless or couldn't go back after letting sonic sleep in the bed--]


You can--wait, right, uh. People usually call it cuddling, if that helps? It's basically that. [He forgets that Neo probably doesn't have a point of reference for this, amending easily. It's not quite teasing; more affectionate than anything, and if anything his heart picks up from the excitement of showing Neo his space. Realistically, it's giving Neo ammo on him, but it's honestly kind of nice? Sonic doesn't know why, but...] But that sounds good to me! Come on, let's get going, then!

[...It does take a little bit longer to get up than Sonic would like, but he'll at least hold out a hand to help Neo up if he wants it--he'll gladly lead the way; he lets go of Neo's hand after, admittedly, but it isn't a long walk to the apartment complex that Sonic lives at, and Neo can see the way he greets people along the way. A lady and her kid waving brightly gets a wave back; one of his CR greets him and he says he'll stop over sometime to catch up. The apartment owner quirks her brow a little bit at Sonic's friend, still not used to even him--but just tells him not cause a ruckus, with a noted tone that implies to not cause one again while Sonic chuckles.

Sonic's apartment is about as easy to spot as he said, a while back; along with what seems to be a bag of something that smells delicious or foul depending on your tolerance for cheap takeout that Sonic brings inside, there is a noticeable amount of stickers on it from various places, and at least one sticky note complaining about them that Sonic takes off easily, opening the door to his apartment for Neo.]


Well, let me be the first to wish you a warm welcome to Casa de Sonic; my own little slice of home! Feel free to make yourself at home and take a load off, yeah?

[The apartment itself is pretty decorated, is something Neo can notice as he goes through, though clearly not to the point that Sonic would like; he's only been here for about a month and change, but he's got it decked out fairly nicely, and doesn't...seem to have a concept of putting items away? Like. Everything he owns is practically out, and while it isn't much, it's somehow still a lot, and it's not exactly organized in any visible way. A souvenir from one part of town, a couple from another, some handmade crafts and a few pictures in frames...some on a couple corkboards that Sonic seems to have begun filling out, and even a few pictures just taped to the wall...Sonic, honey, your lease...

There's also just. A fair amount of trash on the floor, but it's not much older than a night or two, thankfully??? Sonic is a little on the messy side, unfortunately, and the apartment just seems to be all one room with a little division where the kitchen area is. Of which only the microwave seems to see any consistent use.

But it's lived in. That much is noticeable. There's a nice big couch at least with a couple dark blue blankets on there, though it seems to be the only big furniture in the house, from the look of it.]
lovesadventure: (Just living by my word)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic chuckles at that, while he gets the takeout in the microwave.]

I mean, I'd hope so! Who knows how long I'm gonna be living here, you know? I wanna make my mark on this place somehow.

[Sonic kind of keeps moving about the house for a little bit--it's probably interesting, because Sonic just really doesn't stay still very much. It's not the greatest cleaning job in the world, but he clears the counter space off and puts it in the trash, replaces the trashbag, puts the...trashbag by the trashcan, because he can absolutely get to it later...

He opens the fridge as Neo asks that question, though, and it gives Sonic a bit of a pause and finally causes him to look at his rival. His expression seems a little in thought, but he shrugs a bit once he's done thinking.]


I mean, kind of, yeah? I like seeing new places, don't get me wrong, but they do say home is where the heart is. I miss seeing the chili dog guys I'd usually see near town after I crash at Tails' place, some of the noises of the city, my friends from home and stuff like that, but...

It ain't bad, here! Kind of nice to have a space that's just mine.

[Which probably says both nothing and everything at the same time. It's not like Sonic makes a mess of Tails' house; that's just not his style. Still, he does look at Neo continuing to be near the door, and kind of just chuckles a bit and walks over to the door (leaving...the fridge open...), going to take one of Neo's hands and try to guide him on in.]

You can sit on the couch, you know! It's no big deal, it's here for everyone, no invitation needed. Or are you just taking in the sights?
lovesadventure: ('cause I only have)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Huh. Yeah, I guess that tracks. Can't imagine Egghead really gave any of you guys any consideration for that...

[He can only imagine how utilitarian and boring Eggman forces his robots to live like. If they even do. It seems like Eggman goes through most robots like most girls he knows go through clothes...poor guys.

Either way, Sonic will close the door on the way toward getting Neo to the couch, but he doesn't lock it behind him or anything; no need to make Neo feel trapped. But he does guide Neo over to the couch, and even seems to impulsively grab one of the thinner of the blue blankets and tries to drape it on Neo's shoulders...

...Before chuckling a bit, because--]


Right, forgot you don't...really gotta worry about that. Gimme one second, Neo.

[It's...strange how nice that gesture was, because it really just is Sonic being considerate--he usually ends up kicking the blankets off at night so they're mostly decoration, anyway. It almost felt affectionate, which is...

Something Sonic's not going to give too much thought to. It's just the two of them being rivals. No sense in overthinking it, it's just two rivals being bros. Anyway, let him...finally go close that fridge door, first off, and second off go get his food which is the Ellipsa equivalent of chinese takeout, and let him set that on the arm of the couch--

When Sonic finally settles down with Neo, though, he leans into his metallic rival nice and easy if allowed, just kind of sighing as if letting out the day's stress.]


What do you think of it, though? Must be a little weird to get used to, yeah?
lovesadventure: ('cause I only have)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
That's so boring. Not surprised, but still! You guys all deserve way better...

[Seriously, the robots need to unionize. It's time for the Egghead to start treating his employees well dangit--

Sonic does pause a bit; given that his focus has been on Neo primarily, he notices the partial raising of the hand, canting his head at it. It...hits that maybe he should ask, and he almost considers asking if Neo still wants to do this--Sonic's okay with it, obviously, it felt just like the most natural thing to do after everything was all said and done, but...

Well. Sonic hears the familiar whirr of the machinery, and Neo's warm again and it's all too tempting to curl into him and take that warmth. Sonic still leans into it a bit, setting his food on his lap and starting to chow down on it, and almost idly, Sonic's free hand settles down near Neo's. He's not sure why, really, but...the invitation is there, if Neo wants. It's finally hitting that this feels almost--

No. No thinking about that now.]


I get it, Neo. Least a little bit. [...] If there's anything you want help with, I've got plenty of time, you know. You kinda seemed like...

[You didn't really even live in that apartment.]

...Talk to me, lemme pick your brain a bit, Neo. Anything in particular stickin' out?
lovesadventure: (A steadfast heart of gold)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic definitely smiles a little bit when Neo takes his hand; Sonic doesn't really know what to properly call this either, but it feels natural somehow. Like this is a natural progression, and Sonic doesn't want to overthink it. Doesn't want to overthink about how well he can do this, how well he can actually keep up with being...whatever this new part of their rivalry is.

It's comfortable, and warm. That's all it needs to be, right? Sonic doesn't have to worry about being a good boyfriend, or anything, it's--]


...Everybody finds their own different meaning in living, and we do it through learning about the world around us in our own way. I guess that's the best way I can explain it. Like, that's kind of how life goes for most people; most of us don't get created with one purpose and suddenly have to go and figure it out from the start. But I guess it's like...

[Sonic takes another bite of food as he thinks about how to explain this, explain this to a robot who's never had this opportunity.]

Most people, when they first come into the world, they've got people around them who teach them how to actually take care of themselves. Give 'em some kind of warnings about the world, and work to do so they can contribute to it, but it's only the building blocks. You spend a long time learning to take care of yourself, and when you get old enough, you go out into the world and find your own way.

I mean, for me? I basically ended up just getting bored of the place I lived in and decided to figure it out as I went, going where the wind took me and where there was trouble to try and fix it along the way. There's a lot I don't even know about living, but I'm kind of just trying to learn about it as I go. I take it one day at a time, and try not to worry about the stuff I don't get.

[Sonic kind of idly rubs his thumb into circles on Neo's hand when he says all of that, though, taking another couple of bites of food, probably tossing an eggroll into the air and catching it in his mouth without missing a beat. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he doesn't sound anxious when he says all of that; it just kind of sounds like a fact of life to him, and one he's long accepted. But he doubts it's going to be as easy for Neo, because Neo's always the sort who likes to analyze, who needs to know..]

I'm not gonna tell ya you should do the same thing, obviously. You're already havin' a hard enough time with this. But...I don't know; no matter what, it's gonna take time, and there's gonna be a lot of things you don't get right at first. Don't know if that's really gonna be any assurance for you, but...

What do you think would help, Neo? Got any ideas on what you think you might need?
Edited (important distinction) 2024-12-21 03:29 (UTC)
lovesadventure: (Though it might be tough)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-21 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic listens to Neo as he talks, eating all the while; it makes sense that Neo struggles with that kind of stuff, but Sonic keeps that thought to himself for the moment while he does. Neo was literally programmed like this; to think, to analyze, to over think everything so he can make what he thinks is a perfect decision. Sonic doesn't know everything about what Eggman does to those who don't succeed, but Neo's always been focused on perfection. On overwhelming power, on doing things right.

What an agonizing way to live.]


...Sometimes you really just gotta let yourself feel, rather than think. Anyone can do that; you just gotta learn.

[It's gently said, though, and though Sonic winces a bit at the tight grip that Neo's got on his hand, he finds himself chuckling just a bit at it and leaning a little bit closer to Neo, almost teasing.]

Heh. That's a lot of words for asking me if you can come and live with me, you know. Keep that up, and I'll start thinking you like me or something.

[Without even thinking or missing a beat, and before Neo can speak up, Sonic leans in and gives Neo a small peck on the cheek. Sorry if you get a piece of fried rice stuck there--]

Not that I got a problem with that. Any of that. Honestly? It might actually help to have someone here who can remind me to slow down a bit sometimes. If it helps you to have me around to keep you out of that labyrinth of a head of yours? Then you can stick around as long as you want.

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