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: ('cause I only have)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[The door to Sonic's thoughts, his heart--it opens a little bit, as he gets himself settled. He wants to run again, he wants to so badly, but...he doesn't. He's too tired to do so right now, and he wants to stay near Neo. He wants that, even if it just makes the aching in him hurt. When did this start? Sonic doesn't know, but he doesn't look at Neo as he kind of leans back into one of the rocks nearby and looks out at the sky. It's pitch black, speckled full of stars, and Sonic can't help but let his mind wander a bit.

He's not cut out for this. He's never been, and he never will be, but as Neo's thoughts come into his head, something determined in him rises up a bit, though a bit quieter.

Don't get it twisted.
I wouldn't
want you to be anyone but yourself.
...Appreciate knowing nothing's gonna change, though.
I wouldn't want to lose this.


One of Sonic's hands goes to the ground, kind of idly picking up snow and putting it back down again. Anything to help center him a bit. He knows that Neo can't be someone else, and Sonic feels almost insulted that Neo thinks he'd want him to be someone else. Why would he want that, when the Neo in front of him is the one he likes the most?

Sonic's world is big and vast, but there's only one real Neo in it. He's irreplaceable, his irreplaceable rival. Determination wells in him, and Neo might feel Sonic, of all people, starting to shake next to him.

And I wouldn't forget you.
The world could try, but there's only one you in it, and I won't let it take you from me.
But I think...that's the thing, I think.
I don't
want something like that.
I don't want to compromise.
If it means I can't do all of the things I love and with all of the people I care about, I don't want any part in it.


Maybe deep down, he just loves everyone a little too much, but Sonic knows there's something different with Neo here. He doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that things feel like they've shifted, and while their worlds are different, while everything is different now, something has shifted and he knows he won't lose Neo, but there's something else that's getting under his skin--

You've been saying that a lot.
That you can't feel anything, that you have no feelings.
Who's determination did I feel, then?
Who's thrill of the chase? Who's confusion, who's frustration did I feel?
...I've only got one string with me, you know.


It's not quite meant to be a callout, but that last part comes out a little quieter. Or at least if thoughts could have a volume, that one would have been a little softer.]
lovesadventure: (Don't ask me why)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic feels that uncertainty, in all of this. It's...strange, but Sonic isn't surprised in the slightest; how long has Neo simply existed on drive alone? Existed only to follow orders, existed only to kill him, existed with the constant looming threat of being scrapped by Eggman if he did not succeed. This is the first time Neo's really existed for himself, too, and this is...

It's not fair, to put him through this. It almost makes Sonic want to leave, to put this under the rug and not think about it, but that's only hurt them both so many times. They can't keep doing this, and Sonic's determination builds slowly, as if gently knocking on the door to Neo's heart. The one he'd so fervently deny that he has.

I know. I get it, and I feel the same way.
And I'm sorry for putting this mess on you.
It's not fair to you.
But isn't ignoring this just going to hurt us both?


Sonic pauses a bit, the shaking not abating, but the hand in the snow ceases it's movements. The other hand, the one closer to Neo, tentatively moves, and...

You're wrong.
You can do anything you set that big brain of yours to, Neo. We've both seen it time and time again, haven't we?
There's nothing wrong with you.
There's nothing wrong with going against how you were made, and making something new of yourself.


...He moves to try and take one of Neo's hands in his own, shakily, but with a firm resolve if allowed.

...I don't know if the stuff going on inside my head really is what they're all calling...that.
I still don't know if I get it.
What we are, what any of this is.
But I think, in an ideal world...


Even in thinking, he can't bring himself to use that dreaded four letter word.

Sonic's thoughts drift to an ideal world. A world where he has a partner who can test his worth and prove a challenge to him. They can race throughout the world, finding new places to go, to enjoy, to just be themselves in. They can take on anything that comes their way, and they can enjoy life for all it is. They can compete with each other, fight each other, and still come out of it happy. They could even go their own ways for a time if they want that, to experience the world on their own terms, to make their own stories.

And at the end of it all, they could come back to see each other and share the stories they've created. Right back into each other's arms and embrace, the only real home they'd ever need.

...It's a cute fantasy. Sonic knows it can't be a reality, but somehow, his heart aches for it as that thought ends up transferred through their bond.

I can't think of anyone else I'd want to share this with.

...

You're the greatest rival I've ever had, Neo, and I've got no intention of changing things between us.
But...thanks.
For hearing me overthink, at least.
Means a lot.


Sonic isn't going to force this. How could he, when Neo has barely had time to make his own life outside of all he's known? There's so much in this beautiful world and many others for Neo to see, he's sure of it. Neo deserves to see it.

There's an old phrase that Sonic's heard at least once in his life, from the place he used to come from, and it rings true even now.

"If you love something, set it free.
If it comes back to you...it is yours."


If he really does love Neo...he's willing to let him go.]
Edited (...nah, that's better) 2024-12-22 03:41 (UTC)
lovesadventure: (My own feelings)

1/3

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic's about to put all of his thoughts in his heart and move on from this crisis. He's not sure if things will go back to normal, but he has a feeling they will; things always have a tendency to work out, and even if it hurts for a bit, there's so much in this beautiful world to take in and they'll still push each other. He can stuff the feelings away and pretend they don't exist, probably never finding someone for him, and he'll never probably find anyone of his own but that's okay. The world is vast and full of great things he can pick up along the way.

It's freeing to at least let Neo know of those feelings in him, whether he truly knows what they are or not.

Things can finally go back to normal, and maybe with any luck, they haven't missed the festival and can have some fun there. There were all sorts of games that Sonic wanted to show Neo, ones he was sure Neo would be able to make all too easy and compete against Sonic in, and maybe win some prizes, and--

"And what if it never wants to leave to begin with?"

Neo's words stop Sonic's brain in it's tracks.]
lovesadventure: (Won't compromise)

2/3

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
Neo--?

[It feels like a flood of everything, all at once. Neo's speaking up again, using that voice of his to communicate rather than his thoughts, but there's the overwhelming thoughts too, that tell so much. They tell a lot of things to Sonic, and in truth, they're a little overwhelming, but...

Each word, each affirmation, Sonic's heart feels a little lighter. Something in his heart swells at them, knowing Neo wants to be his. That this is truly everything that he's wanted, that Sonic wasn't just forcing feelings from his own heart onto the robot who's still trying to learn how to lead a life of his own. That he'd choose to come back, that he doesn't know what the future holds either or what they are, but that all remains the same.

Neo seizes his hand, and Sonic's mouth is slightly agape as he stares at Neo with wide eyes. He's never been made to feel like this before, so thoroughly surprised by those feelings being reciprocated so strongly, and it's strange. Amy's always had all of these flowery words for what it feels like to be in love, how it strikes the heart, and he never thought he could feel the same way. The shock persists for a while, Sonic doing everything to process what's in front of him.

He's...really the center of Neo's world, and it doesn't feel anything but wonderful to know of that. To feel everything that Neo feels, he knew Neo wasn't as cold of a machine as he made himself out to be, but he feels all of it right now, and...]
lovesadventure: (Don't ask me why)

3/3

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Neo enjoys the time that they spend together, whether they compete or not; even those moments of comfortable silence, those times that Sonic has always wondered whether they were boring or not to Neo, he enjoys those too. All of these inane things, all of those things that have made Sonic into who he is, made him so human, Neo enjoys those things just as much as he does.

He enjoys their rivalry. He enjoys competing with him, but Neo also enjoys the things that make Sonic him. He doesn't even mind all of those little nudges into helping Neo find his own humanity, his own feelings and purpose, and...

It's all so overwhelming, but the joy that Sonic feels in knowing this--every bit of it, of knowing how happy he makes Neo, who deserves happiness, deserves his own life and joys, it's overwhelming to the point of aching. Neo will likely feel that through the bond as Sonic's face shifts from one of shock to one of pure joy; surprised at first, but slowly shifting to a genuine, all encompassing joy, it's all so much, knowing just how important he is to Neo, knowing how much he--

Sonic doesn't even hesitate for a second to pull Neo into a tight hug. One that's almost overwhelming in it's force, in it's joy and enthusiasm, in everything that Neo has made all too clear to him now, that he couldn't be happier to know.

For once in his life, Sonic is silent, though Neo can likely feel him shaking a bit as he buries his face into the other hedgehog's shoulder; if you feel anything wet there, no you don't. He's totally not tearing up a bit, honest, he hates tears, but...

Thank you.
Thank you, thank you,
thank you.
You've made me the happiest guy in this world and any other.
I can't put it into words right now, but...
Thank you, Neo.
My greatest rival.


Sonic's own feelings are overwhelming and overjoyed, and they simply come through as those same two words again and again. He's thankful that Neo feels similarly. He's thankful that Neo is choosing this of his own accord, that this is his decision and he'd never leave. He's thankful to be the center of Neo's world, to know that the robotic hedgehog cares so much for him, yet would always be here to clash with him.

He's so thankful that Neo has become himself, and that Sonic can be a part of that beautiful journey alongside him.

Does Sonic love Neo?

Yes.]
lovesadventure: (Don't criticize)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Heh. Guess you really do, huh?

Sonic can't help but chuckle a bit at that, the sound bright and warm through their shared link as Sonic feels himself starting to cozy himself right into Neo as he feels his rival warm up. A physical manifestation of the warmth in both of them right now, and Sonic just wants to be enveloped in that beautiful warmth for a while and forget the world exists...

But Neo's hand gently pets those quills as he feels Neo incline his head into Sonic's space, and he'll bring his head up in kind--feeling Neo nuzzle into him like that gets a bit of a chuckle, before he feels his heart skip a beat at the realization.

...He's gonna have to ask Neo if he ever wants to see about getting a proper mouth at some point, but as it stands, Sonic's expression brightens overwhelmingly at Neo taking the initiative, and he returns the favor by reciprocating the kiss he so desperately craves, that he can return just as fervent and lovingly.

Even out here, in this cold forest, Sonic's never felt more at home than in his rival's arms. It's a feeling Sonic hopes he can transfer to Neo, in a way--that feeling of home. Of belonging in one place and one place alone, a place that's just for the two of them right now. Because Neo isn't the only one who wants to make his feelings known.]
lovesadventure: (But I ain't out of control)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonic chuckles a bit once the sound of the fireworks hit his ears, and he looks to Neo once the other hedgehog puts that out there.]

Awww, you really do care after all! [It was never in question. Promise. Sonic chuckles a bit, a little sad he has to get up from his boyfriend's warm space, but holding out a hand for Neo with a grin.] Not that I'd really ever be cold with you around, but I'm thinking getting back into town where the warm is will be a good idea, yeah. There might still be some cool games going on at the festival, too, if we get there quick.

Race you there? [...] Or...should we take our time, you think?

[Either way's fine by him. Neo's already expended enough energy today chasing after Sonic--they can take it at whatever pace Neo wants tonight.]
lovesadventure: (I'm just living by)

[personal profile] lovesadventure 2024-12-22 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
You cheater--!

[...

You know, Sonic isn't sure what he should've expected, but it absolutely should've been that. Sonic's laughter is loud and bright and catching up fast to Neo as his own amusement and competitive spirit is made apparent, and truly?

He's the happiest man alive, with the best boyfriend he could ever ask for. And as they make it back to the festival, he doesn't care what anyone else thinks, because they're both happy and that's what matters most.]