sranks | ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

[neo you are so lucky he's 16, scarfing them down like that is a one way ticket to heartburn on anyone else--]

Then I'll have to see about getting some new food for you to try, for as long as you're housed in there. May as well give you some nice data to take with you for when you get this one back, yeah?

[And there goes another chili dog into the void...a sigh comes out of the machine which sadly only sounds like a particularly exasperated set of static, but Sonic does at least start running his claws through Neo's quills.]

I really do mean it, though; slow down and try to enjoy it a bit. It's not every day you get to experience something completely new like this, and eating isn't meant to be done at peak efficiency. Most of us, we eat when we have an opportunity to rest; sure it's meant to keep us energized, but we do it for enjoyment, too.

[...It makes Sonic consider something, though he elects not to bring it up just yet.]

Maybe with any luck, you'll find a favorite food of your own. I figured I'd just pick my favorite for you to start it off.

[listen,,,]

Enjoyment... I suppose I can see that. I imagine there are a great many types of flavors.

[After all, he's seen all the restaurants and stalls, there's all sorts of food here. He's admittedly quite curious about what everything else tastes like, but for now he'll follow Sonic's advice and take this last chili dog slower. Neo doesn't exactly know how to savor food, but he's doing his best.]

I wonder how much of this data I'll retain... Does it trouble you that you can simply forget the things you've learned?

[Because boy does that trouble him, actually!!]

There definitely are! Not quite my expertise, but that just means we'll have to go out and take you on a bit of a proper food tour before this is over.

[That question, though...it gets Sonic to pause a bit as he considers it, but he finds himself shaking his head.]

Not all of the time. But I won't lie, there are times where I wish I could recall stuff that's just long gone to me. But it just means I'll have the opportunity to learn it again, and I never forget anything major that's happened to me. Or anything about the people I care about; I try to keep all of the important stuff, and some of the rest of it falls into the cracks...

[It's the exact opposite of Neo's memory. He's kind of quietly hoping to go through and see if he can delete some of his own thoughts while he's been in here, just for when Neo gets his body back, because he doesn't need Sonic's inane thoughts on how his functions work, but--]

...Does it bother you? Not being able to recall everything.

Yes.

[The response is immediate, certain. Of course it bothers him, because that simply isn't how he works. It must be different for organic beings, who have never retained everything to begin with. Neo has no doubts that Sonic does retain the important things, and that he wouldn't mind relearning things if he needs to, but...]

Everything I have learned serves a purpose. If it does not, I can simply archive it. Having access to everything at all times is what I'm used to, but it's also... important to me. I wouldn't want to forget any of the lessons I've learned here, no matter how difficult they may be.

[There's also the lingering fear in the back of his mind that he is a machine. He can still be programmed and changed against his will, and the information he's gathered and memories he's made can be altered or removed entirely if the wrong person were to get their hands on it. His loyalty to Eggman is nonexistent now, but he doubts the Doctor would be willing to let his finest creation run off with his hated enemy.]

Forgetting anything, no matter how small, simply shouldn't be possible for me. So it's...

[He trails off, taking another bite of the chili dog while he thinks about how to end that. "It's scary", perhaps. It isn't often that Neo feels as though being a machine is a problem, but... Well, his way of thinking is so drastically different from an organic's in this regard.]

[Sonic listens, and it at least makes sense when he thinks about it. Knowledge has always been something Neo has always had for himself; it was something he could gather, something he could have for himself. And it's...

Well, Sonic's gaze darts briefly while he thinks about that. Man. Living like he does really would be hell for Neo, compared to everything he's known.]

...It's scary, isn't it? [Sonic's not sure if he's reading the intent right, but as he continues to gently run his claws through Neo's newly organic quills, it's the first thing that comes to mind.] I think I get it. All of this stuff, it's yours. It's what you've held onto, that nobody can really take from you.

[And even then, how true is that? If Eggman were to get his hands on Neo again, he doubts he'd just let him go free and build something else. If that happened, what would happen to them? What would happen to the Neo he knows and loves, that he couldn't protect? Sonic doesn't live anywhere, after all, and he doubts that Tails or anyone else would be willing or able to hide him, it's--

There's that overthinking whirr of machinery again that isn't stopping, and Sonic has to close a few pop-ups to try and keep his brain calm.] ...I dunno if it'll help, but at least for now...do you wanna pick up a couple notebooks to keep stuff in? Do you think something like that could help for now?

[He's worrying Sonic, isn't he? That familiar hum of machinery means that he's overworking himself and Neo desperately wishes he knew how to make that stop. Unfortunately, he's never had any luck actually getting himself to settle in any meaningful way; Sonic's always the one who's had that skill, not him. He leans into Sonic's touch and moves to rest a hand against his boyfriend's cheek, to get Sonic to keep his eyes on him.]

I would like that. It would be a suitable alternative for keeping information.

[But that's almost an aside, because for as terrified as he is of being stuck like this...]

Thank you for worrying about me, and for trying to help. I know this isn't easy for you either. What can I do to help you?

[It's easier to focus on Sonic's problems and trying to help him than it is to focus on his own, after all.]

Good. I'll go find you some tomorrow, then--

[The hand against his cheek startles him only slightly, mostly at how...muted still, it feels. Sonic leans into it nonetheless, though, optics closing briefly before opening back up.

Oh, this feels like a mistake right now, but Neo's got him to where he can't exactly separate without it looking weird. That machinery hasn't died down at all, and he wishes he wasn't so damn obvious like this. A clawed hand goes up, gently touching Neo's more fleshy one for a moment.]

...I don't know, Neo. [It comes out surprisingly soft.] I really don't. I just...the more I start to understand about you, the more worried I get. 'Cause I mean...if you're there, right now in my body, that has to mean you've got a soul and heart of your own. Here, it isn't a problem because nobody can really use it against you, and I'd kick their butts if they tried. But...

[Can the same be said for back home? Will the same hold true even when they get back, where Eggman's likely going to want to--]

Sorry. I shouldn't be worrying about that kind of stuff. You've had to live it, and you've got your own issues to worry about, yeah?

[Sonic tries to deflect once again, but it's less good than his last attempt. If anything, the machinery noises are getting worse despite Sonic's best attempt.]

[A soul and heart of his own. Yes, he supposes that must be true, because otherwise how could he be in Sonic's body? The things that make him Neo are still present here, even without the physical attributes. So he can't argue that - and frankly, he doesn't want to. The idea that he exists beyond just a machine is... well, it's a complicated web of emotions that he doesn't really want to sort through right now. Besides, Sonic's suffering from chronic Neo-brand overthinking, which is much more pressing at the moment.]

And what if I want to help you with yours? I know better than anyone how easy it is to get trapped in cycles of repeating the same information over and over again, coming to the same conclusions you can do nothing about, and yet being unable to entirely dismiss it as a pointless worry.

[Maybe there's something to be said about having too much information and not enough time to process it all, or maybe it's just some fundamental flaw in Neo's design. Regardless of what it is, he understands.]

You're worried about what will happen when we return home. I've considered that repeatedly as well, but for right now we don't have a way home. It isn't even guaranteed we will be returned home. It's a factor outside of your control. Spending all of your time fretting over it will only cause more problems. Focus on the immediate concern.

[That's how he gets through things like this. Sometimes you need to shut out the bigger picture. It's a straightforward, but unemotional appeal to logic that might help, but this is Sonic, so...]

...And besides, you do know that no matter what happens, I will fight to remain at your side. I do not want to leave you; I'll be careful. I won't let anything happen to me.

[Sonic really can't help but think that he's overthinking all of this; he knows that, honestly, and he finds his gaze averting again as Neo reminds him of that. He's getting stuck in his own head, but it's hard not to be, when he can't feel, he can't taste, he can't do much of anything except thing or fight and--

Is this what Neo faces on a daily basis? Because Sonic can firmly say that he hates it.]

...It's hard. I know you won't let anything happen, and I believe in you. I really do. But I think that's just...part of it, maybe.

[But that really isn't the root of the problem, even if it's part of it.]

I guess, more than anything, it's just...how do you distract yourself so you aren't in your own head all the time? [Sonic actually looks at Neo at that, and he can't quite convey the urgency or the distress in his expression, but--] I've been trying to do that all day, to just...get out of my head, to distract myself with something, but I feel drawn back in every time. I don't know how to handle any of this in the ways I'm used to. And I know you don't really make yourself sleep or anything, and I just...

...I've never known how to sit still, and I've always run from anything more complicated, thoughts-wise. I'm the kind of guy who just puts things out of his head and hopes for the best, I don't...think hard about stuff or get lost in my head.

[A part of him wants to ask if that's something he can delete. If there's something he can do to just...force it to stop for a bit so he doesn't have to think, so he doesn't have to get overwhelmed with information, maybe he can just delete these overbearing thoughts, but--

He really doesn't want to hurt Neo in the process, and Sonic's grip on Neo's hand is tight.

Please don't leave. You can do whatever you want, whatever you wanna say I'll hear, but please don't leave.]

...Sorry, Neo. I know it's not easy. I'm...not sure if there is a way to make it easier. But...you being here, it is helping. Don't think for a second that it isn't.

[Of course Sonic is suffering. He's never been the sort to be stuck in his thoughts, always preferring action over planning and preparing. That's one of the many things Neo likes about him and one of the things he's good at - he helps push Neo forward and draw him out of his own thoughts, but now that their roles are reversed, he's not sure how to do the same. Overthinking is his thing, after all.

His free hand circles around Sonic's back to pull him close, nuzzling against his boyfriend's chin.]

Then I'll be right here, for as long as you need me. I've always found your presence comforting during moments like this; I'm pleased you feel the same.

[As for the rest...]

It truly is unfortunate that this seems to be an inherent part of my design. It certainly wasn't intentional on my part.

[And somehow he doubts it was on Eggman's. What purpose would there be in giving a robot the ability to think if it's just going to have a crisis??]

Perhaps putting yourself in stasis for a bit will help. It serves a somewhat similar function to sleep; during this time, I sort through information and catalogue it - filtering out the unimportant to be archived or deleted.

[This is what he does while Sonic sleeps; Sonic's likely noticed that Neo always seems to be "awake" before him and is always the first one aware of anything happening around them, regardless of what he's in the middle of doing. It isn't truly sleep in that your brain doesn't shut off, but it does serve to shut down several less-than-vital functions, which may help Sonic in blocking out some of that information that's undoubtedly making this harder for him.]

Come with me.

[First things first, he does have to let his boyfriend go in order to unfold the couch, but once that's done, he gestures for Sonic to join him.]

Focus on calling up the "stasis" function. This will shut down several background analytics - my assumption is that it will make it easier for you to focus if you have less running.

I know it isn't. Hope it doesn't sound like I'm blaming you for it, because believe me, I don't. If anything, I'm choosing to blame the Egghead.

[Sonic hates this feeling. He hates wallowing like this when he knows there's nothing that can be done, but he does find his free arm wrapping around Neo in kind when he feels him nuzzle into him, and it's nice. Muted, even still, he hates how muted everything feels, but it is nice and he returns it for a bit while he listens to Neo.

The idea of stasis is genuinely interesting, at least--anything to help turn off what feels like the overwhelming amount of popups and reminders. It probably isn't even that overwhelming to Neo, really, and that's what's making Sonic sulk most of all. It kind of worries him, in a way, that he's hurting Neo by being like this, but...

He walks over to the bed and joins Neo, and he's...not altogether sure if he should lie down for this. If he's gonna be the more aware of the two, he should sit up, right? There he goes overthinking again, gah. Sonic listens to Neo, though, doing his best to focus on finding that function. It takes a bit--mostly to will down Sonic's nerves enough to go digging in the first place, but he does and...

...Oh. Neo can watch as the nervous whirring comes to a stop, and Sonic...well, his eyes widen a little bit, but he feels...]

...Oh, this is much better, I think. [Neo can just. Do that??? What the fuck, why doesn't he have this--] ...Thanks, Neo. Sorry for being such a big baby when it comes to this, but...I really do appreciate you looking out for me. Feels less like I'm getting poked and prodded with a stick by my own brain.

[listen he just feels like he's in a sensory deprevation chamber while neo's EXPERIENCING HUMAN LIFE??? he feels like he's complaining for nothing.]

I know you aren't.

[He understands how difficult it is for Sonic to adapt to this, because he's likewise struggling adapting to being organic and all the struggles that come with that. The things he finds comforting and familiar are strange and alien to Sonic, and are likewise upsetting - for good reason. Thankfully, stasis seems to help, as the whirring slowly ceases and Sonic seems to relax - as much as he can in a robot body, anyway.]

You don't need to apologize to me. We operate very differently; it's only natural that there would be some difficulties adapting.

[Though he is relieved that stasis was the right call. He only uses it while Sonic's asleep because he prefers to have full control over all parts of himself, but it makes sense that Sonic doesn't need to see everything. Having a good amount of it simply shut out and operating as intended without further input is good enough.]

I'm pleased it's helping. I don't want you to struggle with this any more than you have to.

[He nuzzles against Sonic's chin again as if to confirm that. Or maybe it's just because the contact feels nice with an organic head and quills that can properly feel it.]

I know you don't.

[And that much honestly makes Sonic wish he could smile and express that much in his usual way, he still really can't...but he does bring Neo closer, managing to see if the heating works in stasis mode and--there it is. Sonic starts to run his hands through Neo's quills again, nuzzling him in kind from below and holding him close.]

And believe me, I'm here if you need anything too. I really am glad I've got you here; if this had been anyone else, it'd have been even more of a nightmare.

[He can't quite kiss his boyfriend on the head, but he nuzzles into a spot on Neo's newly fleshy head and nuzzles into it--it's the best approximation he has for a little kiss. It does make him curious, maybe, about his shapeshifting capabilities. He's never asked Neo to try anything like growing something new, but...

...Eh, that's a question for another time.]

...How are you feeling, anyway? [It makes Sonic curious, more than anything. Have some ear scritches while he talks.] Have you found anything you like about being flesh and bone now?

[Oh, that's really nice... and getting that unconscious purring from him immediately. No wonder Sonic enjoys touch so much; these sensations are completely different from his more limited experiences. He is absolutely a puddle of hedgehog goo again. Boneless...]

Everything feels so much more... vibrant. Physical sensation like this [he bumps his head into Sonic's hand] is so much more intense than I could have imagined. It's no wonder you enjoy it so much. I've never felt this comfortable before.

[Physically, at least, because mentally is a whole different story! Put him back in his body, please.]

I might actually miss this when I return.

[He says it like it's a joke, but... well...]

It's pretty nice, isn't it?

[It gets another one of those strangely static sounds that Sonic's at least slowly getting used to; a laugh, if a little foreign to the ears. But honestly, while he might not like being in Neo's body, it really is worth it to see him like this. Absolutely flourishing and boneless. A puddle, even.]

That's one of the great things about touch, I think; it's why I like it a lot, too. Whether it's cuddling with you or laying out in an open field and feeling the grass on my skin or something, there's no shortage of great things you can feel.

[...Sonic thinks for a moment, considering something. He's not sure if he's gonna need to get out of stasis mode to try something, but he can focus on another thought first.]

...You think maybe we should see about trying to bribe these guys to get you a new body, if the day comes that we end up going home? Or at least see if like...I don't know. They can magic you up some extra settings to let you feel more things.

'Cause honestly...I don't mind sticking like this if it's making you this happy. You're being super cute right now.

[Oh, if only he could smirk.]

It sounds as though there's much I have yet to experience.

[Which almost makes him want more time in this body to have those experiences, at the very least so he can update his databanks accordingly. But he wouldn't dream of leaving Sonic stuck in his shell; it's obvious Sonic's not having a good time there, after all. For as complicated as being organic is, it really does seem like he has the better end of the deal here.

Sonic's question gets him to freeze though, eyes darting to focus on some point on the wall.

A new body. The idea hadn't even crossed his mind, despite the fact that he's fully capable of doing that himself, if he wants to. Sure, he couldn't make anything organic, but with enough trial and error, he might be able to replicate more intense feelings like this. Of course, that's a tall ask and one he's not even sure he could pull off, given he hasn't actually experimented with Chaos's power much outside of what was needed for his plans. Magic would likely be an easier solution, and with that he could keep these feelings, or maybe even be flesh and bone himself—

Ohhhh no, he does not like that idea. We are not entertaining that one. Neo shakes his head, though it's a mechanical, stiff motion as if he's forcing himself back into the moment.]

I could never ask that of you. Besides, there are a great many things I miss about my form; I couldn't part with them so easily.

[The scary thing is that organics are adaptable. They can get used to any situation if they're in it long enough. Would he likewise be able to get used to being in Sonic's body without his data and perfect recall, if he were stuck here for too long?]

[...Oh.

Sonic considers that for a moment, watching as Neo's gaze darts off elsewhere. For a moment he's wondering if he should drop the conversation entirely. The mechanical shaking of his head at least confirms that much, and Sonic's own gaze darts for a brief moment.]

I get it, yeah. I wouldn't want you to lose any of that. They're what make you, well, you after all.

[And he does mean that; he doesn't dare touch any of Neo's data or memory stuff because of that. Sure it kind of means Sonic's going to leave a mess behind for Neo to clean up, but...]

...Hey, Neo. I wanna try something--I don't know if I'll be able to get it right or succeed in it, but do I gotta be out of stasis to try anything to like...

[...How does he put it...]

...Formshift? I think that's the right word. Not something big, but I wanted to try something small that I've been kinda curious about, if you're okay with it.

[...He wants to try and smooch his boyfriend okay, leave him alone--]

[Listen, he already cleans up Sonic's mess, what's another one—

Anyway, Neo relaxes a little as Sonic changes the topic, though he does incline his head curiously at the question.]

That depends on what you want to try. You're correct in that you'll need to remove yourself from stasis, regardless. Are you trying to shapeshift to yourself?

[He has Sonic's biological data. Sonic can easily become himself on most levels, though the sensations of touch will still register as Neo's rather than his own. His mind will continue to work as a machine's as well, but otherwise he will be indistinguishable from the blue blur himself. Of course that's Neo's first thought, as it was something he was considering to see if it would help Sonic feel more comfortable... Though honestly, he's not sure how easily Sonic will be able to pick up on Chaos's power to utilize it, which is why he didn't suggest it earlier.]

Sort of? Kind of? Uh, hang on, lemme get out of this--

[He's going to be so painfully aware again, but he doesn't care.]

No, I guess I just...I didn't ever really wanna push the issue with you, because the last thing I wanted to do was make you use up too much energy trying something kind of silly? But hang on, let me try it out, first.

[Of course, the first time around, Sonic proceeds to fail at conjuring up anything at all. (1) Frustrates but undeterred, Sonic tries again, searching through Neo's databases to try and find something, and he's...not quite sure what he hits, but it's a failure too. (5) Neo can likely watch this as it attempts to happen; it seems Sonic's focusing some kind of power about approximately where a pair of lips should go, but it doesn't seem like he's managing anything at the moment.

It takes a moment or two for Sonic to try again, but once again--he fails. (8) This one's a little more obvious, though, and it seems to have made some sort of mouth? It is. Very much more like an emoji than a proper mouth, not even looking corporal before disappearing and Sonic lets out a few beeps and boops in frustration.]

...Alright, I wanted to try and surprise you a bit, but this ain't working at all. [Ignore the whirr of machinery that is definitely embarrassed to have to ask this, Sonic rubs the back of his mechanical head as he considers this.] Do you have like...any idea how I could make a pair of lips? I just wanna properly kiss ya...

[He wants to be affectionate so bad!! This body is such a nerf to that!!!]

[Neo watches as Sonic tries to do... something. He's not even sure what Sonic's trying to do in the first place, so he can't really offer advice. He watches in silence, blinking in confusion when Sonic manages to create a... vague approximation of a mouth? Huh. What is he...]

...Ah.

[A fairly straightforward request, but one that is much more complex in execution. Creating a mouth is something Neo's considered in the past, but he simply hadn't gotten around to doing all of the required research to understand how organic mouths work to create a proper facsimilie that would be appropriate for kissing. After all, most of the mouth's functions wouldn't even be necessary... but Neo is nothing if not thorough.

Sonic doesn't need to worry about that, though; he has a mouth, so presumably he knows enough about how it works and has a frame of reference for creating one that Neo doesn't have. Making his Neo form was easy enough because it was entirely mechanical upgrades to already existing framework; anything beyond that requires more energy, both Chaos and his own, and the less he understands about what he's trying to do, the more energy it requires.

All that to say that theoretically, Sonic should be much better equipped to give Neo a mouth than Neo himself would ever be.]

Your attempts weren't half bad for something you only just realized you could do.

[Please do not ask him how long it took him to properly become Neo...]

What you need to utilize is a mixture of your own energy and Chaos energy. Theoretically, it should be somewhat similar to making use of the Chaos Emeralds, though I have no experience with that.

[The data he has on the Chaos Emeralds is frustratingly limited as well - and inaccessible in this body - but this is the closest approximation he can think of that may assist Sonic.]

Consider what you want in detail - how do you want it to look, to feel, to move? Focus on that over the mechanical specifics and the Chaos energy should respond well enough.

[The mechanical specifics would be easier for him, but Sonic is not a mechanical guy. Hopefully Chaos energy will play nicely with him and allow Sonic to gift him a mouth...]

But don't worry if it doesn't work. I haven't looked into creating one for myself; it isn't an easy process, even for me.

And... even if it doesn't work, I can still kiss you.

[...Said with the most !!! tone imaginable. That's right, now he can do the kissing and there's nothing that can stop him!!]

[You know. Sonic was actually pretty fine with most of this explanation; it actually made sense to him. He's accessed the chaos emerald's power more times than he could count, and sure, he wasn't as good at it as Shadow, but he could still get a good grasp of what he needed to do with the proper time.

...

But see, it's that last part of Neo's statement with the most !!! tone imaginable that gets Sonic's eyes to blast wide, and even for a brief second look like red Xs over his eyes as if some kind of one hit knockout was achieved, and Sonic has to bring up one of his claws in order to muffle the litany of beeps and boops and other silly noises that Neo may not even know he has access to in his system. Unfortunately, Sonic is stupid and doesn't realize they're not. Going to be muffled. Because you know. Lack of mouth?

...Sonic may be stupid, bottom text,,,]

G-Geez, Neo, you may not have a beating heart in this body but you're really trying to give me a heart attack...! [It's not like he hasn't wanted to see if Neo could do that to return the kissing. Sonic doesn't mind being the one to spoil his boyfriend--if anything, he really loves it, but the idea of Neo getting it into his head to spoil him possibly is making his face heat. It may just be a Sonic in Neo's body sort of deal, but it almost looks like he's...blushing? Or concentrating way too much heat onto his cheeks. Give him a few seconds.] Not that I mind, obviously...I mean, I've always liked kissing you, and thought it'd be nice for you to experience it from the other end, but...

Lemme give it one more try, yeah?

[It takes some concentration--a lot of it, honestly, as Sonic wills the heat down from his cheeks and focuses on the Chaos energy needed to make his little dream a reality. It shouldn't be too hard; he wants to try and give himself a similar mouth to what he already has, and perhaps surprisingly, the energy responds properly. (18)

It takes a few moments for it to properly form, looking almost like a hologram once again for a moment before it feels like the metal...changes. Melds a little bit, making a shape and a proper hole where the mouth should be, smoothing out any edges into something a little more soft. It's not perfect, by any means, and Sonic's not entirely sure about getting Neo's internal systems wet--thankfully, the system seems to respond by creating some sort of protective layer on the inside of Neo's mouth, something flexible but durable enough to hopefully be able to kiss his boyfriend properly. He's even got a little metal tongue!

It takes a few seconds for Sonic to open his eyes, looking to Neo briefly before his gaze averts almost sheepishly.]

So, uh...how'd I do?

[Sonic's new mouth isn't quite good at speaking, sadly--he's thankful Neo has other ways to actually speak. But he does look anticipatorily at Neo, to see what he thinks.]

[Oh wow, he didn't realize his body was even capable of emoting that much... Sonic's emotions are so much his body is literally coming up with new ways to express them. Or maybe that's another aspect of Chaos energy adapting the body to better fit Sonic's needs. Regardless of what it is, it's actually kind of cute? Never a word he thought he'd associate with his Neo form, but Sonic makes it work. Though Neo's expressions - even as Sonic - are usually fairly muted, he's grinning widely, the expression of delight a purely unconscious one.]

Of course, I won't distract you further.

[...He may sound smug about this little victory(?) of his, though. Regardless, he settles and allows Sonic to go to work once more, inclining his head a bit as he watches his rival work. He was right in his assumption that Sonic would have an easier time of harnessing Chaos energy - in fact, he does such a good job that Neo really can't find any fault with it. Well, not from here, perhaps he'd have complaints if it was his body at the moment, as he is rather picky about his own form.]

Incredible. You make it look so easy.

[He reaches up, thumb coming up to brush over those new lips curiously. It looks a little surreal to see his face have an actual mouth, but he's still grinning widely.]

[sonic really out here giving neo a whole new set of emotions. and a whole new set of ammo, too. unbelievable. (he believes it.)

Either way, Sonic doesn't shy away from the touch against his lips; they sadly don't feel entirely proper, as the feeling is still a little muted, but they're surprisingly soft, if nothing else. Sonic did at least manage to do that much, and while the expression is a little softer on Neo's own face, Sonic does manage a bit of a grin of his own.]

Is that your way of saying you want me to save this to the archives tonight? Well, you won't find me saying no to that. [...Sonic it would sound way more smooth if you could get yourself to stop stuttering a bit or will that flush down--] But for right now, I, uh...I think maybe it's time you get to experience this from a different point of view, if you don't mind.

[It's at least one part to get Neo to shush and stop looking so damn smug, but Sonic settles one of his clawed hands at the back of Neo's head for a moment, managing a small sound before moving and pressing his lips against Neo's.

It's...interesting, is the first word Sonic can think of for this. It doesn't quite have the same amount of blooming, booming warmth that he feels when he gets to spoil Neo with every little kiss he can pepper on his robotic face, but somehow this feels way closer than they've been able to be before, and it's surreal. Dizzying, almost, even in a muted state he feels delighted to kiss his boyfriend. And he's wondering just how Neo's taking it, right about now.]

[Fascinating. He truly did do a good job, which means that... oh, they're actually going to be able to properly kiss now, huh...

So fun fact: apparently blushing is a bodily reaction and one that Neo is now aggressively doing. His gaze darts again but he corrects it quickly, still grinning at Sonic's words as he leans in for that kiss. Neo... doesn't know how to kiss. That much is immediately, painfully obvious as their lips meet. He's seen and felt how Sonic kisses him, but that's completely different than a kiss with two sets of lips involved. How does one do this. Hmm. He's very aware that this is sort of awkward, but there's no denying the warmth that blooms in him, the adrenaline rush that comes with the fact that he's kissing his boyfriend for the very first time. It's... overwhelming, really. His grip on Sonic's arms is tight - not to the point of risking injury to Sonic's hands, but so tight that he's not letting Sonic go anywhere. He hadn't realized how badly he wanted this until just now, but now this is all he wants.]

[...

That makes two of them, actually,,,

But in all seriousness, no, Sonic actually doesn't mind the awkwardness. He was pretty used to just kind of kissing all around Neo's face or just holding the same position for a while without actually doing anything, so perhaps surprisingly, this isn't all that awkward for Sonic. But it is nice; there's a small warmth blooming in him too, and he's quick to redistribute that heat a little bit to his lips so it's not entirely cold for Neo to get used to.

It's not half bad, honestly. Neo's death grip isn't too much of a problem, but he does get the idea to switch it up just a touch, before adjusting his angle a bit--separating for only a brief moment before kissing Neo again, a little more certain and a little more exploratory. The motions are surprisingly fluid as Sonic locks lips with his counterpart, gently and calmly--though he does gently try to wiggle one of his hands up, to go and try to scritch Neo's ears. Sue him, he wants to make his boyfriend putty!!!]

ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

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