They dashed. Knuckles exploded forward, fists pounding the earth, raw power in his step. Sonic blurred like a comet, slicing the wind, but Knuckles’ knowledge of the terrain made him hard to outrun. They tumbled through ferns and leapt over roots, laughing in that way people do when they remember who they are in motion.
Sonic saluted. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” sonicknuckleswsonic3bin file work
The wind smelled of copper and ozone as Sonic skidded to a stop on the ridge overlooking Angel Island. Below, the ruins glowed with the last amber of sunset; above, the sky had deepened to bruised red. He rolled onto his back, letting the chill of the stone seep into him, and watched Knuckles moving like a shadow among the broken pillars. They dashed
A slow warmth spread over Knuckles’ face—annoyance, pride, something softer he wasn’t used to naming. The beat between them lengthened until it felt like the island was holding its breath. They tumbled through ferns and leapt over roots,
Sonic sat down on a fractured stone and kicked his legs out. “I’m saying you don’t have to carry everything alone. Even guardians need a break.”
“I mean leaving just to see. Not to abandon anything. To find out what’s out there besides…this.” Sonic waved a hand at the island, at the endless responsibility woven into stone.
“Not with you on the ridge,” Sonic said. He stepped closer. “You okay?”