[Sonadow] ~Beyond The Rivalry~

~False Impressions?~

Just then, Amy's voice pierced through his reverie, pulling him back to reality as she pressed him with a question, her tone laced with curiosity and concern.

"Well, do you like him?"

Sonic's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson, a clear indicator of his embarrassment—how had this topic arisen so suddenly in their conversation? He fidgeted nervously, his fingers twisting together as he struggled to find the right words.

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, a familiar figure appeared: Tails, his younger brother, flying in with his twin tails spinning energetically behind him, blissfully unaware of the tension that had just unfolded.

"Hey Amy, Sonic! What you both— SONIC?! Are you okay?!" Tails rushed to his older brother's side and placed his hand on his forehead

"You weren't sick earlier! Are you overheating?!" Tails asked out of concern as Sonic nervously pushed his hand away

"Y-Yes Tails I'm fine! And come to think of it... it's a little hot in here! I'm gonna g-go for a— run! Y—Yes that's it!! I'm gonna go for a run!! See yah both later!" With that Sonic rushed out of the house passing Knuckles

"Hey Son—"

"Hey Kunx! Sorry, going for a run! Amy and Tails are in my room!! Gotta go fast!"

Sonic hurried leaving Knuckles confused

"Oh k?" Was all he managed to let out walking into Sonic's room

"Uh... can someone explain why Sonic rushed out of here?" Tails only shrugged confused and Amy could only smirk and snicker

Sonic kept running and running he didn't look where he was going until—

*THUD*

"Woah there— baby blue... you could've hurt yourself!" Sonic ran into the white bat as he groaned from the impact, she held out her hand for him to take

"Mama Rouge! I'm sorry! I didn't look where I was going..." Rouge chuckled at the little nickname

"I adore the name blue... but where were you going in such a hurry?" Sonic looked as nervous as ever

"Nowhere actual, I was just going out for a run!"

He stood there, bouncing on the balls of his feet, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he ran in place. His heart raced as he noticed Rouge's piercing gaze fixed on him.

Her turquoise-green eyes narrowed slightly as if she were deciphering every subtle shift in his posture.

The air between them crackled with tension, and he could feel the weight of her scrutiny, almost as if she were peeling back the layers of his thoughts just by observing his body language.

"What's the 'real' reason blue— your face is red" she smirked as Sonic gulped

"N-Nothing mama Rouge! I'm serious— it was so hot in my room I needed some fresh air!" He smiled giving her a thumbs up hoping she'll take it... Rouge knew it was something else but she played along—

"Alright, how are you holding up?" Sonic's eyes widened...

Did she find out about me...

Sonic felt a wave of panic begin to wash over him, his heart racing as he noticed the air becoming thicker in his lungs. Beads of sweat began to trickle down his forehead, each one a reminder of his mounting anxiety. The thought raced through his mind—did Rouge catch him in that moment?

His fingers anxiously toyed with the bandages wrapped around his wrist, the rough texture grounding him as he struggled to regain control. With each labored breath, he could feel the tightness in his chest intensifying, amplifying his sense of urgency and dread.