Cream Knows Best - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Knuckles' P.O.V
Most of my days were spent near the Master Emerald and looking up at the sky. Even though this was my only duty, I just wish there was more to my life. When Rouge came here the other day, I felt better about everything. Rouge put the light in my life when I thought mine was somewhat useless. I gave a huge sigh while laying there... deep down I was hoping she'd come back for the Emerald today. Anything just to see her face. I closed my eyes and tried to relax again. But every time I do, the bright image of Rouge just kept popping up in my mind.
I tried to forget about her but I just couldn't. It was starting to become frustrating. I grumbled and shifted on my other side to try to feel better. When I did that, I sensed some weird presence next to me. When I looked up, there was Shadow looming over me. "AH! What are you doing here?" I cried out, then sat up on the stairs. "Relax echidna, we're not here to hurt you." he said. "Wait, what do you mean we?" I asked confused. Shadow pointed behind me and I saw Cream, Tails, Cheese, and Charmy standing on the Master Emerald. "Hi Knuckles!" Tails shouted. "Oh uh, hey! You guys finally came back! I was wondering how badly I actually scared you guys." "You weren't even that scary. You just caught us off guard from our mission!" Charmy said somewhat defensive.
I gave a small smirk and they jumped down from the Emerald. "Besides coming to give me a heart attack, is there any other reason you're here?" Cream nodded her head and walked up casually to me. "You see Knuckles, I know you like Ms. Rouge!" she replied and gave me the biggest smile ever. My cheeks heated up and I wasn't even sure what to say to that. "Uh... come again?" The rest of them laughed at me and I looked to Shadow for answers. "They did the same to me. I'd just admit it right now while you can." he replied.
"Listen, Cream, you're a sweet kid and all and so are the rest of you. Tails, you of everyone here should know that I don't like Rouge in that way. After all, Rouge probably has someone else in mind if I did like her, which I don't." I explained. "I would disagree since Cream knows she likes you too!" he replied, giving a cocky grin. "W-What! No, she doesn't! H-How do you know?" I stuttered feeling so embarrassed. "Because I saw hearts above your heads and that told me you liked her!" Cream said. Ugh... it's hard to get mad or even annoyed with a six-year-old rabbit. "Alright... fine. You guys win! I do like her!" I sighed. They giggled and wrote something down on the notepad that they brought. "Thank Knuckles! We'll talk to you very soon!" Charmy said and they all began to head off the island. Shadow gave me a look of sympathy but was also amused. He soon raced off after them. What just happened?
~ Back towards home ~
Silver's P.O.V
I guess it was just me today. Blaze said she had to take care of a few things back home. I was going through some photos that we had and I smiled at one where she had grabbed me randomly and yanked me in for a photo. More were similar where we were being goofy as kids and just messing around. The good times. I sighed knowing she'd never been the same. She's told me multiple times that I was the only one who understood her. I didn't want to let her down, but I wish I could tell her what I felt, but I guess I'd have to have to keep it to myself.
Hearing a knock on the door, I put the pictures away and decided to answer the door. When I did, I saw Shadow standing at the opening of the door. "Uh, hey Shadow! Can I help you?" I asked surprised to see him.
"Not really. I'm just here on business." he replied. "Um, alright, that seems fine. Do you want tea, coffee, or something?" Shadow nodded his head and I let him inside the house. I began the pot for the coffee and he just sat there on my sofa looking around my house. Something about this wasn't right. But I was still scared to ask since he can get moody when I get nosy. Getting kicked in the face wasn't a nice feeling anyway. "So, is there something I can help you with? I only ask because you kind of dropped in here unannounced." "No, I just needed someone to talk to." he replied. I was kind of shocked but I suppose it wouldn't hurt. "Okay, spill." I said and took a sip from my own coffee. "Blaze," he said. For some reason, I panicked on the inside. "W-What about her?" I asked, sounding more defensive than I meant to.
"You're her best friend. I knew you knew her better than anyone else out there. So I needed your help," he explained and took something out of his pocket. "I have feelings for her and I need your help to see if these things are good enough for her." he explained and pulled out the paper. I felt myself starting to get jealous and I wanted to kick him out so badly. Even though I wasn't good enough for her, Shadow shouldn't have her either, he was just too grumpy! "I was thinking about getting her roses on the first date, would that work?" he asked me. "No! She loves violets! She hates any other flowers!" I snapped.
He wrote something on the paper before looking at me. "Does she fancy elegant food? I heard the restaurant nearby has some good options." he asked. "Are you kidding? She hates all that stuff! Do you know how bad it could affect her stomach? Don't even think about it!" I snapped. This guy didn't know anything about her! Why would he even try to take someone like Blaze out? "Alright. Now I wasn't sure if I should do this or not but I was thinking of taking her to a nearby fair, would that work out?" he asked. "No! You can't!" I shouted. "Makes sense I guess. Too many others in the way."
"That's not what I meant! You can't take Blaze out!" "Why not?" "Because you're not good enough for her! You don't know anything about her! I won't let you get near her!" I don't know why I was getting so defensive, after all, Blaze would be better off with someone like Shadow. At least he can take good care of her. But I doubt he had her best interest. "Why do you care? You like her or something?" he asked. "N-No! Sh-She's my best friend and I know she deserves the best!" I replied. "If you like her just say so, I'll back off." he added.
Was he serious? I wasn't sure what to do. "W-Why should I believe you?"
Shadow shrugged his shoulders and gave me a stupid grin. "I'm just saying, if you like her all that much, I'll leave her alone. I won't steal something or someone away from you. Especially when it comes to a beautiful kitten like her. So... do you like her... or not?" I felt my cheeks turn red when he called her a kitten. But if was the only way for him to leave her alone, I didn't see any way out of it.
"As long as you don't tell anyone..." I finally said. "My lips are sealed." he reassured. "I... I do like Blaze... a lot. She means everything to me. That's why I got so defensive." I explained.
"Did you get that?" he shouted. I was confused about who he was talking to until he looked over to my window. "Loud and clear!" Tails shouted as he and a few others popped into view. "W-What?" I asked stunned. I let them inside my house and they were all giggles and smiles. "Sorry Silver, they dragged me into it." Shadow told me. "B-But what is this?" I stuttered. "Mr. Silver, I found out that you have like Blaze! We want to help you get with her so you can get married and live happily ever after!" Cream explained.
"Aw, uh, thanks Cream... but she probably doesn't even like me back." I told her. "She does like you though! I know she does!" Cream replied. I looked over to Shadow who didn't do much other than shrug his shoulders and shaking his head. "How do you know for sure?" "I just do!" Cream smiled a big grin and seemed pleased with herself. "Well, now you've got the truth out of me. What are you gonna do about it now?" I asked, a little concerned. "We'll give you the details soon enough! But we've gotta go help some others! Sorry again Mr. Silver! Bye!" Cream replied and all four headed out the door. I looked at Shadow who gave me another pat on the shoulder and looked down. "You got lucky. I got hit over the head with a stapler." he said and walked out the door after them. What am I gonna do?
~ At Charmy, Vector, and Espios' place ~
Espio's' P.O.V
After everything that's happened lately, I just needed silence. This meditation was helping a lot with the stress... but everything in my mind wouldn't leave me alone. Charmy looked upset from the night before. I was worried that maybe we'd scared him thinking we were mad at him. I suppose I'd have to talk to him about it eventually. My mind always comes back to you... I only wish I could move on from everything.
Right when I thought I couldn't get deeper, I heard the door open up which snapped me out of my thoughts. "Hey Espio, you doing alright?" It was Charmy. Thank god he finally came home, I've needed some support through all of this. "Hello, I'm fine. Just trying to find some peace in through all the chaos." I replied, still trying to hide my pain. "Well... Espio I wanted to talk because... ever since last night, you and Vector were acted weird at dinner. I was curious to know what that was all about." he asked me. Oh no, what was I supposed to tell him? If I tell him I like Vector he won't know what to think!
"Um... you see Charmy... we got into a small fight... that's why we weren't talking." He didn't seem to be buying it though. "Is that it?" he asked. I was tired of hiding my feelings but I didn't want to be looked down on, especially by him. "Well... not really... but... it's not a big deal Charm, I'll be fine!" I replied.
Charmy's P.O.V
I knew when Espio was lying to me, but I didn't know how to make him tell the truth either. "C'mon Espio, I know something's up, why won't you tell me?" I urged. He seemed upset by telling me but I knew he wanted to tell me about it. "It's just difficult for me to tell anyone..." he said and hung his head low. "You're my friend dude! If it's something bad about Vector or anyone, I'm not going to snitch or anything." I knew I'd have to be easy around him since I didn't want him to get the wrong idea. Plus the others were depending on me to do this the right way. "I understand if you're shy about whatever it is that's bothering you... you don't have to hide from me. You took me in when I was nobody and when I was all alone. I don't know where I would've been without you right now! It's all thanks to you! So please let me return that to you!"
He seemed to be getting my message straight. I wanted to help him as much as Cream and Tails. Maybe I'd finally get some answers. "I'm scared you'll judge me but... I like guys... and... I like someone..." he replied. Even though I knew who it was, hearing it come from him made it more exciting to hear. "Espio, I'd never judge you for that! Shadow likes guys! Plus, I'd still be by your side if you weren't gay! Now, who's the lucky person?" I asked him. "It's... it's Vector..." he finally said.
I wanted to cheer and hug him so badly. Sing and celebrate him at once, but I knew I'd have to take it easy. "Yay! See? I didn't judge you! And I never will!" I reassured him.
"Well... it's just very hard for me to admit it." he said. "It'll be okay in the end. I know it will!" I added. Then out of the blue, he reached out to hug me. It was a tight hug too. "I'm sorry... I've just needed a hug lately." he replied once I regained myself. "It's okay. I wanted to give you one anyway!" I replied, my wings giving their playful buzz. "Well, I'll let you get back to doing whatever you were doing, I would still like to regain my mental strength." he told me and sat back down in a criss-cross position.
"Sounds good! I'll back around dinner!" I said and walked out the door. Alright, I'm in the clear! I hovered over a nearby bush and tapped on it. "It's safe to come out!" Cream, Tails, Cheese, and Shadow poked their heads out from the bush and looked pleased to see me. "I hope you guys weren't in there for too long!"
"We were fine for the most part!" Cream reassured as she was the first to get out of the bush.
"Chew chew!" Cheese added.
"Eh, it was alright till Shadow started complaining." Tails said.
"I'm saying out of all the places to hide, you only thought of a bush? I thought you were supposed to be the smart one Tails." Shadow snapped and seemed more than happy to leave that bush.
I laughed at them knowing I had some crazy friends. "Well, Cream, your theory has been confirmed, Espio definitely likes Vector! I didn't actually think I could get an answer from him though. Maybe I can help people more than I thought!" I replied feeling proud of myself. "You've always been good Charmy! Well, I guess now that we've got all our main suspects. We only have one more to go!" Cream said. "Who's that?" Tails asked. "Amy."