Cream Knows Best - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Sonic's P.O.V
I got an alert on my watch that told me someone needed help in the woods. I was scared someone was hurt and was trapped down here where cell service is terrible. Once I got into the woods where I was called to the first place. "Hey, are you out there? Where are you!" I shouted trying to find whoever it was. For a minute it was quiet. Until I heard a rustle in the woods. "I-I'm over here!" the voice shouted. It sounded familiar but I ignored that fact before racing in that direction.
"This way!" it shouted again. I looked around all over the place and continued to look around for whoever was calling me. I thought I saw something in the distance that looked like smoke. It freaked me out and I dashed to get to the other side of the hill. "I'm here! What's going on-" I asked and saw what all the smoke was really about.
There in front of me, there were a whole bunch of candles, decorations in the trees, and of all my friends... Shadow. He looked well dressed for once. I've never seen him wear a suit though. He looked pretty hot. What am I thinking? I asked myself. Wasn't it wrong to like my enemy? Why was he even here in the first place? "Um... is something wrong?" I asked at last. "N-No... not really... but I needed to talk to you about something." he replied. I felt myself blush and knew I must've been turning red on the outside. "W-Well, what is it?" Shadow took a deep breath and got closer to my side. "Here, just- take it." he began. It was a nice packaged box that seemed stuffed with something. "O-Okay! Sure thing Shads!"
"A-Anyways... I wanted to tell you that... ever since we met... we've hated each other to the core. I've never wanted to mean anything to you... But suddenly... I feel like my feelings have changed." he explained briefly.
Oh gosh... this was happening. He was literally confessing to me! What was I going to do? He's caught me off guard! Just relax! I mean... I sorta feel the same way... right? I'm not sure! I don't know! "I know you probably hate me and stuff... but it's... I don't see you that way anymore. In fact, all time had done was turn my hate into love. I thought it was a faze. But I was wrong... I... love you Sonic... do you accept?" he asked.
Shoot! I don't know what to say! Do I really like him? I do! But- what if I really don't deep down? I don't want to hurt him! How do I know he's not playing with me? Oh no... I'm not sure! "Sonic... are you okay?" he questioned, noticing I was staring at the ground. I'm sorry Shadow, but I'm not sure we should be together! You deserve someone better! "S-Shadow... I-I'm flattered but... I'm not in love with you... I'm sorry. I-I wish I could return your feelings... I just can't." I said, regretting my choice. But, maybe this was for the best? I watched him slowly nod his head and thought I saw a tear form in his eye. "I-I understand! You have the right to feel that way... I-I'll see you soon!" he cried and dashed off.
Now I felt terrible. "N-No Shads wait!" I cried and tried to grab him. But the next thing I knew, he had disappeared. I dropped to my knees in shock... then for some reason that I didn't understand... I just began to sob...
Blaze's P.O.V
Apparently, Silver wanted to meet me out by the lake where we met. I was wondering what was going on, he said he really needed to talk to me. This whole thing was making me feel flustered. I love seeing Silver whenever I possibly can. He's the best! Maybe one day I can live normally and retire from my royal duties. I'm scared it'll scare off Silver... or he won't want to support me through it all. Mainly I'm worried about him thinking I'd be too good for him. I don't want anyone else but him.
When I made it to the lake, I saw him near the edge of it holding something in his arms. "Silver, I made it!" I shouted to him. He turned around and he looked sort of nervous to see me but gave me a bright, nervous smile. "B-Blaze hey! It's good to see you!" he said at last and tried to recover from the embarrassment. "Same to you! I've... I've missed you lately!"
He smiled softly and walked up to me. "Here, I got this for you!" he told me. I was surprised and looked at it carefully. I looked at the nice box with colorful ribbons.
He got something special for me? Aw, how sweet! "Wait, before you open that, there's... there's something I need to tell you... and no it can't wait!" he said and stopped me from opening it up.
"Oh, okay! What is it?" I asked intently. I watched him take a deep breath and he grabbed my hands gently. "Okay... Blaze... you've been my best friend since we were kids. I've never wanted to lose you and I'll still do anything I can to protect you. But over the years, I noticed my heart has been yearning for something, soon I found out, it was someone. It was you." I could feel my own heart starting to beat rapidly and I wasn't sure what to think about it. I didn't think he ever returned my feelings!
I-I couldn't though. Silver has always wanted to be by my side and help me whenever I needed him. B-But if I dragged him into the life I had, I could lose him or worse, he'd never want to be close to me! I don't want to lose him! "So, Blaze, I know you're not big on finding true love or anything and you seem perfectly happy on all your own, but this is how I feel. I just needed to tell you or I'd be going insane. I love you, Blaze."
My heart felt full! I wanted to kiss him right there and then. To show him how much I returned his feelings! No! You can't! I thought. Even though I wanted him, I knew it wouldn't be a good idea. He could get hurt being involved in my battles. How could I do that to him? I'm sorry Silver... this is for the best! "As much as I appreciate your support Silver, I don't feel the same way. It's very sweet of you! But I'm sure you can find someone better than me! I'm so sorry Silv..." I said to him, feeling my heart crack in two. I love you Silv... that's why I want to protect you! "It's fine Blaze! I completely understand. I'll still always be here for you." he reassured. "T-Thank you Silv!" I stuttered, knowing I'd have to keep these feelings secret.
He nodded his head and began to fly off into the distance. He looked brave but I knew I probably hurt him so bad. Once I knew he couldn't see me anymore, I cried my heart out. "I love you Silver!"
Vector's P.O.V
Espio had called me to a cafe so we could talk about some stuff. I was happy he wanted to talk to me again after that strange outburst he had the other day. After all, he was one of my closest friends and I wanted things to stay that way. I saw him sitting in a booth where he seemed to be a little bit nervous. Maybe he was worried that I was still upset or angry with him. Just needed to make him calm again! "Hey, Espi!!!" I shouted. "D-Don't call me that." he said, his whole body turned red. "Awww! Is my little boy embarrassed?" I teased knowing I was already making me cheery again.
"Ha ha. Very funny!" he replied playfully, a smile creeping across his face. "There's my happy chameleon!" I said, giving him a back pat. It was nice seeing him happy again. I sat down in my seat and made myself comfortable. "Look, Espio, if you're worried about me still being mad or upset, I'm not." I reassured. "Oh, that's nice to know! I mean, it wasn't the main reason I called but... it makes me feel better knowing you care." he replied.
"Oh, okay then! Well, it's always nice to hang out man! I feel like we never do it anymore! It's always nice to be with you!" I added. "T-Thanks! It means a lot!" he replied, then looked down. "Is everything okay? I know you wanted to talk to me about something." I replied. "I do... it's just not easy for me to say." he answered grimly.
"Whatever it may be, I'm sure we can work through it together!" I told him not wanting to make him feel alone. "Well, the first thing isn't as bad to admit... I'm gay, Vector..." he replied. Even though I sorta knew he was gay, it was still a shock to hear from him. "Dude, you know I couldn't care less about your sexuality! I'll always accept you! You've been my best friend forever! Nothing's gonna change that!" I reassured. "He seemed relieved to hear that and I was grateful that he knew it was okay. "Thanks! That was the easy part for me to admit... now the other thing is... a little hard..." he said. "I'm all ears!"
As I sat there waiting for an answer, it looked like he was turning a shade of reddish-pink. "Aww, is my little chameleon embarrassed?" I teased knowing he probably wanted to tell me who his crush was. "You like someone don't you?" I asked, curious to know who it was. "Y-Yes, I do," he said flustered. He then took out something that was at his side and pushed it across the table.
"For me? How kind!" I said, surprised he even buys me gifts for any reason. "What's gotten into you? You never buy me anything!" Espio took another deep breath and looked down, his whole skin turned red this time. "Vector... the reason I called you was... was because... I wanted- to tell you, that, I..." He kept pausing in between his whole sentence, knowing he must've been having trouble telling me what he wanted to say. "You see... I have... I-I... I like you Vector!" he finally spit.
Uhhh. What was I supposed to say? I didn't really like the dude... did I? I mean, he was my best friend, but that didn't mean I liked him right? "Um- well, I'm glad you told me! Except... I'm sorry Espio, I just don't feel that way between you and me. I've only ever seen you as a friend. Are you going to be okay?" I asked, knowing I must've crushed him. "Y-Yeah I'm fine! I'm just glad you were honest with me!" he told me. "Thanks for letting me say this Vector. I feel at peace now!" he replied before getting up from his seat. "W-Where are you going?" I asked. "I-I've got things to do back home! But I'll talk to you soon! Enjoy the gift!" he responded, and I could hear the hint of sadness in his voice.
Quickly he made his way out of the cafe. Before he left the door, I thought I saw him turn a dark shade of blue. That's when I knew he must've begun crying. I'm sorry buddy. I gave a small sigh and just stared at the present he gave me. I remembered all the times we had together as friends.
Did I ruin all of that?
Rouge's P.O.V
Apparently, Knuckles wanted me to come back to Angel Island to talk about something. Hopefully, it wasn't about the Emerald, I didn't mean to make his island fall last time! In the end, I did return it even if I didn't want to! Either way, seeing him at all made my heart flutter. I knew he probably didn't love me back though. I couldn't blame him, all I am is a thief and I know I'm not fit to be anything to him.
Ugh, I hated myself for being this way. Today was just another visit though. It'd help me to cheer up anyway. Once I made it to the island, I saw Knuckles by the Master Emerald, sitting on the stairs fiddling with something in his hands. "Hey, Knucky! How are you?" I asked cheerfully. I guess I surprised him so badly that he almost dropped the box he had in his hands.
"R-Rouge! You scared me!" he gasped shocked by my arrival. I giggled at him as he stood up and walked over to me. "Did I scare you that badly?" I teased getting closer to his face. "N-No! Just took me by surprise! B-Besides, I... I've been a little nervous to see you all day," he replied flustered. "Oh? And why's that?" I asked intently. He shuffled his feet and looked all around the place, trying to think about something. "Ugh, please, tell me what's going on! You look worried! And that's making me worried!" I cried, giving him the biggest hug ever. "Ha ha Rouge. I'm sorry, I'm just really nervous to admit this to you." he replied.
"T-The reason I called you over to Angel Island was... so I could tell you something very important. The very first time we met, it wasn't exactly the friendliest experience ever, but since then we've gotten to know each other better. I loved our little outings and getting to know each other well. Never would I think I'd feel these things for you that I feel right now," he added. I felt my cheeks heat up. This is actually happening! "I... I love you Rouge. With everything in my heart," he finally said and took one of my hands and put a box in my hands. I felt all my emotions build up, what was I going to do? I didn't deserve someone like him! He needed someone who wasn't going to be a burden in life.
"Will you accept me?" he asked, a smile forming across his face. He's holding my hand and he loves me back... why would he want me, a burden? N-No! You can't do this Rouge! You'll only hurt him! I felt my eyes starting to form tears and gently pulled my hand back, the box still secured. "S-Sorry Knuckles, I... I don't feel the same! Maybe you can find someone better than me! I-I'm so sorry!" I cried and began to fly off. "Wait, Rouge!" he shouted. But I was already flying away.
As I left the island, I cried and felt horrible for everything.
This was for him. He'd be happier without me.