Doing some training. Gotta get back into shape.

tap, tap, tap.. Guess who's awake.

ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤWho am I ? ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ WHO AM I !? WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING ?! ㅤㅤㅤ —————————————— ⠀ #SONICRP / #OCRP ㅤㅤㅤ

A soft, whiskey-scented chuckle slipped from the tenrec as he was pulled forward; he adjusted the buttons on his shirt to accommodate for the smoochin' that was expected. He would lean in, just the slightest, so his snout and a good chunk of the front of his face would be obscured by the sign.

[ 🐐 - Blehhh. Muse has been a little shot. Sorgy, people. ] [ I love Rodya and Gregor. Anyways. ]

"Thanks, buddy.." "I should be alright. An' no need to be so nervous. It ain't like I'll bite y' or anything." He let out a rather lighthearted chuckle, turning to start heading back inside his humble little abode. "Take my advice. Or don't. Your choice. Can't force you to do anything."

Sunstone sputtered out some blood from the strike, his body falling limp on the ground. "Rrgh.." "Nngrrhk.." "You little.." The markings on his face began to fade. Seems like his time was up. "Ah, ffuck.." And just like that, Sunstone.. or, Smolder, now, was out cold. Seems like Shawn won.

Sunstone could feel his time running out by the second. He took two heaving breaths, standing back to his feet after the nasty strike he was forced to tank. "Not permanently. There's things I need to do that I can't quite execute, as you're in my way." "This is your last chance." "Move it."

The tenrec slowly began to fall back asleep in Scourge's tender grasp, his body relaxing as he fell to the lull of Scourge's voice. His breathing slowed in the slightest, but.. his body temperature didn't drop this time. He was having warm dreams again.. Warm dreams of the person who held him.

He hasn't been touched so.. gently. The tenrec whined and whimpered, his body involuntarily leaning into Scourge's gentle embrace. He couldn't hide how touch-starved he was; he didn't often get this type of contact. If he was going to cry again, it would be because of such a gentle hold.

The tenrec followed the other's instructions, taking some shaky, shuddery deep breaths. It was only a matter of time before he returned to a calm state. "Hh.. nnhn.." "Ss.. ssorry.." "I had a.. a bad dream. It's the same one I have every night. That same tundra.. so cold.." The tenrec shivered.

Smolder whimpered as he gently pressed his snout to Scourge's chest, feeling his face grow hot with pinpricks of tears biting at the corners of his face. He couldn't even attempt to speak, so he could merely whimper and cry. This poor baby.. "Ss.. s-scourge.." That's all he was able to say.

Smolder's body was cold, and his breathing was very shallow. It was like he was teetering on the brink of life and death.. before he shot awake, his pupils dilated in a mixture of confusion, fear, and shock. His paws slid up to gently hold Scourge's, his breath shaky and delicate. He looked scared.

And with those final words, Smolder was out like a light. Quiet snoring, his body the most relaxed its been in years.. all because he was someone's to hold, now. He felt like he mattered, now; Smolder's fight wasn't in vain, as he had someone to protect. Someone who cared for him. But..

A soft sigh from the male as he let all form of tension fade from his body. All he was focused on was clinging to the other, letting his eyes start to close as the 'itis' set in. What was the itis? Well, y'know that sleepy feeling you get after you eat a shitton? That was hitting him now.

"You got me. That's all that matters, no?" "I'll always be someone you can turn to. No matter what. Even if it doesn't seem like it.." "I want you to be able to trust me. Alright?" Smolder's breath smelled like steak, potatoes, and faintly of alcohol. Makes sense, as he just ate that.

"You look cute with a blush on your face." Smolder quietly hummed, gently running his claws against the underside of Scourge's chin with a smile. "I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon. I'm loyal." Smolder continued, looking down at the other to gauge his reaction. "As long as you don't -

Now THAT was a big mistake. With an enraged growl, Sunstone zipped behind Shawn in a crimson blur to kick him dead center in the back, the main goal being to knock him over and disarm him. Assuming he was successfully disarmed, Sunstone would repeatedly pummel Shawn until he got worn out.

"I'm.." "I.." "I really like that idea. I.." "Can I be yours? If you.. don't mind, of course. I've been feeling this way about you for a little, and I think you deserve a good lovin'. You really, really do.. everyone does, but you especially." His heart was thumping in his chest. God..

He let out a rather quiet giggle, looking down at the other who was in his arms. He placed a soft kiss onto his forehead, feeling his confidence start to return. He was feeling better about this, now. "So.." "What does this make us, then?" "What do you.. what do you want us to be?" He asked.

"Piss you off?" Smolder's amethyst-purple hues focused on the other's, taking a moment to admire the sight, before opening his mouth to speak. "What did I do this t-" Smolder couldn't finish his sentence before he felt Scourge's lips press against his own. He took a moment to process, before -

The male had wiped his plate clean, practically. He let out a content sigh, his paws gently tracing the shape of the plate idly as he looked down at the other- watching him slow down. More and more, he felt the air in the room grow tense. He's not sure if how to address his feelings, either... -

The tenrec opened his mouth to speak, but paused shortly after. This was getting too awkward for his liking. He scarfed down the steak and the potatoes, trying to find the right words to say to the other. "You're.." He cleared his throat. "You're not looking at me. Is.. something wrong?"

Medium rare? Just how he loved it. He took a few dainty bites out of the cut of meat, chasing the savory taste with a sip of the margarita and some of the potatoes. His hunger was being satisfied thanks to his.. He still didn't know what to consider Scourge. Was 'boyfriend' the right word for it?

If he wasn't hungry earlier, he definitely is now. He could feel himself drooling.. God, his stomach was growling. Too much for his own sake. He stared down at the steaks and the fried potatoes, his eyes wider than ever. "Gwwoaaah.." "You.. you made this? No way.." "It looks so good."

"Is there anything else you need before I get back to work? I don't want to be caught off task, or my pay is gonna be docked." "Again." "I can't afford that.. he barely pays me as is, so having my pay docked again is basically a death sentence." The tenrec shuddered, his quills on end.

The tenrec's digits met the other's with a rather delicate sensation as he took the glass, his rough pawpads grazing against Scourge's. "An apology?" A fair sip of the contents inside the glass with a satisfied click of the tongue. "I'd say that's quite the worthy apology.. tastes pretty damn -

He could smell the potatoes from the living room. His appetite started to get to him.. just the smell alone made him want to get up. But for his own safety, he didn't get up.. he probably would've hurt something, since his body was in recovery mode. Can't move too much. "Mm.. smells so good.."

Smolder's gaze never left the other as he moved, staring down at his hand after the hedgehog retreated to the kitchen. A strange sensation was left in the wake of the kiss; not quite a sensation of joy, but more of appreciation- a vague sense of euphoria, if that's what you'd call it. "Ah.."

the next words that spilled from my lips came from so deep within my gut that it nearly made all the things i've ever said feel like a lie. “𝗜 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨.”

"Mm.." "I guess that makes sense, aye." "It's about time I get some appreciation. Fuck, I'm /spent/." Smolder's entire body relaxed; you could see the tension leave him as he tried to grow comfortable. His shoulders were tensed, his body still looked battle-ready, but now? He was.. calm.

"Thanks, Scourge." Smolder hummed, his eyes growing heavy as he tried to let his body adjust to having a solid ribcage again. He didn't seem to focus on the other's figure for too long either- knowing it was a topic that distressed him to talk about. "Gghah-.." "What's with the change of.. kff--"

Taking a few strained breaths as he tried to thug out the pain, wincing as the ice was placed on the pained area. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to let too much of the pain show on his face. All he could do was lean into Scourge's touch and take careful breaths.. "Rrgh.. mmh.."

"..there's the last o' my whiskey." Smolder seemed a bit more concerned about his alcohol than the burning pain in his ribcage. Was something misplaced? Only one way to find out. Risking a bit of strain, Smolder pulsed some Crimsonglow through his chest in an effort to check for any -

KRR-VROOOM! A loud vibrating clank echoed as the shield took the brunt of the force from the kick. Sunstone himself was quite surprised, hence the rather shocked look on his face, yet he didn't let up his assault. He focused more Crimsonglow into his leg, starting to rapidly slam the limb into -

"Aye, aye, easy. That ain't no cheap whiskey this time- I paid good money 'fer that." The tenrec glared daggers at the hedgehog as he took a long swig of the whiskey in the flask. Ah, so that's what he was sipping on. Makes enough sense, for his standards at least. "Jus' because we're all buddy -

"..y' never told me you had a forked tongue." The tenrec used some of the Crimsonglow to grab his flask out of his jacket, unscrewing the top to take a lengthy sip. Once he was done lapping up the liquid that was inside, he put the top back on and sat the flask down. "Hmph.."

TOUCH ME, MIDAS ! MAKE ME PART OF YOUR DESIGN !

Needle and the thread .. Gonna wind up dead ..

"Yeah, it's.. in the ice tray in the freezer. I'll grab some..--" Smolder began to get up, delicately helping Scourge sit up so his body could adjust a little better. Smolder came back with an icepack, offering it to Scourge. "Here. An' don't call me no damn 'boy wonder' either. I got a name."

"Oh, you poor baby.." Giving the faintest of giggles, peppering Scourge with a few more kisses just to really hammer in his point. He moved his hand, looking down at the other to try and get a read on his expression. "I'm not the typa guy to lead someone on, either. I'm honest wit' what I say."

"Bwwehh-" "Easy on the biting!" He giggled, letting out a rather dorky snort. "You look pretty cozy. You just wanted to get all snuggled up to me, or what?" He looked down at the other, his smug look never faltering. He didn't expect to have gotten this close, even if they had kissed earlier.

"Yeah, you can.. I don't mind." "You were pretty bold earlier. What changed? I don't bite.." The male let out a faint giggle, watching the Mongoose growing more and more flustered as things moved forward. "Thought y' knew that. I haven't bitten ya yet." He grinned, a smug look on his face.

"Mm.." "Yeah. I understand. My words still stand.. not like they'd use their value the moment you start explainin' shit. You're still handsome to me." "And I still love you, all the same." Another gentle kiss to Scourge's forehead to amplify his words further. "I'm here, kay? I won't judge you."

That's when it clicked. He seemed to go silent for a while, before pressing a tender kiss to Scourge's forehead- the only way he knew how to soothe people. "Hey.." "Y'know, when I said I wouldn't hurt y', I meant it. I still think 'yer handsome all the same." Smolder quietly hummed.

"..scourge?" The tenrec's gaze drifted back down to the other, a paw gently moving to wipe away the tears that began to slide down Scourge's cheeks. "Hey, hey.. what's going on? Use your words.." You're right. He didn't understand. But that wouldn't stop him from trying to help.. it's what he -

"Hey, hey, woah.. easy, easy." "I won't hurt ya." His eyes seemed to drift to the smaller scars, but he figured not to bring it up judging by the reaction that Scourge had. His touch was delicate and careful- making sure not to linger on any one part too long. "Don't thrash around, it'll hurt.."

I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU.

"Ah, y' little flirt.." "You're welcome. You deserve to hear nice things.. can't help but want to compliment someone as stunning as you." Sitting up slightly, shifting his weight so he's on his side. Watching her scoot closer. "..mm?"

"You're alright.. hah.." "I'll get some bandages to wrap you up. Try not to move too much.." Using some of the Crimsonglow to snatch a roll of bandages nearby, gently but slowly wrapping Scourge's chest. Occasionally he'd dab a rag with some disinfectant, cleaning any other cuts.