Now and Forever - Silver x Reader

Chapter 8

The forest was dense. Foliage cascaded from intertwining branches, casting dark shadows over the forest floor. There were a few points were the sun peeked through the leaves, bringing little light to the dark shadows. Critters scattered around, rushing up trees and watching with their curious eyes. Vines grew up the trunks of trees, wrapping the bark in green. A small breeze brushed through the forest, pushing blades of grass and picking up stray leaves.

Taking in a deep breath, I let myself calm against the cool breeze. I never had many of these moments of solace. For a breathe, I felt free. 

I felt like me.

Sonic rushed ahead, his blue quills a stark contrast against the greenery. He bounced in place, eager to rush ahead. His head would constantly swing around, checking we were still following before bounding further ahead. Every few feet he would stop, his legs running in place as he waited for us, his patience working full time.

A smile spread across my lips as I stared at the blue hedgehog, somewhat understanding his eager nature. Admittedly, from my time in the force, I drew quite a few characteristics from the blue blur, most evidently his impatience. Ever since that day, I never stopped moving. Always in a rush. All because I was desperate for answers, and despite my years of searching, it didn't seem to matter. All that time, for nothing. 

My tail lowered, hovering above the ground as I fell into thought. Silver tilted his gaze, his golden stare falling onto me. Glancing up at him, I caught his stare. His eyebrows were raised, a soft smile on his lips. Creasing my eyebrows together I lifted my head to look up at him. 

He had grown taller over the years. His quills shinier. He was kind of mesmerising. If I focused too long, it felt as if I would melt under his gaze. 

"What?" I asked, crossing my arms over as I flashed him a questioning grin.

"You're a lot different from what I remember," he said, his analysing gaze softening before he continued to look forward, ears twitching to every sound. He was alert. Ready. While I didn't know what the future held, it definitely made him stronger and confident. Last time we spoke, he was shy, reserved, but now he held himself upward, prepared for anything.

it's funny how time changes people.

"Yeah, well, it's been a while," I shrugged, "you're not exactly the same yourself. Confident, strong, what happened?"

Snickering, Silver nodded, brushing his hand through his quills as he sighed, "true enough, I guess I have changed." Pushing his hands into his pockets, silver heavily breathed, eyes casting downward, "I guess ever since Infinite defeated me with such ease back when I tried to defend our base, I felt like I needed to become stronger. So, that's what I've been doing training, working on becoming better."

Warmth hit my skin through my fur as we both walked under a beam of sunlight, the leaves parting to allow the rays to lighten the forest. Looking up between the trees, Silver stared through a small gap, the light catching his features. His quills shimmered under the light, practically reflecting the sun like a mirror. I had never realised how fitting of a name he held. Silver. The prefect description for how his quills shimmered under the sun. 

Shaking my head, I glared forward, catching myself. Heart throbbing, head reeling, sweaty palms. No. This couldn't be happening again. Grittin my teeth, I held a tighter grip on my biceps, ears falling flat as I focused on controlling my unsteady emotions.

Infinite loomed closely behind me, his ghostly breath brushing the back of my neck as he teased me about my emotions, silently begging me to lose control. Holding onto my arms, I bit my tongue, repeating the importance of holding my emotions.