Doing some training. Gotta get back into shape.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss you, even at least a little."

"You get on my damn nerves, but I still missed you."

"Tsk."

As much as he hated to admit it..

That didn't sound awful. He was too tired to care, though. Once he shakes off the grogginess he should be fine.

If that happens.

"..."

An exasperated sigh.

"Sure.. fine. You win."

"Bedrotting, Limbus Company, and hibernation. Don't expect me to be out for long." Low grumble.

"I'm catching up on lost sleep."

Hitting the floor like a bag of bricks. Yeowch..

"Kkffmh-"

"I just told you 'm just wakin' up.." Groaaan.

yawn. wiping his eyes.

"Cool it. I just woke up."

tap, tap, tap..

Guess who's awake.

Art commissioned from @naptimezzz.bsky.social

ㅤㅤㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤWho am I ? ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤ WHO AM I !?

WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING ?!
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⠀
#SONICRP / #OCRP
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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.

In this 'duel' phase, Sunstone appeared through the cloud of smoke and debris to attempt an uppercut, before weaving back into nothingness. He did this a few times from different angles, trying to land rather heavy blows, before coming from up top to attempt a sledgehammer strike to the cranium.

The tenrec felt himself slump forward slightly, falling into a bit of a swaying motion as he tried to focus himself on his target. In a burst of unannounced speed, Sunstone began to try and disorient the target. Zipping and weaving around to kick up dust, throwing random objects, things of the sort.

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.

"You're being.."

He softly hiccuped, his face pressed gently against Scourge's fur.

"so.. so gentle.."

He could feel his face growing warm again.

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.

"My mother and brother, they.. they just stare.."

"They just sit and stare at me.. I don't know why they do, but they just.. do.."

He whimpered, his tail tucking between his legs.

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.

He just sat there and sobbed. Why that same dream, every night? What did it mean? Why did they look so disappointed? Why are they haunting him?

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.

"S-scourge..?"

He couldn't see all too much of the other because of the lighting. But the moonlight was enough for him to tell.

Smolder's quills were ruffled, yet another sign that he was alarmed. Just what had he dreamed about?

"I..- Hh.."

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.

Another night of rough sleep was all he was gonna have. He's grown familiar with this.

The tenrec stirred slightly in his 'nightmare', as if his body were trying to wake him up subconsciously.

It's been like this ever since he lost them. Years of this same dream.. or nightmare, rather. His mother and brother stared at him in the silence. Just.. staring; their spectral forms didn't look pleased, but not quite angry. Empty.

".."

Smolder couldn't even think of anything to say.

Deep down, in the core of his being, he was scared. Scared that he would lose Scourge like he lost his family.

He was having that same dream again.. that snow-ridden tundra. He was standing in the center of the tundra, surrounded by large trees, snow, and silence.

"..again?"

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..

He could hardly hold himself together. He was happy, he was sleepy, an' he was full of some damn good food.

This was the life.

"I love you so much.." He whispered.