happilyeverbeginning | Growing Closer

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Growing Closer - Antoine & Bunnie

It was one of the few days that the young, newly-joined members of the Freedom Fighters could relax. No plotting or planning, no evading Robotnik's attacks, and my, it was a beautiful day! A bright sun in the sky, soft wind, little to no clouds... One couldn't help but spend a good majority of the day outside. That was Antoine's reasoning, at least.

He planned to practice his swordsmanship, exercise, maybe impress a few of his friends. He decided to jog on his familiar pathway -

-And promptly tripped over something. He yelped, and then scrambled to get back up before anyone saw his folly. After adjusting his beret, he blinked at the object that had interrupted him - a book? Someone must have dropped it in a rush. The proper gentlemanly thing to do would be to return it to its owner.

But he couldn't fathom who owned it just by the cover. It was plain, perhaps something from Rosie's time and handed down? Or bought ages ago by someone and never used? He found himself curious who would own such a thing, and began to open it to the first page, hoping to find something to identify who this belonged to.

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Bunnie walked along with a smile on her face and a bag over her shoulder. She'd done so well in her training today!

Though an enthusiastic fledgling Freedom Fighter, Bunnie wasn't without her downfalls. She still had to fully grasp the use of her robotic limbs; walking and standing were no problem. She needed to work on fine tuning her skills to make herself a valuable member of the team.

She'd been told to try and write in her spare time to improve the dexterity in her fingers and help her keep a grip on things. More often than not she would end up staring at blank pages without any idea of what to write, But recently ..she'd thought of something worth writing. Or more exactly, she'd thought of a name worth writing.

Now it was time to return to her familiar book and continue writing the name of the one she liked most. This time she was sure that she would be able to write his name out completely, whereas the first several pages were just filled with barely legible attempts. One day, she hoped to write him an entire letter to thank him for being so kind.

But she needed a secluded place to write. In looking for such a place, It wasn't long before she caught sight of Antoine with that very notebook. She gave a quick glance to her shoulderbag only to see that she hadn't managed getting it tied tight enough to keep everything inside. "Ohh....shoot!" It must have fallen out.

Bunnie turned and walked at a brisk pace back to where she'd dropped it. "Antoine, put that book down or I'll tan your hide! Ya hear?" Her anger was rooted from embarrassment. Had he seen anything?

Antoine almost jumped right out of his boots. Loud sounds already scared him, but he had never heard Bunnie so mad! He quickly turned around, wondering what she could be so mad about. How else was he going to find out who this belong to if he didn't take a glance? And it was her own fault for losing it in the first place. Yet a true, proper man would never actually say these things.

"Zis ees yours, I believe?" He replied calmly, the book still in his hands. He still hadn't technically read it, but all he needed to do was look down and he'd see some sort of hint about himself. Fortunately, his eyes were only on her. "I did not take you to be ze literary type..." Wait, no, that made her sound dumb. Try again. "Zat ees, I mean... what were you reading?" There we go. Much more polite, and he could take a valid interest in her!

Her cheeks were practically flushed red when she swiped the notebook away from him. It might have looked like anger at first glance, but her face was flushed of embarassment. What if he'd seen her miserable attempts? He wouldn't think it was creepy, would he?

Bunnie cleared her throat as she knelt down to try and put the book back where it belonged. "It's ain't readin'. it's--" She struggled to try and tie the top of the bag shut, but small buttons continued to be her undoing. Her fingers simply didn't know the same control her delicate fleshy fingers had. Oh, why couldn't she carry around something easier to work with?

A sigh.

"It's fer tryin' to work with these big, bulky hands. Ah've gotta learn to write all over again, so Ah try an' practice whenever Ah got some time."

"Oh." That made perfect sense - but why was she so flustered over it? After watching her struggle, Antoine couldn't take much more of it, and so he came over, gently buttoning the bag back up. "... Zere ees no shame een having to relearn." He said as each button came together. Being the oblivious sort, he thought that was why she was so embarrassed. Then again, never in a million years would he have guessed it was because she was practicing a boy's name - and never in a trillion years that it was his name.

"Eet makes you see subtle... nuances, and you come out better zan before. Eet makes you remember why eet ees so important and essential." He then looked at her face with a kind smile. "As for your hands... I think zey are quite amazing, no? And lovely een zeir own way."

She smiled at his kind gesture. "Thank you kindly, Antoine. You're such a Gentleman."

The struggle could very easily be avoided since she still had one hand that was still normal, but trying to avoid the task wouldn't help her learn. She needed to learn and get it right if she were going to be a member of the team.

"You didn't happen to see anythin' in my book, did you?"

Antoine beamed at being called that - it was one thing to believe it himself, but another to have it confirmed by someone else. A very pretty, very kind someone else.

"Not a thing." He replied honestly, but then he couldn't help but ask. "What were you practicing writing een zere? A young maiden's privacy should not be invaded, of course, but... you seem, how ees eet said..." He gestured with his hand for the English translation. "Very red... blushing! Yes, your entire face ees as red as ze sunset."

"W-well. Ah.." Bunnie felt her cheek with the back of her palm, the redness didn't seem to want to go away at mention of what was in the book.

She hastily stood up and clung her bag to her chest. "Oh, it's just a bunch of nonsense. Nothin' to be worryin' yourself about. Ah couldn't think of what to write, so ah just writin' down stuff ah like."

Antoine raised an eyebrow at her reaction. If it really was nonsense, why would she acting so demure and adorable? He wasn't the cleverest coyote, but even he knew one plus one equaled two.

"... Oh. Oh ho ho ho." He chuckled, crossing his arms. "I am seeing things now... eet ees written all over your face,mon ami." He then leaned in, waggling his eyebrows in a knowing fashion. "What ees written zere... eet's about a boy, ees eet not?"

Maybe Sonic? Maybe Rotor? Maybe someone they'd met? He could think of anyone but himself.

"...!" She huffed. "It's not 'bout no boy." She insisted. Bunnie turned her back as she hugged the bag closer to her chest. Bunnie's look softened as she looked to the ground. "It's 'bout the sweetest person ah know." At least that was the truth..

"Ah wanna write so that one day, Ah'll be able to write them a thank them a 'thank you' letter. Ah think it's the only way ah'll ever be able to tell 'em how important they really are."

Not about a boy, his foot. Look at the way she cuddled that bag as if it was a precious commodity. Listen to her voice, tinged with sweetness and sadness. Whoever she was talking about clearly meant a lot to her, perhaps one of the most important people to her heart.

... And for some reason that annoyed him to no end.

Antoine's pleasant smile crumpled into a disapproving frown. Who could have charmed her this way without his knowing? And how could they not know the affect they had on her?

"Well... eet ees none of my business..." Antoine said thinly, walking around her. "... But eef zis person ees so oblivious to your efforts, he may not be worth zem. Personally, I would like to meet zis boy... or 'not boy'..." he waved a snooty hand. "... And make sure zey are deserving of your affections. A girl like you should not be with just anyone."

Bunnie giggled knowingly to herself. It was so sweet to be protective over her feelings and wellbeing like that, if he only knew who they were talking about. Then again, if only she could work up the courage to tell him who she was talking about..

"Ah don't think you need to do all that for L'il ol' me, Sugah." She began to sway back and fourth in place. "Ah assure you that they are good a good person."

"Zey should be more zan just 'good'!" Antoine held up a finger. If some - some JERK - was going to make Bunnie giggle and sway and be incredibly precious, he'd better be the world's most perfect, flawless gentleman! Nothing less would do for her!

"Whoever he ees, he should... he should write you poetry every day! And... cook for you every morning! And rub your shoulders, and carry your things, and pick you fresh flowers, and..." he began to trail off as he realized that maybe, just maybe, he was sounding a tad ridiculous. He cleared his throat, cheeks slightly flushed. "... You are getting ze idea."

By that massive list, one would think that he had thought of those things ahead of time to be able to recite them so quickly. It filled her heart with joy to hear him say things like that. He was just so thoughtful!

"Ah wish'n they would too. Ah'd love an' cherish everything they went and did for me." She said softly. But she shook her head soon after. "It's sure nice to dream."

"To dream?" Antoine repeated incredulously. "...Are you saying zat... even with all zese affections, you are not thinking zis boy would want you?" in a sudden fit of anger, he slammed his fist onto his open palm. "Zen he ees ze one whose tan should be hidden!"

He meant tan his hide, as she had suggested earlier. "Any good man with sense een his head should jump at ze chance to be with such a wonderful woman! Eef I see zis fool, he shall meet my blade!"

"Antoine.." She felt a little bad to lead him on in such a way. Then again, part of her couldn't help but giggle at how much he was getting flustered over this unnamed person who was, in fact, himself. "Ah'm sure that he's met your blade already. Lots of times before." Bunnie said amidst a fit of giggles.

Antoine's temper was temporarily paused. Who had he fought repeatedly yet also catch Bunnie's attention? No one was coming to mind, frustrating him all the more. As he thought, his ears flattened and even curved a little, showing off his mental cartwheels. His body often gave away such clues, such as his tail hanging low in defeat right now.

"You know, I am only saying zese things because I care." He took her metallic hand and gave the top a few pats. "You are my best friend. Eef zis boy really..." Here he strained. "... Really makes you happy... even eef he ees some sort of blind fool... zen don't be giving up and saying eet ees just a dream."

"..You've got a point, Sugah." Bunnie felt her cheeks begin to warm up again as he took her hand. "Ah can't go on not tellin' him 'til the end of days. Even if it scares the livin' daylights outta me to say somethin'." She gave a knowing smile. Something told her that he wasn't going to understand on his own, no matter how many hints she gave.

"Ah wanna try to write him a letter." She'd been practicing, after all. "Could you help deliver it for me?"

His ears perked up! A delivery would be the perfect opportunity to not only meet this boy, but fully interrogate him! To make sure this would be the right man for his Bunnie! ... Not his Bunnie. No.

"But of course!" He gave a courteous bow, upping the charm so he could secure this mission. "I would be more than happy to help you in your journey to love." And then strap that punk down in a chair and ask him everything. Did this guy know Bunnie enjoyed hair styling? That her favorite dessert was carrot cake? That she was growing her hair out and that each strand was more beautiful than the one before it?

"Think of me as your Cupid, and I shall deliver ze arrow... letter... right to him!"

"Thank you kindly." Bunnie knelt down and hurriedly tried to unbutton her bag again. It took several moments, but she soon managed. Unbuttoning was easier than the process of buttoning them back up, so at least her trembling hands had that going for them.

She retrieved her notebook and carefully turned to a page in the back that was blank. Bunnie held the book in her fleshy hand as she struggled to carve out the words with the other.

The note simply read,
It will always be you, Antoine.
- Bunnie

After many many minutes of trying to write the words out, Bunnie held the note to her chest. Though she had encouragement from friends, time to prepare, and had rehearsed the scenario over and over she found herself not prepared in the least. What if he didn't like it? What if he couldn't read it? She didn't have the nicest writing now.

She slowly looked to the book again and tore the page out. Setting the book aside she neatly folded the letter over itself twice and held it out towards her friend.

If she sent him off with instructions now, he was too much of a gentleman to open the letter and pry as to who it was for. She'd have to coax him into looking at it. "You have a way with words, Antoine. Could you.." She felt so nervous. Her heart was starting to pound. "..take a look and see what you think about it? Ah can't write much, but Ah think it'll say what it needs to."

Antoine waited patiently for her to get out her things and write what was necessary. It gave him time to calm down and actually think things through. He did want her to be happy, of course, and it was selfish to think he knew better than her when it came to her own heart. It was amazing that this miserly attitude of his didn't drive her away. If she wanted to be with someone, he had no right to interfere.

If she wanted to spend more time with this other boy than her, he'd get over it. He got over Sally, didn't he? But this was hurting so much more, like something was clawing at his throat to be said. He continued to mentally chide himself - it was her life, it was her business, let her do what she wants with who she wants!

He took a deep breath when she finally handed it over, and he nodded once in acknowledgement. "Oui oui, I am sure eet will say all eet needs to." He readied himself for the daggers to hit his heart, opened it up, and -

And -

And that was his name.

He blinked rapidly, making sure he was reading it correctly. But even with Bunnie's combination of nerves and disability, it was impossible to mistake the words written there. Red exploded onto his face, even hitting the very tips of his ears. He opened his mouth but there were too many things fighting to be said that none of them came out.

Once again, his own body gave himself away. His tail had begun wagging so hard, one might think it'd be ready to give him flight like Miles Prower.

As she looked on, Bunnie watched every feature and facial expression as they shifted after reading her words. Was that a good reaction? She didn't know for sure, but he hadn't crumpled up the letter or started to try and let her down gently with a mixture of well-chosen words.

"Ah spent all this time tryin' to think of how to say it, but Ah'm plum no good at words like this." She took a few steps forward and tried to wrap her arms around him for a hug. "All ah know is that you're important to me, Antoine, more important than anyone else."

If there had been a chance for his brain to recover, it was thoroughly interrupted by her embrace. This wasn't a prank or a joke.

She liked him.
She'd 'always' liked him.
She considered him important.
She was writing about him as practice.
And now she was holding him close.
Because she liked him.

And what was he doing, standing there like the fool he'd just been calling himself moments before?!

Antoine quickly slid his arms out of her grasp, had one arm around her shoulders, tried to dip her, and caught her metallic hand with his free hand. "Je t'adore." He whispered before planting a quick kiss on her bangs.

This probably would have been much more romantic if he wasn't blushing deeply, sweating profusely, shaking like a leaf, and struggling to hold her. She was a fair delicate maiden - she was also extremely heavy, due to her mechanical limbs.

Bunnie's eyes widened and she found herself giving a small cry of surprise.

She'd often seen moments like this in movies: a movie with a dashing hero and fair maiden living their lives happily ever after. The dashing hero would always make grand confessions of love and literally sweep the fair lady off her feet. When she was small she would watch those fairy tales with hopeful expectations that she would experience the same thing. Since her accident, she'd long given up hope in having her life be like one of those movies where she could play the fair lady.

But in that moment she felt like one of those fair heroines as she was whisked off her feet. Antoine always had a way of making her feel beautiful and light as air.

"You really know how to sweep a lady off her feet, Antoine." She said with a laugh. "But you can pick me up now. Ah haven't got a clue how you're not tippin' right on over."

Sheer tenacity and a miracle was what prevented him from tipping over. In fact, Antoine was pretty sure something had dislocated. Worth it.

He slowly righted her back up, ignoring the pinched nerve in his spine. Ow. Once he was sure he could ignoring the screaming pain his body, he smoothed down his fur and addressed her. "... I am honored to have your affections. I swear to you, upon ze D'Coolette name, zis courtship will be one of respect and happiness!" After a moment, he decided to cut the theatrics and simply be honest, holding her hands. "I am... very, very happy."

Bunnie's eyes began to water at the mere mention of courtship. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks; Even if she shed tears she found herself beaming so wide that her cheeks would certainly hurt later.

He'd made her so happy already with all his support and kind words. His help had been imperative to helping her adjust, prosper, and grow as a person. Antoine was her friend--her best friend--and she knew that she could trust him unconditionally.

"Oh, Antoine." She sniffed, "Ah'm..! Oh...!" Instead of opting to hold hands, Bunnie threw both arms around him, hugged him tight, and lifted the Coyote right off the ground into a bear hug.

Antoine had been about to wipe those tears away, when suddenly he was the one 'swept' off his feet. He gave a startled yelp, and gave a quick glance around - no one was around. Good - people seeing this would be a little embarrassing. People seeing that Antoine really enjoyed Bunnie's feats of strength would be extremely difficult to explain. His tail was wagging without stopping, giving him away again.

Since he couldn't use his arms anymore, he opted to give her a friendly nuzzle, his nose to her hair. "Oof... Zis ees going to take some getting used to... and I shall be enjoying every second of eet."

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Growing Closer - Antoine & Bunnie

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