It was the night of the concert and despite the miraculous improvement of his condition, Sonic felt worse than ever. His head was pounding and he felt beyond dizzy. As Sonia, Manic, and Peaches began to climb the staircase to the stage, they noticed Sonic leaning against the wall.
"Sonic?" Peaches said, catching his attention. "Are you alright?"
Sonic faked a smile. "I'm fine." He took her hand. "Let's go."
Once onstage, the hedgehogs waved to their fans and turned their medallions into their signature guitar, piano, and drum set.
"Hello Mobius!" Sonic greeted the large audience. "Are you ready to rock?" The crowd cheered and the band started off with their hit single, Someday. As the show progressed, the songs distinctly moved from Sonic Underground specifics to more mainstream songs such at BTS' Boy With Luv, the Jonas Brothers' Sucker, J Balvin and Willly William's Mi Gente that featured Beyonce, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's Despacito which featured Justin Bieber, and duets like Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's Senorita. As Peaches sang her part of Taylor Swift's Lover, featuring Shawn Mendes, Sonic became even more dizzy. When it came his time to sing, Sonic began to sway slightly, then collapsed.
"Sonic!" Peaches shouted. She knelt beside him and stroked the side of his face. She gave a worried look to Sonia, who sat across from her. The audience was in a complete panic, screaming hysterically. Manic grabbed something from one of the audience members. He rushed over to Sonic and threw water on him. Sonic snapped awake and looked around frantically, speaking incoherently.
"Sonic! Calm down!" Peaches took his hand in hers. "Everything's fine." Sonic gave a sigh of relief, but he was beginning to feel dizzy again. The concert security escorted the fans from the premises.
Once back inside the Sonic Underground van, Sonia did a quick medical check on Sonic.
"It looks like he had a heatstroke." Sonia explained to Peaches. "He'll be fine."
"Thank you Sonia."
Peaches went to where Sonic was sitting and gently rubbed his ears. He had his head down and gazed at the floor. He felt worse that he had felt as the concert. He looked at Peaches. She gently kissed his cheek.
"Get some rest, Sonic." She said and smiled. Sonic laid down and closed his eyes.
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The next morning, the band unloaded their stuff at their hide out. Amy hugged Sonic tightly when she saw him.
"Oh, Sonic!" She squealed. "I'm so happy to see you again!"
"A-Amy. . .l-let go!"
Peaches tore her twin from Sonic. "That's enough, Amy." Tails came from the laboratory.
"Sonic!" He cried as his face lit up. He ran over to the blue hedgehog and pulled him into a hug.
"Hey little bro." Sonic replied and ruffled Tails' hair. Sonic looked up to see a familiar red echidna. "Yo, Knux!" Sonic called to him. Knuckles didn't reply in words; he just held his hand up and smirked.
"Do you want something to eat, Sonic?" Tails asked. Sonic began to sweat a little but replied, "No thank you." Sonic's condition had greatly improved and now he only threw up when he tried to eat. He didn't enjoy denying food, but it was for his own good. He had to take eating in steps.
Sonic sat down on the couch trying to ignore the desire to at least eat something. Peaches sat down beside him and held his hand.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes." Sonic replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Sonic kissed Peaches tenderly. Peaches kissed him back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and held him tight. Sonic caressed her face and pushed her back, lying her down on the couch. Her fingers ran across his body, running the length of his torso and stopping to stroke his belly. Sonic jerked back, his face as red as a tomato. Peaches laughed at his reaction.
"What's wrong?" She jokingly asked him. Sonic nervously shifted his weight. Peaches caressed his face. "I don't do it to make you nervous."
"I know. . ." Sonic answered, "but. . ."
"I understand."
The pink hedgehog again kissed the azure one.
"Wanna take a bath?" Sonic asked with a naughty look in his eyes. Peaches smirked and took his outstretched hand.
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"Sounds like someone's hungry." Peaches said while in the bath. She had her head against Sonic's shoulder as he gently nibbled on her ears.
"Is my stomach growling?" Sonic nervously asked.
"Yeah, it is." Peaches replied. "We should have a snack when we get out."
"But, Babe!" Sonic exclaimed with a slight whine. "If I eat too much I-I-I'll. . ."
"Relax, Sonic." Peaches calmly stated. "I'll make sure you don't over do it." Sonic hugged her tight.
"I love you."
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After the bath, Sonic and Peaches had a snack. Peaches was eating a bag on pretzels while Sonic ate a single yogurt. Luckily, he didn't feel any different, which was a good sign. Sonic stretched out and pulled the oldest trick in the book, putting his arm around Peaches. She smiled at him and snuggled against him. Sonic kissed her inside her ear and behind it.
"Sonic, can I ask a question?" Peaches said.
"Sure, Babe." Sonic stretched again.
"What happened to make you so self-conscious about your tummy?"
Sonic's eyes snapped open and he blushed at her use of the word. He was silent for a moment.
"Uh. . ." he finally managed to find his voice, "I'd. . .rather not talk about it."
"This is your problem!" Peaches announced pridefully. "If you don't talk about it, you'll never get over it."
She'll never understand, Sonic thought. No one will.
"Peaches, it's just. . .really painful and. . .I don't think I'm r-ready." Sonic heard the stammering on his voice on the last word and shivered. Peaches pulled him close as he started to shiver with fear. This was often his reaction to these types of conversations; sometimes, he would end up crying hysterically. Sonic took a deep breath and composed himself. He gently pulled out of Peaches' embrace.
"Sorry," he said. "I just. . .can't." Peaches laid her head on his chest.
"I understand."
Sonic refused to talk about his past. All Peaches knew was that a "man" had hurt him and forced him into slavery. She took Sonic's still trembling hand in hers and held it over her heart. Sonic kissed her passionately.
