Belong

Chapter 10 - Old Friends, New Friends

Venice leaned the back of his head against a wall, body trembling and breath wheezing in his chest as somewhere in the distance he heard Silver talk gentle encouragement to him between his angry yells at Sonic. The blue hedgehog had flown away over the path, towing Silver and Venice behind him, the three of them rushing towards Sunset City at a neck-breaking speed. Venice had been hollering in fright at the top of his lungs, hands clawing into Silver to the point he had to have hurt both of them, until they entered a large building that stood proudly in the middle of one of the islands. Once there, Silver had gently lifted him to the ground and he had promptly collapsed against the wall, where he had been recovering for some time now.

Eventually he felt stable enough to lift himself away the tiniest bit, snuggling right into Silver who was crouched at his side. Wrapping his arms around the psychic's shoulder, Silver muttering gentle words in his ear, he was lifted to his feet. They took a few wobbly steps towards the middle of the hall they were in, Venice clutching Silver's shoulders. Sonic stood a bit wayward, grinning sheepishly, and Venice did not miss the seething glare Silver sent at the Blue Blur. But for some reason, he didn't share Silver's anger. Even though he had spent most of the ride fearing for his life it had also been... kind of exciting? While the thought scared him, he couldn't deny that he also felt... intrigued. At the very least Sonic had known what he was doing, skillfully rushing around corners and through narrow streets without causing the slightest injury to himself and his charges.

Sonic stepped a bit closer, and while Venice could feel Silver tense he himself didn't try to hide behind the other psychic this time, instead very warily watching the blue hedgehog as he came over. "Sorry about that, I have a tendency to get carried away at times," he explained, stopping next to Venice while clearly making sure he didn't leave the ivory hedgehog's sight. He gave Venice a thumbs-up, grinning widely once more. "But honestly, anyone would if they were as fast as me!" Next to him, Venice heard Silver growl, but the hedgehog's confident exclamation... amused him? He could feel a small smile creep on his lips.

Very, very slowly, Venice released his grip on Silver, and extended one hand to Sonic as said hedgehog had done in the park. He saw how Sonic's eyes lit up, and the hedgehog wasted no time in grabbing it, giving his hand a calm yet firm handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Venice!" he beamed. Venice mumbled something back, not really sure what to say in return or if his voice would even work. Baby steps, he decided. But when he looked at Silver, he saw the other positively glow with pride, any earlier exasperation with Sonic completely forgotten.

Letting go of his hand and bounding away, Sonic turned towards them and bowed elaborately, his quills flying in the air at the movement. "Welcome to the headquarters of the Restoration, kept together under the watchful eye of the lovely Amy Rose!" Amy Rose, he recognised that name. Silver had mentioned her when they had first met, talking about the food she made for him and how she had given him the coat he was currently wearing. Sonic gestured for them to follow him as he walked further into the hallway. "Come on, I'll give you a tour!"

Silver sighed in chagrin, bristling his quills the tiniest bit before they relaxed. Clearly this wasn't going exactly how he had wanted, but he said nothing as he gently grasped Venice hand to guide him. They caught up to Sonic, who was tapping his foot impatiently at how slow they were being, and fell in line next to the blue hedgehog. Silver walked in the middle, giving Venice the opportunity to stay little bit in the back. He still wasn't entirely sure what to make of the situation. His curiosity had been prickled though, the blue hedgehog and his antics fascinating him as much as they scared him, and he knew he would be unable contain that fascination even if he tried.

"I haven't been gone for long, but how's everyone been?" Silver asked Sonic as they stepped through the halls. Sonic chuckled, and started a long-winded conversation with Silver about all his friends and the antics they had been up to. While Venice recognised some of the names from Silver's earlier stories, he realised quickly that he had nothing of value to add in this conversation, and as such he tuned it out and began studying the building they were in. He was sure Silver would understand if Sonic asked about it.