#ok yea

based on this

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1.5. Guidance

Amy skidded to a halt in front of Sonic, panting but assuredly coming in second, quickly followed by Tails and Knuckles, who were basically neck and neck.

“Cheater! You cheated!” The echidna’s roar echoed around the clearing, sending some birds in nearby trees flapping away from what was probably their sleeping place, seeing as it was still the middle of the night.

“I did not! Sonic, tell ‘im using items is not cheating,” Tails whined, voice cracking as he defended himself from Knuckles’ fists swatting at him from the ground.

“I hate to say it little buddy, but it is kind of cheating if we don’t all get to use them,” Sonic admitted in an authoritative tone, not exactly a vision of brotherly guidance as he opted not to interfere with their squabble.

Amy, who just now caught her breath, took her hands off her knees to stand up properly and exhaled deeply. “So, obviously you won, but do I get any points for beating those two?”

Sonic laughed with an ease he hadn’t felt since before the Eclipse Canon. “They’d be more of a challenge if they weren’t hellbent on arguing,” he said with a raised brow.

Does that mean he’s not impressed, then…? Amy tried to hide the disappointment that wanted to decorate her expression.

“Maybe you and I should go next time, one on one,” Sonic followed up, which made her perk up excitedly as her cheeks flushed with heat.

One on one?? Was he flirting? Her heart skipped and rejoiced in her chest at the implication.

“…But that might be kinda mean, ‘cus I’d definitely wipe the floor with you.” He concluded with a shit-eating smirk that made her smile drop.

Typical teenage boys.

She turned away in a huff as she watched the other two scuffle in the dirt, Knuckles having pulled Tails out of the sky with a triumphant yell that had Sonic laughing even harder than before.

Somehow, he seemed lighter now than when they started the race, like a heavy weight had been lifted from his very soul.

Huh. I guess he really likes racing, she thought to herself as she scanned him, forced to chalk it up to just that for lack of any other context that could explain the sudden change in his demeanor.

She made a mental note to take him up on his 1v1 race offer, even if she was destined to lose. She would prove to be a good match for him in other ways, even if it meant letting herself be bested.

Besides, there wasn’t anyone alive on Earth who could beat Sonic in a race.

Right?