Y/N decided to pay Knuckles a visit at Angel Island as she walks through the trees and made it to see the Master Emerald rebuild and shining very nicely with him sleeping. She giggled, knowing how tired he was from traveling into space. She decided to tease him for a bit. Y/N walked up the stairs quietly as her shadow looms over Knuckles' sleeping form and lean down towards his face. His snoozing sound were soft as his breathing goes up and down. She smiled at how cute he is. She lightly poked his face a little, making him grunt and sway his hand away like some fly bug was bothering him not knowing it was her. She poked him again and again and when he couldn't take it, he opened his eyes.

They show violet eyes as he glare up to who bothers his sleep and froze to see Y/N who's smiling down at him.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

He immediately sat up, backed away, and accidentally banged his head against the Master Emerald.

"Ow!!"

Y/N laughed loudly at how hilarious his reaction was.

"Sorry, sorry! I couldn't help myself! You were so funny!"

Knuckles rubbed his head.

"Geez! Don't just scare me like that!"

"I won't." she chuckled. "You wanna talk? I thought you might need some company. This place can be lonely when guarding the Master Emerald. You should build a house next to it that way you can watch it and maybe set up some traps where no one could bother try and steal it."

Knuckles looked at her impressed.

"I'd never thought of that. Maybe. I'll think about it. And I don't mind a company like you."

"Really? Even Sonic, Tails, Amy?"

He gave her a deadpan look.

"Not in a million years is Sonic and others are welcome here, except you. Don't want them messing around."

"They're not like wild children."

"You're more of a sensitive person who understand boundaries."

"Touche."

They both chuckled as they talk for a while as they sat together while watching the sun as it started to slowly go down. Knuckles took a glance at her as she was talking about trying to get Sonic into a water for a million times. She's as beautiful as Knuckles will always sees her as. Her quills along with her front hair sways from the breeze that made her sparkle under the sunlight. His gaze then fixed on her face, finding it hard to look away as those beautiful F/C orbs were filled with courage, kindness, and love. He loves her very much.

Y/N felt his gaze on her and turned to see him staring at her with those loving eyes, making her blush.

"Knuckles?"

"Yes, beautiful?"

"B-Beautiful?"

He realized what he said and turned away, feeling his cheeks hot in embarrassment. She couldn't believe what she was hearing and felt her heart melt.

"Nothing..."

He coughed himself to clear his throat and looked back at Y/N. He needs to tell her now.

"Y/N, there's something I want to show you." he said, standing up.

"Huh? Where?" she asked, looking at him in confusion.

Knuckles gently grabbed her hand, standing her up and running to the forest. This caught her offguard as she quickly gain her speed with him holding her hand still.

"You'll see."

Y/N didn't say anything and let him led the way, trusting him.

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https://youtu.be/luvZUb6-0Hw

Y/N doesn't know how long they've been walking as it is now dark. Knuckles seems to know where he was going even through the dark as he memorized the path.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?"

"Don't worry. We're close."

Y/N said nothing and look down at her hand that was held by Knuckles' hand. His big glove covers a whole thing like a giant blanket that keeps everything warm as it is now. She blushed softly. Her ears twitched to hear a rather familiar roar, making her eyes widen. Knuckles removed the giant leaves that was in his way to reveal such beautiful waterfalls with a giant moon shining over it.

The waterfall was Atlantis-blue. It was gushing over the rocks. At its widest point, it was surging and plunging down the mountain. It had a beautiful serenity-pool at the bottom. It was veneer clear. The waterfall flowed as smoothly as syrup.

"What do you think?"

"It's... amazing."

"Glad you like it. I was thinking maybe we could go for a swim."

"Like the one I took you when we were in Earth?" she smirked playfully. "Are you trying to copy me?"

"No." Knuckles pouted, crossing his arms and looking away. "Maybe. I thought swimming with a waterfall sounds... fun... with you."

Y/N chuckled and starts to remove her rollerskating shoes.

"Well, let's go in."

Knuckles smiled in excitement and started to remove his gloves, shoes, and socks while Y/N remove her headband, gloves, and her socks, leaving her in her bodysuit as a swimsuit. They both took a deep breath and dove into the water as they swim towards the rocks. They carefully climb up and slide over the rock and made it to the other side where they can get a closer Y/N was in awe when she felt a splash on her face and turned to see Knuckles giving her a smirk. Her eyes lit with fire.

"Oh, it's on."

She splash waters back at him in the face, making him splutter out. Knuckles splashes back and then Y/N splashes back. They both splash water at each other again and again while swimming around to avoid getting splashed on. Laughing was heard as they're having fun until they stopped playing around feeling tired as they lean against the rocks.

"That...was..fun."

"Yeah, it was."

"Thanks for taking me here."

Knuckles said nothing but stare at her for while, making her feel a little nervous when her eyes met his. Then, they slowly lean in, their cheeks red.

"Knuckles..."

"Y/N..."

He reach a hand to her face and remove her wet front hair to the side of her head. Y/N's heart starts beating in a medium paste as Knuckles pulls her face closer to his very slowly. Y/N wants to say something to stop him, but she couldn't. Their lips are dangerously close until they finally collide against each other. Y/N and Knuckles felt fireworks explode. They sank into the bottom of the water together still kissing. Knuckles gripped the back of her head, digging his hands into her quills whilst she wrapped her arms around his neck.

They slowly pulled away for some air. Y/N was speechless as Knuckles pulled her body closer to his. They quickly swam back up to the surface, gasping for air. Once they regained their breath, Knuckles starts confessing.

"Y/N... I love you. I've loved you for so long. You listen to me, you teach me, you worry me, you always be there for me when I needed you."

"Knuckles, I... I'm speechless."

"Y-You don't have to answer. I know you don't love me and--"

"Knuckles." Y/N stopped him by placing a hand on his cheeks. "What you said is really sweet and I kind of like you too. But everything is too fast for me and I'm a little nervous. I'm not ready for a relationship yet. I'm sorry, Knuckles. Please forgive me."

She expect him to be mad and swim away from her, but instead she felt her face push against the red chest with a hand behind her head.

"I understand. I just want to let you know how I really feel. And I'm happy I get to tell you."

"Will you... give me time? Take things slow?"

"Yes. I'll try and wait." Knuckles said, looking down at her with a genuine smile.

Y/N smiled back and hugged him. He lean down and give her head a light kiss.

"Can we stay here like this? And do you mind?"

She nodded and he gently pressed his lips against hers again. The moonlight put out a scene more romantic as Y/N and Knuckles kiss while sinking back into the water.