Today is the day. It's February 2nd, which means it's Knuckles' birthday! Y/N and her friends are right now settling everything up in Angel Island.

"Is everything all ready?"

"Yep! All good!" Sally nodded.

"The cake is ready?"

"Yes!"

"Anybody got gifts?"

"Yep! We never forget!"

"Good. I just want everything to be perfect. This is going to be his very first ever birthday he's going to have. I want him to remember something special we've given him." Y/N said, looking nervous.

Sonic comes over and slings his arm over her shoulder.

"Relax, sis. It's perfect. Knux is going to love it."

Y/N sighed, taking a deep breath and knowing that her brother is right.

"Alright. Just make sure it's all good. This is a surprise. Remember the plan, right?"

"We got this." Sonic waved off. "Now go get him before he figures something's wrong."

Y/N nodded and rocket skated off to find Knuckles.

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By the shrine, Knuckles was napping next to the Master Emerald he's guarding as it's looking as bright as ever. A shadow covered over his body as Y/N stood before him with a smile. She giggles at how cute he sleeps. She pulls out a feather and lightly tickles his nose, causing him to groan and swat whatever is bothering him. She kept on doing until he opened his eyes to see her up close.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

Shocked, he immediatedly sit up and accidentally bumped her head against his, making both of them yelp in pain.

"Ow!"

"Geez!"

"Sorry! My fault!" Knuckles and Y/N said in unison.

"No, I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have surprise you like that."

"Alright. But I'm still sorry for hitting you in the head. What are you doing here?"

"I just thought I'd take you somewhere fun. Thought you might need some break from guarding the Master Emerald. Don't you get bored?"

Knuckles opened his mouth to decline, but he stopped and closed them. Honestly, she's right. He has grown tired of just guarding the gem and wanted to do something else to at least keep him busy and entertained.

"Alright. Only because you're right. What's your occassion?" he sighed in defeat, rubbing his eyes.

"Somewhere very much fun." she grinned.

Before he knew it, they're at the arcade as Knuckles was playing the claw machine.

"You're doing it! You're gonna win it!" Y/N cheered him on.

Knuckles kept moving the claws until he finally caught something as it slowly lifted up the prize and then moved it towards the hole and dropped it. He and Y/N high-five each other.

"Yes!"

Knuckles bent down and grabbed what appears to be a treasure box.

"Huh. I wonder what's in it."

He opened it to reveal a jeweled flower.

With it is the note that said "Congrats! Take this real jewel as good luck."

"Wow! A jeweled flower? You're so lucky!" Y/N gasped in awe.

Knuckles just shrugs.

"Yeah... I guess. It's nice. How about you take it?"

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"What? But it's yours. You've earned it."

"Yeah, but you have cheered me on so to repay you, you deserve it."

Knuckles hands her the jeweled flower as she takes it.

"Thanks, Knuckles."

She gives him a closed eye smile. He quickly looks away, trying not to squeal at how cute she's looking. He quickly cleared his throat to ease down his cheeks that are suddenly hot.

"Sh-Shall we play another?"

"You're on."

Y/N and Knuckles are now playing air hockey game as they hit the disk with their hockey puck. They kept hitting and hitting to avoid getting the disk into their side until Y/N hits the puck to Knuckles' side of air hockey table.

"Whooooooa! Tied game, tied game!"

Knuckles then hits the puck to Y/N's side of air hockey table, shocking her.

"Whoooooooa!"

Y/N points at Knuckles with a giggle.

"Cheap shot, cheap shot!"

They're now having some lunch break as they ate their favorite fruit.

"No, no, I don't care what you say. The original "Mulan" movie is way better than the remake." Y/N said through her full mouth.

"Quit talking with your mouth full, N/N!" Knuckles playfully scolded after swallowing his fruit.

"Wait, what do you mean? My mouth's open? I have no idea, is it still open?"

She shows Knuckles inside of her mouth. He playfully shoves her and looks away.

"Aw, gross. How old are you?"

The both of them laugh. A montage then appears showing Y/N and Knuckles hanging out doing a lot of things like looking at clouds laying down laughing of what they look like, cart racing, skating making Knuckles almost falling, cheering at a concert, looking at art nodding then looking at each other having the same thought of view laughing again, playing laser tag seeing Y/N hiding from Knuckles then jumps out and laser tags him, making the end of the montage.

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"That was fun!" Knuckles laughed as they head back to Angel Island.

"Yeah! I never knew you can be good at playing video games and others." Y/N laughed back.

"Well, I'm full of surprises."

Y/N glance around as soon as they're back to his home, she noticed her friends in the distance as they gestured her to get to it. She turned to Knuckles.

"Hey, Knuckles?"

He raises his eyebrow.

"Hm?"

"There's something I want to show you. It's a surprise. Close your eyes."

"Huh?"

"Just trust me on this."

He then closes his eyes. She grabs his hand and starts taking him to who knows where as he can't see.

"Are we there yet?"

"Not yet."

After a few more steps...

"Now you can open it."

He slowly opens his eyes to see his friends as they all give it a shout.

"SURPRISE!!"

Party poppers were blown along with party blower. Knuckles was surely surprised by this. He could see the banner with his name on it.

"Wow..."

"Happy Birthday, Knuckles!" Y/N cheered.

"It's my... birthday? You remembered..."

"How can we ever forget, bud?" Sonic smiled.

"Here comes a cake!"

Vector and Espio comes over with a big white cake covered with grapes.

"Grape cake!?" he exclaimed, eyes sparkling with glee.

"Your favorite!" Y/N giggled.

"No one's ever thrown me a birthday party before. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now let's party!"

Everyone cheered along with Knuckles as they all ate the cake after he blew out the candles. They all have a nice chat and told each other some jokes while some did some drinking contest to see who could finish drinking the grape juice. Then goes to presents as Knuckles opened Sonic's, which he received a picture of himself and his friends. That was very nice of him. It was then after he received their gifts, it was Y/N's turn as she passed him the wrapped up present with a bow.

"I hope you like it."

Knuckles unwrapped the present and was surprised at what he sees. Inside was a brown hat with a blue stripe and red stars on yellow circles, brown jacket, dark bown gloves with silver spikes, and dark brown combat shoes with with brown cuffs and gray buckles. They're all cowboy themed. He looks over at her and notices her cheeks are pink as she looks away.

"I made it for you... I thought you'd look... cool as a cowboy."

Now it's his turn to blush as he feels flattered to hear that. He smirks and pulls out a hat and places it on top of his head.

"I love it."

Y/N looks back and feels her face all hot as he looks so much handsome with his hat on. She quickly clears her throat.

"There's another surprise we have for you."

Confused, he nodded as they lead him out of the Angel Island to the bottom of the land. They then stopped to what's supposed to be a cabin with a wooden bathroom next to it.

(A/N: This art of Knuckles' house belongs to KrazyELF from Inkbunny. Her art is amazing!)

"Surprise! It's your own home!"

"My... home?"

"We thought you'd need somewhere to live instead of getting cooped up outside, watching over the Master Emerald." Sonic said.

"Somewhere warm and cozy. This house can even protect you from the rain and other kinds of weather." Tails added.

"You should really thank Y/N here. She's the one that came up with the birthday surprise and the idea of making you a home." Sally said with a knowing smile.

"I-It's nothing. That's what friends do, right?" Y/N blushed, shuffling her feet.

Knuckles couldn't help but tear up and hug Y/N tightly.

"Thank you. This is the best birthday present I ever have."

Y/N hugged him back.

"I'm glad."

Before they knew it, the birthday party is now over and night time as everyone left, except for Knuckles and Y/N as they take a look inside of his house.

"This is pretty cozy." he said, sitting on a bed.

"Yep. I thought a fireplace would be a finishing touch." she said, igniting the fire in the fireplace. "Well, I hope you enjoy your new place. I gotta go. Good night."

She was about to head towards the door when she felt a hand grabbed her arm. She turned to see Knuckles as he looks as though he doesn't want to let her leave.

"Please... stay here... with me?"

She blushed, not knowing what to say. How could she say no with that look on his adorable, handsome face?! Plus, she doesn't like the idea of leaving him alone.

"Oh! Um... uh, sure."

Y/N uses her magic to change her clothes into pajamas thankfully. Knuckles happily take off his shoes, socks and gloves as he turn off the light, leaving the fireplace on. Y/N takes off her gloves, shoes and socks and lies down on the bed next to him as he pulls the blanket over their body before Knuckles brings her closer to him and buries his face against her neck. She smiles softly and strokes his head before closing her eyes. Knuckles intertwine his fingers against hers, holding her hand and falling asleep with her. He sure won't forget this moment. After all, everyone deserves happiness.