The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Nazo's quarters, casting warm light across a scene that had become increasingly familiar over the past weeks.
Nazo sat on his bed, his silver fur catching the golden rays, while two bodies pressed against him from either side. Nicole occupied his left, her exaggerated curves molded against him as she made soft sounds of contentment, her simplified mind finding perfect happiness in the simple act of physical contact. Violet claimed his right, her golden eyes half-closed, her obsessive devotion expressed through the constant pressure of her body against his.
NAU was notably absent—she had taken to patrolling the village perimeter during what she called "optimal cuddle hours," apparently having calculated that competing with two other beings for limited physical space was inefficient.
"This is nice," Nicole murmured against his chest. "Super nice. The nicest."
"Your assessment is consistent with previous observations," Nazo noted. "You have described this activity as 'nice' approximately four hundred and seventy-three times since my return from the Enerjak engagement."
"Because it's ALWAYS nice!" Nicole nuzzled deeper into his fur. "Cuddling you never stops being nice!"
"The consistency of your emotional response is notable."
Violet shifted on his other side, her arms tightening around his torso. "You've been different since the battle. More... present."
"I experienced significant emotional engagement during the Enerjak conflict. The effects appear to be persistent."
"You mean you're feeling things again?"
"I mean that I am experiencing states that function increasingly like emotions. Whether they qualify as 'feelings' in the traditional sense remains uncertain."
"That's more than you would have said a month ago."
"Accurate."
Nicole lifted her head, her vacant eyes somehow managing to convey curiosity. "Does that mean you like cuddling now? Like, actually LIKE it?"
Nazo considered the question carefully—something he had been doing more often lately. Actually considering, rather than simply analyzing.
"I observe a preference for continued physical contact. Whether that constitutes 'liking' requires further evaluation."
"That's basically a yes!" Nicole squealed, squeezing him tighter. "You like cuddling! You like US!"
"I didn't say—"
"Shh, don't ruin it with thinking words. Just cuddle."
Nazo fell silent, allowing the warmth of their bodies to seep into his awareness. It was strange, this sensation of being wanted. Of being held. Of mattering to other beings in ways that went beyond utility or analysis.
Strange, but increasingly... pleasant.
The knock at the door interrupted the moment.
"Yo, Nazo! You in there?"
Sonic's voice carried through the wooden barrier, casual and energetic as always.
"I am present," Nazo confirmed. "Enter."
The door swung open, and Sonic stepped inside—then immediately froze, taking in the scene before him.
"Uh. Wow. That's... that's a lot of cuddling."
"Cuddling is important," Nicole said firmly, not releasing her grip.
"He's OURS during cuddle hours," Violet added, her tone carrying a warning edge.
"Right, right, I'm not trying to steal him or anything." Sonic held up his hands in mock surrender. "I just came to ask him something."
"Ask fast. You're interrupting."
"Noted." Sonic turned his attention to Nazo, his expression shifting to something more serious. "So, here's the thing. The Chaos Emeralds scattered after the Enerjak fight, like they always do. But this time, they didn't just spread across Mobius. They went... further."
"Define 'further.'"
"There's a chain of islands way out in the ocean. The Starfall Islands. We've gotten reports of strange energy signatures there—signatures that match the Chaos Emeralds." Sonic scratched the back of his head. "Tails thinks most of them landed there for some reason. Something about the islands' natural resonance with chaos energy."
"And you want to retrieve them."
"We NEED to retrieve them. After what happened with Enerjak, we can't risk someone else getting their hands on all seven." Sonic's expression was uncharacteristically serious. "I'm putting together a team to head out there. And I want you on it."
Nicole immediately tightened her grip. "No! He just got back from fighting a god! He needs rest! And cuddles!"
"The cuddles can wait, Nic. This is important."
"Cuddles are ALWAYS important!"
Violet's eyes had narrowed. "Why do you need him specifically? You and Shadow have handled Emerald retrievals before."
"Because these islands are weird. Really weird." Sonic pulled out a small device—one of Tails's scanners. "The readings we're getting suggest dimensional instability, ancient technology, and possibly hostile guardians. We need heavy hitters, and after that Infinite form Nazo pulled out against Enerjak..."
"You want access to that power."
"I want backup I can count on. There's a difference."
Nazo considered the request, observing his own internal response to it.
There was reluctance—an unexpected desire to remain here, in the warmth, with the beings who loved him. But there was also something else. Curiosity, perhaps. Interest in these mysterious islands and whatever secrets they held.
And beneath both, a growing sense of responsibility. The Chaos Emeralds had been scattered because of his battle. If someone misused them, the consequences would be partially his fault.
"When do we leave?" he asked.
"Tomorrow morning, if you're in." Sonic grinned. "We're taking the Tornado—Tails has been itching to test the new modifications anyway."
"NOOO!" Nicole wailed. "You can't take him! I'll die without cuddles!"
"You won't die. You'll just be sad for a few days."
"Same thing!"
"Nicole." Nazo's voice was gentle—a quality it rarely carried. "I will return. And when I do, there will be... extensive cuddling."
Nicole sniffled. "Promise?"
"I don't make promises. But I state intentions, and my intention is to return to this activity as soon as the mission permits."
"That's basically a promise!"
"If that interpretation provides comfort, you may maintain it."
Violet was watching him with an unreadable expression. "You're choosing to go. Even though you could refuse."
"The situation requires attention. My capabilities are relevant to addressing it."
"That's not why you're going."
Nazo paused, considering her observation.
"No," he admitted slowly. "It's not. I'm going because... because I want to. Because the prospect of exploration and purpose generates a positive response in my current emotional state."
"That's called excitement."
"Perhaps."
Violet's expression softened. "Go. Do what you need to do. We'll be here when you get back."
"All of us!" Nicole added. "Waiting! For cuddles!"
"Your dedication is noted."
The next morning arrived with the kind of clear sky that seemed to promise adventure.
Nazo stood beside the Tornado as Tails performed final checks on the modified aircraft. Sonic was stretching nearby, clearly eager to get moving. Shadow had arrived as well, his expression carrying its usual stoic intensity.
"Full team," Sonic observed. "Just like old times. Well, new times. Whatever."
"I wasn't part of your previous teams."
"Details, details. You're part of THIS team. That's what matters."
The farewell committee had assembled as well—a larger crowd than Nazo had expected.
Sally stood at the front, her expression professional but warm. "Be careful out there. We don't know what these islands hold."
"Caution will be exercised."
Rouge stepped forward, her teal eyes carrying their usual mix of affection and mischief. "Try not to ascend to godhood again while you're gone. It makes the rest of us look bad."
"I will attempt to limit transcendence to necessary circumstances."
Bunnie pulled him into a hug—brief but fierce. "Come back safe, sugah. We just got you feelin' things again. Don't go gettin' yourself hurt now."
"Injury avoidance will be prioritized."
Amy was next, her embrace longer and more desperate. "I'm going to miss you. Even though it's only for a few days. Is that silly?"
"Emotional responses are not subject to evaluation as 'silly' or otherwise. Your reaction is valid."
"That's... actually really sweet of you to say."
"I was stating fact, not being sweet."
"Same thing."
Nicole and Violet had positioned themselves on either side of him, neither willing to be the last to say goodbye.
"Bring me back something pretty!" Nicole demanded. "Like a shiny rock! Or a flower! Or a shiny flower-rock!"
"I will attempt to locate items matching your description."
"Don't take any unnecessary risks," Violet said, her voice quiet but intense. "I survived almost a million cycles without you. I don't want to do it again."
"Your concern is acknowledged. I will exercise appropriate caution."
NAU stood slightly apart from the others, her enhanced form radiating quiet intensity. "Return efficiently. Extended absence reduces optimal cuddle scheduling."
"Efficiency will be maintained."
"See that it is."
Tails called out from the cockpit. "Everything's ready! We can take off whenever you guys want!"
Sonic hopped onto the wing, extending a hand to Nazo. "Ready for an adventure, buddy?"
Nazo looked at the assembled people who had become his family—the women who loved him, the friends who supported him, the community that had accepted him despite everything.
"Yes," he said, and was surprised to find that he meant it. "I believe I am."
He took Sonic's hand and climbed onto the Tornado.
As the aircraft lifted off and banked toward the distant ocean, Nazo watched Knothole shrink below him. The people he cared about became small figures waving farewell, their love reaching up toward him like invisible threads.
I will return, he thought. To them. To the warmth. To whatever this strange, broken, beautiful life has become.
But first, there are islands to explore. Emeralds to find. Mysteries to solve.
The Tornado accelerated, leaving Mobius behind as it headed toward the unknown.
And somewhere in Nazo's chest, something that felt remarkably like anticipation began to grow.