Chapter Text
The noon sun rose high above the momentarily calm seas. A pleasant warm breeze blew through the air and everything felt harmonious. That was until one single question raised a chaotic mix of feelings. Confusion, disbelieve, frustration! All because of this small, insignificant and yet implausible question. “What’s an anchor?”
“Are you for real?” A pink hedgehog, named Black Rose exclaimed, clearly in disbelieve of the blue hedgehog’s question, in front of them. “You want to go on adventures, and don’t even know that?”
“Of course, I want to!” The hedgehog, which was given the name ‘Sonic’ answered genuinely. His face was filled with euphoric anticipation, to learn more about the world, he has no clue about. “I’m a… what do you guys call it? Landlubber?” The blue hedgehog grinned sardonically, and playfully crossed his arms behind his head. “It doesn't cost anything to ask, and if it helps you get rid of this nickname at some point. So much the better!”
“Your bright and positive nature is quite annoying.” A black hedgehog, which everyone refers to as ‘Captain Shadow’ intervened. “But I like your attitude.” Noticeably, the landlubber showed his joy about the others’ praise, and even underlined it with giving him a ‘thumb-up’ gesture. The criticism, on the other hand, didn't seem to bother Sonic at all. “An anchor is that metallic, curved object with the barbed flukes, next to you.” The Captain pointed down, next to the blue hedgehog, who then stared at said object with an expression that clearly stated: ‘ooooohhhh….and what does it do?’ However, the moment the landlubber wanted to open his mouth, Shadow already continued his explanation. “It is used to anchor the boat to the bottom of the sea.”
“Basically, you just throw the anchor over the railing” Black Rose continued, explaining.
“That’s easy! I can do that!” Impatient as the landlubber was, he picked up the anchor without thinking and threw it over the ship's railing with all his might. With a triumphant grin, he looked at his crew members, not noticing how his leg had become entangled in the rope attached to the anchor. Just a moment later it happened, and the blue hedgehog was also thrown over the railing with great force. “...can’t...swim…” Was all they could make out among all the shouting.
“Ppffftt!!” Black Rose couldn't hold back her laughter. The spectacle that had just unfolded before them was simply too delicious.
The black hedgehog, on the other hand, could only curse loudly at the other's idiocy. “Scurvy!!! That stupid idiot!” In spite of his anger, he leisurely took off his coat and hat and handed them to Black Rose. “I'll be right back.” He declared and then leapt over the railing in a perfectly aesthetic-looking dolphin jump that could make even the aforementioned animal jealous.
Once in the sea, he immediately looked out for the blue landlubber, who was about to sink like a stone, although he panicked and tried to free himself from his predicament. The captain tried to catch up with him as quickly as possible, because Sonic's terrified fidgeting would only cause him to run out of breath even faster. When the black hedgehog finally reached him, the reflex to gasp for air was already written all over the other's face. There was only one thing he could do. Shadow grabbed him by the collar and pulled the other towards him, then pressed his lips against those of his counterpart. Of course, there was no nefarious ulterior motive. All he wanted was to give the landlubber some of his air. The blue hedgehog's mind gave way and only a blank expression adorned his face. The perfect opportunity for the captain to get his leg into a steady position and finally free Sonic. Before the blue landlubber could even process what was happening, he was already back on the floor of the ship. Still staring holes in the area.
His mind simply couldn't grasp what had just happened to him. It wasn't as if he was accusing the black hedgehog of taking advantage of the situation. Still, he didn't know how to deal with it. After all, this was his first kiss! In fact, it wasn't even a real kiss, which somehow made the whole thing even worse. So much for the 'romantic first kiss'.
“Hey, are you all right?!” The shouts of his captain, coupled with violent shaking, brought life back into the emerald green eyes that barely resembled those of a dead fish. The blue hedgehog just looked at him, stunned. It was almost as if his eyes weren't really looking at Shadow, but through him.
“That was my first.” The landlubber said thoughtlessly.
The captain, for his part, sighed in annoyance, but there was also a small hint of enlightenment. “Next time, you'd better watch out! If you die on me after a few days, you'll never make it to Quartermaster.” These words brought the always cheerful smile back to the blue hedgehog's face and, as usual, he showed his joy with a 'thumbs up' gesture. He was probably over it sooner than he thought.
And that was Sonic's adventure of an anchor and the first kiss!