Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was quiet in the apartment until Shadow heard a knock at the front door. 

He ignored it, choosing instead to continue with the book Amy loaned him the other week. 

Shadow only just got around to reading it after finishing a particularly grueling G.U.N mission two days ago. She’d been particularly enthusiastic about this one, something about how well-written the chemistry was. She’d also made him promise to share his thoughts with her once he finished which is why he was trying to read as much as he could before they met on Thursday to discuss. He wasn’t worried, though- he’d already made a decent dent in Kindred Hearts over the last few hours.

Shadow’s enjoyment of romance novels was a fairly well-kept secret. The only one else who knew about it was Rouge, and that was mainly because they lived together. But Amy had managed to get the secret out of him after drinks for her birthday last year and from there had dragged him, though not entirely unwillingly, into the pseudo-book club.

While he’d never admit it aloud, there was the tiniest, smallest chance Shadow was a bit of a romantic at heart. Sue him. 

Amy had good taste, though, and Shadow enjoyed their discussions and occasional book swapping. The one she’d recommended was also currently living up to her description, so much so  that he was content to ignore whoever was at the door. Besides, he wasn’t expecting anybody- more likely Rouge had invited someone over and forgot to tell him or was going out herself. 

One ear twitched as he heard the door to Rouge’s room open as she made her way to the door before she gave her usual sultry greeting to whoever was on the other side. 

Shadow didn’t particularly care to listen and find out. The protagonists had finally gotten through the trope of realizing maybe they were more than friends, and he was keen to keep reading and indulge on his first day off in over a week. 

That was, until he heard Rouge call out to him from across the apartment, practically crooning. 

“Shadowww, you have a visitor!”

He frowned, loathe to put down the book but mildly curious as to who could be at the door asking for him. From Rouge’s greeting, he guessed it was someone they knew. He bookmarked his page and slipped the book into his nightstand before moving toward the door. 

Her tone had been fairly cheery too, which wasn’t entirely odd, but it almost seemed like she was… excited? Like she couldn’t wait for him to see whoever-

Shadow froze, one hand on the doorknob. There was only one person who Rouge would be that excited for him to see that could also explain the particularly teasing lilt of her voice. 

He tried to ignore the flip in his stomach as his suspicions rose, hurriedly smoothing his quills back as he forced himself to open the door and keep moving lest Rouge say anything potentially damning to his visitor. 

Rounding the corner of the hallway leading to the front door, his suspicions were confirmed by the sight of bright blue quills just beyond where Rouge was standing. He had no idea what Sonic was doing here, hadn’t even known he was in Central City at the moment, but there he was chatting idly in the doorway. 

His traitorous best friend wasn’t facing him, but Shadow knew her well enough to recognize the mischievous aura radiating from her. There was one secret Rouge knew that nobody else did, not even Amy, and if he didn’t move fast he had a feeling the bat would do or say something to clue Sonic into it. 

He knew Rouge was of the belief that his crush (and didn’t that make him cringe, calling whatever this thing was between him and Sonic something as juvenile as a crush) was something to be shared.

Shadow, on the other hand, was of the belief he would rather die than have the other find out. 

Chaos, how long had the two of them been talking? 

“There you are!” Rouge purred, turning around to look at him at the sound of his approach. With her back to Sonic, she gave him a shit-eating grin that set his teeth on edge. “We were just talking about you, love.”

“All good things,” Sonic piped up from behind her, oblivious to the way Shadow was attempting to explode Rouge with his mind as she looked at him with nothing short of delighted glee. 

“Hmph.” Shadow didn’t trust himself to speak as he came to stand beside Rouge at the door, taking in Sonic’s appearance. He was in his usual attire, the red sports jacket and basketball shorts popping against the color of his wind-swept quills, with a black backpack slung over one shoulder. 

He willed himself to keep a cool demeanor as Rouge loudly announced she was going to head back to her room, calling over her shoulder as she left. 

“Good to see you, Blue. Come by another time, hm? We can drag Shadow and Knuckles to lunch.” 

“Sounds like a plan,” Sonic laughed, waving as she left while Shadow mentally promised to have words with Rouge as soon as the other hedgehog was gone. 

Speaking of which, Sonic was looking at him now, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. 

“Hey Shads,” he greeted warmly, and if Shadow didn’t know any better he’d go as far as to say it sounded almost fond. “How’s it hanging?”

”Sonic,” he acknowledged, leaning against the doorframe. “I didn’t realize you were in the city.”

“Not for long, Tails needed me to pick up a part that he ordered last time we were here,” Sonic explained, adjusting the bag on his shoulder as he talked. Shadow guessed he’d brought it along to carry the part while he ran. “We’re working on the Tornado.”

“Was it damaged?” Shadow asked, frowning. He hadn’t spoken to the other hedgehog besides a few texts here and there since he’d left for his mission last week, and Sonic hadn’t mentioned anything about the plane being hit in those. Shadow usually wasn’t one for texting, or talking that much in general, but as per usual Sonic seemed to be the exception to that rule. He didn’t even seem to mind that half of his responses were usually some form of a thumbs up or down, either.

”Nah, just a little project we cooked up,” Sonic assured him. “Thought it’d be fun to work on some upgrades together, so I’m helping out.”

That was good. Shadow knew how much the pair treasured that plane, always diligently repairing it whenever it got damaged in a fight. It was… charming, as well, that Sonic had chosen to work on the upgrades with Miles to spend time with his younger brother. Sweet, even. 

Chaos, he had it bad. No wonder Rouge enjoyed torturing him. 

“Helping out, or getting in Miles’s way?” Shadow questioned, a hint of a smirk betraying his teasing. Sonic huffed a laugh. 

“Very funny,” he deadpanned. “Y’know, I am the one who found it and fixed it in the first place. It was a bit of a wreck too, I think I deserve a little credit.”

That wasn’t something Shadow had known actually, but he tried not to dwell on the way the new information made the back of his neck warm at the thought of Sonic being able to rebuild an entire plane from essentially scratch. 

“Didn’t realize you were such a mechanic,” he said instead. 

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises, Shads.”

Yes, you are, Shadow thought, simultaneously scolding his brain for its traitorous thinking. “Is there a reason you’re here, or did you just come to brag?” 

Sonic stuck his tongue out at him playfully, always the child. “I did have a reason, but if you’re going to be grumpy about it…”

”Sonic,” he warned, ears flicking in annoyance. He may have a crush, but the other still knew exactly how to push his buttons. 

“Kidding, kidding.” Sonic threw his hands up in mock surrender. “I do, though. Have a reason. I was also gonna’ ask how your mission went, I meant to yesterday when you got back but I figured you’d want some time alone first.”

He blinked at the comment about his mission, surprised at the other’s consideration for his tendency to self-isolate after being out in the field for too long. And this mission had been a long one, days longer than even their briefing on it had estimated. 

“It went- alright. All things considered.”

Sonic let out a low whistle, reading between the lines. “That bad, huh?” 

When Shadow simply shrugged his shoulders, he dropped to one knee and slung the bag from his shoulder and placed it on the ground, taking care not to snag it on his quills as he did. Shadow watched him curiously as he zipped open the bag, continuing to speak. ”It’s a good thing I came by, then. I’ve got just the thing to cheer you up.”

”I don’t need cheering up,” Shadow grumbled, mostly for his own benefit. Sonic just shot him a wink from his spot on the ground, digging in the bag for a second before he apparently found what he was looking for and stood back up. 

“Here.”

Shadow stared at the small, square package the other held out, the logo on the front familiar to him. 

“Is that-“ 

“Coffee beans!” Sonic affirmed, grinning. “I passed by that cafe you like so much on the way back from getting the part and thought I’d grab some for you. You said these are the ones you like, right?”

They were his favorite, in fact. It struck Shadow suddenly that he’d made that comment offhandedly probably months ago now, during a hangout he’d been dragged to with some of their other friends at the very same cafe. Sonic’s cheerful demeanor didn’t change much as he continued to hold the bag out to Shadow, but he knew he should probably say something before- yeah, there it was, Sonic’s ears were drooping ever so slightly at his lack of a response. 

“I mean, if you don’t like-“

“No,” Shadow interrupted, willing his face to not flush at the way Sonic’s ears seemed to perk back up immediately as he spoke. “No, I like them. They’re my favorite, actually. Thank you.”

“Awesome,” Sonic grinned, handing the bag over to him. “Figured they’d be a good pick-me-up. They’re no chili dog, but-”

“You have the tastes of a toddler, you know that?” Shadow huffed, rolling his eyes at Sonic’s persistent insistence on the quality of his favorite snack.

“I have a very refined palate, thank you,” Sonic sniffed, feigning offense as he stooped to zip the bag close and sling it back onto his shoulder.  “Don’t yuck my yum, Shads.”

“I think you’ll live,” Shadow said, dryly. The other laughed at that, opening his mouth to speak again before he was interrupted by a quick ping from inside his jacket. Sonic pulled his phone out, glancing at the screen and typing something quickly before putting it back. 

“Sorry to cut things short, but Tails needs me back to help him lift out the engine.” Sonic brought a hand to rub at the back of his neck, looking- nervous? No, Shadow had to be imagining things. Why would he look nervous? “Um, listen. Now that you’re back, would you wanna’ maybe spar sometime this week? If you’re up for it.”

The ask itself wasn’t unusual, they sparred fairly regularly after all. It was nice, having someone who you didn’t have to hold back on for fear of hurting them, that could meet you blow for blow and then some. It was more than nice, actually. Almost exhilarating. 

But it was a little odd how uncertain Sonic seemed to be about asking. Shadow couldn’t come up with a good reason at the moment as to why he would be, however, so he chose to ignore it. 

“Desperate for me to beat you that badly, huh?” Shadow asked tauntingly. There was no true heat to his goading words, but he couldn’t help himself. Despite their rivalry developing into something more like friendly competition over the years, some things would never change.

Sonic’s grin turned a bit wicked at that, a spark in his eyes that never failed to leave Shadow a little breathless when it appeared whenever the other hero was presented with a challenge.

“Aw Shads,” Sonic cooed, a hint of edge to his tone despite the sweet facsimile. “It’s so cute how you think you’ll win.”

Just like that, his heart started thumping to an uncoordinated rhythm as the word “cute” hit his ears. Never mind that he probably hadn’t intended it like that and Shadow was just latching onto the word like an idiot, but still- it took some effort to continue the conversation normally, especially when his hearing picked up a faint giggle from Rouge’s room. 

Crap. Sometimes he forgot her hearing nearly rivaled his. She probably knew exactly how he was freaking out, and was surely delighting in it.

“I don’t think, I know,” Shadow countered. “When did you want to meet?”

“This Wednesday, around noon? The usual spot.”

“I‘ll be there. Don’t be late.”

“That was one time,” Sonic whined, backtracking at Shadow’s unimpressed stare. “Okay, twice. Promise, I’ll be there at the crack of noon!”

Shadow sighed. ”Do you ever think before you speak?” 

“On occasion,” Sonic said, winking again in a way that should not have been nearly as attractive to Shadow as his stupid brain thought it was. “I’ll get out of your quills now, though. Let you enjoy your day off.“

Sonic paused, before adding, “And I’m glad you, uh. I’m glad you made it back from the mission. Sorry if I was texting, like, a lot.”

”No more than usual. Which is fine,” he amended quickly, not wanting the other to think he disliked their communications. Quite the opposite, in fact. “I don’t mind it.”

Sonic seemed happy to hear him say that, at least, giving a small laugh. “Alright then, I’ll see you Wednesday. Enjoy your snack, Shads.” And with a final, familiar grin he was gone, a sudden gust of wind announcing his departure. 

He didn’t shut the door at first, staring out in the distance at the blue streak that disappeared from his view after less than a minute. When he did, he slowly made his way to the kitchen with the coffee beans in hand, intending to save them for later but unable to resist opening it to pop a handful into his mouth. They tasted even better than usual. 

He put the package away in a cupboard and buried his face in his hands. 

“Fuck.”

”Oh, you’ve got it bad.”

Shadow whipped his head around to find where Rouge stood a few feet away, watching his breakdown amusedly. 

“If it makes you feel better, he clearly does too,” she continued, ignoring the way he glowered at her as she made her way past him to the fridge. 

“Rouge.”

“Oh don’t look at me like that, you know I’m right.” She pulled out a can of something, offering it to Shadow who shook his head in refusal, before cracking it open and drinking it herself. “That boy is obsessed with you.”

“That’s not true,” Shadow huffed. “And no, I don’t know that you’re right. We’re… we’re just friends, and that’s fine.”

Rouge gave him an unimpressed look.

“Hon, he literally came by just to give you a gift. And don’t think I didn’t notice him making sure he picked your favorite, that was adorable”

Shadow groaned. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean- it’s Sonic, he’s always doing stuff like that for his friends. Are you ever going to drop this?”

“As soon as you get your head out of your ass and see that I’m right, yes.”

It was a familiar debate, one that never failed to set him on edge at the thought of actually telling Sonic how he felt. His ears flattened at the terrifying concept. 

He appreciated the fact that Rouge just wanted to see him happy, but couldn’t she see just how bad things could go if he confessed and the other had to tell him that they were just friends? Chaos, and the hero would probably be so kind about it too. He’d never live it down. 

Rouge seemed to know where his head was at even without him saying anything. “Shadow, seriously. He got you your favorite snack, for no reason, and set up a date with you. Don’t you think that means something?”

“He didn’t set up a date, we’re sparring,” he argued, crossing his arms defensively as he leaned back against the kitchen counter. “Besides, he was near the cafe anyway. He was just being nice.”

Rouge sighed, gliding over to stand in front of Shadow who was decidedly not pouting and gently poked at the crease of his furrowed brow. He waved her off. “Rouge, seriously. I know you’re just trying to help, but it’s fine.” It really wasn’t, but what could he do? As much as he’d like to believe his friend, it was a difficult belief to reconcile with his own.

“Fine.” Rouge shrugged, patting his cheek condescendingly and laughing lightly as he tried to bat her away. “When you decide to stop being such a baby about it, come find me. I’m going back to bed, my back is a mess from this week.”

He wasn’t surprised at her napping despite it being midday, she’d been just as overworked during their mission as he was and took a particularly nasty hit that had sent her flying into the wall of the base they’d infiltrated. Shadow felt a pang of guilt at having been so wrapped up in himself that he hadn’t asked how she was doing. 

“Are you-”

“Oh, I’m alright hon, don’t worry your pretty little head,” she waved him off, clearly knowing once again exactly what he’d been thinking. It would aggravate him if he didn’t care for her so much. “Nothing a nap and some painkillers won’t fix.” 

He reluctantly acquiesced. “Fine. Go rest.”

“And stop brooding, go back to reading Amy’s book you like so much. What’s it called, Kinky Hearts?”

“Kindred Hearts,” he grumbled as she turned to leave the kitchen with a laugh. 

“By the way,” she added, pausing in the entryway to the kitchen. “That shop Sonic had to get the part from? He mentioned the name of it while we were chatting. I know it, little place on the west side of the city.”

He didn’t say anything, quirking a brow at the statement and unsure as to what she was getting at. 

“Your cafe is on the east side. Not exactly ‘on the way’ from the shop, hm?”

She left him like that, blinking rapidly as he turned her words over in his mind. If what she said was true, and he didn’t have any reason to believe she was lying, then-

He buried his face in his hands again and groaned. Chaos. 

Wednesday came a few days later. 

It found Shadow hurriedly warping to his and Sonic’s usual meeting spot, a stretch of uninhabited canyons that served as a midway point between his apartment and the live-in base on the outskirts of Empire City the hero shared with his brother. 

As the familiar burst of energy dissipated from him and he found himself a few feet from the canyon’s edge, Shadow prayed he wasn’t late. The last thing he needed was for Sonic to rub it in his face after their last meeting. 

He checked his watch, relieved when it read three minutes to noon. Still, he thought, moving to sit with his legs dangling over the edge of the cliff. Even if he had been late it wouldn’t have entirely been his fault. He’d had to stop at G.U.N. headquarters that morning with Rouge and Omega for a debriefing on their latest mission. Really, it shouldn’t have taken nearly as long as it did, but they’d received intel on some potential energy signatures coming out of the West Side Islands and he’d had to stay. 

Not to mention Omega had managed to get himself wedged in the doorway for a third time. It’d been a day. 

He sighed, arms outstretched behind him as he looked over the sprawling canyon, golden underneath the overhead midday sun. He hadn’t even had time to change out of his uniform, the utilitarian dark grey material just a tad uncomfortable in the heat of the day. 

He glanced down at himself. He could at least remove the vest, it wasn’t like anyone was going to be shooting at him anytime soon. He just had to make sure to remember to grab it.  He stood up, undoing the first strap. 

Just as he was starting to undo the other, a familiar blue streak appeared on the horizon before it came to a screeching halt a few feet away only seconds later. He watched as Sonic bent over, gasping, arms braced on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath from the excessive burst of speed. 

“Running late, were we?” Shadow asked, more amused than annoyed at the other having been clearly rushing. 

“Not…late.” Sonic sucked in another breath between each word. “It’s…noon.”

“Mm. Just in time, then.” Shadow continued, moving again to undo his vest strap as the other recovered. “I didn’t realize you were so eager for me to beat you.” 

“We’ll see about-” Sonic stopped at the sound of the velcro ripping, head shooting up from his bent position. He seemed to take in Shadow’s appearance fully for the first time since he’d arrived. “Are you- is that your uniform?”

“No, it’s a vest that says G.U.N. on the front for no reason.” Shadow rolled his eyes, walking a few feet away to drop it next to a cluster of desert shrubs for safe keeping. “I had to come straight from work.”

He turned back around, expecting another quip from Sonic but the other was almost frozen in that same position, practically staring. Shadow furrowed his brow. 

“Everything alright?”

“Huh?” Sonic came to suddenly, shaking his head and bolting upright. “Yes, haha! Yeah, no I’m, uh- I’m good, all good. Just…never seen you in your uniform before.” And then, because he was trying to give Shadow a heart attack before they sparred apparently, he continued, “It looks good on you.”

Shadow’s insides did something funny then, and it took everything in him to remind himself that Sonic probably meant it as nothing more than a friendly compliment. He coughed, his words suddenly caught in his throat, as he turned back around. 

“Oh, ah- thank you,” he replied, cringing at how stilted he sounded. Shadow did his best to hurry past his awkward response, eager to get started so he could limit his chances of potentially embarrassing himself even further. “I figured unless you plan on shooting me, I probably don’t need the vest.”

Shadow jumped at the sudden burst of laughter that came from Sonic, cheeks growing warm as the other finished and gave him a beaming grin. He needed to get this match started, quickly. 

“You’re a riot, Shads. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

And that nickname- anyone else, and he would’ve found it annoying. But Sonic had managed to find his way around that one, too. 

“Yes, I’m hilarious,” Shadow replied, deadpan. “Now, was all that talk of beating me just bluffing or are you ready to start?”

Something in Sonic shifted then. He walked a few steps closer to where Shadow stood, leaving a foot or two of space in between them. He was close enough that Shadow could see that spark in his eyes come to life, a hungry gleam that sent his insides twisting again. 

Sonic searched his eyes, looking for something. For what, Shadow had no idea. But he apparently found it, giving a quick nod before he backed up to the canyon edge and beckoned Shadow forward.  

“Come and get me then,” Sonic taunted, tossing him a wink before dropping into the canyon below.

Shadow let himself grin then, already excited at the prospect of a good chase. He activated his air shoes with a small click of his back heels, already itching to catch the other and let the real fight begin. Within seconds he was off, launching himself over the side of the canyon as well and into the fray. 

From an onlookers perspective, they probably looked like the enemies they’d once been years ago from the way they chased each other through and around the canyon gorge, landing blows anytime they came close enough to touch. What would be easy to miss, however, were the quips and teases they traded back and forth with ease as they launched themselves at each other repeatedly, barreling into each other with full force. 

Sparring was a generous word for it, Shadow thought, as he dodged Sonic’s attempt to send him reeling backward with a well-timed kick to his chest. It was more of an all-out brawl. They didn’t have to hold back the way they had to with the others. They could shove and chase and attack with full force just for the thrill. He retaliated, appearing just behind Sonic and dropping directly on him. The two tumbled to the ground, scrapping at each other for a few moments before Sonic broke free and started the chase all over again. 

During one of their first sparring sessions, Shadow had first realized he liked Sonic almost entirely by accident. He’d been wrapped up in the pure exhilaration of their fight, the way his body thrummed with energy as the pair pushed each other to their limits in a way no one else could. He remembered being surprised at how intense his feelings about their matchups had become since they’d first started only a few months prior to then before he’d realized the strength of his feelings was only partially due to the nature of their fights. 

The rest of it was because of who he was fighting. He’d nearly sent himself careening into a canyon face with that realization. From that moment, he’d been absolutely fucked. Because it was moments like these, where their focus was completely devoted to each other, that Shadow allowed himself just the smallest bit of hope that maybe the intensity of his feelings were shared.

They continued for about an hour, weaving their way through the gorge before Shadow finally managed to launch himself at Sonic’s middle and send him crashing down with a pained grunt. 

They tussled, rolling around in the dust of the canyon floor before Shadow clambered on top of the other hero and pinned his arms above his head. They struggled for a another minute before Sonic finally gave up with a huff. 

Shadow offered him a sharp grin. “What was that you said earlier about winning?”

Sonic rolled his eyes. “Whatever, I still totally owned you with that elbow shot earlier.”

“Not doing much for you now though, is it?” Shadow teased, though the shot had been a good one. Sonic had improved a lot from when they’d first met. 

“You’re so sassy,” Sonic grumbled. “How is someone so moody so sassy?”

Shadow let go of his pinned wrists to flick him in the forehead. 

“Ow! I thought we were finished?”

“Now we are,” Shadow declared. The other grumbled discontentedly, though he was clearly fighting a smile as he did. 

They locked eyes for just a second, but that was all it took for Sonic’s smile to overtake his face as he began to delve into a laughing fit at seemingly nothing. And Shadow wasn’t exactly sure what was so funny, maybe it was just their still cooling adrenaline, but suddenly he felt like nothing was just as funny as Sonic seemed to think it was. 

“He he-mmph!”

He smacked a glove over his mouth as what could only be described as a giggle escaped him. Sonic pushed himself upright almost immediately at the noise, jostling Shadow backwards and essentially depositing him in his lap. 

Shadow shot up so fast he nearly kneed Sonic in the stomach in his scramble to get off the hero’s lap and stand to the side, back ramrod straight. 

“What was that?” Sonic asked from where he remained on the ground, far too gleeful for Shadow’s taste. “Did you just- did you giggle?”

“I did not giggle,” Shadow hissed, cheeks flushed with heat. “I was…choking.”

"Choking, really?"

Sonic stood up fully then, dusting himself off before appearing next to Shadow in the span of a second. Shadow jumped back at the sudden proximity, still embarrassed, but the other hedgehog paid him no mind as he gave him an understanding look.

“Hey I’m not, like, making fun of you, Shads,” Sonic insisted, leaning to the side in an attempt to catch his eye. “Honest! I’ve just never heard you laugh like that before. It was kinda’- cute, y’know?”

Shadow really couldn’t look him in the eye now. He crossed his arms, clinging to himself in a desperate attempt to retain his composure. “Fine. Don’t you dare go telling anyone about this.”

“Promise,” Sonic assured, crossing his heart solemnly. “You can stop making scary eyes at me now.”

“I’ll show you scary eyes,” Shadow muttered quietly to himself. Sonic just gave him an amused look before suddenly patting the pockets of his shorts, searching for something. 

“What are you looking for?” Shadow questioned, ire forgotten as he watched Sonic begin patting down his jacket.

“My phone,” Sonic frowned, exclaiming as he found it in the jacket’s left pocket. Shadow stared in disbelief. 

“You had your phone on you the whole time we were fighting?”

“Uh, yeah?” Sonic gave him a look. “Why?”

“I threw you into a boulder, did you not stop to think it might get broken? Chaos, do you always have your phone on you when we fight?”

“Wh- well, what about your phone?” Sonic challenged. 

“I didn’t bring it. Even if I had, I’d be smart enough to not keep a box made of metal and glass on me while getting thrown around!”

“I don’t know about ‘thrown around’,” Sonic muttered, though he stopped quickly at Shadow’s pointed glare intensifying. “Okay, okay geez! I won’t keep my phone on me anymore, fair point.”

“I swear, sometimes…” Shadow trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief as Sonic gave a sheepish grin before checking his phone. 

“Oh, it’s earlier than I thought.” Sonic cast a considering look out at the horizon, looking like he was debating something before turning back to Shadow. “Hey, you free for a little longer?”

He checked his watch. “I should be. Why?” he questioned the other suspiciously. 

“If I tell you, it’ll spoil the surprise,” Sonic replied with a lopsided grin. “Would you trust me if I told you I wanted to show you something cool?”

“Sonic, if this is another new chili dog stand, I swear-”

“As amazing as that would be, it’s not,” Sonic said, tapping his foot impatiently. “Tell you what, remember that grass-field a few miles north of here? The one with that old stone wall, where we fought that bot with Amy a couple months back?”

Shadow did remember, actually. She’d cleaved the thing in two with her hammer, it’d been impressive. He nodded.

“Well, what I wanna’ show you is near it,” Sonic explained, jerking a thumb back toward the top of the canyon. “Why don’t we race there?”

“Seriously?”

“I promise, it’ll be worth it.” Sonic shrugged. “Besides, I gotta’ beat you at something.” 

He really knew how to push Shadow’s buttons just right, he thought to himself, feeling his competitiveness spark back to life. He clicked his shoes on again, moving a few feet away to draw a line in the ground with his heel. “Get over here.”

“Works every time,” Sonic snickered, making his way over and dodging Shadow’s attempt to swat him. “Alright, finish line is the wall. Try not to crash into it.”

“You’re one to talk.” Shadow dropped into a starting position as Sonic joined him, copying his stance. 

A second passed. Then, without a word, they were off. 

They made quick work of the gorge wall, shredding up it and leaving dust in their wake before speeding away from the canyon and north to where the landscape devolved into grasslands and their finish line awaited them. 

Shadow had a vague recollection of how to get there, all he had to do was stick to Sonic’s side and follow his directional cues. He pushed himself to move even faster as he cast a glance to the side and saw the other pull an inch ahead. 

Shadow quickly averted his gaze when he saw just how happy Sonic looked, clearly focused while still enjoying the thrill of the race, and became momentarily distracted. They made quick work of the miles, covering a distance that would take anyone else hours to cover. 

Soon enough, Shadow recognized the clearing they were coming up on as the path into the field and to the remains of the dilapidated stone wall that fenced it.  

Almost there, he thought to himself, breath quickening as he increased his pace even further and the wall came into view. 

His victory was quickly taken from him, however, when Sonic put on a final burst of speed and slid to a stop with one hand on the wall a full five seconds before he did. Clumps of dirt and dried grass went flying as he forced himself to a stop as well, already seething. 

“Better luck next time, Shads.” At Shadow’s answering growl, he shook a finger at him admonishingly. “Nuh uh, don’t be a sore loser. I accepted my defeat perfectly fine.”

“Fine,” Shadow bit out. “You won.” 

“Could do with a little more praise, but I’ll take it,” Sonic preened, before Shadow walked forward and did actually manage to swat him. 

“Quit it!”

“Stop showboating then,” Shadow shot back. He looked around at their finish line. There wasn’t much here but the dirt road leading to the south with bits of the still remaining stone wall dotted alongside it. The nearby field was empty, the only other landmarks near it the beginning of a dense tree-line. “What exactly is it you wanted to show me?”

Sonic smiled, previous gloating apparently forgotten. “You’ll like this, come on.” 

He reached out for Shadow’s hand expectantly, asking him to close his eyes. Shadow hesitated. 

“I promise, it’s a short walk from here.” Sonic waited patiently with his arm outstretched. “I won’t let you trip or anything, swear it.”

“You better not,” Shadow muttered before taking the other’s hand, glad for his gloves otherwise the other might feel just how warm the contact made him. He closed his eyes as Sonic began to lead him carefully, taking him presumably through the field as he felt some of the long grasses trail against his fur. 

Sonic didn’t say much besides an occasional warning to watch his footing or to move to the side. After a few minutes, they finally came to a stop. Shadow had a feeling they’d walked further into the tree line at the edge of the field, but beyond that he wasn’t sure where he’d been taken. It was odd though, he swore he could smell something sweet in the air. The scent was so familiar-

“Okay! Eyes open.”

He blinked a few times at the sudden intrusion of the sun, his now opened eyes adjusting to the light as he glanced around, taking in the view. 

They were in another field, but this one was practically teeming with life. That smell he’d noticed had to be from all of the wild flowers growing around them with what seemed like a thousand different hues swaying gently in the breeze. 

“I found it when Tails asked if we could go back to scavenge for parts after the fight,” Sonic explained, sidling up beside him. “I’ve been meaning to show you for a while, seemed like the kind of spot you’d enjoy.”

It definitely was. Shadow was still taking in the view, quiet as an all too familiar feeling settled over him as he thought of who else would’ve loved to see this just as much as him.

“Shads?”

He shook himself out of his contemplative stupor. His thoughts of Maria were still a frequent, aching presence in his life with how much he saw of her in the world she never got to experience, but they were less all-consuming now, more of a dull yet still pained longing.

“It’s beautiful.”

Sonic beamed at his quiet appreciation. “I knew you’d like it. Come on, there’s a clearing just up ahead.”

Shadow followed behind him, letting the other lead the way as he continued to look around. It really was beautiful, he thought to himself. Perhaps made even more so by the fact that Sonic had apparently discovered the spot and thought of sharing it with him. 

They came to the clearing quickly, surrounded still by the field’s growth. Sonic flopped onto the ground, patting the space next to him for Shadow to join. 

“I could use a breather. Sit with me?”

Shadow’s previous melancholy at the thought of his sister dissipated a bit at the request, heart fond as Sonic smiled up at him. “Aw, did our race wear you out that much?”

“Hah, nice try.” Sonic shook his head. “Even I’ve gotta’ slow down sometimes, y’know? Take in the view.” He looked over at Shadow as the other lowered himself to the ground next to him. “So? You like it?”

He gave a soft chuckle. “Yes, Sonic. I like it.”

Sonic nodded, looking satisfied. “Glad to hear it.”

They didn’t talk much, sitting together as the minutes drifted by along with the few clouds dotting the sky. An occasional comment was traded between them, mostly on Sonic’s end, but otherwise they settled into a companionable silence that Shadow never guessed he could share with someone again. 

As much as he enjoyed the scenery and time spent with his cru- friend, his friend - there was that ever nagging tug at his heart as he continued to ruminate over Maria. How could he not, surrounded by the knowledge of just how unfair it was that she hadn’t been given the chance to experience the world like him?

Something in his demeanor must’ve given him away, he realized when Sonic cast a glance his way after they’d been sitting in silence again for a few minutes. “You’re thinking pretty hard over there, huh?”

Shadow considered avoiding the question but decided against it, not wanting to ruin the easy peace between them. “Is it that obvious?”

Sonic shrugged, casting his gaze back up toward the sky above as he settled with his hands tucked behind his head. “Probably not to everyone. I like to think I know you better than that, though.”

It was a curious statement, but maybe not an entirely inaccurate one considering part of the reason Shadow seemed to be so enamored with the other hero was Sonic’s ability to see through his bullshit. 

“Perhaps you’re right.” He didn’t say anything else, at first. He could tell Sonic wanted to push but was holding himself back, waiting for him to choose to divulge his thoughts. 

Sighing, he settled further back until he was parallel on the ground next to Sonic. He kept his gaze upward as he spoke. “I was thinking about how much Maria would’ve loved this,” he admitted quietly. 

“Oh.” Out of his peripheral, he could see Sonic turn his gaze toward him. “You think so?”

“I do,” Shadow replied. “She always dreamed of it. Getting off the ARK, living a normal life. Seeing everything we missed out on growing up.”

“That must’ve been hard for both of you,” Sonic offered. A younger Shadow would’ve mistaken it for pity, but he knew better now.

“I suppose. More for her than me.” He’d gotten a chance to see all of this, after all. She hadn’t. 

They lapsed into silence once more, broken a few minutes later by Shadow when he added, “She would’ve liked you too.”

He tore his gaze away from the sky, turning to look at Sonic and surprised at how touched the other seemed to be at his words as they made eye contact. 

“I think I’d like her too,” Sonic said, tone hushed. Shadow closed his eyes, letting the gentle breeze around them pass over his face and ruffle his fur. “She sounds so cool, from everything you’ve told me.” Shadow snorted at the childish description, appreciating it nonetheless. 

“She was very ‘cool’.” 

It wasn’t the first time he’d opened up about Maria, the hero more familiar with his backstory now than years prior. But despite Sonic’s comforting words, his guilt pressed on. “She wanted us to see the world together. And now that I am, all I can think is how unfair it is that I got to experience this...and that she didn’t.”

He heard Sonic shuffle around, cracking an eye open to see the other a few inches closer than he’d been before. He didn’t look concerned, but something akin to it danced across his face. 

“You deserve to have all of this too, Shads.” Then hesitantly, like he wasn’t sure if he should say it or not, he added, “I like to think she’s happy you got the chance. To see all of this, and live in it.”

Shadow screwed his eyes shut again, willing them not to water. Chaos, of course he had to fall for the one person who could look at someone like him and all the things he’d done and still think they were deserving of a rich life. 

“I hope so,” Shadow rasped, wincing at how raw his voice sounded. “I hope I’m living it how she would’ve wanted.”

He felt Sonic’s hand as he reached out to grab Shadow’s where it was clenched at his side, giving it a squeeze. “You definitely are.” 

Then he sighed, settling back down but with Shadow’s hand still grasped in his. It normally would’ve sent Shadow into a spiral, but he found he could only feel grateful for the contact in the moment. 

“Look Shads, I won’t pretend I get everything you guys went through. I don’t think that’d be fair to either of you.” Shadow watched as the other’s face drew into a frown the more he spoke. “And you’re right, it is unfair. And I wish… I wish there was something-” He broke off with another sigh. “Shit, I wish I was better at this.”

Shadow turned their hands over so now he was the one grasping Sonic’s, squeezing it with his own to convey it was fine. He’d come a long way when it came to dealing with his past. None of it was alright, by any means, but the relentless anger it had once inspired had given away to something he hoped was for the better. 

“I understand,” Shadow said simply. “Thank you.”

Sonic’s expression softened. “Thanks for telling me more about her. I know how important Maria is to you.”

It struck Shadow then that Sonic had only referred to his sister in the present tense, like she was still with them. 

“I like telling you about her,” Shadow whispered roughly, touched at his realization. Sonic gave his hand another squeeze before the two lapsed back into silence. 

He wasn’t sure how long they sat there, content, but it was long enough the sun was a little lower in the sky by the time they started to stir. Their hands were still entangled when Shadow went to check his watch, jostling the other from where he’d also lay with his eyes closed. “I have to head out soon. I promised Vanilla I’d come by for dinner and see Cream.”

“That’s adorable,” Sonic cooed, laughing when Shadow poked at his ribs in retaliation. “I’m not taking it back, it is!”

“Whatever,” Shadow huffed, trying not to sound as fond as he felt. He sat up, letting go of Sonic and stretching his arms over his head with a small yawn. “I’m glad you showed me this place.”

“Me too,” Sonic agreed as he stood up, stretching as well before offering Shadow a hand up that he gladly took. “We should come back again.”

He felt his cheeks grow warm once more at the suggestion. “That would be nice.”

Sonic looked like he was about to say something, opening and closing his mouth but no words came out. “Shads, I-”

“Yes?” Shadow questioned. Sonic hesitated, looking left and right when his eyes seemed to seize upon something and a determined look set upon him. 

“Wait right there! I almost forgot something.”

Shadow blinked at the sudden gust of wind from the other speeding off. He glanced around, unable to spot a flash of cobalt blue in the surrounding field, but it was only a minute before Sonic reappeared again with something tucked behind his back. 

“Do I even want to know what you’ve got there?” Shadow mused warily as the other shifted from foot to foot. 

“I hope so,” Sonic laughed nervously. Nervously? What did he have to be nervous about? “Um, here. For you.”

The smell he’d noticed before reappeared then as Sonic held out a bunch of- was that lavender? The scent hit him as the delicate purple buds came into view. That’s what he’d picked up on earlier, the field was probably full of it. 

“Lavender’s your favorite, right?”

“It is,” Shadow agreed as he accepted the flowers carefully, already afraid of damaging them with the strength of his grasp. “I didn’t realize you knew.”

Sonic scuffed a foot back and forth on the ground while rubbing the back of his neck. “I meant it when I said I like to think I know you better than that.”

In the face of the other’s unusually shy demeanor, a voice in Shadow’s head that sounded suspiciously like Rouge began to scream at him to just do something, you’re just standing there! 

Shadow prided himself on being virtually fearless when it came to a threat against their world or setting out on a mission that promised nothing but certain death. It didn’t feel like it though as he took a tentative step forward and reached out to grab Sonic’s wrist with his free hand, tugging the other into a rare hug, heart pounding in his chest faster than during their race. 

“Thank you, Sonic.” At least he sounded as sincere as he felt and not like he was struggling to breathe. 

Sonic was stiff for just a second, but before Shadow could regret his decision the other wrapped his arms around him in turn with a wondering, almost awed laugh. 

“Man, first the giggle and now this? I’m batting a thousand today.”

Shadow snorted, shaking his head before pulling away. “Don’t push your luck on either.”

“So you do admit it was a giggle?” 

“Never said that,” Shadow rebutted before glancing at his watch again. “I do have to head out now, though.”

“I should probably get back too,” Sonic agreed. “Knowing Tails, he’s probably still at his workbench and hasn’t even touched his lunch. He’ll go until dark if I don’t stop him, that kid is a machine when he gets locked in on something.”

“It’s a good thing he’s got you to look out for him then,” Shadow said as they began to make their way back to the field. “Say hi to Miles for me?”

“I will,” Sonic promised. “You should come by sometime, if you want. Don’t tell him I told you this, but he kind of thinks you’re, like, really cool. Also really wants to know how your air shoes work.”

He felt a sudden surge of affection for the younger kit at the unexpected admission. “I guess I’ll have to come by then.”

They paused as they made their way through the field and back to the wall where they’d finished their race probably hours ago now. As they came to a stop at the abutting dirt road, Sonic hesitated before taking off. 

“I’ll see you again soon?” Sonic’s questioned, earnestly looking to him for confirmation. Shadow gave a hum of agreement as he prepared to leave.

“Let me know when you’re free.”

“Cool.” Sonic grinned widely. “Say hi to Vanilla and Cream for me, ‘kay?”

“I will,” Shadow promised. “See you, Sonic.”

“Bye Shads,” Sonic said with another wink. And then he was down the road and gone, leaving nothing but more dust in his wake and a gazing Shadow. 

He waited a full minute after the other left before letting his resolve crumble, a heady, breathless laugh escaping against his will as he stared at the bunch of lavender in his grasp.

“Chaos Control.”

He appeared in his bedroom, making his way into the kitchen to fetch a glass to keep the flowers in. As he filled it with water from the sink, there was a small, incredibly naive part of him that was whispering maybe, just maybe, his feelings weren’t completely hopeless. 

He brought the flowers back to his room and set them on the nightstand, allowing himself one more considering look at them before moving to change out of his uniform and into something better suited for dinner with Cream and her mother. 

It wasn’t until hours later, long after he’d thanked the two for the meal and bid them goodnight before he made his way back to the apartment to finish the final chapter of Kindred Hearts, that he realized he’d left his vest behind, forgotten, at the canyon. 

“Isn’t the scene where he confesses to her just perfect?”

It was the next day and Shadow found himself sitting across from Amy at a table in the corner of his preferred cafe discussing their thoughts on the book he’d finished just the night before. The sounds of other patrons and the baristas bustling around surrounded them, the din just loud enough he felt comfortable offering his opinion at a normal volume. 

“I would’ve liked it more if it hadn’t taken him so long to say he liked her in the first place, but it was definitely well written,” Shadow offered, taking a sip of his drink. He’d almost grown annoyed at Derek’s stupidity, but the final few chapters had salvaged that with a gratuitous kiss scene. “What did you think of the ending?”

“Oh it was to die for! That kiss in front of the lake? Ugh, so romantic. Plus, I think it’s setting up the start to the sequel,” Amy replied, eyes bright. “I think it’s supposed to come out next year!”

“You’re going to make me wait in line with you for that release, aren’t you?” Shadow asked, enjoying her excitement. 

“We’ve gotta’, you’re like one of my only friends who also likes this stuff,” Amy sighed. “Nobody appreciates great literature anymore.”

“Agreed.” He went to remove his jacket, the black leather just a little too hot for the busy cafe, shrugging it off and placing it on the back of his chair when he heard Amy exclaim suddenly. 

“Oh, you’re hurt! Is that from your G.U.N. mission?”

He glanced down at himself in confusion, looking at where she was pointing and realizing she’d noticed the now already almost healed cut he’d gotten from when Sonic had thrown him a few feet while fighting the day before. 

“No, that’s from Sonic.” Her eyes widened, concerned. “From sparring.”

“Oh, that makes more sense.” She laughed. “Geez, I forgot how intense the two of you are when you fight.”

Intense was an apt word for it. 

“Y’know, I’m glad you guys were able to get so close in spite of everything,” she continued. “Sonic deserves to have someone in his corner, y’know? Someone who gets him. I always worried about that after- well, you know.”

He knew she was referring to the time when her many years of romantic devotion had finally come to an end, after her confession had resulted in an apologetic, yet firm decline from Sonic. Still, it had yielded the two with a friendship even stronger than before once the hero no longer had to avoid Amy’s clumsy attempts at forcing a romance between them. 

“He does,” he agreed, keeping his tone as detached as possible lest it betray the depth of his feelings. 

Amy was stronger than him, he mused. She’d been able to handle the thing Shadow was terrified of with ease, moving on quickly with her life despite how long she’d held her feelings. . 

He realized suddenly that Amy was giving him a look, practically leaning against the table as she stared at him. He quirked a brow in question and she jerked back, giving him an apologetic smile. 

“Sorry! Sorry, I was just thinking.”

“About?” he prompted her, watching her shift nervously in her seat while looking anywhere but at him. “Rose, what were you thinking about?”

“Um, well.” She finally looked at him finally, still looking uncertain but slightly more determined. “Okay, I’m…going to ask you something. And you have to promise not to get upset, okay?”

"Rose,” he warned, already on guard.

“Shadow,” she mimicked his rumbling tone, still waiting for his agreement. 

He sighed, wary of her unasked question but unable to say no. “Fine. I won’t get upset.” 

She looked slightly comforted at his promise, as reluctant as it might’ve been. She took in a deep breath before spitting the words out in a rush.

“Do you like Sonic?”

Shadow was already scrambling to grab his emerald from his jacket when he remembered he’d let Rouge borrow it for the day, freezing as Amy fixed him with an unimpressed stare at his clear attempt to escape without answering. 

“Shadow, come on, you said you wouldn’t get upset! And if you don’t, I- would you stop looking at the door, I will chase you if you run.”

He slumped back into his chair, caught again. 

“Like I said, it’s fine if you don’t! I know I could be wrong, just- I’ve been meaning to ask you but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up,” she explained, wringing her hands together as she waited for his reply. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said gruffly, not wanting her to feel badly just because he couldn’t handle something as simple as having a crush. He pressed the heels of his gloves into his eyes, comforting in the pressure. Then without looking at her, he grit out, “How did you know?”

There was a beat of silence before he heard her squeal loudly at his confirmation, throwing his hands down and fixing her with a cowing look at the attention-drawing outburst. 

“Sorry, sorry, I’m just- I’m so excited!” she enthused, practically giddy as she bounced in her seat. “Um, well it’s a little embarrassing but a couple of months ago I saw you looking at him while we were fighting Robotnik? I mean, after we’d beat him. And I kind of realized…” She trailed off, shifting a tad uncomfortably. “Well, you kind of look at him like how I used to? Or at least, like how I felt when I looked at him.”

This day really can’t get any better, he thought to himself sarcastically. It was bad enough Rouge called him out on his lovesick shit all the time. Now that made two friends who knew his secret, and one of them had been able to figure it out because apparently he was just that obvious. 

“Sorry if that sounds weird,” she apologized, laughing awkwardly. “I wasn’t even sure that I was right, obviously. But you just seemed- I don’t know. You seemed happy, looking at him. Like you were happy that he was happy. That’s what reminded me of it.”

“Oh,” he said quietly, frowning down at his half-finished drink. “Do you think anybody else knows?”

“Definitely not,” she assured him, ducking her head to look him in the eyes. “And I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”

He gave a curt nod in thanks, still reeling from having been found out so unexpectedly. 

“Although,” Amy added, “I’m guessing Rouge knows, since I can’t imagine you keeping this from her.”

“She does,” he acknowledged, finally taking another sip from his drink as his nerves cooled. “She’s insufferable about it. Keeps wanting me to tell him.”

“I see.” 

Silence, then-

“Sooooo, why don’t you?”

“Book club is over, good seeing you Rose,” he bit out, suddenly desperate to leave as he moved to stand. She shot a hand out and grabbed his wrist imploringly. 

“I’m sorry, I was just curious! I think-” She stopped, cutting herself off before starting again cautiously. “I think uh, you should tell me why you don’t want to. Maybe it’ll, um, help?”

“Because I don’t want to be the idiot who confessed to Sonic and gets their heart broken,” he snapped. His ears flicked down in shame as he realized what he’d just said. “Wait, Rose, I didn’t- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

She fixed him with a cool stare, making him squirm before she let go of his wrist and settled back down with a shrug. “It’s alright, I know you’re just getting defensive because I was pushing. And yeah, it sucked when he told me he wasn’t into me. But honestly? I’m glad it happened. We were never going to work out and I needed to know that.”

He sat back down too, ears still pinned. “I know. I shouldn’t have said that, it wasn’t true. I wasn’t really thinking of you when I said it.”

She softened. “I know. You were thinking of yourself. But that’s exactly my point! I confessed and even though nothing came from it, we got closer as friends. It doesn’t have to be the end of the world, y’know? Even if it feels like it is.”

“I don’t think I could take it,” he admitted, crossing his arms as if to shield himself from the theoretical rejection. “Just because you guys stayed friends doesn’t mean we would.”

“And how do you know that?” 

“It’s different,” he muttered, his hands clenching. “It’s different if it’s me.”

“Oh, Shadow. We both know that’s not true. Sonic’s your friend, I really don’t think it would change things between you. But I understand if it’s scary to think about it-”

“Not scary,” he huffed, despite all evidence to the contrary. “Just…uncertain.”

“Fine, uncertain. But seriously, Shadow. Have you ever considered what might happen if he did like you back?”

A steady warmth had crept up the back of his neck the more they talked and he could feel it quickly begin to flush his cheeks as she posed the impossible question.

But what if it wasn’t impossible, a little voice in his head whispered. What if it wasn’t so far-fetched after all?

“I-,” he started, brow knit in thought. “I don’t actually know. I don’t really consider it as an option, I guess.”

She stared at him, chewing on her bottom lip in thought. 

“What if I told you I think he likes you back?”

“Rose, seriously, I just-”

“No, not like that,” Amy cut him off with an impatient wave. “Not like a ‘what if he did’ sort of thing. What if I thought you actually had a shot? What would you do?”

He forced himself to think about it and was surprised to find the answer came to him quickly in spite of his many objections to confessing. “I would tell him,” he choked out, the words sounding almost foreign in concept. “I think I would tell him.”

“What if I told you that the only reason I ever noticed the way you look at Sonic is because I caught him looking at you first?”

“I would say that’s insane,” he denied, shaking his head slightly. “You did not.” When she did nothing but keep staring at him, he froze. “Are you serious?”

“Let’s just say you two are giving big Kindred Hearts vibes.” Her eyes gleamed, a dreamy look taking over as she harkened back to their book. “Except with way more fighting. And arguing. And shoving. But I think that’s how you two flirt? So I guess it’s fine.”

“He’s aggravating more often than not, can you blame me?” he grumbled. 

“And when he’s not?”

“Then he’s annoying.”

“Shadow.”

“Fine, when he’s not…” He trailed off, uncertain, but an encouraging look from Amy forced him to keep going. “When he’s not, he’s- he’s kind. And funny, even when his jokes are ridiculous. He’s considerate when you least expect it, and he listens and he’s just-”

What else could he say? He was Sonic. At some point, that had quietly become the only detail that really mattered. 

“He’s not bad on the eyes either,” Amy added, winking exaggeratedly. Shadow felt the heat returning to his cheeks, giving a barely audible confirmation that left her grinning. He slunk further into his seat, exhausted after spilling his guts out. He buried his face into his hands, feeling mortified but yet oddly relieved at having told her.

“See?” Amy encouraged. “You know that no matter what, he’s a good guy. He won’t just ditch you if you confess.”

“Still doesn’t mean he likes me,” Shadow mumbled, the words muffled into his gloves.

His phone suddenly buzzed on the table. He ignored it in favor of continuing to hide his face away. Unbeknownst to him, Amy glanced across the table as the phone screen lit up with a text notification, followed by another a few seconds later. 

“Um, Shadow, maybe look at your phone? Just, real quick.”

Her voice was an unnatural pitch, higher than even usual. He dropped his hands and glanced over at his phone in curiosity, grabbing and unlocking it before quickly scanning through his most recent notifications to see he had two texts, less than a minute apart and both from Sonic. 

He quickly shut off the phone and dropped it back onto the table like it had burned him, leaving the screen side intentionally down. Amy stared at him, agape. 

“Um, excuse me! Just what do you think you’re doing?”

Shadow shook his head at her. “I’m not doing anything.”

“Exactly!” she exclaimed, the outburst drawing more than a few curious glances their way as he hushed her imploringly to keep her voice down.

“Sorry- but exactly,” Amy continued, speaking more quietly this time. “You’re doing nothing. You just finished telling me how much you like him and now you’re not even gonna’ read his texts?”

“Rose,” he gritted out, “I am. Not used to talking about my- feelings, for this long.”

“You’ll be just fine, promise.”  She gestured to the phone insistently. “Just read them! You don’t even have to tell me what they say, unless you want to. And I would like to know, just a little bit. A lot. Please?”

He gave in after a moment, grabbing it and quickly checking his recent notifications before he decided to ignore them again.

First, there was a hii. Then, a minute later, u left ur vest by the bushes lol j dropped it off w Rouge :P

Huh, Shadow thought. He’d actually planned to stop back at the canyon later today and grab it but it looked like he wouldn’t need to anymore. He avoided Amy’s wide, expectant eyes as he tentatively read the texts aloud for her and explained the missing vest.

“I didn’t ask him to go grab it though, he must’ve passed through on his way back and seen it.” Shadow warily eyed the screen. “It’s odd that Rouge hasn’t-” Another text came through. “Never mind.”

“What did she say?” Amy asked, curious. He refused to say it aloud, flipping the phone around to let Amy read, who gave an undignified snort of laughter at Bitch. Your mans brought back your clothes 👀 

He quickly wrote back, It is a vest. Stop making it weird. 

“Soooo, watcha’ want to say to him?” Amy drawled, elbows propped on the table as she leaned her chin onto her folded hands. He gave her a look.

“Nothing, you wanted me to read this.”

“You’re really not even going to acknowledge the text? Seriously?” she complained. He paused. She did have a point. Sonic had been kind enough to bring his forgotten uniform back to him, after all.

“I can send a thumbs up?”

“It’s like you’re trying to torture me,” she huffed. “C’mon, how about a thank you? Or even a full sentence, with words.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry, what exactly are you trying to accomplish by getting me to reply here?” She leaned back in her chair, apparently exasperated at his question. 

“We’re getting more information! Y’know, uh, classic crush stuff. You gotta’ give him something to work with to keep talking.” He pinched the bridge of fur between his eyes, a headache already creeping up on him as he weighed his options. 

“You’re going to be persistent with this, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Ugh. Rouge was bad enough. A motivated Amy was undoubtedly worse, and far more dangerous in this regard apparently. 

“Fine. I will thank him.” He grabbed his phone again, typing out a deliberate Thank you, Sonic and showing her the message . “Alright, I sent it. Satisfied?”

“Just barely, but yes,” Amy sniffed, acting put out. “At least now, you can…” She trailed off as his phone lit up once more with another message from Sonic. That was quick. 

He snatched it before she got any ideas about trying to read the response, proven right when she pouted at him. He read the text. 

Ofc :D wish I got 2 see u but had to speed. eggnerd stuff came up

He wasn’t exactly sure what Sonic was referring to, but he figured it had something to do with the energy signatures coming from the island chain to the west that G.U.N. had briefed them on. They hadn’t been assigned anything directly with it yet, though. 

Shadow guessed the hero’s younger brother had probably picked up on the signatures at some point too and they’d gone to investigate. He responded back, Call on the communicator if you need backup. 

“He’s investigating something related to Robotnik,” he read back to Amy. “I told him to call if he needs assistance.”

“Oooooh, assistance.” Amy trilled, giggling when he rolled his eyes in admonishment. “Kidding. Let him know I’m also down to help if he needs it.”

Rose is amenable to assisting as well, if needed. He sent off the text, expecting to wait at least a couple minutes but the other responded almost immediately again with multiple messages in quick succession. 

thxs guy, should b good tho! got tails w me will let u know about backup :P

he says hi!! and me 2

wat r u and ames doing

“He said he’ll call if he needs help, Miles is with him though,” he summarized, purposefully leaving out the last text. “They both say hi.”

“Tell them I say hi back!” She glanced over at the line to the register. “I’m kind of hungry, I’m gonna’ grab something real quick. You want anything while I’m up?” She stood up, gesturing behind her shoulder to the display case, but he waved her off. 

“Alright, I’m gonna’ get in line. I’ll be right back, make sure you keep texting him!” She urged before leaving. He watched her walk to the other side of the cafe before turning back to his phone, Sonic’s messages still waiting. He sighed. Fuck it. He could text him, the other was probably going to have to put his phone away soon if he was heading into a fight. Speaking of which-

Getting coffee. She says hi back. 

Then he added, Didn’t I tell you to stop carrying your phone during fights? He waited as Sonic’s text bubble appeared, then disappeared, and reappeared again as he deleted whatever he’d been about to say. 

yea that’s my b. but then i couldn’t text u lol

besides, Tails is still doing his tech stuff first, not fighting yet. still in trouble if i promise to leave it behind?

He responded, I’ll be amazed if you remember where you leave it, but yes. 

:D :D :D yay im not in trouble 

You’re an idiot, he wrote back. 

im ur fav idiot tho 

It may have been true, but confirming it seemed far more forward than Shadow felt like being over text. He was saved from having to reply when another message came through. 

can I call u rq? not for backup, smth else 

He stared at his phone, unsure as to why the other wanted to call him when he was probably waiting around in the middle of a jungle while his brother worked to figure out what exactly they might be up against. Shadow glanced over at Amy, who still had about three other customers ahead of her in line. He quickly responded, Fine. 

A moment later, his phone began to buzz silently as Sonic’s name flashed across the screen along with a picture of the two of them together he’d insisted on adding to his contact when he’d managed to convince Shadow to add his number years ago. It was blurry, mostly because Sonic had used his speed to take it while Shadow had griped at him in resistance. He’d ended up keeping it, not that Sonic needed to know that. 

Shadow answered the call, heart pounding irrationally. “Hello?”

“Hey Shads!” Sonic’s voice was surprisingly clear for how far out from the mainland he probably was. “Sorry if I’m interrupting you guys.”

“You’re not, she’s in line at the moment,” he replied simply. He hoped he could wrap up the call before she got back, there was no telling what she might want him to say. He could hear the noise of the island in the background of the call, as well as a shuffling sound that he idly recognized as Sonic pacing back and forth. 

“Ah, okay cool. That’s cool, um.” If it weren’t for the continued background noise, Shadow would’ve thought the line had gone dead. He pulled the phone away from his ear and checked the call just in case, but it was still going. 

“Sonic? Was there something you needed?” He knew Amy would probably loathe his bluntness if she heard it, but Sonic had said he had a question for him unrelated to needing backup and he was curious. 

“Um, yeah! Sort of…” Sonic trailed off, seeming uncertain. But before Shadow could question him again, he heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line before he continued. “Do you have plans? For- tomorrow?” 

There was an odd emphasis on tomorrow that made Shadow feel like it had some sort of significance to it that maybe he should be aware of, but his mind drew a blank as to what it could potentially be. All he knew was it was a Friday and he didn’t have any plans at the moment, which he said as much. 

“Did you have something in mind?” he questioned, curious. They’d just seen each other after all. Not that he was complaining.

“Something like that. Mind if I stop by your place at like seven?” Sonic’s sounded nervous, enough so that Shadow picked up on it even over the phone. Even odder was him asking to meet at his apartment first. “It’s pretty close to you. The, um, the thing I have in mind. Well, there’s a few things. Sort of.”

“Is this another surprise, then?” Shadow couldn’t help but tease, warm when he heard the other finally release some of his nervous energy with a laugh.

“Yeah, it’s a surprise,” Sonic replied, and Shadow swore he could hear the smile in his words. “But um, does that work? If I pick you up at seven?”

He didn’t giggle again, but it was a close thing. This conversation was- well, he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d expected but it hadn’t been this, Sonic stumbling over his words and asking to pick him up like this was- like it was a date. It took everything in him not to hide his face away again, especially since he could see Amy was almost out of the line now and would return soon. 

“That works,” he confirmed, thoughts racing as to what exactly they’d be doing. “Anything else I should know?”

Sonic hesitated, and it was in that brief silence and only due to Shadow’s enhanced hearing that he was able to pick up on a voice in the background, presumably Tails, pipe up with a comment. He couldn’t really make out the words, but whatever he said had Sonic hissing at him to zip it. Shadow waited until the other spoke up again. 

“Um, no. That’s all. I’m just ah, I'm really glad you’re free for- for tomorrow.” And then, softly in a way that left Shadow feeling like his heart was about to beat out of his chest, he added, “I can’t wait to see you, Shads.”

He found himself agreeing without even meaning to. “Me too.” 

Amy was making her way back to the table with a scone in hand. They made eye contact as she got closer and, clearly realizing who he was on the phone with, picked up her pace. He hurried to end the call, but was beaten to it by Sonic who was responding to something else Tails had said. 

“I’ve gotta’ go, Tails said the tracker picked up something. I’ll text you tonight once we make it back?” It was posed as a question, like he was making sure still that Shadow wouldn’t be bothered by him reaching out. 

“That’s fine. Be careful, alright?” It was a futile reminder, considering how often Sonic got into trouble, but he figured he’d offer it anyway. 

“I always am,” Sonic quipped, laughing at Shadow’s scoff of disbelief. “Alright, talk later Shads. Have fun with Amy!”

“I will. Bye, Sonic.” He didn’t end the call immediately, expecting the other to do so. There were a few seconds where he could hear a disturbance on the other end of the line as the other presumably fumbled to end the call. Just before he did, he heard Tails pipe up again but more clearly this time, although all he managed to catch was “-real smooth, Sonic, can’t you just tell him-” before the line went dead just as Amy reached their table. 

“Were you just on the phone with him?” she demanded, eyes wide. He nodded and she squealed, plopping back into her seat, scone apparently forgotten already as she leaned forward eagerly. “You have to tell me what he said!”

Despite his resistance to doing so throughout the last hour, he found himself actually wanting to divulge the details of their conversation. There was still something bothering him about the way Sonic had, intentionally or not, emphasized the date when asking to see him. That, and how uncertain he’d come across for most of the call. And why hadn’t he just texted and asked to see him instead? 

“He made plans for us tomorrow, and I don’t,” he emphasized as he watched her gear up to ask another question immediately, “know what we’re doing, he said- he said it’s a surprise. He also sounded…nervous. It was odd.”

“True, usually he’s…” she trailed off, expression suddenly going blank. “Wait, he said tomorrow? Like, tomorrow tomorrow?”

“Yes, tomorrow,” he said slowly, ears flicking in annoyance as he continued to be the only one apparently not able to grasp the apparent significance of the date. “Am I missing something here?”

“Did he ask what day you were free first? Or he asked for tomorrow specifically?” She ignored his question. 

“He asked if I was free tomorrow. Rose, what-”

“Shadow, do you know what tomorrow is?”

“Clearly not, and it’d be great if someone could clue me in,” he snapped, annoyed. She stared at him intently, like she was monitoring him for a reaction as she gently continued. 

“It’s the fourteenth.”

“I am aware of how days work, thank you, Rose.”

“Of February.”

He still wasn’t getting it. “And that matters because…?”

“Chaos, for someone so smart you do have your moments.” Before he could refute the diss to his intelligence, she continued, emphasizing each of her words carefully. “February 14th is Valentine’s Day, Shadow. He’s asking to hang out and surprise you on Valentine’s Day.”

Whatever cognizant thoughts he was having prior to her explanation came to a screeching halt. He fleetingly ran through his entire conversation with Sonic once again. Then he found himself going even further back in their interactions in the last week, through their texts and then the sparring match, returning the vest and the flowers and the damn coffee beans. The nervous energy, the compliments, the comment from Miles at the end of their call. 

Fuck. Oh, fuck. Amy quickly jumped in again. 

“Did you really not know it was Valentine’s Day on Friday?” 

“Of course I didn’t, why would I know that?” Shadow didn’t do hysterics usually, but he felt close to it. Chaos, now he was nervous. When he’d agreed to meet with Amy, he’d not planned for their book club turned therapy session to shake his previously resolute belief that- 

That maybe Sonic liked him back. 

And what the hell was he supposed to do about that, he thought to himself desperately. He looked up at Amy, not caring if he came across as manic as he suddenly felt. “Rose, this is insane. I’m insane, I must be if I’m actually considering there’s a chance-”

“A chance?” Amy prompted gently as he cut himself off. He shook his head resolutely, refusing to continue. “Okay, that’s fine. You don’t have to say it, I get you.” She returned to her scone, breaking a piece off and popping it into her mouth. She looked like she was mulling something over while she chewed. 

“I’m only going to say this once, so please don’t make me repeat it,” she warned. “Considering I spent years chasing after Sonic and he never once agreed to hang out alone on Valentine’s Day, can you agree that him asking you probably means something?”

Her logic was far more rational than his current line of thinking but ten times more intimidating when he considered it could be the honest truth. His traitorous heart started up again at the thought. Now he was going to have to go back home and relay all of this to Rouge and admit there was a chance she’d been right all along. Shadow was already dreading it, she’d probably hold it over his head for weeks. 

At least she wouldn’t be around when Sonic showed up tomorrow night, having already made plans with Knuckles the week before that she’d told him about. Apparently, he could remember that but not the reason for the plans in the first place being Valentine’s Day. Wonderful. 

“It…might mean something,” he bit out, groaning as she gave another squeal at his admission. 

“See? And you’re still standing, would you look at that?” Her teasing words were met with a flat stare. “So, what are you gonna’ wear?”

Shadow blinked. He hadn’t even considered that yet. Was that something he should care about? He wasn’t particularly vain, and although Rouge was often quick to point out his attractiveness with a variety of risque comments, he didn’t put too much effort into his looks except to appear presentable. Even his current attire had been picked without much thought beyond there being a chill outside. 

Then he thought about how it’d felt when Sonic had been practically staring at him in his G.U.N. uniform the other day. All of the little comments over the last few days, and even further back than that if he let himself think about it, on his looks and outfits.

It was stupid, but that idiotic voice in his head was whispering once again. Don’t you want to look nice for him?

“I’ll figure it out.” With a sigh, he grabbed his abandoned and now probably cold drink, taking a sip. This really had not been how he expected his day to go. He glanced up at Amy, who was watching him considering. He’d been aggravated by her initial question and then persistence to talk about his feelings, but now he found himself glad to have them partially unburdened from him. “And thank you, Rose. I know I’m not the best at…talking, especially about things like this. But I appreciate you trying anyway.”

“Of course, Shadow. You’re my friend. I just want to see you happy, y’know? Besides,” she added wryly, giving him a knowing grin. “If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to crush on Sonic, it’s me.”

He chuckled at that, letting himself relax slightly. “Very true.”

She waved her hands about suddenly. “Oh! I almost forgot, I wanted to ask your thoughts on the fourth chapter, where the ex comes back? I feel like that was-”

He let her continue as she returned to their original conversation, grateful to give the topic of his crush a rest. Besides, he thought to himself as he offered his own take back to her, he’d have plenty of time to stress himself out before seeing Sonic tomorrow. 

They went their separate ways after another hour, with Amy making him swear to let her know how his evening went tomorrow to which he begrudgingly promised. It felt like the least he could do after she’d helped him work through some of his bullshit. 

He’d been wrong about how long he had before he could officially begin to psych himself out, however. That came about six hours after he and Sonic had hung up, when his phone buzzed with a message just as he’d been refilling the glass he’d placed the lavender in with fresh water.

we made it! went ok tell u tomm. Tails kicked ass lol. can’t wait 2 see u ;)

It was the wink that almost made him drop the glass as he stared at his phone held one hand and placed the flowers roughly back down with another. He sighed. No delaying the inevitable. 

“Rouge?” he called out across the apartment, resigned. “I need to tell you something, and if you say I told you so I’m locking you out.”

Friday night found him pacing his living room anxiously, fiddling with the Chaos Emerald he’d practically begged Rouge back for after he’d confessed to her the events of the day prior. He’d been right about her smugness at being proven right after he’d finished by asking if she’d help him figure out what the hell to wear to what he was beginning to believe might actually be a date. 

She’d returned the emerald to him only after he’d promised to not attempt to run away again the second he became overwhelmed by his feelings. He didn’t think he’d sounded particularly convincing in his agreement, but she’d given it to him anyway. Maybe she was hoping he wouldn’t need it in the first place. 

She’d also taken pity on him and helped to pick his outfit, seeming to recognize that he actually wanted to put in a bit more effort than usual this time. Just enough to give him a little confidence for- whatever the night turned out to be. She’d left a few hours ago, heading out to her own date with Knuckles, and had given him a final, encouraging hug before she’d gone with a promise eerily similar to Amy’s that he better tell her everything the next morning. 

“Assuming you make it back, that is,” she’d teased with a wink, laughing wickedly as Shadow had shoved her out the door. 

It was almost two minutes to seven, and for the first time ever Shadow found himself wishing the other would be late so he could at least have a bit longer to pace. Fate seemed to be working against him when a familiar knock came suddenly at the front door. 

He checked his watch. A minute to seven. Chaos, he thought desperately, he’s actually early. It was a small detail, but considering Sonic’s tendency to be “just on time” or egregiously late to most things it seemed- significant.

Making his way to the door, Shadow paused at the mirror in their entry way. He smoothed back his quills and adjusted his jacket nervously, the leather of this one a dark grey unlike the jacket he'd worn to the cafe. Rouge had kept the rest of his outfit simple, with slacks to match the jacket and a black shirt which was far tighter than he’d usually be comfortable with, but she'd insisted. She’d also had to barter with him for a full half hour to convince him to swap out his air shoes for a pair of his regular boots, a decision he was still not entirely convinced by. 

He took a deep breath and let it out in one. He could do this. He had a feeling, one way or another, tonight would end with an answer to the question that had plagued him for months. For better or worse, it was time to face it. With that, he opened the door. 

He found Sonic waiting on the other side, though he jumped as the door opened. Shadow shot an amused look his way as the other recovered from his surprise, clearing his throat. 

“Pretend that didn’t happen, for my sake?” The other asked in lieu of a greeting. Shadow snorted. 

“Unlikely.” He took in Sonic’s appearance then, the rest of his snarky comment lost as his mouth went dry. He swallowed heavily, hoping the other didn’t notice. 

From the way Sonic’s gaze tracked his throat as he did, he doubted it. The hero had forgone his usual sporty loungewear for something a bit more spiffy, well-fitted jeans and a white long sleeve coupled with a blue bomber jacket. Even his usual battered running shoes had been swapped for a more unassuming all-white pair. It was a good look, but beyond that it confirmed he hadn’t been the only one to put more effort into his appearance than usual. 

Well. No time like the present. He summoned up as much courage as he could before nervously choking out, “You look nice.”

His bravery was rewarded by the parts of Sonic’s face not covered in fur turning beet red. Shadow watched in awed fascination as Sonic braced one hand on the back of his neck, looking up shyly. 

“Th-thanks, Shads.” 

Shadow knew he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. Now that he’d actually allowed himself to consider that there really was something more to their relationship, it was like every little detail was standing out to him as evidence of why it was true, Sonic’s demeanor at his compliment being one of them.

Interesting. 

He felt his confidence grow ever so slightly and decided to run with it, leaning against his door frame and gesturing with one hand down to himself. “Well, how do I look?” 

It was his turn to watch Sonic swallow heavily, letting the other’s eyes rake over him and feeling his wonder grow as the teasing question apparently left him momentarily unable to respond. 

“You look really good, Shadow,” Sonic breathed, his gaze continuing to drag up and down the length of him. The use of his full name sent a shiver down his spine, and he forced himself to not preen at the look as Sonic finally brought his eyes back up to him. “I like the outfit.”

“Thanks,” he responded simply, delighting internally and growing bolder by the minute at the way Sonic continued to gaze at him. “You plan on telling me where we’re going?”

That broke Sonic’s gaze as he shot him a more charming than usual grin before sidling up closer to where Shadow was still leaning, less than a foot of space between them. 

“I could tell you,” Sonic hummed, “but then that would spoil the surprise. And I like surprising you- you get this little scrunch between your eyes when I do, it’s adorable.”

What came over him, Shadow wasn’t exactly sure. Maybe it was Sonic actually calling him adorable directly, on parr with his usage of “cute”. He wasn’t usually one for brash decisions, but as Sonic continued to look at him with that easy smile despite his clear nerves, he felt something shift in him. He’d spent so many months convinced they’d always be nothing more than friends, and if he was being honest, he was sick of playing it safe. 

He leaned in, lessening the space between them by an inch or two and taking note of the way Sonic gulped at their almost-contact as he spoke lowly, lidded eyes sparkling with mirth. 

“Oh, I’m all for surprises,” Shadow rumbled, drinking in the way Sonic’s expression went practically stupid at his tone. “But I think I’d like to know where my date is taking me.” 

As he said it, he knew there was no going back. It was possibly the biggest gamble he’d ever taken in his life, heart pounding as he watched Sonic register the fact he’d referred to him as his date. Seconds ticked by, his nerves practically on fire as he waited for Sonic to say something, anything to confirm that what they shared was something more than friendship and that he hadn’t just set himself up for failure. 

But after gaping at him for a few moments, something in Sonic seemed to also change. His posture relaxed, a smile playing about his lips as he chuckled and reached out to take one of Shadow’s hands into his own, only hesitating slightly before he did. 

“Well then, why don’t we get this date started so you can find out?”

There it was. All those months of brooding and doubt suddenly melted away as Shadow finally confirmed the thing he’d been afraid of losing had never been something he could lose in the first place. He felt that stupid giggle bubble up in his chest, and for once, he didn’t fight it. Sonic seemed to like it so much, after all. In fact, the other was looking at him with a warm, delighted expression as he did. 

“Let’s do it then,” Shadow replied, squeezing Sonic’s hand once before letting it drop and stepping outside of the door, shutting and locking it quickly before turning back to him. “I don’t have my air shoes on, though, so if you were planning to run then we’ll need to figure something out.”

“Nah, you should be fine.” Sonic was still looking at him with that overly fond expression. “It’s not too far from here, I figured we could walk it.”

“I didn’t realize Sonic the Hedgehog was actually capable of walking somewhere,” Shadow teased. The other rolled his eyes with a smile as they turned away from the door and down the hall.

“Very funny.”

The two made their way from his apartment, heading down the stairs and walking out into the main street of the city filled with what were clearly other couples on their own dates and outings in celebration of the day. Sonic turned left and started walking with Shadow following along by his side, chatting idly and bumping into each other’s sides as they made their way through the crowded sidewalk. 

“Are you still not going to tell me where we’re going?” Shadow asked, pressing closer to the other momentarily as a large family bustled past them while chasing after a younger kit zooming ahead of them enthusiastically. Even through his jacket, the temporary contact between them felt almost electric. 

“If you really want me to, I will,” Sonic replied, grabbing his wrist and pulling him to the side a bit more to let the family pass by. “But we should be there soon- unless you don’t trust me.” He gave an exaggerated pout, making Shadow snicker. 

“Fine, I’ll wait.” Shadow suddenly became aware that Sonic had not yet let go of his wrist as they continued walking. Just as he was about to say something else, he felt Sonic’s gloved hand slip smoothly into his own. 

He glanced down at their joined hands and then looked up at Sonic, who was resolutely looking anywhere but Shadow as if afraid making eye contact would lead him to pull away. He did the opposite, in fact, linking their fingers together and giving their joined hands a squeeze. 

Sonic looked at him then, and though it was a bit hard to tell in the dim of the night underneath the city’s various neon signs and streetlights, he could tell the other was blushing. 

“Um, cool,” Sonic coughed, turning redder by the minute. “Cool, yeah we’re- we’re almost there.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, hands still joined together as they made their way down one street and then the next. After a few minutes, Shadow realized where they were right before they turned a corner and came face to face with the Central City movie theater. 

There was a decent line leading out from the ticket booth, mostly couples, and looking at the various new releases posters he surmised they were probably here for that new “romcom” Amy had mentioned to him the other day. He was a fan of romance novels, sure, but Shadow drew the line at a romantic comedy. The characters never had nearly as much chemistry as the ones in his books did, and the humor always failed to make him laugh. 

He sincerely hoped it wasn’t what Sonic had brought him to see, but as the other turned to look at him eagerly he decided he’d at least give it a shot for the sake of the night. 

“Okay, I know it’s probably not the most, like, traditional Valentine’s Day thing to do but…” Sonic trailed off as he dug into his pockets with one hand before pulling out two tickets. “I know how much you like Instant Danger and they just released the second one last week. I texted Rouge this morning and she said you hadn’t seen it yet, so… surprise?”

Shadow looked at the offered tickets and sure enough, printed on them was the sequel to his favorite action movie, Instant Danger 2. He breathed an internal sigh of relief he wouldn’t have to suffer through two hours of an insipid romance storyline cut with gag humor after all. 

“I haven’t, you’re right,” Shadow said, giving the other an appreciative look. “It sounds like fun. Thanks for getting the tickets, too.”

Sonic waved him off, tugging on his hand gently and leading them around the line and into the theater. “No need to thank me. Now come on, I’m starving. Let’s get some snacks before it starts.”

They ended up bickering in the concession line over what they should get, Sonic arguing for some atrocious cotton candy popcorn flavor being offered as part of a promotion for a children’s movie currently playing. It was disgustingly pink. 

“What was it you said about your ‘refined palette’?” Shadow asked sarcastically, snickering when the other scoffed at his judgement. 

“You’re just afraid of being a little adventurous,” Sonic shot back. “For all you know, it could be amazing.”

“Popcorn should not be that color.”

“Says you,” Sonic grumbled, before agreeing they could get normal, “boring” popcorn instead along with their drinks. He let go of Shadow’s hand to grab his wallet once they ordered but Shadow beat him to it, smoothly pulling his own out and quickly paying before the other could stop him. 

“You paid for the tickets, it’s only fair,” Shadow argued as Sonic protested, grabbing their drinks while the other held the egregiously large popcorn bucket. He was certain half of it would be gone before the movie even started. The hero agreed begrudgingly, thanking him as they left the counter. 

“But next time I ask you out, you’re leaving your wallet at home,” Sonic whispered as they entered their theater, the lights already dimming as the previews started. He hummed in agreement, charmed by Sonic’s insistence he pay for the date while reeling giddily over the fact that there would potentially be a next time. 

Finding their seats, they settled down with their snacks with Sonic holding the popcorn between them. Shadow grabbed a few kernels, tossing them into his mouth as the trailer for that romantic comedy played. Watching it, he was once again glad that Sonic hadn’t chosen to take them to it simply for the sake of the holiday. 

Though, he considered, he shouldn’t have been worried. Sonic had proven time and time again just how well he knew him. He snuck a peek over at his date, who was chuckling at whatever trailer had come on next. 

Looking down, Shadow realized the other had moved the popcorn to his lap and had his hand laying on the arm rest between them, the palm of his glove facing upward. It was clear he was trying to make the position look casual, though Shadow knew it was anything but. 

In the dark of the theater, he allowed himself a small smile. Chaos, this was who he’d been nervous to confess to? He should’ve known better. He let the rest of the trailers play out, occasionally checking to see if Sonic’s hand was still there, to which it always was. 

Finally, once the movie actually started, he tentatively placed his own hand back into Sonic’s, holding back a laugh when the other jolted slightly at the contact. Sonic quickly recovered, linking their hands together once more. The light of the screen lit up his face, revealing his quietly pleased expression. 

After that, Shadow was quickly sucked into the film. He hadn’t been lying when he’d agreed that this was one of his favorites, action movies his usual choice of preference when it came to watching something. He blamed his interest for being the reason it took him so long to realize that at some point, Sonic had turned their hands slightly and was swiping his thumb back and forth along the side of his glove. 

It was an intimate gesture, one Sonic didn’t seem to be thinking much of as he continued to watch the film, but it distracted Shadow long enough that by the time he returned his attention to the screen he realized he wasn’t entirely sure what the characters were talking about, squinting as the character's argued about something. 

“They’re going to bust their tech guy out of the bad guy’s base,” Sonic said suddenly, leaning over slightly to whisper the explanation into his ear and sending another shiver down Shadow’s spine. “But they need to get someone to help them blow up the entrance to create a distraction.”

He must’ve noticed Shadow’s confusion on the ongoing plot and decided to fill him in, he thought, praying that he hadn’t also noticed exactly why he’d been distracted in the first place. He murmured his thanks, turning his attention back to the movie while Sonic continued to gently swipe his thumb back and forth.

The movie ended about an hour later, the two of them trading their thoughts on the film as they tossed their now empty popcorn and drink containers on the way out. They exited the theater, emerging onto the still busy street. It wasn’t long before Sonic’s hand found his own again. 

“The first is still my favorite, but this was pretty good,” Shadow said, walking along with Sonic who said their next stop was at the park by the theater. He’d been more excited than he probably should’ve been that the night wasn’t over yet, and maybe he’d have been more embarrassed of his enthusiasm before, but Shadow was having such a good time he couldn’t bring himself to care. 

“I’ve actually never seen the first one, but I thought it was cool too,” Sonic replied, stopping them at the crosswalk as they waited for the light to change. When he glanced over at Shadow, the other was frowning. “Shads?”

“You haven’t seen the first one?” Shadow repeated.

“Uh, yeah? I mean, I wouldn’t mind seeing it. If it’s anything like this one, I’m sure it’s great.”

“I mean, it is,” Shadow hesitated. “I guess I’m surprised you picked it without having seen the original first.”

The light changed and they made their way across the street, the entrance to the park in sight. Sonic was leading them to the side of it, though Shadow wasn’t sure what was around that he was taking them to.

“Well, I wanted to take you to something I knew you’d like,” Sonic explained, like it was obvious. “Wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I hadn’t.”

“Oh.” Once again, Sonic had slipped past Shadow’s many walls and found a way to nestle in a way that so many others couldn’t. “We should watch the first one, then.”

Sonic shot him a smile. “I’d like that. Okay, come on, we’re almost there.”

He could see Sonic was leading them to a vendor stand on the street corner near the park entrance. As they came closer, he groaned as he realized what it was selling. 

“Sonic. Sonic, I am not eating a chili dog.”

“You haven’t even tried it yet!” Sonic exclaimed, tugging on his hand when the other refused to move. “Come on, you won’t know if you like it until you do.”

“I will know, because I don’t tend to enjoy food that is wet,” Shadow snarked. He let the other drag him along reluctantly, the vendor greeting Sonic by name as they approached. Clearly, he was a regular. 

“It’s not wet, it’s sauce you big baby,” Sonic teased, but stopped with a hesitant expression. “I mean, you don’t have to try it if you really don’t want to. You can try a bite of mine first, and see if you like it?”

Shadow sighed, not enjoying the put out expression the other was clearly trying to hide. 

“Fine,” he acquiesced, rolling his eyes as Sonic gave a cheer. “But if I hate it, no pouting.”

“Cross my heart,” Sonic promised, turning back to the vendor who looked to be some sort of raccoon species and ordering two chili dogs, apparently convinced already that Shadow would like it. Of course, he was sure that if he didn’t, Sonic would finish the other one just fine.

It wasn’t long before the first was finished, the vendor handing it over as he began to work on the second one. Shadow eyed the food warily, taking it with both hands and turning it side to side like it might bite him. He wasn’t entirely convinced it wouldn’t. 

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Shadow muttered to himself, before taking as small a bite as he could manage while the other watched eagerly. 

Ugh, it’s so greasy, he thought, cringing at the texture before he realized the taste of it… actually wasn’t bad? It was pretty flavorful, definitely not something he’d ever order for himself, but it was kind of-

“Well?” Sonic prompted as he watched him swallow the bite. “Come on, you can tell me. It’s good, isn’t it?”

“I hate you.”

“I knew it! I knew you’d like it.” Sonic gave him a smug look, hands behind his back as he leaned forward, the picture of innocence. “Does that mean you’d like Markus here to keep making yours?”

Shadow glanced over at the vendor, Markus apparently, who was watching them bemusedly with ringed eyes. He sighed warily. “Yes, please.”

“Man, this date just keeps getting better and- ow, watch it!” Sonic whined, rubbing his arm where Shadow had good-naturedly punched him. 

“We’re not talking about this.”

“Fine,” Sonic agreed, clearly too happy that Shadow actually liked his favorite food to care about being hit. “But I told you so- ow! Okay, I’m done, I’m done.”

Markus handed over the other chili dog, waving Sonic off when he attempted to pay. 

“Call it a Valentine’s Day special for my best customer,” Markus winked. Shadow felt himself grow warm at the comment, and even warmer still when Sonic insistently dropped a few bills from his wallet into the man’s tip jar. Sonic promised to come by again soon, bidding the vendor farewell before he gestured for Shadow to follow along. Shadow gave Markus a wave, thanking him for his generosity as they left. 

Sonic led him back to the park entrance down the street. It was mostly quiet, a few odd couples here and there spooning together on benches or walking along the lake. It set his heart beating faster again, though he blamed it on the heaviness of the chili dog as he took another bite. 

Damn it, they actually were really good. 

“Is this another surprise?” Shadow questioned as they walked along a moonlit path that took them across a bridge to the other side of the park with considerably fewer couples milling about. 

“Well, I thought you might enjoy this after you liked the meadow so much.” The explanation didn’t quite satisfy his question, but he let his curiosity rest. If it was anything like the rest of Sonic’s surprises, he was sure he’d like it. 

Even if I don’t, he thought as he watched Sonic devour his own chili dog with far too much enthusiasm, I don’t think I’ll mind too much. 

They walked for a few more minutes, Shadow finishing his own food right after Sonic. They tossed the trash in a nearby bin, continuing along the path until Sonic stopped them, though Shadow didn’t see anything of note besides the nearby lake and the surrounding trees. 

“Okay, close your eyes.”

“Really, again?” Shadow sighed, but complied with the request all the same, shutting his eyes expectantly. “Okay, now what?”

He felt rather than saw Sonic take his hand into his own once more, letting himself be pulled forward as the other continued to lead them somewhere off the path as he felt the ground beneath his feet change to something softer, like grass. 

“It’s not as far as the field was, don’t worry. I just don’t want you to see it while we’re walking up.”

Sonic was true to his word, having him stop after just a short distance. Shadow’s ears twitched as he took in the sound of frogs croaking and the gentle ripple of water. Were they by the lake? He went to open his eyes but Sonic stopped him quickly. 

“One second, um-” Sonic sounded like he was debating something. “Okay, keep your eyes closed and don’t freak out.”

“Why would I- Sonic!” he shouted as he felt the other slip one arm around his waist and another underneath his legs, sweeping him into a hold. He kept his eyes closed, more so for the sake of his sanity than trying to keep up with the surprise as he found himself carried by the other. His cheeks burned. “What the hell are you doing?”

“There’s a part we’ve gotta’ climb, and I figured it’d be easier to just run us up there.”

He was silent for a moment. 

“You better not drop me.”

“I won’t drop you,” Sonic promised, sounding amused but sincere. “I’ve got ya’.” Then there was a gust of wind around them as Shadow felt the other dash up to the top of whatever he’d wanted them to climb before placing him back on his feet gently. 

“You can open your eyes, Shads.”

“This better be worth having you…carry me.” Shadow’s grumbling trailed off as he took in their surroundings. They were by the lake like he’d thought, but far enough away from the couples he’d seen earlier that he couldn’t actually pick any of them out anymore. The thing Sonic had sped them up was a rock outcropping overlooking the edge of the water about a dozen feet up, the placid lake sprawling in front of them.

“It’s beautiful,” Shadow murmured, walking a little closer to the edge to take in the view. 

“Yeah.” He heard Sonic agree behind him quietly. “It really is.”

Shadow breathed in the night air while watching the light of the moon reflect in the ripples of the lake from the breeze.

“I found it while I was on a run,” Sonic continued, coming to stand just behind him, clearly not too keen to get close to the edge and the water below. “Thought it’d be nice to end the night with.”

“It is,” Shadow agreed, turning back to him. “Nice, that is.”

Sonic beamed. “Good.” He shrugged off his jacket then, laying it out on the top of the rock and sitting on one half, patting the space next to him. “Sit with me?”

As if Shadow would say no. He lowered himself to the ground, accepting Sonic’s offered hand even though he didn’t particularly need it. Just as he’d thought the other would, Sonic continued to keep them clasped once he’d settled down next to him. 

A minute later, he could feel Sonic’s thumb start up again like it had in the theater and Shadow couldn’t help but give a quiet laugh as he let the events of the night fully hit him. Sonic glanced over at him.

“What’s so funny?” The other inquired, shuffling and leaning into him a bit so their arms were nearly pressed against each other at their sides from where their hands were still grasped. 

A few hours earlier, Shadow would’ve probably given him some sort of non-committal answer to avoid actually having to share what he was thinking. But now, he found it was a bit easier to be truthful after all his other gambles of the night had paid off. 

“Honestly? I can’t believe we’re here,” Shadow admitted. “I never thought something like this could happen with us. With you.”

Sonic’s ears twitched in interest at the admission, but let him continue. 

“I don’t think any of it really hit me until just now,” he mused, letting himself lean into Sonic’s side a bit more as he did. He turned his head, red eyes meeting green. “Up until last week, I wasn’t even sure if you liked me back.”

That seemed to throw Sonic for a loop, who laughed incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief. “Dude, seriously? No way, I’ve had a crush on you, like, forever.”

Shadow jolted. “You have not.”

“I totally have,” Sonic laughed again, though this time it sounded nervous. “To be fair, I spent a lot of time thinking you didn’t like me either, but… I don’t know. I was always fine just being your friend, y’know? Like, I really liked being your friend. But somewhere down the line, I figured you’d push me away if I ever got to be too much. And then, when I realized you weren’t, I thought maybe there was a chance after all.”

It was a heartfelt admission, but past the ringing in his ears all Shadow could focus on was the fact that apparently they’d both liked another long enough that his pining had been a complete waste. Instead of reacting appropriately, he checked Sonic roughly with his hip, jostling him. 

“You idiot!" Shadow hissed. “Why didn’t you just say something? Do you know how insane you’ve been driving me these last few months, let alone the last week?” He could feel himself getting worked up and while he wasn’t actually angry, he couldn’t believe that Sonic had him acting like such a fool for no reason.

“You could’ve said something too!” Sonic exclaimed, though he sighed in agreement at Shadow’s withering glare. “Okay, fair point. I know you better than that.”

Shadow gave a humph, turning away from the other slightly though he kept their hands linked. He felt Sonic give a gentle tug, trying to get him to look at him, but he ignored it. 

“C’mon Shads,” Sonic whined, leaning into his shoulder. Shadow, refusing to give in, kept his head turned away. “Can you blame me? Even if I thought you liked me, I didn’t want to run the risk and scare you off. I meant what I said, you’re my friend. I didn’t want to lose that.”

Shadow hesitated. The reasoning was far too similar to his own, and it cooled his ire somewhat at having been so uncertain as to how the other felt. Sonic still wasn’t giving up, however, sliding his hand out of his grasp and gently wrapping it around his waist in a sort of side embrace instead. 

“Promise, if I knew for sure you liked me then I would’ve said something a lot sooner,” Sonic murmured. “Besides, who wouldn’t get nervous asking you out, sweetheart?”

There was a pop as a short burst of red energy crackled around them, generated by Shadow involuntarily whose face was completely engulfed in heat as the pet name left Sonic’s lips. He whipped his head around to find Sonic staring at him imploringly, apparently unconcerned with the gentle moniker he’d just used or the wisps of energy quickly disappearing around them. 

“You’re so dumb,” Shadow mumbled, covering his face with one hand. He let Sonic gently ease him into his side with the arm still wrapped around his waist. 

“Dumb for you,” Sonic joked, chuckling at Shadow’s answering groan. “Kind of true though. You don’t know how long I spent planning this whole week, honestly.”

That gave Shadow a pause. “This whole week?”

Sonic looked embarrassed at his slip up, rubbing the back of his neck before he continued. “Yeahhhh, I kind of decided last week I was going to try and ask you out on Valentine’s Day? Ames convinced me. She’s known I had a crush on you for a couple of months now, she’s been trying to get me to do something about it.”

That explained her insistence at the cafe and the way she kept dancing around why she was so convinced Sonic wouldn’t mind him confessing. Shadow was honestly more impressed with her apparent subterfuge than upset at having been played. 

“So this whole week- the coffee beans, the field, bringing my vest. You were doing all that to what, gear up to ask me out?”

“Kind of,” Sonic winced. “She kind of let it slip there was a chance you maybe, possibly were a bit of a, um, ‘romantic’ as she put it? And that if I wanted to ask you out, I should do something to show you I, uh, cared. About you. Which I do. A lot, actually. Which is why I kept showing up during the week. I was gonna’ take you on a run when I came to drop by your vest, but you were already gone and then Tails called me.”

Wait. How else could Amy have brought that up unless it was about- “Please tell me she didn’t tell you about Kindred Hearts.” Sonic’s sheepish grin was answer enough. “Great, I have to kill Rose now.”

Damn. And he’d liked her, too. 

“Aw come on, it wasn’t entirely her fault,” Sonic insisted. “Ames was telling me about it, and I think she knew I was kind of half-listening anyway. So she was going on and on, and then she kind of accidentally mentioned something you’d said about one of the chapters and spilled from there. She made me swear not to tell anyone though, she felt really bad.”

Shadow internally forgave Amy for her slip up but tucked his face into Sonic’s shoulder still, too embarrassed to face the other. The other gave a soft chuckle as he rubbed a comforting hand up and down his jacket arm. 

“Come on, I’m not gonna’ make fun of you. I think it’s sweet you like those kinds of books. Besides,” Sonic added, ducking to look him in the eyes. “Probably would’ve taken us a lot longer to end up here if she hadn’t messed up.”

It was a fair point, and probably true. Shadow, face still buried into the fabric of Sonic’s shirt, said as much. Another thought occurred to him then, and he lifted his face up to ask. 

“Did you know that I had no idea what today was?”

Sonic flushed at that. “I kind of figured you didn’t, yeah. You’re not the best at remembering holidays, Shads, I doubted this one was on your radar. When I called to ask you out, I was going to say something but- well, I got nervous.”

That explained the background conversation he’d heard on the phone from his younger brother, then. “Is that what Miles was teasing you about? That you didn’t just say it outright?”

“Ugh, you heard that?” Sonic questioned, groaning at Shadow’s answering smirk. “Yeah, he was ragging on me pretty hard. To be fair, I’m pretty sure if he heard me talk one more time about how pretty your eyes are he was going to lose it.”

“My eyes?” Shadow repeated.

“You didn’t hear me say that,” Sonic said meekly, shoving his face into his free hand. Shadow huffed a laugh, reaching over to gently remove it. 

“I’m pretty sure I did,” he teased, delighting in the continued flush of Sonic’s face as he moved his hand away. It was nice to know he wasn’t the only one reduced to a mess at times.

The light of the moon bouncing off the lake reflected in Sonic's eyes as he looked into them, glowing a bit brighter and making that little voice in his head whisper sappily that they were almost as breathtaking as the view itself. 

“Then, you do,” Sonic breathed, slowly bringing the hand that had been wrapped around him to carefully rest on the side of his face. He felt his thumb swipe back and forth along his cheek, gently. “You do have pretty eyes.”

Shadow held his breath, entranced by the way the other was staring at him so softly, like he was deserving of it. Like he was something precious, something to be cherished.

“Hey.” Sonic bit his lip, looking determined suddenly. “Close your eyes.”

“Again?” Shadow questioned, bemused. “I thought you said they were pretty.”

“They are,” Sonic agreed simply, his previous embarrassment apparently gone. “But just close them for me?”

There was something in the way he asked that Shadow just couldn’t ignore. Slowly, he let his eyes flutter shut. He felt the hand on his face move slightly, and before he knew it he could feel Sonic lean closer to murmur a question in his ear. 

“Can I kiss you, Shads?”

Eyes still shut, he gave a sharp intake of breath before answering, “Yes.”

And then Shadow felt as the hand on the side of his face was joined by another, both drawing him until he felt warm lips ghost upon his own in a chaste kiss. The contact was brief, only a few seconds, but despite the chill of the night around them Shadow swore the park must’ve been set ablaze from the absolute heat that filled him at the touch. 

He opened his eyes to find Sonic watching him closely from a few inches away, casting a glance over his face as he tried to apparently gauge Shadow’s reaction. That wouldn’t do, he decided. Sonic deserved to know exactly how he felt. 

And so he took another leap into the fray, letting his own hands slide up to caress either side of Sonic’s face and slowly, gently pull him into another, more searing kiss. It was like a dam had broken, all those repressed emotions and months of pining building up and spilling out of them as they grasped at each other desperately. 

Shadow’s pulse thrummed, the high of their embrace only heightened by the clear longing displayed between them. He threaded his hand through the back of Sonic’s quills, pulling him into the kiss even further. He’d half expected for Sonic to push back, to try and take the lead between them.

That was clearly not the case as Shadow pressed their lips together, deepening the kiss and delighting in the way Sonic seemed to practically melt against him. He smiled into the embrace, Sonic pulling back just slightly with a dazed look on his face when he did. 

“You alright there?” Shadow hummed.

“Mm?” Sonic was still looking at him with that dopey expression, eyes lidded and focused only on him. They hadn’t stopped holding onto each other, still just a few inches apart as they loped their arms around each other’s necks. 

“If I knew this is what it took to get you to shut up, I would’ve kissed you a long time ago,” Shadow teased. Sonic huffed a laugh at that, a bit more awareness coming into his eyes though they continued to look struck. 

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.”

His eyes widened comically, shocked at the pet name making such a quick reappearance and reeling from just how much he enjoyed hearing it. Chaos, this idiot made him so soft it wasn’t even funny. 

“What’s the matter, Shads, don’t like that one?” Sonic teased good naturedly, but there was a look in his eyes that Shadow knew meant trouble. The good kind, but trouble still. 

“C'mon baby, work with me here.” 

Shadow had less than a second to slap a glove over his mouth, lest the surprised noise that had threatened to escape him came out. Sonic grinned. “No? Something else? What about gorgeo- mmph!” He was cut off as Shadow tackled him, shoving a hand over his mouth as they tumbled to the ground. 

Sonic fought him off, giggling. “You’re a fucking menace, you know that?” Shadow grumbled, continuing to smush his glove into Sonic's face as the other tried to shove him. 

“And you’re an ass, but I still like you,” Sonic taunted, finally managing to roll him off and sitting up with a huff. Sonic eyed him warily, like he thought Shadow would jump at him again, but in a show of good faith Shadow moved back to where they’d been sitting and smoothed out Sonic’s jacket. He patted the spot next to him. 

“Behave and I won’t attack you.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Sonic saluted as he took up his seat before pressing their sides together again.

They lapsed into a silence that was familiar to them, content to simply sit together and soak in each other’s company. As Shadow gazed up at the moon overhead, hanging in the ink black sky, he gave a contented sigh.

“Good Valentine’s Day, then?”

He glanced back at Sonic who was watching him carefully. Shadow gave a fond huff before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek while the other blushed. 

“It was a great Valentine’s Day.” 

“By the way,” he added, “you never told me what happened with you and Miles on the island. What did he find after you hung up?”

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Okay, so the scanner picked up more energy signatures, right? But Tails realized they were coming from underground, so we figured there was probably a base hidden nearby. Once he figured out where the entrance was we got swarmed but he was totally killing it, you should've seen Tails when he-”

Shadow listened contentedly as Sonic retold the story of their infiltration to the base and the ensuing fight, certain that G.U.N. would probably want him to report back about this. But as the night continued, with Sonic pressed warmly against his side, he couldn’t find it in himself to care. 

For once, the little voice in his head had nothing to say.

Chapter Text

       “Okay, I’ve got a good one this time.”

       “I really don’t think you do.”

       “C’mon, you haven’t even heard it yet!” Sonic protested against Shadow’s scoff of derision, the hero idly swinging their joined hands between them as they made their way to Shadow’s apartment. 

       As they ambled through the now empty streets, Shadow found he didn’t particularly mind the lack of urgency in their steps as they moved—far from it, in fact.

       After the events of the evening, he was perfectly content taking their time.

       Plus, he’d found it was hard to resist being charmed by Sonic’s insistence he walk him home as they’d prepared to head down from their perch over the lake, even when he’d made some corny joke about getting him in by an imagined curfew as they’d headed out of the park. 

       Unfortunately, Shadow had been in such a good enough mood he’d found it just a tad funny. He hadn’t giggled again, but it’d been a close thing as he’d given an aborted snort of laughter before leading them in the direction of his place. 

       Perhaps he should’ve let himself react fully, because Sonic had now spent the last fifteen minutes trying what seemed like every cheesy joke and terrible pun he knew on Shadow in an attempt to get him to giggle fully. 

       The most he’d gotten out of him so far, though, was a wry smile. The second Sonic had started to tease he was getting closer to getting him to crack, Shadow had quickly forced himself to sober up his expression lest he accidentally fuel the other’s antics any further.

       Admittedly, he was enjoying Sonic’s attempts but he’d be damned if he let the other beat him at this game, silly as it was. 

       Just because they’d confessed to each other now didn’t mean Shadow could help himself from still knocking Sonic down a peg or two. After all, it was good for his ego.

       “I don’t need to hear it, it’ll be just as bad a joke as the last ten you told me,” Shadow remarked dryly, rolling his eyes albeit fondly when Sonic slipped his hand from their grasp and slid an arm coyly over his shoulders as they continued to walk. 

       “I think you’ll like this one though.”

       “Oh, really?” Shadow drawled. “Isn’t that what you said about the one where Robotnik and a lightbulb walk into a bar—” 

       “That one was good and you know it,” Sonic shot back. Though it was hard to feel it fully through his jacket, Shadow could tell he was doing that thumb-rubbing thing again on the side of his arm. He cleared his throat, willing himself to maintain his composure at least until they got to his front door.

       “It didn’t even make sense.”

       “Because you had to keep telling me that lightbulbs can’t walk,” Sonic countered. “Or talk. It defeats the joke if you poke holes in the setup, Shads.”

       “Then learn to tell a better joke.”

       “I told you, I’ve got a better one already lined up,” Sonic said with a grin. “One you’ll definitely enjoy.” 

       Shadow shot him a look, wary at his tone and the sly way he was sidling up even closer to his side as they paused to stop at a crosswalk and waited for the light change. 

       There was a moment of brief silence before they continued along, Sonic sticking close to his side as they made their way to the other side of the street. The sidewalk there was even more deserted in this stretch of town as they got further and further away from the hub of activity that had been the more central part of the city.

       “Well, go on then,” Shadow sighed, though he was secretly amused at Sonic’s dedication to making him laugh. “Let’s hear it.”

       To his surprise, Sonic waited until they’d made it completely across the walkway and to the other side before he said anything else. When he did, he pulled Shadow to a stop underneath the warm glow of a dim street light with a gentle tug of his arm. 

       Shadow glanced about, brow furrowed, confused as to why they’d stopped. He watched as Sonic adopted a sudden serious expression and moved from his side until he was standing just in front of him, both hands on his shoulders. “Sonic, what—”

       “Do you have a map?”

       Shadow blinked furtively, thrown off by such an odd question. “What?”

       “I said,” Sonic repeated, almost somber in tone. “Do you have a map?”

       Shadow briefly wondered if Sonic had hit his head at some point from when they’d stumbled off that rock at the lake together and he just hadn’t noticed. “No, what would I even need—”

       “Because I just got lost in your eyes.”

       Shadow watched in disbelief as Sonic’s expression shifted to his more usual boastful yet charming grin, the one he wore when he was exceedingly proud of himself for something, even if he shouldn’t be. 

       Unfortunately, the line was just bad enough that Shadow couldn’t help but give an unexpected and entirely undignified snort of laughter. His hand shot up to slap over his traitorous mouth as soon as the sound emerged, but the damage was done. 

       Sonic’s smile was becoming increasingly more mischievous by the second, worryingly so. Shadow brushed the other’s arms off his shoulders and quickly resumed the path back to his place.

       There was no deterring Sonic when he found an in, however. The hero caught up with him quickly, practically leering as he circled around him, weaving back and forth in a way Shadow would almost call flirtatious in its movement. 

       “Admit it, you liked that one.”

       “I will do no such thing,” Shadow growled, already on the defensive as it became clear the other wasn’t finished. They turned a corner, his apartment building now in sight just at the end of the block. 

       “Doesn’t matter, I could tell you did anyway.”

       He wondered if Rouge had made it back already if she wasn’t spending the night with Knuckles, and if he could convince her to pummel his date for him. 

       She’d probably say yes. Or she’d let Sonic continue torturing him with goofy pickup lines that he’d rather die than admit were working, there was really no telling where her loyalties might lie. Most likely the latter. 

       “C’mon, don’t get huffy because you know I’m gonna’ get to hear that cute little laugh of yours again,” Sonic teased as he deftly slipped from his left to right side in a blur of movement. Shadow gave another huff, pressing onward in spite of the way the endearment made his heart start up at an unsteady pace again. 

       Enamored he may be, his competitive nature would never fully disappear. Not that Sonic seemed to mind. In fact, it seemed to be what was egging him on even further. 

       “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

       “Maybe,” Sonic shrugged, smirking. “But you like it.”

       Shadow grit his teeth. It was, unfortunately, the truth. 

       “Hey, Shadow?”

       “What,” he bit out, already wary for the next line that was undoubtedly to come. This time, Sonic managed to press himself a bit closer to his side despite the other’s brisk walk as he delivered it. 

       “If you were words on a page, you’d be fine print.”

       Shadow slapped both hands over his mouth now, hoping his gloves would muffle whatever bit of laughter was threatening to escape him. His pace quickened again, but that just meant Sonic continued darting around him with even more insipid one liners lobbed at an even faster rate. 

       “C’mon Shads, your hand looks pretty heavy. Why don’t you let me hold it?”

       “Keep it up, faker, I dare you.” Shadow dropped his hands from his face for only a second to snarl back the remark, but he could feel his resolve crumbling with every step. 

       “Aw, don't be mad! I’d offer to stop and buy you a drink, but then I’d be jealous of the glass.”

       He could see the steps leading to his building now, just another minute and he’d be able to shove this in Sonic’s face once he won. Shadow wasn’t entirely sure what he was winning, but it was more about the principle of the matter at this point. 

       “Hey Shads, are you a time traveler? Because I see you in my future.”

       “Nice try, I know for a fact you got that one from Silver,” Shadow shot back, the familiarity with the line the only reason he felt safe enough to spin around and shove an accusing finger into Sonic’s chest. 

       He must’ve surprised his date, however, because Sonic suddenly stumbled backward and tumbled onto the pavement with far more force than he thought he’d used. Shadow blinked as he went down before he felt a spark of concern at the way Sonic was laid out flat instead of popping back up immediately. 

       “Sonic?” He questioned, leaning down and reaching a hand out tentatively to where the hero was still splayed out, eyes screwed shut as if pained. “What’s wrong, are you—”

       It was clear he’d been caught in a trap when Sonic’s eyes fluttered open dramatically before he gave a shit-eating grin that Shadow immediately wanted to smack off him. 

       “Either I just tripped, or I must be falling for you, sweetheart.”

       The giggle escaped Shadow before he could stop it, ringing out and echoing down the empty street as the combination of the pet name and the pure ridiculousness of Sonic falling over just to deliver a pickup line hit him fully. 

       Chaos, what an idiot. 

       Your idiot, his brain supplied unhelpfully as he continued to laugh breathlessly. He couldn’t even be upset that he’d technically “lost” their little competition, silly as it had been, with the way Sonic was staring up at him fondly from the ground. 

       “Told ya’ you’d like it.”

       “Oh, shut up,” Shadow chuckled, offering a hand down to help him stand. Sonic took it gratefully, letting himself be hoisted up all while continuing to give him a look equal parts soft and annoyingly proud. “I should’ve realized how committed you’d be to making a fool of yourself.”

       “If it gets you to laugh like that? I’ll do whatever it takes.”

       Shadow felt his earlier composure slip a bit more, face growing warm at the teasing yet entirely sincere comment. Sonic threw in a playful wink for good measure, laughing when Shadow grumbled something about him being as bad as Rouge when it came to being a flirt before he took his hand once more. 

       “C’mon, I kept you out late enough. Can I walk you up?”

       Shadow gave him a considering look before giving his hand a squeeze and leading him to the stairs of his building. “Ever the gentleman, hm?”

       Sonic laughed, free hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck sheepishly. “Tryna’ be. Is it working?”

       “I’m letting you up to say goodnight, aren’t I?”

       Sonic’s ears perked at the admission, eagerly following Shadow up the steps and to his apartment with a goofy smile on his face. “Lead the way then.”

       They made quick work of the steps before coming to a stop just outside of his apartment door. Shadow’s ears twitched, listening to hear if Rouge was home but heard nothing. Looked like she’d elected to stay with Knuckles tonight, then. 

       “Soooooo,” Sonic drawled, watching as Shadow fished his keys out and unlocked the door. “I had fun. With you, tonight. I mean, I always have fun with you but—uh, yeah.”

       Shadow turned back to him, the door now unlocked and opened, but with no intention of heading inside just yet. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, suddenly reminded of when he’d taken up the same position just a few hours ago and had played at what had felt like the biggest gamble of his life. 

       Now, looking back, he realized it hadn’t been much of a gamble when he’d apparently held the cards all along. 

       “I did too,” Shadow hummed, idly smoothing back his quills and preening at the way Sonic’s eyes immediately fixated on the movement. “Even if your jokes are terrible.”

       “You love ‘em,” Sonic scoffed, though it was clear he’d taken no real offense as he subtly shifted closer to where Shadow stood. “Or do you need me to fall down again just to prove it?”

       “So we’re counting pickup lines as jokes, then?” Shadow questioned, still leaning in the doorway but shifting ever so slightly so that his head was angled to look up slightly at Sonic’s. His date was starting to subconsciously drift even closer now so that there really was only a few inches of space left between them. 

       Despite the earlier events of the night, the tension in the air between them was palpable once more as they lingered in the chill of the late evening. 

       “You laughed, Shads. Don’t try to deny it.”

       Shadow considered him for a moment before he shook his head, the movement temporarily snapping Sonic out of his gazing reverie. 

       “Oh, I’m not,” Shadow hummed, slowly reaching out a hand to gently grasp the lapel of Sonic’s bomber jacket and tug him just a bit closer. “But if those were jokes, then I guess that means you didn’t actually mean any of the things you said back there, huh? If you were just kidding around?”

       He almost felt bad for the way he appeared to be overwhelming Sonic, the other sputtering at the insinuation his flirtatious words had meant nothing while becoming noticeably warmer at the sudden contact. 

       “Of course I did, with you it's, um—Shads, come on,” Sonic said weakly, growing redder by the second as Shadow let his hand drift from the jacket to rest on his chest where a bit of tan fur peeked out through the cut of his shirt. “Please, you… you have to know-”

       “What do I know?” Shadow purred, gleefully taking in the way Sonic was melting under his touch. His competitive streak was suddenly back and something told him this was a game Sonic wouldn’t be winning. Not that either of them could really lose. 

       “That you meant every one of those cheesy little lines you threw at me? Or that you’re falling for me?”

       He let his hand drift slowly up Sonic’s neck, carding through his fur until he was cupping the other’s jaw with his gloved palm. He let his thumb rub idly back and forth, not missing the way Sonic swallowed roughly at the gesture before he gave a meager noise of agreement in response to his questions. 

       That wouldn’t do. Shadow played to win, after all. 

       He came off the door frame fully and leaned just a bit more into the shared space between them, enough so that he could actually hear the way Sonic’s breaths were coming in short, ragged huffs. Shadow let his next words drift into the air between them, delivering the final blow. 

       “Are you falling for me, sweetheart?”

       “Shads,” Sonic whined, practically begging with the word as he nodded furtively. “I already did, you’ve gotta’ know—mmhm!” He was cut off by Shadow dragging him into a kiss, arms wrapped around Sonic’s neck as they locked themselves into another embrace. 

       Despite the chill of the night, the air between them was heated as Sonic quickly got with the program and reached his hands up to grasp either side of Shadow’s face as he turned the kiss searing in spite of the cold. Their bodies were flush against each other, tangled together as Sonic pressed him back slightly so that they were both now crowded into the ajar door. 

       It was a minute before Shadow hummed again in contentment, letting warm lips kiss him once, twice more before leaning back ever so slightly to take in the dazed look Sonic was sporting as they drifted apart. 

       “If you couldn’t tell,” Shadow murmured. “I already did too.” 

       He reached out, straightening Sonic’s collar and smoothing back some of his fur that’d become disheveled in their sudden embrace before pressing a chaste, lingering kiss to his cheek.

       “Thanks again for tonight. Talk to you tomorrow?” Shadow asked, practically demure as he backed into his apartment with a self-satisfied smile. 

       “Yeah,” Sonic breathed, reaching his hand up to ghost across his cheek. “I’ll call you.”

       “Looking forward to it,” Shadow replied, giving him one last teasing look before he went to shut the door. “Goodnight, Sonic.”

       “Night, Shadow.”

       Then he stepped back fully, shutting the door behind him and entering the quiet din of the empty apartment before turning the lock. He made no move to enter further, however. Instead he held his breath, although not entirely sure for what, as his ears twitched, listening. 

       There was nothing from the other side of the door. And then—

       “Holy shit.” 

       Whispered, as if in disbelief, followed by an elated laugh that echoed loudly through the night and rang like music to Shadow’s ears. 

       Checkmate. 

       Finally, he heard Sonic depart with a boom of speed that would probably send his neighbors into a fit but who cared? He’d won tonight, in more ways than one. 

       Shadow let himself move away from the door then, only allowing himself now to openly giggle, as he dropped his keys on the table by the mirror before making his way to his room. 

       He needed to shower and then get some sleep as soon as possible. Knowing Rouge, she’d probably be back early in the morning and undoubtedly eager to hear how everything had gone with his date, a conversation he’d decidedly need energy and a bit of patience for.  

       Chaos. He had a lot to tell her. 

       Just as he was about to slide his jacket off, he felt his phone buzz twice in succession. He removed it from the pocket before tossing the jacket on the bed, growing curious as he realized he had two texts from Sonic. 

       It only took a couple seconds for his eyes to scan across the screen, giving a derisive snort in direct contrast to the warm blush he could feel flushing his cheeks as he read. 

       had a rlly good time w u Shads. I’ll call u tomm ^>^ btw r u a campfire? bc ur hot and i want s’more (i mean that one 2) 

       halfway home! cant wait 2 c u again :))) sweet dreamsss 

       Shadow couldn’t fight the smile making its way across his face as he read the texts again. He started to type out his own message but paused, briefly recalling how Amy had pushed him earlier that week to be more liberal in expressing his feelings when responding to Sonic.

       Very funny, but don’t text and run. I had a really good time too, thank you again for everything. Call me tomorrow. Sleep well.

       He hesitated to send the next text until the memory of the other hero splayed on the ground and smiling softly up at him all to make him laugh spurred him on as he haltingly typed out a message only Sonic could get him to write.  

       Before he could think too much about it, Shadow pressed send and watched the text go through. Finding himself oddly satisfied, he dropped his phone on the bed, humming to himself idly as he headed off to shower.

       By the way—if my dreams are sweet, it’s only because you’ll be in them.