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Rouge insists on taking him on a trip to a clothing store.
It was nothing out of the ordinary. Despite not wearing much, Rouge drags Shadow across another mall that he couldn't name to help pick out clothes for her. He suspects it's really to get him out of the house, as not even he would trust his own fashion sense. But he tags along with Rouge to store after store.
Only once does something catch his eye. A black hoodie with red drawstrings and a clothing brand on the front he doesn't recognize hangs in the middle of an entrance nearby. He doesn't often look for clothes, the fabric usually feeling uncomfortable or restraining against his fur, but the hoodie looked comfortable and plain. Very him .
"Notice something you want?" Rouge appears back at his side. "Ah." She chuckles. "I get it."
She's in and out of the store in what feels like two seconds, and she deposits the bag in his arms before he can get a word in.
"... thanks. Are we done here?"
Rouge grins again. "Yep! I'm so glad you ended up finding something! If you're thinking about getting anything else after hours, don't hesitate to tell me, hun."
He sighs and resists the small smile that threatens to break as she gives him a wink. He's fully aware that with a request like that, she'd be planning more than just stealing clothing.
Shadow thinks nothing of the purchase. He throws the hoodie in to wash at Rouge's apartment, and once it's dry, it gets thrown in his closet. Maybe he'll get some use out of it at some point, but he's not feeling it today.
-
The next time Sonic challenges Shadow to a race, it's raining, slow and meagre. It would typically be no problem for either of them, used to racing in any condition. However, it's still slightly a pain to dry his fur, and with it not looking like it'll rain any harder any time soon, Shadow opts for his new hoodie.
When he arrives, Sonic's lighthearted smile turns curious.
"Didn't take you for the type to like clothes, Shads."
Shadow quirks an eyebrow. "Coming from you?"
"When have you ever seen me wear clothes?"
"Last Halloween." Shadow deadpans.
"Yeah, but everyone dresses up for Halloween! Or everyone fun at least." Sonic smirks.
Shadow gives him a flat stare. "Are we planning on starting this race?"
"Yeah, yeah, someone's impatient. What if we add a little bet this time?"
Bets are not a new thing to their competitions. They bet only a few times, periodically wagering if a favour is wanted or someone's in a great mood, throwing them in for fun. Usually, it becomes an obsolete addition, where the titles of winner and loser shed their meaning for companionship. However, this time, Shadow can infer what Sonic's after.
He quirks an eyebrow at his offer anyway.
"If I win, you give me that hoodie."
Shadow narrows his eyes, moreso is suspicious than anything else. "What could you possibly need it for?"
Sonic shrugs. "Looks comfortable."
"Then buy your own."
Sonic's casual demeanour changes to a smirk. "That wouldn't be as fun, then. C'mon, just one race. I'll betcha I'll even look better in it."
That, unfortunately, makes it a tempting offer. But not something Shadow wants to give so easily. "What's in it for me?"
Sonic stops, his face scrunching up in thought. A part of Shadow can feel himself soften at Sonic's face, to which he then considers how Sonic hadn't even thought of a losing condition. It almost makes him want to scoff fondly. Chaos, when did he become such a profound mess?
"You can pick something from my closet!" Sonic concludes.
Shadow wonders how much is in the said closet. Somehow, he finds himself agreeing anyway.
Funnily enough, it becomes one of their tamer races. There's less uneven terrain and more all-out simplicity. Eventually, the rain stops pouring, and the wind dominantly takes its place, ruffling Shadow's quills and his mostly-dry hoodie.
Sonic barely beats him to the ridge of a mountainside, nanoseconds frozen between them.
He tilts his head, a cocky grin lighting his face. If he'd looked like that the whole race, Shadow undoubtedly would've lost by much more.
"I'll take that hoodie now."
Shadow scoffs. It's a shame to part with something he'd never used before, but considering he's giving it to Sonic, he finds the butterflies in his stomach overtake disappointment.
Sonic immediately throws it on, and Chaos, how does his smile get brighter? In Shadow's opinion, it should be an anomaly, and he knows all about those. It doesn't help that his colour scheme should not look as good as it does on Sonic.
"I've gotta head out, but I promise I'll take care of this, Shads!" Sonic blasts away in a blur with a tiny wave.
Shadow shakes his head, left uncharacteristically speechless again. He sighs. If Rouge finds out that he gave away the only piece of clothing she's ever seen him buy, especially to Sonic, he'll never hear the end of it.
-
Their next races become nothing but betting matches. Shadow wagers for a new pair of headphones he doesn't need, Sonic finally gives up a striped shirt that he hasn't seen in years, Shadow goes out to specifically purchase the ugliest neon yellow tank top with an orange slogan he doesn't understand on it, and Sonic begrudgingly gives up on a leather jacket he claims to have been saving.
Rouge looks at him in awe as he reaches her apartment with shopping bags.
"What's the occasion?" She asks.
"Nothing." He says truthfully.
"Uh-huh. Mr. I-Don't-Wear-Clothes just has a bunch of shopping bags in his hands for no reason ."
"Can I take one of your crop tops?"
Rouge sputters. "You can't just change the subject like that! I'm glad you're getting into fashion, but that's all you had to say!"
Shadow turns away to head over to his room. If he spills anything else in this conversation, he may chaos control to the other side of the planet.
Unfortunately, Rouge has other plans. She taps his shoulder, not enough to be lasting but enough to let him know the conversation isn't over.
"Shadow, really, of course you can take one of my crop tops. Aren't you lucky that you have me to help you style now? You won't have to go through that embarrassing phase of trying to figure things out!"
"Thanks, Rouge." Her sentiment genuinely does make him want to smile a bit. It's not lost on him how she's always trying to help, always being somewhat of a guardian for someone who didn't have the most praiseworthy experience with one.
"Another thank you? Gaia must be smiling on me." She beams. He understands that too, a 'you're welcome' in their own little language.
He steals a simple black crop top from her closet with her approval. If she thinks he looks good in it, he hopes Sonic will look even better.
-
He loses their next race again. If he wasn't doing as good as he should've been, well, he'll never admit it.
"What's new in your closet, Shads?" Sonic gloats.
"You'll have to see, won't you?"
-
The next time he sees Sonic is a few days later, at a celebration picnic put on by the locals after another successful Robotnik defeat. Shadow parks his motorcycle nearby, Sonic's leather jacket on his shoulders. He's glad he chose it; the jacket fits him near perfectly.
He spots Sonic's friends flitting around and talking to the residents, enjoying themselves, eating, and having a great time. However, Sonic is nowhere to be seen.
That thought lasts all of a few seconds.
The blue hedgehog appears behind a bush of trees, holding a kite out to a younger, teary-eyed mobian. The child lights up, placing what seems to be a lollypop into Sonic's hand. With one last wave, the child rejoins their family, and Sonic lazily puts the lollypop in his mouth, eyes wandering.
Shadow is distinctly very glad he's got a few seconds where Sonic has no idea where he is. He stares at him unabashedly, his jaw threatening to drop to the floor. He's wearing a little sun earring on his right ear, the gold glittering. His eyes gaze a little sharper with a small addition of eyeliner. He's wearing his- well, Rouge's- crop top with a jean jacket a shade lighter than his fur overtop.
Shadow's heart stalls in his chest. He wants to pick Sonic up and hold him straight against a tree to kiss the life out of him- while also wanting to bury himself one-hundred feet underground to scream where no one will hear. He can already feel his face start to heat up.
It doesn't help when Sonic makes direct eye contact with him, looking him up and down afterward. It feels scandalous, even though no one has any reason to think anything is out of the ordinary.
"Someone looks handsome. Where'd you get that jacket?" Sonic purrs, taking the lollypop out of his mouth as he approaches.
"I could ask you the same about your shirt." Shadow can only mutter.
Sonic bursts out a laugh.
"Fair enough." He says with a light elbow to Shadow's shoulder. "Have you seen the food yet? Chaos, it looks delicious."
Shadow shakes his head as Sonic pulls him toward the food table. Despite not liking people ordering him around, he finds Sonic's enthusiasm too pleasing to be released. He practically got what he wanted coming to this event, alright.
-
It's only when he arrives at Rouge's apartment late, having come from Sonic's place to watch a new movie, does she corner him.
It happens between one blink and the next. Shadow opens the door, turns around to close it, and looks back to the apartment to see her staring accusingly- right at him. It was almost as if she'd harnessed chaos control for herself. If she asks where he's been, he'll say it was a forced situation. It's what he's been telling himself the whole night.
"Shadow Robotnik. What is Gaia's name was Blue doing with my crop top today?" There isn't an edge to her voice. To anyone else, it would probably seem like there's a problem. But he knows better.
Shadow shrugs. "I wasn't under the impression it was yours. Maybe he just likes crop tops."
Rouge groans. "Shadow. I don't care that he has it. I just want to know why." She looks at him flatly, an accusation held straight in her eyes.
That's one thing he won't indulge in, even if it's her. Especially because it's her. If she knows anything, she'll start taking things into her own hands, regardless of the success rate of her plans. His 'love life' is adequate. He doesn't dream about Sonic sometimes, and his gaze doesn't linger on him during their races, and he's never thought about a relationship with him beyond what Rouge describes as 'a healthy 'what if' you have when thinking about someone attractive.'
...
Fuck.
Rouge's voice softens. "Hey, seriously, are you okay? You don't have to tell me if you don't want. You could've burned it in a volcano across the world, and, honestly? That would've been fine by me. I don't look that great in it anyway."
"Sonic does." It slips out of his mouth before he can stop it from moving. He slaps a hand over it, but the damage has been done. He doesn't think Rouge would've even needed her sensitive hearing to pick that up.
She whips her head around to look straight at him, an evil grin stretching across her face.
"Want to repeat that?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Oh yes, of course, would you mind if I looked through your closet, Shadow?"
"There's nothing up there."
"Nothing, hmm? Shouldn't that hoodie I bought be there, though?"
"Rouge."
"You know, I think I'll check, just in case. I wouldn't want you losing it."
" Rouge. "
She's heading to his room before he can get the words out.
"Sorry, Shadow, couldn't hear that!"
As he chaos controls his room, he finds her already snooping through his massive, near-empty closet.
She turns right around to face him.
"Shadow, nothing in that closet is yours." She grins.
"I don't know where it came from, then." This game isn't working. He's already given himself away with his words as if his growing blush wasn't telling enough.
Rouge laughs so hard she starts to clutch her stomach.
"Shadow- hah oh Chaos- you're too funny! Seriously, you can just tell me you and Sonic are dating."
He sputters. Was it that obvious that he felt something for him?
"We're not dating."
"Shadow, you can tell me. I feel I've said that a lot, but I know you trust me. I promise I won't do anything embarrassing." The 'yet' goes unsaid but is loud enough for both of them to hear.
She's right. Shadow does trust her more than anyone. However, sibling-adjacent tendencies are the outlier to those behaviours. "I'm not lying to you. We aren't dating."
Rouge blinks a couple of times. Squints. Shakes her head like she's trying to see clearly. "Holy shit. You aren't."
"And it'll stay that way."
"Wha- Shadow, no ! You like him, he likes you, you should go for it!"
"...It's too much of a risk. He's friendly with everyone."
"Shadow, he doesn't share clothes with just anyone."
"Amy does with Blaze. It's just an act of friendship." He's playing the same lying game again, except he's not only trying to trap Rouge in a corner but himself as an odd denial bonus.
"Blaze and Amy are dating , hun!"
Well. There goes that.
"You don't have to do it now or even soon if you don't want. Just give it some thought, and don't let the opportunity pass, alright? It'll be something you'll regret."
"Okay." He whispers. He's unsure if it quells either of their concerns, but it's good enough to pretend it does.
"Good. It's late, and I think I'm going to sleep soon. Don't wake me with your thoughts." She says playfully.
"Good night." He says as she leaves the room, and he can see the relieved smile on her face as she exits.
Maybe things would turn in his favour after all.
"And Shadow?" Rouge peers her head back in. "Tell Blue that he really should keep buying you clothes for gifts, especially when you start dating. He's got excellent taste."
" Rouge !"
-
Two days after Amy's birthday party, when another adventure finally settled, Shadow finds Sonic sitting on Rouge's living room couch. He'd been out for a couple of hours, checking in with G.U.N. for any new missions to no avail. A part of him is secretly happy for the first time in a while; it gives him more of an opportunity to see said blue hedgehog in the apartment.
"No missions?" Rouge asks from the kitchen, completely ignoring the foreign presence in the room.
"Nope." Shadow's eyes wander to Sonic, who has a bag in hand.
Maybe the smirk and the fact it's not a shopping bag should worry him.
"Hey, Blue, do you want anything to eat before you take Shadow away?" Rouge asks.
"Nah, I'm okay!" Sonic chuckles. He turns to Shadow. "I've got something to show you. C'mon!"
He takes hold of Shadow's wrist, his grip intentionally non-caging. Usually, it would feel that way, another curse on his upbringing. He knows Sonic is unaware of this, yet he may never have that knowledge. It strikes Shadow as his wrist tingles, with sparks flying underneath his skin that he doesn't want to flinch or pull away.
The feeling is new, uncertain. With Rouge, she keeps her touches short and meaningful. Their boundaries are common knowledge, and they know how not to push them. Shadow turns his head briefly behind him as Sonic drags him along, and he sees Rouge poking her head out from the kitchen. A cheeky grin lights her face, but she also looks slightly proud. He flicks his head to Sonic's back, his incessant flush coming back to bite him.
Damn them both. Sometimes Shadow thinks they're much too reassuring for their own good.
As they arrive at Shadow's room, Sonic flops onto the bed, rummaging through the bag he brought.
"I never got to ask you why you came over." Shadow starts.
"Well, I had this funny idea-" Sonic finally pulls out what he'd been looking for. His sailor suit from Amy's party. "What if we traded outfits? Just for a bit. Amy had them made for each of us specifically, right? So I started thinking about how it could be fun to trade, just to see each other in different roles!"
"Don't we do that already?"
"Yeah, but this is different! Someone else gave us these clothes!"
"You'd give up all of the planning Amy went through? For this?" Half of him was adamant about this answer, heavily appreciating Amy's attention to detail for her party and not wanting to spoil it. The other half though...
Maybe being around Sonic too much was impairing his judgement. He made changing Shadow's mind look far too easy.
Shadow internally shook the thought off. He was reading too far into this.
"She'd find it funny, I promise! We can even show Rouge if you want; get a second opinion."
" No ."
Sonic burst out laughing. "Hey, whatever you say! I'm going to steal your outfit now, though. You can take mine! Consider this my bet for next time we race."
"Assuming you'll win another one?"
"Of course! If I keep losing 'em I won't be able to see you in all of my other stuff." Sonic winks before turning back around to dig through Shadow's lacklustre closet.
He should really throw Sonic out immediately with how his heart jumps at the statement. Anyone with the power to cause another person to have a heart attack, especially to someone who can't have health conditions with just words , should preferably never come back into contact with him.
Shadow wonders how long he can keep trying to convince himself that he wouldn't miss him.
"Hah!" Sonic finally drags out Shadow's locksmith outfit, displaying it like a precious family gift he'd just remembered.
Sonic ties the green apron across his waist, then haphazardly tries to attach the upper straps to the same place with little success.
"How did you get this on ?"
Shadow snorts. "It's easier if you put one hand by your waist instead of trying to bring it down from the back."
Sonic attempts that next, his fingers flailing around the clips. "Shadow. You have to be kidding, right?"
Shadow smirks, raises his eyebrows, and says nothing.
"I can't believe you think this, of all things, is funny," Sonic grumbles. Shadow can see his ears start to flush red.
"Don't be so dramatic." Shadow huffs a laugh. "Here, I'll do it for you."
Shadow forgets a split second later that involves him touching Sonic, gently hesitating before grabbing hold of one of the buckles.
Shadow hears Sonic mumble something beforehand. He thinks it's a weak 'Yeah, okay', but the sentence sounds so unintelligible that it's impossible to tell.
Does that mean he's worried that Shadow will do something? But what?
When he brushes against Sonic's back, his thoughts are confirmed when Sonic shivers.
"Sorry." He finds himself muttering.
"Don't be." Sonic breathes a laugh.
Shadow's not sure what to make of that.
He straps the buckles in silence. He backs up from Sonic, the space probably preferable. Shadow fiddles with his hands, the lack of sound almost unnerving when Sonic doesn't immediately turn around.
"So Shads..." Sonic's voice doesn't have the happy-go-lucky tone he's used to. Shadow's ears flick up in alert, ready for whatever Sonic may say to him.
What he doesn't expect to happen is for Sonic to dramatically, physically and emotionally, do a one-eighty. He turns on his heel to face Shadow, spinning his cap before flamboyantly placing it between his ears. The slight fading flush on his face matches the rest of his body and the chaotic clash of colours.
"This good enough for you?" His smile is so broad, forcing Shadow's heart to give an unfortunate flutter as his throat dries.
"Ugh, wait-" Sonic cringes, taking off the hat. He flattens the space between his ears and shakes his head. Finally, he twirls the cap on his finger, hanging it precariously from one of his ears, just like he'd done at the party." Now, what do you think?"
"I think you look ridiculous." Shadow manages.
Sonic shrugs, a new cocky smile lighting his face. "Don't sell yourself short just yet! You haven't even tried on mine, after all. We could have a new contestant in the running."
"Your other clothes were passably comfortable. This-"
"No, no, I get it! The Ultimate Lifeform hates to be embarrassed, especially in an outfit like that! At least people knew what I was supposed to be, Mr. Locksmith."
Shadow huffs. "Just give me that. You're setting yourself up to look even more foolish comparing how I'll look to you."
"We'll never know unless you try, right, Shads?" Sonic sings.
Shadow refuses to indulge him any further. He throws on Sonic's blue coat and properly affixes his sailor hat between his ears.
"There, happy?"
Sonic's expression shifts. His eyes look at him wide, his mouth slightly parted. Shadow could almost call it... awe. His face immediately eases with a half-quirked-up smile. He looks terrifyingly soft, like Shadow gave him the stars with such a simple act.
"I think you look great, Shadow." Shadow's outfit on him, his look, his words, it all makes his heart stall for far too long. His thoughts almost slip out on him, a clumsy confession about to be made inside his shitty closet. "Hold on, I've got an idea." Sonic snickers over his thoughts.
Thank Gods.
"Hey Rouge, c'mere for a sec!" Nevermind.
She's there practically as soon as Sonic calls. Her mouth opens to comment a greeting before stalling as she processes what's in front of her.
"No way !" She combusts into laughter. "You should've told me you were doing this; I would've grabbed my outfit!" Shadow has half a mind to glare at her, briefly wondering if this is just an excuse for Shadow to see Sonic in another black tank top. Amy really shouldn't have given her another one.
Sonic laughs heartily and shrugs. "Hey, maybe I should've!" He winks at Shadow.
It really shouldn't be such a startling realization, as he knows he's been hiding it for quite some time, but Shadow finally concedes that he is completely, painstakingly, fucked . Beyond Rouge's teasing, beyond the clothing, it now fully dawns on him that Sonic has him entirely wrapped around his finger.
And there might not be a damn thing he can do about it.
-
It's a change of pace for them when Sonic invites him to his house for supper. It gives Shadow an excuse not to cook, so he supposes he can't complain about the invitation.
Sonic's house (or rather, one of Tails') already smells pleasant when he walks in, a wonderful blend of spices being the first thing he notices. He wasn't even sure Sonic could cook, but now he's pleasantly surprised.
"We're not having chilli dogs for dinner?" He asks first, deadpan.
Sonic's ears prick as a smile makes its way onto his face. "I didn't know you liked 'em so much! I would've done that instead."
Shadow rolls his eyes. He will neither confirm nor deny his taste on Sonic's favourite food, no matter who asks.
He peeks over Sonic's shoulder to see what he's making, and he finds beef sizzle in one pan, hence the spices, rice in a pot, and an array of vegetables in another pan.
"Someone's excited," Sonic mentions loftily.
"Just making sure you don't burn it."
"Give a guy some credit, Shads, I told you I can cook."
"We'll see." Shadow huffs. He wishes he weren't so excited.
-
Sonic isn't a bad cook. Shadow assumes the reputation of the chilli-dog-eating hero is largely due to just another quirk of Sonic's public persona.
"Sooo, how is it?" He asks.
"Passable."
"So I've been approved?"
"Am I your credit into culinary school?" Sonic snorts.
" I'm going to take that as you love it since you haven't told me otherwise."
Shadow narrows his eyes. "Don't push it."
It only seems to delight Sonic more.
"Do you have anything else you need to do tonight?" Sonic asks after washing the dishes. "Because you could stay longer, I mean, if you wanted. We could watch a movie."
Shadow feels the decline on the tip of his tongue, his many excuses forming once given an ultimatum out of a prolonged social situation. However, it all seems to spark and die as he considers Sonic's offer. Now, for some reason, work can wait, Rouge can call him back later if she ever does, and Shadow wants to believe that the world will stop, just for a little while, if he decides to take this rest. It wasn't so bad last time, after all.
Sonic patiently waits for his answer, and Shadow can already see somewhere in his eyes the reaction he's saving for when Shadow will inevitably decline. He's secretly glad Sonic won't have to hold onto that emotion for long tonight.
"Sure."
"It's fine- wait, what?"
Shadow shrugs. "Don't pick a horrible movie."
Sonic breathes what seems to be a surprised laugh. "Hey, I'll do my best. Make yourself comfortable on the couch, I'm going to grab something."
Sonic zips off to his room, and Shadow is left alone with the couch and the tv. He frowns as he picks up the remote, finding the button labelled 'on/off' and figuring that's a good place to start.
The tv flares to life, playing some sort of sport in the background. Unfortunately, that's as far as it seems he'll get. The rest of the buttons look like hieroglyphics, and when Shadow even attempts to look for a movie by pressing the 'channel' button, the tv bursts into static.
Shadow sets the remote down and toys with his quills instead. Why was modern technology so inexplicable?
"Having trouble, Shads?" He hears Sonic from behind him.
"A television should not be this difficult to run." He grumbles.
"It's easy if you know what you're doing." He can hear Sonic's smirk. He leans over him from the top of the couch, grabbing the remote from the cushions.
In his periphery, Shadow notices that Sonic's arms aren't blue anymore. When he turns back to look, sure enough, Sonic's wearing his sweater, the same godforsaken one he took first.
"Somethin' wrong?" Sonic asks as he flips the screen back to normal, pulling up a list of movies.
Shadow can't even find the words on his tongue to respond.
"I just figured I should be wearing some of my clothes more often, y'know? This sweater's too comfy to pass up."
"Do you say that about everything you steal?"
"Only if I won it fairly. Slowpokes don't deserve nice sweaters."
Shadow rolls his eyes. "You won't have it for long, hedgehog."
Sonic jumps over the couch, lying down on the opposite side.
"You haven't taken it from me yet. Shadow, you've barely even bet for it. I'd almost go as far as to say you like me in this hoodie."
Shadow refuses to acknowledge Sonic's last sentence, barely processing it himself. "One more race and you'll never see that thing again."
Sonic smirks. "Yeah? I'll hold you to that."
"Are you going to let me pick a damn movie?" If Sonic says anything else, his heart may explode.
Sonic chuckles, the mood slightly lightened from the streak of competition in the air beforehand. "Go ahead."
Despite Sonic handing him the controller, he still spends three minutes explaining to Shadow how it works. He could've saved himself the embarrassment, but Sonic's voice isn't half bad to listen to either. His explanation is quick but thorough, teasing at some moments but never mocking. Shadow could probably listen to him all day.
Sonic's asking him a question. Shit, what were they doing?
"You okay there?" Sonic's smile grows lopsided.
Shadow shakes his head. "Fine."
"You better have a great movie in mind." Sonic settles back down on the couch. Shadow throws a spare blanket over himself, less for warmth and more for comfort.
Shadow picks an action/adventure comedy, silently compromising with what he thinks will align with Sonic's tastes. It's not half bad; the special effects are cheaply made, and the story is predictable, but it's a halfway enjoyable, halfway humourous film. He snorts a few times at the jokes.
Shadow finds himself treated to another of Sonic's rants, starting from what he thinks about certain scenes from the movie until it fades into domestic things he did earlier that day.
"-and then Amy was telling me that she accidentally found a poisonous flower in her garden. I just-" Sonic yawns. "How does that even happen?"
Shadow tilts his head a bit, trying to come up with another response before Sonic cuts him off. "Oh, wait! I think I've seen a clip-" He yawns again. "-Of this part! It's pretty good."
The room turns to silence, something that seemingly passed as a rare moment for the night as soon as the tv turned on.
Shadow watches the protagonist stand off against their rival, blabbering about morality or whatever villains monologue about. The hero desperately reaches out their hand, trying to get through to them, but the villain is steadfast.
" Please !" They beg. "You don't have to do this! Take my hand and join me! I promise, we could be so much happier- together ."
As soon as the hero's last syllable rings out, Sonic falls straight onto Shadow's shoulder within the same second.
Shadow jolts back with a sharp gasp, his skin tingling in shock. Where Sonic once would've fallen onto his shoulder, completely dead to the world, he instead rests awkwardly by Shadow's waist. Somehow he grumbles but doesn't wake.
Shadow takes a few minutes to even his breathing, the noise of the movie turning to static. He groans internally. The Ultimate Lifeform, reduced to panic when he doesn't anticipate someone touching him to such a degree? Luckily, no one outside could spill his secret (probably), and the only other person in the vicinity was out like a light.
Sonic buries his head into the side of Shadow's leg, presumably murmuring sleepy protests. Shadow lies back on the arm of the couch as the touch continues to be electrifying. However, this time, it's not so bad. Comforting, even.
Shadow wonders how lucid Sonic really is when he moves his body up to shove his face into Shadow's abdomen with a pleased and satisfied sigh. But nope, Sonic's completely unconscious. The entire exchange has caused his heart to do loops. He's unsure if he'll even sleep with it fluttering so quickly.
At some point, the movie's credits unknowingly roll, and when Shadow notices, he finds the nearby remote and shuts the tv off.
"The red button with the funny-looking circle? Yeah, that's the on/off switch. But I'm sure you knew that one." Sonic's voice echoes in the back of his mind.
Sonic had been correct; he thankfully did know that one. At least he wasn't completely inept with modern technology. It's a shame- he finds himself thinking as his hand goes to lightly card through fur- he was taught every little intricacy on the ARK. Yet somehow, this was entirely out of his league. Maybe he'd tell Sonic about what he knew someday-
Wait.
Speaking of Sonic-
Fuck .
His hand is currently running through the fur on Sonic's head, right between his ears. Unconsciously.
Shadow pauses, heart completely stopped. Sonic continues to sleep, blissfully unaware of Shadow's panic. 'Is that how you cure touch starvation?' is the question that weakly pops out to him first as his mind races.
While the buzzing of his skin is incredibly muted, every other part of him feels like it's on fire. At some point, a little sound cuts in, a tiny rumble. He looks down at Sonic, whose body vibrates from the sound.
It's all... so much to process.
Shadow's eyes flicker around the room, his other hand twitching toward his quills. A weird guilty feeling snakes its way through his body, and he holds his arms as far away from Sonic as possible. Only a few minutes later does he feel how painful it is to keep his body as straight as he's trying to make it. He notices Sonic's rumbling has almost practically stopped.
Sonic mumbles something else, and Shadow's two seconds away from utterly abandoning the idea of staying before Sonic seems to talk in his sleep.
"-op movin'. You're so-" One of Sonic's arms wraps around his waist. He sighs, and Shadow can feel Sonic's smile against his body. "-comfortable."
Shadow releases a breath, one that instantly clears his mind. He knows he overthinks a lot, seemingly a birthright from Gerald or Black Doom, but somehow Sonic knew how to calm his worries instantly. He's not even conscious.
Shadow leans back on the couch, the overwhelming warmth in his heart lulling him to sleep.
He knows that he'll be gone by morning. It's one thing to enable himself to let his guard down, but it's another to feel like he's allowed to fall step by step with Sonic's days. Possibly in another life, he's permitted the freedom to be uncaringly happy.
But for now, as his eyes shut and mindfulness leaves him, he'll snuggle closer into Sonic's embrace for as long as he'll allow.
-
The last thought he registers is that his hoodie now smells more like the house he's currently in and the occupant that has latched on to him.
He finds that he's okay with that.
-
He avoids Sonic for two weeks.
It's not completely a conscious choice. Technically, he could've made time to see him, but as work flows in from G.U.N. and he's sent away on longer missions, he finds it easier to do so.
Sonic doesn't text him until it's midnight on a seemingly innocent weekday.
He gives Shadow a proposition, an invite to a party that many people they know are attending. It's some fancy gala event, normally something Shadow wouldn't ever consider.
Normally.
He replies against his better (or worse) judgment. It dawns on him that his 'avoiding Sonic tactic' isn't working so well. He knew it wasn't going to work for long, if at all.
So, the date becomes set. 7:00 in four days.
-
Rouge comes home a day later, throwing herself onto the couch.
"Hey." She groans into the cushions. Shadow hums in acknowledgement. "We were invited to a party in three days. Omega's still out-" She sighs, cursing G.U.N. under her breath. "So it'll just be us, or me if you don't want to go."
"Sonic told me about this. I think I'll attend."
Rouge shoots her head straight up. "You want to come? It's a formal party, hun."
"I know."
Rouge exhales a bemused huff. "I never thought I'd see the day. You must really like Blue for him to change you that much."
"I won't start going to recreational parties, Rouge."
She shrugs. "It's a start and one I'll gladly take. I'll help you with an outfit later. Right now, though, I don't think I'll be able to stay conscious for another two minutes."
Shadow lets out a sharp, amused breath. Later it is.
-
Three hours before the party, Rouge's look is somehow already complete. She's wearing a long, red dress that thinly wraps around her shoulders, accompanied by the same shade for her eye shadow. Shadow knows for a fact that no woman is going to be able to take their eyes off of her tonight.
"You know, as much as I'd like to doll you up, I think what you need is something simple." She says. "I bought this the other day, and I think it'll be perfect."
Rouge holds up a simple black suit paired with a white undershirt.
"I'll get you something fun some other time." She winks.
Relievingly satisfied, Shadow locks himself in his room to try on the suit. It fits perfectly, which should be no surprise. Sometimes Rouge knows him better than himself.
The two do Shadow's makeup together, adding hints of glitter here and there with some tacked-on eyeliner. It's a good look.
Just as they're about to leave, Rouge pulls him aside, bringing a rose out of a box. She gently threads it through his upper pocket.
"Pretty good if I do say so myself." She smiles. "Like it?"
"Yeah. It's... not bad."
"Perfect. All ready to go?"
Shadow nods. He touches her shoulder, and they chaos control away.
-
The party is in full swing as soon as they get there. Guests mingle around as drinks are served, and Shadow's immediate instinct is to find a good, quiet corner. But he won't. Someone's waiting for him tonight.
Seated near the back of the gigantic hall are four tables as myriads of chairs line up in front of them. A long strip runs between the tables and chairs, splitting them evenly and leading up to the main area where most guests currently party and dance. It's quite a nice setup.
When Rouge and Shadow approach the tables, there are cards adorned around fancy light blue table decorations on them. One side reads 'Team Chaotix' and 'Team Dark', while the other reads 'Team Sonic' and 'Team Rose'. Three chairs are pushed behind each table.
Shadow almost scoffs. Someone would've had to pay for a chair had Omega been here.
Another thing that catches his eye is the 'Team Rose' table. Amy hasn't really been a part of her own team for a while now; her role in Team Sonic as of now what she's acknowledged for. Blaze might be here, he muses. Cream would probably be too young. Speaking of, so would Charmy, probably.
He turns his head to see the said couple on the dancefloor. Espio and Vector are off to the side of the room, laughing about something. Knuckles and Tails weave around patrons. Sonic, however, is nowhere to be seen.
"Looking for Blue?" Rouge lightly elbows him.
"No." He lies. She laughs.
"Mhm." She looks over to the drink bar, where Shadow notices a woman duck her head in embarrassment as they look over. "Oh-"
"Going to talk to her?"
"And what if I am?" He can see Rouge lightly bristle, a slight flush lighting her cheeks.
"I'd wish you good luck, but I don't think you'd need it."
"Damn right. You'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine."
"Good. Call me if you need anything, alright? And don't stand here the whole night." Rouge gives him a brief wave before heading over.
Shadow now finds himself in the middle of a crowded party, unsure of what to do. He opts to sit at Team Dark's table, where maybe he won't seem like he's completely alone now-
"What do we have here?"
Nevermind.
"Looking good, Shads!" Sonic suddenly appears by his side. "Glad you could make it!"
Shadow looks up at him and down, noticing Sonic's outfit. He's wearing an uncannily similar suit to Shadow's, the only difference being that he has no rose and a blue tie. He's wearing two gold earrings, one being the sun on his left ear and the moon on his right.
"I suppose you don't look so bad." He says, but Sonic brightens considerably nonetheless.
"Thanks." He sounds a little breathless, even. It makes Shadow's heart take an unfortunate turn. Sonic then turns to the tables and laughs a little. "I didn't know it was going to be this formal. Seems a little inconvenient if you ask me. By the way, did Omega come with you guys?"
Shadow shakes his head. "He's been on a solo mission for weeks, but we heard he's supposed to be back in a few days."
"Too bad. Looks like Team Sonic's the only three-person team tonight." Sonic seems to wait for Shadow to give a response. When he doesn't, he continues. "We have some time to kill before they start making those official announcements and when food'll be served. So, ever danced at one of these before?"
"And if I haven't?" His voice dips a little defensively.
"Would you mind if I showed you how?" Sonic holds out his hand.
Shadow finds himself wordlessly taking it, looking to the side of Sonic's face. Sonic smiles like the world doesn't exist, and even if the planets were to fall, it wouldn't change a damn thing. As Sonic twists him to the music and dips him to unsuitable songs, all while laughing, Shadow doesn't believe he could ever fall in love more. He's mesmerized by Sonic's careless attitude in the middle of such a fancy event, all social rules uncaringly forgotten.
Letting go and embracing the joy... he wishes it was easier to do it more often.
Shadow looks to his left to see Blaze and Amy looking just as happy, even if they aren't as outlandish about it. He catches Amy's eye as Blaze twists her, her arms lovingly wrapped around Amy's torso. She winks at him, nodding her head toward Sonic.
He turns back, Sonic's smile never dulling. "So? Having fun?"
Shadow lets out an accidental sharp exhale in disbelief. "Something like that." It all takes him by surprise. His mouth quirks into a small smile before the astonishment finds his expression again. This close, he can see Sonic's pretty jade eyes glow. It's much different admiring him from afar or in the dark compared to how he shines in the fluorescence.
It's pacifying, in a way, to be held like this now. Everything in this moment, and every single one that's led up to it, feels right. For one of the only times in his life, undoubtedly influenced by Sonic himself, Shadow acts on an impulse.
He leans closer into Sonic's space and whispers the words so quietly it's almost hard to hear his own voice. "If I were to ask you something- privately- would you come with me?"
Sonic lets out a good-natured but bewildered little laugh. "Yeah, always."
"Would now be okay?"
"Now would be great."
This time, Shadow holds Sonic by the hand and leads him through a gigantic hall he doesn't know the layout of. He hopes Sonic can't hear the unrelenting beat of his heart through his hands.
-
They find a room with a half-opened door. It looks like a miniature version of the room hosting the party, golden and elegant, with mirrors adorning one side of the wall. Each of their footsteps echoes through the room, the silence an odd contrast to the bustling party. Sonic closes the door as he enters, but only enough so it's not fully shut.
"What's up?" Sonic asks, his playful voice bouncing off the walls.
It's only now that Shadow realizes that he's got no plan whatsoever. No speech prepared, no gesture, but he knows a confession has to be made. Sonic's waiting for something, and he doesn't want to afford fucking up his next words.
So he takes a leap of faith, for better or worse, and speaks.
"Faker- Sonic. Tonight has been... fun."
"Yeah? Just tonight?" Sonic sounds breathless. Shadow notices their hands still entwined as Sonic steps closer.
Shadow huffs, holding back a dismissive comment. He won't let Sonic deter him and think he's won with his smooth words. "And every time we race. And spar, especially when I beat you." Sonic playfully scoffs. "I suppose I don't mind the dinners and the movies. Spending time with you... doesn't feel like a waste."
"Shadow- are you asking what I think you're asking?" Sonic seems to giggle. A tiny blush rises higher on his cheeks, and Shadow can feel the one mirroring it on his own face.
"I wouldn't mind being around you more. You make me... happy. And I'd like to see you the same way if you'd let me."
"I'd love that," Sonic says quickly. His smile will devastate Shadow's heart if he keeps it up.
"I'm glad." Shadow whispers. Sonic's leaning closer and closer to him, but one thing still sticks in Shadow's mind. "But you should know that I'm uncertain about all of this. Relationships. Feelings. There are many situations I don't know how to tread. Some I might've already messed up. I-"
"Shadow." Sonic places a hand on his shoulder. "You don't think I've messed up too? Relationships can't be perfect, just like people. Heh- I don't exactly know what I'm doing either. But we can figure it out together, yeah? Or I can kick your ass, or you can kick mine in the process."
"Implying I don't already do that?"
"I don't remember you winning recently."
"It looks like I'll have to send you in to get your head checked, then." Sonic quietly laughs. It fills the space regardless but feels like a secret shared just for him. Shadow half-smirks. "But to quote someone I've found myself tolerating a lot more... I'd love that."
"Perfect."
Shadow can feel the room grow impossibly warmer as the proximity between the two lessens. He can feel his breath pick up in speed in their shared space. There's only one option he can foresee in the next few seconds.
"Are we going to just stand here and leave-" He lowly rasps. "-or are you going to kiss me?"
"I can't believe you had the patience to ask."
Shadow has no time to think of how similarly wrecked Sonic's voice sounds before he's crashing his lips against his.
It's immediately impatient, with no room for anything sweet given. Sonic moves his hand on Shadow's shoulder to curl around his waist, and Shadow moves his hand to hold on to Sonic's cheek as he falls into the touch.
His legs underneath him feel unsteady and unreliable, but somehow he finds himself walking Sonic backward until his back collides with one of the walls. As soon as he does, Sonic detaches his lips from his, heavily gasping before slotting himself right back.
He lets go of Shadow's hand to throw his arm across his neck, and Shadow feels the last of his personal space evaporate as both of his hands fall to Sonic's hips.
He can feel Sonic's breath stutter, and his kisses turn sloppy and desperate. He buries one of his hands in Shadow's quills, and Shadow can feel the cardiac arrest around the corner.
Shadow's never felt so loved , so secure . He doesn't think he could ever get sick of the feeling, as much as it puzzled him before. He knew Sonic had him effectively seized, but it made it all the sweeter when it went both ways.
Sonic detaches his lips, his voice much higher and breathier than usual. "Gaia below, where'd you learn to kiss like that?"
"Beginner's luck, I suppose," Shadow says lowly. "Jealous?"
"Hah- no . If it's a competition you want, I'll-" Sonic instantly shuts his mouth and groans as Shadow trails his lips down Sonic's neck, sucking right at the base. "That's- not fair-"
Shadow hums. "You'll have to show me the rules then sometime."
Shadow leans back up toward Sonic's lips, Sonic once again minimalizing the space.
" The gala announcements will begin in fifteen minutes! Please make your way to the seating area if you haven't already. "
The two jump away from each other like they've been caught, heaving. Shadow looks at Sonic, his entire body buzzing and igniting below the surface of his skin. And wow, Sonic looks like he feels. His quills are slightly fluffed and out of place, and his suit is wrinkled in places. His lips are unnaturally puffed, and the pupils in his pretty eyes are blown astronomically wide.
He wishes he could leave with Sonic just like that. In all fairness, though, he probably doesn't look much better.
"Woah." Is all Sonic says. "I guess we better- yeah."
"Yeah." Shadow coughs. "Your quills, they're-"
"Oh, right!" Sonic tries to haphazardly fix them, to little avail. "You too-" Shadow tries and can't imagine it's going much better as Sonic begins to laugh. "This is so stupid . Here-"
He fusses with Shadow until he's satisfied, Shadow insisting the same of Sonic.
Sonic intertwines their hands together once more, pausing as they go to move through the front door.
"Hey, actually, I've got an idea." He smirks. "Would you be up for trying something fun?"
-
" Sonic. Are you aware of how this is going to look? "
" I think we're going to look great if that's what you're asking. Plus, I don't care what they see. The only thing they should be thinking about is how good we look together ."
-
Shadow takes his seat beside Rouge, and he knows he's immediately been caught if his high blush wasn't apparent enough.
" Shadow ." Rouge giggles. As her laughter becomes more unhinged, she coveres her mouth with her hand. Vector and Espio look over before Shadow waves them off. "How did Blue rope you into this ?"
"He thought it would be funny."
"Well, you haven't missed the mark there!"
"Rouge- I swear-"
Rouge giggles a bit more before her laugh peters out. She raps her knuckles against his shoulder twice. "Hey, I'm happy for you, though. It's about time."
"Thanks." He says quietly.
"You'll have to tell me all about it later. But in the meantime, how's Blue holding up?"
Shadow turns his head to look at Team Sonic and Team Rose's tables, where a quiet, utter chaos has erupted. Knuckles looks completely confused, trying to understand something. Tails look over at his brother, pinning him with the harshest silent accusation Shadow's ever seen. Amy and Blaze are laughing politely next to them. Amy leans in to whisper something into Sonic's ear, and he turns shades redder. Blaze, like Rouge, has to hold her hand over her mouth to cut the laughter that boils over.
They all turn to Shadow next, satisfied. There's not enough room where they can talk to him without using a slightly louder casual voice, so they all give him looks of varying degrees. Understanding and certainty seem to be the most common.
Sonic smiles what seems bashfully, only seeming that way with his unfading blush.
Shadow looks back at his boyfriend, rolling his eyes and smiling behind his palm. Sonic's now wearing a plain black tux with a white undershirt. Tucked in his pocket is a slightly crumpled red rose.
When Sonic's friends look over, they see Shadow wearing a similar black tux with a blue tie. On his right ear sits a golden moon earring. On the other hand, Sonic's right ear is noticeably empty.
When Shadow thinks about it, they truthfully could've just swapped accessories, and it would've made no difference. As he sees Sonic get further teased by his friends, he thinks he's glad they went the extra mile.
At some point after the announcements, Rouge pats Sonic on the back, ruffling his quills. Knuckles, Tails, and Amy all congratulate Shadow, and Blaze wishes both of them well.
When their crowd of friends finally disperses, the lights begin to dim, and the songs begin to slow. Sonic drags Shadow's arm and forces him to dance again, but to a different tempo.
It's something almost completely unlike the two of them to enjoy. Slowing down has never been either of their proagitaves. Sonic steps on his feet more than twice, a humourous feat considering earlier, with the faster music, he'd been just fine. Yet, Shadow feels as though he could stay in the moment forever.
He comfortably tucks his head into Sonic's shoulder.
"You alright?" Sonic whispers.
"Just fine." Every syllable is genuine.
"Good."
They dance in the darkness, Shadow clutching onto Sonic like there's no one else in the room. Sonic, who owned all of his clothes before they'd even started dating. Another smile peaks out, and Shadow smothers it in Sonic's sleeve. His sleave. His heart flutters, contented.
He'd given up a piece of himself and gotten a different part back. Over and over and over again. All because of that damned hoodie.
He thinks it over. Every single swap, race lost, embarrassing exchange, and heartfelt moment.
As Shadow nestles against Sonic and the clothing he wears that isn't his, he finds he doesn't regret a thing.