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Christmas Eve in Central City was a dazzling afair. Almost every street was covered in lights that shone in the dark like stars. Many of the apartments throughout the city had their lights on well into the night as those inside partied the hours away until Christmas Day.
This included Amy’s Central apartment.
The pink hedgehog always knew how to throw a party.
She had decided to have the party in the city since it was- as the name implied- a very central location. But not just that, it wasnt too far from anyone’s home- if they had a home.
It had left Shadow with no excuses.
The dark hedgehog had been dragged to the party by Rouge. Of course, if he had known Knuckles was going to be there, he wouldn’t have needed to be dragged from his own apartment in Central to Amy’s.
Rouge was the only one who knew the two temperamental mobians were dating, mostly because she had set them up. Their relationship was new and exciting, but both were solitary creatures, so they didn’t meet up that much. Maybe that’s why Rouge wanted it to be a surprise.
But their new relationship wasn’t known to the rest of the group. As such there was no hugging or kissing or anything upon them seeing each other in such a crowded space. They only stood side by side, each with a drink in hand. Mostly watching their blue rival make a fool of himself on the dance floor as he had a little too much to drink.
“I’m heading home.” Knuckles announced. He pushed himself off of the wall as there was a chorus of complaints, mostly from Tails, who was hoping his ‘older brother’ would help with steering Sonic home
“Don’t worry, Tails, he can crash here,” Amy reassured the younger fox. “You too, I don't want you heading back to Emerald Coast alone at this time of night.”
Shadow pushed himself off from where he had been leaning on the wall, also. No one complained that he was leaving as they did with Knuckles; only Rouge gave him a sly smirk, which the dark hedgehog pointedly ignored.
When he slipped out of the apartment, Knuckles was waiting for him.
Giving him a head tilt, Knuckles returned that with a curt nod. Both of them walked side by side until they were out of that apartment complex and out of view. That was when Knuckles held Shadow’s hand. It was a little awkward with Knuckles’ mitt, but Shadow didn’t mind. In fact, he rather liked how Knuckles’ hand dwarfed his own like this.
[Somewhere Only We Know - Lily Allen]
They were halfway to Shadow’s apartment when the Echidna stopped. The hedgehog was confused before movement caught his eye. The other had their other mitt out, catching the little flakes as they drifted down from the sky.
Shadow mimicked him, holding out his own hand.
“... beautiful,” Shadow whispered softly. “This planet never ceases to be beautiful...”
Knuckles gave a soft grunt of agreement.
Standing there, they both watched the snow. Watched as it flurried down and landed on everything in view. At first, it just melted on contact with the ground, but then in the corners, it began to build.
“It’s going to lay.” Knuckles informed.
“Mmm...” Shadow looked to him. “A white Christmas.”
Knuckles watched him for a beat before softly cupping his cheek with a snow-cold mitt. Leaning in slowly, he brushed his lips against the darker’s in silent question. Turning his head, Shadow answered it with his own silent acceptance.
They broke the kiss slowly, and Knuckles pressed his forehead to Shadow’s. The hedgehog had learned that it was something the Echidna’s clan did to the ones they loved. Of course, Maria used to do it for him too.
Once they pulled back, Shadow moved again, leading Knuckles out of the city streets and to his apartment. Up a few flights of stairs in an older brick building. Into an apartment that looked like something out of time, but with more than a few modern conveniences.
Knuckles was the first to take his shoes off out of respect for Shadow’s home, and the other quickly followed suit. As Knuckles walked into the apartment, Shadow just studied their shoes sitting side by side.
“Snow is pretty, but it's a nightmare for fur and quills.” Knuckles commented. “And very cold.”
“I shall make us something warm to drink,” Shadow announced as he walked into his kitchen, grabbing an old kettle and getting the stove lit. “Coffee or tea?”
“Tea, if you don’t mind.” Knuckles replied as he grabbed an old tea towel to dry himself off a little. A glance between the two of them let the echidna know he was okay to do so.
Shadow opened his cupboards and pulled out a lavender and Earl Grey tea for them both. One bag in each cup. Next went the hot water. “Sugar?”
“No, thank you.” Knuckles said. He then approached the hedgehog before carefully drying off his quills, also.
Shadow’s hackles flared for a brief moment before forcing himself to relax, finding the motion calming. Once dry enough, the echidna folded up the towel and placed it to the side to be washed. That's when Shadow passed him his cup of tea.
They leaned against the kitchen counter, a mug in each of their hands. Letting the warmth soak into their skin.
“If you're still cold, you can use my shower.” Shadow offered.
“Thank you.” Knuckles replied.
They stood side by side until both had finished their drinks. Knuckles then took Shadow’s hand and led him to the bathroom, having already spotted that it had one of those shower-bath combos common in smaller apartments like this.
He filled the tub and removed his gloves and socks. Shadow copied, slightly fascinated that under those mitts, Knuckles had relatively normal Mobian hands. Just the two spurs on each knuckle and claws.
Knuckles stepped into the tub and sank down, holding Shadow’s hand. Shadow carefully stepped in after, sitting in the other’s lap. Resting against his broad chest. Shadow’s hackles lowered completely, and he let out a contented sigh.
They stayed like that for a few minutes until Knuckles cupped Shadow’s chin. Tilted his head up to meet his lips yet again. They kissed slowly, unhurried. A little deeper than before as their tongues brushed against each other.
Once the water cooled down, Shadow got out first and grabbed a towel. This time it was his turn to dry off the other, then himself. Wet towel tossed into the hamper for later, he led the guardian to his double bed.
It had black sheets, freshly pressed and ironed. Shadow sat on the bed first in silent invitation. Instead of sitting on the bed, Knuckles leaned down and kissed his cheek. His naked fingers stroked into Shadow’s chest fluff, making the other let out a soft breath at the welcomed contact.
This time, Shadow moved onto his back in a different type of invitation, hands loosely above his head and legs hanging off the bed. Whole body open. Silently offering.
Knuckles’ breath hitched, and he leaned down, lips brushing against Shadow’s own. “...beautiful.”
Shadow’s breathing stuttered at such a simple word. A word he had used to describe the snow outside was now being used to describe himself.
So the hedgehog reached his own hand over to stroke across Knuckles’ chest. “Have you... before...?”
“Yes. Once.” He confessed. “I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine.”
“Have you?”
Shadow shook his head. “No. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s... It’s fine.” Knuckles nuzzled him. “We’ll take it slow.”
“Wait...” Shadow shifted to his bedside table. He opened the little drawer and pulled out a bottle of lube. “Rouge... left this here.”
Knuckles huffed through his nose. “Of course she did. Any condoms?”
“No.”
“Is that okay with you?” Knuckles asked.
“Yes,” Shadow said. “But... I have to warn you that I am... not like a mobian down there.”
“Echidnas can be a little frightening also.” Knuckles nipped Shadow’s ear. “I won't judge if you don’t.”
“Very well,” Shadow agreed. “May I...?”
Giving permission with a single nod, Knuckles shifted to one arm to give Shadow full access. Shadow slid his hand down, feeling the strong, honed muscles of the echidna. Years of training and hard work had gifted him with a body gods would be jealous of. His fingers curved as he felt the tenting pouch and softly rubbed his palm against it.
It didn’t take much stimulation to make Knuckles drop down his cock, and as warned, it was a sight to behold. It was larger than Shadow’s, with a large head or rather multiple heads.
“I see what you mean now,” Shadow said as he took the shaft in hand, pumping it slowly.
Knuckles hummed, eyes becoming lidded as he watched Shadow’s beautiful hands stroke his cock slowly.
“Is this... okay?” Shadow asked, unsure.
Knuckles shifted to sit beside him. “You’re doing great. Let me know if you want to stop, okay?” He wrapped his arms around him. “You don’t need to push yourself if you’re not ready.”
“I’m... I’m ready.” Shadow breathed. “I want you.”
Knuckles moved them both once again, more onto the bed. He shifted Shadow’s lap into his and grabbed the lube. The experience of being stretched was uncomfortable at first, but then slowly Shadow adjusted. His cock dropped down, curling around itself. Knuckles’ eyeridges raised, but he didn’t say anything.
When the echidna pressed into Shadow's sweet spot, the hedgehog gasped. His world opening up to the new sensation, and his tentacle cock drooling on his stomach a little.
“I can’t wait any longer.” Knuckles mumbled, but still looked to the other for permission as he lined up his cock.
Shadow gave a nod.
Slowly, Knuckles pressed into Shadow. One inch at a time. Shadow’s toes curled and uncurled at the uncomfortable sensation once again. However, once that unique head brushed against Shadow’s prostate, the hedgehog groaned. Feeling pleasure at last.
Knuckles was surprised when he buried himself to the hilt. “Are you okay?” He mumbled into his ear. “Do I need to pull back?”
“I’m fine.” Shadow panted a little. “I can take it.”
Knuckles chuckled. “Ultimate Lifeform and all that?” He teased lightly, but his fingers curled around Shadow’s cock, slowly squeezing and pumping it as best he could.
Shadow tilted his head to the side with a pant. “M-move...”
“As you wish.” Knuckles whispered as he kissed him, rocking his hips slowly but making sure to press against that spot that made Shadow squirm.
They didn’t last long; it being Shadow’s first time and the first time in a long time for Knuckles ensured they both reached their pitch quickly. Shadow clung onto the echidna, while Knuckles' muscles trembled as release came.
Once both came round, Knuckles moved to lay beside Shadow, panting. Shadow leaned over and kissed him sweetly. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”