Chapter Text
Knuckles’s day so far had been like any other. Wake up, check on the master emerald, find something to eat and shake some fruit out of the trees for the chao that live on the island as well. Then finally assume his post in front of the master emerald.
That’s where he was now as he should be. The echidna leaned back against the large gem with his eyes closed and arms crossed. Truth be told he didn’t get much sleep the night before, but it won’t impact his ability to guard the emerald at all. It just means he’ll rest his eyes a bit more often.
Knuckles couldn’t help but let out a yawn. With a huff he looked up at the sun at the sky. It was only around midday.
He couldn’t deny he was a bit bored. In the distance he spotted a few chao playing around with each other. The cute beings passing around a ball they got from who knows where. Knuckles chose to keep his attention on them before he accidentally falls asleep. He couldn’t help but laugh when the ball bonked one of them on their head.
Watching them play was a nice distraction, but eventually there started to be a feeling inside his gut. A pang of loneliness was spreading through him. After a few moments Knuckles looked away from the chao and chose to just watch the scenery instead, even if he has the whole island memorized by now.
The echidna couldn’t help but think of what the others were doing right now. Sonic was probably doing something reckless, and Tails wouldn’t be far behind or he could be in his workshop, the chaotix were most likely working on their latest case and Rouge, he wouldn’t doubt was stealing the most prized jewels from wherever she might be. And Shadow was probably brooding somewhere, not unlike how Knuckles is at the moment.
The image of Shadow stayed in his head for a while. He could picture the hedgehog leaning against a tree or watching a city from on top of a cliff, an enduring grumpy expression on his face. His quills perfectly in order and.…Knuckles shook his head in embarrassment.
Why did he keep spending so much time thinking about Shadow? It’s been like this for the past few months. But since the last month or two it’s been getting worse with the hedgehog keeping his visits consistent.
Ugh…his cheeks are almost as red as his fur now. Knuckles just doesn’t understand why he’s having feelings. He certainly hasn't felt this way about anyone else before.
Amy used to talk about her crush on Sonic all the time when they were younger. The things she talked about line up to exactly what he’s been feeling about Shadow. Whenever he visits, Knuckles feels like he’d eaten a flutter of butterflies, Knuckles also couldn’t help but steal glances at the other.
The echidna will admit that he doesn’t necessarily hate these feelings but he just wishes he understood them. Knuckles has never been or even felt with anyone romantically, he wouldn’t know the first thing to do.
Besides what chance would there even be of Shadow liking him back? He would probably want someone as bold and adventurous as him. And what does Knuckles do? Stay on Angel Island for the majority of his life, the only excitement he gets is when he has to fight off the occasional bandit or two, or when Sonic drags him along for an occasional adventure.
He might…like (love?) Shadow but he’s not sure he would be willing to give up being the Master Emerald’s guardian for him.
Besides, he doesn't know the first thing about relationships. The echidna barely knows how to start small talk for goodness sake. Yes, with Shadow visiting frequently Knuckles has gotten rather comfortable with him, but how long will that last? How long until their conversations get awkward?
Knuckles let out a sigh and looked at the ground.
He really has no idea what he should do…
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Shadow was unsure about all this. The hedgehog was hiding underneath the shade of a tree on Angel Island. A bag and a few blankets he was previously carrying were on the ground. Shadow’s arms were crossed as he paced around the tree.
This is stupid…He thought to himself with a grumble.
For the past year thoughts of the echidna have invaded his mind. For the longest time he couldn’t understand why. Shadow had always had respect for Knuckles but he wouldn’t say they were necessarily close.
Asking Knuckles if he wanted to have a sleepover is going to be the most foolish thing he’s ever going to do. He can’t believe he let Rouge talk him into this, this will be the last time he talks to her about his crush on Knuckles.
Shadow didn’t even have to tell her about his crush, the bat guessed it quickly whenever they were with the group and Knuckles would occasionally drop by. She claims that he always stared at him whenever he was around. Rouge said that he’s lucky enough that Knuckles is too obvious to notice.
It makes Shadow embarrassed, but he can’t deny that almost everything the echidna does leaves him smitten.
Watching Knuckles be so gentle with the chao, listening to him laugh, whenever he talks so passionately about his tribe, hell even when he works out; every little thing seems the echidna does leaves Shadow almost blushing.
Shadow was in denial for quite a while until he eventually accepted it. He’s lucky that he’s good at hiding his crush, Shadow’s not sure if he could suffer through Sonic’s teasing if he ever found out.
Then he finally got the courage to visit Knuckles on Angel Island by himself. It was a bit awkward at first but the two quickly became comfortable with each other. And then Shadow visited again, and again, until his visits became a daily occurrence.
Whenever he left the island Rouge would tease him and Omega would give him blunt encouragement. A few weeks ago Rouge started to tell him that he should just tell Knuckles how he feels. Shadow isn’t exactly sure about that idea.
He doesn’t have any idea how to do that. Even if he confessed to Knuckles, how would the echidna even react? He’s been giving him compliments and what others would call “flirting”, but Knuckles hasn’t exactly given him a reaction to go off of. It’s either Knuckles is still being oblivious or he’s ignoring it on purpose, maybe keep things from becoming awkward if he’s not interested. Which is something Shadow fears, he doesn’t want to risk the comfortable peace the two have when they’re together either.
Then Rouge suggested that he spend the night with Knuckles. Why? Because apparently he’s been having some trouble sleeping. After he learned that fact Shadow couldn’t refuse. How Rouge knew that he doesn’t know, but he had given up on questioning where she gets her information.
And so Shadow packed a bag of snacks, (mostly grapes) grabbed a few blankets and teleported to the island. But before he got close to where Knuckles should be, he got cold feet.
The hedgehog taps his foot on the ground as he tries and decides what to do. Shadow may not know much about Knuckles’s sleep problems but he wanted to help in someway.
He sighs but gathers his things from the ground. No more delaying, he’s just going to do it. Shadow just has to remind himself What Rouge said, “The worst that can happen is Knuckles saying no.”
Shadow then began to walk in the direction of the altar where the master emerald and its guardian rests. And maybe he walked a bit slower than normal, it’s not delaying things, it’s just…nerves.
………………………………………………………
Knuckles was laying on the steps leading up the altar when he noticed someone approaching. He quickly sat up but he relaxed when he saw the black and red hedgehog walking towards him.
The echidna ignored how his heart started beating faster and his stomach was back to feeling like he had butterflies for lunch.
“Shadow,” Knuckles greeted as he got up.
“Knuckles, how has your day been treating you.” Shadow returned, the hedgehog was holding a bag and what looked to be blankets…?
The echidna wasn’t sure why he would have those things, but didn’t question it.
“Maybe a little more exciting now that you're here.” Knuckles answered, he’s hoping that doesn’t come off as a flirt. Did he reply too quickly? Or sound too excited?
“So any plans for the rest of the day?” Shadow questioned while unceremoniously dumping the unexplained bag and blankets his arms on the steps.
“No-oh wait, I found something the other day in one of the ruins! Come on, I'll show you!” Knuckles suddenly remembered. He wasn’t even think as he grabbed the other’s hand and began leading them to the ruins.
It wasn’t until at least a minute of walking before Knuckles fully processed his action. He was holding hands with Shadow, which he didn’t even ask, Knuckles just grabbed him.
Why can’t he just act like a gentleman? Why does he always have to act like such a brute? …Shadow didn’t pull his hand away, he realized. But that doesn’t really mean anything right? Just because they’re holding hands it doesn’t mean it’s a romantic gesture, why would Shadow assume it would be? Friends hold hands all the time, the thought calms Knuckles down a bit.
But…just the thought of him and Shadow holding hands is making him all giddy. Ugh, when did he get so soft? And…oh wait he’s totally blushing right now. Knuckles is just praying that Shadow isn’t noticing. It’s one thing to hold hands, but blushing while holding hands is a whole other thing.
Knuckles just keeps walking with Shadow’s hand in his and keeps looking straight ahead. Faster they get to the ruins faster he can find a reason to stop holding his hand. (Even if he likes holding his hand.)
………………………………………………………
When Knuckles suddenly grabbed his hand excitedly and began to lead them towards the ruins, Shadow was a bit surprised to say the least. And maybe he had a faint blush on his cheeks…
He’s lucky that the echidna kept looking forward instead of at him before the red faded from his face.
Shadow is looking forward to what Knuckles wants to show him. The hedgehog always loves to hear Knuckles go on and on about the things he’s passionate about. Shadow may not be the biggest talker, but in his eyes Knuckles talks enough for the both of them.
Knuckles has never minded that he was quiet, always feeling comfortable in the silence or filling it with ramblings about the history of the echidna tribe.
And with Knuckles holding his hand…Shadow can’t help but wonder if the echidna might have the same feelings as he does.
The hedgehog can’t help but glacé at Knuckles’s face and sees that the echidna’s face is as red as his fur. Seeing Knuckles blushing so much has his own face going red.
Shadow decides right then and there that he’s going to tell Knuckles about his feelings today, one way or another. He only hopes that the other will feel the same.