Chapter Text
ONE MONTH LATER
“So you hang upside down at night to keep the blood rushing to your head for optimal energy flow?” Shadow asked with a raised eyebrow.
“And because it looks cool,” Rouge replied, adjusting her ears as they walked together through the kitchen. “Oh and it lets me get the drop on anyone who might be sneaking up on me — literally.” She chuckled then took a deep swig from the bright green and blue soda can in her hand.
“Interesting. I’ll have to see if I can calibrate my air shoes to allow for a gentle hover at night,” Shadow mused. He glanced at the soda she had placed in his own hand and raised a hesitant eyebrow. “Soda in Maria’s time came in glass bottles and was only cola made with sugar and syrup. Are you certain this colorful substance they have nowadays is safe to drink?”
“Oh lighten up, old man.” Rouge rolled her eyes. “Now they’ve got fun colors and candy flavors and caffeine galore!”
Shadow opened the can and took a hesitant sip. His eyes widened. “This tastes…terrible and powerful all at once. I’m not sure if I hate it or can’t live without it.” He glanced at the can. “But I…do like the can colors.”
“Blue and green — thought ya would.” Rouge winked and Shadow blushed as they headed out to the backyard.
Tom and Maddie and the others were playing a ‘modified’ version of football together. Amy would swing her hammer to punt the football, and Tails would fly to receive long passes, and Knuckles was playing all the defensive positions at once, and Sonic was just racing back and forth, scoring points for both sides and having fun.
“How’s dating the blue boy going?” Rouge whispered to Shadow.
In Shadow’s defense, he barely showed any shock in his response…except squeezing his soda can so hard that the entire contents spilled onto the patio. He scowled and stood up taller. “Why would you think—”
“Hun, come on, a girl’s got a sense for these things. Sonic lights up like a firecracker whenever he sees ya, and your tail wags every time he runs off somewhere to be alone and then you ‘conveniently’ decide to run off somewhere to ‘be alone too’.” Her grinned softened. “Amy realized it too the moment she first saw you too together. The rest of the family doesn’t realize yet though, promise.”
Shadow looked down, quills puffing up a little. “Why are you telling me this?”
“So that you know you’re not alone honey — if you want to talk or something. I’ve got Amy to gab to about how things are going with Knuckles. It’s all fabulous by the way, especially now that we’ve both cooled our jets a little. But if you ever need to talk, Sonic has Amy and you’ve got me. Okay?” She smiled gently.
Shadow’s scowl softened. His gaze met hers, curious. “And you want to help me like this because…”
She chuckled. “Because I hate seeing anyone rain on their own parade. You look like a guy who deserves a little fun and friendship and family. And some fresh chaos now and again. I care about you, Shadow.” She winked and held out her hand. “What do you say?”
He looked at her hand. His gaze went a little dry. “This isn’t a long con to get me to let you take the motorcycle out for rides, right?”
She snorted. “Oh honey, please, I’m only teasing whenever I ask to do that. If I really wanted to take it out, I’d just hot-wire it.” She smirked.
Shadow had to smirk too. And he even chuckled as he shook her hand. “I…I’d like to have fun with you, Rouge. I care about you too, and the others. And, well, of course, Sonic…”
“Shadow!”
Sonic instantly rolled up to him with a big smile and took his hands. “Come on, I’ve been waiting for you. I bet Knuckles that you and me could take on him and the rest of the family.”
“I have accepted the challenge! Lady Rouge, will you join me on our playful battlefield?” Knuckles called out with a grin.
“Ha, that’s my cue!” Rouge gave the boys a wave then flew over to Knuckles.
“I’ve got quarterback again!” Amy announced, holding her hammer high.
“And I’m wide receiver!” Tails flew higher.
“We’re…taking a break…” an out-of-breath Tom announced, Maddie leaning against him.
“Yeah…” Maddie added, “you kids have fun!”
They sat in the grass together to watch the game.
Sonic looked into Shadow’s eyes. “Shadow, you coming?” His tail wagged behind him.
Shadow felt his own tail wag as well…and didn’t try to hide it. “With you, always.” He squeezed Sonic’s hands.
The blue hedgehog blushed and laughed and dashed into the yard, holding Shadow’s hands the entire time. And Shadow smiled and didn’t let go.