Chapter Text
The king's office had been quiet the whole time. The only sound interrupting the silence was the scratching of the king's feathered pen against the paper. Two stacks of papers next to him. A smaller stack to his left with papers needing signing. And another bigger one on his right already signed.
Shadow could've signed these off without reading it so he could get done faster. But unfortunately, he had to make sure that he wasn't agreeing to something that could cause a conflict or something that is illegal.
But he was almost done with those so he would be fine. A few more signings wouldn't hurt.
Knock Knock
A knock suddenly interrupted the silence, causing Shadow's head to lift. “Come in." He replied in a composed voice as he continued to sign. A maid entered the room after receiving his answer.
She was a Lynx with dusted blue fur. She had angular, half-lidded eyes that gave her a perpetually relaxed expression as she carried in another stack of paper.
"Really?” Shadow replied as he saw the stack. "More paperwork?”
"Unfortunately, your majesty.” The lynx said as she made a quick bow before placing the stack on Shadow's desk.
Shadow just sighed, looking at the new stack of paper before pushing the stack with the signed ones to her. “Take these to the clerk and have them sealed before sending them out.” He told her firmly.
"Of course.” The lynx bowed, taking the stack from the desk and making her way out of the room. Once she left the room, Shadow went immediately back on signing the rest of the papers before he started with the new stack.
The room fell back into a quiet atmosphere, only Shadow's steady breathing and the scratching against the paper interrupting the silence. After a few more signings, Shadow's gaze slowly wandered to the next stack, inspecting it for a while. There was no crumbled letter on it this time.
Almost a year ago, at this very desk, Shadow had almost lost his jester, his lover.
The dark hedgehog pulled away a bit to get something from one of the drawers. Sonic's goodbye letter. Still crumbled from when he had gripped it too hard after reading it. His eyes skimmed through the words.
I almost lost you. Shadow thought. While I was signing stupid papers.
Knock Knock. Another set of knocks interrupted the quiet atmosphere. Shadow wiped his face and cleared his throat before speaking firmly. “Come in."
The door opened gently and a soft blue fish with pink fins entered gently. "Your majesty,” She gave a quick bow and stayed by the door. “Do you have a moment?"
"Depends.” Shadow replied as he continued signing the papers. "What do you need me for?”
Firth glanced at something behind the door and gestured to someone to enter the room. "I got someone who wants to work here.”
Shadow raised a brow as the gestured person entered the room. It was an orange golden retriever with messy short-cut hair with red eyes. His left ear was folded forward, covering a little bit of his left eye.
Shadow looked the dog over for a moment longer before he cleared his throat and spoke. “How old are you?" He asked, making sure he was old enough to work here.
"I turned eighteen a few weeks ago.” The dog spoke quietly as his fingers fidgeted with each other. He's shy. Shadow stated in his thoughts. Must be because he's talking to the king.
Shadow hummed in response as he took out a new blank paper to write the information down. “What's your name and where do you live?"
The dog cleared his throat before speaking. "My name is Riku the golden retriever and I currently live with Fitzh.” He shyly glanced at her direction when he mentioned living with her.
Shadow raised a brow at that and looked towards Fitzh. "You're his guardian?” He asked for confirmation, to which she nodded curtly.
"Correct.” Fitzh replied, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and pulling him close. Riku smiled at the side hug and leaned in.
“Hm." The hedgehog hummed and looked back at Riku. “What exactly do you want to work as?" He asked next.
“I.." Riku looked down at his fidgeting hands as he replied quietly. “I wanted to see what you have in offer, but I thought I could work with Fitzh for a while." He was unsure. “Is that possible?.." He asked with a smaller voice, glancing at Fitzh before looking back at the king.
Shadow thought for a moment, folding his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "If Fitzh has nothing against it, then you could work with her.”
Riku’s face lit up at the answer immediately, having obviously expected a different answer. “Really? Oh, thank you so much, your majesty!" His volume turned up an octave in excitement as he bowed in. Fitzh couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
“I'm happy to be of help.” Shadow said with a smile as he noted a few more things down on the paper. The door to the office then opened once again, but this time, someone ran inside, not caring about formalities.
"Daddy!” The young purple hedgehog called out as she ran to the king. Shadow was surprised by the unexpected visit, but didn't complain. He pulled away from his desk as Lavender practically threw herself onto Shadow for a hug.
“Hey princess." Shadow gently greeted her and kissed her head as he wrapped his arms around her small body.
“Sorry, were you busy?" Sonic's voice joined the atmosphere as the blue hedgehog entered the room. He hadn't expected that someone else was here to see Shadow.
Shadow looked up from Lavender, glancing at the golden retriever and their healer before shaking his head. "No. I just finished." He replied as he turned back to the two, still keeping Lavender on his lap as she watched.
“You'll keep watch on him then?" He asked Fitzh and she replied with a curt nod.
"I'll do that. You just worry about your duty and family,” She glanced at Lavender with a smile as she said that. "and I'll keep our new staff member on watch.”
Shadow nodded and watched the two leave his office. Sonic, who had fully entered the room and stood next to Shadow's desk with his arms crossed, was watching the golden retriever.
Are they siblings? He asked himself. They're so familiar…
"You okay?” Sonic was snapped out of his train of thought by Shadow's question. He nodded as he brushed off the thoughts. They weren't important now.
"Yeah, I'm fine-”
"Mama fell down yesterday at his performance!” Lavender immediately interrupted Sonic's reply. Shadow wasn't prepared for this.
“Lavender!" Sonic scolded at her as she giggled from snitching on him. How could he have trusted that five year old to keep a secret?
"Really?” He asked for confirmation as he stood up, setting Lavender down on her feet. “Why didn't you tell me?"
Sonic looked away, embarrassed now. “I didn't want you worrying about me." He leaned into Shadow's hand that was gently placed on his cheek. “I mean you got all your royal duty going on. I don't want to bother you with a little headache."
“Idiot." Shadow grumbled as he wrapped his arms around Sonic's waist and pulled him close, pecking his cheek. Sonic leaned into the touch, smiling as his hands slid onto Shadow's arms. The smallest purr escaped him.
“I'd rather get bothered by some silly headaches than do my royal duties. I want to make sure my husband is well." He licked his cheek before nibbling it. "Especially since you're carrying our child." He added.
"Fine.” Sonic whined as Shadow nibbled his cheek, giving in. "I'll tell you every bullshit that happens to me. Happy?" He pulled away and looked at Shadow firmly.
"Yes.” The dark hedgehog replied before closing the distance between them, kissing those peach lips. Sonic happily kissed back and wrapped his arms around Shadow's neck as he smiled into the kiss.
"Ew!! Mama and Daddy are kissing!!” Lavender suddenly yelled out as she hopped off Shadow's chair where she had made herself comfortable when Shadow stood and ran out of the room. Both hedgehogs laughed at her reaction.
"Miss Fitzh!" They could hear Lavender call. “Mama and daddy are doing the parents thing again!" They could make out before the voice disappeared completely.
Sonic laughed at the way she said it, watching the door for a moment as it slowly closed on his own. Once it was closed, the two hedgehogs immediately went back to kissing each other again.
Their breaths mingled together as they kissed, a tongue licking the lips to ask permission to enter the other's mouth. Peach lips opened and the tongue thrusted in, catching a moan out of Sonic's mouth.
"When was the last time we kissed like this?” Shadow asked as he pulled back to catch their breaths. Sonic smiled as one hand made it's way down Shadow's arm.
"Our kiss wasn't even this good at our wedding a few months ago.” He teased, rubbing his thumb over Shadow's bicep, feeling the muscles beneath it.
“Let's make up for the loss, shall we?" Shadow said quietly as he leaned forward again, diving in for another kiss.