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“S-shadow!” Tails exclaimed, trembling in the kitchen doorway with his hands cupped around his mouth. “Why are you holding that knife!?”
Shadow turned soundlessly, the knife tightly gripped in his fist, and looked at the two-tailed fox with a deep frown on his face. It was a kitchen knife, and he was using it for chopping the carrots sprawled across the chopping board. What else would he have been doing with it?
“The vegetables, they need to be chopped.” Shadow said plainly, returning to his task as though he hadn’t scared poor Tails half out of his wits. Though, you’d think that was so much as obvious with the green apron he was wearing.
The yellow fox sighed in relief, as he relaxed his shoulders from their tense position. “Oh hahah.. thank goodness. You really startled me! I totally thought…” He trailed off, knowing full well he couldn’t exactly say ‘Haha! I thought you were going to stab me and Sonic and possibly kill us all.’ without getting in big trouble. Especially given who was currently wielding the kitchen knife.
“Um- what are you up to?” Tails asked, peeking over Shadow’s shoulder. Shadow continued to slice through the carrot in large chunks, his eyes still locked on the sharp knife.
“Cooking,” Shadow answered simply. “I’ve grown tired of having hot dogs everyday.” That was the only food that bumbling blue hedgehog knew how to make, after all.
Tails blinked in surprise, looking towards the stove where a small pot simmered faintly. “Shadow… you cook?” Tails asked, surprised but incredibly intrigued. Tails knew how to cook most of the essentials, but nothing too complicated and Sonic well… let’s just say Amy had banned him from using their kitchen for good reason.
“Yes,” Shadow replied curtly. “I cook for myself and Rouge if needed.”
Tails tilted his head to the side. “Wow… that’s actually pretty cool, Shadow. Can I help you?” he blurted suddenly, before mentally kicking himself. Dammit Tails, this is Shadow we’re talking about… Of course he’s going to say no and then he’s probably gonna hit you with Chaos Blast or.. or worse!
But Shadow paused, seeming to think carefully about Tails’ offer. “Don’t you have some contraption to be working on?” he finally asked, and not necessarily in a dismissive ‘can you leave me alone?’ tone and more of a ‘I’d rather not take up your time’ tone.
“Ah--yeah, uh, I’m actually done for today!” Tails quickly reassured Shadow, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s a prototype so just a few minor fixes are needed…” He trailed off awkwardly, realizing Shadow probably didn’t care at all about his inventions.
“Very well then.” Shadow nodded, moving aside and making room for Tails by the kitchen counter. “You can start by peeling those potatoes.” He gestured towards the basket of potatoes next to the sink.
“Really-? Wow, thanks Shadow!” Tails grinned widely, grabbing an equally sharp knife from one of their drawers.
Shadow notices immediately and stops the young fox in his tracks.
“You’ll cut yourself with that, use this instead.” He exchanges the knife for a potato peeler and hands it to Tails with a softened expression on his face.
“Oh, thanks a lot Shadow!” Tails smiles gratefully. Shadow nods curtly and returns to his task.
The yellow fox sets to work, peeling the first potato in the basket, while Shadow finishes off the carrots and next, the onions. The two work in comfortable silence, the soft clanging of knives and the scraping of the potato peeler being the only sounds in the kitchen. But strangely enough, Tails isn’t uncomfortable — if anything, this is the most comfortable he’s felt since Shadow started hanging around Sonic and consequently, the house, more often. Sure, it was weird at first, having Shadow around every other day but gradually, Tails became used to having him there. Like he was a part of the family?
Or at least something close to that.
Time passes slowly, the two finish up chopping the vegetables, leaving only the rice left to boil. Suddenly, a blue blur zips into the room, startling Tails for a brief moment while Shadow could see him coming from miles away. He skids to a stop, nearly tumbling into Tails. “Hey Tails! Hey Shadow! Didn’t expect to see the two of you together, whatcha up to? Hey, is that food?” Sonic excitedly bounced forward, eyeing the pot of curry and mixed vegetables as though they were a buffet table.
“Hey, Sonic! Where’ve you been? Shadow and I were just making dinner.” Tails replied casually, giving Sonic a cheerful smile.
“Eh, Amy wanted my help with something… but more importantly, what are you making?” Sonic asked, turning to Shadow. Shadow raised an eyebrow, his face remaining impassive.
“Curry Rice.” Shadow answered flatly.
“Ooooh, you two made Curry Rice just for me? That’s so sweet of you.” Sonic cooed, giving Shadow a teasingly little wink in hopes of riling him up.
“I don’t remember saying this was for you.” Shadow retorted, glaring at Sonic with his arms crossed over his chest, to which Tails agrees.
“Yeah, Sonic. Shadow and I were the ones who did all the hard labor!” Tails chipped in with a grin. “You just got here!”
Sonic gave a mock pout "I can’t believe this… my boyfriend and my own brother have turned against me…Oh what ever will I do..?” He sighed dramatically, flopping down onto the kitchen counter next to Shadow. Shadow harshly rolls his eyes at Sonic’s dramatics, while Tails struggles to hide how much he wants to giggle.
“It’ll be done soon, so just sit tight.” Shadow growls as he eyes the remaining water in the pot of rice. “If everything goes to plan, dinner will be ready within 15 minutes.”
“I knew you’d come around!” Sonic exclaims gleefully, clutching Tails’ shoulders and shaking the poor young fox about. Tails groans, trying to pull away from Sonic, as siblings typically do. “I’ll go set the table then, Shadow!” He says as he manages to escape Sonic’s grip and disappears into the dining room. Shadow nods in response.
Meanwhile, the blue hedgehog beams a quick grin at Shadow, placing a hand on the black hedgehog’s shoulder. “Thanks, Shadow.” he says sincerely.
Shadow looks at him curiously before glancing at the hand on his shoulder. “For?” He asks suspiciously. Sonic glances over at Tails, who was busy setting the table and didn’t seem to be paying any attention to their conversation.
“Nothing, nothing,” Sonic replies cryptically. “We’re just glad you’re here.” He gives Shadow a final squeeze on his shoulder before readying up to assist Tails at the table.
“Sonic.” Shadow calls out, and Sonic immediately turns back around, looking slightly confused.
“Yes?” He questions curiously. Shadow pauses for a second, unsure whether or not to say what he has in mind. But against his better judgement, Shadow speaks up regardless.
“I’m grateful… to be here as well.” Shadow admits quietly. Sonic seems stunned by his words for a brief second before letting loose a wide grin and giving his partner a hug. They remained in each other's arms for just a few moments, Shadow hiding his face in the crook of Sonic’s neck and his ears twitching under the warmth shared between them and the affectionate gaze from the blue hedgehog. After a short while, Sonic pulls away and smiles at his partner warmly.
“Come on, let’s eat! I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!” Sonic cheers before heading out to meet Tails. Shadow lets out a deep breath, a small content smile resting on his lips.