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It was a cold and dark December evening, but there was excitement buzzing in the air, as it was new years eve. It was quiet on the streets, partly because of the thick snow flakes that fluttered down and because all the residents were nice and cozy inside.
Some enjoyed the evening with their families drinking hot coco near the fire place, playing boardgames and others were partying with their friends, to celebrate the ending of the year and to ring in the new year together.
That evening our mobian friends were gathered at Amy’s place. She had organised a big party for all her friends. Music, laughter and the clinking of glasses surrounded them all, as they summarised the year and shared funny stories. Others danced happily and smoothly under the influence of a drink.
Surrounded by this big crowd of joy full people was Silver, he was sitting in one of the chairs near the fire. He quietly watched how the others were celebrating and laughing. Now and again some of his friends came over, to try and invite him over to the dance floor. But to be honest, Silver wasn’t in the mood to celebrate loudly as the others did. He wasn’t very fond of big loud parties, he tried to have a conversation, but you almost had to scream at each other to actually make yourself intelligible.
Every time the doorbell rang Silver perked up curiously to find out who attended the party. He let out a frustrated sigh when he, yet again, felt rather lonely even though he was surrounded by so many people, it felt like something, or someone, was missing. He looked how Amy was busy pleasing everybody, she looked quite stressed but also happy with all the compliments she received about the party.
Silver emptied his glass. His cheeks had a slight pink colour because of the alcohol. He stood up from his seat, as he felt rather bored he thought it might be better to be active and see if there was something he could help with. He walked through the crowd to follow Amy towards the kitchen, he looked around to all the guests as he did.
“Oh hey Silver,” Amy said as he entered the kitchen, “Something I can help you with?” She asked and took his empty glass and poured some extra champagne in it. Silver looked rather surprised as she handed the glass back to him, even though he hadn’t asked for a refill.
“Oh no thank you,” Silver said a little awkwardly, “It’s my third glass already and I’m not really used to this much of alcohol.” He looked around the kitchen to see a big mess with different drinks, appetizers and ingredients. “I was wondering if I could help you with anything. You’re so busy, shouldn’t you enjoy your own party?”
Amy chuckled, “Don’t you worry about me. I like doing this for all you guys. Are you enjoying yourself?” She asked while she cuts a few cheeses for a snack plate.
“Yeah sort of,” Silver said, who didn’t ment to sound ungrateful. “Can I maybe help you with the snacks?”
“Well, if you want, you could make some nacho’s and start on the small meatballs,” She suggested.
Silver rolled up his sleeves and did as she said. It was nice to be able to do something, instead of sitting and seeing the others having fun.
The doorbell rang, Silver again perked up curiously. He watched as Amy quickly left the kitchen to let the new guests enter. Silver looked through the gab at the door to see how Amy let Rouge enter. He raised his eyebrows and looked interested as Amy and Rouge talked. He looked frustrated when Amy closed the door again, knowing that only Rouge was added to the party, he turned back to the meatballs.
“Uff, yeah I could use a drink,” Rouge’s voice was heard from near the kitchen.
“Was it that bad at work today?” Amy asked as they both entered.
“Just the regular to be honest. But it’s just annoying how everybody could leave early and Shadow of course wanted to keep working on this complicated case,” Rouge explained annoyed as she took the glass Amy offered her. Silver suddenly perked up as he listened to their conversation. Rouge drank the glass in one long gulp and let Amy fill it again. “It’s sometimes pretty annoying how determined he is on solving the case,” She rolled her eyes, “Sorry, but I’ve a life you know,” She said annoyed.
Amy chuckled, “Yeah, I totally get that. But he isn’t difficult about you leaving right?”
“Oh no, of course not. Well I asked if he would come along later, but you know, the usual.”
“What’s the usual?” Silver suddenly asked interested.
Rouge looked surprised as she hadn’t noticed Silver’s presence in the kitchen earlier, “Shadow won’t be coming honey,” She explained.
“What? Why not?” Silver asked confused.
“You know Shadow right?” She asked with a chuckle, “Of course he isn’t the party person, he rather keeps on working instead of having fun.”
Silver frowned at her words, “But nobody should be alone on new year’s eve.”
“He isn’t alone dear, he has all his paper work to accompany him,” She let out a sigh, “But it could be good for him to leave the office now and again, to care for himself instead of our clients. I think since the death of Maria he has difficulties to connect with others, probably out of fear to go through such a loss again,” She thought out loud and Amy nodded understanding.
Silver frowned as he thought about her words. He imagined Shadow sitting alone in a dark office completely focussed on his paperwork, while others were celebrating and sharing a drink, him not even noticing the fireworks lighting up the star filled sky, the windows of the high buildings reflecting the sparkles behind him.
Determined Silver took a towel to wipe his hands clean. “I think I’ll go check on him.” Rouge raised her eyebrows surprised. “I don’t want him to be on his own on this special night.”
Rouge smiled, “I think he would like that.”
With a determined nod, Silver left the kitchen, he forced himself through the partying crowd to get to the hallway, to pull on his thick winters coat. As he wrapped his scarf around his neck the door to the hallway again. Amy smiled at him while Rouge was leaning against the door post.
“Here,” She said and handed Silver a bag.
Silver frowned curious, “What’s this?” He asked when he looked inside of the back to see a bottle of champagne and some snacks.
“For you and Shadow,” She said with a sweet smile.
“That’s okay, I will be back,” Silver responded and wanted to hand the bag back.
Rouge carefully pushed the bag back into Silver’s hands, “Take it she said with a wink, we will see you tomorrow,” She said and winked again.
Silver frowned confused at her words.
“Just take it,” Amy said with a smile.
Silver looked confused at the both of them, as if they new something, as if he did miss a memo. “Okay?” He said and took the bag back. Amy opened the door for him to leave.
Rouge straightened Silver’s scarf, “Good luck out there, honey.”
Silver nodded, still not actually understanding their way of acting. He took his Christmas hat and pulled it on. He looked at his watch to see it was already 10.30. “See you in a bit.”
“Yeah right,” Rouge said with a wink.
Silver waved at them as he walked off on the chilly streets, leaving a track of footsteps.
“You think it’s going to happen today?” Amy whispered to Rouge as she waved back to Silver.
“It’s about time,” She said back and watched as Silver turned the corner, his shoulders shrugged against the cold.
Silver passed many houses on his way towards the city, leaving the warmth of the celebrations behind him, while feeling the cold and sharp wind against his muzzle, which still felt warm and cozy from the drinks. But it also made him look forward to be inside of a warm building again, especially with the thick snowflakes which whirled down. Silver smiled by seeing all the flickering lights in people’s gardens. Now and again a bang was heard for someone who couldn’t wait till 12 O’clock to fire up the firework. Silver looked up at the sparkling lights and felt some sort of excitement for the new year to come.
Even though it was kind of a normal event from going to one day to the day of tomorrow, but new year’s even away felt special and different. A moment to reflect on last year, to round up some things and start over again, with new good intentions. To eat healthier, do more sports, be more social, get out of the house more often, try to make other people happy. Silver frowned a bit lost in thoughts as they thought about it.
What was it he wanted for the new year?
“What are you doing here?” A voice suddenly asked as Silver reached the police station.
Silver perked up and looked surprised at the chaotix who just left the office.
“You were still working?” Silver asked surprised.
“Just rounding up a few things, before going to Amy’s party,” Vector explained.
“Aren’t you going?” Espio asked interested.
“I just was there,” Silver said, “But well, Rouge told me Shadow probably wouldn’t come, so I thought I would pay him a visit.”
Espio raised his eyebrows surprised and had a look at his watch.
“Will we see you at Amy’s later?” Charmy asked excited.
“Yeah I will be there soon,” Silver said with a chuckle.
Vector and Espio exchanged a look while suppressing a smile. “Well than, we will see you there,” Vector said with a wink.
“Yeah okay, thank you,” Silver said as Espio held the door for him. He smiled as he waved to them through the window.
“Seems like you’re going to owe Rouge ten bucks,” Vector whispered to Espio.
“Why?” Charmy asked confused.
“We will see,” Espio said and waved back at Silver through the window.
Silver wiped the snowflakes from his coat and brushed his shoes on the mat on the floor. It was quiet in the building. Only a few helping bots were present, as they took almost all the shifts during the special days, so all the employees could celebrate with their friends and family. Silver greeted a few of them, as he came there more often they would let him enter without registration.
The inside of the building was nicely decorated, even though the empty desks looked formal and cold, but the left over Christmas decoration did spread a bit of warmth. Silver stood in the elevator and looked at the number which went up as he passed the floors. Silver smiled as he thought back at last year, all the nice and fun events they had with his friends. He frowned as he realised, that the most fun ones were the one Shadow was present at as well. Maybe Shadow was more quiet and formal towards the rest, but because of that Silver had some nice conversations with him while the others were busy with activities.
It was nice to sometimes retreat from the hustle and bustle, just sit and talk while enjoying a beverage. He let out a little chuckle and smiled when the doors of the elevator opened at the tenth floor. He stepped out and looked around, to see an empty hallway, the Christmas decorations were turned off and the offices he passed looked dark as nobody else seems to be present. Only Shadow’s office was dimly lit, at the far back of the hall way, he passed The Chaotix’s office which was next to Shadow’s. Silver chuckled as he saw the Christmas drawings on the windows of the Chaotix which, he expected, Charmy had made..
It was quiet at the other end of the door. The fluorescent lighting in the hall way reflected on the gold coloured name tag on the door, which read:
Head officer
Shadow the Hedgehog
Silver lifted his hand and silently knocked the door of Shadow’s office, to not startle him.
“Yes?” Shadow’s voice was heard at the other end of the door, his voice sounded quite absent.
Carefully Silver opened the door to enter, he saw Shadow standing next to his desk, he looked interested at the pinboard on the wall where all different pictures and articles were pinned to. His quills looked ruffled, he looked a bit shabby and tired as he hadn’t left his office for a few days, as he was taken by the new case.
“You’ve my coffee?” Shadow asked as he rearranged a picture on the board.
“Not a coffee but I brought something else,” Silver said and lifted the bag Amy gave him.
Shadow’s eyes widened and he quickly looked Silver’s way, “Oh Silver,” He said surprised and quickly stroked a hand through his quills to reorganise them. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at Amy’s party?” He asked and straightened his tie.
“I just was there,” Silver said while unzipping his coat to hang it at the door. As he had turned his back, Shadow quickly smelled his breath. “Rouge told me you were still working on a case and probably weren’t coming. So I thought I would just check up on you.” They turned and saw shadow quickly move his hand back from him mouth. Silver raised an eyebrow.
Shadow cleared his throat, “What did you bring?” He asked curiously as he looked at the bag Silver was holding.
“Amy gave me this,” He said and took out a bottle of champagne, “I thought, as she thought you wouldn’t come at all, we as well might share a drink together,” He said with a sweet smile, “Or isn’t it professional to drink on the job?” They suddenly realised while taking out two glasses.
Shadow looked for a moment at the board of his case, with a bit of a struggle he turned back to look Silver into his golden eyes, who smiled apologetic at him for maybe ruining his trail of thought.
“Well it’s actually my day off,” Shadow said with an awkward smile.
“It’s your day off?” Silver asked confused, “Than what the hell are you even doing here?”
Shadow looked back at the board and shrugged his shoulders. “I just don’t know what to do with my free time.”
Silver raised his eyebrows, “Well in that case..” He said and smiled at Shadow, “..We should definitely share a drink,” He said and popped open the bottle and poured the glasses.
Shadow looked at the board with a frown. Silver wanted to hand him the glass but noticed Shadow looking back at the board again.
He let out a sigh and came a little closer. “I’m kind of worried about you,” He said eventually.
Shadow quickly looked back at Silver and was startled to see how close Silver was by now, “Why?” He asked.
Silver laid a hand on Shadow’s shoulder and carefully pushed him back towards the chair behind his desk. “You’re working way too much. It’s okay to relax and do something fun you know.”
Shadow flopped down on his chair and looked up at Silver who still had warm and reddened cheeks from the drinks before. Silver looked a little too long into Shadow’s ruby eyes before he realised. He quickly blinked his eyes and took the glass from Shadow’s desk, “Here,” He quickly added.
Shadow suppressed a smile as he noticed Silver’s blushing cheeks, he took the glass from Silver. He lifted himself on to Shadow’s desk and held out his glass for shadow to cling it. “Cheers,” He said and so did Shadow who clinged his glass. They both took a sip. Shadow looked down at his glass as he licked his lips.
“You’re probably right,” He said with a frown. Silver perked up interested, “Maybe I should go on a vacation.”
“That sounds like a great plan, where will you be going?”
Shadow thought for a moment, “Maybe London or Paris?” He thought out loud.
“London?” Silver said surprised, “I always wanted to go to London.”
“Why won’t you come with me?” The question came out before he realised it and quickly took a sip..
Silver raised his eyebrows surprised and a smile appeared on his lips, “I would lov-… That would be great,” Silver quickly changed his sentence.
Surprised Shadow looked up at him but a smiled appeared as he swallowed his sip.
Silver scratched the back of his head and dangled his feet, “Are you sure you want me there,” He asked awkwardly as he realised it felt rather rude to sort of invite himself on his trip.
Shadow looked from over his glass up at Silver with a handsome smile, “As you said, ‘I would love too’.” Silver’s cheeks darkened as he looked into Shadow’s eyes which soon made him uncomfortable. He quickly gulped the rest of their drink and glided from the desk to get on his feet again.
“Maybe we should go to Amy’s, it’s almost midnight,” Silver said quickly and turned around to hide the smile he suppressed after Shadow’s words. But Silver was soon stopped as Shadow quickly took his hand to stop him from walking away. Silver looked surprised back at Shadow.
“What-“
“Is there something between us?” Shadow interrupted him.
“W-what do you mean?” Silver asked startled.
He looked at him for a moment, “Never mind,” Shadow said with a sigh and let go of Silver’s hand and took a lost big sip from his glass.
Silver gulped and nodded before getting his coat from the hanger and pulled it on. Shadow watched form his chair as Silver pulled his hat back on again. “Aren’t you coming?” He asked as Shadow hadn’t moved from his seat.
Shadow looked back at the board and sighed, “I think I will stay here.”
“Oh,” Silver breathed with a disappointed sigh but nodded, “I understand,” And wrapped the scarf around his neck he forced a smile on his lips, “Well than, Till next year I guess,” He spoke a bit unsure. “Best wishes to you.”
Shadow nodded, “To you too.”
Silver nodded determined and opened the door of his office to leave, but turned around again. “I just wanted to say. I think Maria would’ve wanted for you to enjoy your life some more.”
Quietly Shadow looked at the picture on the desk but didn’t respond.
“Okay,” Silver said as Shadow didn’t respond, “Night,” He whispered before closing the door behind him and let out a deep sigh. Lost in thoughts he walked back to the elevator, as this meet up didn’t go how he wanted it to go, but he couldn’t explain to himself what he did expect. He stood waiting at the elevator as he smiled softly as he thought about how Shadow sort of invited him over for a vacation, ‘Well he was just joking, right?’ But he started to frown as he thought about Shadow’s question, ‘Is there something between us?’
Shadow leaned forward to rest his head on his hand which were laying on his desk. He looked at the picture of Maria, rather disappointed. He let out a frustrated sigh, ‘Maria wanted me to help others,’ He thought by himself and looked back at the board.
“Choose to be happy, Shadow,” A small voice echoed through his head, with a frown he quickly looked back at Maria’s picture, she smiled sweetly back at him. Shadow frowned conflicted.
He nodded determined towards Maria’s picture and quickly stood up. He pulled his jacket from the hanger and pulled it on has he got his keys. Quickly he pulled open the door and-
“Aah!”
As the door swung open, the door handle tugged Silver’s arm roughly. Shadow’s eyes widened as suddenly Silver fell through the door opening against Shadow’s chest, who quickly held him from falling.
Silver looked up at him with a bright blush, Shadow’s cheeks also turned colour as he looked down at him. It was quiet for a moment as they looked into each others eyes. Silver’s eyes twitched as a small shy smile appeared.
“I-I think you’re right,” He breathed.
Shadow frowned confused at his words. “What are you talking about?” He breathed in anticipation, still holding Silver close to him.
Silver took a deep breath, “I…. I think there is something between us.” He looked nervous up at Shadow, curious to his reaction not knowing what this would mean.
Breathless Shadow’s eyes twitched as he looked down at him.
They both perked up and snapped out of it, as a loud bang was heard, followed by a shower of red and blue sparks.
“Wow,” Silver gasped and quickly got out of Shadow’s arms as he quickly went to the window, as more sparks lit the night sky. Silver could look far in the distance because of the high floor they were located.
Shadow stood next to him and looked at the coloured sparkles that reflected in Silver’s big eyes. He suppressed a smile.
Silver looked his way as he felt how Shadow held his hand, “Happy new year, Silver,” He breathed and pulled him a little closer.
Silver let out a sigh and smiled shyly back at him, his cheeks felt warm as Shadow cupped his cheek. “Happy new year, Shadow,” Silver breathed nervous.
Slowly Shadow leaned down, Silver saw how he closed his eyes as he tilted his head. His heart skipped a beat at the moment Shadow’s lips touched his.
____
“YES!” Espio shouted out of euphoria.
“Damnit! I was so close,” Rouge grunted frustrated and took her wallet.
“Give them some privacy, damnit,” Amy snapped, rolling her eyes and snatched the phone out of Espio’s hands, as Rouge and him had intensively watched the security camera in Shadow’s office. But Amy smiled as she looked at the phone to see Silver wrapping his arms around Shadow’s neck, “Ow, that’s just adorable,” She said heart warmth.
“Pay up,” Espio said as he held out a hand to Rouge, who had bet they would kiss before the end of the year.
“Just a few seconds,” She said frustrated, but pressed a ten dollar bill in his hand.
“Don’t you dare to say anything about this to them,” Amy said as she turned off the phone, “It’s to them to decide when they want to tell us,” She said sternly.