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The Carnival's music blasts through its wanderers' ears, practically deafening them. The bright afternoon summer sun burning the skin of those who skipped the protective UV cream. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was for Sonic to win ALL the prizes he could.
"Which one haven't I tried...?" Sonic mutters to himself as he takes a large piece from his cotton candy, looking for new games to win. He doesn't actually like cotton candy that much, as it is too sweet for him. He also carried no game prizes with him, despite the fact he has won most of the games he's engaged in. If he were to be completely honest, most of the prizes here were completely unappealing to him. So instead, he made a compromise and gave his wins to whomever looked like they wanted it.
Sonic's eyes travel across the carnival grounds, passing by the screeching children (some in utter horror at the sight of clowns, and some in pure joy) and parents groaning miserably. But hey, the clowns seem to be having a decent enough time? Actually, scratch that- They look just as miserable.
The blue hedgehog continues to walk around searching for his next victim plush, until he spots the silhouette of someone way too familiar to not double take his gaze.
Must be a coincidence...
There's no way he , of all people, would be here .
No freaking way.
There, in the alley of a small building in the middle of the carnival, stands Sonic's polar opposite, Shadow the Hedgehog, looking as serious as ever. Then again, when does he not look serious? Never, from what Sonic can tell- or even remember.
Sonic stands in shock for a bit, people behind him glaring as they walk past him, infuriatingly curious as to why he has halted in the middle of the dirt path. He watches Shadow, curious to see if he just so happens to be here for whatever cryptic reason, and he waits for him to (maybe) use that chaos control of his to disappear. But it never comes. Instead, he leans against the wall, glaring at his wrist with an expression of growing annoyance. Soon, he gazes up and scans the area, his body visibly stiffening when he locks his red eyes with Sonic's complementary colored ones.
Sonic takes a moment to realize that they're staring at one another. When he does, he waves with a sheepish grin, unsure how to respond to the dark hedgehog in such a vibrant area.
Though the sounds of the carnival were vastly higher in volume, Sonic manages to only hear the faint groan from Shadow and an "Oh, great," as he begins to turn around.
Sonic quickly moves his feet and within a second, he's in front of Shadow putting his hands up to stop him.
"Hold it there, Shad. I've got some questions that I think you should answer." Sonic says with a smirk in replacement of his laughter, his arms still outstretched to keep Shadow from proceeding anywhere
Shadow balls his fists, his voice coming out stingy. "Out of my way, Sonic."
Sonic straightens himself, "Patience, my friend. I need to know why you're here," Sonic asks, rubbing his chin with his left hand, and the cotton candy from earlier in his others grasp
"No. You don't." Shadow firmly states, pushing past Sonic. He begins to exit the dark alley to hopefully find an escape to hide elsewhere. A place where this pest wouldn't be able to locate him.
Sonic suddenly appears in front of Shadow again, unsurprisingly to both. "I so do! What brings you here? I didn't particularly take you for the type to chill in a carnival."
Shadows stands in silence, staring at Sonic with furrowed brows, his irritation growing by just looking at him. Sonic doesn't break eye contact, his eyebrows rising a bit in expectation.
Shadow heaves a heavy sigh, turning back around to stand where he once was. "G.U.N sent me here to investigate some suspicious activity."
Sonic tilts his head. "Suspicious activity? What's going on? I've been here all day and haven't seen anything out of place..."
"That's classified," Shadow asserts as he leans against the wall, glaring out into the carnivals animated field. He turns his head to glance at Sonic, his expression appearing unimpressed. "And I'm not surprised you haven't. It seems you've been... enjoying your time here. For whatever reason," Shadow continues, his voice bearing a tone of judgement as his eyes fall to Sonic's cotton candy before immediately shifting away.
Sonic stands with a loss for words, not entirely realizing what Shadow meant as he took another bite of cotton candy.
"Classified? You're kidding." Sonic's feet move him toward Shadow. "You do realize who you're talking too, right? Blue speedy hero? The guy who's bailed you and G.U.N out of trouble countless times? I'm practically a freelance agent!" Sonic raises his hands, circling them around one another as if he were trying to physically cognate where Shadow was getting at.
Shadow gives Sonic a sidelong glance when he fully stops beside him. " I can deal with it alone. Just because you've helped, doesn't make it any of your business. And it certainly doesn't mean-" the dark hedgehog pauses when his communicator buzzes with a beep on his wrist. Shadow tosses a quick glare to Sonic, to which Sonic motions a zipper over his mouth with a smug look in return.
Shadow rolls his eyes, tapping the communicator. "This is Agent Shadow," Shadow answers adeptly, his posture straightening a bit as if the commander's eyes were literally on him. Sonic twists his ears forward, attempting to gather info so he could understand the situation.
"Call the mission off. We've dealt with it," A scratchy voice due to the low quality of the communicator erupts from Shadow's wrist.
Shadow's expression darkens. "Pardon?" His voice comes out more peeved than intended.
"Turns out... the suspicious activity we thought we saw there was at a separate carnival that just so happens to be bustling with visitors." The communicator continues, and Shadow is now running a hand down his face. "A rat was stealing money from some booths, so it was less significant than we thought. Commander says you can take a day off. An apology for making you go out for nothing." The communicator beeps and silence consumes both hedgehogs, despite the noise around them. Shadow stands there, his gaze ceasing any light before he slowly turns his head around at the sound of a snicker.
"Yeesh, that sounded like some serious business, little guy." Sonic sighs, crossing his arms as he smirks at Shadow. "Seems pretty sloppy for G.U.N, wouldn't you say? Messin' up that bad."
"Shut up," Shadow huffs through gritted teeth, dropping his wrist with the communicator once he turns it off. "What a waste of damn time," he groans, stuffing his hands into his quills before pulling out his green chaos emerald. Sonic's brows furrow when the emerald's glimmer catches in his eyes.
"Woah- wait!" Sonic grabs Shadow's wrist before he's able to shout his little shout. Shadow stiffens and yanks his hand away without a second thought, and he stares at Sonic. "Why don't you hang out with me? I'm not with anyone, and I think it'd be interesting."
Shadow looks Sonic up and down, his glare feeling as if it were cutting Sonic. Sonic stares back, his eyes darting to the left in confusion as he waits for a response.
"Hell no," Shadow harshly rejects, sounding almost disgusted. Shadow raises the emerald up once again.
"Oh, c'mon, you don't think it'll be at least a little fun?" Sonic smiles, his arms raised up to exaggerate his disappointment.
Shadow looks him up and down, his expression unreadable. "You offering to hang out is bold. I think I'll be miserable."
Sonic's brows suddenly furrow, and his body subtly tenses up, which doesn't go unnoticed by Shadow who quickly matches Sonic. Shadow's glare towards Sonic hardens in confusion, wondering why he looks as if he was about to pounce. Their constant battles, whether that be against each other or next to each other, made them well acquainted in their body language. The black and blue hedgehog can easily decrypt every attack, every block, hell, even every remark to an extent that they may or may not do. (Which, of course, the deeper meaning of that goes unnoticed by both of them.)
Shadow squints his eyes in anticipation. He clenches the hand that holds the emerald-- except... there was no emerald? His breath catches before he's able to react, his crimson eyes snapping to the thief, who now stands just outside the alley with the emerald spinning in his hand. That damn trademark smirk of victory haunting Shadow once again.
Sonic shakes the emerald mockingly in front of his own face before stuffing it into his own quills. "I'll give it back if you wander around with me. Maybe play a couple games... if you'll have me," he needled with a shrug, his smirk never faltering as he watched Shadow internally suppress himself.
Shadow stays in the alley, the sun not hitting him as he shifts his weight on to one foot. He crosses his arms and bares his teeth. "You're playing a dangerous game, Faker," Shadow threatens, his eyes becoming half lidded while he watches Sonic pat down his quills.
"Huh? What was that? Because it didn't sound like a 'no' to me, tough guy." Sonic puts a hand to his ear, his face scrunching in forced, false confusion.
Shadow raises a brow, his agitated gaze unwavering from the blue hedgehog. Sonic aligns his posture properly and puts his hands behind his back as be sways back and forth, shifting his weight from his tippy toes to his heels repeatedly. His smile brightens and loses its teasing quality as he increasingly grows excited for Shadow's response. It won't be the first time they'll hang out (if he accepts,) unless you don't count working together to save the world and town. But Sonic would be lying if he said he and Shadow haven't grown closer to one another throughout their adventures and rare moments of silence together.
Shadow's stance is perfectly still as he lets his eyes wander the area surrounding Sonic, his fists tightening. The idea of tackling Sonic right now didn't seem like such a bad idea, considering he just took his emerald. Does the blue pest even know how long it took to find it? He must have some sort of death wish, surely. The absolute audacity.
Then again... if he were really to chase Sonic down right now, they'll be charging through an ongoing carnival. Shadow's patience had run lower after G.U.N sent him out for, evidently, needless activity. And if he were to be honest, he agrees with Sonic. It was sloppy.
His fists tremble with restrained tension before loosening slightly. He rubs his temples with an exasperated sigh and leaves the darkness of the alley, the sun finally hitting his fur. Sonic nods in delight, a smug look now on his face as Shadow grew closer to him.
"I cannot believe I'm doing this..." Shadow mutters to himself, his head shaking in disbelief.
Sonic clasps his hands together. "Me neither, to be honest!" He takes another piece of his cotton candy.
"Don't get too excited. I'm simply allowing this solely for the emerald." Shadow points an accusatory finger to Sonic, his voice becoming defensive.
Sonic raises his hands in mock surrender, a chuckle escaping his mouth. "Sure. It's not like you could've easily yoinked it back when I took it earlier... totally not the case or whatever," he taunts with that smirk that he knew Shadow hated, seeing that it seemed to stir something up inside him.
"..." Shadow looks away from Sonic with his arms tightly crossed. "Not the case..." he grumbles.
"Where is it that you're going to be dragging me to?" Shadow asks with his back still facing Sonic as he looks around thoughtlessly.
Sonic hums in sudden thought, and he glances around at the many rides and carnival games he was yet to try. Rides seem a bit over the top to do with someone so... un-joyous. The experience would most likely be Sonic cheering and screaming at the top of his lungs, with Shadow sitting beside him with nothing but an aura that radiates "get me the hell out of here. The carnival games, on the other hand, was exactly what Sonic was searching and doing before the slight interruption of bumping into Shadow.
The confusion of that interruption still remains, though.
"I say we try out that ring toss over there. Surprisingly, I haven't done that yet-- and I kinda have my eye on that dark chao plush." Sonic strolls slightly behind Shadow, pointing past his head to the stand.
Shadow raises a brow at the plush, confused as to why anyone would need such a large piece of pointless fabric. Sure, it has an appealing look. But... what else? They do nothing but collect dust.
Shadow hums. "Only one, and then I'm leaving."
"To go and do what? Some brooding? Sounds absolutely thrilling."
Shadow's eyes are sharp when he tosses a glare towards Sonic, hoping for it to finally silence him. Though it only partially succeeds when he hears Sonic chuckle as he speeds past him.
___
Only one, Shadow firmly stated. Only one. Yet he stands on the 8th. Or 9th? Neither remember, they've lost count over the distractions of a good time.
Sonic, who had expressed his elation of playing these games with Shadow so vividly, barely bothered to care about his losses against him. Sure, he and Shadow participated in a bit of competition which definitely brought out their rivalry tendencies, but he was shocked at the amount of fun he was having, especially with a grump.
Shadow, on the other hand, refused to accept his enjoyment of partaking in these games with that infuriating blue hedgehog. He should've said no. After the ring toss game, and the failed attempts to win the plush, Shadow wasn't able to demand the emerald back because of Sonic wanting to go to the next game almost immediately. And Shadow hadn't stopped him. He easily could've pulled Sonic away and yanked out the emerald from those quills himself. He could've been elsewhere, relaxing peacefully, away from these pointless activities and wandering. But he stayed? Which even confused himself. His self induced task to suppress the uplift of his lips after a win against Sonic, a chuckle whenever Sonic lost miserably, and the genuine delight and want to continue was becoming difficult. Exceedingly so that it had begun to actually show more physically. Which was bad. This was bad.
While Shadow was having his inner turmoil, Sonic was no stranger to it. He catches on right away whenever he spots Shadow looking away from him to hide his face. Sonic can't help but feel a sense of victory with the thought of Shadow trying not to have a good time. Anybody observant enough would notice it. But somebody who isn't inordinately observant would fail to notice the glances that stayed on them longer than needed- or more so intended.
Whenever it was finally Sonic's turn to attempt whatever game they stopped at, due to his focus on it, he isn't able to regard the stares from Shadow. He assumes the feeling of being watched is (of course) Shadow simply viewing how he does at the game. Watching him in a way that he'd be able to critique after. But that wasn't the case. Shadow couldn't remove his gaze from Sonic for whatever reason. It was as if his eyes had a pesky magnetic pull to that blue fur of his. Shadow's eyes would snap away in angered embarrassment, barely giving him a moment to focus on the game before they dart back.
BAM!
Shadow's eyes widen and dash to the hoard of collapsing cups.
"Hoo, yeah! A strike!" Sonic raises his hands up in solid fists and hops triumphantly. "That stack was oddly sturdy," he chuckled, patting away imaginary dust from his hands.
The carny of the game double takes his fallen cups and the one who caused the tumble, his face showing a mix of disbelief and anger. Sonic, who didn't bother to care that he avoided a con trick, ganders at the many prizes that hang from the edge of the booth. Most were unsurprisingly stuffed toys targeted toward a younger audience, like that of whatever was trending in their generation.
Sonic glances at the carny, raising a brow in judgement when he sees the pout on their face. When he turns to Shadow, his smile reappears when he notices ebony glaring at said pout. "Should I take one?" He asks, gesturing to the colorful prizes. "Because it looks like Mr. Charlatan here doesn't want me to take any. But hey," --he smirks at the carny--"that's the breaks, right?"
The carny scrunches his face in displeasure and shifts away from Sonic. "Just pick a damn prize, hero! I ain't got all day."
Sonic arched a brow, his head tilting in a slow, knowing shake. His smirk slightly grew with a tinge of judgement, as if to savor how ridiculous the guy sounded. He turns his gaze to Shadow and points a discreet thumb to the carny, the slight eye roll of the blue hedgehogs eyes nearly let a chuckle escape Shadow's throat.
Shadow coughs to clear away the doomed laugh. "I don't care if you take one or not."
"Yeah, I know," Sonic chuckles, looking back at the prizes to finalize his pick.
Through the short time of Sonic's selection, Shadow glances around the booth they stand in front of, taking in the scenery of exuberant mobians and humans. He pauses when he spots a small fawn, hand in hand with her mother, staring at one of the prizes that hang idly at the game Sonic just won. Her pupils were large with a bright yearning, the Carnival's colorful lights shifting in hues within them. As the sun slowly began to dip bellow to horizon, the glow in her eyes became more evident.
Shadow watches her for a quick moment then looks at the toy her eyes were practically burning through. He firmly presses his lips together, his eyes rolling in compelled indifference. Sonic didn't look like he was going to pick any time soon, so...
With a silent sigh, he uncrosses his arms and pulls on the toy, the string that held it up snapping at the sudden stress. Without a word, he impassively strides toward the little girl and extends the toy in front of her face, his eyes closed with his head turned away as if this act were compulsory.
The fawns eyes grow in shock, a quiet, excited gasp escapes her lips. The surprise that coursed through her was visible as her eyes swing from the toy she so desperately wanted, to the stranger offering it to her. The mother deer does a quiet head nod, her brows rising as if encouraging her daughter to accept it quickly.
The young girl beams at her mother then turns to Shadow, hesitantly reaching for the stuffed toy. Her small hands wrap around it gently, and she holds it close before she looks up to send Shadow a toothy grin. Shadow quickly waves it off, not making eye contact with the pair, and he heads back to the booth where Sonic still stands, now leaning against the ledge with a soft knowing smile.
Shadow stands a foot closer to Sonic from before, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "What?" Shadow asks harshly, his typical scowl still intact.
Sonic stares at him for a moment before smirking a bit. "What if I really wanted that, Shadow?" He questions teasingly.
Shadow rolls his eyes, the corner of his lips twitching.
"Ah, well... It's nice to see you doing something decent, I guess." Sonic shrugs, his brows upturned in mock indifference toward the exchange of his prize.
"Shut up. I am always decent." Shadow scoffs. "What booth do you have your eye on now?" Shadow asks, subtly gesturing to separate game booths with his head, ignoring, or completely unheeding the fact that he was practically asking Sonic to keep on dragging him around.
Sonic keeps his eyes on Shadow for a fleeting moment, his eyes softening when he watches Shadow's irises search. He then looks off to find their next activity. There were plenty more games for them to try, plenty. But something else caught itself in Sonic's emerald eyes.
Very high up, a round and vibrant ride with prismatic lighting towered over the carnival from afar. Small carriages that daintily swing back and forth hang in various places, sprouting with laughter and conversation from its few passengers. Sonic raises a brow in contemplation as he views them, imagining himself and Shadow inside one in a calm silence. The sky is beginning to cast soft hues of orange and purple onto the carnival too...
"How about we do something different?" Sonic proposes with his back turned to Shadow, a smile growing larger on his face.
Shadow hums. "'Different' how?" He asks, a scowl detectable in his tone.
"'Different' like we go on a ride." Sonic responds, turning back to face Shadow. "That big ferris wheel riiight over there seems like a good first!" He gestures toward the spinning ride with an expression that shows a bit of eagerness. If it weren't for that, Shadow would've thought he was joking. Why would Sonic, of all people, choose a ferris wheel? The slowest possible ride? Seems a bit odd.
Shadow stares at Sonic with a brow raised and half lidded eyes, his manner unreadable with tightly crossed arms. His gaze shifts between Sonic and the ferris wheel a couple times before he heaves a sigh.
"I think I've over-stayed my welcome..."
Sonic's eyes widen with a nervous chuckle. "What? No way! Haven't you ever been on one?"
"No. Though I've observed enough to know that it's excruciatingly slow. Especially for you."
Sonic smiles in confused amusement. "Thanks... for noticing? Though I didn't think its 'slowness' would be something you'd mind."
"It isn't." Shadow's brows lower in resentment, and he glares at Sonic once again, this time looking at his quills that continue to hold his emerald.
I should take it. Now.
Shadow opens his mouth to counter the invitation, but is cut off when Sonic grabs his left wrist, forcing him to uncross his arms and fumble over his feet when Sonic begins to run. Shadow activates his skates to join out of habit, and he isn't able to respond timely to the sudden yank. Sonic, with an inescapable grin, holds on to Shadow as he leads him carefully, yet swiftly, through the large hoard of individuals. He resists the urge to glance back at Shadow's reaction when they stop in a long line, yet short enough that they'll be the next group on board.
Shadow looks up at the incredibly large machinery above them, spinning as lights twist on the bulbs in fun patterns and small images. He watches the carriages that hold two to three people, each group within them watching the scenery as they laughed and mingled with one another. Each person obviously has a unique bond with each other, one they built through time. Hard to say he and Sonic would be the same up there. They weren't exactly friends, yet here they were.
"Not scared of heights, are ya' Mr. Ultimate Lifeform?" Sonic raises a brow as he looks at Shadow, his voice holding a stain of cockiness, as per usual...
Shadow moves his focus to Sonic for a brief moment before looking down at their hands. His brows tighten subtly at the discovery that Sonic's hands remained wrapped around his wrist. He doesn't move, unsure if he should interrogate Sonic about it or not. Even his chest feels like it was sinking in on itself, taking away the air that allows Shadow to breath normally. Must be the irritation of it all creeping up on him.
Sonic pauses and notices the subtle widening of Shadow's eyes and follows their direction, his expression not failing to match Shadow's immediately when he spots the cause.
Sonic quickly lets go, his same hand reaching behind his ear to scratch a non-existent itch. "Oh! Uh- sorry. I guess the holding thing became a habit because of Amy." He lets out a nervous chuckle, turning around to mask his embarrassment that his voice has miserably revealed. The excuse was indisposed, and he internally facepalms at his own words.
Shadow only hums in an awkward response, rubbing his wrists to relieve the sensation that lingered. His ears twitch at the mention of the pink hero, noting how Sonic's prolonged grasp was seemingly a pure mistake, nothing else. He looks away, his lips pressing firmly together in-- disappointment? That can't be right.
"Is it just you two?"
A voice brings the two back from their drawn out silence, and they suddenly find themselves at the front of the line to enter a red carriage of the ferris wheel.
Sonic gives an unsure nod for a split moment. "Uh- yes! Yeah, just us, sorry." He stammers, shaking his head before planting his usual confident grin back on, a small laugh directed toward himself escaping his lips.
Shadow raises a brow and gives Sonic a sidelong glance, puzzled by the unusual fumble of words that have just left his mouth.
"Great! Just step in here, put on the restraints, and you'll be off in a bit." The rides operator guides them onto the carriage, opening the door to it as he instructed them. Sonic smiles in thanks as he passes by the operator, and Shadow pays no mind to him, only sparing him an accidental glare.
The worker shuts the door once they've fully entered, watching them as they slowly sit down beside one another, very cautiously so as the carriage lightly sways after every move they make. They fasten the seat-belts around their waists, stealing a silent glance at one another to check if both were ready.
Sonic smiles at Shadow then gives the operator a thumbs up. He leans back against the seat, preparing himself for what he expects to be a nice view, an excited yet calm grin plastering itself on his face.
Shadow sits idly beside him, his arms crossed as he gazes at nothing in particular in front of him.
"I half expected you to take the emerald and run off by now." Sonic chuckled, his arms draping over the edge of the seat.
Shadow stays quiet, trying to suppress the thought that that exact action seems to be overseas in the ocean of his mind by now.
"You excited?" Sonic nudges Shadow's shoulder, his voice low and amicable as he watches Shadow shift slightly in his seat.
Shadow shrugs indifferently. "Not particularly," he breathes through his nose, watching the operator flick a few switches and press the largest button on the panel.
Sonic hums contentedly with a smile, not surprised by the answer from the ebony one. He keeps his gaze on him as they jerk back a bit from the ride beginning its movement.
"Well, personally, I am totally amped. It's been awhile since I've been on one of these." Sonic finally looks away, watching as they slowly raise up. "Last time I was by myself too, so- that makes this time even more exciting, I guess."
Shadow's frown becomes more imminent at that, his eyes watching the crowd bellow play games and wander. Few alone, enjoying a breezy and sunny day to themselves. Some hand in hand, whether platonically or romantically. Most with people they cared about. People they most likely invited beforehand to come and hangout.
"Wouldn't you have wanted to ride this with someone you know, then?" Shadow suddenly questions, his tone sharp yet a tad inhibited.
Sonic turns his head back around, tilting his head with a look of confused intrigue. "Know?" He says with a small laugh. "Unless you're some 'faker' that's duping me right now, I'd like to say I know you, dude."
Shadow shakes his head. "That's not what I mean. I mean someone you really know. Like the fox kid. Or Rose. Not your rival." Shadow looks at Sonic, "I'm sure you'd prefer to spend this moment with someone you like, surely. As you said, it's your first time riding with some camaraderie. It's what makes sense." Shadow vacillated, his gaze unwavering from the emerald eyes that stared back at him.
Their eyes remain still as the carriage raises them higher, the dipping sun casting orange hues and dark shadows within their carrier. Sonic's brows furrow in thought and surprise. His brain replays Shadows words that hint at Sonic having any aversion to him, despite the respect they share mutually. His eyes wander a bit on Shadow, due to the sun now being directly on them, the sun highlighted the edges of his quills and facial structure just perfectly to Sonic. It accentuated the doubt on his face more than Sonic believed he was meant to see.
He's not sure if he should admit it out loud, but he believes he and Shadow know each other better than they like to think. Maybe even more than themselves. Sure, he hangs out with his colorful bunch of friends considerably more than he does with Shadow, but he's still spent a great amount of his time with his rival-- fighting and all. And he truly enjoys every bit of it. He might even consider them his greatest highlights.
Sonic's eyes switch between both of Shadow's irises, his brows scrunching lower in disagreement. "I don't think it makes sense, Shad." He pauses, searching Shadow's face for nothing in specific. "Because I'm pretty sure I do like you."
The words oddly sift themselves into Shadow's ears like a gentle song, the wind swiftly slipping past the carrier and whistling in their ears, shifting and separating their quills ever so slightly. Shadow's breath hitches unexpectedly and his eyes twitch into blinks at the admission, his chest fur fluffing a bit with his surprise. He parts his lips, a response intending to scoff and brush it off to change the topic, but he turns away when he feels a heatwave course through his body, soon ending on the tips of his muzzle and ears. His crossed arms tighten at the strange and unfamiliar feeling, and due to it, he's able to feel the thud of his heart against his chest increase in speed, the sound echoing in his ears.
~Bu-dum, bu-dum, bu-dum~
Too fast.
Sonic tilts his head to catch a view of Shadows face, a sheepish smile forming when Shadow turns away more, his finger tapping repeatedly on his arm now. He sighs, the smile fading once he looks away again, watching the orange sun rays travel through the crevices of the clouds. He lets his thoughts absentmindedly wander, most of which focusing on the unexpected reaction from Shadow. He isn't able to tell if it was negative or positive. The bleakness of it all forced Sonic to believe that he should've chosen his words differently, but something was off. This was Shadow. If he didn't like something, he'd say it, if he did like something, he'd refuse it. Yet he did neither, surprisingly.
What was it that Sonic said again? What could've made Shadow react so confusingly.
"Because I'm pretty sure I do like you."
Sonic's eyes cease its roaming across the landscape, his brows rising in sudden realization. The way he said those words might've been too tender than he initially intended. Too soppy. The emphasis he put on the word "do" seemed too purposeful to indicate something unintentional. Was purposeful.
He swings his arms in front of him, subtly fidgeting his fingers in a way that didn't reveal his risen tension. Sonic isn't one to dread or overthink things, typically, but that usual "carefree-ness" he confidently expressed was very slowly being overtaken with thoughts of needing to justify his words.
Sonic clears his throat, still looking at the carnival now way beneath them. "I mean, well- I don't think I would've asked to hang out if I- y'know. If I didn't tolerate you," he spilled, his tone sounding too forcefully casual. "Like, c'mon. You know you're cool, dude. Who wouldn't want to hang out with you?" He squints his eyes in regret after that, his muzzle slowly turning red.
Was that... weird...?
Shadow doesn't turn around, his hands loosening their grip on his arms. "Right," he mutters, his lips twitching at the compliment of his coolness.
A not entirely uncomfortable silence engulfs them as they slowly reach the peak of the ride. The sun laying gingerly on both of them head on, heating them and their muzzles up a tad more.
Shadow shifts his gaze to the sunset in front of them, watching as the sun finally kisses the water. The wind flutters past them again, giving them some sort of tune, yet this time, Shadow feels as if it were trying to push him toward the blue hedgehog on his right. The way it gently blew past his nose subconsciously made him glance at Sonic from the corner of his eye. His eyes soften when he sees the way the hero was scanning the crowd, his fingers tapping on his knees in an odd rhythm. He looks back at the sun kissed ocean.
Shadow clears his throat. "I suppose... you're someone I don't entirely mind spending this with." Shadow says quietly, sounding as if he were straining himself to even whisper it. He isn't one to typically recognize and verbally accept something such as this, yet this specific moment seems alright to admit such things.
Sonic looks away from the crowd, the sun glinting in his eye a little differently when he looks at Shadow, his heart skipping a beat.
Shadow. The Ultimate Life-form. Admitting to enjoy the one and only-Sonic's company? Is the universe malfunctioning?
Sonic's past nerves almost entirely melt away, and he fully turns his body with widened eyes. "Shadow? You're not warming up to me, are you?" Sonic queried, that teasing tone of his coming back.
Shadow, noticing the shift in the tightness of the air, gives in. He allows a scoff from his nose that could resemble a laugh escape. "And if I am?" He divulges, keeping his eyes on the horizon.
Sonic abruptly leans over his seat lightly to meet Shadow's eyes, his head tilting as his lips form an unsure smile.
Shadow's eyes glance at Sonic to watch his reaction, a smirk slowly forming when they make eye contact. He shakes his head, removing his smirk with it, and returns his gaze to the water. "Don't gamble with it, hedgehog."
An amused yet hum-like laugh erupts from Sonic's throat, a fond smile appearing on his face. He leans back in his seat, keeping his eyes glued to Shadow. He rests his elbow on the backrest, planting his chin on the hand connected to it. Emerald eyes begin to mindlessly wander over the ebony hedgehog, watching the quills that moved with the wind.
Noticing the way said eyes stay attached to him, Shadow turns his head, eyes half lidded with parted lips to question it, but his voice fails him when he takes in the way Sonic's gaze doesn't falter. Sonic's expression softens as Shadow looks at him, his smile making Shadow's chest tighten unwillingly.
The tension from before is completely absent, but it was now replaced with a different, more undecided one. One that neither hedgehogs could decipher, or more so admit within themselves. The way they are so easily able to maintain this eye contact, made that feeling rise further to their head, but removing the eye contact seems like an unnecessary move at this point.
When did this happen? When was it a possibility for them to stare at one another without those teasing remarks and sudden lunges to commence a fight? When was it a possibility for both to feel at ease and this lingering feeling of warmth without the tinge of hate and belligerence overtaking it? This sudden flutter in their stomachs was new, and questionable. Why was it there?
Suddenly, they jolt forward when the ride creaks to a quick stop, breaking their moment of shared silence. They grip the edges of their seat, composing themselves as the carriage subtly swings back and forth. They glance over the edge of the railing to spot an issue, the voices of surrounding passengers questioning the commotion among themselves.
The two hedgehogs tense a bit with the thought of danger being the possible cause. Sonic begins to unbuckle as he looks around. "What just happ--"
The speakers around the ferris wheel screech with static before the rides operator chimes in. "Don't worry folks! The ride's just having a slight malfunction that'll be fixed in about three or so minutes! The control panel was just recently adjusted and the possibility of this happening was there, but everything is fine. Just sit tight until we're able to bring you back down again." As he announces the issue, Sonic and Shadow look at one another. Sonic looks more relieved than Shadow does, which is evident when his brows furrow lower at the announcement.
Shadow looks over the edge to the carnivals operators now fixing the panel. "They allowed passengers when they knew it could malfunction?" Shadow growls, turning back to Sonic. "How careless could they possibly be?"
Sonic shakes his head with a laugh. "Guess they were too eager to get it runnin' again."
Shadow rolls his eyes as he leans back once more, his hand now kneading the bridge of his nose. "Careless," he huffs.
Sonic's earlier tension leaves his body, and he watches Shadow as he mutters and insults the carnivals imprudent decisions, making Sonic smile at how subtly he expresses his protection of people. Even if Shadow himself didn't realize it.
Sonic looks at his hands, then back down the, still lively but slowly quieting crowd, carnival below. He sighs and stretches his arms behind his back. "Well, that was nice while it lasted." He chuckles, catching Shadows attention. "But, to be honest, I don't really feel like waiting. Mind takin' us back down?"
Sonic's body relaxes after his stretch, a hand extended in front of him that now holds Shadow's stolen green emerald. The sun's light, that barely draws out from below the horizon, catches in the emerald, making it glow in Shadow's eyes that switched between it and Sonic's personal emerald eyes.
Sonic moves the emerald as if to encourage Shadow to grab it. "I guess you were right about this ride being 'excruciatingly' slow for me." Sonic shrugs with a smirk.
Shadow fails to hide a smile that formed at the words, he shakes his head as he takes the emerald from the gloved hand. He unbuckles, the emerald tightly locked in between his fingers as he thinks and looks out to see where to take them.
He stands up, raising the emerald up toward the ceiling of the carriage. He looks down at Sonic, and slowly reaches his free hand toward him, his palm upturned and gaze sharp as he anticipates the grab.
Sonic knew this would happen. How else would he teleport them away? But somehow, his heart manages to thud faster against his rib cage as he hesitantly reaches for his hand, a soft heat spreading across his face when Shadow's thumb laid down on his hand. His grip was gentle yet firm, and Sonic's mind became hyper focused on it against his will. He watches Shadow raise the emerald and shout before a flash of white light submerges them to take them elsewhere. Sonic tightens his grip, not accustomed to the feeling that chaos control gave.
They appear on the ground, the ferris wheel they stood on before now at least two basketball courts away from them. Sonic removes his grip from Shadow's hand, grabbing his head as he stumbles over his feet a bit. Shadow watches him, his hand reaching forward to help settle down, but he quickly retracts it before Sonic is able to notice.
Sonic shakes his head and straightens himself, a sheepish grin appearing when he looks at Shadow. He looks at the sky, noticing how the setting colors of orange and purple have shifted to a deep blue, the big dipper slowly becoming more visible each minute.
Sonic sighs, rubbing his neck. "Ah, damn..."
Shadow brows furrow, curiosity showing itself when he tilts his head.
Sonic turns on his heel, his lips pressed down to a line. "Suppose it's getting pretty late, huh," he says, pointing a thumb to the crescent peaking behind a cloud. "I should probably get goin'... Promised Tails I'd help upgrade The Tornado right about now."
Shadow gazes to the sky while stuffing the emerald into his quills. "Right," he mutters with a silent agreement, his tone grasping a tinge of disappointment.
"He was kinda the reason I was here, actually." Sonic begins to kick at the dirt, gesturing with his hands as he rambles. "I don't really know why he wanted to do this upgrade stuff so late. We could just do it tomorrow, honestly. Prolly busy with some other techy stuff of his or something. The kid practically kicked me out sayin' he needed to--"
"Sonic, I don't care." Shadow cuts in, his tone sharp as he crosses him arms.
Sonic looks up from the dirt, making eye contact with Shadow's apathetic expression. He laughs at himself. "I'm sure you don't," he concedes, bending down to adjust the buckles of his shoes, nothing how the looseness could cause a fall during his soon to be run.
"Eh..." Sonic paused, his hands patting his shoes one last time. "...Thanks for hangin' out with me. I'm still a bit flabbergasted, but yeah."
Shadow frowns in confusion at the use of the word 'flabbergasted', but he lets it pass. "As am I," he replies.
"I had a lot of fun though! We should do it again sometime! Maybe just a race though." Sonic begins to walk backward as he lists off more activities. "Oh! A Chao race would be cool!"
Shadow shakes his head, shooing him with his hand. "Get to your brother."
The blue hedgehog laughs again as he turns around, looking for which direction he needs to run toward. He kneels over, digging his feet and knuckles into the dirt, readying himself.
He glances past his shoulder, giving Shadow one last look. "Don't be a stranger," he winks with a smile before turning back around and disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a streak of blue and cloudy puffs of dirt. People surrounding the area gasp and whip their heads around at the whoosh of wind, the sudden dust overcasting them.
Shadow stays still for a moment, watching the hedgehog speed through trees and hills in the distance. He heaves a sigh before walking off in the opposite direction, the carnivals colorful lights and voices spiraling around him in the night as he does. Considering the options of where he can reside for the night, Rouge's place seems to be defeating the rest by a long slide. It's the only place where he has a bed reserved for himself. He doesn't necessarily have a home and doesn't need to sleep like most did, so buying one wasn't something he thought about. Yet, his lack of sleep the past week was catching up, and a regeneration was beginning to look vital.
Shadow wanders about, searching for an area hidden enough to use his abilities to get to bed. But as he does, his eyes spot the plush that Sonic had initially wanted to win. The dark chao plush. It was the only one that hung from the top of the game stand before, and the only one that hung now.
"I say we try out that ring toss over there. Surprisingly, I haven't done that yet-- and I kinda have my eye on that dark chao plush."
He remembers Sonic trying repeatedly to win the ring toss game, failing so much to the point he begged Shadow for help, to which he denied. The way Sonic groaned at his loss, complaining and saying something about how "ring toss shouldn't be so damn hard." He stayed salty for the next two games, mumbling about his loss whenever he won the next games.
Shadow, rolls his eyes at the thought, unable to hide the hint of a smile appearing on his face.
'I'm going to win it,' He suddenly declares to himself. Shadow was going to win that plush, no matter how long it takes. Not because he wants it, but only because he wants to prove to the blue rat that the game simply isn't that hard, he just lacks the skill. And of course, he'll give the plush to him after he wins it, because there is no reason for him to keep such an item.
But it was only to prove he was better. That's all.
That's the only reason.