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The birthday party was going great! Well, after that whole fiasco with the Time Eater. Sonic sighed happily, gazing around at all his friends, some new, some old, and he felt pride swell in his chest.
His eyes then gazed over at a certain red and black hedgehog leaning against a tree. Shadow was typically a difficult person for Sonic to read. However, he started to learn the miniscule differences between his expressions.
This expression was a new one. It wasn't angry, it wasn't neutral, it wasn't happy, it wasn't embarrassed... what is that expression? Only one way to find out.
Sonic excused himself from the conversation he was having with Tails and carefully walked to Shadow. You had to be careful with your words in case he noticed you were trying to figure him out, the edgy bastard.
"Hey Shadow! Surprised to see you here, thought parties weren't your thing!" Sonic smiled at him, gently wrapping an arm around him.
Shadow groaned, rolling his eyes, but he surprisingly didn't shove Sonic off. "You'd be correct, I don't. However, I made a deal, and I must uphold my side of the bargain."
Sonic pretended to pout, squeezing Shadow for a moment, "Yeah? You didn't come for me?"
Shadow snorted. "Yeah, right. I would definitely come for you, faker."
Sonic shrugged in response, "Worth a shot. Anyway, wanna race?"
"... What?" Shadow looked at Sonic like he grew two heads. "This is your party, and you want to leave?"
Sonic laughed, "Just for a sec! I have too much energy!" The lie slipped out surprisingly easily... or well, half-truth is probably better wording.
He was actually going to use the race to tire Shadow out, which in turn will cause Shadow to open up to him. It's something he figured out on accident after a particular rough day for Shadow, the anniversary of Maria's death.
Sonic had worn Shadow out, and as they lay there in the grass, exhausted, Shadow began to tell stories about Maria.
Sonic, for once, was able to just sit and quietly listen. Shadow's voice was surprisingly soothing while he spoke about Maria, so soft and gentle...
Sonic shook his head, snapping out of his memories to find Shadow sighing, "Fine, but don't expect me to go easy on you."
"I wouldn't expect anything else, Shads," Sonic beamed. They walked away from the tree, with Sonic announcing to the party, "Me and Shadow are going to have a birthday race!"
This was met with some confusion before giving way to excitement. Amy cheered, "You got this, Sonic! You have birthday luck on your side!"
Knuckles drew a line in the dirt, stating, "First one to cross this line wins. On your mark..." Sonic and Shadow got into position, "Get set..." Sonic smirked at Shadow, who gave a glare in turn. If it was anyone else, they'd feel intimidated, but Sonic knew better. This was simply how Shadow expressed his competitive side, "And GO!"
An orange and blue blur whipped past Knuckles, who was surprisingly still standing after they blasted past him.
Orange and blue streaks ran side by side, occasionally bumping into one another to try and throw the other off balance.
Almost halfway through, Sonic tackled Shadow to the ground, and the two hedgehogs started to wrestle in the grass. Punches and kicks were exchanged, and Sonic could feel some bruises start to form already.
Thankfully, however, the brawl soon came to an end, with a drained Shadow underneath Sonic, whose rough hold loosened once he realized Shadow wasn't fighting back.
Sonic then gently started to tend to Shadow's injuries and was pleasantly surprised when Shadow accepted the help. And by accepted, more of was too tired to say much then let it happen.
It was quiet between the two, the warm sun and gentle breeze soothing them. Sonic gently brushed his fingers through Shadow's quills, who, in turn, started to ease more.
"Soooo..." Sonic started, getting a small hum in return, "What WERE you doing when I was fighting the Time Eater?"
Shadow didn't respond, and for a moment, Sonic wondered if he ever would, but then, "Black Doom returned."
Sonic felt his stomach drop. Oh. That was never good. Guess he didn't consider that maybe, just maybe, the Time Eater didn't just bring things back from Sonic's past.
Which made him think, and before he could stop his big mouth, "Was Maria there?"
Shadow hesitated, tensing, and it looked like Sonic was going to get punched in the face, but he soon relaxed with a soft, "Yes."
Sonic sighed softly, "I... Just what happened?"
Sonic knew he was pushing his luck, he really did, but he just... he couldn't help it. He wanted- no, needed to know.
Shadow gritted his teeth, and he glared at Sonic. Sonic wasn't afraid, though. This expression wasn't one of rage. It was a new one, but he could guess what it meant.
Something really hurt Shadow.
Shadow sighed, his expression falling back to his neutral one as he explained what had happened with his temporary Doom powers, Maria and Gerald, and briefly spoke on Maria's final words before disappearing, and if Shadow’s voice cracked and some tears slipped past, Sonic didn't say anything, so it'd be crazy to say that did happen.
Sonic listened with reverence, never once stopping his gentle grooming of Shadow's quills, eventually finding his way to laying on Shadow’s chest fur, listening to Shadow’s heartbeat against his ear.
Sonic sat up once the story was done. "You're really strong, Shadow..." Sonic whispered, "Really strong." He had cupped his face, offering a gentle, genuine smile in return.
Shadow returned the gesture by leaning into his hand, sighing quietly.
The two sat in silence for a moment, neither saying a word. Sonic broke the quiet by asking, "Can I kiss you?"
Shadow jolted, staring wide-eyed at the blue hedgehog. "What?"
Sonic's green eyes widened as he realized what he said, "Oh, Chaos. I'm sorry."
"Sonic," Shadow mumbled, but Sonic didn't notice.
"I didn't mean to say that out loud, dude, I'm so sorry. You can totally say no, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable-"
"Sonic," Shadow had said a little louder, his hand reaching up to gently cover Sonic's that hadn't moved from his cheek.
"We can just pretend this never happened and go back to the party, I don't know what came over me-" Sonic had tried to move to get off Shadow.
"SONIC!" Shadow gently, but firmly held him in place.
Sonic blinked dumbly at Shadow, his face boiling hot. "Y-Yeah?"
"You may," Shadow said, his eyes looking away from Sonic's.
"H-huh!?" Sonic gaped at him, blinking rapidly, "Are you joking?"
"No, but hurry before I change my mind," Shadow huffed, his eyes closing.
Sonic swallowed thickly before slowly (as least as slowly as Sonic could go) leaned down.
It was a quick peck, nothing special, really, but it felt like everything to Sonic. It was... amazing.
As Sonic pulled back, Shadow chased his lips for a moment before laying back down.
Sonic couldn't help but tease, "Aww, do you want another?"
"Shut it. I hate you," Shadow grumbled.
"I'll take that as a yes!" Sonic said dreamily, kissing Shadow again.
When Sonic pulled away, Shadow looked at him and murmured, "Happy birthday, Sonic."