Work Text:
Shadow has always had a problem with people invading Sonic’s personal space, even before the two of them got together.
Being the Hero of Mobius had a lot of perks. But also a lot of fangirls (and guys) who tried to get close to Sonic when he was in town, pressing up against him at parties or Rouge’s club, clinging to his arm, etc.
Which is actually what got Sonic and Shadow together in the first place.
And that may or may not have amped up Shadow’s protectiveness to the point where he would glare at anyone who stared at the blue blur for too long.
Though Sonic had to admit that the days of fans trailing after him seemed to be over since the couple went public. Besides the occasional glances, most people had good enough sense not to mess with Sonic now that Shadow was in the picture.
It was comforting for Sonic that he never had to worry when his boyfriend was around.
Like tonight. They were at Rouge’s Club, talking to Knuckles and Rouge, having fun. Shadow’s arm was in its usual spot; around Sonic’s waist.
Sonic noticed that Amy was there, though she was definitely keeping her distance. She’d taken a break from the team, and their friendship, shortly after her and Shadow’s yelling match. That had been nearly six months ago.
Rouge insisted she was nearly ready to talk, maybe even apologize for her past behavior. Apparently, the pink hedgehog had been doing a lot of reflecting.
Other than her pushiness and tendency to cling, she had been a great teammate and friend, which is what Sonic hoped they could be again. Eventually.
He turned his attention away from her, absentmindedly listening to Knuckles and Shadow talk about setting traps on Angel Island, as Robotnik had been attempting to steal the Master Emerald once more.
“How much you wanna bet that they’ll refuse to dance with us again,” Rouge whispered, earning a laugh from Sonic. Knuckles was a klutz, and while Shadow was good at it, he hated dancing in public where other people could watch him. Every time Rouge and Sonic tried to coax their partners into dancing, they were always met with a resounding “no”.
“We should just dance with each other and make them watch,” Sonic whispered back, chuckling as he felt Shadow’s hand tighten on his hip. “Relax, I’m kidding, Shads.”
“I don’t think it’s what you said, Blue. Look over there,” Rouge nodded to their right, and Sonic glanced over to see a maroon-furred cat staring at him with big, yellow eyes and a sly smile on his face. The cat began walking towards them, and Sonic looked at his boyfriend for his inevitable reaction.
Shadow glared at the guy, baring his fangs. The cat stopped in his tracks, eyes widening before turning around and walking in the opposite direction.
“You really need to stop scaring my customers away,” Rouge teased.
“Aw, come on. It’s adorable, just like him” Sonic leaned in with a smirk, Shadow leaning away with a huff.
“I am not, hedgehog.”
“Whatever you say, babe,” Sonic replied, placing his hand over Shadow’s and squeezing it gently. No matter how long they’ve been together, it still made Sonic flush every time Shadow squeezed back.
“I think it was necessary. Some people need to be put in their place,” Knuckles stated, earning a sigh from Rouge.
“You better not start pulling that stuff with me, Muscles,” Rouge warned the Echidna before turning to look at Sonic. “I wanna go check on the bar staff and grab a couple of drinks. You mind coming with me, Blue?”
“Sure,” Sonic reluctantly pulled away from Shadow, who smiled at him as Sonic and Rouge walked over to the bar.
Rouge asked the staff a few questions, checking that they had plenty of supplies, if they’d had their breaks yet, etc. Then she finally ordered a drink for her and Knuckles.
“You sure you don’t want anything?” Rouge asked as they began to make their way back to their partners.
“Yeah, no point if I can’t get drunk,” Sonic shrugged.
“You and Shadow are so lucky. I’d love to be able to drink without having to deal with a hangover the next morning,” Rouge shook her head. Then she glanced at Sonic with a mischievous grin. “Speaking of mornings, I’ll be spending the night, and morning, with Knuckles. So you and your grumpy Romeo will have the apartment to yourselves tonight.”
Sonic sputtered, trying hard to avoid eye contact as his face heated up. He shook his head rapidly.
“I’m not- I mean- we aren’t there yet,” Sonic mumbled.
“Aw, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Rouge replied as the duo got closer to where they’d left Knuckles and Shadow. “Hmm, I don’t see my warrior anywhere.”
Sonic looked around, trying to spot Knuckle’s red fur amongst the crowd.
“Blue, you may wanna look at this.”
The hero looked to where Rouge was pointing and saw Shadow…standing next to two guys, a silver-furred wolf, and a chestnut brown squirrel. Sonic clenched his fists, feeling anger bubble up in his chest.
Shadow looked bored as the wolf held a cup in front of him, though the hybrid shook his head when the guy tried to push the cup into his hands. The squirrel was talking, leaning in even as Shadow glared at him.
“Looks like you aren’t the only one with admirers here,” Rouge commented, clapping Sonic on the back. “Good luck with that. I’m going to try and find my red sweetheart.”
The hedgehog waved her off as he walked towards Shadow and the two guys, resisting the urge to run.
When Shadow noticed him, the hybrid seemed to slump with relief, crimson eyes lighting up.
Not everyone was as happy to see Sonic, the guy offering a drink glared at the blue blur while the other one scoffed and rolled his eyes.
Sonic held out his hand, waiting as Shadow glanced at him curiously before he grabbed the offered hand. The hero pulled Shadow towards him, wrapping both his arms around the darker hedgehog.
Once his boyfriend was pressed against his chest, Sonic glared at the two guys, a growl rumbling in his chest.
“Calm down, we were just trying to make new friends,” The wolf drawled, earning a chuckle from the squirrel.
“Sorry fellas, he’s got plenty of friends who don’t invade his space or try to force him to drink,” Sonic flashed a smile, though it felt tight. Shadow was surprisingly quiet, choosing to simply observe the encounter.
“Seems like you’re the one in his space right now, hero,” The squirrel shot back.
“That’s called boyfriend privileges. And you don’t mind, do you baby?” Sonic leaned in close with a smug grin, lowering his voice so that only Shadow could hear. “Want you to play along, but stop me if it’s too much.”
Shadow cocked an eyebrow, then smirked in response and moved towards Sonic so that they were face-to-face.
“Not at all, handsome~”
Sonic glanced over to see the guys stalk off, looking furious. The hedgehog waited until he couldn’t see them before he let himself relax. He was taken off guard when Shadow gave him a quick peck.
He looked at him incredulously as Shadow pulled away, though he didn’t try to get out of Sonic’s grip.
“Now who’s adorable?”
“Chaos, is this how you feel? Because it sucks,” Sonic groaned. Shadow chuckled, nodding his head in agreement.
“Not so fun when it’s your boyfriend that’s getting hit on, is it?”
“...no,” Sonic muttered, leaning against Shadow with a sigh.
“Wanna go home?”
“Please.”
Shadow sent Rouge a text to let her know they were leaving, then made a face, his face turning bright red.
“She tell you that she’s spending the night at Knuckles?” Sonic asked, earning a quick nod from his partner. “Yeah, she told me that earlier too.”
“She’s a menace,” Shadow said as the couple walked out of the club.
Once they were cozy on the couch in Shadow’s apartment, Sonic felt that irritation from earlier resurfacing.
“It’s ridiculous. People stare, I get it, but everybody who’s anybody knows we’re together. Have been for ages, and they think they can just swoop in!” Sonic pouted, his face pressed into Shadow’s fluffy chest fur, the hybrid absently running his gloved hands through Sonic’s head quills. “And even when I got there, they still wanted to ‘make friends’.”
“Some people just don’t care.”
“Well, I do. You’re mine and I don’t share,” Sonic whined as Shadow withdrew his hands, only to be pushed onto his back, Shadow’s hands resting on either side of his head. He barely had time to react as Shadow kissed him intensely.
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Sonic eagerly leaned into the kiss. He ran his hands through Shadow’s back quills, the hybrid shivering.
Eventually, Shadow pulled away, panting as he stared down at the blue blur.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what was that about?” Sonic asked. Shadow’s face heated up, and he looked away.
“You’ve never acted this…possessive before, Sonic. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who gets jealous,” Shadow leaned back down, nuzzling into Sonic’s neck.
Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow, keeping him close.
“It’s the only downside to having such a good-looking boyfriend,” Sonic sighed, smirking as he saw Shadow’s ears pin down to his skull, his face red. “It’s the price I pay for getting to have you.”
“Shut up,” Shadow mumbled. Sonic laughed, shaking his head.
“Make me, Shooting Star.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah, well, you’re mine,” Sonic whispered into Shadow’s ear, loving the way Shadow’s tail started to wag.
“I’m yours,” Shadow whispered.
“What was that? Not sure I heard you,” Sonic knew he was pushing his luck when crimson eyes lifted to glare at him.
“Bluebell, enough.”
“You know you love it.”
“Clearly I’ve got bad taste,” Shadow grumbled.
“And yet you keep coming back for more,” Sonic giggled as Shadow started peppering kisses to his neck.
“That’s ‘cause you are mine,” Shadow pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
“And don’t you forget it,” Sonic teased, any irritation from the encounter at the club washing away as Shadow overwhelmed him with attention.
If this was the result, Sonic found he didn’t mind getting a little jealous.
Not that he’d ever admit that out loud.