Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mobius was a... peculiar world. And even more so were its people. Or in other terms, It's Mobians.

Animals of the regular world turned into talking, anthropomorphic creatures who acted like humans. It was off-putting to see unnaturally vibrant coloured humanoid animals roaming around. What was even more amazingly odd was the fact that these said creatures possessed extraordinary abilities.

Originating from a particular and worldwide belief, it was said that chaos energy began and was made from the god, Chaos. Each one of them, no matter the species, held chaos energy.

This energy was what kept the earth alive. It kept everything in balance like the circle of life. This immersible power was in everything that is, and what is. From the fragile grass of nature, moist from the early dew of sunrise to the Mobians who created civilizations throughout the millennials. It flowed in them like blood. And without blood, there would be no way of life.

Chaos energy itself was a mystery. Aside from its origin, there was nothing else to make of it besides the importance it radiates from the prophecies. Chaos was a god who was wholeheartedly worshipped. Believed to be a kind and merciful celestial being. But, for how long?

Belief is such a tragic word. Branched out into two polar opposites, but is rooted into one meaning. Belief is where the truth is sought. It could be akin to something as simple as finding the culprit who stole a child's sweets, or it could be something intricate, like finding the existence of existence. Both serve the same meaning, like the two sides of a single coin. Yet what defies one from the other was the fact that one remained logical and stayed close to the truth, and the other relied heavily on the beliefs that could never be proven true. One could be answered and be given a meaning by the power of science. And the other could never be anything if not believed in. 

The beliefs of a kind and gentle god were merely based on a...well, A theory, if you will. But for how long will things be as simple as that? In some cases, The truth is hard to accept. It is the reason why denial was more welcomed than anything else. And knowing such thing, it was easy to say that most would prefer living a fool's life than to live the harsh truths of reality.

If there was really a god somewhere in the world, He doubts the impact it would bestow upon the mortals. Shadow wasn't a mortal. So under any circumstance, The existence of a god meant little to nothing to him. And if he were being completely honest, nothing means anything to him. Not since...

No. He doesn't want to think about that. 

Running a hand through obsidian quills, the first born lights of the sun began to peek over the horizon. The sun itself melted into liquid gold as it merged into one with the sea. A glimmer of warmth reflected off ruby red irises.

A soft sigh slipped through tan lips as Shadow took in the natural perfume of the earth. Inhaling the smell of the dirt with wet grass, accommodated by the breeze of the salty ocean with the woody accents of the trees that litter the world like strands of hair.

The hand combing through his quills was abruptly stopped. Shadow lightly tugged at the pesky knot, emitting a soft hiss as his quills were almost plucked out from the action. He let his grip slack off as he lowered his now free hand. The obsidian hedgehog pulled it away to examine the now tattered glove. Utterly ruined beyond repair.

A black ear twitched in irritation, and before anyone else could register what was happening, the loud crackling sound of jet engines were already far away. Leaving a trail of black smoke as the heat burned the once luscious grass.

———————————————————————————

Shadow came to an abrupt stop once the familiar roof of his own home reached his peripheral vision. Metallic shoes scraping against the dirt and pebbles. His own home was far away from other civilizations. Located in the middle of the woods. It was remote and tranquil, just how he prefers it.

Upon the doorstep, he extended his hand until it made contact with the cool metal handle. A soft click was made as he twisted the key trapped between his fingers. The ebony hedgehog wasted no time as he opened the door and slammed it shut when he made it inside. Making a beeline for the stairs that led to his bedroom, the soft thuds of his shoes against the tiles of his abode hammered like a mantra in his ears.

Repeating his previous flair, he slammed the wooden door until it was left hanging wide open in his wake. Shadow tore the torn glove away from his hand and threw it into a nearby waste bin. Clearly too damaged to be saved, even for the most skillful seamstress to ever exist. With that, His gaze roamed the room until it landed on the built in closet.

It took a while of fumbling before the ultimate lifeform finally had both his hands covered in those soft, white garments. Wiggling his fingers in until his fingers brushed against the tip of the glove's soft fabric fingers.

He didn't really understand the importance of it to begin with. They were more impractical than useful in many more ways than one. And were often a hindrance when it came to fingerprint passcodes and identifications.

But then again, what moron would use fingerprints for accessibility when the whole population wore gloves? The fucking nerve.

Nevertheless, there wasn't much he could do about it. If it was a mobian custom, then so be it. Ruby orbs glanced at the lone glove sitting inside the drawer, The other pair taken away for use. Leaving a somewhat barren space. 

Damn.

He needed to buy new pairs. Shadow could've sworn he had just bought a few dozen a couple of months ago. He was a bit disappointed though, how careless was he to have gone through so many pairs without even realizing it? The missions G.U.N assigned him were becoming more frequent than ever, often involving stealth and data gathering that sometimes left him covered in oil and gasoline if he wasn't careful. Maybe that was the main culprit for the sudden disappearance of his stock.

Shadow wasn't one who would doubt his own capability. He is, of course, The Ultimate Lifeform. A being who reigned supreme amongst other lifeform's in more ways than one. Self-degradation was ill-fitting and pointless in his eyes.

The ebony hedgehog prepared himself before leaving. He was planning to buy groceries today anyways, a small addition to his somewhat long list of needs wasn't that much of a bother.

———————————————————————————

"I apologize, sir." The same words repeated in his ears like a recording set on loop. "But I'm afraid we're quite out of gloves."

The old, male vendor anxiously rubbed his hands together. A small fleck of sweat sliding down the side of their heads as they felt the hardened, peering eyes of the G.U.N agent carrying a small eco-friendly basket.

Shadow knew there was no one to blame for this predicament. But that didn't stop the frown that contorted his face in a way that would make an ordinary child cry for their mother. The sun was in its realm, shining hot rays of light on everything the light itself could touch. Including his eyes.

He's been here since the dawn, going around in circles while trying to find something so simple yet couldn't be found.

"S-Sir, please, we really don't have any left." The street vendor pleaded. The slightly tremor in his voice evident in Shadow's hearing.

Blood-red irises snapped back onto the man. Causing a small jump in the other's frame. This was pointless. Clearly, what he needed could not be found anywhere here at where he currently is. It was so strange that the day where he actually needed them, they disappeared like they never existed in the first place.

"Sir—"

"Fine."

The ebony hedgehog gruffed out. Clicking his tongue in irritation as he turned on his heels and began strolling away. Leaving the poor frightened man at ease.

The local market was lively and crowded, several vendors of widespread varieties were littered across the solid flats, selling fresh organic vegetables and sweet nectar like fruits to make enough money to feed their families.

Shadow should have known that this whole agenda wouldn't be so easy, He's gone through every single stand in this area and yet he couldn't even catch a glimpse of white fabric. He was starting to think that maybe there was a shortage during this time around.

A sudden thought emerged from the crevices of his mind, returning like a tough weed in an overgrown garden. Shadow fought the urge to roll his eyes at the worthless though. He must have been too deep in his line of thought that he didn't notice the striking blue quills until it was too late.

"Shadow!"

Today was certainly not his day. Shadow could feel his annoyance spill from the edges as his rival drew closer. He could always ignore the other and pass it off as 'not noticing' him standing there but..

He already made the mistake of looking at the blue blur's direction.

"Funny running into you here." Wiping the underside of his nose with a finger, Sonic halted in front of him. An easy going smile plastered on a peach muzzle. One foot separating them from each another.

Shadow watched as emerald orbs flickered from his own ambers to the load he was carrying. The blue hedgehog sent him a casual grin. "Whatcha got there?"

The ebony hedgehog casted a side eyed glance towards the azure one. Eyelids turning into slits as an intruding hand drew too close to his basket.

"Hands off." He warned. Steering his occupied hand away from the others reach. Almost immediately, The blue blur's hand retracted. Opting to place it hanging in the air beside his head in mock surrender.

"Alright Alright, Relax dude." Sonic chuckled. A sound that grated against his ears like scraping metal. He sent a glare at the hero, who is unfazed by the nasty look directed at his way.

Both hedgehogs stood in a standstill at the middle of the street. A soft flow of passerbys coming and going like a wave around them. Shadows glare softened partially, but his eyebrows stayed scrunched together. Shaking his head in disapproval, Shadow sighed.

It was well known that he wasn't really the friendliest person to be around with, he is after all, introverted and composed. Shadow also made his distaste for Sonic's abysmal social etiquette evident. He despised the way there blue hedgehog couldn't keep his hands to himself. He was always so touchy with his friends, Shadow included.

His touches were never laced with any ill-intentions, and never bought any discomfort with it, in fact, it was quite the opposite. His hands were always light, touch firm but gentle. Guiding, reassuring, and friendly. Despite lacking the usual physical warmth, he never fell short of the emotional warmth it provided. Shadow didn't really mind it, he just wished the other didn't do it so much without any warning.

"Say, why don't I join you? I bet I can help with whatever it is your doing." The blue quilled boy cocked an eyebrow. Leaning his upper body closer to his, gloved hands planted firmly at the blue fur covered waist as he stood in a playful stance.

Shadow tore his eyes away from the other's body, instead looking at the other directly in the eye. Scoffing as he did so. "What makes you think I need your help?"

"Why else would you be frowning like a wet cat?" The hero sent him a teasing grin. 

"Plus, I think one terrorized vendor is enough." He tilted his head to the side, just enough to see through Shadow's shoulder. Shadow didn't need to turn around, he already knew the sorry sight he would witness.

He contemplated on the offer. While he may be a being of immense strength, Sonic was a local. Which meant he had more knowledge of the mobian customs. He could lend a hand, and it would be better than wandering around the place like a mad man.

This was in Sonic's field. He'd let the other take the lead. Just this once.

With a subtle nod of affirmation, The other hedgehog beamed. Soon, they started strolling the streets of Central Square. It was quieter than what he had expected. Which was certainly better than his first thought. 

"Soooo, what are we looking for?" Sonic chimed in a moment later. Catching Shadow's attention.

"Gloves." He replied. Shadow almost didn't notice how the overlapping sound of two pairs of walking feet ceased until he was two meters away from the person he was supposed to be following. He stopped in his tracks and turned. "...what?"

"Haha, well, i-its just, err.." The hero's voice had a slight tremble in it. Shadow noted. "You don't really buy something like that around here..."

Shadow went tense. "Then where else?"

"Dude, you get those tailored to fit your hands." To emphasize the point, The azure hedgehog extended both his arms. Spreading out his gloves fingers to show off the neat stitching and precise measurements.

"Gloves around here are low quality, sometimes reused too." The speedster pulled a disgusted face. "They aren't really that suited for combat too."

Shadow's interest perked up. "Why?"

"Well for starters, the fabric they use is made out of weak material, so it breaks easily during battles." Sonic raised a finger. Raising a second one as he added, "And—like I said, They're low quality, which makes them uncomfortable and itchy."

"And don't get me started on the size." A third was then added. While the hero of Mobius trailed off with his long explanation of different fabric textures, The Ultimate Lifeform found himself listening intently, eager to absorb the inside knowledge the other generously provided. During Sonic's explanation, Shadow's expression changed with every side comment and suggestions the blue blur added. The black hedgehog was at a loss in most, and was thankful when Sonic elaborated the significances.

To say in the very least, he was fascinated by the unraveled truths he had never come into terms with before. And the hedgehog who was running his mouth almost as fast as his speed fueled more of this desire for knowledge. Whether he liked it or not, the other's presence was endearing when he wasn't trying to rile him up. 

It almost seemed dare he say, nostalgic.

He could vividly remember the long talks and discussions he shared with Maria. The girl had such excellent ideas and opinions, She had a wide knowledge about the stars as well. Maria was the only Robotnik who had both intelligence and kindness. Which was considered as a bloom in the desert of the Robotnik bloodline. 

He was unaware that he had been staring at the shorter male until the other's gaze returned his. He failed to notice how the other stopped talking a while ago either.

"What's working up in that big head of yours?" The question snapped him back to reality in an instant. Flustered, He wrecked his brain for any sort of excuse.

"These.." Shadow took a steady breath. Gathering his thoughts. "These insights are a bit surprising, coming from you."

"Oh really now?" Sonic crossed his arms. Cocking an eye ridge as he stared dryly at the other.

Shadow huffed. A slight smirk curving the corner of his lips. "I fail to correlate the person who thought maroon and burgundy were the same colour with someone who can tell the difference between cashmere and cotton."

"Ugh, could you even blame me? They basically almost absolutely look identical!" The blue hedgehog defended. Making exaggerated movements with his hands that even Shadow's trained eyes couldn't follow. 

"No, they don't." Shadow stressed.

"Yes, they do!" Ever the stubborn person he was, Sonic insisted.

"No, they—" The agent paused mid sentence. He clicked his tongue as the realization of self awareness dawned on him. Childish. He was being childish. Wasting precious time he didn't have. "This argument is pointless!"

Shadow's hand shot out to grip the other's wrist. His thumb somehow hooking around the thick hem. Once he did so, he yanked the younger hedgehog to the front. "Hurry up and get this over with."

The hero staggered on his feet, yet still managed to regain his balance as soon as his other foot met solid ground. Shadow had somewhat expected the other to start yelling at him as soon as he composed himself. Yet Sonic did no such thing, idly standing still in the same spot with a dazed look. Shadow raised a brow.

"In a bit of a hurry, aren't we?" Sonic began slowly, His voice coming out in a whisper that increased in volume within each syllable that passed his lips. That occupied expression morphed into a lazy smirk before he had enough time to ponder over it. "And they thought I was the impatient one."

"If you don't shut up and do what you're meant to do, I won't hesitate on pummeling you to the ground." The ultimate lifeform threatened. Throwing aside that knowledge for the meantime. Focusing on what's happening now.

"Yeah, no, I don't think you will." The speedster objected. Smugly smirking at the lethal weapon of G.U.N like he had a death wish. "You need me."

Meanwhile, Shadow began losing his patience. He clenched his hands as the anger inside him began to slowly boil. The idea of miming the other was starting to sound appealing. Over the privilege of having decent clothing, He didn't think it was a major loss. "Don't test me, hedgehog."

Sonic frowned. Displeased with Shadow's answer. "Boo, you're no fun." He said, huffing dramatically before continuing. "And what's with the hand grabbing? That was rude you know." He pointed out. The ebony hedgehog noticed how the hero's fingers twitched subtly beside his own blue body.

"Don't be so sensitive." Shadow said, before a faint buzzing sound made its way into his line of hearing. His ears perked up as he tried to strain his hearing in an attempt to locate the source.

"Ha," The blue blur's eyes narrowed. Jaw tightened as he stared hard at the hybrid. 

Tick!

"Sensitive?" The other repeated. A slight tinge of offense in his tone. "Says the one who's insensitive." 

The agent paused at those words. He glanced back at the blue hedgehog. Face blank and plain. He noticed the tiny details that shifted within the span of their argument. This time, he tried acknowledging the other's body language.

"Hedgehog." Shadow called. Voice laced with slight unease as he picked up another faint tick from somewhere he couldn't exactly pinpoint.

"Don't 'Hedgehog' me mister," Sonic cut in. His frown deepening uncharacteristically. "I have a name ya'know."

Shadow paid no attention to his words. "Quiet down and listen to me—" Another eye roll and a harsh scoff interrupted his dialogue.

"You really need to work on your social skills Shads, one moment your cold and unreachable and the second you're really bossy. Talk about mood swings..." The blue buffoon reprimanded. Almost like a parent. Or a concerned friend. Neither really mattered. Not when the boiling rage within him was nearing the edges. Ready to spill like a scalding water.

 How dare that idiotic blue pest interrupt him. Shadow could feel the way his quills pricked up at the disrespect the other had displayed in front of him. Hard and sharp enough it could tear through anything like butter. Wood, metal, flesh.

Tick! Tick!

Shadow's eyes widened in realization. His nerves sparked with caution. Ruby orbs darted to the blue figure in search of any acknowledgment from the other. He was, however, met with a rambling hero. Completely ignorant of the approaching danger.

"Faker, shut up and—" Shadow tried again to warn the other, hoping that the slight change of his body language had at least registered something in the blue idiots brain, but the words never got past his lips. Leaving his attempts in vain.

"Nope, Nuh uh, no way." Sonic said, shushing him while pointing a gloved finger directly at his chest. The other loosely planted against blue hips. "As I was saying— before you interrupted me, Edge-lord. You need to socialize with others more, your communication skills are getting a bit rusty."

Shadow wanted to bite off the small appendage, yet refrained from doing so for apparent reasons. Instead he glared menacingly at it, as if it had insulted his entire bloodline. "My life has nothing to do with you, so stick your nose elsewhere." He snarled. Making steady eye contact until his vision swam with emerald green.

"I'm just trying to help you out dude!" Sonic explained. Spreading his arms out for a reason Shadow never understood. He never knew why the other had such exaggerated body language.

Throwing that thought aside, he let out a huff of air. "I didn't ask for your help, I don't need it either."

Another tick caused his ear to swivel at the direction it came from. His eyes snapped away from the vibrant green coloured eyes. Scanning ahead in search of anything out of the ordinary. He was only met with rows upon rows of cement and concrete buildings expanding from miles ahead. Where the fuck was that coming from?

A long pause of silence fell upon them. If Shadow wasn't so occupied with assessing the chances of an attack, he would have turned to look back at the azure hedgehog who had yet again gone quiet.

A very long, heavy sigh was heard. "Look, man," Sonic's voice is quieter now. Tired, even. "I just wanted to fix things and make it less tense between us." Followed by a shuffling sound of shoes scraping against rocks.

"There is nothing to fix," Shadow said. Search for the gun tucked between his quills.

"Yeah, and my fur is yellow." The speedster sassed. "Face it. whether you like it or not, there's something wrong up there."

White met blue as a finger made contact with Sonic's temple. Shadow stared. "Gotta check on my rival now and then, right?" The blur sent him a beaming smile. One that Shadow couldn't help but follow with his eyes. Tracing each line of perfectly aligned pearly whites, and each curve from where soft, baby pink gums met teeth.

For a brief moment, his eyes betrayed him as his gaze dipped lower to peachy pink lips. He always wondered how the other had such plump and moist lips. Shadow himself takes great care of his skin and quills with a twenty stepped skincare routine. Yet he never achieved that dewy finish. He was tempted to run his thumb through those lips to feel the velvety butter-like smoothness. 

Shadow reddened at the impulsive thought. Ruby red orbs snapped higher, far from the hero's mouth. He was glad that he had slightly darker fur on his muzzle, a darker peach compared to Sonic's, or else he would've been caught red-handed by his own rival.

Luckily, Sonic's attention seemed to be elsewhere. Not noticing Shadow's little slip up. Instead, he was too focused at the gun resting in his hand.

"You keep that up there?" Blue asked, tone in between questioning and stating. Before mumbling something in a much quieter voice. 

"And he calls me reckless..." Sonic whispered to himself in disbelief. Shadow still heard it regardless thanks to his superior hearing.

"There's something wrong with you too." Shadow bit back. Sonic paused before laughter began pouring out of his mouth. The hybrid was startled at the abruptness. 

"I know," The hedgehog chuckled. "But now's not the time for that. We're talking about you."

Shadow glared at the thought. Opening up was a no for him. He'd rather take his problems to his grave. "Your not my therapist." He said, a slight jab directly for Sonic.

Sonic pouted at the remark. "Noooo, but I am your friend."

A dark eyebrows raised at that. "On who's terms did you confirm that?"

"Don't need one, I know when someone's a friend or not." Sonic answered. Winking at him smugly.

 "Oh, do elaborate."

"We've known each other for what? 5 years? I don't know Shads." Blue shook his hand dismissively. "We've fought together on many occasions too, having each other's back through thick and thin, that sounds like a pretty good friendship to me."

"It doesn't matter how long we've known each other, fighting alongside you was a necessity for victory against enemies." Shadow bluntly corrected. Thoughtfully recalling each statement with a more professional answer. "If anything, everything we've done together is nothing but an alliance, there's no friendship in it."

"Of course there is!" Sonic gasped. Wide eyed. "What else would you call this?" Blue motioned the space dividing their bodies. Emphasizing them, and emphasizing them.

"This?" The ebony hedgehog raised an unamused brow. Turning his head in an angle that made his side profile visible to the other. "This is nothing more than another meaningless alliance."

Tick! Tick!

Sonic doesn't say anything. In fact, he doesn't do anything at all but stare at the ebony hedgehog with disbelief. It was eerie, and gave Shadow the impression of mania with that unnerving gaze.

"Is that really how you think of it?" The blue blur said, his tone heavy with an emotion he couldn't quite decipher.

Shadow grunted. Shaking his head in a slow deliberate way. "What else is there to think?" A pregnant silence fell upon the duo once more. The bustling noises from the streets fading out into the background. Aside from the ticking that was starting to wear Shadow's patience thin.

"...wow." Sonic chuckled dryly. Humorless and bitter. It made his chest feel dull. "And all this time, I thought that—" 

He let out a staggering breath. Shadow assumed it was to steady himself. In those eyes, where he once saw great fiery determination, was now dulled with disappointment. And maybe, a hint of betrayal as well. "After everything that happened, you still—"

"You thought wrong." Saying those words, he felt a tug of unidentified guilt. The weight on his chest increases with each passing moment. 

Shadow took a moment to gather his thoughts. Too many forming in his mind, too little being helpful at all. Only then did he acknowledge the way Sonic had his face buried into the palm of his hand. Shielding his face with his eyebrows pinched together, and his mouth formed into a tight line.

"You're a cold guy." Sonic stated. Voice muffled underneath the presence of his palm. Not as an insult, but as a statement that left no room for argument. He wasn't even looking at him anymore.

Gripping the gun tighter. He too, replied in the same manner. "When wasn't I."

Tick! Tick! Tick!

"You know what?" Sonic continued. "lets wrap this up already, I still have things to do."

Tick!Tick!Tick!Tick!Tick!Tick!Tick!

"Where the heck is that ticking sound coming from?"

The ticking increased in both frequency and volume. It was abuse to the ears, and yet Shadow was still grateful for it. With the continuous clicking, he finally pinpointed the location the noise originated. His suspicions were proven true when a shadow loomed over both of them.

Above their heads, came crashing down a fair sized egg-bot. The iconic mustache and red paint taunting them through the sunlight.

"What the—Woah!" Shadow dodged the blow with ease. Sidestepping just in time to avoid being crushed by a mechanical foot. Sonic did too, just not as well. Looking up, laying flat on his stomach, Sonic groaned. "Oh you've got to be kidding me."

Shadow wasted no time curling into a ball and breaking into a spin dash aiming at the robots head. Once he was up in the air, he dipped low, letting gravity do its job. The extra momentum boosted his attack. It would've ended the battle with just once hit, if it weren't for the metal arm that blocked his vision from the right.

The metallic limb sent him flying down onto rough concrete. He managed to anchor himself to a stop before he got too far away from the robot's radius. Groaning, Shadow stood up and dusted off loose concrete bits that clung onto his dark fur. He could hear the snort Sonic let out. And he could feel the teasing voice before the speedster could ever open his mouth. 

"Easy there Shads, your age might be catching up to you!" Shadow grit his teeth. He glanced over at the blue hedgehog who had already recovered from his previous fluke. He watched as Sonic repeated his attack, instead of aiming for the head, the speedster went for the torso.

A loud bang ricocheted through he streets. Followed by a wet splashing sound and a startled yelp from none other than the hero of Mobius himself. Shadow stood by, witnessing how Sonic was showered with dark grease and oil. The sight almost made him grin, almost. Yet the faint glee and satisfaction from the other's instant karma lingered.

Sonic coughed roughly. The pungent odor of grease attacking his nostrils. He jumped back immediately when heavy liquid made contact with his fur. "Seriously?!" The hero cried out. Full bodily shuddering in disgust. "This stuff stinks!"

Blue tried scrubbing off as much as he could with his bare hands, starting from his shoulder blades until his paws paused beside each side of his peachy muzzle, just on the same level of his jawline. Shadow caught sight of the flash of hesitation that clouded the other's visage. Seemly contemplating on his next move, both paws reached up behind his head. Fingers latched onto deathly sharp quills. The sticky sensation and damp heaviness confirmed his suspicions. Where rich blue spikes once rested were now ebony that ironically resembled Shadow's. Narrowed eyes turned wide at the revelation.

With that said, Sonic's gaze flew back to the threat. An all too familiar look plastered on his face. Shadow knew what that expression meant. "Stop." The stripped hedgehog commanded. Barely getting the word out before Sonic could dive headfirst into the situation. "Look."

Acid eyes followed along Shadow's finger. With baited breath, Sonic watched the undeniable pulses of electricity that sparked both inside and out of the robots panels. Realization dawned in his eyes. "Why is it doing that?" The blue hero questioned incredulously as the robot spasmed uncontrollably. Nearly mental, if it had any conscience. It destroyed everything in it's wake, arms flinging erratically while it's eyes blared flickering red.

"Whatever it is, it's completely out of control." Shadow remarked. Tucking away the mechanical weapon. "I doubt that the doctor is aware that one of his toys are gone."

"Well whatever's wrong with it it's really messing up my fur." Sonic's voice cut in. Crisp and refreshing to his ears. The heaviness and bitter aftertaste gone from existence. Shadow felt at ease. Well, as much as he could in their current predicament. Another iron appendage came crashing down on his temporary relief. Landing exactly where both hedgehogs stood.

Years of practice and experience did wonders to their advantages. It honed their skills to the point whereas a skilled martial artist could never reach the level of their reflexes, despite years of daily training. Let alone Sonic's agility as the other cascaded down from the air with effortless ease and gracefulness that rivaled a swans. "Heh, looks like someone's a bit cranky today eh?"

Sonic sped around it in laps. Cornering the machine into one circle. "What is this thing supposed to be anyways? No missiles, claws, bombs or lasers in sight. Some kind of material collecting type of robot maybe?" He had to hand it to the other, Shadow didn't expect him to figure out that piece of information at all. Still...

"Maybe you're not in vain after all, faker." Shadow couldn't help but tease. The faintest smirk shaping his lips. Followed by a sharp dodge to this left.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"I take back what I said." His smirk widened into something playful. Sonic's baffled expression only fueling the ambers of glee in his chest. Another echoing clatter resonated along the smoothened stone. A sound that emerged from Sonic—having turned into a sapphire sphere, a very sharp and spikey one, he might as well add—who took off in a blur and aimed for the very same arm that nearly crushed them into bits. Another loud rattle followed immediately right after the first. Another feeling bloomed in his chest, akin to his heart stopping, sprouted from god knows where as Sonic was hit dead on. Sending him flying like a ball during baseball.

A very loud and irritated ball.

"Careful," Shadow's voice drawled out, a slight melodic tone seeping through despite the staggering sensation he felt. "Your age might be catching up."

"I'm too young for that, Shads." The hero protested. Picking himself off from the ground. "You should get glasses though, I bet you can't see that arm heading your way right now."

Shadow whipped around in breakneck speed. Almost giving himself a whiplash. He was quick enough to dodge. The miniscule fur of his muzzle caressing the silver hand that cut through the air with untamed ferocity. Barely and inch of distance separating flesh and iron. He heard the swooshing sound over the loud hammering of his heart against his ribcage.

"You little piece of shit." He spat in disdain. Sonic's grin widened.

"Easy with the language pal, there could be kids nearby and—" Bright eyes widened. A mischievous glint sparking inside his eyes. Shadow didn't like the idea hidden behind that look. "Oh wait,"

"I'm sure there's no need for your harsh words, Shadow. One tiny hit won't kill you now, would it?" The speedster chided. Tone heavy with underlying rhetorical themes. He opened his mouth yet again, spouting more remarks that made the thoughts of violence appear more inviting. "I'm sure you can handle this big guy alone."

"What?" The G.U.N. agent barked out. Eyebrows lowering in sync with the corners of his mouth.

"This piece of scrap metal wouldn't stand a chance against you anyway, so there's really no need for me to be here. Let alone any alliances." Sonic's voice, despite the care free tone, held a sharp edge that made him still on the spot. "After all, I'm just a temporary asset."

It was clear what the other hedgehog was trying to do, Getting under Shadow's skin was a certain skill he had quite the talent for. Normally Shadow wouldn't be so easily triggered, and even if he was, he wouldn't even have a second thought in punching the absolute shit out of that blue rat. 

But now's not the time for that. There was a present threat. One that was causing destruction in it's wake. They had to finish it off before it could harm more civilians. "Can we not talk about that right now? Focus on the enemy, then we'll talk."

The blue hero was about to relent, but paused before closing his mouth. Sonic's stance shifted, shoulders loosening up a bit as he weighted his options. After a beat, he inclined his head just right to face Shadow again. "Okay fine, deal. As long as you don't punch me in the face if I say something that ticks you off."

"Hmph." Pleased. Shadow blipped away. Before reappearing behind the machines head. A sharp kick would surely do some damage. Landing on the ground, Shadow glanced back. Brows furrowing at the spotless metal panel. Not even a single dent insight.

The roaring sound of Sonic's spin dash came from somewhere to his left. Followed soon after and drowned out by Shadow's. Two loud bangs sounded in his ears. Unfurling from his protective stance, Shadow skidded to a stop beside the blue blur.

"Y'know, sometimes I wonder if the old rotten egg really is a genius." Sonic blurts out. "Why won't he use the same materials he used for leaky here to build the robots he programs to kill me? Not that it would actually work against me, but—" A startled cry ripped itself from the hero's throat when a rogue wire caught on his quills. Painfully tugging at the sharp needles on his head. Before he realized what he was doing, the deed was already done. Shadow was quick to cut it off with a small chaos spear before the other's sapphire spines got yanked off in one clean snap. 

"Pay attention!" Shadow bristled. Yanking Sonic's collar from behind as another flailing limb darted from below.

"That's it!" Sonic flared his quills. The soft downward curve going up into razor sharp pricks similar to Shadows. 

"You," His gaze snapped towards the tumbling robot. "you need to learn some manners." With that, Sonic took off in a dash. Leaving Shadow behind.

The ebony hedgehog blinked out of reality before reappearing on the robots shoulder. He observed how Sonic circled below the machine's feet, creating a small whirlwind of dust beneath before changing his direction and curling up into another spin dash. Metal met skin, and metal was sliced.

Sonic bounced back, before aiming yet again in another direction. Then again, and again, and again, and again until both legs were shredded by the enhanced sharpness of the speedsters quills. The main body creaked under the lose of support, and Shadow suddenly found his world tilting.

"Chaos spear!" Shadow shot the chaos energy on the spot he stood on a few seconds ago before landing back on solid ground. Despite having been crippled and amputated, one limb was still capable of wreaking massive havoc. Frowning, he struck again. 

"...Why won't he use the same materials he used for leaky here to build the robots he programs to kill me?..."

Fool. Shadow thought. Snarling down at the fallen appendage. Sonic's voice lingering in the back of his mind like a dull ache. 

Robotnik was too intelligent for his own good. He is without a doubt, smart enough to know this piece of information. After all, the crazy doctor himself built each and every one using the same structure and design. Yet for some strange reason, he has yet to take action. The mad scientist would take every possible opportunity in defeating the hero. By changing the materials he normally uses for his machines, it can lessen the amount of damage he receives after the battle. It also increases the potential percentage of success in capturing the blue hedgehog. Logically speaking, Shadow has several hypotheses. Resources are easy to obtain with sufficient funds, but that doesn't mean the sources in which these materials are taken from last forever. Everything has a limit. Another was the fact that the doctor was too confident with his programming to fully re-modify everything. Despite his intellect, pride and ego turns him into a dimwitted fool. 

Shadow sighed. Deep and exhausted. It doesn't matter. What he thought doesn't matter. What's important is that the doctor hasn't done anything, and Shadow wants to keep it that way. Whatever's preventing Eggman from using this to his advantage, he hopes it lasts. It was better this way. Lesser durability meant lesser threats. Lesser risks meant lesser chances of Sonic getting...

... 

"...Aim for the chest. Our attacks can create enough pressure to pierce through the panels as long as we're in sync."

"Can't you just use your chaos energy?"

"No."

"Why?"

"The risks are too high, chaos energy is unpredictable." Shadow grunted. Skating away to gain distance. The azure hedgehog was out of his peripheral vision, but he could still trace his whereabouts based on his hearing. The hybrid made the mistake of using chaos energy on a mechanized being once. He faced a great consequence for his actions. He won't let that happen again.

"On three." He shouted over the roaring of the robots main core as it spasmed against the ground. Creating short bursts of waves beneath his feet.

"One," He picked up his speed. Feet becoming a blur beneath him. His chest rose and fell with punctuated breaths.

 "Two," Sonic continued somewhere behind the egg-bot. Voice breathy and somewhat strangled. Shadow inhaled from his mouth. His lungs burned from the exertion. Debris and dusty air clogging his nose.

"Three!" Shadow snapped into a black sphere. Straight spine locking up into the perfect position he'd done countless of times before. Quills were raised. And unlike the first few attempts, this one finally made the satisfying crunch he'd been looking forward to as his spikes penetrated through the metal sheets. He could feel the vibrations from Sonic's own, growing stronger the more they drew closer. The hybrid made it through the outer chambers and into the inner one. Tearing through several layers of metal, wires, and....oil?

Warm liquid sprayed all over him. Nose scrunching up in disgust as the metallic smell slapped his face. He kept going still, never stopping, never faltering. Distant coughing made sure he knew the other hedgehog made it past as well.

"It's hot, It's too hot—hot hot hot!!—" Sonic screeched. Yells bouncing off the walls like a pulsating headache. Hot? It's not supposed to be hot.

"Faker where are you?" Shadow asked cautiously. The blaring sirens almost drowning out his own voice.

"I don't know!" The hero exclaimed. Before adding, "I can't see anything it's too dark, the red light isn't helping at all—"

The sharp smell of burnt hair reached his nose just as soon as his ears picked up on the dull thuds somewhere beneath him. He could feel this artificial body crumbling through his fingers. A bit more, just a bit more endurance, and that alone could do a lot. "Sonic, whatever you do, just keep moving!"

"That's easy for you to say! you're not the one being steamed here like a dumpling." Sonic said, breathing heavily. Airs coming in and out in harsh ragged huffs. Yet continued his assault through the robots gargantuan fucking body. 

As both pushed through and through, layer per layer was torn, tattered, and marred. With Shadow's strength and endurance, it didn't take any more than two minutes before he found himself at the grasp of the sun's glorious light. Successfully penetrating the metallic body and basking in the cooling air that brought relief to his respiratory system.

His exit made an ear piercing shriek as metal shards bent and creaked. The whole structure moaned, ground gradually shaking as it tilted dangerously low. From this angle, the hybrid could see a hole similar to his. Yet as much as he was expecting it to be paralleled beside his, he hadn't expected it to be under the one he erupted from. "Are you blind or what?! I said aim for the chest not the fucking bowels!"

A second shriek rang in his ears as Sonic finally erupted from the robot's insides. When the hero landed, the hybrid finally got a glimpse of what had occured inside. The oil spill from Shadow's part had already ruined his fur, but what he had was nothing compared to Sonic's situation. As he assessed his rival, he spotted several patchy blots around his entire body. He reeked of burnt hair, or that substance dentists used to fill up cavities. The now darker shade of blue fur made it almost impossible to scan anything besides the burns, but with great eyesight, Shadow could decipher every details from the grease stained shoes to the sheer cuts and bruises that had accumulated through their battle. Eggman's resource gathering machine was now laying still in the air, still dangerously leaning downwards without really reaching any surface.

"Eh, close enough." Said Sonic, dusting himself off in a fruitless attempt.

Never being one to stand still in one place, the blue blur bolted yet again. And with a final hit, Sonic sent the robot careening towards the ground. Bright sparks flying up the air as it crashed with a loud explosion. Shadow stood a few feet away, the wind from the explosion brushing past his front. Even with such distance, he could feel the heat through his fur. Licking at his face, his throat, and every crevice of his body. It didn't take long before the heat waves ceased. Living nothing but stillness in the air as the remains of the machine laid with the earth.

"Eugh, gross..." Sonic groaned. Cringing at the stickiness of his stained glove. "This is gonna take forever to get out!"

Shadow watched as the other complained like a bratty child. Briefly glancing at blue's hand. The glove was black and sopping with thick grease. A thin trail of dark motor grease running down the messed up fur of peach coloured arms, before dripping at the elbows and tainting the ground ebony. He didn't need to squint to see the way the blackened fur started to harden into crusts. He could feel the way it did with his.

"Take them off." The striped hedgehog instructed. Peeling off his own as he did so. He winced at the sensation of his fur being pulled from his skin. Nearly ripping it off as it clung to the wet fabric. It made a slight crunching sound as tore it away. Oddly enough, he noticed the lack of noise from his rival. Curiosity probed at his subconscious, he glanced over his shoulder to see Sonic frozen in place. Staring at him, uncharacteristically quiet.

"...excuse me?" Sonic muttered. Voice below a whisper, yet firm as can be with bleeding hesitation. Shadow turned, completely setting his gaze at the other. The azure hedgehog was tense. Emitting an aura that had him feeling uneasy.

The hybrid rolled his eyes. Attempting to push away the nagging feeling. "Did I stutter, hedgehog?"

"Hey!" Sonic yelped in shock. Shadow in stared confusion as emeralds dived down below their regular eye level. He followed the other boys gaze until it settled on his bare hand instead. 

"Shads what the hell?!" Sonic exclaimed. "Y—You can't just...!" The speedster gaped in horror when Shadow made the move of repeating his actions with his other hand. Before he could even expose his wrist, Said person turned around at breakneck speed.

"What's wrong?" The stripped hedgehog questioned. Tearing away the last bits of his gloves from his knuckles. The cracked stone path crunched under the weight of his foot as he approached the other with practiced stealth.

Sonic, once sensing his nearing presence bristled and puffed up like a dandelion in May. "Nothing's wrong!" He answered, quills facing him. His voice is an octave higher than usual. It made Shadow's ears ache a bit considering the fact that Sonic's voice was already high for his age.

"Are you sure about that?" Shadow growled. Grabbing the other's shoulder and roughly turning him around. Mindful of his claws, He gripped each shoulder blade tightly as he took in the state of the other hedgehog. Eyes roaming across green eyes and down towards well-defined collarbones. Shadow could see the flushed cheeks Sonic sported. It blended beautifully with the powdery peach colour of his muzzle.

"Dude, ease off will ya? Let go." Sonic said. Squirming uncomfortably under Shadow's grasp. Being the object of the Ultimate Lifeform's attention bore a heavy weight, much so it felt like being a sinner amidst the gates of heaven. The others stare, sharp and searching did nothing to his quickening pulse.

"Tell me what's wrong then." The Ultimate Lifeform probed. Feeling a pair of hardened gloves planted against his chest, slightly, and uselessly attempting to push him away.

"I already told you," Another attempt in vain caused his grip to tighten. "Nothing's wrong. Put your glove back on and let's get outta here." Sonic insisted. Yet the ebony hedgehog knew better than to believe his word. 

How could he? There were sufficient signs after all. Excessive blinking, lack of eye contact, fidgeting, irregular breathing patterns, and a quickened heartbeat. Shadow could feel his heartbeat sending faint pulses of life from his ribcage to his thin frame.

He was about to retort an insult at the azure hedgehog for his sloppy excuse when the heel of Sonic's palm suddenly launched upwards, painfully slamming into his jaw. Caught off guard, Shadow's grip loosened a fraction. Yet that was all it took for the blue blur to break free from his grasp. Before he could dart off into who knows where, Shadow latched onto the other's hand, gripping it with as much strength he could use without breaking anything under that soft skin. Even if he should.

Inhaling and exhaling through his nose with small calculated breaths, Shadow calmed himself. Trying not to lose his cool as the echoing pain faded into a faint buzz. His rival, however, was far from calm.

In fact, Sonic seemed like he was one hair away from sucker punching him with an actual fist this time. "What's your deal?! Let go of me!" 

The stripped hedgehog said nothing as Sonic all but yelled at him in frustration. Demanding release while tugging his arm back with so much force, Shadow worried that he might pop it off from its socket.

"Calm down." The stripped hedgehog hissed. Setting a firm hand on the peachy shoulder.

The blue hedgehog huffed. Looking like a man slowly being stripped of his sanity. "Yeah? Let go of me first, then I'll calm down!"

Sonic persisted his attempts with determination. Each pull straining his shoulder more and more. Even so, Shadow's grip did not loosen. He wanted to limit the blue hedgehog's chances of escaping again as much as possible. His odd behavior pulling him in. "You're seriously crossing the line here!"

Shadow furrowed his eyebrows. "What the hell? I'm not even doing anything to you."

"Well you're about to, and trust me you are not gonna like it." The hero staggered on his feet. Sweat slowly building up on his forehead.

A familiar smell of metal made its way into his nose. The whole area within a kilometer range smelt like smoke, gasoline and burning plastic. The fires from earlier melted certain metal parts from the machine, but this one was distinct. It was fresh, unlike the waste and wreckage around them. It had a deep coppery smell with a hint of rawness to it, almost fishy. It was strong and sharp as well, so it had to be close.

Another sniff was all it took before his instincts told him to look down. And for some reason, The scent seemed most potent near the hedgehog under his grasp. 

Sonic had a few scratches all over his body, perhaps from the few bits of flying shrapnel that got lucky enough to land a hit. However, none of them seemed to be capable of emitting such a potent smell.

"Faker." The blue hedgehog didn't respond. Busying himself by focusing on his means to escape. "Are you bleeding?"

"Huh? no..I mean— um..." The blue blur stilled. Glancing down his own caged hand. "I...guess? But it's not that bad."

Shadow followed the others gaze. His brows knitted together. Experimentally, he took the thin wrist near his nose until it was hovering just in front of his mouth. There, he took a tentative sniff which confirmed his suspicions.

Immediately, he rolled the wrist upwards with his fingers and observed the damage. The inner part of the garment was tattered into the bits. It was still there, but had somewhat thinned from the abuse from earlier. It had a hole on the pinky finger, but what really caught his attention was the large gash that tainted the black-less areas red.

"...you idiot." Shadow tsked. Hands already doing all the work in assisting the injury. If Sonic wasn't going to do it, then he might as well do it himself.

The gash was long, starting from the lower thumb and onto the skin between Sonic's pinky finger and palm. From this view, Shadow was certain it required stitching. It was deeper that what he'd expected, yet still unsurprising with the amount of crimson it oozed out. He wasn't concerned. Not in the slightest bit. Knowing Sonic, be would probably just slam a bandage around it and call it a day. Shadow didn't want to put up with his constant whining during the healing period, that's all. Without another word, Shadow hooked his claw over the thickest layer of the garment and began pulling down. 

Sonic flinched at the motion. Before yelling in volumes that could cause glass to shatter. "Woah—! Hey don't—"

His hand paused. "What now?" The ebony hedgehog growled, bearing his canines. 

"For Chao's sake Shadow bear with me here—What the hell are you doing?!" The azure one screeched. As if remembering that he had another arm, he launched his fist straight towards Shadow's face. Shadow, for his part, subdued the fist effortlessly. He didn't reply immediately, just staring back at the other with a blank face.

"Are you that dense? I'm removing your filthy glove before it infects your damn wound." Sonic's fingers wrapped around the hand gripping his wrist. Shadow could feel the slight tremble in it. His own grip unconsciously tightened around the others hand. Discreetly, the broody hedgehog snaked his left thumb over Sonic's right hand. A black claw barely clinging onto the inner side of the glove. 

The blue blur's voice wavered as he spoke. "Do you have any idea of what you're doing? I don't know if you know regular Mobian customs but this is kinda...intimate y'know?"

"Nonsense, this is a professional matter. You don't want your hand getting amputated now, do you?" A single brow rose in such a sardonic manner. The corners of his mouth twitched at his own words.

Sonic's face twisted up into a grimace. Before breaking down to nervous chuckling. "Haha.. good one Shads. It's not actually gonna get cut off right? You're just saying that to mess with me."

The dark hedgehog's face was blank. Staring deadass into Sonic's eyes with a fed up look. The lack of response from the other made the hero's obviously forced smile slip at the edges. 

A few beats of awkward silence flew by before Sonic spoke again. "Are you actually serious?"

Shadow tugged at the garments.

"Hold on, I can do that by myself just hold on—" Sonic frantically flailed around in a panic, searching and searching for something, anything to cover up his paws.To protect his dignity.

His precious dignity that Shadow was about to violate.

"Too late." He said, almost tauntingly once the sharpest edge of his claw hooked firmly on the fabric. Such simple words carried such a terrifying meaning of what was to happen, causing Sonic's heart to skip a few beats in absolute fear. The hybrid observed the way the hero's eyes widened, as if they were about to fall from their sockets.

"DON'T—" Sonic never got the chance to finish his sentence. The ebony hedgehog yanked both the oiled garments off the other's paws without a hint of hesitation. A sound similar to peeling off a wax peel cracked through the air. Which might have as well been, since from his earlier experience, he could say that he was sure a few bits of fur clung onto the soaked yet hardened fabric. Shadow turned around as he threw it away somewhere far. Dusting his hands free from dust and oil residue, he returned to his previous position to face the shorter hedgehog who had yet again grown suspiciously quiet.

A loud snap echoed around the empty streets. Shadow felt disoriented from the sudden shift of his peripheral vision. His brain and eyes felt like they had been rattled like a child's toy. Slowly, Shadow shifted his head to the side. Before setting his gaze at his blue counterpart with disbelief and shock.

Sonic.

The blue hero was standing with an arm raised high. Staring at him with pinprick sized pupils that expressed the barely kept fury blazing through his eyes. A rare sight, even for him. 

Sonic was calm, annoying and easily bored yes, but never angry. No, not like this. What's worse was the fact that after a moment between the heavy breaths that made past Sonic's parted lips and the raised quills the other either intentionally or unintentionally did, Sonic kept the eye contact between them steady. And Shadow could see the hurt and betrayal dancing in between the lines of the lybrith hidden away behind those now toxic green eyes.

No matter how much they both exchanged fists or decorated each other with bruises and cuts like canvasses, They never overstepped the unspoken boundaries of their relationship. It was unique and special in every way, sacred even. It seems that, today, that changed when Shadow overstepped that very boundary. A slight tinge of concern prodded at his heart at the thought. Their fights were casual when it wasn't life threatening. But that slap was all but too personal for his liking.

And it wasn't the type that temporarily ached. Sonic slapped him in the face with so much force that he thought he would've cracked his neck from how his head flew so effortlessly.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop Shadow's own anger. Pushing that weighted feeling down, He was about to curse out the blue hedgehog before his mouth snapped shut when that menacing look morphed into one of mortification.

 A weak, shaky and breathy gasp came from Sonic's mouth. The speedster stared at him in horror. As if realizing what he had done. Eyes flashing back and forth between his exposed palms to the reddening mark on Shadow's face. He was pale, the blood had drained from his face. The black hedgehog silently reached out to him, but lowered it back to his side as Sonic reacted by backtracking away. Away from his hand, away from him.

Shadow felt the same feeling in his chest. A type of ache that could never compare to the pain on his swelling cheek. He could see the guilt and shame in Sonic's eyes. Staring back at him with barely restrained composure.

"Sonic," Shadow broke the silence and took a tentative step forward. Only to pause as a curling feeling in his stomach made itself known when Sonic took two steps back. Hiding his bare hands behind him from Shadow's view. The hybrid noticed, and immediately averted his gaze upwards as an attempt to lessen the other's discomfort.

Shadow's brain somewhat caught up with what's going on. The way blue hid his hands behind him hinted at his shyness. The intense, almost chilling look he gave him made warning bells go off on his mind. What's most important was the fact that the other seemed to radiate an oppressive aura around him. Uncomfortable, vulnerable, mortified. Again, Shadow called after the frozen hedgehog who had replied by taking another step backwards when Shadow did forwards.

"What's going on?" A step forward. Another step backwards. The more he took, the more the blue quills bristled. Shadow tried keeping his voice low and gentle, and he'd be damned if it wasn't enough to make him seem less menacing. He's trying his best, come on. "Speak to me."

The air had turned heavy with tension. Moments of absolute silence fleeting beneath their fingertips. Sonic's penetrating gaze, Sonic's expression of horror, Sonic's body language, The tension between them both was suffocating. Shadow couldn't take it anymore. For once in his entire life, he wished the other would open his mouth and start talking. The silence was too deafening, too heavy, and so, so wrong. He'd prefer the other's constant chattering than this. 

The stripped hedgehog kept silent. Letting time tick by as he took in the situation properly. He wrecked his brain for any possibilities, and boy were there a few. A panic attack was possible. Although with the lack of anything that might trigger such panic from the hero, that though was thrown off the table. But then again, he relied on his perspective of everything that had happened, so he really didn't have a clue on what occured in Sonic's part. The amputee joke wasn't that big of a scare to begin with either. 

Time was ticking, and Sonic wasn't getting any better. He had to act fast before things escalate again. Slowly, Shadow realigned his gaze back at Sonic. He spoke, softly as he could muster. 

"Sonic." Green eyes shot upwards after drifting off into nowhere. Gritting his teeth, said person tensed up and took a defensive stance. Ready to sprint away if necessary. This caught the agent's attention. "I'm going to come closer, alright?"

He reached out again, slowly this time. Afraid that he might spook his counterpart away. The blue blur's eyes followed the movement. A darker shade of crimson spread throughout his muzzle. "I need you to listen and tell me what's wrong."

One. Two. Three steps in, his eyes flicked towards the subtle twitch on Sonic's left leg. He halted mid-step and gazed upwards. His brain told him to say something, yet his throat constricted around the words that never left his mouth.

He was too late. He felt it before he was given the chance to ever see it. Within a blink of the eye, Shadow gazed at the spot where someone had been barely a second ago. Brushing past his quills, was the breeze that stirred in Sonic's wake.

Then and there, with his brain processing what had happened, he slowly began feeling the sinking realization of what had just occurred. And he, was and did, utterly fucked up.

"...Shit."

Chapter Text

Rouge knew something was up. The moment she got a text message from Shadow saying that he planned on staying over their shared apartment was her starting point. Shadow wasn't really the type of person who would stay at someone else's house for no reason. He loved being isolated from everyone, except for her and Omega...from time to time. Rouge also knew Shadow's home address. Not that the other had told her. 

She had been suspicious at first, an initial gut feeling telling her that something had happened. But then again, She wasn't one to jump into conclusions either. So in those following days, Rouge tried fishing out bits of information from the ebony hedgehog without being too obvious of her own intentions. Over dinner, she asked about Shadow's day, what had he done, and what had happened. It worked for a while, before Shadow caught on and kept his lips sealed shut since.

It was a good indicator that whatever happened, it was personal. And Rouge understood. But when has that ever stopped her?

With Shadow's change of behavior confirming that something was indeed going on, Rouge's curiosity peeked through the seams. Because when it came to Shadow's life, everything was diabolical. It was just that right amount of drama that fed her full with entertainment. Between stealing and working for G.U.N., life has been pretty mellow this past few months. And what's a poor lady supposed to do but amuse herself?

Whatever's going on, she'll find out. She's sure of it.

———————————————————————————

A week had gone by, and Rouge was watching Shadow like a hawk. From her observations, She noticed the unusual restless energy coming from the stoic hedgehog. Frequent fidgeting like tapping his finger and the bounce of his leg, the distant look in his eyes over the dinner table whenever he thought Rouge wasn't looking, the constant urge to work as much as he could whether it was G.U.N related or simple household chores.

Now, Rouge didn't exactly mind the extra help, it saved enough time for her to do things for herself. So she wasn't complaining. But as it went on, Shadow only grew more restless and more agitated than usual to the point where he had stopped talking at all. She tried easing up the tension, starting small talk whenever she could, but Shadow didn't budge. He just threw a couple of hums and grunts whenever she started up a topic.

Until one evening, where she happened to have walked in on Shadow changing his gloves. Rouge immediately looked away and apologized before turning back to take her leave when Shadow's voice cut through the awkward tension.

"Where are you going?" The hybrid grunted out. And Rouge would have been lying if she said that hearing the other's voice didn't ease some tension from her shoulders. 

She stopped in her tracks but didn't turn around. "Just giving you some privacy hon, I was going to ask you a favor but that can wait." She said, before continuing her retreat. Rouge was about to cross the doorframe when Shadow spoke again.

"Privacy for what?" Shadow questioned. Adjusting the hem of his left glove so it rested underneath his inhibitor rings. 

"For your bare paws of course." The agent replied. White pointy ears perked up at the question. Hearing the other's footsteps come closer. "Are you done changing?"

No response. She turned once she felt the presence behind her, and was met with a puzzled expression that clouded Shadow's features.

"My paws?" Shadow muttered, voice laced with confusion. Light brows furrowed slightly at the tone, before an idea came into mind. Does he not..?

"Do you not know about the customs?" Rouge asked gently, opting to not spook the other.

Silence. Shadow kept his gaze down, arms crossed. Seemingly in deep thought. Before answering reluctantly. "I wasn't aware they existed at all." 

Rouge's face softened. "Okay then handsome," She began, walking over to Shadow's bed and sitting down at the edge. Plush mattress and silk sheets dipping down from her weight. She looked back at Shadow, eyes soft, before patting the free space beside her.

"come here, we're going to have a nice talk about Mobian standards." It took a while before Shadow moved from his spot. Rouge considered it as a win, somewhat expecting the other to walk out. 

That evening, Rouge thoroughly explained the the importance of gloves in Mobian modesty cultures. Answering a few of Shadow's questions as much as she could. While she herself never applied the olden traditions in her daily life, She knew how important it was to others. This cultural belief originated from a long, long time ago, rivaling the age of Dark Gia. Overtime, these practices were slowly forgotten by the majority of the Mobian population, where gloves and other hand garments were discarded and replaced with cosmetics and other accessories. People from hundreds of years ago are critically different from those today, modern day Mobians are more open minded and less sensitive about public decency. However, a decent amount of the global population still stuck to these traditions.

Those who were less exposed to society and lived in rural areas still followed these practices, creating a rift between both standards. There wasn't really that much of an issue with that fact. But sometimes, things are just hard to come by. You had to be mindful of others, because not everyone was comfortable with exposed fingers. Some people need to understand and adjust to those who no longer believe in those customs, as much as they need to adjust to the standards of those who still do.

Throughout her lecture, She noticed the way Shadow's hand crumpled around the sheets. Almost tearing them from his fingertips. His occasional feedback faded into silence, and that look from before, the very same one he had plastered on his face when he first came over a week ago, was back stronger than ever.

She placed a hand over his free one, the one that laid between them, and drew small soothing circles around his knuckles. A small gesture that spoke a ton of support. Red eyes slowly slid off to the side, glancing at her. His frown somewhat softening just a bit, but still ever so present. They stayed like that for some time, a few minutes maybe. Quiet, calm, tense but not awkward. With Rouge easing out Shadow's distress, despite not having a single clue on what triggered such reaction from the hybrid.

Rouge didn't dare probe for answers. Not now during their brief truce. She understood how touchy this must be for the other, so she laid off for now.

———————————————————————————

Another week went by, and Shadow was barely around anymore. He would be gone for a few days during a mission, before suddenly disappearing again once he's rested enough. She wasn't happy with the lack of initial contact. But she could still use it to her advantage by snooping around the ebony hedgehog's room. Rouge didn't know where he exactly goes to, but what she did know was that it wasn't just one place.

.

.

.

Rouge went shopping last Tuesday and had bought a gorgeous pair of heels. Central City was littered with stores in different variations. Cosmetics, Clothing, Foot wear, Jewelry. That necklace displayed on the window was breathtaking. She swore she heard it call out her name. But alas, something so pretty would of course cost much more than her salary could afford. On her way back, she spotted a familiar streak of red zipping away into the distance. Which.. didn't really surprise her at that time. Their apartment was located in Central City, a few blocks away from the heart. So she assumed that Shadow might have picked something up. Rouge checked their security footage. Hoping that she might find anything useful for her secret mission.

Shadow hadn't set a foot in their complex until later that night.

.

.

.

Then came her trip to Spagonia this week Monday. G.U.N had sent her out to deal with a few robbers who attempted to steal a precious artifact from the museum. It wasn't that big of a deal, just a bunch of amateurs biting off more than they could chew. Although, She was a bit offended for being brought up for this. A thief stopping other thieves. How ironic.

She finished quickly, leaving G.U.N to take care of everything else since her job was done. Rouge planned beforehand and reserved a place to stay until tomorrow afternoon. Spagonia was a place she had been thinking of visiting for a while now, and now that she's here, she couldn't waste the opportunity. The rest of the night was uneventful, she got tons of shut eye for tomorrow's plans.

When dawn arrived, She took her time readying herself. There was a good cafè down the street with really good coffee—suggested by Amy. And she wasn't lying. The pastries were divine. Not too sweet, not too bland. And the coffee? Shadow would have loved it.

Speaking of the devil, Rouge almost inhaled her macchiato when she saw a familiar black and red hedgehog standing at the street paralleled to her's. A frown plastered and etched deeply into his face as his eyes darted around frantically. She was glad he had brought a newspaper copy before entering the cafè as she used it to shield her face. The windowsill gave her a great view of what the other was up to. Unfortunately for her, it meant that way for Shadow as well. When she peeked over the edge of the paper, Shadow was gone.

.

.

.

Lastly was at Green Hill this Friday, Yesterday. When Amy had planned a teaparty for the girls. It was nice, good sweets, great tea, and greater gossip stories. It was April, the flowers were starting to reach their peak, the wind was crisp. Cooling against the rising temperature. 

Rouge was having the time of her life listening mid way to Amy's embarrassing story of Sonic's fever induced delirium, and how he had nearly torn apart Tail's house by having a hallucinatory battle in his living room with a broom. She asked the pink hedgehog for any pictures but was sadly told that there wasn't any. Everyone was too busy trying to either make sure Sonic didn't accidentally slip on anything when he stood on top of their furniture, or tried avoiding being hit with the broom's other end—especially Knuckles—when Sonic challenged them—just Knuckles really—to a duel during his delirious state.

From there, their topic transitioned into plain and less embarrassing stories. Rouge was enjoying a blackberry tart when a particular name caught her attention.

"What was that?" She asked. Swallowing the sweet dessert. The sugary taste scraping down her throat. She took a sip from her teacup, decorated in intricate swirls and flower patterns. The warm jasmine tea mixed with a teaspoon of honey quenched her thirst.

"It's Shadow, he's been kind of...weird lately." The pink hedgehog began, a small frown making itself known on her face.

That made her raise a brow. She leaned into the table, one arm propped up to support her head. She made a motion for the other to continue. Amy sighed exasperatedly but followed. 

"I saw him in front Sonic and Tail's place this morning, he wasn't really doing anything just...standing at the front door." She explained. Eyebrows lowering in concentration as she retold everything that had happened a few hours ago. With a small sip of her own beverage, her face scrunched up from the strong flowery taste before she continued. "I was going to ask him if he needed something but he disappeared before I could get the chance." 

"Sonic's place, huh?" Amy nodded. Adding another spoonful of honey into her cup. 

She took a small tentative sip, tasting, testing. A small satisfied hum made past her lips. Contented with her tea's adjustments, she continued. "He's been around green hills for a couple of days now, always carrying something around, earlier today he was carrying something pink before he bolted off to who knows where." 

Interesting. The agent thought. Wiping excess crumbs that stuck to her lipgloss with a hot pink napkin. Green Hill wasn't really a place Shadow frequents. In fact, She could count the amount of times he'd been there with just one hand.

"So, What did he have to say?"

"Sonic?" Rouge hummed.

"He wasn't home, I knocked a few times but no one was there." The hammer wielder sighed wistfully. "He's been busy lately, I rarely see him anymore."

"Oh?" That sounded familiar. Way too familiar. Sonic had his own things going on in his life, Rouge knew. But that tug in her stomach was back. Her intuition was telling her to pursue more answers. "What's he up to?"

"Honestly? No clue." Amy chuckled. Although it wasn't light, instead it was just...empty and tired. "He's been acting different lately, and I'm starting to worry."

"Blue can handle himself, I'm sure whatever's bothering him, he'll get through it." Rouge offered a small reassuring smile. One that was returned with another, just not as sure.

"I know, he's..him, after all." Amy muttered. Her grip tightening around the fine china. "But it's been days Rouge."

Her voice wavered with emotion. Eyebrows meeting together as the pink hedgehog stared down at the amber liquid. "I know he's strong...but he needs rest, we all do." She stated. Her eyes meeting Rouge's. Eyeshadow covered lids drooped halfway through.

"What do you mean?" The agent couldn't help but ask. Curiosity overpowering sympathy. Yet not exactly disregarding the other's troubles. She was persistent, not cruel.

Amy seemed to hesitate. Mouth drawing into a thin line as she contemplated on the words. And then slowly, her voice came out in a softer tone, volume whisper-like, Rouge almost didn't understand. "As much as he tries, even if he doesn't tell us. All of us can see it." She uttered. Gaze flicking back up.

"He's tired. And what I heard from Tails, He hasn't slept since...last last week. I think." Rouge's eyebrows shot up slightly. The timeline of Sonic's dilemma, it was so...odd. Random even. She took note of what she had learned today for later use. It might come in handy in the near future. She didn't know why, but somehow, there was a little voice in the back of her head saying that it might be connected to Shadow's case.

For the rest of their tea party, Rouge tried reassuring the pink hedgehog that everything was going to be alright.

————————————————————————————

Rouge found herself standing at the dark mahogany door with too much casualness for someone who was about to break into their best friend's room. The door lock didn't stand a chance against her, The agent was somewhat disappointed with Shadow's lack of security. Knowing that he was rooming with the world's best thief, she had expected him to be more careful with his belongings.

The door cracked open with ease, creaking occasionally as the weight of the wood shifted. When it opened wide enough, Rouge went in through the gap before closing it behind her. Her eyes roamed across the room, searching for her prize. She spotted the phone sitting on the desk. A smirk stretched her glossy lips. 

Her steps were slow and calculated. Avoiding as much noise as she could. With a few steps forward, she was close enough to snatched the small device from its resting place. With a simple click, the device came to life, emitting a soft white light glow over her visage. She clicked her tongue in disdain at Shadow's basic wallpaper. 

As tempting as it was to change it herself, she couldn't afford to leave even the smallest evidence of her intrusion. Shadow would be pissed. And a grumpy hedgehog wasn't something she found appealing at all.

Rouge was taken aback when she swiped at the screen, and was immediately allowed access. Did he seriously not have a password? What the hell? Brushing off the initial shock, Rouge carried on with her task and scanned through each app there was in the phone. The gallery app didn't have a single picture in it. No files, downloads, games, or social platforms were seen in Shadow's phone. So much so, if She hadn't stolen it, she could have mistook it for a brand new phone.

All that was left was the search engine. She tapped the familiar icon, a new thrill resurfacing inside her as she went through Shadow's search history. And...well.

That fleeting feeling left as soon as it came.

There wasn't much, just a few links to some articles regarding the lastest news. She clicked one, the first one on the top and was taken to one of the most reliable news resources on earth. The piece of literature read; "Robot Attack in Empire City Thwarted by The Hero Of Mobius!"

A short, straight forward title with long paragraphs Rouge painstakingly skimmed through as fast as she could. Once finished, She backed out and tapped a different link, another news article popped up. It was about Sonic again, another attack, but this time in a village near Green Hill. She skipped that one, not really paying that much attention to the details. She continued by going into a different link, and to the surprise of no one, it lead to another fucking article. 

It went on like that, between reading back and forth and changing links before reading once more. Rouge could feel her patience wearing thin with each link she entered. Until one of them caught her attention. It was shorter than the rest, but it's the content that mattered.

————————————————————————————

Rogue Robot Attack in Station Square Stopped by The Iconic Rival Duo; Sonic and Shadow The Hedgehog

On the 6th of April, 2025. Famous Hero Sonic The Hedgehog was seen fighting against another robot made by the mad doctor himself. According to several citizens who were at the scene before the death machine made its assault, the robot came out of nowhere and suddenly began tearing down everything in it's path. It was later confirmed by G.U.N officials that the machine had malfunctioned and escaped from Eggman's base without his prior knowledge.

However, what others found more intriguing was the sudden appearance of Sonic's dark counterpart, Shadow the hedgehog. Who provided aid in taking down the destructive robot. 

Eyewitnesses claim to have spotted the two hedgehogs strolling together around Central City's local market before the attack. A spectator, who chose to remain anonymous, had said that they had seen them holding hands during a particularly deep conversation—turned argument before the darker hedgehog drew out a lethal weapon.

It is well known that both hedgehogs hold a strong dislike to one another, and would often spar with each other when one is aggravated enough. Though, despite this, their profound relationship has evolved throughout the years. Whereas mutual hate morphed into that of understanding and respect.

This has led to the popular belief in many amongst the Blue Blur's fans that, beneath the growing camaraderie between them both, a stronger, and more intimate relationship is being formed. 

Another witness had confessed seeing both Sonic and Shadow after the battle, and had seen an entire argument unfold which ended in Sonic physically slapping Shadow before fleeing the scene. Followed soon after by the darker hedgehog.

Many had expressed their concern for the hero once a viral video of the aftermath was posted by a collage freshman who happened to be at the area when the fight occured. The video taken was clear enough to see the rising panic in the hero's face as words were exchanged. Their heated conversation remains a mystery as the video was recorded far away and was unable to pick up any coherent words.

Many blame Shadow The Hedgehog and accused him of verbally assaulting Sonic. But with the lack of evidence supporting this statement, the theory was quickly put on hold for further inspection. As of now, several journalists are analyzing the recording in attempt to unravel more details others may have missed.

There had been no sightings of the Blue Blur since yesterday after he fled. His fans and several citizens remained restless since. Others seek answers regarding his and Shadow's relationship, while others worry for his health. But the one question remains urgent above all.

Where is Sonic The Hedgehog, And what happens now?

————————————————————————————

As Rouge read through the article, the beat of her heart began accelerating. April 6, the very same day she got the call. Eyes widened in realization. Quickly, she logged out and re-entered the link she was previously in.

Rouge pried deeper, there was more to this than what it seemed. Every single one was about Sonic. Any regular fan who had yet met the guy would mainly focus on the person. What would have Shadow wanted?

There was a pattern. Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic winning a fight, Sonic saving another City, Town, Country. Which ones?

Station Square, Central, Empire, Green Hill, and Spagonia.

Station Square, Central, Empire, Green Hill...and Spagonia.

Station Square, Central, Empire, Green Hill...and Spago—Hold on.

Another idea bloomed. Slowly, she started piecing everything together. April 6, the day Shadow came over. The same day the article regarded the situation in Station Square. The 15th, the day she saw Shadow in Central city. Another Eggman raid somewhere in the eastern side that was stopped by Sonic. 21st, Her trip to Spagonia. Shadow standing right in front of the cafè she was having breakfast at. Sonic rescuing 3 people from a burning building caused by Eggman's badnik. And...25th, Her and Amy's teaparty in Green Hill. Amy spotting Shadow at Sonic's. Sonic fending off stray bandits from a small town.

Chaos...

Everything was aligned perfectly. Too perfectly to be a coincidence. There was no doubt, his intentions were as clear as day. He wasn't interested in Sonic's battles, Nor the hedgehog himself. He was finding his location.

Shadow had been tracking the other through the news articles. That was why he was randomly showing up out of nowhere. He was following the most difficult person to follow on the planet. Why? She still didn't know, She had a clue, but it can't count unless she was sure of it. Whatever it was, it had to be good if Shadow himself was seeking out Sonic.

By this point, Rouge's ears were thudding in sync with her heartbeat. A malicious smile stretching her lips to the fullest. The hot flash of excitement coursing through her veins as she reveled in the climax of her discovery.

She underestimated the situation. This wasn't one of Shadow's regular Tuesdays. This one was a full blown scandal. And Rouge was loving it. This issue, it has to be the juiciest one yet. And she couldn't wait to squeeze the fruit dry.

Pleased, Rouge left the entire site and placed the phone down on the table where she found it. She was satisfied now, so she'll gladly take her leave before the owner returns. Without further delays, the agent spun around and made a beeline towards the exit. Heels clicking deliberately as she strode. On the way out, Rouge spotted something poking out of the small metallic trashcan sitting beside the table. Curious, She crouched down and took a small peek and...

"....oh, Shadow."

————————————————————————————

The city was beautiful at night. From afar, the lights gleamed like stars in the night. Painting the dull streets with colours that brought life. Shadow peered down at the busy streets below. Where he stood, high enough the people strolling around almost seemed like ants.

This habit of his, a second nature. No matter where he stood, he always compared the sceneries of earth to the vast sea of stars in space. Like before, staring into the horizon of mixed whites, blues, reds, and yellow. Each reflected on the large glass panel that separated him from the outside world. Just like the one that separated him from the endless darkness up in the ARK.

The room he stood in was bathed with the warm glow of his nightstand and a few lamps attached to the walls. Giving the place a more cozy vibe, despite the lack of furniture. Even so, the lights from outside bled through, projecting dancing rays across the glass, walls, and even on him.

A soft creak made his ear twitch, yet he didn't turn. He already knew who it was anyways. But that didn't mean he liked the company. When the door clicked shut, he let out a soft sigh. Shallow footsteps drew closer, calm and deliberate steps accompanied by the faint clicking of heels as shoes met tiles. Shadow closed his eyes. Tearing his gaze away from the view.

"Hey there, handsome." Rouge's velvety voice called out. Friendly, with the underlaying bits of malicious intentions in her tone.

"Rouge." He returned, blankly as can be. Back still turned towards his visitor. The air around them was warm and moist. The carpet where he stood was somewhat damp from the water droplets falling from his drenched quills.

"So.." She drawled out. A subtle shuffling noise to his right made it easier to locate Rouge's position. "How's your day?"

Bringing a hand up to the towel that hung on his shoulder. "What do you want?" He asked gurffly. 

"Can't a girl just ask how her best friend is doing?" Rogue playfully reprimanded. Shadow glanced over his shoulder. One brow raised. 

The thief chuckled. Dropping the innocent act almost immediately by shaking her head fondly. For a second, Shadow thought he saw a small glint on the others eye.

"Well... I've been thinking lately." Rouge began. Adjusting her legs by crossing one over the other as she sat by Shadow's bed. "I was cleaning the bathrooms last week and saw some sludge in the drainage—"

"Just spill it out already."

"—Which brought me back to last last week. When you came home covered in filth and grime. Does that ring a bell?" Her voice carried this gleeful melody. As if knowing, yet testing at the same time.

The broody hedgehog tensed at the mentioned date. "Hm."

"I saw an old article from...somewhere, yesterday." Rouge carried on. Smirking at the subtle twitch in the others shoulder. She put on a more light tone. Emphasizing each word carefully in her next sentence. "Giant crazed robot...attacking Station Square...Blue bringing it down, with you?"

A pregnant silence fell upon them. Shadow made sure to pick his words carefully. Knowing her enough, He knew she could fully dissect the truth out of him without lifting a single finger. That alone was unnerving. "I was minding my own business before he showed up. Then that thing came out of nowhere and destroyed the entire market."

"Casualties?" Rouge questioned.

"None, We took care of it as fast as possible." Answered Shadow. Ever the professional one.

A pause, then slowly, gently. Rouge shot the first blow. "How was blue then? After the fight."

Shadow's grip on his bicep tightened. His mouth devoid of any moisture as he tried calming his thundering heart. He had a hunch, since the moment this conversation begun. And truthfully, he hoped stalling would help him gather his thoughts before she could start interrogating him.

"He left." He replied. Vague as possible without crossing the point of cluelessness. Rouge knew about what had happened, but that didn't mean he was willing to cooperate.

"Do you know why?" Again, with that same tone. The spy probed shamelessly.

The hybrid's jaw clenched. Eye ridge narrowing. "Where is this going, Rouge?"

"If I remember correctly, the article said something about a blue hedgehog getting physical with a certain someone." Then, the bristling quills followed. Rouge bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.

"That's none of your concern." Shadow all but spat. An ugly snarl twisting up his face.

But the bat wasn't bothered. "But it is, sweetheart." She persuaded. Her grin sharp around the edges. Smugly smiling at the other's back.

"You've been grumpier than usual. Admit it, argument or not that last interaction you had with him still bothers you." The thief stated. Confident in her own observations. Shadow remained quiet. Choosing to stand still in front of the giant window with a hardened look plastered on his face. He wouldn't slip up if he didn't talk at all.

The woman changed her approach in notice of this. Despite not being able to catch a glimpse of the ebony hedgehog's face, the slight hunch of dark, broad shoulders were enough. "I went to Spagonia recently," She said. "G.U.N mission."

Rouge observed her fingers through her gloves. Almost as if the silky material wasn't blocking the very thing she was looking at. Nail polish was such a fruitless invention to Mobians. "Rented a hotel room and stayed the night, then went out to eat in the morning."

"Everything was going great. The coffee they had was good. Better than the ones they have back at headquarters." She glanced up. Planting her palms on the duvet as she shifted. Her wings opened and closed accordingly, stretching the limbs until that ring of tense muscle loosened. "So imagine my surprise when I saw my coworker outside the cafè I was dining at."

Alarmed. Shadow finally turned to face the white furred Mobian. A scowl contorting his face with a mix of anger, surprise, and maybe a tad bit of embarrassment. If looks could kill, Rouge would have been dead on the spot.

"You—"

"Same goes with Central City," The nocturnal one hastily cut in. Raising her eyebrows with a knowing spark in her eyes. "An extra pair of hands would have been amazing with my shopping but..you seemed busy enough."

How?

How had he not noticed? How careless had he been? How could Shadow consider himself an asset when he had made such a crucial mistake, not as a person, but as an employee of G.U.N?

He was so focused on finding the blue hedgehog who he had harassed—almost to the point of unintentional molestation—Had he forgotten and thrown aside everything else the moment he received the news of Sonic's latest whereabouts. That thought alone made him somewhat disappointed at how desperation had easily gotten to him. It was pathetic, even for him.

"Then I read more news about Sonic's predicament, in the eastern side of Central, coincidentally." Rouge's voice rang through his ears, making the pulsating unease in his chest grow. Yet he couldn't afford to let it show, not when the battle has yet to end.

While Shadow struggled to keep his cool, Rouge on the other hand was enjoying the miniscule details of the older hedgehog's body language. He was easy to read once you got used to being around him. For her, Shadow was like an open book. 

"Followed by a fire caused by Eggman's invention in.." Rouge grinned. Vicious and mean. "You already know where."

The tension in the air was thick, almost cuttable with a dull knife. The growing unease and anxiety hindering the slight chance of rest for both parties. One filled with the gut wrenching ache of worry and irritation. The other ecstatic and playful. Their hearts thudded the same pace, but for completely different reasons.

A beat, and then another went by, before the cunning thief spoke once more. "So, either all of those coincidentally happened at the same time, at the same day," teal eyes narrowed. Voice dipping into a lower octave as her tone took a more serious turn. "Or you've been following Sonic around and I just happened to be lucky enough to be there."

"You don't know that." Shadow rebuked. His own mouth and jaw tightening as he clenched his teeth shut. His jab only riled Rouge's determination.

"Of course I do! why else would I be here?" Leaning towards the edge, The agent answered. Wing exercises long forgotten.

"I wasn't following him." The hybrid defended. In attempt to salvage what little privacy he had left. He knew the shorter female had gone through his personal belongings. As much as the thought irked him to the bone, what else should he expect from the other. He, for his part held a flaw too. And the consequence birthed from that mistake was now taking place in this very moment to come and bite him in the ass.

Shadow's defense, came with a price. One that unfortunately left him open, and fortunately left another branch for Rouge. "Right, you were looking for him." She affirms. Standing up from her relaxed position and sashaying towards the window panel. The silence was deafening, occasionally filled with the honking of distant cars from below.

She took a glance outside and was immediately enamored by the shining lights. Almost like tiny, unreachable jewels floating in the night sky. Stars made by mankind. She let out a quiet whistle.

"You know, a little birdie told me that you were at Sonic's this Friday." Rouge's voice was softer now, no longer harsh and teasing like a news reporter catching the latest scoop.

"They might have mistaken me for someone else." Shadow interjects. Gaze settling back to the sight. 

"Then what's that wilted bouquet of flowers doing in your waste bin?" The treasure hunter deadpans. Observing as the other winced at the fluke.

"Amy saw you, Shadow." Rouge chided. Pinching the bridge of her nose. "And from what I heard from her side, Blue seemed troubled too."

Of course he would be. Shadow wasn't all that surprised. It's normal to feel restless when you've been forced out of your clothes out on public.

"It's clear that something's going on between you two. Now, you better tell me who's at fault here, I want to hear all of it." She said the last words with an authoritative tinged in her voice. Gaze stern, leaving no room for arguments. Shadow was about to object, but the words died on his tongue when Rouge's stare hardened.

Another sigh came out of his mouth. His mind replaying the memories of the accident. And then, begrudgingly, he spoke. "...he was injured, before he left." Humming, Rouge didn't interrupt. She did nod her head a bit, motioning the other to continue. "I took it in myself to do the aiding."

"There was grease everywhere, his fur, his face, his hands." Shadow trailed off. The next words that came out were harsh. Almost like it was spat out in disgust by the other. "His gloves were soaked in it."

Rouge's face scrunched up in mild disgust and in sympathy for the other hedgehog. Grease and wounds mixed together were bound to create more harm than good. One time, she got ink on a paper cut. When it healed, the ink was still inside. Making the cut darker and more noticable. It took years before it faded away. Another was the mere thought of wet gloves. The sensation of wet gloves was akin to wet socks. Very uncomfortable. She understood why Shadow said it was such disdain now. Or at least she thought she did.

"I wanted it gone, before it could worsen the wound." He turned his head over to face the white bat. Not fully, just enough to see the disgust vanishing from the others face as triangular ears flatted when dawning realization morphed her features.

"Oh honey, you didn't—" Rouge gasps. Horror spreading across her visage. "Did you?"

She chuckled nervously. The expression on Shadow's face wasn't reassuring at all. Neither was what he said next. "When I took them off, he slapped me. We haven't talked since." The white bat nearly ripped her ears off. Her crooked smile disintegrating as if she had witnessed the downfall of her career.

"He's avoiding you." Rouge groans. Slapping a hand on her face.

"No shit."

"Have you contacted him?" She urges. Grabbing him by the shoulders. Her heart sinking further when the ebony hedgehog shook his head.

"I've tried," The Ultimate Lifeform confesses. "he won't pick up on any calls or messages."

Before Rouge could ask again, He already gave the alternative. "No use talking to him in personal either. The minute he sees me he turns around and leaves."

"Have you tried other ways?"

"What do think the flowers were for?"

"I have plenty of ideas.."

Massaging his temples. "I was supposed to leave them by his door." Shadow grouches. Rogue let's her death grip on his frame loosen. Backing away with clicks from her steps as she rubbed her face. Miraculously not smudging any makeup she had on. Huh.

"You really messed up big time huh?" She questions rhetorically. One brow cocked up while she grinned exasperatedly.

Ebony brows drew together almost instantly from the comment. "Don't add salt to the wound."

"I was just teasing." The agent snickers. And then, without any warning whatsoever. The tension was back. Rouge was no longer grinning. Not a trace of amusement could be found within the depths of her teal orbs. Shadow almost flinched from the abruptness. "Okay, no. You really did mess up."

Shadow looks down onto the ground. Shame curling in his gut. Rouge came closer, raising her arm to cradle the hedgehogs cheek in her palm. "But it's not your fault okay?" She reassures. Tilting his head so that she could look at him directly in the eye. So he did, too. Staring at the genuine care teal irises held. "You didn't know."

At rare times, Shadow wondered why he had let Rouge in. He always closed himself off to everyone who tried entering his life. And now, during this challenge he faces. He remembers the reason why Rouge was his closest friend. The warm heat radiating from the others touch gave him ease. His mood somewhat improving as he felt the weight on his shoulders lighten. Her hand was tender yet firm as she held him. It was what he liked about her. A kind of intimacy that never leans towards the romantic path. Just platonic love shared between two Mobians. Friends. 

"Does he know?" Rouge suddenly spoke up. Breaking him out of his train of thought.

He thought it over, recalling how the other had reacted. And came with the conclusion. "...I don't know."

Right. As much as he appreciates the comfort, he couldn't let himself forget what needed to be done. He had to fix the mistake he created. Yet how could he when the person he needed to apologize to was avoiding him like the plague? It was clear as day what Sonic felt towards him after the accident. Sonic's behavior was valid. After all, he'd do the same. Maybe even worse.

"There's a spring gala on the sixteenth of May, you should go." Rouge brought up. The somber expression from before melting away. "I got invited, everyone in our group did. I'm sure you received an invitation too."

He, as a matter of fact, did receive an invitation. He got it in the mail several days ago, sent by some rich fuck who wanted to indulge in other well-known people's presence. Possibly to convince them to promote their business as well. "I'm not interested."

"Sonic will be there." Ruby reds stilled. "It's a chance to go talk to him."

"If I were you, I'd bite the bullet." The business woman persuaded. Glancing up and down. "Although, I should probably give you some advice."

"It's Sonic. The same guy who went viral for singing silly songs while showering. He can't avoid you forever." Rouge's lips twitch at the corners. Shadow rolls his eyes fondly at the memory. 

"He doesn't do emotional talks." She added. Before recommending something that, without any context, sounds like a kidnapping attempt. "If he tries running away, wait until he's isolated and corner him."

Snorting, Shadow couldn't help but ask. "Why are you helping me again?" He questioned. Resting his hand on his hip. "How does this benefit you?"

A sweet smile stretched lipgloss covered lips. Even so, the sweet look didn't last long as it became devilish. "I'm in for the drama, babe." Rouge winked. "Plus, it seems like you two might need a little push to get things going."

She said it with an odd tone he couldn't distinguish. Shadow raised another fucking eyebrow. "What are you implying exactly?"

"Oh, I'm not stupid. And I see something neither of you can. The slow burn has been fun and all but we need to keep things going." The thief cackled. Comically rubbing her hands together as she brewed one of her chaos forsaken ideas.

"Don't be so rough on him, okay?" Shadow's ear twitched. A soft dusting of pink tainting his muzzle. "Don't treat this like a mission. Be patient."

"He may be carefree, but he's sharp." The other warned. "Try lessening the tension first, make small talk, and then ease your way in."

"Oh!" Her face lit up. An idea coming into mind. "And wear something nice, there's a theme. Best dressed gets a prize."

"You want it, don't you." Ebony deadpans. Rouge laughs loud. Wiping tears from her eyes. That smile persisting on her lips.

"You know me too well."

————————————————————————————

Before entering the establishment, Shadow adjusted the golden cufflinks of his suit. The lights from outside catching on the shiny material, making it gleam. 

A few days prior to the event, he had contacted a trusted tailor to create the design he wanted for his costume. It wasn't that fancy, just a two piece suit in a pallet of black, browns, reds, oranges, and yellows. The typical fall colors. His inner shirt was burgundy, paired with a black tie and pants. The dark vest he wore was detailed with the finest, most intricate swirls of black maple leaves edged with gold.

 While the clothes themselves seem simple, and maybe even not achieving the themes standards, the cape especially made for him brought everything to a whole new level. The only vibrantly coloured piece of his attire. It was a gradient from a garnet red at the top, and a maple red at the bottom. Similar to the vest, instead of black with gold trimmings, it was laced with a pale orange swirl with maple patterns in different colours spread across. 

The cape itself was lightweight and loose. Clipped onto his right shoulder and ending just right below the small of his back. When he moved, it flowed smoothly in the air, the colours paralleling the sky just as the sun begins to set. The shoulder piece placed above it however was a bit...well, heavy. As expected from something made out of pure black iron. Despite his protests, Rouge insisted on it. Claiming that it gave the whole outfit a unique, medieval touch.

Once satisfied with the nearly positioned cufflinks, Shadow continued forwards. Rouge and him took a more discreet entrance, avoiding the red carpet where multiple paparazzi's were at waiting, for the newest arrivals like hungry hyenas. Through the elegant arch of the decorated entrance, several flower arrangements were positioned in stands. Two, large marble pillars stood in the middle of the room, one on the left, and one on the right. Vines crept around the stone, and onto the ceiling. Fresh blooms sprouting from the greens, as if nature was slowly taking over the building.

On the lower base of both massive structures were several tables alighted in a circle around said pillar. Filled with appetizers and refreshers, alcoholic and none alcoholic. Tables covered in cloth and cushioned chairs were littered around the entire room. A flower-like glass twin lamp placed in each table as a center piece. The air in the room was still. The air conditioning creating a cool breeze that lingered around. 

The table they were assigned to was somewhere in the middle between the two pillars, just right below the low-lit chandelier. From this position, they had the best view of the stage.

The bat plopped down onto the soft seat. A heavy sigh pushing its way past her lips. Adjusting her dress, Rouge shifted in her chair as she tried getting comfortable. They arrived early, only a few others were present. 

"Well, what do you think he's going to wear?" Rouge spoke up. Elbows placed on the table as she leaned close.

"You said you two would match, didn't you?" The ebony hedgehog gruffed out. Recalling the others words from earlier.

Rouge and the red echidna were a thing now. So unsurprisingly, they chose to come as a couple. Matching attires would be a necessity—in Rouge's opinion— so she had gone out of her way to prepare the essentials.The theme was 'The Four Seasons', which was why he had dressed up in an autumn themed get-up. Rouge for her part, decided for Knuckles and for herself and chose winter. She came in a navy blue strapless dress with a cut reaching the height of her thigh. The dress transitioned from dark tones to lighter blues at thigh-level. The cut was wide, exposing the entirety of her leg. But not enough to be considered inappropriate. She had a specialized corset made out of glass that extended over her left shoulder. She had a fur coat on wrapped around her arms, accompanied by a silver bangle with a blue gem at both ends. Similar to this was the necklace she adored on her bare neck.

The bat merely rolled her eyes without any heat in the action. "No silly, I'm talking about big blue."

"I doubt anything decent, that's for sure." Those words came out so smoothly. Filled with honest opinion that somehow still made Rouge scowl.

"Come on now, don't talk so lowly of your boyfriend." She chastised. Casually leaning back.

Shadow felt a vein pop. "Rouge."

"I didn't hear a no." Giggling, said bat covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

Shadow closed his eyes, feeling the subtle thrumming in his temples as another headache started to brew. The increasing noise from his surroundings didn't help one bit as the crowed grew larger. The sound of dozen paparazzi's outside roaring with each new arrival mixed with the faint background music made him want to leave as quickly as he arrived.

Yet he couldn't. Not until he arrived. Shadow was willing to wait as long as possible. He'd wait for the entire night if he needed to. As long as he can see him again after such a long time. Shadow observed as a couple entered the vicinity and let out a long withering sigh. 

Tonight was going to be a long night.

———————————————————————————

The quietness from earlier had long since ceased. Faint music turned loud caused the floor to vibrate in sync with the beat. The air had turned sticky and suffocating as several guests mingled with each other. Some barely glanced at his presence, buried too deep into a conversation Shadow barely had the heart to understand.

He stood a few feet away from everyone. Standing beside the champagne tower as he combed through the crowd in search for the familiar striking blue amongst the multi-coloured sea of Mobians and humans.

Rouge was with the echidna, somewhere in the left wing. From afar, he could see them chatting with familiar faces. 

Rose's dress was spot on with her namesakes. A black short dress that stopped above the knee with an asymmetrical neckline. A single ruffle sleeve covered her shoulder, where the cut had risen. While the other was exposed. From her left bossom, a few pink roses were sewed on with a few pearls dangling from her diagram. The flowers were well-made. Each petal layered with precision. The skirt was puffy, several more roses peaking from and intentional cut from the dress. With a similar black ribbon on the waist with long tails. It almost looked like a bouquet.

And then there was the other two...dressed in plain suits, The fox in a white one and the echidna in a wine red one with a flower clip on their ties. It was apparent how unprepared they were, or maybe they didn't couldn't care less about appearances. Either way, Shadow didn't care. As long as Rouge enjoyed the company, then so be it.

Shadow didn't understand the appeal in such parties. The food was bland, the host barely had enough time to entertain all the guests and the guests themselves were mediocre. Ruby reds roamed across the room, recognizing a handful of celebrities and upper-classes interacting with one another. It was sickening. Greedy people snaking their way into other lives, befriending as many wealthy and successful individuals for the sake of their own benefit. Others were just straight up flaunting their money.

The gala itself was pointless. It was no fundraiser, nor an art exhibit. Just a mere occasion centering the concept of entertainment. Not that there was anything entertaining to begin with. The occasional drama was intriguing at first, until it happened again for the 7th time. When another snob embarrassed himself in front of the girl he tried to woo.

He had downed his 5th glass of wine and was able to pick up another when he came to a short realization. If the fox was already present, then where was his older brother? Shadow slid his sleeve up. Glancing at his watch. 8:52 PM, The event started almost an hour ago.

Shadow was beginning to think that maybe Sonic wasn't going to attend after all. The thought was simple, the solution apparent. He could always try again, but it still made his chest ache. 

He didn't know why, it wasn't like they agreed to meet up or anything. Sonic wasn't even supposed to know that he was here. 

Ever since their last interaction, there wasn't a time where he hadn't thought about what he had done. He was regretful, yes, but that wasn't entirely the reason why he was so determined to earn the blue blur's apology. In truth, he missed the constant yapping and radiant energy the blue hedgehog emitted. It helped him tune out the silence he had grown accustomed to. The way the other takes up space made him feel less alone. He missed the troublemaker. And Shadow would rather bite off his own tongue than to say that confession out loud.

He could still vividly remember how soft the cobalt fur was to touch, regardless of the messy state they were in. And his hands. Dear god he was screwed. Even from a quick glimpse, He saw how thin they were. Perfectly smooth skin clinging onto the durable bones of a legend. If it weren't for the fact that that part of the Mobian anatomy was so intimate, he'd pepper each dip of those knuckles with soft kisses.

The sound of several footsteps pulled him back from his musings. Shadow's mind snapped back into focus to take in what was happening. Almost everyone from around him had their heads turned towards the entrance. The previous roars from outside was like the sound of waves crashing into rocks from how the screams mixed together into one loud noise.

"Hey...isn't that—" someone whispered.

"Oh Chaos, it's Sonic!"

"Wait, really?!—"

Ebony ears twitched at the name. Inclining his arms, he pushed himself up with one clean move. He trudged through the crowd. Body brushing against bodies. The sensation of fabric rubbing against fabric made his skin crawl almost unbearably, the cloud of overpriced perfumes made his head ache. Yet that didn't stop him. Through what felt like hours of turning and ducking and bumping into other people his steps never faltered. His heart thudding against his ribcage like a jackrabbit, Shadow mustered the strength to pursue his goal with pure determination burning in his eyes. And then, just then—

He made it through the other side just in time to see.

Sonic was halfway across the red carpet. Entertaining the public by flashing a dazzling smile. News reporters and camera holders went feral, and a new surge of bright flashes soon followed. Now, everyone knew about Sonic's heroic deeds. He was after all, the proclaimed Hero of Mobius. This wasn't the first time the blue hedgehog was harassed by the media. So the treatment was expected. Still, Shadow still found his throat closing. His breath hitching as he noticed what the other was wearing.

Sonic had shown up in a tight sage green top, similar to Blaze's coat, only in a different colour with bell sleeves and embroidered florals decorating the front. The longer part behind him was nearly kissing the floor, while the shorter parts in front stopped by his hips, flared and the triangular tips curved upwards like petals. Paired with white pants and black leather heeled boots for men. The collar hugged at the blue neck. The illusion of several strips of fabric twisting and curling around his throat, patterned with scattered daisies. The chest area alongside the shoulders and arms were fitted, and a small black corset wrapped tightly around his waist, above the hips.

Staring from the From this angle, the other's backside was exposed. The top turning black from behind, bedazzled with shiny black gems. A deep cut made the two blue spines on his back pop out just as it ended about an inch from his tail. Dangerously close to the part where only the hedgehog himself was allowed to see. Shadow made sure his eyes didn't wander too low.

The cut wasn't as pronounced, the design seemed as if black liquid, almost like living tar was sending out tendrils in attempt to reconnect itself by reaching over to grab the rest of it's body. Through the thin lines he could see more of the blue fur. Red roses from various sizes splayed all over. Enough to be seen, but not enough to properly cover anything underneath.

The sheer cape, attached from both shoulder blades, was like a chaos damned garden. From roses to sunflowers to daffodils to lily of the valleys and so much more, assorted into one, enormous floral masterpiece mixed with leaves at the very end of the white-green accessory. Very few making it's way up the rest of the cape.

And his quills...as if each spikey tip had been dipped in molten gold. Peppered in more flowers, and accessories that glistened against the white flashes. Two matching drop earrings hanged from blue ears. Twirling with each subtle movement.

The moist in his mouth suddenly vanished. A warm bloom on his muzzle made him aware of his blushing. Despite the need to, he couldn't bring himself to look away. Taking in the rare sight. The greens brought out the deeper shade of emerald that resided in the blue hedgehog's eyes. Cobalt fur becoming more noticable against the softer shades. Blues and greens complementing each other, like emeralds and sapphires. Belonging to each other like the sea and land. Where azure kisses viredescent, letting the celestial tapestry that vaulted heavens descend, gently lend a touch to fields where mortal life is found.

From afar, Shadow perceived each step, confident and deliberate. The presence commanding and unrestrained. Effortlessly capturing the attention of every individual in the vicinity. Shadow included. He felt his soul ascend when those very eyes made contact with his own. Causing his heart to stagger once more. Well...eye to be more accurate.

There was a large piece of lace obscuring half of his face, weeds and leaves layered askew under more flowers. It almost seemed like wildflowers growing from the cracks of an old, broken but still beautiful porcelain doll.

His feet took a step forward, disobedient with it's owner. Then another, and another, in a trance-like perception that drew him towards the very being of his misery, and soon to be clemency.

He was only a few feet away, the other stood calmly. The connection of their eyes still strong and unwavering. His hand made it's way into his peripheral vision, fingers reaching. Yet he refused to look at anything other than him. Opening his mouth, words ready to spill like water from the edge of an overfilled glass. 

"Sonic—" and then, without any warning, their unspoken connection was cut abruptly by another blocking his line of sight. Followed by a sharp push to his side that nearly knocked him over. Before he knew it, he had been pushed back into the crowd. Drowning in the ever potent smell of fragrances that made bile rise up his throat.

"Sonic!"

"Can I take a picture?"

"Please be my boyfriend!"

Many younger individuals swarmed the hero, opting for a picture, a handshake, one had the nerve to ask for a kiss. Shadow witnessed how they squirmed and screeched and flailed like ants to sugar. Social etiquette? None-existing. This behavior was full on public indecency.

"Let me kiss you—!"

"Oh my chaos he looked at me!"

"Please sign my hand!"

"I want to fuck yo—!"

.

.

.

Yeah, fuck no. 

Shadow left and returned to his spot. A good distance away from the chaos. As he said, he could always try again later.

———————————————————————————

When he said 'later', it seemed like the universe had agreed with his mindset. That or it really just hated him. He had gone back and forth, approaching and approaching. And in return he received nothing but distractions and interruptions that steered him clear from his goal.

It was infuriating. Being tossed around like fate's chew toy. As he were a mere joke and not a man on a mission. Each attempt, that flicker of hope arises from within. Only to be extinguished with each fail. Everything was so unorganized and unpredicted. He couldn't find the right time to bite the bullet. Not when said bullet kept zipping past him faster than the speed of light. Metaphorically and literally.

If he had known it would have been this difficult to spend time with the other, he would have been more greatful for the times Sonic seeked his company.

That thought alone made him bitter. The sight of Sonic mingling with other's only adding salt to his wounds. Shadow began to think that maybe the other was intentionally dodging his advances by purposely setting him up to fail. But that couldn't be. He hadn't so much as glanced at the hybrid since he first arrived.

"Testing, testing...is this thing on?—"

Shadow inclined his head to look at the source of that muffled, slightly echoing voice. Which came from the host himself. A wolf standing in front of the mini stage, holding out a mic he wasn't really sure was on. Another figure came into view, a female sheep whispering something into the grey wolf's ear.

"It is? Oh shit—ahem!"

The ebony hedgehog couldn't help up roll his eyes, already preparing himself mentally for whatever fabricated words this dunce was about to spew. His eyes scanned the room, noting how almost everyone's attention had easily shifted. Every guest bedazzled in glitz and glam had been snapped out of their own personal conversations. Those who were strolling around had ceased, aside from the few service workers who continued their tasks with profound ease from the sudden stillness.

Carefully, Shadow crept closer to the closest group of social elites and hid behind their frames. With stealth that could rival a panthers he jumped from one crowd to another, hiding in the shadows, away from the eyes of those who noticed his presence during the host's speech for the night. 

After a while, he had completely rounded the entire room, not once catching a glimpse of rich blue amidst the garden of duller shades. That was, until he saw familiar spikes peeking from the corner before disappearing again.

————————————————————————————

"Faker." The hybrid called out. Voice soft in contrast with the running water from the sink. Sonic glanced up from the swirling water, staring at the other through the mirror's reflection. Wide-eyed, yet smiling all the same time.

The speedster spun on his heel. "There you are!" He exclaimed. Green finally meeting red in person, away from the echos of refraction.

"Where'd you go man?" The other questioned, using his palms to lean against the marble sink. "I was starting to think that you dipped out when I came in."

I was there the whole time, waiting for you. Was his supposed response. Yet he couldn't bear saying such thing out loud.

"Cuz of—" He cuts himself off immediately. Eyes widened yet again, barely stopping the words from coming out of his mouth. Shadow says nothing. Just standing there, arms crossed and observing in silence. "Er...y'know."

Azure chuckled. Forced and strained. The warbled tick in his laugh paired with the crooked grin made the anxiety apparent. For a while neither spoke, Sonic's eyes falling down after a few seconds and raking across his body.

"I like the fit! Very on brand." He said, staring intently at his shoulder. Avoiding his eyes. "Dark and edgy, yet formal and clean."

"Ten out of ten, kudos to you!" The speedster announced. Clapping his hands in appreciation. Yet the smile that adorned his lips still felt off.

"I could say the same to you." Shadow finally spoke, grunting out his own compliment in return. A brief flash of something overtook the blue hedgehog's face before disappearing as soon as it came. Shadow thought that it might've been surprise.

"So, um yeah. I should probably go now, I don't want Tails to think I ditched him. He'd never live it down. And—"

"Sonic."

Sonic stopped mid-step. Just a few feet away from the other in black. His spiky head of blue turned slowly, cautious. "Y-Yeah?"

"About before." Shadow's face tightened at the eerie silence that fell upon them. Sonic's did the opposite, going slack from his direct approach.

"Before? What do you mean?" The other questioned. Playing the fool. Shadow barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Shifting his balance from one foot to another, ebony hanged his head low. "Don't play dumb, you know what I'm talking about." Shadow sent warning look at the other when Sonic attempted to deny it further.

Almost an instant, the grin on the peach muzzle dropped. Replaced with a scowl. "Alright, fine fine, what about it?" Azure said, impatience bleeding from his tone.

"I'm sorry," Shadow apologized. Blunt, tone heavy and earnest with his words. For a brief second, his pride fought for itself. Apologizing wasn't exactly in his field. He'd be lying if he said this whole ordeal wasn't hurting his dignity. Especially when the person he had to make amends with was the very person he should dislike. But despite the popular belief, he knew how to face the consequences of his wrong doings. Shadow can lick his own wounds later, he had to do something more important now.

"for taking it off without asking." Ruby eyes flicked towards the other. White complimenting the sage garments. "I didn't know."

"Rouge informed me about how personal it was." He recalled. The conversation replaying in his head like a recording set on loop.

"I really didn't intend to humiliate you." A pause. Echoes of footsteps rang across the humid room. "I was concerned, about the cut on your—"

His words evaporated from his mouth as a familiar weight settled on his shoulder. "I know." Firm and heavy and warm. Heat seeping through his clothes.

"It's alright Shads, I wasn't really kept in the dark." Sonic confessed. Shadow inclined his head to see the apologetic expression etched onto his lighter counterparts visage. "I knew you weren't really familiar with the customs, you did grew up with humans so I guess I expected it?"

Out of pure puzzlement, Shadow opened his mouth to ask how the other knew about that major factor in his life. His question was answered before he could, the knowing glint in Sonic's eyes wafting an eerie shrill of familiarity up his spine.

"I'm sorry too, for slapping you out of the blue."

Shadow cleared his throat. His hand coming up instinctively to caress the side of his face. "It was...rational. I suppose." He grunted, mildly feeling the phantom pain of the strike linger despite having healed weeks ago.

"Hm." Humming, Sonic's gaze remained glued onto the floor. And Shadow was observant enough to notice the dazed state they were in. Unfocused and cloudy, barely there at all.

"I'll see you around." He said, grin faded out into a tight line as he continued his pursuit towards the exit. "I'll try to not get in your way, okay?

Alarm bells were ringing in Shadow's head. Something was wrong. He could feel it seething into his bones. The familiar pinpricks of unease and the slow build up of his heartbeat.

There was something off with how he said it. The intention of his words were already alarming. This was Sonic, the guy who couldn't give two shits about what he said or did. The person that would overstep his boundaries as if it were a walk in the park.

"Bye Shads." Sonic bid farewell, clipped, uncharacteristically dull and empty. Which did nothing to appease his growing worry. He called out again for what felt like the hundredth time tonight. This time swimming in tones of warning.

"What is it now?" Said person snapped back. Whipping his head around with such intensity, Shadow worried if the quills nestled in his head would start flying out and stab him in the eye.

"Do you really forgive me?" He urged. Stepping closer until his hands rested on each side of Sonic's shoulders.

The speedster twitched at the contact, but remained calm for Chao's sake. "Why wouldn't I?" The hybrid stared. Straight into his eyes in search for any deception, anger, sadness, hurt. Anything he could read to know—to understand what was wrong unlike before. 

A minute passed by, maybe two, before Shadow's gravelly voice began with utmost certainty. "You're lying."

"Huh? No, I'm not—?" The blue blur was quick to deny such claims. Only to be shot down by another.

"You're still upset." He said, like a spoken fact. A revelation.

Sonic scoffed. Grabbing his wrists when his grip on the other's shoulders tightened. "Well yeah, I guess I am. But I'm serious about the whole glove thing."

If that was so, then why is he behaving like this? Like he couldn't stand his presence. Like he didn't want to be anywhere near him anymore.

"Then why are you so distant? What bothers you so, that even I am not exempted?" He remembers old memories. Ones where he wasn't fond in, spending unwanted time with the blur. He remembers the eagerness and determination the other showed, sticking to him like tar. He missed those casual sparring sessions, the competitive racing, the damned bickering. He couldn't mess things up again. He couldn't, he couldn't—

"Can we not right now, please?" Sonic's voice snapped him back to the present. Exasperation masking the tinge of anxiety. The wince that scrunched up his peach muzzle did not go unnoticed.

Shadow quickly let go.

"The awarding is about to start, Tails and the rest of the gang are looking for me." Sonic stepped back, eyes hovering back and forth between him and the door behind. The muffled cheers and clapping from the other side signaled the end of the host's speech. "And I'd rather not have this conversation in a dingy bathroom, the air fresheners are making me want to puke out my breakfast."

Shadow didn't say anything. Gazing into nothing in particular. He weighted his options, examining the pros and the cons before meeting the emerald gaze again, reluctantly speaking with a hushed yet firm tone. "We're not done, do you understand?"

"Yeah yeah, I know." Groaning, Sonic left in a hurry. But not before peeking through the doors edge with a final say, "I'll talk to you later." With that, his steps dissolved into silence. Leaving Shadow alone in the empty, fragrance heavy bathroom.

———————————————————————————

The outcome was...expected at least. Shadow managed to predict the first two winners based on reputation and presentation alone. Sonic stood on the podium with a garish sash draped across his frame. Many guests coming up to shake his hand and mutter congratulations. Of course he'd win. Everyone's attention had been on him since he first arrived in that gorgeous getup. Truly deserving of the title, Sonic was.

While he stood paralleled against him with a similar podium beneath his feet, Shadow adjusted his grip on his own prize, having won first place in the lucky ruffle he didn't know he was included in. He had a sneaking suspicion on who might have put his name in the mix.

Nevertheless he was truly grateful for the other hedgehog's presence, having directed almost the entirety of the crowds attention towards himself. It kept him at ease knowing that only a few would spare the time congratulating him with empty words.

The rest of the night went by like a blur. Shadow kept an eye out for Sonic, just in case the other forgot or decided to make a run for it. In which he—thankfully—didn't.

He met him on the balcony, outside the establishment and under the sea of stars. Or what was visible up there. The other stood in peaceful solitude, gazing up at the sky in rare quietness. Shadow took his place beside him, leaning against the railing, making himself known to the other.

"They're barely visible here." Sonic began. Still gazing up. Shadow followed, inclining his head to glance up at the faded whites. Having disappeared from the light pollution of the city.

Shadow opened his mouth to reply. "Depends on the light pollution, the more urban, the lesser they become."

Sonic whistled. "That sucks." He said, Shadow nodded along in silent agreement.

The silence that followed was comfortable, preferable than the ones from before. And instead of the blue quilled hedgehog shattering the peaceful camaraderie in the air, Shadow did it this time, for the first time. "You're unusually quiet tonight."

"Gee, thanks for noticing." Sonic's dry tone replied. Green shifting down to softly cast a glare at him. It didn't last long though, when Shadow spoke again, softer.

"She used to love the stars." He muttered. Almost to himself. Gaze downcast and drowning in bitterness nostalgia. Sadness ever present, but still joy from the memories of the past. "So much so, she could cite all of the constellations as if it were her name."

"She'd look out the window panels, sometimes through a telescope." The hybrid recalled. The memory being his reality not so long ago.

He casted a sidelong glance at Sonic, expression uncannily blank and guarded. Yet his voice betrayed him with the subtle gentleness that lingered at the edges. "What was her favorite?"

"Ursa major, easiest for her to find, even with her bare eyes." Shadow swears he could faintly hear her voice in his head. "Yours?"

"Orion." Came Sonic's reply.

"The hunter," Shadow hummed. Tilting his head to the side. "Why?"

Sonic shrugged. "I don't know, I just like it."

He playfully rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Unbelievable." 

Shadow wasn't even sure if he knew any constellations. So colour him surprised that the other managed to name at least one. The two fell into companionable silence once more. The occasional creaks of the crickets nearby, and the soft humming of the roads below creating a soothing symphony that cleared his head.

It had rained earlier, just before they arrived. He could pick up the faint smell of wet grass lingering in the air around them. Rich, earthy, fresh and welcomed unlike the clouds of aching perfumes the busy establishment had to offer.

"Are you okay being around me?" Sonic suddenly spoke up. Gazing straight ahead. The lights catching on his face and quills, giving off an ethereal sight. "If...your forcing yourself to talk to me, I understand that you don't want to. I won't force you either."

A beat, and then he added. "Don't get me wrong, I'll still annoy you when I feel like it, but you don't need to hold out on the talking stuff."

It took a couple of seconds before Shadow understood what the other was referring to. "I'm not forcing anyone? Besides, who said I didn't like your company."

"You did." Shadow frowned. Giving Sonic more time to elaborate. "Not directly, but the implications were there."

"I honestly thought we had something going on." Azure pouted, playful yet solemn all the same. "After all the things we've been through, I thought that maybe we were more than rivals now."

"....especially after the incident." Sonic muttered. His hand gripping the railing, face dark and distant. He leaned away.

It had been a long time ago, when that particular incident occurred. When carelessness in action caused one problem to birth another. And with that was a terrible consequence. One that he himself had not suffered, but still pained him to no end. He received no blame nor ridicule from anyone. But the guilt spoke enough. If anything, he had wished it was him that suffered. No one brought it up, Sonic never did too, until now.

"What did you have in mind?" He bumped his shoulder against peach ones.

Sonic returned the gesture, snickering as he did so. "Friends actually, but you didn't want that, did you?"

Friends. Shadow thought about it for a long time. Friendship was delicate and easily broken, and once it was, it ends up being a liability during professional matters. A friend was someone who would stay, despite everything that happens. Rouge was a friend, a terribly good one that wormed her way in Shadow's closed off life.

Sonic was no different from her, always trying despite being rejected over and over again. The first time it happened, Shadow truly didn't want to be involved with the blue hedgehog. But as time went on, and Sonic continued to persist his personal goal of befriending him. He started rejecting him for completely different reasons. 

Shadow, despite the way he acts around the blue hero, does in fact hold an ounce of respect for him. As much as the other reciprocated that. Both were aware, sharing a wordless understanding of each other. Rivals was what he wanted. It was what they settled with. But in the end, it wasn't enough. 

Friends didn't sit right with him either. He wanted something more than just that. Something beyond what Rouge could offer. A deeper, stronger, and meaningful bond. 

For such a long time, it almost seemed as if he were destined to be alone forever. No one wanted to be anywhere near a lethal weapon, especially with his pessimistic attitude. But there were others that saw through that. Saw more than a weapon made to kill. And the very first that came into mind, was Sonic.

Shadow reluctantly, yet still ever so truthfully answered. Slow and deliberate. "...No, not really." Eyes landing on Sonic's face as he swallowed thickly, and nodded. Ducking his head low in what Shadow could interpret as bitter acceptance. 

Shadow debated whether or not he should tell him. But the answer was already clear. And the loss was far too great to deny. So with a thundering heart, Shadow delicately continued. Almost as if a single hitch in his tone would cause great misunderstandings. "I want more than that."

"More than friends?" Sonic whispered. Wide-eyed surprise and a small hint of hope brightening his eyes. Shadow could feel his gaze softening.

"So much more." Shadow confirmed. The weight of everything that he had been hiding for years finally lifting from his chest. Ensuring reassurance that his words had not been a fluke. That he truly meant what he said. They shared eye contact for a few minutes. Neither of them willing to break it. Until Sonic sighed deeply and closed his eyes. 

"It hurt y'know." Blue rubbed at his neck. Pulling at the fabric wrapped snuggly around it. "What you said."

Shadow placed his hand over Sonic's, the same one he grabbed that very day, and carefully guided it to his muzzle. "I didn't really mean it."

"Sure felt like you did." He could hear and feel the other's pulse quickening through the pulse point. The deliberate thrumming felt throughout his cheek. Feeling, calming, grounding him that everything was real. That this wasn't a dream, that he was actually pouring out his heart and soul through the words that slipped past his lips.

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" He guesses. Leaning closer to plant a quick kiss to the peach wrist. A sweet apology of some sorts. He felt Sonic flinch at the contact.

"No." Shadow raised a brow. Fixing him an unimpressed frown. Clearly not believing that bullshit. "Maybe...yeah."

"I won't do it again." The hybrid says. His hold on the other turned firm, yet kind and assuring. Squeezing just right to stabilize and not to bruise.

"Pshh, yeah right." The speedster waves him off. Slowly retracting his arm away. Shadow, despite feeling forlorn, let's him.

"I'm serious." The ebony hedgehog stood straighter. Turning his body towards the other. "I won't hurt you like that again."

"If I punched you right now you won't throw me off the roof?"

"Not this time." Sonic snorted at that. That familiar smile stretching his lips, reaching his eyes. Oh, how Shadow missed that.

"You look good in green." The hybrid blurts out, acknowledging the other's attire. He reaches for something out of Sonic's peripheral vision, taking his sweet time to pull his shit together, and pulls out something large and heavy. "It makes your eyes stand out."

"Um, isn't this your..?" Shadow wordlessly nodded. Handing over the oversized bouquet of roses he received when he had won. It was a small gift, the real prize was in his inner pocket. "...thanks?"

He let his gaze travel up and down, before humming in approval. "You look better with it." Ebony grunts out. The bouquet adding a more fuller look. Somewhat making everything look complete. 

"Are you actually flirting with me right now?" The hero laughs. Jabbing at his side with an unoccupied elbow. Shadow ignored that.

"Maybe." He parroted, a teasing grin making it's way up his lips. Sonic marvels at the rare behavior. Grinning like a fool in oblivion until that look of pure unadulterated joy morphed into that of doubt.

 "Are you sure you didn't hit your head?" He asked innocently. Feigning worry with mirthful eyes.

"Shut up." The agent grins regardless. Flicking the other's forehead. Sonic yelps and rubs at the sore spot, angling his body away from him. Shadow crosses his arms, posture relaxed. Grinning to himself. It wasn't until his gaze landed on the other's exposed backside did he do a double take.

That cut was dangerously low up close.

"Your back," he starts. Hold a hand out mid air. "They let you wear this?"

"Duh," The blue blur rolled his eyes. "It's not really comfy, but I look like amazing."

"You have burns there." He points out loud. Almost to himself in shock.

Sonic waves him off, and winks. "Same way I got this bad boy." He inclined his hand out to show off the supposed to be visible, yet invisible cut on his palm, covered underneath thick clothing. "I wasn't kidding when I said it was hot in there."

"No shit." Shadow shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. Of course it would have been. It was why he directed the other to aim at the chest and not the stomach. But some Mobians just can't listen, can't they?

"How's the, uh," He cleared his throat. Briefly glancing away. "has it healed yet?"

"Yep, a few weeks ago actually." Azure responded. Stretching his arms above his head with a distinct pop!

"...Can I?" The striped one probed. Extending his arm out and laying his palm open. Requesting permission instead of demanding it.

"No pressure." Ebony added. A small smile gracing his lips.

Sonic peered at him, one that screamed hesitation. Before his gaze flicked at his awaiting palm. A moment of silence, the tension thick with anxiety.

"Sure," Azure finally agreed. Shadow did not fail to notice the slight waver of uncertainty in his voice.

He observes the way Sonic's chest rises and falls as he takes a deep, soul aching sigh, he sets the arrangement down. He pinched the edge of his glove with shaky fingers and slowly slithered the garment off with one firm tug.

Lo and behold, was the familiar paw resting in his. Soft to the touch, and warm to the heart. Untainted by filth and grease, but marked by neglect and jagged metal made for senseless violence. At first glance, it nearly seemed spotless to the point where Shadow thought that he had been given the wrong hand. But upon closer inspection, he could see the barely visible trace of a scar. White, and nearly blending with the peach.

He cupped his other hand underneath, cradling the hand like it was fragile. Shadow elevated it, moving closer to his face. And traced one finger alongside the thin line.

"It's barely visible." He said in pure awe. Staring at the camouflaged remains of a nasty wound.

"I've got great healing." Sonic announced. Smugly smirking at him. "Had to get it stitched thought."

"By who?" Shadow couldn't help but question. Inclined to keep the conversation going.

"Someone who knows how to." Sonic replied. Not naming anyone specifically, almost cryptid. He didn't push for more answers, already satisfied with what he got.

"I thought it wasn't allowed to show your bare paws to others?"

"You can! As long as it's a loved one, relative or not, and if it's a medical situation or something."

"Huh." Shadow droned out. Idly drawing circles around the heels of Sonic's palm. Then, he grins widely at the other. "So does that mean..?"

"Haha," Blue laughs emptily. Squinting at him before continuing with a dry tone. "Don't let it get to your head, mister 'more than a friend'."

"We still have lots to work on." He said with determination. And Shadow couldn't agree more.

"Agreed." He smiled. Closing his eyes and soaking in the warmth the other provided.

"Right now, we should get you covered up." Shadow looked up to gaze at the other's confused expression. "Your getting cold, wearing a backless shirt during a chilly evening like this is bound to cause some sickness later on."

The blue blur pouted. Lightly pushing him away and covering his palm with his now cold glove. While he did, Shadow began to make a move on taking his coat off.

"Y'know, your starting to creep me out." Sonic suddenly confessed, catching him off guard. "I didn't hit you too hard did I?"

"Nope." The black quilled hedgehog returned easily. Offering the coat to the other.

"...you just don't want anyone to see my back, don't you?"

"Maybe."

The two of them laughed under the moonlit sky, laughter carried by the neverending breeze that lingered the earth for as long as life began. No one but the stars bared witness of the beginning of innocent love. It was small, yet a beginning is a beginning. Only time can tell whether or not that love would grow or wither. Shadow doesn't worry with that thought. Knowing full well that he'll remain devoted to his counterpart until the earth crumbles and he breathes his final breath. As long as humans breathe, and eyes can see, love shall foster within him, for as long as can be.

The rest of their evening went smoothly, no major hitches that was worth their time. And if anyone wondered why Sonic was wearing a piece of Shadow's attire, no one dared to question it.

Life can be unexpected. When one rises, the other plummets. A problem is a test and a lesson that must be learned. You can either face it, or run away from it. But know this, 

Even the biggest of problems may nourish the roots that allows the plant to bloom.