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"'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling,
And every time we kiss, I swear I can fly~!"
Hips swaying, tail wagging, and a luminescent shimmer to her strawberry pink quills, Aurora twirled out of the kitchen and into the living room to her cheerful duet with Meownstera to deposit her treasure trove of goodies on the coffee table in front of the sectional: chips, dip, chocolate-drizzled popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate kisses, sodas… The ice cream remained in the freezer to prevent preemptive melting before she needed it. And given the queue of romantic comedies known for the cheesiest plots and most swoon-worthy male leads? Aurora was going to need that ice cream by the gallons.
Though the singular bucket of strawberry cheesecake swirl she'd managed to hide from her father in the very back of the freezer would do quite nicely.
Her hands came to rest on her hips as Aurora surveyed the living room with a critical emerald eye. Snacks, movies, sodas, her softest green hoodie just in case she got cold in her pajamas during her marathon… but it still looked bare. Like she was missing something that would take her rare Aurora Night in the Hedgehog house from good to amazing. Her gaze rested on the hoodie again.
Oh!
Giggling, Aurora danced up the stairs towards her bedroom. "Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky! They wipe away tears that I cry-!" She sang, skipping to her closet where the extra blankets were kept stowed away for rare chillier days. Gathering them in her arms and delighting in the fuzziness, Aurora picked up her spare pillows off her bed to bring for her nest as well. "Cause every time we touch, I feel the static! And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky-!"
Tap tap tap.
Aurora screeched, the blankets and pillows flying out of her arms and dropping like missiles on her bedroom floor, and she whirled around with prickled pink quills and bright scarlet flashing across her body.
Shadow clung to the window sill, his balance a bit precarious thanks to the quaking of his shoulders as he struggled to reign in his laughter. Aurora marched to the window, playfully imitating her boyfriend's fiercest scowl at him while planting her fists disapprovingly on her hips. Shadow merely grinned at her, his sides lightly heaving and his ruby eyes sparkling with mirth. Aurora let out a fake huff and turned her face away from him, peeking after a moment to spot Shadow still smirking at her, but now with his hand pressed to the window pane with his brow quirked.
He knew her far too well.
Tittering quietly, Aurora unlatched the window and slid it open. "Hi." She beamed, leaning on the window towards him.
"Hello." Shadow replied, his own smile more reserved but no less warm or affectionate. "Not interrupting, am I?"
Aurora tilted her head, humming thoughtfully. "Mmm, maybe. You know I love listening to Meownstera." She teased.
"My sincerest apologies, Light." His eyes flashed with mischief. "How can I make it up to you?"
"Oooh, I'm not sure." Aurora sighed. "That was a really good song, and look." She pointed to the mess on her bedroom floor. "You made me drop all my things, and you laughed at me!" She crossed her arms and forced her expression into a pout to hide her grin.
"I'm sure there must be something I can do to express my deepest regrets." He leaned forward until there was only a breath between them, his ruby eyes dancing, flicking down between her eyes and her lips. "Some way I can convey how truly remorseful I am." His voice dropped into a rumbling purr, melting Aurora's very bones and her resolve. She gripped his shoulder as their lips met eagerly. Fireworks sizzled through her fur and warmed her down to her fingers and toes. His fingers gingerly stroked her cheek even as he pulled away, keeping the kiss warm but light and chaste, but Aurora whimpered quietly and attempted to chase his lips before rational thought returned to her brain.
"Hi." Aurora whispered breathlessly.
Shadow chuckled. "Hello." His hand slid from her face to curl around her fingers and give them a gentle squeeze. "I didn't mean to frighten you; I'm sorry."
Aurora shook her head. "It's okay, promise. What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to go out tonight with Rouge and Omega?"
"Rouge had to cancel last minute; Ruff and Tumble have the flu." Shadow explained. "I'm not in the mood for Omega's destructive fun tonight, so I thought I would come by." His eyes flicked down, taking in the violet tank and floral-patterned pants that made up her pajamas. "I can go if you were going to have an early night in." He offered. "There's a book I haven't yet-,"
"No!" Aurora interjected. Her cheeks warmed. "I mean, no, I wasn't planning to sleep early tonight. I'm actually having a movie marathon downstairs." She bit her lip and shot him a hopeful smile. "You can join me if you want, unless you would rather finish your book or something-,"
"A movie marathon sounds perfect." Shadow climbed gracefully through the window when Aurora grinned and backed up for him. He quirked his brow at the blankets and pillows littering the floor. "Fort?"
"I was thinking just a nice soft nest." Aurora shrugged and picked up a pillow. "I don't feel like putting a lot of effort in tonight." Shadow smirked but nodded and stacked the blankets in his arms, following Aurora out of the room and down the stairs.
Shadow's nose twitched. "Do you have enough chocolate?"
"There's never enough chocolate."
Shadow snorted quietly but refrained from commenting further. Instead, he dropped his blanket haul on the floor and began painstakingly arranging them, taking the pillows from Aurora at intervals, until a plush nest sat directly in front of the screen. Aurora's tail wagged as she eagerly grabbed all the goodies from the coffee table and crawled into the nest, wiggling in delight at the cushy warmth. Shadow watched her with a fond smile, and when she turned to him and offered her hand, he dimmed the lights, slipped out of his gloves and skates, and clambered in beside her. The second he sat down, she was on him, snuggling into his side with the bowl of popcorn in hand.
A hush fell over the pair when the film began, but Shadow huffed a laugh against Aurora's bangs at the familiar notes of the haunting opening ambience, his voice quiet yet fond to preserve the instilled atmosphere. "I should have guessed you'd start with this."
She poked his side. "It's a classic." Shadow hummed, but while Aurora's attention was on the woe-begotten tale of Christine and her Phantom depicted on the screen, Shadow's was clearly not. At first, it was barely noticeable. With her seated against his chest with his arms around her, light touches were expected when either one would shift their weight or even breathe. So enraptured by the musical, Aurora didn't notice Shadow's fingers idly brushing against her belly, or his nose occasionally bumping against her quills or even her ear. She did notice when he carefully shifted her in his lap to recline more against him, but when she shot him a look, he merely raised a brow and flicked his eyes back to Phantom. Aurora rolled her eyes but settled against him with a content sigh.
Shadow nuzzled her ear, placing a featherlight kiss to the tip. It flicked, nearly striking his nose, but he was undeterred. His hands slipped from Aurora's belly, over her arms, and took her hands in his. Shadow stroked her knuckles with tender thumbs, and Aurora hummed, delighting at the intimate brush of their fur, freed of the traditional barriers of their gloves. She no longer paid any attention to the Phantom luring Christine deep beneath the theater, but tilted her head to the side to give Shadow better access when he brushed his nose against her jaw, peppering her cheek with light kisses. "You're sweet tonight." Aurora whispered.
His voice rumbled against her back. "I'm always sweet."
"Liar."
"Should I stop, then? I'd hate to distract you from your movie-," The words were breathed against her ear, and Aurora shivered, pulling slightly back to look at him. Shadow's ears fell, and remorse flickered in those brilliant ruby eyes she loved so much. She smiled. Her sweet Spaceman. "I'm so-,"
Aurora's lips claiming his silenced him. One of his hands, warm and firm, cradled her cheek, while his free hand slid around her hip, gently encouraging her towards him. Her hands curled at the base of his neck, her fingers playing with the slight errant quills that fell unnoticed out of their routine curve. A purr rumbled in his chest, and Shadow's tongue delicately swiped against her lower lip, graciously asking her permission to deepen their kiss, and Aurora didn't hesitate to grant it.
Aurora sighed in pleasure, tangling her fingers in Shadow's sleek quills and pressing herself against him. He tasted like butter, chocolate, and something darker—richer—that she couldn't identify but loved all the same. It was delicious. His hands slid up her back, his fingers tentatively exploring until they found her back quills—oh. She gasped, pleasure singing across her fur at the gentle stroke, and she felt his smirk against her lips.
Well, if Shadow was going to be that way, Aurora would show him. She kissed him hard, proudly taking in his surprised grunt, gently tugging at his quills before peppering her lips across his cheek. She paused at his neck, her breathing labored in the best way, and it was only Shadow's head tilt, baring himself to her, that encouraged her forward. She pressed her lips to his shoulder, listening keenly, but Shadow barely reacted other than a slight hitch of his breath. Aurora wouldn't let that deter her; Shadow had always been harder to ruffle anyway. She kissed up and down his collarbone, little pecks that had him relaxing underneath her. His pulse was strong and steady, if a bit fast, and Aurora pressed her lips against it. Once, twice, again and again… then nipped him.
Shadow let out a surprised hiss. Aurora smirked against his neck and did it again, letting her teeth gently drag his skin, then flicked her tongue over the spot. "Light." Shadow rasped. His voice was lower than she'd ever heard it, and a thrill raced down her spine. He always managed to fluster her without much effort. To turn the tables on him like this, it was exhilarating. A memory flashed behind her eyes, and she smirked against Shadow's neck. Sure, while the end result had been embarrassing, his reaction to her creation day gift had been worth it.
Aurora wanted to see it again.
She kissed and nipped up Shadow's neck, letting her gentle licks temper the timid roughness of her bites, and she nearly forgot her plan when his fingers resumed what had started this path. She trembled with pleasure at the skitters of fire the caresses against her "wings" caused, but she wasn't going to lose this time. She kissed his cheek, his temple… then let her warm breath envelope his right ear. Aurora grumbled when the angle proved difficult with her current position and sought to readjust herself, swinging her leg over his and sitting.
Shadow froze beneath her. "A-Aurora-,"
A smirk graced Aurora's lips, and she lightly kissed the tip of his ear. A shaky breath warmed her collarbone; Shadow's hands fell to rest on her hips. He didn't push her away, just held her loosely, so Aurora took it as permission. She cradled his head in her hands and brought her lips back to his ear, pressing kisses to the appendage and smiling at his purrs. He buried his face in her shoulder and dotted kisses along her collarbone, and Aurora squeaked when his teeth caught her pulse point. His smirk against her neck, the dark red eyes peeking up at her roguishly… Aurora firmly but gently pulled Shadow's head down to better reach and bit down on his ear, kissing and licking the spot to soothe it. Shadow gasped, and gasped loudly, at her bite, but Aurora wasn't yet finished. Her teeth nibbled along his ear, her lips and tongue tracing the shape.
Aurora squeaked when Shadow yanked her down, her body taut with surprise and her hands still raised uselessly between them from cradling his head, but the questions and apology died on her tongue at the look in his eyes.
Shadow's normally immaculate fur was ruffled. His quills were in disarray, his lips parted and cheeks stained a similar red to his stripes. But his eyes—black pupils so blown that it was difficult to tell the shade of dark red his irises had taken by the slim ring around the black. Shadow had never looked at her this way before; and the desire, the hunger, the adoration that filled those eyes perhaps should have given Aurora pause, but it only thrilled her. Aurora licked her lips… and Shadow's eyes followed the motion. "Sha-mmph!"
Shadow didn't let Aurora finish. With a growl that resonated in her bones, he cupped Aurora's cheeks firmly and smashed his lips on hers. Aurora gasped at his ferocity, and he took the opportunity presented to insistently lick his way into her mouth. Aurora keened, melting into his impassioned kiss, slotting herself as close to him as she could possibly get. Her hands gripped at his shoulders, only able to hold on tight as Shadow overwhelmed her in the greatest way. He'd always been so gentle, so patient and chaste with her, a respect for her comfort born of love. He never let his kisses be anything but soft, his touches light… but now.
It was like a dam had broken. Something had snapped in Shadow when Aurora had bitten him, and Aurora loved it. His teeth nipped her lips, her collarbone, his slightly-sharper canines pressing against her, the barest hint of danger. His hands were everywhere, pulling at her hips, tugging on her quills to bare her neck, scratching the spines he'd lovingly called wings. Everything began and ended with Shadow, with his touch, his kiss. Aurora's body sang a song she'd never heard before for him, the gentle touch of a novice had been replaced by the skilled passion of a virtuoso. She panted and whined in a storm she never wanted to end, her control over her powers waning with every second until she was a sparkling, shimmery mess.
Her fingers found purchase against his chest, and Aurora slipped her fingers through Shadow's chest fluff, feeling his racing heart and labored breaths beneath her palms. Another series of growls trembled against her body when she gripped the silky white fur and gently tugged, and Aurora moaned when Shadow's lips came down on hers again. An eternity could have passed, and neither hedgehog would have noticed.
"Love me, that's all I ask of you!"
Aurora's ears twitched and she pulled out of Shadow's kiss, breathless and blushing, her emerald eyes wide on the screen. "Ah! No! I missed it!" She wailed.
Shadow blinked, then laughed quietly. "You can always rewind it, Light." He reminded her, holding up the remote and wiggling it in front of her with a smirk.
Aurora swatted his shoulder, only eliciting another round of snickers from him. "Of course I can, and I am, thank you very much, but who made me miss it in the first place?" She pointedly accused, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.
Shadow just smiled innocently up at her. "Who was the one that first kissed me?"
Aurora gaped at him. "I-You-But you-," She sputtered indignantly. Shadow laughed and kissed her nose playfully. "Oh, no you don't!" She put a hand over his mouth. "You're just going to distract me again, and you've done that enough for tonight. Shame on you!"
Shadow raised a brow, and his lips tickled her palm as he tried to reason with her. Aurora glowered down at him. Shadow let his eyes get rounder, let his expression fall, and a whine vibrated her hand. "J's n m're 'ish?" He pleaded.
Aurora shook her head vehemently, but the longer she held those pitifully tearful ruby eyes… She groaned. "Fine. One more kiss." Shadow brightened. "But, none of that bite-y stuff from a minute ago." She insisted. "You keep those teeth to yourself, Spaceman."
Shadow's ears lowered. "You bit me first-!" He protested, trying and failing to look indignant because of the proud smirk stretching on his tan muzzle.
"Do you want a kiss or not?" Aurora interjected.
"I'll be good." Shadow immediately agreed. Aurora eyed him suspiciously, but Shadow smiled, ears perked, and Aurora broke face and giggled, leaning down to give him a sweet kiss. Shadow's chest rumbled with a purr, and he held her close once she parted from him, nestling under her chin. She stroked his quills, smoothing the errant strands she'd caused, and held him tight against her for a moment. Though the earlier charge had dissipated, the warmth remained, even as Aurora slid from her straddled position on Shadow's lap to recline as she had against his chest. She startled a bit at a featherlight brush on her bicep, but a glance down made her heart swell. Shadow tucked the strap of her tank back into place with a chaste kiss to her covered shoulder, settling in behind her and twining his arms around her middle. Aurora kissed his cheek in thanks, her tail wagging, and he nuzzled hers with a knowing smile. She sighed contentedly and snuggled into him as he rewound the film, and this time, they both became lost in the Phantom's tragic opera tale.
Four movies, too much chocolate, and an entire bucket of strawberry cheesecake swirl later, Shadow clicked off the television and winced at the late hour. If there was any chance of sneaking out before getting caught and risking a headache and several bruises, he had to leave now.
But, unfortunately, that meant prying off the sleepy pink octopus that had draped herself on top of him. The adorable, strawberry-scented, warm, and very soft octopus. Maybe a few more minutes-Focus, Shadow! The black hedgehog shook his head and brushed his fingers against Aurora's cheek. "Light." He whispered. She grumbled and held on tighter. "Light, it's late. I have to go." Shadow breathed.
"Noooo…." Aurora whined, burying her face in his fluff.
"Aurora." Shadow insisted. "I've got no desire to test how forgiving your parents will be if they catch me here at this hour."
Green eyes blearily blinked up at him in confusion before clarity chased it away. "Mom and Dad aren't here." She mumbled and tucked her nose under his chin. "Business thing. Gone 'til tomorrow."
Shadow relaxed, letting out the breath he'd been holding since he saw the time. His hands rubbed her back. "You couldn't have mentioned that sooner?"
"Didn't come up." She yawned. She studied him, biting her lip. "Do you… want to stay? It's really late, and I-I don't want you to think you have to go. You can stay, please, or not! If you'd rather go home, that's okay, too! I just thought I'd-,"
"Light," Shadow interrupted, his expression one of open warmth and devotion. "I'd like to stay, if you want me to."
Her cheeks tinted scarlet, but she smiled shyly up at him. "I want you to."
"Okay, then." Shadow smirked. Aurora squealed, clinging to Shadow's shoulders when she was suddenly lifted into the air, his superior grace and agility putting him on his feet, her cradled in his arms, and walking towards the stairs with barely any motion or notice.
Aurora swatted his shoulder, glaring up at him. "A bit of warning next time, please?"
Sheepishness crossed his face. "I promise." Aurora rolled her eyes but settled against his shoulder, already dozing when he gently laid her on her bed and tucked her blankets around her with a parting kiss to her forehead.
Aurora caught Shadow's wrist when he began moving away, snapping her eyes open. "Where are you going?"
Shadow remained silent, gazing down at her with something Aurora hadn't really seen on him since he first approached her about being his guide. "I-I didn't think-I don't know where to-," The black hedgehog stuttered. "I want to-to respect your space, and-and I can sleep anywhere. The floor would be fine, or the sofa downstairs, really it doesn't matter-I did sleep in a pod for fifty years-I'm sure your closet won't be much different-,"
"Shadow." Aurora smiled reassuringly at her boyfriend and patted the empty space beside her. "Just come to bed."
Shadow's ruby eyes zeroed in on the indicated side of the bed, and with a noticeable swallow, he clambered onto the mattress, laying on top of the blanket and on the very edge of the bed.
Aurora frowned. That just wouldn't do. "How are we supposed to cuddle if you're all the way over there?" She complained, reaching for him. But the warmth in her eyes, the understanding lilt of her smile, Shadow relaxed and scooted towards her with a smile. Aurora wrapped herself around him and rested her ear against his chest, the rhythmic tone of his heart soothing the nerves skittering in her system. Shadow's purring recommenced, and combined with the tender caress of his fingers in her quills, Aurora happily slipped into dreamland.
Light poked his eyes, and when Shadow begrudgingly opened them with a grumble, annoyance flared when it wasn't his beloved Light doing the waking, but the first rays of dawn that managed to seep through the open window. His Light still slumbered, curled on her side away from him, his front molded against her back with their legs tangled and his nose tickled by her mussed pink quills. Shadow purred quietly, content to snuggle back up to her and wait for her awakening, when an itch in his own quills made him pause.
Shadow scratched a hand through his spines, dislodging the loose quill and tossing it away in Aurora's wastebasket with a huff… when he froze.
This was his and Aurora's first morning together. The first time she would wake up and see him before anyone or anything else.
And four films of trashy romantic humor had just shown that the male always looked perfectly groomed when the female awoke from sleep. Not a bedhead or rumpled patch of fur or Chaos-forbid morning breath in sight.
And Shadow was the Ultimate Lifeform! How was he to prove to Aurora that he was superior to those "dreamy" actors if they woke up perfect and he—her actual, real-life boyfriend—was imperfect?!
Shadow clenched his teeth and carefully slipped out of bed, cautious not to wake or jostle Aurora with his movements. Aurora mumbled but rolled over, hugging the pillow Shadow had used to her chest. Shadow resisted the urge to replace the pillow with himself and hurried into her bathroom.
Aurora dreamed of flowers. She lay on her back, warmed by the sun, cradled by the tickly softness of the colorful and sweet-scented petals. The flowers caressed her fur, drawing patterns into her pink coat, and she sighed, snuggling into their warmth, smiling sleepily when they chuckled.
Wait, chuckled?
Aurora opened her eyes to shining seas of glistening ruby, warm and affectionate, and closed them when gentle tan lips brushed against hers. "Good morning." She mumbled, blearily smiling at her companion.
"Mmm, it is." Shadow agreed, his lips drifting across hers again. "What were you dreaming about?"
"Flowers."
"I'm sorry for waking you then."
"Don't be. You're much better than some dream flowers."
Shadow chuckled. "Thank you?"
"You're welcome. Time is it?"
"A bit after eight. You looked so peaceful; I didn't want to wake you."
"How long have you been up?"
"Not long."
"Thank you for staying."
"Thank you for inviting me to stay."
Aurora smiled, blinking up at Shadow in preparation for another kiss, when she frowned. Shadow furrowed his brow. "What?" He demanded. Aurora pushed herself out of his arms and into a seated position. Maybe it was just the angle…? Shadow sat up with her. "What?"
"You-You look perfect!" Aurora blurted, gaping in awe at Shadow's sleek black fur, neat chest fluff, and perfectly smooth striped quills. Shadow's confusion evaporated, and he smirked at her with a helpless shrug. She reached over and gingerly touched Shadow's quills. "Not a single quill out of place!" Shadow chuckled and took her hand, squeezing it.
"You get used to it." He winked at her.
"No way!" Aurora shook her head. "You're telling me you just wake up looking this immaculate every morning?!"
Shadow shrugged again, a proud smirk on his lips. "What can I say? Ultimate Life Form."
Aurora pouted. "That is so not fair!"
Shadow laughed and brushed his fingers through her mussed pink quills. "I think your bedhead is cute. You're cute, Light."
She batted his hand away and poked his ribs. "There's nothing cute about waking up with an untameable mess on your head." She complained.
Shadow's fingers danced along her collarbone and down her sides. "I like the mess. The mess is cute." He insisted, spurred on by the yelp and burst of giggles from her as she tried to escape him. Aurora squealed and tried to roll out from under Shadow, but Shadow was faster and had her pinned and shrieking with laughter.
"Sha-Shadow! Stop! P-Please!" Aurora wailed amid peals of laughter, wriggling furiously away from his tickling fingers.
"Oh, if I must." Shadow gave an enormous sigh and thankfully ceased his attack. He gazed down at Aurora affectionately, his eyes warm and tender, and Aurora suddenly had a different, but much more welcome, reason for being unable to breathe. She hummed against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck, but when she tried to deepen the kiss, he broke away and slipped out of her arms, standing at the foot of the bed in the few seconds it took her to realize he was gone.
Aurora sat up, puzzled. "Shadow?" Had she done something wrong?
"Hungry?" Shadow deflected, his ears twitching as he painted a neutral expression on his face.
Aurora inwardly groaned. That was his 'something is definitely wrong but I don't want to talk about it so I'll avoid it until you drop it' face. And after last night, after achieving this milestone with him, she wasn't about to let him ruin it with that nonsense. So, she scooted forward until she was seated on the end of the bed. "Shadow." She insisted.
"Aurora." He mimed.
"Please, Shadow, talk to me. What's wrong?" Aurora pleaded.
Shadow stared at her, the conflict warring in his eyes, before he sighed and sat down. "I don't want to hurt you." He confessed. "And… and after last night, when you said that about keeping my teeth to myself, I thought-,"
Oh. Aurora flushed luminescent pink from head to toe before she got herself under control. "Shadow," She put her hand over his and lifted his chin with the other to meet her eyes. "I trust you. I will always trust you. You didn't hurt me, not even a little bit. I-I really liked it when you kissed me like that."
Shadow's ears rose. Just a bit. "Really?" His voice was a bit dubious.
"Really." Aurora insisted. "And I appreciate you being so careful. It's one of the things I love most about you. But you know what another thing is?" She smiled at him, blushing but persistent. "I love how passionate you are. And I love it when you're passionate with me. So, please, don't hold yourself back. Don't hide that part of yourself from me. I mean, yeah, obviously there's times and places and stuff where us kissing like that isn't okay-," Shadow snorted. "But we can talk about those specifics later. I love you, Shadow, and I want all of you." She grinned and tapped his lips. "Even these guys."
Shadow smirked. "Be careful what you wish for, Light."
Aurora didn't have time to ask what he meant before Shadow pounced, playfully tackling her back onto the bed and pressing his lips to hers. It wasn't the feverish kiss from last night, but it also wasn't the cautious ones she'd always known either. Shadow gave her exactly what she wanted, nipping playfully at her lips and growling mischievously when she opened to him with a muffled giggle, twining her arms around his neck and tugging on those perfectly groomed quills.
Shadow suddenly pulled off her, but before Aurora could groan and chastise him for going back on what they just talked about, she noticed his ears twitching. "I thought you said they wouldn't be back until this afternoon."
Aurora froze. "They aren't."
Shadow's ears twitched again. "They're at the front door." Shadow hung his head and smirked woefully at her. "To be continued." He promised with a final peck on her lips before climbing off her. "Lunch?" He asked.
"Not soon enough." Aurora disagreed.
"I can do late breakfast." Shadow amended thoughtfully.
"Done!"
"Until then." Shadow gave a theatrical bow, blew her a kiss, and vanished with a faint pop.
Aurora flopped back onto the bed with a grumble. "Oh, parting is such sweet sorrow!" She lamented. Hearing her parents' calls downstairs, Aurora hopped to her feet and rushed into the bathroom, practically walking on sunshine with the shimmer of her powers highlighting her movement and dancing through her morning routine. Today was going to be a great day. No, a perfect day! She'd already had the perfect start, and if late breakfast with Shadow wasn't met with too much inquisition, everything would be absolutely per-
"Hey, Tiny! What are Faker's roller skates doing in the living room?!"