Work Text:
“I think I want a milkshake, accompany me into town?”
Shadow narrowed his gaze up to Rouge grabbing her purse. He was just getting to the good part of his book, spread open between his knees. The lovers of a king and his trusted knight, who confessed his devotion to his king- well in the middle of it when Rouge rudely interrupted him.
“I’m busy.” Shadow grunted.
“You're reading a book you can come back to, when you can go out and share a milkshake with your bestest friend in the whole wide world.” Rouge cooed, clutching her invisible pearls.
“You're not my best friend.” Shadow scoffed.
“Yet you could have lived by yourself but chose to live with me, in our expensive home.”
There was a drawn out irritated sigh that Shadow breathed, “You won’t leave me alone until I go, won’t you?”
“Of course not darling, get outside and get some sunshine on those broody quills. Maybe you’ll find something you fancy.”
Shadow shot her a warning look, “Don’t.”
“Something old, something new, something borrowed….” Her lips pulled into a soft smirk, “Something blue.”
Snapping shut his book and tossing it to the couch, Rouge hummed, folding her arms behind her back. Shadow rose, stepping across the living room to get in her face.
“Milkshake- that’s it.” Shadow hissed.
“Oh but of course.” Rouge nodded.
With a huff he turned away and headed down to his room. She hummed, gathering the rest of her things, lipstick, wallet, her phone. Then when Shadow came out in his leather coat with his emblem on the back she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. The two left without another word, Rouge fluttered next to Shadow as they sped into town. Weaving through bystanders who would say their hellos but, Shadow didn’t indulge them. As they arrived at the plaza, Shadow went to sit at a table while Rouge went through to get a milkshake. Drumming his fingers against the table, Rouge soon returned. Shadow shot himself up ready to leave when Rouge put a hand to his.
“Come on, a little sunshine can’t hurt.” She huffed.
“It can-” Shadow hissed.
“Dramatic, just sit down- here have a sip.”
Shadow grumbled slowly sitting back down and was handed the cardboard cup. He looked at it with uncertainty then back to Rouge. She gestured for him to drink it, Shadow gave a disgruntled frown before bringing the straw to his lips. Taking a sip he let the sweet chocolate and tart flavor of a berry on his tongue wash over. Pulling the straw away he smacked his lips and took another drink.
“If you wanted one, you should have said so.” She hummed.
“I don’t-”
“You can have that one, I’ll get another.”
Before Shadow could object she was already fluttering off. He sighed, taking another sip and watched the passers by. His eyes narrowed to a young cat, she had blue fur and all pinned up in a bun. Patting a letter against her leg as her lips were pressed in a line. Golden eyes flicked over each passer by, until her eyes fell to Shadow. He instantly turned away and sucked down his treat. Rouge returned moments later, taking a seat and having a new milkshake in hand. Her eyes glanced up to him, before her ears pinned back. A soft look on her face.
“Oh no…” She muttered, “Not again.”
She wasn’t talking to him, Shadow furrowed, turning behind him. His eyes fell to Sonic approaching the feline, she grinned, getting up and embracing him. Shadow scoffed about to turn away when she presented the letter, and Sonic’s smile faded. Ears pinning back as he rubbed the back of his neck. This- was out of character- even for him. Shadow studied him, trying to read what he was saying. But whatever he said, hurt the poor girl before him. Her eagerness faltered as Sonic spoke to her. Golden eyes finding his and put a hand to his shoulder. Her response to him earned him to shake his head and take a step back. She nodded as- she then was gone. Shadow watched Sonic take a sigh and then trudge back the way he came.
“What did you mean- not again?” Shadow asked, turning back to Rouge.
“Well- rumor got out that he’s got a crush on someone- but won’t spill until the one who caught his eye tells him. I’ve watched countless confessions be placed into his hands, but they were all rejected.” Rouge shrugged.
“You know who it is- don’t you?” Shadow furrowed.
“Blue’s got that under lock in key, I’ve tried. Given everything he’d ever ask for as compensation- but. He won’t give me a name.” she shook her head.
This- was even more out of character. Rouge had everything, to money to, intel about anyone. She’d get him anything he wanted- in exchange for a name. The endless amount of chili dogs wasn’t enough for him to give up the name of the one that held his heart.
“Perhaps- you should go check on him. Maybe a race will make him feel better.” Rouge shrugged.
Shadow sat, thinking over the possibility. There was something that settled in his stomach, the way that Sonic looked. The sadness in his eyes, he had to break another heart today. He unsettled him, he had to do this for- days? Maybe weeks?
He rose from his seat, finishing off the milkshake and then took off. Rouge smirked, folding her hands under her chin watching him go. Oh. She knew the name alright, but she wasn’t going to give it up that easy. Shadow was going to have to work for it.
Zipping past Sonic he teleported to one of the street signs, Sonic perked up to Shadow crossing his arms. Emerald eyes began to fill with joy once more, bristling slightly, along with a lazy wag of his tail. Shadow then disappeared and ran off into the forest. Sonic took off after him, dodging and dipping around the forestry environment. Shadow glanced behind him to Sonic jumping over a log, he smirked, zipping around a corner of a tree and immediately halted. There was a cliff, Sonic ran right into him. Having the hedgehogs tumble into each other and tumble off the cliff. Shadow quickly grabbed onto the side of the cliff and with his free hand caught Sonic.
They both dangled off the side of the ledge Shadow had a hold of. Sonic screaming gripping onto Shadow’s hand, who was assessing the situation. Glancing around them both and then back to Sonic. Curling in on himself looking down, flailing and quickly losing his grip.
“Sonic! Stop it!” Shadow barked.
“I’m going to dieee!” Sonic cried.
“You aren’t going to die- just listen to me- I’m going to throw you back up onto the ledge. You are going to pull me up.” Shadow spoke.
“But what if-”
“You will be fine, just- trust me for a second.”
Sonic looked up at him, giving a slight nod. Shadow looked back up to the ledge, slowly he started to swing Sonic, gaining some momentum. Once he had him in full swing he let go, sending the cobalt blur up back to the cliff. Sonic stumbled up onto the cliff as Shadow started to climb up. Sonic bracing himself over the cliff as he reached down. As Shadow made it to his hands, Sonic grabbed onto him, pulling him up and they stumbled backwards onto the grass. Flopping down next to each other, Sonic punched the air.
“Ah! We did it!” He grinned.
Shadow chuckled softly next to him. Letting a comfortable silence wash over them. Watching the clouds float by and catch their breaths. Shadow felt the emerald gaze on him, he glanced over to Sonic who had an unreadable expression. His lips pressed in a line and a bewildered gleam in his eyes. Oh. OH! Another challenge. A staring contest. Shadow didn’t break his gaze, not blinking, just returned his gaze back to the blue hero. It was a few moments before Sonic’s eyes widened and he slowly grew red. Snapping his gaze away, Shadow barked a laugh turning back to the sky.
Sonic sat up and groaned curling in on himself, Shadow drew his attention back to the cobalt hedgehog. Hands clutching into his quills having Shadow sit up with him. Sonic muttered to himself and then groaned once again. Bristling slightly as he was just sputtering nonsense.
“What are you going off about now?” Shadow sighed resting in the palm of his hand.
“I just- I don’t-” Sonic pulled his hands from his quills, “Why am I like this?”
Shadow slowly raised a brow to him, “I don’t understand.”
“Just-” rising to his feet he began to pace, Shadow watched his movements. Eyeing the way he’s turned on his toe to follow the previous path he just made and then swivel once more.
“Sonic what’s going on?” Shadow asked.
“You! You are what’s going on! I-” Sonic snapped his jaw shut. He stomped the ground and began to pace again.
“I still don’t understand-”
“It’s you alright! You are the big secret!-” Sonic scoffed, shaking his head and crossing his arms, “Now the secret is out, make fun of me- beat me up whatever- I just.”
There was a saddened look in Sonic’s eyes, Shadow still sat confused watching him. He huffed before Shadow could ask what the hell he was talking about- Sonic ran off. With a sigh Shadow got up, reeling over what just happened and trying to figure out what was going on. So, he walked back home. Taking his time, processing over what just happened. It was him? What- what did he do that had Sonic be so- off. Maybe it was a strange mobian custom? He’d have to ask Rouge.
As he opened the door to their home, she was already waiting. She grinned and fluttered up to him, grabbing his shoulders and a wild smile on her lips.
“How did it go? Did he say anything?” She asked.
“Well fell off a cliff.” Shadow brushed by her.
Rouge frowned, landing, folding her arms over her chest. Shadow shucked off his coat and draped it over the couch. Rouge followed in toe as Shadow went back to the couch, picking up his book.
“No- No, you are going to tell me what happened.” Rouge swiped his book away from him.
“I don’t know.” Shadow snarled, “When we were safe, we lied there- He initiated a staring contest so I indulged him- then he went red and said it was me then ran off so- I- I don’t know.”
Shadow huffed, crossing his arms and leaned back against the couch. Rouge just stared at him, like he was a ghost. Slowly she sat on the couch and put a hand to his shoulder. Wide eyes on him, she licked her lips, opening and shutting her mouth. As if she was trying to find the words to tell him. There was no way, the ultimate lifeform, was this dense. Sliding her hand to take Shadow’s between hers. She sighed, patting his hand.
“Shadow, honey, what were we talking about just before you ran off.” Rouge spoke.
His gaze flickered over her, “We talked about me going to race.”
“Before that-”
Shadow tore his gaze away, eyeing the carpet. Trying to recall- what did they do that day. They went to get milkshakes, and then that blue cat…. The love letter… Shadow furrowed. Sonic had a crush on someone… Ruby eyes slowly drew back to Rouge, slowly widening as her lips pulled into a smile.
“It’s you darling.” She nodded.
“That- that can’t-”
“Deny it all you want, but that something blue is returning the feeling back to you.”
Shadow slumped against the couch, Rouge curled up next to him. Pulling her knees to her chest and slotting her arms around them, lacing her fingers together. Her gaze fell back to the hedgehog beside her. Shocked. Eyes searching his own lap. Recalling everything they had done together, how long had this been going on? How long have they been playing this cat and mouse game? Ruby fell for emerald, as they returned the same gaze. Little knowing they held the same soft gaze for one another. Oh his heart ached. His own heartbeat echoed in his ears, pounding against his chest. He had a chance.
“So- what are you going to do?” Rouge asked.
“I-” Shadow rolled his tongue in his cheek, “I’m going to write a letter.”
That letter took two days. Shadow locking himself in his room, papers scattered and crumpled. Some pages were torn and laid out on his desk. Each page he found something he liked and lied them all out. Making it as perfect as he could. One little mess up, misspell, or smudge of the page. Shadow crumpled it up and tossed it over his shoulder. Restarting and giving a sigh as he rewrote his words.
Setting his quill down, he glanced over the page. Admiring the red pen that spilled over the page, breathless, and as heart wrenching he could write. There was a twinge of embarrassment reading them over. But it was pure, meaning every word he wrote, he was the ultimate lifeform so it had to be the best. And only the best for his confession.
Scooting his chair back he folded up the page and stuck it into the envelope. Setting it back down he scooped up the crumpled paper. Unlocking his door and swinging it open, Rouge stumbled back as if she had been listening. She gave a sheepish smile as she recollected herself. Shadow glowered from his doorway.
“Go fetch him.” Shadow spoke, then brushed past her to throw the torn pages into the trash. Rouge didn’t hesitate before grabbing her things and scurrying out of the house. Shadow stepped back into his room and poured a dollop of wax onto the lip of the paper.
“Man, I needed to get out of the house, thanks for treating me.” Sonic bobbed his head as they walked into the food plaza. Rouge patted his shoulder with a soft smile.
“Of course darling.” Rouge waved her hand, “Anything for my favorite hedgehog.”
“... I thought Shadow was-”
“Well- we just won’t tell him.” Rouge hummed putting a finger to her lips, Sonic laughed as they walked to the chili dog stand. Rouge didn’t indulge in the… meal…. But just treated the hero. Getting his bag they went to sit and Sonic practically swallowed them whole. As he was midbite into his third one Rouge grimaced at him.
“So- How’s Shadow doing?” Sonic asked.
Her expression melted into a smug smirk and heavy lidded eyes, “Why do you want to know how tall, dark, and handsome is doing?”
“I- I- I-” Sonic swallowed, “I just- haven’t seen him around in a couple days.”
“Oh you know him.” Rouge laced her fingers under her chin, “Wouldn’t you?”
Sonic gave an appalled gasp, “I- I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“Sure sweetheart-”
“Ahem.”
Both eyes turned to Shadow, he stood next to the table. Lips pressed into a line, ears pinned back, but intense ruby eyes kept to Sonic. He immediately stood about to run once again- but Shadow stopped him with a raise of his hand. Extending the other, was a pure white letter, presented to the blue hero. Sonic slowly sat down looking at the envelope, glancing to Shadow once more. He plucked the folded confession from his hand.
“Who put you up to this?” Sonic asked.
“Flip it over.” Shadow hissed.
Sonic eyed him for a moment before flipping over the envelope. His eyes narrowed to the wax seal. Embedded in the dried rose and red wax sealing the lip- was Shadow’s emblem. At this point, there were eyes on them. Sonic hadn’t taken a confession. This… was a sight to be witnessed. Popping off the seal, Sonic pulled the page out. Shadow glanced around to the audience they slowly acquired. He scoffed, folding his arms over his chest and looked at anything that wasn’t eye contact. Careful hands unfolded the page and straightened it.
‘I hadn’t heard about this crush, the rumor of whoever presented their confession to you. When you spoke of me, I was the one that was causing you this distress… I didn’t understand. I won’t lie saying I didn’t have a hand to guide me through your vague confession. But I must confess, you had taken something from me a very long time ago. In the way you smile and laugh, the way that your eyes crinkle when you laugh. I can see that in your unknowing gaze. My heart resides with you. In everything you do. And it has. For a very long time. I would never tell you this, I’d want you to live the life you wanted. Keeping my feelings at bay, but. Some nights I’d stay up thinking of a life we could have together. My heart aches, craves to awake in the night next to your form. To witness how you’d sleep. To be awoken by your gentle kisses. I must selfishly ask- will you return the favor of granting me of giving me your heart whole- I cannot promise it won’t be broken at some point. But I intend to mend the break with my own two hands, no matter how long it takes.’
Sonic eyed the page once more, reading it over a few more times. He soon folded up the page once more, slipping it back into the envelope. His cheeks hurt from smiling so hard, a thrill rippled in his chest turning to Shadow. Pushing away from the table he embraced him, with enough force that Shadow stumbled slightly. Sonic’s tail rapped behind him as he nuzzled against his cheek. Shadow huffed a laugh enveloping his arms around him.
“I accept.” Sonic purred.
“Darling.” Rouge hummed.
Both turned to her, stuck between two of her fingers was another letter. Shadow slowly bristled as his eyes widened, clutching tighter onto Sonic.
“He wrote you two.” Rouge smirked, holding out the folded paper.
“Whe- Where did you get that?” Shadow snarled.
She shrugged, “I can’t reveal all my secrets.”
Sonic had peeled himself from Shadow and instantly was to the page. Shadow attempted to get it back from him but- he ran off with it. Shadow snarled, chasing after him. Following him through the forest- until he had quite literally disappeared.
“That wasn’t meant for you to see… yet.” Shadow sighed, running a hand over his quills. Sitting himself on one of the logs, it was inevitable. The page of a… deeper confession written across the page. Hoping that when he wrote it, the itch, the craving, the want. Would disappear. Then shoved under his bed for it to never see the light of day.
Sonic hopped down from one of the tree branches, Shadow didn’t meet his gaze. He knew that smug devilish look that he held on his face. He knew he’d be wearing it. The lust spilled page folded behind his back as he dipped down to earn a slight glance of ruby eyes. Then back to the forest floor, hands clenched together. Glaring at a bug that crawled over his air shoes.
“Is that so Shadow?” Sonic purred.
“Shut- up.” Shadow hissed.
“If you were a book I’d lick my fingers and flip your pages, until your spine creased and you lay spent, with nothing else to offer. Then I’d cup you in my palms and read you again.” Sonic batted his lashes. Shadow glared at him, pinning his ears back. Sonic took his place next to him, putting the letter with the other in his quills. Snickering softly he cupped Shadow’s cheek and kissed the other.
“I didn’t know you thought of me that way.” Sonic purred, then kissed the corner of his lips.
“There’s a lot of thoughts I carry of you.” Shadow whispered.
“Oh do tell.” Sonic hummed. Shadow tilted his chin to look at him brushing a thumb over his bottom lip.
“To taste your lips as they speak my name, in every form.” Shadow spoke.
Sonic flushed red, averting his gaze away. Shadow chuckled, kissing him softly, gentle, with all and full meaning. Soft purrs erupted from the two, holding their kiss in the forest. Just between them two. A delicate moment. Both tails wagging behind them both, pulling each other closer. Sonic broke first to breathe and rest his chin on Shadow’s shoulder.
“Would you indulge me on a date?” Shadow asked.
Sonic gasped, pulling back and holding his shoulders, “I wouldn’t want anything more.”
“Good, meet me at the plaza around eight?”
Sonic nodded and kissed him quickly once more, on his feet he started rambling to himself of what he’d wear. Shadow shook his head slightly and leaned back against the log. Sonic then rushed off- before he came back pointing at Shadow.
“Don’t be late.” Sonic huffed.
“Same to you.” Shadow smirked.