Chapter Text
The sun sets on another day. Its blinding rays slowly dim behind the orange horizon until no light remains, only leaving behind a sunless sea. A glowing fractured moon takes its place with millions of twinkling stars all dotted all around. Like small flames in the wind – their individual lights flicker. As if it was trying to send a final message of sorts to whoever was watching. That being a certain ultimate lifeform.
He silently stands beside a lonely willow tree with his focus on the sky above. A serious expression on his face. However, it was slightly softer than normal. The usual furrow in his brows wasn’t as harsh – a minor detail that most wouldn’t notice. His vision narrows in on the ARK, all his memories, of 50 years ago, begin to flood his mind like a broken dam while he continues pondering. About the times when Maria was still here…
“Wow. Look at all those stars. They're like diamonds.” She gazes at outer space through the wide window of the Space Colony ARK. Both of her hands on the glass. Her blue orbs sparkling just like the stars she was so fascinated by. “My grandfather says it can take hundreds of years for the light of a star to reach Earth. And by the time you see it, the star might not even exist anymore.” She beams over at her friend. “Isn't that crazy Shadow?”
Shadow…
“Hey Shadow!” His ears suddenly perk up – the interruption causes his vision of Maria to slowly fade into the night sky. Someone was calling his name… one he knew all too well. He lowers his head back to normal level; an arm suddenly rests on his left shoulder. Followed by the smell of chilli dogs hitting his nose. It instinctively twitches.
“What is it, hedgehog?" His red orbs move to the side to take a glander at his uninvited guest.
“You happen to be in my nap spot.” Sonic puts his arms behind his head, walking around his faker with a slight limp in his step. Shadow quietly watches. “So what brings you to my ‘humble abode’?” The hero stops. A cheeky smirk grows on his face. “Are ya here to wish me goodnight?” Shadow just looks away.
“It’s none of your concern.” His reply was blunt, cold. Exactly what was expected from the lone wolf.
“Figured.” Sonic shrugs his shoulders, shutting his emerald eyes. He opens them and looks up towards space. A whistle escapes his lips. “But man, nothing beats this view. You can see the ARK from here too.” Shadow glances at the space station in the distance. His expression once again returns to how it was before, lost in thought, which the blue blur notices from the corner of his vision. He crosses his arms behind his quills. Sneering mischievously. “Heh! Takes me back to when I kicked your butt there.” Immediately, Shadow’s face reverts to normal – his furrowed brows return.
“You must be mistaken if you thought you won.”
“And your memory must still be a bit hazy. Maybe you need another race to remind you.” Sonic bends his knees, wincing as he places his fingertips on the ground. Like he was ready to run in the Olympics.
“It wouldn’t even be a challenge with your leg in that condition.”
“Just a little bruise from fighting Badniks, no problem.” He begins to dash around the field. “See? It’s perfectly fine-” Before the pain suddenly strikes and his leg gives in. The world around him turns upside down; he falls backwards. That is until he feels arms underneath him. Holding him in a bridal style, Shadow looks down on him.
“Hmph. Pathetic.”
“Love ya too buddy!” Sonic snuggles against his soft, white chest hair – the smell of lavender tickles his nose. “I could get used to this!” Shadow instantly drops him without any warning. However, still holding onto him, he pulls him down too. Causing them both to fall together.
THUD
They slowly open their eyes to a… situation. Shadow hovers over Sonic who was laying on his back against the lush grass underneath. Green eyes gazing in red and visa versa. They had been close many times before… but not like this. This was different. Their noses touching, bodies pressed against each other and the smell of chilli dogs were stronger than ever.
Even though the brooding hedgehog wanted to pull away, he found himself unable to. The sight of his rival blushing underneath him left him speechless. His cheeks emanate a faint red – his lips slightly parted. His warmth just lures Shadow in closer… But it was just Sonic! The annoying hero who he tolerates from time to time. So why? Why?!
Badump Badump
His heart beat starts to speed up rapidly, causing him to panic. What… was this feeling? Why did it feel like he was in a life or death situation but he wasn’t at the same time? He feels himself about to panic until-
“If you wanted a hug, you shoulda just said so.” Sonic’s voice snaps him out of the thoughts as he sees the hedgehog grinning ear to ear.
Silence…
“I’d rather work for the Doctor again.” He gets off then sits beside him. Right leg bent as he rests his right arm on it. His other hand gently touches his chest. Feeling his heart still racing like mad, trying to understand these new feelings he was experiencing. The blue blur sits up. He lets out a sigh of relief.
“Good thing that worked. Any longer and I think I would have gone crazy.” Sonic thinks to himself, trying to calm down his heart rate himself. The sound of it pounds like it's hitting his ear drums. He takes a peek next to him – his friend was still peering down. Not even noticing the gaze on him. He had that sad look again that made the hero close his eyelids a bit. He wanted to talk with him… to find out why was up but now may not be a good time… especially after what just happened. His ears lower. “I’ll just ask tomorrow, it's been a long day.” He turns his attention back to the diamonds in the sky.
Shadow just sits there, hushed. Just the sound of the winter, whistling winds filling the quiet air between them. Blowing through their quills. It felt nice. It helped to calm him down, to get him thinking straight again. Maria had described these symptoms to him before. Butterflies in his stomach, his heart rate increasing, palms getting sweaty. Does he really-
Something heavy gently hits his shoulder. Being caught off guard, he swiftly turns to see a blue head laying there. Followed by the sound of light snoring. He fell asleep... Shadow just observes. Sonic looked so at peace, even kinda cute- The Ultimate Lifeform squints at himself in confusion. What was going on with him all of a sudden?! What was this feeling that keeps persisting at him? He clenches his chest tightly; he views the sky for the last time. Two bright stars shining next to each other.
BONUS:
The chirps of the Flickies reach Sonic’s ears as it twitches in response. He begins to carefully open his emerald eyes, squinting to give them time to adjust to the rays of the fiery sun above. Morning had finally come. “I guess I fell asleep.” He hops to his feet as he stretches. “Mornin’ Shads-” He glances over to see nowhere else there. “Of course he’s not here.” The hedgehog sighs. “It’s not like he was actually gonna wait for me and go ‘Hmph took you long enough.’” He does his best Shadow impersonation – his head and ears lowers. “I’ll just have to speak to him the next time I see him… ” Sonic shakes his head. “Anyway, I need to meet Tails at his house.” He quickly speeds off towards the city.
TO BE CONTINUED?
(Let me know if you enjoyed it and I’ll try to make a chapter 2!)