Chapter Text
Sonic studied his knights knelt before him on the steps to the throne. Knuckles on the right, Shadow in the middle, Blaze on the right. His most trusted and capable. "Blaze," he asked, "could you make sure Silver doesn't get into any trouble with his training? He can be...reckless."
"As you wish, my lord," she replied, head still bowed.
"Tell him not to do anything I wouldn't do," he added with a wink.
Blaze glanced up--it might have been a trick of the light, but he swore he saw her lips twitch upward.
Sonic stood up, and his knights did the same. "You are dismissed," he said. "We'll catch up tonight."
The three stood up and turned away to leave the throne room. As Blaze and Knuckles met together to chat, Shadow stayed a step behind. "Shadow," Sonic called.
He turned his head. "Yes, my lord?"
"A moment, if you would."
Shadow slowly turned the rest of his body, and approached the throne at the foot of its stairs. Sonic met his quiet red eyes, watched as he rested a tentative hand on the handle of his sword, as if for his own comfort. "What would you ask of me, my lord?" Shadow asked, in that same, low quiet.
Sonic's eyes flickered to the back of the room as the door closed. Once it did, he stepped down to meet him at eye level. Instinctively, Shadow took a step back. "I wanted to see how you were doing," Sonic asked. "You seem...distracted lately."
Shadow's posture straightened and he cleared his throat. "Distracted? I apologize, my lord," he said. "I would never let...anything get in the way of my duty."
There was something admirable about his seriousness. No one was as dedicated as Shadow, and his passion for his work often bubbled forward in quiet ways. Sonic often reminisced about days before the throne occupied him so heavily, where he could more readily witness the fervor of Shadow's blade in action. Perhaps he was even on the other end of it.
"I know," Sonic replied. "If anything's troubling you, you know you can always come to me, right?"
Shadow murmured in agreement, but seemed to hesitate still. "My troubles are of little consequence, let alone to a king."
Sonic's shoulders flinched. He sighed, and reached out to draw a finger over Shadow's armor. "Come on," he said quietly, an ache in his voice, "Surely you think more of me than that?"
Shadow's lips parted. "I...my lord," he stammered. "I am ever devoted--"
"Shadow," Sonic interrupted. "Say my name."
Shadow's hand was still on his sword, and he gripped it tighter. He opened his mouth, but closed it again like a fish.
"It's just us here," Sonic ushered, stepping closer. "You know how I feel about all this formality."
Shadow's eyes seemed to tremble as he finally met Sonic's emerald green. "Sonic."
Sonic smiled. "That's better," he said. He drew closer, and this time, Shadow did not move away. He gently rested his own hand on top of Shadow's, the one gripping its sword. He noted how tense it was. "May I?"
Shadow tilted his head, and as Sonic squeezed his hand, he loosened his grip. It was enough for Sonic to lift his hand into his own, and kiss the top of it.
"Shadow, my most trusted, ever faithful," Sonic murmured. "If there is anything that troubles you, I will do whatever I can to help."
Shadow nodded slowly, and met Sonic's eyes again with more confidence. Intensity wafted off him as his muzzle began to burn. "Very well," he said quietly. "If I should be allowed one transgression."
Sonic blinked. "Hm?"
Shadow took a deep breath, and met his lips with a kiss, soft yet deep.
Sonic smiled into it--he could not help himself. This was not the first time. As they broke, it became fully realized. "That's all?" Sonic asked.
Shadow's face crinkled. "Do not be so flippant," he snapped. "I..."
"I'm teasing you," Sonic assured, and returned a short kiss on the side of his muzzle. "All I'm saying is you just need to ask."
With another deep sigh, Shadow straightened his posture. "Very well," he said. "I will take my leave."
Sonic chuckled "As you wish, sir knight," he replied. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"
"I won't," Shadow said, "Sonic."
He laced his name in reverence. He bowed with his hand over his heart, then turned to leave, armor clanking in his wake.
It was Sonic's turn to burn.