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The talk about christmas is everywhere.
The lights are still up, blinking too cheerfully from every window and lamppost, and the air still smells like sugar and pine and things that are supposed to make him feel warm. Everyone else seems content to let the days stretch, to bask in leftovers and reruns and endless one more night of celebration.
Sonic isn’t.
He’s tired in a way he can’t really address, tired of the noise, the endless cheer, the way time feels stuck between songs on a radio that won’t quite change the station. December goes by faster than his feet could ever carry him, and Sonic keeps checking the days like maybe it’ll surprise him, like maybe the calendar will finally flip over if he looks hard enough.
Not yet, it always says.
New Year’s feels far away, even though it’s right there—close enough to taste, close enough to hope. A clean number. A reason to start over. A moment where things are allowed to change without anyone asking why.
He exhales, staring out at the snow-dusted street, and thinks—just for a second—that if he can make it to midnight, maybe he can finally say the things he’s been holding in all month.
If he can just get to the new year.
Santa, Santa, boy, you're the worst
It's the 25th, I wish it was the 1st
The fireworks hit first. Bright bursts that crack the sky and shake the ground, but Sonic barely notices. His heart is pounding too fast anyway, like the whole world is vibrating just for him. He swallows against the lump in his throat and glances at Shadow, who’s standing a little too close, arms crossed—but not really, because Shadow never really keeps his distance when it matters.
Sonic’s fingers fidget. He bites his lip. He’s been holding this in for weeks, maybe months, and the number on the clock isn’t what’s finally making him brave—it’s just the permission he’s been waiting for. Midnight is a line, and he’s ready to cross it.
“Shad—” he blurts, voice barely louder than a squeak, “I… I can’t wait anymore. I… I like you. I… I really like you.”
Shadow blinks. Then, for the first time in a long time, he lets himself smile. Not the cold, hiding smile—the one only Sonic gets to see.
“I know,” Shadow says softly. His hand brushes against Sonic’s, thumb grazing the back of his knuckles. “And only because Amy told me.”
Sonic’s chest feels too full. He stumbles forward, and Shadow doesn’t move away—never does. Sonic buries his face in Shadow’s chest, wrapping his arms around him, and the fireworks explode over them in a symphony of light and sound.
“That woman is something..” Sonic murmurs into Shadow’s jacket.
Shadow hums, voice low and warm. “Tell me about it..”
And at that exact second, the clock flips: 12:00. New Year. New beginnings. And for the first time, Life felt like it had a purpose again.
—
The fireworks continue outside, painting the sky in yellows and greens, but now the warm glow of the living room takes over. Amy is practically vibrating with excitement, bouncing in place like she’s got springs for legs. Tails hovers nearby, trying to hold a tray of sparkling wine without spilling it everywhere. And Rouge… well, Rouge is leaning against the doorway with that Flirty smirk that makes Sonic’s cheeks heat up all over again.
“Finally!” Amy squeals, throwing confetti into the air. “New Year’s! We made it! And Sonic—” She pauses dramatically, wiggling her finger at him. “—you look super happy. What’s going on? Did… Are you and Shadow—?”
Sonic sputters, panicking immediately, hands flapping. “I—I—no! Not… uh… yes?! I mean…” His words tumble out like marbles on a tile floor, but Shadow’s steady hand on his back keeps him from completely falling onto the floor. (Someone had too much to drink lmao)
Tails giggles, pouring wine into glasses. “Looks like someone’s happy,” he teases. He nudges Sonic gently. “Way to start the new year, buddy.”
Rouge finally chuckles, stepping over to pluck a piece of confetti from Sonic’s fur. “You two are… really obvious. But cute.” She winks at Shadow, who just crosses his arms, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Sonic buries his face in Shadow’s shoulder, muttering, “Too many people looking..” while Shadow leans down and whispers back, “Relax, weirdo.”
Amy claps her hands, oblivious to Sonic’s embarrassed panic, and raises her glass. “To new beginnings! And to love!”
Everyone cheers, glasses clinking, fireworks booming outside, and for Sonic, it’s dizzying, overwhelming, perfect. Between Shadow’s steady presence and the chaos of his friends’ excitement, he realizes something magical: he’s not just starting a new year. He’s starting it surrounded by love—every kind of it—and he wouldn’t trade this moment for anything.