Chapter Text
He heard frantic, hurried movements as a loud thump sounded just outside of his room's door. It startled the little fox and he quickly paused the show he was watching. The door flew open as his older brother stormed in, rubbing his forehead. Straightening his bangs and glasses, he pulled out his phone in front of him.
"Look, Miles! He's at it again!" Miles looked at the phone which held the three pictures of the hero and the anti-hero.
In the first one, the hero wore a smirk as he was being princess carried by the anti-hero. The other one had him plant a kiss on the black hedgehog's cheek while in the third one, he was sitting on the ground with blood running down his face, still wearing that smug grin. Behind, badniks could be seen approaching them.
"Yeah, he earned that." Miles said as he looked over at his brother. Nicky puffed out his cheeks, "You don't get it! They're clearly together! Why else would he carry him in the first place! Look, you're right, he deserves it because it was meant to be behind closed doors and not in front of everyone?!" His brother reasoned.
Nicky had been obsessing over the two for a while. As he's been saying, the world hero Sonic the Hedgehog and his rival, Shadow The Hedgehog are together. He'd been shipping them for a while now.
"Did they, at least, defeat those robots?" Miles asked. "Of course, they did. Not a single one left! And they were so cool doing it! And these pics were taken just before they finished. Like, one second, they were being crowded by them and the next? They stood between their dead Robot-bodies. And- what are you watching?"
There, he got distracted again. The two-tailed fox smiled fondly, "I'm rewatching the fourth season of the Miraculous ladybug."
"Fourth season? Why not watch the on-going one?"
"Because, Nicky, I'm not a fan of the new one. They changed a lot of things. And honestly, I'd rewatch the first five over and over again." Nicky scratched his neck and then, shrugged. "Sleep early lil' bro. You have school tomorrow. And I have to get up early as well. Good night."
Nicky planted a kiss on his forehead and turned away, before closing the door he heard a quite 'good night'. He smiled and closed the door.
He'd do anything to keep that peace and quiet as long as needed for his brother.
Even if he has to hide his identity as a super-hero forever. And in this society, if no one knew who he was, then his brother has a better chance of having a good life.
Nicky entered his room. He had promised Shadow that he'll be the one to patrol today. He removed his glasses and hoodie, pushed his bangs away and quietly left through the window before putting a walkie-talkie inside his lamp.
It was a good decision to move out as soon as he entered the college.
He roamed the streets and the rooftops. Checking every alley and quiet corners. He sat on top of one of the buildings
Not too high to not be able to see and not too low as to be seen.
He bit into the chilli dog he bought over his way. His ear flicked as he heard the familiar sound of a Click.
"Seems everything's going fine." He swallowed, "And I thought that we agreed to let me patrol alone today. You said it yourself. That you have some important work to do."
He heard a hump before the sound of metal hitting the concrete of the roof below them. Then came the deep voice, "We never agreed to that."
Sonic chuckled as he turned towards the black and red hedgehog, "Have some trust in me, it's not like I'm gonna rob a bank or something."
The wind flew their quills with it. Sonic sat on the ledge with his legs dangling down the building whereas Shadow stood beside but still a little at the distance from him.
"I don't trust you, Hedgehog." Shadow said, but didn't make a move to get away. A silence lingered between them. As Sonic finished his treat, he checked the time.
12:00 AM
He blinked. Wow, time really moves fast, huh. He stood up and stretched. A yawn left his mouth, "Alright, that's my cue. See you tomorrow night, if the morning is peaceful. Though, I hope it is as we just won against that Egg-head. G'night, Shadow."
Shadow nodded without removing his eyes from the street below. Sonic sighed and ran home. Quietly entered through the window he left open, slipped into his hoodie and did his bangs. He checked on his fox brother and went to sleep in his own room.
07:00 Am
Nicky turned off his alarm and prepared himself for the day. He cooked some pancakes and set the tables.
07:30 AM
He heard his brother came downstairs, "Good morning, Miles. How was your night?" Nicky placed his favorite mint syrup in front of him as he slid into his seat. He grumbled a 'thanks, Nicky' before he poured the syrup on his pancakes and dug in.
Nicky had honey over his own and started to eat. Leaving the dishes for later, the brothers left the apartment.
07:40 AM
They both stopped in front of the bus station. Soon, the bus arrived and Miles hopped on, he found a window seat as he waved at Nicky. Nicky placed his own skateboard on the ground and went his way over to his college.
After his first lecture, Nicky, Amy and Knuckles sat in the cafeteria, "See? I just know they're dating!" Amy squeaked. Nicky nodded enthusiastically. By now, Knuckles has learned to tone them out as he ate some grapes.
"And the kiss? First, it was just flirting and then hugs and now a kiss! It's so cute!" Amy analyzed.
"It's like they can't hold each other back in public, anymore." Nicky added. Knuckles raised a brow, "It's mostly Sonic who can't seem to hold himself. Shadow had punched him because of that."
"That or he was just disgusted." They all turned towards the white bat who just sat with them.
"Rouge!!?"
"What are you doing here, Rouge? Don't you have a class in fifteen minutes?" Amy asked. Rouge shrugged, "It got cancelled. The professor was sick or something. Anyways, what are you talking about."
Amy showed her the photos on her phone as she leaned towards her, "We were just talking about Sonic and Shadow and they're probably dating but are trying to hide it."
"Or they're not dating but find each other tolerable." Knuckles added. "From what I see, it's more of a comradeship than romance."
Rouge sighed as she placed a hand on his arm, "Come-on, handsome, let them have some fun. And I, also, agree with them." Rouge turned towards the two hedgehogs, "I think what you guys are saying is true. And you're not the only one. Many people in and outside of the college believe that as well." Nicky and Amy looked at each other.
Amy was the one who started to talk about them first and foremost. She chewed his ears off. At first, Nicky would get flustered easily but thinking about it for some time, he came to the conclusion that both Sonic and Nicky are two different persons. Therefore, shipping Sonic and Shadow was easy and fun. As Sonic, he would intentionally flirt, tease, hug or kiss Shadow.
Nicky was well aware of the fan base of this ship. And thus, every time he did something, it would pop out and spread like fire.
Nicky faced Rouge and got up. "Well, it's my time to go. See you guys later!" He waved at them and went out of the cafeteria.
In fact, he doesn't have a class. He went out of the building.
11:15 AM
Sonic approached Shadow near the roof of his college. He excused himself early because he saw him standing on the roof. "What're you doin' here, Shadow? Didn't think I'd find you in the mornin' or late morning that is."
"It's none of your business, hedgehog. I go where I want. When I want." He dismissed.
"Yeah, yeah, ultimate lifeform and stuff. Seriously, though, what are you doin' here? Can't be here because you missed me?" Sonic smirked.
Shadow faced him immediately, "What makes you think that I.... missed you, I didn't even know that you were here, you fool." Alright fair point.
Sonic shrugged, "I don't know," he placed both his hands under his chin as he batted his eyes at him. "Because you like me?"
Sonic laughed as he looked over at the clock on one of the buildings.
11:31 AM
His laughter cut off, "Shoot! I'm late!!" He jumped off the building and ran out of sight.
Nicky rushed into the college, books in hand.
I'm late, I'm late, I'm late—
As he turned around a corner too fast, he bumped into someone. He dropped everything he was holding.
"So-Sorry." He muttered as he started to pick up his things in a hurry when he noticed another pair of gloves helping him.
Slowly… very slowly… he looked up. He blinked.
Red eyes.
Sharp.
Familiar.
In fact, too familiar!!
Shadow the Hedgehog stood in front of him holding one of his notebooks.
Unbeknownst to him, Nicky's life took a drastic turn as he, now, faced his rival.