Chapter Text
Shadow sat at the counter, head resting upon his arms. He should've remembered to bring his headphones, they could've made the volume of the music and people far less insufferable. But, instead, he has to sit in the far corner with the occasional covering of his ears.
He groaned softly as he reached for his cold aluminum can, taking a drink from it, the soda fizzing on its way down. He took a look around the open room, seeing plenty of unfamiliar people all smiling, talking, drinking, dancing, and just having a good time.
Sonic was among the crowd, sipping beer from a bottle and chatting with a white hedgehog. Silver, if Shadow remembered correctly. The host of this party, and Sonic's long time friend. They both seemed so… happy. It made his stomach turn unexpectedly. He wished he could be on the receiving end of that sly grin Sonic was known for.
He shook his head. That's Sonic's friend who he hadn't seen in a while, of course he'd be happy… But why did it hurt?
He put his head back down, only suspended by his palms on his forehead. He looked at the counter-top, gazing at the patterns he could make out in the dim light. His hands found his ears, pushing them down to muffle the noise.
Maybe… He thought to himself, shutting his eyes tight. Maybe I should've stayed back with Amy and Tails… He began to wonder what they were up to, maybe just playing card games, or watching a show. Both of those options sounded favorable over a loud party.
A poke against his shoulder interrupted his thoughts, flinching so intensely he nearly fell off the seat. It was Sonic, seeming mildly surprised by the reaction. "You alright there?" Sonic asked, his gentle voice barely audible over the noise.
Shadow couldn't respond—not verbally, at least. He felt himself pout, eyebrows furrowing in frustration as he avoided eye contact.
It took a few seconds, but Sonic set down the glass bottle in his hand, and grabbed Shadow's forearm. He felt his quills stand on end, but it was only for a moment as Sonic guided him away from the loud party and towards a sliding glass door.
He was dragged outside, the cold winter air shocking him back to his senses. Sonic slid the door closed, the now muffled sound much more bearable. The chilled breeze that rustled Shadow's quills felt… Nicer than he had anticipated.
"Better?" Sonic asked. His movements looked more languid, expression relaxed with a dusting of blush across his muzzle. "I know it's real loud in there."
Shadow took a deep breath. "Yeah… Better. Much better than being in there…"
"D'you want me to stay out here for a bit, keep you company?"
Shadow smiled at the offer. Sonic always had a way of making him a bit giddy on the inside, even just from the simplest offer of comfort. "That would be nice…" He mumbles, leaning back against the guardrail.
"So," Sonic started, leaning his hand against the brick wall. "B'sides the whole noise thing, how have you been enjoying the party? Or just… The company?"
Shadow shrugged, fingers reaching up to idly comb through his quills. "I've… Been keeping to myself. It's difficult to talk to people I don't know. It's been mostly soda, snacks, and wishing I had my headphones."
Sonic nodded, hands being shoved into his pockets. "Prolly should've introduced you to the others a bit earlier, huh?" He asked, humor in his voice. When Shadow couldn't muster up a response, Sonic sighed, walking over, backing Shadow into the guardrail. "But, y'know… There could be a few ways to reduce your stress."
Shadow's face filled with heat in an instant. He could smell the alcohol on Sonic's breath, which no doubt loosened him up. "And what are they?" Shadow found a nervous smile working it's way across his face.
Sonic leaned close, breath ghosting over Shadow's lips as he spoke. "What do you want to hear?"
"Everything…" Shadow heard himself mumble before he could think. In an instant, Shadow's mind blanked as he felt his lips being pressed by Sonic's. It wasn't entirely unexpected, he'd noticed looks—even given a few himself —but it happening with such few words?
Their lips stayed connected longer than he had anticipated, long enough for Sonic's hands to begin to wander. The gentle touch on his waist made him nearly jump out of his skin, letting out a small squeak into the kiss.
Their lips parted after what had felt like too long and Sonic rested his forehead against Shadow's. The slight burn of the alcohol in Sonic's breath sent Shadow's head spinning. He felt his jacket unzip, and Sonic relieved it from his shoulder.
One of Sonic's thumb slid under Shadow's shirt while his other hand groped at Shadow's chest. The gentle rubs against his torso, along with the feeling of gentle fingers against his chest wrenched out a humiliatingly vulnerable noise from Shadow. That only seemed to encourage Sonic.
"Wait—" Shadow squeaked, grabbing Sonic's drunken attention. "You… You want me, right? Not just the sensation…?"
The question made Sonic's eyes widen with surprise. "Shadow, I'm going to be honest," Sonic muttered, making Shadows breath catch in his throat. "I've been looking for an excuse to seduce you."
Shadow felt his heart jump to his throat. He was left speechless and his face flushed. "S-So you do want… Me?"
Sonic laughed softly, moving to whisper in Shadow's ear. "How could I not…?"
Shadow couldn't speak. He was completely flustered. Sonic just said he wanted him… He wanted him.
"Are you okay with that?"
Okay? He was more than okay with that. It was the answer he had hoped for!
"Yeah, I am…" Shadow finally managed to speak. "I want you too…" Sonic smiled wide as Shadow spoke, "But," then the smile fell. "I want to take it a little slower, okay…?"
"Right," Sonic murmured, seemingly sobering up a bit. "Sorry, y'know, speedster."
Shadow laughed softly. "I like that about you, but I want us to take our time, okay?"
Sonic nodded. "M'kay…"
Sonic's hands released Shadow before he practically collapsed onto the nearest chair. Was that defeat? Tiredness? Just sitting down? Sonic was never the easiest to read, not helped at all by Shadow's difficulty reading people in general.
"I think I'll stay out here a bit. People are a little much, eh?"
Shadow nodded, cheeks still warm. Sonic seemed to get over it fast, at least on the surface he did.
The silence filled the brisk night air. Although it wasn't a very comfortable silence, it wasn't uncomfortable either. Maybe it was just his nerves.
Shadow caught Sonic resting his muzzle on his palm out of the corner of his eye. He was always so casual, everything felt… natural to him.
A minute or so passed before Shadow caught Sonic's head slump a bit. His head snapped over to look at Sonic.
His eyes were shut, lips parted slightly…
Did he really just fall asleep!?
Shadow moved closer, waving a hand in front of his shut eyes. "Sonic?" He muttered, receiving no reply. "Did you really just fall asleep?"
Sigh, what am I going to do with you?
Shadow finally sat down in the neighboring chair, letting Sonic sleep for a little.
Shadow flinched as he heard the balcony door slide open.
"Sonic? Oh, there he is." It was Silver, letting out a sigh. "Did he really fall asleep?"
Shadow hummed affirmatively. "Yeah, he's been out for a few minutes. I just decided to let him sleep."
"Good luck trying to wake him up," Silver chuckled. "You'll need it."
"If all else fails, I can carry him. He's not too heavy."
Silver smiled. "You know the train routes, right? I can always give directions if you need it."
"That might be nice." Shadow murmured.
"Thank you for the directions, and for hosting." Shadow gripped Sonic's legs, his head hanging over his shoulder.
"Of course." Silver waved. "It was nice of you to join us! I hope to see you around some more."
Shadow nodded. "That'd be nice. Goodbye, enjoy the rest of the party," he muttered as Silver closed the door.
Now, with Sonic on his back and a set of directions in his pocket, he was off.
Shadow fumbled for his key, leaning forward to try to keep Sonic on his back. Finally, the door swung open, and his eyes met Tails', who was playing a card game with Amy.
"What happened to him!" Tails shouted from shock, cueing any to turn around.
"Alcohol. He's fine, but he's out like a light." Shadow muttered as he trudged past the pair. "I'll put him to bed."
"In those clothes?" Amy murmured, looking at the sleeping Sonic. "Tails, would you wanna get him outta some of that?"
"Why me?"
"You're his brother, you dork," Amy pouted as she set her chin on her hands. "It's the least you can do."
Tails groans dramatically. "Fine, whatever."
Despite the rather entertaining banter, Shadow couldn't pay it much mind. He was too preoccupied. That encounter, that feeling… He was doing such a good job not getting caught up in it, why is it suddenly so hard to stop thinking about it!?
Tails opened the door to one of the rooms, the one he shared with Sonic. He set Sonic on the bed before walking out. "You can handle it from here, right?" He felt himself ask instinctively.
Tails nodded. "Yeah, thanks for bringing him back." Tails sighed. "He's such a trouble maker, huh?"
Shadow nodded, letting out a forced laugh. "You said it. Thanks, Tails."
"He should be the one thanking me, not you."
Shadow felt a small smile creep onto his face before he shut the door.
"So, how was it?" Amy asked, startling Shadow. "Overwhelming, I assume?"
Shadow nodded. "Yeah…"
She stood up. "I saw that far-off look in your eyes. Anything I can do to help?"
Shadow shrugged. "Not really… I'm just kinda tired."
Amy nodded. "Then you should probably go to sleep, okay?"
Shadow nodded, walking into the suite's other room, the one he was supposed to share with Amy.
He wrestled off his jacket, movements more jerky. Frustrated. He changed his clothes into a pair of pajamas he had packed and flopped on the bed, tucking himself under the blankets
He stared up at the ceiling for a minute. One turned to two, two turned to ten, ten turned to twenty.
No matter how hard he tried, that wretched feeling never left him. That warm pit in his stomach, the blush on his cheeks. Each moment he was left alone with his thoughts became more and more insufferable.
Sleep didn't seem like much of an option tonight.
Whatever, resting his eyes will have to suffice.