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Sonic and Shadow have been dating for a few months now, though the two of them finally getting the courage to ask each other out had been a long time coming.
Sonic’s glad all that’s over with. The mutual pining had been fun, but Gaia had it been just as equally exhausting.
Now they’re officially boyfriends, though. And the blue hedgehog feels lucky to have the other hedgehog. After so many years, he was finally able to break some of the darker hedgehog’s walls down and show him the love he’s always deserved.
It’s a bit hard to have a relationship with both their schedules as heroes, but they’ve decided on having at least two days a week to spend time together and/or go on dates (during those weeks where the world wasn’t almost ending again).
Other than that, their relationship isn’t all that different from when they were friends. Their snarky nicknames just had a lot more tenderness and affection to them now. Like “babe” instead of “blue dumbass” (although he still enjoys the latter, admittedly).
They also usually make out after long and grueling battles now, too, but that’s not as important.
Anyways, today is one of their “date nights”. Shadow had gotten back from a more difficult and strenuous G.U.N. mission a couple days ago and had wanted to spend time with his blue lover as soon as he’d gotten home, but after he’d gotten some much needed rest.
They’d decided to meet up at Sonic’s apartment and then get some dinner at a nice restaurant (Shadow’s treat).
Mobians don’t really need to wear clothes like humans do, but sometimes, outside of things like work uniforms, it’s just more fun. And good for self-expression.
And Sonic had always liked to mess with fairly harmless things like that.
So that’s how he finds himself in front of his full length mirror, trying on different outfit combinations that he thinks’ll look good for a semi-fancy dinner date as he messes with his quills, trying to straighten them.
He finally settles on something cute. Somewhat baggy, light blue jeans and an unbuttoned, black and white button up shirt with a checkered pattern on it.
But he does feel like something’s missing. A bracelet, maybe? Some other accessory?
He decides to go through his closet again. Maybe there’s a piece of jewelry cluttered on the top of his dresser that would look nice. He has a bit of time to check before the darker hedgehog arrives, anyways.
Although, when he opens his closet doors, his eyes are immediately drawn to a particular clothing item on top of his dresser, one that’s tucked into a corner a bit, next to a small storage bin of similar clothes.
He pulls it out.
A pink skirt.
It’s really nothing that special, about as plain a skirt as you can get. No fancy design or style or anything. Just slightly above knee-length and a light pink color.
He’d gotten it impulsively during some short shopping trip. He’d wondered if it would suit him. Just a little experiment. If he hated it, he was sure Amy or Blaze or Rouge or someone would happily take it off his paws, or he could just donate it.
Turns out, he really liked how he looked in them. Like, a lot.
Which gave him a bit of a gender crisis for about a week, until he was certain he just liked the style of clothing, after a lot of self-reflection.
He looked manly and cute as fuck when he wore stuff like this. It felt like a secret power move.
So, over the past few months, he may or may not have gotten way more skirts. This time, different patterns, colors, and styles, all tucked away in a storage bin in the corner of his closet so that no one but him would easily notice them, as if they’re something scary that he has to hide.
It kinda feels like they are.
He’d never worn anything blatantly feminine in public. It makes him nervous. Eyes are always on him as the Hero of Mobius; at least, it certainly feels like they are. It makes him anxious enough as it is. Sometimes his friends or boyfriend have to pull him aside in public, even if there isn’t attention on him or paparazzi crowding him, even if crowds just get too loud or overstimulating, because he finds himself getting dizzy and hyperventilating until someone he’s close with can help him calm down.
Wearing something that might draw even more attention to him? Out of the question.
…
He kinda wishes it wasn’t, though. It’d be nice to feel cute in public without judgement.
Just for fun, he takes off the jeans he’s wearing in favor of the skirt to see how it looks with his top.
He looks in the mirror again.
He feels pretty as fuck. It looks so nice.
He does a few twirls as he admires his reflection. He can’t help but grin a little.
But his grin quickly falters as he thinks about how he can’t.
He just… can’t look like this in public.
And it’s frustrating, really.
What’s the point of having such cute clothes if he can’t even bring himself to wear them outside of his apartment?!
He doesn’t even think he’s brave enough to let Shadow know he likes clothes like this, and the ebony hedgehog has never made him feel anything but safe and loved.
…
Maybe, though…
He spins around in the outfit again. But a deep chill runs up his spine at the idea.
Let's not risk it. He decides.
Still, self-indulgently, he lets himself do a few more twirls in the outfit.
After a minute, he goes back over to his dresser to look for other accessories.
He could have some fun. Just for a few more minutes.
He grabs a couple bracelets to wear. The first a colorful, woven friendship bracelet from Amy, and the other a thin, gold bracelet from his lovely partner.
He spins again, a few more times, after putting them on, beaming at the way he looks.
Pretty…
But then suddenly, almost as if in slow motion, there are a couple, loud knocks on his bedroom door before the doorknob twists… and the hedgehog, of whom he’s been dreading being seen like this by, steps into the room.
Shit.
“Sonic? Are you in here, darling? You didn’t answer the door, so I was a bit worri- oh!” Shadow’s slightly husky, but soft voice fills the room, and Sonic’s stomach drops when the darker hedgehog looks at him in a bit of surprise.
But before he can possibly say anything else, Sonic quickly pushes him out of the room, locking the darker hedgehog out. “Shads! W-what are you doing here, man?”
“Um.. it’s date night… isn’t it?” Shadow asks hesitantly. “This is the time we agreed on, correct?”
Sonic quickly looks over at the alarm clock on his nightstand.
Yep. His boyfriend had arrived right on the dot, as per usual.
FUCK.
“No, yeah, I know,” Sonic’s voice audibly quavers as he feels his heart pound.
He thinks you’re weird. He thinks you look stupid. He hates you. His mind tells him. He lets out a sudden, shaky breath as he covers his ears, trying to will the intrusive thoughts to leave.
He hates you. You’re ugly. You look horrible! Who would ever want to see you like this?
His legs tremble, threatening to give out underneath him as he shakes, and he begins to feel dizzy as his breathing becomes more and more uneven.
His panic attacks had never been known to be quiet, though, so obviously, he soon hears quiet knocking again, his partner’s voice coming from behind the door, soft and caring.
“Sonic. I’m a little worried. Are you alright, dear?”
“No! I think we should reschedule,” Sonic stammers out quickly as he braces himself with his arm against one of his walls, trying to steady his increasing dizziness and heavy breathing.
There’s a pregnant pause before Shadow responds again. “W-.. did I do something? Are you feeling unwell? I’m sorry if I walked in on you during something private. I’m used to us just barging into each other’s rooms… I thought it was fine…”
The other hedgehog is obviously confused at the blue hedgehog’s response. Sonic doesn’t blame him.
The Hero of Mobius forces himself to take a long, deep breath, before attempting to backtrack on the words that he hadn’t even really meant to say before. “No. I’m.. I-I’m sorry, babe. Gimme a sec, I’ll be right out.”
He changes as quickly as he can out of the skirt and back into his jeans, though he stumbles a bit as he does so, dizziness clogging his brain from the way his lungs are still struggling for air, anxious worries gripping his entire body like claws scraping against his fur.
As he changes, his eyes well with tears. At the anxiety, at the skirt, at what Shadow might be thinking about him, about all the emotions completely overstimulating him right now.
Shakily, he wipes at his eyes before unlocking and opening his bedroom door.
Shadow is standing right outside of the doorway, eye ridges raising at the other in surprise, though a small smile still graces his lips. He looks both happy to see the blue blur and very concerned.
“Hey!” Sonic greets, attempting to make his voice sound peppy, although he knows he must look and sound like a mess.
“Hi, honey…” Shadow appears hesitant. Sonic can see the other hedgehog trying to read his expressions, trying to figure out what’s wrong, so the blue blur turns his face away, attempting to subtly wipe more tears away with his wrists as he sniffles quietly.
Not quietly enough, though, as it seems.
“Are you crying?” the dark hedgehog asks, speech etched with worry.
“No…” Sonic’s (obviously terrible) attempt at a lie is only accentuated by him beginning to loudly sob right after, unable to hold back tears any longer. Shadow’s caring expression and voice had sent him over the edge.
“Oh, sweetheart, what’s the matter?” the dark hedgehog whispers, tone soothing. He reaches out, but doesn’t touch the blue hedgehog, in case he’s too overwhelmed, the gesture careful and questioning.
Sonic lets his paw brush the other’s slightly outstretched one for just a moment, something to try and console himself. But it only sends an anxious sort of twinge through his paw and down through his body and, after only about a millisecond of calm, a wave of dizziness sweeps through his brain once more, a sharp inhale and exhale passing through his chest just as fast. He pulls his paw away again, pacing in front of the darker hedgehog as he attempts to calm his nerves, but it only makes him dizzier, and he nearly swoons as his entire body shakes.
Luckily, though, his ever observant boyfriend is quick to help him move to sit down. “Woah. Okay, hey. Take a deep breath. Don’t faint on me, darling. Are you sick?”
Sonic just closes his eyes tight, paws moving to cover his ears once more. He’s entirely overwhelmed as his breaths are both light and heavy at the same time, the corners of his vision starting to blur. He wants to tell Shadow what’s wrong, wants to say something, but his throat feels constricted and dry.
Crimson eyes widen in realization. “Oh. A panic attack, love…?”
The blue hedgehog can’t take the suffocating feelings in his chest, his ears ringing as his vision continues to go unfocused, and so he gives up the (already unconvincing) act and nods as tears stream down his face.
And his wonderfully sweet partner quickly goes into “Sonic Panic Attack Mode” (as they had begun calling it).
They have a routine, at this point. Even Sonic’s friends pretty much know what to do when he panics like this, since he’s been known to pass out when his anxiety attacks get terrible and go unhelped.
In public, it’s a necessity to get Sonic somewhere more private and quiet, as far from crowds and paparazzi as they can. And, if people still knowingly disrespect his need for privacy in those moments… well, Shadow has been known to growl at people. It’s also important that only one close friend helps him when he’s like this, even if he’s with a group of them. As much as he absolutely adores all of his friends’ willingness to take care of him when he’s like this, it can be even more overwhelming if too many people are asking too many questions and saying too many things at once.
And that’s another thing: he needs as little talking as possible (for once) when he’s anxious, both from himself and others. Simple yes or no questions are a must, during and while he recovers afterwards.
Luckily, all of that isn't really an issue right now. It’s just him and Shadow.
His boyfriend helps him take his gloves and any small accessories off (feels less restrictive) and grabs some thick, soft string made to tie the blue blur’s quills up into a sort of ponytail.
The air around Sonic begins to feel a bit clearer as some of his overstimulation begins to fade, feeling like a bit of weight has already been lifted off of him.
But it almost begins to crush him again as he sees Shadow stand to head back into his bedroom.
Sonic hadn’t put the skirt away.
“No! Wait!” he quickly, albeit weakly, grabs the darker hedgehog’s wrist to stop him. Shadow looks down at him in surprise, before quickly reassuring him.
“I’m not leaving you, darling. It’s just so I can grab your weighted blanket-“
“Use the one in my bag,” Sonic interrupts firmly.
The dark hedgehog stares at him in even more confusion for a moment, stuttering. “Wha.. b-but-“
“Please, Shads..” the blue hedgehog begs a little, his breathing heavy and voice raw from crying. He sounds absolutely pathetic.
Shadow still hesitates for a moment, but then nods, going over to grab the tote bag they’d usually take in public, in case of situations like this. It had some earplugs in it, along with a more lightweight, weighted lap pad. It’s a bit muted compared to the heavier weighted blanket Sonic keeps in his room, but it gets the job done well.
His partner takes the earplugs out of the bag, gently placing them into the blue hedgehog’s sensitive ears to lightly muffle any noise. There isn’t much of any right now, but everything always feels twenty times louder during his panic attacks.
Shadow moves to sit on the floor a bit more comfortably before gesturing for Sonic to lay in his lap. The blue hedgehog does, happy for the familiar comfort, and Shadow puts the smaller weighted lap pad to rest on top of the blue blur. Sonic lets out a long sigh of relief at the bit of pressure.
“There we go..” Shadow whispers, comfortingly. “Take some deep breaths for me, love.”
The dark hedgehog gently rubs Sonic’s ears and massages his quills a bit, bringing the blue blur more and more out of his panicked state as he feels his heavy and rapid breathing start to settle. Still, he lets himself cry as his partner continues to pet through his quills in a grounding way. Soft, gentle kisses are placed on his head and ears, soothingly, another thing that helps him when his partner is caring for him like this.
He feels safe and loved.
=
A few long minutes pass of deep breaths being taken, Sonic sitting up so that the darker hedgehog can get him some water to re-hydrate after all of the blue blur’s crying, and they soon do the final step of Sonic’s panic attack care: some cuddles.
It’s not something he does with his friends or brother after he has a panic attack, but it’s always very much appreciated when Shadow’s the one to calm him down, since this part is like a final step to fully ground him.
He leans back against Shadow’s chest, and Shadow wraps his arms around Sonic’s waist, holding the blue blur close with a light, comforting pressure.
The blue hedgehog continues to breathe out long, deep breaths as he recovers, most of his dizziness having faded now, as he sips on some water.
A few minutes later, Shadow speaks again, just as softly. “Are you alright, angel? Do you wish to talk about what’s bothering you?”
A pause.
Well.
Maybe now might be a good time to finally tell him.
Slowly, Sonic sits up, wordlessly pulling off the tie on his quills and taking out his earplugs, as he begins to stand, helping his boyfriend up, too. “C’mon..”
He gently pulls Shadow into his room.
Letting go of the other hedgehog's paw once inside, he picks up the pink skirt discarded on his floor before moving to sit on his bed, his partner sitting next to him. Sonic hands the crumpled up clothing to Shadow, rubbing the back of his neck nervously as the darker hedgehog gently takes it.
Shadow unfolds it, simply staring at it for a few, long seconds, before speaking again. “A skirt..”
The words aren’t judgmental or malicious, just a confused, simple statement.
“Yeah,” Sonic breathes out.
“Is this the one you were wearing when I walked in?”
Damn it.
Sonic flushes. “Oh. So you did see that?”
Shadow still appears confused. “Only for a moment, before you shut the door.”
The darker hedgehog attempts to meet Sonic’s eyes better, even as the blue hedgehog is avoiding said eye contact a bit. “But I don’t understand… why are you showing me this, Sonic?”
The ebony hedgehog’s voice is caring and confused and obviously willing to listen, but the Hero of Mobius still feels his stomach churn.
He lets out a very long sigh before he finally utters the words he’s been fearing saying. He closes his eyes and turns away from the other a bit more.
“I… like wearing skirts.”
He should’ve expected his boyfriend’s response, but it somehow still shocks him to his core.
“Oh. Okay…?”
Sonic turns to look back at Shadow, slightly bewildered. “That’s all?”
“Did you want me to have a different reaction?”
“I-I don’t know..” Sonic mutters with a shrug. “I just… I didn’t expect you to take it well, I guess…”
“Is that why you panicked?” Shadow asks, with a tiny huff, almost as if the idea makes him laugh.
Sonic furrows his eye ridges a bit. “It doesn’t bother you?”
“Should it?” Shadow questions, looking surprised that Sonic seems bothered by it. “It’s not that big a deal.. right?”
“W-well…” the blue hedgehog sighs, cowering a little. He feels like he could cry again, his ears flushing as he looks back down at his paws. “No. I guess not. It’s just.. I guess it’s kind of a big deal to me. I was scared to tell you.”
“You were?” Shadow sounds hurt. Sonic looks back at him. There’s a sort of dejected look in his crimson eyes.
Oh.
“I thought..” Sonic says slowly, softly. “I thought you might think it was weird. That.. I’m a guy. And.. I like skirts?”
The darker hedgehog just shakes his head a bit. “That isn’t odd to me.”
Sonic smiles a little, just barely reassured by the words. “Really?”
Shadow smiles back, taking one of Sonic’s paws in his own. “Sonic. Darling. My closest friend growing up was a girl, and I was a small, fluffy hedgehog. You don’t think she tried to dress me up in cute outfits or put bows in my quills whenever she could?”
Sonic sputters a little in shock, but he smiles at the story. “Maria used to dress you up? Didn’t you grow up in, like, the 70s? In space?”
Shadow chuckles. “And? Do you really think Gerald would’ve told his terminally ill granddaughter not to do something that’s otherwise harmless?”
Sonic shrugs a little, rolling his eyes. “Okay.. fair point.”
“Of course, he didn’t like it. Not at all,” Shadow points out, also with an eye roll. But he still laughs a little, the memories seeming fond to him. “But it was better than me and her burning food in the kitchen or making a mess of the ARK when we’d accidentally knock things over while running around or playing or otherwise getting into trouble. So me in a dress when I was younger was probably the least of everyone’s concerns.”
Sonic giggles a little, kindly, at his partner’s recounts of some of the better memories of his time on the ARK.
“Anyways,” Shadow continues, looking at his boyfriend more seriously. “It doesn’t bother me if you enjoy wearing more stereotypically feminine clothing. Even I have.”
The darker hedgehog places a gentle paw pad under the blue blur’s chin to tilt the hedgehog’s head up a little, so he could make firm, but loving eye contact with his partner. “But even if I hadn’t, I don't care if you enjoy dressing like this. I think you’re beautiful, hedgehog. This doesn’t change my view of you.”
Sonic leans into the touch, Shadow’s reassuring words easing the anxious tension in his body and allowing him to relax even further. “Thank you, babe. I really appreciate it. Like, a lot.”
His boyfriend leans forward and plants a small peck on the blue blur’s forehead. “Of course, darling.”
But then he leans back again, and seems to pause, hesitantly. “I do… have a few questions, though.”
“O..oh?” Sonic replies, just as hesitant.
“I just want to make sure we’re on the same page,” Shadow reassures, moving his paw from Sonic’s chin. He looks at his boyfriend with some interest. “For instance, I was wondering… when did you start liking skirts?”
“Oh! Uh…” Sonic thinks it over for a few moments, a bit surprised at the lighthearted query. “Probably… a couple months before we started going out.”
“Really? That long?” Shadow asks, voice more curious than upset. He looks back at the pink skirt he’s still holding. “And you only have this one?”
Sonic grins. “Well… not exactly…”
The blue hedgehog stands up, a bit excitedly, to go back to his closet, proceeding to pull out the small (no longer needing to be hidden, it seems) storage bin full of the other skirts he’d collected. There’s about 10 or 20 of them.
“I’ve never really been able to show anyone…” the blue hedgehog states, holding up a few of his favorites after he puts the basket down near the other hedgehog. “But it sorta became a collection. Just for fun.”
“How lovely,” Shadow compliments, feeling some of the various fabrics as he looks at a few different skirts. He looks back up at his blue partner. “You should wear some around me sometime, if you’re comfortable doing so. I’m sure you look wonderful in them.”
Sonic swears he feels his heart melting at the words, a flush taking over his features again. “Aw, Shads..”
His boyfriend smiles at him, before turning a bit serious again, although his eyes are still full of sincerity and caring.
“I did have one other question, though,” Shadow states. “And I want you to know I won’t judge you, and that you can be honest with me, and I’ll still like you regardless.”
Sonic falters a bit at the sudden change, raising an eye ridge. “Okay…?”
“Do you…” Shadow avoids eye contact now, scratching the back of his neck a little and seeming a bit unsure of how to ask his question. “Are you.. I mean, I know you liking skirts doesn’t have to mean this… but.. do you.. like them because… I-I mean…”
He gestures with his hands a little. “I guess I’m not sure how to say it. But.. you’d tell me if you wanted to use different pronouns or anything like that, right?”
Oh.
AWWW.
Sonic beams at him. “I’m not trans, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s not like that. Trust me, I wondered that, too. But nah. I’m just a guy that likes dressing cute. It’s what makes me happy.”
Shadow nods in confirmation. “Oh. Okay. I was just.. checking. To make sure I wasn’t calling you the wrong thing, in case you wanted something different.”
Sonic walks closer to his lover, places a paw on his tan cheek, and takes his turn to give his darling a small kiss on the forehead. “I appreciate that a ton, babe. The same goes for you, y’know.”
When Sonic leans away again, he sees an uneasy expression on his partner’s face.
“One.. more thing?” Shadow whispers, meekly now. “It’s not a question for you… I want to tell you something, as well. While we’re on the topic of.. gender and… stuff we haven’t told each other…?”
Sonic sits down next to his boyfriend once more, feeling a new, important weight to the conversation. “Yeah?”
Shadow takes a shaky breath in and out. “U-um… okay, so…”
He turns to look at Sonic worriedly, eye ridges furrowed and crimson eyes slightly terrified. This time, Sonic reaches a paw out to console him, nodding at him assuringly, as if to tell him it’s okay to continue. To tell him that he’s safe.
“Well.. I was going to tell you eventually,” Shadow starts. “I didn’t think it was something that was necessarily important to talk to you about until we… um..”
The darker hedgehog flushes as bright as his quills, and he has to pause for a moment before muttering. “…become sexually active… if we decide to do so…”
Sonic flusters a little, too, getting a bit of mental whiplash at a topic that now seems a lot heavier. “O-oh?”
“Regarding what I’ve been meaning to tell you,” the ebony hedgehog continues. “And maybe now it’s a good time, so that you don’t feel as nervous about opening up about these things, is that… I’m intersex.”
Oh.
Huh.
Well, his partner coming out to him on date night as a response to Sonic just admitting that he likes to wear certain outfits is definitely not how he’d expected tonight to go.
But fuck it. Sure. Why the hell not.
“Okay…” the blue blur doesn’t entirely know how exactly to reply to such a big statement. He’s heard of the label before and generally understands what it is, but he’s almost certain it’s fairly different for different people and Mobians, being that it’s sort of an umbrella term. “So… what does that mean.. for you? And.. for us?”
“What do you mean?” Shadow asks, softly, ears going back. He looks a bit timid, as if Sonic’s reaction isn’t one that sounds as supportive as he’d meant it to be.
So, he quickly clarifies. “I just mean, like.. how does it work.. for you? Do you want me to use different pronouns? Is there anything medical you want me to know about? Or… anything I should or shouldn’t do if we… are.. ‘sexually active’, I guess? Like… what does being intersex mean to you? How can I… be a good boyfriend to you.. about it. Y’know?”
At the explanation, Shadow’s nervous expression immediately turns to one of understanding and relief. Or gratitude. Or maybe both.
There’s a bit of a pause as Shadow seems to process and smile at his boyfriend’s words, chuckling a little as he tries to speak again, but is left a stuttering mess.
“Did I… say the wrong thing?” Sonic tries.
Shadow looks him in the eye, an adoring smile on his face, as he finally manages. “No. Quite the opposite, actually. That might be one of the most understanding and sweetest responses I could’ve expected, and… it’s as if my brain is… almost short-circuiting a little because of how much that makes me want to just kiss you.”
Sonic chuckles, too, similarly relieved that Shadow had gotten the response he’d needed, as well, and also slightly flustered at the tender words from the darker hedgehog. “You can kiss me later, hot stuff. But right now, if you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to hear more about your ‘secret’, now. You’ve got my full attention, dude.”
He brushes Shadow’s cheek, lovingly, with his paw, and the darker hedgehog lets out a soft sigh as he leans into the touch for a moment, before getting into his explanation.
“I’m not really ‘intersex’ in the way humans or other Mobians are,” Shadow begins. “When I was… created… the scientists obviously wanted me to be Ultimate in everything, including reproduction. They wanted me to be able to make offspring that are just as powerful as I am, I can assume. Because of that, I have both male and female reproductive organs internally, with external anatomy to match. That way, I could both impregnate others and get pregnant myself. So.. not exactly like a typical intersex variation. But, since it falls outside of the male-female sex binary, and the scientists never gave me any proper term to describe myself or feel comfortable in my identity… I just use the intersex label. That’s all. And… yes, my pronouns are the same as they’ve been. I enjoy being called your ‘boyfriend’. Gender-wise, I identify as male.”
Shortly after Shadow finishes explaining, Sonic simply leans forward, pressing yet another gentle kiss to his partner’s forehead, which lasts a few, long seconds as the blue blur tries to put as much care and love behind the small gesture as he can. Once he pulls away, he cups the darker hedgehog’s face with his paws.
“Thank you for telling me, babe,” the blue hedgehog whispers, lovingly. “I know it can’t be easy to talk about stuff like that so openly, but I adore you exactly as you are. I like you, Shads.”
Shadow beams, flushing slightly at the words, and he places his paws on the blue blur’s hips, leaning forward to meet Sonic’s lips with his own.
Sonic leans into the kiss, moving his paws to rest in his boyfriend’s pretty quills as he hums sweetly against his partner’s lips.
It surprises him a little when Shadow deepens the kiss a bit more, one of the darker hedgehog’s paws resting loosely against Sonic's waist as his other paw cups one side of the blue blur’s face.
Sonic’s certainly not going to complain, though.
They both tilt their heads a little more, and the black and red hedgehog’s tongue licks at his blue counterpart’s lips.
Sonic chuckles into the kiss a bit, opening his mouth a little to allow for their tongues to brush.
Despite the bit of intimacy and deepness behind the kiss, it’s just as gentle as when it had started. It’s more of a statement of love and understanding, both of them pouring emotions into it.
A few minutes later and… wow. They’re still kissing. Okay.
So Shadow wasn’t kidding. That’s fine by Sonic.
=
After about ten full minutes of Sonic being kissed senseless, but still somehow very tenderly and sweetly, they both finally pull away, breathless.
Once the two start to catch their breaths a bit, still holding each other close, Shadow sighs out. “You should wear a skirt on our date.”
The abruptness of the statement throws Sonic off for a moment. It almost takes his breath away again. He stares back at his partner in surprise.
“If you’d like,” Shadow quickly adds. “I… think you’d look pretty.”
Sonic beams a little at the emphatic, yet still shy, words from the other hedgehog.
In spite of that, the blue hedgehog continues to hesitate, a pit still rooted in his stomach at the thought.
His paws leave Shadow’s quills, but his arms stay wrapped around his partner’s shoulders as he sighs, frustrated with his own reluctance, despite the fact that he’d love to dress the way he wants to in public without any fear. “I just… I don’t know, man. I’m… terrified of what people will think; how they’ll look at me.”
He feels himself tremble with the intruding thought of everyone’s eyes on him.
HIM.
But he’s pulled out the beginning of another anxiety spiral by a gentle squeeze on his hip and a thumb rubbing soothingly against his cheek.
“Hey,” Shadow says, quietly. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It was just a thought, dear. And I don’t want you to wear it for me. I want you to feel as gorgeous as I already know you are.”
Sonic nods, feeling disappointed in himself. He looks away from his boyfriend, pulling away a little as his paws go to rest against his lover’s chest and shoulders. The darker hedgehog moves to rest his own paws atop the blue blur’s.
Then, the blue hedgehog hears his boyfriend hum in thought, and Sonic looks back to see that his partner’s gaze is now fixed on Sonic’s pile of skirts.
The ebony hedgehog also pulls away, moving to reach for a few that he seems to like.
“What if I wore one with you?” Shadow offers, looking back towards his lover. “We can do it together, so that you don’t have to be fearful.”
“You’d do that?” Sonic whispers, almost disbelieving, but heart swelling at the kind words.
Shadow gives him a small smile. “Of course, darling. I want you to be able to dress the way you like.”
Fuck. Sonic thinks. How did he get this lucky?
The blue blur huffs, giving his partner a small smile in return. “How did you get so much confidence?”
Shadow lets out the tiniest of laughs, half-sadly as he grimaces a bit. He shrugs. “People told me who I should be for so long. I like being who I am now in spite of them. Even if the world still chooses to become my enemy, I’ll fight like I always have.”
“I.. know that’s easier said than done,” Shadow continues with a small sigh, looking back at the items of clothing in his paws. “But I do like skirts, anyway. I don’t really wear them, or really anything especially feminine very often, but you know that I sometimes borrow clothes from Rouge or Amy. It doesn’t bother me. I like feeling ‘cute’, too, I suppose. And, if it all helps you feel safer, I think it could be very fun.”
Sonic grins. The idea reassures him. It interests him greatly. It really does sound fun to dress up all pretty to go out with his boyfriend. And his boyfriend wanting to do that alongside him?
Still, though…
“Regardless,” the dark hedgehog turns back to the blue hero once more. “I know today has been a lot. If you’d like, I can also simply cancel our reservation and we can spend time inside tonight. We can order some takeout food and make out and fall asleep on the couch. I like that just the same.”
…
Oh.
The words hit Sonic square in the chest.
It’s so simple, but so understanding, so supportive and kind as always. It honestly sounds kinda perfect.
But…
It also makes the blue blur want to try.
Shadow reserved a seat at this restaurant to be special for tonight.
It’s just one dinner date…
Sonic… could dress pretty just for dinner, right? Just to try?
His heart thrums excitedly at the thought. He feels his tail wag a little.
He will, he decides. He’ll try.
He does want to feel pretty.
For himself and his ever adoring partner.
Fuck it. He already does feel pretty. He is.
Sonic smiles at his boyfriend, more certain, now. He stands, grabbing the pink skirt from earlier, staring down at it in his hands, feeling just a little more secure. “I think I'll wear this out tonight.”
“Really?” Shadow sounds slightly stunned, but Sonic notices his tail wagging a bit, too, from where he’s sitting.
The blue blur grins. “Yeah, babe. You made me feel better about it. Thank you. Seriously.”
Shadow offers him a soft smile back. “I’m glad I could help.”
Sonic puts the skirt under one arm, moving both paws to cradle his boyfriend’s pretty face once again.
“And I’m happy we could both talk about what’s been on our minds. Really. You mean so much to me,” Sonic places one more chaste kiss on the other’s lips, the darker hedgehog humming sweetly into the kiss, seemingly in agreement at the blue hedgehog’s words, before Sonic steps away to change in one corner of his bedroom.
“Would you like me to wear one, too?” Shadow asks as Sonic changes, glancing at the messy pile of skirts again.
“If you want to. Feel free to borrow any whenever you’d like,” Sonic responds absentmindedly.
“I’m sure Rouge would be jealous of your collection.”
Sonic ‘tsks’ back at his boyfriend. “Yeah right. Doesn’t she have all those luxury clothes? I’ve never seen her not dressed fancy. Honestly, I’m kinda jealous.”
The blue hedgehog turns, walking over to his mirror again and smoothing his skirt a bit as Shadow shrugs.
“You know, she thrifts most of those.”
Sonic turns to him, eye ridge raised in disbelief. “No way.”
Shadow chuckles, meeting his partner’s surprised gaze with an affirming nod. “Yes. A lot of patience and luck is involved, sure, but her determination is admirable. How do you think I got this jacket?”
Sonic finally takes a good look at the jacket his partner is wearing. He recognizes it as one of his favorites, and certainly one of Shadow’s, too, judging by how often he seems to wear it.
Sonic’s tried it on before, himself. It’s a leather jacket, lining soft and slightly hefty with flannel, and the actual, outer, faux leather a nice, dark blue shade. It looks high-quality, and feels like it, too. He knows Shads isn’t really one to spend a lot of money; but now that he thinks about it, the jacket would probably cost a few hundred, and it looks a bit old.
“Rouge got you that?”
“As a treat,” Shadow replies. “That’s what she told me, anyways. She apparently found it and thought I’d like it.”
“Aww, how sweet. She’s got good taste,” Sonic notes, looking back in the mirror and spinning a little as he looks at the skirt, distractedly. “I’ll have to go shopping with you guys some time.”
“Definitely…” Shadow responds, kindly, but just as absentminded as his blue partner. Sonic turns back to him, and notices his boyfriend is just staring at him a bit, a mildly starstruck look to his gaze.
Sonic blushes, a sheepish smile taking over his expression. “…what?”
Shadow shakes his head a little, seeming to come back into being fully focused. “Nothing. Sorry. You just…”
Shadow clears his throat and looks away a little. Sonic notices how his boyfriend’s muzzle goes almost as red as the stripes in his quills, an equally flustered expression on his face.
“You just.. look very lovely, is all.”
Sonic simply grins, twirling a bit to show his partner the outfit with newfound confidence. “You like it? I love this skirt. It’s the first one I bought all those months ago.”
“It suits you,” Sonic stops spinning as the soft words leave Shadow’s mouth. “You look absolutely beautiful. I mean it, love.”
The darker hedgehog stands up, walking over to the blue blur. Gentle, gloved paws go to rest on Sonic’s hips again, over his button up, gently rubbing circles on his sides as the blue hedgehog looks into crimson eyes. “You’re stunning. And I’ve never seen you look so cheerful before. You look absolutely gorgeous.”
Sonic gives him a quizzical look. He wraps his arms around Shadow’s shoulders, leaning in so that their noses just barely brush. “You’ve seen me this happy plenty of times, dumbass. I love feeling confident, but I’m much happier when you’re around to feel happy, too. I like sharing the feeling with you. You make me smile.”
Shadow looks away a bit, seemingly rendered even more flustered, and Sonic just nuzzles against his face with the tiniest of purrs.
Pulling away from the embrace, still beaming at his blushing partner, Sonic takes one of Shadow’s paws in his own before nodding towards the front door outside of Sonic’s bedroom. “I’m hungry. You ready for dinner, babe?”
Shadow smiles back at him, eyes full of love and adoration. “Absolutely, darling. I could want nothing more in this moment.”
Sonic just rolls his eyes, lightheartedly, at the fancier speech, but smiles bashfully as he pulls his lover towards the door. “C’mon, you doofus.”
=
When they actually get to the restaurant, one they’d had the idea to go to on some date night someday after passing by it a bunch, they find it’s a lot more crowded and overstimulating than expected once they actually go inside.
After a bit of discussion, and Shadow nearly having a panic attack this time, they decide it’s best to just cancel their reservation last minute, much to the dismay of the both of them.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Sonic rubs his thumb over his partner’s gloved paw as they continue to walk through the city. “I know it kinda sucks, but I’m not mad. I just like being with you. We can do something else and still have fun.”
Shadow’s ears twitch a little as he appears to be trying to process his boyfriend’s words of reassurance, even if he still seems to feel bad about the change of plans. But, after a minute, the black and red hedgehog looks up with a bit of a glint in his eye, seeming to notice something off in the distance that Sonic can’t really see. While the blue blur hated to admit it, he probably needed glasses, and he’s a bit jealous of how better than perfect his partner’s vision is. Still, with the small smile gracing his lover’s lips, and the way he pulls Sonic along cheerfully, the blue hedgehog can’t help but feel grateful for the surprise at this moment.
“You’re right,” Shadow says, slightly breathless as he begins to walk faster, Sonic surprisingly stumbling to catch up a bit. “I can still make this fun. I have an idea.”
Sonic chuckles, but gasps a little in excitement a couple minutes later when he sees that the darker hedgehog has pulled them over to a small boba shop, something he knows the blue blur loves.
“Oh, fuck yeah!” Sonic cheers. He takes the lead, now, pulling the ebony hedgehog across the street and through the shop’s front doors.
The blue hedgehog always likes to order something new when he tries fun drinks like this. This time, he tries a lemonade with mango tapioca pearls. Shadow, on the other hand, opts to get his usual: a simple, less sweet, strawberry milk bubble tea.
Shadow pays for them, and they sip their drinks as they walk back outside and down the city sidewalk once more.
“Where are we going?” Sonic asks, swinging him and his boyfriend’s intertwined paws between them as he pops a tapioca pearl between his slightly sharp canines.
“I’m taking you sightseeing,” Shadow says, casually, though the almost unnoticeable way that the pitch of his voice goes higher reveals to the blue hedgehog that his partner is clearly looking forward to doing so.
It makes Sonic look forward to it, too.
All the “sightseeing” is stuff they’ve both seen before. They both live in this city. They’ve saved it before. They’ve seen it built and destroyed and rebuilt and destroyed before being rebuilt again, like a plant that continues to grow through cracks in cement. They’ve seen all the art sculptures, been to the art museums and restaurants, Sonic could probably say he knows his way around like the back of his paw and mean it, for the most part.
Regardless, it’s still like seeing it all new when he’s with Shadow.
He’s certain the other could go on for hours about each thing he talks about as they walk around. The meaning of every art piece (and what it means to him), the architectural history behind every building, all the way down to the small details in different trees or the string lights placed around certain parts of the city.
And, even for as much as Shadow is talking, more so now than he usually does throughout an average week, and even with Sonic’s tendency to get distracted and not stay put in one place for very long or occasionally interrupt, he feels like he could stay here, listening to the soft rumbling of Shadow’s voice, almost like a deep purr as he speaks and happily rambles, all night.
The blue blur finds himself kissing the darker hedgehog’s pretty lips during some points, loving the small hums or soft purrs he’s met with in response, before the other goes back to quietly speaking again, although usually a bit more happily flustered after those little moments.
They hold each other’s paws nearly the entire time as they walk. Sometimes they sprint or twirl around as they run on less crowded sidewalks, a skip in their steps.
They window shop a bit, too, nothing new really worth buying at the moment, as it seems, but it’s fun to look.
“You don’t want a new skirt?” Shadow offers, as Sonic stares at a few outside of another shop. “I wouldn’t mind buying you one; it could be nice.”
Sonic smiles, but shakes his head, politely, before they both start to walk again. “Nah. Maybe another time. It’s getting a bit late anyway. But, still. Thank you. For everything. Tonight has been so much fun, really.”
“I’m glad,” Shadow places a chaste kiss on his partner’s cheek. “I enjoyed this, as well.”
Sonic leans to brush noses with his boyfriend, adoringly, as they start to make their way back to Sonic’s apartment.
Then, he hears Shadow’s stomach grumble.
Sonic giggles and Shadow grunts in annoyance as they lean a bit away from each other again.
“Hungry?” Sonic asks, sweetly.
“We should probably get some dinner before we head back,” Shadow admits with a small huff and a shrug. “What would you like to eat?”
Sonic hums, looking around at nearby shops before his gaze lands on one that they usually order takeout from. Sonic pulls his boyfriend over to it, and they get their usual comfort food.
=
When they finally stumble back to Sonic’s place, it’s close to 1am.
After the blue blur unlocks his apartment door and they head inside, he drops their food on the floor, wraps his arms around Shadow’s shoulders, and pulls his lover into a deep kiss.
Shadow seems surprised for a moment, before leaning into the kiss with a gentle groan of approval. He cups the sides of Sonic’s face with his paws, holding him impossibly closer.
When they pull away after a minute, crimson eyes stare back at loving green ones.
And Sonic realizes.
He didn’t feel any eyes on him the entire time that they’d gone out.
There were no gazes digging into his skin and fur like sharp claws.
He hadn’t assumed everyone was staring at him, like he usually did, even when no eyes were on him.
He’d only felt Shadow’s eyes on him…
…and his own staring back.
Like right now.
With Shadow.
…
He loves Shadow.
He doesn’t think he’s ready to say it out loud just yet, but he hopes it’s clear enough in everything he does, in the moments they spend together like this, and their dates, long and short.
After a minute or so of just staring in silence, they both slowly break out into awkward giggles. They also both lean down to pick up the food again, and end up accidentally bumping their heads together as they do so.
Through small hisses of pain, however, happy, tired laughter continues to ring through the blue hedgehog’s apartment.
Yeah, maybe they don’t have to say it right now.
In this moment, he can feel it. And he senses that Shadow can, too.
As Sonic sets up bowls for their food at the kitchen counter, his partner clings to him a little, arms wrapped around the blue blur’s waist, one of his (now ungloved) striped paws petting at soft, peach chest fur as the darker hedgehog purrs against his blue quills.
Shadow is usually fairly affectionate around him, but more so as he gets a bit sleepier like this. Sonic just lightly purrs in response.
“Okay, I’ve got the bowls ready,” Sonic chuckles, turning around in his boyfriend’s arms to face him. “You’re going to have to let go of me for now, dude.”
The darker hedgehog moves away, though his paws move to rest on his partner’s hips, instead. Sonic giggles.
“You’re so beautiful,” Shadow hums, voice smooth and sweet. His voice is deep with tiredness.
Sonic blushes brightly, though he can feel his body starting to feel almost gooey in his partner’s arms, equally exhausted. “Aw, Shads…”
“I mean it. You’re so pretty,” Shadow places a peck on the blue hedgehog’s lips.
“You’re gorgeous,” a kiss to the shell of his ear.
Sonic’s heart flutters, and he chuckles a little at the affection, as the ebony hedgehog continues to whisper gentle praises and leave soft kisses on his partner’s body. “What’s all this?”
“Would you like me to stop?” the dark hedgehog asks, more serious, as he pauses his movements. “Is it too much?”
“No. I love it. Keep going…” Sonic says, slightly breathless, and just as quiet as his partner. He smiles, feeling as though he could stay like this for hours.
Shadow nods, moving to hold Sonic’s paws, now, as he places small kisses on the blue hedgehog’s neck and shoulders. “I just… feel like letting you know just how beautiful you are. How lucky I am. So you know.”
Sonic hums, happily. “I do know… you told me before…”
“I still want to remind you,” Shadow mutters, before a kiss is placed on the blue hedgehog’s jaw. “I know sometimes you forget. And sometimes I forget to tell you. But I care for you so deeply. And you’re stunning.”
He leans back again a little, moving one of Sonic’s paws to his lips, gently kissing the back of the tan paw.
Then, he leans close enough again to just barely brush his lips against the blue blur’s.
Sonic feels his breath hitch as his heart thrums, Shadow probably being close enough to hear it. The blue hedgehog wants nothing more than to lean in and meet his boyfriend’s lips… but he waits.
He waits for what the dark hedgehog clearly wants to mutter next.
I love you. He can feel the words wanting to be said, on the tips of both their tongues, as Shadow breathes softly against his lips, mouth opening and closing, but not fully meeting Sonic’s.
Until he stops trying to say anything, simply looking into his partner’s eyes once more. Shadow’s crimson eyes are gentle and caring, practically twinkling.
Sonic knows what he means.
He knows that Shadow knows that he knows what it means.
And he finally leans forward to kiss his boyfriend back.
The kiss is soft, but slightly heated; open-mouthed, but their tongues don’t meet this time.
It says it all. Even if they don’t feel like they want to say it verbally just yet.
They pull away after a bit, just as careful, a small line of spit connecting their lips.
Sonic grins again after a moment, placing a final peck on the corner of his boyfriend’s mouth. Then, he turns a little and grabs the bowls of ramen once more.
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold, you dork. If you still wanna make out, we can do that afterwards, yeah?”
Shadow nods with a tiny smile, taking one of the bowls from Sonic’s paws as they walk over to the small dining table next to Sonic's small kitchen.
They eat their meal, sharing a bit of idle conversation as they slowly slurp at warm, kind of spicy, noodles.
It’s something so simple, yet oddly intimate; especially when Shadow lets out a tiny, annoyed huff, and reaches over the table with a napkin to wipe at Sonic’s mouth when the blue blur is eating somewhat messily. He hears the darker hedgehog jokingly mutter something about “not being able to take him anywhere”, but Sonic just gets flustered and smiles at the sweet gesture.
Afterwards, they change into comfier clothes. Sonic pulls on a simple, grey shirt and pink, polka dot patterned sweatpants. His boyfriend clearly takes advantage of being at his partner’s house, “borrowing” one of Sonic’s red hoodies and some dark grey shorts. Sonic himself usually leaves some pajamas at Shadow’s place for when he sleeps over, but the darker hedgehog doesn’t do the same. Sonic knows it’s because it gives his boyfriend an excuse to wear some of his clothes.
The blue hedgehog can’t find it anywhere in himself to care one bit.
He “borrows” Shadow’s leather jacket in response, holding some of the fabric up to his nose as he wears it. It smells just like his lover. Like lavender and coffee beans and a smidge of sweat. It smells like the fresh, outdoor air of the city where they’d just ran around earlier.
It smells like Shadow.
The jacket and smell isn’t the same as his actual boyfriend, though.
And, as his partner pulls him closer to his side, and Sonic leans into the crook of the darker hedgehog’s neck, lightly kissing there, the two of them eventually falling asleep on the couch after a gentle make out session while one of their comfort shows plays in the background, he finds that he prefers the real hedgehog a lot better.
===
A few days later, Sonic is lying on his couch, lazily playing some game (a platformer) on a handheld console, until he hears a knock on his apartment door.
Knock, knock.
“It’s Shadow!” a small shout from the other side. That deep, rumbly purr he’s grown to adore.
“I’ll be right there!” he yells back.
Within seconds, butterflies in his stomach, he turns the console off and hops up to sprint over to the door.
He doesn’t expect his boyfriend to be holding a large, dark gray box in his paws, a black ribbon adorning it.
“Hey, gorgeous. Wow… what’s all this?” Sonic beams back in shock.
“I got you something nice… kind of,” Shadow shrugs.
“Okay…?” Sonic draws out the word in a bit of a singsong way. He steps aside to let his partner in. The darker hedgehog walks inside before gently placing the gift into the other’s paws once the door is closed. Shadow crosses his arms, appearing a bit flustered as his eyes meet his boyfriend’s, shyly.
“You can open it, if you’d like,” the ebony hedgehog whispers, rubbing the back of his neck as he blushes.
Sonic undoes the bow, the thin ribbon falling to the floor as he lifts the lid off the box.
He gasps, putting the box down to pull out the folded up piece of clothing in it.
“Is this… a dress?” Sonic absolutely grins. It's a somewhat short, backless, medium gray color with long sleeves. The fabric feels like cotton or wool or something soft like that. There’s small, shiny, gold rings around the waist, adorning it like a belt.
Shadow nods, still appearing slightly nervous. “Is that.. okay?”
“It’s so pretty!” Sonic smiles, bouncing on the balls of his feet a little, and Shadow smiles back, reassured. The dress is simple, it’s fairly modest, it’s cute. It’s not something he would have thought to buy for himself, but it suits him perfectly. He’s never worn a dress before, but this feels like it would be the one he’d be the most comfortable wearing if he ever tried.
And now he wants to try.
“I love it! Thank you,” he throws his arms around the dark hedgehog’s shoulders to pull him into a tight hug. Shadow giggles, placing a peck on Sonic’s nose.
The blue hedgehog runs his paws over the dress again. It feels pretty high-quality. No tag on it, though.
Shit. He hopes Shadow didn’t get him something super expensive. That’s really sweet, but he’d feel a bit bad.
“You should know, though…” the darker hedgehog adds, fidgeting with his paws a little. “I didn’t exactly get it for you.”
Sonic looks at him quizzically.
“It was something Rouge found when she went thrifting a few weeks back,” Shadow explains. “She was so happy to find it that she didn’t even realize it was a size too small until she’d gotten home. She offered it to me, so I thought ‘why not’, because sometimes she convinces me to dress up with her and Amy; and I thought it might look good on me. But I never found an opportunity to wear it, and it was just collecting dust in my closet. So, after you told me you liked to wear skirts, I thought maybe it could finally have some use. I cleaned it off and thought I’d surprise you with it.”
Sonic feels as though his heart could almost burst at the kindness of the small, thoughtful present.
“If you wanted it, of course,” Shadow mumbles. “I… I-I couldn’t tell if it was really your style or not.”
“Baby, it’s awesome! Really!” the blue blur insists.
“Yeah?”
“Yes!”
Shadow seems to fight a small, proud grin, at that, still lightly flustered. “I’m glad.”
Sonic leans to place a peck on his boyfriend’s nose, as well.
There’s another moment of them just staring into each other’s eyes after that.
Shadow understands him.
There’s a narrowing of both their eyes, as if they’re asking each other a silent question. It feels as though it’s answered when Sonic smiles gleefully at his partner, and Shadow offers him a similar smile in return.
They understand each other.
He loves Shadow.
“I’ll be right back. I’m gonna try this on!” Sonic states, excitedly, heading over to his bedroom. But just before he goes in, he turns back to the darker hedgehog.
“And then, I’m taking you on a date for breakfast. My treat.”
Shadow continues to smile back, softly and just as adoring. He winks, teasingly. “Whatever you say, pretty boy.”