Chapter Text
So what if he has been paying close attention to Shadow's outings?
What if he gets paranoid when he returns home relaxed?
What if he can't help but boil in fury when he sees Shadow's friend get a little too close?
Yeah, so what if Sonic is jealous?
Who can blame him?
It all started a couple of weeks ago, in mid-June. It was a pleasant morning, and Amy insisted on going to an old coffee shop, known for its relaxing atmosphere. Sonic was thrilled; he hadn't seen her in a long couple of weeks, months, so he took it upon himself to get there on time, relax, and have fun with her. They sat down in a corner of the rustic local, with the perfect view of the street in front of them. The music was calming, the food was exquisite, and the vibes were just perfect.
Everything was going well.
“--And I had such a good time! Sonic, I think you would love it. There was a cosy reading nook on the terrace, and you could smell the pine trees and the flowers.” Amy beamed and took a sip of her tea.
“Yeah? I mean, I was thinking about taking a break, maybe going with Shads if he wanted–”
“You should go! It was the best holiday ever. And honestly, I get the feeling that you need it.”
“What makes you say that?” He asked, confused, as he blew on his cup of coffee. “Do I look tired or somethin'?”
“You don't, but Sonic, I'm your friend. I know you. Your shoulders are so tense. Is everything okay?”
Sonic took a large sip of his cup and set it down on the table. “I think it's just stress, Ames. There's been a lot of work to do 'round here. I just need a couple more hours of sleep, and I'll be looking fresher than ever, gonna be on my A-game.” He winked at her, and she laughed.
“I understand. Tails told me over the phone the other day. I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you all.”
“Hey, none of that! It's okay. You needed some time off. You work hard all the time, you deserve it.”
She took his hands with excitement. “And you deserve it too! You know what…? I'll treat you and Shadow for a weekend at the hostel.”
“What? Ames, no, there's no need for that! You shouldn't spend your money on us!” He tried to pull his hands away, but she gripped him.
“I won't accept a no, you know it, so better spend your time thanking your amazing friend, yes?”
Sonic gulped.
“Yes, ma'am.” They both laughed as they continued eating.
Sonic was about to take a bite out of the delicious-looking pastries when a sight outside caught his attention.
What in the chaos…?
Amy, noticing the frown on his friend's face, turned around. “Oh! It's Shadow. Is that a friend of his?” She asked, playing closer attention to the couple on the street. “She's cute.”
Way too cute.
In the middle of the street, a woman was clinging to Shadow's arm, a white cat. She was giggling, her long tail swaying almost hypnotically, causing her purple-tinted floral dress to flow gracefully. Sonic couldn't look directly at Shadow's face, but from the sides of the cat's face, he glimpsed black quills.
Relaxed.
The blue hedgehog hummed. “No, not a friend that I know of. Maybe someone from his job.” He stretched his arm across the table, picked up a chocolate muffin, and took a bite.
“They hired him?!” Amy asked, then sipped her tea.
“Oh, yes!” Sonic laughed softly. “Two weeks ago! He got hired as a nurse at the general hospital. He doesn‘t say it, of course, but he's sooo happy, Ames.”
“I'm so happy for him! He worked hard for this.” She put her cup down and gave him a warm hug. The rubbing of her red sweater tickled Sonic, causing a small chuckle to escape.
“He really did. I'm proud of my grumpy guy.” He slowly let go of the pink hedgehog and leaned his weight onto his right arm, which was pressed against the table. He tapped the table with his index finger while glancing outside again.
The black hedgehog and the cat were nowhere to be seen.
Later, as the sunset was setting in, Sonic found himself almost done cooking dinner when he heard the familiar sound of keys jingling in the doorway. Shadow arrived at their apartment with a calm demeanour as he slowly removed his shoes and left them on the floor by the door. Then he hung his keys on the key holder on the wall and went to the kitchen-living room area.
“Sup, man.” Sonic greeted him from behind the counter, sauteing chicken in a pot. “I'm making some roasted vegetables with chicken, hope you're hungry.”
It was a nice decision to get an open apartment, Sonic thought. I don't have to wait a single second to see his lovely face.
“Sup, man? I'm your boyfriend, treat me as such.” Shadow said as he stepped closer and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. He looked exhausted, mostly because of his new job, which he described as “Tiring, but good.”, even more considering that the head of the nurse department had taken a special interest in the Black hedgehog, pushing him harder to see his true potential.
“Oops, sorry. Hello—” The blue hedgehog left the frying-pan on the stove, turned around and kissed Shadow on his cheek, “—beautiful man.” then on his nose, “Hedgehog of my dreams.” on the frown between the black hedgehog eyebrows, “Love of My Life.” and in his mouth. “Future father of my children.”
“Okay, that's enough.” Muttered Shadow with calmness, but the blush around his muzzle and ears gave away his flustered state. “I got it.”
“You sure ‘bout that?” Sonic asked, with a cocky smile on his face, his eyes shining. “Because you don't seem that sure to me.”
“Yes, I'm sure.”
“Mmkay.” He chuckled. “I'm going to dish up the food in a minute. Want a coffee with it?” Sonic turns around and turns on the stove burner.
“Please.” Shadow groaned, rubbing his sore right shoulder with his hand. Then, he headed to the bathroom to wash his hands with a tired walk, out of Sonic's sight. Sonic hummed as he placed the kettle on the burner stove, swinging his hips to the rhythm coming from his phone on the counter.
They ate as they talked about their day. Enjoying being covered in the warm light flowing from their windows and the sweet smell of the lavender incense that Shadow insisted on buying.
“Sooo.. I had some tea in the morning with Amy in a really nice coffee shop.” Sonic commented, shifting the chicken on his plate with his fork. “Before you ask: Yes, it was good and yes, I'll take you next time.” Shadow rolled his eyes as he took a bite of his food. “What? You'll love it! Believe me, they had these tiny colourful little cookies you like, mau—maucaroun?”
“Macaron.” Pronounced Shadow with a French accent.
“You are so hot when you speak like that.” The blue hedgehog smirked loosely. “Anyway, what I was going to say was—” He forcibly relaxed into his seat, trying to play off his distress, even though his foot could not stop tapping the floor. “—that we saw you on the street with a white cat, a colleague? She was cute!"
“Cute? Hedgehog, I have no idea who—Oh.” Shadow frowned as he tilted his head sideways. “White Cat, yes, she's my colleague, Olivia.” Suddenly, red eyes locked straight up into the green ones with intensity. “Why the sudden interest?”
“I was just curious.” The blue hedgehog leaned forward, supporting his weight on his forearm pressed on the table, his emerald eyes shining dangerously under a streak of orange sunlight. “After all, I thought you were supposed to be at work, right?”
“We were on a quick break. I went to buy coffee, and she joined me; that's all.” Shadow sighed and took a sip of his coffee from his black cup. The cup was part of a tableware set, a housewarming gift from Rouge when they moved in together five years ago; it was delicate, adorned with details of leaves. Shadow loved it; Sonic not so much. So they used it every day, just to make the black hedgehog happy.
Sonic got quiet for a couple of seconds.
“I see. She seemed friendly and touchy.” Sonic said in response, watching him carefully with a masked smile. “Not that I would ever stop you from being affectionate with people, but it shocked me.”
“She's like that with everyone. I pulled her aside later to tell her I didn't like it, and she backed off.”
Sonic gave him smothering eyes with an expression that the black hedgehog couldn't decipher for his life, raising an eyebrow under the attention of those eyes.
“What?” The black hedgehog asked.
“Nothing, nothing. Can't I just look at my man? Is that a crime now?”
“You're looking at me like you want something, hedgehog.” Shadow replied, setting his cup down and crossing his arms over his chest. “What is it?”
“How about a quickie before sleep?” Sharp canines shone as the blue hedgehog smiled loosely.
“I have to be up early.” The black hedgehog let out a soft huff, shaking his head as he cleaned up the table.
“Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I was talking with the Ultimate Lifeform. I guess I was wrong.” Sonic quipped, rising from his seat to help Shadow, brushing his hand with his lover every single time he took a plate.
“Don't push it, Sonic.” Shadow snapped, walking toward the kitchen and placing the dishes in the dishwasher. Feeling the electric presence behind him, he stood still.
“Or what?” Sonic whispered into his ear, making Shadow's quills rise in an electrifying pull. The tension was intoxicating, like swinging on a hammock, rhythmic and unstoppable. It almost seemed as if the particles in the air stopped moving.
“You're going to regret it.” Suddenly, Sonic's hands grabbed his hips and forced him around. Shadow eyes were swimming in mischief.
The blue hedgehog couldn't help but bite softly on Shadow's under lip, gaining a little yelp. “Bet.” Then took him by the hand, firmly with a little touch of playfulness, as he walked into the hallway. “Let's take a shower.”
It was 7:20 AM when Sonic awakened with Shadow grabbing his blue quills with fury. Disoriented, Sonic turned around, looking around the room to find the reason for his boyfriend's distress, first on the floor, the walls, the wardrobe, the windows and at last he looked at his lover.
“... What?” He asked drowsily. “... What's wrong?”
“What's wrong? You're what's wrong.” Shadow growled with contempt, shaking the blue hedgehog with desperation as he spoke. “You're an animal! You broke my alarm last night, and now I'm going to be late on my damn second week.”
“... Why didn't you set it on your phone?” It's almost like I have a death wish, Sonic thought.
“Because I bought the alarm for a reason!” The black hedgehog screamed with his messy and pointy quills rising in every direction. Sonic, fully conscious, turned around and sat on the bed, holding Shadow by his shoulders, causing the black quills to lower under the nice feeling of pressure applied by the heavy blue hands.
“What time do you start work?” He asked, with a calm demeanour.
“I have to leave in 20 minutes.” Sonic swore he almost saw the number reflected in Shadow's upset eyes.
“Okay, okay. That's more than enough time.” Shadow opened his mouth to retort, but got interrupted by Sonic's finger on his chin, closing his mouth. “Yes, it is. Listen, I'm sorry I broke your alarm; that was not nice of me. I guess you just excite me too much.” Red eyes looked up at the ceiling, trying to stay calm and not scream again at the smirking hedgehog. “Now, you're going to take a quick shower, I'm going to cook some breakfast for you to take to work, and leave your clothes ironed on the bed.”
They both stared silently at the messy bed, fluids everywhere, with the only sound coming from the birds outside the windows.
“...Or in the bathroom, I'll take them to the bathroom.”
Chat - 12:00 pm
Sonic
please baby im sorry
my beautiful princess with a disorder
talk to me
Shadow
???
Sonic
its a meme
yknow
funny
Shadow
There is something wrong with you.
Mentally.
Sonic
yea
im mentally crazy for u
Shadow
Ok.
I'll be home late today.
Sonic
r u still mad at me? :(
Shadow
?
It's because of work.
Sonic
:(
Shadow
No Sonic, I'm not upset anymore.
Sonic
:)
is olivia going to be with you?
Shadow
Yes. We share the same turn in the afternoon.
Why do you keep asking me about her?
Sonic
i just like to know who the loml is workin with
thats all
imma curious guy
Shadow
I don't like it.
Sonic
omg why u dont wanna talk bout her
what r u hiding from me
Shadow
Quit writing nonsense.
Sonic
lol just joking
Shadow
I have a patient waiting. Talk to you later.
Sonic
okaaaay love u <3
Shadow
I love you too.
Sonic was in fact, not joking. He was slowly going insane.
The blue hedgehog did something he knew he shouldn't have. Check Shadow's phone when he was sleeping. Had he planned to exhaust the black hedgehog to do this? …Yes. He was not proud, okay? He didn't support this type of behaviour, but he couldn't ignore this feeling, this something inside his head that just kept bugging him. So in the middle of the night, he slowly reached for Shadow's phone on his nightstand and locked himself in the bathroom. He searched for the messages app, travelling among the infinite contacts until he found that one name that made him seethe with rage.
And Chaos, loads and loads of messages from Olivia.
I'm so happy we're working together! Let's get to meet each other more! You were so good to the difficult patient today, you're amazing! I really look up to you, Shadow. Should we go to a different place for coffee today? I found a nice coffee shop close to the hospital. Do you have a nickname? Your partner calls you Shads? Didn't know you had a partner. How long have you been together? Five years? Oh! Not that long. Cute, you don't mind if I call you the same, right, Shads?
Oh, Sonic wanted to kill someone. Sonic was going to kill someone.
Sonic was going to visit someone's job.
He always loved cooking; caring for Tails as he grew up meant cooking constantly, meat, vegetables, desserts, everything the little fox could ever need and want. Over time, it became a hobby that allowed him to show the people he cared about how much they meant to him. Strawberry shortcake for Amy, red velvet cake for Knuckles, anything minty for Tails, and so many other types of food for everyone in his life.
So it was not a surprise for Shadow when Sonic appeared with a lunchbox at the entrance of the hospital for his break.
“I felt bad about what happened in the morning, so I cooked some more.” The blue hedgehog smiled innocently at the confused state of Shadow, who had just stepped outside the establishment with his briefcase in hand. “Want to eat in the park?”
“Sure.” The dark hedgehog gave him a subtle smile, turning around to speak with—
And there she was, right behind Shadow, the pretty white cat, with her perfect honey eyes and confused but sweet smile directed at the black hedgehog.
“What's wrong?” She asked, soft-spoken.
“I'm sorry, Olivia,” Shadow said, stepping closer to Sonic. “I'm eating with my partner today.”
“Oh.” The cat's eyes locked onto Sonic's. There was something in that look that caused shivers in the blue’s quills, and suddenly, the cat didn't seem that sweet anymore. “Hi there, I'm Olivia.” She got closer as she stretched her hand forward for a handshake.
“Sonic, nice to meet ya.” He tried to appear welcoming and smiled, accepting her handshake. She's strong. “Sorry for taking him from you! We're just gonna eat in the park for a change.”
“It's okay. I'll have him back in a minute.” She said, laughing. Sonic stood still, noticing the hard glare and slightly aggressive leaning of her body.
Oh, so that's how it is?
“Oh, she's funny, Shads.” Sonic laughed back as he pressed himself into Shadow's side and took his free hand. “The funniest. Well, it's time to get going, right?”
“Ye—”
“Can I go with you? If that's okay. I would like to buy something near the park. I promise I won't interrupt you once we're there.” Sonic wanted to scream.
The black hedgehog nodded and gripped Sonic's hand strongly. “Of course, let's go.”
They walked slowly, smelling the sun hitting the pavement and the wind flowing between their bodies like a warm hug.
“So… how's work so far?” Sonic asked, caressing Shadow's knuckles with his thumb.
“It's been great! Shadow's an amazing nurse, I'm sure you already know that, but being able to watch it in person is outstanding.” Olivia radiated excitement as she animatedly moved her hands while speaking. The blue hedgehog bit the inside of his mouth to restrain a growl.
“I'm really not, Olivia, but thank you.” Muttered the flustered dark hedgehog. “Work has been hectic, we haven't been able to take a break all morning.” Then he shot Sonic a dirty look. “And because of someone, I arrived anxious.”
“You said you forgave me!” Sonic pouted, and Shadow pushed his hip against the blue hedgehog’s.
“I did, now I'll forget about it if you buy me a cup of coffee.” Sonic felt thrilled under those mischievous red eyes, so much that he almost forgot those cat eyes looking at them troubled.
“Who do you take me for? I made you coffee from scratch.”
“My hero.” The black hedgehog quipped, taking a laugh out of Sonic.
“So, Sonic, what do you do for a living? I don’t think Shadow has told me.” Olivia chimed in smoothly.
“Me? I’m more of an odd-jobber guy, sometimes as a rescue worker, a freelance hero, whatever is needed of me, I guess. I usually work more with the police, though.” He smiled charmingly at her, causing the cat’s tail to bristle. “Helping people is what I do.”
“How sweet. You two truly suit each other.” She said with barely concealed amusement.
“Yes, we do.” He shot back.
Shadow looked back and forth between the blue hedgehog and the cat with a frown on his face, his left hand clutching the briefcase tightly. “We're here.” He spoke after a pause.
The latter stopped abruptly and shot a look around them.
“Oh! Well, it was lovely meeting you, Sonic, you're really nice. I hope to see you again!. See you later, Shads. Enjoy your lunch.” She said goodbye with deliberate sweetness and walked away from the couple, swinging her hips.
Shads.
“Isn't she the sweetest?” Sonic said with a strained smile on his face. “Shads.”
"I suppose." Shadow said, giving him a stunned look. “Since when did you become so good at flattering?”
“Shads, c'mon, you think I don't want to get along with your colleagues? You need to have healthy and professional relationships. I'm just trying to help, that's all.” He excused himself, lying through his teeth.
The dark hedgehog just studied him silently for a second, as they kept walking into the park.
“...Okay. I believe you. And why are you pronouncing my name like that?” He asked as he set his briefcase down at a picnic table. The park was almost silent, except for the distant laughter of children.
“What, Shads? Is there a problem with me saying your name, Shads?” Sonic placed the lunchbox beside the briefcase, then he stepped closer to Shadow with playful eyes.
“Stop it.” The black hedgehog took a step back, almost tripping over a rock, knowing the reason behind the approach of his lover.
“Why should I, Shads?” Sonic seized the opportunity and began tickling the black hedgehog.
“Stop!” He yelled with laughter, his voice blinding with Sonic's and the children's giggles, under the sunlight's rays and the shadows of the trees. “Sonic! Please let's just eat for Gaia’s sake.”
“Okay! Sorry! Sorry.” Sonic took his seat at the table. “... It's been a while since we've eaten together outside; it's nice.”
“It is. Thank you, by the way.”
“For?”
“For the food…?”
“Right! The food—that's why I came here, yes.” He let out a nervous laugh.
Shadow rolled his eyes. “You're the strangest hedgehog I have ever met.”
“Shut it, and open your lunchbox. I don't want you to eat cold food.”
“Bossy.”
“On a scale of one to ten, how insane do you think you sound?” Tails asked him with a deadpan expression. The young fox, who had just turned nineteen, was sitting on one of the grey sofas in the living room, with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“... Five?” Sonic answered with a hopeful expression.
“Eleven, Sonic, eleven.”
“C’mon, man, don't do me like that.”
“Sonic, you've been sneaking into his phone in the past two weeks, you have crashed into his work six times already, and now you're stalking her socials. I don't know what to tell you.”
“... That I'm not making things up?”
“Oh, you're absolutely not.”
“Thank you!”
“But that doesn't make you any less… pathetic.”
“Tails!”
“I'm sorry!”
Tails let out a small, tired huff as he settled his cup on the coffee table in front of him and looked at Sonic. His blue eyes were caring and emphatic, making the blue hedgehog feel safe under the attention.
“Tails, It's just—she's always there, like, everywhere. We go to the park, and she's there. I want us to go to the movies, oh! She already brought tickets for them! She writes to him every. single. day. I plan a romantic evening; she's there, waiting to interrupt. Now she's calling him at home in his free time. I don't know what else to do. Why the fuck is she not getting the hint?!”
“Wow! Okay! Let's take a breather. I understand you're frustrated, but have you tried talking it out with Shadow?”
“That's the worst part. He doesn't talk about her anymore; he gets tense and weird.” The blue hedgehog looked at the fox with distress, his quills lowering as the seconds passed. “I'm—I'm worried. Chaos, talking about this is so embarrassing.”
“Hey, I'm your brother.” Tails placed his hand on top of Sonic's left one, which was clutching the sofa with tension. “You don't have to be embarrassed around me, ever. I'm always going to be here for you.” He caressed Sonic's hand slowly. “... You think he's cheating?”
“I don't know.” Muttered the blue hedgehog, with so much despair that Tails lowered his ears in worry. "It feels like I'm insane. I was never this insecure before. I—”
“Sonic—”
“—Maybe I should just let it go. Maybe I just need to give more of myself, and everything will be okay again.”
“And you think I'm going to let you do that?” Furious blue eyes startled Sonic. “I know you love Shadow, and yeah, I kinda like the guy. But he's not worth all of this, Sonic. You deserve to feel loved, and secure, and—and precious. I'm not sure I want my brother in a relationship where he doesn't feel like that.”
Tails sighed as he gently hugged Sonic. It suddenly struck the blue hedgehog how much his little brother had grown; the once tiny fox that used to hide on his big brother's bed, seeking comfort when he was sad, was no longer there. Now, Sonic could rest his head on the chest of the tall fox, hiding from the world and his difficulties, in the same way he once hid Miles on his.
…You've grown up in me a little faster than I expected, Tails.
“Please take care of yourself.” The fox whispered. “The same way I would take care of you and you would take care of me, okay?”
“Okay.” Responded Sonic with a wobbly voice. “... Thank you.”
“Why?”
“For being here, and I don't know—for hearing me out… even if I sound batshit crazy. I needed this; I needed you.”
“I'll always be here, especially when you sound batshit crazy.” The blue hedgehog let out a wet laugh. “You have supported me for years; let me support you now.”
He relaxed under the fond blue eyes of Miles, with the latter petting his quills and placing a quick peck on the top of his head. Until the sudden metallic sound of Shadow's keys startled them, causing them to jump apart. Sonic erratic hands flew to his face, trying to whip away the tears that were running down his face before Shadow came in. Beside him, Tails stiffened and took a breath in, trying to calm his demeanour.
The black hedgehog looked at them with surprise once inside the living room. “Miles, hello, I didn't know you were here.” He spoke to the fox.
“Hey, Shadow. Yeah, I just wanted to see my brother for a bit.” He smiled politely at the dark hedgehog, with a slight tension on his shoulders.
“Are you going to stay for dinner? I bought a cake.” Shadow walked to the counter and placed a white bag on it. Then, a worried look covered his face as he looked at Sonic. “What's wrong?” He walked into the blue hedgehog space and grabbed his cheeks with urgency. “Sonic, what happened?”
“Oh, it's nothing.” Sonic tried to smile. “Don't worry about it.”
Tails analysed Shadow in silence, taking in all his reactions, as his namesakes flicked with interest hypnotically behind him.
“Why aren't you answering? Did someone hurt you?” Seeing no response from the blue hedgehog, he turned around and looked at Tails.
“It's just a bad day; he's feeling a little down. You better take care of him, yes?” The fox said with an unsettling calmness, his eyes shining dangerously as he rose to his feet. “I have to leave now, some college matters to attend to; you know how it is.” Then he turned and flicked Sonic's head with his fingers, taking a yap out of the hedgehog. “And Sonic, I honestly don't think there's anything for you to worry about, believe me. I'll be free next Friday; let's see each other then, okay? Have a good night, guys.” He winked at them and walked through the entrance.
Sonic stood in shock, looking at the space where Tails was.
“He acts so much like you sometimes.” Shadow chuckled under his breath, caressing Sonic's face. “You want to talk about it?”
The blue hedgehog stood still for a second, and then smiled.
“...No, no. It's okay.” He held Shadow's hands against his face. “I'm okay, just a little stressed, that's all.” Then he looked into the red eyes, seeing the fondness and the worry, and he felt as if his heart could not get any warmer. “Hey, I'm sorry if I've been acting strange. I know I've not been my happy self lately.”
“Relationships are not supposed to be easy, hedgehog. I'm not dating you because you're the happiest hedgehog in the world; I'm here because it's you.”
“I know, I just—” He sighed. “...I love you, Shads.”
“I love you too.” The black hedgehog smiled slightly and kissed him on his forehead. “Even when you're being weirder than usual.”
“So affectionate.” Sonic quipped. “What an honour.”
“I have my moments.” Blue shoulders shook as he laughed in response. “Have you eaten already?”
“Mmm, no, not really.”
“Okay, good thing I brought that cake,” Shadow complained faintly as he lifted himself. The blue hedgehog gave him a questioning look. “My arm is sore; I had to restrain an aggressive bear patient today. He got anxious because of the anesthetic.”
“Oh?”
“It was not that big of an ordeal, Oli—Uh, another nurse helped me, and everything went okay with the patient.” He went to the counter again with a strained look and opened the bag, slowly taking the sealed cake out of it. “Changing the topic, I was told today that there's an employee party this Saturday, and we need to bring a guest—”
“Sure! Sounds fun.” Sonic beamed for a second until a frown covered his face. “Do I have to wear a suit?”
“Yes.”
The blue hedgehog groaned.
“You'll wear the suit, and you'll like it, hedgehog.”
“Okay, Gaia. So aggressive.” Huffed Sonic as he went up to help Shadow set the table, with comfortable silence surrounding them. “... But do I have to wear a tie?”
The only response he got back was a kitchen cloth being thrown furiously into his face.
And it was in the middle of that same night, when Sonic was lying down in their bed, surrounded by Shadow's arms, that he decided not to let any negative thoughts blind his mind for the rest of the week. And it worked! Sonic swears it worked; he took more turns in whatever work came in, he added more sets in his workout, and he spent more time with his friends. Now, was he still upset? Of course. If he thought about her, oh, the ache in his chest got too strong to ignore… But it was okay! Everything was okay, because he was not thinking about that, absolutely not.
He even stopped checking Shadow's phone, because he had to admit to himself that yes, whatever this was, it was getting out of hand, and ‘yes, Tails, I know it's not right, and I'm going to stop’. He was forgetting who he was. A hero, a good guy, funny, and handsome, he was Sonic the Hedgehog. He didn't need to compete for the attention of Shadow. He already had it. And that was enough.
With a positive change of mindset, the week passed and Saturday arrived faster than he had expected. They followed their usual routine: waking up, having breakfast, cleaning up the house, reading, and then eating dinner. The challenging part was getting the blue hedgehog into the professional dark navy suit picked by his lover, but Shadow, having dealt with Sonic tantrums over the years, had his special techniques.
“If you wear this, I will let you ask for anything you want from me, hedgehog.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
“...Have I told you how much I looove wearing suits? They're my favourite clothes. I would wear one every day. They make me look handsome, y’know.”
“Mmm, good to know. You should wear one every day then.”
“No.”
They arrived on time, as per Shadow's order; arriving fashionably late it's not something that he would ever allow. The location was on the outskirts of the city; it was an enormous mansion, highly protected, and extremely wealthy. So lousy that it made Sonic self-conscious. They entered cautiously.
“It's beautiful, but I feel like it's a little too much.” Sonic whispered, making his grip on Shadow's hand stronger. “Okay, I admit it; I feel so poor.”
The black hedgehog looked at him with judgment. “We have an apartment in a respectable neighbourhood, we're anything but poor.”
“Baby, it's an expression.” He chuckled. “Do we need to say hi to someone or…?”
“We need to greet my boss and superiors, let's be efficient, and don't call me that.”
The next half hour went by, greeting everyone in the building: superiors, colleagues, and a couple of wealthy clients. And as Sonic watched his boyfriend behave professionally and so confidently, he could only beam with pride, feeling satisfied that he was the only one who could hold his hand in the middle of the whole crowd.
But after a while, Sonic’s hand began to ache from all the greetings. Uncomfortable, he excused himself and went to look for the restroom.
Why is this place so big…? It shouldn't be that difficult to find somewhere to piss, Chaos.
Finding himself lost, he wandered through the many corridors until he stumbled upon Olivia. He paused, and as he tried to take a step back, the floor made a creaking sound, making the white cat turn around.
A cheshire smile grew on her face.
“Sonic, hello. How have you been? Long time no see.”
“Yeah…” He gave her a tight smile. “Long time no see, for sure. I'm fine, Olivia. You?”
“Never better.”
“Great, cool, cool.” An uncomfortable feeling settled in the air between them. “Well, I'm kinda busy looking for the restroom right now, so—”
“Do you know where Shadow is? I saw him a while ago, but I couldn't say hi. He looks handsome tonight.”
His breathing faltered.
“He does.”
“His suit is custom made? It's so snatched, almost like he's asking for his waist to be held.” She snickered. “Just kidding! Just kidding.”
“My boyfriend looks beautiful tonight, you're right.” Said the blue hedgehog, with a dangerous glitter in his eyes. “We chose the suits together, after all.”
“Really? I couldn't tell; I mean, yours looks so… different. One could almost think you didn't come together at all, crazy.”
“Crazy indeed. But it's okay, I'm sure there's plenty of bright people who get it, right? So it doesn't bother me,” He ran his hands through his jacket. “especially when he chose it for me”
“How sweet.”
“Very sweet.”
“You must feel elated for sure, being at the centre of his attention. I hope our friendship doesn't bother you; it was never my intention.”
“No, no, it's not a bother; he doesn't speak about you at all, actually, so don't worry.”
“Oh? Because I would say we are rather close, don't you think? We hang out constantly in our favourite coffee place and speak daily. He's a very close friend, a true gentleman. I feel I'm kinda monopolising your man.” An almost inaudible laugh slipped out of her. “I never thought he saw me as a secret to keep from you, but, well, it makes sense”.
“And why is that?”
“Anyone would be jealous of the woman he’d rather spend his time with.”
The conversation halted abruptly in a brief pause, with no breath following.
He felt a tingling sensation on his skin, like nails piercing strongly as his hands clutched into the last drop of sanity he could muster, every single muscle of his body was so intensely contracted it hurt, his eyes were seeing red, so much red, and his breathing, he couldn't stop breathing, he—
He can't take it anymore.
“Don't mistake my patience for cowardice, Olivia. What the actual fuck is your problem? You have been trying to get a reaction out of me since we met; why?”
“I think you have had too much to drink tonight, considering that I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“Please, you enjoy trying to get under my skin, grinding on my nerves—don't pretend otherwise.” He stepped forward, with a jaw clenched and blue quills flaring out threateningly. “You thought I was just going to take it?”
The deliberate sweet smile on the cat's face gradually disappeared, turning into a look of pure belittlement.
“Oh, you seem upset.” A sneer twisted her mouth. “To be honest, I never thought you would have the courage, but I'm glad I was wrong; it feels exhilarating seeing your true face for the first time, hedgehog. For someone so fast, for sure you like to take your time, huh? Patience, you said? How lovely.”
“Is it jealousy? Is that the reason for this little show you're putting on?”
“Jealousy?” A laugh exploded from her chest, echoing in the empty hall. “There is nothing to be jealous about. Can't a girl just have fun? Is it wrong?”
“You are so shameless it makes me sick.”
“Watch yourself, Sonic.” She spoke slowly, deliberately. “Don't make me create an actual scene.”
“Then what have I done to you?!”
“Do I really need a good reason?" Olivia smiled with all teeth and no warmth.
He stood still, looking at the taunting expression of the white cat, feeling his frown deepen as unsettledness clawed painfully into his stomach, and he knew what he had to do—get away. He fled from the hallway with fast but measured steps, not allowing his guard to succumb under the sharp sound of heels clicking behind him. Seeing empty corridor after empty corridor, and hearing the footsteps echoing on the walls, Sonic started feeling desperate to get away. He burst through an open door and tried to close it with wild eyes until the woman put her foot in the way.
Gaia, she's insane, she's really insane.
“Stop following me!” He snapped as he stepped into the room. There was food arranged on trays, untouched and yet offered to the public, with a cake almost as big as the hedgehog in the centre of the room, and definitely no other door. Finding himself trapped by his own hand, he took a deep breath and turned around with resignation. “What do you want from me?”
Her tail flicked behind her hypnotically as she strutted toward him, her every step deliberate, until they were facing each other, with barely a couple of centimetres apart. Footsteps sounded faintly in the distance.
“Do you want the truth?” She whispered close to his ear as the sound of footsteps grew louder. Sonic felt her eyelashes fluttering on his cheeks as he nodded with uncertainty, and she answered:
“I just really don't like you, Sonic the hedgehog.”
Without a warning, she launched at him, hugging him tightly, crossing her arms around his waist.
And his mind went blank. His limbs felt heavy and unmovable, and his heart was beating frantically as he exhaled the last bit of air in his lungs. He was the fastest thing alive, yet he could not move.
Until he made eye contact with Shadow, who stood in the doorway, motionless, with his pupils dilated in astonishment.
Oh, no.
Coming out of the shock, Sonic's body moved on instinct. Driven by fear, he took a step back, with Olivia still clinging to him; they bumped into the centre table, stumbled and fell straight onto the cake.
He could see Shadow's eyes darkening, his expression twisting into rage, at the same time horror flooded Olivia's face as they hit the ground, crushing the cake beneath them and breaking the table. The sound echoed through the room as icing splattered across their faces.
“What the fuck, Sonic?!”
And in that moment, Sonic the hedgehog knew he was absolutely and entirely fucked.
“Shadow, chaos, I can explain—”
The sound of more people entering the room interrupted him, including the owner of the place, who gasped, flabbergasted. Sonic could only give a hollow chuckle with resignation, accepting his embarrassment.
“... So, who wants cake?”