Three months ago, Shadow made the decision to call the hedgehog. Now, things were going very well. Now today, would be a big step.

Shadow walks in through the door of his apartment. Throwing his keys on the coffee table and making his way to his bed room. Taking off his G.U.N. coat and hang up in his closet. Just a uniform protocol he has to wear. He left early today. Something important was going on.

Well Sonic found it important, and for that, Shadow found it important as well. Sonic wanted him there, so he was going to be there.

Sonic's Friends were holding a picnic in the park not to from where Shadow lived. Sonic actually wanted Shadow to come. The main reason was everyone wanted to see the hedgehog again, to thank him and see where the hedgehog has been.

Shadow also had a feeling that today was the day Sonic wanted to announce the relationship with his friends. Shadow agreed that they both should come out publicly, but three months? Isn't that a little early, a little soon?

Of course, he wasn't bothered by the idea of coming out. He saw him and Sonic going far. Neither one of them used the 'L' word yet, but maybe soon. He lays back onto his bed and sighs, a thought comes to his mind.

Amy. How was Amy going to accept this? The biggest obstacle would be having to be telling Sonic's best friend Amy.

The girl had a temper, and a hammer. Put those two together, you have a problem. To top everything off, she had the biggest crush on the blue hedgehog. She was the reason he held off on telling Sonic how he felt, but seeing Sonic after so long… feelings were still there he couldn't ignore. When Sonic expressed that he felt the same. He couldn't just keep ignoring it anymore. He had to have the hedgehog for himself.

Shadow sits himself up and gets ready to head back out. Just helps to get off his feet for an hour before going back out. He had to drop off that stupid Black G.U.N. logo coat anyway. Damn thing was ugly.

He leaves his bed room, grabs his keys and leaves, before locking the door.

~XxX~

Sonic smiles as he talks and mingles with friends. Smiling and trying to ignore Amy's small advances. They are easy to ignore, and with Shadow coming soon, he didn't want to upset her more than she going to be when Shadow gets here.

If he ever shows up.

Sonic looks behind his shoulder to see if the hedgehog was coming. Still nothing. Did he forget? Was he standing him up? Maybe Shadow didn't think this to be as important as Sonic thought it to be.

"You look preoccupied. Something wrong, Sonic?"

Sonic turns his head to look at the pink hedgehog in front of her. Concern in her eyes. Maybe he wouldn't have to tell her today... Or ever if Shadow doesn't show up. "Um… nothing, Amy. Just- "

"hedgehog!"

Sonic turned, a smile on his face. 'He came. He actually came.'

Everyone stared in astonishment. Tails, the first one to speak. "Shadow… You're alive!?"

Cream smiled, tears of joys welling up. "You… you made it! You're alive! You saved us, Shadow, all of us."

"How… how did you manage to survive? How are you even alive?" Knuckles asked.

Rouge was the only one who wasn't shocked to see Shadow. Considering she saw the hedgehog a few hours back. Actually, Shadow told her about him and Sonic. Of course, she wouldn't say a word. Wasn't her place to do so. She was actually happy with the path Shadow took. Moving forward and moving on. The main reason she set up Shadow with the job at G.U.N. and her designated partner along with Omega. Now he had to do the rest. She knew that today Shadow and Sonic were going to announce their relationship, and she was looking forward to see how Amy would take it.

She was guessing she wasn't going to take it very well. Of course she felt bad, but Sonic isn't fourteen anymore and she isn't 12. Everyone has to grow up sometime.

"Shadow!" Sonic runs to the hedgehog, approaching Shadow and pulling him by the hand into the group. "I'm glad you came!"

Knuckles was the first of the very confused faces as he looks at the two, still holding hands affectionately. "Um… Something you guys… want to… tell us, Sonic?

Sonic looks to Shadow, who nods in approval. Shadow's permission for Sonic to say what needs to be said.

"Well, funny thing. Shadow and I ran into each other a few months back. We got to talk and… well… me and Shadow have had feelings for one another for some time. We decided to give things a go." Sonic smiles. "I… Like him a lot."

Shadow wasn't expecting that. Sonic… liked him a lot. Which made his heart flutter slightly, though he would never show it physically. Gave him hope that, Sonic was dating him because he saw potential in one another together for a while, not to pass time.

Maybe the 'L' word would show up sooner than expected.

"Sonic?" Everyone turned to the pink hedgehog, who looked hurt. "I don't… understand. Why? It's not fair! I was here before he was! What does he have that I don't?"

Shadow wasn't expecting Sonic's response.

Sonic smirks as he puts a fist against his hip.

"A penis."

Shadow face palmed as he turned away from the group, to keep himself composes, he didn't see that coming at all.

Rouge did the same exactly thing as everyone else just fell to the ground laughing. Amy, surprisingly laughed a little at that too. She had to admit, she walked right into it. The comment was pretty funny. Still, nothing could hide the hurt she felt.

~XxX~

The day went on well, with everyone curious about Shadow and his whereabouts, this was a great time for Sonic to have a little talk with Amy. He knew she was hurt and this was a good time to clear the air.

They took a small walk, away from the group a few yards away. "Look, Amy. I guess I should explain things to you, huh?"

"Nothing really to say, Sonic. As long as your happy. I just want to know why?"

"It just happened. I saw Shadow and all these feelings just came back." Sonic rubs his back of his neck nervously. "I don't know. I guess I always had feelings for Shadow but, with everything going on and all the chaos, we never had a chance to talk and connect. But with everything relaxed now. We got a chance and, well… we just took it."

Amy nods in understanding. "I just want you to be happy and to be honest. Do you like him a lot? As much as you say you do?"

Sonic smiles. Looking at Shadow, who smiles back at him. No one noticed but the two males. Something the black hedgehog always did when he had, and only had, Sonic's attention. "I do. Very much so."

"Do you love him, though?"

That caught Sonic off guards. It's only been three months in, he never thought about the 'L' word. He knew he liked Shadow a lot… But love? This soon?

Sonic could feel red eyes, burning his skin, feeling his stare. He looked at the black hedgehog, who was actually watching. He caught the hurt in his eyes as he turned back to the group, answering questions like he did all day.

The Ultimate Lifeform has ultimate hearing. Unfortunately, Sonic didn't know that. Shadow picked up Amy's question, and Sonic's expression gave away his answer. Shadow didn't like it.

"Amy, I don't… I don't think I can answer that. I like him a lot, but I'm not sure I would say love yet." Sonic shrugs. "It's early yet, I don't want to scare him away."

Amy smiles and accepts Sonic's explanation. They both walk back to the picnic area.

~XxX~

He wished he never heard that conversation. It hurt. He was glad that Sonic did like him a lot, but the 'L' word? Truth was he didn't know if he wanted to use the 'L' word yet either. After listening to the conversation though, he felt hurt, pissed even. Which gave him a realization that he did love that damn blue hedgehog. It wasn't too early to admit that. He needed to establish where his feelings stood with the blue hedgehog.

That was why he had the blue hedgehog come over after; to talk.

Sonic fallows Shadow in his apartment, funny enough, Sonic had never been here before. He had to admit, Shadow was doing well for himself.

"Wow, Shadow. Place is nice. It's spacious, very spacious." Sonic whistles, when he walks in before Shadow. Eyes wondering over the open space of the living room. Well-furnished too. "It's big. Echoes a lot. Love this space."

Shadow doesn't answer as he slams the door behind him.

"Shadow? What's the- "

Sonic doesn't have time to answer as he feels himself being shoved into the wall, arms pinned above his head. His eyes went wide in surprise before closing, submitting to the dark hedgehog holding him to the wall.

Shadow was kissing him; their first kiss together, and he loved it.

Shadow ravished in the kiss, tongues battling for dominance. Sonic falls in defeat to Shadow. Shadow releases the Sonic arms, then the kiss.

That's when Sonic catches Shadow off guard. Placing both hands on Shadow's face, he pulls the hedgehog back into the kiss. Shadow wraps his arms around the blue hedgehog and holds him to place.

Sonic ends the kiss and both just look at each other dazed.

Then, Shadow gently pushes the hedgehog off him. Leaving Sonic confused.

"Shadow!? What the hell!? You kiss me then push me away? What is your-! "

"Damn it, hedgehog! I love you!" Shadow shakes his head. "I didn't know before, but I do now. I love you. It's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Shadow?" Sonic takes a few steps back. Shocked really. Never thought Shadow would be the type of person to ever admit such feelings.

"I heard Amy and you talking. Didn't know if you loved me yet. Too early to tell." Shadow sighs. "I thought the same, but after hearing that, I felt hurt. The truth is, I love you. It's not too early to tell you. It never was. When you know, you just know."

"Shadow? Come here." Sonic embraces the Shadow in a tight hug, holding the hedgehog tight. Sonic ends the embrace and takes the hedgehog's hands. "The truth is; I didn't really know how to tell you. I was worried that… it would be too soon and it would scare you away, and I didn't want to scare you away."

"I've waited three years for you, Sonic. You wouldn't scare me away."

Sonic smiles at that. Shadow actually used his real name. A huge step. "Shadow. I love you, so much. I see us going far."

Both hedgehogs smile to each other. The 'L' word isn't something to fear, it's something to embrace. Never be afraid to say it first.