Shadow readjusted his tie as he stood by the fountain. It was nearing the time Sonic was supposed to show up. He wasn't worried, Sonic was famous for travelling at high speeds. Shadow knew he wouldn't be late. He briefly scanned the crowd around him but there was not a single blue quill in site.
"Don't worry Sunshine I'm sure he'll be here soon." Shadow turned to find Rouge sitting down next to him.
"I know," Shadow muttered.
Rouge patted him on the back, "Big Blue is gonna love it."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am!" She said, "you two have gotten so close."
"Thanks Rouge," he said.
"Your welcome," she said before flying away.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Ow! Tails!" The blue hedgehog whined.
"Sit still! Don't you want to look nice?" His younger brother stated.
"But I'm going to be late!"
"You're the fastest thing alive. You're not going to be late."
Sonic squirmed and whined as Tails continued to brush his quills. The young fox ignored his older brother's pleas to be let go. Sonic stared at a clock, his leg bounced faster and faster with each minute that ticked by. Tails noticed this and rubbed his back to try and ease some of his worry. He stopped brushing his brother's quills and grabbed a pill bottle from sat by the sink.
"Here Sonic, I think you forgot your pill."
"Oh, thanks little buddy," He said before taking it with some water.
Sonic stood up, ruffled the fur on Tails' head, and ran out of the house."
XXXXXXXXXX
Shadow clutched the bouquet of red roses but was careful not to damage them. In the distance he could see Sonic drawing closer and closer by the second. He gulped but his mouth still felt dry. Sonic approached the fountain. And their eyes met.
"Shadow? You sent me all those letters?" Sonic whispered.
The dark hedgehog approached his younger and smaller counterpart, placing the bouquet in his hands and smoothing down his quills.
"Sonic… As we have gotten to know each other I have found myself often drifting into idle daydreams about you. For a while I thought I was going mad but now I know that it was love," a small smile graced tan lips which brightened ruby eyes.
"Shadow… I don't know what to say!" Sonic said, tears brimmed emerald eyes which the dark hedgehog whisked away.
"Well then, would you like to go out to dinner with me?" Shadow asked.
Sonic promptly hugged him, a huge smile on both their faces.
XXXXXXXXXX
The restaurant Shadow took him to was small and fancy. The table they sat at was covered with a white cloth and had a candle in the middle, the roses right next to it. A waiter came by and poured Shadow a glass of wine, Sonic got a soda since he was only sixteen.
"So Shadow… How long have you felt this way about me?" Sonic asked.
Shadow took a sip from his glass and spoke, "about a year now."
Sonic giggled and returned to his menu. The waiter came back to write their orders down, Sonic wanted pasta and Shadow ordered steak.
"You know, when I first met you I felt so jealous," Shadow said.
"Really?" Sonic said.
Shadow nodded, "I was made to help people and when I met you I felt so… Angry. I felt like my purpose was stolen from me."
Sonic reached out and squeezed Shadow's hand.
"But now I realize that wasn't true. Sonic you protect the world, so i'll protect you."
Sonic burst into tears, a huge smile on his face, "Oh Shadow… You don't know how much that means to me!"
"C'mon don't cry…" Shadow said, wiping away Sonic's tears.
The waiter came back with their food and the rest of the evening was spent eating and talking.
XXXXXXXXXX
Shadow decided to walk Sonic home that night. The streets were empty, lit only by the streetlights. His arm was wrapped around a blue waist and Sonic's head rested on his shoulder, the roses in his hands. They arrived at Sonic's house but before he went inside he stopped and kissed Shadow on the cheek making him blush.
"Thanks Shadz, This was really fun," he said.
"No Sonic, thank you for giving me a chance," Shadow insisted.
Sonic blushed, "so… Does this make us like… A thing now?"
"Only if you want us to be," Shadow said.
Sonic threw his arms around the dark hedgehog's neck.
Shadow The Hedgehog I think I love you.
