"Are you ready? It's almost time for him to pick you up." Sonic glared at him. "Look, I'm just saying: you've been needing a date for a while!" Tails giggled. "Maybe you'll get laid and won't worry so much!" He paused. "Weren't you supposed to be the laidback one?"

"Whatever…" He ruffled his quills; he looked cuter with messy quills, he'd decided. "Tails…"

"What?" The fox was tidying the couch, fixing the pillows, smoothing the cushions. He raised an eyebrow. "You're not backing out, are you?"

"I mean, isn't he dating Rouge? How would I look going out with someone who's already taken?" He started for the stairs. "I'm going to bed." Tails panicked, grabbing him by the nape of Sonic's neck and ignoring his yelp.

"Oh no you don't! Sit down!" He threw the hedgehog onto the couch. "Don't move a muscle!" Sonic rolled his eyes and sat back with an angry sigh. "Oh, boo." Tails opened the front door (Sonic had no idea what for; he hadn't heard a knock) and there stood Shadow, fist mid-air, ready to knock. "Hullo!" Sonic perked up.

"Hello, fox." Tails frowned and Shadow walked up to Sonic, extending a hand. "You ready?"

"Um…" His eyes moved to Tails's widened eyes, which clearly said you better go right now or else! Sonic stood and took Shadow's hand. "Okay." He smiled wide and creepy and he heard Tails facepalm in the background. Shadow smiled too, though less creepy and more charming, and hooked Sonic's arm with his. The blue one tried to jerk away. "Oh no, we can't—I'm not out yet and—"

"I'll just tell them you're drunk, okay?"

"But—"

"You guys better get going!" Tails tried to hide his grin with his hand. "Wouldn't want you to cut the date short!" He held the door open for them and watched Sonic's panicked face turn to him as they walked out. Help please, he mouthed. You'll thank me later, Tails mouthed back. He closed the door and sighed happily, sliding down with the door at his back. He hopped up, clearly excited and headed for the phone.

"What was her number… uh…" He dialed. "Hullo?"

Tails?

"Hey, Cream."

Is there something wrong? Someone hurt? …Or are you just wanting to talk?

"None of the above. Look, Sonic and Shadow are coming to where you work to see a movie. I need you to make it as comfy as possible for them."

Aren't you trying a little too hard to get them together? Shouldn't things just work out naturally?

"Last time things went naturally, or rather the last few times, Sonic pushed them away! It always happens… Either they were too good for him and he wasn't good enough or he knew they weren't going to work out. Some shit like that."

Language, my dear. Well, maybe Sonic just needs a guy who'll keep holding on no matter what.

"Exactly! So do what I ask, minion!"

Excuse me?

"Oh, um, nothing. Good night."

Sure…