In Sickness and Picturesque Lies

.frame six.

Not much later, the day was still gloomy and doomy. It was a good day to just loll about and chill. Well, for an average person; not for Sonic, however. His vintage Game Gear needed new batteries. He also needed new games for his much younger Gameboy Advance. At the moment, Sonic was a tad bored. And it was time for that bouncy ball to do its thing. While still being sparkly and hot-pink.

Home gaming consoles were so expensive. Sonic yearned for the newest Mortal Kombat and Tekken, begged for a demo of Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, and pleaded for a taste of Tales of Xillia. Even though he didn't own a system for them. He figured trying to balance work and school would be a waste of time, energy—brain cells—and money. There was enough of all those things going into his schooling alone. His beloved aunt couldn't support him as well as she wanted to, since she wasn't working due to being pregnant. His "uncle" was working hard enough as it is, due to his "wife," well, being pregnant. (Despite all of the times she'd correct him about it, Sonic still didn't see Darren as her fiancé.) The weirdo-in-frameless-glasses was essentially a repressed otaku. Cool in his aunt's presence, and will surely be around their newborn; otherwise, a total nerd. Sonic wouldn't be surprised if he was at the Aninomicon the other week. "Wouldn't put it past him at all…" he thought hopelessly.

So, during his senior year of high school, Sonic entered as many requests and letters of recommendation as he possibly could. And, miraculously, received scholarships from half of them. Giddy, he bounced up and down with his aunt from all the acceptance letters found in three days' worth of mail. College expenses were 80% covered, as far as Sonic knew. His schedule was tiny, and books were cheaper when labeled "used." Food wasn't a necessity, since he ate at home. Rent was an issue, though.

In fact, rent couldn't even be an option. The bouncy ball took a break.

"That's right. Auntie's gonna have the baby in November…" Sonic's thoughts went off course. "I'm gonna need to find a place soon. Real soon. Crap." The ball's glitter looked so tacky. But Sonic couldn't pay it any mind, at the moment. "I've got a month left…before I have to sleep on the couch. If that…Ugh!"

Then, a flicker of memory.

Eyes opened again. "If only there was something I could do…? Maybe a side job—like raking leaves or selling pies? Would Auntie go for that?" Then, a red-streaked ponytail. "We can't sell food off the street—that's illegal, isn't it? Plus, she'd make me bake them all, anyway." That jacket had a crowned heart on it. "Raking leaves sounds better…Maybe I can go door-to-door, and…?" It was a crown of thorns. But adorning a heart, nonetheless.

"See ya 'round…"

The man's voice chimed in Sonic's memory. "…What? Why…?" It made the ball slip from his grip. A momentary breakaway. Freedom. Sonic realized he was grasping at nothing, and he blinked at his empty hand. He pulled his eyes over the edge. Back, and forth. Back, and forth. Then, ahead. A squiggly knot had appeared comically. "Why'd ya have to roll so far away? Darn you…." The sparkles laughed in the dull light. "I need a walk."

"Auntie Rona! I'm going out for a walk!" Sonic yelled back into the den. "Do you need anything?"

She yelled back, "Naw, baby, I'm just resting my feet right now, so I'll be fine! You be careful now, y'hear?"

"Yes'm!" And out he went.

Gray clouds persisted across gray skies. Gray winds were still neutral in their frostiness. Gray bark, since it was time for the park's silver elms to hibernate. Huh—the park had silver elms, Sonic noticed. They were beautiful and sleepy. Prized for their captivating autumn transformations in sharp contrast to their bark, those groves were. The trees were short because they were young. Children got explanations from their parents—as fantastical as they may've been—about the trees' age equivalency to their own. Taller maples and oaks were compared to adults, while the silver elms were at the same age as a teenaged brother or sister, at most. The autumn transition meant a spectacular show before going to sleep for the winter. Fascinated, a twin-tailed fox ran over and picked up a beautifully orange leaf. He inspected it curiously. He even took out his magnifying glass; much to his parents' amusement. "Wow, it's orange—like a pumpkin!" he cheered.

A fairly young vixen clapped her hands, arm-in-arm with her bespectacled mate.

Something about it made Sonic's heart melt, suddenly. In all honesty, he wanted that someday. College was one thing to surpass out of the innumerous schedules of life. Finally nineteen, Sonic felt adulthood setting in—much faster than he expected. Real men don't finish growing until much later, about twenty-five, his "uncle" Darren explained. Sonic caught the hypocrisy of it since the silvering fox was still addicted to anime and shōjō-ai manga. To which he could only smile and nod. But still, the common "American dream with a red-door house and white picket fence, housewife, and 2.5 children, and maybe a pet" wasn't something Sonic focused on. It wasn't his dream. His dream was in photography, possibly photojournalism. He wanted to be the greatest in whatever topic or field he pursued.

He could worry about a family later, when he was earning oodles of cash with his brilliant pictures.

And the park was the perfect place to practice. The petunias on his college's campus had fallen asleep for the season, so the park's elms were the next best thing. It was the weekend, too, so schoolchildren who'd wanted to get out with their parents finally could. Red, orange, yellow, and brown leaves flew about. Twisting, curving, and whipping in the wind. A ground-to-air photo captured their play. Sonic smiled at the result, and continued across the footbridge.

As he did so, Sonic's feet became cemented to it, and his heart fluttered in disbelief. "No way…What?"

It was that man, again: Shadow. Though, he donned a wintrier trench coat. A black one; its leather proved it'd weathered throughout several winters. How old was it? Older than himself, even older than Shadow? What did it matter—its owner was sitting right there! Sonic gulped. A pounding in his chest knocked his feet out of place. "It can't be…Here, of all places!" That ponytail was still there. It dampen Sonic's cheeks with flush. "I can't believe it! It's gotta be a sign—or something! He's…he's here? But it's cold out here…?" Going closer, Sonic noticed a phone in Shadow's hand. It went up to his ear. "…Isn't he cold?"

A pregnant pause. Sonic's blush grew. Slowly.

"Hey."

Sonic jumped away. Throwing his hands over his mouth, then creeping away.

"Yeah. I'm here in the park. …The one off 5th Street. Did you forget where it is?" Shadow giggled. "You silly…Well, I'm here, waiting for you. Hurry, I'm getting cold."

Sonic blinked, eyes widening. "Is someone meeting him out here? Where's his bike?"

"You'll see me, don't worry," he chuckled again. "Okay. I'll see you soon. Bye."

Upon seeing him putting down his phone, Sonic tied down his courage and approached Shadow. Bravely, and shyly somehow, he reintroduced himself. "Hey there, again. It's me, that kid from before…again." An embarrassed chuckle slipped through Sonic's teeth.

Both male hedgehogs decided to take a seat on the bench. In favor of Sonic's sunny parka, the nippy winds lulled. Fantastical leaves landed, congregating with lost siblings. The twin-tailed fox hopped into a swing his parents had made with their arms. They left, and laughed, together.

"…S-So? How've you been?"

"I've been alright. I'm still working the kinks out of my sleep schedule, now that I'm working again."

"Oh yeah? Umm…?" Sonic's eyes wandered. "Congrats."

Shadow's smile looked so sweet. "Thanks."

The blue hedgehog sat, toying with his camera, for a moment. Internally flustered, he began inspecting Shadow: Heavy, black coat—was he quick to chill? Also, his binder from the other day was missing—no work today? He had a Smartphone, and it looked expensive. Reliable, trendy, but nothing too overly complicated. He seemed simple, but could easily rock an exquisite outfit or a topnotch business suit. The only familiar thing on him was his ponytail. It looked longer than before; a different style, maybe?

His eyes' upper corners were highlighted in the same cherry. So were his eyes.

"So—Sonic, was it?"

Flinching, Sonic almost lost a hold on his camera. He caught it by the skin on his fingertips. His eyes went stark-white with wobbly outlines. "Sorry! And, yeah, that's me!" He blinked rapidly.

Despite the crazy reaction, Shadow just lightly chuckled. "Are you a photography student at the local university?"

"How did he know?!" The spooked look in the boy's eyes never went away. "Umm—Umm…Yes! Yes, I am!"

Shadow was a direct contrast in reaction. "Well, I sorta figured…since you look so young, and have a camera on-hand." He let out a nostalgic huff. "Russell Boroughs University is my alma mater, you see. And since it's the only four-year institution in the city, I figured it was your best bet, too. Are you gonna graduate soon?"

Somehow, a warmth had filled the space. Sonic's parka was just enough to ward off a cold spell, for that moment with the seemingly older male. A quietness had entered him; it was exuding from him, and somehow permeating into him. There was a genuine quality to Shadow that Sonic liked. It felt solid, honest, like Shadow cared about what he had to say. But he also said that Russell Boroughs University was his alma mater. "Um, yeah. Jeez…I, uh…hum,"—his eyes chose to veer away from Shadow's—"this may be a stupid question, but…what's an alma mater?"

Not at all stunned, Shadow simply laughed. "It's a Latin phrase. I guess what I'm saying is the University is my old school. I graduated from there four years ago."

"Whoa, really? Awesome!" The boy grinned. Shadow's bashful half-smile made Sonic scratched the back of his head. "But, uh…Nah, I'm not graduating for another three years. I'm totally a newbie. I'm way behind you."

"Even so, I wish you the best of luck. Don't give up." A head tilt. "…Alright?"

It was hidden underneath that coat collar. Did this guy really tilt his head—like a bishōnen character? No way was that an accident. Sonic's blush, however…. "Oh—yeah! I won't! I'm not one to give up easy!" He threw himself into an over-exaggerated captain's pose. Complete with a pumped fist and cocksure grin. And sparkling, adventurous eyes. "I've got a dream, after all!"

Clearly a reference. And, surprisingly, Shadow caught onto it. He chuckled. "You're quite the actor. You're heaps and heaps of energy." He took a peek at Sonic's Nikon. "What kinds of pictures do you take?"

"Well—I take all kinds of pictures!" The blue hedgehog's sentences melted together as he fumbled with his camera. "Um, uh—? Would you like to see some?"

The boy's enthusiasm seemed to allude to an overbearing friendliness, to Shadow. Seeing they'd only met—one, two—three times; this meeting being the third. The other hedgehog's electric-blue coat was undeniably unique. There was a whimsical quality to him, too. He seemed likeable; maybe he had a passel of friends? None of them were around today, apparently. More curious about Sonic's vigor than the pictures themselves, Shadow laughed at Sonic's lightheartedness. Obviously, he was a college student. He acted like a high school kid, just as obviously. He exuded so much passion, it really boiled down when he narrated about his photos. A recent high school graduate he was, in fact.

Shadow pointed at a darkly lit picture. Dots of colored light were all that he could discern. "That was around Christmastime a couple years ago. It was midnight, 'cause I couldn't wait for Christmas morning. It was me, my mom, and her boyfriend—before carrying my 'little brother'."

It made Shadow blink at him. Lifting a curious eyebrow. "Is she with child now? Or…?"

"Yep! It's gonna be a boy, alright! He's already kicking at me, like he's got X-ray vision or something, I tell ya!" Sonic laughed. Something about the unborn child's mention made Shadow's defenses lower; he smirked. "He's gonna be here in about a month, too…." More fond caresses went over the camera's smooth black finish. The teenager's eyes kindled a misty glaze. "And I'm gonna take all kinds of pictures of him. Not just for me or my mom, either…?" He blinked out of his somberness. Then scratched his cheek. "Actually, funny story: She's really my aunt. So, technically, the baby's gonna be my little cousin."

"Oh, really? How interesting."

Such unforeseen fascination blindsided Sonic. He blinked, surprised. It felt like Shadow was genuinely interested. Something warmed Sonic's heart all the more. The older hedgehog went on to ask, "How did that come to be?" and "Did she adopt you? And she's eight months along, no less?" His "I wish you and your family well, then" was accompanied with a smile. All Sonic could muster was a downcast "Thank you."

The air had changed. Why did Sonic look so down all of a sudden? It confused Shadow slightly. "What happened to all that spunk from a couple minutes ago? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's just…my mom—err, aunt—wants to make room for the baby. Which equals me moving out in a month's time. I haven't found a place yet, and I'll have to wait until next semester to sign up for a dorm…it burns even more when you've got no friends to crash with." A downhearted sigh. His ears drooped a bit. "I…I'm at a loss on what to do."

With an ebbing cheeriness, Shadow made another tiny, but nervous, smile.

Then, his ear twitched in the direction of a distant wrought-iron arbor. From underneath it someone had crossed through, and was heading toward them. How did he hear it from so far away? Heavy boots did clunk against the sidewalk, sort of loudly—but enough for Shadow to pick up. Much to Sonic's bewilderment, they had perked up. Excusing himself, Shadow made his way over to the arriving stranger.

Something made him clutch his camera tighter.

The newcomer came back with Shadow, oddly. Returning cheeriness brightened the older man's eyes, this time.

"Who's this?" Sonic asked himself, but smoothing out an unpleasant glare. He got up, sensing an introduction coming on.

A shyer pleasance dampened Shadow's cheeks. But Sonic wondered why. "Knuckles, this is Sonic. He's a young man I've shared three chance-meetings with. The one I told you about the other day." The tallish echidna carried a fairly vapid expression on his face. Even in his single nod. Then, with "introduction hands" Shadow showed Sonic to him. "Sonic, this is Knuckles, my boyfriend."

A thunderbolt fried Sonic's insides. "What—his—b-b-b-boyfriend?!" Apparently, Eros had whined to Zeus about someone encroaching on a match he'd made. It was strong enough to make Sonic's heart skip erratically.

For a short while, Shadow and the boyfriend carried on. In between drowned-out explanations and warbled praises, Knuckles' wardrobe inflated the question mark raging over Sonic's head. Somehow, the echidna looked like a not-so-well-off local; could've easily passed as a drug dealer or something. Clearly thuggish, the loose neckerchief, baggy jeans, and nearly invisible belt didn't do his overall image any justice. Those boots looked expensive, like he didn't care about his rent or light bill. So did his (surely fake) fur-lined coat; its inner wolf pelt looked tacky. But Shadow seemed relatively unfazed. In reality—and much to Sonic's despondence—he seemed to like it! Nothing looked too pulled-together to Sonic.

Maybe it was because of the greener-eyed jumpstart Eros's tease had given him. It wasn't a nice thing to do at all. But his bow did move as Shadow talked, and smiled, and giggled. So bishōnen that Sonic thought the world was going to implode. His blush didn't think so, contrarily.

Much to Knuckles' still-vapid suspicion.

Suddenly, Shadow's eyes came into view. "Here, Sonic." After a brief dig, Shadow handed him a business card. A bit stupidly, the teen blinked down at it. "That's an extra card I snagged before leaving from work. If you act fast, you could get on as a photographer there. I think your pictures are phenomenal, Sonic,"—that shy smile made an encore appearance—"so you should apply. It's an up-and-coming modeling agency, and they're in need of new talent, you know." Turning away, "I hope you give it some thought. No pressure, though, okay?"

Another head tilt? Sonic's mind could've just as easily imploded, instead. But the hedgehog and the echidna with him were moving farther and farther away. Even though Shadow's wave was apologetic and his "See ya 'round" all kinds of sweet, their handhold was just as mindful. Too mindful; was it the other guy's demarcation of territory?

Whatever it was, it'd shattered the dreamy gleam in Sonic's eyes. Garbled words—like "Baby" and "date"—came out of that guy's mouth. As in, an address to Shadow? And, something they'll go on together? It scrambled Sonic's brain. His eyes jittered a bit.

"Who was that guy? And why…is this warmth…in my chest…" His hold on the tiny purple card tightened. "…fading?"

I knew it. It really was…too good to be true.

Shadow's cute smile had come and gone in that single meeting. Their third and, possibly, final meeting. Taking up that job opportunity would boost his chances of achieving his dreams, though. It was a chance at starting his life—and what better place to start than at your dream job? It wasn't the photojournalism he'd envisioned, but somehow it sounded cooler. Faster. Better. And—after a twinge in his chest—like he'd be closer to Shadow.

The never-to-be-single-again, possibly never-been bachelor Eros had bestowed his most captivating weapon upon. The same one that echidna had briefly teased with his tongue. Had they almost kissed?

The tiny purple card didn't want to be lost in the wind. Neither did the college student. He was trying to unscramble his brain.

Then, with sharp resolution: "I just have to see him again."

"See ya 'round…"

I just have to…see you again.

Because Sonic never liked eggs growing up.

Frame Six Photographed…