Sonic searched the guardian's face as if he would find an answer on it, but nothing was coming to him. He tore his gaze away before speaking up.

"Sounds to me like, you're asking… if I wanna be your boyfriend…" Sonic said hesitantly, needing clarification.

Knuckles almost immediately regretted asking the question, taking note of the uneasiness in the hedgehog's demeanor.

"I, uh… I guess I am… But maybe it's too soon to talk about that. It was just one date after all… Forget I brought it up."

"No, it's okay. It's not like we're strangers here…" Sonic trailed off, looking back at him through sleepy eyes still uncertain of what to say.

Despite what he said, Knuckles was eager for an answer. No matter how hard he'd tried to keep Shadow's words at bay, they still persisted in the back of his mind. He couldn't rest easy until he knew how Sonic felt about him.

"Sonic, I just need to know if we want the same thing… I thought tonight might lead to something more meaningful between us… I'm not delusional for thinking that, am I?"

Sonic looked deeply into the echidna's eyes wondering what could have brought this on. He shook his head, capturing Knuckles' mouth in a reassuring kiss.

"No, of course not, Knuckles… But…"

"Oh, god, there it is… Just save it," Knuckles said, voice full of disappointment as he started to shuffle away from the hedgehog.

"No, Knuckles, hear me out," Sonic turned himself so that his body was partially over the echidna's, effectively halting his movement. "It's just... I don't know if I'm really 'boyfriend' material… That's not really the way I roll… but, if it means getting to spend more time with you… and getting to do this whenever we want, then… I'm willing to give it a shot."

"Sonic, are you sure that's what you really want?"

"Yeah… I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."

Knuckles felt there was still some uncertainty coming from Sonic, but he accepted it nonetheless. It was a huge relief to know Shadow was wrong about one thing, at the very least.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me."

"I can take a guess. I'm pretty ecstatic about it too," Sonic said with a wink as he slid the rest of his body over Knuckles, enjoying the feel of the echidna's silky red fur against his peach-fuzz belly. "Hoh, god… I could grind up against this body all night long."

"Hey now, don't go making promises you can't keep."

"Hm, is that a challenge?"

"Maybe…"

Sonic let out a small yelp of surprise as Knuckles flipped their positions, pinning him down on the bed instead.

"…but I kinda like it better this way," Knuckles said with a smirk.

Sonic eagerly welcomed him, parting his raised knees as the echidna sunk into him, groin against groin, leading them into another heated make-out session.

It wasn't long before they were a panting mess of tangled limbs and their eyes were too heavy to keep open. Knuckles rolled off Sonic, giving him some space, but the hedgehog snuggled up against his chest, clinging on to him like a child would cling to a stuffed animal. They both exchanged goodnights and sweet dreams before finally falling into a peaceful sleep.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the time Sonic and Knuckles checked out of the hotel the next morning, it was fairly late.

Knuckles, being an early riser, had got to the shower first but was pleasantly interrupted when Sonic snuck in after him. It didn't take much for Sonic to coerce the echidna into having steamy hot shower sex with him.

After a brief visit to the chao garden, they stood outside the hotel entrance, but knowing they'd have to depart eventually, both were uneager to go their separate ways.

"So what's your plan for today Sonic?" Knuckles asked.

"I'm going for a run first. Just heading north, you know, but it's really wherever my feet take me. Then I'm heading over to Tails' place to pay him a visit. You can come with, if you want. You are one of the few people who can keep up with me."

Knuckles felt pretty good whenever Sonic would praise one of his strengths, but this time there was that implication reminding him of the one other person that could keep up with him.

"I doubt I would be able to keep up for long. Besides, as much as I'd like to go with you, I really have to get back home. Espio messaged me over an hour ago saying that Vector and Charmy would show up there if I didn't relieve him soon. You know I can't have those two running around my island."

Sonic let out a laugh.

"Yeah, that's a disaster waiting to happen… Guess I'll just have to come up and see you later."

"Yeah. You're welcome on my island anytime, okay? Surprise me."

"Oh I will."

On that note, neither of them cared that it was broad daylight out; they shared an embrace and kissed intimately before bidding each other farewell and heading off in different directions.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Even though Sonic inwardly felt amazing, all the extra exertion of the night affected his running. No matter how gentle Knuckles had been with him, the soreness in his body was inevitable, so he ended up cutting his run short. He ran all the way back to Tails' workshop, stopping in front of it to stretch again before heading inside.

"Ugh… maybe we overdid it just a little," Sonic muttered to himself, stretching his glutes and hamstrings.

"It always amazes me how you're able to run after getting nailed into the wall, the way you do, Sonic."

Sonic's gasp caught in his throat as he snapped his head up in the direction of the familiar voice, his fur standing on its ends when he realized how close the owner of it was standing to him. He couldn't believe how the black hedgehog had caught him so off guard.

"Did I startle you?"

Sonic gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.

"The hell are you doing here? You seriously need to get a life."

"And you seriously need to get over yourself. I'm not here because of you. My business here is my own."

"Yeah, like I'm gonna believe that load of shit."

Just then, the two tailed fox burst through the door of the workshop.

"Hey! I thought I heard you Sonic. Wow, Shadow that was quick."

Sonic looked curiously at Tails, wondering what his fox friend was talking about.

"Hey Tails."

Tails smiled at the blue hedgehog before turning to Shadow.

"Were you able to pick up the rotor?" Tails asked him.

Shadow showed him the box he had been holding and handed it over to the fox.

"Brand new. Told you it'd be quicker if I got it myself."

"Awesome. Now I'll have your bike fixed in no time," Tails exclaimed.

"His bike? You mean that old stolen motorcycle?" Sonic questioned.

"Uhh, Sonic… I thought we agreed not to dwell on things like that. You know Shadow was in a tough spot back then. He's not like that anymore… Right Shadow?"

Shadow merely crossed his arms in front of his chest rolling his eyes at the fox.

"Well, anyway, he brought it to me because it was in need of some serious repairs. The engine needed a whole new replacement part and I told him it might take a while since I'd have to put in a special order for it, but he said he'd get it to me as soon as this morning. Lo and behold, he was right!"

Sonic looked suspiciously over at the black hedgehog, still not believing his charade for a second.

"Is that so? One would think Shadow of all people would be able to fix a simple motorcycle engine himself. You know, ultimate life-form and all."

Shadow humored Sonic with a response.

"That may be true, but why get my hands dirty when I can pay a real mechanic to do it for me? He wasn't exactly my first choice but some people are out of commission at the moment. Maybe you just don't have faith in your friend's abilities."

Tails was a little surprised by the accusation, and was ready to jump in defense of his best friend, but Sonic beat him to it.

"Don't try to spin this around on me like that. There's no need for you to pester Tails over it and you know it."

"Sonic, I told Shadow I'd be happy to fix it for him," Tails chimed in quietly, but no one seemed to hear him.

"What is it that I know then Sonic?" Shadow egged on. "What other reason would I have for coming here?"

Sonic knew what Shadow wanted him to say, but he wouldn't give in, not in front of Tails. Miles 'Tails' Prower, like a little brother to Sonic, always looked up to him for being the hero, chaste and carefree. He couldn't tarnish that image for him, and he certainly wouldn't do it to indulge Shadow's sick need to spite him.

"That's what I wanna know," Sonic said, almost inaudibly. He unclenched his fists, turning towards workshop. "Tails, I'm going upstairs to grab a bite."

"Okay… I'll come up when I'm finished with the bike. It'll only be a little while now, Shadow, so if you wanna stick around and wait, you can hang out upstairs too."

"I'll accept the invitation. Only because I don't have anything else pending at the moment."

At this Sonic stopped in his tracks, and turned around. "What? No! Tails, what is it with you being all chummy with him all of a sudden?"

"Huh? Sonic," Tails started sternly. "I think the real question here is why you're being so vindictive all of sudden. It isn't like you."

Sonic let out a frustrated sigh, seeing things from Tails' perspective. It wasn't like the fox had any idea why he was being so skeptical of Shadow's intentions.

"You're right. Guess I am being a little unfair," he said, lying through his teeth. He headed upstairs, not waiting for Shadow to come up after him.

"I have some fresh tea and cookies set out, so you guys help yourselves," Tails called out, but both hedgehogs had disappeared into the house before he could finish.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sonic raided the fridge taking out ingredients that didn't even seem like they'd palate well together, all while acting like Shadow wasn't even there.

Shadow sat on a cozy armchair across the house, seeing as the kitchen, dining and living area were all one big room, he could clearly see Sonic as the blue hedgehog scrambled about the kitchen.

"Oh gross, Tails… when was the last time you cleaned out your fridge?" he said to no one in particular.

He threw out whatever had caused him disgust, and made several different types of sandwiches, cutting them into quarters to sample a bit of each.

When he was finished he left out the rest for Tails, and laid belly down on the couch, grabbing the remote to flip through TV channels.

After a good while, the sound of an empty teacup loudly hitting the coffee table rattled the dishes, making Sonic flinch in the otherwise quiet room.

Sonic contemplated ignoring Shadow's obvious call for attention, but he had pretty much run out of patience. Sonic sat up on the edge of his seat.

"What's your problem?" Sonic snapped.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I'm not the one banging shit on tables. Quit playing games and tell me why you're really here, Shadow."

"Is my bike not in need of repairs? Contrary to what you believe, your presence and my presence here are purely coincidental. How was I supposed to know you were going to come back here today? I was under the impression you'd still be whoring yourself off to the echidna. What, was his cock not all that it's cracked up to be? I hear it's supposed to be to this abnormal, eighth wonder of the world, sex-god type pleasure rocket."

"Oh, shut up!" Sonic hated how unabashed the black hedgehog was talking about these sorts of things.

"I'm genuinely curious, how was your night with Knuckles?"

"Fuck if I'm gonna tell you… That's none of your business."

Sonic stood up to leave, but froze in place when he felt a hand come around his waist from behind, fingers riding dangerously low on his belly, while another hand gripped one of his arms.

"These little bitch fits of yours are getting old, Sonic."

Sonic tried his best to remain unaffected as Shadow surreptitiously slid his fingers lower, thumbing the small bulge over his fur. His knees were going weak and it took all of his willpower to stifle a moan that threatened to escape through his parted mouth.

"Shadow," he said almost breathlessly. "I'm only going to say this once so you better get it through your thick head… Whatever fucked up thing we had between us is over now." With that, Sonic tore himself away from Shadow's grip, and spun around to face him. "Got it?! It can't happen anymore."

"Hm… Is that so…. I think I see what's going on now. Knuckles wants to tie you down and make you his bitch. Come on, Sonic. You know that's not who you are."

Sonic narrowed his eyes at him.

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Fine. Believe what you want to believe…" Shadow shrugged, as he approached Sonic, getting uncomfortably close to his face. "But you know there'll always be someone out there who's willing to fuck you, no strings attached..."

Sonic raised his hand up to Shadow's chest, ready to push him away if he got any closer, but he found himself gripping onto the white fur instead.

"..and you won't be able to resist the temptation forever."

Sonic watched intently as Shadow spoke those last words, his muzzle starting to brush gently against his own.

"Shit!" he shouted, pushing the black hedgehog away, feeling as if he'd just come out of a hypnotic trance. He turned on his heel, leaving Shadow alone without another word.

Shadow crossed his arms over his chest, feeling pretty confident in his assertions.

"It's just a matter of time, Sonic."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sonic almost appeared to have warped down to workshop portion of Tails' house, as evident by the fox's startled yelp.

"Sonic! You scared me. What's the rush?"

Sonic opened and closed several storage lockers, without answering Tails until he found what he was looking for.

"Tails, I'm really sorry. I have to go. I'll come visit again soon, okay? When you're a little less busy. How's this ex-gear running, is it in good shape?"

"Oh, uh… It should be. I tuned them all up before putting them in storage."

"Good. I'll see you around then, buddy."

Before Tails could say goodbye, Sonic was out the door, tossing the board in front of himself before hopping on and taking to the sky.