All I asked for was one day to myself. How did Rouge manage to convince me to go to the beach? Tch.
"Shadow, hun," I turned to the one of my thoughts, her large sunhat shielding her face and large ears from the scorching sun,"are you done being a grump? It's a nice day, enjoy yourself."
Yes, Rouge, a black hedgehog in humid temperatures is going to enjoy the increasing heat.
Grumbling under my breath, I set up the umbrella to gain a larger area of shade. Sitting down, I removed my hover skates. Sand had already gotten lodged in several of the bottom holes that the Chaos energy is filtered through. Great. After that, I removed my gloves for maximum effect to try to relieve the heat my body was creating from the fabric and combined sun.
Rouge's friends were to be joining us shortly. She had informed me that they were people I should get to know, that they would— in her eyes— 'lift my spirits.' I, personally, disregard any personnel unless they are higher ranking than I at work. Anyone below me, answers to me. Having friends is a foolish waste of my time. The only reason Rouge had managed to get close to me is because we work together along with Omega, together we form Team Dark.
My ear flicked as Rouge turned on a Bluetooth speaker, her music automatically playing on it. The music seems to match the vast scenery of ocean and sand. She always seems to have the perfect playlist for-
"Over here!" My attention was turned to my long time friend, she was waving to a group of rather... colorfully strange Mobians. A young golden colored fox waved and tugged at a blue hedgehog, gaining his attention and the group turned and walked in our direction.
"Your friends are a group of colorful clowns?"
This earned me a finger flicking at my right ear,"hush, and be nice! I barely get to see them."
I groaned, standing up to greet my ally's friends. The golden kit seemed to be the youngest of the group, his twin tails swaying behind him. Next to him, was a taller blue hedgehog wearing.. floaties? No matter. This hedgehog seemed rather... attractive. His green eyes shone brighter than the already bright sun.
Next to the hedgehog and fox duo was an echidna, obviously Rouge's boyfriend, Knuckles. I've met him on numerous occasions. Lastly, a pink hedgehog was next to Knuckles, yet her attention was solely on the blue boy. They must be involved.
"Rouge! Long time no see!" The blue hedgehog may be attractive but his voice is utterly cocky. I'm not completely sure if I adore the sound, or completely despise it.
I watched as the two shared a quick embrace, his attention turned to the fox as the vulpine hugged the bat. They all exchanged a quick hug before Rouge gestured to me.
"This is my partner, Shadow. We work together at G.U.N."
The blue hedgehog spoke up first,"nice to meet you! I'm Sonic! This is my brother, Tails", he pointed to the fox," that's Knuckles," obviously to the echidna," and that's Amy!" Lastly to the pink hedgehog before me.
I nodded my head in acknowledgment. There's something.. oddly familiar and comforting about this blue hedgehog's emerald green eyes. His eyes shown bright like fire, a burning passion. For what, I do not know. I do know that I wish to get close to this hedgehog.
Since everyone had been acknowledged and familiarized with eachother, we all sat down and chatted. Well, Rouge engaged in conversation, I sat quietly listening to them all. My thoughts continued to trail after the blue boy in front of me.
"—Shadow!"
Without moving my head, i looked to my left to see Rouge staring at me,"what?"
"I've been talking to you! What's so important that the ultimate lifeform can't even listen?" Her ear flicked in irritation, had I been dozing off?
I can't give my honest answer,"I apologize."
This seemed to take her back,"you what? Since when do you apologize?"
Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms over my chest," I apologize, Bat, Just not to you."
She scoffed playfully before turning her attention back to her boyfriend who was sitting next to her. I can feel those green eyes piercing through my body, I can easily tell Sonic was staring in my general direction.
Turning to face him, I stared right into his own eyes,"what do you want, Hedgehog?"
A smirk seemed to crawl into his face,"I like your voice."
My what?
I don't exactly know how to respond to that. But before I can even think of an answer, he's already talking again.
"Your feet—" he scooted closer, entering and popping my personal bubble,"—you have claws?"
He sure is a nosy hedgehog.
"I do."
"How?! The only Mobians that have claws are predatory, you're a hedgehog, we're not exactly hunters."
Inwardly groaning as he managed to grab my hand and inspect it along with the claws on my feet, I answered truthfully," I was created in a lab. I am not one-hundred percent of Mobian desent."
Judging by the shocked facial expression, he didn't believe me,"no way!"
I continued to watch as he fiddled with my fingers and the sharp tips of the claws on the appendage. Oddly enough, I don't mind this.
His delicate touches seemed to make a small heat rise wherever he placed his fingers. There's something about him.. but what?
"So," he began, meeting my eyes with his,"got a girlfriend?"
Forward, isn't he.
"No."
There seemed to be a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. I don't know if I should be weary of this or to embrace it,"cool, I don't either."
"You're asking me, why?"
He shrugged, tugging slightly on the string of his swim shorts,"I think you're hot."
He sure is a fast one, isn't he.
How does one respond to approving comments? Comment back? That may be the correct answer.
"I, too, think you're attractive."
My ear flicked as I heard light yet muffled snickering. Would I be wrong to say I had forgotten that there were other guests among us? Turning to my left, I saw Rouge and her small entourage watching my encounter with Sonic.
To say the Bat had a large smile was an understatement. If her smile grew any more I fear her face will split in half.
"Continue with your conversation, just pretend we're not here!" My ivory friend snickered, urging us to continue.
Hmph.
Turning back to Sonic,"would you accompany me in a walk?"
This seemed to make the hedgehog's eyes brighten. Somehow.
Together we stood up, sand falling off our shorts as we did so. My fingers twitched as he grabbed my hand, his hand fit almost perfectly in mine...
I suggested walking closer to the shoreline, but he protested, admitting to me that he had a fear of water. That explains the floaties.
"I could teach you to swim, you know." I, despite my hate for the heat, am an excellent swimmer.
He shuttered and his grip on my hand slightly tightened,"you'd do that for me? I dunno... water has always been a, uh, hardship for me."
I scoffed lightly,"no matter your past, I could teach you nonetheless, hedgehog."
Suddenly, I felt a warmth growing on my cheek as he kissed it, my body seemed to freeze at this. Was this hedgehog growing on me? The obvious answer was yes, he was in fact growing on me. How would one handle this situation? I've never exactly been in love nor I have I ever had any sexual desire that I couldn't over power by sheer will. How would Rouge handle this situation?
She would ask the other on a date, yes.
"Would you like to accompany me to dinner tomorrow night at six?" Straightforward, directly to the point.
"Yeah!" He closes his eyes for a moment while his grin grew even larger, showing off his small canine teeth,"I'd love to go on a date with you, Shadow!"
Something seemed to warm my chest as my heartbeat increased, what has this hedgehog done to me? This morning I had refused yet went along to accompany my companion to the beach. Now I am making plans for a date with Sonic the Hedgehog?
There must be something in the air...
...
Morning had arrived sooner then I anticipated. We made plans to attend a more fancier restaurant the night prior, yet I still feel as though I might over dress.
I had asked Rouge to help me pick out my attire, her word is as good as any in this situation.
"What about this?" She held up a white button up,"but I think we need to go to the mall to get the rest of the outfit..."
"If you think so, then we shall go." I didn't hesitate to grab my jacket as we headed out. I can already tell Rouge has the entire outfit planned out and, with her added sense of style, it will be well planned.
...
Once we arrived at the mall, she dragged me into a more.. 'fancy' attire clothing store. Outfits lined the walls and racks of the clothing. My ivory friend immediately dragged me over to where the black pants were, giving me some to try on.
Once we found the correct size, I chose the ones I thought were best suited to go along with the white button-up Rouge had picked back at my house.
The next store we went to was a shoe store. I was hesitant to replace my hover skates with regular Mobian shoes, but this date is important to me. There is something.. exceptionally familiar and.. blissful.
Something about his smile and laughter; it's a little too alike to Maria. She was my friend, my sister, and they took her from me. Sonic's carefree and warm, comforting energy is just like her own.
Nonetheless, I chose plain black shoes with white soles, something simple and classy that also goes along with the rest of my outfit.
"I think you would look good without your gloves for this, don't you think?" She proceeded to grab my hand and remove the glove, my golden inhibitor ring falling loosely. The red stripe down my arm proceeded downward, making my two most middle fingers red. She grabbed my hand, inspecting it as if it was alien. Most likely trying to see if her proclamation was, indeed, correct.
After a few more moments of inspecting, he smiled triumphantly," definitely no gloves."
...
It's 7:30pm now, I had showered, gotten dressed, and was now standing in front of the mirror. Rouge has been helping me decide if buttoning up all the way was the way to go or to leave the top two buttons unbuttoned. We ultimately decided leaving one button open was more preferable.
I was to meet Sonic at his house in 15 minutes and, considering my hover skates were of no use to me at the moment, I have decided to take my motorcycle.
Maybe showing off a little would work in my favor.
...
7:56pm.
It's a simple date, Maria talked endlessly about romance. I am the ultimate lifeform, I can do this.
Knocking on the door, I waited patiently for the blue hedgehog to emerge from his house.
What I didn't expect was for the twin tailed fox to answer the door.
Sonic had mentioned they were brothers...
"Oh!" A smile graced his lips,"Sonic's upstairs finishing up! He'll be down in a sec!"
I nodded in appreciation,"Thank you, Miles."
He smiled again before turning as both of our sensitive ears picked up the frantic footsteps of the cause of our conversation.
I can feel my eyes widen slightly as I saw Sonic once he stepped off the staircase. He wore dark blue jeans, along with a white button up. His sleeves were folded up to his elbows and his trademark red shoes were replaced by black and white classic converse.
Maybe I'm a little too over dressed..
"Hey, Shads!"
Already giving me a nickname? I suppose.
"Good evening, Sonic," he immediately hugged me,"you look wonderful."
A smile formed on his peach lips, a slight blush following,"thanks! You're lookin' pretty handsome yourself!"
I gulped subconsciously, this damn hedgehog was throwing me off my game.
"Shall we go?" I stepped aside, gesturing to my bike.
His eyes sparkled,"you have a motorcycle?! Oh you're definitely a keeper!"
I chuckled at this; showing off was a good idea.
Once he had gotten over his excitement, he bid his adopted brother farewell and proceeded to get on my bike sitting behind me. His soft arms reaching around my waist to balance himself as I drove off. The sound of my motorcycle roared over the rest of the city cars. The restaurant we were going to was an hour away in another city, but my date did not seem to care.
I can see him watching the sunset in my side mirror, his eyes shone bright with the setting sun. The sun was setting past the mountain tops, it soon cast long shadows around us.
I wonder if he can feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest.
I could feel his hands roam slightly around my lower abdomen, causing a slight tingling feeling even further down.
Now is not the time to get aroused.
Inwardly groaning, I rev my bike before picking up some speed, his hands tightening around my body. I can see the large smile across his face as he watched the scenery passes by.
His smile makes me melt in the best way possible.
It is with no doubt that I feel I should protect this hedgehog with my life. He has brought back feeling to my empty chest, something I didn't know any one was capable of doing anymore.
What is this hedgehog doing to me?