"Oh! Just look at you! You're so handsome!" Amy gushes, running around to take photos of Sonic.

It's an overreaction, Sonic thinks. He's dressed in a fabricated set of silver armour that looks right out of a fairy tale. While it is an impressively realistic costume, it's not nearly as nice as what he saw and wore in Camelot. He's wearing the helmet just for the photos. This thing is way too stuffy to wear for the whole party.

Amy squeals as she poses next to him, snapping pics of their coordinated costumes. She's dressed in a lovely red gown, the bodice decorated with white lace and gold buttons. The shirt is embroidered with white flowers, spreading along the hem. She has her hair done in a braided updo, golden leaves decorating the many pins. Amy looks the part of a noblewoman to an impressive degree.

"Cream, could you take a picture of us?"

The girl nods and takes several of them together. When she passes the phone back to Amy, she's staring at Sonic. "You guys look great."

He's not sure how to feel about it. Cream's face is... blank. It's blank. And that's so weird because Cream always wears her heart on her sleeve. Amy's raving about their photos and deciding which to post, so Sonic takes the chance to ask Cream what's going on.

"Hey, are you ok? You seem a little off."

She blinks slowly before smiling. "Yes, I'm fine! I'm just thinking about the party."

Sonic smiles back, but he feels like he's being lied to. Which is crazy. Cream would never lie. "Are you sure? You know you can talk to me about whatever."

Cream narrows her eyes slightly, pulling out her phone. She fiddles with the screen as she talks to him. "Thank you, Mister Sonic! I will let you know if I want to talk." A second later Sonic gets a text.

Cream 3 «Not here.»

Cream 3 «Delete these»

Huh. Alright then. She must not want Amy to hear. And texting about it isn't safe either, because the pink hedgehog will likely try to go through Sonic's phone before the night is over.

He nods and points to the ceiling, hoping she knows to meet him upstairs. Amy wants to make a lemonade, so she'll be distracted for a few minutes. Enough for them to chat and go on about their days, with Amy being none the wiser.

So Sonic waits. When Amy drags him to the kitchen he says he need to adjust his costume and heads to the bathroom upstairs. Once upstairs he sees Cream leaning in the doorway of her bedroom.

"You need talk with Amy."

Sonic just stares at her in shock. "Why?"

"So you guys can both move on to being your happiest selves."

Cream straightens, smoothing out her top. She's changed into her costume. Sonic is guessing this is Burch's battle wear as it is described in the books. A heavy looking leather getup with twin blades on her hips makes Cream look surprisingly intimidating.

Sonic crosses his arms, narrowing his eyes. "What do you know?"

Cream holds up her hands in a pacifying gesture. "I know enough."

So she won't talk. Fine. Sonic doesn't really want to talk about it either, especially not with Amy roaming around.

"Why are you telling me this now?"

Cream smiles and clasps her hands behind her back. "I just think it's important for my friends to be happy. And this... situation between the two of you isn't making either of you truly happy."

Sonic feels like the wind has been knocked out of him. What's with the kids around him being all mature? And somehow knowing everything he tries to hide. "I... I'll talk to her. At some point."

The rabbit's smile shrinks a bit. "Just don't take to long. It isn't wise to put off something like this. You two have waited a long time as it is."

Sonic nods and heads down the stairs briskly. That was easily one of the strangest interactions he's ever had. And with Cream, of all people! She was awfully cryptic... that really might be Shadow's fault.

Sonic plops himself down on the couch and texts Tails. They made up, and Sonic is grateful that they're back to their normal selves. Well, mostly.

Sonic can tell there's something bothering Tails still. His brother insists that it wasnt what Sonic said, but he doesn't want to talk about what is actually bothering him either. Sonic supposes he could stop asking and wait until Tails is ready to talk, but he really wants to know. It has something to do with him, he's sure of it.

It isn't long before Sonic decides to rest his eyes. Just for a bit. But before he knows it the rest of the party guests are arriving. Sonic didn't mean to nap, but it's a good thing because now he's at full battery. He's ready to be the life of the party.

Tails walks in, dressed as... a traffic cone? Sonic doesn't know. Wasn't he supposed to be some old scientist this year? The fox ignores Sonic's confusion and immediately takes the spot next to him. The kid doesn't say anything. He just stares at Sonic with a grin that screams danger.

"Um, can I help you, bud?"

"I just want to see your face when you see him. Don't mind me."

"What?" Sonic asks but Tails doesn't respond. Instead he fiddles with his phone, holding it up at an awkward angle. Sonic rolls his eyes and turns to wave to the next wave of guests. And that's when he sees them. Well, more importantly him.

Knuckles, Rouge, and Shadow walk into the living room together. Sonic guesses they're wearing coordinated costumes. He can't tell for sure because his eyes are for one man and him alone.

Shadow's dressed in an floor length coat, black wool lined with gold satin. There's a row of the buttons on each side, stitched with gold thread. Underneath, he wears a low cut white shirt that has Sonic feeling a type of way. The shirt is partially tucked into a pair of well tailored black trousers, and those are tucked into high boots with a bit of a heel. His normal white gloves have been replaced by red leather ones with gold buttons on the cuff.

He's fucking hot.

Shadow catches his eye and walks up, gazing at Sonic with a faint smirk.

"Hey, Sonic."

It sounds absolutely sinful and has Sonic reeling. He notices that Shadow's fangs are even longer than normal. Combined with the attire straight out of a gothic novel, Sonic guesses he's dressed as a vampire? It's a good look.

"H-hey, Shads. Figures you'd be a vampire. Fits your whole emo image pretty well."

"Hmm maybe so, but the same could be said to you, idiot. A knight? A bit predictable... but even so you look great."

Sonic rolls his eyes at the tease but doesn't say anything in return. He can't. He's too busy staring, trying to commit how Shadow looks to memory. Everything about him, from the outfit to the confidence radiating from him has Sonic desperate for things he'll fantasize about when he's alone.

"Hey, Sonny. What's got you all worked up?"

Knuckles voice cuts through the tension and Sonic feels his face heat up. He hides it the best he can by jumping at the chance to talk with Knux, but he doesn't miss the coy grin on Rouge's face.

"Hey, Knux! Who are you supposed to be?" The echidna is dressed in an elaborate tunic, white cotton under a brown leather brace with red straps. There's an intricate crest embroidered on the chest, and brown leather braces on his arms. Knuckles is wearing black trousers as well - which is crazy considering how much he hates pants - though they aren't nearly as slim cut as Shadow's.

"I'm Trevor Belmont and this is my crew. Meet Sypha and Alucard." He points to Rouge and Shadow with a thumb, the two nodding as their character names are called off.

"It's from this show Shady got me really into."

Sonic narrows his eyes. He knows that Knuckles and Shadow arent at each other's throats like they used to be, but nicknames? That's a bit much. And they apparently watch shows together? Whatever.

"The crew just seemed perfect for us! Omega is our Dracula, but he's out protecting the Master Emerald so I can party with you guys. I told him he could use any force necessary to keep it safe so he was all for it."

Rouge steps forward and Sonic is surprised to see that she's wearing much less makeup than usual. She's done a natural look, and it's jarring to see her without vibrant eyeshadow. She's dressed in a light blue robe with a hood, a white sash with black ends tied around the waist. She wears loose fitting black pants and brown leather sandals. Her usual gloves have been replaced but long black leather ones, reaching up her forearm. He's never seen her so... covered up.

"Omega says hi, but I really wish you could've seen him. We're pretty easy on the eyes, ain't we? Especially the boys, don't ya think?"

Sonic nods slowly, eyes drifting towards Shadow on instinct. Crimson eyes are staring back with mirth, and Sonic kind of loves it.

"So, Shads, how hard is it to talk with those phony fangs in your mouth?"

He shrugs, smiling wide and smug as if to show them off. "It's not hard at all, considering they're au naturale."

There's a collective gasp and "What?" making Sonic wonder when they gathered a crowd.

"Do the thing!" Rouge shouts, tugging on Shadow's arm in excitement. "You have to do the thing." She whistles with her fingers and shouts loud enough so everyone can hear. "Y'all need to see this!"

Shadow lulls his head, but he's still grinning. "Well, gather around then. I'm only gonna do this once."

The party surrounds him, and Sonic notices that the Chaotix have arrived. Silver and Blaze too! He completely missed their entrance.

Shadow waits until the group falls silent and all eyes are on him before opening his maw wide. There's a second where everyone waits on bated breath, before his fangs grow. It's fascinating; in an utterly unnatural spectacle pearly white fangs become even fiercer than before.

When Shadow closes his mouth, he resembles a sabertooth of old. His fangs are slightly curled, almost framing his jaw. Shadow looks around with a twinkle in his eye as the rest of the party goes crazy. Everyone is gasping, screeching, hollering, or cheering. Sonic can't blame them. Shadow holds up his hands as if shrugging, then makes them change again. Soon sparkling whites shrink back to their vampire-esque length.

Sonic wonders what they'd feel like biting at his neck.

Shadow bows with an elegant flourish and the party cheers. After straightening out the hybrid winks at Sonic, leaving him dazed.

"I can do the same with my claws, oddly enough. But I think we'd all prefer that I kept my clothes on."

"Not all of us, but ok." Sonic hears Tails whisper behind him. He shoots the kid a glare, and Rouge too. She looks like she might keel over at any moment. Luckily Shadow looks unphased. Maybe he didn't hear.

Vanilla walks into the center of the circle - she's dressed as a fairy godmother, how fitting - and Shadow steps back. "There's food and drinks in the kitchen, guys and ghouls! Make yourself at home and we'll get the games started after everyone grabs a bite."

The party disperses, most of them headed towards the food. Rouge is chattering about how great Vanilla is at making cocktails, but he doesn't really care. Sonic's too busy watching Shadow stalk towards him with a confidence that has always caught his eye.

"A traffic cone? Guess what Braxely said really stuck with you."

Sonic glances between Shadow and Tails, shocked at this development. He really thought that he was the reason Shadow was strutting over. His brother shrugs, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, but I'm totally owning it. I can't wait to see his face when he sees I'm trending."

Shadow snorts and Sonic feels out of the loop. "Um... what?"

"This annoying guy in our class that would call me a traffic cone, among other things. He had a problem with me for some reason."

Sonic feels his heart rate begin to pick up. He's itching for a fight. Who in their right mind would pick on his little bro?

"Hey don't sweat it. Shadow took care of it." Sonic glances at Shadow, wondering what happened. He likes to know that Shadow had Tails' back.

"But anyways, he would tease me and now I'm reclaiming it. I'm one of the cutest traffic cones the world's ever seen and the pic Amy posted is already making its rounds as we speak."

Shadow and Tails continue to chat and Sonic just stares at them. He's trying to seem nonchalant. He's trying to act as if he isn't hanging on to every word, trying to find a way to jump in and pull Shadow away.

Sonic's totally not jealous.

He's not! He's just... he hasn't seen Shadow in a few days. Not since that night they had dinner. When Sonic had woke up Shadow was gone. There was breakfast left behind for him and a note telling him that Shadow had to work and to let himself out whenever he felt like leaving, 'if he even did'. Whatever that means.

With the realization that Tails is not going to give Shadow up any time soon, Sonic gets up to grab some food. He grabs a plate and piles it high with just about everything. He ends up hanging out in the kitchen to eat, and it isn't long before Sonic gets swept up by the party.

He's pulled into party games and conversations and dance battles. Sonic kills it in karaoke. Silver beats him in 'pin the hat in the Witch', but only barely so. Sonic even challenges Knuckles to an arm wrestling match. He's not even upset when Knuckles teases him to no end when he loses. The guardian is a few drinks deep and more relaxed that Sonic has seen in a long time.

Sometime after catching up with the Chaotix, Sonic wanders the house. He hasn't seen Shadow in awhile now. He knows that parties aren't really Shadow's thing, so he looks through all the quiet pockets in the house. Soon enough he finds Shadow upstairs, leaning on the door of Cream's room. Rouge and Knuckles are there with him too.

Sonic is annoyed that he couldn't catch Shadow alone.

Shadow notices him first. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have to. By the way he turns his body towards Sonic and his tail shifts slightly, Sonic knows he's welcome.

"Hey, guys! Whatcha doing hanging out up here? The party is downstairs."

"We just needed a breather, Blue. There's a lot of bodies down there. Too much talking for our sensitive ears." She says this with an amused curl to the words, but Sonic doesn't know what she's trying to imply. He ignores it for now.

"And Knuckles?"

"I'm pretty sure he's just here to get his hands on Rouge."

Knuckles punches Shadow's shoulder but he just grins and retaliates. Pretty soon the two are having a mock brawl while Rouge woots and giggles. Sonic laughs at the display but it's a bit hollow.

He's bitter that Knuckles and Shadow are being friendly right now. Months ago they couldn't even stand each other, but now they make jokes and play fight? They spend time together during the party while Sonic has to hunt Shadow down for any time with him?

It's irritating.

"What are you doing up here, Sonny?"

The guardian is looking at him with unfocused eyes. Sonic hasn't seen Knuckles this drunk in forever. It would be entertaining if Sonic wasn't so bitter.

"I hadn't seen you guys in awhile, so I thought I'd track ya down."

"So by that you mean you missed Shadow?"

Sonic feels like he's on fire.

Knuckles looks at him expectantly, as if he hasn't just read Sonic to filth in front of his crush. Rouge is smothering a laugh but failing, snorts and whimpers escaping even with her glove over her mouth. And Shadow... Shadow just looks at Sonic with that look that makes him feel a little lost.

That barely there smile, relaxed posture, and eyes that are just so fond. Sonic loves it. He loves him.

Sonic loves Shadow.

And he really doesn't like that he's come to the realization in the middle of the hallway at a Halloween party. After being embarrassed by his big bro. It's a bit much for his brain to handle right now.

"Shut up, Knux." It's all Sonic can manage to mumble out. He steps closer to Shadow, hoping that he doesn't look as frazzled as he feels.

"If it's any consolation, I've missed you too."

Sweet chaos. That shouldn't make Sonic as happy as it does. He can't stop the smile that forms on his face. "Thanks, Shads."

Shadow nods with a smile. He opens his mouth to say something before eyebrows furrow and his jaw snaps shut. Before Sonic can ask what's wrong he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"Oh, Sonic! There you are!"

Well shit. Is a moment with Shadow really so much to ask?