What a wonderful night's sleep, Sonic thought with a yawn.
The mental gymnastics of recent events were really starting to exhaust the hero, the self doubt and romcoms on constant loop, and the nail biting while counting down the minutes until what was now twenty-four hours away.
All to come down to this marvelous sense of euphoria in waking up that morning. Though he pondered, when had his beloved blanket abandoned him in rest? Was he simply too drunk to pull it over him after crashing against the mattress? And speaking of his bed, when did it feel so…cramped?
And had he left his small window open? He noted the soft and oddly warm breeze at his neck, coming in a consistency he could time with his own breathing.
Not to mention, when did he grow a third arm?
Royal blue eyelids snapped open, and the scene came into blurry fruition. This was not his bedroom, in fact. The cute radio he gifted Shadow greeted him with a painted smile. He was laying on his side across the black couch, his hands together as a makeshift pillow, and a red striped ebony appendage draped over him to hold his jacket in place as a blanket.
The night's images came flooding back in his memory, a film projecting on the back of his eyeballs. His lips mashed clumsily against the others, the words they said. The things he said.
Ears standing on end, he carefully turned his head to peer over his shoulder at the still slumbering form behind him.
The ebony hedgehog laid pressed at his back, mouth slightly agape and snoring softly. Sonic could barely hold himself together at the sight of this as reality set in. One part out of dead fear and the rest from wanting to photograph Shadow's sleeping face in all its precious glory.
In complete honesty, Sonic could scream. He wanted to scream, but what would be a worse way to wake up after a night drinking.
He bit his lip, fighting the shakes in his chest stirring with anxiety. The arm draped over his side stirred, enticing a small squeak from his throat as it pulled him closer, turning him over in doing so.
Sonic laid frozen, met with the closeness of his muse's face inches away. He felt the soft white of his chest fur under his chin, a rosy hue painted on his face as the snoring never ceased.
Before long, he allowed himself to breathe. They hadn't done…that. No, he knew that much. However, the time between kissing outside and finding himself entangled with the ultimate life form was drowned in the night.
And to be completely honest, Sonic was beginning to not care at all.
Instead despite his inner voice warning him not to, Sonic dared to press himself into the sleeping hedgehog, laying his cheek atop the gently rising chest and positively melting upon contact. By chaos, he thought. It was so much softer than he had imagined it to be.
The morning sounds of the outside like a serene backdrop to this moment. He could hear the soft rolling of the creak outside, the brushing of the flora outside, the birds above the small home. It all rolled in over him in this sleepy predicament, and he allowed his childish thoughts of possibly waking up like this every morning.
Suddenly, Sonic felt a faint buzzing above him. He opened his eyes and glanced above to the arm of the couch, where Shadow's communicator was going off.
Sonic jumped as the sleeping form under him reached out and snatched the device to hold in front of his face.
"Communicator," His voice was husky from sleep, the speedster's heart racing at its raspy tone. "Silence yourself, damn it."
And it did, apparently. Sonic assumed Shadow's voice was simply that commanding. Not that he mind, now that the buzzing ceased he watched as he returned it to its place and shut his eyes once more. Folding one arm under his head, and the other snaking around Sonic, without a second to take in his surroundings.
"Uhm," Sonic hesitated a whisper, almost wishing he hadn't as he clutched the arm now around his neck.
Shadow stirred, one black eyelid revealing the red iris to see him.
Sonic smiled sheepishly, giving a small wave. "Hi."
There was silence, before the eyelid fell again. "So that was not a dream." He said simply, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Interesting."
"Y-Yeah." Sonic replied with a chuckle, confused as he gently placed his head back on the hedgehog's chest.
There was another stretch of silence, both lying close together as the nerves within Sonic threatened to boil over.
Shadow however, threatened to catch fire-the world could catch fire. Waking from what he believed was a fevered dream state after a night of drinking and sloppily allowing his emotions to make their presence unchecked and known. His subconscious watch as his drunk self lazily flirted with the hedgehog that was now laying beside him!
He felt the blue fool's soft breathing against him, his nerves ablaze by how his fit so snuggly with him on the couch, how nice he felt in his rest.
Damn it! Do something, he screamed at himself hidden behind his shut eyes. Say anything right now, do anything, he pleaded.
"You kissed me," He spoke quietly, startling the speedster.
"Y-Yeah," Sonic affirmed. "...Sorry about that."
"Hmph." Shadow acting as he tried, felt his lips stretch into a smile, allowing himself to soak in it. "You could have warned me, at least."
"I think if I put thought into everything I did, I wouldn't be where I am." Sonic mused.
The darker hedgehog nodded, choosing to only hum in response.
Sonic stared down at the hand resting at his side, hesitating his own sliding over it and lacing his fingers with it. "And you're alright with it?" Sonic thought aloud, his heart beating hard within his ribcage. "With this?"
Shadow stared towards the ceiling at the hedgehog's words, his heart taking the reins as his hand slid from beneath Sonic's and wrapping around it. "Are you?"
"I'm asking you the question."
"I am also asking you the question," Shadow stated, "As I am just as dazed this morning as you are, hedgehog."
"Hmph." Sonic huffed, though nuzzling into the form beside him.
"Hmph." Shadow gave back, grinning to himself.
"So…how about this, huh?"
"Yes." Shadow said, staring down at the gorgeous boy laying upon him. "This."
Sonic licked his lips, eyes shut. "I'm not going to lie to you, I might be freakin' out a lil bit here."
"Mmm?" Shadow responded, fingers squeezing Sonic's hand.
Sonic shivered, "And you're so…calm."
Shadow's chest jerked beneath him, hearing the hedgehog above him laughing freely washing over him in nirvana. "How should I be reacting?"
Sonic shrugged against him. "I dunno, I usually don't know how you react but now it's like…"
"Important." Shadow finished, sitting up and gazing upon the speedster. "I understand...I'm not knowledgeable about this sort of engagement, but I am enjoying this."
Sonic blinked, mindlessly playing at the white patch of fur. "I…am too."
Shadow nodded, pulling the hedgehog closer. "Good."
Sonic smiled, feeling the heartbeat beneath him increase after the gesture. "G-Good." He stammered, but smiling bright. "Heh, you know I never knew how soft you are."
"How would you?" Shadow mused, "Unless you've spent time speculating."
"How couldn't I?" Sonic nuzzled. "Don't laugh, but this really feels like I'm dreaming."
"I could pinch you." Shadow teased, though his tone hadn't changed. "I can pinch pretty hard."
Sonic smacked the hedgehog's shoulder, sitting up so he sat at even level with Shadow. "It's funny, I could have easily stayed home yesterday and missed out on this 'you' that's been hiding."
Shadow hummed, "Sounds like you owe the red one a great debt."
"I think we're pretty even by now." Sonic rolled his eyes, laying a hesitant hand on the ebony hedgehog's chest. He breathed, gaze dropping to their proximity.
"Are you alright?"
Sonic looked to Shadow, his crimson gaze wrapped in concern. "Are you okay with this?"
"Of course, I am. I'm just…," Sonic pouted. "I had no idea what I was-where," He fought for the words. "I wanted this for a while…I guess it's just jitters and I was drunk and-"
"I see." Shadow said, turning back to the window. "To say I'm not unnerved would be a lie. I do not wish to lie to you either," He paused, taking a breath to hold his composure. "This has been a strange time, but I have never held this feeling before with another, and after spending the last few days pondering…I do not wish to part with it, Sonic."
The words hung on a line above them, the sunlight from his window beaming god rays that stretched over where their shoes were gathered on the floor. His state was followed by chewing his cheek at the silence that he met after he finished.
He held his stare outside, not wishing to see the expression on the other's face in fear. Daring himself so, he turned to the speedster.
His bare hand held a hand over his mouth, unable to hide the beaming grin and cheeks turning bright pink . "Shads, oh geez."
Shadow leaned down, pressing his forehead to the other and freezing him on contact. "You are alright, if that is something you are worried about."
The blue hedgehog saw his reflection in those red eyes, unable to pull himself away. So that he hadn't time to second guess, Sonic leaned in to kiss Shadow's lips and quickly pulled away. They stared at each other, Shadow's lips opened as no words came. However, instead Sonic nearly lept out of his skin as he was pulled into another kiss by Shadow, melting into it, hands reaching up to hold his face.
Again, the buzzing from his communicator made its presence known.
"Damn it," Shadow growled, pulling his lips away from Sonic and a peach hand sliding from his cheek. He pulled the communicator to his face, groaning in anguish.
"What?" Sonic worried, turning as did Shadow. Before he got a response, Shadow tapped the screen and steeled himself.
"Well good morning, liar." Rouge's usual flirtatious tone took absence, as a more stern motherly tone ambushed the hedgehogs. "What time did you get home last night?"
"I don't remember, Rouge." Shadow groaned, his form turning to rest against the back of the couch. Sonic shifted, but felt the arm around him pulling himself to Shadow's side. He blushed at the hedgehog's forwardness, but fell against him and fought to remain quiet. "But as you can see, I managed. I am home."
Rouge huffed, Shadow feeling a pang of guilt. "At least you're okay…how was hanging out with Blue?" She asked, a mischievousness worming its way back into her voice. "Was it everything you wanted?"
Shadow grumbled, feeling the hedgehog snickering against his shoulder. "It was fine, we didn't linger long. Just talked and had a few drinks before leaving."
"Aw, so nothing happened?" He can hear the pout in her words.
"Nothing at all." Shadow said, side eyeing the speedster mouthing everything he was saying and mimicking his stern expression.
"You didn't even dance? I was sure you were going to dance, at least."
"When have I ever been known to dance?" Shadow growled into the device.
"Hmm, okay." Rouge hummed into the communicator. "Shoot, Shadie. I'm sorry."
Sonic fought back his laughter, coughing instead, freezing both he and Shadow in place.
"I know you're probably really nervous about tomorrow, but try not to be, Hun." The bat said, both hedgehog's breathing a sigh in relief that she had not heard Sonic.
"Rouge," Shadow said, "I appreciate it. I'm a little drowsy still so-"
"Aha!" Rouge laughed. "Well alright you get some rest! Later tell me what really happened last night. Bye, Shadie!"
Shadow tossed the communicator onto the table, mumbling curses and dragging a hand down his face, all the while Sonic could only giggle to himself.
"Well Shads," Sonic said, leaning in and half-lidding his eyes. "Was it everything you wanted?"
"Enough," Shadow shoved his counterpart, laying back down and shutting his eyes. "I can only handle one of you annoying me at once."
"But I wanna know!" Sonic mock whined. "You talk about me with Rouge?"
"It's nothing," Shadow mumbled, his rosy cheeks betraying him. "Drop it."
Sonic poked at the prone hedgehog. "But that's cute!"
Shadow pouted, crossing his arms and turning away from the hedgehog. "Hey, don't be like that!" Sonic pulled at the hedgehog. "I'm only teasin'!"
Shadow huffed, side eyeing Sonic sitting cross legged on his couch. "You are something."
Sonic stuck out his tongue, joining the brooding boy and nesselling into the quills of his back. "I aim to please."
Shadow turned to the laying hedgehog, his gaze softening before speaking. "Can I ask you something?"
Sonic watched the hedgehog, "Of course."
Shadow turned away, searching for the words. "I feared that my past actions would harm my chance of this…between us."
The speedster snapped to attention, sitting up in his spot. "Well…I guess I could always see through to this," He waved to the ebony hedgehog, "this you. We had our problems, but I never believed you to be a bad guy, Shads."
Shadow's ear flicked, then Sonic reached out to lay a hand under his chin and turned his head to face him. "And I was right. So, yeah. Like you said, we're alright."
Shadow relicioused in the speedster's touch, shutting his eyes and bringing a hand to grasp the one under his chin. "The words that you say, that you've said, they sound so sincere."
"Because they are, Shadie." Sonic stuck out his tongue, before yelping to being pulled into Shadow's embrace. Black arms wrapped around the speedster as he now laid over him, he was washed in Shadow's warmth, breathing out and wrapping his arms around the hybrid's neck. "Is somebody getting used to me using his pet name?"
"Never." Shadow mumbled, "This is only to silence you."
Sonic smirked, "You're gonna have to try harder than that," He pulled away, staring up at the hedgehog. "Shadie." His lips curving around the name.
To his surprise, Sonic's mind went blank to the smashing of Shadow's lips over his. He held him, shutting his eyes as they melted into the kiss once again before Shadow pulled away with a smirk of his own. "And how was that?"
Sonic's lips stretched in a goofy grin. "You're getting there, at this rate though I may still need more convincing..."
