The day had finally arrived.
It was late in the afternoon within the hero's workshop home, Sonic stood in the bathroom and eyed his reflection. Gloved fingers ran over his slickened quills, making sure none stood out from their proper placement. The mirror still fogged from the shower, he brushed and micromanged every bit of himself.
At last, he stepped back to take in the sight staring back in the reflection, before deflating.
He figured maybe he should dress up, but quickly abandoned the idea. Instead, he groomed his quills, traded worn in battle tested gloves for a pristine pair and a brand new set of his shoes-shiny cherry red and fresh out the box.
Hands fidgeting as they gripped either side of the sink, Sonic leaned over and took in a deep breath. "Okay, Sonic," He said aloud, "You got this. It's all set, just take him out, and you'll have him."
He chanced another glance at his reflection, his confident grin was met with a small hint of fear. Pangs in his heart of any single mistake bringing down his house of cards. Had this been a mistake-a strange question asked by absolutely no one shook its foundation.
The fingers danced along the sink's edge, chewing at the passing thought in hopes to degrade its potency. Our hero breathed deep, shutting his eyes in an attempt to ward off the doubtful thoughts before turning away and leaving the restroom.
As he ventured through the home and to through the threshold, he made sure the day's plan lined up. He had decided to keep their plans a secret, moreso due to the fact that outside the Noir, he had no real plan at all. Sheepishly distracted by the thought of being around the dark hedgehog alone was simply enough for him.
Descending the staircase into the workshop, Sonic spotted a growing pile of scrap beside the now decommissioned Tornado and the grumbling fox beside it.
Tails mumbled curses under his breath, a large wrench in hand a while eyeing a diagram of the plane. His golden fur is interrupted by bits of dark oil and grease, a pair of googles atop his head and utility belt around his waist. Beyond him were the remains of their beloved plane, torn open and in the process of being thoroughly excavated into the gradualing growing pile of scrap next to it.
"Sup, Tails." Sonic greeted, the fox nodding quietly in response with eyes never leaving the schematic. "Saying your goodbyes?"
"More like good riddance." The fox groaned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Honestly, who supervised me putting this thing together? I was ten!" He exasperated. "It's a wonder I even got it off the ground!"
"Hey, don't look at me." Sonic laughed, "I was always impressed by you just building and rebuilding it."
"I guess, but half of this is just junk." Tails scoffed, yanking a particularly thick chord from a bit of scrap. "This is meant for a firetruck."
Sonic blinked. "What was it used for?"
"I don't even remember!" Tails groaned, tossing the tube back into the pile. "Sucks."
"Hey, I loved this plane." Sonic chuckled, laying a hand on one of its wings. "I still can't believe it used to just be some old bi-plane."
Tails sighed. "Would've stayed that way if I knew how much of a pain it'd be to scrap it."
Sonic moved to squat beside the fox. "How long do you think it'll take you?"
"If I'm lucky," Tails said, a finger tracing over the page. "It shouldn't be a day or two before I'm rid of this damned piece of crap- "
"Language." Sonic quipped.
Tails shot a tiny glare at his brother. "Bite me."
"Language!" Sonic repeated, giggling.
"Don't you have something to do today?" Tails shook his head, returning to the blueprints and imagining the nirvana he'd be in to set them on fire.
To this, the speedster sighed. "Yes, I do. Though I'm kinda dragging my feet."
Tails watched as Sonic leaned back to sit cross legged on the ground. "Aren't you ready? I figured at this point it'd be a pretty nothing deal now." The fox said, turning to face the hedgehog and placing the wrench on the ground besides the growing pile of scrap.
"You'd think that." Sonic chuckled, scratching an ear. "You're smart, is there a way to not, ya know, vomit from nerves?"
Tails pondered, crossing his arms. "I don't know, guy-who-jumps-out-of-helicopters-and-planes."
"Once!" Sonic corrected, before meeting the younger fox's stare. "Alright, I'll give you three at most. This is different though! He's way scarier than that."
"Noted," Tails said, turning back to grab the schematics. "I'm honestly the last person to ask about these kinds of things, Sonic." He said, furrowing his brow. "It's not like I have any experience."
"Which again, I feel you'd benefit from." Sonic jokes, rising from the ground and peering over the fox's shoulder.
"How do you figure?" Tails rolled his eyes, "You've been a roller coaster since this started."
Sonic shrugged. "Roller coasters are fun for a reason, right? Of course they're scary at first, but it's not as fun once it ends."
"Roller coasters can't attack or reject you." Tails mumbled, kicking the plane. "Besides, I'm always busy…"
"Are you though?" Sonic furrowed his brow, leaning back on his palms. "Seem to have enough time to call Cream-"
"That's different." Tails glared, sitting on the ground. "She's been my friend since we were kids. It'd just be really weird." This comment was met, annoyingly, by Sonic's expression not changing.
"She likes to travel a lot with Amy and has her own life outside of us anyway. And she'd probably be completely weirded out at the idea of dating someone like me." Again, his older brother stared. "What?" Tails snapped.
"Buddy," Sonic smirked, "When you come to the conclusion on your own, you're gonna be so mad."
"I hate you." Tails stood up, turning away from the smirking hedgehog to snatch his wrench from the ground. "I don't have time to try and get my heart broken. I have to stay focused when trouble comes and they won't wait while I fumble around trying to talk to girls."
Sonic leapt up, hands on hips. "You don't know that'd even happen! You want to know the real reason I keep buggin' Knux about the whole Rouge thing?"
"Because he's a chicken." Tails rolled his eyes.
"Because he's a chicken." Sonic grinned, "Exactly. Not that he couldn't-he's perfectly capable. You have no idea what you're capable of until you try, and what do I always tell you?"
"Tsk, Sonic." Tails turned back to the hedgehog. "When has anything like that worked out for me?"
"Plenty of times," Sonic shrugged. "Course, they were a little old for you-and one of them was evil."
"Whatever," The fox turned away grumbling bitterly. Sonic sighed, reaching out to wrap an arm around the fox. "She's one of the few normal friends I have, it'd be dumb to try and ruin that." He sighed, "And the last thing I want to deal with is this plane and girls."
"I dunno." Sonic mused, "Younger Tails would definitely disagree with you right now."
"Younger Tails had fewer things to be concerned with." Tails grumbled, "Younger Tails was too busy looking for magic rocks and outrunning a fat animal hating robot scientist."
Sonic stared past the plane, pursing his lips. "Fair point. You never know what could happen, still. You can't be scared if your heart is in it."
To this, Tails chuckled. "Then I guess you have your own advice."
They stood there, Tails reading the schematic with Sonic leaning on him. Before long, the speedster slid away and turned to walk out of the workshop. "Alright, I'm gonna go make a fool of myself. Don't wait up-"
"Wait, Sonic!"
Sonic turned, seeing the fox propelling himself over with his hands cupped together. "I know you told me not to worry, but since I had some spare time before starting on the plane, I figured we could use these."
The fox held out a small watch-looking wrist strap. "It's a communicator-I just kinda threw some things together after our talk. I made one for you, Knuckles," He rolled back one of his gloves. "And for myself! There's programed frequencies, so if you ever need to report anything or call any of us you can just-"
Tails yelped as he felt himself being pulled into a hug, crushing blue appendages snatching the air from his lungs. "Sonic! C-Crushing! Can't breathe!"
"You are the greatest lil' brother ever!" Sonic squealed, letting go of the dazed fox and strapping the communicator to his wrist. He eyed the tiny screen, a small dial and couple of buttons he toyed with on the side as numbers scrolled across the screen
"There's even some unreserved spaces." Tails commented, rubbing his neck and looking off to the side. "So if there's anybody in particular you want to add…there's room to."
Sonic pouted, rolling his glove over the device on his wrist. His forest green eyes shimmering at the fox. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"Nothing." Tails shrugged. "You probably don't. Stay outta trouble!"
The fox turned on his heel and spun his tails, rushing back into the shop and standing before the plane again with hands on his belt heaving a weary sigh. "Ugh, now you are going to do as I say-one last time."
As he bent down to reach into the little toolbox, the device on his wrist beeped. He turned to press one of its tiny buttons. "Hello?"
"Love you, bro!" Sonic's voice came in. Tails rolled his eyes, smiling.
"Love you too," He said. "Just pace yourself, and try not to get killed."
"I'll do my best."
—-
The floorboards of Shadow's home were worn and cold, creaking in most places he steps as he paced his living space.
Hands cupped behind his back, his mind swirled and swirled. Smacking his lips, focused on his breathing for the pit forming in his stomach. Anxious, and he hated it. Nervous, and he hated it. Emotions and thoughts like sand slipping through his fingers, spiraling out of his control.
Breathe, Rouge had coached him earlier. Said it was all 'pre-show jitters', in some attempt to tease him out of it. In honesty, he was less nervous about the date itself. Another occasion to see the blue fool was a sense of euphoria he missed the morning he last saw him.
Shadow was scared of allowing himself to fully reveal himself.
He stopped pacing, his head hung low and eyes shut. Meditation was of no use now and he felt his body change the longer Sonic was around him. He could feel his senses change, he could not hold up any barriers around his heart any longer. The idea of spending such a time he had with Sonic in his arms had an effect he had never experienced prior.
And by chaos, he craved it.
"Knock-knock."
Thoughts faded and shoulders tense, Shadow gave a sigh as he witnessed the silhouette on the wall before him from the window, quills and a waving hand.
He turned with a furrowed brow, finding the goofy grin of Sonic leaning in on the window sill. "I don't believe that is how knocking works."
Sonic giggled, holding a hand to his cheek. "Last time I did you almost vaporized me."
"Yes, well," Shadow walked over to open the front door, peaking around to the hedgehog. "I don't normally receive company out here. Much less, one desired."
Sonic smirked, leaning away from the window. "Oh! I'm desired now?"
To this, Shadow blushed. Crimson eyes darting to the logs making up the wall of his home. "I…you know what I meant." He growled.
Sonic shook his head, walking over to give the hybrid a light tap to his chest. "You know I'm just messing with you, Shads…"
Shadow's eyes flicked up to meet Sonic's, the latter reaching a hand out to take one of his own. The action was followed by the two joining in an embrace, Sonic nuzzling into the crook of Shadow's neck.
"I'm going to say something really lame," Sonic hummed. "So don't laugh…but I missed this."
Shadow held the speedster closer to himself and let out a satisfied sigh. Sonic chuckled. "Safe to say you did too?"
"You are correct," Shadow whispered.
"Aw." Sonic smiled.
Shadow pulled away, their noses inches apart. "That was pretty lame, Sonic."
Sonic pouted, giving the chuckling hedgehog a jab to the arm. "You suck, and here I thought we were having a moment!"
"Are we not," Shadow asked, still holding him around his waist. "How should these moments be?"
Sonic shrugged. "I dunno, I thought I was being cute."
Shadow smirked, and a second later he leaned in to peck Sonic's lips. Pulling away he watched the cobalt hedgehog's face lit up with a pink hue. "I never said you weren't."
"Aw, man." Sonic melted in the dark arms he was enclosed in. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that." A goofy smile on his lips.
"Then it'll be useful for when you are rambling." Shadow smirked, pulling away from the hedgehog. "So, where are we going?"
"Going?" Sonic still dazed, "Where are we go-Oh! Right," Sonic rubbed the back of his head. "This is supposed to be a date."
"A date?" Shadow mused. "Funny, I heard you refer to this as a 'hang out between two mutuals'."
Sonic gave a little shrug. "That was before I knew you liked kissing me."
"You kissed me." Shadow crossed his arms.
"First." Sonic corrected. "Which by the way, goes with me being faster than you. And second, every other time I'm pretty sure it was you."
"Hmph." Shadow rolled his eyes. "So that is my fault? Typical."
"Yup," Sonic teased, reaching out to poke the hedgehog's nose. "I bet this is all according to your secret plan."
Shadow pursed his lips, shaking away the invading digit. "At least one of us plans anything."
"Hey! I plan plenty." Sonic held hands to his hips, "I planned this date after all. I'm gonna sweep you off your lil rocket boots."
Shadow shook his head, a smile toying at his lips. "I'm sure you will. Shall we go then?"
Sonic grinned, moving past with the hybrid following.
—-
Shadow later found himself upon a plinth of moist sand and clay, seashells and ivy littering the ground as he walked. Stretched out in front of him the ocean fell back, the lowest tide he had ever seen as pelicans walked amongst him.
"Crazy right?" His blue date walked to stand beside him, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Apparently it's seasonal that the water goes out that far, which is sick for me."
The ebony hedgehog scoffed. "Still struggling with being in the water?" He asked, "After all this time?"
Sonic stuck out his tongue. "Hey, it's a normal thing to be scared of the ocean!"
"It is when you never learn to swim."
The cobalt hedgehog rolled his eyes, walking out with his counterpart close behind him. "I used to wonder what it'd be like to run along the bottom, ya know?" He said aloud, looking out towards the horizon. "Think about all the things sitting down there! There could be old cities, ships or buried treasure…"
Shadow knit his brow, eyes following the hedgehog in front of him. "What? Buried treasure only exists in children's stories."
Sonic glanced back, "Well, how would you know? Maybe pirates left plenty when they all retired."
"When the pirates all retired." Shadow repeated, allowing a grin to spread on his lips. "Is that how you believe that happened?"
Sonic shrugged. "That or scurvy. I wish I could go out on the sea, though. It's so pretty this time of day"
The hedgehogs came to a stop, the beach not so far behind them. They stood at the midpoint of the shore and the vast ocean around the city. Sonic closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the salt of the sea resting in the air and the warmth of the sun just beginning to set on his face.
Shadow watched this, moving to stand beside him. He focused on the heroic features of his beloved. His constant grin, the flushness of his face, how as the sky's color shifted slightly in the sun's starting descent, his beautiful fur matched the water's laying at the horizon.
Sonic turned to see him staring, blushing. "See something ya like, Shads?"
The hybrid made a face, choosing to turn away. "Quiet." He mumbled.
"Aw," Sonic moved, taking a hand in his. "Don't be all bashful."
"I am not," Shadow groaned, being tugged along by the hedgehog as they walked. His eyes fell to their conjoined hands, keeping pace with Sonic's speed wasn't difficult in concept for him, but his heart beating so fast at being so exposed hand in hand.
Shadow's face flushed with the tinting orange sky as they soon came to the edge of the low tide, the water gently swaying in their direction. The beach farther behind them, Shadow nearly collided with the hedgehog as he came to a stop.
Sonic held the hand tighter, now holding it in both hands with Shadow, his eyes straight ahead. The sea swayed in subtle rhythm, luscious seafoam color against the setting sun backdrop. "It's really nice out today." He hummed, sitting down on the sand and letting the silence follow.
Shadow stared past him, following to sit with his eyesight to the horizon. "Yes," He said, heart pounding bright as he dared to lean against and lay his cheek over the speedster's shoulder.
Sonic felt this, smiling as he turned to find Shadow half lidded gazing out over the dancing waves. "Relaxing isn't it?" He asked, chuckling at the passive hum of the hybrid nuzzling close. "I knew you'd dig it."
Shadow breathed in the salty air, exhaling the breath in a peaceful silence following Sonic's words. "Ya know, I started to miss being back home a few years back."
"Hmm?" Shadow turned to see Sonic, knees tucked under his chin.
"I was in a weird headspace," Sonic explained. "I dunno what it was, but I felt myself always thinking back to the greenhills, the purple seas. The sunset here always reminds me of times back home." He sighed, gaze falling to the water inches from them. "Then I started to remember the harder times, and ended up down this weird train of thought that would just exhaust me."
"…but then I'd remember how much of this planet's just like home," He smiled, turning to Shadow. "I'd think about the family I have here, the people I swore to protect, and yeah-some of it sucks here and there, but since coming to be here all that long ago I have this new appreciation for it all…ya know?"
Sonic then smiled wider. "Besides, you weren't there either. So I have to take points off."
Shadow eyed the speedster, his eyes scanning the other's. They held a sincerity his heart melted away from, pretty sparkling green's against the ocean waves before them gazing back and taking hold of his core. He noted the softness of the hedgehog's voice, choosing to quietly nod and squeeze the hand in his.
"I see." Shadow tried, turning to face the sparkling ocean. "That is…an introspection I'd never even consider."
"Why's that-oh," Sonic blushed. "Right…sorry."
Shadow nodded, thumb lightly caressing the hand in his. "It is alright. I do often think of how life would be had I emerged naturally…what I would be had my upbringing been authentic."
Sonic pursed his lips in thought. "You spoke once about how it was…up there." He pointed to the sky, implying the space station where the hybrid had been born.
The darker hedgehog sighed, chewing the inside of his cheek. Sonic saw this and panicked. "I-I don't mean to pry! Just, uh…making conver-"
"It wasn't as bad as I'm sure I first made it appear." Shadow interrupted, his voice calm. "I hadn't met The Doctor then, instead I was watched over by his grandfather. I was nearly fully grown by the time I had achieved consciousness. There was…"
He paused, a long stretch of time past allowing the sounds of the splashing waves and distant calls of seagulls to take over. Sonic held his hand, his grip giving little squeezes as he saw the hedgehog trying to arrange the right words.
"A girl," He finally said. "She acted as my caretaker, of sorts. Maria."
"I remember that name." Sonic said quietly, trying to tiptoe around the context that she was last mentioned. "I think you might have mentioned her in the past."
Shadow nodded, turning to stare at the water. "She taught me a great deal about these humans, about the world I only saw through a window haloed by millions of tiny stars. She told me about the many great people who lived there, about the many breathtaking sites," He sighed, turning to look up at the sky. "...and how one day we would both live amongst them."
Another pause, Sonic bit his lip. "I'm sorry." He felt a heavy guilt weighing in his chest at the ending of that particular story. "I didn't mean to-"
"There is…nothing to be sorry for, Sonic." Shadow shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. "What is interesting is I see similarities between you two."
Sonic's ears perked up. "R-Really?"
"Yes," Shadow unknowingly smiled, lost in the memory. "Both of you saw me as more than just myself. Saw me in a light I'd never considered in my own eyes, and I'll always be grateful for that."
Sonic heart gave way, the look in Shadow's face nearly took his breath away.
"However," Shadow turned back to the water. "I suppose you've had a more…explosive effect."
"Is that a good 'explosive'," Sonic asked, giving the hedgehog a poke. "Or like, irreversible damage 'explosive'?"
"I'll leave that for you to speculate." Shadow smirked, rising from the sand and dusting himself off. "You tend to leave a mark on most things you come in contact with."
Shadow held out a hand, the sun sat on the horizon between them. Sonic breath caught in his throat at Shadow being bathed in the sanguine sunlight as he took his hand and was tugged to his feet.
"You have…" Shadow paused, turning to the sand underneath them. "...an interesting way of sneaking into people's hearts."
Sonic's eyes widened, face burning bright as Shadow felt a deep panic in his chest. "Uh…'faker'," the hybrid attempted to cover for his near confession, foot tapping on the beach floor. "Maybe you're simply infectious."
"Too late, Shads." Sonic longingly smiled, eyes shimmering. "I never knew you could be so sweet."
Shadow's ears pinned down, biting his lip. "I…shut up."
"Make me." Sonic leaned in, nuzzling Shadow's cheek. "You're pretty infectious too, 'faker'."
"Don't mock me." Shadow groaned, pulling away to meet the speedster's eyes.
They stood like that, bathing in the setting sunlight. Sonic reached up to caress Shadow's cheek, the latter leaning into the touch.
"You wanna go to the club now?" Sonic asked, smiling at the display. "We could stay here a little while longer if you want."
"Hmm?" Shadow hummed, eyes still closed. "Quiet, you are ruining the moment."
"Oh am I?" Sonic patted the cheek, snickering. "Sorry about that."
He turned back to the waves, soon being met with arms wrapping around him once again.
