As if the universe wanted to torment him even more, Sonic heard Shadow's boots tread behind him before he turned to face the captain. "I overheard," Shadow said with a disapproving frown. "Jet's very opportunistic. I suggest you take caution."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that out," Sonic said with a smirk. "I'll be fine though. He won't catch me by surprise again."

Shadow hummed in hesitant thought, then was silent for a long moment. Sonic's heartbeat sped up, nerves jolting and fluttering as the quiet dragged on. Finally, Shadow said, "Were you able to sleep last night after the chaos?"

Sonic nodded. "Yep. Not as much as I might have liked, but eh," he said. "Why?"

Shadow smiled softly, sending Sonic's stomach into a somersault. "Just checking," he said. "And… it seemed like there was… another reason… you couldn't sleep. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Sonic felt his cheeks warm. "I'm fine," he said with a nervous chuckle. "I'd just been thinking about stuff, that's all… You haven't told Amy about what I said, have you?"

Shadow shook his head. "No, I haven't," he confirmed, and Sonic sighed with relief. "I realize that… I perhaps shouldn't have pushed you to reveal those feelings to me. I understand why you wanted to keep them to yourself."

"I mean, you didn't act all that surprised," Sonic said. "And I saw where you were coming from. I'd probably be on edge too if I were in your shoes."

"That doesn't make what I did right… I'm sorry."

Sonic smiled. "It's fine," he said. "And hey, at least you're being nice about me falling for you."

Shadow frowned. "I already said that Tangle and Whisper are a couple, didn't I?" he said. "Besides, it would be sort of hypocritical of me anyway. I've fancied some men myself."

"Oh," Sonic said, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "I… didn't expect that."

Shadow snorted a little laugh. "Didn't think you would," he said. "You're a little oblivious."

"I am not!"

"You're also terrible at hiding your emotions," Shadow said. "You look at me the same way you look at Rose."

Sonic winced. "That's probably not a good thing," he said. "She probably already knows then. And I… I really don't want you guys to feel like I'm stepping on your relationship. You guys are happy, and even though we haven't known each other for long—"

"You're not, Sonic," Shadow interrupted, his expression more neutral now. "I understand. But I don't want you to feel like you can't be honest either."

"Right," Sonic agreed, but guilt still swirled in his stomach.

It seemed that Shadow could see this too, because he put both hands on Sonic's shoulders and said, "Look at me, Sonic." Sonic's gaze met Shadow's deep crimson eyes, and there was something in those eyes Sonic had never seen before, but it loosened the knot in his gut just a little.

Trust.

"You're not stepping on anything by being honest," Shadow said. "It's alright."

Sonic nodded, Shadow's words putting him more at ease. Shadow's hands lingered on his shoulders for a moment, then he gently dropped them to his sides, lowering his gaze. "Please," he said. "Just… don't lie to me."

"I don't lie," Sonic said. "Especially not to my friends. And at the very least, you and Amy are my friends now." He smirked and added, "Whether you like it or not."

Shadow rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Whatever," he said. "Now get down below and help Silver man the oars."

Sonic mock-saluted, then with one last smirk, turned away from Shadow, heading below deck.

Sonic wandered further into the belly of the ship, until he heard a loud grunt and followed it to find Silver, sweat beading on his face as the oars pushed through the water outside. Each oar was surrounded by a teal aura, and Sonic approached Silver with a sympathetic look. "Need any help?" he asked.

Silver turned to look at him tensely, groaning with the effort, and Sonic didn't even wait for him to speak before he began darting back and forth between each row of oars. He pushed each one with just enough force to make a single stroke in the water before darting to its counterpart on the opposite side of the hull.

However, this wasn't making very much progress, and even Sonic was getting a little tired out. So he switched tactics. "You take that side," Sonic said, pointing to the oars on the starboard side, "And I'll take these."

Silver nodded and started pushing the oars with his magic, leaving Sonic to push each of the others in rapid succession. This worked much better, and it was much easier on them both.

It wasn't until a few hours later that Amy finally came in and found them still going, but just barely. Sonic could have kept going for another hour or so, but Silver's grimace told him that he needed a break. So they both stopped, Silver holding his head as he flopped down on the floor.

"Oh my goodness, are you alright, Silver?" Amy asked, rushing forward. Sonic could see her arms reaching out to fuss over him like she did with everyone on the ship, but Silver held up a hand to stop her.

"I'm fine," he said. "This is normal. I just need rest." They heard a growl come from his stomach and he laughed despite his pain. "And food."

"Well, lucky for you guys, I brought a couple apples from storage," Amy said, handing a smooth red fruit to each of them, first Silver, then Sonic.

Sonic's stomach fluttered when their fingers brushed gently, and Amy's hand lingered there for a moment before she quickly pulled it away. She smiled at him awkwardly, and Sonic returned an awkward smile of his own as he fought off the disappointment weighing in his chest.

He didn't know if he was more sad or glad to be leaving soon.

Amy retreated back to the deck, leaving Sonic and Silver to eat their apples in silence. Sonic only ate about half of his before he felt like if he ate another bite it would make a reappearance, so he gave the remaining half to Silver, who looked at him questioningly. "Are you well?" he asked.

Sonic sighed and shrugged, giving a helpless little laugh. "I don't know," he said. "But I know I need to get off this boat and find my siblings."

Silver nodded. "I agree," he said with a sigh. "But I think there is… something else. You seem… troubled." He looked at Sonic with concern. "Can I ask what is wrong?"

"You can't tell?" Sonic said, laughing again. "Apparently Shadow figured it out from the get-go."

"That you are falling in love with Rosy?" Silver asked. "Because yes, that's obvious, but I don't see much of a problem…"

Sonic sighed. "She and the captain are together," he said.

"So?" Silver replied, and Sonic's eyes widened. "You are not trying to make moves. If you have a lover on land, she shouldn't be upset as long as you don't go too far."

Sonic huffed a little laugh. "You're… surprisingly naïve," he said. "If only it were that simple."

Silver blushed, looking away sadly. "Blaze used to tell me that a lot too…" he said. "But maybe if you explained deeper I could help?"

Sonic hesitated, then finally told him about the turmoil in his head. His feelings for Sally, for Amy, and even Shadow were laid bare before the other hedgehog, who seemed a little startled when he mentioned Shadow, but otherwise unbothered.

When Sonic finished, Silver whistled. "Cé un grosso problema…" Sonic heard him say. "Do any of them know about this?"

"Shadow knows," Sonic replied. "And Amy probably already knows too. Sally… She probably knew before the last time I saw her, but she definitely knows now."

Silver nodded, absently spinning his apple cores in the air with his magic as he drifted into thought. "Well, none of them seem to mind very bad," he finally said. "I don't think you need to worry about it so much."

"You're probably right," Sonic said, standing up. "I'm probably just getting stir-crazy. I've never liked boats much." He moved back towards the oars. "Ready to get back to work?"

Silver nodded and tossed his apple cores out a porthole and picked up his half of the oars, rowing them at the same pace as Sonic, whose thoughts were swirling in his head, though not as badly as before. Talking about it had helped, though soon enough he'd be leaving, and none of it would matter.

A few nights later during supper, Shadow announced that thanks to Sonic and Silver's rowing speed, they would be back to South Island by morning. They'd arrive at port and leave the ship at the dock.

Of course, Jet didn't like this, and he said so rather colorfully. Shadow ignored him, which only served to anger him even more. No one else really seemed to care, save Tangle and Whisper, who looked at each other nervously. Sonic knew they couldn't have been anxious to get back to shore, where more people would rather see them hanged than not.

It struck Sonic that that now applied to him in a way. He'd never been bothered by couples of the same gender, but now… he wasn't part of one of those couples, but he had caught feelings for a man. But he was sure that he liked women as well, or he wouldn't have been so hung up on Sally and Amy. But what did that make him?

He decided he wouldn't speak of it when they went to port. And he hoped Tangle and Whisper would be alright when they disembarked as well.

Then it hit Sonic that this was going to be his last night on the ship. His last night with everyone here. Come morning it would only be him and Silver heading towards the camp to rescue Sonia and Blaze. Shadow had his own quest to carry out, and no doubt Amy would be going with him.

He'd never see any of them again, and the thought alone made his chest ache.

Sonic looked around the room, finding Tails in his corner, though he wasn't hiding behind his tails as much as he had been a week ago. Shadow and Amy stood near the wood stove, talking seriously to each other. Tangle and Whisper sat next to each other, Whisper leaning her head on Tangle's shoulder and grasping her hand, and Tangle stroking the hair on her head softly.

Jet's trio sat apart from the group, and Sonic could practically feel Jet's furious glare directed at him. Sonic certainly wouldn't miss him. And Bean and Bark were too busy stuffing their faces to care about what was going on around them. He wouldn't miss them terribly either, but he didn't hate them.

But it was Tails, Amy, and Shadow whom he would miss the most.

"Hey," came a voice from Sonic's left side, and he turned his head to find Amy sitting next to him. "You excited to get back on land?" she asked.

Sonic chuckled nervously and shrugged. "I mean, I guess so," he said. "I'm excited to get off the floating death trap, that's for sure."

Amy snorted and punched him playfully in the arm. "Watch it, if the captain hears that he'll stick you on the prow with the barnacles," she teased. Then her smile melted a little. "How are you really feeling though?"

Sonic shrugged again. "I don't know," he said. "I guess… relieved? But… I'm gonna miss you and the cool people around here."

Amy's eyes widened. "But you've only been here for a couple weeks," she said. "I… I doubt you'll miss us that much."

Sonic smiled ruefully. "What can I say? I make friends as fast as I run… And to be honest, meeting you guys has been amazing. I feel like… having met you all, I might actually have a chance of freeing my siblings and my other friends. Especially if Shadow goes after Kintobor. I don't think Martin can stop him." He shifted, turning to face Amy fully. "And you've been… I don't even know how to explain it. You've vouched for me and just… you've been an awesome friend, even if we haven't known each other very long."

You made me fall for you after knowing you for all of five minutes.

Amy's cheeks flushed red, and she smiled bashfully. "I… that's so sweet, Sonic," she said. "I'm… I'm going to miss you too. Maybe… after you save your siblings and we depose Kintobor… you could come back?" She looked at him hopefully.

Sonic hesitated. Would they ever cross paths again? Would they even succeed like what Amy was talking about? What stood waiting for him on the other side of this?

"I don't know," he said honestly, and his heart broke as her smile faded. "If… it's possible, I would. But I don't know."

Amy nodded, turning her gaze away from him. "Well… I hope you can," she said. "Don't forget us, okay?"

Sonic chuckled. "I could never," he said.

Amy smiled, then stood up, waving a little goodbye, unknowingly pulling a little piece of Sonic's heart with her as she walked out of the room and up onto the deck.

Just then, Sonic caught sight of Shadow walking over and sighed. More goodbyes… yippee…

Shadow knelt down in front of him. "You ready to leave?" he asked.

Sonic shrugged. "I guess so," he said, trying to keep up a smile. "Are you that ready to get rid of me?"

Shadow rolled his eyes. "You've been a nuisance, turning my world upside down… but you're always welcome on my ship. Unless you seriously fuck up, then you know I will throw you overboard." He smiled a little.

Sonic laughed. "I know," he said. "I won't. I'll just keep dancing the line between annoying and lovable."

Shadow's smile widened, and he snorted a laugh as he once again rolled his eyes. "Sure," he said. "Good luck with that." Then his smile faded, and he looked almost a little sad. "Seriously though… I hope you come back."

Sonic felt his cheeks warm, and he averted his gaze. "Geez, didn't think you'd be this mushy," he said with a nervous chuckle. "I kind of figured with Amy, but with you… Why would you still want me on board knowing that…?"

"That you like Rose and I?" Shadow finished. He sighed. "Sonic, we've been over this. I don't mind. I only care that you're honest. And, without you, I'd still be floating out on the sea oblivious to Kintobor's actions."

"Still," Sonic said. "I feel guilty about… wishing things were different. I don't even know what I wish for, but I wish I could… I don't know, be with both of you or something and have it be okay."

Now it was Shadow's turn to blush. "You… really wish that?" he asked.

Sonic's heart started racing as he replayed his words in his mind. He'd actually said that. That stupid, idiotic sentence had left his mouth.

He panicked and laughed. "I don't know," he said. "It was just a stupid thought."

Shadow looked at him for a moment, but didn't push it, thank Gaia. Instead, he finally stood. "I'll see you in the morning," he said. "Good night, hedgehog."

"'Night, cap'n," Sonic replied, watching as Shadow left, likely to retire to his quarters for the night. Sonic sighed, burying his face in his hands. Stupid. Why had he let that come out of his mouth?

He sighed, his cheeks still burning in embarrassment as he dropped his hands and stood up. It was getting late, and he didn't want to say any more goodbyes tonight. But before he could reach the stairs leading to the deck, someone caught him by the arm.

He turned, and his expression soured as realized it was Jet. "What do you want?" he groaned.

"I want to know how you've managed to needle your way into the captain's good graces in a week when it took the rest of us months," Jet said, blue eyes storming as he glared at Sonic. "Huh? Why are you suddenly Shadow's new pet?"

Sonic wrenched his arm from Jet's grip. "I'm not his pet," he said. "I'm just not as much of a jerk as you." He smirked as Jet's expression changed from irritation to fury. And with that, he turned and left, heading back up to the beam he liked to sleep on.

His heart was heavy as he curled up beneath the blanket Amy had given him one last time and closed his eyes, falling asleep in moments.