Rapid beeping wakes Sonic from his nap. He stretches, peach arms reaching towards a clear sky. Napping under the mid morning sun was a great call. Sonic taps his communicator to stop the alarm. He's slept well past noon, he realizes with yawn. Honestly, he doesn't think it was long enough but hey. Normally he wouldn't even set an alarm but today is a little different.
Sonic and Tails are supposed to go to a book signing today. It's for Tails, mostly. While both of them could be called bookworms, their tastes are incredibly different. Sonic loves fantasy and adventure, while Tails prefers nonfiction that helps him increase his already impressive knowledge. Sonic has no clue what this book is even about, other that it isverysciencey and had Tails gushing over quantum mechanics for weeks. Even so, Sonic was excited to spend time with Tails and engage in his brother's interests. Plus he had promised to get a copy signed for Shadow as well.
Sonic sighs at the thought. The three of them had planned to go all together, but as usual a mission from GUN had to ruin the fun.
Heh. That rhymes.
Shadow was disappointed - livid is more like it - when the Commander had assigned him a mission that would begin at the same time of the signing. How convenient. Shadow had asked Sonic to get a signed copy with droopy ears and a pout after his shouting match with the Commander was over. So of course Sonic said yes. He would have said yes regardless - obviously - but normally he would tease Shadow relentlessly. That time he just couldn't. Shadow had looked socuteand dejected. Sonic couldn't bear the thought of making Shadow feeling worse. Sonic remembers pulling the hybrid into a hug, carefully rubbing small circles on his muscular back to help calm him. He remembers how tightly Shadow had hugged him back.
Sonic knows it's important but he hates how GUN snatches Shadow away constantly. The hybrid hardly ever gets time off, and Sonic wishes he could see him more. Sure, they race and brawl and watch movies and play video games when they can but he wants... more. Somehow. And Sonic knows Tails was just as disappointed as he was.
Sonic thinks on that with a frown.
The friendship between Shadow and Tails was an unexpected surprise. The two had always interacted civil enough when Sonic brought Shadow around, but it wasn't until the semester started that they started talking regularly. The two had coincidentally signed up for the same course at the University, and had become lab partners.
Tails was in constant pursuit of more knowledge and Sonic was more than willing to use what money he earned through sponsors and gifts for his crime fighting to help his brother do just that. Sometimes the fox would take courses at the community colleges, other times the University. Shadow took mainly online courses, also wanting to learn more about nearly everything, but had apparently wanted a hands on experience for a change. The two bonded over their coursework and eventually began to talk outside of class and their hangouts with Sonic. Tails finally had someone that could keep up with his intellect, and Sonic knows how valuable that comrodory can be. He's happy for Tails, really.
He just gets a bit irked at how easy their friendship seems to be.
Just a few days after this course started the two had already exchanged numbers. After a few weeks they were hanging out. It's not like Sonic was nearly impaled the first time he asked Shadow to play video games. It's whatever.
Sonic still remembers how shocked he was to run to Tails' home after a sparring session with Knuckles and find Shadow sitting on the living room floor, a slice of pizza in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. The two had started work on a project - of what kind Sonic still has no clue - with Tails leading the endeavor. Tails was giving the striped hedgehog instructions - and heactuallylistened! The notoriously cranky and self motivated Shadow the Hedgehog was taking orders from a 16 year old kid and not even batting an eye. Also minimal complaints.
It wasreallyannoying.
Shadow never listened to him like that. Shadow hated being told to do! He was so sure of himself, or so untrusting of others that he'd rather risk dying than to follow someone else. Sonic understands why, but it still stings. Sonic remembers teasing him, only for the hybrid to shrug and say that Tails 'reminds him of someone.'
That had made Sonic feel incredibly sad and proud and - as ashamed as he is about it - irritated.
He guesses it's fair that Shadow sees a bit of Maria in Tails. From what he's been told by Shadow the two have similarities. Sharp wits, sharper intellect, blue eyes, kind souls, and incredible loyalty. Maria was Shadow's first - and for quite some timeonly- friend. She was his older sister and someone Shadow stills admires and strives to honor. To know that she meant so much to hybrid and that Shadow sees that same spark in his brother makes Sonic incredibly proud. But a strange feeling lurks in his chest when he thinks about it.
He knows that Shadow respects him, but he wishes he was regarded as highly. And he really wishes that Shadow would trust him like that. Yeah yeah, he has Shadow's trust now and it wasdefinitelyhard earned but... Sonic doesn't know. He sees how easily Shadow lets Tails behind the walls that Sonic had fought tooth and nail to climb and it justbothershim. It's a feeling he can't name and he hates the way it takes hold of him, the way it claws at his chest and makes it hard to think of anything else. It's maddening.
Enough of that.
Sonic shakes his head, trying to get a fresh start. He doesn't want to dwell on it. Thoughts like these are only gonna slow him down. He's got no time for that.
Rising to his feet, Sonic stretches lightly before taking off. Shadow always scolds him when he doesn't stretch. He dashes to Tails' house, eager to get his mind off Shadow.
Sonic skids to a stop in front of Tails' house. He knocks and waits a few seconds before opening the door. It's just a formality anyway. The kid won't mind Sonic letting himself in.
"Hey, Tails!"
To Sonic's surprise there is no answer from his best friend. Tapping his foot on the hardwood floor, he wonders where Tails could be. The lab is the obvious choice, but nope. He checked. Its empty and all his tools are in place. Even the computer monitor is cold. His room? Nah. The garden? Nada. Sonic sits on the couch after checking each room for a third time. He tries to wait but gets bored when he finds nothing worth watching on the TV. Just as he decides to call Tails on his communicator, the front door opens to reveal the very kid. And oh, is that a doggie bag?
"Tails!" As fast as his name suggests Sonic pulls him into a warm hug. "Where were you, little buddy? I was waiting forever!"
Tails laughs and holds Sonic close with one arm. "Well, according to my security system the front door opened 7 minutes ago."
"See? Forever." With a twirl and a flash of cobalt, Sonic is sitting at the table. "So," the hedgehog croons, "What did you bring me? It smells delicious!"
"Oh! Shadow bought me - well I guess I should say us - lunch!"
Blue eyebrows launch high while Tails takes a food box from the paper bag. "You guys had lunch?"
"Yeah, after class Shadow asked if I wanted to grab a bite. Isn't that nice? We went to this cafe just off campus. He said that it's one of Rouge's favorite places. I think it's called Rainy Day Cafe? It was so good! They have the best mac and cheese!"
"Hmm."
Sonic feels... weird. On one hand, he's super glad that someone got Tails to eat a meal at a reasonable time. Even he couldn't do that on a regular basis. He's even glad that Tails and Shadow are getting along - really well, apparently.
On the other hand, they just casually got lunch? It took Sonic forever to get Shadow to have a meal with him! Years! It took literal years, but Tails achieved the same in, what, a few days? Ok, so a semester isn't a few days but still! But wait, Shadow was supposed to busy with GUN, right?
"I thought Shadow had some mission? That's why he can't make it to the book signing?"
Tails plates Sonic's food while he explains. "Yeah, but he said he had time for a quick bite. Something about not wanting to go in hungry. Plus we discussed the midterm so he called it a 'working' lunch."
Irritation bubbles under Sonic's skin and he decides that he doesnotlike it. But he can't help it. They could have invited him. Sure, he wouldn't have understood everything they talked about but he would've liked to be there. Wouldn't Shadow have enjoyed his company too? He taps his fingers on the table and tries to not let his brother notice his sour mood.
"That's awesome, Tails. Is this what you had left over?"
"Nah, Idestroyedmy lunch. And dessert." Tails grins and Sonic again feels that sharp sting of... something. Shadow never lets him order sweets, not without making Sonic pay for it, anyway.
"This is something Shadow ordered for you. He figured that if I didnt cook for you that you'd eat chili dogs again. He said you need to eat more vegetables and less processed meats."
"I'm guessing that's the censored version?"
"Yup."
Despite the jab at his total normal diet Sonic feels his heart flutter. Shadow ordered something for him? That was so thoughtful and sweet! But vegetables? BLEH. Sonic eyes the plate suspiciously. There seems to be plenty of them and that makes Sonic frown. It's a sandwhich? Sonic has never seen a sandwhich with bread like that. But it smells delicious. Savory and spicy? And Sonic has to admit, it doesn't look half bad either.
"You said he ordered this for me?"
"Yeah! He said that you'd like it. He said that if you don't like it after at least two bites then he'd count it as a loss."
Again, blue eyebrows raise. Shadow,willinglyadmitting defeat? He must be awfully confident. Sonic cant fight the grin that finds it place on his face. Well, might as well take the plunge. He isn't one to shy away from a challenge anyways. Raising the sandwich to his mouth, Sonic takes a small experimental bite. And then a big one soon after. And another. And another.
It's sogood. There's chicken and cheese and some sort of sauce that packs a punch. There's also corn (on a sandwhich? Ok then), onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. He didn't know that they could taste this good outside of chili. Crisp laughter knocks him out of his trance. His mouth is still stuffed with food when he asks Tails, "What?"
Tails giggles even more, and wait, is he recording him?! "Shadow wassoright! He's got to see this!"
Sonic leaps out of his chair and rushes to grab Tails' phone. With a laugh of his own he snatches it from his brother's hand. But before Sonic can put a stop to it, he sees that the video has already been sent. He looks up only to find a smug grin on Tails' face.
"Did you really think I would send the videoaftertelling you about it?" Tails scoffs. "Come on, Sonic. I didn't forget that you have super speed."
"Betrayed! By my own brother!" Sonic cries, falling to the floor while clutching Tails' phone to his chest.
"Nice fall, drama queen."
"Thanks, I've been practicing" Sonic giggles, momentarily distracted. But just as fast the thought that Shadow is probably laughing at him right now plagues his mind.
Oh no.
Sonic feels his stomach drop. This is so embarrassing! Sonic can't stop thinking about it. On one hand, Sonic knows it not serious. It's honestly funny, even at it's at his expense. He's bounced back from worse. But the other hand can't stop fidgeting and wondering what on Mobius Shadow will think of this. Somehow the thought of that makes Sonic feel more upset than he would think. Shadow hasn't been mean to him in a long time, wouldn't be now, so Sonic doesn't know why he cares.
Is that even what he's worried about?
A vibration in his hand shakes Sonic out of his thoughts, only to plunge him back in deeper than before when he sees Shadow's response.
Shadow«Haha. Cute.»
Sonic's face isburning.
CUTE? Shadow thinks he's cute? The Ultimate Lifeform,theShadow the Hedgehog, thinks he's cute? Sonic smothers an elated shriek before it can leave his mouth.
"Hey, are you ok?" Concerned blue eyes make their way into Sonic's view. Sonic can only nod. Tails takes back his phone and looks to see what got Sonic, the most lax person he knows, so flustered. Sonic covers his face with his hands but can't stop his heart from hammering in his chest. And he can't stop smiling! Cute! Shadow said he was cute!
"Geez, Sonic," Tails laughs, "you must have it real bad to be so worked up over this."
Um. Hold up. What?
Immediately Sonic sits up from the ground, his smile replaced by a frown. "Got what? What are you talking about?" Tails is surprised for a moment, before a knowing look takes over his features. "Well... you know..."
Sonic tilts his head to the side, ears pressing against his skull. What the heck is Tails talking about? "Um. No I don't, buddy. Can you explain?"
Tails tilts his head as well, unconsciously mirroring Sonic's confusion. "I'm talking about your crush."
"What?" Nervous laughter escapes Sonic before he can stop it. "What? That's crazy, Tails! I thought I was the funny one."
Tails frowns and raises an eyebrow. "You don't have to hide it from me? You can deny it all you want and I can respect that, but honestly? You have a crush. I know because I know you better than anyone." Tails pauses, considering. "Well,almost."
Sonic raises to his feet. What did Tails mean by that? Sonic just stares, words forming in his head but not leaving his mouth. Tails takes his silence as a cue to keep talking.
Slowly, like he is trying to not spook Sonic even more, Tails continues. "You're my best friend, my brother, and I just want you to be happy. The time you spend with Shadow is the happiest I've ever seen you. You value his opinion above all others and you talk about him constantly. You're always hanging out with him and you seem so sad when he's away on his missions. I just think that your feelings for him became more than just friendly a long time ago."
Sonic is quiet. Oh chaos.
There were signs, sure, but Sonic had tried to ignore them. He didn't want to admit them, but now? Sonic has no choice. The desire to be near the hybrid all the time, his... appreciation for Shadow's looks, his longing for company when they are apart. These feelings that claw at his heart from time to time. The way he feels about Shadow is totally normal - just not in a way he wants. No way. No.No way!
"Oh chaos."
Tails' frown grows. "What?"
"Oh chaos," Sonic repeats in a whisper. "Oh chaos. Are you kidding me?" He groans and looks to Tails. Sonic's muzzle is bright red as green meets blue.
"How long have I had a crush on Shadow?"