The silence is thick. Sonic groans quietly, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. Rouge really isn't going to let him off easy? Fine. They're just diving right in? Ok then. Bring it.
"Excuse me?"
"You seemed a little upset when Shadow was telling me goodbye."
Chaosshe's just going straight for the jugular. Hasn't Shadow scolded her on playing fair? Sonic feigns confusion the best he can. "What do you mean?"
"Liar."
It's one word. One word but it's spoken with such confidence that Sonic knows he shouldn't even bother.
"You seem to forget that reading people is part of what I do for a living." The bat gets up to pour them both a glass of water. "And you? You've never been a good liar so don't start now."
She passes Sonic his glass and takes her place on the love seat. Teal eyes look at him expectantly, waiting for him to say something. But he doesn't know what she wants.
"I don't know what you what me to say, Rouge. This whole thing is a bit weird for me, ya know?"
"Why?"
Sonic rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. "I dunno. I guess I haven't really felt this way before."
Rouge takes a sip of her water and then tilts her head. Sonic guesses that he better keep talking. At least Rouge with silent cues is easier to handle than the Rouge that implies she'd kill him if he breaks Shadow's heart. Like he even has a chance at that.
"I've never really paid attention to one person like this, I guess. I've thought girls were cute before and all that but it never went past that? With Shadow it's different. I... I really likehim."
Sonic's mouth feels dry. He didn't mean to say all that, but there's something about Rouge's steady gaze that makes him spill the beans.
"Tell me more." It's a gentle command. But a command nonetheless.
"I don't know. He's nice. He's a good racing and amazing fighter. And he's, like, super hot." Sonic blushes but he doesn't stop. It actually feels nice to say this all out loud. "I guess I just really like being around him? He's super smart but also kind of dumb and it's hilarious. He's got this super dorky laugh that's super cute and his eyes crinkle at the corners when he does it."
Sonic takes a few gulps of water. He knows he's rambling, but it feelsgood. It feels so relieving to just talk about Shadow and not have these thoughts bouncing around in his head.
"He can be a softy but he doesn't like people to know it. He's surprisingly good with kids even though he calls them gremlins. He can dance really well but barely does it which is ashamebecause I'd love to dance with a partner that can actually keep up. He's mean but it's mostly because he's unsure of how to talk to people so once you get past his shell he's actually way more chill. He was super awkward at first but now he gives the best hugs. He has the nicest smile so it sucks that I don't get to see it more. He's, like, really strong but he's never hurt me on purpose? Outside of the whole taking over the world and memory loss but that's whatever. His voice is, like, gruff in the right ways? And his..."
Sonic trails off, not wanting to reveal just how much he's been thinking of Shadow's body. That's where he draws the line, thank you very much. But hey, it's not his fault Shadow looks like that! The hybrid is pretty much perfect in every way. As if he were made for Sonic.
"So... yeah. I like him. Like,reallylike him."
"Hm." Rouge studies him for a few moments before leaning back. "You see him."
"Excuse me?"
What is it with Team Dark being cryptic? He always thought Rouge was the most conversational, but right now she's like a talking fortune cookie.
"You see him. Really see him." Rouge repeats, watching Sonic closely. He's uncomfortable under her gaze. It feels like she's dissecting him.
"I'm glad he has someone like you, hun." It's said so softly that he might have imagined it. "Shadow deserves to be seen. To be cared for."
"I care about him a lot," Sonic admits just as softly, "maybe too much."
"Is that why you got jealous?"
Sonic nearly drops his cup. "I didn't get jealous. That's crazy, Rouge." The easy flow of their conversation is shattered by his croak and it makes him cringe.
"Sure, Blue." It sounds a tad condescending, but is contrasted by a fond look. "Then why did you look like you were gonna bite my head off when we said goodbye?"
Sonic doesn't know what to say. He had been so careful. He's always so careful. Chill, fun guy Sonic is the only guy people need to see.
"You seem to be reluctant to share." Her tone is more friendly now, only lightly jabbing at his ego. "I'm not the jealous type, but I know it when I see it. You've got a case, hun."
"That's not what this is!" She doesn't believe him. "It's not, I just don't like when people touch him, that's all. And when he hangs out without me."
Great. Now Sonic sounds lovesickandcrazy. He grimaces. This is exactly why he didn't want to have these feelings. They change people. Usually for the worst.
Rouge's face turns soft. "It's ok, Blue. That shit is normal." He looks at her in disbelief and she smiles in return. "Trust me, what you think and feel might seem unfair, but what you do is what really matters."
Rouge places her water on the coffee table and shrugs. "So what, you get jealous. That's normal - healthy, even. Why does it have your panties all up in a twist?"
Sonic frowns. "Shadow is a person - a living, breathing person with his own thoughts and feelings. Me getting jealous means that I'm not seeing him that way. It means I don't respect him."
Rouge sighs, looking sad. "No, Blue. Just... no." She crosses her arms, thinking of what to say next. Sonic isn't sure she can say something that changes his mind.
"Look, I get why you think of it like that. Your reason is pink and chases you around and like the devil." Sonic narrows his eyes but doesn't comment. Yet.
Amy is... Amy isn't someone he wants to be around romantically, but she doesn't seem to care. Her jealousy - which seems to be brought on by anyone close to him - borders on murderous. It makes him uneasy.
"Pink isn't a good example of what love looks like. Honestly? She's pretty much everything youshouldn'tdo. No offense."
Sonic feels a flare of offense on Amy's behalf, but also feels... vindicated.
"Everyone always tells me how lucky I am to have her." He stares at his glass, feeling cold and bitter. "They say that I'll never find a girl as good as that."
Rouge wears a scowl. "First off, you've made it clear that you two aren't together so whoever is spouting that bullshit is dumb. Second, that's rude to for people to say to you. Amy is a sweet girl, but how she treats you is insanely unhealthy. A total disregard for your consent and violence if you don't comply isn't a standard anyone should have. If she can fix that, sure, she'd be a total catch. But I won't count my chickens before they hatchandthat doesn't matter, because you're not into her."
Sonic feels a sad smile form on his face. He wishes he could have heard that when he was a kid. "You're one of the few that sees it that way."
Rouge shakes her head, frowning. "I'm not. Trust me, there's more people in your corner than you realize. I think people consider Amy harmless, and by default how she acts is harmless. But that's just not true." She sighs, pressing fingers to her temple.
"Look, no one's perfect. But there's a clear line. I flirt around, but never to the point where it bothers the object of my affections. Confusion? Sure. But never discomfort."
Sonic thinks of Knuckles and snorts. Rouge did leave him dazed and confused a lot before they got together. But if he ever said that he didn't like something, she respected it. Other than stealing the Master Emerald, of course. He remembers that once Knuckles finally told Rouge, in all seriousness, to get lost and that her flirting was annoying. And she did. By the next week Knux was texting her on the daily, telling the bat that he missed her. Sonic used to think the whole thing was dumb, but now he gets it. It can be hard to figure out what you want, especially when you are caught off guard by your own feelings.
"Your pink friend isn't a bad person, ok? I'm not saying that. She's just been doing questionable things. And yeah, she's gotten better over the years but she still treats you like an accessory at times. And she still insists that you two have been dating for years now and it's kind of creepy."
Sonic whithers. "Tell me about it."
Rouge leans back into her chair, relaxing a bit. "So what does our favorite grump think about it?"
"Shads? He said I should give her an ultimatum. Either she accepts that we're just friends or she's cut off."
Rouge hums. "Doesn't sound bad. But that's not your style."
Sonic nods in agreement. "I know she'd take it hard and through it all she is my friend. I don't want to see her cry. Plus it's been this way for so long that I almost can't imagine things being different."
"Well, when you decide to make you and Krampus official you're going to have to do something. Shadow's the jealous type. I'm honestly surprised he didn't suggest killing her."
"She's my friend, he wouldn't dare." Sonic laughs, cheeks growing warm. "You really think he likes me?"
"Oh Iknowso." She's grinning and Sonic is glad that the mood is lighter. "I'm pretty sure he's waiting for you to make the first move. But maybe you should ask him yourself."
Sonic sticks out his tongue. "As if. Right now I'm trying to enjoy it. See where this thing goes."
"Who ever told you that gave you sound advice, if I do say so myself." She knows more than she's willing to tell, apparently. Sonic isn't sure he should ask. "Enjoy it. I know Shadow is. The best he can, anyway."
Blue ears perk up at that. He thinks Rouge is mistaken thinking Shadow likes him back. But itisnice to hear. He can enjoy little fantasies of them together, can't he?
"I'm sorry about earlier. I probably should have listened to you and how you feel before threatening you.Butin my defense I thought we were beyond the 'does he like me or not' phase. And Shadow is my best friend. So mama bear mode was activated."
"Yeah, thanks." Sonic's voice is flat. "I was thinking we did this backwards."
She raises from her chair and stretches, wings expanding from their folded position. "I've got to get things set up so I can open the club tonight, so this is where you leave, dear. But hey, quick tip?"
Sonic tilts his head for her to continue. "You may want to make your staring a bit more inconspicuous. You were pretty much eye fucking him earlier."
Rouge winks. Sonic wants to die.
Peach lips part on a sigh, green eyes fixed on the TV before them. Sonic's bored.
Sonic had left Rouge's in a hurry, not wanting to be at her mercy an longer. She would have kicked him to the curb if he lingered much longer anyways. Afterwards he ran into town, trying to find something to do. But everything just came up short.
He loitered around for an hour or so aimlessly, thinking back on earlier. That lunch really did a number on him. So he came to Tails' lab, only to find that the kid was too busy to hang out. Working on some project, or whatever. So Sonic did the next logical thing and laid on the couch, hoping to find something to watch.
But he's been flipping through the channels for ages now. He yawns, considering turning off the tv all together. Maybe he should take a nap and then go out for a run.
Something vibrates in his head quills, startling Sonic into a sitting position. He reaches in and pulls out his phone from where it's already been forgotten. Unlocking the screen he sees that he's gotten a new text. A text from Shadow.
Sonic is suddenly very much awake.
Shadz3«Hey.»
It's nothing special, but it makes Sonic giddy. Shadow texted him first! He scrambles to type a message back.
Me«heyyyyyy what u up 2 shads»
Almost instantly Sonic gets a reply. He's thanking all that's holy that Shadow is a fast texter.
Shadz3«Just work. Nothing extraordinary. You?»
Me«just chillin im tryin to watch tv but everything sux»
Me«shouldnt u be doin ur work old man :p»
Shadz3«This paperwork not so difficult that I cannot multitask. Besides, I would rather talk to you.»
Sonic grabs a pillow so he can scream into it. Shadow's just being nice, but it's driving Sonic crazy. In a good way. He feels nervous but excited, warm and tingly. The feeling is intoxicating.
They text back and forth for the rest of the afternoon. Tails even has to tell Sonic to put his phone down during dinner, tone teasing and eyes knowing. They talk about everything and nothing. Shadow suprises Sonic a few times by sending memes and the odd emoji. Somehow Sonic finds it cute.
It's nearly 8 PM when Shadow calls him.
Sonic screams. Again. Without a pillow, this time. It's high and shrill and not something he's proud of. He takes a deep breath before swiping to answer.
"Hey, Shads."
His voice is light and airy, it's tone rivaling Rouge's. Given how flighty he just felt he's surprised he can even manage to sound flirty.
"Hey, Sonic."
Shadow responds in kind and it makes Sonic's breath hitch. Wait. No. There's no way, Shadow's just playing along. It's their thing. They play off each other.
"What's up? I don't mind you calling but you said you have to bounce for Rouge's tonight so..."
"I do. I have about a minute to spare. I just wanted to hear your voice."
Sonic giggles, whole body feeling warm. "I thought you hated hearing me talk? Pick a narrative, you dork."
Shadow chuckles lightly and it sends shivers down Sonic's spine. "The words you pick are stupid and annoying. But your voice is nice. Really nice."
How does a compliment like that make Sonic feel like he's soaring? He has no clue. It's not the most eloquent but it's sincere.
"Thanks, Shads. You're not too bad yourself."
Shadow hums, and having that lovely sound right in his ear is enough to make Sonic's knees like jelly. Shadow sighs andthatnoise makes his blood run hot.
"I've got to go. I just clocked out here and now I have to head to Rouge's. Text me any time, as long it's not too stupid, got it? Text before you want to call, so I can actually see if that's possible."
"Yeah, yeah. Have a fun time bouncing, short stack."
Shadow hangs up on a grumble and Sonic is buzzing with energy. He just feels sogoodand his legs are aching for a run. He dashes out the house and hits the road. Sonic runs until the sun comes up and that's when he heads home, collapsing into his bed.
He dreams of ruby eyes and rough hands, sweet words spoken against flushed skin.