The semi-damp towel flew off the cobalt hedgehog as he leapt at Shadow and grabbed the sketch book out of his hands. He visibly relaxed as emerald eyes saw that the other hadn't gotten to a certain part in the book. "Where did you get this?"

Shadow was slightly surprised at the cobalt's sudden attack and allowed him to snatch the sketch book out of his hands. The ebony hedgehog crossed his arms across his chest and watched the other male closely. "I found it in the bookcase. You know, the place where you store books." Shadow's voice dripped in sarcasm.

Sonic's face turned red, and he hugged the sketch book to his body, as if to protect it from the ebony hedgehog. "I know that! I was wondering why you would look in it in the first place!"

Ruby eyes rolled." It was a sketch book hidden behind hundreds of comic books. How could I not be interested?"

The cobalt hedgehog huffed and pushed past Shadow to get to his bookcase. The ebony hedgehog's breath hitched as Sonic's arm brushed his and he moved away before the cobalt hedgehog noticed the sudden change in his breathing patterns. Sonic placed the sketch book back in its hiding place and turned back to other male hedgehog. "Shadow could you please keep this a secret from the others?"

"Why? They are quite good." Damn… Did I really just say that?

Sonic looked surprised by the other's complement and he should have been, Shadow never complemented people. "Wow… Thanks Shadow… Um…"

"Yes, I'll keep it a secret," Shadow quickly said to cover up his earlier statement.

The cobalt hedgehog perked up. "Great! Are you ready to go?"

"Yes-"Shadow had barely gotten the simple word out before the hyper blue hedgehog pulled him out of the room and then the house. Again, the ebony hedgehog noticed that Sonic didn't lock his door before he left but shrugged. They were halfway through Station Square before Shadow noticed that his and Sonic's hands were still linked together. The ebony hedgehog face became red and he looked down so he wouldn't return the gazes of the city's residents.

The two hedgehogs made it to the edge of the city, and Sonic let go of his grip on the other hedgehog. "Alright, Shadow, just follow me." His signature grin appeared on his face. "Catch me if you can, faker!" He took off in a gust of wind and into the awaiting forest ahead with Shadow following closely behind him.

The cobalt hedgehog kept his speed just under the speed of sound so his companion could follow him. Shadow allowed the other a couple feet ahead of him and kept his eyes glued on the other hedgehog so if, Sonic would suddenly turn, he would see it. No matter how hard the ebony hedgehog tried, his ruby eyes always found the other's backside. Soon, Shadow just gave up and roamed over the cobalt's sleek body.

Sonic was like a work of art while he ran; muscles contracting and retracting with every step and movement. Soft blue quills flowed with the wind and, if Shadow could see them, Sonic's emerald eyes would probably be twinkling with life. The ebony hedgehog felt a twinge of jealousy at something that would make the cobalt so happy but quickly pushed it away. Running was Sonic's life; he couldn't take that away, no matter how much he wanted to be that joy. Without running Sonic, would just be an empty shell of his former self; one without any emotion. Shadow would rather kill himself than let the cobalt be like that and felt uncontrollable rage enter his body. The damn squirrel, Sally, was the cause of his sudden rage. The damn squirrel was trying to do just that, take away the one thing that Sonic was named for. It would kill him and she wouldn't care since it satisfied her needs.

"We're here, Shads!" Sonic's voice pulled Shadow out of his ranting, and he skidded to a stop next to the other hedgehog. The ebony hedgehog gasped at what he saw, "You like it? I come here all the time to think."

Shadow took a couple steps forward and tried to capture everything forever in his mind. Without his knowledge, the trees had turned into sakura blossoms and were in full bloom. The light pink petals danced in the wind and flew over the large field of pure white daisies. The sun shone brightly overhead, and the sky was the same coloring of his crush, and just for that second, a content smile slipped on his face.

Sonic walked up next to the mesmerized hedgehog." So, what do you think?"

"It's… beautiful," Shadow said like he was out of breath.

"It sure is," but Sonic wasn't looking at the clearing. "Come on," the cobalt hedgehog grabbed one of Shadow's black and red arms, "let's go sit." Both the hedgehogs walked over to one of the many sakura blossoms and sat under the flowering buds.

Shadow yawned and leaned against the trunk. He didn't get much sleep last night from the party and Sonic's banging, and he felt himself drifting off. The warm spring air, soft breeze, sweet smell of daisies and sakura blossoms and lack of sleep finally pushed the ebony hedgehog off the edge, and he drifted off to asleep.

*Ombra d'amore*

"Sha… Shad…. Shadow… Shadow, wake up." The ebony hedgehog was nudged awake and he yawned before cuddling into his warm pillow. Some chuckling, "I never knew you were so cuddly, Shads."

The black and red hedgehog snapped his eyes open and saw blue and peach in his view. He looked up and saw the smiling face of none other than Sonic the Hedgehog. His so-called 'warm pillow' was the blue hero himself. Shadow jumped back from the cobalt hedgehog; his face was completely tomato red.

"Did you enjoy your nap, Shads?" Sonic said as if the ebony hedgehog hadn't used him as a pillow.

Shadow turned away and showed his back to the cobalt hedgehog. "Ahhh, yeah…"

Sonic moved over to his companion and leaned his back against the other's, "You must have been very tired, you slept the entire day away." Shadow looked up, and sure enough, the bright blue sky had darkened. The sky had turned red, pink, and purple from the setting sun, and the warm feeling from before had disappeared, and a slight chill had replaced it. "Come on." The cobalt hedgehog got up. "There's one more place I want to go to before the day is over."

The ebony hedgehog got up from the patted down grass they were sitting on and shook off the pink petals that had landed on him while he was sleeping. Sonic was waiting for him at the edge of the forest; his foot tapped slightly as he waited for his companion. Shadow jogged over and told Sonic that he was ready to go.

"Wait a sec," the cobalt hedgehog said and one of his gloved hands reached over and grabbed at Shadow's chest fur. The ebony hedgehog sucked in his breath and squeezed his eyes shut as he waited for the hand to make its way over to him. Only, it never did. Shadow cracked open one of his eyes and saw Sonic was holding something in his hand. "You missed one, Shads," and the cobalt hedgehog opened his hand and let the lone sakura blossom petal fly away in the wind.

Shadow huffed at his stupidity and crossed his arms across his chest, "Are we ready to go now?"

Sonic chuckled, "Looks like I'm not the only impatient hedgehog here."

"Shut up and let's go already." The cobalt hedgehog chuckled again and raced into the forest. Shadow took one last look at the beautiful field and followed after. The ebony hedgehog glided up beside Sonic. "How about a race back to the city?"

The blue hero's famous grin flashed on his face and his eyes started to sparkle in delight. "You bet! You know I'm always up for a race!"

They locked eyes, grinned and broke the sound barrier. Two loud sonic booms shook the area, and a blue and yellow blur raced through the forest. Shadow scorched the ground with every glide and Sonic sounded like thousands of drums pounding at once.

The ebony hedgehog was in pure bliss; no sounds but the swishing of his shoes and beating of Sonic's came through the barrier. Various shades of green and brown flew past him in a display of amazing colors. Shadow looked to his side to see where his racing partner was and was surprised to find the cobalt hedgehog neither beside him nor in front of him. The ebony hedgehog carelessly looked behind him for a second and saw his partner about a foot behind him. Shadow looked back to his front so he wouldn't run into anything and was confused on why the other was behind him. Neither one of them were even close to their max speeds, and Sonic would never let him go in front of him, so… why was the blue hero behind him?

Shadow started to wonder on why this might have been and tried to figure something out to get the other to actually race him. An idea struck the ebony hedgehog, and he sped up a notch. He felt Sonic speed up as well and was disappointed when the other was still a foot behind him. So he decided to do something else and slowed down so he was next to the other hedgehog. "Why aren't you racing me?" Shadow didn't have to yell since they were still in the sound barrier.

"Huh?" Sonic seemed to get out of a trance at the sound of the artificial hedgehog's voice. "Oh, hey Shads."

Shadow closely studies the other hedgehog. "You aren't even trying to beat me faker."

The cobalt hedgehog huffed and turned red. "I am so! I was just… just conserving my energy! Yeah, that!"

"Really?" You could clearly hear the sarcasm in Shadow's voice.

"Yes! What else would I be doing?" There was a twinge of fear in the blue hero's voice, but Shadow passed it off as nothing.

"Whatever you say, faker," and the ebony hedgehog took off. Sonic came up from beside him and edged ahead a couple inches. Is he finally ready to race? Shadow picked up speed, and the cobalt hedgehog and himself were finally at full speed. Both of them panted from the exertion and the beginning of Station Square was coming up fast, the unmentioned finish line.

They both entered the city at the same time and skidded to a stop. However, Shadow had been smart to stop over the paved road while Sonic hadn't paid attention to where he was going and tried to stop on the sidewalk. Just like every sidewalk, it was curved upward, so when he tried to stop, the cobalt hedgehog fell off the upward pavement and had fallen flat on his face. The ebony hedgehog had seen the whole thing as if in slow motion; he tried to hold it in, he really did, but it came anyway. A large round of laughter escaped the artificial hedgehog, and the blue hero got off the ground as if in a trance. "Shadow… are you… laughing?"

The ebony hedgehog immediately stopped his laughing attack and quickly covered his mouth with his hands as he felt his face go red. "No…"

Sonic walked over to the other hedgehog and patted him on the shoulder. "You should laugh more, Shads… It really suits you."

Shadow flicked the hand away from him and turned away. "Well, that's the last time you'll ever hear it." When was the last time I laughed? I think it was with Maria fifty years ago…

The cobalt hedgehog sighed and gave up. "At least I had the privilege of making you laugh and hearing it. Come on, we still have a ways to go before we get to my last destination."

As he followed the blue hero, Shadow moved his eyes everywhere but at the cobalt hedgehog. He felt eyes on him and knew that Sonic was throwing side glances at him. When they arrived at their destination, the ebony hedgehog couldn't help but feel disappointed. "A bar, faker?"

"Yeah, I've gone drinking here with everybody but you so far," Sonic said as he ascended the steps into an actually nice-looking bar. The cobalt hedgehog opened the door and motioned for Shadow to walk in, "Ladies first."

The ebony hedgehog walked up the steps and grabbed the door before pushing the other hedgehog inside. "Looks like you're the only lady here faker."

Sonic's face turned red at Shadow's comment, and strode over to the bar counter, "One old brandy, sour, please." Shadow grabbed a seat next to the blue hero at the counter and ordered a whisky. When both of their drinks arrived, Sonic spoke up, "How can you stand that stuff?"

"I like the way it burns the back of your throat. That's the only reason I drink alcohol since I can't get drunk off the stuff." Shadow took a sip to prove his point, and the cobalt watched as if mesmerized.

"You can't get drunk? That must suck if you ever want to take the edge off of things."

"Unlike you I don't need to drink my troubles away." Shit! Did I seriously just say that? Why can't I keep my mouth shut around him? However, Sonic's next comment totally astounded him.

"You're right, I'm weak that way. I drink all my problems away since I can't handle them on my own. But I'm trying to stop that now since I figured out that the problems might be gone for a couple hours but they'll always be there when the high goes away." Sonic's blue ears drooped a bit, and he folded his peach arms on the counter and rested his head on them.

*Ombra d'amore*

Hours later, the two hedgehogs were still at the bar. Shadow had so far had only two drinks while Sonic was ordering his fifth. "Can I have a Bud Light Lime this time~?" The drink was handed to him, and the cobalt hedgehog took a large swig.

Shadow set his finished whisky on the counter. "Sonic, I think you've had enough."

The blue hero set his drink down too. "Come on, Shads, that was only my third~" Sonic slurred as he held up four fingers. The ebony hedgehog bent over and folded one of the fingers down. "Oh! I don't know how that little guy got there~" The blue hero started to hysterically laugh as if it was extremely funny and fell out of his chair. "How did I get down here~?" He unsteadily got up and rubbed his sore backside. "The ground hurts, Shads~."

"Yes it does, Sonic," Shadow humored the drunken hedgehog. "And I feel so honored that you would bring me here instead of your girlfriend."

"Really~?" Sonic obviously didn't catch the sarcasm leaking out of the ebony hedgehog. He sat back down in his seat. "Can I tell you something I never told anyone before~?"

Shadow shivered slightly as the blue hero's alcohol-riddled breath whispered in his ear. "Y- yeah." The ebony hedgehog couldn't help the stutter that came out of his mouth.

Sonic leaned back in his seat. "I don't love Sally."

The ebony hedgehog's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

The blue speedster sighed, and took another large swig of beer. "It's an arranged relationship made by my mother. Sally is a princess from the Acorn Kingdom, and since I'm the first son of Queen Aleena, I have to take over the throne with the right girl."

"But the confession you gave me at Club Rouge last night sounded real," Shadow pointed out.

Even while drunk, Sonic seemed to think over his next words, "I do love someone… It's just someone who will never love me back." The slurring seemed to have disappeared with his last two statements.

"You're Sonic the Hedgehog. Who wouldn't go out with you?"

Sonic gave him a sad smile. "Not everyone likes me, Shads, but I'm fine with being forever alone. I was planning on telling my mom tomorrow that I don't want the throne and that I want to break up with Sally."

"So that's why the squirrel wasn't in your sketch book…" Shadow muttered under his breath.

"What~?" The slurring had come back in full force and Sonic leaned in to hear what the ebony hedgehog had said.

"I said you can do it Sonic. I believe in you."

The cobalt hedgehog's eyes shone like emerald pools, and a large smile over took his face. "Thanks Shadow. That means a lot to me." Sonic got up from his seat and downed the rest of his drink. "Let's go back to my house~."

"Why should I go back to your place?"

Sonic gave the ebony hedgehog his puppy dog eyes. "Please, Shadow~?" The ebony hedgehog blushed at the blue hero's puppy dog face and nodded his head since he didn't trust his voice at the moment. "Great~! Let's get going~!" Sonic pulled the other out of his seat but tripped over his own legs. Since the two hedgehogs were linked together at the time, Shadow went with the blue hero.

They landed on the ground, and Shadow felt something warm land on top of him. The ebony hedgehog opened his ruby eyes and locked on to Sonic's own emerald ones. Shadow's face turned red, and his heart started to beat rapidly in his chest. His breathing got irregular and the cobalt hedgehog's own hot breath hit him on the face. "Sonic… can you… can you get off me?"

"Hmm? Alright~," the cobalt hedgehog got off him, and Shadow tried to get himself in check. They both got off the ground, and made their way to the door. Sonic opened the door, and Shadow walked through it without a second thought.

*Ombra d'amore*

Both hedgehogs made it back at around midnight, and Shadow had to half carry the drunken hedgehog to his house. The ebony hedgehog was glad that Sonic never locked his door and pushed the other inside.

"Shadow~."

"What?"

"I want to show you something~. Come on~." Sonic drunkenly walked up his stairs, and Shadow, after rolling his eyes, followed after the other.

"Why am I in here again?" They were in Sonic's bedroom; it was painted a light blue and had pure white carpeting. The bed was stationed in the middle of the room and had a dark blue comforter. Shadow heard a click behind him and saw that Sonic had closed the door. "What are you doing?" The ebony hedgehog saw the blue hero smile, and then he was suddenly tackled. They landed on the bed, and Sonic pinned the ebony hedgehog's arms above his head. "Sonic! What are you doing?"

The blue hero nuzzled into Shadow's neck. "Let's have some fun, Shads~."

"What? Sonic you're not in your right mind! Now let me go and get off me!" The artificial hedgehog struggled in Sonic's tight grip. He stopped and gasped when the cobalt hedgehog kissed him right on the lips. He felt something wet against his lips, and Sonic's tongue entered his mouth. Shadow turned red, and let the other explore the inside of his mouth.

Sonic pulled back. "What's so wrong with having some fun?"

The ebony hedgehog looked away. "I just don't think it's a good idea…"

"Just give up Shadow." One of Sonic's hands kept Shadow's arms pinned while the other traveled downward. The black and red hedgehog's breath hitched as the blue hero grabbed his manhood. Shadow moaned as the cobalt hedgehog started to pump it up and down. Sonic let go of his arms, and Shadow dug his hands into the other's blue quills. The cobalt hedgehog, meanwhile, coated his fingers with his spit and inserted one of them into Shadow's ass.

The ebony hedgehog shivered at the feel, and pushed down on the wiggling finger. Sonic chuckled and inserted another finger and scissored inside. Shadow hissed in pain and moments later pushed down again. Sonic pushed in his last finger, stretched it a bit more and pulled out. The ebony hedgehog whimpered slightly and released into the cobalt hedgehog's peach hand. The blue hero lifted up the other hedgehog and slammed inside. Shadow screamed in pure pleasure and pain as Sonic hit him directly on his sweet spot.

"Shadow, you're so tight~." The ebony hedgehog squeezed him so hard he could barely move.

"Oh, god! Sonic, go harder!" Shadow moaned and the blue hero grunted with effort. The ebony hedgehog dug into Sonic's scalp, and Sonic felt that he was getting close. He went even faster and Shadow moaned out his happiness.

Minutes later, the ebony hedgehog released onto Sonic's chest, and the blue hero couldn't take it anymore and released as well. Shadow moaned one last time as Sonic's warm semen entered his body and felt the other collapse on top of him.

When he was finished, Sonic pulled out and grabbed some tissues that were on the nightstand next to the bed. He used them to clean their bodies and threw them into the trash bin. He kicked off the semen covered comforter and covered both of them under the other blanket underneath. "Night, Shadow~."

"Good night, Sonic," and they cuddled into each other's arms and drifted off to sleep.

*Ombra d'amore*

The next morning, Shadow was the first to wake up. He opened his eyes and saw that he was still in Sonic's tight grip. He carefully maneuvered out of it and slid off the bed. Shadow grabbed the dark blue comforter and walked out of the room. The ebony hedgehog remembered where the laundry room was after his little exploration yesterday and walked inside. He threw the comforter inside and started the rinse cycle.

Shadow's stomach rumbled as it told him that it was hungry, and he shrugged. He could make some breakfast for the both of them. Shadow strode into the kitchen and looked inside the cobalt hedgehog's fridge. He rolled his eyes as he saw that there was practically nothing inside and grabbed the eggs, cheese and milk. I'll just make some omelets. He mixed the necessary ingredients and heated up the stove. Shadow poured the mix into the steaming pan and waited for the omelet to bubble before throwing in the cheese.

"That smells nice." Shadow turned momentarily away from the pan and saw that the other hedgehog had woken up. Sonic took a seat at the kitchen table and watched as Shadow made the omelet. "I know this is a stupid question but… what happened last night?"

Shadow's heart clenched, and he turned off the stove. He placed the hot omelet onto the waiting plate in front of the cobalt hedgehog and put the pan in the sink. "Nothing… Nothing happened last night."

"Then why are you here?" Sonic asked with a mouth full of fried egg and cheese.

"You were so drunk that you passed out at the bar and I carried you home. You woke up for a second and said I could sleep on the couch."

"Okay," Shadow walked out of the kitchen and to the front door. The ebony hedgehog felt dead inside; the other hedgehog didn't remember what happened last night. "Hey, where are you going Shads?"

"Home," and Shadow left the home of Sonic the Hedgehog in tears.

Ha! I am so mean. I built up the romance and kicked you off the cliff! XD

Shadow: God damn it! I hate you!

Sonic: I have to agree with Shadow here. You're an awful person.

Hehe. ^_^

Read and Review please! I love your reviews! It keeps me writing!