Author's Note: I know I said that this would be the last chapter, but then I decided to add a bonus chapter. No Amy, just Sonic and Shadow. It's basically looking back on how they got together, and how Shadow feels about the L word. Actually, when I started writing it, this chapter had a lot more detail than it does now. I was planning on Shadow remembering specific events. But I was having the hardest time keeping everything in past tense. And then it came to me. Instead putting all these events in one chapter, I should write a prequel! Unfortunately, to avoid spoilers I had to cut a lot out, making this chapter considerably shorter. Sorry!

Disclaimer: I would say that I own Sonic the Hedgehog, but there is a good chance that I could get sued, and when they discover that I'm broke, thrown in jail. Orange really isn't my color.

Steps to Acceptance

Bonus Chapter: Shadow's Feelings (A/N: Corny title, I know)

It was amazing how loud silence could be. Noise is natural, and present almost constantly. Whether it is talk, music, or just random sounds, it fills in the spaces of otherwise mundane everyday life. But silence in itself can speak volumes if you know how to listen. Sometimes it can be companionable, saying that you are comfortable enough with a person that words aren't really needed. But in turn it can also be suffocating, especially when you know there are things that need to be said. Under the right circumstances, silence can drive a person mad, or even kill.

Shadow had never been a hedgehog of many words. He had a more quiet nature and found that typically his smoldering eyes and fast fists were more than sufficient when he wanted to get a point across. Most of the time he kept his own counsel, and he was usually too caught up in his own thoughts to care about the conversations going on around him.

But this time was different. Not a word had been spoken between Sonic and Shadow since Amy had left in some odd sort of trance. Nothing exchanged on the way home, and the only sounds that could be heard in the house was the occasional rustle of bags as they put the now slightly battered groceries away.

Shadow couldn't stand it. He may not be a talkative creature, but for Sonic to be this quiet was unnatural. Usually he couldn't get the azure hero to shut up, but now he'd do almost anything to hear Sonic's voice. He never realized how comforting the hedgehog's constant chatter was to him.

And the worse part was that Shadow knew that he should say something, but he didn't know what. Sonic's previous announcement was still ringing in his ears. Had he been telling the truth? Or had he just said those words to get Amy off their backs? Shadow wasn't sure which one he wanted to believe, but either way he needed to know. And in order to obtain this vital information, it would be required to actually open up his mouth and say something. That is, if he could work up the courage.

He glanced at Sonic, who was currently putting away the milk, and abruptly grabbed his wrist. "Did you mean it?" he demanded, knowing that elaborating on his question wasn't necessary.

"What are you--"

Shadow narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip. "Don't screw with me."

Sonic blushed and, after what seemed like the better part of a lifetime, nodded slowly. "I know I should have talked to you first before I said anything, but Amy just kept going on and on, and it just kind of came out. And I'm really sorry about Amy attacking you. I don't know what came over her. I mean she's always been a little…well…crazy, but--"

He was babbling, Shadow noted. He only did that when he was nervous. And the ebony hedgehog really couldn't blame him. He imagined it wasn't exactly easy to make such a confession without being sure about how the other person felt.

Hell, Shadow wasn't even completely certain about how he felt. He had changed so much in the last couple of months he barely recognized himself. A year ago, he hadn't even liked Sonic. His first impression of the hedgehog had been of a brash, cocky idiot who never took anything seriously. And even now Shadow knew he hadn't been completely wrong.

But when he had shown up at Sonic's doorway, his mind a blank slate, Sonic had opened up his home. He was the one who had talked Shadow into living with him and Tails after discovering that the dark one had no place to stay. It hadn't mattered that in the past Shadow had tried to kill him (along with the rest of the world). All he had seen was someone who was lost with nowhere to go.

At first, Shadow had made a point of avoiding the blue hedgehog like the plague (which was no easy task considering they lived under the same roof), only associating with him when it was absolutely necessary. But gradually as Shadow got to know him better he began to discover that despite all his faults, Sonic had an extremely warm heart and was fun to be around. Slowly but surely, a tentative friendship began to form.

Shadow wasn't sure of the exact moment he had begun to feel differently about Sonic. All he knew was the more time he spent with the sapphire hero, the more he had thought about him. The smallest smile had made his pulse quicken, and the slightest of touches brought color to his cheeks (though you couldn't really tell because of his dark fur).

The emotions had confused him. They were so unlike anything he had ever felt before. Fearing what Sonic would think, Shadow had done his very best to hide the conflicting feelings. He hadn't wanted to lose what little relationship he already had with him. But one day he lost all sense of self control, and he had found himself leaning over and kissing the hedgehog squarely on the mouth. And, amazingly, Sonic had kissed back.

Their first few weeks together had been amazing. Every spare second the two had alone was spent kissing. Sonic had made it clear that he didn't want to tell anyone about what was going on between them until they figured what was going on between them. Shadow had protested a little (in his experience, secrets of this nature had a tendency of coming back to bite you in the ass), but in the end he had agreed without much of a fight.

And even he had to admit, at first, sneaking around had been an adrenaline rush. Especially when they made out in risky places where there was a good chance they could get caught (Tails had found out when he discovered them playing tonsil hockey in a supply closet).

It had started out as being all about excitement and fun, but as sex often does, the first time they slept together had changed everything. It had forced them to slow down and analyze their relationship for the first time. As a result, they realized that whatever was between them had evolved, and it wasn't even remotely similar to what it had started out as anymore.

Eventually, Shadow had begun to get tired of hiding. Hiding was for cowards. He wanted to be with Sonic out in the open. But whenever he brought it up with him, the hedgehog had danced around the issue and usually either ended up either leaving the room or changing the subject.

Jealousy had never been a sentiment that the ebony hedgehog was acquainted with. He was the Ultimate Lifeform after all. He never had anything to be jealous of. Shadow had always considered it to be a foolish, petty emotion. But that was before Sonic and definately before he met Amy Rose.

No matter how many times Sonic assured him that she was just a friend, he still had to quell the urge to bash that pretty face of hers in whenever she clung to his faker. It made him feel jealous, possessive, and (while he would never admit it) a little insecure. He had begun to worry that the hedgehog was embarrassed of him, or worse, only saw him as a fling that wasn't worth telling other people about.

So, for the most part, Shadow had been glad when the pink girl found out about them. It had finally pushed Sonic to let their secret go public, and had allowed Shadow to lay his fears to rest. He had also felt triumphant, like he had won some kind of private game he and Amy had been playing. However, he would never insult Sonic by thinking of him as a prize. The azure hedgehog meant far more to him than any mere trophy.

But love? That wasn't an easy topic to wrap his mind around. Before Sonic, he had never really given it much thought. The subject was almost completely foreign to him. Opening up his heart to others wasn't a habit of his. Not since Maria.

Though Shadow did understand that what he felt for Sonic was different than what he had had with Maria. These feelings were unique to anything he had ever experienced. When he was around the hero, he felt warm, almost...happy. Occasinally, he would find himself treasuring little quirks in his personality, like Sonic's cheerful smile or the way his foot tapped when he was impatient. Tiny, insignificant things that he could no longer imagine living his life without.

One thing the dark hedgehog was sure of was that (among other things) he loved kissing the hedgehog. He really couldn't picture himself kissing anyone else, and the very thought of Sonic kissing someone else (particularly a certain pink quilled bitch) made him want to destroy anything even remotely breakable he could get his hands on (including but not limited to the bones of innocent bystanders).

And in light of these facts, Shadow was hit with a possibly life altering conclusion. For perhaps the first time in his life, Shadow the Hedgehog knew exactly how he felt and what he wanted to do about it. It was so blatantly obvious, he felt slightly embarrassed that he hadn't figured it out sooner.

And yet, somehow while Shadow was being struck by his own, personal epiphany, Sonic was still yammering on. "--and it's not like I'm putting any pressure on you. You don't even have to say it back. I don't expect anyth--"

Shadow placed a finger on Sonic's lips, effectively cutting the anxious hedgehog off.

"Shut up." he commanded, quickly replacing the finger with his own mouth.

The kiss was short and sweet. Just a soft brush of the lips. But in it was everything.

"I love you," Shadow whispered, aware that it was the first time in fifty years he had said those three words to another living being. But it wasn't a confession. Not really. It was merely a confirmation of what they both already knew.

Sonic smiled and tilted his head to murmur challengingly into his ear, "Prove it."

Shadow laughed and started to pull his blue partner upstairs, leaving the rest of the abandoned groceries for Tails to put away later. Because at the end of the day, actions really do speak louder than words.

Was there ever any doubt about Shadow's response? I think his answer was pretty obvious. Don't forget to tell me what you think! I want all your opinions! This time the next chapter really is the last chapter. Also, I'm thinking about changing the story's title to Hell Hath No Fury. Do you think it fits? Or should I just stick with the one I have? Give me answers! Pretty please?