A crisp autumn afternoon was just in the works. A cool breeze stirred the orange-and-brown leaves on the maple trees, making them sway gently. It seemed like every citizen in Sunset City was out and about, enjoying the nice day. It would usually be in this weather that people would make their way to the famous restaurant The Home Kitchen, but today, it was opening late, and for good reason. If you approach the restaurant and prick your ears, you could hear a family outside in the backyard.
"Yo, pass me the butter!"
"You blue idiot, it's two inches away from you. Do I look like your personal servant, Sonic?"
"Maybe…"
Laughter flooded the air.
In the backyard of the restaurant, a long patio table was set, hosting six individuals.
Sonic was a blue hedgehog with white markings and crimson eyes. His feet were resting on the table as he gestured lazily to the dark gray hedgehog sitting across from him.
The gray hedgehog raised his eyebrows, picked up the offending butter dish that Sonic was pointing at, and hurtled it at him.
Sonic caught it before it hit him in the face, and grinned. "Thanks, Shadow! I guess I got it after all!"
Shadow rolled his blue-and-crimson eyes. "You ask for something else, I swear to Mobius, even your vampire speed won't be able to stop me from pitching every dish I find to you…"
Sonic smiled even more widely and spread the butter on his toast. "You would never do that."
"Try me."
The white bat sitting next to Shadow nudged him, his red-flamed quills brushing her shoulder. "Aw, you leave him alone. He's just having a little bit of fun!" Her ruby eyes sparkled mischievously, and her white-and-red braid swung into her face gently.
"Yeah, at my expense, Rouge," Shadow muttered.
"Dang, even your wife is taking my side. Now you really can't do nothing," Sonic teased. He turned to the white hedgehog sitting on his left. "What about you, Silver? Who're you gonna defend?"
Silver raised his hands. A cyan-and-red circle glowed on them, matching his amber-crimson eyes. "I'm a pacifist in this case! You leave me out of this, Sonic!"
"Eh, that's okay, Silv. I know who's gonna take my side!" He flung an arm around the pink hedgehog sitting on his right, whose quills brushed her shoulders. Her emerald green eyes sparkled with laughter.
Shadow smirked and crossed his arms. "Sure, you may have Amy, but I got the trump card!" He nudged the white hedgehog-bat sitting next to him, who flared his purple wings excitedly. His blue eyes sparkled, outlining the red shapes on his eyes.
Sonic leaned back dramatically. "Oh, Chaos! You do have the ultimate trump card! Your son will defeat me so badly that I'll be stuck eating only butter for the rest of my life…"
The table dissolved into laughter again. You can really tell that this is a true family.
Rouge touched wingtips with Chaos lovingly. Mother and son grinned at each other.
"Now that I know my breakfast isn't in danger…" Silver said dramatically, making everyone laugh again, "It is truly nice. Gathering together like this. We haven't done this kind of thing before."
Sonic slung an arm around Silver's shoulders. "Likewise, little brother! The only times we gathered together were during crises. And I can't believe you managed to convince Shadow to drag himself over here! You know how he is with anything remotely sappy!"
"Hey!" Shadow protested. And then he smiled. "No, I agree. I like this. We should definitely do this more often." He stood up, pushing his chair out, his plate completely empty. Dang, that was quick…
"Where are you going?" Sonic asked, and then grinned again. "Wait, don't tell me. You're just itching to get away from all these heartwarming emotions."
"Oh, can it," Shadow said. When he passed Sonic, he ruffled his quills, making them all messy. Sonic leapt up and dashed at him.
"You better apologize right now, big brother, or so help me…"
Shadow smirked at him. Silver was laughing so hard that his chocolate milk was in danger of spilling.
"No, but seriously, I have to go. I just sent three agents on a mission, and they should be back soon. I have to go to GUN Headquarters. I'll see you all later."
Everyone waved goodbye as the gray hedgehog took off. Sonic ran back to the table and sat back down, finishing off his toast.
Rouge stood up with Chaos tucked in her arms. "We should be heading back, too. Thanks for inviting us, Amy!"
"No problem!" Amy replied. Rouge and Chaos flew away.
Silver stood up.
"Aw, come on, Silv! Not you too!" Sonic said.
"I'm sorry, Sonic! I have to go back to the orphanage! But we should definitely do this again soon. Tomorrow?" He waved and hovered away, his psychokinesis powers floating around him.
Sonic hugged Amy.
"What was that for?" Amy asked, blushing.
"Thanks for the idea, Ames. This was truly fun. It's nice to have family time. And your food was exquisite as always, Ms. Rose."
"Why thank you, Sir Hedgehog!" Amy laughed. She stood up and started clearing the dishes. "We better clean up and reopen the restaurant. I promised to be open at twelve, and it's already eleven…"
Sonic sped to her side to help. In the bushes on the other side of the backyard's fence, there was a peculiar flash of red.
To be continued…
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