Wooo, finally! I have been working on this chapter almost ever since the beginning of this story, and even had rewritten it at least three times back when I was taking notes and writing drafts until I got to a version that felt satisfying.

To note, this is another Sonadow Fluff chapter, exploring Sonic and Shadow's relationship in the purest way possible. This is the culmination of all of their moments together, and rather than have it happen sometime at the end of the story, I decided to leave it here, so I can explore their relationship even further from this point.

Hope you'll enjoy the chapter!

Entry 56

Vandalize My Heart

''Said you'd keep me safe, now you're tearin' me down! Am I laid to waste now that you're not around? Come and leave your mark! Vandalize my heart! Fight the pain away, my head is in ruins! Need you in my veins, don't know how you do it! Come and leave your mark (Come and leave your mark)! Vandalize my heart!''

– Vandalize by Sonic Frontiers

xXxXxXx

Sonic took a step back, avoiding a swing from Shadow, and then dodged another punch, trying to find a good opening. However, Shadow kept the offensive with a barrage of punches, forcing Sonic to back away, only for Sonic to catch both of his fists, with the two ending up grappling each other. Both smirked at the temporary stalemate.

''Not bad,'' Shadow said.

''Thanks,'' Sonic replied. ''Take this!''

Sonic managed to break out of Shadow's grip, going for a sweeping kick to knock him off his feet, but Shadow leapt back, then charged right back at Sonic. Sonic managed to dodge a kick from Shadow, using his super speed to turn this battle into another race all across Heizeru Park, with Shadow easily matching his speed.

''I can do this all day long!'' Sonic exclaimed, dodging a punch from Shadow that came from the side.

''So can I,'' Shadow replied, attempting to punch Sonic again, but his rival was faster, avoiding the punch.

Still, Shadow managed to use the boost from his air shoes to kick Sonic again, but Sonic recovered faster than he anticipated, leaping at Shadow and knocking him over, both hedgehogs landing on the soft grass. Shadow was pinned down by Sonic, feeling astonished and somewhat amused that Sonic had managed to beat him this time. They were always evenly matched, and while Shadow did have a slight edge due to his own experience, Sonic had no issues countering every move he made and have some fun while he was at it.

''I guess this means I win.'' Sonic smirked, with Shadow raising an eyebrow.

''Considering how evenly matched we both are, I doubt that one's victory can be determined by just one short fight,'' he responded, with Sonic noting that he sounded slightly bitter, clearly unhappy about the fact that he lost the first round. Sonic had to admit that the little pout Shadow made was kind of cute, but before more of those thoughts could flood his mind, he stepped away, letting Shadow stand up. Both took a fighting stance for the second round, with Sonic charging towards Shadow, using his speed in hopes to gain an early advantage.

Shadow managed to sidestep, having predicted that Sonic would take a risk, and went for a punch. Sonic managed to block it, but he only had a moment to register Shadow's calculated smirk, with Shadow suddenly vanishing. Sonic immediately turned around, expecting him to appear from behind, only to get tackled down on the ground when Shadow appeared from the side. Sonic found himself pinned down on the ground, the fresh scent of earth and grass filling his nostrils,… along with the scent of lavender. Emerald green eyes locked in with crimson red eyes, and Sonic felt for a moment as if the reality around them had disappeared. To him, Shadow's eyes were like a passionate flame, burning fiercely, and Sonic wanted to gaze at them just a little longer, not minding the fact that he had been lying on the ground. Then, a sudden wave of disappointment washed over him when Shadow got up, and the strange moment he experienced earlier bursting like a bubble.

''Sonic, are you-?'' Shadow started, but then stopped when Sonic got up. The azure hedgehog's gaze was distant, and he had to wonder whether Sonic's mind had wandered away from their battle, but then Sonic gave him his trademark smirk, acting as if nothing happened.

''Well, you won this time. Let's call the next fight a tiebreaker,'' Sonic said. Shadow nodded, taking a battle stance. A curious thought had passed through Sonic's mind when both hedgehogs charged at each other. The desire to pin Shadow down and keep him on the ground was now stronger than ever, but it was also intertwined with another thought. Sonic didn't really care whether he would win this battle or not. In fact, he thought back to all of their previous battles, many of which were filled with lot of tension and raw emotion, as well as a sense of closeness. Regardless of how they interacted or whether they had an argument, they would always come to an understanding.

Sonic had to admit that he enjoyed this kind of chaos. It felt incredibly exhilarating, and even if Shadow presented himself as a level-headed person, Sonic was excited to provoke him and get a reaction out of him. Every time Shadow showed a different emotion instead of his usual scowl or annoyance, Sonic felt his heart leap, being excited about his achievement. The fact that Shadow had been genuinely smiling more and more often in his presence was a bonus that made him look forward to hang out more with him.

Shadow stepped back, only for Sonic to sweep him off his feet with a swift kick. He realized that he was about to lose, but before Sonic could pin him down, he kicked him back, managing to get up just in time to continue the battle. He took note of the fact that Sonic had actually put much more effort into this fight, managing to force Shadow into a defensive position and keeping up the pressure. Shadow had to admit that he was quite impressed with that, attempting to find a way to break through and overpower Sonic, but his rival appeared to have an answer for every move he made.

While Shadow was quite competitive, especially when Sonic was involved, he didn't mind losing to him from time to time. He had acknowledged Sonic as his equal and enjoyed their rivalry, as well as his company. In fact, he was well aware that Sonic was taking advantage of their rivalry and sparring matches in hopes of hanging out with Shadow, and Shadow himself had been genuinely looking forwards to those matches. Sonic kept challenging him in ways he couldn't imagine, surprising him over and over with his decisions and actions. Shadow would be bewildered in one moment, irritated in the other – only to gain a burning desire to keep up with Sonic, if not outrightly defeat him in whatever competitive match they got themselves into.

Shadow charged again at Sonic, with the two ending up grappling once again and trying to push each other away. Shadow's crimson eyes met Sonic's emerald ones, the colour reminding Shadow of meadows and forests, of the wind and of freedom. Shadow knew that Sonic was someone who would be tied down by anyone or anything, and that was something he deeply admired about Sonic. No matter what happened, Sonic would never be swayed from following his own ideals or change who he is. He was quite stubborn in that regard, and Shadow felt that Sonic becoming someone he isn't would be a betrayal to his own self.

Suddenly, Shadow felt the wind getting knocked out of him when Sonic kicked him in the chest, snapping his rival out of his thoughts. Shadow stumbled back, taking note of the brief look of concern on Sonic's expression, which was then replaced by a smirk when he realized that Shadow would be fine. Shadow narrowed his eyes, but he smirked in response, ready to fight back. He used the boost from his air shoes to land a sweeping kick on Sonic, but Sonic managed to duck in time, tackling Shadow and finally pinning him on the ground.

''Heh, it looks like I win this battle,'' Sonic said, straddling Shadow's waist and keeping a tight grip on Shadow's wrists to prevent him from moving. Shadow struggled to break free, but it was obvious to both hedgehogs that he had lost the battle. He sighed, giving Sonic a firm look.

''Tch, do you want a reward for that?'' Shadow asked in a deadpan tone, with Sonic chuckling lightly, leaning closer and lowering his head so their noses almost touched.

''I think the fact that I had defeated you is reward enough… I wouldn't mind you buying me lunch next time, though,'' Sonic replied, still relishing in his victory. Shadow rolled his eyes, pouting again, confirming in Sonic's mind that he indeed looked quite cute like this.

''Hmph, what gives you the impression that you wouldn't be the one lying on the ground, Faker?'' Shadow asked, a smirk spreading on his lips.

''Heh, depends. Is that a promise that you'll give it your all next time to defeat me?'' Sonic asked in a teasing tone, his eye-lids lowered.

''Yeah,'' Shadow breathed, his response firm and assuring. ''Promise.''

Then, something in Sonic's brain short-circuited and he leaned over, crashing his lips against Shadow's. Shadow's crimson eyes widened in shock as he tasted his rival, the kiss itself being rather sloppy due to how sudden it was and the fact that both participant were completely inexperienced. Still, it was warm and soft, spreading a strange sensation through his body, akin to a spark of electricity, and he could feel his own fingers dig into the grass below as a sense of dizziness washed over him. It was as if time had stopped only for this moment, leaving his body paralyzed, his mind blank and on the verge of giving into whatever this sensation was.

Finally, Sonic's mind caught up with his body and he realized what he was doing. He quickly pulled back, scrambling on his feet and stepping back, creating some distance between himself and Shadow. The dark hedgehog sat up, staring at his azure rival silently, still in shock from what had just happened and completely speechless. Sonic's fawn muzzle was a bright red and he looked genuinely freaked out, breathing heavily, stuttering and stumbling as he backed away.

''I-I… I… Shads…''

Being completely unable to form a coherent sentence, Sonic suddenly turned on his heel and ran off, leaving Shadow alone as he still tried to process what had just happened between them. Did… Did Sonic just… The dark hedgehog placed his fingers over his lips, tracing over them as he still felt the warmth of the kiss, his tan muzzle being as red as his stripes. He then stood up, the strange sensation he felt earlier being replaced by a new one – irritation. Shadow's eyes narrowed as he lowered his hand, clenching it into a fist, his quills bristling.

''That idiot!''

xXx

Sonic kept running as fast as he could, reaching his house in mere minutes and speeding into his room, closing the door behind him with a loud bang. He then leaned with his back against the door, placing his hand against his chest, his heart pounding like crazy as he took deep breaths to calm himself down. He was completely freaked out, still in disbelief over what had just happened – over what he had done. He felt as if he had just committed a grave sin.

''Wh-Why have I done that? This is bad, this is really bad,'' he muttered to himself, his ears pinned as he placed his hands over his head, his fawn muzzle still bright red as he remembered the kiss. He could feel his heart start racing again, causing him to shake his head. ''No, no! I can't think about that! I can't think about Sha-'' He stopped and took a deep breath, sliding down on the floor. ''I know that Shadow hates me. He might even be planning his revenge on me.''

''Sonic?''

Sonic was startled when he heard someone calling for him, only for the door to open and a confused Lucas stepping inside. He blinked, looking quite confused. ''Hey, what happened? I never saw you being in so much distress.''

''D-Distress?'' Sonic quickly got back on his feet, trying to act cool and giving Lucas a wide grin. ''I don't know what you're talking about, Lucas. I'm completely fine, I just-''

Lucas folded his arms across his chest and furrowed a brow, giving Sonic a look that clearly said that he didn't believe him. The hedgehog knew that he couldn't hide anything, feeling a chill flowing down his spine when he heard Lucas ask in a firm tone, ''Sonic, what happened?''

Sonic's ears drooped as he lowered his gaze, understanding that he was cornered. This was a situation where he couldn't just fight back or hide how he truly felt. As a matter of fact, this was a situation where, for once, he had no idea what he was supposed to even do. He was fine with fighting people who caused trouble, but when it came to dealing with his own emotions, he was a lost cause.

Right, that's something I had been hoping I'd never have to deal with, Sonic thought, raising his head. On the other hand, maybe Lucas could give me some advice on how to handle this disaster, since we're partners and he usually knows what to do in any kind of situation. I mean, short of leaving Neos City and never crossing paths with Shadow again, I don't know what else I should do.

Sonic sighed, feeling as if something was constricting his chest and glanced at Lucas, a nervous look etched on his expression. ''The truth is… Well, Shadow and I had one of our sparring matches and I- I kind of…''

Sonic mumbled something under his breath, something that Lucas didn't hear. He gave Sonic a puzzled look, leaning closer. ''Sorry, but I didn't hear. What did you do?''

''I kissed Shadow, okay?!'' Sonic suddenly shouted, only to be startled when he realized what he had done, feeling regret. He didn't intend to shout, but at the moment, his emotions were running high and he felt quite tense.

''Wh-What?'' Sonic looked at Lucas, who just gave him a blank look, his mouth slightly open, and clearly trying to process what the hedgehog had just told him. Then, he snapped out of his stunned state. ''Well, I guess that explains why you're so freaked out.''

''I really have no clue what came over me. One moment we were fighting, and then I pinned him down and…'' Sonic shook his head, trying not to remind himself of this moment, despite his senses pushing the memory into the forefront of his mind. ''There is no way I can talk to Shadow ever again, not after this. I'm sure that he hates me now. I bet he's even plotting murder.''

''Hey, calm down,'' Lucas said, trying to keep a presence of mind, only to raise an eyebrow in confusion. ''Wait, why would you think that Shadow hates you? Was it that bad?''

''Uh, well… I did enjoy it,'' Sonic said, pausing for a moment and having to admit that he had been quite overwhelmed by the sensation, not wanting it to stop, but he quickly snapped out of it. ''But, that's the problem!'' He suddenly started pacing across the room. ''Shadow had told me that we're teammates and rivals, and he agreed to be my friend. I'm sure that he doesn't have any actual feelings for me beyond that and that he hates me because of that kiss. How are we even supposed to go back from this? I don't want to lose him as a friend or a rival, especially not after spending so much time getting close to him.'' Sonic gritted his teeth, ruffling his quills in frustration. ''I worked so hard, and now everything was for nothing!''

Lucas sat down on the floor, crossing his legs as he watched the hedgehog pace around and rant, deciding to let him vent a bit until he calmed down. Eventually, Sonic sighed tiredly and sat down across Lucas, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. ''What should I do?''

''I think that first of all, you should ask yourself the question whether you really like Shadow that way, as well as why you had kissed him so suddenly,'' Lucas said, trying to provide a calming presence for the frayed hedgehog. Frankly, he was completely clueless about how romantic relationships should work, as he never was in a romantic relationship himself nor did he have a crush on anyone, but he figured that this was the best starting point.

''Well, I don't really know if I can describe those feelings as romantic…'' Sonic admitted. Frankly, he never saw himself as someone who would ever develop a crush on anyone, cherishing his own freedom more than anything else, as well as not wanting to be ever tied down by any kind of relationship. However, when he was around Shadow, he never felt like he was being held back and he genuinely loved spending time with him, be it fighting or just talking. Somehow, he never got bored whenever he was with Shadow, but whether he could really say that he had romantic feelings for him – he had no idea. ''As for the kiss, I wasn't thinking straight…''

''You clearly weren't,'' Lucas muttered in a deadpan tone, with Sonic giving him an unamused look.

''What I actually wanted to say was that I was just following my own senses in that moment, as I usually would. I wish I hadn't done that,'' Sonic grumbled the latter part, leaning his head against his knees. ''You and Shadow always told me that I never think things through, and now I have to deal with the fact that I might lose Shadow because of a stupid mistake.''

''Who says that that's the case?'' Lucas asked.

''Huh?'' Sonic looked up, giving him a confused look.

''I mean, have you even heard Shadow's response?'' Lucas asked.

''No, I didn't. I ran away before he could say anything,'' Sonic replied, narrowing his eyes.

''In other words, you have absolutely no idea how Shadow really feels, which means that nothing is set in stone,'' Lucas said, leaving Sonic confused. Lucas gave him a firm look. ''If there is one thing that I know about maintaining relationships, it is that communication is important. Like it or not, you will have to confront Shadow and tell him the truth.''

''I was afraid that you'd tell me something like that,'' Sonic grumbled.

''Well, that's the only solution to this problem. If you still feel uncomfortable about it, why don't you approach it like another challenge. You're pretty good at that,'' Lucas added.

''You really like to use my own words against me, don't you?'' Sonic responded, folding his arms across his chest and pouting, while Lucas just grinned in response.

xXx

Touka was sitting on the floor of the attic bedroom, cleaning her hoverboard, when the hatch opened and Shadow climbed into the room, walking straight over too the bed and lying down on it. Touka lifted her head, giving Shadow a curious look.

''Huh, did something happen?'' Touka asked. Shadow just turned his back to her in response, with Touka sighing in exasperation. She got up, sitting on the edge of the bed. ''Hey, Shadow, I know that something happened and you're in a bad mood because of that. I will pester you until you tell me what it is, so you better open up before I start. This is a warning.''

''If I wanted to talk about it, I would've done so,'' Shadow grumbled, his eyes narrowing as he scowled.

''Did you and Soic have a bad argument?'' Touka asked. Shadow frowned, his eyes darting towards her, then avoiding her gaze.

''No. That coward ran away,'' Shadow growled.

''I see… That doesn't sound like Sonic, though,'' Touka said, tilting her head to the side. ''Something must've happened between you two for you to act like this.''

''Nothing happened…'' Shadow grumbled, only to immediately regret his words when he saw Touka smirking at him.

''So, something did happen. You know as much as I do that you can't hide much from me, since I'm the only person capable of reading you like an open book,'' Touka said. Shadow rolled on his back, staring at her for a moment before placing an arm over his eyes.

''I hate that ability of yours,'' he muttered.

''If you don't want to see it in action, then you should be honest with me,'' Touka said, giving Shadow a curious, yet firm look. ''What happened?''

Shadow sat up, his legs crossed as he faced Touka, still having that annoyed look on his expression. While his sister took note of him appearing to be rather calm and collected, she knew that he was quite upset about something and didn't want to show it. Still, if he didn't want her to pry it out of him, he would have to tell her the truth. It would be indeed be easier for him to just tell her everything. He inhaled sharply, wondering how to explain the situation.

''Sonic and I…'' Despite knowing that Touka would learn about it sooner or later, Shadow still felt hesitant about telling her the truth. As a matter of fact, the very memory of that moment made him feel quite irritated. ''We had another sparring match,… and we ended up kissing.''

''Eh?'' Touka gave him a blank look, processing just what she had heard. Shadow shot her a glare, a bright shade of red spreading across his tan muzzle.

''You heard me,'' he grumbled. Touka blinked in surprise, only for a smirk to form on her lips.

''You and Sonic really did…'' To Shadow's dismay, Touka looked genuinely excited, her eyes sparking. ''What was it like? Don't tell me that you're in a sour mood because Sonic is a bad kisser.''

''It's not about the kiss!'' Shadow snarled, shooting Touka a glare, baring his fangs. ''I'm furious that the Faker just ran off without clarifying what the hell that kiss was about!'' He lowered his gaze, still angry, gritting his teeth. ''If Sonic really thinks that it's fun to toy with my feelings, especially after I told him that I trusted him…'' He felt a suffocating sensation in his chest, pressing his hand against the white fur. ''I don't care about him teasing me or us having an argument, since I'm used to that kind of dynamic.'' He then looked up at Touka, growling, ''However, messing with my feelings like this is unforgivable!'' He lowered his head, his eyes narrowing. ''I had opened my heart to him, so this feels like a stab in the back.'' He then smirked maliciously. ''Well, two can play that game. That Faker has no idea what's coming.''

''W-Wait a second… I think you two might've had a misunderstanding,'' Touka suddenly said, drawing Shadow's attention. ''Shadow, you know Sonic. Would he really do something like that to you?''

Shadow fell silent, well aware that she was right. ''No, he wouldn't. He's not that kind of person.'' He then frowned, folding his arms across his chest. ''I still want to make him pay for leaving without an explanation.''

Touka sighed, not wanting to admit loudly that this was actually quite an amusing situation, especially considering Shadow's bitter mood. She knew that he needed her support now, rather than have her tease him. ''So, does that mean that you actually have a crush on Sonic?'' Shadow was startled by that question, avoiding her gaze, but the blush on his muzzle gave him away. Touka grinned smugly. ''I'll take that as a 'Yes'. Honestly, I was wondering when you would finally realize that.''

''What?'' Shadow gave her a look of disbelief. ''How did you-?''

''I had a feeling that you and Sonic had something going on, especially after those late night conversations back at ARMS,'' Touka explained, with Shadow being stunned.

''You eavesdropped on us?!''

''It wasn't that hard, since Sonic wasn't exactly quiet and I was sleeping in the same room. Admittedly, I only caught snippets of those conversations, but it was enough for me to understand what's going on. Honestly, it was kinda cute to hear you tell him that you miss him; in your own way, of course,'' Touka said happily, ignoring the fact that Shadow was glaring daggers at her.

''Do you want to say more? Because I might just ignore the fact that you're my sister and make you regret ever saying anything,'' Shadow growled.

''Hey, I'm just teasing you a little. It shouldn't be different from our usual bickering… unless you really feel strongly about this whole thing,'' Touka said, a mischievous smile forming on her lips.

''I shouldn't have told you anything,'' Shadow responded, about to get up, only to for Touka to stop him.

''So, what do you plan on doing now?'' she asked, catching Shadow off guard.

''What should I even do?'' he asked, the annoyance in his tone being mixed with slight confusion. It was obvious to Touka that even Shadow himself had no idea what his next move should be.

''Well, the obvious thing to do would be to talk to Sonic about what had happened. Let him explain himself and then decide what you'll do based on that,'' Touka suggested. Shadow fell silent, aware that Touka was right. Touka then gave him an encouraging smile. ''If you and Sonic ever get together, I can assure you that you have my blessing.''

''What?'' Shadow gave Touka a stunned look. ''Why would I need that?''

''As your older sister, it is my job to look out for you, and that includes making sure that whoever you end up with won't be someone who'd take advantage of you or hurt you. I have to say, I'm really proud of your choice. Sonic is a really good catch,'' Touka told him, taking note of just how flustered Shadow was. ''Besides, how would you act if you heard that there is someone interested in me?''

''Hmph, I'd probably lock them up somewhere and throw away the key,'' Shadow replied in a calm tone. Touka sweatdropped.

''You would feed them, right?'' she asked, well aware that Shadow had the 'no one is good enough for my sister' mindset.

''I'd probably visit them once a week to give them food and hose them down,'' Shadow said idly.

''I figured,'' Touka muttered, the wry smile being replaced with a confident look. ''In any case, you should go talk to Sonic and sort this out. That will put your mind to ease.''

''What if it doesn't?'' Shadow asked.

''I'm sure it will. However, considering how bad you two can be at communicating your feelings, I'm certain that one of you will say something stupid. If it's Sonic, try not to take it to your heart,'' Touka replied, with Shadow giving her an annoyed look.

''I know that. You don't have to lecture me about that,'' he said.

''Great!'' Touka smiled joyfully, clasping her hands and pressing them against her cheek. ''I'll try to restrain myself from teasing you too much about your boyfriend.''

''Shut up! Sonic's not my boyfriend!'' Shadow snapped back, clearly flustered.

''Yet.''

Shadow felt a chill flowing down his spine when he saw the fiendish look on Touka's expression, mixed with a mischievous smirk. He knew that, no matter what he said or did, Touka would be mercilessly obnoxious about this whole situation for the next few days, if not for the next few weeks. Peace, as he knew it, has ended.

xXx

Sonic's eyes widened as he saw a call on his AR Visor, his heart almost leaping out of his chest when he saw that the caller was Shadow. His anxiety spiked once again and for a moment, he refused to answer the call, but one assuring look from Lucas made him press forward.

''H-Hi, Shadow,'' Sonic said, staring nervously at the dark hedgehog, whose expression remained a perpetual scowl.

''I want us to meet up at Heizeru Park. We still have a score to settle,'' Shadow told him. ''I'm sure that you can reach it in a few minutes.''

''Uh, yeah, sure…'' Sonic muttered, a bit stunned by Shadow's demand. In fact, he though that Shadow had called him to yell at him for what happened. However, he soon realized that he would soon find out how Shadow really felt once they met up.

''Good. I'll see you soon,'' Shadow replied, ending the call. Sonic turned to Lucas.

''Do you think he's angry?'' he asked. Lucas shrugged.

''He didn't really sound any different from how he usually is,'' he replied. Sonic sighed.

''Well, wish me luck. If I don't come back alive, you can have the the chilli dog I stashed in the fridge,'' Sonic told Lucas in a grim tone.

''I don't think that will be necessary,'' Lucas replied, with Sonic leaving. Lucas then chuckled, having to admit that he was both amused and worried about his partner, but this was something Sonic had to deal with on his own. As he exited Sonic's room, he suddenly got a call, not too surprised when he saw who had called him.

''Hey, Touka, how did the conversation with Shadow go?'' he asked.

''Oh, so Sonic told you what had happened?'' Touka replied.

''Well, he thinks that Shadow hates him and was quite freaked out over the whole situation,'' Lucas explained.

''I see. Shadow actually thought that Sonic was just messing with him. I guess he shouldn't have ran off,'' Touka said.

''In the end, it was just a misunderstanding, wasn't it?'' Lucas said, feeling a sense of relief.

''Yeah, but I have a feeling that Shadow might want to get some revenge on Sonic. Still, I wouldn't worry to much,'' Touka said in a nonchalant tone. Lucas gave her an exasperated look.

''I hope you're right.''

xXx

Sonic felt his heart racing when he arrived at the meeting spot, seeing Shadow already waiting for him. He paused for a moment, feeling a wave of anxiety overwhelming him for a brief moment, but he then took a deep breath to calm his nerves. As long as he acted cool and collected – and didn't say anything stupid – things would be fine, right? He also tried to get a read on Shadow's mood, but his expression was his ever-present scowl.

''So, you were talking about having a score to settle?'' Sonic started, feeling nervous. Shadow just nodded in response.

''I want a rematch of the last round, considering how you introduced a change to the terms of the battle,'' Shadow told him, leaving Sonic completely confused.

''What?'' he muttered, not understanding what was going on. Wasn't Shadow going to get revenge on him for what had happened? Did he already move past that?

''Prepare yourself, Hedgehog,'' Shadow said, taking a battle stance. Sonic blinked, still confused, but then he smiled eagerly as he realized that this would be just another of their sparring matches.

Suddenly, Shadow charged at him, giving Sonic barely any time to dodge the attack. Sonic attempted to sweep him away with a kick, only to mirror Shadow's kick. Shadow backed away, using he boost from his air shoes to go for another kick, with Sonic using his arms to block it, being pushed away by the impact. His eyes narrowed as he saw a smirk on Shadow's lips, wondering what the dark hedgehog was planning. Suddenly, Shadow vanished in a flash of light, with Sonic turning his head to the side, only to be hit by a kick from behind, knocking him over. Shadow then suddenly grabbed him by his leg, swinging him around and throwing him, only for Sonic to perform a back-flip and land safely on his feet. However, he was met with a punch to the chest, with Shadow pinning him with his elbow against a tree. Sonic's eyes widened, and he felt his mouth go dry as a scent of lavender filled the air.

''I believe that I have won this match,'' Shadow said when Sonic didn't fight back, a smug smirk forming on his expression. Sonic rolled his eyes.

''Pfft, do you want a reward for that?'' he asked in a sarcastic tone. His eyes then widened when he saw Shadow's expression, but before he could even understand what was going on, Shadow crashed his lips against his, pressing them into a kiss. Sonic was shocked, his body paralyzed as he tried to process what had just happened. However, as the pressure on his chest lessened, he relaxed, leaning into the kiss and placing his hands on Shadow's waist, enjoying the warmth that came with it. Dizziness overwhelmed him as both pulled away, gasping for air.

''What the hell was that, dude?'' Sonic suddenly asked, the confusion crashing down on him once again. Shadow narrowed his eyes.

''I could ask you the same, Faker. Why did you run away?'' he asked, his tone stern. Sonic's ears drooped, giving Shadow a troubled look. Shadow stepped away and sat down, motioning Sonic to do the same, with the blue hedgehog sitting down across him. Sonic took a deep breath.

''I… I just panicked. I had no idea why I even kissed you and I thought you'd be angry at me, if not even hate for that,'' Sonic admitted. ''I was already thinking about leaving Neos City.''

Shadow sighed, shaking his his head exasperation, which for some reason made Sonic feel even worse.

''You are correct, I was furious at you, but not for the reasons you think,'' Shadow told him, with Sonic feeling a wave of guilt washing over him. ''I thought that you were toying with my feelings instead of taking things seriously.''

''No, I would never do that!'' Sonic protested, giving Shadow a firm look.

''I know,'' Shadow replied in a calm tone, with Sonic feeling relief, only for the tension to return when Shadow shot him a glare. ''Don't ever do that again!''

''I won't, I promise,'' Sonic said, getting a nod of acknowledgement as a response. Silence fell over them for a moment, with Sonic deciding to start another conversation, a small grin forming on his expression. ''So, you actually have a crush on me? That was kinda unexpected.''

''I could say the same for you,'' Shadow said, feeling his body relax. ''You still suck at kissing, though.''

''Seriously? We have this big reveal about crushing on each other and all you're focusing on is criticizing me?'' Sonic asked, feeling quite annoyed. He had to admit that the smug grin that formed on Shadow's lips was cute though, if not even enticing.

''I'm merely saying that you need more practice,'' Shadow said in a matter-of-fact tone, only to get startled when Sonic suddenly sat in his lap, placing his hands on his waist and leaning in closer, his tail wagging in excitement, with the two being on the same eye-level.

''Why don't we then start with that?'' he asked, only to be met with a gloved hand over his mouth.

''Tch, you really have no shame, Hedgehog,'' Shadow said, his tone laced with amusement. ''What makes you even think that I would let you kiss me just because you want to?''

Sonic's ears drooped as he pouted, realizing that that Shadow was basically challenging him again. The pout quickly changed to a grin as he felt a rush of excitement, noting that making things easy for both of them would be boring. Still, he had to try to negotiate at least a little bit.

''Aww, com'n, Shads! Couldn't you make an exception for today?'' he asked, giving Shadow his best puppy-dog eyes. It was clear to him that Shadow was on the verge of giving in and he only needed a little push. ''I'm sure you also want the same.''

''Damn it, Faker,'' Shadow hissed, pulling him closer, and Sonic knew that he had won.

Both leaned into another kiss, this one being warm and affectionate, if a little chaste. However, it only served to ignite a new sense of hunger between the two once they broke off. Sonic actually felt quite adventurous, wondering how far he could go with this, but the contemplative look on Shadow's expression made him realize that there were still things they needed to talk about. However, he felt confident that they could come to an agreement, especially since both were in a good mood.

''I sincerely doubt that we can just go back to normal, because I'm not going to ignore what had transpired today,'' Shadow started.

''Right…'' Sonic nodded, falling silent for a moment. He felt a pit forming in his stomach, aware that their relationship would certainly not be the same as before.

''So, what do you want?'' Shadow asked, with Sonic locking eyes with him. Shadow's gaze was rather soft, the crimson spark in his eyes reminding him of a gentle flame and stirring something inside him.

''I don't want to lose you,'' Sonic blurted out the first thing that came to his mind, without even thinking. To his surprise, this response caused Shadow to laugh softly, and Sonic had to admit that this was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. He decided to double down on his response, giving Shadow a determined look. ''I mean it! Be it as a rival, friend, teammate, or even boyfriend- I don't care! I don't want to ruin our relationship!''

''I know.'' Shadow could feel his own heart beating strongly in his chest, even though his expression showed still the same serene, but soft expression. ''I was more curious about whether you'd actually put the boyfriend label on our relationship, because I know that you're not the romantic type. You do seem to be quite eager about it, though, but the question is whether you'd be willing to make such commitment. This kind of relationship comes with strings attached.''

''I guess it depends on what those commitments are. Besides, I don't back away from a challenge,'' Sonic said confidently, pumping his fist. Shadow couldn't help but smile at this response. There was simply something infectious about the way Sonic carried himself whenever he showed his confident side, and it would affect Shadow as well, no matter how much he tried to distance himself. Sonic then made a troubled expression. ''But, I can't really see us in a romantic setting with a candlelit dinner or any of that type of stuff.''

''I agree. The more likely scenario would be you being pressed into the dirt after I have defeated you. Lying at my heel is the only suitable position for you,'' Shadow replied. Sonic snorted.

''Heh, reverse the roles and we'll have a deal,'' he said. ''I guess there is a reason why we fell for each other. You know that I don't want to be tied down and that I prioritize my personal freedom, and you respect that. That's the commitment you were talking about, right?'' Shadow nodded, with Sonic continuing, ''That's my only condition for this relationship. But, that shouldn't be an issue for you, considering how you can easily catch up to me whenever you want.''

''Not just catch up to you, but surpass you,'' Shadow said confidently.

''Pffft, sure, buddy. That's just your ego talking,'' Sonic teased him, giving him a curious look. ''So, what's your condition?''

Sonic was surprised when Shadow suddenly pushed him down into the grass with a swift motion, straddling his waist and grabbing his wrists, pressing them down as he gave Sonic a look of hunger that sent shivers down the azure hedgehog's spine. Shadow lowered his head, relishing in the moment of control he had gained, his voice a mere whisper, but loud and firm enough for Sonic to understand the weight behind it.

''You are mine,'' Shadow said, his voice laced with an emotion that Sonic couldn't quite recognize, but it did send a wave of heat across his body. ''I don't trust anyone easily, especially not on this level, and if I'm already going to establish such a close bond with you, then I refuse to share what we have with anyone else.'' Shadow then lifted his head, tilting it slightly as he gave Sonic a hard look. ''If you cannot accept that, you're free to walk away. It won't change the relationship we had before this.''

''In other words, you want devotion.'' Sonic smirked, giving Shadow a self-assured look. ''Yeah, I can work with that.''

Before Sonic could even blink, Shadow cupped his muzzle and pressed his lips against his own, locking them into a passionate kiss. Sonic's eyes widened in surprise, startled by this sudden move, but he quickly relaxed, gently placing his hands on Shadow's chest and reciprocated the kiss. He could feel Shadow ruffling through his quills and he softly combed with his fingers through the white fur on the dark hedgehog's chest, his ears twitching as he heard a moan of pleasure coming from his rival. He couldn't help but smile, realizing that he would be free to explore just how affectionate he could get with Shadow and how much he could push his rival's boundaries, and Shadow had realized that he would be able to do the same with Sonic.

But, they had time. It felt like nothing else mattered in the moment, just that they were together.