Chapter Text
Green Hills Montana, 15th May 2024
In the aftermath of the fight, it was clear that whatever it was that had come to earth was gone.
Not a single trace remained, and with things going back to their normal, quiet manner, it was long before I was able to settle back into the routine that had been long since established with my family.
Ivo and Halimah both curled up together watching La Última Pasión as I ‘critiqued’ the episodes, apparently my view making it more fun to watch, though the writers of the show, surprisingly had made Gabriella go on a new arc that saw her starting to be less a prize to be won and more a character in her own right.
Running with Sonic when the weather permitted, the two of us moved freely as the wind, though we often made sure to come back when it was dinner time as Maddie made the best food.
Maria and I watched the stars, sometimes just the two of us, others, we were joined by the whole family. Wachowskis included as I found myself sometimes leaning on Sonic’s shoulder.
With the earth safe things change to a more quiet, and indeed welcome peace. There was something to be said about the fact that we were able to settle back down in Green Hills, as a reward for our efforts of saving the planet.
G.U.N of course swept it under the rug, at least as much as they could sweep it under with all of the antics trying to be covered up, it was fun to see what they had to say about things.
It was the lines of infamy that people who knew, knew.
Walters had given us supplies to actually build a proper base, with the letter making things plain.
It was to be disguised, so that no one but those in the know would be able to come and go to the location.
And those in the know just so happened to be the very few who Walters could call on only in the most dire of circumstances.
That was the whole point of the base after all.
Yet through it all, it became apparent that there was something I was missing.
I wasn’t sure what that thing was, but it was there.
I had come to a stop, just past one of the many trails that Sonic and I liked to run around Green Hills when I felt the rush of energy beside me, my ears moved to follow the sound as Sonic skidded to a halt beside me, the smug grin on his face more content and happy than actually smug.
“Hey Shads!” He said brightly, the grin was more genuine, as if Sonic was glad that I was present for some reason that I didn’t notice.
“Sonic.” I said carefully. He’d been acting strange the last couple of times, and the last couple of “races”. Yet it seemed that whatever was bothering him, he’d come to terms with as he ran around in a circle, looping around me. I felt my quills relax, as I realised what was being said without words.
And somehow…
It felt right.
Then I allowed myself to follow the pull, circling Sonic as he had done me.
Sonic’s quills relaxed, and then, we ran together.
Sonic’s heart raced as he and Shadow both ran, it had taken him talking with his parents to figure out why he was feeling what he was, and when they cleared the mystery, Sonic had to go find Shadow.
It was…
A need.
He knew that he had to find the other hedgehog, and not use words, words were too difficult to use, too difficult to place and impossible to spell out what Sonic wanted to say.
So he decided that he wouldn’t say anything.
At least not with words.
He allowed himself to follow what were primal instincts.
He circled Shadow, and Shadow circled in return.
Sonic began to huff and chuff as he circled Shadow again.
Shadow responded in kind.
Shadow even made soft trilling noises as his quills remained relaxed around Sonic.
It was why they’d come to an open field to lay out under the stars, why Sonic had made clear what he felt, and why he and Shadow…
Why they had engaged in their primal instincts.
Sonic was happy.
Shadow was calm.
They had bonded more than Sonic thought possible, and not just because of Shadow’s voice.
Shadow was a handsome hedgehog, that much was undeniable to Sonic.
And Sonic realised that Shadow was healing as well.
With each nuzzle and kiss, the soft purrs that escaped Shadow’s throat as the pair gave into their primal instincts.
Shadow was giving something precious to Sonic.
And Sonic knew that he too, was giving something to Shadow as well.
“Shads,” Sonic said softly as paws ran through the other’s quills, “Can ya be my boy friend?”
Shadow smirked softly, “Oh? What brought this on, Hedgehog?” Shadow’s grin became a very smug one, as the latter moved to pull Sonic in close, “Or is there something else?”
Sonic snickered quietly, “I’m being serious dude.” Sonic said with a rarely sincere tone. “I wanna do things the way that fits the two of us, an’ not in the Mobius tradition or sense of tradition.”
Shadow’s expression softened, and understanding crossed his face as he drew in closer, Sonic feeling his heart hammering in his chest as the nervousness came in.
“So you want us to make our own traditions.” Shadow said simply as if he fully understood the situation, or at least understood Sonic’s feelings, “Very well.”
Sonic tilted his head, “Shads?”
Shadow for his part hummed quietly, “If that is what you want to do, then you had better hope that you’re ready.” Shadow said calmly, “Because I would not want to do things by half measures.”
Sonic smiled softly, his own expression softening as he realised what Shadow was asking of him, what Shadow wanted.
No, not what Shadow wanted.
What Shadow needed from Sonic.
A true partner.
“I promise.” Sonic said softly as he rested both paws on Shadow’s face cradling it gently, and Shadow’s eyes widened softly before Sonic’s lips gently met Shadow’s own.
Sonic felt the kiss, heard the quiet trill from Shadow and smiled softly.
Unbeknownst to the pair, a figure stood quietly blending in with the trees. Then they turned to leave. Having seen what he needed his head bobbing as he walked.
“Soon.” He muttered softly, “And the hive will grow once more, without Black Doom’s influence.”