Chapter Text
Cutting through the feathery-green grass, red shoes, illuminated by the evening sun, broke through the overgrown fields as a warm smile, a smile that could easily rival the sun, was plastered across a blue hedgehog's peached color muzzle.
Upon entering a forest, surrounded by an entirely new environment, green eyes kept forward as sounds of whistling filled the triangle-shaped ears.
Inhaling through his nose whilst daring to close his eyes, a gentle sigh sounded. With the smell of maple overflowing his sense of smell, Sonic couldn’t help but reminisce back to those times when Amy would bake her famous Maple Shortbread… Well, all of Amy’s dishes were considered famous if you asked Sonic.
Dashing through the dimming space, Sonic's emerald-like eyes shifted towards what should have been a beautiful bright blue sky, was instead a breathtaking view of mosaics of warm colors flashing across his green eyes— sending shivers up his spine, for it was truly a breathtaking moment to experience in person.
But like everything else, it eventually has to come to an end. So, as the blue sky began to break through the decreasing autumn leaves, Sonic moved his gaze elsewhere, perhaps he’ll stop by again later, he hummed.
Dashing through the last few sets of trees, Sonic's eyes widened in surprise, it appeared that there was a cliff at the end of this, as to where the cliff led to? Sonic didn’t know, nor did he want to find out.
Digging his feet into the soft ground, Sonic bit his lips as his body continued sliding forward without any signs of stopping due to the wet ground. Narrowing his eyes, Sonic began to apply more force to the ground; right as he could see just a sliver of what was below, Sonic came to a soft halt, barely inches away from the cliff's edge.
Wiping away at the sweat that had begun to form against his temple, a chuckle sounded. Shaking his head in hopes of discarding his anxiety, Sonic moved his hand through his bristling azure quills. Lowering his eyes, a sudden gasp escaped Sonic’s lips.
Similar to the forest he had just exited, the one below the cliff seemed even larger and more vibrant in color; it was as if someone managed to find a bunch of red, yellow, and brown paint and splatter it against every tree in sight, creating a beautiful display of colors.
Moving a few steps forward until he was only centimeters away from the edge of the cliff, Sonic peered down, only to snort in pure amusement. Even if he hadn’t managed to stop himself earlier, the fall wouldn’t have been life-threatening, in fact, the most damage that would have been done was tangling his quills!
With that, Sonic moved to lower his body to damp grass. Allowing his legs to dangle over the edge of the cliff, Sonic began to hum a soft melody. Leaning back on his hands, Sonic gazed at the blue sky filled with puffs of white that slowly moved away from him. Ever since Starfall Island, everything seems to have grown slow and quiet. Even the doctor was nowhere to be seen, fourtantly, everyone was beginning to return home from their own adventure.
As for Sonic? Well, he lived life as he always has; sure, it was somewhat boring to not have any of his friends around to bother when he found himself bored, but there were still plenty of things to be done.
Like sleeping, eating, running… um… eating?
“…” damn.
Lips tugged downwards, and a defeated sigh escaped his peach-colored lips as Sonic fell onto his back with a grunt.
Furrowing his eyebrow, he glares at the sky. He was bored! So bored! There was still one day before everyone returned home and yet it felt as if millennials had passed… grasping the yellowing grass that had been mostly destroyed due to his earlier attempts— sounds of grumbling emitted from his chest. Sure they had their weekly calls, but it wasn’t the same as talking in person. Sonic began, especially when the only thing he had to go off of was a few photos here and there.
Throwing the grass he had subconsciously picked it into the air, the blue blur muttered. “It’s not like I couldn’t have gone to visit them…”
But he didn’t, he forced himself to stay put— this was their adventure, and Sonic didn’t want to interfere with that because he was bored and needy. Continuing to swing his legs back and forth, Sonic spread his hand towards the sky, studying the woven material of his gloves.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for something else to capture the attention of the blue hedgehog. Down below, perhaps a couple of feet away, was the sound of cursing. Ears twitching, Sonic snorted in disbelief as he curled an eyebrow, tugging himself away from the wet grass, Sonic leaned forward. Although he couldn’t see much due to cascading trees; Sonic could still hear something, or rather someone.
Interest caught, Sonic was now standing up straight within the blink of an eye as a small smile crossed his muzzle. Brushing away at the poor grass that stuck to his damp fur, Sonic suddenly jumped downwards. Landing with ease, Sonic turned back around and glanced toward the top of the cliff, concluding that it was only a few feet tall.
Having cleared that mystery up, Sonic began to stride towards the entrance of the forest with his hands resting behind his head. Strolling through the forest at a comfortable pace, Sonic's eyes began to wander around the trees, admiring how the color of the wood seemed to complement the newly colored leaves that were brought with the crispy season.
Suddenly, in a flash of blue— using only his pointer finger and thumb, Sonic gently plucked a rather large yellow maple leaf off from the branch, and held it up to his eyes— yet the longer he looked at it, the more his body appeared to tremble.
Biting his cheeks, Sonic couldn’t help but narrow his eyes in amusement as he tried not to burst out into laughter the longer he gazed at the leaf.
“Hedgehog?” A deep voice cut through the air.
“Pfft—!” Attempting to throw the leaf behind, Sonic found himself nonchalantly, that’s what believers at least, against a young tree with an odd-looking grin, “Shads! Hey buddy, how are you?”
“???”
Watching as the golden leaf slowly floated its way back toward its owner, landing softly on the blue hedgehog’s head. Shadow felt his eyes twitch.
Feeling the leaf on top of his head, Sonic yanked it away with a sheepish snort before he turned around as if he were looking for something.
Crossing his arms, Shadow began to mutter incoherent words of displeasure. Shadow hasn’t been in the forest for too long; however, it did take him two long hours to finally manage to find a peaceful place that he could rest comfortably in. And yet…
Looking back up at the blue hedgehog whose head was tilted towards the sky with a hand over his mouth, Shadow couldn’t help but sneer— how is it that whenever he doesn’t want to be found, it always ends up being Sonic who finds him?
“Ah, okay… uh…”
Hearing the familiar whisper that was just enough for only them to hear, Shadow glanced back at the hedgehog who was wiping away at the small tears that had formed in his eyes.
“Right, sorry about that.” Coughing into his first, Sonic chuckled sheepishly when he met a pair of red eyes that could easily cut through thick ice if it were possible. Noticing the impatience on hybrid's face, Sonic shifted uncomfortably as he tried to come up with something, just say anything, chaos! Sonic scolded.
“You remind me of a maple leaf…” Not that you fool…
Shadow: “…”
Sweat forming under his gloves, Sonic’s eyes flickered, it’s over, you’ve done it now! You idiot…
Closing his eyes, Shadow silently counted to three while he contemplated his next actions. He wasn’t mad, no— that would be immature of him. Lowering his arms, Shadow slowly opened his eyes again as he observed the stiff hedgehog; has he ever seen the hedgehog so… still? The answer was no, obviously, but Shadow did find this odd behavior a little interesting.
Tilting his head, Shadow voiced, “What’s wrong with you?”
Caught off guard, green eyes widen slightly with a flushed muzzle. “Me? Nothing.” Waving his hand listlessly while placing the other one on his hips, Sonic began glancing around the forest in a panic. What to say, what to do… this is so awkward.
Why is this even awkward?
“Uh huh…” watching as red shoes began to tap against the forest floor. Shadow silently moved his eyes back towards the hedgehog, filled with scrutiny.
Noticing the other eyeing him as if he were a broken toy, Sonic hissed, “Stop looking at me like that.” Twisting the longer fur near his legs with a frown, Sonic kept his averted as he explained. “I was out on a run when I suddenly stumbled across this place.” Taking a chance, Sonic peeked at the ebony hedgehog. Instead of the usual scrutinizing look that he was used to, Sonic instead found that Shadow was looking at him fully, and what seemed like a small spark of amusement. Wait— hold on… is… is Shadow more fluffier than usual..?
Before his brain could even process his next move, Sonic suddenly questioned, “Why do you look so fluffy all of a sudden? Are you using some type of new conditioner, or…?”
Taken aback by the sudden change of topic, Shadow's eyes widened slightly as he tried to process the new conversation, “What…?”
“You’re fur…” pointing towards the hybrid, Sonic giggled, “you a lot more fluffier than usual.”
Not knowing how to answer this, Shadow glanced at his arm which indeed had thicker fur surrounding it. Shifting his eyes back onto the blue hedgehog, Shadow began to observe him— now that Sonic mentions it, Shadow was indeed a lot “fluffier” than Sonic.
“Winter coat? Don’t most Mobians have one?”
“Ah!” Clasping his hands together, Sonic laughed sheepishly, “I forgot about that… it’s just that…” Looking at the black fur that seemed as soft as feathers, Sonic muttered, “We don’t get very thick coats…”
“Oh.”
Sonic: “…”
“Anyways…” lowering his arm to his side, Sonic suddenly leaned forward, “Why are you here? Don’t tell me you want to see little old me?” He chirped.
“As if.” Taking a few steps backward, Shadow scoffed, “I, too, was out for a run.”
“Oh, got it!” Nodding, Sonic glanced around the area. But in reality, he felt as if his body was being forced still, the more this awkward conversation continued the more Sonic wanted to run away.
“Wanna race? I have nothing better to do today!”
Taken aback by the sudden proposal, Shadow’s eyes twitched in displeasure; in reality, he had come here to get away from Rouge scolding about him shedding way too much, and to confirm her point, Shadow caught many pieces of dark fur latched onto his white gloves.
Grumbling slowly. Shadow suddenly twisted his body completely away from the blue hedgehog with an impatient tone. “Well? Are you going to let me get a head start, hedgehog?”
“Hah!” Rubbing his nose, Sonic took three large steps forward, meeting a pair of ruby-like eyes, “are you telling me you need a head start to beat me?”
Snickering, Shadow lowered his body into a familiar position, “You’re the one who’s going to need a head start!”
“Hmph!” Lowering his body as well, Sonic sneered. “We’ll see about that.”
“Ready?”
“Set…”
“GO!”
And in just mere seconds leaves and dust had been scattered through the air in the wake of streaks of gold and blue that raced head to head off.
.
.
.
As the two hedgehogs skillfully maneuvered around trees and large boulders that blocked their paths, sounds of cheering could be heard from the blue blur who seemed to be grinning so hard that his mouth would rip. Snickering at this, Shadow boosted himself forward, quickly taking the lead.
Taking note of this, Sonic narrowed his eyes in delight as he watched the black hedgehog pull away instantly. Bemused, Sonic also began to speed up. And just like that, they were shoulder to shoulder. Turning his head slightly, Sonic called out, “wanna make this more interesting?”
“I’m not paying for your meal again, hedg— wha—!” Eyes widening, Shadow swiftly lowered his head as a slim blue leg passed over his head, “what the hell was that?!” Glaring daggers, Shadow hissed.
“Making it interesting!” Successfully managing to distract the ebony hedgehog, Sonic pulled ahead once more. Hearing a shout of frustration carried away by the wind, Sonic turned his head slightly and stuck out his tongue, “Catch me if you can!”
“Damn it, Sonic!” Gritting his teeth Shadow began to push himself to go even faster.
As they intertwined, making beautiful ribbon-like streaks of blue and gold— punches and kicks were also being exchanged wildly.
But with a flash of light filling his peripheral, Sonic suddenly found himself meeting a pair of determined burning red eyes that belonged to no other than the ebony hedgehog, who was racing towards him!
Baffled, Sonic suddenly came to a halt as a spinning kick rushed toward his temple. Alarmed, Sonic suddenly threw his body to the ground, rolling off into a dirt patch. Holding his breath, Sonic sneaked a glance over toward where the ebony hedgehog should have been.
But he wasn’t.
Swiftly pushing himself off the ground, Sonic's eyes swiftly surveyed every corner of the forest, yet there wasn’t a single ebony hedgehog in sight! But then, something low but also pleasant caught his attention. Lowering his breath, Sonic’s ears pointed forward as the sound of soft chucking filled his ears.
At first, Sonic was struck with awe, it wasn't often that Shadow laughed, let alone heard him laugh, and yet…
And yet! The longer he stood still the more he gritted his teeth at that underhand trick! “Cheater!” Sonic cried out in frustration. Not bothering to pat away at the dirt that clumped together within his damp fur, Sonic shot forward with a bitter expression.
“Cheating?” Watching as the blue blur approached him within seconds, Shadow shook his head innocently. “I was only making it interesting.”
“Heh!” Eyes gleaming in amusement, Sonic mused, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Keeping his gaze forward, Shadow noted the familiar warmth that belonged to the blue hedgehog, daring not to meet the others’ piercing green eyes. Shadow speed up.
Watching the dark hedgehog pull away once more, Sonic gritted his teeth.
But suddenly, to Sonic’s luck, he spotted a ramp-like area that veered off to the side. Perhaps if he used that…
Glancing at the ebony hedgehog who didn’t have the slightest clue about what was about to come. Sonic chuckled.
Noticing the sound of the scheming sound of chuckling from behind, Shadow quickly glanced over his shoulder only to find an empty path filled with leaves fluttering in the air. “What in Chaos's sake…” he whispered, but before he could think of anything else, the sound of rustling leaves broke him from his puzzled trance.
But it was practically too late as he followed the blue blur as it suddenly zipped out from a large bush and towards him; watching as a blue hedgehog soared into the sky, almost like how Knuckles does when he glides, Shadow eyes trembled in fear as the hedgehog approached him at frightening speed for just being in the air.
Despite his brain telling him to dodge the incoming hedgehog, Shadow's body seemed to have gone completely still as the blue blur crashed into him— sending both of them rolling down a steep hill that was hidden behind a bush.
And because Sonic had been determined to pounce on the hybrid as if he was the hunter and Shadow was the prey— Shadow immediately found himself being held tightly by the other hedgehog as they went tumbling down the hills, quills, and yelps everywhere; however, to either Sonic or Shadow knowledge, Shadow was subconsciously using his hand to protect the blue hedgehog's head as he gritted his teeth the longer they rolled down.
“What the hell, Sonic!” Shadow’s muffled shouts filled the blurry world of gold and blue. However, unlike Shadow who was holding back many curses, Sonic was giggling as he held tightly onto the hybrid with bright eyes.
Eventually, the rolling came to a cease, leaving Sonic on top of an out-of-breath Shadow.
Pushing himself off of the other’s chest, choosing to instead straddle the other’s hips, Sonic's eyes narrowed in delight as he peered down at Shadow who seemed at a loss for words. This too, was an uncommon expression for Shadow to exhibit— and Sonic was one of the few people who had the privilege to witness it!
With a smirk, Sonic leaned forward slightly, leaving merely an inch between their noses, cooing softly. “I found you, faker!”
Out of breath, and bewildered. Shadow felt his cheeks flush slightly as he met a pair of green eyes that seemed to sparkle brighter than any jewel Rouge could ever own, coughing out. “I… I was never missing?”