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They have no idea.
That’s what keeps repeating in Knuckles’ mind as his brother and friend spend time together.
Currently, he and his brothers and their guest were up in the attic. A sleepover, something they’ve had countless times. A time spent jovially until the inevitable crash of sleep. Knuckles of course lasted the longest, as he was the strongest and eldest (ignoring Shadow’s 50 years of stasis of course). At the moment they were in the more loose phase of the sleepover, doing their own thing until movies or video games and snacks.
Tails was on his bed, tinkering with some gizmo. He would however look up to watch Sonic and Shadow, then he’d exchange glances with Knuckles.
It had to be ignorance, right?
Neither Sonic or Shadow really grew up on their original planet. Customs and such were lost on them. They might as well be native to earth. Knuckles couldn’t think of any reason as to how and why they were so blatant with what they were doing.
The closeness between the two was hard to ignore.
It started with Sonic sharing with Shadow his headphones. Ever since the two became friendly and reunited from their battle in space, Sonic had taken up the task of “catching up” the other hedgehog on all kinds of pop culture. Everything and anything Sonic could get his hands on to “educate” his friend, while Shadow took it in stride. The most readily available was music. Sonic spent a lot of time making playlists for Shadow to listen to.
An effort that Knuckles was familiar with but ultimately, he dampened Sonic’s enthusiasm for it. He did things at his own pace, thank you very much. Shadow was more receptive but it didn’t mean he couldn’t be irritable with Sonic. Boundaries were sometimes crossed but they always seemed to make up at the end. Like it never happened.
“This song reminded me of you! Listen, listen!” And so Shadow did while he and Sonic shared some candy.
Fine. Harmless. Innocent enough.
Then Shadow had stuck his tongue out, then without any warning he began licking at Sonic’s shoulder.
Sonic giggled in surprise then turned to look at Shadow bemusedly. “Duuude! Why are you licking me?”
Shadow didn’t even look embarrassed getting caught. “Just…felt like it.” He shrugged. “You can do it to me back.”
Sonic opened his mouth then closed it before biting his lower lip. “Okay.”
Knuckles stood up. “AHEM!”
Both hedgehogs turned to look at him.
“Do your courtship elsewhere! The fox is too young to see such things!”
“Courtship?”
"What?!"
“Knuckles! I’m not a baby!”
Knuckles gave Tails a pat on the head. “Yes, you are.”
“I’m going to bite you!”
“Ugh! Guys!” Sonic got up to stop a potential fight.
Shadow just watched, the taste of lime flavored candy still on his tongue. And Sonic.
Courtship?