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Assistant: Title: In The Shadow of Your Spotlight
        Author: evexln evexln 
        Chapter: 4/7 
        Summary: 'Dreamboat Express' is one of the most popular band among girls. Who would have known how much the three brothers' life has changed in a few months? Sonic finally found someone to live his life with, someone who wouldn't treat him like an object, someone to love. And he knew that since he first saw that pair of crimson eyes.
        Contents: Chapter 4: First Date
    

    


      
        
          Sorry everyone for keeping you waitinggthis one took a while because I thought that I might insert another chapter, so I had to think a lot about it;))it's also very long, I don't know how I managed to do itI hope you like it!
            
            (See the end of the chapter for  more notes.)
            
      
  

  
  
    
    It had been a few days since Knuckles and Rouge went on their first date, and something had clearly changed about him. Not in a loud, obvious way, but in the subtle kind of shift his brothers picked up on immediately. He was smiling at his phone more. Blushing, even. He started using emojis. And not just the basic ones. Full red heart emojis. Sonic and Tails were suspicious.On a rainy afternoon, the attic was buzzing with the sound of music. Tails was slouched on the couch with his bass, lazily strumming a low rhythm, while Sonic stood across from him, hunched over his electric guitar, trying to make something work.“Dude, the riff is supposed to go before the drop.” Sonic said, pausing his playing to shoot Tails a look. “But it sounds better after.” Tails argued without missing a beat, flicking at the string like he was just entertaining himself at this point.“It’s not about sounding better, it’s about the structure.” Sonic said, walking over and adjusting a few knobs on the amp. “Dave said it goes before. Let’s just stick to the version we sent him.”From across the room, Knuckles lay sprawled across his bed, one arm tucked behind his head, the other holding his phone just above his face. He hadn’t played anything for a while, hadn’t even looked at his drum kit. His thumb hovered over the screen as a tiny smile crept onto his face. A new message from Rouge had just popped up. He bit his bottom lip, trying to hide the grin.“I’m going out.” he said suddenly, sitting up. Sonic looked up from his guitar. “What? Where to?” Knuckles got up slowly, stretching. “Out.” Tails raised an eyebrow. “Out where?” The red-haired grabbed a hoodie off the bedpost and pulled it over his head. “With Rouge.”The two brothers turned to him. Sonic practically dropped his guitar pick. “Wait, what? You two are hanging out now? Just the two of you?” Sonic’s jaw dropped, then turned into a smug grin. “Well, look who manned up in a week. D@mn, I’m proud of you.” Knuckles rolled his eyes, but his cheeks were already red. “It’s not a big deal.”“You got snacks?” Sonic asked casually, pretending to tune a string. “I’m paying for anything she wants.” Knuckles replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Sonic snorted. “Oh no, no. I meant for us.”Knuckles stopped, staring at him like he was out of his mind. “Seriously?” Tails smirked. “You do usually bring stuff back.” Knuckles stopped mid-step, narrowing his eyes at them. “You can go get your own d@mn snacks. I'm not grocery shopping for the whole house when I’m hanging out with a girl.” Tails chuckled. “Fair point.” “Alright, fine.” Sonic said, grabbing his jacket off the chair. “Then I’m coming with you.”Knuckles turned his head slowly, staring at him. “No.”“Yes.”Knuckles turned his whole body, his voice lower, more serious now. “Why would you?” Sonic shrugged, the picture of innocence. “Cause I’m hungry. I want chili dogs.” Knuckles sighed deeply, like this entire conversation was physically hurting him. “You’re going to the store. I’m going on a walk. We’re going in opposite directions. If I see you even breathe near us, I’m ending you.”“I swear on my boy scout badge.” Sonic said with a wide grin, holding three fingers up dramatically. “You were never in the boy scouts.” Tails said flatly. “It’s the symbolism, Tails.”Tails stood up and gently placed his bass back in its stand. “I’m coming too.” Knuckles looked at them both like he was moments away from burning the attic down. “Great. Should I call Tom and Maddie while I’m at it? Make it a field trip?”Sonic threw up his hands. “Dude, relax. We’re just grabbing food. We’ll be ghosts. You won’t even know we’re there.” “You better not be.”Knuckles gave them one last warning glare before heading toward the stairs. As the attic trapdoor creaked shut behind him, a silence settled for a moment. Sonic turned to Tails, grinning. “We’re so spying on him.”Tails stared at him. “What? No. No, we’re not.” “Yes, we are.” Sonic said, grabbing his hoodie and wallet. “Come on. This is history in the making.”Tails frowned. “Do you know how crazy you sound right now?”Sonic didn’t even hesitate. “It’s science. Observation. We’re making sure he doesn’t say something stupid like, ‘Do you lift?’ halfway through. This is important! What if they kiss? You really wanna miss that?”Tails stared blankly, waiting for him to reveal the ‘I was joking’, but he was just standing there, grinning like a mad man. “Are you dumb?”Sonic blinked, confused by the question. “What?” Tails groaned. “They’re not gonna kiss, Sonic. It’s literally their second date. You don’t just go around mashing faces on day two.”“And you know that?”“Everyone knows that. It’s basic knowledge, unless you’re too obsessed with Disney movies.”Sonic nodded, defeated by his brother’s arguments. “Okay, but we’re talking about Knuckles. Everything is possible. Unpredictable. What if she leans in? What if he panics and kisses her forehead by mistake?”“I’m not going to encourage this.” Tails crossed his arms. “He’ll kill us. And it’s gonna be painful.”“He won’t know.” Sonic smirked, rubbing his hands together like a mischievous fly. Tails sighed, his conscience screaming at him, but, unfortunately, curiosity was louder. “If he finds out,” Tails muttered, “I was forced to do this.”“You say that every time.” Sonic called back. Tails scoffed. “And you always succeed in getting me in trouble.”Sonic held the trapdoor open and gestured dramatically. “Ladies first.” The blonde stopped and raised an eyebrow, but decided to go on. “Oh, what a gentleman!” he said sarcastically, running down the stairs.“Always on duty.” he grinned, before following him. He was already picturing Knuckles' reaction if they got caught. But some things were worth the risk. Especially when one of your brothers was falling in love for the first time, and had no idea how obvious it was.  The bathroom was small but bright, lit by the soft overhead light that cast a warm glow over the tiles and mirror. The faint scent of lavender soap lingered in the air, mixing with the subtle perfume Rouge had just applied. She stood in front of the mirror, her makeup laid out neatly across the sink. A practiced hand moved steadily as she traced the curve of her lips with a rich, dark purple lipstick, smoothing the color into place with a final sweep.She leaned back slightly to inspect her handiwork — perfect. The lipstick gave her look just enough edge without being over the top. She smiled at herself, confident and calm. Rouge tilted her chin, checking her reflection one last time, then turned off the light and stepped into the hallway.“I’m out. See y’all later!” she called, her heels clicking against the hardwood as she moved toward the door.The apartment was modest, three bedrooms (one wasn’t used, so they were calling it the guest room, even though they were never having guests; Omega was sleeping on the couch), one bathroom, a cozy kitchen, and a lived-in living room that still had leftover takeout containers from two nights ago. The faint hum of the TV mingled with the soft sound of water boiling in the kitchen.“Where are you going?” Shadow asked, not looking up as he stirred a pot on the stove. The scent of garlic and tomato filled the kitchen. His hair was still damp from a shower, and he wore a dark hoodie with the sleeves pushed to his elbows. Rouge paused at the door, holding her bag casually. “Out.” A long pause passed. “With Knuckles.”There was a brief silence, broken only by the clatter of Omega’s controller buttons. “Woah!” he called from the floor, where he was half-sitting, half-sprawled in front of the TV. “A date with the big guy?”“Yep.” She tossed him a grin over her shoulder. “You need anything? I might grab something on the way back.”“Three packs. You know which ones.” Omega said, eyes locked on his game. Rouge didn’t even blink. “No.”“No, what?”“I’m not helping you destroy your lungs, dude.” She gave him a flat look. “I’m not about to fund your early grave.” Omega groaned dramatically, flopping onto his back like he’d been mortally wounded. “Bro, chillax. I’m not gonna die now. This beauty is a beast. He ain’t dying just like that from two smokes.”“Those ‘two smokes’ are multiplied with fifty everyday. You can rot over there and breathe your nice clean air.” Rouge tossed him a wink before opening the door. “Bye! Be good, boys!”As the door shut behind her, Omega let out an exaggerated sigh. “This woman… She literally asked if we needed anything. What’s the point if she’s gonna judge me for my needs?”Shadow didn’t reply. He was focused on the stove, quietly plating his pasta with a careful hand. The kitchen was small but clean, with faint scratches on the countertops from years of use. He carried his plate to the table, sat down, and glanced at his phone again. It buzzed softly against the wood. The screen lit up with a message. It was from Maria.Maria: Heyyy!! Grandpa just left. If you want to call, I’m free for the rest of the night;)A rare softness crept into Shadow’s expression. His eyes relaxed, and the corners of his lips turned up in a quiet, almost reluctant smile.Shadow: Sure. I’ll call you in a few minutes.He set the phone down and twirled his fork in the pasta, taking a bite. The flavors were warm and rich, he’d added just the right amount of herbs, and the sauce had simmered perfectly. Even though they were ordering something almost every day, Shadow was a great chef. He just never wanted to cook for others, he considered it a waste of time. He was chewing silently, until his phone buzzed again. He wiped his hands on a napkin, checked the screen, and the warmth in his face drained away instantly.
  ‘
  Meet me in twenty minutes. Bring the money.’
He stared at the message. The words didn’t need to be signed, he already knew who they were from. His stomach twisted. The pasta suddenly felt heavy, too much. He placed the fork down with a soft clink against the plate and leaned forward, pressing his palm against his forehead. He sat there, unmoving, jaw tight. Then, quietly, he stood. He walked down the short hallway to his room, his footsteps heavy on the floor.Shadow’s room was sparse. A simple desk, a bed with plain gray sheets, and a dresser he rarely opened unless he had to. He crouched down and pulled the bottom drawer open with a quiet creak. Inside was a stack of clothes, a few old photos, and, buried beneath a hoodie, an envelope of cash, next to the gun.He pulled the envelope out and opened it. The crisp bills were still there, counted and bundled. He flipped through them silently, then pulled most of the money out, leaving behind a few hundred-dollar bills. It was a pitiful amount, but it was all he could afford to spare. He closed his eyes and exhaled, the weight of the decision pressing down like a stone on his chest.He stood up, grabbed his black jacket from the back of the desk chair, and shrugged it on. He hesitated for a moment in the doorway of his room, glancing at the kitchen table, then walked back toward the living room.“Hey.” he said quietly, glancing toward his roommate . “You hungry?”Omega, now sitting upright, still clutching his controller, looked at him like the question was absurd. “What kind of question is that? When wouldn’t I be hungry?”“There’s some pasta on the table. You can take it.” Omega blinked. “Wait, where did you get that from?”“I made it.” he replied with a shrug. His roommate turned, looking surprised and confused at the same time. “Since when are you buddy-buddies with the stove?” Shadow rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m going out.”“Out where?” he asked, going back to fidgeting with his controller. Shadow hesitated at the door, then shook his head. “Out.”Omega paused his game and looked up at him. For once, he didn’t want to push any further. He had a feeling something was off, and knowing Shadow, he wouldn’t find out anyway. “Alright. Have fun.”Shadow nodded once. He turned and opened the front door, stepping into the dim hallway outside. The air was cooler here, stale with the smell of dust and floor cleaner. The hallway light buzzed overhead. He closed the door behind him, not looking back.  Knuckles gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, his knuckles, ironically, white under the pressure. The late afternoon sun filtered through the windshield, casting golden slants of light across the dashboard, but none of the three inside the car seemed to notice. The silence was thick, humming with tension. Sonic sat in the passenger seat, one arm lazily resting out the open window, the other idly scrolling through his phone. But his eyes weren’t really focused. They kept flickering to Knuckles, then back to the road. He could sense the nerves rolling off him like heat. Tails was slouched in the backseat, headphones hanging around his neck, playing on his Nintendo before glancing up at the rearview mirror. He noticed the slight tremble in Knuckles’ jaw, the way his brow furrowed like he was bracing for impact.Sonic opened his mouth, clearly about to say something, but thought better of it. He sighed and leaned his head against the headrest. Then Tails broke the silence. “Did you use the new cologne?” Knuckles blinked and glanced at the mirror, meeting Tails’ gaze. “Uh… yeah. Yeah, I did.” He cleared his throat.“Did you wash your hair?” Tails asked, teasing but with a note of sincerity. “I’m wearing a hood.” Knuckles muttered, pulling it further over his deep red hair. “I don’t know who I might be meeting. Gotta keep it low.”Sonic finally turned, smirking. “Did you get sweets?” Knuckles exhaled through his nose. “No. I figured I’d just get whatever she wants. You know... play it cool.”Sonic raised an eyebrow. “Did you get flowers?” Knuckles hesitated, tightening his grip on the wheel again. “Uh... no. Should I have?” Sonic tilted his head, his smirk sharpening. “I mean…yeah? It’s a date, not a dentist appointment. It’s just the two of you. You don’t wanna show up empty-handed.”Knuckles’ heart was starting to pound. He glanced at Sonic’s phone. “I- uh… Quick, check what time the closest flower shop closes.” Sonic gave him a look like a disappointed coach. “Dude, you aren’t even there yet and you already messed up.”“I’m trying, okay??” Knuckles snapped, tension bleeding into his voice. “I’ve never done this before. I never asked a girl out.” Tails perked up, curious. “Wait- so, you asked her?”Knuckles flushed. “No, she… she asked me.”Sonic burst into laughter. He found his brother's nervous behaviour funnier than it was supposed to be. “Bro. The man is supposed to ask the girl out. What, did you lose a slipper or something?” Knuckles shot him a glare. “She asked, okay?! I said yes! I didn’t know it was supposed to be this serious. I didn’t think it was an official date!”Sonic just shook his head, grin growing wider. “So what now? You waiting for some dandelions to magically appear on your doorstep? Just stop at the first flower shop you see and grab the best bouquet your eyes can find.”“Okay, okay! I will try my-” Knuckles growled, before he stopped. “THERE! FLOWER SHOP!” he shouted, swerving the car toward the right at the sight of bouquets sitting outside. Sonic and Tails grabbed the chair with their life, trying not to fall off. “Lord, have mercy!” Tails mumbled. The shop looked quaint, cozy, with hanging baskets of roses and peonies draping the entrance like it was from a storybook. He parked with a hard jerk and threw the gear into park. As he stepped out, he tugged his hood further over his hair, then stopped. He turned back to face his brothers, standing in the open car door, his expression twisted in uncertainty.“What kind of flowers should I get?” he asked, half-desperate.Sonic didn’t miss a beat. “Something that doesn’t scream ‘this was the only thing left on the shelf.' ” Tails leaned in. “Just get something that reminds you of her.” Knuckles nodded once, eyes serious, then turned and disappeared into the shop.Tails watched him go, amused. “Did you just manipulate Knuckles into getting flowers for Rouge?” Sonic shrugged, lips twitching into a grin. “I nudged. Encouraged. Saved him from himself.”“Right. With flower shop sarcasm.”“Hey, if he shows up with nothing, she might think he doesn’t care. It’s the thought that counts, and now he’s actually thinking.”A few minutes passed, the windows slowly fogging with the settling dusk, before the front door to the shop chimed. Knuckles emerged with a bundle cradled in his arms. Purple carnations, wrapped in crisp white paper. His hoodie had slipped back a little, revealing his red-dyed hair. He climbed back into the car, plopped the flowers onto Sonic’s lap without a word, and started the engine.“Are we good now?” Knuckles asked, eyes darting between the road and the mirror, still tense. “You’re good.” Tails confirmed with a knowing smirk.The ride continued, but the edge in the air began to soften. Sonic leaned forward and flicked on the radio. A beat dropped—trap music, low and bassy, filling the car with rhythm. Sonic nodded his head in time with the beat. Tails drummed his fingers on the back of the seat. For the first time since they got in the car, Knuckles allowed himself a small, nervous smile. He was about to go on his first date with Rouge, after all.  Shadow walked alone under the cold wash of a streetlight, his boots echoing quietly against the cracked sidewalk. The sun had dipped almost completely below the horizon, leaving only a smear of blood-orange across the sky. On the opposite end, the moon was beginning to rise, pale, round, and distant, like a silent witness to the night ahead. His hands were buried deep in the pockets of his long black coat, head down, a perpetual scowl carved into his face. There was a heaviness in his step, not from exhaustion, but from something heavier—regret, maybe. Or guilt. Or both.After nearly ten minutes of walking without looking up, he turned left into a narrow alleyway, shadowed and forgotten between two decaying apartment buildings. The street noise vanished behind him. Here, only silence reigned, interrupted by the faint buzz of a flickering neon sign somewhere out of sight.At the end of the alley, in the murky dark, three figures stood huddled. Just silhouettes at first, shapeless shadows shifting against the wall. One of them stepped forward slightly as Shadow approached, the sound of his steps crunching against gravel and broken glass.“You came early.” the tallest one said, his voice dry and raspy. Though the light didn’t touch his face, Shadow could feel the man’s eyes on him, sharp and penetrating. Shadow stopped a few feet away, jaw tightening. “Let’s get this over with.” he said flatly. “What do you want?”“You know what I want.” the man said, stepping forward. “Did you bring them?”Shadow’s hand slipped into his coat pocket. He hesitated for a second. Then he pulled out a stack of bills and tossed it toward the man. It landed at his feet with a dull slap. The man crouched slowly, picked it up, and began thumbing through the money with a grin.“You know,” he muttered, not looking up as he counted, “I thought I made myself pretty d@mn clear in the message.” Then he did look up. His grin was thin, teeth barely visible in the dark. “Where’s the rest?”Shadow said nothing. His shoulders squared, expression unreadable. The man’s voice lost its humor. “Don’t give me that look. Where’s the rest of it?”“I don’t have it.” Shadow said, low and firm.The other’s face shifted. “You know what?” he said, stepping closer, “I used to think trusting you was a good call. I mean, you always came through back in the day. But now? Now you owe me more than you’ve ever had. So tell me, what exactly are you gonna do about that, Shadow? Run away again?”Shadow didn’t move. “You better not come any closer.” he said. His voice didn’t rise, but there was an edge to it, cold steel behind calm words. The man chuckled darkly. “Or what? You gonna shoot me? That little gun I gave you… You still got it?”He took another step forward. “I gave you that months ago, remember? You almost begged me for it. This?" he said, holding up the cash. "You just paid for half of it. So when’s the other half coming, huh? Or are you here tonight to ask me for another one?”“F@ck off, Reed.” he mumbled.That made him stop. He tilted his head slightly, smile gone. “Don’t you use that language on me, you b@st@rd.” he said, voice low and dangerous now. “You really don’t get it, do you? You don’t know what I can do to you. You’re not untouchable, Shadow. You’re just pretending to be.”Shadow stayed silent, fists clenched tight in his coat. Reed grinned again, bitter and twisted. “You were fun, you know that? You were the best I had. We’d sit on those benches by the river, smoking till the sun came up, laughing at sh@t that didn’t even make sense. Getting wasted, forgetting who we were. That was real, man. That was us. But then you went back to your perfect little family. You left me.” His voice cracked slightly, but he masked it with another chuckle. “You left me with nothing. No one, just because your sissy got a little sick. And then you come crawling back months later, asking for money, asking for drugs. Like it was nothing. Like I owed you. And yeah, I gave it to you. ‘Cause I’m a dumbass who thought maybe my best friend would come through one last time. But now?” He stepped back, shaking his head. “Now I know. Never help the b@tch@s who let you drown while they climb out.”Shadow didn’t speak. He pressed his lips together, every word sinking into his gut like a blade. Reed didn’t wait for a response. He turned on his heel and walked away, the other two figures falling into step behind him. “You’ve got a month.” Reed called over his shoulder. “After that, I’m done waiting.” Their footsteps faded into the darkness, swallowed by the night.Shadow stood alone in the alley for a moment longer. The tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. He stared down at the spot where Reed had stood, breathing quietly, thinking about nothing and everything at once. Then his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his coat pocket and glanced at the screen. Maria.He hesitated for a second, then answered.“Hey, Shadow!” her voice rang out, warm and bright and completely opposite the alley’s gloom. “How are you? I thought you’d call me by now. I was starting to get a little worried. Hope I’m not bothering you.”Shadow’s shoulders dropped just slightly at the sound of her voice. “Yeah… I’m good.” he said quietly. “Sorry. I…I had some stuff to do.”“You okay? You sound off.”“No, I’m fine.” he said. “Just hanging out.”“Oh?” There was a playful curiosity in her tone. “With who?”Shadow’s lips parted. He hesitated. “Just… some friends.” There was a pause. Deep silence. Maria knew that’s not true. “…Huh.”“What?” he asked. “Nothing.” Maria replied quickly. “It’s just… you… Nothing! Nevermind.”Another silence. Then she changed the subject, voice lighter. “So, grandpa came over today. Wanna know what he brought me today?” Shadow let out a soft breath through his nose and began walking again. “Mh-hm.”He stepped out of the alley and back onto the dimly lit sidewalk, the weight in his chest heavier than when he’d walked in. His phone was still pressed to his ear, Maria’s voice gently filling the silence in his head like warm light in a cold room. He didn’t say much, but he listened. He shoved his free hand into his coat pocket as the wind picked up, brushing past him like a whisper. The sidewalk stretched out ahead, empty, just like the streets around him. Faint lights from apartment windows flickered above, blurred by distance. He was feeling a little cold, but her voice in his ear and the night around him were like a worn-out coat. He was thankful for these precious moments with his sister. He occasionally sees her, and those are some of the best days, even though no one know about them.  The car pulled up near the edge of the park, where lamplight spilled in pools along the curved paths. Rows of benches lined the walkway, each one aged and a little worn, softened by time and countless conversations. The trees rustled quietly in the early evening breeze, their leaves shimmering under the yellow-orange glow of streetlights. In the distance, the low hum of the city echoed faintly beyond the gates, but here it felt quiet, secluded. Knuckles took a deep breath, reached across the seat, and carefully lifted the bouquet from Sonic’s lap. The purple carnations crinkled slightly in their white wrapping. He stared at them for a second, swallowed, then opened the door and stepped out. The cool night air hit him immediately.Sonic and Tails climbed out after him, stretching from the drive, both of them already scanning the park with curious eyes. Knuckles glanced around the open space. Lamps lining the path, a stone fountain bubbling softly near the center, a few scattered benches, some already occupied by couples. He nodded slowly to himself, as if confirming this was the right spot. Then he turned to his brothers with purpose.“Okay. You two. That way.” he said, pointing off toward the far end of the park.Sonic tilted his head, already grinning. “What, no good luck speech?” Tails leaned forward slightly, voice teasing. “We’re just gonna say hi. Real quick. Maybe wave.”Knuckles narrowed his eyes. “No way. I don’t want to see a single spike or a stray blonde hair near us, or sticking out of a bush.” Sonic placed a hand over his heart. “You wound me. You think I’d be that obvious?”“Yes.” Knuckles replied flatly. “The chili dog van is just a few blocks from here. Go get something to eat. Keep yourselves busy.” he added. Tails looked to Sonic, and they exchanged a wordless glance. Sonic sighed theatrically. “Fine, fine. We’ll leave the lovebirds alone.” he said, turning and walking away. “Have fun on your date.” he shouted over his shoulder, followed by his little brother.Knuckles rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he turned toward the narrow path that curved toward the fountain. He took another breath, adjusted the hood on his head, then started walking toward where he and Rouge had agreed to meet.Behind him, Sonic and Tails watched for a moment. “You think he’s gonna mess it up?” Tails asked quietly.Sonic grinned. “Oh, absolutely.”The moment they lost sight of their older brother, Sonic grabbed his wrist and bolted, dragging his brother behind him in a blur of motion. They tore along the edge of the park, wind rushing past them, their shoes barely touching the ground. The trees whipped by in streaks of shadow and light, lamplight flickering over their faces as they raced through the darkness.“Dude, slow down!” Tails hissed between gasps, stumbling as his boots slid across the dewy grass. “I’m not built for light-speed sneak missions!”“Too late! We’re committed now!” Sonic shot back, his voice carried by the wind as he kept pace like a ghost on a rail.They zigzagged between tree trunks and dodged benches, ducking just out of sight every time a light pool opened up in front of them. Leaves cracked softly underfoot, and their breath puffed in short bursts of steam in the chilly night air. Finally, they skidded to a stop behind a thick hedge near the fountain clearing, nearly crashing into each other as Sonic dropped to one knee and threw open a gap in the branches.“Made it.” Sonic whispered, grinning as he caught his breath. Tails collapsed beside him, panting. “We’re gonna give him a heart attack, and me a twisted ankle.”“It’s all worth it.” Sonic muttered.Just in time, through the leaves, they saw Rouge. She stood near the fountain, waiting, the quiet splash of water behind her blending with the distant sounds of the city. As soon as Knuckles approached, her posture softened, and something warm and unspoken passed between them.Knuckles hesitated only briefly before holding out the flowers. There was a flicker of surprise in her reaction, quickly followed by a smile that seemed to light the space between them. She accepted the bouquet gently, then flushed visibly, even from their hiding spot, the red in her cheeks was obvious. A few soft words followed, barely audible, a small “Thank you.” answered by a low, steady “It’s good to see you.”“Oh, man.” Sonic whispered with a smug smirk. “Look at him. He just melted at the sight of her.” There was a pause, and then Sonic leaned forward with a smug expression. “I bet they’ll marry each other.” Tails looked at him. “Really?”“Yeah. Give it four years. No, three. I’m feeling pretty confident.” Tails raised a brow. “Fifty bucks and a chili dog.” Sonic extended his hand. “Deal.” They shook on it, still crouched behind the bush, never taking their eyes off the scene.Knuckles and Rouge exchanged a few more words about how nice it was to finally meet like this. Their conversation was soft, almost inaudible from this distance, but their body language said enough, Rouge turning slightly toward him with a smile, Knuckles turning more red than his hair every time she complimented him. The two stood there for a while, walking slowly along the fountain path. Rouge held the bouquet loosely at her side, and Knuckles kept a respectful distance, hands in his pockets, clearly trying not to look awkward.“…Okay, I’m already bored.” Tails muttered, shifting uncomfortably on one knee. The dirt was cold, and the bush they were hiding behind had started poking him in the back. “Shhh!” Sonic hissed, eyes still locked on the couple in the distance. Another pause. Then, in a quieter, more resigned voice, “Yeah, me too.”They crouched there, surrounded by rustling leaves and the hum of crickets, watching Knuckles slowly nod along to whatever Rouge was saying. It looked nice. Peaceful. Which, in Sonic’s mind, also meant uneventful.“What do you wanna do now?” Sonic whispered, leaning a little closer. Tails tilted his head thoughtfully. “Chili dogs?” Sonic looked conflicted. “Wanna bail on this?”“Well, I don’t know. It’s not like anything would happen…” Tails snorted. “You never know!” Sonic said, looking almost offended. “This could be his moment.” “Alright, then you stay here. I’ll go get the chili dogs.” “No, wait!” Sonic said suddenly, a little louder than intended. Both boys froze. They were definitely revealed. Sonic closed his eyes, as he laid down the dirt, trying to make himself less visible. Knuckles turned his head slightly, but Rouge gently redirected his attention with another question. They were in luck.Sonic exhaled. “Okay. That was close.” “I told you.” Tails said under his breath. Sonic crouched for another moment, then straightened up. “Alright. I’ll go. You hold the fort. I’ll be back in ten minutes with food.” “You better be.” Tails whispered, settling back into his hiding spot. “And get me two this time.”Sonic gave him a silent thumbs-up before darting off into the night. His footsteps faded quickly, swallowed by the hum of the city beyond the trees. Tails exhaled and turned back toward the clearing. The two were walking now, just slowly looping around the fountain, steps easy, shoulders relaxed. Then Knuckles laughed, really laughed. Not one of those half-hearted chuckles he used when trying to sound normal, but a full, genuine burst of joy that carried just far enough to reach Tails. Tails blinked, surprised. That sound had been rare lately. He smiled quietly and pulled his hoodie up a little higher, letting the fabric warm his ears as he leaned back against the bush.“Don’t mess this up, Knux.” he whispered. “You need it way more than you know.”  Shadow walked alone down the dim alley, the soft click of his boots echoing off the brick walls. The call with Maria had ended a few minutes ago, her voice still lingering faintly in his mind like the warmth of a hand just released. He wasn’t far from the apartment yet, but his thoughts kept him detached, distant.Up ahead, a small corner shop glowed under a flickering neon sign. Its windows were cluttered with aging posters and faded advertisements, but the sign on the door read ‘Open 24/7’ in bold red letters. Shadow slowed, glancing toward it. He remembered Omega’s offhand request—three packs of cigarettes, his favourite red brand. He stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, eyes narrowed at the shopfront. Then, with a quiet exhale, he stepped inside.  Sonic jogged lightly down the sidewalk, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets as he made his way toward the chili dog van parked at the edge of the block. The warm scent of grilled meat and sizzling onions hit him before the van even came into view, making his stomach rumble in anticipation. The vendor barely looked up when Sonic arrived. Without hesitation, Sonic ordered four chili dogs, two for Tails, two for himself, and paid in cash. As the man turned to prep the order, Sonic’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He ignored it at first, assuming it was nothing important. Probably Tails asking for extra napkins or hot sauce.Then it buzzed again. And again.By the time the vendor handed him the small brown bag holding the food, Sonic pulled out his phone, annoyed. Four missed calls.
  All from Tails.
A sudden, sharp pang of dread pierced Sonic's chest. His instincts fired all at once, tightening his grip on the chili dog bag, making his breath catch mid-step. Without hesitation, he tapped his communicator, calling Tails. The line barely rang once.“Tails?” Sonic's voice tightened, eyes scanning the shadows. “What’s going on?”“LEAVE! They’re coming your way. Hide somewhere, now!”“WHAT?” Sonic froze. His breath hitched. He spun in place, scanning the quiet street around him. The lamplight buzzed overhead, casting long, uneven shadows. Cars rolled by lazily in the distance. For a second, everything looked normal, but then.A flicker of movement caught his eye at the far end of the block. Two silhouettes turned the corner, strolling side by side, just emerging beneath the streetlight. The lean sway of Rouge’s walk. The solid, familiar posture of Knuckles. Their voices were still too far to hear clearly, but Sonic knew that walk anywhere.His heart slammed against his ribs. “Oh, no.” he muttered under his breath, panic rising like a wave.He spun on his heel and broke into a casual walk, resisting every urge to sprint. His strides were fast but measured, pretending not to notice them, though he could feel the heat of their presence even from this distance. Then he saw it, a small shop to his left, narrow and tucked between a pharmacy and a laundromat. A flickering “OPEN 24/7“ sign buzzed faintly in the window. Without thinking, Sonic darted toward it and shoved the door open, slipping inside and letting it close behind him with a loud slam.Inside, the store smelled faintly of detergent and cigarette smoke. He ducked instinctively near a shelf filled with discounted snacks, crouching low enough to stay out of direct sight through the window. He glanced back nervously, heart pounding.Outside, Knuckles and Rouge were still walking, slower now. Sonic couldn’t tell if they’d seen him, but they were headed directly toward the shop.“Sh@t!” Sonic hissed under his breath as he darted through the narrow aisles of the convenience store. Shelves loaded with snacks, energy drinks, and dusty canned goods blurred past him as he ducked behind rows of overpriced potato chips. The bag of chili dogs was almost tearing apart in his grip, the bottom corner already soaked through with warm grease.He turned a corner too fast, his shoulder clipping someone solid near the back of the store, just past the liquor shelves. The jolt sent him stumbling sideways. One of the chili dogs shifted dangerously in the bag. “Ah- sorry, man-” he started, not even looking up yet.“Watch where you’re-” the other voice cut in, sharp and annoyed.But then both fell silent. Just a pause. A breath. Sonic’s head snapped up. The stranger had turned to face him fully, and Sonic found himself staring into a pair of unmistakable, deep crimson eyes. The air shifted.“…You?” Shadow said, eyes narrowing, voice losing all its irritation and filling instead with something colder, sharper. Disbelief.The blue-haired blinked, frozen. His pupils shrank. “…Shadow?!” Sonic’s jaw slackened. He looked stunned, like he’d seen a ghost. His breath caught in his throat, the bag in his hand crinkling from how tightly he was gripping it.“…What the f@ck are you doing here?” Shadow asked finally, his voice low and unmistakably annoyed. He glanced down at Sonic’s bag, his jacket, the sweat on his forehead.“I…” he blinked, still frozen in place. “I don’t… know?”His voice cracked halfway through the sentence. His usual fast-talking confidence had vanished in a blink. For a moment, the ridiculousness of the whole thing—the chili dogs, the hiding, the spying—just disappeared, and all he saw was Shadow, standing there, dressed in black, narrowing his eyes at him. Sonic swallowed hard, the moment suddenly heavier than it should’ve been. He glanced over his shoulder, then back to Shadow, the words tumbling out in a hurried whisper.“Okay, look. I messed up. Knuckles and Rouge, they’re on a date. I was supposed to just…watch. From far away. But now they’re here, and I’m here, and they can’t see me or it’ll ruin everything. Please. I need your help.”Shadow’s brow furrowed. Before he could open his mouth, the bell above the door jingled. The sound cut through the air like a blade. Sonic flinched hard. Shadow slowly turned his head toward the entrance, and his jaw tightened. Over the tops of the shelves, just barely visible, was the top of a familiar hood. And next to it, Rouge’s voice, soft and curious, murmuring something as they entered. Sonic’s face drained of all color. His throat went dry.“Oh, come on!” he whispered, eyes wide, almost feral with panic. “This one out of all of them?”Shadow muttered something under his breath, something not very polite, and closed his eyes for a brief, weary moment. Then he opened them again. “Follow me.”Without another word, he turned on his heel and started moving through the aisle with quiet, practiced efficiency, like someone who’d hidden a body or two before. Sonic stumbled after him, gripping the chili dogs like a hostage, still whispering frantic curses under his breath. They ducked low, weaving between narrow paths of merchandise.Sonic darted behind Shadow, heart hammering like it was trying to burst through his ribs. The cold night air still clung to his skin as they reached the back of the store. Without a word, Shadow pushed open a worn, white-painted door. Its hinges let out a faint creak that made Sonic flinch.“Get in.” Shadow said, voice sharp, quiet, and absolute. Sonic slipped inside without hesitation, clutching the greasy paper bag of chili dogs like an artifact. Shadow followed, pulling the door shut behind them but leaving it cracked open an inch to peer through. Faint light from the store filtered into the cramped space, barely illuminating the small storeroom.The air inside was dry and stale—cardboard, dust, the ghost of cleaning chemicals. Shelves were stacked high with plastic-wrapped goods, cleaning rags, and cases of soda. It was suffocatingly tight, with barely enough room to shift without brushing against each other. Sonic could feel Shadow’s presence inches from his side, his body heat steady and unmoving like a stone wall. They’re shoulders were almost touching, because of the tight space of the room. He tried to breathe slower, quieter. But his breath came shallow and fast, the paper bag crinkling in his hands with each inhale. His pulse thundered in his ears. The thrill of almost being caught hadn’t worn off, it buzzed under his skin.“What the hell were you thinking?” Shadow hissed, voice low and cutting like a knife in the dark. “I didn’t know they were coming in here.” Sonic whispered back, his throat dry. “I just- got the food, and then Tails called, and- man, I panicked.”Silence. Sonic tried to peek through the crack in the door, but Shadow’s shoulder was blocking his view. “What are they doing?” he asked after a beat, leaning in closer.“Buying alcohol.” Shadow replied without much emotion, but his tone carried a note of annoyance. “What else?”“What?!” Sonic whispered a little too loudly, his voice high with disbelief. “Let me see.” He leaned in farther, ducking under Shadow’s chin, his head almost resting against the other’s chest as he squinted through the crack. Knuckles was standing near the counter, holding two bottles in each hand, while Rouge examined the labels on a third one.“This guy…” Sonic whispered sharply, “He’s supposed to be driving tonight. Are you kidding me? He’s gonna start acting like a philosopher again after two sips.”“Tch.” Shadow clicked his tongue, nudging Sonic’s head away with his fingers. “What are you even doing here?”Sonic straightened, blinking. “Well, Knux was supposed to be having his big date, and me and Tails were just gonna… give him space. But we kinda… didn’t.” He held up the chili dog bag like it explained everything. “I was getting us food. You hungry?”Shadow didn’t answer. His silence was like a wall, unmoving and heavy. “You have a serious problem.” he muttered after a moment, voice cold.“Hey!” Sonic said, trying not to sound too defensive, “I warned you. You could’ve walked into them too if I didn’t say anything.”“Like how you keep walking into me? Twice. In two weeks?” Shadow’s tone was sharper now, not yelling, but each word landed hard. Sonic held up a hand in surrender. “Okay, okay. First time? That was an accident. We’ve been over this. This one? That wasn’t even a full collision. That was like… shoulder brushing. Minor incident.”Shadow’s eyes glinted faintly in the dark, the red of them glowing like embers. Even without seeing his full expression, Sonic felt the glare like a knife in his side.“Okay. Sorry.” Sonic said quickly, voice softer now. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I was desperate. If it helps… you being here probably saved me from Knuckles beating my ass for the next week.”Still nothing. Shadow leaned forward slightly, peeking through the crack again. His brows furrowed.“They’re gone.” he murmured. But even as he spoke, the familiar ding of the shop’s front door rang out, confirming it. Sonic let out a huge exhale, slumping back against a dusty shelf. His whole body relaxed, adrenaline draining from his limbs. “That was way too close. I thought I was about to die in a storage closet… while holding chili dogs. Imagine the headlines.”Shadow didn’t respond. He just let out a breath, quieter, but almost as heavy as Sonic’s. Then, without warning, he stepped forward, reaching for the door handle. But before he could pull it open, there was movement on the other side. The door opened from the outside.A middle-aged woman with short curly hair and a store apron froze in place as the door creaked open to reveal two teenage boys standing shoulder to shoulder in the dark, one with glowing red eyes, the other holding a crumpled bag of chili dogs like a bomb.Her mouth opened slightly. She blinked. “…Can I help you?” she asked slowly, glancing between them.There was silence. “Oh, uh, sorry! We were looking for the bathroom,” Sonic blurted out, his voice pitching higher than usual as he tried to keep his composure. His hands fidgeted with the chili dog bag like it was somehow important, and his nervous laughter only made the situation feel more awkward.The woman in the doorway blinked, startled by the sudden interruption. She looked them over, eyes wide as if she wasn’t quite sure what she’d just walked in on. There was a tense pause before she gave a slow, hesitant nod and stepped aside, almost as if giving them the benefit of the doubt, just barely. Her hand clutched the door handle tightly, as though she might slam it shut the moment they made a wrong move.Shadow, however, didn’t seem to care. He moved past her, his body language stiff, a mask of indifference on his face. His eyes didn’t flicker in her direction; his focus remained ahead, like he was already done with this ridiculous situation. Sonic scrambled after him, not wanting to be left alone with the awkward tension, clutching the chili dog bag to his chest as if it were a lifeline.The woman entered the small, dimly lit room they had just vacated, the door closing behind her with a soft click that seemed final. Sonic could feel his heart pounding in his chest as the adrenaline of the close call began to wear off. Outside, the fluorescent lights of the shop flickered above them, buzzing softly in the silence. Shadow had already moved away, his footsteps steady and sure, and he turned to face Sonic, his dark eyes narrowed with frustration.“You’re an idiot.” Shadow muttered, his tone cold, low but sharp. His gaze lingered on Sonic for a moment longer, as if the words themselves weren’t enough to fully express his annoyance. Sonic’s smile faltered as he tried to defend himself, but his voice came out louder than intended. “What? I had a good reason!” He waved his hand dismissively, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.Shadow didn’t respond right away. Instead, he just gestured toward the wall, where a brightly illuminated bathroom sign hung next to the door. The light from the sign cast a faint glow against the pale walls, making it impossible to miss.Sonic’s face fell as he looked at it. “Oh…” He let out a small, sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right, uh… whoops.”Shadow’s gaze was as icy as ever, his frown deepening as if Sonic’s clumsy excuse wasn’t even worth a reply. The silence between them stretched, thick and uncomfortable, until Sonic tried to lighten the mood.“Well, at least those two didn’t see us, huh?” he said with a crooked grin, attempting to brush the tension away with a joke. He glanced over at Shadow, hoping for a little laughter to break the ice, but when he turned, he found that Shadow had already walked off, heading toward the front counter without a word. Sonic sighed, the smile slipping off his face as he jogged to catch up. The weight of the awkwardness lingered in the air like a thick fog, neither of them speaking as they made their way past aisles of snacks and soda.“Are you getting your cigarettes?” Sonic asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched Shadow slide a pack of red cigarettes onto the counter. “No.” Shadow muttered, his voice clipped and a little colder than usual, though he didn't look directly at him.“Then what are you doing?” Sonic pressed, his curiosity piqued. Shadow didn’t answer right away. He simply closed his eyes, his posture rigid, his frustration palpable. He wasn’t interested in explaining himself further.“Are you getting them for someone else?” Sonic asked, a little more cautiously this time, but still determined to get an answer. “Yes.” Shadow finally answered, his tone flat and uninterested.“Oh, okay.” Sonic nodded, not quite understanding the full weight of the situation but sensing that it wasn’t something Shadow wanted to dwell on.The woman at the counter grabbed three packs of cigarettes, her hands moving smoothly as she rang them up. “That’ll be $34.00,” she said in a monotone voice, her eyes flicking between the two of them.Shadow dug into his pocket, pulling out a wad of cash. He hesitated, counting it out, his brow furrowing with visible frustration. After a moment, he started over, counting again, only to end up with the same amount, $27. Sonic watched, his own expression softening. He could tell that something wasn’t quite right, but before he could figure it out, he reached into his own pocket, pulled out some bills, and quietly handed them over to the cashier. “I got it.”Shadow’s eyes widened for a brief moment when he saw what Sonic had done, and he quickly turned toward him, clearly startled. “Why did you-?” he began, his voice still sharp with confusion.“Don’t worry about it.” Sonic said with a small shrug, his usual cocky grin on his face. “I just thought it might be nice to pay you back, somehow.”Shadow frowned, clearly displeased but unsure how to argue with that. “It’s not even my money.” he muttered, the edge in his tone softening just a little, though there was still an unspoken heaviness behind his words.Sonic's smile remained wide and genuine. “It doesn’t matter.” he said, his voice warm. “I just wanted to help you.” His eyes met Shadow’s for a split second, and for that brief moment, Sonic’s playful exterior seemed to fade, replaced by a quiet sincerity. “You’d do the same for me, right?”Shadow raised one of his eyebrows, clearly taken aback by Sonic’s statement, but he didn’t push it. He just nodded slightly. The cashier handed them the bill, and with a soft, robotic tone, she said, “Have a good night.”The two boys stepped out of the shop into the cool evening air. Shadow slid the three packs of cigarettes into the inside pocket of his jacket, his movements deliberate and almost mechanical. Sonic, on the other hand, scanned the street, his eyes darting nervously from one side to the other, searching for any sign of Knuckles or Rouge. Thankfully, there was no one in sight.Shadow stopped in front of the shop, exhaling deeply as he pulled a cigarette from his own pack and lit it. The glow of the lighter illuminated his face for a brief moment before he took a slow drag, his eyes half-closed, a shadow of thoughtfulness crossing his features. Sonic stood beside him for a moment, his feet shifting restlessly on the sidewalk as he continued to scan the streets, his thoughts churning. After a beat, he sighed, his shoulders slumping as the weight of the night settled on him. He didn’t know why, but something about being here with Shadow, after everything, felt different. Without really thinking, Sonic lowered himself onto the curb, sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him. His feet almost brushed the edge of the street, but he didn’t care. The night was quiet, save for the occasional passing car and the distant hum of city life. Sonic didn’t move, just sat there, staring at the ground, lost in thought.“Thanks.” Shadow mumbled, breaking the silence. His voice was lower now, almost hesitant, as if the words had been difficult to get out. Sonic, surprised by the gratitude, turned to look at him. For a second, their eyes met. “For paying.” Shadow clarified, his voice quieter than before, as he took another drag from the cigarette, the smoke curling up in the air between them. Sonic's grin softened as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide the warmth creeping into his chest. “Don’t worry about it.”Sonic was about to get up, ready to make some lighthearted comment and walk away, but for some reason, his legs didn’t move. His feet were rooted to the sidewalk, the thought of leaving feeling heavier than usual. Maybe it was the way the night felt so still, or maybe it was because, despite his usual bravado, he didn’t want to leave Shadow alone.The night air was cool against Sonic's cheeks as he stood beside Shadow, both of them leaning against the brick wall of the convenience store. The neon lights flickered overhead, casting an eerie glow on the pavement."Why are you here?" Sonic asked, his voice softer than usual. "I mean, it's late. I don't think you just wanted to come out and grab cigarettes for someone."Shadow took a long drag from his cigarette, the ember glowing brightly before he exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl into the night sky. He didn't immediately respond, his silence speaking volumes. "It's none of your business.” he finally muttered, his tone guarded.“Right, sorry.” Sonic nodded, not pushing further. Instead, he glanced at the ground, his mind racing. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice tinged with gratitude. "Thank you, though. For hiding me earlier."Shadow's eyes flickered, a brief flash of something unreadable passing through them. He shifted his weight, his posture stiffening slightly. "Tch. I wasn't exactly thrilled to see them either.” Sonic chuckled softly, the tension easing between them. "Yeah, well, at least we agreed on that, huh?" He paused, then added, "But, you know, they really do seem to match each other's vibe. They look good together."Shadow didn't respond immediately. Instead, he crushed the cigarette under his boot, the embers sizzling out. He stared at the ground, lost in thought. Sonic watched him, sensing the internal conflict brewing within his companion."What do you think?" Sonic asked, his voice gentle. Shadow finally glanced up, catching Sonic’s gaze briefly before he returned his focus to the sidewalk. “I’m not really interested in them.” he muttered, almost dismissively.Sonic nodded, unsure of what to say next. A familiar, awkward silence fell between them, and for a moment, Sonic felt the weight of it—it was like something was quietly shifting between them. The tension was almost unbearable."Thanks again for... you know.” Sonic began, his voice trailing off. Shadow nodded, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "It's fine.” he said, his voice steady.Sonic stood up, brushing off his pants. "I better get back to Tails. He's probably waiting for me." He hesitated, then added, "I'll see you around.” Sonic had only taken a few steps down the sidewalk when Shadow’s voice cut through the quiet behind him.“They’re nice.”He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. Shadow stood there, still near the shop’s entrance, his hands in his pockets, his face unreadable under the streetlight. There was a pause. A breath of hesitation. Sonic was confused. “What?”“Rouge looks happy.” Shadow said finally. His voice was quiet but steady.Sonic blinked, caught off guard. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but he only smiled, soft and grateful.“Yeah.” he said. “They both do.”Neither said anything for a moment. Just a quiet understanding hanging in the air between them. He just gave a final nod and turned away again, this time continuing on without stopping, his footsteps light against the pavement. Shadow watched until he disappeared from view. The glow of the shop sign buzzed faintly above him, the night stretching quiet around the corners of the city.“…Idiot.” Shadow muttered, barely above a whisper, more out of habit than anything else. The word faded into the air, carried off by the faint breeze brushing through the quiet street.He looked down at the cigarette on the ground, its ember long gone, nothing but a thin wisp of smoke curling upward before vanishing. His heel pressed over it again without much thought.The hum of the city was distant here, just the low buzz of streetlamps, the occasional tire whispering over asphalt, and the rustle of leaves somewhere overhead. Shadow shifted his weight, slipping his hands deeper into his jacket pockets. The warmth of the night was fading, but he didn’t move. He just stood there under the dim halo of the shop’s overhang, staring down the street where Sonic had disappeared. Then he turned his gaze to the sidewalk, not thinking about much of anything. There was nothing to rush toward, and nothing chasing him. For now, standing still was enough.
  
  

    
      
        
        
          they're so cute bro i can'tthe next one will be absolutely amazing, I can't waitdon't hesitate to tell me what you think in the comments, I promise I read them all:))'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
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