Chapter Text
If there was one thing Shadow the Hedgehog would never admit to anyone, it was that he was an absolutely hopeless romantic. It hadn’t started out that way, he knew that very well, but it still happened in the end. Maria had been one of the biggest factors in the development, showing his younger self books and magazines from Earth that she’d managed to bring up to space. The two of them would ooh and ahh at all the pretty outfits, gasp when gushy love stories were brought up in the back, and Shadow couldn’t help but imagine himself in some of those situations.
He means to say, could it really be impossible? Shadow, wearing some soft clothes Maria had either made or bought him, walking down the street to some store that had things to buy with the money he definitely had. A hedgehog unlike any other, as his sister would say. He shared his daydreams with Maria, and they eventually sequestered a blank notebook from one of the scientists aboard the Ark. It was filled with doodles and ideas for day trips, all of which were meant to be completed when they went back down to Earth.
It was pure chance that Shadow had been holding that book when the Ark was boarded by G.U.N. It was luck that he didn’t drop it, no matter how hard Maria pulled him along, twisting and turning down dark and cold hallways. That little book stayed in Shadow’s tight grip as they entered the escape bay, the pages crinkling as agents burst into the room, and the whole book falling to the thick metal base as Maria was fatally shot.
He’d almost forgotten it when he woke up again.
Shadow had left the book behind, at first, too busy with his task of destroying Earth, just as he’d been told to do. He walked through buildings, traveled across lands he’d only ever dreamed of seeing, took in air that he knew Maria would have wanted to breathe one last time. Everything he saw was tainted with bitterness, of a loss he could never truly cope with. His sister, his Maria was gone. The one person he’d been created for, to protect and befriend, was dead. She would never see the stars from Earth's surface, never watch a sunrise, never feel the grass and leaves on her skin, and never feel the wind in her hair.
Amnesia had clouded his mind for a time, blocking away precious memories that he held so close to him. With the memories returned, the picture of that little black book appeared, and Shadow went searching. He dug through all the evidence in the G.U.N. headquarters before moving to what Eggman may have taken after he’d found Shadow. With nothing in his hands, the hedgehog went back to the actual capsule he’d arrived on Earth in.
The glass was foggy and scratched, and the paint that he knew was once pristine was now charred and chipping at random places. He crawled into the tube, huffing when he felt that it was still somehow warm before his fingers brushed against a familiar surface.
Pulling up his hand, the book looked just as it had when he left the Ark. The edges were a bit frayed, and the spine was creased from all the use the two siblings had gotten out of it all those decades ago. It was nice, familiar, a sense of home he hadn’t realized he’d been missing. He spent what felt like hours flipping through those old pages, gloved finger brushing over beloved handwriting. The little drawings Maria had made in the margins of the words were barely faded, just like they were when she first made them.
He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but he cried. His chest was tight with longing, almost a desperate need for his sister, for the one person who really accepted him with everything he was, who didn’t question how little he knew. He missed the one person he knew for a fact cared for him, who loved him with no repercussions. He missed his sister, the person he vowed to protect, to keep safe, to love in return for nothing but a simple smile.
Shadow curled up in that small container, holding the book to his chest as sobs wracked his form. Tears fell to his fur, and white gloves wiped them away shakily. The hedgehog didn’t bother going back to G.U.N headquarters, instead using Chaos Control to appear in his room at Rouge’s apartment.
He hid the book away, tucking it between the few records he’d managed to buy with his first paycheck a few weeks ago.
Time passed, and a part of Shadow forgot about the book until something appeared on the TV in the apartment’s living room. It was a bright advertisement for a new house for sale not far. The words were in a familiar font of those old magazines he’d once held, and the voice spoke with such a unique tone there was no mistaking it.
“What’s caught your eye, dear?” He heard Rouge almost purr from the kitchen, but the words caught in his throat. Shadow could feel his chest tighten, his heart beating loudly in his ears as pictures flashed across the screen. Instead of answering, the ebony hedgehog shot up and ran over to his room, scrambling to grab the book he’d found a few weeks before.
Rouge was standing in the doorway to the living room when Shadow rushed back in, excitedly flipping through the old pages until he landed on one. It was a drawing, but this one was a house that took up two whole pages. He held it up to the screen, comparing the looks before he took a deep, hopeful breath. “ It’s just like how we dreamed… ”
A gloved hand fell on his shoulder, and Shadow looked up. Rouge stood there with a knowing look before nodding to the screen. “That house?”
“Yes, Maria and I… we…” He swallowed, blinking quickly before shaking his head. “We dreamed of having one of those big houses you could only see in those infomercials. She wanted a garden just like that one and everything.”
“I see…” The bat was quiet for a moment before nodding to herself. “I’m going to finish makin’ lunch, okay?”
Nothing happened after that. He passed the house every time he left for work or missions, he saw the trucks that appeared a week after his talk with Rouge, and soon enough, the ‘for sale’ sign was gone. Part of Shadow felt crushed that the one opportunity to live even a fraction of the dream he had with Maria was gone, but he did his best to push that away. He had duties to attend to, a job he had to fulfill. He wasn’t a little hoglet anymore, and no matter how hard he tried, Maria wasn't going to come back either.
“Shadow, there you are!”
The hedgehog turned around, face drawn in a practiced expression of uninterest. Rouge and Omega were making their way over, and the bat looked particularly excited. For what, Shadow had no idea. “You’re late.”
She rolled her eyes, brushing the comment off before taking Shadow’s hand. “C’mon, I have a surprise for you.”
“What?” He tried to pull away, but Rouge was surprisingly strong when she wanted to be. “You know I don’t like surprises, Rouge.”
“Oh, I know, honeybuns, but I think you’ll love this one.”
No questions Shadow asked were answered, and the hedgehog was treated to being blindfolded about halfway to their destination. He hated not being able to see where he was going, but some part of him was… excited for this.
Rouge kept up her chatter, talking aimlessly as Omega directed Shadow on where to go. Time passed, and the sound of cars slowly faded away. The hedgehog's ears flicked at the sound of his shoes making contact with gravel, and he could feel the small rocks shifting under his weight as he walked. “Where are we going, Rouge?”
The bat just laughed to herself before interlocking their arms at the elbows. “We’re almost there, just a few more steps, okay?”
True to her word, the three stopped walking less than a minute later. Shadow couldn’t hear anything around him, aside from Rouge breathing, and a part of him was relieved. “Okay, you can take the blindfold off.”
The light of the day was blinding, and Shadow held back a grimace as his eyes adjusted. They were now standing on some grass, and he could see trees lining the area around them. Looking forward, Shadow couldn’t help but gasp.
It was the house.
“You didn’t…” Shadow started, looking at Rouge with wide eyes.
“I didn’t what, hun?” She grinned knowingly, putting her hands on her hips. Shadow wordlessly pointed at the house and she chuckled. “Happy birthday, Shadow. Now, go inside! Go!”
He didn’t need to be told again. Opening the door, he was met with a fully furnished home that looked like it came right out of the sitcoms he’d watched with Maria. Every little thing, down to the style of the banister on the stairs looked exactly like his sister had drawn. In his mind's eye, he could see his sister laughing, running down the stairs in a flowing dress as glittering lights danced around her. There would be pictures on the walls, taken across the time they’d lived on the Earth’s surface, as well as some from when they were still aboard the Ark. The Doctor would be featured in some, but Shadow would be in all.
Walking into the kitchen, Shadow laughed under his breath.
The wallpaper was cheesy, to say the least. He knew from the sight of Mrs. Vanilla’s home that the atomic patterns Maria had picked out from an old catalog weren’t in fashion anymore, traded out for solids and simple designs. And yet, alongside the familiar pastel appliances, the wallpaper was beautiful.
“Go check the bedroom, dear,” Rouge said, leaning against the kitchen’s entrance. Omega stood behind her, large body ducking under the low ceiling. His eye lights were bright, flashing softly with the indication that he was recording Shadow’s reaction.
“I- there’s more? ” Shadow could only gasp, struggling to keep his tail from wagging. “Rouge, you- I- you shouldn’t have.”
She just shook her head, a tender smile on her lips. “Go upstairs, Shadow.”
A canopy bed, with draped windows and a beautiful walnut desk tucked into the corner. It was all painted in tans and blues, with some flashes of red to pop some color, and it was perfect.
Floral bedsheets met Shadow’s face as he buried himself atop the bed. It was soft, a gentle cushion that bounced ever so slightly under his weight. It was amazing, perfect, the best thing Shadow could have thought of having.
The best thing he could have dreamed of Maria having.
When the tears started, Shadow didn’t really know. Perhaps they’d been falling since he entered the house, maybe they started in the living room, or maybe the bedroom. Either way, Shadow was crying.
Rouge cooed softly, sitting on the bed beside the dark hedgehog and running gloved hands through his quills.
“She would have loved this,” He found himself whispering, voice tight and wet with his emotions. “She always wanted this, she-”
“She would have loved this for you, ” Rouge hummed, gently wiping Shadow's muzzle when he unburied his face. “Maria would have wanted you to be happy too, honey.”
And Rouge was right.
In his heart, Shadow knew Rouge was right, but that pain did not dull. The ache in his chest waned ever so slightly, but his throat was still tight. He lay there, sniffling and letting Rouge pet his fur until he felt ready.
“Help me decorate?”
She smiled, and Shadow couldn’t unsee the flash of blue eyes. “Thought you’d never ask, dear.”
The house was perfect, Shadow decided.
After going through his emotions, dutifully sitting down with himself at Rouge’s insistence, Shadow felt… happy. So very happy to have this.
Even if Maria wasn’t there to bask in this dream with him, that shouldn’t stop Shadow from building it. She would have wanted that.
Instead, Shadow began baking.
Maria had written some recipes in their notebook or made notes on ones she’d seen in her favorite shows, and Shadow made it his mission to try and make each and every one of them.
Some were gross, jello salads that held foods Shadow couldn’t help but gag at which he obviously passed on. But making cherry angel food cake and chicken amandine was fun. He could picture her next to him, laughing and dancing to songs on their radio, her skirt swaying as he moved around the room. She’d have frosting on her cheek, evidence that she’d tried the desert before it was ready, but she’d deny it until he pointed it out. And then she’d laugh, her cheeks turning pink as she snorted, bending over at the waist to catch her breath.
And she’d be beautiful.
She wasn’t here, but Shadow could see her in everything around him.
Eventually, word got out that Shadow was no longer living in Rouge’s apartment, and had his own home instead.
Vanilla and Cream visited first, bringing cake and lemonade as a gift.
He’d been happy to see them, honestly, and the bright feeling seeing these two ladies brought to the house was… enlightening, somehow. Cream and Cheese oohed and aahed over the decorations, complementing the way the colors all matched and blended well together. Vanilla couldn’t help but fawn over his kitchen, mentioning how some of his appliances were vintage enough to be incredibly pricey.
Inviting them to dinner every Tuesday and Thursday was the next best thing he’d decided on.
Amy Rose had visited next, giving him some freshly baked homemade cookies.
They were good, much better than the first three batches Shadow had attempted to try, but he would only admit that to himself and Maria’s memory. Still, he found he didn’t mind her here, sitting in a chair in his living room, talking over a pointless show they’d both agreed on.
Inviting her to lunch on Saturdays was a good choice.
Rouge and Omega were constantly stopping by since he’d moved in, claiming one of the guest rooms as their shared room. He needed to provide a good place to sleep, Rouge had claimed, wagging her finger at Shadow in a teasing manner. She’d provided him with a bed and food for so many years, it was about time he’d done the same.
It was nice, having them over at random times throughout the week. Omega liked to bring things he believed Shadow would enjoy with him, placing them in the same cardboard box again and again, forever denying that it was the same one. Rouge would bring alcohol, usually wine, that they would share with chocolates and either a sappy romance movie or an idiotic soap opera that they couldn’t get enough of.
Sonic was a surprise, though.
It had been a Sunday, the only day of the week that he kept all for himself, refusing guests unless they had prior commitments. Shadow had been washing the dishes from last night’s baking haul when there had been a knock on the door. He was going to ignore it, knowing he wasn’t expecting any deliveries, but something… convinced him otherwise.
That damned blue hedgehog was standing outside his front door, his toes tapping against the top step nervously.
Those green eyes had lit up, a spark igniting as Sonic began to grin. “Well, look who it is! How’ve you been, Shads?”
“What are you doing here, Faker?”
“Oh, come on, is that any way to greet a friend?” Sonic pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. It was then that Shadow spotted a shopping bag, the insides covered with tissue paper.
Praying for his soul, Shadow sighed. “Take your shoes off.”
He turned around, leaving the door open behind him. The sound of Sonic’s mind catching up was paired with the stumbling footsteps of hesitation, but the other had taken off those shoes he always wore. The water was still warm in the sink, and Shadow wasted no time in finishing his chore as Sonic made himself comfortable at the table.
“This place looks amazing, Shadow,” His voice was kind, and a clear feeling of truth echoed behind the words. “I’ve been meaning to stop by sooner, but Tails needed me to run him some errands first.”
“You are not obligated to visit, hedgehog.” Shadow huffed, draining the sink and drying his hands, hiding the pads before he slipped on his gloves. “That being said, why are you here.”
“A housewarming gift,” Sonic pushed the bag away from himself, in Shadow’s direction. “I got the same bouquet when I first heard you got this place, but they were wilted by the time I was able to visit…”
Tied with a dark blue ribbon was a bouquet of aloysia, sweetbriar, bluebells, and yellow acacia. The flowers were fresh, but they weren’t cut like a florist would. Instead, the stems were flat, and the leaves looked crushed where a hand would have been.
Nodding to himself, Shadow turned to fill a vase with water. “I’ll have to recut the stems later. Being at an angle will help them last longer out of the soil.”
“Really?” Sonic’s ears twitched, “I didn’t know that…”
“I… We had a few books on general care of plants aboard the Ark. It’s one of the few things that I’ve found use of.”
“Makes sense,” The blue hedgehog shrugged before resting his muzzle on his hand. “How have you been settling in, though? Any different from living with Rouge and Omega?”
“Very,” Shadow found himself saying, placing the vase on his counter and arranging the flowers nicely. “I have the newfound ability to play my, ah, ancient music whenever I please. And I am no longer awoken by the sound of Omega disconnecting from his charger in the middle of the night.”
“Sounds like an upgrade,” A grin, eyes twinkling, and socked feet swinging above the floor. Blue and blue and blue. “That TV of yours workin’ in there?”
“The CRT? Yes.”
“I’ve got Chao in Space 3 on streaming. You wanna watch?”
Shadow blinked. “Wha- It’s not out until next month, how do you-”
“Being a universal hero has its perks,” Sonic grinned, standing from the chair. “So? Is that a yes?”
Was it? Shadow wanted to say no, to spend his Sunday alone as usual, recharging before another week of socializing with those he called his acquaintances. But…
“Fine. I’ll set it up. Don’t touch anything but the couch.”
“Alright, alright! I was gonna offer to make popcorn, but-”
“If you lay a hand on my microwave, no one will find your body.”
Sonic’s laughter was bright and loud, echoing through the house and Shadow’s mind simultaneously. The blue was clear, and Shadow stopped to catch his breath at the sight. Laughter, snorting and gasping, bending at the waist to catch breath. It was the same.
Maria was bright, so soft in her light. Sonic was bright, but so loud in his soul.
He would never admit it to anyone, let alone himself, but Shadow was a hopeless romantic. He always had been, and there is a chance he always will be.
And yet, here he was, sitting on his couch, next to Sonic, watching a movie he’d been looking forward to for months. Gloved hands digging into a shallow bowl of popcorn, crunching soft behind the sounds of faux lasers, flashing lights as Hero Chao piloted a falling ship in the middle of the atmosphere. It was inaccurate, painfully so, but Shadow found he couldn’t mind that fact.
The flowers on his counter were fresh, their stems still uncut. He’d have to fix that soon.
Especially if he were to have more guests.