Chapter Text
Rouge saw it before anyone else.
Sonic never could keep his hands to himself and was always in everyone’s personal bubble. That was a given for the Hero of Mobius. However, there was a certain brooding hedgehog he always was drawn towards. Shadow hated touch, Rouge knew he had limits even with her, and always shrugged off or smacked away Sonic’s spiteful advances. Yet, something changed during their last get together.
Amy had hosted the monthly game night; a challenge of Charades followed by Pictionary was decided by the pink hedgehog. Everyone was chattering and excited to see who they were going to be partnered with as it was all going to be decided by a random drawing.
Each person wrote their name on a slip of paper and tossed it into a bowl. Amy then allowed Tails to mix it up, as he was pretty much the only one she could trust to not try and pull something. Once the names had been thoroughly mixed, he began pulling out slips.
“Rouge and Blaze are team one.”
The bat couldn’t help but smirk when Knuckles sunk down in disappointment.
“Team two is Silver and Amy.”
Blaze and Silver locked eyes, a small grin forming on the psychokinetic hedgehog. The fiery feline just blushed and glanced away, mumbling something under her breath.
“Team three is Knuckles and me.”
That seemed to cheer the echidna up a bit, Tails smiling in return as the two shared a high-five.
Which left…
“I’m not playing,” Shadow stated firmly.
Sonic immediately was at his rival’s side. A blue furred arm wrapped itself around Shadow’s shoulders, to which Sonic then responded, “Aw, c’mon. Don’t tell me you’re chickening out, dude.”
The goading earned Sonic a glare from the dark agent who simply crossed his arms.
Everyone had chalked it up to the fact that Shadow was out of his element. He wasn’t one for social situations, and if he backed down now it would only create more tension as the number of players would no longer be perfectly divided. Not to mention Rouge would complain and bicker at him for ruining a lovely opportunity to get under Knuckles’ skin.
So after another, “C’mon, man. For Ames?” Shadow relented.
“Fine.”
“Alright! Let’s get this started!”
Sonic squeezed the leather-clad shoulder as his free hand shot up in the air in triumph. Everyone cheered and began to rearrange the furniture and clear away plates to make room for the games.
Yet, no one else noticed it. No one but Rouge saw the flicker of Shadow’s eyes as the blue hero pulled away. The way he glanced at the tuft of fur that got flattened by Sonic’s hand and left it be.
The old Shadow would have been pissed. He would have at least preened his beloved faux leather jacket and made himself presentable again. But, there he was. Dismissing it and instead looking over to where Sonic was carrying back plates to the kitchen.
Oh, she was going to enjoy this. A plan was already hatching.
__________
Shadow had no idea why Rouge decided to volunteer to host the next game night. Well, he actually had one inclination as to why, but it wasn’t like she couldn’t visit the echidna whenever she wanted. Nothing had stopped her before from making her attempts to “steal the master emerald” and then show up empty handed the next morning. So, why bother changing things up now?
“Shadow, hun, are you coming out of there anytime soon? The guests are about to arrive and I don’t need you dirtying my cards up with motor grease,” her voice coos from the garage doorway.
A sigh escapes him. He was hoping to hide a bit longer. Working on his car at least gave him an excuse to leave all the furniture arranging to Omega now that he was back from his diagnostics check.
“Start without me. I’m busy.”
Rouge tsks and Shadow’s ears twitch as her heels step onto the concrete floor he was laying on. Her shoes stop just beside him; rhinestone slippers in the shape of pink hearts appearing from his view under the car.
“Shadow…” His ears press back at the scolding tone. He knows what’s coming next. “I went through all this trouble just so we can have a good time with good friends. I want this evening to be perfect. I even invited Team Chaotix and brought out the good wine. It won’t kill you to say hi and play a round or two of cards.”
At this point, Shadow has stopped working the wrench in his hand and instead glances at the way Rouge’s shoe has taken an angle. He knows she has her hand on her hip and with that stance, she’s not going to take any of his bullshit excuses.
Another sigh admits his defeat.
“Fine.”
He slides out from under the car and gets a good look up at the bat.
Rouge was dressed to the nines. A silver sequined dress hugged every curve of her body, the backless design allowing her wings to flare with purpose at Shadow. Delicate and equally sparkly gloves went all the way up to her elbows and a pink rhinestone on a thin chain rested on her chest. The hedgehog didn’t have to guess who she was dressed up for.
Teal eyes lock with his in a threatening intensity. “Go get cleaned up. I already saved you the trouble of deciding an outfit. Don’t be late.” Shadow knows better than to argue, not when Rouge is this determined about something. He simply nods in acceptance, which seemed to satiate the bat well enough. Her wings relax against her back and she turns towards the garage door.
“Oh, one more thing,” she hums, glancing back, “Bring something interesting to add to the pot. We’ll be ramping up bets throughout the night. I want to run these suckers for all they’re worth.”
Shadow rolls his eyes, but gives another placating nod. He’s all too familiar at this point with Rouge and her tricks, especially when it comes to things like gambling. Why anyone would fall for them was beyond him, but this night was for Rouge. So, for now, he’ll go along with it.
__________
Sonic was never one to dress up, but, everyone knew this. So, he expected Rouge wouldn’t be too mad at him for showing up in a simple, slightly wrinkled, white button up. He did try at least this time. Usually he threw on a flannel or an old jacket and called it good. Whatever he wore always ended up wind battered or torn someway somehow. It was a trademark at this point. Yet, for whatever reason, he wanted to look somewhat decent. It wasn’t every day he got to see the home of Team Dark, after all.
Sure enough, as he knocks on the door to the trio’s house, he’s greeted by Rouge and a warm smile crosses over her.
“Fashionably early as usual, Blue. Where’s the little cutie? Didn’t bring him with you?”
“He’s on his way with Amy. She was having problems deciding on a dress for tonight and I was not getting involved in that whole thing,” the hero chuckles.
Rouge gives a soft laugh of her own before stepping aside for Sonic. “Come on in, hun. Broody is getting drinks ready and Omega…” She trails off, looking inside before giving a flick of her wrist, “is somewhere. Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks, Rouge,” Sonic grins before stepping through the doorway. The bat strolls off to finish preparing the card table and the hero takes in the atmosphere.
The house was an open concept outfitted in sleek modern design. Which made sense considering a giant robot, a flying bat, and a claustrophobic hedgehog all shared the same space. Black granite countertops, ebony stained wood, and sleek metallic appliances created a sense of organization and cleanliness to the area. The lights above the kitchen island were set to a warm yellow and to add to the mood, the curtains of the large windows were open revealing the soft glow of the stars and moon outside. Sonic can’t help but whistle at how nice everything was compared to his cramped house.
Movement at the bar catches the corner of his eye as he basks in the view and he turns to stare at the red and black hedgehog setting out drinks on the kitchen island. He feels his heart skip a beat as red irises lock with his, as if sensing his gaze. Shadow quirks a brow, the highlight at the corner of his eye sharpening in question. Sonic grins in return and in a flash of blue, he’s pressed up against his ebony counterpart.
“Shads! Long time no see!” He chimes, an arm giving a tight squeeze to the tense Shadow’s shoulders. A strangled noise of shock escapes the trapped agent, delicate glasses clinking as he quickly sets them on the granite countertop.
“Faker…” replies Shadow in a growl. “What are you doing here?”
Sonic can’t help but laugh, gently shaking his friend. In the back of his mind, he notes how the heat that naturally radiates from Shadow begins to seep into him. “It’s game night! Why wouldn’t I be here?!”
“Because you’re going to have your ass handed to you. Everyone knows your tell.”
Shadow now starts to pull away from Sonic, leaning against his grasp to give the two some distance. Sonic takes the opportunity to take a good once over, not to the disregard of his companion.
Shadow was dressed in a freshly ironed black button-up. The top collar had been left unbuttoned to show the tuft of white fur at his chest. He had his sleeves rolled up, both pinned evenly at his elbows. Rouge obviously had a hand in the choice of attire as the red-highlighted hedgehog was even dressed in a pair of dark slacks, a belt with a small gold clasp peeking from where his shirt was tucked in. The minor accent fit perfectly with the gold sheen of his inhibitors. Sonic felt at the moment that he was definitely under dressed. He wasn’t even wearing pants.
“Nah, it’s not going to matter once everyone gets a few drinks in them. Besides, I can’t just let you take all the winnings. Being out of my element never stopped me before,” he hums.
If Shadow had been bothered by the look over, he wasn’t showing it. Instead, a familiar eye roll is given and he finally brushes Sonic’s hand off his shoulder. He takes a single step away and his arms bend, taking the familiar crossed position against his chest.
“We’ll see, hedgehog.”
Both note how much cooler their bodies feel as they stare defiantly at each other.