Towering palm trees planted near a small villa swayed in the distance as the obsidian being apprehensively paced around the pool’s edge. Shadow checked the time on his wrist transmitter. He stopped.
‘That Faker better be here soon.’ A pointed ear twitched with irritation and a touch of impatience. He then hears footsteps. Shadow turned to look at the new arrival, crimson pools—a lighter orange hue from the setting sun—grew, tan cheeks warming ever so slightly at the sight.
The hero stood straight and upright to emphasize his usual confidence (whether it be real or fabricated, considering his uneasiness near any large body of water), spiky blue fur reflecting a striking mix of gold and ginger and jade eyes glimmering in the near-dusk atmosphere. And, of course, that trademark grin of his was as wide as ever.
“Heya, Shad!” A wink and a wave. Sonic’s keen eyes noticed the subtle change of color on the other’s muzzle, leading to an interesting feeling fluttering around in his belly, not to mention the oncoming heat attacking his own face in an untimely blush. He couldn’t deny that he felt something for his counterpart. The question was now whether that feeling was reciprocated. ‘Can’t get your hopes up now, hedgehog. Stay cool.’
“Sonic.” Shadow forced his eyes to wander away from the blue figure, his greeting straight and to-the-point. “Let’s… let’s just get this over with. Are you ready?” He mentally berated himself for stammering like a bumbling fool. This behavior did not suite the Ultimate Lifeform. ‘Get a hold of yourself, hedgehog. Stay in control.’
“Ugh, no.” He made a comedic show of slumping his body and looking utterly defeated, dragging himself to the steps leading into the heated, illuminated pool. After removing his signature red sneakers and white gloves, Sonic gingerly placed one foot on the first submerged step. Sonic shivered despite the comfortable temperature of the water but continued with the other foot until he found the bottom of the pool’s shallow end.
Shadow mirrored his counterpart’s actions (albeit with much less fanfare). “All right, let’s get started.”
~*~*~*~
A multitude of near-death experiences, violent splashes, and colorful curses later, it seemed that the blue hedgehog had finally gotten the hang of the art of swimming.
“All righty! What’s next, Mr. Grumpy? We goin’ over underwater boosting again or—whoa! I thought there would be no more Chaos Spears in this lesson! What gives?” Sonic swam over to his teacher after evading the attack, unable to cover up the teasing smirk on his face.
“I was under the impression that you would stop calling me that.”
“Aww, but it fits your personality so well!” He jumped at the powerful bolt of energy that landed almost too close to his side. “Okay, okay! I’ll let you win this time, ‘Ultimate Lifeform.’” A snicker. He was having way too much fun with this.
“Hmph.” Despite his somewhat brutal actions toward the hero, Shadow found that he also felt an unusual level of enjoyment with their lighthearted banter. Even so, he was a bit concerned—okay, worried—that he would do or say something he’d regret—that his counterpart would look at him differently. The darker of the duo furrowed his brows, the edge of his lips turning downward and eyes downcast. He wouldn’t—could not—show weakness in front of the other. He couldn’t show how he… how he…
“Shad?”
By then, the stars brilliantly shun in the clear black sky, a swift breeze shifting the surface of the contrastingly warm water into small, glimmering ripples. The vibrant lights installed in the pool caused deep shadows to form around everything nearby. The two floating figures glowed radiantly with the water surrounding them.
“Hey, Shadow? You okay?”
“Huh? Oh…” The addressed male glanced up from his train of thought, an odd expression on his features that wasn’t quite as hidden as Shadow would’ve preferred. “I’m fine. Do not concern yourself with me, hedgehog.” Uneasiness.
Sonic perked a single eyebrow, a slight frown etched on his muzzle. He sensed a stressed aura radiating from his double, though he was unable to place an exact reason for its manifestation. The sapphire speedster was sure of one thing, however: he hated that expression on the other’s face. He set his mind to resolving the tension between them.
“Anyway, we’re finished here. Just focus on improving your skills and using the water to your advantage. The Doctor won’t know what hit him.” Shadow’s voice carried a tone of indifference with the change in subject. He made a move toward swimming to the steps leading out of the pool.
With that, Sonic lunged.
A flurry of splashes and sputtered exclamations was the result of the unexpected move, the ebony male coughing from the impact and the water rushing into his lungs. “What do you think you’re d—”
“Just one last thing, eh? I forgot to thank you.”
The perplexed hedgehog opened his mouth to fire another indignant inquiry at the other for his utterly insane behavior, but he was interrupted by a kiss. Crimson orbs shot fully open, Shadow’s breath caught in the middle of his throat. His hands, hovering above the water’s surface and fingers bent in shock, twitched and quivered at the sensation of Sonic’s hot mouth forming around his own. The slick flesh of his fawn lips and his lively, wet tongue manipulated his body and mind, making both form into what certainly felt like mush.
The moment went, and they separated reluctantly. The two hedgehogs were virtually silent, the only sounds being produced coming from the quiet panting allowing heated breathe to mingle within the nonexistent space between their mouths. The pair was so close that their lips continually brushed against each other without locking. A long beat passed.
“I love you.”
Shadow stared at Sonic, taken aback by the sudden confession. He then realized his arms were surrounding the blue one, bare hands tangled in his long, sharp spines; he noticed the other’s limbs in a similar position on his own body. “I…”
“Wait, wait. Just…” Sonic shut his eyes, exhaling sweet-scented air onto the skin around Shadow’s mouth. “Chaos, that was…” Vivid emerald eyes blinked open, cobalt lids veiling them half-way. He could no longer speak (which was a feat in itself), gazing into the depths of the other’s scarlet gems.
“Sonic…”
Another kiss, this one emitting more vigor. Tongues clashed, their heads tilting to allow more access and exploration. They backed up to the steps of the pool, leaning back to support themselves with the water’s aid. The two males broke the kiss once more for breathe, looking into each other’s eyes.
“Faker…” Shadow barely hesitated, tightening his hold on the hero’s shoulders and waist. “I love you.”
Sonic revealed a true smile, gratification and a touch of relief apparent in his eyes. “Good to know. I was worried there for a sec’.” A wink.
The obsidian hedgehog scoffed lightly. “No need. I believe I told you already not to concern yourself.”
The sapphire speedster’s grin widened, and he moved his head in closer. “Yeah, yeah.” He continued the kiss, content in knowing their future more certainly than ever. ‘Thank you. For everything.’
