Shadow and Sonic had been together for what seemed like years now. Their life together was stable, fulfilling in many ways—jobs secured, a home shared, an engagement celebrated by friends. Everything should have felt perfect.
Yet, deep within, Shadow couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
What more could they ask for?
It was selfish to think this way, he knew. But despite the love they shared, despite the life they had built, a quiet yearning still gnawed at him. A desire for something beyond routine, beyond the predictable rhythm of their days.
As these thoughts plagued his mind, Shadow was abruptly pulled from his contemplation by the sound of laughter—loud, unfiltered, and entirely unwelcome.
His weary crimson eyes fluttered open, only to be met with the dim, sterile lighting of his office at GUN headquarters. The realization hit him like a weight—he had dozed off again, slumped in his chair, lost in thought.
A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. Another day, another dull routine.
The dreary surroundings of the office only deepened his longing for home—for the warmth of Sonic’s embrace, for the comfort of their shared space.
Glancing around, Shadow noted that both Rouge and Omega wore identical expressions of boredom. Well, Rouge did. Omega, lacking a face, somehow still managed to radiate the same energy.
Their tasks were the same as always—filing mission reports, waiting for field assignments, and, thanks to Rouge’s ever-curious nature, snooping through personal GUN files.
Shadow shot her a glare as she giggled, her boredom now replaced with a mischievous grin.
She’s found something interesting again.
Before he could tell her to stop, Rouge spoke up, clearly ignoring his impending protest.
"Haha! You won't believe this... apparently, one of the commander's hobbies is flower arranging!"
Shadow blinked. Our commander... arranges flowers?
The thought was so absurd, so hilariously out of character, that he couldn’t help but chuckle. The image of their gruff, no-nonsense superior delicately placing petals into a vase was too much.
Omega, however, seemed unphased.
"Flower arranging is much more difficult than you may think. It is a good skill for improving one's ability to be precise."
Shadow raised a brow. That was... oddly specific.
Rouge smirked knowingly.
"Wait... you like to arrange flowers too, Omega~?"
"Yes. I have done it once or twice before."
A brief silence followed as both Shadow and Rouge processed this revelation.
Shadow shrugged. Not really our place to judge.
Still, the thought of Omega meticulously arranging flowers was amusing in its own right.
The Dull Routine Continues
Minutes later, the clock struck 2 PM, and the familiar sound of their commander's heavy boots echoed through the halls.
Rouge sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes.
"Ugh... here we go again, boys... another boring meeting with the commander."
Shadow exhaled sharply. Meetings. Tch. We could do well without them.
Omega left the room first, Rouge following behind as she perfected her lipstick.
Shadow lingered for a moment, pulling out his phone.
Maybe Sonic messaged me. Maybe his day was more interesting than mine.
Meanwhile, in Station Square
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails stood victorious, grinning as they exchanged high-fives.
Once again, they had thwarted Eggman’s latest scheme.
The doctor had, predictably, relied on the same old Buzz Bombers and MotorBugs—an easy challenge for Team Sonic. Now, the battlefield was littered with shattered metal, and the freed animals scurried back to the forests of Station Square and the Mystic Ruins.
Eggman, furious, pounded his fists against his control panel like a child throwing a tantrum before retreating in his usual dramatic fashion.
It’ll be a while before he tries again.
Sonic smirked, giving his usual thumbs-up to his friends.
Tails, practically bouncing with excitement, beamed at the success of his latest invention.
"It worked, it actually worked~!"
"Heh, it sure did, buddy!" Sonic laughed, ruffling Tails’ fur in a playful noogie.
Knuckles, standing off to the side, wore his signature post-battle smirk—the one he always had after a satisfying fight.
"I think that'll take care of Eggman for now... and all three of us really do kick ass together."
Sonic and Tails exchanged surprised glances.
Did Knux just... compliment us?
Sonic smirked, giving Knuckles a teasing wink.
"Aw, Knuckles... you flatter us~"
Knuckles scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Oh, be quiet... we ARE a team, you know."
Sonic and Tails chuckled as Knuckles turned to leave, heading back to the Mystic Ruins.
Heh, Knux was right though. It'll probably be a while before Egghead comes back again...
After chatting with Tails for a few minutes, the fox announced he had work to do—another invention in progress.
Sonic nodded, bidding his friend farewell before turning toward home.
He bent down, adjusting his sneakers, feeling the familiar rush of wind through his quills as he took off toward Station Square.
Checking his watch mid-run, his heart skipped a beat.
6 PM. Shadow would be home soon.
A grin spread across his face.
"I’d better hurry if I wanna get there first!"
