The Ruby Eyes of Affection. Chapter 32

Rouge gave a rather drawn-out explanation about guardians and their jobs and the rules regarding being a protector. Rob seemed to have given everyone a lengthy description except to the two people who really needed to know. Shadow sat on the couch slowly nodding as he was only understanding about half the information given to him. Still drowned in slight confusion, he saw the sapphire hedgehog walk out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, being absolutely positive he didn't make eye contact with the ebony.

“I think a certain princess deserves an apology, don’t you?” Rouge asked mockingly as she sternly stared at the azure’s uninterested face.

He reacted by turning around and glaring back before turning back to face the kitchen.

“Really? You’re going to ignore him after you made him cry? That’s really low, Sonic.” She added scornfully as she gently patted the charcoal hedgehog’s head in an attempt to comfort him.

Shadow gently pushed her hand off him as he wasn’t really comfortable with being touched by anyone but Sonic and even that sometimes felt uncomfortable. However, this action seemed to cause the reaction Rouge was hoping for as the cobalt’s face changed to slightly protective when he realized that he might have actually hurt his lovely ebony beauty.

“You were crying because of what I said, Shadow?!” Sonic bellowed worriedly before dashing over to him and sitting on the ground right in front of the couch before grabbing both his hands.

Shadow’s face exploded red as he vigorously shook his head left and right. He quickly signaled for Rouge to leave them alone for a bit as she gave a slightly flirtatious smile before walking out of the beautiful mansion to take a look at the stunning garden in the back. When Shadow was certain they were alone, he let down his defenses a little before continuing the conversation.

“No, no, no. It’s not because of you, mostly. I’m just thoroughly overwhelmed with everything that’s been happening. I’m trying to figure out what to do about this hole I’ve dug myself.” He admitted passively before sighing in slight frustration.

“Shadow... You haven’t dug yourself a hole. This entire creating-a-perfect-world thing means absolutely nothing to me. I mean yes, I would love to spend the rest of my days with you trying to accomplish that. However, if it’s too much, we can live a normal happy life with as many kids as your heart desires, a little cottage with a picket fence and anything else you want.” He comforted whole-heartedly as the cheesiest smile appeared on his muzzle causing the Shadow to glance to the side in embarrassment.

(Why must you be so damn charismatic and know exactly what my heart wants you to say. It’s incredibly irritating....)

“You're already talking about kids?! We’re not even together yet.  And who said I liked picket fences? That’s so 1950’s... If anything, I want a Chinese garden in the backyard.” He replied awkwardly, attempting to keep himself controlled by mocking the azure’s overdramatized concepts of love.

It seemed completely ineffective as Sonic gave him an egotistical wink as if to say that he knew exactly what he was doing and was proud of it. Shadow responded with a dark scowl as he was incredibly tempted to smack the cobalt right against his stupid little head for being such a clever little jerk. But before he could do so... He realized something crucially important.

“Wait, 1950’s... I was created on earth in the fifties... How the hell can I be part of this whole um what exactly is this entire perfect world thing called?” He pondered as he pushed his back against the couch, glancing up at the ceiling in intense concentration.

Nothing was adding up... Unless the development of Mobius had something to do with ARK. Which actually did make some sense. Him and Sonic looked rather similar and so did Rob. It couldn’t have been luck that they all looked alike right?

“The name is unfortunately untranslatable since it was in a language that no one really understands anymore. However, it roughly means optimum reality, if I remember correctly. Learned about it early in grade school. But I guess you could call it Mobius’s first major belief system. I actually knew a little bit about it before Knuckles told me. It was very prominent a thousand years ago or so... But disappeared as modern times came around.” Sonic interrupted as he spoke with a rather sophisticated tone before gently poking Shadow in the leg to get him back to reality.

“Exactly! How in the world can I be part of this if I’m not even from here? And a person cannot be a princess or prince of a place they’re not from... Right?” Shadow responded irritably as he gently slapped the cobalt’s hand off his leg.

A slight evil giggle escaped the azure’s mouth as he once again poked the ebony but this time in the stomach before glancing up bashfully. Shadow sent him very dark and stern scowl emphasizing that he was not in the mood to be messed with and Sonic finally decided to let him be... For now.

“To tell you the truth, I’m not even sure where I came from, myself. I sort of just appeared on this planet with no parents, no family and a blood line that doesn’t really exist anymore.” Sonic replied as he shrugged in slight indifference as he didn’t think this kind of information would be that crucial. 

“AND YOUR JUST TELLING ME THIS NOW?!!” Shadow erupted as he forcefully grabbed the sapphire hedgehog’s shoulders before bopping Sonic’s head with his hand.

“Well... I don’t really know if it’s the truth. The first thing I remember is the um you know... incident.” He replied with an annoyed frown before rubbing the top of his head.

He was surprised to see an apologetic smile on Shadow’s face, of which he hadn’t seen before. It was shy yet honest and Sonic blinked in slight confusion. The hit didn’t really hurt at all but the ebony didn’t seem to think so. Maybe it was more an apology for being forced to talk about the incident... Even though Sonic had already gone back to his magical ways of not letting events like that shake him up.

“I think, if anything, we need to pay Eggie a visit and figure out exactly how HE got this information. And why he is so keen on believing and worshipping it as fact. That is why he captured you right? To see if the legends were true and to also get you and that abomination used to each other?” He continued before glaring at Shadow protectively.

Every part of his body was telling him that the toddler needed to be exterminated and quick. But he attempted to keep himself in control as the ebony probably desired.

“His name is Čelik and correct... Ivo was planning on keeping me there until I awoke.” Shadow confirmed as he glanced to the side in slight fear.

He knew he was going to have to tell Sonic the bad news eventually... But right now, he was just too fearful. Well, at least he can talk to Rob about the situation and get his opinion on the matter.

“That stupid.... Ugh. I honestly can’t believe he would play god like this. Why not make the same mistake as his grandfather, right? Seems like a great idea.” The cobalt uttered sarcastically as he rolled his eyes angrily.

Shadow’s expression remained slightly worried but with just a hint of rejection. He knew Sonic wasn’t trying to make it sound like he was a horrible mistake that should NOT have happened, but it still hurt. His ears went flat across his head as the utter silence made the sapphire hedgehog slightly concerned.

“What’s wrong? Are you worried again?” The azure asked sweetly as he placed the palm of his hand on Shadow’s cheek.

“I don’t get it... I just don’t.” He confessed before burying his face into his hands.

Once again, all the stress and pressure was really starting to get to him. It became more and more difficult to control his emotions and remain composed. But something suddenly eased the fear as he remembered that Sonic was right there, literally an inch away from him. Something about that thought alone helped him think clearer as he attempted to create some kind of plan to keep both Čelik and Sonic alive.

“Don’t worry. I am here.” The cobalt reassured as he gave the ebony a soft kiss on the forehead.

Something about those three words made Shadow’s heart race at speeds he wasn’t familiar with. He never really heard anyone else say them to him, even Rob made it clear that they might separate eventually... In the heat of the moment he decided to just let loose and show Sonic how he truly felt.

He quickly wrapped his arms around the sapphire hedgehog before pulling him as close as possible.

“Come here you stupid brat. Must you always melt my heart like chocolate on a summer day? It’s really embarrassing ya know.” He teased sweetly before leaving a small peck on the azure’s peach lips.

Sonic was not too keen on letting this moment slip away from him like the time before and wrapped his arm around Shadow’s neck before kissing him back. A giggle escaped the ebony’s mouth as the ecstasy of the kiss had finally taken its tole on his mind. He abruptly grabbed the azures tail, knowing all too well how sensitive it was, before squeezing it tightly and gently running his fingers over it. A single seductive growl could be heard as the cobalt softly bit his ear. Another passionate kiss was shared as their tongues meshed together in almost perfect harmony. Neither one fighting for dominance, even though Sonic knew he would probably win if he tried. Shadow feeling a little more daring than usual, slid his finger up the azures back, right on top of his backbone. Causing a huge shiver to run up Sonic’s spine as he reacted by forcefully pushing his body as close to Shadow’s as possible. As the ebony released a soft moan, the kissing resumed. Slowly growing more and more intense as the speed and force of the meshing continued to escalate almost exponentially. Even though the feeling was unbelievable, the ebony was more than aware that it would probably go too far if they continued. So he quickly broke the amazing kiss before desperately gasping for air.

“Too much... Do you want me to lose my mind?” He plead in utter euphoria as his body collapsed onto the azure’s while his soft pants of pleasure continued.

“Mmm... You should already know my reaction to that kind of talk. So am I forgiven, my princess?” Sonic murmured sweetly as he held tightly onto Shadow, making sure he felt completely safe in his arms.

“I dunno.... Should I forgive you?” Shadow responded playfully as he buried his face into the cobalt’s shoulder.

“You know I didn’t mean to insult you. I know you are not property, my dear. But if you haven’t already noticed, I happen to be just a tad on the protective side. Especially with someone as beautiful as you.” He replied lovingly as he gave his traditional I-know-exactly-what-I’m-doing-and-proud-of-it wink.

“Oh goodness. There you go again. How long are you going to keep up this shtick?” The ebony countered mockingly.

“For the rest of eternity...” Sonic whispered softly into his ear as Shadow couldn’t help but smile like a giddy school girl before playfully pushing him away.

(At least it’s only us... I just wonder how the hell he knows I like being called beautiful... I am a man after all...)

(Is he really that good at seeing through me?)