Why me? (Sonadow)

The team had returned to base after their latest mission—a victory against Eggman, though this time, something felt different. Sonic and Shadow had fought side by side once again, but this time, there was a shift between them. The bond they shared, once forged through rivalry and unspoken understanding, had grown into something deeper. Something more.

As the team gathered in the common area of the base, Sonic couldn't shake the feeling that it was time to share what had been blossoming between him and Shadow. The soft hum of the base around them felt distant, the usual noise of gadgets whirring and machines powering down fading into the background. There was a quiet weight in the air, and Sonic couldn't ignore it any longer.

Shadow sat across the room, leaning against the wall near the kitchen counter, his arms crossed as he stared into the dimly lit space. He was quiet, his usual guard still up, though there was a subtle change in his demeanor—a shift that Sonic could sense.

Amy, Tails, Knuckles, and Rouge were all scattered around the living area, chatting casually about the mission. The atmosphere was light, the tension from the battle still lingering but slowly fading as everyone started to relax.

Sonic glanced at Shadow, catching his eye for just a moment. He could see the uncertainty in Shadow's gaze, the hesitation he felt about revealing what had been growing between them. But Sonic knew that they couldn't keep this secret forever—not when it was so painfully obvious to them both.

Taking a deep breath, Sonic pushed himself off the couch and walked over to the center of the room, drawing everyone's attention. He flashed them all his signature grin, but there was something softer in it now, something more genuine. The usual boldness in his voice wavered just a little as he spoke, though he still tried to make it sound easy.

"So," Sonic began, clapping his hands together, "there's something I've been meaning to share with all of you. Y'know, Shadow and I have been spending a lot of time together lately, and well... I guess you could say we're not just teammates anymore."

Amy raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "What do you mean, Sonic? Are you two—"

Sonic cut her off with a slight chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, we're together. As in, like... a couple." He shot a glance at Shadow, who was still standing off to the side, looking a little more uncomfortable now that the conversation was going in this direction.

There was a brief silence as the words settled over the group. Tails, who had been leaning over a laptop nearby, turned to look at Sonic and Shadow. His expression was thoughtful, then softening into a warm smile. "That's awesome, guys. I'm happy for you," he said, his voice quiet but sincere. "I had a feeling something was going on between you two."

Amy stood up and bounced over to Sonic, her excitement clear. "Oh my gosh, Sonic, I knew it!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "You two are so cute together!"

Sonic grinned and hugged her back, laughing a little at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, yeah. We were just taking our time, you know?" He shot a glance at Shadow, who was still standing by the wall, his gaze fixed on the floor. Sonic could feel the tension in the air, so he nudged his partner gently with his elbow. "It's fine, Shadow," he whispered. "We're in this together. You don't have to worry."

Shadow looked up, meeting Sonic's gaze for a moment before nodding, though it was clear he wasn't quite as comfortable with the attention. He had never been one for grand declarations, and the thought of their friends knowing about their relationship felt like a weight he wasn't sure he was ready for.

Knuckles, who had been standing near the kitchen counter, crossed his arms and looked at the two with a raised brow. "Well, it's about time you two figured that out," he said, his voice gruff but with an underlying warmth. "You've been acting all mushy for a while now. Just don't go making things awkward for the rest of us, okay?"

Sonic chuckled, giving Knuckles a playful salute. "No promises, Knux. But we'll try not to make things too weird." He grinned, feeling the tension ease a bit more. The more they talked about it, the more natural it felt.

Rouge, who had been lounging on one of the nearby chairs, sat up with a smirk on her face. "Well, well," she purred, giving them both a teasing look. "I always thought you two were cute together. Didn't think you'd be the type to settle down, Shadow." She winked at him. "Guess I was wrong."

Shadow gave her a look that could have frozen lava, but even he couldn't suppress the faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "Don't make this weird, Rouge," he muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. He glanced at Sonic, who gave him an encouraging smile.

Amy laughed, clearly thrilled with the situation. "I can't wait to see how this turns out! You guys are going to be the best couple ever!"

Tails nodded, beaming. "Yeah! It's great to see you two so happy."

Sonic smiled, his heart swelling at the support from his friends. "Thanks, everyone," he said, his voice full of warmth. "It feels good to have this off my chest. And Shadow... you don't have to worry. We've got each other, right?"

Shadow met Sonic's eyes, and for a brief moment, there was a softness in his gaze that was rare for him. He nodded, finally giving a small, almost shy smile. "Right."

The room filled with the sound of laughter and chatter as everyone began to relax, the heavy silence finally broken. For the first time in what felt like forever, Sonic and Shadow felt like they could truly be themselves—no more hiding, no more pretending.

As the conversation continued around them, Sonic couldn't help but glance at Shadow again. There was a quiet understanding between them now, something that needed no words. Together, they had faced the uncertainty, the nervousness, and come out stronger on the other side.

Sonic leaned back on the couch, glancing at Shadow who stood nearby, still taking in the sudden change. He gave him a small, reassuring smile, one that Shadow returned, albeit faintly.

They had taken the first step, and though they didn't know exactly what the future would bring, they knew they had each other. And for the first time, Sonic felt like everything was falling into place.