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XIV - How to Control Chaos (and Influence People)

"You love me," whispered Shadow.

"Huh?"

"I haven't heard anyone say those words to me for over fifty years. You. Love. Me."

"Well, you see, the thing is," babbled Sonic, feeling like a spotlight was shining on him, "love can mean so many things, what I meant was-"

"You're a terrible liar, Sonic," said Shadow, now smiling warmly, "it's one your finer points. You're incapable of true deception because you're too honest, so why are you trying it now?"

"Enough!" Sonic said, throwing up his hands, "stop treating me like a research project! You would have thought someone like you would know how it feels to have someone pry into every which way your brain works. I'm fed up of you dissecting me all the time!"

Shadow sat in silence, staring at the floor. Sonic didn't expect anything resembling an apology from the Ultimate Lifeform, but he could tell his words had humbled him. Maybe he didn't realise he was doing it, Sonic thought, in which case, yelling at him and reminding him of his life as an experiment was a bit harsh. Swallowing his pride, he shifted over and placed a gentle hand on Shadow's shoulder.

"Shadow," he whispered, "It's true. I... I'm in love with you. Ever since we left that temple, I've done nothing but think about you. I'm crazy about you."

Shadow continued to stare at the floor, saying nothing. Sonic felt glad that Shadow wasn't trying to twist his head off, as he expected him to, but he found this silence unbearable. He considered saying something to break the deadlock of quiet, but what would he say? Do you love me too? Even for him, that was too blunt; you don't just ask someone that straight up. Eventually the stillness became too great, and Sonic felt compelled to speak.

"Shadow?" he said, looking away and twiddling his fingers together, "do you-"

He jumped when a firm hand seized upon his own. Shadow had taken hold of his hand again, and it began to tingle. Feeling the warm, relaxing sensation of Shadow's Chaos energy entering into him, he began to focus on channelling his own into Shadow's hand. Around his glove a deep blue glow emerged, and around Shadow's an intense crimson shone. As the two colours flowed back and forth they merged, surrounding their hands with iridescent purple light.

Emerald eyes met crimson as the purple light crept along the two boy's arms, and the orange glow of the fire bathed them in warmth. Sonic felt a complete stillness overtaking him; the rest of the world around him, all his troubles of the past few days melting into the blackness of the night. There was only him. There was only Shadow. And their faces were barely inches apart.

Fireflies of blue, red & purple began to dance around them as they slowly moved towards each other. The stillness of the energy now completely enveloping him, Sonic felt himself falling towards Shadow. He closed his eyes, losing himself completely as their lips brushed slightly, feeling like a great chasm still needed to be crossed. He felt the warmth of Shadow's breath on his muzzle, his own breathing becoming strained as he yearned to take that final plunge. Placing his lips softly upon Shadow's he felt a wave of ecstasy creep along his spine, and a steady strong beating in his chest. Shadow's lips were wet and slightly cold, tingling with Chaos energy, and his breath hot inside him, but Sonic found his mouth welcoming, slowly moving his own mouth in time with Shadow's kiss. Sonic drew his body closer into Shadow, feeling the energy passing between them at every point they made contact.

As their lips continued to playfully mingle, Sonic dared not open his eyes in case it was all a dream. Shadow pulled away and he was forced to relent. He opened his eyes to a dazzling swirl and sparkle of multi-coloured light, which began to dissipate as Shadow's energy left him. Sonic felt his own body returning to him again, and he sighed with contented pleasure. The glow faded until only the blazing light of the fire filled the cabin once more, and the two hedgehogs sat staring into each other's eyes.