The Key To My Heart

Chapter 1

"Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen! I am your charming and very good-looking captain." The blue blur announces into the mic as he spins around in the chair, a smile wide upon his muzzle. "Some of you may know me as the speedy-fast hero on television and some may know me as that handsome fellow, who is very much single by the way-hey!"

"That's enough." Shadow snatched the microphone away from the upset hedgehog, glaring as he planted it back onto the captain's desk. His arms crossed over his chest as Sonic smiled sheepishly back at him.

"Come on, Shadz! I was just having some fun before the job, nothing serious." He spun around once more before a gloved hand held it still. He whined out in protest. "No fun."

"Our jobs aren't supposed to be fun, Hedgehog." He spat back before shoving Sonic off. "People are already onboard, and they heard all of that nonsense-"

"I'm glad they heard." Sonic huffed with a smirk that earned him an eye roll from the other hedgehog. "Besides, it wasn't nonsense, and you know it."

"I will lock you up in here."

"Don't forget to stay on this side of the door when you do~" Shadow rolled his eyes once more before shutting the door in the hedgehog's face. He contemplated actually locking him up but decided it was best not to. He couldn't afford to get fired over some petty bickering. Shadow sighed deeply before looking up. He almost choked on nonexistent water when he saw Rouge smirking at him while she fixed the glasses above her head. He cleared his throat as he approached her.

"He does sound charming~" She teased when Shadow made it by her side. He glared, earning him a chuckle from the bat. "Hey, he said he's single. There is nothing wrong with checking out these waters."

"Rouge, you came on this trip to relax and get over that joke of an ex. Don't you think it's too early to get cozy with my coworkers?" Shadow asked as he grabbed his cup of coffee beans from her hand. She giggled at his concern.

"I can't think of a better way of relaxing and getting over an ex." He groaned in disgust, causing her to smirk once again. She was never going to stop teasing him.

"Just don't get involved with that idiot." Shadow said as he walked in front of her, making his way to the other car. Where were we on the tour? I lost track because of that hedgehog.. Rouge raised her own cup of actual coffee up to her lips, taking a small sip as she followed.

"Why? Is he off limits?" She teased once again. Her question made Shadow's face warm. He knew what she was suggesting, and he didn't like it one bit. She smiled as his ears twitched, finding it very amusing.
"Don't worry, I respect the girl code."

"Just stop." He groaned one final time as they made it past the loud library. Ironic.

-

Shadow watched the band quietly as they performed for the crowd. He would occasionally shove some coffee beans into his mouth as he scanned the audience, finding their reactions surprisingly entertaining. He was so immersed in the people watching that he didn't notice the blue hedgehog who sat beside him on the red couch.

"I can't believe you actually eat that." Sonic chuckled before placing his own drink on the table. Red eyes glared at him, annoyed. "What? I can't question your taste?"

"Not when you drink that shit." Shadow spat as he pointed towards the drink in front of the blue hero. In a glass cup sat a brown liquid that didn't look very appetizing. Unless you were Sonic, then it would be the most delicious thing you have ever drank.

"You've never tried it!" Sonic tried, shoving the cup towards Shadow.

"I don't need to try it to know it's absolute garbage." He joked before shoving another bean into his mouth with a spoon. It was Sonic's turn to roll his eyes, bringing the cup back to himself.

"Just know you're missing out on the best drink ever." He took a big chug of it, gasping out in delight when he lowered it back down onto the table. "Chili dogs are the best, no matter the form!"

"Shut up before I actually vomit."

"Shadow!" An unfamiliar voice called out from the door, not too far from them. Sonic quickly turned to look, a bit frustrated that Shadow's attention was taken away by this mysterious woman. She did have a great sense of style, the blue blur had to admit as he took another swing at the drink. He wiped his mouth as he looked her up and down, trying to figure out what she wanted with the other hedgehog. A silly, unwanted feeling settled in his stomach as he took in her glamorous jewelry. Sonic swears he was watching a model as she approached them, swaying her hips with such sass.
"You won't believe what just happened in the Saloon car—oh!"

The bat smiled at the duo, who sat completely still on the couch. She scanned the unfamiliar blue hedgehog, who wore a cap on his head, threatening to fall off at any given moment. Her smile grew even wider when she got a good look at his uniform, her eyes darting quickly back to Shadow. He sighed quietly.

"Rouge, this is Sonic; Sonic, this is Rouge." He said simply before shoving another spoonful into his mouth. He did his absolute best to ignore the loud yelp from the bat bow stationed in front of the blue hedgehog.

"Like THE Sonic The Hedgehog?!" Rouge squealed as she grabbed Sonic's gloved hands in a rush. He shook in his seat as she greeted him. "I watched all your movies back in college! I'm a huge fan!"

"Heh, thanks." Sonic smiled sheepishly at the mention of his past career. He shook her hands a final time before finally letting go. He cleared his throat, remembering that Shadow was still beside him. He needed to change the subject quickly. "This is my first time meeting one of Shadow's friends. It's nice to meet you."

"Not friends." The dark hedgehog mumbled, catching Sonic off guard. More than friends..?

"Oh, stop it, Shadow! You know you love me~" Rouge giggled as she made herself comfortable beside the blue hero. Oh. Sonic mentally shook his head as he chugged one final time, cleaning out the glass entirely. "You never told me you worked with Sonic!"

"You never asked." Shadow said simply as he looked back at the band. The blue hero glanced up for only a second before looking back down at his hands, which now sat upon his lap. Sonic didn't know what to do with his hands, or body, for that matter.

"Well, anyway, I'm glad I ran into you! I need to tell you all about what happened in the saloon car."Rouge said with urgency that poked at Sonic's side. He felt like he was coming between the two. "So I was grabbing a drink from the—oh, are you leaving already?"

To this sudden question, Shadow looked back at them, surprised to see Sonic standing up from his spot. He watched as the hero slowly moved away and found a new spot away from the dark hedgehog. He grabbed his cup quickly with a forced smile.

"Yeah, duty calls." Sonic lied, and Shadow couldn't understand why. The hero let out one final laugh before waving at them. "I'll see you around!"

He was gone.

"A shame, really. I wanted to ask him about that red echidna in the other car." Rouge sighed as she scooted closer to Shadow. The mention of the red knucklehead smacked him back to earth.

"What about that idiot?" Shadow almost groaned as he recalled his other coworker. Well, sorta. Knuckles was there for security reasons, but he was still considered part of the crew by the Conductor. Oh, and the captain, Sonic. Calling the blue hedgehog that title sent a shiver down his spine. "That good-for-nothing sheriff shouldn't approach you."

"Sheriff, you say?" Rouge smirked once again as she traced one finger along the top of her glass. "Well, he did, and I'm very happy he chose to do so~"