Whiskey and regret (sonadow

Bisexual

It was quiet in the Freedom Fighters' base after the battle, a stark contrast to the explosions and chaos of Eggman's attack just hours ago. The team sat around the common area, worn out but relieved to have made it through another day. Sonic leaned back against the wall, sipping a glass of water, his mind racing far faster than his body ever could.

The realization that had hit him during the battle, after Shadow saved him, still hung heavy in his chest. He knew it was only a matter of time before he'd have to deal with it — not just his feelings for Shadow, but the deeper truth about himself that he had been avoiding for so long.

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. His friends deserved to know. He had been dodging this conversation for too long, just like he had been dodging his feelings. But Sonic wasn't one to back down from anything, even when it came to something as personal and scary as this.

The group was all here — Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, even Cream and Cheese — all of them chatting quietly, the energy relaxed after the long day. Sonic knew this was the best time, and if he kept putting it off, he'd never be able to get the words out.

"Hey, guys," Sonic said, cutting through the conversation. His voice was a little quieter than usual, not carrying its usual bravado. Instantly, all eyes were on him. Tails looked up first, his face full of curiosity. Knuckles raised an eyebrow, and Amy leaned in, sensing something was on Sonic's mind.

"What's up, Sonic?" Tails asked, always the first to notice when something was different with his best friend.

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit he couldn't quite shake. He wasn't used to feeling this vulnerable, not with his friends, and certainly not about something like this. But he knew this was the moment. He had to say it, had to stop hiding.

"I've been thinking about some stuff lately," Sonic started, his words measured. "And... well, I've come to realize something about myself. It's something I've been ignoring for a while, but I don't want to keep running from it."

Everyone was listening intently now, the room growing quieter as they focused on Sonic. Tails' eyes widened a bit, clearly concerned but supportive. Amy's expression softened, her usual bubbly energy replaced by a calm understanding. Even Knuckles leaned forward slightly, giving Sonic his full attention.

Sonic swallowed, feeling the tension in his chest. "I'm... I'm bi," he said finally, the words coming out in a rush. "I'm bisexual."

There was a brief pause — not out of shock, but more out of respect. Sonic wasn't sure what kind of reaction he had expected, but the quiet support he felt from the group in that moment made his heart lighter.

Tails was the first to speak, a soft smile crossing his face. "Sonic, that's great that you're sharing this with us. I'm really proud of you."

Amy nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with warmth. "Yeah, Sonic! You know we love you no matter what. I'm glad you feel comfortable telling us."

Knuckles gave him a thumbs-up, his way of showing support. "You're still the same Sonic to me. That stuff doesn't change anything."

Sonic let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, feeling an immense sense of relief wash over him. He had been so nervous about how his friends would react, but in the end, they were just as supportive and understanding as he had hoped.

"Thanks, guys," Sonic said, his voice soft but filled with gratitude. "I wasn't sure how to bring it up, but... I just felt like it was time. It's a part of who I am."

Tails stood up and walked over to Sonic, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to hide anything from us, Sonic. We're your friends. We're always here for you."

Sonic smiled, feeling the weight of the secret he had been carrying finally lift. He had known, deep down, for a long time, but admitting it to himself was one thing — telling the people closest to him was another.

"I appreciate it," Sonic said, glancing around at everyone, feeling the love and acceptance from his friends. "I've been figuring out a lot of stuff lately. About me... and about how I feel. It's been confusing, but I didn't want to keep it to myself anymore."

Amy beamed at him. "Well, I'm just happy you feel like you can be open with us. You deserve to be true to yourself, Sonic."

Rouge, lounging casually on the couch, gave Sonic a knowing smile. "Took you long enough to figure it out, Blue. But seriously, good for you."

Sonic chuckled, feeling more at ease now that it was out in the open. "Yeah, well, I guess I've always been a little slow when it comes to this stuff." (Says the fastest creature alive)

Knuckles crossed his arms, his voice steady and strong. "Doesn't matter. What matters is that you know now, and we've got your back, no matter what."

Sonic's heart swelled with appreciation for his friends. This was what he needed — their support, their acceptance. It didn't fix everything, and it didn't make his feelings for Shadow any less complicated, but it was a start.

For now, that was enough.