a hedgehogs unlikely crush

ch 12

The morning sunlight trickled through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. Shadow slowly opened his eyes, feeling oddly rested. It took him a moment to remember where he was: Perci's house. He blinked, listening closely to a soft, familiar tune coming from the kitchen.

Perci was humming.

He lay still for a moment, taking it in. The tune was unmistakable—Lovesick Girls by Blackpink. Shadow had never paid much attention to music, but for some reason, this one stuck in his memory. He couldn't help but smirk. Something about the situation was almost... domestic.

That's not me, he reminded himself, shaking off the odd warmth creeping in his chest. But still, curiosity got the better of him.

He moved quietly, slipping off the couch and padding silently across the floor until he was just behind Perci. She hadn't noticed him yet, too focused on flipping pancakes at the stove while humming the song.

Feeling unusually mischievous, Shadow took a breath and began singing softly along to the lyrics, his voice low and smooth.

"We are the lovesick girls..."

Perci froze, spatula in hand, eyes wide as she heard the familiar voice. Before she could react, Shadow held out his hand, his crimson eyes locking onto hers, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

"We are the lovesick girls..." he sang, his voice growing louder, more confident, still holding out his hand for her to take.

Her shock melted into a smile, and despite herself, she placed her hand in his. Shadow, surprising even himself, gently pulled her closer, moving with the beat of the song. He twirled her around, their feet barely moving but their connection unmistakable. For a moment, everything else disappeared—the awkwardness, the tension, the mystery of their strange bond—and it was just the two of them, dancing together in her small kitchen.

Perci's heart raced, her cheeks flushing as they swayed to the music. She couldn't believe what was happening. Shadow—the gruff, distant, often infuriating Shadow—was dancing with her. And smiling. Genuinely.

As the song reached its final chorus, their movements slowed, and for a brief second, the world seemed to hold its breath.

But then, reality snapped back when Perci caught the smell of something burning.

"Oh no! The pancakes!" she gasped, breaking away from Shadow and rushing to the stove.

Shadow stood there for a moment, watching her panic over the almost-burnt pancakes, his smirk growing wider.

"Distracted, were we?" he teased, crossing his arms.

Perci shot him a glare, flipping the pancakes in a flurry. "You distracted me! You—" She stopped mid-sentence, blinking. "Wait a minute. You knew that song?"

Shadow shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I've heard it once or twice." He leaned casually against the counter, watching her with an amused glint in his eyes.

Perci couldn't help but laugh. "I'm surprised. Didn't think you'd be into something like that."

"I'm full of surprises," Shadow muttered, though his tone was less harsh than usual.

She flipped the last pancake onto a plate and turned to him with a playful smile. "You know, you're not as bad as you let on."

Shadow raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Instead, he glanced at the pancakes and then back at her. "You almost ruined breakfast, though."

Perci huffed, rolling her eyes. "Right, because you had nothing to do with that."

For a moment, the room was quiet, just the two of them standing there, the tension easing away into something... softer.

Shadow looked down at her and spoke before he could stop himself. "You didn't burn them... they're perfect."

Perci blinked, caught off guard by his rare compliment. Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly turned back to the stove, hiding her smile. "Thanks," she muttered, trying to act nonchalant.

Shadow watched her for a moment longer, a strange feeling bubbling up inside him. Something about being here, with her, didn't feel wrong. In fact, it felt more right than anything had in a long time.

Maybe he was starting to get used to this whole "not being alone" thing.

Or maybe... it was her.