a hedgehogs unlikely crush

ch 19

After Shadow and Perci had finished their meal, Shadow wasn't done showing off just yet. As he stood up, he cleaned up their trash without a word, because he wasn't about to let anyone say he didn't treat her right. But then, to everyone's surprise—especially Perci's—he hoisted her up and threw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

"Shady!" Perci yelped, caught off guard as her face turned beet red. "What the hell are you doing?!"

The gang stared, wide-eyed, as Shadow confidently strode toward the exit of Meh Burger, Perci laughing in disbelief from her spot slung over his shoulder.

"I'm just taking what's mine," Shadow said with a cocky grin. He paused at the door, turned his head back to Sonic and the gang, and with a final smirk added, "Better luck next time, Sonic."

Sonic's jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists as Shadow swaggered out the door, carrying Perci like a prize. Knuckles was still munching on his burger, completely oblivious. "Did he just... win something?"

Amy sighed. "Knuckles, please..."

Later at Shadow and Perci's House

Hours had passed since the Meh Burger incident, but Sonic was far from over it. He paced back and forth with Tails, Knuckles, and Sticks trailing behind him, heading toward Perci's house. The thing that really gnawed at him was how smug Shadow had been, acting like he was untouchable.

"This has gotta be some kind of sick joke," Sonic muttered, fuming. "There's no way Perci actually likes that guy."

Tails raised an eyebrow. "She did seem pretty into him..."

"I don't get it," Sonic snapped back. "I'm faster, I'm cooler, I'm... me!"

As they approached Perci's house, Sonic stopped dead in his tracks. He was staring at something, his face turning red with frustration.

"What the hell..." he growled, his eyes locked on the mailbox outside the house.

The mailbox read: Shadow & Perci.

Knuckles leaned in, squinting. "Why's their name on the same mailbox? Did they, like, get a joint bank account or something?"

Sticks shook her head. "I knew it. Shadow's brainwashed her with some evil love potion. Probably brewed in an underground lair using hedgehog fur and chaos emerald dust."

Sonic ignored them, storming up to the front door. "This is bullshit. I'm getting to the bottom of this." He twisted the doorknob and barged inside, not bothering to knock.

He was not prepared for what he saw next.

Right there in the living room, in full view, Shadow and Perci were wrapped up in each other, lips locked in a passionate kiss. Perci's hands were gently placed on Shadow's chest, and Shadow—looking more relaxed than Sonic had ever seen him—was holding her waist like he was never letting go.

"Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me!" Sonic yelled, his face twisting in anger.

Perci gasped, pulling away from Shadow. "Sonic, what the hell? You can't just barge in here!"

But Sonic wasn't listening. His focus was laser-locked on Shadow, who slowly stood up, cracking his neck like he had been expecting this.

"You've got some nerve, barging into my house," Shadow said in a low, dangerous tone.

Sonic didn't care. "Your house? Since when do you even live with her?"

"Since she asked me to, you dumbass." Shadow's eyes glinted with amusement, clearly enjoying how pissed off Sonic was. "What's the matter? Can't handle seeing someone else happy?"

That was it. Sonic lunged, and Shadow met him halfway, fists flying as soon as they collided.

Knuckles, Tails, and Sticks watched in shock as Sonic and Shadow rolled across the floor, punching, kicking, and cursing at each other.

"You smug bastard!" Sonic growled, landing a punch to Shadow's gut.

Shadow grunted but quickly retaliated, sweeping Sonic's legs out from under him. "You're just mad because I did what you couldn't—I got the girl." He threw another punch, connecting with Sonic's jaw.

Sonic snarled. "You're not even capable of love, you asshole!"

"Shows what you know, hedgehog," Shadow spat back, grabbing Sonic by the quills and slamming him into the wall.

Perci, now absolutely furious, ran to the kitchen, grabbed a spray bottle, and marched back into the living room, aiming it at the two fighting hedgehogs like they were a couple of wild animals.

"That's ENOUGH!" she shouted, spraying them both with water.

Sonic flinched, backing away from Shadow while rubbing his face, dripping wet. "What the hell, Perci?!"

Shadow wiped his face, turning his head to her with that familiar deadpan expression. "Really? Water?"

Perci crossed her arms, glaring at both of them. "If you two don't cut this shit out, I'm throwing you both out!"

Sonic, panting from the fight, glared at Shadow. "This isn't over."

"Yeah, it is," Shadow said, his voice calm but laced with authority. "You're not welcome here, Sonic. Leave."

With that, Shadow turned his back on Sonic, pulling Perci close and pressing a kiss to her temple like nothing had happened. Sonic, seething with rage, clenched his fists one last time before storming out the door, followed by Tails, Knuckles, and Sticks.

Sticks stopped for a second, pointing two fingers at her eyes and then back at Shadow. "I'm watching you."

Shadow rolled his eyes, pulling Perci down onto the couch with him. "Let them watch."

Perci sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "What is with you two?"

"Simple," Shadow replied, his voice softening. "I won."

Perci smiled, despite the chaos, and nestled closer to him. "Yeah, you did.