10 Days To Make Him Smile

Look Ahead

POV Sonic

A day had passed and school had already ended. There was really nothing much to do anymore. Just a daily dose of checking emails to see if I got accepted into any good colleges.

Nothing so far...unfortunately. This college stuff is actually hard. And worst of all, I have no guidance in this. Just me, myself, and I.

———————

I spent my morning finishing applications and applying to colleges or just finishing up scholarships and by the evening I was exhausted. I still had to clock in for work though so I stood from my couch, stretched and yawn, and made my way to my gig.

Bored as ever, to a surprise, no one checked in today. I went over to the schedule to make sure I wasn't mistaken or arrived too early.
...
No, everything's fine?

It was odd, I was the only one here there was no car in the lot either. I was starting to feel a little skeptical so I texted Honey.

———————

Sonic
Hey why isn't anybody at work?

Honey
Sorry I thought you knew, someone bought the property and I really needed the money.

Sonic
Well that's understandable. Why didn't I get a call or message about it?

Honey
I told Jet to give you a call but I should've known he wouldn't think of anyone other than himself.😓

Sonic
That makes a lot more sense. Kay, well C'ya.

Honey
Bye

———————

Well I'm jobless again. I need to find somewhere else to adjust, now I really need the money. I was back at my apartment and a few of Tails' stuff in the living room. I should probably tell him the bad news. "Tails!" I yelled out to him.

"Buddyy!" He walked into my sight before I could call for him again. He smiled and nodded his head upward. "The store got bought so I have no job now. I'm probably going to spend the rest of my day applying for jobs because now that I rent an apartment, I need to make sure I have a stable financial plan." I chuckled through my nerves. He hissed. "Well that sucks. Where are you planning to go? Just around the area?" I shrugged. "Maybe. If I have to, I'll go further. I'll be back alright?" He nodded and I left in the speed of light.

3rd POV

Sonic had left and Tails was left alone to continue settling in. A minute passed, maybe two and soon a knock was heard. Tails' ears perked up. Sonic wouldn't knock on his own apartment door. He walked towards it, looking at the circular window to see who it is first before opening the door.

"Oh hi Shadow." He stood in front of the door, crossing his arms, looking mad as ever. "Hello." Yet he said calmly. "What do you need?" Tails asked kindly. "Is Sonic here?" The ebony one asked as he subtly peered over the fox's shoulder to ogle for a specific azure hedgehog. "Oh sorry he just left. The video game store has a new owner and he's looking for a new job." His expression softened.

"Oh. I wonder why he didn't tell me." The dark one lowered his head and sighed. "It's probably because he just found out, plus he's had a rough morning I could hear it in his tone. Probably college stuff." Tails attempted to ease the news. "Alright. Goodbye."

Shadow wandered over back outside the apartment complex wondering why he wasn't a thought passing by Sonic's mind. I would've wanted to know what's going on, am I wrong for that? Shadow thought.

Ding!

It was Sonic. Shadow eyed the message.

———————

Sonic
Tails told me you stopped by, is there anything you need?
Sorry I've been doing some stuff.

Shadow
No.
And it's fine.
Goodbye.

———————

He was oddly mysterious, I knew he was talking about college and his job yet he said "stuff." Shadow sighed. I understand if he's feeling tired or sad, I just wish he knew that. I wouldn't stop by because I needed something, I just wanted to stop by. Shadow walked along a lonely sidewalk, looking at his tree from afar.

POV Shadow

I rested upon the soft grass and against the old oak tree trunk and withered to ease. "I knew you'd be here." I heard a familiar voice speak. "I felt something a little off about your text, just stopped by to make sure you were okay." Sonic told me. "I am." We paused and smiled. "Oh okay." His tan muzzle chuckled. I parted my lips, planning my words- "Welp, gotta go! C'ya Shads!" I shut them quickly before I uttered a sound, goodbye, yet I muttered.

Yet he stood still for a moment, then a moment more. "Are you going anywhere tonight?" He asked me and I rose a brow. "Not quite. Fortunately my therapy appointment is soon I have plenty to talk about today." I drew my knees in, wrapping my arms around them and exhaled a little breath. "Oh..you do?" His tone shifted, it was evident. "Why don't you...talk to me?" Sonic asked me, gently. I look to him, meeting his gaze. "You seem busy most of the time."

"Shadow. I'll set aside my time for yours, without a doubt." Sonic tilted his head, he seemed disappointed, and it hurt me in the slightest. He clicked his tongue and continued, beginning to turn his body around to leave me. "But you know what, I get it. She's a professional—"
...
"Stay." I cut his words short. Was this the tension? Our lack of communication? "Sit down." I watched him lower to my level. "I'm willing to talk to you honestly, but I feel as if I can't if it's one sided." He blinked as his face softened, averting his gaze to the ground. "Shad's I'll be honest. I'm not so good with words either. Being vulnerable this way is hard for me, at times it's uncomfortable." I nodded. "I understand. But will you always remain in your comfort zone?" He smirked ever so slightly.

"You did." I tilted my head with a small smile "Who got me out of there?"
"..."

"Me." He said smiling slowly while rolling his eyes. I chuckled lightly as a reply. "Would you like to give it a try?" I asked him softly. "Alright, just not here, somewhere more private. Your house?" I nodded and held his fiddling hands.

———————

We both sat silently on my bed, the same bed where we made love, and he kept averting his eyes away from mine. "Whenever you're ready, I am too. Just let me know." I moved closer to him, admiring him from a far yet closely. "I don't know how to start. You're the very first person that I've felt different around." He paused for a longer while then exhaled as he lowered his head. "I'm not soft or shy, I'm not even close to being nervous when I'm with someone I like. I'm usually the exact opposite." He rose his head and said quietly. "But it's just different with you."

I turned to my hands, inching closer to his slowly, like I was touch deprived. "Yeah, I've noticed that about you, before we met face-to-face. A cocky, sassy, and confident blue hedgehog you are." A silence emerged again, this time his face softened. "See this is what I mean! I don't know how to reply to that!"
He chuckled nervously.
...
"You get me so shy. You have me so flustered." He drew his knees inward towards him and I could see his cheeks tinting a light shade of red. I sat quietly, trying to find the right words. "How does that make you feel?" He clicked his tongue and looked to me but turned away to face the window. "It makes me feel weak. Or like I'm exposed to being taken advantage of." I watched as he motioned his confusion with his hands.

"Don't get me wrong, I like this feeling of being taken care of, of being vulnerable because it honestly feels good to be this honest. It's just that I could get my heart torn any second when I'm feeling like this." His hand beckoned to his forehead, I read him. He was beginning to display his feelings of stress. "I understand." I added, my words did seem to ease his tenseness. "It will take a lot of time, and commitment for us to feel safe within each other's presence. I'm willing to wait, to commit. Are you?" He sat silently and he wouldn't look me in the eye. "Are you?" I repeated gently.
...
"I need some time, Shadow. I just need to think." He stood up quickly and rapidly ran away, leaving me. Was I pushing him too far? I thought to myself as I heard my front door shut.