Time Heals All Things

Chapter Seventeen: Taking the First Step..

It had been three weeks since Sonic had gotten his cast and he had finally gotten used to moving around. At first he hopped around on one foot but after being frustrated by his own lack of speed the middle-aged blue hedgehog had struck on a rare moment of brilliance. Shadow had been right, his speed was not just in his feet, it was in his hands too. Sonic had always been strong enough in his upper arms to support his own weight thanks to years of battling Eggman robots and a fondness for breakdancing. Sure, he was out of practise and his back was not quite as spry as it had once been but he could still bust a few old school moves and perform a solid handstand.

Had he not been working out with Shadow before getting his foot cast Sonic would never have considered this a good idea and he was certainly not telling his black and red boyfriend about this, he didn't think he wouldn't be receptive to it. It had taken a little while to get the balance and technique of moving one flat palm in front of the other but soon Sonic has mastered walking on his hands. Even though he was only doing this inside their shared home it definitely much faster than hopping. The blue hedgehog could move at a comfortable running place and he enjoyed surprising Shadow with how quick he could get around their home. He enjoyed the momentarily startled look before it melted away into the cool raised eye ridge that came with an impressed smirk twisting over that irritatingly handsome face.

"Aren't you going to ask how I'm getting around?" Sonic had asked when Shadow had failed to ask this question after a few times of finding him in a room he had not been left in, looking somewhat disappointed that it hadn't happened.

"No need Hedgehog, I will find out for myself eventually." Shadow had replied in a dismissive tone.

"In other words you'll just check the CCTV footage later.." The blue middle-aged hedgehog had grumbled with a put out pout. It only made the black and red hedgehog give a low, throaty chuckle that reverberated with warm amusement. It was the kind of noise that would have made Sonic swoon if he was less masculine but he did allow a smile to tweak his peach tanned muzzle.

"I haven't yet and besides, that would be cheating. I just have to wait for you to slip up on your own.."

And just like that, the arrogant jerk had wiped the smile off of his blue boyfriend's face and had enflamed the embers of their perpetual rivalry..

..Ever since then the blue hedgehog had tried to be careful and not get caught by Shadow. He knew his younger dark counterpart was telling the truth when he said that he would not check the CCTV footage. Shadow revelled in a challenge and his arrogance was irritating but well placed, if anyone would figure him out... It would would be Shadow.

At this moment in time Sonic was slumped on the couch where Shadow had left him to go out on a groceries shop. The huge curve television in front of him was not broadcasting anything interesting on any of its numerous channels but outside the early summer sun looked warm and inviting. It had been a while since Shadow had left and even though the forty year old blue hedgehog knew he was due to return home soon with the shopping he couldn't resist the idea of surprising his boyfriend before he came back.

Immediately Sonic clicked off the curve television with his right white-gloved hand and placed the remote back onto the coffee table where it always stayed. He then swung his legs around, mindful of his foot cast and moved carefully onto his stomach, sliding his hands to the floor. He then lifted himself up, bracing his weight before he began to walk surely on his hands towards the kitchen doorway..

Sonic only managed to reach the doorway before he found his legs snagged causing his torso to jerk and his arms to buckle a little at the surprising halt in his tracks.

"Did I not tell you I would find out about how you are getting around?" The warm deep timbre of Shadow spoke, making Sonic swivel his head around and look up to see the black and red striped fur and golden tanned muzzle of Shadow's face. Those scarlet red eyes burned as his pupils darkened with the delight of victory.