Jayde the Hedgehog • By Your Side [3]

15: Pocky✔️

Music: Don't Look Down - Laszlo

23:12: Metropolis - Club Rouge

Why was he even here? They had just failed a very important mission, discovered a major turning point of Jayde's life and now they were all in Rouge's club, partying like none of that had happened. Shadow rolled his orbs as he glanced at the blue hero and red echidna arm wrestling, Jayde cheering them on.

"What's up, grumps?" the ebony hedgehog jumped as Rouge came beside him, "Not joining the party?"

"Why did you do this, Rouge? We have a very important assignment that has already failed twice and you're throwing a party when we could be looking at CCTV footage and track-"

"Shads, stop rambling!" Sonic grunted, both his and Knuckles face turned red with strain. The crimson male was pulling the hero's arm closer to the table, but Sonic refused to be beat. Jayde looked over to Shadow and grinned which took the Ultimate Lifeform by surprise. Today had pretty much been horrible for her and she was still smiling.

Rouge looked between them, her lips curling at the ends at the small interaction, "The reason I did this because we all need a break. I know we have a lot of important things to figure out but I think we all need to relax."

"I don't have time for relaxing." Shadow muttered, heading for the door. Jayde noticed his retreating figure and left the boys to their arm wrestle.

"Where are you going, Shades?" she asked, walking beside him with her arms behind her back. She stared into his ruby orbs wondering if he actually meant what he said on that double date. Jayde knew that she shouldn't get close to him because it would only hurt him even more in the long run. She knew that the ebony male wouldn't show when he was hurting, but she knew that her actions will soon crush him. But even if she tried to stay away, something about the Ultimate Lifeform kept Jayde returning.

"I'm going home." He muttered, "I hate social events."

Jayde paused, letting out a small sigh, "C'mon Shades, let lose a little. I know you pretty much hate everyone here," she let out a small chuckle to tell him she was joking, "But Amy's bringing food over soon and we are all going to watch a few fireworks up on the cliff." Shadow stopped walking and turned to face Jayde. She gave him a small smile, "Won't you stay, even for another hour?" The red striped male huffed and slowly gave in. The Protector grinned widely and dragged him back to the table where Sonic and Knuckles were still arm wrestling.

Shadow sighed before pushing down both their hands with one of his, "I win." He muttered, causing both males to yell in protest.

Rouge giggled at this, wrapping her arm around Knuckles' chest, watching as Jayde laughed at Shadow's action. She knew that the two cared and loved each other more then they both knew. All she had to do was give them a small push – everyone knew they had too.

Especially Amy Rose.

The pink hedgehog barged through the side door of Club Rouge, plastic bags full of food and drinks. Since the club was usually closed on days where Rouge had missions, she had never gotten the chance to get snacks for everyone. However, Amy knew exactly what to get. As Jayde looked up from her sitting position, she spied something on the top of one of the bags, her eyes widening in happiness. "Is that Pocky?!" she yelled, rushing over to the pink hedgehog. Shadow was surprised at her reaction to such a simple snack. The cerise female chuckled at the Protector whose orbs were wide and childlike as Amy handed her the packet, "Yes!" Jayde dived in, quickly biting down on the thin biscuit. The gang watched with amusement as she practically inhaled the food.

Rouges eyes sparkled and a small grin formed on her muzzle. Shadow noticed this and the ivory bat sent a wink his way, "Say, Jayde... Have you ever played Pocky?" Jayde let out a confused hum as she stared at Rouge, a thin biscuit halfway in her mouth.

"Rouge..." Shadow crossed his arms and closed his orbs. The orbs of the blue hedgehog widened and he smirked at the crafty pink hedgehog, understanding why she had brought them in the first place.

Jayde still looked confused so the female bat elaborated, "It's simple. Two people start directly in front of each other, the ends of the Pocky in each of your mouths and work your way to the middle. The first person to take their mouth off loses." Rouge said, leaving out a very important detail in the game.

Amy placed her hands on her hips and grinned, "I dare Jayde and Shadow to play it."

The blue blur stood beside the female, arms crossed as they all surrounded the two hedgehogs, "Shads wouldn't."

Jayde pulled a Pocky from the packet and walked to the rose muzzled male who muttered an answer. A thin biscuit went between his lips as the Protector shrugged, "Sounds easy enough, bet I could bet you."

A smirk made its way onto the tan muzzle. Shadow's eyes lidded and he stared at the female in front of him, "You shouldn't say that, Renee." He grasped her hand, yanking the grey hedgehog closer to him. Using his other hand, his gloved fingers went under her chin. The dark blush became evident on Jayde's face to everyone in the room as she chopped closer. Shadow looked into her innocent orbs as she stared wide eyed at the male in front of her. She didn't know this part of the game – that and Rouge didn't tell her. The red striped male knew that he was playing a dangerous game. With everything going on right now, he couldn't make Jayde a target.

But rubies met sapphires and he couldn't wait any longer. With one last crunch on the Pocky, their lips completely closed the gap. Squeals erupted from the two girls, their own private mission finally complete. Sonic and Knuckles' jaws dropped, staring wide eyed as the Ultimate Lifeform closed that gap between their bodies and they shared their first proper kiss. It took Jayde a moment to register what Shadow had just done. But it was most definitely the red striped male in front of her and it was his tan lips that met her peach ones. It was like a fire had ignited inside her stomach and sparks flew all around her. Shadow was her first kiss.

Was this getting too close? His gloved hand placed itself on her muzzle while her arms were still in mid air, not entirely sure how to react. She knew that she was going to break him. Once she gives Torrent what he wants, the ebony hedgehog will probably never talk to her again. But her heart took over and her lips moved with his. Amy and Rouge high fived, grinning as they watched the two hedgehogs. It was still quite hard to believe that they pulled this off. The ivory bat watched as they pulled away with rosy muzzles, she knew all they needed was a pushed.

Shadow and Jayde's orbs started at each other before their eyes widened and they jumped back from one another, their blush darkening. Shadow looked in a completely different direction before sprinting off. Jayde's back was turned as she felt the breeze when he left and tapped on her wristwatch.

"Jayde?" Amy walked towards her friend but the Protector stepped on her board and shot off, her mind still focused on the kiss.

The white female sighed, leaning against the Guardian who squirmed at the contact, "So close."

Sonic watched Jayde's retreating figure through the door, a small grin on his face, "Don't worry girls, your plan will work."