Spooky

Chapter 42

-Scourge's POV-

Mom's working late into the night today, and Sonic and Knuckles have already gone to bed. The days have passed sans events, consisting mostly of us four chatting aimlessly; Shadow's wounds have healed up nicely, and while some of the deeper ones are still a bit irritating for him, I think he'll be okay by the time school starts. The scars are hidden enough under his thick fur, and his jacket masks the ones the fur hasn't grown over yet. Tonight is the night before Christmas; mysteriously, the bags from our mall trip all vanished shortly after we helped Mom put up our shoddy little plastic Christmas tree on Wednesday. Coincidentally, assorted wrapped-and-labeled things have shown up under the tree overnight. Today is Thursday evening, and tomorrow, Friday, is Christmas. We're not religious nor really into the holiday, we just use it as an excuse to get together and trade little trinkets; this might be the biggest Christmas we've had in our lives, and most certainly the best since ditching Dad. I definitely feel the most cheerful this year, and I think Sonic does, too. He's certainly seemed brighter these days.

All this and more drifts through my head as Shadow and I recline comfortably on our couch, his arm around my shoulders, while I noodle around on my phone lazily. He nuzzles me, gently at first, then a little forcefully, but I don't look up, not paying enough attention; in the corner of my vision, I see his eyes scan across my face, and then I feel soft lips graze my neck. Suddenly my phone seems far less important as Shadow starts to gently kiss my cheek, lifting his other arm to hug me. I feel my face turn pleasantly warm as I turn to look at him with a smile; his ruby eyes glow cheerfully at me, and then he gives me a sweet kiss, tail wagging. I purr happily, leaning back on the arm of the couch and pulling him into my lap. He pulls his head away for some air, and I hug him close to me, pressing my lips to his forehead quickly. He snuggles into my chest, sighing in contentment, and I curl around him, purring madly.

"I love you a lot," he mumbles, and I grin, feeling my heart flutter.

"I love you too," I answer quietly, pressing my face into his quills. "You're so great. And soft. And fluffy."

He starts purring too, and I feel just so filled with love for him. He's so cute and perfect, I never want to let him go. "You aren't half-bad yourself," he answers teasingly, giving my chest a little peck before he moves to look up at me. He doesn't say anything else, though; I perk my ears and give him a questioning stare. "What?"

"Why are you looking at me?" I ask him, amused.

He shrugs. "I just like your face," he says sleepily, and I feel my cheeks growing warm.

I laugh a little. "You really should get some sleep," I respond, and he yawns, then lays his head down on my chest.

"You should too, you know." My boyfriend mumbles, snaking his arms beneath me.

"I will," I nuzzle his forehead, lifting my hands to rub his ears. He starts purring fiercely, tail wagging, and I grin, resting my chin on his forehead. I slowly move my thumb in circles across the delicate skin of his ears, humming a little tune to myself; it doesn't take long for Shadow to pass out, little snores rising from him between rumbling, sleepy purrs. His breath is warm against my collarbones, and oddly soothing in a way. I kiss his forehead gently, careful not to wake him up, then turn my gaze to the door, waiting for my mother to come home.

•~

I wasn't aware I fell asleep, but apparently at some point I most definitely did. The next thing I know, I hear the front door open, and I snap awake, eyes unfocused and a little confused; my mother steps carefully into the room as I turn my head to look at her, ears perked. She shuts the door, then catches sight of me, and seems surprised. "Scourgey, what are you doing still up?"