A Trip Of Spontaneity

Sonic, after leaving his friends with a simple, “See ya later!” immediately dashes off in a bit of spontaneity. There are a million places in the world his feet could take him, but instead of trying to choose a destination he just flows with the wind. The streets of Station Square are full and bustling with activity as people try to get from point A to B in record time, but none of them are faster than the determined blue hedgehog.

Sprinting between and around people as if they’re his newest obstacle course, Sonic ends up shouting apologizes from the hectic wind he causes, although the townspeople are far used to it by now. Seeing the city limits coming up he pushes his already impressive speed towards the sound barrier, quickly leaving the city behind him.

The sun is bright as his emerald eyes take in the passing sights, but nothing seems to catch his ever changing interests. After traversing through plains, grassy terrains, and even water, he actually sees something that possibly captures his attention coming up ahead. It doesn’t take long for the wide open areas to become more condensed and filled with a plethora of buildings topped with orange tiled roofs. Slowing to a crawl in his terms of speed, he leisurely begins to explore the lively area.

The scent of delicious foreign food is the first thing Sonic takes notice of, but he doesn’t take off just yet as his ears catch the sound of an upbeat tune. Taking a closer look in the direction of the sound he sees human street performers, the instruments in their hands playing a melodious theme that seems to fully mesh with the culture of the area.

With eagerness shining in his emerald eyes he dashes off towards a small group of playing children enjoying the late afternoon sun before they’re forced to go inside when it’s time for supper. “Hey kids! Mind if I join you?”

The smallest girl of the three children shakes her head then responds with a bright, “We were just about to play tag!”

“Tag? That’s awesome!” With a playful laugh he exclaims that he’s ‘it’ causing the boy and two girls to run away with childish squeals. Running around with the kids like he would with his kid brother, he benevolently lets them win, the three children piling on top of him in jest.

“What’s your name, mister?” the brunet female of the group asks a little out of breath.

“Sonic,” he answers with a cocky grin.

“Sonic? That’s a cool name!” the male, the oldest of the kids, exclaims with glee.

“Why thank you. Say, I’m new to this place. Is there anything special about it you can tell me?” Sonic asks curiously while helping the children back to their feet.

“Oh! Oh! I know! It’s the art capital of the world!” The little red haired girl exclaims whilst jumping up and down.

“Oh really? That sounds pretty neat,” the blue hedgehog comments while placing a hand to his chin.

“It sure is, mister—I mean, Sonic,” the oldest female comments with a sheepish blush.

“Kids! Dinner!” a distant adult exclaims causing the children’s faces to fall.

“Oh man! We have to be going, Sonic. It was real nice meeting you, though!” the boy, clearly in charge of the group, says with an apologetic smile.

“It was nice meeting you all too!” he exclaims with a grin to the leaving children. Once their out of sight he notices the sky’s color once being a clear blue, now displaying burning shades of orange and red. “Hmm it’s getting late. I should get some food and probably look for a place to sleep for the night.” Spinning around slowly in search of a food stand of some sort his eyes land on something much more appealing.

A male hedgehog with the darkest fur he’s ever laid eyes on, painted in precise streaks of crimson along his upturned quills, arms, and legs, stands just before the area he was seeking. His mouth goes dry just staring at the dark, mysterious male, but he doesn’t let that stem his confidence. He has to find out who he is, get to know him more…

Strolling casually across the grey stone path towards the vendor and subsequently his target, Sonic looks directly towards him and has to stifle a gasp when the stranger’s eyes lock on his figure. A deep velvety crimson, observes him with intrigue. Saying the first thing that comes to his muddled mind, Sonic tries to act natural. “So… I haven’t seen you around before.”

“Well, seeing as you’re not from around here, I imagine that would be the case,” he responds in a rich smooth intone, forcing Sonic to gaze at the items at the stand for fear of gaining a red tinge to his cheeks just from the sound.

“How do you know I’m not from here?”

“I’m sure I would have noticed a blue beauty such as yourself in these parts,” the response is said casually without a hint of ignominy.

Startled Sonic turns with a flustered question spilling from his lips, “W-what?”

The hedgehog doesn’t respond, his lips simply curve into a subtle smirk. A blush most definitely adorning his fawn cheeks, the cobalt hedgehog turns back to face the stand and just then his eyes catch something that causes him to lose all composure. “They have those here, too!!” The items in examination are hot dogs boiling in sweltering water with chili bubbling not too far away.

Mouthwatering excessively the blue hedgehog leans over the brown wood counter, an excited smile coming to his face as the friendly male begins to craft a Chili Dog at the subtle gesture from the dark hedgehog. Once he gets his hands on the coveted meal, Sonic makes quick work of it to the amazement of the watching spectators. Realization sets in—after the spice delicacy vanishes from his taste buds—that he probably should’ve paid the guy before eating. Moving to retrieve the Rings, he’s embarrassed and flattered to see the crimson eyed hedgehog already covering for him.

“Uh… thank you,” he acknowledges softly.

Those intriguing red eyes study the blue hedgehog for a moment before he reaches down to grasp a napkin from the stand, then gently begins to wipe the flustered muzzle of the one showing thanks. “It’s no problem.”

Completely overwhelmed by the attractive hedgehog’s forwardness, Sonic forces himself to look towards the sky or risk his heart escaping from his chest. Noticing the cool purples and dark blues, he feels a sinking disappointment at having to depart from the courteous hedgehog.

“It’s getting late and I really have to find a spot to sleep for the night.” The speedster regretfully explains.

Holding out a hand to halt the cobalt hedgehog from disappearing, the dark hedgehog offers a different suggestion. “Wait. Do you mind if I show you something first? It’s a sight that all of the visiting tourists enjoy seeing.”

Sonic doesn’t hesitate for a second before he nods in agreement. “Sure! By the way… what’s your name? Mine is Sonic the Hedgehog!”

Grasping the blue one’s right hand in a suave gesture, he responds warmly, “Shadow the Hedgehog. A pleasure to meet you, Sonic.”

Experiencing the most pleasant tingles he’s felt thus far, Sonic nods in kind. “So where is this place?”

Shadow turns towards the quieter street and states in a calm tone, “It’s a little ways away. I hope you don’t mind…”

Moving to stand next to Shadow with sudden energy to burn, he shakes his head in response, causing his quills to sway with the motion. “With the speeds I travel at, no place is too far.”

A soft hum escapes the crimson streaked hedgehog as he considers this with his arms crossed. “So you’re pretty fast, huh?”

“Yep. I can demonstrate, if you want?”

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” Shadow responds with a hint of a challenge sparking in his eyes, “If you can keep up with me, we might just be able to make it there in time.”

Sonic quickly stretches, unaware of the red orbs that watch him intently, before saying with a cocky smirk, “Lead the way.”

Shadow skates off with inferno blazing at the bottom of his shoes. Sonic, actually seeing a possible opponent in the running department, takes off after him down the twisting and winding alleyways of the foreign land. Not really knowing where they’re going but still wishing to show off to the striking obsidian hedgehog, Sonic starts to perform elaborate flips and jumps, even bounding back and forth off the tight alley walls around the skating hedgehog while saying teasingly, “Is this the fastest you can go?”

Shadow simply shakes his head in amusement before making a sharp turn which catches the playful hedgehog’s attention. “Not even close, but it’s good to see someone who might actually be able to keep up with me.”

“Keep up with you? Oh, I think you have it the wrong way around, buddy. It’s you who wouldn’t be able to keep up with me,” the blue hedgehog comments with a chuckle as the two lock eyes for a moment at the silent challenge.

“Maybe we’ll get to truly see one day,” Shadow says eventually as he turns his attention forward, looking for that certain place…

“Yeah, maybe…” Sonic whispers with a blush at the possibility of getting to see Shadow more in the future.

Crimson eyes find their target and with a hand signal, one after the other they begin to wall jump to the top of a particularly high structure, coming to a halt when the reach the top. When Sonic allows his eyes to wander a gasp of awe escapes him at the view. “Whoa…” What seems like thousands of tightly packed buildings with bridges here and soft green trees scattered about there, stretch as far as the eyes can see, all illuminated in a soft orange glow under millions of tiny twinkling stars.

“This is amazing, Shadow,” he admits after finally turning his eyes away from the view to stare at the observing hedgehog, “I’ve seen a lot of things in my day, but this sure takes the cake.”

Shadow nods as he guides him to the edge of the roof they reside on, allowing them to sit and bask in the cool breeze that travels through their fur. “That isn’t even the best part, but we have to wait a little while before it begins.”

Anticipation burns in his veins at the suspense, but the green eyed hedgehog decided to take this as a chance to get to know the ebony one a little better. “So how long have you lived here, Shadow?”

“Not too long. I go from place to place. I’ve just been here for a while longer than usual,” he answers while staring intently at the sky for something. Sonic’s curious at what he could possibly be staring at only to receive his answer in a soft whisper, “Sonic, look up.”

He does as asked only to gaze in amazement at the phenomenon. White streaks shoot across the sky like that of twinkling pixie dust, lighting it in a flickering glow. “Shadow… I don’t know what to say,” the enraptured hedgehog breaths in wonder.

“It’s beautiful…” he hears the low response before the feel of a warm palm cups the side of his muzzle gently turning his focus on the suddenly much closer crimson eyes. Far too speechless for words, Sonic feels his face warm considerably as the sensation of butterflies fluttering desperately in his stomach consumes him when Shadow ever so slowly closes the distance between their lips. Falling helplessly against the dark hedgehog, he allows Shadow to guide their first kiss, their mouths meshing and melding in a torrent of passion.

Moaning in delight he wraps his arms around Shadow’s neck, shivering when he feels teeth nip gently against his kiss swollen lips. When breathing through his nose doesn’t help his oxygen deprived lungs anymore, Sonic pulls back from the passionate caress and rests his head against Shadow’s shoulder as pleasant twinges continue to travel through his form from his counterpart’s touch. “S-so, uh… do you do that with every tourist you meet?”

A humorous chuckle vibrates through Shadow’s chest passing through to Sonic who presses closer to the sensation. “That was just a line to get you up here. To get closer to you really... I wish to get to know you more, Sonic.”

Pulling back to stare into the serious eyes of his interest, the blue hedgehog smiles warmly as he nods. “I’d like that, too... Boy are my friends going to be surprised at what I bring back home from my travels this time,” he adds with an inward laugh.

“I’m sure they’ll get used to me. I don’t plan on going anywhere without you,” Shadow responds while pulling the cobalt hedgehog closer, if possible.

With a vibrant grin, Sonic rests his head on the shoulder next to him as the two continue to watch the display in the sky, content with the future laid out before them.