*Sonic's POV*
I quickly pulled away from the kiss as Shadow let go, and we both looked at Knuckles, who was standing in front of me. Shadow turned and stood beside me now as he crossed his arms and let me talk. Knuckles looked confused, surprised, and even disgusted at the same time.

"Are you two actually dating?" He shook his head, then scratched his forehead. "Or did I just see Shadow find another way to assault you?"

"We are dating." I laughed softly at the last part and walked a bit closer to Knuckles. "I am sorry, we actually came here to look for you."

"You did?" He raised a brow then looked at me up and down. "You haven't changed."

"You've grown." I chuckled and noticed he was a bit taller since the last time I saw him. His quills were picked up, and he wore a leather jacket.

"It's been 10 years." He crossed his arms. He was calmer than he used to me. "I changed in those years, why haven't you?"

"Long story." I shrugged. "We met Rouge, Amy, and Tails again." I said, trying to match his energy. "Rouge contacted Blaze and Silver as well already. We wanted to get everyone together again."

"What for?" Knuckles asked, confused. "Did something happen?"

"No. It's just been so long."

"It's been this long because YOU left." I get it now. He was mad at me. "I think it's better if it stays that way." I lowered my ears. I should have expected that. Knuckles was always hard-headed.

"I know. If you could just hear me out." I said as I took a step closer. Knuckles clicked his tongue and then started walking away. "Knuckles?" I was going to press for him to stay so we could talk, but Shadow grabbed my shoulder to stop me.

"Give him time." Shadow said softly. I nodded in defeat and looked at my house. It hadn't changed one bit.

I walked to the door and opened it. Everything was how I left it. Although it should be covered in dust and spiderwebs, it was clean and smelled fresh. Someone had been keeping my house clean.

"I didn't know you kept the place." Shadow said when we were inside. "I would've thought you sold it."

"I was planning to but never did." I answered as I looked around, remembering everything. "It's been so long." I sighed.

"It has been. Remember the day we defeated him, the day you left? We were up on the roof." I turned to face him and nodded. "I knew I wouldn't see you again the moment you hugged Miles. I wanted to go after you and stop you, but I couldn't."

Shadow continued to surprise me by saying stuff like this. By kissing me randomly, my being nice and showing me sides of him, I imagine he hadn't shown to anyone else before. He told me all he had done after he left was travel around, staying at a new place every few months as he had a lot of money saved up from G.U.N.

I walked up to him and got the courage to be the one to kiss him this time since we were so rudely interrupted earlier. Shadow tensed up when I did that but immediately kissed me back and wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck and pulled him closer. He guided me back to the couch, then pulled away and sat down.

"As much as I regret leaving, maybe the time apart did us some good. Do you think we would be together now if I had stayed?" I said as I rested back on him, Shadow wrapping his arms around me and pulling me closer to where we were cuddling. "In a way, I am glad I left, I met Spike and Lucy and got to meet up with you after so many years. Met this new side of you, which something tells me I am the first to see."

"And only." Shadow rested his head on top of mine, making me smile happily as I closed my eyes. My ears fell to the sides for it not to bother him.

"You keep stealing kisses from me." I chuckled quietly. "What? Are you already obsessed with me~?" I teased.

"Hardly." Shadow playfully rolled his eyes, but I could see the hint of a smile across his muzzle.

"Why don't we go out and look around?" I offered, but Shadow wanted to stay how we were. "Come on. Take it as a date?" He couldn't refuse anymore and nodded as he let go and stood up.

Shadow still always had that serious look on his face whenever we were in public, even if he was holding my hand. I kept dragging him around, trying to make him laugh or even smile, but he simply looked annoyed. I know it was just the way he was and didn't take it seriously since lately I had noticed the way Shadow looks at me when he thinks I am not paying attention. His gaze was soft, almost as if admiring what he was seeing. It sent shivers down my spine every time I caught him doing that.

"Shadow?" We suddenly heard something fall and running. Before we could turn around to see who had spoken, there were already arms wrapped around Shadow. He was tense and looked angry until he realized who was holding him.

"Cream?" I gasped when I saw her. She wasn't a little kid anymore. She was taller, older, almost our height but she still looked as cheerful as she always used to be.

"Sonic! You too?" She let go of Shadow to hug me. When she let go, she took a step back to look at the two of us clearly. "I can't believe it. After all these years!"

Shadow looked hurt at seeing her. How could I forget? Everyone knew he had a soft spot for her. I wonder if he even said goodbye to her before he left years ago.

She was crying now. "We all missed you so much! Has Knuckles seen you? He's been cleaning your house every other week since you left for when you came back!"

So it was him...?