Sonic stood in the kitchen, he had about 3 different things cooking on the oven. He had spaghetti in one pot, mashed potatoes in the other and green beans in the third one. It was going to be like thanksgiving in the middle of June.

Earlier he had called everyone who he wanted to be invited. Amy, Tails, Knuckles, Silver, and Sally. He must admit he had missed her, missed their talking and heir hugs and all that stuff. Sonic sighed and heard knocking on the door. He set one of the spoons he was using on the plate and started walking to go get the door. That's when he noticed the cat had been sitting at his feet the whole time, and he tripped over her and fell. What made it worse was that he was close to the island counters and he hit his head on the corner of it. He let out a yelp and held the side on his head, which was starting to throb with pain. Despite all of this he picked up Salem and set her on the couch, then made his way to the door. And there stood the princess.

The blue hero could tell she had tried to dress up, but not want to seem too fancy. Instead of her usual blue vest she was wearing a light magenta one, and matching boots. Her hair was combed better than usual, and she had a nice smelling perfume sprayed on. Not a lot, but just enough.

"S-Sally! Hey..." Sonic said, opening the door for her to come inside.

"Glad to have you back Sonic. What happened to your head?" She asked, removing Sonic's hand from it.

"I fell. No biggie." He replied.

"No biggie? Sonic, you're bleeding."

Sonic noticed his glove had a light smidge of blood on it. "Oh. Well, go ahead and sit down, I should get this cleaned up."

Before he could go, the princess grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to her. She gave him a hug and looked up at him. "I really am glad you're back, Sonic."

Sonic hugged her back. "It's nice to see you again."

She smiled and let him go, and Shadow walked down the hallway. He had been napping while Sonic made dinner. "Hey Sally." He greeted, his tired eyes widening as he saw Sonic's head. "Sonic! What happened?" He put his hand on his cheek and Sonic flinched a little, not wanting to be all affectionate in front of Sally. Shadow got the message and took his hand off. "I have bandages in the bathroom, you're smart enough to get them yourself, faker." Sonic nodded, knowing Shadow was only talking like that since they were in front of Sally.

Sonic went down the hallway and got a bandaid for his head. It was only a small cut, but it was bleeding a lot.

When he came back out Sally was petting Salem, sitting down on the couch.

"Sonic, I turned off the oven, so, you know, you don't burn the house down." Shadow grumbled.

Sonic nodded and stood on a chair and got down plates from the cupboard.

“Is this where you’ve been staying this whole time, Sonic..?” Sally asked, kissing Salem’s nose.

“W-Well.. After I escaped Shadow offered to let me stay here.” Sonic replied, his heart fluttering from the memories of the lab.

There was another knock on the door. He sighed and went to go open the door. He didn’t even get it open 2 inches when he was glomped by a certain pink hedgehog. He squeaked as she hugged him tightly. And when I say tight and I mean she was suffocating him.

“Oh Sonic! I’m so glad you’re back!” She squealed, giving him about a million kisses on his cheek. he yelped as he felt his almost-healed wounds starting to hurt again.

“A-Amy… I have stitches!” She loosened her grip on her blue hero.

“I-I’m sorry Sonic… I’m just really happy you’re back.” She said, feeling guilty, fidgeting her fingers.

“I-It’s alright..” Sonic gave her a more careful hug and she hugged him back. Sonic smiled as he greeted everyone else, Tails, Knuckles, and Silver. Tails must have said something to them ahead of time, not to ask Sonic what happened, because everyone seemed to be avoiding the subject of the lab incident. And Sonic wasn’t complaining exactly. He just wanted to forget about it, but he knew he could never forget.

Sonic put an equal amount of food on everyone’s plates, except he had a smaller share. He set everything out onto the table as everyone sat down. He took a seat in between Shadow and Sally, since it was the only free seat. He realized this was going to probably turn out bad, and he nervously grabbed Shadow’s hand under the table and started eating.

“So how have you guys been?” Sonic asked, looking at everyone.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we were worried.” Silver replied.

“I was worried sick!” Amy exclaimed, making Sonic jump.

“S-Sorry guys.. But I’m back now.” he replied, with a smile. Everyone nodded, and they continued to eat. Sonic wasn’t really talking and as their guests conversed with each other Shadow leaned over and whispered “Should we tell them?”

“If you want to. But I’m thinking later, after dinner.” Sonic whispered back, and Shadow nodded.

After they finished dinner, Sonic cleaned up everyone’s plates as they were all in the living room, chatting among themselves. After he had done the dishes he returned and sat on the couch next to Shadow. It wasn’t long before Shadow poked him in the arm.

“What?” Sonic whispered.

“Tell them.” Shadow replied.

“Why can’t you?”

“Because they’re your friends, not mine.”

Sonic sighed, and looked at his friends. His heart started to thump, and he reached over to hold Salem. “G-Guys?”

Everyone looked at them curiously.

Sonic swallowed. “I have to tell you something.”

Sally got up and moved next to Sonic. “What is it?”

“Um…” His ears pinned back as he imagined the worst possible scenario: Losing his best friend, all of his friends. But at least he’s still have Shadow, even if all his friends left. “I’m dating Shadow.”

Everyone there was silent. Knuckles was the first to break the awkward silence. “Very funny Sonic.” He gave a nervous chuckle, almost hoping it was a joke.

“It’s true. I’m not kidding…” He replied softly, and Shadow slowly put his arm around him, his emotion unreadable.

“That’s… okay. I happy for you guys.. as long as you’re happy Sonic, I’m happy.” Amy said, looking down. Sonic was surprised that she was taking this remarkably well… he thought she would freak out and kill him with her hammer.

“Thanks Amy.” He murmured.

Tails nodded. “It’s okay, I have nothing against that stuff.” Knuckles nodded.

Sonic nervously looked over at Sally. “You okay Sal?”

“How come you never told me you were gay?” She asked quietly.

“I’m sorry Sally, I thought you wouldn’t accept me.” He replied, reaching out to hug her, although she didn’t hug him back.

“I would have understood Sonic. You’re one of my best friends. I wouldn’t let something like this break our friendship apart.” She took his hands off of her and walked out of the house.

Sonic flicked his eyes back to his friends. The only one who hadn’t said anyone was Silver.

“Well um… that’s great you guys.” He sighed and looked at the clock. “I should be getting home, it’s a bit late.”

Sonic sighed heavily. “Okay. Bye Silver.”

He nodded, giving one last glance at Shadoe before leaving.

“Yeah, same for us.” Tails added, standing up. He walked over and gave Sonic a hug. “I really am happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, little brother.” Sonic replied, letting go of him. Knuckles, instead of the usual punch in the arm, he gave him a real hug. “Hope you feel better.” he mumbled, not really used to comforting people.

Sonic chuckled. “Thanks.” Finally, he gave Amy a hug.

“At least you were honest and didn’t hide it.” She said, giving a weak smile.

Sonic nodded. “Have a good night guys.”

After everyone said their goodbyes Sonic closed the door after them and Shadow hugged him. “It’s alright. Sally will shake it off. She’s just a little upset.”

“How would you know?” Sonic whimpered.

“Just assuming.” He replied, kissing him on the cheek. “Come on, we should get ready for bed.”

As they were laying in bed together, Shadow softly purring in his sleep, Sonic was still awake. He was thinking about that look Silver had given Shadow…

*SNIFF SNIFF* DO I SMELL JEALOUSY!?

Holy shit. I am so, so sorry about this late update. I will be on this more, and there will deifnitely be more chapters. :D