Fae dreamscape (811 words)
Shadow walks down the cold dark halls of the observatory. He watches the walls of the mystical building, the stars shifting within the wallpaper with each step, framed by the rich oak browns that near black in the shadows. He runs his hand along the cold wood trim, here in this dreamscape, every sensation feels so real. He takes a deep breath and feels the expansion of his body, his heartbeat within his chest. It's as fantastical as it is alarming.
He stops before a carved door, running a hand through his side quills before twisting his hand around the knob. Suddenly, the door is pulled open from the other side, Shadow stumbles a step forward towards its inhabitant.
“Oh!” The man who looks like his husband exclaims. “Is there anything I can do for you, traveler?”
Shadow runs his eyes over him, a slight scrunch to his brow. A manifestation of Sonic in some capacity, and he's here to find out exactly how deep it goes. Physically, he's slightly different, with longer, more airy quills, slightly taller, and Shadow finds his eyes lingering on the partially sheer robe he wears.
He clears his throat, meeting the overbearing green eyes of the potential fake. “I have questions. Arthur, you called yourself?”
He leans against the door frame, a small attentive smile on his face. “That’s right.”
“What do you know about me?” Shadow crosses his arms.
“Well,” Arthur hums "From the pitiful sight you were this morning, I know you're new around here. You don't seem to be the social type- having spoken only to me throughout the day as you explored our fine town.”
He hardly noticed he was attached to the image of Sonic at the hip. A small snort escapes him.
“And you're quite handsome, though that may be obvious to anyone.” He pushes his half rim glasses up, the star charms clank against the metal. “If i may be so bold-”
Shadows smirks, he can't even keep his cover.
“Who's the lucky man?”
He falters for a moment, rubbing his fingers against his wedding bands. It was more than a conscious effort on Sonic’s part to keep them on, having changed his entire outfit on arrival to this world.
“Sonic.” He says, direct and accusatory.
“Hm, I'm not familiar,” Arthur pushes the corner of his mouth with a finger in thought. Shadow can see him holding back a smirk. “Would you care for a drink and to tell me more?”
When he gestures to the hall, Shadow catches the light of the bedroom hitting his gloves, and upon further inspection and the bump of an edge beneath. Dead to rights, it's all a game to him.
“That won't be necessary.” He says, lunging for Arthur's arm. A spark in his eye lights when he reels back, having caught on right away. Backing into the room, he dodges Shadow’s pursuits, throwing himself over furniture and not letting him close the gap. His face is vibrant, daring Shadow to win.
After a few minutes of chasing, Shadow finally gets the drop on him, using his momentum to throw him to the floor. He only stops when he hits the side wall of the room, upside down with his back to the floor, his legs hanging pathetically over his head.
Shadow leans down next to him, reeling his arm up in a position that's hard to untangle from. pulls his glove off to the sight of Sonic's matching wedding bands.
Shadow smirks, satisfied. “киса.”
Sonic snickers, twisting his fingers around Shadow’s hand “You got me.”
He rights himself and bounces back onto his feet.
“So you're conscious.” Shadow deduces.
“Just like you are. Though this body may run on autopilot sometimes to check on you at home.”
“Good to know.” Shadow says, eying the ornate four poster bed.
Sonic steps over to the small nook, only large enough for two chairs and a small table set up with a tray of tea. “Offer is still open, by the way, if you have any questions.”
“Hey!” He whips around as Shadow drops onto the plush sheets “I gave you your own room, you freeloader.”
Shadow glares at him from between two pillows. “And? It's mine now.”
Sonic leans over the edge of the bed, lip pulled into a pout. Shadow hums, twisting his fingers around the edge of Sonic’s robe, suddenly yanking him down into the bed beside him.
“And so are you.” Shadow pulls him into a short kiss.
Sonic laughs and gets settled, when he does, the lights of the room go out. Slowly, the room is relit with the ceiling fading to life, turning into a radiant display of shifting galaxies. The stars twinkle and gold accents line the floor. Under the warm blue light of the false sky, Shadow drifts off next to his partner, just like home.