9-13-2024
Manic smiled as he entered the apartment. It was more like sneaking, but hey, he had to stay quiet. Luckily no one was in the livingroom as he did his best to close the door without making a sound. He wasn’t sure if anyone was home, the cars in the parking garage were a meaningless indicator. After all, Shadow could teleport. Rouge could fly. And Omega… Well Manic had never seen the robot drive. So they probably walked everywhere.
Manic carefully placed the bags on the table. He brought a few things with him plus the cake. He would have to wait for Amy to bring the rest of the supplies. He carefully pulled out the cake, checking to make sure it wasn’t damaged or smudged. Rouge was a picky lady when it came to her birthday cake. It was still perfect.
He sighed in relief as he placed the cake in the fridge for safe keeping. He still had party decorations to put up. He had some party banners and streamers to put up. He picked a wall for the happy birthday banner and picked up a chair to put in place so he could hang it up. He frowned as he realized the ceiling was higher than he expected as he stood on his tip toes in the seat and couldn’t reach the roof. He forgot they had higher ceilings in this apartment. It was a good 12 foot tall. Manic was only a little over 3 foot and the chair didn’t add much more height. He shifted to the standing on the back of the chair.
He didn’t feel like skulking around in search of a ladder.
“What are you doing?” a deep voice asked from behind him.
Manic turned with a look that said, “Crud, I’m caught.”
He gave a nervous wave, “Hey Shad-” His foot slipped on the curved back of the chair as he began to fall. Manic curled up to save himself from a concussion. The impact never came though.
“Why are you standing on chairs?” Shadow asked.
Manic uncurled a bit to see the ebony hedgehog holding him. “Putting up decorations.”
“For?” Shadow arched a brow as he put Manic safely on the ground so he could uncurl completely.
“Rouge’s birthday party.”
“Her birthday isn’t for another 5 days.” Shadow pointed out after glancing at the calendar.
Manic smiled. “Yeah, but what if Rouge wants to go on some cool heist for some gem or what not?” Manic mused.
Shadow nodded at that logic. That is a thing the bat had done on several different years. “So you broke in and began decorating?” Shadow tried to keep himself from smiling.
“I didn’t break in.” Manic gave a sassy pout. “I have a spare key!” He beamed holding up the key in question.
“Pfft!” Shadow attempting to stifle a laugh.
Manic put the key back in his fanny pack as he stood up. “Is she home?”
Shadow shook his head as he gained control of his emotions. “She’s with the guardian.”
Manic nodded. “Good, surprise parties don’t work when the surprisee is in the house.”
Shadow rolled his eyes. “Need a hand?”
“Yes please!” Manic nodded. “You got a ladder?”
Shadow picked Manic up with one arm and handed the green hedgehog one end of the banner. He stepped on the chair seat and then shifted to lift Manic up to the ceiling.
“Thanks dude!” Manic said as he was able to pin up the end of the banner. He took a moment to double check it was facing the correct direction before pinning it in place.
Once it was in place and held up, Shadow shifted Manic as he took a step down from the stool. Manic felt a shiver down his spine as Shadow's fingers ran up on his sides as he lowered him.
Manic took a deep breath. “Focus Manic. Focus. You've got a party to set up.” He lectured himself.
They did the same with the other side. And with the center as the well.
As they both had their feet in the ground.
“Hey guys!” Amy's perky voice caught their attention.
Shadow tilted his head.
“Manic left the door unlocked.” Amy answered as she picked up a bag she had left in the doorway. There was several bags there.
She had been watching them for a while, Shadow noted with a slight frown. He could tell from the glint in those emerald green eyes that he would be in for a good ribbing from her later.
“Thanks dude!” Manic smiled as they divided the decorations between them.
“Knuckles is keeping Rouge entertained, so we've got 2 hours.” Amy informed them.
Shadow caught Amy signing to Manic from the corner of his eye.
“SOOO… how are the tingles?” The pink hedgehog signed to the green hedgehog.
Brown eyes darted to Shadow to see if he was paying attention to them. “Shh.” He signed. “We need to focus on the party.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “You're still on cloud nine.”
“Yes. But we have a task, Miss meddler.” Manic smirked at her.
Amy hummed as she focused on her set of decorations.
Shadow smirked to himself. They had no clue that Rouge had purposely put reflective items throughout the house to easily spy on visitors. It was how they caught gun employees snooping in the house behind their backs. He was able to put up decorations and ease drop on sign language conversations at the same time.
Amy eventually made her way to beside Shadow. He could tell from her expression she was going to tease him too. Her wide smile. The crinkle of joy at the corner of her eye. The sparkle in those green eyes. It was obvious.
“Dating?” She signed as her eyes darted to Manic.
Shadow tilted his head back and forth as he thought it over. They held hands sometimes, snuggled as they watched TV, worked on cars together. They did sometimes kiss. Though none had been on the lips so far. They just never sat down to discuss what they're relationship was.
“I'm not opposed to the idea. But no.”
Amy nodded. “Take your time.” She signed with a soft smile. Amy rarely ever pushed Shadow into doing things. She would bring up the idea. List the reasons she felt he should try something and let him think it over. It was a kindness that he greatly appreciated.
4/21/2025
Though there were the times she dragged him along because if she didn't, he'd never experience something he'd actually enjoy. The beach was one such thing.
With the three of them, the kitchen and living room were set up for the party without much trouble. Once Omega was home, they no longer had to lift each other up to hang banners like a hedgehog ladder. Omega would rather set something on fire, but was talked out of it.
The robot was satisfied to shoot the confetti from his blasters. Others filed in slowly after everything was set up.
“You two over here.” Amy ordered in a whisper as she arranged where everyone would hide. Shadow fought the urge to roll his eyes as she purposely put him and the green hedgehog in the same hiding spot. He watched with amusement as she placed Sonic and Tails on the other side. Omega with the confetti behind the center of the couch. Not exactly like he could hide.
Cream and her Chao sat close by Shadow. Her eyes sparkling with excitement.
The lights were flicked off as they all waited for Rouge to arrive. Knuckles was the designated distraction.
“She'll see us before the lights come on.” Manic giggled to himself.
“Rouge will act surprised either way.” Shadow added in a soft whisper. Rouge loved to be a drama queen. He could hear his friend’s voice in the distance of the apartment. The guardian was with her. Rouge with a flirty barb to ruffle Knuckles’ quills. She was pretty tame compared to the things he had heard her say before.
As she came to the door, “Make yourself at home,” Rouge opened the door.
Shadow wondered if she would keep the lights off as was her usual habit. Her teal eyes met his ruby ones and he caught the smirk on her face. She leaned and turned on the lights.
Everyone, that could, jumped out and yelled, “Surprise!” Shadow hated the loudness of the popping from the confetti but he kept his face neutral.
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