*Sonic's POV*
"What happened?" I was immediately asked when I walked back inside. I felt my heart break, I wanted to be with Shadow. I wanted to be with him badly, but I don't know if we would work out.

Our relationship would have started because of forced love. I didn't want that. I wanted Shadow to like me back because he found out on his own. But did that really matter? I mean. I liked him and he liked me.

Shouldn't that be enough?

"Sonic? Where is Shadow?" Rouge asked as she walked towards me. I looked at her and lowered my ears.

"I have to go. I -" I looked at Tails. "Take Manic home, will yah? I got to go!" I looked at Manic. "Don't get in trouble. Don't drink. Don't steal. Don't act up." I said in a rush, then dashed off.

Why did I say no?

Why did I care about this?

All it mattered was that Shadow and I felt the same way towards each other at this moment. That's all. The potion wouldn't have worked if he didn't like me before anyway. The feelings may have been forced out, but they were always there.

So why was I stopping myself from accepting his love? Because I felt guilty? Because I felt scared? Because I felt like I still didn't deserve love after what happened with Sally?

I don't care about that now. I need to tell him. There was no need to promise him I wouldn't date anyone else for a while. There was no one else I was interested in. No one but him.

I ran as fast as I could towards his house, hoping to find him there when I arrived.

I knew it took everything in him to be able to confess how he was feeling, so why? Why did I make it worse by telling him we couldn't have a future together? I hope I didn't mess things up. I hope he didn't hate me now.

*Shadow's POV*
"Open up! I know you're in there!" I heard banging on the door. It hadn't even been 5 minutes since I had been back. He kept banging on the door, harder and louder each time.

"Hedgehog, I heard you! What is -" I tensed up and nearly fell back when he jumped on me. His lips met mine as my back hit the wall, and I managed to catch him. I quickly let go and pushed him away, confused and flustered. "What?" I looked at him. "What?" I repeated, my voice higher and confused.

"I'm scared that what you are feeling may still be because of the potion. I don't want this to be forced, I want someone to love me because it's pure and true. Not because they were forced to." He wrapped his arms around my neck, I placed my hands on his chest, keeping him at a distance. I'm not used to this, yet a few weeks ago, I didn't seem to mind.

"I told you I had feelings for you since before that." I cleared my throat trying to remain calm, but this was the longest he's been this close to me. Part of me wanted to shove him away, but now I understood that was because I was afraid of what I was feeling.

"So let's go with that." He smiled at me. My ear flickered, and I looked him in the eyes as if asking what he had just said. "You had feelings for me since before the potion, I shouldn't have said all of that earlier. I was just afraid. I like you, Shadow, and I know you like me too." It still bothered me that he wasn't saying that annoying nickname.

"I didn't mean it, by the way." He lowered his ears, and I quickly corrected myself. "When I said I was tired of you. I didn't mean it. I am not tired of you. I don't think I could ever get tired of you." I felt my face heat up.

"Whoa. Shadow the Hedgehog saying something sweet to me? I can't believe it." He let go of me and took a step back.

"You do get annoying, though." I rolled my eyes. He frowned and crossed his arms. "But nothing I get tired of." I chuckled softly.

"So." He hummed. "You went to ask me out earlier?"

"I said what I said, you rejected me." I crossed my arms. "I'm not enough for a prince like you." Sonics ears went up, and he playfully punched my arm.

"I was born into that family, I do not live in that world." He laughed softly. "Don't ever call me a prince again or be formal to me in any way. I hate that."

"Wouldn't dream of it." I said, causing him to laugh again, this time slightly offended. He got closer to me again and then leaned closer to my face, I remained with my arms crossed and a serious face as I made eye contact with him.

"Will you go out with me, Shadow?" His tail wagged lightly as he smiled brightly close to my face. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, then nodded. "Great! Will you kiss me now? All our kisses until now have been stolen."

I hesitated but leaned down just enough for our lips to meet one more time. His soft lips met mine, and kissed back instantly. I felt like I could stay here forever, holding him close to me and just enjoying the feeling this hedgehog caused me to feel.

I didn't want to let go of him. Ever.