It's not just a race...

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

Who: Shadow the Hedgehog and Rainbow Dash
What: A hedgehog and a pony in puppy love.
Where: John Doe Park
When: Valentine's Day, 195X
Warnings: Excessive amounts of tsundere.

[Valentine's Day.

What a waste of time. As if the humans in Mayfield needed an actual holiday to excuse them for idiotic behavior like this. But while everyone's busy prancin' and romancin' around town, Shadow the Hedgehog is perfectly content just walking through John Doe Park.

Alone.

He pauses next to a discarded bouquet of white daisies on a nearby park bench. As if shoving these things into everyone's faces wasn't bad enough, this was practically littering.]

Tch. Pathetic.

Comments

[20percentcooler]

[As soon as he scoots closer she looks the other way, because if she keeps staring at him she's pretty sure her heart is going to find a way to pound right out of her chest.]

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I-I mean it. 100 percent. I mean I've never really noticed before but...

Heh. Sorry, this must be pretty awkward, huh?

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[You're damn right it's awkward. And all of this should be far more concerning to Shadow than it actually is, but... Instead the hedgehog finds himself wanting to see her face again. Wants to look into Dash's eyes, which are so much larger and... brighter than he remembers.

Oh god what is he doing he's reaching up to catch her just under her muzzle and gently tilt her back to look at him.]

It's not that bad.

[You're not that bad.]

[loyalrainbow]

[Her eyes widen, and she's silent. Her heart's racing, her mind's racing, and every irrational, flower-effected part of her brain is screaming at her to indulge in her feelings.

And so, she will.]

S-Shadow, you really think...?

[She swallows nervously, before trying to lean in for a kiss.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

I...

[Shadow can't tell if she initiated or if he pulled forward the rest of the way, but whatever the hedgehog was about to say, it's cut off when his lips meet hers. He's initially horrified, as an Ultimate Life Form like himself should be. He's gotten hugs and sometimes kisses from Maria in the past, but there's a difference between kisses and kissing.

...Well. There's a first time for everything.]

[20percentcooler]

[Pony kisses are a bit awkward, especially when done by an equally awkward pony.

Her first kiss by a hedgehog. She'll be horrified when the effects where off, but for now?

This was nice.

This was very, very nice.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[Shadow, himself, will be just as aghast. But for now? He'll agree. This was all very nice indeed.

When he pulls away, he doesn't say a word at first. Instead, Shadow does something else he'd never expected to do around Rainbow Dash. He smiles at her. A warm smile.]

What would you say if I were to challenge you to a race right now?

[20percentcooler]

[She pulls away, the rational Rainbow Dash screaming and kicking the whole time. But as far as Rainbow Dash is concerned, the rational Dash can just get the hell out for a while.

If her face wasn't bright red before, it is now. Shadow's words snap her out of her lovesick daze. A race? Hm.]

Heh, I'm always up for a race.

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

I had a feeling you would say as much.

[And off the bench he hops, glancing back and forth before smirking over his shoulder at Dash.]

To the end of town and back.

[loyalrainbow]

To the end of town and back? No prob.

[And for a few seconds, it actually sounds like the old Rainbow Dash. However this time, the usual cocky grin has been replaced by a warm, friendly smile.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

Try to keep up.

[Sounds like something Shadow might ordinarily say, right? But his tone is coy. Almost as if he wants her to keep up with him. Rouge would be impressed---this flirting business isn't that difficult after all.]

[loyalrainbow]

[Normally she'd have a snappy comeback for that, but she just chuckles playfully at that.]

See ya at the finish line.

[And she ducks down, spreading out her wings.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[Shadow crouches as well, getting into the proper stance.]

Ready?

[20percentcooler]

Sure am! Let's start this thing!

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[One simple word...]

Go.

[...And Shadow's dashing forward through the snow, the jets beneath his Air Shoes humming with life. It's a little loud, but not quite loud enough to drown out the sound of his own heartbeat.]

[20percentcooler]

[And within seconds Rainbow Dash takes to the air, bolting forward to keep up with Shadow's pace. If there was one thing she loved, it was flying. And in any other case, she'd soar as high as she could to feel the wind through her wings and hair.

But this time? She's actually racing at Shadow's level, keeping near him as opposed to putting effort into actually winning.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[Shadow glances over at Dash as she edges closer. There's still that competitive spark in his eyes---no amount of love potions or what have you could ever get rid of that. But the ego, the arrogance that's almost always present? It's given way to something warmer.

The hedgehog chuckles to himself. He's having fun.]

[20percentcooler]

[They make it to the edge of town and Rainbow Dash turns to head back. If they weren't so blinded by flowers right now, she'd grudgingly admit that Shadow was pretty good at this (not that this would be something she'd mention to his face). But she gives Shadow a quick glance, winking at him as she does.

Yeah, she's having fun too.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[That wink practically encourages him to pick up his pace, and that's exactly what he does as they make their way back to the park. With any luck, he'll edge out in front of her and win. Give him something to tease her about once they get back.]

[20percentcooler]

[Rainbow Dash continues to charge forward, putting even more effort into this race. Romantic or not, she really does want to win. And the park is coming up pretty quickly.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[That it is. Within seconds, Shadow's made his way into the park, skidding to a halt at the bench where the two of them had started. And now that he's come to a stop, he glances around to try and catch sight of Rainbow Dash. Those final moments of the race really were something. He had to have won, but it wasn't entirely clear. Was he the victor? Did Dash manage to beat him at the last second? Or was it a draw?]

[20percentcooler]

[Rainbow Dash lands right beside him, the race ending in a draw. The adrenaline is still pumping through her as she stops and glances over at Shadow.]