Sonic POV 3rd person 

“Has everyone gotten inside Knuckles?” Was asked over a transceiver.

“I think so. The count’s matching up with what we had at the old base, except for, you know…”

“I know. Gadget.”

“Anyway, you can come in Sonic. I think we have everybody inside and all defenses are ready.”

“I’m on my way.”

Ending the call, emerald orbs gazed out at the scenery before him. The previous base had been in a forest, hidden among the trees. Now, they resided in the closest sister base near them, which happened to be in a mountain range about thirty minutes away from the forest. It was good the nearest base was decently close as it made picking up the wounded, and traveling for the rest, easy enough.

Snow. He didn’t mind it much. The chill usually never bothered him, especially if he kept moving. Expression fell a bit at the thought of what’s happened over the last few days. Though the main base was gone, no one was hurt or killed, so that was great news, and it was a smooth transition to get situated elsewhere. However, that wasn’t what was on his mind.

Did Gadget like snow? Or does the cold bother him? Is he more of a forest type person, or maybe the beach? He literally knew nothing of his interests or preferences, except for a few random things coffee. What bothered him more was that he had wanted to protect Gadget, keep him safe from that psychopath, but he failed.

In the end, it’s Sonic’s job to keep everyone protected. Between going to search for the wolf, and helping at the base, he had to stay to help Knuckles lead and get who was there to safety, and he had to leave Gadget behind in Infinite’s clutches, experiencing who knows what. With the memories of that abandoned warehouse coming to the forefront of his thoughts, fists clenched as he feared the worst. He had to find Gadget, and soon.

Crunching of snow made him turn away from the scenery to see Gadget’s brother, Brian, approaching him from the base. Heading in his direction, the bird stopped when standing next to the silent hedgehog.

“The Commander asked if I’d come check on you since you never came in.”

“Ah, gotcha.” Yet the speedster made no indication of budging.

“What’s bothering you?”

“It’s nothing. Just, stuff to figure out.”

“Hmm…” Brian frowned, not buying it. “Ya sure? It doesn’t hurt to talk about stuff you know.”

Fingers seemed to press into the owner’s forearms as Sonic had his arms crossed. A brow raised in question, and rather than dropping the topic like the hero hoped, Brian took his chances.

“Is this about Gadget?”

“...”

“I’m guessing it is.”

“Of course it is,” Sonic breathed out while trying to keep his composure, “Everyone made it out but him. Infinite took him and tried to kill the rest of us. And, after what happened yesterday in that warehouse, who knows what he’s doing to Gadget!”

The unexpected outburst left the green Mobian speechless as he studied the hedgehog. His posture was rigid, uptight, not the usual for the star hero. There was something else.

“How close are you and Gadget?”

Head whipped faster than he’d ever seen as pure shock was read in his features. “What?”

“I was talking with the Commander earlier, and he mentioned you and Gadget seemed to work together really well, and did quite a few missions out in the field. Are you both good friends? Are you like his mentor?...”

“Well, I guess both of those could be true…”

“What’s that mean?”

*sigh*

“We are figuring things out.”

“Huh?”

“I like him more than as a friend okay?!” Sonic shouted as his face turned red as a tomato. From the reaction, Brian couldn’t contain his string of laughs that followed.

“I wondered.”

“What? How!?”

“Just a hunch I guess,” the bird answered with a humored grin, “I wouldn’t have been surprised if Gadget had developed a crush or something considering how much he admires you and all, but I didn’t expect it to be the other way around.”

Pause. 

That puzzled Sonic. 

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone who’s anyone assumed you’d get with Amy if not already with her.”

“Yeah, Gadget was the same way.”

“Does he know you like him? I mean, it kinda sounded like it earlier.”

“He does,” Sonic answered, “He told me before I confessed he’d been trying to move on from someone, that he needed to. I didn’t know the stuff with Infinite at the time, and Gadget couldn’t tell us because of the mark on his neck. We aren’t together or anything, but we were, more, going to take things slow, like become closer friends first or something. I figured we’d take more time for that category after the war. Then everything with Infinite happened.”

“Does anyone else know?”

“Not many. I think Knuckles suspects it but hasn’t asked, and I think Tails is catching on too. Amy definitely knows since I told her.”

“You told her?”

“She came up to me the other day and asked. I guess she pieced it together and wanted it confirmed, and I decided to just tell her the truth. Even if Gadget and I don’t get together, that situation with Amy needed to end, so we could both move on.”

“If you and Gadget don’t get together?” 

“He’s aware of my feelings, but I’ll never force those on him. I’m here to help, whatever happens. If he decides he doesn’t feel the same way, that’s alright. I just want him to be safe and happy. I want to protect him from Infinite. That won’t ever change, no matter what Gadget and I become.”

That was not what he anticipated. Though being floored by the amount of care and dedication Sonic displayed towards Gadget, happiness bubbled in him to see someone feel so deeply about his brother.

“I hope things work out between you and Gadget,” was spoken in complete honesty.

It was now Sonic’s turn to be floored, “You don’t mind? I mean, he is your brother. Gadget
respects you and Kytra a lot.”

“Haha! He’s great. I think you’d be great for him, and a good influence. You actually already were an awesome influence for him before you two even met. He always wanted to make the world better, just like you do, in his own way of course. Gadget really looks up to you.”

Peach muzzle brightened up at the truth told to him, which made Brian snicker.

“Anyway, we should probably head in before Knuckles throws a fit,” Sonic grinned along with giving a small chuckle as he nodded in agreement. The two walked back inside.

———-

*Infinite POV 3rd person 

Planning meetings were tiresome. With Eggman explaining some next courses of action for the upcoming days, the jackal couldn’t help the yawn that escaped. Growling lowly, the human slammed his hands on the table.

“Would you pay attention?!”

“I am,” he yawned again before grabbing a nearby water bottle and twisting it open, “You believe the Resistance moved up to the nearby mountains not far from their last base due to having injured soldiers from the desert, and you want me to send an army of robots and illusions up there to wipe them out.”

“Oh, you were listening,” the doctor mused, “What? Tired from too much sex or something?”

Zero almost spit his water out that he’d just been about to swallow, mask currently on the table. “No! I was in a few battles yesterday jackass! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“Well you better make sure you’re ready for that attack tomorrow. I don’t want to give them too much time to get comfortable and be ready for us.”

“Yeah yeah,” Zero waved off as he stood, replacing his mask in the process, “Can I leave now?”

“Yes, you just better be ready. Early tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”

“Yes Doctor.”

Infinite disappeared out of sight the next moment. Still standing by the table, the doctor frowned before slamming a fist on the flat wood, causing both of his robots to jolt in surprise. The red one inquired.

“Sir?”

“Dammit. He’s getting distracted.”

“What will you do sir?”

“Not much I can do. That stupid ruby wouldn’t work with me. Hopefully since that wolf is locked up, he’ll start focusing more and remember that we are in a war.”

Huffing in frustration, it was his turn to stomp out of the room, leaving the two robots behind.

———-

*Gadget POV 3rd person 

After playing a few rounds of Maria Kart, Zero said he had to head out for a bit. He thought about asking, but didn’t bother as he was sure it had to do with the war, and if that’s the case, he probably wouldn’t tell anything anyway.

So, currently Gadget sat in the screened in porch while reading a book. While Zero was gone, exploring of the house had been accomplished and seeing some of the yard outside. Not knowing how far out the wildness went, and not feeling like getting lost, his time out of the cabin was short. 

When his explorations were complete, he’d noticed a bookshelf in the bedroom he woke up in. So now he sat, reading a novel in the porch area; enjoying the cool fresh breeze and nature sounds. He wasn’t usually a big nature fan, but he could like it from time to time, this being one of those instances.

Lip corners pinched downward as he couldn’t fully focus on the text in front of him. What was he going to do? Currently, there was no way out of here, but if there was, would there be a point in running? Zero would just track him down and stick him somewhere again, locked up. Maybe it was better this way. Not that he liked thinking that, but maybe it’s safer for everyone, for the Resistance, if he just stayed away. 

Fingers gripped the pages as brows narrowed. He hated this. Dammit Zero! ...But, if he stayed here, he could stay with Zero; no longer having to fight or flee from him. He could just, be with him, as he always wanted to; as he always longed for. 

Zero. He’s missed him so much. Every moment, every breath, Gadget wanted to be closer to him instead of far away. But, what about Sonic? Those bright green eyes with blue fur that shined in the sun. Could he learn to love Sonic? Gadget couldn’t deny the attraction between them, but it wasn’t the same as with Zero; wasn’t as strong.

Warmth enveloped him as arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind and a face buried its way into the side of his neck; all this happening while Gadget still sat in a chair with an open publication in his lap.

“I’m back.”

Leaving the book as is, not caring that it began to shut on its own since he hadn’t read far enough in to get the weight to even out on both ends of the softback, hands grasped the arms around him as he let his head fall back on the other.

“Hey Zero.”

“Miss me?” It was spoken half teasingly, so he hadn’t expected the honest answer that came.

“Yeah, I did.”

“...Really?”

Turning his body in those arms so he could face him part way, he nodded along with answering, “Yes.”

A soft brush of lips was felt along his forehead; ending as quickly as it started. “Are you hungry Gadget?”

“Hm? Not yet. What time is it?”

“It’s almost six in the evening.”

“Six?” his gaze settled outside, as it appeared the sun was about to set, “Wow, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

“Heh, I have a special surprise for dinner.”

Glancing back up at Zero, he gave a smile, “Really?”

“Yep, but you’re not hungry yet. So what would you like to do? We can do something else for a bit before eating.”

What did he want to do? He wasn’t sure. A thoughtful expression appeared as he tried to think of what they could do. They could play games or watch something, but that was probably about it. The two of them couldn’t just go anywhere. They couldn’t go to a lake, walk through a town, or travel anywhere… He was trying to be positive because he knew he was stuck here, but it felt really hard to be.

Noticing the off mood the wolf was suddenly having, an idea popped into the jackal’s mind. A radio appeared on a nearby small table that resided on the porch before gentle music began to play. Hearing the sudden tune, Gadget looked up at Zero in puzzlement. He only gave a grin as he appeared in front of him the next moment and lifted him up to his feet.

“Whoa!”

Falling, his body was easily caught in Zero’s arms; both forms meshed together perfectly, like two puzzle pieces fitting. A deep blush arose on the wolf’s muzzle from the whole ordeal as well as now being held in a loving, loose embrace.

“Do you know how to dance?”

“Huh?” That question surprised Gadget, “Not really. I never had anyone to dance with.”

Leaning in by one of those crimson ears, he purred, “You do now.”

“U-um.”

“Trust me.”

Taking Gadget’s wrists, he wrapped them both around his neck while Zero placed his own hands on the other’s waist.

“Don’t worry. This will be an easy dance. We just sway back and forth. Follow my lead, and you will catch on.”

“O-okay.” Gadget replied, feeling shy.

One foot went slightly back and to the right, the opposite foot from his partner followed. Slowly, the two swayed in circles, making small movements; nothing too drastic in that small, enclosed space. The moves were simple, and as Gadget felt himself begin to relax, it was easier to follow Zero and enjoy the simple dance they shared. Pearly white teeth beamed as joy filled him.

“Did you dance a lot Zero?”

Step, one two. Step, one two.

“Not really. I had to learn a few basics though for some of my jobs. My team and I were bodyguards sometimes for fancy smancy gatherings and we were required to blend in, so learning some etiquette was necessary.”

“Oh wow,” Gadget awed, “I admit I had to learn some stuff myself since my adoptive parents were wealthy and owned a renowned company, but none of the parties they went to really had much dancing. If there was any dancing, I was always able to get out of it cause my sister would drag my brother out onto the dance floor every time. I knew some group dances, but have never really done partner dances like this.”

“Really? Don’t schools have dances?”

“Haha, yes they do, but I never went to the dances. I didn’t have a date and wasn’t interested in going anyway.”

Giving a seductive stare, Zero inquired, “If I’d been there, would you have been my date?”

“Of course,” Gadget answered honestly, not really thinking through his words, “I never got over you after all.”

Feet abruptly halted. Stunned, Zero’s jaw hung slightly ajar from the words admitted. Realizing what came out of his mouth, the wolf turned his head away in embarrassment. Gadget thought it was obvious, but after everything that’s happened, maybe Zero hadn’t fully realized he was still completely in love with him. In Nullspace, Gadget said he was so happy he was alive and safe, but hadn’t he said he loved him as well? Maybe Zero wasn’t so sure because of everything that took place after Nullspace.

One hand was removed from his waist and came to cup the side of his muzzle; forcing Gadget to look up at him. Eyes half lidded, Zero finally spoke, “I love you so much Gadget.”

Lips covered his tenderly; sweetly savoring the wolf in his arms. Humming, Gadget used his arms already looped around the other’s neck to pull him closer; making a quiet moan come out. Soft kisses fluttered on his mouth, making Gadget moan right back as he enjoyed the attention and adoration that was being showered upon him.

“I love you too Zero.”

The other hand still on Gadget’s side pulled him all the closer as those words were breathed out; a deep kiss falling on willing lips. The two continued to makeout to the beautiful piano symphony playing in the background for several minutes before finally pulling away.

“Gadget,” Zero whispered as his lips pecked his cheek, “You mean the world to me.”

“Z-Zero…”

Finally stopping his kisses gave him a tiny whimper of disappointment from the shorter wolf in his arms, causing him to chuckle in amusement.

“I promise to continue this later. Actually, it will probably have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, but for now, how about we go eat something? I’m starving.”

“Haha! Okay.”

They left the porch, forgetting the music was still playing, and enjoyed the rest of the evening together while eating the surprise dinner of pizza. Gadget couldn’t remember the last time he ate pizza, as it was more of a luxury during the war, and was thrilled to not only have that as food, but getting to enjoy the meal with Zero; completely forgetting his inner struggles for the time being.