Chapter Text
“I’d like to live here.”
Shadow’s gaze flicked to the picture of a wooden house in the middle of a snowy forest. So much snow everywhere. “It looks…nice,” he said, unsure of what to truly say.
“Yeah,” Maria agreed. “Just imagine what the snow would feel like.” She smiled. “I’d always wanted a cabin in the snow like this. Bundled up under plaid blankets with some hot chocolate.” Her smile faded briefly before she beamed again. “Well, when we get to earth and start our new lives, we’ll experience this firsthand. Wouldn’t that be lovely?”
Shadow, despite having multiple doubts about his place in the world, couldn’t help but smile. “I think so. And if you want to live there, Maria, then I do, too.”
Shadow trudged up the hill, luggage and groceries in hand, and smiled fondly at the sight when he stopped. “Well, Maria, we’re here.”
Before him was a humble cabin made of strong pine and had red shutters and a matching Dutch door. Pine trees buried in snow surrounded the cabin in a ring. The house was prelit, smoke billowing in the chimney. Shadow trudged through the snow and unlocked the door, smiling at the single floor place. A modern kitchen with rustic counters and cupboards sat at one end. A stone fireplace roared with heat. A deep blue armchair sat to the left of the fireplace while a corresponding red loveseat sat squarely in front of them. Built-in bookcases next to the fireplace housed hundreds of novels, puzzles, and board games (including a puzzle about Chao on the sturdy oak coffee table in front of the loveseat). Next to the armchair was a wicker basket that overflowed with plaid blankets. Just around the corner from the kitchen was the bathroom with modern appliances, a square space no bigger than eight feet by eight feet. A ladder led up into a loft with a king-sized bed white crisp snow-white sheets and deep green bedding. A smaller nightstand sat next to the bed with a lamp.
It was intimate and cozy. Perfect for a solo weekend getaway.
Shadow set the grocery bags on the counter and began unpacking everything. He’d brought enough groceries for the weekend. Nothing fancy – just some pasta noodles (penne and bowtie respectively), a jar of alfredo sauce, three bags of coffee beans, a box of oatmeal sleeves, a half-gallon of milk, some fresh vegetables, and because he liked to splurge every now and then for Maria’s sake, a half-gallon of chocolate milk, a tub of mixed fruit, two frozen dinners, and two tubs of ice cream: vanilla and coffee.
The groceries were the biggest part of the luggage – Shadow had only packed a few things for his trip. Nothing fancy – just clothes, shoes, a standard emergency GUN kit, and one framed photo of Maria. It didn’t take Shadow long to unpack everything and arrange it just the way he liked it. Rouge used to tease him about how he arranged things, but now, she let him arrange accordingly.
Once he finished, he sat down on the couch and grabbed one of the books. Outside, the snow fell in soft gentle flakes. His communicator sat on the table, on mute to avoid any surprise calls. He didn’t need any distractions this weekend. This was a sacred time for him.
He rarely took vacations. He never saw any need to. A weapon didn’t need to, at least as far as Shadow believed. But that was years ago. Shadow had changed his tune. He let Rouge drag him on various weekend tips. Sometimes she brought Omega along too. They'd gone to resorts and lodges all over the world, bringing lots of laughs and wanton destruction.
This time, however, was Shadow’s trip. His own personal reflection, a time for him and him alone. Rouge and Omega were understanding and even Commander Tower knew on some degree that Shadow needed this solo trip.
The black hedgehog grabbed Maria’s photo and smiled, the fire making the photograph's smile even more radiant. “We’re here, Maria. A weekend of relaxing and-”
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! “Open up! I know you’re there! Open up!”
Shadow pursed his lips together. Then he got up and opened the door. “Oh.”
Jet stood there, shivering madly. “Oh, it’s you. The boring doppelganger. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Shadow lifted an eyeridge. Why in the world was Jet not expecting him here?
“Sonic usually borrows this cabin when he’s in Wintersberg. Anyway, care to let us in?” Jet remarked as if that made any sense. He twisted around with his neck craned, trying to see if he could get in. “Our blimp crashed and-”
“No,” Shadow answered, slamming the door shut. He turned and headed for the kitchen, suddenly overcome with the desire for something to eat.
The door groaned as Jet put his fist through the door. “You jerk!” He shouted. “Sonic would-”
WHAM! Shadow zipped back and punched Jet with enough force to shatter a Badnik. The hawk smashed into several pine trees as he flew backwards before colliding into another tree, flickies dancing around his head.
“I’m not Sonic,” Shadow huffed. He covered the hole in the door and made himself some pasta. His ears flicked as the other Babylon Rogues arrived. Jet was squawking something incoherently, but Wave merely grabbed him by the feathers and dragged him away with Storm in tow.
“As I was saying, Maria,” Shadow smirked, watching them leave. “A quiet weekend in a cabin like you wanted.”
And it was a good, quiet weekend. Full of pasta and peace. Snow wrapped the area in a quiet, soft blanket, adding to the ambiance.