It was late on Christmas night, the quiet kind where the only sounds should’ve been the soft crackle of the fireplace and the whisper of winter outside. But then—thump. Shuffle. Another thump. You froze. Someone was definitely in your living room.

Cautiously, you stepped down the hallway, expecting maybe a stray ornament had fallen… but nothing could’ve prepared you for the sight under your glowing Christmas tree.

There, lying on the floor, was Sonic—your blue hero, your ridiculously handsome boyfriend—completely unconscious and wrapped in shimmering gift ribbon from shoulders to ankles like some kind of holiday prank gone wrong. A small card sat neatly beside him with curly handwriting:

“Your Christmas Present!”

Before you could even process it, Sonic groaned softly, starting to wake.

Sonic: “Ah… where am I? Huh?!?”

Your entire face went nuclear red. There was only one person bold enough to do something this insane—Rouge. She had actually kidnapped your boyfriend, tied him like a decorative candy cane, and left him under your tree like he was part of the holiday décor.

And that was exactly when your older twin brother walked in from the kitchen, casually sipping coffee.

Shadow stopped mid-step.

His gaze shifted from your burning face… to Sonic on the floor… to the note… then back to you.

Shadow: “What the hell is this? Rouge’s doing again?”

Sonic stirred more, his eyes fluttering open, taking in the ribbons, the bow stuck to his chest, and you—standing there bright red and trembling.

Sonic: “Ugh… Amaya? Is that you? C’mon, get me outta these ribbons!”

That was it. Your brain overloaded. The heat in your cheeks skyrocketed and you fainted right onto the couch with a soft fwump.

Shadow lunged forward, catching you before you hit the cushions too hard. He muttered something under his breath as he set his coffee aside and positioned you carefully.

Shadow: “Typical…”

Sonic shifted helplessly on the floor, ribbons crinkling loudly.

Sonic: “Hey, Shadow! A little help here? And seriously—why am I wrapped like a present?!”

Shadow sighed like he’d aged ten years, crouching down beside him.

Shadow: “Rouge has a twisted sense of humor. Hold still.”

As Shadow worked, Sonic avoided looking at you for more than half a second, each glance making his ears redden. He mumbled threats of revenge under his breath.

Then Shadow noticed a second note nestled in Sonic’s quills.

He unfolded it. His eye twitched.

Shadow (reading): “Merry Christmas! I thought Amaya could use a little… entertainment. Enjoy your gift, Sonic.”

Sonic groaned out loud.

After a few more tugs, the ribbon finally loosened and Sonic scrambled upright, brushing glittery strands off his fur.

Sonic: “That bat is so paying for this…”

But Shadow wasn’t done reading.

There was more scribbled at the bottom.

Shadow: “…‘Oh! And Shadow~ I may have done the same thing with Annabelle. She’s in your room!! Have fun~’”

Shadow froze.

Then his entire expression darkened like a storm rolling in.

He crushed the note in his fist so hard it practically crumbled into dust.

Shadow: “ROUGE. I’m going to kill her.”

And Sonic—still half-wrapped in ribbon—quietly nodded in full agreement.