#tdwm

I have the general ages here, because I had to work it out when I estimated the years etc before starting the fic. Take it with a pinch of salt and some generalisation tho. (It doesn't seem like perfect canon calculations, but because we don't know their EXACT birthdays, we can plop them anywhere in the year- for those who are technically the same age, they won't always be the same age at the same time so I've taken some liberties with that logic lol)

Sonic = 36

Amy = 34/35

Shadow= 37

Rouge= 38

Knuckles= 37

Really glad that there are a few sections with Sonic's thoughts as well. The almost casual self-hatred is really well done.

"What if he missed the birth?" is such a simple line, but it made me cry on the spot.

"Who the hell stored cookware under the sink? Shadow was a weird hermit" was probably my favorite line.

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In terms of length, I would prefer if the chapters were shorter, similar to 2-6. I felt like the chapter was running out of steam a little towards the end and started losing some detail.

If you do go back to shorter chapters, I would even go as far to suggest splitting chapter 7 into 7 and 8 to give chapters a more consistent length. Maybe starting chapter 8 when Sonic knocks on the door?

Ayo Ducc! (Im sorry for the late reply, I had this in my drafts for a while to give it a proper response) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!! <3 Haha really pleased you liked those aspects and those lines!

And thanks for the feedback on the chapter length too. I've had a couple mixed thoughts on it- Overall most readers don't seem to have minded, a handful enjoyed having more to read, but I can also understand how a chapter that long felt kinda washed out near the end.

I felt it too, by the time I was getting towards the end I was struggling to fully enjoy the process and felt myself just pushing through, and it's a shame that seemed to translate through to you, so I'd like to avoid that next time. I think that's why there's more mistakes and typo's in it too (I've looked through the chapter after posting and winced, will have to go back and fix them) which I wouldn't want next time either. But there's a part of me that was pleased I experimented with it and managed to achieve a double-length chapter, hopefully the pacing still felt right even if it dragged a bit.

I also prefer writing the shorter chapters like 2-6 I think, that feels like a good amount for my enjoyment too, and I think if I split chapter 7 I'd do it at the point where Shadow and Rouge part for his examinations, starting the later chapter with him coming home all sleepy. Buuut at this point, I don't think I'll split chapter 7 into two though, but I had considered it also, so im glad im not the only one who felt that!

I super appreciate where you're coming from, I definitely felt that as well. I think I'm going to stick with the longer chapters just for the next 3, but I know they won't be as long as 7 was. I think they'll be somewhere between the length of the 2-6 Chapters and the length of Chapter 7. Then after chapters 8-10 I'll return to the previous shorter format. So there shouldn't be any more chapters as long as 7 going forward! ^^

As I write Shadow, I'm constantly hard-core thinking about the fact that his headcanon old-man voice in my head is always Liam Neeson's retired government agent/officer voice. (But American ofc. Tho, gruff Irish Shadow as a concept goes so hard lmoa.)

thank you

thats all

thats what he sounds like

in fact this clip from Lego Movie sounds almost perfectly the two of them. (Love how it's an interrogation too lmao). especially the way he wakes him up in Chapter 4 by slamming coffee next to him. and the "oh yes, but we're not done yet" and "oh, we asked them, alright" is exactly the tone of him threatening with bagel and newspaper 👀

Look, I had a fucking intrusive thought okay and im making it all your problem

Cheeky request. /j

I only won't draw art for Chap7 because I already have a little sketch to go out when I post the fic ^^ (Unless you want me to post it early but then I wont have any art to put with the fic), and I can't think of another scene I'd doodle right now :0

I would draw some things for later chapters, but I think anything that far ahead would either reveal a major plot thing or spoil some upcoming drama so idk sorry!

But I'm in editing phase Chap7 now so we're getting very close!

I'm considering writing a little 'Interlude' chapter between chapters 7 and '8', following Rouge coming home to Knuckles after the events of Chapter 7. It'll be completely additional, totally voluntary if you want to read it, doesn't affect the story but will give a little context into their life and how they got together. I love Knuxouge, it was my childhood Sonic OTP, and would like to dedicate some time to them but I don't think splicing exposition between chapters will do them the justice I want.

I'm aware it might take some time away from chapter '8', but I've already started '8' and would work on this piece along side it, I think a little palette cleanse through-out might help the process too :D But I'll only do that if ya'll would be interested. So with that said: