Chapter Text
It was just the middle of the night. Nothing unusual happens at night, right? Well, that’s what you’d think. Tonight would be a little different than any other nights rest.
The two hedgehogs were still huddled up together in Sonic’s bed. Their limbs tangled up with each other and the blanket barely covering Sonic anymore because of his restlessness while sleeping.
Eventually, Sonic’s eyes fluttered open when the moon very inconveniently started shining through the roofs window. It hit his eyes just right to wake him.
Sonic groaned softly when he awoke. Looking around him, seeing everyone was still asleep. He then glanced over to the clock on his nightstand. It hadn’t even passed 2 AM yet.
He knew he should’ve just went back to sleep. Should’ve just brushed it off and accept the fact he just woke up in the night for once.Yet, he couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling he had… he didn’t know what it was, but something didn’t quite feel right.
He looked back Shadows face. His expression was calm, content but neutral in his sleep. Almost soft looking… he shook his head, he had to focus.
Slowly, he maneuvered his way out of the tangle with Shadow and managed to get off the bed and stand on the floor again. He froze in his tracks when Shadow stirred a bit. Though when he stayed asleep, he let out a small sigh of relief.
He tiptoed his way over to look up at the attic window. The moon still hanging over it, the very reason he was awake right now. He knew he’d likely get into trouble if anyone found out he had snuck out… so, he’d make sure they wouldn’t. (Hopefully.)
Getting on top of the bean bag chair, he managed to get high enough to just barely jump up and hang onto the edge of the window sill. He just had to hope the others were in a deep enough sleep to not wake.
He struggled slightly, pulling himself up onto the very slanted edge, quickly pushing the window open and crawling on top of the roof.
The cold hit him like a truck, and he even shivered just slightly. Though shaking it off, he pushed the window shut again. Looking around him. The roof giving him a heightened lookout point.
He frowned a bit. He still couldn’t shake off this weird feeling he was having. This feeling something was just gonna like, happen?
It even sounded weird in his mind. Though… Tom had said before to ‘trust your gut’. So… maybe that applied here too?
Man, he didn’t quite know. Right now he had to focus on getting down safely. He slid down the roof, stopping by the edge before jumping off. Landing steadily on the ground.
Taking off, he was about to run into the condensed forest. Though stopping, looking back at the house. His house. He thought back to Shadow. What if he woke up? Would he think he had ran away?
He shook his head. That wouldn’t happen. He’d stay asleep… right. With a huff, he took off in a sprint. His shoes making a continues tap noise against the ground beneath him.
So… he had to admit to himself that he didn’t quite know where he was even going. Sure, he had this ‘off feeling’ but what was even the point of going out here? For all he knew this could all just be for nothing in the end.
Honestly, he wasn’t even really paying attention to where he was going- or how fast he was going for that matter. His feet was almost digging up the ground with each step.
He was getting agitated, and suddenly, he felt as if he was right back on that baseball field. His conflicts were building up, and boy was he feeling it.
Blue energy crackled around him as he subconsciously started picking up the pace. He grit his teeth and his eyes turned blue from the energy building up.
As it turns out. He had ran quite the distance. As before he could even register it, not only did a surge of the energy that had been building up inside him just release all at once. But he crashed right into the cold waves of an ocean.
He went through the ocean like a pebble having been thrown- first he was beneath the water, then above. Soon though, he crashed right under a large wave. He couldn’t recover himself, he’d lost too much speed since it just came out of nowhere.
And since Sonic himself couldn’t swim. This was a very… dangerous situation to be in. He gasped for breaths as he somehow managed to get his head above the waters surface.
That went back and forth for about a minute. But with drowning, you run out of energy eventually to keep yourself upright. Even Sonic.
And so, as he barely managed to take in another mere gasp of air, he got swallowed up by the ocean. His vision soon fading to black and unfortunately for him, losing his consciousness.
Sonic couldn’t tell you what happened in that time frame. But somehow he found himself waking up. Of course, violently coughing up sea water when he did gain consciousness again. His entire form trembled as he did. Though, noticing he was on the shoreline. Still close by the roaring ocean.
It took a moment, but as his coughs slowed down a bit, he could feel a hand on his shoulder. And slowly but surely, he started to hear a voice.
“Sonic? Sonic, look at me.” What he heard was a surprisingly concerned sounding Shadow. He shook his head slightly, palm feeling his face before looking up. And seeing Shadow. His expression looking just as worried and concerned as his voice sounded.
Shadow sighed slightly when they finally made eye contact. Perhaps… a sigh of relief? “What in gods name possessed you to be here all of a sudden?” He spoke slightly more harsh, but by the way his hands hovered over Sonic himself, he knew it was out of concern.
“Ugh… uhm…” Sonic groaned a bit, trying to gather his thoughts again. Then he realized- Shadow was wet as well… “Wait… did you… did you get me out of the water?” He spoke in shock, looking back at the ocean. The waves aggressive and unforgiving.
When he looked back at Shadow, his expression hadn’t changed. “Hold on… how did you find me?” Shadow sighed again.
Though still, his hand stayed on Sonic’s shoulder. “We all woke up from a giant power outage. And… seeing that both you were gone and having Tails mention this was just like when you caused a power outage a while back. Well, I ran off searching for you despite your family worried about me doing so.”
Shadow paused. His gaze assessing over Sonic’s body. “And I’m damn glad I did. You could’ve died Sonic.” This time, he spoke with more of a scolding tone.
Sonic groaned slightly, trying to sit up while Shadow still hovering over him to ensure he’d do nothing stupid. “I know I know… it was an accident, it’s okay now…” Shadow rolled his eyes.
“No Sonic. It’s not ‘okay’. If I hadn’t been able to track you down by your deep footsteps throughout the forest, then you would’ve been dead in the ocean right now.” He took a breath in and out, calming himself from getting more agitated. Though it was only out of worry.
Sonic sighed as well. Feeling a little guilty. “Look… i’m sorry. I let my feelings consume me and I didn’t realize I even hit the ocean before it was too late…” Shadow huffed. Though, he didn’t scold any further.
Instead, he looked back over Sonic. Trying to figure out if he was injured. “Can you move? Stand?” Sonic grunted slightly, pushing himself up to his feet. Though his knees immediately gave out. Shadow quick as ever, quickly caught him in his arms. “Uh… I guess my legs feel like spaghetti…”
Shadow just rolled his eyes, adjusting his grip on Sonic. However, seeing how exhausted Sonic seemed to be. He had to groan.
Mumbling under his breath, he spoke. “Don’t make me regret this.” Before Sonic could react, Shadow slid one arm behind his back and one under his knees. Holstering him up in a bridal carry.
Sonic, about to protest, was quickly cut off by Shadow. “You’re insufferable.” After the remark, Shadow took off. Making sure to not go too fast as to make the run easier and more comfortable for the both of them. “You really had to run off this far, didn’t you.” It wasn’t a question, just another comment of Shadow scolding him.
After another sigh, Sonic knew it was better to just save his energy and stay quiet.
The run back went relatively smooth. Though Sonic couldn’t help but make some of his stupid jokes. But either way, they soon reached the porch.
When Shadow reached the front door, the porch lights went on, and before Shadow could even try opening the door- it almost flung open. The entire family scrambled together with Tails being the one having opened up the door.
Sonic could feel Shadow stiffen up just slightly when everyone did show up though. “Sonic! What happened!” The little fox shouted in worry as Shadow quickly made his way through the hall, everyone soon following despite it.
Once in the living room, he set Sonic down on the couch. And though quickly trying to step away from the whole ordeal, Sonic caught his hand before he could make his escape.
Tails quickly came in front of Sonic. His gaze just as worried as the others.
He coughed a bit. Man, this was really embarrassing wasn’t it? “Guys… it’s okay- I’m okay.” Before Tails could shout again, Maddie was already crouching in front of Sonic.
“Sonic tell me, what happened.” When he hesitated to speak. Shadow sighed. His hand clenching slightly around Sonic’s.
“He ran off into the forest for some reason, and then proceeded to loose track of where the heck he was going and then crashed into the ocean.” Shadow sat down on the couch next to him. Their hands still interlocked despite Shadows hesitance.
It went silent for a moment. Before Maddie sighed and stood back up straight again. “And how did he get out of the ocean?-“
“Shadow saved me.” Maddie barely had finished her sentence. Sonic immediately cutting in, admitting it. “I would’ve been dead if it wasn’t for him…” Shadow looked at him with slightly shocked eyes. He could see it as he glanced at him from the side.
Shadows eyes softened a bit. His hand felt more… gentle. Tom huffed, technically breaking the silence. Though it was Knuckles to actually speak up again. Walking over to Shadow, putting a fist to his own chest.
“You’ve proven to be faithful, hedgehog. You’ve done well bringing Sonic back home.” Shadows eyes searched Knuckles’ for any type of distrust. Though he found none. So he just nodded quietly. And that was all he needed. Glancing at Sonic once before turning around. “I’m going back to bed now.”
Tom nodded to himself. Giving a look to Tails. “You should too buddy. It’s very late.” Tails groaned. Is eyes filled with hesitation.Looking back at Sonic. “See you tomorrow, Sonic…” When both Knuckles and Tails were upstairs, the focus was back on the two hedgehogs.
Tom stepped forwards. “So, how about you two get some rest and we’ll talk business in the morning?” Shadow nodded quietly standing up, though Sonic’s hand didn’t leave his yet.
Shadow sighed, pulling Sonic along with him though ensuring he was stable when they started to walk. They soon made it up to the attic with minimal struggles. Knuckles and Tails already bundled up in their beds.
Shadow brought Sonic to his bed, though when he tried to walk over to his own, Sonic’s hand stopped him. “Can we… uhm…” Shadow sighed. Looking over at the other two, making sure they weren’t looking before settling down besides Sonic in his bed. “Fine.”
Shadow spoke in a low and ‘annoyed’ voice but by the way he was already snuggling closer to him, he knew it was just him being stubborn.
The two slowly settled down and got comfortable, and when all seemed well, Shadow decided to speak up again. “You smell like seawater and seaweed.” Sonic’s eyes perked up from its first hazy gaze. Eyeing Shadow. “Well that’s kinda what the ocean does to you…”
Shadow huffed a bit, it sounded almost amused. “Just don’t forget to take a shower or bath in the morning… I don’t want you smelling like that much longer…” Just when Sonic was about to shut his eyes, they snapped back to Shadow. “What? You missing how I usually smell?”
Shadows eyes immediately opened as well. Staring at Sonic with a surprised, almost embarrassed expression. “Can’t I complain about you stinking?” He spoke as he pushed against Sonic’s face just enough to make it annoy him.
“Okay okay, sorry.” When Shadow finally dropped his hand again, he had to sigh slightly. This had been a very long day. And all the exhaustion was starting to actually process. So, he shut his eyes and burrowed closer to Shadow. Finally, the two hedgehogs were starting to drift to a well deserved sleep.
As life came back into the household, and Knuckles’s stomping down the stairs woke Sonic, a new day had begun. Sonic’s eyes fluttered open. And with already hearing chatter and chaos from below, he knew it was late enough of a morning.
His gaze went down to Shadow. The hedgehog still fast asleep. He crawled out of the bed, and stretched out his limbs. He felt quite sore. Crashing into hard ocean waves didn’t feel good on the body.
He groaned slightly as he shook the last of his arms. He sniffed himself. He still smelled like seawater. Which meant his bed probably smelt the same now. Shadow likely too by now.
He looked at his shoes on the floor. Contemplating between bathing now or just going down to eat with Shadow. After a short pause, he decided to go bathe first. Just to get it out of the way already. And so he wouldn’t get comments on him smelling from the others.
He sneaked off. Trying his best to not accidentally wake Shadow. He soon made it to the bathroom. Turning on the water and chucking his dirty socks and gloves off. The steam of the hot water soon reached the mirror as Sonic got inside the water.
This. This was the only type of water he’d ever have his body touch. A nice bubble bath. With water that might just be a little too hot. He didn’t know why baths were okay but stuff like pools weren’t. Maybe something around the fact of being able to drown in higher waters and the control of the water with baths.
Either way, he was finally getting rid of that horrible seaweed smell that had been stubbornly clinging to him. He turned the faucet off. The water just barely not overflowing from the tub.
After actually scrubbing his fur, playing around with the bubbles a bit, and almost inhaling some of the water. He finally got out of the tub. Quickly putting a towel around him before taking the bath plug out, letting the water drain.
When his fur was relatively dry, he put on a new clean pair of socks and gloves. His quills were still a bit messy though, He’d have to take care of that later. For now he just unlocked the bathroom and opened the door. Stepping outside and-
“AH!-“ Jumping back in surprise… Shadow was stood right outside, though his arms were crossed he looked kind of shocked himself. Probably ‘cause of Sonic’s reaction. “Boo, I guess. Since we’re getting scared.”
Sonic sighed. Rubbing the back of his head. “Heh… well that’s embarrassing isn’t it..?” Shadow stood there with a deadpanned expression. He shook his head, dropping his hand. Confusion drawing to his face. “Why are you standing here?”
Shadow paused. Shifting awkwardly. “Can’t I stand here then?” He spoke in a dismissive tone. “Hey… you’re avoiding the question,” Sonic studied his form with a grin. “You’re embarrassed!”
It went silent for a split second. Shadows eyes widened at Sonic’s observation. “What- no i’m not!” Sonic laughed. His head feeling a bit strained. “Oh, you totally are!” Shadow huffed stubbornly. His cheeks slightly crimson from flushed embarrassment.
“Shut up hedgehog. I didn’t want to go downstairs alone, okay?” Sonic’s laughs died down, leaving just a grin on his face. “Okay okay, i’ll stop teasing you. But only because my head hurts.” As he walked past him. Shadow seemed to have already moved on from his embarrassment.
“Your head hurts?” Sonic stopped in his tracks when he heard Shadow. His voice surprisingly concerned despite him trying to conceal it. He turned back around. Seeing Shadows expression. “Yeah, probably just from last night. What about it?”
Shadow frowned slightly. “You should have Maddie check you out.” Sonic huffed, it barely not being a laugh. “I highly doubt I need that, I feel fine.” (That was a lie.)
“You almost drowned Sonic, I feel like you’re forgetting that.” Before Sonic could do anything else, Shadow was already pulling him along, going downstairs. “Can’t I at least grab my shoes?” When Shadow didn’t respond, he knew it was better to give up. His shoes were still damp anyway.
They walked down the stairs, soon finding Maddie in the living room, reading a book on the couch while the others were playing a board game with food around the table that looked like a mix of quick breakfast and snacks.
For once, Shadow didn’t hesitate much before going up to Maddie. He made sure to keep his hand around Sonic’s wrist to prevent him wandering off.
Maddie looked up from her book, an eyebrow raising as he saw the touch between them. “Good morning boys, we doing alright?”
Without wasting another second, Shadow spoke up. “Sonic needs a check up. He said his head hurt and there might be other things wrong with him from how hard he crashed the other day.” Maddie’s expression softened a bit, mixed with a slight it of concern.
“Alright that’s probably a good idea. Have him sit on the kitchen table and I’ll grab my first-aid bags.” Shadow nodded, already guiding Sonic to the kitchen table like Maddie had said, while she went and grabbed the needed equipment.
When in the kitchen, Shadow helped him up to sit on the edge of the kitchen table. Their eyes locking for a moment before Maddie finally walked in with the two bags. She put them down on the table next to Sonic. Zipping them both open before turning to face Sonic.
“Alright I’m gonna do a physical exam first… let me know if it hurts.” She then proceeded to start. Moving Sonic’s arms up and down, his legs, turning his neck, etcetera. Though when she turned his left wrist, he basically flinched. “Ow!”
Maddie frowned a bit as she inspected his wrists more. He had to basically grit his teeth so he wouldn’t make any more noises. “Seems to be sprained. Shouldn’t be too hard of a fix. Keep still.” She rummaged through her human first-aid kit. Taking out a cooling cream and some firm bandages.
She gently smeared the cooling cream over Sonic’s wrist. It immediately lightening the burning pain a bit. Then she grabbed the bandages. It being wrapped around his wrist, he could feel that it weren’t regular ol’ bandages. “What’s this?”
He basically mumbled, too focused on watching Maddie work to even realize. “Still bandages, but these are almost like a tape. It’ll help with healing your wrist better and faster.” Sonic nodded. And when the bandaging was done, she did a few more exams on Sonic before finally packing up her first-aid bags and giving him the go ahead to walk off, as she herself, went back to reading her book in the living room.
Sonic hopped off the table being on eye level with Shadow again. He had watched the entire time. Just hadn’t said a word. That made Sonic curious. “So, what ya think of my new bracelet?” He tried to be playful again. And… looking at Shadows slight scoff-to-half-smirk, he could silently enjoy his victory of building up the mood again.
He snickered quietly when they walked back to the living room. The lot- except for Maddie and Ozzy, still playing that board game. He peeked over Tails’ shoulder. Noticing that it was just one of those ‘first to complete the round’ games. With dice and stuff. Tails groaned when he rolled a one, moving his miniature yellow person with a slight grunt.
Sonic had to chuckle a bit at that, tapping Shadows side with his elbow to make him watch as well. As Tom waited for Knuckles to complete his turn, (him having a bit of trouble with throwing the dice) he looked over to Sonic and Shadow. “Hey guys, grab some of the food off the table. We didn’t really feel like making a whole spread out breakfast. So we just grabbed a bunch of stuff.”
Sonic looking over the assortment of goodies. You didn’t have to tell him twice to dig in. He was about to grab stuff with both of his hands when Maddie called him out, stopping him. “Sonic, don’t use your sprained hand too much. It’ll strain it and make it worse.”
Looking over to his bandaged wrist, he had to sigh. Grabbing two crackers with a single hand, holding them out to Shadow. He blinked twice, looking down at the crackers and then Sonic’s face. “What? Don’t give my that look! Take one!” He spoke eagerly, pushing it closer to Shadows face.
He grunted a bit, pushing his hand down a tad. “Yeah yeah, don’t have to shove it in my face hedgehog.” He grabbed one. Looking at it with a raised eyebrow.
“Really? A dry cracker? Out of all things?” Sonic stammered a bit. It being interrupted by Tom’s cheering when he finally won the board game. He shook his head. Ignoring the defeated noises from Knuckles and Tails. “Well, you need a good uh, appetizer. Yeah! Can’t just jump straight into it!”
Shadow sighed softly, watching as he started biting the cracker. The crunching loud, making Shadow scrunch his face a bit.
“You’re the last guy to ever think or say that. Ever.” Even though he complained, he still took a bite of the cracker. Lowering himself onto the ground, in between the couch and table. Sonic almost immediately copying him.
Mid bite, Sonic spoke up again. “Well, it’s kind of hard to grab stuff with just one hand, grumpy.” His voice was a bit muffled from the food in his mouth. “Keep your mouth closed when eating, Sonic.” Shadow said before taking a bite of his own cracker.
And honestly? He almost wanted to listen just by the way is voice softened. And the way he suddenly looked so calm…- no. what was he thinking? They were literally surrounded by his entire family. This wasn’t the time for these… thoughts.
He swallowed his bite and cleared his throat immediately afterwards. Which was a stupid mistake caused by his sudden nervousness showing up again. Which of course made him choke on dry cracker.
He slammed his chest with hand. Which was an immediate regret, considering he used his hand with the injured wrist. Since his non-injured hand was still holding his half eaten cracker. So, now that he was both choking and in more pain, what else could go wrong?
He felt a firm slap on his back, and suddenly he managed to spit out the very bite that was trying to kill him. He opened his eyes, and realized it was Shadow’s hand. Though everyones eyes were on him, even Ozzy’s.
He coughed a bit, his sprained wrist still throbbing from hitting his chest. “U-uhm… I’m okay…” His voice almost felt dry. Which is probably why he immediately got handed a glass of water from Tom. Before he could do anything, Shadow took the half eaten cracker from his hand, put it down and put the glass in his hand for him.
He managed to mumble out a hoarse ‘thanks’ before taking a few sips. It helping to clear his throat. The water went down his throat like a refreshing waterfall. He sighed as he put the now empty glass down on the table.Clearing his throat again. (This time not choking on a dry cracker.)
“You alright now bud?” He heard from Tom. Sonic immediately nodded. Taking in a deep breath. Well, that certainly was embarrassing. Two near death experiences in less than 24 hours? Just his luck.
After a moment of silence, everyone went back to acting like nothing ever happened- which thank god. “I’m gonna grab something from the kitchen…” Ah yes, the perfect excuse to escape the situation.
Of course however, as soon as he entered the kitchen, Shadow followed close by him. “Are you sure you’re fine again? Did you hurt your wrist more?” At first, this was expected. But then. Shadow grabbed his hand and inspected his wrist. But not only did he do that… he did it gently.
As if he was scared to accidentally hurt him. Which just made him forget the embarrassment (partially) as he immediately felt his face getting hot.
He couldn’t help but chuckle very lightly. “Yes Shads, I’m okay. The pain has passed. Kinda.” The sight was kind of… sweet. “Kinda? Sonic that’s not very convincing.” Sonic huffed again. He should’ve guessed he’d be like this.
“It’s not like we can do anything about it anyway, and it is fine again. Trust me on this one Shads.” Shadow sighed a bit before finally letting go of his hand. Which honestly… he kinda missed the contact now.
“I’ll believe you for now. But the second I see even a hint of pain i’m asking Maddie for a cold compress.” Sonic had to roll his eyes at that. Not at all in an annoyed way, just a… well, you know way. He grinned slightly, stepping a bit closer to Shadow.
“And since when did you get so worried?” His tone carried a playful tease, just enough to get to the brooding hedgehog. And surely, his face got pushed away with Shadows hand. “Shut up. Not my fault you dismiss every single important thing about your well-being.”
Sonic laughed slightly. His throat still feeling slightly sore. “Says you! Weren’t you the guy that tried saying ‘I’m fine’ when you were literally spitting up blood?” Shadow stammered. Not sure how to respond to that. “That’s different…”
Sonic made a small ‘pfft’ sound. Leaning against the kitchen counter. “Yeah right Shads, admit it! You’re just as bad at this as me!” After a short pause of Shadow just staring at him in a deadpanned way, he finally sighed. “Whatever…”
Sonic paused shortly, surprised Shadow didn’t try to like… defend himself or something. “Wait, you’re not gonna come up with some kind of comeback? You’re just accepting it?” When Shadow just looked away with crossed arms, he let out a laugh. Brushing his hand over his head.
Just then, something popped up in his head. He grinned cheekily as he leaned slightly loser again, “You’ve totally gone soft!” The tease immediately made Shadow turn his head back to Sonic, he looked shocked. “No I haven’t-“ Sonic laughed again, the sound ringing in Shadows ears as Sonic leaned even closer, making him stumble back a little.
“You haveee~” Sonic spoke in this odd tone… he hadn’t really spoken like this ever before… it almost sounded like he was… flirting?!
He saw how Shadows face turned slightly crimson, especially his cheeks. The sight was pretty… cute. “What? Embarrassed?” The black and red hedgehog (now more red) stammered again, he seemed speechless…
Shadow took a moment to regain his composure, swallowing hard and dropping his arms to his side again. His fists slightly clenched. “S-shut up hedgehog…” He muttered as he gave him a specific look that Sonic couldn’t quite name.
His eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes following in that movement. Yet there was something else in his eyes that hinted at deeper feelings. The moment was slightly tense as the silence dragged on slowly.
Maybe this ‘flirting’ thing had been going on longer than Sonic had realized… their usual banter kind of seemed similar… was this feeling mutual? This new, unfamiliar yet almost thrilling feeling? Maybe Shadow felt more than annoyance for him. Yeah, maybe…