Chapter Text
Missing
It spans years with Ivo from the picture Sonic submerges fully into the parental duty a challenging responsibility on its own. Addled with the SIlvers' ever-developing abilities it becomes a discussion shared between them; one of many nights they'd talk about personal worries and rational fears.
The first sign of struggle comes after an incident rooted in a sudden burst of untrained power against another student. Their kid dismissed from school persist within the many others they apply for, a fearful shake of the stable foundation which they build their lives. Sonics anxiety is soothed by his lover and brainstorming brings about ideas they'd put in practice; a tutor is hired and stability cements itself.
Weeks give into months until their family dynamic becomes disrupted; a GUN contract void as Shadow is to return to work the coming months to his leave; a reappearance from the long-silenced Ivo. An exciting revelation that's quick to consume Sonics thoughts but he's given little information on the 'classified' information.
Its told under no better circumstances of Shadows leaving, a family discussion and argument of the sudden acceptance and followthrough on such a long-standing mission. A choice the agent mentions wasn't his choice and with it involving the sudden appearance of Ivo it's one he wouldn't have denied.
The news of Eggman's involvement gains his attention, vague confidential details eat at him, before long it influenced his action. Sonics takes to sneaking out, the toddler asleep and his lover overcome with work at the office he disappears into the dead of night. His rationalizations are a stretch but he's quick to excuse them and leaves in search of Eggman.
He's not disappointed; revisiting abandoned labs which prior had been inactive now cropped memories at the sight of varying bots, he makes quick work of them. Depressingly admitting that even though he loves his life now with all his heart, revisiting the adrenaline rush he gets when involved with Eggman is an addiction all on its own, a rush rarely experienced these days. The nightly excursions continue, his goal of gaining information on the matter is set aside as he instead takes the time to revel in the dangerous instances. A time comes when he's caught, the scared terrors of a toddler standing in the rooms arch, those nights frequent as he comforts a shaken Silver. Harshly hating himself as his gaze gravitates to the window and all he can think about is Ivo and that thrill associated, he stops leaving altogether, its an unacceptable behavior. Centers his life around Silver and succumbs to the mundanity of every day, content with the tipped balance of pocket happiness and boredom he gains from parenthood.
He couldn't say the same for his relationship, the happiness plentiful before is now only sprinkled, romance while more subtle which comes in association with the years has slowed to a crawl in the coming weeks. He reminds himself of the situation the causation and the irrationality that is his expectations, it persists and he's hurt. Simple comforting gestures are what gets him by these days, a soothing breezed touches, prepared meals, and random gifts; none could compare to a deep conversation or intimate touches but until then he settles while counting down the days when Shadow will leave.
His life returns to repetition, a cycled schedule where even a deviation to the park or zoo seems planned and expected. He's glad to share the moments with Silver and help in building his library of life yet he can't ignore the echoing curiosity that is Eggman; his place as both a hero and parent in all of this. He thinks about the jobs GUN had offered before and his rejection of their practices and goals with partnering up with him; his rejection and settling into where he is now. It's not like he completely gave up his hero gig, just there hasn't been many evil scientists set on taking over the world.
The question of whether he should return to his hero work doesn't come, its obvious this should be a priority seeing as Ivo is a man persistent for world destruction and domination. It's decided. He doesn't sneak, its a purposeful leave; he finds little in ways of information and returns home, keeping in check his growing curiousness until that call comes. The call to action is sudden, a rebanding of the freedom fighters to help in the fight against Eggman. Sonic wonders if he has a real choice in the matter, hidden excitement drives him but as does anticipated fright as to Ivo's plans; he agrees and a date is set.
Daily meetings are scheduled before the rebellion is set for liftoff, their concerns for his familial life are warranted. Shadow is rarely seen aside from breakfast mornings when he returns home and late evenings when he leaves for work. Sonic doesn't confront the issue knowing the stakes but it doesn't quell his heartache when Silver questions. Time spent home is reduced as he takes the lead of raiding the many abandoned compounds and labs. A nanny is hired and her inclusion into Silvers's life becomes a fundamental and permanent one as work consumes both his parents' lives. The toddler keeps to himself knowing his dad's jobs, while a source of pride and inspiration for him, take priority over him but it doesn't make the feelings of rejection fall away any less.
The final days come when Shadow is to leave, the day prior is spent the whole day as a family. It feels forced and unreal; the tickets purchased and ride towards the destined amusement park, it felt like a dream Sonic wanted to wake from. He plays along, getting excited about the trip and playing games during the car ride to keep the anticipation high for their so. Its obvious hours into their stay it's getting to him, waving to Silver through the crowd who stands in line to go another ride in the critter train the vibrations of Shadows watch isolate. The sound heavily shaking their joined hands and his grasp tightens, a brief break from distraction that surrounds them.
He promised himself that this day was about them as a family not work but... a peek to his lover tells him that Shadow has little worry in ignoring the alerting buzz. He kinda resents Shadow for wearing the watch as irrational as that is. Sonic can't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day, what had happened? Were others being hurt? Did he need to be there or could they care for it? What is Eggman up to?
"Dad"
Sonic snaps in attention to the questioning stare of Shadow and insistent tugging of Silver below. Blinking double time he clears his blurred sights.
"Yea bud?"
Crouching down to Silver level, he doesn't acknowledge the slight twinge of pain which ever so often peppers throughout his aged knees. Giving all his attention Sonic listens to the whined plea.
"I dun wanna go yet."
He doesn't question that its probably a decision on Shadows part and the following drowsy eye rub is enough for him to know why. A peek to his standing lover and they come to a silent agreement.
"Sorry bud but getting a bit late and... so how about we go on one more ok?"
He berates himself for almost mentioning his daily dialogue of it being an early work night. This isn't about that.
"That one."
The small pointed finger is lowered by a mannered Shadows explaining its rudeness. The Ferris wheel, it is nearing the days end bulbs lit up the rounding ride as families and teens entered the carts.
"You sure?"
Sonic stood grasping the toddler's hand before he could run off towards their destination.
"Yea, its the only one where I can get on with both."
The statement was only half true, there were kiddy rides for family size but Shadow could only take so much before he held off on the few rides when offered thusly it has been mainly them two or Silver alone and them overlooking. Standing in line they wait Sonics mind wanders until Shadow centers him with nudge and concerned askings both he brushes off as they enter the metal unit. Silver exploring the small space as they sit opposite one another.
"Sit, the ride will begin shortly."
He sits next to Shadow understandably seeing as the window seat is opened for the toddler to stare out of as the cart rises. The stopping and going of the ride as others enter bores the toddler instantly, the questions start and all are answered thusly by either parent. Sonic does his part in keeping the child entertained to some extent with car games, it last a while a good while during the first round Silver stares in awe as they reach the peak, above the crowd and neighboring city life the clouds fills the windows frame with a setting sun in the distance.
The ride continues for two rounds before the starting and stopping begin once again and Silver during his attempt to fend off his sleepiness succumbs to it leaning against Shadow. They sit in shared silence, Sonic watching the youngers slumbering form, his gaze follows onto his lover who stares out the window.
Creaking metal sways in the slight wind ever so often as their car rises before pausing. It's not awkward but the silence is eery as though both are holding back if he was being honest with himself this whole day of them being actually being in one another's presence is a welcoming change. They hadn't been this close for a long while, work... thinking about it was the same with Silver, hiring that sitter had done wonders but he couldn't help drawing comparisons to his own parents doing the same and the effects its had on him and his brother. He missed these kinda days; couldn't remember the last they actually went out as a family and they only did it cause this was Shadows last day...
A question catches his ear, looking up his confused expression has Shadow sigh.
"You seem distracted today."
No shit. He doesn't speak it, leaning forward with both hands covering his face Sonic sighs, turning to look out the window only minutes into. Shadow waits patiently.
"Tired."
His eyes mist upon thinking more about what's to come. Shadow leaving, continued neglect if he is to continue his pursuit of Eggman, balancing home and work; overwhelming. He could already feel the tenseness of their relationship in general, they've barely done anything romantic or sexual for months leading up to this, even kisses weren't given as often much less settling down for simple conversation like this. Shadow initiative of holding hands shouldn't have been a surprise to him upon arrival yet...
"I see."
The cart sways as they rise nearest the top before pausing. Shuffling gains his attention and he watches Shadow pull the toddler more into his lap before settling with Silvers back to Sonic and his head leaning against dark shoulders, he shuffled little in the move.
"Im not the only one."
Shadow hums in agreement then the silence persists once again. Minutes in a shared quiet but this time its welcomed even if some words wish to be spoken, their cart arrives at the bottom, his lover readies to stand as the door is almost opened before Sonic request they take another ride. There was no line and the door is locked again before they continue on. Shadow settled back down he doesn't ask questions and simply enjoys the added time given.
Dialogue is sparse to none and its only minutes into the ride that a question gives way to an argument.
"You know why I wear the watch Sonic. Im not going to leave it home purposefully when there could be an emergency."
"And I get that but this-"
Sonic motions their surroundings and Silver.
"Is what today is about not that."
"I know that."
"Then why bring it?"
"Sonic I'm not going to argue with you about this. I already told you why I brought it."
"Yea I know but you bringing it in and of itself means that you just don't prioritize this enough to not take the time to keep that away from this."
Shadow sighs, turning away to look out the window. He's had his suspicions that Sonic's becoming more anal about that, the balance of work and home was never either of their strong suits. A workaholic commonality shared between them but now that's simply wasn't viable anymore. Maybe they weren't ready... He never says it but just maybe they had jumped into wanting to start a family too soon. Shadow lowers his mouth atop Silvers quills for a soft kiss before leaning his cheek and slowly rocking the toddler.
They were still learning, staring out the window he watches as they heighten to that skyful sight before lowering again.
"I hadn't thought about it when I put it on this morning. It's so ingrained."
"Yea"
Sonic chuckled gaining his lover's attention from across.
"I've checked my wrist at least a hundred times today before I remember that I hadn't brought it. "
This gets a huffed laughed from both.
"You don't know how difficult it was to not look at mine when it rang earlier."
A smile stretches their features before snickers sound their descending unit. The rest of the ride is spent in a shared comfort, Sonic taking to grasping Shadow's hand when they exit the ride and walk back to the car. Strapping the slumbering Silver in the drive back they bond through both verbal and non-avenues.
The dialogue shared is between varies from topic to topic and each both remain invested in one another's talk or mention. These kinds of moments rare and well missed by both. The night; the one before his disappearance after tucking Silver into bed they come together as one.