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"So! I was thinking we could go over here, and then we could run in there, and then go eat! Sound good to you 'Bud?"
"Thrilling."
Shadow had been roped into yet another one of his friends' many antics with little desire to be there. He had plenty of other things he needed to do on a Friday afternoon, but he didn't want to make stuff even more rocky between him and the blue hedgehog so he agreed against his wishes. Plus free food. That's always a plus.
Sonic nodded cheerfully, giving a thumbs up before grabbing Shadow's hand and dragging him along with him. Shadow's face heated up slightly as he felt the other man's hand in his. Had to be by shock, right?
"I don't see what's so necessary about holding my hand through this, however." Shadow said, looking up at Sonic inquisitively.
"That's just so ya can keep up, Slowpoke!" Sonic smirked, teasing the man making his face warm up more. "I am not a slowpoke, Faker." He quipped, grinning back at the hedgehog. Sonic rolled his eyes and pulled Shadow along.
The two went in multiple stores. A Gamestop, a Time-warp, and a Hot Topic. That one was Shadow's personal favorite, little to Sonic's surprise. They had bought little items for their friends along the way. Tails some Pokèmon merch, Rouge a Hello Kitty crop-top, and Knuckles a mug he supposedly couldn't shatter. Only time would tell on that one.
By the time the two were done, they were both hungry, and Shadow's feelings of odd warmth twoard Sonic was only growing, making him feel frustrated. All of the emotion was new to Shadow, making his stomach feel all upside-down and fluttery.
"Well, we could go over here, orrrr we could go ea-" Sonic was cut off by a low, deep rumble coming from Shadow's stomach. His face heated up and he quickly looked away from Sonic's gaze out of embarrassment. Sonic only snorted, chuckling softly and shaking his head. "Eat it is I suppose!" Sonic said, grabbing Shadow's hand again and leading him to a dinning area. The feelings resurfaced making Shadow's shadow flutter again. "Stupid perfect hands..." He thought.
Sonic led him over to a table and chairs and smiled. "I'll go order for us! I'm super hungry and uh, didn't eat breakfast again, sooo it'll probably be a lot. I'm sure between the two of us we can finish it off though! Anything specific you want?" Sonic asked, eyes darting over to the menu and back. Shadow was barely even listening, too busy trying to shove those feelings down, so he only shook his head 'no'.
"Alright! Sounds cool to me! I'll be right back!" Sonic gave a wink and dashed off to get in line, leaving Shadow with even more unnecessary frustration with himself.
"Stupid smile. Stupid little laugh. All of it. It's so dumb... But... No. Don't even fathom that." Shadow was so lost deep in thought that he kinda zoned out. Not knowing Sonic had returned with the food, nor that he was shoving it in his mouth right now either.
Sonic found this behavior strange, sure, but with Shadow, you didn't know what was ever going on in his mind. He could be thinking about work, or home, or literally anything, so Sonic found it best to just leave him be for now.
"There's no way in Chaos I like that Faker. We could become friends at most. Not... That..."
Shadow felt his stomach start to feel full. But that wasn't enough to break him out of his thoughts.
"There's no way I could even be in a relationship with anyone right now. G.U.N has been really busy lately, and always, so that's out of the question... Right?"
His gut began to churn, the food starting to sit too heavy in his stomach. A feeling of discomfort growing in the pit of his stomach making it bloat outwards. It still wasn't enough to sway his mind.
"Rouge and Knuckles seem to be doing just fine with her busy work-load so maybe it's possible..? No, Shadow this is foolish. You don't know if he likes you back, Which you certainly don't like him in the first place, but... If we were speaking hypothetically... No. Amy seems to be pining over him right now. If it were to be anyone surely it would be her- Oh... Oh God what's that..."
Finally his stomach had enough. Sharp cramps stabbed through his upper stomach as dull throbbing pain dominated his lower guts. He bit back a grimace as his stomach let out a loud gurgle. His entire gut was nothing more then a swollen, noisy, crampy mess. And to top it all off, Nausea began to join the battle.
"Hey Shads? You doing all right there 'Bud?" Sonic asked, taking notice in his body language and the constant rumbling coming from his belly. Shadow brought a fist to his mouth, muffling a burp in his mouth. The after feeling of acid burning in his throat after that proved it was gonna be a long night tonight. He gave a nod, praying Sonic was as dumb as Eggman painted so he wouldn't pry further.
He was wrong.
"Are you sure? Waters are sounding kinda rough over there! Did'cha overeat or something?" Shadow cringed. Why'd he have to say it so loud? Did the entire Food court need to know his gluttony?
"I'm fine. Let's just go." Shadow said, standing up far too quickly and causing his stomach to errupt with gurgles and groans, also causing his nausea to spike. He physically thought everything he ate would rocket up at that very second. His stomach bloat was more noticeable now, making his embarrassment grow hotter.
"Woah dude, okay you're definitely not fine. Do you want some help?" Sonic asked, walking over to Shadow and frowning.
"No Sonic. I'm. Fine." Shadow hissed, his stomach releasing all hell on him,
"Keep sayin' you're fine all ya want, Pal. That gut's telling a different story. Don't you want some help before you, I dunno, vomit or something?" Sonic asked, poking Shadow's stomach, making the black hedgehog cringe. "Just trying to save ya makin' a scene." Sonic said, looking back at Shadow.
"I'd rather make a scene then ask for help from- Oh God... O-Oh Go-mmggh..." Shadow's stomach clenched, the cramps kicking in harder making him groan softly and deeply.
"...If you're gonna help at least let's get away from these people." Shadow muttered, muffling another moan as his gut ached miserably. Sonic nodded, leading him into the nearby bathroom and locking them in a private stall. He made Shadow sit down on the closed lid while he knelt down to deal with Shadow's belly.
"Jeez dude, what happened here?! You look at least 3 months pregnant man." Sonic said, generally not trying to tease Shadow, but generally being that shocked. He ran his hand along his gut, feeling the gurgles vibrate under his fingers and his stomach move around as it struggled to digest the overwhelming amount of food shoved into it.
"Shut- urp -up." Shadow hissed, his face burning from how much vulnerability he was showing Sonic of all people. His face was blood red and he was trying his best to keep his natural facial expression, but he wasn't exactly successful.
Sonic shook his head and began kneading into Shadow's taut stomach. He felt the food shift around under his fingers. Shadow's stomach gurgled and groaned in protest, the acid crawling up his throat and nausea burning his belly. It was all too much, and Sonic proding at it only made his embarrassment grow.
Shadow, although not willing to admit it, was feeling a bit better since Sonic started pushing the food around, making his stomach start to digest. Sonic took his palm flat and rubbed circles around Shadow's gut. It felt so good, such relief, Shadow couldn't help but let out a low, quiet moan. Sonic looked up, his cheeks slightly red and a sly grin on his face.
"Well Well, Look who was right. Also my Shadow, you make these sounds for everyone?"
"I will end you."
"Tough words coming from the guy who currently is moaning over a little tummy ache."
"All I seriously have to do is take these rings off."
"All I seriously have to do is take these hands off this belly."
"...Shut up..."
Sonic laughed, rolling his green eyes playfully and continued massaging Shadow's gut.
Eventually the pain faded, leaving Shadow only with gas still in his stomach and heartburn, but it was better than nothing.
"I uh... Wanted to thank you for um... That.” Shadow said, looking away from Sonic embarrassedly.
"Hey no sweat! That's what friends are for after all!" Sonic said, shurgging and chuckling.
"Speak of this to anyone, Use this as blackmail, or bring this up ever again and I'll make your death look like a accident."
"Alright, sure mr. emo man."
"Don't ever call me that ever again."