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After seeing how Amy walked away, after not recognizing him at all, Sonic's chest began to fill with a heavy and unpleasant feeling that did not improve in the face of his new friend's comments, even if he knew that he had not said it with bad intentions, he could not help but lower his head regretfully. As he turned around and went in the opposite direction to the one Amy took, the question popped into his head.
If she, who professed immeasurable love and adoration for him, did not recognize him in this way, what chance could he have before Shadow, his boyfriend?
Obviously, he knew that Shadow was better than Amy in several ways (not wanting to offend his best friend), but Sonic couldn't help but be filled with doubts and insecurities about this... monstrous form that he took every night and didn't know if he would continue once he repaired the world. He didn't want to have to hide from Shadow or anyone every time the moon came out.
Inadvertently, he strayed from his path as negative thoughts continued to mortify him.
...
Shadow actually had more important matters to attend to right now than to attend an emergency GUN meeting, for example, his hyperactive boyfriend who hadn't been answering any of his messages in three days.
Normally, Sonic sent him at least five messages a day and at first he was a little overwhelmed by the affectionate attention, but he soon got used to it and managed to follow the thread of almost all the messages. That's how it had been since even before they started dating, so the abrupt change immediately alerted Shadow.
He looked at his phone for the thousandth time, the messages he had sent to Sonic were received but not seen. Shadow growled.
The last time he saw him, Sonic had come to his house to borrow the emerald he used to carry with him to go face Eggman at one of his space bases. That was almost four days ago.
Shadow actually trusted Sonic a lot, but the worry was starting to become unbearable, making him more irritable than usual, so when his communicator started beeping with an urgent message, Shadow took it away with a grunt before scornfully setting it down on his living room table. He got up from the couch and went outside to get some air.
He was pacing back and forth in his backyard, about to call Tails and inquire about the hero's whereabouts when his ears fluttered with a noise to his right.
Shadow turned instantly, his red eyes scanning the tree line that overlooked the forest surrounding his house, but even with his naturally adaptable eyesight to the dark, he couldn't see much beyond a couple of meters. I narrow his eyes, as his sensitive ears catch the almost imperceptible sound of breathing.
"Show yourself, I know you're there."
A few seconds passed in which Shadow assumed that whoever was there was weighing his options. Then, a couple of green dots peeked through the leaves of the bushes, the two green dots glowed like a pair of... Emeralds.
Shadow frowned, he knew those eyes, but something felt wrong now, he had seen them countless times going through all kinds of emotions like happiness, excitement, adrenaline, determination, but now they seemed to glow with something unknown and what Shadow could only feel as fear.
"Sonic?" He muttered tentatively, taking a step toward the trees.
Sonic didn't really think this through before he came, but you can't blame him for wanting some comfort.
A moment later, he heard his boyfriend muttering. "H-hello sweetie..."
Shadow opened his eyes in surprise, it was definitely Sonic's voice, but, it sounded deeper, raspy, and as if there was something in his mouth that made it difficult for him to speak. Still, Shadow also noticed how tense and insecure he sounded, ignoring for a moment the fluttering of his heart at the affectionate nickname.
He held out a hand, a silent offer.
Almost a minute passed in which Shadow could only look at the two green orbs debating whether he himself should go for the hedgehog and bring it where the moonlight could reach it, until the leaves crackled with the movement and slowly something came out of the bushes.
But instead of a blue hedgehog, a clawed hand peeked out, followed by a large, hairy arm, that arm was attached to a creature that, despite being shrunken in on itself and on all fours, was easily about its size, with frizzy navy blue fur covering everything but the tips of the quills and the hands that were white. With his ears glued to his head and the shyest, most nervous look Shadow had ever seen on emerald orbs, Sonic stared at him silently, hoping for some reaction he guessed.
Shadow was surprised, clearly he didn't expect this and his face must have shown it, but the astonishment was quickly replaced by worry again.
He approached, one step at a time, raising his hand again to reach Sonic's face and cradle his cheek, which was now the size of his hand. "Sonic, what happened to you?"
Sonic melted into the comforting touch, but his eyes shot up to look at Shadow. "You recognized me..." He couldn't help but murmur with longing and relief, flashes of sharp teeth letting themselves be seen.
Shadow's brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't I?"
A silly grin welled up on Sonic's darkened muzzle, his ears perking up. He shook his head.
Well, Shadow could address that later.
"So, will you tell me what happened that made you... like this?" Shadow insisted, arching an eyebrow.
Sonic looked away. "It's a long story..."
"I hear you."
And so, Sonic told him everything that had happened since he left his home with the last emerald to stop Eggman. When he finished, he was sitting (just like a dog would sit, which was a bit comical and cute) and Shadow was standing in front of him, his brow furrowed furiously, but he knew in advance that it wasn't directed at him, but at a certain doctor with a mustache.
Sonic tried to appease him, bending down to rub his muzzle into the other's gloved hand. "Okay," he said when Shadow looked at him. "I'm already fixing it."
Shadow mumbled discontentedly, all he wanted to do was find that doctor and teach him why he shouldn't mess with his boyfriend, but instead he raised his hands again to caress the sides of Sonic's head until the hero closed his eyes and purrs filled the silence. He realized that they were stronger and deeper than normal.
Ultimate lifeform smiled. "Did you come looking for me to spoil you?"
Sonic bowed his head in delight at the magic fingers combing and scratching his fur. "Maybe~"
They stayed that way, until Shadow sat down on the floor and Sonic lay down next to him, his head resting on his boyfriend's lap as he showered him with affection and cuddles.
Minutes passed, both just enjoying each other's company as much as they could.
"um, Sonic? We must go..." A voice said.
Shadow looked up at a... Some kind of squirrel? Mouse? It flew in front of the pair right on the boundary between the forest and Shadow's yard. Oh, this must be the Chip that Sonic had mentioned in his story.
Sonic, with a plaintive noise that lifted the corners of Shadow's mouth, stood up very much against his wishes and took a couple of steps away to stretch out like a lazy cat would.
Then he rubbed his muzzle on Shadow's cheek, an apology and a silent farewell (contrary to common knowledge, Sonic tended to be more expressive with gestures than words, a product of his childhood of selective mutes, known to a handful of mobians).
"Will you be okay?" Shadow asked quietly.
"Sure!" Sonic replied with one of his megawatt grins (which now included fangs) "I've got a chip, and we're moving pretty fast, it'll probably be finished before the end of the week."
Shadow looked into his eyes, and after a moment, he sighed and nodded solemnly.
"Okay, I trust you."
"Thanks, sweet- ah!"
The Blue Bur squealed, as his ear was pulled until it was up to Shadow's snout.
"But next time, answer my messages, or I'll find you myself and no transformation is going to help you." His boyfriend threatened.
Sonic hurriedly answered, his face wincing in pain. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again. Promise."
Quickly, he cradled his ear carefully once Shadow let go. "You'd better. Now go and fix the planet so I can spoil you more."
Sonic was about to say something, when a noise was heard in the house. The voice of rouge followed. "Shadow?"
"You ignored the GUN messages again" had been an accusation, not a question.
Shadow folded his arms, his crimson eyes narrowing accusingly. "I was worried about someone..."
Sonic chuckled. "Okay, I'm leaving now. I love you." He said, rubbing his muzzle affectionately once more on Shadow's cheek and the space between Shadow's neck and shoulder.
The officer allowed himself to smile and quickly reciprocate his partner's purr before he walked away and turned to go back to the woods he came from.
When the werehog looked over his shoulder one last time before disappearing into the darkness, Shadow muttered, "I love you too."