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“I do look out for myself,” Sonic shot back, eyes narrowing as his patience waned even further. “You know that, I can take care of myself and I-” He sputtered to a halt as Shadow’s words sank in. “You’re just changing the subject again,” Sonic grumbled, letting his hands slip into his pocket out of frustration. “You never answered my question! Why have you been so pissy lately?”
Sonic Quickly shuts his mouth staring into shadows eyes he just saw hurt, worry, and anger. Sonic regrets what he said. Sonic looks down as shadow approaches him.
Shadow took another step towards Sonic, his expression softening as he saw his rival’s demeanor change. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought about the argument.
"Sonic, look at me," Shadow implored, taking his hand off his fists and gently tucking his rivals chin, he pulled it up forcing him to make eye contact.
Sonic whimpers looking up at shadow with tearful eyes.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Shadow cooed, placing his hands on Sonic’s cheeks and wiping away the tears, he took a deep breath and continued, “Look, I’m sorry for coming off as so cold and distant okay? I just had, a lot on my mind. I just wanted some space, you know?”
”Yea but I needed you so so bad, your the only one I can talk to about this cause you were their and no one else was was” Sonic says shakily.
“You could have told me that!” Shadow protested, but he knew he was in no position to argue in this scenario. “Why didn’t you just tell me you needed me, huh? You know I’ll always be here for you no matter what, right?” Shadow asked, wiping away Sonic’s residual tears.
“No not really” Sonic says sadly starting to cry.
“Oh, hey, hey, hey,” Shadow hushed, wrapping his arms around Sonic, “It’s okay, you can cry. It’s all okay, there’s nothing to worry about anymore. I’m here, I’m here,” Shadow continued to repeat, his arms slowly sliding down to hold Sonic in a gentle hug.
Sonic cries collapsing into Shadows gentle hug.
Shadow fell to his knees, pulling Sonic into his lap and wrapping his arms around him in a protective embrace.
“Shhh, shhh, it’s okay,” Shadow cooed, cradling Sonic’s head with tender hands and rocking him back and forth until his sobs began to slow down.
”It’s not ok it’s not every time I look at any of my friends I see the other versions of them in the shatter verse and and I can only see nine when I look at tails” Sonic cries.
"I know you're hurting, and I'm so sorry you have to go through that." Shadow comforted, kissing Sonic's forehead, "Just know that I won't ever leave you, okay? No matter how bad things get, I'm here for you, I'll always be here for you. Now come on, get up, let's get off the ground, alright?" He coaxed, holding a gentle hand out to him.
Sonics ears flatten against his head not wanting to leave Shadows embrace.
Shadow’s heart broke as he saw the ears of his former rival flatten against his head in a clear sign of hurt and sadness.
“Come on now, let’s make our way back home, you look exhausted,” Shadow urged, coaxing Sonic onto his feet. He knew it wasn’t just a physical exhaustion he could sense in his friend, but was instead one of sheer anxiety, worry, and pain.
-Great he’s just gonna take my back to my house and I’ll have to be alone again, I’m always alone- Sonic thinks sadly before thinking about just running away from Shadow and back home with tails. Sonic gets on to his feet before dashing away from Shadow.
"Hey, come back here!" Shadow yelled after him, starting in a run after his friend. He was worried that what had happened at the Shatterverse had done more psychological harm to him than he realized. He had gotten so caught up in his own trauma, that he hadn't stopped to consider the impact it had on Sonic as well.
Sonic due to being weak both physically and emotionally couldn’t run fast enough to out run Shadow. Sonic yelps as shadow tackles him.
Shadow wrapped his body around Sonic, shielding him from possible injury and keeping him in his arms. "Shhh," He hushed him gently, his voice tinged with an air of concern.
Shadow didn't need to ask what was wrong, he could already see the signs of distress all over his friends' face. Shadow pressed his forehead against Sonic's, allowing his breath to fill Sonic's lungs and to calm him in the process. "It's okay," Shadow's voice was a deep rumble of warmth and comfort.
Sonic just breaks down all over again crying out all of the pain he had to go through in the shatter spaces. Until eventually Sonic passed out from exhaustion in Shadows arms.
Shadow’s arms wrapped tightly around him, holding his friend close, ensuring not to let go. Shadow rocked Sonic back and forth, kissing the top of his head softly, his own breath slowly following suit as he took on the role of a nurturing mother hen.
As he sat there with his friend, his eyes wandered towards the sky. The stars twinkled brightly, their light illuminating the night sky. Shadow let his glance wander aimlessly as his mind drifted back to his traumatic experiences with the Shatterverse.
Time skip to 4 hours later it’s around 4 am. Sonic wakes up to find Shadow curled around him protectively. Sonic looks around to see that they’re in a cave on a soft bed. Sonic guesses it’s Shadows house
In the dim lighting of Shadow’s cave, Sonic could clearly see the outline of Shadow’s body pressed against his. He was curled protectively, his face resting just beneath Sonic’s chin. He looked as if he had been taking care of him all this time, watching over him as he would any wound. Despite his current state of mind Shadow’s expression looked peaceful, his breathing was slow and steady as he remained asleep.
Sonic smiles happily purring content to being next to Shadow.
Shadow heard Sonic's satisfied purrs while they both lay in bed. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and he was greeted by Sonic’s sleeping form. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and as he lay beside his old friend in the dark silence of the cave he couldn’t help but smile to himself.
”Shadow” Sonic whimpers out still not entirely convinced that everything will be ok. Also alerting Shadow that he was not asleep.
Shadow had heard the sound of Sonic’s whimper, causing him to sit up quickly. He looked down and saw that his friend was also awake. He wondered what had caused this to happen but didn’t pry further. Instead, Shadow gently picked Sonic up and placed him on his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around him.
Shadow’s eyes locked with Sonic's and he was overwhelmed by his friend's warmth, his breath catching in his throat. Sonic’s eyes shined softly in the dim light of the cave, and he looked perfectly content in Shadow's arms.
”I can’t keep going on Shadow it really hurts. I some times wonder if I should have just never existed because none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for me” Sonic says whimpering.
"I know," Shadow murmured, bringing his lips to Sonic's forehead. He could hear the pain in his friend's trembling voice and it broke his heart to see Sonic hurting like this. Shadow's hands instinctively rose to stroke his friends' ears, and he pulled him even closer into his grip.
Shadow didn't know what else he could say to help console his friend but he wanted Sonic to know that he was there for him always, no matter what.
Sonic sniffles curling into Shadow more.
Shadow held Sonic close, rocking him slightly as his friend’s body curled into him. He kissed the top of Sonic’s head softly, trying to sooth him.
He couldn’t help but notice how comfortable Sonic looked in his embrace, and it made Shadow’s heart ache thinking about all the hurt and pain his friend must be carrying right now.
“Shadow what are we gonna do” Sonic whines.
"I don't know," Shadow sighed, running a hand down Sonic's back in a soothing stroke. He wanted to assure his friend that everything was going to be alright but truthfully, he wasn't sure what exactly they could do. They were both dealing with something that they didn't fully understand and there wasn't much they could do except try and comfort each other.
"Why don't you try and rest up, okay? We can figure something out later," Shadow advised gently.
“Can I stay with you for another night Shadow” Sonic asks.
"Of course you can, you never need to leave my side, ever." Shadow replied firmly, keeping his arms around his friend tightly. He wanted Sonic to know how much he meant to him and that he would never be left alone.
Shadow held Sonic's head against his chest, his body rising and falling with the breath of his companion. He looked down at him, his eyes dark yet gentle, and he stroked Sonic's ear softly.
Sonic smiles feeling reassured falling asleep again.
Shadow watched as Sonic slowly drifted off into a deep sleep, his breaths becoming softer and deeper. He carefully moved his friend’s body to lie beside his, keeping him close as his protective instincts kicked in.
Shadow’s own breaths slowed in response to the peace and contentment he felt from his friend, his body relaxing as he lay back down. He was relieved that Sonic had finally fallen asleep after all the worrying and stress he had undergone.
Time skip again 8 hours later it’s around noon and Sonic is still sleeping
Shadow stayed awake, his mind wandering to all the things they would need to figure out now. But as he looked down and saw Sonic still sleeping peacefully, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
Shadow remained where he was, lying beside the sleeping hedgehog with his arm wrapped around him protectively. He watched and waited for Sonic to begin to stir, his own body beginning to relax with each passing second.
Sonic groans weakly opening his eyes to look up at Shadow with a small smile.
"Hey there" Shadow greeted softly, his gentle voice filling the room with warmth and comfort. He was relieved to see that Sonic was awake and that he was able to produce at least a small smile. Shadow's eyes were a mix of concern and hope as he watched his friend carefully. "How do you feel?"
“I’m okay Shadow I’m just going along with the days trying to get over what happened” Sonic says sadly
"That's all you can do right now," Shadow assured him, "Take every day one step at a time. If it gets too hard then you come talk to me okay? I’m here for you.” Shadow's voice was an amalgamation of kindness and care for his friend. He wanted to see Sonic back in his old spirit and was doing everything in his power too make that happen.
“I will Shadow” Sonic promises.
“Do you want to go have a race” Sonic says grinning.
Shadow smiled fondly at his friend's upbeat attitude, his mood lifted by their interaction. He didn't even realize how happy the thought of a good race made him, until he found himself nodding enthusiastically.
"Of course I want to have a race, nothing sounds better than me putting you all the way in the dust right about now." Shadow teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“I’m deeply offended Shadow” Sonic gasps dramatically.
Shadow snickered, amused by Sonic's exaggerated reaction. Despite his sarcastic bantering, Sonic was able to get a genuine laugh out of him which he hadn't yet been able to do.
"Oh, please, you know I've got you beat. If anything you should save your breath for the actual race, you'll need it." Shadow smirked as he leaned over Sonic slightly.
“You’ll never win” Sonic says jumping up from the bed and running out of Shadows house starting the race.
Shadow couldn't help but grin wide at this display of competitiveness from Sonic. The two of them always had a heated rivalry whenever it came to a matter of speed, which was to be expected since they had such a large number of races under their belt.
"Oh you're already trying to get a head start, huh? You're not going to get away from me that easily." Shadow yelled, racing out of the cave and following Sonic with a competitive sparkle in his eyes.