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“He's not talking to anyone, at least not verbally.” The young fox scratched his head, his twin tails swaying behind himself as he paced around in circles. “Even when he signs he's not saying much.”
“It’s because of what happened with Surge.” The pink hedgehog sighed, tangling her fingers together. “It really messed him up.”
“I've tried so many times to coax him out of his room, but nothing works.” The fox sighed exasperatedly, pinching the bridge of his snout. “He doesn't listen to me.”
As the two talked, the ebony hedgehog they paid no mind to walked towards the stairs.
“Shadow? Where are you going?” The pink hedgehog's dainty voice called out to him.
“To talk to him.” He answered.
“ What ?” The twin tailed fox stopped pacing out of surprise. “Shadow, no offense, but you're not exactly close to Sonic. Not like me or Amy.”
“That's why .” Shadow said, his tone curt as always. “We respect each other. And unlike you two, I don't sugarcoat things.”
“Just–” Amy stepped towards him, before retreating back to her previous location. “Please, be sensitive.” She asked.
“I'll try.” He replied, walking up the stairs.
Shadow walked up to the door, his hand hesitant, but deciding to knock. “Can I come in?” he asked, greeted by no response. “Knock on your wall if no,” he said, again greeted by silence.
He slowly pushed open the door, seeing just the quills of the blue hedgehog as he faced the wall, still in bed.
“Sonic…” Shadow whispered, quiet enough for Sonic to be none the wiser to the faint exclamation.
“It's not like you to be this idle.” Shadow commented, sitting on the bed at Sonic's knees. The remark only succeeded in making Sonic bury his face into his pillow. “Sorry, I didn't mean to point out the obvious.” Shadow mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.
After a few seconds of silence, Shadow glanced towards Sonic again. “I want to ask you something.” Shadow said. “Look at me.”
Sonic's tired eyes glanced over, surprised as Shadows' hands moved in a recognizable sequence. Sign language . WHAT YOU THINKING?
YOU KNOW SIGN? Sonic's hands moved almost on instinct as he sat up, surprised.
Shadow had a faint smile, seeing he was able to get Sonic to sit up. “Tails mentioned you knew it, so I learned.”
WHY?
“Because I want you to talk to me.” Shadow shrugged. “Well, communicate.”
THOUGHTFUL. Sonic signed half-heartedly, his expression distant.
“Tell me what you're thinking.” Shadow said, looking into his eyes.
Sonic glanced in Shadow's direction, his hand stuttering. YOU MAD BECAUSE I WON'T TALK?
“There's a difference between being upset and worried.” Shadows tone made Sonic's expression shift.
Sonic's hand lingers in the air, before he sets it down, signaling he has nothing left to say.
After a pause that felt like minutes, despite being a few seconds, Shadow takes a gamble. "Is this about Surge?" He asks.
Sonic shrugged, his eyes cautious to not make contact with Shadows.
"... Or your brother?"
Sonic's quills stood on end at the remark, startling Shadow. "I guess I hit the nail on the head with that one." Shadow mumbled, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
"Hey, look at me."
Sonic glanced over, his breath stuttering as he looked into Shadow’s scarlet eyes. He'd never seen him so… Compassionate.
The blue hedgehog's brows crinkled, his expression falling into a new kind of vulnerability, one he's never let himself express. His emerald green eyes wide and glossed with tears.
"You don't need to stay strong.” Shadow set his hand on Sonic's shoulder. “ It's okay to cry ."
Sonic set his own hand over Shadows, his tears finally spilling over. Running down his cheeks as he continues to stare at Shadow. The cobalt colored hedgehog's gaze a mix of gratefulness, guilt, and disbelief.
“I'm sorry…” his small voice mumbled. His ears fell back as his muzzle scrunched up, apologizing again. “I'm so sorry…”
He glanced down at the dark hedgehog's arm, seeing how it rests upon his shoulder. “I never wanted to hurt anyone…” his voice cracking, hammering home the level of vulnerability he's letting Shadow witness from him.
“I hurt him, I hurt you…” He mumbled, taking his hand off of Shadow’s to look at his own palm. “I'm just so…” He balled his hand into a fist, “selfish…”
“I can agree with some of that.” Shadow said, no deception in his tone, but no malice either. “You're inconsiderate, impulsive and sometimes even selfish.” Each adjective made Sonic feel smaller, curling away from Shadow.
“Look at me.” Shadow ordered, his hand cupping Sonic's cheek to get him to look his way. “Look into my eyes, Sonic.”
“You're not a bad person.”
“You're inspirational, strong, stubborn, and you've helped more people you can count.” Sonic stared in shock, each word making his eyes water more. “Now, it's time for you to focus on yourself.”
“I still feel bad for what I did…” Sonic muttered, blinking away tears.
“Then try to make it right.” Shadow told him, his tone commanding attention. “I've already forgiven you. Try to make yourself someone he can forgive too.”
“What if he doesn't?”
“That's okay.”
“Have you ever thought about being a therapist?” Sonic asked, leaning against Shadow’s shoulder.
Shadow glanced down at Sonic, greeted by a calm, still blushed expression. “That's… not my style.” His answer felt light-hearted, almost banteresque
“Figured.” Sonic says with a matching level of playfulness, a small smile gracing his face, a sight unseen in days. “Thank you.”