Chapter Text
As the day turned to night, Sonic started to pack up his things to head back home. Him, Tails and Knuckles were all hanging out on a mountain in Green Hill. It was supposed to be a fun day, but Sonic just couldn’t get into it. There was something on his mind. Someone.
Shadow.
The explosion of Gerald’s machine had the power to wipe out an entire planet, could he have really survived that blast? Shadow was the ultimate life form, not even Team Sonic could take him down. This made Sonic hopeful that maybe he could still be alive. But still, Sonic knew that even if he wasn’t dead, why would Shadow want to see him? Sonic tried to forget, but he just couldn’t. It was almost impossible.
“Come on Sonic!” Tails shouted, interrupting Sonic’s daydreaming. “You’ve been out of it all day. Is there something you’ve been thinking about?” Tails asks.
Sonic pauses, no way he couldn’t tell Tails about the constant pain of not knowing if Shadow was alive. It was just too embarrassing.
“Yeah, don’t worry bud. I’m fine!” Sonic replies. “The Blue Blur is just tired from… all the fun he’s been having today!” Sonic tries to put on a smile but it’s definitely not a good one.
“Alright, if you say so, Sonic.” Sonic knew Tails could see right through his lies, it was obvious. That cold, worried look he had given him stuck. Lying was the worst possible thing to do right now. After all, they were supposed to be family.
“Hedgehog!” A voice shouted from the edge of the hill. “If you do not show up this instant, I will have to declare myself the fastest of the Wachowski family!” Knuckles seemed to be in a good mood. Even after all that has happened. Maybe he’s just lying. But then again, it’s not like Sonic could judge.
“Oh no you don’t!” Sonic shouts from the trees. “That title will remain belonging to moi!” He runs to Knuckles and Tails, and the trio head back to the house.
The journey home was quiet. At least for Sonic. It wasn’t like he was listening to the other two anyway. He was still only thinking about Shadow. If he was alive, was he okay? was he hurt? Had he been abducted by more aliens?
Okay, maybe that one was a bit far fetched. But it wasn’t out of the question. After all these things that had happened these past years, it wasn’t impossible.
By the time they got home, it was already midnight. Sonic had tried to convince them to run there, but they declined. After all, Green Hill scenery was beautiful in the winter.
As they entered the house, the lights had all been turned off. Tom and Maddie must have already went to sleep.
Tails yawed. “I’m so tired… I’m going straight to sleep.” Knuckles agreed. Both of them were shattered. Sleep was needed if they wanted to have fun again tomorrow.
Sonic lays in bed. The others are fast asleep, but he just can’t stop thinking about shadow. God, he was so pathetic. Worrying about some random guy he’d not even known for a day.
Sonic’s deep thoughts were interrupted by a large bang. The others didn’t move at all. They must have not heard it. Was he hearing things? Was all the zoning out finally driving him crazy?
He opened the small window on the roof to check on the noise, and there was a cloud of smoke between the trees. Sonic jumps out of the window and runs into the forest. What had made the noise? Another alien? He hoped not.
As he got closer, he saw a pair of bright red eyes that could only belong to one person.
“Shadow…?” Sonic says hesitantly. The creature looks up at him. He was right. Shadow stood there, covered in dirt and injuries. “What are you doing here? In Green Hill of all place’s.”
“I-.” Shadow sighs. “I need your help Sonic.”
“I can see that.” Sonic says, scanning shadows body. “Can you… walk?”
“Yes.” Shadow replies. “But only for a short while.”
“Don’t worry. The house is just down there. Follow me.”
Sonic guides Shadow to the house. It had started raining on their way back, and by the time they were back, they were soaked.
“Just come inside.” Sonic insisted. Shadow looks through the door way. The house looked almost spotless.
“Hm.”
“What is it?”
“It’s just,” Shadow started. “Not what I was expecting.”
“Are you telling me you think I’m messy?” Sonic asks.
“Yes. I am.”
“Ouch!” He yelped. “Offense taken! Now come on, before you get sick.”
“I don’t get sick.” Shadow replies.
“Yeah, yeah.” Sonic joked. “Just get inside.”
Shadow walks into the house. He looks around at the interior. Nothing looks out of place. Well, except the big spot on the living room wall a different color from the rest.
Sonic gestures Shadow to sit on the couch. Shadow sat himself down on the settee.
“Let me go get you some bandages.” Shadow watches Sonic walk into the kitchen and open the cupboard near the door. He asked himself why he was even here. He was sure he could do this himself. But moments like this weren’t common. The only person who ever cared to patch him up when he was hurt was Maria.
Sonic sat down next to Shadow and took his hand. Shadow pulled away.
“Chill out dude,” Sonic assured. “I’m just putting this around your arm.” Shadow was hesitant to let Sonic touch him again. After all, he didn’t look like a very careful guy. But Shadow gave in, and held out his hand.
Sonic attentively wrapped the bandage around Shadow’s arm. Shadow stared at Sonic with a confused look. How could someone so keen on going fast all of the time, be this careful doing something like this?
“Done. That should stop an infection, for now at least.”
“How do you know this much about first aid?” Shadow asks. Sonic looks back at him with a smile.
“Maddie taught me.” He replied. “Just in case I ever got hurt. Which happens a bit too often.”
“Thought that would be the case.”
“The being taught part, or the getting hurt too much for my own liking part?”
“Both”
“Sheesh.” Sonic replies. “You’re a real asshole Shadow.” He says with a smile.
“A what?”
Sonic sighs. “It’s nothing.”
“Are you hungry?” He asks. Shadow nods. Now that had Sonic mentioned it, Shadow did feel quite malnourished. It had been awhile since he’d eaten.
“I’ll make you some toast. I’ll try not to burn it this time though…”
“Heh,”
Sonic turns to Shadow in surprise.
“Did you just laugh?”
Shadows eyes widen. It had slipped out, and now he looked like an idiot.
“No.” He said, trying to deny it. But Sonic had heard him loud and clear.
“I knew you had it in you!”
“Just shut up and make the food.”
Sonic sits the plate down on the living room table.
“There. Sorry, I know it’s not much.” Sonic says apologetic.
“It’s fine. It’ll do for now.” He replies.
Sonic watches Shadow as he eats. He occasionally asks himself if it is creepy, but he knows it shouldn’t feel that way. But in that moment, Sonic remembers something he really should have thought about before. The Master Emerald.
“So,” Sonic starts. “You still got that emerald? No need to feel bad if you don’t.”
“Hold on a second.” Shadow reaches into his quills, and brings out seven small gemstones. “I’m not sure how to put it back together.”
“It’s fine. I’m pretty sure knuckles’ll know how to do it.”
Shadow pushes the empty plate in front of himself and rubs his eyes.
“Tired?” Sonic asks.
“I don’t get tired.” He replies.
Sonic laughs at Shadow’s silly remark. “Hah, but seriously. You need rest, dude.” Sonic says. “If you aren’t in good shape I’ll end up beating you, no sweat!”
“I guess you are right. But I could still beat you anyway.”
“Whatever!” Sonic humored. “I’ll get you a blanket.”
Sonic picks up the blanket. It is a nice white color. It matches Shadow’s fur well.
Okay, maybe that was a little creepy.
“Here.” Sonic wrapped the blanket around Shadow, hoping it would help him sleep despite all of the stress. Sonic stands up and gazes at Shadow wrapped up on the couch. Maybe he wasn’t as intimidating as Sonic once thought.
“I should probably go back to my room.” He said. But as he got up to leave, he felt something grab his arm and drag him back.
“Wait.” Shadow muttered. Sonic stared back at him. He knew there was something he wanted to say, but he just couldn’t let it out himself.
“You want me to stay here with you?” Sonic suggested. Shadow observed Sonic with a dull look. Shadow nods slowly, almost embarrassed. Sonic takes a step towards the sofa and sits down next to Shadow. Sonic steadily rested his head on Shadow’s shoulder, expecting to be rejected completely and pushed away. But he wasn’t. He continued to lay near Shadow unbothered.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Sonic yawns.
“Goodnight, Shadow.”