Work Text:
It's been weeks since Nick was released from the hospital. Recovery has luckily been quick, the miraculous—which he had been consciously avoiding using—had helped speed up the process with its mystical abilities. However, he abstained, as it was a message to Shadow, one that said ‘If You keep hiding the truth from me, then I don't want to be around you.’ Of course, Nick did miss being around him, but the betrayal gnawed at him.
Secrecy in identity was something Shadow prioritized. He insisted they both remain anonymous, to the world and to each other. And Shadow, who was all too diligent about his own identity, now knew Nick and Sonic were one in the same. Of course his miraculous represented bad luck, as he had nothing but that. Nick needed to be hospitalized from the same incident where Shadow learned of his identity. There was no immediate confrontation, it wasn’t possible for there to be one at the time. After he was released, the truth of Shadow knowing Sonic’s identity sunk in. Sonic inquired about Shadow's identity. After all, isn't it only fair to have him know Shadow too? The power balance immediately shifted further in Shadow's favor, and Shadow refused to confess.
Sonic avoided him, staying as Nick more often, only using his hero persona for its intended purpose of beating up whoever was akumatized. There was barely any banter between him and Shadow. He wanted Shadow to miss him. Shadow was more interested in being close with Sonic, protective. It's only natural, isn't it? Not wanting to have to see Sonic get hurt again, but there was something more that ate away at Nick. It was frustrating, not being able to put his finger on it.
“Nick?” The call of his name quickly brought Nick out of the sea that was his own thoughts. Terios scanned his expression. “You were spacing out.” Those caring eyes did help put Nick at ease. “Are you sure you're feeling better?”
Terios became much closer with Nick during and after his hospitalization. Shadow wasn't the only one who's been more protective over him lately, Terios was as well.
Terios, despite his reserved nature, was almost always kind to Nick — genuinely kind. He was always concerned with Nick's condition, and was much more interested in spending time with him. There was speculation within Nick, if Terios had any ulterior motives behind closeness, perhaps the trauma of losing Maria to an illness stirred something within Terios. Regardless, Nick appreciated having another friend to depend on, admittedly using Terios’s friendship as a way to fill the void in his heart Shadow had left.
Nick hummed and nodded his head. “Yeah,” He tried focusing back into his surroundings, begging his mind to focus on anything besides Shadow. “I was just thinking.” He tried occupying his mind with the miscellaneous decor of his bedroom, or how Terios sat on the comforter-clad bed just beside him.
Terios looked into Nick’s emerald green eyes for a few moments, before looking down into his lap, his shoulders tensing. “I'm sorry,” He mumbled, his voice low, quiet, remorseful. “I didn't want this to happen, and I didn't want to lie…”
“What?” Nick's faint voice barely managed to escape his throat. He felt the color drain from his face, his muscles tensing up.
“It's me,” Terios looked into Nick's eyes as he admitted it, his brows crinkling with guilt. His deep mahogany eyes dampened with emotion. He stuttered momentarily, before gritting his teeth and confessing, “I'm… Shadow .”
Nick's expression shifted to surprise, then towards frustration. “Are you telling me you've been letting me lean on you while being my problem ?” His fingers tangled in his comforter, arms trembling from how tense his muscles are.
“You've got to understand,” Terios uttered, his voice cracking with pressure. “It's dangerous for us to know each other…” His eyes saying he wanted to beg for forgiveness, but not bringing himself to.
“Why?” Nick leaned closer, his eyes searching Terios's for reason. “Why couldn't we know? Why is it so dangerous ?”
Terios stared into Nick's eyes yet again, before breaking eye contact, choosing to look at the wall instead. “I can't explain it,” his voice trembled. “It just scares me so much…” The guilt of hiding this was blatantly eating at him. “I feel like it's going to hurt us, hurt you… I feel so… anxious… ”
Nick’s expression softened, but his grip on his bedding didn't — in fact, it tightened. “But you know me… Don't you?”
Terios’s cheeks warmed, opening his mouth as if to speak, before closing it again, showing his loss for words.
Nick felt his jaw clench. The feeling of betrayal renewed at full force. He grabbed the collar of Terios’s turtleneck, clenching the material in his hand as he pulled Terios’s face closer to his own. “Why don't you trust me?”
“I don't trust myself!” Terios snapped back. This was the first time he saw Terios lose his patience. “I love you, and you love me! At least some of me… What the hell do you think would happen if I told you?!”
Nick felt his grip on the turtleneck tighten. That admission… Nick couldn't take it anymore, he yanked Terios closer, capturing his lips in a desperate kiss. There's so many complex pent-up emotions on both sides, one’s frustration and unruly desire, and the other’s remorse, anxiety, and appreciation. Terios slipped his hands around Nick’s back, pulling him closer. The surprising action sent shivers down Nick's spine.
“You really love me, huh?” Nick whispered against Terios’s lips. The words slipped out of Nick, who was unsure if it was more of a question or statement, but that didn’t matter.
“Yeah…” Terios responded, his voice husky and quiet, just the tone that can instantly put Nick on edge with just how wonderful it sounds. “I could love each side of you on their own… I respect you a lot, Nick… I admit I fell for your confidence, kindness, and willingness to help others. And Sonic, I've grown to love you… We've been through hell and back and I know I can rely on you. Knowing that Nick and Sonic are the same person… That the person who would hold me at my lowest is the same as the person I admired so dearly…”
Nick slipped the tips of his fingers under Terios’s turtleneck, as if testing boundaries. “Damn it…” His voice came out rougher than anticipated, carrying the weight of months of pent up yearning and tension between the pair. The simple observations Terios had shared allowed for Nick to see how much Terios on his own had to offer, that kindness and humility under his reserved exterior… He initially fell for the looks of Shadow, but their banter brought the attraction to a much deeper level, everything about Shadow making him feel some kind of warm inside. Terios created a fuzzier feeling inside of him, one he hadn't taken time to appreciate. After all, Sonic liked Shadow , and Nick is Sonic . There's only room for one man in Nick's heart, or just in his head .
“You're making me feel silly for starting to like you because you were hot.” Nick murmured lowly. His hand gently traced up Terios’s lower back, watching him fluster as Nick touched bare skin beneath. “It's so much deeper than that now…”
“I admit I fell for Nick superficially, for your personality… But I fell for Sonic emotionally, for our bond .” Terios’s voice is slightly lower, cheeks reddened from the tension between them, along with the gentle teasing of Nick's hand on his lower back. He stopped for a moment, as if searching for words… Or like he was distracted … “I'd never have let anyone else touch me like this…” Terios muttered quietly, shy to admit it, yet still speaking clearly. “But with you, it just feels right .”
Nick felt his heart skip a beat, and without a second thought, his lips crashed back into Terios’s. Why he had such a way with words was a mystery, one that makes Nick feel entirely too hot and bothered. That damn voice alone was enough to rile him up, and that too-eloquent speech was the nail in the coffin for Nick. His hand acted like it had a mind of its own as they traced further up, beneath Terios's turtleneck, and held his bare waist. The fabric rode up, exposing a sliver of bronze skin, his abs . Being starved of any sight with Terios or Shadow equipped with anything less than a full modest set of clothes made Nick appreciate every single inch of skin that was exposed.
The kiss deepened, and to Nick’s surprise, Terios parted his teeth and allowed Nick access to the inside of his mouth. Nick, of course, happily took the opportunity, each new advance only making him feel warmer inside.
Nick's fingers admittedly found themselves digging into Terios's firm, toned torso, his skin hot to the touch. Nick didn't quite notice until he heard Terios exhale. It wasn't a normal breath, no, there was a rumble to it… Nick could hear Terios’s voice in it, how it was slightly strained. Did he just…? Nick could feel how Terios’s chest rose and fell, every deep breath he took. He just moaned… Holy shit, he moaned. Because of me .
Nick felt the warmth pool lower in his body, every detail of the encounter making him feel entirely warmer. The intensity of their kiss only increased in tandem with Nick's passion and desire. The tension he felt within his own body hurt almost on a physical level. Damn it… Ending this was not an option, but continuing this… He never wanted to make Terios uncomfortable, but with how hot and bothered he is, it's difficult to sit still. Why can't I just be normal… Fucking damn it…
Another soft groan came from Terios, partially due to Nick’s fingers digging into his side, the grip stronger than intended. Nick barely regulated the intensity of the kiss, disregarding anything besides the feelings coursing through his veins, instinctively tensing his legs, trying to redirect blood flow.
Despite Nick’s intensity and Terios’s normal modesty, Terios took the intense affection like a champion. Nick never would’ve imagined this from either the timid Terios or the serious Shadow.
This was unfamiliar territory for both parties, it seemed like neither really knew what they wanted from this — apart from the baseline of each other.
Nick tangled their tongues together, and Terios attempted to do the same, but with less fervor, which is to be expected from a guy like him. Nick easily can make up for his more reserved partner with his own desperation. Their mouths came together in a heated mess of feelings and thirst for each other, inhibitions lost on the kiss, the entirety of Nick’s restraint being focused elsewhere. Nick tensed his thighs so hard they trembled, pulling Terios flush against his chest. Terios's hands splayed out on Nick's back, his fingers digging into the fabric, just barely.
Their earlier argument was all but forgotten in the intense moment. The passion between them suppressed the negative thoughts Nick had for Terios just a bit ago, replacing them with everything about Terios he found alluring. All he knew was he wanted Terios on a visceral level. He needed him. All of him… Nick's fingers dug into Terios, which would make the latter glad the former trimmed his fingernails, lest they'd dig into his flesh. If I could just be inside—
Nick broke off the kiss, panting hard. No, no we can't… Not now… Not yet . A part of him cursed himself for reluctance. He knew he wanted this desperately, so why not take the chance? Deep down he knew this was necessary, so he listened to the gut feeling.
Terios was panting too. Deep, raspy breaths… His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, red cheeks, eyes half lidded, and jaw slightly ajar gave Terios such a deliciously pathetic, out of breath look, the expression somewhere between cute and attractive on his angular features.
I could get used to this… Hearing him, seeing him… Nick bit his lip at the sight, cheeks burning with need. He cursed himself again as he looked at Terios’s face, then down at his stomach, that sliver of skin still making Nick's skin crawl with delight. He desired this man carnally, everything about him was something that, admit it or not, did arouse a lot of feelings from Nick. That deep, sultry voice, that attractive face, that easiness to fluster… everything was addictive, and he unapologetically wanted more of this. So much more.
Dumb teenage hormones, making me feel so bent out of shape just for this beautiful man… Nick looked back up to Terios’s face, both of them still yet to catch their breath. Their hands were still pressed against each other's bodies. Is this over…? What does Terios think? What if he wants me to do more… The thoughts floated in and out of Nick's head.
Nick's hand traveled further up Terios’s back, feeling his bare muscles tense up beneath the touch, his eyelids falling just a smidge further down, the subtle change tying Nick's stomach into knots. God dammit, everything he does is too hot…
Nick let the moment hang between them, caught between compulsion and rationality, freezing him in place while staring into Terios’s deep brown eyes.
But the moment didn’t last forever, as another thought found itself at the forefront of Nick’s mind. Aren't I supposed to be mad at him…?
Nick's voice was difficult to push out, as if his body knew it'd blow the chances for actually doing any real deeds . “I'm still kind of upset…” Nick mumbled hoarsely.
Terios's expression changed, eyes returning to what would more be considered normal, if normal was slightly hurt. The comment seemed to sober both of them up a bit, making way for rational thought instead of just the raw passion that drove them for the last few delightful minutes.
“I was scared…” Terios mumbled softly. The vulnerability in his tone helped to make Nick focus further on Terios, his hand tracing down Terios’s back, before removing the hand from Terios’s bare skin. “Seeing you hurt…” His voice got caught in his throat. The touch seemed to have loosened him up, making way for emotions to spill through in a genuine way. “It terrified me… I thought I'd lose two of the best people in my life, and I couldn't risk…” Terios’s eyebrows crinkled, his nose scrunching in tandem, creating an expression that pained Nick in a way he wasn't expecting. This fear was real .
“I thought,” Terios continued stammering, “That if we knew each other's identities… It could hurt us..” He looked away, and Nick took the opportunity to pull Terios into a hug. This man's anxiety was never doubted, but seeing how much it could impair judgement — at least in Nick's eyes — felt that much more real . “I felt weak as soon as I realized that you're both of you… Both because of how terrifying it was to find out, and because of how much I realized I love you.”
Terios set his jaw on Nick's shoulder. “I knew I'd want to be with you, and if you knew who I was, maybe we would be together…” Terios nuzzled his face into Nick's neck. “But what if it ruined everything… Ruined our relationship, or what if we were discovered…” Terios’s voice cracked, his hands tensing and trembling. “What if they hurt us, what if they hurt you again?” Terios's tone was… terrified . How heavy did this weigh on him?
Nick grabbed Terios by the cheeks, firmly planting a kiss on his forehead. “That's why we're going to protect each other, right? That's what partners do.”
The gentle signal of compassion drew Terios out of his panic, before he looked up at Nick, wanting more answers, wanting instruction . “What if we're suspicious… What if people think we're too close suddenly…?”
“We don't need to be so close in public, we can just take some private time for ourselves…” Nick's hand idly traced patterns across Terios's turtleneck-clad back, the motion and words both serving to make Terios shiver slightly, hopefully in delight. “How does that sound?”
Terios pulled back, then placed a quick peck on Nick's lips, his cheeks heating up, surprised by himself. Nick was mildly shocked he had the guts to do such a bold move. “I'd like that… I like being with you…” Terios murmured quietly.
Nick pulled Terios in for another sweet kiss, prioritizing gentleness and the sense of a connection over the residual passion from their heated encounter. “The feeling is mutual.” Nick smiled softly, the act blatantly contagious as it caused a smile to form on Terios's face.
“Same can go for when we have the miraculous, okay?” Nick assured Terios, trying to make him feel more comfortable with their new arrangement . He continued his idle tracing of patterns across Terios's back, finding the action calming but not distracting, after all, he was still focusing on Terios. “We can act like we made up and are back to normal, but secretly, we both know it's not normal anymore.” Nick's voice turned low, husky as he encroached on Terios’s ear. “Partners will mean a whole new thing to us now.”
Terios got visibly red again. Adorably easy to fluster, as always. He nodded softly. “I'm glad you ended up being my partner…” Terios whispered. His voice still could easily distract Nick, but that warm feeling it stirred in his stomach doesn't matter right now.
“Again, the feeling is mutual.” Nick felt his expression and heart soften. “Thank you for keeping me in line…” Nick murmured quietly, still directly into Terios's ear. “I didn't know you could be so confident.”
Terios chuckled softly, a pleasant sound still largely foreign to Nick, but one that is all the more welcome. “I take my job seriously, unlike somebody.” His voice was low, but the slight tone variation helped show it was just teasing.
“Hey, I can be serious too!” Nick pulled back off of Terios, feigning offense, before smirking, giving Terios a proper indicator of his own joking tone.
“Oh please,” Terios playfully rolled his eyes. “I can't count how many times your flirting got you in a situation that I needed to rescue you from.” The grin was one that almost mirrored Nick's. I guess I did rub off on him, Nick thought to himself.
“Well maybe if you stopped being so damn beautiful I wouldn't be so distracted.” Nick pressed his index finger into Terios’s chest as he played, trying not to focus how close he got to feeling the bare skin beneath.
Terios let out a snort of laughter, which was contagious, Nick laughing along with him. “Says the guy who wears crop tops to battles” Terios had an amused smile. The rarity of this side of him only makes it that much more valuable. “You’re a living distraction, and you’re accusing me of being the problem? Please .”
The two continued to tease one another, Nick's decorated bedroom filling with laughter from the pair. The inside jokes, the comfort, everything that they love about one another is safe here. They can truly be themselves, no masks, no witnesses, just each other. Finally, they feel truly understood by one another.