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The day started out perfectly, Shadow was resting beside Sonic, their bodies curled up in the warmth that their bed provided as there were the sounds of a house that was quiet yet warmth filled within that quiet.
Sonic had been getting on in years and even though Shadow wasn’t anyone’s fool, he knew to treasure the time that he and Sonic had left, as Tails’ passing had been difficult for the pair, as slowly one by one the mobians that Shadow knew left the world.
Eggman - Ivo’s death some three years prior had not been as painful as Shadow thought it might be, with the loss of what was the last of Gerald Robotnik’s family had not hurt as much as he thought it would, as the human was the last living tie that Shadow had to his creator. Perhaps it was because Ivo had died in such a way that wasn’t at the hands of G.U.N, that simple irrefutable old age had claimed him, freeing Omega and indeed Metal from having to serve him ever again, though Omega was put out by this they had expressed their desires to move on to something else.
Shadow had promised that Omega was always welcome, Metal too, as the latter had gone into mourning for Amy, the hedgehog having passed away in the safety of Metal’s embrace as old age took her.
Shadow could still remember the day the pair had gotten married, their pictures kept in a photo album that Shadow had kept, as it was partly for photos, partly scrap-booking. The pair had worn exquisite dresses, wanting to match as Shadow did his best to make the memory last.
Not too far from them were Sonic and Shadow’s own wedding photos, the pair having gone for something a little different but very them to say the least as it was also clear to Shadow that Sonic even in photo form looked like he wanted to rip off the white with a black lapel jacket that he was wearing, Shadow himself going for a more tidy style with a slightly longer jacket that looked almost like a dress, but it was perfectly tailored to his form.
Shadow jolted slightly when Sonic moved, and it broke the ebony hybrid out of his thoughts. “Sonic?” Shadow spoke gently, a paw moving to rub along his mate’s quills, Shadow knew that Sonic had been getting tired of late and the hedgehog resolved to another slow day.
“Shads… can we… sit under our... favourite tree?” Sonic’s voice was worn out, tired sounding even as he spoke. Shadow decided that it was going to be another slow day.
A day that they spent in slow, almost sluggish ways as Shadow caught himself remembering everything that led to their lives up until this point in time.
The softness of their lives together and how deeply Shadow loved Sonic. Just how precious Sonic was to Shadow…
And then Sonic had to go and say the words that stuck with Shadow forever.
“I’m tired Shads an’ I miss everyone, besides somethin’ tells me we’ll all come back, you just gotta wait for that time ta come. In th’ meantime don’ go closin’ yerself off again, ya hear me! I want ya ta sweep me off o' my feet when I come back!”
The stupid cheesy grin, coupled with the gentle kiss that followed…
The many gentle kisses that followed, saw Shadow coming back to their home with Sonic in his arms, giving the cobalt blue hedgehog his favourite beverage and meal Sonic enjoying it as he groaned in quiet delight, Shadow refusing to let any request be unfulfilled as best he was able, as he and Sonic both prepared for the inevitable.
Sonic’s passing.
At first, Shadow had been in denial about the day, for years he’d been in denial.
Then he tried to bargain with himself, then he got angry, furious at Gerald for what he’d done, what he made Shadow be. The curse of outliving his loved ones soon sent Shadow into a spiral, as more than once he’d spent his nights curled up against Sonic, the silent tears falling down, yet Sonic never once complained about them, once he came to understand what had Shadow as upset as he was.
Shadow however found himself at the point where he’d finally come to accept it, Sonic having had nearly an entire three decades more than he would have though the pair had time to prepare for Sonic’s passing Shadow had known it would be the most difficult moment in his life.
Shadow woke to Sonic’s cold body, an unmoving yet peaceful expression, and the Ebony hedgehog shed tears, before he carefully lifted Sonic up into his arms. They’d agreed to the house for not just the square-footage, but also because it was a place that overlooked one of Sonic’s favourite places in all of Mobius, a place that stood against gravity similar to Angel Island but a land that became their home due to the fact that it had the best running course that existed, Green Hills their chosen home for years now.
Still as Shadow carefully buried Sonic, he knew as Sonic’s words whispered in his mind that he just had to be patient, and to be careful not to shut himself away again.
“I promise Sonic…” Shadow said softly into the wind, “I will love and cherish every version of you for who they are. I’ll be the one to sweep you off of your feet like you want me to… My Love.”