Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A blur of light bled through the hall, fast and unrelenting. Papers fluttered, scattering to the floor in a messy heap. A couple interns gasped, hair tossed like tiny tendrils. One of them dropping a clipboard, plastic clattering against linoleum. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting the medical wing in a soft white. 

Sonic’s voice tore down the corridor, fury bridled beneath the surface. His quills bristled in the rush of wind, chest heaving like he’d just run a marathon, hands balled tight, knuckles pale beneath gloves.

“Who’s doing that?!” he hissed, voice low. His eyes darted to doctors, notepads, clipboards…a nurse froze mid-step, caught in his stare.

And then, he saw it. At the end of the hall, an elderly physician, clicking a pen against his hip.

Click. Click. Click.

Sonic’s ears pinned back, gut twisting in horror. That noise was so close to something else. The whine of tiny servos, the plastic button in Eggman’s hand. The mechanical squeak of a tightening collar. His stomach lurched, bile rising.

“Stop that! Don’t you know we’ve got someone with trauma over here?”

The doctor blinked, stunned. The pen slipped in his grip, fumbled once. Before he could even think, Sonic ripped it from his hand, eyes burning, breath coming hard between gritted teeth.

The man’s breath hitched, lips parting, searching for words.

“I-I’m sorry, Sonic. I didn’t think-”

“Yeah.” Sonic spat it, jaw clamped. Too loud for polite conversation.

Silence pressed between them. Interns exchanged concerned looks, one bending down to gather the papers and place them on the counter - head ducked, eyes focused on the floor. A nurse coughed into her sleeve, trying to mask the quiet tension. Tiny beeps of medical equipment filled the hospital wing, inhabiting the space Sonic’s words left behind

Then, he exhaled, shoulders sagging in an exhausted ache. 

“Just… keep the clicking to a minimum. Please.”

The doctor swallowed, nodding quickly, eyes fixed on the floor below.

Sonic didn’t stick around. He turned hard, brushing quills back with his palm, and started down the hall toward Shadow’s room.

Shadow lie sprawled across the mattress, nails digging into his own throat. Bloodshot eyes blinked, lost somewhere between hospital equipment and twinkling stars. His chest felt heavy, breaths coming in shallow bursts. Those final moments replayed in his mind like a tape recorder stuck in reverse.

The smell of grease and ozone

The tightening of the collar

The loss of hope. 

He thought he’d die there, living in the regret of  what could have been. Of the person he’d pushed away. His body trembled against the bed, sheets tangled between his legs like restraints. The room felt too hot, too tiny - like the walls were closing in. 

Collapsing on his fractured mind. 

A hiss of air escaped his throat, raw and broken, like he’d lost something precious. He inhaled sharply, a pained cough ripping through the silence. His body lurched, limbs twitching like they held a memory of the pain he’d endured. His vision blurred, head falling toward the pillows.

And then…

Sonic. On top of him. Pinning him down. 

Reminding him of what it was for. 

Of who it was for.

Emerald eyes bore into him, worry staining peachy cheeks.

“Shadow, look at me.” He breathed, hot against Shadow’s fur. 

Shadow flinched, gaze turning toward the window. His breaths continued to shallow, eyes dilating from a lack of oxygen. 

“ Shadow !” Sonic reached out, pointing Shadow's face toward him. 

Shadow’s vision sharpened, eyes reluctantly locking on the figure above him. 

“Let’s breathe together, okay?

… in” 

Shadow sucked in a shaky breath. 

“Aaaaand, out ” 

An exhale. 

“Again.”

“In…out”

Eventually, Shadow’s tension eased, body sinking into the comforter. Sonic gave a quiet smile, sliding a hand through Shadow’s fur. For a long moment, they froze, lost in the unspoken current, pulsing between them. Sonic edged closer just a hair, fingers tracing tiny circles over Shadow’s muzzle. Shadow relaxed against the weight, letting his back melt into the mattress. Their bodies brushed, warmth radiating from every contact point. 

Shadow’s breaths evened, cheeks flush with rising heat. His eyes searched Sonic’s, desperate to decode something he didnt understand. A gloved finger brushed across his cheek, stopping just shy of his lips. 

Sonic’s eyes fluttered, hand trembling against streaks of black and red…

And then, 

He moved closer. 

Shadow closed his eyes. 

Their breath tangled in a fiery mix. 

Scents mingling…

Click

The door opened. 

In a streak of blue, Sonic shot up, nearly tipping sideways as he landed in the chair. A stupid grin plastered across his muzzle. Shadow snorted, amused by Sonic’s clumsiness. 

Boots thumped against the tile, with a tiny cough, the doctor made his presence known, taking a few calculated steps. 

“Glad you’re…feeling better , Shadow.” He remarked, earning a tiny chuckle from Sonic. 

Shadow’s eyes narrowed, honing in on the idiot that sat across from him. But Sonic didn’t notice, cheeks flush with the evidence of his embarrassment. 

“Is…this a good time?” The doctor asked awkwardly, clipboard in hand. Sonic's gaze flickered to Shadow, who offered a nod in response. 

“He says yes.” Sonic responded dumbly. Shadow rolled his eyes. 

The doctor swallowed, lips parting, as he pulled up a chair. 

“Well…” he trailed off, features tightening as he scanned the chart. 

“You have sustained…severe injuries in your time aboard the ARK.” He cleared his throat. “The collar you were forced to wear put a significant strain on your vocal chords. This, combined with the lacerations to your neck are why speaking is so difficult. 

Shadow retreated inward, resisting the urge to curl into a ball. Sonic's breath hitched. 

“So, how does he get better?” He asked quickly, eyes shifting from Shadow toward the floor. 

“Vocal exercises and physical therapy can help strengthen the laryngeal, and pharyngeal muscles, but you will tire easily, gentle progress is what we're after.”

Shadow's brows furrowed, hands clenched tight at his sides. His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, tiny flecks of black sprinkled in tiles of fiberglass. 

The doctor shifted. “I am aware this is a lot to take in, if you'd rather we take it in sma-”

“ No” Shadow hissed, voice fragile, barely there, but present. He sucked in a breath of air, parting his lips once more. 

“Cont-” a cough

“Contin-” a wheezing rasp. 

Shadow slammed a hand into the mattress, anger flaring behind his eyes. 

“Con-”

“He wants you to keep goin’.” Sonic cut in. 

The doctor blinked, adjusting the collar of his coat. “Well, repeated shocks to your nervous system caused nerve damage, which can make your muscles tremble without warning.”

Shadow’s hands twitched, a small involuntary shake running through his legs. His fingers thumped against the call remote, anything to mask the immeasurable pain that ripped through his nerves.

Sonic looked up, raising a hand toward Shadow’s shoulder, gentle, and hesitant. Shadow flinched at the contact, but didn't pull away. 

“Months suspended in place led to significant muscle atrophy. Combined with the prolonged draining of your chaos energy, your body is likely exhausted.”

Shadow shifted, curling in a little more, quills prickling, chest rising unevenly with shallow breaths.

“Recovery will be gradual,” the doctor continued, voice softening. “Physical therapy to rebuild strength, speech therapy for your voice. There will be setbacks, nerve healing and muscle rebuilding aren’t linear, but with time, patience, and support, progress is possible.”

The doctor’s gaze softened. “Emotionally, this will be tough. I recommend you surround yourself with friends.”

The room stilled, Shadow’s brows furrowed, eyes darting anywhere but the two sets of eyes boring into his very essence. With great difficulty, he lifted his torso, rolling toward the opposing window. He felt like a zoo animal, being watched by observant patrons. 

“Don’t worry doc, he’s got friends. We’ll take care of him.” Sonic paused, hesitantly. 

“ I’ll take care of him.” 

Shadow twitched beneath his blanket. Sonic wasn’t sure if it was tremors or a reaction to his words - he liked to think the latter. 

“In the meantime…” The doctor handed Sonic a tablet. 

“A basic tablet can help him communicate. We’ll also provide paper and pencil if he’d prefer.”

Sonic popped his head over  the bed, unsuccessfully searching for Shadow’s gaze. 

“Preference, Shads?” 

Shadow didn’t turn. 

“...I guess we’ll do both for now.” Sonic murmured, scratching his head sheepishly. 

The doctor stood, placing the tablet on the seat of his chair. With a quiet, thunk , the door closed behind him.

Leaving Shadow, pouting in the corner, and Sonic, caught between a tablet and Shadow’s brooding. He could chastise him, tell him that being rude to the doctor wasn’t going to help, but Shadow knew that. He could have given a pep talk about how important it is to be engaged in recovery, but Shadow would brush him off. 

Right now, all that Shadow needed was time, and Sonic, as impatient as he was, would just have to give him that. 

…

Or at least, he could try. 

His eyes drifted toward the tablet, still sitting on the chair nearby. “Hey Shads,” he started, picking it up. “Wanna check this thing out? I bet there’s games on here.”

Shadow didn’t flinch. 

Sonic grinned, scribbling across the tablet furiously, a tiny chuckle cutting through the quiet. 

Shadow’s ear twitched. 

When Sonic was satisfied, he tossed the tablet onto the bed. “I made a masterpiece, Shads.

Sonic held the tablet out, quills slightly ruffled from sitting too long in one position. Eyes fixed on the thick comforter between them. Shadow froze, eyes sharp, hands still. The tablet felt like it carried weight, like it carried some hidden expectation. 

“Shads…” Sonic murmured, trailing off. “You don’t have to use it, but you do have to look at my drawing.” 

Shadow’s fingers twitched at his sides, curling against the fabric of the sheets. He wanted to refuse. To pretend he was back home, reading a good book on his couch, away from all the medical equipment and bright lights, and yet, hesitantly he reached over.

With a groan, He twisted his body toward Sonic, propping himself up against the pillows. He clutched the tablet awkwardly between his claws, studying the drawing with an arched brow. 

Sonic giggled in anticipation. 

Despite himself, Shadow snorted, snatching the stylus from the side of the blanket. 

“Oh come on, dude!” Sonic whined, throwing his hands to the air for emphasis. “It totally does!” 

Before Sonic could take the tablet, Shadow jerked it back, lips twitching into a tiny smile.

Sonic blinked, surprised that Shadow was willing to entertain him, even if it was for insults. He scribbled a note, trading the tablet across the bed. 

Sonic realized his mistake as soon as he let go, cheeks blossoming in a bright shade of red. Shadow squinted, struggling to make out the jumbled mess of letters. Eventually, it hit him, and his cheeks too, lit up. 

For a moment, the two sat there in awkward silence. And then, Sonic yanked it out of Shadow’s hands, quickly erasing the embarrassing message. 

Shadow rolled his eyes, slinging the tablet at Sonic’s head. Sonic stumbled, barely catching it before it made contact with his face. 

“Hey! Maybe we shouldn’t toss GUN equipment around, okay? I can’t afford to replace this thing.” 

Shadow scoffed, shuffling back toward the window. 

Slowly, The world settled back into silence and for a moment, it felt like they'd both be okay.

Chapter Text

Antiseptic drifted through the air, invading Sonic’s lungs - an affront to his senses. Shadow sat upright in his bed, arms crossed, brow drawn low, lips pursed into a tiny frown. 

The nurse didn’t bat an eye. She’d dealt with cranky old men for years, one scowling hedgehog was just a change of species.

“Alright, Shadow, Today, we’re going to work on strengthening your vocal chords. Do you think you’re up for that?” 

Shadow’s scowl deepened, expression hardening. Sonic observed quietly, eyes shifting between blue scrubs and his irritated companion. 

A tiny nod. 

“Wonderful!” The nurse beamed, plucking a laminated card from the counter. The font, big, bubbly Comic Sans, made Shadow’s jaw tighten. With quick, calculated steps, she slid into the chair beside him.

“Vowels first. Look, ‘‘A,’ ‘E,’ ‘O.’ Just a whisper. Give me a tiny ‘ah’.”

Shadow’s lips twitched. He opened his mouth, dragged in a breath-

Nothing. 

He tried again, throat burning, lungs tight, like he couldn’t get enough breath. 

A tiny squeak. 

His nose wrinkled in irritation, a sharp inhale sucked between gritted teeth. 

“You got this, Shads!” Sonic leaned over the card, grinning wide.

Shadow’s stomach dropped. Right, Sonic was here. Watching. Judging. 

The nurse smiled, placing a hand on Shadow’s knee. “You can do this, Just give it a few more tries. You’d be surprised what practice can do.” 

After a thick swallow, he rasped another vowel. 

Wrong. 

She didn’t say it, nor did Sonic, but they didn’t have to - Shadow knew. 

Shadow’s gaze drifted to his fingers, inspecting the stitching of his gloves. For a moment, he sat motionless. He wanted to crawl under the mattress. 

“Let’s try again.” She murmured, fingers still resting on his leg. 

He blinked, eyes flicking to the blue polish clinging to her nails. It reminded him of something.

Of someone. 

With an exasperated sigh, he tried again, butchering yet another vowel. 

Sonic scooted closer, the squeak of a chair jolting Shadow back to reality. 

“Keep, goin, Shads. You’ll get there! I know it seems hard ri-” 

Shadow’s eyes narrowed to slits. Sonic couldn’t see him. Not like this. “Oouut,” He choaked, stabbing a finger toward Sonic and the door.

The nurse gasped in delight. “Perfect! That’s our ‘ou’ sound!”

Shadow’s ears flattened, his eye twitching as he locked on Sonic. Shoulders stiff, muscles tight.

Sonic tilted his head, realization dawning. With a theatrical groan, he threw up his arms. “Fine, fine, I’ll go outside, but close enough if ya need me, okay?” Sonic’s grin faltered, eyes flickering with a shadow of something hidden. Shadow blinked, studying carefully, before he could place Sonic’s emotion, it changed, returning to that cheery facade he knew too well. 

Shadow sighed, throat burning with pain and humiliation. This was unbearable. Practicing babylike sounds on laminated flashcards - Comic Sans mocking every noise he made, while Sonic looked on with…pity? The thought made his stomach twist. 

And yet, beneath the shame, another truth gnawed: Behind it all, a slew of people were there, advocating to doctors, checking on his wellbeing, making sure that Shadow knew he wasn’t alone. Their faces blurred together, friends and acquaintances coming and going like revolving doors. 

All but one…

All but Sonic.

Day and night, plopped on windowsill cushions, sprawled out like he owned the place. Because honestly? He did. Shadow wasn’t sure when it had started, and yet, here Sonic was, woven through his mind like a stubborn weed, roots choking out the melancholic isolation he once clung to. 

As Sonic turned toward the hall, Shadow’s breath hitched, mouth opening and closing in desperation. He needed to apologize, he wanted him. Needed him. He raised an arm, a lifeline. But Sonic didn’t see, steps moving toward the door.

Shadow’s jaw moved, opening and closing. A whisper tried to form. “I…need…” His words faltered, swallowed by the quiet. Sonic’s heard none of it, back was turned toward the exit. Shadow’s arm shot up, a silent plea, but even as he reached, part of him recoiled. Not like this. Not while he spoke like…this. He wasn’t sure what stung more, the pain in his throat or the hurt he’d caused Sonic.

The nurse looked up from her clipboard, eyes darting between the two - Sonic’s masked retreat, Shadow’s outstretched hand, those ruby irises, full of shame and something unspoken.

Her lips pursed, gaze returning to the cards in her hands. 

“Ready to continue?” 

With a frustrated huff, he nodded.

-~-

Rubber soles thudded through the hallway, Sonic’s face a mix of exhaustion and defeat. On one hand, he felt thrilled that Shadow was finally trying. On the other, bitterness, seeping through veins like poison, worked its way into every facet of his being. He’d been here since the beginning, and yet, Shadow continued to push him away. 

He imagined it must be hard, going from The Ultimate Lifeform, to someone stuck in a bed, barely able to move. He’d done everything in his power to make Shadow feel comfortable. Despite this, he found himself stuck. 

His eyes traced outlines in the linoleum, following tiny squares toward the end of the corridor. Just as he lifted his head, he stumbled into a familiar presence. 

Rouge stepped back, righting herself against the wall. Sonic's breath hitched, arms extending in an effort to balance. 

“Hey Blue, you sure know how to enter a room.” 

“Sorry. I wasn't watchin’ where I was goin’” he replied honestly. 

Rouge grinned, resting a foot against the baseboards. 

For a while, Sonic stood, unsure what to do with the tension coiled around his heart. 

And then, Rouge’s lips parted. “He kicked you out?” 

Sonic blinked. “How'd you know?”

“I didn't.” She paused. “But I know him.”

“Huh. Guess so.” 

 A cluster of white coats swept past, clipboards tucked under their arms, murmuring to one another in tones too low to catch. Sonic’s ears twitched, his gaze following them.

“Sure is lotsa’ doctors.” Sonic murmured, eyes flicking to the flock of white coats. 

“They're not doctors.” Rouge’s voice dropped, tone sharp. “They’re scientists, GUN ones.”

He arched a brow. “Where are they going?” 

Rouge’s jaw tightened, eyes following their retreating steps.. “Beats me, but I can't help but wonder…” She trailed off, lost in thought.

Sonic tilted his head. “Wonder if what?”

“It’s just, too neat, isn’t it? Shadow’s managed to stay out of their claws for years. Then suddenly, he’s dragged in half-dead, right under their roof? And they just, what? let him stay?”

Sonic’s chest tightened. His eyes darted back down the hall, tracking the group as they passed Shadow’s door, quills bristling in anxiety.

 “You think…they’d try somethin'?”

Rouge hesitated, arms crossing, lashes dipping in thought. “I don't know, but I don't trust them.” 

Sonic’s features hardened, hands balling into fists at his side. For a moment, he stood, processing. With a shaky exhale, he moved in close. 

“Listen, Rouge.” His words were quiet, tone sharp. “He’s been tortured, beaten, experimented on, lost his family, his home.” He exhaled.

“Shadow has been through enough, more than any of us have…” 

His brows twitched, eyes fogging, “I won’t let them hurt him. I wasn’t there before but, I can be now.” 

Rouge turned toward him, eyes narrowing in focus. 

“If they so much as put a finger on that door..” Sonic started, voice dropping into a low growl. “they’ll answer to me.”

Rouge’s gaze lingered on him, her usual smirk nowhere to be found. Instead, her expression softened, analyzing his body language. Eventually, she smiled, leaning back against the wall. 

“Y’know…” She paused. 

“You’re good for him.” 

Sonic scoffed, leaning in next to her. 

”He sure doesn’t think so…”

The fluorescents buzzed overhead, their hum filling the silence. 

Rouge thought for a moment, and then, her lips parted. 

“That’s not true.” She murmured. “Shadow is…well, Shadow. But he trusts you more than anyone…including me.” 

Sonic’s gaze drifted to a hole in his gloves. His fingers twitched, tracing a broken thread. 

“He wrote letters to you. Do you realize ho-”

“Rouge, he didn’t know-”

“It doesn’t matter.” She interrupted, turning to face him. 

“Has he acknowledged the letters since? Face-to-face?”

Despite himself, Sonic smiled, a warmth spreading through his cheeks. 

“I mean, I guess. I asked if he wanted to keep writin’.” 

Rouge grinned. “Aaand?”

“Aaaand…he nodded.” 

She placed a hand on Sonic’s shoulder, eyes meeting his. “Sonic, how many people do you think he’d do that with?” 

Sonic said nothing, muzzle flush with color. His tail thumped against the door, betraying him.

“I”ll answer for you. No one other than you.” 

Sonic blinked. “But…why?”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Do I really have to spell it out? He likes you. Really likes you.” 

Sonic flexed his fingers. “But…I thought…”

“I know, what you thought.” Rouge snapped, a soft huff of frustration escaping her. She ran a hand through her fur and started walking down the hall, wings drooping behind her. 

“Chaos, you two are hopeless.” She muttered, shaking her head. 

“Hey! Whereya’ goin?” Sonic asked, heart still pounding through his skull. 

“To get a drink.” She murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.”

Then, with a roll of her eyes, she continued, “Although… I wish you’d just sleep together and get it over with.”

Sonic stopped, eyes wide. “W-what?” He stammered, stomach dropping, taking a moment to process her words. 

His lips parted, a protest lodged somewhere between his mind and his mouth, words refusing to materialize.

She threw up an arm in mock surrender, continuing down the corridor. “Bye, Blue.~” 

“Rouge!” Sonic shouted, feet frozen to the floor. 

With a blink, his panic settled. A small, almost shy smile tugged at his muzzle, tail flicking gently as he let the absurdity of her words, and the truth behind them, sink in.

And then, with a sharp inhale, his ear twitched. 

Thwack

A violent thud reverberated through the hall, bouncing off walls with a thunderous roar. 

Sonic turned, eyes darting toward the source of the noise…Shadow’s room. 

With an exasperated sigh, his legs carried him forward. “Oh, Shads.” He murmured, head dipped low. 

-~-

Shadow sat against the headboard, arms crossed, brows low, fist resting against a hole in drywall 

The nurse stood nearby, gathering cards with shaky hands. Her movements sporadic, flustered. 

The tension felt thick, so thick that even Sonic could feel it. For a brief second, He met Shadows' gaze, before ruby eyes flicked away in shame. 

“...sorry.” he rasped, fingers fiddling with an inhibitor ring silently. 

The nurse cleared her throat, placing the cards beneath the clipboard’s hinge. 

“It's okay.” She started, straightening out her scrubs. “We'll keep practicing. This is a frustrating process, it's to be expected.”

“We'll pay for that.” Sonic cut in, pointing to Shadow's fist. Shadow said nothing, leaning back and slipping under the covers. 

The nurse smiled, “I wasn't worried about it, but…thank you”

She glanced at her notes, then back at him. “Tomorrow we’ll try aqua therapy. It should help with the strain.”

Shadow’s ears flicked. He stirred under the covers, eyes lifting just enough to show he was listening. Sonic noticed, the way his hands loosened, the way that wall of silence cracked, the way his eyes lit up, if only for a fleeting moment.

The nurse smiled, jotting down a final note and turning for the door. “Good, we'll pick that up tomorrow.” She beamed, excusing herself with a polite nod, the door clicking shut behind her. 

Sonic pulled up a chair, its legs dragging with a grating screech. Shadow twitched, sinking deeper beneath the blankets. 

“Y'know, I'm gettin’ pretty used to these chairs.” he murmured, shuffling closer. 

Shadow sighed, the rise and fall of his chest wrinkling the comforter, his face obscured by sheets of white. A couple quills poked out, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital room. 

For a beat, Sonic said nothing, fingers returning to the hole in his glove. 

And then, his mouth twitched, eyes glimmering with something bright. 

“We could go, tonight, ya'know."

Shadow shifted, just slightly. 

Sonic continued. “I know this whole place like the back of my hand. Funny what happens when ya’ run so much…”

He trailed off, eyes locked on the pile of blankets.

Just when Sonic started to give up, a claw emerged from the bed, pulling the sheets beneath his muzzle. 

Sonic grinned. “I know ya like swimmin', even if I…” he stopped himself. 

Shadow grunted, scooching into a sitting position. His eyes met Sonic's, full of confusion, excitement and something…softer. 

With a huff, he leaned over, grabbing the tablet from the bedside table. 

Text: They said tomorrow?

Sonic leaned over, grabbing the tablet from Shadow’s hands. 

Text: I'll take you tonight, just us. 

Shadow's eyes narrowed. He shook his head, turning toward the window. 

“On come on! Where's your sense of excitement! Of adventure!” Sonic whined, throwing his hands to the air in emphasis. 

“...adventure.” Shadow deadpanned, crossing his arms in amusement. 

“Uh, duh! Splashin’ in a pool after hours? Watching me hate it?”

Shadow's lips twitched into a toothy grin. With a roll of his shoulders, he sighed. 

“....fine.”

-~-

Later that night, away from the hospital’s hum, the smell of chlorine drifted through the gym in gentle waves. Overhead lights had long since dimmed, bathing the room in the glow of the pool light. Equipment hummed idly in the background, a steady buzz that cut through the quiet. Giant skylights split up the ceiling, filling the room with patchy streams of silver.

Sonic kicked off his shoes haphazardly, approaching the water’s edge. For a moment he stood, a frustrated expression painted his features. He hopped, adjusting his grip on Shadow’s body. 

“Guess I’m gonna need new socks.” He murmured, wincing at the rush of water soaking the fabric between his toes. 

Shadow’s lips twitched in amusement. The thought of Sonic running home with sloshy socks and soaked shoes was a little ridiculous. And yet, somehow, it fit. 

Sonic took a few more steps, sucking in a shaky breath. 

“Y’know, Shads, I’m…not the biggest fan of water.” 

Shadow’s brows tightened, levity vanishing. He wanted to tell him to stop, to put him back in his bed and go home. 

But he couldn’t. 

And so, he’d swallow it down, letting the guilt seep into his veins. 

“So, you owe me.” Sonic finished, a tiny chuckle cutting through the silence. 

With another couple steps, the two reached the bottom, Sonic up to his neck, Shadow, delicately cradled in his arms. 

A stream of water settled between them, lapping against their fur in an undulating rhythm. 

Sonic blinked, lips hesitantly parting. “I’m gonna’ put ya’ down, OK, Can you stand?” 

Shadow said nothing, gaze fixed on a skylight above. His lips tightened into a thin line, jaw clenched tight, throat full of words he couldn’t say. If circumstances were different, he’d say he wasn’t sure. That behind it all, he was scared. What if he fell? If Sonic couldn’t lift him? If he drown there? Lost in a void of his own making. 

“Shads?” 

Shadow blinked, swallowing thickly. As if on instinct, his head dipped, a tiny nod he barely registered. Sonic crouched down, lowering Shadow’s legs letting his feet make contact with the tile. 

Before Sonic could steady himself, Shadow’s knees gave way, and he plunged beneath the surface. Sonic’s breath hitched, panic hitting in a sudden burst. In a flash of blue, he bent down, wrapping his arms around Shadow’s waist, lifting his head above the surface. 

Shadow coughed, expelling water from his lungs. Sonic held him close, the scents of lavender and patchouli filling his senses. A tiny shiver ran down his spine, quills twitching reflexively. Shadow’s fur was astonishingly soft, especially beneath the water’s surface. Sonic’s gaze lingered, tracing the way it moved with the current, waves of ebony undulating against ribbons of light. A steady warmth bloomed in his cheeks, hidden beneath layers of fur. 

Hesitantly, he moved in, pressing his chest against Shadow’s back, fingers tracing the curves of muscle and ligament. Sonic opened his mouth but couldn’t find words. His hands settled on Shadow’s wrists, arms wrapped around his body. 

“S-so” he stammered, hands twitching absently. “I don’t know what I’m doing. This water is so…wet. Have you ever thought about that before, Shads? How wet water is? Y’know they say…” Sonic trailed off.

Shadow’s body trembled beneath his touch, breath coming out in uneven grasps. Heartbeat thundering in his head, a steady drum that drove out Sonic’s rambling. His cheeks felt hot, body clammy.. 

Sonic lifted Shadow’s arms, gently pulling them through the water. “So uh, I don’t really know what I'm doin’, but..how’s that feel?” Shadow gave a small nod, following his movements, black fur prickling against blue. For a while, the two performed exercises (or what Sonic thought were probably exercises), moving Shadow’s arms, legs, and upper body in repetitive motions. Shadow fell into Sonic’s chest, legs straining to keep him up. 

Sonic adjusted his grip, turning Shadow just enough so their faces were close, the pool light rippling across both of them.

Shadow’s expression hardened, gaze shifting to distant tiles. Sonic didn’t have to do this. To sneak out in the middle of the night, dive into something he feared more than death, and baby him through…whatever this was. His cheeks warmed, shoulders shaking with the sting of shame, fists trembling beneath the water. 

He opened his mouth, throat straining to produce sound. And then, with barely a whisper, he spoke. 

“Don’t need…your…hel-” A heavy cough ripped through his body, sending his lungs into a violent spasm. Sonic said nothing, letting it pass before Shadow continued. 

“You…hate water…I..” Shadow trailed off, eyes flickering to the tips of his claws. First and foremost, he was a weapon, a tool designed to aid in destruction. And yet, Sonic remained by his side, seemingly oblivious to his true nature. 

He didn’t deserve Sonic’s help. 

An aching silence settled between them. Sonic’s gaze softened, lips parting, 

And then, Shadow continued. 

“I don’t…deserve…this.” He whispered, words bitter and fragile. 

Sonic blinked, lips curling into a tiny smile, letting go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He tightened his grip on Shadow's sides, helping him to the shallow end. In a gentle motion, he sat him down, the two kicking at the water’s edge. 

“You’re right, Shads. You don’t deserve it.” 

Shadow’s stomach dropped. 

Sonic rubbed the space between his eyes, continuing. “You shouldn’t be here, getting treatment, dealing with the aftermath of what he did. It’s not fair.” He paused. 

Shadow arched a brow, eyes flicking to Sonic’s.

Sonic met his gaze.

“I should’ve got to you befo-”

“No.” Shadow wheezed, louder than anything he’d said in months. He leaned over, letting his hand hover over Sonic’s thigh. 

His brows twitched, eyes shifting to the base of the pool. 

“I…” Another cough wracked him, throat aflame. Frustration boiled over, and he slammed a fist against the concrete, eyes stinging. Sonic’s expression softened, eyes drifting to Shadow’s claws, resting inches above his thigh. 

In a rapid impulse, he grabbed it, holding it steady against his leg.

“I know you think this is your fault - that you have to carry it all on your own.” 

Pool equipment hummed, a stream of water flowing through filters. 

“And I know you don't wanna’ drag anyone else down.” 

Shadow tightened his jaw, turning toward a nearby window. 

Sonic chuckled. “Y'know, we wrote a lot, you and I. And I think…I get you now.”

Water sloshed against the concrete, settling between the giant steps.

“Ya’ gotta let me in, Shads. 

He moved closer, placing his other hand on Shadow's cheek. Shadow flinched at the touch, but didn't pull away. 

And then he turned, guiding Shadow's head toward his. The two moved in, inches apart. The glimmer of pool light rippling across their faces.

“I'm here because I wanna be. So let me. Let me take care of you.”

Shadows breath hitched, eyes flicking to Sonic’s lips, heartbeat thundering in his ears. His brows furrowed, only for a moment. And then, 

A cough ripped through shadow's throat, violent and raw. Sonic scooched back, breath hitching in surprise. 

“You okay, Shads?” 

Shadow groaned, parting his lips.

“My throat burns.”

Sonic's eyes widened, jaw slack. 

Shadow blinked, arching a brow.

“Dude! You said…like a full sentence, no breaks!”

Shadow sat back, absorbing it, jaw tight, chest trembling from his efforts.

Sonic's grin bloomed, relief and pride mixing as he fell back to the tile. “It was those exercises! I'm a genius, Shads.”

Shadow scoffed, a brief, dry sound. “Sonic, I…don-”

“Shh” Sonic interrupted gently. “Let me have this.”

“Tch”

And then, a laugh.

Harsh, ragged and brief, a sound Shadow hadn't made in what felt like forever.

Sonic's chest tightened. This wasn't just any laugh, it was a fracture; a break in the wall Shadow put between them. For the first time in a long time, Sonic saw through it, a glimpse of the Shadow he used to know. 

And for now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

The morning sun peeked through the blinds in tiny streams of light. With a sharp inhale, Sonic rolled over, pain ripping through his shoulder like fire to his bones. 

His eyes fluttered, gracing the day with his lethargic presence. Alive, awake, but not quite alert enough to be useful. 

The days blurred together, a seemingly endless expanse of time caught between hospital beds and commutes. He wasn't sure when the shift happened, but lately, he spent more time at GUN than he did in his own bed. 

With a groan, he threw back his blanket, fumbling through his room toward the landing. The creak of floorboards alerting his presence. Below, Tails sat quietly, reading a novel on something related to astrophysics.

“Mornin.” Sonic murmured, words shrouded in a sleepy haze. 

Tails glanced up, before his eyes drifted back to his book. 

Sonic arched a brow, pausing for a moment before working his way down the steps.

“...Bud?”

“Mm.” Tails hummed, eyes fixed on the page. He flipped it, though his gaze never actually followed the words.

Sonic tilted his head. “…You good?”

“I’m fine.” The answer came too fast, too flat.

Sonic didn’t buy it. He lingered on the last step, arms folding as his brow furrowed.

Tails shifted, closing the book a little harder than necessary. “I’m sure you’re hungry, there’s breakfast in the microwave.” he retorted dryly.

Sonic blinked. Tails could cook, (maybe even better than Sonic), but the number of times he did it of his own accord, Sonic could count on a single hand. 

“You cooked? I’m surprised. Normally you eat those... frozen tv dinner things.” He teased, making his way through the kitchen. 

Just as he was about to open the microwave, Tails responded:

“Well, you’ve been out for three days. Somebody had to.” 

“Wait, three days?” Sonic sputtered, staring at his reflection in the microwave window. For a moment, he froze, dumbfounded. And then, a wave of regret washed over him, sudden and biting. He opened his mouth, heart thundering in his skull. 

“How’s Shadow?” 

Tails sighed, stood up, and followed Sonic into the kitchen. “He’s doing OK. He’s had ups and downs.” He answered curtly.

Sonic didn’t move, breakfast suddenly seeming less important. With a shift of his shoulders, he turned, analyzing Tails’ vacant expression. 

Something sat just out of reach, and yet, Sonic couldn’t place it. 

“What does that mean? You should'a woke me up.”

Tails pursed his lips. 

“...Sonic”

“Do you remember how you got here? Home, I mean? Knuckles had to carry you.”

Sonic’s fingers twitched. “...So?”

Tails let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “So, you need to take better care of yourself. If it wasn't for Shado-” he stopped himself.

Sonic’s breath hitched. 

“Tails, ‘If it wasn't for Shadow,’ what?” he barked.

Tails’ gaze drifted toward kitchen tiles. “Well, he kicked you out. Told us to take you home…make sure you get some sleep.”

Sonic scoffed. “Some sleep?! I've been sleeping there just fine! I made a bed in the corner of the room and everything!”

“Then why…did you sleep so long? When we brought you home, I mean...”

Sonic thickly swallowed. “Well, I-”

“And those wounds” Tails interrupted, motioning to Sonic's calf. 

“When's the last time you got those cleaned up?”

“Well, I-” Sonic stammered, glancing at the bloody gauze around his leg. 

“I'm just saying, maybe Shadow was right. You're not taking care of yourself….again.”

Sonic sighed, shoulders tensing. 

“Dude, I'm fine! I'm up! Walking! About to eat breakfast, what do you want from me?!”

Tails exhaled, patience wearing thin. 

“Sonic, you slept for three days!”

“But I slept, didn't I?”

“That isn't the p-”

“It's not? You told me to take care of myself, I did. Now, I'm going to eat breakfast and go to GUN.”

“Can't you just stay for a day? Get some more re-”

“No, Tails! I can't. Not when he's in there, alone. Not when-”

“Sonic, he's not alone! There's doctors!”

“GUN doctors, Tails!” He shouted, voice frayed at the edges.

“So? It's not like they're the same ones! That was a long tim-”

“I don't care! It's too dangerous to leave him alone. Not after…”

Sonic's breath caught.  

“Not after everything he's been through.”

Determination burned in Sonic's eyes, fierce and unwavering. 

Tails tilted his head in quiet contemplation. And then, his expression softened. 

“You really love him, don’t you.”

Sonic's cheeks flushed, heat rising up the base of his neck. With a twitch of his brow, he opened his mouth. For a while, he stood still, words lodged somewhere between his head and heart. 

And then, finally, he spoke. 

“I'm getting some games. You think he likes Connect Four? They probably didn't have that on the ARK… maybe Monopoly-”

“Sonic…” Tails started. 

“Or, I know!” Sonic murmured, ignoring him, shuffling toward the hall. “I should get some playing cards! They had those fifty years ago, right?”

Hesitantly, Tails backed up, arms crossed, but silent, letting Sonic have his moment

Sonic reached for the cabinet door, fingers hesitating, and for just a second, a small smile tugged at his lips. 

Maybe he couldn't say it, at least, not out loud, but that word, the weight it carried, Sonic felt it all the same. 

…Love.

-~-

Sonic's legs couldn't carry him fast enough. He let out a shaky breath, ignoring the fire burning in his muscles. 

He skidded to the doorway, nearly tripping over the threshold, chest heaving.

Rouge stood in the corner, leg propped up against drywall. Her head dipped low, studying patterns in the tile. 

Sonic slowly approached, scanning her features for pieces of something he'd been away from for too long. 

And then, he swallowed, parting his lips. 

“Hey” a single word cutting though the tiny lobby, a little less confident than he'd hoped. 

Rouge looked up, eyes glassy. With a tiny smile, she offered a wave. 

“Heya, Blue. How'd you sleep?”

Sonic's brows twitched.

“Fine I guess, how is he?” he blurted, a little more desperate than he'd anticipated. 

Rouge blinked, taken off guard by the urgency. 

“Well…” She started, clearing her throat. “Shadow is tough, he'll make it.”

Something twisted in Sonic's gut. 

“Rouge, that doesn't answer my question.”

She looked away, eyes narrowing just a fraction. 

For a moment, they stood there, the rattle of air conditioning the only sound.

In the silence, Sonic found his answer. With a huff. He leaned forward, taking a step. 

As soon as he passed her, Rouge reached out, grabbing his wrist. 

“Sonic, wait.”

“No, I need to get-”

“There's something you need to know.”

Sonic's arm twitched. With a shaky exhale, he stopped. 

“What?”

“Well, Shadow, he…” she trailed off.”

“Rouge!”

“He's not…doing well.”

Sonic's chest grew tight, feet planted on cheap linoleum. A tiny tremor shook his shoulders, jostling the bag of board games at his side. 

“What does that mean, Rouge.” He murmured, voice low. 

“One of his wounds - the one on his back, got infected. He's…” she paused, glossy lips twitching. 

Sonic didn't press, he wasn't sure If he even knew how. 

“He’s been in and out.”

Sonic's expression softened, a wave of nausea settling in the pits of his stomach. 

And then, fury. His brows furrowed, eyes narrowing. Arms tensed, tightening all the way from his fists up to his shoulders. 

“How did that happen? Surely they had him on antibiotics?”

“I…don't know.” She answered honestly, continuing, 

“The scientists, they know a lot, but he is part-Black Arms DNA, I would imagine they don't have all the answers either.”

Sonic turned toward the wall. A fist flew out, stopping just before making contact. He slumped forward, eyes closing. 

“I was…just here.” He whispered, words fragile. 

“I know.” Rouge responded softly. 

For a while, they stood there, and then, she leaned over, wrapping an arm around Sonic's shuddering frame. 

“How bad is it? Will he…” Sonic's voice caught. 

“Yes. He will.” She quickly replied. “Shadow is tough. You know that ” 

Sonic didn't move, heart thundering in his skull. 

“Yeah, but…I shoulda’ been here. If I was he-”

“No”

Rouge gripped his shoulders, turning him to face her. His head dipped low in shame and regret. “If I had-”

Gently, she reached out, lifting his muzzle, making eye contact. 

“Sonic, this isn't your fault.”

Sonic's eyes burned, tears threatening to fall. Rouge's breath hitched, the pain in his eyes nearly too heartbreaking to handle. 

“If I had just-”

“Just what, Blue?” she whispered. 

Sonic let his head droop, forehead, making contact with one of her shoulders. 

“I…I don't know. “ he finally admitted, voice breathy and exhausted. 

Slowly, she lifted a hand from his muzzle, running her fingers through his quills. 

“Shhh” she soothed. 

Sonic let out a shaky breath, body trembling, and for a moment it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them.

“You should go see him, but…” she paused, swallowing hard. 

“you have to hold it together, Blue. For him.” 

Sonic blinked, swallowing hard, jaw tightening. He nodded, letting her touch anchor him, forcing himself to inhale slowly and focus.

Rouge gave his shoulder a small squeeze, reassuring but firm. “Alright. I think you're ready. Down the hall to the left. Just…take it one step at a time.”

Sonic offered up a tiny smile, slowly retreating from her gentle grip. Rouge returned it, a knowing grin plastered across glossy lips. 

Sonic drew a slow breath, letting it fortify him. He lifted his muzzle, putting on the mask of calm he knew Shadow needed to see.

His eyes flicked to the bag of games on his shoulder, heart still thudding, and he nodded once to himself.

Then, with careful steps, he headed down the hall, each one measured, controlled ready.

Hallway tiles blurred beneath his feet. One careful step after another, each slower than the last. His heart fluttered in his chest, an ever increasing tempo reminding him what this was all for. 

Who this was all for. 

Before he realized it, he was there, staring at Shadow's door, a single piece of wood separating them. With a deep breath, Sonic pushed it open, stepping inside

-~-

“Hey, Broody McDark, I brought games - figured you could use something to take your mind off things.” Sonic beamed, stepping forward like he hadn’t just nearly lost it in the hallway.

Shadow sat propped up against the headboard, eyes sunken. A mountain of blankets stacked all the way to his shoulders. His fur, damp, sticking to his skin in tiny patches. Monitors hummed in the background, but somehow, now, they felt different. His body shuddered, caught somewhere between flushed heat and frigid shivering. 

Sonic’s bag slipped from his shoulder. Boxes slid out, clattering against the tile, pieces exploding across the floor like confetti. His breath hitched, and carefully, he stepped over the mess that suddenly felt incredibly insignificant.

The air was thick, the weight of Shadow’s situation finally settling in. He’d been getting better, talking, moving, joking, and yet, as Sonic stared at him now, he could see how fragile he was - a shell of the hedgehog he used to know. 

Sonics’ stomach dropped. “...Shads?”

For a moment, the room quieted, the drum of Sonic’s heartbeat pounding in his skull. For a while, he thought Shadow hadn’t heard him. With a thick swallow, and reflexive furrow of his brows, he moved closer to the bed. 

And then, Shadow opened an eye. . “...Games?” He rasped, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. 

Sonic’s fingers twitched. “Yeah. I got…um, cards, some board games, a couple movies, I thought we could watch somethin’ or…” He trailed off. 

Shadow scoffed, a jolt of pain ripping through his frame. His eye drifted toward the mess of pieces. His mouth opened, he sucked in a breath, and…

A sharp hiss. 

Shadow frowned, frustration evident in his gaze. His throat ached, an excruciating fire separating them from one another. He had so many things left to say, so many feelings he had to articulate. Things lost in a world of ink and paper. 

And yet, he couldn’t decide what hurt more, the violent spasms wracking his muscles, or the crushing weight of his regret. He had all this time, all these opportunities to express how he felt. It was at this moment, that somewhere in Shadow’s fever-riddled haze, he realized the bitter truth: Time moved forward, whether he wanted it to or not. 

As heat pooled in his chest, the thoughts began to fade, distant memories lost to a world of static. He meant to stay still, to shoulder his burdens on his own. And yet, before he’d even realized, an arm extended in the air, fingers twitching as they betrayed him. 

With a lick of his lips, he shifted, slinking further beneath the pile of blankets. 

A single word, the only one that mattered, left his mouth. 

“...Son-ic?” 

Something twisted in Sonic’s gut. He sucked in a breath, seeking something…anything to cut the tension, to push back the burn in his eyes just a little longer. When no words came, he moved forward, scooching close in a nearby chair. Hesitantly, he reached out, clasping Shadow’s hand in his. 

“I’m…here, bud. He choked, words fraying at the edges. 

Shadow said nothing, eyes finally closing- peace? Comfort? Sonic couldn’t tell. His body trembled violently, small shivers racking him. His damp fur clung to his skin, and a faint warmth hung in the air around him, sharp against Sonic’s fur.

“Shads…you’re-you’re burning up.” 

Without thinking, Sonic eased onto the bed, careful not to kink any wires. 

Shadow reached out, wrapping an arm around Sonic’s throat, grip tight, desperate. Sonic’s eyes widened, a couple coughs rippling through his body. “Sh-ads” he croaked, shifting further beneath the blankets. 

Shadow’s grip loosened just a fraction, but his leg hooked around Sonic’s hips, pulling him closer, anchoring them. He was both fragile and unsteady, moving more on instinct than intention, fever-fueled delirium overtaking his body.

Sonic blinked, cheeks blooming with heat. He reached over to grab the nurse’s remote, when something vibrated against his back. Shadow pulled him closer with a surprising level of strength. He froze. Something deep and low thrumming through him.

Then it clicked. Shadow was…purring.

Sonic’s chest tightened. The sound was small, almost imperceptible, but in the quiet of the room it hit him like a punch. He thought about teasing, making some corny joke that would earn a Shadow-specialized glare. 

And yet, as they laid here, Sonic couldn’t bring himself to words. Shadow let out a shuddered breath sending prickles down Sonic’s spine. For a while, they stayed like that, Shadow, clutching Sonic for warmth, Sonic, concerned but unable to pull away. 

And then, a single phrase, whispered between shuddered exhales: 

“I…chose you.” 

Sonic blinked, stomach dropping. “What?” 

Shadow’s breaths slowed to the point where Sonic assumed he’d fallen asleep. And then, in a raspy whisper, he continued. 

“A lifetime with….youuuu.” He slurred, eyes glassy, distant. 

With a puff of his chest, Sonic scooched upright.

“Alright, Shads… you’re scaring me. I’m calling a doctor.” He declared. With an exhale, He moved slightly to reach the remote.

Shadow let out a guttural whine, frustrated that Sonic (his heat sync) had shifted. He squirmed beneath the blankets, fingers threading between sheets for purchase. 

“Maria said…” he started, voice fraying at the edges, barely there. 

“Shads don’t. Save your-”

“To run…to…you.” 

Sonic froze, stomach twisting. “…what?”

The sound of alarms blared behind him, Shadows breaths growing fragile and unsteady. A heart monitor screeched, red warnings pulsing through the dark. And then, Shadow let out a final exhale, head lolling to the side. 

Sonic's stomach dropped. “Shadow?!”

Before he could process, Nurses and doctors rushed in, voices urgent.

“He’s crashing! Get him stabilized, now!” 

Another reached for Sonic's shoulder, gently prying him away. 

In a coordinated effort, the team moved, adjusting wires, moving blankets, and securing him to the bed. 

Sonic stood still, rooted to the spot, hands hanging limply at his sides, frozen. His eyes stayed locked on Shadow, the rise and fall of his chest, the tiny flutter of his eyelids, the way he drifted in and out of awareness. The weight of those words pressing him down.

And then…before he could blink, they were gone, 

Shadow wheeled away to some undisclosed location, likely an effort to adjust his temperature. 

Sonic’s legs locked, eyes frozen in place, words replaying in his fractured mind. 

‘I chose you…’

‘Maria said...to run to you…’

Chapter Text

Shadows eyes narrowed, fingers tracing the words on the page like something foreign. 

“If I….” 

A cough. 

Rouge stood by patiently, lips twitching into a glossy smile. 

Shadow huffed in frustration, continuing. “If I…sign this…” 

“It makes whoever you put down your guardian, effectively giving them power to make decisions on your behalf.” Rouge finished, lids glittering with baby blue pigment. 

Shadow’s shoulders tensed, the pen in his hand felt heavier than normal, like something he couldn't quite grasp. 

“But you don’t need to make a decision today.” A nurse cut in, adjusting the settings on a monitor nearby. 

“But the sooner you decide…” Rouge continued, irritation evident in her gaze. “The easier it becomes if something happens. 

Shadow blinked. “If I…don’t sign?” 

The nurse opened her mouth to speak, but Rouge cut her off. 

“Then GUN gets to decide..about your medical wellbeing.” 

Shadow’s breath hitched, eyes widening ever so slightly. His gaze darted between them, Rouge’s knowing smile, and the nurse, hiding behind a nest of wires. 

With a shaky hand, Shadow picked the pen up. The paper like lead in his grip, the ink smudged slightly as he moved it across the lines. He filled out the usual medical details, heart hammering between his ears. Finally, he reached the section asking who would make decisions for him.

He hesitated. After a moment of contemplation, he exhaled, and with a trembling hand, pressed the pen to paper: Rouge.

Rouge leaned closer, her glove brushing his as she slipped the pen from his hand.. “Hey, Stripes… I appreciate the honor, but don’t you think there’s someone else you should put?”

Shadow froze, chest tightening, eyes narrowing. “Who…?” he scoffed incredulously.

Silence stretched between them, until it hit him. 

“No-” He huffed, placing the pen on the table to cross his arms. 

 “No way”

And yet as he recounted events of recent memory, he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she was right. The rescue on the ARK, the injury to his leg, every moment of doubt or fear, stacked between paper and ink - the one constant in his life, had been him. 

That stupid, impulsive, pea-brained idiot. 

Shadow blinked, the fight in him faltering, heat rising in his chest. He exhaled slowly, a trembling hand lifting the pen once more. His quills ruffled as he added the name he’d been trying to ignore next to hers, the name that made his chest ache. 

Sonic

-~-

The air swam with antiseptic and flowers, a nauseating blend that clung in suffocating waves. Sonic wrinkled his nose, gloved hands parsing through stems, thorns, and leaves, searching for something intangible.

He lost track of all the bouquets; GUN agents, friends, acquaintances. The door revolving, a mess of decaying roses, tacky balloons, and corny cards that Shadow would hate. The thought made Sonic’s lips twitch, a tiny comfort amongst melancholic exhaustion. 

These days, it felt like the only thing he could control. Snipping stems, changing water, picking out petals. He’d never been much of a plant person, but Shadow was. In fact, if you asked him, it’s one of the things he loved about him the most. 

Just another piece, lost to the void of medical equipment and clinical jargon that Sonic could barely understand. He was sure, if Shadow could see him now, he’d be made fun of. Standing here with a pair of office scissors and tiny tweezers, fussing over every petal like it was something precious. 

And yet, there was something comforting in that. He found himself daydreaming more often than not, imagining Shadow’s reactions, words, touch. It all felt so close, like something just beyond his reach. 

A sharp hiss cut through the quiet. Sonic jumped, eyes darting toward a prick of red forming beneath his glove. 

“Fall asleep again?” Amy asked, eyes never lifting from her crochet.

“I…guess.” He sheepishly admitted, scratching between quills. 

Amy sighed. Eyes rolling in frustration. Slowly, her lips parted. 

“Sonic, you need to r-” 

“I don’t want to hear it, Ames.” He cut in, tone sharp. 

Amy’s brows knit, shoulders tensing. With a heavy exhale, she returned to her project, 

For a while, the room fell into awkward silence. And then, she spoke: 

“Do you think he’d be happy? Seeing you? like this?” 

Sonic’s trembling hands moved faster, re-arranging a purple bouquet for the third time. Eyes, locked in a dissociative haze. 

Amy stood, crochet needles clattering against tile. With a couple steps, she approached. 

Sonic’s breath hitched, but he didn’t pull away, arms moving toward another bouquet  worthy of attention. Clippers worked wildly, snipping away bits of leaves. 

“Sonic..” She murmured, extending an arm toward his shoulder. 

Before Amy’s hand could land, Sonic flinched, a sharp twitch running through his arms. The clippers bit into a stem with a violent snap, scattering petals across the counter. He cursed beneath his breath, muttering something she couldn’t make out.

With a puff of her chest, she tried again. “Sonic…”

Sonic jerked, an arm flinging toward a nearby vase, sending it plummeting to the linoleum. A sharp crack radiated through the room, echoing off bare hospital walls. Sonic sucked in a breath, near instantly collapsing. 

He reached out, gathering large pieces of glass in his palm. 

“Sonic, stop! You’re going to hurt yourself!” 

“Have to fix it….fix it….fix it…” He muttered, shoulders twitching, eyes glassy. 

Amy sank to the floor beside him, careful not to crowd, her knees brushing against linoleum. Slowly, she reached for his hands, steadying them with her grasp. Her touch firm but reassuring.

Sonic froze, eyes lifting to hers, and there, she saw it, emerald irises, once vibrant with color diluted, empty, trapped behind a void of panic and exhaustion. Her stomach dropped, heart thundering in her skull. 

And just as quickly as it had started, it ended. Sonic bent toward the floor, gathering tiny fragments of blue, each shard a small reminder of the chaos he couldn’t control.

“...fix it…” He whispered, voice frayed and raw. 

Amy stayed still, arms dropping to her sides. She didn’t pull away, didn’t speak. Because right now, there was nothing that could reach him. She watched as he gathered the pieces of blue glittering beneath hospital fluorescents, and there, on the cold sheets of linoleum, the weight of it all settled like broken glass.  

For the first time, the room felt small, suffocating with the truth she’d been skirting around; this wasn’t just stress or distraction. Sonic had fallen further than she ever imagined possible, and the hedgehog she knew - a quick, brash, untouchable blur of chaotic energy, was gone. 

Her breath caught, a tight ache settling somewhere deep inside. She couldn’t fix this. Not today. And so, she’d sit. Let him exist, and somehow, hope that she could carry a piece of it with him. 

A soft shuffle echoed down the hallway, followed by a tentative knock. “Um… is everything okay in here?” a voice asked.

Sonic’s brows knit, but he didn’t look up, gloves long since discarded as he resorted to gathering the pieces with his paws. Eventually, his lips parted, unable to find words.

The nurse glanced down, eyes scanning patches of red. 

“Let me take care of that.” She gently offered, stepping forward. 

 “No!” He hissed. 

An awkward silence settled over them. 

He thickly swallowed, parting his lips once more. 

“I just mean, I've got it.” 

The nurse smiled, glancing at Amy.

“Well, she started, presenting a container of hospital wipes. “It's time to give Shadow a bath. So, if you want to clean that-”

Before she had a chance to finish, Sonic was up, a blur of blue, snatching them from her hands. 

“I'll do it.” He murmured possessively. 

Amy blinked, a tiny gasp slipping past her throat. 

“Sonic, let them do it.” 

His brows furrowed, bag crinkling beneath his fingers. 

“They don't know how, Ames.”

She arched a brow. “And you do?”

Sonic scoffed incredulously. “Well, yeah, He doesn't like his ears touched.” His voice dropped, almost reverent, as he moved toward the bed. Slowly, he lifted an arm pointing to the heart monitor. 

“See how his pulse spikes when you brush against his inhibitors? He hates that.”

“Also,” he continued, fingers moving toward Shadow's leg. 

“He's got a scar just beneath his knee. It's hard to see under the fur, but when you touch it too hard?”

As if on cue, Shadow's leg twitched. 

“But if you tell him what you're gonna' do…” He started, leaning in close to Shadow's ear. 

Like flipping a switch, Shadow's body went limp against the mattress, tension dissipating behind a hazy fog of slumber. 

Slowly, Sonic retrieved a wipe from the package, making contact with the back of Shadow's ear. A sharp exhale cut through the quiet, but otherwise, Shadow remained still.

Amy clicked her tongue in surprise. 

“That's really impressive.”

Sonic's lips twitched into a tiny smile.  He gathered another wipe, moving carefully along Shadow's quills. 

“Well, when you love someone that can't talk, ya’ kinda learn-” The words hit him the moment they left his mouth. His stomach dropped, realization slamming into him like a brick wall. Heat rushed up his neck burning into his cheeks. 

Silence pressed in. Amy said nothing, but she didn't have to. The look she gave, equal parts pity and warmth, did all the talking she couldn’t.  

From the door, the nurse cleared her throat, shifting awkwardly. “Well, if you’re sure, I’ll be in the hall if you need anything.” 

“I’m sure.” He whispered. 

Amy’s gaze lingered on him a moment longer, and then, she gathered her yarn and crochet needles. 

“I’ll give you two some space.” She said gently. “You need time.” 

Sonic said nothing, keeping his focus on the task at hand. Behind him, the door latched with a soft click. 

And once again, as so many times before, the room was empty, save for Sonic…and Shadow.  

Only then did he exhale, shoulders sagging, the weight of those words pressing heavy against his heart. His eyes burned with something that up until recently, he couldn’t name. 

And yet, it’d rolled off the tongue so easily, like something primal forcing its way out. 

With a tiny quiver, his lips parted, eyes blurred behind a misty haze. 

“I think…I love ya.” 

A tiny chuckle echoed off sterile walls, settling somewhere between them. With a circular motion, he rubbed the fur on Shadow’s muzzle, removing the crust from around his mouth. 

“It’s funny, Shads.” he started, voice fraying as he worked. “I didn’t think it was real.”

With a shaky exhale, he moved toward that iconic tuft of white.

“Amy said it a bunch when we first met. I thought she was just a silly kid.” 

Sonic paused, a single tear plummeting to the mattress. 

“But now, as I clean you up, I think I see it. I-” 

The room settled into silence, Sonic’s shoulders shuddering from everything held inside. 

“I miss you.” He said, somewhere between a whisper and a sob.

Before he realized, his hands stilled, wipes plummeting to the floor below. With a shuddered breath, he crawled into the bed next to him, wrapping an arm around Shadow’s waist. 

Shadow twitched, but otherwise remained still, eyes fluttering behind heavy lids. 

Sonic pressed in close, curling against Shadow’s side. The thrum of their hearts beating in sync, breaths moving as one. He buried his face into Shadow’s fur, hot tears soaking through. 

“I can’t-” The words broke into a sob. “I can’t do this without you.” 

The room around them seemed to vanish, equipment and monitors a distant memory. Sonic clung to him tighter, fingers wrapped around tufts of fur. In this moment, every memory felt like a bullet, splintering him from the inside out.

And Shadow, his precious Shadow, nothing but fragments, what little remained slipping further from his grasp.

-~-

The click of footsteps reverberated through the hall. Sonic’s ear twitched, face nuzzled against the nape of Shadow’s neck. As the sound grew close, an eye opened, brows furrowing in irritation. 

The doctor rapped his knuckles against the open door. 

Knock knock

“Mind if I intrude?” 

Sonic froze. His arms tightened around Shadow, chin digging stubbornly against his shoulder. He didn’t answer.

The doctor lingered in the doorway.

With a low growl, Sonic finally unfolded, slow and stiff, but didn’t pull far. He stayed planted at Shadow’s side, one hand still resting on him, blue quills bristling as his vacant stare drifted toward the doctor.

The doctor cleared his throat, clipboard tucked against his chest.

“Hello, Sonic. I’m Doctor Halpern, the lead resident assigned to Agent Shadow’s case.” 

Sonic’s quills bristled, sheets balled in a tight fist. Shadow was more than just an agent. 

With a heavy sigh, he rolled his head, working the kinks out of his neck. And then, his lips hesitantly parted. 

“..Hi.”

The doctor smiled awkwardly, taking a few steps inside. 

“Mind if we sit and talk?” 

Sonic didn’t answer. His hand dragged over the blanket until his fingers brushed Shadow’s arm. Only then did he nod, short and stiff.

Halpern stepped closer and pulled up a chair, setting it just near the bed but not too close. He moved slowly, clipboard balanced on his knee, eyes flicking between Sonic and Shadow.

“Well, Sonic…during our last evaluation of Shadow’s condition, we found extensive scar tissue on his larynx. Likely due to the wound opening and closing during attempts at rapid healing on the ARK.”

Sonic blinked. “And?”

“As a result, the keloid tissue has made it difficult for him to breathe.” 

“He was just breathing fine the other day! Talkin’ even!”

The doctor’s brows knit. “Since you last spoke, his wounds have continued to heal, tissue has continued to accumulate.”

Sonic’s fists clenched. “So what do you need to do”

“We can perform an operation that removes the excess scar tissue. A simple endoscopic pro-”

“So what are you waiting for?” Sonic interrupted, shoulders tensing. “Do it!”

“Except” The Doctor cut in, clearing his throat.

“his vocal chords are incredibly atrophied. Anything that causes additional damage may be too much and there's a real risk that in doing so he’ll…”

“And whatI?”

“He…may never speak again.”

Sonic’s stomach lurched, the bed wobbling beneath his grip. Instinctively, he reached out, steadying against the handrails to not tip over. His breaths grew shallow, labored beneath the weight of the doctor’s words. His mind raced, refusing to catch up. And then, a realization. 

“Why are you telling me this?” 

The doctor blinked, eyes widening ever so slightly. And yet, in Sonic’s horrified state, he didn’t notice. 

“He didn’t tell you?” the doctor asked, voice gentle but firm.

Sonic’s world tilted, he slid down the bed, eyes wide and uncomprehending. “…Tell me…what?”

“Sonic, you…have power of attorney over Shadow’s condition.” 

It hit him like a punch to the gut. Sonic froze, hands gripping the rails like they were the only thing keeping him afloat. His shoulders trembled, arms working desperately to keep him upright. 

And then, eventually, when his mouth decided to finally work, he spoke. 

“...me? But..how can I…” He paused, eyes burning, heart heavy. 

“How can I…choose that…for…him?”

“I know this is a lot. You don’t have to make a decision right now, but we’ll need to know soon. The longer we wait, the worse it will become.” 

Sonic said nothing, falling back across the narrow mattress. Quills resting against Shadow’s blanketed toes. He worked his mouth, staring up at the ceiling tiles, unable to utter anything coherent. 

The doctor continued to speak, but Sonic couldn’t hear him. Words floated past like white noise, meaningless shapes pressing against his skull. His chest felt too tight, lungs burning, heart hammering like it would tear right through his ribs. Every thought tangled with the next until there was nothing but panic.

He shoved off the bed, quills bristling, muscles coiling. “I…can’t” His voice caught in his throat.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Sonic was gone, a blur of blue shooting past the doorway, leaving the room, and everything in it, behind.

-~-

A gentle breeze cut through the forest, sending leaves into a violent flurry. Streams of sunlight peeked between branches, scattering across the dirt below. In a way, it was nice, the world below, a blanket of white, but up here, high above the rivers and valleys, the air felt warmer, charged with the chaos energy that surged through the island. 

To say Knuckles was used to quiet would be an understatement. Silence had been his companion for as long as he could remember, a tradition older than the temple itself. The ancients spoke of stillness as strength, a force that awakened the fire in his bones and fueled his constant state of meditative rest.

Which is why the sudden crack of twigs behind him felt like thunder. A piercing thud echoing through the canopy. Knuckles turned on his heel, brows furrowing as he sought to pinpoint the source of such commotion. 

And there, lying in a mess of sticks and mud, he saw it: Sonic’s trembling form, curled into a tiny ball. His chest twitching as he struggled to breathe. Eyes burning as warm tears dampened the dirt below. 

“Sonic!” 

Knuckles ran forward, crouching down to Sonic’s shuddering frame. Slowly, he reached out a hand, resting it against cobalt quills. 

“Sonic, talk to me! What’s wrong?” 

Sonic’s lips parted and yet, he found no words. There was nothing he could say to fix this, no words to describe the depth of his sorrow. An unbearable choice like a weight on his chest. 

“Hey, hey.” Knuckles soothed, moving his glove toward Sonic’s fur, brushing it flat in stilted movements. 

“Let’s take a breath, Sonic, can you do that for me?” 

Sonic’s brows furrowed, a tiny nod breaking through his haze of panic and fear. 

Knuckles drew in a slow, steady inhale, exaggerating the motion so Sonic could follow. “With me, alright? In…and out.” He kept the rhythm, waiting until Sonic’s chest rose and fell in sync.

Eventually, Sonic joined in, breaths grew steadier, eventually, his quills settled, muscles relaxing against Knuckles’ touch. 

For a moment, they remained there, and then, knuckles stretched out a hand, helping Sonic into a sitting position. With a grunt, he rolled upright, brushing the dirt from his fur. 

The forrest carried on around them, birds chirped in the distance, another gust of wind rippling between them, stirring Knuckles’ spines. 

“So…” Knuckles started. “Do you want to tell me why you showed up on my island?” The words had an edge, but underneath, there was an ease, like the kind of jab only an old friend could get away with.

Sonic’s lips twitched into a tiny smile. His eyes drifted to a stick below, fingers peeling at the layers of bark. 

Knuckles sat still, patient, waiting. 

“It’s..Shadow.” Sonic murmured, just loud enough for knuckles to hear. 

“That bad huh.” 

Sonic flinched, brows furrowing in thought. For a moment, the world stilled around them, and then, Knuckles reached out a hand. 

“Follow me?” He asked, lifting his body from a pile of leaves. 

Sonic blinked. “Where?”

“Just…trust me.” 

For a while, they walked in silence. And then, the forest fell away behind them, replaced by the hiss of the river below and the tang of salt on the breeze. As they approached, Sonic’s breath hitched. Above them, somewhere far off in the ancient mountains, a river carved its way through jagged peaks, tumbling toward them in a series of falls, ribbons of silver glittering in the afternoon sun. It wound its way down the slopes, gathering momentum, until it reached the ground where they stood, and finally, tumbled off the edge of the floating island, disappearing into the expanse below.

“I don’t think I’ve been here before.” Sonic commented, eyes still wide with disbelief. 

Knuckles snorted, brushing the leaves away from a couple rocks. With an outstretched hand, he offered Sonic a seat. 

“This is where I come to think.” 

“You do that?” 

“Watch yourself, hedgehog.” 

Sonic couldn’t help but smile. With a few slow movements, he crouched down, back resting against the stone. 

“That’s what he calls me.” He swallowed thickly,. “Or, used to, anyway.”

His gaze drifted toward the river, darting across the turbulent caps that broke across its craggy surface.

“Would you like to talk about it?” 

Sonic let out a heavy exhale, brushing the tears away from his muzzle. 

“There’s nothin’ to say really.” 

Knuckles hummed in response, his body otherwise remaining still. 

“It’s just that…He’s really sick. I gotta’ make a big decision, and…” 

His eyes darted toward his hands, inspecting holes in the stitching of tattered gloves. 

And then, before he even had a chance to process, 

It hit him. 

Tails’ words, at the time, it felt like nothing, but now…

“Do you remember how you got here? Home, I mean? Knuckles had to carry you.”

Sonic’s jaw tightened, hands balling into clenched fists. That night, Shadow had kicked him out, shoving him back to bed while he was exhausted, barely able to move. Sonic had convinced himself Shadow had been fed up, that he’d been a nuisance, an obnoxious obstacle that Shadow could barely tolerate.

Like a splinter pressed just beneath the skin, too close to the surface, yet too deep to pull out, Sonic’s mind replayed every moment, every fragmented interaction he and Shadow had ever shared. Maybe it was that night on the mountain, or the time in the canyon. Whatever the moment, he was almost certain that, somewhere along the way, Shadow had grown to hate him.

And then, His lips parted, words spilling out before he could stop them. “Hey, Knux? That time I was at GUN, and sleepin’. when Shadow kicked me out…” 

Knuckles arched a brow. “Yes?” 

“What did…he say? Shadow I mean….I know he couldn’t talk well, but I assume he was sick of me. Wanted to get me outta his quil-” 

He paused, swallowing hard, imagining every word Shadow could have said. Every cruel insult he could have made. Every blade he could have wielded to break Sonic’s heart. 

Knuckles froze, rifling carefully through his spines until his fingers closed around something small. He pulled it free - a folded letter, edges worn and dirty.

“I was told to give you this, but I kinda' forgot." He admitted sheepishly.  

Sonic reached out, hesitantly taking the letter from Knuckles’ grasp. 

Dash,

Or should I say, Sonic. 

It's bizarre that we got this far, a silly project born from boredom.

I think about my time on the ARK often. We don't discuss it much, but at that time, the only thing that kept me going was the memory of you. 

I had a lot of time to cope with regrets. To realize all the things I didn't say. And now, as I sit here, on some bastardized road to partial recovery, I wonder if I'll ever be able to tell you the truth. 

You're probably wondering why I made you go home. The truth is, you're deteriorating here.  

I see it in the way you look at me, in the circles beneath your eyes. 

I can't bear to see you like this. You're tearing yourself apart for someone who wouldn't even give you the time of day. 

So go home, rest, take some time to recover, because the world needs you.

And, if you’ll have me. 

I think I do too,

    -Shadow (s)

Sonic slid down the base of the rock, legs folding up toward his chest. He wrapped his arms around them, tight enough that his claws dug into fur, knuckles whitening beneath his gloves. 

His quills bristled as his head slumped forward, caught between shaky knees. A shudder broke through his frame as his breath hitched in ragged bursts. Tiny whimpers escaped, lost in sounds of rushing water and wind-swept pines.

For a while, he sat there, letting himself fall apart beneath the words he’d never heard. A quiet confession, lost to time and medically induced stasis. The thought that beneath it all, somewhere in that broken heart and damaged body, Shadow wanted him. 

No. 

Needed him. 

Knuckles let out a slow, steady exhale, letting the rhythm of it fill the quiet around them.

“You said you had a decision to make,” he murmured, tone gentle but edged with concern.

Sonic’s arms trembled around his folded legs, chest rising and falling in ragged, uneven breaths. The weight of everything, Shadow’s injury, the operation, the thought of losing him, pressed against him with unbearable intensity.

For a long moment, he sat still, curled up in a world of doubt. Then, slowly, painfully, he lifted his head, letting his body unfurl, spine straightening, legs stretching out before him. He pressed his forehead against his knees for a heartbeat, letting the ache settle.

The hard truth he’d ignored for what felt like forever settled over him like sunlight breaking through clouds. Shadow cared. Maybe he always had. Sonic didn’t need to hear it aloud. Every small interaction, every shared glance, every quiet moment, he could see it woven through their messy history.

And maybe that was enough.

“...Sonic? Your decision?”

He jumped, ears twitching at Knuckles’ voice, then slowly he exhaled. A tiny, steadying smile broke across his face.

“I know what I need to do.”

Chapter Text

“Sonic, are you listening?” Amy barked, a hint of ire in her voice.

His ears twitched, head dipping low as he slumped in the chair. A hand dragged across his muzzle, eyes half-lidded. The doctor’s steady cadence pulling him under, words blurring together. 

“Since the operation,” the Doctor said. 

“Shadow’s condition has improved considerably. It is the opinion of the team that…”

Sonic’s head slipped against his arm, lids fluttering.

“-somewhere in the next few weeks, he will likely wake up.”

Sonic shot upright, the chair squealing beneath him. His quills bristled, eyes snapping open.

“Wait-what? He’s gonna wake up?!”

The doctor blinked. Amy groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Nothing is guaranteed, but yes. This is the general consensus.” the doctor murmured, pen tapping against his clipboard.

“How’s his throat?” Amy asked quickly, glancing at Sonic, who now sat perched on the edge of his chair.

The doctor coughed, gaze dropping to the file below. 

“Good. The surgery was a good call. We believe he’ll make a full recovery. We’ll be recommending as little talking as possible for the next few weeks, just to give him time to finish healing.”

“Yo! That’s great!” Sonic exclaimed, grin breaking wide, eyes bright despite the heavy circles beneath them.

The pen stilled, The doctor’s tone shifting.
“But… there’s something else.”

Sonic’s breath hitched, chest tightening. He wasn’t sure he could handle more, not after everything.

The doctor flipped a page on the clipboard, pen tapping against the margin.

“According to the ARK’s medical files, Shadow’s physiology is… unusual. His cells exhibit regenerative properties tied to the Black Arms genome. To put it simply, his body doesn’t appear to experience cellular degradation the same way a normal organism does.”

Sonic blinked, scratching the back of his head. “Uh-huh. Totally makes sense. But, uh… maybe say it in a way Amy can understand? She kinda’ struggles with all this medical mumbo jumbo..”

Amy shot him a glare. “Excuse me?” 

Sonic let out a weak chuckle and inched away. The legs of his chair squealed in protest, announcing his retreat to the entire room.

The doctor cleared his throat, lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. “To put it plainly: Shadow doesn’t age.”

Sonic leaned back, whistling low. “Well. Guess that explains why he never gets wrinkles. I probably woulda’ given him a few by now.”

Amy groaned, flinging her head back toward the ceiling. Her expression sharpened. Even without words, Sonic could see it: that look of frustration that screamed: 

“Please, Gaia, end my misery.”

The doctor shifted once more, a cough cut through the quiet, an attempt to return the focus to the matter at hand. 

“At some point, after Shadow’s rescue and before his partial recovery, those regenerative properties vanished.” 

Amy’s breath hitched, eyes widening in shock, Sonic blinked, eyes darting toward Amy and then, the doctor. 

Slowly, he licked his lips, and then, opened his mouth. 

“Right…soooo..” he trailed off, leg bouncing against the tile. 

The doctor adjusted his glasses, tone flattening. “In other words…He heals like a standard Mobian.”

Sonic froze, one ear twitching. “Wait… you mean-”

“He is no longer immortal.” 

Sonic’s head turned, eyes darting to Shadow’s sleeping form, eyes glossing over on the rise and fall of that puffy chest. 

“So…what does that…mean, exactly?” 

The doctor swallowed. “Well, he’ll be more like you and I: Hungry, tired, sick, all the standard symptoms of a body that ages. 

Sonic blinked, processing.

“This won’t be an easy process. Shadow is used to being virtually invincible. The things that make us mortal will be hard to come to terms with. He’s going to need steady support to work through this process”

Sonic turned toward the group, eyes darting to the tile below. 

“Mortal” 

The word bounced around in his skull. Sonic knew that Shadow was different, an experiment created by Gerald and GUN, but he never realized the gravity of what that meant. And yet, as he thought back to every experience they’d had, behind it all, he’d seen the truth: the way Shadow survived when he fell to the Earth, the fact that for months on end, he’d been tortured, and somehow, came out still breathing, the fact that to Sonic’s non-observant mind, he couldn’t recall a single occurrence of Shadow eating or drinking for sustenance. 

Amy folded her arms, voice softer now. “...Sonic?”

He blinked, pulling himself up, forcing out a crooked grin. “Guess that just means I'll have to keep a closer eye on him, huh?”

The words came out light, flippant even, but his throat tightened around them, an unsettling feeling working it’s way up his spine. 

The doctor nodded, lifting himself from the tiny stool. “We’ll have more tests to run later this week. I’ll keep you both in the loop.”

With that, he moved for the door, closing it behind him with a soft click.

Sonic’s face shifted, the weight of the words settling in. Awe, disbelief, and something like relief wrestled across his features, until a stupid grin spread across his muzzle that he couldn’t seem to shake.

Amy glanced over, a small smile tugging at her lips. She opened her mouth, then thought better of it. Seeing Sonic, watching the spark return after so long warmed her heart in a way words couldn’t describe. 

The road ahead would clearly be difficult, but to Sonic, none of that really mattered, because beneath it all, he realized

Shadow was going to wake up.

…soon. 

-~-

Sonic wasn’t sure when Cream had entered, he was elsewhere, lost in the overwhelming scents of supermarket flowers and fresh linens. The room, once an interesting escape from reality, felt like a coffin, too constricting for comfort, too exposed for privacy. His corner by the window, a mess of video games, snacks, and comic books long since abandoned. 

In the time since Shadow’s injury, his priorities had shifted. The things that once brought him joy felt stale, like memories of better days. He spent more time doing tiny tasks, rituals that kept their stark reality at bay.

If you asked him, he’d probably tell you he’d adjusted Shadow’s flowers a hundred times, cutting away stems, peeling away leaves, arranging, re-arranging, dumping old water. It was peaceful, a meditative way to-

“Mr. Sonic?”

The scissors twitched in Sonic’s grip. Slowly, he turned, placing them on a nearby table. 

With a gentle sigh, he smiled, lips eventually parting. 

“Heya, Kiddo.” He bent down, meeting her eyes. 

Cream blinked, tilting her head. Something in his tone felt…off. (Even to a 6 year old.) 

“Are you sad, Mr. Sonic?” 

Sonic chuckled, a little too loud to be believable. 

“I’m just arranging flowers.” He said, voice softening. 

Cream kicked her boots against the tile, a tiny thump echoing through the room.

Sonic crouched slightly, arms opening. “Wanna see?”

Cream nodded.

With a small grin, Sonic scooped her up, holding her close. “So,” he started, pulling himself together. 

Cream’s eyes darted to the table of flowers. Roses, carnations, tulips, all arranged in tiny vases, not a single petal out of place. 

And then, she saw it, from the corner of her eye, a glazed red pot, its contents a little more unruly than the rest. Flowers spilling out in every direction, like they’d never been touched by a pair of shears. 

“What are those?” She asked, eyes widening. 

Sonic smiled once again, expression a little more broken. 

“Those are lantanas, see how they’re kinda messy? That’s why I like em’” He whispered, adjusting her gently against his hip. 

“They’re like tiny rainbows!” Cream exclaimed, reaching out to touch a petal. 

Sonic sucked in a shaky breath. “Yeah, wind, sun, rain, they don’t care. They’ll just keep growing. They’re tough little guys, just keep hangin’ on.” 

“That sounds like Mr. Shadow.” Cream said softly, leaning in to see them closer. 

Sonic’s eyes flicked toward the bed, taking in the sleeping figure curled beneath a pile of blankets. 

“...Yeah.” he whispered, brows twitching slightly. 

For a moment, they stood, Cream, silently observing, Sonic locked on the rise and fall of Shadow’s chest, like a part of him was in that bed. 

Because for all intents and purposes? It was.

Eventually, he leaned over, setting her down on the tile, eyes burning with something unspoken. 

But he couldn’t cry. 

Not yet. 

And so, he held it together, peeling his gaze away from his better half, a crooked smile plastered across trembling lips. 

Cream fumbled with a piece of paper. Unable to contain her excitement anymore, she sucked in a big breath. 

“I made Mr. Shadow a picture!” 

Sonic’s heart caught. He crouched slightly, reaching for her, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, Kiddo.” He whispered, voice soft. He took the paper, glancing out through the open door toward the hallway. 

Vanilla stood in its threshold, offering up a tiny wink. 

Sonic’s gaze returned to the paper, breath hitching in surprise. He studied the lines carefully, eyes following a pair of hands clasped together. 

“Is this..us? Me and…Shads?” He asked, words fraying at the edges.

Cream nodded enthusiastically. 

“Mhmm~♡! It’s Mr. Sonic, and Shadow, holding hands!”

Sonic blinked, a tiny chuckle erupting from somewhere inside. Only this time, it was genuine. 

“..why?” 

“Well, Mr. Sonic, isn’t he your boyfriend? Mother says that-”

Sonic’s ears twitched, heat rising up the back of his neck. “I think mother says waaaay too much,” he interrupted with a sheepish grin, scooping her up gently. 

“C’mon, let’s get you out of here, don’t you have…like…homework?” 

Cream giggled as he carried her to the doorway. He placed her down just outside, glancing up at Vanilla once more, then back to Cream. For a moment, he froze, eyes lost in that cute little smile. 

He lifted Cream’s drawing, studying it a little closer, lingering on the colors for a moment too long. The corners of his vision blurred, a storm of fear, exhaustion and sadness brewing just beneath the surface. He swallowed hard, forcing it down for just a little longer. 

“This…is perfect, Cream.” He whispered. Choking back a broken sob. He reached out, wrapping his arms around her little body. “Shadow is going to love it.” 

He held the drawing a moment longer, the scent of crayons a welcome change from the sterile environment he found himself in. His brows furrowed as he steadied his breathing. He couldn’t break down. Not yet. 

Vanilla, sensing Sonic’s exhaustion, placed a hand on Cream’s shoulder. 

“Let’s give Mr. Sonic and Mr. Shadow some alone time, dear.” She whispered, words soft and gentle. Cream nodded, said goodbye, and followed her mother down the hall. 

The door closed behind them with a soft click. 

Sonic's expression tightened. With a heavy exhale, he made his way toward the bed, sitting down in the hard visitor chair. 

He placed the card on the bedside table, propped up against the wall. A tiny smile broke through the pain mingling with the tears he could no longer hold back. 

“Cream…drew you a picture…Shads..” He trailed off between broken sobs. 

“She misses you. We…we all do.”

The silence seemed to stretch for an eternity: an agonizing silence in the face of his exhaustion. All He wanted was a sign, some meaningless indicator that Shadow was there, near him, 

Listening. 

“Cream asked about your flowers today- the ones I got ya’?” Sonic paused, waiting for a response that wouldn't come. 

“I remember you sayin’ they're your favorite kind.” He whispered, sniffling. 

“I thought…We could plant em’ together…when ya’ wake up?”

A heart monitor blipped nearby, only noise Shadow could make. 

Sonic licked his lips, continuing. 

“They say you'll wake up soon.” He whispered, fingers curling tight around Shadow's hand.

“I hope they're right, Shads, cause…”

With a trembling breath, he shifted, climbing onto the bed beside him. Careful not to disturb the wires, Sonic pressed close, clutching Shadow’s hand against his chest.

“I can't keep waitin’. It's…”

His chest tightened, breath hitching as he gasped for air. 

“It's tearing me apart, Shads.”

The sobs came low and ragged, breaking his breath until his body gave out. Still clutching Shadow’s hand, Sonic slumped against the bed, sleep finally dragging him under.

-~-

Shadow’s lids fluttered, fingers twitching at Sonic’s touch. With a tiny grunt, he opened his eyes, blinking rapidly, eyes adjusting. 

Sonic’s breath hitched, heart pounding. He leaned in, placing a hand on Shadow’s muzzle, making tiny circles with his thumb. 

“H-hey you.” He stammered, words fraying. 

Slowly, he leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together, the heat of their bodies melding to one. 

Shadow’s heart fluttered ever so slightly. With a heavy gulp of air, he took in Sonic’s scent - The grassy fields, clinging to his fur like it belonged, that sweet musk that reminded him of baked goods and sour candy. The sap of pines, washing over in delicate waves. 

It was comforting, and in a way, felt like home. 

As Sonic encroached on Shadow’s space, Shadow blinked, taking in their close proximity. And yet, for whatever reason he didn’t seem to mind. His gaze softened, eyes locked on that beautiful creature above, their eyes, speaking a language that words never could.

But that didn’t mean he couldn’t try. Hesitantly, he parted his lips, throat straining as it tried to make noise. The space between them shrinking with every passing second until they were inches from one another, Sonic’s hot breath on his muzzle. 

“Hi.” He squeaked, partially from exhaustion, partially because with Sonic pressed against him like this, he could barely process much of anything. 

Sonic’s smile grew to possibly the largest one Shadow had ever seen. 

“Missed you, sleepyhead.” He murmured, words low, laced with something Shadow couldn’t quite place. 

Or at least, wasn’t ready to. 

With a tiny grin, Shadow’s lips parted. “Didn’t…go….anywhere….dumbass” 

Sonic snorted. “Two seconds and you’re insulting me? Wow, Shads. Wooooow.~”

For a moment, they stayed like that, bodies wrapped around one another, reclaiming the things that time had stolen. 

And then, Sonic’s lips trembled, eyes clouded in a misty haze. 

“You…really scared me this time.”

Shadow blinked, Sonic's words hanging in the sterile air. 

Hesitantly he opened his mouth, throat straining to form words. 

“What….happened?” He rasped. 

“You…” Sonic thickly swallowed. “Your heart stopped. You were out for like….a long time.” Sonic's tone was playful, but behind it, Shadow could see the pain his absence had caused. 

For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of machines between them. Shadow, stunned into silence, Sonic, solemnly studying patterns in the tile.  

Then, slowly, Shadow leaned back against the pillows, The corner of his mouth twitching, barely perceptible. 

“Takes…more than…that t-”

“Shhhh. We’ll talk later.” Sonic soothed, thumb still stroking a tiny circle in Shadow’s fur. 

Shadow arched a brow, lips parting once again, throat moving as he tried to speak. 

“Hey, hey, you’re gonna’ do more damage. Just…” Sonic swallowed. 

“...just lay here with me, for…a little while.” 

Shadow had so many things he wanted to say, so many quips he could obviously make. And yet, as his lips parted a final time, he couldn’t find the words. With a heavy sigh, he sunk further into the mattress, Sonic’s body pressed against him like a weight. 

Eventually, his eyelids fluttered, exhaustion pulling him beneath the waves. 

“....Tired.” 

Sonic shifted, partially dozing off himself. 

“Then sleep. I’ll be here. Just..” 

Shadow tilted his head lazily. 

“Promise me you’ll wake up sooner this time?” 

Shadow scoffed, the desire to deflect almost automatic. And yet, as he glanced up, he saw it, that raw desperation in Sonic's eyes that left no room for jokes. 

His smirk faltered. For a long, loaded moment, he said nothing, and then, quietly, “...I…promise.” 

-~-

The rain fell in heavy sheets, battering against the window with unrelenting force. 

Sonic stirred ever so slightly, his eyes adjusting to the dark. Somewhere in their tangle of quills, Shadow had wrapped his arm around Sonic, a gentle anchor reminding him what this was all for.

A heat rose up the back of his neck, settling just beneath his eyes. With a shaky breath, he shifted, adjusting his posture amongst the sheets.

Shadow groaned, pulling him tighter, heavy lids parting to quietly observe. 

Their gazes drifted to a nearby window, the force of rain beating against the glass. Shadow pulled back, beginning to lift his arm from Sonic's side. 

And yet, before he could, he was stopped, Sonic's hand grabbed his wrist, pulling him back towards his chest. 

“Don't even think about it.” He huffed, dragging their bodies closer together. 

Shadow hesitated, tempted to continue to push away, but the fight in his body (and heart) had faded. Right now, beneath the dim light of storm clouds and lightning, all he wanted was Sonic close. 

And somewhere, in that manic mess of an ADHD- riddled head, Sonic knew it. 

For a while they remained, sonic near the bed's edge, Shadow's arms around him tightly, the faintest rumble of thunder outside, and then, with an exaggerated yawn, Sonic turned, rolling in to face him. 

Shadow's breath hitched, with a shift in his posture, his hands parted, a claw brushing against Sonic's muzzle.

Sonic blinked at the sudden intrusion, but otherwise remained still. Before he could make some corny joke, a flash of light cut through the darkness. 

And in Shadow's eyes, he truly saw it, the realization Sonic hoped Shadow wouldn't make. 

Shadow's brows twitched, expression hardening. His ruby eyes darted across Sonic's face, laid bare by the pulse of lightning. 

A nail brushed against Sonic's muzzle, following the lines of darkness and fatigue.

His face told the story of someone exhausted: cheeks grown hollow from skipping meals, dark circles etched from sleepless nights. His quills, once as vibrant as a summer sky, dulled, disheveled, matted.

He opened his mouth, voice rasping in gravely warning only for Sonic to hush him with a finger..

“Nuh uh. Doctor’s orders. You need a few days.”

He turned sharply, a low huff leaving him as his gaze narrowed. In one swift motion, he rolled away, claws dragging across the bedside table.

Sonic blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift, his body half-tensed on the edge of the bed.

A growl rumbled from Shadow’s chest as he swept the surface clear, bottles and papers clattering to the floor. His claws scraped until they hit something smooth, glass cold against his fingertips. With a sharp tug, he yanked the tablet free from beneath a rattling bottle of pills, sending it rolling across the tile.

With a couple of presses, he turned it on, slamming down on the screen with so much force that the color distorted beneath his touch. 

With an exaggerated sigh, he rolled back onto the mattress, tossing the tablet in Sonic’s general direction. 

“Woah, hey!” Sonic yelped, snatching it before it could smack him in the face.

His eyes flicked down. For a moment, silence, and then, a weak chuckle slipped out, twisting in his chest uncomfortably. He passed the tablet back, lips tugging into a crooked grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Well, thanks for the kind words, bud.”

Shadow answered with the hardest glare he could possibly muster.

The lump in Sonic’s throat caught, heavy and unspoken.

Shadow hit the erase button, starting over. 

Before he could fling it in Sonic’s direction, Sonic leaned over, placing a hand on the top of the screen. 

Shadow’s expression hardened more than Sonic thought possible. His gaze sharp as his eyes locked onto Sonic’s. 

Despite his best attempts, Sonic’s breath hitched. Leave it to Shadow to be half dead and mute, yet, more intimidating than any robot he’d ever fought. 

For a while, they remained, Sonic, aloof and avoidant, Shadow, irritated beyond belief. 

Eventually, a tiny rumble cut through the tension. Shadow’s breath caught in his throat, eyes widening in panic. His chest felt empty, a hollow ache rippling through his core. 

He slammed a claw onto the tablet, scribbling furiously:

Sonic blinked, then let out a snort that quickly escalated, a grin tugged at his muzzle, teeth flashing as he leaned back, gripping the side of the bed for support. 

“Ohhhh no….” He wheezed, breaths uneven.. “The ultimate lifeform is….” He leaned forward, a desperate attempt to pull it together. “...hungry!” 

Shadow froze, eyes narrowing. His lips moved, throat working to form a response, but all that escaped was a tiny whistle. He tapped the tablet, fingers trembling as he scribbled down his thoughts. 

Sonic leaned back, a tiny chuckle still caught in his throat. “Uh, like three times a day. Unless you’re Knuckles, then it’s like six.” 

Shadow’s eyes widened. He remembered Maria, remembered hunger, but… three times a day? Wasn’t that…a little…excessive?

Shadow slammed his hand against the tablet, screen nearly cracking from the pressure. 

Sonic continued to chuckle, and then, a breath lodged itself deep in his throat, eyes widening in sheer realization. His body went slack against the mattress, mind moving a mile a minute. 

“Oh…my…GOD!” He screeched, so loud that Shadow’s ears twitched.

“Wait-wait-wait, Dude! You get hungry now…that means....” 

Before Shadow could register what was happening, Sonic was gone, a flash of blue racing toward the door. He slammed it open so hard the knob cut through drywall, another thing they’d pay for. 

Before Shadow could write a single word, Sonic was back, arms overflowing with bags of chips, candy and whatever else he considered “food”. 

“Okay-okay-okay” He whispered, straining to catch his breath. “I’ve got Takis, Doritos, Sour Patch Kids, Cheetos, like, all the best stuff.” 

Shadow blinked, expression a mix of judgement and amusement. He eyed the pile of colorful packages with an arched brow, scooting back on the mattress to begrudgingly make room.

Sonic stumbled forward, dumping his haul on the foot of the bed. With a free hand, he cleared a spot, plopping down next to the mountain of junk. 

Shadow’s brows furrowed as his gaze tightened, flicking toward Sonic’s fragile frame. On top of the blankets, he could finally see the full extent of his decay. Hollowed cheeks, visible ribs, crusty, sweat-matted fur, and a shoulder that looked like it hadn’t been attended to since they got here. 

And yet, as his eyes moved up Sonic’s broken body, he couldn’t help but smile. Those bright emerald eyes, still full of wonder and excitement, met his, even here, in the dim light of a rain battered window, perched together on a squeaky hospital bed. 

There was something impossibly magnetic about Sonic’s gaze, the way his expression lit up as he rifled through the bags, setting them out in neat little piles. He continued to ramble about all the different kinds of sour candy, but Shadow didn’t catch it; he was elsewhere, lost in the juxtaposition of Sonic’s fragile body and impossibly resilient heart.

Every part of him wanted to look away, to avert his gaze from Sonic’s overwhelming display of vulnerability. And yet, he felt himself tethered, tied to that magnetic figure, the tiny chuckle that echoed off sterile medical equipment, the spark of light behind his eyes refusing to dim, just as bright as when they met.

Sonic’s head tilted slightly, finally catching the intensity of Shadow’s stare. 

“...Shads? You Ok?”

Shadow’s tail betrayed him, thumping against the sheets and pillows. He tore away his eyes, cheeks burning with something unspoken. His gaze flicked to the rain outside, tracing the streaks down the window as if they could shield him from Sonic’s magnetic pull. 

He pursed his lips, crossing his arms over his waist in embarrassment.

“...Uh… ohhh kaaaay,” Sonic drawled, clearly confused.

An awkward silence hung between them, but Sonic wasn’t one to let it linger. Without a second thought, he leaned forward, grabbed a bag of gummy bears, and tore it open with his teeth.

“You’re gonna love these, Shads, they’re like…super tough and hard to chew….kinda like…well, you.” 

Shadow blinked, a brow arching in confusion. He turned back toward the pile of treats, eyeing the explosion of color and sugar now covering his mattress. 

Sonic chuckled, mouth overflowing with candy. “You should have seen your face!” He wheezed, gummy bears flying like tiny missiles toward Shadow’s fur. 

If he could easily talk, he’d have asked a few questions, instead, he just stared, expression a mix of bewilderment and shock. 

That was, until Sonic leaned forward, a red Gummy Bear caught between his fingers. 

“Say, aaaaahhh” He teased making a bee-line for Shadow’s lips. 

Shadow twitched, eyes narrowing in not-so subtle irritation. 

“Comeon’ just one….please? For..” 

Sonic swallowed. 

“For…me?” 

Shadow rolled his eyes, hesitantly opening wide. 

The gummy bear landed sticky and sweet on his tongue. He bit down, and then…unexpectedly, his eyes widened. 

Sonic chuckled, tossing another up in the air, catching it with his mouth. 

“See! I told you! Ya’ gotta’ listen to me more, Shads.” 

Shadow scowled, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself. He grabbed another gummy bear, chewing carefully, trying, and failing, to notice how close Sonic was leaning, how easy it was to get lost in those emerald eyes. 

With an exaggerated huff, he leaned in, fumbling for a bag of chips on the edge of the bed. 

He could feel Sonic’s breath hot against his fur, every instinct telling him to pull away, and yet, he didn’t…

Couldn’t. 

He grabbed the bag hand brushing against Sonic’s thigh. 

Sonic blinked, breath hitching. Normally, he’d have some witty comeback, some casual banter to bring some levity. And yet, he too was flustered, overwhelmed with the unexpected closeness of their bodies. 

He opened his mouth, words coming just short of escaping.

Shadow tugged at the bag awkwardly, digging out a single Dorrito. He held it between his thumb and index finger, closely studying the specs of color. Then, instinctively, he tilted his head, meeting Sonic’s eyes. 

Sonic cleared his throat, shifting back against the mattress, caught off guard by Shadow’s gaze.

“That’s…a Dorrito, Shads. They’re not my faaavorite, chip per-se, but….” 

Shadow popped the chip in his mouth, eyes widening at the explosion of flavor. 

Sonic studied him carefully, taking note of every little shift. The spark of his eyes, the twitch in his brow, faintest curve at the corner of his mouth, that toothy grin, broken, fleeting, real.  

Sonic’s chest tightened, jaw clenching with a sudden determination: Whatever it took, he’d bring that smile out again.

Shadow went in for another piece, but the bag slipped through his fingers, landing on the mattress below, chips scattering into a flurry of crumbs. 

The two leaned in, neither noticing the other’s presence, too focused on their silly game, caught  in the rush to see who could grab the bag first. Sonic brushed against Shadow’s arm, sending shivers down his spine. Shadow looked up, a tiny squeak breaking the quiet.

As their eyes met, time seemed to stand still, the room around them blurring until there was nothing but a hospital bed, mound of junk food, and the two of them, sucked in the current of something they didn’t understand. 

Sonic’s chest rose and fell in shallow bursts as he traced every flicker of Shadow’s expression, and Shadow stayed still, gaze locked, frozen in the orbit they’d accidentally created.

Then, almost imperceptibly, their lips brushed, an accidental touch born from how close they’d drifted. 

Sonic’s breath hitched, his whole body locking up. He pulled back just enough to see Shadow’s face, to study every twitch of his brows. But Shadow didn’t move, frozen in place. 

Sonic glanced toward the window, a flush of heat rising to his cheeks. He opened his mouth, words spilling out like a gushing faucet. 

“Anyways, so I think Doritos are kinda’ mid compared t…” 

Shadow leaned closer. 

“I-I mean, compared to like, Cheetos or somethin’, especially those puffy-”

Shadow tilted his head, eyes darting to Sonic’s lips, and the tiny crumbs around their edges. 

“Puffy ones are the best, especially wh-whe-” 

Shadow’s chest tightened, heart pounding through his skull. His mind drifted to that night with Maria: The distant shore, That tiny push, Sonic’s face, hidden in fog.

“Run to him. We’ll be here, waiting…”

The memory dissolved into the present, Sonic’s words still tumbling out, clumsy and frantic. Shadow’s breath hitched, the heat in his chest morphing into something desperate and urgent. 

In one final surge of courage, he closed the distance, cutting off Sonic’s words with his lips. 

Sonic jumped back, startled by Shadow's abrupt move. Shadow's brows furrowed, scowl deepening to something broken, hurt. 

Shadow's chest tightened, as he reached for the tablet, desperate to explain himself and his actions. 

Before he could grab it, Sonic's hand shot out, shoving it to the floor below, the heat of his gaze pinning Shadow in place. 

Shadow froze, startled, then instinctively, he leaned forward, meeting Sonic halfway. 

Sonic pressed their mouths together. This time it was slower, gentle, deliberate, snacks shifted below them, unnoticed. The hum of hospital equipment and rumble of a November storm fading into the background, leaving only the heat of their bodies in its wake. 

Shadow’s hands found their way to Sonic's face, one wrapped around his muzzle, the other snaked between messy quills, tugging just enough to make Sonic whimper. 

Shadow hummed at Sonic's cry, lips curling into a smirk against his. Slowly, he leaned back, letting them fall to the mattress below. 

Sonic kicked away the snacks, a couple bags popping in the process. 

“We should probably-”

Shadow tightened his grip on Sonic's quills, guiding their mouths back together. 

Sonic blinked, somehow still startled by Shadow's interruptions. “Shads, there's stuff all ov-”

“Shh” Shadow wheezed, throat still raw. 

“It's…your turn to…shut…up.”

And there, in the dim light of a November storm, two lost souls found each other...

once more.