Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sonic awoke again, standing in the same spot only minutes before the prism shatter. Everything moved in such slow motion as he observed his team in battle stance. Rouge, mid-air, her wings spreading outwards. Knuckles valently punching a machine into a thousand pieces and Amy with her hammer in hand, freed flickies from inside the clockwork. Tails worked away at his tech as metal scrap floated in the air. It was just how he left it.

"And now we're back." He sighed happily.

**

Eggman had fled from the scene with his usual line of "I'll be back Sonic!", disappearing down the mountain. His friends surrounded him at their victory, although noticing the blue blur's change of heart.

"What's gotten into you, Blue? It's not often you actually follow a plan." Rouge teased, fluttering her wings.

"It's a long story, you probably won't believe." He scratched his quills with a goofy grin.

"All the time in the world, Sonic!" Amy chirped happily, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck in embrace.

He returned with a tight squeeze before pulling away and taking her hand, interlocking fingers. "Tails, Knux! Do you think you can tidy this up? I need to go find someone. I promise I'll explain later."

"Sure, Sonic! But who are you gonna look for?" The young fox questioned.

"Oh, you know, an old pal." He replied with a wink, nodding to Tails, hinting to whom he was talking about.

"Be careful going down the mountain, I think that earthquake caused a bit of damage down there." Knuckles mentioned as Sonic turned to leave.

"Will do, Knux!"

"Be safe," Amy repeated softly, before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "I can't have someone else to look after too." She smiled, laughing slightly.

Sonic returned the smile before taking his leave, sprinting down the mountain and landing softly on the green grass. His breath was slightly stolen away by the sight of Green Hill being revived. No more ghostly grey like it's Shatterspace counter-part. However, now it was a matter of finding Shadow.

**

The ebony hedgehog stood quietly on the dock. The sea breeze barely disturbed his quills as he looked out to where blue met blue on the horizon. Arms crossed, he regarded everything in silence. Until a twitch of his ear, he looked over his shoulder to see Sonic speeding from between the palm trees.

"Sonic." He said calmly.

"Hey, Shads!" He hopped over to the rival's side. "We did it, we're home."

He grunted quietly, almost a hum, though is voice gave through his thoughts of curiosity. Sonic picked up on this note.

"Are you still thinking about what happened?" He asked taking a seat, swinging his legs over the dock.

Shadow sat next to him, "Yes." A pause. "Are you okay? The colour has certainly returned in you."

"I'm fine, really Shads, I'm just happy to be back!"

"And the others?"

"Like nothing happened!" He smiled. "Though I did promise to explain what happened."

"At least you leant your lesson. Sacrificing yourself was stupid." His voice shook a little, barely audible. Sonic didn't seem to notice.

"Like you haven't done that." He jabbed him in the arm. "But thank you, for getting me back... Alive."

"I wouldn't made the same mistake twice." The pair looked out onto the vast sea in a moment of silence.

"This sure does remind me of No Place. What do you think happened to them?"

In truth, Shadow was at a loss for words.

"I'm sure they're all where they belong."

Though he could not promise they could have been. Possibly lost to existence as the universe was sewn back together, but Shadow had no answers.

"I hope so."

"What were they like?"

"Who?"

"The others, from Boscage and New Yoke and No Place. I didn't spend nearly as much time as you did with them. I only ever saw them fight in battle against Nine."

That last word pulled at Sonic's soul a little.

"They were," what was a good choice of words... "A little strange when I first met them, aggressive, but they'd never seen me before! So it was reasonable... Rebel and Renegade Knux warmed up to me at least, easier to use me to get into the dome and out. The Scavengers, eh, not so much. Especially Prim.

"The pirate crew were very on and off. You would not believe how often they switched sides. Who would let Knuckles be in charge?" He joked, earning a laugh from the hedgehog beside him.

"But, I gotta say I miss em. And I hope Nine is happy in the Grim." He continued, "The Rebellion probably took back the city and I'm sure that all the Roses are still in touch, you saw how they were together."

"Similar to how Amy is with you."

"Yeah..." He paused, "I guess."

Shadow knew of Sonic and Amy's dynamic though did not fully understand it. Many people didn't. They laid on the fine line between friends and romantic partners. Sonic and Amy both deeply cared for each other but didn't 'love' in that typical way. And they both accepted their relationship would change if they ever found love. Eventually, there would come a point that one of them had found someone who would truly steal their heart. Though that bond would remain, they acknowledged others would be there too.

"I'm happy for you both, finding something or someone to make you joyous in life is..." Shadow trailed off.

His eyes remained fixed on the horizon. Deep emotion reflected in his iris for a moment before returning to the deep red as they always were.

"It's... Fulfilling, yeah." He nodded to himself. He fidgeted gently with the frayed edge of his glove before noticing Shadow did the same with his inhibitors.

There was so much he wanted to say, his deep hidden secret chipping away inside. But there was no way it would be taken lightly.

"I-" they both started, meeting eyes. They paused hoping one would start first.

"I just wanted to say thank you, you stayed with me though it all. I really appreciate that."

"I should say the same." Shadow fell quiet.

"Sonic..." He suddenly spoke again. "I hated to see you in my arms, practically slipping away. And," he released the breath he didn't know he held. "I don't want to lose you, like how we lost our home. Our friends."

Sonic pondered this confession for a moment, "Would you like to come with me?"

A shade of confusion crossed Shadow's face. "To where?"

"Tails' lab, we're regrouping there, I think. It feels like forever since we've been in this moment." He looked around.

Shadow stood, brushing down the ruffled fur of his arms. Facing towards Sonic, he held out his hand before returning, "Help a brother up?"

"We are not related." Sonic teased in his best Shadow voice, laughing at his attempt. Though his crimson eyes read as unimpressed, his mouth curved into a smile.

Taking his hand, Sonic was pulled to his feet, before in a swift motion, wrapping his blue arm around the ebony hedgehog's shoulder in a side hug while walking. "I couldn't thank you enough."

**

A warm glow radiated from the window's of Tails' lab, and entering through the side door was greeted by the whole crew, all snuggled in blankets and beanbags while mugs were passed around.

"Get over here boys!" Rouge called.

The team shifted the blankets to stretch them across the pair as they all sat in a circle.

"Right I know, I know, I know, as promised I'll explain everything that happened! And here's the guy as proof." Pointing to Shadow sat next to him, receiving a cup from Rouge sat opposite.

Tails had his twin tails tucked around him as he listened intensely, questioning everything he could from this story. Knuckles scoffed from the beanbag at the offending comment of his counterpart Knuckles the Dread, leaving Rouge in a laughing fit before wrapping herself around the red echidna. Amy squeezed gently on Sonic's gloved hand, hearing his sincerity towards Thorn Rose. Shadow had provided the missing parts, sharing glances at Sonic before his sight wandered to the display of affection between the two hedgehogs in front of him.

Despite all that had happened, Shadow's awareness of Sonic and Amy, his heart ached at the sight of something he wanted. But deep down he knew he wouldn't get. Not since Maria.

As the story came to a close, following up what had happened till now. A quiet chatter fell upon the small group. Shadow, taking this as a window of opportunity slunk away into the workshop, climbing quietly up a ladder to the rooftop of the wooden shack. Though his stealth was exceptional, Sonic caught sight of this and followed behind. Upon reaching the top of this ladder, he witnessed Shadow leaning over the railing, looking up towards the night sky.

"What are you doing up here?" The blue hedgehog lifted himself up from the hatch in the roof.

"Oh, yeah. You caught me."

"I've caught you on worse." He teased.

"Are you okay?" He then followed up.

"Just..." He opened his mouth but nothing came out. "What I want to say feels wrong to admit to. It's scary..."

"What? You're going to admit you're in love with me? Scary enough." He remarked in a fleeting comment to lighten the mood.

But to his horror, Shadow looked straight towards Sonic. And barely above a whisper, "You know?" His voice cracking slightly.

After all he had been through just before, to witness Sonic at his end. He felt like his chance to even say those words were at zero. All the flirtish comments that Shadow had brushed off throughout the whole ordeal, had really seeped deeply into that darkened heart.

"I'm sorry, Shads. I-" He reached out, afraid to touch Shadow in case he would shatter. "I didn't know. That was just a funny thought."

The dark hedgehog turned away, looking up towards the sky. He already accepted this inevitability. "You think this is 'funny'?"

Taking in his realisation, all the snarky comments.

"But Shadow." He still didn't turn to face him. "All those things I said, they weren't all just jokes..."

This caught his attention.

"I don't think you completely understand. Actually I know you don't. No one will, I guess. For a while we've been more than rivals, more than friends at that. Heck, even Rouge saw it from a mile away.

"Anyways, my point is. I can tell you're not sure what's going on with me and Ames, I saw the way you were staring. It may look on the surface like we got together and that was it, but it's not. It was even crazy we wanted this, with her being aromantic... Ames wanted to give affection and I didn't mind being the receiving end of it. And the other way around. When I was younger I ran from it because we didn't understand, but now I get it.

"She'd get what you're feeling too. I get what you're feeling. Because I'm the same."

"You feel the same?" He finally met those emerald green eyes.

"Yes." He admitted, almost like a gasp. "I have for a while."

For a moment, they gazed at each other. How their eyes reflected the light despite how the deep night coated everything. His blood-red eyes lead to pools of orange and yellow. His brilliant green eyes could outshine emeralds or diamonds.

Sonic opened his arms, allowing Shadow to step closer until he could be enveloped. It took a moment to process before his dark stripes wrapped around his rival's waist. Deep sigh of relief escaped Shadow.

"I'm glad you're still here. I don't ever want you to do that again. Ever." Shadow muttered into Sonic's neck.

"I promise, I'll stay by your side."

**

A couple days passed, a few too many to count. Even though every night, the same dream played in Sonic's mind. The prism shatter, the Shatterspaces, him slowly fading away. There was this fear that suffocated him every night, though it seemed to pass more easily the more he accepted his mortality. He didn't realise how many hits he took before, flashes in his mind of his weak state. Every fight with Eggman, Sonic faced more decisions.

He could see fragments of Boscage in Green Hill, traits of the Rebellion in his friends. Even just how they fought brought back the unwanted memories of destroying Nine's robots. Serious déjà vu.

He slid back in the dirt, "Try again, Egghead!" He taunted as he rushed back into battle.

In the cascade of saws and swords, Sonic weaved throughout the scrap piles. A flash of black and red sped past him as he leapt towards Tails. Destroying the bombardment of badniks, he searched across the battlefield.

'Is Shadow here?' He wondered for a moment, before rushing back over to Eggman.

With a sharp kick, the robot lost its balance. The cogs were wizzing inside as it crunched against the side of a hill.

Amy stood nearby, hammer in hand while swinging towards an array of bots. "Sonic! Over here!" She shouted over the sound.

The blue streak stood back to back with the pink hedgehog, spin dashing into any approaching robots.

"What's the report?"

"Eggman is calling reinforcements, this fight isn't over yet!" She yelled, destroying at least 3 badniks in one smash.

"Give me a boost!" Sonic grabbed Amy's hand, before she proceeded to swing him around.

With a quick nod, he let go, tucking into a spin dash. Wiping out the last of the defence line, he untucked, observing the damage. It was minimal, thank chaos for that.

In a burst of blue, a couple feet away, Shadow appeared. Chaos emerald in hand held high above his head, he surveyed the area before turning to the bat. Sonic vaguely overheard the conversation;

"No casualties and no serious damage. I've already handled the reinforcements Robotnik called for."

"Okay thanks, hon. Are you staying for the clean up?"

"I suppose so." He regarded the mess around him. "Certainly be done quicker."

"Hey, Shads!" Sonic slowly approached from behind, for once in his life. "Surprise seeing you here." He kicked the dirt slightly in nervous habit.

"Sonic." He addressed crossing his arms, "Getting into trouble already?"

"Hey, you can't blame me!" He smirked.

Amy came to the blue hedgehog's side, "That really took a lot out of me!" She laughed.

"Hi," she paused for a breath, "..Shadow, did you handle the backups?"

He nodded in response to her kind smile.

"Perfect!" She then turned her attention to the remaining scraps, "But still more work to do... Oh, Shadow, would you mind helping me with the animals?"

"Certainly." Shooting a glare at Rouge who smiled widely. She knew something and was setting them up.

Sonic couldn't work out what though. As the two hedgehogs wandered off into the smoke and forest, the blue hedgehog began to move the robot parts into a pile for Tails' scrap bin. However, Rouge still flapped over head.

"I heard about your little escape to the roof. Off Shadow, of course."

"Uh huh," Purposely avoiding eye contact, trying to look busy.

"Does Amy know?"

"I don't know how to approach it. I care about them both, but in different ways."

"You know that Amy will understand, she's knows better than anyone that people have a special place in their heart." Rouge finally touched the ground.

"But to leave her?"

"You're not leaving her though."

Sonic didn't think of it that way. Finally turning to face the bat, she continued

"Rather than choosing one or the other, find a way you can see both of them. You love Shadow, it's as clear as day. And we can also see you value your 'queer-platonic' relationship with Pinkie."

"Didn't think you'd be giving dating advice." He rolled his eyes dramatically, hands on hips.

"I managed to get my hands on the soul protector of the Master Emerald, it's basically my job!" She exclaimed hands on hips, "Just talk, and it'll work out fine."

"Yeah," He said, the thought may actually work. "Thanks Rouge."

"Anytime Blue." She smiled as she handed him a piece of scrap. "Let's get this sorted."

That had two meanings to Sonic.

Chapter Text

"I must really say thank you for helping us, Shadow." Amy brushed her bangs from her eyes.

She was very elegant, nurturing to the animals as they hopped and flew away from the piles of wreck they were trapped in. The pink hedgehog's kindness went very far as to help any and all that were injured. Shadow did most of the heavy lifting, discarding the scrap metal in a safer spot. Though not to underestimate Amy's strength, he helped along the way. She upturned a metal panel double the size of her before crouching down to free the flickies underneath.

'Remarkable..' Shadow observed.

"Can I invite you to mine after this? I'm watching over Cream for an hour and I know how she adores you."

"That's sounds nice." He didn't take his eyes off the task at hand.

Amy paused, noticing his distance before stepping closer. "Are you alright?"

He didn't respond, continued shifting the deposited metal without much thought. As if her sixth sense awoke, Amy followed up the question;

"Is this about Sonic's story? From the prism?"

Shadow grunted before seating himself on a nearby fallen tree. Amy slipped beside him.

"It was true. Sonic faced death." He spoke suddenly.

Amy made no further press, though very confused as Shadow could tell.

"Nine, I mean, the other Tails." He took a shaky breath, "Took away the prism energy within him to fix it all, and... He looked like a ghost. I almost thought he was dead. And to carry him in my arms as he faded away." He looked down at his hands, only feeling the fabric of his gloves. "I felt like I had lost someone I loved all over again."

"You love... Sonic?"

"Yes, I've already confronted him but didn't know how to go about it with-" He cut off at the happy glint in Amy's eyes.

"I knew it!" She whisper-shouted. "You two always seemed to click."

"You're not upset..?"

"Not at all. I already knew there was something up between you and Sonic. I care about him, that's very apparent." She dramatically threw her arm out, Shadow scanning the forest. "But I also want him to love. I can give him the sense, in a more platonic way, but I don't think it can beat the real thing.

"Some might think because I don't feel it, I don't get the concept of it. But I'm not a little zombie that has no feelings, I'm someone who actually knows a thing or two about what caring about someone is." She shrugged with a smile. "One thing I know, you deserve someone to care and love you."

A warm feeling filled Shadow's chest, to feel some weight fall off his shoulders replaced by the lightness of clarity. Golden light streamed through the branches and leaves, illuminating the shine of their quills.

"Join me and Cream, I'll find an excuse for Sonic to come."

"Do you really want this?"

"Anything for you or Sonic. This is what she would have wanted, Shadow. I want to make sure you what you deserve."

He didn't respond back, though his eyes gave a softness to say 'thank you' with such sincerity. And she returned with a smile. All that remained was to return to the group with the collection of scrap to hand over.

**

Wading out of the forest and into the opening of the previous battle, Shadow stood tall with a bundle of metal tied with rope slung over his shoulder. Amy, carried at least two mounds in her arms in front of her. Sonic sped towards the pair, marveling at the sheer amount they held.

"This was the best we could do with the rope we had." Amy apologised.

"No, no it's fine Ames. We can get the rest later." Sonic returned wide-eyed.

Shadow walked past the hedgehogs to add to the pile Tails was inspecting.

"Oh, Shadow! Is this what you found in the forest?" The fox asked taking the mass and adding it to the collection.

"Yes, anything that could cause harm in there?"

"No, nothing to discard of. This attack was the usual." Tails reassured.

"I didn't find anything at the reinforcement base, but I have to say it might be worth investigating."

"Noted, thanks Shadow!"

A small flicker of dread passed through the dark hedgehog. Fragments of Nine's image flashed in his mind when he looked at the young fox in front of him. His quills rose, standing with more alertness. Though this feeling passed, he gave his regards to Tails before he returned to inspecting the debris.

Amy appeared behind him.

"Would you like to go?" She asked softly.

"I think it's much deserved." He smiled ever so slightly.

Seeing how her face softened to the sound of acceptance, she turned on her heel and called over to Sonic.

"See you at my house!" The pink hedgehog waved in the air.

"Will do, Ames!" The blue blur called back, before whizzing through the craters left from the attack.

**

The happy rabbit skipped down the cobble path until she reached the doorway of Amy's small house. Brushing her hand across the newly planted flowers nearby, she turned to the hedgehogs following behind her.

"Miss Amy, can we have a tea party?" Cream's eyes sparkled.

"Of course we can." She smiled, placing the key into the lock.

Shadow remained quiet, polite in taking his skates off and placing them into the rack.

"No need to be so careful, Shadow. Knuckles comes around every weekend, you'd be surprised how strong some of the furniture is." Amy laughed.

He followed the cheerful pair though into kitchen, in which Cream climbed up onto a stool near the assortment of teas and cups. "Which tea do you like, Mr Shadow?"

"I'll have whatever you enjoy."

She happily scanned through the boxes before pulling out one with a lemon plastered across it, a small purple plant laid next to it.

"You like lavender, right Mr Shadow?"

"Actually," He paused, surprised that Cream knew that. "I do. I like it very much."

Amy ran the water into a pot and placed it onto the stove, smiling at the small chatter between them. Cream, naming the different flavours of tea and the pretty flowers on the boxes, and Shadow, listening intently while asking innocent questions. His soft side was significantly shown when he was with Cream.

The doorbell ran, part way through pouring the brewed tea into the teacups, small intricate birds painted on. Amy loved painting.

The hostess came to the door, brushing her hands over her dress before opening the door with her show-stopping smile.

"Hi Ames!" Sonic piled through the door, giving a small peck on the cheek to the pink hedgehog.

Suddenly, Cream ran down the hall practically jumping on the spot in excitement to see another guest for her tea party.

"Mr Sonic! Are you here for my tea party?" Her smile was as wide as her face.

"I certainly am, Cream, and I brought something too." He pulled a little white box from behind him, some small shoe pastries he picked up on the way here.

The rabbit shone with excitement as she bounced back down the hall, "Mr Shadow! See what Mr Sonic has brought me!"

"Shadow's here?" The blue hedgehog asked, kicking his shoes off.

"I invited him earlier." She reassured, taking his hand in hers.

A small look of nervousness washed over his face. Amy knew what he was nervous about, having the urge that it was the right time to mention-

"I already know." She blurted out, surprising herself a little. "Um, Shadow already spoke to me."

The blue hedgehog moved his eyes down the hallway to the kitchen, before meeting Amy's eyes again.

"You're really okay with this?"

"Of course, let's just let Cream enjoy herself and then we can talk." She squeezed her hand gently before leading down to the kitchen.

A shade of red appeared across Sonic's muzzle as he locked eyes with the dark hedgehog. Despite fighting only earlier this morning, Shadow managed to comb back his quills and grab his signature leather jacket in the time to get from the battlefield to Amy's. Impressive. Especially with how good he looks.

"Mobius to Sonic!" Amy clicked, placing teacups onto the table.

A starry-eyed rabbit climbed up onto the chair closest, "Mr Sonic and Mr Shadow," she announced politely.

They both took their seats across from Cream and Amy. Shadow relaxed significantly, subtly glancing at the blue streak next to him.

'Is he smiling?' Sonic frantically wondered.

Shadow chatted away with Cream, roleplaying some sort of fancy tea party. That laugh between them was so damn cute. The rosy hedgehog reached out across the table to hold his gloved hand, bringing him back to reality. A smile crept across his face to finally take in the joy that filled the room. Cream was having the time of her life.

**

Vanilla thanked Amy once more before she left, Cream waving crazily behind her like a buzzing bee. That little girl could light up a whole room if she wanted to.

As Amy closed the door, the air within shifted. Sonic found some way of occupying himself upstairs for a minute and Shadow stood quietly in the kitchen. It was uncomfortable, but inevitable.

"I get that you're nervous with this whole situation thing, Sonic is too."

"How are you not afraid this will ruin everything?" Shadow asked flatly to mask the earthquake inside.

"It's just the way it goes." She weakly smiled. "Just take a seat, and talk."

A thud came from the staircase as Sonic reached the bottom, he called out "Has Cream already left?", silently cursing at the answer.

"So... It's came to this." His voice wavered slightly, brushing his cobalt quills back.

Shadow untucked his face from the collar of his jacket, "I get that this is less than ideal. But can we set boundaries?"

"What do you want to do, Sonic?" Amy spoke softly.

He slowly shuffled to his seat, "I- I'm not sure. For a while I've been like this, don't really know any different."

Green eyes met green.

"I want you two to love each other the way you mean it. You don't have to 'doll it up' if it feels wrong that way. It's not every day you fall for someone."

They all shared glances at each other, before the silence broke.

"You can see him whenever you want." Shadow began. "I don't know how you are so close but I trust you. Both of you. And it's only fair that there's a balance."

"You're both okay with this?" Sonic questioned, his foot tapped violently until a soft nudge under the table halted the movement.

The two hedgehogs opposite nodded together. The veil had been lifted.

"I don't know where to begin..." He admitted.

"We can meet when we can, but I want you to show your new step in life. Spend time together, that's the important part." Amy smiled, looking between them.

A quiet beep came through the watches on their wrists. Amy and Sonic both looked down towards the source.

"It's Tails. I better go."

"Stay safe," Amy patted his hand kindly as he got up to leave.

"I promise." Sonic said, before meeting eyes with Shadow. "I'll text."

"Safe travels, faker." The gruff voice responded.

The blue streak sped off once his shoes were firmly on, a quick kiss goodbye and an onward path to his little brother's lab.

Amy's door clicked again.

"I much appreciated the stay, Amy."

"Anytime Shadow. You take care of him."

"I will. But what about you?"

"Don't worry about me." She insisted. "I have the boys to keep me company."

"I didn't want to take him away from you." He sighed.

"You didn't take him away, you brought him closer. Nothing else."