Chapter Text
Sonic has always been the hero.
The one who helps everyone and everything despite all the difficulties.
The one who is always kind and deeply loves all his friends. A hedgehog who would be a symbol of courage and determination.
But what happens when there's a challenge he feels he can't overcome? When there's something he can't solve by running away?
By his side, Shadow tries to cope with the fact that he might relive the pain that haunts him so much once again.
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-- ✧ --
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Shadow and Sonic were running again.
They ran fast, in the kind of rhythm that only the two of them could manage — relentless.
Sonic had called Shadow for another routine race, he had been thinking about just denying it and leaving, but decided that running would be good.
Feeling the wind in his quills was invigorating, the sound of his air shoes gliding over the grass was repetitive, but familiar. It was the kind of peace he only felt in those small moments, even though he didn't want to admit it.
Sonic laughed openly beside him, a pleasant sound to hear. His cobalt blue fur stood out in the sunlight, shining. The clear fun in his features and gestures.
“Hey, do you always run this slow or only when you’re with me?” Sonic joked while giving a crooked smile toward Shadow, advancing and overtaking the ebony hedgehog. That irritatingly confident smile was irritating him more than usual today.
Shadow rolled his eyes, but did not slow his pace. On the contrary, he accelerated. The air cut against his face like a cold caress, and the world around him unraveled into lines of color and wind.
‘It would be ironic to think that this blue nuisance wouldn’t make jokes.’ He thought, while huffing.
but he secretly wondered how Sonic talked so much and ran at the same time.
Maybe it was a state secret.
“I don’t talk while I run, Sonic.” Shadow shouted in response, a mocking smile appearing on his face. He simply couldn't stop that mocking smile from forming.
“But you should! It’s more fun!” Sonic laughed more before continuing “Ah, I almost forgot that you don’t know what fun is!” He teased, while focusing on the loop ahead of them. The speedster's eyes narrowed, losing focus on the conversation he was having with Shadow and allowing the agent to think in peace.
Shadow felt something different. It wasn’t anger. It was... excitement? Maybe. It was good to run without the weight, without the burden of being a weapon created for war. It was just him, the speed, and a rival who — as irritating as he was — understood him like few others.
They passed through a loop, and Shadow took advantage of the momentum to overtake Sonic for a second. For a moment, Shadow almost saw Sonic stumble, something he had never seen before, but the blue hedgehog widened his eyes and smiled even more. It was probably just a slip.
This has never happened before, but there's a first time for everything. Maybe the annoying blue one was just distracted today.
“Now that’s it! Now we’re speaking the same language!” Sonic got excited.
Shadow didn’t respond. But the corner of his mouth curved, almost imperceptibly. Not mocking. Something even he didn’t quite understand.
‘Maybe running with him isn’t that bad.’
The improvised finish line — two palm trees that Sonic pointed out and placed a silly ribbon reading “finish line” — was approaching. Shadow cast a sideways glance at Sonic. The other noticed and returned it with a nod.
No words. They understood each other anyway. And for an instant, there was no rivalry. Just two hedgehogs who could run very fast.
The muffled sound of waves breaking in the distance filled the silence between them. They stopped in the field where they always usually stopped after their races.
The sun was already beginning to dip on the horizon, tinting the sky in orange hues. Sonic was farther ahead, hands on his hips and a victorious smile on his face, but said nothing — which, for his standards, was almost a miracle.
Shadow approached slowly, firm steps, eyes half-lidded. He didn’t need words to know the result. The way Sonic bounced his foot impatiently, as if waiting for a sarcastic comment, already said everything.
He huffed, crossing his arms more tightly. Not that he cared. Of course not. He would never care about something so silly. Shadow walked a few steps behind, somewhat irritated.
“You know I won, right?” Sonic finally said, walking toward him, hands behind his head, wide smile. A completely proud smile and bright eyes gazed at Shadow now.
But his breathing was labored, which was very unusual. Sonic didn't get tired from running.
It wasn't like him. He was energetic, and he rarely got tired like that. The ebony hedgehog's face didn't clearly say anything, but the way his eyes narrowed at the hero's different behavior made Sonic shudder before returning to normal with a smile.
Shadow hadn't asked for answers. Not at any point. But the way Sonic seemed nervous made him set that aside for the moment.
“Pfft, I’m fine. I just stayed home too many days. Unlike you, I go out frequently, when I don’t go out, I end up like this” He changed the subject, his presumption was almost tangible, and Shadow felt like punching him. He almost regretted having worried about that idiot.
Shadow huffed, clear irritation. “You talk too much.”
“And you complain too much.” Sonic shrugged, slowing his pace until they were side by side. “Balance of the universe.” He laughed at the irony.
Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind that didn’t ask for explanation, only company. The wind passed lightly, carrying the smell of grass and wet earth. Bird sounds filled the environment.
Sonic threw himself onto the grass without ceremony, arms open, staring at the sky as if he had just won something important. Shadow hesitated for half a second before sitting as well, far enough to feign indifference, close enough to feel the heat still emanating from his body.
“Admit it,” Sonic said, closing his eyes. “You like running with me.” A bright smile appeared on his face.
Shadow rolled his eyes. “I like the silence.” He emphasized the word while frowning.
Sonic laughed quietly. As if that was exactly the answer he expected. Every moment with Shadow was predictable, but at the same time, it wasn't.
Sonic found this fascinating.
For a few minutes, there were no taunts. No arguments. No harsh comments.
This was a side of the hedgehogs that only showed when they were alone.
Just two tired bodies, breaths calming in the same rhythm, the world moving forward without demanding anything from them.
Shadow felt a strange calm in that moment.
Beside him, Sonic lifted and stretched his arm until his fingers almost touched his, without looking, without commenting.
Shadow froze for a moment. He held his breath in anticipation.
But, as if by an instinct to leave, he simply stood up quickly, feeling his face momentarily warm. Maybe it was embarrassment for letting himself be carried away, even if just for a brief moment.
He didn’t even look at Sonic when he pulled a Chaos Emerald from his quills, but just before uttering the familiar command, he saw a flash of disappointment pass through Sonic’s eyes. So quick, but not imperceptible.
Who cares?
“Chaos Control” he murmured, before disappearing.
He didn’t hear any protest in response.
•────•☆•────• S&T•────•☆•────••──
The rain falls outside in a constant rhythm, the drops sliding down the windows, creating small rivers that reflect the gray afternoon light. The world seems calm for a moment. Without Eggman trying to kill him or heroic obligations, just him, a speedster spending the afternoon with his genius brother.
Inside the living room, the atmosphere is peaceful. Sonic, always so restless, finds a rare moment of calm. Stretched out on the couch, arms behind his head, he watches the movement of the drops without hurry, not paying attention to the series he should be watching. He was lost in thought.
Beside him, Tails holds a mug of hot chocolate between his hands, the steam rising and mixing with the fresh scent of rain. His curious blue eyes follow the unfolding of the series attentively.
He and Tails had decided to binge-watch a series, because Sonic couldn’t go outside since he would get wet, which he definitely didn’t want, so he accepted the invitation.
A loud thunderclap sharpened the speedster’s senses and he quickly turned to Tails by pure instinct. His brother, when younger, had a big fear of thunder. Now, with him a bit older, that fear had practically faded.
Sometimes he forgets how Tails has grown. I mean, now he’s much older. His inventions have improved, he’s even gotten more mature.
He laughed thinking about how things pass quickly. Tails wasn’t an adult yet, but he was on his way there. He was happy that they were so close and that he had the opportunity to see his brother grow.
Because of the rain, the signal suddenly started to get spotty. “Sonic, can you get the remote? It’s closer to you” Tails interrupted his brother’s thoughts, clearly too lazy to grab the remote that was on the counter a few meters away from Sonic.
“Sure, buddy.” Sonic got up and went toward the counter, and extended his hand to grab the remote on the table. The gesture, so simple, was interrupted by a sharp twinge in his leg. He froze for a moment, his usual smile fading into a shadow of surprise. The same pain he felt earlier when he accidentally stumbled while running with Shadow.
Tails, attentive to the smallest detail, lifted his eyes from the no-signal television.
“Sonic… are you okay?” Tails stood up from the couch while setting his mug of hot chocolate aside, going toward his brother.
The hedgehog took a deep breath, trying to disguise it. “It’s just a little pain.” The hero murmured while avoiding the inventor’s gaze, obviously wanting to change the subject.
But inside, the discomfort persisted. His rational mind thought it was nothing, but his instinct said otherwise. The rain outside continued to fall, and the sound of the drops seemed to follow the rhythm of the unease growing inside him. Tails approached, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. A simple gesture, but reassuring.
“Are you sure it’s nothing?” Tails asked, eyes fixed on Sonic even as the hero looked away.
“I am” Sonic said, but his voice didn’t show certainty. It sounded hesitant, a rare glimpse. But the expression disappeared as quickly as it came, giving way to a forced smile that left Tails slightly uncomfortable. “Come on, buddy! I’m as fine as ever, yeah?” He lifted his leg “See, it was just something quick, I’m better.”
“You’re right” Tails agreed while turning back to the couch, swallowing hard as that forced smile from Sonic lingered in his thoughts, leaving the uncertainty of his brother’s words lightly tormenting him.
In the end, neither of them really managed to enjoy the series, the signal and internet stayed bad for the rest of the afternoon.
Tails made dinner as usual, but noticed that Sonic was unusually quiet. His leg bounced rhythmically while he poked at the eggs Tails had made.
Dinner had never been so silent.
Sonic ate, but his attention wasn’t on the food. His gaze wandered, but without really seeming to look at anything. Soon after eating, he went to his room silently. He murmured a “good night, love you, buddy” before entering the room.
‘Something is wrong with Sonic’ Tails thought before sleeping.
At least he managed to sleep.
•────•☆•────• S•────•☆•────••──
The night was calm and quiet. The rain had stopped, leaving only nighttime sounds in the environment. The sky, dotted with stars, now without clouds, presented a full view from outside the window.
Inside the bedroom, Sonic slept deeply, wrapped in the sheets, until a sudden discomfort made him wake.
Sonic was always used to sleeping deeply after days when he ran a lot, a way to recharge his energy. So what changed?
He opened his eyes slowly, strange at the sensation. It wasn’t a nightmare, it wasn’t noise. It was something different: a subtle, but firm pain, that settled into his right leg. At first, it seemed just like discomfort, as if he had run too much during the day. As if his muscles were begging for rest. But as the seconds passed, the throbbing became more evident, like a soft drum beating inside the bone.
Sonic sat up in bed, supporting himself with his arms. The room was immersed in penumbra, illuminated only by the silvery moonlight entering through the window. He ran his hand over his leg, trying to massage the painful spot. The touch brought no relief; on the contrary, it seemed to worsen when he touched it.
“Strange...” he murmured, frowning. Now that he observed it, his leg seemed slightly swollen. It wasn’t an uncommon pain, in the last few weeks, it had accompanied him during the day. Some throbbing pains that sometimes started and went away, but never woke him up at night.
He had been hiding this from everyone lately, it was nothing for anyone to worry about.
What if he wasn’t here when Eggman attacked?
He shivered at the thought. Of course his friends were strong but he was always the real target, which made it easier...
It wasn’t good to think about that now.
He got up slowly, walking around the room. Each step brought an uncomfortable sensation, as if his leg were heavier than normal. Sonic, accustomed to running with lightness and speed, found that limitation strange. He, who always prided himself on his inexhaustible energy, now found himself stumbling over a discomfort he couldn’t explain.
He opened the window and let the night wind in. The cool air brought a bit of tranquility, but didn’t drive away the pain. He took a deep breath, trying to distract himself with the distant sound of trees swaying and the song of a lone cricket. The world outside seemed at peace, but inside him there was a persistent discomfort, a silent pressure that didn’t disappear.
Sonic returned to the bed, lying down again. He turned from side to side, looking for a position that eased the throbbing. Sleep came in waves, but was soon interrupted by the pain that insisted on reminding him of its presence. He sighed, staring at the ceiling while feeling defeated by that strange pain.
Thoughts began to arise. ‘Did I run too much today? Maybe I overdid it...’ He remembered the race he had earlier with Shadow that morning, then shaking his head to let the slight wave of disappointment make a mess in his stomach. Thinking about that race just made his heart sink. He didn't want to deal with it again. Not now.
But he knew he had faced much more intense days without feeling anything like that. That was different.
The silence of the early morning seemed to amplify the sensation. Each heartbeat, each breath, made the pain more noticeable. Sonic closed his eyes, trying to focus on good memories: the races at sunset, friends laughing, the feeling of freedom when crossing fields and cities. Strangely, he even thought of Shadow. But even in those memories, his leg continued to bother him, as if it wanted to remind him that something was there, disturbing him.
He got up once more, walking to the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, drinking slowly. The cold liquid brought brief relief to his mind, but not to his body. He returned to the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and watched the moon.
“I don’t know what’s happening...” he said softly, as if speaking to the night. His voice was soft, almost a murmur, blending into the sounds of the night. Even though he knew no one would hear him.
The pain wasn’t unbearable, but it was persistent. A discreet, uncomfortable presence that prevented him from relaxing. It didn’t go away, it seemed like nothing would fix it.
And so, between silence and discomfort, the early morning stretched on. Sonic remained awake, trying to find some way to stop that discomfort, however, without success.
---
When Tails woke up in the morning, he thought he had seen a ghost.
Sonic looked horrible: deep dark circles were under his eyes, his cobalt blue fur completely disheveled and sticking up.
“...You didn’t sleep?” Tails asked while raising an eyebrow. Obviously it was more of a rhetorical question, it was obvious that Sonic hadn’t slept a wink. Before, it was Sonic who stayed on Tails’ case for him to sleep, apparently from today onward it would have to be the opposite. “Why?”
“I couldn’t” Sonic murmured with a hoarse voice, his eyes practically closing from so much sleepiness.
“Sonic.” The fox called his brother, concern overflowing from his gentle blue eyes. He thought that maybe Sonic was too tired, hero life or things like that. Even if Eggman wasn’t attacking, he probably would at some point, Sonic couldn’t be exhausted. “You need to rest.”
“Tails, buddy, I don’t need—” Sonic tried to convince his brother.
“No” Tails cut him off harshly, his sharp gaze. “You are going to rest.” Tails’ tone left no room for discussion, which made the hero walk without hesitation toward his bedroom.
Every minute that passed, Tails grew more worried. Giving the hero a break was good, especially because Eggman had been quiet all this time.
He hoped it was just exhaustion.
Tails remained standing in the hallway for a few seconds after Sonic closed the bedroom door. The silence of the house felt heavier than normal, as if something was out of place.
He took a deep breath, trying to push away that uncomfortable feeling in his chest. Sonic always recovered. Always ended up fine. But still, Tails couldn’t ignore the detail that wouldn’t leave his mind: the way Sonic was acting strange. The way his smile sometimes disappeared or got... stuck.Sometimes his smile didn't even reach his eyes.
That didn’t seem like tiredness.
It almost seemed... as if he were... pretending.