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The sun was just beginning to fall low on the horizon when energy sparked across the forested road, a barely perceptible flash of black and red cresting across the land. Winding up and up and up, wrapping around a mountain path, but a smudge against the green foliage struck to the ground with the billowing wind made by the sheer force of it. Cresting until it finally reached the summit, and—
Abruptly stopping.
With a loud sneer of his air shoes digging a short path into the dirt, leaving a trail of ripped up grass and unearthed soil, the hedgehog stopped. Quills flew in his face, disturbed by the sudden change, like they were yearning to return to that top speed again.
Here's the thing.
Shadow the Hedgehog doesn't stop. Not in the literal sense, of course, because that would be absurd, but metaphorically. He doesn't stop for anyone besides himself; when he has a goal or purpose in mind, Shadow follows it and doesn't let anyone get in his way. Which is why, you're probably asking, why he deviated from his goal of an evening run across the country in this specific location.
What was so severe to cause Shadow the Hedgehog, The Ultimate Lifeform, to stop dead in his tracks by mere presence alone?
The gentle breeze draped through his (slightly messy, now) fur as the beginnings of the sunset draped soft light on the cliff face, which Shadow had to admit was a perfect spot to watch the phenomenon from. Yes, the cliff was sharp, but it overhanged the village below, and the small river that ran through it; pink and yellow reflections dancing on its surface, not that Shadow was watching.
No, instead of looking at the beginnings of what even he could admit was a nice view, Shadow was looking onto the one person he didn't expect to see at all today. With his obnoxious blue quills and an ever persistent stupid smirk, there he was.
“Oh! Uh, hi Shadow!” Sonic began, and the tone of his voice was enough to break whatever stupor Shadow found himself in.
He sounded so, so tired. And… unsure, perhaps? Well, this was a rather unexpected encounter from both parties involved. (Not that Shadow didn't want to see Sonic right now, per se, quite the opposite actually, but we'll get to that.)
Instead of lingering on it, Shadow seethed. “Sonic,” He made sure to really press on the word, “Just what do you think you're doing?”
Sonic blinked, draped across a fallen log, leaned back enough to look at the sky but not enough to fall. He made a show of looking around, craning his neck to check the small area around him, before sparing a glance to himself and his limbs. Now that he shifted around, Shadow was able to catch something else behind him, seemingly folded against the log. A pair of objects, although the bit Shadow could catch appeared to be handles, a grip similar to that on a motorcycle but with an attachment that reminded him of Maria's-
Shadow blinked as Sonic obstructed his view once again, the movement quick and almost rushed in a way that was obviously suspicious.
And made Shadow equally curious.
“Well, I dunno, sitting?” Sonic answered finally, meeting his eyes.
Shadow curled his lip, flashing white. “You know what's not what I meant.”
That made Sonic visibly cringe, face scrunching up in what Shadow could only call dismay that the other didn't play along, or indulge him even a little. Sonic turned his head, actively avoiding his rival's gaze now. Judging by the reaction, Sonic knew what he was talking about. Good. He wasn't actually sure, with how dense the hedgehog acted on a daily basis.
Sonic's next chuckle was awkward. “OOhkayyy then,” A hand came to scratch at the back of his head, “you'll have to be more specific than that, Shadow.”
Of course.
“I’ll put it clearly, then, since you so clearly lack the brain cells needed to understand.” Shadow finally moved from his spot, making slow strides towards the hedgehog with every word he said. “You disappeared for 3 days, not answering any means of communication, worrying your friends to the extent they came to me for assistance and you have the nerve to ask?”
Here it was. The root of the problem, and cause of Shadow’s frustration.
Exactly yesterday, Shadow has been approached by none other than Amy Rose. Which wasn't all that strange in itself, but the reason for her appearance was. As Amy explained to him, not exactly frantic but seemingly far from calm; Neither she, nor the echidna, could contact Sonic since the last Doctor Eggman attack. The attack in question happened two days prior, which Shadow himself wasn't actually present for.
This, in itself, didn't raise much alarm. Sonic had a history of breaking phones that were in his possession, Shadow was told, carrying them in his quills even as he ran at top speed. Naturally, they'd eventually fall out. Usually he'd get them fixed soon enough, but Tails was out of town— out of the country, actually— so he wasn't there to assess the damage, or quell the team's worries over Sonic's whereabouts.
The issue was that Sonic hadn't shown his face since.
Shadow reasoned to himself that maybe the hedgehog was taking a break, before he actually processed the words and their absurd nature when relating to Sonic the Hedgehog, of all mobians. No, that would be like calling Shadow bubbly or incompetent. A polar opposite, an oxymoron of the actual truth. To say such a thing would be a show that you've never actually heard of either of them.
One of the consistent things about Sonic was that he always got back up, even to his own detriment. So to see him gone… it raised multiple red flags.
What if something happened to him? Shadow didn't doubt Sonic's ability to get out of trouble he might get himself into, but what if he needed help?
“Oh wow, I… really made them worry, huh?” Back in the present, the blue hedgehog hung his head low, brows furrowed and lips stretched in a thin line.
“Yes.” Shadow stressed, hand moving to dust off the log before sitting on it, an acceptable length away from the other hedgehog.
“And you looked for me?” Sonic piped up, suddenly, a bit more energy in his voice.
“I did.” Shadow admitted, and after a beat added; “Obviously.”
It was the truth. But another thing Sonic was notorious for was the fact he didn't actually own a house— from Shadow's knowledge he slept wherever was available, open nature included— which didn't even account for the fact he could scale the length of a continent in less than a minute. So he chose to stick close to where he knew Sonic frequented as a starting point. And of course the hedgehog he spent a portion of the day searching for shows up the second Shadow decided enough was enough, and that he needed a relaxing, speed of sound breaking run to shake off his troubles. Troubles that were not related to the hedgehog now in his vicinity. (Because Shadow doesn't worry. Not over Sonic.)
Something flashed across Sonic's face that Shadow dared not name. Something soft, maybe even gentle, that the ebony hedgehog didn't want to acknowledge, so he continued. “But you are going to explain yourself,” He jabbed a finger in Sonic's direction, unintentionally moving closer, chaos energy sparking from his finger and along his arm, “this instant.”
Only so Shadow can relay that information back to Amy Rose, and be free of this burden. So that he can go back to his own home, undisturbed, without the hedgehog plaguing his mind. Content to know this issue has been resolved, and that nothing significant actually happened.
(So Shadow doesn't wonder whether Sonic is lying dead in a ditch somewhere.)
(So Shadow doesn't wonder if Sonic's yet another person he couldn't save.)
To his credit, Sonic did actually look apologetic. Granted, that wasn't much, but it was a passable starting point. Shadow crossed his arms as the other stayed silent, looking unsure on how to continue. It was fine, the ultimate lifeform was patient. When he wanted to be.
“Well, it's a long story-”
“Then shorten it.” Shadow cut in.
Sonic sent him a look at getting interrupted, rolling his eyes. Instead of immediately explaining, though, the hedgehog looked away again, a conflict visibly playing out across his features. Would he just get on with it? In contrast to popular belief, being probably-immortal didn't mean Shadow had all the time in the world to wait until Sonic finally made up his mind about whatever he was struggling to convey right now.
Their eyes met, and whatever the hedgehog saw in Shadow's face crumbled away whatever wall he was facing with a dreadful (and unnecessary, honestly) sign, shoulders sagging with the effort of his dramatics.
“Alright, just, look—” Sonic fished around for something behind him, and Shadow was reminded of the object that piqued his curiosity beforehand. “—Here.”
Sure enough, the blue menace reclaimed the object from behind his back. But before Shadow could process, Sonic was already moving, and there was a satisfying click as the hedgehog unfolded the two pieces into what Shadow could now identify were crutches.
“Ta-dah!” Sonic proclaimed with cheaply faked enthusiasm, one arm outstretched in a motion like he was showing a prized possession of his. It'd definitely work better if Shadow ignored the pinched expression and plastered grin barely meeting his eyes.
Shadow raised an eyebrow, slowly and deliberately scrutinizing Sonic's entire form at the display, making sure to really glare down at him as he did so. His limbs very clearly weren't broken. He has half a mind to snap his teeth at the blue hedgehog because this was not ‘explaining’ it, but bit it back. Given the previous hesitance, this wasn't something the hedgehog was showing him easily. Not to mention Sonic's lack of confidence since the conversation started, and his obviously nervous demeanor. So no, Shadow bit back the remarks, at least for now.
“Crutches?” He echoed instead.
“Yeah.” Almost hesitantly, Sonic leaned said crutches against the log, a mock barrier between them. “They uh, they help me after I uh… strain myself and it gets difficult to walk.”
Shadow tends to think he doesn't dwell on the past— at least not anymore. And yet, he hears those words, and exchanges one blue for another, azure fur for blonde hair and metal walls. Before his eyes, Maria struggles with a pair of hospital crutches, muttering and huffing how frustrating they're to use. Hair falls in her face, and Shadow hovers, by her side, in case her legs buckled under her again. Looking back, she was probably just being stubborn. He thinks of surgical rooms and quiet nights spent by her side, while she laid there delirious with pain as her body fought, but whether it was against itself or something else, he could never fully tell.
And in a moment of weakness, he thinks of Sonic, hooked up to painkillers and an IV, bathed in sterile white, just like she used to be. His heart clenches, and the image makes his stomach churn so bad Shadow has to take a deep breath to stave off the sudden nausea. He shakes off the image before he can imagine the sound of a flat line ringing in his ears. But worst of all, he stews in the connection his mind made, blue for blue, a pair of forget me nots growing somewhere between his ribs. He wouldn't live it down to see Sonic gone like that. And Shadow doesn't know what to do with that thought.
But now that his brain connected the dots with invisible thread, Shadow can't let it go.
“Sonic,” He started, opting to just be direct, “Are you telling me you have a chronic illness?”
Sonic's eyes visibly widened, the smile dropping off his face before he plastered it back on. “Woah woah woah woah-” Sonic sputtered, trying to chuckle, “that's a pretty big word your throwing around there pal, and besides, I'm fine. ”
Shadow for the second time in this interaction raised an eyebrow, trying to burn holes in the spot between Sonic’s eyes.
Sonic swallowed. “I mean- Sure, my knees hurt… sometimes, but that's what I get after getting thrown around with villains all the time.”
“Enough to warrant the purchase of a mobility aid?”
“Yeah, but like I said, I only use it sometimes.”
Shadow pressed. “And how often is ’sometimes’?”
Silence stretched on as Sonic, bathed in golden light from the sunset, refused to look at him. Shadow couldn't recall the last time he's seen him so nervous about something, and it didn't look good on him. He imagined placing a hand on Sonic's shoulder right there and then, hoping to break the hedgehog out of the thoughts seemingly plaguing his mind at that very moment. Like an instinct, Shadow's hand reached out, but froze in mid air the moment he registered the movement. What if he was just making it worse? He stayed here to get information, something he was excellent at, and he begrudgingly had to admit he was out of his depth here.
Maria would have been so better equipped for this, could actually relate to the issues Sonic briefly mentioned, maybe even offer advice. But no, it's just him. Pressing his lips into a thin line, Shadow curled both his fists on his knees.
“I thought so.” Shadow finally signed. “And how does this relate to your disappearance?”
“Well, after fighting Eggman, and crashing at Tail’s place, I may have, uh, how do I put this…” Sonic scratched at the back of his head, shooting very obvious glances Shadows way, “...not been able to walk?”
Shadow, very deliberately, did not react. He let the information wash over him, the letters put together in an order that formed words that formed sentences. This… this was vulnerability, coming from Sonic, of all people. He gave a small nod, processing, planning his response a bit more carefully. Sonic The Hedgehog, the self proclaimed fastest thing alive, admitting to Shadow, supposed ‘rival’, that he was physically incapacitated. That there was a force that could even strike him down. There was a morbid comedy in it, though. Of course the only person who can hold Sonic back is Sonic himself.
“I see,” Shadow answered, steady, “Would I be correct to assume similar symptoms held you back the next day as well?”
“Yeah…” Sonic chuckled, but it sounded hollow, “I kind of lost track of time between napping and drinking water.”
“Well, has it helped?” Shadow asked, surprising himself.
Similarly, Sonic seemed taken aback by the inquiry, but if he had an opinion on it, he didn't voice it. “Kinda? Mostly I've been trying to stretch and take it easy, which probably does most of the work.”
That sounded… decent. Good enough, maybe. Although the thought of Sonic ‘taking it easy’ probably had a different connotation in Sonic's vocabulary. “Hm,” Shadow hummed, preparing to breach the question he'd been wanting to ask from the start, “And you haven't contacted your friends because?...”
“Ah.” Sonic visibly deflated. “Yeah, no, you won't believe this, but I broke my phone. And Tails isn't exactly around to fix it.”
Something clicked in Shadow's brain.
“So you mean to tell me,” Shadow began, chaos energy cracking down his spines, leaning in uncomfortably close into Sonic's personal space. He glared down emerald eyes, curled lips showing his fangs. “That all of this has just been one big miscalculation on your part?”
Sonic cringed, leaning back in return. “... Well I wouldn't call it that.”
“Right.” Suppressing the urge to throttle Sonic right there and then, blue for blue still in his mind, Shadow returned to his previous spot, opting to run a hand down his face. Chaos energy crackled down his quills before quickly fizzling out. A topic change was in order. “Amy suspected so, by the way.”
“She was the one to send you, huh?” Recovering from the almost-altercation, and embracing the change of topic, Sonic took hold of the crutches again. He held them in both palms, resting on his knees, brows scrunched into a frown.
“I did say that your friends required my assistance, yes.” Shadow glanced at the crutches again, before his eyes trailed to the blue hedgehog's face.
Sonic hummed, looking up from the crutches, meeting red eyes with his own green ones. “And you found me.”
“I have.” Shadow admitted.
Sonic smiled, and that soft expression was back. Shadow couldn't stand it. A part of him wanted to launch himself at Sonic and rip it off. Really make him feel it, for stirring such a warm feeling in Shadow's gut. Perhaps revenge for getting dragged out here for a search party in the first place. Or for being such an idiot. Anything to put a name to what he was feeling.
It's not fun when the other person can't defend themselves, though. So instead, he changed the subject. Again. “Do your friends know about your… situation?”
“Tails knows.” Sonic pointedly didn't look at him.
Idiot. “Is that it?” Shadow sneered down at blue quills and emerald eyes.
Sonic only gave a shrug. “Besides him, It just hasn't come up yet. And I don't feel the need to bring it up, anyway.”
You brought it up to me, Shadow thought, before he realized that the statement was unfair. He demanded answers from Sonic the moment he saw him, and was still doing that. The fact Sonic was giving up all this information willingly was a wonder in itself, the hedgehog not known to genuinely open up just like that… and yet, here he was.
Unraveling just because Shadow asked him to.
There was that feeling again, swelling up in his insides, crawling underneath his ribs and tangling up his lungs. Is Sonic only telling him all of this to get rid of him sooner? It certainly didn't seem like it, but then again… Shaking his head, he tried not to dwell on it before it'd churn into anger. He'll have time to do that later, in the premises of his own home. Not like he needs that much sleep, anyway.
Shadow realized he'd been silent a beat too long, and cleared his throat. “I think id do you good to tell them, if only so they stop coming to me for help.”
Sonic grinned. “Aww, I didn't know you cared so much, faker!”
Standing up so he can glare down at him, Shadow growled. “Don’t put words in my mouth, hedgehog.”
Following suit, Sonic heaved himself off the log, taking a moment to test his legs before trying to lean on his crutches as he cheekily replied. “At this point I don't even need to.”
“Hmph.” Shadow turned his head away sharply. “Whatever.”
And before Sonic could butt in again, the ultimate lifeform continued, a question he'd been meaning to ask but couldn't find a way to incorporate yet: “But while we're still on the topic, how come you made it all the way here if you've previously struggled to stand?”
“The power of being stubborn, baby!” The hedgehog snapped his gloved fingers. “I wanted to watch the sunset, and not even a little bit of pain could stop me.”
Turning his head, Shadow looked out beyond the cliff. Since their talk, the sun had begun to slowly darken, the last strokes of said sunset giving the sun a fiery appearance as it finally began to dip beneath the horizon. The houses of the small village below were slowly waking up, light appearing in the windows.
“You haven't done a very good job of it, then.” Shadow commented drily.
“Maybe. But I enjoyed my time anyway.” Sonic sounded smug as he said it.
Shadow turned, “What do you mean?”
“You’re easy to talk to when we're not bashing each other's face in.”
“Don't get used to it.”
“Kinda weird that you haven't insulted me once, though.” Sonic smiled, ignoring his words while giving him that shit-eating grin he could never do without.
“Don't think about it too hard, hedgehog.” Shadow sneered, smacking him (lightly) in the shoulder, “It simply would be too easy, and unsatisfying.”
“Sure, dude.”
Chaos energy sparked down his now crossed arms.
“Don't ‘dude’ me.” He hissed.
That finally managed to rip a laugh out of Sonic's throat, the sound surprising both of them with how sudden it was. It was loud, and jarring to Shadow's ears, but genuine. Like an arrow hitting it's target, cutting through the silence of a hunt. Shadow tried to engrain the sound in his mind before it was too late.
(Shadow wondered if he'd ever hear it again.)
“Right, sorry.” Sonic finally wheezed out, still trying to control his breathing. “I don't make any promises though, Shads.”
If Shadows breath hitched at the nickname, he'd never admit it. Not in the face of the heat death of the universe. And definitely not to the absolute idiot that caused such a thing.
Turning his head slightly behind him, Shadow asked; “Sonic?”
“Yeah?” Came the reply.
“Thank you.” Shadow forced the words out of his throat, trying to stop a small smile from forming to no avail. “For trusting me.”
“Shadow… thank you.” Sonic smiled, gentle and soft, and the other hedgehog had a feeling his own expression mirrored him. “For everything.”
The words felt significant. Has something changed, just like that? Tipped the scales into one favor? Or was this a long time coming, a moment of almost peace, something more than just an unspoken truce for the evening. Shadow watched Sonic go, waving him goodbye and receiving the gesture in reply. Blue quills turned their back on him and Sonic started to leave, using the crutches as he slowly made it down the road Shadow came from.
And Shadow tried to focus on the view from there. Just for a moment. But something churned in his gut again, an internal battle of his pride and the something else that's been plaguing him the entire interaction. Grimacing, Shadow shook his head vigorously.
Fuck it.
“Sonic,” He called out, jogging to follow Sonic's path. Past the green, past the thicket, until the hedgehog came back into view. “Wait.”
Said hedgehog tilted his head in question. “What is it?”
“Let me walk you home.”
Sonic blinked. Then, his smile grew so wide Shadow worried it'd split his face in two.