Chapter Text
Club Rouge is loud. That's the way Rouge enjoys it. She says it 'makes the people happy' and Shadow isn't allowed to complain about it. Shadow's gotten accustomed to it, though it took a lot of patience, and now he can exist in the loud, grating environment without wanting to rip his own ears off. He still hasn't quite figured out the skill of talking to people over the loud music, though. He thinks it's all a scam; people just pretend to know what each other's saying, and no one comments on it because it's a social norm at this point.
Thankfully, tonight's vibe is a bit quieter, just enough so that Shadow can actually understand what people are saying to him. It's for a reason, though. Apparently, a plan finally made it out of the group chat, and a bunch of their friends have gathered to hang out at Club Rouge. Perks of knowing the owner (and the owner being part of the plans) include getting in, regardless of age. No one's here to drink, anyway. They just wanted a place to hang, and Club Rouge was offered. From his seat at the bar, Shadow can see a bunch of rarer faces gracing them tonight. The two older members of the Chaotix are mingling; Vector's chatting with some DJ dude he met, and Espio's in deep conversation with Blaze about something. Tangle and Sonic are talking animatedly, feeding off each other's hyper energies. Whisper decided to sit this one out, as expected, and instead she's chosen to help Vanilla watch the kids. Shadow doesn't blame her– this really isn't the wolf's scene. Shadow would've also sat this one out if not for Sonic and Rouge tag-teaming him with dual puppy eyes.
Mostly, he gave in because he actually found himself wanting to see how everyone's doing. It's something he never cared for before, but the feeling is nice. He's people watching right now, eyes scanning the crowd as he half pays attention to Rouge's conversation with an actual customer. She's chatting, or as she calls it, networking, as is necessary for the club owner. Shadow's taken on the unofficial responsibility of keeping tabs on all their wild friends throughout the night, and so far, it's been pretty easy. Everyone's in eyesight; the club's not that big, anyway, and it seems that everyone's having fun mingling and meeting new people. He's pretty sure Knuckles challenged some dude to a push-up competition like half an hour ago. All in all, a successful evening.
Rouge's voice cuts through his thoughts, and he glances over to see her focused on the customer, her eyes twinkling as she talks.
"I'm just happy this place can host them," she comments, eyes glancing around to the various groups of her friends, "–it's about time we all got together without a world-ending event spurring us on."
She catches Shadow's eyes on her and sends a wink his way, smirking before going back to her 'networking'. Shadow agrees with her. So often, the only time everyone's in the same place like this is when their existence itself is being threatened.
He hears Sonic's cackle echo through the crowd, and the sound makes him instinctively smile. He's showing Tangle something on his phone, and she's starry-eyed as she rapidly questions him. His partner looks so natural here amongst the crowds. The song changes, and his blue ears perk up unconsciously, twitching as he smiles.
"Whatcha lookin' at, loverboy?" Rouge teases. Shadow's ears go red as he glares at her.
"Where's your boyfriend?" Shadow shoots back, making Rouge laugh delightfully.
"He's in the far corner doing push-ups."
"Still?"
Rouge nods, sighing fondly. Shadow cranes his neck, catching a peek of red in the corner. Of course, Knuckles has managed to make a new best friend in a matter of hours. Though… his eye drifts from the smear of red over to a nearby booth, eyes turning sharp. Silver's sitting next to someone Shadow doesn't know, but that's not what sets Shadow's alarm bells off. Silver's posture is stiff, and though he seems to be engaging in conversation, something about the whole situation rubs Shadow wrong. Though he has no reason to think so. Silver's smiling (Shadow's pretty sure that's just a polite smile, but that could be his paranoia talking) and chatting with the stranger as usual, but Shadow swears that the look in Silver's eyes is foreign.
He'll keep his eye on it, he decides. He doesn't want to start bossing people around and telling them what not to do. Silver's a curious kid; he talks to anyone willing to listen. He's bound to find some interesting strangers to chat with in here. Shadow can't help but worry about him, though. He's powerful, no doubt about it, but he's a bit naive. Hopeful and optimistic, enough to rival Sonic. Shadow can't help but look out for him, even if just on the sidelines.
Rouge's hand lands on his shoulder, and he turns to see her questioning glance.
"What is it, hun?" She asks, already knowing that Shadow's mood has changed. He shakes his head, dismissing her.
"Nothing, just thought I saw something."
Rouge scans him, then tuts.
"You're not working, Shadow. Relax. Go hang out with someone. Stop sitting here and scaring my actual customers," she scolds, though the words are soft and her eyes are kind.
He glances around at the rest of the club, checking everyone else off his mental list. Nothing else is triggering that deep sense of wrong that he's getting when his eyes land on Silver. He follows Rouge's instruction, standing and veering away from the bar. He instead drifts to Sonic, leaning against his booth seat and draping a hand over him, though his eyes remain on Silver. Sonic jumps, his sentence getting cut off by Shadow's appearance. He turns, and his eyes light up.
"Shadow!" He puts a hand on Shadow's, smiling up at him before Tangle starts rambling again. Shadow listens, barely paying attention. His grip on Sonic's shoulder tightens as he watches the man shift closer to Silver. Sonic glances up at him again, eyebrows furrowing,
"You okay?" he whispers over the noise of the club. Shadow nods, leaning closer to Sonic's ears,
"Yeah, just a bit anxious," he replies softly. Sonic nods, eyes shifting back to Tangle, who's still rambling, unaware of the lovers' conversation,
"You need to go home?" He asks. Shadow shakes his head, pressing a kiss onto the top of Sonic's head,
"No," he murmurs, "you keep chatting, I'm fine." Sonic gives him an inquisitive look, but nods, turning back to Tangle and trying to tune back in to her solo conversation. Shadow keeps a hand on Sonic, if only for his own comfort. He shouldn't be on such high alert; nothing about the situation looks wrong. Everyone else is interacting with strangers, so why is Silver standing out to him?
Silver shifts again in his seat, and Shadow decides he's had enough. His instincts are screaming at him, and he can't ignore them anymore. He gives Sonic's shoulder one last squeeze before dropping his hand and striding over to the secluded corner booth. He slides in next to Silver, glaring daggers at the man next to his time-travelling friend. Worringly, Silver doesn't react to Shadow's appearance— he doesn't even seem to realise Shadow's there. That's very strange, and very unlike the usually astute hedgehog.
"Silver," Shadow calls, finally catching his attention. Silver turns clumsily, grinning (a real smile) at Shadow,
"Shadow! Hey, man!" He exclaims, attempting to shuffle closer to Shadow. It's only then that Shadow notices the stranger's hands on Silver– one on his wrist, the other on his thigh. He has to hold in the growl of anger. This man has no right to touch his friend. Silver thankfully pushes away the foreign grip, though much slower than usual, and he leans as close to Shadow as possible. Shadow feels a heavy hand land on his, in between them, hidden from the stranger's sight. Silver squeezes Shadow's hand, frantic, though his outward appearance remains level.
"I haven't seen you all night!" Silver exclaims, expression tight, eyes darting back to the man, almost…afraid? Shadow nods mindlessly, trying to figure out the situation. Silver turns his back fully to the stranger, and then–
"Something's wrong," he mutters under his breath, something for only Shadow to hear over the music and chatter of the club. Shadow furrows his eyebrows, glancing back at the man, but there's an empty space where he'd just been sitting– it's like he disappeared into thin air. A deep feeling of dread settles over Shadow.
"What is it?" Shadow hurriedly asks. Silver looks…dazed. His eyes are glossy, and he seems confused as he gazes up at Shadow. His gloved hands shake as they weakly grip Shadow's.
"I feel sick," He complains, slurring his words. A slight scent of alcohol wafts past him, and Shadow squints, worried.
"Did…have you been drinking?" He asks hesitantly. Silver blanches at that, vehemently shaking his head before instantly regretting the intense movement, squeezing his eyes shut painfully.
"No!–" Silver denies, and though he sounds completely out of it, Shadow is inclined to believe him. Silver isn't the type to drink– he's said so himself in the past. And they'd all made a pact; today was to hang out and reconnect. No one wanted to mar that with alcohol or substances, "–I had one soda! I promise– look!" He points at the half-full glass of soda sitting on the table. Shadow pulls it towards him, sniffing it intently. He smells no traces of alcohol in the drink, but something else sticks out to him. He doesn't recognise what it is, but he can tell something's off. An icy cold strikes Shadow's heart. Silver's drink has been tampered with; most likely drugged.
Shadow's eyes scan the crowd frantically, trying to place the man who'd just been sitting with Silver. He spots him trying to disappear into a small crowd by the bar. Shadow grits his teeth, keeping a gentle hold on Silver as he sways in his seat.
Thank Gaia he's in the group chat that Rouge forced her staff to join. He pulls out his phone, grip tight and angry as he types.
Shadow: I need a bouncer at booth 10. Be discreet.
He doesn't bother waiting for an answer; he lets them work it out amongst themselves. He anxiously glances around, eyes vigilant and watching. Silver leans more on him, startingly limp. The scene replays in Shadow's mind. The man not only dared to drug Silver, but he had his disgusting hands on the young hedgehog. Shadow's blood boils. He wants to march over there and pummel that man into the floor. But Silver mumbles something incoherent, and he is reminded of what's important.
"What's that?" He questions gently, trying to hear what Silver wants to say. Silver groans, shifting around uncomfortably.
"–kept tryna get him to leave me 'lone," he sighs, "should'a been m're vigilant." Shadow's heart clenches at that. Surely the kid doesn't think this is his fault. Silver looks up at him, then, eyes widening,
"Wait– please don't tell anyone about this–" He suddenly begs, eyes going glossy, "I- I don't wan'a ruin their night."
He's about to reply, but is interrupted by a person sliding into the booth beside him. His first instinct is to attack, but as he gets a closer look at them, his quills settle. A bouncer, one Shadow works with often on the days Rouge calls him in for backup.
"What's up?" She asks, already surveying the situation. Shadow looks around, re-identifying the man. He doesn't point; that's too obvious. He instead looks down at Silver while he speaks.
"See that man over by the bar? Mid-thirties, salt and pepper hair, blue shirt with a stain on the sleeve, gold watch?" Shadow describes the man in detail. The bouncer nods,
"The one who's chatting up that girl?" She asks, and with a glance, Shadow indeed realises the man has begun bothering someone else.
"Yeah," he confirms, "He drugged Silver. Put something in his drink and got touchy with him." The bouncer's face hardens at that. She looks at Silver, sympathy in her eyes.
"What do you need from us?"
"Get him into some sort of custody, and fill Rouge in on this. Keep it discreet. I don't want everyone knowing. I'm taking him home." She gives Shadow a thumbs-up.
"Gotcha. We'll deal with 'em." She's striding off into the crowd, not bothering with any parting pleasentries. Shadow nods to himself, trusting that the situation will be dealt with. Rouge is not kind to those who cause chaos in her club; even less so now that it's one of her friends involved. She'll handle it. His attention is fully on Silver now, who is looking worse by the second. Shadow shakes him gently, getting his attention.
"Hedgehog, hey–" despite his voice being a whisper, Silver still startles, "I'm going to teleport you to my house. Close your eyes tight," He instructs. Silver groans, knowing full well how disorienting teleporting can be, but he nods, squeezing his eyes shut,
"'Kay," he agrees, sighing.
Shadow feels for the energy of the Chaos Emerald sitting in his quills, thrumming gently against his skull. Then, with a whisper of 'Chaos Control', the duo disappears in a brief flash, unnoticed by the rest of the club.
They land in Shadow's cottage. Despite the slight disuse, the house is still clean and tidy, smelling faintly of lavender and cinnamon. Shadow and Sonic tend to live and exist at Sonic's place, but that doesn't mean that Shadow's place is completely neglected. On occasion, the blue hedgehog begs Shadow to spend a weekend at his cosy cottage, and Shadow simply can't say no to him.
With Sonic coming around, the house is becoming more like a secondary shared home. Some of Sonic's clothes live in Shadow's wardrobe and drawers. Framed pictures began appearing on the cabinets and nightstands. The ingredients for Sonic's favourite dishes are stocked in the fridge. There's a personal touch that Shadow was never able to create.
Silver's weight drops wholly onto Shadow as they stand in the small cottage. His limbs wobble, and his forehead is wet with a sheen of sweat. He breathes heavily, and then, in a pained breath,
"'m gonna throw up–"
(Emetophobia warning starts here)
Shadow gets him to the bathroom in record time. He helps Silver kneel on the cool tiled floor, hunched over the toilet bowl as the poor hedgehog's nausea builds up. Then, he retches, a painful sound followed by a heavy sob. Shadow grimaces, but dutifully pulls the hedgehog's long silver quills back, rubbing his back soothingly. Silver heaves, his body convulsing, and then he coughs violently. Shadow holds him steady as his head lolls uselessly. He leans back into Shadow, whining sadly, and he attempts to say something.
"–rry, 'm sorry Sh'dow–" he mumbles, voice broken. Then, he lurches forward again, gagging into the toilet bowl. Tears stream down his face and drip off his chin as he hovers over the bowl, breathing heavily. The more Shadow looks at this display, the more he wants to teleport back to the club and pummel that man into the floor. Or pelt him into the sun. Maybe give him a tour of the ARK and all its medical equipment. Anything to punish him for this. Of all people to target, he had to choose Silver. Always curious, always excitable, Silver.
"I'm sorry–" Silver whispers again, once his retching has stopped. Shadow blinks, confused, though he still keeps up the gentle rubbing of Silver's back.
"What are you apologising for?" Shadow asks bluntly. Silver groans,
"All this," he slurs out, "–I swear I was paying attention–" he pauses to gag again, but he's determined to finish his explanation, "–I thought I was smarter than this-" another gag, followed by a harsh cough, "'n now I'm embarassin' m'self and ruining your night–"
"Silver, stop talking," Shadow deadpans. Silver's mouth snaps shut, and he cranes his neck weakly to peer at Shadow. Shadow tries to smooth his expression into something more gentle; he isn't angry at Silver, and the poor kid doesn't deserve his attitude when he's already dealing with so much.
"You think I can leave you in here for a minute?" Shadow asks instead. Silver stares at him, the words processing slowly in his drugged mind, but he eventually nods.
"Good. I'm going to call Sonic and get you some water. I'll be back," he promises. Tentatively, Shadow releases his supportive grip on the silver hedgehog. Instantly, Silver slumps without the support, but he leans himself on the toilet, holding himself upright as best as he can. Shadow stands, but he hesitates before leaving the bathroom.
Silver's quills are already flopping back into his face, getting in his eyes. No doubt they'd fall into the bowl if another bout of nausea hits him. Shadow hums thoughtfully, and then opens one of the drawers under his bathroom sink. He keeps a small packet of hair ties, just in case. He grabs one and kneels behind Silver.
"Here," he says softly, gathering up the stray quills and pulling them into a loose ponytail. He ties it with a deft, caring hand, "-that's better. I'll be right back."
As he's walking out of the room, he pulls his phone out, automatically calling Sonic's number. It only rings once before the hedgehog answers, the sounds of the club loud behind him.
"Shads? Where are you?" Sonic asks, confused. Despite Shadow's burning anger, he smiles at his partner's voice.
"Sonic. We have a situation. Come to my house," Shadow instructs. Silence lingers on the other end, but eventually Shadow hears the background noise fading away as his partner supposedly steps outside.
"On my way, what happened?" Sonic's voice is now accompanied by the soft whooshing of the breeze beside him. Shadow sighs, once again hearing retching from the bathroom.
"Some asshole drugged Silver," Shadow hears Sonic stop abruptly.
"What??" Sonic stresses, voice suddenly very close to the microphone.
"Rouge and her workers are already handling the guy," Shadow hopes, "Our focus is Silver. He's throwing up right now. Come here, and don't tell anyone yet." Sonic breathes out deeply, but makes a noise of affirmation.
"Be there in a flash." The phone is hung up before Shadow can say anything else.
Getting the glass of water is fast, and Shadow's back by Silver's side before long. The young hedgehog seems to be finished throwing up; now he's just leaning against the porcelain, body shaking. Shadow crouches, holding out the water.
"Feel better?" He asks, supporting Silver's weak hand as it reaches out and grasps the glass. He sips at the water, sighing as it cools his raw throat.
"Mh-" he answers noncommittally, "I dn't think I have anything else in my stomach." Shadow winces,
"From experience, there's always more in there," he corrects regretfully. Silver huffs out a laugh that turns into a pained groan. Shadow pats his back, not sure what else to do. Thankfully, he hears his front door open, and hurried footsteps run through the house and into the bathroom. Sonic's worried face peeks in, and then it melts into a soft expression of care.
He shuffles in, sitting on the other side of Silver.
"Hey Silv," he greets quietly. Silver, having not even heard Sonic's entrance, startles, but his shoulders drop as he sees the bundle of blue next to him.
"S'nic!" He cheers weakly, pushing off the toilet to lean into Sonic. The blue hero accepts him with open arms, humming.
"Ready to get off this cold floor? We can get a bowl if you need to throw up again." Silver nods into Sonic's shoulder, exhausted.
"Whoop, up we go!" Sonic mumbles to himself (a quirk that hopelessly endears Shadow to the stupid hedgehog), lifting Silver easily and walking him out of the bathroom. Shadow remains, flushing the toilet and bringing the glass back to the kitchen to be refilled. He lets Sonic deal with the..comforting part of things. He's been getting better at that, but it's definately not his speciality. Within the five seconds he's been here, Sonic's already managed to brighten Silver's mood. Shadow's not bright like that.
(Emetophobia warning ends here)
He sets the glass down on the coffee table, watching as Sonic tucks a blanket about the shaking silver hedgehog.
"What happened, man?" Sonic asks, eyebrows furrowed as he fusses, smoothing down the stray quills and fur on Silver's head. Silver's eyes turn downwards, and he hunches his shoulders, embarrassed.
"I don't know," He whines, words slurring slightly. There's still a haze in his eyes; a disorientation that hasn't gone away with all the heaving and coughing.
"I was– I was talking to this guy, I guess I got– too comfortable– let my guard down? I can't even remember what we were…" He drifts off, his focus wavering and bleary. He shakes his head, trying to get back on track,
"I started feeling hot– and confused. All my limbs felt like jelly. I couldn't move, or think. I felt– trapped," a shudder runs through his body, and he pulls the blanket closer, "I couldn't see. Everything was blurry. And then Shadow was next to me– from there it's all a blur." He blinks a couple of times, and finally, his eyes meet Shadow's, emotion pooling in them.
"I'm really sorry, man. I should've– I should've paid more attention. Or covered my drink, or something-"
"Stop it." Shadow cuts him off, strict but kind. He kneels in front of the couch, coming face-to-face with the young hedgehog.
"None of this was your fault. Stop apologising," he makes sure to catch Silver's eyes as he talks, "You didn't do anything wrong. That man is sick. If you weren't his victim, someone else would've been. Nothing you did would change that man's decision. That's on him. Not you."
Sonic smiles softly at Shadow, but as soon as the dark hedgehog finishes his sentence, he jumps in.
"Shadow's right. All we need from you now is to rest and recover. This isn't an inconvenience, Silver. You're our friend; friends help each other." Silver's eyes are practically shining by the time Sonic's sentence ends.
Shadow is reminded that this kid barely knew kindness before meeting Sonic and his group, same as Shadow, actually. This simple act of friendship and love might mean the world to him. That thought makes Shadow's stomach turn uncomfortably.
He hasn't always been the kindest to Silver (in his defence, he hadn't been kind to most people back then), but seeing him bundled in Shadow's blankets, on Shadow's couch, after being taken advantage of, makes emotions stir in him. He reaches up a hand, copying Sonic's movements and smoothing down the fur on his head and cheeks, in a startlingly familial gesture.
"Rest. We'll get some food in you later, but sleep off the drug for now. We'll be here." At that reassurance, Silver's eyes start fluttering closed without his permission. Gently, Shadow pushes his head down onto the pillow, giving his fur one last stroke before pulling away.
"M'kay," Silver manages to mumble out. He buries his face into the pillow, sighing happily. The sight makes Shadow smile. Reluctantly, he rises, moving to the kitchen of his small home. Sonic's light footsteps follow him, and when he turns around, he is met with an armful of his lover.
"You're such a dad," Sonic teases, but his voice is painfully fond as he leans in, pressing a deep kiss into Shadow's lips. Shadow rolls his eyes, but responds, spinning Sonic around and lifting him by the waist to sit atop the counter as he returns the kiss. When they part, Sonic's expression turns sad.
"Poor Silver," he whispers, eyes darting over Shadow's shoulder to gaze at the living room. Then, his eyes light up with understanding.
"Is that why you were anxious earlier?" He questions curiously. Shadow nods, bowing his head.
"I knew something was up," he admits, "I wish I'd stepped in sooner."
Sonic's face softens, and he raises a hand to cup Shadow's face.
"Hey, no. You did good, Shads. You realised something was up far before anyone else did. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if you didn't step in," Sonic shivers. Shadow's face hardens, memories of the man flashing in his mind. His grip on Sonic's waist tightens.
"He had his hands on the kid, Sonic," Shadow reveals, "He was holding down Silver's thigh."
The anger that flashes on Sonic's face is foreign but reassuring.
"You said Rouge is dealing with him?" Sonic asks. Shadow nods and fishes his phone out of his quills.
"Let's find out, hm?" He calls Rouge's number, letting it ring until she answers.
"Hey, handsome," She greets, "How's my time-travelling darling doing?" She asks. The nickname is fond and teasing, as all her nicknames are, but beneath that is genuine worry for the hedgehog.
"Hey, Rouge! He's alright— sleeping it off," Sonic responds for him, "Update us on the asshole?"
"Blue! Had I known it was you, I'd have answered quicker!" She flirts, her smirk evident in her words, but then her voice turns serious.
"We have him in custody. I'm handling him for now. No one gets to fuck with my club and my friends and get away with it." Her words are almost a growl, and Shadow is reminded for the umpteenth time why they are best friends.
"Good. We want in. Save some fun for us," Sonic demands darkly. Shadow blinks at his partner, not expecting the blunt words, but after a second, he shrugs.
"You heard him, Rouge," He agrees, "We're on care duty until Silver's better, but if you can keep him 'til then?"
"Already done, my dears," Rouge chuckles, "Have fun babysitting! Call when you're ready to play~!"
Sonic smiles something wicked at those words, a mesmerising spark igniting in his eyes and after a brief goodbye, it's just the two hedgehogs once again.
"You're gorgeous when you're mad," Shadow compliments, and he takes delight in the way Sonic's cheeks flush.
"Shut up," the spark dims slightly, and he sighs, "I just– of all people for this to happen to– Silver? The kid's–" he chokes slightly on his words, "–the kid's so hopeful, despite all he's been through. Why him?"
Shadow hums sadly, drawing his partner into a tight embrace. Sonic's legs wrap around his waist as he tries to melt into Shadow.
"I don't know. But what's done is done. Now we need to clean up the aftermath. Make sure this doesn't affect the kid too much," Shadow soothes, pressing kisses into his partner's quills.
"You're right, you're right– but still–" Sonic mumbles tiredly. Shadow makes a decision and lifts Sonic, gaining a delectable squeak. He walks back to the living room and deposits him on the couch beside the resting Silver. He takes his place on the floor in front of them, laying his head in Sonic's lap.
"Relax, Sonic. He's here, with us. Arguably, there's no safer place he could be." Silver twists uncomfortably, his sleep restless, and instinctively, Shadow rests a hand over his as an anchor point, squeezing it reassuringly. The small action seems to settle the young hedgehog, and Sonic smiles at the sight.
"You're right. He's safe," He sighs, leaning into the couch cushions and letting his worried green eyes slip closed. Just to soothe his own mind, Sonic gently lifts Silver's legs, resting them in his lap and draping his hands over the younger hedgehog's ankles. The physical weight calms Sonic, and he mindlessly plays with the hem of Silver's socks as he relaxes.
Shadow will make sure that wretched man pays for the harm he's caused. But right now, he's needed here. Silver unconsciously squeezes his hand, pulling it closer to his fluffy chest as he lets out a soft breath, and Shadow resigns himself to a night spent on the floor next to his friend. Somehow, that fate doesn't sound as bad as he thought it would. He's content to stay here as long as Silver needs him to.