Chapter Text

Sprained Wrist

Two hedgehogs were fighting in a clearing, exchanging blows like there would be no tomorrow. A triumphant grin met a competitive snarl as no hedgehog wanted to back down first.

This was not the first time Sonic and Shadow had met up to fight and surely it would not be the last time either. Most days it seemed to be their own way of communication to grunt and scream and kick and punch.

So when Sonic did not anticipate the fist coming his way as he had been distracted for one second - one brief second! - the blue hedgehog had been knocked forcefully to the ground, sliding a short distance until he came to a stop.

He was barely fazed.

Shadow’s reaction to his injury had been a surprise though. In the matter of seconds, the black hedgehog had pulled him back to his feet, brushing away the dirt from his shoulders before peering closely at the other’s body.

Sonic pushed him away, barely causing him to stumble. Still, the force had seemed to much for his left had as it painfully throbbed at the strain.

Despite the groan that left his lips, Sonic still tried to insist, “I’m fine.”

The black hedgehog frowned, his eyes darting between the green eyes and the clearly hurt arm the other was now carefully cradling close to his body.

“You’re not fine.” Shadow did not seem impressed with Sonic’s acting skills, instead just blankly staring at him, waiting.

Sonic stayed silent. He was still thinking off the best way to escape this conversation and go home when Shadow continued.

“Let me see.”

“No!” The blue hedgehog instantly argued, stumbling a few steps back to distance himself from Shadow. In the moment he gripped his arm even tighter and making himself hiss in pain. Embarrassment flooded his system, the heat soon rising to his cheeks and he turned away to hide his state.

After a moment of attempting to compose himself, Sonic’s voice sounded strong and clear as he retorted, “I don’t need your pity.”

He turned back to face Shadow but the black hedgehog only continued to stare blankly at him.

“It’s not pity.” Shadow eventually replied when it was clear that was all the blue hedgehog was going to say. He even rolled his eyes like the idea had been ridiculous. “As If I would actually do that out of pity.”

Right.

Sonic had not thought either that Shadow was offering this out of pity but what else could it be? To be condescending? To make fun of him?

They had not insulted each other for ages. Which felt strange, for sure but they had kind of outgrown the enemies bit where they kept throwing petty insults at each other.

Well, mostly at least.

“So you’re just doing this out of the goodness of your heart?” Sonic asked with a skeptical look on his face before crossing his arms, careful now not to strain his injured arm too much.

A scoff was his only answer.

And then. “Of course not.”

Huh?

“I’m just taking responsibility for my actions.” The black hedgehog continued, nonplussed.

How would that even-

“Right.” Sonic replied, still sounding like he did not believe the other. “Because that’s what we do?”

Shadow shrugged, looking entirely too casual for the disagreement they were having. In fact, he seemed fine with patiently waiting for the blue hedgehog to think his offer over.

Which Sonic did, tapping his foot with vigor as the thoughts kept racing inside his head. Eventually he came to his conclusion to at least attempt to hear Shadow out.

“…What would you even do?” And because he was ever not a smart ass, he added as a joke, “Kiss it better?”

“No.” The black hedgehog replied curtly, a bit of incredulity in his tone. “But I can heal you.”

Sonic blinked at the other, frowning in confusion. Did Shadow just make a joke?

He narrowed his eyes at him, suspicious.

“…You can actually do that?”

Brown eyes stared back at him, silently telling him he was insane for asking that. Or was it Shadow’s ‘You’re an idiot’-look? He always confused those two.

“I was created to be The Ultimate Lifeform.” Shadow stated as If he was talking about his own fur colour. A simple fact. “I can do anything.”

Sonic rolled his eyes.

Of course, Shadow would use the moment to brag.

“Even heal.” The black hedgehog told him smugly, finally concluding his declaration of superiority.

Was a potentially healed wrist really worth of giving Shadow more material to gloat forever?

“…Fine.”

Shadow chuckled, crossing the distance between them in the matter of seconds before staring expectantly at his hand.

Reluctantly Sonic uncurled his wrist, offering it up like he was reaching into a pit of venomous snakes.

He had expected Shadow to grasp his arm tightly and pull it forcefully towards himself but the first touch was surprisingly gentle. So unlike how he and Sonic normally handled each other.

Shadow’s fingers were firm and unyielding, mostly making it Sonic’s decision to move his wrist closer to the other’s gaze. The warmth seeped into his bones, making his skin itch uncomfortably. He shuffled his feet to distract himself, looking away from the black hedgehog who stood way too close to him.

Had they ever been so close before? Sonic could not remember. In fact, the blue hedgehog had trouble concentrating with Shadow this close- his thoughts feeling even more like a jumbled mess than normal.

He had never been so aware of the other’s presence before. With Shadow leaning down to inspect his injury, Sonic could even take in how he smelled. A mix of cinnamon and coffee- and was that… lavender?

“It’s not broken.” Shadow observed drily, sounding oddly relieved and reminding the blue hedgehog of his existence. “Good. This will only take a moment.”

“…What?”

“Hold still.”

Then without allowing him even a moment of protest, Shadow channeled his Chaos Energy into his own hands. An orange glow appeared, making his hands really visible in the dark forest- even through the thick white gloves that the black hedgehog was wearing.

And when the unfamiliar energy finally arrived on his side, Sonic gasped.

The blue hedgehog knew how Chaos Energy felt like: His own and Shadow’s too. Normally their energies clash, not quite hostile towards each other but definitely not trusting either. Just like the energies’ owners.

But this energy felt… different. It was hard to describe, it felt more like getting a comforting hug consisting entirely out of Chaos Energy.

He had to admit, Sonic liked this feeling. He liked this form of Chaos Energy and he might even like feeling Shadow’s hands on-

“I’m done.” The black hedgehog dropped Sonic’s wrist like it had personally offended him before stepping away. Instantly his hand felt way too cold- completely unrelated to the temperature of the forest clearing.

Right. This had been temporary, a short moment of Shadow helping him that Sonic definitely did not already miss.

Get a grip! He told himself quietly.

Sonic closed and opened his hands, inspecting his limb closer while he turned and prodded at it before finally deeming it healed.

He cleared his throat, now feeling very awkward with how he had reacted to this whole situation.

The blue hedgehog forced a weak smile on his face, telling Shadow, “…Thanks.”

If the other noticed how strange Sonic was acting, he did not show it. Instead the black hedgehog turned away from him, adjusting his gloves that had slightly wrinkled during the healing process.

“You’re welcome, Faker.” A satisfied smirk on his face.

Shadow then dashed off, leaving a very confused and bewildered Sonic behind.

Tonight the blue hedgehog had a lot to think about.