Chapter Text
This is perfect.
Very perfect.
Sonic, hanging out with your secret crush, looking at the moonlight.
But.....
You're an unlucky guy.
"Hey, Shad? I'm gonna take a small jog, all this standing is pressing my nerves!" Sonic lied, but although the truth at the tip of his tongue.
"Huh? Oh, I-hey! Get back here!" Shadow yelled. Sonic ran a little farther than expected, and Shadow had no choice.
He was gonna run after him anyway. So he did so.
Sonic ran until he found a nice forest, but felt...insecure.
'What? Sonic the Hedgehog never feels insecure!' He said to Shadow once. 'You're lying to me. I've seen you before when your frineds leave.' Shadow stated. 'Hush! We. Don't. speak of that! That was after I broke the prism, haha!' Sonic said, waving a dismissive hand, chuckling.
"I was so dumb to tell him that-ah!" He said, squeaking at a feeling in his abdomen. "You-you..gah, traitor!" Sonic growled, speaking to his body.
'Maybe you're not a traitor, I drunk too much 'fore I went out with Shads' He thought, mentally slapping himself.
Sonic took a step, then froze. You did not just piss yourself, did you? Are you fucking kidding me? I need someone to hug me, I need your comfort.
"Gaia, there you are! Never run away without-" Shadow said, freezing as he saw his friend standing shakily, his tail tucked in between his damp fur.
"Did you piss yourself?" Shadow asked shakily, almost laughing. Sonic had turned around and gods, the look of shiny emerald eyes quickly deformed the smirk he had on his face.
"A better question, are you okay?" Shadow said softly. It almost made Sonic wanna collapse into his rival/friend and just pour out his true feelings.
"Wow. Look at this pathetic excuse of a hero," the stranger sneered, voice dripping with disgust. He took a step forward, voice cold and cruel. "You’re supposed to be fast, strong, untouchable... but you’re just a scared, helpless mess now."
Sonic's heart pounded in his chest. He tried to take a step back, but the stranger’s fist shot out suddenly, landing a harsh punch that knocked Sonic to the ground. The impact made him gasp, tears prickling at his eyes.
“Pathetic,” the stranger spat, kicking dirt toward Sonic’s trembling form. “You’re nothing but a joke. Even your own body betrays you. How weak can you get?”
Sonic curled into himself, clutching his sides, trembling as shame and pain overwhelmed him. His voice cracked as he tried to speak, but only sobs escaped.
“You’re disgusting,” the stranger continued, voice rising in anger. “No one’s ever going to respect you now. You’re just a useless, broken thing. Pathetic little Sonic.”
The words cut deep, sinking into his chest like daggers. Sonic’s eyes welled with tears, feeling utterly exposed and crushed under the weight of humiliation and loneliness.
"Shad....please...I'm sorry..Don't hurt me...." Sonic sobbed, shaking as the memory replayed over and over in his head.
Shadow's expression softened, and he was shaking his head. "Hey, hey, no need to be so scared, I'm right here. It happens. But you really should've said something sooner."
Sonic looked down, ashamed but also feeling a strange mix of relief and vulnerability. "Thanks, Shad," he whispered, voice barely audible. "I guess I was just... scared, and I didn't know what to do."
Sonic’s trembling breath hitched, tears spilling down his cheeks as he finally let himself feel the weight of Shadow’s words. His body shuddered with sobs, and he instinctively reached out, wrapping his arms around Shadow’s waist as if clinging to a lifeline.
Shadow held him tightly, whispering soothing words. “It’s okay to cry, Sonic. It’s okay to feel this way. You don’t have to carry everything alone. You’re safe with me — I’ve got you.”
A quiet moment stretched between them, Sonic’s tears slowly subsiding as Shadow pressed a calming kiss to his forehead. “You’re not a broken thing,” Shadow continued softly. “You’re strong, even when you feel like this. And I love you, all of you — the good, the bad, and everything in between.”
Sonic’s trembling eased into a gentle snuggle as he leaned into Shadow’s embrace, letting the warmth and love wash over him. Despite the dark memories and the hurtful words from that stranger, Shadow’s presence made everything seem a little brighter, a little more bearable.
“I… I was so scared,” Sonic admitted in a small, fragile voice. “I thought I’d never be okay again… that I’d just be… broken forever.”
Shadow’s arms tightened around him, his voice full of reassurance. “You’re not broken. You’re just hedgehog. We all have our moments of weakness, and that’s okay. I’ll be here, through every stumble and fall. I’ll help you get back up.”
Sonic looked up, his eyes glossy but filled with a flicker of hope. “Thanks, Shadow… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Shadow smiled softly, pressing another gentle kiss to Sonic’s temple. “You’ll never have to find out. I’ll always be here — your shadow, your protector, and your best friend. And whenever you feel scared or lost, just remember, you’re never alone.”
They stayed like that for a while — Sonic clutching Shadow’s hand, feeling safe in his warmth, slowly letting the past’s shadows fade away. The forest around them was quiet, the moonlight casting a silver glow over their intertwined figures, sealing their bond even more tightly in that moment of vulnerability and love.
---
After Sonic finally drifted into a peaceful sleep against Shadow’s chest, Shadow gently scooped him up, careful not to wake his fragile, trembling form. The cool night air brushed against them as Shadow carried Sonic out of the forest, heading toward his house, where Sonic could truly relax.
Once inside Shadow’s home, he carefully laid Sonic down on the bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin. Sonic’s breathing was slow and steady now, the storm inside him finally settling. Shadow watched over him for a moment, his heart swelling with tenderness.
“Time for a little relaxation,” Shadow murmured softly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He moved to prepare a warm, bubbly bath, steam rising from the water as he returned to the bedroom. Carefully, he helped Sonic sit up, then gently guided him into the bath, making sure the water was just right.
Sonic let out a soft sigh as the warmth enveloped him, sinking into the soothing bubbles. His eyelids fluttered closed for a moment, and he leaned back against the edge of the tub, feeling safe and cared for.
“Thanks, Shadow,” Sonic mumbled sleepily, voice muffled by the bubbles. “You’re the best.”
Shadow leaned over the tub with a playful grin. “You know I can’t resist teasing you a little, right?”
Before Sonic could react, Shadow’s hand drifted to lightly prod at a sensitive spot just below Sonic’s collarbone. Sonic twitched, a surprised squeak escaping him as he squirmed slightly.
“Ah! Shadow—!” Sonic’s voice was a mixture of laughter and protest.
“Oh, come on,” Shadow teased softly, a mischievous smirk on his face. “You’re so ticklish there. I couldn’t resist.”
Sonic’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and he tried to glare, but his giggles betrayed him. “Shad! You’re such a tease!”
Shadow leaned closer with a soft chuckle. “You like it, don’t you?”
Sonic’s laughter echoed in the bathroom, warm and genuine, as Shadow’s playful touch lingered just a little longer. Despite the teasing, there was an unmistakable tenderness in his eyes — a reminder that even in moments of fun, their bond was built on safety and trust.
After a few moments, Shadow helped Sonic out of the bath, wrapping him in a fluffy towel and holding him close. Sonic leaned into him, feeling the warmth and comfort of Shadow’s embrace.
Sonic, eyes half-closed and cheeks flushed, smiled sleepily. As he looked up at Shadow, he felt an unexpected flutter in his chest — a quiet, growing warmth he hadn’t fully acknowledged before. He didn’t say anything at first, just snuggled closer.
In that tender silence, Sonic realized that his feelings for Shadow might be deeper than he’d ever admitted — but for now, he kept it locked inside, letting it slowly blossom in the quiet of the night. It was a slow burn, a gentle understanding forming beneath the surface, and he knew that someday, he might tell Shadow how much he truly cared.