Sonic, I'm back…Sonic? Can you hear me?

-The hedgehog shook the snow off the red striped and ebony quills as he came into the warm inviting and cozy house. His crimson eyes scanned for a familiar hedgehog in the living room but found nothing then sighed softly.-

You're in bed already?

-The ebony hedgehog sighed softly as he kicked the boots off and shrugged the thick coat that Sonic gave him few years ago. He had took care of it greatly to make sure it wasn't damaged badly…He tiptoed upstairs as the wooden floor stacked up creaked quietly and his clawed yet gentle hand used the railing for support to the bedroom where Sonic was in.-

Hey…

-The ultimate form whispered softly as he spotted a sleeping figure in the bed and got on carefully so he won't give the sleeping hedgehog a heart attack then his ears perked, now aware that his husband wasn't asleep but merely waiting when he heard that familiar voice.-

Hey Lucas. You're late.

I know, Love. I'm sorry, I had to drop by to check on Rouge and make sure she doesn't hurt herself. You know how she is.

-The ebony hedgehog said jokingly as he heard a shaky chuckle from the hedgehog and smiled sadly for the first time as the blue hedgehog he loves very much turned over. He wasn't young anymore…-

You're too kind.

-The elderly azure hedgehog flashed a familiar smile at the ebony hedgehog that had settled down besides him with a quiet purr.-

How had you been holding up…?

-It was hard for Lucas. To watch Sonic to grow old while the time never touched Lucas at all…And his friends too. Sonic had been his boulder that he leaned on for so long for emotional support and love…But it was time to stop leaning and start to support Sonic.-

-It was time to let him go.-

Could be better but Cream refused let me to go out anymore.

Of course she wouldn't. You could be hurt or worse in this weather.

Bah! I'm Sonic! I saved the world many times before you came in the picture and you should be the one to talk, ya old geezer!

-The blue hedgehog prodded him with a finger playfully with a creaky chuckle as Lucas rolled his eyes with a smile and brushed the drooping quills of the elderly hedgehog with a gentle hand.-

…Shads?

Hm?

-Wow. It was strange to hear that after many years…He had dropped the name because it was the chain to the past. It clung to him like a ugly dark cloud and he felt he couldn't move on with that name... So he chose a new name and to have an renewed life…He was truly glad he had did that.-

I know it's hard for you to be there for me while I grew old…I just wish I could find a way to stop time too for you so I can stay with you forever.

-That gave Lucas a lump in his throat, fully aware of what he meant as he swallowed it but nevertheless, he gave a kiss on the forehead of Sonic with a sad smile.-

I will prefer that the fact you will never share the cruel fate with me. You deserve to have a choice to die or not. I didn't.

Your story is almost going to end but my story… It's still waiting for me to write a new chapter but you will be always be in my heart and as my husband. No one can replace you.

-Lucas said gently, giving his beloved one a tender hug with a quiet and shaky sniffle as Sonic looked at him with worried emerald eyes that Lucas adored and took solace from that.-

But shads…

I'll be okay, Sonic. Hurt and grieving yes but…I'll endure it and move on like I had with Maria's death. Please don't linger any longer because of my sake, okay? Go when you need to. I'll be here to with you…

I love you.

-And that, Sonic then got comfortable into Lucas's arms and it had surprised the ebony hedgehog of how small and frail Sonic was right now. He could hear his shallow breathing and the slowing heartbeat…-

love you too, Shads. Merry Christmas.

…Merry Christmas, Sonic.