Despite the Pun Name, this is quite serious...and it's in the main universe. And was requested by anon. I hope you like it!
I can't-I'm sinking-I Can't Breathe. Why can't I breathe!? I can't. I can't. I can't. I can't. I can't. Kicking. Fighting. Stop. No. I don't. I can't. Please! Breathe. No. Don't. It burns. Why does it? Burn? I can't. Stop No. No. No! NO!
Sonic lazily lifted her eyes over her sunglasses that were perched on the end of her nose. The waves of the ocean drifted back and forth on the beach. The light of the sun danced on the water. She readjusted herself, the reclining beach chair had left a crick in her neck. She stretched and readjusted her umbrella.
"Are you going to be sitting out here all day?" Shadow was right on time.
"Of course, I take any chance to just lounge in the sun on a beach chair near a big puddleeeEEEEEEee," She turned to face him, but quickly covered her eyes as she realized something, "Shadow why. Are. You. Naked?" The black hedgehog looked confusingly towards himself then towards Sonic, then back to himself.
"I just took my gloves and shoes off." The confusion was evident in his voice. Sonic's face contorted in exasperation.
"In Mobian tradition that's naked, Shadz." It took all she had it her not to shout, her face as red as a tomato.
She heard Shadow's sigh and could picture his face in her head, "Yet it's still okay to not wear pants as a Mobian?" he asked himself quietly. Then to her he said, "I'm not wearing shoes on the beach. And you're almost naked anyway too." Well, at least she was still wearing gloves and shoes, but then again she was also just wearing a sports bra and shorts.
"Why is that even a classification of naked?" Sonic couldn't help it; the way he phrased it caused her to laugh loudly. She leaned over herself, her sides shaking. The Ultimate Lifeform rolled his eyes. After Sonic wiped the tears from her eyes, she looked at Shadow. Her checks only got hotter.
"Maybe because it's so easy to transfer Chaos energy and stuff...I dunno… maybe?" She smiled a sideways grin.
"Walk down the beach with me? I was going to collect seashells." The blue blur looked towards the ocean. It was seemingly calm but only left her with unease. Yet she couldn't disappoint him.
"Alright, I'll tag along on your seashell adventure." She ended her sentence with what was supposed to be a nonchalant shrug. Her shoulders were very tense. Then the hedgehog went to start walking along the beach.
"Wait."
"Shadz?"
"Shoes. Gloves. Off."
"Shadz…"
"Come on, what's a bit of shared Chaos energy between us?" He had a sly grin. If Sonic could physically blush more than she already was, she would. Mockingly she pretended to debate it for a short time, before taking the articles of clothing off with a huff. Ruby eyes caught a glint of metal on her hand.
"You're still wearing it?" He reached for her hand. She hesitated before letting him take it. It sent shivers up her spine. He ran his finger over the ring.
"Oh, you mean this old thing?" Sonic replied teasingly, "I never take it off...an old friend gave it to me."
"Oh, go jump off a cliff, Faker." They started walking down the beach, Shadow walking closer to the water. Together they started to point out seashells, putting them in a bag Shadow had managed to materialize out of thin air.
"You know," Shadow said as they walked along, "I'm curious to why you own an island with a crashed plane-house."
She smiled, "Tails and I used to live here before we moved to the Mystic Ruins. After all, living on an island in the middle of nowhere makes certain things difficult. Besides, thunderstorms are a nightmare to listen to in that house. Couldn't torture a kid like that." She fondly smiled as memories of comforting her brother flooded her mind. "And…"
"And?" At that moment, the incoming wave was bigger than the last, and water rushed over their knees.
She was sinking. She thrashed and struggled. Why, why, she had to get out of here. No. No. Please! God! She was dying. Her limbs were so heavy. She shouldn't breathe, why was her body trying to?
Sonic pushed herself away from the waves, tearing herself from Shadow's grasp. The black hedgehog's eyes widened as she fell to a sitting position. Her breathing was ragged. He kneeled down to her level.
"Sonic. What is it?" He kept his tone level and cool. Emerald eyes struggled to tear their gaze from the ocean before meeting ruby ones. Sonic's ears pressed flat against her head.
"It's...well," Shadow didn't rush her as she looked toward the other end of the beach, "My flashbacks are just really bad today." She pulled her sunglasses off her face. "I just- We're supposed to be enjoying this...I mean before we were a thing, GUN forced you to take vacation days...so…" She closed her eyes in frustration. Shadow sat down next to her in the sand. He didn't say anything but took her hand. Once again, lightning seemed to run through her.
She sighed, running her other hand over her face. "I just- Well- I've been able to go underwater before, I know how to find air bubbles...and still." Her exasperation caused her to hit the sand beside her.
"Take your time," Shadow said softly. He rubbed circles in the palm of her hand. Over and over again, the repetition was blissful. Her eyes closed as her breathing fell in time with those circles.
"There's nothing worse than the feeling of drowning. I'd rather burn to death, it's less painful, the worse the burn, the less you feel. Nerve damage and what not." She wasn't sure if she was saying it for herself or for Shadow. "Drowning, you feel your life ticking away. You can't breathe, and yet eventually your body will say want oxygen and there's no control. Suddenly there's water rushing in your mouth and it burns...the salt...or lack of oxygen...whatever, your insides are on fire. I-I just-"
"Shhhh. You're getting yourself worked up."
"I can't swim, Shadow. I can't. That motion with the arms and stuff! It's too similar to that first time...that first time… I drowned, Shadow. I remember it. I remember that...overwhelming state of calm just before it faded to black- I should be dead!" Sonic smiled sadly, tears stained her face. Shadow looked alarmed.
"But you're not. And whatever saved you that day was a miracle."
"Ovi Kintobor, that was the miracle. He was such a great man...and I suppose the ocean as well. In an ironic way, haha. It led me to the beach...I wish he was still alive." The sun was setting over the ocean. How long had they been sitting there? They sat in silence for a little while longer.
"I'm sorry I had a panic attack on you Shadz. I did get worked up, heh." He still rubbed the ever repeating circles. He looked towards the ocean. The red light danced on the water. It was beautiful.
"Sometimes it's better to let it out, then keep it in." He replied softly. "We all have our fears…" She turned to Shadow, an eyebrow raised.
"What are you afraid of?" The ebony hedgehog kept his gaze on the water. Orange light danced on his dark fur.
"I think it's something you fear as well." He paused, considering his words carefully, "It's the thought of watching someone I love die. Without being able to do anything to change it. It's a different situation when I can do something- but when I can't." Sonic closed her eyes humming in agreement.
"It eats away at you." She said finishing his thought. He nodded solemnly.
"At least we have one common fear…we can be fearful together. Wait. Did I phrase that right?" Shadow's face was perplexed. Sonic laughed lightly, throwing a bit of sand his direction. He responded accordingly, throwing back more sand. She shrieked in delight, and soon they were running down the beach throwing sand and water. The Auburn light of the sunset illuminating their antics.
A.N. Back to shorter ones... haha. On to Reviews then!
BearfootTruck: I am horrible with spotting my own grammatical errors, can see it on other people's work but not my own. Oops. I have not seen that movie...but I think I could do something along the lines of your description...
windalchemist001: Thanks for the feedback on the last chapter. I like the idea behind the prompt but I don't feel comfortable in doing the omegaverse. Sorry. Would it be okay if I did it without that aspect?
As always, please review! I probably won't update for awhile or maybe not. I have no idea, haha.