I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I feel like it's not as well-written as previous ones but, admittedly, this is the best I could do. Inspiration and motivation last week was kind of low but I really wanted to get this chapter written out. It's got the plot points I planned out in the outline but… yeah.

Anyway, I hope you guys will still enjoy this.

TRIGGER WARNING: traumatic flashbacks, PTSD, mentions of rape, panic attacks, self-destructive behavior.

Chapter 15: A Long Rocky Road

Sonic took a piece of candy from the little bowl that sat on Dr. Amaya's coffee table and popped it into his mouth, letting the flavor of strawberries and cream dance on his tongue. "It's kind of strange doing this again," he admitted to Dr. Amaya as they waited for their session to come to an end. They'd already gone through what he considered was enough processing of his emotions for today and decided to pass the time by idle chitchat.

"Care to elaborate?" Dr. Amaya asked as she organized her notes.

"Going to therapy. I used to have a therapist when I was 13. Uncle Chuck found me one after…" Sonic trailed off, sucking on the candy in his mouth. When the candy had completely dissolved, he continued. "She was nice. And really supportive, like you. But then Eggman, back when he called himself Robotnik, came and took over Mobotropolis. I had to go on the run with Tails when I was 14. When I came back after the city was liberated, I found out that she died so I couldn't go and visit her anymore," he admitted.

Dr. Amaya's gaze softened. "And I suppose that you decided to forego finding another?" she asked.

"There was too much going on. I had to take care of Tails while we looked for Uncle Chuck. And there were people who needed helping. On top of that, a lot of Egghead's Badniks were still rampaging around other areas. I didn't have time to sit on the therapy couch and process everything when so much needed to be done. Money was tight, too, and I ran out of medication two months after Tails and I went on the run, but I managed without them. Figured I didn't need them anymore," Sonic said, shrugging.

Dr. Amaya hummed, crossing one leg over the other as she sat opposite of the Blue Blur. Over the past month, Sonic had made good progress. The nightmares had lessened dramatically, he was slowly starting to open up about more of his personal traumas and had been able to regain most of the weight he had lost due to being in a coma. Physical therapy accompanied with some exposure to a Chaos Emerald had also restored Sonic's strength, allowing him to stand and walk without any support. This was their last daily session together before she officially released Sonic from the hospital, having deemed him to be both physically and mentally well enough to return home with his family.

That being said, there was still a lot that needed working on. Helping Sonic realize that his own needs mattered just as much as everybody else's was at the top of Dr. Amaya's list.

"Self-care is very important, Sonic. It doesn't make you selfish. I know you care for your friends greatly, but you also need to care about yourself. I know you want to help them but, at the moment, you won't be capable of dividing your focus among all of them. For now, I advise you to focus solely on yourself. Then gradually divide your focus among your friends who need some help without forgetting to dedicate time to self-care," Dr. Amaya reminded him.

Sonic dipped his head slightly in a nod. Dr. Amaya's logic made total sense but, still, was it really okay? Was it really okay for him to take a step back so he could focus on his own needs rather than the needs of others?

'It does sound kind of nice… Not having to worry about everyone all the time and really have a moment for myself. Plus, Tails and the gang are strong. They can handle themselves without me. Heck, they've been doing better than me ever since we all started getting therapy. I guess they won't mind if I say, "I'd like some time for myself," once…' he thought just as Dr. Amaya spoke again.

"I'll see you again next week. Until then, promise me you'll allow yourself the luxury of taking time to focus on your own well-being over others in the meantime. Do you think you can do that?" she asked Sonic gently.

"I'll try, I guess," Sonic mumbled. He reached forward to take another candy from the bowl then stopped himself only for Dr. Amaya to smile and hand him one.

"Self-care also means treating yourself every now and then." She winked and that coaxed a tiny smile from the blue hedgehog.

Tails put down the magazine he was reading once Sonic stepped out of Dr. Amaya's office. "Hey, Sonic. How'd your session go?" he asked.

"It was okay. I'll be seeing Dr. A next week and I got prescribed some new multivitamins to take with my antidepressants," Sonic replied as he paid the receptionist his consultation fee. After he and Tails stopped by the pharmacy to buy his medication, Sonic noted the absence of a certain echidna.

"Since this is your last day at the hospital, Knuckles figured that you and I will be okay being on our own for a few days. He went back to Angel Island to check up on the Master Emerald. But he said that he'll come back once he makes sure everything's fine up there," Tails explained as they left the hospital and booked a taxi to take them to Floral Forest Village. Vanilla and Cream had invited the two brothers over for lunch as soon as Sonic was discharged from the hospital, and Sonic and Tails had accepted the invitation.

Throughout the ride to the Rabbit Family's residence, Tails kept a close eye on Sonic's facial expressions as the blue hedgehog gazed out the window. His older brother had always been good at concealing his true emotions so others wouldn't worry if he got upset. But for the past month, Tails had gotten better at reading Sonic like an open book. Even if his face didn't outwardly show it, Sonic's sadness still clung to him like a leech. And Tails could see it in his eyes and in the slight droop of the blue hedgehog's ears. As much as he wanted to build a machine that could instantly suck out all of his brother's sadness, Tails knew that that was impossible. The best thing he could do was be there for Sonic and help him through all the rough times.

And, then, one day, everything will be okay and his brother will be happy again.

Right now, he couldn't really see any sadness lurking deep within Sonic's emerald eyes. They looked out the taxi window, slightly glazed. Tails adjusted the cuffs of his gloves as he looked at Sonic, the latter not noticing the former staring at him.

'Maybe he's lost in thought…' Tails guessed before the taxi driver announced that they'd arrived at their destination.

Cream heard Cheese and Chocola calling her. Looking up from the flower crowns she'd just finished making, the little rabbit saw a familiar pair walking down the path to her house. With a big smile, she stood up and met the visitors halfway.

"Hi, Tails! Hi, Mr. Sonic!"

Cream mentally cheered when she saw the smile form on Sonic's face as she hugged him. The last time she visited him at the hospital with Amy, Sonic barely smiled and it worried her greatly. But, now, seeing him out of the hospital, she felt hopeful that the Blue Blur was starting to feel better. "I'm so happy that you're no longer staying at the hospital, Mr. Sonic," she said as they walked to her house hand-in-hand.

"Thanks, Cream. I feel pretty good being out of there, too. It was getting boring staying in one place all the time," Sonic said.

Reaching the Rabbit Family house, Sonic and Tails discovered that they weren't Cream and Vanilla's only guests. Espio was pouring tea for Vanilla while Vector was trying to keep Charmy from eating all of the little cakes and scones arranged on the four cake stands. And sitting on the sofa, talking to Gemerl, was…

"Shadow!" Despite his conflicting feelings over focusing on his own needs, Sonic instantly felt his mood lift when he saw the ebony agent. If it hadn't been for the presence of Tails and the Chaotix, he would have run over to Shadow and embraced him.

Luckily for Sonic, Shadow did the hugging for him. Granted, it was more of a side hug to keep things looking casual but it was still a hug. "Glad to finally see you out of that joint," Shadow whispered in his ear before they separated. Sonic couldn't help the light giggle that escaped from his lips.

Then he saw Tails and Charmy looking at him then froze.

'Oh, shoot! What if they figure it out? Shads and I aren't ready to come out of the closet just yet!' Sonic internally panicked as his eyes darted around while his entire face threatened to turn the exact same shade of crimson as Shadow's stripes.

Thankfully, Vanilla stepped in and announced that the tea was ready. Sonic sat down with the others at the dining table and, for the next hour, let himself bask in the company of good friends while enjoying a hearty lunch. Cream made him and Tails flower crowns which they proudly wore at the table. He and Shadow held hands under the table every now and then, his boyfriend's gentle touch grounding him to the here and now and keeping his intrusive thoughts at bay.

It was halfway through dessert when Cream approached him and whispered, "I know that you and Mr. Shadow are dating. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Sonic nearly choked on a bite of lemon sponge cake before looking at Cream, his eyes wide.

"Rouge told her while we were taking you to Angel Island," Shadow murmured, gently rubbing his boyfriend's back.

After taking a few minutes to swallow, drink some tea, and process what he'd just heard, Sonic managed a small smile and patted Cream on the head. "Thanks for keeping our secret," he told the little rabbit girl. Cream giggled sweetly before heading back to her seat. Meanwhile, Charmy – now a little hopped up on sugary sweets and cake – followed Vector and Vanilla into the kitchen.

"You seem more serene. I take it that therapy has been going well for you?" Espio asked, helping himself to a vanilla cupcake.

"Yeah. Dr. Amaya's great. She's been helping me organize my thoughts and teaching me grounding techniques so I don't get so overwhelmed by everything that's happening in my brain," Sonic said. He then got up and stretched. "Hey, Cream, do you wanna go pick some flowers outside? I see Shadow and the Chaotix haven't got any," he remarked.

"Sure, Mr. Sonic! I wanted to make everyone flower crowns but I ran out of time while helping Mother make lunch," Cream said, already picking up the little basket she usually put her flowers in.

Suddenly, Vector's voice came from the kitchen.

"Charmy, put that back before you break it!"

"Nuh-uh! Ms. Vanilla says I can put it on the table myself!"

Charmy flew out of the kitchen, carrying a vase filled with flowers, laughing as Vector ran after him. The crocodile made a move to go forward so he could grab the vase before Charmy accidentally dropped it… only for the bee to dodge.

Unfortunately for Vector, his momentum carried him forward just as Sonic and Cream were about to leave the dining room.

Leading him to accidentally knock Sonic to the ground as he fell on top of the blue hedgehog.

TRIGGER WARNING STARTS HERE

Just like that, Sonic found himself back in that room.

Bound to that bed, the soft sheets doing nothing to comfort him despite having spent five months sleeping on a cold metal floor, his heart hammering in his chest.

Clawed fingers leaving red lines as they touched him despite his pleas to stop.

Dual-colored eyes leering down at him, hands roaming over his body even as he squirmed and thrashed against the shackles restraining him. Weight on his lower torso, hands gripping his hips too tight. Bruises forming on his skin.

His legs being forced apart then laughter, dark twisted, mocking laughter amidst his screams.

Pain.

Pain.

So much pain.

It hurts.

It hurts.

IT HURTS.

IT HURTS!

Please don't!

Don't touch me!

DON'T TOUCH ME!

I don't want this!

I don't want this! I don't want this! Idon'twantthisIdon'twantthisIdon'twantthis!

I DON'T WANT THIS!

I DON'T WANT THIS!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Vector scrambled off of Sonic, covering his ears immediately, startled by the inhumanly loud volume of the latter's screams. "Shit! Sonic, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" he yelped but his apologies were drowned out by Sonic's screams.

Cheese and Chocola hid behind Cream, the young rabbit whimpering and hurrying over to Gemerl.

"Heart rate and blood pressure increasing. Fight-or-flight response currently being employed. Sonic is having a traumatic flashback," Gemerl warned.

Tails tried to approach his terrified brother but was forced to retreat as Sonic started thrashing about on the floor, kicking and screaming, "Don't touch me! DoN't ToUch Me! No! NO! NO! I don't want this! Idon'twantthis! I DON'T WANT THIS! GET AWAY! STAY AWAY!"

Charmy whimpered and clung to Espio, the chameleon telling everyone to give Sonic space. Vector huddled in a corner with his head in his hands while Vanilla gently ushered her daughter and their two Chao away. Tails stayed rooted to the spot, tears welling up in his eyes as his big brother cried and screamed, completely lost in a memory. And judging from the words Sonic kept screaming again and again, he and the others had a sinking feeling that they knew what trauma he was reliving.

Only Shadow moved closer, his heart breaking all over again as he tried to calm Sonic down.

"Sonic, it's okay! It's okay! Nothing's going to hurt you here! You're safe! You're perfectly safe!" Shadow shouted over his boyfriend's screams as he knelt beside the panicking hedgehog. He narrowly dodged a fist as he gently placed his hand on Sonic's left cheek.

"Look at me, Blue. Look at me. I'm right here… I'm here, Sonic. I'm here."

After about five minutes of unending screaming and thrashing, Sonic stopped moving and lay on the floor, gasping through broken sobs.

"That's it. It's okay, Sonic. It's okay…" whispered Shadow. He tried to help the blue hedgehog sit up but his hands were slapped away as Sonic whipped his head to the left, emerald eyes wide with fear.

But, upon seeing the startled look on Shadow's face, Sonic realized what he'd just done. Looking around the scared and worried faces looking at him, Sonic felt the shame rise within him as he started hyperventilating.

'I flipped out. Oh, Chaos, I flipped out. Now Vector thinks it's all his fault. It's not. It's not. It's mine. I freaked out all because he fell on top of me and it was an accident. They're all staring at me. Oh, no, they must think I'm going insane… Pathetic. Worthless. Couldn't even defend yourself from being raped.'

Scrambling to his feet, Sonic saw flashes of Infinite and what the villain did to him again and violently started shaking his head. He heard Tails, Shadow, and Vanilla calling out to him but their voices sounded distorted and so far away. He could feel his grip on reality crumbling as another flashback threatened to commence within his head and he didn't want to freak out again in front of his friends. Clutching his head and letting out a frustrated yell, Sonic made for the stairs leading up to the second floor of the Rabbit Family's house. He knew where the bathroom was and locked himself in there, curling up into a ball.

The memory returned full force and Sonic whimpered and cried as he remembered the pain and humiliation of being taken advantage of and having his body be used for Infinite's sick pleasure.

"I bet you'll never tell anyone about this. Your friends will never know how you are mine, Little Blue…" Infinite had growled into his ear after he'd had his wicked way with him.

Sonic sobbed as he uncurled from his fetal position. 'I'm disgusting. Damaged goods. I wanted my first time to be with Shadow but he probably doesn't want me anymore. He knows I've been violated. So does everyone else. They shouldn't touch me. I'm dirty and I shouldn't taint them…' he thought in despair, rocking back and forth as his still rapid breathing filled the room. He smashed his head against the wall, desperate to silence the memories firing through his brain. His head hit against one tile of the bathroom wall hard enough to make it crack, but the memories didn't stop.

He could still hear Infinite's sick, twisted laughter echoing in his ears.

He could still feel the jackal's hands roaming all over his body.

He hated that he could still feel those sensations even when Infinite wasn't there.

'MAKE IT STOP! MAKEITSTOPMAKEITSTOP! MAKE IT STOOOOPPP!' Sonic mentally screamed before, suddenly, hearing the bathroom door's lock click open.

TRIGGER WARNING ENDS HERE

Vanilla carefully opened the door and found Sonic huddled beside the sink, repeatedly bashing his head against the adjacent wall. The poor dear was whining in distress and bruising was already visible around his temples and forehead. It broke the mother rabbit's heart seeing Sonic like this.

"Sonic? Sonic, sweetie? Can you hear me?" Vanilla called out softly as she crept closer to the blue hedgehog. She saw Sonic's ears flick in her direction, knew that he was listening, and took a deep breath before gently placing her hands on both sides of Sonic's head.

"That's enough of that, Sonic. It's okay… No more banging your head. I don't want you getting more hurt," she murmured, carefully maneuvering Sonic's head away from the wall.

"M-m… Muh… M-muh… Muh… Ma… Ma…ma…"

Vanilla's gaze went to Sonic, brown eyes wide, as the hedgehog looked pleadingly at the mother rabbit. "M-Mama… Want… Mama…" Sonic whimpered, tears trickling down his cheeks.

For a moment, Vanilla wondered if he was calling for Rosario, Fatima's mother. She remembered seeing brief snippets of the elder hedgehog caring for Sonic as if he were her own son. Rosario had been the only mother figure Sonic had growing up due to his birth mother dying before he could really know her.

Then, as she heard Sonic say "Mama" again, Vanilla realized that… he was calling out for her.

She had grown to care for Sonic and Tails ever since she met the two youngsters back when they were still traveling around Mobius to free the roboticized Mobians from Eggman's control. She invited them into her home, fed them, tended to their wounds, and made sure they both had warm beds to sleep in before they set out on another journey. She knew Cream loved the two brothers with all her heart and, the more times they came to visit her and her daughter, the more Vanilla felt that Sonic and Tails were like her own children.

And, though he was only letting her know this now, Sonic must have seen her as his mother.

While she knew she could never ever replace Rosario, Vanilla was going to do her best to be the mother Sonic needed.

"Mama's here." Wrapping her arms around Sonic, Vanilla pulled him into her embrace. "Mama's got you, sweetheart. It's okay. Mama's here," she whispered, gently running her fingers through blue quills.

Sonic buried his face in Vanilla's shoulder, blubbering. "M-Mama… Mama… M'sorry… I'm sorry… Sorry, sorry, sorry…" he wept again and again.

"Shhh… It's okay… It's okay, sweetie. No need to say sorry…" Vanilla cooed, getting up and gently rocking Sonic in her arms. She was thankful that Sonic was roughly only half her height and she could still carry him. Making sure Sonic's arms were securely wrapped around her neck, Vanilla carried him to her room. Sonic sniffled and whimpered as she gently applied a cold compress on the bruises blossoming around his temples while being cradled in her lap. When he finally stopped crying, the first coherent thing he said was, "A-are Tails and the others okay?"

'Even when he's in so much pain, he cares more about others…' Vanilla thought, smiling gently at the blue hedgehog. "They're worried. But they're alright, Sonic. I told them to wait downstairs while I checked up on you," she told him.

Sonic made a move to get off of Vanilla's lap but the mother rabbit gently placed him on the bed. "Rest here for a bit, sweetie. I know you're worried about them but you just went through something really bad and need to rest," she said in a soothing voice.

When Sonic didn't protest, Vanilla tucked him in. She could tell that he was exhausted as he yawned and rubbed his red-rimmed eyes. Sonic's eyelids were already drooping and, just before his eyes closed, he managed to sleepily mumble, "Thank you, Mama…"

Vanilla held back her tears and gently kissed Sonic on the forehead. "Sleep well, sweetie," she whispered before leaving the room.

Shadow and the others were waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. Cream went to her mother and held on to her skirt. "Is Mr. Sonic alright, Mother?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

"He's fine now, darling. I just tucked him in for a nap," Vanilla soothed her.

Vector sighed, tugging his headphones off his head. "This is my fault. If I hadn't fallen down…" he mumbled, his shoulders slumped forward.

"It's my fault, too." Charmy's antennae drooped as he started crying. "I shouldn't have flown around so fast and made Vector chase me," he sobbed.

Espio patted both of his teammates. "None of us could have predicted this. It was an accident," he reassured them.

Tails sighed heavily, leaning against the wall. He would have to call Dr. Amaya and let her know about this incident. He wasn't completely sure if Sonic had ever talked about his time aboard the Death Egg with her. If he hadn't… then he'll have to talk about it during his next session.

And… Chaos, this meant that Sonic needed to be tested for STDs as soon as possible. Would his brother even be okay with that?

"Can I see him?" Shadow's soft voice made Tails snap out of his worry. Glancing at the dark hedgehog, he saw how shaken Shadow was. Shadow kept spinning his inhibitors and fidgeted as he looked at Vanilla.

Finally, Vanilla smiled and let him go upstairs. She looked at Tails next only for the young fox to shake his head and tap on his communicator. While Tails headed outside to call Dr. Amaya, Vanilla herded Cream, Vector, Espio, Charmy, Cheese, Chocola, and Gemerl to the living room. She brewed more tea to help calm everybody's nerves. But, even as she reassured everybody, Vanilla still worried about Sonic and Tails. She knew both boys had been through so much, too much, and wondered what else she could do to help them.

Then she remembered Sonic as she tucked him in earlier. How he looked at her when he said "Thank you, Mama." It had been the look of gratitude any child would give their mother after she had made the monsters go away. While Sonic was already an adult, he never got to have a stable childhood. Neither did Tails.

Vanilla took a deep breath to steady herself and nodded.

Maybe it wasn't too late for her to give these boys a mother's love and care.

Shadow sat on a small stool he had placed next to Vanilla's bed and just watched Sonic sleep. His boyfriend's flower crown had been placed on the dresser and, every now and then, a small petal or leaf would fall from it. The fragile circlet of plant matter had been roughed up during Sonic's freak out. Idly, Shadow wondered if Cream was already making a new one for his boyfriend to wear before grimacing at the sight of the bruises.

Vanilla had put a pan of cold water and a washcloth on the bedside table. Shadow carefully dipped the washcloth into the cold water, wrung it out, and brought it to one particularly ugly bruise on the right side of Sonic's head before stopping.

What if Sonic woke up and freaked out again because someone was touching him?

What if he had another flashback and there was nothing he could do to calm him down?

Shadow dropped the washcloth back into the pan of water and shakily exhaled. He remembered how Sonic looked so scared, screaming, begging an absent Infinite to stop it. He and the others hadn't seen the actual act during their journey through Sonic's memories. He could only imagine how traumatic it must have been for him.

And it was his fault it had happened.

If he hadn't accidentally killed Infinite's squad, if he hadn't insulted Infinite after he had knocked him down, then Sonic wouldn't have been targeted. The war wouldn't have started and the love of his life wouldn't have suffered.

A quiet sob came from Shadow and he covered his mouth as the tears started falling.

It was happening again. People he loved getting hurt because of him. His very existence had caused Maria to get killed during the raid on the ARK and caused Gerald to go insane. When he and Sonic both admitted their feelings for one another, Shadow had promised himself that he would do everything in his power to keep Sonic safe. He vowed to never cause Sonic any pain and to only give him the happiness he deserved.

It took one mission for him to break that promise. And it caused a catastrophic domino effect that Sonic was now paying for via the trauma he'd suffered at Infinite's hands. Shadow hunched over, hands covering his face as he sobbed.

What other horrors had that damn jackal done to his beloved that hadn't been shown during their trip through Sonic's mind? Chaos, what if Infinite had raped him multiple times before Gadget had rescued him?

"…Shads…?"

Shadow straightened up with a gasp, realizing he must have been crying a bit louder than he should have. Sonic was now sitting up and looking at him, brows knit together and ears drooping. "What's wrong?" he asked as he reached out to him.

"I'm so sorry," Shadow choked out, taking Sonic's hand in both of his and bowing his head, looking every bit of the repentant sinner he was. "I'm so so so so sorry…"

"Hey… Hey, hey, hey, hold up there…" Sonic gently tugged on Shadow's arm, coaxing his boyfriend over to him. "Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong," he murmured, carding his fingers through Shadow's quills.

"But I did. I made Infinite target you…" Shadow whispered, looking at him, his face filled with remorse. "It should have been me. I killed his entire squad. Infinite should have gone after me if he wanted revenge but, instead, he went after you… to get back at me." Tears flooded Shadow's eyes and he resumed crying.

Sonic's ears pinned against his head and he gently placed his hands on Shadow's cheeks, making the dark agent face him. "Shads, we couldn't have known what was going to happen. Rouge told me that you didn't intend to kill the Jackal Squad. So don't ever think that you should have been the one Infinite captured and tortured for six months. And even if you didn't kill Infinite's team or, heck, never met him… who's to say the first wave of attacks wouldn't have happened? Eggman's experiments with the Phantom Ruby would have still happened. He would have made his move at some point. We can stay here and debate over all the what-ifs but there's no point. The war already happened. And we won, remember?" He wiped away Shadow's tears and gave him a soft smile.

"But if you're still beating yourself up over all that… I want you to know that I forgive you," he told him.

Shadow blinked at the blue hedgehog in front of him, mouth opening slightly. 'How can someone who's been hurt so many times be so forgiving?' he wondered before returning Sonic's smile, drying his eyes. For a minute, he and Sonic didn't say anything and were content to gaze into each other's eyes.

Shadow didn't realize he was slowly leaning forward towards Sonic until the latter stiffened. Once he saw the anxiety fill those emerald orbs, Shadow leaned back and started apologizing.

"Shit. I'm sorry. I…" he managed to say before Sonic looked away and hugged his knees to his chest.

"It's… It's pathetic of me, isn't it? I've been doing fairly well with therapy and all it takes is a small accident to make me remember…" Sonic shuddered, shaking his head slightly before continuing. "I… I wanted you to be my first, y'know? The one to take me and claim me as your own," he admitted, a soft pink blush spreading across his muzzle as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. "But I guess that can't happen anymore due to me being damaged goods…" He sniffed and buried his face between his chest and knees as he started to cry.

Shadow was so tempted to reach out and hug him. But he held himself back, knowing that Sonic wouldn't react positively to being touched so intimately just yet. Instead, he took a deep breath and spoke from his heart.

"I will always love you, Sonic the Hedgehog. You will always be beautiful to me, no matter how many scars – physical or emotional – you have. I hate that Infinite did such a barbaric thing to you. And, believe me, if I ever see that jackal again, rest assured that I will make sure he pays for everything he's done to you. But, my love… please don't let what he did to you make you believe that you are broken beyond repair. You aren't damaged goods, unclean or whatever Infinite's actions lead you to believe. You are kind, courageous, loyal, and the most incredibly selfless and forgiving hedgehog I've ever known. It is a privilege to be loved by you and I swear on Maria's name that I will never ever stop loving you."

Sonic slowly lifted his head as he listened to Shadow's declaration. Such heartfelt declarations didn't come often from Shadow who preferred to let his actions speak for himself. But whenever they did, mostly from sheer spontaneity brought about by the hybrid's sheer need to express his love for the Blue Blur when actions didn't seem to be enough, Sonic was always blown away.

Shadow locked eyes with his boyfriend and smiled lovingly at him. "You told me and the others that you think yourself as broken. Well, I'm a bit of a broken thing myself so maybe we can help fix each other," he offered.

That brought a soft giggle out of Sonic, the blue hedgehog relaxing back against the pillows. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" he mumbled, feeling sleepy again.

"I should be the one asking that question," Shadow joked and got off the bed, planning on resuming his watch from a safe distance so Sonic didn't suffer from any more stress.

"Wait…"

To his surprise, Sonic reached out and grabbed his hand. "Y-you can… You can hold my hand while I sleep. I-I mean if you want…" he mumbled, already loosening his grip.

Shadow settled down on the stool and interlaced his fingers with his boyfriend's. "Do you want me to?" he asked softly.

"Mm-hmmm… I-I just don't want to be alone…" Sonic yawned.

"Okay," Shadow whispered, gently squeezing Sonic's hand.

Five minutes passed before Sonic's soft snores filled the room. Sitting by the blue hedgehog's bedside, Shadow let out a soft sigh and gently rubbed his thumb against Sonic's knuckles. He kept his grip relaxed but he had no intentions of ever letting go unless Sonic pulled away from him or mumbled out that he was okay.

Even in sleep, Sonic held onto his hand.

I'll be taking a short break from this story to work on my Faith Tenrec Saga. Next week, I'll get back to this.

Until then, read and review! Reviews and constructive criticism help me improve my writing.

-GuardianDragon98