Gazing down at the city, nothing seemed to calm him more, there was just something so comforting about being there, it was only a small balcony, but Shadow found it was where he'd spent most his time during his stay at Rouge's. The soothing effect was good for him, for once, the reason for his been unable to sleep was anger and frustrating, he'd been so used to worry haunting him during the nights, it seemed an unpleasant, yet on the other hand, welcome change. It was bad, but better than worrying.
He closed his eyes and tried to relax, but he was so damn angry, but he knew he needed to calm down so he could think of a good revenge plan. 'Last time I went out for revenge before taking the time to cool off, I ended killing up hundreds of soldiers, even though I think it's a good thing, I don't think Sonic would agree'
Just then another hedgehog joined him on the balcony, who joined him in the sullen silence. Ever since telling Shadow about what happened with Espio, he's said hardly anything, and if he had said anything, it was only to Shadow, he wondered when he should tell the others, but he could wait to worry about that, he just needed to relax for a while and get past it all.
It seemed they both could do with a breather.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Sonic finally asked quietly. Shadow nodded, he didn't need to say what was keeping him up, they both knew, and it haunted them both. Sonic leaned his head on the black hedgehog's shoulder and gazed out at the view, it was late, but the more central parts of the city were probably still thriving with nightlife. Sonic looked at the lights of the city, then up at the stars above, with all the light it made them a little hard to see, but he managed, he decided there was almost as many lights as they were stars that he could see.
The wind was a bit chilly and Sonic happily moved closer to Shadow's warmth as his black counterpart still stood silent. After a while it simply became too cold and they retreated inside, sitting next to each other on the white couch. It was soft and comfortable, and they found themselves quite happy to just sit there in each other's company, Rouge and Knuckles were having more luck with sleep then they were, so they probably still wouldn't be up for a few hours.
The seconds ticked away on the small clock Rouge owned, and the constant ticking was driving Shadow mad, until he decided he'd had enough.
"If I don't get out of here I'm gonna go insane," he only then realised that he'd been in the apartment for two solid days, something he simply didn't do, "I need to go out somewhere, I don't care where, and there's plenty of places that are open all hours, fancy going somewhere?" Sonic thought about it. He didn't really want to go, no the other way round, he really didn't want to go, but if Shadow wanted to go somewhere, he'd go too; Shadow would look after him anyway.
"Sure," he said, lying through his teeth, but returning the smile Shadow gave him.
"Great, I know just the place, nice and quiet, but with strong alcohol, something I need, not bad for food either, come on, just follow me." He grabbed Sonic's hand and they sped off.
Two hours later the two were laughing their troubles away over a few pints, they had drunk enough to be slightly tipsy and free of all coherent thought, but not enough to be drunk of ill. After chugging a few more glasses, they set off home, deciding to take a taxi instead of attempting running at the speed of sound which would probably result in smashing into several inanimate objects which they would later have claimed to be in the way.
When they stumbled inside, they somehow made their way to their bed and in minutes had finally fallen into the deep slumber they'd been denied for the last few days.
The next morning, Shadow was straight to business, he'd had enough of thinking about what Espio did to Sonic, it was time to get revenge for it. He set to work, locking himself in the bedroom until he could think of a satisfactory plan, he wanted to do this alone, he didn't want Rouge or Knuckles involved and he couldn't risk losing Sonic again.
It was a while before the door opened and Shadow strode out with a look of determination on his face, he headed straight for the front door, Sonic's eyes following him.
"Shadow? Where are you going"
"I just need to get some things," Shadow said before leaving the apartment. Sonic nodded to no-one in particular, not that there was actually anyone else there, Rouge was at work, Knuckles was guarding the emerald, he was all alone in the apartment. He drew his knees to his chest as he sat alone on the sofa, he didn't want to be alone, he didn't feel safe, why did Shadow have to go?
'Oh god oh god oh god oh god,' Sonic began to panic and started pacing up and down the room, then he resolved to turning off all the lights and closing all the curtains, locking all the doors and windows leading outside. After all this he sat on the sofa nervously, twiddling his thumbs together. He turned the rarely used TV on to try calm himself down; deciding on a music channel, music always calmed him down.
He curled up on the sofa, and tried to think friendly, calming thoughts, but the only thing he could think of was Espio, and being cuffed to that bed and left alone in the dark with no-one coming to help him…
He lay on his side and cried silently as the memories poured back again, god he wanted Shadow, he was scared and lonely, he just wanted him to come back.
Hours later when Shadow returned home, he saw the sobbing ball of blue fur on the couch, and immediately rushed over to his side, shaking him lightly.
"Sonic what's wrong? Sonic?" He saw two emerald orbs look at him cautiously, and the ball slowly uncurled, slightly reluctantly. Shadow reached out his hand to take Sonic's hand, but jumped when the blue hedgehog drew his hand back quickly and took a sharp intake of breath. "Sonic?" Shadow questioned him with his eyes, but the hedgehog just shook his head and walked out of the room, holding his hand round his wrist, leaving Shadow on his own in the dark room.
"Sonic?"