Draining Shadow

Springtime on Mobias is such a beautiful time of the year, almost as beautiful as winter and fall. It wasn't too hot, nor too cold. The flowers and plants growing about brought new and beautiful life to the planet. And for children, summer time was nearing quickly where the schools will close down for the next three months.

Of course, for some people, spring also meant allergies, and one particular black and red hedgehog was not spared from these claims.

Having spent most of his life up on the ARK and then another 50 years in cryogenic sleep, Shadow has never really been in contact with plants and flowers, so he was unaware of any allergies he may have. When spring a.k.a allergy season came rolling around for him for the first time, he became confused as he realized he suddenly couldn't breathe very well and sneezed and coughed often.

When it first happened, he thought that he had caught the flu, despite having his flu shot already (even though he doesn't really need it). But when he explained to his boyfriend about his symptoms, he was surprised to hear it was actually an allergic reaction to the pollen in the air.

It has been three weeks since allergy season started up again and Shadow was fed up. He was tired of constantly sneezing and waking up in the night with his coughing (he was glad his boyfriend was so understanding whenever that happened as they did sleep in the same bed together). But worst of all, he hasn't been able to breathe properly since it started. He was fed up with his runny nose, and tired of constantly trying to blow it empty, only for it to quickly refill up again. He has tried everything to get it to stop, but nothing has worked.

At least, he thought he tried everything.

"Hey Shads." Sonic greeted the ebony hedgehog as he walked into the living room. His response was the sound of a tissue being used. "Oh, are you still stuffed up?"

"Yeah," Shadow replied miserably as he threw the tissue away with the many others. "I just wish it would stop already. I've tried everything to clear my airways but nothing's working."

"Everything?"

"Everything. I've tried blowing my nose, multiple times as you can see. I've tried nasal spray, I've tried Mucinex, I've even tried Allegra, nothing works."

"Well…" Sonic almost didn't want to ask this, but it was necessary if it was one of the only things his boyfriend hasn't tried. "Did you try a nasal drain?"

"A what?"

"A nasal drain, basically it's a procedure where you take this bottle of a medical saltwater base and squirt it into your nostrils one at a time. The water will come out through the other nostril, cleaning out any mucus that may be stuck inside."

"Well, no, I haven't tried that." Shadow frowned in thought. "Does it work?"

"Oh yeah, it works like a dream. My mother used to give me a nasal drain whenever I had sinus problems, I always felt better right afterwards."

"Then I guess I'll try it. I mean, what do I got to lose?"

"Ok, I'll head to the store and buy the proper bottle and medicine. Meet me in the bathroom when I get back, ok?"

"Sure thing."

Sonic nodded and ran off, headed to the Pharmacy to get the stuff he needed for Shadow's nasal drain. As he ran to the store, he pulled his cell phone out from his quills and quickly dialed Tails.

"Hello?" Tails answered after the first two rings.

"Hey Tails, it's Sonic."

"Oh hey Sonic, what's up?"

"Nothing much really, I'm actually off to the Pharmacy store to get some supplies for a nasal drain."

"A nasal drain? What for?"

"Shadow needs it. His allergies has gotten worse."

"Oh dear."

"Yeah, anyway, I'm calling you to see if you'd be willing to meet me at the house to help me out a bit. Seeing as it's Shadow's first nasal drain, I'm not sure how he's gonna take it. I mean, I'm sure you remember MY first nasal drain."

"Yeah, and mine as well." Tails agreed. "Sure, I'll be over soon."

"Great, I'll see you when I get back."

With that, Sonic hung up and entered the Pharmacy, hoping that this will be the last time he'll have to buy one of these.

About 15 minutes later, Sonic was back home with the supplies and was met with his younger fox brother waiting for him at the door.

"Hey Tails, glad you could make it." The azure hedgehog greeted him.

"No problem Sonic. You got the stuff?"

Sonic snorted a laugh as he held up the Pharmacy bag with the bottle and medicine. "Don't say it like that, sounds like we're making a drug deal."

Tails couldn't help but laugh as he realised that it really did sound like that.

"Alright, alright, let's just go inside and get this over with." He slowly breathed to calm himself down.

"Right, Shadow's already in the bathroom waiting for me."

"You didn't tell him I was coming?" Tails asked him as they entered the house together.

"No, I… kinda left out the part of a nasal drain being highly uncomfortable." Sonic sighed. "I didn't think he'd want to do it after hearing that."

"Let's just hope he doesn't fight too much."

Sonic nodded as he and Tails went up the stairs to the bathroom, where Shadow was sitting on the lid of the toilet, still trying to clean his nose out with tissue paper as he waited for his blue lover. When the two entered the bathroom, Shadow gave a confused stare when he notice that Sonic wasn't alone.

"What's Tails doing here?" He asked.

"He's here to help." Sonic explained. "I-uh… forgot to mention that a nasal drain can be VERY uncomfortable."

"I kinda figured, considering it's water going up my nose." Shadow nodded. "But it can't be THAT bad."

"Well, maybe it won't be for you." Tails shrugged. "All I know is that when Sonic and I had our first nasal drains, we fought pretty hard and had to be held down."

"I promise I won't fight." Shadow crossed his heart with his left hand raised.

"We'll see," Sonic nodded, digging through the bag for the bottle and medicine. "Come now, Shadow, stand up over the toilet, we'll drain you right into the bowl so we can easily dispose of it."

"Sounds good to me." Shadow nodded as he stood up from the toilet and lifted the lid.

Sonic took the bottle and unscrewed the cap. He then took a small packet of medicated salt and poured it into the bottle. Next, he filled the bottle near to the brim with warm water from the sink. He put the cap back on, shook the bottle for about a minute, before finally approaching his ebony lover.

"Put your hands against the seat and lean over, it'll be easier this way."

Shadow nodded and did as Sonic said. Sonic gently stuck the long, needle-thin nozzle up Shadow's left nostril, ready to squeeze the medicine through it.

"Now remember Shads, while this is cleaning you out, remember to breathe through your mouth, ok."

"Ok."

"Ready… three… two… one."

Sonic squeezed the bottle and immediately, warm water began gushing through Shadow's left nostril, traveling out through the right nostril, taking out any mucus build-up with it. Shadow tried to breathe through his mouth like Sonic had told him, but he immediately regretted it when the uncomfortable feeling of water traveling down the back of his throat made him cough, sending the foul taste of saltwater onto his tongue. Involuntarily, the ebony hedgehog began to fight.

"Calm down, Shadow, it'll all be over soon." Sonic assured gently, quickly turning to Tails. "Tails, he's fighting, you know what to do."

"Come on Shadow, you said you wouldn't fight." Tails teased as he held the hedgehog in place.

Shadow paid no attention to the voices of his friend and lover, his mind too focused on trying to get away from the assault of saltwater. He pushed and pulled against the toilet bowl, his feet stomped and slid against the tile floor, but Tails had good firm grip on his body, while Sonic had a grip on his head.

Finally, Sonic took the nozzle out of Shadow's nostril and let go, Tails doing the same. Shadow shot up and away from the toilet, falling against the opposite wall behind him as he coughed and spat up the medicine that traveled down his throat.

"Ugh!" He groaned as he wiped away the water that still dripped from his nose. "That was borderline unpleasant. Sorry I fought, you guys."

"It's ok Shadow, I had a feeling you'd fight even if you did promise not to." Sonic smiled, gently petting the ebony's quills back. "But… I'm sorry to say that we're not done yet."

At this, Shadow looked up in surprise, and he was horrified to see that the bottle was only halfway empty. He guessed that the other half was supposed to go up his other nostril.

"Oh sweet Mobias."

After a few minutes of the same procedure through Shadow's right nostril, and Shadow fighting against it again, Sonic and Tails finally let him go, assuring him that he was done. Sonic threw the bottle away and flushed the toilet before looking at his lover.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I was just assaulted with saltwater."

"Ha, ha, I know." Sonic laughed sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "But can you breathe at least?"

Shadow frowned and took a deep breath through his nose, pleased to find that there was no blockage in his airways.

"Yes, I can breathe much better now." He nodded with a smile. "Thank you, love."

"You're welcome." Sonic smiled as the two leaned forward and placed a kiss on each other's lips, Tails respectfully looking away with a smile.

"But I'm never doing this again. I'd rather suffer with no oxygen than have to do another nasal drain."

At this, Sonic and Tails couldn't help but laugh.