A/N: This One-Shot takes place in the Sonic Boom episode "Just A Guy"

I Appreciate You

Sonic sat irritably in Amy's living room, surrounded by his friends and for some reason, Comedy Chimp as well. He was attending another one of Amy's "sensitivity sessions" because for some reason, the people of the village got offended by him calling them people.

Really this all started just because he called Knuckles new friend Mike "just a guy", which he supposed it was his fault, he definitely could've worded it better. But then when he tried to make it right by taking him to a battle like he wanted, Mike got hurt and the people got mad again.

Honestly, there was no pleasing these people!

And now, Amy was talking about everybody going on a "sensitivity/compassion camping trip", and the hedgehog was fed up.

Maybe even a little hurt.

"You know what I think is compassionate?" He challenged aloud. "Saving the village from Eggman. Like EVERY week! But do I get any props for that? NO! Everybody just goes around gasping at me when I call a guy a guy, or people people!"

And then, much to Sonic's hurt and annoyance, the group gasped at him. That was it!

"I quit heroing! And I quit this stupid group!" He shouted, his voice cracking, but he refused to cry.

Sonic stood up from the couch and threw his stupid paper hat onto the floor before storming out of Amy's shack. Once he was outside he started to run, running all the way to his own home. As soon as he stepped through the doorway of his hut, he stopped, slowing himself down as he walked over to his couch.

He sat down with his head in his hands, his elbows on his knees. His ears were pinned back to his head in shame as he stared sadly at the floor.

Had he been too harsh? Was it really mature of him to storm out like that? Maybe he should go apologize.

… But then if he did that, he'd be back to square one.

Sonic shook his head angrily.

No, he won't go back. He was done. He did so much for the people of Bygone Island. Did everything he could to protect them and keep them safe and happy, and nobody appreciated it! All they saw was the bad he did instead of the good.

Nobody appreciated him. Not even… his own… friends.

Sonic sniffed and touched his muzzle, feeling something wet on it. He pulled his hand back and was surprised to see tears covering his fingers.

He was crying.

Sonic sniffed and wiped at his eyes, not wanting to cry, but he was just so hurt he couldn't help it. He couldn't stop it. The tears kept coming.

"Don't try to stop yourself from crying, Sonic, there's nothing wrong with it."

Sonic jumped at the familiar deep voice and looked towards the doorway, seeing a familiar black and red hedgehog leaning against the frame as he stared in concern with his arms crossed.

"Sh-Shadow." Sonic stuttered through his light sobbing. "It's been too long. What are you doing here?"

"I heard what happened," Shadow explained as he stepped fully into the home, walking over to the couch and sitting beside the blue one. "Are you alright?"

"...No." Sonic whimpered as his tears started coming faster. "I don't understand it. I do so much for these people and nobody appreciates it. Everybody only pays attention when I'm saving them or if I do something wrong. I'm only human, I'm not perfect! Don't they know that? Don't they understand that I have feelings too?"

By this time, Sonic was openly sobbing, crying into the palms of his hands as his whole body shook with each gasping breath. Shadow's ears pinned to his head in sympathetic worry. He's never seen Sonic like this… and he didn't like it.

"Shhhh. There there. It's going to be alright." He whispered soothingly as he wrapped his arms around the crying hedgehog, pulling him into a close and comforting hug. "It's alright. It's alright. Shhhh."

"I just wish, for once, someone would appreciate me." Sonic choked sadly. "I wish someone would tell me that I matter. I wish someone would tell me that I'm loved for me and only me. Not because I'm a hero."

Shadow held onto Sonic tightly, not letting him go for anything. He had no idea Sonic felt this way… and the village and his own friends were only making it worse.

"Sonic. Look at me." Shadow urged as he lifted Sonic's chin up to look at him. "Sonic, you do matter. You matter so much… to me. I appreciate you. If it hadn't been for you, I would still be working for Eggman and I wouldn't know anything about my past. And you are loved. You're loved by so many people. You just gotta look for them, but just to let you know, one of those people… he's right in front of you."

"Sh-Shadow…" Sonic gasped as the ebony said that. "You…"

"Yes Sonic. I love you. I have for a very long time now."

"I… i… I don't know what to say." Sonic shyly looked down, a large blush on his cheeks.

"Then don't speak. Act."

And then suddenly, Sonic felt his lips connecting with Shadow's in a soft, caring kiss. At first, the blue hedgehog didn't know what to do, but eventually, he closed his eyes and kissed back, wrapping his arms around the older one's neck.

The kiss lasted for at least a full minute before they finally separated, both panting for air, gazing into each other's eyes.

"You know…" Sonic started shyly. "I kinda… retired myself from heroing. Maybe now that I'm no longer a hero we can have more time together?"

Shadow chuckled. "I doubt you'll be out of retirement for long. But it's nice to have it while it lasts… and once you're back to heroing…" He kisses him again. "We can still find some time for each other."

Sonic smiled and nuzzled into Shadow's chest fur. "I'd like that… but for now, let's just stay like this."

"Hmm, wouldn't have it any other way."

And for the rest of the evening, Sonic and Shadow cuddled with each other on the couch, enjoying Sonic's retirement.