Coping Mechanism

Sonic and Shadow were in the living room, watching a movie together. The lights were off, and a bowl of popcorn sat between them. Shadow had his arm wrapped around his blue lover's shoulder as they watched the horror movie playing on the tv.

After learning that Sonic was a fan of Stephen King, Shadow had asked him if he enjoyed horror movies often. Sonic had said that he does, but he usually strays away from the more gory horror, having a bit of a squeamish stomach to gore.

However, tonight was Shadow's turn to pick the movie, so they were currently watching Vile, a movie that was a bit of a spin-off from SAW.

They were hardly even halfway through the movie and Sonic was already shaking. He felt a bit sick to his stomach, and every time someone went through painful mutilation, the blue hedgehog would flinch and cover his eyes a bit.

Shadow chuckled. "Babe it's alright. Nothing's even really happened. Trust me, this is child's play compared to SAW."

"It still makes me feel sick." Sonic argued. "They got their fingernails pulled off for goodness sakes."

"I'm sorry. I can turn it off if you want."

"No, it's your night and you wanted to watch this movie. I'll tough it out."

"Well, alright then."

The movie continued, and Sonic continued to flinch and shake. But when they started taking the cheese grater to one of the characters, he jumped, yelping loudly as he buried his face into his lover's chest fur.

"Oh baby." Shadow cooed sympathetically, petting the blue quills he loved so much. "It's ok. I'll tell you when it's over."

Sonic kept his face buried in Shadow's chest. He whimpered when he heard the girl screaming in agony. He quickly put his hands over his ears, trying to block the sound. He could still hear her muffled screaming, so he went an extra step, and started singing.

"Don't worry, about a thing. 'Cause every little thing, gonna be alright. Singin', don't worry, about a thing. 'Cause every little thing, gonna be alright. Rise up this mornin'. Smile with the risin' sun. Three little birds. Pitched by my doorstep. Singin' sweet songs. Of melodies pure and true. Sayin', 'This is my message to you, whoo-hoo'. Singin', don't worry, about a thing. 'Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright. Singin', don't worry, don't worry 'bout a thing. 'Cause every little thing, gonna be alright…"

He was gonna continue singing his quiet little song, until he realized that the screaming had stopped.

Sonic took his hands off his ears and looked up from Shadow's chest. The movie had been paused, and said black and red hedgehog was smiling down at him. "You sing?"

Sonic blushed and looked away shyly. "O-Only when I'm scared. It's my coping mechanism."

"That's adorable… You have a nice voice."

Sonic smiled and looked back at him. "You think so?"

"Absolutely." Shadow chuckled, pecking his lips. "I wouldn't mind hearing more of it."

"What, right now?"

"Now, later, it doesn't matter as long as I get to hear it again."

"Well… I am still a little scared, so I guess I can continue." Sonic blushed again, took a breath, and started singing again, this time, a completely different song.

"I've been waiting on a sunset, bills on my mindset. I can't deny they're getting high. Higher than my income, income's bread crumbs. I've been trying to survive. The glow that the sun gets right around sunset. Helps me to realize. This is just a journey, drop your worries. You are gonna turn out fine. Oh, you turn out fine. Fine, oh, you turn out fine. But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. You gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. I know it's hard, know it's hard. To remember sometimes. But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh eh eh eh."

Shadow smirked and decided to do the second verse.

"I got my hands in my pockets, kicking these rocks. It's kinda hard to watch this life go by. I'm buying into skeptics. Skeptics mess with the confidence in my eyes. I'm seeing all the angles, thoughts get tangled. I start to compromise my life and my purpose. Is it all worth it? Am I gonna turn out fine? Oh, you turn out fine. Fine, oh, you turn out fine."

Sonic smiled. "But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. You gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. I know it's hard, know it's hard. To remember sometimes. But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh eh eh eh. Only rainbows after rain. The sun will always come again. And it's a circle, circling. Around again, it comes around again, I say. Only rainbows after rain. The sun will always come again. And it's a circle, circling. Around again, it comes around."

At that moment, they both started singing.

"But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. You gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh. I know it's hard, know it's hard. To remember sometimes. But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh. And you can let your hair down, eh eh eh eh."

Sonic giggled and nuzzled into Shadow, causing him to chuckle as well. "You feel better now?" He asked the blue hedgehog.

"Yes, much better. Thanks Shadow."

Shadow smiled as they shared a kiss. "You're welcome, Sonic."