A low hum of what sounded like some kind of machine slightly startled me as the dark emptiness that had consumed me was starting to brighten. Every minute or so a slight but sharp beep would erupt from the silence and snap me to attention. Following it, a rather tight squeeze on my left arm that left some level of discomfort but nothing compared to the trauma I had just experienced. I was lying in complete blackness, rather relieved that my spontaneous mental breakdown had calmed a little. After being in this area for what seemed like hours, I had come to the understanding that I was having some kind of atrocious nightmare. How I didn't notice this sooner was beyond me. It just felt so real... The cold could not have been entirely my imagination, right?
As I continued to stare, or at least I think I was, at the dark void before me, my sensitive ears started to register talking... There were a few voices. One was high pitched and rather annoying that sounded as if it was sobbing. One was moderately pitched and slightly soothing to the ears that I think was trying to calm the other and then one... One was low... Low and comforting.
My heart started to race again, and I could even hear the machine's erratic beeps, signaling to the others that my heart was going faster. I wasn't in pain... Or scared. I was just so happy. Reality was just around the corner, and all I had to do was wait. Wait until I had enough energy and strength to wake up. However, the three voices started talking sporadically as if they were trying to decide what to do, if anything. The high-pitched voice started crying even louder with her voice barely understandable. However, it sounded something like...
"Oh, my chaos?! Is he dying?! Is my Sonic dying?!" Shrill feminine screams filled the room for a minute before being silenced by a hush.
It sounded like... AMY. So wherever I am, my friends must have come to visit me, and by the ungodly stench of cleaning products and the annoying beeping noises, I have come to the conclusion that I must be in a hospital. What in the world happened to me?
"Rose... I can assure you that he is alright. As a matter of fact, his heart beating faster means he is either healing or hearing us talk and reacting to our voices." The lower voice replied irritably, his heavy boots clopping against the most likely tile floor as he released a very long and robust groan.
"Shadow is right, Amy... I'm sure Sonic is fine. His vitals look a lot better than yesterday, and he should be waking up soon. Why don't you go and make yourself useful and let the nurses know that he is showing signs of consciousness." A soft, mellow voice that was quite relaxing to hear responded clearly as my mind quickly realized it was Tails.
I could hear the sounds of quick footsteps frantically scampering out of my room. A gentle sigh was released from one of the two remaining voices, quickly being followed by the sound of someone being pat.
"Shadow... Do you need some time? If he is awake, I'm sure he wants to hear your voice loud and clear after all you have explained to me." Tails continued as he most likely took his leave by the sound of his little sneaker boots slowly fading from my extremely sensitive ears.
All Shadow explained to him?! Did Shadow tell him about us! Why would he do such a thing?! Why would he tell Tails of all people?
"Not necessary, although appreciated, Miles!" The low base exclaimed, trying to carry his voice to the Fox that was already out of the room.
I could feel the soft tingle of my probably bright red cheeks starting to wake me to my senses. If Tails somehow found out… Or worse was told by the only person I never thought would spill any kind of secretive information like that, I would just die of shame. I hadn't admitted to anyone at this point that I liked men… At least not to my knowledge.
Low, hollow footsteps echoed. Each one getting close and closer to me, once again raising my heart a little in slight surprise.
"Shhhh... It's okay. It's just me." I could feel a warm, soft ungloved hand touch my cheek as its rhythmic petting motion through me into a beautiful trance.
His voice... He sounded exhausted and not just that but sick. The once dense, soothing voice that I would often describe as operatic was now scratchy and cracked, almost as if... He had been crying. But Shadow crying... What could have I possibly done to cause him such sorrow?
"You really scared me, you know? No, scared isn't even close to the right word. More like absolutely mortified. I found you deep in the snow in the middle of nowhere. I'm so relieved I can read your chaos energy so well or else you would have probably died." His words were obscenely shaky while his tender petting became almost frantic as if he was trying desperately cling onto any self-control he had left in him.
"What the hell were you doing out there all by yourself, faker? Did I really drive you to suicide like that? I didn't mean to… You know that I care about you immensely… I thought I made that profoundly clear. And now... I have to try and act like nothing happened between us... when I'm struggling to find the strength... to not just give up and let my emotions explode..." His words slowly drifted off as his sentences started to lack his traditional rhythmic and uninfected flow and instead be replaced with wobbly, fearful sentence fragments.
My heart... Physically, it felt fine but emotionally... I had caused my love so much grief and drove him to near insanity. And yet... Something about this made me feel exceptionally relieved. I'm not the only one who feels it... We both feel we have to act strong and smile for the camera. I always knew Shadow was tough as nails but seeing him vulnerable like this made him seem evenstronger and without a doubt, more appealing. And as that beautiful voice did to me in the nightmare prior... His words, alone, were enough to make me want to just give everything up or keep trucking along at full throttle. It was an incredible feeling... Shadow cared just as much as I did.
It made me chuckle a little, and I could clearly hear the shocked thud of my ebony lover partially falling out of his... Chair?Whatever he was sitting in as he realized that I had just laughed.
"You are awake! Oh god, and I made myself look like such an emotional train wreck." His voice became slightly offended as I could hear some kind of wiping noise followed by a sniffle.
"You better not be laughing at my behavior! You scared me nearly to death. You are always so damn irresponsible and careless. The doctors said if you were out there for no more than ten more minutes your heart would have shut down. I... I can't believe you right now! Why do you test me like this you... Stupid egotistical little shit!" Sweet words soon turned sour as I could tell his attempt at this offended tone was just because of his embarrassment.
I chuckled again, his harsh words masked by the sound of spontaneous choking as I assumed I made him cry again... I should probably stop laughing but... It was just so cute. I could just imagine his red noise and crimson eyes beaming as bright as the setting sun while beautiful glistening tears streamed from his irises and down his cheeks. It's probably not wise for one to think that their loved one crying is attractive but with Shadow, I just couldn't help it... This was more than rare... This was something unthinkable no more than a couple months ago. My ebony beauty showing emotion is one thing but crying... That's a completely different story. Crying is like admitting that you have the capability of showing weakness, at least from Shadow's perspective. So, showing me that he can be vulnerable made me undoubtedly love him more than I ever have... Making me finally realize that if I didn't stay with my ebony love the rest of my life, I might as well just give up on love entirely because I will never find anyone quite like him.
His cries started to die a little as I could feel something soft and warm gently rub my smooth velvety ear, somehow giving me the ability to flicker it a little, making Shadow instantly hum with contentment.
"You better fully wake soon, you little shit. Everyone is waiting for you. All your friends have a little party planned for you, although knowing them it probably won't be so little. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire town makes the trip to wish you well. You are the great Sonic the Hedgehog, after all." Shadow muttered softly into my ear, his words sounding slightly saddened as if he really didn't like the thought of me being smothered by a bunch of other people.
Man, I wish I could talk... In my brain, I was responding with fully structured sentences, but my mouth just wouldn't move. It was downright maddening. I was always used to running my lips just as fast, if not faster, than my legs.
And it was at this time that I started becoming obscenely concerned at the fact that I could not feel any of my limbs or really any body part. If I somehow became paralyzed... I have no idea how I would be able to live with myself.
More disheartening then that was Shadow's energy slowly be pulled away from me. His obvious movement not satisfying in the slightest. I just wanted him near... He gave me warmth, hope and above all power. The power to be me and not be afraid of what others think. With him gone... I don't know how I would find myself.
Gentle clopping footsteps entered the room followed by two others as my ears started rapidly flickering to completely register them.
"Wow... I am amazed at his progress. He seems to be recovering very well. We have him on special anesthetic so it will be very difficult for him to wake up fully unless we take him off." An older female voice entered the environment, making me have to work harder to understand each of the four voices entirely.
"Will everything work as it has or will there be remaining damage?" Shadow calmly queried, his voice returning back to its unemotional and rhythmic tone.
It's amazing how quickly he can just turn his emotions off. I guess when you have trained your entire life to keep them contained you naturally know how to keep them internalized.
"I assume he will make a full recovery, at least physically. He might suffer some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, however. This was a very traumatic event. He is going to have to be watched very carefully for the next few weeks." The older voice replied clearly as I could hear a strange clicking noise right next to my left ear as if she was pressing some button.
"That's fine! I always love helping my best bud out." Tails exclaimed happily, his warm voice instantly reminding me how much I loved my little sidekick, platonically speaking.
"Unfortunately, it needs to be an adult... So that means both you and Miss Rose don't really qualify." The older lady, who I had come to assume was the nurse, replied dejectedly.
"Oh no... I have no idea where else to go then. I don't know who-" My little kitsune sidekick was cut off by Shadow's low booming voice.
"I'll do it." He interrupted simply and sternly, his voice sounding more official than usual.
"Shadow?! But you hate Sonic and aren't you traveling to another country for a few years? You better not want to take him with you. I definitely won't allow it!" Amy bellowed forcefully as her footsteps quickly echoed towards where I assumed Shadow was standing.
"I am staying. You think I would just desert him like this? It's fine. I will take him in and make sure he gets quality care." My ebony lover muttered sternly, followed by a rather loud pushing noise and a soft and girly squeal of annoyance.
Don't push her too hard, Shadz. Her hammer isn't just part of her appearance.
"WOW! I have never seen you so willing to protect Sonic. Did something happen? OH, MY CHAOS. Don't tell me you're the one who put him in the snow?!" She belted violently with her voice carrying so far into my ears that I wanted nothing more than to cover them with my hands.
"Rose... That is impossible. I was long gone by the time they estimated he was placed there. How is it this hard to comprehend me wanting to protect him? I was the one who saw him in the snow... Just minutes away from freezing to death. I was the one who tried picking up his limp practically lifeless body as cold as the snow he was placed in, and you know what happened?" Shadow's usual strict tone was slowly being devoured by that inconsistent, emotional whimper he had put on while we were alone.
"I couldn't pick him up. Every time I would try to move his limbs he would scream in agony, so I called for help, and finally, after a few minutes of horrible anticipation, the army came and took him to the hospital. You have no idea the hell I went through... You have no idea how emotionally traumatizing every single second of that was. I even tried to hold and warm him up, but he would continue screaming as if my heat was making things worse. So, don't you dare say that I hate him. Eliminate that from your brain space immediately because I feel the exact opposite... I..." His shaky voice started to trail off until the only noise was the sound of my heart monitor beeping.
He went through all of that... For me. He did all of that FOR me. Sonic the Hedgehog, his arch rival and most hated adversary. I could feel an extreme sense of pride burning in my stomach as I tried desperately to reach out to him but was almost certain my limbs wouldn't move until...
"Oh my gosh! Look! Sonic moved his arm! He's getting better!" Amy exclaimed happily as I could hear a constant loud thumping noise which I assumed was her jumping in that silly girly manner she always does.
"That's our Sonic for you. I wouldn't be surprised if his actual last name is WounteGivuppe." Tails replied matter-of-factly as I could hear the robust sigh of a certain frustrated ebony hedgehog.
The two conversing Mobians chuckled a little while my mind started wondering a little further. Was Shadow about to admit something? Did I stop him? It would probably be for the better... I know he would regret it in the end. But somehow, I was alright with telling Tails everything now, if Shadow didn't already spill. It would just make things easier for both him and Amy... She wouldn't grope me as much. However, I want to hear my ebony beauty admit his feelings first. Then I know that I am making the right decision. Suddenly, I could hear quick rather violent footsteps that continued getting quieter and quieter until they suddenly disappeared.
"Hay, Shadow! What's wrong? Did we make you mad?" Tails cried out to the ebony who only response was a loud and frustrated hmph.
"Let him be... He's always a grump, anyway. It was kind of odd seeing him all sappy a minute ago. Maybe he's embarrassed? Not that it really matters." Amy replied mockingly.
"Don't be so judgmental. He might just be upset because of all he went through to get Sonic here." The kitsune countered, obviously trying to defend Shadow which was already a little odd.
"Him being worried? Geez. That never happens, let's be honest here." She responded sarcastically, her voice being cut off by loud stomping noises almost as soon as 'here' was muttered.
"Okay! Listen up you two assholes. Don't you dare laugh or hell don't even make a sound! I WAS NOT finished talking yet." Once again, Shadow's loud booming voice echoed through the room in the most powerful way imaginable.
"Sonic and I have become very close the past few months. When I told him I was moving to Konfrontere, I was expecting him to fight back and be upset. However, he responded completely differently than I had expected and was being all mature and shit and it through me off, so we had an argument. When I left... I felt like I had to give him some time to really think things through but about an hour later I sensed that his chaos energy had diminished a huge amount..." He continued emotionally, his voice desperately trying to hide his frustration and sadness by remaining loud and forceful.
"WAIT! Are you saying that he tried to..."