Without You By My Side
A/N: Haha, I promise I haven't forgotten about this. Life has just been kicking my ass as usual, and I started two new fics on my ao3 account among others. So, if you want to check those out, you're welcome to. A link to my ao3 account is in my profile. Thank y'all so much for reading, commenting, following, and favoriting.
Sandy pulled away from Shadow, green eyes still shiny with tears. "You came back," she croaked, wrapping her arms around him.
Valen wavered to his feet, mumbling, "Take your hands off her,"
Shadow turned to face the other man, clenching his fists. He went over to Valen, grabbing him by the shirt, and punching him in the face. Valen stumbled back, ripping away from Shadow. He fell, blood running from his nose.
Sandy shifted as Valen looked at her, his gray eyes glassy. "I'm. . .I'm leaving," she said, gripping the skirt of her dress as Valen growled. "I'm leaving," she repeated. "I won't. . .I can't live like this," she continued, turning to leave the room.
Shadow wasn't a killer. And she wouldn't let him make the mistake of being one. "Take me home," she said to Shadow, a watery smile lighting up her face as Shadow gathered her in his arms.
Weeks later, Sandy was home, Amina going with her. Randy welcomed his sister back to the manor with open arms, hugging her the minute she crossed the threshold into the house.
Shadow stood a ways behind them as the servants took Sandy's things inside. He watched as Randy made eye contact with him, earning a nod from the hedgehog.
"What happened?" Randy finally asked over dinner, the silverware clinking against his plate as he set them down. "I'm sorry that I didn't see Valen for what he was until it was too late,"
Sandy took her brother's hand in hers. "It's alright. I'm okay now," she reassured, pressing her lips to Randy's knuckles. "You did what you could,"
Randy frowned, quiet as he finished off his meal. He left the dining room, leaving Shadow and Sandy alone. Sandy finished off her meal, clearing her throat as she wiped her mouth.
"So what now?" Shadow asked, reaching over to take Sandy's hand.
She shrugged. She thought she would die in Valen's house and be replaced. She thought her life was forfeit to Valen's whims and when he got tired of having a cripple for a wife he would get rid of her. Whether that be by putting her in an asylum or killing her himself.
"Go to bed with me?" she asked, smiling as Shadow nodded and stood to help her upstairs.
The bed was still the same, with the dark canopy shielding the bedding. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Shadow as he sat beside her. He kissed her, pulling her further up onto the bed.
Sandy sighed into the kiss, pulling away to put her head on Shadow's chest as he lay down, wrapping his arms around her.
He hummed a tune, the feeling vibrating in his chest. He was lucky to meet her. He wouldn't trade her for anything. He would stay by her side through thick and thin.