Shadow struggled against the incredible grip of the brunet hedgehog as he glared at Sonic who was holding down his shoulders.

"You want to go first?" Rob asked the azure hedgehog willing to let him have first dibs.

"Nah, after you. You have much more experience, after all." Sonic responded slightly mockingly as he teasingly nibbled the top of the ebony hedgehog's ear.

"Um... Guys, this isn't funny! I'm actually really scared..." He whispered frighteningly as this was one of the first times the charcoal hedgehog ever felt completely vulnerable and he really didn't want to experience anything involved with that horrible feeling.

Rob sturdily buried his hands into Shadows torso and quickly shuffled his fingers all around making the ebony hedgehog squirm for a few seconds before bursting into devastating laughter.

"I know your weaknesses. One is seduction and the other is tickling! So why not combine them as punishment." The brunet hedgehog smirked maliciously as he continued to run his fingers over Shadow's sensitive stomach.

"NO! PLEASE ANYTHING BUT THAT! SONIC PLEASE HELP!" He looked desperately at the azure hedgehog frantically trying to keep himself from panicking.

"Sorry Shad, you need to learn to NOT to mess with me like that." He responded while looking deeply into the ebony hedgehog's eyes trying to emphasize that he wasn't going to hurt him, merely be stern. He sneakily slid his finger behind the black hedgehog's soft ears and started rubbing rapidly.

Shadow once against burst into laughter but this time it sounded much more desperate.

"Please! No! I'll be better! I'll be a good Shadow, you'll see!" He begged as he tried to push both the hedgehogs away in sheer terror.

"Attempting to escape is just going to make this take longer." Sonic retorted as he skimmed both his hands down the sides of Shadow's body struggling to keep him from fleeing.

"Don't get too friendly now or I'll have to putcha in time out, blue peasant." Rob enunciated as Shadow's begging had finally ceased and was replaced with very quiet pitiful moans.

"I can say the same for you... Don't torture him too hard or we'll have a problem." The cobalt hedgehog countered while his mouth slid up and down the poor charcoal hedgehog's neck.

"Guys, please... I really don't like this at all..." Shadow asked feebly as he heard Rob chuckle while he pressed his lips on the ebony hedgehog's stomach, letting his tongue lap him gently.

The teasing was practically unbearable. Every inch of his body was erupting with yes yes yes, but his heart was very much the opposite. As both hedgehogs continued to touch him, he could feel the protective shell incasing his heart shatter into pieces. Finally, he couldn't take the agony any longer as cascades of tears trickled down his face while pitiful whimpering filled the dining room.

"Please... Stop... No more..." He cried out frantically. Desperately wishing he could hide from the world for the rest of eternity for allowing himself to look so pathetic.

"Alright, I think that's enough. Did you learn your lesson, Shadie?" Rob asked seriously as he folded his arms in response to the immense crying.

The ebony hedgehog answered with a slow sad nod as his weeping become more regretful. He choked on his immense sobs as he felt terrible for hurting two people he really cared about.

Sonic looked at his frantic rival with eyes of compassion and decided he couldn't watch him cry any further. He hastily wrapped his arms tight around the charcoal hedgehog quickly relieving the sense of shame emanating from his tear filled eyes.

"Don't comfort him when he's been bad, peasant." The brunet hedgehog frowned as he shook his head in revolt.

"Can't you see the terror in his eyes? I think he gets the point! I know Shadow, he doesn't cry unless he's really been absolutely petrified." Sonic started to rub Shadow's back comfortingly and was surprised to hear soft loving purrs coming from his body identical to the ones that morning.

"If you show him love he will try it again! It's like a dog. After you yell at it for peeing on your rug, you don't go right back to feeding them treats, right?!" The chocolate colored hedgehog pointed at Sonic, lending a dirty glare before giving him a little shove.

"How DARE you compare Shadow to a dog? He's so much smarter than that. What gives you the right to take care of him when you treat him so badly?" Sonic responded as he growled holding Shadow close in an attempt to protect him.

"If you give him everything he desires, he will become spoiled! Unlike you, I rather not have my boyfriend be a brat." He replied as he put his hand over his eyes indicating his frustration.

"HE'S SUFFERED ALL HIS LIFE SO HE DESERVES RESPECT AND I'M NOT A BRAT!" Sonic bellowed as a few tears filled his own eyes while pulling him away from Rob and incasing his arms around Shadow in such a way that made the ebony hedgehog's heart flutter with delight.

Sonic felt so incredibly furious. The fact that Shadow's boyfriend could say something so mean and degrading without looking regretful. He knew the charcoal hedgehog was one of the most considerate people in town and the thought that Rob had the guts to relate his actions to a puppy was downright abusive.

The brunet hedgehog sighed in response as he realized the kid was serious. He stood and patted the ebony hedgehog's head releasing a frustrated exhale.

"Guess I've been replaced..." The pats started turning into loving strokes as he turned away from both hedgehogs trying to make it look like he wasn't affected even though he was almost on the brink of tears.

"You have done so much for me. Don't think I don't respect and appreciate the support. You always try to do what's best for me even if it makes you look bad. I am very lucky to have someone like you as a friend." Shadow responded faithfully as the azure hedgehog looked at him in shock.

(What do you see in this guy?! He's abusive, belittling and immoral. I wouldn't catch myself half dead with someone so hideously unlikable.) Sonic thought as he growled at him in an attempt to make him depart the house.

"But... He's better for you. You've always told me that someday you wanted to be with someone who will always cuddle and love you. I guess, I've just been through too much shit to be that warm, innocent, immature kid you've always desired and even if I tried, it wouldn't be natural. Good luck, I really should be taking my leave." He gave the charcoal hedgehog a soft smile showing that he only wanted what was best for him.

"Rob... Wait! I never said anything like that..." Shadow responded as he reached out attempting to express that he still cared very much for him.

The brunet hedgehog quickly rushed out the front door as the ebony hedgehog sat in regret letting tears continually fall down his face.

(Why must everything be so complicated? I liked it better when I was alone...)

Lying to himself wasn't helping as he suddenly sensed the feeling he gets only when the cobalt hedgehog is near. It helped him think more clearly as he started to slowly come up with a plan to make both of them happy. Sonic quickly kissed his forehead before letting a few tears fall down his own face.

"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, right? Was it too much? I was just trying to keep you from playing with my heart like that. Ya know, stand my ground without harming you in the process. I'm sorry. There could have been a better way to do this and now I feel like I traumatized you. I completely understand if you think I'm some kind of crazy sociopath. You're certainly not the only one but at least recognize I didn't want to hurt you and and..." He held Shadow close rambling on and on even though the ebony hedgehog wasn't really listening.

He was deep in thought about why this made him feel so happy. He should be furious that Sonic practically molested him, right? However the fact that the cobalt hedgehog immediately started to protect him after the event showed he really cared. Not just for the ebony hedgehog but for himself as well. It was odd, the thought that the azure hedgehog wanted to guide him made him feel so safe. Maybe... It was because Shadow really wanted to be directed. For someone to take his hand and help him make difficult scary decisions. Guess The sapphire hedgehog was right, he really doesn't have any faith in himself and even though he knew Sonic was immature, he felt like his heart was pure. That was enough for him to feel comfortable every time they were close. He quickly became afraid of what his own heart was telling him. That Sonic didn't just love him, that he loved him unconditionally. If he truly accepted this then Shadow would be his. Somehow, this made him more afraid than ever before.

(Always protecting me... Always trying to do the right thing... Always seeing straight into my heart and working hard to make it happy even though I make things difficult... Always looking after me... Always giving me that extra push to try and gain confidence... Always thinking of me first... Always wanting to be close to me and love me even if I reject him... Always...) Shadow continued listing all the things the azure hedgehog did for him.

There were probably hundreds of good characteristics he could point out and slowly he could feel the wounds of the past starting to heal just by the mere love of this egotistical hedgehog. Strangely enough, a smile creeped onto his face as the tears started to recede when he realized he was struck by cupid's arrow.

(Stupid wonderful kid... Making me want nothing less than to be close forever.)