A never ending hallway stretched as far as the ebony hedgehog's incredible eyesight could register. How in the world was that even possible? The ground was relatively narrow and past it was a large abyss that looked as if it went straight down into the depths of hell itself. He heard quick footsteps rushing down the hallway as he immediately prepared himself for the worst. He tightly closed his eyes assuming that whoever was coming for him was going to end his life. However, he was surprised to feel a very strong hand grasp his own as whimpering filled his fearful ears.

"Shadow…. He's coming for me! Please help me!" An azure hedgehog desperately shook the ebony's shoulder with his other hand as his face expressed complete fear and panic.

"Who Sonic? Who is coming for you?!" Shadow responded sternly as he looked very deeply into Sonic's teary emerald eyes.

"Please, don't let him get me…. Please!" Sonic erupted as he wrapped his arms tightly around the charcoal hedgehog, shaking dreadfully in absolute terror.

Abruptly, a dark blurry image came into view from far down the hallway, slowly inching towards the two frightful hedgehogs. Shadow found it practically impossible to explain. But it seemed to look like a long floating cloak with a pitch dark face, almost as if it was made of pure darkness instead of skin. Whatever it was, Shadow knew it had the ability to end Sonic's life and most likely his as well, if it caught up to them. He quickly tightened his grip on the azure's hand, pulling him in the opposite direction.

"Don't worry, it won't get to us. I will die of exhaustion before I give you up!" He exclaimed before slowly guiding the sapphire hedgehog down the hallway.

He realized how incredibly weak his legs felt after only a few steps. Walking quickly was nearly unbearable and his mind flew into a complete panic when he realized he'd lost control over his own body.

"It's going to catch up! Hurry!" Sonic responded urgently as he followed closely behind the charcoal hedgehog.

"I'm trying as hard as I can. My feet aren't working like they usually do…" Shadow responded hopelessly as he became increasingly frustrated with every step he took.

"Shadow… What's wrong? Are you hurt?" The sapphire hedgehog asked worriedly as the ebony glanced back at him with a look of complete despair.

He couldn't figure out exactly why this was taking so much energy. It was like walking through cement as he struggled to continue moving his legs.

"Shadow… I love you..." The cobalt admitted tenderly as he yanked on the charcoal hedgehog's arm, pulling him as close as possible, his eyes glimmering with slight acceptance.

The love and admiration put into those three special words made tears start to fill the charcoal hedgehog's eyes as the cloak figure continued to move closer, ever so slowly catching up. He felt completely helpless as the cobalt prevented him from progressing.

"What are you doing?! We have to keep moving, hurry!" The ebony replied urgently as he firmly pulled on Sonic's arm, commending him to continue.

"Shadow…" The sapphire hedgehog uttered softly as he placed his hand caringly on the ebony's cheek.

"It's okay…" He whispered lovingly into Shadow's ear as he gently pushed his forehead against the ebony's, looking as deeply as he could into his terrified crimson eyes.

"Relax… It's alright. Everything's alright." Sonic mumbled sweetly as he tenderly stroked the ebony's quills.

"Sonic please… Don't do this… I CAN'T live without you! I can't lose you… Not after everything we've been through. I… I…" Shadow stuttered fearfully as his own body began to shake in dread.

The figure was still reasonably far away but much closer than before as Shadow frantically wrapped his arms around the azure hedgehog's back. Tears also flowed from his eyes as he realized the inevitable. If he kept running in complete terror, eventually the thing would catch up. What was the point of even trying…?

"Shadow… It will reach us, eventually. So why not enjoy the time we have together instead of running away blindly in fear. Someday… It will take me and most likely you. But until then…" The azure uttered softly as he gave the ebony hedgehog a soft kiss on the forehead.

"Let me make you happy…" He continued amorously before walking to the side of the charcoal hedgehog and reaching out his hand.

"You stupid kid. You already make me happy. Happier then I could ever imagine…" Shadow responded calmly before passively taking his hand.

"Then let's keep walking… Only calmer this time. If we just stop then we're giving up. Let it come to us, but keep moving forward. There's no need to be afraid of the inevitable outcome of our lives." He replied soothingly as he started to walk alongside the ebony down the hallway.

Hastily, Shadow wrapped his arms tightly around the azures arm before burying his face into it as they continued to slowly stroll down the corridor. He glanced behind at the creature following them, noticing it was closer. But Shadow felt fear be replaced with anger as he realized how much time he had wasted. He could have been spending time loving this man he was supposedly supposed to be with since the beginning. Instead, he was pushing him away in an attempt to not face any more pain. How foolish he felt as the words seemed easier to say than ever.

"I love you… Sonic."

Shadow's eyes shot open as he quickly propelled his head off the bed to look at the azure hedgehog. He was watching over him after he had Chaos controlled them both to safety and unfortunately fell asleep after using a good portion of his limited energy. He looked around in awe as he remembered how absolutely breathtaking this room was with only the highest quality furniture. He'd forgot how unbelievable Sonic's house was and this wasn't even the best suite. The cobalt hedgehog's master bedroom was slightly more childish and bright blue for that matter. He really has absolutely no taste does he?

As the ebony finally completely woke up, he quickly placed his hand over his own forehead and wiped off the copious amounts of sweat. That nightmare left an odd sense of dread in his heart. A kind of dread he had difficulty explaining. He had a hard time remembering exactly what it was about, only that it was horrible. As he glanced over at the cobalt he had an incredible urge to hold him as if he would never see him again... Instead, he placed a solitary kiss on the resting sapphire's forehead before softly placing his hand on top of his head.

(What the hell happened? Another horrible nightmare? They just never stop...) He thought as Sonic rolled over and snuggled against his soft furry chest.

He felt chillingly cold and the ebony hedgehog couldn't help but encase his arms around him, pulling him even closer.

"You scared the living shit out of me... I thought you were dying. Because of that, I had to leave Čelik behind. What in the world happened to you to cause such a horrible reaction?" He uttered softly and slightly worriedly as he slid his thumb over the azure's cheek.

Something about the way he looked so weak and feeble made Shadow wonder exactly what happened that day to make Sonic, as he put it, an animal. Probably something revolving around bloodshed. Speaking of death, Sonic never really gave any information regarding family members.

(Did they also pass away? Not to mention the fact he is the only blue hedgehog in this town... So I think I would be able to tell pretty easily who his parents were... Does he even have any? I mean he must, he was born on this planet right?) The ebony wondered as he heard a hopeless cry come from the cobalt's mouth.

"Guess I was wrong when I said Čelik had it rougher. You probably went through hell and back to become who you are today. Forgive me for being so judgmental." Shadow admitted lovingly as he desperately wanted to touch him in hopes it might help him feel a little more relaxed.

It was odd how strong the desire was and he assumed since the azure was dead asleep that it wouldn't wake him. He slipped off his glove and placed it back on the sapphire hedgehog's cold fearful face.

He felt a warm tingle at his fingertips as Sonic's cries of fear and regret ceased almost immediately. His limp, freezing body seemed to enjoy the immense comfort as it started to lay peacefully on the bed. Shadow wasn't sure exactly what he was doing but whatever it was the sapphire hedgehog seemed a bit more tranquil. So he remained dormant, allowing himself to also enjoy the warm secure feeling of finally being able to touch him. However, after a few minutes he started to notice the azure's increasingly irritated and erratic movements and removed his hand quickly in fear that he was somehow hurting him.

Sonic's eyes quickly jetted open, exposing incredibly dilated emerald eyes. It was almost as if he was trying to see into the future with how large his pupils were.

"So you're finally up sleeping beauty... Is something wrong?" Shadow looked worriedly into his frightened eyes as he gently placed his hand on the top of the azure's head carefully slipping his surprisingly soft quills between his ungloved fingers.

It was almost an entirely new sensation. His body was instantly filled with unexplainable cravings as his tail perked up in excitement. Never in his life had he been so aroused and Sonic didn't even do anything. Just the feel of his slick pointy quills was enough to send shivers down his spine. He was amazed that he remained controlled as the cobalt continued to stare down at the bed in regret.

"Everything is wrong... Just everything." He held his head in shame as he wrapped his arms around his body attempting to protect himself from the psychological pain.

"Woah now... Okay okay. Calm down, he's not here anymore." Shadow comforted as he gently patted the sapphire hedgehog's shoulder hoping to create some level of intimacy.

"He will kill everything... No one is safe." Sonic gently placed his head on the ebony hedgehog's shoulder and Shadow didn't even need to be told to hold him as close as possible.

Strangely that warm sensation he normally felt was replaced with cold and fearful regret. He gently pushed his hand behind the azure hedgehog's head as he placed his mouth near his ear.

"What are you going on about? Everyone is okay... I'm okay. You're okay. Tails, Rouge, Knuckles and Rob are in the living room and they're okay. We're okay." He whispered thoughtfully and calmly, striving to relax the cobalt's fearful mind.

He hated not being able to help. As a matter of fact, he absolutely loathed it and almost felt willing to give the sapphire hedgehog any kind of comfort he desired. His face soon blushed dark purple as his tail once again perked up in excitement.

(NO! I will not give into these stupid desires. The last thing Sonic needs right now is a perverted old man attempting to seduce him. I will do everything in my power to keep him safe in his time of turmoil, even from myself...)

"You don't get it, do you?" He forcefully pushed the ebony away before grabbing his shoulders and looking very sternly into his shocked crimson eyes.

"Sonic, listen to yourself. You're having delusions. Take a few deep breaths and try to think clearly." He responded as he pushed his face close to cobalt's and attempted to do whatever he did before to stop Sonic's cries.

"I killed and so will he." The sapphire hedgehog admitted. Feeling a bit safer as a comfortable energy tingled through his body.

"What?" The ebony responded as his eyes lit up with absolute shock.

"Promise me that you won't tell anyone." The azure begged desperately before watching Shadow nod back in curiosity and slight hesitation.

"When I was very young... Like around four... I brutally murdered five Mobians... I'm not sure if they deserved to die or what but I did nonetheless. I remember absolutely nothing before that... If that thing is anything close to the demonic entity sitting before you, then our little town is doomed." Sonic once again looked down at the bed in repent as he placed his hands over his mouth and fearfully nibbled on his glove.

"Sonic... You're not a demonic entity..." Shadow replied sweetly and confidently as he sneakily slipped his glove back on before placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Look at all the good you've done. The people you've saved. You're a wonderful person." Shadow admitted honorably as even he was surprised how honest he was being.

Usually he was terrified of showing weakness. But right now, it seemed like it was the only way to comfort Sonic. However, his intense dark stare did not seem to cease as he didn't feel satisfied with the statement.

"It's not up to what we do. It is who we are born as." He replied hopelessly as if to say that there was no hope for someone born without the ability to feel for others.

(Wow... He DOES sound like Čelik … Is this the real him? So the question remains. Do I still love him?)

Shadow's body heated up as he thought of the word love. The look in Sonic's scarred slightly daring jade eyes made him really question his feelings. He sorted through every emotion he felt and after really thinking about it for quite some time, realized that no matter what feeling he examined, he never sensed that Sonic would ever harm him. This was a major difference between him and Čelik. He feared the child would destroy him at any minute when they were alone and when it came to his rival all he felt was safety. Why? Was it because Sonic knew? He understood that he had issues and tried to at least deal with them.

(Does he try for the Princess…?)

(For me?) He wondered as his face became instantly red with embarrassment.

...

(I don't care...) He thought as he placed his hand under Sonic's chin before giving him a very loving look.

(I still...) He pulled him closer and shockingly the cobalt's emerald eyes were back to being expressive and happy.

(Love him… More than anyone. More than anything...) He then planted a soft loving kiss on his peach lips as he closed his eyes in complete bliss.

For only a second they were incredibly cold but he loved the feeling of them warming up against his own. It gave the ebony that welcoming comfort he missed so desperately while he was in the jail cell. Slowly, Sonic's body relaxed as he softly placed his palm over Shadow's face. Then they just sat there, not really wanting anything more than this one simple sensation. So pure and vibrant… Strong and secure.

Everything both hedgehog's craved for ever since they were parted...