I headcannon that Shadow has issues handling his emotions properly. couple that with social anxiety, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, you have the ultimate lifeform.

Sonic at least tries to help the best he can, but even he knows that sometimes all he can do is just being there.

Shadow screaming came into my mind from listening to this watch?v=mzBKiWD-5io

I legit cried a bit at the thought of this hedgie hurting. so have a super short drabble.

He wasn't sure what had happened or occurred beforehand. But now he was in the middle of nowhere. From the vast expanse of the inner city with his hedgehog, he was now in the middle of a grassy plane. His heart hammering in his chest as he felt his anxiety build up further.

Shadow sat on the ground, trembling softly as an image from long ago looped in his head. Of a young girl, smiling sadly before she fell down. Never to move again.

Flashes of a never ending corridor, filled with panicked panting as two beings raced down it.

The sound of a single gunshot exploding through his mind.

His hands shot up to his red striped head, finally letting out a grief stricken scream. Energy crackling dangerously around him.

He felt all the bottled up things he desperately tried to shove away and forget come to the surface.

Why is it that he forgets what he wishes to hold on and forever remembers what he wished would crumble into dust.

He hunched forward as he let out another cry, a foreign wetness he forgot the meaning to running down his cheeks.

More images flashed.

Trapped behind glass, trying to break through to get to his friend. He knows he could break the glass, but he was determined to not give into these thoughts until he succeeded in breaking the glass.

He punched until his knuckles broke open, blood beginning to soak through his gloves.

It was beginning to feel claustrophobic within the capsule.

And just like that, the interior of the metal room disappeared, and only sparkling blackness greeted him as the capsule tumbled to earth.

He screamed again, his throat burning and sore.

"SHADOW!" he flinched, feeling warm hands on his freezing arms.

His red eyes snapped open, panicking for a moment until they rested on the worried emeralds. He panted heavily, noticing how much energy was crackling around him. He saw the slight hurt on the other's face.

"Shadow, I'm right here! Ok? I'm right here," he said softly, the torn gloved peach hands wiping his muzzle. "I'm here….right here next to you," he said, Shadow feeling more tears well up in his eyes.

The energy seemed to crackle and fade back away, the dark hedgehog looking exhausted as he felt.

A sob left him, his hands covering his face in a mix of pain and shame.

Sonic gave a soft sound, gently pulling the other into a hug. "Don't run off like that, I was really scared," he murmured softly, letting the other cling to him. "I'm so sorry Shadow...I didn't know you'd react that badly to…," the azure hedgehog hugged him tighter," I'm sorry…," he said.

"I-I'm fine….I-I-I…," a sob left him, holding the cerulean hedgehog tighter. "Shadow, no you're not...it's ok to admit that.," he said softly, rubbing small circles on his back. "There's nothing wrong with admitting that you aren't feeling it and you need support.," he said.

"It hurts though….," the dark hedgehog whined softly, muffled by his chest. "Why does feeling things hurt so badly?"

"Emotions are there for a reason Shadow…," he said softly. "I want to forget but I can't...I want my life back, but I never had one to begin with.," Shadow said, his dark ears flicking and folding back.

"Don't forget Shadow. You might end up forgetting something important."

"I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER THIS PAIN! I CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS!," he screamed, muffled by his chest.

"I just...I just want to live my life…..why can't I move on from the past Sonic?," he asked softly, sounding so unlike him.

"It's just hard, after...something like that….nothing wrong with being stuck.," Sonic said quietly," That's why you have friends….to help you through the hard times.," he said.

Shadow sniffled softly, resting against him limply.

It appeared he finally seemed to tire out, the world becoming dull and muffled. The only thing he felt was the the hand rubbing against his back.

"Don't leave me alone...I don't want to be alone," he said quietly.

"I wasn't planning on it.," he gently laid down, letting him rest down on him.

The ebony hedgehog looked spent, his eyes slightly red and dry. His muzzle wet from tears. "Do you wanna lay down for a while and then get some food?" "...Yeah...that would be nice," the streaked hedgehog said almost too quietly.

Sonic nodded, letting him rest," It's a date then."

A tiny twitch of his mouth came in response,"...Sounds even better…," he said after a long moment.