this actually came from an idea from a review on the chapter "Control". Ruby Neko, wondered what would happen if Shadow was taken and tortured by Eclipse and having Scourge, Sonic, and Tails coming to the rescue. Resulting in angst and fluff while recovering at Sonic's house.

So now you have the prequel to "Control".

watch?v=so8V5dAli-Q

Shadow wasn't sure how long he has been within the fallen Black Arms shuttle. Or how long he'd been in the gooey black substance of the wall. His body, exhausted and hurt from who knows how long of torture and mental strain.

Eclipse was intent on getting him to join the remains of the Black Arms as a family. Somehow, he couldn't grasp Shadow's mind like he once did. Perhaps it had something to do with Black Death.

So, after long periods of denying his request, Eclipse decided to go ahead and go to more...drastic measures.

The rubies shakily opened though not very much as he tried to look around. All he saw was vague darkness and blurred images. Struggling to take in air, Shadow felt his mind begin to slip back into his unconscious state as he heard soft but quick footsteps enter the room.

Perhaps it was best he didn't recall this experience. It was the only time he craved to forget something.

Yet, it only confused his fuzzy mind when two soft hands touched his face. He could vaguely make out a familiar voice.

"...ABE! YOU...," the black ears strained to make out the words from the deliriousness of his mind.

He could make out three forms barely as darkness began to creep into the edges of his vision. "Get him...! Carefully!," a slightly younger voice said.

Shadow made no sound as he felt two sets of hands pulled away the goo.

With a raspy gasp, he tumbled out and into thick and jacketed arms. The air cool against his burning hot body. Sputtering for air, he buried his face against the scarred chest. Shaking from the agony in his muscles from being held up for so long in the wall.

A weak sound of relief left him as he felt the arms hold him snuggly.

It wasn't Eclipse, it didn't hurt, it was...familiar.

He vaguely felt something wet drip down on his face as he succumbed to exhaustion.

He felt...safe.

Shadow awoke to an argument.

The rubies cracked open to see a green male dangerously close to slamming a fist into the blue male. Their faces red from anger. For what reason? He didn't know.

"What's it your business what I do with my boyfriend?," green spat angrily, the other's emerald eyes narrowing. "Because he's my friend that's why!"

Blue seemed to size up the taller green male, uncaring he was treading on very dangerous ground.

"How do I know you just aren't using him for some ploy for later? For all I know, it could just be like Fiona and Tails all over again!," the azure teen said, remembering the heartbreak and emotion turmoil his younger brother went through.

The verde, leather jacketed male's cold neon blue eyes widened for a moment before an enraged look entered his features. "What the hell do you know about anything?! That has nothing to do with this!"

The cerulean hero crossed his arms," Oh really? Because it sure seems like it!"

The scarred male seemed to burn in a cold fury," What would you know about relationships anyway? You run away from everything involving it.," he hissed.

"Guys, enough!," a younger voice said, a yellow two tailed fox walking up and finally closing a first aid kit. The soft blue eyes hiding obvious hurt and irritation from the other.

"Arguing about this won't help.," the fox frowned.

The two hedgehogs went silent for a moment, green and blue still glaring at each other. "You don't know him like I do..." Green said in a low whisper. Blue's features hardening with a low sound in his throat.

"Scourge?...," Shadow's deep voice asked, sounding a bit hoarse from screaming for so long.

The green hedgehog's head snapped at the sound, immediately going towards the covered hedgehog. "Oh my god, Stripes!," he said.

The emerald hedgehog knelt down, his hands shaking slightly as if he were afraid if he'd shatter and disappear if he touched him.

As he neared the scarlet orbs, the whites of his eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"Are you ok? Wait, no, obviously not. You were gone for so long and you're hurt!," he said quickly, his tone panicked and in pain.

"I was so worried about you," he said, his voice cracking a bit.

Shadow smiled softly, his hand reaching out to wipe the wetness away from the cheeks. "You found me...how?"

Scourge gave a weak chuckle while tearing up a bit. "I said I'd find you, and I did.," he said, giving a half smile.

Shadow smiled at the familiar warmth he felt in his chest. It almost made him forget about the turmoil of the past few...days? Weeks?

He sighed, tired from the events. Who cares?

It was then he felt the other rest his head on his fluffy chest. He felt moisture build up and against his bandaged area. "I was really worried babe...," the other said weakly, his face slightly red from crying as he hid his shameful display of emotions.

He knew the other didn't like expressing certain things at time, yet it still hurt him to have him gone for so long and taken away.

A dark raven ear twitched, a soft smirk on his lips," Don't call me babe.," he said teasingly, lightly patting his head. He could feel the other laugh softly.

Shadow winced at the bright lights of the room, sighing when the other held a hand over his eyes to shade him. "Do you want them turned down?," green asked, his watery blues glancing up.

"Yeah..."

With a soft sound, he pulled out his shades and set them on his face. Smirking softly at the slightly confused reaction," Beautiful.," he said, chuckling a bit.

There was a quick movement of air as the other moved, the lights going down to ease the other. "Better?," he asked, seemingly unmoving from his position.

"Yeah...," the midnight hedgehog said with a slightly relieved tone. "How do I look?," he asked, curled up beneath the blankets. Looking like a hedgehog burrito with shades.

The other smirked a bit, holding up his hands into a box shape as he looked. "Oh wow, you look good in red~ Makes sense," he chuckled, the other flushing slightly. "Oh shut up...," he mumbled.

"Are you hungry or comfy enough? I can nab some things for you," he offered, the dark male sighing as a bit as he rested in the soft couch.

It was then he noticed the other hedgehog behind his green hedgehog. Arms crossed and staring coldly at the green male, though not as intense as before. The expression he held softened a bit and arms dropped as he realized the red streaked male was looking at him.

"Hey Shad, how are you feeling?," he asked.

Oh, it was Sonic.

"Please, nothing can stop me...," he muttered, ignoring the pain as he attempted to remain cool and collected. Scourge gave him a knowing look for a moment but didn't say anything for his sake.

"So...you got help?," he asked, looking slightly surprised. Sonic blinked," No, gr-...Scourge came and was pounding on our door, screaming about a weird alien breaking in and kidnapping you. So me and Tails went to help get you out."

Shadow looked slightly surprised as his partner shifted slightly. He never asked for help unless it was seriously needed. Especially from his opposite.

"You went for help to...get me back?," he asked, emotion in his voice. Scourge shifted," Well...yeah...No alien asshat's taking my boyfriend and brainwashing him...," he mumbled, gently toying with a loose cord on the blanket.

Shadow's ear flicked," Eclipse!," he suddenly realized that his "brother" was still out. "Is he-" "He wasn't there, or any of those little baby things with him. They left.," Scourge said, comfortingly rubbing under his cheek.

Shadow let out a shaky sigh. Why did he worry so much? All Eclipse had done was horrible, but he did it for his "family". A part of him, probably the Black Arms part, wanted to be there for his "brother", but another part screamed at him to stay away.

Was it wrong for him to feel this way about his remaining "family"?

"Your place was broken into, a wall and door was broken," the blue hedgehog finally said.

"So, until your place is fixed up and you're healed, you'll be staying here with me and Tails.," he said.

The green hedgehog shot a look over his shoulder, the room tense from the two hedgehogs glaring at each other.

Shadow flicked between the two briefly. "Faker, it really isn't needed, we can find a place."

"But if you're here, we can plan and protect any attacks from Eclipse.," Sonic said.

"I don't need protection.," the ultimate lifeform said lowly. Scourge sighed, rubbing his chest. "I know Shads," he said carefully," But still, injured and tired, it might be best if you're here where there's a kid who knows his first aid," the green hedgehog said, admitting that he was was incompetent about medical care.

Shadow stared at the hedgehog, finally noticing the strain and exhaustion along with anxiety and worry etched in his features.

He relaxed a bit, sighing," Alright. But just until I'm on my feet and our apartment is fixed.," he said, gently grasping his hand with a small smile. Scourge seemingly relaxed a bit.

"No fighting while we're here though," he said, Scourge opening his mouth to retort. "No, if I'm staying here, I don't want to hear you two arguing about ridiculous things and over your masculinity.," he said, the two stiffening and awkwardly shifting in shame.

"Yes babe..."

Shadow sighed, rolling his eyes and letting the nickname slide.

He needed a nap.