Shadow looked out of the window of his current residence. He crossed his arms, seeing Sonic lying in a hammock outside. Sonic was as carefree as ever despite the last mission, where Sonic almost died due to one of Eggman's traps malfunctioning. It turned into something way more dangerous, and Sonic was trapped in a tube full of water. If it hadn't been for Shadow saving him through CPR, then Sonic would have ultimately perished. Shadow seeing Sonic in such a state woke up something that Shadow had been doing his best to suppress.
Shadow made a decision. He would be Sonic's secret bodyguard. But this role came with its own set of rules. One: Sonic must never find out. Two: Sonic must almost always remain within Shadow's sight. Shadow was determined not to lose another person he loved. Yes, he loved Sonic more than he had ever admitted. He had fallen for the blue blur, but he had convinced himself that staying out of Sonic's love life was the best course of action. This internal conflict tore him apart. He couldn't bear the thought of Sonic falling for someone like him, someone with such a dark past, and yet, he wished at times that he could just walk over and give Sonic a bouquet of lilacs.
"Hey, buddy!"Sonic exclaimed, looking over at Tail's. He hopped off his hammock, placing his book beside the tree. "You need some help with packing the tornado?" Tails looked over. His eyes were bright and sparkling. "I can do this by myself, Sonic." Sonic's eyes glittered. He walked over to the Tornado watching Tail's he itched his nose. "Sorry for being nosy. I just can't believe you are going on your own adventure after all of these years. Make sure to write, and if you need any help, just call me."
Tails placed his bags into the Tornado. He turned around, looking at Sonic. "Of course I will. Are you sure you will be okay taking care of the place while I am gone?" he asked. "I will only be gone for a year. I am going to find myself." Sonic looked at the house. He shrugged. "I will make sure not to destroy the place while you are gone. I will see you later, Tails." Tails smiled softly. He looked back at Sonic. Sonic turned around, trying to be strong. Letting Tails go off on his own was something he never thought he was going to have to deal with. Tails looked towards the ocean before rushing over, hugging Sonic from behind. "Thank you, Sonic." Sonic turned around, hugging his little brother. "You just be safe." Tails looked into Sonic's eyes, seeing the proud yet saddened look. He backed up.
"Of course. See you." he returned to the Tornado and entered the plane. Sonic watched as Tails flew off. He stood on the ground until the Tornado was just a blip in the sky. Sonic held his arms. He sighed. Tails was all grown up now. There was no need to worry. He walked back to his hammock, grabbed his book, and climbed back onto it. He read for a few minutes before glancing back at where the Tornado had disappeared. He shook his head, placing the book on his stomach. There had to be something he could do to distract himself. Maybe he should get back to playing the guitar or cook some chili-dogs.
Sonic thought about what happened on the last mission a month ago. Eggman really was trying to kill him. Maybe he should figure out why Eggman was so bent on actually ending his life this time. Being trapped inside the tube entered his mind. He took a few breaths. That was a very close call. He could have sworn that he had seen a bright light, but then, out of nowhere, Shadow was within his vision. He flushed, thinking about how the first thing he saw when he woke was Shadow's worried face, which turned to one of complete relief. He smiled, knowing that Shadow was so worried about him and that Shadow saved him. Initially, Sonic was planning to confess to Amy after the events of Starfall island but soon realized that he only loved her platonically. Now Shadow, after Shadow risked his life to save Sonic from that tube of water and the tenderness of Shadow's hug once he saw that Sonic was alive. Sonic theorized that Shadow must like him as much as he liked Shadow from the moment he saved the planet with him the first time. He placed his arm over his forehead; the summer breeze was warm. "I wish you would just show up, Shadow," he spoke low. "I have so much I want to tell you," he spoke low.
Shadow scanned his eyes around the area where Sonic was. Usually around this time, Sonic would enter the house to cook dinner and watch shows with Tails. He sat on the windowsill, watching Sonic relax. He squinted, seeing the way Sonic was acting. Sonic seemed flustered about something. He wondered if Sonic was thinking about Amy or someone. He looked to the side. Of course, Sonic was not into men. Even if that man was the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow clenched his teeth. That must be it. It was silly to think that he even had a chance. Sonic, in all of the years that Shadow had known him, had always been a ladies' magnet—the cool hero that any woman would be lucky to be with.
Sonic could feel that somebody had been watching him. He placed his arm down, looking around. Who could it possibly be? He had felt this presence since the last mission but had never found a hint of who or what it could be. He stood up, looking around. He had kept the presence quiet as he did not want to spook Tails, but now since Tails was gone for a year, Sonic decided it was time to investigate. "Hello? Hello? I know you are watching me…" he spoke in a friendly voice, looking around. "You have been watching me as of late… Come on out, I do not bite."
Shadow tensed up, hearing Sonic; he panicked, blurring from the windowsill back into the attic. There was no way that Sonic had figured him out, not this soon. He stood in the attic, crossing his arms. Damn. This was not good. He had hoped that he could keep watch over Sonic. He had kept it on the low for the last week. He shook his head, preening his quills back as long as Sonic didn't enter the attic. Everything should be fine. Shadow moved all of his stuff there, and it instantly could become known that he had been living there, stalking Sonic.