Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A little Sonic, about two feet high, struggled to keep up with his caretakers for the day as they walked through the facility. There was an agent on either side of him holding his hands. He leaned his head back to look at his reflection in the window as they passed it. He was blue. And furry. With quills. And massive eyes. Nothing like them. As he grew, the understanding came to him. Every day, he noted another difference between them. Every day, their hands felt colder, their speech more reserved. But he was beginning to understand it had always been that way.

“Do you think there are other hedgehogs on Earth somewhere?” Sonic looked between the men.

Neither of them looked at him, but the one at his right side spoke. “Yeah, kid. We showed them to you, remember? They’re little rodent things.”

Sonic frowned, looking to his feet. “No… I mean ones that look like me.”

“Well, there is one…” The man on his left muttered.

Sonic smiled up at him, hope written on his cartoonish features. “There is?”

“Don’t tell him about that,” the other one hissed, turning his head.

“Why not?”

The man on his right glanced down at Sonic, then back to his partner. “I’m pretty sure the director has a specific way he wants to tell him about it.”

“Sonic’s got ADHD out the wazoo. He won’t even remember by the time they have a serious conversation with him about it.”

Sonic pulled at his hand. “Remember what?”

“Well,” the agent started, casting a look down at Sonic, “about thirty… what is it, thirty-six years ago? GUN raided this space colony called The Ark. They got word there was some sort of dangerous weapon in development. And there was. It was a hedgehog. He looked pretty harmless, you know. Kind of like you but bigger. But he had this crazy amount of Chaos energy inside of him. He had these… otherworldly powers like teleportation, super speed, enhanced senses, and more. He managed to get out through an escape pod and fall to Earth.” Suddenly, his tone changed like this was a ghost story. “Most people think he’s dead, but… the director doesn’t. He thinks he’s still out there somewhere.”

Sonic watched his feet pad along the floor as he absorbed all of this information. “Do you think he’d be my friend?”

The storyteller laughed at him, and it hurt something deep inside the child. “Sure.”

The other man shook his head. “That hedgehog is really dangerous. He could hurt a lot of people if he wanted to. But you’re going to be really powerful when you get older too. And if he is still out there, you’re going to help us catch him.” The men let go of his hands as they walked into the gym. One of them picked him up and set him down on a specialized treadmill.

Sonic reached up to hold onto the handles of the machine. Is that what he was training for? To be able to best this other hedgehog? He would do it if it kept his planet safe. But he wondered about this hedgehog. If he had gone undetected for thirty-six years, he can’t be doing much harm. Maybe he was nice.

One of the men turned on the treadmill and checked his watch. “Alright. Run until you can’t anymore.”

Sonic nodded and started to run. The treadmill adjusted to his pace. His mind continued to linger on the other hedgehog for—

—————————————————————

“—years. This paperwork is going to take years,” Sonic groaned, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on the thick stack.

“Well, that’s what happens when you spin dash a giant robot through a community center. You get an incident report and a psych eval.” Amy, the manager of Sonic’s squad, tapped on his desk with a firm finger.

“Psych eval this, psych eval that. I’m always doing a fucking psych eval.” Sonic put his arms behind his head. “What’s with that? It’s not like I killed anyone.”

“I don’t know, Sonic. The order doesn’t come from me.” Amy sighed. Though the squad was generally hers to look over and assign, issues pertaining to the hedgehog were often handled higher up the ladder.

“Maybe I’ll have a chat with Espio then.” Sonic flexed his feet on the desk.

“Leave the director alone. Get this done by the end of the day or you can’t come out for drinks. I know you can finish it in time,” Amy spoke in her no-nonsense tone. She walked away before he could argue.

Sonic put his feet back down to the floor. His leg bounced as he picked up the packets of work. It wasn’t fair. He could understand the incident reports, but the psych evaluations after nearly every mission? It felt like they didn’t trust him. Even though he was raised by them and has been a successful agent since he was fifteen. It’s been four years with no major hiccups. So why? Simply because he wasn’t human?

Knuckles passed by his desk. “Hey, Sonic. Heard there were some rat traps in the break room. Think someone’s out to get you.”

Sonic rolled his eyes, dropping the papers. He showed the red-headed man his middle finger. “Shove it up your ass, Knuckles.”

Knuckles chuckled and returned to his own desk. Sonic grabbed the psych eval paperwork and dashed through the office. His coworkers groaned as the gush of air that passed them knocked things off their desks. He went up the stairs to the balcony and slowed to a walk down the hall. He stopped in front of the director’s office and knocked on the door.

“What?” came through the door.

Sonic opened it and peered inside. “Hey, boss.”

“What do you want, Sonic?” Espio dropped his pen and rubbed his forehead as if he already got a headache just seeing his face.

Sonic walked into his office like he owned the place and shut the door behind him. “These evals—what gives?” Sonic dropped the papers on his desk and plopped in one of the chairs in front of it.

“It’s routine. You do them all the time. What’s the problem?” Espio leaned back, narrowing his eyes.

“That is the problem. Why do I need to do them after every mission? I haven’t changed. And no one else has to do them.” Sonic folded his arms, tapping his foot.

Espio sighed. He scratched the side of his face, staring at the paperwork like it could answer for him. “You’re just… important to us is all.” He interlocked his hands on top of his desk. “We want to make sure you’re doing well.”

Sonic’s lip pulled up. “That’s not why.”

Just then, the door burst open. Sonic turned around. Hunching in the doorway was Tails, a young man who was technically part of his team, but really worked in several departments. He was rarely in the active field. “Sir!”

“Jesus, what is it?” Espio stood. It was slow. He’s getting old.

Tails hesitated once his eyes caught Sonic. “Um, we recorded a sudden outburst of energy…”

“So?” Espio cocked a brow.

“I think you should just come take a look, sir.” Tails swallowed, his face grave.

The director’s expression flattened as he walked around his desk and out the door to follow Tails to the computer lab. The hell? Sonic got up and followed behind them, walking quickly. This seemed serious. He had to know what it was about. They walked deeper into the facility. Tails scanned the badge around his neck on the sensor outside of a door. It opened for them. Sonic dashed forward, but the door slid back shut before he could get in. He grimaced. He didn’t have clearance. He looked through the small, frosted window in the door. The only information it gave him was that the lights were on inside. Sonic waited around for several minutes until the director reappeared from the room.

Espio began down the hall quickly. Sonic fell into pace with him immediately. The older man tucked his hands behind his back. “Get your gear on and get to the aircraft hangar.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Sonic stared at him.

Espio’s expression was complex. Sonic couldn’t read it. “It’s time. We found him.”

Sonic nearly tripped. He stopped, eyes widening. “What, you mean, him? Like HIM, him?”

The director turned to him. “Yes. He made a mistake. Our satellite caught his energy signature in a forest in northern Italy. Are you ready?”

“Am I…” Sonic mumbled at first. It’s been fourteen years since Sonic first learned about the hedgehog and fifty since he had disappeared. Sonic had started to think he was just an urban legend, permanently out of reach. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t put his all into preparing for the scenario in which he was real. Sonic cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. “Of course I’m ready. I’ve only been training like my whole life.”

“Then go,” Espio said firmly. Sonic braced to run off, but he waited when the director spoke again. “And Sonic?”

“Yeah?”

“Godspeed.” The director saluted him.

Sonic smirked and saluted back. He became a blur as he rushed through the facility into the locker room. He was the first there. His body was buzzing with energy, with excitement and arousal. He threw open his locker and yanked at his tie until it came apart. He tossed it into the locker and got to work unbuttoning his dress shirt until he got frustrated trying to maneuver his trembling fingers. He ripped it off and tossed it at the trash can. He grabbed his bullet proof vest from its hanger and strapped it over his shoulders and around his waist. Then he pulled on his elbow guards that kept them from getting skinned when he hit the ground. He wrapped his hands and wrists tightly with reusable bandages to support his joints then pulled on white gloves that only left the tips of his fingers exposed.

Sonic kicked off his shoes and unbuckled his belt in order to remove his dress pants. He put on his black, custom made pants. The material was thin and stretchy like leggings in all the places that helped him move. They were thick and padded in the sections that didn’t need as much flexibility. He fastened his utility belt across his hips. He hated it. It was bulky and annoying. He didn’t even use guns. But they forced him to wear it just in case. He sat down to wrap his feet and ankles before slipping on socks and his running shoes.

The door to the locker room opened as Knuckles and Rouge entered. Rouge smiled at him. “Hey, Sonic. Ready to—“

“Can’t talk, gotta charge the jet!” Sonic raced past them, narrowly avoiding knocking them over. The door swung behind him. It was a short trip outside of the building and out back to the airstrip. He approached a slender jet waiting on the runway. A few people were getting it prepped—filling it with gas, and connecting its energy reservoirs to what was essentially a giant hamster wheel. Sonic got up into the wheel and looked at the mechanic kneeling on top of one of the engines. “Is it ready?”

“Let me get out of the way,” the man called down to him. He started down a ladder. He gave Sonic a thumbs up once he was back on the ground.

Sonic started to run. Really run. The way he did when no one could show up in his way. It was a relief to get some of this excess energy out. His body sparked with blue electricity, creating arcs between him and the wheel. The thick cord that was connected from the wheel to the energy reservoirs on top of the engines began to glow as it conducted. Sonic heard he was fast. He wondered if he could keep up with him. Surely not, right? Maybe they meant fast like according to humans. His heart pounded as he thought of running after the other hedgehog.

“That’s good, Sonic,” the mechanic called. A whirring sounded through the air as the reservoirs reached their limit.

What did he look like, this other hedgehog? Was he blue too? There was a blur in his mind where he imagined him, there always had been. He was dying to put an image in its place. Finally, it would happen.

“Sonic, stop!” The man yelled to him.

Sonic’s ears twitched his way. He looked up to the reservoirs which were glowing brightly, full of his energy. He jumped out of the wheel and pressed his palms on the outside of it to slow it down. His gloves protected him from friction burns.

“What the hell?” The man scoffed, and the other workers looked just as displeased with him. He could’ve easily overloaded the expensive reservoirs.

“Sorry, my bad, guys…” Sonic gingerly let go of the wheel once the energy dissipated. He rubbed the back of his neck.

Sonic’s team came up the pavement in two jeeps. One worker got back on the engine to detach the cord while another dragged the platform holding the wheel away back into the hangar. Tails hopped out of the jeep and jogged over to the mechanics to check with them.

Amy stepped out and walked up to Sonic. “You ready to do this?”

Sonic nodded and clenched his fists. “Absolutely.”

“You need to understand that all of us are just backup. We’re no match for him. It’s going to be up to you to detain him, and we can secure him after. You can call us to distract him if he gets the upper hand, but I’m not willing to send any of the team in close, understand?” Amy looked at him seriously.

Sonic nodded before he even really thought about what that meant. He’d been swearing up and down he could handle leading a mission. This must be his chance to prove himself. Maybe he wouldn’t get a psych eval after this one. “I understand.”

“If you don’t think you can handle it, I can talk to Director Espio. I don’t want you to… this is going to get real.” Amy put her hand on his shoulder.

Sonic smiled at her. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be too fast for him.”

“I hope so. Let’s go get him, soldier.” She patted his shoulder.

Sonic grinned and practically flew up the steps of the jet. He strapped himself into a seat. Tails walked in next and made his way to the cockpit. The rest of his team poured in and took the seats around them. Amy was last. She checked on everyone, reminding them to buckle. Then she went into the cockpit too. The jet’s engines turned on and the aircraft lurched forward, wheeling down the runway.

Tails spoke over the intercom. “Welcome to your supersonic flight departing from Atlanta set to land somewhere in Tuscany, Italy. I don’t know, we’ll find out when we get closer. This flight is two hours instead of ten, which you can thank Sonic for. Please keep your seatbelts on while the engines are supercharged.”

Amy could be heard over the intercom too. “Quit fooling around and get us off the ground.”

“I’m going, I’m going. Thanks for flying with Tails United! Enjoy your journey.” The intercom cut off as the plane lifted into the air.

At first, it moved at a regular pace as it climbed into the sky. They eventually leveled out at cruising altitude. Sonic looked out the window. The engines began to glow blue. The white noise grew loud and—blast off. Their bodies pressed against the backs of their seats as the plane increased its speed, cutting through the air at thousands of miles per hour. Sonic smiled, happy to be helpful. And relieved. He couldn’t have sat here for ten hours. His legs are already buzzing, tapping away at the ground beneath him. Finally, he was going to meet someone like him.

Chapter Text

Sonic was gazing out of the window, chewing the inside of his cheek. His legs were bouncing, humming with energy. He perked up when sea became land. The engines returned to their normal state as they started a descent.

Amy left the cockpit. She held onto one of the handles hanging from the ceiling of the craft as she stood in the middle of the seats. “We’re narrowing down his location, but he looks to be in some dense woodland. There’s nowhere to land.”

Sonic unbuckled his restraints. “Send me down. Let me jump.”

Amy sighed, looking him over, considering. “Can you steer him to our landing spot?”

Sonic nodded eagerly. “Anywhere you want us to go.”

Amy was silent and still for another moment before she crouched down and opened a hatch in the floor. She climbed down, then tossed a parachute pack over to his feet. Sonic grinned and picked it up. He stood and slung it over its shoulders, fastening the straps around his torso. Amy gathered some other things underneath their feet. Her head reappeared, and she slid several enhanced M16 assault rifles across the floor to be picked up by each member of the team.

Sonic frowned. That seemed a bit much. “You don’t want me to kill him do you?” He swayed with the movement of the plane.

“No, he’s important. But do what you have to do to secure him,” Amy said as if the statements didn’t conflict. She climbed back out of the hatch and dropped the door. She raised her finger to her ear as someone spoke to her earpiece. “We have eyes on him.” She turned to the cockpit. “Tails, they’re sending you live coordinates!”

The plane dipped lower into the sky. Sonic walked to the door on the side of the plane and took hold of the latch. He looked out the window as the trees slowly gained texture while they got closer. His heart started to race. What would he be like? Would he live up to the stories?

Amy leaned towards Sonic. “Open the door. Should be able to see him running.”

“From here?” Sonic pulled the latch, sliding the door open. The two held tightly to the grips in the ceiling as cold, angry air blasted them. He squinted down at the trees. Through their branches, he could see small streaks of a red-orange light. The kind of light he emitted when he was running. Woah. He is fast. His trail was another color. Was he orange? The plane slowly reached ahead of the hedgehog’s path.

“Whenever you’re ready!” Amy shouted over the wind. “Be careful. We’ll be waiting for you at the edge of the trees. Due West. Follow the sun.”

Sonic took the deepest breath of his life. He stepped in place, bouncing around. This was happening. Now. He jumped out of the plane into the sky. He grinned as adrenaline flushed through his body. He was weightless, flying. The wind pierced straight through his fur and quills. He dove for the trees. Fuck, what should he say? He’s sure the other hedgehog would be defensive, but this didn’t have to get as messy as GUN prepped for. He released his parachute once he was low enough. He grunted as his body was suddenly slowed to what felt like a snail’s pace. He drifted through the air towards the treetops. He was being a bit impulsive when he unstrapped the backpack as soon as his feet touched branches. He fell through a couple of them until he was able to clutch onto one and pull himself up.

Sonic crouched on the branch and looked down towards the forest floor, waiting. His ears perked. He could ear leaves rustling, wind blowing. But strangely, no footsteps. His heart skipped a beat when the hedgehog ran past beneath him. Sonic dropped down from the tree. He was ready to run, but the hedgehog had stopped completely. Just stopped, standing ahead of Sonic, facing away.

His body looked just like Sonic’s at first glance. But he had this rich black fur. Even though it was ruffled and matted, it shined under the sparse sunlight coming through the canopy. His quills were upturned unlike Sonic’s, and he was decorated with red markings in his fur and his quills. They were bright against the rest of his dark body. They flared like a warning. Taking a closer look, his body itself was structured slightly differently. Sonic was slender down through his hips, while the other was only slender to his waist. His hips jutted back out, creating a distinct silhouette. And his arms… they were covered in fur unlike Sonic’s. Which one of them was abnormal?

The hedgehog slowly turned to look at Sonic. His eyes had a sharp corner to them, further exaggerated by red markings. Sonic looked him up and down, his breath deepening as he did. His chest was adorned by thick, white fur. It was almost in the shape of a heart. Sonic’s chest was bare. His muzzle was a dark tan too. He had more colors than Sonic.

The mission almost entirely slipped his mind as he took in the sight of another hedgehog for the first time. “Um… buongiorno?”

The hedgehog looked him up and down with… disgust? He dashed away.

“Wait!” Sonic ran after him. He had to keep glancing at his feet to avoid tripping over bushes and sticks. “It doesn’t have to be this way! Let’s talk.” Sonic checked the position of the sun and came up on his target’s left side to encourage him to move right. He was able to catch up to him, but it took more effort to do so than it had with any other creature he had faced. It was freeing.

The other hedgehog just growled when he saw Sonic getting close to him. He turned right suddenly and pushed himself harder. Sonic looked at his feet. Was he… gliding? Floating? His legs were moving as if he were rollerblading, but it looked like his shoes didn’t touch the ground. Sonic came up on his other side when he had turned too far. “Hey, how do you run like that?”

And then he disappeared. He was gone in an instant. Then he reappeared several yards ahead out of thin air. He teleported. He repeated this action, increasing the distance he covered. Sonic was actually starting to feel like he was exerting himself chasing after the other hedgehog. As fun as it was, he noticed they were getting too close to the edge of the forest. He reached top speed as he watched the hedgehog’s movements intently. There was a pattern. Sonic lunged while the air was still empty, but by the time he got close, the hedgehog appeared in front of him. The two collided and tumbled to the ground.

Before Sonic could get his bearings, a pain ripped through his bare forearm. “Ouch!” He looked at the hedgehog beneath him. He had bitten him. Hard. With big canines, drawing streams of blood from his arm. Sonic punched him in the head to get him to release, but he was quick just to snap his jaws on Sonic’s other arm. Sonic groaned in pain and tried to shake him off. “Why won’t you just talk to me?”

The hedgehog jabbed his gloved finger into Sonic’s chest. Sonic looked down. He was touching the GUN logo embroidered on his vest. He looked up Into the hedgehog’s eyes. They were red and glowing with energy. His pupils were these little slits like a cat’s. His brows were pulled together angrily. Sonic opened his mouth to say something, but his belt shifted up his hip as his pistol was pulled from it. In a single fluid motion, the hedgehog turned off the safety, cocked it, and shot him point blank in the chest.

Sonic wheezed as the air was knocked out of him. His vest prevented the bullet from piercing him, but it morphed into blunt force. All of its energy still pounded into his chest. He felt like he got hit by a bus. He clutched his chest and was shoved away by the shooter. The hedgehog dashed out of the trees.

“Wait,” Sonic rasped, reaching for him. Too late. The hedgehog skidded to a stop as he was blocked by Sonic’s team waiting for him. They open fired. Sonic clambered to his feet and dashed to the side, out of the crossfire, but a bullet had nicked his shoulder. He hissed and clutched his hand over it. To his shock, the hedgehog was unfazed. He teleported left and right, making himself much harder to hit. In a break in the teleportation, he fired a shot into Knuckles’ knee, bringing the man to the ground and leaving an opening for him to dash through.

Sonic cleared his throat and patted his chest. He told himself to shake it off. He had a job to do. He popped his knuckles and dashed after his target. Sonic’s heart dropped as the woodland and fields faded away. They were heading straight for a city. With this much power between them, there could be casualties. The weather changed as they traveled miles. It grew darker. Thunder raged through the sky as rain began to soak their pelts.

Sonic actually struggled to keep up with the other now that they were jerking and weaving through the tight streets of Florence packed with buildings and tourists. Sonic could barely see him anymore. He was always around a corner or hidden by a crowd. It was nearly impossible to reach high speeds without risking running into innocent people. Sonic was persistent though. He stayed on his tail until he rounded a corner straight into the other hedgehog’s grasp who had stopped, waiting for him. He threw Sonic. He hadn’t even had to wind back much to send Sonic flying.

Sonic’s back crashed through a wall, and suddenly he was sliding across the floor of the Galleria dell’Accademia. His head smashed into marble, bringing his body to a stop at the feet of David by Michelangelo. He groaned and grabbed his head. He opened his eyes to see the dark hedgehog stepping into the hole in the wall. Civilians around them screamed and rushed to the exits. To Sonic’s horror, some of them were silent lying on the ground. They had been in his path as he came through the building.

“That’s enough,” Sonic growled like an animal. But his face fell as the hedgehog stepped towards him, trailing a mix of blood and rainwater along the floor as he went. His breaths were gurgling. Sonic had been impressed that he managed to dodge all the bullets earlier, but he hadn’t. He was full of bullet holes, each one leaking his nearly black blood all over the tile. It was much more impressive that he hadn’t dodged them and was still standing. It was also terrifying.

His opponent leapt for him, hands outstretched. Sonic rolled away, leaving him to crash into the sculpture. He grabbed the hedgehogs arm in one hand and reached for his cuffs with the other. He growled back and slashed his claws at Sonic’s arm, leaving gashes. He bolted again. Sonic tried to grab his hips, but his claws just raked him as he escaped his grasp, dashing back out of the building.

“Fuck,” Sonic panted. This hedgehog was pretty fast. Pretty strong. And he fought pretty dirty too. Sonic glanced at the bites on his arms. And what would stop him if not dozens of energy laced bullets? He squared his shoulders and took off back after him.

It took him a little bit to find him again, but he followed the eyes of the people. They showed him which direction he went. He was wary of his surroundings as he closed in. Every once in a while, he noted someone in uniform watching him. It looks like another GUN team was scattered throughout the city. Good.

He came up on the hedgehog’s side and clashed their shoulders, knocking him over. He tumbled to the ground. Sonic had sent him into an alleyway. He blocked his only way out. A GUN sniper peeked over the roof of one of the buildings making up the walls of the alley. The hedgehog got back to his feet and tried to get past Sonic, but Sonic dashed left and right to block him. He smirked. He had him now. Then the hedgehog teleported to the other side of him and was running off again.

“Right…” Sonic sighed. He turned on his heel and went after him once more. He had to get him still, and he had to get these energy siphoning cuffs on him to have any chance.

They eventually reached the edge of the city. The hedgehog stopped at the edge of a highway. He panted softly, his breath hitching on blood bubbling in his lungs. His ears slowly pinned back on his head. It was clear then that he had no plan. Nowhere to go. He looked back at Sonic. His muzzle was wrinkled up in a snarl, baring those large teeth, but his eyes revealed fear. He was almost looking a bit pathetic, standing there like a soaking wet dog.

Sonic felt a deep sympathy for him. He approached him slowly. The hedgehog looked him up and down, tensing up. Sonic put his hands out. “Hey, man… we can run forever, or we can just talk.” His steps were slow and gentle. He noticed the hedgehog staring at his hands instead of his face. His fur was all puffed up. So this hedgehog has likely been… living alone in the woods for fifty years? After he lost everything he knew? Sonic tried to look as non threatening as possible. “I’m just going to…”

The hedgehog’s eyes scanned Sonic’s body frantically, his ragged breathing getting quicker and quicker until it stopped when Sonic hugged him. The warm body started to tremble in his arms. The agent frowned as he hit a button on his cuffs. They melded together into one large one—a collar. He clamped it around the hedgehog’s neck from behind his back. Sonic was shoved away, and the hedgehog felt at the band around his throat. Sonic crouched out of the way as a sniper on the overpass fired a long-distance taser into the target’s chest.

He cried out and fell to his knees. There, every muscle in his body clenched. Agents flooded in on motorcycles and cars. The hedgehog fell all the way to the ground when the tasing stopped. He was surrounded by agents. One pressed a foot on his back, pinning him to asphalt as they clamped cuffs around his hands. Even though his head was jerked around and manhandled as they fastened a muzzle on him, even though rain splattered in his face, his eyes remained locked onto Sonic’s. Betrayal, they whispered.

A shiver rolled up Sonic’s spine. He had to look away. The agents hooked a vertical bar to his collar, the cuffs around his upper arms, and the cuffs around his wrists. A pair of horizontal bars also connected between the cuffs on his limbs. This kept his back straight, his arms behind him, and his hands separated from one another. It also made for easy transport. An agent grabbed the bar behind his back like it was a handle and carried him to the back of a van. He was snarling through his muzzle the whole time. Sonic let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding when the hedgehog’s stare was broken by the van’s doors shutting.

Sonic jumped as Amy’s voice sounded right next to him. “You did good kid, but we need to get you to a medic.” She grabbed his arm to inspect him.

“What’s going to happen to him?” Sonic asked softly, watching the van drive away.

“We’re going to run some tests, see what he’s useful for, then store him underground probably,” Amy said casually.

Sonic’s shoulders slouched as the adrenaline faded away, replaced only by pains sharp and thick throughout his body and maybe even a little bit in his heart.

“See the medic, then get back to the jet. You can take a couple days off when we get to HQ. You look rougher than I’ve ever seen you.” Amy walked off, leaving him with that.

Sonic looked down at himself. He’d been shot twice, bitten, scratched, a concussion was likely. She was right. He rarely lost blood. No one had given him this much trouble. He just didn’t understand why the hedgehog wouldn’t talk to him. Couldn’t he speak?

“Sonic?” The medic interrupted his thoughts. “Tell me about your injuries.” He beckoned the hedgehog to the med vehicle.

Sonic started following him after another moment and told him what all had befell him, but he was distracted. He couldn’t get the hedgehog’s eyes out of his mind. They had looked right through him.

Chapter Text

A couple of days went by. Sonic was restless every moment of it. His body ached and groaned with every movement. The bullet wound across his shoulder had been stapled shut. His scratches and bites had been disinfected. There was a single stitch closing his skin on each wound left by the other hedgehog’s four canines, where the bite sunk deepest into him. Then he had been wrapped up. He was changing his bandages now, standing in his bathroom in front of the mirror, wearing only briefs. The wounds were clean. The blood was gone. But purplish red bruises dusted his flesh around each scratch, each tooth mark. His chest was the worst of it. The skin in the center of his chest had nearly gone black and deep purple spread across towards the top of his stomach and the beginning of his fur below his collarbones. His chest ached with each breath. He brushed his fingers across the bruise.

Before the hedgehog had shot him, he had touched Sonic’s chest. The word GUN. The poor thing had just been afraid. He’s sure GUN raiding his facility had been traumatizing for him, especially if he was young when it happened. He must’ve thought Sonic was there to kill him or… or capture him. And he was. Now he had been captured. But things didn’t have to be bad. He was created as a weapon, but as long as he wasn’t evil, Sonic didn’t see why he couldn’t be reformed. He could join Sonic’s team and use his powers for good. He could become a soldier instead.

Though Sonic’s body was hurting and his wounds hadn’t sealed, he was sick of resting. Sick of being stuck in his bedroom underground. He wondered how the other hedgehog was adjusting to living here. He wondered which floor he was on, what kind of cell he was in. He wondered if he had spoken. Why not find out? If Espio tried to keep them apart, he would fail. Sonic needed to know more about him. How he was made, who he was… what was he like when he wasn’t under duress?

Sonic didn’t care about resting. Didn’t care about healing. Didn’t care what his bosses would have to say about it either. He walked into his bedroom and slid open the door to his closet. He grabbed a cropped white tee and pulled it over his head, holding his quills straight up so he could get them through the neck hole. He opened the drawer of his dresser and grabbed a pair of high waisted spandex pants. He wasn’t on the clock, so he could dress comfortable. He pulled the pants up just under his belly button. They hugged around his hips and legs. He typically stuck to really tight or really loose clothes to allow him to move. The material had to be thin too. Jeans were an absolute no go. He wore a pair for about two hours once before he had ripped them open trying to run.

Sonic hooked his agent tag on the waistband of his pants and stepped with determination to his door, but he stopped once he got into the quiet hall. How’s he going to find him? He’ll have to go through Espio. He might not even have clearance to get to him even if he knew where he was. He walked down the hall to the elevator where he scanned his badge so he could call it. He got in and hit the button for the top floor. He would check the director’s office first.

Once he arrived at the top, he passed through double doors into the office area. He made his way to the stairs. Several agents he passed took a moment to ask him how he was. A couple even congratulated him on his catch. His catch? He shrugged them all off, one goal in his mind. He pulled on the railing to drag himself up the stairs. He walked along the balcony and peeked into the director’s window. He was inside. Sonic knocked.

“Yeah?” Espio answered. Sonic stepped in and shut the door. Espio smiled at him. “Hey, champ. How are you healing?”

Sonic’s ears lowered on his head as he walked in the room. The praising nickname sounded foreign, but it thrilled Sonic nonetheless. He cleared his throat and stood between the chairs in front of Espio’s desk. “I’m okay. Chest still hurts, but everything looks good so far.”

“You ready to get back to work?” Espio looked up at him. “I know how restless you get.”

“Um, pretty much. I was wondering though… how’s the hedgehog doing?” Sonic glanced at his feet. The hedgehog. Did he have a name?

“Hm.” Espio’s fingers rapped on his desk and leaned back in his chair. Sonic looked back at his face, and he could see the cogs turning behind his eyes. He was crafting an answer with caution. “He’s alive. He doesn’t talk, so… there’s only so much we can know about how he’s feeling.”

Sonic opened his mouth, then shut it again. He rubbed his thumb over a bandage around his wrist and took a deep breath. “Could I talk to him?”

“I just told you he doesn’t talk.” Espio crossed his legs under the desk.

Sonic sighed. He’s not convinced that the hedgehog is mute. “Can I just see him, please?”

“He needs to be isolated while he calms down. Let him rest.”

Sonic’s foot tapped on the ground. “Fine…” He stood there another minute, but he couldn’t come up with an argument he saw ending in his favor. He turned to leave, but Espio called his name. Sonic looked back at him.

Espio pulled a packet out of his desk drawer and dropped it at the edge of the desk. “Make sure you fill this out before you get back to work.”

Sonic picked up the document. It was another psychological evaluation. His ears went flat on his head as he muttered, “Yes sir.” He gripped the papers and walked out of the office. He walked quickly down the stairs and dropped the papers into the first trash can he passed. He needed to find Tails. He’s sure Tails knew. He was extremely intelligent. He had to be of use to the director during this case.

He tried the computer lab first. He waited by the door until someone came out, then Sonic immediately asked them if Tails was in there. They said no, so he tried the workshop. He was allowed in there, so he walked through the warehouse-like room. He ignored all the stares from the welders and metalworkers as he passed through the work benches looking around. He didn’t recognize Tails, so he dashed back out. The damn teen could be just about anywhere working on just about anything. He felt just a little defeated. He made his way to the break room, hoping a donut could clear his head.

Sonic grinned when he saw Tails facing away, pouring a cup of coffee. Sonic dashed to his side, appearing leaning against the counter. “Hey.”

Tails jumped in surprise, spilling hot coffee onto his hand. “Ow!” He hissed and set the mug and pot down. “S-Sonic, hey.” He grabbed a rag and wiped his hand.

Sonic looked him up and down. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so jumpy if you didn’t drink so much caffeine.”

“The director’s not letting me sleep.” Tails sighed and picked up the mug again, sipping coffee.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” Sonic watched his finger as he used it to trace the counter.

Tails cocked a brow, eyeing him suspiciously. “Um. We just secured an important... you know.” He looked around to double check no one else was in the room.

“Mhm.” Sonic nodded along. “Speaking of, how is he?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Tails hid behind his mug.

“I know you know. Just tell me where he is. Please? You don’t have to say anything else. Just a number. The floor.” Sonic clasped his hands together, sporting the puppy eyes he used to get sympathy when he was a child.

Tails scratched his head. He seemed to be thinking about it. “You specifically are supposed to be kept at a distance.”

“Why?” Sonic frowned. “Finally, another hedgehog shows up. One that I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet, training my whole life to go toe to toe with, but I can’t even talk to him? Does that sound fair?”

“I don’t know, Sonic,” Tails whined. “It’s not my decision.”

“It’s your decision not to tell me.” Sonic points at him. He sighed, then backed off a little. “How about a bet?”

“Christ. Nothing you could offer me would be worth the information you want.” Tails closed his eyes and rubbed his head. That hardly mattered. Tails loved to gamble.

Sonic rubbed his chin, trying to think of something. “I’ll do your paperwork.”

“For how long?” Tails crossed his arms.

“Name your price.”

“A month.”

“A month?!” Sonic gasped. “No way. Two weeks and I’ll let you sleep in my room.” The director would leave him alone as long as Tails’ tracker pinged in the facility.

Tails tapped the counter. The idea was alluring to him. “How many days?”

“Three. Only during the daytime while I’m out.” Sonic held up three fingers.

“Four, and you’ve got yourself a deal.” Tails offered his hand.

Sonic nodded, taking his hand. His was much larger than the human’s, wrapping around it with ease. “You got a quarter?”

Tails scoffed and reclaimed his hand. “What kind of question is that? Of course I have a quarter.” Tails unbuttoned a small pouch attached to his belt and pulled out a coin.

Sonic held out his hand, and Tails handed it over. He didn’t need to ask what side he’d call. That’s how he got his nickname. As soon as Sonic learned he always picked tails, the hedgehog learned how to rig the game. It wasn’t surefire, but he learned a way of flipping that put the odds in his favor. He bit his lip nervously as he flipped the coin. He held out both his hands for it to land on. He and Tails looked into his hands once it did.

“Damn,” Tails grumbled. “Feels like you always win. Sub-14.”

Sonic grinned and fist pumped. “Yes! Hey, you can still stay in my room. But I’m not doing your work.”

“Fair enough.” Tails smiled at the hedgehog’s infectious grin, but not for long. “I’ll have to come with you. You don’t have access.”

“Let’s go then.” Sonic pushed the quarter back into Tails’ belt and dashed out of the break room. He made it to the elevator nearly instantaneously for no reason at all. He had to stand there bouncing around, waiting for the human to catch up. Tails took his sweet time. Once in the elevator, Tails hit the Sub-14 button. It glowed red and Tails scanned his badge. It turned green, and the elevator started moving. Hm. Sonic couldn’t even get on the floor. Must be where all the secrets are.

After a long ride, Tails led the way into the level. It was quiet, empty for the most part. But each hall that branched off had locked double doors. Man, this place was locked down. Tails took a left and a right, then walked to the end of a hall. He stopped to stand in front of a long mirror. It was a few feet tall and about seven feet long.

Sonic’s brows furrowed as he looked at themselves in the mirror. “I don’t get it.”

Tails scanned his badge on the reader that rested on the wall beside the mirror. Suddenly, it became glass, revealing a dark room on the other side of the wall.

Sonic gasped, his hand lifting over his mouth. There was the hedgehog. He was hanging from the ceiling. Chains connected to the bar behind his back. It pulled his arms up high over his back, leaving his body and legs to dangle. He had cuffs around his ankles too with chains connecting to the floor. He was barefoot now. He had been naked when they met, but Sonic had barely noted it. It looked natural on him. But not now. Now he looked vulnerable, truly naked. Worst of all, he was blind folded. A muzzle was strapped around his head, and muffs were clamped around his ears. Every feature of his face was hidden.

Sonic touched the glass gingerly as if he was afraid it would hurt him. There was an aching in his chest. “Seems a bit… inhumane, doesn’t it?”

Tails shrugged. “Well, he isn’t human.”

Sonic looked at him, and suddenly his coworker felt so far away. He wasn’t human either. Would they do something like this to him so easily? “Well, sensory deprivation seems extreme at the least…”

“He’s not deprived. He’s dampened. He has super senses. He could hear us talking from the other side if we hadn’t covered his ears. He has thermal vision as well. The blindfold is essentially an ice pack so all he sees is blue,” Tails explained.

“And what of his wounds?” Sonic rested his palm on the glass. He didn’t have so much as a bandaid on him.

“Super healing. He doesn’t need wound care.”

Sonic pressed his hand against the glass. He just didn’t understand. Why leave him naked, suspended, bleeding? These explanations from Tails were nonsense. This was cruelty. Simply to be cruel. “I want to go in.”

“No way!” Tails shook his head. “You two are not to interact.”

“Look at him, Tails. This is crazy. At least let me clean him up a bit.” Sonic turned to him.

“No one is supposed to be in contact with him. Once that’s cleared, they’re going to shave him to get the mats out and clean him up, okay?” Tails said this as if it would be reassuring.

“You’re going to shave him?” Sonic growled, showing just a bit of his canines. He was offended for the hedgehog. It was like they were trying to take every bit of dignity left from him.

Tails stepped back from him, looking nervously from Sonic’s teeth to his eyes. “R-relax, Sonic.”

Sonic examined Tails’ demeanor, dropping his lip. Had he scared him? He brought his hand over his mouth. He hadn’t meant to flash his fangs. He took a deep breath. “Get me a bucket and a sponge, or I’m going to tell Espio you brought me down here.”

Tails frowned deeply. “Thats not fair.”

“This?” Sonic tapped the glass roughly. “This isn’t fair.” He didn’t know much about the hedgehog’s past, but if he did something to deserve this, he’s sure he would’ve heard about it. Tails stared at him, looking him over. Everywhere his gaze paused made Sonic self conscious. His ears, quills, eyes, mouth, the short claws that peeked from his fingertips. Everything that made him an animal. Sonic’s snout wrinkled just a bit. “Go.”

Tails walked off quickly. Sonic sighed and knelt down. He rested his arms on the ledge of the window. The other hedgehog was limp, his head hanging low. Was he sleeping? Could he sleep like this? Had he been here the whole time since their fight? Why? This couldn’t be anything but torture.

Chapter Text

Several minutes had passed. Sonic just stared through the glass at the other hedgehog. He watched his chest expand with each breath. There was a beat of silence between every inhale and exhale. Sometimes there were several like he forgot to breathe from time to time. Or maybe he needed a break. He remembered what the hedgehog sounded like in the rain. Gurgling, choking. Was there still blood in his lungs? Had one collapsed? Was he in pain? What does it matter that his wounds would heal? It obviously wasn’t happening fast enough to leave him suffering. Maybe he could get him some painkillers…

Tails eventually came back down the hall. He walked slow and steady as not to spill the bucket of water he was holding down by his knee.

Sonic got to his feet and felt along the wall. “Where the hell’s the door anyway?”

Tails sighed and set the bucket down. “Sonic, please… don’t go in there. He won’t talk. If you’re… concerned… about him, you should consider that you might just be bothering him by messing with him.”

“I’m not going to mess with him.” Sonic picked up the bucket. It was full of soapy water and had a yellow sponge in it. “I’m helping him. Tell me, Tails. What has he done?”

“What do you mean?” Tails fiddled his hands.

“We’re treating him like some kind of monster. Or supervillain. So what did he do?” Sonic gripped the handle of the bucket tightly.

Tails looked away and opened his mouth, but then it shut, his lips forming into a frown.

“That’s what I thought. Open it,” Sonic commanded. The poor hedgehog… Sonic felt drawn to him. He was itching to get close to him. Someone had to help him. Tails avoided his harsh gaze as he walked forward. He scanned his badge again and pressed a button on the reader. A section of the wall next to the mirror sort of backed into the dark room and slid to the side. It had looked seamless when it was sealed.

Sonic’s hand dragged across the doorframe as he apprehensively stepped into the room. The door shut behind him. He looked back at the glass, but from this side, it was a mirror. He couldn’t see Tails. Sonic turned to the hedgehog bound in chains. The only sounds in the room were Sonic’s footsteps and the ragged breathing of the hedgehog. It didn’t sound like there was fluid in his lungs anymore. Oh. Now that he was closer, Sonic could see blood dripping from the breathing holes in his muzzle. There was a splattered puddle on the cement floor. He had managed to cough it up. His breathing was the opposite now, painfully dry. The muscles in the hedgehog’s legs tensed up every few seconds. Sonic understood. He hadn’t been able to run in days. His body was restless.

Sonic frowned as he stood right in front of the bound hedgehog. Was the goal to break him? Like he was some sort of mustang? There was something they weren’t telling him. He looked up at his face even though he couldn’t see it. Were his eyes opened or closed? And his mouth?

Sonic looked up and down his body. He was supposed to be over fifty years old, but he sure looked good for fifty. His skin was tight over his muscles. He looked a bit malnourished with his belly flattening just a bit more than the front of his hips, but he was not frail. Sonic didn’t recall any powdering on his face. And his black fur was pure without a single gray hair in the mix. It looked soft… Sonic wanted to touch him. He couldn’t remember what he felt like when they fought if his skin had ever even gotten a feel of the fur. Sonic wasn’t wearing his gloves now. He reached out slowly and touched the red marking on the outside of the hedgehog’s thigh, rubbing his thumb into the fur. It was soft as he suspected.

The chains rattled as the hedgehog gasped, suddenly coming to life and yanking his leg away. He pulled at the cuff around his ankle. “Who’s there?” His voice was as dry as his breath. And deep.

Sonic shivered when the voice resonated through his body. He withdrew his hand and tilted his head. “So you do talk?”

The hedgehog was panting now. He shook his head roughly, trying to get something off his face. The muzzle, the blindfold, the muffs, anything. It was all firmly in place, digging into his skin. His body swayed in its suspended state from the motions.

“It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.” Sonic gently took his hips to stop him from swinging. His thumbs touched the claw marks he had left in the hedgehog. He could still see them through the fur, but they were scabs now, much further along in the healing process than Sonic’s wounds. Every muscle in the hedgehog’s body tensed up, but his breathing remained rapid. “Can you hear me?”

The captive was quiet for another moment. His body started to tremble, unable to maintain the tension in his muscles. “Yes,” he whispered.

“What’s your name?” Sonic sifted through his fur. He still had bullet holes… they hadn’t closed up. Some of them even still leaked blood. His fur was stained, sticky, and crusty around the wounds.

“St… please…” The hedgehog’s torso writhed in the air. “Stop touching me.”

Sonic pulled away immediately, and the hedgehog inhaled shakily. His body went limp again, head hanging. Sonic wasn’t sure why he was reacting so strongly. He had been careful not to prod at his wounds. “Do you have a name?”

The hedgehog groaned softly. “I used to… Shadow. My name is Shadow.”

Sonic leaned around, taking him in from different angles. He looked at every part of him shamelessly since Shadow wouldn’t be able to tell. The name suited him. “My name is Sonic. I’m, uh, the hedgehog.”

“I know. I can smell you now,” Shadow murmured ominously.

Smell him? Sonic lifted his arm and smelled himself. This was a fresh shirt. He didn’t stink. Sonic tried to keep his back towards the mirror so Tails wouldn’t see that he was speaking. He leaned down to grab the sponge. He squeezed out the excess water.

Shadow’s ears turned on his head. “What are you doing?”

“I want to clean you off. Those mats in your fur must be so uncomfortable.” Sonic crouched down in front of Shadow’s feet. Interesting. The red markings came all the way down. Two of his toes on each foot were red.

Shadow shook his head. His ears turned as he tried to located Sonic. “I can’t.”

“What do you mean, you can’t?” Sonic’s hand cupped underneath Shadow’s foot, their pads pressing into one another and he rubbed the sponge down the top of his foot. Shadow reflexively kicked Sonic in the face. He grunted and landed back on his ass. He looked up at him as he rubbed his nose. “I’m trying to help you.”

“I haven’t been touched in fifty years! Fifty… years…” Shadow snarled at first, but his voice fell away.

Something dripped onto Sonic’s knee. Sonic looked up. A fluid was falling from Shadow’s muzzle, but it wasn’t blood. It was clear. Tears. Sonic frowned deeply. He felt just a fraction of the pain Shadow must’ve been through pierce his heart. He set the sponge down. He can’t imagine how lonely Shadow must have been. Why didn’t he try to reach out to anyone? Humans had helped Sonic, taken him in and cared for him. These humans… the humans who did this to another hedgehog they had found. Why weren’t they doing the same for Shadow?

“Where are you? Did you leave?” Shadow tilted his head around, trying to find some sign that he was still there.

“I’m here, Shadow.” Sonic got back to his feet. He considered taking off Shadow’s blindfold, but he didn’t want to do enough to make Tails intervene. He glanced over his body again. “I… do you want a hug?”

Shadow growled. “Considering what happened last time, I don’t want any hugs from you, faker.”

Sonic tilted his head. That response was rather sharp. The hedgehog was tense again, hardly breathing. The last tear dropped from his muzzle. That sliver of vulnerability was gone. Had Sonic hugging him just to catch him really hurt him? Well, if it was his first hug in fifty years… Oh, god. Sonic’s a fucking asshole. “I… I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know how else to secure you.”

“Why? Why are you working with these monsters?”

Sonic’s brows furrowed. He’d never thought of people as the monsters. They were people. “They raised me. Took me in when I was a child. They’re all I’ve known… they’re my family.”

Shadow laughed. It was boisterous and sarcastic. “They’re not your family. I had a family. GUN is an organization. And you are just one of their weapons.”

Sonic’s ears went back. He shook his head. “I’m not a weapon. I’m an agent. I chose to be an agent. I wanted to help. They said you were created in a lab to be a weapon of mass destruction.”

“I was not created to be a weapon!” Shadow hissed, lifting his legs and pulling hard at the chains. “I was created to save someone. They’ve been brainwashing you.”

Sonic frowned deeply. He folded his arms. He knew that last bit wasn’t true. “I don’t know what happened between you and GUN all those years ago. But they’ve only ever looked out for me and given me purpose.”

“Yeah, you have a purpose alright. Look at my ear, Sonic.” Shadow tilted his head to the side. Sonic got on his toes to get a look. There was a dark yellow tag in his ear now. A hole had been punched into it. It wasn’t there before Shadow had arrived here. It read ‘ASSET’ followed by some numbers and a barcode. “We’re just assets to them. Maybe you don’t have a tag. But I bet you have a tracker imbedded somewhere you can’t claw it out. Maybe even an identifying tattoo somewhere you don’t have fur.”

Sonic touched the back of his head under his quills even though it was too deep to feel. He had a tracker nestled against his brainstem. He was told at a young age any attempt at removal would result in his death. He didn’t think about it much. His coworkers only had trackers on their phones. They didn’t transmit signals when they were clocked out. How did Shadow know that? “It’s just there to keep me safe. So they’ll know where to find me if something happens.”

“So they’ll know where to find you… no matter what.” Shadow leaned his head back and flexed his shoulders, trying to stretch. “It’s probably some sort of weapon in case you go AWOL too.”

“They wouldn’t hurt me,” Sonic grumbled. He wasn’t sure he liked this hedgehog. He was being seriously abrasive.

“If you won’t open your eyes, then there’s nothing more to say. Not interested in talking to pigs.”

Sonic was taken aback by this sudden switch up. When Sonic first came in, Shadow seemed helpless and in so much pain, but now… Sonic folded his arms and walked to the wall. “Let me out, Tails.” The door slid open. A long, shuddering sigh came from Shadow as Sonic left. The door shut behind him. He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, running his hands through his quills. What a confusing hedgehog. Why had Sonic been so excited to talk to him? They were clearly some kind of enemies. He walked over to the glass. All that frustration faded away instantly. Shadow’s shoulders convulsed as he sobbed. He doesn’t know that they can see him. Sonic’s brows loosened as he pressed his hand to the glass again.

“Well?” Tails looked at Sonic. “Was it what you were hoping it’d be?”

Sonic made a decision right here in this moment. “He wouldn’t talk to me.”

Tails offered a light touch to Sonic’s shoulder. “I tried to tell you. He’s been living in the woods on his own for half a century. He probably can’t even remember how to speak. Psychologically, he’s not much more than a regular Earth animal now.”

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Sonic’s hand clenched into a fist against the glass. Then he dropped it. Tails pressed a button, and it became a mirror again. Sonic was left staring at his own face.

“Come on. Before someone finds us down here.” Tails beckoned him and started walking down the hallway. Sonic’s gaze lingered on his own for another moment before he broke away to follow Tails. His coworker scanned his badge as needed to get through various doors. Once they entered the elevator, Tails looked at him. “Can I take a nap in your room now?”

“Sure, buddy,” Sonic muttered. He hit the button for the floor he lived on.

Tails yawned and rubbed his eyes. “It’s been a crazy few days.”

“Uh huh.”

“I would’ve lost my head by now if it wasn’t attached to me.” Tails leaned against the wall of the elevator.

Sonic looked at the badge around Tails’ neck. “Yeah, me too.” The elevator doors opened, and the blond walked out. Sonic hit the button for the top floor. “I’m going to get some work done.”

“Alright, see you later.” Tails waved to him.

Sonic brought his hands behind his back as the doors shut again. Once at the top floor, he stepped out, but he didn’t go far. He stared at a clock on the wall. Once five minutes went by, he got back into the elevator and hit the button for his floor. The hallway was empty. He walked down to his room and quietly sat down outside of it. There he waited for another fifteen minutes or so.

Once the time had passed, he carefully slipped into his room. As expected, Tails was passed out curled up on his bean bag in the corner. Sonic walked over to him and crouched down. He pinched Tails’ lanyard in his fingers and brought it over his head. He took his badge into his hands. He looked around his bedroom for a good place to put it. Eventually he settled on the good old underwear drawer. It wasn’t the most creative spot, but his hope was that Tails believed he had been tired enough to have just set it down somewhere else and forgotten that he did. He’d even lie to Tails if he had to. He needed that badge so he could see Shadow again.

Chapter Text

The day was going by so slowly. Sonic hadn’t bothered to change his clothes before he had gone to his desk, hoping he could find something to keep himself busy. All there was for him to do at the moment though was the damn psych eval. The section about his feelings on their adversary was driving him mad. It asked questions like ‘Did you cause permanent injury to the enemy?’ and ‘Did you feel sympathy for the enemy? If so, to what extent?’, and even ‘Do you feel guilt over your participation in stopping the target or securing the asset?’. Asset. Shadow wasn’t an asset. He was an individual.

Sonic looked up as a behind slid onto his desk. Rouge sat next to him, leaning on her hand to take a look at what he was doing. Sonic tried not to look at her tits but they were at eye-level and her shirt was unbuttoned just above her bra. It was hot pink. Dark enough to be seen beneath the white shirt. He was pretty sure she wanted people to look. Rouge crossed her legs. “Finishing your evaluation?”

“Yes…” Sonic muttered, breaking his eyes from her chest to look back at his work. “These questions get stupider every time i read them.”

“You should just scan a finished copy and keep it to hand over to Director Espio whenever he asks for a new one.”

Sonic perked up, grinning. “Hey, that’s a good idea. I answer the same every time anyways.” He was re-energized and started scribbling his answers, hopefully for the last time.

“You’re welcome.” She watched him. “I just visited Knuckles today.”

“Oh, how is he?” Sonic paused to look up at her. “He had surgery on his knee, didn’t he?”

“He’s better than he says he is. Likes to complain, but everything went well. He’ll be on crutches for a few weeks. Then a cane. If he works at it, he’ll be able to walk alright in a couple months.” Rouge laid her arms over her thigh. “Probably be out of the field for a while.”

“Thats a shame. He’s the strongest in the squad.” Sonic frowned. Shadow had shot his friend… but it was mostly in self defense. Couldn’t truly blame him.

“Yeah.” Rouge sighed. She nudged him with her foot. “But how’s the fastest doing?”

“Me?” Sonic looked down at his bandaged arms. “I’m alright. Staples are going to come out at the end of the week. Only thing that really bothers me is this.” Sonic leaned back in his chair and pulled his crop top up to the top of his chest to show her the bruising.

“Oh, my god.” Rouge leaned to get a good look. “That must feel awful. Thank God you were wearing your vest though.”

Sonic dropped his shirt. “He wouldn’t have shot me if I wasn’t wearing it,” Sonic said with full confidence in his words. Shadow would’ve gone for the head if he’d wanted to put Sonic down. He could’ve. Sonic had been at his mercy without even realizing it in the moment.

“I don’t know; he’s entirely unpredictable. I mean… living alone in the woods for fifty years? He must’ve gone crazy.” Rouge lifted Sonic’s arm. “He clawed and bit you like a rabid dog.”

Sonic frowned and pulled his arm away from her. He rubbed his skin between the bandages. That wasn’t fair. What else was he supposed to do? Sonic had left some claw marks on him too. It was difficult to avoid. He felt the urge to defend the hedgehog for some reason. Did he pity him because no one else would? Thinking of the word pity made his nose wrinkle. That wasn’t right. Shadow wasn’t to be pitied. He already knew that from the brief time he’d been around him. He shrugged. “Sometimes you have to use the tools you were given.”

Rouge dragged his psych eval closer and rotated it so she could read it. “Feeling a little bit of sympathy, are you?”

“No!” Sonic snatched the papers from her even though his answers didn’t reveal how he really felt. He turned away after he accidentally glanced at her tits again. “I’m not.”

Rouge pursed her lips and rubbed into one of Sonic’s tense shoulders. He relaxed just a little. He wasn’t given kind touches that often. “You probably feel something for him just because he looks like you. But what’s on the outside doesn’t matter. It’s what’s on the inside.” Sonic winced as she tapped his chest. “Inside, you’re human like the rest of us, okay?”

Sonic brushed his fingers across his forehead, closing his eyes. The words might have made him smile a few days ago. But they felt… off to him now. Were they hollow? No. Rouge believed them. What’s the problem then? He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I know. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled at him and got off his desk.

Sonic turned his chair towards her. “Hey, you wouldn’t wanna get me some whiskey, would you?”

Rouge put her hand on her hip and looked down at him with raised brows.

Sonic lifted his hand. “I know, I know. Nineteen this, Espio that. But I’m a little stressed here, and I think we can agree it’s a better alternative to lighting up.” Sonic managed to get weed from an intern once. His entire floor stank for days after.

Rouge sighed and dropped her hands. “Fine. But don’t tell anyone.”

“Thank you!” Sonic smiled.

“I’ll bring it to you after the work day is over.” Rouge sauntered away.

Sonic’s gaze lingered on her ass for a little while, but eventually he had to look back at the damn paperwork. He tried not to let the questions sink into him and just answered the way he always did. He essentially had his responses memorized at this point. Once he was done, he made his way into an adjacent room with equipment like printers and scanners. He pulled the staple out of the packet and loaded the stack in the machine to be scanned. He leaned his weight onto one foot as he waited, watching the rhythmic motions of the machine.

Once it was done, he emailed a copy to himself and sent a couple to the printer, so he’d already have some ready next time they were needed. He collected each stack as it finished and stapled them as well as the original. He dashed out of the room and up the stairs to the director’s office. He knocked, but there was no answer. He slowly opened the door. The office was empty. Sonic padded into the room and shut the door behind him. He walked around the mahogany desk and set the psych eval on top of it. His hand paused over the papers. He tapped his finger and looked to the computer screen nearby. It was locked, asking for a password. Sonic’s fingers made their way to the keyboard on the desk, but he wouldn’t have a chance guessing a password. Security was taken seriously. It was most likely a combination of randomly generated numbers, letters, and symbols, impossible to guess. It’d take a million monkeys on a million keyboards for a million years.

He then dashed around the room checking every drawer in the desk and the file cabinets by the wall. They were all empty. Sonic was careless and filled with frustration as he moved through the room rapidly searching for anything at all. It was blank. It was fake. There was no information, nothing personal. It was like a front. Sonic stopped in the middle of the room, clenching his fists. The rug was kicked up and his papers had been knocked from the desk. There wasn’t anything else to disrupt. He stomped the rug back flat and slammed the packet back on the desk. He left the room and walked to the elevator, but he recalled Tails was sleeping in his room. He groaned to himself and returned to his desk.

His ears rotated back towards the elevator. He turned to look each time the doors opened. He had stolen from Tails. God, what a stupid idea. He’s sure Tails is going to storm over to him and demand his ID back. Sonic waited around for what felt like hours until one time he turned and did see Tails appear in the elevator. But the teen had no pep in his step, no determination on his face. He walked calmly down the hall towards the computer lab, not the office area. Sonic let out a breath. Either he hasn’t realized he’s lost it or he didn’t blame Sonic.

Sonic returned to his bedroom. He tried to take a nap. Failed. He listened to some music, but it bored him. He bounced off the walls until he went for a light run around the floor. It didn’t help much. He killed time doing whatever until evening hit. He made his way to the main floor. He sat on the desk and chatted with the security guard that was not interested in the slightest. Until Rouge showed up at the front doors. Sonic dashed to them, and the guard hit a buzzer to unlock them. He pulled it open.

Rouge handed him a black bag. “Do not go running after you drink this.”

“I won’t. Thank you!” Sonic kissed her cheek, and then he was gone. He even took the stairs to get to his bedroom faster than he could in the elevator. He bursted into his room and shut his door behind his back. He opened the bag and wrapped his hand around the neck of a glass bottle and lifted it up. Jack Daniel’s. He set the bottle on his nightstand. He sat on his bed, both of his feet tapping the floor at different intervals. He stared at his alarm clock.

He waited another couple hours. He had to. Had to be sure he was the only one left. Well, him and the security guard. But he was only there to watch the main floor. He didn’t even know how deep this facility filled the ground. He walked into his bathroom and dug around his cluttered drawer until he found a hair tie. He collected his quills behind his head and tied them together. He grabbed an oversized black hoodie from his closet and pulled it on with a little bit of a struggle. He made sure his quills were hidden under the hood. He opened his underwear drawer and pushed the garments around until Tails’ ID became visible. He put the lanyard over his neck and took a deep breath. He was nervous. He wondered if the hedgehog would snap at him or insult him when he showed up. He wondered if he would let Sonic help him like he wanted.

Sonic drifted to his nightstand and lifted the bottle of whiskey. He twisted the cap off and sniffed it. His fur puffed up as it stung his nose. Yikes. It’ll do the job though. He pinched his nose and took a few sips of the liquid confidence. He grunted and made a face as the warmth spread through his chest. He tucked the bottle into the pocket against his belly.

The alcohol slowly made its way to his brain as he rode the elevator down several floors and walked through the empty hall. His anxiety faded away, his heartbeat slowed. He checked out the floor, everywhere Tails’ badge would allow him. He took note of the different rooms. An exercise room. A medbay. A bio lab. It reminded him of the floor he grew up on. He walked into the medbay and looked around at all the supplies. He filled his arms with hydrogen peroxide, scissors, gauze, and a bottle of percocet. He walked through the halls towards Shadow’s cell.

He stopped in front of the mirror. He looked over himself, at the hoodie he was hiding in and the supplies in his arms. What the hell is he doing? If he got caught… how would he even explain himself? He considered turning back around and disappearing. His hand seemed to act on its own, bringing Tails’ ID to the scanner and pressing the button. The mirror switched to glass again. Shadow was exactly as Sonic had left him, hanging limp from the ceiling. The bucket and sponge was still there. No one had been inside since he was. The voices of reason in Sonic faded into silence. He was going to help Shadow whether the other hedgehog liked it or not. Whether Espio liked it or not.

Chapter Text

Sonic stared at Shadow for a few more minutes, making sure the alcohol settled into his belly as much as it was going to. He felt intimidated somehow. Like he was entering his boss’ office despite being the one with every ounce of control. The door slid open, and he walked inside.

Shadow’s head lifted. He hadn’t been sleeping. Couldn’t. He smelled the air. “What are you doing back here, hedgehog?”

Sonic shivered. He wasn’t used to that voice yet. He leaned over and set his stuff down on the floor. Could Shadow really smell him from here and identify him? Freaky. “I’m here to help you.”

Shadow groaned softly, he twisted his shoulders, but he had nowhere to go. “I don’t want your help.”

“I think you need it though.” Sonic stepped closer. He looked over his body. He looked the same as he had earlier. “Will you let me touch you?”

“No,” Shadow said flatly, ears pinning back. His chest rose and fell quicker.

Was he afraid? Sonic needed to calm him down. He felt a little guilt over his plan, but he knew in the end, it was in Shadow’s best interest. He looked up. “Well, are you thirsty?”

Shadow considered this, tilting his head. “Yes…”

“Lower your head.” Sonic stepped directly in front of him. After a moment’s hesitation, Shadow bowed his head down. Sonic got up on his toes, reaching up to unbuckle Shadow’s muzzle. “It’s late. All the staff is gone.”

“You live here?” Shadow stretched his jaw once his mouth was freed.

Sonic eyed Shadow’s teeth. They were sharp and his canines were longer than his. Again, he was reminded Shadow had mercy on him. He probably wouldn’t have struggled to rip out Sonic’s throat. He cleared his throat and set the muzzle down on the floor. He pulled the bottle of whiskey out of his pocket. “Yeah, a few floors up. I’ve lived here since I ended up on the planet sixteen years ago.”

Shadow scoffed. He was able to put enough together. “That’s why you’re not asking questions. You’re still a kid.”

Sonic frowned and twisted the cap off the bottle. “I’m not a kid.”

“You are to this company. Naive, easily manip—“

“Just drink this.” Sonic pushed the end of the bottle to his lips. Shadow grunted but wrapped his lips around it. Sonic tilted the bottle up so it could pour into his mouth. He nearly dropped it as Shadow gagged and pulled away.

“What the fuck is that?” Shadow spit. It incidentally landed right on Sonic’s face.

Sonic flinched and wiped the saliva off of his cheek, glancing at his fingers. “It’s all we have.”

“Liar,” Shadow growled. “What are you giving me?”

“Are you thirsty or not?” Sonic tapped the bottle at Shadow’s mouth. Shadow grimaced at the smell of it, but ultimately took the bottle’s tip back into his mouth and accepted several swallows into his throat. Sonic watched his adam’s apple bob under his fur as excess whiskey splattered on the floor. He counted the swallows as standard drinks. Once enough was enough, he pulled the bottle away twisted the cap back on.

“That burns…” Shadow shook his head, sticking his tongue out. It was long and… forked?

Sonic’s brows furrowed as he leaned in to get a closer look at it. He could ignore some of the differences like colors and fur patterns, but that? “You’re not just a hedgehog, are you?”

Shadow’s tongue retreated into his mouth and his jaw clenched. He never opened his mouth back up to answer. Fine. Sonic could wait. He sat back down by the bucket and dipped his fingers in the cold water. He hoped the alcohol would reduce Shadow’s inhibitions. Maybe he would be conscious enough to slap that mask back on once it fell. He knew Shadow had things to tell him, feelings to let out. And maybe it could relax Shadow’s body so his touch didn’t feel like a threat.

Several minutes of silence passed. Then the chains could be heard clacking as Shadow’s foot twitched. His mouth was open, letting out soft breaths. He turned his head from side to side slowly as if testing something out. “Did you… did you drug me?” Shadow murmured.

“No.” Sonic crawled to his feet, dragging the bucket with him. He squeezed water out of the sponge.

“Told you don’t touch me,” Shadow mumbles. It was soft, lacking aggression.

“Are you hurting?” Sonic probed, sliding his hand under Shadow’s foot. His toes curled, but he didn’t kick Sonic like last time.

“Yes,” Shadow whispered, chest collapsing with a long sigh.

“Let me help.” Sonic gently rubbed the sponge over the top of Shadow’s foot. He shifted the cuff. Shadow was losing his fur underneath it, his skin becoming rubbed raw. Sonic squeezed the sponge over the cuff, dripping water down his ankle.

“You don’t understand… your touch hurts.” Each muscle Sonic touched twitched under his fur.

“It doesn’t hurt, you’re just…” Sonic brought the sponge up along Shadow’s shin. “Sensitive.”

“I… I’m not…” Shadow groaned and pulled his leg away.

Sonic just moved to clean his other leg. He had dirt and dust clinging to his fur. “You’ll get used to it. I know it must be a lot after… all that time, but… we’re going to work through it,” Sonic said with determination.

“Why do you care…?” Shadow’s legs tensed.

Sonic dipped the sponge back into the bucket and rung it out. “No one deserves that. You must’ve been so lonely.” He got back to his feet and leaned over to stroke the sponge across Shadow’s thighs. The other hedgehog couldn’t keep his legs still. The chains rattled quietly where they hung off his ankles. Sonic’s hand pressed on Shadow’s hip, his thumb rubbing into his fur. The sponge crossed towards Shadow’s groin.

“Dios mío, Pequeño Zafiro,” Shadow breathed through his teeth. His stomach expanded against the sponge as his breaths deepened.

Sonic’s hands paused. He looked up at Shadow’s mouth since it was the only part of him he could see. The words flowed so seamlessly from Shadow’s mouth that he couldn’t count how many he’d said. “Is that… Spanish? You know Spanish?”

Shadow slurred something else in the other language, shaking his head. Sonic looked at him a little while longer before going back to his work. Sonic had to wash around Shadow’s hips and groin. He hadn’t thought anything of it since he couldn’t see anything graphic. He had been raised wearing clothes because it made the humans uncomfortable to see him without them, but his genitals were actually hidden in furry pouch, a sheath, unless he was aroused. Sonic stopped again as a sweet smell filled the air. It was concentrated and close. It couldn’t be a figment of his imagination. He looked around the room, half expecting to see someone baking a dessert in the corner, but nothing and no one was in the room besides them and the things Sonic brought. He looked back to Shadow’s body. His eyes widened. Shiny, hot pink flesh was edging out of Shadow’s sheath.

“Shit, I didn’t mean to stimulate—sorry.” Sonic cleared his throat and pulled his eyes away. He lifted his hands to wash the fur higher on Shadow’s belly and chest. He was reaching the bullet wounds now. Shadow hissed and Sonic apologized again, softening his touch. But as he washed further up, Sonic could see movement in the bottom of his vision. Apparently, the distance didn’t matter. His cheeks turned red. Shadow’s breaths became raspier. He lifted his legs to try and hide himself, but the chains became taut before he could get his knees up. Sonic put his hand on Shadow’s leg, pushing it down. “It’s alright, I won’t look.” But he could… Shadow couldn’t see him.

No. Sonic wouldn’t. As curious as he was about how it looked, whether it was like his, he didn’t look. As for why it had come out in the first place, he blamed the alcohol and Shadow’s sensitivity. It must be a physical reaction he has no control over. He avoided looking down as he washed the rest of the hedgehog. He moved to the back of Shadow’s body after. Shadow tucked his tail between his legs. His tail was long, looking similar to a german shepherd’s. Sonic’s couldn’t do that. His looked more like a white-tailed deer’s. Sonic washed up Shadow’s legs and left his tail alone, assuming it made Shadow more comfortable to cover himself. He was brief over Shadow’s behind. The black hedgehog was beginning to tremble, so Sonic tried to move quickly. He could reach all the way up Shadow’s arms, but he did his best to clean them. Then he stepped back, and Shadow’s body relaxed. Sonic took a moment to admire the red markings on Shadow’s back that were brighter now, clean. They looked like wings.

“Listen… they want to shave you to get the mats out. But that’s like… so lame.” Sonic walked over to his stuff and picked up a pair of scissors. His eyes kept to Shadow’s face. “I have scissors. Can I cut them out?” Shadow mumbled something unintelligible. The slightest bit of drool came down his blood stained muzzle. Sonic frowned and stepped to him. He reached up to touch Shadow’s cheek. “Did I give you too much?”

“I’ll kill you,” Shadow swore quietly, but his head leaned into Sonic’s hand.

Sonic was still for a moment. How confusing. His thumb stroked Shadow’s cheek regardless. It was kind of nice to touch someone like this. He’d always been affectionate like a golden retriever, but it was never well received by people. He wasn’t sure if Shadow meant his words, but he knew the captive hedgehog was enjoying this too. He ignored the threat and pulled away slowly. Shadow’s head hung.

Sonic looked over his body again, starting at his feet. He picked out the mats on his legs and trimmed them out. He had to make his way up Shadow’s thighs. He gulped, unsure how to avoid his member. He might accidentally touch it too, so he skipped right over it up his belly. His chest was the worst. The fur was long and silky there. It was knotted within itself in some places. He trimmed as little as he could, but he definitely had to take chunks. He dropped them to the floor. Shadow’s ears twitched listening to the snipping. Sonic moved around to his backside and trimmed where it was needed.

He frowned as he looked at Shadow’s tail. “I might need to get your tail. The fur is long there.” There was a beat of silence and stillness, then Shadow slowly lifted his tail. Sonic’s brows furrowed as he watched a string of something sticky hang off his fur. Sonic touched it because he could tell it wasn’t semen. It was completely clear. He pinched it in his fingers. It was thicker too. He doesn’t know what possessed him to bring his fingers to his nose, but he did, and he was hit with that thick, sweet smell. What is this? He looked down at Shadow’s butt, but he couldn’t see much from this angle. He knew better than to actually look even though curiosity bit at his brain. He cut the knots out of Shadow’s tail.

Sonic returned to his supplies and dropped the scissors in favor of the gauze and hydrogen peroxide. Shadow didn’t react as Sonic poured some of it into the cuffs around his ankles. It fizzed and bubbled. He tucked gauze between Shadow’s skin and the cuffs, hoping it would keep rubbing him raw. He had no idea how long Shadow would be kept like this. He went along Shadow’s body again. He disinfected each wound. He wanted to put gauze on them, but then it would be obvious someone had been in here. He could only put it where it was hidden like in his cuffs. He could only hope the wounds would not get infected and would close on their own soon. He wonders how long he’s been in here. He shouldn’t stay. Surely they’d check on Shadow first thing in the morning.

“I have painkillers for you.” Sonic picked up the bottle of percocet and looked up at him.

Shadow was breathing softly. He licked his lips. “Okay…”

Sonic opened the bottle and took a look at the little white pills. Shadow was smaller than an adult man, but his pain must be incredible. Sonic wanted to put him to sleep too. So he grabbed two of the pills. He returned to him. “I didn’t bring any water. Can you swallow them dry?”

Shadow nodded and opens his mouth, extending his tongue. Sonic stared at it as he placed the pills onto it. Shadow’s tongue curled around them and drew back into his mouth. He swallowed Sonic sat down by Shadow’s feet and rested his arms over his knees. He leaned his shoulder into Shadow’s calf, lightly brushing them together. Shadow’s foot pressed against him and came around to rest against his chest.

Sonic smiled and wrapped his hand around the hedgehog’s foot. He was asking for his touch? He looked up at him. “I know things are… super shitty right now, but I’m going to look out for you. I can visit you tomorrow night too. If you’re still in here. I’m going to try and get you out though, I promise.”

“Shut up,” Shadow muttered.

“Sorry,” Sonic whispered, covering his mouth. The hedgehog sounded so tired. He must be after everything. Now he was drunk and painkillers were settling in. He rubbed Shadow’s foot and waited by him until the other hedgehog’s breaths became slow and steady. Was he sleeping now? Sonic got up and looked at his face. It was almost impossible to tell. He very carefully pushed Shadow’s cold blindfold up. Shadow didn’t move. He saw black eyelids. Sonic smiled again and let it go. He grabbed the muzzle from the floor. Unfortunately, it had to go back on. He got on his toes and fastened it through Shadow’s quills. Then he picked up Shadow’s fur from the floor and splashed water from the bucket all over to mix with the whiskey and blood. The movement flushed everything towards the drain in the center of the floor. He put his things in the bucket and gave Shadow one more look. It seems his cock had returned to his sheath without an issue. Good.

Sonic let out a long sigh as he left the room. He sealed the door and turned the glass to mirror. He walked to the medbay with heavy eyes. He wondered how late it was. He hoped he could get some decent sleep before he had to get up at eight. He put the supplies back where he found them, except for the painkillers. He walked through the hall until he found the janitor’s closet. He put the bucked and sponge down. He grabbed the whiskey, stuffing it in his pocket with the pills. He looked at Shadow’s fur in the bucket. He couldn’t leave it to be found, so he collected it in his hands. Then he made his way back to his bedroom.

Sonic set the whiskey, pills, and Shadow’s fur on his nightstand. He struggled to pull his hoodie off before he tossed it into the hamper across the room. He pulled his quills out of the hair tie and flicked it aside. He groaned at the alarm clock that read 5am. He collapsed back onto his bed. But he sat right back up when he noticed a bulge in his silhouette. His cock was out of its sheath pushing desperately at his leggings. When had that happened? He hadn’t even noticed. At all. He sighed and lied back down. He pulled a pillow under his knees. He shouldn’t be so surprised. He felt more pent up every day. He’s never had sex. Of course the people around him either thought beastiality was wrong or just weren’t attracted to him. He wasn’t sure if he’d even go through with it if someone offered. He wants it, but something feels off. For example, he knew he was supposed to feel attracted to Rouge. And his eyes did linger. But it felt like they only did that because of how the men around him looked at her. Puberty had been a nightmare.

Sonic pushed his leggings down to his thighs. His cock sprung out and hit his stomach. He spit into his hand and started stroking it slowly. It was rock hard. Not like casually thinking about boobs hard. Hard like it had been teased for hours. He frowned and shifted his hips as he squeezed it. It didn’t give. It was like a metal rod. What had gotten him this way? Was his body just reacting to being around Shadow’s that was in the same state? That’s normal, right?

Whatever, doesn’t matter now. Sonic closed his eyes and focused on stroking himself, twisting his hand up and down his shaft. He moaned softly. His jaw remained open in a yawn. He rubbed his eyes with his free hand and opened them when a sweet smell caught his nose. He smelled his fingers. He could still smell that stuff from under Shadow’s tail. His cock twitched in his hand. It filled him with some strange warmth. He pressed his fingers under his nose and put his feet on the bed. He thrusted up into his hand, desperate for… something that he didn’t have. What it was, he wasn’t sure. He grunted as he squeezed himself tightly. He felt pleasure reaching further up his body. His chest tingled. He hadn’t been quite this into jerking off before. It was usually a chore.

Sonic’s fingers trailed down over his lip into his mouth. He pressed his tongue to them. He could taste the sweetness too. It was heavenly. He moved both his hips and his hand quickly as he bit down on his fingers, grunting. He didn’t have a care in the world as he lifted his hips off the bed and shot cum onto his own belly and chest. He panted hard, his hips twitching still as his hand slowed down. His tip spurted a few more drops as he squeezed. His knot began to swell at his base.

Sonic reached into the drawer of his nightstand and grabbed a silicone band. He pulled it down over his cock. It squeezed his knot tightly, and he was able to relax. He let out a long breath and went limp on the bed. He blamed the sip of whiskey he had earlier for what he had just done and closed his eyes with furrowed brows so he could get some sleep before he had to get up for work.

Chapter Text

The next morning was rough. Sonic was slow to get moving. As energetic as he was, he loved to sleep too. He needed to recharge. Ideally he slept eight to ten hours a night. He definitely didn’t get that last night. He didn’t feel regret though. Even as he looked down at his sticky stomach and pulled the silicone band off of his dick that he had slept in. He dropped it in his drawer and glanced at the fur on his nightstand. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. He’s going to talk to the director today, and he’s not going to let Espio brush him off. He has a right to be involved with Shadow. They should trust him more. He would sing whatever promises or lies he needed to get Espio to let him on the project. He was hoping he could steer it into a better direction.

Sonic stripped off the rest of yesterday’s clothes and walked to his bathroom. He gathered water from the sink in his hands before washing his cum off of himself. This room was renovated for him many years ago, but they never added a personal shower to his bathroom. Something about how wildly expensive it would be to route new pipes and extend a room this far into the ground. It didn’t bother him too much. Everyone else showered in the locker room.

Sonic was able to get his stomach clean enough. He stretched, curving his back as he dragged his feet back into his bedroom. He ought to go for a run and get his blood flowing. It’ll wake him up. He checks his calendar. Actually, he needs to go charge the particle accelerator today for the radiation research team. That’ll be a good work out. The hedgehog pulled on another athletic outfit—a black body suit with longer sleeves that wrapped all the way down around his thumbs and pinkies. He reached behind himself to pull his tail through the little hole that had been cut into it. He wiggled his tail around. He hooked his badge to the neckline of his suit. He picked up the earpiece off his nightstand and shifted his fur out of the way to put it in.

Sonic made his way to the elevator and up to the main floor. The particle accelerator was several miles long. It was already a struggle to get enough space in this city to have an aircraft hanger out back. That’s one of the reasons the facility was largely vertical, reaching below the ground and into the sky. So the accelerator was a couple hours drive north into the mountains. They had a smaller facility stationed there for a few highly specific teams that needed expansive equipment. At a casual pace, it takes Sonic about twenty minutes to make the trip. He walked out of the front doors to the building and smiled as warmth spread over his body. Morning sun. He spent a few minutes stretching his legs. Then he took off. The route was familiar to him. He weaved carefully through skyscrapers and hotels, through traffic and pedestrians until he was able to break out of the city and run freely alongside the interstate as the landscape became greener and marked with large hills.

Sonic’s ear twitched as Espio’s voice came through his earpiece. “Where are you going?”

He was silent besides the sigh that fell from his lips. He thought of Shadow’s words. What if he didn’t answer Espio? What would the director do? Could his tracker actually be a weapon able to be used to get him under control? It wasn’t worth the risk. Maybe he didn’t trust GUN as much as he thought he did. “It’s the second Thursday of the month. Gotta charge the accelerator, remember?”

There was a sigh in his ear. “Oh, right. Sorry, kid. My days are a little mixed up.”

Sonic started weaving through trees. The smell of the forest filled his nose. Pine, moist ground, and flowers. It reminded him of Shadow and where they first met. “Can’t get him to talk, can you?” There was a long beat of silence after he spoke. “You’ve got him hung up until he gives in?”

“Hung up… what do you know about that?” Espio’s tone became firm.

Sonic sighed and slowed down a bit as he trekked up the mountain. “Someone—I won’t name names—showed him to me.”

“Jesus, you ever keep your snout where it belongs? I swear I only ever want to retire while I’m talking to you.”

Sonic frowned a little, but he’s used to being reprimanded at this point. He’s aware of the consequences to his stubbornness and insatiable curiosity. “I swear, Boss. I’ll be useful to you working with him. Who do you think he’s more inclined to trust? Someone like you or someone like him?”

Another moment of silence, then a grumble. “We’ll talk about this when you get back.”

Sonic grinned. Might as well have said yes. “Alright! Be back in an hour.” He sped up again until he reached a section of the accelerator. He climbed on top of the large machine and ran along the ring until he made it to the section that had the battery. A couple researchers were standing on a platform near it, seemingly doing final checks.

“Oh! Hey, Sonic.” Sticks perked up, waving at him.

Sonic smiled at her and crouched down where he stood on the battery. She was energetic like him, and he liked that, even if she said some crazy stuff sometimes. “Hi. Is everything looking good?”

“You bet.” Sticks nodded. She handed her clipboard off to an intern.

Everyone backed down off the platform except for Sticks and her coworker, a large man named Vector. He reached up to hand Sonic his harness. “Heard you did some damage in Florence.”

Sonic sighed and strapped the harness over his shoulders and around his chest. “Yeah, almost knocked David over.” He pulled two thick carabiners that were attached to the base of the machine. They were connected by steel wire wound tightly in reels. He hooked them onto his harness. They pulled him down against the battery as they tried to retract. “I don’t think it was too bad in the end. Nothing like Amsterdam last year.” He pushed himself up straight, the muscles in his legs bearing the resistance.

“Is it true? It was the other hedgehog from decades ago?” Sticks flipped a switch on the control center in front of her.

A panel opened to reveal a large steel ball with grooves like a fingerprint. Sonic stepped onto it and started walking. “I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about it.”

Sticks hit Vector’s shoulder. “Told you.”

“I was really starting to think the director was crazy…” Vector rubbed his head.

Sonic smiled at that and started to run. Fast. The ball rolled beneath him, so he didn’t go anywhere. His electricity, his energy, was conducted through it into the battery. No, the director wasn’t crazy. And Shadow was real. Like, super real.

“When do you think they’ll give him to us?” Sticks looked to Vector.

The man scoffed. “Why would they do that?”

“I heard he’s radioactive,” Sticks whispered like it was gossip.

“Even if he was, they wouldn’t bring him here. I bet he’s never going to see the light of day again.” Vector crossed his arms.

Sonic frowned deeply. Radiation was no threat to him, but he was disturbed by the thought of them keeping Shadow locked away like a princess in a tower. Sonic got to go out on missions and the office space was surrounded by windows, and he still got depressed some days just having his relatively comfortable bedroom deep underground. Wouldn’t the best option be to convert Shadow into an agent like himself? Surely they’ll let him out in time.

Sonic did his job, breaking into a light sweat as he ran at his limit. The accelerator required lots of power. He hard to recharge the battery from dead and fill reserves. He worked hard once a month so he didn’t have to return often and give them little bits of energy here and there.

“We got it, Sonic,” Sticks called up to him.

“We’re good?” He dropped his speed, and the heavy ball began to slow.

“Yeah.” Sticks flipped a switch, pumping breaks onto the ball. Sonic was able to reduce his speed much quicker.

Sonic fell into a jog, then a walk, and finally, he stepped off of the ball. He took a deep breath and unhooked the carabiners. He let go and they rocketed back to their reels. After taking off the harness, he tossed it back down to Vector. “Alright. I’d stay and chat, but I need to go talk to Espio.”

“All good. You know you’re welcome around here any time.” Vector smiled.

“Uh huh. See you guys later.” Sonic waved, then dashed off down the length of the accelerator. He jumped down at some point and made his way down the mountain back home. He was a blur from the woods at the edge of the state all the way to his bedroom under the city center. He skidded to a stop in his room when he saw a human spread out on his beanbag. Tails was back for a nap. Sonic was still as a statue for a moment, watching him. It seemed like he was already asleep and wasn’t stirred by Sonic barreling in. The hedgehog tiptoed to his nightstand and brushed Shadow’s fur off of it into his drawer. He hoped Tails hadn’t seen it.

He moved to his closet and grabbed work clothes. A burgundy turtle neck, brown pants, and a matching blazer. Espio didn’t force him to wear a tie as long as he had a jacket, which Sonic didn’t understand. People have so many rules about clothes. He draped the outfit over his arm and stepped for the door. He glanced back at Tails and smiled softly. He was fond of him. He was the only person Sonic knew that was younger than him. Though it could be argued Tails was more mature. That’s how he was allowed a place here. He was ten years younger than most of his peers. Sonic left his room and shut the door as quietly as he could. He made his way to the showers.

In the locker room, Sonic stripped naked and put his ID as well as his body suit in his locker to grab later. He walked into a stall and turned on the water. It was cold at first, of course, but he didn’t mind. He let it splash over his face down his chest. He washed out his fur and his skin once it was warm. Yet again, he thought of Shadow. No shower in fifty years, huh? It was kind of weird that he didn’t stink. He hoped they’d let him bathe himself soon. That would have to feel so good after so long.

Once he was done, he grabbed a towel from the rack and got to work. While a blow drier finished things up much quicker, they left him a ball of fluff. He didn’t mind using it at night before bed because his fur would settle down by the time he was up in the morning. When he showered during the day, he had to do his best to get the water out with a towel and a goddamn horse sweat scraper. Didn’t make him feel extra human, but it was the most efficient tool to get the excess water out. He did a last once over with the towel before he got dressed in his clean clothes.

Sonic’s skin became prickly as he rode the elevator to the top floor. He pulled at the neck of his shirt. Maybe it was a bad choice. His throat felt dry. He was nervous now. Mentioning Shadow earlier was impulsive, lacking tact. He didn’t mind getting himself in trouble, but this could get Tails or Shadow in trouble too. He climbed up the stairs. His ears rotated back as he saw the director’s door was already open. He was waiting for the hedgehog. Sonic cleared his throat to announce himself as he entered. He shut the door behind him.

Espio was sitting in his chair turned away from Sonic, towards the back wall that was a window. He looked over the cityscape. “Sit down.”

“Good morning to you too,” Sonic tried releasing the tension. He stepped forward and sat in front of his desk.

“No need for greetings. We spoke earlier, didn’t we?” Espio turned and eyed him up and down.

“Yes, sir.” Sonic rubbed his earpiece with his thumb.

“Who brought you down there?” Espio folded his arms on top of his desk, leaning forward.

“I won’t say.” Sonic avoided his eyes.

“I guess it doesn’t matter.” Espio heaved a sigh, resting his chin in his hand. “You were going to find your way to him eventually, hm?”

Sonic pulled at the sleeve of his blazer. “Yeah.”

“So?” Espio didn’t let up staring at him, even if Sonic wouldn’t look up. “Do you know something I don’t?”

Sonic bit his tongue inside his mouth. He needed to think very carefully before he spoke. Should he admit they talked? “I… feel like… I could get him to talk for you. It’s been days. Don’t think the torture is working.”

“We’re not torturing him.” Espio rubbed his forehead firmly. He waved his hand. “You think he’ll trust you?”

“I think I’m your best shot.” Sonic smiled a little. “You’ll let up on him if he talks?”

“Maybe.”

“That’s your issue. You’d tell him that, and he wouldn’t talk. I’ll promise him things will calm down as long as he talks. He’ll believe me over you.” Sonic started to lift his gaze as he found his confidence.

Espio’s fingers tapped the desk as Sonic met his eyes. “You’re basing all of this on the fact you’re not human?”

“Well, that and… I wasn’t on the Ark that day. Whatever happened, I’m not part of that memory. Of course he isn’t talking to you,” Sonic leaned back in his seat. When Espio didn’t offer a response, Sonic spoke again. “Let me ask you this. Why the hell wouldn’t you want me on the case? You’ve been pushing me towards him for a decade.”

“Don’t curse at me.” Espio glared at him. “This hedgehog…” He groaned softly, struggling over how much he needs to tell. “Like I’ve said, he’s dangerous. I don’t see that you’re understanding that. He cannot be trusted. I want to keep you apart because you’ll want to help him. He’ll say or do anything to get out of this place, and I don’t want you believing him.” Espio turned to his computer and started typing. “I know you think he’s like you, but he’s not. He’s not even a hedgehog. He was grown in a lab—perfect conditions for a psychopath by the way—and he’s hybridized with a rather violent alien species.” Espio turned the screen towards Sonic to show him an image of some sort of inhuman black creature. “He’s a monster through and through.”

Sonic leaned in to look closer. He didn’t even see a resemblance. Sure, things were strange about Shadow, but he didn’t look like a one-eyed starfish. That being said, he really didn’t know much about how DNA visually represented itself. He did know that Shadow wasn’t a psychopath. He had seen him cry when he thought he was alone. And he knew Shadow wasn’t a monster because… because he’s just not. His brows tightened over his eyes, but he didn’t rebuke Espio’s claim. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. Security is top priority. Keeping him contained. I get it. He’s a threat.” Sonic sang all the words he needed to hear.

Espio sighed again and turned his screen away. “Fine. Maybe you can help with something important in between charging miscellaneous crap and making messes in the culture capitals of the world.”

Sonic’s ear twitched as he felt the weight of his life being reduced to just ‘charging miscellaneous crap’ and ‘making messes’. He scratched his jaw and nodded. “Yeah, maybe.”

Espio took a look at his watch. “Let him sit for a few more hours. Call it an even seventy-two that he was neglected. I’ll call on you when I’m ready to make a visit.”

“Yes, sir.” Sonic muttered, clenching the arms of the chair he sat in.

“Wake Tails up and tell him to come see me.” Espio crossed his legs under the desk

Sonic paused. How did Espio know Tails was asleep? He could guess by his location, but Tails leaves his phone in the lab before he comes to Sonic’s so no matter how pinpoint the tracking is, it should ping where he’s expected to be. Sonic swallowed. “Sure.” He got up and quickly walked out the door, pulling it shut behind him. Something felt off. It has since Shadow came, and the strange feeling was only growing. It was beginning to disturb him. The fur on the back of his neck was hiked up, but it was hidden under his quills. He did his best to shake it off and went along to get Tails.

Chapter Text

Sonic had woken Tails and sent him to Espio. Now he sat stiffly on the edge of his bed. Espio had known Tails was sleeping. That could mean a few things. He could be a good guesser, or there was some sort of surveillance in his bedroom. The problem with the latter is that he couldn’t search for the cameras. It would be obvious what he was looking for, especially when he found them. Espio could be watching him right now. He made subtle glances to the corners of the ceiling, but they were empty.

Sonic tapped his fingers on the bed. The cameras, if there were any, should feed thirty frames per second. Sonic could move fast enough to make himself difficult to see, but he was afraid he would pause and stare into the lens if he found it. He’d have to focus. He had to know. He dashed around the bedroom. He moved in circles. Had to stay moving. He started with looking in the small corners of his room. Then he began to pull things apart with each pass. And then he was on the center of his bed, sitting crisscrossed in the middle. He had seen a black circle drilled into the back of his bookcase and the drawer of his desk on the other side of the room. There was even one in the wall of his bathroom. He’d never noticed them before.

He wasn’t sure what disturbed him more. The idea that there could be a surveillance team watching his room every moment, or that Espio himself could be checking in on him periodically. Sonic had never had privacy. Had never been alone. Last night… many nights before, he’s touched himself in front of cameras. Who had seen? His fur started to stand up. He wanted to get rid of them. But how could he? Espio would know instantly and reinstate them. He might just have to live with them for now and resist some of his nighttime activities. Actually, that’s the least of his concern. Espio could’ve seen him steal Tails’ badge.

No, surely he would’ve confronted Sonic about that. He wasn’t watching at that time. No one was. So there’s not a team scrubbing his footage all day and night. Espio must just be looking every now and then to check on him. That’s not so bad, right? He probably just… wanted to make sure Sonic was safe and sleeping. Right? Sonic sighed, dropping his face into his hands. It feels like his life is unraveling. It has been since he first saw Shadow with his own eyes.

Sonic entertained himself for a couple hours. He wasn’t comfortable lounging in his room at the moment, so he went for a walk. After, he made his way to his desk and logged into GUN’s archives on his computer. He found Shadow’s file, but nearly the entire thing was redacted. Sonic tapped his claws at the desk, staring at the black bars hiding the words. He backed out of the document and searched the year the ARK was raided. He scrolled through incident reports until he came across one labeled by a date and ‘Seizure of the Space Colony ARK’.

Sonic leaned in towards the screen and clicked on it. He scanned it briefly at first. It wasn’t as classified as Shadow’s file, but any mention of the hedgehog was blacked out. He slowed down and read from the beginning. It detailed boring things like resources and agents used and how they reached the ARK. Then it talked about the incident. Things did not go smoothly. It was said they abandoned the colony after a catastrophic fire started in the scuffle, and ‘the asset’ had already escaped. It’s assumed that everyone on board died. Two individuals were singled out. Maria and Gerald Robotnik, with Gerald cited as Shadow’s creator. Was that Shadow’s family?

“What are you reading?” Espio spoke from directly behind the hedgehog.

“Nothing!” Sonic jumped in his seat, fumbling to close the tabs. “Porn. You know, teenager stuff.” He winced at his own words. He wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a joke or if that was really the lie he was going with.

“Right…” Espio folded his arms. “Well, wrap it up. It’s time to head down.”

“It’s wrapped up,” Sonic assured. He stood up from his seat. “I’m ready.”

“Come on.” Espio walked for the elevator.

Sonic turned off his computer and jogged to catch up with him. The elevator ride felt a little awkward. Sonic tapped his foot, legs buzzing. He was excited to see Shadow again. Maybe if he did good, Espio would give him the clearance to come down and visit him. It was definitely wishful thinking, but Sonic had to be hopeful. The two walked down the halls. They actually passed some people. Espio curled his finger and one of the agents fell into place with them. Sonic wondered how many people down here were working on Shadow’s project. They stopped at another room, and Espio came back out with a lead apron. He put it around his neck and tied it behind his back. He led Sonic to Shadow’s cell and scanned his badge to reveal the hedgehog. Sonic sighed. He looked the same as he’d left him again.

“I still don’t want you in there. Speak to him with this.” Espio tapped an intercom on the wall. Sonic frowned a little, but he nodded. Espio scanned his badge again, and the door to the cell opened.

Shadow’s head lifted as Espio walked in. The black hedgehog began to growl behind his muzzle. Espio essentially ignored him, walking right up and reaching to pull his blindfold down. Shadow jerked his head away. With his forehead now uncovered, the center of it opened up to reveal a third eye. Its pupil was a slit. The rest of it was yellow with red markings reaching from the pupil. It looked like the eye of that creature Espio showed him earlier. The eye looked around the room and quickly found its way to Sonic. His fur bristled. It was looking at him. It could see him through the wall, he could feel it. Tails had mentioned thermal vision… did he have an extra eye dedicated to it?

Espio looked back towards the mirror. “Go on. He can see who you are.”

Sonic cleared his throat. He stared back into the eye. It was a little creepy, but Shadow wasn’t, so he got over it rather quickly. He pressed the button. “Hey, Sh—“ he probably shouldn’t say his name, “Uh, dude. I know you haven’t been…” Sonic sighed. “Just talk to them, please. They’ve got you hung up like this waiting for you to talk. And I’m getting the sense the only reason you’re not talking is rooted in spite, not actual strategic reasons.”

Shadow scoffed and closed his eye, turning his head away.

“I know you’re hurting, but they’ll let up. I promise. This standoff isn’t good for you, me, anyone. You’re just punishing yourself for no reason.” Sonic put his hand on the glass.

Shadow sighed deeply. His eye opened again. It looked Sonic’s shape up and down, lingering on his hand. He raised his head, and his eye turned down to look at Espio. “No hablo inglés, señor.”

Espio put his hands on his hips, looking up at the hedgehog. “No necesitamos hablar inglés.”

Shadow’s eye narrowed. “Io parlo Italiano.”

Espio’s eyes narrowed too. “Lo parlo Italiano anch’io.”

Shadow sighed deeply. He pulled at the chains on his feet. “Français?”

“Oui,” Espio responded. Sonic had gotten lost right after Shadow said no. He had been urged to learn at least one other language, but he never got around to it. He never thought it was necessary because everyone on his team knew an array of languages if it was needed. But now he was regretting that. He wished he had taken spanish at least. Shadow spoke it even smoother than English. “Let him down,” Espio called to the agent standing next to Sonic. He pressed some buttons on the scanner’s screen.

The chains holding Shadow from the ceiling poured out of it, allowing him to fall to the floor. His with his arms secure behind his back, he was unable to catch himself. He landed on his knees first, then smacked his head on the floor with a grunt. Sonic put both his hands on the glass, frowning deeply. Couldn’t Espio had caught him?

Espio crouched down in front of Shadow and hooked his fingers under the leather straps of his muzzle. He pulled the hedgehog’s head up. “You want something to eat?” Shadow’s third eye stared at him. He gave a curt nod. Espio dropped him. “We’ll get some different cuffs on you. Let you have your hands.” Shadow grumbled and rolled onto his side. Espio walked back out of the room.

Sonic crossed his arms. “You don’t have to be so harsh with him.”

“Can’t give him any leeway. Stay here.” Espio walked off with the agent.

Sonic sighed and knelt down in front of the glass. He looked around to make sure they were alone before he spoke through the intercom. “This is the first step to getting you out. You have to start complying.”

“I did,” Shadow growled. He rolled over, turning his back to Sonic.

Sonic pouted a little. “How’d that percocet treat you? You get some sleep?”

Shadow’s side rose as he breathed. His thin waist cut into his silhouette between his bumpy ribs and sharp hip. Sonic thinks his hands would fit around it. He suddenly felt the urge to feed him. He hoped Espio brought him something decent. Shadow answered him. “I did.”

“I could bring you some more tonight,” Sonic said without a second thought. “We could get you sleeping every night.” His eyes traced the markings on Shadow’s back.

Shadow sighed, his ribcage expanding and collapsing. His tail swished across the floor like an annoyed cat’s. “Don’t say we. There is no we here.”

“You want them or not?” Sonic cocked a brow.

Shadow was quiet.

“That’s what I thought. Don’t have to be so grumpy.” Sonic tapped his finger on the glass.

“Let me guess. It’s not all bad?” Shadow’s hands clenched behind his back.

“Well, it’s not,” Sonic assured.

“How?” Shadow’s twisted to look back at him. His regular eyes were still blindfolded, but if they weren’t, they’d just see a mirror anyways.

Sonic knew Shadow wouldn’t be able to read his features, only larger gestures. So he put his hands on the glass again, rubbing it with his thumbs. “You’re not alone anymore.”

Shadow’s quills flared out. He turned back to face away from Sonic. His tail pressed against the back of his legs. Sonic smiled a bit, but he dropped his hands when he heard footsteps.

Espio was had a carrier with a white lab rat inside and a bottle of water. The agent started a mechanism that retracted the chains attached to Shadow’s ankles into the floor. The hedgehog was dragged towards the center of the room. The chains locked, and he wouldn’t be able to move his feet more than a few inches from where the chains sprouted from the floor. Espio walked back into the cell. He set the water and the rat down by the wall. He stepped over Shadow’s body and got to work rearranging Shadow’s restraints.

“Aren’t you a little old to still be hands on?” Shadow muttered as he was jerked around.

“I only got about ten years on you. I’m doing just fine,” Espio claimed, but his breathing became strained.

There were now cuffs around Shadow’s upper arms connected by a bar in front of his sternum. Cuffs around his hands held them in front of his body, connected to the bar across his sternum. Shadow pulled at his arms. It was a relief for his shoulders to change position, but this wasn’t comfortable either. His chest was compressed by the bar and his arms were awkwardly forward. He was no longer attached to the ceiling. Espio pressed his foot down on Shadow’s head to pin him as he unstrapped his muzzle. Then Espio stepped back out of reach quickly in case he tried to bite. Shadow stretched his jaw and licked his lips that were still stained with his blood. His eye settled on the rat. The chains unlocked, providing him a couple feet of movement if he wanted it.

Espio rolled the water bottle over to Shadow. The hedgehog slapped his hand down onto it and picked it up. He couldn’t bring his hands close together so he held the bottle in one hand and bit the cap off with his sharp teeth. He spit it at Espio and swallowed down the water eagerly. Espio knelt on the ground with an elderly grunt. He dragged the container in front of him. “I need a few answers from you. A show of good faith.”

Shadow crushed the water bottle in his hand before he dropped it. “What do you want to know?”

“Have you been in contact with anyone since you fell to Earth?” Espio fidgeted with the latch of the container. It was a conscious motion.

Shadow scoffed. What a simple, useless question. “No, I haven’t. The ARK burned. So did everyone inside of it.”

“I’m aware. Were you ever discovered by another organization?” Espio opened the lid.

Shadow watched his movements. “No. Just been me and the trees.”

Espio picked up the rat and let it sniff around in his hand. His finger rubbed behind its ear. “What was that large surge of power that alerted us to you?”

“I took my inhibitor rings off.” Shadow smelled the air. He started to make a chittering noise, clicking his teeth. “I wear them to keep my power under control.”

“Why did you take them off?” Espio set the rat down on the ground, but he corralled it with his hands to keep it from going far.

Shadow’s mouth was open now, saliva beginning to shine his lips. He spoke flatly. “I tried to kill myself.”

“Glad you failed.” Espio lifted his hands.

Every hair on Shadow’s body rose to attention as the rat padded around the floor in random directions. His eye trailed it as he chittered louder. Once it happened within a yard of him, he snatched it up and bit into its head. There was barely a squeak from it. Shadow turned away from the individuals watching him. Long, defensive spines flared from his back. He became quiet. Sonic couldn’t see his face, but he could tell he was eating the rat. What is this, some kind of humiliation ritual? Even if Shadow so hungry he would eat a live animal, they could’ve gotten him some real food… Sonic’s fist clenched.

“We’re going to start running some tests on you. We couldn’t recover much about you from the ARK. Comply, and things will come easier for you.” Espio didn’t wait for a response. He left the cell. Sonic got to his feet and looked at him with a frown. He still treated Shadow like an animal even though he was clearly as conscious and intelligent as them. Espio grimaced. “Don’t look at me like that, kid. This is the last time I’m explaining it to you. You want to be on the project, this is how it’s going to work. You think he’d get on a hamster wheel for us if we said pretty please and batted our eyelashes? He’s not. Like. You,” Espio pounded it into Sonic’s head, jabbing his finger into Sonic’s sore chest.

Sonic stepped back, his ears dropping on his head. “I hear you.”

“Good. You’re not to come down here without close supervision. You’re not to go within six feet of him. You’ll do as I say. You talk to him and show him how the machines work. When I say,” Espio’s tone was unforgiving.

“I understand,” Sonic replied through his teeth, getting a little tired of being spoken to like an unruly child.

“Good. Go.” Espio brought his hands together behind his back.

Sonic looked to Shadow. As if the other hedgehog could sense it, he turned to view him with his third eye. His mouth was dripping fresh blood. He looked like a true predator. One you might find in the woods, not one you’d see working a desk job like Sonic. Sonic took a deep breath and waved at him. Shadow looked away, and Sonic stepped back.

Chapter Text

Sonic lied on his bed with one leg crossed over the other, his foot tapping the air impatiently. It was dim inside, the only light being a soft red glow from his alarm clock. He wasn’t sure if the cameras were equipped with night vision, but he’d take any opportunity to hide from them. He turned his head and looked at his the time. 11:57pm. He said he’d wait till midnight. To make sure all the late evening workers were gone. But he could hardly take it anymore. Just waiting around and being watched. He doesn’t know that Espio’s watching right now, but it was always possible.

Sonic pulled open the drawer to his nightstand. He picked up the bottle of pills and tucked them into the spandex shorts he had changed into. He was wearing a loose tee too. He sat on the edge of his bed and took a deep breath. 11:58pm. He tapped his fingers on his bed. Oh, what does two minutes matter? He dashed to his dresser, grabbing Tails’ badge quickly, then exited the room and let out a breath. There were cameras throughout every hall in the facility, but he knew those weren’t checked unless something happened. He put the badge around his neck and walked to the elevator. He was barefoot. He wasn’t as concerned about being spotted now. No one had been on the floor the other night. It seems there aren’t people working the floor overnight. He went to the mess hall first.

Sonic used his phone as a flashlight. The room was wide open but so dark he could only see a couple feet ahead. That’s the thing with being underground. Not an ounce of light. If you spend too long in complete darkness, you’ll go blind. It’s a strange feeling, staring into it. Most people have never experienced it. It wasn’t like a moonless night or the inside of a powerless building at midnight. It was something else. There was even a physical sensation to it. It felt like the darkness was going to suck your eyes out of your skull. On Earth, it could only be experienced at the bottom of the ocean or underground. Sonic hated it.

The hedgehog made his way through the tables into the expansive kitchen in the back. There he flipped the lights on and tucked his phone into his shorts. There was a walk in freezer, a couple fridges, and a walk in pantry. Shit. What does Shadow like to eat? Well, if he was willing to eat a rat so ravenously, whatever Sonic brought him would probably be okay. He pulled open the fridge. The bigger issue was he didn’t know how to cook. And the kitchen was full of raw ingredients.

“Simple, think simple…” Sonic mumbled to himself, eyes scanning the contents of the fridge for ideas. He grabbed an avocado. These are packed with nutrients, right? He set it on the counter and glanced at the stoves. He could make a grilled cheese. If he threw some meat and a vegetable in there, maybe it would be worth something. It’s about all he can make. He gathered ingredients from the pantry. All of the meat was frozen. He grabbed the first thing he saw, a block of ham. He found a pan and turned on one of the burners.

Then he spend some time struggling to cut slices out of the frozen ham. He nearly broke the knife he was using. He could’ve waited for it to thaw, but he was impatient. He dropped the meat into the pan. It hissed at him. It took a while for the meat to soften and change color. When it looked about ready, he put it in some bread with cheese and tomato slices and dropped that in the pan. While he waited for that to toast, he turned to the counter and used the knife to split open the avocado. He took out the nut in the center and threw it away. He needs something to put it in. He started looking through cabinets for tupperware or ziplock bags. He did find a clear plastic container that seemed like a good size. He set it on the counter put the avocado inside. He turned back to the stove and used a spatula to flip the sandwich.

“Shit,” Sonic groaned. The bread was black. Had he waited too long or was the stove too hot? He turned the heat down. It looked like only the bread was burnt, so it was still salvageable. He forced himself to stand in place and watch it until the other side of the bread got a nice brown shade to it. It took forever. He dropped the sandwich in the container and closed it. Then he went about cleaning up after himself. After he was done, he left for Shadow’s cell with the food.

When he got there, he checked on him through the glass first. The hedgehog was sitting against the back wall, head bowed towards his knees. He was blindfolded and muzzled again. His arms are restrained in such a way that he couldn’t get it off himself. At least he’s not hanging anymore. There was just the one chain connecting his ankle cuffs to the center of the floor, but it had plenty of slack right now. He walked into the cell a moment later. Shadow lifted his head and smelled the air. He lowered it again when he confirmed his visitor.

Sonic watched him. “Can you really smell me from over there?”

“Of course I can,” Shadow said like it was a stupid question.

Sonic walked over to the back of the cell. “What do I smell like?”

“Citrus,” Shadow murmured, breathing in. “Lemon specifically. With a little bit of mint.”

Sonic stood in front of him. “You’ve got a good nose.” He didn’t know he had a smell anything like that. He didn’t use lemon or mint scented soap or cologne. It had to be just… him.

Shadow’s head lifted up towards him. “You should be able to smell just as good in this tight of a space.” He tilted his head. “Go on. Take a deep breath.”

Sonic looked around. The room had smelled pretty blank to him. Maybe a bit like dusty old concrete. He inhaled through his nose. His brows furrowed. No, there’s more to it than that. There were other smells. He was struggling to name them though. They were just out of reach.

“What do I smell like?” Shadow lowered his legs against the floor.

“You? Um…” Sonic smelled again. He opened his mouth and inhaled that way. The flavor of it was the last piece he needed. “Pine. Like the forest we found you in.” He sat down against the wall next to Shadow.

Shadow’s ear twitched towards him. “No, under that.”

“Hm.” Sonic let it rest over his tongue. Something floral. He leaned in, his nose brushing into the fur by Shadow’s ear. “Lavender,” he breathed.

Shadow’s ears flattened and his fur puffed up a little bit. He scooted to the corner away from Sonic. “You don’t need to be that close to smell me.”

Sonic rested his head against the wall. It was turned towards Shadow. “It helps. I don’t really need to use my nose much, so I guess it’s kind of rusty.” He glanced down at the chain running along the floor. He slipped his fingers underneath it. “You smell nice. Despite… everything.”

Shadow turned his head away, but his ears were turned towards Sonic as he played with the chain noisily. “I guess… Lemon and mint isn’t a bad combination. It’s… energetic. Like mild smelling salts.”

Sonic smiled. “Did you just compliment me?” He lifted the chain.

Shadow’s feet shifted as he felt the chain move. “No. I’m telling you like it is.”

Sonic grabbed the chain in both of his hands. He started to pull at it slowly, reeling Shadow in. Shadow’s legs straightened as his ankles were pulled on. He sighed, almost in annoyance. But he let his body slide down onto the floor as Sonic dragged him closer. “I brought painkillers for you.” Shadow lifted his head at this. His body came to a stop a couple feet from Sonic. He sat up with a grunt and leaned in towards Sonic. The blue hedgehog crawled over to sit in front of him. He reached to unbuckle Shadow’s muzzle. He set it down on the ground. He licked his thumb and rubbed it on Shadow’s muzzle. “You’ve got a bunch of blood in your fur.”

Shadow turned his head away, huffing. “Just give me the pills.”

Sonic grabbed the bottle out of his waistband and opened the cap. He looked down at Shadow’s body. His bullet wounds actually appeared to be closing. “You look better.”

“I heal when I sleep.” Shadow opened his mouth, his long tongue unfurling.

Sonic watched it move. It was forked like a reptile’s, moist like a mammal’s, and it moved like a tentacle. Maybe that’s what the aliens’ tongues were like. He dropped two pills onto it, and they disappeared into the hedgehog’s mouth. He swallowed. “Uh, I brought some real food from you.” He opened the tupperware. “You’re looking a little thin.”

“Hm, I’m not much more filled in than this when I’m well-fed.” Shadow leaned his nose towards the food. It wrinkled. “I’m carnivorous.”

“Oh.” Sonic looked at the sandwich. His ears drooped. He should’ve asked what Shadow would want. “I thought they just gave you a rat to be cruel.” He took it out of the box. Luckily, it wasn’t all useless. He started to take it apart. He smeared as much of the cheese off the ham as possible.

“They probably did. But I’ve fed off the animals in the woods for a long time. Before that, I ate the animals raised on the ARK. After they were cooked.” Shadow leaned to lie back down.

“Wait.” Sonic grabbed the bar in front of his chest to keep him up. “I picked out the meat.”

Shadow seemed to stare at him through the blindfold for a moment. Then he slowly opened his mouth. Sonic let go of him and folded the ham into a bite sized shape. He placed it in Shadow’s mouth. The hedgehog didn’t have to chew for long. His teeth shredded it easily. He swallowed. “Pig?”

“Mhm.” Sonic folded up another piece of ham.

“Tuscany has a healthy boar population,” Shadow told him before accepting the next piece.

“Why did you settle in Italy?” Sonic took a bite out of the non burnt piece of bread and the tomato. He was always ready to eat. Something about rapid energy consumption and fast metabolism.

“That’s simply where I landed,” Shadow answered.

Sonic fed him the last of the meat. He frowned as he thought of how they picked up Shadow’s energy signature. “Did you really try to kill yourself?”

“Alright, that’s enough conversing for today.” Shadow shut down instantly. He tried to scoot away again, but Sonic had a grip on his chain.

“What’ve you got to lose by opening up to me?” Sonic asked sincerely.

Shadow brought his ankles closer to his body, yanking the chain from Sonic. “My pride,” he growled. He moved back into the corner.

Sonic sighed and picked at the remains of the sandwich. “At least tell me you changed your mind about it?” He can’t imagine Shadow failing to get the job done if he really tried.

“I’m immortal,” Shadow mumbled.

“Immortal? You mean… seriously, like you can’t die?” Sonic crawled closer, eyes wide. “Ever?”

Shadow was unable to back away. He sighed deeply. He leaned his head around, weighing his options. He begrudgingly answered. “I do not age physically. My body stopped changing fifty-five years ago. I don’t have so much as a single scar, as many battles as I’ve been in. It all heals. As far as I know, I can’t die. But I think if my head was severed, maybe…”

“That’s so cool!” Sonic smiled naively.

“It’s not cool,” Shadow snapped. His body tensed into itself, pulling as far away from Sonic as possible.

Sonic flinched, his ears slowly moving back. He sat on his butt. “Sorry…” He wasn’t sure why that upset Shadow, but he could tell he had pushed too far. The hedgehog wasn’t going to speak to him again unless it was a threat. At least for a while.

The room fell into silence as Sonic waited. It was a gradual process, like Shadow fought it the entire time only to lose. His body began to relax, opening back up. His legs lied out on the floor and his arms rested over his lap. His fur was down, his ears limp. His chest pressed into the bar as he breathed deeply. Sonic smiled a little. He could see it. Shadow’s pain fading away. Shadow squirmed a little, extending his legs towards Sonic. Even though his eyes were still covered, he turned his face into the wall. Sonic’s eyes shifted down to Shadow’s feet. He gingerly scooted closer. Shadow stretched his legs.

Sonic ran his finger along the cuffs on Shadow’s ankles. He was prepared to be told off as he tilted the cuff to check inside, but Shadow was quiet. He pushed at the gauze to make sure it was in the right place to block the metal from Shadow’s skin. Shadow’s foot tilted, the side of it touching Sonic’s wrist. Sonic smiled. He shifted to sit down. He brought Shadow’s foot into his lap and closed his hands around it. He started to rub his fingers in the arch underneath it. Shadow’s pads were soft and malleable. Sonic watched Shadow’s face closely even if the hedgehog was trying to hide it from him. He imagined taking his blindfold off, but something told him Shadow wouldn’t want that. Shadow’s breaths morphed into soft groans as Sonic rubbed firmly into his foot. The percocet should drive his pain away… and bring pleasure closer. Sonic shifted his fingers down and pressed deeply into a tender part of his foot. Sonic always found tension concentrated in that spot in his own feet when he was barefoot for too long. Shadow gasped and pulled his leg up close to his torso, but Sonic didn’t let go of his foot. He sat closer, close enough that he could feel body heat radiating from Shadow.

Sonic continued his massage. “This is the spot that hurts most for me…”

Shadow’s ears went flat on his head. He shut his legs in between him and Sonic. He couldn’t stay still. His hips writhed while his foot flexed and twitched away from Sonic’s touches. He grunted. “It feels… too much.”

Sonic’s hands became gentler. His fingertips slid away from the spot, up Shadow’s feet to feel his toe beans. Shadow had claws at the ends of his toes. Longer than Sonic’s. Shadow relaxed a little, but his legs stayed tucked up against his torso. His face was towards Sonic now. Sonic scanned his face, the parts he could see and the parts he couldn’t. He rested his hand across Shadow’s cuff, the tips of his fingers reaching into his fur. How was Shadow looking at him? His other hand lifted, reaching for Shadow’s blindfold. Shadow turned his face away before Sonic could reach it. Sonic dropped his hand. He looked at the hedgehog another moment before his eyes fell to Shadow’s feet. He gathered them both in his lap. He rubbed along them with firm touches. His nose twitched as a sweet smell reached the air around him. It had to mean something, but he needed more context to figure it out.

“That’s enough,” Shadow mumbled. The edges of his lips were just slightly curled.

“Okay.” Sonic stopped massaging, but he kept Shadow’s feet in his lap.

“Why do you insist on touching me? What are you, some kind of… of…” Shadow couldn’t even think of an appropriate insult.

“Because you like it,” Sonic said boldly. Shadow was sensitive, but his reaction wasn’t pain. Shadow had to be craving touch. Even if he hated it. After so many years, anyone would crave it. It’s the least Sonic could do considering everything GUN has put him through.

“I don’t like it. I… tolerate it.” There was a growl at the edge of his voice as he pulled his feet away.

“Now who’s the faker?” Sonic smirked, keeping hold of his feet. Shadow kicked him in the chest. Sonic gasped and fell back against the floor. He clutched his chest and breathed through the pain, his brows furrowed. He was still terribly sore from the bullet.

Shadow’s ears turned towards him. “Sonic?”

“What the hell was that for?” Sonic groaned and sat back up slowly. Shadow huffed and turned away. Sonic sighed and crawled back over. He sat down next to Shadow against the wall. He rubbed his chest slowly. “My chest still hurts from when you shot me.” Sonic said the word ‘shot’ harshly.

“Te lo merecías,” Shadow grumbled.

Sonic looked him up and down. “That is Spanish, right? It sounds so… fluid when you speak it. Is it your first language?”

“Haces demasiadas preguntas, Zafiro. Blah, blah, blah.” Shadow opened and closed his hand.

Sonic didn’t know what he was talking about, but he had a feeling he was being mocked. “Are you just going to speak in Spanish to me now?”

“Esa es una buena idea.” Shadow scoffed and tried to fold his arms.

“Whatever gets you talking.” Sonic tried to look unbothered, though he was deeply curious what Shadow was saying. He had to admit he kind of liked the way the words fell out of Shadow’s mouth, the way he suddenly had a flawless accent when he changed languages. It was impressive to him as someone who has only ever known English. His voice seemed deeper in Spanish too. It was like Sonic could feel the vibrations from the bass enter his chest.

Shadow sighed. He shifted around a little bit, seemingly uncomfortable. Then he slowly leaned closer to Sonic until the fur of their shoulders touched and their quills mixed. Sonic closed the distance, letting their arms come together. Shadow took a deep breath. Sonic resisted the urge to touch him with his hands.

The silence that befell them was nearly peaceful. A little bit later, Shadow curled up on the floor. The bottoms of his feet pressed against Sonic’s thigh. He smiled, looking at Shadow’s form. Maybe he could bring a pillow down here next time. He’d have to take it again before he left though. Well, maybe they’ll move him into a cell with a bed soon. Sonic watched Shadow’s shoulder rise and fall with his breaths until the movement became drawn out and rhythmic. Sleep. Sonic’s hand brought itself onto Shadow’s leg. He felt the fur. Despite everything, it was silky. It felt nice against the pads on his hands. The truth is he wanted to be touched too. In a way the people around him didn’t care for. Shadow is quite reserved, but once his inhibitions are down, Sonic can tell he wants it too. Maybe it’s a hedgehog thing and people just couldn’t understand the appeal. He hoped that Shadow would get used to him and open up. He hoped that Shadow would touch him. His desire to be close to the hybrid felt like a small betrayal to GUN, but he could hardly restrain himself. Someone like him. Finally, someone like him.

Chapter Text

The next day, Sonic was exhausted. Sleep was getting hard to come by. He should’ve left Shadow’s cell earlier, but he hung around for over an hour after the hedgehog fell asleep. He had to leave when he caught his himself sliding down the wall half asleep. This left him a few hours of rest before getting up for the day. Now he sat at his desk in a white dress shirt and an uncomfortable black tie. He pulled at his collar and yawned, resting his cheek on his hand. He slouched over his desk. He got word this morning they recorded some seismic activity nearby. Earthquakes don’t happen here, so it was something artificial. Sonic was supposed to stay available just in case. And he was supposed to reviewing information on the villains known to work underground. It was completely and utterly boring. Irredeemable. His head was beginning to fall out of hand. But he jumped back up straight when he heard a voice behind him.

“Hardly working, I see.” Espio put his hand on his hip, looking down at the hedgehog.

“I’m sorry…” Sonic muttered, rubbing his eyes.

“Didn’t sleep?” he asked.

“A lot on my mind. A lot on everyone’s mind now, right?” Sonic turned to look at him.

“You want to see him run?”

“You mean Shadow?” Sonic perked up just a little.

“I never told you his name.” Espio folded his arms and cocked a brow.

Sonic’s ears went back on his head. “Um, Tails told me when I was talking to him about the project.”

Espio eyed him. “Hm. Well, they’re almost done taking his samples. Then we’re going to get him on the treadmill to measure his top speed.”

“Yeah, I wanna see that. I’m curious.” Sonic stood up. He knows he’s the fastest animal on the planet, but Shadow was quite impressive. He had to be pretty fast.

“Come along then.” Espio walked for the elevator.

Sonic followed. He adjusted his belt and slid his hands in his pockets. “So… what are your plans for him?”

Espio sighed as they got in the elevator. “I need more information. Obviously, he could be really useful for us. Where exactly I want him, I’m not sure. And whether I could ever get him on our side…” He scanned his badge and hit the button for the low level. “You think you can gain his trust?”

Sonic smoothed his tie. “I’ll do my best. But you’ve got to let me have more time with him alone.”

“I’ll think about it. You’ll persuade him to work for us?” Espio stepped out of the elevator as it opened.

Sonic walked with him and nodded. He also felt like it was the best solution. Where else would Shadow go? He had no one, but that could change. “I will. So where is he now?”

“Hm. Not sure if he’s out of the lab yet.” Espio led him down the hall. Through a glass panel they could see a laboratory. Shadow was strapped down to a table, jerking around in an attempt to get free. Two scientists were standing by his legs. One of them was pulling his tail to the side out of the way. Espio quickly hit a button, switching the glass to a mirror. “You don’t need to see that.”

Sonic’s mouth suddenly felt dry. “They’re just… taking samples? That’s it?”

“Yeah so don’t worry about it. They’re not hurting him. He’s got a flare for the dramatics. Always growling and thrashing.” Espio cleared his throat. “Let’s wait for him in the booth.”

“Okay…” Sonic muttered. His eyes lingered on his reflection. What kind of samples were they taking? He reluctantly turned away to follow Espio. Nearby, there was a room with a few specialized pieces of exercise equipment. Attached to it behind bulletproof glass was a small room for monitoring. He and Espio sat in the chairs in front of the long desk. They waited for a few minutes until the door to the bigger room swung open.

Shadow was being pushed inside. His quills were poking out in all directions. Spines flared from his back. Two agents had a long pole hooked around his metal collar, mimicking how animal control handled aggressive dogs. He was muzzled, his ears were clamped, and only his thermal eye was peeking from the blindfold. He planted his feet on the ground and resisted. His eye scanned the room and stopped when it reached Sonic. He stopped moving for long enough that they could shove him in the room and onto the treadmill. He looked back to the bulky agents who had a hold of him. One of them pulled on his throat while the other cautiously came around in front of him. That individual hooked a chain from the treadmill onto his collar. Shadow snapped his jaws at him, but his muzzle prevented damage. He backed up quickly.

It saddened Sonic to watch, but he understood the rough treatment. Shadow wasn’t exactly cooperating. The agent crouched down and removed the cuffs on Shadow’s ankles with shaking hands. The gauze fell out. She picked it up and looked at it with some confusion, but she balled it up and took the cuffs. The other agent released the bar from his collar and left the room. They came into the monitoring room.

A woman in a lab coat holding a clipboard walked into the exercise room. She addressed Shadow. “You know what a treadmill is, don’t you?”

Shadow leaned back, pulling on the chain attached to his collar. He didn’t answer her.

“We want you to run as fast as you can, so we can record it,” she told him.

Shadow shifted his feet on the rough tread. “I can’t use my air shoes on a treadmill that’s controlled by the user’s speed.”

“You’re not going to wear your shoes.”

Shadow bristled. “Are you mad? My pads will be scrubbed off on this thing. You want to see my top speed, I’ll need my shoes. And real ground. You’ll have to take me outside.”

Espio spoke through the intercom. “If you ever want to see outside again, you’ll run for us now.”

Sonic put his hand on Espio’s arm. “He’s right. He can’t run that fast on bare feet without getting injured.”

Espio shrugged him off. “He’ll be just fine. He’s right about it not working with his shoes too. There’s no traction. The treadmill won’t move. He has to be barefoot.”

“At the very least, limit these inhibitors. Can’t reach a good speed if you won’t let me use my energy.” Shadow clenched his fists in his cuffs.

The woman looked at Espio. He nodded to her. Then she turned a dial on the back of Shadow’s collar. Shadow growled softly when she got close. He was quiet a moment later. He leaned down towards his feet to stretch. Then he stood straight, sporting a natural deep curve in his back. He sighed. His eye found Sonic again. Sonic had been watching. He nodded to him. The woman left to join everyone else.

Shadow started to move. He increased his speed in slow increments. From a walk to a jog to a human paced run. The treadmill was rough under his feet, and he wasn’t used to running like this. It was a completely different movement than the way his legs glided while wearing his air shoes.

“Speed up,” she commanded.

Shadow huffed and started running faster. Small arcs of electricity started to jump from his body to the treadmill. He leaned his body back a bit, pulling on the chain. His thermal eye scanned the others in the area. His hands felt at his cuffs. There was a light shock in his neck. He grunted.

The researcher was holding a device connected to his collar. Not only was it limiting his power, but it had a built in taser. The prongs had been digging in his neck for some time. “I know you’ve got more in you than that.”

Shadow growled lowly as he ran faster. Orange sparks lit up around his body. He clutched at the chain as the tread became hot beneath his feet. Soon enough, it was painted red. His breathing got heavier. His eye kept glancing around the room. His muscles were tense. His fur started to puff again.

Sonic frowned. Something was wrong. He could just feel it. While he couldn’t see Shadow’s expression, he could sense… rage. Sonic leaned towards Espio. “Did you get the measurement already?”

“I feel like he’s holding back,” Espio responded. He gestured at the researcher. She shocked Shadow again.

“Hey!” Shadow snapped, his torso flinching. “I smell burning. Think something’s wrong with this thing.”

“It should be able to handle this speed.” The researcher frowned and headed out of the monitoring room. Sonic reached for her arm, but she walked away before he could. He had a bad feeling. He watched closely as she entered the other room and walked up to the treadmill. “I don’t smell anything.”

It seemed like several things happened at once with how quickly he moved. The chain was snapped, the treadmill was knocked over into the wall, and the researcher was now pressed into the glass in front of them. There was a small crack in the glass at her cheekbone. Shadow had the bar between his wrist cuffs crushing her windpipe. He stood behind her, snarling over her shoulder at Espio and Sonic through the glass. “Let me out or she dies!” The woman looked through the glass at them desperately with fear in her eyes.

The agents behind them reached for their guns, and one grabbed Espio’s shoulder. “Tase him!”

Espio put his hand up calmly. He looked into Shadow’s thermal eye. “We can’t. It’ll conduct into her, and the amperage will kill her.”

Shadow growled and pulled his hands back, forcing the bar further into her throat. She clutched at the glass, choking. Her eyes were begging them. Shadow was locked on Espio, so Sonic tried to be as quiet as possible as he dashed out of the booth and into the exercise room. Shadow didn’t have time to do more than turn his head before Sonic pulled them both back. He lifted Shadow’s wrists over her head, then pinned him against the wall, his hand spreading over Shadow’s chest. He turned the dial on the collar, making Shadow weaker.

“Let me go, hedgehog!” Shadow hissed. He grabbed Sonic’s tie and yanked it down, bringing Sonic’s muzzle in range for a headbutt.

“Fuck!” Sonic groaned as pain spread through his nose. He wrestled Shadow onto the floor. He pinned Shadow’s arms down and secured his knees on top of Shadow’s thighs to keep his legs down. “What are you doing?” he whisper-yelled. “You need to do what they say.”

Shadow grunted and squirmed underneath Sonic. His escape plan was forgotten. He could only think about Sonic touching several parts of his body. “Get… off me!”

“Sonic,” Espio called from the intercom. “Let him go.”

Sonic looked up at the booth. Espio was holding up a control device like the researcher had. He needed Sonic to get off of Shadow so he could tase him. Sonic’s ears flattened. He looked from Espio to Shadow. Blood dripped from his nose onto Shadow’s muzzle.

“Yeah, let me go.” Shadow thrusted his hips up, trying to knock Sonic off balance. “I’d rather get tased than have your hands on me!”

Sonic moved his knees up, concentrating his weight down on Shadow’s hips. “Do you ever chill out?”

Shadow lifted his head up. “Do you ever fight?”

Sonic frowned. He watched Shadow’s chest rise and fall rapidly. Of course he did… but he didn’t need to fight GUN. He looked to Espio. “It’s fine. I turned the inhibitors up.” Shadow wouldn’t normally be this easy to pin down.

“Go,” Espio told the agents.

“I’m sorry.” Sonic frowned down at Shadow. “But you really shouldn’t have done that. He wouldn’t have let you go, and she didn’t deserve to die.”

“Nevermind her. I’ll kill you,” Shadow swore again as the pole clamped around his collar.

Sonic got off of him. Shadow was pulled to his feet by the agents and dragged away from Sonic. His body was shaking. His feet dragged on the floor, leaving smears of blood. Sonic sighed, watching him go. He could sense the glare under the blindfold, the same one Shadow had given him when he was loaded into the van in Florence. He touched the blood with his fingertips. He rubbed it between his fingers. It was strangely thick. Did that just ruin their progress? Shit. He wiped his bloody nose with his other hand. He looked at his fingers. Shadow’s blood was darker. He wiped his hands on his pants.

Espio helped the researcher sit up. “Sonic, can you take her to the medbay?”

“Sure,” he muttered. What about Shadow? His soft feet had been damaged. He picked up the woman with a grunt. He ran her up the stairs to their head medbay quickly. He handed her to some staff. He told them what happened since she was unable to speak. He hoped Shadow didn’t cause permanent damage to her. He walked out of the medbay and sat on the floor in the hall with a sigh. The good news is Shadow didn’t lose GUN’s trust. He never had it to begin with.

Several hours later, night had fallen, and Sonic felt comfortable enough to go see him; even if it wasn’t close to midnight. He stopped by the kitchen and cooked some ham since he knew Shadow liked that. He nearly went crazy forcing himself to stand there and stare at it to make sure it didn’t burn. He carried it in a container down the elevator. He dropped by the local medbay for bandages and hydrogen peroxide. After walking through the halls, Sonic entered Shadow’s cell. “Hey…”

“What are you doing here?” Shadow grumbled, turning away.

“What do you mean? I come every night.” Sonic knelt down on the floor nearby. His ears were down. He played dumb.

“I don’t want to see you, damnit!” Shadow growled. “You fucked me over. I could’ve gotten out.”

Sonic sighed. He wouldn’t provoke Shadow, but he disagreed. Espio would’ve let the researcher die. Shadow was too important. Even if he didn’t, he’d never make it out of the facility. It would be under lockdown in seconds. “I brought food…”

Shadow seemed to think about that. His body was curled up into itself as he sat in the corner. He turned his head away, but he said, “Give it to me.”

Sonic pouted a little at his rough tone. He understood why Shadow was angry though. At least he wasn’t sending him away. He was careful not to touch Shadow as he unbuckled his muzzle and dropped it on the floor. Shadow opened his mouth. Sonic held a piece of meat and waited. Usually Shadow used his tongue to grab things from him as he had great control over the flexible organ, but it didn’t leave his mouth this time. Sonic put the meat between his open lips hesitantly. He pulled away as Shadow chewed. Then he offered another piece of meat. Shadow’s lips brushed his skin. Sonic stared at his mouth. His fingers reached just a bit deeper to push the ham onto Shadow’s tongue. Shadow bit down on his fingers.

Sonic pulled away quickly and held his fingers. “You did that on purpose!” He glared at Shadow, but the hedgehog didn’t speak, just chewed and swallowed. His fingers were now beading with blood. He put them in his mouth and sucked to get it to stop. He leaned to get a look at Shadow’s feet. It was a mix of open flesh and friction burns like road rash. It looked so painful. He couldn’t imagine having to walk on these. “Let me help your feet.” He opened the bottle of hydrogen peroxide.

Shadow planted the bottoms of his feet on the floor, hiding them. “I don’t need your help.”

Sonic sighed in annoyance. “You heal fast, but you’ve been walking around on the dirty floor. It could get infected, and I can’t imagine that would go well for you. Let me clean and wrap them.” Sonic lifted Shadow’s feet.

Shadow kicked at his hands. “I am the Ultimate Lifeform! I don’t need you to pamper—“

Sonic grabbed his ankles tightly and yanked the hedgehog close to him, pulling his feet back on either side of his torso. He leaned in towards his face. “I don’t give a damn who you are! You’re going to let me help you. You don’t need to suffer any more than you already are.”

Shadow let out an offended breath. Sonic breathed it in. Shadow’s fur slowly started to fluff out. When Sonic saw it, his did too, his skin tingling. There was some sort of magnetism in the air. Shadow was negative, and Sonic was positive. Sonic slowly let go of his ankles and put his hands down on the floor on either side of Shadow’s hips. He’s not sure whose head moved first, but he’s sure neither of them were the ones pulling the strings. It was like there was some third party bringing them together. They kissed.

In an instant, Shadow’s hands were clawing at Sonic’s sides, tearing into his shirt and trying to pull his body close. Sonic grunted in pain, his lips parting against Shadow’s. He curled his back, pressing himself between Shadow’s legs down towards his body. Shadow’s tongue snaked through his lips and filled his mouth. His fingers rooted through Shadow’s quills and got a handful of them to hold. Sonic had to open his jaw as Shadow’s long tongue completely took over his mouth. Sonic let out a soft moan. His groin brushed Shadow’s. Shadow shoved his chest hard. Sonic was thrown back away from him, landing on his ass some feet away. Shadow scrambled to a far corner of the cell, panting. His fur was still puffed out, quills sticking into the air.

Sonic clutched his chest as he was reminded of being shot again. He wished Shadow would hit him somewhere else. He wiped his mouth and gazed over at Shadow with a new feeling in his expression. He felt… arousal. But it was confusing. It wasn’t just a sexual feeling. He felt like he was in fight or flight. His heart was racing.

“Why did you do that?” Shadow hissed, wiping his mouth on the wall since he couldn’t raise his hands to his mouth.

“Me? I…” Sonic could hardly remember how it happened. Had he been the one to kiss Shadow?

“We’re both men.”

Sonic cocked a brow. “Dude, it’s 2025.” That was not event relevant. Sonic rubbed his eyes. “What year were you created in again?”

Shadow turned to face away from him. “1960.”

“Damn!” Sonic’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Shadow turned his head. There was a scowl on his lips. Sonic covered his mouth. “Sorry.” He grabbed his supplies and walked over to him. “That’s not really… gender doesn’t matter so much anymore.”

“Even if it doesn’t, don’t do that again,” Shadow growled.

“Okay…” Sonic knelt down by Shadow’s feet. He gently took one of Shadow’s ankles. Shadow’s tail tapped the floor. He quickly lied down on his side on top of his tail. But he didn’t remove his foot from Sonic’s hold. Sonic smiled. He licked his lips. He poured hydrogen peroxide onto Shadow’s feet. He blowed on them to dry, and Shadow’s toes clenched because it tickled. Sonic carefully wrapped them both in bandages. He placed them in his lap.

Shadow’s fur was still puffed up though Sonic’s had calmed a while ago. Sonic leaned over with percocet between his fingers. “Here.” Shadow’s tongue wrapped around the edge of his fingertips, taking the pills from him. Sonic watched it and traced his teeth with his own tongue. That had been in his mouth. Sonic leaned against the wall and rested his hands on Shadow’s feet. He stayed there in silence for hours. Shadow had fallen asleep when the drugs took over. It was time for Sonic to go now. He had to unwrap Shadow’s feet. Couldn’t leave a sign he had been here. He smiled when he saw the open, bleeding flesh had closed. He still had scabs and burns to deal with. He gently set Shadow’s feet on the floor, and the hedgehog curled up tighter. Sonic sighed softly as he gathered his things. With a last look at Shadow sleeping, he made his way back to his bedroom.

Once back, he set his things down and rubbed his sore nose. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the sink. He gathered cold water in his hands and splashed it over his muzzle. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he cursed. His dress shirt was ripped and stained red. He pulled it out of his pants and lifted it up to his chest. There were bleeding claw marks in his sides. He hadn’t even noticed the stinging until now. How’s he going to explain this?

Chapter Text

Another morning came. Sonic slammed his fist on his alarm clock and the screen cracked. At least it shut off. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. He looked down at his sides. He had hastily bandaged up the scratches before collapsing in bed last night. Luckily Shadow hadn’t been trying to wound him, so the cuts were shallow enough that they should heal on their own. Yesterday was a fucking mess. He touched his lips. Oh, god. How had that even happened? He’s never kissed someone on the mouth, let alone had someone’s tongue shoved into it. It had felt so natural with Shadow though. Maybe he had kissed people before…

Sonic groaned and grabbed his quills. He shouldn’t be thinking about this. They were both just pent up. Probably would’ve had the urge with anyone they got that physically close to. It just happened that it was each other, and they both wanted it enough to act. It definitely didn’t happen because Sonic specifically felt drawn to the hedgehog, that he had spent years imagining what the color of his eyes were and how soft his fur was and whether the pads on his hands were as tender as his own. He didn’t even know the answer to that last one. Their hands hadn’t come together yet. Sonic looked down at his soft pink pads. He brushed them together. It was pleasant, he was distracted by how it felt to rub when he wanted to know how it felt to be rubbed.

Sonic took a deep breath and climbed out of bed. He smoothed his quills and grabbed formal attire from his closet. The bandages on his sides hadn’t been bled through, but a white shirt was risky, so he went with black. He fastened his belt and sat back down to pull on his red shoes. He rested his elbows on his knees. What did they have planned for Shadow today? Were they going to punish him for his outburst? Well, his living conditions couldn’t get worse. Sonic had really been hoping they would get better soon though. He has to convince Shadow to comply and gain their trust. He didn’t understand why the other hedgehog didn’t just go along with things. His life before seemed pretty miserable. They need to have a long, open conversation. He’d try to do it without drugging the hedgehog, but he might bring that whiskey to loosen his lips just in case.

Sonic made his way to the office. He liked going for runs in the morning, but he’s too tired to bother. He sat in his chair and spun around. He stopped to look up at the balcony. Espio’s office door was closed and so were the blinds. He didn’t know if he was in there, but if he came out, Sonic would interject to see if he was going to work with Shadow. Until then, he got moving on his day to day stuff.

An hour or so later, Amy walked over to his desk wearing a very restrictive pencil skirt. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” Sonic leaned back in his chair and turned to face her. “Got a task for me?”

“Nope. Just checking on you.” She leaned against his desk. “There’s been a lot of gossip.”

“Gossip?” Sonic cocked a brow.

“Well, we’ve never had two hedgehogs in the building before. Most agents aren’t close enough to you to feel comfortable asking, but I am. How are you handling it?” Amy tilted her head.

“You mean having Shadow here?” Sonic’s brows furrowed. He wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Um. You know, I wish they’d treat him better. But I’m trying to be patient. They’re like…” Sonic tapped his knuckles together. GUN and Shadow shared animosity towards one another. Both were being stubborn.

“Is he like you? Speaking and intelligent.” Amy tapped her temple. “Seemed like just an animal in Florence.”

“Yes, he’s like me,” Sonic answered quickly. “He was fighting for his life in Florence. Give him a break.”

“Hey.” Amy looked down at him, the firmness in her gaze reminding him of her authority.

“I apologize.” Sonic turned away, putting his elbow on the desk. He rubbed his mouth.

“That’s what some people are discussing. Whether you feel kinship with this hedgehog.” Amy pushed his chair with her foot to turn him back to her. She pulled at his red tie, loosening it. “But you know you’re much more human than hedgehog don’t you?”

“Uh…” Sonic eyed her hands. “I am? I mean, I look pretty different than you guys.”

“I mean on the inside.” Amy unbuttoned his collar and another button below. She pulled his shirt to the side to expose his shoulder and take a look at the stapled wound he had. “You were raised by people. You’ve only ever known people. It’s who you are.”

Sonic looked down at his shoulder. It was looking pretty good now. “I know.”

Amy buttoned his shirt back. “Good.” She grabbed the long part of his tie in one hand and the knot in the other. She pulled it tight against his throat. “Then I better not hear another word of sympathy for that weapon. If you start talking about him like he’s your little buddy, I’ll tell Espio in the same hour.”

Sonic gulped, and his tie cut into his throat as he looked up at her. “Yes, ma’am.”

Amy smiled and let go of him. She patted his shoulder. “Atta boy. You know, I think those staples are ready to come out.” She pushed off his desk and walked away.

Sonic let out a small growl once she was out of earshot even though his tail had wagged just a bit at the sarcastic praise. He pulled his tie loose. He pulled it all the way off and dropped it on the desk. Looks like Amy isn’t a friend. That’s alright. She’s his superior anyways. He needs to start watching his mouth. She was right about his wounds though. He didn’t mind stretching his legs. He abandoned his work and went for the stairs. He moved through the dim stairwell quickly. He huffed. What was everyone’s problem? Isn’t sympathy a very human trait? Why was he punished for caring about someone hurting? They really couldn’t see that Shadow is as much of a person as Sonic is, as much of a person as Amy or Espio?

He scanned his badge to enter the medbay. A couple nurses lifted their heads to see who entered. They looked at each other nervously. He ignored them as he was approached by the doctor, a middle aged woman he was familiar with.

Blaze stopped in front of him and leaned in to check out his face. “Welcome back. You haven’t gotten hurt, have you?”

“No, Doctor.” Sonic smiled. “I thought you could check on my staples and stitches. I nearly forgot about them.”

“Hm, go have a seat.” Blaze walked over to the wall where sinks and counters were. She started washing her hands.

Sonic walked over to the patient area and sat up on one of the doctor’s tables. He unbuttoned his shirt down and took his arms out of it. He left it buttoned around his midsection to conceal the bandages at his sides.

Blaze pulled on some gloves and came to stand in front of him. She lifted his arms to take a look at his healing bites. “Anything else been going wrong?”

“No.” Sonic shook his head. His heels tapped against the exam table.

“They look good.” She put his arm down. “If they were on your legs, I’d say to leave them in longer, but they should be just fine.” She opened a drawer under the table and grabbed stainless steel scissors. She started clipping the stitches from the bite marks. “His canines are larger than yours.” She used forceps to pull the string from his skin. It didn’t hurt.

“Are you working with him?” Sonic looked up at her face, but she was focused on his wounds.

Blaze picked up the staple remover. “Naturally. Is there another head medical biologist around here I don’t know about?” She used the device to get the staples out of his shoulder.

Sonic did flinch as they were pulled out of his skin. “Yesterday, samples were being taken from him. What kind?”

Blaze shrugged and set the remover down. “Soft tissue and fluids.”

Sonic sighed. He doesn’t know what kind of answer he was looking for. He instinctually opened his mouth as she put a popsicle stick at his lips. He bared his teeth for a moment so she could see them, then he spoke. “My physical is in like a week. Can’t this wait?” He had a physical every month, but every time Blaze saw him, she tried to check him all over. But he didn’t want to show her the marks in his sides. He’s been slacking on exercise too.

“I’m curious about your differences.” Blaze shined a light down his throat. Then she threw the popsicle stick away.

“Well, I’ve got some work to get back to…” Sonic pulled his shirt back on and started to button it.

“Fine.” Blaze backed off. “I’ll focus on getting his data organized.”

“You wouldn’t… share that with me, would you?” Sonic tapped his fingertips together.

“Not unless Espio told me to. Which he won’t,” Blaze said confidently. “Run along.”

Sonic got down from the table and fixed his shirt. “Thanks, Dr. Blaze.” He sighed softly and left the medbay. He took the elevator this time.

When the doors opened on the top floor, he was greeted by Espio standing on the other side. “Good morning, Sonic.” He stepped inside.

Sonic didn’t leave the elevator. He watched Espio hit the sub-14 button. “Morning. Off to check on Shadow?”

“I like to oversee things.” Espio put his hands behind his back. It was likely that Shadow was the thing holding him back from retiring. The elevator closed and began to move.

Sonic looked down at his feet and swayed his hips. “I thought you might put him back under lockdown after yesterday. What’ve you got for him today?”

“For a while, we’ll just be gathering information,” Espio said vaguely.

Sonic took a deep breath. “Can I come with you?”

“No,” Espio answered. The doors opened, and he stepped out. He put his hand on the door frame to keep it open a moment longer. “Don’t start asking me that every day. I’ll let you know if I need you.”

“But I… can’t I provide good insight as the only other hedgehog you have?” Sonic was grasping at straws. The truth is he was trying to be guardian angel for Shadow. He’d do what he could to soften their grips.

“Sonic. There’s two reasons that is irrelevant.” Espio held up his fingers. He put one down. “He’s not a hedgehog. He’s an amalgamation of an alien species you’ve never heard of, hedgehog, and even a little bit of human. Whatever you think you know about his body is not guaranteed to apply. Assumptions are harmful in this case.” He put down his other finger. “Second, we already know more about you than you know about you. Again, you might be useful convincing him to switch sides, but you won’t make progress for a while. He’s going to be quite offended while we get through this testing. I don’t want him associating you with that. You were already at odds yesterday. He won’t forget that.”

Sonic opened his mouth to argue before he even knew what point he had to make, but Espio dropped his hand and walked away. The doors shut. Sonic sighed deeply and hit the button for the top floor. Whatever. He didn’t need to be around Shadow in front of prying eyes anyway. He didn’t want to hold his tongue. Or worse, let it loose. And he didn’t care what was in Shadow’s genes. He was as much hedgehog as he was. He was curious though… he was part human? GUN’s logic on his treatment made less and less sense.

Sonic wrapped his work up for the day. He felt lonely. He was stuck in his head. He didn’t have anyone to talk to about this. He had to assume everyone was watching him the way Amy was. Sonic went to his room for a nap as soon as the workday was over, but sleep was evading him. He was anxious. What had Shadow been through today? Sonic’s been through tons of testing of course, and he never thought any of it was that bad. Annoying and embarrassing at times, but only a little painful. But Shadow’s body seemed more complicated than his. Immortality? Any organization would want to get their hands on the key to that. He wouldn’t put it past them to do more extreme tests with less encouraging words than Sonic had experienced as a child and teenager.

Night came again. Sonic changed into a comfortable crop top and spandex shorts. Then he gathered some meat from the kitchen. And then he headed to see Shadow. He hoped nothing was wrong, but he would visit the medbay and come back if he needed to get supplies. He stopped outside Shadow’s cell and looked through the glass. The hybrid was curled up lying on the floor with his back towards the door. His breaths were shallow. Sonic didn’t usually catch him lying down. Maybe he’s trying to sleep.

Sonic opened the door and stepped into the room quietly. Shadow’s spines flared out from his back as his body tensed up. “It’s just me,” Sonic told him. “Were you sleeping?”

Shadow sighed deeply. His spines retracted. “No.”

Sonic knelt down by Shadow’s head. Shadow clenched his fists. His wrist cuffs were now attached to his collar with a chain. It was short, but it did give him more flexibility than the bars that had restrained him previously. Sonic unstrapped Shadow’s muzzle. “I brought you chicken this time. You like chicken?”

“Not hungry.” Shadow muttered. “Did you bring the painkillers?”

Sonic moved over to take a look at Shadow’s feet. They looked pretty good, but some of the flesh was a sort of hot pink like it was brand new instead of the tan color that was on his muzzle and inside his ears. The wounds from their scuffle in Florence were gone. “Do you still need them? Your wounds look healed. Wouldn’t want you to get… dependent.” He moved back by Shadow’s head.

Shadow’s nose scrunched, then he cleared his throat. “You’re right. Any lingering pain is tolerable.”

“Good.” Sonic opened the container. He started pulling the chicken breast into strips. He frowned. It was pink on the inside. He hadn’t cooked it long enough. “Do you like raw meat? I mean, I know you’ll eat it if it’s your only option.”

“Yes,” Shadow mumbled.

“That’s a relief. I did not cook this right.” Sonic held a piece by Shadow’s mouth.

“I said I’m not hungry.”

“You’re just being stubborn. I know they haven’t fed you today.” Sonic didn’t pull the meat away.

“I don’t. Want. To eat,” Shadow growled lowly.

It didn’t scare Sonic. “At least try it. It might be… uh, delicious?” He pushed his fingers at Shadow’s chin to open his mouth.

Shadow grabbed Sonic’s hand in his. He grabbed it tight, and there was a popping as Sonic’s phalanges shifted. Sonic inhaled and dropped the chicken. He hadn’t realized his hand was cold until Shadow’s warm one wrapped around it. He used the opportunity to get a good look at it. It had thin fur except for on the pads on the underside. Two of his fingers were red, and two of his fingers were black. Wait. Sonic grabbed Shadow’s hand with both of his. He pushed his thumbs into Shadow’s palm, spreading his fingers. Shadow bristled and tried to pull his hand back. Sonic held on tight. Shadow’s pinkie finger was missing. Just above his knuckle was a wound. It was neat, surgical. His bone was visible in the center.

Sonic grabbed Shadow’s other hand to look it over. That one seemed alright. “Shadow, what did they do to you?”

Shadow snatched his hands back. “Doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter!” Sonic insisted.

“No, it doesn’t! Doesn’t matter what they do to me. I don’t care. They can have all my fucking fingers.” Shadow leaned his head down and clamped his jaws around his ring finger. It snapped. He spit it onto the floor. Blood spurted from the stump. “Won’t need them if I spend the rest of my life rotting in here.” Shadow opened his mouth and went for his middle finger.

“Stop it!” Sonic cried. He quickly grabbed Shadow’s hands and pulled the chain taught to get them as far from his mouth as he could. “Don’t do that.”

“Why the hell not?” Shadow snarled. He fought Sonic’s grip. “It doesn’t fucking matter. None of it matters.”

“You matter! You matter to me, Shadow. Don’t do that, please,” Sonic whimpered. His grip softened, his fingers sliding between Shadow’s. Their soft palms came together.

Shadow was still and quiet until his chest collapsed suddenly. His body shuddered. His chest started to convulse. Sonic wasn’t sure what was happening until tears flowed beneath his blindfold. He was sobbing silently. Sonic frowned deeply. He let go of Shadow’s hands and moved behind him. He lied down on his side and curled around Shadow’s back. He wrapped his arm around Shadow tightly. Shadow’s spines shot out again, piercing into Sonic’s chest and belly. Sonic grunted, his body jerking, but he pulled Shadow even closer. It was only now that he realized Shadow is actually smaller than him by quite a bit. He could hold him easily and see over his head. He pushed one arm underneath Shadow. The dark hedgehog hissed, arching his back.

“What is it?” Sonic sat up, gently pulling Shadow’s arm. Shadow inhaled shakily and turned onto his back. His fur was shaved wrapping around the side he had been lying on. In the center of the shaved skin was a line of stitches. Sonic gasped and gently touched his bare skin with his fingers.

“They took my finger… and my kidney… to see if they would grow back,” Shadow whispered.

Sonic was shocked. This is worse than he’d imagined. They’ve never done anything like this to him. “Come here. Let me hold you. Please.” Sonic carefully got a hold of Shadow’s body and pulled him between his legs. Sonic leaned back against the wall while Shadow leaned back into Sonic’s chest. Shadow breathed hard against him. Sonic kept one arm around Shadow’s waist. The hybrid gripped onto his collar. Sonic grabbed the pill bottle and struggled to get the cap off with one hand. He dug his fingers around inside until he was able to gather two pills. “Open.” Shadow obeyed, his tongue falling from his mouth. Sonic put them on his tongue. Shadow swallowed. Sonic squeezed the fresh stump of Shadow’s ring finger to stop the bleeding. He leaned his head down, his muzzle resting on the top of Shadow’s head. He breathed Shadow’s smell and rubbed his abdomen.

“Let me go…” Shadow decided to try to get away, but his heart wasn’t in it. Sonic was easily able keep him against his warm body. Only a moment of weak struggling later, Shadow gave up. He let his arms hang from his collar. His head lied back against Sonic’s chest. He pressed into the blue hedgehog. “Haces que sea muy difícil luchar, Zafiro…”

Sonic still had no clue what he was saying, but he was beginning to recognize one word. He smiled a little when Shadow nuzzled into him. His hand curled around Shadow’s waist. He’s wanted to hold him for a while. He waited for Shadow to fall asleep in his arms before he cried for him.

Chapter Text

They lied together for hours. Shadow slept. Sonic grew tired, and sleeping with him crossed his mind, but he didn’t want to let his guard down. Besides, he could feel morning approaching. He’s developed an accurate internal clock. One has to when there’s no exterior signs. No sun, no stars. This was certainly why he didn’t sleep with Shadow. Not because he wanted to be awake to properly savor every moment he had with Shadow’s warmth leaking into him, his fur brushing his bare belly. His face was buried in Shadow’s quills, his hot breath reaching to his ear. It twitched with each sigh from Sonic. He smelled… really good. Sonic’s arms were nearly tight around Shadow’s midsection. His fingers brushed Shadow’s shaved fur skin. Remarkably, It looked like the wound had closed. It wasn’t completely healed. Shadow should be careful not to stretch. And the wounds on his fingers became nubs. He really hoped they would grow. He lifted his head and rested his chin on Shadow’s head between his pointy ears. Poor Shadow…

Sonic closed his eyes. How can he work with Espio to make things better for him? His hands raised up Shadow’s body between his hanging arms. He fidgeted as he thought, his fingers sliding through Shadow’s long chest fur and rubbing it. It was soft like luxurious cashmere. He was a little jealous of it. He considered how he could argue with Espio without getting shut away from Shadow forever. It felt like Espio was holding him off the edge of a cliff, threatening him. A wrong word and he would be dropped. He wasn’t sure how to get closer, how to get Espio to let him back on solid ground. He wasn’t sure why Espio was holding him in some middle space. He must be conflicted, but what outcomes concerned him? What would be a problem for him if he let Sonic close to Shadow? His fingers spread over Shadow’s chest, holding him close against him.

“Mm…” Sonic opened his mouth, inhaling. It was that sweet smell again. He had noticed it vaguely an hour ago, but now it was strong. It was a flavor spreading over his tongue. His brows furrowed as excessive saliva filled his mouth. He shut it to keep it from dripping onto Shadow. Shadow shifted between his legs, shutting his own and lifting his knees. He leaned them against one of Sonic’s. Sonic opened his eyes and looked down at Shadow’s body over his head. “The hell…?”

Sprouting up between Shadow’s legs was… an appendage. It looked sort of like his tongue. It was most definitely soft tissue, a warm pink color. It was shiny, wet. It was kind of like a tentacle, but it didn’t have suction cups. It was ribbed with bumps in its outline. It definitely moved like a tentacle. It pressed against the bottom of Shadow’s stomach. It sort of rubbed his belly, sliding around his fur. Was it his penis? It must be from the alien part of him. He watched it move. Shadow was still sleeping. It’s like it had a mind of its own. Sonic reached towards it curiously. He nearly pulled away when it moved towards his hand. It’s like it sensed him. The tip of it coiled around his index finger and gripped like a newborn hand around its parent’s finger. It was slick and hot. Sonic gasped softly. He tilted his head and rotated his hand. It didn’t let go. In fact, it pulled on his finger, beginning to drag his hand lower. He was mesmerized by it. Sonic’s phone vibrated loudly on the concrete as his alarm to remind him to leave went off.

The appendage let go of him and Sonic scrambled to grab his phone and shut it off. He had to lean to reach it, disturbing their cozy position. Shadow stirred. Sonic turned off the alarm and sighed deeply, settling back against the wall. Shadow pulled at the chain attached to his collar and squirmed. Sonic’s hands wrapped around his wrists. Shadow sat up, pulling away from Sonic. He hunched over his knees, groaning softly.

“Are you hurting?” Sonic murmured, his hands moving to grasp Shadow’s hips.

“No, no… just stop touching.” Shadow’s tail started tapping the floor. He scooted further away. Sonic dragged Shadow back against him and wrapped his arms around his waist. Shadow growled and squeezed his legs shut tightly. His dick had snaked down between them out of sight. He breathed harshly.

Sonic squeezed him gently. “It’s okay, I won’t…” he sighed and lowered his head, his breath at Shadow’s ear. “I don’t know why you don’t want to let me touch you, but I won’t judge you or… whatever you’re worried about.”

Shadow groaned again and squirmed in his arms. “I won’t let you because I don’t want you to touch me. It’s that simple, child,” he said through his teeth.

“I’m not a child…” Sonic huffed defensively. He didn’t think his age was the reason Shadow was keeping him at a distance—or his gender for that matter, but they could be factors. He held onto him and moved them onto their sides on the floor. He put one of his arms under Shadow’s head to keep it off the floor. His other arm stayed wrapped around him. “I know that isn’t true… but we don’t have to talk about it. We could just lie here.” His thumb stroked Shadow’s fur.

Shadow curled up. He stopped fighting. His tail had come up between his legs. The end of it reached up his belly.

“Tomorrow…” Sonic leaned up a little to look at Shadow’s hidden face. “Tomorrow, I’ll have you in my bed.”

Shadow bristled and tried to get away. “What the fuck are you on about?”

Sonic’s ears went back. He let Shadow go, but he reached for him. “W-Wait, I didn’t mean it like that!” Shadow sat up with his back turned to Sonic. “I meant like I’ll take you to my room so you can sleep somewhere softer.”

Shadow bowed his head towards his hands and let out a deep sigh as his quills calmed back down. “I hate you.”

Sonic couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He was starting to see right through the tough guy persona. He came to kneel behind Shadow. “You don’t even know me well enough to hate me.”

“You don’t even know me well enough to care,” Shadow snapped back.

“So teach me,” Sonic murmured, his gaze tracing the markings on Shadow’s back.

“Preferiría morir,” he whispered and lied back down. He twisted his hands. He wanted to be free so badly.

“I like how you sound when you speak Spanish.” Sonic hoped that wasn’t a rude thing to say. He leaned over Shadow, looking at his lips.

“Stop it.” Shadow shook his head. “Just go. You’ve already been here too long. If they catch you, they’ll do something to me, not their already compliant asset. So if you really care, you’ll leave. Now,” he said firmly.

Sonic frowned as he gazed down at him. Unfortunately, he’s right. He couldn’t be caught down here. And the worst punishment that would happen to him is keeping him away from Shadow. Much worse could happen to the hybrid. They could hide him away somewhere deeper. They could cut his tongue to keep him from conspiring. They could strip him for parts if they found him not worth the trouble. Sonic was beginning to understand now that GUN wasn’t above doing any of these things. He gathered the things he brought. “Try to sleep some more, okay?” Shadow didn’t answer him.

Sonic made the long trip back to his room. He dumped the stuff on his floor and knelt down by his bed. He lied his face on the mattress and groaned into it. He grabbed his bulge through his shorts. It had been so hard to keep himself sheathed when Shadow was squirming against him smelling the way he did. That sweet smell… Sonic lifted his head and looked at his finger. It was still glistening from slick. He smelled it. It was from Shadow’s genitals. It was… arousal. Sonic smelled it the first day he’d visited his cell. Was his touch really that powerful?

Sonic’s heart started to beat quickly. His skin felt tingly. He gripped his bedding tightly as he put his finger in his mouth. “Mmm…” Sonic closed his eyes. It tasted as sweet as it smelled. Sonic’s cock pushed out of his sheath, and he moved his hand down to shove his shorts out of the way. He closed his hand around his cock and stroked himself. He let out a breath and rested his cheek on the bed. He bit his finger lightly when the flavor disappeared. He had licked it off. Damn, he was a fan of that.

Sonic let go of his dick and moved his hands through his quills. He felt… guilty for feeling this way. Nothing was sexual about what they said or did. So why was his cock throbbing? Did he want to be touched that badly? Sonic whined softly. He felt pathetic. But it seemed like Shadow was having the same issue. That appendage… Shadow had unsheathed as Sonic felt his chest. Sonic stood up and took his shorts off. He hesitated, looking around his room. He had forgotten about the cameras. Shit, how can he bring Shadow here? Sonic pulled one of his pillows over on the bed in front of him. He’ll have to find a natural way to cover them. He put one of his knees on the bed next to the pillow and his hand down on top of it. He brought his hips down, rubbing his cock on it. He bit his lip and sunk his claws into the pillow. He pressed firmly on the pillow, grinding. Even if he couldn’t cover them, he could just leave the lights off and hope it was dark enough. He wrapped his hand around his tip and squeezed. It pushed in and out of his hand as he rolled his hips. He moaned quietly. Darkness might not work if Espio could hear them together, but he would think of another solution. He was going to do whatever he needed to bring Shadow in here. He could imagine Shadow melting into his bed, feeling something soft and clean for the first time in decades. He wanted to give that to him. He wanted to—

Sonic grunted as he shot cum onto his pillow. “Fuck…” He wrapped his hand around his swelling knot. He pushed his dick at the pillow, but there was no hole for him to get into. He huffed softly and rubbed himself on it some more. He wondered if Shadow grew a knot after he… Sonic shook his head and pulled away from the bed. He looked at his clock. Crap, he barely had enough time for his knot to shrink before he had to come out for work. He grabbed his silicone ring from the nightstand and sighed in relief when he fitted it around his cock. He pulled the pillow case off and dropped it on the floor. He’ll deal with it later. He lied face down on his bed. He hugged the pillow under his head and pressed his hips down against the mattress. He fell asleep.

He woke up to a pounding on his door instead of his alarm clock. His brows furrowed before his eyes even opened. He looked at his clock. It read 11am. He must’ve broken it when he smacked it yesterday. “Shit,” Sonic hissed and clambered out of bed. He pulled his shorts back on from yesterday. His cock had retreated back into his sheath when he was asleep. He opened his door.

Amy looked pissed off. She looked him up and down. “What the hell are you doing in here? It’s the middle of the day.”

“I’m sorry, Ames, I overslept.” Sonic rubbed his eyes. “I think my alarm clock is broken.”

“Well, put yourself together. Eggman’s out in the city.” Amy folded her arms. “We’ve been trying to get ahold of you for half an hour.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Sonic’s ears drooped submissively. He walked away from the door to grab his badge and put his ear piece in. “What’s the threat level today?”

“Sonic,” Espio snapped in his ear as soon as the technology was inside. “What are you doing?”

Sonic paused. This is valuable information. Seems like Espio had been watching him on the cameras. But if they recorded audio, he wouldn’t have to ask the same question as Amy. “I was sleeping, sir.”

“On purpose?”

“No, sir.” Sonic fidgeted with his badge.

“Don’t let it happen again. Dr. Robotnik is active. If you get close to him, ask him if he knows anything about Shadow.”

Sonic frowned. “Ask Eggman about Shadow? Why would he know anything?”

Espio sighed. “Shadow was created by Ivo Robotnik’s grandfather. Do not mention anything more than you have to. If he doesn’t know, don’t tell him.”

Sonic folded his arms. He could bet Espio gave the order to remove Shadow’s organ. He could bet they didn’t waste the anesthesia either. He held back a growl. He kept up with the brief answers. “Yes, sir.”

“Go.”

Sonic sighed and walked out of his bedroom, shutting his door behind him. He looked to Amy. “I’ll get changed and meet you outside?”

“I’ll send the team out. You’ll catch up.” She left him with that, heading for the elevator.

Sonic dashed up the stairs to the locker room. It was empty. He changed into his mission gear as quickly as he could. Then he was off. He left the building and ran through the city. He looked around until he saw pigeons flying away from an area nearby. He could feel vibrations in the ground. He made a turn. A large mech was stomping through the street while smaller, flying ones shot lasers at GUN agents trying to get the civilians out of the way. Sonic wasn’t particularly interested in playing games right now. He wanted answers. For once he might be able to get his hands on some information.

Sonic climbed onto the hood of an SUV and jumped. He landed on top of one of the flying bots. It spun around trying to get him off, but he just jumped to another one. And another. They were trailing behind the large mech, so Sonic followed them until he got to the last one. He jumped and became a ball in the air to carry his momentum all the way to the robot. He was able to climb up the notches and machinery in its back. It stopped walking and its hands reached at its back, but Sonic was in the exact spot it couldn’t reach.

“Hey, Egghead,” Sonic called.

“Sonic The Hedgehog, is that you? My nemesis,” Eggman responded through a speaker in the mech. It turned around, still trying to get at him.

“Let’s skip the introduction today.” Sonic held on tightly. They did this pretty regularly. GUN couldn’t capture him because he was too crafty and intelligent to stay locked up. There was talk of killing him though. “Let’s talk.”

“About what?” The mech gave up trying to grab him and just put its hands on its vaguely humanoid hips.

“Have you ever known about another hedgehog?” Sonic started cautiously.

“Another hedgehog? You think I’d still be dealing with you if there was any other super abled alien hedgehog around here?”

Sonic pulled himself up on the shoulders of the machine. He walked around its head. “What about your grandfather? On your father’s side. Were you close?”

“Strange line of interrogation. He died before I was born.”

“Oh, duh.” Sonic sighed, rubbing his head. He didn’t know how old Eggman was, but he wasn’t that old. Disappointment clung to his voice. “Your dad. Were you close to him?”

“What is this, a therapy session? You want to know if my daddy loved me?” Eggman reached for him, but Sonic dashed to his other Shoulder.

“You don’t know anything about the projects your grandad worked on?”

“Just that he had been trying to cure my cousin’s illness. Died when a fire broke out in the colony though. Don’t think he made much progress.”

Sonic climbed up the face of the mech. He hung off of its unibrow and looked into one of the eyes. It was tinted though. He could hardly see Eggman’s shape inside. “That’s all you know?”

“All Dad said.” The mech scratched its head as Eggman did the same inside. He was wearing a motion tracking suit.

“Okay,” Sonic sighed again. “Sorry.”

“For what?”

“I’m not really in the mood today.” Sonic pushed off of the mech’s face with his feet, then swung himself back down towards it. He steeled his energy into his feet and broke through the glass. He let go of the unibrow and shot inside of the mech’s skull. He pinned Eggman down on the ground in an instant, and the mech fell. Both of them tumbled to the back wall as it did. He tousled with the man once they got their bearings back. The mech flailed around. “Whatever you were up to today isn’t worth my time,” Sonic hissed as he stood on Eggman’s wrists.

“You’re not even going to ask me? It could’ve been really evil.” Eggman called his smaller bots over to help him, but Sonic’s team was on top of it, shooting them down.

Sonic looked down at Eggman’s comically organized face. It all seemed so trivial now. He just didn’t care. Didn’t care what Eggman was up to or what they wanted him to do about it. He had one thing on his mind. He was obsessing over it. And it was frustrating. Everyone was withholding information from him. Shadow wouldn’t tell him about how he feels or who he is, and Espio won’t tell him about Shadow either. It’s all he wanted. That and to get Shadow freedom.

Chapter Text

Eggman had been stripped of his gear and dropped off on his butt at his lair. GUN blasted the building with an EMP that would ruin some things and put him out of commission for several days. They were working to create something stronger and more permanent, but this would settle him for a little while. Plus, Sonic left him with a black eye. He often avoided getting truly physical with the man, but this time Sonic told him to sit his ass down. The hedgehog was struggling to focus on problems outside the complex right now. He left the scene just as the cleanup crew rolled in. He made his way back up to the top floor of his home building. He sat on his desk with a sigh and unstrapped his vest. He pulled it off and dropped it next to him, leaving his torso bare. He rubbed his knuckles with his thumb and looked up at the balcony. He owed Espio another psych eval.

Sonic spent time with his team the rest of the work day. They chatted about the mission, about Knuckles, about how they should all go out again some time. Sonic was quiet the entire time, and no one said a thing about it. The day was lonely. He could imagine someone else was lonely too, but he was deep underground, truly alone. At least, that would be the best case scenario. Not opened up on a table surrounded by uncaring surgeons or being interrogated by a bitter old man. He prepared things early. He went to Shadow as early as he could, though it was still well into the night.

And finally, Sonic opened the door to Shadow’s cell and stepped inside. He was glad the hybrid was blindfolded now, because he was excited. It was manifesting physically. A wag in his tail and an unsteady shifting of his feet. There was nervousness too, but that was a tingling deep in his chest. He really shouldn’t be doing this. And doubts crossed his mind as he made the trip down to Shadow. He could get in serious trouble. But GUN hasn’t realized he’s been sneaking to Shadow each night yet. It was helpful that there were no cameras in Shadow’s cell, but he was tracked all the way to it each night. It seemed to him that Espio checked the cameras in his room periodically or when Sonic was needed. However, the rest of the cameras underground recorded in case an incident occurred, and the footage wasn’t being actively watched by anyone, but it would be scrubbed if needed. Sonic was hoping this was true. Perhaps that was naive of him. Or perhaps it was naive of them not to be watching Sonic every second. They must have some trust for him.

Any doubts Sonic had faded away as he saw Shadow curled up on the floor. He deserved better than a cold floor. If only for a little while. Shadow’s ears went back a little bit as Sonic approached. He got on his knees in front of Shadow and leaned in to look at his hand. The stumps of his fingers weren’t flat anymore. Flesh was rising from them. Growth. His fingers are coming back. Sonic smiled. “Your fingers are regrowing.”

“I know,” Shadow sighed.

Sonic put his hands on Shadow’s side and hip, turning him a little to get a good look at his incision. His fur was stubbly now and the incision was completely closed, though it was a hot purple and raised above the rest of his skin. Shadow groaned at him and rolled away, turning his back to Sonic. “I bet it’ll be gone tomorrow.” Sonic wrapped his hand around the chain attached to Shadow’s ankles and followed it to the floor. He grabbed and pulled at it. It wasn’t giving. The problem is it isn’t actually attached to the floor. It’s coming out of the floor, attached to something below.

“What are you doing?” Shadow pulled at the chain with his feet.

“I told you I’m taking you out tonight.” Sonic followed the chain back to Shadow’s feet. He pressed the release to the cuffs, and they fell off.

Shadow sat up and stretched his legs. He spread them, something he was unable to do while cuffed. He moved over onto his knees in front of Sonic. He opened his hands, pulling the chain attached to his collar taught.

Sonic frowned. He gently put his hands in Shadow’s. “I think these cuffs should stay on.”

“Don’t you trust me?” Shadow tilted his head. There was an eerie calmness to his voice. The display might have worked if his entire face wasn’t censored.

“If I take those off, you could get your collar off, and… I can’t.” Sonic looked down.

Shadow pulled his hands away from Sonic. “I understand,” he muttered through his teeth. He got to his feet. “Could you at least pull the blindfold down? Give me my third eye?”

“Mm…” Sonic got up too and looked down at Shadow’s face. He didn’t want Shadow to see how to get through the facility. But he figured if he could only see warmth, it wouldn’t provide much information. “Yeah.” Sonic lifted his hands and pulled it down to his eyebrows. Shadow’s eye blinked a couple times before it scanned Sonic. Sonic reached for him, but Shadow’s fur puffed as he stepped back. “I don’t want the cameras to see us. I can run fast enough not to get picked up, but I’ll have to carry you,” Sonic said softly.

Shadow sighed deeply and turned his head towards the door. His tail swished in annoyance. “Fine.”

“Thank you.” Sonic came closer to him. He was gentle, slowly scooping Shadow into his arms like he was fine china. Shadow grumbled something in a spanish accent as he let Sonic cradle him against his chest. “Lighter than I thought.”

“Move, hedgehog.” Shadow snapped at him, and Sonic was a bit relieved he still had his muzzle on.

“Okay, sheesh.” Sonic tilted his hip to scan his badge at the door. It slid open and he braced his feet before he took off down the hall. He started looping up the stairs, but suddenly a heavy pain melted over his face. It felt like he ran face first into a wall. The wall being Shadow’s forehead. Sonic’s heel slipped off the step as he fell back. He lost hold of Shadow as he fell on his back and tumbled down the stairs. Shadow slipped down a few of the steps, but he was able to scramble to his feet before Sonic. He bolted up the stairs.

Sonic slammed into the concrete wall once he had fallen down the entire flight. He grunted and watched Shadow disappear up the stairwell. What the hell just happened? Oh, shit, oh, no. “Shadow!” Sonic got back to his feet and ran up after him. “You can’t get out!”

“Que no? Ya verás, Zafiro!” Shadow made it up to the door outside the main floor. It was warmer on the other side than all the others. Above ground. He pulled at the handle, but it was locked. He stepped back on the landing and started to kick at the handle.

“Don’t! Don’t,” Sonic hissed, grabbing him by the waist. “The surface floors can’t be accessed at night! You’ll put the whole building under lockdown.”

Shadow snarled and lifted both of his feet to kick hard at the door, but he just ended up kicking them both away from it. They were knocked over again. They tumbled down another flight of stairs. Sonic held onto Shadow and tried to take the brunt of the fall himself since Shadow couldn’t use his hands to keep from hitting his head. They slid across the floor on the landing below. Sonic’s face was clenched up as pain settled in different places on his back and legs. But he didn’t let go of the hybrid.

Shadow was panting. He yanked at his collar. “You’ve made me so weak… I can’t even kick down a door.”

“To be fair…” Sonic took a deep breath, “That door is like… really thick steel.”

Shadow wiggled out of his arms and got to his feet. He leaned against the wall. “Take me back to my cell…”

Sonic sat up and felt at his face, figuring out where it was tender. “I’m still taking you to my room. I… I’m not mad.” He was much slower getting to a standing position. He rubbed his back. He’d hit it on the corner of several stairs. He looked up at the walls of the stairwell. There were cameras up and down the entire thing. So much for staying out of sight. He started to walk down the steps. “I just don’t get why… what’s out there for you?”

Shadow watched Sonic reach the next landing before he began to follow after him. “Freedom. Movement. I’m a sitting duck in here,” he whispered the last sentence.

“Oh, shit.” Sonic looked back at him. “Your legs must be aching terribly. You can take a run around my floor if you want. I do it sometimes. It’s almost like a loop.”

“My shoes. Have they been thrown away?” Shadow walked down the cold steps on bare pads.

“I doubt it. They’re probably interested in the technology. I’m sure they’ll give them back soon…” Actually, he had no idea when they would give Shadow anything. He stopped outside the door to his floor. “I’ll try to do something with the stairwell cameras. But let’s avoid the ones in the hall. Also… there’s cameras in my room. So i’m just going to leave the lights off and hope we’re not picked up.”

“Just walk me by the ones in your room.” Shadow’s weight shifted into one leg, his hip leaning out.

Sonic looked him up and down. “What?”

“There’s no cameras in my cell because the radiation I emit will fry them. Just get me close to your cameras, and they’ll be out of commission permanently.”

Sonic looked at him blankly as he thought about that. The idea was pretty appealing. But wouldn’t his cameras no longer working rouse suspicion? Whatever. He could tell them there was an energy surge in the building. He could even say it was his fault. “Okay. Were you always radioactive? What about being with your family?”

“No, I’m only radioactive because I expelled too much energy in the forest when I… When I had my inhibitors off. It’ll fade with time.” Shadow stepped forward. Sonic looked him up and down again. Then he just stood there like an idiot until Shadow huffed. “Are you going to take me or not?”

“Right, sorry.” Sonic scooped him up. He scanned his badge and drew the door open. He dashed through the hall straight into his room. He pushed the door shut with his foot. He couldn’t see much in the darkness, but he was familiar enough with the space. He brushed his shoulder on the wall as he carried Shadow to his book shelf. Then by his desk. And finally, in his bathroom.

After that, he set Shadow down in the middle of the room. He turned his bedroom light on and then came to stand in front of Shadow. He slowly untied his blindfold. Sonic grinned. He hadn’t seen Shadow’s eyes in a long time. They were this rich and shiny red. Like rubies. Shadow’s pupils expanded from slits into circles as he looked into Sonic’s eyes.

Sonic dashed to different places in his room. “So this is my bedroom. There was a camera here and here and in there. But I walked you by them. There’s usually clothes scattered kind of everywhere around here, but I cleaned up for you! And I asked Rouge to get me another blanket from the city,” Sonic said, standing by the bed and pointing at it. The bed wasn’t exactly made. The blankets were sort of fluffed up and the pillows were crooked. “I’m used to it, but it gets kind of cold in here. Also I have some food and the usual things for you.” He pointed at a container of meat and wound care supplies on his nightstand. He dashed back over to Shadow. He circled him excitedly, pausing here or there to get a still image of Shadow’s face. What did he think? Would he find the bed comfortable? He tapped his foot in his brief pauses.

Shadow’s eyes followed Sonic. His tail wagged slowly in response, but this strange… offended look took over his face. He bristled. “Stop doing that.”

“Why?” Sonic tilted his head, continuing to jump around Shadow.

“The answer is no,” Shadow growled.

“The answer to what?” Sonic hummed.

Shadow grabbed him by the shirt during one of his pauses and shoved him against the wall by the bed. “Damnit, don’t you know what that means?”

“No…” Sonic looked down at the pissed hedgehog with genuine confusion.

“God, they really didn’t tell you anything about what you are, did they?” Shadow let him go, backing up.

“Not really.” Sonic watched him. What had he done wrong? He approached a defensive Shadow, but the hedgehog relaxed a little when he realized Sonic was just removing his muzzle.

Shadow stretched his jaw and looked around the room. He walked into the bathroom where he found a mirror. He let out a breath. He tilted his body left and right. He leaned in and turned his head to look at the tag in his ear.

Sonic stepped into the bathroom, frowning. He put a hand low on Shadow’s back. “Hey… you want to come eat?”

“No.” Shadow stepped away from his hand, giving him a side eye.

“You didn’t eat yesterday either.” Sonic left to sit on his bed. He opened the dish. “I know you’re hungry.”

“You don’t know any—“ Shadow dropped his words as he smelled the air. He peered into Sonic’s bedroom.

Sonic sat against his head headboard and patted the space next to him. The bed was only a twin size, but he’d move if he had to. “Don’t know what you’re trying to prove by acting like you’re not hungry. I’m hungry like all the time. I’ll eat too, look.” He opened his nightstand drawer and took out a protein bar he smuggled into his room. He’s not supposed to have food in here.

Shadow sighed and walked over to the bed.

“Come on.” Sonic patted the bed again.

Shadow climbed over Sonic’s legs and sat against the headboard on the side of the bed against the wall. Their body heat flooded into each other. Sonic had beef for Shadow this time. It had been cut into pieces and cooked rare. He offered some to Shadow. Shadow sighed and slumped against the headboard, looking quite defeated. He took the meat with his tongue.

Sonic smiled at him. “What’s your favorite meat?”

“Hedgehog,” Shadow muttered, slowly turning to look at him.

“Oh…” Sonic made an uneasy face, glancing at Shadow’s sharp teeth. Is that why he hadn’t hesitated to bite into him in Florence? Did he really eat other hedgehogs?

A smile threatened to pull at Shadow’s lips. He looked away.

“Oh! Was that a joke? You’re joking!” Sonic grinned again, nudging him.

Shadow rolled his eyes. “Give me more of that beef before I actually do consider cannibalism.”

“Oh, I’m so scared.” Sonic chuckled and continued to feed him. He looked down at his arms. He should be. The marks his canines had left were going to scar.

“Mmm.” Shadow savored the last piece of the meat, licking his lips. Then he shimmied down to lie on his back. He relaxed into the soft bed.

Sonic set the dish aside and ate his protein bar as his eyes just kept trailing up and down Shadow’s naked body. He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a t shirt and shorts. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it at his hamper. He missed.

“Your chest…” Shadow looked over at it. “It’s bare.”

“I thought you were the weird one for having fur.” Sonic looked at Shadow’s chest.

“No. Other hedgehogs have long fur on their chests like me.” Shadow reached out to touch him, but his chain stopped him. He retracted his hands.

Sonic watched him. He slowly turned and leaned over Shadow. Shadow shifted away, but he stilled as his eyes came into contact with Sonic’s. Sonic leaned lower, his chest brushing Shadow’s knuckles. Shadow didn’t break from his gaze as he opened his hands and pressed the pads on Sonic’s bare skin. Sonic let out a long sigh, like it was a breath he’d been holding for years. His hands were large and warm, soft and so lovely. His chest pressed into those hands. His fingers slid through Shadow’s long fur, spreading over his chest. Sonic leaned his head down. Shadow immediately turned his face away. The nineteen year old let out another long sigh, his breath hot on Shadow’s cheek. He gripped Shadow’s fur. Both of their ears lowered.

Shadow shook his head, but his hands squeezed Sonic’s chest. “We can’t.”

Sonic’s claws dug into his blanket. “Look into my eyes when you say that…”

Shadow closed his eyes tightly. “¿Por qué yo?” he whispered.

Sonic let go of Shadow’s chest and very lightly brushed his thumb over his eyelid. “We both need someone. And there’s no one else like us in the world.”

“I thought this whole company was your family.” Shadow’s hands brushed down Sonic’s chest.

Sonic looked down at his hands. He already felt throbbing in his pouch. He felt the pressure in it as he grew, but he really tried not to let it come out. Shadow’s hands on him just felt… so… he couldn’t even describe it. Shadow could simply tap his nose and he’d feel excitement throughout his whole body. “Family is a strong word…”

Shadow opened his eyes and turned his head back straight under Sonic. He lifted it. Sonic immediately leaned down, but Shadow grabbed his jaw tightly. “Hold still,” he commanded. Sonic obeyed immediately, becoming as still as a statue, besides the way he was vibrating with excitement. Shadow leaned up close to Sonic’s face. He could taste his breath, feel his warmth. Shadow looked from Sonic’s eyes to his lips. Then he kissed him softly. Sonic kissed back eagerly, but nearly in the same moment he was being shoved off the bed. Sonic fell onto his back on the floor, and it hurt considering he’d fallen quite a bit today, but he was grinning and his stomach was filled with butterflies. There was shuffling on the bed next to him.

Sonic took a few breathes to calm down before he sat up. He looked over at Shadow curled up on the bed facing the wall. Sonic put his hand on the bed. “Can I—“

“No,” Shadow said flatly.

Sonic whined softly, letting his feelings be known. But he didn’t argue. He stood up and gingerly pulled the blankets out from under Shadow. He put them back up on top of him and tucked him in. Shadow’s body relaxed a bit. Sonic dragged his beanbag over to the middle of the floor. He turned off the bedroom light and left the bathroom door cracked instead, letting in a little bit of light. He sat down in the beanbag and watched the hybrid in his bed after he set his alarm on his phone. Nearly an hour of silence passed, and Sonic’s eyelids were getting heavy. He eventually had to lean his head back, too tired to hold it up. Both hedgehogs’ breathing fell into the same rhythm as they fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Sonic’s phone was still tucked into the front of his shorts when it began vibrating and sounding the alarm. “Hah!” Sonic’s head shot up from the beanbag and he grabbed at his groin. It was vibrating right through his pouch. He turned off the alarm as soon as he found his phone and dropped it on the floor with a groan. He rubbed the back of his neck. It was so strained. He slept like a dumbass sprawled over the beanbag. He looked over to his cozy bed. Shadow was lying on his belly now, arms pinned beneath him. He inhaled deeply, his face in Sonic’s pillow. He shifted on the mattress and bit into the pillow before he let out a long sigh. On second thought, sleeping in the beanbag was totally worth it.

Sonic ran his hands through his quills. He doesn’t want to wake him. Doesn’t want to take him out of his bed. But he has to. Sonic crawled onto the floor with a soft groan. His whole body hurts. He came closer to the bed and looked at Shadow’s uncovered face. It was kind of… beautiful like this. At peace. He didn’t look angry or scared. He simply was. Sonic smiled softly and slowly reached to touch Shadow’s face. Shadow let go of Sonic’s pillow and rolled onto his back. Once he opened his eyes, he took a look at his hand. His fingers had grown back. But they were this grayish purple and hairless still. He checked on his side. The skin was smooth and his fur had gotten long enough to be soft again. Shadow sat up on his butt. His quills were sticking up every which way, but not because he was alarmed. It was bedhead. He’d even shed some quills into the bed. Shadow licked at his hands for a moment before he lifted them to fix his quills, but he was stopped by the chain. He sighed deeply.

Sonic stared up at him shamelessly. Shadow kept glancing over at him as he started to groom himself. He licked at his arms and chest with his long tongue. He often licked his palms and used them to settle the fur in places he couldn’t reach with his tongue. Of course, there were still many he couldn’t reach with his bound hands. His muzzle grew a new wrinkle every time he looked at Sonic, forming into a snarl. “What are you staring at me for? Don’t you need to groom in the morning?”

“Groom?” Sonic tilted his head. Like a cat? Is that what hedgehogs did?

Shadow looked the messy hedgehog up and down. His muzzle relaxed. “You don’t groom yourself. That’s why your fur is so dry. You wash it with soap every day.”

“My fur is dry?” Sonic looked down at himself. He thought Shadow was just extra soft.

“Human soap ruins your coat. It’s not made for fur. There’s enzymes in our saliva that keep our fur clean and healthy,” Shadow explained as he went back to grooming himself.

Sonic was going to copy him, but he frowned. “I don’t even have fur on my arms. I can’t reach anything with my tongue.”

“It’s easier when someone else does it for you…” Shadow looked down at the bed, but he was watching Sonic in his peripheral vision.

Sonic looked back up at him. He smiled and bit the inside of his lip to try and keep it from turning into a grin. “Yeah, especially since I haven’t done it before. Might need someone to teach me…”

Shadow tapped his fingers on the bed and took a deep breath. “You’re not that stupid. You can figure it out.”

“Yeah, probably. But you can’t reach most of your body with your hands or your tongue. You need someone to help you too.” Sonic put his arms on the bed under his chin, looking up at the hybrid with an offer in his gaze.

Shadow refused to look back. “You need to get me to my cell before we get caught.”

Sonic’s smile faltered. “I know…”

Shadow got out of the bed and stood straight. He stretched the best he could. Sonic looked at every curve. The individual shapes of his ribs had become hidden under his fur now. Maybe Sonic’s feeding was actually doing something to help him. Shadow groaned loudly. He leaned over, looking down into Sonic’s face. “¡Deja de mirarme así! ¿Por qué me miras así? Eres un descarado. No puedo creerlo. Y no puedo creer que me impacte el corazón frío y muerto. ¿Qué voy a hacer contigo, pequeño zafiro con ojos de cachorrito? Nada que no me destroce,” he hissed.

Sonic looked up at him with these big doe eyes. His ears lowered submissively as his heart pounded in his chest. “I think that’s the most you’ve ever spoken to me in one breath.”

Shadow bristled and head butted him in the nose.

“Ow!” Sonic’s fell back and hit his head on his nightstand. “Stop doing that!”

“I’d punch you if I could use my damn hands,” Shadow snapped. “Take me back.”

“Okay…” Sonic frowned deeply and rubbed his nose. He knew Shadow was trying to get him to give up on him. He didn’t want to do that, but he’s not sure he wants to be beaten up everyday either. He needs to get Shadow to release the tension another way. He climbed to his feet and rubbed his aching back. He picked up Shadow’s muzzle first. The hybrid let him secure it around his head. Sonic picked up the blindfold next, but he hesitated. He looked into Shadow’s eyes one more time. He tied the blindfold around his head and pushed it below his third eye. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. Take me back…” Shadow sighed.

Sonic picked him up gently. He held him close for just a moment before he moved. He grabbed his badge on the way out. He didn’t want to run. For the first time in his life, he wanted to move in slow motion. He didn’t want to put Shadow back in that place and leave him in GUN’s hands. But they had tempted the cameras enough. He dashed through the facility all the way to Shadow’s cell.

Sonic set him down. Shadow immediately found the nearest wall and sat down against it. The blue hedging gathered his cuffs from the floor. The chain dragged behind him as he came to kneel in front of Shadow. He secured the cuffs around his ankles. Then he brought the blindfold up over Shadow’s thermal eye. “I’ll be back tonight. I’ll take you out again. You seemed to sleep pretty easy last night. I assume you want to come back.” Sonic paused to allow Shadow to answer, but he didn’t. “Well, um…” Sonic stood up. “See you later.” He paused again, but Shadow just let silence weigh down on him. Sonic sighed and left the cell. But he stood outside the glass and waited.

A few minutes went by, and Shadow was suddenly thrashing at his restraints, pulling his hands as far from his collar as he could. Then he hit his head back on the wall several times. He pulled at his wrists some more before falling onto his side and curling up in the cell. Once again, anything Sonic held against him for trying to escape, for hitting him, for yelling at him, it all fell away. He had to remind himself Shadow had told him next to nothing about how he felt and why. He hardly knew anything about Shadow. Despite that, he was absolutely enthralled by Shadow. He felt… normal next to him. He felt like he was at home. With Shadow, he realized everything else had felt wrong. It always had. Since he was a little boy being dragged around by agents to different testing rooms. He wanted to know everything about Shadow. And he’s sure none of it would make him any less interested. None of it would make him want Shadow any less. He thought he’d be afraid to care so much about someone so cold. But that isn’t who Shadow really is. He’s been hurt by something, someone. He’s protecting himself. Sonic just knew Shadow would come around. All of this had been fate. Sonic had been waiting his whole life for Shadow. And Shadow just hadn’t realized that his life was leading up to meeting Sonic too, even if he had lived for decades before Sonic was conceived. He wasn’t quite sure yet what they were destined to be. Friends, like his young self had thought, perhaps. Or rivals, like GUN told him. Maybe even work partners like he’d hoped when they first captured Shadow. Maybe it was none of these. But maybe, it was all of them and more.

Sonic dashed back to his room. He leaned in towards his bookshelf and looked at the little camera. It looked the same. There was no telling what had happened to the electronics on the inside. He slipped off his shorts and underwear, dropping them into his hamper. He sat down on his bed. He sniffed. He looked down and picked up one of his pillows. He smelled it. Shadow. He pressed his face into it and gripped it with his claws. It was like it had been freshly washed with lavender detergent. Except the chemical undertones were lacking. This was fresh and organic. It was wonderful. Sonic felt around the pillow until he found holes in the fabric where Shadow had bit it. He rubbed them with his thumb. Then he bit the pillow too, settling his teeth into the holes. It was still wet where Shadow’s mouth had been. Sonic sucked at the pillow. He could taste him. He inhaled deeply through his nose and clutched the pillow to his chest.

The opening to his sheath tingled, widening. Sonic closed his eyes, trying to ignore it, but he’s never been so consumed by lust. Not even when he had been in the throes of a carnal puberty. He’d thought of taking his coworkers to bed before, but it was always a passing thought. He found the state of arousal itself more exciting than anything he imagined doing with them. He’d watched human porn before too. It aroused him just enough to perform if needed, but he never wished himself to be anyone in the video, never found himself unable to resist touching himself while he watched. Something had been lacking to truly catch his interest. They just weren’t like him. But now, each time Shadow’s sweet smell filled his nose, each time his tongue touched his fingers… forget that. Any time Shadow yelled at him. Any time Shadow’s head turned towards him. Any time he simply saw Shadow, he felt like he was going through puberty again. Except so much more intense. His fantasies created a level of arousal in him he’s never experienced before. He’s not even sure exactly what he’d want to do. He’s overwhelmed the moment Shadow’s hands find his skin in his mind. Shadow’s dick… what could he do with that? It was so flexible, it could probably wrap around Sonic’s and stroke it… Is that what they would do together? Sonic was reminded of Shadow’s tongue, the inside of his warm, meat-eating mouth, and he considered that. He considered taking Shadow’s muzzle off and giving him some hedgehog meat to swallow. It must be so hot in his throat… What did Shadow feel like on the inside? His heart couldn’t race any quicker as these thoughts swarmed in his head. He was so excited, his tail wagging and his foot tapping on the floor. He couldn’t contain all of this energy any more. His claws raked across his pillow as the warmth in his belly burst, and he shot cum onto the floor. When had his cock unsheathed?

Sonic let go of the pillow and set it aside. His cock was hanging out between his thighs, dripping with translucent cum. His cock was closer to red than pink, seemingly agitated. It twitched in the air. He hadn’t even touched it. Sonic groaned and hid his face in his hands. How embarrassing! What if Shadow touched him one day and he came in seconds? It would ruin it. “Fuck, fuck.” Sonic collapsed back on his bed. “Ow…” He leaned up and pulled something out from under him that stabbed him. He smiled at it. One of Shadow’s quills. Sonic looked around his bed and picked them out of his mattress. He nearly had a bouquet of Shadow by the time he finished. His quills buzzed in Sonic’s hand. They contained lingering energy from Shadow, but they weren’t inhibited. Sonic plucked a quill from his own head and brought it close to Shadow’s. An orange arc from Shadow’s quill met with a blue arc from Sonic’s. The electricity crackled and popped. Sonic separated them again. He did feel energy like magnetism when he was close to Shadow, but it wasn’t that powerful. “Hm.” Sonic opened the drawer to his nightstand and dropped the quills inside. He grabbed his band and secured it around his knot. He let out a breath of relief. He looked down at his dick. What would it feel like to knot inside of someone?

“Shut up.” Sonic patted his temples, squeezing his eyes shut. He took a deep breath. He got off the bed and went to sit in his beanbag. He picked up his phone and texted Tails, ‘Are you awake?’. He rested his phone on his chest and waited. After a few minutes, it buzzed.

‘Barely. What’s up?’

Sonic picked up his phone again. ‘Do you think you could come in a little early today?’

‘Yeah. Why?’

Sonic scratched his head. ‘I need some help with something. Before Espio’s in.’

‘What did you do?’

Sonic sighed. ‘Just come help me. I’ll owe you. You can have some of my energy for your personal projects.’

‘Give me an hour.’

An hour. Good. Sonic’s knot will probably be small enough to get himself back in his sheath by then. He got up and grabbed some clothes from his closet, but he paused, looking down at the fur on his legs and shoulders. He was going to take a shower, but he was curious if what Shadow said was true. It wasn’t hard to believe his fur would be softer if he stopped washing it, but would it really be clean? He gave it a shot. He put his foot on his bed and licked his palms. He smoothed the fur down on his leg. He was surprised how easily his fur settled. He slowly worked through both legs and the front of his body. He felt at his back. How was he supposed to reach that? Surely hedgehogs groomed one another more than they groomed themselves. When he did as much as he could, he lied on the floor to do some exercise while he waited. He did rounds of crunches and pushups, but he winced with each clench of his muscles. He’s probably bruised to hell under his fur. He’ll take some aspirin before he leaves his room.

About an hour later, Sonic was walking to the elevator wearing basic work clothes, a blank linen shirt, slacks, and his GUN branded racer jacket. He texted Tails to meet him on the top floor. Once he was there, he leaned on the wall by the elevator and waited. Sonic pushed off the wall when the doors opened. “Hey.”

Tails stepped out holding a pink box and a coffee cup. “Morning.”

“Are those donuts?” Sonic grinned, taking the box from him and looking inside.

“Yeah.” Tails sighed. “I’m the first one in today, so it’s my job to bring them.”

“Score.” Sonic put the end of a frosted donut in his mouth and spoke around it. “I’ll leave it in the break room.” He quickly dashed to the other room, dropped off the box, and returned to Tails. He took a bite off the donut and held the rest of it in his hand. “Will you take me into the surveillance room?”

“Why…?” Tails eyed him as he started walking down the hall. “What did you do?”

“Why does everyone automatically assume I did something wrong?” Sonic huffed as he stuffed the rest of the donut in his mouth.

Tails stopped walking, put his hands on his hips, and looked up at him.

Sonic groaned. “Fine, fine. You’re right. Keep it moving.” He got behind Tails and pushed his back lightly.

Tails started walking again. “So out with it.

“Um…” Nervousness settled in Sonic’s belly. He thought if anyone would be on his side, it would be Tails. He’d thought it over again, what Tails said to him when he showed Shadow to Sonic. He wasn’t actually animus towards Shadow. He was simply doing what he was told and believing it too. Like Sonic usually did. “So, I… Shadow.”

“What shadow?” Tails stopped outside the door to the surveillance room.

Sonic put his hand on the doorframe and leaned on it. “The hedgehog. You know, chained up in the basement.”

“Is that his name?”

“Yes, that’s—you didn’t know his name?” Sonic frowned. They must just be calling him by his identifying code. “Never mind that. I’ve been… I just need you to wipe some footage.”

Tails’ brows furrowed as he scanned his badge and walked into the room. Sonic followed him over to the main computer. “Where?” He logged into the computer with an insanely long password. He pulled up logs of footage.

“The stairwell…” Sonic bit the inside of his cheek. He leaned over Tails’ chair to see the screen.

In a few clicks, the screen was filled with the footage from different cameras in the stairwell, making a grid. Tails typed a command and the footage skipped to when it first captured movement. Him and Shadow ran through several of the rectangles. They stopped in one and bickered at the door until they tumbled into another rectangle. After a moment of discussion, the two descended the stairs, walking across the screen. Tails covered his mouth. “Oh, Sonic…”

“It’s fine. He’s back in his cell. The only proof anything happened is this right here.” Sonic gestured to the screen.

“You idiot.” Tails rubbed his face. “I feel bad for him too, but this was way too far.”

“Wait, you feel bad for him?” Sonic tilted his head. He was clinging onto any hope that someone here was good.

“Of course I do. I’m not a monster.” Tails leaned back in his chair. “But sometimes we have to do not so good things… Listen, I can delete this from the main system, but it scans for you. Every time you’re picked up on camera, a copy of the footage is sent directly to Espio. You really messed up.” Tails chewed his fingernails, nervous for the hedgehog.

“Oh my god.” Sonic crouched down by his chair, ears flat. There was nothing they could do. Wait, wouldn’t that mean this whole time, Espio’s been alerted to Sonic wandering through the facility at night? He hasn’t said anything. Perhaps it was just a safety measure, and he didn’t bother checking what was sent to him. “Well, he might not… look at it right?”

Tails turned his chair to face Sonic. “You better practice those puppy eyes before Espio gets here.”

Chapter Text

Gulp.

Sonic’s body was overflowing with anxious energy after what Tails had told him. He jumped around by his desk for a few minutes, but he was about to hit something. It wasn’t enough. He had to move. He was going to wait for Espio to come in and approach him first, but was that stupid? Really, maybe he wouldn’t check. Maybe Sonic should avoid him and hide his anxiety until he was able to get control over it. It was just going to make him suspicious. Worrying about it wasn’t going to help or solve anything. Part of him wanted to go to the low floor and guard Shadow. What if Espio got angry? Fuck. He’s really hoping he’ll take it out on him, not Shadow. Shadow didn’t do anything wrong. Sonic dashed back down to his bedroom to grab his ear piece and change out his dress shoes for running shoes. Then he went outside to the track. He took off his jacket and folded it, dropping it into the grass. He pulled each of his ankles up towards his butt to stretch. He shook his quills out and started running laps. He can’t be sure how long he ran for. But he skidded to a stop when a voice sounded in his ear.

“Come to my office.”

Shit. Sonic panted softly and dropped onto his butt. He fixed his quills. How serious is it? “I was just having a run. Can I finish up?”

“Now.”

“Yes, sir.” Sonic hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck. He was barely clinging onto the hope that Espio needed him for something unrelated. He rose again and collected his jacket. He slipped it on as he jogged back into the facility. He walked to the top floor leisurely. He stopped at the base of the stairs.

Espio was leaning over the railing of the balcony. His eyes caught Sonic. He stood straight and fixed his tie. He slipped his hands into his pockets before coming down the steps. There was a strange staticky clicking sound coming from his person that only served to increase Sonic’s nervousness. “Walk with me,” Espio commanded.

“Yes, sir…” Sonic followed him to the elevator. Should he say something? “Tails brought donuts.”

“I’m watching my cholesterol.” Espio stepped into the elevator with him and hit the button for Sonic’s floor.

Sonic’s ears lowered on his head, but he tried to get control of them. He forced them to cock forward in a relaxed position. “Is there something else we could bring for you in the mornings?”

“That’s alright. Unlike most of you, I remember to eat breakfast before I leave my house.”

“Right.” Sonic put his hands behind his back and dug his claws into his wrist. The ride to his floor was agonizingly long. Anything he thought of to say was stupid. He couldn’t assume he was in trouble, because if he wasn’t, that would alert the director he should be. He waited for Espio to step out first before he followed. As he feared, they walked to his bedroom. The older man stepped inside. At this point, Sonic had gotten used to the clicking, but it was becoming louder and more frequent as Espio walked deeper into the room. The man looked around while Sonic stood uncomfortably in his doorframe. What’s he looking for? He scanned his own bedroom, but he had hidden anything unusual in drawers. He should be fine.

Espio sat down on Sonic’s unmade bed with a long sigh. The clicking became rapid. He pulled a handheld geiger counter out of his pocket, the source of the noise. “You want to tell me how this much radiation got into your bed?”

Of course. A fool, he was, for avoiding Espio this morning. It probably urged the man to check his bedroom cameras to see if he had gotten up for the day. He would’ve recognized that they had been destroyed, and now… Sonic’s ears flattened on his head. He closed his arms around himself. “Um… got frisky with some uranium?”

“Sit down, kid.” Espio gestured to the beanbag in the middle of the floor. He turned off the device and set it down on the mattress. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”

“I know.” Sonic crossed the room and slowly sat in the beanbag. Maybe he wasn’t mad-mad. Maybe he was only disappointed-mad.

Espio scratched at his recently shaven face as he gathered his thoughts. “That was stupid.”

“I know…” Sonic frowned, looking down at the floor. Espio’s voice was calm and level. Why wasn’t he angrier?

“I don’t want to reward stupid behavior.” Espio pulled one of Sonic’s pillows to the space next to him and ran his fingers across the tears in it.

Sonic perked up a little, daring to look at him. “But? Am I sensing a but in your tone?”

“I think this is a good development. He wants to spend time with you?” Espio looked down on Sonic.

“Uh, well…” Sonic’s eyes unfocused as he replayed the time they’ve spent together in his head. The growling, and the head-butting, and the crawling away. “I’d say so.”

“I’ve told you I want you to make him an agent. Keep seeing him. But I want him to believe you’re going against me while you do it. It’ll encourage him to trust you.”

Sonic smiled at first. Permission to see Shadow? Hell yeah. But it dropped when Espio finished his thought. “Manipulate him?”

“Do whatever you need to bring him around.” Espio sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over closer to Sonic. “Because… I know you know that working with us is the best life he can have right?”

Sonic looked up at him with big eyes. “Yeah.” It’s true. He wanted that for Shadow. He just wanted to get him there an honest way.

“And you know he doesn’t trust me.” Espio brought his hand to his own chest. “If he finds out I’m okay with you sneaking him out, he’ll be suspicious. And won’t want to do it anymore. He’ll get reserved. You understand?”

Sonic had to admit he had a point. He could imagine the argument with Shadow now. Maybe he shouldn’t tell him. “Yes, sir…”

“Atta boy.” Espio rubbed the top of Sonic’s head, earning a wagging tail from the hedgehog. “You still need to be careful though. You can only take him out once everyone else is gone. He will hurt someone. Put him back before dawn. I’ll have the main floors go under lockdown each night. Never take off his restraints. Do not underestimate him. Think you can handle that?”

“Mhm.” Sonic nodded, smiling. Relief washed through his tense muscles. Espio wasn’t mad. It’s almost like Sonic had a good idea bringing Shadow up to his room.

“Good.” Espio smiled at him, a rare sight. “I mean it, Sonic. Don’t worry about anyone else. Say what you have to say. This is your mission now, to get him on board. It’ll be difficult. But do anything you have to do to get on his good side.” Espio’s hand lowered to squeeze Sonic’s shoulder. “Anything.”

Sonic’s smile faltered a little. Something about his touch made Sonic want to shrug it off. But he didn’t. “Sure, Director. I’ll get him to come around.”

“Good, good.” Espio pulled away and fidgeted with his cuff links. “Now, don’t ever pull this shit again. Stealing a badge from a higher ranking coworker? Breaking an asset out of containment? That was serious insubordination, Sonic.” He stood up, seemingly just to be higher above him. “I haven’t thought of how to punish you yet, but it’s coming. If you do anything like that ever again, I’ll take you off the team. You will never leave this building. Is that understood?”

Sonic’s ears flattened again as he looked at Espio’s feet. He sunk down a little lower in the bean bag. He can’t really say he didn’t deserve to be punished. “Yes, sir.” It seemed like Espio would leave Shadow out of it. That’s all he asked. “Um, is Shadow still being tested? It’s bringing him stress. He’s less receptive.”

Espio picked up the geiger counter and put his hands in his pockets. “We’re almost done. Then we’ll lengthen the leash a little bit.”

“Okay.” Sonic nodded. He would pass that information on to Shadow, give him some hope. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Espio walked to his door. He tilted his head, looking the hedgehog up and down, but he decided to say nothing more, and he departed from the space.

Sonic let out the breath he was holding when Espio left. He feels like he narrowly escaped that conversation with his pelt still on. He had to smile though. Just had to. It was a relief knowing he could see Shadow. He was going to do it anyway, but now he didn’t have to worry. The only problem now was considering whether he should tell Shadow that Espio was encouraging this. To be honest, he couldn’t see a benefit to telling the captive. Shadow might even lose some trust if he found out they were doing something Espio wanted them too. He’d be more resistant, and that was no good for anyone. So maybe Sonic will keep his mouth shut.

The day passed him by uneventfully. Most days did feel uneventful to him now. Each day was waiting for night. Didn’t matter if he was hanging with his team, doing paperwork, or on a mission. Shadow. Shadow was a whisper in his mind all day. Sometimes, he caught himself day dreaming, and he wondered if he was sick. Sick with obsession. He wondered what Shadow thought about. At best, his days were silent and still. Did he think about him while lying on the concrete? When Sonic left him in the morning, did he rub himself on the floor the way sonic rubbed on his pillow? These thoughts edged at his mind. Until he felt his pouch get tight around him, and he had to dig his claws in his arms to make himself focus on another sensation before it got out of control. The only long term distraction was getting his room ready for Shadow and making him some food. Then he was walking down the hall in Sub-14 with a gentle wag in his tail.

Sonic scanned his badge to open the door. “I’m back.” He walked in with a smile. Shadow was curled up with his tail between his legs at the back wall of the cell. His lips straightened out as he walked over to the dark shape. He crouched down. Upon closer inspection, Shadow was trembling. Sonic’s lips turned down. “What’d they do to you this time?” He turned Shadow to get a look at his body. He checked him all over, but he looked good. Not only unharmed, but his previous wounds were healed. His fingers looked normal now. “What’s the matter?” Sonic’s rested his hand on Shadow’s waist.

Shadow took a deep breath, then he was silent for a moment. His fists clenched. “Take me to your room.”

“Sure,” Sonic responded immediately. His hands unlatched Shadow’s ankle cuffs. Shadow was easy to pick up from his curled position. Every few seconds, Shadow shivered in his arms. Something was wrong. Maybe he was cold? Sonic held him close to his chest. He’d warm up in his bed. He dashed all the way up to his bedroom. The room was dim, all lights off besides the soft light from his alarm clock and a few candles he had lit on his nightstand casting an orange glow. Standing by his bed, he leaned over to pull the blankets down. He carefully set Shadow in the bed. The hybrid rolled over, turning his back to Sonic and curling up again. “Let me get your muzzle.” Shadow’s head turned back towards him. Sonic unbuckled it and set it onto his nightstand. Shadow’s muzzle had this little wrinkle to it by his nose. Sonic’s fingers traced his blindfold to the back of his head. He untied it, bringing it to the nightstand as well. Shadow’s eyes flitted around Sonic and the room. Then he turned away from him again. Sonic knelt down next to the bed, resting his head and arms on the mattress. He looked up and down Shadow’s shape. His fingertips touched his spine between his black quills. His fingers trailed down over his backbone, and Shadow’s defensive spines slid out of his back in the wake of Sonic’s touch.

The hybrid breathed deeply. “They… put me to sleep today.”

Sonic smiled a little. He took the blanket on Shadow’s hip and pulled it up towards his ribs. “That’s good. You didn’t have to feel any pain. Looks like you healed while you were out too.”

Shadow’s voice was a hoarse whisper caught in his throat, and Sonic had to replay it in his mind to ensure he understood. “I don’t know what they did to me.”

The words fell heavy right onto Sonic’s chest. He didn’t know how he could possibly soothe Shadow if that’s what troubled him. One of his hands rested over his mouth while the other gently rubbed Shadow’s hip.

Shadow shivered particularly hard. His voice was as unsteady as his breath. “It was sworn to me at a young age that my body would never belong to me. I suppose I should be… grateful I had it for a few decades.” A strained whine clawed at his throat, but he cleared it.

Sonic’s brows knit together tightly. Who told him that? Why would someone say that to him? What had been done to his body? What had been planned for his body? Sonic had many questions. But fortunately, he was aware enough to understand that this is not the time. Shadow needed comfort. Here he was, asking for it. Opening himself. Sonic had to reward him for this. He pulled his hand away from Shadow, unsure if he’d want it. “Your body belongs to you when you’re with me, Shadow.” This was a promise. Sonic had fought for him with a timid voice, but seeing how much this distressed the hybrid now, he swore to fight tooth and claw for Shadow’s autonomy.

Shadow stilled, holding his breath. He struggled a bit rolling over without the use of his hands. He faced Sonic, looking down into his eyes. The blue hedgehog gave him a kind smile. “I can’t stand the way you look at me…”

Sonic lifted his head from the bed. He pulled the blindfold off of the nightstand and tied it around his own head, covering his eyes. “Is this better?”

“Yes.” Shadow sighed in relief.

“Shadow, I…” Sonic rested his chin on his hands. “I won’t look at you if you don’t want me to. I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. Even though I-I…” He stuttered over the words until he felt a soft finger pad touch his cheek. He gave up on speaking as Shadow’s fingers caressed him, sliding through his short fur. Sonic took a deep breath. He forced himself to stay still. He didn’t even lean into it. His heart began to beat abnormally fast. Shadow’s fingers crossed over Sonic’s muzzle towards his mouth. One of his fingertips brushed Sonic’s bottom lip. Slowly, the blue hedgehog parted his jaw, opening his lips. His tail wagged behind him as Shadow’s finger traced back and forth from one end of his lip to the other. It moved towards the inside of his mouth, where his lip was shiny and wet. Sonic inhaled through his nose. Shadow’s hand smelled so nice. He wanted to press his face into it. He wondered what it tasted like. The tip of his tongue gingerly extended to touch the pad of Shadow’s finger. Then Shadow’s fingers left him completely. Sonic licked his lips and bowed his head, his claws digging into his mattress.

“Come here,” Shadow murmured.

“What?” Sonic lifted his head.

“I said come here. In the bed.” Sonic started climbing up without even standing first. He blindly pressed onto the bed, accidentally setting his knee on Shadow’s tail. Shadow pulled his Tail out from under him. “Slow down.”

“I’m sorry.” Sonic stopped moving, waiting to be guided. He hovered over Shadow on all fours. He could feel Shadow change positions beneath him.

“Lie on your side,” Shadow told him.

Sonic shifted and lied down carefully, making sure not to crush any body parts. His ears perked forward as Shadow pressed his body back against him. Sonic’s tail wagged furiously as he grinned.

“Now… put your arms… just…” Shadow sighed deeply.

“Hold you?” Sonic murmured.

“Yeah…” Shadow whispered.

Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow’s waist and pulled him close against his front. His head nuzzled Shadow’s cheek over his shoulder and he breathed in deeply through his nose, taking in his scent. Shadow shivered hard again, but it wasn’t from distress like earlier. His fur puffed against Sonic’s face. Sonic’s did too, sensing his response. Shadow’s chains rattled sharply. Sonic’s hands slid up Shadow’s arms. Shadow grabbed them tightly, his claws piercing Sonic’s soft skin. Sonic winced and lifted his legs to press up against the back of his thighs. Shadow’s fluffy tail pushed up between his legs. Sonic breathed slow and deep. He tried to put his attention on their hands together, but his pouch felt tight in his pants against Shadow’s butt. Shadow’s naked… he’s right there. All of him is right there against Sonic. The agent squeezed him a little bit. That sweet smell filled the air and Sonic moaned softly.

“What is that smell, Shadow?” Sonic lifted his head, settling his mouth by Shadow’s ear. “Smells so good…”

“It’s nothing…” Shadow tensed just a little.

“Okay.” Sonic accepted his answer. His breaths were these greedy little huffs, sucking in that smell. It was impossible to avoid. His cock slid out of his sheath, and it was narrowly contained in his thin leggings. He grimaced and went still, hoping Shadow wouldn’t feel it and send him away. Shadow didn’t say anything. His ribcage fell and expanded a little quicker in Sonic’s arms. His hand spread over Shadow’s chest. “Shadow…”

“Shh,” Shadow hushed him softly. “Relax.”

Sonic nodded and took another deep breath. He tried to calm down, but his heart pounded against Shadow’s back. He could feel Shadow’s heart pounding too into his palm. It wasn’t helping. “I… I want you to stay.”

“I know.”

Chapter Text

Shadow had become still and silent, so Sonic didn’t push it any further. Despite having been in such an excited state, the hybrid fell asleep shortly, leaving Sonic holding him with his erection pressed between them. His cock started to ache eventually as it was unstimulated and oh, how desperately it wanted to be. But he wasn’t focused on that. As Shadow slept, his state of arousal fell into one of peace. Shadow’s scent calmed him. It’s all he wanted to breathe forever on. And his fur, so soft. He felt Shadow’s chest fur. It’s all he wanted to feel forever on. He didn’t need to have sex with Shadow, as enticing as the thought was. He’s not sure he won’t die if he did. It took Sonic a little while longer, but he did fall asleep, breathing softly on the other hedgehog’s shoulder.

When, Sonic woke up, he was quick to note his cock had been removed from his pants and was tucked somewhere warm and furry. His hands Shifted down Shadow’s side to his hip. His thighs? He was between Shadow’s thighs. His tail wagged and he opened his eyes, but he couldn’t see anything. He’s still blindfolded.

“You’re awake?” Shadow murmured. “It felt so hot. Seemed painful.”

Sonic curled around him leaned his head forward. He kissed at the side of Shadow’s face, trying to reach his lips.

“Stop it.” Shadow turned his face towards the pillows.

Sonic whined softly but he stopped, resting his chin on Shadow’s shoulder. His grip on the hybrid’s hip was firm. That sweet smell was still in the air. Still fresh. He licked his lips as his legs shifted around the bed, antsy. He made sure to keep his hips still though.

“You’re like a dog begging for a treat.” Shadow scoffed. His fur puffed up for some reason.

“Please?” Sonic whispered, nuzzling his face into Shadow’s neck.

Shadow’s quills started flaring up too as his breath deepened. “Okay…”

“Thank you, thank you.” Sonic pressed a kiss against him, but he didn’t move. He squeezed Shadow gently. Shadow slowly straightened his legs and moved them back so Sonic’s tip peeked from the other side of his thighs. He shivered. Sonic shifted his hips back, dragging his cock between Shadow’s thighs. He gasped as he pushed it back through them. There was something hot and wet up towards Shadow’s crotch. It feels so inviting. “Mm…” He angled his hips to press his tip up against Shadow’s crotch. Shadow gasped this time. But then Something coiled around Sonic’s tip and brought it down away from his crotch. It was warm and slimy. It must be Shadow’s dick. The agent moved his cock back and forth again with a shuddering breath. His shaft slid through Shadow’s thighs while his tip pushed into Shadow’s tentacle dick that was curled into an O shape to fit around him. It was… the best sensation he’s ever felt in his entire life. Even better than that time he fucked a microwaved peach. He started humping into Shadow’s thighs. “Fuck, Shadow~ Shadow…” He tilted his head to whisper in his ear. He wanted him to know it was him that made Sonic feel this way. Warmth was already growing in his belly. He felt all over Shadow, up and down his torso, feeling each curve of muscle and angle of bone. His fingers caught on something in front of his ribcage. His fingers were nosey pushing through Shadow’s fur to feel what it was.

“Don’t touch that.” Shadow snapped.

Sonic pulled his hand away quickly. He stopped moving his hips. “Sorry. I’m sorry, Shadow.”

Shadow sighed softly. His cock started to stroke Sonic’s sensitive tip in a tight coil.

“Hah~ Shadow, I—oh my god—“ Sonic clenched his teeth and grabbed hold of Shadow’s hip as he came hard, spurting onto Shadow’s dick and the bed.

“That was quick…” Shadow’s dick rubbed itself along his tip as if cleaning him off. Then it retracted. Shadow closed his thighs around the growing knot between them.

“I’m sorry,” Sonic whimpered at his ear. That was bad, right? The men in the movies always apologized for that.

“Why are—you don’t need to be sorry for that.” Shadow slowly relaxed again.

“Oh, sorry.” Sonic mumbled. Was Shadow more familiar with… how this whole sex thing worked?

“Stop apologizing.”

“Sorry~” Sonic was smiling now. His hand moved down over Shadow’s hip towards his groin.

“Don’t.” Shadow tilted his hips away.

“Aren’t you… aroused?” Sonic smelled the air. Isn’t that what that smell was?

“I don’t need to be touched.” Shadow didn’t sound interested in elaborating.

“Okay.” Sonic huffed softly and squeezed him again. That didn’t really seem fair to him. Sonic gathered his breath slowly. He felt so… relaxed now. All of his muscles seemed to be melting. He lied against Shadow’s warm body. He groaned loudly when his alarm went off. He rolled onto his back, his cock pulling from Shadow’s thighs. He felt on nightstand until his hand landed on his phone. He silenced the alarm. “I don’t want to sleep with you.”

Shadow sat up. “What’s wrong with sleeping with me?”

“Then I can’t enjoy all our time together.” Sonic pulled the blindfold off of his face and set it down. He grabbed his silicone band and put it on his knot. He sighed softly. Shadow didn’t seem like the type to want to be penetrated, but Sonic hoped he’d let him one day. He can’t even imagine how good it would feel to be knotted inside him. He wondered if Shadow grew a knot when he came. He slowly looked over at the hedgehog. He was doing his best to groom himself. Sonic leaned in with his tongue out.

“Do not.” Shadow’s lip pulled up until Sonic huffed and lied back down.

He flipped over on his belly, pressing his cock into the mattress. “You’re so weird.”

“Me? Sure. But what does that make you?”

“A freak.” Sonic mumbled into his pillows. He’s so infatuated with Shadow. It can’t be normal.

“You’re not a freak, Sonic.” Shadow sighed. “You’re… you’re just lonely. Horny. You’re young. It’s normal.”

Sonic leaned up on his elbows. That didn’t sound right. He wasn’t quite lonely before he met Shadow. Now he feels empty when he’s without him. Horny? Sure. But it wasn’t due to his age. That was all Shadow. “And what of you? Tell me how you feel, Shadow.” Sonic hugged his pillow and turned his face away so Shadow wouldn’t be uncomfortable under his gaze.

“I feel like it’s time to get me back to my cell.” Shadow rubbed his quills on the wall to settle them.

“Shadow…” Sonic moved over to lie by his feet, now looking up at him with his puppy eyes.

Shadow quickly shut his legs. He must still be open with arousal. He looked down at Sonic. “What do you want?”

“When are you going to talk to me?” Sonic pouted. Yeah, fucking his thighs was fun, but he might trade it for some insight on Shadow’s feelings. He was so hot and cold. But Sonic still felt warm when he was cold, and when Shadow was hot, he was HOT.

“I’ll talk to you if you set me free.” Shadow’s face was stern, serious.

Sonic sighed and rubbed his face. “I don’t get it. Why do you want to leave?”

“Have you missed how they’re treating me?” Shadow pulled at the chains on his collar.

Sonic inched closer to rest his cheek on the top of Shadow’s foot. “I talked to Espio. He said they’re going to loosen up. If you hang in there a little longer, we can start moving in the other direction.”

Shadow let him rest there. “You just want me to forgive them for this?”

“Well… holding a grudge isn’t really helpful for anyone.” Sonic’s fingers brushed over Shadow’s ankle. “You don’t have to forgive. I won’t forgive. But you could choose to forget and live a better life. Here. Around people. With me.”

“You don’t understand…” There was an exhausted sound to his voice. It had a desperation to it. “I don’t have a choice. I can’t stay here.”

Sonic sat up, looking into his eyes with sincerity. “Of course, you have a choice.”

Shadow blinked. It was slow. It was a break from Sonic’s intense gaze. He opened his hands, and Sonic slid his into them. Shadow squeezed them. “You have to get me out.”

“I can’t do that. You know I can’t do that.” Sonic leaned closer to his face with sadness pulling on his lips. “But I swear, it’s not just because GUN won’t let me. I know you’ll be happier here than out there living on your own. It’s not perfect, but it’s something. It’s a life.”

Shadow leaned away. “It’s not about whether I’d be happier here. You’re not listening to me. I can’t. It’s not that I won’t. I cannot. You can let me out, but you won’t. You don’t understand.”

“I’m listening.” Sonic sat in front of him. “Tell me what’s going on in your head. Why can’t you stay? I’ll try to understand.”

“Oh, God…” Shadow mumbled, turning his face away. His eyes squeezed shut. “Just let me go and forget about me. It’s better for everyone, Zafiro.”

“Hey.” Sonic moved in front of his turned face. “Hey, look at me.” Shadow sighed deeply and reluctantly opened his eyes and looked into Sonic’s. “If you disappeared into thin air right now, and I lived a million years, on my deathbed I would remember the first time I saw you. The first time you spoke to me. The first time I held you. I could never forget you. Not ever. I’d sooner die. I am with you. I know that that’s kind of creepy and pathetic because I don’t even know you that well, but I can feel it. We’re connected, I know it.”

Shadow’s eyes began to shine as they filled with tears. “Don’t lie to me.”

Sonic frowned and pulled Shadow into his arms, hugging him close. “I’m not lying to you. I’m here for you.”

Shadow bit his lip hard, trying to keep himself from sobbing, though his shoulders still jerked with unsteady breaths. He laid his head on Sonic’s chest. “No puedo, no puedo. No me hagas querer quedarme, Zafiro…”

Sonic rocked him gently and kissed his head. “Talk to me.”

Shadow shook his head and clutched at Sonic’s shirt. “I don’t want you to know…”

“I’ll be listening when you do.” Sonic rubbed his side.

“Take me back before I say something I’ll regret,” Shadow murmured.

“I wish you would,” Sonic whispered back.

“I wish you would let me out.” Shadow pulled away from him.

Sonic stared at him, the fearsome weapon looking like little more than a kicked puppy. And he wanted to let him out. But he had to resist. Espio is right. This is going to be the best life for him. He needs someone to look out for him. He tried to kill himself while living on his own. He could succeed next time. This is for his own good. Sonic picked up the muzzle and blindfold from the nightstand. Shadow closed his eyes as he turned his head towards him. He was hidden away. Sonic pulled his leggings back up over his cock and lifted Shadow into his arms. It was time to separate again.

Sonic made the quick trip back to his cell. Once inside, he slowly got down to his knees and set Shadow on the floor. He got the ankle cuffs on him, sighing as he ran his hands along the chain. “I hope they leave you alone today.” He leaned in and kissed Shadow’s cheek through the muzzle.

“Me too.” Shadow lied down facing away.

Sonic frowned and reached out for him, but he stopped himself. He felt wrong. He’d done something wrong. Shadow almost really opened up to him, but now he was shut back down. But this had to be the right choice… he and Shadow could live here freely together. They could race on the track and power things twice as strong and take down bad guys together. Shadow could find a purpose. He just couldn’t see that future as clearly as Sonic is all. He’ll come around… right?

Sonic left him. He had to. He stepped back into his bedroom and turned on the lights. He walked over to blow out the candles. “Oh, shit.” He rubbed his head, looking at the old meat sitting on his nightstand. He forgot to feed him. Idiot. He thought about running it to him, but it’s been sitting out for hours. It could make him sick. He leaned over and blew out the candles. He climbed back into his bed. It smelled of Shadow again. He looked at the streaks of cum he had left in the sheets. He traced the outline of his tip through his leggings. He wanted to make Shadow cum. Wanted it badly. He prayed that Shadow would let him touch him one day. He doesn’t have much experience, but he would try really hard to make him feel good. He deserved it. Deserved so much more than this. So much more than living in the woods too. Sonic may never understand why he wanted to get back to that.

A short nap and a shit grooming session later, Sonic was dressed and ready to leave his room for the day. He tossed the old meat into a trash can in the hall on the way to the elevator. He went straight up to Espio’s office and knocked at his door.

“Come in,” Espio said, and Sonic entered the room. The older man was putting his overcoat on a rack in the corner. It was the first sign of cool weather to Sonic. “You’re active early today.”

Sonic walked in and sat in front of Espio’s desk. “Lately, I… past couple days, I’ve actually gotten enough sleep.”

“Good. I’d like your brain to be working at its best.” He sat down at his desk. “So, how was your night?”

Sonic sighed. His tail wiggled a little as he thought of holding Shadow. “Everything went fine… but he was upset. Yesterday, he was put under anesthesia?”

Espio leaned back in his chair. “Yes… he was.”

“Why? What did you do?” Sonic looked down at his hands in his lap. “It disturbed him that he didn’t know what happened.”

Espio shrugged. “Nothing happened. We were simply testing to see if it would work on him. It did.”

“Oh.” Sonic smiled. That’s not so bad. Shadow would be relieved to know that.

“We’re about done with poking at him. I’d like to see an expression of his energy, but we can’t really get that done without risking him getting loose. But we’ve gathered everything else. I’d love more information directly from his mouth, but…” Espio picked up a pen and clicked it. “I don’t see that happening any time soon. So you get it from him, and I’ll get it from you. I’m thinking about getting him out of that cell within a few days.”

“Really?” Sonic grinned. “Can he have his own bedroom like me?”

“Maybe… as long as he’s grateful for the freedom he receives and doesn’t try hurting anyone that works with him. I need him to tone down the aggression.”

“That’s reasonable.” Sonic nodded. “I’ll pass that on to him.” This is great. They really need to get things moving. Shadow has to start seeing how good his life could be here, then he won’t want to leave anymore, and he won’t be so sour.

“Good. I hope he’ll accept us. Seems like he needs a family, hm?” Espio tapped the pen on the desk.

Sonic smiled softly. “Yeah.” Thats all he wanted. To give Shadow a family or somewhere he could feel at home. “Thank you.” He got up.

“You should report to me in the mornings after you see him. Tell me what you talk about.” Espio looked up at him.

Sonic hesitated. “Sure, but we don’t always talk much. We sleep most of the night.”

“Right, that’s fine. But if there’s anything important said, you’ll come to me, right?”

“Yes, sir.” Sonic nodded and stepped out of the office. He stood at the edge of the balcony and looked out the window over the city. Of course, Shadow can stay. Staying was only going to get easier for him each passing day.

Chapter Text

Another night had come, and Sonic paused outside of Shadow’s cell to view himself in the mirrored glass. He used both his hands to ruffle his quills. Then he rubbed his fur the wrong way. It was a little uncomfortable, but he could handle it. Sonic walked inside. “Shadow~ Are you okay?”

Shadow was lying down as usual, back towards the door. He let out a long sigh. “What do you think?”

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck, his ears drooping. “I just mean did anything happen?” He knelt down behind the hybrid.

“They put me in an MRI machine. Duct taped me down because I wouldn’t hold still. Pulled at my fur coming off, but… that’s all they did.” He shrugged.

Sonic’s ears perked back up. “Oh, that reminds me.” He gently took Shadow’s feet and removed his cuffs. “I talked to Espio about yesterday. He said they were just testing anesthesia on you. Didn’t do a procedure.”

“And you believed him?” Shadow turned his head. He was blindfolded and muzzled again.

“Well… yeah.” Sonic sat back on his heels. “Why would he lie?”

“Why would they even care to try and put me to sleep? I was awake when they took my kidney and my finger. Why not have tried it then?” Shadow sat up.

“I don’t know, but—“

“They used anesthesia yesterday because they don’t want me to know what they did. It’s some sort of mind game. Or… they’ve done something permanent.” Shadow gripped his collar.

Sonic frowned and inched closer. “You’re sounding a little paranoid. I saw you regrow fingers. Nothing they’ll do to you is permanent.” He couldn’t address the suggestion that it’s manipulation though. He didn’t have an argument against it besides that it probably wasn’t.

“It doesn’t make sense…” Shadow let go of his collar. “Are we going to your room? I’m tired of this cold floor.”

“Yeah,” Sonic said softly, leaning in to slide his arms under him. He picked him up and got to his feet. “The director came in wearing a coat over his suit. Getting cool outside.” With most of the floors being underground, it was already uncomfortably cold. There was a heating system, but it neglected certain floors, and the cold was eager to seep in once winter came, and it often lingered into the spring. He needed to get Shadow permanently out of the cell by then. Sonic dashed up to his room. His indecision on whether to tell Shadow that Espio knew about what they were doing was a decision in itself. Though he didn’t need to run through anymore, he did it so Shadow wouldn’t question him. In his bedroom, he set Shadow down and took off his blindfold and muzzle. Shadow immediately climbed into the bed and gave a soft moan as he lied with his face in the pillows.

Sonic’s cheeks flushed a little bit. What a lovely sound. He walked over to the bed and set Shadow’s things on the nightstand. “Is it comfortable for you?”

“Demasiado cómodo.” Shadow nodded.

“Are you going to teach me some Spanish one day?” Sonic took his place kneeling by the bed.

“Hm… no.” Shadow turned his back to Sonic.

Sonic huffed softly. Whatever. Rouge knew Spanish. He’d ask her about the things he said… whenever he was able to recognize them. “Don’t go to sleep yet. I have food.”

“Let me out,” Shadow whispered.

Sonic sighed, taking the container of turkey from the nightstand. “I’m not going to do that. But Espio told me they’re about to give you more freedom.” He opened the container so Shadow could smell it.

“Then I’m not hungry,” Shadow muttered.

“Don’t do this to me, please.” Sonic’s ears lowered. It wasn’t a demand.

“To you?” Shadow started to roll back over. “What could I possibly be doing to—“ Shadow faced him. His eyes narrowed as he looked him over. “You look like a fool.”

“What?” Sonic sat straight. He touched his head and was poked by a quill. Oh, right. He shrugged, looked down into the dish as he separated pieces of turkey. “I tripped while I was running earlier. Rolled and everything,” he lied, making a rotating gesture with his finger.

“Of course you did.” Shadow rolled his eyes. “Seems like getting banged up is your specialty.”

Sonic huffed a little bit. “You’re the one banging me up most of the time.” He glanced at Shadow and made a weak attempt at grooming his shoulder. He was absolutely weaponizing incompetence.

Shadow saw right through him. “Are you serious right now?”

“Deadly.” Sonic couldn’t contain his grin, nodding.

Shadow sighed deeply, scanning the agent’s face. He moved towards the edge of the bed. He leaned his head off of it while his hands held the edge. He grumbled something in spanish and started licking Sonic’s face. His forked tongue worked like fingers smoothing his fur and tucking it into its correct spots. Sonic could feel its warmth. Even some of his saliva made it through to his skin. His lips parted as Shadow’s tongue made its way to his muzzle. The hybrid pulled back. “Turn around.”

Sonic hesitated. He had been hoping for a kiss to be honest. But he turned to sit with his back against the bed. Shadow’s tongue moved through his quills to settle them down. He occasionally used his teeth to rearrange individual quills out of place. Sonic’s tail was wagging. His body felt warm. Something about this process made him… happy? Or was it something else? It was… fulfilling. Completely different than getting scrubbed by a human in a tub.

“There. Now you look more like a proper hedgehog. Just do that with your hands. Your fur will look better in time.” Shadow shifted away and lied face down again, his arms tucked underneath him.

Sonic turned back around wearing a smile. His eyes trailed across Shadow’s body. “You know, the fur on your backside is looking a little rough. Can’t reach it at all, can you?”

“Give me that food…” Shadow muttered.

Sonic pushed the dish over by his head. Shadow was able to use his tongue to get the meat into his mouth. Sonic sat on the bed next to him. His eyes continued falling up and down the length of Shadow. His long tail was laid down across his butt and the back of his thighs, hiding anything private. “I could… would you like me to…?”

Shadow glanced back at him as he ate. “Fine…”

Sonic placed his hand low on Shadow’s back and ran it up and down, feeling its curve. He could easily feel the shapes of Shadow’s muscles under his pelt as well. Shadow let out a breath, and his spines slid from hidden holes along the center of his back. “Shh… it’s okay.” Sonic put his hand over the highest one, then brushed them all down from their standing position. They lied down and slowly retracted back inside of him. Shadow cleared his throat as he finished eating. He rested his head back down on the pillows. Sonic put his hands on the bed on either side of him and leaned down. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of his back, and Shadow’s shoulder blades rose. He opened his mouth and licked at one of them. It was strange at first, having fur on his tongue. But he realized his tongue was made for it. It had this rough texture to it that humans didn’t, and it worked through fur with ease. Sonic groomed across the top of his back, and Shadow slowly relaxed against the bed, his shoulder blades dropping and separating.

Sonic moved down slowly. He wanted to do it right. He wanted to do a good job. As he got towards the small of Shadow’s back, a sound came from him. Trilling. A foreign warbling sound unlike noise from any animal Sonic had ever heard. He couldn’t be positive what it meant, but there wasn’t an ounce of aggression leaking from it. Sonic leaned on Shadow’s thighs as he smoothed his hands up his back. The trilling briefly became higher pitch. Shadow shifted a little, nuzzling into the pillows. Sonic could feel his torso vibrating from the noise. Sonic smiled. It was a good noise. He could tell. A pleased noise. Like the way Sonic purred when he was rubbed in his ear. He hadn’t found a special spot though. Shadow was just making the noise due to being touched at all while his guard was down. He seemed sleepy. His breathing was calm and quiet. Sonic had groomed the entirety of his back at this point, but he didn’t want to stop if the dark hedgehog liked it. Well, he hadn’t been able to groom his legs and behind either… Sonic shifted down a little further, now face to face with Shadow’s butt. He cupped his hip and rubbed his thumb over one cheek. It was surprisingly soft. Most of Shadow’s body felt of tight skin, firm muscle, and hard bone. This seemed to be the only place on his body with excess fat. It wasn’t large though—just soft and rounded. Cute. He thought it was quite cute. He lowered his face until it reflected his breath back to him. He lowered it some more, until his lips pushed into it. The soft flesh dented under the pressure. He looked up at Shadow’s head, but his face was hidden. His ears were perked, waiting to hear a command to stop, but as he started to lick Shadow’s bum, his ears only filled with trilling. He skipped over Shadow’s tail to groom the other side of his butt. He gave long, kind licks. He cupped Shadow’s butt with his hands as he moved down some more towards the top of his thighs. He began to lick there. His face migrated towards the inner edge where his cheek fell against Shadow’s fluffy tail. Sonic froze with his tongue out when his tail slowly lifted and slid to the side, exposing between his legs.

Sonic noticed his smell first. It was Shadow’s scent, but so strong. Pheromones. He hadn’t smelled anything so concentrated on a human. He loved this smell. It even had a sharper twinge to it than the airy lavender and pine coming from Shadow normally. Sonic’s peered invasively between his thighs. There was his furry white pouch in an angle Sonic hadn’t seen before. It seemed small with a unified curve. The shape of his testicles inside couldn’t be made out, and it was seamless joining his taint. Sonic bit his lip and brought his nose inches away from it. He inhaled deeply. He smiled and his heart rate increased. His hands lightly gripped Shadow’s thighs and pushed them open a bit further. He nervously gave a little lick where Shadow’s thigh joined his ass. Shadow said nothing. So he continued. He licked dangerously close to Shadow’s groin, enjoying the smell and the heat coming from it. The smell got sweeter as he did. Sonic lifted his head a little to get another look. He pressed his thumbs into Shadow’s bum and spread him a little bit. He wouldn’t have been surprised to see Shadow’s cock slide out of an opening hole in his pouch, but that isn’t what happened. It sort of… blossomed open. Looking akin to a time lapse of a rose blooming. His pouch seemed to be made of different instances of flesh wound together to hide the precious thing underneath. Underneath wasn’t what he expected either. The way it was opening, he perhaps expected to see Shadow’s cock and his balls, maybe they’d be hairless. But it was shiny, slick, warm pink flesh under his dick. It was a slit. Like a vagina? But it didn’t have the excess folds that a human’s did, just a bit of swelling on either side that must be glands. It was so small that Sonic questioned whether it could be equivalent to a vagina, but he could see that just behind it, Shadow had a normal looking anus. Whatever it was, its sweet smell slapped him in the face. His fur slowly puffed up. His cock was already hanging out of its sheath and twitching as if it was an instinctual response to the sight. He was salivating too. He didn’t look away from it as he spoke.

“Shadow? What is this?” Sonic wiped his mouth. His hand lowered underneath him into his loose shorts. He rubbed his tip. His cock was already screaming at him. He’s not sure whether it or him was more excited. He pushed his shorts down under his balls. “Can I touch it? Shadow?” He forced himself to look away from it to Shadow. The trilling had gotten quiet and Shadow was still. Sonic crawled up over his body and turned his head. Shadow’s eyes were closed. He was sleeping. Sonic whined softly and looked down at his cock hovering over Shadow’s ass. His claws pierced his bed. What did he feel like on the inside? Would it even fit?

Sonic moved back down on the bed. He lied down next to Shadow and rested his cheek on his thigh, angled so he was face to face with the pretty little thing. It looks so wet. He dropped some of his excessive spit into his hand and rubbed it up and down his shaft. He licked his lips as he started to stroke himself. He tightened his grip around himself. It must be tight too. He stopped moving his hand in favor of thrusting his cock in and out with the motion of his hips. The bed creaked quietly. Sonic whimpered softly and nuzzled Shadow’s thigh. He’s never wanted anything more in his life. He wished Shadow was awake, but he wouldn’t disturb his sleep for this. Shadow shifted his hips on the bed, and the subtle movement was plenty to wake up butterflies in Sonic’s stomach. An excited shiver rolled up his spine. He wanted to see Shadow grind. Or ride. He wanted to see him move with pleasure filling his body. He huffed in the smell of Shadow’s crotch, and his cock twitched with nearly every inhale. He tried to stay quiet. He managed to keep from moaning but a small gasp or whimper would fall out of him every once in a while. And the occasional whisper of his fascination’s name. “Shadow… Sh-shadow. Hm, Shads~”

Sonic’s eyes were trying to shut as the pleasure overwhelmed him, but he fought to keep them open so he could keep looking at it. It seemed even slicker now, like it had been producing its own lubricant. In Sonic’s head, it was for him. All for him. Ready to take him inside. Inside. Sonic bit his lip hard to stifle his groan, and his canine pierced his lip. He squeezed his legs together as he came. He stropped moving his hips and stroked both his hands up and down his length, urging all of his cum out. He let go of his lip to pant softly. He kissed Shadow’s thigh as he released his cock and slowly sat up.

“Shit!” He moved onto his knees. Streaks of his cum were across Shadow’s back, settling into his fur. He looked around his bed, unsure of what to use to clean him. He leaned down and groomed the hybrid’s back again, licking up his own cum out of the black and red fur. He did wrinkle his nose, but it didn’t taste as bad as he was expecting it to. He fixed Shadow’s fur before leaning over him to grab his band from his drawer.

He was getting sick of this flimsy thing. And it was getting stretched out. It wasn’t nearly as tight as the day he stole it from the aircraft hangar. It’s actually a thick O-ring he stole years ago. It had been a great help keeping his knot from aching in the still air, but all of a sudden, it wasn’t enough. He wanted the real thing. He wanted Shadow. He lied down next to the hedgehog with a sigh and put the band around himself. He turned his head towards Shadow and smiled softly. He shifted closer so their noses nearly touched. He was pretty pleased on his way to sleep.

The next morning, he woke up startled by the sudden noise of his alarm. He felt at his hip until he found his pocket. He silenced his phone.

“I’m getting real tired of that noisy thing. What is it anyway?” Shadow grumbled from where he was sitting next to him.

“This?” Sonic took his phone out. “It’s a cell phone…”

“A cell phone? It doesn’t have any buttons on it. How do you use it?” Shadow leaned in to look at it.

Sonic sat up, smiling at his interest. He held it between them. “The whole screen is like a button. Like how you can click anywhere on a computer.” He unlocked his phone and swiped to show him.

“Oh.” Shadow touched it too. He clicked an app. It was his photos. “These look so colorful.”

“Yeah, pictures have come a long way.” Sonic swiped through to show him. There were an embarrassing amount of selfies. But there were also pictures with his team and Espio. “These are my friends. There’s Amy. She’s team leader. And then Rouge and Tails. And there’s Knuckles. You shot him, but he’ll probably be back to work pretty soon. He’s stubborn.”

Shadow scoffed. “Friends, hm?”

“You can be friends with your coworkers.” Sonic put his phone in his pocket. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He tried to be subtle as he removed the band from his pants and put it in his drawer.

“Right…” Shadow muttered. He turned to sit next to Sonic. Their full feet didn’t touch the floor, but the ball of Sonic’s feet and his toes rested on it.

Sonic nudged his shoulder. “I’ll introduce you to them one day.”

“I don’t want to meet them.” Shadow looked down at their feet.

“It won’t be so bad. I promise. They’ll be nice to you.” Sonic would make them.

“It’s not that. I can handle people being rude.” Shadow sighed.

“Then…?” Sonic leaned closer.

Shadow leaned away. “It doesn’t matter. I just don’t want to.” Then a smell seemed to catch his nose. He chittered softly. He glanced at Sonic. He looked at his lips and then licked his own. “You’re bleeding…”

“Oh.” Sonic’s ears perked at the noise from Shadow. When had he heard that before? He touched his lip. He wiped it. “Bit it in my sleep…”

“Mhm.” Shadow’s noise stopped. He looked away again.

Sonic smiled. He was still leaned in. “You enjoyed my grooming last night, huh?”

“Tch.” Shadow turned away.

“You made this trilling sound. Like… I don’t know, a mix between a purr and birdsong.” Sonic’s hummed. He thought it was very pleasant.

“You think that sound had anything to do with you?” Shadow cocked a brow at him.

“No. I know it did.” Sonic tested the waters, shifting his leg closer so the fur of their ankles and knees brushed together. His face came even closer to Shadow’s.

Shadow turned to look him in the eye. “I can smell the semen on your breath.”

“What?” Sonic leaned back, covering his mouth. Half the blood in his body rushed to his cheeks.

“I think you enjoyed it more than I did.” Shadow leaned in himself now, scanning him with suspicious eyes.

“No, I just… I-I… It’s morning breath.” Sonic got up and quickly walked to his bathroom. He ran his sink and started brushing his teeth. Shadow got up from the bed and stretched. He checked himself, then looked over at Sonic. He shook his head. Sonic rinsed his mouth and splashed some cool water on his hot face.

Shadow walked to stand in the doorframe. He leaned against it. “You didn’t… you didn’t touch me, right?”

Sonic shook his head rapidly, turning to stand in front of him. “No, no, no. I was just grooming you. But I didn’t lick between your… I didn’t touch your pouch. I know that I’m… excitable, but I promise, I would never do something like that to you.” He offered his hand.

Shadow looked him up and down, considering. He didn’t give Sonic his hand, but his fingertips traced his palm. He nodded slowly. “I… I believe you.”

“But if you asked, I wouldn’t hesitate for—“

“I know.” Shadow cut him off. His tail swayed behind him. He didn’t know what else to say about it, so he just looked away again.

“Right, I guess I’ve made that pretty obvious…” Sonic laughed softly as he walked back into his bedroom. He picked up Shadow’s blindfold and muzzle.

“Yes, you have.” Shadow walked to him and waited.

“I wish you were as easy to read.” Sonic gently tied the blindfold around him. Shadow’s lips tightened. He had nothing more to say. So Sonic put the muzzle on him. He picked him up and walked to his door. He paused a moment, but he didn’t know where to go from here. So he returned Shadow to his cell for the day, hoping he wouldn’t be touched by anyone else before he came for him again.

Chapter Text

Sonic got a workout in before he went upstairs for the day. He didn’t shower after. His fur did genuinely seem a little softer today, moisturized by Shadow’s saliva. He wanted to preserve it. Maybe they could make a habit out of mutual grooming, and he would become as soft as Shadow. Shadow. As usual, the hedgehog lingered in his mind throughout the day. In the morning, he had sifted through what of Shadow’s file he had access to again. He looked for something, anything that could answer some of his questions, but it was clear all of the information in it was observed or stolen. There were no chat logs or quotes from Shadow. He wondered if he should ask about his family. Maybe it would soften him up talking about them. He can’t stay, he’d said. Sonic can’t think of a single reason why. He’d emphasized that it was can’t. Not that he didn’t want to. He could understand not wanting to. But can’t… hm. That hedgehog is so frustrating. Why won’t he just speak?

After what must’ve been his ninth read through, he gave up on the file. But he searched the database for information on the alien species Shadow was mixed with. All he found was a brief document with an old photo attached.

Alien species from an exterior unknown solar system. Shares kinship with [REDACTED]. Created by the being Black Doom to be soldiers. Take several different forms (see attached files for additional information). Functions as hive mind. Minimal contact with Earth has occurred. Threat Level: GREEN at the presence of a single individual. Estimated Threat Level: RED—when number of individuals exceeds 100.

Black Doom… Sonic hasn’t heard that name before. He’s not an enemy GUN has faced since Sonic’s been around. Or any of his aliens for that matter. So did he have a hand in Shadow’s creation? He must’ve if Shadow shares his DNA. Unless a black arms creature was captured and used by the scientists who made him. He searched for his file. He found one, but there was no image attached.

Creator of Black Arms alien race and genetic father of [REDACTED] from exterior unknown solar system. Maintains control of Black Arms. Able to manipulate perception, spacetime, and reality itself. Capable of levitation and teleportation across light years. Cognitohazard—do not touch, limit direct visual contact. Threat Level: JET-BLACK.

Sonic hadn’t even realized he was leaning closer to the screen, his demeanor shifting from mildly frustrated to intrigued. This was an extremely powerful individual. Not many earned that threat rating. He had never come into contact with someone of that threat level. He was pretty sure what was redacted was just Shadow’s name. Making this Black Doom guy the source of his alien DNA. Does Shadow have powers like that? He can teleport, but what of the other things? Likely not—considering he hadn’t escaped yet. Shadow said he was made to save someone… What did Black Doom have to do with that? He continued reading.

Four instances of Black Doom entering Earth’s atmosphere have been recorded.

1957: An anomaly was detected near [REDACTED]. It is assumed this is when the deal to create [REDACTED] was agreed upon. Ground contact was not made by himself, only Black Arms individuals. Minimal damage ensued.

1960: Black Doom was identified once again near [REDACTED]. It is assumed he was visiting to verify the successful creation of [REDACTED]. Ground contact was not made.

1973: Black Doom was identified once again near [REDACTED] The purpose of this visit to [REDACTED] is unknown. It is possible he was there to check the progress of [REDACTED]. Ground contact was then made by himself and Black Arms individuals. An open threat to take over the planet was made. Major damage reported in California and eastern Russia. Black Doom left on his own terms. Estimated human death toll of [REDACTED]. Estimated Black Arms death toll of 250.

1983: Black Doom was identified near the last known location of [REDACTED] before its destruction. It appears he was looking for [REDACTED]. Ground contact was not made.

It seems like they didn’t know the specifics of ‘the deal’ that had occurred between Black Doom and Shadow’s human creator. Just that the two were involved, and Black Doom’s DNA was used in his creation. But Sonic was grateful for the new information. A new name attached to Shadow. Where was Black Doom now? It seemed like he just abandoned Shadow. He had been visiting semi-regularly, but he hasn’t been reported in over forty years. Sonic lightly nibbled on his claws as he looked over the screen. Did GUN want him for a reason beyond reforming him into an agent for protecting the planet? Did they want him for the reason Black Doom or Eggman’s grandfather did? Yet again, he looked over the hybrid’s file. Great expanses of text were redacted. Shadow himself was classified. There was nothing useful here. Even with the added context from the other files he just read. He was forced to stew over this while returning to his boring work.

Sonic’s ear twitched as Espio spoke to him through the piece inside it. “Hey, squirt. Wanna see Shadow?”

Sonic covered his mouth to hide his smile in case Espio was watching him. He knows it had only been about six hours since he had seen him last, but he would be excited to do it again. “What’s the occasion?”

“I think it’s time you take him for a walk, don’t you? Show him some things. We’ve taken steps to make sure we can give him more freedom without risking escape.”

Sonic frowned. What the hell did that mean? They’ve done something to him… Sonic stood up. “Where should I meet you?”

“Head on to his cell. I’m already there.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be there soon.” Sonic took a deep breath. He walked to the elevator with clenched fists. What could they have done… please just be a thicker collar or something. He scanned Tails’ badge and hit the button for Shadow’s floor.

His skin was prickling by the time the doors opened again. He was itchy. Nervous. He walked quickly down the hall with buzzing legs. He stopped when he rounded a corner and saw Espio standing in front of the glass with his arms behind his back, gazing in. He was holding a collar with a chain attached to it, one Sonic hadn’t seen before. It was missing the glowing crease down the center that the inhibiting cuffs and collars had. His pace slowed as he walked back over. He braced himself before he looked through the glass. Shadow actually looked… alright from here. Of course, Sonic could only see his backside as he was curled up away from them. He squinted. There was something on his back though. And he was trembling.

“Come on.” Espio nodded towards the door to the cell. “I’ll fill you in.” He opened it. Sonic followed hesitantly. Espio stopped quite a distance from Shadow, but Sonic stepped closer. “First of all, we got him into a permanent inhibitor collar. It’s welded around his neck. And it no longer has a dial on it so he can’t get to it. It’s controlled remotely. It’s equipped with a taser like the last one.”

Okay, not ideal, but they could handle that. He knelt down by Shadow. The hedgehog was trembling steadily and occasionally interrupted by a shiver. He ached for Shadow. Ached to hold him. Something more invasive had to have happened to make him like this. In the small of his back, just above the base of his tail, there was some small metal device implanted in his skin. The area around it had been shaved. It was surgically implanted. “What is this?” Sonic pointed to it.

Espio sighed. He twisted the collar he had around in his hands. “That… is for just in case scenarios. It’s equipped with a sensor that can identify whether he leaves the property. If he does, it will trigger. If he tries to remove it, it will trigger. It’s connected to his collar as well. If he tries to remove that, it will trigger.”

“Trigger… what happens when it triggers?” Sonic swallowed dryly.

Espio stood quiet for a moment. Then he put a hand on his hip and looked down at the collar he was holding. “It will eject a blade into his spine, paralyzing him from the waist down. The blade will remain there, preventing him from healing until we remove it.”

Paralysis? Of his legs? Sonic gripped his own thighs. He couldn’t imagine anything more horrific for their kind. Unable to walk, let alone run. Unable to feel. That’s helplessness. That’s hell. He was already begging Shadow in his mind not to try and escape. He didn’t want him to experience that. “Shadow…” Sonic murmured. “Did the procedure hurt?” He came around to sit in front of Shadow. Sonic’s ears dropped as low as they could on his head. His face blanked, and suddenly, it was very chilly in this cell. Shadow was muzzled as usual, but he wasn’t blindfolded. His brows were tucked in, shaping his eyes fierce and angry, though they were filled with tears. His arms were crossed over his chest. They had been severed at the wrists. His hands were gone.

It might as well have been in an instant that Sonic arrived toe to toe with Espio, sending a gush of air past the man. His ears were back flat, and his quills were spiked out in all directions. He snarled up at his boss. “You took his hands? What the hell is wrong with you?”

Espio didn’t flinch like Sonic wanted him to. He moved his hands back behind him. He looked down at Sonic with narrowed eyes. He considered his state, looking from his quills to his ears to his teeth and finally settling on his eyes. “No biggie. They’ll grow right back, as you know. It’s just one more precaution. He’s been feisty today. Didn’t want him trying to remove his new gear. He’ll settle down as they regrow, and we won’t remove them again.”

Sonic breathed slowly. He saw something else when he looked Espio up and down now.  His lips dropped back down over his teeth and he walked off to kneel back down by Shadow who was now turned, watching him with big eyes. The poor hedgehog leaned his head forward until his forehead pressed into Sonic’s thigh. Sonic bit back his own tears seeing Shadow so… mangled. He must be in so much pain. He tried to compose himself around Espio, but his quills were still bristled out. He moved his fingers through Shadow’s quills. This hadn’t been necessary. Not at all. It shouldn’t have been worth the pain it caused either. Sonic’s hackles raised as Espio stepped closer, scanning the two of them. He felt vulnerable under his stare. Like he shouldn’t expose that he cared for Shadow. Like he shouldn’t expose that there was a drop of comfort Shadow found in his presence. Like he shouldn’t have yelled in Espio’s face moments ago.

Sonic watched as Espio tucked a chain to Shadow’s new collar. There wasn’t much space between it and his skin, so he had to use some force to loop it through and connect it. “Come here.” He grabbed Sonic’s chin with a little more roughness than usual and pulled his head forward. He fastened the collar that was connected to the chain around Sonic’s throat and locked it with a physical key. Sonic’s brows came together in confusion. He looked down at the chain connecting his and Shadow’s collar. Espio moved over to remove the cuffs from Shadow’s ankles. “Take him for a walk. Show him around some of the underground floors. The locker room is fine. The mess hall. The medbay. Wherever he may need to return to in the future.”

Sonic got to his feet, but he had to lean over to keep the chain from pulling at Shadow. Sonic offered his hands, but the other male managed to get up without using his arms or Sonic’s help. He glanced at Espio before walking forward towards the door. He looked back at Shadow every several steps to make sure he was following and wasn’t being pulled on. Every time he looked, Shadow was already looking back at him. He left the cell with Shadow and quickened his pace to the elevator. Shadow kept up. They waited together for the doors to open, looking at one another. Once inside, Shadow leaned against the wall as Sonic hit the button for his floor.

After the doors shut, Sonic pulled his piece out of his ear and turned off the device. He looked to Shadow. “Fuck him. You wanna go to my room for a nap?”

“Yeah.” Shadow nodded immediately.

“I’m so sorry.” Sonic stood in front of him. Their respective ends of the chain came to rest on their chests. He put his hands on the railing on either side of Shadow’s hips. He looked down at the smaller hedgehog who looked right back up at him but didn’t say anything. They stood like that, close enough to feel each other’s warmth, and Shadow’s shivering stopped, though his trembling didn’t. The doors opened again, but neither moved. Sonic was hunching over him just a bit, casting him in shadow, as if hiding him.

“Sonic…” Shadow let out a breath at the last sound in his name, tilting his head back to face him directly.

“Sorry. Lets go.” Sonic broke away, clearing his throat. The chain lifted between them as he began to walk. He had to lead. Shadow had never seen the way to his room. Sonic shut the door as soon as they both were inside. He was able to get Shadow’s muzzle off swiftly by now. It dropped to floor as Shadow pinned Sonic against the door with his body. He rose onto his toes, his body sliding up along Sonic’s as he kissed his lips. Sonic inhaled sharply through his nose. His tail wagged furiously as he wrapped his arms around Shadow’s torso and squeezed him. He hadn’t even intended to lift Shadow further up, nearly off of the ground completely. His hand settled into the base of Shadow’s quills. All of his fur stood with excitement when he felt the tips of Shadow’s tongue touch his lips. He was happy to open his mouth and receive it. He moaned softly around Shadow’s tongue as it filled his mouth. He opened his jaw, and pressed his own tongue against it. His pouch tightened.

Shadow pulled away, and both of them gasped. He licked his lips and dropped back down to flat feet. He shook his head as he gazed up the younger male. “No sé cuál de nosotros es más cruel… el zafiro o la sombra.” His lips seemed to dance over the words.

Sonic licked his lips when he saw him do it. “Zafiro… what’s that mean?” he whispered. “You’ve said it before.”

Shadow looked away. “It means hedgehog.”

“Liar.” Sonic cupped Shadow’s cheeks and gently made him look at him. “Are you shaking because you’re cold or hurting?”

“Both. The cauterized my arms. The rest of my body feels cold,” he whispered.

“I have the painkillers here.” Sonic walked for his nightstand. He grabbed the bottle out of it and dumped two pills in his hand. Shadow sat on the bed and opened his mouth. Sonic put the pills in his mouth. Both hedgehogs got into the bed. Shadow curled up, and Sonic curled around his back. He pulled the blanket up over them both to keep in their body heat. He wasn’t flat on his side. He had one arm across Shadow’s torso, and he leaned over him, his head resting on Shadow’s. He rubbed Shadow’s forearm. He breathed out of his mouth on purpose, sending hot breath into his twitching ear. He stared at his bedroom door with a stern expression. Slowly, over half an hour, Shadow calmed underneath him, his body becoming still and his breath leveling out. He  put his ear piece back in. He’d need to hear when Espio demanded he take Shadow back so he wouldn’t come looking for them.

Chapter Text

Sonic held him as he slept. He watched him grow. The burned flesh at the ends of his arms fell away, exposing fresh wet flesh. Over time, bone extended beyond the stump, but his ligaments and muscles weren’t far behind climbing up along the bone like tendrils. It was the most incredible thing he’d ever seen. Like science fiction. Or like Shadow was some sort of god. Unable to be killed, unable to be so much as scarred. His fingertips traced the brand new knuckles Shadow had grown effortlessly in his sleep. His muscles were creeping up towards them, and his finger bones hadn’t been made yet. His skin was just now generating at the base of his hand. It was without fur.

“That’s enough for today. Bring him back,” Espio spoke in his ear.

Sonic sighed. “Yes, sir…” He reached in his ear to turn it off again. He held Shadow’s half hands in his own. There hadn’t been enough time. He wasn’t completely sure how Shadow’s regenerative factor worked, but it seems that it works much quicker as he sleeps. He pressed closer to him and gently licked at his ear. “Shadow~” Shadow let out a soft breath and curled up tighter. Sonic rubbed his arm. “I have to take you back.”

“I don’t want to go,” Shadow whispered in his Spanish accent, but he had forgotten to switch to the language. He pressed the side of his head against Sonic’s.

Sonic closed his eyes and nuzzled him, holding him tighter. He would relish every moment that Shadow was open and willing to let him close. He kissed his cheek. “I’m going to see if he’ll let you stay with me from now on.” He had to loosen his grip as Shadow turned onto his back next to him.

“You stood up for me.” The hybrid looked up into his eyes.

“I should’ve done it sooner.” Sonic lifted one of Shadow’s hands and kissed the moist muscle.

“Don’t look at them.” Shadow tucked his hands under his arms. “They make me look like a monster. A zombie.”

“No, they don’t.” Sonic pulled at his arms. “They’re life, Shadow. They’re proof of your everlasting life. Your ability to come back from anything.” Shadow didn’t show his hands again, so Sonic leaned over him and kissed at his arms. Then he kissed at his chest near where his hands were tucked.

Shadow gasped at the tender kisses. “Stop it.” He brought his hands to Sonic’s face to push him away. Sonic took the opportunity to kiss his hands, and fresh blood smeared on his face. Shadow tried to grip him, the ends of his knuckles pressing into his muzzle. “Don’t you understand what you’re doing to me?”

“No. No, I don’t understand. You won’t explain it to me.” Sonic leaned towards his face only for him to turn away.

“I’m not going to stay here.” Shadow snapped. “I can’t. So stop making me want to.” The aggression faded from his voice with his next phrase. “Please stop.”

“You can’t stay. I can’t let you go… so what do we do?” Sonic murmured, tilting his head so he and Shadow were face to face. Shadow sighed deeply and closed his eyes tightly. “Can I kiss you…?” Shadow nodded slowly. Sonic smiled a little and leaned in to kiss him softly. His body lowered on top of him, pressing against him. This time, Sonic’s tongue entered Shadow’s mouth. He traced each of his teeth. His canines were the largest, but all of his teeth were sharp. Even the molars had triangular edges to them. A noise came up out of his throat, that trilling. Sonic slowly broke the kiss, looking over his face. “Give up.”

“What?” Shadow was staring at his lips. He squirmed a little beneath him, leaning his head up to kiss him again.

Sonic lifted out of his reach. “Stop fighting this. Fighting me. Give up.” Shadow groaned, his trilling going silent. “I know you want me. Want to stay… so stay.” He let his forehead rest against Shadow’s. Shadow looked up at him with wide eyes, his fur rising.

The dark hedgehog opened his mouth, but he couldn’t find the words. He shut it again, his brows coming together over his eyes. He took a deep breath then spoke again. “There’s more at stake than you or I.”

“More at stake? Like what? Tell me about your creation. Why was Black Doom involved?” Sonic questioned.

Shadow’s ears flattened. They tilted down just a little, a subtle sign of submission. “Where did you hear that name?”

Sonic scanned his features. “I put some things together. Found his file in the system. It said he created you. With that other Robotnik guy. Why were you made?”

The question itself seemed to startle Shadow. The pace of his breathing quickened. He was staring at Sonic, but not seeing him. Something else. Someone else, some other place or time. He shook his head and pushed at Sonic’s chest. “Get off of me.”

“Shadow…” Sonic frowned, but he listened, shifting off to lie next to him. “I didn’t mean it if that was rude. But I want to know more about you. It’s not fair to debate you when I don’t have all of the information.” Shadow turned away from him and curled up. He had gotten cold again. And the blue hedgehog knew it was because he probed, but this information had to come out of him at some point. Sonic petted his quills gently.

A knock sounded at Sonic’s door. “Sonic. You in there?” It was Espio.

“Fuck,” Sonic mumbled. He got out of the bed but stayed close due to the chain. He wiped his mouth, smearing blood on his sleeve. “Yeah.”

Espio opened his door. “What are you doing in here? I told you to bring him back.”

Sonic didn’t meet his eyes. He rubbed his arm. “He was hurting, so I brought him to have a lie down. He was kind of hard to wake up.” Shadow sat up on the bed beside him, glaring daggers at Espio. If looks could kill, he’d be crucified.

Espio ignored the hybrid. “Let’s go.”

Sonic sighed and walked with Shadow towards Espio. He leaned over to grab Shadow’s muzzle from the floor. His ear rotated as he heard that chittering sound again. Something about it made him nervous. He looked back at Shadow, who was locked in on Espio. The understanding hit him, brought on by the primal look in Shadow’s eyes. He chitters when he identifies prey. Sonic dashed for the back of the room just as Shadow lunged for Espio with his teeth bared. He was caught by the throat in mid air as the chain pulled his collar. He fell to the floor and slid back towards Sonic. He didn’t miss a beat turning over onto his feet to step towards Espio, but Sonic planted his feet on the floor and leaned all of his weight back so Shadow’s pads slid uselessly on the floor.

“Shadow! Calm down. Please.” Sonic struggled, grabbing the chain with both hands and pulling. He weighed more than Shadow, but the hybrid was way more interested in getting to Espio than Sonic was in keeping him away. If Shadow had the help of his hands, he might be dragging Sonic.

Espio stood in the door frame, his hand on his hip. “That right there is why we took your hands.”

Shadow snarled and jumped at him, yanking Sonic closer. The agent pulled along the chain as he spoke, trying to bring Shadow to him. “Don’t antagonize him! I’ll meet you back at his cell. Sir.”

“Don’t be too long.” Espio stepped back and shut the door.

Sonic let go of the chain, and Shadow turned on him. “I thought you were on my side now!” He shoved Sonic with his forearm.

Sonic stumbled back against his nightstand, knocking the pill bottle off the desk. He sat down on it, leaning over a little to become lower than Shadow. He wasn’t looking for a fight. “I am on your side… but he would’ve triggered the device in your back. You wouldn’t have succeeded.”

“I don’t need my legs to kill a man.” Shadow snarled and Sonic flinched, lowering his head further, his ears down. He didn’t display this behavior with anyone else. Not this severely. It seemed to calm Shadow down a little. The hybrid shook off the tension, dropping his lip back down over his teeth. Sonic’s ears moved forward again. He lifted his chin to look into Shadow’s eyes. He leaned in for his lips. Shadow pushed his face roughly with his half hand, sending Sonic falling back across the nightstand and knocking his alarm clock off of it. “What is the matter with you?”

Sonic huffed as he leaned back against his wall. He rubbed his eyes before dropping his hands at his sides. “I don’t know. You got any ideas?”

“I have a few.” Shadow scoffed, looking from the chain connecting them to Sonic laid out across the nightstand in his ruffled button up and slacks. He scoffed again, looking away and patting down his standing fur. Sonic watched him, tilting his head. He lightly pulled on the chain. Shadow’s lip twitched. He pulled a little more, and Shadow’s lip rose over his teeth in a silent snarl. Sonic tugged the chain hard, causing Shadow to fall over him. Shadow nearly barked in his face, snarling audibly now with his teeth bared. Sonic’s ears were low. Again, he wasn’t trying to fight. Shadow’s growling got louder as the agent leaned in closer. He nuzzled his nose under his jaw and softly kissed just above his collar. Shadow made a noise from his throat, a warning pushing through his growl, but the rumbling sound quieted as Sonic continued to press kind kisses along the side of his neck. Soon enough, the only sound from his mouth was soft breaths. His body started to tremble in front of him. Sonic smiled on his neck as sweetness hit his nose. His inner thighs brushed against Shadow’s. Shadow’s arm pressed at his side, and he thought Shadow was going to bring him closer, but he pushed Sonic right off the nightstand onto the floor. He stomped towards the door, dragging Sonic along by the throat.

Sonic coughed as he slid across the floor. “Sha—“ He reached up to grab the chain and pull on it to get some slack. Shadow didn’t stop walking. He pulled Sonic right out of the room. Sonic let the bottoms of his feet down on the floor and kicked off to propel himself up. After some struggling and pulling, he managed to get into a normal pace behind Shadow. He crossed his arms.

They entered the elevator, and both leaned against the back wall. Sonic tapped his foot. He kept glancing at Shadow as they dropped through the floors. When he heard a ding, he pressed a kiss to Shadow’s lips at super speed before the doors opened. Then he led the way out with springy steps. Shadow followed and shoved his back. Sonic turned and shoved him in the chest in return. They started pushing at each other, no longer walking down the hall. Both got more aggressive until Sonic was slammed into the wall with a thud.

“Boys!” Espio yelled at them from around the corner, close to Shadow’s cell.

Sonic jumped while Shadow growled. He then sighed and held up the muzzle. The hybrid did not look happy, but he pressed his face into it, and Sonic fastened it around his head. They started walking together again, both of them with their arms crossed. Espio watched them round the corner and go past him. Sonic scanned Tails’ badge to open the door. Once inside, Shadow took a spot sitting by the wall. Sonic knelt down and gently put his cuffs back on his ankles. “I’ll come back for you tonight,” Sonic whispered as Espio stepped into the cell.

The senior approached them and leaned down to unlock Sonic’s collar. He used the same key to release the chain from Shadow’s collar. “Let’s go, Sonic.”

“Yes, sir.” Sonic stood up. He and Shadow maintained eye contact until he turned away to follow the director out. He sighed deeply, stopping just outside the cell as the door shut. He yelped as his arm was grabbed firmly by Espio’s bony fingers.

“Come with me, boy.” Espio pulled his arm, bringing him down the hall with a threat in his pace. Sonic’s stomach dropped. The man brought him into the main hall, away from Shadow’s cell. Espio snatched Sonic’s jaw, pushing his thumb up under his lip to expose his canine. “You put on quite a show in there earlier. Flashing your fangs at me. Doing your best to produce a cute little growl.” His thumb left his mouth as he turned Sonic’s head left and right, looking over every inch of his face. Sonic closed his eyes, unable to look at him. He was reminded how much smaller than them he was, but he felt even smaller than that in this moment. “It was a show, right? You wouldn’t curse at me. Display insubordination in front of an asset. Right? You just wanted him to believe you were upset for him.”

“Yes, sir,” the words fumbled out of Sonic’s mouth.

“Look at me, Sonic.” Espio tilted his chin up too far, forcing Sonic up on his toes. Sonic’s eyes squeezed shut tighter. His body was fighting it. He breathed with stress as he slowly managed to force his eyes open. He looked up at the man as demanded. “You were simply acting then?”

“Y-yes, sir. Would never challenge you, sir,” Sonic muttered hastily, just wanting the exchange to be over.

Espio let go of his face. “And your ear piece? You turned it off because he can hear the frequency and know I’m listening, right?” He grabbed Sonic’s ear painfully and pushed his finger in to flip the switch on.

“Mhm.” Sonic winced and nodded, looking away from him.

Espio grabbed the top of Sonic’s head, and the hedgehog braced himself to be hit into the wall or dragged around. But Espio’s fingers slipped between his quills, rubbing his scalp in such a pleasant manner. “Smart thinking. If he didn’t trust you before, he must feel some security with you now. You almost had me fooled. You’re a good agent, kid.”

Sonic knew his words were hollow. He could feel it. But his tail wagged anyway. Any evidence that his body was in a state of alarm faded. “Thank you, sir,” he whispered.

“Take the rest of the day off.” Espio removed his hand from him and walked away towards the elevator.

Sonic let his back hit the wall. He dropped into a sitting position and grabbed his tail to make the damn thing stop. There was a pressure in his head. Behind his eyes and nose. The first signs of tears. He’s so confused. Everyone says one thing, but they mean another. They kiss him, then they hit him. Or they grab him, then they rub his head. It wasn’t fair to him, someone who had always been true to himself and others. He couldn’t understand why they hid themselves and their motivations. Or why they played with him. Or why it worked so well, even if Sonic could see through it. Why? The teen wrapped his arms around his knees and bowed his head over them to keep his tears to himself. He felt so alone here all of a sudden. For years, it had begun slowly crushing him like a hydraulic press, but he was beginning to crack now. It was true he felt at home with Shadow, but there was a time limit on that, whether they had to part or Shadow got cold. Now that he had experienced Shadow’s warmth, he was terrified to lose him and be all alone without exception. He didn’t want Shadow to endure all this mistreatment, but Sonic wasn’t going to let him leave. It was up to him to find the middle ground because neither other party had the slightest interest in compromise. But he had no idea what to do next. All he knew now was that he had to come back for Shadow in a few hours.

Chapter Text

Sonic had returned to his bedroom. He changed into a tank top and pajama pants. He wasn’t planning to go back out around the facility. He put his things back onto the nightstand, but he couldn’t bring himself to make his bed. He climbed into it with his head low so he could sniff around. He hadn’t realized just how good his nose was until Shadow prompted him to smell him days ago. Now it was a relief. He could trace whispers of Shadow on his sheets, and it brought him comfort. He lied down on his stomach and spread his hands over his bed, sliding them up under his pillows. He turned his head and watched his digital clock. He tried to take a nap, but he was filled with malaise.

Later, just after the work day had come to a close, there was a knock at his door. Sonic rolled over onto his back and leaned up with furrowed brows, unsure who would be coming to see him. He took his ear piece out and turned it off again. He always did once Espio had left the building for the day. “Who is it?”

“It’s Tails.”

“Oh.” Sonic sat up, bringing his legs over the side of the bed. “Come in.”

Tails opened the door and entered with a shyness no one else did. He was holding a brown paper bag. “You busy?”

“No.” One of Sonic’s favorite smells hit his nose. His tail wagged and he grinned. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Yeah.” Tails smiled, coming to sit next to Sonic. He opened the bag. “I ordered some food because I thought I’d stick around a little late today.” He pulled out a long box and handed it to Sonic.

“Thank you. You know these are my favorite.” Sonic opened it, and inside was a glorious chili dog. He didn’t hesitate to pick it up and take a bite. He moaned happily.

“I got you two.” Tails leaned over to put another box on his nightstand.

“Thanks…” Sonic sighed softly as he chewed. He would save it for Shadow, but he wouldn’t be able to digest the bread. Or the beans. Or the cheese.

“So…” Tails grabbed a box for himself and scooted back on Sonic’s bed to lean against the wall. “What happened? Did you get in trouble?”

“Hm.” Sonic leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. “Sort of. Seems like what I did is something he wanted me to; he just would’ve preferred if I asked first.”

“Wanted you to? What for?” Tails started eating his food.

Sonic paused with his mouth around the chili dog. Tails is smart. Maybe he could help Sonic figure out Espio’s motivations. He finished his bite and spoke around it. “Well, he wants me to get close to Shadow and convince him to be an agent like me.”

“I heard you got to take him around the facility today. Espio warned us to stay in the surface levels. How did that go?”

“Kinda shit.” Sonic rubbed his forehead. He finished his chili dog. “He’s pissed.”

“Espio or Shadow?” Tails looked at him.

“Both of them. At me and each other.” Sonic wiped chili off his mouth. “Say, you don’t have uncensored access to Shadow’s file, do you?” Sonic sat criss crossed next to Tails.

The teenager shook his head. “I don’t. Only Espio and Dr. Blaze have full access. Though select researchers can receive select information about him that we don’t.”

“Dr. Blaze? Why her?” She wasn’t high ranking in a general military sense. Sonic considered for the briefest moment trying to buddy up to her and get his hands on the file, but he had tried to become her friend for years. She wasn’t interested.

“You know. Obviously, how his body works is important for them to understand.” Tails didn’t think it was strange. He finished his food too.

“But she’s a physical biologist. She doesn’t study energy.” Sonic rested his cheek on his hand.

“He’s got more value to him than that. Think of his healing. Imagine if they could make some sort of… serum out of it and give it to wounded soldiers. It could make field work a lot less dangerous.”

“Yeah, I guess that does make sense. Maybe that’s what they’re focusing on doing with him.” Sonic grabbed the other chili dog. “They keep… taking his body parts,” Sonic grumbled. “They’ll grow back, but it hurts, Tails.”

“It’s probably a display of force more than anything,” Tails murmured. “Reminding him he has no control.”

“I hate it. Hate what they’re doing to him,” he admitted as he swallowed down the other chili dog.

“How close are you to him?” Tails asked seriously.

“Close,” Sonic whispered. “I wanna be closer.” He hid his face in his hands.

“Be careful, Sonic. You don’t know their plans for him.”

“Do you?” Sonic lifted his head, looking at him hopefully.

“No.” Tails shook his head. “But it’s already causing you stress being as close as you are. You should consider… stepping back.”

Sonic frowned and shook his head. “I can’t. He’s…” addicting. “No, I’m going to look out for him. Even if Espio doesn’t like it. He’s here, part of GUN now. Part of the family.”

“Sonic. You’re going to get yourself hurt.” Tails brushed his arm with his fingers.

Sonic looked down. A bruise was forming wrapped around it where Espio had grabbed him. He pulled his arm away. Get himself hurt? Why was it his fault? “I don’t care. No one else is looking out for him. I’m not going to leave him out in the cold. He doesn’t deserve it.”

“I know, but life just isn’t fair for everyone,” Tails tried to put it gently.

“We could make it fair.” A hint of a growl was present in his voice. “Why? Why all of this?”

“I wish I knew.” Tails rubbed the back of his neck.

“Do you think you could find anything more out for me?” Sonic leaned in. “Espio isn’t going to be honest with me, but he might talk to you.”

“I… I don’t think he’d tell me anything important. And I want the best for you, Sonic. But I don’t want to get on his bad side. They’ll put me back in a foster home if they don’t want me working for them anymore. Can’t take the risk.” Tails shook his head. “I hope you can understand that.”

Sonic sighed. He nodded. “Yeah, I can. I’m sorry. It’s driving me mad. I feel like I don’t know anything. Shadow won’t tell me anything about his origin either. He clammed up when I asked.”

“I’m sure he’ll… open up with time. I doubt he’s…” Tails gestured with his hands, “processed all that happened to him. Not like he’s been seeing a therapist over the years or something. But, uh… what’s he like? As a person?”

“As a person?” Sonic looked down at his bed, brushing his hands over the wrinkled sheets. He smiled. “He’s extremely reserved. But once you get under the surface, you’d notice he’s pretty proud. A little stubborn. Okay, a lot stubborn. He’s determined. Sure of himself and his goals.”

“Oh, Sonic…” Tails looked at him solemnly.

“What?” Sonic looked up. He frowned and held his knuckles in front of his mouth. Had he said too much to Tails? “Don’t tell Espio any of this. Please.”

“I won’t.” Tails ran his hand through his shaggy blond hair. “But you… just be careful. You don’t know Shadow’s motivations either. He could be manipulating you.”

Sonic folded his arms, a little offended. “He’s not.”

“I don’t think you’d be able to tell if he was. Not at this point. It sounds like you…” Tails looked away, seemingly uncomfortable with what he was thinking.

“Sounds like I what, Tails?” Sonic cocked a brow.

“It sounds like you like him. Like you have a crush on him. And I get it,” he added quickly. “If I was surrounded by hedgehogs all my life, and I saw a human girl for the first time, I’d have a crush on her too. But you should know that crushes fade. So try not to throw your life away getting between him and Espio. Things were good before he showed up. They can stay good.”

Sonic’s face twisted as complex emotions twisted in his chest. A crush? That’s not right. They had a connection. Shadow felt it too. And it was strong. “Things are going to get good again. They’re going to be good with him. I’ll make sure of it. This is a rough patch, but we’ll get out of it. You’ll see.”

Tails sighed deeply. He was quiet for a little while. “I hope he’s worth it then.” He moved back to the edge of the bed and stood up.

“He is. You’ll see,” Sonic repeated. He lied back down on his bed and curled up. Tails stood by his bed for a minute, but he found nothing that seemed right to say except for a farewell. He left. Sonic rolled his eyes. Even when someone was being nice to him, they showed no care for Shadow. It’s stupid. If they credited him as an individual, he was suggested to be manipulative or evil. Anyone who held his gaze longer than an instant should be able to see that isn’t true.

Hours later, Sonic was walking through the door to Shadow’s cell. This time, the captive wasn’t blindfolded, just muzzled with his ears muffed. Shadow actually rose to his feet when Sonic walked in. “Ready to go?” He knelt down to remove the cuffs on Shadow’s ankles.

“Yeah…” Shadow watched him.

Sonic picked him up quietly and dashed for his room. He could feel Shadow’s eyes on him the whole way, which was a bit strange since he didn’t seem fond of eye contact. He set him down in his bedroom and shut his door behind him. He looked down at his hands. Not much more progress had been made. The first of his finger bones had been generated, and his muscles had just barely crested his knuckles. His skin reached halfway up his hand. He needed to sleep more. Sonic took off his muzzle for him. He went to kneel by the bed, grabbing a tray of chicken he’d prepared from the nightstand.

Shadow slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. “You’re unusually quiet.”

“You’re always telling me to shut up.” Sonic grabbed a piece of chicken and lifted it to his mouth. “Change your mind?”

Shadow eyed him over as his tongue accepted the food. “What happened to you?” He looked at the bruise on his arm.

Sonic’s ear twitched as he fed Shadow more. “Espio wasn’t happy that I yelled at him. He didn’t hit me, he just… roughed me up a little. I’m fine.”

“You…” Shadow sighed as chewed. He was quiet until after Sonic fed him the last of the meat. He leaned down towards him, stopping just an inch from his face. Sonic looked up at him, the energy finding his eyes again. Shadow pressed the softest kiss to his lips. Sonic tried his best not to grin because that would ruin the kiss. He leaned up, pressing back against Shadow’s lips. His tail started to wag. The hybrid pulled away. “Slow down.”

“They don’t call me Sonic for nothing.” He rested his arms on Shadow’s thighs, his head craned back to view his face.

“You think sonic is fast? Can’t catch a shadow, can you?” Shadow scanned his face.

“I did.” Sonic couldn’t reach Shadow’s face from his knees, so he nuzzled his face into that long silky fur.

“Hm. Ha.” Shadow laughed. It wasn’t so sarcastic, it was genuine, and the first time Sonic had heard the sound from Shadow. He grinned as Shadow’s chest stuttered against his cheek. “I guess you did.” He leaned back on the heels of his hands.

Sonic looked at his face again. There was a small smile on his muzzle, but a drop of sadness rested in his eyes and stress laced his brows. Sonic was intentionally slow in moving into a crouch. He put his hands on the bed at either side of Shadow’s legs. He started coming closer, rising from the floor. “Do you want to be my shadow?”

Shadow frowned as he lowered and lowered away from him until he was lied down on the bed, but it wasn’t to get away. Sonic followed him all the way, climbing on top of him. “You scare the shit out of me, Pequeño Zafiro. And I don’t scare easily,” Shadow murmured in that accent he loved so much.

“Grr.” Sonic bared his teeth through a smile, teasing. His eyes trailed down Shadow’s body. They quickly snapped back up to his face when they thought of the little wet thing he was hiding. Shadow sighed and closed his eyes. He lifted his hands and tried to settle his quills into a comfortable position under his head. Sonic lowered himself over Shadow and kissed at his jaw gently. He shifted down his neck. Shadow nipped his ear. Sonic gasped and lifted his head. Something warm trailed down the inside of his ear. He lifted his fingers to it to collect it. Blood.

Shadow was watching him, his wrists resting at either side of his head. “I could hurt you, you know. If I get too excited.”

“Promise?” Sonic smiled softly, running his finger along Shadow’s bottom lip, smearing his blood on it. Shadow closed his eyes again as he chittered softly. His tongue peeked from his lips to lick them. “I’ll never be afraid of you. But it’s not because you’re not powerful. I didn’t realize that my entire life, I have never felt safe. Not like I do with you. I feel a lot of new things with you. I feel like… my life has just started.”

Shadow shook his head. “It’s our energy drawing us together. Feeding off of each other.”

“No…” Sonic kissed the center of his chest amongst his fur. “How I feel has only gotten stronger. But your energy is inhibited.”

Shadow watched him. “Then it must be that you’ve never been around one of your own kind.”

“That’s what turned my eyes towards you in the first place, but not why I can’t look away.” Sonic kissed down Shadow’s sternum onto his belly.

Shadow’s breath quickened, his fur rising. “Why do you talk like that?”

“Like what?” Sonic’s kisses reached low on his tummy.

“I don’t look like you!” Shadow interjected, lifting his knees to push Sonic away. “D-down there. I don’t look how you’re expecting me to…”

Sonic moved to sit down on the bed next to him. “I… I saw. While you were sleeping, it… unsheathed.”

Shadow rolled onto his side, turning his back to Sonic and curling up as soon as the words had left his mouth. His hands tucked into his chest. “I didn’t want you to know…”

“Shadow, I—“ Sonic spooned him, nuzzling his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around him. “I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how much I want to be inside of you.”

“What…?” Shadow stiffened in his arms.

“When I saw it, I was instantly hard. It’s… I can’t… I’ve never been so attracted to anything in my life. I mean, I would’ve wanted you if you looked the exact same as me, but… it looks so wet and… it smells like honey. It must be so…” Sonic had to stop talking about it as too much blood flowed into his pouch. “But if—wait, I don’t even know what it’s for. I’m sorry. Is it like for pee or—“

“That’s what it’s for,” Shadow murmured, confirming it was akin to a vagina.

Sonic frowned at his tone. He rubbed Shadow’s arm. “It looks… unique. Unlike a human’s. Is that what a hedgehog’s looks like or an alien’s?”

Shadow heaved a long sigh and spoke in a monotone voice. “Every single one of my cells was engineered by hand using the source material of a mobian hedgehog, a human girl, and an alien. No cell of mine is a copy of any of theirs. I am an amalgamation through and through. It’s not a hedgehog’s vagina or an alien’s or a human’s. Information from each organism was used in tandem to… to create it.”

Sonic didn’t like his language. He said amalgamation like it was a bad thing. A bad thing to be something new, unlike anything else in the universe. “Um… why did they choose to give you it? They chose to make you a boy too, didn’t they?”

Shadow cleared his throat. His tone remained stiff. “Just… better for research that way. To have both.”

Sonic couldn’t really tell what was upsetting him, but he wanted to make it go away. Unfortunately though, he hadn’t found any of Shadow’s scratching spots. He didn’t even know if he enjoyed being kissed. He didn’t know what to do to bring him any more comfort than to just hold him. “It doesn’t matter, you know. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it or anything. I think it’s… super awesome if that matters.”

Shadow turned in Sonic’s arms to face him. He raised his hands to his ear and nudged at one of the muffs until he was able to get it off. “Say it again.”

Sonic looked up at his ear. “Say what again?”

“Say that you want it.” Shadow looked at the center of Sonic’s chest.

Sonic was a little surprised by the request. But he was happy to do whatever Shadow wanted. “I want it. I want to know what you feel like on the inside. I want it so bad.” Shadow inhaled shakily and closed his eyes. Sonic kissed at his jaw. “I want you. I want you, Shadow.”

Shadow turned his head and connected their lips. Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow’s waist and pulled him against his body, but this made the hedgehog pull away. “Slow,” he commanded. The agent’s ears dropped a little bit. He wasn’t sure how to be slow. He was so excited.

Shadow pushed Sonic onto his back gently and got up to straddle his hips. Sonic looked up at him with wide eyes. His cock erupted out of his sheath, pressing at his pants. Shadow paused, sniffing the air. A little smirk found his lips. He leaned down to kiss him. Their kissing had been interrupted twice by Shadow telling him to slow down, so Sonic hardly kissed back. He forced his head still, only using his lips. Shadow’s partial hands slid up under Sonic’s tank top, rising up his bare chest. The blue hedgehog gasped softly, opening his lips. His cock twitched as he felt two tongue tips slide between his lips. He met them with his own, and they brushed against one another. The ends of Shadow’s tongue spread around his and felt it, then proceeded to wrap around it.

“Mmph.” Sonic gingerly placed his hands on Shadow’s thighs, his thumbs stroking his fur. His eyes opened when he smelled that sweetness. He tilted his head away from Shadow’s mouth to try and see, but Shadow pressed his finger bones on his cheek and turned him back to focus on the kiss. Sonic closed his eyes and pushed his tongue forward between Shadow’s lips. He froze when he felt something hot settle on his cock through his pants. Shadow had sat in his lap. His pussy was right there on his dick, separated only by a thin layer of cotton.

Shadow took over Sonic’s mouth, filling it with his tongue. Sonic’s claws started to urge at Shadow’s skin. He was about to start sweating trying not to move. Shadow moved for him. He slowly pressed down harder and rotated his hips back, rubbing him. Sonic moaned at his mouth, shuddering. It’s so warm… right there. So close. Shadow started grinding slowly, bringing his mound from Sonic’s balls to his tip. Sonic whimpered, his hands rising to clutch at Shadow’s hips. He pressed up against him slowly, in pace with him. His cock continued twitching eagerly and the muscles in his belly were tight. Shadow’s tongue exited his mouth so he could moan quietly.

Sonic looked up into his crimson eyes. They seemed brighter now. Sonic was smiling goofily. “I n-need you to know that this is the best thing… that’s ever happened to me~” He bit his lip.

Shadow bowed his head and supported himself with his hands pressed onto Sonic’s chest. His breaths were hot and heavy. “Shh…” He rolled his hips.

Sonic’s eyes flowed down to watch his hips. The hybrid’s cock was out, curling and swaying in the air like it was searching for something. He moved his fingers over towards Shadow’s groin, and his dick detected him quickly. It coiled around his fingers in a tight grip. He grinned at it as Shadow leaned his head back. By this point, his slick was soaking through Sonic’s pants. The hedgehog had been doing good, but suddenly it was this hot and also wet thing rubbing on him. And he thought about how moist it must be inside. And how it would feel to be all the way in. And then he came in his pants with a tight whine.

Shadow panted softly, sitting all the way down on top of his shaft. Sonic’s cum soaked into his pants just in front of Shadow’s pussy. The hybrid’s dick released his fingers. Sonic sat up and hugged Shadow’s waist tightly, pressing his cheek on his chest. He closed his eyes, listening to Shadow’s racing heart thudding in his ear. Shadow’s body was stiff for about a minute, but the agent wasn’t deterred. Eventually, Shadow hugged around his neck. Sonic turned over, lying him down on his back. He settled between Shadow’s legs like he was meant to be there. He lied down on top of him. There was just enough pressure on his knot between them to please him. Shadow was stiff again, only for another moment, before he wrapped his legs around Sonic’s hips and rested his hands on his back. The blue hedgehog’s cheeks were hurting from smiling by now. He nuzzled into Shadow’s chest fur, yawning. He wasn’t tired before, but he was so calm now it was making him sleepy. He wanted to talk to Shadow about it. Wanted to see how he was feeling. But he was so cozy that he fell into sleep quicker than he had in years.

Chapter Text

Sonic woke up lying face down on his bed to his alarm blaring as always. He sighed deeply. A hand went into his pocket and silenced his phone, but it wasn’t his own. He opened his eyes and lifted his head to look Shadow over. “Your hands? Are they back?” He reached for him, and Shadow offered one of his hands.

“Yes.” Shadow seemed pleased to be grooming himself with his other hand. They were fully developed now. He could reach his quills and the length of his front now. He must’ve been at it for a minute, because he already looked quite proper, unlike Sonic, who was messy and groggy and… sticky.

Sonic smiled widely, softly kissing his knuckles. Shadow’s ears flattened as he pulled his hand away. Sonic sat up and leaned in close to him. “Don’t go all cold on me again. Too late now. I heard you moan on me.”

“I might have let out a breath, but you’re the one who busted in your pants without even touching me,” Shadow shot back.

Sonic’s smile faded a little. “Shit, Shadow. I wasn’t even thinking about that. I fell right asleep, didn’t I?” He came closer and kissed his cheek. “I left you hanging.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Shadow looked down. “I’m fine. It wasn’t uncomfortable.”

“Want me to return the favor before I take you back?” Sonic cupped his cheek and kissed around the side of his face. “I could eat—“

“No,” Shadow said quickly, pushing Sonic’s face away. “I said I’m fine.” His fur had puffed up a little.

Sonic huffed softly, looking over him. He leaned in again, this time raising his mouth to Shadow’s ear. “You got so wet it soaked through my pants. I could feel it. What do you say we try it without the pants next time?”

Shadow’s ear twitched as he let out a breath. He had to turn away, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He leaned over, bringing his elbows onto his knees and his face in his hands.

“Don’t run from me…” Sonic followed him, coming to sit behind him. He wrapped his arms around Shadow and kissed his shoulder. His hands slid up and down Shadow’s sides, but they slowed as they caught on nubs hidden within his fur. Shadow sniffled and took a deep breath, straightening his back. Sonic slowly leaned around him to look at his body. His fingers rubbed into one of the raised spots. He shifted Shadow’s fur aside. It was… a nipple. Sonic’s brows furrowed as he dropped off of the bed onto his knees in front of Shadow. The hybrid leaned back to expose his torso. He didn’t look at Sonic. Sonic moved his fingers up and down across his ribs. He felt six of them counting the ones over his pecs. He had sex nipples spaced out in two lines going down his front. The hybrid covered his face in his hands again, a soft whimpering happening within them.

Sonic frowned deeply. He pulled at his hands. “Shadow—what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Shadow’s chest expanded shakily as he breathed. He let Sonic take his hands. “Sorry…”

“No, don’t be sorry.” Sonic glanced from his torso up to his moist eyes. He reached to wipe Shadow’s tears, and the hybrid leaned into his touch. “Are you embarrassed of them?” He asked softly.

Shadow shook his head, his eyes squeezing shut.

“Then what is it?” Sonic gently brushed his fingers over each of them. He himself thought nothing of them. They were Shadow. He loved Shadow’s body because it was his. Any new things he found out about it—he would love those too. He was amazed by its uniqueness and its prowess.

Shadow took Sonic’s hands and held them together in his lap. “I appreciate your… your acceptance,” he spoke formally.

Sonic kissed his hands, nuzzling them. “It’s not just acceptance. I like it. I swear. Every new thing I learn about you… I just… God.” He dropped his head in Shadow’s lap. “You make me speechless. Can you believe that? As much as I talk.”

“I do not make you speechless. Listen to you rambling on.” Shadow huffed.

“Well, you make my words come out all stupid.” Sonic huffed back.

“Maybe you’re just stupid on your own.” Shadow folded his arms.

“I’m not—okay, I can be stupid sometimes.” Sonic smiled, lifting his head. “But so can everyone.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night.” Shadow crossed his legs.

“You’re not so perfect.” Sonic stood up. He was lying.

Shadow glanced at his chest, a little smirk on his lips. “Mhm.” He looked around the bed and picked up his ear muff, clamping it back into place.

“Do those hurt?” Sonic gently touched his long ear. These thin metal bars pinned his ear between them to keep the soft part in place.

“A little. But I’ve mostly forgotten they’re in there.” Shadow looked down at his hands. “I guess… maybe I don’t have to wear them anymore. I have my hands. They know I can just remove them.”

Sonic smiled, nodding. “Just take them off. You won’t have to wear your muzzle either.”

Shadow did, setting them next to his muzzle on Sonic’s nightstand. He rubbed his ears. There were raw indents on one of them. “Wonder what they’ll do with me today.”

“I swear Shadow. They’re getting ready to let you out of the cell. You have so much freedom now compared to when you first got here.” His movement wasn’t restricted at all. His power was inhibited by the collar on his neck and a constant threat was melded into his back, but it was much better than hanging from the ceiling with all his senses dampened.

“Yeah, we’ll see.” Shadow scoffed. He put his arm over Sonic’s shoulder and pulled his legs up.

Sonic quickly lifted his arms to support him. He grinned. Shadow hadn’t gotten into his arms before. He dashed back through the place and into Shadow’s cell. He set him down and looked at the chains resting at the center of the floor. “I guess we don’t need to chain your ankles either.”

“I guess not…” Shadow walked around the cell, the sounds of his pads tapping the floor echoing in the empty space.

“Well, I’ll… I’ll see you later.” Sonic brought his hands behind his back.

“Yeah. Don’t forget to change your pants.” Shadow glanced back at him.

“Hehe, right.” Sonic put a hand over his stained crotch. He smiled to himself as he backed out of the cell. Once the door shut, he walked down the hall. At the slower pace, he felt his pants pulling at his fur. He stopped around the corner and peeled them off of his groin. His fur of his pouch had gotten matted with his cum now. He needs to shower to get this off, as much as he was trying to groom naturally now. He couldn’t reach this spot anyway. But Shadow could. He let the image of Shadow on his knees licking at his sheath fill his belly with warmth. He was dropped back in reality when he heard a thud. And then another. And another. He leaned his head around the corner and looked towards the sound, back at Shadow’s cell.

Shadow was punching the glass with what seemed to be all the force he could muster, using his left hand, then his right, then his left again. His snout was curled up in a snarl. He started kicking at it too, but it didn’t so much as crack. The halls filled with the dull sound, not expressing nearly as much of the ferocity as was used to create it. Sonic frowned. He’d really thought they had made progress, but he was still trying to get out. Didn’t he like him too? Was Sonic delusional? He just wished Shadow would speak to him. He’s fine with all the other wrong shit happening. If they could just talk… Sonic sighed and left him to it, going to the locker room to shower.

Hours passed, nothing interesting went on. There had been a surprisingly small amount of fieldwork lately. No villains, no aliens. Hell, not even so much as an asteroid headed their way. Not to Sonic’s knowledge. And his team had been quiet, rarely approaching him. He might just be getting in his head, but he’s starting to feel like… he doesn’t know. Things just feel strange around here. He was lost in his thoughts, sketching the red pattern on Shadow’s back onto a document he was reviewing. He jumped as a firm hand gripped his shoulder.

Espio stood behind him. “Yesterday didn’t go… quite as smoothly as it could’ve. But We’re still going to move forward.”

“Okay…” Sonic turned the paper over and rotated in his chair to face him. “What does that mean?”

Espio brought his hands into his pockets, looking down at him. “You want to take him for a run?”

“A run?” Sonic perked up. “Like outside? On the track?”

“Yep.” Espio gave a little smile. “I’m sure his legs are hurting something horrid.”

“Uh huh.” Sonic stood up. “Can we go now?”

“Yeah. Go get changed.” Espio looked him up and down. His work clothes were not suited for his speed.

Sonic didn’t hesitate for another moment to dash back down the stairs and into his bedroom. He stripped of his clothes, instead pulling on a thin red sweater and gray sweat shorts. He pulled on his red running shoes and dashed all the way back to the top floor, joining Espio’s side just as the elevator dinged.

Sonic followed him on into it on springy feet. “Are you going to let him out permanently soon?”

“Yes. I’ve had staff setting up a bedroom for him like yours.” Espio hit the button for Shadow’s floor.

Sonic grinned excitedly. Freedom. Shadow was going to be so relieved. It starts today, the new life he could have. All he had to do was accept it. He jumped around in the elevator, his energy spreading through his body, making his pelt prickle. The elevator rattled, and he dropped flat on his feet as Espio side eyed him. “Sorry…”

Once on Shadow’s level, Sonic dashed straight to his cell. He faltered a little, sighing as he saw blood smeared in the center of the glass. He leaned his head around the blood. He could see Shadow sitting in the center of the room staring at him. He looked alright. The blood had come from his knuckles. He waited for Espio, lifting his heels up and down impatiently.

The older man arrived eventually. He leaned over with a grunt to grab the collar and chain sitting against the wall. He also picked up a pair of shoes. Shadow’s shoes. They looked polished, almost new. He handed the things to Sonic. “I better stay out here.”

Sonic nodded in agreement. He stood in front of the door and stepped into the frame when Espio opened it with his badge. Shadow dashed to Sonic, sending a rush of air past him and showing off he didn’t need all of his energy or his shoes to be quick. His quills were bristled threateningly, his face set sternly. He was looking over Sonic’s shoulder towards Espio. The sound he made wasn’t just a chitter this time. He was snapping his bared teeth together.

“Shadow…” Sonic murmured. He forced himself to calm down. They couldn’t both be riled up or someone would get hurt. His heart continued to race though. He dropped the shoes next to them. He put the extra collar around his own neck, turning the key that was in the lock and taking it out. “I get to take you outside today.” He slowly reached out to rub Shadow’s chest, his fingers sliding into his long fur. “Don’t you want to go outside with me?” The hybrid glanced at him only for a moment. But his chest pressed into Sonic’s touch. He let out a small growl, but he let Sonic lock the end of the chain onto his collar. He let out a breath of relief. With them attached, he could keep Shadow from killing Espio at the least.

Sonic knelt down. “Give me your feet, big guy. I’ve got your shoes for you.” He was trying to either calm him, or distract him by annoying him with his babying tone. However he received it should work to prevent him from lunging for Espio. He was a little surprised when Shadow actually lifted his foot. Sonic’s large hands were gentle pulling a sock onto his foot. He took a look at Shadow’s shoe and pulled down the tongue as he slipped it under his foot. Shadow pushed his foot down into it, pressing to the floor. He did the same with Shadow’s other foot before he rose.

Espio looked the two hedgehogs up and down. His gaze lingered on Sonic a little longer. “Look at you. You’re a regular mutt whisperer.”

Sonic braced his legs and snatched the chain, ready to hold Shadow back, but the hybrid didn’t move. He was looking at Sonic now, seemingly ignoring the human. Sonic passed him a little smile, releasing the chain.

Espio rubbed his fingers under his jaw, quietly observing. He cleared his throat. “Let’s go up. You’ll have to take the stairs. I’m not getting in the elevator with him.” He left them.

Sonic sighed and looked to Shadow. “I’m sorry about… his tongue is—“

“It’s fine.” Shadow raised his hand and started to walk.

“I’m kinda shocked you didn’t try to get to him.” Sonic followed. They turned into the stairwell as Espio got in the elevator.

Shadow started climbing the stairs. “Whatever. I could kill him, but I’ve figured out that it wouldn’t do all that much to help me escape. I’ll get him one day. When I’m free.”

Sonic frowned as he lagged behind the hybrid. He paused on the next landing, the chain pulling taught between them, forcing Shadow to stop too. “Have you ever thought about how I feel?”

Shadow turned and looked down at him from steps above, resting his hand on the railing. “In reference to what?”

“Espio.” Sonic stood close to the bottom step. “How I feel about him.”

“I—he’s your boss. You feel some duty to listen to him. Even when he asks you to do things he shouldn’t. That’s not hard to understand.” Shadow’s brows furrowed.

“He’s not just my boss.” Sonic briefly closed his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. “I’ve known him my whole life, okay? Agents come and go, but he’s been the director since before I came to Earth. He’s always been there. He’s… I don’t want you to kill him. Like—really don’t. I wish you two could just get along…”

Shadow was silent for so long that Sonic was getting uncomfortable under his tense gaze. Then he just turned around and started climbing back up the stairs, tugging Sonic.

“Shadow!” Sonic pressed his feet at a step and grabbed the chain. “Tell me you won’t kill him.” He knew Shadow wasn’t the type to bluff.

Shadow was pulled to a stop again and he whipped around. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously!” Sonic’s face became stern. “I care about him. I don’t want him to die. Doesn’t how I feel matter?”

Shadow let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, how you feel matters. I just wish you could see through him like I do. He doesn’t care for you the way you do for him.”

“He says the same shit about you, and I’ve known him way longer, so who should I believe, hm?” A small growl left Sonic’s throat.

Shadow slowly stepped down to stand on the step just above his. They stood at the same height now. The chain hung between them. “Think about our actions. How I treat you. How I talk to you. And how he does.”

Sonic’s ears lowered as he frowned deeper. “He has to be stern sometimes. He’s still my boss.” He rubbed the bruise on his arm.

Shadow took Sonic’s hand to pull him along that way instead of with the chain. They began walking up together. “I won’t… I won’t kill him unless you give me the green light. But I think you ought to be more suspicious of him. You can be suspicious of me too. You should be.”

Sonic sighed, watching Shadow. “I know your intentions…”

“Do you know his?” Shadow stepped to the side to let Sonic pass. He didn’t know where they were going.

“I… I think so.” Sonic led the way to the ground floor.

“That’s too much hesitation.” Shadow shook his head.

“Maybe you’re right.” Sonic stopped outside the door exiting the stairwell.

“You’re not stupid, Sonic. Just… trusting.” Shadow pecked his chin. “But I need you to use your head just a little more than this right now.” Shadow rested his palm against the center of Sonic’s chest, over his heart.

Sonic looked down at Shadow’s hand, his heart beating quicker into it just because it was there. “I have a bit of difficulty… doing that with you around.”

“Then just focus on using your head when I’m not around.” Shadow gently rubbed over his sweater then dropped his hand. “Now take me outside. I want to breathe fresh air again.”

“Okay, Shads.” Sonic smiled and walked through the door into the main floor.

Chapter Text

They finally exited the rear of the building, and Shadow inhaled deeply, tilting his face towards the sky. It’s cool outside, and the wind carried winter on its breath. It was sunny though, so warmth soaked into their fur. Sonic smiled at Shadow. “How’s it feel?”

“Like I’m breathing for the first time since I was captured.” Shadow gave the chain on his collar a yank. Of course, it didn’t budge at all.

“Wait till you get to run. All that that grumpiness will fade away.” Sonic walked towards the track paved in the land behind the facility near the aircraft hangar.

Espio was waiting for them. He stepped aside as they came close to make sure he was out of the hybrid’s reach. He tossed a folded map to Sonic. “I don’t mind if you show him around. I marked the perimeter. Beyond the line, his implant will trigger.”

Sonic unfolded the map, and Shadow looked curiously over his shoulder. It was an arial view of the structures on their property. A red outline marked their limit. They couldn’t go in front of or to the sides of the building, and they could only go so far behind. This was just fine for Sonic. More freedom than he expected. “Got it.”

“Oh, and, consider this a peace offering.” Espio pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of the pocket inside his jacket and tossed it at Shadow’s feet.

“Tch.” Shadow nudged the box with his foot. “I’d prefer to roll my own.”

“Well, it’s not the 70’s anymore. No one does that now.” Espio adjusted his cufflinks. “Sonic, just let me know when you’re bringing him back in. Make sure it’s before sunset.”

Sonic cocked a brow. He wasn’t going to tell them when to go in? Awesome. “Sure thing, sir.” He watched as Espio walked away. But the man didn’t go inside. He sat down on the bleachers not far away to watch. Sonic and Shaodw looked at each other then Shadow’s eyes locked onto the listening piece in Sonic’s ear. Sonic cleared his throat. He nudged Shadow’s shoulder, smiling. “Ready to show me what you got?” He leaned down to touch his toes.

“Hm.” Shadow watched him. He grabbed his ankles one at a time, pulling his heels up to his butt. “Think you can keep up with me, do you?”

“I mean…” Sonic looked Shadow’s body up and down as he began to walk around him. “Yeah, I think I can manage to keep pace with an old man.”

“Old man?” Shadow stood in place, but his head turned to follow Sonic. “My body stopped aging when I hit my prime.”

Sonic stopped and tilted his head to the side, leaning over just a bit to be eye level with Shadow. “It stopped? Is that why you’re so short?”

Shadow growled and stepped towards him, but Sonic dashed towards the track. After walking around Shadow, the chain had been wrapped around him. As Sonic bolted, it spun Shadow around to unravel. Impressively, the hybrid managed not to fall once the chain released him. His feet scrambled beneath him until he got ahead enough to fall into that gliding motion he does. The chain started to slack as he closed the distance. “I’ll get you for that, hedgehog,” Shadow grumbled with the smallest hint of playfulness in his tone, undetectable to most.

Euphoria swelled in Sonic’s chest. It was a mixture of things. The sun on his pelt. The cool breeze. Stretching his legs. And seeing Shadow enjoy all of this too. He’s never gotten to run with someone like this before either. He picked up the pace as Shadow nearly reached his side. “You’ll have to catch me in those roller skates of yours first.”

“They’re air shoes!” Shadow swiftly passed him to Sonic’s awe. He could run with so little power. Most of it must be channeled into other means, maybe the same powers as Black Doom had. The two of them fell into pace alongside one another. Sonic ran as long as Shadow wanted to. The dark hedgehog seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself stretching his legs and expressing his energy outside. They circled around the long track many times over, only appearing as red and blue streaks to outsiders. Eventually, Sonic started to breathe a little heavier. He was quick, sure. But he’d say he’s better at sprints than marathons. Shadow seemed to be the other way around, only growing more sure footed and pleased as time passed. But his ears turned towards Sonic, and he began to slow down. After another cycle around the track, they had dropped into a walk.

Sonic headed for the grass as he pulled his sweater up over his head and left it to rest rolled up on the top of his back. “Phew. Not bad.” He plopped down into the grass and glanced behind him at the bleachers. They were empty. Espio had gone. He turned his ear piece off. He panted softly, leaning back on his hands.

Shadow simply let out a satisfied sigh and sat down next to him. They had returned to their initial spot. Shadow spread opened the map and fidgeted with the lighter as he scanned it.

Sonic lied down with his arms behind his head and one leg crossed over the other. He tapped his foot at the air. “Planning your escape?”

“Yep.” Shadow flicked on the lighter and held it at the chain. It only served to turn the metal black. But the color easily wiped away with his thumb. He stared at the flame.

Sonic moved one of his hands from behind his head. His fingertips gently traced around the implant in Shadow’s spine. I despite having slept for hours since the surgery, it looked the same. It looked fresh. Shadow’s body only seemed interested in regenerating to its original state. That meant no scars. And if something was in the way of its original blueprint, it simply wouldn’t regenerate. “Don’t think that’s the best idea.”

“If I fail, I’ll heal.” Shadow tapped the box of cigarettes on the back of his wrist, then sliced the plastic wrap with his claw. He opened it up and removed one of them.

“Can I have one of those?” Sonic held out his palm.

“No.” Shadow put the end in his lips. He lit the tip, speaking around it. “They won’t kill me. They’ll kill you.” He inhaled deeply, then pulled it away from his lips between two of his fingers. He blew smoke into the sky.

“Didn’t they still think cigarettes were good for you back in the 70’s?” Sonic watched.

Shadow shook his head. “We’d figured out a decade or so prior how harmful it was. But no one was ready to believe it.” He brought the cancer stick to his lips again and breathed it like it was fresh air. He maneuvered his hand back down across the map, tracing its markings with a delicate touch like nothing was between his fingers. It was natural to him.

Sonic wondered about Shadow’s past. The first time he had smoked—who had given him the cigarette? He interlocked his hands over his stomach. “Shadow… you said you were made to save someone…” He almost asked if he did. What a stupid question. He cleared his throat. “Do you want to talk about them?”

Shadow tapped ashes into the grass. He picked up the lighter again, using it as a fidget. He flicked the flame on and off. “I had a sister. I still carry her with me. Inside of me. Her DNA was the human sample.”

Sonic really thought about his next words. He was determined to get around these eggshells without scaring Shadow off. “You were… tailored to her?”

“Yes,” Shadow murmured. “For the most part. Tailored to her and to…” He pressed his thumb down on the trigger, holding the flame steady. “She had a rare combination of diseases that doomed her from birth. They gave me most of her organs, most of her systems—except with a touch of immortality, regeneration, hoping they could use me to manufacture a cure. I was a subject with endless resources. They could let her rest while they tested on me.”

Sonic turned on his side, facing him. “I’m sorry…” Shadow must have a history of medical abuse, making their current situation all the harder.

“No.” Shadow raised his palm over the flame, letting its warmth rise into him. “I was happy to do it. I would’ve done anything to save her. But she didn’t even live long enough for her illness to take her. Isn’t that cruel?” He stared off at something far away until a trace scent of singed fur hit the air.

Sonic sat up and grabbed Shadow’s wrist, pulling his hand away from the flame. He rubbed his thumb into a small section of his fur that had burned. Shadow dropped the lighter. “GUN… during the raid…?” Sonic asked cautiously.

“Shot her in the back trying to get me.” Shadow made a gun with his hand and flicked it like it recoiled. “And then she burned.” He twisted the cigarette into the grass to put it out.

Sonic was watching his face, but the hybrid didn’t so much as pass him a glance. He rubbed his back gently. “I wish I was an agent back then.”

“Why?” Shadow rubbed his nose and brought one of his knees up under his arm.

“I wouldn’t have let them hurt her.” Sonic’s hand came up over his shoulder and touched his cheek.

Shadow’s lip quivered, but then it straightened out as he cleared his throat. “What’s done is done. All that remains are debts to be paid.”

“Is that why you want to kill Espio? As some sort of revenge?” Sonic leaned his cheek on Shadow’s shoulder. “He had nothing to do with what happened on the ARK, you know. It was his father.”

“I know. I wasn’t talking about Espio.” Shadow pulled away from him and stood up, grabbing the map and cigarettes. “Take me to the perimeter.”

“Shadow, you’re not serious about trying to escape are you? Come on.” He groaned softly.

“Just show me where I can go.” Shadow clutched the map tightly.

“I’ll take you, but…” Sonic pulled his sweater back down and stood up. “I think this is just for today. I don’t think he’ll let you go outside whenever you want.” He began to walk with him. “But there’s good news. He said they’re preparing a bedroom for you. That means… well, that means you can be comfortable. And you’ll probably have free roam of the floor. You’ll have your own space.”

“Hm.” Shadow folded his arms. “I would… like that.”

“Maybe it’ll even be on my floor.” Sonic pulled at the chain like it was a tie. “And we can… you know. Spend time together whenever.”

“We already spend a lot of time together.” Shadow glanced at him.

“Yeah, but… it’ll be different. You’ll feel better. Things will be better.” Sonic nodded confidently.

“Sure.” Shadow broke into a light run.

Sonic sped up and took the map from him. He opened it up and glanced from it to the landscape. Eventually, Sonic put a hand over Shadow’s stomach and skidded to a stop. “Here. Shouldn’t go any further.”

Shadow took a look around. He started walking along the perimeter. A tree line wasn’t far beyond them. He stopped when they came upon people. Not far from their limit, workers were building something. It looked to be a small concrete building.

Sonic checked the map. There was no mention of it. It must’ve been developed recently. He cupped a hand around his mouth and called to the men. “Hey! Whatcha building?”

A couple of them paused to look at the hedgehogs. All returned to their work except one who held his arms out in a shrug. “Some sort of training room.”

A training room… outside? Peculiar. He followed as Shadow continued walking. After several minutes, Sonic stopped him again. “Thats the edge.” Shadow then doubled back. His tail lashed behind him as he walked. Sonic’s eyes followed it like it was a hypnotist’s watch. He reached out to take it, but Shadow stopped walking, and Sonic’s hands retracted.

“Is this the other edge?” Shadow asked.

“Uh.” Sonic stood at his side and checked the map. “Yeah. Can’t go beyond that flagpole right there.” He leaned back to look at Shadow’s tail again, which was now flicking at the air. He thought it was pretty cool. Many aspects of Shadow’s body were long and nimble, capable of moving like dexterous snakes. It all seemed intentional, an expression of skill and control over his form. He wondered if Shadow could keep his tail from wagging. Sonic cupped under the base of his tail and wrapped his hand around it, squeezing lightly.

Shadow’s tail puffed up and he looked at Sonic with a confused expression. “What are you grabbing my tail for?”

Sonic rubbed the base with his fingers, feeling the muscle under his fur. It was thick there, where it joined his back. He didn’t know why. He just… wanted to touch it. Figure out how he had so much control, maybe.

Shadow’s ear twitched. His weight shifted between each of his legs. “Let go.”

Sonic looked over at his face. His own lit up with a smile. Shadow liked it. He would’ve pushed Sonic away if he didn’t. Was this one of his spots? His fingertips stroked it from its beginning to a few inches down its length. Shadow’s tail raised due to some instinct, lifting to expose its underside. It had served as a sort of sheath to hide Shadow’s butt, Sonic was realizing now. He rubbed the underside of Shadow’s tail as he shamelessly took a look. He could see just a bit of Shadow’s smooth flesh peeking from between his cheeks where his fur faded away to leave his anus unobstructed. His hand slowly slipped off of Shadow’s tail, trailing down until—Shadow snatched Sonic’s arm. He looked around the landscape nervously. Towards the workers and the track and the aircraft hangar.

“Sorry, I… did you like that?” Sonic stepped to stand in front of him.

Shadow looked away, his puffed tail slashing left and right behind him. Wasn’t quite a wag. “Can’t you at least wait until nighttime for that?”

“Wait… it got you going like that?” Sonic reached around him to touch it again.

Shadow slapped his hand away. “I have… buttons… for that.”

Sonic grinned. “I’m going to find every one.”

Shadow bristled and walked off, dragging him by the chain. “Adolescente estúpido. Siempre piensa en una sola cosa.”

“I think Spanish is one of my buttons,” Sonic admitted, jogging behind him.

Shadow stopped and turned around. He pointed a finger at Sonic and opened his mouth, probably intending to curse him out in Spanish, but he stayed quiet as his brows furrowed.

Sonic leaned in towards his face, smirking. “Yeah~ now what?”

Shadow grabbed the chain and swung Sonic onto the ground. He got down on top of him and pinned his wrists above his head. “Fuck you,” he spat just above Sonic’s face.

“Ah… I’m waiting.” Sonic lifted his hips up, pressing his crotch under Shadow.

Shadow grunted, lifting his hips away from him. His claws slowly sunk into Sonic’s wrists, making him wince. Shadow wrapped the chain around his hand and pulled Sonic’s torso up. Sonic leaned up towards him, but his lips couldn’t quite reach Shadow’s. The hybrid leaned down a little, allowing their noses to brush together. “I’m afraid if I let you inside of me, I’ll never want to leave.”

Sonic’s ears drooped submissively as he begged. “Then let me inside of you. Please.” He wrapped his arms around Shadow. One of his hands slid up his back, the other gripping the base of his tail. “Please, Shadow. Let me in. I’ll make things good for you. I’ll be good for you.”

Shadow sighed deeply, slowly lowering into his lap as his tail raised again. “Me ruegas tan dulcemente, Pequeño Zafiro.”

“Zafiro…” Sonic repeated, but he was unable to roll the R. He nuzzled Shadow’s chest fur.

“I’m no zafiro.” Shadow watched him, pushing his chest out just a little.

“So it doesn’t mean hedgehog then?” Sonic peeked up at him through his long fur.

Shadow smiled softly. “You caught me…” He’d been calling him that since the beginning of their relationship. It could translate to something mean like idiot or pig, but Sonic didn’t mind. He liked Shadow calling him something. Anything. His hands rose up Shadow’s sides, but the hybrid got off of him, rolling over to lie on his back in the grass. Sonic smiled up into the sky, bringing his hands back under his head. The two of them lied in a content silence until the sun creeped low into the sky, and the wind’s touch started to become icy.

Chapter Text

As much as Sonic enjoyed lounging in the grass with the hybrid, the sun was setting. They had used up their time. He had to take him back inside. He turned his ear piece back on and said Espio’s name. There wasn’t much slack in the chain as Sonic led the way back to the building. The director requested their presence at Sonic’s bedroom, so the two took the elevator down. Sonic walked down the hall with a little apprehension. What were they going to do in his bedroom?

Again, Espio was already waiting for them leaning against the wall. He tossed Sonic the key to the collar and both hedgehogs looked at each other. The director pointed his thumb at the door directly across from Sonic’s bedroom as he looked at Shadow. “That’s for you.”

Shadow glanced cautiously from Espio to the door. He stepped forward and pushed the door open, looking inside. It was a mirror of Sonic’s bedroom. Bed, nightstand, desk, bookshelf. The bed was made with a thin blanket and flat pillows. Shadow’s ears perked up.

Sonic smiled as he looked over Shadow’s head. It used to be an empty room. He looked to Espio. “That’s his bedroom? He gets to stay up here with me from now on?”

“Yes. As long as he—“ Espio dropped his words as Sonic dashed to hug him around the waist, tugging Shadow a step closer.

“Thank you.” Sonic squeezed him lightly.

Espio didn’t hug him back, but he offered a small pat on the top of Sonic’s head. “You’re welcome.” Sonic let go and took a few steps back to give him his space. He smiled up at the man, his tail wagging just a bit. The director cleared his throat. “Don’t mind him moving on his own. But he must stay below floor zero unless I say otherwise.”

Sonic nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“He should have everything he needs in there. Even put some basic clothes in his closet trimmed to his size.”

“I’m not wearing clothes.” Shadow’s snout wrinkled.

“Well, you’re not going to be walking around my facility naked. I would suggest a compromise, but I’m the boss, so… you’ll be wearing clothes.” Espio rolled his eyes. “Sonic doesn’t make them look too bad, does he?”

Sonic faced Shadow with a smile. He held a thumbs up. Clothes were natural for him now. They weren’t such a bad thing. Shadow may come to like them. Especially once winter arrives. Plus, it was a layer of protection, separation that Shadow would probably like to have around others. Hm. Shadow hasn’t seen Sonic nude, has he?

Shadow growled softly, looking Sonic over. He folded his arms and looked away from them both. “Say whatever else you need to say, human.”

“That’s pretty much it for now. I’ll follow up with you frequently, of course. Ask things of you. Direct you. You will behave. You will obey.” Espio became stern, and Sonic felt nervous between them. “You will be able to earn more privileges as long as no blood is shed, no escapes are attempted. And one day, you’ll have a place on Sonic’s team.”

Sonic grinned. Yes! He looked to Shadow. This is the opportunity he had been hoping for. The hybrid didn’t look nearly as excited. He stood still and stiff besides an anxious flick of his tail.

“Make him be good, okay?” Espio reached to scratch his fingers behind Sonic’s ear.

Sonic hummed happily, leaning into the touch. He never felt itchy until Espio scratched him, and then it was such a relief. He nodded. “I will, sir. He’ll be the best agent you’ve ever had.”

“Better than you?” Espio stroked Sonic’s fur down behind his ear.

“Well, maybe not the best…” Sonic responded playfully. His collar pressed on his throat as Shadow pulled at the chain. He looked to him. The hybrid had a nasty grimace on his face and a glare settled on Espio.

“I’ll let you settle in.” Espio tucked his hands into his pockets and walked around them down towards the elevator.

Sonic walked up to Shadow and unlocked the chain around his collar. “Isn’t this great? You’re right across from me. You never have to be alone—“

Shadow stepped into the room as soon as he was free and shut the door.

“—again…” Sonic frowned, staring at the shut door. Had he said something wrong? He unlocked the collar around his neck and stood awkwardly in the hall for about two minutes before retreating into his room. He left his door open so he’d be aware if Shadow left. He set the collar down on his nightstand which was covered with all sorts of restraints now. He sat down crisscrossed in the center of his bed. This time of day, he usually killed time until he collected Shadow once the building was thoroughly empty. But Shadow was right there across the hall. Would he want to sleep with him tonight?

Sonic sighed and lied down on his back, looking up at his ceiling. He can understand Shadow wanting some space now that he can control part of his environment. He’ll leave Shadow be. He looked through his doorway to Shadow’s as he heard small noises coming from his room. His ears perked up as the door opened. Shadow walked across into Sonic’s room. Sonic watched him pick up his blanket and leave.

“Hey!” Sonic sat up. He looked down at his bed. He supposed it’s not a big deal. He still had an extra blanket, but the guy could’ve asked. A moment later Shadow was back, this time taking one of the two pillows Sonic had. “I kinda wanted that one…” He cocked a brow as Shadow opened Sonic’s closet. The hybrid looked through his clothes. He pulled a soft t-shirt off the hanger and then opened the drawers in Sonic’s dresser, checking the contents in each one. He grabbed a pair of Sonic’s boxers before pushing the drawers shut with the side of his body and heading for the door. But then he trotted back into Sonic’s bedroom and gathered his candles in his hands before actually leaving.

“Shadow?” Sonic flushed, watching. What’s he doing with his underwear? The hybrid shut the door to his own bedroom. Sonic moved to sit at the foot of his bed, closer to his door. More noises came from the other bedroom. It sounds like he’s renovating in there. He took his sweater off and set it down next to him. He looked down at himself. He started to groom, trying to make himself look appealing in case the hybrid came back again. It got quiet in the other room for a little while, then the door pulled open about halfway, but Shadow didn’t come out. Sonic couldn’t see him from here. Was that an invitation?

Sonic got off of his bed and walked into the hall. “Shadow?” He paused outside his door. “Can I come in?” There was only silence in return. Sonic pushed the door open the rest of the way. It was dim inside, but the candles he took from Sonic served to cast the room in a sort of pulsating glow. Shadow’s shoes were sitting neatly at the foot of his bed. He had made a sort of… tent over the bed. there were pens stabbed into the wall to hold up the blanket that had originally been on the bed, hiding anything that would be in it. Shadow must be inside. Sonic leaned over to take his shoes off. He set them down next to Shadow’s and tucked his socks into them. He looked down at himself again. His thumb dipped into the waistband of his shorts. He shut Shadow’s door quietly as he pushed his shorts down. He stepped out of them and dropped them on his shoes. Now naked, he walked over to the edge of the bed. His fingertips found where the blanket overlapped on itself and slipped between the ends. He pulled the blanket aside so he could look inside.

Inside was a mix of things on the mattress all twisted together. A blanket. Two pillows. One was Sonic’s. The other one from Shadow’s bed seems to have been torn apart, its stuffing littered amongst the other materials. The clothes he had taken from Sonic were tucked in too. It was like… some sort of nest. In the center, Shadow lied on his back with his knees brought up together. His eyes rose up and down Sonic’s body, his gaze pausing to absorb the sight of Sonic’s bare hips and his pouch. It wasn’t just the sight of Shadow that made the agent’s tail wag and his lips curl into a smile. It was the cozy space he had created. Something about it made his heart skip a beat. He wanted to be inside so badly with Shadow. He’s never thought of doing something like this with his bedding, but it must be so comfortable.

Shadow tapped his ear. Sonic turned off his ear piece and leaned away to set it down on the nightstand. He gasped when a soft hand rose up his hip, pushing his fur against the grain. His skin tingled underneath it. It was a place he very rarely received touch. If he did, it was through clothes and very brief. He looked back to Shadow inside the nest. The hybrid arched his back off the bedding just a little. His tail brushed back and forth across the nest. His ears were turned away from one another and low, submissive.

Sonic’s ears were stiffly perked forward with interest. His fur began to puff a bit as he ducked under the blanket and climbed inside. He settled down next to Shadow and took a closer look at the nest and lowered his nose to smell around it. Though he had only just come inside, he could smell the both of them in it. His scent came from his clothing and pillow that was used in it. He felt the stuffing between his fingers. Shadow watched him intently as if waiting for his approval. Sonic lifted his head and rumbled softly. It was a sound he hadn’t made before. He’s not sure what feeling it was conveying, but Shadow seemed to understand. He parted his legs and rubbed one of his hands at Sonic’s chest, feeling it vibrate with his noise.

Sonic bit his lip as that tingling spread from his chest out through his entire body. He came closer, crossing his arm over Shadow’s body. His nose brushed his cheek and he smelled his neck above the collar. Shadow tilted his head back, exposing more of it. There was that soothing smell of trees and flowers, of nature, of freedom. Sonic licked his lips and then licked Shadow’s neck. He wasn’t sure if he was grooming him or just trying to show affection. But it felt right. The hybrid exhaled shakily and gripped Sonic’s hip, pulling him closer. He turned his head and kissed the blue hedgehog’s lips. They kissed each other soft and slow until sweetness filled the air inside the tent. Filled. He lost any trace of their own scents. Any trace of the detergent used to wash the blankets. Any trace of the stale background smell of GUN. It was just that lovely smell. It made him woozy, sending his blood from his brain down into his pouch.

He broke the kiss to look down Shadow’s body. His cock was rubbing across his little white happy trail. His belly pressed into it as he breathed deeply. Sonic spread his hand over Shadow’s torso. His thumb brushed down one line of his nipples while his four fingers brushed down the other line of them. His hand came to rest across Shadow’s flat tummy. His cock pushed between his hand and his fur, sliding up into it. Sonic smiled and palmed the thing gently, earning a quiet moan from Shadow. His own dick erected from his sheath, pink and shiny with the bit of moisture retained in his pouch. Shadow’s fingers reached to trace around Sonic’s tip and rub it lightly. His dick twitched readily.

Their lips connected again, parted this time. Their tongues found one another in Sonic’s mouth. The blue hedgehog whimpered softly as Shadow’s hand wrapped around him and squeezed. He gently took the hybrid’s wrist and removed his hand. He was going to cum if Shadow played with it. And he wanted to save that for something else. He pulled from the kiss, and Shadow’s tongue fell out his mouth. He moved over on top of him and kissed down his chest onto his belly. The smaller began to shiver under his kisses. He paused then started tucking the bedding at Shadow’s sides, but Shadow felt hot. He was shivering from excitement, not because he was cold. Shadow’s phallus curled under Sonic’s chin, tilting it up. He smiled up at Shadow who was peeking at him through his chest fur. His tip brushed along Sonic’s cheek and trailed across his bottom lip. His heart began to race as he opened his mouth. Shadow’s dick slithered inside of it.

Sonic made a soft noise as the slick thing filled his mouth, stretching his cheeks. With its flexibility, it didn’t need to go down his throat. He moved his tongue around his mouth, touching every part of his cock that he could, covering it in his spit. It tasted as sweet as it smelled. It made Sonic produce so much saliva that he would choke if he didn’t let it trail down his chin. The hybrid moaned and gripped at the quills on the top of Sonic’s head. His dick sort of rubbed itself all in his mouth, over his tongue, the roof of the mouth, and his cheeks. Sonic locked onto his face though his eyes were closed. He collected his leaking saliva with his fingers and moved them down to rub it on Shadow’s pussy, but he didn’t need it. It was already slicker than the inside of his mouth. It was hot too, hotter than the rest of the body it belonged too. Sonic’s cock began to throb at just the light touching on it. He shivered now too, his fur puffing along his spine.

Shadow’s cock started to… pulse in his mouth. Rolling from base to tip. It was rhythmic. Sonic felt along it with his tongue, following to his tip, but Shadow slowly withdrew from his mouth. It seemed a bit stiff all of a sudden as it lied down pointed up along his stomach. Sonic took the opportunity to look down between his legs. Shadow’s slit had opened itself just enough to let this sweet, clear slick ooze out and coat the surrounding flesh. The glands on either side of it were swollen producing heat and that aroma. Sonic couldn’t resist pressing his muzzle against Shadow’s pussy and taking a deep breath.

Shadow inhaled with him and lifted his legs to press his feet at the back of Sonic’s head, keeping him there. He smiled, relieved Shadow didn’t think he was weird for smelling him like this. He just wanted to be covered in this scent. He’d rather have this scent fill his lungs than air. His tongue lapped at it to collect its flavor. Shadow gasped softly. He pressed his tongue forward with enough pressure to split his lips around him. It even felt tight around his tongue. So small… was it really meant for sex? Maybe it was stretchy. He removed his tongue and pressed kisses on his tender glands as he inserted one of his fingers. He carefully felt around inside. It was wet, of course. Filled with some natural lubricant. And hot. Almost uncomfortably hot. With his finger pad, he could feel these rounded bumps lining his tight walls. It was… textured. It had these grooves too like it was ribbed. Sonic’s claws nearly scratched Shadow’s thigh as he gripped it. He wanted inside. Really, really bad. His dick was beginning to ache. Since Shadow didn’t mind his single finger, he pushed in another. Shadow let out a long sigh. His insides loosened and then tightened again, as if readjusting to the perfect shape for his fingers. Would it do that for his cock? He pumped his fingers. Was he already prepared to receive him?

Shadow moaned softly. He spread his legs open and reached his arms down to touch Sonic’s cheeks. Sonic looked up into his eyes. Shadow’s pupils were swallowing most of his irises. His lips parted, and he looked as if about to speak, but his words never came. Sonic climbed back up his body, kissing from the bottom of his belly up to his jaw. Shadow wrapped one arm around Sonic’s shoulders. He laid his opposite hand on the small of his back and pushed Sonic’s hips down. Shadow was encouraging him? Sonic grinned like a fool as his tip pressed at the hot spot between his legs. He was a little worried his heart would explode, but he couldn’t resist Shadow guiding him lower until he sunk inside.

Sonic whimpered. It was so tight. He pushed in deep, making Shadow groan. A purr erupted from his chest as soon as the slick warmth enveloped him and his tail wagged faster than he ran. His face flooded hot with embarrassment, but only for a moment until his ears caught the sound of Shadow trilling and his tail tapping on the bed. They had reacted the same. He stared at Shadow’s scrunched up face, hovering over him. His cock twitched inside him. “I think I’m in love with you,” Sonic babbled quickly.

Shadow stared at him with some look of offense, but it faded right away. He covered his face and chuckled. His insides clenched as he laughed.

“Ah~” Sonic gasped and tried to push deeper. “What? I’m serious.” As he did, he thought he felt something wash over him, some fluid, not as thick as Shadow’s slick. He glanced down, but he didn’t see anything. Must just be another unique function of Shadow’s.

“That tight, huh?” His words could hardly be made out through his constant trilling. It was clear he couldn’t control the sound.

Sonic nodded. “Mhm.” He huffed as he tried to get all the way inside, but Shadow tensed. Something was stopping him. His tip was pressing at some sort of wall. He knew his dick wasn’t unusually large. Is he putting it in wrong? He sat up and looked down where their hips met. His lips were so tight around his shaft that the pink flesh was going white. A few inches at the base of his cock was left out in the cold. He could see the shape of himself bulging in Shadow’s stomach. He frowned a little as he touched it. Shadow needed to eat more. He touched the space where his tip was, wondering what could be blocking him. It was just under his belly button. Maybe they weren’t supposed to be doing this. “Am I hurting you Shadow?” Sonic cupped his cheek. Anything that made this so pleasurable for him could be causing Shadow pain. Was the stretch too much?

“No,” Shadow murmured, tilting his head as he looked down at himself.

“Thank god…” Sonic let out a breath. He took hold of Shadow’s hips and pulled out a few inches, then pushed back in. He moaned as he wiggled his hips, still trying to get that last bit inside. It felt so good—he wanted as much of himself inside of it as possible. He was panting just from the overwhelming pleasure, his body trembling. “Shadow,” he whined. He leaned over him and nuzzled his cheek. “Why won’t it go in?”

Shadow closed his eyes and trailed his claws up and down Sonic’s spine. “That’s as deep as I go. Is it not enough for you?”

“No, no.” Sonic shook his head rapidly. “It’s plenty, I’m—I’m trying not to cum right now if I’m honest with you. I just… want to fill all of you.” He kissed at Shadow’s face.

“You have…” Shadow turned his head and kissed his lips. Sonic kissed him back and gripped at the bedding as he tried to move. He was forced to go slow. He was about to blow just from all the excitement. The kiss broke as he moaned freely. The ridges inside him stroked every sensitive part of his cock. His entire body buzzed with energy. He only knew his eyes were glowing because he could see blue reflected from Shadow’s as he looked into them. He leaned up again, gazing down at Shadow like he was the only thing he could see. His hips shook each time he pressed forward. Arcs of electricity began lighting up out of his coat and snapping in the air. He pressed his hands down on Shadow’s little waist and pressed his thumbs over the bulge in his belly. He licked his lips. Shadow’s eyes widened just a bit as he took in the view of Sonic in his high energy state. He dug his claws into the bedding. His own eyes attempted to light up, but the flow flickered away thanks to the inhibitor collar.

A small smirk crept up onto Sonic’s lips as he slowly rolled his hips against Shadow’s pussy. “Can I cum in you?”

“W-what?” Shadow’s fur slowly started to rise from the tip of his ears down to his toes.

“Inside. Can I? Quickly, Shads. Need an answer.” Sonic grunted as he started to actually thrust, rocking Shadow’s body beneath him. He couldn’t help himself.

“Uh, mm~ I don’t think—it would be messy, I’d prefer if you… shit~” A violent shiver ripped through Shadow’s body. His hands shot up to grip Sonic’s forearms.

Sonic leaned over him, letting their noses brush. He moaned in Shadow’s face. “Be honest. Tell me what you want~”

“I-I…” Shadow wrapped his arms around Sonic’s torso as the hedgehog twitched inside of him.

“Shadow, I can’t… can’t hold it back any longer. Feels too good,” Sonic half-growled, half-whined. Shadow pulled him close and wrapped his legs around the larger male, pulling his hips down against him. That’s all Sonic needed to know. He leaned his head back and moaned loudly as he released his load deep inside of the other hedgehog. Shadow gasped and clutched at Sonic’s back, his claws slicing into his skin. His trilling became louder than ever as if this was the most pleasurable moment of the experience. His tail wagged back and forth, hitting Sonic’s legs. His insides started to clench securely around the length of Sonic’s cock.

The glow slowly faded from Sonic’s eyes and his electricity returned inside of himself. He inhaled shakily in an attempt to catch his breath as he kissed Shadow’s muzzle, pecking his lips. He pushed his swelling knot at Shadow’s lips, but there was no way in hell it was going in, but he sure tried, going as far as to push Shadow up the bed. Shadow bit one of his claws and licked Sonic’s blood from it. His own cock moved down to coil around Sonic’s knot and squeeze. Sonic sighed in relief. It was warm and moist too, almost what he needed. He wrapped his arms tightly around Shadow’s body and lied on top of him, turning to rest his cheek on his chest. Small streaks of blood flowed across his back over his sides. Shadow licked at the top of Sonic’s head and his ears, still trilling, sending soothing vibrations through Sonic’s skull. Sonic’s ear twitched. He’d meant what he said. And he really hoped Shadow would stay now. Their life could be like this if he did. Couldn’t he see?

Chapter Text

Sonic woke up early the next morning. He was inside something warm and soft. The first noise from him was a gentle purr. He wasn’t exactly hard, but his cock hadn’t shrunk back into his sheath like it usually did, so he was still inside his partner. He was raised and lowered rhythmically by Shadow’s chest moving with his breaths. Sonic closed his mouth. He’d been drooling onto Shadow’s chest. He wiped his mouth, then rubbed his eyes. His hands shifted down to feel the thighs spread around him. He tucked his arms beneath Shadow. He could tell by his breathing he was awake. He was always awake first. “I’m sorry I came so fast last night. Let’s try again.” He bit his lip as ground his hips between Shadow’s legs. He shivered as pleasure flowed through him again, tensing the muscles low in his gut.

Shadow let out a long breath and traced scratches in Sonic’s back. “It’s okay to finish whenever you finish.”

Sonic lifted his head, finally opening his blurry eyes. His cock was easily becoming rigid again, pressing into that wall inside Shadow. It was actually a little uncomfortably tight at first, but Shadow’s insides adjust around him as he grew. He moaned softly, gazing lovingly at Shadow’s face. Shadow’s ears were back just a bit, and his lips were pursed. Sonic pecked his lips to get him to loosen up. “But you… you didn’t finish, right?”

“I’m not sure I’m capable of it…” Shadow looked up at him.

“That’s silly, Shadow. Of course you are.” Sonic nudged his nose into his cheek. “Just… have to find the right buttons.” Sonic’s hand slid down across his nipples as his hips paused so they could converse.

Shadow looked down at his body between them. “But it’s not necessary for me to finish.”

It didn’t click for Sonic what he truly meant by that, so he just pressed his hips close and said, “Well, no, but it would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes…” Shadow crossed his ankles behind the agent’s butt.

“So tell me what feels good.” Sonic kissed the edges of his lips.

Shadow’s lip twitched. “I’m not sure, I just… I like it.”

“Did you feel pressure building right here?” Sonic rubbed low on his tummy.

“No. It was tense from the start.” His abdominal muscles were even still clenched now.

“Maybe we should start with touching your penis. Wait, are you saying you’ve never jerked off? You lived out in the woods for fifty years and never got curious?” Sonic cocked a brow at him. What, was he some sort of monk?

“That’s not what it’s for,” Shadow murmured, ear twitching.

“Stop being so cryptic. Actually… you might be right. You don’t have testicles, so no sperm, huh? Is it more like a long clitoris?” Sonic sat up to take a look, but it had retracted back inside of him. His cunt was still opened up around him though. “Hey.” Sonic wiggled his finger at the opening to Shadow’s sheath. “Come out.”

“Sonic.” Shadow rolled his eyes, but his little friend poked out like a groundhog from its burrow.

“When it was in my mouth earlier, it started throbbing.” Sonic spit into his hand, then wrapped his hand around his dick and stroked the base slowly.

Shadow grunted and brought his legs up towards his torso. His cock curled around his wrist. “It was… that wasn’t going to be an orgasm like you’re thinking of.”

“How do you work, Shads? I want to learn.” Sonic brought his other hand to Shadow’s dick. It slid across his fingers, feeling him. He held it between his palms and stroked it.

“Mm…” Shadow closed his eyes and relaxed into the bed.

Sonic smiled down at him. He could still see the shape of himself inside him. Inside him… “Wait. I can’t get you pregnant can I? Like do you have a uterus and all that? With you being mixed species, are you even capable of—“

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Shadow took a deep breath. His cock released him.

“Oh, good. Because… that was pretty hot, huh?” Sonic grinned as he touched under Shadow’s belly button. “I wish I could knot you. Like I think I’d give my left nut for it. Why can’t I? You’re not that small. I’m not that big. Are the Black Arms small?” He looked back to Shadow’s face. The hybrid was sighing and rubbing his forehead. Sonic’s ears dropped. “I’m sorry. Too early for so many questions? Sorry. What time is it? Sorry.” Sonic leaned his head out of the nest to check. He’d left his phone in the other room, but thankfully it was still earlier than the time he had to move up for work. A hand took his quills and pulled his head back inside.

Shadow held his arms out. “Come back.”

Sonic smiled and leaned over him again. He nuzzled Shadow’s nose. “I’m here.”

“You’re erect.” Shadow wrapped his arms around his neck under his quills.

“Uh, yeah. Kinda hard not to be when i’m inside you. I’m not exaggerating when I say your insides are the best thing I’ve ever so much as imagined feeling.” Sonic let out a breath as he started to move a little bit.

“I’m happy that I feel good for you.” Shadow rubbed Sonic’s hips gently. He brought his thighs against his torso, folding himself.

Sonic put his hands on the bed at Shadow’s sides to hold himself up. He thrusted down into him at a relaxed pace, always stopped by that wall. He purred happily as he stared down at his partner taking his cock with ease. “Does it feel good for you too?”

Shadow smiled softly and nodded. He felt Sonic’s bare chest with his hands, and Sonic leaned into his touch. His breath became heavier over time. One of his hands gripped Sonic’s pec while the other reached up to scratch his ear.

Sonic moaned, tilting his head towards his hand. “Rub my ear. Please.” Shadow pressed his thumb into Sonic’s ear and massaged it gently. “Ah…” The blue hedgehog bit his lip and closed his eyes. He tried to hump the hybrid, but he couldn’t get close enough to make it satisfying. He went back to straight thrusts, whining softly. He wondered how long it would take to go crazy being unable to get balls deep. He licked his hand and brought it down between them until Shadow’s dick slid itself into it. He stroked it gently, allowing it to squirm in his grasp.

The hybrid pushed himself halfway up so he could kiss Sonic’s lips. His tongue prodded at them, and Sonic opened to receive it. It filled his mouth like his cock had, and he was happy to have it. He took a handful of Sonic’s quills, and his grip slowly tightened as Sonic thrusted faster between his legs. Shadow scooted closer to him though Sonic couldn’t get any deeper. The tips of Shadow’s tongue traced his teeth. One of his hands gripped Sonic’s ass, helping to push it down with each thrust. Both panted through their noses against one another.

Shadow pulled away from the kiss with a groan. He tucked his face into Sonic’s shoulder. “You asked what I like… I like it when you cum inside…”

Sonic shuddered with delight. He smirked and whispered into Shadow’s ear. “You want me to fill you up?” One of his hands grabbed Shadow’s hip tightly.

Shadow’s breath was hot in his neck, making his fur stand on end. “Sí, Zafiro. Dámelo, por favor.”

Sonic didn’t need to know Spanish to understand him this time. His groin was hot and his abs were tight. He was ready to cum. He had been holding himself for Shadow, but if he wanted it, he had no reason hold back any more. He dug his claws into the bedding and moaned as his cock twitched and began to pump his cum into the hybrid. Shadow’s reaction was instant. He clung to Sonic’s body, completely leaving the bed as he wrapped his arms and legs around him tightly, digging his claws into his back. He bit into his shoulder with a deep grunt.

“Ow,” Sonic hissed, arching his back under Shadow’s claws. He panted softly. “Easy, Shadow…” He cupped the back of Shadow’s head and sat back on his heels, bringing the hybrid into his lap. He was worried someone would see these wounds Shadow was leaving in him, but the piercing pain lighting up his pelt sent pleasant shocks to his groin. He didn’t pull Shadow’s teeth off of his shoulder or his claws off of his back. Shadow trilled loudly against his flesh and bit harder. His tail curled up between Sonic’s legs, the end pressing to his butt. His insides started to shift along Sonic’s shaft as if stroking him. “Mm, my god…” He leaned his head back, gasping softly. His cock continued to let out little spurts of cum inside of him as it was still stimulated. His knot pressed at his pussy, so Shadow’s dick slipped out of his hands to wrap around it. Sonic leaned back on his hand and looked down to where their hips met. He pressed his hips up against Shadow, pushing him up too.

They rested there for a few minutes, but Shadow’s grip never loosened. His jaws never opened either. Sonic’s shoulder was throbbing now, really starting to hurt. He leaned over to lie Shadow down on the bed, but he still didn’t let go, clinging against the agent. “Shadow?” Sonic rubbed his back gently. “Are you okay?” Shadow’s trilling slowly quieted into silence. “Starting to hurt a little bit…” He touched Shadow’s lips where they pressed into his fur, trying to get him to release. He said nothing. Didn’t move an inch. Was he even aware of what he was doing? Sonic placed his hand on top of Shadow’s muzzle and pressed his thumb over Shadow’s nostrils. Another entire minute went by before Shadow started to twitch. And another before he began to squirm uncomfortably from lack of oxygen. One more, and he finally opened his mouth, pulling away from his shoulder to gasp.

Sonic let go of his muzzle. He brushed the back of his fingers on Shadow’s cheek, looking into his face. He seemed focused on catching his breath now. Blood lined his lips and his pupils were these little slits. He blinked several times, and they slowly grew back into circles. He plucked his claws out of Sonic’s pelt and let himself be laid on the bed, though his legs didn’t release his hips. Sonic winced and reached around himself to try and feel his back. How bad had Shadow carved him? He looked down at the hybrid beneath him rubbed his chest. “Are you okay? You seemed kind of of locked on…”

Shadow wiped his mouth and rested his arm over his eyes. “I’m sorry… it’s instinct.”

“Instinct? To do what?” Sonic settled down on top of him, purring quietly at the feel of Shadow’s soft fur against the bare skin on his front.

“You ask too many questions, hedgehog.” Shadow released his hips, resting his feet down on the bed.

Sonic reached down to feel their genitals. Shadow’s hot slit, his knot pressing at it, and Shadow’s tentacle dick wrapped around it. He rubbed Shadow’s dick with two fingers. “You moved out of my hand to hold my knot. I wanted to stroke it until you came.”

“Your pleasure feeds mine.” Shadow pressed a short kiss to his cheek.

Sonic smiled at the affection but wasn’t happy with his words. It was kind of sweet, but he deserved to reach his peak too, if that’s what he wanted. “You’re strange, you know.”

“I know.” Shadow murmured. He turned under Sonic to lie on his side.

Sonic huffed softly as his cock fell out of him. He cuddled up to Shadow’s back and pressed himself between Shadow’s thighs. The hybrid was able to use his dick to guide Sonic’s back inside of him. He smoothed down Shadow’s quills so he could rest his head on them. Shadow’s hand was already resting low on his stomach, so Sonic put his on top of it. “Fuck work. Can’t I just stay in here forever?”

“Maybe. You help me get out of here, we could do whatever we want, whenever we want.” Shadow lifted his fingers to interlock them with Sonic’s.

Sonic frowned a little bit, pulling his hand away. “You… you didn’t have sex with me thinking it’d get me to let you out, did you?”

“No, Sonic.” Shadow shook his head and sighed. “I… this is really hard for me. My life, my fate, it’s—“

“Your fate led you here to me.” Sonic wrapped his arms around him. “But it’s not in control anymore. I have you now.”

“You don’t have me.” Shadow tucked his hands under his chin.

“Why do you say that?” Sonic nuzzled Shadow’s cheek. “I have you.”

“You’re cute,” Shadow said dismissively, pushing his muzzle away.

“Talk to me.” Sonic grabbed Shadow’s jaw and turned his head towards him.

Shadow’s quills rustled. He stared into the agent’s eyes with low brows. “Let me go.” A hint of a growl edged in the back of his throat.

“Sorry.” Sonic immediately dropped his face. “I’m just getting a bit frustrated here. Don’t you understand my position?”

“I do, but you don’t understand mine.” Shadow pushed Sonic’s legs with his feet, making the hedgehog fall out of him.

“You won’t tell me what it is.” Sonic sat up.

“I’m trying.” Shadow climbed over him and pushed open the blanket to sit outside of the nest on the edge of the bed. “It’s hard to talk about on its own, and I don’t know what you’ll chatter back to Espio.” Shadow grabbed Sonic’s ear piece and threw it at his chest. “The less he knows, the better for everyone. Everyone would be better off if I just disappeared.” He grabbed a cigarette from the box on his nightstand and lit it at his mouth. “So let me disappear, you pequeña rata molesta.”

Sonic’s brows furrowed. He looked over at Shadow’s back. His spines were out and his tail was flicking. “Did you just call me a molester?”

Shadow took a deep breath of his cigarette, straightening his back. Then he put his hands on his thighs and tapped them with his fingers. His ears were flat. Sonic’s lowered a little bit, sensing that eerie calmness that Espio always had before he snapped. “Molesta means annoying…” Shadow hunched over, his muscles loosening as he rested his elbows on his knees.

“Oh.” Sonic’s ears lifted again. He looked at the small communication device in his hand. “I’m not going to tell Espio your secrets.”

“Not on purpose. It’ll probably just come out. Or you won’t realize you’ve given him adjacent information that will lead him to the correct conclusion.” Shadow gestured the progression with his hands. “You don’t think before you speak.”

Sonic slowly crawled out of the nest to sit next to Shadow. He had a point. He’d probably accidentally relay the information to his boss. He watched smoke fill the still air. He commented on it as he gathered his thoughts on the main conversation. “Shouldn’t smoke in here, you know. Shit airflow. Smell won’t leave for days.”

“I don’t care.” Shadow parted his thighs to look down. Sonic’s cum was leaking out of him onto the bed. He sighed deeply before taking a hasty inhale of his cigarette. His leg bounced quickly. Sonic couldn’t help but stare between his legs as Shadow’s dick worked to collect his semen off the bed and push it back into himself. Why… did he really like it that much? Sonic’s heart started beating quickly again. Shadow rubbed his thighs as he spoke again. His lips quivered over the name, hardly able to speak it. “Black Doom.”

Sonic’s ears perked. “What about him?”

“I’m due to him. He’ll come for me. I won’t be able to get away here, inhibited like this. I need to leave this place, but… I don’t want to leave you. You can come with me. We can go together.” Shadow looked at him with a softness Sonic hadn’t seen before, a vulnerability.

Sonic focused back on his face. He took Shadow’s empty hand. “I saw his file. He hasn’t been around for decades. Maybe he’s given up looking for you.”

“Listen to me.” Shadow squeezed his hand. “He is coming. I don’t know when, but he wouldn’t let me go. The deal was for me to stay with my family until I could help my sister, then I would be turned over to him. My family is dead now, and he knows that. But he experiences time differently than us. It may seem like he’s abandoned me, but in his experience, he could just be running an errand before he comes and collects me.”

Sonic was quiet for a moment, letting the pieces come together in his head, filling in the [REDACTED] spaces in the files he had read. “You… tried to kill yourself… so he couldn’t get to you. Why are you so afraid of him? What’s he going to do?”

“It’s not about fear.” Shadow grimaced at the suggestion, pulling his hand away from Sonic. “It’s about the consequences.” He twisted the lit end of the cigarette into his tender paw pad, putting it out.

“Don’t do that!” Sonic snatched his wrist.

“It’s my body when I’m with you, isn’t it?” Shadow snarled in his face, pulling his hand back to himself. “Or was that a lie?”

Sonic frowned. “It wasn’t a lie. I just don’t want you to be in pain.” Sonic took his hand more gently and licked the raw spot on his paw. “Just stay here. If he comes, we’ll handle it. We’ll fight back. I won’t let him get you.”

Shadow pushed his face away. “You think you’re some sort of hero, don’t you? Some savior of mine. You may have some control over my treatment in here, but out there, you are powerless. You are an insect on Black Doom’s radar. He won’t look twice at you if you make a move. You can’t beat him. You can’t save me. The only options are to let me go or come with me.”

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck. He couldn’t let him go. But he believed Sonic and GUN could handle it if Black Doom returned to Earth. They would be keen to protect Shadow, as valuable as he is. He shouldn’t have to worry, but Sonic couldn’t figure out how to calm him. “He can’t be… that powerful. I’m sure GUN has figured out a way to deal with him. He’s been a known threat for a long time.”

The vulnerability had left Shadow’s eyes. He almost looked bored now. Or tired perhaps. “Your dick is black.”

“What?” Sonic looked down at himself. He was still out of his sheath, holding his knot between his thighs. Sure enough, the top half of his penis was in fact black. It looked like it was covered in ink. He rubbed it with his thumb. It didn’t come off. Like it was stained. He looked to Shadow. “What is this?”

Shadow shrugged. He moved behind Sonic and started licking at the scratches and claw imprints in his back, cleaning him up. “I don’t know. Haven’t seen it before.”

“Ah,” Sonic hissed as Shadow’s tongue pressed along his wounds. He tried to take a look over his back.

“I warned you I could hurt you.” Shadow licked the blood out of his fur.

“Worth it…” Sonic muttered. He touched the bite on his shoulder. Luckily, it was hidden if he ruffled his fur around it. “But we shouldn’t make it a habit. I get—oh, fuck. I get physicals every month. My next one is this week.” He twisted around to try and see any part of his back. “Do you think they’ll go away by then?”

“They could be hidden in your fur. I didn’t know… tell them we were fighting if you have to. They shouldn’t know that we did this. Oh, dios mío, what have I done?” Shadow lied back in the nest.

Sonic turned to face him. He rubbed Shadow’s chest. “Hey, it’s okay. They won’t find out.”

“You better go.” Shadow muttered with a bit of anxiety in his tone. “It’s about that time.”

“Is it?” Sonic leaned to check Shadow’s clock, but his phone’s alarm went off in his bedroom across the hall. “I guess so. Hey, don’t get all depressed while I’m gone.” He leaned down to kiss Shadow’s cheek. “Don’t hurt yourself beating on the walls or anything.”

“Whatever.” Shadow scoffed and turned away from him.

Sonic sighed, looking over his nude form one more time. “And don’t start a fire in here either.” He got out of the nest and blew out Shadow’s candles, which they should not have left burning all night. He turned on Shadow’s bathroom light so it wasn’t pitch black. He stuck his ear piece in his ear and turned it on. Then he pulled up his shorts from yesterday and picked up his shoes before stepping back out of the room and shutting his door.

Chapter Text

Sonic removed his shorts once he was back in his room. His knot still had a little swelling, but it would be ready to return to his sheath if he ran it under some cold water. He walked into his bathroom and turned the sink to warm water first. He gathered soap in his hand and rubbed the end of his cock, but that black stuff wasn’t going anywhere. He tried washing it until it was raw and swelling with irritation. The water coming off of it had been black at first, then gray, and now clear. Clear even though his tip was still black. It truly had stained him. His only hope was for it to fade naturally over time. But how long would it take? He really hoped it wasn’t toxic or something. But he felt fine. It didn’t sting or anything like that.

He turned the water cold and let it run over him until his cock cooled and became fully flaccid. He tucked it back into his sheath and sighed, looking at himself in the mirror. He licked his shoulder where he could reach it. Tasted like copper. He turned and finally got a look at his back. Ten small holes in his pelt from when Shadow had clung to him. And about four streaks going down either side. Luckily, the scratches weren’t deep. They would become scabs hidden under his fur. But the holes were punctures. They would take longer to heal. He might be able to hide them, but they would be around for a while, likely scar.

Sonic returned to his bedroom to dress for the day. Button down, slacks, and a blazer to keep warm in case they went out again today. That meant no need for the annoying tie. He grabbed his badge and left his room. He walked across to Shadow’s. He opened his door. “Hey, do you want me to show you where the mess hall is before I go?”

Shadow spoke from somewhere inside. He had turned off the bathroom light so the only thing Sonic could see was the digital numbers of the alarm clock glowing. “Show me later. Not hungry now.”

“Okay.” Sonic stood there for a moment, feeling like he should say something more. He scolded himself. He really didn’t want to make things weird after last night, but he wasn’t sure if their dynamic had changed. “What are we?”

“Just go to work, Sonic,” Shadow snapped.

“Right, yes sir,” he said out of instinct, then cringed at himself and shut the door. He’s such an idiot. He took a deep breath then walked off for the elevator.

The work day began to go by painfully slow. It seemed to him that Espio was running out of busy work to give him. That’s all it had been, a way to keep him occupied while the director had his attention turned on his newest asset. Sonic was currently spinning in his chair to make himself dizzy so he could try to walk to the break room without falling over when he came to a sudden spot. He squinted at the two women standing in front of him but the image of them started to rotate so he tilted his head, trying to keep them still. “Rouge? And… Amy?”

“Are we interrupting something important?” Amy folded her arms.

“No!” Sonic cleared his throat once he realized it was his team lead that had grabbed his chair. “No, I was just… taking a break.” Sonic straightened the nick knacks on his messy desk. “What can I do for you fine ladies?” He leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers in front of his stomach.

Rouge giggled at him, while Amy wasn’t as amused. “Espio told me he’s going to start working with that other hedgehog.”

“Uh… yeah.” Sonic nodded. “He has his own room like me now. So I’m sure Espio will be trying to put him to work soon.”

“Espio invited me to watch him today.” Amy leaned on his desk.

“Watch him what?” Sonic frowned, looking between the women, but Rouge was watching Amy.

“He’s built some sort of training room for him. I don’t know much. But he told me to come get you, and we’d go together.” Amy looked him over, tapping her fingers on his desk.

“Are you coming too, Rouge?” Sonic’s brows furrowed.

“Oh, no.” Rouge shook her head. “That boy is still a company secret for the moment. I was just chatting with Amy and wanted to see how you were doing, honey.” She smiled at him.

Sonic looked down at his lap, twisting in his chair. “I’m fine. Some stressful things going on… some fun things going on… it levels out.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Rouge put her hand on her hip. “We’re going to visit Knuckles after work. Do you want to come?”

“Yes.” Sonic smiled. He hoped the man was doing alright. He must be getting so bored on bed rest. Plus, Sonic loved being able to go out into the city casually. He hates living down there sometimes. “Hey, aren’t you fluent in Spanish?”

“Yeah, why?” Rouge looked down at him.

“Um…” Sonic traced his desk with his claw. Maybe he shouldn’t say. Maybe it meant something important. But it was just one word. “What does zafiro mean?”

“Zafiro? That’s sapphire. Like the gemstone. Where’d you hear that?” Rouge asked with genuine curiosity.

Sapphire… Shadow was calling him sapphire. Why that? It made Sonic smile for some reason, even if he couldn’t connect the dots. He nonchalantly rubbed his muzzle with his hand so he could hide his curling lips. “Oh, it’s just a random word I picked up listening to Shadow. He’s fluent too. I think it may even be his first language. His accent comes through even when he speaks English sometimes…”

“Does it come through when he’s mad?” An amused smile crept up onto her face.

“Big time.” Sonic nodded.

“It’s his native language then. I thought he grew up in space though.” Rouge shared a look with Amy before turning back to the hedgehog. “Does he sound more Spanish or Mexican or what?”

“Erm…” Sonic scratched the back of his head through his quills. “There’s a difference?”

“Is there a difference in American and British English?” Amy made him use his brain.

“Right. I’m sure the… continents being…”

Rouge tried to save him from further embarrassment. “I’ll just have a listen when I meet him.”

“Do you think that’ll be soon?” It was mostly a question for their boss.

Amy shrugged, glancing at her pink nails. “Depends on performance and behavior. You know that. Everything goes perfect? Yeah, he’ll be integrated soon. Let’s go see what he’s got.”

“Yeah, alright.” Sonic stood from his chair. She talked like Shadow was already out. Had Espio managed to transport him without him being chained up? “I can meet you in the lobby after work, Rouge.”

“Sounds good, darling. I’ll see you later.” Rouge smiled at him and did a little wave before she returned to her desk elsewhere in the office.

Amy started walking, not waiting for him to follow. Sonic caught up to her easily. The air was still and a little bit tense between them. He could sense it, but he’s not sure what he’s done to earn it. He thought of nothing valuable to say to her during the walk outside beyond the track and the hangar. Espio and Shadow were standing next to that building they saw yesterday. The director must’ve had the crew working overnight because it was finished now. It didn’t look like much from the outside. It was essentially a concrete cube with long windows in each wall and a door on one. And the two males there were… chatting? Sonic’s ears perked up to get a listen, but the conversation ended as Shadow turned to watch Sonic and Amy approach.

Once Sonic got closer, he could see that Shadow was wearing black leggings about as dark as his fur. He grinned. “Look at you all civilized.”

“Please.” Shadow scoffed, turning away from him.

Espio very obviously looked Shadow up and down. He was holding a thermos. Sonic could smell the coffee wafting out of the lid. “He refused to put on a shirt. It’s fine. Can hardly see his six nipples through that dark fur anyway.” He sipped from his thermos.

Shadow’s ears flattened and he folded his arms. His fingers subtly sifted through his fur to feel the nipples over his ribs. Sonic’s hands itched to touch him, but he stayed where he was and clenched his hands.

Espio cleared his throat and gestured to the small building. “Training room. Built especially to test him out.”

Sonic walked over to the glass panel and looked inside. There were some dummies and targets on moving tracks and small interior cement walls creating a partial maze, looking like the inside of a laser tag arena. It didn’t look much different from other training areas around the facility. “What’s so special about it?”

Espio stepped forward and scanned his badge to operate a screen on the side of the building. Then some sort of translucent blue forcefield sprouted down from the ceiling to the floor. It lined the inside edge of the entire building, about two feet from the wall. “The perimeter of the room is inhibited. He won’t be able to destroy the building or get out. But the center is fair game.”

“You mean…” Sonic looked back at Espio. “You mean once he goes in there, he won’t be inhibited anymore?” Shadow’s ears lifted at the suggestion, his head tilting as he peered into the glass.

“Yep.” Espio pressed a button, and the door slid open. “Might be a bad idea, but I’d like to see him go.”

Shadow walked to the door and stuck his head in to look around cautiously like an animal who’s been caught in a trap before. He glanced back to Sonic, who smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. It was no trick. He could tell. Shadow then stepped inside, and the door immediately snapped shut behind him. He was in a small chamber now with another door that would open up into the main room. Espio opened the second door to let him inside. Shadow padded into the room past the barrier. He checked out his surroundings. Espio pushed up his sleeve to access his smart watch. The glow from Shadow’s collar slowly faded.

The hybrid stood still. He looked at his hands and flexed them. He swayed his hips from side to side, shifting his weight on his feet. His eyes began to glow red as sparks of electricity danced around his pelt, raising his fur as the air became statically charged. He stared defiantly at the director as he hooked his hands into his collar, pulled, and made the thing explode into pieces like it was a candy necklace. A grin settled on his face. It was almost unnerving. Sonic hadn’t seen him smile that wide before. Espio didn’t seem annoyed or surprised by the destruction of his collar thankfully. He probably planned for it. Shadow dashed to the glass, bringing both of his fists onto it, but all that sounded was a pathetic, dull thunk. Any sign of his energy had faded as soon as he had crossed the forcefield. His face returned to its natural grimace.

“Take it out on the dummies.” Espio pointed behind Shadow.

The hybrid looked over at them. The one nearest to the window had Espio’s printed out headshot stapled to its forehead as some sort of joke. Shadow’s spines erupted from his back. Each of them sort of vibrated like the end of a rattlesnake’s tail. He stepped back into the interior before teleporting onto the dummy, wrapping his legs around its chest and leaning to take a bite out of its face. He spit out the foam, but he ate the photograph. Chewed and swallowed while side eyeing Espio, his tail lashing back and forth in the air.

“Atta boy,” Espio murmured, tapping a selection on the wall module. The dummies and targets in the room began to move erratically on their tracks.

Shadow jumped off of the dummy and teleported to perch onto one of the interior walls in a crouch. His gaze flitted from target to target until he decided to lock onto one. His pupils grew, he wiggled his haunches, and he leapt off of the wall onto one of the targets to rip it apart.

Amy folded her arms, standing next to Espio. “He’s got this look in his eyes I don’t like. You sure you can break this one in?”

“No, I’m not.” Espio tucked his hand into his pocket. “We’re working on another project with him right now. If it’s successful, probably won’t even be interested in putting him out in the field.”

“What other project?” Sonic looked up at him, frowning a little. It must be medical, considering Dr. Blaze’s involvement. Maybe like Tails said, they were trying to replicate his healing factor.

Espio turned his head to look Sonic up and down. When he saw the seriousness written on his face, he chuckled. “That is way above your pay grade.”

“You don’t pay me,” Sonic reminded, crossing his arms.

“You get what you need, don’t you?” Espio cocked a brow.

Sonic looked down, kicking at the grass. Yeah, he got what he needed. Food and water and a bed. Tasks to occupy his time. But he wanted more. Was he selfish for that?

Shadow knocked on the glass. He was looking feral now with slit pupils, bristled quills, and puffed fur. But his breath was steady. The ground was littered with debris—foam, sand, and canvas. The poles the targets had been on were now visible jerking around by themselves. “Your targets are too damn slow.”

Espio sighed, tapping his fingers on his thermos. He raised it towards the building. “Go on, Sonic.”

“Huh?” Sonic looked at his boss, then to Shadow. The fur on the back of his neck rose as Shadow curled his finger, beckoning him with a lick of his lips.

“You’re the only thing we got that can dance with him. Give it a shot.” Espio pushed Sonic’s back, and he stumbled towards the building.

“Sure…” Sonic let his blazer fall off his shoulders. He folded it and dropped it in the grass near the wall.

Shadow’s gaze stalked him as he walked for the door, but it jumped to Espio when the man tapped his fingers on the glass. “Hey! Do not permanently injure my agent.” Shadow looked Espio up and down, then disappeared among the maze.

Sonic rolled his sleeves up above his elbows as Espio opened the first door. He stepped in. It shut, and then the next door opened. Sonic expected to see the hybrid waiting for him, but the room looked to be empty. He walked in with slow, careful steps. He trusted Shadow, sure. But it was clear that he was in tune with his instincts. Surely one of them is to kill, and he seems pretty riled up right now. He took a deep breath and lowered his stance. He walked along one of the walls, then dashed around the corner to catch Shadow off guard if he was there. But he wasn’t.

“Boo~” A gruff voice spoke in his ear.

Sonic gasped and whipped around, but no one was behind him. Shadow must’ve teleported elsewhere. His ears flattened as he patted his fur down through his shirt. What is he so on edge for? He’d find him. He dashed through the room, weaving around the interior walls. He moved so quickly that the room glowed blue. Even if Shadow was teleporting and running too, he should come across him. But he didn’t. Sonic skidded to a stop and huffed, bringing his hands to his hips. “What’s the matter? Scared to fight me?”

“Not at all.” Shadow spoke from above. Sonic looked up. He was perching on top of the wall next to Sonic. “Scared to hurt you.”

The blue hedgehog might have thought that was kind of sweet if Shadow wasn’t lunging for him the moment the words left his mouth. Sonic slid to the side, and Shadow landed on the ground on all fours next to him. He growled softly and jumped again. Sonic ran, expecting to be chased, but looking back a moment later, Shadow was nowhere to be seen. Sonic looked to his right, but Shadow tackled him from his left.

He crouched on Sonic’s chest and grabbed his quills to pull his head up. “You’re not very good at this.”

Sonic struggled to breathe with the hybrid’s weight compressing his ribcage. “Very… good at what? We haven’t started fighting yet.” He may not have the super strength Shadow did, but he was strong enough to manhandle Shadow’s lithe body. He brought his hands under Shadow’s thighs and shoved him off. He disappeared before he even landed.

“Shadow,” Sonic grumbled in annoyance. “Why are we playing hide and seek?” He walked around the walls.

“It’s not all about strength and speed, Sonic,” Shadow responded from somewhere ahead of him, and Sonic dashed towards his voice. Again, Shadow came at him from an unexpected angle and pinned him against the wall. He wrapped his hand around his throat and held Sonic up off of the ground without so much as a grunt.

A weak whimper slipped out of Sonic’s throat as he strained to look down at Shadow. He looked strong and healthy all of a sudden. Confident and engaged. He was unbound. He was in control. Sonic gripped his arm with both hands, but he didn’t try to pull it. His back arched off the wall as the lack of oxygen increased pressure in his head. Shadow looked Sonic up and down, smelling the air. At first, his snout wrinkled in an expression of disgust that made Sonic’s ears droop. They perked up again when Shadow’s face smoothed into a small smirk. He dropped Sonic to the floor and teleported away.

Sonic gasped and held his throat as he sat against the wall. He looked down at himself. His pants were pulled tight over his groin. “Shit…” He peeked around the edge of the wall to see Amy and Espio watching from outside. He got back to his feet and adjusted his crotch. Shadow kept catching him off guard. Maybe Sonic could do the same. He walked slowly now, trying to take quiet steps through the maze.

“Wrong way, Zafiro,” Shadow sneered from somewhere behind him.

Sonic turned around and groaned. “Being able to teleport seems like an unfair advantage.”

“Fine. Gentleman’s agreement. No more teleporting,” he spoke from Sonic’s right, so the hedgehog tiptoed that way.

Can you hear me, Sonic? Shadow’s voice resonated in his head.

Sonic’s ears flicked. It sounded… internal. He could sense no direction it came from. “Yes. How are you doing that?”

Not my voice. Close your eyes~

Sonic’s body erupted in goosebumps as that voice continued to penetrate his head. He closed his eyes. “Okay…” A moment later, something shattered, and pieces clattered to the floor. Then the sounds were replicated. Sonic opened his eyes. It was dark. He had broken the overhead lights. While the windows let in some light, there were spaces in complete darkness due to the angles of the maze.

Forget your eyes, Shadow whispered in his head. Listen to my body. Find my breath. My tail cutting through the air. My fur brushing the walls. My heartbeat. You can hear me if you listen. Follow my scent. You’re no human. And that’s a good thing.

Sonic’s brows furrowed. Shadow’s hearing was better than his. He couldn’t hear all that himself, could he? He closed his eyes again and inhaled deeply. He could smell Shadow though. He could smell… sweetness. Oh. He grinned and dragged his hand along the wall as he walked towards the smell. But it only brought him toward a vague area. It seemed silent in this place to him, but he closed his eyes and strained his ears. After a moment of listening, he realized he could hear air moving. Breathing. And a soft, slow thudding. A heart beat? Could he really hear that from here? Each of his steps was intentional as he followed the sound through the maze until he rounded a corner to see three glowing eyes staring at him, waiting for him. The air between them became charged, prickling both of their pelts. He dashed for him, but Shadow teleported to the spot Sonic was just in.

“Hey,” Sonic growled softly, “Said no teleporting.”

“Sorry…” Shadow murmured. His eyes grew bigger as he came closer. They began to circle Sonic. Sonic’s gaze never left his, turning his head and his body to follow. Then he reached for him, and the two dashed around in a tight circle, chasing each other. The air became unbearably sharp, charged down to its atoms.

Sonic was faster, so he was able to grab Shadow by the waist and they stopped, stumbling towards the wall until Shadow put his hand out onto it. Both of them were hunched over panting softly, Sonic pressing against the hybrid’s back. Their bodies felt electric where they met, even through these damn clothes. Sonic held Shadow’s hips tightly and rubbed his bulge on the hybrid’s ass. Shadow’s tail wrapped around Sonic’s thigh as he grunted. He opened his legs apart so Sonic’s crotch could slot against his hot groin. That gentle thudding was growing rapid. The agent wrapped his arms tightly around Shadow, resting his cheek on his back and letting out a shaky breath. He started humping him slowly, firmly.

“That’s enough,” Espio interrupted. “Don’t like not being able to see you. Sonic, you come on out.”

Sonic groaned softly, his brows dropping into a glare as he bit the center of Shadow’s back. Shadow inhaled sharply. His tail fell away from Sonic. His claws scrapped Sonic’s arms as he tried to step away. Sonic didn’t let go, nuzzling his back. Shadow stood straight, forcing Sonic up too. Sonic let out a long sigh and released him. Shadow took his hand and guided him through back to the entrance. His night vision was much better. The door opened, and Sonic backed into the chamber, reluctantly letting go of Shadow’s hand. The door shut between them. The second door opened, but before he walked out, he pulled his shirt out of his pants and let it hang loosely to cover his crotch. Sonic then walked back outside, squinting at the sudden brightness. He collected his blazer from the ground, holding that in front of his hips for good measure.

Shadow stood at the glass. “Can I stay in here a little longer?”

“Fine. Stay where we can see you,” Espio answered. He set his thermos down and came to Sonic. He grabbed his face and looked him over. Then spun him around to check all of him. Sonic’s face heated up just a bit. He did his best to keep himself covered as Espio grabbed his arms to check. He rubbed his thumb over the claw marks. “Not bad. Just one bite?” He pulled Sonic’s collar to the side to look at the bite mark on his shoulder. It had bled through his shirt apparently.

Sonic’s boner throbbed thinking about where it came from. He shifted his legs closer together. “He held back. He’s very capable…”

“I won’t argue that.” Amy watched Shadow kneel down by the window and sit on his heels. “But what makes you think he’d ever listen in the field?”

Espio let Sonic go. He stepped closer to the building. “Because Sonic listens. And Shadow will listen to him.”

Sonic scoffed. As if. Shadow didn’t listen to anyone. He lied down in the grass with his blazer folded over his lap. He took a deep breath of fresh air and imagined Shadow lying there with him.

Chapter Text

Sonic had fallen asleep. He loved lying in the grass. He found it to be soft and comforting though most humans complained about it being itchy. He just loved being outside. It filled some hole deep inside him he often forgot he had.

“Hey.” Espio nudged him with his foot. When Sonic didn’t stir, he kicked his side. “Don’t make me get on the ground. Wake up.”

“Huh?” Sonic opened his eyes, but they remained in a squint. Shadow and Espio were standing over him. The hybrid had his arms crossed, his neck sporting a new collar, and he had ripped his leggings off by the looks of the tattered strips around his thighs. The sun was low in the sky behind them. How long had he been asleep for? “What’d I miss?”

“Nothing much. He sat there for a while, jumped around a bit, and decided he was too good for pants.” Espio rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Sonic looked up at Shadow. “I’m surprised you let him put another collar on you.”

“He told me I’d sleep in there if I didn’t. And I’m hungry.” Shadow tapped his foot.

“You’re hungry? Okay.” Sonic got to his feet. “Is it okay if I take him to the mess hall?” he asked the director as he pulled his blazer back on.

“Go ahead.” Espio nodded. “He’s been out enough for today.” He left them to go back inside.

Sonic let Espio get far ahead of them before he began to walk slowly with Shadow. He nudged his shoulder. “Felt good to have your power back, huh? You looked incredible in there.”

“Hm, yeah.” Shadow grabbed his collar. “Felt like I was me again.”

“Maybe you’ll get to spend more time in there…” Sonic walked a little closer and their pinkies brushed one another.

Shadow looked around, but the yard was empty. People were heading home for the day. He didn’t get closer or further away. “I wouldn’t mind…”

Sonic opened the door for Shadow, and the hybrid made a final glance outside before going in. Sonic turned off his ear piece. “Have you met Dr. Blaze?”

“Yes. She supervises my testing.” Shadow stepped into the elevator with him.

“Your testing. Do you have any idea what it’s for?” Sonic wondered what their main goal for Shadow was if it’s not to turn him out in the field.

“I’m not sure… so far, it’s just been to test my regeneration and get to know the function of every system I have. But I keep thinking about when they put me to sleep. I bet if they hadn’t, I would’ve been able to figure out what they’re up to.” Shadow rubbed his arms slowly.

Sonic frowned. He was clearly still upset about that. He considered reminding him they said nothing happened, but wouldn’t that be invalidating to him? He seemed quite sure that something had occurred. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Or they’ll fill you in at some point. They have to.”

“I’m afraid it’ll be too late by then.” Shadow walked out as the doors opened, and Sonic fell into pace with him.

“Too late for what? You can’t exactly fight them.” He guided him towards the kitchen.

“I don’t know, Sonic. I just have this… icky feeling.” Shadow gripped his own chest fur. “I don’t like it here. Don’t like it here at all.”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Sonic wrapped his arm around him.

“Not during the day…” Shadow shrugged him off, walking further away from him now. He glanced behind them to make sure the hall was empty.

“Everyone’s heading home. No one’s around this floor.” Sonic brushed Shadow’s arm with his knuckles.

“There’s cameras in the corners. Far enough away my radiation doesn’t damage them. It’s nearly faded anyway.” He leaned away from Sonic’s touch, walking through the empty dining area into the kitchen.

Sonic sighed, but he didn’t argue. It was for the best Espio didn’t know how intimate they were, and they should probably take more care to ensure he didn’t find out. He opened the walk-in freezer and stepped inside. “This is where I’ve been getting your food from. They leave meals already prepped for me in the fridge, but my diet is controlled. I don’t get a lot of meat. Almost never do I get red meat. That’s your favorite, isn’t it? Your pupils expand whenever you smell it…” He patted a slab of pork side hanging from the ceiling.

Shadow’s hand traced the rubber seal of the door as he glanced around the freezer. “Mhm.”

“Let me see if we’ve got anything I don’t have to carve.” Sonic pushed some materials around and opened packages. “How much do you eat in a day anyways? You’ve never told me if I give you enough.”

“I don’t need to eat.” Shadow watched him from the doorway. “But I feel hungry. So I eat once I get uncomfortable.”

“You don’t need to eat to live?” Sonic looked back at him. “How do you get your energy?”

“It may seem like my cells don’t die, but they do each day. The dead ones are consumed and converted into energy as my body creates their perfect replicas. I feed off of myself. It’s a cycle,” Shadow said casually.

“Completely self-sustaining.” Sonic paused to take in his the sight of his body. “The Ultimate Lifeform.”

“Don’t be forgetting that any time soon.” Shadow raised his chin, his tail oscillating behind him.

Sonic smiled. This side of him gave him hope that he could find himself again while he’s here with Sonic. That he could be confident and find happiness. Maybe Shadow already knew that was achievable—he was just afraid of Doom. Shadow said not to tell Espio anything, but maybe he should warn him… At the very least, Sonic should verify they had a way to handle the threat. He cleared his throat as he picked up a cut of beef steak and walked past him out of the freezer. “Were you… communicating with me telepathically earlier?” He shut the freezer once Shadow moved back from the door.

The hybrid crossed the kitchen and hopped up onto the counter by the stove. “There’s a lot of things I can do that you don’t know about. You only got your hands on me in Italy because I was in a weakened state.”

Sonic followed him over and set a pan on the stove before turning the burner on high. “Like what?”

Shadow crossed his legs. His tail rested over them. “I have wings.”

“You’re messing with me.” Sonic put a hand on his hip.

“I am not.” Shadow twisted to show Sonic his back. “They come out of the gap in my markings. But it requires a lot of energy.”

Sonic leaned in to look at his back. His shoulder blades were black though the majority of his back was red. He ran his fingers over his fur, and he found this slit. He spread it gently. Instead of pink or red flesh, it was black and gooey.

“The materials for it lie dormant under my skin when I’m not using them.” Shadow watched Sonic’s face.

“You’re…” Sonic took the opportunity to rest his hand across Shadow’s back and rub it kindly. “So fucking cool.”

Shadow arched his back, pulling away from Sonic’s hand. The agent loved his shape. His fingertips traced the hybrid’s spine from his implant up to the back of his neck under his quills. Shadow’s fur started to rise as he arched further.

“Still not used to it?” Sonic murmured, watching each reaction his body had to his touch. “I wanna touch you until you’re numb to it.”

Shadow shook himself, dropping down off of the counter. “Control yourself.”

Sonic hummed softly as he dropped the steak in the pan. It sizzled loudly. “That’s no fun.”

“Life isn’t about fun.” Shadow walked away to sit on another counter behind Sonic.

“All you old men are so serious.” Sonic shifted his weight to his other foot. “I’m still going to be fun when I’m old.”

“You live long enough, you lose people. Figure out how the world works. And life isn’t so bright anymore.”

“I’ve lost people. I don’t let it rule over my life.” Sonic put his finger on the steak, which was still cold, and moved it around the pan.

“Who?” Shadow asked. It sounded more challenging than sincere.

“My parents,” Sonic muttered.

“You didn’t even know them,” Shadow scoffed.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t miss them.” Sonic frowned. There was silence behind him. Then a clack and footsteps approaching. Furry arms wrapped around his waist from behind. Shadow’s pride likely prevented him from verbally apologizing for his harsh words, but Sonic didn’t mind this method. He smiled. “All I have to do to get a hug from you is act sad?”

Shadow let out a small growl and let go before pushing his back and stomping away.

Sonic chuckled. “I’m kidding. It does bother me.” He flipped the steak. “But you’re right. I don’t remember them. I just… I grieve the lack of them. Espio looked after me, but he had far from a gentle touch. He’s not a fan of children if you can’t tell.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been stuck with him for so long. I would’ve killed him by now.” Shadow leaned on the counter. “I may have been grown in a test tube, but Gerald Robotnik, my sister’s grandfather, was very kind to me. I called him Abuelo like she did. He loved me. Even though he wasn’t supposed to.”

“You know, you have a cousin. Ivo Robotnik. But he’s mean and bald. We fight him sometimes.” Sonic grabbed a plate.

“I did know Maria had an uncle on Earth. He and Gerald were estranged, so we’ve never communicated. He doesn’t know anything about me or what actually happened there.”

Sonic decided the steak was good once the outside turned gray. Didn’t have to be cooked, he just wanted it to be warm for Shadow. He turned off the stove and dumped it onto the plate. “Well, he had a kid. But I wouldn’t recommend getting in contact.” He handed Shadow the plate.

“Mm.” Shadow smelled the steak. “Thank you.” He started to tear into it.

“Careful. It’s hot, isn’t it?” Sonic watched him eat.

“It’s fine.” He devoured it rather quickly.

“Did you want more?” Sonic gestured to the freezer.

“That’s enough. Small stomach.” Shadow set the plate down.

“You looked thinner when you first came in. If you don’t need food…”

“Food helps. Don’t need it to live. Need it to keep a healthy shape. It gives me some energy. It’s complicated. Just know I’m incapable of dying from neglect.” Shadow walked for the door.

Sonic caught up to him. “I’m, uh, going to visit my coworker. The one you kneecapped.”

“Send him my well wishes,” Shadow said flatly.

“So, I’ll be gone for a bit…” Sonic brought his hands behind his back.

“Okay?” Shadow was waiting for him to arrive at his point.

“Won’t see you till later.” Sonic paused in the hall.

Shadow stopped but didn’t turn all the way towards him. “I’ll be fine if that’s what you’re asking. We’re not glued together at the hip.”

“Yeah, I know, but…” Rare embarrassment flooded up Sonic’s spine. What was he even talking about right now? He should’ve already left. “Right, I must be overwhelming you. I’m sure you’re excited to actually have a space of your own.” He stepped back.

“I’ll see you later, Sonic.” Shadow walked off, leaving him standing there.

Sonic sighed, his posture drooping. That’s just how Shadow is, right? He didn’t do anything wrong. He checked his phone. Espio’s probably wrapping things up if he’s not staying late. Either way, Sonic should be able to catch him. He took the elevator to the top floor. He turned on his ear piece. He couldn’t be caught with it off again. He trotted up the stairs to the balcony and knocked on the door to Espio’s office. He came in once he heard a response.

Espio didn’t look up from his computer. “What do you need, Sonic?” Sonic walked up to his desk. He traced along the edge with his index claws. He puckered his lips. Espio glanced at him, then rubbed his face. He sat back in his chair and looked up at him. “Spit it out.”

“Can I have like fifty bucks? Please!” Sonic’s ears lowered on his head. He’s gotten pretty good at looking like a puppy, and humans liked those.

It didn’t usually work on Espio though. The man sighed deeply. “Why?”

“Oh, also can I go see Knuckles with Rouge and Amy and Tails?” Sonic smiled innocently.

“That’s fine. What do you need the money for?” Espio pulled his wallet from his pocket and split it open, counting the bills with his index finger.

“Well, you know how cold it gets down on my floor in the winter. Shadow only has a thin blanket. Wanted to get a couple more for us.” Sonic watched him, his heartbeat rising into his ears as Espio stared back.

Just when Sonic was about to lose the staring contest, Espio pulled a fifty dollar bill from his wallet. “Fine. But don’t be buying any drugs or stupid shit with this. You know I’ll find out.”

Sonic grinned and took the bill from him. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” He leaned over the desk towards him.

Espio put his hand on Sonic’s chest to stop him. “Do not kiss me. Get out of here.”

“Okay, thanks!” Sonic gave up easily, but didn’t let it affect his mood. He liked to kiss people’s cheeks in greetings, goodbyes, and in appreciation at times. He picked it up because when he was little and cute, female agents would kiss all over him like they would their dogs at home. The director wasn’t fond of the habit.

Sonic skipped several stairs on the way down the balcony. Then he took the stairwell over the elevator, sliding down the railing and jumping down at the landing of floor zero. He walked out into the lobby. His colleagues were already waiting for him.

“How does the fastest animal on Earth always manage to be late?” Tails folded his arms.

“Sorry, guys. Shadow was hungry, so I had to show him to the kitchen,” Sonic explained. He hoped to turn the topic of Shadow casual, so he was going to be open talking about him. It would start getting them used to the idea of him.

“I thought he didn’t have to eat,” Tails commented as he followed Amy and Rouge out of the building.

“He doesn’t need it to live, but he still feels hunger. It’s complicated,” he repeated the word Shadow had used as they walked out into the parking lot. Rouge drove a small red coupe, so they split up, the boys going with Amy to her SUV. Sonic sat in the back while Tails got up front.

“When are you going to teach me to drive?” Tails asked her.

Amy started her car. “You don’t have a car; you don’t need to learn.”

“I want a car.” Tails folded his arms.

“You know why you don’t have one.” Amy started the drive to Knuckles’ apartment.

Tails blew a raspberry and looked back at Sonic. “How was your day?”

“It was alright.” Sonic sighed. At least no one got hurt today. Though he had a little ache in his balls when he woke up from his nap earlier. He smiled as he thought about joining Shadow for the night after this. He wondered if the hybrid would choose to sleep with him over sleeping alone. Sonic finds the nest to be very cozy. And Shadow is warm and fluffy. He likes sleeping with him. “It’s been quiet, no?”

“I guess so.” Tails faced forwards again. “But we’ve all been kept busy with the other hedgehog, so it doesn’t feel like it.”

“What’s Espio got you doing?” Sonic leaned forward between the front seats.

“Nah ah.” Amy lifted her finger before Tails could speak. “You know Sonic doesn’t have the clearance for any of that.”

Tails flipped a quarter with his thumb, caught it, then repeated the action. “But he’s working with the asset too.”

“Can we call him Shadow, please?” Sonic interjected. Both of them glanced at him. “That’s his name.”

“Right. Sonic’s working with Shadow everyday, I think,” Tails told her.

“It’s not up for debate. We shouldn’t be discussing him at all.” Amy put on her authoritative voice, so both teens hushed up for the rest of the ride.

Chapter Text

Sonic was lost in his thoughts thinking about what he would buy for Shadow when Knuckles opened the door to his apartment. The tall man grinned at his colleagues and hobbled out of the way on a crutch to let them in. “Hey, guys. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been so bored.” He groaned.

Sonic was the last one inside, and he shut the door for Knuckles. His apartment was simultaneously empty and cluttered, but not as bad as Sonic’s room would get if he wasn’t forced to keep it tidy. “How’s the pain?” the smiling hedgehog asked.

“Oh, you know.” Knuckles sighed as he plopped down on his couch. “Nothing I can’t handle. It’s the immobility driving me mad.” Sonic nodded quickly. He could understand that all the way.

Rouge sat down gracefully next to him and rested her hand on his good knee. “You’re not immobile. You’re supposed to be though. Heal faster that way.”

“I’m healing fine.” Knuckles waved her off. “I’ll be back to work next week.”

“That seems like a bad idea.” Tails sat crisscrossed on the rug.

“He won’t be in the field.” Amy sat by them on the couch, crossing her legs.

“Can’t believe that rat shot me in the knee. How did he learn to use a gun?” Knuckles scoffed.

Sonic’s ears rotated back at the insult, but they turned forward again a moment later. How did he know that? He handled it like an agent.

“Knuckles,” Rouge scolded softly as she glanced at Sonic.

“You’re not a rat, Sonic. You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Knuckles scratched his head. “He’s a rat on the inside.”

“Um… I think he’s supposed to be joining our team at some point…” Tails told him.

“What? No way. He can’t be trusted.” Knuckles’ brows pulled together.

Amy gently nudged Tails with her foot. “We don’t know what the director is doing with him. It’s a possibility.”

Sonic sat down in Knuckles’ recliner. “Shadow’s coming around… slowly. I think we should welcome him if he joins the team for a smooth transition.”

“He better not. They should keep him at the base for whatever experiments and energy projects they need him for.” Knuckles leaned back on the couch.

Sonic didn’t argue. Any excitement he had carried to see his teammate faded away slowly as the conversation continued amongst the others until Amy put a stop to it, feeling too much speculating was going on. He became quiet. He just listened to them talk. He felt… out of place amongst them. Like a stranger. He felt as if he were across an ocean, not a living room. He didn’t want to be here. The visit droned on and on until his legs were twitching.

Amy checked her watch. “It’s getting to be dinner time. We should go.”

“Alright. I’m going to stay with him tonight. I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Rouge said.

Amy rubbed Knuckles’ shoulder. “Keep resting while you can.”

“Sure,” Knuckles responded as he got a hug from Tails.

Sonic got up from his seat and walked over. Suddenly he felt guilty for having been quiet the whole time. He didn’t meet his eyes. “I hope you feel better soon. I’m sorry I let Shadow get my gun in the first place.”

“That’s alright.” Knuckles reached to pat him on the head. “Now we know that you shouldn’t have a gun.” He chuckled.

Amy smiled. “I’ve been telling Espio that for years. Maybe he’ll listen to me now.”

“Yeah…” Sonic’s muzzle twitched, his expression becoming flat. He looked Knuckles up and down in a way that made the man tilt his head. He walked past Amy and Tails to the front door. “I’m going to stop by a shop on the way back. Already cleared it with Espio.” He held up the cash the man had given him to prove it. He left without their response. He was beginning to get real tired of the way they talked about him and Shadow…

Sonic dashed through the city back to the edge where GUN’s facility occupied. A few shops nearby had met him before. The civilians had been nice to him for the most part, but it was a much easier experience when they had seen him up close before. So he walked into a general store sitting on the street corner that he had been to several times for whatever minor things he had wanted or needed over the years. He waved to the owner as the door dinged to announce his presence, and the man behind the counter looked up from his book to wave back with a smile. He looked a bit surprised to see a hedgehog walking into his store though, as he did each time Sonic came. It was getting to be late in the evening, and the small store would be closing soon, so no one else was here thankfully.

The agent walked through the aisles slowly, seeing each object from a new perspective. Not asking himself whether he wanted it, but whether he should bring it home to someone. He glanced at the price labels. Maybe he could get Espio to give him an allowance someday. He had the cash. He’d seen the man’s apartment before. It might as well have been a penthouse overlooking the city. He sighed softly. It’s not about the money, it’s about control. He’d have to worry about what “stupid shit” Sonic would be buying. He paused once he reached the shelf with bedding materials. It wasn’t much. A few different kinds of pillows and the same rolled up throw with varying designs. He stuffed a pillow under his arm and put his hand on his other hip as he examined the different blankets. Shit. He didn’t know what Shadow’s favorite color was. He considered the blankets as he grabbed a loose sheet. It’d be better to make the fort with. It would appear opaque but let in much more light in than the blanket. He looked to the blankets again. Ah. This purple one had little flower icons. That’s meant to be lavender isn’t it? He had no idea if Shadow liked purple, but it reminded him of the hybrid, so he grabbed it. And that was about all of his money spent. He walked back towards the register, but some soft things caught his attention from his peripheral vision. Stuffed animals. Maybe Shadow would like one of those. It could keep him company while Sonic worked. He smiled to himself as he picked out a small plush teddy bear.

Sonic paid the man and told him to keep any leftover change. He got two bags for his things. He walked out of the shop like a normal individual, but as soon as he was outside, he dashed back to GUN. His heart began to pick up. Would Shadow like the things he’s bringing? Would he use them in that… nest? And would it earn Sonic another night inside? He really hoped so. He super sped all the way down the stairwell to his—their—floor. His tail wagged when he saw Shadow’s door cracked open, but he forced it to stop. Excited over a door? Come on. He briefly visited his own room to take off his shoes and his blazer. He removed his belt as well, staring at it as he pulled it from his pants. Should he… undress all the way? Would Shadow think that was weird, or could they be comfortable naked together? Sonic looked out his doorway towards Shadow’s as he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. It was silent in the other room. He was in there, right? Sonic took all of his clothes off before setting his ear piece on his nightstand. He picked up his bags again and held them in front of his groin as he walked to Shadow’s door. He nudged it open. “Shads?” He stepped in.

Shadow was crouching in his desk chair, scribbling something onto a piece of paper. His tail was swaying around until he heard Sonic’s voice. He turned his head, then jumped over the back of the chair and dashed to the door behind him. He shut it, but it had no lock. He eyed Sonic’s body. “Shouldn’t be coming in here like that… hallway cameras.”

Sonic turned to face him. “Oh, sorry, I just thought… since you’re always… I brought you things.” He lifted the bags.

“You did…?” Shadow’s ears perked with interest as he approached. He took one of the bags and looked into it. He took the other one as well, then walked to his desk and dumped out both’s contents. He started trilling softly as he felt the different items. He opened the sheet package and pinched the material. His tail swayed left and right as he got to work. He took down the blanket making the fort and tucked it into the nest. Then he pinned the sheet up in its stead. It was larger, able to encompass the entire bed. The nest inside couldn’t be seen. Shadow picked up the pillow and smelled it. He started rubbing it under his jaw. Back and forth across his throat. He smelled it again, then brought it inside. He did the same with the blanket, unraveling it and rubbing it against his fur. He spent ample time getting it fluffed and proper, leaning over the bed, his upper body hidden by the sheet.

Sonic watched all of this. He was staring at Shadow bent over now tending to the nest. At some point, his foot had started tapping rapidly on the floor due to some sort of instinct. He had his hand up in front of his muzzle, his knuckles at his lips. Warmth filled his belly. Something about this… He struggled to explain it. It spoke to some part of him that had been shoved deep down, beckoned it to come out. He watched the hybrid set the teddy inside the nest and stand up straight.

“You’ve been out.” Shadow sauntered over to stand in front of him. He leaned in and started sniffing him around his neck, shoulders, and chest. His inhales were long and deep while his exhales were shallow huffs that tickled Sonic’s skin.

“I was.” Sonic’s face heated up as he watched Shadow inspect him. His foot didn’t stop tapping despite the tendons on the top of his foot beginning to ache. “Do I smell off?”

“A little…” Shadow came closer. He nuzzled his head under Sonic’s chin. The agent’s eyes fluttered shut as his tail began to wag. Shadow brushed his cheek and neck all along Sonic’s fur. He was scenting him, something Sonic didn’t understand, but he was loving it nonetheless. Shadow sniffed him again. It seemed like he approved this time, because he pushed Sonic’s chest, guiding him back towards the nest. He held the sheet open for him and Sonic climbed inside. Inside, all he could smell was himself and Shadow, even though the main room’s air was laced with smoke. The hybrid leaned over him and tucked the bedding into his sides and positioned him. He was settling Sonic into the nest as if he was a part of it. Butterflies entered Sonic’s stomach again. His face scrunched up with effort, but he was unable to keep his cock from rising out of its sheath. He wasn’t even thinking about sex right now. He’s not sure what caused it. He covered himself with his hands. He should’ve worn his pants. “I’m sorry—ignore that.”

Shadow didn’t look surprised or offended. He moved Sonic’s hands and leaned in close. He smelled Sonic’s cock, then pushed his muzzle against the pouch that held his balls, breathing deeply. Sonic bit his lip and lifted his hips up at Shadow’s face. This unpinned his tail from the bed, allowing it to go crazy. He gazed lovingly at Shadow’s face under his cock. It twitched with excitement.

“Do I smell okay?” Sonic asked, unsure. He knew he smelled… strongly there. Not if it was good or bad.

“Mhm.” Shadow finally came all the way inside of the nest. He lied down next to him, laying his head on his chest. His quills nestled under Sonic’s chin. He lifted his leg and pushed his knee between the blue hedgehog’s thighs. Sonic stuffed his nose into Shadow’s quills, taking his turn to smell him. So lovely and floral. He wrapped both his arms around the smaller male and pulled him close. “Thank you,” Shadow murmured. “The nest is better now.”

“Do aliens make nests?” Sonic’s hand stroked up and down Shadow’s side.

Shadow chuckled softly as he spread his hand over Sonic’s pec. “Look at how you’re reacting. No, it’s not an alien thing. It’s a hedgehog thing. But like I said… my instincts are complicated, wound into one another.”

“I wanna understand all of your instincts,” Sonic murmured.

“They all stem from one goal,” Shadow whispered, raising his finger.

“Survival?” The gears in Sonic’s head started turning. Were nests seen as safer than regular bedding?

Shadow paused for a little too long. “Yeah.”

Just a minute later, Shadow started smelling sweet. Sonic’s ear flicked as he heard something wet separate between Shadow’s legs. He breathed deeply through his nose and shuddered. His cock was not going to go back into his sheath now, that’s for sure. Shadow’s hand shifted down. He closed his hand around the end of Sonic’s cock, rubbing his black tip gently. Sonic grunted, his fur starting to puff up. “You don’t have to.”

“I know.” Shadow dragged his thumb from his tip down to his sheath. He cupped Sonic’s balls and massaged them slowly.

Sonic let out a breath as he tilted his head down to watch. Shadow’s hand was so warm and soft. Every part of his body was so pleasant. His own hand slid down Shadow’s back under his implant. He wrapped it around the base of his tail and squeezed it. The lean muscles tensed as his tail lifted out of the way. Sonic let go of it to rub his hand across Shadow’s butt. The hybrid arched just a little, lifting his bum into his palm. Shadow dropped spit into his hand and started to stroke Sonic from his tip to his base. The agent moaned softly and gripped Shadow’s ass. His fingers slid down his crease towards his cunt. His fingers fell into warm slick. Precum bubbled out of his tip as he imagined sinking inside. He pushed his middle finger into Shadow’s hole as the hybrid rubbed his precum around his tip with his thumb. Shadow turned his head and started to kiss Sonic’s chest softly. His lips parted after a few kisses. His tongue came out after a few more, and as Sonic curled his finger inside of Shadow, his teeth touched Sonic’s tender skin.

Sonic’s finger went still inside of him. “My physical is tomorrow. Can’t have any more bites and scratches on me.”

Shadow let out a long sigh. He got off of Sonic and lied face down with his arms tucked underneath him.

Sonic sat up with a frown. “Wait, it’s not because I don’t…” His frown faded as he watched Shadow lift his ass up off the bed, his tail raised in the air. Oh. He grinned and got behind Shadow. He leaned over him and nuzzled his back, pressing a kiss on his spine. His cock settled against his ass, and his arms wrapped around him tight. Shadow’s hips slowly lowered back onto the bed, and Sonic’s followed until he was lying on top of the hybrid. He pushed his hips at Shadow’s groin as tingles filled his own. His tip clumsily poked at Shadow’s glands and even caught on his anus. To that, Shadow growled softly curled the end of his dick around Sonic’s, pulling it down into the right hole. Sonic gasped and pressed forward, getting as deep as he was allowed. Shadow grunted and gripped the nest.

Sonic pushed his quills out of the way and kissed on his neck around his collar. His hand spread across the entirety of Shadow’s tummy, feeling himself press into his own palm. “I love being inside of you, Shadow.” He started pumping in and out. “Mm, really love it.”

Shadow spread his legs and lifted his feet, bringing his heels to Sonic’s butt. His breath grew heavier. “I know.”

“I’m gonna last longer this time,” Sonic insisted. He let go of him to press his hands on the bed, lifting himself off of Shadow in case he couldn’t breathe underneath him. He looked down, watching his hips press into Shadow’s cute ass. An embarrassing squeak of a gasp jumped from Sonic’s lips as Shadow’s walls tightened around his cock. Then they started… rippling around him in a massage. He pressed his hand down on Shadow’s upper back, unintentionally pinning him. “A-Are you doing that on purpose?”

“Mhm.” Shadow bit the blanket.

“Stop… wanna last.” Sonic whimpered, his cock twitching inside the warm pussy. “Wanna make you cum while I’m inside.” Shadow was quiet now, but his thoughts on the matter were clear. He folded his arms under his head and continued maneuvering his insides like it was simple as bending his fingers. “Shadow,” Sonic groaned with just a bit of frustration in his throat. He moved his hands down to the middle of Shadow’s back. Suddenly, he began thrusting quickly into the tight space. Maybe it felt better for Shadow when it was faster? He’d try anything the hybrid wanted. All he had to do was ask.

Shadow moaned quietly, nuzzling his face into the bedding. His soft tail crossed back and forth against Sonic’s bare front, sending tingles through his skin. Sonic was less graceful, panting and moaning while he thrusted sloppy and uncoordinated. His balls felt tight, and the muscles in his belly were tense. He was really trying, but the pleasure was taking over, reaching throughout his entire body. A new goal revealed itself: fill Shadow. Sonic’s ears lied back as lowered down on top of Shadow again. He wrapped his arms around the hybrid’s waist as his quick thrusts became shallow motions in order to remain deep in Shadow. He felt his tip ramming at his hand. Almost deep enough…

As the tension rose and rose low in his belly, Sonic looked for anything to bite. He closed his jaws on Shadow’s ear, but not hard enough to draw blood. His claws sunk into Shadow’s hips as the tension popped. His twitching cock started dumping cum into Shadow’s pussy. He growled softly, pressing his hand firmly on Shadow’s stomach. It pushed back against him just a little as it was filled. Shadow’s spines ejected from his back, stabbing directly into Sonic. Those seemed to have slipped both of their minds. Sonic groaned loudly, flinching when his skin was pierced. Shadow bit down onto a pillow and moaned into it. His claws sunk into the nest. Sonic’s hips twitched as his cock stopped leaking. His knot was nestled against Shadow’s cunt and was soon cradled by the hybrid’s cock.

Sonic let go of his ear, panting softly. “Mm. Can I sleep in here tonight? Please?” Shadow nodded. All three of his eyes were closed. He didn’t release the pillow from his teeth. Sonic grinned and found a comfortable spot in Shadow’s quills to lay his head down. “Thank you. Your bed is so much comfier. Am I too heavy to lie on you?” Shadow shook his head. Sonic settled all of his weight down onto top of the hybrid. He yawned. Being with Shadow makes him sleepy sometimes. Actually, calm might be the better term. And that led him to be sleepy. He closed his eyes and let his body rest comfortably with his lover.

Chapter Text

Sonic woke up early the next morning before any alarms had gone off. His eyelid was being pulled up by something then dropped. Warm. A tongue grooming him. It moved to lick his other eyelid. Sonic closed his arms around the body beneath him. “Mm. Are you waking me up?”

“You were waking up before I started.” Shadow’s voice rumbled through his chest into Sonic’s cheek. “I could hear it in your heart.”

“My heart?” Sonic murmured, nuzzling his ear into Shadow’s chest fur to listen to the hybrid’s. It was quite slow, each double beat separated from one another instead of on the other’s heels. Ba… dum…

“It beats faster when you’re about to wake.” Shadow licked the fur on his forehead.

Sonic let out a long pleased sigh, dropping all of his weight back into Shadow as he laid between his thighs. He readily let himself be groomed. It was soothing. “One of my coworkers knows Spanish.”

Shadow’s tongue paused on Sonic’s face. “Oh?”

“She told me what zafiro meant.” Sonic lifted his head to look down at Shadow. He smiled at the sight of his messy quills and ruffled fur. He had started grooming Sonic before himself. “Sapphire. Why do you call me that?” He leaned in close and started licking the fur down on Shadow’s cheek.

Shadow frowned a little under his tongue. His hands found Sonic’s back, his fingers settling into the grooves left by his claws. “You were the most color I’d seen since the fire. The way the rays of sun fell on your fur through the trees… you were shining like a precious gem. So shiny, you were reflective, even. I could see myself staring back at me through your eyes. Parts of my past poured out of you like you had been there. Staring into my soul, la hermoso zafiro azul.”

Sonic paused his grooming to rest his muzzle against Shadow’s temple. He couldn’t have come up with an answer that meaningful if he was given all day. He kissed Shadow’s face softly. He’d been calling him that from the beginning. And this was further proof to Sonic that they were fated to one another—if the dark hedgehog had immediately felt so connected to him.

“I swear. One day, you’ll want to leave this place with me.” Shadow cupped Sonic’s cheeks, bringing his face in front of his own.

“You have to trust me that we’ll be… safer, happier here.” Sonic pecked his lips softly. “Can you bear it a little longer? You’ll join my team soon, and then you’ll be treated equal to me.”

“But tell me, Sonic.” Shadow looked into his eyes seriously. “Are you treated equal to them?”

“Jesus, Shadow. It wouldn’t matter either way.” Sonic rolled off him onto his back. He rubbed his forehead. “I get what you’re saying… but even so. Even so, this is the best place for us. It’s not perfect, but it’s my home. It could be yours too. If you let it. You don’t have to… fight so hard.” Shadow sat up and opened his mouth, but Sonic interrupted. “I know what you’re going to say. I don’t understand. But I understand you more than anyone else on this planet right now. And I just—“ Sonic stopped as Shadow hugged him tightly, pressing his face into his bare chest. The hybrid gripped the fur on his back and breathed shakily. Sonic wrapped his arms around him and squeezed gently. He nuzzled his face into the top of his quills. “I have you. Let me have you…”

Shadow didn’t speak again, so Sonic held him in silence until his alarm echoed from his bedroom. The agent rolled the two over to be on top. He kissed Shadow’s lips softly. The hybrid moved his fingers into Sonic’s quills and pulled his head down. Sonic smiled and mumbled against his lips, “I have to get dressed.”

Shadow’s grip in his quills tightened initially, but then he released. “Let me groom you first.”

“I think you did pretty good already.” Sonic climbed out of the nest and looked down at himself. He didn’t get as messy as Shadow because he had less fur. His was shorter too. Shadow gracefully stepped down out of the nest and sunk to his knees. Sonic turned to face him, looking down at him with sudden wakeful and wide eyes. Shadow put his hands on blue thighs as he leaned in close enough that Sonic could feel his hot breath on the opening of his sheath. He began to give long and slow licks around Sonic’s pouch, lifting his balls and shifting his cock around in its sheath. His fur had gotten sticky with Shadow’s slick from last night. The hybrid was cleaning it off him. Sonic’s face flushed, and his tail wagged again. He was shocked that he didn’t come out of his sheath. Maybe his body was finally learning what was and wasn’t a sexual touch from him.

“There…” Shadow kissed the opening to Sonic’s sheath gently before sitting back on his heals, looking up at the blue hedgehog.

Sonic bent down all the way to kiss him with enough vigor to lean him back against the bed. He pulled away just before Shadow could take his cheeks. “Thank you. I have to go but thank you.” He dashed to Shadow’s door. “I really enjoyed last night.”

Shadow wiped his mouth and got into a crouch. “You’re welcome.”

“I’ll see you later. Will you still be in an affectionate mood then?” Sonic smiled, already sure of the answer.

“Probably not. Adiós, Zafiro.” Shadow disappeared into his nest.

Sonic sighed softly. So hot and cold for what? Whatever, he’s starting to stay hot. Sonic’s smile remained on his face as he went back to his room. Before he dressed, he tried to wash off his dick in the sink again. His tip wasn’t as dark as it had been yesterday, but it was clearly still stained. It was fading, so whatever happened the first time he and Shadow had sex hadn’t repeated. Maybe it was a virginity thing? He thought of ways to explain it as he got dressed. Tripped into a bowl of ink while masturbating? Is that the best he can come up with?

Sonic waited as long as he could. Waited for hours for something to come up. Anything that could excuse him from his visit with Blaze, but nothing came. Espio didn’t even invite him to see anything with Shadow if anything was going on. Eventually, he had to go to the medbay. He was standing outside the door now, replaying the excuse he had crafted in his head.

Dr. Blaze opened the door and eyed him distastefully. “You planning to make me wait all day?”

“Sorry.” Sonic lowered his head and walked in past her. “Been a bit distracted lately.”

“I hear that from everyone.” She walked with him to an exam area. She pulled a curtain along a track to isolate the area.

Sonic undressed down to his jockstrap, setting his clothes folded on the table. He pushed himself up next to them. His feet hung well off the floor. “I’ve got some bites and scratches, but I was training with Shadow. You can confirm with Espio or Amy.”

“That’s fine.” Dr. Blaze approached him. She didn’t need to tell him what to do. He breathed deeply when her cold stethoscope touched his chest. He relaxed his legs when she picked up the reflex hammer. He lifted his arms when she stretched the measuring tape. He followed her silent instructions for every test. “Your muscle mass is down 2%.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve—“

“Been distracted?” Dr. Blaze jotted every measurement onto a clipboard to be entered in the system later. She stood in front of the sink against the wall as she washed her hands.

“Yeah…” Sonic watched her. His heart started to pound. He could feel it in his ears. They flinched as latex gloves snapped around her wrists. Would she believe him in the slightest? He pushed his jockstrap down his legs. He pulled his feet out of it and set it next to him. He cleared his throat. “Everything look good otherwise?”

“As expected,” Dr. Blaze answered. She returned to him. He looked away as she leaned over in front of him. She pushed her gloved thumb at the space on his pouch between his balls and the base of his cock. This always brought him out of his sheath like a reflex.

“So, I don’t have dick cancer or anything. I was playing with this pen, and it snapped. Ink got everywhere. I got it out of my fur, but…” Sonic tapped his fingers on the edge of the table.

Dr. Blaze didn’t speak as she left him to open a cabinet on the wall. She moved a couple bottles around until grabbing one. She opened the cap and squirted its liquid contents onto a paper towel. When she returned, she wiped his tip. Sonic looked down at his groin. The ink was disappearing under the paper towel, revealing his warm pink flesh. It came off with such ease, as if it had been a chemical reaction. It must be. He had scrubbed it raw before with no such luck. Once it was clean, she tossed the paper towel into the trash and felt his testicles as their routine demanded. She found nothing out of the ordinary, so she let him return to his sheath and pulled off her gloves over the trash can. She washed her hands again, then sat in a wheeled chair to write on her clipboard.

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck. Her nonchalance disturbed him a little bit. “Uh, we done?”

“Yes. You’re fine. Get back to your workout routine.” Dr. Blaze stood up and pushed the curtain out of her way as she left.

“Sure…” Sonic dropped off of the table. He got his clothes back on and took a breath as he smoothed them. Well, that wasn’t so bad. She either believed him or didn’t care. She was usually a lot nosier. He wasn’t complaining. It was nice to know one thing about his life or himself that they didn’t. He left the medbay.

Two hours or so later, the day was coming to a close. Sonic hadn’t heard anything from Espio about Shadow or otherwise. He left his desk as soon as he saw the first of his colleagues packing up for the day. Maybe Shadow got to rest. Or stretch his legs in that training room. Would they fall into a routine soon? And what would it be? Sonic took the elevator to his floor. He only got a step out before he stilled. Down the hall Espio was pulling Shadow along with a tight grip on his upper arm. Shadow had all of his limbs by the look of him, but all of his fur was puffed up, and he was trembling.

Sonic dashed in front of them. “Hey, what’s going on?”

Espio let go of Shadow, and the hybrid fell into Sonic. Shadow wrapped his arms around his neck and pressed close to him. His body felt… cold. Shadow shivered. “They injected me with something… I don’t know… I’m so cold,” he said through chattering teeth.

Sonic frowned, looking up at Espio as he wrapped an arm around Shadow and rubbed his back to create some warmth from friction. “What did you give him?”

“It’s need-to-know. He’ll be fine.” Espio buttoned his blazer back together.

“Why do you keep playing with him like this? He’s not a toy.” Sonic’s snout started to wrinkle. His teeth just barely peeked out from under his lip. But his muzzle relaxed as he brought it up towards Shadow’s ear. “Go get in bed. I’ll be there in a moment to warm you up.”

Espio cocked a brow and brought his hands to his hips, looking down at the little agent like he might hear him out simply because he found it amusing. Shadow slowly pulled away from Sonic and stepped into his bedroom.

Sonic pulled his door shut behind him before he turned back to the director. The two appeared to be having different conversations. Sonic was serious and even a bit stern. “What’s the goal? What is this helping you work towards?” He gestured to Shadow’s room.

“You know I’m not going to answer that. You’re wasting my time.” Espio turned to walk away, but Sonic grabbed his sleeve.

“You have no reason to keep this information from me. I don’t have the clearance. It’s need-to-know. They’re all just excuses. Just say you don’t want me to know. Say you’re specifically hiding it from me.” Sonic was on his toes without even thinking about it, trying to get to his level.

Espio’s face dropped from minor amusement into a cold threat. He pulled his arm from Sonic’s grasp and leaned down into his face. “I am specifically hiding it from you.”

Sonic stepped back, his ears starting to lower on his head. “Why? You don’t trust me? Or are you doing this just to flaunt the control you have over me?”

Espio took a deep breath and placed a firm hand on Sonic’s shoulder. He squeezed it a little bit, then brushed it like there was dirt on it. “I’m going to do you a favor and walk away now before you say something that’s going to really get you in trouble.” He turned away again and took a step.

Sonic’s fists clenched at his sides as he growled in frustration, “Dad!” As soon as he said that damn word, he gasped and slapped his hands over his mouth. Espio froze. Oh, no. Sonic stepped back. “B-Bad. I said this is bad…”

Espio turned halfway towards him. He peered down at Sonic. His brown eyes looked like black voids in the dim light. The shadows cast over his weathered features looked downright sinister. Sonic’s stomach twisted. “What did you just call me?” he asked flatly.

“Nothing, sir, I said—“ Sonic yelped as he was struck across the face by the back of Espio’s hand.

“Learn to shut up, Sonic.” Espio grabbed him by his shirt and threw Shadow’s door open with his other hand. He shoved Sonic into the bedroom, sending him falling on his ass. “Get in there and do your fucking job.”

A growl came from the nest, but by the time the sound registered, Shadow was standing between the two males, snarling up at Espio.

Espio snatched Shadow’s jaw and pulled him up, forcing him on his toes. “What are you gonna do, you little freak? You won’t hurt me because it’ll hurt him.”

Shadow’s ears shot back and his snarling quieted. His hands gripped onto the man’s arm, sinking his claws in. Blood soaked Espio’s sleeve. He was right.

“You better prove your worth.” Espio eyed Shadow’s nude body up and down. “Or I’ll hand you over to Doom. Is that understood?”

Shadow’s ears jerked low at first, some fear reaching into his expression. But then his brows tightened into a glare, and he sucked in, preparing to spit in Espio’s face.

“Yes, sir! Yes, sir, we understand.” Sonic crawled over to kneel at Espio’s feet. “Please let him go.”

Espio looked away from the hybrid to gaze down at the blue hedgehog. He looked between the two a couple times. With a sigh, he dropped Shadow and fixed his tie. “Get it together.” He walked out of the room and slammed the door.

Shadow crumpled to his knees next to Sonic. Both of them were riled up with fear and anger, their fur bushy and their quills bristled. They panted softly together. Until Sonic started taking deep breaths, and Shadow copied. Together, their breaths and heartbeats fell back into their natural rhythm. They looked at one another with solemn apprehension painted on their faces.

Chapter Text

Sonic cleared his throat and rubbed his stinging cheek with the back of his hand. He helped Shadow to his feet. “Uh, you’re cold. What else?”

“Empty…” Shadow murmured as he climbed into the nest. A new sound left his mouth. A sort of clicking. Similar to his predatory chittering, but it came from further back in his mouth.

Sonic held the sheet open for him. He would have to hear that sound in some other situations before he could catalogue its meaning. “Hungry? You want me to go get you something to eat?”

“No!” Shadow grabbed Sonic’s wrist. “Don’t go.” He poked his head back out of the nest and started unbuttoning Sonic’s shirt, but he fumbled with each one.

Sonic put his hands over Shadow’s to take over. He pulled his shirt out of his pants to get the last button before letting it drop to the floor. He took his belt out of its buckle, and it slithered through the loops in his waistband as he removed it. As he undressed, the frequency of Shadow’s clicking increased. Sonic dropped his pants and leaned over to climb into the nest, but he paused as Shadow’s hand slid into the side of his jockstrap. He didn’t hesitate to take that off too, leaving his agent persona as an empty pile of clothes on the floor. Shadow lied down and turned away, letting Sonic wrap around his back. He nuzzled close, bringing his arms around the hybrid and rubbing his torso. Shadow inhaled deeply, squirming just a little as Sonic’s fingers caught his nipples. They were protruding from his fur a little more than normal. They even seemed a bit… puffy. Shadow rested one hand on his stomach and the other on Sonic’s arm. Shadow shivered in Sonic’s arms and pressed back against him.

“Did they say anything about what it was? Did it smell like anything?” Sonic’s asked.

Though the blue hedgehog’s had come to rest still on him, Shadow continued to writhe slowly against his front. “No. Didn’t say anything to me. No idea what it is. But it’s doing something to me.”

“Why would he just send you back here instead of monitoring you…?” Sonic’s arms tightened around him instinctually to keep him still.

Shadow’s sweetness filled the air of the nest. His quills bristled as he grabbed onto Sonic’s forearms. “I don’t know. There’s this fog in my head. I can’t see right.”

“Can’t see right?” Sonic leaned up and tilted Shadow’s chin over. His third eye looked normal, open wide. His main eyes were lidded and his pupils nearly reached to the edges of his irises. “What do you see?”

Shadow blinked several times as he stared up at Sonic. “You. You’re the only thing in focus.”

Sonic’s brows furrowed. He leaned to the right then to the left. Shadow’s head remained still but his eyes followed him. He lifted his finger in the center of Shadow’s vision. “Don’t move your eyes. Keep looking at my finger.” The hybrid nodded. Sonic moved again, and Shadow’s eyes began to follow in the same moment. “Shads, look here.” Sonic snapped his fingers, earning a twitch from Shadow’s ear, but his eyes didn’t move. A chill rolled through Sonic’s spine, sent by nervous system. He ignored the fur on his shoulders beginning to stand. “Can you control your eyes?” Shadow shook his head as his eyes remained on Sonic.

Sonic took a deep breath. He moved over to lie down in front of Shadow. He pulled the hybrid into his arms. Most of his body felt cold. Except for his belly and groin pressing into Sonic. They were hot. Shadow rested his chin on Sonic’s chest, his head tilted back so he could look up at the agent’s face. His tail tapped on the bed. Sonic slipped his hand between them and felt Shadow’s belly. “Does your stomach hurt? It’s way hotter than the rest of you.”

Shadow took a break from clicking to trill quite loudly. He arched his back, pressing his belly into Sonic. He wrapped his arms around the blue hedgehog’s neck. He ignored the question as he started to lick Sonic’s muzzle near his lips. “You always take care of me.”

Sonic gripped the small of Shadow’s back as he felt prickling in his pelt. He loved the affection, but it was out of character for the hybrid. Maybe it was doing something to his brain. “You should sleep in—mmph,” Shadow’s tongue dipped into Sonic’s mouth briefly from the clumsy grooming, “sleep. You might be able to metabolize it,” Sonic’s mouth was pushed open as Shadow’s tongue filled it. That time definitely wasn’t an accident. Sonic’s tail started to wag. Shadow’s tongue left his mouth, so he finished his thought, “metabolize it faster. Sleep it off.”

“You’re so warm.” Shadow looked down at their bodies together. He squeezed Sonic’s bicep then brushed his hand all the way down his arm.

“Shh. Rest.” Sonic kissed his head and pressed his muzzle into Shadow’s quills. He smelled them, trying to rinse his nose of that much sweeter smell coming from below.

“You’re… handsome…” Shadow hooked his leg over Sonic’s hip, resuming his clicking.

Sonic could feel heat and moisture on his groin coming from Shadow’s. He rolled Shadow onto his back, settling between his legs. “This seems like a bad time for that.”

“It’ll warm me up. Please. I’m so cold. You’re big and warm.” Shadow wrapped his arms and legs around Sonic securely, bringing him down on top of him.

Sonic couldn’t keep his cock in his sheath any longer. He let it rest on Shadow’s stomach. “What’s it doing to you…?” Sonic cupped his cheek.

“Don’t you want me?” Shadow rubbed his hands up and down the agent’s back and lifted his hips off the bed to press against him.

“Of course I do. Want you all the time.” Sonic pinned Shadow back down with his own hips. He kissed his cheek. “I just want to make sure you’re okay too.”

“I’ll be okay when you’re inside,” Shadow whispered. “Come here.” He lifted his own legs up towards his torso, exposing his open pussy directly underneath him.

“Hmm…” Sonic’s ears shifted back. He was concerned about Shadow, but… he sniffed the air. He smells so sweet that Sonic’s starting to drool. He looked down between their bodies. He shifted his hips, lining up above his pussy. He slowly brought his hips down to sink his tip inside. It was nearly uncomfortably hot inside and so wet. Shadow’s entire groin and thighs were covered in this viscous, transparent slick. More than Sonic had ever seen on him. He moaned softly and bit his lip. He watched his cock disappear as Shadow pushed down on his butt with both hands. He waited to hit that wall, but it just kept going deeper and deeper until his tip pressed through this tight ring of muscle deep inside Shadow. He was all the way in for the first time. His groin was nestled into Shadow’s pussy and his balls pressed against his ass. Shadow was wrapped tight around his entire length.

“Hah~ Shadow, I’m all the way in…” Sonic wiggled his hips against him.

Shadow became tense beneath him. He felt his stomach. “S-something’s wrong.”

“Wrong? No, it feels so good.” Sonic bowed his head over Shadow’s, breathing in his ear as he started to move back and forth. The end of his cock started fucking this other hole inside of Shadow, and it was absolutely heavenly on his sensitive tip. His cock was already twitching inside him.

Shadow moaned louder than he ever has, leaning his head back on the pillows. His legs twitched. “You shouldn’t be able… to… so deep.” Shadow whimpered.

Sonic shifted his head to look at his face. For the first time… Shadow didn’t look so put together. His mouth was open with strings of saliva connecting his fangs. His eyes seemed distant and cloudy nearly entirely covered by his lids. His ears were low on his head. His lips were curled into a little smile. Sonic nuzzled his cheek and wrapped his arms around him tightly. He started thrusting between Shadow’s legs, shoving himself all the way in each time. “You like it, don’t you? I just needed to get deeper?”

Shadow groaned. He squirmed underneath the larger body, but none of his moving deterred Sonic from pumping balls deep into his cunt. “Feels too good…” His eyes began to water as he pushed at Sonic’s chest.

Sonic cupped his cheeks, panting softly as he looked down into his dilated eyes. “You look so pretty when you feel good. Let me make you feel good. You deserve it. Please~”

Shadow grunted with each thrust, a shiver ripping through his body each time Sonic hit deepest. He licked his lips and nodded. He squeezed Sonic’s chest before sliding his hands around to his back and sinking his claws in to get a good grip.

“Thank you, Shads.” Sonic pecked his lips. “My Shadow~” He kissed him softly.

Shadow closed his twitching legs around Sonic’s hips and his eyes fluttered shut. He tried to kiss him and give him his tongue, but he kept having to break it to let out his moans. He settled on resting his forehead against Sonic’s and letting his tongue hang from his mouth. The agent’s tongue licked and played with his. He even pressed little kisses to it.

Sonic let out a long groan as his hips came to a stop. “Hold on, Shads. I’m going to cum if I don’t wait a minute.”

Shadow pushed at Sonic’s butt with his feet. “Don’t stop.”

“Wait just a second.” Sonic kissed his face as he waited for the tension in his belly to loosen.

“Sonic…” Shadow breathed his name. “I want you to cum.”

“You first…” Sonic murmured, petting Shadow’s quills as he started rolling his hips between his messy thighs. He watched Shadow’s face light up with pleasure as he picked up his pace into firm and deep thrusts. The hybrid’s breathing escalated to labored and deliberate, both like he was out of breath and like he was trying to calm himself. His fingertips pressed into Sonic’s fur as his entire claws pierced through his back. Sonic winced and went faster though his hips became sloppy slapping against Shadow.

“Wait, wait!” Shadow gasped. He attempted to push his legs underneath Sonic to separate their bodies, but the blue hedgehog just pinned his thighs, folding him beneath him. Tears dropped from his eyes. “I’m going to explode!”

Sonic stopped moving at that declaration. He smiled softly, pushing down the chuckle tickling his throat. “Shadow…” He picked him up, setting the hybrid into his lap as he sat back on his heels in the nest. He held Shadow down towards his thighs to keep his cock from touching that inner ring. “You’re not going to explode. What you’re feeling is the beginning of an orgasm.” He wiped tears from the dark hedgehog’s cheeks. “I can’t believe you’ve never had one before.”

“I’m scared. I feel like I’m not in control.” Shadow sniffled and covered his face with his hands.

“It’s okay to be scared. But do you trust me?” Sonic gently took one of his hands and brought the back of it to his mouth for a soft kiss.

Shadow’s other hand curled into a fist in front of his muzzle. He looked into Sonic’s eyes like they were the only thing he could see. “Sí, Zafiro.”

“Then let me have control.” Sonic took Shadow’s hips and pulled him higher on his lap until his tip pressed at that spot.

“Mm.” Shadow muzzle wrinkled.

“Relax.” Sonic kissed his muzzle softly, chasing his grimace away.

“Okay…” Shadow let the agent bring him up over his groin, and both gasped softly as Sonic popped through the ring. He wrapped his arms around Shadow’s hips and gently rocked him back and forth so his tip continued sliding in and out. Shadow wrapped his arms around his neck. His breathing became heavy again. Sonic kissed his face softly, moaning his name. Shadow’s legs began to shake around Sonic. His chest started heaving rapidly. He curled in on himself and squealed as he orgasmed for the first time. Sonic’s ears perked forward. He didn’t know Shadow’s voice could get so high. The hybrid’s body twitched in Sonic’s lap. His insides began massaging Sonic’s cock, both holes tightening around him.

Sonic smiled widely at Shadow. He licked the tears flowing freely down his face. “I’m going to knot you this time.” His tail wagged excitedly. “Do you want that?” Shadow nodded. His jaw was clenched shut. Pleased moans escaped Sonic’s mouth as Shadow milked him. “Mmm… gonna fill you…” He pushed his hips up against the hybrid. He cupped the back of Shadow’s head and brought it down into his neck as his cum began to flow into the new space he had reached deep inside the other.

Shadow’s reaction was instant. He clamped his jaws around Sonic’s neck and slipped his claws back into the holes he had made in his back earlier. He closed his legs tightly around his waist even though they were still shaking. He trilled happily, his tail sliding back and forth across Sonic’s thighs. And something new happened. Something pierced into Sonic’s tip. Several somethings actually. It felt as if his tip was stabbed by needles.

“Ow, fuck!” Sonic hissed. He was prepared for the claws and the biting, but not that. He shifted his hips, but shooting pain tore through his tip when his cock moved. His tip had been speared by barbs inside of Shadow. His cum didn’t stop flowing though, and his knot started swelling inside of Shadow’s pussy. He leaned his head back, forgetting the pain as he experienced knotting someone for the first time… And it was Shadow. The hedgehog he had daydreamed about for over a decade. The hedgehog who was even more handsome and skilled than he had imagined, the hedgehog that seemed to grow more beautiful and powerful in his perception each time he saw him. His hands rubbed up and down that hedgehog’s back. He didn’t mind the barbs. It was like… Shadow’s way of knotting. Shadow’s way of keeping him close and making sure they… They had completed each other. Truly became as close as they could possibly be. And Sonic never wanted to leave his insides. “That felt different this time,” Sonic breathed as the last drops of cum left his tip and his knot secured itself just past Shadow’s entrance, “cumming inside, I mean.”

Shadow slowly let go of Sonic’s back and moved his hands on top of his stomach. His teeth stayed in Sonic’s neck.

“You need a minute? That’s okay, I can be quiet.” Sonic laid him down gently and settled on top of him. “Are you still cold?” He grabbed a blanket from the nest and pulled it over them. He kissed Shadow’s head and laid his down before emitting a long sigh. He cupped one of Shadow’s ears and gently rubbed his thumb in it. “I love you,” he whispered. He wished he could see his face, that beautiful face. “Fuck everyone but you and me.”

Chapter Text

Shadow didn’t let go of Sonic’s neck. Not through all of his sweet yapping, not at his gentle hugs and touches, not even as his own instincts simmered down, truly satisfied for the very first time. If he let go, Sonic would see his face. See his eyes continuously full of tears regardless of how many disappeared down his cheeks. His body was completely and wholly satiated, pleased, happy. The first step of his purpose had been fulfilled. It was still buzzing and shaking with a pleasure he had never experienced before. A pleasure he was already addicted to. But his mind… his mind was elsewhere. His mind was disturbed, aware of what this all was, aware of what he had to do. He was a fool to think he’d had complete control. Humans always find a way to manipulate things to suit their purposes. He still thanks Gerald for trying to protect him, for trying to give him his own life despite his destiny. He felt bad for the man, really. He tried to give Shadow a normal childhood besides the testing he participated in to help Maria. And he had done a good job. Shadow was sheltered for many years. And then it all hit him at the same time, about as hard as a bullet train would hit a brick wall. All in one day, back in…

1973

Young Shadow scratched at the permanent catheter in the crook of his arm with his claws as he watched his big sister lean over the bathroom sink to peer in the mirror. She was pulling down her lower lid, making her eyeball look like it was bulging from her head, all so she could draw a black line near her lashes. He didn’t get it. “You look like a freak.”

“Shut up. And stop scratching at it.” Maria nudged his shoulder with her hip. She let go of her eye and switched to the other.

“Why shouldn’t I? It’s itchy.” Shadow did stop though, folding his arms over his fluffy chest. “What are you putting on makeup for anyway?”

“You shouldn’t scratch at it because it’ll make it more itchy.” Maria rolled her eyes. She had a catheter too, but hers was taped to the back of her hand. That one had been there much longer than his. “And not all of us have natural eye shadow like you.”

“It doesn’t look like eye shadow. Does it?” Shadow pulled on her sweater to help himself onto the counter. He knelt in front of the mirror and looked at his own eyelids, squinting.

“Yeah, it does. But it’s cute.” Maria rubbed his head between his ears before she dug around in her little bag for a brush and a thin case. She popped it open and painted the brush with the pink powder inside. She brushed over her cheeks with a sigh. It hardly blended with her pale skin. But from a distance, it made her look less… sick.

“You look just fine how you are.” Shadow touched her cold cheek.

“Thank you, Shadow.” She smiled at him genuinely. “I just think it’s fun to… come here.” She beckoned him.

Shadow shook his head, backing away. “You’re not putting that stuff on me.”

Maria laughed, and Shadow softened instantly, willing to do anything for her if she would make the sound again. “Come on. You’ll see what I’m taking about. It’s nice, it’s like… when I put on a pretty dress. Even when nothing’s going on that day.”

“Okay…” Shadow crawled back over to her. He let her turn him away from the mirror. He sat with his legs over the edge of the counter. He sighed softly. “Make me pretty.”

“Yes, sir!” She saluted him with a grin. She dug around in her bag for more supplies. Most of them were pretty run down by now. They didn’t often receive supplies from Earth. It was very costly. There were some colors she hardly used though. She never wore much red. Always blue. “Close your eyes.” Shadow did as told. His eyelids twitched as she brushed something onto each of them. His tail tapped on the counter as he waited. His cheeks were brushed next. “Okay, now open your mouth.” Shadow almost declined, but he thought it would make her happy, so he did as requested. His nose wrinkled as something wet slid across his lips. It smelled like cherries though, far from unpleasant. “There. Beautiful.”

Shadow opened his eyes and turned to look himself in the mirror. He squinted to see his eyelids. They were now entirely red. His lips were too. And shiny. His cheeks had some pink powder hanging off of his fur. “Woah. Now I look like you.”

“Yeah, you sure do.” Maria giggled and pulled him into her arms. He smiled and rubbed his head on her shoulder, trying to get her scent into his quills. He was happy to rest in her arms until the rhythm of his heart grew quicker. His brows furrowed as prickling lit up through his pelt. “Shadow, your fur is standing up. Are you okay?” She pulled away from the hug to check him over.

Shadow frowned. There was this… void growing in his belly. His body was warning him about something. “I feel strange. Something’s not right…”

“What do you mean…?” Maria cupped his cheeks and looked into his suddenly narrow pupils. She was beginning to look unsettled herself.

The two of them screamed as the bathroom door swung open, and Shadow jumped back into her arms. The person on the other side of the door was—just Gerald. He looked as startled as them. “What are you two screaming over? It’s just me.”

Maria huffed and hugged Shadow close. “Can’t you knock, Abuelo? This is my bathroom.”

“I’m sorry, Maria, but this is urgent. I need to talk to Shadow for a minute.” Gerald tapped his fingers on the doorframe quickly. Shadow could smell the sweat perspiring on the top of his head. He was afraid. This didn’t help the hedgehog to calm down. It only made his heartbeat more rapid.

“What’s the matter?” Maria frowned deeply.

“Black Doom is here. You need to get to the safe room.” The words were tight coming out of his throat. Black Doom. Shadow has heard that name before. It was the creature who donated his DNA to make Shadow beyond a mobian hedgehog or a human. The DNA that would supposedly make him capable of saving his sister.

“Why is he here?” Maria asked softly. When he didn’t answer, she spoke firmly. “Abuelo, why is he here?”

“I don’t know what he wants. Please go get somewhere safe before he arrives on the ARK,” Gerald said, then quickly added, “Just in case.”

“Don’t let him take him.” Maria clutched onto Shadow tightly, her fingers gripping his fur.

“He’s not supposed to until after you’re cured. But if he wanted to, you know I couldn’t…” Gerald sighed, rubbing his fingers across his forehead.

Shadow looked between the two of them, his family. He knew he was destined to leave them one day. He had come to terms with that. As long as he could save Maria. He was grateful to Black Doom for allowing his creation. He would serve his duty to him when the time came, no matter what that duty was. He had never cared to ask. He didn’t think about what his life would be after Maria. He needs to be here in the present enjoying every moment he had with her. Though his body was showing some state of alarm, sensing Black Doom’s powerful presence from afar, he wasn’t afraid. Not in his head. And he didn’t want Maria to be either.

Shadow wiggled until she put him down on the floor. He took her delicate hands in his and smiled up at her reassuringly. “I’m not going anywhere until I know you aren’t either. I’m sure he’s just… coming to meet me.”

Maria didn’t look convinced by this. Her brows were still pulled together by worry. She leaned over and pressed a long kiss to the top of his head. “You’re right, Shadow.” She blinked away fearful tears. “Come and get me as soon as he’s gone, okay?”

Shadow nodded and let go of her hands. Gerald tilted his body to let her pass through the doorframe. She left for the safe room. Shadow fluffed his quills and fixed his chest fur. He took a step towards the door. “Let’s go greet him.”

“Shadow,” Gerald murmured as he put his hand on the hedgehog’s shoulder. Was that guilt weighing down his tone? He knelt down to be closer to his level. “I—what is on your face?” He adjusted his glasses. “Oh, christ.” He shimmied closer to the counter and wet a rag in the sink. He leaned over the counter for a moment, his back turned to Shadow, but he could see him in the mirror. He gripped his own jaw tightly with a quivering hand, hiding his mouth.  Then he cleared his throat and faced Shadow again, dropping his hand. He began to gently wipe the makeup off of the hedgehog’s face. “I never told you what role you would fulfill for Doom. I’ve been trying to find a way out for you, but I’m afraid the deal has been made. If I could take it back… I didn’t know you’d become family. I was just thinking of her.” He gripped Shadow’s shoulders.

Shadow put one of his hands on Gerald’s. He rubbed it gently. “Abuelo… I will happily fulfill any role I have to. I will be satisfied with my life as long as I have helped her.”

“Sweet child…” Gerald shook his head, squeezing his shoulders. “What have I done?”

Quick footsteps sounded outside the bedroom and slammed to a stop. “Doctor! He’s arrived.”

“I’ll be right there!” Gerald called. He wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. “Shadow, listen to me. There’s something else you can do with your body I haven’t explained to you. Your… insides. You can seal them. Close them with the ease you would close your fist.” Gerald held his arm vertical in front of Shadow’s stomach and clenched his fist.

“Uh… okay.” Shadow looked down at Gerald’s hand. It’s lost on him why he needed to know this now.

“Shut them now. And keep them closed. Always keep them closed.” Gerald took his hand and led him through the bedroom out into the hall. “You need to…” He struggled over his words as he brought him to the lab. “It’ll prevent—“ He was unable to construct a proper sentence by the time they entered the other room, and Gerald came to a sudden stop.

Shadow looked up at him, stopping next to him. He then looked into the space. At the other side of the room, a large inhuman figure was waiting for them, levitating a foot off the floor. He had no legs by the look of it, and his torso was decorated in robes and jewelry. He had three eyes too and some horn-like protrusion came out of each side of his head. Shadow inhaled a sharp breath. He could feel him in his bones. This was a powerful creature, full of energy like himself. He fought his ears to keep them high and strong though they wanted to flatten on his head. He puffed his chest and let go of Gerald’s hand. He strode across the room to arrive directly in front of Black Doom. He offered his hand to shake. “Hello. I am Shadow, The Ultimate Lifeform.” His voice came out cool as he had intended, but his body was beginning to tremble. He kept his hand tense to hide it.

Black Doom gazed down at him. “It’s small.”

Shadow’s ears twitched back a little bit when his greeting was ignored. Was the alien talking about his hand? It wasn’t small for his size at all.

“He still has some growing to do,” Gerald said nervously. “But his pelvis isn’t bone. It’s malleable.”

Shadow looked back at Gerald. They were talking about him? He gasped as he was lifted off of the ground. Nothing was touching his body. He was just… floating. He looked back to Doom. He must be telekinetic. Shadow was turned horizontal and set onto the exam table in the center of the room. Black Doom wanted to examine him? That’s okay. He’s used to that. He lied flat on the table. Black Doom flowed over to the table. He pushed two of his large fingers down on Shadow’s hip, and it… it dented underneath them. Shadow’s ears shot back on his head. It hadn’t even hurt. His pelvis just caved. Why could it do that? The rest of his body wasn’t like that. He tried to touch it, but he found he couldn’t move. All he could do was breathe heavier and turn his head to Gerald.

“Is it developed on the inside?” Black Doom wrapped his three clawed fingers around Shadow’s calf and bent his knee, putting his foot flat on the table. He did the same with Shadow’s other leg and separated his thighs.

“No, he’s not ready yet.” Gerald was stiff as a board a couple yards away.

Shadow’s tail curled up between his legs to hide himself. Inside? Why did Black Doom care about what was inside of him? “Abuelo…” He didn’t have much to say. He just wanted to call for him.

“I can see it already has eggs.” Black Doom dragged a claw down beneath Shadow’s navel. “Are you sure it’ll be equipped for large litters?”

“His body will be able to handle whatever you need,” Gerald whispered weakly. “He’ll be ready to reproduce again days after he has a litter. He is The Ultimate Lifeform. Capable of producing life at a much more accelerated rate than the Black Arms. And the offspring will be more powerful.”

***

Black Doom pulled Shadow’s tail taught, bringing it out of the way. Shadow panted as he lifted his head to look down between his legs. It’s all he could do. He couldn’t even struggle. His body vibrated, and his ears hung low on his head. Black Doom rubbed at his groin with his finger. Shadow’s eyes filled with tears. What’s he going to do? What was all this talk of reproduction? Was his purpose to be… breeding stock for this alien? Tears fell down his muzzle as his genitals exposed themselves due to the physical stimulation.

“I said he’s not ready.” Gerald took a step forward.

Black Doom ignored him, and Gerald didn’t push the issue further. His fingers morphed together into a long, tentacle-like appendage. The tip of it parted his lower lips. Shadow whimpered. He was gasping for air now, but it wasn’t helping him to catch his breath. It made sense now. He had to close off his reproductive organs from Doom. He had to hide that he could reproduce now in case Black Doom decides he had waited long enough. The appendage pierce him. He whined and closed his eyes to focus on his body, not his surroundings. He had to close it off. He clenched his abs. No, that wasn’t right. The appendage snaked deeper inside of him, probing sobs to erupt from his chest. He’s never been afraid like this before. He clenched again, this time tightening his anus and vaginal canal around the tentacle. He winced. Almost. As Black Doom reached into his belly, he tried one more time. And then he felt something else tighten shut inside of him. He grunted as the end of the tendril pushed at his closed cervix. Black Doom made a thoughtful sound and withdrew his appendage.

***

Shadow let out a massive breath, suddenly feeling like he could breathe again. He could move too, so he dashed to the back wall and sat with his arms around his knees, his tail curled up between his legs. He shuddered as his genitals sheathed themselves again.

“It’s almost ready. It’ll do nicely to make an army for me. I’ll be back for it in time.” Black Doom then disappeared.

Gerald let out the breath he was holding too and rushed over to kneel beside the hedgehog. He reached for him. “Shadow—“

Shadow scooted away from him and rubbed his fists at his eyes. He didn’t want the man to see him like this, so fragile and upset. He bowed his head over his knees. For the first time, he really considered what his life would be like after Maria. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to live it at all.

Chapter Text

And now, Shadow lied underneath a handsome blue hedgehog, undeniably fertilized. He could feel Sonic’s semen filling his uterus to the brim. He was relieved when his barbs withdrew from Sonic’s tip at about the time his knot shrunk. The agent’s tip popped out of Shadow’s uterus as he scooted up underneath him. He grunted and took a breath before reaching down to pull him all the way out. He hardly felt any emptier. Unlike humans, he had extensive, sensitive nerves throughout his cervix, uterus, and ovaries. He has conscious control of them. Usually. Whatever they injected him with made him lose that control and open himself up to be bred. And he had asked for it. He could’ve just pushed Sonic away. But now he has to take care of this mess. He kissed the warm cheek next to his face and slid out from under Sonic. The hedgehog’s hand immediately reached out for him. Shadow put the teddy bear in his hand. Sonic drew it into his chest and cuddled it. Shadow crawled over him out of the nest. He grimaced at the small bump in his belly where his uterus sat. He grabbed a cigarette from the nightstand and lit it. He stood there and smoked it down to the butt.

Once he was no longer inhaling the tobacco and his head was buzzing with nicotine, he twisted the filter on belly to extinguish it. His abdomen tensed as it was burned. He dropped the butt on the nightstand. He opened his thighs and leaned over to look between them. As he expected. The entire time he stood there, not a drop of Sonic had leaked out of him. It was lodged deep inside him, and his uterus wasn’t going to let go of it on its own. He attempted to use his muscles, to relax them, but whenever he tried to move them, they felt numb. Shadow sighed deeply and patted his hips. “Fuck.”

He ran his fingers through his quills before he picked Sonic’s shirt up from the floor and brought it onto his shoulders. He struggled to get it buttoned with his claws in the way, so he only buttoned the bottom half. It draped down just below his butt. He smelled the sleeve. Mm. His scent is so refreshing and lively. He grabbed Sonic’s phone from his pants pocket and tucked it into the breast pocket of the dress shirt. Shadow leaned into the nest again and licked Sonic’s ear. “I’ll be back soon.” Sonic’s ear flicked as he mumbled. He tightened his arms around the bear and rolled his hips. “You did great,” Shadow murmured, brushing his hand along Sonic’s side down to his hip, and it stopped moving under his touch. He pressed a gentle kiss to the angry bite wound on the side of his neck before he left him.

Shadow shut his bedroom door behind him. His tail was stiff pointing towards the floor as he padded along to the stairwell. He had gotten to know this floor. It doesn’t have what he’s looking for. So, he went up a level and searched the floor, walking down the hall and peeking through every door. It was pitch black, but he was able to see enough shapes with his thermal eye to identify objects in the rooms. None of them what he was looking for. He went to the next floor. And the next one. He counted them. Until he arrived at floor -1. The last floor he had access to. Eventually, he brought his head into a large room with what looked to be interior walls colder than the rest of the room. They were a deep blue. Shadow felt along the wall for a light switch. He found two, so he flipped both and the room became illuminated under industrial LEDs. What he thought at been walls were just cold metal lockers. Next to them, steel benches. The locker room.

Shadow let the door shut behind him as he came in. He passed the lockers. Concrete changed to white tile under his feet. Connected to the locker room was an open space filled with rows of showers. He stepped into one stall and didn’t bother to shut the curtain. He pulled Sonic’s shirt off and draped it over the half wall between the stalls. He set Sonic’s phone next to it. He turned the handle. After some squeaking from the old pipes, Shadow was sprayed with frigid water. It pierced through his pelt like icicles straight into his bones. Damn. He wouldn’t warm up again until he got back to Sonic later. He carelessly let it fall all over him, soaking his fur. He sat down on the tile and leaned back against the wall. He inhaled deeply. Okay. He can get this done, then he’ll be able to relax with Sonic until the morning. No biggie, right? Wrong. But it didn’t matter how he felt about it. This has to happen.

Shadow pressed his fingers around his wet stomach, feeling the perimeter of the firm bulb inside of him. After one more deep breath, he poked his claw through his skin and dragged it across his belly over the bulge. He chuckled breathlessly, nervously, as pain burned through the nerves severed by his claw. Water washed his blood way, thinning it out and ensuring his fur wouldn’t stain. He attempted to put extra attention to the pattern of his breathing, but his racing heart edged him towards panic. He dragged his claw along his stomach again, this time severing abdominal muscle fibers. After another breather, he gazed down at his stomach and spread the incision. There it was—the bulbous, purple organ. His dry throat nearly stuck together as he swallowed. The cursed thing. The bane of his existence.

Shadow rubbed his eyes with shaking hands. He didn’t want to. Really, he didn’t. Every one of his instincts fought him. His entire body was beginning to ache, upset with him. He really just wished Sonic was here with him. He reached back and pulled the shirt down from the wall. He balled it up and bit down on it. As his saliva soaked into the fabric, he could taste Sonic. He thought about biting him, tasting his blood. But the thought of him only made Shadow more reluctant to get this done. He shook his head, his ears flat, and quickly sliced open his uterus before he changed his mind. He screamed into the t-shirt, biting down so hard his teeth slotted together like nothing was between them. He flexed his hands and grunted. Once the water washed away blood and traces of semen, it revealed that his uterus had already resealed itself. He groaned and leaned his head back. If he only had one joule of energy left, it would go to his uterus. His body protected his reproductive organs fiercely. They were worth more than his limbs. Worth more than his heart. Worth more than his brain. Worth more than him.

He shook his hands out and looked down at his belly again. He slid one of his hands into his body as gently as he could and cupped the small organ. He brought it up towards the surface of his body. Deep breaths. Do it quickly. He sliced his uterus open. Nearly every muscle in his body tensed up, but he forced his hands to work. A high-pitched whine was constant in his dry throat as he spread the organ and slipped his fingers inside. It wouldn’t be able to heal with them in the way. “Fuck. Fuck!” Shadow groaned as he dug his fingers inside of it. He could hardly feel with his fingers; the pain in his abdomen was so intense. He made a scooping motion a couple times to collect the contents. He pulled his hand out and shoved his uterus back in place quickly so it could heal. He panted softly. The worst of his pain faded once it resealed itself.

Shadow lifted his hands up towards his face. Cupped inside were his eggs. About two dozen or so gelatinous orbs. They were transparent apart from the center which was black. They looked like frog eggs. They rested there pooled in his hands, painted with Sonic’s white sperm. Shadow burst back into tears, dropping Sonic’s shirt from his mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He brushed his thumb over the squishy things. He brought them under the water and rinsed the semen off of them. “I’m sorry…” He brought them against his chest, letting them nestle in his fur. He had to stay there under the cold water until he stopped bleeding. While his uterus was quick to heal, the skin and muscle he severed would require him to sleep.

“Time to get some sleep, yeah?” He cleared his throat and reached up to turn the water off. He kept one of his hands cradling his eggs on his chest while he reached for Sonic’s phone with the other one. He tapped on the screen like he saw the hedgehog do days ago. He looked through the many icons. The clock one looked right, but apparently the thing hardly worked when your fingers were wet. He squeezed it out of frustration, and a small crack jutted out from the side of the screen. He took a deep breath and relaxed his hand. He rubbed his thumb off on the shirt and tried again. There. He set an alarm and dropped the phone on the wet tile. “Okay.” He sighed as he curled up on the floor. He pressed his free hand over his cut stomach. He nuzzled his snout into Sonic’s shirt and breathed his scent. It made his eyes burn. Thinking about him. Thinking about what he had done to their potential offspring. Sonic didn’t deserve that. He deserved to—no, stop thinking about that. Sleep. He has to sleep so he’ll be healed before Sonic wakes up. He shouldn’t have to deal with this… he gets so upset when Shadow is hurt.

Shadow gasped and jerked awake once the alarm started screaming at him. He felt around the tile until he found the phone. His fur was puffed all the way out, his three eyes wide open. He tapped the screen about ten times before he hit the right button. He sighed in relief once the ringing stopped. He ran his hand through his quills. He hates sleeping. What a waste of time… lying there vulnerable. It’s not like he rests anyways. He relives his past in his nightmares. Well… he hasn’t had a nightmare in a while. Not since he last slept by himself…

Shadow glanced down at his chest. His eggs were shriveled up now. They had dried out. They were dead. Shadow scrambled to his hand and knees before vomiting over the drain. He had nothing but bile in his stomach. It burned all the way up his esophagus. He spit down on the floor, his muzzle wrinkling from the sour flavor. That’s it. He doesn’t want to be here anymore. He yanked on the shower hose, and the head came down from its handle. He set his eggs down on the floor. He angled the shower head at the drain as he turned on the water again. He rinsed his vomit away, then sprayed inside of his mouth to get out the flavor. He swallowed some of the water to soothe his burning throat. He glanced at his eggs piled up on the floor and felt extremely uneasy. His empty stomach was churning. He turned his head away as he pushed them towards the drain. He used his fingers to push them down the holes. He squeezed his eyes shut until the last one was gone. He shut off the water. He grabbed Sonic’s shirt and phone and held them close to his stomach as he trotted out of the shower. Once he got out of the locker room, he ran through the hall and up the stairs. As he arrived on their floor, he slowed down again. He walked down the hall while checking himself over. The skin on his belly had sealed, but it was a thin scar at the moment. It hadn’t had the time to disappear. He pushed his fur down over it. Sonic wouldn’t be able to see it. It’s fine enough. He went into his bedroom and shut the door.

Sonic… he could smell him from here. Hear his heart. He was towards the end of his sleep cycle. Lightly dozing. Sweet mortal… Shadow stepped back from the door and took a deep breath. He walked to the bed. He dropped the shirt and the phone. He moved the blanket to the side as he climbed in. He leaned over Sonic and kissed his shoulder. He could already feel the warmth radiating off him. And his energy… He’s fast. And strong. Young and healthy. Shadow’s fingers trailed down Sonic’s back, feeling the shapes of his muscles under his fur. He stopped to trace each claw mark he had left. Sonic made a… an appropriate suitor for him. He lied down next to Sonic and pressed his belly into the hedgehog’s back. He already wanted to be filled by him again. Maybe he could. He wasn’t sure how long it would be until he grew more eggs. He’s never gotten rid of them before. His body might have absorbed them once before… He went through an involuntary breeding cycle after Black Doom had touched him on the inside over fifty years ago. He’s surprised this activity with Sonic hasn’t started it, but he does have much more control now. He’s been able to hone it after all these years. It was the most important skill he could learn. But what, all it took for him to open up was to shoot him up with some hormones? No… they would’ve done it to him sooner. They would’ve artificially inseminated him. They… they waited until he grew fond of Sonic. This whole time, they’ve been pushing them together so that Shadow would want Sonic so much that he’d give him access to his eggs. That he’d let him fill him with his—

“You’re so cold,” Sonic murmured, shivering.

“Sorry…” Shadow pulled away from him.

“Come here.” Sonic rolled over and pulled him into his big, warm arms. Shadow smiled a little and touched his cheek. Sonic tucked the little hybrid underneath his body and settled down on top of him between his legs. He sighed softly, his breath blowing into the dark hedgehog’s ear. Shadow dragged his fingers up and down Sonic’s sides. He wouldn’t admit it to him, but he loved this. He loved having Sonic on top of him. It felt like he was hidden from Espio and Black Doom. Like he was safe. Sonic stood between him and the outside world. And he knew he’d defend him. His hands slid onto Sonic’s back and pulled him down all the way, bringing his weight onto him. He turned his head and kissed his lips. Sonic wrapped an arm underneath him and kissed him back gently, lovingly. He’s so sweet.

Shadow shifted his hands onto Sonic’s cheeks and crossed his legs over his butt. He’s happy to be back with him, but he’s sorry for what he’s done. He knew it would hurt him. So he was kind to Sonic in this moment. He pulled away from his lips, but his eyes remained closed. He was unable to look him in the eye. “I like you too.”

“You like me? That’s all, huh?” Sonic huffed.

Shadow could hear Sonic’s fur shifting as his tail wagged. He smiled a little. “Yeah, that’s all. Don’t get too excited.”

“Me? No, I’m cool. Relaxed. Definitely not a super energetic, excitable guy at all.” Sonic laid his head next to Shadow. The hybrid could feel his gaze.

“You’re riling yourself up. Go back to sleep.” Shadow’s muscles began to relax beneath him one group at a time.

“We went to bed early; I’m good to—“

“I’m tired, Sonic…” Shadow said gravely.

There was an unusually long silence between them before Sonic said, “Okay, Shadow. Let’s go back to sleep.” He kissed his cheek and gave him a little squeeze. Shadow let out a deep breath as he rested his hands on Sonic’s biceps. When they woke again, any sign of what he did will have disappeared, and he could add it to his library of things to forget.

Chapter Text

Yet again, Sonic was woken by his alarm calling from his bedroom. He nuzzled his face into the pillow beneath him, but that’s not what he was looking for. He stretched out both of his arms on either side of him to feel the nest for his lover. Towards the edge of the nest, he felt fluff. His fingers traced up along the length of Shadow’s tail to the small of his back. He was sitting up. Sonic’s fingers circled around the base of his tail and pressed on its underside. He has learned it’s an intimate area. It must feel nice for him.

“Keep touching my tail like that, and I’ll cut it off.”

Sonic frowned deeply, opening his eyes. He withdrew his hand and sat up. Shadow sat on the edge of the bed facing away from him with the sheet parted on either side of him. His fur was ruffled and his quills were messy. He hadn’t groomed himself like usual. Sonic’s ears lowered as did his heart dropping towards his stomach. “What’s wrong?” He thought… last night was amazing. What a lame way to describe it, but he didn’t have the words to express how much it had meant to him, how much it had pleased him, how deeply it had pleased him. He thought Shadow felt the same, but he had seemed a little off when he was awake earlier. He watched Shadow’s backside, but he didn’t move. Didn’t answer. Sonic’s nose wrinkled. Smoke. It usually didn’t make it into the nest. He shifted over to the edge and sat next to Shadow. Smoke trails hung in the air, moseying aimlessly without airflow to guide them. He glanced to the nightstand. The pack of cigarettes was crumpled up, having been emptied. Sonic cleared his throat. “So, last night… are you feeling better? From whatever they gave you?”

Shadow dug his claws into his own thighs. “I think we should separate.”

“Separate? What do you mean?” Sonic put his hand on Shadow’s to pull his claws out of his thigh, but the hybrid yanked his hand away before it could be taken.

“You know what I mean.” Shadow scooted away from him. “Espio has been pushing us together. Haven’t you noticed? I’m not going to give him what he wants.”

“Pushing us together?” Sonic scoffed. “He’s made it clear I’m on thin ice because of how close I’ve gotten to you. He’s been keeping information about you from me.”

“It’s all been a mind game. He didn’t want us to realize what was going on before I… He was doing it while covering it up by reprimanding you. Did he ever actually punish you?” Shadow stared at him with traces of desperation pooled in his eyes. “Did he ever actually stop you? He knew all of it. The whole time. And he never stopped it.”

Sonic frowned and looked down at his lap. Shadow was making Espio out to be some evil mastermind. He was just… cold. A cold man focused on his job. He would take the quickest, simplest route to finish what had to be done. He wouldn’t do all this… intricate dancing around Shadow was implying. “Even if he wanted us to be close, why would he bother hiding it?”

Shadow’s hands clenched into fists. He clenched his jaw, speaking through his teeth. “You’re not stupid, Sonic. But you are naive.” He let out a long sigh. “Just go to work.”

“No, I’m not going right now. Explain to me exactly what you think he’s up to.” Sonic leaned closer to him.

Shadow growled softly. “This is my room. I don’t want you here.” He turned away to retreat into the nest, but Sonic grabbed a handful of his chest fur.

Sonic pulled Shadow close to him with a tight grip on his fur. He peered into his rose-colored eyes. “Faker. I know you want me here. I know I make you happy.”

Shadow’s ears flattened. He pushed Sonic’s chest, but his arms were shorter. He couldn’t get the hedgehog away from him. “Let me go! Get out!”

“No, Shadow!” Sonic cupped the back of Shadow’s neck and tried to pull him closer. Maybe to kiss him. Maybe to get Shadow close enough he’d smell him through the smoke and be calmed. “You’re done pushing me away! I’ve had enough. You cant take last night back.”

Shadow’s pupils constricted an instant before his fist rocketed into Sonic’s face. Sonic yelped as he was launched off the bed with the force of it, thudding onto the floor. A low growl vibrated through his throat as he stared down at the floor. His face was really hurting now after being struck by the both of them. Neither held back. Sonic was feeling quite beat up actually. His back stung from being carved up and his neck throbbed and ached under the swollen bite Shadow had left. And his fucking cock hurt. He hasn’t even checked it since he was stabbed by something inside of Shadow.

“I hate you,” Shadow hissed, but his voice wavered enough to confirm to Sonic it was a lie. “You don’t want to believe me, but I’ll prove it. Stay here. All day. Don’t go to work. See if Espio even asks where you are. He won’t. Because he wants us in here together.” Shadow crawled back into the nest. “And don’t come in my bed!”

“Fine!” Sonic snapped. “This concrete’s warmer than you anyway! Asshole…” Sonic murmured the last word. He dragged his pile of clothes over to him. He got to his feet, then pulled on his jockstrap and his pants. “I’ll be back,” he grumbled. He stomped across the hall to his bedroom. Sonic picked up his ear piece and settled it into his ear.

In his bathroom, he cupped cold water in his hands and brought the side of his down into it. He closed his eyes as his pain was momentarily soothed. Damn them both. But he loves them both. He dropped the water into the sink and rested his chin in his hands, leaning over the counter. He looked at his face in the mirror. Espio’s knuckles had left welts on the side of his face were his skin was close to bone. His eye was starting to swell from Shadow. And he had this expression on his face he wasn’t used to wearing. Frustration or anger. But over a serious matter. The feelings cut deep. Not like annoyance. He took a deep breath and stood up straight. He smoothed his quills down a bit, but he didn’t care much. He glanced to his neck. The bite was serious. Blood stained the fur around it. It would certainly scar. He’s sure it would get out of control very quickly if he didn’t find something else for Shadow to bite during sex.

He crouched down to gather bandages from under his sink. Shadow didn’t bite him when he orgasmed. Only when Sonic did. But the action was on instinct. He can feel when Sonic cums inside him, and it triggers him to latch on. Again, like his version of a knot. His body was trying to keep Sonic close to ensure he was bred. Sonic’s fur started to stand up along his spine as he made this connection. He closed his eyes and bowed his head, bringing his fingers up to trace the bite wound. He hadn’t really thought about it like that. Humans rarely had sex to actually have children. But animals did it almost exclusively to reproduce. Mobian hedgehogs must fall somewhere in the middle. Because the image in Sonic’s head of Shadow’s uterus filled with his cum made his pouch throb with extra blood flow. His tip peeked from his sheath as he thought of, down the line, Shadow swelling with his children.

He shook the images away and tried to get his fur to settle down. He stuck a bandage over the wound on his neck as he thought back over what happened last night. What went differently? There was that extra ring deeper inside him. What could that be? He took his phone from his pocket. His brows furrowed as he tilted it in his hand. There was a crack on the screen now. Had he stepped on it? Doesn’t really matter. He opened his phone and googled images of a human woman’s reproductive system to refresh himself. He traced the vaginal canal on the screen with his thumb until it stopped at the cervix. The cervix? Is that what he had shoved his dick through? Oh, God. Shadow was in pain. He tried to tell him, but he hushed him and called it an orgasm. That’s why he’s pushing him away. He hurt him last night. He’s such an idiot. He should’ve stopped.

Sonic shoved his phone into his pocket and dashed back into the hybrid’s bedroom. “Shadow, I’m so sorry.” He pulled open the sheet to see Shadow curled up in the nest with the teddy bear pressed into his tummy.

Shadow turned his head and cocked a brow. “What for?”

“I must’ve hurt you last night. I didn’t realize. I should’ve stopped at the beginning.” Sonic leaned in the nest to kiss his head, bringing his hand onto Shadow’s hip.

Shadow puffed up and shifted his hips forward, away from Sonic’s hand. “You didn’t hurt me. What are you talking about, hedgehog?”

Sonic leaned on his hands, hovering over the nest with concern spread across his face. “I got so deep last night. Didn’t it hurt? Was that your cervix?”

Shadow looked away from him and curled up tighter around the teddy. “It didn’t hurt. I told you, I don’t have pure human or hedgehog anatomy.”

“Then what’s going on? You’re not telling me something.” Sonic climbed all the way into the nest.

Shadow’s spines flared from his back. “I told you not to come in here,” he snarled.

Sonic wasn’t afraid of his spines. He already had a line of wounds from them going down his chest from the other day. He smoothed them down with his hand, and they heeled to his touch. He spooned Shadow, wrapping his arms around underneath the hybrid’s. One of his hands reached up to stroke his wrinkled muzzle. “And I told you I’m not letting you push me away anymore.”

Shadow’s muzzle slowly relaxed. “Keep your hands to yourself,” he said slowly, though his body pressed back into Sonic’s.

“Did they give you a muscle relaxer yesterday? That why I could get into your cervix?” Sonic’s fingers trailed down Shadow’s chest, sliding onto his belly underneath the bear.

Shadow twitched and grabbed Sonic’s wrist, pulling his hand away. “Don’t touch me there.”

“Why?” Sonic kissed his shoulder. He reached for his belly, and their hands began to tremble with the effort they fought one another.

“Because I said so.” Shadow grunted as he managed to push Sonic’s hand an inch away. Sonic squeezed his hand as he bit into Shadow’s shoulder. He used enough force that he felt his canines pop through his pelt and into his flesh. Shadow gasped and arched his back, unintentionally pressing his ass back against Sonic.

The agent let go of his hand and pressed his palm across Shadow’s stomach to bring his waist close. His tongue shifted in his mouth as something warm and tangy flooded over it. Blood. It didn’t taste nearly as bad as he thought it would. There was even a hint of sweetness. He opened his jaws and licked at the wound with his tongue. “You make me feel like an animal. In a good way.”

“God damnit,” Shadow grunted, reaching back to grab Sonic’s quills. “Stop making me want you.” His belly rose and fell with quick breaths under Sonic’s hand.

Sonic kissed his shoulder softly over the bite wound. He kind of liked the look of it nestled in Shadow’s fur. He licked his lips. He rubbed Shadow’s stomach with his thumb. “Are you sure you can’t… by the way? Because I was pretty deep inside when I…” His worlds trailed off as Shadow’s body jerked in his arms. The hybrid let him go to clamp his hand over his own mouth. Sonic leaned up to get a look at his face. His eyes were glistening with tears, the inner ends of his brows turned up. Sonic frowned deeply and sat up. “Come here.” He pulled Shadow up between his legs, bringing the hybrid to rest against his chest. Shadow curled up against him and started to sob. Sonic isn’t sure what’s so upsetting to him, but maybe constantly prying wasn’t the answer. Maybe Shadow would talk to him when he’s ready. He needs to learn to be more patient. For now, he wrapped his arms around Shadow firmly and planted a kiss on his head. “You’re going to be okay. No matter what it is, we’re going to get through it together.” He sighed softly as he turned his ear piece on for the day.

Hours passed in silence, and they had lied down. Sonic took a nap while Shadow lied on his chest, staring blankly at the sheet surrounding the nest. Eventually the agent was woken when the hunger in his stomach started eating at him. He stretched his arms and his legs with a soft groan. He smiled at the feel of Shadow’s soft fur on his bare chest. His fingers traced across Shadow’s features and along the top of his muzzle to check for tears. It was try now.

Shadow turned his head away from him. “Go eat something.” He lifted himself and got off of Sonic, curling up in the nest next to him.

Sonic brushed his fingers up and down Shadow’s back. “Okay… you hungry?”

“No.”

Sonic sighed and scratched his head. He sat up at the edge of the nest, pushing the sheet out of the way. He felt at his ear piece to ensure it was on. It had been silent, which he could admit was unusual. Espio was typically on top of him. He stood up and stretched again, this time pressing on his lower back. His left eye was half shut. Oh well.

In his bedroom, he changed into casual clothes—basketball shorts and a plain tee. Then he was off to the kitchen. A sandwich made with whole wheat bread and a side of apple salad was waiting for him in a container in the fridge. He opened it on the counter and picked up one end to start eating. He was grateful it had some meat in it, even if it was unsalted chicken. He pulled open the freezer and walked in. He stood in the center for a little while, looking around at all the ingredients. He ripped the drumstick off of a butchered whole turkey and walked back out. He kicked the door shut behind him as he pushed the rest of this half of his sandwich into his mouth. He stopped halfway to the counter. He hadn’t heard the door seal. He turned around to push on it, but it looked as if it were already shut. It was pressed into its frame as it should be. He opened it again and examined it. He touched the seam with his thumb. It was missing a long section of black rubber used to create the seal. Huh. Sonic shut the door again, unable to do anything to fix it. He shrugged it off and came to stand at the counter. He pressed the frozen leg to his pained eye as he finished his lunch.

Back in Shadow’s bedroom, he shut the door behind him. He pushed his shorts off and removed his shirt. He got back into the nest next to the hybrid. He settled one arm behind his head and held the turkey on his face with the other. “Brought you a drumstick. You’ll be ready to eat by the time it thaws.”

“Stop doing stuff like that,” Shadow groaned.

“Like what?” Sonic pointed the leg at him. “You need to learn how to be more transparent, big guy. Anyone ever tell you that?” Shadow was suddenly leaning over Sonic and ducking his head down to kiss his lips with a long inhale through his nose. Sonic’s eyes widened, but a moment later, they closed as he kissed back. He moved his empty hand down to Shadow’s hip to pull him down on top of him.

Shadow broke away from the kiss. “No.” He moved back where he was, curled up next to him. “Get out of my nest.”

“But I like it in here.” Sonic huffed. What’s his deal? They had made some serious progress. Or so he thought.

“I said get out!” Shadow kicked his side with both feet, dumping him onto the floor.

Sonic groaned loudly. He lied flat on the floor, pointing the drumstick in the air and waving it dramatically. “You wanted me to stay here all day. Can’t we at least lie next to each other?”

“No. You—no,” Shadow said from inside the nest. “Entertain yourself out there.” Sonic let out a very loud sigh and dropped his arms on the floor. Whatever.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t clear whether the workday passed by slower for Sonic, who was yapping away and bouncing around the room the entire time, or for Shadow who had to put up with it. The hybrid was curled tightly in his nest, eyes shut tightly, his fingertips rubbing at the headache in his forehead. Even when Sonic shut up, he was loud. His heart was knocking at Shadow’s eardrums. His breaths tickled the insides of his ears. He could even hear a wet noise each time Sonic blinked. He was missing those ear muffs now. He can typically control the intensity of his senses. He can narrow his ear canals to protect them from actual loud sounds. He also does this to shut out distracting sounds. But whenever Sonic was around… they wouldn’t fucking shut. His body always had to be aware of Sonic’s. But leaving his senses sharp wasn’t necessary. Sonic was an attention whore.

Sonic shuffled his nose between the sheets, bringing his chin to rest on the mattress. Shadow sighed and pushed his face out, but it came right back in. Even deeper this time, his whole head coming into the nest. He was kneeling by the bed, a position he seemed to be fond of. “Aren’t you bored in there?”

Shadow rolled over, turning his back to the incessant teen. His tail curled up between his legs to protect himself.

“Does it hurt?” Sonic’s fingertips lightly traced his skin around the implant on his lumbar spine. “It looks raw still.”

Shadow took a deep breath, his fur rising along his entire spine at the touch. Damn hedgehog. His back curled away. “It’s fine.” He clenched his insides, attempting to shut himself off again. He could do it for small periods of time like the muscles were rousing from deep slumber. He’d been working them on and off all day. He could almost keep himself shut. Thankfully. He could feel his ovaries resetting, filling with newly formed eggs and poising to release them at the start of a breeding cycle. He wished he could give them to Sonic.

“Well…” Sonic sighed. “It’s about the end of the day, Shadow. You were right. He never called for me. So he wants us close. Probably hoping I can sway you to my life style. But that’s hardly nefarious.”

Shadow frowned deeply. Now what? He didn’t want Sonic to know… This purpose—it was shameful. He’d rather have been a weapon for Doom instead of breeding stock. Sonic wouldn’t be able to look at him the same. And worse, Espio could convince him it was a good idea. Sing sweet words of family, praises of value. If Sonic asked, could Shadow ever tell him no? The hybrid clutched his stomach with both hands. He doesn’t think he could. The deepest parts of him want Sonic. The parts he ignored, the parts he hated. Even though he was meant to serve Doom, he had never felt this drive to… participate in these acts with him. The reason for this, he wasn’t sure. But he did know there were many. And the one in the forefront of his mind now was Sonic’s determination to stay no matter how hard Shadow pushed him away. It made it easier to do. Knowing it wouldn’t work.

Shadow’s ears perked. Footsteps. Even, confident steps. The sharp tap of oxford shoes on buffed concrete. Loud, but not careless, purposefully so. An announcement of his arrival. Better behave.

Sonic must’ve seen him tense because he asked, “What’s the matter?” Shadow’s breathing quickened. What was he going to do this time? The footsteps stopped as just before a knock came upon the door. He and Sonic exchanged glances, but there weren’t many options. He watched the pretty blue thing bring his shorts back low on his hips and open his bedroom door. His head tilted back as he looked up at his boss.

Espio’s brows furrowed when his head tilted down to look back. He cupped under Sonic’s jaw and brushed his thumb across his swollen eye. “I didn’t do all that,” the man said, sure of the force he used. Shadow growled lowly, his head now peeking from the nest. Espio turned his gaze to him over his agent’s head. His dark brows were low over his eyes, but they themselves had some playful tone in them that made Shadow’s stomach turn. He lifted his hands and rubbed his thumb into Sonic’s ear. “What’d you do to earn that from him?”

“Ah…” Sonic’s posture relaxed a little bit, his hand sliding lower on the door. His head leaned towards Espio’s hand. “Just being myself.”

“That’ll do it.” Espio smiled. Smiled like he hadn’t struck Sonic yesterday. Smiled like he hadn’t drugged Shadow, cut off his hands, strung him up like bleeding pig for days. How couldn’t Sonic see through it? It was so blatant. Espio raised him… this all must’ve started years and years ago. It had to have started subtly. But now Sonic’s in too deep to see the truth even though Espio had gotten so lazy at hiding it. Shadow’s lip curled up over his gums, baring his teeth at the man. “Can I borrow him?” Espio let go of the hedgehog’s ear to gesture to the other one deeper in the bedroom.

Sonic frowned, shifting his weight onto a different foot. His ears slowly turned down. “Why?”

“We’re not going to hurt him. You know how closely we’re monitoring him. We’re checking in on him daily. I promise I’ll bring him back to you in one piece,” Espio assured, and it actually didn’t seem like a lie. His language was clearly suggesting Sonic and Shadow were close or had some claim over one another. He was most definitely encouraging it. A shame he’s wasting his time trying so hard. Shadow and Sonic would’ve come together on their own. Maybe it would’ve worked even better if the malicious man had stayed out of it.

Sonic looked back at Shadow with a frown. Espio was asking to be polite, but he wasn’t really asking. It didn’t matter how either answered. The outcome would be the same. Shadow took a deep breath and stepped out of his nest. He’d rather come than have Espio tear it apart dragging him out. He willing pulled on the first pair of pants he saw in his drawer, sweats. He stopped by the exit to the room. Sonic was in his way.

The hedgehog gripped the door as he looked at Shadow with what was nearly an apology in his big, shiny eyes. He glanced back to Espio as he stepped aside. “Please don’t hurt him. We’ve been doing good.”

Shadow stepped through the door to join Espio’s side. His nose wrinkled. He’d come to hate the smell of the man. He was always clean, but that didn’t make it pleasant. He shaved each morning using this coconut and sandalwood after-shave. Shadow could smell the chemical compounds underneath. The coconut was inaccurately sweet and the ‘wood’ was lab-manufactured. The closer he got to Espio, the sicker Shadow felt in his stomach. He had no issue keeping his organs shut anymore. He looked to Sonic’s feet, uncomfortable with this gaze. “Go back to your room, Sonic. If I need you upon my return, I’ll come to you.”

Espio’s hand shuffled under Shadow’s quills and gripped the back of his neck, making the hybrid flinch. “Give us half an hour,” he told Sonic. His grip became firm on Shadow’s scruff, signaling it was time to go. He steered Shadow down the hall. He brushed him off, and the man allowed them to separate as they walked for the elevator. Espio seemed uninterested in him at the moment, his eyes straight ahead until he glanced at his watch after they found places in the elevator. As his sleeve was pulled, a small bandage revealed itself on his wrist. Shadow had gotten him with his claws yesterday. Good. Shadow smiled a little.

The elevators opened deep underground. Shadow’s smile dropped as he was shoved in the back. “You know where we’re going,” Espio nodded his head toward the hall.

Shadow folded his arms. He walked down the hall with a straight back and raised chin, but his pelt was prickling. His fur was raising. His quills flared outward. He turned the corner into the lab. Waiting for them was Dr. Blaze and a couple agents for muscle. Shadow’s breathing picked up again as he sensed Espio approach his backside. His tail curled between his legs as he was lifted by his scruff and set on the exam table. Espio’s hand came around to the front of his throat and shoved him back, slamming him down against the table. Shadow grunted and rolled his eyes. Useless display of force. The human was only stronger due to these damn inhibitors. But Shadow could still end him at any moment. His gaze remained on Espio as his wrists were restrained to the table with steel cuffs by an agent on either side. Espio let go of him by that point, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he sat up on the table next to Shadow. Shadow looked down at his legs as his leggings were pulled off by the agents. His ankles were restrained in stirrups. He kept his tail up between his legs, even if it did nothing to protect him.

Espio crossed his wrists over his thigh as he turned to face Shadow’s head. “Are you going to tell him?”

What are they doing to him now? They hadn’t messed with him like this yesterday. Bile rose in his throat as his knees were pulled apart by the agents. “I don’t know…”

Espio sighed and glanced over between Shadow’s legs as Dr. Blaze sat in a chair at the foot of the table. “I’d say he’d find out within a few days, but that boy is pretty dense, huh?”

Shadow grimaced and pulled his legs at the agents’ grasps as Dr. Blaze forced his sheath open with her fingers. “What are you bastards doing to me now?”

“Nothing. Just checking you.” Espio jabbed his fingers carelessly at Shadow’s stomach, feeling its state. Shadow half-yelped, half-barked as a purely instinctual response. He lifted his head and snapped his jaws towards Espio. His pupils tightened into slits. Espio rested his palm over Shadow’s stomach, and it fucking disgusted him. He growled loudly, nearly bearing the entirety of his gums. His heartbeat pounded in his belly as it twisted and churned with discomfort. Sonic. He wants Sonic. “Already protective? Good.” Espio patted his tummy. “Maybe you’re already fertilized. Then you can relax. Enjoy some… pampering.”

“Get your filthy hand off me, you psychopath!” Shadow snarled.

“Don’t say that like it’s an insult.” Espio left his hand there, even rubbing his hand into Shadow’s tummy with no other purpose but to cause him discomfort.

Shadow’s attention was turned elsewhere as something thin and cold penetrated his vagina. His ears couldn’t flatten any more. “What is that?” It was small and painless, but it was reaching deeper and deeper into him.

“It’s just a camera.” Espio got off of the table to and stood next to Blaze. They both looked to a computer screen.

“He’s closed off,” Blaze murmured. The cable inside of him became rigid after she fiddled with it. He hissed as it forced itself into his clenched cervix. He closed his eyes. A camera isn’t so bad. He can handle this. “No eggs. No semen. You’re sure they had sex?”

“I’m sure. Perhaps they didn’t take, and he absorbed them already. We’ll try again. It shouldn’t take long. He was built for this.” Espio left her side to stand next to Shadow, his eyes trailing up and down the small body.

The hybrid squirmed. How could he get out of this situation? He could only put off the inevitable. They would figure out he was doing something to prevent the pregnancy at some point, and only the devil could guess what they’d do to solve the problem. Dr. Blaze removed the camera from him, and he let out a breath and re-sheathed himself. She stood up and picked up a vial from a tray. She collected the oil from it with a syringe. Shadow closed his eyes tightly as he searched for solutions before his wits were stolen from him. Hopefully Sonic listened and left his bedroom. He can’t see him like this. As long as Sonic stays quiet and out of sight, Shadow may be able to resist him, and then he wouldn’t have to… gut himself again. His eyes opened again as skin of his belly was pinched, and he was injected with whatever the substance was that triggered him into a breeding cycle.

Espio unclasped the cuffs on Shadow’s wrists. The agents let go of his thighs, and his feet were released from the stirrups. The director rested his hand across Shadow’s forehead, feeling him. Shadow’s breathing deepened as the room and the people around him began to blur. They weren’t what he wanted. They didn’t matter. His forehead became cold as his blood pooled in his belly and groin. Espio’s thumb pulled up his eyelid with his thumb. Shadow’s tail dropped from between his legs. Espio’s voice sounded like it was coming from around a corner, distant. “There he goes. Come on.” He grabbed Shadow’s quills in a firm grip and pulled his head up. Shadow felt Espio’s wrist with his hands. He was forced to support himself as he was dragged off of the table. “You want Sonic, don’t you?”

Shadow nodded shamefully, wrapping his arms around his own midsection. He shivered. He’s cold. He’s empty. He needs filling. Needs children. Needs Sonic.

“Walk then. You know the way.” Espio kicked Shadow’s achilles’ heel. Shadow stumbled forward. He can’t see very far. Everything is blurring together. The walls, the equipment, the people were all irrelevant to him. He started to walk, urged on by the promise of Sonic. On the journey, his direction was occasionally adjusted by Espio pushing and pulling on his head.

After an elevator ride, Sonic’s smell reached his nose. Shadow inhaled and shivered again. He bit his lip. His groin throbbed, but he planted his feet on the floor. “I-I know the way from here. I can… I can do it.”

“Have to set your eyes on him.” Espio dragged him down the hall. He opened Shadow’s bedroom. Sonic hadn’t left. He was waiting for them in the nest. He came out as soon as the door opened. Shadow’s pupils grew into large voids, absorbing his irises as he saw the hedgehog. He
gripped his aching stomach. Sonic was the only thing in focus, and it was such a relief to his confused eyes.

“There. One piece. He’s all yours.” Espio backed up and shut the door, leaving the two to stare at one another.

Chapter Text

Sonic could tell by the glazed look in Shadow’s eyes that he wasn’t right. But he wasn’t sure what he should do when the hybrid pressed himself against Sonic’s front and leaned up on his toes to nibble at his cheek in a sweet grooming behavior. Both of their tails wagged. Shadow’s bared teeth slid through his fur up along his brow bone towards his ear where he began making that clicking sound from last night. Sonic’s ear flicked as he shuddered. His body seemed to understand Shadow’s wordless language, even if it wasn’t based in hedgehog instinct. Sonic whined softly, conflicted. His hands slid up Shadow’s curled back. The hybrid shifted his hips away and grabbed his wrists, bring his hands spread out across his deeply warm stomach. Shadow clicked to him, looking up at him with low ears. He stomped his foot as he pressed his belly into Sonic’s hands. Sonic’s ground tingled as his sheath opened up to allow his cock to rise out.

“Shadow…” Sonic brought his hips closer, shifting his hands to leave room for the tent in his pants to press on Shadow’s tummy. “What’s going on?” He looked down over Shadow’s body and did his best to ignore the sexual signaling from it. He stroked Shadow’s hip. “Hey, didn’t you leave with pants on?”

Shadow’s ears twitched like he heard, but they didn’t rise from their submissive position. He pushed Sonic’s shorts down, exposing his cock. He got on his toes again to tuck Sonic between his thighs, under his hot cunt. He wrapped his arms around the hedgehog’s neck and nudged his face into his cheek. He closed the space between their bodies, leaving no air between them. Shadow’s cheek was cold on him, but he felt something hot and moist soak into his fur. Was he crying?

Sonic took a deep breath and immediately regretted it. His tongue swam in excessive saliva soon after Shadow’s sweet scent reached his olfactory organs. He shook himself and even initiated a sneeze in an attempt to get the smell out to improve his chances of thinking rationally. Though the slick heat parting around the top of his shaft was much more difficult to expel from his mind. “Shads.” Sonic cupped his cheeks in both hands, pulling him out of his neck. The hybrid’s foggy eyes glistened with tears and the fur of his cheeks had become darker from moisture. “Are they giving you drugs to make you… aroused on purpose? They want us to be that close?”

Shadow whined softly, shivering in his hands. He backed away from Sonic slowly, but he took his hand in both of his and pulled him towards the nest. He let go to climb inside. He paused there on all fours, his behind peeking out between the sheets. His tail lifted up to expose his holes and his back arched low. His pussy and the glands on either side were swollen, a severely warm pink, flooded with blood. But before Sonic could reach out and touch the thing that must be aching so badly, Shadow collapsed onto his side, pulling his tail up between his legs and shutting his thighs. He rolled over to sit on the edge of the bed. He spread his thighs open, showing off his pussy and squirming cock. “Get on your knees,” Shadow whimpered.

Sonic sunk down onto his knees in front of him immediately. He rubbed Shadow’s shins gently and set his chin on the mattress between his knees, awaiting further instruction. Shadow’s back arched as his fur puffed up. He bit his lip as he brought his thumbs to Sonic’s lips. He pushed them inside of his mouth, and Sonic opened for him without hesitation. Saliva spilled out down his chin and coated Shadow’s fingers. Shadow scooted to the edge of the bed, close enough to Sonic’s face that the heat radiating from his groin might make him break a sweat. His cock slipped itself into Sonic’s mouth. He let go with this fingers, bringing his hands to the sides of the hedgehog’s head and pulling him closer.

Sonic looked up at him inquisitively, but he immediately took to closing his lips around Shadow and sucking on his tender flesh. Shadow moaned, his claws poking into Sonic’s scalp. He winced and held onto Shadow’s hands to make sure they didn’t grab too hard. He’s sure his claws were sharp and strong enough to pierce his skull if he lost control. He didn’t see the arm in providing Shadow this relief, so he slipped his tongue all across the organ filling his mouth and curling against his cheeks. Shadow’s cock did as much work as his tongue, rubbing itself all over his mouth.

Minutes later, Shadow’s hips were twitching on the edge of the bed and his cock was pulsing rhythmically in his mouth. The hybrid breathed deeply and pushed Sonic’s head further away. He pulled on his jaw, making him open wide. Shadow’s tip rubbed itself back and forth on Sonic’s tongue. Shadow gasped and rested a hand across his stomach as his cock’s pulsing became slower, accompanied by some kind of swelling that rolled from his base to his tip. Wet and slimy… objects spilled out of Shadow’s tip onto Sonic’s tongue. His brows furrowed. He cupped Shadow’s tip with the muscle in his mouth to hold whatever he was giving him. When they stopped coming out, Shadow’s cock left his mouth completely. He felt the little things with his tongue. They were smooth, squishy, and sort of round. Were they… they were eggs, weren’t they? Sonic relaxed his tongue, letting them fall over his molars. He started to shut his jaws, but Shadow grabbed him quickly, pushing his thumbs at both Sonic’s upper and lower jaw to keep them separated.

“Don’t chew! You can’t bite them, please,” Shadow whined. He wiped his suddenly flowing tears on his shoulder. “You have to swallow. Be gentle with them.” He let go of Sonic’s top jaw and used two of his fingers to push his eggs down towards the back of his throat.

Sonic’s ears lowered on his head as an apology. He gazed up into Shadow’s eyes as he swallowed his eggs. They tasted like butterscotch candy to him. And they slid down his throat into his stomach with ease. Eggs. Is this how Shadow reproduced? Or… He glanced back down to Shadow’s hand on his stomach, closing his mouth as the last of the eggs made it down his esophagus. He tilted his head. His fingers reached up to trace down a line of Shadow’s nipples which had grown to be inflamed again. “They want us to reproduce... Will your eggs—“ Sonic gestured to his own stomach, but he was answered before he finished the question by Shadow shaking his head. Shadow began clicking to him again, but he seemed so upset. Sonic leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Can you sleep this off?”

Shadow shook his head again, lifting his mouth towards Sonic’s ear. Remarkably, the clicking wasn’t interrupted by his speech. It continued underneath it. “Not until you breed me. I need you to breed me. I won’t be able to think or sleep or see until you cum inside my uterus and knot me.”

“God, Shadow, don’t say that,” Sonic whispered, his cock twitching as he absorbed the hybrid’s words. He closed his eyes. He couldn’t be focused on getting his dick wet right now. This was a massive revelation, and it was obviously upsetting to Shadow. He had to—

“Breed me. Breed me, breed me.” Shadow lied down in the nest. He arched his back and put his heels over Sonic’s shoulders, hooking him with his ankles and dragging Sonic closer.

Sonic shivered as he fell over Shadow. His palms landed on the mattress. Tingles spread out through his pelt. His cock started throbbing. “Shadow, I’m worried—“

Shadow used his feet to throw Sonic onto the bed. He climbed on top of the hedgehog and stuffed his cock inside of himself, crouching over his hips like a gargoyle. His hands pressed down on Sonic’s torso as his ears flattened back on his head. It was clearly a demand this time. “Breed me.”

Sonic moaned and grabbed onto the blankets. He pushed his hips up against Shadow, unable to help the little grin spreading over his face as his tip popped through his cervix. His voice came out serious though. “Shads, ah… I don’t think this is a good idea at all. Did that get out all of your eggs? Every last one?”

“Yes.. you have them now.” Shadow rubbed Sonic’s stomach. He started bouncing on his cock. It wasn’t even the plopping that was loudest, it was the sound of his soaked pussy unsticking from Sonic’s groin each time he lifted up. They were always connected by thick trails of slick. He groaned softly, leaving his jaws parted. “Unless you swallow your own semen—mmh—they’ll die.” His tears dripped onto Sonic’s belly, showing no sign of stopping.

Sonic moaned, but he bared his teeth a little bit to show some disagreement with this development. He couldn’t bring himself to growl at Shadow though. His insides felt made for him. Once he was inside, he’s not sure he’d be able to pull out. He reached up to cup Shadow’s cheeks, but he couldn’t wipe his tears faster than they fell. His cheeks bounced out of his hands with his movements. “Why are you crying?”

Shadow leaned forward, pressing his hands down on Sonic’s throat. Sonic grunted and grabbed his wrists. He was bringing his weight onto his windpipe. Sonic’s mouth opened uselessly. He couldn’t speak or breathe. The hybrid quickened his pace, slamming his ass down in Sonic’s lap. He panted softly, his long tongue spilling out of his mouth. Sonic blinked slowly, watching Shadow use his cock. The need to breathe was only a second thought. He struggled to swallow down his saliva as his hands clamped onto Shadow’s hips to follow his movements. One of his hands slid around to cup Shadow’s belly that he bulged into. Shadow moved one of his hands off his throat to clutch at Sonic’s and keep it pressed to his hot stomach. Slowly, Shadow’s grip loosened around his neck, and his bouncing became uncoordinated due to trembling in his legs. He started to slow, rocking back and forth desperately instead of lifting himself as whimpers clawed up out of his throat.

Sonic cleared his throat and sucked in deep breaths as soon as the hybrid’s hold loosened. He peeled his hand off of his throat and interlocked their fingers. “S-shadow…” He reached up to cup his cheek. Shadow gripped his wrist and nuzzled his face into his palm. He sat down flat on Sonic’s lap. The agent’s cock pulsed inside of him, already prepared to release. Of course, Sonic was filled with pleasure. His head was buzzing and the most beautiful flowers seemed to be blooming low in his belly, but his mind was focused on Shadow’s body—not his. “Come to me.” Sonic’s hand shifted around his face to the back of his head. Shadow’s claws scratched the back of Sonic’s hand as he gripped. He seemed a bit reluctant, moving carefully to settle down on top of Sonic’s chest, fluidly wiggling his hips as he did. He pressed his face into Sonic’s neck and kissed it softly. Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow and squeezed him gently. He turned his mouth towards Shadow’s ear, beginning to lick it gently. “Are you ready for me to fill you?”

Shadow shivered, his fur puffing out. He nodded while his tail wagged across Sonic’s thighs. He clicked softly into his neck.

Sonic’s skin tingled as Shadow’s teeth brushed against him. He brought his hips up against Shadow, sinking as deep as he could. Then he let his hips come back down against the bed. He moaned softly at the feel of Shadow’s insides stroking him, particularly tight around his tip and the area his knot grew from. “Are you going to bite me?” he murmured. Shadow nodded again, opening his mouth around his neck and pressing his tongue into it. Sonic started steadily thrusting up into the wet pussy lying on him. He panted softly with pleasure, not exertion. He cupped Shadow’s cheeks and brought his head up. “Don’t bite. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” He kissed his lips with kindness. He could feel Shadow’s brows knit together against his forehead. The hybrid’s tongue dropped into his mouth. Sonic opened it for him, allowing him to take over. He sucked on Shadow’s tongue the way he sucked on his cock to distract him. It worked a little. Shadow curled his back, pressing their bellies together and spreading his legs. He tilted his head and leaned further into the kiss, his expression loosening. His hands spread over Sonic’s chest between them. Sonic groaned softly around his tongue as his cock twitched inside him. He gently took Shadow’s hands and held them, believing his claws would stab into him if he didn’t. His thrusts slowed. He was giving Shadow a heads up. He lifted up, pressing balls deep, and held there for a few seconds before dropping back down. He repeated this until the muscles in his groin tightened and his cock began to spasm. He pressed firmly against Shadow’s cunt, pushing his tip inside of his uterus as it started to spurt cum with each pulse.

Sonic gasped as his tip was pierced by those barbs, but it did nothing to deter his orgasm or limit the amount of cum he was filling Shadow with. Shadow growled, withdrawing his tongue and baring his teeth against Sonic’s face. He tried to pull his hands from his grip. Sonic licked up the mixed saliva from his lips. His knot swelled up, taking its place just past Shadow’s entrance. He looked up into Shadow’s blown pupils. “Shh. I’m not going anywhere.” Sonic gently pulled at his hips to demonstrate, and Shadow’s hips were pulled down with his own. They were locked together. The last few drops of his cum joined the rest. He let go of Shadow’s hands to hold his head before he could duck down for his neck. “You don’t have to bite. I’m not going.” His thumbs slipped under Shadow’s lip to feel his long, smooth canines. Shadow squeezed his eyes shut as he panted. Once he gathered the control to shut his jaws, Sonic let him go. The hybrid lunged for his neck, and Sonic prepared for pain, but it was a hug. Shadow wrapped his arms around Sonic’s neck and pressed his face under his jaw. He released sobs now, his tears becoming the main concern now that he had been bred. Sonic wrapped his arms around his lithe body and petted his back spines down. “Shh… You have me,” he assured. “We have each other.”

Sonic held him close and let his eyes shut. Soon, they could talk about it. He understood the sensitive nature of the subject. But which part made Shadow so tortured? Sonic would give him children if that’s what he wanted, but that didn’t seem to be the case. His fingers traced Shadow’s spine from the implant all the way up under his quills, and Shadow curled along his touch. He had so many questions. About Shadow’s biology. He had swallowed his eggs… Thinking back, Shadow has always been sensitive about the parts of his body related to reproduction. Not just sex. He wasn’t ashamed of all of his differences. He didn’t care that his teeth were sharper, his claws and tail longer. He didn’t care about his colorful markings. Or even his third eye. But he had tried to hide his genitals and even his nipples. Every piece of him was engineered purposefully… What reason would they have to… oh.

“Shadow…” Sonic whispered, opening his eyes. “What deal did your creator make with Black Doom?” Shadow began trembling in his arms. “Shadow. Why is he coming for you?” Shadow’s breathing became quicker, rapidly pushing himself up from Sonic’s chest. It was enough of a confirmation for him. “I’m so sorry,” Sonic blurted. His arms tightened around him. He rolled them over, getting on top of him. He brought his knees up towards Shadow’s hips, curling over him protectively. He kissed the top of his head. Shadow’s hands clutched at Sonic’s back, adding to the claw slices already present. “I won’t let him get to you. I swear it.” Shadow’s sobs slowly quieted. And Sonic’s tears didn’t disturb the stillness. He felt a swarm of emotions. Anger, hatred, fear, despair for Shadow. It had his heart racing in his chest. GUN was drugging Shadow, trying to force him to breed. They were treating him no better than Doom would. And what would they do when the powerful creature finally came. They would protect Shadow, right? They wouldn’t let Doom take him. If Doom took him, oh God… Sonic’s thoughts ran off without him as Shadow’s hand spread over his chest against his beating heart. Sonic’s dropped and he settled down on top of him, lying his head on the pillows. He must be making Shadow anxious. He should calm down, make a nice environment for Shadow to rest. He fluffed the nest around the hybrid and licked at his ear a little bit before ensuring they were in the perfect position for sleep, sitting together like puzzle pieces. “I have you,” he repeated once again, this time telling it to them both.