Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The room was dim, barely lit by the star lamp projecting constellations onto the ceiling. Shadow woke with a start, breathing raggedly, his body drenched in cold sweat. He still had frequent nightmares after his imprisonment with Infinite, as if his nightmares about Maria and Black Doom weren't enough, yet another trauma to add to the pile.

Beside him, Sonic opened one drowsy eye from the movement.
"Again..." he murmured in a voice hoarse with sleep, approaching him gently. He placed a hand on Shadow's chest, feeling his partner's racing heart. "Calm down, Shads. I'm here."

Shadow closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. Instinctively, he sought Sonic's warmth, who wrapped an arm around him and pulled him against his body. Sonic always smelled of fresh wind and wet grass, a contrast to the suffocating darkness of his nightmares.

"It's nothing." Shadow whispered, his voice low, as if trying to convince himself.
"Exactly. Nothing happened." Sonic rested his forehead against his and smiled tenderly. "It was just a bad dream. You're home."

They stayed like that for a few minutes, breathing together, until Shadow calmed down. Sonic caressed his cheek, leaving a quick peck on his lips before the dark hedgehog snuggled up a little on his chest. He loved to bury his face in the blue hedgehog's chest after a nightmare, he could hear his rapid heartbeat, and it was also very squishy, almost like dough.

The moment was interrupted by Zero, who stirred in the crib next to the bed. Soft babbling filled the room. Shadow sat up immediately and took him in his arms, stroking his little head with instinctive tenderness. The hoglet snuggled up against his chest, calming immediately, and produced a soft purr, causing Shadow to purr loudly in response.

From the other room came a rumble and a boisterous giggle. "The earthquake has awakened." Sonic commented, rolling his eyes as he stretched.

Dash appeared on the bed shortly after using chaos control, bursting with energy for such an early hour. "Daddy, daddy! I did a chaos jump!" he shouted, before launching himself at Sonic, who caught him laughing.

"Great, champ." Sonic scooped him up. "But you shouldn't jump from high places, it's dangerous." He put him back in bed and put on his shoes and gloves before getting up. "Breakfast!" While Sonic headed to the kitchen with Dash in tow, Shadow remained in bed with Zero, who was fiddling with his fingers.

In the kitchen, Sonic prepared breakfast with the ease of someone accustomed to it. Dash climbed onto the table, drumming his hands. Soon Shadow appeared with Zero. He sat down with the hoglet, taking a sip of freshly brewed coffee. Sonic gave him an amused look.
"You and Zero have a checkup today, right?" he said as he served breakfast.
"Hm." Shadow nodded.
"Perfect. I'll take Dash. We'll go check on Amy, who's probably dying to play with him."

Dash clapped his hands enthusiastically at the idea; he loved his Aunt Amy; she made the best cookies. Shadow frowned out of habit, though he didn't object. Sonic, noticing, leaned toward him and gave him another soft kiss. "Everything's going to be okay, Shads. The doc's just going to check that everything is in order."
Shadow looked at him silently, but ended up gently biting his shoulder. Sonic laughed. The aroma of breakfast filled the kitchen as they ate. Dash was torn between tasting everything at once and asking a thousand questions about how things were cooked. Sonic corrected him for talking with his mouth full, while Zero began to show signs of a tantrum.

"Come on, have some more." Shadow said, bringing the bottle to Zero's mouth. But the baby rejected it with a loud grunt, struggling and turning his head away. Before he could insist further, Zero latched onto the hedgehog's chest, holding on tightly. Shadow sighed in frustration. He'd been trying to wean him little by little, but the hoglet wasn't willing to cooperate. His fangs, larger than a common hedgehog's due to his canine genes, dug into his skin as he sucked determinedly.

"Zero!" Shadow hissed, trying to remain calm. "Ouch..."

Sonic, amused, laughed from his seat. "Well, looks like someone still won't give up breast milk, huh? I don't blame him, your chest is very comfortable, especially the fluff.

Shadow gave him a serious look, half annoyed, half embarrassed, his face red. It wasn't just frustration; it was also the strength of the hoglet's bite that kept him tense. He adjusted the baby sling to better support him while sighing and stroking Zero's back. The coffee was still hot in his cup, a small pleasure that reminded him that, despite everything, the morning was peaceful.

When they finished breakfast, Shadow settled Zero back into the baby sling, which now contained him more securely while the sling was still attached to his chest.

"Are you planning on finishing soon?" he asked his son, exasperated, even though the latter didn't really understand or care about his dad's predicament.

Dash put on his shoes while Sonic gave him one last pat on the head:

"Come on, champ. Amy's waiting for us."

Shadow adjusted the sling to cover himself, took a deep breath, and headed out with Sonic and the kids. Both hedgehogs carried the hoglets as they ran at a moderate speed along the path, dodging bushes and small rocks. Dash laughed out loud with every jump, and Sonic couldn't help but smile as he chattered aimlessly, just to fill the air.

"...and then Knuckles had the nerve to say that if I spent as much time training as I did babling, I might be able to beat him in arm wrestling. Sure, he can beat me in arm wrestling, but not in thumb wars!" Sonic said, gesticulating as they ran.
"Hm." Shadow replied, skating beside him. "I'm sure that skill will come in handy in some life-or-death situation." he said with a hint of sarcasm. The blue hedgehog just laughed.

After a few minutes, they arrived at a small house in the middle of the meadow. The light wood of the facade and the flowers surrounding it gave a feeling of tranquility. Amy came out with her typical warm smile upon hearing Sonic's shrill voice.

"Guys!" she exclaimed. "Is so nice to see you!"
"Aunt Amy!" Dash shouted, launching himself from Sonic's arms to hug her.

Sonic laughed, holding Dash by the waist as he let him down so he could run toward the entrance.
"See you later, Shads" Sonic said to Shadow, giving him a small wink.

"Bye, Shadow! Have a nice morning." Amy said with her charming personality, bringing a small smile to the black hedgehog.

Shadow nodded. "Have a good day." he replied in a neutral tone, as he watched Sonic and Dash disappear into the house.

Shadow continued along the road that led to the nearest small town, where the doctor's clinic was located. Fields stretched out on both sides, the wind gently rustling the grass and trees.

The clinic was a modest, light-colored brick building with large windows that let in the sunlight. Shadow walked with a firm stride, while Zero, curious as ever, turned his head from side to side, observing everything: the leaves rustling in the wind, the birds flying by, even the people passing on the sidewalk.

"Relax. It's just a quick checkup." Shadow whispered, gently stroking Zero's head, though he almost said it more to reassure himself. "Nothing to worry about."

As they entered, a secretary greeted them, briefly glancing at Shadow curiously before speaking:

"Hello, Mr....?"

"Shadow the Hedgehog." he supplied.

The secretary took his personal information and, when she finished typing, addressed him. "Please take a seat in the waiting room. Dr. Lila will see you in a moment."

Shadow nodded politely, though with obvious discomfort, and sat next to a group of women, some with their children, others alone. Zero shifted against his chest, his long ears and barely visible fangs brushing the blanket as he peered around. Some of the mothers glanced at them and whispered among themselves, perhaps recognizing the famous hedgehog.

Shadow wasn't a fan of doctors; each visit reminded him of the uncomfortable or invasive times he'd endured throughout his life. But Sonic had convinced him of the importance of regular checkups, both for himself and Zero, to assess their physical and mental state after the abuse he'd endured.

After waiting for a while, the door opened and a warm voice called out to him:

"Shadow the Hedgehog."

Shadow stood up, tucking Zero against his chest, and entered the office where a brown cocker spaniel with long ears and bright blue eyes, whom he had met earlier during the doctor's volunteer service with the Resistance, was waiting for him behind a desk. She smiled upon seeing them.

"It's so nice to see you again! Let's start with Zero. Please place him on the stretcher."

Shadow nodded, removing the baby from the blanket and gently placing him on the stretcher.

"Let's make sure everything is in order." Lila said, beginning a gentle and patient evaluation.

The doctor smiled and leaned toward him, beginning the full examination. First, she carefully measured the hoglet's temperature using a digital thermometer, and then listened to his heart and lungs with a stethoscope, while Zero turned his head to observe her movements and the instruments with large, curious eyes.

"Very curious, as always." Lila commented, gently stroking his cheek with a finger. "Now let's check reflexes and strength."

With delicate movements, Lila gently touched Zero's hands and feet, observing how he reacted. She stretched his arms and legs to assess his tone and stamina, while Shadow leaned over, watching curiously. Zero moved with surprising strength for his size, his fangs barely visible as he gave a small growl of concentration.

Lila then carefully checked his abdomen, back, and joints, making sure everything was in order. Afterward, she checked Zero's mouth, noting his gums, developing teeth, and tongue.

While she finished the exam and made notes, Lila asked Shadow questions:

"How has his diet been? Is he accepting solids, or is he still heavily dependent on milk?"
"He sometimes eats baby food and purées... but not much, he ends up ignoring them," Shadow replied. "And he still clings to my breast quite a bit. He refuses to take a bottle."
"I see... For weaning, it's best to go slowly. Try different baby food until you find his favorites, and gradually decrease the number of feedings. Never force him. Zero needs to feel secure and comforted, and that includes clinging to you a little longer while he adjusts. He has canine genes, right? Try something meaty or egg-flavored." Lila recommended. "Has he shown any signs of trying to stand or walk?"
"A little, but he doesn't maintain his balance for long." Shadow said. "And he's trying to talk. He's babbling a few words, but nothing concrete yet."

"Perfect." Lila said, writing everything down. "Normal temperature, active reflexes, adequate strength and coordination. Everything's fine. We just have to keep working on weaning and a balanced diet, and encourage balance and coordination. He'll develop speech over time as he continues to interact with the people around him."

Shadow settled Zero back into the sling after the checkup, stroking his head as the hoglet snuggled against his chest. "Yeah... I'll try." he nodded.

With Zero's checkup complete, Lila turned to Shadow:

"Now it's your turn. I know you don't like checkups, but it's important for your health, Shadow."

The hedgehog murmured tensely as he sat on the stretcher, Zero securely in the blanket. Lila began the general examination: first, she checked Shadow's blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Then she proceeded to check Shadow's strength and reflexes, gently touching his arms and legs and performing small coordination tests.

"Very good. Your reflexes and strength seem normal." the doctor commented. "Now I need to check your chest, to make sure there are no signs of infection or inflammation."

Shadow tensed his shoulders and closed his eyes as he settled back, sighing as the doctor performed the assessment. Despite his discomfort, he remained calm, focusing on Zero's soft babbling from the blanket and his comforting presence.

Lila was meticulous but quick, carefully checking everything and making sure Shadow wasn't in pain.

"Everything's good." she said finally. "Your health is fine, just remember to continue with regular checkups and don't ignore signs of stress or muscle tension."

Shadow sighed in relief, standing up, and readjusted the baby sling so Zero would be comfortable as they prepared to leave the clinic. Before he left, Lila lowered her voice slightly, her tone more serious:

"Shadow… from what Sonic told me when I gave you your emergency checkup, I know you don't like doctors or talking about these things, but I think it would be good for you to consider psychological help. Not just for you, but for your hoglets sake. Being able to safely process what you went through could help you better manage the stress you feel. Therapy doesn't make you weak; it would give you tools to deal with trauma and enjoy your life more without always being on high alert."

"I'm not…"

"I could tell your quills were rising up from the moment you walked in." she interrupted him.

The hedgehog frowned slightly, hesitant, as he looked at Zero, who remained calm on the sling. He knew Lila was right, but the idea of ​​opening up about his experiences was difficult for him.

"…I'll think about it." he finally murmured, noncommittal. The doctor smiled sweetly at them, and they both said goodbye as Shadow left the clinic with Zero.

Back at Amy's, the scent of freshly brewed tea filled the living room. Both hedgehogs were sitting at the table, a steaming cup in their hands, while Dash played on the floor with some wooden blocks Amy had brought out for him.

"Dash is four now." Amy commented softly, watching the boy stack the blocks until they collapsed. "Shouldn't he be starting kindergarten?"

Sonic blinked, scratching his head casually. "Should he? I never went to school, and I ended up well."

Amy raised an eyebrow; her expression spoke volumes. "Are you sure?" she replied, taking a sip of her tea before becoming more serious. "He needs time with other kids."

"He has Zero." Sonic replied, shrugging as he watched his eldest son try to build a taller tower.

"Kids his own age." Amy corrected, crossing her arms.

Sonic let out a long sigh, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, you got me there." he snorted. "I'll talk to Shadow, but he'll probably refuse. The guy's like a momma bear... pretty scary."

Amy laughed softly, though her expression remained serious. "Wait a minute!" she said, picking up her cell phone from the table.

Sonic looked at her suspiciously, taking another sip of his tea. "Amy... What are you up to?"

"Nothing bad." she replied with a mischievous smile as she dialed a number. "I'm just going to get an expert opinion."

On the other end of the line, a sweet voice answered almost immediately. "Hello?"

"Vanilla!" Amy exclaimed, excited. "I was just talking to Sonic about Dash. Is there a lovely kindergarten you can recommend?"

Sonic nearly choked on his tea. "Amy?!" he protested, but she gestured for him to be quiet.

"There's one Cream went to when she was little, with lots of open space and caring teachers..." Amy listened intently as Vanilla described the place, her eyes shining brighter and brighter.

Sonic sighed, sinking back in his chair. "This is getting out of hand..."

Amy ended the call with a triumphant smile. "There. Vanilla gave me all the details. It's perfect, Sonic. You have no excuses."

Sonic scratched his head in defeat, glancing sideways at Dash, who remained oblivious to the conversation.

Before heading home, Shadow made a detour to the supermarket. Sonic had left him a clear list on his quills: diapers, wipes, some fresh ingredients for dinner, plus the new baby food for Zero that the doctor recommended.

The cold air of the place immediately greeted him. The aisles were wide and bright, with soft music playing in the background and carts creaking in every direction. Shadow grabbed a large basket and began walking purposefully. Zero, on the other hand, was fascinated by the overhead lights, stretching his little hands toward them as if he could catch them.

First, he went to the baby section. He grabbed a package of diapers of Zero's size and wipes, and then stopped in front of the baby food aisle. He remembered what the doctor had advised him: to try meat flavors, trying to appeal to his jackal heritage. Shadow frowned at the lined jars—chicken, turkey, lamb...—and picked up a couple with a calculating gesture. "I hope you don't spit them out." he murmured to the hoglet, who replied with a babble and a tug at the blanket.

Then he moved on to the fresh produce section, following Sonic's list to the letter. He grabbed tomatoes, spinach, and a couple of other items. Moving on to another aisle, almost automatically, he added two bags of ground coffee to the basket.

As he browsed the cereal aisle, he felt a tickle on the back of his neck, as if someone was staring at him. He glanced up. In the crowd, he thought he noticed a figure looking away too quickly. His frown deepened. It wasn't the first time he'd been looked at strangely in public; his fame preceded him, but this time it felt different.

Zero, oblivious to his father's discomfort, amused himself by beating the blanket with his little hands, making low sounds as if he were practicing his own way of speaking. Shadow looked down at him and stroked his head patiently.

He headed to the register, paid quickly, and left with the bags in each hand. The fresh air of the town greeted him again, but the feeling lingered, like a shadow too close that dissolved as soon as he turned his head. Shadow quickened his pace toward home.

The house was quiet when they arrived. The forest air drifted in through the open windows, carrying the scent of fresh grass. Zero shifted restlessly on the sling, as if he, too, sensed they had finally reached safety.

Shadow placed the bags on the kitchen counter and, with meticulous movements, began to organize everything: the diapers in the nursery closet, the wipes in their usual place, the coffee in the cupboard. He separated the vegetables and the bread Sonic had asked for, leaving it in sight for when the blue blur returned to cook.

When he finished, he stared at the small jars of baby food. "Time to try." he thought, taking a chicken flavoured one. He placed Zero in the high chair in the dining room, tightening the straps so he couldn't slip out. The hoglet watched him with large, expectant eyes, drumming his little hands on the tray.

Shadow opened the jar; the soft scent of chicken filled the air. He took a teaspoon and carefully offered it to Zero. "Come on, try this."

Zero sniffed first, his little nose wrinkled, and then accepted the bite. He held it in his mouth for a few seconds, as if evaluating the flavor… until he began to move his tongue, swallowing with a satisfied little sound. Shadow raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Did you really like it?" he commented, more to himself than to the baby. Encouraged, he offered another spoonful. This time Zero opened his mouth enthusiastically, tapping the tray. Shadow, despite himself, let out a barely perceptible smile.

The hoglet finished half the jar, his face smeared and making a couple of sounds of protest when Shadow wiped him with a napkin. Finally, he lifted him from the chair and settled him in his arms, Zero resting his head against his chest with a low, content purr.

Shadow held him gently, stroking his back as he sank down onto the couch. For the first time all morning, he allowed his shoulders to relax. Outside, the wind rustled the tree branches, and the domestic silence enveloped him like a reminder that, for now, everything was okay.

A couple of hours later, the distinctive creak of the door announced the arrival of Sonic and Dash. The little boy came running in like a whirlwind, carrying a cookie Amy had given him for the road, while Sonic chased after him with a tired smile.

On the couch, Shadow was reclining with Zero dozing on his chest, his eyes fixed on the anime playing on the screen. He barely looked up when he heard the commotion. "It's about time."

Sonic approached and placed a quick kiss on his forehead. Shadow settled Zero into the playpen where Dash was now playing, and Sonic took his chance. "Can we talk outside for a moment?"

Shadow looked at him strangely, but finally nodded. They went out into the yard and sat on two log stands they were using as makeshift seats. The wind gently rustled their quills. The dark hedgehog crossed his arms, expectant. "Fine. What do you want?"

Sonic scratched his head, uncomfortably. "It's about Dash. Maybe he should go to kindergarten."

Shadow looked at him as if he'd spoken another language. "What the hell is kindergarten, and why would I send my son there?"

"Okay, calm down..." Sonic raised his hands as a peace sign; he knew Shadow would be overprotective. "Listen, it's a place where he's going to learn stuff and make friends."

"I can teach him stuff." Shadow replied sharply, not at all convinced. He had been raised on the ARK alongside Maria and was perfectly capable of teaching his children.

"I know, I know." Sonic exhaled, trying to maintain a patient tone. "But he's lacking on the friendship department. Amy thinks it would be good for him."

Shadow's frown relaxed just a little. "Amy said so?"

Sonic lowered his ears, indignant. "Hey! How come if I suggest it, you don't think it's safe?"

Shadow looked away, biting the corner of his lip to hide a fleeting smile at the other hedgehog's complaint. He remained silent for a few seconds that felt like an eternity to the speedster. Finally, he exalled. "I'll think about it." he said in a serious tone, though without the edge it had felt before.

Sonic smiled, relieved. "That's enough for me. Tomorrow we can go see a place Vanilla recommended. You don't have to decide now, just... check it out."

Shadow looked at him out of the corner of his eye, making it clear he wasn't entirely convinced yet, but he wasn't closing the door either. His partner, satisfied with this small advance, leaned toward him and planted a quick peck on his cheek before standing up. "Great, deal."

Shadow looked at him with a mixture of resignation and affection. "I knew you were going to come up with something ridiculous as soon as you set foot outside."

"And it worked." Sonic replied with a mischievous smile, before going back inside to check on the children. Shadow followed him, shaking his head, although inside he was already seriously considering the idea.

Chapter Text

The house was silent. Dash and Zero slept peacefully in their shared room, while the star lamp projected constellations onto the ceiling of Sonic and Shadow's room.

They were both lying in bed; the day had felt longer than usual. Sonic, curled up behind his partner, gently hugged him around the waist to provide warmth and comfort. Shadow, however, flinched, his quills suddenly bristling.

Sonic quickly withdrew his hand, a pang of guilt in his chest. "I'm sorry." he whispered, lowering his voice. "It must have been a rough day, Shads. I didn't mean to upset you."

For a moment, the silence thickened. Shadow's eyes were open, staring at the faint reflection of the fake stars on the wall. He breathed heavily, struggling with something inside him. "Fuck it all." he said hoarsely, thick with frustration. Finally, he turned to Sonic, his red eyes glowing in the darkness. "Touch me."

Sonic blinked, surprised. "Shads...?"

"Just..." Shadow clenched his fists against the sheets, his jaw tight. "I just want everything to go back to normal."

The tone of his voice wasn't one of immediate passion, but of raw need, of wanting to shake off the discomfort with the person he trusted most. Sonic understood in a second. His expression softened, and carefully, he moved closer again, this time with slow, clear movements, making sure Shadow felt safe, loved.

The dark hedgehog greeted him with a rough, desperate kiss, seeking to quell whatever was churning in his chest. Sonic held him tenderly, caressing his cheek before reciprocating with the intensity Shadow was asking for.

Sonic's hand moved gently but decisively down to Shadow's hip, where he squeezed firmly as he deepened the kiss. They hadn't had sex in months due to everything that had happened, so it was understandable that they were both tense. But after everything his partner had been through while he was locked up in a stupid cell doing nothing to help, he would never take advantage of him to satisfy his own lust. Shadow didn't deserve that. Now Sonic would show him how much he missed him.

Shadow squeezed his soft chest; he truly loved that area. The blue hedgehog let out a low growl and moved his hand from his hip to his back, moving down to his tail, that it slipped between his fingers. They began to explore the dark hedgehog's rear end until they reached some fleshy lips that were already wet without having received any attention. "Shadow was really horny." he thought.

Feeling contact in that area, the dark hedgehog let out a shaky sigh and clung closer to his partner, hiding his face in his neck. Sonic continued rubbing until he decided to stop torturing Shadow and inserted two fingers. He knew the hedgehog could take it; he wasn't that delicate.

Shadow moaned at the sudden intrusion and latched onto Sonic's shoulder with his teeth. They'd argued many times about how he had a problem biting people when he was very excited or frustrated. The dark hedgehog didn't want to admit it because it was something he used to get scolded for a lot—giving in to his instincts—but he couldn't help it. Besides, even though it bothers him sometimes, Sonic quite enjoys it during their intimacy, and Shadow finds satisfaction in seeing his partner marked.

After getting used to the steady rhythm of Sonic's fingers in his vagina, he was able to focus enough to move his hand to the blue hedgehog's pouch. The tip peeking out brushed against Shadow's fingers, who pressed harder on the bulge underneath to help it out fully. Taking the member in his hand, he began to masturbate it, synchronizing the movement of his hand with Sonic's, who let out a moan of pleasure from his lips.

They both reveled in each other's moans of pleasure. They continued like this, almost bringing themselves to the brink of climax when Sonic suddenly stopped them, pulling his fingers out with a wet pop. "W-wait..." he said agitatedly. "I don't want to cum so soon."

Shadow let go, and the blue hedgehog positioned himself on top of him, kissing him passionately while rubbing their members together.

"Ah... I missed this... I missed you..." the dark hedgehog said, tears escaping his eyes.

Sonic licked his cheek, tasting the salty flavor. "I missed you too... you don't know how much..."

"Do it, I can't wait any longer..." Shadow begged. The other held his thighs apart and positioned himself in the center, rubbing his tip against the vulva until he managed to insert it with a single thrust. "Hmg..." he moaned a little at the intrusion.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?" Sonic asked, watching him closely.

Shadow took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm fine... don't you dare stop." he commanded.

Sonic smiled. "Whatever you say, my master."

"Keep talking and then I'll want you to stop." the hedgehog warned in annoyance. His partner just laughed softly and began to thrust gently. "Ah...! Yes... like that..." With each thrust, he pushed deeper until their pelvises collided.

"Ah... yes... there it is." Sonic hugged him by the lower back and began thrusting hard while growling softly. Shadow's moans filled the room until the stimulation became too much, and he bit Sonic's shoulder to help ground himself. "Ah...!" the blue hedgehog moaned. "I was waiting for the bite...! Hold on a little longer, Shads...!"

The fierce thrusts echoed in the room with a wet sound. Sonic reached so deep that he repeatedly hit the cervix, causing Shadow's orgasm to approach quickly. Sonic continued thrusting while the dark hedgehog was overstimulated. "Ah, Shadow!" he exclaimed as he reached his own orgasm.

After the intense session, they were both exhausted, sweaty, and sticky—mostly sticky, but also very satisfied. Sonic pulled out slowly as his limp member returned to his pouch. He directed his gaze between Shadow's legs to see his work oozing from those moist lips. "Hmm... you look appetizing." he said, licking his own lips.

"Gross..." the other said, staring at the ceiling. Sonic laughed. "I feel sticky... I want a bath... but I don't feel like moving right now..."

"Hehe, I'll go run you a bath, Your Royal Highness." the blue hedgehog said, bowing. Shadow hit him in the face with a pillow, making him burst out laughing.

"Go away now, even after fucking me you won't shut up."

"Ow! How can you say that? I feel used!" he said, feigning pain as he walked out the door and headed for the bathroom.

"Like you didn't like that..." Shadow murmured with a smile. That sex session had truly relaxed him. He thought that after Infinite he would view intimacy with repulsion, but being with Sonic was starting to feel natural and normal, and he hoped things could continue like this from now on.

Chapter Text

The next morning dawned clear and peaceful. Shadow and Sonic left Dash and Zero in Vanilla's care, who greeted them with a warm smile and ushered them into the living room, where Cream and the Chao were sitting. Before saying goodbye, she handed them a small, colorful brochure about the kindergarten she recommended, with photos of the open spaces, classrooms, and teachers.

"Have fun." said Sonic, making sure the children were comfortable. "We'll be back in a bit."

"And listen to Vanilla." added Shadow.

The two left the house, walking toward the kindergarten to see it for themselves. The fresh morning air gave them a welcome respite after the busy days they'd had.

Upon arrival, Sonic held up the brochure the rabbit had given them, flipping through it excitedly. "Vanilla said this place was nice..." he commented with a smile. "Aren't you excited?"

Shadow looked at him with his usual seriousness, but with a hint of curiosity. "I'll give it a try..." he said, crossing his arms. "And if I don't like it, I'll burn the place to the ground."

Sonic gulped, letting out a silent sigh as he looked at the brochure carefully. "Oh Chaos... I hope this place is perfect for its own sake." he thought worriedly, hoping that Shadow's doubts would be put to rest.

The hedgehogs entered the building, the sound of children playing and laughing filling the air. The principal, a kind and calm sheep, greeted them with a smile. Shadow crossed his arms, attentive to every detail, assessing the place in case he might find anything that would offend him and make him refuse.

Sonic, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile as he looked at the colorful walls decorated with so many handmade items made by the children and teachers.

"And over here is the playground." the principal said, continuing the tour, pointing to the playground with its swings, blocks, and tunnels. "Children can explore, run, and learn without feeling trapped."

Shadow nodded slowly, examining every corner. His eyes lingered on the materials, the safety surfaces, the toys. Every detail mattered. "The place is clean, it seems safe... and the teachers seem competent."

Sonic shot him an excited look. "See? It's not that bad."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "I'm not excited... yet. But it can work. If I see anything I don't like, I'll definitely let you know."

"Oh..." Sonic sighed, a little exasperated. "Chaos, you sound like a Karen sometimes."

As they continued the tour, Shadow noticed how the principal interacted with the children, her patience and calm tone. For the first time since the idea had been presented, he felt like maybe... this could be good for Dash.

"Hm..." he finally said after some careful consideration. "I'll give it a try."

Sonic smiled widely, relieved and a little excited. "Phew! So the place meets your super-high standards that no one can even dream of achieving?" Shadow gave him a deadly glare.

After touring the place and chatting a bit with the principal, the two headed back to Vanilla's house. Upon entering, the children were playing quietly in the living room with Cream, having an impromptu tea party. Dash didn't mind being dressed up and have his quills styled as long as he could eat muffins, and Zero was just happy to participate, even though his idea of ​​drinking imaginary tea was to wear the cup as a hat.

"Wow! You had a party? Without me?" Sonic exclaimed, feigning offense.

"Sorry, Mr. Sonic." Cream apologized. "We'll be sure to invite you next time. I have a cute hat that would look great on you!"

The hedgehog smiled, giving a thumbs-up. "Sure kiddo! I'd love to."

Dash immediately jumped up, excited, while Zero made a small babble and waved his arms excitedly as he saw Shadow approaching.

Shadow bent down and carefully picked him up. "Let's go walk for a bit to enjoy some fresh air."

Dash nodded vigorously as he hopped toward Sonic. The family said goodbye to both rabbits, thanking them for their time, and then left. Shadow was still holding Zero, while attentive to his eldest son's every move, but still letting him enjoy the walk in his own way.

The afternoon wind gently stirred the grass and leaves of the trees. Dash ran ahead of them, stopping to look at insects or flowers, while Zero amused himself by observing everything from the safety of Shadow's arms. Sonic talked nonstop to Zero, commenting on the clouds, the color of the sky, and anything else that came to mind, and Shadow listened, adding an occasional word or laugh.

The walk became a peacefull time for everyone. The children could explore, Sonic relaxed by occasionally running alongside Dash, and Shadow, although always vigilant, enjoyed the calm and the family time.

The sun was at its highest point, and the afternoon heat called for something sweet. Sonic and Dash went ahead, pointing to a small ice cream stand. "Do you want ice cream, Dash?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Dash shouted, running ahead of Sonic.

"Ha ha! A race!" he said, running after the little hedgehog, yet with his slower speed, he soon passed him. "Come on, I'm going to beat you!" he warned, already close to the stand. Determined, Dash concentrated as hard as he could and chaos controlled in front of the stand. "Hey! Cheater! Are you stealing your dad's tricks now?"

Shadow walked calmly toward them, he was trying to get Zero to walk by holding his little hands. "Are you saying I cheat in our races? Faker."

"If the skates fit, faker."

"How many times do I have to tell you? they're AIR-SHOES."

"Yeah, yeah. Do you want some ice cream?"

"Chocolate."

Sonic bought two ice creams to share with the kids, knowing they wouldn't eat a whole cone on their own. As the dark hedgehog enjoyed his ice cream, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had been running down his spine since they left Vanilla's house. He felt like someone was following them, watching their every move.

"What's up, Shads?" Sonic asked, his voice light, though he sensed the tension in his partner.

"Nothing." Shadow replied with a simple grunt, focused on not showing too much. "Just... focusing."

They sat under the shade of a tree with the children to finish their ice cream. While the others were focused on eating, Shadow watched the people passing by, looking for some kind of reassurance that he wasn't being paranoid. He watched other children play nearby, the adults chatting casually.

Dash and Sonic took turns licking their ice cream enthusiastically. Zero took a few small licks of the ice cream he shared with Shadow, even though it was beginning to melt in the dark hedgehog's hand.

"Shads." Sonic called out.

"Hm?" He turned to look at him.

"Your ice cream." he said, pointing at his hand.

"Ah... yeah, sure." he said, lifting the cone to lick it.

Sonic looked at him strangely. "Okay, what's going on?"

"Nothing." Shadow replied sharply.

"But..." Sonic insisted.

"I told you, nothing's wrong." Shadow said, raising his voice. "Leave it be..." He lowered his voice again and looked away, feeling a little bad for taking it out on Sonic. It wasn't his fault, but Shadow didn't want to worry him unnecessarily with what might be his hallucinations. Sonic remained silent for a few seconds, calmly licking the ice cream. He knew when Shadow was on the verge of completely shutting down, and pressing him would only make his walls rise even more, so he chose to drop the subject for now. "...We'll talk later." Shadow finally murmured, barely audible, stroking Zero's head with his fingers to cover it up. Sonic watched him out of the corner of his eye, his smile relaxed for the children, but with a hint of concern underneath.

When they finished the ice cream, Sonic wiped himself with a napkin and stood up, stretching his arms.

"Ok!" he said, looking at Dash. "If you're going to start kindergarten, we'll need a few things. Backpack, notebook, crayons... ready to choose?"

"Yessss!" Dash jumped excitedly, and Sonic hoisted him onto his shoulders.

Shadow stood up with Zero in his arms. The hoglet yawned and snuggled into his chest as the dark hedgehog went after his mate.

As they walked, they headed to a store that selled school supplies to buy Dash what he would need. The hoglet ran around pointing at everything he wanted, while Sonic tried to narrow it down to just the bare necessities. While Sonic and Dash argued over whether the backpack should have lightning bolts or stars, Shadow stared at the store's entrance. On a balcony of a building across the street, hidden among some pots, he noticed a strange glimmer, the glow of what looked like a camera lens. Too discreet for the average person to notice.

His pulse quickened. It wasn't paranoia. Someone was watching them. He made a move toward the store's exit, but as soon as he looked again, the glimmer was gone.

"Shads." Sonic's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "What's wrong?"

Shad shook his head, composing his serious expression. "Nothing. Do you have everything?"

"Yep!" said Sonic, carrying the basket to the register. Shadow took his card out of his quills and paid for everything (he was the one who managed the family's finances, after all).

After collecting everything, they left to head back home. Halfway there, Shadow suddenly stopped, pretending to look at his communicator as an excuse to separate himself from the family.
"I just got a notification from G.U.N." he said in a serious tone.
Sonic looked at him in surprise. "Now? Can't it wait?"
"It's urgent. It won't be long. You take them home." he ordered calmly, handing Zero over.

Sonic shrugged. "Ok, I guess. I'll leave you some food just in case."

As the blue hedgehog walked away with the children, Shadow stood still on the sidewalk, watching until they were far enough away. He pretended to walk in the opposite direction, his pace firm but unhurried, as if he really had another destination. However, as soon as he turned the corner, he leaped up the buildings until he was on the roof, from his vantage point, he observed the streets.

And then he realized the pursuer hadn't followed him. Instead, his stealthy movements followed Sonic and the children, always keeping his distance. He could see him take out a camera and take pictures from his hiding place in an alley.

"Could it be a paparazzi?" Shadow thought, his eyes narrowed.

The hedgehog jumped across the rooftops toward the alley, advancing silently and quickly until he surrounded the stranger. The guy, too focused on framing the camera, didn't notice the presence looming behind him. Just as he pressed the button, a firm claw grabbed him by the collar of his coat and violently dragged him against the alley wall.

The camera fell to the ground with a sharp click.

"Do you enjoy spying on families, you damn insect?" Shadow growled, tightening his grip.

The hooded figure tried to struggle, but the black hedgehog's strength was relentless. With a single movement, Shadow flipped him over, pinning him against the bricks. The red glow of his eyes illuminated the darkness.

"Talk." he commanded in a low, threatening tone. "Who are you, and why are you following us?"

The silence of the man, whom Shadow now realized was a green raccoon, breathing heavily, only increased the tension. With one firm hand, he held the raccoon by the collar of his jacket and, with the other, searched his pockets. He first pulled out a worn leather wallet, inside, a laminated card peeked out, reading "Private Investigator — R. Tanaka" with a phone number and address. The raccoon struggled a bit and muttered pleas, but Shadow didn't let go. He continued searching his coat pockets until he pulled out a handful of photos, all of which framed little Zero.

Shadow's blood ran cold for a moment, then anger surged. He pressed the raccoon harder against the wall until the impact knocked the wind out of him. "Why are you photographing my son?" His voice was low but sharp. "Who sent you?"

The raccoon gulped, his breathing ragged. At first, he stammered excuses: ghost clients, anonymous contracts, “just work.” Shadow didn’t buy it. He slammed the raccoon in the stomach with the side of his hand to stop his evasive chatter. It was a direct blow, enough to bend him but not break anything. The raccoon doubled over and coughed.

“I’m going to ask you again.” Shadow repeated, and this time he pushed the guy against the wall with all the strength of his grip. “And you’re not going to lie to me. Who’s your client?”

Silence filled the alley for a heartbeat. Then the raccoon’s broken voice emerged, more out of fear than choice. “…Finn… Finn paid me.” he whispered, unable to look him in the face. “He said he needed pictures of the hoglet. He paid me a lot. I swear I don’t know any more.”

“Finn?” (“And who's that?”) the hedgehog wondered. He didn’t know anyone by that name. “What did he look like? Describe him!” he ordered, raising his fist.

The raccoon whimpered. “Yes… t-it was a jackal with white l-locks and a scar over his eye! He said he didn’t want any trouble. He said he just wanted to know… how… how the kid was. I don’t know why!”

Shadow clenched his jaw. It couldn’t be possible. (“Infinite? Was he alive?” ) He looked at the photos one more time, saw that most of the shots were centered on Zero, and a few where Shadow’s face was in the frame. He saved them all in his quills and then destroyed the camera on the ground with a stomp.

The raccoon was trembling on the ground, staring blankly, having suffered only 1% of the ultimate life form’s wrath. The hedgehog crouched down to the raccoon’s eye level. “You’re going to lead me to him.” he said simply. “And you better not trick me, or you won’t know what’s coming.”

The raccoon stumbled to his feet, terrified, and began to walk on shaky legs. Shadow was in no hurry to drag Sonic into this, he'd handle everything himself.

The raccoon walked ahead, head down, occasionally glancing back with frightened eyes to make sure Shadow was following him. The hedgehog didn't speak, his threatening presence spoke volumes for him.

In a somewhat remote part of town, near the coast, some ruined buildings loomed. It was a neighborhood that had become somewhat forgotten. "Keep walking." he murmured, his voice tense. "And don't you dare try anything stupid."

The raccoon pointed with a trembling finger. "There... fourth floor. He always greeted me at the door, never let me go beyond the hallway." Shadow squinted, every fiber of his body tense, preparing for what was to come.

They climbed the stairs in silence. The building smelled of dampness and old metal. The exterior walls were covered with graffiti from passersby, inside the wallpaper was about to fall off, and some lights didn't turn on.

The raccoon stopped in front of the fourth-floor door on trembling legs while Shadow remained on the side of the hallway hidden from view. The guy knocked clumsily on the door. There was a long silence (too long), and then the door burst open.

"You came early." said the jackal. With a sharp movement, the hedgehog pushed the raccoon aside with enough force that he rolled against the corridor wall. The raccoon moaned in pain and remained rooted there, too scared to protest. In turn, the hedgehog pushed the apartment's occupant inside, closing the door behind him. A sharp click sealed the entrance, and the two were alone.

The interior was modest: a rickety sofa, a table with stained cups, and a window overlooking the rooftops. Infinite stood there, recovering from the shove with an expression that mixed surprise and restrained delight. Her eyes, the ones Shadow remembered all too well, rested on him with calculated slowness.

"Well, you found me faster than I expected." the jackal muttered, averting his gaze.

Shadow, though threatening, didn't dare close the little space left between them. "What do you want? You're not welcome near my family. You have no right."

The jackal hesitated for a moment to answer. "Isn't it natural that I want to know how my pup is?"

Shadow looked at more photos of the hoglet and some of him on the coffee table. He clenched his fists. "If you're here to take Zero..." he began, but the jackal interrupted him, raising his voice for a moment.

"I'm not...!" When Shadow fell silent, he calmed down. "I don't want to separate you from Zero. Honestly, I couldn't do it even if I wanted to. Look at me" he said, spreading his arms to show his entire body. "I'm... 'normal' now. I'm nowhere near you in terms of power."

The hedgehog watched him closely, expecting some kind of trap from the other. He didn't trust him at all. How could he, after all? "So, what are you looking for?" he finally growled, his voice low but sharp.

The jackal smiled with barely perceptible melancholy, a strange gesture for someone he remembered as arrogant and cruel. "I'm not here to take anything from you... I just want to see him... even from a distance. To know if... if he's okay."

Shadow clenched his fists tighter, feeling rage burning inside him. Every word the jackal said sounded like manipulation, a new strategy to hurt him. "And you expect me to believe you?"

"You don't have to. Just... understand me, Shadow. Just knowing he exists... changes everything for me." The jackal held his gaze silently, swallowing. He didn't defend himself, didn't back down. She just watched him, as if deep down he expected such hatred from him… and as if, for some reason, he accepted it.

He ran a hand over the back of his neck, shifting his gaze toward the dirty window. “You know, things happened… well, it’s not important to you.” he murmured hoarsely. “But I’ve had a lot of time to think since my head is clearer. And you probably don’t want to hear all this from me, but… it’s confusing, you know? On the one hand, I regret treating you so badly… but at the same time, I don’t.”

Shadow frowned, confusion mixing with anger. “What…?” he blurted out, unable to contain himself.

The jackal gave a short, bitter laugh and looked down at his own hands. “At first, it was all about getting revenge on you. That was the only thing that kept me going.” But as time went on… I grew fonder of you. In fact, I feel very attracted to you. It's ridiculous, I know. What I did to you is unforgivable, and part of me regrets letting that part of me get out of control."

He paused for a moment, his eyes resting on Shadow with a vulnerability that seemed alien to everything Infinite stood for. “But the other part of me, the one that's more aware now, doesn't regret having that pup. Believe it or not, I feel genuine affection for him. I know very well that I don't deserve to be called his father, and that associating with me would only make him an outcast. He'll be better off with you guys… but I can't help but want to know how he's doing. I didn't want to get close to you so as not to make you uncomfortable… and well… you know.”

Shadow remained silent for a few seconds, processing each word, each contradiction. The knot in his stomach tightened. Finally, he let out a sigh, weighing each word before speaking. "You still made me uncomfortable." he said harshly, though he immediately lowered his gaze. Silence filled the room, thick, until the hedgehog took a deep breath. "I can... I can understand." he admitted, barely audible. "If I couldn't be with them... I don't know what I would do."

For a moment, the jackal remained motionless. His ears drooped slightly back, and an expression spread across his face that was unclear whether it was relief, sadness, or a mixture of both. "So... you understand." he said softly, almost incredulous, as if he had never expected to hear such a thing from him.

Shadow didn't respond immediately, his arms remained tense at his sides, his fists clenched. The mistrust didn't disappear, but there was a flicker of empathy in his eyes that Infinite recognized.

The jackal sank down onto the rickety sofa, sinking into the backrest as if the weight of everything that had happened had suddenly crushed him. "I'm not looking for redemption, nor for you to forgive me. I know that won't happen. But to hear that you can at least understand how I feel..." He paused, exhaling as if letting go of a burden, "that's more than I expected." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his face with both hands. When he looked back at Shadow, his expression was different, vulnerable, broken.

Shadow remained silent, watching the jackal closely. Part of him wanted to slam the door in his face forever, uproot him from their lives and spare Zero any future pain. But another part... the one that understood all too well what it was like to lose everything, looked at him with a certain compassion.

The hedgehog ran a hand over his forehead, exhaling in frustration. "I don't know what the hell to do with you." he muttered, more to himself than to Infinite. The jackal watched him silently, expectantly. "All I care about is Zero." Shadow continued firmly. "I won't let you confuse him or impose on him a past he's still too young to bear. To him, you're nobody. And it must remain that way... for now."

Infinite lowered his gaze, nodding slowly, as if he'd already expected those words. "But..." Shadow added, after a moment of hesitation, "I'm not going to cut you out from his life either. Even if it pains me and you don't deserve it, I'm willing to... compromise." The jackal's eyes lifted with a spark of surprise. "I'll send you photos and updates on how he's doing. Nothing more. There will be no direct contact, no visits. If you accept those conditions, at least you'll have a window into his life." His voice lowered a pitch. "But if you dare come near without my permission, if you follow him or try to interfere… I swear there will be no second chance.

Infinite swallowed, processing every word. There was something in his gaze that seemed to appreciate even those crumbs. "…I'll accept it." he replied, his voice husky but sincere. "It's not what I'd like, but it's more than I deserve." He swallowed, trying to maintain his composure, but in the end the words came out broken. "B-but… just… let me see him once. In person. Even if it's from afar. I won't ask for anything more. I just… want to say goodbye. After that, I swear on whatever dignity I have left, I will never bother you again."

The air thickened. Shadow stared at him, his fists clenched, fighting the mixture of anger, pity, and distrust that gnawed at him from within. Everything screamed that this was a bad idea, that the jackal had long since lost any rights. But he also knew what that plea meant. What it was like to live with someone's absence stuck in his throat like a knife. "Tsk... dammit." the hedgehog muttered, bringing a hand to his face. He remained silent for a few seconds that seemed eternal, until he finally spoke in a harsh but resolute voice. "Okay. But under my terms." The jackal's eyes opened with a wet sheen, barely believing what he was hearing. "I'll be present the whole time." Shadow warned, his gaze piercing him like a blade. "It'll be quick, and only once. Understand?"

The jackal nodded repeatedly, almost desperately. "Yes... yes, I promise. That's enough for me."

Shadow crossed his arms, looking away. "That'll be your goodbye. And if you ever break this agreement…" He looked back at him, a lethal glint in his eyes. "That'll be the last time you breathe."

The jackal didn't argue, didn't try to negotiate. He simply nodded, his voice faint. "Understood."

Shadow remained silent, weighing every possible consequence. His instincts screamed that this was madness, but the desperate glint in the jackal's eyes kept him doubtful. Finally, with a tired sigh, he bowed his head slightly. "Tomorrow." he said firmly. "After we take Dash to kindergarten, when Sonic goes for a run. I'll come see you… with Zero."

Infinite's eyes widened, as if he'd received a blast of fresh air after a long time without breathing. "I understand… thank you, Shadow. You don't know how much this means to me."

The hedgehog looked away, hardening his expression to hide the slightest sympathy. Infinite didn't respond, just lowered his head in submission, clinging to this small opportunity as if it were a miracle.

There was a brief, tense silence before Shadow spoke again with a hint of irony. "So you go by the name Finn now."

Infinite looked up, a little surprised. "Yeah, well... I can't call myself Infinite. And I don't want to use my original name, Zero, either. It doesn't feel like I'm either one anymore..."

Shadow snorted disdainfully. "Hmm. It's fine. Infinite is a ridiculous, pompous name anyway. Finn is cuter, it suits you better."

The jackal was silent for a second, smiling in confusion. "Thanks...?" he thought to himself, wondering if that had been flirtatious or just an unconscious comment from the hedgehog.

Shadow had already turned toward the door, curt as ever. "See you tomorrow." Without giving him any more time to respond, he left the apartment.

Chapter Text

Shadow walked back home with a firm step, but inside, his mind was a whirlwind he couldn't sort out. What he had just done, allowing Finn to receive updates about Zero and allowing indirect contact with him, bewildered him more than he was willing to admit. He hadn't even resorted to violence, nor had he lost control; in fact, he didn't even dare approach him after cornering him; his legs wouldn't work.

He forced himself to remember everything the jackal had done to him. The months of confinement, the abuse, the manipulation, the humiliation. All of it still burned in his memory like embers that refused to go out. Each memory was a reminder that he had crossed boundaries no one should cross. And yet... there was something there that confused him deeply.

Part of him didn't understand why, despite everything, he felt a kind of consideration for Finn. It wasn't sympathy or forgiveness, at least not in the classic way, but there was something about the way the jackal had behaved throughout most of his pregnancy and after Zero's birth. While Infinite wasn't affectionate toward him, he had been careful, even respectful, during the moments when Shadow was most vulnerable. He avoided causing him harm and showed attention to his needs and desires. It was… strange, a behavior that confused him greatly. And although he always kept his guard up around him, he still didn't have the energy to resist or fight back. And so, during his confinement, he ended up having a strange, dependent relationship with the jackal.

"What's happening to me?" he muttered to himself, clenching his fists tightly. Fury should have been all he felt, but instead, there was a strange, uncomfortable space where something resembling compassion or understanding crept in, leaving him without answers. He wondered if this inability to react aggressively was weakness… or something more complicated.

The rational part of his mind told him to hate him, to never give him access to his family, to isolate him completely. But another, harder-to-understand part told him that fighting would be useless and wouldn't solve anything, that maybe being docile and not causing more trouble would be the best thing to do. "Hate and violence always brought you suffering. If you give in, you won't hurt yourself anymore. You still have control over the decision. You can handle it. Everything will be fine. Sonic won't find out, and you can continue living peacefully. You just have to endure a little longer." he told himself.

Shadow sighed, feeling the tension building in his chest. He couldn't justify it, couldn't rationalize it. All he knew was that, despite the confusion, he had made a decision: to protect Zero above all else, even if it meant tolerating Finn's presence in his life in a controlled manner. Well... it was either that or kill him. And Shadow was a little tired of shedding blood at this point.

As he approached home, the normalcy of life offered a temporary respite. The familiar aroma of cooking, Dash's laughter, Sonic's calming presence—all of it contrasted with the emotional chaos he felt inside. He adjusted his posture, hiding any signs of doubt or weakness from others, because he couldn't allow anyone to see his inner conflict.

When he entered the house, the aroma of dinner was beginning to fill the air. Sonic, who was already placing the plates on the table, saw him enter and gave him a relaxed smile, though curiosity was evident in his eyes. "Hey, Shads." he said, serving some pasta. "How did it go with G.U.N.?"

Shadow paused for a moment, taking off his shoes and putting them in their place by the entrance, avoiding Sonic's gaze. "Good." he replied in a neutral voice, without elaborating.

Sonic frowned slightly, moving closer as he placed a plate in his spot on the table. "'Good' doesn't tell me much. Were there any problems? Some catastrophic event that's endangering the world?"

Shadow crossed his arms, staring at the floor for a few seconds before looking up at Sonic, his eyes cold and calculating. "It's... confidential." "GAIA! WHY WAS HE SUDDENLY SO BAD AT LYING TO SONIC?

Sonic looked at him, trying to decipher Shadow's expression, but he remained unfazed, impassive as ever. Still, he couldn't help but feel something was wrong.

"Hm..." Sonic muttered, pouring sauce onto his plate. "Well, if you say so, pooky..."

"Don't call me that, faker." he threatened, pointing his fork at him. The blue hedgehog laughed; it was too easy to get a reaction out of Shadow.

Dinner passed in relative silence, interrupted only by the sound of cutlery and Dash's small comments. Shadow ate slowly, his mind still caught up in thoughts he didn't want to share. Sonic watched him out of the corner of his eye.

"Shads..." Sonic finally said, softening his voice. "If anything's bothering you, you know you can trust me."

Shadow sighed, putting his fork aside and staring at his plate without really looking at the food. Sonic wouldn't let this go; he'd have to find a way to divert attention from what was really worrying him. "I've been... thinking about seeking psychological help." "This will distract him enough." he thought. It wasn't a lie after all.

Sonic froze for a second, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Psychological help?" he repeated, as if making sure he'd heard him correctly. "You?"

"Hm." Shadow nodded, serious. "I'm not sure how to deal with some things... the nightmares never go away... and... I feel like I could... benefit from professional help."

Sonic put down his own fork and leaned in, taking Shadow's hand in his own. "Shads..." he said gently, with that warmth that always managed to pierce the dark hedgehog's armor. "I know that's not easy for you to admit, and there's nothing wrong in seeking help. I fully support you in whatever you decide, ok?"

Shadow looked at him, his eyes reflecting a bit of vulnerability he rarely showed. He took a deep breath, letting a small weight lift from his shoulders at Sonic's words. "Thank you..." he murmured, barely audible. "It means a lot."

Sonic smiled, gently squeezing his hand before letting go. "Always, Shads. And if you want me to come with you, I can. No one said you have to do this alone."

Shadow nodded again, a small hint of relief in his expression as he returned to his meal, albeit a little more calmly this time. The tension in the air eased, and dinner continued with a warmer atmosphere.

The next day, the sun was already showing through the window when Sonic opened his eyes, his quills still tangled, his mouth dry. He licked his tongue and let out a long yawn while scratching his lower back. Shadow, curled up beside him, continued to breathe softly, completely oblivious to the world. "Weird, he usually wakes up before me." the blue hedgehog thought, rubbing his eyes. Glancing at the alarm, Sonic gulped: 8:30 a.m. They had to leave in less than half an hour so Dash could get to kindergarten on time.

"Shads... Shadow!" Sonic exclaimed, shaking him harder.

"Hm! What the hell do you want?!" Shadow yelled, annoyed at having been woken up so abruptly.

"We overslept!" the hedgehog replied, flustered.

"What?!" he yelled, rushing to his feet. "Why didn't you wake me up, idiot?!"

"How could I wake you up?! I fell asleep too!" he said, getting up and quickly getting ready for the day.

"How could we sleep in on Dash's first day of school? We're the worst!" he said as he made his quills look presentable.

"It's okay! We can still do it! We're the fastest beings on the planet!"

The two moved in a flurry of disorganized activity: Shadow picked up Zero, changed his diaper in record time while he was still asleep, and settled him in the baby carrier while Sonic took care of Dash. The little hoglet was half asleep, his eyes half-closed, but his father still picked him up and began dressing him in a light blue apron, which was his uniform, and then brushed his quills to smooth them out a bit.

"Daddyyy! I want to keep sleepin'!" he exclaimed, not fully understanding the urgency.

"But you have to go to school, Dashy! You'll sleep there!" he said, trying to convince him to cooperate. The little boy just grunted and nodded.

Meanwhile, Shadow was standing in the doorway putting on his shoes. Then Sonic came running in with Dash in his arms. While he was putting on his shoes, Shadow grabbed a yellow hat from the coat rack.

"Wait! We almost forgot this." he said, putting the hat on Dash. "Go! Go!"

They walked out the door, and the next second Sonic came rushing back in with Dash in his arms. "The backpack! The backpack!" he grabbed it from the chair and went back out, only to return two seconds later. "I didn't pack the backpack last night!"

"Hurry up! Fastest thing alive, my ass!" Shadow yelled from the doorway.

"I don't see you remembering everything, Ultimate Lifeform!" Sonic replied, packing everything Dash needed and leaving for good. "What time is it?"

The dark hedgehog looked at his communicator. "5 to 9:00."

"Race ya' there!" Sonic said as he ran off at full speed.

"Cheater!" Shadow complained, following him.

They arrived panting in front of the small school building. "I won!" panted Sonic, as he lowered Dash near the door. "I beat you this time, Shads!"

"Bullshit!" snorted Shadow, frowning. "I only let you take the lead for a moment."

"Do you really think anyone would believe that?" laughed Sonic. "It was obvious I was faster."

"Tch!" Shadow snorted, preparing to retort, when suddenly a sweet, warm voice interrupted them.

"Hi Dash! I'm Miss Clara, nice to meet you." said a brown cow wearing a white shirt, green skirt, and pink apron. "You'll be in the Sunflower group, aren't you excited?"

Little Dash, overwhelmed by the speed of the morning and the unfamiliar place, began to cry, wanting to go home.

"Oh, dear..." said Miss Clara, trying to calm him down in a soft voice. "It's okay, Dash, everything's okay."

Hearing the crying, Shadow felt something snap inside him, and his patience disappeared. Instinctively, he raised a hand and charged a Chaos Spear, ready to attack.

"Shadow!" Sonic shouted from behind, holding him tightly to prevent him from doing any harm. "Don't make me fight you!"

"Shit, let me go, Sonic! He's crying!" Shadow replied, upset, unable to control his worry and frustration.

"He'll be okay!" Sonic insisted, dragging Shadow to the side, away from the little boy.

Meanwhile, Miss Clara approached patiently and tenderly, kneeling in front of Dash. "I know being in a new place with people you don't know can be scary, but everyone else went through the same thing and now they're good friends. They'll want to meet you and play with you too, and I'll be by your side the whole time. Okay?" She said, extending her hand toward him in an offering. The little boy nodded and took it. The teacher straightened and turned to the adult hedgehogs. "Your parents will be coming to get you soon. Say hi to them before you go in."

"Y-yes." he replied, raising his hand to wave, then they went inside.

"See? I told you it would be ok." Sonic said, letting go of Shadow after he had calmed down.

For a moment, they stood in silence in front of the gate, listening to the laughter and muffled voices of the children inside the building. Sonic tilted his head, studying Shadow's somber profile. "Hey... you should give yourself a break. Dash is a though cookie. You'll have to let him fend for himself in certain situations; that's what you've been teaching him, right?"

Shadow nodded slightly, still staring at the ground. "Let's go." he finally said in a dry voice, turning back toward the street. "Chaos... that was embarrassing... I have to learn to keep my instincts in check so I don't lose control over my children crying. I could have seriously hurt someone."

The walk back was quiet. Shadow walked with his gaze fixed on the ground, while Sonic tried to pace himself with a distracted whistle.

"Welp" the blue hedgehog said suddenly, breaking the awkward silence. "I think I'll go for a run. You know, clear my head before starting the rest of the day. I'll see you later, 'kay?"

Shadow barely glanced up at him, as if evaluating whether to say something or not. In the end, he just nodded with a low murmur. "Do whatever you want."

"Perfect." Sonic stretched out his arms, arching his back already preparing to run. He gave Shadow a quick, genuine, but slightly tired smile. "And don't worry so much, Shads. Dash is going to have a good time."

The dark hedgehog didn't respond; he just watched him as he sped away, until there was nothing left but a blue blur.

As soon as Sonic disappeared from sight, Shadow stopped dead in his tracks. The weight of the decision he'd made the night before fell back on him. He turned the other way, away from the path home.

When he reached the old building, he climbed the steps to the fourth floor in silence, the echo of his own footsteps amplified in the deserted hallway. He stopped in front of the door marked with a barely legible number. The air smelled of dust and reheated coffee.

He stood there, motionless, his fist raised in front of the door. He could knock. He could finish what he'd promised. But what if it was a mistake? His chest tightened with an uneasy feeling. "What the hell am I doing here...?" he whispered in a small voice, slowly lowering his hand.

He turned on his heel, ready to leave, to forget everything, to return to the safety of his home and pretend he'd never agreed to such a commitment. He took barely a step...

Click.

The lock turned, the door opened gently, and Finn appeared in the doorway, his face somewhat tired and his hair a bit disheveled, as if he'd also had trouble sleeping the night before. His gaze met Shadow's for a moment that felt eternal.

"I thought you wouldn't come..." Finn said, his voice deep, but with a hint of relief he couldn't hide.

Shadow tensed, frozen in the middle of the hallway, caught between his instinct to flee and his decision to stay. The jackal didn't take his eyes off him, holding the door frame with one hand, as if afraid the hedgehog would disappear at any moment. After a heavy silence, he took a deep breath and took a small step to the side, opening the threshold further.

"Come in..." he said in a low, almost cautious voice, as if addressing a wounded animal that could escape or attack at any moment. "I'm not going to bite you."

Shadow remained rigid, his hands wrapped around Zero. Everything inside him screamed at him to turn around and disappear before he changed his mind, but his legs didn't move.

Finn tilted his head, a faint, tired smile on his face. "You don't have to stay long if you don't want to. Just... I'm glad you kept your word."

The hedgehog gulped, staring down at the floor, and finally took a step forward, crossing the threshold. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

As soon as Shadow crossed the threshold, the movement inside the carrier caught Finn's immediate attention. His eyes softened suddenly as he took in the hoglet. "He got so big..." he murmured, a hint of wonder in his voice, his hardened features relaxing for a moment. The jackal took another step but held back, as if afraid of invading the space too much. He swallowed and asked cautiously. "Can I... hold him?"

Shadow clutched the carrier to his chest almost automatically, as if every fiber in his body wanted to protect Zero from the touch. His eyes narrowed, calculating every possibility, every risk.

Finn stopped when he saw the reaction. He raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, trying not to look threatening. "I'm not going to hurt him... I just... want to feel him in my arms, just once."

Shadow took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and, although every muscle in his body tensed, he lifted Zero from the carrier and held him toward the jackal. His hands trembled slightly as he received the baby. He held him against his chest, and instantly, his expression lit up with genuine warmth.

"Hi..." he whispered almost voicelessly, unable to contain a smile that seemed strange on his face.

Zero, curious, sniffed him a few times and then settled quietly against him, recognizing his father. He even let out a small gurgle, burying his nose in the jackal's fur.

Shock shot through Shadow like a lightning bolt. She watched him suspiciously, but she couldn't ignore the obvious: the baby wasn't uncomfortable or scared. On the contrary… he seemed content.

Finn noticed it too, and emotion clouded his eyes, although he hid it by lowering his gaze slightly. After a moment of silence, he looked up at the hedgehog.

"Do you want... some coffee?" he suggested in a low voice, trying to break the ice and prevent the moment from becoming too unbearable. "I don't have much to offer, but... at least something warm to pass the time."

Shadow agreed with a low growl and sat down on the couch, always with Zero in sight in Finn's arms, who moved with surprising delicacy. The jackal prepared two cups with clumsy hands, as if he couldn't remember the last time he had shared something so mundane with anyone.

When he placed the cup in front of him, the black hedgehog raised an eyebrow, breaking the silence with a comment he made as if to break the awkward silence. "It's not like... poisoned or something, is it?"

Finn blinked and, without thinking, followed up with a joke. "Of course. What kind of host would I be if I didn't try to murder my guest?" he replied with a crooked smile. Shadow's expression turned grim. The jackal froze, then let out a nervous laugh, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I was just playing along..."

Tension hung in the air until Shadow, with an incredulous snort, looked away and took the cup, still suspicious. "Your sense of humor sucks as much as Sonic's." he muttered, taking a sip as if he expected to find gunpowder instead of coffee, although the taste wasn't very good anyway. "It tastes awful. Did you use the cheapest coffee you could find, or did you filter it through your socks?"

Finn gave a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "You're still the same delicate princess."

Shadow's red eyes flashed with indignation, offended. "It's not my fault you don't have good taste." he protested, placing the cup down softly on the table.

"Telling me I don't have good taste is like offending yourself." Finn continued laughing, more relaxed than before.

The awkward silence lingered for a few more seconds, until Shadow looked down at his mug and murmured, almost without thinking, "You seem... different. What happened to you since that day?"

The jackal exhaled slowly, a tired smile twisting his lips. "It's a long story... but I can summarize it for you in a few words." He leaned back in the sofa, ticking off his fingers as if relating an absurd list. "A secret organization shot me, kidnapped me, they experimented on me to synthesize a brain-controlling drug, they drugged me, I almost got eaten by an acid-spitting cobra... and somehow I managed to get out of there with unexpected help, destroying the lab in the process."

Shadow looked at him silently, blinking. "What an unlickely story..."

Finn gave a short, bitter laugh. "Getting a taste of my own medicine knocked me down a few pegs. Not to mention the horrible withdrawal effects."

The hedgehog watched him closely, surprised by the ease with which he spoke. He tilted his head slightly, unsure whether he should feel curious or suspicious. "You're talking as if... you've already accepted it... losing all that power." Shadow said cautiously.

Finn shrugged, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. "I accepted it because I had no choice. Either I faced it, or it consumed me."

The silence stretched for a few seconds between them, thick but less hostile than before. Shadow took another sip of coffee, frowning; it really did taste bad by his standards.

Finn slowly settled Zero into his arms, swishing his long tail over him for amusement. He stared at him for a moment, then raised his eyes to Shadow's. "He's grown quite a bit." he said softly.

"Yes." Shadow replied briefly, watchful, even though his voice softened unintentionally.

"And what's he like? I mean… I didn't get to spend much time with him before, so…"

“He's usually a pretty calm baby.” Shadow replied, giving a small shrug. “Though he does have a temper when he wants something.”

Finn smiled, amused. “Hm… I wonder who he gets that from.”

Shadow fixed him with a dry look. “Ha…” he laughed sarcastically. “He's pretty strong for his age, too.”

“He probably gets that from you.”

“I'm sure he does, weakling.” Shadow snorted, though he later regretted saying it, considering how his feud with the jackal started. “…Sorry.”

Finn shrugged, reassured. “Hum, don't worry… It feels good to be able to talk to you like this, even if you still seem afraid of me.”

Shadow frowned for a second, shaking his head. “I'm not afraid of you. I could squash you under my foot if I wanted to.”

Finn tilted his head and offered a lopsided smile. “Hmmm, I wouldn’t mind that.” he joked cheekily.

Color surged across Shadow's cheeks. "Son of a...!" he snorted, clearly out of his element.

Finn burst into a hearty laugh, letting the sound fill the room. "Hahaha! You were always easy to piss off."

"Sonic says the same thing..." Shadow muttered, his red eyes filled with rage and embarrassment.

Finn turned slightly, curious. "Does he know about this deal?"

Shadow gulped. "I couldn't tell him..."

"What if he finds out?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.

"He won't." he said flatly.

"But what if..." he insisted, showing some concern.

"He won't!" the hedgehog repeated, more firmly, as if with each repetition he calmed his own nervousness.

There was a brief silence. Finn looked at him more calmly. "Well... it's fine. It's your problem. I just don't want him to get mad at you because of me."

Shadow raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Why do you care?"

"He makes you happy, and he makes Zero happy." he replied. "I can admit he's a good guy. Better than me, at least. Can't I ship you?" he finished with a joking gesture.

The hedgehog choked on his horrible coffee. "Ship... w-what?" His voice cracked, and the red color rose to his cheeks again.

Finn twirled a finger in the air with a mocking smile. "Yay... Sonadow." he said, in an equally mocking tone.

"Ugh." Shadow snorted, bringing a hand to his face. "You're insufferable in a totally different way than before."

"And you're so easy to tease." he said as he tickled Zero's face with the tip of his tail, who let out a small chirp in response.

The morning had passed so quickly that Shadow didn't notice. Now he was standing by the apartment door, ready to leave. Before handing Zero over, the jackal hugged him goodbye. The baby let out a happy little squeal and gently tugged at his scarf. Then he carefully returned him to Shadow's arms.

"Before you go…" Finn began, scratching the back of his neck, "you should prepare for when his other teeth start coming in. Canines bite everything they find: shoes, furniture, even hands if you're careless. Give him hard things, toys to chew on, so he doesn't ruin anything." he said with a half smile.

Shadow looked at him silently, processing the advice with a seriousness that contrasted with the domestic nature of the matter. "I'll keep that in mind."

"We'll be in touch." Finn finally said, taking a step back.

Shadow nodded with a small nod, turning to leave. As he walked down the hallway with Zero snuggled against his chest, he could feel the jackal's gaze following them until they turned the corner.

Finn stood in the doorway for a few more seconds, leaning against the frame, his expression wistful, before slowly closing the door.

Chapter Text

The mid-morning air was warm, filled with the sounds of a city slowly coming to life. Shadow walked in silence, holding Zero securely against his chest, gently rocking him with each step. The hoglet made sleepy little sounds, sucking on one of his tiny fingers.

Shadow couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened. The image of Finn holding the baby, that look of tenderness on his face—it clashed so violently with the memory of the jackal who had once kept him prisoner. What the hell am I doing? he thought, clenching his jaw. He didn’t understand why he’d allowed that closeness, or why he’d felt a strange flicker of relief seeing that Finn was capable of something that resembled a heart.

His instincts screamed that he should hate him, reject him, keep him as far away as possible. But another part of him—the part he didn’t understand—couldn’t shake the image of Finn cradling Zero like he was some kind of treasure he never wanted to let go of.

“Tsk… ridiculous.” he muttered, shaking his head as if that could clear away the confusion haunting him.

That’s when a familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Shads!” Sonic came speeding around the corner, sweaty and breathless from his morning run. When he spotted them, he slowed down until he was walking beside him. “Oh, hey, I was just heading back. Figured I’d run into you on your way to the kindergarten.”

Shadow gave him a sidelong glance, trying to keep his composure. “Hmph. Here I am.”

Sonic grinned, wiping his forehead with his arm. “Good. We can go pick up Dash together. Bet he’s counting the minutes till we get there.”

The dark hedgehog nodded quietly, tightening his hold on Zero. The baby cracked one sleepy eye open at the sound of Sonic’s voice and waved a tiny hand toward him.

“Hey there, little guy.” Sonic said, leaning closer to tickle his belly. “Were you good for Papa Shads?”

Shadow looked away, trying to hide the tightness in his chest. “He’s always good.”

As they made their way toward the kindergarten, Sonic filled the silence with lighthearted stories from his run. Shadow nodded every now and then, but his mind was still tangled in confusion, the secret he was keeping, and the inevitable question of how much longer he could hide it.

When they reached the building’s entrance, the bell had already rung and groups of kids were comming out through the main doors. Some ran straight into their parents’ arms, others trudged along dragging backpacks bigger than themselves.

Dash was among the first to appear, his yellow hat a little crooked and his light-blue apron covered in paint stains. The moment he spotted Sonic and Shadow, his eyes lit up and he bolted toward them.

“Daaads!” he shouted excitedly, throwing himself into Sonic’s arms. Sonic laughed, lifting him up and spinning him through the air before resting him on his hip.

“Alright, tell us, how was your first day, Dashy?”

“First, first! I was scared ‘cause I thought nobody was gonna like me, but everyone was super nice and we played a lot!” the little one blurted out, waving his hands around as he spoke faster and faster. “And—and—we painted this huuuuge picture with our hands! I painted a dragon!”

“Oh, so cool!” Sonic said, listening with genuine excitement as they walked back home. Shadow, still holding Zero, watched quietly, nodding here and there. His expressions were more restrained than Sonic’s, but there was a faint light in his eyes every time Dash’s voice rose in excitement.

“Did you make any new friends?” Sonic asked, giving him a gentle nudge to keep talking.

“Umm… not sure.” Dash said, looking a bit uncertain.

Sonic ruffled his quills. “That’s okay, kiddo. These things take time, you’ll get to know everyone soon. What matters is you were brave and tried something new.”

The hoglet smiled proudly and reached out for Shadow, who carefully took him into his arm while still holding Zero with the other, somehow managing a perfect balance between both kids. Dash looked straight at him.

“Daddy? Are you gonna bring me here tomorrow too?”

Shadow nodded, serious but warm. The boy nestled against him, content, as the three of them headed home together.

The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the burrow’s windows. Dash jumped out of bed and bolted into the living room with a wide grin.

“Daddy! Can we go already?!” he asked, still barefoot, glove-less, and with his quills sticking out in every direction.

Sonic was already awake, rocking Zero in his arms. The baby babbled sleepily, playing with a few loose quills from the blue hedgehog.

"Look who’s up early." Sonic laughed, seeing Dash walk over. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah! And I dreamed I was flying!"

Shadow appeared from the bedroom at that moment, moving with his usual calm steps, his quills also a bit messy. He observed the scene silently at first, though he allowed himself a small smile at Dash’s excitement.

"Better than my dreams..." he commented quietly, taking a seat.

"What did you dream about, Dad?" Dash asked curiously as he sat down.

Shadow took a moment to think before answering. "...ugly things."

"Did you dream about Daddy or something?" the hoglet said, trying to be funny.

"Hey!" Sonic protested, pretending to be offended and startling Zero a little. Both Shadow and Dash burst out laughing.

Breakfast was simple but lively. Sonic made toast and fruit, while Dash, between bites, recounted other things he remembered from the previous day: the games in the playard, the songs they had learned, and even how a kid had fallen off his chair and everyone laughed.

"And you, what did you do yesterday?" Sonic asked Zero, trying to get the baby to taste a bit of vegetable baby food. Zero pressed his mouth shut in protest and turned his head away, making Sonic laugh.

"He likes the meat ones." Shadow murmured, taking another bite of toast as he watched.

The calm was broken by a short bip: Shadow’s communicator buzzing on the table. He picked it up and checked the message, frowning slightly.

"Who is it?" Sonic asked, noticing the change in his expression.

"Topaz. They need me at the base for a meeting."

Dash looked up, a little worried. "Do you have to go now, Dad?"

Shadow nodded, standing up. "I’ll see you later. Have a good day at school." He walked to the door, put on his shoes, and ran his hands through his quills in front of a small mirror to look at least somewhat presentable.

Sonic followed him to the doorway, holding Zero. "If anything serious comes up, don’t hesitate to call me."

Shadow slipped on his gloves without looking directly at him. "I know. But they said it’s just a follow-up meeting."

Dash ran over to say goodbye and clung to Shadow’s leg. "Have a good day, Dad! Love you!" The dark hedgehog gently ruffled his head before heading out the door toward G.U.N.

When he entered the high-security building, he spotted Agent Topaz stepping through the metal detector. He approached to go through it as well, taking the chance to ask her a few questions.

“Hi. Any idea what this meeting’s about?”

“Hey, Shadow. No, I wasn’t told anything. The commander just said it was urgent.” the woman replied, grabbing her things from the conveyor belt. The hedgehog did the same and walked down the hallway beside her toward the briefing room. He didn’t have to wear his uniform unless he was heading out on a mission, which saved a lot of time.

The meeting room was lit by cold white lamps, with a long metal table at its center. Several monitors displayed maps of different regions, red dots blinking across various locations. Shadow wondered what it all meant as he took a seat next to Rouge and Omega, who were already there.

“You’re late, handsome.” Rouge teased with a half-smile, lounging back in her chair. “Couldn’t let go of the sheets, huh?” She reached out to smooth down one of his stray quills.

“They called me on short notice.” Shadow replied flatly, crossing his arms.

Commander Tower, seated at the head of the table with his usual stern expression, cleared his throat and began once all the relevant agents had arrived. “Alright. As you know, we still haven’t located Dr. Eggman. The last reports on his whereabouts were false. Our satellites haven’t detected any activity in his old bases.”

Omega’s metallic voice broke the silence. “CONCLUSION: EGGMAN IS HIDING LIKE THE COWARDLY RAT HE IS.”

Rouge sighed, shifting in her seat to rest her head on one hand. “Whatever the case, I don’t like it. When the doc goes quiet for this long, it means he’s cooking up something big.”

“I agree.” Tower added. “We need to be ready. Shadow, you’ll be part of the secondary tracking team. If we pick up any leads, you’ll be among the first deployed.”

Shadow nodded without argument. “Understood.”

The meeting dragged on with the same tension: false reports, villager rumors, empty bases. The frustration in the room was almost palpable. When it finally ended, Commander Tower dismissed everyone, and the agents began filing out the door.

As Rouge stretched after sitting for so long, she turned to Shadow. “Sweetheart, have you thought about what we talked about a few weeks ago…?”

Shadow raised a brow. “Not this again—the psychologist thing?”

“Yes, this again. And it’s not just me.” Rouge replied, suddenly serious. “Even Omega and Tower agree you need it.”

That was when Tower, who was still in the room, cut in with a firm voice. “And it’s not a suggestion, Agent Shadow. That’s a direct order. The psychologist working with G.U.N. has experience with cases like yours. I’ll send you his contact info—the appointment’s already scheduled.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Shadow clenched his jaw. “You got Tower involved in this?” he said, glaring at the bat.

“I had to. If it were up to you, you’d keep pushing the date back forever.” she scolded, placing her hands on her hips.

“The appointment details have been sent to your communicator.” Tower added before walking out the door. Shadow gave a curt nod, knowing he had no way out of it.

Rouge gave him a soft, triumphant look. “You’ll see—it’s not as bad as you think, hun.”

Shadow left the briefing room with a deep frown and quick steps. The moment he reached the hallway, his communicator buzzed: a new notification. He frowned even harder as he read it. “Appointment scheduled: Dr. Reinhardt. 1:30 PM. Annex Office, East Wing.”

He let out a sharp breath through his nose. He hated when people made decisions for him, especially about something that personal.

He stopped by the G.U.N. cafeteria, got in line, ordered a light lunch—black coffee and an egg-and-tuna sandwich—and sat alone at a table by the window. Just as he took his first sip, he heard the unmistakable click of Rouge’s heels approaching. Omega followed close behind, his heavy, metallic steps echoing through the room.

“Can’t you see I want to be alone?” Shadow growled without looking up.

Rouge plopped down across from him with a playful smile. “Oh, come on, hun. Don’t be like that. We just came to keep you company.”

Omega took a seat as well, the chair groaned under his weight, but somehow didn’t break. “ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, 98% OF SUBJECTS WHO EAT ALONE END UP MORE IRRITATED. OUR PRESENCE IS BENEFICIAL.”

Shadow shot him a glare. “Source?”

“TRUST ME, BRO.” Omega replied, attempting a joke.

Rouge rested her chin on her hand, watching Shadow tenderly. “What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?”

Shadow looked away toward his coffee cup.

“I only told the commander because I care.” she said softly, for once dropping her usual teasing tone. “I don’t like seeing you carry everything on your own. You’re not made of stone, Shadow. I know you better than that.”

Silence hung between the three of them, broken only by the faint hum of Omega adjusting his internal systems. Shadow sighed, resigned. “I’m still mad at you, Rouge.”

She smiled gently. “I’m not expecting you to forgive me right now. But how about giving me a chance? We could… I don’t know, hang out a little. Like old times.”

Shadow raised a skeptical brow. “What are you suggesting?”

“How about we get together this weekend? No work, no missions. Just food, maybe a movie. What do you say? Jasper’s been asking to see Dash, and the kids could play together.”

“Why’d you say ‘kids’ twice? Oh… right. You meant Sonic and Knuckles.” He smirked a little.

Omega raised a metal hand. “I WILL SELECT THE BEST RECENT ROMANTIC COMEDIES TO PLEASE SHADOW.”

Rouge laughed with a wink. “So? What do you say?”

Shadow looked at her for a few seconds. The irritation hadn’t completely faded, but Rouge’s warm persistence was wearing him down. Finally, he exhaled and gave a small nod. “Fine. But only because Omega’s picking the movies.”

Rouge grinned victoriously, lifting her coffee cup in a mock toast. “Then it’s settled. Dinner at my place this weekend.”

Omega raised his metal hand again. “CONFIRMED. I WILL BRING REFRESHMENTS FOR THE MEATBAGS. AND HEAVY ARTILLERY, JUST IN CASE.”

“Uh… I don’t think—” Shadow started.

Omega’s eyes flickered. “TOO LATE. ORDER ALREADY PLACED ON CHAOMART.”

“Omega…” Shadow growled, but this time, beneath it all, there was the faintest trace of a smile.

After finishing his lunch, he left the cafeteria without looking back. The corridor leading to the external offices was quieter, away from the hustle and bustle of the agents. A metal plaque with engraved letters read: “Psychological Consulting – Dr. Reinhardt.” Shadow stopped in front of the door, frowned, and stood there for several seconds. Part of him wanted to turn on his heels and leave.

He forced himself to knock.

“Come in.” replied a male voice, deep but calm, from inside.

Shadow opened the door and found a spacious but sober office: cream-colored walls, a large window with open curtains, and light wooden furniture. There was a comfortable sofa in front of a desk, and in the corner, a coat rack held a gray coat. Sitting behind the desk was Dr. Reinhardt, a dark blue Scottish Terrier with thick eyebrows and a mustache that partially hid his face, wearing a white shirt with a red sweater, writing in an open notebook.

“Ah, Mr. Shadow. Just in time. Please, sit wherever you feel most comfortable.”

Shadow entered cautiously, closing the door behind him. He didn’t move, surveying the place as if evaluating an ambush.

“I’m not here because I want to be.” he muttered.

“I know.” Reinhardt said without flinching. “You’re here because you were ordered to. And even if you don’t like it, that’s fine. The important thing is that you’ve taken the first step.”

The hedgehog huffed and finally dropped onto the sofa farthest from the desk, crossing his arms.

“Don’t expect me to talk much.”

“I don’t need you to talk much.” he replied calmly. “I just need what you say to be honest.”

There was a silence. Reinhardt watched him calmly, not pressuring him, while making quick notes. Shadow averted his gaze, uncomfortable, drumming his fingers on his arm.

“Shall we start with something simple?” the doctor suggested. “How are you feeling today?”

Shadow glanced at him sideways, letting out a low growl. “Annoyed.”

“Good. That’s a start.” Reinhardt said, giving a slight professional smile as he made another note.

The hedgehog closed his eyes for a few seconds, remaining there, uncomfortable, caught between obligation and a curiosity he didn’t want to admit. He didn’t like doctors and thought all this psychology stuff was a waste of time, but he also wanted to see if he could clear up the doubts he felt.

The doctor waited in silence, giving him space, until he continued in a calm tone.

“When you feel annoyed… what do you usually do to calm yourself?”

Shadow opened his eyes slightly. “It depends. I train, go running, watch TV, tend my garden.”

“Those are fairly healthy activities.” Reinhardt nodded. “I suppose you don’t like being inactive for too long.”

The hedgehog only responded with a short huff, still tense. Reinhardt kept the same calm tone, without pressing.

“I don’t need you to talk about difficult things yet. We can start with what you enjoy, with the everyday. The important thing is that you feel comfortable here.”

Shadow looked at him sideways. After a pause, he looked down to avoid the doctor’s gaze. “Can I… ask you a question?”

The doctor didn’t change his expression, only tilted his head slightly, inviting him to continue. “Of course, I’ll do my best to answer. What would it be?”

The hedgehog took a deep breath, leaning slightly forward while holding his own hands to anchor himself. It shouldn’t matter what the doctor thought of him, right? He was just a stranger, and nothing he said could leave this office. He’s bound by confidentiality.

“I’m… confused.” he said, not knowing exactly how to begin, but needing to unload everything that happened today. “I don’t know what I feel… recently… I encountered someone who hurt me a lot, and I hate him… or at least I try to… but when I try, I just… can’t… I freeze, and I don’t know why. It’s… it’s like I have no control over myself, and that scares me. I’d like him to pay for everything he did to me… but… I’m afraid that if I did something wrong again, I could make everything worse, not just for myself, but for others too.”

Reinhardt paused briefly after listening. His tone remained calm, showing neither surprise nor judgment. “Thank you for trusting me with that, Shadow.” he said calmly, nodding slightly. “It’s not easy to put something so intense into words. What you’re describing… is an understandable conflict. When someone deeply hurts us, we often feel contradictory emotions, even a certain paralysis. That doesn’t mean you’re weak or that there’s something ‘wrong’ with you; it means your body and mind are still trying to process something very painful.” The doctor leaned in just a bit, keeping his voice low. “It’s normal to feel hate and, at the same time, feel unable to act accordingly. Sometimes anger mixes with fear, or with reactivated memories. Part of you may want justice, while another part seeks to protect you from further harm. That ambivalence doesn’t make you less strong; it shows that your emotional system is complex and trying to take care of you, even if it feels confusing.” He gave Shadow a moment to digest the words before continuing. “What we can do here is explore those sensations together. We can slowly untangle that mix of emotions, understand where each feeling comes from, and find safe ways to ensure they don’t control you. Here, you’re in a place without judgment, and everything you say stays between us.” The doctor maintained eye contact for a moment, then looked away to avoid pressuring him. “When you think of the person who hurt you, what’s the first thing that comes to your body? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, just observe it.”

Shadow listened carefully as he spoke, but when the conversation returned to him, he didn’t know how to continue. “I… I’m not sure.” he said, thinking deeper. “I feel anger, but also insecurity. I spent six months alone with him; he was my only real contact during that time. I feel like I can’t act against him. I… I know… it doesn’t make sense…” he admitted, lowering his ears.

The doctor nodded slowly. “It actually makes a lot of sense.” he said softly. “You were isolated, and that person was your only contact with the outside world for months. Even if he hurt you, your mind and body created a kind of bond with him because you needed to survive. That’s not unusual; it’s a common response when someone spends time in a situation of control or dependence. That mix of anger and insecurity shows that part of you wants to protect yourself while another part is still processing what you went through. It doesn’t mean you approve of what happened, nor that you are forever tied to that person. It means your brain learned to survive in a very harsh context and now needs to relearn that you’re no longer in that situation.”

The hedgehog didn’t dare lift his gaze from his lap while listening. “The point is… I don’t know if I want to act against him.” he said, shaking his head and closing his eyes tightly. “I just… just want my life back… for everything to go back to normal. I made a deal with him, so I wouldn’t have to see him again, so he wouldn’t approach my family. At the time, it seemed reasonable, but I don’t know if I did the right thing.”

When Shadow finished, the doctor’s tone became warmer, almost empathetic. “I can understand why you made that decision. After going through something so exhausting, sometimes the reasonable thing isn’t to seek justice or revenge, but simply to find peace.” he said, leaning back slightly in his chair, keeping a reflective tone. “There’s no single ‘right’ way to act after something like that, but it was a choice that allowed you to regain some control amid the chaos. What would it mean for you for everything to ‘return to normal’?”

“I… I’d like to feel safe again… and not make any more mistakes. Everything… all the bad things that happen are always my fault…” he said, clenching his fists on his knees.

“I hear that you feel very responsible for everything that happened. That feeling that ‘everything is my fault’ is very common after traumatic or abusive situations. It’s a way the mind tries to explain what happened, to give order to something that was actually chaotic and unfair. But feeling it doesn’t mean it’s true.” He paused, maintaining eye contact briefly. “You didn’t choose to be hurt. You didn’t choose to be in that situation. You survived as best you could. And surviving is never a mistake. On the contrary: surviving is an enormous display of strength. It’s normal to want to feel safe again. That’s a very healthy goal. And to achieve it, you don’t need to be perfect or never ‘make mistakes’ again. What you need is to slowly rebuild trust in yourself and your environment. That’s worked on step by step, and you don’t have to do it alone. Would you like to start there? By looking together at whether the guilt you feel is real or just the weight left by the situation?”

“But it was my fault!” he shouted, suddenly standing and approaching the desk with firm steps. “My sister died because of me, because of what I am! I tried to destroy the world and that caused me to lose my memory! I let a monster manipulate me to try to destroy the world again!” He slammed the desk with his palms. “And the pinnacle of my mistakes was creating one of the strongest villains this world has ever seen; many lost their lives, Sonic… Sonic almost… because of me! And I… it’s almost as if everything I do in life comes back to bite me…”

Reinhardt didn’t flinch when Shadow hit the desk, didn’t look away, but didn’t challenge him either. He kept his tone calm and deep, letting the intensity of the moment have space. “Shadow.” he said slowly, with a deep but gentle voice. “I can see how much pain you’re carrying. Everything you’re saying, all this anger, this guilt… these aren’t small things. They’re enormous. And you’ve been carrying them alone for a long time.” The doctor placed his hands on the desk, not to interrupt, but in a calming gesture. “First, I want you to know that I’m not afraid of your anger or your words. You’re not doing anything wrong here. This is a space for you to let it out.” He paused briefly, then continued. “What you’re telling me has many layers: you feel guilty for decisions you made, for things that happened to others, for what they did to you. But something very important: being manipulated, used, or physically hurt… none of that is your fault. That is abuse. That is violence. And guilt always lays with the aggressor, not the victim. Surviving all that does not make you guilty.” His tone softened even more. “We can start slowly separating what was really your decision from what others did to you, so you don’t have to carry everything as if it were your fault.”

The hedgehog exhaled sharply, confused. “I… I… how is that going to help me? I still think it’s my fault.”

The doctor kept his gaze calm, voice very low, almost as if helping Shadow come down from the intensity. “That’s a very good question… and it’s normal not to see it clearly yet.” he said slowly. “When one has experienced so much pain, guilt sticks so tightly it seems part of oneself. And when I say separating things, it’s not to suddenly convince you it wasn’t your fault. It’s so your mind and body can slowly see the nuances, that not all that weight belongs to you. Think of it this way: if you carry a backpack full of stones, some yours and some put there by others, no matter how strong you are, it’s going to weigh you down. I propose we open that backpack together and see which stones really belong to you and which don’t. It’s not magic, it’s not fast. But with every stone you discover isn’t yours, the backpack gets a little lighter. And that relief, that feeling of being able to breathe… that’s what will help you regain your life.” He paused briefly. “Do you want to try with just one of those stones? One situation you feel guilty about that we can look at together?”

The hedgehog, who had been staring at him, relaxed his shoulders and returned to his seat. “All right…”

“Good… thank you for trusting me with this and for sitting back down.” he said calmly. “No rush. We can go slowly. Think of one of the moments that gives you the most guilt, the first that comes to mind. You don’t have to give me all the details now; just name it. Let’s look at it together and try to understand where the guilt comes from.”

Shadow closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, not needing to think much. “…María’s death.”

Reinhardt nodded slowly, without interrupting, letting the name float respectfully in the air. “That’s a huge loss. And I understand it’s one of the deepest wounds you carry.” He paused briefly, breathing slowly to keep a calm rhythm. “When someone important dies under traumatic circumstances, it’s very common for the mind to look for explanations and end up saying ‘it’s my fault.’ It’s a way to try to make sense of something that was really unjust and chaotic. That guilt can feel very real, even if it wasn’t. Why do you feel María’s death was your fault? In your memory, what happened that makes you think that if you had done something differently, she would still be alive?”

He lifted his head to look the doctor in the eyes and replied firmly. “She was sick. I was created for her… to heal her… to protect her… G.U.N. was there to capture me, and she protected me… If I had surrendered, she wouldn’t… it was my fault, they shot her because of me…”

When Shadow finished, the doctor breathed slowly before responding, with a warm and firm voice. “I understand why you feel that, Shadow. You were created with a very specific purpose, to take care of her, and that gave you enormous responsibility from the start. But I want you to hear this carefully: for someone to die protecting us is an immense pain, and it’s normal that it awakens guilt. But her decision to protect you was not your ‘mistake.’ It was her act of love, and the violence came from others. Guilt belongs to the one who pulled the trigger, not to you. When you think of María now, can you imagine what she would tell you if she could see you carrying this guilt?”

Shadow smiled sadly. “…She’d tell me I’m being silly.”

Reinhardt gave a small, sad smile, not mocking, but full of understanding. “Being able to recognize that means there’s a part of you that knows this guilt doesn’t entirely belong to you. That part is there, even if small, trying to be heard. Now, to make that voice stronger, let’s do something very simple. I want you to think of a single phrase you can repeat to yourself when guilt strikes. It can be something you believe María would tell you, or something you want to say to yourself. For example: ‘I survived, and it wasn’t my fault.’ or ‘What they did doesn’t define me.’ Something that’s yours, that feels true. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Do you have a phrase in mind?”

The hedgehog laughed with some irony. “I always say I’m the ultimate life form… but I’m not perfect… Is that okay as a phrase?”

The elder smiled slightly and nodded slowly. “Yes… that’s very good.” he replied gently. “It’s a very personal phrase, and that’s why it has power. ‘I’m the ultimate life form… but I’m not perfect’ isn’t a contradiction; it’s a reminder that being strong doesn’t mean not feeling, not making mistakes, or not suffering. Every time guilt strikes, you can say that phrase. It will help you remember you don’t have to carry everything or do everything perfectly to be valuable.”

The doctor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “We can stay with this feeling a bit longer, breathing and acknowledging that you’ve released some weight, or we can slowly move on to other memories or emotions you want to look at. The important thing is to go at your pace.”

Shadow hesitated, looking away to the sides. “I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about what happened with Infinite… because it’s still very fresh in my memory, but it’s what bothers me the most right now.”

Reinhardt nodded understandingly, keeping his calm, respectful tone.“That’s fine.” he said softly. “We can start slowly, maybe first talking about how it makes you feel in your body or mind, without needing to recount all the details. For example, when you think about what happened with Infinite, what weighs on you the most right now? Fear, anger, helplessness…? Just what comes to mind.”

Shadow clasped his hands and fiddled with his fingers nervously.

“I feel… guilt again. They were mercenaries, but I always think that if I hadn’t killed his team, if I hadn’t hit or insulted him, or maybe if I hadn’t spared his life, he wouldn’t have become corrupted that way and wouldn’t have hurt so many people, my friends, Sonic… me.”

“Shadow… what you’re feeling now is called hindsight guilt. It’s the tendency we have, after a tragedy, to revisit every moment thinking, ‘if I had done this differently, everything would be different.’” The doctor rested his hands gently on his knees, keeping his gaze. “But you didn’t create Infinite. You’re not responsible for the decisions he made afterward. You were doing your job, making tough decisions in the middle of chaos. You may have hit him, insulted him, or spared his life, but the corruption he chose… that didn’t come from you. That was his choice. Responsibility is not the same as control: you didn’t control his mind or his fate.”

“I didn’t control his fate, but I did have a hand in it!” he said, clenching his fists. “I feel like I pushed him to make those decisions.”

He lowered his gaze slightly, nodding very slowly. “It’s understandable that you feel that way,” he said in a calm voice. “When we are close to someone in a critical moment, and that person later falls apart, our mind makes us believe that we pushed them. It’s a very strong brain mechanism to try to make sense of what happened. But influencing a single moment is one thing, and deciding for that person is another. That’s something you couldn’t control, even if you had wanted to.”

He looked down slightly, nodding slowly. “All right… ‘I’m the ultimate life form… but I’m not perfect.’” he repeated his phrase to ease guilt and held his head with his hands to force a change of topic. “When I think about him now… I don’t know… it’s so complicated. I feel a kind of fear and compliance toward him, even though I know he can’t hurt me anymore. Is that stupid?”

“No.” he said gently. “Sometimes, after experiences where someone hurt us, we can feel fear toward that person even when they no longer pose a danger. And along with fear can come compliance, because your mind learned to survive that relationship through attention and submission to minimize harm. It’s not something you consciously chose, nor does it mean you’re weak or stupid. It’s a normal reaction to extreme control and abuse situations.” The doctor breathed slowly, maintaining eye contact for a moment before continuing. “We can work so those sensations lose intensity, so your fear and compliance no longer control you. And we’ll do it slowly, step by step, always at your pace.”

“What can I do?” he asked, looking up.

Reinhardt nodded gently. “All right, let’s do it slowly.” he said. “First, I want you to sit comfortably, feet on the floor, hands relaxed on your legs. Take a moment to notice your posture and feel the contact with the chair and the ground.”

Shadow adjusted as instructed and nodded once he was ready.

“Now, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose… and exhale slowly through your mouth. Again, inhale… and exhale… Feel how your body moves with each breath.”

He began to breathe in a controlled manner.

“When you feel your breathing has stabilized a bit, let’s notice any sensation of fear or tension appearing in your body. Imagine that emotion as separate from you, like a cloud in front of you. You are not it, just something your body remembers. With each breath, that cloud can move a little farther away, and you remain safe, sitting, breathing.”

He tried it and thought it was working for a moment, but then everything became suddenly overwhelming and he only ended up agitated. “I-I can’t…”

“That’s okay, Shadow… it’s fine.” he said slowly. “When something is very fresh or intense, trying to separate it from you can trigger anxiety or fear. It doesn’t mean you failed; it means your body is still processing. We can just focus on your breathing right now.”

The hedgehog interrupted, on the verge of a panic attack. “I-I… I can’t, not anymore… enough for today…”

Reinhardt reacted calmly but immediately, showing no alarm that could increase his anxiety. “That’s fine, Shadow… we’ll handle this step by step.” he said. “The first thing is to remind your body that it’s safe now. Sit well, feet firmly on the floor, one hand on your chest, the other on your stomach. Just feel your breathing and the contact of your hands with your body. We can do another grounding exercise while you breathe: name aloud something you can see, something you can touch, something you can hear, something you can smell, and something you can taste. That helps your mind return to the present.”

While trying to calm his breathing, he looked around frantically until he could gather enough breath to respond. “P-painting… ah… hair… ah… clock… perfume… coffee…” he continued naming things until he calmed down, taking a deep breath.

The doctor nodded gently, with a calm, comforting expression. “Very good, Shadow… you did perfectly.” he said. “Today you’ve already taken very important steps. That’s all progress. We can end the session for today.”

Shadow took his time to breathe, and when fully calm, he stood with effort. “Do I have to come back another day…?” he asked, discouraged.

“Yes… it would be highly recommended that you come back.” he said. “And surely the Commander would order it. Shall we schedule these sessions for Fridays after lunch?”

The hedgehog nodded calmly.

“Remember everything we discussed today, and the exercises we said would help you.” the doctor finally said. “We’ll see each other next Friday.”

“Yes… see you then.” he said, leaving silently and closing the door behind him.

Chapter Text

The hallway was silent when Shadow stepped out of the office. He closed the door quietly, without looking back, and leaned against the wall for a moment. His body felt heavy, as if all his energy had been drained away.

He walked down the corridor toward the exit in silence, eyes lowered. The doctor’s words kept echoing in his mind: “Not all that weight belongs to you.” He wasn’t sure if he believed it, but for the first time in a long while, the idea didn’t seem impossible.

The afternoon air greeted him with a mild breeze as he stepped through the main doors. He took a deep breath and headed home, where his family was waiting for him. When he entered, the soft creak of the door announced his arrival. Sonic was sitting on the living room floor, surrounded by scattered blocks and toys, playing with Dash and Zero, whose laughter filled the room with a warm, homely feeling. Shadow took off his shoes, placing them neatly by the door, and walked toward them, trying to keep his composure.

“Hey!” Sonic greeted, glancing up with a warm smile while helping Dash stack a tower of blocks. “That was a long meeting. How’d it go?”

“50/50” Shadow replied, his brow furrowed and his voice heavy with fatigue.

Sonic studied him with mild concern. “…You look… rough. What happened?”

“Tower forced me to see a therapist.” he muttered, ears dropping and shoulders slightly hunched, his discomfort showing.

“Oh… but didn’t you say you were thinking about going anyway?” Sonic asked, his tone softening.

“Yeah… I was considering it. I just didn’t expect to be dragged there out of nowhere!” Shadow raised his voice, a flash of frustration breaking through.

“Woah! Calm down.” Sonic said, raising his hands in a pacifying gesture.

The kids jumped at the sudden change in tone, and Zero began to babble, waving his little arms.

“Sorry… I’m just… overwhelmed.” Shadow said, sinking down beside Sonic, his posture heavy with the weight of the day.

Sonic gently placed a hand on Shadow’s knee. “It’s okay…”

Silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of the kids playing and the occasional clatter of falling blocks. Shadow took a slow breath, and after a quiet pause, let a lighter bit of news slip from his lips. “Rouge invited us to Angel Island tomorrow.”

“Really?” Sonic raised his eyebrows, surprised. “Does Knuckles know?”

“What do you think?” Shadow replied, a faint smile curving his lips for the first time in hours.

“Hehehe… alright.” Sonic chuckled, turning to Dash. “You hear that, Dashy? You’re gonna see Jasper!”

Dash’s eyes lit up instantly, filled with excitement, and he threw himself onto Zero, hugging him tight. Zero squealed and waved his arms with joy, as if he understood that something exciting was happening.

Shadow watched them in silence, allowing himself a rare moment of peace as he felt the weight of the day begin to ease, replaced by a spark of anticipation and an unexpected calm.

The night was quiet, and the house was in silence under the faint moonlight slipping through the curtains. Shadow stirred in bed, his breathing uneven, his body drenched in cold sweat. With a shaky sigh, he woke up and, without thinking twice, scooted closer to Sonic, seeking silent comfort.

“Hmm? Shads…” murmured Sonic, half-awake as he gently wrapped his arms around him. “Shh… it’s okay, I’m here…”

Shadow rested his head against Sonic’s chest, letting silent tears roll down his cheeks. He cried without a word, without a sound, until little by little his breathing steadied and his body began to relax. Sonic held him firmly yet tenderly, softly brushing his quills, the same way he always did whenever Shadow had nightmares. There was no need to talk about them. Shadow never wanted to, and Sonic knew that. His presence alone was enough, warm and grounding. That night, like so many before, Shadow finally drifted back to sleep, calmer than when he had awakened.

The morning at home was full of movement. Sonic darted back and forth, checking bags and making sure everything was ready for their trip to Angel Island, while Shadow sat quietly on the couch, sipping his coffee and watching in silence. After the rough night he’d had, Sonic decided to give him some space to rest and recover before the chaos began.

“All right” Sonic said, adjusting the last food bag. “The stuff we’re taking is packed. Zero’s diaper bag too.” He double-checked a few more things. “Dash, if you’re bringing something, speak now or forever hold your peace. I don’t wanna hear complaints once we’re there.”

“Yes, Daddy!” Dash replied, lifting his backpack with excitement. “I just wanna take my sketchbook and crayons! I like drawing with Jasper!”

“Perfect, then I think we’re all set to go.” Sonic said, turning toward the dark hedgehog. “Whenever you’re ready, Shads.”

Shadow slowly stood up from the couch, pulling the green Chaos Emerald from his quills. He held it firmly, focusing as he murmured, “Chaos Control.”

In an instant, the world around them vanished and they reappeared on Angel Island, right in front of the Master Emerald’s altar. Knuckles was lounging on the upper steps, and when he saw them appear, he straightened up with a grin.

“Oh, will you look at that, a blue pest has landed onto my island.” the echidna said with a mischievous smile.

“You forgot ‘handsome'!” Sonic yelled from below, laughing.

Suddenly, a white bat swooped down from atop the Master Emerald. “Dash!” Jasper shouted, flying straight toward the other child and hugging him tightly.

“Hahaha! I missed you, Jas!” Dash laughed, wrapping his arms around his friend as they both giggled with joy.

Rouge appeared from the nearby house, walking toward them with her usual elegant stride.

“I’m glad you could make it, boys” she said with a smile.

“Hey, Rouge!” Sonic greeted, throwing an arm over her shoulder with a playful grin. “Why don’t we ditch these two grumps and go do something fun?”

“I’d love to, Blue” she said dramatically, “but I promised my Shadzy we’d spend the day together.”

Shadow rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed. “Where’s Omega?”

“He should be here any minute.” Rouge replied, relaxing her posture as she watched the kids running around, thrilled to be reunited. The island air was fresh and full of life, the Master Emerald glowing softly under the sun. “Come on, let’s chat inside while we wait for Omega.”

Rouge entered the house, Shadow following close behind, and he closed the door behind them. “Let’s leave Blue and Red to handle the kids and the food. Knuckles said he wanted to try a new recipe anyway.” She walked over to the couch, sat down gracefully, and let out a soft sigh as she looked at Shadow carefully. “How did yesterday go? You look exhausted.”

Shadow sank down beside her, the weight of the day pressing down on him once again. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Rouge clicked the remote and started scrolling through the movie options. Without looking away from the screen, she said, “Well, Omega sent me his movie picks. I don’t think he’ll mind if we start without him.”

The screen lit up with a lighthearted romantic comedy, a story about two very different people who fall in love against all odds. The soft sounds and warm glow of the room created a cozy atmosphere, and for a moment, silence filled the space completely.

After half an hour, Shadow finally broke the quiet, his voice low and heavy with worry. “I think… I did something really stupid…”

“Hmm?” Rouge murmured, calm but fully attentive, letting him speak while her eyes stayed on the screen.

“Infinite’s alive… and I made contact with him.”

Rouge’s expression tensed as she turned to him, disbelief in her voice. “…Excuse me… what?”

Shadow looked back at her, sadness clouding his eyes, and finally took a breath to explain. “Some guy was following us. I cornered him, and he gave me his client’s address. When I went there, I ran into Infinite… well, he goes by Finn now.” He shook his head. “Thing is, he was… different. I don’t know how to explain it. He wasn’t the jackal I remembered. It was like he’d been hit by a truck and somehow survived death, which, from what he told me, isn’t far from the truth… Anyway… I know I should’ve torn him apart right then and there, but… I froze. Me! And stupidly, I ended up making a deal with him so I wouldn’t have to see him again.”

“Oh, for Gaia’s sake, Shadow… what did you do?” Rouge said, her face tight with concern.

“I let him see Zero. Just once. And I told him I’d keep him updated about his life so he wouldn’t ask to see him again. And… I don’t even know why I did it. The doctor said it was a normal response after everything I went through in captivity, but… I don’t know. I feel like an idiot. And if Sonic ever finds out… I don’t even want to imagine what’ll happen. I feel awful keeping something like this from him, but I’m scared of ruining the peace I’m finally getting back. And I know that if he finds out, he’ll be angry with me for hiding it. I just… don’t know what to do.” His voice cracked slightly as he nervously wrapped his arms around himself.

Rouge sighed and opened her arms gently but firmly. “Oh, Shadow… Can I give you a hug?” The hedgehog only nodded, lowering his guard just a little. Rouge wrapped her arms around him tightly, holding him close and rubbing his back softly. “You’ve gotten yourself into a sticky mess, hun… Sadly, I don’t have the perfect answer for you. Sonic will probably be upset, but you know him, he won’t hate you for something that hurts you this much. This isn’t your fault.”

“The doctor said the same thing… that it wasn’t my fault, but…”

“No buts” Rouge interrupted, grabing his shoulders and looking him straight in the eyes. “You’ll tell Sonic the truth when you’re ready, but you have to tell him soon. Otherwise, it’ll just get worse later.”

Shadow nodded slowly. Rouge sighed, her voice softening. “For now, try not to think about it, okay? It’s our weekend together. You’ll find the courage to tell him.”

Just then, the door burst open and a familiar voice echoed through the room. “YOU STARTED WATCHING ‘DATE BY CHANCE’ WITHOUT ME?! TRAITORS!” Omega shouted, his tone dripping with mock outrage.

Shadow and Rouge pulled apart slightly and neither of them could help but smile at the robot’s dramatic entrance.

In the makeshift outdoor kitchen, Sonic and Knuckles were busy among pots and baskets full of fresh fruits and vegetables from the island’s garden. The air smelled of spices and the earthy scent of the island, accompanied by the crackling sound of the fire beneath a large pot.

“These tomatoes, I picked them this morning” Knuckles said proudly as he rinsed them. “And the carrots are sweet, perfect for a side dish.”

“Heh, sounds good. I brought some meat and a few things that go with pretty much anything” Sonic replied, dropping a bag of food containers onto the counter. “Also brought some freshly baked bread, just in case you feel like improvising something ‘à la chef Knuckles’” he said, with an absolutely terrible French accent.

Knuckles snorted but couldn’t hide a small smile. “Not a bad idea. A stew with my veggies and a touch of your bread… sounds like a good country meal.”

While the two argued about the right amount of seasoning, Jasper came running in, holding Dash by the hand.

“Dad, can I take Dash to the Chao Garden?” Jasper asked with a grin.

Dash looked up at Knuckles with bright, eager eyes, practically bouncing in place. “Please, Uncle Knux! I wanna see the Chao!”

Knuckles crossed his arms, pretending to think it over, though his grin was already showing. “Hmm… fine, but only if you promise not to jump into the pond. Jasper?”

“It’s not my fault the Chao wanted to play splash fight!” Jasper protested, faking offense.

Sonic burst out laughing. “Go on, before Grumpy here changes his mind.”

“Thanks!” Dash shouted as Jasper grabbed his hand, and the two dashed off toward the garden, their cheerful laughter echoing through the place.

Knuckles watched them for a few seconds, his expression somewhere between paternal and resigned. “If they come back covered in mud, you’re cleaning them” he said, chopping vegetables.

“As if we don’t end up worse after one of our ‘friendly’ spars” Sonic said with a relaxed grin.

Knuckles huffed, but his smile betrayed him. The air filled with the warm aroma of cooking and the sound of the wind rustling through the forest. Sonic stirred the contents of the big pot carefully, sprinkling in a bit more seasoning with a focused look.

“Hey, Knux…” he said suddenly, adding another handful of ingredients to the pot.

“Yeah?” Knuckles replied without looking up, slicing vegetables with rhythmic precision, his knife tapping steadily against the board.

“I’m… kinda worried about Shadow.”

Knuckles glanced up slightly. “Hm… he’s still doing that bad?”

Sonic nodded, his ears lowering a bit. “I mean… I know it’s not easy to recover from everything he went through, and I’m trying to be patient” he stirred the stew with a wooden spoon “which you know is really hard for me. But I just feel like… he’s not telling me everything.”

Curious now, Knuckles set the knife down. “What makes you say that?”

“Every time I see him spaced out or lost in thought and ask what’s wrong, he avoids eye contact, hesitates before answering… or gets nervous.” Sonic exhaled, staring absently at the pot. “Shadow usually does that when he’s lying, or hiding something. I try not to confront him because I know he’s going through a tough time, and I don’t wanna make things worse by starting a fight.” His voice softened. “But it kinda hurts that he feels like he can’t trust me. Since Dash was born, I’ve been doing everything I can to make up for my past mistakes with him, to earn his trust again… and if he doesn’t trust me, it feels like none of that means anything.”

Knuckles sighed, tossing some chopped carrots into the stew with a soft thunk. “Look, I know it hasn’t been easy for you either these past few months. You do trust Shadow, right?”

“With my life” Sonic replied instantly.

“Then wait for him. I know you’re impatient, but I’ve seen you wait for Shadow before. He’ll tell you whatever’s bothering him when he’s ready. Knowing him, he probably just doesn’t want to burden you with it. That’s how much of a martyr he is” Knuckles chuckled, tasting the sauce with a spoon.

Sonic mirrored his smile, though it was tired. “You’re right. I’m being impatient again… thanks, Knux.”

“No problem. Now keep stirring that. If it burns, I’ll kill you” the echidna growled playfully, giving him a friendly elbow.

“Hehe, aye aye, captain” Sonic snickered. “By the way, what time’s Tails getting here?”

“That kid? I told him noon. Knowing him, he probably stayed up all night in his workshop again. Chaos knows he needs some sleep with that awful schedule of his.”

Sonic laughed. “You’re telling me? I tried to teach him decent sleeping habits for years. It only got worse when he hit his teens.”

Knuckles raised an eyebrow. “Still don’t get why you two didn’t keep living together after Shadow moved in. Tails is still just a kid.”

“Well…” Sonic hesitated, spinning the spoon in the pot without meeting Knuckles’ gaze. “Tails and Shadow get along great now, but after a while, things just got… awkward. We had no privacy. Then Shadow got pregnant, and we needed more space. Besides, Tails already had his own life, his workshop, his independence… I just wanted to give him that freedom, his own privacy, you know? I still visit him all the time.”

Knuckles stared at him for a moment, then smirked teasingly. “Ah, I get it. You moved out because you couldn’t keep it in your pants.”

Sonic blushed instantly. “Shut up! Besides, we don’t even wear pants.” He waved the spoon defensively in the air.

Knuckles burst into laughter. “Hahaha! I’m happy for you, Sonic. You’ve really matured. Well… not that much, but you did.”

Sonic rolled his eyes, but a smile still crept across his face. “Gee, thanks.”

The stew began to bubble softly, filling the kitchen with a warm, spiced aroma that wrapped the air in comfort.

Jasper led Dash down a forest path not far from the house, weaving between low bushes and tall trees that let rays of sunlight filter through their leaves.

“Is it far?” Dash asked, sounding a little uncertain as he looked around the seemingly endless forest.

“It’s kind of hidden” Jasper replied calmly. “There are several Chao gardens around here, but they’re all tucked away. Chao need pure water and fruit to survive.” He squeezed through a small gap in a moss-covered rock. “This way!”

Dash followed carefully, trying not to trip over the roots jutting from the ground.

“Dad told me there aren’t many gardens like these left in the world, so we have to keep them safe” Jasper said as they walked.

“Who would want to hurt the Chao?” Dash asked sadly. “They’re so cute…”

“Well, for starters, Eggman’s caused a lot of destruction that messes up the habitats of all kinds of creatures. And then there are the poachers” Jasper explained seriously.

“Poachers?” Dash frowned. “What’s that?”

“They’re people who catch Chao and keep them in cages to sell or use for other stuff” Jasper said, his tone growing annoyed.

Dash’s ears drooped, his heart sinking. “That’s awful…”

“Yeah, but Dad won’t let anything happen to the Chao on the island” Jasper reassured him with a small smile as they continued walking.

Finally, they arrived at the garden. It was like a hidden paradise: fruit trees, a crystal-clear pond that reflected the sky, and dozens of Chao of different kinds running and playing in the grass. The place felt almost magical, a safe haven, far from the dangers of the outside world.

“Wow…” Dash breathed, eyes wide. “There are so many… and they all look so happy.”

“Yeah” Jasper said, smiling as he watched the Chao. “That’s why we have to protect them. This place is special.”

Dash approached a small Chao swimming in the pond, reaching out his hand gently while Jasper stood nearby, smiling.

“Hi there!” he whispered excitedly. “Wanna play?”

The Chao responded with a tiny jump, splashing happily. Dash laughed as it swam in circles.

“Look, Jas!” he called out. “It’s doing tricks!”

“Yeah, some Chao are really playful” Jasper said with a grin.

Dash moved from one side of the pond to the other, cheering the Chao on as they swam and splashed. Several gathered around him, touching his hands curiously.

“Can I give them some fruit?” Dash asked, pointing to a small nearby tree with round fruits.

“Sure. Let me show you.” Jasper walked over, stood under the tree, wrapped his arms around the trunk, and gave it a good shake with all the strength his small body could muster.

When a couple of fruits dropped to the ground, Dash picked one almost as big as his head and placed it near the Chao that had followed him. The Chao took a careful bite, then gently pushed it toward another Chao, as if sharing it.

“Look! It gave some to its friend!” Dash exclaimed, delighted. “They’re so cute!”

Jasper chuckled softly. “Yeah, they are.”

Soon Dash was surrounded by Chao, laughing and playing as he petted them carefully.

“Thanks for bringing me here, Jasper” Dash said, as one of the Chao snuggled against him. “I’ve been kinda sad lately. My parents haven’t been doing so well since they got back, and having a baby brother is nice and all, but… everything feels different. I try to be happy for them, but it’s really hard sometimes.” He lowered his gaze.

Jasper watched him quietly until he was done. “It’s okay, Dashy. I heard my parents talking the other day. Yours went through some really bad stuff while they were gone, it’ll take them a while to feel better again. What matters is that we support them.”

Dash nodded, petting the Chao’s head, comforted by his friend’s words. They stayed there for a while, playing with the Chao, until Jasper looked up at the sky. “We should head back. Lunch must be almost ready.”

Dash tilted his head. “How do you know?”

“The sun’s right at the top of the sky. That means it’s noon.” Jasper said proudly, showing off his knowledge.

“Oh…” Dash said, impressed. He stood up with a smile. “Alright, let’s go.” He waved to the Chao. “Bye, friends!”

And with that, the two boys headed back to the adults, their laughter echoing softly through the trees.

Dash walked alongside Jasper down the path leading back to the altar, twitching his nose curiously. “Something smells really good.” he said, inhaling the air with excitement.

Jasper sniffed too, but shook his head. “I don’t smell anything. You’ve got a sharp nose.”

Dash grinned. “Dad said hedgehogs have a great sense of smell.”

They quickened their pace and soon broke into a run through the trees until they reached the table, where Sonic and Knuckles were setting out plates.

“How’d it go?” Sonic asked, turning to them with a smile.

“The Chao are so cute!” Dash exclaimed, hopping onto his chair. “Can we have one?”

Sonic laughed as he served the food. “Heh, maybe someday.”

Before they could start eating, the sound of an engine interrupted the peace of the place. A blue plane soared across the sky, descending smoothly into a nearby clearing.

“About time” Knuckles said, crossing his arms.

The Tornado came to a soft stop, and out of the cockpit climbed a very disheveled Tails, clearly just out of bed, stretching with a big yawn.

“Uncle Tails!” Dash shouted, running toward him.

Knuckles muttered under his breath, glancing at Sonic with a half-smile. “Told you he was up all night.”

Sonic chuckled. “Hey, buddy!” he greeted as Tails approached.

Tails scooped Dash up into his arms, smiling warmly. “Hey there. How’s everyone doing?”

“You’ve got perfect timing to show up for lunch, but not for cooking” Sonic teased, pointing at the table.

Tails grinned, taking off his goggles and tucking them into the pocket of his hoodie. “Heh, you know me.”

At that moment, the house door opened, and out came Rouge, Shadow, and Omega.

“Oh, perfect. Now we’re all here” Rouge said with a satisfied smile.

Shadow looked at Tails with his usual neutral expression before a faint smile appeared. “Hello, Miles.”

Tails sighed in defeat. “Shadow, I’ve told you a thousand times, call me Tails. We’re basically brothers at this point.”

Shadow just crossed his arms. “It’s a habit.”

The group gathered around the table as Knuckles finished serving. He took the seat at the head, with Rouge on his right and Sonic on his left, who was holding little Zero wrapped in a blanket. Shadow sat beside Sonic, looking more relaxed than he had all morning. Across from them, at the other end, Tails settled in with Dash beside him, and Jasper next to them, already helping himself to some bread from the center plate. Off to the side, Omega watched the scene attentively.

“Well” Knuckles said, sitting down “I hope you all like the stew. It’s half my recipe, half Sonic’s improvisation. If you survive, I might make it again.”

Rouge let out a laugh. “If it has more than three ingredients, it’s already better than what you usually cook.”

“Hey, I can cook” Knuckles protested, offended. “I make an amazing mountain root stew.”

“Yeah, amazingly hard” Rouge shot back, sipping her wine elegantly.

Sonic chuckled, carefully rocking Zero, who started making soft little noises in his blanket. “Come on, Knux, don’t worry. It’s really good. And that’s coming from me, I ate double while we were cooking.”

“Yeah, I noticed” Knuckles said, rolling his eyes. “Next time I’m tying your hands.”

Rouge leaned toward Jasper, who was tasting the stew with a thoughtful expression. “What do you think?”

“Mmm… it’s good. A little salty” he said honestly, “but I like it.”

Knuckles frowned. “Salty?”

Sonic laughed. “Wow, tough critic.”

Tails was laughing too as he handed Dash some bread, the hoglet was stretching across the table to reach it. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen Knuckles actually care about a kid’s opinion on his cooking.”

“That’s because I have to live with him complaining about my food.” Knuckles muttered.

Zero let out a soft coo, demanding attention. Sonic smiled and gently blew on a tiny spoonful of stew before offering him a taste. The baby tried it, made a surprised face, and then almost swallowed the spoon asking for more. Shadow watched with a tender smile.

“Looks like he approves of the menu” he said. Sonic glanced at him and smiled back.

Rouge leaned back in her chair, holding her glass. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t inherit your taste for fast food.”

“Hey, don’t diss my chili dogs” Sonic laughed.

“I just feel sorry for Shadow having to kiss you after you scarf down twenty of those” Rouge replied, smirking.

“Hey!” Sonic pointed at her, laughing. “I’ll have you know Shadow’s never turned down a kiss! Even after a chili dog binge!”

“Don’t make me reconsider” Shadow warned dryly. “You should already be grateful I let you sleep in the same bed with me after consuming ridiculous amounts of chili.”

Sonic gasped dramatically, pretending to be offended, and Shadow smirked despite himself. Between laughter and teasing, the lunch filled with warmth and lighthearted chatter, letting everyone forget their worries, if only for a little while.

Lunch had ended a while ago, but no one seemed eager to move yet. The sun fell warm over the meadow, filtering through the tall leaves of the trees surrounding them. The kids played not too far away while Omega kept a watchful eye on them.

Zero slept peacefully on his blanket, this time carried by Shadow so Sonic could give his shoulders a break. The adults were relaxing with cups of tea, coffee, and juice. Rouge rested her head on one hand, watching as the wind made the wildflowers dance. “Who would’ve thought we’d actually make it through a meal without a disaster?”

“It could still happen, with our luck…” Knuckles muttered.

Tails chuckled quietly, folding his arms on the table. “Speaking of disasters… any news on Eggman?”

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Sonic lowered his gaze to his cup, and Shadow straightened slightly, his expression hardening before he slowly shook his head. “We were called in for a briefing to review recent reports. Apparently, after the war, Eggman vanished without a trace. No signs of active bases, no energy readings from his machines. Nothing.”

Knuckles frowned. “Nothing at all? That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s weird” Sonic added, resting his elbow on the table. “He never stays silent this long without a reason.”

Tails nodded, his tone turning analytical. “I’ve been checking for unusual energy readings, but there’s been zero mechanical activity.”

Knuckles tapped the table lightly with his fist. “He better not show his face around here again.”

“I doubt we’ll get that lucky” Rouge sighed. “That old man doesn’t give up easily.”

“I’m thinking of hiring the Chaotix to look for him” Sonic said cautiously. “Better to know where he is before he hits us with another surprise.”

Rouge nodded in agreement. “If they find anything, let us know. G.U.N.’s been upside down trying to track the doctor’s whereabouts.”

“Well” Sonic said, trying to lighten the mood, “whatever he’s planning, we’re not gonna let him ruin the peace again.”

“Agreed” Knuckles said firmly. “But if that egg-breath shows up again, you know where to find me.”

“In the kitchen” Rouge teased.

“Hey!” Knuckles glared at her in protest, and laughter filled the air once more.

Night had fallen over them, wrapping everything in a warm, comforting silence. After a long day filled with laughter, movies, and conversation, the hedgehogs returned to their home, softly lit by the glow of their bedroom lights. Sonic yawned as he adjusted Dash’s blankets, the hoglet already struggling to keep his eyes open. Zero slept soundly in his crib, tiny hands curled over the blanket.

“…and then the hero ran so fast that the wind became his friend” Sonic whispered, finishing the story with a smile. “And the wind promised it would always help him find his way home.”

Half-asleep, Dash smiled. “I liked that story…”

Sonic gently brushed a hand over his head. “Get some rest, Dash.” He turned off the night lamp and left the room quietly, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The sound of running water still came from the bathroom. Shadow was finishing his shower, trying to wash off the day’s fatigue. Sonic walked into their bedroom, let himself fall onto the bed, and released a satisfied sigh. At that moment, a soft notification sound broke the quiet. He turned his head toward the center of the bed. It was Shadow’s phone, vibrating next to the pillow. The screen lit up, showing an unfamiliar name: Finn.

Sonic frowned. He didn’t remember ever hearing that name before. And even though he knew he shouldn’t look… curiosity won. Knuckles had been right, he was damn impatient. He grabbed the phone and swiped the screen open. There was only one message in the conversation, no contact photo. “How’s my baby doing today?”

For a moment, Sonic froze. “What…?” he murmured, disbelief in his voice. His jaw tensed, his fingers tightening around the phone. “My baby”? Who the hell is this guy?

The sound of water stopped. The bathroom door opened, a cloud of steam drifting into the hallway. Shadow stepped out, drying his quills with a towel. “Are the kids asleep?” he asked calmly. Sonic didn’t answer. He was still sitting on the edge of the bed, phone in hand. “…Sonic?”

Sonic lifted his gaze, his green eyes glinting with a mix of irritation and confusion. “Who’s Finn?”

Shadow froze. “…What?”

“Your phone went off” Sonic said, showing him the screen. “I saw the message.”

Shadow looked at him and his expression changed instantly: first surprise, then a subtle panic he couldn’t quite hide.

Sonic stood up, moving around the bed. “‘How’s my baby doing today?’” he repeated, his tone dry. “Is this why you’ve been so on edge lately?”

“It’s not what you think—”

“Oh, really?” Sonic’s voice rose slightly, not yelling, but edged with that roughness that only surfaced when he was truly upset. “Because it looks exactly like what I think, Shadow. Who is this guy?”

Shadow took a step closer, trying to keep his composure. “Sonic, listen to me, it’s not—”

“Are you seeing someone else?” Sonic asked in a low voice. There wasn’t anger in his face, just disappointment. “Because if you were, I’d at least expect you to have the decency to tell me. You know our relationship is open.”

The silence grew heavy. Shadow looked at him, hurt. He took another step forward. “No. No, it’s nothing like that. And that message wasn’t meant for me, he was asking about Zero.”

Sonic blinked, thrown off. “…What?”

“It’s a complicated story…” Shadow lowered his gaze, his voice barely steady. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

Still holding the phone, Sonic frowned, even more confused now. “Then explain it to me, Shadow. Because right now, none of this makes sense.”

Shadow took a deep breath. “All right. I’ll tell you everything…”

Chapter Text

Sonic crossed his arms, waiting. A few seconds passed, feeling like endless days of waiting (kind of like how long it took me to update this). “Well?” he said impatiently.

“Y-yes… Finn is… he’s Infinite.”

The blue hedgehog looked at him as if he had misheard. “...What?!”

“Shh!” Shadow raised his hand urgently. “Don’t shout… the kids are sleeping.”

“I’m even more confused now!” Sonic replied in a hushed yell. “Explain yourself!”

Shadow ran a hand over his face, searching for words. “Right… I’d better start from the beginning. Do you remember the other day when we were shopping for Dash and I said I had to stop by G.U.N.?”

“Yeah” Sonic nodded, his tone halfway between ironic and hurt. “You were acting really sus that day.”

“I felt like someone had been watching us all day…” the black hedgehog explained, lowering his gaze. “And I was right. It was a private investigator. Infinite had hired him.”

Sonic straightened up. “What? And why didn’t you tell me someone was following us?”

“Because I wasn’t sure…” he replied quietly. “I didn’t want to alarm you or the kids. You were having such a good time, I didn’t want to ruin your day…”

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Alright. And then?”

Shadow swallowed hard. “When the guy gave me Infinite’s address, I went to see him. I wanted to threaten him—warn him to stay away. But when I was face to face with him… I couldn’t. I froze. And I hate myself for that. I’m sick…” His voice broke, barely audible.

The blue hedgehog’s ears lowered, his anger fading slightly. “Shadow…”

“He wasn’t acting like before, either.” Shadow continued, staring at the floor. “Without the power of the Phantom Ruby, he behaved like a normal guy. He said he just wanted to know how Zero was doing. And… I get that, in a way. That’s all I wanted when I was separated from Dash. But after everything he’s done… I don’t want him near us. Not near Zero, not near me, not near any of us.” He stopped, breathing unevenly before adding. “And the only thing I could think to offer him to keep him calm was… sending him updates about Zero. He promised to stay away.”

“And you believe him?!” Sonic exclaimed, stepping forward with clenched fists.

“Yes.” Shadow said in a faint voice. “It’s strange, but he’s always been straightforward with me.”

Sonic let out a sarcastic huff. “Oh, excuse me for not understanding how your relationship works with the homicidal rapist.”

Shadow averted his gaze, clenching his jaw. The silence that followed was thick—almost suffocating.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Sonic finally said, his tone lower but sharp. “This is serious, Shadow. It involves MY family. And I don’t want that monster anywhere near my kids, or you, not even within a hundred kilometers!”

Shadow lowered his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m sorry, Sonic… I know it’s no excuse, but when I realized what I’d done, I felt so stupid and confused… Then I got scared, thinking about how you’d react if you found out. Everything was finally going back to normal, and I just wanted to keep living my life. I want to feel normal again…!” His voice cracked. “I want to stop feeling disgusted in my own skin…! I want to stop feeling like my body doesn’t belong to me…!”

Sonic looked at him, his chest tightening. He slowly walked toward him and opened his arms.

Shadow fell into them, breaking down in tears against his shoulder. “I-I’m really s-sorry… I don’t feel like myself anymore…”

Sonic held him tightly, resting his chin on Shadow’s head, letting him cry. “Shh… it’s okay. I’m not mad… well, actually I am. It’s just that all of this is hard to understand. I want to be there for you, even if I don’t know how. But I can’t do that if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t want to be a burden to you…” Shadow whispered through his sobs.

“You’re not.” Sonic replied, gently rubbing his back. “You’re always the one sacrificing yourself for me. Let me be the one to do it for you this time.”

Shadow nodded weakly, clinging to him as the silence of the night surrounded them. For the first time in a long while, Sonic felt that the heavy weight they both carried was finally starting to be shared.

Sunday dawned peacefully. There were no obligations, no alarms, no meetings—only the gentle murmur of the forest and the warm light filtering through the curtains. Shadow was still asleep, lying on his stomach, clutching the pillow tightly. The sheet covered half his back, his quills were a mess, and his body was completely relaxed. He let out a low groan as he woke, his eyes still heavy and a bit sore from crying the night before.

“Mnn…” he yawned long, his quills parting slightly as he stretched. His claws instinctively dug into the mattress as his ears twitched lazily and his tail lifted in a sluggish stretch. He blinked a few times before turning his head to the side. Sonic was fast asleep beside him, one arm draped over his eyes, his breathing slow and calm. The contrast with the silence of the previous night brought a tired smile to Shadow’s face.

He propped himself up on one elbow and reached for his phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up, hitting his drowsy eyes with a sharp flash of brightness. “Hmm…” he murmured, scratching his head as he checked his notifications.

A new message. From Finn.

His body tensed immediately. He pressed his lips together and slid his finger to open the conversation… and froze. There were more messages—several of them—as if someone had been chatting from his account. But he didn’t remember replying.

“This is Sonic. Fuck you.”
Accompanied by a picture of his middle finger.

Shadow put a hand over his face, letting out a sigh somewhere between frustration and resignation. “Gaia, Sonic…” he muttered, then kept reading.

“Ah, I see he already told you. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“Inconvenience? Dude! Shadow was inconsolable. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“No, you know what? Don’t answer that.”

“I know it doesn’t fix anything, but I’m sorry. There’s nothing else I can do to make up for my mistakes.”

“Nothing else? Ever heard of paying for your crimes??”

“Yeah, I can’t. There are still things I need to do.”

“??”

“I have to pay a visit to the doctor. When I find him. He hides too well for a man that flashy.”
“I don’t want to bother you any further. How’s Zero?”

“He’s fine.”

“Thank you. And I know this won’t mean much to you either, but I’m sorry for what I put you through on the Death Egg.”

And that’s where the conversation ended. Shadow set the phone aside, his eyes drifting toward the ceiling. He turned to look at Sonic, who was still fast asleep. The morning went by quietly, until a sharp cry broke the silence of the house. Shadow’s ears twitched, and he let out a weary sigh before getting up. “Hmm…” he grumbled softly, dragging his feet toward the kids’ room.

Inside, Dash was squirming under the sheets with a pillow over his face. “Dad… take him away… I wanna sleep…” he mumbled sleepily.

“Sorry, Dash.” Shadow whispered as he picked up Zero, who was still crying inconsolably. “Go back to sleep—we’ll be out of your way.”

He carried the hoglet to the changing table, removed the soaked diaper, and replaced it with a clean one, trying to soothe his crying with gentle strokes and a calm murmur. Then he returned to the bedroom and lay back down, settling the little one against his chest. Zero immediately clung to him, slowly calming down as he began to nurse. Shadow, taking advantage of the restored silence, grabbed his phone and started scrolling idly through his social media feeds.

Moments later, Sonic stirred beneath the sheets, stretching with a smile as he saw him. “Mornin’…” he mumbled, voice still rough and sleepy.

Shadow didn’t even look up from the phone. “When did you reply to Finn?” he asked in a neutral tone.

Sonic raised a brow, amused. “Ah… calling him ‘Finn’ now, huh? Getting chummy.”

“The other name brings back bad memories.” the black hedgehog replied, eyes still on the screen.

Sonic sighed, resigned. “Last night, after you fell asleep. You were right—he’s acting different.”

“So I’m not crazy. Great.” Shadow replied sarcastically, then glanced at him sideways. “Did you have to pick a fight with him?”

“Yeah.” Sonic said without hesitation. “If I can’t beat the crap out of him for everything he’s done, I can at least mess with him a little. Why do you think he’s looking for Eggman?”

“The Phantom Ruby was destroyed.” Shadow said, adjusting Zero in his arms. “So he’s probably looking for him to settle unfinished business. Like everyone who ever worked with Eggman.”

“Hmm… probably.” Sonic murmured thoughtfully. “I don’t know where that egg-breath ended up, but I hope he’s not plotting anything. I’ll call Vector later.”

He stretched and yawned, letting himself fall back onto the sheets. “For now, I just wanna stay in bed with my lovely mate.” he joked, sliding an arm around Shadow’s waist and pulling him closer.

Shadow let out a brief chuckle. “Hm.” He looked at him with a small smile.

“You look sexy when you’re taking care of the kids…” Sonic teased, raising his eyebrows playfully.

“Okay… and the moment’s ruined.” Shadow replied, rolling his eyes.

Sonic burst out laughing. “Hahaha!”

Just then, a sleepy lump appeared at the foot of the bed. Dash climbed up without a word and plopped down between them, pressing his face into the mattress.

“Oh, there you are, Dashter.” Sonic said, scratching his back between his quills and trailing down to the base of his tail.

“Hmm…” the little one grumbled, purring lazily. “Wanna watch cartoons…”

“That can be arranged.” Sonic chuckled, grabbing the remote. He turned on the TV and put on an anime, knowing Shadow would enjoy it too.

The room filled with the bluish glow of the screen as the three of them—four, counting the baby sleeping on Shadow’s chest—shared a quiet moment of domestic peace.

The afternoon sun fell warmly over the garden, tinting the grass with a golden green. A soft breeze moved the leaves of the bushes as Sonic lay back on a deck chair, phone pressed to his ear and his legs crossed casually.

“Hey, Vec.” he greeted cheerfully.

“Hey, Sonic.” came Vector’s deep voice on the other end of the line. “It’s rare for you to call. What’s up?”

Sonic sat up a bit, resting an elbow on his knee. “I’ll get straight to the point. I wanted to hire you to look for Eggman.”

“Hm… actually, we’ve been investigating on our own.” Vector replied thoughtfully. “But we haven’t found any leads yet.”

Sonic grinned to the side. “Well, if you’re gonna do it anyway, at least let me pay you for it.”

“You gonna pay me with Shadow’s money?” Vector joked. “’Cause I know you’re the stay-at-home dad.”

“Hey!” Sonic’s quills bristled slightly as he turned red. “I’ll pay you with my own money! I might not have a fixed salary like Shadow, but I take on odd jobs sometimes.”

The crocodile burst out laughing on the other end. “Hahaha, alright, we’ve got a deal. If we find anything, we’ll let you know right away. Give my regards to your family.”

“Bye, Vector, thank you!” Sonic hung up with a satisfied sigh, stretching back in the chair.

A few meters away, Shadow was crouched among the flowerbeds, trimming dried blossoms while Zero and Dash played on the grass, chasing butterflies. He looked up just as Sonic put away his phone.

“I can give you the money if you want.” he said calmly, brushing some dirt from his hands.

“NO” Sonic replied immediately, turning his head with a stubborn look.

Shadow’s lips curved slightly, amused by his pride. “Are you sure they’ll be able to find him?”

“They’re not exactly conventional.” Sonic admitted, resting his arms behind his head. “but they always get the job done.”

“Well, if you’re sure.” Shadow murmured, returning to his plants with steady movements.

There was a brief silence, broken only by birdsong and the children’s laughter. Sonic watched him quietly, a soft expression on his face.

“When’s your next session with the doctor?” he finally asked.

“Friday.” Shadow replied, still looking at the garden. “Why?”

“Because I wanna know what I can do to make your day better.” Sonic said sincerely.

Shadow paused. He blinked, surprised, and his ears flicked with a hint of shyness. “N-nothing…” he muttered, lowering his gaze. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

Sonic got up from the chair, walking toward him with a confident smile. “I’m gonna worry whether you like it or not. Let me.”

Shadow glanced at him from the corner of his eye, and after a few seconds of silence, his voice came out low and uncertain. “…I’d like… you to play the guitar for me.”

Sonic smiled wide, almost ear to ear. “Deal.”

“Thank you…” Shadow whispered, ears lowering with an embarrassed but tender expression.

Sonic leaned in slightly, just enough for their noses to touch. “For you, I’d play a whole concert.” he joked softly, and though Shadow tried to keep his composure, he couldn’t help but smile.