I am so sorry this has taken me so long to come back to-

But I hope you guys will appreciate a long chapter and hopefully more to come!!

I'll try to bring this back!!

Enjoy

__________

Sonic was beyond tired. After the last day, he's been feeling every emotion at once. Like his emotions are boiling and about to bubble over. He's been trying to relax, reassuring himself that everything is fine, Tails is okay, Nine is asleep, sure to wake up soon and explain everything. He might've gone dark again, but it wasn't as bad as it was last time.

He shivers a little at the thought, the reminder of the memories of what happened last time. Some of it is still fuzzy, and memories are blurred together. It all happened so fast. It felt like he had blinked, and suddenly- everything was gone. Well, thankfully, not everything. His friends had all been okay, some with minor injuries, and others passed out‐ but otherwise okay. It's been years since it happened, and since he made his promise. It was before he even met Shadow, about two years before he met his rival, now hopefully friend since he could notice a slight change that's been happening lately.

Shadow has been- softer than normal, maybe because of Tails, or because he could see the situation wasn't one he could just be his usual blunt, mean self over. Though Sonic knew that side of him was just an act. Mostly. Shadow was.. complicated. And- difficult to understand, but that's what drove Sonic to help him so much. He wanted to understand. Wanted to know what was behind that facade. And now he knew. It was a much gentler, kinder side than he showed. But even still, he always showed it through his actions.

Like when he saved Tails.

Sonic sighed, leaning back in the chair he had been sitting in for the past few hours. He had woken up a while ago to find Shadow in the room with him, who was waiting as well for Nine to wake up. Shadow had grumbled and walked out of the room when Sonic had laughed a little at the fact he got him a blanket, embarrassed.

And that blanket was now folded up, resting on the back of the chair as he tapped his foot on the ground, glancing at the fox in front of him, since his chair was facing his bed. Sonic wanted to go visit Tails, he did, but he was afraid he would burst into tears at the sight of his state. Even if he was going to be okay. It was still going to be rough to wait for his brother to recover.

All Sonic wanted to do was punch something- and cry. But he knew he had to keep calm, at least until he could go for a run later to burn off all of these overwhelming emotions.

He doesn't know how long it's been. If it was morning or still nighttime, he was more focused on trying to keep calm. Which was very difficult, at least at the moment. He was angry. At Nine. At Tails for not running away from the fight. He was mad at himself for not protecting him. He was mad at Shadow for stopping him. But mainly, he knew his anger was just guilt.

He hadn't done enough. He hadn't moved in time. He wasn't fast enough. And he was angry at himself for not being the one who had gotten hurt instead.

Sonics ear perked up when he heard the sound of the door opening. He didn't move to turn his head, not bothering to really care who it was.

"Hey, blue." Ah, Rouge. He figured she would come see him again, "How are you holding up, hun?" She said from beside him, he could slightly see her in the corner of his eyes.

He wanted to tell her that he was feeling so many things at once that he didn't even know. But instead, he sighed a little.

"Fine. The medicine they gave me helped with my wrist, so it doesn't hurt much anymore." Sonic says softly, eyes glancing at his wrist, the cast on it. He heard Rouge hum.

"That's great. But you know that's not what I'm asking, blue." Rouge sets her hand on his shoulder, "I know all of this is a lot. Why don't you go visit Tails and if this one wakes up I'll come get you?" She offers, giving his shoulder a soft squeeze, a comforting motion she does with all of them.

Sonic shakes his head, "Can't. I don't know how he'll be when he wakes up. Don't want to risk anything else happening. But, uh..." he glances at her, putting up a small smile, "Can you go check on him for me?"

Rouge sighs, frowning. But then she smiles and pats his shoulder, "Sure can, blue. I'll bring you food later, too. You need to eat. It's already the afternoon." She giggles a little at his shocked face.

"It's already noon?" He mutters, confused. He didn't even realize it was so late in the next day already. It's felt like time has been going by so fast..

He winces, "Yeah," now very aware of his dry throat and hungry stomach, "Food sounds great, actually." He huffs a small laugh. The best laugh he could muster right now.

Rouge smiles, "I know. Time has just been flying by for most of us. Still feels like this all happened two minutes ago."

Sonic nods.

She gives him one last squeeze to his shoulder before turning and taking her leave out of the room, shutting the door gently behind her as she goes to check on Tails.

Sonic lets his shoulders relax, taking a deep breath before running his good hand over his face, groaning a little. But his moment of slight peace was interrupted when he heard the door open again. He glanced at it this time and lit up a little at the sight of Shadow.

Sonics' smile was a bit wider this time, "You've been gone for a while."

Shadow huffed, and Sonic noticed a small box in his hand. Shadow walked over to where he was sitting and held the box out for him to take.

"Food. You haven't eaten in almost a whole day." Shadow said, glancing away as Sonic chuckled, happily taking the box, feeling his mood lighten.

"Aww, for little ol' me? You shouldn't have!" He said playfully, opening it to see a chillidog.

"Aw, man! How did you even get this? There isn't even a place that makes these around here for miles!" He immediately takes a bite. And nearly cries at how good it was.

Shadow crossed his arms, "I made it. That's why I was gone for so long." Sonic paused, glancing at him in shock.

"Seriously? You made it?" A soft nod was his answer. He beamed, smile reaching his normal smile for the first time that day.

"Thanks, Shads! Who knew you were such a good cook! This is great! I didn't even realize I've been hungry all day. I didn't even know it was the next day!" He laughs softly, eating in bliss. He wasn't going to admit it, but this was the best one he's ever had.

His smile remained as he ate, and even after he was done and had tossed the box in the trash at the other side of the room, he couldn't stop smiling. And when Rouge came back to the room, she smiled.

"Hey, blue." She walks over, patting Shadows arm, "Hey, handsome. How are you two?"

Sonic leans back in the chair, resting his arm on the back of it, "Better. Finally got some food, so don't worry about getting me something later!" He waves his hand as he talks, making sure not to wave his other, not wanting to accidently hurt his wrist, even if it was in a cast.

Rouge nodded, "Oh, and Tails is doing just fine hun. He's asleep, and the doctors say he's actually doing better than he was last night for his vitals." She says, leaning against Shadow.

Sonics' smile falls a little, but not because he's not happy about the news. He's relieved. He lets out a soft sigh, turning back to Nine, narrowing his eyes a little.

"That's good- really good." He says softly, feeling his foot begin to tap the floor again.

It's silent for a moment, the only sounds being the small beeps of the machines attached to Nine, the fox still sleeping. Sonic frowns. He hears Rouge clear her throat a bit.

"When he wakes up, what do you plan on saying to him? I know you must be mad. We all are. It's just so shocking to see another version of Tails here, isn't it?"

Sonic barely hums in acknowledgment. It was shocking, but his main concern is how he even ended up being able to get here. Sonic thought everything to do with the prism was over. He should've known not to expect that.

"He may look like Tails. He is Tails, in some way. But..." his hand clenches a little, "They are very different." He used to think they were the same. Used to believe they were.

But now. After what happened.

He doesn't believe that anymore. At least not as much as he used to, "Nine is... complicated. He grew up in a not so great city, one very different than ours. He had to do what he could to survive. And even if I'm..." he hesitates, "..Upset about what happened... he's still a kid. So... I don't really know what to say."

"And I think that portal did something to him. I don't think he was in the right mind. If he was- I don't think this would've happened." Sonic explained softly, not taking his eyes off the kit. He needed to know what happened, why Nine lost his cool like that.

"Well, when he does wake up, just know that we'll be waiting to know what happened, too. I have to go check on the others. Will you two be alright?" Rouge asks, getting a nod from both of them.

"We'll be fine." Shadow says, shrugging her arm off his shoulder. Rouge nods, walking out of the room, shutting the door softly.

Shadow looks at Sonic, eyes softening a little at the way Sonic is frowning, "Your brother will be fine, you know that, right?"

"I know. I'm just-" Sonic takes a deep breath, "Worried. It comes with the job, y'know?"

"Mh." Shadow nods. He does know. He used to be a brother. A younger brother, surprisingly. Maria was older than him, and she always used to tease him about it. She would giggle at his protests- when he he would tell her he was still made older than her, only by two years. But she always said she wanted a little brother, so that's what he was.

So, after a while, that's what Shadow accepted. He never really minded it anyway.

He wondered what Sonic was thinking. What he was feeling in this moment. He knows Sonic probably wants to visit Tails, but he also knows Sonic is worried about what will happen when Nine wakes up. If he'll act out or try to harm anyone else. That was why Shadow was adimit about staying in the room when he did wake up. He felt a bit protective. For some reason.

Oddly, he didn't want to leave Sonic alone. After what the echidna had said, he couldn't help but feel like he had to make sure Sonic was alright. Or, at least, would be alright. In time.

About to open his mouth to say something, he paused when they both heard a soft groan come from Nine.

Sonic stood up, gently using his foot to move the chair back a little, noticing Nines eyes begin to twitch. He glanced over at Shadow, silently telling him not to say anything yet. Thankfully, Shadow simply moved to stand a little further away, a bit in the corner, leaning against the wall, arms still crossed.

Sonic gave a slightly shaky thumbs up, a silent thanks as he glanced back at Nine, whose eyes were finally starting to open.

Nine groaned, his hand slowly lifting up to his head, blinking a few times, vision blurry, and his head aching. Blinking a few more times, adjusting to the light in the room, Nine narrowed his eyes, glancing around the room for a moment. He didn't know where he was or how he even got here.

Turning his head slightly, he saw a familiar blue figure standing beside what seemed to be his bed? In a hospital? As his vision cleared, he could see Sonics deep, stern glare.

"Sonic..?" He mumbled. The last thing he could remember was going through the portal. And everything else was blank to him.

Sonic looked.. upset, "Nine." He said, his voice rid of any of its usual joy Nine remembered it held.

Nine rubbed his head, feeling bandages, he traced them, feeling even more confused, "Uh... what- happened?" He was in too much pain to question if this was a dream or not.

Sonic blinked, so he was right. Nine doesn't remember what happened. He was slightly relieved by that. It meant it wasn't done entirely on purpose, "I'll get into that. What do you remember?" He asked, placing his hands on the railing of the bed.

"Uh.." Nine thought for a moment, "Going through the portal-... then nothing. It's all jumbled up."

"I figured." Sonic responded, letting out a breath, "How are you feeling?"

Nine winced as he lowered his hand, glancing down, and he saw bandages around his chest and torso. His entire body ached, but it wasn't unbearable, thankfully. He looked at Sonic again.

"Okay..? My head hurts, though." He says, more clearly this time, feeling himself wake up more. Sonics' face eased a bit before it became as stern as it was before.

"That's good. Because I can't explain what happened to you when you're in too much pain to understand me." Sonic moved his hands from the railing, leaning down a little to shove the railing to the side of the bed down until it clicked and stayed in place. He slowly moved to the free space besides where Nine was lying on the slightly large bed. He sat down, adjusting the blanket to cover Nine a bit more.

He turned a bit to face him, speaking calmly despite his emotions raising as he began to walk through what happened, "When you came through the portal, you looked angry, you said something that I couldn't hear. And when you saw my friends, you got even angrier and tried to attack them."

Sonic sighed, "So angry, in fact, you also attacked Tails. Or, my version of you. This worlds you. My little brother." He said, and Nine looked confused until a look of realization came over his face, his eyes widening a little. Sonic continued before Nine could speak.

"You tried to kill him. And he almost died. My little brother almost died." Sonics voice became more stern, a bit more angry.

"I understand you are another version of him, but Tails is my brother. I've raised him almost his entire life. He almost died. I can't tell you I'm not angry."

Sonics hand lands on Nines, "Because I am. I'm- more angry than I think I have been in a long time. I don't want to be. Because I care about you. I don't know why you're here, and I don't understand what happened for you to do that, but frankly-" Sonic paused, taking a breath.

"I don't really care right now. I don't even know if I should yell at you right now." Sonic huffs a laugh, lifting his hand off of Nines, balling it into a fist.

"I need you to understand that I am not going to let you anywhere near weapons for as long as you're here. And you should be thankful that is all I'm doing. Honestly, I wanted to attack you. But..." he lifts his fist above Nines head.

Nine blinks, flinching, shutting his eyes tight, expecting a punch, or a hit, but instead, Sonics hand lands on his head softly, "I won't. So take a breath, Nine. I'll make sure no one hurts you. Because everyone is rightfully angry. But don't worry. They won't hurt you."

His tone had softened by the end of that. Smiling a little at Nines' wide eyes and deep frown that was close to a pout.

"Now tell me why you're here and what exactly happened. I deserve that much." He chuckles, "Because I am about to go check on Tails, and I need to make sure you won't leave until you heal."

Nine takes a moment. He almost leans into Sonics palm, but his words stop him. He doesn't really even know what happened. Or why he became angry enough to do that. When he had opened that portal, he had expected to find Sonic and find a way to go from there. But something had shifted the second he went through it.

It must've been the effect of the portal. It must've affected his emotions and caused him to fall into that blind rage. He can remember bits now, but they were still too blurry to really understand, other than when he moved to aim. He looks at Sonic, opening and shutting his mouth, struggling to understand.

"I uh- the portal... I didn't really know the effects of opening the portal or... what would happen- I..."

Nine hesitated, "I didn't know I would... do that. I didn't want to do that- I... is he... okay? I didn't-"

"He'll be fine. But he's hurt pretty bad. So it'll take a while for him to recover." Sonic says calmly.

"Okay... okay." Nine almost pouts when Sonics hand leaves his head. But he just opens his eyes, looking at him wearily, "I uh... I can't remember what happened." He shakes his head, lifting his hand to shove against one of his eyes near his forehead.

Sonic hums, "Just rest for a while. If you remember, let me know. I'll come back to visit you every day. But right now I have to focus on my brother, alright?"

Sonic pats Nines hand by his side, "And don't worry about the doctors or nurses. They are just here to give you stuff to help with pain. So don't be difficult for them. And make sure to eat what they give you, it'll be good. And if you need blankets or pillows, call for them, they'll bring you anything you need." Sonic gently explains, starting to stand up, letting go of Nines hand.

"I'll also have some of my friends come check on you every now and then, so don't freak out. I don't think either of us can handle any more stress for a while. So please don't start anything." He sighs. Nine hesitates, frowning.

"... yeah." he looks away, "Okay." Just for Sonic. Only because he's caused Sonic enough pain, he didn't want to be the cause of any more. Sonic was the first person to fight for him. He can't believe any of this happened. But he knows Sonic has the right to be angry. Nine might be similar to... Tails.. but he's not Sonics' brother.

Sonic smiles, "Good. Because then I might have to fight you. And I can't do that, Nine. But I will if I have to."

"I know." Nine nods, taking a breath, looking Sonic in the eyes.

"I still don't trust your friends." He says, slowly pulling the blanket over him over his head, curling a little when he moves to lay on his side, wincing a little at the movement.

Sonic shakes his head fondly, "I don't doubt that. I'll be back later to check on you. I'll talk to you more, too."

He says softly, motioning for Shadow to follow him out of the room. He was glad Nine didn't notice Shadow was there. He probably would've been less likely to talk to him as much as he did.

Once the door shuts, Sonic almost wants to cry at the relief he feels. Nine didn't know what he was doing. Tails was going to be fine, and things were going to end up okay. He noticed Shadow walk up beside him. He glanced at him.

"You need to stop looking like you want to punch him. He might get scared." Sonic jokes lightly, feeling the tiredness all fall down on him. Shadow scoffs.

"Good. I'm shocked you didn't yell at him. I would've."

"That's why I talked to him and not you." He lightly poked Shadows chest, careful of the bandages, "He's still just a kid, Shads."

"How do you know he wasn't lying?" Shadow questions, crossing his arms, narrowing his eyes a little, clearly agitated. But not at Sonic, oddly.

Sonic sighed, "I always know when it comes to him. Even if he's another version of Tails." Sonic says, amusement in his voice.

Shadow looks skeptical for a moment but then simply shrugs, "Uh-huh. If he tries anything-"

"He won't." Sonic holds up his hand, making Shadow stop, "He won't." He says, more surely.

Shadow rolls his eyes, the hedgehog nudging him with his foot, "Go check on Tails. He's waited long enough." Sonic doesn't protest, instantly walking quickly to Tails room right beside Nines.

He slowly opens the door, feeling his worry crawl up his spine again.

He nearly bursts into tears at the sight of Tails' awake face, blue eyes staring right into his, slowly going wide.

Dammit Rouge. Of course, she didn't tell him he was awake. Sonic rushed to Tails beside.

"Tails! I'm so sorry! I should've come check on you sooner! I just-" He frantically checked Tails bandages, making sure they weren't being bled through near his ear. He was scared to check the one around his torso, scared that Tails' wound would be worse than he hoped.

Tails looked slightly out of it, but more awake than he did when he had seen Shadow talking to him.

"Are you in pain?" He asked, grabbing Tails' hand, squeezing it gently, yet firmly. Tails looked at him, his face lit up with a smile.

"I'm good..." he muttered, leaning against the hand Sonic sets on his head. Sonic lets out a loud breath.

He smiled, ruffling the kits hair, "Good. I'm sorry for not visiting you sooner. I was so worried about you. So- so worried..." he removes his hand from Tails' head, pressing their foreheads together.

"I'm so glad you're alive, bud." He whispered gently, careful to be quiet around the kit, not wanting to accidently be too loud.

Tails giggles softly, clearly still a bit dazed from the medicine the doctors gave him, "It's okay." Sonic leans back, moving the railing down to sit beside Tails, careful not to move too much just in case Tails was still in pain.

Tails yawned, lifting a hand to rub at his eyes, "Are you okay..?" He asks, patting Sonics' hand. Sonic nods, smiling.

Sonic opens his mouth to speak but then notices Tails looking at his wrist in the cast. Sonic hums, "I'm alright. Kinda got mad last night. But Shadow and Knuckles helped me snap out of it." He says, gripping Tails' hand, gently rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

Tails, the little smart guy he was, even while out of it, clearly tired, he immediately seemed to realize what Sonic was talking about.

"Sonic- you..." Tails glanced at his hand nervously, "Is it worse?" He asked, his smaller hands gripping Sonics' bigger one.

Sonic frowned, "Don't know. Haven't checked yet."

His hands felt numb, though. Well, not entirely, but enough to feel almost fuzzy. It was an effect of that form. Last time, he wasn't able to move his hands or arms after he snapped back to normal. He was left aching for two whole weeks until they finally became normal again.

Tails sighed sadly, "You need to be careful, Sonic."

Sonic rolls his eyes fondly, "I need to be telling you that, kiddo. Y'know, once you get to go home, you are so grounded." He laughs at the pout Tails gave him.

"Noooo!" Tails drawed out, "Does that mean I can't work on my inventions?"

Sonic nodded, holding down a smile, "Yup! For a whole month. And that month doesn't start until you get home." Sonic snorts, grinning widely as he gently taps Tails' forehead.

"Little trouble maker."

Tails huffs, brows furrowing, "Not fair! What am I supposed to do until then?" He whines, keeping his pout, a little thing he used to do when he was much smaller than he is now to make Sonic feel pity for him. It takes Sonic everything to not give into that cute face.

"Hang out with me and our friends, and get better. That's your job from now on until I say otherwise." Laughing, Sonic glances at his hand, "So just relax, yeah? I'll stay with you, and I might bring some ice cream once you're able to eat actual food again. Sound good?"

Tails lights up, smiling and giggling as if he were breaking a rule, "Yup!"

Sonic ruffles his hair, "Great. Now get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up." He whispers, moving to cover Tails better with the blanket. Tails immediately sighs, yawning.

"Okay..." The kit mumbles.

Sonic watches as his little brother slowly falls asleep, feeling his hands ache as he moves a chair to sit beside the bed, like he did with Nine, but this time, he wasn't going to let Tails get hurt again. He had to do better. He had to.

"Sorry, Tails..." He grips Tails' hand.

"I'm so sorry for not protecting you. That's my job... isn't it? Keeping you safe and giving you... the life I never had. And yet here you are. Hurt..." he rests his forehead against the bed, feeling the soft blanket against his face.

"Because I just... wasn't fast enough. For you or-"

He pauses for a second, "Or my 'ma..." Sonic turns, resting his cheek on the side of the bed instead, eyes angled towards the kits' peaceful face, calm and relaxed.

"She would've loved you. Y'know? She would've known how to keep you safe, better than I've ever been able to do. I don't know how you still... trust me. I should've done more." Sonic grips his hand.

"I have to do right by you, bud. I'm trying. But every turn feels like the wrong one. Every time I try to keep you safe, you only get hurt. What am I supposed to do?" Huffing a laugh, Sonic closes his eyes.

"You just had to become as stubborn as me, huh?" He sighs, "At least that worked out this time. At least I didn't have to lose you." Feeling the tiredness from the past day finally hit him, he fell asleep almost immediately, too tired to really keep himself awake. He keeps his hand holding Tails', as a reassurance that Tails was okay. That he was right here, breathing and sleeping safely.

__________

The next day goes by just as quickly as the first had- he had woken up to the nurses checking on Tails' condition, checking his vitals, and making sure his bandages were clean. He had ended up leaving to go check on the others, who were still hanging around the hospital, oddly. He figured some of them would prefer to go home, especially Knuckles, but even he was adimit on staying there.

Not that Sonic was complaining. He was grateful for the company. From all of them. Amy had come to Tails' room a few times to give Sonic some water, saying she wanted to make sure he took care of himself, too. She had offered to bring him food, but he declined, not wanting to leave Tails alone yet, even if it was to eat something.

He only left the room once, when he went to check on Nine. He had Rouge stay with Tails as he did. He had explained more about what happened to Nine, who still didn't seem to remember much and was still in quite a bit of pain, so Sonic simply explained more and left after making sure the fox ate the food the nurses gave him.

Then, he was immediately back in Tails' room, chatting to him about random things since the kit was still slightly dazed from the medicine. He seemed rather fine otherwise, more tired than normal, but he knew there was a reason for that. He had to rest and let himself heal, so Sonic never minded when Tails would fall asleep mid-conversation. He would simply continue talking.

At around midnight, Sonic left Tails' room to go outside. He asked Rouge to watch over Tail for him until he came back.

As he sat near one of the walls, a bit away from the entrance, his legs crossed, and his arms resting on his knees. It was slightly colder out since it was nearing winter. The breeze was cold and brushed against his quills, making his shiver a little despite it not being actually that cold out.

He sat there for a while, thinking about everything until he heard someone sit beside him.

He didn't have to look to know who it was.

But he glanced over at Shadow anyway, his gaze a little confused, "I didn't know you were still here." He said softly. Shadow hummed.

"I come back every now and then." Shadow slowly sits beside him, eyes on the moon as it shined down on them.

"Why now? It's pretty late." Sonic points out, looking at the moon as well, taking a deep breath.

The hedgehog beside him doesn't respond for a while until he hears the other shuffle closer to him, now looking at him again.

"You've never been this quiet." Shadow says, his tone his usual gruff, yet gentle one. Sonic smiles to himself at the concern he can hear come from the other.

He has been thinking. Now that he has time to worry about other things other than just his brother, he's been wondering how Nine even got to this world. He's been thinking about the other versions of his friends, the council, and the shard that was missing from the prism.

"I've just been-" Sonic glances up at the moon, "Thinking."

Shadow scoffs, "That's a first."

Sonics arm gently shoves Shadows, laughing a bit, "Hey, I'm not that bad!" He shakes his head, feeling the waves of worrying and stress slowly start to dwindle. He hums fondly, looking over at Shadow, who surprisingly didn't seem to get upset by his playful shove.

"I'm just confused, mainly. Tails told me there was a shard missing from the prism. That it took over seventy percent of its energy or something. And clearly Nine was the one who got ahold of it. But-" He turns his head back to face the moon.

"I'm wondering how we missed that. And how Nine even got ahold of it. I bet the council already knows about it by now. They could try to do the same." Sonic runs a hand through his quills, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm wondering how I missed that. How did I not know there was another piece? How come I- ugh... I don't even know." He leans back against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Hm." Shadow doesn't turn to him as he thinks.

"Nine had the shard? Where is it now?" He asks. Sonic opens his eyes.

"I grabbed the weapon and took it to Tails' workshop. Went back last night a few hours before morning." Sonic holds his hand out, pinching his fingers together to show how small the shard was.

"It's a small shard that's red. I didn't want to grab it, so I left it in the weapon." Sonic lowers his hand back down.

"Smart. You could've ended up breaking things again if you hadn't left the shard alone." Shadow crosses his arms.

Sonic slowly nods, but then his ears perk up as he realizes something. A smile appears on his face, and a soft giggle leaves his mouth.

"Did you-" Sonic laughs again when Shadows eyes widen, "Just call me smart?" He let out a mock gasp, his hand smacking against his chest.

"You called me smart!" His smile was wider than it has been these past few days.

Shadow glared at him, shoving his arm roughly, making Sonic almost fall to his side, but then he quickly moved to balance himself, dramatically falling onto Shadows' shoulder.

"I never thought I'd see the day!" His head falls onto his shoulder, chuckling when he hears Shadow grumble, but he doesn't shrug Sonic off.

Sonic lets out a deep sigh, "Thanks for saving him, Shads. And for helping to calm me down." He closes his eyes, feeling the urge to sleep wash over him. Shadow doesn't speak for a moment, and the only sound around them was the sound of the wind brushing through the trees and the sound of people going in and out of the hospital.

Slowly, almost feeling hesitant in a way, Sonic feels Shadows arm slowly move under his, their arms linking together.

"Just this once." Is the hedgehogs soft response.

Sonics eyes widen for a split, confused second- he was sure Shadow would shove him away, but he guesses he has to stop thinking so low of him, to stop expecting Shadow to push him away. He was the one who helped him with the Prism situation. And the one to help him relax enough and reassure him Tails was going to be okay. Why would this be the shocking part?

Sonic, feeling unsure and slightly embarrassed, gently traces Shadows glove and the ring around his wrist.

"Just this once." He repeats, whispering back, locking their fingers together, giving his hand a squeeze. Just this once. For both of them to set aside their emotions and stress, to relax enough to be able to sit together under the stars and the moon.

Hopefully, this wouldn't have to be the last time they could hold hands.

Hopefully. And as he felt sleep take over, his eyes closing, he felt Shadows hand slightly squeeze back. Only for a moment. A moment so short he didn't know if it had happened or not, but he would believe it did.

__________

Sorry this took way too long to come out- I hope you guys enjoyed this-

Sonic: I wonder if there are other versions of me...

Me: SHUT UP YOUR SPOILING

Sonic: whoops-

Tails: Sonic your hands-

Me: SPOILER

Shadow: what's up with Sonics hands?

Me: SPOILERS ALL OF YOU SHUSH

Me: Nine you deserve a big brother-

Sonic: NOW WHOS SPOILING

Me: FUCK OFF

The next chapter will be shorter than this one- but hopefully linger than how they usually were!

Anyways

Byeeeeeeeeee!!!!!