Sunflower by Post Malone ft Swae Lee.
~~~

He'd envisioned returning home since it fractured and become nothing but a memory. Rainbow spirals had once blanketed his vision and it had been him to destroy the one thing he was supposed to protect. But again a multitude of colours swirled and with the support of an unexpected friend his home-

Sonic?

In his desperate pursuit to undo his disastrous mistake he'd given up everything he had in him. Right. His vibrant blue fur had faded and his voice gained a mechanical undertone.

Never knew you were a hugger.

Somehow, it worked. Seeing the panic in those usually focused, steady red eyes was his final recollection. Then, a blinding headache hammered in his mind as he regained consciousness.

And there he was.

The cave was the exact same. The Paradox Prism, the one thing that was far more troublesome than predicted, was mended. It's glistening circulation of colours was vibrant and powerful, but he knew better than to tread near it now.

His daze was shaken by the Badniks and his friends frozen in battle. A sharp, almost choked exhale rushed from his lips and with an ecstatic grin he blasted off. First, he delivered a fist-bump to his ferocious buddy Knuckles, bounced and flipped overhead his flamboyant friend Rouge and zipped by his closest companion- Amy Rose.

"No one protects nature better than you, sweet Amy."

But in the corner of his eye, up above, a twin-tailed, fantastically intelligent and kind fox aimed his device at an upcoming machine. Both were stuck, so he took the opportunity to zoom around a pointed rock and sit at the top to almost be eye level.

Most of all, he'd been visualising the moment when he'd be reunited with his bestest pal in the whole world. His partner in crime. His little buddy. His brother.

"I can't tell you how much I missed you, Tails."

When his eyelids drooped, he took that as an inclination to move forward. Thus, he leaped from the rock and charged straight for the Paradox Prism. Simultaneously, time presumed and as expected Tails yelled for him to wait- but again he merely sped up.

His friends called and reached and Eggman took grip of the rainbow-hued crystal. In a swift jump, he grinned and smacked straight into the glass dome of his number one enemies machine- giving as close to a hug as possible.

His friends, understandably, became more than puzzled. Perhaps it was incredibly weird for him to enact such a thing, but after all he'd been through recently he didn't really care. He just...he missed home.

"What do you think you're doing, Sonic?" Eggman whispered and leaned closer.

"I'm just happy to see everyone." His blue head turned to face the round man. "Even you, Eggy."

Eggman's confusion twisted into anger and without hesitation he employed his machines arm to punch the blue rat above, then towards his friends. He rolled, caught himself and popped his neck.

"Okay crew, two things are gonna happen here!" He started, hopping side to side.

"One, we protect that big shiny rock and two? We stick together no matter what it takes!" He crouched, ready to sprint.

"Now let's go crack that rotten egg!"

———

Tails knew his brother well. More so than the other probably assumed he did. But he knew his optimistic, action before talk pal was acting...odd.

They had stopped one of Eggman's plans (again), but it really was down to Shadow showing last minute and vacating with the Paradox Prism. Since, the Blue Blur was much more punctual in spending time with them at the beach, but like always showed up late. This time, he said it was something about 'taste-ometers' on his chilli dogs.

"You've been acting different since the cave. Is something going on?"

The speedster had set his plate of juicy 'dogs down on the checkered blanket and turned to him. He looked like he was about to burst, blinking rapidly and pursing his lips together.

"You've had one too many of those things I think." Knuckles eyed his friend closely.

"Okay okay okay." Sonic waved his hands. "It's the wildest story-."

His green eyes danced between his five puzzled friends, but one was missing.

"Where's Shadow?"

"Shadow?" Amy echoed. "Who knows where he goes."

"Even I haven't heard from him since he took the Paradox Prism." Rouge rested a hand against her hip.

Sonic frowned. It wasn't right to tell such a story without Shadow. He...he was such an integral part to it all. Without him...well, Sonic owed pretty much everything to his grumpy friend.

"Let me find him, okay? I promise I'll tell you all everything. But he's gotta be here for it."

"We'll be here!" Big encouraged.

"You're not trying to ditch us are you?" Amy teased.

Sonic leapt to her side almost instantly, squeezing her shoulder. "I'd never. I swear I'll be right back."

Tails chuckled, a little startled from his brother's sincerity. "We trust you."

The speedster broke into a wide, relieved smile and ruffled the loose fur atop the fox's head. "Thanks. You...you guys are the best. Really."

With a salute, he was off in a blue blur.

Knuckles scratched his head. "Sonic's acting even weirder than usual, right?"

He was given a collective, "Yuh huh."

———

Perhaps it was on par in weirdness levels with hugging Eggman's machine to be searching so instantly for his rival. But Shadow was there just as much as he was. Besides, Sonic...wanted him to be there for it. They'd undeniably grew closer, and Sonic found a deeper, greater respect for the other. He refused to be so introspective about it all- but Shadow usually brought him to be more thoughtful about pretty much anything.

That was definitely a good thing too.

Sonic supposed the other brought out many needed qualities in him. Focus, caution, greater awareness and less naivety. He liked to think he helped Shadow trust others more, and have more hope. But really it was him who needed to say thank you.

Perhaps that was really why he was searching for the other. He wanted to thank him for all he did. Shadow had helped him save the world (or worlds), which he would do for anyone, but he'd gone up and beyond many times to uplift his spirits (of all people too) and offer encouragement.

He was also incredibly honest. He didn't minimise the impact Sonic's mistake had on their home. He appreciated that because he knew Shadow wouldn't let him spiral into self-blame (he'd often had to shake him out of it), but it kept him focused enough to remember the consequences. It pushed him to fix everything as quick as possible.

Huh. He supposed he was more...introspective than he meant to be. It was very easy for thoughts of Shadow to enlist such a reaction. The broody hedgehog was complex, and Sonic's view of him was somehow even more complicated now.

But Sonic wasn't one to dwell on things such as that for long. Especially when his goal had been reached. Beside Hedgehog's Pass was a collection of levelled-hills and at their highest point stood a dark figure. Arms crossed, as always, and no doubt doing some thinking of his own.

Excitement thundered through his heart and leapt out his mouth before he could control himself. "Shadow!"

He waved and widely grinned, blasting off and reaching the same height of ground just as his friend turned. Red eyes became small and wide, but Sonic was tackling the other in a tight hug before he knew it.

"Faker."

Shockingly, but rather wonderfully, he wasn't shoved away. Still, Sonic stepped away and rested his hands on hips when all hugged out. His smile however faltered, noting Shadow's mood. Over the course of their adventure, Sonic had picked up a few of the other's minuscule tells which implied a certain emotion. Now- his eyelids were slightly low, his shoulders were more tense than usual and some spines sprung from his larger quills.

"You okay?" Sonic opted to ask.

"Are you?"

He stuttered for a moment, startled by the question. "'Course I am! We saved the world!"

Shadow's eyes became narrow. "Yes. But you-."

"Are wonderin' why you're not at the beach with us right now."

Sonic had dark circles under his eyes and he appeared more...jumpy than usual. Clingy too, in a way. At least, that was the closest word to describe it.

"Tssht. When am I ever present?"

"It'd be nice for you to start."

He frowned. "I'm fine without doing so."

Sonic swallowed the urge to roll his eyes. "Alright, fine. I can respect that. Buuuutttt I was gonna tell everyone about what happened." He shrugged, zipping to stand behind the other.

"Guess I'll tell them how awesome I was whilst you just stumbled after me, so flabbergasted at how well I was handling everything."

"Without me neither of us would be here."

Sonic could hear his rivals frown. "Sure, I know that. But to them- without me neither of us would be here."

"Well...you were integral. We...worked well together."

"Huh?" He swore his brain short circuited and immediately he slipped back to see Shadow's face.

"Of course, I led the way. I kept you on track. But...." Shadow looked back and forth between bright green eyes.

They'd once been so...pale. So...grey. Almost translucent. The image of his loud, obnoxious but undeniably encouraging rival in such a fragile state was weirdly terrifying. Not to mention the related memories that tried to pry to the front of his mind.

Shadow shook his head and narrowly took a step towards the other. "You gave the biggest sacrifice."

"Ah."

"Moron."

"Hey-! Egotistical jerk."

"Reckless buffoon."

"Grumpy loner."

A small smile cracked on Shadow's muzzle. "Idiot hero."

"Slo- what?"

Without a word, he practically crashed against a soft peach chest and squeezed the surprised blue hedgehog close. He would never take the first step in giving someone physical affection, but admittedly this was more for himself than for Sonic. He needed to know the other was...real, for starters. His rapid heartbeat (normal for someone such as him) was a great indication of that.

And Shadow was rather tired of losing people. Especially when he could've done something to prevent it.

"I understand you think you're some great time hero and all, but I'd rather you stay alive than give yourself up next time. You're...valuable."

"O-oh. Er...." A small chuckle. "Let's hope there's not a next time then, huh?"

Shadow hummed and quickly stepped back, straightening his gloves. "If you tell someone about this-."

Sonic sincerely smiled (which took the Ultimate Lifeform off guard). "I won't. Relax."

"Even Tails-."

"Even Tails."

After a moment of silence, Shadow chose to ask, "Why did you come looking for me?"

"Oh! Well, it was to invite you to hang with us-."

"No thank you."

"Right. I did wanna ask you where you put the Paradox Prism."

"Somewhere safe. No one will ever find it, not even you."

"Ha! Good enough for me. So, erm, I-I wanted to say thanks too."

Shadow became puzzled. "Why?"

Sonic snorted. "Why? Because without you I'd still be in that mess."

The darker hedgehog smirked. "So I am integral to the story then, hmm?"

There was no snarky comeback, no cocky response. Just...sincere honesty. "Of course you are."

Sonic stepped closer, rubbing his scruff. "I'm not that good at this but...well you deserve it. It was pretty lonely and overwhelming when I was on my own, but then you were there- the real you! A-and...everything felt much more possible again. It was like we could actually get Green Hills back! And we did, obviously. I really don't know what I would've done without you, Shadow."

Green eyes met wide red and Sonic's muzzle heated up. "So, uh, thank you. Seriously dude."

Shadow's heart thundered in his ears. He could feel his face on fire but prayed there was no exterior tell. His hands were clammy and his throat was dry, but weirdly his mind was perfectly clear.

"I'm glad I was there too. To keep you from getting distracted, of course."

Sonic laughed (it was a glorious sound- how had he not noticed before?).

Shadow continued. "You do not need to thank me though-."

"I want to."

"Stubborn hedgehog. You would've done the same- in fact you did. You did more."

"That's not-."

"My point is, I'm glad to have helped you because you deserve it and are great company to have anyway."

"Wow." Sonic blinked. "I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to you complimenting me."

"I'm just being honest."

"Either way, it's nice."

Shadow nodded. "You should return to your friends before they get worried. Do tell Rouge I hope she's well."

"You could tell her yourself, ya know."

"Will you tell them what happened honestly?"

Sonic cheekily grinned. "Maybe."

The Ultimate Lifeform sighed. "Fine. I'll...accompany you. But only to make sure everything is the truth."

Sonic cartoonishly leapt into the air as he cheered and excitedly stepped to the edge. Hmm. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to do more things such as this for such a reaction. Perhaps.

Shadow playfully rolled his eyes as he followed and crouched beside his...friend to rush down the hill just as a crackling sound erupted from behind them. Both visibly on edge, they turned to see neon white sparks bursting out at about eye-level. The cracks mixed with almost deafening hums and the wind elevated from a calm breeze. Nearby leaves and twigs were swept up and twirled past the pair as colours began to swirl out of nowhere.

Sonic and Shadow both hid behind their hands from the blinding lights, peaking between their fingers to see the circular shape of the unique phenomenon form. The latter immediately recognised the colours as those matching the Paradox Prism, but when he tried to voice the connection another call came from within the twisting rainbow.

A gruff, golden-orange fox peaked his head from beyond the colours- his face being pulled on the, assumedly, portal. His mechanical tails clambered out and dug into the grassy ground, keeping himself steady. He looked around and lit up upon finding Sonic's dumbfounded expression.

"Sonic! Hey! You got a minute?"