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Sink your teeth.
…
Shadow the Hedgehog is a vampire. The first time he heard that word was when a scientist on the ARK screamed because Shadow bit his hand. It was the first time Shadow got a taste of what it was like to not be so unbearably thirsty, to finally feel satisfied.
Gerald examined his fangs while Maria petted his head, murmuring reassurances.
“Don’t feel bad,” she said. “It wasn’t your fault. You were just hungry, right? Next time we’ll feed you so you don’t need to bite- right, Grandpa?”
Shadow didn’t listen. The researcher screamed like he was dying, he shouted and sputtered at Shadow, and flinched at him even when he tried to apologize.
Shadow understood why the researcher acted the way he did- a fear of vampires is natural to humans. He feeds on the blood, the life force of humanity, so he can live. He can lose control of himself and eat too much. He can puncture their veins without hesitation. He can tear them apart if he wants.
Shadow is a living weapon.
Maria was the only human in the world who could look at Shadow and not see a monster. She just saw Shadow.
And she is dead.
You had gone.
…
The first time he fed on Earth was when he caught the sound of a squirrel scurrying in a tree. He acted before he realized, and suddenly fur brushed his tongue and that sweet metallic tang filled his mouth.
He was just so hungry. It wasn’t its fault. It didn’t deserve to die because Shadow, the immortal being, could only feel hunger. Even if he despised this world, despised the human race, despised the earth and the sky and the trees, he could feel his heart stir, and tears clung to his eyes. He couldn’t force himself, force his body to let go of the squirrel; his teeth bit the creature harder. Organs crushed under his teeth, and bones cracked. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. His body bit even harder into the creature, and he tore the poor thing apart, trying to pull it from his mouth. The squirrel's body was nothing but a mess of fur and sinew and tissue and blood, delicious sweet blood. Shadow spat the rest of the creature from his mouth and openly sobbed alone in the forest, burying the creature's corpse into the forest floor with his hands.
Eventually, he returned to the Eggman base, and after who knows how long he sat there in the dirt, weeping over a creature that he knew nothing about and whose life ended nearly the instant he bit it. But he remembered Maria, painting pictures of squirrels in trees and fondly talking about them.
All of humanity deserved death. All of humanity deserved it. They didn’t deserve Maria.
But maybe that squirrel did. It was innocent. It was a shame; it shared the same earth as the humans.
Rouge saw his dirtied gloves and raised an eyebrow. Shadow didn’t have an excuse for her. He folded his arms close to his chest. But she never asked. There was something in her eyes, like pity, but then she walked away.
With the taste of blood in his mouth, his hunger was gone.
Give me shelter.
…
The first person he told about his vampirism was not Rouge. Rouge and Shadow never needed to talk about it. Sometimes she asked questions like,
“What does blood taste like?”
“Sweet,” he said. “Metallic, satisfying.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “What about the sun?”
“It stings. But it’s manageable.”
“Makes sense.”
That was the breadth of their conversation. Sometimes, blood packs would end up in his fridge, not because he gave Rouge a key. He didn’t need to, she would show up in his apartment regardless.
Omega didn’t care about his feedings, no, that’s not important to him. Only one thing matters to Omega: power, destruction, conquest, and the ending of your enemies. Shadow could do all of that and more. He could destroy. He could conquer. He was powerful, the ultimate lifeform, the one who could bring peace to the earth. He is the apex of human creation, the end of the horizon, he has no equal, and yet-
And yet…
It was Sonic. He told Sonic. It’s always been about Sonic; he’s always been in his way, and this night was no different.
The rain poured from outside, pounding against his windows. The wind whipped against his home, and it whistled and roared.
Shadow always intentionally lived out of the way of the cities and the hustle and bustle, that’s why he picked this quiet little cottage in the South Islands, alone, with no one who could find him and visit. Besides, well, Rouge. She hardly counted.
Shadow was alone, he sat in the dark with the glow of his television set, he had just given up and tried to ignore the storm with a book. He doesn’t remember what he was watching, half paying attention as someone babbled on, it was a soft, feminine voice. He stared at the light reflecting on the ceiling.
And he was hungry.
The doorbell rang. He rose from his black reclining chair and slinked over to the door, somehow unsurprised when the shivering blue hedgehog beamed at him.
“Hey Shadow!” he stepped inside without asking, water pooling at his feet. “I got caught in the rain- lucky me that I found you. Hey, can I crash here for the night? I’m so cold.”
“Yes,” Shadow said dryly. “It is so lucky you found me. But no, you cannot stay here.”
“Aw, come on, Shads, we’re all friends here! Why can’t I stay- gimme one good reason.”
“It is none of your business.”
“Dude, you help me out and I’ll return the favor. Whatever, whenever, I’ll do it for you.”
Shadow felt his mouth fill with saliva, and his throat felt even drier. He kept his face neutral, but his heart began to pound. No. He can’t. He Shouldn’t…
But how else could Sonic understand? How else could he get him to go away?
Sonic is a hero, a beacon of light to all who know him. Which is why he needs to give up on Shadow and leave him alone. Shadow isn’t those things. A vampire can’t stand in the light. He would only get burned. Yes. If he fed on Sonic, he would understand this. Sonic is only light from the tips of his ears to the bottom of his shoes. He smiles, and he inspires, and it’s always effortless. He doesn’t know what it’s like to cry. He doesn’t feel anything but love, joy, and happiness. He is everything.
“Fine,” Shadow answered, his eyes narrowing. “You can stay.”
Sonic cheekily grinned, “I knew you’d come around, buddy.”
“But I’m cashing that favor tonight. This is not out of kindness.”
“Eh, whatever. Can I sleep on your couch?”
“I have a second bedroom. I’m getting you a towel for your fur and one to clean up your mess.”
“Thanks! I’m gonna take my shoes and gloves off if that’s okay with you- they are soaked.”
Shadow was glad he had turned from him. His hand flew to his mouth, shocked at how his fangs suddenly protruded from his face, and his heart began to pound. Every cell in his body begged him to turn around, to feed on Sonic. His hands shook as he forced himself to leave the magnetic pull that is Sonic. He retrieved the towels from the bathroom and ignored the empty reflection in the mirror.
He returned to the living room and only got a glimpse of Sonic’s peach-colored hand before he looked away.
“When you’re cleaned up, come and find me,” Shadow said calmly.
“Fine, fine,” Sonic put the black towel on his head and rubbed it into his quills. “What’s this favor anyway?” he took the towel off and shook his head, leaving his quills messy and erratic.
“I’ll tell you in a moment, just don’t leave me waiting,” Shadow crossed his arms.
“Mysterious.” Sonic grinned, “You know me, I’ll be done in a flash.”
“Hmph.” Shadow turned from him and waited for him in his bedroom, sitting on the black spread of his bed.
A few moments later, Sonic sped in and leaped onto his bed, wearing wet gloves and socks. He kicked his feet.
“Are you going to tell me what you were so secretive about now?”
Shadow stared at him. His green eyes glimmered, and his ears twitched excitedly. There was a big smile on his peach muzzle.
He doesn’t know.
What he was about to do was not right. But it was necessary.
“Sonic.”
“Yeah?”
Shadow blinked. “I am a vampire.”
Sonic laughed, “I didn’t think you were gonna call me in for a joke.”
“I’m not joking.” Shadow was on Sonic in a flash, pinning him down to the bed.
Sonic stared at him with wide eyes. He tried to sit up, but Shadow didn’t let him get up.
“Shadow, what are you doing?” Amusement laced his voice. “Is this a bet or something?”
“No. I am going to feed from you.” Shadow felt his fangs protrude from his face. “This is my favor. I am going to drink your blood.”
Sonic just chuckled, “Nice trick, but can you let me go now?”
Shadow felt a pulse of anger flash through him. His mouth felt dry and his heart beat like a drum in his chest and he was so hungry, hungry, hungry, and his prey was so clueless.
Sonic can’t understand the distance between them. He. Will make him. Understand.
His fangs puncture the flesh of Sonic’s neck, and Shadow drinks.
It is the sweetest blood he has ever known. It’s delicious, thick, rich, and satisfying. It’s fantastic, it rolls down his throat, and his whole body feels warm. He wants to drink, drink, drink until he can drink no more.
He feels Sonic sigh and goes limp under him.
That breaks Shadow from his drinking stupor, and he sits up on the bed, with Sonic underneath him. Blood trickles from the open wound on the blue hedgehog’s neck, and Shadow can feel the blood dripping from his mouth. He looks at his gloves and they are speckled with dots of bright red.
Shadow takes a deep breath and finally looks at Sonic.
Sonic stared at him with an expression that Shadow didn’t recognize. It was not fear.
Shadow’s heart pounded, he stared into Sonic’s eyes, and Sonic didn’t look away. He could feel Sonic's heart. He could feel him.
His heart squeezed.
It was then that Shadow realized he had made a terrible mistake.
So don't waste my time.
…
The second time Shadow drank from Sonic was not his choice. They were surrounded by blood- Shadow’s blood. It stained the snow around them and Shadow leaned against the stone wall, breathing heavily his breaths became white clouds that disappeared.
Shadow tried to move, and his whole body tensed; he hissed, his fangs protruding from his face in a snarl.
His head wasn’t in the game. It had been a while since he had seen Sonic. And well, he played the part of the fool. He failed his mission- he got hurt, dangerously so, while fighting Eggman’s robots because he was distracted. Sonic had to finish them off. He can hear him in the distance.
Sonic stared at him, panting with the rise and fall of his chest, and Shadow stared back.
“Well, good timing, huh?” He grinned. “Glad I came in when I did.” He kicked aside a robot part scattered across the ground and walked to Shadow. “Alright. Let's do this.”
“What are you talking about, faker?” Shadow growled.
“You're bleeding like crazy, and you obviously need my blood. We'll just say it's a second favor.”
“I'm not drinking from you again,” Shadow snapped.
Sonic is unimpressed, “Shadow, you're dying.” He sits beside him, visibly shivering in the snow.
Shadow feels numb. The cold is nothing to him.
“I can't die, I'm immortal.”
“Then you're hurting. And I'm not going to let one of my friends hurt if I can help it.”
“Why are you helping me?”
"Because you're my friend?”
“...I am a monster, Sonic,” Shadow said softly. “What I did was a mistake, it was stupid.“
Sonic's expression is soft. “It wasn't stupid. Didn't you need it? Come on. I have more than enough blood.”
Shadow's stomach twisted.
“Yes. I needed it.” He felt tears roll down his cheeks, they stung. “I was hungry. But why are you helping me?”
“Because you aren't a monster. Duh. I would never say that about you. You're just weird, and I'm not a stranger to weird. I eat weird for breakfast. If you tryna scare me off, it's gonna take more than that," his eyes flash. "You aren't ever gonna get rid of me. “
Sonic tilted his head up and looked at him with partially hooded eyes. And that was when Shadow lost the ability to feel pain. He drank from Sonic with desire pulsing through him.
He pressed Sonic into the cold snow, biting the tender flesh, warmth oozed into his mouth and in a mere instant, he was flooded with Sonic, his taste, his scent. Sonic's arms wrapped around him and clawed into him. Shadow wanted to drain him, wanted everything. What was this feeling? Why couldn't he pull himself away?
“Shadow…” Just one word brings the vampire back to reality.
Shadow had to sit up with a final swallow of his blood. He straddled Sonic with his senses muffled and warm. Shadow stared at Sonic and slowly took hold of his arm, popping it back into where it had dislodged from his shoulder socket with a sickening sound, his wound gone. He takes his final taste of Sonic's blood, bending down and taking a final lick of the open wound.
Sonic smirked at him.
“See? You look way better.” his hand went through Shadow’s quills, and Shadow stiffened at the touch. “You wanna race?”
Shadow looked at him with new eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“So are you," his grin spreads.
I just want your love.
…
The first time he realized he was in love was when Amy read her tarot cards to him. She spread out three cards in front of him. The Lovers. The Fool. The Two of Cups.
His gaze focuses on The Lovers. His mind went to Sonic. That was all it took for it to click.
Oh. He thought.
That’s a problem.
He had known it all along. He couldn't concentrate on Amy's long explanation of the cards, his fortune. The more she spoke the more she faded into the background.
The Lovers, their hands gently intertwined with each other. That explained why Sonic stared at his hands. That explained why Sonic waited for him. That explained how he felt… how Sonic consumed him, his thoughts, his every waking moment.
He hungered for his blood even when he was not thirsty. He was consumed by desire.
That explained why Shadow couldn’t shake Sonic off, even though he tried. Why Shadow wanted him to go but he needed him to stay.
It was love. It was love the entire time.
“-The Fool is reversed. I think you’re experiencing a new love, but you’re reluctant to embrace it.” Amy’s eyes sparkled, “Am I right, or am I right?”
Shadow said, “Yes.”
“Well, you don’t need to feel that way. The cards are showing you the way.”
Shadow shook his head, “It’s not that simple.”
Amy smiled knowingly, “I know. But wouldn’t it be nice if it were? The cards can only illuminate the right path, but you have to put in the work to find it. And I know you can.” She looked mischievous, folding her cards back into her deck. “Maybe you just don’t want to.”
Shadow thought over her words.
He’s so impossibly thirsty, and only Sonic’s blood can cure that thirst.
That is why he can’t. He couldn’t possibly hold his hand like The Lovers.
He had to stay a fool.
That’s when I call for you.
…
It was a hot night in June. The moon was gone. The sky was dotted with the blooming white stars, shedding no light on the world below. Shadow walked in the darkness, surrounded by the calls of animals and bugs chirping.
He was here because he felt it, heard it, heard him.
“Shadow…”
Shadow's ears twitched. He could hear his rhythmic breathing, the beating of his heart, and the blood pumping through his veins. There was no need for him to run. If he ran or not, he would find him. He would always find him.
“Shadow.”
And there he was. Sleeping under a palm tree, his face gentle and soft as he slept. A butterfly rested on the tip of Sonic’s nose, wings twitching with the breeze of the humid night.
Bugs chirped, and owls called.
Shadow stood over Sonic’s sleeping form, and Sonic's green eyes opened, just as the wind blew, the butterfly flew upwards right into Shadow’s face and he twitched back. The butterfly soared into the night and it was gone.
Sonic smiled at him, green meeting red. His eyes sparkled with the stars.
“How did you know I was here?”
Shadow stared at him.
“You always know where I am.”
That’s because you always call for me.
But Shadow couldn’t say that, didn’t want to say that. If he did that meant he would have to talk. That meant that the visions he was starting to have- the visions that haunted him were real. They are all the same. They are all of Sonic, tilting his neck up at him, inviting him to drink.
But he didn’t say anything. Shadow sat beside him, together on that hot night in June. He was content with this. He just wanted it to stay the same, forever.
He felt Sonic reach out for him and grab his hand.
Shadow squeezed.
Your time had come
…
The first time Shadow realized Sonic was going to die was when he found a grey quill in his head.
It’s been a long, long time since they were teenagers now, not that it would be easy to tell that just by looking at Shadow. He looked the same, while Sonic let his chest fur grow out a little, there’s a notch in his ear, and scars that you can find on his back, his chest, and his arms. From years and years of fighting, decades of it now. Sonic is still the same, still with those bright eyes, and that cocky smile.
Shadow didn’t want to admit it, but that made Sonic all the more beautiful to him. It felt easy to have Sonic by his side. Sonic will always live his nomadic vagabond lifestyle, he has to sleep in the rain and feel the brush of the outdoors. But sometimes they do it together. Sometimes they do it apart.
But Sonic gets older, and Shadow stays young. He just… never thought about it. Never let himself think about it. That was… until they were just sitting together on the couch, and Sonic leaned over, his head sitting on Shadow’s lap.
Shadow scoffed, “You are ridiculous.”
“You love it, baby,” Sonic winked at him.
Shadow didn’t feel like arguing, so he just rolled his eyes and took the opportunity to neaten his quills.
“You should take better care of yourself.”
“Mm-hmm.” Sonic stared at the movie, not paying attention.
“They’re constantly a mess,” Shadow clicked his tongue, trying to style his quills the way he likes- but when he does, there’s an odd one out.
Shadow paused. His hands pluck the quill from his head, and Sonic twitched.
“What was that for?”
“Here.” Shadow hands Sonic the quill, and Sonic sits up to look at it.
“Oh, wouldja look at that! A grey quill.” Sonic snickered, “I’m getting to be an old man now, huh? Maybe even older than you!" he teased and punched Shadow’s shoulder. When Shadow didn’t react, Sonic's face changed, his eyes knit with concern.
“...Shadow?”
“You’re…” Shadow looked at the quill and then at Sonic. There are bags under his eyes.
“....”
Sonic looked serious. “Alright. Tell me. Tell me what you are worried about.”
“No. It is nothing.”
“It’s not nothing, you’re looking at me all spooked. Tell me.”
“It is nothing,” Shadow shook his head, and his mouth felt dry. “I knew you were getting older. I knew this would happen.”
“So?”
“I don’t want to talk about… this. Not with you.”
“Not with me? Damn, you can be pretty harsh sometimes, Shads.”
“It’s not-”
“Listen, Shads, if it involves me, I want to know about it. Just tell me.”
“I said no.”
“Stubborn ass,” Sonic rolled his eyes. “This is just so you. You know you can’t avoid your problems just by saying you don’t-”
“Fine!” Shadow snaps, and he stands up, quills flared, eyes narrow, and teeth gritted. “I’m worried you’re going to die! That I’m going to fucking lose you! Is that what you wanted to hear?!”
Silence fell upon the two. The TV felt loud, it babbled on about toothpaste, and in that ad was a elderly mobian with bright teeth smiling at them.
One day, he was going to be dead, and Shadow would live on and on and on forever in perpetuity. He knew he was going to leave all of the people he cared about behind.
But Sonic… Sonic… he was aging, and he couldn’t stop it.
His heart hurt, throbbed with horrible, dull pain, and he looked up and blinked the tears out of his eyes.
Because he loved Sonic. Loved him in… a different way from everyone else. Sonic loved him. But without him, the love will fade and he will be gone forever, and be forced to be carried in his heart for the rest of eternity. Lonely, lost eternity. It was coming too soon, and he couldn’t stop it.
“Hey, look at me.”
Shadow shook his head, and he left. But of course, Sonic chased him. He didn't get far before Sonic leaped at him and they tumbled together in the dirt.
“What the hell is your problem?” Shadow snaps.
“What the hell is my problem?! What’s yours!” Sonic shouts and pins Shadow below him. “Why are you running away from me????”
“I can’t do this!” Shadow screamed at Sonic. “I can’t- I can’t talk about this! I can’t lose you, Sonic!”
Sonic’s grip and Shadow loosened, and Shadow shoved Sonic off of him.
“...Lose me? Shads….” “I don’t want to hear it.” “You couldn’t…. You could never lose me, Shadow. No matter what.” “Shut up, shut up! That means nothing! Don’t you get it?! You will die! I can’t!” Shadow hissed at him.
“What- and suddenly now that scares you?!” Sonic yells, confused.
“YES! I’ve seen you destroy Gods, I’ve seen you time and time again-” “So what?” Sonic snaps. “Why are you so afraid of that?”
Shadow hisses at him, and Sonic growls back at him.
“You’re being ridiculous, Shadow. I’m not going to die for a long time-” “You can’t guarantee that!” Shadow shoves him off. Sonic looks hurt, his ears fold back, and Shadow hates how he’s looking at him. He hates how he feels, he hates this, hates everything. Everything is screaming, screaming at him. Sonic is going to die, and you can’t stop it. He’s going to be lost to time, and you can’t stop it. Maybe they’ll honor him, build him a big statue, but one day, no one who knows him will even exist anymore. The thought makes him want to scream.
“I don’t know what’s up with you- but I’m tired of you always doing this,” Sonic emphatically gestures towards Shadow, towards everything. “When you’re ready to talk, come find me.” Then he was gone.
Shadow knew that he wouldn’t ever be ready to talk- not really. He’s been carrying this grief for over a decade.
You’re so stupid.
I know that.
Maybe he’s better off this way.
Make your mark
…
The last time Shadow ever fed on Sonic was a week after Vanilla's funeral.
It was the first time they had seen each other after the argument. Enough time had passed that there was now a grey stripe in Sonic's vivid blue quills. Shadow couldn't keep his eyes off of him throughout the funeral, as much as he wished he could. But it was an easier, softer pain than Vector and Cream's loud sobs, and needing to pay respects to her casket, where she peacefully slept. Vanilla's face is gentle. Rouge did her makeup delicately, with a tint of rouge on her cheeks, and her lips a soft pink. Grey hairs streaked through the hairs on her head, with a little tuft of white.
It happened too soon. She didn’t look dead. She couldn’t be dead. She could get back up at any moment.
Amy picked out the cream colored lace sundress she would be buried in, surrounded by lilies, her favorite.
When she lay on the ground, there was not a dry eye among the group.
He couldn't bear it. He had to leave. Shadow didn't want to stay behind and be forced to reminisce, to remember the kind of woman Vanilla was instead of the woman she is. She let him babysit Cream, and fed him home-cooked meals, and listened to him carefully, the mother to Cream, the mother of Vector and Vanilla’s child, the surrogate mother to Charmy and Espio and Sonic and anyone else who was lucky to have her in her life.
She couldn’t just live in his heart. It felt heavy, like a stone. He couldn’t take much more of this.
One day, everyone will be gone.
What made things worse is that Sonic’s heart never stopped calling out for Shadow. Since Vanilla’s passing, he couldn’t stop hearing it, feeling its magnetic pull.
Shadow…
Shut up.
Shadow….
Shut up.
Shadow.
“SHUT UP!” he screamed. He bit his bedsheets and tore them to shreds, his claws sliced through his mattress like paper. He shattered mugs to the ground, threw his TV against the wall, destroyed, destroyed, destroyed. Because that is what Vampires do. They destroy lives, people, and drain the earth of resources because they are selfish enough to live forever. He can be a hero, he can save the earth, but he still has to take and take and take. He can’t give life. He couldn’t have prevented Vanilla’s passing. It was always going to happen.
He was surrounded by broken things, items, furniture, glass, metal, and shredded clothes.
His heartbeat thrummed in his ears.
He found the essentials, a sleeping bag, a jacket, and a campfire kit, and left his apartment behind in a mess, leaving a note on the fridge to specifically not try and find him.
He’s going into the mountains alone. He doesn’t want to be found. He wants to be left behind and forgotten.
Yes, he knows he’s throwing a fit. He knows it’s stupid, it’s immature. He knows, he knows, he knows. But he doesn’t want to be reminded of death, of grief. Death has always ruled his life, and it’s so, so frustrating.
In the mountains, there’s no one else but himself. And the stars.
Shadow.
His call is getting louder.
Shadow.
Why is it getting louder?
“Shadow!”
Shadow whirls around Sonic, standing at the mouth of his cave.
Sonic’s eyes glint green, dull and tired.
“...What the hell, man?”
Shadow looks away from him. “The note said-”
“Forget the note. When were you going to talk to me?” He demands.
Shadow’s heart said never. Ideally never. He would never have to get hurt. Never has his heart broken. Never have to admit how deeply in love he is.
“I don’t know,” Shadow says. “I can’t say.”
Sonic sighs, and his footsteps echo. “What have you been eating, man?”
“...The blood of squirrels,” Shadow admits.
“Gross dude, you’re my rival. You gotta eat better than that-” Sonic’s hand touches his shoulder, and Shadow tries to swat it away- but Sonic growls, he swears to Gaia he does.
“None of that, Shadow. I’m trying to talk to you.”
“I don’t need your judgment. Why are you here?” Shadow asks.
“Because I do worry about you, you know. Rouge has told me about how weird you’re acting, and then… Vanilla passes… and you hole yourself up in the mountain. Why wouldn’t I worry? What, because we argued? I just want you to be real with me, Shads. I want you to be honest.”
“That’s asking a lot of me,” Shadow says.
“Apparently.” Another pause. “...You know, I’ve always wondered- in vampire movies, vampires can turn people into vampires too. Can you?”
He didn’t understand why Sonic would ask that. But he supposes Sonic always jumps around in conversations. “...In theory, yes,” Shadow responded slowly. “Gerald theorized that if I drained someone of their blood, the venom in my fangs would infiltrate their bloodstream and turn them into someone like me.” Not that he ever tried.
“That’s pretty cool. Venom? Is that why your bite feels good?”
Shadow looked at him.
“What?”
“Ohhhhh, did I never tell you?” Sonic chuckled, but it sounded tired. “Sorry. There’s a reason why I offered so many times. I like it when you bite me.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Doesn’t it?” Sonic tilted his head at him.
“...Why would you like it when I bite you?”
Sonic sighs.
“Shads, what are we doing?”
“I don’t know,” Shadow murmured. “I don’t know what we are doing.”
Sonic shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Haven’t we been chasing each other for long enough? Shouldn’t we just say it?”
Shadow felt the lump in his throat. He didn’t… he….
Shadow swallowed the lump down. “Fine. We have been doing this for too long. I’m tired… I’m tired of hearing you calling out for me every night.”
“What? I don’t do that.”
“You think you don’t, but I hear it. Constantly.”
Sonic’s face turned red, and he scratched his cheek. “I still feel like a teenager about this stuff… But you’re sorta right. I do miss you. I miss you all the time. I don’t want to be away from you anymore, and I’m tired of you avoiding me.”
Shadow tried to look away from him, and Sonic gently touched the side of his face.
“I love you, Shadow.” Those green eyes are so soft, it makes Shadow’s breath hitch. “I’ve loved you since we were teens.”
I’ve been such a fool. Thought Shadow.
Sonic took his hand, and Shadow squeezed.
“I know,” Shadow whispered. Then louder, “I’ve known since our 20s. I always knew you loved me. I always knew that I loved you. But I…”
“Was afraid of losing me.” Sonic’s eyes saddened, and he brought Shadow’s hand to his lips. “That’s so you Shadow. You have a bigger heart than you let on.”
“Shut up, Faker,” Shadow choked out through held-back tears.
Sonic let out a big belly laugh and leaned into Shadow, their foreheads gently touching. “That’s what I love about you. I love how much you care, even if you pretend not to. That’s why you’re up here.”
Shadow felt hurt, “You don’t-”
“You don’t need to feel embarrassed by it. I’m not making fun of you, Shads. I’m just trying to understand you.” he took both of Shadow’s hands, intertwining their fingers. He felt so warm. Shadow could tell Sonic was holding himself back from doing more, and Shadow understood why.
“...Thank you,” he murmured, and Sonic just nodded.
Shadow took one of his hands out of his grasp to touch the long streak of grey in Sonic’s quills.
Sonic let out a deep breath. “Shadow…” his grip on him tightened. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re going to be alone.”
“It’s inevitable,” Shadow murmured. “One day you’ll be gone and I’ll have to keep you in my heart until the end of time. I was a fool to think that avoiding you would make it hurt less. If anything…” Shadow felt his hand shaking, and tears blurred his vision.
“I could have had you since our 20s. Now… now… I’ve wasted our time.”
“No, it wasn’t time wasted.” Sonic kissed the tears rolling down his face. “Time you enjoyed wasting wasn't wasted.”
“I wasn’t happy. It hurt. I didn’t enjoy wasting it,” Shadow leaned into his affection.
“I’m sorry, Shadow. But you don’t need to worry about that anymore.” Sonic’s eyes sparkled. He looked at Shadow so warmly. “I’ve already made up my mind. You’re my friend-no, you’re even more important to me than that.” He leaned in like he was telling Shadow a secret. “You’re going to turn me into a vampire, too.”
Shadow bolted up from the floor. “I can’t- no- you- you can’t have possibly decided that! Don’t you know what this means?! You’ll be alone, everyone –”
“That doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if they die. People die. That’s just what happens, Shadow. You can’t let it rule your life. You can’t let it stop you from living. I think we both know you stopped living after we had that argument, and you left me. And I’m starting to have my suspicions you stopped living even before that. I’m not letting that happen again.” Sonic’s eyes narrowed in determination. “You aren’t going to change my mind. I want to live with you forever. Do you?”
“.....Yes.” Shadow quietly admitted. “There was never a moment when I didn't.”
“Then stop letting fear change you. This isn’t the Shadow I know, the one I fell in love with. I fell in love with the guy that defeated the Biolizard, who kicked Black Doom’s ass, saved the world time and time again, because you weren’t afraid.”
“...” Shadow swallowed. “You’ll drink blood.”
“I’ll get over it.”
“You will outlive Tails.”
“.....” That makes Sonic pause. “There was never a guarantee that he would outlive me. I’m full of chaos energy, Shadow. I’m going to live a long life no matter what. Unlike you, I’m going to make the most of it, with or without you.”
“You’re giving me an ultimatum.”
“I am. No more running. No more ignoring me.”
Shadow’s eyes flashed, and in an instant, he had Sonic against the wall. Sonic’s eyes widened, and he stopped talking.
“I’m not going to run. I’m not going to avoid you any longer. I’m not going to be a fool.”
Sonic tilted his head up, exposing his neck for Shadow.
A beat passed between them.
“So what are you waiting for?” Sonic smiled.
“...This will be the last time you will be mortal. I want to remember it.”
“You’re such a sap.”
Shadow scoffed. “Only for you. Only you could drive me so crazy.”
“I’m flattered,” Sonic smirked.
“You should be, because you aren’t ever going to get rid of me. Not now, not until the end of time.”
“That’s fine,” Sonic’s eyes glimmered, like he was challenged to a race. “I already said you weren’t going to get rid of me.”
Shadow nosed his neck, breathing in Sonic. Shadow’s hands went to his hips, and he pulled Sonic away from the wall, bending him as he took in his final taste of Sonic, letting Sonic fall into his arms.
He tastes so, so sweet. He swallows and swallows, letting himself indulge in Sonic like he has always, always wanted to do. He’s always held back. Always sipped on his blood slowly. No more. He wants everything. Wants to possess Sonic because Sonic is his and always has been his.
He feels Sonic become weaker and weaker under him, Sonic releases quiet gasps, and then he is silent.
For one horrible, gut-wrenching moment, Shadow thought Sonic had passed.
Then Sonic’s eyes opened. They’re vivid, bright red. His quills changed color, turning to a bright royal blue, just as they were when he was a teen. Sonic slowly rose, and Shadow asked,
“How do you feel?”
It was then that Sonic licked his new fangs and hummed. “Hungry.”
“I see. I will teach you how to feed-”
“No, no, I’m hungry for a chili dog,” he dismissed. “I don’t want to start drinking blood right off the bat. Come with me, it’ll be our first official date,” he winked.
“...You’re amazing.” Shadow stared at him in awe.
Sonic smiled and took his hand. “Did you just figure that out?”
“No. Of course not,” he squeezed his hand. “That’s how I fell for you in the first place.”
“Cheesy.”
“Shut up.”
….
Rain pelts against the windows. Sonic groans and noses into Shadow.
“Can the rain shut up?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Shadow responds, tightening his hold around Sonic. Sonic hums and presses a kiss to Shadow’s muzzle, opening one of his red eyes.
“What time is it?”
“Nine something.”
“That’s kind of late for you. You sure you don’t want to get up?”
“I’m sure. There’s nothing for me out there that’s better than in here.”
“Sap.”
“Idiot.”
Sonic chuckles and presses another kiss to his muzzle. Shadow responds with a kiss to his forehead.
“Can we switch? I wanna hold you.”
“Fine,” Shadow rolls his eyes.
“You’re cute, Shadow.”
“You’re the only one who thinks that way.”
“I’m the one who’s right.”
Shadow rolls over, and Sonic holds him from behind, his hands resting on Shadow’s chest fluff. He rolls his eyes.
“So this was your motive.”
“Hell yes, it was. I’ve been eyeing that fluff for years, I’m going to touch it all I want.”
Shadow snorts. “You’re weird.”
“So are you. But I love you anyway.”
Shadow squeezes Sonic’s hand, pressing a kiss to it.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you.”
Sonic snuggles in closer.
“Don’t thank me. I don’t want your thanks. I just wanna be with you.”
Shadow closes his eyes, sinking into the bed, the warmth of Sonic, and the nice rhythmic tapping of rain.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here.”