Chapter Text
“Well, it looks like you two are rooming together.” Amy sang sweetly as she looked at the horror wash over Shadow’s face.
Team Sonic and Team Dark decided to go out on a vacation in Apotos for a few days, staying in an AirBnB next to the water. How Shadow was convinced to join in, only Rouge knew, as that was left up to her. But now it seemed like he was ready to leave again.
“I’m not rooming with Sonic.”
“I don’t snore if that’s what you’re scared of.” Sonic said with a smirk.
“I’m not scared, hedgehog. I just know I won’t be able to get proper rest with you by my side.”
“In that case, just try to be quiet, boys.” Rouge chimed in with a wink.
“Shut up, Rouge. You know that’s absolutely not what I mean.”
“Listen, us girls already decided to room together, and Knuckles and Tails are rooming together, that leaves you two left. They’re large beds. You’ll be fine.” Amy tried to convince Shadow.
“Hmph.” Shadow crossed his arms and looked away, no longer wishing to argue.
“Well, guess I’ll see ya in the room, roomie.” Sonic nudged Shadow and winked before carrying his small luggage off to one of the three rooms.
Shadow rolled his eyes, clearly not wanting to be there in the first place. He looked over at Rouge, who just smiled knowingly, only making his blood boil more.
Shadow followed into the room, not wanting to make conversation with his long time rival. But of course, Sonic had other plans.
“So, what convinced you to join the trip?” Sonic asked as he finished putting all of his things in the drawer provided in the room.
“That’s none of your business.” Shadow replied coldly.
“Come on, you’re no fun. Was it a chaos emerald? Can’t really think of much else you like.” Sonic teased. Shadow sighed as he finished organizing his things.
“I have my reasons, you have yours. It doesn’t matter. Just try not to make this miserable for me.” Shadow said as he walked towards the bathroom to put his toiletries in there.
“You already do a good enough job of that yourself.” Sonic called out with a chuckle as Shadow walked away. This was going to be a fun weekend, at least for one of them.
It was already evening by the time the group arrived at the house, so they decided to make dinner there. After everyone unpacked their things in the room, they gathered in the living room and put on the TV while Amy and Shadow prepped the food.
“Hey how come Shadow’s allowed in the kitchen but I’m not?” Sonic asked. He absolutely knew the reason, but he was still going to be annoying about it.
“Because Shadow actually knows his way around the kitchen.” Rouge pointed out.
“And he hasn’t set anything on fire.” Amy chimed in.
“Come on, it was one time!”
“Actually it was twice.” Tails said quietly.
“Okay, okay, touché. So what, you gonna make us a gourmet meal, Shads?”
“You’ll get what you get and you’ll eat it.” Shadow said sternly. Sonic snorted in return. He loved messing with his favorite rival. It’s not his fault Shadow’s buttons are just too easy to press.
In the meantime, Sonic, Rouge, Tails, Knuckles, and Omega sat around the living room focusing on what was on the screen. Rouge was cuddled up next to Knuckles, whose muzzle was red enough to match his fur. Sonic had his arm thrown around his little brother, while Omega stood in the corner, commenting how the show didn’t have enough violence in it.
“Alright, dinner’s ready!” Amy called out.
“Already? Nice!” Sonic hopped over the couch and to the counter, which already had the plates out with food on them.
During dinner, Amy went over the game plan for the week. “Alright, tomorrow is sight seeing, so be ready for lots of pictures! Day two is beach day, and our last day will be snorkeling off shore. I’ve packed everything we need and we can always stop by the store if we need more.”
“Always the planner, Ames.” Sonic commented.
“Someone’s got to keep us organized. Now hurry up and finish eating so we can get some rest! There’s going to be a lot of walking tomorrow!”
The group finished up their meals, Sonic and Tails washing the dishes while everyone did their nightly routine.
By the time Sonic got back to his room, Shadow was already in bed. “All snuggled in?” Sonic teased. Shadow glared at Sonic, laying down into the bed.
“This is my side. You stay on yours. If I wake up and you’re not, you’re sleeping on the floor.”
Sonic raised his hands in defense. “Damn, okay bro. Got it. Trust me, I sleep in trees, I don’t move around much.” Sonic shut the door to the room and slipped his shoes off. He then made his way to his side of the bed, crawling under the covers before turning off the lamp on the side drawer.
“You know, how do I know it’s not you who steals all the covers in his sleep?” Shadow could hear the smirk on Sonic’s face.
“I don’t, now sleep, hedgehog.”
“Goodnight to you, too, faker.”
~
“Maria…”
Sonic woke up, looking to his side. Not that he could see much, considering how dark it was. Still, he squinted, still processing what exactly had woken him up. With little light, Sonic decided to turn the lamp on to get a better look.
Shadow lay there, tossing and turning, sweat rolling down his muzzle. He sounded distressed, shifting uncomfortably. Sonic could tell it was a nightmare, and by what he could see, it was a bad one.
“No…” Shadow whispered, his brows furrowed.
Sonic frowned, gently shaking Shadow’s shoulder, almost on instinct. “Hey, Shadow. Wake up.”
It was almost immediately that he was met with a very strong grip on his arm, claws digging into his skin. Blood red eyes met his, snarling at him.
“Woah, hey, it’s okay. It’s just me.” Sonic said, trying to stay gentle despite the pain in his arm. It didn’t take long after for Shadow to let go, his snarl fading.
“What are you doing?” Shadow asked angrily.
“You were having a nightmare dude, I was just trying to help.”
“I was fine.”
“Didn’t look fine to me.”
Shadow’s frown deepened as he looked away. He hated that Sonic had to see him like this. He was afraid this would happen. “They happen occasionally. I’m used to it.”
Sonic frowned in return, sighing. “I get it. Still, didn’t want to let you keep going through it.”
Shadow was slightly surprised by Sonic’s gentleness. It wasn’t something he was used to seeing. Then again, he did always have his moments. The blue hedgehog never ceased to surprise him.
“Don’t tell anyone about this.” Shadow warned, though it lacked his usual venom.
“Hey, I’m not *that* big of an asshole. I’m not gonna say anything.” Sonic confirmed, hoping to ease Shadow’s anxiety. He liked messing with the guy but teasing him over something like this would be crossing a line. He remembered when Tails used to struggle with nightmares, too. They aren’t fun at all, just as it’s not fun to see someone go through them, too.
There was silence for a moment before Sonic spoke up again. “I’m gonna go back to bed. You try to do the same.”
Shadow nodded, swiftly facing the other way to lay back down. Sonic’s gaze lingered on Shadow for a moment before sighing once more, turning the lamp off, and rolling back over to go to sleep.
Little did he know this wouldn’t be the last time he’d be awoken throughout the night this week.