Who're you calling chipmunk? @gottasmashthosegears-blog - Tumblr Blog

"Shaving is really blowing my cover."

#{open}#{hi what this blog is actually alive hahaa}

"I'd come up with a sassy comment to explain my position if I didn't wanna hang myself for it."

Somehow, Shadow doubted that Sonic would’ve gone to collect everyone up, but he decided that it would be safer not to voice that right now. Sonic agreed to let him come with him — he didn’t want to fuck that up by saying something wrong. He knew the blue hedgehog to be a determinator, who would try to fight even if he believed he might lose. That included any of his alternates.

Shadow hated how Sonic asked that. The question, followed by logical reasoning… He made it so that it was physically impossible for Shadow to disagree with him. Shadow would guess that he’d done that on purpose if he didn’t know Sonic so well.

Or did he? They’d been separated for a long time. It could be possible that wherever he went, he picked up something underhanded and learned how to manipulate. It wouldn’t be the first large change that Shadow had noticed, large changes that he was sure Sonic wanted to take back.

"… All right. Lead the way, then."

He hoped that Sonic’s alternate would be safe, wherever he was, but Shadow felt compelled to stay with his Sonic with a greater need than he did to find that alternate by himself. He wouldn’t go looking if Sonic wouldn’t go looking. The imitation, the lack of decision making on his part, could be seen as a complete deprecation of autonomy, but for Shadow, it simply made sense. After all, if he chose too many decisions that contradicted Sonic’s, he could lose him forever, couldn’t he?

Forever was a very, very long time. Far longer than three years, and Shadow practically caved under those three years. ‘Forever’ wasn’t a term he wanted to have to use any time soon, especially not to refer to Sonic, except if it meant that Sonic would stay forever.

He could say that he wanted to stay because he could sense Sonic’s anxiety, and he could, but… Shadow had to admit it. His reasons for everything he did lately were entirely selfish. Too bad he couldn’t bring himself to care.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ Oh no, Sonic was certain his alternate was leading people to safety. Why? Eh, the guy was was more compassionate than Sonic himself in his mind, he was a little more concerned with wiping out the issue than getting people to safety. If it was him out there, then yeah, Shadow was right, he'd be out there at the Black Arms feet right now, homing attacking each and everyone of them in a futile attempt to destroy them. But his alternate was more likely to evacuate anyone who could get in harms way before doing something dumb. Especially if it was a huge threat like the Black Arms.

'All right. Lead the way then.'

And thankfully Shadow complied to the blue hedgehog. Good, 'cause the sooner they met up with Shadow's alternate, the sooner they could deal with this threat and eliminate those creatures before they devoured the whole city once more. ]

"Hope you can keep up with me."

[ Sonic turned, winking at Shadow, offering him that friendly challenge. Well, Sonic certainly wasn't going to be walking to GUN H.Q. with aliens marching into the city. And so he hopped up onto the railing, glancing down, about a three story building drop... Nothing Sonic the hedgehog couldn't handle though. He'd fallen from space before after all.

He jumped without any hesitation, curling into a ball a split second before he hit the ground and rolling along the ground until he felt a loss in his momentum. He uncurled at that, his feet hitting the ground with loud pads from the soles of his shoes before he sped off into the distance, heading towards where he knew GUN's headquarters to be. ]

#smearedsilhouette

smearedsilhouette

The days that Sonic reminisced on were days that formed Shadow, for certain. When he hadn’t had any memory, the blue hedgehog shaped him — shaped him into who he was, and withheld the memory of what he used to be. Shadow spent months of his time reflecting on how much Sonic had stolen away from him, but perhaps during that time he’d developed Stockholm syndrome, because that resentment morphed into affection and addiction, needing what he’d stolen to remain stolen. Back in the day he had a name, and for all he knew it wouldn’t be ‘Shadow’, but since Sonic dubbed him what he did he didn’t want to shed it. His old name was taken away and given a substitute, and Shadow now found that he preferred the substitute, that he didn’t want to let go of it even if it meant getting everything else back.

Sonic could be sad about it and wish for the old days again, but now Shadow didn’t even want to think about them. He wanted to be who Sonic shaped him into. He couldn’t give a damn at the moment if that was unhealthy.

Apparently, Sonic picked up on that. Sonic knew that he wouldn’t be reasoned with, and after a tense stare-off that lasted for possibly a minute too long for either of them, Sonic finally spoke. "… Okay." His ears drooped and Shadow watched, but in spite of that the black hedgehog felt only relief and no remorse for his decision. The jitters began to evaporate from his body and his shoulders slumped a smidgen as he let out a soft breath, not quite a sigh. He didn’t want to have to spend time trying to convince Sonic that he wasn’t going to go anywhere without him, so having Sonic readily agree with him, despite not liking his choice, made all of this easier.

Although, to Shadow it wasn’t really a choice. Sonic probably would think it was, but…Shadow needed to be with him. It wasn’t a matter of wanting it at this point.

Sonic’s fingers flitted over the back of Shadow’s hand, which made Shadow’s heart pick up in a moment of exhilaration. He knew logically that their surroundings were too important, but for the duration of Sonic’s holding his hand, then placing his hands on his chest, Shadow couldn’t wish for anything more than to just forget about the world around them, let it fall to ruin and just have the two of them together. For that moment only, he didn’t care about anything else, and the kiss helped to accentuate that, which he fully leaned into and whispered a soft, "I love you, too…" He didn’t care if all those soldiers died and the Black Arms took over, so long as Sonic was here.

Shadow proved that he wasn’t completely heartless when the thought occurred to him: they needed to find that alternate of Sonic’s. His ears perked up, and thankfully for the both of them that was all the convincing Shadow’s heart needed that they had to go. "… Yeah." Then Shadow’s eye ridges lowered as he focused his energy in the same place it’d been for three years: to protect. As much as he didn’t care about a world falling to ruin, Sonic did. And he cared about Sonic.

Both of them.

"If…" He paused thoughtfully, glancing at the buildings that seemed to grow in his vision every minute that passed. He fucking hated those things and he would make up any excuse to get away from them. "… If your alternate is anything like you, he likely went in the direction of the source." Were they going to find Sonic first? Shadow hoped so. Honestly, he didn’t care about his alternate at all. He’d hardly spoken to him, but like the world itself, he only cared about him since Sonic did.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ 'If your alternate is anything like you, he likely went in the direction of the source.'

Oh... Sonic had a different idea on where his alternate was and what he was doing. He shook his head, taking a step away from Shadow to lean over the balcony for the moment and stare out into the distance at those creatures moving towards them. They were so far... But yet Sonic swore he could hear their footsteps. Funny, Sonic had faced a billion and one dangers and threats worse than the one at hand and not a single feeling would run through his body, but seeing the Black Arms and he was scared. Very scared. He took in a deep breath, letting out with a gentle sigh in an attempt to calm himself, before he finally turned back to face Shadow, masking any fear that could have been visible on his expression. ]

"Nah... He ain't like me. 'N' considering how empty this place is, I think he went in the opposite direction 'n' took as many people as he could with him, probably to find somewhere safe.

He'll probably go back to Shadow once he's found that safe place, I know he's brave but I know he ain't gonna fight a battle he can't win either. So if we head to GUN headquarters for your alternate, we'll probably run into mine there too.

... Is that okay?"

[ Shadow was attached to Sonic's alternate, Sonic knew that, so it was better to check if he was okay with all this first before he ran off ahead. Either way they were heading back to Shadow, there was no way Sonic was gonna dive head first into a group of Black Arms and take Shadow with him, that was for sure. ]

#smearedsilhouette

Do you ever feel bad for choosing Snake over Tails?

"Now I know my world went to shit, yeah. I chose to go with Snake 'cause I believed my world was okay, that they would be fine 'n' could fend for themselves for a little while. I wouldn't stay I made the wrong choice just... I should have been there for them both really."

#Anonymous

smearedsilhouette

The conversation had sounded entirely one-sided to Shadow because he could only hear Sonic from this distance. As usual, he teased this alternate — but Shadow didn’t exactly seethe with jealousy. For him, he knew exactly how to get through to Sonic, something that that alternate would never be able to get to. Besides, if that alternate helped Sonic so much, what reason would he have to be jealous? Sonic needed him. If he needed him more than he needed Shadow, so be it. Nature worked out that way and Shadow wouldn’t take it away from him.

The prickle of tension Shadow picked up from Sonic’s spine spread into his own, his breath halting as he watched the blue hedgehog lift up his head. To gather proper information, Shadow followed suit — only for his sight to be met with the blinding light of a dark aura he thought he wouldn’t have to see ever again. Three whole years, three whole years since he’d seen it, and suddenly he understood all of the dread that he could pick up from his alternate.

… But for Shadow, he worried little about what would happen to this Zone. He worried little about what would happen to his alternate, either. He’d have some concern for that other Sonic. But there was one thing that dominated his mind, one thing that kept him firmly rooted and left him feeling nauseous at the implication. Even further, knowing that Sonic would intentionally subject himself to something like that, just because that was who he was.

Shadow hated that he loved that about him. He hated that that was the one thing that kept him coming back, needing more than just a taste. Needing him entirely. The one thing that kept him lingering on him, mind, body, and soul, no matter how much he pretended that he had it together. He completely wrapped him around his finger and he wouldn’t release him.

That only spiraled and intensified when he heard what Sonic said to him.

"I want you to head back, okay baby?"

The last time he let Sonic go to another world by himself, he didn’t come back for three years. But three years would be nothing compared to an eternity. Shadow could already feel the loneliness grip him like a vice — and it was then that he knew he didn’t have an option.

Shadow’s eyes contained an indescribable pain as he croaked, voice aching from recent disuse, "No. I…I can’t. I can’t leave you."

Not again. Three years was way too long, and…I can’t do it again. I can’t do it a second time. I’d…

Needy and unhealthy it likely was, but Shadow couldn’t bring himself to care. He’d claw onto it for dear life, like a drug that his body began to grow addicted to. Hell, he probably was addicted to Sonic. Shadow didn’t want to consider the repercussions of that; further, he was ready for whatever consequence it might bring him. So long as he could have Sonic near him, so long as they didn’t have to separate again…

He’d rather the aliens eat him alive deliberately in front of Sonic than stand by and wait for another drink, convincing himself that it’s okay, it’s okay, just a few more hours. Just a few more hours. Just a few more days… Weeks… Years…

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ Of course, this would be how Shadow behaved. Sonic should have guessed. Shadow wouldn't let him go on alone, heck, it barely even seemed like he was disturbed by the creatures e saw on the horizon and more about the fact that he would be leaving Sonic alone. He was so attached to him and who could blame him? Sonic disappeared for three years before, M.I.A., presumed dead, only to be in another world fighting a war he didn't belong on. All because of his stupid big heart.

And whilst Shadow would rather be eaten alive in front of him, Sonic would rather take comfort in knowing that Shadow was away from the danger, safe and alive and well. But... What could he do? Refuse Shadow to follow him? He would anyway. That was just how he was, that's what Sonic had made him. He used to be so different... So innocent in Sonic's eyes, but then again, he used to be exactly the same.

He wished those days wouldn't have ended the way they did. ]

"... Okay."

[ Sonic's voice dropped to a soft, almost meek, tone. His ears ducked back, eye ridged tugged upwards. It was more than clear that he didn't want this, but he wasn't going to stop Shadow. Instead he closed the gap between them, taking the back of Shadow's hand and resting it on his own cheek before placing his own hands on Shadow's chest. This certainly wasn't going to be the last bit of affection Sonic would ever get from Shadow, but he wanted to just bask in him for a brief second. Be held by him and feel as if it was okay.

He kissed him. Just a small soft peck, they kind of had no time for anything romantic after all. ]

"I love you.

... We're gonna need to get going though, okay?"

#smearedsilhouette

watchinglikeashadow

Shadow probably would’ve more annoyed if his nerves weren’t entirely focused on his ability to save his Zone. Nano certainly wasn’t helping, though. He knew Sonics to be stubborn (after all, his boyfriend was practically a mule), and unfortunately, that applied to Nano, too. He doubted he’d convince him out of this one.

"…usually I’d just let a Zone fall since it kinda has nothing to do with me…"

Shadow snorted at that.

"Yeah, that’s not a load of bullshit."

It wasn’t important, though, and Shadow didn’t press on the issue. Instead, he listened to Nano’s explanation of his eagerness to help with a sigh. He didn’t want Nano to help. He wanted him to stay safe in his own Zone with his own Shadow. But it wasn’t about him, was it? It was about Nano’s eagerness to make things up to him. Some stupid things, since Shadow never saved his life or anything like that. Why did Nano feel like he owed him so badly, anyway?

He turned his head away from the communicator for a moment, his eyes focusing out the window. That was a mistake if he wanted to remain calm.

Outside he spotted monsters far off in the distance beginning to walk, and his ears fell. Originally he was intending to answer Nano, give him some snarky remark about how he already knew where he was, but as soon as he heard the reverberating of their feet (even though they were likely miles away, he could feel it in his bones), every bit of energy he went into defiance outright evaporated right then and there.

Shit…

"I have to go," he suddenly hissed into the communicator, and right away turned it off as he spun on his heel so that he could go to the door and warn the others. The longer he took, the more time that the monsters had to cause destruction, and the more likely they would be able to take over the headquarters without them having any means of stopping them. The worst bit of it was that his mind raced back to both Nano and his Shadow, as well as Sonic. Sonic was out exploring, looking for them…

He hoped all three of them would be okay.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

"Language, Shads. I bet you don't talk like that around Sonic."

[ Sonic teased but only for it to be met with several minutes of complete dead silence. Sure, Sonic new he was lying and Shadow did too but the silence clearly wasn't about that. It was too long, too suffocating, something had just grabbed this alternate of Shadow by the chest and squeezed all the air out of him and Sonic didn't know what. Finally he was greeted with a hiss and a beep to indicate that Shadow had disconnected from him, Sonic frowned and turned to his Shadow, parting his lips to speak but to only be stare right through him briefly.

They were up high, a couple of floors, could see out over Central City and into the surrounding areas and now it sunk in why Shadow had dropped silent. He saw just what Shadow saw, monsters on the horizon, moving forward towards the city. Black monsters, familiar monsters that sent a chill down Sonic's spine. So this was what he got himself in for, huh? What a great time for his younger alternate to be roaming on his own too. Shadow was with GUN so he was fine, his Shadow was there with him but his own alternate? Darn it, that idiot better be safe.

His vision focused back in on Shadow, biting down on his bottom lip. ]

"... Well. I have bad news and good news. Good news is that you can go back home now if you want too. Bad news is... I think some creatures that kinda look like the Black Arms are invading this Zone once more and our alternates are gonna fight against them. Shadow's with GUN and Sonic's out there somewhere though."

[ He swallowed. He was staying, no matter what, he was going to stay and help. But if Shadow wanted to leave that would probably be better for Sonic too, he didn't want any harm to come to him after all. He couldn't exactly move their alternates out of her, but he could get Shadow out. ]

"... I'm gonna stay and help them. I want you to head back, okay baby?"

#watchinglikeashadow #smearedsilhouette

watchinglikeashadow

"My Shadow’s here."

God fucking dammit, Nano.

The worst part about that was that it was too late for Shadow to say anything, and even if he tried to explain it he doubted his boyfriend’s stubborn alternate would give him the time of day. Nano really should’ve left the other Shadow behind. Shadow didn’t doubt this would cause some rather drastic complications. He just hoped that Black Doom was the only one who could…

Ugh. Shit.

"Well, your bringing him here was an absolutely horrid idea.”

Okay, so he knew he couldn’t convince Nano out of it, but Shadow wasn’t mature enough of a hedgehog to keep his mouth shut. He needed to let Nano know just how displeased he was that this was the turn of events. After that, though, Shadow let out a shaky sigh, again the fury being swallowed up by anxiety. His ears twitched and he mumbled something that wouldn’t make sense in English under his breath, simply because he felt compelled to.

Black Doom had to be the only one.

He had to be.

… But what if he wasn’t?

"Nano, I’m being serious. You need to get out of here. Especially since you have Shadow with you. If I tried to explain it, you’d overestimate your abilities and insist you should come along anyway. This is my Zone’s problem, and you have enough going on in your own Zone and with just about everything else that you needn’t waste your time worrying about this one. I’ve kept it safe before and I can do it again.”

… I can, can’t I?

He glanced back at the door, his thoughts increasing his heart palpitations. He really needed to stop doubting himself, but how could he possibly? Sure, he’d defeated them once, and he’d only struggled a little bit, but he had no idea where this second wave came from, and something was niggling at the back of his head, telling Shadow that this was no accident — that it might’ve been planned all along and they’d simply overlooked it with Black Doom’s defeat.

It wasn’t an option. He had to succeed. But…

…what if he didn’t? If the worst happened, he wouldn’t forgive himself if he put others from other Zones in danger.

I’m already doing that with Sonic… God, why did I agree to that plan he came up with? Why didn’t I send him back to his own Zone?

Probably because he wouldn’t have gone, and Shadow logically knew that, but to him, if this fell through, it didn’t matter; it would all be his fault.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ Bringing Shadow was a bad idea? Only now was Shadow being serious? Sonic had been serious all the way through this conversation, he wasn't budging. This place was in danger and well... Sonic wasn't ending up with both his alternate and Shadow on his operating table once more, especially considering how close he was to losing one of them last time.

Although, he did note how his favourite Shadow alternate seemed distressed, whatever was going on had seriously shook him up that was for sure. And Sonic just leaned back against the wall between himself and Shadow's apartment, staring out into the distance. He knew very well where Shadow was, it was obvious. He'd mentioned a meeting earlier, and where else would Shadow go when his world was in danger, only the people he worked for. GUN. But, Sonic wanted to at least let him fill him in on his location before he headed out to see him. ]

"Your zone's problem or not, I'm gonna help. You should be thinking yourself lucky, usually I'd just let a zone fall since it kinda has nothing to do with me, but you 'n' your lil boyfriend are special."

[ Clearly, Sonic was lying. The whole reason he didn't stay in his own world was because he couldn't bare to see another suffer and here was exactly the same. He glanced up to meet his own Shadow's gaze, hopefully he would be okay with this, if not he could just leave. Sonic certainly cared about his safety too after all... ]

"... Look. I wanna do more than I did for you last time, Shadow. I know it's ages ago now but like... I couldn't do anything but attempt to patch you up and in the process I nearly lost one of you. I don't want it to come to that again. I'm not gonna budge, okay? I'm staying here and I'm helping. So tell me where you are or I'll just come and find you."

#watchinglikeashadow

watchinglikeashadow

Some of Shadow’s irritation seeped out of him once he heard that familiar nickname — ‘Nano’. He hadn’t spoken to the alternate of the blue hedgehog in what felt like (and probably was) months, so it was, admittedly, nice to hear from him again. He just wished Nano had had better timing. At least he knew that Nano would not try to bother him, though.

… Knowing Nano, that might’ve not been 100% true. But Shadow could hope, right?

The black hedgehog turned and glanced back inside the room he’d just left. They were still speaking, pretty heatedly at that. They didn’t seem to mind his absence all that much, though Shadow knew that he would be missing some of the briefing. Hopefully what he was missing wasn’t too significant.

Right now, Shadow had enough on his mind to make him weigh like tons of boulders, which meant that the instant he moved his head back, he slumped against the wall and let out a somewhat pained sigh. Even far away now, he could still hear their voices; worse yet, he could feel the intensity of their presence increase. This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good at all. The fact that Nano was in their Zone with them…

"You should go back to your Zone," he murmured, sounding as distant as he felt. All of that previous annoyance was absent from his voice, replaced with a twinge of fear mixed with almost a sense of resignation. He knew it was going to take a turn for the worst; the least he could do was admit it to himself. He couldn’t stick to his little fantasy land much longer. "It’s not safe here. We…found something out in a mission, and it’s very likely the whole city is going to go under lockdown very soon."

Then something hit Shadow, and he paused. "… Wait. ‘We’?" Oh, no. Don’t tell Shadow that he’d just brought… No, no, no. That would make this all worse! Shadow gripped onto his wrist tensely, hoping that Nano didn’t mean what he thought he’d meant.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ 'It's not safe here.'

<pShadow just sealed the deal of Sonic staying here. He hadn't brought his trusty tranquilizer, but hey, that was fine. Whatever was going down, he was sure he could lend a hand with just his fists! Especially since it wouldn't just be him and Shadow, but their alternates too. Easy peasy, right?

He grinned as he heard Shadow's slightly fearful tone, explaining the city lock down. So that's why it was dead already? Maybe an evacuation? Although it did seem pretty rushed, Sonic wouldn't be surprised if his alternate didn't hastily get everyone to safety as soon as possible. He probably did--

'Wait. We?'

Was Shadow being here a problem? Nano blinked, glancing back to his own alternate of Shadow, his ears tilted back slightly. ]

"Yeah... My Shadow's here. 'N' we ain't gonna leave now you've split that too us. Wanna fill in the blanks on where you and your little boyfriend are? We'll head right on over there to meet you!"

#watchinglikeashadow #{hahahah..... haha..... ha......}

watchinglikeashadow

If Shadow had to sit in this meeting for an hour longer, he thought he’d go positively mad. Right now they droned on about the same thing that he’d heard before: that they didn’t have the right equipment, that the location of the place was in X, Y, Z, that Sonic had accompanied them — all details he knew. If they said something relevant that could make the black hedgehog latch his attention onto it, then it would make this conversation easier for him to have, but as it was, Shadow could barely focus. Instead, his mind drifted to awful places that it wasn’t supposed to go, and he wanted out of there as soon as possible.

Please… Let this mission be over…

Funnily enough, the instant that he started pleading in his head, he heard a loud beep in his ear, and clearly he wasn’t the only one as the soldiers swiveled their heads in his direction and the commander stared right at him, affronted as if he’d caused the noise himself. Shadow glanced down at his wrist and grimaced. Really? Here? Now? Why was someone calling him now?

The others began to speak up, but he silenced them with a sheepish and somewhat irritated glance. "I’m…going to have to take this." It wasn’t as if he was supposed to say anything in the meeting, anyway; they didn’t trust him not to dilute information, despite the fact he’d never done so in the past. The soldiers glanced among themselves and shrugged as the hedgehog got up to his feet and quickly scurried a corner so that he could answer.

When he was asking for this meeting to be over with already, this wasn’t exactly what he had in mind. In fact, this would likely delay it further.

Grunting, the black hedgehog quickly pressed at the communicator hidden within his arm cuff and spoke into it, making it deliberately clear as possible that the patience in his voice was restrained; "Yes? Who is it? I’m in the middle of a meeting right now." He didn’t bother to check who was calling. He was kind of in a rush here.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ Shadow was taking his sweet ass time picking up, and that certainly wasn't making the blue hedgehog feel any better about this situation. Dead apartment blocks, dead town, Shadow's receiver dead too. Great. This was really just making Sonic feel perfect right now. His own alternate wasn't to be seen either... Yeah, he really did have a bad feeling about this. But... What could have gone wrong in such a short time? He saw Shadow just a few months ago and everything was fine! But then again... Things could go wrong in an hour or less, but thankfully none of this seemed that bad.

It wasn't like the Black Arms began raining from the sky again, right? The city might be dead but his alternate probably moved people to save and Shadow was probably fighting off whatever threat there was, right? If something went really wrong, this whole place probably wouldn't be here--

Finally Sonic got an answer. And at that, he gave his own alternate of Shadow a smile and a wink to indicate that he'd finally got through to him.

'Yes? Who is it? I'm in the middle of a meeting right now.' ]

"Hey Shads, it's me, Nano. Sorry to pull you outta that meeting, but like... We were just passing by and couldn't help but notice Central City is dead, your apartment is dead 'n' your boyfriend ain't anywhere to be seen. What's going on?"

[He question, twirling one of his loose quills between his fingertips as he spoke.]

#watchinglikeashadow #smearedsilhouette #greaterspeed

smearedsilhouette

It had been very easy for Shadow to convince himself to go along with this plan to meet up with his alternate. While he didn’t know him very well (and in fact had a bit of a bone to pick with him on the grounds of the affection that Sonic showed him), he did know the Sonic who stayed with him, and he would’ve gone there just for that. Plus, he didn’t want “Nano” to leave his sight, ever since the last time the two of them argued. After what happened, he needed Sonic to be around him as much as possible, and vice versa.

Right now it didn’t seem that there was going to be any sort of tension between them, though, at least none from the past. This might’ve been the happiest he’d seen the long-quilled hedgehog, which brought him to just stare at him and watch him grin, his ears twitching when Sonic spoke to him. He’d have agreed that that it was nice to see them again verbally, but he didn’t see any need. Right now, he didn’t feel all that talkative to begin with. All those words kept ringing in his head, and he didn’t want to spoil Sonic’s mood by letting them go, so he christened them against his chest and kept them close instead.

The silence hit him the instant they made it to the buildings. Having been in the other Sonic’s presence before, he knew this already to not be normal. With something that he couldn’t discern, he watched as Sonic’s smile fell from his face as he moved to the door. He suddenly found himself wishing they were there, in part because he knew if anyone could make him happy, it was that other Shadow; in part also because he didn’t want to be here. He could smell the gasoline and the darker parts of G.U.N here, an organization that he wanted no association with. Sonic might’ve been fine with working for government, but Shadow wanted no part in it.

He got off hoping that he would be able to dizzy himself out with paint when he heard Sonic’s voice call out with no answer reflected back to him. Well, he was the only one there; he supposed he had to be the one to break the news. The one to cause pain. Again.

"No one’s here."

Sonic didn’t have the same kind of sense of presence that he did. Shadow sometimes wished he didn’t have it. It was a strong way of reminding him that he could never be alone, even if he’d wanted to. Either that, or it told him that he was alone when he needed company. This was better for Shadow right now, though. He didn’t want to stay anywhere near these buildings. They smelled too much of the government.

gottasmashthosegears-blog

[ The news had already been broken to Sonic in his mind, but it wasn't one he particularly liked. Something clearly was wrong here, Sonic could understand Shadow being out, but usually his younger alternate would be there or at least someone else in the entire apartment block! He pulled his hand away from the door, glancing back to the black hedgehog. ]

"Yeah... This is weird though. Usually someone else is around, I mean, even if both of them aren't someone else is usually in this block. Something weird is going down, I can feel it, man."

[ He glanced around, one ear tilting as he looked back at the door to the window then off the edge of the balcony. Still not a sound to be heard, actually there wasn't one for at least a mile or so... Had something bad happened in this zone whilst Sonic was at home? Did his alternate lead everyone to somewhere safe or...

Then the idea popped into his head! Just call Shadow, right? Easy peasy! Surely he was okay where ever he was and he'd pick up, his alternate was the one most likely to be hurt after all. He was the reckless one. And so Sonic pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed that one number that belonged to Shadow, bringing it to his ear as he glanced to his Shadow and winked to him. ]

"I'll find out what's going on."

#watchinglikeashadow #smearedsilhouette

[ This was supposed to be a flying visit, a good surprise since Sonic had missed out on both his favourite Shadow alternate's and his boyfriend's birthday. He'd just pop in, say hi, ask how things were, maybe even offer to cook them dinner or something, then leave! Sonic was pretty sure that Shadow would maybe paint them something whilst they were there too! Hopefully not on them, but if it was then well... It's still a gift, right?

Tails was obviously left in charge of the underground base whilst they were gone, but surely everything would go smoothly anyway. There'd been no attacks for a while now anyway, so they could all just relax in there and just wait for Sonic and Shadow to return! Sonic had a slight skip in his step as he walked, turning back to Shadow now and then with a huge grin plastered on his lips.]

"This is gonna be the best surprise! They haven't seen us in so long, they'll be totally happy!"

[ Trust Sonic to think of himself as a surprise, huh? He led Shadow up the flight of steps to his alternates apartment, gee, it really must be a pain walking up all these everyday-- Wait a minute. Everything seemed really quiet. Shadow's apartment was usually quiet in general, him and that Sonic alternate weren't exactly the loudest bunch ever, but not the whole apartment block itself. This was a GUN apartment block after all, and some members were quite young and rowdy sometimes and even if they weren't around, Sonic had seen a few people walking in and out of the place last time he visited. But this time...?

None.

He frowned, glancing down the walkways he passed on his way up the steps. No lights in any windows, no sound, not even a pin drop. Maybe GUN had a call out and all their soldiers had to go in? That seemed a little... Odd. What about trainees? They should still be around if that was the case.

Finally the pair reached Shadow's floor, and Sonic instantly went ahead to Shadow's door and rapped his knuckles firmly against the door.]

"Shadow? Hey! You in?"