A New World (Shadow x Reader)

Chapter 50: Cave of Emotions

The next time I woke up, I barely recognized where I was.

However, it didn't take long for me to realize I was at Shadow's cave.

"Y/N! Are you alright?!" Shadow knelt down and put his palms on my forehead. I had a very painful headache, though everything else felt fine.

"Just a headache. How did you find me?"

I didn't know how to feel about being here, in Shadow's presence. I still felt betrayed. I was only a weapon to them. They didn't seem me as their friend or as how I saw them. But it didn't stop me from feeling the same about Shadow.

"You were unconscious in the woods. What happened to you? Did Mephiles do this?" He seemed very anxious. His words were abrupt and fast. His eyes were searching mine for answers.

"I did it to myself." I sighed. He grew more alarmed at that.

"What?! What the hell do you mean?!" He yelled, getting closer to my face. I nearly backed away from the sudden emotion he was expressing.

"Not like that! I mean, I was going to pass out anyway. Mephiles was going too fast for me to handle. I ditched him and when I fell, everything went black."

Shadow still didn't look satisfied. The distance between us was still the same from when he was yelling. And that look on his face hadn't gone away.

"Explain..." He grunted.

"Mephiles runs super fast and my human body couldn't handle it! When I squirmed out of his grasp, I fell to the ground and became unconscious."

"So he just left you there?!" Shadow cried, clearly unhappy either way.

"Would you rather of him taken me?!"

"Well, you could've been seriously hurt! Robotnik could've found you!" Shadow's eyes widened, his brows furrowing to a sad look.

"Why would you guys care anyway?! You only took me to use me!"

Shadow flinched, finally backing away. Apparently, my words finally went through his head.

"So you went to Mephiles, willingly?" He swallowed. His face unreadable. "Mephiles was right then."

I somehow felt ashamed. I shouldn't be. I should be mad at him. I should be telling him that he's garbage for using me, but I can't. Right now, I'm just embarrassed.

"You guys were using me." I repeated.

His face molded into an outraged look, "No one was using you, Y/N! Why can't you see that?! We all were risking our lives to save you from Mephiles!"

"Then why did you take me from my world? Obviously because you only needed me to save yours!" I was standing now. The sitting was not enough to show my anger.

We stood in silence for a moment.

"That may have been the case at first, but it's not anymore! Where is this even coming from? Did Mephiles tell you this?"

God, he just loved to blame everything on Mephiles. He needed to understand this argument was between the two of you right now.

"It was eye-opening words! Why else would you guys keep me around? Because you need me!"

I seemed to have gotten to his breaking point. Shadow was so angry, I could see his eyes twitching. Honestly, I was a bit frightened he was about to do something to me.

"Don't you remember everything I confessed to you?! How I told you I loved you?! Do you think I was lying?" He looked at me for an answer, I said nothing. "I wasn't! I am in love you! Why would I be using you? Why don't you trust me?!"

My eyes were watering. I was so confused. Mephiles told me everyone just wanted me for my abilities. But Shadow is here, confessing is unconditional love for me. I was so conflicted.

"I don't know! I'm confused..." I sniffled, holding back tears. More than anything, times like this made me really homesick.

Shadow watched me with dismay. His anger seemed to have diminished the second I grew weary.

He took a cautious step closer to me, and when I didn't react, he walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. I buried myself into his body as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm sorry." I muttered, trying my best to stay composed. Shadow shuffled his hands through my hair.

"I'm sorry too."

We stayed like this for a while. Both of us were comforted in each other's presence. It felt nice being this close to him. It had been so long since I had last seen him. I missed Shadow.

I thought back to when he said he loved me. I never said it back. It made me feel so guilty. I did love Shadow. It was strange how he had a easier time admitting it than me. But, I owed him to say it back.

"Shadow?" I looked up, slightly pulling my head back.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

My cheeks instantly flushed pink. That was probably the most awkward moment of my life. My voice sounded so meek too. The plan backfired terribly.

Although, instead of expecting laughter, he smiled.

He pulled his head back and put his gloved hands on my jaw. I watched him with much interest, wondering what he was up to. The smile was still implanted on his face. Not his typical smirk either, a large grin.

"May I?" He asked. I questioned his motives, not understanding what he was asking me. At least, not until I saw his eyes move to my lips.

"...Yes."