For The Love of Speed

Chapter 24: Pillow Talk

((I've been trying to only post one chapter a day. It's just hard for me not to binge post them.))

POV: Sonic

As I'm sitting at the table, eating my dinner, the communicator rings and I pick up. "Yes?" Rouge is on the other line, sounding defeated. "Hi, it's me big blue. I just got to work and they were warning me about a really drunk guy. It's Shadow. Come pick him up please, oh shit. He's trying to start a fight now. Please hurry." And with that it clicks. 'Shadow is drunk? Was that what he was planning earlier?' I quickly head out the door, running just fast enough that I don't leave a blue streak, revealing my powers. I get to the bar and see Shadow's bike out front 'Shit, she isn't lying' I walk through the doors, not having to look very hard to find Shadow. There are people cowering away from him as Rouge talks to a bear mobian who now seems scared for his life. Shadow is standing there, well more like swaying there, with his quills raised and growling deeply. 'Holy shit' "Sh-Shads?" I question. He turns to me, drunkenly trying to find where I'm at. Once he realizes it's me, his quills lower and he lowers his shoulders. Rouge asks, astounded. "Damn Big Blue, how'd you calm him so quick?" I just shrug my shoulders and walk towards the dark hedgie. As I reach him, he slumps forward, and I reach out and catch him, rubbing his back. "Shads? Come on, let's get you home. It's getting late."

He grumbles at me "No, Ineeedd mr alc ohollll" (translation: No, I need more alcohol) 'damn, he really is hammered.' I sigh, petting his quills to keep him calm. Everyone is staring at us, but I ignore them, just wanting to convince Shads to come home. "No. You've had enough. Just come home so you can keep your promise to me, ok?" He sighs in response "m'kay" I turn to Rouge asking with worry lacing my voice "How much has he had?" She sighs, looking to Shadow in pity "They said he had a total of three glasses of whiskey and over 20 shots. I know he can handle more alcohol than most, but even that's ridiculous for him." I frown, looking back at Shadow before I nod to Rouge "I'll get him home safe." She nods and waves goodbye as I walk Shads out the door. I make my way to his bike "Where are your keys?" He slowly turns to me, obviously dizzy. "Innmy quills." I reach my hand in, blushing as this is very personal, similar to humans reaching into someone's back pocket. I finally find the keys and start the bike, turning back to Shadow. He has a goofy smile on his face as he looks at the bike "mmmmm jst lstn to that purrr" He begins purring and I chuckle 'Aww drunk Shads is kinda cute.' I turn to him, sighing "Ok Shads, you're going to have to get on the back and hold on tight. I would never forgive myself if you fell off." He gives me a thumbs up "m'kay but wht if I wannafall" I turn my head to him and sigh saying "Just don't please." He nods drunkenly and I turn back around.

I climb on the bike, helping him get on before I straighten it out and take a deep breath. "Hold on tight, ok?" He does as instructed and wraps his arms tightly around me, leaning into my back, purring. "Mmmm yrr warm. N smell gooood." I blush at this, but quickly shake it off, knowing he's not in his normal state of mind. I take off down the road at a slow pace and only go the speed limit, not wanting to make too quick of movements. I finally make it home and park the bike, helping Shadow off the back. I barely managed to get him inside, and see Knuckles sitting on the couch. "Woah, what happened to him?" He asks, seeing the state of Shadow.

I sigh, keeping him steady "I'm not a hundred percent sure why, but he decided to go to the bar and get absolutely hammered. Rouge said he took over 20 shots. He was trying to fight someone right before I showed up." He widened his eyes "Holy shit, really?" Shadow responds to the red echidna "N'that bitch wouldn'tve knownn wht hittem" (translation: and that bitch wouldn't have known what hit him) knuckles just turns his head from him, back to me, back to him "Yeah. He's gone. I'm glad you were able to bring him home safely before something awful happened." I nod "Yeah, me too. I don't even want to imagine the what ifs right now." I shudder at the possibilities. I readjust my grip on Shadow and start leading him to his room "Come on Shads, let's get you to bed." He stops in his tracks "No, I donwanna. Yrr nomydad" (No, I don't want to, you're not my dad) I chuckle lightly at his childish behavior, continuing to pull him "Come on Shads. Let's get some water then we'll go to your room. We can hang out for a bit. Ok?" He smiles "m'kay" I hear Knuckles snickering at this and turn to him "Don't you dare make fun of him for this. We don't know why he got drunk in the first place, but I have a feeling it wasn't for fun." He drops his smile, nodding "You're right, I won't mention it." I glare at him "Good, because I'll be pissed if I find out you were making fun of him" 'Why am I so defensive about him? Maybe it's because I probably know why he did this and feel bad that I might be the cause of it...'

We head to the kitchen and I help him sit in one of the chairs while I get a glass of water. "Here, drink this." He does, practically chugging the thing. I remember what he said about his chaos energy levels, and remember that part of his energy goes towards healing himself, so I make him a quick sandwich and hand it to him. "Here. Eat this. It'll help you feel better, hopefully." He takes a bite and I grab his cup, refilling it before placing it back in front of him. He sits there taking bites and drinking his water until both are gone. I help him up and he is already seeming better. 'Having such a strong healing factor must be nice' I think to myself as I lead him towards his bedroom door.

We finally make it to his room and I lead him to the bed. I don't want to be a lier, so I sit on the bed with him. "So, Shads, just curious, why did you get so drunk?" He starts bawling, hiding his face in his hands 'woah, that was quick.' He seems to have sobered up enough that his words are only barely slurred now. Making him much more understandable. "I failed her. I failed Maria. She died b'cause of me. I couldn't save 'er. I said I wouldn't get too close to 'nyone again, but I'm getting close to you. And the worst part? The worrrst part is I'm enjoying bein' close t'you. I just wanted to feel numb. So I drank. Jus a lilbit though. She'd be so ashamed of me."

He looks up at me, face wet with tears, and I pout at the sight, gently rubbing his tears away. "Shads, she wouldn't be ashamed. She'd be proud of you. You've come so far. You're opening up to your friends more, sharing your knowledge, and becoming a better person. I might not have known Maria, but I know for a fact that she would be very proud of you. Just get some sleep and you'll feel better in the morning, ok Shads?" He sniffles, rubbing his eyes "She used to call me Shads. That's.. Thatswhy I hated when you called me that at first. But.. I kinda like itnow. I dunno why." I frown 'That explains... a lot. Damn. Now I feel bad. I didn't know I was hurting him the whole time.' I lean forward, giving him a hug "I'm sorry Shads. I didn't know it used to hurt you. I'm glad you like it now though, whatever the reason may be." I rub his back and he starts to purr. After a couple minutes I get up and stand by the bed. "Can you take off your own clothes? Or do I have to help you?" He reaches down struggling to take his shoes off before giving up "Help please." He says pathetically.

I frown again and give a slight nod before I reach for his shoes, pulling them off. I remove his socks and then reach up for his gloves, and he pulls them away immediately. "I know this is an intimate thing for mobians, but you can't sleep with your gloves on. Please give me your hands so I can help you." He does so with no more hesitation and I remove his gloves, seeing his hands. His red streaks continue to his middle fingers and there is a gold scar on one of his wrists. I glance down at his feet out of curiosity and see that his feet seem to have white 'socks' that end at the ankle. 'Heh, just like his chest fur'

I lay Shads down, turning towards the door and taking a few steps to leave when I hear him whimper behind me and say, "No, please don't leave me just like Maria. Stay here with me." I pout and turn around. 'he's so sad, I can just leave him' I walk back over to the bed and sit back down "Ok Shads. I'll stay for a minute." He pouts and gives me puppy dog eyes, tears starting to form. "Lay down with me please?" 'Fuck. How can I say no to that face?' I sigh and take off my shoes, socks, and gloves and do as asked. Instantly, he grabs me and pulls me close, cuddling into me. I try to turn away but he just holds me tighter, now spooning me. "G'night" Shadow mumbles. After a while of trying to escape his very strong grip, I accept defeat with a sigh and a now reddened face"Night Shads." He begins purring and I fall asleep shortly afterwards, purring as well.

POV: Knuckles (very short)

I watch the two hedgehogs make it to Shadow's room, and shortly afterwards hear what sounds like Shadow crying. After a while it goes quiet and I wait for Sonic to leave. I don't see him exit for 30 minutes, so I go to investigate. 'What are they up to?' I slowly open the door, to find the two hedgehogs asleep on the bed. Shadow is holding Sonic close to him and they're both purring 'Aww that's so cute.' I quickly take a picture and back away, slowly and quietly shutting the door. 'I'm definitely showing the others'

((AN: There. Have some angst as well as fluff. My treat.))