The Ruby Eyes of Affection

Your eyes scare me

"Where is everyone else, by the way?" The charcoal hedgehog inquired slightly embarrassedly as he attempted to change the subject in fear that he might fully lose his self-control.

"Well... Rob left with Tails to go check on Amy. Apparently, she had a pretty bad mental breakdown and left in complete heartbreak. Knuckles went back to the Master Emerald and you just told Rouge to leave, so I don't know where she ran off too..." Sonic replied dully as he shrugged in slight frustration as he knew the ebony was just trying to end the lovely moment.

"Did they say anything when they left? It's not like Rob especially to leave without giving me some kind of reason or clarification." Shadow uttered worriedly before sliding his hands through his own quills. Deep in thought about what he was going to do about Rob's situation.

Sonic's sweet loving face immediately turned to a dark scowl as he crossed his arms in slight disgust.

If it wasn't obvious already, he really didn't like Shadow talking about Rob in that kind of a way. Like he was a huge deal or something. It really frustrated him as he wanted the ebony to think about him and him ONLY. Shadow was HIS princess and in his eyes... Not that he would ever consider Shadow property or anything....The ebony was his and his ALONE.

"Ya know, I've known you for quite some time now... And yet you treat Rob like he's some kind of knight in shining armor... I honestly don't get it." He exclaimed in jealousy as he childishly plopped his body on the couch right next to the ebony, continuing to glare at him as he did so.

"Well... Even though I've known you longer then Rob, he's been there for me since the moment I came here from earth... In an odd way, he's kind of become a father figure. Whenever I would be in a bad situation, he would be right there to tell me that everything would be okay and get me help." Shadow stated warmly as a sincere smile formed on his muzzle, completely infuriating the cobalt in the process.

He knew he had to remain controlled, but right now all he wanted to do was pin Shadow to the ground and finish what they'd started. But instead of making a rash decision he would most likely regret, he took a deep breath and tried to think clearly.

"Hmm. I see." He replied coldly as he quickly averted his eyes from Shadow's.

This was the only thing he felt comfortable responding with. Every other sentence in his mind would have probably scared the living crud out of the ebony, so he didn't have any other option but to sound detached and unaffected.

"Oh, don't be like that silly. That kind of trust takes time and a lot of effort. That's a big reason why I wanted you to give up in the beginning. I'm not easy." The charcoal hedgehog replied playfully as he nudged the sapphire hedgehog's arm.

For some reason, this was not a response Sonic was expecting. He was anticipating an angry comeback including a five minute nag about how he should be thankful for what he has. Instead, the ebony decided to reduce the tension by teasing him for being so "silly". The reaction seemed to work though and the anger quickly diminished.

"I've told you many times, I like challenge but not impossibility... That's why I'm worried. If Rob has already stolen your heart and there's no hope in taking it for myself..." The cobalt spoke worriedly as he shifted his eyes to the charcoal hedgehog's chest, almost imagining a tiny evil version of Rob clinging onto his heart without any sign of releasement.

"Stole my heart? Sonic, my heart is big enough for you, Rob, Rouge and Maria." Shadow bellowed mockingly as he immediately wrapped his arm around the azures shoulder before smiling sweetly.

In the end, he did want Sonic to know that he was very special to him. But the reality was, he had many people in his life that he loved and the cobalt needed to respect that.

"But... I... I want to be your number one." Sonic replied as he gently brushed the ebony's arm off his body before sighing in frustration.

"Must everything be a competition with you?" Shadow countered before teasingly ruffling the sapphire hedgehog's quills.

(Must you always desire to win EVERYTHING? Can't you just let things be every once in a while? Not to mention that last time I checked... I'M NOT A PRIZE.)

"Well, in this case, yes. I am willing to put in all the effort needed if I can somehow be at the top of your list... If that makes any sense." Sonic answered in slight shame as he gently scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Sonic... Unfortunately, all I can promise you is that I will do my very best to open myself up to you. But you have to promise me something in return..." Shadow murmured softly as he felt slightly remorseful for making the azure so upset.

"Of course, anything..." The cobalt whispered lovingly as the sound of Shadow's low gentle voice somewhat soothed him back to comfort.

"I need stability... If you want me to respect you like Rob, then I need you to be as mentally consistent as possible. Not one day you act a certain way and the next you act another. I need everything in my world to be as safe as it can possibly be. That is what I need to be happy and this past week or so has really invaded my comfort zone." He stated clearly as he enunciated every word with complete accuracy as to not confuse the sapphire hedgehog.

"You're afraid I'm just going to wake up one day and decide to be a jerk?" Sonic countered mockingly as he abruptly squeezed both of the charcoal hedgehog's cheeks before patting them annoyingly.

"You're already a jerk... I'm okay with that. What I don't want is for you to decide that you actually want to hurt me, for whatever reason. Even if I do something that makes you upset, I need to know that I can trust you to remain calm." He growled as his hands shoved against the cobalt's chest causing him to fall over onto the couch.

He really REALLY hated being treated like a child. He believed that he deserved to be respected after everything he'd been through. And what right did anyone especially this stupid blue kid have to treat him with disrespect. However, he didn't find it insulting exactly. Mildly irritating at worst and somewhat cute at best.

"Shadow..." Sonic whispered sweetly, attempting to sound as compassionate and endearing as possible.

Once again, the way Sonic said his name, made his body practically shiver. It was amazing, his tone was filled with so much love... So much drive... So much security.

(How in the world can he be so damn good at this?)

The cobalt firmly sat on his legs before crawling over to the passive charcoal hedgehog. Calmly, he crawled close enough to give Shadow's forehead a gently kiss. The ebony could have sworn he heard an "I love you" come from the azure but soon realized it was his imagination. Sonic didn't need to say it... Shadow could feel it. It ran through every inch of his body, bringing that beautiful wonderful euphoria he called nirvana back into his fearful body. The cobalt's protective emerald eyes stared into his somewhat larger ruby irises as he held onto him, desperately wishing to be closer even though he thought it was probably impossible. Those jade eyes were filled with so many secrets... Secrets that he was willing to tell only him... How could he possibly get himself to say anymore harsh comments? All Sonic wanted was to be his. But the fear settled in, quickly filling his mind with doubt. What if this was all fake? What if Sonic didn't actually care for him at all? What if he decides to give up...? What if... What if...

Was it worth the risk?

"Shadow what's wrong...? The sapphire hedgehog queried quietly.

"Your eyes... They scare me..."