The Ruby Eyes of Affection

Love is a hard thing to pin down

"I.. wha..." He responded flabbergasted without a single attempt to complete the sentence.

He could feel the complete panic gliding down his back in a way he had never felt before. It was almost unbearable even though he hadn't even thought about what these words actually meant. He immediately fell to the ground as many of Sonic's friends rushed to help him remain sane. But it was already too late... His heart was shattered and all he could think about was getting away. Getting far away from everyone and everything. He didn't even feel like crying, just screaming. Not necessarily at anyone just at the world in general.

Rob gently patted Amy's shoulder as if to ask if it was okay if he could go comfort the heartbroken ebony. She nodded softly as her eyes glittered with unbelievable exhaustion. The brunet himself wasn't any less tired. He did get some sleep while Shadow was resting but it was filled with nightmares of his future eternal punishment. Right now though, all he cared about was helping others who needed it. He softly walked over to the ebony, pushing everyone out of the way and calmly wrapping his arms around him. Shadow remained shocked and motionless as he desperately clung onto his good friend as if it was him clinging onto the last bit of sanity he had left. The brunet gently stroked his quills as he could hear Shadow's soft whimpers of complete shock.

"I really think you should say goodbye, Shadow. I know it will be very difficult but, I think Sonic would want to see you one last time." He mumbled gently as he tried everything he could to calm the ebony.

"He's... He's not here... He doesn't... care." Shadow stuttered in-between sobs of utter disbelief.

"I think he's still there... Voziti has a way of hanging around even after death. Please, I think this will be good for you." Rob whispered sweetly as he softly brushed the tears from Shadow's red cheeks.

"I never... got to say... that I loved him... I'm..." He stumbled in agony as everything on the inside felt like it was wanting to burst out of him.

"Then go say it now, Shadow... Please." Rob replied calmly before gently rubbing his back.

There was a little bit of silence as Shadow finally nodded in agreement.

"Help me... I don't think... I can walk." He pulled himself up as he was shaking violently from all the adrenaline.

"Of course, hon." He replied gently before pulling up the ebony and letting him rest on his shoulder.

Rob knew how incredibly weak Shadow was feeling and how easily he could just crack. But the prince deserved to be with the princess one last time. He slowly helped guide him to the bedroom the sapphire was resting in and plopped down a chair next to him, allowing Shadow to sit there.

"Now... Do you need me to leave for a bit?" The brunet looked at him closely in his teary ruby eyes as he softly stroke Shadow's ear.

"I... I'm scared but I think that would be best." He muttered shyly as he thumped his head on the bed before grabbing onto the cobalt's hand.

Before Shadow could even say goodbye the brunet was gone and he was all alone... All alone with someone ­no longer there.

In general, Sonic looked very peaceful. His eyes were gently closed and his fur was obviously brushed. Which slightly disturbed the ebony. But he didn't really care... It was confession time. So many things to say... but where to start.

"My entire time here... I had always wanted a very close companion. Someone who would understand me and love me for who I was. I suppose that's a very common dream but... I felt out of place. People always looked at me from the corner of their eye, thinking I was going to hurt someone. In reality, I just wanted peace... Peace and quiet, away from all those who looked down on me. But that's when I realized how lonely I was... When I moved to the forest. Rob found me and protected me from everything. Still, I wanted that partner but I just assumed I was meant to have one." He stammered on. Softly squeezing the cobalt's cold hand as his face started to turn red from the realization that who he was talking to wasn't there anymore.

"Then... Then you started acting weird... I started having strange feelings. Most certainly not love but... attraction in the most innocent sense. Being around you, whether we were fighting or whatever, felt right and good. Before I knew it, all of this had happened." He laughed slightly as the tears came rolling down silently onto the sapphire hedgehog's peach fur.

"Love... Is a hard feeling to pin down. But even as we speak, I feel strangely good... next to you. Even though you're not here. Maybe you are but. I'm just... sorry for. Everything. All the speculation... All the pain... All the fear. I was being selfish and not thinking about your own needs and desires... I think what I'm trying to say is. Even though these next however many years I am on this planet, will be hell without you. I am so happy that I had finally found someone who loved me for me. And that..." He took a long pause as he tried to gain his courage.

"I love you... SO much. I can't even comprehend it anymore. I can't even think about the level anymore. I don't know... HOW... I am going to live without you." He admitted wholeheartedly as he rested his head on the bed.

Tears were rushing down his cheeks at an alarming rate. He felt like all the life was again being sucked out of him but his feelings were true... More true than ever. He placed his hand on the azure's cheek which was already fairly cold and petted it sweetly. And as tears fell down his face, he gave the cobalt one last kiss on the lips. Gentle, but deep enough that he felt satisfied that this would be the last one he would ever have. Strangely, the pendant on necklace started to glow a little brighter and a subtle dot of light shot through Shadow's body and into the sapphire hedgehog's. The ebony's head shot up as he had a long look at Sonic. Nothing seemed to be different and his body remained in exactly the same position.

(Since when have I been hopeful?)

He decided then it was time to take his leave and escape to a place where he could mourn... For real. But being as it was... It wasn't a horrible goodbye. He didn't feel happy but at the very least he felt like he got everything out...

He got out of the chair and stood, holding onto it tightly. He wasn't as exhausted as before but still fatigued and started walking towards the door. He took hold of the handle before feeling a difference in the atmosphere around him. It felt warmer and slightly brighter. He decided it was just his imagination and turned the knob to open the door.

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"Shadow...? I'm STARVING. Do we have any chili dogs?"