Fooled To Love

The Story Ends....

Shadow opened his eyes, ears twitching to the quiet conversation going on around him. He calmly sat up, feeling no pain. His healing ability must've finally done it's job.

And that's when he realized he couldn't see out of his right eye.

"What the....?" He turned his head to see Tails and Knuckles staring at him in shock.

"Shadow!" Knuckles hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.

"Come on, Knuckles. We have to give him some space." Tails advised. Knuckles reluctantly nodded and backed away from the confused hedgehog.

"What's going on?" Shadow questioned, holding his head slightly. "We were fighting Mephiles and then...."

"Knuckles took care of him." Tails said.

"Yeah, he's not gonna bother you anymore." Knuckles smiled happily.

Shadow simply nodded before standing up and holding a hand close to his right eye. "How long was I out, and... why can't I see?"

"Uh, well, you've been out for about a weak, and...." Tails scratched the back of his head. "I'm not so sure why. You were hurt pretty badly there, but it healed well with your abilities plus the added effects of the Master Emerald. I guess you're, uh, p-permanently blind in that eye...."

Shadow stared at Tails in shock, letting the information sink in a bit. "Permanently blind...? But I'm supposed to heal any wounds. I was created so that wouldn't happen...."

"My guess it that it had something to do with Mephiles." Tails said. "He seemed to have somewhat of a hold on your chaos abilities, which is why you didn't immediately heal. It might be why this happened."

Even with that explanation, Shadow still couldn't believe it. He could no longer see out of his right eye, which would make so many things tough, fighting especially.

Knuckles noticed his boyfriend's feelings on the subject and simply laid a hand on his left shoulder comfortingly. "But, hey, it's okay! We can help you through this."

Shadow looked up to Knuckles and couldn't help but smile. There really was no more denying it now; he loved that kind, red echidna. And he was prepared to show it.

He hugged the other tightly. "Thank you so much... for everything...."

Knuckles smiled and returned the hug, gently petting the shorter one. "I'd do anything for you, Shadow."

"I love you."

Knuckles smile only brightened as he bent down and secured the other's lips in a kiss. It was their first one since Knuckles confessed, and it felt just as special to the echidna as it did then.

Shadow's muzzle flared red, quills puffing out in surprise. Nonetheless, he kissed back because he wanted to. It felt so wonderfully right to him, and he didn't know why he avoided kissing the other before. They pulled away, both blushing furiously. Tails coughed a bit awkwardly, alerting the two to his presence and causing them to blush even more.

"C-Can we get out of this room?" Shadow stuttered out embarrassingly. The other two nodded and they walked out.

Shadow followed the two out to the beach, having difficulty with his depth perception, often running into things on accident. Knuckles held his hand in hopes to steer him around objects, which was helpful, but he still found himself tripping over things. After a bit of that, Knuckles decided to just carry him, much to the shorter's annoyance.

"I have to learn to walk myself!"

"Maybe another time. For now, I'll be your legs!" Knuckles chuckled to the pouting hedgehog.