「 light in the darkness. 」

≻ . it arrives

There was excitement in the air following Sonic and Amy's announcement on their to-be baby. It was a beautiful thing that spread happiness throughout the land. Children were adored by all and considering all Sonic, Amy and their closer friends have done for their world, it was a bigger deal to some.

Others.. not so much..

Shadow was almost suffocated by all the chatter, the vibrance of the smiles all wore. It consumed the area completely, making it difficult to tune out like he typically would. As negative and easily irritated as he may be, it was not the people's happiness that had him scoff at the sight of them all, but their ignorance towards much bigger events that had yet to unfold. In their defense, they didn't know any better— they had yet to discover the danger lurking around the corner.

The same danger he'd run into the previous day that left him wounded. Though he'd recovered, he was not prepared to leave so quickly this time. He had someone to protect and if he managed to be wounded, he was reluctant to leave Light unprotected. She was unable to defend herself; she wasn't built with the same skillset as he was and that alone was enough to keep him from leaving her unattended. Her refusal to harm even something so little as a plant or a fly was just another part of the list willing him to stay. Someone had to protect her. However, it would be a lie for him to say he wasn't staying for the world too; this world meant something to Maria- the one he'd swore to protect it for. He couldn't make her wishes come true when she was alive, so he felt it to be the least he could do to make good on his promise to her even after she was gone.

As he stood outside Light's home, leaned against the closed front door, his gaze wandered around. Of course everyone else was going about their days,  without worry or knowledge of what was to come.

Shadow knew better.

Eyes narrowing as the door to the house across from Light's opened, the dark hedgehog watched as Sonic and Amy emerged from within, the two immediately spotting Shadow.

"I don't get how he can stand there staring at everyone.. does he even blink?" Amy asked Sonic who simply shrugged in response. To Amy, Shadow reminded her of an animal in the way he stared so intensely with so much focus; it was the same way an animal watched its prey. He even stared at Light the same way, but even despite the staring.. he looked at her a little differently. He seemed different around her and Amy had never seen such a side to him before.

The couple approached, Shadow seeming to have no reaction as he simply kept staring at the two.  He did,  however,  speak up after a moment,  "Light is asleep." He assumed that was the reason for their visit.  As he learned, they always visited Light in the mornings.

"You're looking better," Sonic spoke,  ignoring Shadow's statement. "What are you? A guard?" The way Shadow hadn't moved from outside her door told Sonic that something was going on. 

"I am simply ensuring nothing happens to her."

Sonic seemed confused. What could possibly happen? ..perhaps it had something to do with Shadow's wounds. Amy, on the other hand, just wanted to check on Light.

"I want to see her. Just to see if she's okay."

"You may go in, but your boyfriend stays out."

Sonic and Amy exchanged glances. The two were unsure of the meaning behind all this, but Amy wasn't going to pass up her chance to see Light. So, as Sonic let her go, she slipped past Shadow and entered Light's home.