Long Time No See

Chapter 16

(1:00 am)

All three hedgehogs were tucked into their beds and fast asleep. Suddenly Shadow started to shake and stir in his sleep. Tears started to flow out from his closed eyes.

Sonic began to stir awake. His eyes opened to the sound of Shadow's dreaming cries. He sat up and watched Shadow as he went through his nightmare. He then went to the floor and woke up Silver.

Silver woke up and looked up at Sonic. "What?" He yawned.

Sonic shushed him and pointed at Shadow, still having his horrible nightmare.

"Looks like he's having a pretty bad nightmare. I don't blame him." Silver whispers.

"Take my bed. I'm gonna stay up and watch over him." Sonic offered.

"You sure?" Silver asked.

"Yeah, take it. I'm gonna try to calm him down." Sonic insisted.

Silver nodded and went into Sonic's bed. He quickly went back to sleep.

Sonic got closer to Shadow's bed and sat on his knees.

Shadow was facing him as his nightmare seemed to get worse. More tears came from his closed eyes.

Sonic reaches his hand over Shadow's back and began to gently stroke it. He laid his head down on the bed. "Shhhh, it's gonna be okay. I promise." He whispered. Shadow seemed to calm down a little. He placed as kiss on Shadow's forehead. Sonic moved his hand to Shadow's head and stroked it instead. He kept doing this until Shadow looked peaceful. But as soon as he stopped, a minute later Shadow's nightmare would come back. So Sonic stayed by his side all night.

(The next morning)

Shadow's eyes fluttered open as light hit his face from the window. His vision as slightly blurred, but then he felt an arm laid on him near his face. His vision cleared and saw Sonic sleeping right in front of him. Shadow jolted up and took Sonic's arm off of him out of surprise. His face flashed a red blush as watched Sonic stir in his sleep.

"Morning." A voice greeted.

Shadow shifted his head to see Silver in a yellow shirt and blue jeans.

"M-Morning." Shadow greeted back as he looked over at the still sleeping Sonic.

"If you're wondering about Sonic, you were having a pretty bad nightmare last night. You were crying and talking in your sleep. Sonic woke me about in the middle of the night and told me to take his bed while he watched over you. I fell asleep but I know he stayed with you all night, stroked your back and comforted you until you relaxed. He really does care about you Shadow."

Shadow's blush became deeper. He was touched but a little embarrassed. "I know he does. We talked a lot yesterday. I care about him too."

"You know what Shadow?" Silver asked.

"What?"

"I think you been very strong through all of this. And today, when we go to the police, your strength will pay off. I promise you that." Silver stated with a smile.

"Thank you for that, but trust me, I've everything but strong. I've cried, I've broke down, two things that I haven't done in a very long time. If anything, these last few weeks have been the most vulnerable."

"And who says crying and breaking down makes you weak? Crying is perfectly healthy and sometimes you need a breakdown to release all the tension and stress in your body. And now you are here and you are stronger than ever. And in the future, when you are ready, you'll find someone who will love you and treat you right." Silver preached.

Shadow teared up a little and smiled. "I appreciate that Silver. I really do."

Silver nodded and smiled. "I'm ready to go, so you wake up Sonic, and I'll go grab us coffee while you two get dressed. So what do you like?"

"I'll take a vanilla bean and I think Sonic likes caramel Frappuccinos." Shadow answered.

"Alright, I'll be back." Silver said and left.

Shadow looked down at Sonic and smiled. He reached his hand over and petted the top of Sonic's head. 'You never cease to surprise me Sonic.' He thought.

Sonic stirred in his sleep and groaned.

Shadow stopped petting his head as he noticed Sonic was waking up.

Sonic's eyes opened and he yawned. He saw Shadow and rubbed his eyes. "Morning Shadow. Did you sleep okay?"

"I think I should be asking you that question." Shadow answered.

Sonic chuckled. "I'm a little stiff but I'm fine."

Shadow smiled as his blush reappeared. "Thank you Sonic. For taking care of me last night."

"You looked like you were miserable. I had to do something. I'd due anything for you." Sonic smiled.

Shadow felt his heart race. He felt joy.

Sonic looked around and saw the bathroom was empty. "Where's Silver?"

"He went to go get us coffee while we get ready to go to the campus police station. I told him you drink caramel Frappuccinos."

"There my favorite. Thanks." Sonic said as he slowly got up from the floor. "Oh yeah! I'm stiff!" Sonic exclaimed in pain as he stretched and sat on Shadow's bed for a second.

Shadow looked at him and smiled. "I really do appreciate what you did Sonic."

Sonic looked back at him and matched his smile. "Your welcome. I hope that after today, your nightmares will stop and you'll finally have a moment of peace." Sonic spoke as he stood up again.

(45 minutes later)

Silver came back with the coffees. "Okay one vanilla bean for Shadow, caramel Frappuccino for Sonic, and finally a mocha latte for me." Silver announced as he passed out the coffee.

Sonic was in a sky blue dress shirt and black pants. Shadow was wearing a black sweater and red pants. They both said thanks in unison.

"You two ready to go? Sonic, you got the file and video evidence?" Silver asked.

"I've got it right here." Sonic waved the file. Sonic looked at Shadow. "You ready Shadow?"

Shadow took a deep breath and deeply exhaled. "I'm ready."