A Promise Is A Promise (Completed)

Confessions

Shadow POV

I felt the warm sunlight on my face and I slowly opened my eyes. I found myself on Sonic's bed. What? When did... I slowly peeled away the sheets and made my way to the living room, I didn't see Sonic there, I looked in the kitchen and that was also empty. Where did he go? I began to search the house more thoroughly and still could not find him.
I wasn't sure how to process this, I couldn't let myself jump to conclusions, but I also couldn't just sit here and dwell on the thoughts.

As I collected myself I heard the door open, on instinct I hid my presence and listened to who it could be. I heard the sounds of plastic crinkling and scrapping across the quiet livingroom with soft footsteps. I dared to peer into the living room and instantly relaxed when I saw it was just Sonic with what looked like takeout. I quietly made my way over and watched him intently as he was clearing off the couch off his blankets. When he turned around he jumped a bit at the sight of me. Only to immediately get frustrated with his own reaction.
"Chaos, Shad, don't sneak up on me like that." His emotional response was a bit amusing but it made me wonder, why'd he get so upset? Usually his response to anything sneaking up on him was to laugh it off.
Now that I knew he was safe, I felt myself relax a bit, my attention went to his window. Nothing seemed amiss, which means he hasn't been attacked yet... But why?
I went to the window as more worrisome thoughts plagued my mind. This would be my 4th day away from Maria, she was so happy to have me there and everything was so... Familiar. Why did I leave? I shouldn't have left her there alone like that.

"What happened to you, the night I found you on the swings." I asked.
"What?" Sonic was caught of guard by the sudden question, I looked back at him to see him fidgeting. "After you got captured, Eggman had been sending robots non stop and... I guess... I got a little careless." He admitted. I didn't respond to him right away, I looked outside again and let his words sink in. I wonder...
"Have you seen or felt anything strange?" I asked.

"Strange? Like what?" His voice was riddled with confusion. Maybe he's not her then. If he really was her, he should have had side effects as well.

"Nevermind." I heard Sonic slow approach me but he didn't say anything. The haunting thoughts of 'what ifs' just would not leave me be.

"Shadow, I don't know what's going on with you but... Things will get better. Maybe not at first-" Sonic's sincerity got cut off when I pulled him towards me without much thought. His words didn't bring me comfort, but knowing he was safe for now was all that really mattered at the moment. Sonic hesitantly began to run his hand through my quills in a calming manner. That's when that warm feeling came back, I let myself relax and enjoy the sensation. I hardly noticed we had moved until Sonic had done something a bit, surprising. I tensed for a moment as I felt his lips on my own, when his hand snaked it's way around my waist I let out a small moan as his hand grazed a sensitive area on my side. The warm sensation spread across my chest and I began to feel butterflies.
He pulled away all too quickly and began to look nervous.
"Shadow... What are we exactly?" Sonic asked. I wasn't sure how to answer, I wasn't even sure. was there a wrong answer?
Before I could answer, there was a knock at the door. Sonic quickly got off of me, leaving me on the couch. I decided not to stay there and left to the kitchen once I realized it was one of his friends at the door.

My thoughts wondered back to the kiss. This made everything so much more complicated.
Any comfort I had earlier quickly vanished and was now replaced with the anxiety of having to choose. Was this why I chose Sonic over Maria? Is this considered selfish then? What do I do now?

I tried to push these harsh thoughts aside and peered at the doorway, it was Rouge. Curious I walked over quietly and observed them. Once I was in view Rouge looked at me with surprise and started asking so many questions on my well-being.
"I'm fine Rouge." I assured her.
Apparently during my absence, they've been getting attacked non stop but now that I'm here the attacks have been more concentrated to one area. This was worrisome, if I let myself get captured, Sonic becomes an easy target, but by attacking in concentrated areas it leaves too much room for mistakes on our end.

Rouge eventually went on her way and Sonic went to eat his food. I stood by the door still, contemplating and trying to come up with a plan.

"Shad, everything okay?" Sonic asked. I let out a sigh. This has gotten so out of hand. I looked over at Sonic, he had food all over his muzzle. I couldn't help but give an amused smile.
"I'm just tired." I lied. Sonic didn't seem to pry and accepted it.
"I can understand that, you've had a lot on your mind lately." Sonic said quietly. I almost didn't catch it. I went to sit with him as I answered without thought.
"It doesn't help that you're so reckless at times." I said as I remembered the image of him on the swings, then, when he was in critical condition just days before. Both times I over exerted myself out of fear of losing Sonic. When did I get so attached? Have I always been like this? I've helped him time and time again, I had myself convinced it was because I owed him for almost blowing up the Earth. I'm not even sure that was the reason I even began to help him.
"I'm perfectly capable of handling myself." He pouted.
"I don't think you understand, but, maybe it's my fault for keeping everything to myself." I kept my gaze on the floor, I couldn't bring myself to look at him as I continued. "The reason I desperately tried to get you to run away that day, was because you were the target. You still are. But I realize now I can't force you to stay away. Everything that happened that day could have been avoided if I had just explained a bit more." I admitted.

"So all those times you healed me during the hospital visits, what was your intention there?" Suspicion laced itself into each word he let out.

This question threw me off guard a bit, I wanted to push him away but I had already gone in this far to admitting I was in the wrong. I shifted uncomfortably as my face began to feel warmer. "I... Let my emotions get the better of me." I said simply. Should I go into more of the details?
"So you didn't do that because you needed some sort of backup plan?" Sonic's question got my full attention and I gave him a puzzled look.
"Is that what you thought?" I suppose it wasn't a bad assumption, maybe that's why he was so determined to leave the hospital early?
"You weren't a backup plan. I just..." I trailed off. Chaos this was embarrassing. "I just wanted you to get better, okay." My tone wavered from friendly to hostile.

After that there was silence between us. I wasn't sure how to continue from there. There were still things that had to be said, but this conversation had already run its course.

"So..." Sonic tried to continue but he lost his confidence, he looked confused. "...Is that everything then?" He asked unsure. I suppose this would be the only chance I got to tell him.

"I'm supposed to make a choice between letting you die, or letting Maria die. I thought I knew what the right answer was, but I'm not sure anymore... I feel like my first choice now isn't for the reasons I first thought and now I feel guilty." I gave him a bit too much information but I couldn't take it back now. I felt so overwhelmed now.

"... Who was your choice?" He asked nervously.

"You, it's the obvious choice..." I suddenly felt too exposed. I've opened up so much and now I feel as if I shouldn't have. Before I could recoil and get away from everything, Sonic pulled me close to him and just held me.
"I guess this means we're more than just friends." He concluded. I had a small smile on my face and nodded in agreement. I let myself relax but soon learned that was a terrible mistake.

A loud explosion was heard in the kitchen and debris from the roof collapsed into the place. I felt something wrap around my foot and pulled away. I tried to grip Sonic but he slipped away all too quickly.

A/N: It's been a reeeaaaallllyyyy long while since I've updated. Sorry. I had a chapter almost done but then it got erased and I got so frustrated I kinda just gave up for awhile, but now I'm back!