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This place...

[ Shadow stepped upon the grass, his quills blowing in the wind. It was a beautiful day, the sky was blue, the sun shining... The black hedgehog often spent days in places like this, away from other people. The Earth truly was beautiful, even if he found he no longer cared for the people that inhabited it.

But his attention wasn't caught by the scenery... no, it was by the picnic table he saw and the banner strung high above it. The table was decorated with many tasty looking treats, and the banner was bright and happy-- the writing on it was so very familiar.

It said: "Happy Birthday, Sonic!"

That was a name he hadn't heard in such a long time. Shadow peered at the banner before looking back at the table... cupcakes, cake, drinks, chilidogs... So many foods that were very popular with his old friends.

But they were no longer around. They hadn't been around in over a hundred years... How was any of this possible? Was this some kind of trick, was someone trying to weaken his resolve, make him vulnerable? Toying with his heart like this... Shadow clenched his fists before suddenly knocking most of the food off the table. ]

Nghh!

[ It wasn't possible. They had all died and Shadow was the only one left. There was no way they could be here... as much as his heart wanted it to be true. It was some kind of trick. Still, he looked down at the fallen chilidog, its condiments spilled all over the grass. That was Sonic's favorite food... ]

Sonic...

[ ooc: more shadow, more problems. info in profile and journal. the world this shadow comes from is way in the future, but the world is not destroyed. just all his friends from the past are dead... such is the life of immortals. ]

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[ Once he was pulled into the other's embrace, Shadow went rigid a moment. Sonic was... hugging him? Shadow had never been hugged... at least, not in a very long time. Slowly, he relaxed, but he did not return the hug, not finding the strength to. For now, he just let himself be held as he let more tears fall silently. ]

~~~

[ After some time, Shadow rubbed his eyes, sitting up in order to push Sonic away gently. ]

... I was lost... for a very long time. Seeing you again has made me remember that I cannot give up, and that I must protect the Earth, no matter what happens. That I cannot... live in solitude any longer.

I hope the I from your timeline understands this. He may not want to, or may think of it as a waste of time, but... it's important that he understand what will happen. Perhaps it's better to let him find out on his own, but... If I could protect others from the sorrow I've endured, I would.

[ Shadow turned to look over at the partly scorched tree-- the picnic table was still burning somewhat, and the banner was no more... and yet he felt more relaxed than he had in quite some time, despite the destruction he'd caused. To be able to let out those heavy emotions...

It was truly a relief. ]

[ Sonic did realize that he felt a lot better afterward. The fact that Shadow didn't hug him back didn't bother him in the slightest. He didn't push him away and repulse, and that was more than enough for him.

He grinned, feeling much better himself. He grounded him to some extent, and that was all he needed now, really. ]

Dunno if he does, but hey. How about I pass on that message of yours? [ He laughed softly, pressing his palms to his knees. ] Don't want him to think I'm some fake and try to blow me up. I'm not ready to die yet!

[ Jesting, just as Sonic always did and always will do. ]

Edited 2012-08-23 02:08 (UTC)

[ He wasn't sure that he liked hearing about death so much in context with Sonic, but he decided he'd let it pass. He was already emotionally drained, and he really didn't want to think about it anymore.

With great effort, Shadow attempted to stand up, walking over to the tree. This spot... really resembled where he called home in his own timeline. Except the hill was covered in white flowers. It wasn't long before he was leaning against the tree, sitting down once more, taking in a deep breath. ]

You can tell him for me... I'm not sure I could bear the sight of seeing my younger self.

That's kinda what I meant!

[ Sonic grinned, following along with him whether or not he liked it. He flopped down beside him, tossing his arms behind his head and kicking back. Man, this spot really was beautiful. Hopefully Shadow really did appreciate the Earth just as much as he did. Such a lovely, amazing planet... ]

Yeah. [ His smile softened. ] That's what I'm gonna do.

[ He yawned softly. He was beginning to get a little drowsy. The whole Time Eater business took a lot out of him. ]

Hey...

I'm gonna stick around.

[ Shadow watched as Sonic moved to sit next to him... It was really as if he were dreaming right now. How often did people get to revisit loved ones who had passed on? Now, it was as if Shadow was the one who grew old while Sonic had stayed the same, even if outwardly, Shadow hadn't aged a bit. ]

Are you? Isn't it more your style to be constantly on the move? You don't have to stop that for me.

[ When Sonic had gotten much older, Shadow witnessed the hero's frustration at not being able to constantly be on the move... and the eventual result of those frustrated feelings. And while he wished Sonic had just listened to his friends and not tried to keep being a hero when he just couldn't do it anymore, Shadow didn't like the idea of Sonic keeping quiet and not running around. It was like pulling the wings off of a butterfly-- detrimental and cruel. ]

Yeah, but you know what's also my style?

[ Sonic shuffled a little closer to him, their shoulders just lightly bumping together. He inhaled deeply, the fresh scent of nature's fruits wafting subtly among them. Not only that, but he caught the aroma of Shadow's natural musk, much like something very earthy, rich, perhaps with a bit of spice.

That left his tail thumping against the grass. He did like his presence, no matter how much they bickered. ]

Sticking around for anyone who needs me.

[ No doubt without some burnt wood in there, considering how Shadow had partly set fire to the area earlier, though he regretted it. It hadn't been his intention to destroy this place... just at the time, he felt as if it had all been put in place to hurt him. When it came to those close to him, he was most sensitive, even if in the past he hadn't shown it.

Now that his old friend was with him, Shadow wasn't certain about what to say, just sitting there quietly. He looked down, a light smile on his lips as he closed his eyes. ]

... Hm. I see.

[ It truly felt good to be at peace like this... He hadn't felt soothed in years. ]

Yea-... hey, hey!

[ Sonic suddenly beamed, leaning downward to really get that smile in his view. He never saw his Shadow smile like that, not even once. (Okay, maybe there was this one time, but he didn't know he was watching.) It made him want to leap for joy, his heart flipping around inside of him. His tail was definitely going crazy now, practically spinning as it wagged. ]

What's that? [ He laughed softly, a finger reaching to ghost over those lips of his. ] Nice smile, Shadow!

[ When Sonic leaned closer to him, Shadow instinctively moved back. Why was he making such a fuss over it... Though it was true that he hadn't smiled this way in a very long time. He closed his eyes, turning his head away and folding his arms. ]

Hmph. Don't draw so much attention to it...

[ He was really beginning to feel like himself again... especially with Sonic here, like old times. His meddling, as annoying as it was, was also a strong part of him... and even as irritating as Sonic could be, Shadow did appreciate it. He wouldn't have Sonic any other way. ]

Why not?

[ Sonic tried to lean around him so he could see it again, unless it was already gone. Sheesh, it almost never happened, so he was going to enjoy it while he could! ]

Looks good on you!

Must you be so persistent...

[ Even if he spoke like he didn't like it, he really did. He felt so lucky right now... ]

It's just a smile.

Eeeeyeeeeeeeah, but...

[ Sonic pulled back, smiling so wide that his teeth showed themselves. ]

You, like... never smile! Gotta enjoy it while it lasts!

Hmph.

I have more to smile about in these last few hours than I have had in over a hundred years.

[ He closes his eyes again, leaning his head back against the tree bark. ]

I will be strange seeing everyone else again. They will have no idea what I've been through, but... I suppose it's better that way. [ He stops, as if thinking of something. ] How is Rouge?

Doin' the usual and bugging Knux any chance she gets. [ He throws his head back and laughs heartily. He curls his knees up to his chest, arms loosely hanging around them. ] So, good to me!

[ He dips his head back down, leveling himself so that he can face Shadow. His tail curls around his hip now, the tip still flicking slightly. ]

Don't think anyone's going anywhere any time soon.

[ He then reaches a hand out to pat Shadow on the shoulder, an attempt to solace him just a little further. ]

[ ... That was good, then. It really was the past, wasn't it? It was so strange to think of it that way, but it really didn't bother him. It just meant things were good again. ]

Hm. Not yet, anyway.

[ ... right, this pessimistic attitude. It was hard curving it when he knew what the future held. ]

... Sorry. I'll try to stop thinking this way. You should enjoy what the future holds.

Didn't plan against it!

[ ...

Sonic faced away from him, seeming as if he was interested in something off in the distance, but in truth, his mind was churning thought after thought. This was how Shadow felt about him? He missed him after his passing instead of inwardly celebrating?

... Heh.

That made his heart feel all fuzzy. ]

Y'know, if we just kinda chilled out, I think we could've been pals or something.

[ I mean, he thought of Shadow that way, but whether or not it was mutual never seemed clear. ]

[ It was a bit embarrassing... Shadow wasn't sure if he could say it outright, but had to try, especially when Sonic expressed his thoughts to him. ]

The "I" of the past could never have said this, but I am no longer him... I have seen more than he will see in the present, and one day he will understand my pain....

But I consider you my comrade. Probably the most important...

[ ... Wow. Okay, of all things, he didn't expect to hear that from Shadow. The comrade thing was sudden itself, but not on as grand a scale as being the most important.

That...

That really felt bittersweet. His Shadow might never tell him that much, but this one did.

At any rate, though, knowledge is power, and that left him smiling as always. ]

... Yeah. We're buds 'til the end, even if I'm not around. [ He chuckles a little, his expression brighter than the sun now. ] You're never really alone!

[ Even if he's not around, huh... He should have thought about it like that, but it was hard to focus on the positive after 100 or so years without the blue hedgehog. But the sentiment was appreciated.

Shadow nodded. ]

Mm.

[ His eyes and head still hurt from his recent breakdown, so he decided he would just relax against this tree, maybe even doze off. He hadn't felt this safe in years... Not even the Doctor attacking would make him feel nervous. This was true peace. ]

Haa...

[ Yeah, he was tired, too, after being knocked a huge ways away. His smile began to fade into something much more mellow, yet still quite content, all as his lids began to flutter closed. ]

Gonna just... stick around, 'cause I still care for you.

Shadow...

[ Sonic leaned his head against his shoulder, making himself perfectly comfortable on Shadow's weight. He's going to just go to sleep now himself... ]

[ Shadow opened his eyes somewhat when he felt the other's head on his shoulder, but he didn't shrug him off this time. This time... it would be all right. Slowly, his eyes closed once more, and he let his own head rest atop Sonic's. ]

I understand.

Mm... yeah. Good.

[ The soft whisper was the last thing Sonic said in that moment before conking out, laying alongside Shadow and sleeping peacefully. This wasn't any ordinary, got-to-rest sort of sleep, though.

That is, if his nose-whistling and purring was any indication. ]

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there really isn't a good word for "nakama" in english

i know right SOBS

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have the sweetest end tag ever