Sonic’s heart was beating quickly as he stared down at his phone, reading the text over and over. It was a singular text, but it hit him in the gut.

<Shadow’s awake.>

Sonic’s heart fluttered. Yes! He could confess his growing feelings to Shadow. He knew they were rivals, he knew that Shadow probably had never considered a relationship with him before, but if he just told him how we helped save him, then…

Then there might be a chance.

In a blink Sonic had sped away to the reception desk. The man at the desk gave Sonic an incredulous look.

“You’re not here to see anyone else but Shadow, correct?”

Sonic and the guy at the reception desk had become pretty good friends, even though Sonic couldn’t remember his name.

“Yep. Just checking in with you.” Sonic gave him a large smile. “Today’s the day! I even bought him a locket with our pictures in it that I’ve been waiting to give him.”

The guy at the reception desk rolled his eyes.

“He just got out of his coma yesterday. He needs his rest.”

“I need to tell him how I feel before I lose the chance.” And with that, Sonic sped away.

Sonic barged into Shadow’s room and ran up to him. He was surprised to find Shadow propped up on the pillows in a deep slumber.

“Shaaads!” Sonic shook his arm a little. “Wake up, I have something to tell you.”

Shadow’s eyes pinched shut before they fluttered open.

“What the hell do you want, Faker?” Shadow growled. “I'm trying to rest here.”

Sonic put on a playful smirk. “Yeah, but I have something to give you.”

He popped the locket into Shadow’s open hand. Shadow winced.

“What… what did you give me…” Shadow was in too much pain to pick it up.

“It’s a locket.” Sonic smiled, leaning on the edge of his bed.

Shadow grunted.

“Hold it up for me.”

Sonic gave him a questioning look. “Aw, come on, Shads–”

“Every movement… feels like my skin is tearing… off my body.” Shadow’s voice was growing weaker by the syllable.

Sonic took the locket from his hand, his face growing solemn. He opened the brass heart and held it up to Shadow’s face.

Shadow squinted a little, trying to focus his tired eyes. Sonic knew he saw the pictures at his audible gasp.

“Do you like it?”

“Why… Did you put us in a locket together?”

Sonic sighed. “I need to tell you something.”

“Spit it out, Faker.”

“Well…” Sonic looked away. He noticed the chocolates still hadn’t been eaten. “It’s just… I really care about you, Shadow.”

Shadow would have punched Sonic if he wasn’t so weak. Instead, he did his best to roll his eyes, putting on a grouchy expression.

“When did that start?” Shadow spat. “Everyone knows you're a narcissistic bastard who doesn’t care about anyone.”

This was more than any punch in the gut. This nearly ripped Sonic apart inside. Yes, he told himself that he cared about everyone. Yes, he told himself that he saved the world, saved the city, saved his friends over and over because he cared about them, but a part of him…

A part of him recoiled at the truth in Shadow’s words.

Did Sonic really only care about himself? No, no, that couldn’t be true! He loved his friends, loved to save those in need–

Loved the praise they gave him.

His lips tightened as if he had eaten a sour lemon.

No. This was the truth.

“I–I do care about people!” Sonic stammered. “I love everyone! I love the world! I…”

Sonic’s heart beat fast, not only from Shadow’s presence, but from the glare of judgement in his eyes.

“If you really ‘loved’ the world, as you say, then you would have let me help you. But no, you had to put up a hard time!”

Sonic withdrew the locket back into his gloved hands. He looked at the twin images in the locket; a picture of himself and Shadow, one on each side, so that when the locket was closed the images would kiss. 

“I love you, Shadow.”

Sonic shut his eyes as soon as he said it. No. He was too afraid to see Shadow’s reaction. A part of him was afraid of rejection, although what was even worse was knowing that Shadow would most likely reject him because of Amy.

Amy. How humorous! Amy, the one who had always chased him, finally going after his crush?

No. She didn’t like Shadow that way. He needed to trust his friend that she wouldn’t lie to him. Sure, she was heartbroken by his rejection, but they were still friends. She would have to live with the fact that they were never meant to be.

If Sonic had bothered to look at Shadow he would have seen nothing in particular, as Shadow appeared much calmer than Sonic was expecting. Of course, this was the exact opposite from the truth; Shadow was in pure shock from what Sonic had revealed to him.

Sonic? Sonic the Hedgehog?! Having a crush?!

Shadow couldn’t comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Why would Sonic like him?! How long has this been going on? Why didn’t he tell anyone he swung that way? Why wait until he got critically injured to confess? These questions and so many more whirled around in his head.

“I–I can leave. I’m sorry for putting this all on you now.” Sonic slapped himself across the cheek. “I should have waited until you got at least a little better. I’ll leave now.”

Sonic dashed out the door, returning to Tail’s place. He closed the door of his room softly and fell onto his soft mattress. The entire room was dark from blinds drawn shut and the cloudy winter sky outside.

Shadow was left stuttering.