*Shadow's POV*
Everything was cold and dark, and my body felt weightless. The last thing I remembered was us destroying the core and getting launched back eith the aftershock. I remember seeing as the fractured piece of the core impaling my side, pulling every ounce of energy from me. I had fought against it, but it was too strong, like it was draining the very essence of who I was. Everything had faded into nothingness.

I should be dead.

Yet I was here.

My eyes fluttered open, pain shot through my body, especially from where I had been impaled. Everything hurt.

"Shadow." That voice. I recognized it. I could never forget it.

"Sonic." I whispered, my voice dry as if I hadn't spoken in days. I tried to get up, holding where the wound should have been, but it was bandaged. Sonic grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back down very slowly and carefully. His usual grin and cocky attitude were gone.

"You gave us a scare, Shadz. Take it easy, will ya? You lost a lot of energy." He sighed and moved his hand lower to hold mine. "I thought I was going to lose you." His voice, broken and full of sadness.

I wanted to get up, remove the bandage, and look at the wound. The way that shard easily drained me off my powers scared me. I had never felt so vulnerable before. I tried to summon a chaos spear to feel that surge of energy curse through my veins again, but when nothing happened, I panicked. Fear settled over me.

"My powers." I sat up ignoring Sonics' last comment.

"That thing. It nearly drained you dry.  Tails managed to stabilize you, but your chaos energy is still coming back slowly. It'll take time." Sonic intertwined out fingers, causing me to focus on that instead of my powers. "Take it easy, Shadz."

I've never felt so weak before, not only because of my powers but because of Sonic. He broke through every single wall I could put up and always found a way to calm me down. "It's okay, Shadz. You've got us all to keep you safe while you heal. You're not alone, remember?" 

"You're insufferable, you know that?" I rolled my eyes and laid back down, I let my guard down with him. Even the walls I built to protect myself, Sonic, had a way of breaking right through them.

"Yeah, but you'd be bored without me." He grinned and sat beside me. I couldn't help but let a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips as I closed my eyes, finally letting myself rest.

*Sonic's POV*
The fight was finally over, Eggman was gone, and there was no way the machine could be rebuilt without the plans Eggman had and Tails took. It had been a week now, and Shadow was finally back at 100%, but I hadn't seen him much since then. I had been busy with the rest of the team cleaning up the area and making sure we were done with Eggman for once and for all.

"Sonic." I looked over the cliff down at the empty area where the structure holding up the machine used to be. I then turned to see who had called me, a bright smile returning to my face when I saw Shadow. He had a scar on his side where he had been hit with the shard, but he wasn't in pain anymore.

"Shadow." I walked to him as he did the same. "I see you're doing well."

"I am. Thanks to you and Miles." He nodded and crossed his arms as he looked down to where I had just been looking at. "We made a good team."

"We did." I smiled and stood by his side. "We finally did it. Eggman is gone."

Shadow remained silent, then after a while, looked at me. He moved his hands down to his, then reached for mine and held it. I looked up at him, my smile only growing as Shadow and I looked into each other's eyes.

"Thanks for saving me." He said, but I could see him glance down at my lips.

I smirked. "If you want a kiss, all you have to do is ask, Shadz. I am your boyfriend, after all. Aren't I?"

Shadow scoffed and rolled his eyes, then tugged on my hand, pulling me closer. "How about I just take it?" His eyes narrowed as he smirked at me as well. I gasped, not expecting this, and before I could react in any other way or even say something to defend myself, Shadow closed the gap between us, stealing a kiss.

I instantly melted in the kiss and adjusted myself to stand correctly, tilting my head as I deepened the kiss. We enjoyed this moment for a little longer than I would like to admit. The sun setting before us, creating a magical moment, just for the two of us.

Together, for once, there was no rivalry, no competition. Just two hedgehogs who saved the world and in the process fell in love.

THE END!

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Story was short but I hope you enjoyed! Tell me what you think about it! The action parts were new to me, interesting and difficult in a way since I am not used to it. How did I do?