It's been a couple days since the interrogation. Sonic doesn't hide his pain from Shadow anymore now that he knows. He went outside to smoke a cigarette while his boyfriend was finishing up work in his office. After a few minutes his ear twitched hearing the door open. He turns around and smiles seeing Shadow come outside. "How did your assignment for work go?" "Not too bad for once." Sonic chuckles at his comment as he watches his boyfriend sit down next to him grabbing a cigarette.
"I've been needing to talk to you about something Sonic. Our friends were wondering if you would like to see them before your surgery." He noticed Sonic tense up a bit so he elaborated. "You don't have to talk to them or anything. They just want to see you since it's been a year." "As long as they don't make me interact with them." Shadow wrapped his arm around his boyfriend giving him a kiss on the head. "I promise they won't. I already talked to them about it." "Okay...I'll try." They enjoyed the rest of the day together. After smoking their cigarettes they ate dinner and watched a movie before going to bed.
It was the day before Sonic's surgery. Shadow got up first letting his boyfriend sleep in. He wanted to be sure they were prepared before seeing Sonic. He finished drinking his coffee when he heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door he saw Knuckles, Rouge, and Amy. Blaze had to manage the diner so she couldn't come. "Hey guys come in. Just have to be a little quiet since Sonic is still sleeping." They all came inside the house taking their shoes off and following Shadow to the living room. All three of them were sitting on the couch while Shadow is sitting in his recliner.
After a few minutes of talking they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Sonic was standing there wearing his hoodie looking really nervous and a bit tense. Shadow smiled getting up and walk to him. "Good morning love. Our friends came over to see us." He heard a little whimper and noticed the look of pain in his eyes. "Is your stomach bothering you again?" He slowly nods his head. "I'll take care of that for you." Shadow carefully picks up his boyfriend bridal style and carries him to the living room. He sits down making sure Sonic is comfortable. Once his boyfriend is settle on his lap he carefully slides his hand under the hoodie gently rubbing circles on Sonic's stomach. He hears purring which is a good sign. "This is a temporary relief whenever he feels any pain from the bullet. I hate seeing him hurting like this but it's our only option until his surgery tomorrow."
They continued their conversation with Sonic just listening and avoiding eye contact with their friends which didn't bother them. Amy decided to ask a question they were all wondering for a while now. "Does Sonic know about Eggman?" Shadow slowly nodded his head. "I told him when he was ready and he took the news hard...still does." Sonic didn't want any of them to see him cry. He put his hood up as tears started to fall and tried burying himself in Shadow's arms. As he noticed his boyfriend's behavior he carefully cradles him and gently rubs his back trying to calm him down. Amy felt guilty for asking but Shadow reassured her that it was okay since she didn't know. After a few minutes Sonic calmed down and fell asleep. Shadow knew it was time to tell them what happened while his boyfriend is sleeping and they were all in one room.
"When I first saw Sonic after a year...he almost looked unrecognizable. Covered in cuts and bruises already healing...stained in his own blood, quills unkept, bags under his eyes, and very underweight." Shadow started to tense up a bit remembering that day he found him under the bridge at Emerald Park. They were all speechless to hear this and Knuckles decided to ask a question. "Do you know what happened to him when he left Sonia's funeral?" Shadow calmed himself down before answering. "He told me Manic and Scourge were abusing him...blaming him for their sister's death. Sonic was so scared of them he barely slept, refused to eat, was cutting himself, and smoking cigarettes. I got the cutting under control and allow him to continue smoking cigarettes since I do too. He's been eating with me and has put on some weight. Sleeping was a challenge at first but he's improving on that. Sometimes he'll take naps during the day which doesn't bother me." They all watch as Sonic moves in his sleep snuggling up to Shadow's warmth and he gently pets his head. Rouge decides to speak on behalf of everyone. "He looks a lot more happy being with you. You're his guardian angel hun." Shadow smiles and nods his head. "He means everything to me."