I feel like this idea had to be written at some point. Something also tells me he's probably out of character.
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You woke up to Shadow's empty space beside you. Him being out of bed this early was rare if not nonexistent. You got up to go find him.
After searching the house with no luck, you were confused and slightly anxiety-ridden. You checked outside to see the broody hedgehog sitting on the dewy grass. He was looking up at the clear sky of twinkling stars. The light from the moon gave him a faint glow. Your anxiety disappeared at the sight of him, but it was immediately replaced with concern when you heard him sniffle.
You walked over to him and sat next to him. He immediately took your hand. You pulled him to you. His body felt tense. He was holding back tears.
"Do I need to ask?" you asked gently.
"No.." he replied. "Go back to bed.."
"No. I'm staying out here with you," you countered. "I know you need me right now."
"You're just like her, it's sickening.." he said. His voice broke. "I miss her so much.."
Your heart clenched. You pulled him into your lap and held him close. "I like to think she made us meet. So you could be happy again."
Shadow clung tightly to you. His body trembled as he silently sobbed. You held him just as tightly and continued.
"She's looking down at you with such pride, Shadow. I know for a fact she's so proud of you. For experiencing Earth for her, for fulfilling her wish."
Shadow's trembling calmed after a little while. He pulled back. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this.."
You kissed his forehead. "I'm not."
"She either sent you to me or she was reincarnated into you.." he said. "Either way, I've never been as happy as I have been with you.. After her.."
"That's what she would have wanted. She loved you, Shadow. I'm sure she's so happy that you're happy again. That you live your life with your friends and I, that you use your abilities as the Ultimate Life Form for good," you told him.
"It was a memory.. A nightmare of a memory.. The moment she died.." he recalled.
"I'm not prying," you said. This wasn't the first time he'd relived the trauma in his dreams. "You don't need to go into it if you don't want to."
He leaned in and gently pressed his forehead to yours. You cupped his cheeks and wiped away any stray tears with your thumbs. His eyes closed.
A silence set in. You didn't want to say anything, as Shadow was grounding himself. All you did was watch the process.
He took a final deep breath before opening his eyes to stare into yours. "I'm all right."
"I hope so," you said with your hands still cupping his face.
"I am," he confirmed. "The dream just felt so real. I felt like I was there all over again."
"I'm sorry you weren't able to save her," you said.
"I've found closure and forgiven myself," he said. "She'd want me to."
You smiled softly. "You're not wrong." You kissed his forehead.
He looked up at the stars. He murmured, "I love you, Maria. Thank you for bringing (Y/N) into my life. Rest well."
"You're not as broody as you used to be," you gently teased.
"I've found my light again," he remarked before getting off of you. He scooped you into his arms with ease. "Let's get back to sleep." He carried you inside.
He laid you down and got into bed with you. He pulled you to him so your head was on his chest. You looked up at him. "I love you, Shadow."
"I love you, too," he replied genuinely before kissing you softly. You felt him cup your cheek as you kissed back.
You pulled back after a few moments. You pressed a final kiss to his cheek before settling down. Shadow rested his head against yours and the both of you soon fell asleep.
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As always, embrace your weirdness and I'll see you in the next one shot.
- The Self Shipping Weirdo
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(REQUESTS PERMANENTLY CLOSED)Various X F!Reader One Shots
FanfictionBeing a self shipper and a writer comes with the urge to share my creations. I don't accept requests as the one shots I post are one shots I've written for myself and I'm just changing the format a little to make them reader inserts. Hope you unders...