Resurgence (Shadow x Reader)

The battle had ended, but the echoes of war still lingered in the air.

With the Xyrrathian leader dead, the enemy forces hesitated, their movements faltering like a machine with its gears suddenly stripped. The realization hit them all at once—the war wasn't their war. They had been pawns in a game played by a master manipulator, and now, with that master gone, the game itself collapsed.

One by one, the Xyrrathian forces stood down.

Ships retreated. Weapons were lowered. Surrender filled the battlefield like an exhale after years of breathless fighting.

The war was over.

But Y/n didn't feel like celebrating.

  ☾ ♪.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ᡣ𐭩  

The journey back to base was quiet, heavy with exhaustion rather than relief. The team was victorious, yet no one cheered. They were battered, bruised, and haunted by the memories of what it had cost.

Y/n sat beside Shadow the entire way back, watching over him as Tails and Amy worked to stabilize his wounds.

Shadow, of course, grumbled the entire time.

"I've had worse," he muttered as Amy pressed a fresh bandage to his side.

Y/n shot him a glare. "You almost died."

Shadow smirked weakly. "But I didn't."

She wanted to argue, to tell him that wasn't the point—that he shouldn't have taken that hit for her. But she didn't. She just squeezed his hand and let silence speak for her.

He squeezed back.

Back at their base, the team barely spoke as they settled in. Sonic disappeared somewhere, probably to clear his head. Knuckles took up his usual post outside, needing the open air. Rouge was nursing a drink in the corner, and Tails had buried himself in analyzing the final battle's data—his way of processing.

Y/n, however, wasn't sure what to do with herself.

Her hands still felt the warmth of Shadow's blood.

Her mind still replayed his body hitting the ground.

She tried to shake it off, but as she stood outside his room that night, she realized she didn't want to be alone. Not this time.

So, instead of sneaking in like she had so many times before—

She knocked.

The door opened almost immediately.

Shadow stood there, his red eyes dimmed with exhaustion but sharp as ever. His wounds were patched up, but he still looked worn, a weight hanging over him.

He didn't say anything.

He just stepped aside and let her in.

The door shut softly behind her, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, without a word, Shadow pulled her into an embrace.

Y/n felt herself sink into him, arms wrapping around his waist, her forehead pressing against his chest. He was warm, solid, alive.

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

They stood like that for a long time.

Finally, Y/n whispered, "I'm scared."

Shadow's grip on her tightened just slightly. "...Of what?"

She hesitated. "Not of the fighting. Not of almost dying. I think I'm scared of what comes after."

Shadow pulled back just enough to look at her, his crimson gaze searching hers. "You don't know what to do now that it's over."

She nodded. "I've spent so much of my life fighting. Even when I tried to have a normal life, it always pulled me back in. But now, for the first time, I don't have to fight anymore. And I don't know what that means for me."

Shadow was quiet for a moment, then reached up, his gloved fingers tilting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his eyes.

"You'll figure it out," he said softly.

She swallowed. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know you." His voice was steady, unwavering. "And I know you're stronger than you think."

Y/n let out a shaky breath, her hands gripping his jacket. "You scared me today," she admitted.

Shadow's expression softened. "I know."

She shook her head. "You can't do that again. I can't—" Her voice cracked, and she clenched her jaw to stop it. "I can't lose you."

His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing lightly against her skin.

"You won't."

Y/n searched his face, looking for any hesitation, any doubt. But there was none.

And then—

Shadow exhaled, a sound barely above a whisper

"I love you."

It wasn't a passing confession. Not a fleeting thought spoken in the heat of battle.

It was steady. Certain. Unshakable.

Y/n felt her heart stop.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, his words hanging between them like something sacred.

Shadow loved her.

And the way he was looking at her—like she was something irreplaceable—left no room for doubt.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled.

Then, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was soft, unhurried, and filled with the same certainty his words had carried.

Shadow melted into it, his hand slipping into her hair, his other arm wrapping around her waist.

This wasn't like the last time.

That kiss had been born of desperation, of fear and relief colliding all at once.

This one was different.

This one was a choice.

When they finally pulled back, Y/n rested her forehead against his, her fingers curling around the fabric of his shirt.

"I love you too," she whispered.

Shadow's eyes softened, something almost vulnerable flashing across his face.

Then, wordlessly, he guided her to the bed.

They laid down together, but this time, it wasn't about fear or exhaustion.

It was about them.

Shadow's arm draped over her waist, holding her close. Y/n curled into him, her fingers tracing absentminded patterns against his chest.

For the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

She didn't know what came next.

But she knew she wouldn't have to face it alone.

And for now, that was enough.