Shadows of a Broken Future

Shadow's POV:

I feel a rush of mixed emotions, part of me feels grateful that Rouge walked in when she did, though there's another part which kind of wished that she hadn't. I've only been here for one night, and it's already clear that Sonic doesn't want me around. And that hurts, more than I care to admit. This morning, when we were upstairs, he flinched when I reached out to him, almost as if my touch scared him. During breakfast, his smile was so stiff, like he was forcing it to hide whatever he truly felt. And just now, on the couch, he was trembling, like he was too scared to move away when I was inching closer. Maybe he didn't know how to get away without being rude. But I know the truth now-he's repulsed by me.

He talks about us being friends now, but his actions speak louder. It stings in a way I didn't expect, like a punch through my chest. It hurts, but I don't know why. It's not physical-there are no wounds, but the ache is still there. I know he doesn't want me here, he's just being nice, not wanting to kick me out when I have nowhere else to go. He's too kind and selfless to say it, so I'll spare him that. I'll leave, for his sake.

He turns to face me again, awkwardly, trying to hide it with fake confidence, but I can hear his voice waver slightly. I clutch Onyx closer to me, trying to ground myself. "Uh, so about earlier..." he begins, but I can't bear it. I don't want him to say out loud how disgusted he is.

"I'm not going to stay here anymore" I interrupt. His eyes flash with something I can't quite place, but it's gone before I can even try to figure it out.

He chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right, you're not going to stay in the guest room anymore huh? I mean, I'd feel bad if you had to sleep on the couch. You can just take the bed if you want. I was fine sleeping out here last night so-"

"No Faker," I cut him off, my voice firm. "I mean here. In this house. With you."

That emotion flickers again in his eyes, and his ears droop slightly. His voice cracks when he speaks. "Come on Shads. I know you're stubborn, but your stuff is already here, and Onyx too..." He gestures to the cat in my arms. "So how about-"

"No Faker. I'm leaving. I have my stuff now so I'll just go somewhere else. I'm sorry for being a burden to you, but everything will be fine now." I arrange Onyx more comfortably in my arms, grab my box of things, and head towards the door. But before I can get far, Sonic steps in front of me, his eyes now filled with frustration.

"Hold on Shads!" he says, his voice sharper now. "When did I ever say you were a burden?"

I growl at him. "You didn't need to. Your actions spoke loud enough. You don't want me here, so move Faker."

But he matches my glare, his eyes burning. "Don't you get it? I literally asked you to stay here with me! And right now I'm trying to stop you from leaving. What about that says I don't want you here?!"

"That's just you being the selfless idiot you are! Trying to act like the hero!" I snap. "I see how you act when I'm near you-flinching, shaking, freezing up. You're afraid of me!"

"It's not like that!" Sonic yells back, his voice tight.

"Oh, it's not?" I challenge, stepping closer. "Then what is it? Are you so disgusted by me that just being in the same room makes you uncomfortable?"

"IT'S THE OPPOSITE!" He shouts, his words catching me off guard.

I blink, confused. The opposite? What does that mean?

Sonic's face turns a little red, and he starts to fumble over his words, his nervousness clear. "Look, um... being around you, it's... well it's cool. But when you're close, I start to feel kinda... nervous. I don't want to mess things up. I don't really get why I'm acting this way, but I do want to be closer to you... as friends! I just... I don't know. I don't know why I'm acting like this!"