Sonic was a simple hedgehog, just a guy who loved adventure. He didn’t let the troubles the world inflicted on him get to him, except when he did, but that wasn’t very often, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it when he did.
Suffering was less like an old friend and more like a persistent nemesis; always around the corner, waiting to jump him whenever he got comfortable. Ever since the War, pain seemed to seek him out- torture, viruses, cyber-corruption- sometimes Sonic felt like little more than a vessel for pain.
Usually this didn’t bother him. Usually.
Today was not usually. Sonic was leaning against a tree in a park in Central City, eyes closed, looking for all the world like a peaceful hedgehog enjoying a light doze. Whatever he was doing, he wasn’t sure “enjoying” was the right word.
Ready for more, hedgehog? Sonic shuddered at the memory of Zavok’s voice. Out of all the beatings he’d regularly receive on the Death Egg, his had hit the hardest and lingered the longest. (Metal’s were technically worse because claws, but that meant Sonic got first aid so he didn’t die of an infection and spoil the fun. Zavok’s bruises were left to fester.)
Pathetic, said the Zavok of memory, kicking Sonic in the side. He’d long since slumped to the ground, trying to shield his face, and the blow had sent him sliding to the side of the arena. A hero reduced to a quivering animal. He’d stepped over him, wrapping an enormous hand around Sonic’s neck and lifting him, ignoring his gasps. Zavok held him there, examining his handiwork: bruises, blood, a dazed and flushed expression stuck on the prisoner’s face.
He’d scoffed. Painslut, he spat, before tossing him back into his cell and slamming the door.
Sonic had received plenty of taunts over the years, so he wasn’t sure exactly why that one stuck with him. Pain sucked; just because he could absorb more of it than the average citizen didn’t mean he liked it. Zavok’s statement, mocking and contemptuous, was demonstrably false.
(If it was false, why did he sometimes find himself restless, unable to sate himself with the usual thrills of running, food, friends? Why did he lay awake at nights, replaying his worst moments, where his enemies had him at their mercy, spitting insults? Those moments had sucked; he’d been beyond overjoyed when they ended. Why did they haunt him now?)
Sonic sighed, shifting against the tree. It was one of those days, he supposed; he’d just have to keep moving, maybe find a decent distraction if he could stomach one.
A gust of air ruffled his fur, accompanied by a flash of orange light. Perfect.
Sonic tore after the orange blur. It wasn’t hard to catch up; Shadow was clearly out for a casual run of some sort. That wouldn’t do. Sonic rushed past him, making sure to jostle him as he passed, turning just long enough to stick out his tongue and catch Shadow’s expression twisting in rage before he dashed off.
Sonic led Shadow out of the city, through cornfields into praire, laughing as he felt Shadow’s ire at his back. He loved the thrill of the chase, but something still itched in his chest. With a split second decision he stopped, jumping to the side and sticking out his leg to trip Shadow.
The Ultimate Lifeform recovered with barely a stumble, but Sonic’s goal was accomplished. Shadow’s scowl turned into a sneer as his hands curled into fists, and as soon as Sonic tossed another punch, the fight was on.
Sparring with Shadow was special. No one else could reach the speeds Sonic could, so their spars usually involved lots of running, chasing, and spin-dashing. For more gritty hand-to-hand combat Sonic would go to Knuckles; so he wasn’t exactly sure why today he kept slowing down to fight Shadow with fists and kicks. Shadow definitely clocked the change, his raised eyebrow not stopping his blows from hitting fast and hard.
Shadow’s fist connected with Sonic’s stomach. Sputtering, Sonic stumbled back- getting hit by the Ultimate Lifeform was no joke. Distracted, Sonic didn’t spot the air shoe aimed for his side, and found himself tumbling across the grass, shouting in surprise at the blooming pain in his torso.
He picked himself up in time to avoid the blow meant for his head. Shadow scowled at him as he backed up, breathing heavy. He’d taken hits like this before and bounced back, why was he slowing down now? Sonic feinted and threw a punch; Shadow caught it, clocking his cheek with his other hand. Sonic went down again.
On his knees, Sonic coughed, watching blood spatter the grass- he must’ve bit his tongue at some point. Looking up, he saw Shadow waiting a few steps away, confusion growing as Sonic didn’t get up. “What’s wrong with you, hedgehog?” he spat. “Are you even trying? It’s like you want to get beat up.”
What was wrong with him, that Shadow’s words sounded oddly appealing? Sonic was a creature of instinct, and on instinct he found himself responding with the first words that came to his head. “Maybe I do,” he said, grinning at the confusion blooming on Shadow’s face. “Come on, hit me.”
Shadow frowned, but complied. The blow to his jawbone sent Sonic sprawling. Shadow’s shoes entered his vision as he lay prone, gasping. “Why aren’t you fighting back?”
Why wasn’t he? Sonic leered up at Shadow’s worried, angry face. “You can do better than that. I’m wide open, aren’t I? Fuck me up.”

Sonic was being an incomprehensible idiot, like normal, except this was not normal, and Shadow was thrown.
He sometimes didn’t have the best grasp on social interactions, but he was pretty sure this is where most friends would stop and demand an explanation, maybe set up some sort of intervention. Shadow must not be a good friend, because when Sonic smirked at him as he hesitated, a strange feeling bubbled in his gut.
Sonic wanted to get beat up? Fine. Shadow would show him how stupid an idea that was.
Shadow kicked him, aiming for the shoulder, holding back just enough to gauge Sonic’s response. The hedgehog flinched but didn’t dodge, whimpering as his head fell back. Another kick, harder, and Sonic grunted, still not fighting, not dodging. Indignation and inexplicable satisfaction bloomed in Shadow’s gut, and he stopped holding back.
Blows of all sorts rained down over Sonic’s body. Shadow wasn’t so far gone that he would cause permanent harm, but he wanted the hedgehog to hurt. Any part of him missing a bruise, Shadow hit; then he aimed for the bruises, drawing out a new sort of pained yelp from the hero, who lay prone for all of it, only moving to shield his head.
Breathing heavy, Shadow leaned down, grabbing the hedgehog by the neck. Roughly he pulled him up to his knees, examining his handiwork. Sonic looked almost like he was on drugs, irises blown and unfocused, hidden beneath a swollen pair of black eyes. His mouth opened and blood dribbled out- he’d have to check for internal bleeding- along with Sonic’s wheezing breaths. Sonic’s quills were bristled in pain, but even as Shadow held him they began to relax. Shadow tracked their motion with wide eyes, watching as they settled into an arrangement far too trusting for the situation.
He met Sonic’s eyes. The hedgehog had finally managed to focus on Shadow’s face. His chest heaved, as if he was trying to find the breath for a quip, but came up with nothing. Shadow had beaten the fight out of him. Something like pride twisted in his chest. On impulse, Shadow held the hedgehog still and spat in his face.
Sonic moaned.
Shadow froze, half from mortification at his own action, half from disbelief at Sonic’s. His hand let go of Sonic’s neck and transferred to his shoulders. “Idiot,” he huffed, eyes darting over his form. He started patting down his ribs, feeling for any breaks, ignoring the hero’s winces as his hands touched fresh bruises. “Open your mouth, you were coughing up blood earlier. It might be internal bleeding.”
Sonic finally managed to gather his breath and shook his head. “Nah,” he gasped. “Bit my tongue. ‘S fine.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Shadow grasped his jaw, firmly holding it open, and Sonic let him. Once he’d examined the hero’s mouth to his satisfaction, he let go, sitting back on his haunches. “Can you stand?”
Sonic blinked up at him as if surprised. He shifted, trying to get his legs under him. He almost succeeded, managing to put weight on first one leg, then the other (good, no knee or ankle injuries), before tumbling back to the grass. Panting, Sonic shook his head. “Hurts.”
Shadow sighed. He knelt next to him and rolled him over. He ignored Sonic’s gasps as his bruises were jostled, but did make sure to be careful as he lifted him in a bridal carry. “We’re going to my house. We’ll make sure you’re okay, and then we’re going to talk.”
Sonic shivered, wincing as a flash of actual fear flashed over his face. That was was phased him? Idiot. Shadow pushed down the inexplicable fondness and started a brisk walk towards home.