*Present time

Infinite POV- 3rd person

“So that’s your plan for him?”

Nodding, the doctor answered, “If Sonic is trapped there, he won’t be able to escape.”

“True,” Infinite mused, “But I’m concerned about the room I am currently using in the Null Space.”

“The chances of Sonic finding that room and him are slim,” Eggman countered, “The only reason you know is because you have the Phantom Ruby’s power.”

“Indeed, giving me full control of the Null Space.”

“Yes. But, if you’re that concerned, I can arrange for something here.”

“Perhaps as a backup.”

“Very well,” Eggman nodded, “Orbot! Cubot! Go set up the guest room. We might be putting someone there soon. So make it snappy!”

“Yes boss!” Both yelled in union before floating off in a rush.

Infinite quietly observed the scene before speaking up, “Why are you helping me with this?”

“Well, for one, you’re working for me,” the doctor pointed out, “Also, you mentioned before he was a large reason for you wanting the world to fall in the first place. I feel I should almost say thank you to him.”

The jackal cackled as he responded, “It is quite ironic.”

“What is?”

“The whole situation with him,” he answered simply, “If you’ll excuse me now Doctor. I need to tie up a few loose ends of my own before we initiate the plan.”

“Alright. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day, so be prepared.”

“Yes Doctor.” And Infinite was gone a moment later.

————

*Gadget 3rd person POV 

“How’s he looking doctor?”

A sigh left a crocodile woman as she clicked her pen, “Not good. He took a serious blow to the head. For now, he’s resting. If he can make it through the night, he should be fine.”

“Do you know the cause of the accident?”

“I have a few theories,” she explained, “But it will be hard to say until I get the lab results back…” 

“That looks fascinating.”

Jolting sharply, Gadget fell out of bed. He had been lying down while reading one of the books Infinite left. It was one he hadn’t read yet, so he decided to take a peek. Reading can cause him to become so engrossed that he becomes unaware of anything going on around him, including Infinite appearing who knows when, leaning in closely, and whispering in his ear that comment that landed the wolf on the floor.

Chuckling, the jackal responded, “You really should try not to be so oblivious to your surroundings when you read. Though it does make for great entertainment.”

A glare was shot at him but he could care less. Disappearing briefly, Infinite appeared in front of Gadget before offering a hand to him. Looking puzzled, amber orbs stared momentarily, wondering why he was being nice to him. Still, he took his chances, and gripped the jackal’s hand before being lifted to his feet.

“...Thanks.”

“Heh,” he sneered as he kept hold of the wolf’s hand, much to his confusion as he tried to take his hand back but couldn’t. Gadget was then pulled forward, body falling against the jackal’s. “Don’t thank me yet.”

Infinite’s free hand suddenly snuck up the other’s shirt, hand fondling that red furred chest. Surprise shot through Gadget along with pleasure. A short groan accidentally escaped him as Infinite’s chest rumbled from a light laugh.

“H-hey!” The wolf shouted, trying to use his free hand to push the enemy away. “S-stop it!”

“Hm…” He seemed to actually consider the idea. What shocked Gadget more was that he was let go of right after. “Alright, I will for now.”

That comment didn’t make him feel better, but at least there was space between them as Infinite had taken a couple steps back after releasing the Rookie. That single yellow eye stared him down, as if contemplating something. The Resistance member didn’t know what was going through his head, but he was determined for answers today.

“Why did you do that?” Gadget asked, “What do you want? Answer me.”

“So demanding.”

“I’m serious!”

“I know,” Infinite spoke, voice losing its joking ring, “It’s time I finally explained.”

His tone made the anger Gadget previously felt melt away; the seriousness heard had the wolf become attentive to his next words, only, no words came. Clawed hands carefully reached up to the mask he wore. His arms froze, almost hesitating, but then gripped the sides as he worked to remove the piece of metal that hid everything but his one eye. 

Gadget watched, waited, as the mask was slowly removed. Underneath, he saw the jackal’s black furred face along with the complimenting white streaks that were already visible. His yellow eye still clearly shown, but now a different colored orb became clear as well; blue as the watery depths of the ocean. A large white scar was seen on one side of his face; around one eye, which was similar to Gadget’s, but the wolf’s scar was much smaller in comparison. 

He felt his breath hitch. Whom he saw before him, Gadget couldn’t believe it, yet couldn’t deny it either. Clues had been laid before him, but he had been in denial. Any thought, any hope, that maybe, just maybe… seemed too cruel to imagine. But now…

“...Zero…?”

Water trickled down his cheeks. Forgetting they were enemies, forgetting he was a hostage, forgetting the death, destruction, and pain from the war, Gadget ran and wrapped his arms desperately around Infinite.

“Zero!” The wolf cried out, more tears falling. Arms were felt around his torso as the embrace was returned. “Zero! I-I thought…! I was so scared you died, or worse!”

“Shh… It’s okay,” Infinite, or Zero, replied while comforting Gadget, his voice sounding normal; the same as back then but more mature from the years apart. “It’s alright Gadget.”

Pulling back only a little, Gadget looked at Zero, memorizing as much as he could. It had been so long, so long since then. Nothing else seemed to matter in that moment except that Zero was right there in front of him; warm, alive. 

A small sniffle sounded as his tears began to dry. One hand was removed from his torso before Gadget saw a tissue box now in one of Zero’s hands. The box was offered and the wolf took it. Taking a small step away, Gadget blew his nose before throwing away the used tissues in a nearby trash can by the bed. The box was set on the desk when finished.

“I’m going to wash my hands,” Gadget spoke with a small laugh, “They’re probably kind of gross after that.”

Zero stepped out of the way without a word so the wolf could enter the washroom. The faucet was turned on and his hands were cleaned. Satisfied, the water was shut off before drying his hands on the nearby hanging hand towel. A weight was suddenly felt on his shoulder and arms loosely hung around his waist.

“I missed you.”

Gadget laced his fingers through Zero’s and leaned his head back; eyes staring up at the ceiling. Gadget tried not to cry, but his voice was strained.

“I missed you too.”

Zero lifted his head so his chin now rested on the other male’s shoulder instead of his forehead. He whispered softly, “I’m so sorry I didn’t come home to you.”

Fear settled in as the Rookie stood silently, debating his next question, but he wanted, needed, answers. Also, he wanted to apologize too.

“What happened? One day you were there, and the next you were gone… But, I’m sorry I didn’t come back either.”

“...What?” The jackal lifted his head. Feeling the shift in weight, the wolf turned his head to see him staring in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Huh?” ...wait… “Did you ever get my letter?”

“Letter?”

“Um, well, the last time I saw you was two days before I left the orphanage… I was adopted.”

“You were adopted?” Zero questioned, then mumbled quietly to himself, “So that’s how…”

Not hearing the second part, the red canine continued, “Yeah. It all happened really fast. I wasn’t sure where you were in the two days I didn’t see you, so I wrote a letter and kept it in the window seal so that you’d see it whenever you came back, because…” his fingers tightened their hold, “I never got to tell you goodbye. I’m so sorry Zero. I…”

His words were cut off as he was pulled against the jackal and lips covered his. A surprised gasp left Gadget at the action, but he quickly felt his eyelids close as he sweetly returned the kiss. The touch was tender, soft, loving; two lost lovers finding each other once more and putting their loneliness, fear of never seeing one another again, and then the joy and adoration of their meeting, in that simple, but deep rooted kiss.

Pulling away, Infinite spoke up, “I never returned after that last day I saw you. I wanted to come but was unable to.”

“What happened?”

Letting Gadget out of the embrace, he instead took one of the wolf’s ungloved hands.

“Come with me.” 

He followed the other’s lead. Zero walked them back into the bedroom before lying down on the bed; encouraging the other male to join him. Gadget didn’t hesitate as he willing went into Zero’s arms; enjoying the warmth and familiarity of so long ago. The Rookie worked to make himself comfortable in the embrace, and made sure to not have the gem sticking out of Infinite’s chest poke him too much, but the Ruby was still against his fur and skin. A pleasant sigh escaped him.

Infinite chuckled, “You’re still cute.”

“S-shut up…”

Ebony arms tightened the hug slightly as he snuggled into Gadget. “I’ll tell you what happened. It’s not a good story with a happy ending like some of your books.”

“It’s okay,” Gadget reassured, “I want to know.”

“Alright.”