Gadget POV 3rd person 

Sonic left the room. He’d shut the light off and closed the door on his way out. Laying there in shock, Gadget couldn’t believe what just happened, and who it happened with.

He hadn’t been particularly popular growing up, as he was considered more of the nerdy type. Along with that, he never got over Zero. He’d hoped one day they would find each other again, and maybe even get back together. That thinking was a long shot, but apparently not incorrect as Zero technically still held feelings for him after all these years too…

However, the chances of anyone liking Gadget romantically were slim, and what was even more so was someone like Sonic being interested in him, and yet, it happened.

He wasn’t stupid. There’s been signs here and there that made it possible, but there was a fine line between romantic interest, and a very close friendship. Based on personal experience, he figured it was just a close friendship.

Still feeling horny, he couldn’t help as his fingers went to the bulge that though subsided slightly, was still very much there. Digits worked until hardening up again and freeing himself from hiding.

Gripping his shaft, his hand moved leisurely along it as silent moans escaped his lips. Eyes were half lidded as the pressure grew, but it still wasn’t enough. Letting his thoughts wander, he tried to think of Sonic, his bright eyes and confident smile, but somehow, his thoughts went to the person he couldn’t have, he shouldn’t have.

Zero appeared in his mind, sneering at him and circling him as if a caged animal ready to be eaten. Gaze held mischief, and almost down right dangerous.

“What’s wrong Gadget? Are you gonna cry?”

*huff huff*

“You don’t need to look at anyone but me. Understand?”

His breath hitched.

“You belong to me, and only me. No one else can have you, ever.”

Gadget began to see stars.

“No matter what you do, no matter where you go, I will always be there, waiting for you, until I can snatch you away forever!”

White splashed all over the bedsheets as Gadget came. Though pleasure was there, an immense guilt shrouded everything else. He couldn’t help the tears that flowed as he cried himself to sleep.

——

———-

Option 1: Continuation 

He heard a strange feminine voice.

“Hm?”

Must continue Option 1 from before. Option 1, continue.

…..

……..

Sunlight trickled in. Hitting his eyes, he groaned out in dissatisfaction from the bright rays. Admitting defeat as he was now awake, he slowly opened his eyes to adjust to the light and settings.

Eyes wide now, he realized he wasn’t in his room at HQ. It was... the room at the orphanage. Glancing around, everything was the same in that room as he remembered it, including snuggling with a sleeping, younger Zero.

‘Huh?’ Gadget thought, ‘It feels real, just like the last time I dreamed of this.’ Which was oddly enough the last time he’d gone to sleep.

Picking up his glasses, he put them on and looked to the clock on the wall which read 7:28am. He also peaked at a wall calendar he remembered Zero buying for him as a gift after the amusement park trip. Large X’s were drawn through each day that had already passed, meaning today was…

‘October 22, year 20XX?’

Wasn’t that literally the next day from the last time he dreamed? What the actual crap was going on?!

All thoughts halted as he felt Zero subconsciously snuggle closer. Pain was felt as Gadget drowned in guilt from the make out with Sonic. Well, dream Sonic? Was this the dream, or the war? It all felt real. Still, he couldn’t help but feel terrible for what he did.

Removing his lenses, Gadget dug his face into Zero’s chest, feeling the urge to cry. Fingers were suddenly felt as they traveled leisurely through his ruby fur. Gadget sniffled.

“It’s alright,” Zero cooed as he held the wolf close, “Did you have that dream again?”

“...Yeah.”

“Go ahead and let it out. I’ll hold you as long as you want me to.”

Those words gave full permission as tears streamed along his cheeks. He didn’t outright sob as before, but rivers fell from his eyes as he sniffled from time to time.

There was so much guilt and pain. Why couldn’t the war not be real? Or was it? He didn’t know. He only wished he could stay here, with the Zero he knows and loves, and be happy with him, and never see that damn war again.

As the crying dwindled down, exhaustion took its place as Gadget felt his eyes flutter shut.

“Get some rest Gadget.”

“I don’t wanna sleep.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want to go back there…”

“Even if you do, I’ll be right here when you wake up again.”

“Promise?” Gadget whined, still hesitating to sleep.

“I promise, on a jackal’s honor.”

Somehow, that made the wolf smile, and he miraculously went back to sleep soon after.

………

About an hour or two passed as amber orbs began to open. It was strange, Gadget hadn’t dreamed of anything, he didn’t think, but also, he couldn’t quite remember what he’d been dreaming about before from the last time he slept. Something horrific, like war? Grunting in frustration, he really could not put his finger on what had been happening.

“You awake?”

That familiar voice made his heart beat, in a good way. Gadget realized he had been sleeping on Zero’s chest, and that the jackal, was holding a book? He never willingly reads.

“And you’re reading?”

“Heh, yeah. After we woke up earlier, and then you went back to sleep, I couldn’t fall back asleep myself, so I decided to read one of your books that you finished already and that was close by to pass the time until you woke up.”

“Oh! I’m sorry! You probably couldn’t get up because of me…”

“Nah, I was planning to stay regardless. You seemed pretty distressed this morning, so I wanted to stay with you until you woke up.”

“Aww, Zero. Thank you!”

Gadget gripped him in a bear like hug. Zero laughed as he returned the embrace and kissed his temple.

“You’re welcome. Love you Gadget.”

“I love you too Zero; so so much.”

“Did you have that dream again by the way?”

“Huh?”

“The one that’s been bothering you since yesterday? The one about war?”

Thinking, that sounded familiar, but somehow, he couldn’t actually recall it. “No, I don’t think I dreamed at all.”

“That’s good,” Zero sighed out in relief, “Hey, let’s go out for breakfast. I’ve got some cash on me from my paycheck the other day. After that, we can go to the lake since you requested it yesterday.”

Grinning widely, Gadget answered cheerfully, “Okay!”

………


Breakfast was great and so was the walk. However, a crisp wind blew through the area that day so they decided to relax inside and play a few rounds of cards. After that they had a later lunch at 2pm.

Now the duo chilled out in the room. Zero sat by the window seal and used the small ledge and window glass for working in a journal he recently bought while Gadget’s head laid on his lap as he read.

The wolf felt like he had been forgetting something, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. As for his life recently here at the orphanage, he felt like he remembered more and settled back into a normal routine. Like, it was odd, when he woke up, the whole world felt like a blur, and as he forgot about the dream, he remembered more about his life here at the orphanage, with Zero. There was also a sense of peace and wholeness he hadn’t felt in a long time, but that wasn’t right.

Peace? Why did thinking of peace make him think of kissing?... Huh, weird.

“Whatcha doing Zero?”

Zero bought a notebook last week and had been scribbling something in it, but he didn’t know what. He’d been meaning to ask, but had not yet, and it was making his curiosity grow.

“Drawing.”

“You’re drawing?”

“Yeah, I figured I needed an indoor hobby. After feeling a bit cooped up last winter when I first got here, and now that it’s fall and it’s cooling off outside, I figured it’d be good to find something.”

“You could always read.”

“Pfft, no thanks.”

“Hahaha!”

A quiet knock then resounded. 

Quickly sitting up, Gadget was about to answer before the knob turned and the door was opened. An expression of horror fell on the wolf’s face as he realized that he forgot to lock it after returning to the room from lunch.

There was no time for Zero to escape. It was too late as the worker by the name of Ashley entered along with a couple Gadget easily recognized. The couple, which were rabbits, seemed happy to be there, but Ashley held a look of discernment.

“Gadget, who’s this?” Ashley asked.

The little wolf had no time to answer as the female from the couple, which Gadget knew as Mrs Kola from all the times he and his dad read up on the news and stories of their company, came right up to him and sat on the floor so she could be face to face better.

“Is that Whispering Hollows you’re reading?”

Why did that sound familiar?

Nodding, Gadget answered, “Yes. It’s really interesting and a challenging read. I like it a lot.”

“That was one of my favorites when I was a teenager.”

Gadget could tell Ashley tried to inquire on Zero’s presence again, but once more didn’t have the chance as Mr Kola approached the jackal and also sat down. He noticed Zero’s open journal with a sketch of trees and the sky. It was rough, and anyone could tell he was a newbie, but it made the male rabbit smile anyway.

“Do you like to draw?”

Nervous at first, Zero glanced at Gadget, who gave him an approving nod. Zero spoke.

“I’m honestly not sure. I haven’t been sketching for very long. I like to be outside mostly, but thought maybe I should find an indoor hobby for when it gets cold out.”

“Ah! I love the outdoors. What do you like to do outside?”

“Anything really,” A large grin made its way on Zero’s face as he began to get animated in the conversation, “I like to take walks, climb up trees, hiking, swimming, and all sorts of stuff!”

“GADGET!!” Ashley finally snapped, causing everyone to look up at her in shock.

Looking a bit scared, the wolf whispered, “Uh oh...”

“Why is there someone in your room? And a jackal at that?!”

Glaring, Zero stood up and blocked the wolf from her sight, but it was Mrs Kola that spoke up, “That’s just rude, and there are better ways to approach children than shouting at them like that.”

She looked at Gadget, “Could I ask what this is about?”

“Well, I met him earlier this year. It was cold outside and he was on the street, with nowhere to go, so I thought he could stay with me.”

“That’s dangerous!” Ashley snarled out, “What if he was a psychopath?”

“It’s true that is dangerous,” Mr Kola agreed. “But, he’s only a child.”

“A jackal! Jackals are murders! They steal, cheat, and lie! He probably tricked you just so he could get out of the cold!”

Gadget looked to be about in tears. Zero was super pissed off, but chose to ignore her as he was more concerned for the wolf.

“Gadget, that’s not true. Please don’t believe that.”

A single tear ran down Gadget’s cheek as he replied, “I know it’s not true. I just, I’m sad she thinks of you that way.”

“Eh, don’t be. She wouldn’t be the first.”

“But it’s not fair. I was all alone here at this orphanage before you came. Everyone was either scared or disgusted with me because of the scar on my eye and never gave me a chance! All I wanted was a friend, and now I have one, you.” 

*Hick, hick*

“Ah,” Zero whispered softly while seeing the little wolf he loves cry. Crouching down on the floor to be beside him and whipping away the tears, he answered, “And if it wasn’t for you, I would never have known what real friendship was. I had my pack, but there was no love there. That’s why I left.”

“Awww!”

Mrs Kola practically dived down as she snuggled both of them tightly, “Honey, let’s adopt these two.”

Grinning widely, he answered, “I agree sweetheart.”

“But, the jackal isn’t one of our children. There’s no information on him.”

“Oh!” Mrs Kola released the kids so they could breath. “Are your parents alive dear?”

“Nah, they passed away when I was an infant. I don’t really have ‘parents’ or anything. It’s just me.”

“Well, even more reason for you to come with us.”

“But ma’am…!”

“If I hear one more word,” the previously cute and innocent bunny snarled out, “I will not be pleasant to deal with. Do I make myself clear?”

“Y-Yes ma’am.”

“Now,” she looked at the two with a sweet smile, “You rest for now. We need to get some paperwork done so we can adopt you both.”

“Yep, we’ll be back.”

The Kola’s gently pushed Ashly out and shut the door behind them. Zero and Gadget stood dumbfounded as it was now just them.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“I-I dunno.”

A small knock was heard on the door before hearing a familiar voice. It was Mr Kola. The door was opened.

“Sorry about this, but I never got your name.”

The bunny had been looking at the jackal. Slowly, he responded, “It’s Zero.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Um…”

“Hm?” Mr Kola now glanced at Gadget, “I thought you both came here the other day.”

“We did, But you know, my wife always knows the right person for us to adopt. I think she has a sixth sense or something. But, no one sparked that the last time, and when we were told that not all the children were here, she insisted we come back. She grew up in this area, and I think had her heart set on adopting at least one child from here, since we’ve never been able to have children of our own.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Zero grinned, “That you both would do that.”

He patted both of their heads, “It’s nice to meet you Zero and Gadget. I’ll head out so I can finish that paper work. You two, don’t worry about anything, we’ll be back soon.”

He exited the room and shut the door, leaving the duo alone once more. Both in their own thoughts.

“Adoption? Parents? Never thought I’d see the day,” Zero whistled.

Suddenly, he found himself in a fierce embrace and both boys fell to the floor. 

“Gadget?”

“We’re gonna get adopted!” He squeezed him more. “YAY!!!”

“Heh,” chuckling, he patted the other’s head, “If you’re happy, then I’m happy. As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we go, even if it’s through the desert or the arctic.”

Loosening his arms slightly so Zero wouldn’t suffocate, gold eyes stared into his mismatched colored ones while they laid side by side on the floor.

“Zero…”

The jackal kissed him softly, “You’re all I need. I’m so excited you got adopted, and even more so that I can go with you.”

“Me too. I’m so glad! I’d miss you so much if you weren’t with me.”

“Well, no need to worry about that, because I always will be. Forever and always.”

They kissed again.

————-

It wasn’t long before all the paperwork was finalized and signed. The couple had not expected to adopt the same day, but after the whole ordeal with Ashley, they thought it better not stall at all. Mr Kola had gone out to buy a few suitcases so the teens could pack while tying up a few loose ends. 

It was later evening as the car was packed, everyone was in and buckled, and off they drove. It had been an eventful drive as Mr Kola very much like interacting with Zero, the two talking about the outdoors and possible hiking in the future when it warmed up outside. The jackal was all for it.

Gadget and Mrs Kola spoke briefly about various novels he read before accidentally taking a nap on Zero’s shoulder.

“Aw, cute,” She hummed happily, “You two make quite the pair.”

“Oh!” Zero’s white muzzle turned slightly pink, but thankfully it was dark outside at that point, so no one could see it, “Well, I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

“I’m glad we got you both then. Now, how about you get some rest too sweetie. We still have a while to drive.”

Taking that as a hint, he laid his head back into the seat. Wrapping an arm stealthily around the slumbering wolf’s waist, he turned his gaze to look outside as they continued to drive through the night.

It was about another hour or so before they finally arrived at the country house the Kola’s owned. The car was parked in the garage. The jackal swiftly removed his arm from Gadget before poking his cheeks.

“Ey Gadget. Wake up, we’re here sleepyhead.”

“Huh?” He yawned in recognition as he stretched his back and arms. The door on Zero’s side opened to show Mr Kola.

“Boys, we’re here… Oh, you’re both awake.”

“I wasn’t asleep sir,” Zero replied, “And I just woke Gadget up.”

They exited the car, grabbed their bags, and left the garage by taking a door in the garage that led inside.

“Originally, I wanted to show you both the yard,” she said as they entered the house, “But I’ll have to do that tomorrow when there’s daylight.”

The boys awed as they saw beautiful cream colored walls and a beautiful entryway. Gazing around the room and seeing into the living room and kitchen, Gadget couldn’t help but feel something about this was very familiar. But, what?

“Oh my goodness!”

As the couple took their bags upstairs for them, two Mobians around their age ran out of the living room and into the entryway to greet them. Zero and Gadget saw a pink female cat that looked like she had so much energy that she might burst. The other face was a green male bird who seemed much more composed as he miraculously held the cat in place as to not pounce on them on sight.

“Brian!!!” She whined out, causing the bird to shake his head no and Zero to snicker at her. She pouted more from that, “Hey!”

“Heh, my name is Brian,” the bird introduced, “And the feline here is Kytra. She loves hugs just like Mrs Kola, so you should probably get used to it.”

Zero looked unimpressed, “Ugh, really?”

It was now Gadget’s turn to chuckle, “Ah, come on Zero, it won’t be so bad.”

As if to prove a point, he wrapped his arms around the unsuspecting jackal, causing Kytra to giggle madly.

“You two are gonna fit right in,” she grinned.

“Thanks!” Gadget replied as he let go of Zero. “I’m Gadget by the way. And this is Zero.”

“Hiya!”

“Hey, sup?”

“Okay kids! Time for bed!” Mr Kola shouted from the top of the stairs so they could hear him.

“Oh! OH!” Kytra excitedly bounced as she then gripped Brian’s biceps, “We have to show them their rooms. Their ROOMS!”

“I’m sorry about this,” Mrs Kola interrupted apologetically while reaching them at the bottom of the stairs, “We only have one bedroom currently ready. Do you think you both could share a room and bed until this weekend? We’ll go shopping for everything you’ll need on Saturday.”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Zero answered while Gadget gave a complimentary nod. “Perfect! Kytra, Brian, could you two take them to their room?”

“Roger That!” Kytra saluted.

Brian chuckled as he replied, “Yes ma’am.”

The four kids walked up the stairs and to the right. Suddenly, Gadget felt a strong sense of dejavu up until walking up to the door.

“Go on! Open it!” She cheered.

Shrugging, the jackal gripped the knob as he pushed his way inside, everyone else following. The room was simple with cream walls. Again, so familiar. Why?

“You look tired?”  

“Huh?” Gadget realized Brian was talking to him. “Oh, I guess I am.”

“We’ll get out of your hair then,” Kytra said before giving a wicked smirk, “No spooning in your sleep since you both have to share a bed.”

“Spooning?” Gadget questioned, having no clue what she meant.

Brian facepalmed while Zero’s face look like he could kill. “Get out!!!”

“Nighty night!” She bolted from the room.

“Sorry about her. Her mannerisms kind of suck, but she means well, and is really happy you’re both here. If you need anything, my room is across the way from yours. Just come knock if something’s up.”

“Thanks Brian,” Gadget smiled as he gave a small wave, “Good night.”

Zero chimed in, “G’night.”

“Night guys.”

He left.

Sighing out in relief, Zero threw himself on the large bed after kicking his shoes off. Giggles left the wolf as he also removed his shoes before he turned the light off and went to join him.

“Today was fun!”

“Today was exhausting…” Zero huffed out, before his tone softened, “But, you’re happy, so I am too. I hope you like it here.”

“I hope you do too.”

“As long as I’m with you,” Zero yawned out, “That’s all that matters… Good night Gadget. Love you.”

“Love you too Zero. Good night.”

They snuggled closely until Gadget blissfully fell asleep.

*Zero POV 3rd person 

Despite feeling tired, the unsettled jackal couldn’t relax enough to go to sleep. As much as he was exhausted and wanted to, something about this situation bothered him. While he was glad Gadget got out of that orphanage and was adopted, and Zero was ecstatic that he got to stay by his side, one thing about this situation didn’t mesh well with him. 

Stealthily, he rose from the sheets and carefully exited the bedroom. The lights were still on, meaning the adults were most likely not in bed yet. A slight fear ran through him at the thought of being kicked out and away from Gadget if he did this, but he couldn’t stand by. He just couldn’t. 

Walking down the steps, he instantly noticed Mrs Kola, Emily he thinks her name was, sitting at the dining table with various papers scattered around. In front of her was a calculator and notepad, as if doing calculations of some kind. Her chocolate eyes glanced up from the notebook to see Zero standing there.

“Hello,” she sounded a bit surprised by his company, as she expected him to be asleep by now, but nevertheless gave him a warm smile, “Couldn’t sleep?”

“No, I…” 

Zero hesitated. What if Gadget got rejected by them because of his feelings. If things stayed as they were with the Kola’s, things wouldn’t be the same between the two of them… Right?

“Come here sweetie.”

She motioned for the jackal to sit in the seat beside hers. Still scared, Zero took cautious steps before finally placing himself by her. She still smiled warmly and gently patted his head, something Zero was unused to by anyone besides Gadget.

“What’s troubling you?”

“Um…” he took a deep inhale and a slow exhale to match. There was no turning back now. He refused to. “If you and Mr Kola are adopting both Gadget and I, will that make us brothers?”

Of all the questions she thought she’d hear, that clearly wasn’t one of them, but nonetheless, answered him.

“By adoption, yes.”

Fingers curled as Zero looked conflicted, confusing the rabbit greatly. His heterochromia gaze stared right at her. “I don’t want to be Gadget’s brother.”

“Oh… I thought you two got along great and were friends.”

“Both of those are true.”

“But then why…?”

“Because you can’t date your brother.”

It was out before he could even stop his words. Both were shocked by the information, but Emily then giggled from it, making Zero even more stunned.

“T-This isn’t funny!”

“I know,” she rubbed through his white strands as she tried to calm him down some, and continued, “To be honest, we were on the phone a bit ago with a friend of ours who works with adoptions and other kid related cases. Because of some of the laws with jackals, we actually don’t think we would’ve been able to fully adopt you.”

“...What?”

“I don’t know all the details since I don’t work in the field myself, but my husband and I had planned to still become your legal guardians, but we cannot fully become your parents.”

“Oh.” This was unexpected.

“Also, we were going to let you decide what last name you wanted for the paperwork since it seems, from what I understood, jackals don’t have last names?”

“Nah. We just have the one name, the species we are, and the name of the pack we were apart of. Like, my full title is Zero the Jackal of the Infinite Strength Pack, or some jackals say clan rather than pack. Depends on who you talk to.”

“Infinite Strength?”

“Infinite was the nickname given to the founder of the pack I came from. He was a symbol of strength among jackals at that time.”

“I see. But to finish up the conversation from before, while my husband and I planned to be your legal guardians and still provide and raise you, we couldn’t become your legal parents by law or paperwork, and you can choose a different last name as well if that will help put you at ease.”

…

“This doesn’t bother you?”

“Nope!” She smiled, “We’ll make this work. Just, make sure you’re on the same page with Gadget before doing all of this. I’d hate for any misunderstandings or anything.”

“What do you…?”

The two paused as they heard footsteps. It wasn’t two seconds later they saw Gadget standing there while rubbing one of his eyes. Concerned, Zero hurried to his side.

“Gadget? What are you doing up?”

“I woke up when I noticed you weren’t in bed. I worried so I came to look for you.”

Emily seemed puzzled for a moment, but it was quickly answered as the jackal spoke up. “Did you have that dream again?”

“I don’t think so… I don’t know, but I felt really scared that you wouldn’t be here for some reason.”

Hugging the wolf lightly, Zero replied, “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Promise.”

Smiling gently, the rabbit spoke up, “Well, I think that’s a good indication that you two should go back to bed for the night.” 

Zero glanced back at her, but only saw reassurance in her eyes. “Good night boys.”

“Good night.”

Both left the room to return to their bedroom for the night.