*Present Time

Gadget couldn’t believe what he heard. The jackals from his pack… He remembered seeing the fire on the news; his new mom being thankful they adopted him before that happened. It was thought that the fire was caused by an electrical failure. No reports of the exits being blocked were ever mentioned in the news, but maybe they hadn’t seen the barricades, or maybe it hadn’t been investigated enough...or maybe something far more sinister was at work.

A shiver ran through Gadget at the telling of that gruesome story. Ebony arms wrapped tighter around his back, as if protecting him from everything bad in the world. He couldn’t help but to snuggle his red furred face into the other’s neck. A sigh of relief left him. His senses took in the musky scent that instantly became apparent in his nostrils the moment he buried his face in Zero’s fur.

Zero. Just how much had he gone through after that? Getting taken away, being imprisoned and then supposedly watching Gadget die? What happened back then? What caused this? What caused the war?

Becoming stiff, Gadget suddenly remembered the one thing that he’d forgotten, no, more like avoided, the one topic that he should have asked before giving Zero a hug, before leaning into him, relying on him, and now lying down beside him. Why did Zero start this war? Zero, known as Infinite, technically started this war with Dr. Eggman. They took over cities, slaughtering thousands...

He gulped.

What was he doing?! Snuggling up with the enemy who murdered his brethren in cold blood?

But… why did he avoid that topic in his mind until now? Why did he still lie here, not budging an inch?

As if sensing something off, clawed gloved hands gripped the wolf’s shoulders slightly and put some distance between them so he could see his face. Gadget looked in deep thought before staring up at him in question. 

“What’s wrong?”

The answer, though difficult to accept, in the same breath, was easy, and made the most sense. The reason Gadget was still here, not fighting Infinite, as he stared at his face, was because he loved him. He held onto those strong feelings from so long ago. They never really went away, and only ignited more the moment Infinite took off the mask.

The jackal was unsure of what was on the other’s mind, but after Gadget seemed to think for some time, an expression of peace fell on his features. Zero didn’t stop himself as he reached out gently to Gadget’s eyes; removing the lenses that had settled there.

“These glasses hide your features. Your pretty eyes…” he cupped one of Gadget’s cheeks, “You’re just as gorgeous as I remember. Maybe even more so now.”

Tan muzzle darkened at the unexpected compliment. He shouldn’t be here! He shouldn’t be doing this! But! But...

“I missed you so much Gadget.” Zero whispered in one of his ears. “No one’s going to hurt you. I took awhile to find you. If I had known, I would’ve found you sooner. I’m sorry…”

Moving away from the wolf’s ear, his eyes came face to face with amber ones; stare intense, but not dangerous. Lips sought out Gadget’s. He didn’t push the jackal away; only accepted his kiss. His body, his will, had been unable to push back. After so long of missing Zero, of wishing to be with him again, or at least near him, at least wanting to know if he was alive and okay, Gadget couldn’t find it in himself to reject Zero. If anything, he pressed all the closer.

“Mmm…”

Cupping Gadget’s face in his hands, Zero’s tongue darted forth, pushing through unsuspecting plump lips and leisurely explored his oral crevice. Tongues probbed and played as Gadget began to move his alongside Zero’s; causing the jackal to groan deeply in his mouth.

“...Gadget.”

Gadget suddenly found them both repositioned as Infinite now hovered over him, straddling his hips. Cheeks turned the same color as his fur as he realized Zero not only managed to get on top of him, but had pushed Gadget on his back in the process, and their positions of course caused him to feel a bit shy.

“Heh, no need to avoid my gaze,” the jackal teased, seeing the wolf’s shyness. His white muzzle snuggled into the side of Gadget’s neck, causing his breath to hitch from the feathery touch of Zero’s lips. “You taste good.”

“S-shut up.”

“Haha,” he chuckled, tickling Gadget’s neck and causing him to giggle. “How can you be so adorable?”

The Resistance member felt slight embarrassment as he replied, “I dunno. Not sure that’s a question I can answer.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to answer.” 

Zero spoke before going back to the task at hand and softly nibbled on Gadget’s neck; leisurely traveling down to his collarbone. Tongue darted out and licked his shoulder. Another lick was given before Zero decided to gently bite along the collarbone. Moaning out, Gadget’s hands weaved through white locks and pulled the jackal closer.

“Harder…”

“You sure?”

Instead of answering, Infinite found himself pulled down further. He chuckled. “Alright.”

Pearly white teeth flashed before digging into the flesh. It wasn’t enough to bleed, but it would definitely leave a bruise. Amber eyes shot open from the sensation. Pain mixed strangely with pleasure. He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not, but he really liked it.

“Ahh, Zero…”

Fangs let go and the jackal suddenly slid off to lie down beside the wolf once more. 

“Huh…?” Gadget breathed out, a bit dazed and confused. He turned to face Zero before feeling fingers brushing his cheek. 

Zero spoke, “Trust me, I wanna do you like no tomorrow,” the wolf gave a deadpan expression from that, which only resulted in a light chuckle, “But I just found you. I want to take my time and treasure you, so I’ll wait.”

Gadget couldn’t say anything to that as he felt his eyes widen and his muzzle burn. “Zero…”

Zero smiled, a sweet and warm smile; a loving one. His arms once more snaked around the red furred torso, ebony face settling into the side of the wolf’s neck. Ungloved fingers dug into white locks and lazily explored as sun-like eyes started to droop.

“I missed you so much Zero,” was spoken quietly, but just loud enough to be heard by the other male. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I love you.”

As the last words were said, a light snore soon followed. Zero couldn’t help the amused grin he held as he studied the other’s sleeping form.

“I love you too, more than anything, my dear Gadget.”