OneShot Story

My name is Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm the world's fastest hedgehog, and has many friends, especially my boyfriend of one year, Shadow.
In case you think I'm gay, I'm not. I'm actually bi. I just happened to like Shadow more than any of the girls I've been attracted to. The world is weird like that.
Today, I decided to go out for a run. It's been forever since I felt the sun in my quills, so I told Shadow, "Hey Shadow, I'm gonna go out for a run, okay?"
"Okay," he nodded. "Hurry back."
I could tell there was worry in his voice. Before I left, I looked into his eyes and saw fear. He's been extremely worried about me since I fell ill. I didn't think it was that bad until Tails told me I had died, and then came back to life. I was shocked to hear that. I thought I had fallen asleep, but then I saw Shadow bawling in front of me. I had never seen him cry before. Even a tiny bit. I felt so bad that he had to go through it all. Especially when he thought I was dead. I couldn't imagine Shadow having to live without me. He nearly crushed me when I had healed. I realized then how much he loved me.
"I will Shadow," I assured him.
As soon as I left, all I could think about was returning home in time to remind him that I'm going to be okay. Even after I was feeling better, Shadow had been unstable when I left him alone. When I passed my friends, they were shocked to see me running, they told me to go home and rest more, that I shouldn't be running so soon.
"I'm fine," I told everyone. "Really."
"Are you sure?" Tails asked me.
"I'm not going to be out for very long. I want Shadow to feel secure."
They weren't convinced.
"Why don't you go home now?" Knuckles suggested.
"I'm very well rested," I guaranteed. "This time, I want to help him get well."
"We all do, but it would help us more if you did less."
I frowned. I thought they believed in me.
"I'm not helpless."
"We know," Tails said. "But it would make Shadow feel better if-"
Suddenly, there was a robbery at the bank. I was tempted to stop the thieves myself, but they had guns. I was worried about getting shot in a vital area, and Shadow would never be able to recover from his anxiety. The police came minutes later; I thought they would be able to handle it.
However, they were losing. It seemed they underestimated the crooks. I watched as they continued to shoot the poor officers. 'I'm not helpless' I kept telling myself, but I was already feeling helpless as I had been bedridden for weeks and had to watch Shadow's heart fall apart, not being able to embrace him when he desperately needed me.
Then, I had enough. I kicked all of the criminals in the head and sped away, but not fast enough to be nicked by one of their bullets. It didn't hurt much, but not as much as my poor muscles that have weaken from all this time. Maybe running wasn't such a good idea.
I took a rest at a local pond; watching the water always calmed me. I thought about bringing Shadow out here before. Now I wanted to more than ever.
Suddenly, I felt something lick my hand. I looked down, and I saw a stray, husky puppy, nuzzling my arm.
"Huh?"
I scooped the little guy onto my lap.
"Where did you come from little guy?"
He barked happily at me. Suddenly, I got an idea.
"There's someone I want you to meet little guy."
I stood up and walked the rest of the way home. I didn't feel like running.
When I got home, I found Shadow in the same spot since when I left, looking at me like he had before.
"Shadow?" I spoke. "Were you there the whole time I was gone?"
He nodded.
"Waiting for you to come back."
"Ohh honey."
I sat next to him.
"I know you worry about me Shadow. Why not say that you'd rather have me stay home?"
"Because I don't want you to feel weak," Shadow answered in a sad tone.
"What do you mean Shads?"
"I... I know you're a strong person at heart... I don't want to hold you back from who you really are."
"If it means leaving you here to be afraid for me all alone, then I'd rather be the opposite of who I am, and be who I am with you, here."
I handed him the puppy I found.
"I found us a friend," I smiled.
He looked at the puppy profoundly, who was making himself comfortable.
"If you ever feel unconfortable, and if for whatever reason I'm not there, you can find him. He'll be there for you."
Shadow looked at me.
"I know you don't want to lose me again," I said. "And you won't. Come here."
I gave Shadow a big hug. I could feel sobbing coming, and I was right. He had become more sensitive, and it made me feel sad that he can't find a happy thought whenever he wants to because of what happened to me.
"Shhhhhshhhhh. I'm here Shadow. I'm here."
"I love you so much," he cried.
"I love you too."