The end of summer treat for you guys. I am so sorry this took forever, but I have been completely uninspired this whole summer. I took the couple of months to self reflect and really try to gather my thoughts; and of course, I barely succeeded.

This story, for the most part, took two years. Two long years I tried my best to work on this. There were a lot of dry spells, which I apologize, but this has been one of the best/most life changing/saddest/craziest times of my life in these two years. I went through a roller coaster four year relationship, transition of friends, I went through to partying to sobriety then back, and many other experiences with growing up.

All I can say is, thank you for all the people who have taken the time to read this. Thanks especially to the people who took the time to comment. I really enjoyed the criticism and the compliments from you people, you have no idea how greatly that affected me. Coming here seeing new reviews made my day. Thank you to Steven, my editor, my best friend, and now my fellow alumni at our university. Thank you to my friends, you know who you are. Ice, you're awesome. Playstation, you're the man. I could name so many more but that would require a lot of names.

Thank you, to all of you. And make sure you look out for the next story I will be coming out with. Believe me, I have almost 10 chapters for one, and I am brewing another!

l-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-l

Name: 'Chained By Love'

Rating: Teen/PG-13 (might go up)

Pairings: SonicxShadow, possible KnuxRouge

Warning: Male/Male relationship; don't read if you don't like it

l-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-l

Neither Sonic nor Shadow wanted to rush back to their home in the busy city, much rather enjoying the forest surrounding them. Shadow had always held dislike for the urban living after the first wave of excitement washed past him. The both of them laid quietly in the cool grass, their wounds enforced on each other feeling much better. The black hedgehog set himself slightly on top of the other, leaning his face on a single blue shoulder. Sonic's arm was snaked around Shadow's waist, both of their legs tangled together.

Only a few minutes passed since the two went quiet. The both of them talked for quite some time; just about mundane things, nothing serious at all. The blue hedgehog did the most talking like old times, and Shadow contently listened. Sonic certainly had some interesting tales about his life, even if he was young. Being the hero he was, he was glad someone willingly listened to him; most of his friends, such and Knuckles and Tails, had witnessed all his life experiences first hand.

But then silence took them over again. Although it was not uncomfortable, the hero had an itching question. He shifted a bit so he stared into the other's eyes, his voice soft. "What was Maria like, Shadow?"

Shadow was taken by surprise, the black hedgehog's eyes glinting. He hadn't thought of the blonde haired girl in quite some time. It was his turn to shift, trying to think of the proper words to describe her. He really never talked to anyone about her before. Even though so many years had passed, it was still hurtful to even think about. The blue hedgehog sat up and looked down, looking slightly guilty.

"If you don't want to talk about it, I'm sorry," he paused, ears folding back. "I was just always a little curious." Shadow shook his head, giving a shrug.

"It's fine. I just had to think about it." Sonic looked back at him and slowly lowered to his spot, their eyes meeting again. "Never before had I ever met anyone so," he hesitated, thinking once again. "Pure. Completely void of any negative energy. Not a bad vibe in her. Her soul was completely untainted. She truly was an angel; that's the best way I can describe her. She never wished bad on anyone. Wherever she is, she probably isn't wishing bad on those who killed her." he laughed kindly, recalling his friend. "She thought everything happened for a reason." he shrugged.

Sonic blinked, his brows rising. "She sounded amazing." Shadow nodded.

"She was. She was my best friend, and she always will be." the black hedgehog looked into the other's green eyes, his own crimson becoming gentle.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost Tails." the blue hedgehog looked uncomfortably. "I get worried about him when we fight together. He's always in the back of my mind." Shadow's eyes gave a bit of a spark, but his face remained serious.

"That's the way it should be." Sonic smiled in return to this and sat up once again, crossing his arms on his knees.

"Yeah. My friends are everything to me." he paused for a moment and looked back at the other hedgehog. "So are you." his voice was quiet and almost shy, as if he was testing cold water. Shadow gently raised an eyebrow as he joined his side, him too sitting upwards. He looked into the now completely black horizon, trying to find the right words.

"I know." he only smirked as he received a punch in his arm. Shadow decided not to say that he felt the same way.

l-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-l

Shadow opened his eyes and appeared in the same field, in the same location, in the same position. Straight on the ground, but no longer covered in bruises. It was daylight, the sun bright and beautiful. It had been a month since that day, and even though Shadow's fractured rib (Sonic got a good punch on that) was kind of sore, he never even thought of that day. The black and red hedgehog just continued to watch the clouds in silence, and it would come to no surprise that he was waiting for the hero.

This was a usual routine. Shadow and Sonic couldn't just be all over each other in the house; Tails or Knuckles could appear out of anywhere. Knuckles, unsurprisingly, was not suspicious; well, he was being 'entertained' anyway. He may act like he hated Rouge, but all three of the others knew he truly loved it; the bat knew it too. She constantly paid 'surprise visits' to all the boys. There would be the same daily regime: the female would state she'd steal the Master Emerald, while Knuckles would respond with a fit. Shadow knew that Rouge didn't want the emerald anymore; she wanted the echidna.

Tails, really way too young and naive to realize how deep their affection could go, merely shrugged off when the two would outwardly flirt in front of him.

And for Rouge? She'd laugh at Shadow, since she knew all along. The female would smirk and bat her long eyelashes, shrugging.

"It's just woman's intuition, Shadow."

The black and red hedgehog couldn't believe he was still with all of them; the bat, the fox, the echidna, and his now boyfriend. People who he barely knew less than a year ago; people who knew him way before he could even utter a sound. His gloved hand snaked around his neck, tracing the scar across his throat. It had healed considerably, but it still remained a constant reminder to the hedgehog. It was a wound; wounds always heal, no matter how slowly they may take.

You would think fifty years would be enough, but of course, there was always that pang deep down in his heart. There was always a growl that escaped the hedgehog's throat at the mention of G.U.N. And for Sonic, there was bitterness whenever Shadow looked intrigued by Robotnik. The black hedgehog couldn't assure him enough that he had no real interest. The hero would cross his arms and only respond, "Curiosity killed the cat."

This made Shadow laugh where he laid, rolling his crimson eyes. The hero was a dufus, but Shadow really adored that about him. Never had Shadow met someone so different from him since Maria; so carefree, so bright eyed, and willing to help anyone. Hell, he was scared he was going to rub off on him and get soft. He snorted; Sonic was enough hero for the both of them.

Even with the other's being a constant reminder that they couldn't be out, their relationship progressed smoothly. With every road, there are a few bumps, but nothing that the shocks couldn't absorb. It was up to debate who was harder to live with; Sonic was childish and lazy, while Shadow was tidy and a killjoy; with two dominate personalities, of course they clashed. But in the end, one would find a solution and they'd both wind up giving in at the end.

They didn't bicker enough to ever annoy one another; they would always wake up to each other laughing or smiling at least a little. This was very unlike Shadow, and usually it would take a lot of pushing for Sonic to even get a peep out of him. But the blue hedgehog always found a way, even if he had to tickle him; which, by the way, the serious of the two DREADED. He'd snarl and try to come off intimidating, but when a laugh broke out of his muzzle, he knew it never worked.

He was waiting for him here, but wasn't worried. He knew he'd come eventually. He always did. At this point, he sat up, looking towards the horizon. Shadow was finally free; and he wasn't roaming the world. This made his breathing hitch a little. At one of point in his life, he'd be cursing himself lividly. He totally went against everything he wanted; chained up, roaming the world, trusting no one. He did get his freedom; but he was in a relationship and living in an apartment in the city, a place which drove him crazy. He shifted a bit, his ears folding back.

He could leave, very easily. Hell, he was as fast as Sonic. But the hero held him back. Like a weight he wanted to drag around. And he didn't care if it made him look soft, he'd caddy it around with happiness. So he sure was still chained; but he was loving every moment of it. Once again, his past self would be snickering at him, if he could snicker with those big bulky chains on his throat.

And what was in the world? Honestly, the blue hedgehog was his world. Once again, a laugh from his former self. He knew this sounded disgustingly cheesy.

And, well, for the trust issue? Trusting no one would never work. Shadow was a lone wolf, yes. But even he knew he'd be insane without contact. He grew up with someone loving him and likewise; he was bound to talk to someone again.

Shadow then realized that he didn't need to go anywhere. Why would he? Because at that exact moment, a trail of dust was rising in the horizon. And there was Sonic, captivating emerald eyes half lidded with a smile on his face, his feet in full fledge run. Shadow stood up quickly and crossed his arms, playfully rolling his eyes.

"Show off," he said as the blue one pulled to a stop, raising an eyebrow. "Was that really necessary?" Before the blue hedgehog responded, he placed a thoughtful finger on his lip and paused.

"Yes. Yes, it was." he laughed and took Shadow's arm, pulling him close and placing a deep kiss on his muzzle. Shadow responded with equally aggressive lips, his eyebrow only raising further. God, it didn't matter how many times they kissed, it still felt as intoxicating as the first. When alone, the hedgehogs really had trouble keeping their hand off each other

"Fine. I'll let it slide." said the black hedgehog, his face fighting to keep a serious persona. The blue hedgehog 'pfft' and laughed, placing an arm around his waist.

"When have I ever listened to you, bud?" he asked, smiling a bit. The black hedgehog playfully peeled his arm off him, snorting.

"When I made you." he pulled at the other's ear softly, the blue hedgehog yelping.

"Hey! Easy there," he smirked and gently pushed the other off him, and Shadow knew exactly where this was going. "You better be ready to fight!"

Shadow felt himself being tackled to the ground, the blue hedgehog struggling to pin him down. "Easy on the rib, Faker." he growled playfully, nipping at the same ear he tugged at. Sonic laughed himself and raised an eyebrow, trying to shake the appendage free.

"Don't make me use the tickle-attack, Shadow." he immediately released Sonic's ear, mumbling to himself. "That's what I thought."

They laid there for a while, Shadow allowing Sonic to pin him down. The blue hedgehog stared down at the other, his face soft. "While on the job, I did miss you." Shadow stared up at him and his face switched from calm to serious, rolling his eyes another time.

"What romantic movie did you watch this time?" the blue hedgehog broke out in laughter, gently pushing himself off.

"None. It wasn't a movie. All up in here." he pointed to his temple, a smirk etching onto his face as he helped the other up. "C'mon, admit it; you felt the same. You missed me too." the black hedgehog showed him his back and crossed his arms, eyes closing in stubbornness.

"I will never admit to it." he looked back him with half lidded eyes, far used to the puppy face the other was pulling.

"B-b-but Shaaaaaadz." said Sonic, who gave him the trembling lip, knowing this would not work. He crept behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist, kissing at his neck. The black hedgehog tried to nudge him off, giving a sigh when he saw this as useless.

"Okay. I noticed you were gone." The blue hedgehog sprang up before him, raising a finger to the other.

"Ah-ha! I knew it. You cannot hide from me, Shadow." he put his face into the other's, raising an eyebrow. "You know you can't get enough of me."

The black hedgehog snorted, raising an eyebrow. "I think it's you who can't get enough of me."

"How much you want to bet?" shot out the blue one, challenging his words. Shadow gave him a dirty look and then proceeded to walk away, the blue hedgehog crossing his arms. He stayed still for a moment and then he sighed, mumbling. "Fine, fine. You're right, Shadow."

The black hedgehog paused and smirked a bit, looking over his back. "You are too, Sonic." he said softly, crimson eyes glinting. The blue hedgehog once again took him by the waist, a slight smile on his face as he pulled him close.

"As you said in your own words: I know." Shadow had actually laughed at this, looking at the other straight in the eyes. They were silent for some time until Sonic placed a kiss on his shoulder, his eyes again meeting his. "C'mon; back to the house? Shouldn't have a single visitor tonight."

Shadow processed this and nodded, taking Sonic up on his offer. "I'll hold you to that. What about a race, Sonic? Just to make things interesting." he said, that eyebrow once again elevated. Sonic's smirk grew only larger and more devilish, the hedgehog rubbing his hands together.

"That's my type of idea, Shadow."

The two went into racing formation, looking ready for battle. They kneeled on one knee and extended the other leg, eyes trying to focus forward. But every few seconds their eyes wondered back towards the other, both hoping they wouldn't realize. As if they shared a mind, they took off at the same moment, the dust picking up around them. The cliff was fading into the background, the clouds were disappearing in the sky, and it was just everything ahead of them.

Shadow continued to try and focus on what was before him, but once again, his eyes wondered. The hedgehog locked eyes with the other besides him, the hero staring right back. It was at this point Shadow didn't give a damn about the race. He only cared about the hedgehog next to him. He knew he really loved the hedgehog next to him. And he just knew, by the way the other looked back at him, he loved him too.

Nothing else more had to be said. Shadow was chained by love, and adored every moment of it.

l-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-l

Once again, review and comment on the final chapter of this story. I apologize for how long this took; I know how it feels to be that reader waiting for the next chapter. But thanks for all those who hung in there and put up with it.

If you ever have to get a hold of me, always drop me a line. I love getting messages and meeting new people. Thanks again!

Peace&Love