Author: Dawn Vargas

CHAPTER 5 ENDING
I did not want to scare him back into his 'safe corner' behind the upturned bed seeing as how, though weary, he was giving me a chance however small even if only out of necessity than anything else. Moving only enough to observe him properly, I focused on his face and immediately got engulfed in those brilliant emerald eyes. I really hadn’t noticed them before since I had been more focused on gaining his trust than anything else which at the time had been the most important issue. So given this opportunity, I took the chance and forcefully tore my eyes away from those deep pools to once again study his physique.
END OF ENDING FROM ALREADY POSTED CHAPTER 5
BEGINING OF CHAPTER 6
Just as before when Shadow observed the attractively slim form of the azure, he noted how almost feminine his psychic seemed, while still retained definite male features, sporting nicely defined muscles making it seem as though the beauty was in as state of limbo between the two sexes and had settled for a perfect mix of the two. His fur, though ruffled and somewhat dull due to his still unwell state and short coma, gleamed underneath the rooms artificial lighting, each strand of fur seemingly cut from the purest sapphire. Shadow had the sudden urge to feel the coat and see if it really was as soft as it looked even as unkempt as it was.

It was during his silent musing of the other, his sensitive ears caught the sound of the blue hedgie's huff, and looking up saw that he was staring at the empty cup he held as if it had offended him in some way, almost pouting. Seeing this Shadow couldn’t help but chuckle finding the spectacle amusing. When the hedgie's eyes snapped up to his own, he responded by holing his hand out for the cup.

“If you are still thirsty I can get you more,” he said smiling.

Staring at the hand outstretched before him, the azure seemed to think for a moment before nodding slightly while placing the requested dish within the ebony's grasp. As his apparent caretaker turned away to refill the glass, it was his turn to inspect the form of the other. His fur- a deep shade of black, sported streaks the color of freshly spilled blood along his arms, legs, and quills, the last of which several seemed to be of the opinion that the laws of gravity were an option. Both of the colors, though he couldn’t seem to remember anything so couldn’t be absolutely sure, he felt like his own pelt, were rather unusual, but no less unique.

His form, though slim, definitely looked well-built (lol “built” get it? Cuz it’s Shadow?) and as the strange hedgehog turned away from the sink to face him, he was able to study his front as well. Taking the opportunity to study the others facial features, he noted the hedgehog's muzzle was a nice shade of tan rather than being fawn like his own. The eyes were rimed with the same shade of red as the streaks decorating his body, and the pupil of the eyes themselves seemed like they were chiseled from the finest, purest rubies by the greatest jewel crafters. 

His chest, adorned with an out of place patch of snow white fur, looked incredibly fluffy and the teen wondered what it would feel like to bury his face within its depths. The ebony hedgehog’s hands were adorned with crisp white cotton gloves that had a deep red tab on the top of the wrist, all of which was held together with a thick golden band each. His feet were encased in strange shoes that also sported the same black, red, and white theme as their wearer as well as having gold bangles around the ankles as well. Though the shoes were large and looked clumsy the hedgehog himself moved with a strong but quiet grace.   

All together the hedgehog just seemed to scream power and demand respect without having to say a single word. And in this hedgie's opinion, was rather attractive as well...

Fighting back a blush the other could probably still see thanks to his lightly colored muzzle, the anthro accepted the refilled glass with a small hesitant smile. Now Shadow, who might I remind you is quite observant, noticed the blush and smile on the younger teen which he returned with a small smile of his own, while pondering the meaning of  previously mentioned blush. The azure mobian didn't seem embarrassed, well perhaps a tad, though about what he wasn’t sure. He didn't seem to be running a fever or particularly sick from what he could discern, so that was ticked off his mental list. He also really didn’t seem upset in any way, so that was another ticked away. 

The only other reason he could think of he realized, that would make him feel embarrassed, was that Shadow himself was the reason for the blush. That seemed like the most likely cause, but if it was him, then what did he do to earn such a reaction?  hadn’t done anything embarrassing or weird. Perhaps his charge was embarrassed about getting caught staring? Caught staring at him? Though why would that make him nervous? After all isn’t it normal to want to know your surroundings as well as those in it? If he was getting nervous after caught staring, then it obviously had to be something more. 

Seeing the way he had been, no,  staring at him, that was when Shadow noticed that his charge seemed slightly bashful. Could the reason be that this beautiful hedgehog found him attractive?  That seemed like it was the most feasible reason. Honestly, he felt flattered that the sapphire beauty found him attractive, and if he had to be honest with himself, the tint of red on the little azure’s muzzle that he was desperately trying to will away was quite appealing...

Regardless, the azure seemed quite calm at the moment and he figured that it was time to see how much he knew as well as answer any questions he had as there were bound to be many. First though he needed to put the room back together, hopefully the little azure wouldn’t object to the dis-assembly of his barricade… slowly he went to the left of his young patient and started with moving the bed as it was the largest as well as the most cumbersome. With that taken care of, he moved on to the smaller equipment. 

Though a little dented and scratched, nothing was broken, a relief as if anything had been, the doctor would have thrown a major bitch fit. While he had started taking down the makeshift barrier before starting on the rest of the room, the young teen had moved away from the wall as if to protest, but then seemed to think better of it after staring at Shadow for several moments’ as if studying his intentions before once more relaxing back against the wall.

With the larger items taken care of, Shadow had gestured to the bed as a form of invitation before continuing to clean up the spilled IV bags and their contents as well as the various other knickknacks scattered across the floor. The blue hedgehog, who seemed to have silently approved of his caretaker, took said invitation and had made himself comfortable under the sheets while observing the others actions. 

As Shadow cleaned his mind was else ware. The young hedgie, he mused, hadn’t said a single word from the moment he had awoken till now. No yelling, no questions, which was one of the first things he had expected to happen, not even a grunt in pain or discomfort. Though strange, disturbingly so if he were to go by Dr. Eggman’s account of the blue menace before the most recent battle, he figured that his charge was just still in the process of adjusting to his new environment and would hopefully open up once he had become accustomed to his surroundings.