Chapter Text
Shadow was by no means a doctor, hadn't exactly spent years studying for a degree. But he'd picked up a thing or two during his time on the ARK. Constantly surrounded by scientists discussing his personal biology. He'd even been taught a little First Aid by the Medics aboard the colony, mainly to assist Maria if she were to collapse when they were alone.
His most recent training came from GUN, who required all field operatives to have a basic understanding of First Aid practice. Albeit this was less cleaning scrapes and putting plasters on cuts, more dealing with stab or gunshot wounds.
He wasn't a Doctor, hardly considered himself a Medic. However he wasn't hopeless in an emergency either.
Unlike his teammates.
Robot hands didn't make it particularly easy to bandage a wound in Omega's case, albeit his built-in Defibrillator was certainly useful. As for Rouge? There was little point in having a medic who would faint at the sight of blood.
So when Sonic the Hedgehog was sent flying back into a wall during a raid on an Eggman base, the responsibility to treat the blue idiot fell to the Ultimate Lifeform.
His initial reaction? Honestly, panic.
The black hedgehog was stood a few feet away, unloading a Chaos Spear into a hulking mech, when he saw Sonic smash into the metal wall and collapse to the floor.
Eyes wide, the hedgehog quickly summoned another Chaos weapon, unleashing a blast of glowing green energy through the chest of the offending mech.
Threat dispatched, Shadow hurried to his rival's side. Rouge and Omega granting him some cover. First aid kit strapped to his hip, he unclipped the belt keeping it locked to his side.
Already, Sonic was attempting to push himself to his feet.
Unsuccessfully.
"Stay sat." Shadow ordered.
The blue hedgehog just looked at him, attempting to push himself up against the same wall he'd just smacked into. Shadow took note of the glaze across his eyes.
"...What?" Sonic replied, confusion painting his features.
Possible head injury?
"I said, sit down." He repeated, voice slipping into something vaguely more professional. "I don't particularly want you falling over."
"Fall over?" He laughed airily, like a drunkard. "I'm not gonna-"
The hedgehog's weight slipped from the wall. Legs unsteady, he wobbled backwards. Tripping over his own shoes.
Falling straight into Shadow's arms.
"...You were saying?" Shadow teased, voice muffled by the pressing of soft quills against his muzzle. Doing his best to ignore the flush to his cheeks.
The hedgehog in his arms let out an annoyed huff.
"What I were saying is I'm fiiiine."
"Mm sure looks it."
"Nahhh…I'm totally okay. Now let me go mother."
Shadow sighed. And resisted the urge to just drop his rival for that comment alone.
"I believe you have a concussion. Shouldn't be anything too serious, but I still should check for any blood."
Shadow paused, mentally running through his First Aid checklist. Top of the list was patient consent. He was unable to assist a casualty without their say so. Something Shadow honestly found somewhat pointless, most gunshot or stabbing victims were unlikely to refuse help.
"...Can I touch you?"
The hedgehog in his arms chuckled.
"Aren't you doing that already?"
Couldn't be that serious if his awful sense of humour was still intact.
"...Well yes. Only because you fell on me. I still have to ask."
Sonic snorted.
"Yeah, yeah. You can touch me."
As if the Ultimate Lifeform hadn't pummeled him before.
Satisfied with his answer, Shadow lowered Sonic to the floor. He kneeled to his side, removing a pair of see-through gloves from the kit. He took off his own white gloves, placing them on the floor, as he replaced them with the disposable kit gloves.
"I'm just going to check your head." Shadow stated, easily slipping back into a cool professionalism. "Tell me if I hurt you."
"...You could never hurt me." Sonic replied, seemingly without mind.
Yeah, definitely concussion.
The black hedgehog slipped his hand through the other's blue quills.
They felt…a lot softer than his. Sonic never gave the impression of caring too much about his appearance, obviously leaving his quills unstyled.
Unlike Shadow, who was constantly applying product to his own quills to keep them in perfect style.
But Sonic's quills felt nice. Shadow wondered what it would be like to play with his quills in a situation where he wasn't checking for blood. Maybe watching a movie together at his apartment, slipping his hand through his quills while they cuddl-
"Yo." Sonic said, interrupting Shadow's thoughts. "Is this gonna take long or-"
"Sorry." He replied, startled from his admittedly poorly timed daydream. "Give me a moment."
Gently, Shadow pressed into the back of his head. When Sonic showed no sign of pain, he moved on. Gently pressing two fingers into another spot on his head. This would go on until a certain press near the top of his head caused the hedgehog to wince, kissing his teeth.
"That hurt." Sonic complained, tone akin to a petulant child.
Shadow ignored him, gently brushing the area for any signs of injury.
No blood it seemed. That was good. Just a bump slowly forming beneath his fingers.
It didn't seem serious. A cold compress and some rest should be enough.
However, the patient's earlier confusion and lack of balance may still be cause for concern.
Shadow pulled his hands from the other hedgehog's quills (already missing the sensation.) He removed the gloves and got ready to ask Sonic the stupidest question he'd ever heard in his life.
"...What is your name?"
Sonic looked at him, brow raised.
"...Sorry?"
"I said." Shadow sighed. "What is your name?"
"Uhh…you know my name?"
"Of course I do. Obviously." He replied, rolling his eyes. "I just need to make sure you know it as well."
"Uhh…why?"
"Because I need to check for possible short-term memory loss. That and you seem somewhat…out of it. Now. What is your name?"
The blue hedgehog took a faux moment to think, placing a hand on his chin.
"...Mr Needlemouse."
…If the impact hadn't seriously injured him, Shadow was about to.
He groaned, dragging pinched fingers down his brow.
"Your real name."
"Sonic." Sonic snorted.
"And mine?"
The blue hedgehog glanced away. Again, taking a faux moment to ponder his answer.
He smirked.
"Gorgeous."
Shadow sucked in a breath. Heat rushed to his cheeks, the tips of his ears also beginning to burn.
…Did he just hear that right?
"...S-sorry?" He choked out, taken aback.
Sonic flashed him a soft smile.
"Shadow. I said your name was Shadow." He said, feigning complete innocence as if the word hadn't even passed his lips. "You didn't hit your head too, did you?"
Oh…so he had misheard.
Shadow couldn't help but feel…disappointed?
He brushed it off.
Sonic quickly lay back, hands gripping over his heart in a melodramatic fashion. He reached his hand out to Shadow.
"Am…I going to make it Doctor?" He joked, deliberately straining his voice.
"Unfortunately." Shadow smirked.
"You need to work on your bedside manner."
Shadow began to pack the kit away, he looked to Sonic as he rose to his feet. At least he could stand up now.
"Well…" Shadow began. "Seems like everything's in order."
"What?" Sonic complained, feigning disappointment. "No CPR? Kiss of life? Mouth to mouth?"
Shadow raised a brow.
"...Why would I give you CPR for a concussion?"
The other hedgehog just laughed, fluffing his messed up quills back into shape.
"Eh, forget about it." He grinned. "Anything I need to worry about?"
"You have a bump to the back of the head. A cold compress should keep the swelling down." Shadow replied. "...I have some ice packs back at my apartment if you need them-"
Sonic's eyes lit up.
"Your apartment?" He grinned, are you asking me out?"
Confusion painted the black hedgehog's features.
…Is that something Sonic wanted?
"No? It's just…ice packs."
Sonic smirked, flashing him a wink.
"It's a date."