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"YOU PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW YOU BASTARD!!!"
Sonic snarled as he bucked like a wild horse trying to free himself. This was degrading! No sooner had he finished his final show for the night did he get ambushed in the dressing room. Now here he was bound, blindfolded, and slung over the outlaw's shoulder.
And he was pissed!
"You won't get away with this!"
Shadow grunted as he struggled to keep his hold on the furious hedgehog. "Will you please quit your struggling." He tightened his grip on his precious cargo. "If you keep this up, I'm going to drop you."
The blue hedgehog stilled, but not in fear but anger. "...Is that a threat?" He seethed.
Hearing this, a perplexed Shadow turned his head slightly. "What? No. I'm really going to drop you if you don't quit it." He momentarily paused as he situated the tied up musician firmly over his shoulder. "Just quit your squirming and make this easier for the both of us."
Despite himself, Sonic couldn't help but grin. "Good thing I don't believe in making things easy." His grin widened when he heard the resigned sigh coming from Shadow.
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It was when they were inside Shadow's hideout where Sonic was finally set down on his feet. Unfortunately he was soon tied to some kind of post. The hedgehog gritted his teeth as he twisted and turned trying to loosen himself. He immediately jerked his head back when he felt a hand move at the back of his head. "Don't touch me!"
"Easy Mustang," Shadow spoke in a smooth tone. "I'm just going to take this off." Thankfully the blue hedgehog managed to stay still long enough for Shadow to take the cloth off. As soon as the blindfold was removed, two very enraged emerald green eyes were focused on the black hedgehog.
The blue hedgehog was beautiful in his defiance.
His fur was a little messed up and his clothing had been ruffled from their earlier tussle in the saloon where Shadow had nabbed him. But that did nothing to diminish his beauty. If anything his passion enhanced it. Even as Sonic's blue quills were raised and bristling in response to the possible threat before him. Even as he glared hatefully at Shadow, one thought rang through the outlaw's mind.
'Perfection.'
It seemed Sonic didn't take too kindly to his staring because his own response was to sneer at the dark hedgehog.
"If you're expecting me to swoon, I'm afraid you're going to be very disappointed."
Rather than be offended, Shadow couldn't help the light teasing grin that formed on his lips. "Duly noted."
He stepped a little closer which prompted a growl from Sonic.
"Try to kiss me and I'm biting you."
The grin on Shadow's face widened. Almost as if he was accepting a challenge, Shadow leaned in a little as he tested the waters. He wasn't really going to try to kiss him, but he wanted to see the other hedgehog's reaction. The growling got louder.
"How hard would you bite me?" Shadow asked curiously. He was only mere inches from Sonic's lips and he knew that he could easily kiss him right now if he wanted to. And boy did he want to. Even when Sonic beared his teeth at him.
"Hard enough to make you bleed," Sonic promised. "Now back off before I bite you on principal."
Shadow stayed like that for just a moment longer watching as Sonic tensed up preparing to lunge forward. Three seconds later, Sonic struck just as Shadow pulled back. Shadow chuckled looking at the glare fixed on him.
"Nice try!"
Sonic scoffed. His eyes darted around the room. He needed to get out of here. He didn't know how but he was going to. Although he didn't show it, he was a little afraid. Not of Shadow. At least not completely. The outlaw was no different than any bully Sonic had ever stood up to. But the bindings around his wrists keeping him contained made him very nervous. Whatever the outlaw intended to do with him... It made him very weary.
What the heck was this supposed to be anyway? Some kind of strange outlaw courtship? An attempt at seduction? Torture? Imprisonment? Taming?
That last thought made Sonic extremely nervous and he could barely suppress a shudder at the thought. Every once in a while during his career, Sonic would encounter someone who wanted to tame him in some way. Some guy or girl who wanted to calm him down and make an ideal husband out of him. Sonic always hated that. He didn't know what this outlaw wanted from him but so far he was in the same category of his former tamers.
"Listen..," Sonic started cautiously as he looked in his captor's direction. "If it's money you want I should warn you my family isn't rich." All of his friends and family had a place in thier community, but they were still waaay off from striking gold. "But they'll be willing to give you anything you want to set me free."
Shadow shook his head. "No. I don't do ransoms. Anything I want, I steal for myself."
There was a sinking feeling in Sonic's gut. He hated the implications he was getting from that statement. "...And you wanted me?"
Shadow nodded. "Exactly. Considers yourself properly stolen Hedgehog."
Stolen? Stolen!? Shadow spoke as if he was some treasure to claim, or some toy he swiped from a toy shop. Or a horse from the market! "Wow," Sonic droned, his voice laced with sarcasm. "So should I be flattered by... Whatever this is?"
Shadow shrugged. "Is it wrong to take something that's truly valuable?"
"I'M NOT A THING!!!" Sonic yelled jerking against his bonds. "And I don't belong to you!" With that he spat in Shadow's face, the saliva hitting it's mark.
For a moment, the room stilled. The smug, confident aura that had emitted from Shadow vanished and in it's place was a harsh scowl. Sonic stiffened as he watched the black hedgehog wordlessly wipe the spit off his face before stepping closer. He leaned his head forward, fixing his blue captive with a harsh stare. Still despite his uneasiness, Sonic stood his ground.
"Do you think it wise to challenge an outlaw?" His voice carried a slight growl as he spoke. "I've beaten lawmen much bigger than you for less."
Sonic knew he should stop talking right now. He knew that yapping his mouth off would get him into serious trouble. And yet.., he refused to yield. He was so sick of people telling him to stop. To stop running, to stop fighting-everything. The flames of rebellion stirred in his heart once more as he narrowed his eyes at the dark hedgehog.
"You can bind me, and you can cage me," He then leaned forward a little. "But you'll never ever take my heart!"
It was his truth. No matter what came his way, no matter what challenge he might face, nothing and nobody could take away who he was in his heart. No matter how scared he was or what pain might be inflicted on him.
He expected a snarl in response. A snap or a slap, a taunt or a tease, perhaps a threat or a challenge to his statement. What he honestly was expecting was something along the lines of mocking laughter.
... But surprisingly no. He didn't get any of that. In response to his declaration, the outlaw's widened in surprise as he stared at Sonic in shock and... Was that... Admiration?
Shadow's expression then softened into a grin. Only this time it wasn't as smug and provocative as it had been previously. By comparison it was a lot more lighthearted. "Easy Mustang," Shadow spoke softly. "No one said anything about taking your heart." He paused before adding "... At least not in the way you're inferring."
They stayed like that for a moment. Shadow still looking on with an admiring almost loving look, Sonic still looking unamused and weary of the situation. Sonic snarled upon seeing Shadow reach for him.
"Easy there," Shadow spoke placatingly as he reached behind Sonic. "I imagine you don't want to remain tied to this post for so long." Sonic still tensed, but the promise of having his hands freed made him accommodating to Shadow... For now. The black hedgehog moved behind Sonic and reached for his bound hands. At the close proximity, Sonic could feel his quills puff up more and had to force himself to take a couple of deep long breaths to calm himself down. Once he was freed, he could fight. But right now he needed to play nice.
As soon as the ropes fell, Sonic punched Shadow in the face before running to the door. He grabbed the handle and turned but it wouldn't open. Sonic groaned as he tugged and tugged but the door wouldn't budge. He whirled around to face Shadow who merely grunted as he stood there rubbing his cheek.
"I did see that coming. Ugh." Damn. This blue hedgehog truly packed a punch.
Great! Just great! He was stuck here with this outlaw! Sonic stood there staring at the outlaw wondering what punishment he was about to receive for his escape attempt. Oddly though, it never came.
"Come with me," Shadow spoke as he turned around. "I'll be taking you to your room." Sonic watched as Shadow started walking the hallway before turning back towards the door. He didn't want to stay in this place any moment longer. But for now, he'd go along with whatever Shadow was planning. He followed after Shadow, his eyebrow still raised in suspicion.
It was quite a long hallway which led to another hallway before Shadow stopped at a door. He opened it and gestured for Sonic to go in first. Praying that he wouldn't regret it, Sonic stepped inside and looked around the bedroom. It was nice enough. A bed with a couple of pillows, a seemingly soft mattress and red covers. Across from the bed was a dresser with a large mirror hanging over it, and in a corner of the room was what looked to be a closet. It was nice enough. Nothing glamorous, but not too dusty or dirty either.
But just because something looked nice enough, it didn't make it any less a cage.
"Don't worry about the door, it'll be left unlocked." Sonic turned to Shadow surprised by this. "You're free to roam around here." He then smirked. "Just try not to burn this place down."
Sonic couldn't help but snort at this. That did sound like something he would do. Then his face turned serious. "I will escape you know," he spoke determination in his emerald green gaze.
Shadow simply gave him an exasperated smile and let out an accepting sigh. "I know." With that he closed the door and left Sonic to his own devices.
The blue hedgehog was left confused by this interaction but shook it aside. He may not be free yet but at least now he could move around and start thinking of a plan to put into action. Walking over to his bed, he hopped on the mattress and started to ponder on what he would do next.