Shadow made it home after walking from the battlefield. He texted Rouge to let her and everyone else know that he needed to be left alone. Rouge, Knuckles, and Tails knew about his and Sonic's feelings towards each other, so they understood he needed some space. As he walked into the house, it felt completely different...especially without Sonic. He walked upstairs into Sonic's room and sat on the bed. "I wish I told you sooner about how I felt..." Everything hit him like a ton of bricks right then and there. He laid down on Sonic's bed hugging his pillow and softly cried himself to sleep.
As time went by, Shadow refused to talk to anyone isolating himself in the house. His three friends knew he took it really hard since Sonic was his crush. Amy moved on within a few days of the incident forgetting Sonic like he never existed and tried convincing Shadow to go on a date with her, but he wouldn't give in knowing she's a player and he's gay. Eventually she gave up and started dating someone else.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into three months of Shadow refusing to talk to anyone. Everyone stopped talking about Sonic within the first month after the incident. Shadow assumed part of it has to do with his feelings towards him. He knows Sonic would want him to move on and not mourn for him, but he doesn't feel like he's ready for a relationship...let alone catch feelings for someone else.
Shadow was sitting in the kitchen having lunch consisting of a chilidog and coffee. At first he never really liked chilidogs, but Sonic made him a special one that wouldn't be too spicy. In exchange he made Sonic a special coffee that wouldn't be too bitter. It became a routine for them they adapted to. He was running low on food, so he knew he eventually needed to go to the store. Once he was done eating he got up cleaning his dishes and put them away.
Shadow walks upstairs to his room to put on black gloves with grey fingertips and a green jacket. He left Sonic's room untouched the last three months other than cleaning a little bit of it so there is no dust or dirt. It just felt right to Shadow to leave it the way it was for now. "I miss you Sonic..." As he was heading out the front door, he grabbed his house key and wallet.
The walk to town was really peaceful for him. As Shadow was walking on the sidewalk, it reminded him of the walks he and Sonic used to do together. Even the ones at night which were his favorite. He wasn't paying attention and accidentally bumped into someone knocking them both to the ground. Shadow quickly got up and held out his hand to the mobian he bumped into. "I'm so sorry are you...okay?" The mobian reaching out to touch his hand looks exactly like Sonic. The only difference is he has bangs, wearing red and white sneakers, glasses, and a hoodie with the letter N in the center. As they were looking at each other they were both thinking the same thing. "He looks so cute." "I'm okay. I should've watched where I was going. I'm new to this town."
Shadow helped him up as the blue hedgehog grabbed his bag and adjusted his glasses. He had this feeling he wanted to be close to him, so he decided to offer to help. "Let me make it up to you by showing you around. Maybe we can get to know each other better?" The new hedgehog smiled at Shadow appreciating it and wants to get to know him too. "I would like that. How about we start off with your favorite cafe or diner for some coffee? It's my treat." Shadow agreed and started leading the way with the blue hedgehog by his side. "My name is Shadow by the way." "My name is Nicholas but you can call me Nicky." They both smiled and started making small talk as they walk. Both Shadow and Nicky have a feeling this is the start of a new friendship...maybe something more.