Chapter 6. Lilac.

Apathy grew stronger, but Sonic, without resisting, obediently swayed on its waves, occasionally slipping beyond the thin line between sleep and reality. Perhaps minutes had passed, perhaps hours, he didn't know for sure. He only noted with melancholy that the exhausted mind and suffering body, chained to reality by the trials that had fallen to them, didn’t want to rest.

He wanted to sleep. Wanted to forget. Wanted to just imagine that everything was simply a nightmare that would fade with the first morning rays. That there was no ship, no death machines, no cruel invaders who ravaged his planet. That there never was his desperate attempt to get on the ship, there was no captivity, there was no unexpected meeting with Shadow and that nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing...

Nothing happened.

But, no - he remained in reality, that was driving him crazy, so apathy was his only salvation.

To the point where it didn’t back down even as the cabin door hissed open to let inside someone new.

“Well, well, well,” - came from the doorway. “Let's see what my Richie got so interested in.”

The voice was soft, viscous, slightly mocking, deceptively genial. But Sonic's ears clearly caught the true nature behind these feigned intonations: complacency, disdain and cruelty. The stranger couldn’t hide them and he didn’t really try. Judging by the noise of footsteps, he approached the distance of a possible attack, and the fur on the blue hero’s scruff instinctively stood on end. A burst of adrenaline shot through his body, for a moment throwing off the numbness and bringing him to his senses.

Enemy. The enemy was near.

But the clarity was short-lived. No matter how instincts screamed, mind and body refused to obey. Sonic didn't actually care, and the only thing he was capable of was opening his eyes a little to appreciate the sudden visitor.

It was, of course, a hedgehog. He was bright lilac in color, with sharply curved upward short quills and sly, poisonous green eyes, the color of which was echoed by three small crystals in the middle of his forehead. The central one resembled the control medallion that Sonic had already seen, and a pair of the same medallions hung on the belt of a lilac hedgehog. Coupled with the strange lack of eye markings and the presence of normal clothing of the same green hue instead of a uniform, this suggested that he was unlikely to be an ordinary member of the crew. And the way he pronounced "my Richie" and with what confidence of the rightful owner he entered the cabin... Sonic chose not to go further with this thought, but most likely - it was the mysterious "Commander" in person.

Despite his condition, Sonic was even surprised at how logical this reasoning turned out. 

The lilac hedgehog, meanwhile, came closer and sat down next to him on the bed, crossing his legs in an elegant gesture full of royal dignity. Then he put a finger to his lips and looked at the blue hero with interest. Sonic tried to move away, but could only twitch weakly, to which the Commander grinned contentedly with the corner of his lips.

“You know, Blue,” he said to the prisoner with feigned trust, clearly not counting on an answer, “Richie was surprisingly easy on you. I didn’t expect that. I thought he’d take it out on others like Jerald. I was hoping for it. But instead…” the lilac hedgehog sighed mockingly and rested his chin on his hand. He continued to walk appraisingly over the blue body with his eyes, but did nothing and only slowly swayed his leg along with his thoughts.

“I wonder what he liked about you?” he finally continued, tilting his head to one side. “Maybe color? He’d never picked a toy for himself before, so I'm really curious. I usually don’t stoop to primitives like you, but…” The Commander paused and continued cheerfully, “Perhaps I’ll have some fun with you too. But later, when the effect of the Dust passes and you can resist in full force. I bet,” he leaned a little closer and, narrowing his eyes, smiled predatorily, “I’ll make you cry even more desperately.”

Sonic jerked unsuccessfully again, and the lilac hedgehog laughed softly and leaned back on his arms. “I probably will invite Richie to watch. He’s gonna love it.”

“Aidan?” came inquiringly from behind him.

Hearing his name, the Commander immediately broke into a wide smile that bared fangs. He slowly turned to the open bathroom door, on the threshold of which a black hedgehog stood tensely, and exclaimed cheerfully, “Hi Richie! Thanks for the show.”

Shadow looked around at his pose, lingering on the blue hero who had not changed position, then sighed with displeasure and went into the room, slamming the door behind him. “Voyeur.”

”Ah, why so rude?” Aidan put his hand theatrically to his chest. ”I didn’t teach you such words, where did you get it?” 

The black hedgehog rolled his eyes sarcastically and left his reply unanswered. “What are you doing here?” he asked gloomily. “Didn't my assistant bring the report?”

“Yes, but I was hoping to see you in person,” the Commander deftly got up and walked closer to Shadow, who immediately folded his arms over his chest as he approached, "She is not my type."

“That's why I chose her,” the black hedgehog retorted calmly.

"Oh, I know," Aidan chuckled. “It's a pity I can't get rid of her. Although, maybe I should make that bitch happy with offspring? This will incapacitate her for a couple of years," he thoughtfully tapped his finger on his lips, ignoring Shadow frowning at his words, but then peacefully waved his hand, "Uh, fine, I'm actually here for a different reason. Heard you had a fight with Jerald over this?" he nodded towards the prisoner lying on the bed.

“I had every right to do that,” Shadow snorted. "That imbecile is ready to fuck everything that moves, and I couldn't let him spoil what I liked myself."

"Hmmm," Aidan gazed into his eyes. "Worth it?"

“Quite,” Shadow shrugged.

"You weren't afraid that he would bite off his tongue?"

The black hedgehog raised an eyebrow skeptically. “I'm not as sadistic as Jerald, you know."

Aidan laughed loudly in response. “Oh, I keep forgetting how cute you are,” he continued, still smiling, “Trying to ease his fate? This is even better, it will deepen further despair.” He turned towards the prisoner, and evil sparks flashed in his eyes. “Can't wait to lay my hands on him."

“About this…” Shadow put his hands behind his back and stretched out, “Commander, can I personally take care of him?"

The smile faded from Aidan's face. He slowly turned back and gave Shadow a thoughtful look. "Is this an official request, Lieutenant?" the cheerful notes disappeared from his voice, replaced by the feeling of an impending threat.

"No."

"You understand that I need an explanation?"

"I'm tired of being the bottom all the time."

The purple hedgehog froze for a second and then laughed again. “This is… ahaha… this is just amazing!" he brushed away a nonexistent tear and patted Shadow on the cheek, which made the black hedgehog nervously twitch his eye. "You endured for so long and finally said it out loud. Oh, Richie…"  the Commander smiled kindly, and his hand moved from Shadow's cheek down to his chest and buried in white fur, affectionately fingering the strands, "But you are perfect as the bottom." 
 
The black hedgehog barely noticeably shuddered at this touch and clenched his fists that were still behind his back. Frowning, he was about to say something, but stopped short as Aidan drawled thoughtfully, "Shadow…"

The agent froze, literally numb, and his eyes widened in panic, showing how feverishly his mind worked, trying to understand how he had uncovered himself and what to do now. 

But Aidan continued without noticing his reaction, “You told him to call you Shadow. Why?"

The black hedgehog closed his eyes with relief and exhaled slowly. Whatever the Commander heard, luckily he interpreted it in his own way.

“Just a whim, nothing more,” Shadow replied calmly, as if he hadn't just walked on the edge.

"Mmm, can I call you like that too?" Aidan smiled slyly.

Shadow lifted his chin proudly. "Only if I'm the top."

The lilac hedgehog's gaze immediately went cold, and he pulled hard on the fur, moving Shadow closer to him. "I see, you are brave today," he said with a threat in his voice, "You know, for such requests-"

“That's why to you I'm 'Richard', Commander,” Shadow cut him in, looking defiantly in the eye.

There was a tense silence for a couple of seconds as they fought their gazes. And then Aidan snorted amiably and pulled away.

"Okay, you can keep him," he gently smoothed out the white strands, bringing the triangle of fur in order, "An active position has a very interesting effect on you. I like it." His hand went up again and squeezed tightly on the chin of the black hedgehog, "And I really want to see how this confident mask breaks."

He smiled predatorily, but Shadow continued to glare at him, not reacting in any way, even as Aidan dug in his fingers harder. With a chuckle, the Commander abruptly pulled his hand, forcing the black hedgehog to lower his head, and, turning on the spot, headed for the exit. "Be at my place in fifteen minutes," he threw on the move in an orderly tone.

"Aidan," Shadow called out to him. 

The lilac hedgehog reached the door and turned around as he raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

Shadow straightened up again. "May I ask to turn off the cameras in my cabin?"

"What for?" theCommander was surprised.

“I don’t trust the surveillance department,” the black hedgehog replied seriously. “The prisoner probably has valuable information that shouldn't get to the rebels."

"And what do you suggest?" Aidan tilted his head to one side.

"As I said, I will personally take care of him."

The Commander frowned. “Yes, but I'll get just half the fun."

“But the information won't fall into the wrong hands,” Shadow retorted.

The purple hedgehog turned his gaze to the bed and cast an irritated glance at the prisoner. “If you weren't entirely mine, I would be jealous of you for this piece of meat,” Aidan pursed his lips in displeasure. "Fine," he ran his hand over the panel and entered some code, "Daily report on my desk each evening and two weeks for you to play. Then I'll deal with him myself." With another touch of his fingers he opened the passage and, taking a step out, added, "You have five minutes left."

The door closed behind him with a soft rustle. For a moment Shadow stood motionless in the middle of the room in complete silence. Then he took a deep breath, lifted his face up and closed his eyes tightly, clenching his fists. Biting his lip, he froze in that position for a couple of seconds before exhaling through his nose and lowering his head. Sharply shaking himself, he opened his eyes and, without turning to the bed, went to the dresser to get a new set of gloves and socks, picked up the shoes left on the floor and fell on the sofa, getting dressed. 

"Faker," the black hedgehog made a short pause, but, as expected didn't receive an answer and immediately continued, "I'm leaving, and I won't return until tomorrow," he touched the medallion on his wrist, freeing the second hand of the blue hero. "Bathroom is on the left. On the table is a bowl of fruit. I'll bring breakfast in the morning, so bear with it."

When he got dressed, he paused again, looking at his palms. With a short shake of his head he clenched his fists and stood up. “And don’t do anything stupid - in the living quarters, everything is protected by Diamond Dust. I won't get you out the second time."

Shadow walked to the door and froze near the panel, not bringing his fingers a couple of millimeters to it.

“I'm…” his shoulders twitched slightly, as if he was about to turn around and say something, but instead he just let out a soft sigh, “…no, nevermind."

And he went out, leaving Sonic alone.

.

.

.

"It won't change anything anyway."