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Sonic blinked his eyes open. Feeling sluggish and achy. He had been feeling like that for a while now. Everyone who had said getting older wasn’t fun or easy, had turned out to be right. He relaxed back into the cot, the swaying of the ship lulling him into a light sleep as he listened to his partners breathing. Shadow wasn’t necessarily a cuddler but the past couple of months had been different. Sonic knew shadow was getting nervous, him getting older wasn’t easy and Shadow had seemed to be growing clingier.Eventually the ache in his back became too much and he had to wiggle out of Shadows grasp as he got out of the cot and started to get dressed. He turned and pet Shadows head, brushing stray quills down and kissing the top of his head, his ear twitched and he smiled.Shadow had also aged a bit after all these years, time had made him calmer and level headed than what he used to be when they first met. He still remembers the first time the Merbian had punched him the day they had met after the fateful wreck that had brought them together. Even if Shadow didn’t believe in fate Sonic still did and was forever grateful. Time had also peppered over Shadow. Making his fur lighter in some spots. A white streak running on either side of his head and to the points of his quills. He chuckled as Shadow turned into the spot Sonic had previously been, stealing the last of its warmth as Sonic finally decided to head down to where the hold was.Many years of sailing had given them the chance to finally settle into a smaller ship. Just enough for two hedgehogs and their small provisions. He pulled out the last of the biscuits and a preserve of molasses and jam as he set them to the side to pull out a kettle and set it on the rickety metal stove. It wasn't very big, just enough to stick a log or two into to heat up some tea. They had gotten it in the south and it was Shadows favorite blend of herbs and spices.He is sure he would prefer to dive into the water and catch his own breakfast but that doesn't mean he wouldn't appreciate a snack before he goes. Sonic didn’t eat as much as he used to and it caused Shadow to fret over him sometimes. Merbians could live a long time and before he had met Sonic Shadow had quite the history. Though he knew once they settled and mated it was a different story for how long they would live.He looked over the rest of their stock and saw how low they were getting on some of their ingredients. He walked to the next room to look at their fresh water, it was low too. They'd have to make for shore soon, maybe in a week or two. He sighed going to the first room after hearing the pitch of the kettle. He ran a hand through his quills noting how a couple came loose and fell. He picked them up and tucked them into his sash on his hip. Getting older was a hard adjustment.He couldn't run like he used to and even though it meant nothing changed for his friends, they still loved and supported him, it meant everything to him. His speed and ability to run was who he was as a person and now running made his heart speed up and his knees too weak. Age had also made his fur lighter, like the blue on the brightest day over the ocean. White streaks colored his fur and left him really feeling his age. Shadow would say it made him look handsome; he disagreed. He missed the dark blue he had once been, but beggars couldn't be choosers.All he could do was try and enjoy the time he and Shadow still had left.Shadow stirred awake, sluggishly stretching in the bed, his nose twitched, he could smell the salt of the ocean from where the window had been opened last night, letting a draft in and chilling the room, he could also smell the scent of tea wafting through the boards of the ship. He felt his bedside and blinked open his eyes to see his husband not there. He frowned, Sonic had been having a harder and harder time sleeping these past couple of months. They had been chasing the summer months in different parts of the ocean.Shadow never really liked the cold even if he could stand it due to the fact he was part kraken and they nestled in the deepest darkest parts of the ocean. Really it was for Sonic's joints, he had been complaining of pain and Shadow had been trying to make sure he stayed as healthy as possible. He clenched his fist at the thought and tried to take a deep breath. Sonic was still here, still with him.They had been together for over 47 years and he knew the life he lived even if some parts had been tragic was full of love. He wouldn't trade any part of it for the world. He just wished there was a way for Sonic to live longer…there could be. But Sonic would never agree to it. But he didn't have to..Shadow knows his love has enjoyed his life and even as his fur lightened to a beautiful pale blue and he couldn't run as fast, he still cherished all the good and bad memories alike. It was amazing how he could always remain so optimistic even in the worst situations. Shadow sat up, pressing his uncovered paws over his face and rubbing at the slight dampness that had begun to collect around his eyes. He wouldn't cry, he wouldn't…not until the time came. He took another deep breath before swinging his legs over the cot and standing. The ship rocked and he lost his balance stumbling forward as he walked to where he knew Sonic was making breakfast.Sonic's ear twitched as Shadow creaked open the door, he had just gotten done setting down the last of the plates and was cleaning up as a pair of black arms engulfed his middle.“Oh ho look who decided to join me for breakfast this fine morning” he teased, reaching up to put the jar of jam on the shelf. “Mmph” Shadow grumbled, his chest vibrating with the sound as he buried his nose in the side of Sonic's neck and took a deep breath. Sonic chuckled trying to push him away.“Stop! You know that tickles” he said and Shadow smirked trying to pull him closer but Sonic kept fighting, in reality due to age Sonic was becoming slightly weaker but Shadow would never dare use his strength super natural or not to hurt him and Sonic knows this as he ran around the table, throwing an orange at Shadow who dodged it and tried to catch him.“Don't waste our food Sonic. That's just bad manners” he chastised as he picked up the orange and threw it back. Sonic on the other side of the table leaned to the left and it hit the wall splitting against the wood and making a noise as it thumped to the floor. Sonic shook his head.“And here I thought we pirates were all just savages of the sea” he winked and Shadow rolled his eyes. He picked up a cup taking a sip. He scrunched his nose, this one was Sonics. It was too sweet as he set it back down.“Blegh, you shouldn't put so much molasses in there”“I like to think it gives me a boost for the day and you can't talk…you eat those black beans like they're candy” He said pointing to the bag they kept on the shelf. He had grabbed a bowl of them for Shadow who happily sat himself down. His stomach growled as he happily grabbed a spoonful of black coffee beans and shoveled them into his mouth.Sonic could feel his skin crawl as he pretended to gag. Shadow gave him a cocky smile covered in coffee beans and sharp teeth.“I can’t believe I married you…twice in fact!”Shadow huffed, grabbing his water and taking a sip before placing it down. “I only did it the human way because Amy kept saying how romantic it would be if we did” He said huffing thinking back all those years ago.Merbians had a special way to bond to someone, like forming a strong attachment to their partner that would last them until their last moments. Mobians on the other hand had what he thought was a funny way of becoming one with someone.“Don’t lie…you've been wearing that wedding band for years” he said pointing to the biscuit he had been eating at Shadows uncovered paw. He huffed not dignifying a response as he shoveled more into his mouth before digging into the biscuits his love had prepared.—-----On a ship that could be considered a retirement vessel of sorts there wasn't much to do but Shadow and Sonic had figured out plenty of ways to keep themselves busy over the years. Especially as their crew had settled down more inland and had started marriages and families. Though Shadow supposed they did the same thing. They had met, gotten married, had a daughter who was a feared pirate of a scholar and now we're living happily on the open ocean. Shadow still wouldn't have it any other way. Even as he thought back to his life before Sonic.He had been lonely. He grew up fighting to survive and not having a pod to call his own. He was an outcast, with markings like his that traveled down his quills and tail he had been considered a bad omen, making him more liable as target practice for spears to be thrown at him. He had grown up full of hate for both species. Mobians and Merbians.He had thought it changed when he had been captured and taken aboard a boat with a scientist claiming Merbians were the secret to a long life…ugh he had heard it before. But not from a scientist.He had been taken ashore and there he had met a girl named Maria. He was kept in a tank and experimented on. Though he hated every moment with the doctor he loved her. She was bright and taught Shadow many things. About the moon and stars, flowers and trees. Eventually they had figured out if he stayed out of water long enough he would dry out and have legs.Running was new and he loved it. But when his love for running with Maria had also turned to bitter hate? The doctor lived on a hill far away from the reach of people, however it had caught wind that there was a mad demonic presence that had possessed the doctor which had led the people to extermination. The house had caught fire that night and he hadn't been enough to save Maria as she had gotten trapped in her room. The fire had smoked Shadow out causing burns to blister as he couldn't take the heat, he would have burned with her if he hadn't been saved by the very man who had taken him in the first place.He thinks those wounds went farther than physical but at the same time he didn't care about getting better. He let them fester in an angry sick infection…until he met Sonic.That same blue with a smile that wouldn't just quit with an uplifting and especially forgiving attitude…it was…just like her. But he was also so, so very different. He hated Sonic at first. His annoying jokes and laugh had been too much for him and he admits that his first instinct had always been to fight. So why stop when someone was being a nuisance?Then it turned into a fond mesh that made his insides squirm uncomfortably being around him and then it turned to something he hadn't felt in decades…love. Absolute burning passion. He doesn't know how Sonic could have loved him even though he was supposed to be a scary dark creature from the deep.Though he supposed Sonic wasn't any better, he was aboard a vessel made to hunt Merbians, extract them from the ocean and to use their tails and tears leaving the rest for fish bait. It was a big reason he had lied for so long when they had met.Sonic had also suffered great loss in his life and people had made it seem this was the greatest duty anyone could ever do..a hero. Sonic had always chased after a grand title. Even if it had led him wrong. But Sonic had learned and he himself changed. Together they brought down an empire and that had only been their first adventure. They have done so much over the years. One after another heroic tale that would be sung about for ages.He leaned against the small row boat Sonic was sitting on, they were yards away from their main ship and Sonic had a small guitar he plucked at and Shadow hummed a tune filling the air around them with a melody, swishing his tail back and forth, creating ripples in the water.Sonic had pretty much gotten over his fear of water by now. Having fully learned how to swim and had suffered a couple of attacks of getting sucked into a whirlpool or a wave or an undertow or two. But the moment he had learned about that he was sure Sonic had to be the worst pirate ever. Even if he was just a deckhand at the time. He would still never live it down. They stayed out there for hours, soaking in the son and talking as they made their way back inside to make dinner. They had caught plenty of fresh fish to go with their dwindling supplies, as Sonic talked about visiting tails and sending a message out to their daughter, Corina, to come visit them inland. Shadow feared the journey would be too much but when he only looked at those emerald green eyes, just begging for another adventure how could he say no?Eventually they crawled into bed after Sonic dressed into a long white tunic crawling in next to his lover. Shadow curled up close, sighing contentedly as he could smell the salt and Sonics warmth.He would never say this not yet anyway to Sonic but he had only ever told two lies in his life. The one when they first met and the night they had bonded under a full moon. Shadow watched as Sonic drifted to sleep Shadow peppering his face and muzzle in small kisses.He knew the moment he fell in love he couldn't live without Sonic and when a Merbians bonds for life..then it is for life. He is sure deep down Sonic knows this but he also knows that the night Sonic accepted..he accepted this…accepted them. He didn’t care though, they had plenty more time together in this life and Shadow would make the most of it for as long as he could. The good and the bad all with the love of his life by his side.