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askshadowsilver · 3 days ago

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In Another Life // I'd Stay Right By Your Side

Words: ~3,400 🎉

The lyrics are from Bishoujo by Yenaii and particularly are my vibes for this >w>

—

"Hey, thought you didn't do rehearsals."

The snarky tone caught Shadow's attention as he turned to meet with the other musician. Silver the hedgehog sauntered up to him. He gave the darker hedgehog a light joust with his finger and rested a hand on the back of his hip. Shadow, despite himself, smiled at the introduction, and gave a small wave.

This was all too predictable.

"I don't, but seeing as you'll be supporting me with this song, I couldn't afford not to show."

"Here I thought we were playing 'The Supernatural' first." That mischievous glint didn't leave Silver's eyes and Shadow stalled. Clearly, the hedgehog was hinting at a joke of some sort, but it went over Shadow's head. When the joke didn't land, that cheeky and coy nature Silver displayed gave into a nervous prattle.

"'Cause, you know, 'Supporting Me' is on the same album and you said 'Supporting Me' but our managers want us to play 'The Supernatural' together and- forget I said anything, it was a bad joke."

That humbleness is why Shadow preferred Silver's company over Sonic's, any day of the week.

"Hmm, I was curious how you'd manage to do that one. We edited those tracks so heavily I doubt it could be performed live on stage." Shadow opted not to acknowledge Silver's flub and picked up his guitar case instead. The darker hedgehog then walked briskly down the narrow hallways towards the back rooms. Silver tagged along with a wide grin on his face.

The lighter hedgehog walked a few steps ahead of Shadow. Silver had his body turned at an awkward angle to keep eye contact with the solo singer. His feet crossed over each other in an excitable trot.

"Well, that's where I come in. You see these gloves?" Silver thrusted his hands before Shadow. His red eyes regarded the items without a flinch with the rough action. The pink-lined neon lighting thrummed with an invisible beat that matched Silver's steps. The soft metallic tips caught the bright lighting overhead. Almost as if it was simply another extension of Silver's very being.

"They're something I made, what they do is-"

"This must be how you edit your own vocals and instruments in real-time." Shadow finished the other's thoughts. This stopped Silver dead in his tracks as Shadow fumbled to keep a reasonable distance between them. "I'm surprised that technology hasn't made you more popular."

The design was quite ingenious, though, perhaps more native to Silver to construct sound in that way. It wouldn't sell well to anyone else who might want a pair of their own, but Shadow's interest peaked in seeing if he could get a pair someday. Maybe, perhaps, gloves that weren't as flashy and more classic.

"Yeah! Yeah, actually. Which is why I really appreciate you coming here today, this way we can tweak this stuff ahead of time. I do better when I know who and what I'm working with." Silver nodded and wiggled his fingers for emphasis.

"You actually tune your things?" Shadow asked in disbelief, but it came out in an unintentional scoff.

"Of course I do Mister 'One Take Wonder', most musicians do!" Silver huffed as he tossed out Shadow's nickname, he was rather well-known for that.

And for skipping rehearsals.

"Calm down, I'm just taken by surprise, Mister 'Never Does the Same Performance Twice'." Shadow's jab back turned into something kinder.

"Do… Do you actually listen to my music?" Silver turned to peek over his shoulder. His eyes glinted with a gentle curiosity against his brightened features.

The idol felt a smirk force its way to his face as the other's mood went from miffed to shy. At most times Shadow hated how easy he was to read around Silver, but right now he didn't mind it too much. Everyone was too busy to keep their eyes on them anyways. That meant no one else would tease the idol about his stupid behavior.

There was just something about Silver that Shadow wished everyone could see. Not just the potential of the musician but the fact that even with a look, Silver could melt even the iciest of people. Though, perhaps, underneath all that ice wasn't always a worthwhile person to be around.

Certainly, not one Silver found to remember.

"Silver, I was set to perform during all three of your launches."

"Oh no, you remember those?" Silver winced at the memories as they reached the private dressing room. "I can't believe fires burned down the buildings each time! I never even got a chance to play."

The lighter hedgehog paused for a moment.

"Wait, I remember you from the last two performances, cause we talked, but we met a third time?" Silver placed his hands on his hips, which left the keys in limbo at the door. Huh, well, Shadow guessed he did leave an impression on Silver.

"The first time was after I split with Infinite and your first debut." Shadow supplied, his better mood soured slightly at the thought of his old partner. "I was a guest singer in Sonic's band."

"Ah, right. I remember you telling me something about your previous bandmate… have you been enjoying your solo life?" Silver asked, his attention turned back to the door. Suddenly, the lock was more interesting and more difficult to undo within the moments Shadow thought of a response.

"It's nice to enjoy music again after kicking that faker to the curb." Shadow decided that was the best way to summarize his life to that point. "The guy was so insecure that he wouldn't let me do collabs like this. Glad he's rotting in some dive bar while I'm still at the top of the charts."

"Oh good, you hate him too." Silver gave a huff and opened the door. "He was such an asshole! Did you know Infinite told me to give up hope of ever making it as a musician? That 'I'd die in obscurity' and he would make sure of that."

That thought gave Shadow some pause as Silver slipped away into the room. Now that the other hedgehog had mentioned it, Shadow did recall Infinite telling some choice words to Shadow when the hedgehog had complimented Silver's talent. At the time, Shadow didn't let it bother him. Infinite was always jealous of other people's talents. However, as he dwelled on the memory, maybe it had been more than that? Did Infinite see someone who he could lose Shadow to…?

No. Shadow shook his head in disbelief, Infinite didn't have the guts to pull something off like that. Besides, Infinite was just mad about losing his popularity to an artist the jackal had considered to be amateurish.

"Yeah, that sounds like him. You're far from forgotten. " Shadow closed the door behind him. Silver had already settled himself on a couch as he tweaked the screen of a laptop on the coffee table before him. Next to him were little plush chao that looked as if they were won from a claw machine. Some silvery needles suck out of a hero chao, which Shadow guessed must Silver handle it a lot.

"I mean, he wasn't wrong, I never could make enough funds to do another launch after that. Though, tell your manager thanks for including me in this bigger gig. I do like being a part of the opening act, and… um, supporting other musicians, like you." Silver perked up when his computer chimed at him, a signal it was fully on. "I always get to hype everyone up for the main event. I love the energy, it's contagious!"

Silver patted to the space next to him, where the hero chao sat. Shadow picked up the item and set it on the table before sitting next to the other hedgehog. The computer screen had a music program up and caught a glimpse of a group photo. Blaze smiled in the background, in her performance outfit, with her arm around an obscured Silver. Huh, Shadow didn't know they were still friends after the first crash and burn.

"That's sorta how I got into more of a live feedback for my music." Silver flicked his hands and some readings popped onto the screen in a bright teal. "I found if I could match the mood of the room, I could easily get people to be fanatical about the next act. Plus, I get to engage a bit more freely with the fans, which is really nice."

"We're only here because of our fans, after all." Shadow concluded, watching as the teal lighting would pick up on Silver's speech and movements, but not Shadow's own. "Once they stop loving us, we're as good as other fading stars."

"I'd remember you." Silver cupped the underside of Shadow's chin.

Shadow wanted to snap at the touch but found himself stunned. A pulse of what felt like fire was sent throughout his body, from the contact to his face to the soles of his feet. The warm, two-toned gloves pressed further into his chin and amplified the new sensation. Silver brought himself closer, his nose just a breath away from Shadow's cheek as a finger traced his jawline. The intense, aureolin gaze of the lighter hedgehog had finally snapped Shadow from his stupor as he yanked his head away.

"Hey." Shadow glowered at the other, only for his own voice to echo back at him from the laptop. Silver snickered as he leaned back to his spot.

"Sorry, I had no clue you'd react like that." Silver made a motion with his hands as pointed to the mic under his own chin. "I'll ask next time when I put the mic on."

"The mic?" Shadow's voice echoed in the small room. He traced the space where Silver's touch lingered. The telltale bump pressed through the cloth of Shadow's gloves. If that wasn't enough proof, the muffled tap was captured by the computer's speakers.

"Now drop to the." Silver spoke nonsensically but rhythmically. The hedgehog tensed his hands and then plucked the air before him, a small kickback beat played, and then he clicked his hands together. The beat played on loop as Silver adjusted his stance again to snap his fingers.

"Hey. Hey. Hey. Now drop to the- mic mic mic." The remixed vocals played back to two. Despite how ridiculous the sound clips had been within their context, the remix sounded near perfect to Shadow. The darker hedgehog scoffed in disbelief.

"Huh. Well, color me impressed."

Silver beamed at the praise and dropped his hands. The music halted in an instant and so did the feedback from the microphone.

"Yes, with this I can add a lot of the vocal effects you had on the songs in that album. I'll have access to create effects with your guitar too, so just focus on singing and playing and leave the rest to me!"

"Even my guitar…" Shadow repeated, he almost forgot the instrument was with him.

"This is why I'm glad you actually came today." Silver pulled up the computer onto his lap and scooted closer to Shadow. He tilted the screen towards Shadow and pulled up the vocal clip from before. Their quills pressed together in a slight prickle and a stray quill scratched at one of Shadow's piercings. Their spines made pressing close like this a bit difficult, but oddly, the tension in Shadow's shoulders relaxed with the reduced space.

"There's a lot I can do on the fly, but I'll need some time to figure out how to properly tune your voice and what filters I should apply to it. That's something I would rather figure out now than when we're live on stage. This way, I can perfect it."

"Perfect it, huh?" Shadow spoke in a hushed tone.

"Not that you're not already perfect- ha-" Silver shifted, a slight flush to his features, "Just, you know, I want to give this my all, so uh- thanks again for coming in. You don't have to stay for the set rehearsals, just long enough for me to pin down a good sound for you."

Shadow gave a noncommittal hum.

To say he didn't want to stay would be a lie, but it also felt wrong to do something so unlike himself. To betray his own character for his crush on Silver wasn't good. Shadow had done that for Infinite, compromised himself, and let Infinite far too close to breaking down his boundaries. It left his band in shambles and Shadow still was dealing with the legal trouble it got them into over the music licensing.

Which is why they could only use songs from Shadow's debut album, before Infinite, and long before Shadow knew he'd be in the position he was today.

The fact Shadow was sitting here trying to get closer to Silver made him feel a bit sick. Was he repeating history by doing this? He didn't want to do that to Silver. He watched in an uncomfortable silence as Silver typed away on his laptop, selecting parts of the recorded vocals, and programing the sections into cleaner loops. It reminded Shadow all too much of his past, something he was trying to walk away from. A version of himself that needed to be thrown away.

Shadow decided being here was a mistake, and went to thumb off the microphone from his chin.

"Hey! Whoa!" Silver grabbed the offending hand and yanked it down. "Hold still, I'm trying to edit out all those gross sounds your body makes. Do you want everyone on stage to hear your throat gurgle? No. I don't think so."

"Silver." The lighter hedgehog's attention was on him in a flash. Maybe it was the light strain in Shadow's voice that tipped Silver off but the other's features softened. The techno gloves that were clasped over Shadow's gave a small squish of reassurance. With a loud beep, a songtrack began playing at full blast from the computer which caused both hedgehogs to prickle in surprise. The perked spines forced a distance between them.

"Sorry, I forget when these things are on." Silver laughed off the tension and shook out his hands. The music faded into a soft drone in the background. The lighter hedgehog looked bashful as he tucked away a hand under one of the chao pillows. Still, Shadow felt the buzz of Silver's touch under his palms. Like an afterimage of a ghost that never quite left.

"Don't apologize." Shadow angled an ear to the computer. The soundtrack was a beat and melody Shadow was familiar with. Even if the rendition was different and new. "Would it be easier to tune my voice if I performed a song?"

"Huh? Yeah, sure it would." Silver nodded. "Let me pull up-"

"I want to sing this one." Shadow tapped on the laptop. "You called it 'Dreams of an Absolution', right?"

Silver stalled out again. The techno-glasses that had perfectly perched along his brow dropped comedically to the front of Silver's face.

"Yeah, yes. Wow, I really reworked this track, I am surprised you recognized it at all."

"Of course I did." Shadow got out his guitar and settled it on his lap, "You might have different instruments, a different tempo, and heck, even a different composition but it's all so clearly the same song. I think that makes it less boring, don't you?"

Silver considered Shadow's words and gave a small smile, "Not always being the same does make me the 'Never Does the Same Performance Twice' person. Let's do this."

Shadow nodded and began to plug in his instrument. The job might bring them together and give reasons for them to talk, but if Shadow wanted Silver to be in his life, he needed to do more. Maybe the darker hedgehog wasn't ready to enter a relationship just yet, but neither was the other hedgehog. However, they could work on their friendship and Shadow could wait to see if his feelings changed.

After all, Silver was just an amazing person, it was hard not to love him.

—

"Hey, Shadow." Silver decided now was better than never as he watched Shadow pack up his guitar. The other hedgehog gave a grunt of acknowledgement and Silver sucked in air through his teeth.

"Mephiles." Silver watched Shadow still.

When confusion crossed his expression rather than recognition, Silver couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed, even if this was good news. Any absence of that guy in a timeline was good news.

"Mephiles the Dark. I'm thinking of naming my next album that." Silver leaned back and stretched his shoulders. The lighter hedgehog got back into character, or, more like, he left this Silver to be. Yet not relinquishing enough power on the idol to see if anything changed. "What do you think of that?"

"I think it's a weird name." Shadow stood, his guitar case swung over his shoulder. "Weird can get album sales. Anyways, I'm going to leave before Sonic realizes I'm here."

But of course, he wasn't going to leave. Not right away. Silver felt his heartbeat pick up, despite this happening a thousand times to him in many different ways. Shadow pulled out his phone and swiped his contact over. Silver's phone chirped happily at the message.

"We should do more things together, outside of work." Shadow paused, he adjusted his grip, and continued in a steady tone, "As friends."

"Am I your friend now?" Silver gave a coy smile but his heart raced faster than his hands to double check that, yes, he indeed had Shadow's phone number.

"I'm not answering that." Shadow rolled his eyes and turned on his heel. "Bye."

Silver waved goodbye, which made his computer blast out another song. Silver was certain he could die right then and there. Though, when he dropped his hands to silence the beat, there was a bright chuckle that faded into the hallways outside his room.

All too soon, there was the soft droning of the overhead lights. Even fainter was the sound of that place that existed within the back of his mind. A droning whirr that the idol did his best to block out most days. As to block out the sound was to block out the one who looked through his eyes.

Silver sighed and leaned his head back.

With his eyes closed, the one who looks gently tugged himself away from this Silver, who would have been none the wiser of his temporal possession. This one, the Silver Idol, was born in the present, able to enjoy working alongside his friends, and stay in the same time with them. The dream ended for the looking one, but he thought it wouldn't be a bad dimension to return to. Someday.

The looking one opened his eyes into the white space. The thread he had explored was held taunt in his hands. The timeline. At least, that dimension's timeline. His original timeline had been burned away a long, long time ago now. He curled the string around a finger and tugged his arms apart. Giving the item one last glance. He wanted to ensure that Mephiles wasn't hiding somewhere within the thread. Waiting to fray it.

"At least this one isn't stuck in the recycling bin with me, onto the tapestry you go!" Silver weaved along the technology before him. From what Silver knew, some sort of ancient had created this, but the hedgehog had perfected it. He was probably the only one who could use it now, seeing as it relied a lot on his psychokinesis. Though, making upgrades to the machine would be nice if it gave Silver more availability to dwell in his favorite timelines.

Ha. Had more time. Silver had nothing but time.

The perks of being timeless.

Silver glanced around the holes the Time Eater had made and clicked his tongue. While the amount of tears had certainly lessened, the entity still seemed to elude him in the vast location. He wondered how anyone was to navigate this space at all. While there was a search system Silver had found, it is still corrupted, and formatting it wasn't an option right now. If anything erased him, there wouldn't be a person here to fix the timeline, and everything would unravel.

Silver stopped his work and took a steady breath in and out.

(He ignored the static eating away at his left quill.)

"I can do this. I have to do this."

He pushed the sword beater against the threads, sending the tapestry upwards, somewhere, he didn't know, and pulled the string taut again. Under his breath he sang to himself, his voice was less practiced than the Idol version of himself, but a voice that brought him comfort in the vast emptiness of the white space.

This would have to do for now.

#shadilver #silvadow #askshadowsilver #Ebony and Ivory - Alt AU #some blog plot stuff at the end but if you wanna end reading at the divider it's just shadilver idol versions #Allo!Shadow was so hard to write for me but like hopefully it's good haha

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