Work Text:
“I’m giving you this offer, Shadow. Well, I’m not, you’re lucky Amy is so generous. I don’t get what she sees in you.”
Shadow watched the outstretched hand that hovered in front of him. Mockery, it felt like. To offer a begrudging hand to your enemy, with that attitude?
“I don’t need your pity, Sonic.” He retorted.
“Is that a no?”
There was no answer, just silence as the hand lowered. All that garnered from the loner was a scowl. Sonic’s shoulders dropped to a resting position with a sigh escaping his mouth.
“Guess I’ll tell her you’re thinking about it.” He turned and ran off, a burst of speed blowing wind into Shadow’s face. There was nothing more.
A recluse who only came out to fight, that’s what he was. A jerk who destroyed people’s things, who threatened people, made them feel afraid. He didn’t understand. The majority of the interactions he’s had with Team Sonic ended in bruises and first aid kits, why would they offer him anything other than revenge?
There was no sign of Shadow that next day. Usually there would at least be a trace, burnt grass to indicate he skated through, but there was nothing of the sort.
An elegant and peaceful hut sat on the coast, Amy’s house. Well, it was peaceful until a certain blue hero barged through the door. The sudden appearance caused Amy to jump and nearly spill her drink.
“A knock would have been nice.” She grumbled. Sonic paced around the room slowly.
“Well I just figured I’d report to you since you’re the one who gave him the offer, absolutely no sign of Shads today! Think you scared him off for good?”
“Is it so hard to believe he might actually be thinking it over?” Amy shrugged. “…Ok, maybe it is a little hard to believe, but he wouldn’t just flee at a simple act of kindness!”
“Would be great if he did.”
“He just needs some hospitality, Sonic.”
“Well then don’t complain when you end up IN the hospital because he tries to kill anyone who looks at him wrong!”
Amy rolled her eyes. Yes, she was able to protect herself well, but Shadow’s strength, speed, and insane reflexes made him a tough target. He was unreasonable and quick to attack as Sonic had implied. She had been thinking, just maybe, there was a chance at calming him down, reasoning with him. Even thinking about it felt unreal. Sonic left, and she waited.
It rained that night. Heavy wind shifted the weather’s course, it was almost raining completely sideways. The bright lights of the house on the coast stood out from the dark, especially to a snooping just-as-dark figure. Amy couldn’t help but obsessively look out her windows. She had a sense something, or someone, was out there, but she couldn’t see through the black. Footsteps came from the sand onto the dock, audible and clunky, almost unsure. Amy didn’t know who this could be now. Shadow? No, it couldn’t be. Shadow had confidence in his stride, not nervousness. The lurker stopped at least a few feet away from the front door.
Cool it, Amy, you can defend yourself from whoever this is. If they try anything, you’ll... Her thoughts trailed off. She peeked out of her closed blinds, lucky that the figure was facing away and unaware. Lightning flashed, and they flinched. Amy’s eyes widened as she caught the brief glimpse of a fuller silhouette.
It was Shadow, he was thinking about it. His quills drooped in the rain but it was unmistakably him. Amy stood up and snuck up to the door, turning the handle and opening it as gently as she could. As light bathed the dock it was all too clear. Shadow didn’t have his angry scowl, but instead a wistful expression as he looked over the ropes and down into the water. But it all returned once he snapped back into reality. He looked at the pink hedgehog with a wide-eyed, shocked look.
“Shadow?-” Amy reached out to him, but in a panic, he warped away with a flash. She stared at the empty space for a few oddly tranquil moments, despite the howling wind and rain. Dropping her shoulders with a defeated huff, she closed the door again.
Looking around, she spotted the coat rack. It had her raincoat hung up on it, an umbrella resting at the bottom. She sighed.
“No time like the present, I’m finding him.”
The wind had calmed down by the time she was out in the forest, but not the rain. Instead of sideways, it settled into a downpour. The forest floor was muddy but stood no chance against rainboots. Amy fiddled with a letter she had wrote before leaving, in case Shadow wasn’t in his cave. She kept it safe in a dry pocket. Approaching the distinct cave, there was nobody to defend the territory. Just as she thought. Shadow wasn’t there. Amy sighed as she stepped into the empty cave, she left the note delicately balanced on a rock spire. It was a good short escape from the rain, she relished it, but soon retreated back to her home.
A knock came to Amy’s door the morning after, it woke her. It wasn’t aggressive, but it sounded like it could break her door down anyway.
“Jeez, at this hour?- I’ll be right there!” She broke her groan with a yell to her guest. Tying the waist of her morning robe with one hand, Amy opened the door. She jumped at the sight. The striped hedgehog she had seen that earlier night stood before her.
“Oh, Shadow! I, uh, see you saw my letter!”
“I did. You invited me here.” Shadow held the opened letter in one hand in front of him. He glanced down at it as he spoke.
Amy nodded. “Here, come in and have a seat! Sorry for looking so disheveled, I wasn’t expecting you to accept, heheh.” She walked away from the door to allow Shadow to walk in. He was oddly cautious, like he was expecting a surprise attack, not that he couldn’t take it.
“I prefer to stand.”
“..That’s fine! Uh, give me a second to get ready, I’ll be right back.” Amy retreated to her room and shut the door.
Just stay cool, Amy, he could kick your butt at any moment, be a good host!
Back in the living room, Shadow stood next to the center table. He was busy observing his surroundings. Everything was decorated so nicely, the paintings on the walls, the houseplants, the colors played nicely with each other…
“You have a good eye for interior design.” He didn’t even need to look to notice that Amy had come out of her room. She froze upon hearing him speak, but corrected herself.
“I do! Thank you for noticing!” The pink hedgehog gave a nervous laugh. “Are you up for some tea?”
“..Sure.”
Amy tried to hide how giddy she was getting. Was he finally warming up? She walked to the kitchen area, and got out the necessary ingredients. A familiar buzzing became audible, and then louder as Amy’s pet entered the room.
“Oh, Bea’s up!” She jumped as Shadow settled into a fighting stance, and grabbed his arm. Her strength surprised him and he loosened his pose.
“Why is there an Eggman robot in here?” He ripped his arm from Amy’s grasp.
“Don’t call her that, you’ll hurt her feelings! She’s my pet, Shadow, she was reprogrammed. Look how docile!” Amy pointed at the bee bot, who was flying around peacefully and happily. She beckoned with her hand and Bea grew closer to them both.
“You..have a pet badnik?- Oof!” Bea suddenly thrust herself into Shadow’s arms, he instinctively held on. He gave a confused look but didn’t drop her. “That’s…interesting.”
“Er- Sorry, she’s affectionate. Bea..” Amy tried to get the bot to relent, but Shadow showed no signs of wanting to let go, so she gave up and went back to making the tea. Every once in a while she looked back at him. It was hard not to be suspicious, Shadow destroys things for no reason, but here he seems calm..It was an odd sight to see.
“I have a question.” Shadow spoke up. Bea had left his arms shortly before. Amy stiffened and looked at him as she was finishing up.
“What is it?”
“I want to know why you invited me here.”
“Well..” Amy got the teacups in order and walked to the couch where she sat down. She set one of the plates near where Shadow was standing, he stared at it. “I thought it would be nice, a break from all the fighting. What I want to know is why you accepted.”
“All I do is fight you, I don’t get it.” Shadow picked up the plate and cup. He cautiously took a sip. “Why I accepted.. A gentle invitation is the perfect setup to an ambush, and why not come and put you in your place again? But.. This isn’t an ambush.”
“It’s not. It’s just you and me. Everybody else isn’t up this early.”
Shadow sighed. He took a few more sips before setting the teacup back down. Silence fell between them. He crossed his arms and looked down at the floor, Amy took this time to examine his face. Most of the time, there was a scowl on his face, always looking angry and ready for a fight. But seeing him now that wasn’t the case. It seemed like he never relaxed, he was always on his guard, this was a rare moment he let it down at least a little.
“Hey, Shadow,” Amy broke the silence. “Since you’re here, would you wanna help me with the plants outside? Tend to them, I mean.” Her offer was gentle, trying not to offend him, but still she braced.
“...” Shadow furrowed his brow for a moment. “..I could assist. The flowers you have are..nice, I suppose.”
Amy remembered the night before. With how close he was standing to the bushes, he must have taken a look. She processed his answer.
“Oh, good!”
Her enthusiasm startled Shadow, she clasped her hands together in a small hop.
“Here,” She said. “Follow me outside, I’ll clean up later.”
Watching as Amy got up from the couch and lead the way, Shadow questioned himself, what a guy like him was doing in a place like this. He hadn’t even noticed he followed outside. It was like his feet had moved by themselves. They both stood in the back garden now. There were benches, a small fountain, bushes and flowers… Shadow was so caught up in looking around, he wondered how dumb he looked right about now. He snapped out of it as he saw one of the bushes holding white flowers.
“What kind are these?” He asked. Amy almost jumped at his voice as she turned around. The question was.. Weird to hear, from him at least.
“Those are gardenia flowers! Symbols of gentleness and purity! They’re usually watered weekly, but it just rained, might be a problem. Overwatering, y’know.”
“Overwatering?”
“Yeah! You can give flowers too much water, it hurts them all the same as not watering them. The roots can’t breathe, basically. Here, follow me, I’ll teach you how to prune!”
It didn’t even feel like a few hours had passed. The sun rose, turning the blue-tinted dawn into a beautiful day. The two had been in the garden all that time. Suddenly, there was a notification from Amy’s communicator.
“Amy, you having an off-day or something? You’re usually here by now! Come on!” Tails’ voice came from the device. Amy’s eyes widened as she stared at her wrist.
“I lost track of time! Uhm, sorry Shadow, but I gotta go! You can stay and look after the place if you’d like but–”
“I’m coming with.”
“What? Uh,” Amy stammered, she had stepped around so she was closer to the door. “That’s great but, I don’t think bringing you along without warning is very..”
“I don’t care what they think.”
“...If you insist.” Amy sighed. “Come on, we’re going to Tails’ workshop. Know where that is?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I’ll lead you to–” Amy was cut off by a grab on her wrist. Blink, they were at the workshop. It was open, and Tails was working with his back to them. They had just…teleported? Weird, she thought, didn’t think teleportation would be that simple.
“You can do that with two people?” She asked. Shadow stood beside her, no longer holding on, but crossing his arms and staring ahead. He didn’t answer. Amy heard Tails chuckle to himself and realized.
“Heh, Amy, who are you talking to?--” The fox had turned around, but paused in shock as he spotted who, to him, was an enemy. Amy was sweating bullets. There was no action for a minute, but Tails settled into a battle-ready stance at Shadow’s glare.
“Uhm– Tails, it’s not what you think, he’s not here to..”
“Shadow! What are you doing here!? Get away from Amy!” Tails shouted, though he’d been bested before, he wasn’t going to stand down now. Amy’s voice was drowned out by the tension.
Shadow scoffed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m not afraid to admit, you’ve bested me with Sonic before. But by yourself, caught off your guard? No shot. I’m not here for you, leave it.” His words seemed to hit Tails a bit hard, he relaxed his stance, but was still ready for a fight.
“Fine. But at least tell me what you’re doing with Amy.”
“Hanging out.”
Shadow saying something like that so casually, it startled Tails. “Uh, alright? Well then,” He moved over to an area on his plane, but suddenly pointed upwards. The two hedgehogs at his workshop door looked accordingly. The series of pulleys and chains used to hold the plane in place were snapped and mangled, the rising platform it sat on, busted.
“My stuff just– broke! I’d work on fixing the platform first but, it’s an emergency repair I need to do, I can’t just hold up on my baby!” Tails hugged the plane, but got off to continue. “I called you cuz I was wondering if you could use your hammer to prop up the platform. It won’t stay in place on its own.”
“And you couldn’t just call Knuckles for this type of thing?” Amy walked over to the platform. She materialized the hammer and tried to fit it under the lowered platform.
“He won’t answer me! I think he and Sonic are too busy with whatever it is they’re doing.”
“My hammer can hold it up, but I’m not sure how we’re gonna get it up in the first place!”
The two didn’t seem to notice a pair of hands come onto the side of the plate. But as soon as they did, it started rising with ease. Shadow had gotten beside them and started lifting it. Amy and Tails jumped when they realized he was there.
“Shadow?! Wait, why are you helping? I thought you hated us! ..Man, even Knux struggles with that.” Tails exclaimed, he was confused, but Amy knew what he wanted to do. She quickly put her hammer up under the platform, and Shadow let it drop down.
“I am not helping. I’m simply showing you I can do whatever that red imbecile can do and more!” Shadow rested into crossing his arms again. Tails started to catch on as he saw Amy direct a knowing look his way. I’ll make him one, his eyes said it all.
“Thanks, Amy! I’ll get your hammer back to you when I’m finished, shouldn’t take too long. And.. Shadow?”
Shadow faced away, eyes closed and arms crossed. He opened one eye to look back as his name was said.
“Thank you too!”
He was given a quiet hmph as a response, at least it was something. Amy sauntered back over to the entrance of the building. She signaled Shadow to come along if he would. They walked back outside into the village, Amy lead the way.
“Let’s take a walk!” She suggested, and didn’t hear any opposition. The village seemed emptier as they strolled through. People were hiding, Shadow wasn’t any less threatening being seen with a hero, well, one he wasn’t attacking. He looked around. He realized he never really got to take in the village’s sights. He wasn’t missing much, but it felt like it to him.
“Where are you leading me?” He asked.
“The beach!”
“But I see the ocean every day, why would you need to take me there?”
“Oh, you like going to the beach?” Amy looked behind her shoulder to look at Shadow.
“Where do you think I bathe?” He answered with a hissy tone. Amy looked ahead again with a puzzled look.
“Isn’t saltwater bad for your skin?”
“Maybe if yours is sensitive, it’s good for your fur otherwise.” Hearing Shadow talk about these things so casually, it was like a weight lifted off Amy’s shoulders. He wasn’t defensive in this moment, just as friendly as Shadow the Hedgehog could be, that was saying something. They approached the beach spot, in front of a run-down shack. Shadow didn’t know it very well, but he knew who’s it was.
“I know why you brought me here!” He snarled. The shack’s owner stepped out from behind it, first with a content expression, then an angry one as he spotted Shadow. Sonic pinched the space between his eyes.
“Amy, what’d I tell you about that offer! Ohh, now he’s gonna wanna fight, what else do you do, Shadow?” Sonic paced closer to them, getting up in his foe’s face. “What’s up? Not taking the first hit this time?”
It felt like it was taking all of Shadow’s strength not to throw a punch. This was not the objective, he was not here to start a meaningless fight. Sonic felt the back of a hand press to his arm.
“I know how much you like getting pummeled into the dirt, Sonic.” Shadow’s words made Sonic even more irritated. “As much as I’d like to, picking a meaningless fight is not my goal here. Move aside.”
Shadow applied force to his arm, he flung Sonic down onto the ground with a backhand. He stepped over and trudged a few steps along the beach, before eventually sitting down and staring ahead. It was silent, but he heard footsteps approaching in the sand. Amy sat down next to him. And then Sonic shifted from his spot on the ground to sit up as well.
“Shadow,” The blue hero broke the silence. “You didn’t even run up to attack me, I’m in shock! Well, except for this.” He brushed sand off his chest. “Must be in a good mood today.”
“Suppose you could say that.”
“Been passive all day,” Amy piped up. “Didn’t even threaten me, right Shadow?” She laughed as Shadow looked away from her in embarrassment.
“..Right.”
“Changing ways huh?” Sonic nudged him. Quiet beeps and boops came from Amy’s communicator on the other side, she notified the other members. Shadow didn’t notice, he was too busy being defensive.
“Tch. Like I’d be swayed so easily.”
“Sure you wouldn’t, buddy.” Sonic gave a smug look as he saw the distaste on Shadow’s expression.
“I am not your buddy.”
More footsteps in the sand alerted him, two. But Shadow didn’t look, he just kept his eyes ahead. Amy did look back, seeing Knuckles and Sticks trying their best to creep over. Sticks held her boomerang in hand. She was no doubt ready and willing to hit Shadow over the head with it. They stopped once they were behind him. He knew they were there, but didn’t care to acknowledge it. But he had to, as he suddenly felt bandaged hands grab him and lift him off the ground into a tight hug.
“I heard the news, you’re a friend!” Knuckles paid no mind to Shadow struggling to get away from his grasp.
“Let me go! I’m not your– Hrk!” It felt like he was getting the life squeezed out of him, and at the same time, the tip of a boomerang was getting shoved in his face. He sighed and gave up struggling once the hug relaxed a bit. His eye moved onto the badger waving a weapon at him.
“Careful with him!” She yelled. “He’s probably got some kinda cave rabies!”
This statement stunned Shadow. Everyone stared for a moment.
“What? Why else do you think he’s so aggressive?” Sticks shrugged her shoulders.
“Cave rabies!?” Shadow retorted. “What?! You’re the one who probably has rabies!”
“Actually, I got the vaccine.”
Shadow rolled his eyes dramatically. “Well I’m certainly not diseased. Will you put me down now?” He eyed around. Sonic got up and brushed sand off himself, he signaled to Shadow, one finger held up.
“Just one more thing, then you’ll be free.” He said.
“Well, what is it?”
The distant sound of a tail-copter drew closer and closer to the group. Tails had returned holding Amy’s hammer, and hiding something behind his back. Amy saw him and got up herself. She was glad to have her hammer back.
“Do you have something for me? What’s going on?” Shadow looked down at Tails as he approached. Tails just stood there and smiled for a second.
“Distract him!” He suddenly shouted.
“What?- Ow!” Shadow felt the blunt bend of a wooden boomerang crash onto his head. He winced and looked at Sticks in anger, successfully distracted. He barely even noticed the click of the object put on his wrist, after which he was freed from Knuckles’ arms. He did notice that the whole team seemed to be giggling at him.
“What?! Why are you..” With a swift movement he finally felt the weight on his right wrist. He brought his arm across his chest so he could take a look at it. Tails jumped up in excitement next to him.
“Your own communicator! I built it out of an old one I had, upgraded it and customized! Do you like it?”
The gadget was simple. It had a black frame and band with dark red accents, the screen was a vibrant orange in the shape of an octagon. It fit snugly over his inhibitor ring. A subtle nod gave Tails his answer.
“But, what’s the meaning of this?”
“Everybody on the team’s got one.” Sonic gestured vaguely to the group around him.
“I’m not–”
“Don’t try and deny, Shadow, you haven’t been that good at hiding it. You wanted a friend, well, now you’ve got five.”
Shadow looked back and forth between the team and his communicator, words failed to form and he was left speechless. A scowl formed on his face, but not out of hatred, it was out of confrontation. He shoved a finger in front of Sonic’s face, who in turn raised his hands in defense.
“Just because I’m your ally now does not mean you get to order me around, got it?” The bite of his words caused Sonic to back up. It was a sudden outburst, but it’s not like they were any stranger to those.
“No-o problem Shads. I’ll try not to mess with ya too much. Welcome to the team either way dude!” Putting back on his lax attitude, Sonic held out his fist for a fist-bump. Shadow stared at it in confusion. Sticks suddenly butted through Knuckles and Amy to explain.
“Team initiation! He tried to do that to me when I first joined but I almost bit his hand off, he said it was close enough..”
“Still have that scar.” Sonic shrugged.
The outstretched fist reminded him of the previous encounter Shadow had with him. How his life had been shifted with a simple invitation. He brought up his hand and clenched it shut before relaxing it in that position. Shadow wouldn’t admit he was excited, but it got the best of him as he connected his fist with Sonic’s a little strong, painfully.
“Ow!” Sonic pulled back his hand as the impact rattled his arm. “Oof, this initiation never works out normally, I swear. Uh, I’m fine, though. You’re on the team, Shadow.”
Short cheers came from the rest of the group, Shadow got another crushing hug albeit a shorter one. This time he cracked a smile, something rare if it was genuine. Tails pointed it out and he turned away in embarrassment.
“Hey, does that mean you won’t beat us up anymore?” Knuckles leaned to the side and forward over Shadow, who looked up at him.
“That, I can’t promise.” He joked, earning a disappointed ‘Aww..’ from Knux, who didn’t get it. Sonic looked amusedly at the celebrating group, even Shadow looked to be having a good time, he almost didn’t believe it. Never thought I’d see him like this. He thought. Sighing, he raised up an arm.
“Who’s up for brunch?” Sonic asked, he garnered a collective agreement.
“Ooh!” Tails jumped, facing Shadow. “I can teach you how to use your communicator over some food, how’s that sound?” He got a nod in return and spun his tails around in excitement, he loved to teach people about his gadgets.
“Let’s go.” Sonic gestured towards the village. As they started to walk, he took a place strolling beside the new team member.
“Ever had Meh Burger, Shadow?”
“No. Is it any good? You seem to eat there every day.”
“...Meh.”