Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s almost comical – seeing a killing machine handle flowers with such delicacy. Far too sharp claws gently thread the stems, bending them into a shape. It’s almost peaceful.

Amy observes silently; the flower crown she made as an example on her knees, paws cradle its sides.

Metal Sonic is really something else.

She used to love Sonic – the hero of Mobius – more than the world. Years upon years piled up, but she was willing to chase. And if her legs gave in, she was willing to crawl. As long as the blue hedgehog was within her reach.

When it came to love, she loved with her whole heart.

How did a feeling this strong disappear, she wasn’t sure. It was there for years, biting at her lungs, heavy on her heart. And then it wasn’t. Almost suddenly, the love of her life was too far away for her to even have hope of catching up. For anyone to catch up, if that mattered. Maybe it was the pain, maybe the will, but the dreams of dates and future melted into childhood hopes. The hero was no longer the ideal partner she held between her ribs, just another friend. And dear Chaos, did the boulder on her shoulders lift, when she looked at Sonic and no tears gathered in her eyes.

Metal is different.

Were she loved Sonic’s free spirit, Metal is shackled. Were Sonic cared for the lives of others, Metal doesn’t hesitate to end them. Where Sonic was soft, Metal is sharp.

He’s so different to what she poured her love into previously, but she can’t help herself.

Because the robot tries to be good. For the short time she knew him, really knew him, he was a delightful companion. Attentive, gentle, almost kind.

He tries his best and sits by Amy’s side making flower crowns instead of running as far away as he can. She never considered that maybe running wasn’t her thing – that maybe she never really liked it – before now.

Red petals spill onto his cold artificial paws with each flower he picks up. The stems break and slip past his claws, but he remains determined. Something in his eyes screams, I can be good- I, too, deserve to be better. And the same something pushes her to believe it.

He’s almost done. The crown is uneven, half of the petals are missing and the sharp edges are more than visible. It’s a work of art.

Metal is a work of art. Which is a weird thought, because back then, when she was in love with Sonic, the most she thought of his appearance was his handsomeness.

Looking at Metal before, she would call him scary. Terrifying, unsettling, uncanny- now, all she can think of is how pretty his paint’s shade looks under the sun. How dignified the claws are. The beauty of his eyes.

Nothing about him is handsome – really, a total opposite.

Metal adjusts the last flower, before something like pride crosses his posture. Amy got really good at reading him. He seems to be contemplating what to do, even if only for a moment, before turning towards her. Arms outstretched, he hands her his first creation. Offers her the first masterpiece of many to come.

Her eyes widen in surprise, before soft smile spreads across her muzzle. Ear to ear, the corners of her mouth rise as she bows.

Metal takes it as a cue. He puts the crown on her head, and it’s uncomfortable; it prickles her scalp and tugs at her quills. It fits her perfectly.

“Thank you!” she looks up, letting go of the crown she made for the sake of holding onto the one on her head. “I love it!”

Metal looks away, almost bashfully. He nods slightly – barely noticeably – and it’s all the encouragement Amy needs to laugh in amusement.

How cute, she thinks as Metal shakes his head. He’s clearly not as bothered by her reaction as he pretends to be. He looks pleased, on the contrary.

The light bounces off his metallic body, the hues almost make her think of Sonic, but it’s Metal who sits by her side. It’s Metal who makes her chest tighten as their eyes meet for too long.

She takes in a deep breath, words she shared with other people countless times stick to her throat, but she has to say them. She can say them. And deep inside, she feels there will be no chasing involved this time.

I really, she thinks right before speaking, really hope he thinks I’m pretty too.

Chapter Text

Amy looks over her shoulder, frowning, as someone’s gaze seem to be burning holes in her back. No one is there though. A sigh leaves her mouth, then a chuckle. It was familiar – she would think it’s Metal had he not been seated in front of her.

He tilts his head confused when her eyes go back to him.

“It’s nothing,” she brings the straw in her drink closer to her mouth.

Metal nods slowly, then picks up his notebook, gloved claw pointing at freshly written words.

‘You appear pretty in that dress. Orange suits you.’

“Aww!” she squeezes her cheeks with a wide grin, feeling her face heat up. “Thank you! You’re so sweet!”

Although his expression is forever frozen, Metal appears pleased with her reaction. Briefly he stares at the spot Amy was looking at, before grabbing the pen again.

Behind the building, right next to the spot of interest, tensely stood three inorganic beings.

“That was close,” Cubot raises a finger. His mouth quickly get covered.

“It would appear so,” Orbot takes back his hand. “Please lower your volume. Big bro may hear.”

“Right, I will,” the volume is not lowered.

Orbot sighs then turns to Sage.

“What should we do lil’ sis?” his posture slumps a bit in uncertainty.

Sage pinches her chin thoughtfully, eyes closed, before speaking up.

“I suggest we contact father,” she nods to herself, ready to call him.

“Wouldn’t that make big bro angry, though?” Cubot chimes in before she can do anything more.

“His loyalty programming seems to be malfunctioning,” she brushed him off, matter-of-factly. “We need to fix that soon.”

And despite her words, she still hesitates. Because Metal is with an enemy, and he looks happy- well, as happy as an emotionless robot can look. Sage is so sure he needs repairs but something outside her code stops her from making the decision.

Throughout the day, Orbot and Cubot assisted her in observing Eggman’s oldest machine. She found it suspicious that Metal suddenly wanted to go out, so frequently too. Obviously, she had to know why. It was her duty as a daughter, as a sister and most importantly as Robotnik’s creation.

So she watched, just out of sight, ever since Metal Sonic left in the morning. As he picked out flowers, then handed them to the pink hedgehog – Amy Rose; enemy – when she arrived. How the two held paws, gentler than she ever imagined possible with claws as sharp as his. The two hedgehogs window shopped for a bit, took a walk through the park, then sat down in a cafe – one getting a drink, the other content just being in her presence.

And now, after witnessing all this, Sage is hesitant. She does not understand why (she’ll have to ask father to check her code), but her fingers hoover over the call option.

“Big bro!” a panicked voice of Cubot startles her out of her conflict.

Sure enough, as she turns around, Metal Sonic stands before the three of them. His shadow falls onto the trio, and Cubot cowers behind Orbot. Metal’s arms are folded, claws tap against the steel impatiently. He stares down at them, almost disapprovingly, as another figure peeks out from behind him.

“Fancy seeing you two here! A beautiful day for a walk!” Orbot smiles, words leave him way too fast.

“Right! We definitively did not follow you two since big bro left the base!” Cubot chirps in, never leaving his hiding spot. The robot in front of him facepalms with a sigh.

Amy, now standing next to Metal, raises a brow at them. That only makes them back away further.

“We were not trying to spy!” Orbot tries to deescalate the situation.

“We just wanted to check the reason for Metal Sonic’s sudden change of routine,” Sage adds, at which the two small robots nod vigorously.

Amy’s paw flings towards her mouth as laughter bursts out of her chest. She grabs Metal’s shoulder to support herself as she hunches over.

“Oh my,” she wipes a tear away, “that’s so cute!” her head turns towards Metal, “They’re so cute!”

All four inorganic beings stare at her questioningly. It takes her a few seconds to calm down, but when she does, Orbot is the one who dares to speak up.

“So… you’re not angry?” there’s hope in his voice.

“Oh no, we are,” she responds with a smile, “but, I’ll forgive this once since it’s so sweet how worried you are. What about you think Metal?”

His eyes seem to narrow at the trio, but he shakes his head, signaling he’ll let it go. For now at least.

Amy smiles at him and pecks his cheek. He turns his head away bashfully, gaining a giggle from his date.

“The boys did the same thing on our first date,” she reminisces, glancing at the trio before them.

Metal seems to be annoyed at the mention of her friends, his shoulders sagging as if he was sighing.

Amy intertwines their arms, then looks at the Eggman’s creations once again.

“We’re gonna go now,” she states with an almost sweet smile, if not a bit sharp. “Make sure to not be caught again, if you have to follow.”

Sage doesn’t pay her any mind, instead searching for something in Metal’s eyes. She’s met with a stare of the same intensity. They stand like this, until Amy tugs on Metal’s arm. At the same moment, Sage seems to have found what she was looking for, nodding thoughtfully.

The two hedgehogs take off, back towards their abandoned table. Paw in paw, Amy already giddily trails onto a new topic.

The trio looks after them silently, until they are sitting again.

“So…” Orbot scratches his head, “do we call the Doctor?”

Sage slightly shakes her head.

“No need,” her eyes never leave the two, “as long as he fights for us, we can overlook this misbehavior.”

Chapter Text

For a moment, he hesitates. His paw hangs in the air as he reconsiders his choice. He didn’t tell Amy he’ll be visiting, and although she liked surprises, was it really fine to show up unannounced? What if she was out of the house? What if she was busy?

Before he can make up his mind, the door open. Small rabbit looks up at him – Cream, his database supplements – and behind her stands Amy. Both mobians stare at him surprised.

He opts to waving his already raised paw. For a moment the rabbit seems scared, but realization – the fact he was not a threat right now – strikes her quickly.

Cream nods in silent understanding, before turning to Amy.

“I’m really sorry,” she carefully walks past Metal, ”Mother-”

“I understand,” Amy pushes her lightly, although there’s a disappointed glint in her eyes. “Really, we can just plan it again on another day.”

“But we were in the middle-” there’s guilt on Cream’s face.

“It’s really alright,” the hedgehog reassures her, but she still hesitates for a moment more before walking away.

“I’ll call you later!” she calls over her shoulder and springs down the street.

Amy waves until she’s out of sight, even if the girl doesn’t see. Metal, too, looks at her back until she’s no longer visible. Then his eyes wander towards the person he came to see. She looks at him as well, unsure smile plastered over her face.

“Sorry about that,” she gestures to invite him inside, so he walks in. “What brings you here?”

Metal scratches his cheek – a habit he developed from people on TV while watching it with Amy – and brings out his notebook.

‘You stated “I like surprises” the last time we met,’ he writes.

The grin of Amy’s face widens, morphs into something more genuine, and she leans forwards to plant a kiss on the steel cheek.

“Thank you! I really do!” She’s about to grab Metal’s paw, but stops. Her usual gloves are gone, changed into rubbery ones, and covered in dough. “Sorry!” she pulls away. “We were making cookies, but Vanilla really needed Cream to go back home.” She makes her way back into the kitchen with a sigh, “I really hope it’s nothing serious.”

Metal scribbles something, and almost pushes the notebook into Amy’s face.

‘I will help,’ he states rather than offers.

Amy giggles, grateful, wordlessly guiding him to the counter and grabs a bowl with one paw, kneads the dough with the other.

“Bring the pan out then,” she instructs, “then cover it with baking paper.”

Metal obliges. In few swift motions he’s done, and as he puts it down on the stove, his eyes catch the sight of a cooking book. It’s opened on the recipe for pumpkin cookies. Quickly he analyzes its contests, and even before Amy can ask him to, he turns the oven on.

After a few minutes, Amy nods to herself, deciding the dough is ready.

“Can you form the cookies for me?” she turns around towards Metal, an apologetic smile on her muzzle. “I need to make the dough for the chocolate chips next.”

Again, Metal obliges. He helped her with cookies before, a few times actually. It’s not his favorite activity, but he likes to be helpful. Grabbing the ice cream spoon, he scoops the dough and puts it on the pan; repeatedly, until there’s no space left.

As the cookies bake, he goes back to observe Amy doing her part. When she adds butter, her gaze catches his, and her concentrated frown melts into a grin.

“It’s for a party- the cookies,” she fills him in. “I told the Chaotix I can bake some for Charmy’s birthday. Cream wanted to help, but well- you’ve seen how that worked out.”

Metal nods, then taps his claws against the counter. ‘Do you need more help?’ asks the tilt of his head.

“Just keep an eye on the cookies,” she chuckles, begining kneading again.

Crouching in front of the oven, he starts to wonder why? Why does he like helping with things like these? He can’t eat the cookies. He doesn’t know the Chaotix detectives well enough to like or hate them. He doesn’t know any of the people he helped to bake for well enough to like or hate them. But there must be a reason. He can’t place it, the gears turn inside his head, as he tries to make sense of this weird obedience.

Amy crouches next to him, suddenly, startling him out of his thoughts. Her tongue pokes out as she squints, trying to have a good look at the cookies. He wants to tell her that she should really get her eyes checked.

“I think they should be ready!” before she can reach out for mittens, Metal pulls the pan out. She blinks, almost surprised, then clasps her paws together, “Thank you!”

The corners of her eyes crinkle, cheeks flush slightly as another wide grin spreads across her face.

Oh. That was the reason. The realization is sudden, but not all that shocking. He’s not a stranger to the subconscious picture he takes – the want to remember her every smile. A part of him wishes he could give her one of his own.

The moment passes quickly, even if Metal’s mind lingers on it for a long while. Amy stands up, puts the cookies into a bowl, and asks Metal to help her with another batch. And how can he say ‘no’ when the smile never leaves her face?

Chapter Text

She can hardly breathe, back leaning against the wall. Steel creeps up her skin at a steady pace, cold and foreign. Her legs gave out a few minutes ago, her paws already too heavy too rise up. She didn’t have long.

Damn it, she grits her teeth, if only Tails payed more attention. As soon as the thought crosses her mind, guilt drowns it. He wasn’t at fault, it was her choice to shield him – Tails was just a child under too much stress. Still, bitterness of the aftermath latched onto her like bur to fur.

At least the rest of the Restoration left safely with all the data Tails needed for the cure. She had to beg them to grab the fox and run. The baby blue eyes hasn’t left her mind since then – it’s really hard to believe only a few minutes had passed.

Some leader she was, another bitter thought invades her mind. She really hopes whoever takes her place now will be more capable. Maybe they will get Knuckles to help them? He did well with the Resistance.

Something approaches her, its steps loud and heavy. As she looks up, she expects to see a zombot, but her eyes widen in surprise.

Metal stands above her, red irises pierce right through her soul as if searching for something. They stare at each other, distant clanks and raggedy breaths are the only things cutting their silence. Amy can feel the steel consume her skin. Her elbows, her chest, become heavier.

The robot above her tilts his head, and something snaps inside her. Something breaks and tears through her throat, towards freedom.

“What are you looking at, huh?” she spats out, and the echo makes her flinch. Part of her wonders if the people who just left could hear it. Hopefully not.

Metal doesn’t respond, he can’t, just stares. It’s worse than if he were to laugh out loud.

“Go away!” she can’t shoo him away with her paw, but she would. “Leave!”

He doesn’t.

“Is this so funny to you?!” tears gather in the corners of her eyes. “Look at the poor little Amy Rose who worked so hard to be strong but can’t even lift her own body now!” she laughs mockingly. Angrily. Numb where the steel ate her, she can’t do much else than feel while still able.

Cold sharp claws land on her head gently, and scratch behind her ears in an attempt at comfort. The shock brings her back to reality. Why is he…?

She looks up at Metal in surprise, but doesn’t get an answer. His face unreadable as always, stuck forever the same. Just like hers will be soon. She can feel blood rush to her cheeks as she realizes her outburst.

“Sorry,” even if she wants to wipe her tears away, she can’t. Instead, she averts her gaze, “It wasn’t nice of me, was it?”

Metal doesn’t respond in any way, he just keeps patting her head.

“Really, I’m sorry,” her eyelids feel heavy. “You didn’t do anything- well, not at this moment-” she tries to articulate herself, “Right now, you didn’t do anything to deserve me blowing up like that.”

She’s really tired. More than she remembers ever being.

Something moves next to her and, oh, Metal joined her on the ground. He sits down by her side, eyes never leave her form. He looks almost kind.

Maybe it’s the last act of kindness she’ll ever receive. She wants to cry again, but the tears seem stuck.

Metal puts his paw in her quills again, and brings her head onto his shoulder. It’s sharp, uncomfortable and the warmest she’d feel before turning completely. She doesn’t fight it – her body far too heavy for that – instead, leans into it.

It would be nice if Metal was always like this. If she got to see him like that when she was in her right mind. She used to find him scary, she used to feel bad for him; now she wishes to actually know him.

“Thanks,” closing her eyes, she mutters. Somewhere in the distance she can hear an aircraft – the Restoration is leaving for safety. The corners of her mouth rise a little, as she takes in a shallow breath, but does not let it out.

What leans on Metal Sonic is no longer Amy Rose.

Chapter Text

The coffee table is littered with bolts and wrenches of different sizes. Other tools sit in the toolbox on the couch to Amy’s right side, to her left sits Metal Sonic.

She stares into the book, rereading the paragraph for the fourth time, before she finally tightens a screw on the severed arm. There are no Metal-specific instructions, so she has to DIY her way through the repairs. Her paws tremble as she goes back to the book, to find another excerpt she can apply to her current situation.

Neither of the two look at the other, both upset over their current positions.

Metal sneaks glances at Amy, but turns away whenever she catches his gaze. One set of claws is curled into a fist on his knees – had both his arms were attached to his body, they’d be folded. Only whirring of his engine breaks the silence between them, but it does nothing to the tension.

As Amy lifts a panel to check on the wires, her patience is running thin. She zaps herself as she connects a cable that fell out of place, but makes no sound. Metal looks at her again, then avoids her eyes when she notices him.

“What is your problem?” she snaps.

Metal doesn’t grace her with a response. Instead, he leans further into the couch.

Amy sighs frustrated, and skims further to find some useful information. Her finger traces words until something catches her attention. Underneath the fragment she stopped at is a picture familiar to how the mechanism in Metal’s elbow looks.

Again, she feels eyes on the back of her head.

“If you have something to tell me then just do so!” involuntarily, she growls.

Metal glares at her, offended, paw reaches towards his voice-box-less throat.

“You know what I mean,” her fingers tighten around the book.

He contemplates for a moment, claws twitch unsure, but decides to remain silent.

“So what? You’re gonna ignore me until I’m done?” she lets the book fall onto the floor, as she turns her whole body towards him. “We wouldn’t be here had you been more careful!”

The battle was rough. Team Sonic was late, which meant most of the fight was on her and Metal. The robot Eggman bought was new, strong and big. Too difficult to defeat when it was just the two of them. Amy swung her hammer, the big robot swung its arm – just before the two could collide, Metal pushed her aside. His arm landed a few meters away, while she rolled into some debris. Both were down in a matter of seconds, and adrenaline was the only thing that helped Amy get herself and Metal to safety.

Team Sonic arrived right after, with some assistance, and the rest was history.

Metal sends her another glare, pointing at her sprained wrist. Hypocrite.

Her face flushes, but the anger is stronger.

“I could have parried that attack!” she scoffs, and returns to the task at hand. Then, mumbling, she adds, “It’s almost healed anyway...”

Unimpressed, Metal stares at her for a moment longer, before averting his gaze again.

The silence stretches further. Amy works slowly but steadily, and the guilt settles at the bottom of her stomach the longer she multitasks. In truth, she’s not even that upset at Metal. He tried to help her. Yet, there’s a pressure in her throat; she’s stronger now, she can fight her own battles.

It takes a few more slight burns from messing with the wires, before she can screw the arm back on. Metal sits patiently, visibly conflicted, while she doesn’t even try to meet his eyes.

As she does the final adjustments, Metal starts to feel confident enough to try moving his newly fixed limb. His claws clench, and as Amy pulls her paws away, he bends his elbow.

Amy finally looks at him, as if to ask ‘does it work well?’, to which he nods.

The silence lasts for a bit longer, until Amy makes the decision to break it.

“Sorry,” she sighs, hiding her face in her paws. “I didn’t mean to blow up at you like that. I was just- sorry.” Her eyes are fixated on the ground, until he taps her shoulder.

He shakes his head and reaches for his notebook.

‘I’m sorry too,’ messily, he scribbles down. ‘I was upset. You put yourself in line of fire again. We talked about it,’ he scolds.

“Oh, come on!” she groans, but her tone is much more lighthearted than before. “You know I don’t like when you step between me and an attack.”

‘Someone has to take care of you, if you won’t do it yourself,’ Amy can almost imagine him scoffing.

“But I do! I told you I could’ve parried it!” she huffs.

‘Your injury still isn’t healed,’ he points out. Then adds, ‘How’s the bruising?’

“It’s fine. You didn’t even push me that hard,” she waves him off dismissively.

Metal’s shoulders visibly tense, but he doesn’t retort, instead writing something else.

‘Let’s agree to disagree,’ he offers.

Amy considers for a bit, before nodding. A smile spreads across her face as this time, the quietness between them is far more comfortable.

Chapter Text

Amy stands in front of the mall, nervously shifting her weight from one leg to the other. Her fingers play with the charms attached to her purse as she waits. Periodically, she checks the time and glances around.

Sure enough, Metal Sonic approaches a few minutes later. He waves at her, and she can’t help the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Thank you for coming!” she grabs his paw tightly when he’s at her side. “I need some help with choosing summer outfits. The weather this year is supposed to be terrible, and I forgot to properly store my clothes last year,” with a heavy sigh, she remembers the holes she found in her favorite skirt. Moths. She adjusts her bag and pulls Metal towards the entrance, “I also wanted to stop by the bakery and get a cake, since Blaze is visiting tomorrow.”

The mall is massive. Three sets of moving stairs are visible from their position, all filled with humans and mobians alike. People walk around chattering, to each other and on their phones. Some who pass them eye Metal suspiciously, but as soon as he glares back their pace quickens. Amy wants to laugh at the reaction. Serves them right, a part of her cackles. Another part does understand where they are coming from.

Stores are lined up, giant lighted up signs would give Amy a headache has she not been used to them. Metal stares at them curiously, carefully analyzing each one. So cute, Amy thinks and tightens her grip on his paw. A part of her, one she tries to bury under confidence, is anxious. What if he’ll be bored? She doesn’t actually have many friends who enjoy shopping. She tries her best to swallow the worries, but they linger at the back of her mind as she keeps watching Metal’s reactions.

Hopefully she’s as good at reading him as she thinks.

They walk around for a few minutes, staring at the displays in silence. Metal points at a bakery as they pass it, tugging on Amy’s arm, but she just chuckles.

“I want to go in before leaving,” she explains.

Metal nods, although he doesn’t understand why, since it would be the most convenient to go now.

Fingers interlocked, the two explore further. Some two piece outfits catch Amy’s attention, but intuition screamed at her dresses would be a better choice, so she doesn’t linger on those too much. She asks Metal to keep an eye on light colors, when she notices him staring at clothes she looked at before.

So cute, she giggles to herself.

They end up spending a few hours inside the mall. Metal, despite all her worries, looks like he enjoys shopping. He has much better taste than she expected, too. She tries dress after dress, shop after shop, and picks up nine dresses. Cute clothes make a cute girl, she tells Metal as they leave their last stop. Smile doesn’t disappear off her face as the two bags hang on her arm – Metal offers to carry them, but she’s used to carrying her own things. If anything, the training with Knuckles paid off.

Metal reminds her to stop by the bakery. Amy had the cake ordered a few days prior, so it doesn’t even take five minutes before they’re out.

Right before leaving the mall altogether, she stops abruptly.

“Wait outside! Just a minute!” she lets go of Metal’s paw, and runs back in without explaining.

He stares after her, confused, but obliges.

She’s back, as she would usually laugh, “sonic-speed”. Huge grin on her face as she hides her free paw. Metal averts his eyes for a moment, and something clinks against his temple.

Amy put something on it.

He reaches towards the thing – it’s a magnet.

“Here,” Amy pulls out a hand mirror, so he can take a look.

It’s flower shaped. Yellow and orange hues on the petals – a pretty thing, delicate for sure. He retracts his claws as if they got burned, as if he could to kill the little piece of mostly plastic.

“It suits you,” as bright as day, oblivious, Amy compliments him.

He tilts his head questioningly.

“It’s a thank you gift!” the corners of her eyes crinkle as her smile widens. “For joining me today.”

Metal nods slowly, and looks away, embarrassed. Happy above all else.

They part ways right after. No further conversation, just a ‘goodbye, see you later’, although both are bitter that their hang out ends like this.

As Amy watches him disappear into the clouds above, she hopes they can go on another date soon.

Chapter Text

Metal does not understand love.

He does understand the concept of it. He’d seen it first hand; mothers shielding their children from him, the couples holding each other as he towered over them. His loathsome copy and the fox he dragged around. That little rabbit girl and her pet. Even the Ultimate Lifeform – who he used to think was above such things (if only by being a so-called Ultimate Lifeform) – seemed so full of love.

His creator, by all means, loved his creations too. Differently than one would a child, or a partner, or anything really. But it was love in its own way.

He understands the concept, he doesn’t understand the feeling itself.

So many books told him that love made one feel warm, think irrationally. Made one want to be better, kinder. Articles upon articles said one would know it’s love when they’ll feel it. People said it will be obvious, it will be as clear as day – because it’s love.

Amy Rose is one of those people. So full of love, she’s an enigma. A case to crack open.

She smiles and blushes, and Metal knows that what she feels is love. Because she doesn’t feel shame in being open about experiencing it, about sharing it. When she was chasing around his loathsome copy, or when she holds his paw, her feelings are obvious and honest and stubborn.

Almost as bright as the sun, she’s objectively the most beautiful living being.

Metal does not understand love. He’s not sure if he even is capable of it. But watching Amy laugh her heart out, wipe the tears off the corners of her eyes as the smile lingers – what he sees in her when their eyes meet is surely the closest he’ll ever be to loving someone.