Chapter Text
Ch.1 “Too Smart for Your Own Good”
It had been a long time since he was able to have some time for himself. Between fighting Eggman, hoarding around with his friends, and making updates to his plane, he could never find the time. So least to say, Tails was quite happy for some peach and quiet for once. He loved his friends and kicking tin cans as much as the next guy but everyone needs a break from it every once in a while.
Tails was still up when it was getting late, about four hours into the night, working on some blueprints for his next invention. He scratched his head slightly with his pencil when there was a knock at the door of his workshop.
“Hey Tails, I’m gonna be hitting the hay.” Sonic yawned at the doorway, “Be sure to not stay up too late, kay? We like seeing you bright eyed and bushy tails-ed.” He smiled a bit at the fox.
Tails nodded and smiled at the other, “Yep! I’m just finishing up a few more details before heading to bed!” He reassured, “Night, Sonic!”
Sonic ruffled his hair like a big brother would before leaving Tails’ workshop to let him finish up and sleep. Tails did indeed plan to keep his promise but sometimes time just slips away too fast when you’re a creative genius.
It wasn’t until a couple of hours into the night that Tails began to yawn. With that, he remembered what he had promised Sonic. He sighed and was finally able to force himself away from his work desk, feeling the exhaustion begin to hit him. Though just as he was about to take his goggles off, he heard the door open and shut.
Tails looked over at the door of the shop before lifting his goggles, ”Yeah I’m heading to bed now-” There was no one at the door. He turned around, “Uh.. Sonic?” He called out, seeing no one around him.
He got up to look around a little, “Sticks?” Who else could be up this late? “Knuckles?” He glanced up at the second floor of the building. No one? Was he just imagining it? Maybe his consciousness was telling him that it really was time to head to bed.
Taking one more unsettling look around, he turned back to his desk but immediately saw the intruder. Tails gasped but Shadow was quick to cover his mouth before he could scream and wake up the whole island.
“Do not. Scream.” Shadow glared at the Fox with burning red eyes, “Don’t call for help and don’t try to fight.” His voice was firm yet calm enough to tell the child he wasn’t here to harm anyone… yet, “I’m not going to hurt you, but if you get anyone involved, I will destroy everything here in the next minute.” Shadow threatened, “Nod if you understand and will follow these instructions.” He sneered.
Tails nodded quickly and truthfully.
Shadow hesitated but slowly removed his hand.
Tails let out the breath he had been holding in and sat down to calm his trembling legs, “Wh-Why are you here?” Tails asked, a bit cautious of the new hedgehog. Not entirely new but still unfamiliar enough. He couldn’t even remember the last time they spoke or even fought against each other. Shadow usually only picked fights with Sonic.
Shadow growled lowly and folded his arms, not liking the question it seemed, “You were the only one I could think of to go to. Possibly the less annoying one as well.” He shifted his weight to one foot, “It appears that… I possibly… may have… an illness of some sorts.” Shadow avoided looking at Tails, not liking that he had to tell someone like Tails that he was in such a condition.
Tails raised a brow, “Some chicken soup and rest should help-”
“You don’t understand!” Shadow raised his voice but quickly corrected it, “You don’t understand, Fox. I don’t get sick.” He glared at him more.
Tails rolled his eyes at how dramatic he was being, “Everyone gets sick once in a while, Shadow. It’s completely normal.”
“I’m not normal!”
“You can say that again…” Tails mumbled under his breath.
Shadow gave him loathing glare as a growl rumbled from him.
“Sorry…” Tails winced, not wanting Shadow to kill him or worse… destroy his workshop. But the guy did walk into that one.
Shadow slicked back his dark quills with a long irritated sigh, “I’m not like ‘everyone’.” Shadow continued, “I wasn’t… I’m not exactly…” He hummed in frustration, appearing like he didn’t want to explain himself to this extent, “The point is! I’m sick and I need a diagnosis! You’re the only fool on or around this blasted island that I can stand and possibly trust!” He pointed at Tails.
Huh. As aggressive as that outburst was, Tails couldn’t help but feel like it was a compliment. Shadow couldn’t stand anyone as far as Tails knew. He needed a doctor and he could understand why he wouldn’t want to go to Robotnik after everything. Against his better judgement, Tails nodded, “Okay, okay, come back tomorrow and we’ll start with taking samples and vitals and stuff like that.” He got up to give Shadow his contact.
That seemed like it was enough to relieve some tension off of Shadow, “Good. But if you dare tell anyone-”
“Yeah yeah yeah, you’ll destroy my workshop.” Tails gave him an unimpressed look, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. But if they do find out on their own, don’t blame me.” He folded his arms with a slight glare of his own.
“If anyone finds out I’ll make sure-”
“Do anything and you’ll have to deal with this sickness on your own.” He smiled, seeing as how he now had the upper hand on the situation. The fear he had was only of shock, but now that he knew what was going on, he had dealt with worse.
Shadow lowered his ears as he gritted his teeth with a seething glare, finding himself in the Fox’s mercy. He put the contact information in his communicator furiously, “Fine! Too smart for your own good.” He grumbled, pushing past Tails to leave, teleporting away when he was far enough.
When the intruder was gone, Tails let out a long sigh of relief as he fell back in his chair. He really was too smart for his own good. He finally had a moment to himself and now he was stuck helping Shadow. Of all people in the world. But Shadow must be really sick if he has to resort to asking him for help. He just hoped that Shadow wouldn’t get him sick at the end of all this.