Actions

Work Header

Roomies

Summary:

Shadow returns, Sonic offers him a room.

Chapter Text

Sonic couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

When he was watching tv? Eyes.

When he was cooking with Tom and Maddie? Eyes.

Hell, even when he was racing Knuckles and Tails, eyes. And not from his fellow team members.

He had brought it up to his parents, to which he received an explanation on ‘anxiety’. He gets it. He’s been through a lot, so he might feel a bit on edge as they said. But this wasn’t that. He knows what he’s feeling. He trusts his gut.

One night, when the rest of the household is asleep, he sneaks out into the garden.

Looking up into the sky and down onto the grass. No pesky hiding robots to be found.

He shuffles around through the bushes. Still nothing.

Wait- what was that?

Standing enshrouded in the bushes, Sonic notices something caught on a little branch. A quill. Not his, a black quill. His mind immediately flashes to the hedgehog he had spent a fleeting moment with. The hedgehog who was gone so soon after they just had an epic moment saving the world together. He shakes his head exaggeratedly. He has to focus, there’s a potential stalker on his hands.

He yawns.

Ok, maybe the investigation can continue after a good nights sleep. Sonic trails his way back to the door, his hand reaching for the handlebar when-  “Who goes there?” He calls out. He knows he heard a scurry. Tch, Sonic isn’t scared of whoever this creep is. He straightens up and steps forward. “I said, who goes there? Look, I’m tired and my warm, cozy bed is calling me. Plus I already know you’re there, so might as well come out now!” He waits, eyes darting around. No response. He sighs defeatedly. “Geez whatever, I’m going to sleep.”

After sneaking back into the house and up to his room, the blue blur tucks himself into bed. “Ah my precious bed, I could never get tired of you.” Time for a peaceful sleep!

*Knock knock.*

Sonic grimaced, trying to ignore the noise.

*Knock knock.*

He grips his sheets a little in frustration.

“Knock. knock. knock.”

He springs up. “What?!” He whisper shouts in annoyance. He looks around to his left where his various knick knacks are piled on the floor. He looks around to his right where his window sits, with a black hedgehog staring through.

Wait… what .

“Shadow?!” Sonic practically throws himself forward in shock, before remembering he needs to be quiet. “Ah ah I mean,” he panics struggling to lower his voice, switching to a forced whisper, “Shadow?! What the heck?!”. The black hedgehog only stares back. Sonic’s mind is moving a mile a minute, like, even more so than usual. He then realises he probably needs to open the window. He slides it open.

“Took you long enough-“ The black hedgehog’s words were cut short when blue arms swung around him. “Dude oh my gosh I thought you were-“

Shadow pushes Sonic off.

“Come on, we saved the world together, can’t even do a hug?”

Shadow only sighs, before speaking in his low tone, “I have no where to go.”

”Straight to the point, huh?” Sonic switches to a serious demeanour and ponders for a moment. His eyes light up. “You could-!”

“No.” Shadow interrupts, “I’m not staying in your house.”

“Dude, why not?! Tom and Maddie are like the nicest people ever.”

“And the fox? And the echidna? I’m not a part of your team Sonic, nor do I want to be.”

“Geez you’re cold as ever. But, why come here then?” Sonic tilts his head in confusion.

Shadow looks away. This surprises Sonic. But somehow, just from that, Sonic understands. Maybe because he’s been there before…

“You were… up in space your entire life. And now, you’re here on a new planet.” Sonic’s heart drops a little, as he remembers when he first arrived on Earth. He was so lost, and so alone. “But… you’re not alone.” He continues, “So you don’t have to live here, but until we figure something out…” Sonic steps to the side, holding his arm out to his room. An invitation to Shadow.

There’s silence for a few seconds, and the blue blur himself is completely still.

Shadow steps forward and climbs through the window. Sonic shuts the window behind him, then inches around to come face to face with Shadow again.

“Sooo… we’re roomies!”

“What?!” Shadow was genuinely startled.

“Yea don’t worry, I’ve got air con in here and everything!” Sonic puts his hand on Shadow’s shoulder. Shadow slaps it away.

“I am not sharing a room with you. I’ll sleep on the couch, or whatever.”

“Ah ah ah.” Sonic wags his finger with a sly smile. “Tom and Maddie aren’t gonna like that!”

“Damn.” Shadow’s eyes widened slightly.

“Cmon man, rooming with me can’t be that bad.” Sonic crosses his arms and pouts.

“No- those… parents of yours.” Shadow responds.

Sonic takes note of Shadow’s clenched fists. Who does he think Tom and Maddie are? Why is he so… nervous?

“Hey, I told you, humans don’t get nicer than Tom and Maddie.”

Shadow’s eyes narrow.

“N-nicer than Tom and Maddie and Maria!” Sonic corrects himself. “So let’s just go to sleep, and tell them the sitch in the morning.”

“Tch, fine.”

“Oo-kay!” Sonic gives a thumbs up and jumps back into bed.

Shadow stands there like a sopping wet cat.

“Oh, right.” Sonic says, shuffling over to the left side of his bed. “Okay, come on in.” He stares back at Shadow with wide eyes, blinking innocently. Shadow sighs with reluctance. He walks over and lays down at the very edge of the bed. The two hedgehogs face opposite directions.

“Hey, Shadow?”

“What.”

“Why didn’t you come to my window in the first place? I know you’ve been watching me for a few days now.” Sonic asks earnestly.

Shadow doesn’t respond. Sonic figures he won’t.

“Goodnight, Shadow.”