Work Text:
Friday, 5pm
With the sunset rays seeping through the half-closed curtain. A calm day of making new inventions coming to an end and the warmth of an early summer evening. Tails sits on the chair of his workbench, sketching out a new blueprint of a plane.
The peaceful quiet– interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Tails calls out to the visitor. With a creak of the door, Sonic walks partially through the doorway and leans his body on the frame.
“So I’m going to be going on a solo mission this week; I think it would be best if you could have someone to take care of you while I’m gone,” as he keeps talking, the anxiety in Sonics voice makes itself clear– as well as the displeasure on Tails’ face. “So Shadow is going to be babysitting you.”
An agitated groan leaves Tails’ mouth unprompted, “Really? Couldn't Amy or knuckles babysit me?” Tails questioned, he would even take Vector if they couldn’t
“I’m sorry bro– I’ve reached out to everyone, and they’re all doing something and wouldn’t be able to take care of you.” Sonic walks over to Tails’ bed and sits himself on top of the comforter. “Shadow was the only one who would be able to be there the whole time.”
While Sonic knew that Tails and Shadow didn’t quite get along– there was no other option and he didn’t just want him to be alone for a week! It wasn’t the ideal situation for anyone but this was a solo mission– meaning no one else was even allowed to come.
All Sonic could do is hope that they would either get along, or just not talk to each other– he’ll have to pray that by the end of the week they’ll both be unharmed by the time he comes back.
_______
Saturday, 12pm
Shadow did not want to be here right now. The only reason he’s here is because Sonic has no other people to help. While he didn’t care about either of them– he couldn’t just have the safety of Tails in jeopardy– what if he burns shit down!
He idled in front of their door for a few minutes, dreading the fate that rests on the other side– but eventually he just has to get it over with. After ringing the doorbell, ten-seconds go past without a sign of life.
Then 20.
Then 30.
Then a minute.
Eventually Shadow just gives up and opens the door. When Sonic had come by to ask him to babysit he had given Shadow a key to the house– just in case Tails was being like this and didn’t want to open the door for him.
This was his first time in the pair's house and it was– surprising, to say the least. Shadow didn’t really know what he was expecting, maybe a complete mess, maybe with the walls covered in photos of Sonic– but this definitely wasn’t even close to that.
It seemed just like any normal home. The walls were a dark, navy, sort of blue with white tiles coating the floor. There was a shoe rack by the entrance that held a lonely pair of shoes. On the top of that rack held a small polaroid picture, one of the Sonic and Tails and the caption “BB4E: Best Brothers 4 Ever”
That’s a dumb abbreviation.
Shadow kicks off his shoes and makes his way further into the house– one that held no sign of anybody there, no squeaks breached the quiet other than Shadow’s own steps.
Passing the entryway he finds himself in the kitchen. Sonic must’ve cleaned it before leaving because there are zero signs of any sort of eating being done here– and opening the fridge did not help their case.
In their almost bare fridge, there's only a can of chili and stuff to make chili dogs. Shadow knew that Sonic mostly ate chilidogs but he didn’t know that it was this bad. ‘He really needs to expand his palate.’ Shadow thought.
Closing the fridge and continuing his way through the house, he found a door with a capital ‘T’ on it. ‘That must be Tails’ room’ Shadow thought out loud, only loud enough for himself to hear. Instead of checking on him– he assumed he wanted to be alone– Shadow found the living room and made himself at home there.
Shadow knew that Tails didn’t like him. Tails made that very clear every time they talked. He could respect that– the two of them didn’t get along and that was perfectly fine. Not everyone has to like each other.
He found himself drifting to sleep on the couch– not without keeping an ear out for any movement or sign that Tails would come out of his room.
______
Saturday, 6pm
Tails still hadn’t come out of his room. Shadow knew that he was in there– he had heard him rustle around and of course many loud machine sounds– but he still hadn’t left his room, not even for water or to use the bathroom.
Of course Tails couldn’t isolate all day, eventually he came out– clearly not doing his best.
“What do you want to eat?” Shadow asked. He could tell that Tails was hypoglycemic– he was obviously shaking and stumbling out of his room– unable to keep his balance.
“Huh?” Tails squeaked out. “I can’t eat anything we have– I’ll be okay.” Even if he said he was okay, Shadow could tell that he would fall over at any second– his body was rocking back and forth and Tails was forced to grab onto the door frame when he stumbled from just standing up.
Shadow sat up before repeating, “What do you want to eat?” But tails still didn’t fully process the words he was hearing. “Would you like a hotdog bun?” Shadow offered.
Tails shook his head, “I don’t like them– they taste wrong.” While Shadow didn’t struggle with that feeling, Maria had. She would always say that “it didn’t taste right” or “was wrong” for foods that were perfectly fine– but she still refused to eat them and would freak out if she was made to.
“Would you like to go to the store with me or pick out something for me to make for you and I’ll get the ingredients for it?” Shadow suggested. That was what he had done with Maria when she said nothing there was edible– that normally worked to find a safe food for her.
Tails nodded before he wobbled over to the couch before giving it a death grip to balance himself from the approximately six foot distance he traveled. Shadow could tell that it was really bad.
Shadow quickly got up and made his way to the kitchen counter, grabbing a small pack of mints that were left there. He walked over to where tails had finally sat down and offered up mints that he had sprinkled in his hand.
Tails grabbed them as quick as he could– which wasn’t super quick but that didn’t matter. Shadow knew that they had some sugar in them and that would help in the short-term– at least enough so that he could walk like a normal person. “Thanks,” Tails whispered– barely a sound leaving his mouth but Shadow still heard the squeak and sat down next to Tails. He hoped that he wouldn’t be mad at him but Shadow knew that he might need someone to grab onto when standing up again.
“Do you want to come with me to the store or do you want to stay here?” Shadow repeated again. He knew that in the state Tails was currently in, he didn’t understand much so he didn’t mind repeating things. Maria was like that too.
“I want to come with you,” Tails stated firmly, the mints must’ve helped a bit. “I don’t want you to get the wrong stuff.” which was half true. Tails was nervous that he would get an unsafe brand of whatever and then he wouldn’t be able to eat it.
Shadow gave an affirming hum before asking “Do you want to pick out a recipe or should we just find things there that look good?” Tails thought about it for a second before answering
“I think I just want to look at what looks good.” Shadow rose and offered his hand for Tails to use for support.
Tails grabbed it and attempted to get up– however he lost his balance the second he was fully standing. “Careful–” Shadow managed to grab him before he fell to the ground and helped him regain his stability.
“Thanks,” Tails murmured. He grabbed Shadow’s arm with a tight hold– avoiding stumbling again– before he tried to walk. Each step felt like Tails’ world was spinning but hopefully it would pass soon.
Shadow handed him some more mints from the container. “Is there anywhere you’d like to stop by first for a snack?” he questioned.
“Could we go get some ice cream?” Tails knew that for most it would be seen as odd to have a snack right before dinner– especially one like ice cream– but he and sonic always had snacks before eating. Most of the time they did it since the meals that they ate wouldn’t give them enough energy to wait for the next meal but sometimes it was just fun.
“Of course, bud.” Shadow continued to guide Tails to the front door– after the first initial tumble Tails had been alright standing and walking– but it felt reassuring knowing that in case anything happened, he could hold onto Shadow.
While Shadow just had slip-ons, Tails wore ones that had to be tied– meaning that even though he could build planes– he still required help in tying his shoes.
“Uh– Shadow?” Tails called out. Shadow had already began opening the front door, but turned on his heels to the sound of him calling out. “I need help tying my shoes.”
Without any response, Shadow walked back over and kneeled down to assist in tying the Fox’s shoes. While Shadow would’ve normally made a quip at him– Shadow knew that Tails wasn’t in a good headspace for that sort of response.
____________
Saturday, 7pm
Tails had been holding onto Shadow’s arm– the same way he normally did with Sonic while they were walking around the grocery store. Tails’ other hand was occupied with holding onto the slowly dipping ice cream cone.
Ice cream had obviously helped Tails’ mood and stability. He was now livelier than ever and had no problem running around like a little kid.
The tiny store was almost entirely empty– other than the worker at the register. All that was able to be heard was the sound of shoes squeaking, and of course– Tails talking about what he’s making at the moment.
The whole situation was very domestic– one that Shadow hasn’t felt in a very long time.
“Could we get some miso soup?” Tails squeaked. ‘Passing by the soup must’ve reminded him about it.’ Shadow assumed.
“Of course,” Although a smile wasn’t visible on Shadow’s face– a ghost of one definitely made its presence clear through his tone. “There’s three options for you,” Shadow paused his walking to look at the fox.
“First: I can make the recipe I know, Second: I can make a recipe that you know, and Third: we can buy premade miso soup.” Shadow listed.
Tails thought for a second before answering, “I want to make my recipe.” Since Tails didn’t know exactly what Shadow’s or the store’s recipes entailed– it was safer to just make what he knew was safe.
With an acknowledging hum, Shadow gestured to Tails to get the ingredients that were needed.
Tails blabbered on about whatever he could think of– he really was more like Sonic that he realized– and collected all the required foods for the soup. He kept running ahead and then waiting for Shadow to catch up– which reminded him of when he was younger– more impatient.
When they had finally started to check out– Tails got quiet and hid behind Shadow. Shadow wasn’t quite sure if it was social anxiety or something else but once they had finished and left the store, he was back to his usual, chatty, self.
______________
Tails had insisted on helping Shadow cook– even if Shadow had insisted that “I don’t need help,” and “you’re best just sitting out.” To be fair, it was Tails’ recipe so Shadow couldn’t be too mad about it but it still worried him with how Tails was acting earlier and the lack of food in him.
“I sometimes get really upset about food,” Tails stated– seemingly out of nowhere. That, Shadow could tell. Every time that the group went out to get food– Tails hadn’t eaten anything. The rare times that he had eaten around them– it was either mint candies or ice cream.
Shadow noticed how thin he was, how sometimes he doesn’t carry the same strength as others his age, and just how shaky he always was.
Looking into the food he continued, “I get so nervous around food, especially ones that are scary to me.” Shadow leaned on the counter to listen. “Every time I’m supposed to try a new food I get scared– like something bad is going to happen to me– each scent, texture, and all the alien tastes make my body feel sick– that the food I’m supposed to try is a poison and eating it is deadly.”
When Tails looked back up, he saw Shadow staring at him– but the expression that he expected to see was the opposite of reality. Tails expected confusion, maybe even judging– but all he saw was interest. Shadow actually wanted to know what he had to say–some may even say he cared about his struggles.
“It’s been like this my whole life– the only other person who really understands is Sonic. He’s the same way.” That wasn’t much of a surprise to Shadow. He’s noticed the little variety he eats– pretty much only junk food goes into him.
“It has been like this for as long as I can remember.” Tails’ voice grows sharper– the hand that’s stirring quickens slightly and knuckles whitening. “I really hate it y’know– I’ll never be like everyone else because of being a scaredy-cat. I don’t know who I’m mad at though.” his voice softens a bit. “Maybe I’m mad at myself or maybe it's the food I’m upset with. I wouldn’t know.”
Tails lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, changing the topic by requesting, “Lets switch up who’s stirring.” Shadow agrees and grabs the wooden spoon from Tails– picking up where he left off.
“I think I somewhat understand– my old friend was like that too.” Shadow’s voice was much quieter than normal– the tone that left his mouth empathetic. Every time Shadow looked at Tails– he saw a glimpse of Maria in him. A feeling that was indescribable filled him with emotion directed at Tails.
When Tails hid his face in Shadow’s torso and wrapped his arms around him– instead of what he normally would do (which was push him off) – he set down the spoon and hugged him back.
With that, Shadow realized how young Tails actually was. All of the signs should’ve probably shown him but instead of the teen he assumed Tails was– it was a kid who Shadow was hugging.
“I think the food's almost done.” Shadow’s voice broke the comforting silence they had been surrounded by.
Tails unleashed Shadow from his tight grip and let him continue to work on the food. “It smells good!” Tails said, his voice sounded soothed, giving Shadow the slightest hint of a smile.
They finished dinner together, their time not ending there– it even continued into the night with rewatching Tails’ favorite TV shows for the nth time. Whenever something interesting to him would show up he explained all of the easter eggs and secrets about them. Shadow listened intently each and every time that happened– making Tails extremely happy. No one had ever listened to him talk about this before, they always seemed bored.
__________
Friday, 11:30pm
Walking through the front door, Sonic announces his present with a quiet “I’m home.”
Tiptoeing across the squeaky floors– trying not to wake any sleeping residents– Sonic goes through the hallway into the living room and there he finds the pair, Tails and Shadow, asleep on the couch.
The TV replayed Tails’ favorite show once again– one that is practically burned into the TV from how much he watches it. The thought causing a laugh which is more like an exhale left his mouth.
‘I’ll talk to them in the morning’ Sonic shuffles over to the counter where Shadow’s wallet lies and he slips in Shadow’s payment. Giving a glance back over to the two– ‘what could’ve possible happened while I was gone’