Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The smell of smoke and blood fill Shadow's senses as the world slowly blurs into view. The bitter taste of dirt along with the metallic twang of blood makes him grimace, and with a grunt he slowly sits up, bones aching. As he takes in his surroundings, he notes the orange tinted sky mixed with clouds of smoke that have started clearing out, the searing pain through his body, and one of his inhibitor rings lying nearby. He coughs, lungs feeling weak and heavy as he stands on his feet, and an unbearable pain shoots through his spine. As he shakily walks over to his ring, yanking it out of the dirt.

He sighs and looks around once again, trying to find out what should be the next course of action. Maybe he should just focus on finding shelter, or maybe Sonic was still around? No, Tom would likely never even want to see Shadow again after earlier. He was thirsty though, maybe find some water? Or--

CRACK.

Immediately, shadow faces the sound, ready for a fight despite his body's aching protests.

"W-Wait! Don't hurt me- please?" Shadow's ears twitch as hears the familiar voice of Stone, Agent Stone.

"..Agent?" He asks, still ready for anything.

"Yeah! I uh, are you.. okay?.." He asks, his voice nervous with a tint of concern. Shadow finally relaxes a bit as Stone steps out from the smoke, a look of genuine worry written on his face. Normally, Shadow would've said he was fine or made some sarcastic quip, but... Stone had been nothing but kind to him since they met.

"...It hurts a bit." He mutters, standing stiffly despite the shooting pain in his back. Stone steps close reaching a hand towards him but not touching him.

"..May I?" Shadow eyes widened, no one since the Ark had wanted to even talk to him. They were scared of him. Yet, here was Stone, who had met no longer than days ago wanting to help him.

Stone must've noticed the confusion in Shadow because he took a step back and apologized, before looking back up at where the Eclipse Cannon had once been. The silence made Shadow uncomfortable, so he cleared his throat.

"Are.. You alright?" Stone's eyebrows raised and he looked surprised, and Shadow immediately regretted asking.

"Me? Oh, I-I'm alright. I just..." He paused and sighed, "Well, the doctor is.. Dead. So I'm not too sure what I'll be doing now." He laughs, but there was no actual joy or happiness put into it. Shadow shifted, he knew all too well how Stone must feel. He couldn't help but think about Maria. He smile, her hugs, her eyes, her--

"Your back looks really badly injured"

"...Excuse me?"

"Oh- you're back, it looks like something might be broken." Stone points to his back, and Shadow reaches a gloved hand and touches the tender skin, hissing in agony as what felt like fire zapped through his spine. "Oh gosh, would you like any help?"

"No!" He growls, a pang of guilt hitting him as he sighs. "I apologize.. I'm not used to this whole... 'help' thing."

"I understand, you don't have to accept help if you don't want it, but I would like to at least get you some water, I have a nice apartment a few blocks away, would you like to join me for dinner?" He gives Shadow a warm smile and he can't help but feel grateful for the man standing before him.

"Would you mind?.." The infamous confidence in the hedgehog's voice faltering for a moment.

"Of course not, I'd love to have you over." He offers his hand once again, and after thinking for a few minutes, he took his hand firmly, wincing after every step.

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They walked in silence for a while before Shadow fell to his knees in pain, letting out a small barely audible whimper.

"Shadow?? Are you okay?" Stone gets on his knees, helping Shadow up carefully.

Shadow wasn't okay, his entire body hurt, and he wasn't sure how much longer her could walk. He so desperately wanted to cry, scream, kick something do anything to cease the pain or even just take his mind off of it. He wanted to tell Stone that everything hurt and he should just leave him there, but deep down Shadow knew Stone would never do that. He continued spiraling before hearing a sigh and feeling two arms wrap around him, one under his legs and the other under his back.

"Does this feel more comfortable?" Stone questioned. His body was warm and he smelled like smoke and cologne, Shadow didn't even realize he had started leaning into him. He silently nodded, hurting too much to speak. Stone smiled kindly and continued walking.

By the time they reached Stone's apartment, Shadow was half asleep and Stone's feet were aching from walking for so long. He unlocked the door with a 'click' and entering. He kicked off his shoes and gently laid Shadow on the couch. Shadow rubbed his eyes, the couch was comfortable, the cushions so plush he basically sunk into them. 

"You look tired, would you like to take a shower so you can wash the dirt out before taking a nap?" He squatted down to be at Shadow's eye level. Shadow tried to sit up, but grunted in pain, nodding stiffly. Stone nodded back and scooped him up again, carrying him to the bathroom and filling a tub with warm water. "Do you want a bubble bath?" Shadow groaned in pain, opening one eye as he grimaced in pain.

"Bubble... What?"

"Like, in the water there'll be lots of bubbles" He grins, Shadow just waves a dismissive hand.

"I don't- I don't care." He mutters, rubbing his temples. Stone squeezes some soap into the water, mixing it around to create bubbles. He pulls a towel from under the sink and lays it on the toilet lid.

"I'll step out, here's some towels, my room is down the hall to the right, there'll be a t-shirt there if you want one. That sound good?" Stone gives a thumbs up, and Shadow nods.

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Shadow stepped into the living room, feeling much better. He smelled like strawberries (because that was the only shampoo and conditioner Stone had) and most of the aches in his muscles and bones had been soothed by the warmth of the water. He wore a Taylor Swift t-shirt that reached down to his ankles, the sleeves went down just past his elbows.

"Stone?"  Stone immediately turned to see him.

"Shadow! You look much better. Sorry about the shirt, it was the smallest thing I had."

"It's fine."

"Perfect! I made some beef stew, if you would like something else I can make you something else though." He placed two bowls on the table by the kitchen, along with two glasses of iced water. Shadow nodded and climbed up into a chair, his back still stinging. He spent the first few minutes just watching Stone eat. Stone frowns once he realizes Shadow hasn't touched his food.

"Is it not good? I could always make you something else!" He reaches for Shadow's bowl but Shadow grabs it.

"No, this is fine. Thank you." He picks up the spoon and takes a bite of the stew, the savory flavors dancing on his tongue, his eyes widened, practically sparkling. "This is delicious."

"Aww, really? Thanks!" Stone grins widely, picking up his own bowl and glass and placing them in the sink. Shadow finished the rest of it in a few minutes. 

"There's a bit more, are you still hungry?" Stone offers, and Shadow nods. He pours the rest of the pot into his bowl and starts cleaning the dishes. Shadow relished in the calmness of the moment. No violence, not hatred, no enemies, no need to protect himself, just... A hot meal and comforting atmosphere.

As he finished off his second portion he placed his own dishes in the sink as he had seen Stone do.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me today, Agent." Shadow says gruffly, he wasn't used to being vulnerable like this.. But he felt different around Stone. Lighter, more comfortable, almost.. Trusting.

"Of course! I'm really happy you trust me." Stone put his phone down, giving Shadow his full attention.

Chapter Text

It had been about two or three months since Shadow moved in with Stone. He was still sleeping on the couch, which he'd reassured Stone multiple times was fine, but Stone still felt bad, either way, Stone took care of him nonetheless. Stone loved the kid like his own, but he wished he would open up a bit more. All he knew about Shadow were the little tidbits he had picked up on before Ivo had died. 

Stone sighed as he turned in bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering how he could strengthen their bond. He knew Shadow liked coffee-- well, the beans-- but something in his gut told him that asking for a bunch of coffee beans from some poor barista would be frowned upon.

Maybe he would enjoy just walking around the city for a bit? It wasn't like Stone was strapped for cash, he could afford to buy a few things for him. Yeah, that sounded nice.

Stone smiled softly and let out a satisfied hum, clicking off the small lamp illuminating the room he and his partner had once shared, and plunging the room into darkness. It reminded him of Shadow, a child who knew nothing but darkness. He just hoped he enjoyed himself tomorrow. He rolled back onto his side and drifted into a deep sleep.

The second Shadow woke up to Stone humming happily and grinning while making breakfast he knew he was planning something.

"...Agent?" His gruff voice having an edge of confusion to it.

"Oh! Morning Shads! I made you some pancakes, take a seat!" Stone went back to humming and flipping pancakes. Shadow walked over and took a seat, looking down at his coffee bean pancakes, letting out a small grunt of approval as he dug into it immediately. Soon enough, Stone joined him with his on stack of blueberry pancakes.

"Sooo... I was thinking. Do you want to go downtown and do some shopping today?" Shadow raised an eyebrow, pausing with his fork lifted to his mouth.

"...Why?" Shadow put his fork down, Stone chuckled nervously.

"I just thought it might be fun is all" He smiles and rubs his hands against each other, which Shadow had picked up on as a nervous habit. "We don't have to if you don't want to--"

"No, it's fine. I'd like to go." Shadow interrupted, he didn't want Stone to feel as if he wasn't doing enough for him, he could hear him mumbling to himself at night when he thought Shadow was asleep, wondering what he could do to help him. It made Shadow feel... Nice. Important. Stone smiled--a real smile--this time.

"Splendid! Let me go change!" He sat up with a rush, practically running to his room, his pancakes forgotten on the table.

Shadow reached over and stole one.

To say Stone was excited was an understatement.

He was ecstatic.

Shadow wanted to hang out with him and spend time together. That meant they were making progress, right?

Stone had a huge grin on his face as he opened his closet pulling out a suit, before remembering the doctor was gone. His grin faded for a minute before he shook his head and put it back, deciding to go for something more casual now that he wasn't required to wear a suit. He settled on a Taylor Swift Era's Tour tee, jeans, sneakers, his watch, and sunglasses.

He packed a bag with anything Shadow might need. Hoodie, fidget toys, coffee beans, water bottles, etc. He slung the bag over his shoulder and went to check on Shadow.

"Hey bud, just let me know when you're ready!" He says happily, sitting back down and putting his pancakes in a container for later, far too excited to eat. As Shadow finished his last bite of his food and drank his water he placed his dirtied dishes in the sink, Stone had told him multiple times that he didn't have to feel pressured to wash them.

"...I'm ready." He announced, and in seconds Stone had Shadow strapped into a car seat in his car.

"...Agent, I do not need a car seat."

"But you're so tiny! Wouldn't want to risk you getting hurt would we?"

"Sure.." 

They started at Hot Topic, where Shadow immediately fell in love. He bought a sweatshirt that read "I am... all of me" on the back, and Stone took way too many pictures. They continued down to Spencers, FYE, GameStop, until they reached a store selling guitars. Shadow paused in his steps, looking at a beautiful acoustic guitar.

"Whatcha lookin' at buddy?" Stone chirped happily. Shadow stepped closer to the display, Stone's voice going unheard. He placed a hand on the glass as memories flooded his head.

"This is your home, Shadow"
"You're my friend"
"You can do anything or be anything you want"
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog."

When Shadow suddenly stopped, Stone knew something was up. When he didn't respond to him, he sighed, standing next to him, hesitantly placing a firm, grounding, hand on his shoulder. Shadow's head snaps up to him.

"Acoustic guitars... Beautiful instruments, aren't they?" Stone smiled softly.

"..Is that what they're called?" Shadow asks quietly, Stone nodded.

"Before the Doctor's sole focus was on destroying Sonic, I would play guitar for him and he would hum along." Stone could feel the tears gathering at the bottom of his eyelid. "Then he became... Well. You know." He wiped his eyes. "And now, he's uh, he's gone so.." He sniffled a little. "I wish I still knew how to play." Stone placed his hand back on Shadow's shoulder. Shadow looked down at the concrete; he could empathize with the Agent.

"...Maria, my friend, used to play it. She taught me how to play as well. G.U.N shot her and now she's gone." Shadow muttered. Stone squeezed his shoulder, reminding him he wasn't alone.

"I suppose we both have been dealt some losses, huh?" Stone let out a soft, bittersweet laugh. Shadow nodded. A few moments passed before Stone spoke up again.

"...Let's buy it"

"What?"

"The guitar. Let's buy it."

"Agent it says--"

"I know what it says" He reassured, looking back at the large price tag reading $1,500.99. He internally winced at the number. It wasn't like he couldn't afford it, not at all, but it was still a large amount of money.

"You don't have to buy it" Shadow looked up at him, and Stone kneeled down to his height, cupping his cheek.

"If this is something that will make you happy, it's worth every penny." He smiled warmly at him, eyes glassed over. Shadow stared back in disbelief, before hugging him tightly.

Stone froze, unable to move.

Shadow wasn't a hugger; anyone was able to see that. Stone nearly started bawling from the sheer amount of trust and vulnerability Shadow was giving him. He gently wrapped his arms around the small critter, holding him in a comforting embrace.

As they arrived home with far too many shopping bags, the two were laughing and talking, and Stone savored the warmth of the moment.

Stone brought in the case holding the acoustic guitar, he opened it, and tuned it to standard tuning.

"Well, teach, ready to make me learn some guitar?" Stone smiled and Shadow smiled back.

"Chords or tabs?" He gently took the guitar from his hands.

"Whatever Maria started with"