19
The four wandered the town aimlessly, till it started getting dark and Shadow no longer heard the footsteps following them so he states much, "they're gone." The two words made the others breathe a sigh of relief.
"Good now let's go home, I wanna watch movies." Tails sighed, turning in the direction of the house, Knuckles and Sonic following.
Sonic stopped when his hand that was still holding Shadow's was suddenly weightless. He looked back and saw Shadow taking his earrings out.
"What are you doing?" Sonic's voice made the other two stop as well and look at the ebony hedgehog, who set his earrings in Sonic's hand.
"I appreciate the kindness while I was healing and injured but I do not wish to over stay my welcome. These belong to you and I will get out of your hair now." Shadow bowed his head before turning around and starting to walk away, only for Knuckles to grab his wrist.
"Where do you plan on staying?" It was a simple question, easy to answer but for some reason Shadow didn't want to just say he had nowhere to go other then the fort by the clinic, if it was still up.
"I'll find a place." He avoided eye contact as he answered in a small voice.
Sonic pulled Knuckles' hand off Shadow's wrist and grabbed his hand in replacement. "Why would you leave though?"
"That is a dumb question, your hospitality was enjoyable but I don't want you to get tired of me." He said it with such a monotonous voice, like it didn't just crush Sonic's soul. "I will leave before that can happen, simple."
"No way, you're staying with us for like, ever." Sonic had a determined look on his face and Tails could tell that if he didn't step in, it would be a fight soon
"Why don't we ask Maddie, she'll give you a good answer, if you want to stay she'll be more than happy to welcome you and if you want to leave, I'm sure she'll help you find somewhere with warmth and food."
Shadow considered the words for a second before sighing.
"I suppose, she can be helpful in this situation."
_
Maddie sat at the kitchen table, thinking about the conversation she just had with the kids. After they ate dinner Shadow mentioned something about leaving and Sonic said something about her helping him convince Shadow to stay. Tails gave her an apologetic look and explained the talk the had on the way home afterwards.
Of course she didn't want Shadow to leave, they could make room for him if they actually went through with their plans to move the storage room and let Tails set up his room in there while Knuckles took Tails' old room and sonic got the attic, Sonic and Shadow could share the attic, it was big enough but that was if Shadow even stayed.
She didn't want shadow to leave though, he didn't have anywhere to go. That's when she got an idea, it would sound a bit rude but it's what she came up with to get him to stay.
She stepped into the living room where the kids were gathered on the couch, Shadow noticably farther from the others. They were watching moana as per Tails request, and despite his scowl, the dark hedgehog actually seemed interested in the movie. She cleared her thought to get their attention and Sonic paused the movie when they all turned to look at her.
"Shadow, I've decided that if you wish to leave then you must repay us for all that we have given to you while you were here. If you choose to stay then all of this will be forgotten, afterall we wouldn't make someone that's family repay for being around." All their eyes widened and she felt bad for a second before Tails seemed to catch in the what she was doing.
"Yeah, if I wasn't part if the family I would have to make up for a bunch of stuff." This seemed to make Sonic and Tom catch on as well.
Knuckles and Shadow however didn't catch on therefore before Knuckles could say anything Sonic whispered an explanation to him. Shadow looked like he was considering both options, "is it required that I stay here while working to pay off my debt to you?"
Maddie felt guilt swirl in her stomach as she nodded in response to his question.
"Very well, I will repay your kindness with labor." When he turned back to the television, maddie knew the conversation was over, and she turned back to the kitchen, sitting with Tom at the table, she sighed as he rubbed her back.
Tom looked over at Maddie with a concerned expression. "Are you sure about this? It feels a bit manipulative," he said softly, trying to gauge her intentions.
Maddie sighed again, running a hand through her hair. "I know it sounds harsh, but Shadow needs to feel wanted, like he belongs somewhere. If he thinks he has to earn his place, maybe he'll accept it more willingly than if we just offer it to him outright."
Tom nodded, but the furrow in his brow remained. "I just hope he doesn't feel trapped. We want him to feel at home, not like he’s paying off a debt."
Meanwhile, in the living room, Shadow sat in silence, his eyes fixed on the screen yet seemingly lost in thought. Sonic leaned over, trying to gauge his mood. "Hey, you okay? You don't have to actually work for us, you know."
Shadow glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "It is merely a formality. I will assist as needed. I owe you all for your kindness, whether you see it that way or not."
Sonic frowned, not entirely satisfied with that answer but choosing to accept it for the time being.