Chapter Text
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April 1st, 2025
Sonic felt parched. He’s been out all day at an outdoor outlet carrying many of Amy’s bags full of clothes and accessories for her brand new adventure. She’s been serious about this idea ever since the whole ordeal on the Starfall Islands. It’d taken a year and a half for her to fully plan and organize it; between battling Eggman and supporting the Resistance in her free time. Her new year’s resolution was to finally go out on her own and spread love and kindness she has yet to share, and maybe even smash some bad guys.
Amy left another clothing shop with two more full bags in her hands. She returned to Sonic, who was splaying across a bench, taking a cat nap. She rolled her eyes before dropping her bags with a heavy THUD to wake him up. He jerked up from the bench, quills now standing on end.
“I hope you’re ready to continue, cause we’re just getting started sleepyhead,” Amy beamed with her chin up.
“Ugghhh…Amyyy… pleaseee. It's been 7 hours…my legs are noodles. And I really need something to drink or eat,” he groaned.
“I’m kidding. Stop whining. I thought you liked going shopping?”
“The only thing I bought were new shoe soles cause I knew I would be walking around a lot,” Sonic actually did need new soles to tell the truth.
“Har har. At least you don’t have to worry about buying clothes for every season and having to throw some out due to explosive battles. Since you’re so starving and thirsty, how about you go to Chaos Coffee over there and get something. I could use a little treat to celebrate a successful day of shopping, if you’d please.” Amy suggested as she sat down. The full day of shopping caught up to her as her legs started to swell. Now she knows how Sonic felt.
“You don’t have to tell me twice. BRB!”
Sonic zipped to the nearby coffee shop. The sign displayed its name with a chao struggling to hold a coffee cup in its paws. The shop’s front door was open, and he could see the short line of mobians and humans waiting to order. When he walked in, it was like the enviroment completely shifted. He was greeted with the smell of fresh coffee, baked treats, and a warm maple scent. Probably from a plug–in–the–wall air freshener. Nevertheless, it smelled nice. The room was dimly lit by warm spotlights facing the work area, half-open blinds next to the door, and vintage lanterns hanging low over rows of booths. In those booths, people were enjoying their drinks, conversing with others, or typing away on laptops while a soft piano tracklist played throughout the room.
I would definitely read my book here, Sonic thought.
He looked around and spotted a large glass case of various treats and goodies. It would be so hard to choose, but he could probably devour the entire thing with how hungry he was. He should just pick something out first for Amy and get the same thing so he wouldn’t waste time. When Sonic squatted down to look through the layers of treats in the case, he noticed a mobian open up the sliding door on the opposite side. When they bent to his eye level, he caught a glimpse of burgundy eyes that pierced through every pastel-colored sweet. When the mystery mobian selected a cupcake off one of the shelves, they cleared the view between them. And Sonic couldn’t believe it. Right in front of him was the face of Shadow the Hedgehog.
He was too concentrated on bagging an order to notice Sonic staring wide, jaw slack, and even tail wagging, but who could’ve seen that anyway. The customers definitely did. When the two hedgehog’s eyes almost met, Sonic quickly ducked and spun around, praying the sweets were blocking most of Shadow’s view. Sonic could faintly hear the ebony hedgehog’s footsteps becoming distant, over his own drumming heartbeat in his chest. Again, the customers saw everything, but didn’t question it because Sonic is a celebrity after all and it would be best to not jump to conclusions. That is, if the young teenagers in the room weren’t tapping rapidly on their phones over him acting weird in a coffee shop.
WHY THE HELL IS HE HERE, Sonic panicked internally. He didn’t know why he was reacting this way. He guessed the surprise was that unpredictable to make him scared shitless. I didn’t know he worked here. I mean, how could I have? I can probably count how many things I know about Shadow using my two hands. But, working at a coffee shop? Having to interact with people and laboring for only minimum wage? I guess working with G.U.N is becoming boring. Or rent is really that bad.
Sonic slowly turned back around while kneeling on the ground. Through the glass and the now clear space, thanks to the sold cupcake, Sonic could see Shadow preparing a coffee for his next order. From behind, he could see the hedgehog was wearing a dark, fern-green apron tied neatly around his slim, built waist. Sonic ignored the thought, complementing how the apron seemed to shape the other’s figure effectivley. Between his rounded-triangle ears, was also a same-colored cap. Sonic wondered how long Shadow had had this job, and if he enjoyed it. Or at least minded it. But, noticing his hurried actions and head darting to-and-from his task and the monitor displaying new orders, it seemed very tedious. If anyone had the perfect skills to work this type of job, it would be Shadow, Sonic concluded.
A low growl interrupted Sonic’s spying and he realized it was his own stomach. How long has he been here? He needed to buy something quick so his growling stomach wouldn’t attract more staring strangers. Especially Shadow. Wait, why was he trying to avoid him? He was sure he could make Shadow’s day more interesting somehow. A simple plan popped into his head, and he smirked. As soon as a customer finished ordering, Sonic darted to the front of the line, ignoring the customer behind him. Thank Gaia they realized it was Sonic “the Hero” before the situation turned ugly.
“Hi. Welcome to Chaos Coffee. What can I get you.” The cashier was a human teenager cashier with a gravelly monotone voice. Her dead tone matched her lifeless brown eyes and dyed gray-ish lavender hair.
Why do coffee shops attract all the moody people?
Before he spoke, he made sure to drop his voice to not draw Shadow’s attention. He still wasn’t used to his deeper voice ever since he began transitioning and taking T after his 17th birthday in 2022. He’d cringe when it would crack as he spoke. He could guess that Shadow could still hear his annoying voice from a mile away, even if he tried to ignore it.
“Hey. Could I get a...uh…whatever the last person got?” Sonic didn’t pay enough attention to the menu to retain anything he was going to buy. There were definitely more important matters at hand.
“Uhhh...” moaned the cashier.
“Y’know what, I’ll just have a small iced latte with creamer and sugar, to make this easier for you. Oh, and two apple breads!”
“That’ll be $16.47. Who is this order for?”
This was gonna be good.
“Could you put it under ‘mine?’” Sonic answered with a snarky grin.
“Uhhh...” groaned the cashier, again.
“I’ll give ya a tip.”
The girl quickly wrote the weird name on a small cup and tapped a couple buttons on the register, printing the receipt. Sonic handed her the cash in rings, including the tip. In return, she handed his bagged pastries.
“Could you give the change to that moody man over there?” Sonic asked while pointing a thumb to the busy hedgehog who was too distracted to notice their conversation.
It looked like the teenager was on her last nerve underneath her lifeless expression.
“Please?” he pleaded softly with a fake smile.
The girl stood, staring at him blankly.
Was she even alive?
“I’ll just do it myself.” Sonic snatched five rings from her cold hand and stomped to the side. He waited behind a brown-tinted window that separated the work zone from the sitting area so that Shadow wouldn’t see him.
It took a little more than five minutes when Sonic heard a familiar voice.
“Coffee for...uhm…’Mine’?” Shadow stammered while also trying to be loud.
Time to shine!
Sonic quickly sped to the counter smirking, his voice pitched low, "Here and all yours.”
It only took a moment for Shadow to process the sudden surprise from his rival. His expression went from raised eyebrows and mouth gaped to a death stare within seconds. Sonic wondered if his drink would be thrown at him sooner or later. Probably sooner.
“What. Are. You. Doing. Here.” Shadow mumbled, snarling. He was probably upset that his cover had now been blown.
“Just supporting my local coffee shop. Now I’m glad I’m also supporting you too! Heh.”
Shadow sighs, not wanting to spike his blood pressure any more while working.
“Just…please take your drink and leave. I don’t have time to mingle. Especially with a blabbermouth like you.” Shadow ushered Sonic to take his drink from his hand. The blue hedgehog was about to reply with another quip, but when his eyes laid on Shadow’s, he simply gave up. The other hedgehog was slouched, head held low with unfocused eyes.
Man, he looks tired.
Sonic took his drink and replied with a sympathetic tone, “I can see that you're the only one working hard here, Shads. Is this...normal?”
“Yes...kind of,” Shadow sighed. “But at least my speed allows me to get things done. Can you leave now? I’m trying to work here.”
“Yeah, I know I know, but doesn’t it get tiring and especially stressful? Should I be worried?”
“I don’t need your pity, fake-”
“Can you two stop flirting and move on? We’re trying to work here.” the half-dead cashier interrupted.
“We weren’t talking to you...” Sonic paused. He squints at the harsh, bold, capitalized signature of her name tag, who was now on her phone while working. “...JaNicE. Plus, it seems like your phone is more important than your job so..” His ear flicked right when he heard a muffled snort in Shadow’s direction. Was that a laugh? Wow, Shadow really is tired.
“Ugh, whatever.” Groaned Janice the Cashier. That was her new full name to Sonic. And secretly Shadow.
“Aaanways, I should actually get out of here. Amy is probably thinking I left her on her shopping spree, heh. See ya later, Shads. And thanks for the drink!” Sonic grinned, winking. “Oh! I forgot.” He pulled out five rings out of his quills, reached over the counter, and stuffed them in Shadow’s chest fur. Close enough.
Sonic zipped to the front door then paused to shout, “Enjoy your tip!” He left with a broad smile and a two-fingered salute.
Shadow stood at the counter in shock, trying to process what just happened. He groaned and slapped a hand to his face, failing to hide his embarrassment.
“Fuck…”
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Sonic returned to Amy fully sitting on the bench criss-crossed with her head in her hands. “There you are! I was starting to wonder if you got lost in there, or ran off without me.” Amy exclaimed, sitting up.
“From taking a break from holding all these bags? Then yeah, probably. But hey, guess who I saw working in there?” Sonic was practically bouncing on his tippy-toes when he quickly changed the subject. He almost forgot to hand Amy her apple bread. Once they figured out how to carry the several bags on their arms, they started to walk back to the pink hedgehog’s car.
“Who? Was it Tangle? Rouge? No, she’s not a people pleaser. And she’ll definitely won’t work for minimum wage.” babbled Amy in-between taking bites of her snack.
“It was Shadow! Can you believe that? Like, I could think of anyone BUT him. I guess working with G.U.N is starting to get boring.”
“Wow! Shadow working...at a coffee shop? That is the most public and social place for a job. And he chose that? Why not a Hot Topic or just a quiet place like a library? And what about a shelter? Doesn’t he like cats?”
“Yeah, a coffee shop is a really weird choice for him, but he seems to at least like it to continue working hard. But that’s the thing. He’s like, the only one that’s working his ass off in there. Everyone else is either on their phone or just slow. I wish I could do something to help things speed up in there,” Sonic sighed and then mumbled, “and for him at least...”
“Heh, imagine. Sonic and Shadow, working together to save the coffee shop industry from long lines and angry Karens. Haha!” giggled Amy. Sonic suddenly perked up, his ears and interest piqued. Amy should not have said that out loud.
“I could work there,” he said quietly.
Amy was in the middle of taking the last bite of her treat as she said, “What?”
“I could work there! Like you said, I can help make it easier for the workers and customers! I mean, like they deserve my help anyway. It’s not the end of the world. But, yeah! This could work!” the blue hedgehog exclaimed.
“Sonic, I was joking. Buuut, I’m not stopping you if you do. Eggman seems to be slacking off recently and the Resistance is a little less busy at the moment. I’m sure you can figure it out. But my question is, why exactly are you doing this?” Amy inquired, leaning to face the other. She was very perceptive when it came to people’s actions, but mostly with Sonic. She knew he could be reckless when he was driven by an idea. The situation wasn’t dangerous after all. But, there was something Sonic wasn’t telling her, she knew that much.
“For Sh- for the shop! And the people more importantly. Y’know, make them happy and all,” he stammered.
“Mhm-hm, ‘and all,’” mimicked Amy. I’ll find you out, Sonic the Hedgehog, she thought.
Not even a second later, the blue blur quickly slid the shopping bags off his arms and almost dropped his drink in the process, and returned to the shop. “I’ll be right back!” he yells in the distance.
“Hey! My bags!” Amy squeaked.
Sonic skids to a halt, zooms back, gathers up all of her bags in his arms and dashed to the parking lot to drop them off at her pink convertible. When he ran back to the shop, he handed his coffee – which was still full – to Amy.
“Thank you! Times two!”
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Shadow was now working at the cash register since he’d offered Janice a “break,” even though she was on her phone half the time anyway. It was now 4 PM and the remaining customers would begin to leave and go home, as well as other employees and the manager. Not for Shadow though. He usually leaves the shop around 6, after he cleans and prepares for the next day. Sometimes, he’s able to sleep in a little bit if he finishes all the chores the night before, but everyday, he’s the one to open and close up. Even though he wasn’t assigned to do those things, he still did without question.
He honestly didn’t know why he did either, though it felt right to him. Like he had a duty to answer to, but that duty gave nothing for Shadow to benefit from, personally. He was being paid overtime for all the hours he would stay after closing, but his monthly bills would leave him almost dry. He plans to eventually quit in a year or two to be an entrepreneur for G.U.N, though he’d never work full time for them. Maybe he’d find another job at a coffee shop or someplace new. It always made Shadow repeat the same words in his head, “Nothing in life never stayed the same for me anyways.”
As he was about to serve a leftover customer from the “leaving outlet crowd,” a familiar cerulean blur appeared in his face, startling the previous consumer.
Tired burgundy eyes met with lively emerald ones.
“Shadow! Are you guys accepting newbies??” Sonic beamed with a blinding smile.
“…What?”
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