Unexpected Love in the Aquarium

Chapter 9

Tails is testing out some inventions and fixing some to help the aquarium so it'll be stable for other creatures. He's sitting on a chair at a desk messing with a golden bracelet he found when coming back from his lunch break, "Hm....this is an interesting bracelet, I should make it into something....then give it to Sonic as a gift." He said smiling brightly, he always considered Sonci as an older sibling.  Shadow walks through the door, looking around before looking at Tails, "Hey fox, I'm Shadow. Helped ya with getting Sonic up the ramp earlier." 

He started by formally introducing himself, crossing his arms, and coming to lean on the wall by the desk casually. Tails got startled when he heard Shadow's voice, looked beside him, and smiled, "Oh, yes, name's Tails. Nice to meet you, thanks for helping me. How's Sonic? What do you need?" He asked, looking back at the bracelet. Shadow looked down at the bracelet as well, starting with answering the questions first. "I'm here about Sonic actually, he's resting but when I went up to check on him Infinite was shocking him near death. He uh, asked if you could somehow give him legs."

Tails' eyes widened and screamed, "What?! How dare he!" He said but calmed down and answered with a hum, "Legs huh?" He thought and looked at the bracelet then got an idea and said, "Give me three days and I'll make it happen!" He said with such excitement. Shadow agreed with the outburst, it wasn't fair that Infinite did that to Sonic. The guy had an unhealthy obsession with him. His brow raised that Tails could actually do it, having not expected that answer. "Right, I'm going to keep a close eye on Sonic incase anything happens."

Tails sighed and began to work, he wanted to make sure it's just right. He imagine his big brother out and walking, exploring the world unknown and making lot of friends, he smiled at that thought and have more excitement to do this and won't stop till it's perfect, "Thank you Shadow, if you need my help with anything else don't hesitate to ask." He smiled, then went back to working on it. He gives a hum of response, moving off the wall and walking out the door. He looked at the time and remembered he was supposed to clean the inside the tank, not sure if Sonic would be happy with him getting in.

Shadow got the equipment and put the oxygen breather into his mouth as he got up to the steps, stepping into the waters and bringing a brush for the glass. Sonic is lying down on his bed relaxing with Chip, not letting him go because his anxiety is still there but heard someone coming into the water and sees Shadow cleaning the tank, he smiles at him and waves to him, 'He's cleaning the tank, such a sweetheart.' He thought. Shadow couldn't talk with the rebreather in his mouth, goggles on as well so he can see underwater. He waves back to Sonic, using the brush to clean the tank glass.

Chip looks up from where he had dozing while cuddling with the merhog, seeing the black hedgehog in the water he got excited. Sonic giggled and sat up, yawning and stretching his mussels then let Chip go so he can stretch his tail out, went to Shadow, and asked if he could help clean his tank. "May I help clean my tank? It'll be rude for just you to clean my whole tank." He said, still waking up but wanting to help. Chip stretched quickly, swimming over to chase the shrimp away. Shadow was a bit startled as he hadn't seen Sonic come over, he couldn't hear in the water as everything was muffled.

He tilts his head to the side, trying to understand what it is the other wants. There was another brush on his hip. Sonic pointed to the brush then to him then to the glass asking him if he could help with a smile, he waited patiently and his eyes sparkled with excitement wanting to help Shadow. Shadow looks down at his brush and nods, unclasping it from his belt and handing it to Sonic. He looks to the glass as he had barely gotten much done with two it would go faster. Sonic smiled brightly and flipped happily and started to help him clean and hum knowing he can't hear him, maybe one day he could sing to him out of the water. 

Chip came up and watched them, getting in Shadow's way the hedgehog just lightly pushed him away with the brush. Chip of course finds that fun and turns it into a game, swimming in the way to get pushed with the brush. Sonic laughs and holds Chip and with the end of the brush tickles him to no end and helps Shadow continue, ignoring the memory of what Infinite did to him and just focus on having fun with his friends. Chip squeaks and giggles, squirming in the hold. Shadow glanced over, his expression softened as he saw Shadow having fun as he was glad to help.

Working together the glass was getting cleaned quickly. Sonic let Chip go and continue helping and out of his side eye he saw Infinite just watching them clean but he ignored it and smiled at Shadow, helping him finish, and got up to make sure he isn't drowning. Shadow finished up, putting the brushes back on his belt. He checked the air in his tank and it was fine, plenty of time. Still, he got out as Sonic led him up, sitting on the ledge and scooting over so Sonic could sit up too.