HEADLOCK // a shadow the hedgehog x reader

You had spark. A fire, roaring and crackling and untameable. Passion. A love for all things science and nerdy, freakishly good at coding and technology from a young age.

You went through a lot of different phases, like most kids; wanting to be a video game designer to computer engineer to software architect. You're most ambitious dream was to become a high ranking cybersecurity specialist. Maybe work for the government one day, make a difference. Change the world. Leave a mark, a good one. Your mark.

Oh, how sweet and naïve you were.

That spark was crushed and stomped into a capitalist-shaped curb, pushed aside until what was left was a perfect little cog to fit into a machine. You work at a grocery store, the customer service industry a cruelty that destroys all hope for humanity, at least it did for you. Years of misuse, abuse from customers and staff alike colding your once warm, beating heart. You took the brunt of whatever crap corporate wanted dealt with, cleaned up whatever mess your incompetent co-workers left behind; be it calling out "sick" last minute to doing stock take incorrectly. It all fell onto you, the managers far to busy to help their supervisor.

You were crushed, utterly and completely, and it was only a matter of time until you gave out.

"Soo, come here often?" It's awkward. It's clumsy. But at least it's something.

Shadow stares back, ruby eyes unblinking and boring into your own. His muzzle pulls back, scrunching at the bridge of his nose as he regards the absurdity of what you just asked.

"...you mean to the watercooler?"

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More description on the story in the warnings and disclaimers chapter!

Warnings! Violence, very mild sexual content, swearing and other mature themes.

Disclaimers! Some characters and plot in this story are owned by Sega, except for original characters and original storyline/plot, those belong to me.

Start: 06/06/2025
Fin: ongoing