The sky was grey with clouds, a breeze flowing through the busy city, carrying the smell of rain. There were hardly any cars on the road, most people having decided to stay home in preparation for the dull weather. Everyone that had decided to walk the streets was either holding an umbrella in preparation or were holding their coats just a little tighter around themselves than usual.
(Y/N) the (a/t) was one of these people. Having not checked the weather report this morning, she had left to go grocery shopping and being very unprepared for such weather, had gotten far too many things for the trip home to be quick.
The (a/t) soon realised her mistake as she left the shops, seeing everyone walking around quickly, heads lowered or hidden under umbrellas. The sky grew darker, and her ears fell as she glanced at her trolley full of items. Thankfully, they were already bagged, and she managed to grab hold of them all. It was a heavy load, and usually this wouldn't be a problem, as she carried this many bags all the time.
But she also usually took her time with it since the bags were heavy, and this time it was going to rain. She had many items that would be ruined if they got wet. So, she'd have to walk home ASAP.
(Y/N) lived with her closest friend, Rouge the Bat in an apartment a few blocks away from the shopping centre. They had decided not to get a car for a multitude of reasons, one being the expenses of the car itself, and parking at the apartment complex. Both girls were fine with this as they lived in the city close to everything, and Rouge could fly anywhere she wanted to.
The (a/t) just preferred to walk, it was nice and relaxing to her. The thought of driving a car was also very nerve-wracking. To think someone has control of such a machine, and the fact that people can lose that control. She hardly trusted herself to drive and not cause some sort of accident.
Of course, now she was wishing she could at least get a taxi, maybe an Uber. But the girl couldn't do that either. You see, she was mute. She wouldn't talk to anyone. The (a/t) wasn't sure why, as she understood everyone and even knew the main dialect of the city, but whenever someone tried to talk to her, she just... Can't seem to utter a sound.
She wasn't sure if it was anxiety, or if it was some sort of problem from birth. The (a/t) just knows she's never been able to talk with anything, not even her own parents. They had learnt sign language just so she could communicate with them. Rouge was also currently learning sign language, as she felt bad for having to make (Y/N) write everything she wanted to say. Writing takes a long time, especially if you want to say something quickly, or say a lot of things.
Not many others tried to learn sign language though. (Y/N)'s other friends were content with how they communicated. Tails even tried to make a device for the (a/t) to make life easier, but it exploded in their faces and he went back to the drawing board.
The (a/t) didn't mind though. She was happy as she was, and she was grateful Rouge was even trying.
But right now, she wished she could talk, ask someone for help, call Rouge, because this trip was going to take a while and it was clearly going to start raining any minute. The (a/t) then got the bright idea to text her batty friend. She stopped at a bus stop, placing some items down and pulling out her phone.
'Hey... So it's going to rain and I have all these bags' (Y/N) took a photo of her luggage.
'Oh dear, don't worry help is on the way! Where are you?' Rouge responded quickly, throwing a laughing emoji at the end. It made the (a/t) smile knowing she wasn't annoyed at her predicament.
'A few blocks away, the closest bus stop outside the shopping centre' She looked around, adding, 'Across from that creepy dentist'
Rouge didn't respond, and (Y/N) took that as a sign that she was already on her way. So she took a seat on the bus stop, letting her arms have a rest from the heavy bags. She felt bad, like maybe she should keep walking and try to meet Rouge halfway, but then the rain started to fall, tapping onto the cement around the bus stop.
The (a/t) sat silently, waiting for her batty friend to come help her. She looked around, watching as others tried to find shelter from the rain. Some people ran under the bus stop with her, and the (a/t) felt a little uncomfortable by how close everyone was.
She shifted to the edge of the seat so as to not be in anyone's way, keeping all her bags close and under her watchful eye. Her head was lowered, focused on the supplies she had gotten from the store, making sure nothing disappeared when a pair of hover shoes appeared at the corner of her eye. (Y/N) tensed up slightly, lifting her head to meet ruby red eyes.
Shadow the Hedgehog, top agent of G.U.N, anti-hero, Rouge's teammate and friend. The dark coloured hedgehog stood right in front of (Y/N), his posture radiating annoyance under the black umbrella he held. His red stripes seemed soaked from the rain, meaning he had been caught in the weather before he was able to get the umbrella up.
"Rouge said I'd find you here." He said, the whole bus stop had gone quiet with his presence, "Hurry up and grab your stuff."
The (a/t) blinked. Rouge had sent Shadow to help her. (Y/N)'s cheeks turned red and she quickly stood, grabbing her bags hastily. Curse her friend for trying to push these two together. Rouge knew the (a/t) had a crush on Shadow, but he wasn't an easy person to... Be around. (Y/N) had told her friend just how scary she found Shadow, and Rouge agreed he could be very... Intimidating at times.
The two started walking home, Shadow holding an umbrella, and (Y/N) holding all the bags. The (a/t) kept her head lowered as they walked silently in the rain, terrified Shadow would start conversation. He wasn't one to talk himself, but he had tried to strike conversation with her a few times. Maybe it was because it was the kind thing to do, or maybe he felt obliged to since the (a/t) was Rouge's friend. But she could never respond, and every time it made for a terribly awkward silence.
She wondered if he knew she was mute, if Rouge had bothered to tell him, or. It would make sense as to why he would try to strike conversation. However he also never bothered to push the conversation further, so she wondered what it was he did know, if he knew anything about her at all, and if he thought she was some freak.
"So," Shadow started, an annoyance in his tone, and (Y/N)'s stomach sank, "Why exactly did you decide to do this much shopping in this weather?"
The girl kept her head lowered, unable to respond. How could she respond? A shrug would seem far too dismissive, and she didn't want to seem rude considering he sounded like he'd rather be anywhere other than here. The hedgehog kept silent as well, clearly waiting for an answer. When he didn't get one, he let out a sigh and that was the end of the conversation.
And the start of the ever-growing awkwardness. (Y/N)'s throat felt tight, like she couldn't breathe, and the bags started to feel heavier than normal. She started to slow down, unable to keep up with the quick pace of the other. Shadow noticed this almost instantly and stopped walking, holding the umbrella over the (a/t),
"Do you need assistance?" He finally asked, a hand on his hip.
The (a/t)'s ears lowered; she shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do was annoy him further, it was nice enough for him to carry the umbrella for her. The hedgehog sighed again, turning, and continued walking, this time a little slower. (Y/N) followed, doing her best to keep up. Her arms were protesting in pain, but she bit back the whimper and matched Shadow's speed. (Y/N) was so focused on matching his speed, that she didn't realised he had stepped off the curb.
The (a/t) stumbled forward, trying to catch her footing but slipping on the wet pavement. She let out a strangled yelp as she crashed into the road, landing on some of the bags, while fruit and boxes fell out of the others. Pedestrians turned to look, one or two even coming over to offer help and ask if the (a/t) was okay. Shadow was also by her side, trying to help her stand, but (Y/N) was shaking, her legs felt like they weren't working.
"Miss. Are you alright?" One Mobians asked, kneeling in front of her.
"Here you go, you dropped this." Another said, holding out a bag.
"Did she hurt herself?" A third asked, trying to peek over the small crowd.
"I'll keep a look out for cars." A fourth said from further away.
(Y/N)'s ears lowered as people tried talking to her, as she tried to get to her feet. She couldn't utter a single word, not to anyone. Shadow had stopped trying to help her and focused on getting the food items back into their bags; the others were surrounding her, and she felt like she couldn't breathe again. Finally, once he had as much as he could back in their bags, the hedgehog turned to the small crowd of people. (Y/N) was struggling to get to her feet, her frame shaking, and there were tears in her eyes. Shadow frowned and walked over.
"Alright everyone back away." He said, stepping between the (a/t) and the crowd, "Give her some space. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be bombarded if you fell over in public."
The Mobians all stepped back, some of them leaving. One stayed just to make sure the (a/t) was alright. Shadow watched them, before turning back to (Y/N).
"Are you alright?" He asked.
She didn't respond, the (a/t) holding her arms as she sniffed. Her clothes and fur/feathers/scales were drenched. The hedgehog sighed and held the umbrella out to her,
"Take this, I'll carry the food." He said, picking up the groceries.
(Y/N) took the umbrella in silence, her whole demeanour seemed weak, shaken. She was completely embarrassed, and she couldn't lift her head as they walked. It felt like forever, but they made it back to the apartment.
"Finally! I was starting to worry Shadow would never find you." Rouge said with a smile, strutting over the door to take some of the bags from the hedgehog. She then noticed (Y/N)'s wet clothes and her posture, she tilted her head in concern, "Is everything alright?"
The girl still said nothing, instead she handed the umbrella back to Shadow, made her way inside, and closed herself in her room. Rouge watched her, before turning back to Shadow with a stern look in her eyes,
"What happened?"
"She fell over in the street." Shadow said, taking the remaining food into the kitchen, "A bunch of people bombarded her, I didn't realise at first but I shooed them away as soon as I did."
"Oh... Poor (Y/N)." The bat glanced at her door, her ears lowering slightly, "I'm sorry Shadow, I should have just gone to help her myself."
"It's alright." Shadow said, and the two started to put everything away, "I've looked into it by the way, sign language."
"You have?" Rouge's ears perked at that as she put the cans of food away, "What made you do it?"
"I'd like to have a conversation with her." Shadow said with a shrug, "She's your friend, and you talk very highly of her, but whenever I'm around I see nothing of what you mention."
The bat huffed, "You know why that is."
"Yes." Shadow said, "Which is why I want to eradicate the problem. I admit I have tried to get her to talk, tried to encourage her, but you seem to be right. She's like a vault, her lips are sealed."
"Duh."
Shadow rolled his eyes, getting back to putting things away, "If she's a friend of yours, I want to get to know her myself. And I can't do that if we can't communicate."
"Great." Rouge said, rubbing her hands together. She stopped what she was doing, which caught Shadow's attention, "I'll teach you all I know right now, then you can go see if she's alright."
Meanwhile, (Y/N) was currently laying in her bed, having gotten out of her wet clothes and into some warm trousers and a hoodie. She was curled up under her thick blanket, trying to calm herself from the experience of today. The (a/t) just wished she would go to sleep and have it all be over.
She wasn't sure how much time passed, whether it was a mere second or possibly even an hour, but eventually there was a knock at her door, and she lifted her head to glance at it. It wasn't Rouge, she would have said something instead of just knocking. Which meant Shadow was still here, and after what she just went through, she didn't want to see him. The (a/t) was sure he'd see her as a freak.
Nonetheless, the door slowly opened, and the dark hedgehog walked in. He glanced around the room, at first not seeing the (a/t) anywhere, before spotting her below the comfy looking blanket. He let out a small chuckle, closing the door and walking over. She sat up slowly, hugging her knees to her chest. He clearly wanted to talk to her, but she was hoping it would only be yes or no questions.
The hedgehog stood next to her bed, before asking quietly, "May I sit here?"
(Y/N) blinked, before nodding slowly and shifting over, giving him some space to sit. Once he was down, he rubbed his head,
"Give me a moment, I just learnt all this today..."
And then he started signing to her. (Y/N)'s eyes widened as he asked if she was okay. It was slow, shaky, like he was unsure of himself. But she nodded, signing back a yes. Shadow smiled at this, before then signing,
'Hi, I'm Shadow, it's good to meet you.'
The (a/t)'s tail started wagging, and she signed back, 'Hi Shadow, it's good to meet you too.'
'Can I have your name?' He signed next, still slow, but the (a/t) was patient.
'But you already know it' She signed back. He stared at her hands for a while, and she did it again, slower this time. He still seemed confused, so she waved her hands, before signing her name.
'(Y/N), a good name' Shadow said, before he lowered his hands, "Rouge showed me the basics. That's about all I know right now."
The (a/t) nodded, giving a silent applause. She sat up properly and reached over to her bedside table, grabbing a pen and paper. Next, she wrote,
'That's alright. Thank you for trying :)'
Shadow read it, before giving a shrug, "It's the least I can do." And then he signed, 'Are you okay?'
'Much better now' (Y/N) signed back, and Shadow nodded.
"Good good, want to come out then? Rouge is putting on a movie. Coraline or something. And she's making popcorn specifically for you."
The (a/t)'s ears perked and she nodded eagerly. She loved Coraline, it was her favourite kids movie. The two left the room, and when they did, Rouge looked over and gave them both a smile,
"So? Did you introduce yourselves?"
"Yes." Shadow said, (Y/N) nodding beside him, "And I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about as soon as I learn more."
The hedgehog then excused himself, taking the large bowl of popcorn into the living room for the girls. Once he left the room, (Y/N) hugged Rouge tightly, her way of saying thanks. The bat smiled and pat her friend on the head, just happy her friend had another person to talk to. Her crush at that. They were bound to get along, Rouge knew them both way too well. It won't be long before they're dating.
And she couldn't wait to see the day they signed 'I do' at the altar.