Old WIP writing from my No Heroes Zone au ft. Metal and Sonic sassing each other. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Wouldn’t you like to be free? Do what you want to do?” Sonic tried to appeal to Metal.
“I don’t want. I was built with a purpose, and that is to serve the Eggman Empire.”
“Uh huh. Does that include skeet shooting and hanging out with your buddies? Those were corporate mandated fist bumps, I suppose?”
There was a pause. Metal’s optics flickered to the side. He may have shown other signs of nervousness were he made of flesh. The eye movement thing was picked up from observations of the organic “buddies” Sonic had mentioned. Shit.
“Well, Metal? I’m waiting.”
“These activities are all in service to the empire. Establishing camaraderie with others who serve is an important teambuilding exercise. We now work more efficiently together.”
“Oh, of course. You definitely wouldn’t want to see any of them again if you could help it. All work, no fun with you.”
“Correct.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
Metal was about to retort about how he has no digestive system, but something in the delivery of Sonic’s last line caught his attention. Sonic’s usual persona was carefree, sassy, arrogant. And confident. However, Sonic’s voice had… Quavered somewhat in those last few words. Someone that didn’t pay so much attention to his every move probably would not have even noticed, but Metal knew Sonic’s mannerisms better than anyone.
That tiny fumble redirected Metal’s focus. Before, he was on the defensive; under attack and accused of frippery. In an instant, he reanalyzed the entire conversation and came to another conclusion. This wasn’t about Metal at all, this was about Tails. Tails had defected from Sonic to side with his nemesis. Not only that, but he was enjoying his time away. He was happier without Sonic. Happier with Metal.
“You are the only one here that contains that substance,” Metal replied with barely a pause. It had only taken moments to process this new information.
Sonic frowned. Normally he’d quip back instantly, but something about the robot’s slight shift in posture put him off. Metal's voice was, well, robotic, so there was no shift in tone. Yet, he was abruptly radiating smugness all of the sudden. There was no discernable reason why and it was unnerving.
“Don’t have to be so literal, bolts for brains- it can also mean junk, and you’re definitely full of that,” Sonic tried to salvage his position, playfully flicking a finger onto Metal’s chest to resound a hollow noise from within.
“That is factually untrue; all of my components serve a purpose,” Metal showed great restraint by not swatting away the offending hedgehog finger. He did, however, jab his opponent in the abdomen a second later, the much sharper appendage earning him a small wince from the hedgehog.
“You, however, have an appendix.”
“Didn’t know you cared enough to learn about mobian biology.”
“Yes, I’ve learned to exploit your weaknesses.” Metal decided to go for the jugular this time, although figuratively instead of literally: “Tails also taught me some things.”
Sonic’s pupils dilated ever so slightly. Metal was fervently observing him to notice the minute change. Yes. His theory seemed to gather more steam the moment the fox was brought up.
~ ect ect ~
Metal keeps bringing up cute, domestic moments with Tails and Sonic gradually loses his cool until they fight.
