Resurgence (Shadow x Reader)

Amy- which is what the pink hedgehog had just introduced herself to Y/n- as she leaned on the counter, one hand cradling her freshly made coffee while the other gestured dramatically. "I just don't understand how you can say she's overrated. She's one of the best pop stars of our time." Shadow, standing beside her with his arms crossed, let out a sharp exhale through his nose- not quite a sigh, but close. "Popularity does not equate to quality."

Amy gasped, utterly scandalized. "Excuse me? You're telling me she's not talented?"

"I never said that." Shadow's voice remained as calm as ever, but there was an edge of stubbornness to it. "I said she's overrated. Sabrina Carpenter follows the same predictable formula with every album- catchy beat, repetitive chorus, artificially constructed to sell as many records as possible. She's just a product of the industry."

Amy groaned like he'd physically wounded her. "You have no taste." she shuddered. Shadow merely shrugged, unimpressed.

As their conversation played out, Y/n had been quietly wiping down the counter, trying not to be obvious about how much she was enjoying the show. It was a little surreal- the Shadow the Hedgehog standing in her workplace, debating pop stars like this was the most important topic in the world. Amy suddenly turned to her.

"Okay, I need a tie-breaker." Y/n blinked, straightening slightly. "What?"

Amy leaned in, eyes shining with determination. "What's your take? Is Sabrina the best pop star of our generation or is Shadow just being a grump?" Y/n's hands paused mid-wipe. She glanced between them, processing the situation. On one hand, she agreed with Amy- the singer in question was undeniably talented. But if she was being completely honest, she kind of saw Shadow's point too. Shadow raised a brow, clearly expecting her to take Amy's side.

Amy on the other hand was practically vibrating with anticipation. Y/n bit back a smirk. "I see both sides." Amy's eyes narrowed. "Cop-out answer."

Y'n shrugged, finally tossing the damp rag over her shoulder. "I mean, you're not wrong- she's definitely one of the best performers out there. Sje's got the stage presence, the voice, the whole package. But I get what he's saying too. Some of her songs do feel a little... manufactured" Shadow gave the smallest smirk, as if he were pleased that someone had finally acknowledged his point.

Amy gasped, offended all over again "Et tu, Y/n?"

Y/n laughed. "Hey, I still think she's great! But let's be real, if you strip away the flashy performances and just focus on the music itself... some of her stuff does feel a bit safe. Like she's sticking to what works instead of experimenting." Amy groaned in frustration but ultimately took a sip of her coffee, defeated but not entirely unconvinced. "Fine, fine. I'll accept that answer" She paused, then brightened as if she'd just had the best idea of her life.

"Hey," she said suddenly. "Do you get off work soon?"

Y/n blinked at the blinked at the abrupt change in topic. "Uh, not for another hour. Why?" Amy grinned. "Because you should totally join us sometime! Shadow and I have a weekly book club, but it's mostly just an excuse to talk about pop stars and drink overpriced coffee... and it's usually just us." Y/n tilted her head, glancing between them. Shadow. In a book club.

Somehow, that was harder to believe than him playing claw machines at the arcade. "You're in a book club together?" she asked, still half-convinced this was a joke.

"Yep," Amy said cheerfully.

"It's not a book club," Shadow muttered.

Amy waved a hand dismissively. "It totally is. We just... don't always talk about books." Y/n smirked. "So... what do you talk about?"

Amy shrugged. "Oh, you know, music, movies, fashion, conspiracy theories about celebrity breakups, the usual!" Y/n raised a brow "And you both enjoy this?" Amy nodded enthusiastically. Shadow, however, remained completely unreadable. Y/n couldn't help it. She laughed. "Well, that's definitely not what I expected."

Amy grinned. "That's what makes it fun!"

Shadow sighed, rubbing his temple like this conversation had already drained him. "You don't have to agree. She's going to keep talking about it either way." Amy elbowed him lightly. "Don't listen to him. He pretends to be all grumpy, but he has opinions on this stuff too." Y/n gave Shadow a look. "is that true?" she said, amused.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze flickered toward her- studying her again, the same way he had back at the toy store. Then, finally, with the most neutral possible expression, he said, "I have opinions on everything."

Y/n smirked. "Noted."

Amy was still beaming. "So? What do you say?" Y/n hesitated- not because she wasn't interested, but because she had assumed something else entirely. Her gaze drifted between the two of them. Amy, still practically bouncing with excitement. Shadow, standing beside her with his usual unreadable expression. They had an easy familiarity, a way of interacting that made it obvious they had known each other for years. So, naturally, Y/n had assumed that they were together.

But now?

Now she wasn't so sure.

Because while they were clearly close, there was nothing romantic in the way they spoke to each other. No lingering glances, no subtle tension, no awkward flirtation. Just banter. And for some reason... That realization made her answer without hesitation. "Alright," Y/n said. "I'm in" Amy cheered, pumping her fist in victory. "Yes! I knew I liked you."

Shadow didn't as anything, but he didn't argue, either. Y/n smirked at him. "You sure you're okay with this, or do I need to pass some kind of test?" Shadow held her gaze for a moment, then said simply, "You already passed." Y/n wasn't sure what that meant, exactly, but the way he said it made something flicker in her chest. Amy, completely oblivious to the moment, pulled out her phone. "Perfect! We meet once a week at this bookstore near my place- oh, wait, you work here, so I guess that's convenient!" She laughed "It's fate."

Y/n chuckled. "Guess so!"

Amy gave her a quick rundown of their usual schedule, and before long, she and Shadow were on their way out. But as Shadow reached the door, he glanced back one last time. Y/n met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them. It was just a simple look. A flicker of recognition.

But somehow... it felt like the start of something. And for the first time in a long time, Y/n had a feeling that her past and her present were about to collide.