Metal was beginning to enjoy the collection of books he had acquired. He had worked his way through most of the encyclopedias and manuals. He read a few of the comic books and skimmed a sci-fi novel, but they were fiction. Fiction did not appeal to him as much as useful, factual information. He found himself returning to the dictionary. He was looking through it again when the horrid screech of the workshop door caught his attention.
Tails stood in the doorway. Wait, didn't Tails say he wouldn't be back until the next morning? Was it morning already? Metal tried to check his internal clock, but it only produced an error.
Tails ran up to Metal. "Good morning! Did you enjoy your books?"
Metal nodded. He noticed Sonic following Tails. He really didn't look thrilled to see Metal.
"Reading, huh?" Sonic said, with a twinge of amusement, "I didn't think you were much of a reader."
Metal glared at him. He had read about sign language but only learned basic signs. "Go away, you wretched rodent" was not yet in his vocabulary. He briefly considered if an aggressive goodbye would work, but he was distracted by Sonic rummaging through the box.
"Oh hey! My comic collection is in here. He's not gonna wreck them, right Tails?"
"No," Tails added a faint "I hope," before continuing. "I thought if he read them and liked them it might give you two something to bond over!"
"Me? Bond with him?!"
Metal Sonic silently agreed with that sentiment.
"Sonic!" Tails exclaimed, "You can at least give it a shot! Please?" He turned to Metal. "Did you read any?"
Metal nodded slightly.
"Did you like them?"
Metal gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Yeah. Seemed like he loved them, Tails," Sonic snarked.
"Well, it's something! At least he didn't hate them!"
Tails looked at Metal. He wasn't sure how to get Sonic and Metal to talk. Especially since one was mute and both were unmanageably stubborn.
But Metal had a plan that had been brewing since he reached page 76 of the dictionary. He dragged the enormous book over, opened it, and flipped through the pages with mechanical precision. His finger dragged down the page before settling on a word. He looked up at Tails, waiting for a reaction.
Tails leaned in to read the indicated word. "I. Pronoun. Definition- "
He was interrupted by Metal flipping to another page and pointing to a new word.
"Prefer. Verb. Def- "
Flip. Point.
"Nonfiction. N- "
Metal stopped him. He waited for Tails to realize.
"What? I. Prefer. Nonfiction… Oh! He's talking to us!" Then to Metal he said, "So that's why most of the novels are still in the box. I'm guessing that pile is your favorites?" He pointed to a stack of books about technology.
Metal nodded.
"But what did you think about the comics?" Sonic pressed.
Flip. Point. "I" Flip. Point. "Like" Flip. Point. "Action" Flip. Point "But" Flip. Point. "No" Flip. Point. "Useful" Flip. Point. "Information"
"Ah," Sonic responded, sounding a little disappointed. "What an opinion. You don't think it's useful, so you don't like it. What's wrong with liking trivial things?"
"Sonic. He's a robot. He doesn't think like that. At least he liked the action. You can relate to that, right?"
"Yeah. Guess so."
Tails smiled at Metal. "Do you want more books? I'll show you my engineering books. You'll probably like the ones about planes. Maybe I can find a comic book that you'd enjoy!"
"Why don't you go do that Tails. I need to talk to Metal."
Tails hesitated but Sonic waved him away.
As soon as the door shut, Sonic pulled a bench over and sat across from Metal.
"Alright Metal, listen. Tails has faith in you, and I have faith in Tails. But that doesn't mean I trust you. I'm willing to give Tails a shot. He's pretty capable. I know it because I've seen it. But still, you were an enemy for years and I'm not about to just forgive and forget immediately. Tails is my little brother. If you hurt him, I will hurt you. He's giving you a second chance, so you had better respect it. I have – reluctantly – agreed with him, but just remember: if you mess this up, you will not get away with it."
Metal looked directly at Sonic. Neither flinched. They stared each other down as if trying to find a weakness. Finally, Sonic spoke, "You can be better than what you are. You don't have to be Eggman's weapon. Tails wants to help you. It's your choice, but whatever you choose, choose wisely. Do we have an agreement?" He reached a hand out. Metal's single functioning eye flicked down to Sonic's waiting hand, but he quickly looked back into Sonic's eyes. He shook Sonic's hand and nodded slightly. I understand.
The door screeched open suddenly. Tails stood in the doorway with another box of books. Sonic and Metal looked back at him, startled by the sudden intrusion.
"Oh. Did I come back too soon?" Tails asked, "I already had the books in the box, so it didn't take long."
"No. No, it's fine. I just wanted Metal to understand the plan." Sonic stood and walked out of the workshop, ruffling Tails' bangs as he went by.
Tails looked at Metal. Metal stared back. He realized that betraying the kid would break his heart, and for some reason that bothered him.