It was funny to see Metal Sonic wandering around in awe of Tails' workshop. Tails had indulged his curiosity by giving him a tour and a demo of his ongoing projects. It was fun, but it wasn't the only thing Tails wanted to show Metal.

As Tails let Metal lead the way to whatever caught his interest, he asked a simple question, "Do you want to go anywhere else?"

There weren't very many options, considering that Metal was a super badnik that appeared to be acting nicer than usual, but after being cooped up in the workshop for so long it was worth offering.

Metal reacted to this question with a bewildered stare, as if he had forgotten that there was a world outside of the worktable he had sat on for the last few days. But he quickly picked up the pace and charged toward the door. The horrible squeaky door that had been nothing but a signal of Tails' entrance and exit until now. He flung the door open and embraced the warm outside air with a joy unbefitting of one of Eggman's creations. For a moment, all trace of the stoic killing machine had vanished completely. By the time Tails had caught up, Metal had been overcome by the urge to frolic. He rushed out and stood in the dirt patch that he had woken up in that stormy night. But this time, there was no feeling of defeat and misery. Metal felt the sun warming his face and the breeze slipping between his fingers. It wasn't the same sensation that an organic being would feel, instead more of a mechanical note of temperature, motion, and contact, but Metal relished in it, nonetheless.

He suddenly took off into the grass border at the edge of the woods and flung himself into the wind-rippled stalks and fallen leaves. Tails sat in the grass beside him.

"Having fun?"

Metal made a sort of contented rumble.

"I never imagined you would do something like this. I always thought you weren't made with the ability to appreciate nature. That you could only care about machines and things like that. I'm actually really happy you're enjoying it. It's a nice day."

Metal nodded.

They sat in silence, enjoying the moment.

Eventually, Tails got to his feet and looked at his little house.

"I have to finish setting up for dinner with my friends. Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles are visiting. Shadow is visiting and he might stop by. And you can join too! I-if you want to. I want the others to meet you and see how nice you are now. But I understand if you don't want to."

He looked at Metal patiently. It seemed like Metal hadn't heard Tails, until he made a hesitating, uncertain nod.

"Really?! You will?!"

A moment of hesitation, then another, more confident, nod. Metal stood, now curious about Tails' home, and followed him to the porch.

Metal looked around the porch, remembering the struggle it took to get himself out of the rain. He looked at the window he had summoned the last of his strength to slam against. He looked at the door that had opened to answer his plea for help. In a way, this was the door to a chance at a new life. Tails opened the door and waited for Metal to enter. Metal stood in the doorway, thrilled with the possibilities awaiting him. With a metaphorical breath, he continued into the house.

Tails' home was small and cozy. He looked around at the entrance. It was simple, but welcoming. The simple, practical décor and project clutter made it clear that Tails lived here. After a quick tour, he followed Tails into the kitchen, and quickly realized that he was severely out of his element. As a robot, the concept of food was completely alien to him. But he wanted to help. It was the least he could do after what Tails had done for him. He wandered around aimlessly, unsure of what to do with himself.

Tails noticed his confusion. "Do you want something to do? There's some books upstairs in the loft."

Metal instead opened a cabinet and stared intensely into it.

"Do… you want to do something in…here? Do you want to help?"

Metal nodded eagerly.

"Ohh-kay. Unexpected but I'll work with it."

Tails retrieved a few vegetables, a cutting board, and a knife. He showed Metal what he wanted, then handed the knife over. Metal raised the knife in an unpleasantly psychotic manner and Tails felt a nauseating regret. To his almost crushing relief, Metal gave the knife a quick look-over and began to chop the vegetables with an inexperienced but much less serial killer-esque technique.

Tails already knew that having Metal Sonic around would be very helpful, but he now saw the potential he had previously overlooked. The onions would never make him tear up again.