Intimacy Accords

by SinicSoupbook (DeathCuckoo)

Summary:

Fact: Shadow the Hedgehog is trapped in No Place. Sonic is unreliable, so he'll have to find his own way out, too.
Fact: Captain Dread has a ship AND the shard, both of which Shadow needs. Dread and his crew are also able to command the ship, which Shadow cannot do on his own (yet), so he needs them.
Fact: Dread is attracted to Shadow (only natural, of course) and is willing to negotiate shard ownership. While Shadow wouldn't normally bother, it makes no strategic sense to burn this bridge while he still needs it.

Fine. Shadow has struck worse bargains for the use of his body (although never in such an intimate way...) and this is a small price to pay in exchange for the restoration of his world and friends. Besides, as soon as this is all settled, this will be nothing but a bad memory, right?

"We have an 'accord,' then, Captain Dread. If you give me the shard to do with as I wish when I leave, I give you myself to do with until that time arrives."

Notes:

Hi all! Had so much fun with that PWP Dreadow oneshot decided I wanted to use them for the Kinktober challenge! C:

Unfortunately, I am slow and I felt like it'd be neat to work out how Dreadow got to this point, so it's kind of going to have some plot before we get to the kinks lmao. Hope you enjoy!!!

This chapter is the intro and does not incorporate any the Kinktober 2023 Prompts. Sorry lol.

Chapter 1: Introduction: Give 'n Take Proposition

Somehow, this is all Sonic’s fault. Shadow doesn’t know what that stupid, reckless hedgehog did, but it’s the only possible explanation.


Sonic was the only one who could enter the Shatterspaces, and now Shadow was inside a Shatterspace without warning or explanation. Shadow hadn’t been able to get into any Shatterspaces even with Nine’s technology, so…Sonic had screwed up AGAIN.


That’s the only way Shadow has managed to find himself in the middle of the ocean. Shadow is going to throttle that stupid hedgehog and throw him overboard. He is going to enjoy watching Sonic drown the next time he sees that blue menace.


But Sonic is the least of Shadow’s concerns right now. His biggest concern is Dread the Echidna. Captain of the Angel’s Voyage, “Scourge of the Seas,” and his current host.


Shadow drums his fingers on the wood as he looks at Dread carefully, mulling over the echidna’s surprising proposal. The captain sits in his chair patiently, legs spread open as he leans backwards with a placid but sharp smile. 


“You’re willing to trade the shard,” Shadow repeats, trying to keep the note of uncertainty out of his voice as he stares at Dread. The hedgehog is sitting on the desk, which gives him the rare opportunity to look down on the Captain, who doesn’t seem particularly phased at being the shorter one now.


“Aye,” Dread shrugs nonchalantly, resting his folded hands on his stomach like this is a casual discussion between friends. The echidna leans his head back to let his long spines hang over the back of chair, looking at Shadow with half-lidded eyes, “Providin’ the give be equitable to the take.”


This seems very out of character to Dread. In the short time Shadow has known this particular echidna, he's realized that Dread is selfish and untrustworthy. The captain was also obsessive and stubborn, and his current obsession was with the shard he reverently called “his beauty.” Dread carried the shard around like it was a part of his body, only setting it down when absolutely necessary and never letting it out of his sight. 


Shadow looks between Dread and the shard suspiciously, trying to decipher what is glittering in those purple eyes. The captain was not doing this out of the goodness of his heart, that much was obvious, so…


“Why?”


Dread laughs, gold tooth gleaming in the candlelight as he speaks, “Why, I suspect ye won’t be sharin’ yer own reason for wantin' me beauty, Master Shadow, so I be seein' no reason to share mine.” 


Shadow narrows his eyes at Dread, annoyed at the evasive answer and even more annoyed at the echidna’s cleverness. After a long moment of careful scrutiny, Shadow tilts his head ambivalently as he grudgingly admits, “Fair enough.”


For some reason, that answer has the echidna smiling even more broadly. Dread’s grin is kind of lopsided, muscles by his eyes crinkling with the force of it, “Then we have an accord?”


“Absolutely not,” Shadow turns his head away with a scoff, crossing one leg over the other with a scowl, “Not until I hear the details of this ‘accord’ and only if I find the terms agreeable.”


He looks down on Dread haughtily, keeping his own expression blank, “What is your exact proposal, Captain Dread?”


“Yer a direct man, so I won’t mince me words,” Dread closes his eyes as he hums thoughtfully, coiling his fist under his chin, “If ye want me beauty, I be wantin’ ye in turn.”


“…Me?” Shadow repeats, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of the echidna’s proposition. So he hadn't misheard the first time.


“Mmhmm,” Dread hums as he opens his eyes again, staring at Shadow with renewed intensity, voice low, “If ye be takin’ me beauty, seems only fair ye be takin’ its place.”


“…What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Shadow arches a derisive brow, wondering if this was never a good faith negotiation, “Take its place?!“


Thoroughly annoyed now, Shadow’s voice drips sarcasm, “I’m not quite so travel friendly.”


Dread chuckles at that, which just frustrates Shadow further as he makes a move to get to his feet, “This is a waste of my time-“


“Not all treasure be gold or jewels, mate,” the captain pushes Shadow down by the shoulder, caging him in arms on either side of the hedgehog’s legs. Dread hasn’t gotten up from his chair, but Shadow feels like the echidna is somehow looming over him.


Shadow still doesn’t quite understand what Dread is getting at, but the captain likes the sound of his voice, so he doesn’t need anymore prompting to continue his monologue, “Treasure be somethin’ pleasing to behold.”


Dread looks into his eyes with an intensity that makes Shadow want to shiver, “Easy to admire.”


The captain balances his weight on one arm to free the other, cupping Shadow’s cheek reverently, “Easy to appreciate.”


Any lingering doubts about what Dread is implying disappear as that hand trails down his body to rest on Shadow’s thigh, “Easy to enjoy.”


It’s a solid, warm presence in an area that usually isn’t touched, and it makes Shadow’s quills stand on edge as the echidna’s thumb brushes against his pouch, “Aye, such a prize would be a worthy exchange for me dearest treasure.”


“Hmph,” Shadow scoff as he grabs Dread by the wrist and forcibly moves the echidna’s hand back onto the desk. He would rather push the echidna away entirely, give himself some distance and change the charged atmosphere, but he’s not a coward. He won’t let Dread get the upper hand against him in any arena. 


"You’re comparing me to some rock?” Shadow refuses to give Dread the satisfaction of a reaction, keeping his expression unimpressed, “Hah. I’m the world’s ultimate lifeform- nothing matches up to me.”


“That be so?” Dread asks absently, leaning in close enough their noses are almost touching. Shadow swallows quietly, not used to such proximity as the captain murmurs, “I be inclined to agree, but can't say for certain without proof.”


“You wish!” Shadow flicks his ear in a way he hopes is haughty, not used to positive attention and even less used to being desired like this, “Why should I waste my time on you? What do you have to offer aside from the shard that makes you think you could possibly keep up with me?”


The hedgehog cocks his head to the side casually, making a show of looking at the echidna head to toe. A pretense to get his thoughts in order and to better strategize.


Shadow isn’t usually one to barter or bargain, but he’s at a disadvantage here. Judging by those toned muscles, Dread is just as strong as Knuckles, which means overtaking this echidna physically will… take some time. And even after Shadow does successfully overcome Dread, there’s the rest of the crew to deal with. Normally not a challenge, but four to one is less than ideal.


The only truly limiting factor is the matter of sailing this accursed boat. Shadow has never been to sea before, this is his first time on a boat, and he doesn’t know the first thing about moving one-


“No need to be coy, me love, if ye be wantin’ a demonstration,” Dread murmurs quietly only inches from Shadow’s mouth, eyes glittering with what the hedgehog now recognizes as lust, “I be more than happy to oblige.”


Shadow hates that he feels his eyes widen and his face heat up at the captain’s offer, mouth feeling strangely dry.


“Think about it,” Dread says pleasantly as he pulls back, holding both his hands up to show he has no intention of touching Shadow further. The captain pushes his chair backward with a loud creak, making sure there’s several feet distance between them, “Regardless of what ye choose with regard to me propostion, ye continue remain a guest of the Angel’s Voyage.”


That makes something in Shadow’s heart unclench, feeling much less trapped now that it’s clear the choice is entirely up to him. It’s still manipulative and imbalanced, but at least Shadow has the option to say no and have that respected.


Shadow hops off the desk, very much wanting to get some fresh air and process all of this as far away from Dread as possible- but he doesn’t allow himself to flee.


He leans against the desk with forced casualness, crossing his arms over his chest, “And if I say no, what will you do with the shard?”


“Ah,” Dread shrugs casually before he crosses his arms over his chest, mirroring Shadow’s stance with a grin, “I suppose I must content meself with having naught but me beauty to keep me company on those long, lonely nights.”


Shadow figured as much. With a sigh, the hedgehog turns to walk out the door without so much as a backward glance, “I’ll consider it.”


“T’ain’t any rush, Master Shadow,” Dread calls out after him with a booming laugh that sounds forced, an unhinged quality to his cheerfulness, “Time be what we have in spades while venturin' forth on the tranquil seas of No Place!”

Chapter 2: A Tentative Agreement

Summary:

Shadow mulls Dread's proposal over, and gives a tentative yes only if they have a written, signed agreement. Then they end up sleeping together- not like that, sleeping-sleeping.

Shadow comes to a decision as he watches the sunrise from the crow’s nest that same night, admiring the twinkling stars as they disappear into the pinks and yellows of the dawn.


He doesn’t share this decision with Dread until the night of the third day, however, not until he is sure the captain and his crew are dead asleep. Not difficult since the pirates are all still celebrating the acquisition of “The Devil’s Lighthouse” with obnoxiously loud celebrations that involve entirely too much liquor and off-key singing.


Stealth isn’t usually Shadow’s purview- he’s used to taking what he needs when he needs it and crushing any obstacles in his way. But until he figures out a way to get out of No Place and then restore his home, there isn’t a point in making enemies just yet. (Based off of his observations, 5 is about the minimum necessary crew to operate a ship of this size… So all of them.)


Shadow picks his way through the inebriated crew quickly but carefully, stepping between Catfish’s splayed legs and over a half-curled Black Rose. He wishes he had his Chaos Emerald with him. That would open up a lot more avenues of action…


But there’s nothing he can do about that at this point, and dwelling on it won’t do him any good. Shadow can only focus on the here and now, and since Sonic is so unreliable, he’ll have to figure it out himself.


Shadow carefully swings the door to the captain’s cabin open, but it’s not like it makes much of a difference. Even quiet seas have cresting waves that are louder than creaking hinges and clicking locks. The captain’s cabin muffles the sound of the sea, but amplifies Dread’s snoring.


Shadow walks to the captain’s bunk and stares down dispassionately at the sleeping echidna. Dread is lying on his side, legs tangled in his blanket and arms hugging a pillow. The tip of the shard peeks out from the pillow case, apparently not very comfortable to sleep with but the fool refuses to let it go. Every bit as stubborn as his echidna.


Shaking his head, Shadow reaches out to jostle the captain’s shoulder, “Dread.”


Dread does not react at all.


“Dread,“ Shadow repeats again, shaking the echidna more insistently. Dread mumbles something incoherent as he buries his face into his sheets, curling into the pillow even more. Those wild red spines are sticking out in every direction, and Shadow has the strange urge to straighten them out.


This is stupid.


Shadow reaches into the pillow case and carefully plucks the shard free. He is unsurprised but still a little disappointed that nothing really happens, except perhaps that the shard glows brighter. It seems Sonic is truly the only one who can channel its energy- Shadow feels like the shard is trying to take his.


“Mgh,” Dread makes an inelegant snort as he rolls over, brows furrowed and mumbling something incoherent as he starts blindly groping at the pillow. After a few moments of mumbled curses, the echidna cracks an eye open to glower up at Shadow blearily.


There’s a flush to Dread’s cheeks from his celebrating that almost makes the captain’s muzzle as bright as his fur, and its obvious he’s too tired to do more than pout, “Mine.”


“Hmph,” Shadow quickly shakes off the idea that Dread looks kind of cute like that, tossing the shard up and down in his hand with forced casualness. He feels less off-kilter as he sees Dread tense and the echidna’s eyes follow the trajectory of the shard. Much more in control.


“I’ve considered your offer, Dread,” Shadow says when he’s sure he has the captain’s full attention, one hand on his hip as he keeps tossing the shard up and down, “And my answer is a conditional acceptance.”


All the tension seems to drain from Dread’s body as he sighs, letting his head drop back on his thin mattress. The echidna smiles as he nods, “That be good.”


Dread’s smile is different from a smirk, a small but sincere thing that softens the lines of his face and makes Shadow’s heart ache. Especially without that stupid hat on his head, Dread looks so much like Knuckles. Not that Shadow had been particularly close to anyone other than Rouge, but…


“On my terms and my terms alone,” Shadow doesn’t like that Dread looks so relaxed now, and he grips the shard tightly in his hand, very pointedly not giving it back. 


Shadow feels flustered as Dread yawns sleepily, nodding like he’s not really paying attention. Why is this stupid echidna so relaxed? For all Dread knows, Shadow is lying and about to kill him in his sleep, “If you do anything I don’t like-“


“Aye,” Dread yawns again as he scoots back to make room for Shadow in his too-small bunk, “Come.”


Shadow falters as the reality of this conversation catches up to him, glad the dim light and dark fur hide help hide his blush. 


“We haven’t discussed terms,” the hedgehog scoffs as he turns his face away, crossing his arms over his chest for added emphasis, “And you are inebriated. Nothing is happening until you are fully alert and sober and we have a written agreement.”


“I be thinkin’ more pure thoughts, me hearty, but I won’t be denyin’ it be pleasin’ to hear ye so eager,” Dread grins as he props his chin in his hand, watching Shadow through half-lidded eyes. Shadow’s quills bristle in embarrassment even though he knows Dread was absolutely trying to push his boundaries as much as possible.


The captain pats the mattress invitingly as he pulls the blanket back, “I only be interested in sleepin’- and I do mean truly sleepin’- this night. A test, if you like.”


“A test,” Shadow repeats suspiciously, eyeing Dread with distrust. A test for what exactly?


“If ye be able to give me what I want,” Dread says, infuriatingly ambivalent as if he had his doubts, “‘Tis companionship I be wantin’. If it were just a warm body I be after, there be plenty on the ship. I  t’wouldn’t be offerin’ me greatest treasure for somethin’ so humdrum, now, would I?”


That is absolutely not what Dread said earlier! Shadow expected and knew this, of course- but Shadow has never backed down from a challenge in his life. He isn’t about to do so now. And that Dread even thinks he’s not up to the task?! Insulting.


“Fine then,” Shadow narrows his eyes as he sits on the edge of the bunk, plucking the pillow from under Dread’s head and pushing it down onto the echidna’s face. Shadow uses the captain’s distraction to kick off his shoes, not caring at the loud thud as they hit the floor.


“If it be murder ye be attemptin’,” Dread’s voice is muffled by the pillow, but he doesn’t sound particularly bothered by being smothered, “This ain’t near enough pressure.”


Shadow moves the pillow off of Dread’s face as he leans back against the wall, cushioning his back against the wood. He crosses his legs and places the shard between his thighs as an obvious deterrent before moving the captain’s head to his lap.


“If I were trying to kill you, you’d already be dead,” Shadow says flatly as he ensures Dread’s nose is pressed  against the shard, crossing his arms over his chest. Shadow will do the absolute bare minimum- there’s no way he’s going to be giving Dread a back rub or whatever else the sleazy captain was hoping to get, “Now shut up and go to sleep.”


“Aye.” Dread doesn’t seem the least bit disheartened, looking incredibly satisfied with himself as he loops his arm around Shadow’s waist. 


Shadow immediately stiffens- he has never been treated like this and doesn’t know how to react- and every quill stands on end as Dread nuzzles his stomach. 


“Aye,” The captain repeats with a pleased rumble reverberating in his chest, using his other hand to pull the shard closer to his body, “I do be thinkin’ this arrangement will be agreeable to both of us, Mister Shadow.”


The action reminds Shadow of junkyard dog, wily and scrappy and prepared to protect what was his with tenacious ferocity. It’s been a long, long time since Shadow watched those black and white cartoons at a sick girl’s bedside, so he can’t quite remember how those silly stories usually ended…


But Shadow knows how this one will end- with his home and everyone in it whole and back the way it is all supposed to be.


With renewed determination to not let this bizarre situation get the better of him, Shadow decides he’ll focus on making it better for himself in the interim.


The hedgehog wrinkles his nose with disdain as he plucks Dread’s hat up, less than impressed at the smell of sweat and salt that seems to permeate the leather… and disgusted at the oily texture inside of it. What was the last time this thing was washed?


As the captain’s breathing starts evening out, Shadow picks up a red spine between two fingers. He scrutinizes it with growing disdain, sneering in disgust, “If you’re going to touch me, you are going to take a daily bath. Twice for the first week.”

Notes:

<3

Chapter 3: Splish Splash

Summary:

Shadow makes Dread get into the bathtub and Dread is very annoying the entire time.
Prompt was Bathing/Helping (un)button/Getting (un)Dressed

Dread doesn’t say anything initially, just watches Shadow as the black hedgehog sets up a big tub in the middle of his cabin.


The captain has rather hazy memories of the night that led to this watery project. It had been after a celebration- they talked about something, he could have sworn he had his head on Shadow’s lap, and the hedgehog had been playing with his spines and hat.


Dread doesn’t remember when a bath came into the equation, but if it made his skittish guest more comfortable, the Captain could tolerate some eccentricities. 


“Fresh water be a luxury on the high seas, me dove,” Dread says conversationally from where he’s sitting on the edge of his bed, loosening the laces of his boots in preparation of pulling them on, “Not to be wasted on vanity and frivolity.”


“This is a necessity,” Shadow answers back tersely as the hedgehog adds some clear, sweet-smelling liquid into the steaming water, stirring it up with a large spoon Dread recognizes from his ship’s galley, “You stink.“


(Briefly, Dread thinks back to Sonic’s fear of being eaten, and wonders if perhaps Shadow is the origin of that strange fear…)


Shadow continues frothing up bubbles and testing the temperature, pouring more of that liquid that Dread now recognizes as Batten’s perfume. The bat was going to kill the hedgehog… the thought brings a smile to the captain’s face.


Shadow stands up abruptly, quickly pulling his glove back on as he half twists to look at Dread over his shoulder, “Get in.”


The hedgehog had obviously angled his body like that so Dread wouldn’t be able to see his ungloved hands, as though that were some intimate and private part of his being. Adorably shy for someone who had bargained himself into the captain’s bed, and Dread had every intention of collecting.


“What?” Shadow snaps irritably, obviously self conscious as he reflexively flexes his now-gloved hand, “What are you waiting for? Get in the bath.”


Well… It had been a good and proper time since his last good soak, but Knuckles the Dread doesn’t do anything for free.


“Mmm,” Dread makes a big show of standing up and slowly making his way to the edge of the tub, looking at the bubbly, murky water skeptically.


“M’fraid, Mister Shadow, that I have me cap’n duties awaitin’ me,” Dread gives a little half-truth, dipping his finger into the bath water and popping a bubble, “I cannot be loungin’ in a bath like some snot nosed, lily livered blue blood with no cares and no responsibilities.”


The echidna meets the hedgehog’s eyes over the side of the tub with a toothy grin, “Least, not without a fine reason to do so.”


Dread’s grin stretches even wider across his face as he see Shadow’s scowl deepen, the hedgehog had obviously not anticipated any bargaining. Dread gives a sweeping gesture at the tub, hooking his other hand through his belt, “What be the fine reason I should be indulgin’ this fancy of yours, then, Mister Shadow, other than the sensibilities of that dainty little nose?”


Shadow’s jaw tightens and the hedgehog makes a noise in his throat that sounds like a growl, quills raising as he opens his mouth to argue- before snapping it shut abruptly. The hedgehog takes a deep breath through his nose and sounds much more calm, “Consider it a test, then.”


There is such a bite to those words despite the flat delivery, a storm brewing in those gorgeous ruby eyes, “I want to see if you can give me what I want.”


“Ah,” Dread nods sagely, wickedly delighted that Shadow’s attempt at cleverness had given him the perfect trap. The hedgehog’s spite and arrogance were so easy to turn against him- how many more times could he get Shadow to weave the noose that he would hang himself with?


“By all means, then,” Dread says cheerfully as he gestures at his clothes, eyes half-lidded in a challenging stare, “Show me how you like it!”


Predictably, Shadow falters when the impetus of the action falls on him, but the hedgehog’s stubborn pride appears to win every time. With an annoyed sneer, Shadow immediately steps up to Dread and starts undressing him.


“You’re rather lazy for a captain,” Shadow grumbles as he slides the coat to Dread’s elbows and leaves it there, obviously trying to limit the echidna’s range of motion. The hedgehog then goes to picking open the dozen or so buttons of the captain’s vest with the air of someone unused to this task, “What ‘duties’ prevent you from taking your goddamn shirt off, huh?”


“Wouldn’t want to deprive ye of the pleasure of doing so yerself, me dearest heart,” Dread answers back cheekily as the hedgehog throws the vest open, pleased at the way Shadow seems surprised at the tattoos. The serpent of shipwrecks, Chaos, coiling on Dread’s right arm and ready to strike on his pectoral. Just above the legendary emerald lost to time on his ribs, the Angel’s Beacon, which it reportedly guarded.


“They be nice, don’t they?” Dread says casually after a long moment of Shadow’s quiet staring, flexing his muscles to make his tattoos jump, “T’wouldn’t bother me none if ye wanted to touch for yerself.”


“Touch,“ Shadow repeats incredulously as he shakes his face vehemently, peeling Dread’s coat and vest off like layers of an orange, “Don’t flatter yourself. The pattern caught my eye because it looked familiar, nothing else.”


If Shadow weren’t standing so close and Dread wasn’t able to look down on him, the Captain might not have noticed the subtle flush on the hedgehog’s muzzle. Not for the first time, Dread wonders what the hedgehog’s level of sexual experience was and if modesty or inexperience that had him blushing so prettily.


“There!“ Shadow says with obvious disdain as he pulls the ascot free with a huff, “You’re undressed. Now get in the goddamn bathtub.”


The hedgehog hesitates for a moment, looking like he wants to throw the clothes on the floor- before taking a furious breath through his nose and roughly folding them. Quick, aggressive movements that align the seams and create neat, crisp folds. Shadow obviously values precision and efficiency in all aspects of his life, and is surprisingly persnickety and neat-


“Now what?” Shadow asks sharply as he sets the clothes down on Dread’s desk with surprising gentleness, gesturing to the tub impatiently, “Are you waiting for an invitation?”


“Well,” Shadow’s impatience makes it so easy to rile to him up, and Dread is enjoying the power the hedgehog has unintentionally given to him. He extends his hand towards the hedgehog, palm down, “If ye be offerin’, t’wouldn’t want to be inhospitable.”


Shadow glowers at him with a look that could kill before angrily taking the echidna’s hand and helping him into the tub. In the same motion, Shadow is pushing Dread down by the shoulders so the captain is now sitting with the bath water up to his chest.


An abrupt temperature change, but too hot is preferable to too cold. The steam is fragrant and warm water soothes his tense muscles, and Dread settles into the water with a contented sigh.


“There be only one thing left to make this bath perfect,” Dread leans his head against the rim of the tub, looking at Shadow over his shoulder, “Fetch me beauty if ye’d be so kind, me treasure.”


“I’m not your treasure,” Shadow answers back automatically, as stern and unimpressed as ever, but there’s a furrow between his eyebrows that seems almost uncertain, “And I’m not going to do that.”


“Oh? And why be that?” Dread turns his face away and settles further into the water, hiding the twitch in his jaw as he glowers at the wall. Shadow was still rather skittish, and it wouldn’t do the Captain any favors to push too hard too soon. He’d get Shadow to come of his own volition if he was patient, “If ye’ve lost yer interest in acquirin’ me beauty, but say the word.”


Dread can practically feel the hedgehog stiffen behind him, which makes the Captain certain Shadow will not take the bait. Makes it easier to make grand promises when he’s certain he won’t be called on to honor his part of the agreement, “I will consider our accord terminated with no bad blood betwixt us. Ate, if ye wish to disembark me fine vessel now, why, I be happy to arrange that too-“


“You’re a terrible listener,” Shadow’s voice is suddenly much closer to the side of Dread’s head, gloved hand resting on the captain’s shoulder to prevent him from standing up, “I didn’t say that, and I’m not letting you touch me until we have a binding agreement in writing.”


Dread assumed as much, an unapologetic smile on his face as Shadow correctly reads his intentions- but the captain can be just as litigious.


“And when did it be that I asked you for anythin’ but me beauty, eh?” Dread looks over his shoulder with an elegantly arched brow, pointedly looking at Shadow’s hand that is still on his shoulder, “If there be anyone in danger of havin’ an impropriety foisted upon his person, Mister Shadow, it be the defenseless man in bathwater with nary a scrap of cloth to safeguard his decency.”


Dread watches with great satisfaction as Shadow wrinkles his nose in frustration an rolls his eyes- but does not remove his hand at all. Very interesting.


“Spare me the theatrics, Dread,” Shadow says dryly, putting a hand on his hip haughtily as he throws his head imperiously, “I have a mutually beneficial proposition that will make us both happy.”

Notes:

The tattoos are Perfect Chaos and the Master Emerald. C:

Chapter 4: Splish Splashx2

Summary:

Dread continues to sit in the bathwater and only now begins to wonder where this stuff all came from... and Shadow demands he scrub himself clean for him.

Notes:

Hiii, it's been a while! I got caught up with RL and doing extensive research on soap and desalination machines, because I thought about how much Dread and his crew would STINK being in the open ocean for so long... And I can't see Shadow tolerating that, ahaha.

This is a transition short chapter, lmao, so there aren't really any prompts this was supposed to hit, and it's kinda going it's own direction now anyway. BUT, I guess this would still be bathing and maybe familiar scents? Next chapter should be the good stuff. C:

Interesting. Dread knew he would be able to get Shadow to serve himself on a silver platter eventually- just not so soon. The black hedgehog was obviously up to something, confident he could keep control of the situation…


“Oh?” Dread asks conversationally, making a show of slowly and thoughtfully looking at Shadow. It’s incredibly tempting to look at the hand on his shoulder, to make Shadow acutely aware of the point of contact between them that the hedgehog himself initiated and continues to maintain- but it wouldn’t do any good to push too hard. Not yet anyway.


“And what, pray tell, be this mutually beneficial and happiness inducin’ proposition of yours, then?” Dread asks casually, pulling his spines over his free shoulder. He begins pulling the bands and wrappings of his spines before they become too waterlogged, gathering them into a pile in one palm that he unceremoniously throws toward the desk.


“Ugh,” Shadow wrinkles his nose in distaste as the wrappings scatter across the floor, hand twitching like he wants to go pick them up although the hedgehog doesn’t move, “Give them to me next time instead of throwing them all over the place!”


Dread tilts his head to the side as he looks at Shadow carefully, voice pleasant and without any special intonation, “Next time?” 


Shadow frowns like he knows exactly what Dread was trying to keep from saying, leaning forward to mutter like its a challenge, “Next time.“


“Aye, well,” Dread runs his hands through his spines, letting the loose quills fall into the water. His head does feel much lighter now, and the warm bath is pleasant and comfortable… If Shadow finds pleasure in bathing him, then he won’t deny the hedgehog, agreeing more easily than he would normally, “Next time it is.”


If Shadow is surprised by his quick agreement, it doesn’t show on the hedgehog’s face, although he does puff up his chest a little bit. Ah, this was going better than expected.


“Now then, Captain,“ Shadow perches himself on the thin lip of the tub, a very precarious position that is just one deck roll away from entering the bath. Shadow crosses his arms over his chest, not even bracing himself from the rocking of the waves. Was the hedgehog trying to test him or prove something?


“You asked me to watch over you as you slept off a drunken night, and I obliged,” Shadow uncrosses his arms only to reach down and hand Dread a small white lump. What was this?


The echidna turns the unnaturally polished oval in his claws, taking a cautious whiff of the thing. Not like anything he ever saw before, subtly perfumed and rock solid… a jewel of some sorts? The echidna dips it in the bath water, surprised to find it turned slippery, and experimentally drags it across his forearm… he rubs at the faint white streak it leaves behind, working it into a lather until a few bubbles form- soap!


“Soap!” Dread says, mystified, still examining the ‘soap’ like it’s a jewel. This was nothing like the crumbly cakes of lard and lye Dread was familiar with, and certainly not as earthy smelling, “Where did you get this?”


“As I was saying,” Shadow purses his lips, looking incredibly displeased as he plucks the soap out of Dread’s hands, holding it between two fingers, “Now you will repay this courtesy by scrubbing yourself clean for me.”


Dread eyes the hedgehog with growing suspicion, wondering just how Shadow managed to pull all of this off. Freshwater was difficult to get on the open ocean, and certainly not in large enough quantities to make bathing at sea anything more than a far fetched dream. And now Shadow had accomplished a second little miracle by managing to procure lye and some sort of oil or fat to make soap without the captain noticing. Powerfully fragrant soap that smelled of flowers.


 It’s… Hm. Regardless, it seemed as though Dread needed to remind the crew whose orders they were beholden to and what they would face if they went behind his back again-


“Stop that,” Shadow tells him dismissively, reaching down to splash some water in the captain’s face. Dread barely manages to close his eyes and close his mouth before the soapy water hits him, “You told the crew to accommodate my requests, and they’ve acted as you instructed.”


He hears Shadow click his tongue dismissively before scoffing, tone scornful with an undertone of self satisfaction, “That you’re forgetful and capricious is no one’s fault but your own, Dread.”


The urge to wick water away is almost unbearable, wanting desperately to pat dry the soap stinging at the corner of his eyes- but Shadow’s tone sends a stab of desperate longing throughout Dread’s body that has him shivering.


This was Shadow at his most beautiful and deadly- so sure of his victory the hedgehog allows himself to be conceited and careless, baiting his foe without considering the backlash on his position or goal. As reckless and as lovely as an exotic bird throwing its body against the cage trapping it in an attempt to escape. A Pyrrhic victory.


“Aye, t’ain’t easy for a captain to admit to bein’ bested,” Dread answers with a sigh that’s equal parts reluctant as it is impressed, claw tracing circles in the soapy water, “But ye have caught me in me own game, me treasure.”


Shadow is close enough to pull into the water like this, the golden bangle on his wrist catching the light of the window enticingly-


But the captain occupies his hands with the bar of soap instead, rubbing it against the back of his hand and up his arm to work up a good lather. His claws glide through the soapy fur, scraping off dead quills bits of salt and grime that is admittedly very pleasant. It’s been a last time since his last scrub…


“If me treasure be wantin’ a show,” Dread gives Shadow a lecherous grin as he continues to work the lather into his fur, tracing the tattoos on his shoulder gently with a sensual sigh, “I be more than happy to oblige.”

Notes:

Thanks for sticking in there with me! I appreciate all your kind comments and support, and I promise I haven't forgotten about this fic, and I do plan to continue it! Just maybe... very slowly...

Dreadow nation we sail on!