Chapter Text
"Rouge you don't seem to be as bubbly today is something wrong?" Barry softened his eyes leaning in to give his full attention to Rouge.
"I didn't notice I guess because my best friend in mad at me." Rouge's voice carried a lot of built up tension.
"I didn't know you and Blaze were fighting but I guess that's how it can be when you decide to live your friends."
"I'm not talking about Blaze I mean Shadow!" Barry was taken aback by Rouge angered tone. Rouge rubbed her right arm with her left unable to look at Barry. "Sorry about that hun I didn't mean to yell."
"It's alright I get that you're unhappy at the moment." Barry pulled up a nearby chair. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Rouge Rouge's now glisteny eyes darted up at Barry. "You sure my breaks almost over."
Barry nodded patting the chair a few times. "I think this is more important right now."
Rouge wiped her face quickly accepting his offer Barry sat down across from her attentively waiting for Rouge to start speaking. Rouge cleared her throat. "First of all Barry thanks for offering to let me vent there aren't many who'd do that."
"No problem plus I'm manager and helping my co-workers is my favorite part of the job."
"I'll remember that when I'm in the back flipping patties." Rouge and Barry shared a laugh Rouge feeling less tense venting everything that happened in the last couple of days.
"But yeah can you believe Shadow was mad at me for what caring about him. He can be so frustrating at times but still even now I can't help caring about him because he was big part in helping me after Knuckles. and I had to help some way." Barry listened only nodding not interrupting Rouge once. "Anyways what do you think?"
"What I think is that Shadow isn't actually mad at you. I mean you tried to get him to open up about issues he still hasn't fully let himself let go nor seems willing. He has to come to you and getting him to talk about his past like that won't make things better."
"So I shouldn't anything until he's willing to except his feelings that'll never happen it has been years."
"That's not exactly what I mean I'm saying do nothing I'm saying do what you can to get Shadow to want to confront his past not to instantly make him relive it. Like what made you want want to confront Knuckles and leave?"
"Well I guess at some point it got a point that I couldn't ignore it the Knuckles I fell in love with was gone and all that was left was the Knuckles I couldn't stand or put up with anymore."
"You see Rouge it built up until you felt you had to confront it even if it's not exactly the same as Shadow I recommend talking to him again and trying to fix things and still help but do you can to support Shadow."
"Thanks Barry." Rouge tightly hugged Barry making him blush slightly.
"No problem. I'm just happy to help."
Rouge pulled away getting up with a bit more pep in her step.
“Well I’m off to make things right.” Rouge left the break room to find Shadow doing nothing at the counter just overlooking a mostly empty restaurant. “Hey Shadow.”
Shadow pretended like he didn't hear Rouge only responding with a “hmpf.”
“Shadow don’t be like that.”
“What do you want Rouge I have work to do.” Rouge looked around and back to Shadow who was clearly embarrassed by his poor excuse.
“Well since you’re busy i’ll keep it short. I’m sorry about yesterday Shadow. I know in my want to help you I overstepped and i’ll try better.”
“Thank you Rouge. I apologize for getting angry my past is just… It’s nice to know you care.” Shadow turned to Rouge who instead of her usual smirk had a much warmer gentler smile.
“Shadow despite what you think I know what’s like to lose someone and not being able to deal with that. So you have to understand this I won’t stop trying to help you and support you even if you think i’m going against you by doing so.”
“Can I ask who you lost.”
“Knuckles.”
Shadow tilted his head in confusion. “Knuckles is still alive.”
“Shady, lose comes in many forms. In my case I lost the Knuckles I love and I wasn’t treated well but for a long time I pretended things weren’t I created an illusion of bliss which just was a prison keeping from seeing my world crumbling around me. By the time I smelled the roses and broke free it was to late and I couldn’t handle seeing Knuckles like he was so I left and got blacklisted now can’t have a career in modeling. It's funny to think about sometimes the one who sparked my true passion for modeling was Knuckles and he’s the one who also ended it.” Rouge wiped away to tears she felt forming. “Sorry hun this isn't about me.”
“Well isn’t that part of helping me being vulnerable. But Rouge you’re right I can’t just live in the past but I don't think i’m ready to move on yet.”
“Well a good boss told me you don't have to confront immediately it’s a build up. We just have take it one step at a time.”