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The sun set in the distance casting golden light upon all out and about on the lovely day. All might say it was a perfect day, but at the moment one certain brooding hedgehog would disagree. Standing outside of the gates of the very well know and currently very busy Twinkle Park was none other than Shadow the Hedgehog. Many mobians did the same, standing together in groups of two or more, all most likely drawn there by the promise of free admission inside if joined by a romantic partner. Castle-like in appearance the park stretched out with seemingly no end in sight with loads of rides, stands set up for food and games, screams of glee and the chatter of excited mobians on the move to make the most of their evening. Shadow stood at the entrance to what he viewed as his worst nightmare. Noisy, too many people standing out and about. . . and too much damn noise!
All noise ceased though as he laid eyes on the shock of pink that seemed to part the crowd. The chatter of the park entrance dimmed to a murmur, the annoying rays of the setting sun dimmed in comparison, and time itself seemed to stop in the presence of Amy Rose. She gaped up at the park ahead of her, glee and awe painted her face, not yet noticing the dark hedgehog in front of her. Although his strong gaze soon caught her attention and her already large smiled widened even further. Amy's pretty pink quills bounced on her shoulders as she jogged up to Shadow and threw herself into his arms. The force at which she did knocked Shadow out of his haze and back into the present.
🩷"Oh wow Shadow can you believe it? The parks gotten so much bigger and *gaaaaaaaaasssp* look at all the rides and do you smell all that sweet sweet greasy food? And we get to enjoy it all for FREE?"
Amy let out a squeal at the end of her enthusiastic little rant, letting Shadow out of the death grip of a hug she had him in, a bit to the disappointment of Shadow who wouldn't have minded holding her a bit longer. Amy was practically vibrating with enthusiasm and determined to not make her have to wait any longer Shadow said,
🖤"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's head on in, shall we?"
Offering her his arm she gladly took it giggling as she did.
🖤"What has you so. . . tickled?"
Shadow asked as he navigated them through the seemingly endless sea of mobians. Amy peered up at Shadow through her lashes as she composed herself.
🩷"Nothing it's just, you're such a gentleman. I never got this treatment with Sonic coming here. Something a girls gotta get use to."
At the mention of the blue faker Shadows quills bristled and his teeth ground together. Shadow had never been a fan of how Sonic treated Amy, even if at times she could be a bit. . . much, to say the least. Yet getting to know Amy over the years as they got older meant Shadow could see how what Sonic viewed as annoying was truly just Amy's sweet sweet passion for those she loved. Relentless and pure at heart was what she was and Shadow had grown to truly appreciate this with time. Mending what was once a cold and stoic heart into putty with charm and sweetness, something no one but Amy Rose could do. Shadow was startled at first when it came down to his blooming feelings for his pink companion, yet with time, communication, and a carefully crafted bond between the two over the course of 10 years the two went from allys to friends and now to lovers. And here they were on their 10th date, Shadow had counted each evening they had been together and while they often did spend a lot of time together Shadow was particular on what he counted as a casual hangout and what he considered as a date. Moments where they laughed or sat in comfortable silence on picnics or along the shore of the beach weren't dates, no matter how pleasant they were or how much they got to bond when doing so. Shadow counted something as a date when he got to treat Amy. Therefore occasions when he took her to see concerts she liked, brought he to a new bakery and treated her to tea and cakes or when he took her rollerblading all counted as dates to him. A combination of bonding, fun, romance, and the chance to show her what she truly deserved from a lover. With all this in mind Shadow replied to Amy's remark.
🖤"Tonight will be a night you'll never forget Ms. Rose. That faker might have disappointed, but I don't. I plan make this date extra special."
Amy beamed up at Shadow and with a pep in their steps they finally made their way to the main entrance, confirmed their entrance as a couple (Shadow pre-registrated them and got their tickets online) and in they went into the park to begin their magical night.