Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Just keep these. No one else rents VHS tapes anymore,” the pink-haired librarian told Shadow. He was probably the only person in town who still owned a VCR anyway.

“Seriously?” Shadow asked.

“I’ll be happy knowing they’re getting some use rather than collecting dust here.” The librarian replied with a smile. She eagerly pushed the tapes into Shadow’s hands.

“Thank you,” He mumbled, refusing to let his surprise shine through. He held the two videotapes in his hands, happy the librarian didn’t make some snide comment about his movie choices. In his old neighborhood, the librarian would always make some quip about his taste. She would laugh and say that musicals weren’t “manly” enough for a guy like him. In Shadow’s mind, only a real man could appreciate classics like “Singin’ in the Rain” or “Anchors Aweigh”.

Shadow kept glancing down at the tapes on his walk home. They’d make an excellent addition to his collection of physical media. It felt like things were finally starting to go his way. To say that Shadow’s life had been difficult would have been an understatement. But that was all behind him now. He’d moved to Station Square, got a decent job, and got a semi-tolerable roommate.
Shadow dug through his pockets, reaching for the keys to his apartment. Dammit, they were empty! He hopelessly patted the front and back of his black jeans pockets several times before accepting that he had forgotten his keys. Shadow groaned and knocked on the door. No response. Right. His roommate, Rouge, was going out this evening. He paused, assessing the situation. Shadow may have been a lot of things, but he certainly wasn’t a quitter! Determined, he looked around. He found a paper clip on the ground, bent it into a peculiar shape, and shoved it into the lock. He jiggled the lock the best he could with his newly created device.

“What are you doing?” A woman asked. Shadow froze.

“I know this looks bad,” Shadow stuttered. He slowly turned around and raised his hands. His posture softened when he saw who asked the question. It was just his roommate, Rouge.

“I thought you wouldn’t be back until later.”

“Me too. But I didn’t like my date. So, when he got up to use the bathroom, I left. Now, what are you doing? This is the most pathetic attempt at lock-picking I’ve ever seen.” Rouge gibed, crossing her arms. There was an unmistakable smirk on her face.

“I forgot my damn keys,” Shadow replied, returning to jamming the paper clip further into the lock.

Rouge snickered and took the paperclip out from the lock. “Let me try,” she said. She pulled a bobby pin out from her slicked-back hair, bent it into an L shape, and carefully inserted it into the lock. Gently, she twisted the lock to the left. Then, to Shadow’s surprise, Rouge pulled out yet another bobby pin from her hair. He wondered how many she had in there. This one, she bent into a V shape. She slid one end of the V shape into the lock before gently guiding it through. The lock clicked as Rouge turned the handle to open the door.

“Now that’s how you pick a lock, Shadow.”

“I don’t like how quickly you were able to do that.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Rouge said with a wink.

“I don’t like that either.”

Rouge rolled her eyes. Shadow made a mental note to invest in a deadbolt. The pair stepped into their shared apartment. Two bedrooms, one bath, and cheap rent. It would be almost perfect if it weren’t for the one-bathroom part. Rouge had a habit of taking forever in there. Her makeup littered the counter, and the shower was decorated with her body washes, shampoos, and conditioners. None of which Shadow was allowed to touch, of course. Shadow prided himself on being well-groomed, but Rouge was on another level. She was also on another level when it came to her persuasive abilities.

Shadow carefully placed his newly acquired VHS tapes on the bookshelf under the TV. He heard Rouge take a seat behind him on their plush velvet sofa. Rouge had picked out the sofa. As a matter of fact, she picked out most of the furniture in their apartment. He turned around to see her arms and legs were crossed. Uh-oh.

“Shadow…” Rouge sighed.
“
No,” Shadow replied, averting her gaze. He knew exactly what conversation they were about to have. In their months of knowing each other, they had rehashed this argument a multitude of times- and he was not ready to go at it again.
Rouge threw her head back in frustration.

“I’m trying to help you here. Getting a phone will make your life so much easier! For example, if you had a phone, you could’ve just called me instead of trying to break in! Imagine if someone else saw you. You really could have gotten in trouble.”

“Oh, like you would’ve dropped everything to let me in the apartment.”

“Yes, Shadow, I would have. You’re not just my roommate. You’re my friend. I’d be annoyed, of course, but I’ll always be there for you.”

Oh. Shadow did not know that. This news came as a complete surprise to him.

“I’ll get a phone,” Shadow grumbled.

Rouge smiled. At last, victory! “You can have my old one for the time being. You’ll probably have better luck using an older model anyway,” she teased.

She ran off into her room. Shadow heard her rummaging through her drawers. Shadow knew she hid all sorts of junk in there. But he would never tell her she’s not as discreet as she thinks.

“Aha!” Exclaimed Rouge. Her bedroom door flung open.

“Heads up,” She shouted, tossing the phone to Shadow, who, of course, caught it. His reflexes never ceased to amaze her. He really should consider playing sports, she mused.

“It’s tiny,” Shadow said, gawking at the device. The phone was hot pink, still had a home button, and the screen sported a small crack to top it off.

“Here, I’ll help you set it up,” Rouge replied. Shadow handed the small device back to her. Her long nails clacked against the device’s screen as she set up the phone.

“Now, you take this with you everywhere. The battery life shouldn’t be too bad, I hope… Now, don’t you ever hesitate to call or text me, ok? I mean it.” If Shadow didn’t know any better, he would say it sounded like she was pleading with him.
“
Ok,” Shadow reluctantly agreed.

Rouge’s eyes softened. “Thank you, and you’re welcome.”

Shadow's hand slammed down on his bedside table as he reached for his alarm clock. SMACK! His palm struck the clock, and he let out a sigh of relief when the incessant ringing finally stopped. He had made it a routine to rise before the sun; it was one of the few moments when the city fell silent. With a groan, he sat up and stretched, mentally gearing himself up for his morning run. Shadow rarely found himself able to relax, so if he was going to be on edge, he might as well be productive.

He jogged, appreciating the empty streets. Station Square was a sizable town and was sure to start buzzing with activity once the sun rose. He quickened his pace, his breath heavy. You can do better! He chided himself internally. His chest heaved up and down. Shadow wanted to get faster, not push his endurance. But today was a humbling reminder he needed to focus on both.
He stopped, hunching over his hands, grasping his knees as he fought to catch his breath.

"Move!" a frantic voice shouted in the streets. Shadow turned to look, but before he could respond, he fell onto the sidewalk. His back hit the concrete hard, and his phone flew out of his pocket, sliding across the pavement as he tried to stand up. Something heavy was holding him down!

“Cheese, no! Bad dog!” The distraught voice shouted. Shadow then felt a literal weight lift off his chest.
He opened his eyes and found a pink-haired woman looming over him. Her green eyes were wide with concern, and her plush lips formed a frown. Anxiously, she pulled the dog away from Shadow, her delicate hands fumbling as she hurried to fasten the dog's collar back in place.

“Sir, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Are you ok? He just slipped right out of his collar! Before I could do anything, he was halfway down the street!”

He couldn’t help but be amused as she struggled to tighten the dog's collar. Her frazzled appearance was almost cute.

“I’m so sorry! We’re working on training him. Oh, I hope you’re not hurt-”

“I’m fine,” Shadow says sternly, cutting her off. He slowly pulled himself up from the ground. His face bore no emotion.

“Are you sure? I’m so embarrassed. We’re working on training him, but clearly, we’ve got a long way to go… Oh, shoot! Let me get that for you,” She yelped, racing towards Shadow’s phone. Her face turned almost as pink as her hair when she saw it was cracked.

“I’m so sorry! Please let me pay to get it fixed!”

Shadow took the phone from her hand. “It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. You could’ve gotten hurt!” She exclaimed.

“I didn’t though. It takes a lot more than a dog to keep me down.” She was treating him like a wounded animal!

She bit her lip as she looked Shadow up and down. The sun had begun to rise, and its light shimmered on his dark, sweaty skin, making it look like it glowed. His eyes were a vibrant brown with an almost reddish hue. He was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome.

“Oh my god! You’re the guy I gave the videotapes to yesterday,” She exclaimed.

Shadow thought she looked oddly familiar. He wasn’t used to seeing her hair down; it usually sat in a claw clip. Moreover, he had never seen her show this much skin before. Now, he could really appreciate how toned her arms were.

“Thanks again. You didn’t have to do that.” Shadow’s voice replied softly. He was surprised by his own gentle tone.

She smiled. “Like I said, I’m just happy they’re getting used! It’s really no big deal. Unlike your phone… Please, let me pay to get it fixed.”

Shadow stared at her. He wasn’t sure why she was so insistent about this.

“It’s been broken. Don’t worry about it.”

She didn’t believe him.

“I, Amy Rose, am going to pay to fix your phone.”

Amy. So that was her name. It suited her well.

Shadow smirked. “Well, I, Shadow Farid, told you no. Seriously, it’s fine.”

Amy pursed her lips together. Darn, he was stubborn! “Then, at least let me buy you a coffee as an apology. Just to ease my guilty conscience. Please, Shadow?”

He paused and looked at Amy. She bit her lip in anticipation of his answer. Even the dog, Cheese, seemed anxious to hear his reply.

“Sure, but only to ease your guilty conscience.”

“Yay!” She chimed, clasping her hands together. “I know a great spot; it’s just a few blocks down from here.”

As Shadow strolled alongside Amy, he couldn’t help but notice the infectious bounce in her step. The dog bounded joyfully between them, tail wagging with delight. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but a question lingered in his mind: what had he truly gotten himself into?

Chapter Text

“So, is Cheese your dog?” Shadow asked. While Amy seemed totally fine walking with an almost complete stranger in silence, he was not. She got comfortable with him much too quickly for his liking. It was always better to air on the side of caution.

“Oh, no, I’m just watching him for the weekend. He belongs to this lovely mother and daughter I’m close with. They’re on a mother-and-daughter retreat. How fun is that?”

“Sounds nice.” Shadow guessed. He wouldn’t know. He never knew his mother; his father was just a hazy memory.

“Doesn’t it? They’re lucky to be so close,” Amy said, her smile waning. Family must’ve been a sore topic for her, too, he mused. He quickly changed the subject.

“How old is Cheese?”

Amy said the dog was just a puppy, but he was already huge and strong enough to knock Shadow over. Dog people always saw the animals through rose-colored glasses. Shadow found himself to be more of a cat person.

“He’s only 5 months old, but he’s a big guy! Isn’t he? I’m lucky to be responsible for such a cutie pie!”

“Not responsible enough,” Shadow muttered.

Amy huffed, “Hey! It won’t happen again. I already tightened his collar!”

Shadow couldn’t help but crack a small smile as her face reddened with embarrassment. She quickly cleared her throat.

"See that Art Deco building across the street? That’s the coffee shop! It used to be a pharmacy, but that’s long gone. A few years ago, someone gave it a makeover. They kept the original counters and medicine cabinets," Amy explained, clearly thrilled to be sharing.

Shadow nodded. Amy talked about Station Square as if it were the most fantastic place in the world. Every building was something special to her. Every block, Amy told Shadow about something she and her friends did there. He couldn’t recall ever having a friend group like she described. It must’ve been exhausting. Shadow hadn’t even been to this part of town before. The only places he frequented outside of home and work were the grocery store and the library.

“Here,” Amy said, handing the leash to Shadow. “Why don’t we sit outside? It’d be a waste not to on such a lovely day. I’ll order for us if you’re up to the task of watching the beast.”

“I think I can manage just fine. I’m very responsible,” Shadow replied sternly.

Amy snickered. Why did she laugh? Shadow was being completely completely serious!

“Well, alright then,” She giggled, “And what can I get you?”

“Just a cup of black coffee… Please,” he huffed, quickly adding in the last part.

Amy bit her lip, trying not to laugh again. Everything he did was so intense it was just so amusing! She decided not to question his choice.

“Can do!” Amy exclaimed. She jokingly gave Shadow a salute, which he didn’t react to.

She went inside, and Shadow took a seat. What the hell just happened to him? He woke up, ran, got knocked down, and was now sat down to get coffee with a girl he just met. Shadow didn’t go out. Especially not with a bubbly woman like Amy! The strangest part of it all was that he was enjoying himself.

“I must’ve hit my head on the sidewalk,” Shadow muttered, petting the dog.

Amy stepped out of the coffee shop. "The line was longer than anticipated," she says, placing a simple cup of black coffee in front of Shadow. She sat across from him, and Shadow couldn’t help but gawk at the drink she got. It’s pink. The exact shade of pink as her hair.

She noticed his staring. "Jealous?" Amy asked before taking a sip.

"It matches your hair."

She grinned. “You’re right. It does, doesn’t it?” Amy tapped her fingers against the table. Her fingernails were painted a sparkly red, which matched the red headband she adorned.

“So, do you want to try it?” She asked, moving the cup towards Shadow.

“I don’t like sweet things.” At least, he thought he didn’t. Her voice was enough to make him second-guess himself.

“You’re funny, Shadow. Everyone likes sweet things,” Amy laughed. Shadow had been called many things, but funny was never one of them.

“I actually don’t like sweet things, though,” He replied.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind, then.”

“Oh?” Shadow mused.

“I like knowing what my friends like, silly! If you don’t like sweet things, I’ll make sure not to bake you sugar cookies… How do you feel about lemon bars?”

Shadow looked gobsmacked. Did she really just call him a friend? She hadn’t even known him for two hours! Why would she even suggest baking something for him? Indeed, it had to have been some sort of joke. No one was this friendly, he thought warily.

“So, that’s a no on lemon bars, then?” Amy questioned, her voice trailing off. Shadow’s glare must’ve been unsettling her.

The two sat in silence for a moment. The tender look of confusion on her face made Shadow feel foolish. Sometimes people were just nice, he reminded himself.

“Haven’t tried them,” He mumbled.

Amy decided to put it upon herself to find a desert he’d like. Everyone had at least one treat they enjoyed… Right?

“Oh my goodness! We will have to change that. I work at a bakery. Have you been to Miss Vanilla’s before?”

He shook his head. So, she worked at a bakery and the library and was watching someone’s dog?

“Oh, ok! You’ll like it, hopefully. Vanilla is an absolute sweetheart, and her bakery is literally the best! Not that I’m biased or anything…,” Amy paused. “ She’s the owner of this little guy,” Amy cooed, scratching Cheese behind the ears.

Shadow nodded. He’d have to let Rogue know about this bakery. She’d never admit it, but Shadow had seen she had quite the sweet tooth.

“You’re such a good boy,” Amy marveled, continuing to pet the puppy. Cheese excitedly wagged his tail. She had a way with the dog, he mused. It seemed like she had a positive effect on everyone. He smiled.

“Amy, I thought that was you!” A voice said from behind Shadow. He turned around and saw a tall, muscular man. His fiery red hair was twisted into tight coils past his shoulders.

"Knuckles! What are you doing here?" She exclaimed, getting up from the ground to hug Knuckles. Ah, this must be her boyfriend, Shadow thought. Of course, a woman like her would have a boyfriend.

"I got word that some guy was trying to sell relics down at the pawnshop. I figured I’d check it out," Knuckles replied. Knuckles was particularly fond of archeology and a staunch advocate for returning artifacts to their rightful home. He had a whole network of people keeping him up to date about shady sales happening in town.

“What are you doing here, Amy?” Knuckles inquired. Shadow felt Knuckles glaring at him.

"Just getting coffee, and Shadow here is keeping me company.”

Knuckles raised an eyebrow. “Shadow? Amy hasn’t mentioned you before.”

“We just met,” Shadow grumbled.

Knuckles observed Shadow with a cautious gaze, his instincts heightened. Shadow sat with a posture so rigid and straight that it seemed as if he were carved from stone, with each movement displaying an eerie precision that put Knuckles on edge. There was an unsettling aura about him, at least in Knuckles' mind.

“Nice to meet you,” Knuckles said, his voice stern like he was trying to scare Shadow. He extended his hand. Shadow hesitated but shook it. Knuckles squeezed hard to make a point, and Shadow responded with an equally firm grip. Amy shot Knuckles a warning glare, mouthing, “Stop it.”

“You’ve got a good grip, Shadow.”

“You too,” Shadow grunted, “I should get going. Thank you for the coffee.” Abruptly, he stood up and handed the leash back to Amy. He could take a hint. Amy frowned.

“Wait, before you go, can I get your number? I have a list of desserts you must try, and I will make sure you do,” Amy insisted with determination.
Shadow stared at her. He wanted to say no, but something about her made it seem impossible. He handed her his phone. She put her name in as “Amy” with a rose emoji beside it. Amy enthusiastically waved him goodbye.

“I’ll call you later, ok?” She called out. Shadow didn’t believe her.

“I don’t feel good about him," Knuckles murmured once Shadow was out of earshot.

"Oh, shut up, you say that about everyone!”

Amy understood Knuckles' concern. He was like an older brother to her, and he was well aware she knew how to defend herself.

Shadow tossed his phone onto the kitchen counter when he got home. He quickly washed his hands to get the dog smell off of them.

"Shadow," Rouge called out in a singsong voice. She had just returned home a few minutes later than Shadow. Her hands clutched a few shopping bags. God, how much money did she spend this time?

"Could you be a dear and help me remove these security tags?" She asked. He scowled.

“I will not be an accessory to your thievery!”

“Oh please, no one cares.”

Shadow opened his mouth to argue but was interrupted by his phone ringing. He took the phone out of his pocket. Rouge raised an eyebrow.

“Who is that?” Rouge asked.

“No one,” Shadow replied too quickly.
Few were nosier than Rouge. In a moment, she appeared by Shadow’s side.

“Who’s Amy?” She asked, snatching the phone from Shadow’s hand. She immediately took the call.

“Hello.”

There was a brief silence. Amy didn’t recall Shadow’s voice being so… sultry.

“This is Shadow Farid, right?" Amy asked. Oh my god, this must’ve been his girlfriend! That must’ve been why he was so uncomfortable earlier!

Rouge laughed. "I’m his roommate, Rouge.” Amy could hear Shadow in the background demanding Rouge give him the phone back. Ok, so maybe she didn’t just ruin a relationship.

"Oh, hi! Would you mind putting Shadow on?”

“Not at all, he’s right here, actually.”

Shadow seized control of his phone once more. He quickly bolted into his room and pretended he didn’t see Rouge smirking out of the corner of his eye. He wasn’t going to hear the end of this.
He cleared his throat, and he opened his mouth to speak. But no words came out. Shadow couldn’t recall a time in recent history when he had talked with someone on the phone just for the sake of doing so.
“That wasn’t actually your girlfriend, right?” Amy giggled. She wished she could see the look on his face.

Shadow’s eyes widened. “What, no!” His voice was more frantic than he would’ve liked it to be.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” She laughed, “You didn’t tell me you had a roommate!”

“It didn’t come up.”

Amy paused. “Right, well, are you free tomorrow?”

“Yeah, later in the day. I get off work around three,” He answered without hesitation.

“Excellent! Would you like to meet me at Vanilla’s bakery around 4:30?”
Amy was… kind. Almost excessively so, in a way that set off his internal alarms. There was an innate brightness about her, an energy that radiated warmth and light, each interaction contrasting his icy disposition. He could sense her optimism; a vivid hue lit up his otherwise muted world.

“That can be arranged,” he replied, his voice steady but low.

“It’s a date! I’ll see you then,” she exclaimed, her cheerful tone ringing with an infectious enthusiasm that made his chest tighten.

Date? Disbelief ignited within him. He’d almost forgotten the previous thought he’d entertained about Knuckles being her boyfriend. A guilty pleasure washed over him at the news of her being single. The weight of realization hit hard; Amy had just asked him out. He shook his head; it must’ve just been a figure of speech. Right? At that moment, Shadow knew he needed to consult Rouge. He was never going to hear the end of it. Mentally, he prepared to knock on her door.

Chapter Text

Rouge flung the door open before he could knock. She yanked Shadow by the wrist and pulled him into her room. Shadow was startled by how strong the woman was. Rouge was always full of surprises.

“Who’s Amy? Tell me everything!” She exclaimed with glee, sitting on her plush purple comforter.

Shadow stood awkwardly, unsure how to approach this whole conversation. He was never good with this kind of stuff. Admitting to himself that he hoped Amy had asked him on a date-date was challenging enough.

"Quit standing there and give me the details!” Rouge whined.

“Only if you promise not to answer the phone on my behalf again.”

She rolled her eyes. “I agree to your terms. I just can’t believe you’ve had a phone for less than a day and already got someone's number! Is she cute?” Rouge placed her chin in her hands and eagerly leaned forward.

Shadow was surprised by how quickly Rogue agreed. He wasn’t used to living with someone who actually listened to him. Shadow shifted his weight to the right, struggling to speak.

“How do you know if someone asked you out?” Shadow muttered, almost embarrassed. Almost. He considered himself above that sort of thing.

Rouge guffawed. She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth, desperately attempting to stifle her laughter. Shadow turned around to leave.

“Wait, no! I’m sorry. Could you elaborate further?” She said, fighting a grin.

“She asked if I was free tomorrow. I told her yes, and then she said it’s a date.”

Rouge bit her knuckle. “Oh, I see your predicament…” Her voice trailed off. “What time are you meeting with her tomorrow?”

“After work.”

Rouge groaned. He was making this more difficult. Shadow worked as a mechanic, and whenever he got home, he reeked of sweat. His fingernails would be grimy, and strands of hair stuck to his forehead. Though, maybe Amy was weird and would be into that. But it was too risky. Especially for a possible date! Then again, Shadow was meticulous when it came to self-care. Rogue knew he cared more about his appearance than he cared to admit.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Shadow asked, noting her silence.

“It sounds like it was just a figure of speech… Still, you should show up in something more dressy than usual. Throw that gold chain of yours on. This may be a trial date to see if you’d be suitable for an actual date.” Rouge replied.

“So, this is like a challenge to test my worthiness?” Shadow did enjoy a good challenge…

Rouge sighed. “Sure, Shadow.” He wasn’t entirely wrong, she supposed. Besides, no matter what happened tomorrow, Rouge knew she’d get a good story out of it.

“I think I know what to do now. Thanks, Rouge.” And just like that, he was off to his bedroom again, his mind racing about the next day.

Shadow groaned and flopped down onto his bed.

“Don’t give me that look,” He muttered, turning over the picture on his bedside table. The smile of his childhood friend, Maria, was forever immortalized in that photograph. What wouldn’t he give to see it in person again? He felt a pang in his chest.

Illness plagued Shadow’s body when he was younger. He winced, remembering being rushed to the hospital for the first time. Shadow could still feel the needles piercing his arms as the nurses performed an endless amount of bloodwork.

He vividly remembered the overwhelming fear that gripped him when he learned he would have to stay in the hospital for a long time. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air as doctors hastily wheeled him to the children's ward that night. It was there that he met Maria Robotnik, her fragile form resting on a bed, surrounded by a tangle of wires and monitors. Her heart monitor's faint, steady beeping echoed in the dim space.

He’d never forget the warm smile that appeared on her face when he stepped inside the hospital room.

"A roommate?" Maria had said, clasping her hands together with delight. Shadow sighed, fondly remembering when they would stay up until odd hours of the night, sharing stories and their dreams for the future.

Maria had always wanted to travel the world. Would she be disappointed in Shadow for staying in Central City? Station Square was at least a different town than he grew up in. He knew he would have gotten an earful about his lack of social life, and he wouldn’t have minded. Not if it came from her.

When Shadow had gotten better, he’d visit Maria as much as possible. She’d laugh as Shadow did whatever he could to help her. He’d run off to grab her snacks from the vending machines or change the channel for her when she was too weak to lift her arms.

"You’re my favorite nurse," Maria would joke.

Shadow shook his head, trying to shake the vision of what she looked like in her last few weeks alive. He returned the picture frame to its upright position. Maria’s smile gleamed back at him once more.

Maria would have found what happened to him today hilarious. He could almost hear her laughter at the thought of him being knocked over by a dog. She always thought his discomfort around the hospital's therapy dogs was amusing. For him, the therapy dogs were counterintuitive.

He tried to think of more happy times from his childhood, but the vision of her dying was burned into his brain.
Shadow woke up with a dry mouth. He was still in his clothes. When had he fallen asleep? Groggily, he slowly peeled himself off of the bed. His alarm clock read 5 AM. There was no point in going back to bed, he thought. The light produced by the clock glowed an eerie red. It seemed to taunt him.

Shadow gazed at his reflection in the mirror. He noticed the small scar beneath his collarbone. It was there from his chemo port all those years ago. His hand traced over the scar, feeling its smooth surface beneath his fingertips. The doctors had said he was lucky. He had lived. He was supposed to be grateful. Instead, all he could think about was Maria—the way her illness had taken her, how no treatment had been enough. Why had he gotten to live?

He opened his closet and stared absentmindedly at his clothes. Amy had asked him to go out with her today. Just something simple. Just a normal afternoon. He had said yes, but now, in the dim quiet of his room, it didn’t feel right. He knew he should go. That was what normal people did: they made plans and followed through. Maria would have told him to go. If you can’t do it yourself, do it for someone else.

“You’ll be mad if I don’t go, huh?” He scoffed, looking at the picture of Maria. Even in death, she was a good influence.

Shadow put on an old leather jacket and grabbed the keys to his motorcycle. Work was slow that morning. Someone needed an oil change and a brake pad replacement. It wasn’t much, just enough to get his hands dirty. He purposely stayed a tad longer than he should have, nervous about seeing Amy. He wiped down his tools and locked up the garage. When he got home, there was only enough time for a quick shower. He changed his clothes, but the scent of grease and metal still lingered faintly on his skin. He ran a hand through his damp hair, eyeing his reflection. Shadow took Rouge's advice and dressed it up, wearing a gold chain necklace. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do.

He grabbed his helmet and headed back outside again. He hopped onto his bike, and the engine rumbled to life beneath him, a familiar and steady comfort. He rode down the streets, letting the rhythm of the ride settle his nerves. The wind whipped past him, carrying away the lingering doubts in his mind.

He pulled up in front of Vanilla’s bakery, where Amy had asked him to meet. It was a small brick building painted a light yellow with big windows. He thought this looked like the kind of place Amy would work. Shadow kicked down the stand of his bike and took a breath. He glanced around. It didn’t seem like anyone was inside.

Shadow approached the door and was greeted by a sign that read “closed”. He peeked inside, and there was no sign of Amy inside either.

Chapter Text

Shadow checked his watch. He was on time, and the place she asked him to her at was closed. He checked his phone and saw one notification. Though, it wasn’t from Amy. It was from Rouge, wishing him luck. The irony was not lost upon him.

Shadow decided not to entertain this any longer. He cringed at his own disappointment. He should have expected this. Shadow returned to his motorcycle, pushing down the embarrassment beginning to build in his stomach.

“Wait!” A voice called out. It was Amy, quickly appearing out from the alleyway next to the bakery. Her hair was tied into a ponytail; loose strands hung from it, framing her flustered face. She wore a stained apron, and her pants were covered in flour. Shadow stiffened. He wouldn’t admit it, but seeing her relieved him, dispelling his lingering doubts. Unfortunately, it also stirred up some less than pleasant feelings. Seeing her so disheveled was deeply appealing. It startled him.

"You look…" he started, then abruptly stopped himself.

Amy tilted her head. “I look… what?”

Shadow clenched his jaw, unable to admit how beautiful he found her.

"Like a mess," he finished flatly.

Amy groaned. “Gee, thanks, Shadow.” The humor in her voice was clear.

“Anyways, I’m here. Sorry for being behind schedule. I had to take out the trash and close the shop to ensure we wouldn’t be interrupted,” Amy explained as she led Shadow into the bakery. The door was unlocked. Shadow raised an eyebrow, wondering what she had planned for him. Amy ushered him into a seat at one of the few tables in the bakery.

“Wait right here,” She said, disappearing into the kitchen.

Shadow looked around the bakery. The glass countertop cases were empty except for a few cakes with pieces cut out of them. The yellow linoleum flooring was worn from years of customers passing through. Amy returned from the kitchen with a small tray full of pastries. Shadow recalled their conversation yesterday, in which Amy was shocked by his lack of a sweet tooth. At that moment, he realized how serious she was about finding a dessert he’d enjoy.

“Ok, I figured we start with a sugar cookie. Just so I can get an idea of how much sweetness you can handle,” Amy said, handing him a pink cookie covered in sprinkles.

Shadow took the cookie and examined it closely. With a cautious bite, he was greeted with the immediate urge to spit it out. He quickly swallowed and cleared his throat.

“It’s not my favorite.” It was an understatement, to say the least.

Amy nodded. “Fair enough!” She laughed. “Now, I’m excited for you to try this one. I hope it’s to your taste.”

It was a lemon bar, as she mentioned yesterday. Amy eagerly watched as Shadow took a bite of the lemon bar. The texture was pleasant, he found himself quite fond of the shortbread crust. It was tart but too sweet. He swallowed, forcing his expression into something neutral, hyper-aware of Amy’s wide, expectant eyes drilling into him.

He swallowed. “It’s… good.” He felt apprehensive as he considered her expectations, determined to do everything he could to avoid disappointing her.

Amy frowned. “You know it won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t like it.”

“Sorry,” He murmured. She was surprisingly perceptive.

Amy sat, tapping her fingers against the table. “Then you probably won’t like the other things I picked out…” She murmured, her voice trailing off. Amy stared at the tray momentarily, and her eyes widened, “I’ve got it! I’ll be right back.” She quickly sat up and ran back into the large kitchen in the bakery.

“Try this. It’s tiramisu, and I think you may find it more to your liking.” She set down a small piece of what Shadow presumed to be cake in front of him.

Shadow picked up his fork and jabbed it into the soft surface. He took a bite. The tiramisu was decadent, with just enough sweetness. He was fond of the coffee taste, and the cocoa powder on top of the dessert was just the right touch.

“Damn, I think you were right. This is more my taste.” Shadow said. She made a mental note that Shadow enjoyed coffee-flavored things. She watched him eat, staring intently. He seemed less on edge than he did the first time they met. At least she thought so. Shadow glared back at her, irked by her watchful gaze.

“Why did you want to meet with me today?” he asked, a note of caution edging into his voice. It couldn’t have just been about deserts, right? Her smile wavered. He'd say she looked embarrassed if he didn’t know any better.

“I just wanted to see you again,” Amy replied, her gaze drifting away as she spoke.

Still, he hesitated to let himself hope too much about her feelings for him. They had barely just met, after all. “And why’s that?” He pressed, seeking clarity.

Amy fidgeted in her seat, her nerves getting the best of her. Shadow’s expression made her feel weak in the knees. “Well, I really enjoyed our conversation yesterday… and since you mentioned you’d never tried lemon bars, I simply had to change that!”

Shadow decided to push his luck. As Rouge's words about a “trial date” swirled in his head, he needed to be confident about her intentions. That, and some part of him, was enjoying watching her squirm. “Is that the only reason?” He challenged, his voice teasing.

Amy threw up her hands in exasperation, a spark of defiance in her eyes. “Fine! Maybe I’ve been looking for a reason to see you again…”

Before Shadow could answer, he was cut off by Amy quickly blurting out, “And, just maybe, I think you’re attractive, alright?!”
Shadow blinked, fork pausing mid-air.

Amy immediately panicked. “Wait! Not attractive, attractive—I mean, like, aesthetically pleasing! Or, no—wait, cool! You just have a cool vibe! Like a powerful, brooding, slightly unapproachable vibe—”
Her face was beet red as she slammed her palm onto her mouth. She was making a total fool out of herself!

Shadow took another slow bite, watching her with unreadable amusement. “Unapproachable..," you say? Do go on.”

Amy knew she had already said too much last night on the phone when she blurted out, “It’s a date.” But now? Now, she was actively digging her own grave. Perhaps she should simply accept her fate and perish here. Her eyes flickered to the clock resting on the wall behind Shadow. Her stomach dropped.

“Oh, shoot, I was supposed to leave five minutes ago!” She shoved back from the table in a panic. “I still have to change for my library shift—”
He had almost forgotten she worked at the library. Judging by the look of horror on her own face, so had she. The few times they had spoken, she was always up to something different, and Shadow wondered how she could keep up. He was starting to realize she couldn’t.

Amy grabbed her apron and yanked it off, completely missing the way Shadow’s frown deepened. “I mean, this bakery job is mostly to help out Vanilla and, you know, pay rent. The library gig started because I was helping Blaze, but then she moved, and suddenly it just became my responsibility, I guess?”

Without a word, Shadow stood and grabbed his jacket.

Amy narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing?”

Shadow was already heading for the door. “Walking you home.”

He had said it so casually she almost didn’t process what he had said.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’d be rude not to. Now come on, you’re already running late,” He said, holding open the door.

Amy followed his instructions and stopped when she saw a black motorbike parked along the curb.

“Oh my gosh. That’s yours, isn’t it?”

Shadow followed her gaze. “Yes.”

“Gosh, you’re- it’s cool.”

Shadow raised an eyebrow. He knew where this was going.

She turned to him, hands on her hips. “So, you think you could give me a ride instead?”
“No,” Shadow replied without hesitation.

Amy looked confused. “What?! Why not?” She was already running late, and it would be faster!

“You don’t have a helmet.”

“Oh, come on, I can just—”

Shadow shot her a sharp look, and she scrapped whatever argument she was compiling in her head. Shadow wasn’t joking. He wasn’t teasing. He was just stating a fact. She had no helmet. Therefore, she wasn’t riding—end of discussion.

Something about the sharpness in his voice made her stomach flip. “…Huh,” She said, caught off guard.

Shadow glanced at her. Had he been too harsh? “What?”

She shrugged, looking away. “Nothing. Most guys would’ve just tried to show off. It’s refreshing having a guy be concerned with my safety…” Amy said, her voice trailing off. What was even stranger was that he wasn’t brushing her off or using her not having a helmet as an excuse to get rid of her. It appeared he just cared about her and wanted to spend time with her. It shouldn’t have been strange.

Shadow scoffed. “Anyone who doesn’t care about your safety isn’t worth your time.”

Amy felt a twinge of embarrassment as she chided herself for being taken in by what was, in truth, a bare minimum of consideration. Though, she certainly would not forget about this.

“Let’s go, you’re already late,” Shadow said, gesturing for her to take the lead. They walked to Amy’s apartment in comfortable silence. Amy seemed tired, letting out a small sigh. When was the last time she took a day off?

Amy found herself growing fonder of Shadow’s company by the minute. He even walked her to her door.

Amy leaned against the doorframe, smiling up at him. “I’d like to see you again, Shadow.”
He nodded, “I’d like that too.”

She couldn’t bring herself to step inside and say goodbye yet. Just as the moment settled between them, a voice cut through the quiet.

“Yo, Amy, where’d you put Tails’ stuff?” A man called out from within the apartment.

Shadow froze. So did Amy.

Amy grimaced, a sharp glint of irritation flashing in her eyes. She wasn’t frightened in the least. Amy radiated annoyance so intensely Shadow thought he could feel it. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” Amy groaned, her voice tinged with exasperation as she rolled her eyes. Her shoulders slumped.
Shadow looked past her into the dimly lit apartment. Whoever was inside wasn’t an intruder—at least, not in the way he first assumed. But that just left more questions.

His brow furrowed. Just who the hell was in her apartment?

Chapter Text

Amy sighed. “Ugh, Sonic, what are you doing here?”

“Picking up Tails’ stuff. He left his homework behind, and you know how he is about his schoolwork. Whoa—no way! Who’s this?” Sonic exclaimed as he peered around the corner.

“You should’ve texted me. I could’ve grabbed Tails' stuff and stopped by on my way to work,” Amy replied, ignoring his question.

Sonic waved her off. “You’re busy enough. Besides, I know where you keep the spare key.”

“I’m well aware of that,” She huffed. Amy’s demeanor suddenly softened. “Do you need me to babysit Tail’s again this week?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got Knuckles watching him this weekend.”

“You’re really trusting Knuckles to babysit him again?” Amy asked, crossing her arms.

Before Sonic could answer, a quiet throat-clearing reminded them they weren’t alone. Shadow had lingered near the door, stiff and clearly out of place, especially between the private conversation and the pink frilly decor of Amy’s apartment.

Sonic’s attention snapped to him. “Sorry, forgot you were there,” He laughed, briefly studying Shadows' appearance before returning his attention to Amy. “Wait a sec… Is this the guy you were telling me about?”

“Sonic!” Amy squeaked, heat rushing to her face. Shadow raised a brow. She had been talking about him?

“You were right; he is tall, dark, and handsome,” Sonic said, studying Shadow's eyes once more.

“Sonic, cut it out!” Amy pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper, desperate to change the subject. She wasn’t sure she could take any more embarrassment.

Sonic, always eager to tease, chuckled at her flustered response. His grin widened, a playful glint shining in his eyes. “Sorry,” he said, but the mischief lingered in his tone. “He seems just fine,” Sonic laughed.

Shadow was less than amused. He shot Sonic a steely glare, his impatience simmering beneath the surface. “I don’t need your approval,” he remarked coldly. Who does this guy think he is? Shadow seethed internally, a slight tension creasing his brow.

“Yeah, sure,” he snickered, holding his hand out for a handshake. Shadow ignored it.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly. “Who’s Tails?”

“He’s my brother,” Sonic replied, though technically that wasn’t entirely true. They weren’t related by blood, but Sonic was Tail’s legal guardian, which was a detail he preferred to keep to himself.

“Well, I’m running even later now,” Amy sighed, massaging her temples in frustration.

“I should head out too,” Shadow said awkwardly, shifting his weight as he moved away from the doorway. He was eager to leave this situation.

Sonic, ever the embodiment of enthusiasm, wrapped a warm arm around Shadow’s shoulder, a playful glint in his eyes. “I’ll walk you out.” Shadow shrugged off Sonic’s arm with a swift motion.

“Don’t touch me,” Shadow grunted.

Sonic seemed to be completely unphased by Shadow’s rejection. He turned back to Amy and gave a two-fingered salute. “See ya later, Ames.”

Shadow settled for a simple wave and offered Amy a small smile.

“Get home safely, you two! I’ll call you later, Shadow.” Amy called out. As soon as the door clicked shut, Sonic let out a low whistle, the sound grating on Shadow’s ever sensitive ears.

“So,” He began, bouncing lightly on his heels, a playful smile stretching across his face as they left the apartment building. “Are you always this much fun, or am I just special?”

Shadow exhaled sharply, a hint of exasperation in his tone. “You talk too much.”

Sonic’s grin widened. “I'll take that as a yes.”

There was a pause before Sonic started up again.

“So... you’re the mysterious type, huh? Embracing that whole dark, brooding vibe—like the ‘I work alone’ archetype?”

“And?” Shadow replied, his tone low and laced with a barely concealed irritation.

Sonic put his hands up in a mock surrender. “I just wanna know exactly who she’s getting involved with.”

“And I want to know who I’m getting involved with too.”

“So you are thinking about it.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Getting involved with Amy.” He winked.

Shadow’s expression softened ever so slightly, the rigid lines of his face easing for a brief moment. “You’re reaching,” He muttered.

Sonic chuckled. “She said she’d call you later, right?”
Shadow scoffed. “It seemed to me she calls you too.”

“Yeah, but I’m me.” Sonic tapped his chest. “Best friend privileges.” He side-eyed Shadow. “But you, you’re new. And she’s already penciling you into her busy schedule?”

Shadow exhaled sharply. “You’re reading too much into it.”

Sonic hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Nah, I think I’m reading just fine. She likes you.” He let the words settle before adding, “And you don’t seem to mind that one bit.”

Shadow said nothing, but the way his gaze flickered ahead just a little too quickly was enough for Sonic. He grinned.

“No denial?” Sonic teased. “Man, I was expecting at least a grumble.”

Shadow tensed but kept his expression neutral. “I don’t have to dignify nonsense with a response.” He cleared his throat. “My bike’s down that block. We’re done here.”

And just like that, he was gone. Sonic watched him go, grinning to himself. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.

Shadow’s thoughts drifted back to Sonic’s words. She likes you. The idea didn’t sit right with him. Despite every piece of evidence pointing towards its truth, the thought gnawed at him, unsettling and
unwelcome.

His bike skidded to a stop outside his apartment complex. He swung his leg over the seat. It was dark now, and the fluorescent lights of the apartment complex hummed in the quiet night. The door to the apartment clicked open, and was greeted by Rouge who was lounging on the couch, sipping wine. She smirked over the rim of her glass.

“Were you waiting for me?” he asked dryly.

“Obviously! I want to hear all about your not-date date.”

Shadow leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "She invited me to try desserts."

Rouge raised an eyebrow. "And…?"

“Most of them were too sweet."

Rouge tilted her head, amused. "And did you like anything she picked out?"

Shadow shrugged. "The tiramisu was excellent."

Rouge laughed. "I don’t think I’ve ever had bad tiramisu."
Shem studied him momentarily, tapping a manicured nail against her glass. "Alright, sweets aside—what do you think? About her?"

Shadow stiffened. Amy had been… unexpected. She was warm, insistent in a way that wasn’t pushy, and so genuine that it was hard to ignore. He’d been prepared for awkwardness or small talk, but instead, she made him try desserts, flustered herself into a mess, and told him—straight to his face—that she thought he was attractive.
The memory made his grip tighten slightly against his arm. He still wasn’t sure what to do with that.

Rouge was still watching him expectantly. He frowned. "She’s… interesting."

"High praise." She snorted.

Rouge paused for a moment. So? Are you gonna see her again?"

Shadow didn’t hesitate. "I hope so."

Rouge’s smirk softened slightly, a knowing look in her eyes. Shadow rolled his shoulders, ignoring the flicker of something settling in his chest.

Chapter Text

Trying to make plans with Amy was not for the weak. She was almost always doing something. It had been two weeks since Shadow had last seen her. However, Amy made a consistent effort to call him every night. Shadow didn’t talk much during their calls. He’d put her on speaker phone and listen like a podcast. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Shadow often found himself grinning like a fool at his phone. The way she spoke about her friends, her coworkers, even the people she barely knew, made him feel like he was listening to the heartbeat of a world that was just a bit brighter than his own.

“Hi, Shadow!” Amy’s voice rang through the speaker. Her energy filled the silence in his barren room, even though she wasn’t physically there.

Shadow breathed, leaning back, sinking deeper into the sofa. “Living the dream,” He joked. The truth was, he was exhausted. In a week, he had to replace several cars' engines, spark plugs, and transmissions. People had a bad habit of waiting until a crisis point to fix their cars. “How about you?”

“Busy,” Amy said with a sigh. “Work’s been crazy. A couple ordered 1,000 cupcakes for their wedding… The library has been packed as of late, I think it’s midterm season. I feel like I’ve spent more time at work than at home.” She paused, a little laugh escaping her.

“Sounds exhausting,” Shadow said, the concern in his voice almost unintentional.

Amy let out a tired sigh. “I feel like I’ve been running on fumes. I don’t even remember the last time I had a real meal that wasn’t from the bakery or the library vending machine.”

Shadow frowned. “You shouldn’t push yourself so hard, it’s ok to take a break. You’re working two jobs, and not to mention all the errands and things you do for your friends.”

Amy let out a slight hum, not denying it. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I just don’t want to let anyone down.”

Shadow frowned. “You should let someone take care of you for once.” The words escaped from his lips before he had a chance to doubt himself.

He heard a small laugh come from her. “You know, I’d love that. Are you volunteering?” She teased.

“Yes,” Shadow replied without hesitation. “Let me cook you dinner.”

“Wait… really?”

“Yes.”

A beat of silence. Then, she let out a slow breath, something unreadable in her voice. He wished he could see her face. “That kind of sounds like a date.”

“Do you want it to be?” Shadow asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Amy was quiet momentarily, and Shadow could hear the faint rustling of fabric—like she had shifted, maybe leaning against something. Then, she exhaled, a soft laugh threading through her words. “I mean… yeah. Yeah, I do.” She was trying so hard to be casual about this. Which was difficult, considering Amy hasn’t been casual about anything her whole life.

Something in his chest eased, a tension he hadn’t realized was there.

Amy hesitated, then asked, a little more teasingly, “Do you want it to be a date?”

Shadow huffed. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.”

Amy quickly muted herself and jumped up, screaming “Yes!” She took a deep breath and calmly replied, “Alright then. We have a date.”

A slow clap came from the doorway. Shadow didn’t even need to turn his head. He knew he shouldn’t have taken the call in the living room.

“Well, well,” Rouge drawled, arms crossed as she leaned against the frame. “Took you long enough.”

Shadow sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Get out.”

Amy, who had been utterly unaware of their audience, laughed through the speaker. “Was that Rouge?”

Rouge smirked, sitting down right next to Shadow. “Oh, don’t mind me, sweetheart. I’m just here enjoying the show.”

Shadow shot her a glare before refocusing on the call. “Ignore her.”

Amy, amused, hummed in thought. “Rouge, do you trust Shadow not to burn anything?”

Rouge tapped a manicured finger against her chin, pretending to think about it. Shadow glared at her. She grinned, amused by how seriously he was taking this.

“Shadow is an excellent cook. All I can say is, you’re in for a treat, Amy.”

Rouge gave Shadow a pointed look and a thumbs-up. He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward despite himself.

Amy’s voice softened just a touch. “When will I see you?”

Shadow stood up, stretching slightly as he started walking past Rouge. “I’ll text you.”

Rouge, naturally, followed. “Oh, come on, at least let me help pick out what you’ll wear—”

“No.”

“Shadow.”

“No.”

From the other end of the call, Amy’s giggle drifted through. “See you soon, Shadow.”

His grip on his phone tightened just slightly. “See you soon.”

Then, the call ended, leaving a small, lingering warmth in his chest.

Shadow had stopped by the grocery store on his way home the next day. He needed to grab a few ingredients for the dinner he was planning. He wasn’t expecting to run into anyone he knew, least of all
Amy. But there she was, standing in the dairy aisle, balancing a basket full of groceries on one hip while holding the hand of a small girl with long pigtails. They looked like rabbit ears.

Amy turned, and the moment she spotted him, her expression brightened. “Shadow!”

The small girl looked up in curiosity as Amy waved him over. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” Amy said, adjusting her grip on the basket.

“You shopping for anything special?” She teased.

Shadow smirked. “You could say that.”

Before Shadow could tease her further, the child at her side tugged gently on her hand. “Amy, who’s that?”

Amy’s expression softened. “This is my friend, Shadow.” She glanced at Shadow, squeezing the child’s hand lightly. “Shadow, this is Cream. I babysit her sometimes.”

Shadow wasn’t great with kids. He never really knew what to say to them, and they usually found him intimidating. Though it was hard to come off as friendly when your natural resting face was a scowl. So
he settled for a simple nod. “Hey.”

Cream tilted her head at him, studying him with big, curious eyes.

Then, to his surprise, she smiled. “Hi, Mr. Shadow!”

Shadow blinked. Mr.? He cleared his throat, he was taken aback but admittedly amused. “Just Shadow is fine.”

Cream hummed, clearly considering this. Then, she beamed up at him. “Okay, Just Shadow!”

Amy snorted, and Shadow rolled his eyes, unsure how to respond to that. But Cream didn’t seem fazed by his lack of enthusiasm.

Cream studied Shadow and Amy for a moment. Her big brown eyes darted between them, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle. “Are you going to marry Amy?” She suddenly asked.
Shadow took a step back, as he was quite literally taken aback. Amy, mid-motion, completely froze.

The dairy aisle had never been so quiet.

“…What?” Amy squeaked.

Cream blinked innocently. “Well, you’re going on a date,” she reasoned, as if that explained everything. “And Mommy says when two people like each other a lot, they get married!”
Shadow stared at her, completely at a loss. Amy looked like she was about to short-circuit.

“Th-that’s—Cream, honey, that’s not how—” Amy stammered, visibly flustered. They hadn’t even had their first date yet!

Shadow finally recovered, clearing his throat. “We’re not—”

“Oh! But if you do, can I be the flower girl? I’ve never been to a wedding before!” Cream clasped her hands together, eyes bright with excitement.

Amy let out a high-pitched noise and buried her face in her hands. “Oh my goodness...” Though, she had to admit Cream would be an adorable flower girl. Amy shook her head, shaking the thought of marrying Shadow away. She refused to come on too strongly.

Shadow, meanwhile, was certain he had never experienced this level of secondhand embarrassment in his life.

“I—I don’t even know her ring size,” he muttered, mostly to deflect.

Cream perked up. “Medium!”

“That’s not… that’s not how that works,” She yelped, flustered.

Shadow looked away from Amy, scrubbing a hand down his face, trying to will away the heat creeping up his neck. Amy glanced at him, her face still red, while Cream beamed, oblivious to the chaos she had just unleashed.

Shadow had come here to get ingredients. He had not signed up for this. But when Amy sighed, laughing a little despite her mortification, he found himself… not minding so much. He glanced back at Amy, who was recovering from her embarrassment.

“Well,” Amy started, clearly trying to shake off her flustered state, “since you’re already here, want to help me grab a few things for Vanilla?” She really didn’t need the assistance, she just wanted an excuse to spend more time with him. Shadow considered it. He had come in with a plan—get his ingredients, get out—but he wasn’t in a rush. The desire to spend more time with Amy triumphed.

“Sure,” he said, adjusting his grip on his basket.

Amy gave him a grateful smile before glancing down at Cream. “You don’t mind, do you?”

The little girl shook her head enthusiastically. “Nope! Shopping is more fun with friends!”

Amy beamed, shifting her basket to her other arm. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” She was secretly elated Shadow agreed to tag along for the rest of the shopping trip.

They navigated through the store together, falling into an easy rhythm. Cream kept a running commentary on everything she saw, mentioning anything that came to her mind. She would swing Amy’s hand and occasionally reach for Shadow’s when she got too excited about a topic. He begrudgingly let her. It was hard to say no to her.

Amy stopped in front of the frozen section, tapping her chin. “I still haven’t figured out what to make us for dessert.”

Shadow quirked a brow. “The last few times we talked you complained about how tired you are from baking.”

Amy faltered before pouting. “This is different!”

“Is it? Seriously, don’t worry about it.”

Amy put a free hand onto her hip. “I’m going to worry about it. You’re making dinner, and I’m bringing dessert. And that is final!”

Shadow shook his head, grinning. She was ridiculous.

“If you insist.”

Shopping with Shadow had a strangely intimate quality to it, even in its simplicity. The soothing rhythm of running errands together felt almost overwhelming for Amy, enveloping her in a sense of quiet domesticity that she found hard to resist. Shadow enjoyed watching her debate over which brand of chocolate chips was superior. He liked how she constantly compared prices to get the best deal. He liked how she instinctively kept Cream close and how her brows furrowed slightly in concentration when she went over her list. It felt… nice. Being with Amy didn’t make running errands feel like a chore.

Amy was still blushing lightly from their earlier conversation by the time they reached checkout. Cream had provided Amy with a lot to daydream out. Shadow helped Amy place items on the counter without being asked, and she sent him a grateful smile.

“Thanks for putting up with us,” she said, adjusting the basket on her arm.

Shadow glanced at her, then at Cream, who was happily swinging her own little bag. “…It wasn’t so bad.”

Amy smirked. “Wow. High praise.”

"It most certainly is."

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted them. Amy adjusted the weight of her groceries, then looked at Shadow. “Well… I guess I’ll see you soon.”

Shadow nodded. “See you later.”

Amy hesitated for a second, then smiled, a little softer this time. “Yeah. See you later.”

"Bye, Mr. Shadow!" Cream said.

Shadow smiled softly. "Bye, Cream."

She turned to leave, with Cream chattering beside her. Shadow watched them go for a moment before shaking his head going his own way. He had a dinner to prepare. And, a date to look forward to.

Chapter Text

Shadow rolled his sleeves up, cutting the vegetables he bought earlier. The pot of water on the stove was beginning to boil. Everything was measured and precise, just as he liked it. But if he was being honest, he was overthinking. 

Amy liked bold flavors, but nothing too overpowering. He wanted her to feel comforted, warm, relaxed, at ease. That was the whole point of this dinner, after all. He settled on pasta. Safe, dependable. A creamy garlic butter sauce, seared chicken, and fresh basil. Simple, satisfying. Something she’d like. He hoped.

“Ohhh, look at you,” Rouge sang from behind him.

Shadow closed his eyes and held back a sigh. 

“This is so romantic,” she teased, leaning against the counter with an insufferable grin. “Cooking for your little crush.”

Shadow chopped some herbs, trying to focus on anything else but his nerves and Rouge. “I cook all the time.”

“For me,” she countered. “Not for someone you’re trying to impress.”

Shadow huffed in response.

“So, what are you having for dessert?” She winked.

Shadow gave her a flat look, ignoring the smirk that was present on her lips. “She’s bringing dessert. She works at a bakery.”

Rouge smirked. “Lucky you. My last date tried to bake me cookies and mistook sugar for salt.” She shuddered dramatically. Rouge could still taste the salt in the back of her throat,

Shadow snickered. Rouge’s story eased his nerves a bit. Even if he did end up messing up dinner, Amy didn’t seem like the type to hold it against him.

A knock at the door cut their conversation short. Shadow took a deep breath. It’s just dinner, he reminded himself. There was nothing to overthink.

Rouge poked Shadow in the chest. “Good luck, lover boy,” she said, strolling off to her room with a wink.

Shadow was rendered speechless when he opened the door. Amy stood there, shifting slightly on her feet. Her hair had a soft wave framing her face. She wore a blush-pink dress with a subtle low scoop neckline and a high-waisted floral skirt. A delicate gold necklace rested over her collarbones. Her necklace looked almost fragile in comparison to Shadow’s gold chain he wore.

Her usual confidence was there, but something about how she smoothed her skirt suggested that maybe she was nervous too. Good, at least he wasn’t alone in that regard.

“Hey!” she exclaimed. Shadow picked up on the slight hesitation in her voice.

Shadow’s gaze lingered, taking her in. God, she was gorgeous. Though she could have shown up in a trash bag and somehow have made it work. “Come in.”

Amy stepped inside, holding up a small box. “I made us brownies! Coffee brownies, actually. I just mixed in some espresso powder. I hope you’ll like them.”

He glanced at the box. “I’m sure I will.” Shadow took another moment to appreciate her appearance. “You look pretty.” It was an understatement, for sure. But it was all he could bring himself to say.

Amy froze.

Her fingers tightened around the box. “Oh! I—uh—” She smoothed her skirt again, suddenly hyper-aware of the low neckline of her dress. She thought she’d found the right balance between cute and casual, but now, standing under Shadow’s gaze, she wasn’t so sure. He wouldn’t have lied, but she couldn’t read his expression. Shadow looked entirely unaffected. Amy didn’t know that he was actively trying not to stare.

“You’re frowning,” he noted.

Amy huffed a quiet laugh. “I just—I wasn’t sure if this was, y’know, appropriate.” She gestured vaguely at herself.

Shadow’s brows drew together. “For dinner?” 

“For a first date ,” she clarified, voice dripping in embarrassment. “Is it too much?”

Shadow’s gaze flickered downward—just briefly—before he met her eyes again. His expression was still unreadable.

“You’re fine,” he said, his voice steady, though it wasn’t without a hint of tension. Fine. That’s all you’re going to say? He chided himself. Now he would have to sit across from her at dinner and pretend he hadn’t just mentally bookmarked how the light caught her collarbones. Fantastic. This was fine. Everything was fine.

Amy’s mind began to race. Fine? That was it?

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re better than fine ,” Rouge said, strolling back into the room like she was summoned for this exact moment. “You look stunning.”

Amy turned, startled. “Oh! Um, thank you?”

Rouge’s eyes sparkled as she took in the outfit. “The skirt? Adorable. The necklace? It's a perfect touch. The neckline? Flawless. ” She gave Shadow a pointed, judgmental look. “And yet, a certain someone can’t even manage a proper compliment.”

Shadow crossed his arms. Once again, Rouge was right.

Amy, now more flustered than ever, waved her hands. “No, no, it’s fine! Really! He said I look pretty.”

Rouge gasped. “ Pretty? That’s it?” She turned to Shadow. “Wow. How will she recover from such an earth-shattering compliment?”

“I didn’t want to come off too strongly,” He murmured truthfully.

Rouge ignored him completely, taking Amy’s arm like she was about to deliver life-altering wisdom. “Listen, if he’s not looking at you like you just personally reinvented beauty, then I will snatch you up for myself.”

Amy, despite herself, let out a startled laugh. “Oh my, Rouge!”

Rouge winked. “I’m just saying.”

Shadow pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you done?”

Rouge smirked. “For now. It depends on how this dinner goes,” With that, she sauntered off, leaving them alone again.

Amy laughed, pressing a hand over her face as she shook her head. “She’s… a lot.”

Shadow gave the faintest smirk but didn’t argue. Instead, his gaze returned to her with steady intent. “You do look good, though. I mean it.”

Amy froze. The compliment felt different this time. There was no teasing in his voice, no trace of flattery for flattery’s sake. He said it like it was a simple fact, like commenting on the weather or the time. Unshakably certain.

The air between them seemed to shift. Amy’s brain scrambled to catch up with the sincerity in his words. It wasn’t exactly what he said, but how he said it. She didn’t know what to say.

She finally settled on a reply. “You too.”

“Whew, sorry Shadow. Just one last thing, and I’ll be out of your hair.” Rouge says, rounding the corner. This was getting ridiculous! She quickly handed a bottle to Shadow.

“I’ll be out late, don’t wait up,” Rouge called out, finally leaving.

Knowing Rouge wouldn’t be eavesdropping during his date helped him relax. But that dissipated when he finally registered what Rouge had handed him. It was a bottle of red wine.

“Subtle as a brick wall,” he muttered.

Amy perked up at that. “Oh, that’s an excellent wine.”

Shadow read the label, as if it would recognize what kind of wine it was. Though it would make sense. Rouge did have an expensive taste. “It is?”

“Well, so I’ve heard,” she laughed sheepishly. “I don’t really drink.”

“Neither do I.”

Amy bit her lip. “Should we indulge?”

He thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. “Why not? It’s a special occasion, after all.”

Amy giggled. “It certainly is.”

Dinner was going well. Or at least, they were both doing a decent job of pretending they weren’t overthinking everything.

Shadow was an excellent cook, which shouldn’t have surprised her as much as it did. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the creamy garlic butter sauce was rich and indulgent without being too heavy. 

“Mmph, Shadow! This is amazing!” Amy said, taking another bite.

Shadow, twirling pasta onto his fork, gave a small shrug. “I usually cook dinner. I don’t trust Rouge with the stove.”

Amy laughed. “Yeah, but there’s a difference between cooking and being good at it. And this?” She gestured to her plate. “This is a ‘you could charge ridiculous amounts of money for this at a fancy restaurant’ level of good.”

“Glad you approve.” He murmured. Shadow couldn’t help but wonder if she was being genuine.

“Seriously, Shadow,” Amy exclaimed. 

He cleared his throat and muttered, “Thank you… So, uh, how’s Cream?” Shadow said, changing the subject.

“Oh, she’s great! She loved meeting you today.”

“Did she now?”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, you could tell she liked you! Though on the way back, she did ask why your eyebrows always look like you’re mad at the world. She just hasn’t heard of resting bitch face yet.”

And that was what did it for him: that, and the influence of the wine.

A sudden, genuine laugh escaped Shadow. It was different from the dry chuckles Amy had heard before. It was completely unguarded. Something about hearing him laugh so freely sent warmth curling in her stomach. She was already warm from the wine, but this was different.

She stared at him, a little dazed. He seemed to glow in the light.

Shadow, still amused, shook his head slightly, rubbing his fingers over his mouth as if trying to pull himself back together. But the lingering hint of a smirk remained.

Amy had never seen him like this before. Relaxed. Comfortable. He wasn’t just tolerating the evening—he was enjoying it.

And God , did that do something to her.

She took another slow sip of wine, watching him over the rim of her glass. “You should laugh like that more often.”

He looked embarrassed and pushed the food around on his plate a bit. Amy’s gaze was locked onto him. Something about her expression made his throat dry.

“…I’ll see what I can do,” he muttered. He quickly took another bite of pasta in hopes by the time he swallows he’ll have more to say.

Amy rested her chin in her palm, her elbow propped against the table. “And I’ll see what I can do to get you laugh like that again,”

There was a softness in her teasing, something gentle but entirely intentional . His fingers curled against the table. Quickly, he cleared his throat.

“Are you done eating?” He asked, observing her empty plate. 

Amy nodded as Shadow rose and moved toward the kitchen. "I’ll handle the cleanup." 

She blinked, watching him. "I can help with that."

Shadow reached around her to take her plate. "No need for that. You’re my guest."

Determined, she quickly stood and followed him into the kitchen. "But you made this entire meal! You shouldn’t be the one cleaning up. That’s not how it should be."

"It’s fine," Shadow replied, walking toward the sink. There was a hint of irritation in his voice. "It’s just some dishes."

Amy frowned and stepped closer. "Shadow, look at all those dirty dishes piling up in the sink!" 

He shot her a sidelong glance, clearly trying to play it cool. "Seriously, Amy, just sit down. I invited you over to relax, and I offered to make dinner. You don’t have to—”

“I won’t be able to unwind knowing you cooked and cleaned all on your own,” Amy interjected, her tone light yet firm. “Don’t make me insist.”

Shadow hesitated, realizing he wasn’t going to win this argument. "Alright, then. You can dry the dishes."

"Thank you!" Amy exclaimed, her voice full of triumph.

Amy did not just dry the dishes, and she also started putting them away. He shot her a dirty look.

“You’re not supposed to be doing all that, Amy. What happened to relaxing?”

She exhaled, a little laugh escaping her. “I can’t help it, it’s just who I am.”

“You’ll have to unlearn that,” Shadow said. “And I’ll make sure you do.”

Amy smiled as they shared a comfortable silence. Shadow washed the dishes steadily while Amy dried them and set them on the counter. The easy flow of their movements felt surprisingly comforting, making Shadow realize how much he craved this kind of domesticity. It was only the start of their first date and Shadow knew he was already in too deep.

Chapter Text

8

Shadow glanced at the clock; it was still early. Dinner ended sooner than anticipated, and the clean-up went by fast due to Amy’s insistence on helping.  He wasn’t ready for this night to end yet. "How about a movie?" He suggested, his voice as casual as ever.

Amy perked up; the suggestion delighted her. He still wanted to spend time with her! “Oh, that sounds fun! What did you have in mind?”

Shadow walked over to the bookshelf and stared at it intently. Carefully, he pulled out a VHS tape.

“How about this?” He asked with a smile.

Amy gently took the tape from his hands. The worn cardboard case read, “Anchors Aweigh.”  It was one of the VHS tapes she had given him a few weeks ago.  Amy laughed, shaking her head. “You’re such a nerd.”

Shadow shrugged. “That’s not a no.”

Amy chuckled and handed the tape back to him. “No, it’s not.”

 She then took a seat on the couch and sank into it.

Shadow made sure the tape had been rewound and popped it into the VCR. The tape started rolling, playing commercials for movies and products that were long since outdated.

Shadow sat at the far end of the couch, away from Amy. She scooted closer, but there was still a considerable gap between them. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. Her mind began to race. He wanted her there, and he wouldn’t have suggested watching a movie if he didn’t. Amy tried to reason with herself. The movie began, and music filled the still room. Amy smiled. She couldn’t help it—something was endearing about its old-time charm. “This is sweet.”

He nodded in agreement, eyes glued to the screen. She couldn’t help but smile as he softly sang along, probably unaware she could hear him. It was sweet. That, and he decided to show her a movie that clearly meant a lot to him. Why didn’t he say anything about that?

The movie progressed, and Amy scooted closer. Her eyes darted between him and the screen. Yet he remained stagnant, like a statue.

They both watched the film in a comfortable silence for a while, the soft sounds of the movie playing as they occasionally exchanged glances. Amy’s hand brushed against Shadow’s once, and she could feel the heat between them. 

Shadow’s gaze flickered down for a moment before his focus returned to the screen. 

The tension in the room was palpable now, in the quiet moments between the movie’s songs. She shifted closer, inching her way toward him, testing the waters. Shadow didn’t move, but his gaze was more intense now, tracking her every move. That was a good sign, right? 

Then the next song began.

All of a sudden, my heart sings…

Amy’s breath caught in her throat. Her shoulder brushed his. Her hand, resting between them, shifted slightly closer, until her pinkie just barely touched his. She was trying to be subtle, she really, truly was, but Amy didn’t do subtle. And neither did Shadow, it appeared.

Again, Shadow didn’t move. Not away. But not toward her either. He just sat there. She turned her head to look at him. His jaw was tight. His eyes locked on the screen like he didn’t dare blink. He wasn’t afraid of her; he was afraid of how badly he wanted her.

When I remember little things…

“Shadow,” she whispered.

He finally looked at her.

“Amy,” He replied, a bit firmly.

His breath was shallow, chest rising and falling in a rhythm too steady to be natural. Like he was holding everything in. Like one wrong move might snap the tension in half. He was being foolish; he knew he was. Yet, the nagging doubt gnawed at his insides . Amy was here because she genuinely wanted to be. She had feelings for him, and it was clear that he felt the same way about her.

Shadow did want to let himself be bested by fear; he had something good going for him here. Still, he didn’t move.

The way you dance and hold me tight…

Amy knew she wasn’t reading the signs incorrectly here. Not in this case, anyway. The man cooked her dinner for goodness' sake! He rewound a VHS for her, sat through the commercials… 

She crossed her legs and leaned in slightly, voice soft but steady. “You can kiss me, you know.”

What if he didn’t want to? What if she’d misunderstood everything? She wasn’t being too pushy, she was? 

She watched carefully for his response. Shadow’s eyes widened, and in the faint light of the TV’s glow, she could see his cheeks reddened. Cute. His fingers flexed against his knee.

The way you kiss and say goodnight…

The music filled the silence he left hanging between them. A silence that pulsed with tension. With want. With restraint.

Shadow exhaled, like he was releasing something heavy. His voice was low, rough. “I don’t want to mess this up.”

“You won’t,” she whispered, so close now she could feel his breath. “But if you don’t do something soon, I will.”

Shadow let out a slow breath, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as he embraced the moment. The tension in his body melted away, and he raised his hand, moving slowly and with uncertainty. Brushing against her cheek. She wanted this, and so did he. Besides, that competitive part of him couldn’t live with itself if he didn’t make the first move. This was a date, after all. He wanted to do it right.

“I’ve never done this before,” he reluctantly admitted, leaning in close.

From the thrill of your touch, to the light in your eyes…

Amy giggled, her breath catching as her forehead brushed his. “Don’t worry.”

She took his hand and guided it more firmly to her cheek. “I have,” she added playfully, then softer, “Let me show you.”

Shadow didn’t answer, just smiled. Finally, with a gentle movement, he kissed her, finally breaking the space between them.

It started slowly and tentatively. Her lips were soft, softer than they looked. He could taste her strawberry chapstick. Shadow moved carefully, too carefully, with his touch, like someone he could break her with something as small as a kiss.

Something is stirring in me…

But Amy leaned into the kiss without hesitation. She didn’t want to be careful; there was no more need for that. Her lips parted under his, inviting more, pleading for more. 

When her tongue slipped into his mouth, Shadow nearly forgot how to breathe. He soon followed her lead. She kissed him with warmth, with certainty, guiding him without overwhelming him.

So this is what all the fuss was about. The music, the books, the movies… He understood it now.

Her hand found the back of his neck, fingers threading into his hair, and his breath caught in his throat.

Shadow’s other hand found its way to her waist, his fingers curling possessively around the soft curve there, anchoring himself in the moment. His grip was steady and unwavering. It sent a shiver down her body.

Amy tilted her head, leaning in more, deepening the kiss. It was like she was trying to become one with him. That was all the encouragement he needed.

Shadow responded with more certainty now, no longer tiptoeing around the moment. His lips moved with purpose, still reverent but bolder, like he was finally permitting himself to want this. He could enjoy this as she was.

Amy let out a gasp as nipped her bottom lip.

“Sorry,” Shadow whispered, afraid he hurt her.

“No, no, I liked it,” Amy replied, much to Shadow’s and her own surprise.

Amy's fingers threaded into his hair, pulling him closer. The music played softly behind them, as if giving them space to breathe.

All of a sudden, the world is aglow…

They barely registered it anymore. The world was aglow, warm and flickering in the TV’s reflection, wrapped in amber shadows and shared breath. Every part of Amy felt alive.

Their kisses were clumsy and messy, but neither of them seemed to care. The two just wanted to be close to each other. Just happy to finally break the barrier of tension that seemed to loom over them all night.

Amy’s breath hitched as his hands adjusted their hold, one cradling her back, the other buried now in her hair. He was a fast learner. Shadow moved with a kind of quiet urgency, like he was catching up for lost time. Like if he let go now, the moment would slip through his fingers.

They kissed like time had stopped. They forgot about the couch. About the VHS. About the fact that they were sitting in a shared apartment with paper-thin walls. Thank god Rouge was gone.

Shadow broke the kiss for a moment, his lips brushing her cheek as he caught his breath. He leaned into her touch, his voice rough in her ear. “You okay?”

She laughed, a breathless sound. “Yeah. Why?” 

Shadow kissed her neck, taking advantage of the dress's low neckline. “Just checking.”

Amy’s breath faltered.

He nipped at her collarbone, and Amy let out another surprised gasp. Had he been lying to her when he said he’d never done this before?

His lips weren’t as soft as hers, a bit chapped, but still she welcomed them on her skin. In a moment of uncertainty, he suddenly stopped, moving back up to her mouth again. It was more for his comfort rather than hers. He couldn’t handle the fact that he was trying to give her a hickey like some lovesick teenager.

Shadow kissed her again, slower this time. Less urgency, less unsure, more knowing. Amy smiled into the kiss.  

Could it be true love at last?

Shadow’s hands moved with more purpose now—one tracing the curve of her back, the other brushing along her thigh where her leg had settled across his lap, pressed between them in the charged space where their bodies met. Her hand slipped beneath the edge of his shirt, palm brushing over his side. He inhaled sharply, not pulling away.

Instead, Shadow shifted, his arm curling around her waist as he laid her back gently across the couch cushions. He was delicate. The motion wasn’t rushed. It was deliberate. Reverent. His other hand slid to the back of her thigh, drawing her leg more securely over his hips, settling between hers. Amy’s breath hitched.

His body hovered just above hers, balanced on forearms planted to either side. He looked down at her like he didn’t believe she was real, like he was afraid she might vanish if he blinked.

“I don’t want to mess this up,” he murmured again, but this time it was softer, more open, less fear, more awe. “Tell me if I go too far,” he said quietly.

“You’re not,” she whispered, her fingers ghosting along the bare skin at his waist, just above his beltline. “You’re doing everything right.”

He kissed her again—this time, slower and more assured. Or at least, he tried to be. He couldn’t believe this was real, that she was real. Someone like her, so open and sociable, and effortlessly kind, wanted to be around someone like him… Someone so… stiff and awkward. 

Amy’s hands rested gently on either side of his face, fingertips gliding along his jaw like she could feel every doubt he hadn’t said aloud.

Her hips shifted beneath him, instinctively. Her thigh pressed tighter to his side, and the friction of denim against her bare skin made her breath catch. One of his hands caught her lower back again, drawing her against him more fully. He groaned softly, startled by the sound, and by how much he wanted her.

The warmth of her, the way she arched into him, the fabric of her dress soft beneath his fingers, the weight of her thigh across his jeans—it was overwhelming. It was too much, and far too real. She was here and wanted this. Wanted him.

Amy melted under him. Her hands ran through his hair, down his neck, across his shoulders. She wanted to touch everything. Her touch almost made him forget all about his insecurity.

Almost. But reality slammed into him like a wall.

He was still on top of a girl on the couch he shared with his roommate. And it was only their first date.

What the hell was he doing? He didn’t know!

He hadn’t meant for things to get this far tonight. He just wanted to cook dinner. Watch a movie. Be near her, and maybe hold her hand if he was feeling bold. That was the plan. That was the version he’d rehearsed in his head a hundred times. 

Not… this.

Not her under him, gasping into his mouth, dress riding up her thighs, touching him like she already knew where he was most sensitive. Not them sharing a personal space!

He had to stop. It was too much, too fast, and too easy to get carried away.

Amy looked up at him, breathless, flushed, and utterly beautiful.

“Are you ok?” It was her turn to ask.

Shadow nodded, slowly pulling away and sitting up. “The movie ended.”

He could still feel her lips on his. 

 Amy followed, smoothing her dress as she sat up beside him.

“Guess we got…distracted,” teasing even as her cheeks stayed pink. The night was coming to a close; she could feel it. But she was fine with that. It gone better than she could have ever imagined. Shadow had been so considerate of her feelings. And he kissed her back! She still wasn’t sure how she’d pulled that off. Somehow, he didn’t think she was too much.

Shadow huffed a breath that might’ve been a laugh. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Sorry.”

Amy laughed. “Don’t be sorry! We can always finish the movie next time,” she said, elbowing him.

Next time.

She wanted a next time!

She didn’t think he was a disaster. She wasn’t retreating. She wasn’t apologizing, saying that this was a mistake. She was still smiling at him, touching his hand like she hadn’t seconds ago pressed beneath him, moaning into his mouth like—

The television screen now radiated a gentle, calming blue hue, casting a serene glow throughout the dimly lit room. They had been so engrossed in each other that they hadn't even noticed the credits roll by.

“I’ll make sure to rewind the tape before you come over,” he paused before adding, “next time.”

Amy smiled, her face still flushed, her hair a bit messy. The makeup she had so carefully applied earlier was smudged. Wait. At that moment, Shadow realized that it hadn’t been Chapstick. That was lipstick. Smudged and sweet and unmistakable. Damn it.

If she was a mess, he could only wonder what state he was in. He would need to shower before Rouge came back.

He wasn’t sure where to go from here. Should he walk her out? That was something people did, right?

He cleared his throat, standing up. “I’ll uh, walk you out.”

Amy giggled. “Such a gentleman,” she said, following him on the short walk to the door.

At the threshold, Amy turned and leaned against the frame, looking up at him.

“Thanks for everything. For dinner. The movie. All of it. It was a lot of fun.”

 His lips still tingled. Her lipstick was faint on his mouth; he knew it had to be. He could feel the residue of it, could taste it still on the edge of his lower lip.

Shadow met her eyes. “Anytime.” He meant it, too. 

He wanted to tell her he’d drop everything for her anytime, for whatever reason. But he didn’t. That would be weird, and he knew that. He made it this far without scaring her off; he certainly didn’t want to start now.

Amy hesitated for just a moment, then smiled wider. “Goodnight, Shadow.”

Amy stood up on her tiptoes and leaned in. She quickly kissed him on the cheek and turned around to leave. She stepped into the hallway, and the door closed behind her with a soft click.

She practically skipped down the apartment hallway. She stepped into the elevator, lips still tingling, dress slightly askew. Her phone buzzed in her purse, but she didn’t check it.

Amy leaned back against the wall of the elevator, a grin blooming across her face.

“Oh my god!” She squealed. 

Meanwhile, Shadow stood there in the apartment. It felt empty without Amy. He stared at the wood-grain door for a long, still moment. He could still feel her on his lips and cheeks, in his hands, in the quiet space she left behind.

His hands shook from adrenaline as he went to the VCR to rewind the tape.  The VCR whirred gently. 

Shadow sighed, dragging a hand down his face. He was actively trying not to spiral. Amy Rose had to be too good to be true. His heart hammered in his chest. Things like this didn’t happen to Shadow. He was all too content to be alone; he preferred it that way. But with Amy, she made him want more. Not in the physical sense either, she made him want a life. A life outside of this apartment and work, a life outside of the safe one he so carefully built. And that was… terrifying.

Because somehow, Amy had him believing he could have the life he gave up on a long time ago.

The lock clicked.

Shadow’s blood turned to ice. Rouge said she wouldn’t be back until late. Just how long had he spent brooding?

The front door creaked open, and Rouge staggered in with the elegance of someone pretending to be sober while absolutely not being sober.

Her heels clicked against the hardwood, and her coat hung half off one shoulder. She kicked the door shut behind her and blinked slowly at the room.

Then she stopped. Her eyes locked onto him.

Shadow stood frozen in front of the couch, lips pink and definitely smudged with lipstick, hair slightly rumpled, and the TV screen still casting a soft post-romantic glow behind him like a goddamn Nicholas Sparks movie.

Rouge tilted her head, the way a cat does right before knocking something off a table.

“...Oh my god. ”

She took her thumb and wiped it against Shadow’s mouth. It was meant to clean the smudge, but only made it worse. “That color is so not your shade.”

Shadow grimaced, recoiling. “Rouge.”

She ignored him. Instead, she dug into her purse and pulled out her phone like it was a weapon. “Hold still.”

“What—Rouge, no.”

“Oh, absolutely yes. I need to document this moment! It’s essential.”

“I’m warning you—”

“ Smile. Or don’t. Amy’s getting this either way.”

Before he could react, she snapped the picture.

Click. Flash was on, of course. Shadow flinched, momentarily blinded. He probably looked like a damn deer in highlights!

Shadow lunged. “Delete that!”

Rouge yelped, spinning around just in time, dodging behind the couch. “I need to send it to Amy!”

He dove again. She darted past him with surprising agility for someone with a blood alcohol level that probably violated airspace regulations.

They circled the coffee table twice before Shadow vaulted over it.

“You are such a pain in the ass!” he growled.

“And you,” she said, breathless with laughter, “are in love. ”

That stopped him cold. It was far too soon for the "L" word!

Rouge used the opening to dart to the kitchen and raise the phone high over her head like a trophy she won.

Shadow glared, cheeks still faintly stained. “You’re drunk.”

“I’m brilliant. This photo is art,” She waved the phone. “Amy’s gonna love this.”

“Don’t you dare!”

“Too late,” Rouge said, with a wink.

Rouge just winked and disappeared into her room, the door clicking shut behind her with theatrical finality.

Finally, peace and quiet.

Shadow stood alone in the soft blue glow of the TV. The tape had long since finished rewinding; the machine whirred quietly, like a lullaby.

He lowered himself back onto the couch and leaned into the cushions with a sigh, head tilted back, eyes fluttering shut.

Amy had kissed him, stayed, smiled, and wanted to see him again.

He was still trying to process all of it—and failing. 

“I’m completely screwed,” he muttered, then exhaled a soft, half-laugh through his nose. But this time, he didn’t mind. Not even a little.