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To Shadow, this didn't quite make sense. Rouge could be brutally stingy with her money, so for her to make this sort of order? That damn bat was up to something. He ushered Amy into a meeting room he knew would be unoccupied that day, closing the door behind her. He hesitated, but didn't lock it.
This wasn't a private meeting room, as was obvious from the windows facing the rest of the offices. The windows that were now filling up with faces watching him and Amy as if they were the most interesting animals at the zoo.
What the hell?
"We're just excited for breakfast!" Waved Cerise, one of the finance coordinators, as though reading his mind. He glared at them, but it made sense enough, and he turned his attention to moving the chairs further into the room to give Amy space to work with. She hummed a tune - one that Shadow immediately recognized as La Vie en Rose.
That was one of Maria's favorites, and a memory erupted to the surface - Maria holding him up and dancing to the song on vinyl, the swaying sensation as his feet dangled almost intense enough to make him hold his breath. He could almost smell Maria and feel her arms around him, the ends of her hair on his quills.
Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
After placing each box on the table, Amy delicately took the lids off to use as a makeshift stands for the half that actually contained the confectionaries. Shadow initially helped with one or two, but held off in fear of getting in the way of Amy's vision. By the end, the presentation looked almost layered with the tall boxes at the back and progressively smaller items towards the front. There were rolled croissants, delicately sprinkled with chopped walnuts and pistachios, tarts glazed with pools of jam, cinnamon rolls collapsing under the weight of their cream-cheese topping, and cupcakes with pink frosting pipetted as rosettes, along with a few other things he didn't quite recognize.
He was... he was too busy watching Amy.
"Cupcakes? For breakfast?"
"Hey!" Amy said with mock annoyance. "How is it any different than eating a cinnamon roll?"
Shadow shrugged. "I hadn't thought of it that way."
She giggled. What a beautiful sound, like a wind chime in the summer breeze. "Amy one, Shadow zero."
After the encounter with the Yellow King - Black Doom's Sol counterpart - after he had watched Amy sob, after they returned to the Chaos dimension and he had finally gotten out of the hospital, Shadow had found Sonic alone exiting the Mystic Ruins. Sonic hadn't expected Shadow's spin dash, and he had been tossed well off the path and into the ground.
"Prepare yourself." Shadow had said, giving Sonic the grace of being able to get back up. He knew this was stupid and petty, but his irritation at the blue hedgehog was a constant itch he couldn't help but scratch.
And he was very, very itchy.
"Shadow, what the hell?" Sonic scratched the back of his head in that infuriating way whenever he played stupid. "Didn't you just get out of the hospital?"
"Come on, faker." Shadow snarled. "Or are you too pussy-whipped to fight now?"
Sonic's eyes flashed green. "Fine, bring it on."
"I'm tired of your shit, Shadow." Was what Sonic had gritted out between blows and spin dashes. Shadow had started out just fine at the beginning, but the quick movements he needed to dodge Sonic had exacerbated his wounds until he couldn't tell the difference between when he was hit and when he wasn't. "You've been crazy about Amy for years, but instead of doing anything about it, you've been forcing Rouge and I to pick up the slack!"
"Shut the hell up!"
"Maybe if you just fucking talked to her we wouldn't be stuck in this stupid love triangle!"
Sonic had finally landed a full kick that time, sending Shadow hurling against a tree. He couldn't feel his legs, could barely feel his mind, and he collapsed. He groaned, watching Sonic's shoes get closer and closer until the blue hedgehog squatted down.
"You'll start actually talking to her, yeah?"
Shadow grumbled. "Fine."
Sonic grabbed him by the bicep and Shadow was able to stumble back onto his feet. "Great, now I can focus on my own girl and not have to worry about the two of you." He looked a little too happy with himself, arms up in a faux shrug. "It's not easy taking an extra-dimensional princess out on dates, you know?"
"You and your princess fixation," said Shadow.
Sonic grinned. "Better than your sister complex."
Shadow used some of the last reserves of his strength to lift his arm, and punched Sonic straight in the face.
"All right, it's done," Amy said, turning to face Shadow. "Make sure you save some for the security guards, they work hard too."
There was one last box, a silvery white one with the name of the cafe and bakery Amy and Vanilla running along its side like a banner.
The Rosette.
Amy picked it up and presented it to Shadow, who took it immediately before he could consciously make the decision. "I didn't ask for you for no reason, you know. It's a dessert made with chocolate, espresso and caramel." Amy fidgeted with her bracelets, her usual bright smile quirking with a hint of anxiety. "I know you're not much of a sweets person, but I was hoping you'd like this one."
He would have to actually eat it, then. The last time Amy had baked him something, the cake had stayed in the fridge for him to gawk at until it went bad and Rouge threw it out.
"Sure, I'll try it."
"Yay!" Amy pumped a fist in the air. "Stop by the cafe later and let me know what you think. You remember where it is?"
Shadow nodded. Of course he did. He had noticed something, though; as cheery as Amy was (and she almost always was), her movements were slower than usual, her eyes blinking more.
"Did you stay up late making this?"
"Yep," Amy said, exaggerating a yawn. "Baking requires odd hours sometimes. It's fine, though, I'll just drive back home and take a nap."
"I'll take you home."
"Hm?"
"Give me your keys and wait outside," said Shadow. "I'll drive you home."
"Oh, okay..." Amy said quietly, walking out the door with her cart as Shadow ushered her out. She pulled her keys out of her apron's pocket and handed them to Shadow. They keys had a keychain of a pink heart with wings, glitter fluttering around like a snowglobe. Her hands touched his in the exchange, briefly, and Shadow looked away.
Only to realize there was a small crowd gawking at them.
Shadow bristled, moving to stand in front of Amy.
"What are you staring at? Get your food and get back to work!"
When you kiss me, heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
"Are you actually going to eat this one?" Asked Rouge, sitting on his desk like she hadn't picked the lock to be there.
"Yes," Shadow grunted, reverently putting the dessert in the mini fridge. He had to be careful not to tilt it too much, in case that ruined it.
"Are you going to share?"
"No."
Rouge made an exaggerated pout. "You're so mean."
"What's your play, Rouge?"
"Oh, nothing really." The bat said in a sing-songy voice. "Just thought it'd boost morale - don't tell me you're not happy to spend a little car ride home with Pinkie. Alone."
"Tch."
"You're welcome."
I see la vie en rose
"Thank you again, Shadow," Amy said, fastening her seatbelt as he got in after folding and putting the cart away. "They're not going to penalize you for this, are they?"
"I have enough PDL saved, it's fine."
Amy yawned, leaning sleepily onto the seatbelt webbing. "I live around the corner of the bakery. It's the light blue cottage, the number is 1264." Shadow already knew that, but he wasn't about to say it.
"Got it."
He focused on the road as best he could, pulling out of the parking lot and through the city, and only occasionally stealing glances at how the morning sunbeams followed Amy like spotlights, as if the sun itself was just as captivated by her as he was.
"Shadow?"
"What is it?"
Amy's voice was quiet, but at a slightly higher pitch than usual. She was probably fighting the urge to drift off to sleep.
"... Did I do something to upset you?"
Shadow thought not slamming the breaks was a victory on his part.
"What... what makes you think that?" He asked, forcing his grip on the steering wheel to loosen.
"You used to come by to The Rosette every other week, but then you stopped, and I didn't see you again until the whole thing with Blaze." Amy's ears were lowered. Was his lack of presence really bothering her that much?
Shadow exhaled forcefully through his nose in the imitation of a sigh. That was when Amy was starting to grow her quills out.
Sonic was right, he did have a sister complex, damn him. And to top it all off, it also resulted in Amy getting more flirtatious attention from the clientele. Shadow doubted that The Rosette's insurance covered jealousy triggered chaos explosions, so it had been better for him to stay away.
Focus, Shadow thought, dodging a pothole that he was certain was caused by a badnik's hard landing.
"I know I can be a little much."
"You didn't do anything," Shadow said, trying not to bristle with anger. Who dared- "Things... just happened."
"Okay," Amy said. "Just stay in touch, please?"
Shadow's heart clenched, seeing the turn into Amy's neighborhood.
"... Sure."
But she was already asleep.
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
Shadow did his best at slowly pulling into Amy's driveway, making sure to avoid any pavement cracks and unnecessary jostles before putting the car into park. The pink hedgehog was still fast asleep, face away from Shadow, and he had to resist the urge to run his fingers through her quills.
Pathetic, he thought.
Amy's door opened to a kitchen and an area too small to really be a living room - fitting only a loveseat and a small TV. It was cozy and clean, fully of cushions and a basket which seemed to contain nothing but blankets for when company got too cold. The kitchen, however, was a mess - the island was covered in flour, mixing bowls created towers in the sink, and several spatulas covered in multicolor batter laid about. Amy must not have had time to clean before leaving.
Back at the car, she was still asleep, not stirring when Shadow opened the door, or even unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Amy," Shadow said quietly.
Nothing.
"Amy." He repeated.
Still nothing.
A thought occurred. A stupid, indulgent thought that he really should have slapped himself out of. Shadow dragged a hand down his face. Was he really going to do this? He was.
One arm behind her shoulders, and another below her knees, and then Amy was his arms in a bridal carry. Shadow must have been gentle enough, as she only stirred with a tiny moan before once again falling into sleep. She fit perfectly in his arms, and he knew he was going to memorize the feel of her fur against his, her breath on his chest, the smell of her quills. It would keep him awake for days, which wasn't something he was supposed to do anymore.
Shadow got past the living area and nudged a door open with his foot to find a bedroom - Amy's bedroom. The walls were painted a pale periwinkle blue, with strands of pink fairy lights strung alongside the walls like curtains. Several of them had tiny clothespins holding up photos of her and other friends. Her nightstand contained only one photo frame, though. It was from Amy's birthday party a few years back on the Mirage Express. As slowly as he could, Shadow placed Amy on her bed, as one would place an idol on an altar. To him, she may as well be.
Sonic, Shadow thought. You're a fucking idiot. He squeezed Amy's hand, one last, final indulgence, and Shadow felt her fingers curling against his, almost imperceptibly returning the gesture.
His heart felt squeezed too.
Once outside the bedroom, Shadow was presented again with the kitchen mess. He imagined Amy waking up, still tired from the all-nighter, and realizing she would have to spend the remainder of her energy cleaning.
Well, that wasn't acceptable.
Amy dreamt of a fireplace.
The room she was in was dark, but not in a foreboding way, just a soft quiet blanket, shielding her from the world around her. She wondered if she was in a log cabin of sorts? It smelled like lavender and cedarwood, soothing but not unfamiliar - a lover's embrace after a long time apart.
Not that she knew what that felt like.
The fire danced, its heat caressing her face as it got brighter and brighter...
Amy woke up.
That didn't mean she immediately got out of bed though! Everyone knows you need at least a few rolls, a couple of sighs, and one good stretch before a lady is ready to leave the comfort of her mattress.
Amy started humming again as her feet landed on the floor. Oh, La Vie en Rose had been stuck in her head since Mochi, Cream's half-sister, had shown her the music box she had received from Vector's father. Hmm, maybe if Amy played the full song, that would launch it out of her head.
And when you speak, angels sing from above
Everyday words seem to turn into love songs
It wasn't quite evening yet, but the sunlight still had a slight pink tint filtering through the curtains. Good, thought Amy. She had taken the rest of the day off, and she had plenty to do. Laundry needed to be done, TV shows needed to be watched, people needed to be called, audiobooks listened to. She could start on her TBR list as she cleaned the...
Amy opened her door.
... the... the kitchen?
Oh.
It was spotless! But surely...? Amy had been so tired from Rouge's order that she only had time for an hour of sleep and a quick shower before leaving. Her eyes trailed to the magnetic notepad on her fridge. Aha! There was writing not her own on the heart shaped paper.
You were tired, so I cleaned up.
Sorry if I put anything in the wrong place. Your keys are on your nightstand.
- Shadow.
Amy smiled, straight and to the point. Typical Shadow.
Wait.
Waitwaitwaitwait.
Shadow had been kind enough to drive her home, and she had fallen asleep, made poor Shadow carry her to her room while he saw a mess so disastrous he had to clean it up. Oh, how embarrassing! He must think she's some sort of slob. Amy quickly opened Shadow's contact and started texting.
Amy: I'm so sorry!!!
Amy: My house isn't always a disaster I promise!
Amy: Woops. This is Amy. You're probably wondering what weirdo is texting you.
Amy: Thank you for everything you did this morning. I owe you one!!
Shadow: It was nothing.
Amy: Yes it was!!
Amy huffed, nothing? Frosting was hard to clean on a good day, let alone everything else. Oh, speaking of which...
Amy: Did you like what I made you?
Shadow: I haven't tried it yet.
Shadow: But I'm sure it will be good.
Amy: Flatterer! But let me know what you think when you try it.
Shadow: Ok.
Amy: and then come to the cafe more often and try some more things!
Amy: I will annoy you until you do.
Amy closed that window for now, opening another one she shared with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Her shoulders sagged, the only one she could bear talking to Sonic to for now.
HERO TEAM
Amy: I think we should add Rouge, Shadow, and maybe Omega?
Amy: They help us save the world too.
Tails: Uh
Sonic: Maybe Rouge and Omega but Shadow kinda kills the vibe.
Knuckles: Veto on all of them.
Tails: IDK Amy
Amy pouted, for being heroes they sure behaved like bullies sometimes.
Amy: @Sonic what are you talking about? Yeah he comes off a little grumpy at first but Shadow is actually really nice!!
Knuckles: He's not.
Tails: He's not.
Sonic: lol no
Robotnik: He's not.
Robotnik: You just remind him of my cousin.
Knuckles: How the hell did you get in here?!
Robotnik: Oh no, I've been eggsposed!
Robotnik has left the group.
Amy squinted at the phone screen. She'd let the boys handle that particular can of worms.
"...Cousin?"
"I'll keep my promise to Maria, and you."
Was that who he meant? Now she was really curious, though she wasn't about to chase down Eggman to get more details, and she wasn't sure it would be right to go behind Shadow's back to find out about it anyway. Maria must have meant a lot to him. Amy shook off her pondering, maybe Shadow would feel comfortable talking to her about it someday.
Another notification popped up.
Shadow: I don't find you annoying.
Amy smiled, a little touched. Out of everyone she knew, she thought Shadow would be the last person to have any patience with her, and that he had finally gotten tired of her, and that's why he hadn't come by the bakery in a while. It was good to know that wasn't the case.
Amy: it means a lot to hear that.
Amy: but that means you have to come to my parties sometimes!
Shadow: If it's not too loud or crowded, sure.
Amy pulled out one of her many hair ties from the pocket of her apron, tying it around her quills. She missed her bob sometimes, but it was a pain keeping it out of the way during food prep, so she had decided to let them grow. "Next stop, laundry!"
Shadow laid on his bed, not caring that he still had his shoes on, not caring that it was 11 at night, just busy staring at the ceiling and thinking about nothing.
Well no, that was a lie. He was thinking, as he often was, about Amy Rose.
Being around her was exhausting. It was a fireworks show of emotions, each one more intense than the last, that sent him into a high. A high that always preceded the inevitable descent into the ground, an inevitable melancholy crash out that left him stuck in a loop, replaying memories over and over again. And there Amy was, feeling like she wasn't good enough, that she was annoying, and it had taken so much out of him not to hold her tight and scream:
"I'm in love with you," Shadow breathed.
Only the painful beating of his heart answered back.
But that wouldn't be fair for Amy. She didn't deserve to be burdened by his feelings. Not now and probably not ever, no matter what-
Shadow's phone buzzed in the loose grip of his hand.
Sonic: I heard from Rouge.
Sonic: Congrats!! You did it! You talked to her!
Shadow: Fuck off.
Sonic: That's no way to treat your wingman.
Shadow: you haven't winged shit.
Sonic: Rude.
Sonic: you at least gave her your number, right?
Shadow: She already had it, moron.
How had this idiot gotten his number again? Rouge, probably. Or he pulled the hero act at the hospital and had gotten it from a nurse. Somehow, Sonic always got what he wanted handed to him, and that was the most infuriating thing about him.
Sonic: We should go out and celebrate now that you can actually get drunk.
Shadow grimaced. Sonic was the absolutely last person he wanted to see, but he was trying to help - even if idiotically - and he was still Amy's friend.
Ugh.
Shadow: Maybe.
Sonic: :)
Shadow: Not today.
Sonic: :(
Maybe eventually, but for now Sonic could get lost. He had a dessert to eat. Years ago, Shadow had bought himself a small fridge for his room so he didn't have to go downstairs if Rouge had company over, and now that he actually had to eat regularly it proved to be invaluable. He opened it and got the small box out, placing it on his desk and lifting the lid. There was a glass cup inside, about the size of a small mason jar. He could see a few layers of caramel thickened with something, between other layers of espresso-soaked chocolate wafters. A rose petal with a small wild strawberry sat at the top. There was also a spoon and a small envelope at the foot of the jar. Shadow took the spoon and dipped it into the tiramisu-like treat, making sure he got a few layers before tasting it.
Oh, oh it was good. The caramel had been blended with cream cheese, its tartness perfectly blending with the deep flavor of the espresso and chocolate. Shadow grasped the envelope as he chewed, not letting his fingers tear the paper as he opened it. A small note, about the size of two credit cards put together, with little Piko hammers adorning the margins. She must have gotten these custom made, he thought.
Ha! I tricked you. Now you have to come back to return my cup and spoon.
- Amy Rose.
Shadow's heart fluttered, clenched, and then throbbed. He really was pathetic if even a small, friendly note could affect him like this.
Shadow: It's delicious. Thank you.
Amy: yay!!!
He smiled. Maybe for a little bit, he could just bask in her warmth. Maybe he could allow himself a little hope. Just for tonight, he could remember how she felt in his arms and not let it be bittersweet.
In between bites, Shadow found himself humming a familiar tune.
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose