Chapter Text
"You look like a discount rockstar who got lost on his way to a garage band gig."
Rouge grinned at Shadow's reflection as she applied the final touches to her makeup – a deep red lipstick, bold enough to match the sparkly dress hugging her figure. Her smirk widened as she caught his expression in the doorway, his arms locked over his chest, face stone-cold, radiating pure reluctance.
"Remind me again why I'm being subjected to this torture."
"Because, darling," Rouge drawled, blotting her lips with a tissue. "You need to learn how to socialize without looking like someone just insulted your entire bloodline."
Shadow huffed, shifting his weight against the doorway. "I don't need to socialize."
"You do if you want people to stop assuming you hiss at the sunlight." Rouge snickered, tossing the paper into the trash with a flourish. "Come on, honey, don't you wanna make a good first impression? We're freshmen. We've got to establish a reputation."
"I'm pretty sure my 'reputation' is already set in stone," he muttered, gesturing vaguely at himself. His wrinkled Nirvana shirt, black leather jacket, and borderline-too-tight jeans weren't exactly screaming college party spirit. The platform boots only sealed the deal.
Rouge gave him a once-over and clicked her tongue. "You're lucky you've got the whole 'mysterious and broody' thing going for you, or I'd be embarrassed to be seen with you."
Shadow only raised a brow at that. "You're the one who dragged me into this."
Rouge rolled her eyes at him and leaned in for one last glance at her reflection. She adjusted the thin straps of her dress, which clung to her shoulders as if barely hanging on, then stood up. The slit on her leg shifted slightly as she strutted towards him, heels clicking against the floor. Shadow barely had time to react before her purse was unceremoniously launched at his chest.
He caught it with ease, blinking. "What exactly am I supposed to do with this?"
"Hold it." Rouge walked past him, heading for the stairs. "Or wear it, I don't care. Either way, I'm driving."
Shadow scowled, staring at the purse like it personally offended him. "I knew this was a bad idea."
Rouge peeked over her shoulder, grinning. "Oh, quit whining."
Shadow exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple as if that alone could ward off the impending headache. This night was going to be long… agonizingly long.
_____________ .✦
The house loomed ahead, pulsing with neon lights that spilled out from the windows like a beacon for chaos. The deep thrum of bass-heavy music vibrated through the ground, mixing with the drunken shouts and laughter of students swarming the front yard. The pool, illuminated in an eerie blue glow, was practically a battlefield of reckless splashing, intoxicated stunts, and couples tangled in sloppy embraces.
Rouge took it all in with a smirk, the kind that made it obvious she had nothing good in mind. Shadow, on the other hand, stood stiffly beside her, arms shoved into his jacket pockets, already exhausted before even setting foot inside.
They hadn't even made it past the crowd before it happened.
"Hey, sweetheart," a slurred voice oozed from the side. Some sweaty, unshaven slob wobbled up to Rouge, a half-empty beer bottle dangling from his fingers. "How 'bout I getcha a drink, huh?"
Rouge turned to him, her expression unreadable for a split second before she put on a dazzling smile. "Oh? Well, aren't you a gentleman," she purred, linking her arm with his without hesitation.
Shadow shook his head, already knowing how this would go. Rouge thrived in this kind of environment. He'd expected her to abandon him at some point. In fact, he was counting on it. He didn't even spare them a second glance before peeling off from the crowd and slipping inside the house.
The air was thick with the smell of booze and sweat, the music slightly muffled but still loud enough to rattle the glass panels. The place was more chaotic than he'd thought, even with fewer people inside. But those who had stayed in were in worse shape than the ones outside. Some were sprawled on the couches, laughing at nothing, others were stripping off their tops in some attempt at impressing whoever was still sober enough to care.
Shadow grimaced and looked away, only for his eyes to land on something even more distracting.
A hedgehog.
He didn't know who the hedgehog was. He'd never seen him before. But none of that mattered – because in that moment, the stranger was all he could see.
The guy bopped lazily to the beat, one arm thrown up in the air, a cup of champagne in his grasp. He wasn't alone, of course. A pink hedgehog moved along with him, pressed up against his chest. They weren't exactly entangled, but the way they moved together made it obvious they were enjoying each other's company.
Something inside Shadow twisted. His gaze swept over him without permission, tracing every ridiculous, obnoxious, and maddeningly perfect detail.
Banana yellow cargo shorts, slightly oversized but neatly cuffed at the hem, paired with long white tube socks that had stripes of red. A baggy jumper that was a mess of colors — magenta in the front, blue on the back, and creamy sleeves. And then those absurdly red, sleek shoes with pointed tips and crisp white straps across the middle. He stood out like a sore thumb.
Especially with that face of his.
That confident, careless grin. Those sharp emerald eyes that seemed to flicker with energy, even in the dimly lit room. The thick lashes framing them. And the slight tilt of his head as he murmured something to the girl, making her laugh.
Shadow had never felt this before.
This tightness in his chest. This overwhelming pull.
But he knew exactly what it was.
Something he absolutely despised.