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Rouge settled in on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand and her phone in the other. It was a Friday night, and she was prepared for an evening of watching trash reality TV in her favorite athleisure and doing her duty as the perfect remote wingwoman. A role she usually loved, but something about tonight had her feeling uneasy. Maybe it had something to do with the girl she was currently waiting to hear from: a certain pink hedgehog.
Tonight, Amy Rose was going on her first date since breaking up with Sonic. And Rouge couldn’t deny that she was concerned.
In the six months since Amy and Sonic decided to break up, Rouge had been bouncing back and forth between Amy’s house in Green Hill and her own in Central City. It was an hour-long drive but Rouge was happy to make the trip. Her best friend needed her, and it was nice to escape from her housemate’s brooding for a couple of days at a time.
That first week after the breakup was particularly awful. Amy had sobbed in Rouge’s arms, all the while saying things like, “We both decided we’re better off apart,” and “We’ll never make each other happy.” Then there were the endless hours listening to Taylor Swift’s saddest breakup songs with Amy going hoarse from belting out her turmoil. Rouge endured it all, a calm and steady presence amid Amy’s emotional storm. Slowly, but surely, the crying stopped and Amy’s vibrant personality began to emerge from the gloom.
The second-to-last step to healing had been completed a month ago: Amy and Sonic were able to reconcile and revive their friendship. They’d cried, they’d hugged, and finally they’d laughed. Their relationship would never be the same, but a new level of respect grew between them. The team would live on, and honestly, Rouge was proud of her best friend. She had expected Amy to not want anything further to do with Sonic after their relationship ended, but Amy told her she couldn’t imagine her life without him, and a broken heart full of hatred would never heal.
So Amy forgave Sonic for all his faults that made him a terrible boyfriend for her: his impulsivity, his devil-may-care attitude, his eating habits. Chaos, those damn chili dogs. Amy told Rouge that every date they went on ended up at a food truck that supposedly made “The best chili dogs in Station Square,” but really they were just cheap. It didn’t help that the owners were fans of Sonic, and happy to cater to his whims.
The first time Amy got food poisoning from that food truck should have been enough. Now Amy would get nauseous if chili dogs were even mentioned in conversation. An unexpected, yet manageable life change. But that wasn’t the focus tonight.
Tonight was the final step in the journey of healing Amy’s broken heart: the first date since the breakup.
Amy had wanted to find someone new and different, whom she didn’t know and didn’t know her. Green Hill is a small town, and Station Square isn’t much bigger. Everyone there knows who Amy Rose is, mostly by her association with Sonic. In order to avoid that, Rouge suggested she try one of the dating apps and set her geographical parameters to include Central City. Rouge had spent hours helping Amy craft her profile, choose the perfect selfies, and swipe through the different options until she had a few potentially good matches.
Amy had made the final decision on who her first date should be with: a male quokka who was a couple of years older than her, but who was respectful and responsive in their initial chats and had asked her out almost immediately. They were having dinner at a restaurant in Central City that Rouge knew well. Good atmosphere, great food, and not too fancy. Amy was a girl of simpler tastes than her best friend, the former jewel thief.
The front door opened, distracting Rouge from staring at her phone waiting for Amy to text her. Shadow walked in, wearing a fleece-lined leather jacket that was at least five years old, and holding a bag of takeout in his hand. Rouge had trained her reluctant housemate well. Friday nights were his night to provide dinner for them, and he usually just ended up getting takeout from her favorite noodle place. For all the quirks that made Shadow a difficult hedgehog to live with, she would never complain about this.
“Welcome home, handsome,” Rouge called to him from across the room. “I left the wine on the counter if you want some.”
Shadow rolled his eyes and huffed at her, continuing his walk to the kitchen. A classic reaction. He did so hate to be teased. She smirked back at him, then turned back to her phone, which had just vibrated. Finally, a text from Amy.
Amy: Just got to the restaurant, about to meet this guy! Wish me luck! 🥰
Rouge couldn’t help but smile, happy that Amy was finding some hope after being so heartbroken.
Rouge: Good luck sweetie! 💕 Remember our check-in schedule, and have fun!
As soon as Amy had published her profile on the dating app, Rouge insisted they establish a protocol for every date Amy went on. Amy would never let a stranger pick her up from her house. She would share her live location with Rouge at all times. She would text Rouge as soon as she got to the meeting place, and send a check-in text every thirty minutes, no matter what. At the end of the date, Amy would get a ride share to Rouge’s house and spend the night with her, then Rouge would drive her home the next day. In the event of disaster, Amy was to text Rouge their code word, “strawberry.” If that happened, Rouge would drop whatever she was doing and pick Amy up. A foolproof plan to ensure Amy’s safety when meeting strange men for the first time.
The tightness in Rouge’s chest eased a little at Amy following their protocol, but didn’t go away fully. Rouge repeated to herself that everything happening tonight was a good thing. Amy was moving on. The plan was in place. Nothing bad was going to happen.
A welcome distraction came when Shadow lowered a takeout box and a pair of chopsticks into her field of vision. Rouge put her phone down and accepted them, then was surprised when the hedgehog joined her on the couch with his own dinner and a glass of wine.
“What garbage have you picked for us to watch tonight?” Shadow asked in his typical judgmental tone. He set his wine glass down on the coffee table and started twirling his noodles around his chopsticks.
Rouge’s smirk returned at his haughty attitude. It was mostly annoying, but tonight she chose to find it endearing. He had chosen to sit with her rather than eat alone in his room, after all. She took a sip of her wine as she worked the remote, finding her current show and the episode where she left off.
“It’s called Crewmates,” she explained. “It follows the crew of a yacht for rich folks to rent. They sail all over the world, living the high life and getting into all kinds of relationship drama. You’ll love it.”
Shadow scoffed, taking another bite of his food, continuing to misuse his chopsticks. “I doubt that,” he deadpanned. Then he crossed his legs under himself and got comfortable on the couch, his air shoes still on.
Rouge side-eyed him, but he just smirked. He knows she doesn’t like anyone putting their dirty shoes on her cream-colored designer couch. A little petty revenge for her comment earlier, no doubt. Rouge’s ear flicked in irritation, but she decided to let it go for now and start the show. She’d find a way to get him back after a glass or two of wine.
They weren’t even ten minutes into the first episode when Rouge’s phone vibrated.
Amy: STRAWBERRY
Oh, shit.
Her phone vibrated again.
Amy: STRAWBERRY
Amy: STRAWBERRY
Amy: Oh Chaos
Amy: I’m scared please get me out of here
Rouge replied immediately.
Rouge: I’m on my way
Rouge: Are you okay what happened???
Rouge turned the TV off, wings flaring in agitation as she shot up from the couch. She dropped her takeout box on the coffee table and ran towards the front hall closet where her shoes were. She could feel Shadow’s bewildered gaze on her as she checked her phone, looking for a reply from Amy.
“Sorry Shadow, gotta put dinner on hold. Amy’s in trouble!” Rouge rushed through her words; all sense of calm had vanished with one word from Amy. Serves her right for trying to be hopeful.
“WHAT?” Shadow yelled. In a split second he was standing next to her. “What do you mean, ‘Rose is in trouble’?”
Rouge was distracted by her phone vibrating with multiple messages. She lifted her phone and allowed Shadow to see her message thread with Amy.
Amy: Girl I got catfished so bad
Amy: This dude is like 20 years older than me!!!!!! 😣
Amy: He must have used younger pics of himself or something
Rouge: WTH?? How did we miss a photoshop job?? 😡
Amy: Idk but he thinks we’re gonna get MARRIED???
Rouge: WHAT?????????
Amy: He told the server we’re celebrating our engagement 💀
Amy: GET ME OUT OF HERE
Shadow didn’t waste any time after that last message. He activated his air shoes and skated for the garage. Rouge groaned loudly after him and finished putting her sneakers on. She’d told that hedgehog many times not to use his air shoes in the house, that her floors would never recover, but she’d have to forgive him tonight. Amy needed them.
She heard the door to the garage slam open as she hurried down the hallway, trying to type out a reply to Amy and reassure her.
Rouge: Go hide in the bathroom RIGHT NOW
Rouge: We are coming
Shadow was already in the driver’s seat of his car, revving the engine impatiently when Rouge entered the garage. Shadow’s car was a sleek, modern sports car, with a V8 engine modified for speed and a custom paint job: black with red accents.
Ridiculous hedgehog.
Rouge climbed into the passenger seat as Shadow opened the garage door with the button clipped to his visor. He didn’t wait for Rouge to buckle her seatbelt before backing out and pealing out of the driveway, tires squealing as he accelerated. Rouge sent Amy’s location to Shadow’s phone, then programmed the car’s GPS to lead them there. She texted Amy again.
Rouge: We’ll be there in 20min WHERE ARE YOU??? Are you safe?
Amy replied instantly, thank Chaos. But Rouge’s relief was short-lived.
Amy: I made it to the bathroom
Amy: He almost didn’t let me go. He grabbed my wrist, not hurting me but like firm, and he said “Good wives ask for permission to leave the table, but I’ll forgive you this time”
Amy: Help 😰
All the color drained from Rouge’s face when she read that text. She replied quickly.
Rouge: HOLY SHITTTTTT
Rouge: STAY IN THE BATHROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR WE ARE COMING FOR YOU
Shadow chose that moment to demand an explanation again. “Rouge, what is happening? What is Rose doing with that psychopath?”
Rouge sighed, annoyed that she would have to explain dating apps to Shadow. But it had to be done. She had to make sure he understood the potential danger Amy was in.
“Amy is moving on from Sonic, finally,” she began. “She wanted something new, so I suggested she try a dating app.”
“There are apps for that?” he asked.
“Ugh, yes Shadow,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “She matched with someone, and decided to go out with him, but everything’s gone wrong! You saw how that creep was treating her!” Rouge’s anger and worry came through in her voice as she continued speaking. “Anyway, we made a plan, and she’s sticking to it. She’s in the bathroom at the restaurant, we just need to get her out.”
Shadow accelerated immediately. The speedometer definitely hit 100mph. Rouge was about to scold him when another text from Amy interrupted her.
Amy: Who is we?
Rouge: Me and Shadow don’t worry he will THROW HANDS FOR YOU GIRL
“I told her you’re ready to kick this asshole in the teeth,” Rouge informed Shadow.
“Just point me in the right direction,” Shadow replied in his matter-of-fact way. “I’ll kill him for daring to try to trick Rose and entrap her.”
Rouge could tell by the fury on his face and his vice-like grip on the steering wheel that he meant every word of that threat.
The bat continued, “You haven’t even heard the worst of it.” She knew she was provoking Shadow’s darker instincts, but she didn’t care. He was already furious anyway. And her mischievous side wanted to see how much Amy’s situation could make the Ultimate Lifeform squirm.
Shadow looked even angrier, if that was possible. “What’s the worst?” he demanded through clenched teeth.
Rouge tried not to look smug at Shadow’s escalating temper.
Here come the fireworks, she thought.
“That creep grabbed her wrist when she tried to leave the table. Told her some crap about how ‘good wives ask for permission.’” Rouge didn’t try to hide her fury from Shadow. He of all people would understand. “Ugh, the nerve of him! I might punch him myself!” she exclaimed.
The engine revved as Shadow shifted to a higher gear and immediately accelerated to 120mph. His grip on the steering wheel became even tighter, his face like thunder as he weaved through traffic. Rouge shoved the thought that this was very dangerous to the back of her mind. Now was not the time for safety. Her best friend was in peril.
Another series of text messages came in.
Amy: WHY IS SHADOW COMING???
Amy: This is so embarrassing 😣
Rouge: Sweetie you did nothing wrong! We are almost there just stay calm 💕
Amy: The server is outside the door she’s asking if I’m okay
Rouge: Talk to her through the door DO NOT COME OUT
Rouge: Tell her he grabbed you and you are scared and your friends are coming to get you
Amy: Okay 😬 please hurry
The GPS indicated they were almost there. Shadow had made a twenty-minute drive in less than ten minutes. Rouge knew it was time to lay down some ground rules for the Ultimate Lifeform before he flies into a rage. And she knew it was better to do it in a language he understands.
“Okay, Shadow,” Rouge began with a firm voice. “When we get there, don’t do anything stupid. This is a rescue mission. Our priority is getting Amy out of there and home safe. Understand?” She stared him down from the passenger side, making sure he knew she was in charge.
Shadow cocked an eyebrow at her. “You said I’d be kicking that asshole in the teeth,” he countered.
Rouge grimaced at him. “Yes, but we need Amy to point him out to us,” she replied. “Let’s rescue her from the bathroom first, then let her tell you who needs his ass kicked.”
“Hmph. Fine.”
Strange. She expected more resistance from him, given how angry he was. There was no time to psychoanalyze, however, as Shadow’s car pulled up to the restaurant at speed. Rouge felt her whole body lurch forward as Shadow slammed on the brakes and pulled to a stop right in front of the restaurant. A flicker of guilt flared up in Rouge’s chest. She had recommended this place to Amy for her date. She herself had loved it, and now it would be tainted for them both.
The bat shoved those feelings aside for now. It was time to move. She and Shadow got out of the car and marched for the front doors. The chill in the air made Rouge briefly remember she was wearing leggings, a tank top, and a thin cropped hoodie. She sighed. Normally, she wouldn’t be caught dead outside the house in an outfit like this. The things she did for love.
They bypassed the hostess, a teenage fennec fox who looked starstruck when Shadow stomped past her. Rouge could have laughed at that reaction. Despite all his attempts to be unknown, he had somehow become one of the most recognizable people in the world.
And oh, how he hated being recognized.
Rouge took the lead and went straight for the back, to the little hallway where the restrooms were tucked away. When she saw a female koala in a restaurant uniform standing outside the door to the ladies room, Rouge sprung into action.
“We’re her friends,” Rouge told the server. “We’re here to take her home.”
The koala stepped aside, allowing Rouge space to approach the door. Shadow took up a position near the hallway entrance, arms crossed and looking menacing. He knew his role. He glared in the general direction of the dining room while Rouge gently knocked on the door of the ladies room.
“Amy, sweetie? It’s Rouge,” she called out softly.
Immediately, the lock clicked and the door opened. A flash of pink rushed out of the bathroom and collided with Rouge, throwing her arms around the bat’s shoulders like a lifeline.
“Rouge!” Amy cried, her voice breaking into rough sobs as she clung to her friend. Rouge returned Amy’s embrace and rubbed her hands along the girl’s back, her expression solemn.
“I’ve got you, sweetie. You’re safe,” Rouge soothed. Amy clung to her tighter.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rouge glanced at Shadow. His whole demeanor had softened at Amy’s distress, and his eyes were fixed on the pink hedgehog weeping in Rouge’s arms. He took one step toward them, then stopped and turned away, crossing his arms again and schooling his expression back to neutrality.
Rouge decided to file that information away for later.
The server timidly approached Rouge, a relieved expression on her face. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said softly. “I saw that guy grab her, so I came to check on her as soon as I could get away from my section.”
“Thank you for staying with her,” Rouge replied. “Ugh, what a nightmare. Are you okay, Amy?”
Amy sniffed, and her cries began to quiet. She pulled away to meet Rouge’s concerned gaze. Her face was flushed and her eye makeup was running in black tracks down her cheeks.
“I’m okay, I guess.” Amy’s voice was soft, timid. Rouge’s heart broke immediately. Amy Rose was normally so brash and confident. For her to be so scared and embarrassed she loses something so essential… Rouge couldn’t imagine being in such a situation. Then Amy made a request.
“Can we please go home?”
Before Rouge could even nod, Shadow made his presence known. He approached slowly, so as not to startle Amy, but his crimson eyes were bright with barely restrained fury.
“We’ll take you home, Rose,” he said quietly. “But first, you need to point out that asshole who assaulted you so I can teach him a lesson.”
Amy turned to Shadow, her eyes wide. The tears welled up again as Amy slowly shook her head.
“Shadow, no,” Amy whimpered. “I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”
“‘In trouble?’” Shadow repeated, his gaze hardening. “I don’t care about that, Rose!” His voice rose and his fists clenched. “He tried to take advantage of you. He put his hands on you! He’s the one in trouble! And he needs to face the consequences for hurting you!”
Without much warning, Shadow’s Chaos energy flared up, crackling over his fists and shooting down his bristled quills. Rouge automatically pulled Amy closer. The server shuffled behind Rouge, cowering a little at the light show. Very few ordinary Mobians had witnessed Shadow’s power firsthand, and Rouge couldn’t deny his intimidation factor increased exponentially with those bright orange tendrils of energy bouncing off of him. His breathing accelerated, and his gaze flicked around, unfocused. He was about to lose it.
Damn it, she thought. I shouldn’t have riled him up.
But Amy Rose gently pulled away from Rouge’s embrace and slowly approached Shadow. His Chaos energy crackled and sparked, and all the while Amy’s gentle smile and soft gaze were focused on him. She reached out and placed her hand over one of his fists, and his head snapped toward her, his gaze locking onto hers. Rouge watched in amazement as Shadow’s expression softened, his breathing slowed, and his energy started to calm.
“Don’t throw away your freedom over this, Shadow,” Amy whispered to him. She kept eye contact, her hand gently resting on his clenched fist while his Chaos energy faded, dissipating around his inhibitor rings.
“He’s not worth it,” she said finally.
In an instant, Rouge’s mind fired with the potential consequences of this situation. There were dozens of witnesses in that dining room. If Shadow the Hedgehog went charging out there, angry as hell with his powers spazzing out, it would create a spectacle. And if he assaulted a civilian, no matter the circumstance, G.U.N. would not be so forgiving as to sentence him to indentured servitude like last time. They could lock him up. Or worse, put him back in stasis.
They would never see him again.
Amy had seemingly realized all of this already. She kept eye contact with Shadow, her hand steady on his. Slowly, amazingly, his fist uncurled and he opened his hand slightly so her fingers rested in his hand, his thumb ghosting over her knuckles. Rouge saw him squeeze Amy’s fingers ever so slightly. And then, a miracle.
Shadow smiled.
A small, gentle thing. Not a smirk. Not a smug grin. A real, genuine, soft smile.
For Amy Rose.
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, releasing the tension from his body. Still holding Amy’s hand in his, and still smiling, he looked into her eyes again. His voice was soft when he spoke.
“Alright, Rose,” he said. “If that’s what you want.”
Amy nodded.
“Then let’s go home,” Shadow said. Then he let go of Amy’s hand, reaching around her shoulders. He leaned down and wrapped his other arm under her knees. Shadow effortlessly lifted Amy into his arms, and she settled there without protest, leaning her head into the crook of his neck. Her arms wrapped gently over his shoulders, and he began to turn around to face the hallway entrance.
“Is there a secondary exit we can use?” Shadow asked the server.
The koala who had been hunched behind Rouge slowly rose up to her full height. Though she was still visibly nervous, she managed to answer him.
“Y-yeah,” she stammered. “I’ll show you out the kitchen door.” She shuffled past Shadow, staring at the floor. “This way,” she pointed out the hallway in the opposite direction from the dining room.
As the group began to follow the server, Shadow holding Amy in his arms, Rouge was still stunned. In all her years of knowing Shadow the Hedgehog, not one person could ever make him change his mind once he’d made a decision. If he decided someone needed a beating, they were going to get one. No matter what. Nothing and no one could stop him.
Except Amy Rose, apparently.
Rouge wasn’t sure if it was Amy’s words that had swayed him or if it was just the pink hedgehog herself. Either way, the bat wouldn’t forget this night in a hurry. She extended her wings and lifted slightly off the ground to catch up to Shadow and the server. The server held the kitchen door open for them, and from there it was almost a straight shot through the alley to Shadow’s car.
“Thank you for everything,” Amy said to the server as Shadow carried her through the door.
“Good luck, Miss Amy!” the server replied with a friendly wave.
Rouge quickly flew past Shadow and Amy to get to the car first. She opened the passenger door and pulled the seat forward, allowing space to get to the backseat. Shadow walked right up to the passenger side and gently set Amy on her feet. He continued to play the bodyguard, shielding her while she climbed into the backseat as if she were a celebrity hiding from paparazzi. Rouge climbed in after her, and Shadow put the passenger seat back upright and gently closed the door. Rouge opened her arms and Amy cuddled close while Shadow walked around to the driver’s side. They were finally on their way home.
Rouge noticed Shadow’s driving was much calmer on the return trip. He was driving the speed limit, following traffic rules, even using his turn signal. But he kept catching Rouge’s eye in the rear view mirror. He was checking up on Amy.
The bat thought about making a comment about Shadow being a mother hen before a vibration from the seat cut off her train of thought. Amy adjusted her position and pulled her phone out of her back pocket. She checked the notification with Rouge looking over her shoulder.
It was from the dating app. Amy opened the message.
“Oh, Chaos,” Amy whispered, eyes wide. “It’s him. He’s asking where I am!”
“Block him,” Rouge told her. “Block him now!”
Shadow chimed in from the driver’s seat. “Better yet, delete that app from your phone.”
“Shadow, honestly,” Rouge scolded him. She could tell his protective instincts were in overdrive, and she wasn’t about to let him dictate Amy’s decisions about her romantic life. “Amy, don’t let one bad guy spoil everything you’ve been working towards.” She looked in Amy’s eyes, gently squeezing her free hand. She wanted her sincerity to come through.
Amy didn’t get the chance to reply when her phone buzzed again. And again. And a third time. All messages from the quokka Amy had met that night, each one more venomous than the last. Rouge helplessly watched Amy’s expression fall with each new strike, tears once more threatening to escape down her cheeks.
Another buzz. Finally, Amy pressed the button to block his profile. Rouge sighed in relief, but Amy wasn’t done. She closed the app, then immediately deleted the icon from her app list, choosing the option to delete all of its data as well.
“Shadow’s right, Rouge,” Amy said, her voice growing more determined with every syllable. “I never want to repeat what happened tonight. Besides, I think I’ll need some time to recover before I put myself out there again.” Amy put her phone in her purse and settled back into Rouge’s arms, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, finally feeling safe enough to relax.
Rouge didn’t miss the smugness shining in Shadow’s eyes in the rear view mirror. He loved being proved right, damn him. At least he had the decency not to comment.
The three of them were silent for the rest of the drive.
Finally, Shadow turned the car into the driveway, seamlessly pulling into the garage and parking in his spot. He turned the engine off, climbed out of the car, and pulled the driver’s seat forward to let his passengers out. Amazement once again rose up in Rouge as she watched Shadow reach his hand out to help Amy climb out of the backseat. Amy accepted, allowing Shadow to steady her through the tight space. Then Amy smiled at him, and the blush that flared across Shadow’s face was absolutely delightful to Rouge.
Choosing to spare him the teasing for now, Rouge quickly followed Amy out of the backseat. Shadow hadn’t even offered to help her; he was busy guiding Amy into the house, one hand gently pressed to the middle of her back. Rouge noticed he was actively avoiding the keyhole opening in the back of her pink sweater, whether out of respect or shyness, she couldn’t tell.
The bat crossed the threshold into the house and stepped out of her sneakers. Amy had her hand on Shadow’s shoulder, steadying herself while she took off her boots. They were the designer ankle boots Rouge had gifted Amy on her last birthday. She had never seen the pink hedgehog wear them until tonight. She let out a big dramatic sigh.
“Finally home!” Rouge exclaimed. “Oh Amy, I’m absolutely torn to shreds!” She put a hand to her forehead, faking a swoon. “To think, you wasted this perfect outfit on that creep of a man!” She pulled her friend away from Shadow and into a tight hug, swaying them back and forth. “Absolutely no one deserves that, sweetie, least of all you!”
Her comments earned a soft giggle from the pink hedgehog in her arms and an eye roll from the black hedgehog standing next to her. Oh well, let him judge. Her best friend needed comfort right now.
Rouge gently pulled back from the embrace and put her hands on Amy’s cheeks. “You look done in, darling,” she said with a pout. “Go on upstairs and get cleaned up, then put on something comfy. Your weekender is in my room.”
Amy smiled at Rouge and pulled her into another hug. “Thank you, Rouge,” she said softly. Then she leaned back and gently gripped Shadow’s upper arm. “And thank you, Shadow,” she continued. “I don’t know what I would have done if you both hadn’t been there.”
“What are friends for?” Rouge replied. Then they both looked to Shadow, who nodded and hummed in agreement. Rouge caught the small squeeze Amy gave Shadow’s arm before she hurried off to go upstairs. Shadow and Rouge were left alone in the entryway, him with eyes closed and arms crossed, and her with a knowing smirk.
“Don’t,” Shadow said.
“Don’t what?” Rouge asked innocently.
He glared at her, but failed to hide his blushing cheeks. “Don’t say anything.”
Rouge hummed, unintimidated. “I was only going to suggest we heat up our takeout from earlier. And figure out something for Amy to eat. Poor thing, she had to miss dinner on top of everything else tonight.” The bat started walking toward the kitchen, pointedly ignoring the new scorch marks on the hardwoods. “I bet we still have some leftover pasta from Wednesday.”
Before she reached the end of the hallway, she was overtaken by Shadow’s long strides. He hurried past her to the living room, where their two boxes of noodles and glasses of wine still sat on the coffee table.
“Rose can have mine,” Shadow said. “I can do without.” He picked up both takeout boxes and carried them to the kitchen. Rouge followed him.
“You sure, hun?” she asked. This wouldn’t be the first time Shadow had skipped a meal, but that usually only happened when he forgot he was supposed to eat. Rouge had taken great pains to train that out of him, hence his Friday night responsibility.
Shadow took the chopsticks out of Rouge’s box and put it in the microwave. He set it to cook for one minute before turning his attention to his housemate. “I’ll be fine,” he assured her. Then he opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a half-full bag of coffee beans.
Rouge rolled her eyes. “If you insist,” she replied, not having the energy for a fight. She took over reheating the takeout while Shadow pulled out a cereal bowl and a spoon for his coffee beans. She also grabbed the bottle of wine and another glass and brought them to the living room.
No sooner had Rouge and Shadow settled on the couch than Amy was padding down the stairs. She was wearing a magenta sweater, the neckline cut to sit off her shoulders, heather gray jogger sweatpants, and pink fuzzy slippers. Her quills were clipped back away from her face and all her makeup had been cleaned off.
Rouge scooted over to make room and patted the seat between them. “Sit here, sweetie,” she invited Amy. “We heated up some udon noodles for you. I know you didn’t get a chance to eat earlier.” Rouge then picked up the bottle of wine, offering it to Amy. “Want some?”
“Yes please,” Amy replied, sitting down between Rouge and Shadow. She picked up her takeout box and chopsticks and began to eat while Rouge poured. After handing Amy her glass, Rouge picked up the remote and navigated to the show they had been watching earlier.
“Are you caught up on Crewmates?” she asked Amy.
Amy finished her bite before answering. “Yes! I just saw Gemma and Brandon’s messy breakup!”
“Because he was cheating on her with Simone!” cried Rouge. “Chaos, I’m so glad she dumped his ass! Gemma deserves better!”
And so the night continued. The three of them ate their late dinners, finished off the bottle of wine, and watched a few episodes of a trashy reality show, with Rouge and Amy making comments about the plots and the drama. After a couple of episodes, Shadow even started sharing his thoughts, to the girls’ delight.
Four episodes in, Rouge noticed Amy’s eyes drooping. And if the bat subtly shifted her weight so Amy would lean against Shadow’s shoulder when she inevitably fell asleep, she’d never admit it out loud.
As the fifth episode ended, Rouge glanced over at her housemate. He was sitting stiff as a board, eyes wide and cheeks red, with Amy sleeping peacefully against his side. His fists clenched and then unclenched, like he didn’t know what to do with them. When she caught his eye, she flashed him one more smirk, causing him to quickly look down at the floor.
Alright, Shadow, she thought. I’ll be merciful.
Faking a yawn, Rouge reached for the remote. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed,” she sighed, turning off the TV. She rose from the couch and stretched languidly. “Shadow, would you be a dear and bring Amy up to my room? No need to wake her after the night she’s had, right?”
Shadow looked up at Rouge, eyes still wide, like he was shocked at her suggestion. The bat smiled wider. “What’s wrong? You had no trouble carrying her before. And in public, no less! You naughty boy.”
The hedgehog’s signature scowl came back with a vengeance. He was just so easy to tease. He kept his body still and his voice low, so as not to disturb Amy. “That was different, and you know it,” he insisted. “She was upset. She was scared. And now she’s—“
“She’s exhausted,” Rouge interrupted. “And probably still embarrassed from everything that happened tonight. And I, for one, am not going to leave her to sleep on the couch after all that.” She started walking toward the stairs. “She won’t wake up, if that’s what you’re worried about. Amy could sleep through a hurricane after one glass of wine, and she’s just had two,” Rouge chuckled.
In the end, Shadow sighed, then carefully adjusted Amy so he could pick her up princess style. Like before, she lay comfortably in his arms, her head tucked into the crook of his neck. Rouge led the way upstairs to her bedroom and left the door open wide enough for Shadow to walk through. She turned down the duvet on one side, then stepped back out of the way.
The tenderness with which Shadow laid Amy down in the bed was such a wholesome sight, Rouge almost let out a sigh. She held back to ensure she wouldn’t interrupt him removing Amy’s slippers and tucking her in. And if she didn’t know his true feelings before, she knew them now.
Oh, yeah, Rouge thought. He’s down bad for my girl.
Shadow almost seemed reluctant to leave, but he stepped back from the bed and started marching stiffly to the door. “Goodnight,” he mumbled in Rouge’s general direction. He was almost over the threshold when Rouge’s voice made him halt in his tracks.
“You should tell her, you know,” she said.
Shadow sighed. “It’s not the right time,” he whispered. At least he wasn’t denying it. That alone was a good sign.
She persisted. “It’s the perfect time!” She padded over to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “She’s just had a terrible experience with a stranger. What better way to recover than to have an incredible experience with someone who’s been right under her nose this whole time?”
Shadow was still standing in the doorway staring at the floor. “You don’t know it’ll be incredible.”
“I get that you’re nervous. Anyone would be.” Rouge squeezed his shoulder, making him finally look in her eyes. “But don’t let fear ruin your chance at something amazing. And hers, too.” She smiled gently. “You’ll never know until you take the leap.”
Shadow actually smiled at that last sentence. “That sounds like something Rose would say,” he said.
Rouge let out a low chuckle. “Maybe she’s rubbing off on me. I should be so lucky.”
They shared another quiet laugh. Shadow reached up to Rouge’s hand still resting on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I will… consider it,” he said finally.
“That’s all I ask.”
He nodded, then squeezed her hand again. “Goodnight, Rouge.”
“Goodnight, hun,” she replied. “Don’t stay up too late brooding, okay?”
And with a final “Hmph,” Shadow left Rouge’s bedroom. She shut the door behind him and quickly changed into her sleepwear before turning out the light. She climbed into bed next to Amy, who was still dead asleep. Thinking about her best friend and her housemate, and what could potentially be coming down the line for both of them, Rouge can’t help but give in to the hopeful feeling settling in her chest. Playing matchmaker wasn’t a role she expected, but Rouge had always been one to roll with the punches. She knew she could guide these two oblivious hedgehogs together.
All she needed now was a plan.