"Automatic"
Sally didn't quite know what to think when Shadow grabbed her hand and tugged her off to the side to talk to her. The gang was over Cream's house having a party for something. Sally couldn't exactly remember what it was for, but parties were generally fun, so who was she to turn down an opportunity to let loose and have a good time?
The music was loud and catchy, and it would keep their friends from hearing their conversation. Even though she didn't know what Shadow had to say to her, she instinctively knew he didn't want anyone else but her to hear him. It was odd, comical in a way, to see the Ultimate Lifeform flustered. He was usually so calm, so confident, and carried himself as such, but now he looked, dare she say it, flustered. She could have sworn his cheeks were rosy with the faintest of blushes, but surely her eyes were playing tricks on her.
And even if they weren't, she was wise enough not to point such a thing out to him. They stood huddled together in the far corner of the room, which afforded them some much needed privacy. Shadow kept his gave averted from hers no matter how hard she tried to look him in the eyes. Slightly concerned, Sally propped herself against the wall, arms hanging by her sides, her lips pulled in a frown.
"You wanted to talk to me, Shadow?" The sound of her voice snapped him out of whatever reverie he was lost in. His head jerked up, his quills swaying from the sudden movement as he finally forced himself to look her in the eyes. Her eyes were an almost hypnotizing shade of blue, and even in the dim lighting of the room, they managed to shine brighter than diamonds.
He could feel his heartbeat dang near running away, beating frantically, threatening to burst right through his very chest. She was staring at him, patiently waiting for him to speak. Shadow took a deep breath; his tongue felt like it was tied in hopelessly tangled up knots, and the words he wanted to say were lodged at the back of his throat.
"Ireallylikeyou." There, he said it. It was all out in the open, and he got it off his chest. He looked at her expectantly; no doubt she was bursting at the seams with joy and would run into his arms and hug him and say she liked him too. Unfortunately for him, she did no such things. Instead, she was frowning deeply, her expression puzzled.
"I'm sorry, Shadow. I'm afraid I didn't catch any of that. Would you mind repeating yourself?" He almost thought she was mocking him, stepping on the already shattered pieces of his frail heart, but her words were sincere. She really didn't hear what he said.
Sighing heavily, trying to muster up the fearlessness he was known for, he reached for her hands, holding them gently in his as he drew her closer so that they were pressed firmly together. His lips brushed against her ear, and he laughed at the shiver the action elicited.
"I said that I really like you, which stands to reason, given your many favorable traits. Your kindness knows no limits, and you have a heart of pure gold. The way your eyes light up when you smile is a sight to behold, and the sound of your laughter leaves me breathless. Would you allow me the honor of taking you on a date?" His voice was firm, confidence bleeding into his words along with traces of hope and anxiety.
Sally moved so that they were staring at each other once more, and she was reacting the way Shadow hoped she would. Her smile was bashful, but wide, and her eyes were filled with mirth. She looked beyond happy, relieved even, and that did wonders to his already frazzled nerves.
"Well, since you asked so nicely, I'd be honored to be your date, Shadow." And her lips were grazing against his cheek in the softest of kisses, and he felt his face heat up, praying that she didn't notice him blushing. Her knowing smile quickly shot that notion down.
"I never knew you had such a way with words." He shrugged, trying to act all cool and aloof.
"Well, Rouge's romance novels were good for something, I suppose." Was he embarrassed? Yes. Romance didn't seem to be his forte, and the fact that he had to consult his best friend's romance novels for advice deeply wounded his pride. However, it was worth it to tell Sally how he felt, and he was thankful his feelings weren't one-sided.