This is a short story I wrote when I was waiting for my students to come. It might be a little rushed, but I can see something like this happening in the future... Sort of.
Years have passed. Missions, adventures, even deaths… all of them had been overcome together. But everything has an end. Even patience.
Rouge was sitting on a couch, sipping hot steaming tea. Shadow was on the other side of the room, reading something. Both of them were in complete silence. The only sound they could hear was the turning pages and a dripping faucet. Suddenly, Rouge coughed and Shadow looked at her.
"I'm moving tomorrow" She said staring at her mug.
"I know that" He answered with no emotion.
"How? It was a secret?" Her ears perked and looked at her companion a little bit upset.
"Didn't you think I'd knew it? You kept hiding receipts, suddenly there were no more plans… it was something easy to see. Where are you going?" Shadow stood up and went to the coffee table that was in front of her. "What's the matter?"
"Well, I've been thinking of retirement. It's time for me to start a new life, with new surroundings, just… that stuff" She said shrugging her shoulders. Her mug was becoming interesting, she started at it.
"Well, that's something that I consider wise. However, what about your duties?"
"Screw them. I just want to turn the page."
Silence fell over them again. She stood up, left her mug on the table and walked to her bedroom. There was nothing else to say. The hedgehog was confused, but didn't want to ask why she was acting strange. He had one or two ideas, but some of them seemed just too crazy to work.
The next day, when she had her luggage ready, the hedgehog got into her bedroom.
"So, it's true. You're leaving" He said with monotone voice.
"I am. Could you be an angel and take my suitcase to the door?" Rouge asked politely and he nodded.
Things were getting more and more awkward for them. If it was a farewell, it was one of the worst he had had in his life.
"So, now, would you tell me where are you going to?" He demanded when she got to the door.
"Nope, this is part of the plan, dear. I'm leaving. This place is yours now. I'm not coming back" She said and felt a lump in her throat.
"So…"
"Really, you don't understand, right?" Rouge said and looked at him dead in the eyes. "I love you." He just looked at her. "That's what I thought. You'll see. I think I couldn't stand to be around you anymore. It hurts every time. I told myself it was something stupid to fall in love with you. We were perfect. Comrades, friends… we were powerful and we worked just right" Her tears began to stream. "But one day I realized it couldn't be helped. I was mad in love with you. I'd go anywhere you told me to. I was…" She sobbed and breathed in. "And I'm really sorry that I couldn't get to you. I tried everything. So, yes, I'm running away like a coward. It's done: I give up." Her words fell like lead. She hugged Shadow and tried to smile. "I'm sorry for leaving you like this. I hate myself for being this weak" She let him go and grabbed her stuff. "Bye, Shadow the hedgehog. It was a pleasure to meet you" Rouge looked at him for the last time and began walking. She stopped and looked at him over her shoulder. "But I was expecting you to say something, at least. Goodbye, Shadow".
The hedgehog saw her go. He didn't say anything. He just waited until she took a taxi and disappeared. He went back to the flat and entered into her bedroom, it was now empty. He sat on her bed. The one that they shared sometimes, when she was sick or when he was feeling anxious. His chest ached. He tried to calm down.
"I love you too, but it's better this way" he murmured.