Knuckles stared out the window and sighed. Rouge had been gone for a while and though he didn't look it, he was a nervous wreck. He heard the door open and close downstairs. 'Maybe it's Rouge!' he thought hopefully. Footsteps pounded up the stairs and he sat hopefully, waiting for Rouge to open the door. The door slowly opened and low and behold, it was Shadow.
Knuckles shoulders sagged and he turned back to the window. Shadow scoffed and he glared. "Great to see you too." He growled, angry about the rude welcome. "Why are you, of all people, here?" Knuckles hissed. Though Knuckles was upset, he hid it with and angry glare. Shadow stared at him with a blank expression.
"I thought I'd just escape for a day, ya' know? Just take a little one day vacation at Angel Island." Knuckles arched his eyebrows and looked at him. Shadow sighed and rolled his eyes. "Tails said you were acting weird after Rouge tried to take the Master Emerald and he wanted me to check up on you." He confessed. Knuckles' eye twitched. He remembered after he fought Rouge and she left in defeat he had the depressed face on, but he didn't know Tails had seen him.
He collected himself and tried his best to keep a straight face. "Well, I'm fine so you don't have to worry." He said, hoping that his voice wasn't trembling. Shadow looked at him one more time then turned around and walked out the door. Knuckles turned to look out the window and saw Rouge. He froze. He saw her walk up to Shadow and they were talking. He dashed out the door and down the stairs.
He ran to Shadows side and looked up. Rouge was looking intently and Shadow. There was an awkward silence and Shadow looked at each of them. Knuckles was looking at the ground and refused to look up. Shadow cleared his throat. Knuckles knew that meant, 'Stop staring at the ground and get on with it. I don't have all fricken day!' Knuckles looked slowly and he saw Rouge slowly ripping her gaze away from Shadows face. When he look up he avoided her eyes. She also avoided his. Shadow groaned and elbowed Knuckles. He winced and looked up. When their eyes met they both blushed. "What do you want?" Knuckles said, trying to sound strong. "Just reminding you, our little fight isn't over. The only reason I left is because that idiot and his lackey showed up." She hissed glaring at Shadow.
"By lackey, do you mean Tails?" He said through gritted teeth. She scoffed. "Obviously."
There was another silence and Shadow decided to break it. "This idiot is named Shadow." He said flatly. She glared at him. "Listen if you guys are just going to stand here all day, I'm leaving." He said in a Smart- ass tone. He walked away and Knuckles stared after him. 'No come back!' he pleaded in his head. Knuckles started walking after him but stopped. What was he supposed to say? 'You can't leave me alone with her. I'm in love with her but I can't admit it.' Shadow would stare and him and scoff. He'd mock him and leave.
Rouge's footsteps snapped him out of his trance. She walked past him and her hand brushed his. He blushed and shivered. She turned back and smirked. "Guess I'll see you soon." And she ran off. Knuckles stared after her. Was this what everything was always going to be like? Standing back and watching her from afar. He hoped not.