Fanfiction: Hey Daisy?
Me: Huh?
Fanfiction: Go look at the calendar.
Me: Ok… It's November?
Fanfiction: Now when did you last update this story?
Me: Hmm… July… Ah shit.
Sonic the Hedgehog © Sega
Chapter 10
Shadow's P.O.V.
I blinked open my eyes slowly. I noticed I was holding onto something pink, or rather, someone pink. Rose's head was on my chest and I had arms wrapped around her waist. I sighed as I held her close. I desired her more than anything. But I knew being work partners, it just wasn't going to happen. That wouldn't look very good on either of us.
Today was the day we got everything set up at the competition. Tonight we would launch them into the sky for the judges. It was going to be a long day. I ran my hands through Rose's quills. I decided that we should probably get up soon, so I lightly shook her.
"Rose? Rose, are you up?" She slowly groaned and stretched, almost snuggling closer to me.
"What time is it?"
"You slept until 10. C'mon, we have to go set up. The competition is tonight after all," I said, lightly shrugging her to sit up. She complied and lazily sat up.
"Last one in the shower is a rotten egg!" She yelled as she jumped out of bed suddenly. I leaped after her and managed to pin her to the floor. "Cheater! This is cheating! You're disqualified, therefore I win! So I get to shower first!" Rose continued to squirm underneath me, smiling and laughing the whole time. I dipped close to her ear.
"Perhaps…. We could save water and both go first and last…" I whispered lowly into her ear. I felt her whole body tense up under such a request. Her eyes were wide and her breath quickened. I fought hard to keep a sexy smirk on my face instead of my usually playful grin.
"Um, Shadow? Uh…" She looked everywhere but me. Her eyes darted back and forth between the walls of our room. Her cheeks were bright red. "Ummm…" I couldn't hold back anymore and burst into a fit of laughter. I released her wrists and rolled off of her.
"I'm just kidding Rose. Go shower. I'll wait out here for you." She slowly got to her feet and walked toward the bathroom. She looked like she was in shock. I must've caught her off her guard more than I expected, which made me laugh even more. Woo, if only I had a camera at that moment…
Amy's P.O.V.
Stupid Shadow. Stupid hormones. Stupid hedgehogs. I peeled off my pajamas and tossed them aside, excited to step into the hot water. I rinsed out my quills and washed all the dirt off of me happily. I couldn't forget Shadow's request. I know he was joking around, but it was as if there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. The thought sent chills down my spine. Wow, I needed to get away from those thoughts… let's see, what's for breakfast? Waffles with a side of bacon and Shadow? Eggs! Eggs, not Shadow. I sighed and turned the water off. I dried off and wrapped a towel around me. I reached for the hairdryer. Suddenly the door opened, and I dropped the hairdryer, letting it clatter to the ground.
"Shadow! I'm showering!"
"No you're not. You're standing there, now staring at me."
"Get out!" I yelled. He rolled his eyes and walked toward me. He snatched the mug off the counter and walked out, but stopped in the doorway. He slightly turned his head toward me, keeping his back to me and offering a seductive smirk.
"I must say Rose, that tattoo on your shoulder makes you look quite ravishing," he said before walking out and closing the door behind him. I gasped and threw a hand over the tattoo on my back. Damn Shadow…
I picked up the hairdryer and went to work at my quills. I kept at it until my quills and I were completely dry. I slipped on an old pair of jeans and a worn tank top, making sure the top covered the ink on my shoulder. I stepped out of the bathroom, throwing my quills into a ponytail. I grabbed a pair of socks and slipped them on before going for my work boot. Shadow set his mug of black coffee- and I mean, black coffee- on the table and stepped around me to jump in the shower too.
After he went into the bathroom, I started making myself a mug of coffee too. I would need it today. I added sugar and cream to mine and walked over to the bed to sit and wait for Shadow. I looked out the French doors, which were pouring in afternoon sunlight. You could see some of the city from the balcony. Deciding to explore a bit, I stood with my coffee and walked over to the doors, letting in the light even more. I took slow steps onto the balcony, letting the sun leave gentle, warm kisses on my fur. I sighed and looked over our view of Central Park. I remembered Shadow and I sitting on the bench together, just going in and out of consciousness, enjoying the company of one another. I smiled to myself and leaned on the balcony, placing my coffee on the ledge. I closed my eyes and soaked in the sunlight. I'd never been in a city like this before; hell, I'd never left Cottonvine before. The feeling was more than exhilarating; it was perfect. It was exactly like I'd hoped. I felt free, free of the burden of a small town girl. I felt strong arms surround my waist and a kiss on the cloth of my top on my right shoulder. I could feel the fabric of my tank top moving slightly and a kiss on my bare skin. I knew what he was doing, but I didn't stop him.
"It's silver fire," I told him quietly. He placed his chin atop my head.
"May I inquire as to why you have silver fire tattooed on you?"
"For my parents. Silver was my father, and Blaze, who had the power of fire, was my mother. They always used to joke about this 'silver fire' that had sparked when they met. I wanted to remember them and know they always have my back." He hummed in reply. He moved his right arm a little too much and managed to knock my coffee cup- including my morning cup of coffee- off the balcony and down seven floors to the sidewalk below us. We both leaned slightly and watched it go. "Ok, I know I'm not supposed to drink a lot of caffeine and all, but really? I just wanted a coffee…" I said teasingly. He nuzzled the top of my head and squeezed me tighter.
"I'm sure you'll be fine darling." I enjoyed it every time he snuggled with me.
"Are you cuddling with me to make up for throwing my coffee off the balcony?"
"Mm, maybe," he said as he continued to kiss my head, neck, and shoulders. I giggled and twitched.
"Stop, it tickles," I said. I felt him smirk against my fur.
"Does it, Rose?" He ran his tongue up the side of my neck as I twitched again.
"Shadow! Stop!" I joked and escaped his hold. I ran inside laughing and smiling. He grinned and followed me. I didn't get far; he grabbed my waist and pulled me onto the bed. I went with him, laughing loudly. He pinned me down with one of his legs on each side of me. Each one of his wrists held down one of mine. I finished laughing and smiled up at him. He returned it with a warm smile.
I finally took notice of what he had on. A worn pair of jeans was matched with a white shirt. Over the shirt, he had a blue button-up, long-sleeve shirt on. The blue shirt was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up. It looked like it had some stains on it. He looked fine.
"Why Rose? Why never Amy?" I asked. He crooked his head to the side, something that made him look adorable.
"What?"
"Why do you never call me by my first name? Always my last?" I asked again. He smirked and leaned down to kiss my neck gently.
"You are a thing of beauty, Rose. Are roses not a thing of beauty too? It's only fitting that I give you a name that suits your personality and your looks." I felt my cheeks go dark red. He moved his hands off my wrists and leaned on his elbows instead. I brought my hand up and buried it in his quills as he left butterfly kisses on my neck and collarbone. I hummed a content sound. He chuckled lightly and looked at me.
"Thank you Shadow," I said and pecked his nose. He smirked and sat up.
"Déjà vu?" I chuckled, remembering the first time we'd ended up tangled in the sheets together, locking lips and exchanging spit. "Well m'lady, we've got a competition to set up," Shadow said and rolled off of me. I sat up and hopped out of bed. I grabbed my backpack and ball cap and placed it on my head. Shadow slipped on a pair of work boots and grabbed his phone. "Let's do this."
We walked into the large metal building together. So this was the International Fireworks Competition's building. There was what looked like a big split in the roof, right down the middle. My guess was that the whole roof opened up for the competitors. Everyone got their own little station, which was against one of the walls and by a loading dock to transfer gear. A station consisted of a lab table, a coat hanger, an empty bookcase mainly for gear, a safe for car keys, wallet, and other personal objects, and a taped off box in front of the station for the fireworks. We found our station and I dumped my bag down by the safe.
"So boss, where do we start?" I asked. He smiled over his shoulder.
"The correct term is partner, darling," he purred to me. I smiled in return. We first broke down our gear, setting up the computer and firework equipment. Then we made sure everything was in our little box and laid out the show. While Shadow worked at the computer and I wasn't admiring him, I sized up our competition. Some were small town teams like us, but there were teams that consisted of 4 or 5 or even 6 people, all in a uniform of some sort. We had a tough competition to start in. I felt nervous suddenly.
"Shadow?"
"Yes love?"
"Do you think we'll win?" He turned to me.
"I don't think so. I know so," Shadow reassured me. I nodded with a small smile. I wasn't completely reassured, but I felt a bit better. After 5 hours of hard work, we were completely set up. We had 2 hours until the competition, and neither of us had eaten at all. "I believe some dinner may be in order, Miss Rose?" I nodded.
"Sounds really good," I replied as my stomach growled. Shadow smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets. We walked out of the building together. We planned to walk down the street and around the corner to a restaurant. We rounded the corner and I could see the restaurant from where we were. Just then, I remembered I left my bag inside the safe.
Shadow's P.O.V.
Rose stopped walking suddenly.
"Oh, I left my phone and bag in the International Fireworks Competition building in our safe. I'll be right back!" She started to walk away.
"I can come with you?" I said with a light chuckle.
"No that's ok. I'll only be a minute," she said, turning and smiling. She rounded the corner and walked back to the building. I smiled and absorbed the nightlife of New York. The sun was just going down, and the buildings were starting to light up with different colored neon signs. I pulled out my phone for something to do while waiting. Ten minutes went by and still no Rose. I thought that was peculiar, knowing it only took a couple minutes to get where I was right now. She probably forgot the combo…
As I started to walk back to the building, I heard sirens in the distance. No biggie, this was New York after all. I continued walking, until I realized those sirens were getting really loud. And I meant, really loud. I turned around and saw two fire trucks speeding my way. I subconsciously stepped away from the road even more and decided to stand still until they passed me. But something was wrong here. They were slowing down. They both turned left right in front of me, right toward…
No. I could now see the smoke from here. Oh no…
Amy!
Nope. I'm not dead. I'm still here writing, making extremely slow progress. Yep. Still here.
1-2 chapters to go~