Rouge smiles when Shadow shows up in a flash of green. "Well, you certainly took your sweet time."
Shadow stretches his arms in front of himself. "A nuisance almost ran into me."
"Well I'm sure our dear Amy Rose provided a suitable distraction for you," she snorts.
He doesn't bother replying as he grabs her and warps them to the rendezvous point. Omega's already there with the unconscious bison in his hands. She smiles excitedly.
Shadow raises an eyebrow at her but she simply shakes her head.
Rouge has barely decided to take a seat when the sound of a helicopter reaches her ears. She sighs and readies herself for its arrival. She'd just sat down too.
"Why's the platoon commander here?" Shadow hisses quietly.
Rouge throws a smirk over her shoulder at him. "Becasue, that little prisoner Amy Rose gave us is none other than Jax Wilder."
"Are you sure?" Shadow asks sharply.
She doesn't answer him as the helicopter lands. The platoon commander, a short athletic mouse, surveys them impassively. Her eyes narrow on the unconscious bison still in Omega's grasp. "Good work D-4," she tells them. She turns on her heal and heads back to the cockpit. "E one-twenty-three, secure the prisoner."
Omega doesn't reply as he and the others go around back.
Rouge and Shadow take their seats as Omega straps Jax onto the floor. She winces with how one of the straps creek from how tightly it's pulled. Turning her attention back to Shadow, she sees he's already closed his eyes and settled in for a nap.
She sighs and settles in for the ride as well.
Maybe she'll take Amy out shopping as thanks for the help.
00
Rouge looks herself over in the mirror as she assesses her outfit. It's tamer than some of her other outfits, but she's also not sure if she'll still accidentally come off as a threat to Amy.
She shakes her head. No. Amy's not one to think like that.
Grabbing her purse, she beelines straight for the garage. "Oh, Shadow!" She calls swinging the door wide open. "Are you ready to go?"
Shadow clearly wasn't expecting her if his startled curses are anything to go by.
"Sorry, hun," she replies absently.
He sets his tools down and eyes her suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"
She rolls her eyes at him. "Well, shopping obv–,"
"Pass," he interrupts flatly.
"You didn't even let me finish!"
This time, Shadow rolls his eyes. He makes an exaggerated hand motion prompting her on.
"Obviously we're going shopping," she says again. "And since I know you hate it so much, I decided to make it worth your while! I promise you'll like it!"
He eyes her skeptically.
"Oh, come on!" She stamps her foot. "It's more of a show than tell sort of thing!"
"If I don't like it?"
"Your choice of payback."
Shadow looks surprised for a second before its quickly replaced by his usual scowl. "Now I'm intrigued," he smirks. "I'll get my jacket."
Rouge moves out of his way as he enters the house. After a few seconds a thought strikes her. "Wear the matching fingerless gloves!" She calls out.
00
Rouge hums excitedly as she drags Shadow into Sunset City Grand Mall. Under the florescent lights, his leather jacket looks obviously worn down, but it fits his style.
Oh she can't wait to meet up with Amy!
"We just got here," Shadow gripes as they make their way to the food court.
She abruptly let's go of him, causing them both to stumble, as she rushes towards a pink and purple shape. "Amy you look so cute!" She gushes hugging the girl tightly.
Amy let's out a wheezing laugh as she's squeezed. "I feel a little plain compared to you," she says eyeing Rouge.
Rouge can't help but flutter her wings slightly in pride. It's not her usual outing outfit, less risky and all, but it does show off her curves like she likes. Besides, a deep red off-shoulder shirt and ripped black skinny jeans always looks good.
Amy on the other hand, has a dark lavender romper. Despite its deep v-neck and short length, she still makes it look tasteful. The wrap style and sheer half length sleeves show off her lean form too. And the color compliments her fur nicely.
"Nonsense!" Rouge waves her worries off. "You look gorgeous!" Now's the time for the first test. "Doesn't she, Shadow?"
Amy jumps at his name and follows her line of sight.
She nearly missed how Amy fidgets in place. Shadow, on the other hand, is rooted in place. He's not tense but he does seem to be stiffer than usual.
Rouge has to fight off her bubbling laughter. He looks like a poor deer fauna caught in headlights.
Amy, the kind soul, is the one to break the silence. "Hey, Shadow," she says sounding a little out of place. "I, uh, like your leather jacket."
That seems snap Shadow out of whatever stint he's in. He acts as casual as he can as he approaches the two girls. The only thing giving him away is the nervous twitch of his ears and tail. "Rouge made me get it," he replies gruffly.
"Oh, please," Rouge rolls her eyes. "I make you get a lot of things. Just admit you like it."
Shadow simply crosses his arms with a huff.
"I think it suits you," Amy offers with a friendly smile.
Rouge silently let's out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Amy's nice to just about everyone, but Rouge had still worried that the other girl would be uncomfortable with Shadow there. It seems her worries were for naught, though. Amy seems to have gotten over her initial shock.
"So, are we ready to shop?" Rouge asks grabbing both Amy's and Shadow's arms.
00
"Wow," Amy breaths as they reach the middle. "I always knew this mall was huge, but I never realized just how big it was!"
Rouge looks surprised. "You've never been here?"
Amy gives her a sheepish smile. "I'm usually busy when I'm around Sunset City, and I don't really live near by so I can't just go whenever I want."
She tries not to grimace. The whole point of going shopping with Amy was to thank her, not make her go out of her way. "I'm sorry, hun. Next time I'll chose somewhere closer to you."
"Oh no! That's not it," Amy laughs with a genuine smile. "I was like two towns over with Cream and her mom. I couldn't just not tell them that Big and the forest were okay now."
It's times like these that Rouge really appreciates Shadow. He knows how to connect the dots quicker than she does.
"That's why you were out there in the first place, isn't it," Shadow comments.
"Yep!" Amy answers brightly. "Big said some of the robots looked funny so he called me and Cream to check it out, but Miss Vanilla said no so I went alone. When I saw the Eggman base, I called Sonic and Tails. I figured they'd want to trash the place."
Shadow huffs irritably, his ears flicking in annoyance. "And he had the nerve to say you weren't needed."
Rouge grimaces at Amy's slight frown.
"Hey don't be like that," Amy chides. "He was just worried about me."
Rouge elbows Shadow before this can devolve into an argument. Shadow grunts but drops it. She doesn't miss how his ears flatten back slightly.
She guides them to the escalator. "So, Amy," she says, desperately trying to redirect the conversation. "Anything in particular you wanna get?"
"Well, I have been wanting to get a few more summer outfits."
"Perfect!" As soon as they reach the top of the escalator, Rouge grabs Amy and starts dragging her to one of her favorite store. "I know just the place!"
Amy let's out a quiet "wow," as they come upon the City Ensemble store. The entire storefront is glass letting shoppers see into their large store. "Wait," she says looking at a staircase off to one side, "there's a downstairs and an upstairs?!"
"The downstairs is guy stuff and upstairs is all home decor," Rouge explains.
"Wow," Amy says again as she looks around. "I guess you'll be heading downstairs then, Shadow?" She asks him.
Laughing, Rouge answers instead, "Goodness no," she places a hand on his shoulder. "He's just here to carry our bags."
Shadow roughly pulls away from her grasp and crosses his arms.
"Don't worry, you don't have to carry my bags!" Amy says quickly.
Shadow doesn't react, but Rouge sees the twitch of curiosity from his ears.
"A lady should never have to carry her own bags," Rouge says guiding Amy towards the blouses.
Amy eyes her a little defensively. "Well, this lady, carries a big hammer," she says raising one of her arms to show off the built up muscle. "I can handle my own bags."
"But-,"
"Face it, Rouge," Shadow says with a hint of smugness in his voice. "Not everyone is as lazy as you."
Rouge isn't sure whether to be offended by his words or happy that he seems to be enjoying himself. "It's not laziness, it's efficiency!" She scoffs. "I don't wanna get tired before I finish shopping!"
Shadow raises an eyebrow at her while Amy tries to cover her giggle.
Rouge feels a little offended but she let's it go. Only because Shadow and Amy seem to be getting along. "I don't need this from either of you," she huffs. "I'm going to go get us a changing room. Amy, start choosing what you want to try on."
Rouge walks away to the sound of Amy's uncertain voice. "I think that was too far. Maybe we should apologize."
She barely hears Shadow start to respond– which surprises her– before the general noise of the store drowns out his words. Well at least so far everything's going smoothly!
The lady running the dressing room greets Rouge with a smile. "How many items?" She asks.
Rouge eyes her. Incredibly tall, avian, very skinny, obviously tired. "I wanna reserve a room for me and my friend while we're here," she says.
The tall lady blinks in confusion. "I'm sorry, we don't–,"
Rouge pulls out a hundred ring note and offers it to the tall bird. "You guys get bonuses when customers buy a lot and name you, right," she states rather than asks. "Well, if you get me that room I will absolutely name you as a major help!"
The lady eyes Rouge nervously before quickly looking around. "This way please," she says picking up a small oval whiteboard.
Rouge smirks as they make their way to the far end of all the changing rooms. There's a full-length trifold mirror at the end of the hall with a little platform.
The lady stops at the nearest changing room to it and hangs the little whiteboard next to the door. "Can I have your name?" She asks.
"Rouge and Amy," she replies smoothly. "And what's yours?"
"Lohni," the lady says writing their names down.
"Thank you, Lohni," Rouge says giving her the hundred ring note.
"Gosh, no, thank you," Lohni breathes out. She stares at the bill like she can't believe it's real. "Stars."
Rouge simply gives her a self assured smile and heads back towards Amy. She's humming along to the music in the store when she bumps into someone.
"Oh my gosh," Rouge exclaims reaching out to steady them. "I'm so sorry!"
They laugh nervously, unable to meet her eyes, "Nah you're good. Don't worry about it."
They both part ways and Rouge fights a smirk as she examines the bracelet. The band is fairly plain, silver plated, but has a beautiful oblong marquis cut cairngorm gem. She slips the bracelet on and admires it with a smile as she reaches Amy and Shadow.
Shadow looks about as out of place as she expected and he doesn't seem to be too annoyed. If the twitch of his tail is anything to go by at least.
Amy, on the other hand, is holding a single shirt as she browses a clothing rack.
"Oh, come on," Rouge drawls startling Amy. "There's gotta be more you like."
"I mean, there is..." She says shifting the shirt in her hands nervously.
"But?" Rouge prompts raising an eyebrow.
"This stuff is really expensive."
Rouge's demeanour softens at how embarrassed Amy seems. "Hey, don't worry about it," she says placing her hands on Amy's slumped shoulders. "This is a thank you for bagging that guy for us. It got us a big bonus on our paychecks so I'm using some of that to pay you back."
"But-,"
Rouge holds up a hand to cut her off. "Nope, it's all on the house today."
Amy argues back, a more stubborn expression on her face. "I can't ask you to do that!"
"Well it's a good thing you're not asking," Rouge replies with a smirk.
"That's not-,"
"Don't bother," Shadow interrupts. "Once she gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her."
"I still don't want you having to waste your money on me!"Amy argues.
Rouge frowns. "Honey, I'm not wasting anything spending it on you."
Amy looks like she wants to keep arguing but can't come up with a reply.
"Rouge," Shadow says. "How much did you set aside for this trip."
She raises an eyebrow at him. He knows exactly how much she deducted from all their bonuses. "About eight thousand."
"Eight thousand?!" Amy squeaks.
Turning his attention back to Amy, he says, "She's a big spender. I doubt you'll even reach a third of what she plans to spend for herself."
Amy looks between the two, still shocked and still a little unsure.
Rouge fights to keep the surprise off her face. She hadn't expected Shadow to reassure Amy. She chances a glance at him and notices his ears are slightly tilted to the sides. His cautiously alert look as she likes to call it.
"Okay, fine," Amy says finally giving in.
Rouge sees the moment he goes from cautiously alert to pleased and relaxed.
"Holy crap," slips out. She'd had her suspicions but this. It's just surreal.
"What?" Amy asks.
Rouge panics not wanting to give away her revelation and tries to look for something. She pointedly ignores Shadow's narrowed and suspicious look.
Instead, she reaches for a shirt on the rack behind Amy. "I just saw this and it would totally look cute on you!" She holds up the shirt hoping her words didn't sound as fake as they felt.
Amy seems confused at the sudden change in topic but goes along with it. Bless this girl's heart.
She grabs the shirt with a smile. "I was actually looking at that one earlier."
"Well, go grab all the stuff that caught your eye!"
Amy smiles brightly as she turns and hurries towards a wall with many shirts on display.
Rouge tries not to jump when she feels Shadow walk behind her. "We're gonna have a word when this is over," he says quiet enough for only her to hear.
"It better be to say thank you," Rouge shoots over her shoulder. His intimidation games don't work on her any more.
She pointedly holds her chin up as she follows Amy as she wanders away in her search for more clothes.