STH © SEGA

Sarah and Sam © Cozy Shadow

Flame, Petunia, and Jeffery © Phantomask

Italicized brands (like food labels, movies, and songs) belong to their rightful owner.

Feel free to check out the log under the schedule for TCG on my profile. I try and update it every day or so to give input on how the chapters are going or if the schedule has been changed and why.

Check out my DeviantArt: BlackPetals23! My latest one is what Sarah Hutchington looks like. Sort of. It's a new vs. old look for her and it's not colored yet. …I've been hella busy. XD

I apologize in advance for these hellish chapters. They were a nightmare to write. At times, I was like, 'They're fine.' And other times I was like, 'I need to redo all of them.' But, hey, I got to watch Jurassic World so...I'm good. XD Feeling shitty right now so don't mind me.

Thanks to those who reviewed: xXDarkAngelKittenXx, Kosma Bandra, MistyVoid48, The Divines, Pazlet, Admiralkirk, and aliciathewolf45!

Chapter Nine:

The Tick

When Amy trudged through the door, she felt somewhat lightheaded and overly tired. At one point, she nearly tripped over the rug as she yanked off her shoes.

As soon as the coat and shoes were off, Amy glanced at the clock on the wall.

It's only seven…What…

The ride home was silent.

Shadow the Hedgehog proved to be difficult. One moment, Amy had insulted him so harshly that it made him hallucinate that the people in the restaurant were actually laughing at him and pointing at him with disgust. The next moment, Amy was apologizing and they were back to normal.

Yup. That made Shadow difficult. Not Amy. Shadow.

The pink hedgehog was just too stubborn.

Yawning, Amy stretched and peeked over her shoulder as a thought occurred to her. "Do you have a computer?"

"Downstairs," the dark Mobian, hidden in the shadows by the closed door, mumbled as he took off his boots and ignored her.

"Can I borrow it? My laptop needs charged since I forgot to plug it in last time." Surely, there would be another email from Silver or Blaze—or both. And since Amy had time to spare, she decided to check up on the two lovebirds.

Shadow's harsh gaze stared up at her, as if forgetting her apology outside the restaurant and only remembering the harsh words. "You're living here, I don't see why not." He seemed to force the words out of his mouth in a single snap.

Gulping as she rounded the corner, Amy ignored the other lovebirds that were watching a movie. Sarah was curled up next to Sonic (who was practically asleep) and greeted Amy with a slight nod.

The rose hedgehog made her way down the hall—past the bathroom door on the left, Sonic and Sarah's room on the right, the closet after their door, and then…Shadow's on the left. She stopped briefly, wondering again what it looked like inside.

The door was shut firmly and the door next to it was wide open. She took one step sideways and glanced down the dark stairway. Amy took a step of faith down the stairs, searching for the light, and then another.

Shadow's footsteps approached his bedroom door a little hurriedly—no doubt trying to get away from the couple on the couch. "It's on the right when you go down. The dogs are down there in the room to the left. Butch is out of the room though."

Amy listened to his words, but mainly to his movements as his door opened and shut. His voice was gone and his movements now muffled within his bedroom.

Butch…That must've been the dog this morning.

The dog that was her personal furnace.

By the time Amy got down to the last step, the dog had already met her halfway. It licked her hand, startling her to shriek. Amy flipped the switch the moment her hand skimmed across it and without a doubt; it was the same dog from earlier.

He sat on the last step as his tail thumped loudly and his tongue hung out. His dark eyes gazed up at her with a loving stare and his black collar was hidden within all his fur. Amy missed it until now.

Patting his head once, Amy left the dog and walked downstairs completely.

The basement had wooden flooring that looked brand new. The walls had a fresh layer of white paint with some lighter wood on the bottom half and trimming of the wall. She was welcomed with that light air feeling and the weird basement smell.

Ahead of her was a door blocked by an old dryer. The dryer upstairs in the laundry room was what Sarah used, but why have two? Amy walked up to it, inspecting it closer.

Maybe Shadow just never got around to throwing it out.

But as she glanced around, there was no old washer to match the dryer.

The old dryer was simply blocking the bulky looking, dark mahogany door. Both objects were flush with the wall that was on her left. Turning, Amy spotted a closed door.

Walking timidly over to it, she grasped the bronze doorknob and flinched when the door creaked.

A growl emitted through the air and Amy swallowed heavily—almost shutting the door. But the sight of little puppies sleeping around their mother made her stop.

The mother didn't like it.

She growled and barked once before something upstairs pounded against the floor. Amy glanced up and then back at the dog once the stomps diminished. The female dog put her head down and glimpsed at the ceiling with puppy dog eyes.

This dog was different than Butch.

She was lighter—adorning a tan coat on the front with some brown, a white muzzle and stripe going up her head. Under the tan fur, in the back, her body became brown. She had no white stomach unlike Butch. She had the same dark eyes, but they stared at Amy differently than Butch's did.

They stared at her with a threatening look.

Amy shut the door softly and turned around, taking in the rest of the basement. Two steps and she was back to the stairs on her right. Ahead of her, there were two loveseats, a navy blue hue, and a large TV—bigger than the one upstairs.

All in all, the basement looked better than the living room. It was neater and tidier and the lighting made it homey instead of dark and creepy like Amy figured basements should be. A section of the wall jutted out past the stairs and stopped within a few inches. As soon as Amy walked past it, she heard the familiar hum of a computer.

Twisting to her right, Amy looked at the dark desk and the white computer. The chair was one of those really comfortable ones with a back rest.

Turning on the sleeping computer, Amy slunk down in the chair and sighed happily.

It was only seven-thirty by the time she had the computer up and running. Signing into her email, Amy was oblivious to Butch lying down at her feet, touching her toes with his nose and staring up at her expectantly.

Finally, the email loaded.

Five new messages from people. How thoughtful. Two from Blaze. Two from Silver. One from Rouge.

She thought it odd that Rouge would email. It wasn't anything new to the bat, but she didn't use it often. She normally called Amy.

Clicking on that first, Amy was excited to see new pictures of the twins, Dexter and Derrick. Mostly, they were dressed in tin foil hats and pretending to be aliens. The boys adored anything alien.

Alien themed…even changes. Not even the extra-terrestrial type of alien. The boys have been the best adapters I've seen. They don't judge people while everyone judges them for their crazy alien games or conversations.

Amy exhaled as she clicked through the pictures, resting her cheek on her palm and her elbow on the desk.

I bet they'd understand Shadow better than I could.

A ding sounded and Amy jumped, not fully aware that the computer wasn't muted.

She glanced down at the chat box.

Silver: Fancy running into you here.

Amy couldn't stop the grin that ran across her muzzle. She bit her lip at the sudden thought of actually talking to one of her closest friends and not having to wait a day for a response.

Amy: What time is it there?

She clicked open the email that Blaze had sent her. More pictures—this time of Rome and other places in Italy.

Silver: I have no clue. Honestly, I'm just staying awake. I haven't slept in a few days.

Amy: You're crazy loco. Get some sleep.

She laughed to herself as she felt the warmth of talking to a friend—like she had when Rouge had called. The familiarity always seemed to welcome her with open arms. It was like a mother's warmth during a frightening thunderstorm.

It felt good.

Silver: Can't. I have a meeting in a couple of hours, no presentation finished yet, and am currently eating breakfast—if that's what you can call it here—even if it's not breakfast time yet.

Amy: XD I feel bad for you!

There was a pause and the computer simply told her, 'Silver is typing…' She continued to look through the pictures Blaze had sent her in the meantime. At least until the ding came again.

Silver: How's living in the country? Or should I ask, how's living with two men that constantly called each other 'faker?'

She chewed on her lip.

What was the answer to that?

Living in the country wasn't too bad, she supposed. It was different falling asleep to quietness instead of cars constantly honking. Amy probably should've been used to it by now, but she wasn't.

Amy: Well, falling asleep is a lot more difficult. You'd think it'd be easy since it's so quiet. But the two men you speak of don't exist anymore. They're two entirely different beings now. Even if I can see hints of their old selves…they've changed, Silver.

Butch snorted as his muzzle rested completely on her foot now. She reached down and stroked behind his ear until the familiar sound chimed once more.

Silver: You'll get used to it. I wouldn't be missing those damn taxi drivers. ;) As for the boys…

Another chime.

Silver: Is the change for better or for worse?

Amy bit her nail as she thought about it.

There were so many different answers.

Amy: Sometimes both. Sonic is mostly for the better. In fact, I'm not the only girl living here. Sonic's getting married. His girlfriend of three or four years has been living here almost as long as he has—maybe a few months gap, I don't know. It's different to see him settling down. He seems more into it than she does. Her name's Sarah, by the way. She likes her solitude like Shadow, but she's entirely her own.

Another few pictures. Then the other email from Blaze. More pictures. This time of France. The Eiffel Tower, mostly, since Amy knew the feline dreamed of going to Paris.

Silver: Wow. Blaze doesn't believe it either. I frankly didn't see Sonic settling down for anyone in a few years. Then again, ten years sneaks up on you fast, don't it? She seems nice. But what about Shadow? Rouge called not long after she spoke to you—sounded like you and he were having difficulties getting along. Rouge is a little worried and Blaze wants you to join us still.

Amy put her legs up and hugged her knees as she typed.

Amy: …What about you?

Silver: I'm waiting to hear what you have to say.

Amy: …

The pink hedgehog sat there, pondering over the question.

What about Shadow?

Oh, she was sure she could write a novel about him—how rude he was, how unpredictable he was, how he was sometimes actually caring for a split second—the list went on.

But what to say honestly was completely different from sugarcoating. If she made it sound like Shadow was a pain, Silver would tell Blaze and Blaze would make Amy meet them in Europe. At least her stay hadn't been too bad. Mostly.

Amy: He's different, I'll admit. I'm still wondering how on Earth he and Sonic became housemates. I don't exactly want to ask right now while I'm still settling in. Lots of stuff has happened and yet…not. It's kind of a boring lifestyle—but then again, I guess it's because I'm jobless. Still, Shadow and Sonic seem to have the peaceful life. Quiet, boring, and yet peaceful. They seem happy. Well, as happy as Shadow the Hedgehog gets.

Amy: I just don't get him, though. At first, he was discouraging me. Didn't believe I could be a farmer. Pegged me as a city girl that would always remain that way. And then, he apologized. Not thirty minutes after Rouge hung up actually. And yet, it still seems we're fighting each other. I'll admit, I regret some things I said (in public no less) to him. It's not his fault that he's deemed as a monster…okay, well maybe some of it is. I mean, he's not a saint. His past decisions were a little reckless and uncaring for the world. Yet he always came through.

Amy: I'm just worried that if Sonic and Sarah leave, I'll be alone with Shadow. They keep telling me that I'll open up to him and vice versa, but I don't see that happening. "I have to find what makes us tick," as Rouge so eloquently put it. I don't see Shadow and I ever "ticking" though. Unless we were a time bomb.

Cracking her fingers, Amy glanced down at Butch. He was asleep now, or at least looked the part. Amy turned back to the pictures as she waited for Silver respond to the rather long chat. Normally, they would just joke with each other in short simple sentences.

So it made the five minute wait a living hell for Amy.

Silver: It wouldn't hurt to start looking for that job, Ames. It probably wouldn't hurt either of them to ask how in the hell they became housemates too. It seems like quite a story. As for the harsh words…You at least apologized to him, right? His actions, bad or good, have ever only been because of humanity. They started it by claiming he was something disastrous and they followed up on their words by taking the one important person from his life. He has a reason to hate society.

Silver: Those people today only know stories, talked down the family tree and changed to make Shadow seem like some monster out of Hell. I understand why he left for the country if it's such a quiet, peaceful life. I'm happy for him actually. We saw how he was in the city. Everyone that wasn't the team or Mobian shunned him immediately. One person threw a milkshake at him for Christ's sake. You weren't there, but I remember it clearly—Sonic was there too.

Silver: It wouldn't surprise me if Sonic intentionally followed Shadow around to make sure he was safe. Four years together in a house? Knowing those two, they're either secretly brothers now or they would've never made it out alive for four years.

Silver: If it scares you that much to be with Shadow alone, you're always welcome to meet up with Blaze and I. She's actually pushing it more than ever now as she reads this (that breathing on my neck was thankfully not a ghost). As for getting along with Shadow, we can't help you there. Rouge is right. You have to figure out what makes you two tick. I'm sure if you lay low, do what he says, and get on his good side, you can become his friend.

Green eyes tiredly read the words. Almost eight o' clock. Would it be weird if she went to bed early?

Amy: What if we don't tick as friends? What if we're just too opposite that we repel each other like this forever? I try and get along with him but he's so unpredictable and uncooperative at times that it's like walking on thin ice.

She pressed send as thoughts consumed her.

What if Sarah and Sonic moved out and she and Shadow got into a bigger fight? What if things got physical? What if…So many 'what if's' crept through into her spinning brain that Amy couldn't think fast enough to answer them all.

She waited for what felt like an eternity.

Then the ding came and her eyes rested upon the computer screen to see the last words she thought her best friend would ever tell her.

Silver: Then maybe you two tick as something more.

"So…"

Shadow glared at the mirror as he brushed his teeth. Fortunately, he had gotten home and was about to rest his head for a few hours. It was eight o' clock after he had gotten out of the relaxing shower that calmed his nerves and eased the stress.

Unfortunately, Sonic the Damn Hedgehog woke up.

"So, what?"

He placed the toothbrush in its container, cursing that he hadn't locked his bedroom door like usual. But he had kept it unlocked in case Amy needed help with anything downstairs—especially since Shia barked.

The last thing Shadow wanted was for Sonic to walk in and start pestering him on how their day went.

"I don't know about you, but I'm thinkin' Miss Rose looks like a pretty good match for you."

Shadow wanted to roll his eyes. He wanted to tell Sonic of the restaurant incident but every time he thought of it…those laughing people came to his mind. He had to remind himself that he had only imagined it. It didn't change the fact that Amy's words were truth enough to make him physically leave the situation.

It wasn't like him.

He didn't want to run away from all those looks of shock. Because behind those stunned expressions, those people were thinking the exact thing Amy had said.

Shadow had never wanted to be a part of society. He never wanted to be considered like them.

But the more he was placed as an outcast and the more someone from the Sonic team spoke kind words to him, the more he craved it. The more he needed someone to tell him that he wasn't crazy.

He wasn't a monster.

Those words coming from someone else would make him hang on a bit longer. They would make him stronger and remind him that it didn't matter what the humans thought. The humans weren't just the majority anymore. Mobians had claimed Earth their home, too. Adapting to the lives of humans while also making it their own.

Mobians.

Some actually thanked Shadow. It was a once in a blue moon event, but never did any Mobians give him looks of disgust. Except for maybe enemies like Samwell Turner or Scourge. But Mobians were the only ones not judging him. And the Sonic heroes were the only ones that ever apologized for what others had said.

Amy was the first to apologize for judging him. What made the matter even more different was that she had fought alongside Shadow.

He knew her. Or at least thought he had.

He had thought he had Amy Rose all figured out by the time the group left. She was a crazy fangirl in love with Sonic. While the two years the team had spent together in the city had changed a few things, Shadow had never pictured her to be this…intriguing.

"Not to be a buzzkill or anything but," Shadow shut off the bathroom light and walked around Sonic, "…that's not going to happen even if either of us wanted it to."

"Why not?" Sonic snorted as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Amy's good for you."

"No." Shadow grabbed his pillow as he made his bed. "Even she thinks I'm a monster…"

Sonic's features softened as he grabbed the end of Shadow's bed. "What are you talking about?" The look the blue blur gave became harsh and protective. He never thought Amy would do something so harsh to Shadow.

Even she should know that it was beginning to become Shadow's weakness. Being judged and having to live with it. Getting kindness from his only friends—oh, how few those were becoming. Secretly wanting that attention like any other outcast would.

After all, no one truly wanted to be alone forever.

"She apologized," Shadow murmured in concentration. "No one ever spoke their feelings and apologized for them before. It's always been someone else excusing them."

Sonic tilted his ear. Why in the world does he sound curious about the situation?

"No one's done that before?"

Shadow nodded his head slightly in confirmation as he thumbed the edge of the pillow case. He smirked down at the dark bed. "She's an odd little one, isn't she? So complicated to read."

Sonic shared the light grin. "Yeah. But she apologized. That's what makes her Amy."

Widened eyes by a fraction, Shadow glanced over at Sonic. He's right. No one but Amy would've apologized. No one but Amy would've snapped in the first place. Even then, Rouge probably wouldn't have apologized so quickly.

"So," Sonic stood straighter. "I think there's more to this story than meets the eye."

He raised a questioning eyebrow.

The cobalt male continued, "If Amy apologized then she doesn't think you're a monster. Chances are you said something that offended her. It's what women do. When you want to talk to them, tread lightly. When you want to talk to them during that time of the month, bring a weapon and some backup until they're outnumbered."

Sonic placed his hands loosely in the pocket of his large hoodie that was a pain to get on. Shadow mulled the first part over and ignored the last part.

"And your point?"

"Amy likes you."

…

…

…

Shadow wasn't sure if it was Sonic's lazy cat grin that made him blink in astonishment or if it his tone or his choice of words. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, you like her!" Sonic sang. Shadow tried to catch himself before he fell over his own words.

"I do not."

"Hey, I wasn't specific. I'm saying Amy at least likes you as a friend. By your response, you actually considered being something more than just friends with her." Sonic winked as he pointed at Shadow. "Admit it, I got'cha."

"Quite the opposite." Shadow folded his arms and stuck his nose in the air. "Now get out."

"No." Sonic sat down on Shadow's bed to make his point. "We're talking. It would be rude if I left in the middle of a conversation."

"Please do."

"Now, since you're open to dating—"

"I am not. Now just leave."

"—I'll be more than willing to help. I am getting married after all. Don't worry though. You're quite the looker so it won't take long for Amy to fall for you. Now it's your attitude that can be adjusted—"

"Sonic. Leave. Now."

"—Tut, tut. Don't interrupt the teacher. Now, you've already done some things to make her softer towards you."

Shadow was about to tell Sonic to leave again but stopped. What nice things? Amy was soft towards him? Since when were either of those two things true? "What are you talking about?"

"There's your jacket that you don't share with anyone. Every time she walks in from feeding the animals, she's wearing that thing."

"She grabs it before I can," Shadow growled.

Sonic scoffed in disbelief. "Trust me, I asked. She said she was cold and you willingly gave her your jacket to wear. That's definitely not like you but good job. You're about ninety-nine thousand more steps from winning the girl's heart."

"It's not every day. And I only did it because she wouldn't stop chattering her teeth like an idiotic beaver with no tree. I am not interested."

"Well, you're not exactly open to her—that could be worked on. You're kind of a douche."

Shadow snarled under his breath. "Stop it. Go away."

"You complimented the way she looked at the Valentine's Day party at the school. So, that kind of confirms my thought that you were interested in the way she looked."

"I've seen better—"

"And we all know that's a lie. You never get out," Sonic snorted. "Unless you're talking about any of the Wilson girls, who are human, then you were obviously lying to cover up your open comment."

"I was not."

"You know what I think?"

Shadow snapped and growled, twisting towards Sonic while also looking back at the door and trying to think of a way to get the blue nuisance out of his room. "What?" He hissed as he walked closer to Sonic until the two were inches apart. "What do you think?"

Sonic only smirked. And that was how Shadow knew that the hero had cornered him.

"I think you don't know what to do with your feelings."

With that, Sonic walked to the door and opened it. He turned to peek at Shadow one last time before returning back to his fiancée.

"I'm not saying you have a crush on her, Shadow. I'm simply saying that she waltzed in and you didn't know how to react. So, the walls around you came up and you became cold as ice. And I know for a fact, that there's a better person under that thick surface. But if you keep making people fight to see the good you, eventually they'll stop trying."

"What are you suggesting?" his lowly asked. Shadow didn't really want to know, but he was slightly curious.

Getting along with Amy sounded nice.

It was obvious she was staying with them for as long as possible. And Shadow figured being a good host was the least he could do—was the least he could've done from the start.

Sonic gave him a soft smile of encouragement. "Meet her halfway."

What am I doing?

With each step down the stairs, his eyelids became heavy and his brain kept yelling at him. But for some reason, Shadow couldn't help but see what all the fuss was about in the basement.

It'd been silent since he had gotten out of the shower, talked with Sonic, and mulled Sonic's words over a glass of water. Then, as he was going to escape into the cave of his bedroom, he heard it.

Laughter.

What could possibly be going on down here?

Part of Shadow told him to march back up the steps and go to bed. Another part of him told him to check it out.

Plus, if I want to start actually meeting Amy halfway, I might as well do it now. Though she'll probably do something to annoy me, at least I'm trying. Still…

He paused seven steps in. Only a couple more to go and then he would be in the basement and most likely intruding.

…It would be easier to ignore her.

But she's staying for a while—she's made that clear by being so comfortable here. So, I can't possibly ignore her, especially if Sonic and Sarah move out.

I could just kick her out after Sonic and Sarah leave though…

But that would be harsh. She's done nothing wrong without apologizing for it. I shouldn't be quick to judge her and try to kick her out when she's jobless. That would make me even more of an asshole than I already am.

He sighed heavily and took the last few steps. Comfy socks hit the new wooden floor and he glanced to the right.

Amy laughed lightly to herself as she was curled up against the chair, her knees to her chest. She grinned at whatever was on the screen.

Going further, Shadow tried to stop himself.

Wasn't this rude? Wasn't there some privacy between housemates?

Still, her random laughter caught him off guard. So, he leaned up against the wall and, discreetly as possible, watched her.

He didn't get very far because the movement caught her eye.

Apparently, he wasn't discreet enough.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Amy froze and was left to stare at Shadow with wide, frightened eyes. Running footsteps hurried through the hallway and down the stairs. The ebony male was stiff and stayed to his spot against the wall.

"Amy? Are you all right?"

"Ames! Talk to me, girl! Have you been shot?!"

"Sonic, she hasn't been shot."

Then the blue blur skidded into view and glimpsed from Shadow to Amy. His posture relaxed and he sighed out of relief. "It's okay, Sarah! No need to worry so much!"

Sarah padded down and scoffed. "Yeah, I was about to call 911," she sarcastically responded.

"Shadow was just stalking Amy."

The Ultimate Life Form rolled his eyes. "I was not, Sonic. Don't be ridiculous. She was being loud, so I was coming down here to see what the hubbub was about."

"Hubbub…" Sonic stared blankly at him. "That's the word you chose?"

Shadow glowered at him from the corner of his eye. He stopped to stare at Amy gingerly. "Are you alright?"

"Besides you freaking her out—"

Sarah didn't make it down the last step by the time Sonic zipped over and clamped her mouth shut with his hand.

"Shhh, Sarah! They're having a moment!" Sonic whispered rather noisily.

Shadow groaned and wanted to either face palm or punch the nuisance. Why? Why did he have to deal with Sonic the Hedgehog out of all people?

Amy blinked continuously and shook off her nerves. "I'm fine, Shadow. Just…next time, warn me, will ya?"

He huffed and took a place on the couch facing towards the TV. The other was on the side wall. And Sonic grinned evilly when he noticed. "Hey…You guys want to watch a movie down here?"

"But you're watching one up there," Amy stated as she typed on the computer. "And I'm talking to Silver—"

"A little late to be flirting, Ames," Sonic teased.

"And Blaze."

Sonic pushed his fiancée softly towards the free couch. Sarah was a walking zombie but eventually collapsed on the soft sofa. The blue hedgehog grinned.

Two down, one more to go.

"C'mon!" Sonic swiveled the chair so Amy was facing them. "You can talk to them whenever!"

"And I can watch a movie with you guys whenever." Amy grabbed the desk and turned back around. "But I choose to talk to Silver and Blaze right now."

She wasn't sure why Shadow and Sarah were both eerily silent. But they knew. Shadow saw the plan forming in Sonic's head and Sarah noticed it too. While the ebony hedgehog wanted to retort, he knew he would never make it past the third step of the stairs if he tried to leave.

And Sarah didn't really care.

The lime green female still didn't see Amy and Shadow together, so it was rather humorous to watch her husband-to-be try and get them closer. It was a doomed plan to begin with, but had its moments where Sarah actually thought Sonic might be able to do it.

But Sonic had to realize that Amy and Shadow weren't just objects that he could place together and keep that way. They were two very different living beings with different views on the world and opinions of each other.

The chances of them being romantically involved seemed low to Sarah.

Apparently, to Sonic, they were super-duper high.

"Ames, you're killing me!" Sonic complained, landing on his knees and clasping his hands on her lap. He stared up at her with the worst attempt of puppy dog eyes the universe had ever seen. "Please…We all want to spend quality time with you, Amy."

She sat there for a good minute, pondering it over.

"…Fine."

"Yes!" Sonic flashed over to Sarah and took up the rest of the space on the loveseat. He motioned over at Shadow. "You get to sit with him though."

"Why can't I sit here?"

"Because that would be insulting Shadow."

"I already watched a movie with him today."

"Did you sit together?"

Amy confusedly looked at the cobalt male. "Well…Yeah. So?"

"Then you can sit together now." Sonic grabbed the remote that rested on one of the wooden stands by the couches and turned the TV on. "Any idea of what movie we should watch?"

"One with humor," Sarah mumbled against the couch. "And action."

"Romance," Amy droned. "I've had enough of humor and action."

"How about deceit?" Shadow glared at Sonic with such menace that it could've put the blue blur six feet under. "Or lies?"

"The Princess Bride it is!" Sonic sat up. He got the movie from upstairs, put it in, and pressed Menu within a few seconds.

Amy had moved to the couch and was slumped down with her arms across her chest. She couldn't talk to Blaze or Silver anymore—she had to say goodbye and shut off the computer. To make matters worse, she had to sit with Shadow.

He still seemed to be angry with her despite her apology.

So, she cuddled up with the blanket that had been on the back of the couch and pretended like Shadow didn't exist. Still, her thoughts existed very much so.

I wonder if he really is angry with me still…I apologized…

Sudden fear struck through her. What if he throws me out? It might not be now but what if he kicks me out tomorrow morning or when Sonic and Sarah leave? I'll be homeless…But I deserve it.

Bringing the blanket up to her some more, she even wrapped it around her cheeks. Though she wanted to hang it over her head too and create a cocoon, she didn't. She just held the tears in.

I can't believe I said those things…The moment those words slipped out of my mouth—Ugh. I can't bear to think about it. And his face. It was so calm.

I expected him to shout or punch me through the wall. Instead, he just sat there for a second and then walked out of the restaurant. He didn't even get to eat the food he ordered. We ended up eating at a diner that wasn't as good.

I ruined everything. Just when it was our "burying the hatchet" moment, I decided to get all defensive and make him feel like a complete waste of space.

Amy closed her eyes tightly and wished for sleep to overwhelm her. It would make things simpler on her part. She wouldn't have to think about Shadow or the cruel words she had said that kept ringing through her ears.

Was Shadow thinking about the scene too? Was it replaying through his brain, haunting him over and over again?

I hope not. He doesn't deserve it. Silver's right.

Thinking about the white hedgehog, Amy glanced over at Shadow.

'Then maybe you two tick as something more.'

Oh, be realistic, Silver. Shadow and I are completely opposite. Even if you think opposites attract, Silver, you're dead wrong in our case. There is no way on Earth or Mobius combined that we would end up together.

She snorted as she lazily looked at the TV screen. Just the thought of dating Shadow the Hedgehog made her…Well, it made her…

Amy frowned lowly. She didn't feel anything.

She didn't feel disgusted by the thought of dating him. She didn't feel like she was about to hurl. She felt neutral about the idea.

Calm.

That made her sick to her stomach. But the notion of dating the person next to her left her feeling nothing—like she couldn't decide but wasn't thinking about it either.

He's never dated. He openly admitted it. He just thinks he's some guru on dating because he's watched Sarah and Sonic for nearly four years. If he ever did date, I doubt he'd get far. I mean, c'mon. She rolled her eyes mentally as the trio around her was oblivious.

Holding hands. Would he feel comfortable doing that? Hugging. I've never seen him hug anyone in my entire life of knowing him. They're just more or less…in his grasp. Cuddling. That's one more step from hugging and far more intimate. Would he even allow himself to do that?

Kissing. Green eyes wandered to her right, where the male counterpart was leaning away from her and glancing at the stairs. I wonder if the Ultimate Life Form is a great kisser. I had to teach Silver. She smugly grinned under the blanket at the memory. She always figured her to be the better kisser and her best friend had agreed.

But I wonder if I would need to teach Shadow. Or if he'd actually be good at something intimate.

Her cheeks blushed profusely at a sudden thought. Sex. Oh, God. If he's never dated and he doesn't get out much, there's a high possibility that Shadow the Hedgehog is a virgin.

Just the thought made her snort in laughter. Sarah gave her a questioning look since the movie wasn't at a part that was exactly hilarious just yet but decided to ignore the crazy pink female anyway.

Amy frowned suddenly, though no one could see it. She peeked once more at Shadow. He's so lonely. Maybe he should date. Not me, of course. That would never happen. We're not even attracted to one another in the slightest way. I mean, sure, his eyes are pretty interesting to look at and his body's definitely shaped—

The muscles that had been gained were suddenly more noticeable to the pink hedgehog. She swallowed slowly and heavily before turning her head forcefully back to the screen.

Okay, so, Shadow's a looker. Why shouldn't he date? Well, his attitude for one. He's sort of blunt still, which could cause more arguments. I mean, I still regret the things I said to him in the restaurant, but if he ever wants to follow in Sonic's footprints and find a girl, he's got to be less judgmental. I didn't like my low self-esteem pointed out in public. I know that old woman was listening.

The last thing I need is another person to judge me.

She glared at nothing in particular but her gaze softened upon rethinking her thoughts.

No.

That's the last thing Shadow needs.

~.~

The movie kept going, but Sarah knew it by heart. Sonic only knew the more famous quotes but he didn't care for them this time around. He was focused on making sure that Shadow stayed put.

Sarah was rather happy to see that the two were seated together because that meant Sonic was happy. That and Sarah got to watch one of her favorite movies, bundled up in warm blankets.

The next best thing would be if hot chocolate were involved.

Sonic was still too busy keeping track of the two on the other loveseat. He wasn't surprised to see Amy fully asleep in an awkward position by the time they were halfway through the movie. He was shocked; however, that Shadow hadn't escaped.

He must know I'd drag his ass back down here even if it killed me.

Okay, Sonic probably wouldn't have tried that hard. Still, he was relieved to see that Shadow remained seated.

Shadow couldn't care less about Amy or the movie. He was more or less eyeing the stairs.

Boredom glazed eyes watched the movie. His palm was the only thing keeping his head from sinking any further. The blanket that had rested on the back of the couch was on the pink hedgehog next to him so he had no comfort whatsoever.

And those stairs were teasing him.

I just have to make it a bit further…

He yawned as his eyelids drooped a great amount.

But I don't think I'll make it up the stairs without falling asleep.

The movie continued and he was left to slowly lean further and further into the palm of his hand. His eyelids were shut completely within a few seconds.

I'll just rest my eyes for a quick second. Then I'll go to bed.

All the while, Sonic smirked as he watched Shadow end up in the same boat as Amy.

The blue hedgehog still had his evil plan up his sleeve, but decided against meddling with the two while they slept. After all, he had his fiancée leaning against him.

"Don't."

His smirk grew wider. "I wasn't going to do anything."

"Not even move Amy closer to him so when they wake up, they find themselves in each other's arms?"

Sonic's gears sparked at her notion. He brought his hand to his chin in concentration, "No, but thanks for the idea."

"Sonic."