STH © SEGA/Archie
Sarah and the Wilson's © Cozy Shadow
Flame, Petunia, Jeffery, and Sunny © Phantomask
Italicized brands (like food labels, movies, and songs) belong to their rightful owner.
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Been hella busy.
Chapter Nineteen:
Tensions on the Rise
Breakfast between the four household members went on as usual—as if the Saturday never happened.
Shadow noticed Amy's lack of movement though.
She poked the eggs with her fork as it seemed she was lost in deep concentration. She had slept through most of the night, but had gotten up early to help Shadow feed the animals.
Watching her with the horses had given the ebony hedgehog an idea, however.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Sonic sparked up a conversation, glancing at anyone that might want to speak—which ended up being Sarah.
"I've got some stuff we can move into the new house," Sarah responded as she chewed. Amy figured she wasn't the best with manners sometimes. "Some pictures we need to hang up for the most part."
"Great. Because I do not want to watch any more movies. We watched enough yesterday."
Before Sarah could make a retort, Sonic continued, "How about you, Ames? Any plans for today? Company won't be here until tonight."
"Uh," Amy played with her food still. "I didn't have any plans. Read a book that Tails let me borrow."
"Is that where you went yesterday?"
Shadow's head shot up. "She left?"
"Took my keys, the little vixen," Sonic teased while Amy shrugged it off. "What'd you go to Tails for anyhow?"
"Just…reasons," Amy gritted her teeth, trying to avoid any more of the conversation. But everyone was interested in it now.
"Like what?" Sarah sipped at her orange juice slowly while looking over at the pink flower, "To get books? The kid orders so many, he might as well have a library."
"He does?"
"Yeah. I'm borrowing some from him now. He hardly has time to read them anyway—I don't see why he gets them."
"But what was the reason of going to Tails via Sonic's truck—without permission to use said vehicle?"
They all stared at the head of the table. Shadow wasn't discouraged, although he had spoken rather oddly. It might have been the fact that he even asked at all.
"I just needed to speak to him about some things. It's a need-to-know basis."
Sonic smirked as he observed the discussion between the two. Shadow upturned his eyebrow faintly. "Need-to-know…"
"Top secret. Very top secret. I'm running an experiment for him."
"Ooo, like the ones with vials of special serum that transforms you into a man-eating beast?" Sarah smiled rather sarcastically, but Amy couldn't quite tell.
"Ummm…"
"What type of experiment?"
The rose female turned to Sonic. His gaze had turned serious and fatherly. Gulping, Amy gripped the table. "Why don't you ask him yourself? He said it was for you and him."
"What?" Sonic and Sarah both simultaneously spoke.
Shadow remained quiet and stood from the table. He set his dish in the sink, along with the empty glass. "Amy, come with me. We'll let these two lovebirds get on with their day."
"But I haven't finished breakfast."
He stopped short, standing in the entryway of the laundry room. He intended to leave through the garage to get his old truck started. Staring back at her with an emotionless gaze, Shadow huffed.
"It doesn't look like you're going to eat it anyway."
Sonic twisted around in his chair. "But she hasn't told me about this so-called experiment."
"You heard her loud and clear, Sonic," Shadow gripped the archway as he glowered at the blue blur intently. "Ask Tails yourself."
The dark male left without another glance. Amy swallowed loudly before hurriedly placing the wasted breakfast on the counter. "Sarah, can you take care of that?"
She rushed out to get her boots on. Grabbing a coat, Amy fled after Shadow.
"Yeah, sure." Sarah watched with Sonic as Amy opened and slammed shut the door to the garage. She looked over at her fiancé. "What are they doing?"
Sonic shrugged, but it was obvious he was curious to know the answer to her question as well. "I don't know. But remind me to call Tails later."
The truck ride was bumpy as ever to the barn. Amy was a little confused as to why they were headed back out to the animals.
"So, uh, what are we doing?"
"What's the experiment for Tails?" He didn't miss a beat.
Amy slunk down in the seat and stared out the window. She couldn't tell him—he'd find it weird and would know exactly what it was for. Then he'd go and chew out Tails and Sonic.
"I can't tell you."
"So, it involves me."
"Just because I can't tell you, doesn't mean it's about you," Amy retorted. She glared at him from the corner of her eye, but he was looking ahead at the dirt road. "I just have to read a book."
Shadow took a glimpse at her with a quizzical look. "A book? Fox boy wants you to read a book?"
"It's more like what it's about and…stuff. It's not just reading the book though," Amy assured. She wasn't sure who she was reassuring though. She didn't want the experiment to sound dumb to Shadow, and she didn't want it to sound dumb to her either. She wanted to trick her mind into thinking it was a logical experiment so Tails would take her to see Cream.
It was as simple as that.
Just because Tails wanted her to study Shadow's behavior didn't mean anything suspicious.
It didn't.
"Then what is it? Or should I call him up myself?"
"Like he would tell you anything," Amy scoffed as she huddled closer in her jacket.
Shadow glanced at her from his peripheral with a smirk. "You think I don't have my ways of finding things out? I know a lot more about these folk than one would think. Apparently, everyone around here needs that silent person in the corner that they can spill all their life secrets to without worrying that it be told to anyone else."
"That does sound familiar," Amy jokingly said with a light laugh. She surveyed their surroundings as they came closer to the barn. "But, seriously, Shadow. What are we doing?"
Red eyes turned away from her. "I want to show you something."
"A little to the left."
Sonic groaned in annoyance as he held the picture. Their new house was normally quiet, but he hoped it wouldn't stay that long. Glancing back at his future wife, Sonic tilted his head. "This okay?"
She seemed to think before motioning to the left a bit.
"Sarah, it doesn't have to be perfect. It's level. That's what matters."
"I want it more to the left."
Clenching his jaw, Sonic set the picture down on the floor. Sarah watched in confusion as Sonic sat down on the couch with her. "We have a dilemma."
"The one where your brother is supposed to arrive tonight with his girlfriend and you didn't tell Shadow. So now he thinks it's just Blaze and Silver showing up, but in reality, there are four more people he's going have to open his arms to."
Sonic stared at the wall blankly. "Sometimes…I don't like the way you say things."
"Well, sometimes I don't like your disgusting purple shirt you wear."
The blue male wrapped an arm around Sarah, causing her to lean against his chest. "I can't believe you invited Manic…"
"He's your brother."
Sonic's jaw clenched. His gaze was like stone as his hands combed through her soft quills. "He doesn't deserve that title."
"Oh, come on." Sarah rolled her eyes and sat up. Sonic met her eye contact. "Your mother's been in the hospital for a long time, Sonic. You can't expect Manic to drop everything in California and come live here—where he definitely wouldn't get better pay. He's got a girlfriend. And by the looks of things, it's getting serious."
"I know," Sonic agreed stubbornly. "I get that he has priorities there. But he never calls. He hasn't spoken to us in…years. And it makes me sick to my stomach that he's going to show up after all this time."
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"
"Because chances are, he'll act like nothing's happened. He'll pretend he was here this entire time to see Sonia's kids or to see Mom in the hospital."
She got up from the couch and placed her hands on her hips. "Look, whatever beef you've got with your little brother—solve it on your own time. Don't bring others into it. He's working around the clock and trying to get by each day. You would know this if you even tried to keep conversation with his girlfriend."
Sonic scowled, hissing as he stood and walked into the adjoining kitchen. "Yeah, I get it. He's busy having his own life. But family is family. You make the time for them."
"Do you?"
He was caught off guard. Turning, he stared at his fiancée as she stood in the archway. She looked unsure of his sentence and a little insulted. Her brown eyes were always hard for him to read.
"Because I don't. My parents are off traveling to God knows where every month. My brothers are doing their own things. I hardly talk to my family."
"Your family and my family are very different," he retorted.
She crossed her arms curtly. "So, when you and I have kids, and Manic gets engaged, would you go to his wedding?"
Sonic scoffed as he pulled against the second archway that led to the dining room. "That's not a fair question."
"How is it not?" Sarah pressed as she cornered him by the breakfast nook. "Let's make a scenario for you. One scenario is that we have a newborn. Would you go?"
"No."
"Two-year-old."
"No."
"Five-year-old."
"No."
The more he said the word, the more Sarah completely understood his answer. She could have said teenager or no kid at all, and Sonic still wouldn't go to his little brother's wedding—at least in the example.
She remained emotionless. "So, the family thing…He's not included, is he?"
Sonic opened his mouth to speak, but he only came out with another scoff. The blue hedgehog walked around her in haste. "Manic's made the decision to not acknowledge that Mom is in the hospital—"
"And how do you know that?"
He was really trying to stop himself from growling, but she was so damn infuriating when she was making a point. Twisting around, Sonic faced her.
"How do you know that Manic doesn't acknowledge her situation? He knows, Sonic." Sarah sauntered up to him until they were only a foot apart. "He knows his mother has dementia. And he knows she's in critical condition from falling down a flight of stairs. Manic isn't dumb, and he isn't trying to run away from his family issues like I tried to. He's coping. He was born a drifter, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care."
They stood in silence for a good long minute. Sarah shifted uncomfortably after a moment. Sonic's gaze was cold and hard, which made her wary.
"Let's just get the pictures up."
Amy sat on top of a hay bale. Well, it was more like Shadow had told her to sit there.
She didn't completely understand why until he grabbed a saddle.
Gasping, Amy set her hands to her cheeks and tried to contain her grin. Shadow smirked as he placed the saddle on top of the wooden fence. "We're riding horses…" Amy bit her bottom lip. "You're actually going to teach me to ride a horse."
"No."
Her ears drooped down as her smile vanished.
"You're going to teach yourself. I'm not the best teacher around, so—live and learn, yes? Isn't that what you city slickers say?" Shadow huffed in a teasing manner while opening the corral gate. They were still in the barn, which was dustier than usual.
Amy crossed her knees and jeered. "No. It's just what I say."
She watched in sheer interest as Shadow calmly approached the big bay horse that stood in the corner, staying mainly to himself. Hopping off the hay bale, Amy meandered to the wooden fence of the corral and faintly grinned.
His hand went up to the horse's snout.
The horse snorted at first and bopped his head a little. Shadow merely whispered soothingly—in a tone that Amy had never heard from him before. Shadow walked backwards, letting the horse follow him out of the corral. Amy fidgeted in anxiety as the animal stood out of its pen without a lead rope.
"Uh, shouldn't you tie it up or something?"
Shadow chuckled. "No. Wrangler doesn't have a mean bone in his body," he patted the horse on the neck and gave Amy a soft stare. "He'll stand where you leave him. I let Petunia ride him during the summer. He's good with beginners. The other horses…well, they can be skittish."
"Are you calling me inexperienced?" Amy moseyed over to the horse cautiously. Normally, she'd pet it from behind a fence. It was different when she could practically feel the body heat the horse gave.
"Yes," Shadow responded without missing a beat as he grabbed the saddle from the fence. Walking around Amy, he moved back to Wrangler and set the saddle on. "The blanket's already under the saddle, if you're wondering."
"I didn't even know it was required…"
"Well, in case you ever want to ride a horse, now you know."
Amy tilted her head as her ears perked up. She walked closer to Shadow until she was practically whispering in his ear while he cinched up the saddle. "You're saying you'd let me ride a horse by myself?"
Shadow ceased his actions before bending his neck to stare down at the little hedgehog, "Absolutely not."
Groaning, Amy marched around the horse before getting to its head—which didn't take long. Wrangler bopped her forehead with his nose. She moved back before smiling warmly at the animal. "He is a big softy, isn't he?"
Petting Wrangler on the nose, she leaned a bit to look over at Shadow with a knowing look.
Shadow wasn't looking at her though. "Yeah, Frank Wilson thought he'd be best for me when I first started out. He's a true mountain horse, that's for sure."
"There's a whole awful lot of talk about these Wilson folk," Amy wondered, "Supposedly a big family with most of the land."
"Yes."
"Helped you start the farm here."
"Yes."
Amy walked to the other side of the horse, tippy toeing to look over the saddle at Shadow. "That's all?"
"Not exactly. They're like family friends—or at least, that's what Sonic and Sarah call them."
Filled with curiosity, Amy watched as Shadow bent down to adjust the breast collar for the horse. She followed pursuit and cocked her head to the side. "Do you think they're family friends?"
"What's with the sudden interest?"
She shook her head lightly. "It just seems like they're a bigger part of your life than you make them out to be. Why?"
"If you haven't exactly noticed, I'm not that social. I know most of the people in this community because of farming business or walking into them at the gas station or bank down in Lenore. Other than that, I hardly leave the farm unless absolutely needed."
"But the Wilson dances you go to?"
"Ugh," Shadow groaned. "I can only imagine Sarah told you all about them."
"She might have put them in a conversation once or twice," Amy noted. "But I think you told me about them, too. Not into much detail. How come you never said the Wilson's tried to set you up with several women?"
It was true.
Sarah might have spoken to her after dinners or during TV time, watching Wheel of Fortune. And the Wilson dances might have been in the conversations once or twice—including the tiny part where they were constantly setting Shadow up on dates.
But it's not like Amy would confess to hearing such things.
"Because none of them interested me in the slightest," Shadow droned as he went to grab the bridle, seeing as Amy would be no help. Grabbing it from the hay bale she had been sitting on, the ebony male walked back, but only to find said aggravating female blocking his way. "And they think I should settle down—almost being thirty and all."
"So you're not denying that you wouldn't mind settling down? You just didn't like the girls they chose?"
Shadow walked around her with ease and worked on placing the bridle on Wrangler. "I don't know why you have a sudden interest on the Wilson's meddling with my life, but I'll tell you this." He turned abruptly and faced her—they were standing only inches apart. "After all these years, I've come to be more prone to feelings and emotion. I know it must come as a shock to you."
Amy rolled her eyes.
"But who's to say that I won't mind settling down and having a family? Then again, maybe I don't want that at all. I'm perfectly capable of living as a bachelor for the rest of my life."
He pretended to tip an imaginary hat as he went back to work on the bridle. Slipping it over Wrangler's head, he could sense Amy wasn't budging.
"Shadow, why haven't you settled down?"
The ebony male scoffed and faced her. "Do you honestly think that I, Shadow the Hedgehog, have a great chance at finding what normal human beings call love? That there's some woman out there that won't bore me to death with her touchy feeling nonsense and overemotional thoughts? That there's even a slight chance that a woman, knowing of my past, would accept me completely? I've seen the look some Mobians give me, female and male alike."
"But you helped save them. They shouldn't hate on you like the humans do."
"Some do. Others just hold grudges because they're family members didn't come out alive. And others don't like the fact that I'm practically alien to any world I've come across."
She had to pause at that one. He had a good point. Alien was different. It wasn't welcome in most cases, and Shadow's physical look didn't exactly provoke panties to drop.
Then again…
Amy tilted her head a great amount this time as she stared at Shadow. He watched her actions with a raised brow.
He is sort of good looking. A long time ago, I would have never given him a second chance. But he's actually…aged quite nicely. If he's even supposed to age, that is.
"Wait, I thought you were immortal."
That seemed to strike a chord as Shadow flinched. "Yes, well…the portal, again, did some disservices as well as bringing us to Earth. It was designed for the time differences mainly. A year here was a month back on Mobius. Tails isn't completely sure what made things change in some people."
"You…lost your immortality?" Amy looked confused. "How is that even possible?"
"I lost a lot of things, but I don't fret about it," Shadow backed up as to show Wrangler to her, all decked out in his tack. Shadow pressed against Amy's lower back, pushing her towards the horse.
"Wait—"
"Live and learn," he mocked hastily while suddenly hoisting her up into the saddle as she let out a single screech.
Wrangler only moved his ears back. Other than that, the horse stood still as a statue while Amy clung onto his neck for dear life. Shadow stepped back leisurely and crossed his arms while attempting not to chuckle at the scared female.
Amy slowly opened her eyes, forgetting about their previous conversation. She rested on the back of the giant horse and gulped ever so deeply and loudly that even Shadow heard it.
"Okay." She sat straight in her own time before glancing down at Shadow.
"Well?" Red eyes filled with humor.
"It feels nice to be taller than you for once, that's for sure."
He had to admit, Amy Rose looked rather good on a horse.
Amusing and beautiful was more like it.
Shadow sat on a black horse, walking beside Wrangler – who still managed to carry the rose hedgehog. Amy hadn't slipped off yet, but she was still clinging to the horn of the saddle.
"Relax."
She wanted to glare at him. It wasn't as easy as it looked, and they were only walking. Amy feared that any movement from her would cause Wrangler to think she asked him to gallop. And she didn't want that. "I'm starting to rethink my wish for my future love life."
Shadow remained silent at the randomness. He only raised an eyebrow.
"I don't want to gallop off into the sunset anymore," Amy sat straighter as the horse moved awkwardly underneath her. "Maybe a slow walk into the sunset, but nothing too extravagant."
The dark male snorted in humor. "You are an odd one, Miss Rose."
"Thanks, I suppose." Amy tried to relax in the saddle. Suddenly staring at him, she thought about their previous conversation in the barn. "So, who were the women the Wilson's set you up with?"
Shadow turned to her with a clenched jaw and a blank stare. "Prostitutes."
Glowering, Amy stared to her left instead of her right – avoiding eye contact with him altogether as she mumbled, "I was only curious."
"You're always curious, Amy. And they weren't prostitutes."
She rolled her eyes. "I could have figured that one out myself. I doubt a religious family that cares so much about you and wants you to settle down would do that to you. It'd be funny, but probably not like them."
"One was from town – distant friend of one of Frank's daughters. She was overly shy, a mouse, and scared out of her wits when she saw me."
"Did you ever hang out with these blind dates?"
"Not her, no. She saw me walk in, and I saw her running out. I assume it was the way I look. Red eyes probably aren't always welcoming, and Sonic does say I always look a little hostile."
"I like them." Amy blurted. She bit her bottom lip as Shadow cast a glance her way.
"What?"
The pink female smiled sheepishly as she stared at Shadow. "Your eyes. I like them. They might be few and far between and therefore not normal, but I think they look anything but harsh. Especially when you look at Petunia or Jeffery—they get softer. And you can see hints of orange in your eyes."
Realizing that she was babbling, Amy stopped talking and let the silence soak in. Shadow suddenly chuckled at her warmly. "You are strange."
"Yes, you've mentioned that once or twice. Back to the mouse."
"There was nothing left to say. Then there was a fox—and I will admit that she was decent looking—who didn't even want to be there. I spent most of the time drinking a spiked punch, and she spent most of the party talking to anyone but me."
"Aw, I'm sorry," Amy genuinely felt a little bad for Shadow. "It's a little odd to see you on a date or anything, but at least you didn't turn them down—since the Wilson's were doing so much to give you a companion."
"I did turn some down. There was the minx. Couldn't have cared less about her. Then there was the hedgehog from out of state—she wasn't friendly whatsoever."
"I'm surprised the Wilson's even kept trying after four."
"Eighteen."
Amy raised both her eyebrows in surprised. "Wow—really? Eighteen," she whispered, mainly to herself. "This Wilson family must have really wanted you to settle down."
"They're still trying. I fear the St. Patrick's Day dance won't be any different."
Something tweaked a bit in Amy after hearing him say that. For some reason, she didn't exactly want to see Shadow on a blind date. Despite his words, Amy plastered a grin across her face. "I'd love to meet the Wilson family."
"I'm sure they'd get a kick out of you," Shadow smirked. "Frank's wife is quick to mother anybody around here. She has your passion for cooking also."
"It's more or less a hobby," Amy tried to state as Wrangler pushed through the snow. The late winter air was breezy, but the sun was shining by now.
"Why don't we finish up and drive over to meet them?"
"What? Who? The Wilson's?" Amy stuttered. "We can't just invite ourselves over, that'd be rude."
Shadow huffed and turned the giant horse he was on around. Facing the barn, Shadow grabbed Amy's reins and made Wrangler face the same direction. He noticed the rose hedgehog was beginning to grow nervous.
"I'm welcomed at Frank's anytime, just as he is welcomed to drop by here anytime."
Amy followed Shadow for a moment or two before smiling softly. She let out an easygoing hum, which made him stare at her uncertainly. "I take it you do see them as family friends."
"No."
"Wha?" Amy blinked at his quick response. She glared, almost retorting that he was too stubborn to admit any feeling whatsoever to anyone or anything.
But Shadow exhaled through his nose softly as he tugged on her reins, tying them around the horn of his saddle. Wrangler caught up with the black horse so Amy's legs skimmed Shadow's for a second. Red eyes stared ahead tenderly.
"The Wilson's are the closest people I have to a family."
She wasn't ready to meet anyone new—hell, her quills were probably a mess still—but Shadow wasn't going to budge. He had gotten her off of Wrangler and into the truck.
There was no stopping him now.
"Relax. Eloise is too kind to hate you, Amy."
"Still, I'm a little nervous," Amy bit her bottom lip as she twirled an end of one quill. "And I don't know why."
"Elisa is the one you should watch out for."
"Why?" Amy stopped and dreaded the moment now. Shadow continued to drive down the road from his house; onto the lone road they called the Sawyer highway. It was empty as usual. "Is she rude? Judgmental? Does she not like pink?" The rose hedgehog gasped. "Does she not like us heroes because we didn't exactly stand up for you?" she whispered.
Shadow glanced over at Amy as if she had grown two heads. "No. None of that."
"Well, then why is she so bad?"
"I never said that. I said she was the one you should watch out for."
"Meaning?" Amy leaned closer to Shadow in order to get the answer and hear it when it came out of his mouth.
"She's…" He exhaled as they pulled onto another road. In total, they had been riding horses almost thirty minutes ago, "A little talkative."
Amy paused, raising an eyebrow. "Is that a bad thing?"
"One who likes solitude would think so," Shadow muttered. "But Elisa knows everyone and everything around Sawyer—like most Wilson's do. She's quite a gossiper."
"A gossiper?"
"Well, she likes to talk gossip a lot. Even to me, although she knows I don't particularly enjoy it and would rather be working than listening to her. She'll talk about anyone's ear off."
"What's not to like about her?" Amy grinned as she sat back. "She sounds like me. But why should I watch for her?"
"She might…assume things," Shadow continued at a snail pace.
They drove down the dirt road that had connected with the "highway" a few minutes ago. He could see the trees and the rooftop of the Wilson's house. Everything else was farmland the large family owned.
Gripping the steering wheel, Shadow wondered if this had been a good idea.
Well, she would have met them sooner or later. I guess it doesn't matter now. Besides, what's to worry about? They'll adore Amy as if she were their own daughter. They do to about everyone.
Shadow figured there was nothing to worry about, but he couldn't be so optimistic. He had to leave some room for doubt and concern. But as he pulled up to the two-story house and saw Eloise waving outside, all doubts were lost.
Amy unbuckled after Shadow did. They walked out together and met up with the older woman, who had been busy cutting her bushes.
"My, my. Is that Shadow?" Eloise grinned as she tugged on her western hat. Her light eyes sparkled still with young life, and she was rather fit for her age. White hair cascaded down from underneath the human's hat.
The rose female awkwardly stood there, watching in awe as Shadow welcomed Eloise in a willing hug. The gesture didn't seem like Shadow the Hedgehog at all—it only intimidated Amy more. How good were these Wilson people, anyway? Would they think less of Amy or not even care? Would they welcome her or push her away?
Amy gulped.
"You haven't visited since last fall. Sweetheart, are you okay? Sonic said you were coming down with a fever during Christmas," Eloise touched Shadow's forehead in a motherly manner.
"I'm fine, Eloise. I just have an old friend here right now. She's keeping me on my toes," Shadow snorted in humor as he jerked his thumb towards Amy.
Eloise gaped at the pink female hedgehog.
Shadow didn't have lady friends. Never. Ever. Not ever. Especially not gorgeous ones like the one standing in front of her.
The elderly woman stopped herself from smiling happily, and rather gave Amy a hospitable grin as she gathered the tense hedgehog in her arms, "Oh, hello, darling. Any friend of Shadow's is a friend of the Wilson's."
"Oh!" Amy shakily returned the hug.
Eloise pulled away, but held onto Amy's arms. "What's your name, sweetie?"
"Amy Rose."
The name sounded so familiar, and Eloise could easily remember why. She exhaled sharply as she squeezed Amy's arms softly. "Thank you for your services in the war, Miss Rose. Shadow, how come you never told me about her?" Eloise turned to the dark hedgehog.
"When I say old friend…" Shadow trailed off as Eloise gave him a knowing look. "She's more or less an old friend of Sonic's more than mine."
"Shadow and I didn't quite know each other. We knew of each other," Amy said as Eloise linked elbows with her and led the two towards the house. "I lost my job in New York and moved down here—thanks to Sonic."
"Oh, how sweet. I hope Shadow's being kind." Eloise opened the door and the warm air hit Amy like a cozy blanket wrapping around her. "I try to teach all of my boys to be a gentleman."
Amy smirked at Shadow. The bolshie male only rolled his eyes at her humorous gaze. "Yes, he's been quite a gentleman, ma'am."
"Elisa!" Eloise called throughout the house. She turned to face the two Mobians. "I heard Sonic and Sarah are finally getting hitched."
"As I've heard your daughter is as well," Shadow calmly noted, "Same man from the Thanksgiving dinner?"
"Same one," Eloise gave a heavy sigh. "Frank isn't sure what to think of him, but Greg is nice. Truly. Elisa's so happy. She's come back home to plan the wedding and help on the farm grounds. It's in June—you'll be able to make it, won't you?"
"Of course, Eloise."
Amy watched with something akin to adoration. It was simply too cute that Shadow the Hedgehog was being so kind to a nice old lady. The rose flower figured she could die happily now.
Steps thudded down the stairs. "Oh, my word! Is that Shadow?!"
Shadow was glomped instantly by the rather tall human. Elisa had gained her father's height. All Amy could see was the dark auburn hair that was more of a mess than her quills. Elisa pulled away, smiling like a fool until her eyes hit Amy. The woman stopped short and then gazed at Shadow with a sly look.
"My, Mister Shadow. We can't seem to nab you the right woman, and here you show up with a fine catch. However did you manage to get someone as beautiful as her?"
Amy blushed as Shadow seemed to wave Elisa's comment off with a scoff. "She's an old friend of Sonic's. She's living with me now."
"Whoa, boy," Elisa said in her twang accent. "Movin' a bit fast, eh?"
"Elisa," her mother warned her. "Why don't we actually welcome our guests in before pestering them with questions, hm?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Without another moment to lose, Elisa shoved the pair to the couches as she raced to the kitchen and returned with glasses of water in a matter of minutes.
Shadow noticed Amy's questioning look as she took the glass from Elisa. "Just go with it."
"Right," Amy grinned softly. Elisa plopped down across from them while Eloise sat down like a normal, sane person. It was clear to the pink hedgehog that Elisa was…different. She wasn't sure what to think just yet. "Amy Rose. I fought alongside Sonic and the other heroes."
"Seen a thing or two in your life then, huh?" Elisa crossed her legs comfortably. "Blood and guts?" She excitedly pestered.
Shadow cleared his throat and gave the young woman a glare. "War isn't fun and games or a memory always cherished, Elisa."
"Sorry," Elisa apologized as she leaned back. "I talk a little faster than I think, Miss Rose."
"Please, it's just Amy."
"Alright, Just Amy. What the heck are you doing way out here in the boonies?" Elisa propped herself up with her elbows on her knees, changing position frequently. Eloise remained laidback with knees crossed.
"I lost my job in New York. I came here thanks to Sonic and Shadow letting me live with them. I work for Shadow as a way to pay for rent right now."
The two humans gave each other a look that Amy couldn't decipher. Shadow seemed so relaxed in the environment, but Amy was rather timid and uncomfortable.
Especially when the door suddenly opened and closed.
"Pa! Look who's here!"
"I know Shadow's truck when I see it, Elisa," an older man chuckled warmly at his daughter. Frank Wilson turned to their guests. "Shadow, who's the lady?"
"Amy Rose. Old friend—she's living with me for now."
Frank seemed to pause at the mention of that. He took off his gloves, looking at the leather as he spoke. "Aren't Sarah and Sonic getting married soon?"
"In May, yes."
Amy didn't like the way all three humans acted upon hearing she lived with Shadow. She tried to hold her head high, but it wasn't easy—especially since Shadow spoke so warily, as if he knew where the conversation might lead to next.
"I just remembered, I have a pie in the oven," Eloise stood and gave Amy a small smile. "Would you like to help, Amy?"
She wanted to say no, but Amy knew she was supposed to go with Eloise. And so she did, along with Elisa. For once, the chatterbox was quiet as she brought up the rear. Amy shivered in intimidation as the door to the kitchen closed and Eloise twisted suddenly to face Amy.
"Mrs. Wilson—"
Eloise held up her finger. She remained this way until the front door closed. Elisa peeked through the closed kitchen door before turning to her mother. "Pa took him outside, Ma."
Amy swallowed deeply as Eloise seemed to stare her down. "I don't quite—"
"It's nothing at all, Miss Rose. We'd just like to know something. Some folks around here don't take to the idea of a man living with a woman by themselves without marriage. Now I can fully understand whatever decision you and Shadow have made while Sarah and Sonic are about to move out, but—"
"Oh, no!" Amy waved her hands. "Shadow and I aren't together, Mrs. Wilson. In fact, we've gotten into more arguments than normal conversations. We've just recently made up, but honestly how long will that last?" She snorted in amusement to herself as Eloise and Elisa became quiet. "There is nothing intimate going on between us, if that's what you were thinking. And I know it might be weird for some people around here, but I truly am just living with him—nothing else."
They seemed to think this through, but finally, Eloise nodded. "Good." She sighed in relief. "I thought Shadow had finally dived off the deep end. Poor fellow. So wrongly treated, we didn't want him to be using you or vice versa."
"Yeah, we really like Shadow," Elisa said as she sat on top of the counter. "We tried gettin' him together with several women before."
"I know," Amy snipped quickly. She tried to stop herself before more words came out, but it was too late. "I heard about them."
Eloise gave Elisa a small smile with a knowing look. She stared back at Amy as she went to the oven. Amy watched as she grabbed mittens and took the actual pie out that indeed existed. "You don't like Shadow, do you?"
"What? No," Amy didn't miss a beat.
"Hey, Mama, you hear that?" Elisa spoke so seriously that Amy actually fell for it. "I think I heard denial."
The rose hedgehog frowned as she crossed her arms and leaned against the table in the middle of the large kitchen. It was definitely more spacious than Shadow's at home. It gave her all the more room to hide the blush she sported so suddenly.
But instead of making up some excuse, Amy said something she never thought she'd hear herself say about Shadow and her feelings: the truth.
"He has some…nice qualities. I guess."
Elisa chortled. "He's fine lookin', ain't he? Most of the women we set him up with turned away—like you must know," she teased. "But others claimed he was quite a looker."
Amy's quills frizzled a little—even Elisa and Eloise saw it—but she figured it was an animal thing. She shook her head to deny anything that was happening. "He's nice when he's not being a jerk."
"Most people are, Hun."
"And sure, Shadow's a looker," she mocked Elisa. "And frankly he's more financially stable than me right now, and he can actually take care of himself, but that doesn't mean in that slightest that I'm attracted to him or envy him."
"Mhm," Elisa hummed with the largest smirk Amy had ever witnessed, and it drove her nuts, "Hey, Mama?"
"Yes, dear?" Eloise pretended to be absorbed with the pie.
Elisa watched as Amy looked to be on the edge of dying of embarrassment. "If I didn't know any better, I would think our guest here has a small crush on Shadow."
"Shadow?" Eloise continued to act.
Amy mentally groaned.
When I thought about meeting the Wilson's, I didn't think they'd join in on matchmaking Shadow and I together! It's not going to work.
Still, what she said rang some loud truth, and it kept repeating in her mind.
How bad can Shadow be? I mean, we technically called a truce last night. But that doesn't mean I want to live permanently with him and be his wife.
Just the idea would have sent her hurling, but strangely not this time. Instead, Amy felt something flutter within her stomach at the thought.
She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not, however.
"Yes, Shadow." Elisa continued, "Now, I'mma thinkin', Mama."
"What are you thinking, sweetie?"
"We've been up and down this valley—out of state once or twice—trying to find our good fella, Shadow, a suitable lady to settle down with."
"No, no, no," Amy quickly spoke as she rushed for the exit. Elisa blocked her way easily. It didn't help that the woman was taller and Amy had to look up at her.
"Yes, yes, yes. Shadow needs a companion on the farm, and bachelor life is such a bore after so long. I'mma thinkin', Mama," Elisa grinned at her mother, who wasn't looking, as she wrapped her arm around Amy's shoulder and walked to the oven.
Eloise hummed in concentration as she set the pie to cool. "What's that, pumpkin?"
Amy was practically thrown into the older woman's arms, now trapped between the two in a hug. Elisa squished her harder in the hug than Amy ever could. She couldn't focus on that now though; she was being crushed against the two that had locked arms with one another.
"What if we set Just Amy up with Shadow?" Elisa raised a playful eyebrow.
Eloise pursed her lips in thought. Amy caught a little air as the two made room. She couldn't get out between them though.
"That could work."
"No," Amy whispered in fright as she stared at the two scheming humans.
Now she understood what Shadow had meant about watching out for Elisa. If only Amy had heeded the advice seriously.
She might have beaten Elisa to the door.
Shadow wasn't quite intimated by Frank Wilson—he only had to remind himself to be kind to the man who had helped him set up his life in the valley.
It wasn't a hard thing to do—be nice that is. Frank was one of the nicest people in the valley besides his wife, but Shadow couldn't help but quiver his quills when Frank took him outside the house. He wasn't sure if he was trying to avoid the conversation with Frank, or if he was slightly concerned for Amy's wellbeing.
I did leave her with Eloise and Elisa after all.
He shook the thought.
What could go wrong? Those two will welcome her with open arms if they welcomed me of all people.
So, the bolshie hedgehog followed Frank down the driveway. Frank leaned up against Shadow's pickup truck, tugging at his cowboy hat that hid his salt and pepper hair.
"I think you know what I'm going to say."
Shadow leaned against the other side of the pickup truck—staring at the old man who chose to look at the scenery instead. "I understand you and your family have morals about this kind of thing, Frank, but it's not entirely what you think. Amy sleeps on the couch."
"I've been there once or twice," Frank chortled to himself mainly.
Frowning, Shadow tried to think of the right words. Talking to Frank was a slow process, as Shadow didn't want to say the wrong thing to the one person that had spoken to him at the gas station four years ago.
"I guess that's not entirely the truth," Shadow mumbled as he thought of the previous nights. "But she only lives with me, Frank. Nothing intimate of the sorts has occurred."
"Yet."
"Frank," Shadow warned in a slight growl. He didn't like it when he accidentally snapped at the man, but this time Frank was practically insinuating Amy was desperate and easy. And knowing her entire past didn't make the situation easier to talk about with Frank. "The chances of Amy and I ever being anything but acquaintances are slim to none. She pays rent by helping me on the farm."
"You do realize," Frank nearly cut him off as he stared at the rust on the pickup, "that you can't keep this up forever, Shadow."
The old man walked away from the pickup, pushing against it to give him a slight boost to the barn outside the house. It needed some new paint, but overall the barn had done the family a good service for years. He stared at it, expecting Shadow to follow him.
Instead, he got a low snarl. But Frank wasn't surprised.
"Say what you want, Shadow, but bachelor life isn't always the road meant for people like you," he glanced at the male over his shoulder.
"You hardly know a thing about me, Frank."
"And yet I probably know more about you than you know about yourself." Frank twisted to the barn and meandered towards it with Shadow following behind him this time. "And so does the girl, I bet."
"Don't act like she's going to wiggle into my heart," Shadow snorted in disgust. Just the idea made him cringe. "People like me have walls for a reason."
"For people like Amy to knock them down, climb over them, go under them—somehow find a way in. Try and tell me she isn't the optimistic type."
Shadow hated to agree with Frank, but the old man was right. The ebony hedgehog sighed and kept up with his pace before standing alongside him. Frank stared at the barn doors.
They stood like that for a long time, staring at the structure.
"She's too good to be in a place like this," Shadow murmured finally. "I'm not confessing anything, Frank, but she's good company to be around for the most part. But she doesn't belong here."
"Neither did you at first. But there were still some people in this valley, around town, that saw you as something you weren't," Frank assured as he broke his gaze from the barn and looked at Shadow with a warmth in his eyes. "Standing in a crowd takes far less than standing by yourself—and you've done it for ten years, Shadow. You finally found your place in this valley. Who's to say Amy can't fit in?"
"She deserves better than a simple, quiet life on a farm."
Frank clasped Shadow's shoulder. "Remember, it's not up to you where she decides to go and what she decides to do with her life."
The old man opened the barn doors and entered the building. Shadow clenched his hand into a fist at the thought of Amy going back to New York and having to strip in a club or sleep with her apartment owner.
It might not be my decision, but she's too lost to make a rational decision as it is. Someone might as well help her.
And since he was the only one who knew about her secrets, he figured it was him. Oh, joy.
Going after Frank, Shadow sighed. "Maybe not, but she obviously needs help in figuring that part out."
"And perhaps things will change by the time Sarah and Sonic are married," Frank said just as quickly as Shadow had finished his sentence. "Think for a moment, Shadow. Does settling down sound so bad to you that you'll ignore every date we set you up with?"
"Those women weren't particularly interested most of the time…"
"I reckon you assume it's because of your past," the old man scoffed as he grabbed a straw bale. Shadow quickly helped him and grabbed it instead.
"Yes."
Frank grunted motioned over to the horses that nickered. "They need some new bedding put down."
"Yes, sir." Shadow wasted no time, doing the job as Frank had once showed him in record timing. While doing so, Frank observed with a keen eye.
"Then who better to settle down with than one who doesn't care about your past?"
Shadow stopped in his work for a moment to glower at Frank. "Don't try and play matchmaker like the rest of these loons, Frank. Don't."
"Amy seems to not care if you killed people. She seems quite lovely in fact—she'd be a wonderful mother."
"You said little to nothing to her and now you act like you know her."
"Stop straying from the conversation at hand, boy."
Shadow continued his work before finishing. He crossed his arms and continued to glare at Frank for one of the first times in his life. "Everyone seems to want both of us together, and I'm struggling to see the compatibility they see."
"Fine. Fine, Shadow."
He was surprised to see a Wilson back of so easily. Raising an eyebrow, Shadow waited for the punch.
But Frank was sincere.
"You do what you want. But if you so much as feel one shred of affection to that girl when things are all said and done, you better be chasing after her when she starts to walk away."
The two were left in silence for a moment before Frank backed up from the corral and pointed.
"You missed a spot."
The ride back home was silent.
Shadow got to process the words Frank had told him. Amy got to think about Elisa and Eloise – and everyone else that kept trying to play matchmaker.
The rose hedgehog began to contemplate, and perhaps she was started to think a little too deeply. Still, as her eyes never left the scenery passing by through the window, Amy tried to think of more reasons why not to be with Shadow than why it wasn't a bad idea.
She couldn't find much. She couldn't find any after longer evaluation.
If everyone decides to play matchmaker for the two of us…maybe it's some sort of sign. How bad can it be? Besides…
Amy took one glance at Shadow the entire ride back home – and that was this glance.
Maybe we just need to open our eyes a bit more. See what the others see.
Leaning her head against the seat, she stared back out the window in thought. Swallowing, Amy closed her eyes as the truck bumped along with the dirt road.
Perhaps it would be best if she slept on it.
Not like Shadow minded. At least there was peace and quiet for him to think – at least she wasn't busy chattering away in his ear. Still, a small part of him tugged towards her and kind of wished Amy had spoken up.
And the longer the drive took, the more both of them thought.
And the more they thought, the more the two came to conclusions.
And the more conclusions that surfaced, the more they worried about some concern.
Shadow had slightly hoped Amy would speak. He figured she would have said something about Eloise and Elisa, but she never did.
Curious to what happened in the house, Shadow decided to question the rose hedgehog later. Most likely, after company arrived, Amy would slink into his bed. A part of him didn't like the crowded space that had once been roomy.
Another part – the slight part that had wished she had spoken, perhaps – seemed to welcome her. That part of Shadow didn't even think about kicking Amy out of his bed.
And it made Shadow worry.
What if Frank is right? Eventually…things might change – especially if Amy's here for a while. I got attached to Sonic and Sarah. There's no doubt I'll get attached to Amy.
Red eyes stared at the sleeping flower.
But how is the question.
~.~
Amy seemed all too willing to jump out of the truck before it was even in park. Going inside the house, the rose hedgehog disappeared from Shadow's view.
The garage door was open, and Sonic was sorting through a toolbox.
Raising an eyebrow to himself, Shadow got out of the truck after shutting it off. Meandering to Sonic, the ebony male took notice that Sonic seemed more tense than usual. "What are you doing?"
"Putting back some tools," Sonic muttered. "Where were you guys?"
"Meeting the Wilsons."
Sonic paused and made eye contact with Shadow. "How did it go?"
"She only met Eloise, Elisa, and Frank. But everything seemed to go smoothly. From what I gather, the girls talked about something. Amy's been silent."
"Amy didn't talk to you, or what?"
"Not a peep out of her the entire ride home."
Humming, Sonic closed the toolbox. "That's a little strange for Amy."
Shadow agreed and leaned against the metal table that was littered with tools and other knick-knacks. Still sensing that something was wrong with the blue blur, Shadow questioned Sonic. "What about you?"
"We got the pictures hung up." There was a harsh tone laced in his voice that Shadow noticed.
"Get into another argument?"
Sonic folded his arms. "Slightly, yes. This time about my brother."
"Manic?"
"Yes."
"What about him?" Shadow shrugged. He had heard of Manic before – but Sonic's little brother had never visited apparently. So, why did Manic suddenly come up in conversation? Shadow had a sneaking suspicion, and he knew if it was true, he wasn't going to like it.
"Manic and his girlfriend are invited to the wedding," Sonic confessed. "They'll be here the same time Silver and Blaze. The four are meeting up – it was all planned by Sarah."
Shadow could only stare at Sonic for a moment before responding.
"Well, this should be exciting."
Waiting that night dreadfully, Amy watched the television screen. Her eyes were tired as she slunk down in the couch further and further. Butch lied at her feet and kept her warm – which only made her more tired.
It didn't help that she had to stay awake until Silver and Blaze – and apparently Manic and his girlfriend – arrived. And it also didn't help that Shadow was sitting beside her on the loveseat. Sarah and Sonic occupied the three-seater couch, although for once they didn't seem in the cuddling mood. Amy noticed how far apart they were and remembered what Sarah said while the two had made dinner that night.
They'd gotten in an argument of sorts… Amy thought tiredly. I hope another argument isn't surfacing. Yelling is the last thing anyone in this house needs right now.
Glancing over at Shadow, Amy could see how sleepy the Ultimate Life Form looked. Everyone in the room was tired – and it wasn't even too terribly late.
Just a little longer and they'll be here.
Amy bit her lip as she tugged the blanket around her more.
Fear resided in her at the moment, as well as dread, and simply because she was embarrassed. She didn't want to look Silver and Blaze in the eye for the first time in months and know that they were present during Shadow's little outburst.
But everyone apologize and it should be good. She looked over at Shadow again. His eyelids were shut, but Amy figured he could probably tell someone was staring at him. He peeked open an eye and looked at her grumpily – confirming her guess.
"You don't have to stay up, you know." Her quiet voice broke through the television's sound. "I can greet them. You have animals to feed tomorrow morning."
"As do you."
Amy turned to face him and yawned. "Still…"
The dog at her feet suddenly sat up and huffed, his ears perked. A low growl erupted from him and he bounded towards the door, barking like mad.
Shadow scoffed, "Doesn't matter if we were asleep or not. That dog could wake up the whole valley if he wanted to."
Amy wasn't quite listening anymore as she hurried to the door with the other three in tow. Sonic was more sluggish than usual. Shadow was right behind Amy. Sarah slightly glared at her fiancé as he took a seat on the soft couches in the family room. He ignored her look, however, as Amy opened the door.
Butch was outside in a flash, growling and barking as he raced towards the car that had pulled up.
Shadow stood behind Amy and gripped the doorway, ready to call back the ballistic mutt. As he opened his mouth, someone else beat him to it.
"Oh, look a puppy!"
Amy's laughter was soft and sweet. Shadow glanced quickly down at her before peering further out and looking where she was looking.
Outside, Silver the Hedgehog stood by the passenger door. Blaze and Manic were opening the trunk and getting suitcases, no doubt, as another female hedgehog chose to stand beside Silver.
"Silver, he doesn't look friendly," the blonde hedgehog whispered. She had bronze, amber eyes that looked at Butch with fear. Her messy braid proved difficult for Amy to see what else she looked like, but the rose female could eventually see some silver streaks in the quills.
"Nonsense, Sunny. He wants to give me a hug," Silver patted his knees at the barking dog. "C'mhere, puppy!"
Shadow watched the scene unfold as he leaned in to whisper in Amy's ear, "Your friend seems to be a little delusional."
"Silver's just being…Silver," Amy sighed.
Sarah pushed through, muttering, "Jesus, can you call off the dog, Shadow?" Instead, the female took it into her own hands as she stood out on the porch with her hands on her hips. "Butch!"
"Oh, no," Silver whispered to Sunny. "The cavalry's arrived."
By this time, Sonic had pushed himself up off the couch and stood behind Amy and beside Shadow. The trio watched as Sarah kept her hands at her hips and glared down the white hedgehog in the driveway.
Blaze shut the trunk and rolled the suitcase while carrying a duffle bag. "Silver, don't provoke her."
He only huffed under his breath as he grabbed the duffle bag from her. Putting the strap over his shoulder, Silver made his way across the lawn – where Butch patiently lied down. The dog seemed to be busy deciding whether or not to bark at the newcomers anymore. Instead, light growls left the dog on the grass.
"Hi," Blaze called out softly as she led the other three up the sidewalk and onto the porch. "Sorry if we seem a bit more awake than usual. Despite the time changes, we got plenty of rest."
"That and I handle jetlag extremely well," Silver stepped on his girlfriend's heels while Manic led the back rather slowly.
Amy laughed and caught the feline in a hug before Silver joined in. Shadow watched the three for a moment as Sarah squeezed back inside. Sonic seemed to reach to her hand for a moment, questioning where she was going through the look in his eyes. Sarah brushed against Sonic's side and stood close to him as the two looked from the guests to Shadow. The black hedgehog hadn't spoken a word.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "The flight went well?"
"A pushy flight attendant, not enough snacks, and an annoying pilot that tried to play the turbulence off as hilarious – yeah, everything went pretty normal," Silver stood before the three. He stared at each one for a moment before grinning. "It's definitely different air out here. Feels nice. I can see why you stay here."
Blaze walked up behind Silver, her hand on his shoulder. "And such a lovely welcoming dog, too," she teased lightly as her tail twitched.
Sarah offered them a warm smile. "We're sorry in advance if the couches aren't good beds, but it's not exactly a house with guest bedrooms."
"No need to apologize," Silver said as Shadow moved to the side and let the guests inside.
Blaze went first, followed by Silver, and then Amy, and then Sunny. Manic was last and seemed to nod slightly to Sonic and Sarah. The four set their bags down and Amy sat down on the comfy couch while Shadow shut the front door – Butch barely got back inside before his tail was caught in the door.
The white hedgehog overlooked his surroundings. "Cozy. Nice little farm house, eh?"
"Yeah," Amy hugged the pillow on the couch. "The dog curls up and keeps you warm – so that's a plus."
"After the barking, I doubt he'll curl up to me anytime soon," Silver scoffed as he looked back at Butch. The dog huffed, as if understanding they were talking about him. "But it's a nice house. You get it built, Shadow?"
The ebony male wasn't normally fond of having strangers parade around his house. But frankly, he apparently knew them. Or once did. Silver and Blaze were vague in his mind. Perhaps in some lonely memory of Mobius, they were there – but he didn't recall it.
And then there was Sunny, who was new. But her presence wasn't annoying Shadow. It might've been because it was just Silver in general that seemed to rub Shadow the wrong way, but Sunny wasn't a problem – despite her being the one he knew the least about. She stood in her spot and stared at her host, probably wondering which couch was hers. She did look more tired than any of them.
Last but not least, there was Manic.
The green hedgehog stayed to himself it seemed. His mouth was kept shut and he had only met eye contact with his brother once. For now, Shadow noticed Manic was ambling away from Sonic. Shadow figured it would be for the best.
"No," Shadow finally responded Silver after observing his new houseguests. He walked towards the couches Amy sat at and motioned to them. "There are these two couches here – softest out of anything in this house. There are the couches in the living room. And if you get desperate for space," his eyes seemed to wander to Manic the most, "then there are couches downstairs."
"I take this couch," Silver threw his bag at Amy. "So, shoo."
Amy scoffed as she caught the bag and set it to the side. "How harsh," she pretended to be hurt. Silver merely ruffled her quills, much to her dislike.
Shadow watched the scene and felt his eye twitch. Blinking, he looked away. Blaze caught his eye as she seemed to want to say something. Her tail kept flicking back and forth.
"Yes?" His smooth voice broke the silence as his emotionless gaze settled in on the feline.
He didn't remember anything about Blaze, but she seemed to be as guarded as him. Reserved and proper-like, Blaze held herself high and didn't flinch when Shadow let a little annoyed tone slip out in his question.
Instead, she surprisingly turned to Amy. "Which couch is yours, Amy? Even though I love Silver greatly," she exasperatedly said, "I must say I'm dying to catch up with you."
Amy's smile faltered as she softly pushed Silver's teasing motions away. The white hedgehog had still been trying to ruffling her quills even more, but after her gesture, he stopped and looked back at Blaze with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh," Amy found herself lost for once.
Sonic tried to hide the small smirk he sported, but after even seeing his brother, there was something deep within him that wanted out. A little menace and sarcasm maybe – a deadly toxic mix that would surely lead to an argument. But did the retired hero see it? Maybe. Did he care? Probably not. Was he going to hold himself back from saying something he'd later regret? Nope.
"Oh, Amy doesn't sleep on a couch."
Amy's blush was evident as she bit her lip. Blaze raised an eyebrow this time and looked at Sonic. She failed to notice Shadow's fists curling. "What?"
Sarah saw the darker look in Sonic's eyes and immediately stepped in. "She—"
"She has other arrangements—"
Amy, who was dealing with Silver pestering her, shot a quick look between Sonic and Sarah. The warning look Sarah was giving Sonic made Amy a little wary of what could possibly happen next. The rose hedgehog looked as Sonic gripped Sarah's wrist in a warning to pipe down.
"Sonic, shut the hell up."
Everyone turned their heads to Shadow. The ebony male growled out the words as his eyes narrowed in dangerous slits. Red eyes glanced between the tight wrist hold Sonic had on Sarah. Shadow stepped towards them – letting a little snarl out again.
"What?" Sonic huffed out as he matched Shadow's movement, setting himself up in front of Sarah. His instincts didn't like the growl Shadow was giving. Something in him snapped from being angry about his brother to being protective of his fiancée – who was technically already his mate. But, Sonic had never felt this sudden urge before – especially if it was just Shadow being moody.
"Boys, knock it off," Sarah muttered and worked her way between the two, getting out of Sonic's grip.
"Uh, did we miss something here?"
They turned to look at Silver. He cautiously stood beside Blaze now while Manic stood beside Sunny not too far away. The four guests stared at their hosts in question.
"Well-"
Amy joined in on the sudden stuttering of Shadow, Sonic, and Sarah combined. Shadow was more or less mumbling while Sonic realized the words he had said about where Amy slept. While the blue hero tried to finish sentences, Sarah tried getting anything coherent out of her mouth. Amy looked like a blushing fool that didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
"Hold it," Blaze stood before them with her hand up to silence all four. Silence filled the space between everyone. "Amy, are you sleeping with Shadow?"
"No!" Amy answered a little too quickly. "I mean, of course not. We're not sleeping together," the rose hedgehog motioned between her and Shadow. She now stood closer to them, getting up off the couch during their stuttering mess. "I'm sleeping beside Shadow. I'm not sleeping with Shadow."
Silver gaped as he stood behind Blaze. He leaned into his girlfriend's ear and whispered loud enough for everyone to still hear him. "I have a very disturbing image engraved in my mind now."
At that point, everyone was involved in the cringing or the not-so-happy faces.
"Alright, well…" Manic spoke for once. "It's been a long day for all of us, I'm sure. Sunny, where are you sleeping at?"
The two dawdled into the living room with their bags in tow. Sonic stood awkwardly beside Sarah, giving her an apologetic look as she glowered. Blaze and Silver stood like statues.
"Amy, why on Earth would you be sleeping with Shadow?"
"Beside."
"I don't mean it in the intimate way, Amy." The feline rolled her eyes. "But there are, what, six couches available in this house?"
"I slept on the couch most of the time," Amy tried to reason. "And then I just…Um…" She squinted as she tried to think about how she started this whole thing of sleeping in Shadow's bed. "Well, the dog took my spot on the couch and I decided I didn't want to sleep on the couch anymore…or something."
Before Blaze could reprimand Amy, Silver was there to save the day. He moved forward and grabbed Blaze's hand. "Look, they're just sleeping beside one another. It's not gonna do them any harm, now is it, Blazey Wazey?"
"Don't call me that."
"And besides, think of this as some friendly, PG rated bonding time between them after all the arguments and such." Silver cringed to his own words after saying them. "You really can't make this stuff sound not intimate."
Shadow rolled his eyes and grit his teeth. "That's enough. The nuisance climbs into my bed and I'm too tired to kick her out." He walked towards the living room, but not without looking back at them one more time. "Besides, last night she had a nightmare."
The five watched as the dark hedgehog left for his bed. Amy rubbed her arm anxiously. "We can talk more over breakfast, Blaze. But right now, we're more tired than you." She took a glance at Sonic and thought of Manic. "And it's not the best thing to have a tired, grumpy person in the room. So, let's just go to bed and we'll talk in the morning, hm?"
Crossing her arms, Blaze shook her head softly. "I don't like it. I don't like any of this, Amy. A part of me still believes you should have never come here." Amber eyes glanced up at Sonic and she softly grinned. "But it's nice to see familiar faces."
Amy hugged her friend one more time before calling it a night.
She let Blaze and Silver whisper over things as they set up their bed on the couches and got comfortable. Manic and Sunny were in the living room, tuckered out. Sonic and Sarah made their way through the living room. Sonic let Sarah go in first to their bedroom as he took the pause to turn and catch Manic's stare. The blue male clenched his jaw before entering the room – aware that the one he was sleeping beside wasn't happy with him at the moment.
As for Amy, she disappeared down the hall after saying goodnight and went into Shadow's room – where she found him unbuttoning his shirt.
Amy didn't seem to mind all too much though, as she didn't bother to look away. Maybe it was her conversation earlier with the Wilson women, or maybe it was just because she had other things on her mind.
"Something tells me having Sonic and Manic under the same roof won't be a pretty sight."
Shadow agreed in a huff and threw his shirt in the hamper. He turned to look at Amy – Frank Wilson's words circling his mind still. "Let me handle those two, Rose. You just get some sleep."
Amy offered him a small grin before settling down under the covers and curling up. It wasn't long before she felt more weight in the bed. Shadow turned the opposite way of her after turning off the lamp on his side.
"I've got a fence to put up tomorrow, anyhow. I'll need plenty of help with that."
Amy bit her lip and brought up the covers even more – as if to hide something that she had done wrong and knew she'd get in trouble for it.
It probably wasn't the best time to tell Shadow she planned to hopefully see Cream tomorrow since Silver had arrived.
And that Tails was her designated driver.