"Why do you insist on bringing more useless junk into my home?"
"Because dark and gloomy is only cool for so long before it becomes cramped and stifling." Rouge ignored Shadow's growling as she finished hammering a nail into the stone wall of her designated side of the grotto, wiping at her forehead as she set the hammer down.
A pink paper lantern in the shape of a heart hung from the nail just a moment later.
"Nauseating," Shadow griped as Rouge fumbled with the switch at the bottom of an electric candle.
"What can I say, I like hearts," she replied.
"It's a weak organ," Shadow returned, sounding dismissive and yet the ring of challenge hung in the air like a lantern of his own.
"Weak but pretty important," Rouge responded, slipping the light source into the lantern, making her side of the cave shine with a mild, warm pink glow. "You know, for blood flow and surviving and stuff like that. Plus, it's got a pretty dense bone protecting it."
Shadow rolled his eyes, his ears flattening in offense. "Don't applaud it for needing a bone shield."
"YOU ARE MY BONE SHIELD, SHADOW."
"Awww, Omega!" Rouge cooed as Shadow looked at the robot in disgusted bewilderment. "That's either the sweetest or meanest thing I think I've ever heard you say!"
The robot whirred in satisfaction. "ROUGE IS MY UNNECESSARY CAVERN DECORATION."
Rouge wiped away a dramatic tear as Shadow turned around and stalked away. "I've had enough of you both," he growled.
"Okay hon, we'll see you in an hour," Rouge said with a wave. "We're having chicken nuggets for dinner!"
Shadow paused for a split second before bristling and running out of the cave. Rouge shook her head fondly before looking back at Omega.
"So... I'm your unnecessary cave decoration, huh?"
"CORRECT. CONGRATULATIONS ON RECALLING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU LESS THAN A MINUTE AGO."
Rouge hummed, looking around the cave with pursed lips and while twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "You know, now that you mention it, bat-shaped decorations would look really cool in here..."
"SOUNDS SICK. I AM IN."
"That's my robot," Rouge praised with a large grin. "Now... Let's see how good you are at arts and crafts. If all goes according to plan, Shadow's going to have a bit more than just dinner to come back to!"