Eeeeyyyyy!

So like Happy Valentine's Day from my end of the world and I hope everyone is celebrating it either with a significant other, family, or pretty much yourself. Love can be anything and loving one's self also counts which is why Single Awareness Day exists! No matter how one celebrates it, ensure that it only occurs once every year and the other 364 days can also act as the same thing. Then again this is mainly a USA holiday lol but it is also celebrated in other countries.

Aside from all that here is a Shadouge one-shot to celebrate the festivity! I haven't made a standalone of this pairing yet (aside from the Sonic High work lol) so why not give it some love on the day of love itself! Hope you enjoy! ^u^

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or locations. They belong to Sega.

A Shadouge Valentine

Shadow the Hedgehog was known by many things.

Self-proclaimed Ultimate Lifeform, faker by his rival, edgelord by others, but if anything he was mainly known as that black hedgehog with red stripes that can run just as fast as the Blue Blur himself… but with the added features such as chaos powers and greater strength.

Unlike the cobalt hero that many know and love, Shadow was opposite to him: cold, irritable and serious. Most people who cross paths with him would catch a death glare even on the hedgehog's normal days and usually this type of behavior just means that Shadow doesn't like them. Heck for Sonic and his friends they consider it his 'grumpy' look and to people that are close to the black hedgehog, he isn't really all that he is on the outside.

Shadow's past was a traumatic one where he lost a great human friend that he saw as a sister to armed men that infiltrated their orbital home, having to witness her getting shot at by said armed men. Having fled via escape pod by his friend's choice, Shadow lived the rest of his life afterward in regret for not being strong enough to save her. Time passed and upon being awakened from cryosleep within the same pod he began to seek out vengeance against the human race for killing his friend. However with what would've been his goal had been thwarted and changed by Sonic and his friends, culminating into the two hedgehogs fighting a giant mutant lizard in outer space. Shadow sacrificed himself in the end to save the planet from the Final Hazard's attempt to destroy Earth with the Space Colony ARK, and in the end he finally realized that his friend, Maria, wanted him to protect the humans and to be kind.

He smiled a little during his fall down to Earth.

…

Shadow woke up once again, red eyes seeing turquoise ones for a split second before reacting to bullets firing. His first instinct?

Save the ivory batgirl in front of him.

The black hedgehog laid on top of her for two seconds, and for those two seconds… he was in awe.

Long thin eyelashes that were well groomed accentuated the batgirl's pink eyeshadow in which her eyes were clenched tight, white snow-like fur covering her head with two large ears above it and a nicely tan muzzle below her face. His eyes traveled down her body and noted how curvy yet slim she looked, the tight purple suit doing nothing to hide her assets right near his chest. Looking back up he noticed her eyes opening again, watching those same turquoise pools reveal themselves once more.

Yet Shadow looked away in reaction to another wave of bullets firing his way, telling her to stay put.

"Shadow?" his ears picked up her soft voice, heart skipping a beat. The black hedgehog's thought during this time was to protect the batgirl with his life as he battled the robot that activated in the same room, but unfortunately the same batgirl stopped their fighting and got them to settle down. He heard the batgirl state how the robot was angry for being sealed in the room and wanted revenge against its creator.

"And you, you can't remember anything can't you?"

That question was aimed at Shadow as he looked away in silence. He was still pissed that he couldn't finish the robot off… but at the same time he was nervous.

'W-What are these thoughts? I feel warmth just being near her, almost the same type of warmth like Maria's… except it's different…' Shadow thought. A hand grabbing him brought the black hedgehog back to reality.

"Now you two make up so we can start looking for Eggman together!" announced the batgirl. Shadow looked at the robot uneased feeling the metallic surface of its hand beneath him.

Until it was offset by the soft and velvety feel of her own atop his which raised his body temperature up.

"Aw yeah baby this makes us a team!" she happily said. From there, according to the batgirl whose name was Rouge the Bat, they were now called Team Dark.

They faced several adventures together and managed to defeat many adversaries and encounters with Sonic and his friends, but in the end they defeated Dr. Eggman and his creations along with witnessing Sonic, Tails and Knuckles defeat Neo Metal Sonic who was the true mastermind behind all of this. After all of that the team went their separate ways, though for Shadow… he didn't want to be separated from Rouge, but if anything he needed to seek answers about his mysterious past.

Another adventure fell upon Shadow when he faced off against Black Doom and the Black Arms race revealing that the alien ruler is his biological father who worked alongside his other creator, Dr. Gerald Robotnik, into making the perfect weapon. He slowly began to regain his memories, realized that he is the original and not an android, and found his promise to Maria once again to protect humankind from all threats, turning into Super Shadow to defeat Black Doom's powered up form. In the end he stood aboard the Space Colony ARK once again holding a picture of Maria.

"Goodbye forever… Shadow the Hedgehog." her voiced played in his head to which Shadow tossed the picture aside and walked away, putting the memories of his past to rest.

And thinking about new memories he made with Rouge during their missions together.

From there it was basically Team Dark back together as the trio worked for the G.U.N. in taking down threats such as what happened in Soleanna against a fiery entity called Iblis, a Shadow-doppelganger named Mephiles the Dark, and a god-like being named Solaris. At the end of it all the timeline was changed to which none of the things happened and Team Dark continued to work for the government agency.

Yet for Shadow, he still recalled the moments he spent alongside Rouge.

…

"So bored…"

Which brings us to the present where the trio live in a tall complex known as Club Rouge whose owner is of the same name. They resided at the very top which acted as a large apartment for them to live in and if anything, they have plenty of room even for the large robot named Omega.

Shadow at the moment was laying on the couch watching the ceiling in weariness, his red eyes slightly drooped. Apparently there were no missions going on and the black hedgehog didn't have anything else to do. Already having his life figured out in terms of the past and present… his future was still a mystery to be unraveled. The black hedgehog was well aware that he's immortal but if anything can still be killed by conventional means, but if he were to spend the rest of eternity in a dull state then he might as well do the deed himself. However Maria wouldn't want that as Shadow promised her he'll live his life to the fullest protecting those he cares about.

Such as Rouge.

His teammate, partner, and best friend.

Thump.

The last part hurt him deeply.

'Best friend huh? Well that doesn't sit well with me but if it makes her happy then I'll settle with it.' he thought beginning to look to the side. 'She sure has been out for a while. Wonder what's taking her so long? …probably out with that echidna.' Just thinking of that made Shadow emit a bit of chaos energy knowing that the batgirl tends to flirt with him. He's heard of the stories after his reawakening and they didn't settle well with the self-proclaimed Ultimate Lifeform.

'At this point they might as well have a kid or something. Least Omega doesn't have to deal with troublesome things like this.' Shadow then looked over at a closet door nearby watching it blankly. 'Then again he has been in sleep mode for some time.'

Shadow shook his head. 'That's enough, I shouldn't be thinking about Rouge! I am the Ultimate Lifeform and I live to protect humankind and fulfill Maria's wishes! I should not dive into primitive attachments that'll only hinder my duty… since she doesn't see me that way…' his ears slightly flattened from that, the black hedgehog's frown going down more. 'Damnit… I've gotten too soft-.'

SLAM!

Shadow was almost startled by the front door closing hard, his eyes looking towards it. A familiar batgirl stood there taking off her coat and throwing it to the side quickly with an angry look on her face.

"That damn no good stupid echidna!" she yelled. The black hedgehog laid back down and put on his bored look once again looking at the ceiling, hearing light footsteps getting near him until a nice plop was heard and a heavy sigh afterward. "Hey Shadow."

"Hn." was Shadow's response. He was still not accustomed to formal greetings.

"Can't believe that bastard would already have someone."

This piqued Shadow's curiosity. Normally he wouldn't care about trivial things but for some reason this interested him. "What are you talking about?" he muttered.

Shadow did have a bit of heart and cared for his best friend regardless. The two terms still stung him.

Rouge gave out another sigh. "Well it's about Knuckles. I went to visit him on Angel Island and asked him if he wanted to spend Valentine's Day together…"

'Valentine's Day? That's today?' Shadow peered over to the calendar on the wall.

The fourteenth was circled in red marker with hearts around it.

'Oh.' was all he thought.

"…but apparently he hooked up with this orange echidna that I didn't even knew existed! Like are you kidding me?! He turns down all this…!" Rouge stood up and moved her hands down his body causing Shadow to blush a bit upon looking at her form. She wore her regular tight black bodysuit with the pink heart chest piece and white boots. "For some cheap nature girl?! UGH!"

Rouge sat down quickly crossing her arms with fury on her face. "That Knucklehead even had the audacity to say that we argue all the time and that I always steal the emeralds. I do that to get his attention and he should know that that's my way of flirting, but no it looks like that echidna girl captured his heart even though I'VE KNOWN HIM LONGER!"

Her ears flattened as Rouge looked down in sadness. "I guess he's right though, we always bicker and if we did get together it wouldn't last."

"Well yeah even during our fight in the jungle you picked on the idiot." Shadow smirked. Rouge laughed. "Pretty much and I guess from that we looked more like a brother and sister arguing with each other."

"Hn, looks like it." Shadow said closing his eyes. Silence dominated the room for several seconds as Rouge remained quiet as well.

…

"Shadow?"

Her soft voice passed through his ears causing them to twitch lightly as he opened an eye halfway, noticing Rouge's concerned look at him.

Why is she seeing him like that?

"What is it?" was his response. Rouge looked down fumbling with her hands in nervousness as if she had to play her next words carefully.

"Well if you already know, today is Valentine's Day and I was wondering… have you ever spent it aboard the ARK?"

Shadow raised an eyebrow. Why would she want to know about that?

"I have heard about this human holiday." he replied. Rouge looked a bit more determined but still fidgeted. "So did you spend it with… anyone?"

The black hedgehog turned his eyes to the ceiling. Apparently Maria was the only friend he had aboard the ARK fifty years ago and if anything held no romantic feelings for her. Ever since he first saw her it was like all the things he never was: kind, gentle, serene, and loving. Shadow grew up to be a killing machine while Maria was the complete opposite to that. Her personality made Shadow open up to the more positive aspects of life and during his time with the human girl he found out more about humanity and what they were like. He got to learn many things and grew more attached to Maria, but if anything it never went beyond past that. Shadow saw her as a sister and devoted himself to making sure she lived a great life since she suffered from a disease that would kill her if she was transported down to Earth. Her promise to Shadow was the only thing he carried on from her and everything else he left behind.

So from all that he shook his head. "No, I never spent Valentine's Day with anyone. If you were assuming Maria then you are wrong, I only love her as a sister and nothing more."

His eyes noted Rouge's expression seeing her eyes light up a bit. Shadow didn't know how to read emotion since he doesn't care, but from what he can tell this answer of his sparked interest?

"Really? Then again someone as grumpy as you would probably not have a Valentine either way hehe." Rouge teased. Shadow huffed in response. "Like I'd care for a pointless human holiday."

The white batgirl grinned, an idea hatching in her mind.

…

The black hedgehog's eyes widened upon feeling Rouge crawl on top of him staring down with half-lidded eyes. "R-Rouge, w-what are y-you-?!"

"Aww is Shadow getting flustered~?" she said alluringly slowly moving her hand to his chest and playing with his tuff of white fur. "Don't worry I just want you to not feel left out~."

"Get off me Rouge, I mean it." Shadow growled. However the white batgirl didn't budged and slowly moved her face a few inches away from his, the Ultimate Lifeform's cheeks turning red.

"No~, and besides…" Rouge's grin morphed into a small smile. "Don't think I didn't see you look at me that way during our missions."

"H-Huh? What are you talking about?" Shadow countered. The batgirl shook her head laughing. "Don't play dumb handsome, I can tell that you're into me~."

"Rouge… you just came back from trying to hook up with that echidna that turned you down." Shadow then moved his hands to Rouge's shoulders making her gasp. "Don't expect me to be some form of puppet for your distress." his eyes slightly saddened after looking away. "It'll just make you feel worse…"

Two small hands grabbed his larger ones causing him to look back. The expression on Rouge's face was one of concern like before and Shadow couldn't tell why. If anything, most of the time he doesn't know what goes on in Rouge's head so he just lets it play out.

"Shadow…"

The way she spoke to him with that silky voice again caused his heart to skip a beat. Warm feelings began to run through the black hedgehog the more he looked into her turquoise pools. Instead of mischievous, cunning and flirtatious eyes that he sees every day, Shadow saw something different.

It made his body feel warmer and a light blush made itself on his face, the black hedgehog gazing at her beauty.

"I am aware of what you went through and I can understand the pain of losing Maria. I don't really talk much about my past but…" Rouge's expression saddened, her orbs glistening. "You're not the only one to lose someone you love."

Shadow was surprised by this. "What do you mean by that?"

Rouge gulped slightly as she trembled a bit. "Back then… I lost my parents to a group of thieves that were out looking for trouble. I was around five years old when they died and from what I saw… t-they d-didn't held b-back." the batgirl choked on her words but she didn't stop. "I was really scared that I was going to be next, but instead they put me to sleep and from there… they took me in and trained me to be a thief just like them."

The Ultimate Lifeform was REALLY surprised now. With how long the two have known each other Shadow never did ask Rouge anything about her past, but then again he didn't really care. To hear this stunned him regardless.

"You accepted? Why though?" he asked.

"I d-didn't have a choice. I-It was either be killed or steal for them." Rouge muttered. "I've worked for them robbing jewels and other valuables to ensure that I live. Due to that my fascination for anything worth something grew until I cared less and less about what happened back then."

"That's… really terrible." Shadow whispered. Rouge sniffed wiping her eyes. "Not as terrible as what I did after when they finally trusted me…"

…

Shadow couldn't believe.

"Y-You…" was all he muttered.

Rouge merely nodded looking away, tears running down her face. "A-And that's how I w-was able to be free. As how they said it, a thief can steal anything… even a life…"

The black hedgehog really couldn't believe it. 'Rouge actually… no way… I never honestly thought she would resort to that.'

His ears picked up the sound of crying and Shadow came back from his thoughts to see something that broke his heart: Rouge crying for the first time since he met her.

'Losing someone you love like that… just like Maria, except I escaped while Rouge didn't. We were forced a choice upon ourselves, but for Rouge… there was no freedom.' Shadow continued to watch her sob quietly, noticing that she brought her hands to her face as she straddled his waist. He didn't mind it but if anything it still hurt to see his best friend cry nonetheless.

His best friend…

'Y-Yeah, I'm her best friend… and I'll be there for her always, no matter what.' Shadow then raised himself up and did something he would NEVER do.

"!" Rouge gasped upon feeling two strong arms wrap around her. Warmth coursed through own her body as she blushed and reacting as well the batgirl wrapped her own around him, the hug providing comfort to each other.

"S-Shadow?" she whispered looking at him. His face was hidden and made no sound for a few seconds, only tightening his hold to which Rouge did the same. A smile came upon the latter as she sighed and nuzzled herself into him. "I never saw you as the affectionate type."

"Hn. Just doing this as a friend." he said.

Friend.

…

Just that word crushed Rouge's spirits slightly.

'So he sees me like that only… I don't like it. I really don't like it.'

Pulling back a bit to look at Shadow, turquoise eyes gazed at crimson ones with the two becoming entranced to each other. Their heartbeats sped up and a tinge of nervousness coursed throughout, not knowing what to say.

Shadow was the first to act however.

"R-Rouge." he stuttered. The Ultimate Lifeform actually stuttered.

"Y-Yeah?" Rouge replied. She was hoping for a specific something, but at the same time she knew this was Shadow so there's most likely no chance.

"When we met on the Space Colony ARK I saw you as someone that would only get in my way." he began. Rouge mentally rolled her eyes. 'Thanks for admitting I was like a traffic cone to you.'

"But the more we went on missions together, the more I got to see the real you."

Rouge's eyes widened at this. 'W-Wait, this sounds like one of the sappy romance movies I watch. I-Is he really-?'

"You're brave, strong, clever, and an amazing person. Not only that but whenever I see you every day with a smile on your face, it reminds me of Maria.'

The batgirl's heart sunk. 'So that's it huh? I'm like a sister to him…'

Shadow noticed her expression get duller yet he continued. "However, you're not like Maria."

Now this got her attention, a surprised look this time. "So what am I if I'm not like her." Rouge asked. The Ultimate Lifeform then pulled out another very rare thing.

A small smile on his face.

"You're more than that. You're beautiful, reliable and a very trustworthy friend. Without you Team Dark wouldn't exist and without you, I would've still be inside that capsule." Shadow raised himself up a bit keeping that smile on his face and reached for her hands. Rouge whimpered upon feeling his touch and grasped them tightly, her small ones held within his larger ones.

"You helped me be free of my past and taught me to let go of what holds me back. You believed I was the real Shadow when we saw that android version of me. You were the only one that said that you would be by my side even if the whole world was against me." Shadow pulled Rouge closer who gasped quietly, their gazes firmly locked. "I might not be a goodie goodie like Sonic nor will I ever be someone like Eggman, but I will continue to be someone important to you so that I can see you smile. Not just as a comrade, a teammate…" Shadow hesitated on the next part looking away. "…or a friend."

Rouge felt her heart tear a bit, tears coming once again.

However the black hedgehog looked back, that same smile on his face that melted the white batgirl.

"If you let me Rouge… I want us to be more than best friends. That echidna already made his choice with another… let me heal your heart and I promise you I'll be there for you just like you promised me." he finished.

…

"S-S-Shadow…" Rouge began crying a bit again, this time there was no frown. Instead it was what Shadow wants to see from her like he said. A big smile. "O-Oh S-Shadow…"

The Ultimate Lifeform was tomato red having said all that, but his pride drove him to keep his stare on her. "S-So yeah. Um, I'm not good with this kind of stuff and since today is Valentine's Day…" Shadow took a deep breath.

"Do you want to be my Valentine?"

Shadow felt the full power of the batgirl's tackle as the black hedgehog gasped in surprise. Not just that… but soft lips claimed his own in his first ever kiss.

Rouge cried in joy hearing him ask her that and her response was to immediately smooch him. Fireworks set off in their heads as their hands roamed on each other's bodies, the hidden love inside exploding due to much time of buildup. Rouge stretched her wings and used them to blanket both she and Shadow, also using them to slightly bring the black hedgehog underneath her closer. Shadow himself melted into the kiss as their lips danced with each other, a new experience being thrown at him. His movements were a bit sluggish but hearing Rouge mewl in delight meant that he was at least doing something right, lowering his hands from her midback to her waist and bringing her up more. Rouge's own hands found his face and cupped them, savoring the taste of her new lover. She brought herself even closer and moaned when her voluptuous chest rubbed against his furry one, the male groaning as he felt them as well which brought a smirk to the female. They made out for several minutes basking in the glow of their newfound love, not caring of anything else but each other.

Sadly air was needed even for an immortal like Shadow and the two separated, a string of saliva between them. The two panted lightly as they stared at each other, red eyes gazing into turquoise hues with love and care. Rouge giggled on her part and dove in for another brief kiss relishing the feel for him. Shadow was amazed that such a strong person would be this soft but if anything he knew that Rouge groomed herself very well. Even going in dangerous missions she does so looking her best.

Separating once again Rouge looked up at Shadow and the two locked eyes once again, happy and content.

"Yes Shady, I want to be your Valentine~." Rouge said.

"Shady?" Shadow raised an eyebrow causing the batgirl to giggle again. "Yeah, now that you're mine I had to come up with a cute pet name for you~."

The Ultimate Lifeform rolled his eyes but nonetheless grinned. "Fine Rougey."

This time it was Rouge's turn to blush looking away. "O-Okay, I will allow that too…"

"Hehe alright." he replied. The two then looked at one another again and smiled.

"I love you Shadow. I will always be there for you wherever we go and if the whole world goes against you, I will stay by your side." she said.

"And I love you Rouge. I will be there the same way and I will use all my power to protect you, just like back then and I will promise to keep you smiling no matter what." he said.

Another kiss was shared, separating after several more minutes. Shadow looked outside and noticed it was still daylight. "Looks like we still got time to spend the earthly holiday. You want to go out or-GAH?!"

Shadow groaned feeling Rouge seductively grind on him, a smirk on her face as she moved her mouth next to his ear. "I got a better idea Shady~."

The Ultimate Lifeform's eyes widened. Maria told him about this once in the ARK. "W-Wait Rouge w-we just got together-?!" a finger stopped him from talking, the batgirl continuing to smirk.

"We've been together for so long as teammates handsome~. We already know each other that well that it's fine doing this and now that you're mine and I am yours, I truly do want this~." Rouge then wrapped her legs around his waist and moved her face close to his, their noses touching. "Now show me the ultimate power~."

Shadow was stunned… but a grin of his own made its way as he picked himself up along with Rouge who released a giggle. "Oooo Shady is very strong~."

"Hn. Get ready Rougey because I'll make sure you won't be able to walk next morning." Shadow stated. This made Rouge tremble in excitement, squealing for the upcoming experience as the black hedgehog walked towards her bedroom.

"Oh and by the way Shady… that was my first kiss too hehe~." she admitted.

Once again, Shadow was stunned.

It was a good Valentine's Day in the end, the two getting at it throughout the night and most of the morning. Luckily they had no missions the next day and simply relaxed cuddling with each other.

A hedgehog and a bat brought together as teammates and ended up being together as lovers.

…

…

…

"Cannot compute loud noises. Sleep mode interruption."

Two red glowing lights flickered on from inside a closet.

"Voice recognition: Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat. No danger near vicinity, possible scenarios: accidental burn, stubbing of toe, falling onto floor. Analyzing…"

The two glowing lights brightened for a second them dimmed back.

"…scenario highly likely by detection of powerful thrusts. Action: return to sleep mode."

Omega beeped several times.

"Nonrobotic beings are a strange kind… it is good that you two are finally together now. Sleep mode activated." the robot said before going back into stasis.

Fin.

And that's all he wrote!

Hopefully it had enough fluff and emotion to show that even the Ultimate Lifeform can have feelings hehe, but if anything I always did see this pairing make more sense in terms of how they treat each other. Other pairings regardless are valid that aren't proshipping and for me I like tall dark and handsome together with gorgeous beautiful and... short. I always did like seeing Shadow a bit taller than her. xD

Anyway hope you enjoyed this one-shot and that everyone enjoys a Happy Valentine's Day! Til next time! ouo/