Emerald eyes drifted towards the ceiling where crystal chandeliers blinked and casted pretty reflections down on the dancefloor and the jewelery of the guests. The light danced in the eyes of the lady bat as she observed the colors and the shimmer of it all…
"Don't even think about it".
Rouge looked down at her dance partner. The red and gold mixing in his eyes sparkled with knowing humor only for her. Corner of his lips secretly raised while he watched her, head tilted slightly.
She rolled her eyes, her fingers drumming lightly on his shoulder.
"I wasn't thinking of anything. - she lied. Her dangling earring shook as her twitching ear betrayed her. - You think you know my thoughts now, Shadow?"
Shadow's expression didn't change… Maybe the smirk softened slightly.
"You're not as difficult to read as you think, Rouge"
He led her through the casual waltz confidently, but without showing off. The banquet they were invited to was fancy, with a live band, champagne, and formal dress code… but it wasn't actually as uptight and over-the-top as Shadow feared it would be. What was the purpose of it? Only the higher-ups sitting in the ballroom alcoves over papers and champagne flutes in hands were concerned about it. The rest was… for fun. The agents and other GUN workers. And, even when the guests had all briefly focused their eyes on the two Mobians, their attention was quickly turned elsewhere. Good. That made Shadow somehow calmer. Maybe even content. He didn't mind the event that much.
Rouge, however…
She had been ecstatic to come and maybe even nervous when finally stepping into the hall. And when she learned Shadow was a decent waltz partner, there was no return from that.
Her shimmering black dress with a flared hem and a thigh slit blended with Shadow's tailed suit well; she had a red carnation flower brooch on, to match him, as she said.
Him… and his red eyes reading her so well.
Rouge sighed, stopping her gentle sway.
"I need some fresh air."
Shadow kept the gentle grip on her hand a moment longer and she paused to listen if he wanted to ask something.
"Water? Drink?" he quietly offered and the woman smiled a bit.
"Get me red wine if you manage to find some, please". With that, she turned away and headed towards the terrace exit.
Though he doubted there would be anything refined like that available, Shadow went to ask anyway.
The air embraced Rouge lovingly, as she stepped outside and stretched her wings as far apart as she could. Banquet halls weren't a good place to be exposing her assets like that. Content sigh escaped her lips as she started walking down the stone steps towards the garden. Simple, small space, but with nooks where benches stood, and turns with hedges just high enough to hide a Mobian if she wanted. She walked slowly, the gravel path not as friendly for her high stilettos as she thought. But then, ah screw it, she reached down and took her shoes off with a relieved breath. good.
She found a fountain and decided it's the perfect spot and she sat on the edge of the dry stone. Waiting.
She couldn't contain the flutter in her chest when she heard familiar steps approaching in the hedge maze. She pretended she was engrossed in her reflection in the fountain water.
"There you are"
As if surprised, Rouge whirled her head towards the approaching hedgehog, eyes wide. The calm tone of his voice was gruff enough to rattle her chest.
She blamed the creeping heat on her cheeks on the champagne she had drunk earlier.
"You certainly took your time". She answered as a greeting. She motioned at the items in his hands. "No way they let you take a whole bottle?!"
Undoing the buttons of his suit, Shadow sat next to the bat-woman, and placed the wine bottle and two glasses on the stone between them. There was a bit of a sly smirk dancing on his lips.
"That goth girl from the administration really wanted to dance with me." He said, avoiding the question. The bottle was already uncapped and he started pouring the red liquid into the glasses. "What was her name?"
"The really short human girl? Ravena, I think."
"That one." - Shadow checked if he poured enough, looking at the glass from the backlight of the lantern in the background. Then he handed it to his partner. They both took sips from their drinks. "I don't think that's her real name."
Rouge scoffed a wet chuckle, covering her lips while she still had the wine in her mouth. Shadow looked at her quizzically and Rouge chuckled again.
"Really? The guy literally named Shadow judges people for what they are called?"
He shrugged, swirling the wine in the glass. "Not judging, just guessing."
"Okay, dark lord"
He eyed Rouge, watching as she wordlessly nodded, a sweet smirk still on her lips even when she sipped the wine. She caught his gaze and pulled her hand back.
It was a nice moment, a perfect night, a relaxing event and this spot with just them and the warm night. Wine and fountain. Almost as if they were on a d-
"So, did you do it?" Rouge caught her thoughts and spoke, decreasing her skirts, remembering what Shadow said earlier. She really tried convincing herself the thought of these other women dancing with Shadow didn't bother her. After all, she had overheard many times what they spoke about him… What they shamelessly fantasized out loud. And that made her shudder.
Oblivious to her turmoil, Shadow looked inside his wine glass, thinking of an answer to her question. Eventually, he shrugged: "My hands were busy.". And, curious, he looked at Rouge still watching him so he chuckled, having a little tease on his mind. "What? If I had said 'yes' would that upset you?"
She goes silent for a moment, unbeknownst to Shadow, Rouge still thought of the voices of the women objectifying her partner to the point of obscenity. But that did not matter, did it? "No," she finally replied, "I would not be upset. But... don't try to toy with my feelings."
"What do you mean?"
Her sigh sounded heavier than what Shadow would expect. He watched her with a frown as the bat woman put the wine glass aside and stood up, stretching her hands and getting on her tippy toes. It was somehow clear that she wanted to shake off some bad thoughts, putting herself in a better mood. It was also clear how she slightly stumbled, her wings flapping gently regaining her balance. She giggled, raising her hand to her lips. Shadow decided there wasn't a need for immediate rescue of his partner's pride, but he stood up too. He preferred to stand with her, as an equal.
She met his gaze, her eyes lit up in the lantern and fairy lights.
Fluttering moment of a feeling left unsaid.
"Tell you what", the woman smiled and tiptoed towards Shadow, reaching to pick some nonexistent stray thread from his shoulder. Shadow stood still, watching her movements, trusting her not to do anything weird. well, weird-er, than she usually would; nothing that would make him uncomfortable to the point of pulling away. Not that he wanted her to do anything… right?
"Yes?"
Rouge cocked her head slightly to the side as she looked up into the crimson eyes and smirked lazily when her hand stopped to rest where she had been picking dust off his shoulder. "You dance with me."
"We've danced all night"
"This is different… Please"
He couldn't deny her, but… the implications of this moment, the evening, everything they… he… was concealing from her… Shadow was anxious to let it go. To drop inhibitions like he'd drop his rings in a moment of real threat…
But Rouge wasn't a threat. And… dancing with your partner… friend… shouldn't be a life-or-death challenge.
He reached to the stone and grabbed his half-empty wine glass and proceeded to down the rest while still having his gaze fixed on Rouge.
His eyes looked so gorgeous when he did that.
Huh? Did I think that?
Rouge smiled
As his hands left the glass, he gripped Rouge's waist just as gently, making her take a step closer. But he stood still, as if still considering what to do.
"What?" the woman smiled, prompting Shadow to… do something.
"There's no music."
Bat ears twitched, showing their superiority in receiving sounds. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, getting into a closer position. Their height was almost the same now that shadow had his shoes on and Rouge didn't. "I can hear it just fine. I can lead you."
"Smartass" Gloved hands tightened on her waist.
"Grumphog" she stuck her tongue at him, gaining a humorous chuckle.
They slowly began to sway.
Shadow was absolutely sure she could hear his heartbeat.
Or even feel it, since her chest was almost squashed against his own.
The hedgehog, aware of this, averted his eyes to the side with a hint of a blush.
Rouge knew.
But she decided not to point this out. If she moved away Shadow would feel even more awkward. This is the best as it is.
They were in a position in which they haven't been before, willingly at least.
Some close combat body throwing or saving each other demanded they were forced into compromising proximity sometimes.
This… just like Rouge said… was different.
And despite it, Shadow looked back into the emerald eyes and felt… it was right.
Slowly, their bodies stopped moving, pausing this pretend-dance, and they gazed at each other, softly, with no other expression but a calm stillness.
Rouge smiled and inched closer. Stilled, as she watched for Shadow's reaction. When the corner of his lips twitched, she then, knowing it was a good sign, leaned in fully, laying her cheek on his shoulder, nose buried in his neck. They both sighed, their bodies melting into each other, fitting tighter, when they embraced this moment.
Shadow's hands cradled Rouge's back, mindful of her wings. Somehow, she fit perfectly in his arms and it felt… good. He closed his eyes, content with the gentle affection and with… this. Whatever this was.
A hug. His mind rationalized.
Rouge is slightly drunk, emotional, something was bothering her earlier, and you two already trust each other enough for her to be vulnerable like that. She's seeking comfort. You're available.
She trusts you.
Maybe, just maybe, he wished it meant more.
Something… different.
"Wanna ditch the party?"
Shadow looked at Rouge and they both smirked slightly. Understanding.
"I'm okay with that."