Disclaimer: I don't own Shadow or Amy, they belong to SEGA, blah, blah, blah…

x*The Mini Adventures of Shadow and Amy*x

-Chapter Twelve: Holding Hands-

Under the twinkling canvas of stars, lying on the sandy beach with bright moonlight shining down on them, Amy and Shadow were in a peaceful silence. The sound of the crashing waves added a bit of music to the seemingly romantic night.

Amy couldn't be any happier.

To be able to have a somewhat closer relation to the ebony male felt almost surreal, but in a way was totally right. She felt more at ease and more herself than with her other friends, who were well aware of the two of them spending time together.

I just can't explain it… She'd rather be with him than the cerulean male she'd been trying to catch since she was…well, twelve; which in the span of three years, she'd been repeatedly friend-zoned. She started hanging around Shadow three weeks ago.

Surely, that wasn't a coincidence.

Amy couldn't help look over at the male as he stared at the stars above. His rubies flickering between each and every one of them. She wondered what he was thinking about. Looking down, she saw his hand resting in-between them, pretty close to hers. They were lying close together in generally, so much so that if she rolled over, she could snuggle into his chest. She looked back at his face, oblivious to her staring.

For some reason, she had the strong urge to take his hand in hers and hold it like she's dreamed of doing in such a romantic situation. It seemed fitting with the scene. It wouldn't hurt, would it?

He's not really paying attention anyway…he probably won't even notice…

Slowly, she pushed her hand towards Shadow's while trying to look up and not give away what she was doing. She felt her bare skin brush up against his and felt a tingling sensation. Pausing, she felt his fingers flex before returning to their original position, still barely against her. Sighing, her fingers continued their journey until finally…

…her hand rested under his.

But as quickly as it happened, his hand was suddenly jerked away and Amy dared look over at him to meet Shadow's blazing red rubies. They held confusion above all else, but was quickly replaced by the emotionless void he usual had and looked away from her. The female felt her cheeks burn, embarrassed for once by her actions. It was a shot in the dark, but at least she had tried.

Sighing quietly, she looked off to her right. The waves continued to crash along the shoreline, but it wasn't as soothing as it had been moments before. Each wave rolling in filled the awkward silence.

Shadow looked over at the female when she sighed. Was she upset that he had pulled away? Her jades weren't looking up at the sky, but rather down the beach. Looking down, her hand closest to him was curled into to a loose fist and now rested against her side. He looked back at her face.

In Amy's eyes, he saw sadness, confusion, and above all else…longing…

His gaze went to the sky and then back to her hand before his calmly wrapped around it. He felt her shiver slightly as their eyes met a second time. Their fingers slowly intertwined as she held his gaze. Nothing else was said between them as they went back to look at the twinkling canvas.

Within the next minute, she was pulled into his chest and the waves added to the romantic peace. Squeezing his hand, she blinked, and he squeezed back. There, in that one movement, was the final piece to the puzzle.

He finally understood… she liked him, too.

The fluff factor in the end just sky rocketed, didn't it? Reviews are appreciated. Until next time… -D.A.K