"Thanks for letting me use Dash's old baby crib, Amy," Tikal said as Amy helped her set the cot down in the corner of the half-decorated nursery room.
"It's no problem, Tikal. I've had this thing sitting in the garage for a while now. Just glad to see it's going to be used again." Gently, Amy placed her palm onto the echidna's belly, "Isn't that right, little Hope? Aunt Amy is going to spoil you rotten when you come outta there."
"I just hope she has my eyes. Knowing that she's going to be a hedgehog is already making me picture a mini Shadow in the house."
"Well, that's the cutest thing to imagine." Amy sighed as she shook her head, "And hopefully she does have some of your features. The only things Dash has from me are my eyes and the front part of my hair. All the rest is from his Dad."
"Male Hedgehog genes seem to be more dominant than their partners," Tikal laughed whilst soothing her stomach with her palm, "At least you can say that Dash has your intelligence and wits other than being a handsome little copy of Sonic."
"Hm? Oh… yeah."
The mention of Sonic made Amy's attention from the conversation go elsewhere. It'd already been a week since their small beach house vacation, and she was all over the place.
They were intimate for the first time in five years and she was unable to get the memory out of her head. The way Sonic was eyeing her, up and down, like she was a work of art despite her insecurities, despite how she felt about her body looking after giving birth- all of those thoughts disappeared once he whispered into her ear about how beautiful she looked.
She almost didn't believe him, almost felt like she couldn't believe him because of the way her trust dwindled over time. But all those feelings went away, all that mistrust went away once he told her he loved her again before the both of them experienced ecstasy with each other after so long.
She loved him. She loved him.
He treated her fearful body like a divine. Leaving soft kisses here and there, in places where she felt the weakest. In new places where she felt the most vulnerable.
It all just… felt like a dream. A dream too good to be true.
Yet, it was real. It was very real.
Maybe that was why she was so scared after they finished, after they shared a few more kisses before going into a short slumber. Amy didn't know what to make of it once she woke up and saw him sound asleep, his arm wrapped and secured around her. He looked like he hadn't slept like that in forever. He looked so… at peace. And knowing that she was the cause of it somehow made her feel ridden with guilt.
Did she even deserve him after all she put him through because of her insecurities? It begged the question.
For now, they decided it was best not to let Dash know. It was her suggestion and while Sonic was less amused by it, he knew better than to push it. She didn't want to give their son hope, only to have him crushed if things didn't work out again, if things went down the dark path she didn't want to happen again.
It was… too risky.
She didn't even want the chance of something bad happening between her and Sonic anymore. She was nervous, she was scared- the hypothetical scenarios in her head playing mind games had been relentless.
…Was it too hard for her to just be happy and careless these days?
"Amy?"
"Yeah?"
"Is that a hickey?"
Amy finally snapped out of her daze as she looked at Tikal, her eyes widening. "Wh-What?!" She shrieked and her hand instinctively flew up to her neck. Her cheeks suddenly flushed a crimson red once she felt the ident against her skin.
Sonic!
And how did she not even know that was there?
Why didn't he tell her?!
She could already picture his cheeky grin at her and she wanted to slap it right off of him!
Amy stammered, trying to come up with a plausible explanation. "Oh, um, it's nothing, just, uh, bumped into something," she managed to blurt out, her voice betraying her nervousness.
However, as usual, Tikal was barely convinced as she raised an eye. "Bumped into something that left a perfect circle on your neck?"
Letting out another nervous laugh, she gave the echidna an embarrassed smile. "Uh, yep. Clumsy me!" She cleared her throat, almost choking on her spit when doing so, "I-I guess I should be more careful next time, huh?"
Tikal crossed her arms, clearly still not buying her terrible excuse. "Amy Rose, I may be pregnant, so a lot of things are going over my head right now, but I'm not that naive," she said, her tone firm but still considerate, "Shadow tried that a couple of times with me, but eventually was smart enough to realise he couldn't get passed my eyes."
Amy tried her best to maintain her composure through her lie, but Tikal's blue eyes practically pierced at her own with vivid scepticism. She didn't blame Shadow at all for giving up under that stare.
With a sigh, Amy relaxed her shoulders and soothingly rubbed her arm. "We finally talked and…" She blushed, having felt embarrassed to explain what exactly happened, "Things got a little… you know."
"You two had sex?"
"Tikal!" She gasped, "Since when were you so blunt about that?!'
The echidna burst out laughing at her reaction. "I'm sorry, Amy," she said, covering her mouth with her hand, "I guess pregnancy hormones are making me a little more direct."
Amy laughed along with her and nodded. "I know the feeling."
With a smile, Tikal tilted her head at her. "It seems like the both of you are heading in the right direction then?" She clasped her hands together, "I'm so happy for you!"
She tried her best to match her excitement and smile back at her. "Thank you…"
"...What's wrong?" Tikal asked, noticing her shift in demeanour, "Aren't you glad you're back together with Sonic?"
For a moment, Amy hesitated. To her, it just felt like her friend had heard enough about her complicated feelings. It's been like this for years, confiding in Tikal because she was frustrated with the situation and even more so frustrated with herself.
But the look in the echidna's eye told her otherwise.
Amy was so used to dealing with her problems in hiding that she forgot Tikal wouldn't hesitate to listen to her.
She truly had an amazing friend.
"It's just… I don't know, Tikal," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "Everything feels so surreal. Like, one moment I'm over the moon, and the next I'm filled with doubt and fear."
Tikal nodded sympathetically, encouraging her to continue.
"Things between Sonic and me... they've been so complicated for so long. And now that we're trying again…" Amy took in a shaky deep breath, "What if this is just temporary? What if we fall back into old patterns? And..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to voice her deepest fear.
"And what if I'm not good enough for him anymore?" She finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tikal reached out and gently squeezed Amy's hand, offering her comfort and support. "Amy, listen to me," she said firmly, locking eyes with her friend, "You are more than good enough. You're strong, compassionate, and loving. Sonic is lucky to have you, just as you are lucky to have him. He loves you, and he's willing to work things out too. Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith and trust that things will get better."
Amy felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes as she absorbed Tikal's words.
She was right. Not everything was going to be perfect right away, she knew that. There were going to be things that'd need amending, but was that ever anything new?
Just… trust the process, Amy.
"Thank you, Tikal," she said, her voice choked with emotion, "I needed to hear that."
Tikal smiled warmly at her. "I would love to hug you right now but I'm afraid my bump has gotten too big," she said as she looked down at her stomach, "Hope's kicking can really be unpredictable."
Amy laughed. "It's fine. I already know."
"Careful, careful…" They turned their attention to the sound of Knuckles's voice as he and Shadow came into the room, bringing a drawer in and setting it down to one side, "Phew," Knuckles sighed as he wiped his forehead, "That's the heavy stuff outta the way."
"It's good to see the both of you working together without any fights this time," Tikal said as she sat down, "Or at least, I hope there weren't any…"
Knuckles rolled his eyes at his sister. "What do you take me for? I'm not about to stress you out when you're this far into your pregnancy," he said, as he chucked a thumb over at Shadow, "Your husband over here keeps looking like he's shitting his pants though. I'd say he's nervous about becoming a dad."
Tikal chuckled at Knuckles' remark, glancing over at Shadow, who seemed to be organising some baby clothes in the drawer they had just brought in. "Is that true, Honey?"
Shadow looked up at Tikal, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. "I'm perfectly fine."
Knuckles raised his eye sceptically. "Sure, sure. That's why you keep pacing back and forth like a caged animal."
"Will you shut up?"
"HUH?! What the hell did you just say?!"
Amy gave a pat on Tikal's back when she heard her sigh before she shook her head. "Okay, boys. That's enough." She stood up and placed each hand on both their shoulders, "You're going to be a father soon," she said to Shadow and then looked at Knuckles, "And you're going to have a niece this time." She wasn't going to forget that Knuckles was technically already an Uncle because of Dash's due diligence in calling him 'Uncle Knuckles'. "But most importantly," Amy brought their hands together, "You two need to behave and act like the brothers you officially are, so Tikal and Hope are safe."
Knuckles and Shadow exchanged a glance before they pulled their hands away from each other, looking away with their arms crossed. They both huffed and muttered a few words in distaste.
Amy turned around to Tikal and shrugged. "Well, at least you can say I tried."
Tikal smiled. "I'd like to think it's a start for them!"
Amy put her car in 'park' before looking over from her seat. "Dash? You got your things ready?"
"Yep!" Dash took his seat belt off and hauled the straps of his backpack over his shoulders. "Is Dad gonna come down and pick me up?"
"He should be," She looked out the car window as she rolled it down, but didn't see any sign of the blue hedgehog coming out from the Hedgehog Holdings building. Usually, Sonic would text her when he was on his way down, but he hadn't replied or even seen her last message.
Just when she was about to call him, the automatic doors from the front entrance opened and Tails was jogging up to them.
"Hey, Amy!" Tails approached them, a little breathless, but cheerfully once he helped Dash jump off.
"Hey, Tails," Amy greeted the fox as she got out of her car, watching him and Dash exchanging a hug, "Did Sonic send you down?"
"Yeah, he got held up in a meeting," he replied with a nod, "But since it's getting lunchtime, he told me to get Dash so he can eat."
"Oh? What's on the menu?"
"I wasn't able to check it today since I was in a rush coming down here, buuuut," Tails smiled at her, "You're more than welcome to sit and eat with us. When was the last time you visited?"
The last time she stepped foot into Hedgehog Holdings wasn't a pleasant memory. Just thinking back on the arguments and crying she had with Sonic in there made her stomach churn, and that bitter part of her brain would blame the company for not giving her the time she wanted with him. He spent more time in there than with her back then.
But…
She wasn't going to let those memories dictate her life forever. From here on out, everything was going to be taken in baby steps. The least she could do was start overcoming her fears.
God, she needed to get over herself.
Tails must've sensed her dilemma because he gave a reassuring smile, understanding where she was getting at. "It's okay if you don't want to, Amy. There's always next time."
"Mom," Dash chimed in as he took hold of her hand, giving her a pleading look, "You haven't eaten all day! I don't want you to get sick," He pulled on her arm gently, "Have lunch with us, please?"
Amy blinked down at her son before finally nodding, laughing at his persistence. "Alright. I'll come," she said and looked at Tails, "I guess I should start eating outside home and the diner more anyway."
Tails shook his head as they began walking to the entrance. "If we're being real here, none of the food made here compares to yours. You probably might find it lacking."
She smiled. "Come by to the diner anytime and I'll give you a free takeout."
"Oh, boy. Thanks, Amy!"
Once they entered the lobby, Amy noticed how different everything looked compared to five years ago. There was a lot more colour and character. It looked rich and luxurious, with plush seating areas and vibrant plant artwork adorning the walls. It felt like a welcoming environment, a far cry from the tense atmosphere she remembered.
There were a few employees who greeted Dash as they walked by, giving him a high-five and smiles all around. Amy didn't recognise most of them, but they were already far better than the ones she had to endure before. They gave her a polite greeting, clearly acknowledging who she was, some of them even going out of their way to give her a handshake in respect. Maybe they could tell she was nervous, but that didn't stop any of them from treating her like a somebody rather than a nobody.
Amy felt a sense of their gratitude, despite how clumsy and shaky she was when she greeted them back. It was so unlike her to be so reluctant when meeting new people, but it wasn't something she could easily blame on herself.
"Mom," Dash suddenly whispered next to her, squeezing her hand, as if sensing how she was feeling right now, "It's okay. I got you."
He gave her a bright grin and in an instant, all those worries washed away. Amy felt a lot calmer and her breathing didn't feel as panicked. "Thank you, baby," she whispered with a smile, gently squeezing his hand back.
Tails took them to the elevator and they resided in one of the upper floors. He told her that he and Dash didn't really like sitting in the cafeteria, so they opted to sit in a secluded area away from the noise, where they were served privately.
"Sonic had this part built so it'd just be me, him and Knuckles," Tails explained once they sat down with their food, "Just a nice place away from our offices to discuss projects and whatnot."
Amy nodded, watching Dash take a bite out of his pasta. "It's a nice place away from all the hustle and bustle, I'm assuming."
"Yeah, definitely. So, how's the food?"
"It's really good, actually," she said as she finished chewing on the salmon, "But I wouldn't expect anything less from a billion-ring company."
Tails laughed. "Glad you like it! Sonic always makes sure we have the best."
"He should. Otherwise, he wouldn't hear the end of it from me if he was feeding everyone with horrible food!"
She talked with Tails, while also making sure Dash was cutting up his vegetables right for him to eat, and making sure he was eating them and not hiding them away for it to be thrown later.
Nothing was ever awkward between her and Tails. Being Sonic's best friend and basically his right-hand man in everything, it didn't take much for Amy to ever explain anything about Sonic to him. He just got it, so she found solace in their easy conversations.
…He probably knew about her present circumstances with Sonic by now, but she didn't mind. Tails was someone who she could naturally trust wholeheartedly.
Halfway through, the door opened, revealing Sonic as he came in looking exhausted.
"Man, I'm beat," he said and trudged towards the vending machine. "That took forever."
"What even happened in there anyway?" Tails asked him, "Did they ask a lot of questions?"
"Not 'they'. He asked a lot of questions," Sonic clarified with a groan as he swiped his VIP card to grab a bottle of water from the machine, "I don't get why Mariko's father needs to be on my butt about his daughter taking over his company. Does the guy really need my opinion on everything about it? I'm sick of it!"
Tails sighed and shook his head. "Still a long way to go then, huh?"
"Tell me about it. Even Knucklehead couldn't keep the old guy quiet. And he likes him!"
Dash laughed once he saw him. "Dad, you look like a zombie!"
"Gee, thanks buddy," Sonic chuckled once he took a sip from his water, "You can join me in the next meeting after-"
He stopped once his eyes moved over to her. For a moment, any sort of coherent wording seemed to have left his head as he quickly choked on his drink, almost dropping the bottle.
Trying not to laugh at his reaction, Amy just watched him as he tried to recover from his initial shock that she was here. After his small coughing fit, he looked at her again and kept blinking at her as if he couldn't believe she was actually sitting there.
It always seemed to be funny whenever he lost his cool once he'd see her. "Hey," Amy greeted him with a smile, suppressing the urge to tease him.
"A-Amy…" Sonic finally managed to say. He must've remembered that it just wasn't them in the room and cleared his throat, straightening up. "Hey."
Amy could spot the pink dust on his cheeks. It took a bit of squinting just to see it, but she was satisfied all the same. "You just gonna stand there or are you gonna eat?" She asked when one of the chefs came over to place his food on the table.
He snapped out of his daze and quickly sat down next to Tails. "Oh, right. Sorry," he sheepishly pressed a hand over his quills in slight embarrassment. "Thanks, Chef. Looks good!"
"Erm," Dash interjected, his eyes darting somewhat suspiciously between her and Sonic, "Are you sure you're okay, Dad?"
Sonic laughed nervously. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, buddy. Just a little tired, that's all."
"That's probably 'cause he's been skipping meals to attend meetings," Amy crossed her arms and gazed over at Tails, "Right, Tails?"
It was best to avoid further suspicion for Dash. He was already picking it up, and the last thing she needed was to explain to him the status of her relationship with Sonic. It pained her not to tell him yet, and by the look on Sonic's face, he was also feeling the same.
"Yep!" Tails swiftly played along with no problem, "Your Dad's been burning the candle at both ends lately. But don't worry, I'll make sure he gets proper rest and has time to play with you today, Dash. If he doesn't, I'll kick his butt."
Sonic laughed, reaching over to ruffle Dash's hair affectionately. "You heard him, kiddo. Your Uncle Tails is gonna keep me in check!"
Dash grinned, seemingly satisfied with the response, and resumed eating his lunch. Amy quietly let out an exhale, glancing at Tails in thanks. When she slowly looked at Sonic, he was already staring at her, their eyes meeting in just perfect harmony. Again, she almost had to squint to see another faint blush glossing over his cheeks, but she was sure she was feeling ten times warmer against her own.
A small, hidden, smile went upon his lips as he must've noticed. Amy had to refrain from smiling back so openly whilst keeping the subtle butterflies in her stomach at bay.
It felt nice.
Even though Amy knew she probably overstayed her welcome, and that she should probably head back to the diner, she found herself following the boys down the hallway as Sonic played and ran around with Dash. Knuckles had joined them shortly during their lunch and whilst she was walking, she was a little way far behind as she took in her surroundings.
It wasn't that she didn't feel invited, but something about this luxurious lifestyle made her feel out of place. 5-star chefs, passing by people wearing brands of clothing she had never even heard of, the shiny marble tabling, the squeaky clean spotless flooring. Not to mention the massive windows that showcased Station Square City.
It was a stark contrast to the cosy, familiar atmosphere of her diner, where everyone was treated like they were at home and the food was simple but made with love. Here, everything felt so polished and perfect, almost intimidating. Even though there was some colour here and there, it was surprising that all of it belonged to Sonic, who she knew was far from being the most intimidating person.
But sometimes, Amy still felt like she didn't know him at all in this world.
She barely noticed that Sonic slowed down his pace to match hers, his hands tucked into his pockets.
Blinking, she looked at him and was met with him just silently grinning at her. "Wha-?"
Suddenly, she couldn't see the others anymore. He took hold of her wrist and before Amy could even process what was happening, she squeaked as she was quickly pulled into a room, and all she could hear was the door closing behind her with a soft click.
The room was dark, but still dimly lit. "What are you doing?" Amy whispered, her cheeks flushing as she looked up at him to see the green in his eyes glowing down at her.
Sonic didn't speak, and just closed the distance between their lips in a soft, gentle kiss. Her back was up against the door, his arms slithering around her waist as he pulled her into him. The sense of urgency was already filled into his kiss and Amy had no choice but to oblige, melting into his embrace. Her hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her touch before wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him back with the same beat, with the same weight.
"Been wanting to do that all week," Sonic admitted, his voice just a tad breathless after they pulled away.
Amy blushed at his words but failed to suppress the giddy smile that spread across her face. She could still feel the tingle in her mouth from his lips. "I'm glad you did," she said softly, reaching up to brush her fingers against his cheek, "Could tell you really missed me."
He let out a laugh and leaned into her touch. "You have no idea," he smiled and intertwined his hand with hers, "I'm surprised you're here."
"I didn't think I'd be here too," Amy sighed and looked at their hands, "But, I didn't wanna keep running away from it," she told him and grinned, "So, it's a start. At least you know your colours this time."
"Hey, if I'm spending a buncha rings on renovation, might as well make it a little more welcoming!"
"And you did good!" She praised him, playfully patting his head, "I don't think you could've done any better. A lot of it is perfect the way it is and so… you."
"Yeah?" Sonic leaned in closer to her again, his handsome grin showcasing on his face once more, "Well, that means a lot coming from you, gorgeous."
Amy lightly pushed him away. "Oh, be quiet, you tease. You know I'm not an expert on interior design."
"Still," He rested his forehead against hers, "I mean it, Ames. Your opinion matters to me a whole lot. Not from some old grandpas that don't know a thing or two about modern business."
She ignored how much her heart leapt at his validation of her and went to the topic at hand. "I'm assuming they're stressing you out?"
"Stressing?" Sonic groaned as he pulled away, "Try killing! She, her old man, god even her Uncle aren't giving me a break. How am I supposed to approve a billion-ring deal overnight when I was just aware of it today? And it's a stupid deal too, so it's not gonna happen, nuh-uh. They can forget it!"
Nodding, Amy listened to the blue hedgehog carefully as he continued to rant on. As much as she felt sorry for him for having to deal with such high-stakes situations within his company, she couldn't help but be bemused at the sight of him pulling his quills out in frustration, a vivid contrast to what she'd heard and seen from him when he meant business in his meetings and conferences.
Many people didn't see this side of him.
…And as selfish and possessive as she sounded, many people didn't deserve to see this side of him.
"What's so funny, Ames?"
Amy shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's just... you're so passionate about this. I can't help but find it endearing."
Sonic raised an eye, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Endearing, huh? Guess I'll have to start throwing more temper tantrums if it gets that kind of reaction out of you."
"Maybe you should. The oh-so-cool Sonic the Hedgehog losing his cool every now and then? That would be a sight to see," she teased, poking his chest lightly.
"You're acting like you haven't seen me like that at all," he said with a chuckle, his eyes slyly growing half-lidded, "And sometimes, it includes you and me in a bed."
Amy felt her cheeks heat up at his suggestive remark. "Sonic!" She quickly swatted his arms as he burst out laughing, "Also, you have some explaining to do, Mister!" She pointed at the faded hickey mark on her neck that she hid underneath her hair.
"Oh, that?" Sonic feigned innocence, but the mischievous glint in his eyes gave him away. "Must've been an accident."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
Sonic rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Okay, okay, guilty as charged. But can you blame me? You looked irresistible."
Rolling her eyes, Amy couldn't help but smile at his flattery. "Smooth, Sonic. Real smooth."
"Well, what can I say?" He grinned and planted another kiss on her lips, "I'm not gonna resist the chance of marking what's mine."
"You are so…" She trailed off, stuttering, trying to find the right words. He always had a way of sending her into a flustered spiral. "Infuriatingly charming," she finally settled on, making sure there was a mixture of exasperation and affection in her tone. While she was embarrassed, part of her was happy that he had a claim on her.
He's mine, too.
"Don't think I'd like to be any other way with you," Sonic said with a smile and wrapped his arms around her once more before swiftly bringing her into another fervent kiss.
Amy tried her best to keep up with the kiss, letting out a gasp when he pinned her against the wall. She immediately melted under him as he deepened the kiss, his hands trailing down her sides with a gentle urgency. Every touch sent shivers down her spine, igniting a fiery passion within her that she couldn't contain. Her hand massaged the back of his quills, while the other fiddled with his tie.
As much as she wanted this to continue into something else… His phone going off sent the both of them back to the situation.
Sonic groaned as he pulled away, taking his phone out of his pocket. "Ugh, Knux just texted me saying they're all waiting for me to get back to the conference room."
"Duty calls," Amy nodded, trying to catch her breath as she leaned against the wall and shook her head, "I should head back to the diner anyway."
"You sure? Why don't you stay with us for the meeting? I wouldn't mind that, y'know."
"As much as I would love to see you in sexy CEO mode," She giggled when he winked at her, "I think I'll pass. Just promise me Dash is comfortable while you're all getting business savvy over there."
"Dash is like the second in command when we're he's in a meeting with me, so don't worry," Sonic joked, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, "By the way, isn't your birthday next week?"
Dumbfounded for a moment, Amy blinked at him. "Oh, right… Yeah, it is."
"Ames, don't tell me you forgot."
"I never really give it much thought anymore," she admitted meekly, "I've been so busy with the diner and looking after Dash that it's never really a priority."
Throughout the years, she's been given acknowledgement and some gifts for her birthday, even from Sonic after they broke up, but she never held a party or a get-together just because she was still in the process of trying to put her life back together. Sure, there was a slice of cake here and there, and birthday cards, but what more did she need at that point? It was fine as it had been.
Sonic's expression softened a hint of concern in his eyes. "Well, you deserve to have a day just for yourself, Amy. Especially after everything you do for everyone else," He nodded, suddenly determined, "How about this then? Let's have dinner together on your birthday. Just you and me? Nothing extravagant. Nothing too in your face. Just some peace and quiet."
Amy thought about it for a second. "I might like that actually…"
His phone buzzed again, this time was ringing, and he answered it. "Hey, Knux. Sorry-"
"Sorry, my ass!" Knuckles yelled through the speaker, causing him to wince, "You've kept us waiting for ten minutes already! Stop making out with Amy and get your blue dumbass over here! NOW!"
As he laughed nervously at Knuckles' blunt outburst, Amy couldn't help but giggle at the situation, somehow not feeling the slightest bit embarrassed. "I guess duty really does call," she teased, giving him a playful shove.
Sonic rolled his eyes, still grinning whilst taking her hand to lead them out of the room. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. Tell 'em I got caught up with something to do with the business strategies," he said into the phone before hanging up. "Sorry about that, Ames."
Amy shook her head. "It's fine," she said and gave him a light push, "No, go. Otherwise, I have a feeling both Tails and Knuckles are gonna come up here and ruin that handsome face of yours."
"Heh, wouldn't want that now," He said, cockily rubbing his finger underneath his nose before leaning down to give her a quick peck on the lips, "See you later?"
"Yeah," she nodded with a smile and then slowly pressed her lips before saying, "I love you."
As Sonic pulled away, she enjoyed seeing the soft, genuine, and happy smile that graced his features with absolute glee. "I love you too."
With one last glance and a wave, Sonic hurried off down the hallway and Amy watched him go with a contented sigh. Once she saw him turn the corner, she turned around and headed towards the elevator nearby.
Pressing the button to go down, Amy waited and mulled over what just happened now.
Even though she didn't tell Sonic how she was feeling earlier in the week, he somehow managed to erase all of her worries in one moment and in just a couple of compliments and kisses. It put her mind at some ease and for once, Amy felt like she could relax and let their relationship just be, and not overthink it regardless of how guarded she felt at the same time.
Amy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before giving herself a nod.
Everything was okay. Everything will be fine.
When the elevator doors finally opened, she froze slightly when seeing who was on the other side.
Mariko stared back at her in silence, her expression unreadable, yet her gaze already made Amy feel like she was being scrutinised by her mere appearance.
She hadn't seen her since the night of the Gala, and just remembering how she decided to interrupt her moments with Sonic back at the beach house sent a wave of frustration in her that she forcibly swallowed down.
Their intense stare-down had broken off. "Amy," Mariko said curtly, her tone neutral yet somehow icy at the same time.
Amy straightened her posture, refusing to let the other woman's presence unnerve her. "Mariko," she replied, just as blunt and devoid of warmth.
Another thick wave of silence filled the air as neither woman made a move to break it. Amy could feel Mariko's eyes boring into her, dissecting every inch of her being, and it made her skin prickle with discomfort as much as she hated to admit it.
Finally, Mariko spoke as she stepped out of the elevator. "Very well then," she said dismissively, acting as if they had a pleasant conversation just now, "I won't keep you longer."
Her heels clicked as she walked passed her without a second glance. Amy watched her as she did, noticing the rigidness in Mariko's posture and the controlled manner of her movements.
Sometimes, Amy wondered… What went through the woman's head?
She closed her eyes with a huff before entering the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor as the doors shut.
Not that she ever cared about Mariko's thoughts of her. Whatever the grey hedgehog was thinking didn't concern Amy at all.
Still…
Amy bit her lip.
The unsettling feeling she had in her stomach was desperately saying otherwise.
