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Kicking her feet up, the bat relaxed further, letting herself melt into the cushions, letting out a small sigh. She had her favorite show on, a mug of warm tea sitting on the coffee table, and a freshly showered body, steam still rising from her.
Tonight was going to be completely about detoxing and relaxing.
"Fuck!" Followed by a loud bang.
Or not.
Her ear flickers before she turns to see Shadow in all his rageified glory, huffing and puffing after just slamming the door open so hard it most likely left another dent in the wall.
Oh well, nothing Omega can't fix.
She watched for a moment, and then, when she realized her friend was apparently content just standing in their entryway, fuming, she sighed.
"Shadow? Hun, why don't you come over here, so we can talk?" She raised her voice so it would carry, and sure enough, she heard the metallic stomps of Shadows air shoes stomping their way to the living room. She waited till he stood off to her side,
"Come here." She patted the space in the loveseat next to her. Shadow stared for a moment before huffing and plopping down, crossing his arms over his fluffed chest. She adjusted her body, crossing her leg under the other so she could turn to fully face the other next to her.
"So. . ." She started, but Shadow just glared ahead, refusing to face her. Instead, he let out a small huff and turned his torso in the other direction, content in ignoring her. She groaned, her resting wings fluttering behind he in irritation.
"Oh, c'mon, you're not gonna tell me what's got your panties in a twist?"
He growled,
"It's that damn faker." He stated clearly. Rouge perked up. Ok, now they were getting somewhere. She cleared her throat, scooching a little closer, brushing up against his side, and choosing to ignore the flinch it made,
"You're gonna have to be more specific, babe. Blue does a lot of stuff. Especially stuff that pisses you off."
To that, Shadow growled again. He turned to face her fully now, resigning himself to talking.
"He— he just— ugh!" Shadow threw his hands up in the air in frustration.
Rouge stared at her best friend with a mix of empathy and curiosity. The two were certainly no strangers to Sonic, but she was more confused at Shadow's loss of words, for as long as she's known him, he's always had an insult waiting for the other.
She hummed, "Why don't you start with what happened to make you like this?" she offered. Shadows ear twitched, and then his posture relaxed,
"We raced." He mumbled. Rouge raised a brow, silently motioning for him to continue. "I think I may be sick."
"What?"
Shadow huffed at her, rolling his eyes, "Well, maybe not sick. More like an allergy." He tacked on almost as an afterthought.
Rouge felt weird for entertaining this idea, "And?"
"It's Sonic."
"Hah," She huffed a laugh in disbelief, "You're telling me you're allergic to Sonic?" She deadpanned.
"It's true! Everytime time I'm near him, my body temperature rises, my mouth and tail start doing things against my will, my stomach will feel knotted, and my body keeps me from leaving!"
Oh.
Rouge's face relaxed, a gentle expression taking over her. It sounded like Shadow was explaining something very different than an allergy.
"Oh yeah? Are there any other symptoms of this. . . allergy?" Shadow glared at her. She sighed, then gently grabbed one of the other hands.
"I'm gonna hold your hand when I tell you this." She squeezed his palm. "You have a crush." Shadow stared at her silently.
"What?"
"You have a crush. On Sonic. As in you like him romantically." Shadow ripped his hand from hers violently, then stood. Even from there, he couldn't cover the very bright blush that suddenly appeared across his muzzle.
"I do not like that faker!" He all but screeched. She raised her eyebrows, unimpressed.
"Oh yeah? Well, all of your symptoms for your allergy," She used air quotes, "are all things people feel when they have a crush." Shadow scoffed and shook his head to himself.
"How could I— like him? All he does is get on my nerves."
Rouge shrugged, "Could be a kink." That earned her a harsh glare. She sighed deeply.
"Ok. Shadow, just— take a minute to really think about he makes you feel." They stood in the silence of their shared living room. Until eventually, Shadow unfurled his arms and dropped back onto the couch cushions. Huffing out a defeated sigh.
"I guess I really do. . . harbor feelings for Sonic." Rouge hummed, thoroughly amused by how disgusted he said the blue hedgehogs name. Suddenly, Shadow turned to face her,
"But why him?" He questioned,
"The heart wants what the heart wants. I'm afraid you can't do much about it." Shadow grimaced.
"Well, there has to be something to get rid of these feelings. I absolutely can't tell him." Rouge frowned.
"Why not?"
Shadow scoffed. "Were rivals."
"Well, if you like him, then there's a chance he might too." Shadow raised an eyebrow.
"Might like me back?" He huffed, "Not likely. My feelings are probably a biological defect. One that he won't share."
Rouge sighed, she'd been doing it a lot on the night that was supposed to be relaxing.
When Shadow was set on something, there was no chance of changing his mind; it was Shadow's way or no way. Usually, Rouge had been happy to follow her close friend into the depths of danger, but this was different; she could tell that when she observed him, he looked positively depressed as if rejection was inevitable.
"Won't you consider the chance that he might return your feelings?" Shadow looked fed up,
"No. I won't. I don't like getting my hopes up, you know this." He hissed. She did know this, but usually the context was different, like a missing emerald.
"But—"
"Drop it, Rouge. Please." He interrupted, practically begging. Rouge stared at him for a few moments, her expression turning gentle.
"Alright, hun. Anything for you." Her voice softened, she scooched closer to Shadow for an impromptu cuddle session—he could use it—he relaxed when Rouge pulled him closer, pushing his head onto her shoulder and wrapping her arms around his mid side.
Rouge wasn't lying when she said she'd do anything for Shadow. Which is how she found herself stalking the exact hero her friend had a crush on. Not her best idea, admittedly. But she had to make sure her closest friend would stay safe and remain unharmed. And boy, if Sonic hurt him—
So far, she'd been shadowing(hah- shadowing) him around for a few hours, only planning to watch him for a day or two. When Sonic ran into Shadow unexpectedly. She watched from afar as Sonic challenged him in a race like he did every time he saw Shadow. She watched Shadow accept, and then they were on their way. Keeping up with them was more than difficult.
When they finished the race, Shadow had won today. She observed their interactions. Taking note of Shadow's unusual stiff motions, sure, he was an uptight person in general, but he was practically acting like a robot around the blue hedgehog. She also noticed that when Sonic had grazed his shoulder in a pat, he froze, and a blush rose to his face quicker than she could blink.
A grin spread to her. Shadow was cute when he was crushing. She shook her head; she must remain focused. (but damn, teasing him would be too easy.)
When she'd gotten close enough to hear them talk, she managed to catch something interesting, to say the least.
"So Shadow! Do you wanna race me to a chilli dog stand next?" He wiggled his brows and rocked back and forth on his heels as he couldn't sit still. Rouge knew he couldn't. Shadow scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest—Rouge could've sworn she saw Sonic follow that movement, wait, was Sonic staring at his—
"As if, faker, you'd probably make me pay."
Sonic chuckled, stopping his erratic movement before rubbing the back of his neck in a nervous tic.
"No. I'd like to treat you, actually."
Rouge blanked.
Was—was he asking Shadow out on a date? Her mouth parted slightly in shock when she observed further and noticed the clear blush on the blue hedgehogs' muzzle. She backed away slowly, smirking all the while. She spread her rested wing and took flight in the other direction, flying home.
Shadow would be fine; he was in good hands.