◤𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕪◢ - It Started With Vomit!

Chapter 35 | Say It

Shadow pondered Amy's words, unsure if he heard them correctly. 

She hadn't bitten her tongue when she said it; she didn't waver or mince words. Straight to the face, Amy told Shadow exactly what he longed to hear, despite it being unnaturally out of character for her person and not what she would have preferred to happen. 

Overcome, he was unable to understand Amy's sudden change of heart because, for as long as time itself, from the very moment she and Shadow first met, all they ever did was wrangle over whose judgement was exceedingly superior. Whatever the subject or occasion, regardless of someone clearly being in the right, the battle raged on. Politics, economics, social issues, domestic affairs—and love. 

Especially love. 

Neither of them considered finding common ground. Both evaded the possibility, believing it would imply capitulating when—standing outside of their petty rivalry—which is an exceptionally logical position, indeed—surrendering was not at all the case.

Furthermore, Shadow was put off by how artless Amy's confession was. She made no remarks or argumentative adlibs detracting from the significance of what she had just admitted—which, again, was out of character. And, naturally, it went without saying that no lacrimal excretions were aimed at his face, nor was verbal violence used. But the tone with which Amy spoke bothered Shadow, for there was an undeniable, fatalistic undercurrent contradicting the lovely words she uttered not long ago.

He felt like Amy considered her affections somewhat of a duty. Something to tolerate out of necessity and no other reason than she owed him reciprocation of love after fighting against the notion for so long. Like her newfound sentiments were burdensome, which likewise made Shadow feel like a burden.

"Well?" Amy's soft voice shook Shadow from his critical thoughts. "Say something."

He regarded her innocent expression, wondering how fast it would take to display a sliver of real emotion. Guilt, perhaps. After all, it wasn't fooling anyone; they both knew she wasn't being honest about her motives for suggesting they begin a serious relationship.

Amy's recent attitude... her exhibiting an unusual interest in his person and her taking the initiative to better her and Kayden's strained relationship... it was all an attempt to mollify whatever impulse had triggered her feelings. That way there would be some validity to her confession. That way she didn't need to truly love Shadow, only claim to love him while simultaneously refusing to deny her affection for Sonic.

"You know... I don't mind settling for a straightforward relationship since the romantic type seems so far out of reach."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Amy replied indignantly. "If you want to reject me, at least do it properly!"

"No, you," Shadow disagreed, his voice ladened with torture as he forced himself to ask: "Explain to me how you don't regret our entanglement but can't forget the man drawing up a wall between us." 

"T-that is not..." 

Should she deny this truth, there would be zero validity to her confession.

"I'm not sure what you mean to ask."

Shadow stared at her, unimpressed.

"Then I do not know how else to put it," he replied, disappointed (but not surprised) by his assessment.

He had performed the impossible feat of defeating the villain impeding his and Rose's path to happiness. Sonic had finally been relegated to the back burner. But, clearly, Amy wasn't enthusiastic about it. "Why?" was the question. How hard could that possibly be to answer?