Shadows of the Heart

Answers

Amy's visits to Tails' lab became a small comfort in the whirlwind of uncertainty that was her life. Each check-up brought positive news about her baby's health, which reassured Amy and provided a brief respite from her worries. However, the mystery of the baby's gender remained unsolved. Due to the unique nature of the child's heritage, determining the sex through conventional methods was impossible. This, along with the secrecy of the baby's father, weighed heavily on Amy's mind, and unbeknownst to her Shadow felt the same way.

After another visit to Tails' lab, Amy asked Shadow if they could have a movie night together. Of course, he agreed. He wanted to grow closer to Amy even if it meant watching pictures on a screen for over an hour. He wouldn't do this with anyone else. As for Amy, she needed to reveal her feelings to Shadow. It was unfair to keep him in a limbo for this long.

They had settled on the couch for their movie night. Amy sets up the movie and they silently wait for the movie to begin. She steals a glance at Shadow. Shadow's demeanor was unusually subdued, a fact not lost on Amy. She's learned to read Shadow over time, even before their intimacy, learning the very subtle changes on his features and body language. She took into consideration what Tails told her about creatures with his DNA lacking expression of emotions, making this a good time to get closer to the stoic hedgehog. He was the father of her baby and her now partner. She did truly care for Shadow, she always did and she's saddened it took her this long to realize it.

"Shadow, what's wrong?" Amy asked, her concern evident.

Shadow hesitates but he knew it was best to be honest with her. "Do you still... Do you love Sonic?"

Amy's expression turned somber. She had thought long and hard about this question and finally she was ready to answer. She was quiet for a moment before answering. "Yes.."

Shadow felt a pang in his heart, his ears drooping upon hearing those words. He knew Amy still did. Why was he surprised? She loved him since she was younger and never gave up on him. Shadow realized how ridiculous the question was. He wasn't meant to be loved. He wasn't made for that purpose, instead he—

"As a friend." Shadow's ears perked up, his eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope as she continued. "I love Sonic as a friend. I love all of my friends. But the hedgehog I fell in love with... is you, Shadow."

Shadow's eyes softened, and he was momentarily speechless. Amy's words were comforting, but he still felt uncertain. She notices Shadow's uncertainty and it upsets her to see him so doubtful of himself. She really did love Shadow but she needed to prove it to him. Amy hesitated, her cheeks flushing with a delicate pink hue. She took a deep breath and did something that left Shadow stunned. She slowly removed her gloves, revealing her bare hands. In Mobian culture, showing one's hands was a profound sign of intimacy, a gesture reserved for those they truly loved.

Shadow's breath caught in his throat as he saw Amy's small, delicate hands for the first time. In fact the first time he's seen any Mobian's hands. Her hands were a sweet ashen color, her fingers slender and her nails neatly trimmed. Shadow's face flushed with a deep crimson as he took her hands in his gloved ones, and turned them over gently. Her toe beans were a soft pink color, her hands were so much smaller than his, and he marveled at their loveliness.

Amy, feeling a mix of shyness and anticipation, averted her gaze as Shadow carefully held her hands. To put her at ease, Shadow gently lets go of her hands and removes his own gloves, revealing his dark hands with their striking red details. His fingers were longer, with sharp dark nails and the top of his hands displayed an intricate symbol in a shape of swirl that tapers in the middle connecting the red lines from his arm to two of his finger tips. The contrast between her hands and his was striking.