The Ruby Eyes of Affection

Contradicting emotions

Rouge gave a rather drawn-out explanation about guardians and their jobs and the rules regarding being a protector. Rob seemed to have given everyone a lengthy description except to the two people who really needed to know. Shadow sat on the couch slowly nodding as he was only understanding about half the information given to him. Still drowned in slight confusion, he saw the sapphire hedgehog walk out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, being absolutely positive he didn't make eye contact with the ebony.

"I think a certain princess deserves an apology, don't you?" Rouge asked mockingly as she sternly stared at the azure's uninterested face.

He reacted by turning around and glaring back before turning back to face the kitchen.

"Really? You're going to ignore him after you made him cry? That's really low, Sonic." She added scornfully as she gently patted the charcoal hedgehog's head in an attempt to comfort him.

Shadow gently pushed her hand off him as he wasn't really comfortable with being touched by anyone but Sonic and even that sometimes felt uncomfortable. However, this action seemed to cause the reaction Rouge was hoping for as the cobalt's face changed to slightly protective when he realized that he might have actually hurt his lovely ebony beauty.

"You were crying because of what I said, Shadow?!" Sonic bellowed worriedly before dashing over to him and sitting on the ground right in front of the couch before grabbing both his hands.

Shadow's face exploded red as he vigorously shook his head left and right. He quickly signaled for Rouge to leave them alone for a bit as she gave a slightly flirtatious smile before walking out of the beautiful mansion to take a look at the stunning garden in the back. When Shadow was certain they were alone, he let down his defenses a little before continuing the conversation.

"No, no, no. It's not because of you, mostly. I'm just thoroughly overwhelmed with everything that's been happening. I'm trying to figure out what to do about this hole I've dug myself." He admitted passively before sighing in slight frustration.

"Shadow... You haven't dug yourself a hole. This entire creating-a-perfect-world thing means absolutely nothing to me. I mean yes, I would love to spend the rest of my days with you trying to accomplish that. However, if it's too much, we can live a normal happy life with as many kids as your heart desires, a little cottage with a picket fence and anything else you want." He comforted whole-heartedly as the cheesiest smile appeared on his muzzle causing the Shadow to glance to the side in embarrassment.

(Why must you be so damn charismatic and know exactly what my heart wants you to say. It's incredibly irritating....)

"You're already talking about kids?! We're not even together yet. And who said I liked picket fences? That's so 1950's... If anything, I want a Chinese garden in the backyard." He replied awkwardly, attempting to keep himself controlled by mocking the azure's overdramatized concepts of love.

It seemed completely ineffective as Sonic gave him an egotistical wink as if to say that he knew exactly what he was doing and was proud of it. Shadow responded with a dark scowl as he was incredibly tempted to smack the cobalt right against his stupid little head for being such a clever little jerk. But before he could do so... He realized something crucially important.

"Wait, 1950's... I was created on earth in the fifties... How the hell can I be part of this whole um what exactly is this entire perfect world thing called?" He pondered as he pushed his back against the couch, glancing up at the ceiling in intense concentration.

Nothing was adding up... Unless the development of Mobius had something to do with ARK. Which actually did make some sense. Him and Sonic looked rather similar and so did Rob. It couldn't have been luck that they all looked alike right?