Stormy night

Am I in Love?

Shadow’s POV

The hot water pulsed over my body, dulling all the aches I hadn’t noticed earlier. At a sound, I perked my ears. Had I just heard my name? When it came again after a few seconds, I tensed. Was Amy in trouble? What could have possibly happened?

The bathroom door slammed open just before I shut the water off. “Shadow, do you know where my headband is?”

My eye twitched. That was it? That was all she needed? I heard a gusty sigh come from her and then, “Hello? Shadow, did you hear me? Or do I have to come in there so you can?”

The fantasies that question brought on had me switching abruptly to cold water. “I heard you!” I swallowed hard, the cold water not quite able to erase the images in my mind. “I’m just thinking.”

“Oh… Okay!”

I swallowed again, trying to keep my thoughts trained to her headband. I remember Sonic had grabbed it, but I had no clue as to what had happened to it after that. No, I did. “It’s near the backdoor, Ames.”

I frowned.'Ames?' I thought.'Did I just call her Ames?' I had never called her that before. It was such a…personal thing, a nickname.

She didn’t seem to notice though. With a girly,“Thanks, Shadow!” she was out the door.

A few minutes later, I switched off the water and stepped from the shower, snagging a towel. As I dried myself off, I rationalized the situation I was in. Amy was still in my house, but she was surely out of my shirt now if her dress was dry. Soon, the rain would stop and she would go home.

It would be simple to forget the kiss in that short span of time, I assured myself. It would be simple to forget how soft her body had been…how it had strained against mine in simple pleasure…how eager and curious her mouth had been…how giving and warm…how wonderful she had tasted…

When I realized I was standing in my bathroom, the towel hanging limply from my fingers, a half-smile playing on my face, I had to shudder to rid myself of my thoughts.

“All right, maybe it won’t be so simple…”

“What won’t be?”

Startled, I snapped my head up, taking a step backwards. Amy was in the doorway, watching me with a curious expression. “How long have you been standing there?” I demanded, more embarrassed than I think I had been my entire life.

“I guess a few seconds, but does that really matter? I want to know what you were thinking about. It made you smile and space out.”

“Uh…” 'Uh?!' my mind shouted.'Think of something, you buffoon!'

But I could only stare at her blankly until a realization dawned on me. I was in a very vulnerable, exposed position. With a strangled sound, I moved forward, slamming the door in her face. “I’ll speak with you in a minute!”

“Well fine then! Humph!” Obviously miffed, I heard her footfalls quiet as she stomped down the hallway.

I leaned against the door, panting. Jesus! Sweet Jesus! I staggered a few steps over to sink heavily onto the toilet lid. “Damn it, Shadow! Pull yourself together!”

After regaining most of my composure, I tugged on my shoes and gloves, clipping my rings on with quiet clicks. It bothered me a great deal to find my hands and pulse rather unsteady.

All at once I realized that my pulse was never steady when I was around Amy. I was always uncomfortable near her, yet completely at ease. I also tended to notice small, unimportant details about her. The way her jade eyes would light with laughter moments before the jubilant sound could be heard. The way she would smile at even the smallest of kind gestures.

With a shaky breath I recalled what Sonic had said earlier.'Christ, are you in love with her or something?' Oh, Lord, was I? Did I love Amy Rose?

I looked up when a knock sounded on the door a second before it opened. “Shadow, I just wanted to…” She trailed off, worry filling her eyes. “Are you all right?”

When I couldn’t find the breath to respond, she came closer and knelt at my feet, taking my hands gently. “Shadow?”

And it hit me. I had finally reached the bottom of that bottomless pit. I loved her. I was in love with Amy Rose. My heart hammered in my chest, all the blood drained from my head, my mouth went dry, and my mind echoed with one painful question.'Now what?'