The Man Out Of Time [A ShadAmy and Silver Story]

Chapter 12

-Shadow-

"Ugh,"

My head arose from the mahogany table. The feeling of complete grogginess overtook my body, dazing me for a second.

"What happened?"

My eyes were tired and burned from the light in the room. I rolled back my shoulders as I fixed my posture in the chair. Despite my head feeling heavy, my body was energized and relaxed.

'I forgot. I'm in her kitchen,' I leaned back in the chair slightly. I could feel a hollow yawn building up in my mouth. 'How long was I asleep for?'

It was then I noticed the room was empty. Panic sunk in, and the legs of the front of the chair that were previously off the ground slammed into the white marble floor.

"Where is Rose?"

That is all I could muster to whisper to myself. Rose was always the first person on my mind ever since the mess of appearance of that idiot, S. Not that she has never crossed my mind before his arrival and his ominous warning of future events, but the thoughts I have are much different than from before. And they are getting harder and harder to ignore.

I would be lying to myself if I said I did not have a jealous streak against the imbeciles she chooses to surround herself with, especially for a certain silver-quilled hedgehog. The sheer thought of him and Rose together just brings chills up my spine. They are so alike in so many ways. The reason I was so hostile and cold towards him was humiliating to even think about.

I want to be more like him for some unbeknownst and revolting reason.

Someone kind.

Someone compassionate.

Someone who didn't try and destroy all the sacred and pure things of the world.

Someone who would catch the attention of Amy Rose.

Not even I am sure why I fuel my own despair. I think of being with Rose so often all I can do is laugh bitterly at my attempt to hide my affection toward her.

Even then, while that illusion dances in my mind, I actively go out of my way to be as distant and unwelcoming as possible.

Inconsiderate, maybe, but I was never ignorant. Whenever I felt she truly needed me, I was there. But the tides have changed as of late. Now, I am scared. I was scared of losing her. Of losing who I am to my grievances.

'I can put aside whatever hurts me if it means keeping her safe.'

I cannot bear to distance myself from her anymore. The look on her face becomes more arduous for me to ignore. It was easy in the beginning as my feelings weren't that strong, but now they are getting so intense that I can't even think straight when I am around her.

I, more than anything, want her to be happy, and I can only hope that one day she can be happy with me once the future is repaired and put in order.

'Love is difficult. You always warned me about that Maria. I didn't believe it then, but I do now more than ever.'

The distinct sound of loud and familiar shouting interrupted my innermost private thoughts. I leaned slightly to the left to peep through the kitchen door. Sitting on the living room couch was S, Knuckles, and Rouge. I rolled my eyes as the two idiots stood there, babbling nonsense to one another while Rouge tried her best to calm Knuckles down before he popped a vein in that empty head of his.

As I looked at her, a smile spread across my face. It brought me slight comfort that the one ally I trust the most has changed for the better since our previous affiliations with Eggman's forces. She was no longer the gem-hungry, relentless bat I met for the first time. As we all aged since Eggman's war, she grew more civil and somewhat mature, not to mention more charismatic towards her new-found friends, especially when it came to Amy. I could only dream that I could say the same for that red-headed boyfriend of hers. He stayed the same predictable and obnoxiously hot-headed echidna that I have come to know.