Today, Amy was going to meet with Omega to plan out Rouge's and Knuckles' wedding.

Knuckles didn't trust Sonic nor Tails to be responsible enough, so he asked Amy if she could do him the honor, she gladly accepted. As for Rouge's side, she had told Amy that Omega offered to accompany her on her behalf. Rouge was already busy enough with her job that she could barely be on time to try on her wedding dress.

And so, Rouge decided to trust everything on her pink friend and robotic friend as well. She knew that she will be happy with whatever they will pick.

Amy looked around, she was waiting outside the bakery shop, and it was already past 15 minutes from the time she was supposed to meet Omega. It was strange, because knowing the robot, he took punctuality as a priority on everything.

"Tsk"

Oh no.

Hell no.

Amy just cursed Chaos mentally. She just knew who it was by that simple remark. By that damn 'Tsk' of disapproval, she turned around and fakely smiled.

"Hey, Shadow! I didn't expect to see you here! Where's Omega?", Amy asked as she looked around frantically. She wanted anyone but him, she preferred to be alone even.

Just not him.

"He is not coming, he tried downloading a video game for free into his system and he successfully did it. However, the program came with multiple viruses. In other words, he is sick, he is with Tails right now for a check-up," Shadow looked irritated enough, he looked like he didn't get enough sleep. His jacket was all wrinkled, his rocket shoes were dirty and his motorcycle looked like it needed to be washed as well.

This was strange enough, Amy always took Shadow as one that took care of himself and the ones he loved. And by the "ones he loves," she meant, his rocket shoes and his motorcycle.

"So, you are here in his instead?"

"Yes."

"I didn't take you as one to care for wedding-planning," Amy smiled awkwardly not knowing where to head the conversation.

"I don't I was forced into this,"

"Forced?"

"Rouge asked me to multiple times, I couldn't say no. She also promised me my favorite coffee beans for an entire month, so here I am,"

"He is doing this because Rouged asked him to?"

"That's...kinda sweet,"

"No, I am just here for the coffee beans, anyways let's start already, I want to go home as soon as possible," Shadow said as he entered the bakery shop and Amy followed him.

The sound of small bells rang as the couple entered, a middle-age fox woman. She was behind the counter and smiled teasingly.

"I can smell it from a far...you are looking for a wedding cake, am I right?" The woman smiled, as Amy and Shadow approached her.

"Yes, actually, we are looking for a two-tiered cake-"

"No, three is better", Shadow interrupted her, but she let it go.

"Alright, three. Red velvet-"

"Rouge doesn't like red velvet, an unbaked flourless cake or a chiffon cake is better,"

"Well, Shadow I beg to differ but Knuckles favorite is red velvet and-"

"Who cares about that echidna?"

"HE IS THE GROOM!"

With that, an argument began.

This is why Amy didn't want to be with Shadow, he didn't listen to anyone's opinion. He wanted everything to be his way.  Amy had to beg him to compromise at the end, however.

"Alright then," The red fox woman sighed, tired as well to have to listen to them screaming at their faces, "It will be a three-tiered, red velvet cake."

"Yes,"

"Tragically, correct."

"Very well then, we will start making the preparations."

With that, Shadow and Amy thanked the lady and left her shop.

Next was food tasting and oh Chaos, it was horrible.

The chef presented three of his most popular plates, one was salmon which Amy loved and approved. However, Shadow preferred for the soup to be the main entry.

"Shadow, soup can't be the main entry!"

"This is Rouge's favorite and if it is her wedding, then she might as well have it,"

"But the soup size is too small! It won't satisfy the guests!"

"WELL, THEY MIGHT AS WELL START A DIET!"

After throwing food at each other, and getting banned for life at the restaurant by the chef, Amy and Shadow decided to go to their last destination for the day.

Invitations.

"Oh, what a lovely couple, so you two are getting married?", The lady who designed the invitations asked.

"HELL NO!"

They both said in unison.

"Oh, my apologies." The lady said. "So, how may I help you?"

"We just came up pick up a friend's invitation," Amy said already tired.  "It's under Rouge the Bat and Knuckles the Echidna."

"Alright, I'll look it up." With that, the lady went into her office.

Amy waited and looked at Shadow who was quiet, enough strange for him already.

Shadow was always in a bad mood, however, this was different. It was like Shadow wanted to be here only because Rouge asked him to be here. Not because he wanted to support Rouge on her wedding in any sense.

But once again, if he didn't care, he would just agree to everything Amy said right?

He was a strange one.

"Here are the invitations! Ready to go, for Rouge the Bat and Knuckles the-"

SLAM!

Amy turned her head to find out that Shadow almost broke the entrance door.

Enough was enough.

Amy thanked the lady and left to chase after Shadow.

She saw him walking angrily a few meters away and as soon as he got a hold of him, she said:

"Alright Shadow, just spit it!"

Amy grabbed him by his arm, tired that Shadow wouldn't open up.

"What?"

"You know what I mean!" Amy looked straight at his eyes. "You love Rouge! And you hate that she's marrying Knuckles."

"...Is it that obvious?" Shadow sighed, admitting defeat.

"You do things that you don't want to do because Rouge asked you to. You do everything thinking on Rouge and every time I mention Knuckles you will angry. Yes, I'll say you are very obvious."

Shadow stood quiet, his anger began to increase as he saw Amy holding the invitations on her left hand.

"Look, I don't want to intrude, but its either yo man up and tell her how you feel or just stay quiet and let everyone else do their job and enjoy the wedding."

"That's easy for you to say, you follow Sonic since I can recall."

"Stop it right there! I actually have the guts to tell people how I feel! And my love life has nothing to do with this! All I am asking is to not ruin the party for everyone just because you decide to act like a high schooler!"

"WELL, I AM SORRY I CAN'T EXPRESS MY FEELINGS THE WAY I WANT TO!  BELIEVE ME, I DON'T WANT TO FEEL THIS WAY EITHER! AND YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE EVERY TIME I DO, THEY TO LEAVE ME!"

Shadow snapped at Amy, she wasn't afraid. She had to admit that Shadow was right too. Amy had forgotten about the past trauma that Shadow had been through.  Although Shadow had made great progress through the years, love was something difficult that even for her it was hard to understand.

"You are right, I am sorry. It's been a long day, I should get going home."

Shadow was baffled. No more screaming? No more fighting? Just that?

"Is that it?"

"What? Do you want cookies or something?" Amy asked sarcastically.

"Well may a touching speech on love or something like that to high up my spirts?"

"Look, Shadow, "Amy sighed, she didn't want to be rude, but she also didn't want to give him hopes. "You are very arrogant, you are always in a bad mood, have a bad temper and-"

"I DON'T HAVE A BAD TEMPER!"

Amy looked at him with  a 'really?' look. She was done for and wanted to go home. She smelled bad from all the food Shadow had thrown at her,  she turned around ready to walk away.

"DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON ME!", Shadow screamed at her and she reached her maximum point.

"YOU KNOW WHAT SHADOW? THIS IS EXACTLY WHY ROUGE OR NO ONE WILL EVER LOOK AT YOU TWICE! YOU DON'T TAKE OPINIONS FROM ANYONE, AND IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HELP YOU, YOU PUSH THEM AWAY! YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY NO ONE EVER INVITES YOU TO PARTIES? BECAUSE YOU ARE SO INTOLERABLE AND-"

Amy stopped herself as she realized how heavy and painful her words were. She saw Shadow's reactions, his face had completely changed, sadness, disappointment, and pain.

It was definitely something she never wanted to see again.

"And even with that..." Amy sighed, "I...um...I used to...like you."

"Wait, you what?"

"I USED TO LIKE YOU ALRIGHT? I HAD THE BIGGEST CRUSH ON YOU!"

Now, that was a lie.

Amy never had such feelings for Shadow, but if there was any way she could make Shadow feel better, then she will do it. And if lying about her feelings would make him feel better, then so be it.

Shadow stood quiet for a moment. "...Of course, you would like me!  I am amazing! But why did you stop?"

"Um..cause, um" Amy stutter for a bit, "Cause I knew you were in love with Rouge! That's why I had to step aside!"

Such lies, Amy couldn't believe that she was saying such things. Lying wasn't her thing and honestly, she thought Shadow could read her better.

"Well, your standards decrease. Sonic? Really?"

"Shut up before I make you cry."

"Fine, whatever," Shadow said back to his usual self. "Not like I care for how you feel."

Amy saw something different in Shadow now. He was walking more carefully next to her, his manners had changed.

Oh, hell no.

"Well, anyway, that was a very long time ago. It doesn't matter now." Amy said as she walked away.

"Wait, why don't we make a deal?", Shadow inquired.

"A deal?"

"You like Sonic and I like Rouge...You help me to tell Rouge how I feel and I help you get Sonic." Shadow said as he stopped Amy midway.

"No, I don't think that's a good idea.", Amy replied.

"Look, I don't want to stop their wedding or anything like that, I just want to say what I feel to Rouge. I feel like if I do this, I can move on."

"Can't you just do that after the wedding?"

"No, what if Rouge realizes she likes me as well after I tell her?"

"Shadow, love doesn't work like that-"

"Amy, please!"

Suddenly, Shadow held Amy's hand. She never thought to see Shadow like this. She never expected Shadow to say 'please' on the least. He meant serious business. Amy moved her eyesight, she looked at the ground, embarrassed.   Her heartbeat increased, she didn't want to admit it, but having Shadow up closed made her realize that he was

indeed an attractive hedgehog.

"Well, what about me? How are you going to help me get Sonic?", Amy asked as she moved her hands away from him.

"Easy, jealousy...let's pretend to be together and I am sure Sonic will go your way, that's if he actually likes you."

"What do you mean? Sonic likes me! He is just too shy!"

"If you are so sure, then what you are so afraid of?"

Amy must be going crazy. She was actually thinking on doing this. Shadow must have gotten into her head. How couldn't he? That smirk, his perfect body figure, his eyes-

Amy shook her head once more.

"Uh, fine! But I will blame everything on you if this turns out bad!"

"Yeah whatever you say pink brat"

"And you still need to help me do all of wedding-planning!", Amy demanded, getting the courage to look at Shadow on the eyes once again.

Shadow had to admit, that the pink wasn't that bad. She was funny when was angry and even cute when she would get embarrassed. Even if he was in a bad moon, she still put on her best face and Shadow appreciated that. He really was enjoying her company.

Shadow smirked, showing his white fangs to Amy, who was once again lost in Shadow's eyes.

"Very well, Miss Rose, the deal is seal. Till death do us apart."

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