Chapter Text
Shadow strolled down the mall, shopping bags in each hand. It was currently the weekend. Him, Rouge, Amy, and Blaze were clothes shopping for the upcoming wedding. Vector and Vanilla’s wedding, to be precise.
It came off as no surprise when the couple announced their engagement after less than 2 years of dating. Anyone who’s anyone knows how much the crocodile had been pining after the older woman. (He had practically leapt for joy when the rabbit had finally accepted his advances.)
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Shopping.
Shadow is aware that it’s not an inherently manly activity… But he enjoys his time going to different shops and trying on new outfits with his (best) friends. And also, going out to different cafes for brunch, if they have the chance. The girls are good company.
“So… I was thinking that we could go to one final store before we head off for brunch! What do you guys think?” A cheery voice piped up from the group. It belonged to none other than Amy Rose. She looked back at the group in anticipation of their opinions, sporting a kind smile all the while.
Blaze and Rouge both replied positively to the proposition, leaving only him to answer. The group of girls turned to look at Shadow, expectantly awaiting his answer.
They were always so accommodating. Making sure to never push him (too much) outside of his comfort zone, always supporting him when needed. It was… nice. (And a bit unnerving, if you asked him. He still wasn't used to all of this.)
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
At his confirmation, the group followed Amy, who was happily skipping to their last store for the day. As he trailed closely behind, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye.
A clothing store, just like any other.
But as he slowly comes to a stop in front of the store’s display window, his breath gets caught in his throat.
Shadow stands face-to-face with the mannequin posing behind the display window. It had its left hand resting above its hips and the right over its thigh. It was sporting an off-shoulder white dress reaching the middle of its thighs, ruffles decorated the neckline and the sleeves of the dress with blue bows scattered across. In the middle was a gold brooch with an emerald center and diamonds and pearls dotting around the gold part. Its legs were clad in white fishnets, plush leg warmers with 2 round-shaped pompoms on each, and black mary jane platforms.
His reflection showing in the glass window made it seem as if he was the one wearing the outfit and not the mannequin. Shadow found that he didn't quite mind that. The dress looked… appealing to him. It was a bit short, sure– but it added to its appeal. Shadow couldn’t take his eyes off it. He wonders what it would feel like on him. The fabric looked to be really comfortable and-
Wait. Was he really imagining himself wearing that dress? What is wrong with him? Boys don’t wear dresses, and Shadow is pretty sure he’s a boy… Right? Before he could get lost further in his mind, a voice calls out to him.
“Shadow, are you coming?” He looked back in the direction the sound came from. Rouge, Amy, and Blaze were standing a few feet away from him, each gazing at him with a curious look on their faces. Shadow looked back at the display case once more, the dress just out of reach.
He sighs, “Yeah.” He turned around, making his way down the mall to the group of girls awaiting him so that they could finish their shopping trip in time for lunch, leaving behind the white and blue dress displayed in the window.
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Shadow sat on one of the chairs, patiently waiting for the girls to finish with their shopping before they headed for brunch. As he watched Amy drag Blaze to the dressing rooms to try on a dress, his mind couldn’t help but drift back to that display window…
Shadow couldn't even begin to figure out why his mind continued supplying him with images of that dress. (And, frankly, he’s not quite sure he wants to know.) Still stuck in his head, Shadow doesn’t notice the figure approaching him until he’s called out.
“Hey, hun. You doing alright?”
Rouge. His teammate and roommate, and arguably his pseudo-sister. (But that’s a topic for another day.)
“Peachy,” came the sardonic reply, in typical Shadow sense.
Rouge rolled her eyes fondly at her friend’s sarcastic response as she moved to sit down next to him. “I’m trying to be genuine here, edgelord.”
Her gaze softened, “But seriously, you’ve been a bit… off, ever since you stopped in front of that store. Are you sure you’re doing ok? You can talk to me, you know.”
Shadow’s heart clenched. He still wasn’t used to Rouge’s constant worrying. (Wasn’t used to having his feelings so... validated.)
“Yeah… I’m fine. I was just thinking, that’s all. Nothing to worry about it,” he replied, with much hesitance.
Rouge frowned; she wasn’t buying it one bit. Thankfully, she chose to drop it, but not before she took his hand in hers and gave it a firm squeeze. “Ok… But you know you can always talk to me, right?” He nodded.
She squeezed his hand again, harder this time, before letting go to watch Amy push Blaze out of the dressing room to show off their outfits.
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Shadow fell back into his bed with a thud as he sighed in relief. He was exhausted. They ended up spending way more time than planned at the store. Brunch had turned to lunch instead. Shadow rubbed his eyes with a groan, a kaleidoscope of colors appearing in his vision. He felt like he could sleep for about 50 years (Hah, what a jokester).
Shadow shifted into a fetal position, trying his best to get some shut-eye. G.U.N. had been whooping his ass with 5 missions back-to-back, he has a lot of sleeping to catch up on. Shadow really should’ve taken a nap before going to the mall with the girls… Oh well, what’s done is done, no use in complaining now.
He curled into himself more and snuggled into the bed, sleep slowly creeping upon him. Shadow’s rest, however, was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing, breaking the peaceful atmosphere in the room. A groan escapes Shadow as he gets up to answer his phone. (He swears, if it’s that irritating blue rat calling to bother him, the next time they’ll meet, Shadow will make sure to shove those idiotic bright red shoes up his-).
“Hello? Shadow?”
That was not Sonic’s voice.
All of his annoyance evaporated as he realized who the caller was: Vanilla The Rabbit. (She was a respectable woman and a great mother. Vanilla had been a great help in getting Shadow situated after the Black Arms invasion, her and Rouge.)
“Yes, hello, Miss Vanilla. How are you faring?”
“I am doing quite alright, Shadow. Thank you for asking, and you?”
“Fine,” came his curt reply.
Vanilla chucked at his blunt response, “That’s wonderful, dear.
A pause.
"I’m sorry to ask you this last minute, but I need a babysitter for Cream! I’m going shopping for my wedding dress tomorrow, and her usual sitter just cancelled, so I have no one to watch her then. Would you be so kind as to watch her for me? You’ll be compensated for your troubles, of course! But, I will not be upset if you wish to decline. I will understand.”
His answer was immediate, “Yes, I will watch Cream for you. And no need for any payment, I enjoy watching over her. She is a very sweet child.”
“Oh, how sweet of you!” came her joyous reply. “I will text you the time and date later. Thank you for asking such a last-minute request! Goodbye, Shadow. Take care.”
“Bye.”
Shadow hung up and fell back into bed with a sigh, letting his phone drop haphazardly on the bedsheets. Well, babysitting for an over-hyperactive 10-year-old hadn’t exactly been a part of his plans, but he couldn’t find himself complaining. Shadow truly enjoyed taking care of Cream, she was a lovely kid.
He turned unto his side, sighing once more. Curling into himself in an attempt to get more comfortable to finally get some much-needed rest. Shadow has had a long day and really just wants to sleep right now.
His wishes are soon answered as sleep quickly begins to overtake him. As Shadow drifts off to sleep, he hopes he experiences a dreamless slumber this time around.
(His prayers are left unheard because the Gods have it out for him, it seems. His dreams continue to be plagued by a lovely blue dress being tainted by a dreadful crimson.)