#askrouge

Rouge: Amy's on it. [She lounges on the couch, ears turned to hear the sound of running water and clattering cabinets down the hall. Amy's fast-paced chatter is muffled as she fusses over Shadow.] Rouge: I just can't get over it. That look on Shadow's face? When they got back and saw Amy was here? (¬‿¬ ) I have never seen Shadow look so stunned in their life(≧▽≦)

Rouge: What now (ー_ー)? Amy: Like- I know you don't know when they're finally done, but when they are done with whatever GUN is having them do, how do they get home? And when? I mean, how long does it take for them to get back? [Rouge waves a hand, face twisting as she estimates.] Rouge: Eh, depends on if there's paperwork after, or a debriefing. Sometimes it can take up to a week after the actual job is done to- [There's a flash in the kitchen. Both women immediately turn to find Shadow standing there, swaying on their feet. They look worn down- dirty, tired. Amy gasps, and Shadow's attention immediately snaps to her.] Shadow:Σ(O_O) Amy: (O.O)! Oh... [Shadow looks between Rouge and Amy, bewilderment and surprise now smeared over their exhausted face.] Rouge: Ha (⌒▽⌒)☆ So fun fact, we were just talking about you! [Amy rushes forward, snatching Shadow up in a hug so tight it's possible to hear their back crack over the sound of their breath being forced from their lungs. After a beat, Shadow holds her tightly in return.] Rouge: Ah... [Rouge purses her lips as she looks away. Her hand taps lightly atop her heart as she nods to herself.]

Amy: ...You said you were worried about us. Why? [Rouge rolls her eyes, waving a hand.] Rouge: I mean, I told you already. GUN is going to be all over this when they find out. And it is a matter of when, not if, even though I know Shadow thinks they can keep you separate from all that. Amy: ლ(¯ロ¯ლ)? But why would GUN even care? Rouge: They're not too keen on any of us having any thought in our little heads unless it relates to work. Amy: That makes no sense. I've met GUN member's families. Even Commander Towers has a wife and kids. Rouge: Grandkids. Amy: Right! So why does it matter? Rouge: ◔_◔ Let me try again: They're not too keen on us having a separate life from GUN. Amy: But- but wait a minute, what about you and Knuckles? Rouge: Sugar, with the way I am, nobody takes my flirting seriously even if I mean it. It's expected at this point. Amy: ...Rouge, that's wrong. [Rouge shrugs.] Rouge: That's the way it is though. Amy: But it's wrong. Rouge: Okay then, pinky, (≖ᴗ≖╬) what are you going to do about it? [Amy's lips are pursed in a hard line, brow furrowed.] Amy: I-... I don't know. [Rouge's face twists in bitter smugness.] Rouge: Yeah, neither do we.

[Rouge sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as Amy seems to try and vanish into the couch.] Rouge:... Why are you so embarrassed? (¬‿¬) Amy: I'm not! Rouge: Well, you're acting like it. Amy: (ﾒ`ﾛ´) Well, I'm not. [Rouge cocks an eyebrow. Amy looks away.] Amy: I'm- honestly, I'm probably the happiest I've been in a long time. Not that I wasn't happy before! Please don't think that! And even though I'm also super nervous about everything, this... still makes me really happy. Rouge: Well, good! I hope it would! Amy: You're not upset? Rouge: Why would I be? Amy: I was kinda worried... you'd think the worst. Rouge: What, that this was a rebound? You don't get Sonic, so you go for 'Sonic 2.0'? [Amy flinches. There's a pause.] Rouge: ...No, sugar, I don't think that in the least. As concerned as I am for the two of you, I am happy for you. Amy: Really? Rouge: Yes. Amy: ...Rouge? Rouge: Yeah? Amy: How long did I keep Shadow waiting? Rouge: ◔_◔ Years. Amy: Oh... I was afraid I was right about that, and here we are. [Rouge shrugs.] Rouge: Couldn't be helped. Trust me, I tried. [Amy lets her face fall into her hands with a groan.]

[Rouge browses a catalog she stole from the apartments down the way, licking her fingers as she turns a page. The peace is broken with a burst of knocking at the door.] Rouge: It's open, Amy. [Amy throws the door open, the force of which bouncing it off of the wall and slamming it behind her as she rushes into the livingroom where Rouge sits.] Amy: (ºДº;) Rouge-! Rouge: Can a girl get a hello at least? Come on... Amy: Rouge, you haven't told anyone, have you? Rouge: The Amy Rose, trying to have a secret love live? What world am I living in again? Amy: This is important! Rouge: Is it? [Amy stomps her foot.] Amy: Shadow and I didn't get a chance to talk before they left! I don't know what- ! Rouge: Relax. I haven't said a word to anyone. Amy: Anybody. You promise? [Rouge shrugs.] Rouge: Outside of Omega, who saw you, no. [Rouge twists, leaning back over the couch as she looks down the hall.] Rouge: Hey, Omega? Have you told anyone about Shadow and Amy? [There's a low, negative tone, then the zing of a Hot Wheels car racing along a plastic track. Rouge sighs as she turns back to Amy.] Rouge: There you have it. All lips sealed. [Amy puts a hand to her forehead, taking a shaky breath as she sits down on the nearest chair. Rouge smirks.] Rouge: You act like we don't know what we're doing, sugar. Come on now. Like I'd purposefully try to stir up trouble. Frankly, it's a little insulting you'd think so lowly of me. Amy: (눈_눈) You love causing trouble, don't even pretend. Rouge: Not with GUN I don't, and I think you're gut want to keep this quiet is smart. Last thing you and Shadow need is them poking around and asking questions, like, 'what percentage of their kids might have chaos powers,' or some other stupid thing. [Amy flushes deeply, covering her face with her hands. Rouge's smirk turns into a grin.] Rouge: Don't tell me you haven't thought about it? Buncha cute little black and pink urchins~? ☆ ～(^▽✧人) [Amy scrubs her face with a groan, shaking her head. Rouge laughs.

[Rouge is sitting at the kitchen table sipping a coffee and reading the news on her phone when there's a notification ping for an incoming email. There is no sender listed. The subject line only reads, 'Forwarded for Shadow'. Rouge blinks, then opens the email.] Rouge: ... Well huh. Guess this is what we're doing now. [There's a pause, and then a scheming grin spreads across her face. Rouge takes another sip of her coffee.] Rouge: Wonder what weird fanmail the Ultimate Edgelord has been receiving... this'll be fun. (✧ω✧)

[Rouge is grinning from ear to ear.] Rouge: Oh (✧ω✧) Looks like she did.

Rouge: Thanks, sugar. (✧▽^人) You just saved me from a world-class headache. [She sighs, settling into the plush couch that sits in the living room of Team Dark's apartment.] Rouge: And I'll be honest- looking after Shadow and Omega- it's not as tough as it use to be, thank goodness. Nowadays, it's less 'looking after' and really just being the middle man between them and GUN. Someone has to report that they haven't caused any trouble. It's nice just to be doing that nowadays rather than actually trying to keep them from wreaking havoc. Amazing how time changes things.