#shadowsfascination

"I see the signs of a lifetime" -- Don't Delete the Kisses -- Wolf Alice

HELLOOOOO! <3 I've been mulling over this question. Truthfully, I think that the advice I can/would give them is... the same I'd give most people, and the advice I'd give to a single person is pretty much the same as advice I'd give to a couple. As such, you can take these in any fashion: for one, for both, together, individually.

-Your partner should also be one of your best friends. Never forget this. That means beyond whatever romance or sexual attraction or anything else, the love that you have for them should run deeper still. This is your comrade in arms, your confidant, and you are theirs. No matter what happens, always remember this.

-The gentleness you grant to others can, and should, be granted to yourself, either by you or by others.

-Take the time to check in, both with yourself and with your partner. Make sure you're working together rather than against. Make sure you're there to support. Make sure you are present for both rest and play.

-There's a difference between hearing someone and listening to them. Make sure you do more of the latter than the former.

-There is always something to learn; about yourself, about each other, about the world around you. Always make a point to learn.

-When in doubt, speak. If you can't speak, act. If you can't do that either, wait. It's not a crime to gather your thoughts. (Also doesn't hurt to write what you're trying to get across down in a letter.)

-Being direct is not a crime. Ask your questions. State your thoughts and feelings. Let others feel comfortable enough with you to do the same. Your relationships, and your life in general, will be significantly better for it.

-Make sure you keep up with your relationships outside of your partnership. Call your friends and family, make a point to see them, stay involved. Too often, people get absorbed into their own world of two (or more), and that's not healthy.

-Actions will always speak louder than words... but words are very, very good, too. Make sure you try and verbalize your love and appreciation when you are able.

-If you think people are lying to you, for whatever reason, take a moment and ask yourself, 'What do they have to gain for lying?' If you can't come up with any answer, then you have to trust that they're most likely not lying.

-Your friends and loved ones are not 'putting up with you.' They care about you, even if or when you do not care about yourself. Do not be so cruel to yourself as to doubt them, and do not be so cruel to them in your second guessing of their character.

-You're not a monster. There are no such things as monsters. There are just people, and last I checked, you're a person. That gives you the beautiful capacity to grow and change. Grant yourself, and others, that chance. (And when pressed, if you find yourself in a position where you thoroughly thrash someone's ass for not taking that chance that you have gave them, you're still not a monster.)

-You have every right to love and every right to hate. You are allowed to feel both things. They're largely two sides of the same coin. What you must be aware of is how you let those emotions fuel your actions. Make sure those actions leave the world and those around you better than you found them.

Tbh, I don’t really have many stories where they fight. I’m allergic to confrontation even off the grid, let alone on my silly escapist blog!

That said...

When you have two characters as stubborn as Shadow and Amy, they’re bound to butt heads eventually. Shadow in particular isn’t exactly the easiest person to get along with, so it says a lot that these two have never argued once in the games, even with how infrequently they interact. Archie has a few borderline cases, but they’re either played for laughs...

...or Amy easily gets through to him:

As steadfast as Shadow is, Amy has always been able to get through to him in a way no one else can. She’s uniquely suited to resolving conflicts with Shadow. With her unwavering faith in him, Amy would never doubt that they’d resolve their differences, no matter how long it took. Between that and her boundless compassion and empathy, I think she’d usually be the first to apologize and try to reach an understanding. There are definitely times when she’d put her foot down, though, and that’s a good thing. Amy Rose refuses to be pushed aside and ignored. He needs someone who’ll stand up to him like that. It’s how he learns. In return, Shadow deeply treasures the few people he’s close to, and I think he’d be reluctant, even afraid, to lose her. After their tempers cooled, he’d remember just how important she’s always been to him and meet her halfway as best he can. She’d mean far too much to him to risk losing her.

As for what they’d fight about, I do have a headcanon about Shadow disrespecting Amy’s tarot cards and divination. Shadow has never been disrespectful toward women or feminine things in general, but the “silliness” of tarot cards might be where his sympathy ends. Of course, his mind could change once it’s clear that her magical abilities really do work, but I think he should learn to accept her habits and beliefs even before he knows that. It’d be more meaningful that way, and he’d grow as a person by being more open-minded about it. On top of that, his own abilities are basically magic themselves, so he might be one of the first to take her skills seriously once he figures that out.

For Amy’s part, I bet one of the reasons Shadow keeps his distance from her canonically is her open fondness for Sonic. Hearing someone constantly sing your rival’s praises probably wouldn’t be too much fun. I could see him eventually snapping at her over it. In fact, he might be the only one blunt and brave enough to truly confront her. Cream has tried, but she’s too polite to see it through:

Amy would get defensive at first, but once she backed off and thought about it, I imagine she’d see his point. She could shift her focus to other things; she and Shadow have plenty to talk about and a lot to learn from one another. Of course, she’d mention Sonic less if she got over him, but I think it’d be more impactful if she slowed down the Sonic talk even before that. It would allow her more room to focus on other people...and other possibilities.

Confidence? Dedication? Passion rivaling her own? Poetry about being “built in the name of love?” How could Amy not fall for him? Shadow usually falls first in Shadamy fics--including mine--but maybe it’s time for that to change.

Hi! I'm glad you've stuck around through my many many fandom changes XD Thank you very much! It's lovely to hear I'm doing something good that entertains people ;w;

Have a nice day as well!

Anybody been wondering where Shadow and Amy were during the Chaotix Casefiles? No? Just me? The writers can leave them out, but it'll feed the shippers anyway🥰

Happy holidays <3