Be Subtle

As Shadow made his way to Rouge’s Nightclub, he debated on if he should even tell her. Rouge and he are still pretty close friends and this, this would change a lot. However, she had a right to know, the pain of not knowing about your own past was a pain he would never inflict on even his worst enemies.

Shadow walked in never really having a chance to take in the atmosphere of this place. He’s been here multiple times of course but usually it was just at her main office or her living quarters, this was a far different beast. The music was like a bizarre hybrid of Jazz and Techno, the DJ was going wild, and the guests were dressed to just relax. He saw the colors everywhere, lots of white, pink, and black, (Matching Rouge’s signature outfit in color tone). Little small plastic white bats were used as decorations, each with a pink heart in it’s center. While this was not his thing, at all, he finally saw the hard work Rouge put in, and why she keeps it on the down low.

“Well, hell froze over and no one told me,” stating the sultry voice that Shadow was starting to notice was kinda sexy, to him. He turned as he saw the white bat who had his back through all of his highest of highs and lowest of lows. Getting a cheeky grin she said “Shadow The Hedgehog in my nightclub? And he doesn’t have mission documents or came in through the hidden entrance. So you can be something other than a grump.” Which caused Shadow to frown a little a Rouge playfully said “Yeah, like that.”

“You know what, I never get you down here!” Rouge said excitedly “I’ll find us a really good chair in the vip room.” As she wandered to find her and Shadow a good spot Shadow looked at her walking away noticing things he never noticed before.

Her beauty was radiating and she had no trouble flaunting it to the world. Every inch of her outfit snug to her curves, in such a way that it left little to the imagination but also would also drive mobian's crazy, especially the men. Shadow could see the gazes she got as she went to the VIP room. The desire, the lust, the craving, all of them locked on to the beautiful bat in front of them. Shadow had to admit to himself that lately he's felt this desire once or twice next to her but it wasn't just her beauty, it was her skill and intelligence as well. Her tactical mind, her powerful kicks, her ingenuity, there was times, even though he'd never admit it to her, that she's saved Team Dark's lives. Lord know she's already saved Shadow's life by releasing him from that pod.

As Shadow made his way up, he took a chance to look at the VIP room, the mobians there were reeking of affluence. Rouge looked at Shadow and motioned for him to follow her as Shadow kept doing so, Rouge and him sitting in a corner of the room. Rouge said "Figured you'd want to get away from the people with more money than brains," letting out a haughty and cute chuckle. Rouge looked at him and asked "So, what's up? I know you're not here to dance or boogie or hang with the super loose women who will drop their pants for them so they can get a sugar daddy," before letting out a groan "Please tell me we don't have a mission"

"Does this look like your office," Shadow pointed out sarcastically as Rouge got a little laugh out of that, which Shadow found cute. "There's just something I've been thinking about lately, and I have to tell you something," which got a curious look from Rouge, Shadow could practically read his confused as hell friend's mind. There was a deep breath "We've been friends," which caused Rouge to blink, Shadow never admitted that, which Shadow saw got her full undivided attention "And I just wanted to say. Some people see you as a sex object, a low down thief, or a harlot, but I know they're wrong," Shadow took a deep breath as he looked at her saying "Even if the world betrays you, just know I will always be by your side" He ended with a soft and quiet "Remember that"

Rouge was noticeably red at first, before she held her head, Shadow in concern, as Rouge paused a bit, Shadow went to say something out of concern as Rouge responded with a simple "I will," she was paused and whispered "I remember now, the beach the fights with Mephiles, Solaris, you Sonic and Silver saving us all, I remember everything." Rouge grew redder when she remembered saying those exact words to Shadow. She whispered "How?" in a confused question "How, how did you remember this?"

Shadow said "I just recently found it out myself," Shadow clarified with her as Rouge held his hand quietly. "I'm okay..."
Rouge responded with a low "I know you're okay Shadow" She repeating the worry she had after she after the black arm's demise."

Shadow let out a heavy sigh as Rouge put a finger on her lips under it for a second .She guided him to a private room. Shadow locked at her and slowly followed. Rouge sat down herself in the office chair and sat down as Shadow took a seat across from her. Rouge said "Back then, I was to shy to tell you what I was really feeling," which caused Shadow's turn to blinked in shock. She was totally serious "But I knew it had to be said." He could tell she was completely serious. Shadow took a deep breath and decided what to do next.