*Sonic's POV*
"Everything okay?" I asked him, I was trying my best not to get him mad anymore. He had made it clear to me that he was tired of me, that he didn't need me around, so I was doing hin the favor by staying away.

It's what he wanted, wasn't it? So then why was he stopping me now?

Part of me expected Shadow to realize his feelings towards me were real, but let's be honest, I will never have the Shadow that was influenced by that potion ever again. That wasn't him, and I wouldn't want a relationship with someone who was forced to love me either way.

Shadow kept holding my wrist and dragged me away from the others. He didn't let go until we were alone. He looked like whatever he needed to say was important, like something was bothering him.

"The potion did wear off, right?" I decided to ask only to get glared at. I raised my hands in a defensive manner and took a step away. "I was just asking. You're acting strange."

"Are you avoiding me, Hedgehog?" He finally asked, and I nodded without even thinking twice about it. "Why?"

"You said you were tired of me, Shadow. So, I am doing you a favor and taking myself out of the picture. You'll only see me when Eggman attacks." I said calmly. This actually really hurt.

I had realized that I liked Shadow, I hoped that maybe he would figure out he liked me too, but even if he did, I wasn't sure I would give him a chance. How could I be sure it would be real and not forced now? How could I be sure what the lady said was true?

And even if I liked him, and I would want to give it a try, I don't like the way he treats me. If he liked me, he wouldn't treat me like dirt.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" I asked when I noticed he didn't say anything. He crossed his arms and looked away but nodded.

"Yes." He nodded again. "That's what I want." He rolled his eyes. His voice sounded hesitant, so I knew he didn't really mean it. But I didn't say anything about it either.

"Okay then. There are no problems then." I clapped my hands together and then turned around. "I'll see you later, Shadow." I dashed off, leaving Shadow alone.

Maybe he was finding out he actually did want me around. Maybe he is finding out he liked me back. I wasn't going to intervene, I wasn't going to see him anymore than when we are fighting Eggman or if he came looking for me. Shadow needs to figure this out on his own, I can't do anything about it.

*Shadow's POV*
Another week passed before I saw him again, and he didn't even look my way. Every day, I second guessed myself whether the potion had worn off or not. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't stop thinking of when it would be the next time I would see him.

Or what if his brother actually took him out to meet someone. What if he was dating someone else now? What if he was hurt?

If the potion wore off, then I knew what this meant, but I didn't want to accept it. I didn't want to believe it.

But I can't get him out of my head. I can't stop worrying about him or wanting to go see him.

How could I be sure if this wasn't the potion acting up? How could I know what I was feeling was real or not? My mind was all over the place, and I couldn't even talk to Rouge about it. She would have too much fun with this. I needed a break, so I got the week off and decided to stay home.

It didn't take long before Rouge showed up at my door. Day one of my break, and I knew she'd come and ask why as soon as she heard.

"Talk." She demanded as soon as she walked in. I hadn't even opened the door. She just decided to break in. At this point, I stopped caring, not like I could stop her anyway.

"No." I rolled my eyes as I stayed sitting down on the couch looking at my book and flipped the page.

Rouge walked towards me, stomping her feet out of anger and grabbed my book, then slammed it closed. I think the fact that she made me lose my page angered me more than her breaking into my house.

"Talk. You've NEVER asked for days off before. You would rather be stuck at work doing something than being home doing nothing, so talk. Now." She demanded again, grabbed my book, and placed it on the coffee table. "I am not leaving until you do."

Did I have a choice?

I looked up at Rouge, who was waiting. She was tapping her foot on the ground and had her arms crossed. Her brows furrowed, looking at me with anger and concern.

No. I didn't have a choice.

"I am not sure if the potion ever wore off." I sighed and looked away.

"What?" She seemed to calm down. She sat beside me and looked my way. "You still feel the same way? Are you sure you -" I interrupted her.

"I need you to be serious on whatever the hell you're going to say. I don't need any jokes right now." I growled and looked at her. She raised her hands and nodded.

"I was just going to ask you if you are sure it isn't your real feelings?" She asked. "You know it's okay to like or love someone, Shadow. I don't know why you always saw it as a wrong thing to do."

"It's a weakness. You became weaker when you started dating the echidna, distracted." I crossed my arms.

"We aren't dating yet, and I am not weak. In fact, I feel like I am stronger because of him. I don't get distracted, I just don't think about the job all the time now like I used to. It's not a bad thing." She smiled. "How have you been feeling?"

"I can't stop thinking about him. Just like when I was under the effects of the potion. He's constantly in my mind. His brother said he was going to take him out to try and find someone for him, and it's just all I can think about now." I rolled my eyes. "It's stupid."

"Well, I can see why this is a problem. You don't know what the potion is capable of or how it works. All we knew was it would last 5 days and would force you to love the one who gave it to you." Rouge hummed. I interrupted before she could continue.

"Well." I looked at my hands. "Faker told me that apparently the potion only enhances those feelings. If they didn't exist, then the potion wouldn't have worked." I cleared my throat. "But I don't -"

"Shadow, did you like Sonic before the potion was given to you?"