The holiday season had turned Station Square’s shopping district into a sparkling winter wonderland. Strings of twinkling lights hung between buildings, wreaths adorned storefronts, and the faint hum of cheerful carols filled the chilly air. You were in your element, weaving through bustling crowds and browsing the endless array of holiday wares. Shadow, on the other hand, seemed less interested in the festive atmosphere. His focus had been singular ever since you both arrived: finding peppermint-flavored coffee beans. After securing a bag, he walked silently beside you, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the season.

You were busy admiring a display of holiday jewelry when you noticed Shadow had stopped walking. Turning back, you saw his crimson gaze fixed on a small pair of blue-heeled shoes displayed in a boutique window. The delicate footwear sparkled faintly under the display lights, looking entirely out of place compared to the brooding hedgehog studying them.

Shadow pointed at them, his voice as flat and serious as ever. “Rouge, I want those.”

You blinked, unsure if you had heard him correctly. “Wait, what?” you asked, stepping closer to get a better look at the shoes. They were dainty, elegant, and utterly un-Shadow-like. “Darling what on earth would you even do with those?”

He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze lingering on the shoes as if they held some hidden meaning only he could understand. For a fleeting moment, you caught a flicker of something unusual in his eyes—a hint of melancholy buried beneath his stoic exterior.

“They remind me of someone,” he said finally, his tone quieter, almost introspective.

That threw you off even more. Shadow wasn’t exactly known for sharing personal details, let alone moments of sentimentality. Hedidn't offer further explanation. His hand dropped to his side, clenched slightly as though grappling with a memory. It hit you then—these weren’t just random shoes to him. They must have reminded him of her, Maria.