"I'm just about as lost as you are, Metal," Belle told me as she examined Carillon Rose. In the main lab, Belle assisted me in properly deconstructing Carillon Rose; she too was confused by the strange wiring. "It's... I mean, it's possible some of these wires are just... fake?"



"Fake?" I repeated. "Why do you think that?"



"Look at where this wire goes," Belle said as she pointed out one of the wires in Carillon Rose's head. Both of us had to press our heads together to examine it. "It looks like it's connected to something at first, but... it just ends up connecting to a different wire, and that wire is just connected to another wire... And so on. I can't find the end of it. I'd be surprised if they do anything."



"Mm... I made a similar conclusion, but I didn't think they were fake. But that leads me to the question: Why? What would the purpose for an enigmatic construction be? I wouldn't just do this without a purpose."



Belle shrugged as we both stood up straight. "I'm not sure. But at least the materials used are recognizable... If you need anything this lab doesn't have, I'm happy to deliver it to you."



I nodded. "That would be helpful. I'll construct a list of materials before you leave." Gathering components on my own without rousing suspicion would be difficult. "I at least figured out how to disconnect her CPUs." I showed Belle over to a long table with various tools, which was where I worked on repairing Carillon Rose's individual parts in my spare time. I was extremely careful since I didn't fully understand the structure. Anything that I thought was burnt or ruined I still kept around in case it was essential. While her CPUs might have been damaged, the damage itself was fixable.



"Wow, she's quite a piece of work," Belle said with wide eyes.



"When I finish repairing the CPUs, I might put her in my old body to see if she can properly communicate." I gestured over to my old body sitting against the far wall; Nova was asleep on its lap. I did not actually invite Nova to the lab, but they didn't touch anything else, so I allowed their presence.



"Yeah, that's a good plan. You said you couldn't even access any of her files?" Belle raised a brow at me.



"Nothing except her name. I couldn't feed her any data, either. Maybe it's possible when she's repaired."



Belle crossed her arms and gave a nod. "I'd do that, too..." She sighed, taking a moment to look at the front of Carillon Rose. "Wow, she's so pretty... Is this what a certain someone looks like to you?"



I squinted at her. "No." Amy was prettier.



"Oh, that certain someone is prettier, right?" Belle teased. She read my mind. I did not like that. She did not have access to my thoughts in the moment.



"I'm making the list," I grumbled, walking off to grab a notepad for her. Paranoia got the best of me and I didn't want to send Belle anything potentially compromising with our connection. Writing them down was easier and simpler. "You are trying to circumvent the pinky promise by not mentioning Ros- Amy Rose. Don't think I didn't notice." I began writing down a list of materials I knew I would need to fix Carillon Rose.



"Aw, it's just a simple question!" she pouted. "Can we rework the pinky promise? She's my friend! I want to be able to talk about her!"



I thought for a moment. "We can talk about her but not in relation to my feelings."



"Deal! Anyways... you look even better than before, and you already looked great. I'm glad your new circumstances have treated you well," she said cheerfully.



"I acknowledge your words," I said as I finished writing down what I wanted. I ripped the top of the paper from the notepad and handed it to her. "Now you have a list."



Belle read through the list with her head tilted. "... I can do this! Thank you." She glanced at Carillon Rose again. "... What do you think she'll be like when she's fixed?"



"Amicable," I replied.



"You think so?"



"I wouldn't design anything nefarious with Amy Rose's likeness. Not me as I am now, anyway. An evil Amy doesn't make sense," I scoffed. That was why all the other Metal models my Master created were garbage. There would have never been one as excellent as me.



Belle put her hands on her hips and raised a brow at me again. "Right, Metal Sonic."



I rolled my eyes. "I make sense. Sonic is a self-righteous little worm. Someone needs to throw it back at him. Amy isn't insufferable like he is."



Belle giggled at me and I did not find her very amusing.



"What?" I sneered.



She livened into laughter. "I think you have a little bit of a bias going..."



"I do not." I dismissed her with my hand. "Maybe you have a bias for the Hedgehog. You hang around him far more than you do with me, the one you claim as your sibling."



"There's a reason I'm around Sonic more," Belle said, rolling her eyes in return. "Do you want to spend more time together, though? We can!"



"I don't... care. Whatever you want." I crossed my arms.



She gasped and clung to me. "Really? I'll visit you more often!"



"I'll... Consider it. Maybe." I sent her three door codes with our internal messaging: the entrance, the elevator, and the main lab. Belle's eyes flashed red as she accessed the message. I continued: "Message me before you arrive if I'm there. Do not alter Carillon Rose without me."



"No problem at all, Metal. Thank you!" She hooked her arm around mine and happily watched me. I gave her a few seconds before I broke her hold.



I checked the current time... I needed to begin preparing dinner. "You need to leave now."



"Already?" Belle's posture deflated a little. "I still want to look at Carillon Rose... I wasn't done examining her."



"You can do it when you bring the materials later." I took her by the shoulders and urged her to the lab exit. "Goodbye."



"Hey, what's the rush? Are you expecting someone else?"



"Bye."



"That's a yes," Belle mumbled. "Okay, okay!" She shrugged my hands off of her shoulders and walked on her own. "I'll be back as soon as I get everything on your list, Metal. Have a good rest of your day!" She gave me a polite wave before walking out of the lab.



I watched Belle leave, then cleaned the lab some. I picked up Nova and went back up the elevator with them in tow... I decided to feed them first and let them take a nap in my vegetable garden since otherwise they would try to distract my date.



I spent a few hours cooking the perfect dinner; finally, I knew exactly what to make for Amy Rose. My skill, at this point, was also satisfactory. The only imperfection in my craft was the source of ingredients... they would be even better if I grew them. At least that problem would have a solution eventually, while my own skill would make up for whatever imperfections the acquired ingredients brought.



I got an alert that someone entered the base. Amy was here too early... I still needed some time.



"Hey, Metal!" I heard Amy's voice cut through the halls; she sounded commanding. "I'm getting ready! Don't go into the bedroom!"



Oh...! What did she have to get ready for? I decided to let her do it, though. While I was done with cooking, I still needed to set up where she would have dinner. I covered all the food and hurriedly made my way to the spot I wanted the date to take place in.



When I was done and set up the dinner itself, I walked to the bedroom door. I knocked and listened for her.



"Not ready!" she shouted a distance away.



I was confused. "What are you doing?" I asked.



"I'm...! Hold on," she sighed. "Nova...! Give that back!"



Nova was in there? I wish I was surprised. I should've put them down for a nap later than I did. I listened to her bicker with Nova for a while, but I couldn't assist since she didn't want me in there. After a few minutes, the mechanical door to the room opened.



... Amy was in a dark red dress I never saw before. It was much more form fitting, bringing more attention to her physique. Her face also looked different, color on her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. Even her quills looked different somehow. She didn't wear her usual gloves, but she had bracelets and also jewelry around her neck. I never saw her in jewelry before.



She was very pretty. She always was... but she looked different here, in a unique way. It felt special. Did she... look like that for me? I felt incredibly warm...



Amy gave me one of her soft smiles. "I'm here, Metal," she said in a voice that made me stop functioning for a few seconds.



"... Hello..." I didn't know what else to say.



She lovingly rubbed one of my cheeks. "Where are you taking me for dinner?"



"I... am making a special exception for you, just this one time," I muttered.



Her eyes shot wide open. "Wait--"



I took her other hand and guided her down the hall. She got visibly more excited the closer we came to the flower garden door. I let go of her and blocked her view as I typed in the door code. From there, the door slid open and I led her inside.



The overhead lighting in my garden was dimmed by me to cast much of the room in darkness, but still with enough light to see an adequate amount. The skylights showed an early night, the orange hues of the evening fading as the stars and moon started to come in. I hoped moonlight would properly shine down on us.



I moved the planters of my flowers earlier to make more room and border around the dinner table I placed down. A few of the flowers were closed, but the ones that thrived in caves and at night were even more vibrant. That being said, I hoped Amy did not pay too close attention to them, because I didn't want to spoil any gifts.



She gasped, holding onto my hand even tighter. "This is breathtaking...!" She slowly walked forward with me, paying close attention to the flowers. I temporarily regretted letting her into the garden, but then she looked at me and I felt extremely conflicted. There were very few times I saw her happier. Maybe she was even the happiest.



I guided her to the table and showed her to her seat while she glanced all around the area. She looked up at the skylight, clasping her hands together in awe. When our gazes met again, I uncovered the dishes I worked so hard to prepare. They were still steaming hot, ready to be consumed. Satisfied with my reveal, I sat on the other end. But the hardest part was yet to come.



"You made some of my favorite food?" she asked, her voice soft.



"Yes. Eat as much as you want, at your own pace." I gestured her to try the food. I hoped she would enjoy it.



"How long did it take you to do all this...?" She smiled at me, then focused on the main dish. It was a special apple-glazed meat recipe... And partially the reason why I didn't want her in the kitchen yesterday. Some of the food was marinating and she would have seen them.



"I've been practicing for a little while. I wanted to make you something better than a sandwich."



She chuckled at me. "You were very excited to give me that sandwich," she teased. She cut off a piece and finally tried it. I watched in anticipation. She ate it, and for a second, her eyes sparkled. I recognized the look whenever Big ate. It was far more special from her. But...



...



She started to frown, then she looked away. Her brows were furrowed. I did not know what I did wrong.



"Metal, this is so... This is so nice," she said with a broken, shaky voice.



"... Do you... like it?" I asked. I did not like the way her voice sounded.



She vigorously nodded at me, and held her hand out as if to tell me to wait. When I got another look at her eyes, I realized she was overwhelmed. "I love it... I think you're the most romantic thing that exists ever," she said, quickly taking a deep breath. She didn't cry, but I think she was fighting it.



"This is... Good?" I asked.



She gave a breath-filled laugh and nodded at me, grinning then. "Yeah," she replied.



"Your reaction is giving me mixed responses," I admitted.



She laughed again. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted. And knowing you took the time to make it yourself, I just..." She touched the corners of her eyes and took another deep breath, but her smile was wide. "This is the kind of thing I would daydream about before I started dating you. And you're just... doing it... without me even dropping hints. I'm feeling really emotional... in a good way. In the best way." She grinned, her eyes slightly teared up. "I'm trying to keep myself composed..."



Her reaction gave me a few feelings... I was honored I could make her feel so many feelings. But another part of me was sad. I didn't realize until this moment that Amy used to feel so unnoticed and lonely because of unrequited love. I understood. The way she got upset about Carillon Rose before also made more sense to me, even beyond what she explained. Amy was like me...



She ate more of the food I prepared for her, trying both the meat and the equally prepared vegetables. She wiped her eyes fully, letting out a laugh. "I'm sorry. I'm kind of a mess... Not really what I hoped to be like on a romantic dinner date."



"That's okay," I replied. "Feel free to express your emotions."



She gave me a look that told me she appreciated my statement. She fully wiped her eyes again, but she gathered her full composure shortly afterwards. "The food's amazing, Metal... I feel all the love you put into it."



I confidently nodded. "I learned that from you first," I said.



She looked up at me, surprised. Eventually, she giggled. "I didn't know I'd awaken something in you by getting you to be my sous-chef."



"I like when you enjoy things I make." I tapped the table a little to keep my hands busy.



"Did you really come up with this dinner idea on your own?" she asked.



I nodded. "I knew I wanted to make you food... And I thought this would be a rare time to let you in my garden. Other places in the base are not pretty. I also wanted the room to be dim so you could not see all the flowers."



She laughed again. "Coincidentally, it's very romantic lighting... You've outdone yourself." She held her hand out for me and I took it. She continued to eat using a utensil in her other hand.



"You are very beautiful," I said.



She smiled wide. "You could've said that before I ruined my make-up," she said lightheartedly.



"You didn't ruin anything. Your emotions are also beautiful."



"Stop...!" She turned her head slightly away and attempted to obscure her face. "We're already dating! You don't have to try to make me fall in love with you again!"



I tilted my head at her, making her giggle again. She put her utensil down, then gave me a more serious look.



"Words can't express..." Amy softly sighed, her gaze fully on me. Her cheeks were incredibly flushed. "... How much you mean to me. I've never felt so... whole. I look at you and I see home."



...



...



I... felt... overwhelmed.



"Comparatively, we haven't, like... Dated for a super long time or anything... But... I don't know. It all just feels so... right. I know a while ago I said to you that the love I give you will last forever. I really mean that. I think..." She shyly looked away from me for a brief moment, but then she brought her focus back.



Her gaze reached beyond me in a way difficult for me to describe. She was looking at me, but the part of me that was not physically there.



Her smile was actively shorting me out. I couldn't handle her.



"Thanks to you... I know what true love feels like."



...



...



...



"Metal?!"



I was laying horizontally. Why was I laying down? Amy was on top of me, horror in her eyes. Her hands were on both sides of my face.



"God...! Are you back?! Are you okay?!"



I sat up and looked around. Amy tightly hugged me... She felt nice. I hugged her back. "I'm fine... What, uh... What happened?"



"Your eyes went off and you fell backwards!" she exclaimed, flushing deeply. "That's never happened before! You were out for like thirty seconds!"



All my memories came flooding back. I held her even closer to me. Not only did Amy Rose love me, but...



I loosened my hold to better look at her. "M...my emergency shutdown activated, but I successfully rebooted. I'm sorry for scaring you."



"D-did... Is this like... Is this similar to when you fry a circuit?"



"Yes..." I got up and helped her up in turn. Her face was still red and I'm sure she could feel I was already overheating again. "I've been getting better at handling your affection, but I was not built with it in mind. You continue to surprise me too..." I held both of her hands. "Rosy... You are my true love."



She kissed me. I felt relieved of my building energy and even more energetic at the same time. I leaned in. I wanted more.



She separated from me; her eyes were shiny and she had a dramatic frown. "Th-then don't scare me like that!" she said, wiggling her bottom lip. Even though she was upset, I wanted to laugh. She was very cute.



I kissed her back. Her concern for me made me want to soar. I felt such a powerful belonging with her. Her shoulders relaxed and she made a soft sound as she exhaled. When our kiss ended, she went for another.



I gently separated afterwards. "Please eat," I said. "Your food will be less pleasing when it's cold."



Amy looked at me with shock, and then she laughed, joy matching her blush. "Right. Dessert's later, yeah?"



"Yes." It was only after I replied that she was not referring to the actual dessert I made. She was not yet aware of the cake.



We sat back down at our seats and she continued her meal as before. "... So... me talking about true love caused you to pass out?"



"If there's anyone capable of testing the limits of my machinery, Rosy, I suppose it would be you," I muttered.



She grinned at me and rubbed my leg with hers. "We affect each other a whole lot," she said lightheartedly. "It's... nice."



"... I have a new favorite thing you said," I mentioned.



She giggled. "I have a new favorite thing you said."



We continued to bond over the course of the dinner. I felt exactly the same way she did. She made me feel whole. I saw her and I saw home. Before she said it, I did not know two words could describe exactly what I felt all this time: true love. She was my true love. There could be no one else like her. And she felt the same...! She felt the same about me...



She ate all of her food and leaned back in her chair, letting out a relieved sigh.



"That was amazing!" she said. "I loved every bite. I know this is a special romantic dinner, but please, if you ever feel the urge to cook for me again even if it's random, I would love that."



I tilted my head, amused. "I'm happy to cook for you more, Rosy. But... Could you still eat now? There is something else I want to serve you."



"Yeah~?" She twirled her quills. "There's more? What do you have for me?"



"Wait just a moment." I stood up, took her empty plates, and left her alone in the garden as I went to go grab the cake from the kitchen. I checked over the cake one final time to make sure it was satisfactory and untampered... Then, finally, I returned to her.



She let out a quiet squeal and clapped her hands when I approached her and put a small pink cake in front of her.



"This is the cutest cake I've ever seen!" she said, tapping her heels against the floor. "You made this too?!"



"Yes." I lifted my head a little. "I made everything from scratch, for you only."



"Ahhh!!" She grinned. "This is almost too cute to eat!" She noticed my stare, then emphasized: "I said almost. Relax!" she laughed.



I watched as she took a piece from the cake and took a bite. I was fortunate I could record my memory. She was as cute as she was beautiful.



...



She devoured that cake. She did not tell me it tasted good, but I assumed it did because it was gone very fast.



She gave me a dramatic sigh when everything was gone. "What next, Metal? You gifted your way to my heart, spoke your way to my heart, moved your way to my heart, and now you've cooked your way to my heart. I'm so completely taken by you."



I watched her and caressed the side of her face. "What's next is whatever you want, my Rosy."



She immediately got up and stepped to my side of the table. Her expression was very determined; she had a singular goal, and it was to get into my personal space. Luckily, she was welcome there. She squeezed into my lap and kissed me over and over. Her tail whacked against my leg. I wanted to laugh, but I was also preoccupied by her affection. I leaned back in the chair to give her more room and better hold her...



Thunk! We fell back. I didn't balance the chair properly. She gasped, but then she laughed and kissed me again. She didn't care about our new position... I didn't either.



We were where we were supposed to be.