True to his word, Infinite would drop the hyperactive wolf off at the resistance base every morning, and pick him up after dinner. He was their jack of all trades, constantly switching his roles and helping whoever needed it. The job he volunteered for the most was resource transportation - he would bring crates of necessities to various cities and also help out with miscellaneous tasks wherever he ended up for the afternoon. It was very fulfilling for the passionate wolf, but he would only admit to himself a more selfish reason for wanting to do so much travelling… he just wanted to find his family. He had already been to Sunset Heights, and to his disappointment, his parents and little brother no longer inhabited the house he grew up in. It was decimated, but not irreparable, so he had hope that they were okay somewhere. He had asked the city council, but they were so disorganized that they were unsure where the crimson canine’s family had been relocated.
 
A few weeks into his new routine, Knuckles approached the red wolf in the kitchens as he scarfed down sandwiches.
 
“Hey, rookie. Sonic and Shadow just informed me that they saw your maniac jackal completely purify a lake in Green Hill. According to Tails, he’s also removed the pollutants from all the others that we were going to work on. Do you have any idea what he’s up to?”
 
Sandwich bits fell out of the wolf’s mouth as he stared at the commander.
 
“That’s what he’s been doing with all his time now?! He wouldn’t tell me! There’s no way he would be doing that if he wanted the war to continue! This is great!”
 
Knuckles gave the rookie a pat on the shoulder to ease him out his vibrating excitement.
 
“Well before you get too excited, could you ask him what his plan is then, if that’s even the case? Since he explicitly told us not to intrude on him when that deal was made, Sonic and Shadow are moving on to the next restoration project.”
 
“Okay! I think I could get him to spill something.”
 
___________________________
 
Later that night, to Gadget’s surprise, he lay between Infinite’s propped legs with his head pillowed against the jackal’s abdomen. This was the first non-sexual contact he had ever initiated, and the longest he had stayed after indulging himself in the crimson canine’s body. Infinite absentmindedly rubbed his thumb against one of Gadget’s ears and ran his claws along his torso. This was the ideal time to set some things straight.
 
“Infinite? What is your plan now, if you don’t mind me asking? What do you want out of… uhm, all of this?”
 
The touches slowed as the question was contemplated.
 
“I am unsure at this point. I no longer feel any drive for world domination - seeing your forlorn glances towards the ruins has abated my bloodthirst.”
 
Gadget was shocked to hear him admit it with such a confused but genuine tone. He chose his words carefully.
 
“Is it okay to ask why you wanted it initially?”
 
“It does not matter what my reasoning was. I’ve been a terror.”
 
“But it does matter when it comes to what you’ve done.”
 
The jackal drummed his fingers against the red wolf’s hip in agitation. This was clearly not a conversation he was equipped to have.
 
“The tipping point to my involvement in world domination occurred when my pack was massacred. But it is no excuse for devastating the world… I am sorry for everything I have done, and to you especially.”
 
Gadget stared at his hands as he struggled with his thoughts. He didn’t know how to acknowledge the apology.
 
“... Do you want to elaborate on your pack?”
 
“Not right now, sweet one. I will revisit the subject another day. On another note, I have been aiming to remediate as much of the destruction I caused as possible. So I apologize for leaving you with nothing to do for so long.”
 
Is this really going to be the end of his dictatorship?
 
“I want to know… Why me? I’ve asked you this before and you always disregard it…”
 
“I liked what I saw on our first encounter - it was honestly the reason why I let you live. You are absolutely gorgeous. I had no intention on pursuing you any further, and did not expect to see your lovely physique again… and especially with a completely new demeanor. You threw me off guard. I felt so compelled to find you after you outdid me.”
 
Gadget shivered. He was only alive because he was somehow eye candy to the masked villain. Even if he wanted to get mad, he kept himself in check to avoid angering him.
 
“I don’t stand out though? I don’t have any markings or special characteristics. I’m just a red nerd. I don’t think you can see properly with only one eye barely visible.”
 
“Hahaha… it is not about markings - you are a sight to behold. Your fur is very healthy, thick and radiant. Subtle curves and toned muscles. An adorable face. Fire burning in your eyes and running through your veins, a beautiful smile, intelligent mind… and I’ve recently come to realize my appreciation for how selfless you are. I venerate all of your characteristics.”
 
The crimson canine was an awkward blushing mess. He was equal parts flattered and creeped out by the in depth commentary.
 
“Uhm… oh. You shouldn’t have taken me by force though… you can’t just expect me to be okay after everything. Is that what you do to anyone that catches your fancy?”
 
The dark furred jackal sighed in guilt.
 
“No one has ‘caught my fancy’ before. Observing you has shown me a different perspective of going about life that I never wished to pay attention to - holding empathy instead of malice within, even when you have lost everything. I could not acknowledge my feelings for you at the time, and acted on them in the only way I knew how - but that is unforgivable of me. I care deeply for you and do not want you to be hurt any longer, especially by my person. I will relinquish you from this deal and you can return to your friends for good. Keeping you here does not show my affection for you.”
 
Gadget sat there rigidly as he processed everything. After a few minutes, he took a deep breath. He hoped he wouldn’t regret this.
 
“I’ll give you ONE chance to show that you can atone for your actions, because I don’t like to hold anything against anyone if it can be helped. Many mobians won’t have the same mindset as me. Especially my friends that know… or personally saw what you’ve been doing to me. There’s a chance that they’ll think you’ve brainwashed me with an illusion,” I’m also wondering that myself, “so you shouldn’t antagonize them. If you treat my friends poorly, it’s an insult to me by proxy. You also need to show me what you look like under that mask at some point too.”
 
“Little one… you would give me a chance after everything I’ve done?”
 
“I mean… when Shadow helped the black arms, a lot of people died even though he betrayed Black Doom in the end. And he had intent to kill when all that stuff with that canon was going on too. Yet now everyone loves him. He tried to kill Sonic multiple times, and now they’re-! friends. Good friends. The fact that you had a pack you cared for is the only reason why I even think that maybe you haven’t always been a completely terrible person.”
 
Infinite bowed his head in acknowledgement of the red wolf’s judgement.
 
“I will warn you, my face is unsightly. But do not hesitate to be honest in your impression. I would be fully deserving of criticism. I understand if you decide to go back on your word as well.”
 
“I’m not gonna make fun of someone’s face no matter what it looks like.”
 
Infinite took his mask off, and Gadget’s eyes widened. The jackal assumed the look was out of shock for his sorry appearance. He sighed.
 
“I know. I wanted to forget my face. Everything I’ve done to you is probably even more disturbing now.”
 
Infinite’s natural voice still retained the same contralto, except with a gruffness replacing the unnatural undertone. Gadget commented honestly despite himself.
 
“N-no… I don’t want to inflate your ego by saying this but you have good genetics… what in Chaos made you think you were ugly?”
 
“... You’re not serious? Shadow told me not to show my face ever again… so I’ve worn a mask until now.”
 
“Shadow’s seen your face before? What a rude thing to say. But your reaction to that needs to be… addressed. Professionally.”
 
“I know.”
 _____________________________
 
Despite the cathartic talk the two canines had a week ago, Infinite was still strong-arming Gadget into late night romps. The red wolf soon realized that he was not equipped to deal with the jackal’s thought process. It was starting to get on his nerves, but he wasn’t socially articulate enough to know how to confront him. He suspected that they hadn’t had a clear enough talk on what the wolf meant by ‘giving him a chance’, and he didn’t know where to go from there. He knew he needed outside advice, but it was just a huge can of worms to open. All of his friends were under the assumption that he was still a captive, but with an extended leash. He was starting to think he had bitten off more than he could chew for the first time in his life. How could that dense jackal not realize he was screwing up already?
 
What Gadget didn’t know, was that the jackal had indeed noticed the other canine’s huffy temperament in the evenings, but felt too atypically nervous to press the matter after receiving a flat “I’m fine” when he had asked if the red wolf was alright. He wanted to assume he wasn’t the cause for it, but knew he was more than likely it. Fearing he was going to lose his lovely wolf, he had to reign in his pride and seek help from one of Gadget’s cohorts, and hope she would throw him a bone to work with.
 
________________________
 
Amy sat in her swivel chair as she arranged next week’s scheduling for the resistance. Things had been hectic for her, but her workload now was nothing compared to what it was during the war. Thanks to her diligent resource allocation and many helping hands, they were ahead of schedule. Mobians were back on their feet and thriving again, and the resistance continued with a new goal to improve the world, just as Infinite had taken to doing. They were going to keep a portion of the resistance active out of mistrust for the masked jackal - despite renouncing his plans of destruction to restore the world out of disrepair, he still kept the phantom ruby. Granted, there had been no reports of counterproductive use of the gem since he had taken Gadget, but after everything they went through, they weren’t about to completely disband just yet.
 
All the pondering had the pink hedgehog imagining the sound of Infinite’s gem being activated. So she jumped a foot in the air and screamed when his unmistakable voice rang within the room.
 
“Good afternoon, pinky.”
 
‘Pinky’ fell backwards out of her chair and then scrambled up, taking on a defensive stance.
 
“W-what are you doing here Infinite?!”
 
“I have heard that you are proficient with emotions and interactions, therefore I am here to seek your council.”
 
Amy’s stiff posture slackened and her eyebrows scrunched in astonishment. Was he here to confuse and antagonize her for entertainment?
 
“Uh… about what?”
 
Infinite hovered to the ground and put a hand on his hip.
 
“My lovely one.”
 
The hedgehog was surprised. How could she possibly help at all? Gadget had been staying with the dark jackal for around a month already. As far as she knew, the only advice she could give him was to let their rookie go. He’d been through enough, and she didn’t think he would be able to heal while being Infinite’s hostage. Even though she was still livid about it, she knew it was smarter not to anger the masked canine lest he hurt their rookie in turn.
 
“Well, uhm, have a seat then… I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell you what you want to hear.”
 
“He has given me a chance to earn his trust. I do not want to squander it.”
 
That was another surprise, but she wasn’t going to judge the rookie for his decision if it was true. He had proven himself to be intelligent when he saved Sonic from the death egg. She would ask the red wolf to confirm this the next time she saw him.
 
“Woah. Okay. Let’s say I believe you… does he get the option of leaving? He’s going to hate you forever if you keep him on a leash.”
 
Infinite huffed in annoyance.
 
“I gave him that option a week ago. He is still free to leave me whenever he wishes.”
 
Amy wondered just what was going through Gadget’s head to stay with this menace - it had to be the work of that psychopath’s illusions. She was going to keep her reputation as a reliable council and maintain an objective front until she felt that something wasn’t right about the situation.
 
“Final question before I start. Is he under one of your illusions?”
 
Infinite scoffed and crossed his arms.
 
“No. Doubt me if you wish, but I will not use the phantom ruby to manipulate others anymore.”

Amy tilted her head as she stared at his one visible eye.
 
“Alright then. Has he even seen you without that mask? Nobody could ever trust someone whose face they never see.”
 
“I have been taking it off whenever I am in his company; he told me the same thing.”
 
“Okay. Take it off here too then. It’s extremely unnerving, and it will help me help you.”
 
He tsked at the notion.
 
“How so?”
 
“Even with how much you seem like you’ve changed in the last bit, I don’t trust you as is… you really messed with Gadget and the whole world. We don’t even know if he’s over it or if he ever will be. I’m still appalled with what you did to him. Your mask gives you anonymity and dissociation from admission of your wrongdoings, even if that isn’t your intention.”
 
When the illusionist huffed quietly and placed his hands on either side of his mask, Amy held her breath in surprised anticipation. She expected a face covered in 3rd degree burns, or deformed and asymmetric… a rugged but handsome visage with piercing mismatched eyes was not in her deck of probabilities. He should be ugly for everything he’s done.
 
“I admit to that, and I know how terrible I am for violating him. That is why I ask you now, what can I do to mend things with him?”
 
She continued to gape at him. His heterochromic eyes glared in annoyance.
 
“I’ll leave the damned thing on if you’re gonna keep staring like that. I know it’s bad.”
 
“What did Gadget say when you took it off?”
 
“He is too nice to make fun of someone’s appearance so he made something up.”
 
She kept her more detailed opinions to herself - he didn’t need any flattering.
 
“Did he say you aren’t ugly? Because he would be correct.”
 
Infinite’s eyes widened and he sat there slack jawed, but Amy continued on.
 
“Alright, I’m gonna ask personal stuff that might offend you, but my motive is to help you both, if this really is what Gadget wants. When was the last time you assaulted him?”
 
Infinite grimaced and looked to the side.
 
“... I don’t know.”
 
“What do you mean you don’t know? Are you really that much of a savage?”
 
“I am not a savage! The last time I forced him was before I took him captive over a month ago. He’s never fought me since.”
 
Things only a savage would say.
 
“Okay. How often do you ‘have sex’ with him? Does he initiate?”
 
“No, he has never initiated. I’ve slept with him almost every night save for a couple.”
 
Amy was appalled. That didn’t sound right at all. Were all jackals this unbalanced?
 
“Holy Chaos. Then you need to back off, starting now.”
 
“What? Why? He likes it - I make sure of it.”
 
“Just because he doesn’t fight it, doesn’t mean he wants it. He may give in to you to keep you satisfied or circumvent your temper. You need to think about what he wants - I guarantee that if you ask him, it won’t be what you assumed. Start over and take it slow… you took a lot from him, so now you need to leave the ball in his court. Let him know that he has some level of control. Don’t bully him into sex - he may give in, but I don’t think he knows how to deal with you. If this chance is for real, you both need to learn how to communicate. He can be very timid, and you are a brute, whether you want to admit it or not.”
 
His eye ridges drew together at the information, and he held himself back from feeling irked by the judgement. He knew he had to make major changes in order for this to work.
 
“... What is it that we need to communicate about?”
 
“How he feels. Listen to him carefully. He’s sensitive even if he puts on a hard front. Have you even done anything other than rut with him?”
 
Infinite grimaced again.
 
“... I don’t have any experience with romance. Jackals usually just fuck.”
 
Amy’s chin dropped in her hands as she held back a sigh.
 
“Gadget is not a jackal. He also needs love and affection, Infinite. Just making him climax doesn’t fulfill his needs. Hugs, hand holding, intimate touches, and kisses are usually pretty essential. He won’t seek that from you, because you have already set a system and it isn’t healthy - but he likely doesn’t know that because he doesn’t have experience with romance either. So the first step you need to take is to communicate with him and establish the pace he wants to take. He might be too scared to say no to you, so let him know it’s okay to do so.”
 
“Do those things make someone feel loved?”
 
Amy stopped short for a second as the gravity of what he said sunk in. What was his life like before he had the phantom ruby to not even know of affection? What a mess of a mobian.
 
“Yes. They do. The kisses and everything else are first - show interest in more than just his butt. Sex is a later step in typical dating, because people generally start by getting to know each other - map one another out, share kisses to further determine chemistry, and then have sex when or if both parties are ready.” I should major in psychology once all of this is over… “Even a kiss on the forehead can convey strong feelings of affection. His heart needs to be nurtured too, or he’ll never return your feelings. Do kind gestures for him, and take him on dates. Find out what he likes, let him know you want to know him inside and out. Always respect him. You’ve detached yourself emotionally from others, and you’ll need to break off from that.”
 
“I will do these things. Thank you, pinky- ”
 
“My name is Amy.”
 
“Thank you, Amy.”