Sonic sat in front of the hospital bed, his heart sick and his body weak. His arms had been burned when he lifted Shadow out of the liquid nitrogen, and the pain had been insufferable, but he had managed to get well enough to function by himself after only a week in the hospital. It had been two weeks since the incident, yet Shadow had not woken up.

The doctors told Sonic that Shadow was in a deep coma from shock. Apparently, he was not in optimal condition before he was doused with liquid nitrogen. His body had been severely weakened by starvation. His skin had barely recovered from the hypothermia he had gotten in the cold before he received his nitrogen burns, so most of his epidermis and dermis had died from the shock. Unbeknownst to even Amy, Shadow also had multiple concussions–which was one of the reasons why the doctors believed he wasn’t waking up. 

Apparently, even the Ultimate Lifeform couldn’t escape traumatic brain injuries.

They all guessed it was from when Shadow almost died crash-landing on Earth, although they thought about it more and realized he had crashed into Earth twice, so that was two concussions there. Amy had also mentioned that Shadow hit his head into the pavement when he fell unconscious from hypothermia, which the doctor had told them probably made whatever concussion symptoms he was having much worse.

And now his entire body had been burned from getting so cold.

“All his beautiful fur is going to fall off.”

Sonic turned around at the voice. It was Amy. She had a gift basket in one hand and artificial flowers in the other.

Probably because she knew Shadow wouldn’t wake up before real flowers would have wilted and died.

“Amy… what are you doing here?” Sonic’s voice was snotty from the previous hour’s tears.

“Same thing as you. I’m here to see how Shadow’s doing.” Her mouth crumpled into a grimace. “The doctor says that his fur is starting to fall off.”

They stood in silence. Amy glanced over to Shadow’s bedside table. There was a box of chocolates next to the cards and decaying flowers others had left for Shadow the Hedgehog.

Sonic didn’t want to cry again, he was too tired to cry again, yet he could feel hot tears come to his eyes. No… all Shadow’s beautiful fur… gone.

“Did he say anything else?”

“His skin is starting to fall off too.” Amy took a few steps closer to the unconscious Shadow, until she was standing next to Sonic. “Although they’ve already begun growing him new skin. You know, because they have to do skin grafts.”

“Will his fur… ever grow back?” Sonic wasn’t sure why he was asking. He supposed it was so he could tell Shadow it would grow back with certainty.

Amy’s eyes became wet. She hadn’t visited Shadow enough. Sonic practically lived in the hospital now; he was there during all visiting hours, staring at Shadow in silence, probably wondering what he could have done differently that may have changed the outcome of the situation. She had not been as diligent as Sonic, though. She had to go to work every day and could only come to the hospital after work and on weekends. She had to act like a normal person to her coworkers, covering up her sadness until she cried alone in bed. That was all she could do for Shadow. She could not give endless time to Shadow as Sonic could, diligent in his presence so that he could comfort Shadow when he woke up. Amy could not be that person because of the responsibilities in her life that allowed her to eat and keep the lights on.

“No.”

Sonic’s arms became limp. No. That couldn’t be. Shadow was a tough hedgehog. There was no way a little skin graft was going to keep the body of the Ultimate Lifeform from growing fur again.

“He’s the Ultimate Lifeform. He’s tough.” Sonic smiled awkwardly. “He did survive getting liquid nitrogen dumped all over him!”

Amy moaned. “Sonic… this is serious. His injuries don’t care that he’s the ‘Ultimate Lifeform.’ They told me when I came in today that his skin is too injured to grow new fur, and that after a few weeks, he won’t have the skin to even grow fur.”

Sonic’s breaths became rapid and his heart raced. No. This couldn’t be. This wasn’t true. Amy was lying. Amy was being deceitful. Amy was trying to make him angry… but why?

“Amy–”

“At least he’s alive, Sonic.” Amy tried her best to smile but a tear flowed down her soft cheek. “If he hadn’t been holding the emerald, he would have died from shock. That was how weak he was, Sonic. Weaker than the majority of people. As weak as someone sick. That was the extent of his exhaustion. And I… I couldn’t see it.”

“Amy…” Sonic frowned. “It’s not your fault.”

“I know, but I should have gotten him medical attention for his hypothermia. I shouldn’t have believed that I could take care of him myself.” Amy gripped the handle of the gift bag tighter. “This is my fault, Sonic. He is hurt because he trusted me and listened to me when I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Sonic patted her on the shoulder and grimaced. He hated this. The situation. Shadow would never be the same–his attractive body would be ruined before Sonic even got his hands on him.

And it was Amy’s fault.

No. This wasn’t the time to get angry. It wasn’t Amy’s fault.

“You didn’t think it through, Amy. Just as I always do. But that doesn’t mean that it’s your fault. It was the situation that caused it, not you.” He glanced at Shadow, who remained motionless. “I hope he wakes up soon.”

“I hope he remembers us.” Amy said suddenly, her voice cracking. “People often lose parts of their memories from multiple concussions. What if… he doesn’t even know who we are?”

“Amy, that’s not going to–”

“It can happen. Anything can happen.” Amy whispered.

She leaned over and patted the blanket over Shadow’s hand, being careful as she did so. Shadow winced but didn’t wake up.

Amy frowned. “I miss him.”

Sonic touched Amy’s hand. They stood there in silence as they both rested their hands on Shadow’s through the sheet. Amy would have blushed when her and Sonic’s hands touched if it was a few weeks earlier, but it was not–she had no feelings for Sonic beyond friendship. Besides, she was too forlorn from Shadow’s pain to even think about romance at that point.

“I miss him too, even though we’re rivals.” Sonic murmured.

Amy glanced over at Sonic, able to tell that there was something else at play.

“Sonic… it’s more than that, isn’t it?” Amy began slowly.

Sonic didn’t look up at her, only responding to her in a serious manner more accustomed to Shadow than Sonic. “What are you talking about?”

“I have never seen you cry like that. You never would have cried like that if it were me lying injured there.”

Her words cut through Sonic’s heart like a knife. Amy had a soft smile plastered to her lips but her heart was torn in two; Sonic didn’t care about her, and she had finally been able to say it. He was selfish, which was why he hardly ever cried for another; he did everything to profit himself. Still, there was something she admired in him. Perhaps it was the usual strength he had, even though she knew he was naturally selfish. Or maybe it was that he knew he was selfish and knew the reasons behind his actions would never be from a pure intention, yet did good things anyway.

Sonic grimaced. He really was selfish. He didn’t think about anyone else unless it benefited him. It felt impossible; he wanted to care about Amy desperately, yet he found his heart empty.

“I’m sorry, Amy.”

“Just… What was it? What’s wrong with me that causes your apathy?”

Sonic flashed a stare at Amy. “There is nothing wrong with you!”

“Then why–”

“It’s me. It’s all me.” Sonic’s heart burned with anger. He wanted to be a good friend, yet was unable to do so again. “I can’t get myself to care about you like I do Shadow.”

“Do you…” Amy didn’t want to finish out of fear that what she had suspected was correct.

“I love Shadow.” He wasn’t sure why he was telling her. Maybe because he didn’t want to compete with Amy, because of the jealousy that formed in his heart. Shadow could have stayed with Tails and him, but he didn’t. Instead, he chose to stay with Amy.

Did Amy like Shadow? He honestly couldn’t tell, although it was unlike her to be so trusting of another man. Sure, Amy would trust Sonic indefinitely, since she had had a long-standing crush on him; although Shadow? Shadow rarely showed comradery to others, yet she also missed Shadow and felt guilt for what she perceived to have done.

Anyway, Sonic had to nip it in the bud. He had to get Shadow, because he loved him and wouldn’t be able to take it if Amy stole Shadow away from him.

He finally glanced up at Amy. Her face told him everything she needed to know.

It was a look of horror. Sonic couldn’t tell if it was jealousy or even disgust, but he didn’t want to care. He wanted to make Amy happy because it was what he should do, and yet, he found himself wanting Shadow for himself.

“I… I didn’t realize…” Amy sighed. “I’m sorry for trying to date you for so long. I didn’t realize that you swung that way.”

Sonic tried to give his usual, confident grin. “It’s okay. Honestly, I didn’t realize I did either… until after I met Shadow.”

For some reason Amy felt frustrated at this. She wasn’t sure why, but the thought of Sonic being with Shadow sank her fragile heart.

There was something adorable about Shadow’s bluntness. About his kind gestures. How he tried to be sweet but was terrible at showing it so he simply expressed his gratitude through actions alone. At one point, Shadow must have been able to show positive emotions authentically, although she figured that Maria’s death had made this difficult for him. Sure, he could be a bit of a grumpy pants sometimes, but there was kindness in him. After all, he had saved Knuckles from getting doused in liquid nitrogen, which Knuckles surely wouldn’t have survived.

Amy wanted Shadow, but her mind told her better. She shouldn’t get in the way of Sonic’s happiness, or even Shadow’s for that matter. Shadow may have liked Sonic back, for all she knew. He was perceptive; he probably already knew that Sonic liked him and wanted Sonic to admit it for himself. And even if Shadow wasn’t interested in Sonic, Amy believed that allowing Sonic to have a chance was the right thing to do.

After all, Amy wasn’t entirely sure if she liked Shadow romantically. Perhaps it was just friendship.

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

Hello! I'm so excited to show you all Season 2!

The angst is strong in this one ;)