Amy entered Shadow’s room, out of breath from anxiety. She wasn’t sure why she wanted to see him; he most likely wasn’t going to wake up.

Perhaps it was guilt for not visiting him as much as Sonic. This clearly showed that Sonic cared for Shadow more than she did.

To her surprise, the room was empty. Sonic must have left already, which wasn’t what she was expecting. The black hedgehog was lying quietly in the hospital bed, motionless, as if he was dead.

Her previous present was still by the bed, untouched. The chocolates Sonic had given him had begun collecting dust. It hurt to see how frail Shadow looked; tubes were connected to his thin, pale body. There were patches on his body without fur, showing red, tender skin.

It would be better for him to not wake up for a while. Sure, they needed to make sure he would eventually wake up, although they weren’t sure if it was better to perform surgery while he was in a coma. They could just sedate him if he did wake up before the surgery, although at this point, they might not have a choice but to replace his skin without him waking up. The longer he stayed out, though, the worse it would be, but at least he wouldn’t be in pain.

The pain had to be unbearable. If he were awake. Sometimes people could feel pain in their sleep, although even if he did, it probably was not nearly as bad as it was in real life. He wouldn’t have to watch himself lose all his fur, either.

Oh no. No no no. He would wake up and have no quills! If he did sleep through the surgery, he would wake up looking entirely different. How horrifying that would be! Amy winced.

If only she hadn’t suggested he help Sonic. If only it had been her instead.

No. Shadow was the strongest. He was the only one of them who had a chance of survival. Shadow was still alive, breathing. That was all she could ask for.

She sat the bags down on the ground and pulled up a chair next to the bed. Her soft green eyes gazed down at the hedgehog in the bed. He was so quiet and still, like he was frozen.

Frozen. Amy shivered. The room was cold.

“I’m so sorry, Shadow.” She whispered, frowning. Her eyes were locked on Shadow’s soft eyelids.

There was so much pressure on Shadow now. Not only did he have his psychological pain, but now he would have to watch his body fall apart and try to stitch itself back together–would he be able to make it?

She knew he couldn’t hear her, but she continued talking instinctively. “You’re probably having nightmares right now. About Maria telling you that you’re not good enough. Just… don’t listen to that. You’re wonderful.”

Shadow’s eyes tightened. No. He was actually having a nightmare.

A nurse came over to the door and knocked softly. Amy whipped her head back.

“You’ve got an hour.” The nurse said quietly. “Just wanted to remind you. Tell us if anything happens, okay?”

Amy nodded. She wasn’t sure if his movement counted as anything. The nurse left the doorway although her gaze remained, her mind lost in her own head.

Shadow’s crimson eyes fluttered open. He was too exhausted to move, although was vaguely aware of what was around him.

“I’m so sorry, Shadow.” Amy repeated herself. She let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if you will ever wake up. I just… I will support you. No matter what. You will always have me.”

Shadow was in too much pain to speak. He simply let out a quiet grunt.

Amy shot her head back at the sound. Her eyes widened with shock; Shadow’s eyes were open! She jumped up from her seat.

“Shadow!” She exclaimed. “I can’t believe it! You’re awake!”

Her eyes instantly filled with tears. He simply stared up at her sorrowfully.

Amy calmed herself down and grasped his hand loosely. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”

Shadow didn’t answer, just watching her with his eyes. He opened his mouth to answer, but by the look in his eyes she could tell this caused him terrible pain. Panicked, Amy let go of his hand.

“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I…”

Tears were leaking from Shadow’s eyes. No! She hadn’t meant to hurt him!

That was not the cause of Shadow’s tears. While he wept from pain he also wept from joy. Amy was by his side, again. Watching her panicked eyes darting around, terrified that she had somehow hurt him… this was almost more painful than his wounds.

If only he could tell her that everything was alright. That he wasn’t hurt by her. That he would be okay. He desperately wanted to embrace her, just as she had with him the other day.

How long had he been out?

Shadow glanced at the clock on the wall with only his eyes but was too groggy to read it. His eyes shifted to Amy again. It was too painful to move his body, even his eyes, but it was a pain he could stand for Amy Rose.

Amy placed her hand next to his, not daring to touch it, hoping that Shadow could tell she cared by feeling the weight of it on the bed.

Her eyes leaked endlessly. She tried to dry them off on her shirt, but even this failed; they dripped from her eyes faster and faster. No. She couldn’t panic on Shadow. The last thing he needed was his anchor to panic.

“Shadow, I’m so sorry I’m crying like this, I’m fine, I–”

She froze, a soft blush spreading over her cheeks. Shadow was holding her hand. The gentle touch of hot skin made Amy feel relieved. In her mind the alarm for the amount of pain Shadow had to be in was blaring, yet she stayed silent and still, watching Shadow’s eyes.

Shadow couldn’t believe how sad he had made Amy. Holding her hand was the extent of what he could accomplish, even if it did hurt him to do so. He didn’t care about himself anymore. He wanted to be there for Amy.

There was so much pain she hid under that smile, he realized suddenly. Perhaps the reason why she understood him so well, and was able to calm him down that night when he had had a terrible nightmare, was because she had gone through similar emotions. Amy probably had gotten upset before, terrified even, but had to calm herself down, alone, to be able to function.

The hurt look in her eyes said it all. She was suffering from something. Shadow didn’t care what the cause was, he was going to be there for her. They would overcome their nightmares together.

Amy wanted the same thing as Shadow. She wanted to open herself up to him and for Shadow to reveal all his dark secrets to her. She wanted to hear every thought in his mind that made him terrified, so she could suppress it. All she wanted was for him to open himself up to her so she could support him through his pain, but the sinking pain returned.

Sonic. He loved Shadow. He probably wanted the same thing.

Was she in competition with Sonic? No, that was not the case. She didn’t want Shadow for what he was like in bed or what he could provide to her romantically. All she wanted was to support him through his pain and help him have a good future.

It was different from the affection Sonic felt.

“Thank you so much, Shadow.” She squeezed his hand, although at his wince she let go. Shadow reached up slightly and grabbed her hand again before she could pull away.

“Thank… you.” His voice was coarse and dry.

Amy sat his hand down on the bed, her hand over his. She smiled.

“Are you feeling okay? Do I need to get anything for you?”

His smile fell, not because he was no longer happy but because it was excruciating to keep it up. With every movement his body felt tight and strained, like all his skin was going to burst from his body.

Shadow glanced over at all the gifts on and around his bedside table. Amy watched them for a moment, thinking about Sonic, before getting up to show them to Shadow.

“Sonic got you this card and some chocolate.” Amy held them up so Shadow could see them. “Would you like me to open the card so you can read it?”

Shadow gave the smallest nod he could. He couldn’t fathom Sonic giving him a card; was he really that worried?

Hey, Shads. How are you feeling? I’m glad you woke up. You’re probably wondering why I gave you chocolate. I just want you to know that I care about you. Oh, and I need to talk to you about something once you recover a little bit more. I’m planning to always stay by your side until you recover. Hope you feel better soon!

-Sonic

Shadow’s eyes went wide when he finished reading the card. He glanced up at Amy, which was her cue to close the card and put it back in the envelope. It was sweet of her to hold it up for him to read. She probably didn’t realize how much his head was throbbing and that reading was difficult for him, but the gesture was what counted.

Chocolate? What a strange gift to get him. Chocolates were reserved more for holidays, like Christmas or Valentine’s day. Wait, did he miss Christmas?

He wanted to ask Amy but didn’t want to put too much pressure on his already aching body.

Amy then went and picked up each vase of flowers one by one to show Shadow, explaining who had given them to him and how long ago. Had he really been out for almost a month? Of course, the flowers were mostly wilted and dead, but Amy said cheerfully:

“It’s the thought that counts. It shows how much they all care about you.”

Shadow smiled slightly although shrunk back at the pain. At last, Amy held up a beautiful gift back. She pulled out a t-shirt, sweatpants, and sweatshirt.

“I got you more clothes than this, too, but they’re just in the shopping bags over there. You can worry about them later.” She glanced over to the many thriftstore bags, then back to the  outfit she held in the air. “I figured you’d need something to wear once you got out, and something warm because…”

Because he was going to lose all his fur.

No. She couldn’t tell him yet.

Her smile dropped subconsciously. Shadow desperately wanted to thank her and to tell her that he would be alright, but he was unable. All he gave was a gentle, painful smile.

“Anyway, I wasn’t sure what else to get you besides clothes. I mean, I got you some hats… clothes, as I already said… shoes…” She trailed. At last, she finally made eye contact with him again.

Shadow shifted his gaze to the window. It was night outside, the stars shining brightly against the cold night.

“Merry Christmas.” He said at last. His voice sounded so strained.

Amy touched his hand delicately. “Don’t talk if it hurts too much. And… thanks. Merry Christmas to you too, Shadow.”

She wanted to sit next to him, give him a hug, but she could not. All she could do was watch his tired eyes shifting their gaze.

“You can live with me until you’re completely better. When you get out, I mean.”

Shadow smiled, his gaze coming back to Amy. She had no idea how much he wanted to jump up and embrace her. The poor girl looked so broken from his injuries! If only he hadn’t gotten so messed up, then he could be with her.

What was going on in her life? How much had happened while he was unconscious?

That would have to wait until another day. It was dark and Shadow was so exhausted he could drift off to sleep again.

A nurse gently knocked on the doorframe, peeping inside. “Amy Rose?” The nurse whispered. “Visiting hours are almost– Shadow’s awake?”

“He just woke up.” Amy put the outfit back into the gift bag and placed it next to the bedside table.

The nurse nodded, then left the room quickly. She must have been going to fetch the head doctor, so he could examine Shadow and determine what to do.

“You’re going to be okay.” Amy told him with security in her voice. “No matter what kind of surgery you have to go through, I will be here for you.”

Amy fingertips grazed Shadow’s hand as she turned to leave. Her steady voice was comforting, even though there was something he was hiding from him. The door closed behind her for only a moment, for after that a group of medical professionals flooded the room.