"There's not much space to go around, I'm afraid, so you two might have to, um…"

"Get creative?"

"You could call it that. Sorry, girls." Amy gives Tangle an exhausted smile whilst inclining her head in sympathy for Whisper. "I know it's not ideal, but, well."

"Don't sweat it!"

"We'll be fine."

"Just look at you! You've managed to keep yourself together, through it all, on top of managing everything else! And that's super inspiring!"

"Leading by example."

"Damn right! We're hardly gonna complain!"

"That's very kind. I guess, with all the people I've had falling asleep against my shoulders, I've never felt more like a big sister, before."

"Aw." The lemur leans over to playfully elbow the hedgehog. "You really are everybody's tough, lovable sis, aren't ya."

"I do try."

"And we appreciate it!"

"Mmhm." The wolf offers a kindly nod against the Wisp that has perched on her shoulder, their cheeks thus brushing in a mutual nuzzle. "We look up to you. Really, we do."

"But that's no reason to get yourself tied up in knots of worry over us. Whisper and I are tough enough. Gotta spare a thought for yourself, too, y'know?"

"You're tired. Stressed. More than most."

"You don't have to fret so much. I know it's part of your nature, but we want you to come out of this war without grey quills."

"Oh, you guys." Amy clearly feels guilty, regardless, and adds with a sincere, pretty frown, "I wish I could spare more room, especially after all your hard work, but–"

"Hey, seriously, don't sweat it, tiger! Like we said! We're totally fine. Heh. Fine as can be, anyway."

"More important things to think about."

"But do the thinking without the fretting part."

"I know, I know." A sigh. "You'll be alright?"

"Yes."

"Actually…"

Two woman turn to the third.

"We're all in this, together, so I don't wanna be too selfish, see?" Tangle chuckles casually whilst running a dusty hand through her already tussled fur, then adds in a calmer, shyer manner, "Sure, it's probably kinda selfish to admit, but there's honestly nobody I'd rather snuggle up with to survive a disaster than Whisper, so… in a way…"

"You're feeling better than alright with this."

"Yup."

The wolf, blushing very noticeably, doesn't cringe or shrink away from the flickering, meagre light that exposes her, her smile turning treacherously, suggestively crooked.

"I see." The hedgehog raises a brow of intrigue, smirking. "If I had any scented candles to help set the mood…"

"No need! Whisper smells like the forest. It's great."

"Tangle, please."

"Although…" After a dramatic moment of silence, the lemur adds jokingly, "Come to think of it, if I had a choice of cuddle companion, I reckon I'd consider picking Rouge, since she looks like she'd be good for a snuggle," then feigns a wince as a fist gently collides with her shoulder, causing no pain at all. "Easy, girl, I need this arm! Save the raw, bestial strength for Eggman, would ya?"

"You're the worst."

"And you love it."

"Grrmph."

"Wow." Amy appraises her friends with a fond wink. "You two really have grown close. Starting to get a little intense!"

"She saved me," is all Whisper says in explanation, but it's the confidence in her quiet voice, even more so than the intimate wording, that makes Tangle visibly struggle not to collapse on quivering knees.

"Oooh!" The lemur cups her glowing cheeks and sways. "You're too sweet! Making me sound so heroic n'stuff!"

"S'true." The wolf distracts herself somewhat with petting the Wisp on her shoulder, murmuring, "You're my hero."

"Aah! Stop, I'm gonna melt!"

"In that case, let me not keep you two." The hedgehog turns with a flutter of her lashes, but adds soberly, "Sleep well, okay?"

"You, too." Whisper readies herself to lead, because Tangle has yet to recover from almost swooning, gently grasping the lemur's bony wrist and giving green eyes a firm, but patient expression. "No more all-nighters, Amy, 'cept when you have to. Rest."

"I'll try, sweetie. Goodnight."

"G'night," is the wolf's mild reply, turning away.

Amy wishes she could spare more thought to romantic fantasy as Whisper leads Tangle out the sparse little room by the wrist, but Eggman won't allow such games. The hedgehog sighs over the wolf's heavy boots, despite such stealthy steps, as this fatigue extends to all.

The lemur's heartfelt, silly giggle echoes and it's enough to provoke a couple of smiles, at least.

Sometimes one must be grateful for these little things.

"Okay, this is somehow more crowded than I thought it'd be."

"Yes," Whisper says in her dulcet undertone.

"You still okay?"

"I'm fine. Just… S'making me tense."

"I feel it, too. Radiating off of you."

"Don't mind me."

"Can't help it. You're too important."

"Mmph."

Tangle draws closer, because her closeness is the comforting sort, not stifling anymore, providing reassurance in this space of crammed bodies. "Do you wanna, um, try outside? We could camp under the stars, like, what little of them we'll see through the smog."

"Too risky." The wolf's ears press back with mild-mannered, antisocial distaste. "I'll manage here."

"That's my tough guy. How about those boxes, then? We could curl up on top of 'em, avoid all these feet and butts."

"Sounds like a plan."

"My plans are usually bad, but hopefully, not this time," Tangle says in her hushed voice, so as not to wake anyone, taking strength from the reassuring squeeze on her wrist before physical contact between them is broken. She takes the first step into the chaos of murmured conversations, snores and sighs, nimbly navigating her way around spayed fingers and tattered clothes, toward the crates stacked against the farthest wall, intended to take up less space.

Whisper follows, imagining each person a potential source of scorn should her reinforced soles unfortunately tread on their tails.

Soon, Tangle nimbly mounts onto a wooden crate, like an island amidst a sea of bodies. "I hope nobody urgently needs whatever's in these."

The wolf arrives shortly thereafter, easing herself into a meditative position whilst setting her Wispon aside, in easy reach of herself but not any of the sleeping civilians below, Wisps flooding to bury themselves in her arms, as well as Tangle's.

"Aw, little guys." The lemur takes advantage of the stack, leaning back against it cautiously, testing the stability, glad when none of the heavy crates tumble over. "You wanna make the most of a snuggly predicament, don't you?"

The Wisps certainly don't complain when she cradles then beneath her chin.

"You're so warm."

Whisper smiles at Tangle, then kisses her share of Wisps upon their heads.

"Goodnight, little ones. Sweet dreams, 'kay?"

"Stay close to us."

The Wisps settle quickly.

"Are you comfy enough, over there?"

"Yes. You?"

"Yep."

"Then…" The wolf rests her head against the cool wall, soothed by it. "G'night."

"Goodnight, buddy." The lemur's eyes are already shut, her tail curling itself instinctively about those closest to her.

"D'you mind if…?"

She manages a drowsy little chuckle. "Go ahead."

Whisper takes hold of the soft, fluffy appendage, drawing it toward herself like a pillow, a blanket, and a lifeline all in one.

Tangle doesn't verbally say how much she treasures being so much, to someone. But the inward bliss that overcomes her says it all and she easily falls asleep.

The wolf and the lemur don't notice the envy of some of the others, who do not rest, who have lost so much.

"Wanted to tear myself apart, rather than live without you."

"But you pulled through."

"For a chance to see you again, I had to. Had to see further than the way I felt. Told myself s'what you would've wanted. Told myself over, and over, and…"

Tangle doesn't mind the intensity of Whisper's embrace, a grip that could rival Amy's, it turns out.

"I dunno what to do with you."

"What do you mean?"

"You're back, but god, it was hell when you were gone. And now, you're here, again, and I feel so…"

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to regret. S'what Sonic said."

"Did you think about punching him, after he said it?"

"N'worse."

"It wasn't his fault."

"Don't care. Lost you. Just got you back."

The lemur remains very still, allowing the wolf to slur these tearstained words into her cheek.

"Missed you. Cried so much. Couldn't think straight. You were gone but you where everywhere. Torment. Torment! My family, all over, again!"

Tangle has cried plenty, herself, and she's trying not to cry anymore, trying to at least appear strong as Whisper, despite the muscular advantage, is collapsed in her weakness, all too willing to weep anew.

"I wanna take you and… put you inside myself. Keep you, in here, with me. Somehow. S'unhealthy."

The lemur, overwhelmed, wants to speak, but she cannot fathom what she should say, what words would help.

"What should I do with you? Tangle?"

She looks to the Wisps, but they stay back, affording this space.

"Please." The wolf pauses for another shudder. "Don't leave me, again."

Eventually, Tangle settles on saying, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be!"

"I'm sorry, anyway."

"Just tell me," Whisper snarls back, hoarse, clinging, "what to do."

"I don't know."

"Oh, Tangle."

"Whisper, I'm…"

"I love you so much."

"You're hurting."

"I wanted to say it, still."

"If you can bear to hear it, I love you, too."

"Hrmph."

"Is this helping? This hug?"

"I dunno. Maybe. I need it, though."

"Take it. Take it from me. All of it. I've got plenty to spare, you know me. I can keep giving and you can keep taking. It's alright."

"Not too tight? I can… let go, a little."

"Not at all. Maybe we'll merge together, in the end."

"God! I want to!"

"'Til then, we can keep this going. This hug. Let's hug, as long as you like, as long as you need."

"Okay."

"It doesn't solve everything, but–"

"Doesn't have to!" Tears. Like a forest after some downpour. "Just hold me."