The EKG beside Rose's bed beeped once per second, it felt like it was getting slower. I took hold of Rose's hand, "Happy Birthday, sweetie", it had been a week since Rose's went into a coma due to shock, and I had felt hollow ever since. Mana entered the room, his eyes heavy and his expression stony. He was holding a small box-shaped gift, that had a little red ribbon, as well as a small, white plastic bag. I looked up at him and forced a weak smile, Mana nodded, "Morning". It was 5am, Mana and I had been at Rose's bedside almost constantly, only leaving for a few hours to attempt sleep, only to stay awake and remained worried sick. Mana sat next to me and sighed, "I'm sorry for what I said... last week, I just... I was just scared", Mana reached over and ran his finger down Rose's face, "Rose means the world to me and blaming someone else seemed like a better solution to my worries". Mana put the gift onto Rose's bedside table, "I got you what you wanted, kiddo. The HTC Canterlot, preloaded with everything you wanted... like your dad's phone number", Mana lifted the bag and put it on my knees, "I got you some breakfast, I don't think I've seen you eat in days". I opened the bag to find a thermos and a ziplock bag that contained a neatly made raisin bagel, "Thanks, Mana. That was very considerate", I was starving, but I had ignored it to watch over Rose. Mana nodded and leaned back in his chair, "I just wish she'd wake up. I miss her voice and her upbeat attitude, it brightened my day". I held his hand to comfort him, it must've confused him as he jumped a bit and looked at me funny, but he sighed and let me do so, "I miss her too, Mana. She'll be okay, you and I both know how much of a fighter she is". I yawned in exhaustion, subconsciously resting my head on Mana's shoulder. It took me a few seconds to realise what I did. I sat up fully, "Oh, sorry. Just tired...", Mana shrugged passively, "I don't mind, sleep if you want". I rested my head on his shoulder again, feeling much more relaxed than before. Mana put his arm around me and hugged me softly, I returned it and hugged him firmly, "Thanks, Mana. I'm glad you've forgiven me". Mana nodded and rested his head ontop of mine, he felt warm and soft. "Mana?", he shuffled a bit, "Yeah, Snow?". I sighed heavily, "I'm really, really sorry about this feud we've been in the past few years... over Crimson, Rose and Frost. It's nothing personal, it's just...", I tried to tell him the truth but my pride got in the way, "It's okay, Snow. You don't have to apologise, it was both of us who were arguing". I sighed in relief, it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders, "Thank you for your understanding, Mana. You're a good friend to have. We are friends, right?", Mana laughed lightly and squeezed me playfully, "Yeah, Snow. We're friends". Mana reached over and held Rose's hand gently, "You...", Mana turned his head to face me, "You'd... make a great dad, Mana", Mana smiled a bit, "Thank you, Snow". Mana stood up fully and hugged Rose, before sitting back down and letting me rest on him again. Mana hugged me tightly and shut his eyes, no doubt he was exhausted too. I think this was the only time I could actually sleep without feeling like I was abandoning Rose. Only after a few minutes, Mana began breathing a bit heavily, it made me giggle a bit whenever his exhalations brushed against my hair. I shut my eyes and began sleeping, safely in Mana's arms as well as near Rose. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting?".
I woke up to an irritating sight. Frost. He was stood in the doorway, looking disgusted, "What?". Frost scoffed and threw his head back, "What? You ask what? Isn't it obvious? You're doing it right now!", he pointed directly at Snow and I, "What, Frost? Wait, are you seriously acting this way because I'm letting your girlfriend, the panic-stricken mother of this child, rest on me?". Frost tutted and shook his head, dear Celestia I could've punched him again, "Yeah, resting on you, sure. She's my girlfriend, pal. So back off", I stepped forward, "Back off? Back off? Or else what, Frost? What're you gonna do? Cos I haven't seen you doing much this past week. Where have you been when Snow has been in Rose's room from 5am in the morning to 2am the next day? I sure as hell haven't seen you! It wouldn't kill you to at least spend an hour with the little girl who you wanted to be your daughter, for Celestia's sake!". Frost growled, clearly stumped, "Don't touch my girlfriend", Snow remained silent, "I did not touch your girlfriend, I was comforting her because her boyfriend is such a worthless waste of space that he can't even pretend to care for her". Snow still remained silent, by now she would've interjected. Frost looked over my shoulder and at Snow, "What've you got to say about this?", I stepped aside and blocked his view, "Hey, tough guy, you're angry at me. Leave her alone". Frost glared at me with contempt, "Fine, you have her. I don't need her anyway. I'm out", Frost left the room, storming down the hallway while making an abusive gesture with his fingers... until he was stopped by the security guard who gave him a scolding. I went back to sit down with Snow, I raised my arm to let her sleep again but she looked torn, "I better go talk to him", she stood up quickly but I grabbed her arm, "Snow, don't waste your time on him, he's worthless. You'll find someone else". Snow looked from me, to Frost, "I guess you're right... he was a bit of a...", Snow stopped and looked at Rose, "Can't really swear in the presence of a child, can I?". Snow sat back down and rested on me again, "This time, actually sleep, Snow. You're gonna end up ill otherwise", she nodded and shut her eyes, "I will".