Amy knocked on Shadow's door, concern etched on her face. Her friend had been growing more distant from her lately, and she couldn't shake off the worry that gripped her.

No answer.

She knocked again, calling out, "Shadow? It's me, Amy."

Still nothing. Amy tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. She stepped inside, glancing around.

"Shadow?"

A violent cough rang out from the bathroom, followed by a miserable groan. Amy rushed over, pushing open the door to find Shadow hunched over the sink, blood dripping from his lips. Her eyes widened at the sight of the rose petals scattered on the floor.

"Oh, Shadow…" she breathed in dismay.

He looked up at her, eyes dulled with exhaustion and torment.

"Amy, I…" his sentence was interrupted by another bout of coughing. More petals spilled from his mouth.

Amy went to him, gently rubbing his back. When the fit finally passed, he took a tentative breath as if unsure if his lungs would cooperate.

"How long?" she asked softly.

Shadow remained silent, avoiding her gaze, clutching the sink so tightly Amy almost worried he'd crack it. Finally, in a pained whisper, he admitted, "Over two months."

Amy's heart ached for her friend. She was all too familiar with the agony he was going through.

"Who is it?" she asked gently. "You can tell me."

Shadow stiffened, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. The feelings aren't returned, so there's no point dwelling on it."

"It does matter. Your feelings matter, and talking about it could help," Amy said. "Please, Shadow, trust me. You don't have to face this alone."

Shadow regarded her with a pained expression. "I'm sorry, Amy. I appreciate your concern, but I can't say. Please understand that it's better this way."

Amy's brow furrowed with worry, but she nodded. "Okay, I won't push you."

Shadow gave her a grateful look, though his crimson eyes were still clouded with anguish.

Amy opened her mouth to speak again, but suddenly, she began to cough as well. Shadow started in alarm as she covered her mouth with her fist, sinking to the floor. When the fit passed, she lowered her hand, revealing blood-splattered petals of a lilac flower.

Shadow's eyes were wide. "You… you have it too."

Amy gave a small, sad smile. "I guess we're both a little hopeless, aren't we?"

Shadow knelt beside her, considering this new information with a frown. He had always assumed Sonic harbored secret feelings for Amy. The way he allowed her to cling to him, how he always came to her rescue, the easy familiarity between them... Shadow had been so sure that the blue hedgehog loved Amy in his own way.

Perhaps the hero was simply oblivious to the depth of Amy's affection. Or maybe he was afraid of commitment and unwilling to explore those feelings.

Shadow reached out and gently squeezed Amy's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Amy. I wish things could have been different for you."

Amy gave him a small smile. "It's alright, Shadow. My feelings for Sonic were never your responsibility."

Shadow rubbed Amy's shoulder as they sat together on his bathroom floor. Seeing Amy plagued by hanahaki as well caused a pang in his chest. Her body won't withstand this disease as long as his will. His healing factor protects him from the worst of it, but Amy...

"Amy," he began slowly, "have you considered getting the surgery?"

Amy hummed as if to acknowledge that she heard him but didn't answer. She silently picked at the flower petals in her palm, deep in troubled thought.

"I know the idea must be difficult when your feelings for him are still strong," Shadow said gently. "But Sonic wouldn't want you suffering over this. And neither do I."

"I know," Amy whispered. She looked up at him, her green eyes conflicted. "But to stop loving Sonic after all this time... it feels unimaginable."

Shadow gave her shoulder another squeeze. "I know words mean little now, but you can make it through this. And I will be by your side to help if you'll allow me."

Amy managed a small, grateful smile at that. "I'll think about it," she finally conceded in a whisper.

…

Shadow stayed true to his word, remaining steadfastly by Amy's side as she endured the agony of her hanahaki disease. He was endlessly patient and comforting as she struggled with her feelings for Sonic, never pushing her to make a decision about the removal surgery but always listening when she needed to talk it out.

She opened up to him in ways she never had with anyone else. He understood the ache of unrequited love all too well, though he still refused to tell her who had captured his heart. But she could see the anguish in his eyes whenever he succumbed to a coughing fit, petals spilling from his lips.

The more time they spent together, the more Amy felt herself being drawn to him. She noticed little things about him that endeared him to her, like his subtle smile when amused or the surprising gentleness of his touch when he'd brush her quills back after a coughing spell.

One day, as Shadow gently talked her through another crying spell, Amy realized with surprise that she was developing feelings for him that went beyond friendship. However, she couldn't let herself fall for Shadow, no matter how much she was starting to long for his company. If he didn't return those feelings, she would only end up with another tragic case of hanahaki.

Amy sighed, trying to ignore the spark of warmth in her chest as her gaze lingered on Shadow's face. She told herself that it was just surface-level attraction that would fade away over time. Shadow had been so kind to her that it was only natural that she would feel fondness in return. But to pursue romance was too risky. If one-sided pining for Sonic was slowly destroying her from the inside, another unrequited love on top of that would likely kill her.

So Amy kept her developing feelings to herself. She couldn't risk putting herself through that fresh agony again. Their relationship would remain nothing more complicated than a close friendship, two people finding solace from shared affliction.

…

Over the next few weeks, Shadow noticed with quiet surprise that his usual hanahaki symptoms had begun to ease. He still coughed up rose petals nearly every day, but the fits were no longer as violent or frequent. Sometimes, he could go almost a whole day without tasting blood. His healing abilities reduced the internal damage, but this was different. This was a genuine improvement.

But how? The only way his hanahaki could improve is if...

Amy was returning his feelings.

Could Amy be developing some affection for him? The possibility seemed too good to be real. And yet, the evidence was clear as his breathing gradually grew easier. After resigning himself to one-sided pining, allowing this faintest spark of hope felt both terrifying and exhilarating.

Shadow stayed silent rather than risk shattering this delicate, budding dynamic between them. He would wait for a sign that she was ready. He wouldn't pressure her into confronting emotions she might not yet fully understand herself.

He focused on appreciating every moment he had by her side. Each was a gift, more precious than he could ever fully articulate. And someday, when the time was right, he hoped to share everything in his heart with the one who made it beat anew. Until that time came, her friendship was more than enough.

…

Amy bustled around her little house, nervously tidying and arranging items in preparation for Shadow's arrival. After weeks of inward debate, she had finally accepted the truth - the warmth that filled her whenever they were together couldn't be denied or brushed aside as just a momentary crush anymore.

She had to tell him, even though the thought of confessing still scared her. She thought she could trust Shadow's signals lately - sitting closer, lingering touches, the soft look in his eyes when gazing at her - but the stakes were so high. If she was reading this all wrong and he didn't feel the same, hanahaki could strike her yet again. But the words burned inside her, longing to be set free. She had to try, even if-

A knock sounded at the door, snapping her out of her thoughts. Amy smoothed down her quills, took a deep breath, and answered it with a shy smile.

Shadow stood at the doorway, his eyes softening as he took in Amy's nervous demeanor. He offered a small, reassuring smile in return.

"Hey," Amy greeted, her voice a touch unsteady.

"Hey," Shadow replied, his tone calm. "Everything okay?"

Amy hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, everything's fine," she said, a nervous laugh escaping her. "I just wanted to talk to you about something."

Shadow raised a brow, his concern growing. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

Amy beckoned him inside, and they settled on the couch. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Amy searched for the right words. She fidgeted for a moment before gathering her courage.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I need to be honest with you, Shadow," she began, her eyes meeting his. He nodded, encouraging her to continue. Her heart pounding wildly, she took a deep, shaky breath and began.

"Well, I want you to know that your support through my hanahaki has meant everything to me. You've been my rock, and I can't thank you enough for that." She dropped her gaze. "And... I've noticed my feelings for you have deepened into something more. Maybe it started as just gratitude. But now... now it's so much more."

Amy exhaled, shoulders slumping with the released tension of her confession. She risked a glance up at Shadow, bracing for heartache. To her surprise, he was smiling softly.

"I had hoped, but I didn't want to presume…" he murmured.

"You… you hoped?" Amy stammered, hope starting to overtake the lingering fear in her heart.

Shadow nodded. "Over the past weeks, my hanahaki has eased considerably. I hardly cough up flowers anymore."

Amy's eyes widened. "You mean you...?" she asked, her voice still uncertain.

Shadow answered by taking her hand in his, his ears folding back in timidness. "I didn't want to pressure you," he said softly. "But every smile, every touch, every moment we spent together gave me a spark of hope that maybe you were starting to feel for me how I feel for you."

Almost shyly, Shadow brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "You have been a light for me in my darkest times. I've never been more grateful for anything in my life."

Overcome with emotion, Amy threw her arms around Shadow in a tight embrace. He returned it wholeheartedly, holding her close against him. They stayed that way for several blissful moments before Amy drew back just enough to meet his gaze again, emerald eyes shimmering.

"Shadow, you were there when I was hurting, never asking for anything in return," she said. "I want to give you that same affection and devotion."

She bit her lip nervously before continuing. "I know my heart needs more time to heal completely. But if you're willing to take this slowly with me…" she trailed off, eyes hopeful.

Shadow gazed adoringly into her eyes. "We'll take it as slowly as you need to," he whispered. "I don't know what the future holds for us, but I want to explore it together."

Amy's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and happiness. They sat together, hand in hand, simply reveling in each other's presence and the promise of a new chapter in their relationship.