The night fell, dark and turbulent, over the city as a violent storm raged with incessant fury. Lightning crossed the sky, illuminating the empty and desolate streets, while the rain fell in dense curtains that deformed the landscape into a blurry chaos. Amidst the gloom, a solitary figure trudged forward, each step a challenge against the gale that seemed to want to knock him down.
It was Shadow, fighting not only against the external storm, but also against the internal tempest that consumed him. His black coat, soaked and heavy, clung to his body, marking the tension in his muscles and the rigidity in his posture. Each drop of rain was a whiplash of cold that added to the sharp pain in his side, where a deep wound still bled, hidden by the darkness and the rain. He had emerged victorious from the battle against the students of the rival institute, but the victory had cost him more than he was willing to admit.
As he moved forward, blood mixed with the water running down his face, sliding from a wound on his eyebrow that had barely stopped bleeding. His breathing was a ragged gasp, each inhalation bringing a stab of pain to his ribs, but he kept going, driven by the stubbornness of not letting himself be defeated, not even by his own body. He had to get home. He couldn't let Rouge and Amy see him like this, he couldn't show them that even he, the invincible Shadow, had his limits.
Through the curtain of rain, Rouge's figure appeared, silhouetted against the distant lights. Her silver hair shone like a halo under the light of a streetlamp, while her dark purple coat fluttered slightly in the wind. Despite the storm, she walked with the grace and confidence that always characterized her, but her blue eyes, when they fell on Shadow, revealed a concern that pierced him like an arrow. That look made his steps falter, momentarily weakening his resolve.
"Shadow, what happened to you?" —Her voice, normally firm and seductive, was filled with an anguish that she could barely conceal.
Shadow lifted the umbrella he had been carrying, offering it to Rouge without a word. His face remained impassive, his expression serious and cold as always, but the trembling in his hands betrayed him. While he soaked in the rain, Rouge remained dry, under the shelter of his gesture. She knew that his silence was a shield, a barrier he raised to not show weakness, but that did not make his injuries any less obvious.
"It's just a scratch," he finally answered, his deep voice resonating with a stubbornness that tried to hide the seriousness of his condition.
But Rouge was not so easily fooled. Her eyes quickly moved over Shadow's body, noting the blood stains that stained his coat and the way his body tensed with each breath. She knew he would not admit it, but she also knew that he must be in intense pain.
"You're bleeding, Shadow," she said softly, taking a step towards him. And you're burning up... It's not just a scratch, this is serious.
Shadow looked away, unable to bear the intensity of her eyes. There was something about Rouge, the way she looked at him, that made him feel exposed, vulnerable in a way he couldn't bear. He needed to be strong, not just for him, but for them. He couldn't let Rouge or Amy see him weak, he couldn't be a burden to them.
"It's nothing I can't handle," he insisted, with that stubbornness that had always been his trademark. But even as he said it, he felt his body beginning to give out, the fever intensifying, blurring his vision and weakening his legs.
"Shadow, please, you don't have to do this alone," Rouge replied, moving even closer, until he was so close that she could feel the feverish heat radiating off him. "You don't have to prove anything. Let me help you."
He remained silent, his jaw clenched in an attempt to contain the pain and weakness plaguing him. He couldn't... he didn't want to admit how much he needed that help. So, without another word, he kept walking, Rouge at his side, until they reached the apartment they shared.
When they finally entered, the door swung open, revealing Amy, who had been waiting anxiously. Her pink hair was slightly messy, her green eyes shining with a mix of relief and fear at the sight of them entering. Seeing Shadow's state, his heart skipped a beat.
"Shadow!" she exclaimed, running towards him. "What happened to you? You're hurt!"
Before he could respond, the strength left him completely. His legs buckled under his weight, and the world faded into a tangle of confusing sounds and sensations. The last image he caught was Amy's terrified expression and Rouge's scream as he was held before everything went black.
When he regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was pain. A sharp pain in his ribs, and a burning sensation on his skin that he couldn't ignore. He opened his eyes with difficulty, blinking at the dim light that illuminated the room. He was lying on the couch, with Rouge and Amy by his side, their faces marked with worry.
"Where... am I?" he managed to mumble, his voice hoarse and weak.
"You're home, Shadow," Rouge replied, her voice soft as a caress. "You're safe."
He tried to get up, but a sharp pain in his side made him groan and fall back onto the couch. Amy, seeing his attempt to move, gently stopped him, placing a hand on his chest to prevent him from sitting up.
"Don't move," she asked, her tone firm but full of tenderness. "You need to rest, please."
Shadow tried to protest, his instinct not to show weakness to anyone still present, but tiredness and pain overcame him. He closed his eyes, clenching his teeth as he fought the urge to surrender to the darkness that called him again.
"I... don't want to be a burden…" he murmured with difficulty. "I don't want them to see me like this."
Rouge took his hand, interlacing her fingers with his, and looked him straight in the eyes, with an intensity that made him tremble.
"You will never be a burden to us, Shadow," she said firmly. "We haven't seen you like this to judge you, but because we love you and want to take care of you."
Amy, who had been watching silently, felt a lump in her throat as she saw Shadow's internal struggle, his inability to accept the help he so desperately needed. She moved closer to him, placing a hand on his cheek, noticing the feverish heat emanating from his skin.
"Shadow, please, you don't have to be strong all the time," she said softly. "Let us help you, let us take care of you."
But Shadow couldn't, or rather, didn't know how to do so. The idea of someone seeing him in his most vulnerable state, of being considered weak, was intolerable to him. He couldn't bear the idea of Rouge and Amy looking at him with pity or concern. He had to show them that he was strong, that he could overcome anything, even this fever and these wounds. He knew he was at his limit, but the need to protect them, to be the pillar they could lean on, was stronger than his own well-being.
"I'm… going to be okay," he said in a raspy voice, determination etched on his face. "I don't want you to worry… I don't need help."
Rouge and Amy exchanged glances, knowing that, despite his words, Shadow was at the edge of his resistance. But they also knew that insisting too much would only make him close down more. So they decided to give him some space, hoping that, in time, he would realize that he didn't have to carry everything alone.
"It's okay," Rouge finally said, giving in a little so as not to pressure him. "But if you need anything, anything, we'll be here. You don't have to prove anything, Shadow. We already know that."
Amy nodded, although deep down she felt helpless, wishing she could do more to help him.
"Get some rest," he said softly. "We'll make sure you're okay."
Shadow nodded, closing his eyes as a sense of relief and guilt mingled within him. He loved them, more than he'd ever admitted out loud, and it was that very reason that drove him to want to be strong for them, to not show them his weakness. But as exhaustion dragged him back into unconsciousness, a part of him knew he was fighting a losing battle.
Hours later, as silence enveloped the apartment and the storm outside had subsided, Shadow woke up again. This time, the fever seemed to have subsided a little, and his mind, though still fuzzy, was clear enough to formulate a plan. He knew that if he stayed there, Rouge and Amy would still be worried, still seeing him as a burden. He couldn't allow that.
Carefully, moving as quietly as he could, he stood up from the couch. The pain in his side was sharp, but he ignored it, focusing all his will on staying upright without making a sound. He looked at Rouge and Amy, who were sleeping near him, exhausted from worry. He felt guilty for causing them so much stress, but he also knew he had to leave. He had to show them that he was capable of taking care of himself, of not being a burden.
With one last glance at them, he slipped out of the apartment, carefully closing the door behind him. The cool night breeze hit him, and even though his body protested, he kept walking. He needed to do this, he needed to prove that he was strong, even if it cost him everything.
But what he didn't know was that, upon waking up and not finding him, Rouge and Amy would understand what he had done. And even though they knew Shadow was only trying to protect them, they couldn't help but feel hurt by his decision to leave without saying anything. They knew it was his way of loving them, but they also knew that true love wasn't about carrying everything alone, but about sharing the burdens.
The night continued on, as Shadow walked away into the darkness, determined to be strong, but not realizing that his true act of strength would have been to stay and allow himself to be cared for.
The night had cooled significantly, and the rain had slowed to a persistent drizzle, leaving a damp, glistening blanket over the city streets. The air was permeated with the smell of wet earth and ozone, a reminder of the recent downpour. As he walked, Shadow felt the moisture seeping into his bones, intensifying the pain of his wounds. Each step took more effort than he was willing to admit, but he kept going, motivated by the need to prove that he could handle any adversity without help.
However, guilt was eating away at him inside. He knew he had hurt Rouge and Amy by leaving without saying anything, but for him, that was the only way to protect them. He believed that if they didn't see him suffer, they wouldn't care so much. But as he walked forward, staggering from time to time, an inner voice whispered to him that he was making a mistake, that he was walking away from the people who loved him the most out of pride.
Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Rouge was the first to wake up. Her instincts told her something was wrong, and when she opened her eyes and didn't see Shadow on the couch, her heart stopped for a second. Worry enveloped her like a cold blanket. She knew what he'd done. He'd left.
"Amy," she said in a tone that denoted urgency, shaking her companion slightly.
Amy opened her eyes slowly, blinking at first, until the concern on Rouge's face put her on alert.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice still sleepy, but instantly alarmed.
"Shadow's gone," Rouge replied, her words laden with frustration and fear. "He's not here, he left while we were sleeping."
Amy sat up suddenly, her heart racing at those words. She stood up from the couch, frantically searching the apartment for any sign of where he might have gone. But there was nothing, not a note, not a clue. Nothing.
"Why would he do that?" Amy asked, her voice cracking with worry. He's in no condition to go anywhere, Rouge. He's hurt, he's…!
"Because he thinks he's protecting us like that," Rouge interrupted, her voice deep and bitter. "He's always been like that, Amy. He'd rather destroy himself than let anyone else see him vulnerable."
Amy was silent for a moment, letting Rouge's words sink into her mind. She knew Shadow had that ironclad pride, that need to be strong, but she couldn't bear the thought of him taking it that far.
"We can't let him be alone," Amy said finally, resolve in her voice. "We have to find him."
Rouge nodded, her eyes shining with determination. She wasn't going to let Shadow destroy himself just for the sake of his own pride. With one last glance at the apartment door, they both hurried out, hoping it wasn't too late.
Shadow, for his part, had moved considerably away from the apartment, but each step became heavier. The fever was still present, although the cold breeze gave him momentary relief. His mind was clouded, and his thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and pain. He vaguely remembered the battle that afternoon, how he had fought with everything he had, how he had resisted until the last moment to emerge victorious. But now, in the solitude of the night, he was beginning to question whether all that sacrifice was worth it.
He stumbled, and barely managed to hold on to a nearby railing so as not to fall. The pain in his side was unbearable, and the weight of his own body seemed like a punishment. But still, he refused to stop. He couldn't give in, he couldn't let the pain overcome him. However, his body had other plans. He felt his strength abandoning him, that the fever and exhaustion were consuming him.
In a dark alley, where the city lights barely reached, Shadow finally stopped. He leaned against a damp wall, his breathing coming in ragged gasps. He closed his eyes, trying to find some glimmer of energy, but everything seemed to be crumbling around him. Darkness enveloped him, and for the first time, he felt true fear. Not of death, but of loneliness, of the possibility that all his effort would be in vain. He was sinking, and there was no one there to save him. Because he had decided it would be that way.
Suddenly, a familiar sound broke the silence. The soft echo of footsteps was coming closer, and although his mind was clouded, he recognized the rhythm. He opened his eyes with difficulty, and what he saw made him almost break down again.
Rouge and Amy were there, running towards him, their faces filled with a mixture of relief, worry, and a slight repressed anger. Shadow tried to straighten up, to regain his composure, but his body no longer responded as he wanted.
"Shadow…" Amy whispered, her eyes filled with tears at seeing him in that state. Why did you do this?
Rouge didn't say anything, but her gaze said it all. She approached him with a mix of tenderness and reproach, her hands firm but gentle as she took his face in between them.
"You're a fool, Shadow," she finally said, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. "A stubborn fool who doesn't understand that we don't need you to be strong all the time. We love you just the way you are, with your strengths and your weaknesses."
Shadow tried to speak, but the words choked in his throat. He wanted to tell them he was sorry, that he just wanted to protect them, but the fever and exhaustion got the better of him. He felt the darkness closing in on him again, and before he lost consciousness, the last thing he saw was Rouge and Amy holding him, their eyes filled with love and determination.
When he woke up for the second time, he was back in the apartment, but this time, the atmosphere was different. The air was charged with a gentle tension, and although his wounds still hurt, the fever seemed to have subsided a little. He tried to sit up, but a gentle pressure on his chest stopped him.
"Not this time," Rouge said, her voice soft but firm. "This time, you will stay still, Shadow."
Amy came to the other side of the couch, a damp towel in her hand. Her eyes looked at him with a mix of affection and firmness.
"We are not going to let you go again," she said, her tone as determined as Rouge's. "We are going to stay here, with you, until you are okay."
Shadow looked at them both, his heart pounding, not from the effort, but from the emotion overwhelming him. He felt caught between his need to be strong and his desire to give in, to trust them. Finally, and for the first time, he let his defenses fall completely. He nodded slightly, accepting their help, allowing himself to be vulnerable in front of the two people he loved most in the world.
"I'm sorry…" he murmured, his voice breaking, looking first at Rouge and then at Amy. I just wanted to protect them... I didn't want them to worry about me.
Rouge gently stroked his hair, her touch warm and comforting.
"We care because we love you, Shadow," she replied. "And protecting you is part of loving you, too."
Amy took his hand, lacing her fingers through his. Her gaze was soft, but firm.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," she said. "Let us be strong for you, just as you have been for us."
Shadow closed his eyes, feeling an unfamiliar peace envelop him. For the first time, he was allowing someone else to care for him, someone else to carry part of his burden. And in that moment, he understood something he had long denied: that true strength was not in facing everything alone, but in accepting the love and support of those who matter most to you.
As the night continued outside, with the soft sound of rain as a backdrop, Shadow gave himself over to rest, surrounded by Rouge and Amy's love. His body, though wounded and exhausted, was beginning to heal, but more importantly, his heart had finally found the peace it had long sought.
And so, under the watchful eyes of his two loves, Shadow finally allowed sleep to claim him, knowing that no matter what, he would never be alone.