"How long was I out for?" Amy asked.
The sterile smell of the hospital was starting to give her a headache. It was never pleasant and made her feel even more disoriented. She squinted at the bright overhead lights, trying to piece together her scattered thoughts.
She remembered the pain- sharp and overwhelming, followed by darkness. Bits and pieces of the accident flashed through her mind, but they were so hazy and fragmented. Her body felt so cramped like she hadn't moved in weeks.
She hadn't felt this weak and tired since giving birth to Dash. It felt like her entire body was protesting every slight movement, even though she tried to push through the discomfort.
There were so many IV lines and monitors attached to her, each one a reminder of how fragile she was right now. The beeping of the machines seemed to synchronise with her heart, a steady reminder that she was alive.
Alive…
Her breath caught in her throat. Did she almost die?
Her mind raced, trying to remember, but the harder she tried, the more elusive the memories became.
"A week," Sonic said. He was sitting beside her bed, looking more exhausted than she had ever seen him. His eyes were almost bloodshot. Dark circles were underneath his lids like he hadn't slept, and his quills were slightly dishevelled- presumably from running his hand over them in stress like she'd seen him do all the time.
Amy's heart sank. A week. She had been unconscious for an entire week.
She turned her head slightly, wincing at the ache that shot through her neck so she could see him properly. She searched his face, seeing the strain, the worry etched into the lines of his usual carefree demeanour. He looked like he'd been carrying so much weight on his shoulders because of her…
Sonic reached out, gently taking her hand in his.
"I thought I lost you," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "They said you were... " He paused to take a deep shaky breath, "It was bad, Ames. Real bad."
She felt an uncomfortable lump in her throat. The thought of how close she had come to losing everything—her life, her family, her friends—was terrifying. She squeezed Sonic's hand, trying to reassure him and trying to reassure herself.
"I'm here," she said, though she sounded weak and raspy. "I'm still here."
Sonic nodded and kissed her hand, letting his lips stay and linger there as he closed his eyes in relief. "Yeah, you are. Thank Chaos, you are, Ames."
Amy pressed her lips so she could hold in the tears that threatened her eyes. Even though there was no point in hiding how vulnerable she felt, she couldn't help it but she saw the lone and silent tear that dropped from Sonic's eye, followed by another and then another.
As much as he told her that he hated seeing her cry, she was never fully prepared to see him cry.
Between them, Sonic was the one who could hold in his emotions much better than she ever could. He was confident all the time, he'd light up the room with his smiles and grins regardless of the situation. It was his natural ability. She'd rarely see him angry, she'd rarely see him so defeated…
But everything seemed to have caught up to him at once from the past years. The stress, business, the anxiety of their relationship, trying to be the best father he could be for their son…
And then this.
Sonic looked as fragile as she felt.
Amy squeezed his hand tighter, wanting to comfort him, even though she felt so weak herself. "Hey..." She whispered, her voice trembling. She wanted to tell him that it was okay, that they would get through this, but the words got stuck in her throat. Instead, she just held onto him, letting the silence speak for them both.
He wiped his eyes quickly with his free hand as if embarrassed by his tears. But he didn't let go of her hand.
"You don't have to be strong all the time, you know," she said, her own tears relentlessly falling and wetting her face. "It's okay to let it out."
Sonic nodded, but she could see he was struggling to keep it together. "I know... it's just... I couldn't lose you, Ames." He shook his head, "I can't imagine a world without you in it."
Just hearing that made her hiccup out a sob. "I'm sorr-"
"Shut up, Amy," Sonic cut her off, his voice cracking again as he took a jittery breath, "Don't you dare apologise."
"But-"
"Don't," he just pleaded and softened his gaze at her, "I can't take any more apologies between us right now."
Amy wanted to tell him how she hated how their last argument ended terribly and wanted to apologise for how she acted, but she also understood what he meant. They were both tired. Most of their conversations recently always had to be filled with apologies because of remnants of their past and… They were both so over it.
There will always be so much to apologise for in words but Amy knew that both of them were better at that in actions.
"Okay," she whispered as she tried to offer a weak smile, but it felt more like a grimace.
Sonic gently brushed the tears from her cheeks, his touch tender and careful as he gave her a small smile.
For once, a pleasant silence filled the room. From both the sounds of their soft breathing and Sonic resting his cheek against her hand, Amy felt a sense of peace wash over her. The room was filled with the gentle hum of machines and the occasional distant sound of footsteps in the hallway, but Amy didn't feel overwhelmed by it all now.
However, she didn't want to fall asleep again and asked, "H-How's Dash? Is he okay?"
To her relief, Sonic let out a small laugh. "He went out with Tails to eat lunch, but he was here with you all morning," he said, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, "I didn't want him to see you in the state that you were in, so I kept him away until I knew you'd be all right. But," Sonic's smile grew a little wider, "He was stubborn about leaving you just now- kept saying he wanted to be here when you woke up. I had to promise him that he'd be the first to know when you did."
Amy couldn't help but smile at that. As sweet as Dash was, he was still stubborn, just like both of them, so it was like him to act that way. She remembered his cries and screams when she got hit. The memory was still foggy, but she could recall the sound of his voice, filled with such fear and desperation.
"When is he coming back? I really wanna see him now."
"Yeah, you will," Sonic smiled at her before standing up and clearing his throat once the doctors came in. "But after you rest up and let the doctors do their thing. Just take it easy, Ames."
"Hello, Miss Rose!" A young silver-grey male hedgehog stepped into the room and a purple female cat accompanied him with a warm smile. The male hedgehog had a calm and reassuring presence, his silver quills neatly arranged and his gold eyes filled with a pleasant expression. The female cat beside him had a poised demeanour, her lavender fur sleek and her yellow eyes soft yet focused.
"I'm Dr. Silver, and this is my partner, Dr. Blaze," The hedgehog introduced himself. "We're the ones who have been taking care of you."
"Silver and Blaze are some of the best doctors in the city," Sonic said, looking at both of them with a grateful smile, "So, you're in good hands, Ames. They've been here every step of the way to make sure you're okay."
Amy nodded slowly, her mind still processing everything but managed a smile once she looked at the doctors. "Thank you."
Silver smiled reassuringly. "You were in critical condition when you arrived, but you've pulled through incredibly well! We'll need to run some tests to make sure everything is healing properly. Is that okay with you?"
Amy nodded again, though the idea of more tests made her uneasy. She knew it was necessary, and she trusted the doctors, but she couldn't help but feel anxious.
Sonic leaned down, his face softening as he whispered, "I'll step out while they run the tests. I'm gonna get Dash and bring him back here, yeah?"
Before he turned to leave, Sonic leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin. He paused for a moment, as if savouring the quiet intimacy between them, then pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. It was soft and lingering, a promise of his return and a silent reassurance that everything would be alright.
Amy closed her eyes, feeling the comfort of his kiss even after he pulled away. When she opened them again, Sonic was looking at her with a small, tender smile, his hand slowly letting go of hers.
"Be back in a flash," he said, giving her a wink before leaving the room.
Silver moved closer to her bed and started preparing the necessary equipment for the tests, while Blaze stayed by his side, taking down notes on her clipboard.
She was still a little nervous, but from the way both doctors produced the bedside manner naturally and looked at her with so much kindness, she found herself relaxing instantly.
"So," Silver began, "We'll start with a few basic assessments to check your vitals and see how everything's healing. If you feel any discomfort or have any questions, just let us know. We're here to make sure you're comfortable."
Silver gently took her wrist, feeling for her pulse, while Blaze adjusted the machines monitoring her vitals. The steady beeping of the heart monitor provided a calming rhythm, anchoring her amidst the emotions swirling in her mind.
"Your vitals look good, Miss Rose. Your blood pressure is stable, and your heart rate is within a healthy range. You're doing remarkably well, considering the severity of your injuries."
Amy managed a weak smile, relieved to hear something positive. "That's good… right?"
"Very good," he confirmed, "We'll keep monitoring you closely, but if you continue to improve like this, you'll be on your feet in no time. We're going to check your reflexes next, and then we'll move on to some scans."
As Silver continued his examination, Blaze explained each step. "We're going to test your muscle strength now, just to see how your body is responding. I'll ask you to press against my hand with your leg, okay?"
Amy complied, though it took more effort than she expected. Her muscles felt weak and uncooperative, but she managed to push against Blaze's hand.
"Good, good," Blaze encouraged. "Despite your state, you still have a lot of your strength!"
After a few more tests, Silver nodded to Blaze, who stepped back to jot down some notes. "You're doing great! We'll get you into the scanner soon to take a closer look at how everything's healing internally later. But so far, everything seems to be on track!"
Amy sighed in relief, grateful for the positive news. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice still a little shaky, "I really appreciate you both looking after me."
Silver and Blaze exchanged looks with each other, clearly touched by her gratitude. Silver gave her hand a gentle pat. "It's our job, Miss Rose, but we're glad to see you pulling through so well."
It was then she decided that she wanted Silver and Blaze to be her permanent doctors.
As they finished their preliminary checks, Silver looked up and smiled at her. "We'll let you rest for a bit now, and then we'll proceed with the scans later. If you need anything in the meantime, just press the call button, and we'll be right here."
When the door closed behind them, Amy let out a long breath. The room was quiet again, the only sounds being the gentle hum of the machines and her own steady breathing. She felt a bit more at ease now, knowing that she was in good hands. Carefully, she pressed her palms against the bed and pushed herself up so she could sit up.
The door opened again and the first thing she saw was Dash poking his head inside. His eyes widened when he saw that she was awake.
He quickly ran towards her. "Mom!"
"Whoa- hey, hey!" Sonic was already behind him and stopped him from leaping onto the bed, "Easy there, buddy. Your mom's still recovering."
Dash leaned his head back to look at his Dad sheepishly. "R-Right."
Amy laughed, trying not to cry, and she beckoned him to come over, her hand reaching out. "Come here, baby. Just be gentle, okay?"
He was still so young, but the past week had clearly taken its toll on him too. The sight of it made her want to unhook everything and jump out of the bed and just wrap him around her arms.
Dash looked like he was torn between being thrilled to see that she was awake and being careful not to hurt her. He hesitated for a second, then carefully took her hand, his fingers curling around hers. "Are you okay, Mom?"
Amy's heart ached but melted at the worry in his eyes. "I'm okay. Just a little tired, but I'll be back to normal soon."
Nodding, Dash carefully climbed onto the bed, settling beside her with a worried expression. His small hands reached out to touch her arm as if needing the reassurance that she was really there.
He was pressing his lips together but she could see his mouth quivering. He was trying to be strong, but the tears from the corner of his eyes gave away.
"Mom, I was so scared," Dash said, his voice trembling. "I thought... I thought you were gonna leave me and Dad."
Tears welled up in her eyes again and she couldn't take it anymore. Amy pulled him close, ignoring the slight pain in her body as she wrapped her arms around him, kissing his forehead before stroking his hair. She could feel his tears soaking into her hospital gown, each one a reminder of the fear he must have felt while she was unconscious.
She never wanted to see Dash like this again.
"I'm here, Dash. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
Dash sniffled, burying his face in her shoulder as he clung to her. "I missed you so much, Mom."
Amy closed her eyes and buried her cheek against his quills. He was making it so hard for her not to burst out crying. "I missed you too, baby. So much."
She looked up and locked eyes with Sonic. He was standing at the foot of the bed, watching them, his hands stuffed in his pockets. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she could tell he was fighting them back.
Amy smiled at him and Sonic returned it, his lips quirking upward in that familiar way he always had shown her.
Whatever happened between them before everything, was long forgotten and she could see it in his gaze that it was behind them.
"Looks like someone's stealing all the hugs today," Sonic teased lightly, breaking the tension.
Dash pulled back from Amy just enough to look at his dad, still sniffling but managing a small smile. "There's enough for you too, Dad."
Sonic chuckled, stepping closer and ruffling Dash's quills. "Yeah, well, I might just take you up on that offer."
He looked at her again, leaning down and kissed the top of her head. "You want me to get you food or do you want the food here?"
Amy made a face and shook her head. "You know I hate the food here."
Sonic grinned at her response. "Figured you'd say that. I'll go grab something decent from that café you like down the street. Anything specific you're craving?"
Amy thought for a moment, trying to push past the dull ache in her body to focus on something more pleasant. "Maybe a sandwich… and a smoothie? Something light."
"Gotcha," His eyes went over to Dash, "You wanna come with me, buddy? You barely touched the sandwich you had earlier."
Dash hesitated, looking back at Amy, not wanting to leave her side. Amy noticed his reluctance and gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Dash. I'll be right here when you get back. Plus, I'll feel better knowing you're eating something good."
"Are you sure, Mom?" Dash asked, still uncertain.
Amy nodded, brushing a strand of quill away from his face. "I'm sure. I'll rest a bit while you're gone, and then we can spend more time together, yeah?"
Finally, Dash nodded. "Okay, but don't fall asleep again without me, okay?"
She gently poked his nose. "I promise, I'll stay awake."
Sonic ruffled Dash's quills again, then leaned down to kiss Amy one more time. "We'll be back soon. Take it easy, Ames. And don't worry, I'll make sure Dash picks something healthy."
Amy watched them go and the room was quiet for just a few seconds until the door opened again.
She was surprised once she saw Tikal hurry inside, her face flushed with relief. She was carrying Hope in a bundle of blankets in her arms
"Amy! Oh, thank goodness you're awake!" Tikal exclaimed, rushing to her side. Her normally serene demeanour was replaced by concern and relief as she quickly approached the bed and sat down on the chair beside it.
"Tikal?" Amy blinked at her, glancing down at Hope in her arms, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be resting? You just had a baby."
Tikal shook her head, her eyes still wide with concern. "I-I couldn't just stay home when I heard you woke up." She adjusted Hope, cradling the tiny bundle closer to her chest. "Besides, this little one doesn't give me much rest anyway." She smiled softly, glancing down at her daughter, who was sleeping peacefully, "I-I didn't know what happened until a couple of days later and I had to convince Shadow to let me see you," she said, her eyes misting over, "I was so worried about you. We've all been so worried."
Tikal had just given birth, but she looked more tired than she had ever been. And Amy felt her. She was tired too and the guilt tugged in her chest more than she wanted to let on. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
The echidna shook her head. "Don't be silly, Amy. You're my best friend and you're also my family. I wanted to be here for you, just like you've always been there for me."
That made her smile. "Thank you," she whispered, reaching out to touch Tikal's hand. "I'm so glad you're here." She gazed at the tiny, peaceful face of Hope, feeling a sense of serenity wash over her. "I still can't believe I'm an aunt."
Tikal just laughed, nodding. "I know. It took some time for Shadow to realise he's a father. He's been so protective, more than I ever thought possible. He's even started reading parenting books. He won't admit it, but he's completely smitten with her."
"Honestly? I can totally imagine that," Amy said as they both shared bemused looks with each other.
Amy looked up once she saw Tails and Knuckles walk in. Tails was holding a bouquet of roses, while Knuckles had a gift basket.
"...I'm guessing Sonic didn't make you guys buy those gifts on his behalf this time," she joked.
They both grinned at her and Tails set the flowers down on the nightstand. "Yeah, it's all us," he said before looking at her, "And you can't go wrong with roses."
Knuckles set down the basket. "And muffins, apparently. You like those, right?"
"If they're blueberry, then you definitely know the way to my heart."
"They are," Knuckles said, crossing his arms with a proud look, "Made sure they were fresh from the bakery too, so you better eat them!"
Amy grinned, genuinely touched by the gesture. "You guys really didn't have to go through all this trouble, but thank you. It means a lot."
"How are you feeling?" Tails sat beside her bed, "The doctors say anything?"
"They said I'm doing well," she replied, watching as Knuckles carefully held Hope into his arms and quietly conversed with Tikal, "I'll need a few scans and stretch exercises, but other than some pain, I feel fine."
"That's great," Tails said before glancing down, "There was a lot of smoke... I made sure Dash couldn't see you…" He took a deep breath and let out a shaky exhale, "I haven't seen Sonic like that in a long time, Amy. He wouldn't eat or sleep and Dash could barely make it through school." He looked back at her, the smile he was giving her quivering slightly against his lips, "It was a rough week."
She watched Tails as he spoke, noting the strain in his usually bright blue eyes. She'd always seen him so composed, but seeing him be so haunted by the memory of the accident made it difficult to swallow the lump down her throat.
"I can't imagine what it must have been like," Amy said softly, "I only remember bits and pieces… the pain, mostly."
And Dash's screams. And Sonic begging for her to wake up.
Tails nodded grimly. "It all happened so fast. We saw you walking, and then the car and then the crash. It was like everything went into slow motion. I didn't even realise what was happening until I saw you lying there." He paused, swallowing hard. "I... I thought we'd lost you, Amy. I really did."
Amy reached out and placed her hand over his. "I'm sorry."
"No, don't apologise," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I just... couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I know you and Sonic had problems in the past, but I never stopped caring about you, ya know? You're like my big sister."
"Don't make me cry, Tails," she joked, biting back her tears as she saw the fox's own eyes practically swimming in them, "Thank you for being there and here ."
Tails let out a quiet laugh, his lips still trembling but he managed to give a wider smile this time. "Always, Amy. Always ."
"Man, Sonic was right," Knuckles chimed into their conversation once he had given his niece back to Tikal, "You do apologise a lot, Amy. C'mon, guys, stop being so sappy over there."
Amy playfully rolled his eyes at him, but they all shared a laugh, the atmosphere much lighter than it had been before.
A few minutes later, Dash came in with a brown bag in one hand and the smoothie she wanted in the other.
"Mom, I got you a cookie too!" He exclaimed happily, coming beside Tails as he carefully handed her the food and drink, "The nice lady at the café said it's your favourite."
"Thank you, baby," she said, kissing his head and immediately began sipping on the strawberry smoothie. It was a little difficult to swallow, but it tasted really good, better than she remembered. She looked at Dash as he settled against Tails's lap, "Where did your Dad go?"
"He's talking to Mister Shadow and Miss Rouge outside," Dash said, taking a bite out of his already half-eaten sandwich, "I think it was something about an in.. inves…" He struggled to say the word for a moment before finally pronouncing it, "Investigation!"
The room suddenly went eerily quiet.
And Amy almost dropped her cup.
Investigation?
She glanced over at Tails but when he met her eyes, he could barely hold her gaze as he quickly looked down. She was startled by his reaction and quickly looked over to Knuckles and Tikal. Knuckles made eye contact with her before glaring down at the floor and Tikal wore a troubled expression, her eyes closing shut.
…What?
They weren't telling her something.
There was a knot forming inside her stomach and that pit of anxiety she hated was slowly starting to build up.
Her mind hurried back to the accident. She could barely remember anything before being hit, but the fragments she could recall flashed vividly in her mind. The screech of tyres, the blinding headlights, and the overwhelming force of impact.
…It was odd how she couldn't see the driver.
The more she thought about it, the more a feeling of unease began to gnaw at her.
And before she could spiral into another dose of disbelief and doubt, she steadied her voice and looked at Dash. "Baby, can you go with Aunt Tikal and ask the kitchen staff if they have any apple juice? I think it might help me with the smoothie."
Dash looked a bit confused but still nodded, eager to help. "Okay, Mom!"
Tikal stood up and gave Amy a knowing look, but Amy only shook her head with a small, awkward smile. The last thing she needed was for Dash to hear this conversation and if things escalated, she didn't want little Hope to be distressed.
She was left with Tails and Knuckles and there was a brief, uncomfortable silence.
It was already bad that both of them couldn't look her in the eye, but the underlying tension was already threatening to suffocate her.
Amy's eyes flicked from Tails to Knuckles, and back again, waiting for one of them to speak. The silence in the room grew heavier by the second, thick enough that she could almost hear their breathing.
Tails, usually so eager to fill the gaps with chatter or reassurance, suddenly seemed to shrink into himself. His hands fidgeted in his lap, fingers twisting together. His ears twitched slightly, betraying his discomfort, but still, he refused to meet her gaze. Every few moments, he'd steal a quick glance at her face, but the moment her eyes locked onto his, he'd look away again, as if afraid that holding her gaze too long might give away something he wasn't ready to reveal.
Knuckles, on the other hand, was more of a statue. His posture was rigid, his broad arms crossed over his chest, the tension in his muscles evident from the way his jaw tightened and the way his eyes remained stubbornly glued to the floor. His usual bluntness was nowhere to be found. Every now and then, his fingers would drum a single beat against his arm, the only sign that his mind was racing with thoughts he wasn't ready to say out loud.
Amy felt her heartbeat quicken, her pulse pounding in her ears. "Tails," she said softly, her voice cracking through the tension. "Knuckles. W-What's going on?"
The weight of the silence pressed down on Amy's chest, making it harder to breathe. She could feel that something was wrong, horribly wrong, and the fact that neither of them would just tell her what it was made her anxiety spike. She tightened her grip on the bedsheet, feeling the smooth fabric bunch under her fingers.
"Tails," she tried again, her voice firmer now, though still laced with the worry that was rapidly growing inside her. "Look at me."
Tails flinched as if her words had physically struck him, but he still didn't look up. His chest rose and fell with a shaky breath, and Amy could see the struggle in his posture, the way he was trying to find the right words. But none came. His silence was more telling than any confession, and Amy's stomach sank further.
Knuckles finally made a sound, a low grunt- but it was enough to pull Amy's attention. His jaw was set in a hard line, and though his eyes remained downcast, she could see the flicker of something in his expression- guilt, perhaps? Or was it anger? She couldn't tell. But whatever it was, it wasn't the usual calm, confident Knuckles she was used to. He looked conflicted, like he was wrestling with something too big for him to handle, too big for any of them.
The silence stretched on, suffocating, the unsaid words hanging in the air like a weight over all of them. Amy's heart pounded harder, her mouth dry, as she whispered, "Please... I need to know."
Knuckles exhaled sharply, the sound almost a growl. His fingers dug into his arms as if he was physically restraining himself from speaking. Then, finally, without looking up, he muttered under his breath,
"It wasn't an accident."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, and for a moment, Amy wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly. But the way Tails stiffened beside her, the way Knuckles' entire body tensed, confirmed her worst fear.
It wasn't an accident… It wasn't an accident…
It was deliberate.
Deliberate.
Amy's mind went blank.
Before she asked,
"Who?"
Tails and Knuckles didn't say anything. She watched them, the two avoiding her eyes again. She could see the small beads of frantic sweatdrops forming on Tails's forehead. She could hear uncharacteristic shuffles from Knuckles's shoes.
But it answered her question.
Amy didn't know why she even had to ask. There was no hunch. She saw the answer in their eyes before they could make it any more obvious.
You're merely a distraction, Amy.
She knew. She knew the answer before the question even left her lips.
Her hands shook.
And distractions have a way of fading away when they're no longer useful.
Her shaking hands went to cover her mouth.
What could she possibly do that'd be even worse than what she's doing to me now?
"Oh my god," Amy's breath hitched, and suddenly the room seemed to shrink. She felt sick. The walls were closing in. Her heart pounded in her chest, a frantic drumbeat that drowned out everything else. Her chest felt tight, as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, and the dizziness started creeping in.
"It wasn't an accident," she repeated under her breath, her pulse racing. The air felt thick, her lungs struggling to pull in oxygen.
How could she not know? How could she not know?
It had been so painfully obvious.
Her breaths came faster, shallower, in short, panicked gasps. She felt the edges of her mind fraying as the reality of it all crashed down on her.
Tails shot up from his seat, eyes wide with alarm. "Amy, breathe! Please, just breathe!" His voice wavered with panic, but it barely registered over the sound of her own heaving breaths.
Amy was already spiralling, gasping for air. Her vision blurred at the edges, and she clutched at her chest as though it might help steady her frantic heartbeat. She tried to speak, but no words came out. The room was spinning now, everything moving too fast, too heavy, too much.
She couldn't get enough air. Her breaths came in rapid, shallow gasps, and her heart hammered against her ribcage. It felt like she was drowning, even though her friends surrounded her.
"I can't... I-" Her words were choked.
There was some talking, and moving, and then in a flash, Sonic was in front of her, his hands gently cupping her face, forcing her to focus on him.
"Listen to me," he said, his voice low and steady, grounding her amidst the chaos in her mind, "Breathe in through your nose. Slowly." His eyes locked onto hers, unwavering, filled with concern.
Amy gasped, her chest tight, but she tried to focus on Sonic's words. He guided her, demonstrating with his own deep breath. "In... through your nose. Now out, slowly." His hand moved to her back, rubbing in gentle circles.
She nodded, shaky, trying to mimic him. Her breath was still ragged, but she managed to breathe in through her nose, just as he'd shown her.
"In… out…" He instructed, his voice soothing but firm. "That's it. Focus on me, Ames."
Gradually, her breaths started to slow, and her chest rose and fell in time with Sonic's. The panic that had threatened to overwhelm her began to leave, though her body still trembled from the aftershocks.
"There you go," Sonic whispered, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks. "You're okay. I'm right here."
She noticed she was alone in the room with him now.
Amy closed her eyes and leaned against him, her body threatening to succumb to her tiredness. Sonic leaned back slightly to grab the glass of water that had been neglected on the bedside table and brought it to her lips.
The cool water helped to soothe her parched throat and ease the remaining tightness in her chest. She grimaced once she tried to swallow it down properly.
Sonic kept the glass steady, gently urging her to drink more. "C'mon, a little more," he murmured, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. "Just take your time."
Amy sipped carefully. Her chest still felt tight, but the panic had subsided, leaving behind only exhaustion and a gnawing sense of dread.
There was a comfortable wave of silence between them.
She pulled away so she could see him. His hand went to hold hers and squeezed it, gently but firmly. His thumb traced small, soothing circles over her knuckles, and for a moment, she felt grounded.
He always knew how to calm her down, effortlessly.
"Sonic-"
"I know," he cut her off quietly, squeezing her hand once again as he took a deep breath, "I know, Ames."
He closed his eyes, his jaw hardening as his other hand pinched the bridge of his nose.
Amy anxiously bit her lip, whispering, "W-Was it-?"
She didn't want to say her name. It was poison at this point.
Sonic's grip tightened, and his jaw clenched, a flash of anger crossing his face before he quickly smothered it. He exhaled slowly, trying to keep his voice calm. "There's no confirmation on it, yet. But…yeah. All of the leads are pointing to her."
Amy closed her eyes this time, taking another jittery breath.
How could she be so naive?
If she was just more careful, more alert and not let her emotions get clouded by the pointless argument she had with Sonic, if she had been more awake during that conversation with her during her birthday, if she had been able to read in between the lines…
None of this-
"I know what you're thinking, Ames," Sonic's voice broke through her spiralling thoughts, cutting through her guilt before it could take hold completely. "This isn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong."
She squeezed his hand, her fingers trembling against his. "I should have known… I-I should have seen it coming."
Sonic shook his head, his grip on her hand tightening slightly as if to stop her from drifting further into self-blame. "No, Amy. You couldn't have known. None of us saw this coming. You can't do that to yourself." His voice softened again, his thumb continuing to trace circles on her skin. "Please don't."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, tears prickling against her lids. "But-"
"It's my fault," he said as the guilt played on his eyes, "I wasn't there when you needed me and I sure as hell wasn't being the boyfriend you wanted me to be because I was too busy to notice anything and I was selfish." He shook his head, letting out a small strained laugh, "You were right. I gave her too much leeway. Now look where it got us," He brought his lips up to her hand, "I should've stopped working with her from the moment she made you uncomfortable. I should've listened to you ."
Amy stayed quiet. She wasn't going to tell him that what he said wasn't true, because it was, and it was nice to hear him finally admit it. They went through this already, but after their fresh argument from last week still lingering in their minds, there was no point in rehashing old wounds, again. The guilt they both felt was already suffocating enough, and right now, they needed each other more than ever.
His eyes were filled with more regret. "Ames, I'm so-"
"Shut up, Sonic," Amy cut him off, shaking her head at him. She brought her hands to his face and let her tears fall as she sobbed. But she let a shaky smile plaster her lips before saying, "No more apologies, remember?"
Sonic looked at her, the remorse on his face slowly fading into something of relief and comfort.
"Right," he whispered and nodded before he gave her a smile that matched her own, "No more apologies."