Archive of Our Own

She isn't counting the times a frenetic battle has knocked Sonic to the ground or worn him out to the point of collapse, unable to get back on his feet. Nor is this comparable to any other degree of sleep deprivation she's seen before. This is entirely different, a constant, existential fatigue that underlies his every action. She senses it as soon as he walks into her office at the Restoration HQ—can see it in his fight to keep his eyes open, hear it in the strain lining his voice.

"Hey Amy. You wanted to see me?"

She notes the silver flecks on his quills, small and few but stubbornly clinging to his fur like paint. Despite everything, she's glad to see him, a smile appearing on her face for what feels like a first in a long while.

"Sonic! Yes! I just wanted to make sure you were okay!"

"I'm still standing. I'd like a nice, three-week nap," he jokes.

Amy can relate to the sentiment. She's so swamped that she can't finish one conversation with Sonic before another crisis rears its head: two of their teams wiped out in less than a minute. Their people are dropping like flies out there, and they can only do so much to mitigate the onslaught.

Still, she notices his exhaustion in the gaps between missions, tactical meetings, and mountains of paperwork. It's hard to miss, particularly when you're Amy Rose and the shining light of your life is guttering. It's not like she doubts his survival (he's overcome too many impossibilities for her to lose faith yet), but it's hard to watch.

The bizarre thing about this, she can't help thinking, is that running has never meant anything but freedom to Sonic in the many years they've known each other. The thrill of racing under blue skies with the wind in his quills is his most natural state. It's what makes Sonic Sonic. But now, running is a chore, the one reliable method he has of staving off the virus consuming his flesh with cold, mechanical teeth. And the burden is starting to take its toll.

If only they had known how bad the situation would get when they investigated Eggman's abandoned base. If only she had been more careful—

No, it doesn't help to brood, she knows, she knows. These thoughts could break her will if she allows them to, and she needs to keep it together. Be strong. Do what she can. There isn't time for regrets when there are lives at stake. So Amy shoves those worries into the furthest closet at the back of her mind, even as the door creaks open whenever she sees him pass by or talk with the others.

It's no surprise that Sonic can still manage to smile in these dire circumstances, not that it makes it any less admirable to her. His sheer optimism and willpower are as much a source of strength for her as ever, albeit it does pain her to see him push himself this far, forced to keep going, and going, and going.

Amy wishes she could be there for him in a greater capacity. She'd support him however she could if it were up to her. Unfortunately, the virus has them both preoccupied, though maybe it's for the better that she limits how much she sees him struggling. It's distressing to think about.

Sonic has never seen her so tired before.

He knows that Amy taking over leadership of the newly named Restoration after Knuckles stepped down isn't a light responsibility. Seeing her keep this anti-Zombotpocalypse operation afloat is something else entirely. He definitely respects that, but it's not a job he envies. Acting as head of damage control while this outbreak coats the planet in solid, shiny metal is stretching her thin, and anyone would be able to tell just from looking at her.

Not like Amy Rose has ever been that great at hiding her feelings, but this is different somehow. Heavier.

Though she still perks up at the sight of him, so at least that's the same. She's issuing out commands to several rescue teams when he enters her office at HQ. Although her nerves are obviously frayed, she looks happy to see him, and that's a mutual feeling. Sucks that it only lasts as long as it takes for him to ask how she's doing.

"I'm not sure how much longer I can—say again, Echo-Eleven?" She cuts herself off, smile dropping and brows furrowing.

Half of the conversation is enough to know that the odds aren't in their favor out there. A muffled voice he can't quite discern delivers some unwelcome news through her headset.

"What?!" Amy flounders. "W-Well... Try to keep a low profile!"

She gets more and more frantic as Echo-Three seems to go missing next. The monitor lights up with red, urging Amy to rush ahead and check the changing statuses onscreen. As she calls out for Echo-Three again in vain, his fingers stretch out for her.

Sonic immediately flinches back once he realizes what he's doing, clenching a fist. Yeah, getting a pat on the shoulder from someone infected with a virus that turns you into a mindless robot will be real comforting, he bets. At a loss, he turns away from Amy, who sinks into despair with her head held in her hands.

Knowing they'll pull through like they always do doesn't make this any easier to watch. He hadn't quite grasped the extent of the Restoration's reliance on her before. But don't get him wrong, he knows how strong Amy's become since they first met, and that's plenty. He doesn't mean physical strength alone. Here she is, taking charge and getting things done, no questions asked, just going, and going, and going.

She's doing a lot more than he's currently able to, that's for sure. With his body hosting the Metal Virus, he can't be there in the capacity that he wants, all while she grapples under the weight of her job.

And somehow, she can still find the time to fuss over him.

He sits down on a bench by himself, bleary from lack of sleep and overworked limbs.

Whenever he has the chance to stop, everything feels heavy. Legs, chest, head.

Eyes, most of all. Naps aren't enough. The desire for actual rest burns beneath his eyelids as they close. He could curl up on this hard bench and pass out for what would be the second time in the past hour. Let the fumes he's running on fade to nothing. Slip into the comfortable black depths of sleep nice and easy. There's a background awareness that he'll shut down altogether if he relents. Sonic takes a slow breath.

He rams his fist into his middle. His pained wheeze attracts a few stares, but he pays them no mind. As he rubs the spot where he punched himself, wincing, a mug of steaming coffee slides toward him on the bench.

Amy offers nothing else. No words, just a sympathetic frown as she sits with him.

Gaze turning to the ceiling lights, Sonic raises the cup to his mouth. "What's the situation..."

"Just worried about you."

"Me?" He huffs in worn amusement. "I'm fine. I'll be up and running in no time. You holding down the fort okay?"

"We're doing alright...for now. I'm just—"

Someone calls her name from a distance.

"Coming!" she yells back, standing again after enjoying a whopping two seconds' worth of being by his side.

He cracks a wry grin. "Leaving so soon?"

"Sorry, I have to take care of this." Her expression is soft reassurance, an image that would be complete if she sandwiched his hand between hers, and he doesn't doubt that she would if she could. "Hang in there, okay? We'll develop a cure soon."

His free hand makes a thumbs up that she probably doesn't see, considering how fast she scurries off.

Sonic is not used to being a liability. It's strange, but he has no choice in the matter. He can't falter, not when everyone else is doing their best to fight back. He has to keep it together. Stay alert. Do what he can to run off this affliction as many times as he needs to.

He just wants another chance to talk to her. But how?

That's why he's taken to aimless wandering between healing sprints, staying a reasonable distance away from living creatures. When he passes by the kitchen, he idly takes count of their rations. There isn't nearly enough food in their supply to sustain everyone here for long, but he's sure they've got a shipment or something coming in soon...or so he hopes.

In the meantime, the experienced cooks have made good use of the ingredients they have in stock. There are some leftover snacks from earlier that day on the countertop, much of them the Rabbits' doing. Then he thinks about the coffee Amy gave him—maybe there is something he can do for her, after all.

Well. If he can get past Gemerl without Cream to bail him out.

The robot is stationed at the same spot as when Sonic first arrived, keeping dutiful watch at the entrance to Amy's office. The blue hedgehog keeps a stable grip on his tray as he goes up to the door, careful to keep the plate of cookies and teacups from spilling.

"Yo, Gemerl."

Gemerl holds out a gray palm, not to return the greeting, but to stop Sonic in his tracks.

"It is late," he sensibly observes. "Please state your reason for visiting."

"Here to bring these to our lady of the hour," is Sonic's lighthearted response. Gemerl's crystalline blues zero in on his offerings. "It's snickerdoodles and black tea."

"Acknowledged. I will deliver the tray."

"Nah, I can do it myself."

"Entry denied: you are still infected with the Metal Virus."

Should've known it wouldn't be that easy. Sonic's ears droop a tad, insisting, "Dude, let me through. You know I'll be careful."

"The Restoration's administrator is busy. You do not have a valid reason to access the room at this time."

It's not that he doesn't get Gemerl's point, and he doesn't disagree with it either. Whether Sonic likes it or not, he's a risk to almost everyone he comes across. That's why he's been vigilant in avoiding physical contact, and the last thing he would do is contaminate any of his friends. Yet, Gemerl can only see him as a necessary evil to have around, so Sonic decides to switch tack.

"Hasn't she been toiling away in that office for hours?" Considering how often he's made the rounds since afternoon without seeing her, he's pretty confident of this. "Let me talk to her. If I can't do anything useful like this, I can at least get Amy to take a breather. I'd say that's a valid reason, wouldn't you?"

Gemerl falls silent as his CPU runs some calculations. Surely, he realizes how detrimental it would be if their chief organizer ran herself into the ground.

"Allow me a moment to confer with Ms. Rose."

"Go for it."

Gemerl knocks twice on the door before opening it wide enough to enter alone. The steel-enforced barrier is an effective noise buffer, so he can't listen in on their conversation. Sonic taps his foot on the ground until his ally returns a minute later.

"You have been granted permission to enter. Executing command override."

"Cool, I'll head on in..." Or he would if Gemerl would lower his arm and quit staring at him. Sonic quirks a questioning brow. "What?"

"Do not take up too much of her time," the droid states after a pause, returning to resting position. "This is a critical period for the Restoration. We must not slack in our efforts."

"I know, I'm not gonna pester her for long. Just have to make sure she doesn't...y'know. Overdo it."

"Acknowledged. Allowing admittance."

"Mind grabbing the door for me? My hands are full." Sonic walks through as Gemerl complies, throwing a smile over his shoulder on his way in. "Thanks, have a good one."

Opposite the command hub, there's a large table covered edge to edge with hundreds of documents, separated into various uneven stacks. Most of the wooden storage crates are on that side of the room, which is also furnished with a small corner desk, a coffee table, and a shabby couch with a blanket and a throw pillow. The high tech contrasts so much with this cramped area that it draws attention to how cobbled together these headquarters are, set up amidst a war.

Currently sitting at the worktable is Amy alone, poring over several sheets of paper with a pen in hand. With a lift of her head and a swivel of her chair, she faces the blue blur as the door shuts.

"Sonic!"

"Hey, how's it goin'?"

"I'm, uh. Hanging in there." That's her way of skirting around what is already apparent from her appearance—that she's tired, worried, and stressed, which makes the fact that she can still brighten up at his appearance almost surprising. Her nose twitches as she catches sight of the refreshments; she'd recognize that smell anywhere. "Are those Ms. Vanilla's?"

"Yup. She whipped up a few batches earlier, so I figured you might want some." Steady in his approach, he balances the tray on one hand to pick up a cookie and take a bite. "Gotta tell ya, these are the bomb."

Amy cups her cheek in one hand, an appreciative smile spreading across her muzzle. "Aww, that's so sweet of you! I'll get to them later, so you can leave them over there." She points to her desk with her thumb, then scribbles something on her sheet.

Sonic has a second bite throughout Amy's response, swallowing before asking, "Later when?"

"After I finish everything here, of course."

"You mean every paper on that table?" A workload that huge will probably take all night to finish, yet Amy hums an affirmative without complaint. He gapes. "Really? These aren't gonna be as good after they go cold."

Understanding what he's getting at, a guilty smile betrays her reservations before she voices them. "That's okay. Thank you so much for bringing these to me, but... I can't waste any time. Not when there's more I can do to help!"

She's holding strong. That's Amy for you—resolute to the very end. 

Sonic walks over to set the snack tray and his cookie down on the coffee table instead of her desk, a clear indication that this isn't the end of their conversation. He faces Amy, looking her up and down. She really does look haggard.

"Say, when's the last time you've taken a break?"

...She bites her lip.

"Or slept?" 

His companion has no answer for him. "What about you?" she asks in a painfully transparent attempt to change the subject. "You're taking care of yourself, right?"

"I'm all good. I took a power nap earlier." From several feet away, he leans forward, arms crossed over his chest. "Your turn to answer the question."

The girl shakes her head, gaining a stern edge to her tone. "Sonic, please. I don't mind if you want to stay here and help yourself, but I need to finish my paperwork."

Her obstinacy is just met with mild impatience. "C'mon, work can wait."

"Can it?" she counters, half genuinely, half to make a point. "You know more than anyone how important this is."

"Yeah, I do. But your health's important, too."

The disapproving frown on his face isn't one she likes. Instead of feeling good that he's showing this level of concern over her, it makes her not want to meet his eyes. That irony doesn't sit well with Sonic either, seeing her uneasy with his attention when before, she would've leaped at the chance to tease him.

What else has changed, he wonders.

Sonic exhales to ease the tension in his chest.

"Amy, don't be like this. Take a break with me."

Not just a break, but a break with him. It sounds familiar.

"It's not like it's all or nothing. You could come with me."

Or even:

"We sure will... It's your plan, so you've got dibs. Call it a working vacation."

Amy finds it completely unfair that he recognizes the sway these offers have over her.

Spending quality time with Sonic sounds like an oasis in the middle of a desert. It's all she could ever want, and they both know it. So why is she feeling so guilty?

"I haven't earned that," she says in honest answer to him and herself.

Sonic stares at her in bafflement. "Yes, you have? You've been busting your tail leading the Restoration."

"I'm no leader."

Those three words are all it takes for Sonic to decide it's enough, glancing between the tray and Amy as he assesses how he can safely lessen the distance. Best to be quick, he concludes. Because what he is not going to do is stand by while she talks down about herself.

Amy continues, "I don't have—"

A gust of wind crashes against her face and flutters her papers.

"—mmph?"

Her next word is muffled by a cookie.

There is a whole snickerdoodle cookie in her mouth, and Sonic is sitting on the couch, whistling like he hasn't done anything wrong. But he can't help snickering at her flustered noise, which causes a couple of loose crumbs to fall. She drops her pen to take the cookie out of her mouth, but not before begrudgingly eating a small, buttery bite.

"Sonic! Why would you—ugh, you can be such a brat!"

He looks up at her with an expectant grin. "How's it taste?"

"It's...!" She wants to fume at him for longer. She swears she does. She would, if not for the distractingly soothing effect of Vanilla's delicious baking, one that Amy silently bemoans as she regards the cookie in her hand. "This is really good," she admits in defeat, shoulders sagging as she nibbles away. "...Fifteen minutes. That's all the time I can spare for a break."

"Fine by me!"

Bickering with Sonic any longer will just waste even more time, she reasons, and that convinces her to tear her attention away from her workspace. Instead of standing up, Amy propels her office chair over with her feet, wheels coming to a stop on the other side of the coffee table from the couch. She places her cookie at the rim of the plate to try the black tea.

There's a fretful quiet. Amy has acquiesced to Sonic's insistence that she take a break rather than embrace it. The weight of her responsibilities can't vanish instantly, much as she wished they could. He knows this: Amy wears her heart on her sleeve. You don't have to watch her as much as he does—know her as much as he does to see that.

But for him, she'll try to loosen up. In the end, she can't be mad at him for being concerned about her wellbeing. Her hero has enough problems to handle without the possibility of her buckling under pressure, and did it ever feel like she was close to it these days.

The cup of tea positioned closer to her becomes cradled in gloved hands when she raises it to her lips. A rich heat floods her taste buds as she drinks. The dark, tannic flavor draws a quiet sigh of relief from her chest.

"That's tasty too," she murmurs.

"Glad it's to your liking." He kicks back on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table as he raises his own cup. "I was gonna go with chai, but cinnamon on cinnamon's a bit redundant."

"Good call. You can't go wrong with black tea."

"That so? I'm more of a hot chocolate kinda guy, to be honest," he replies with a sip and a shrug. "Tea isn't bad when you add milk and sugar, though."

She exhales with faint amusement. "Yup, I know how big your sweet tooth is..."

It's good to know that their conversations can maintain their natural flow, even with all that's wrong in the world right now. These moments are reminders of why the hardships are worth it. It's a shame that they've become rarer and fleeting in the last year.

Maybe that's why it's harder for her now to let him go. Another lull in their conversation sets in during the last few minutes of her break, and while it isn't awkward in the least, Amy wishes she had more to talk about. She wants to prolong this. It feels like an awful waste to let even a single precious second she has with Sonic slip past, especially when what's waiting is a ton of work to dive back into.

Her wistful sigh doesn't escape his notice. His acknowledgment is a question that comes gentler than its brevity would have you believe. "What's up?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

He's not really convinced, but he lets it go, draining the last of his tea. When he sets his cup down, it brings her gaze to the empty dishes, and her lips part for a slight chuckle.

"I'm glad you came by tonight. Things have been so hectic lately that I've forgotten what it's like to, um...do this."

"Don't mention it. What are friends for?" He moves his feet off the table to plant his shoes on the ground. "Besides, we'll be able to relax after we take care of the Zombots."

The smile on her face is weary enough to make him guilty for mentioning the virus in the first place. "I'm afraid that's not true for everyone. The world only just started to heal after the war, and now, we're gonna have to rebuild again. We'll be back at square one, maybe further back when all's said and done..."

She drifts out of this bubble of black tea and snickerdoodles cookies with the love of her life, right back into the reality of papers on the worktable and metal bleeding over Sonic's body. The anxiety that loosened its hold during this reprieve sinks its claws into her. She blinks twice, a nearly inaudible tremble in her breath, and clasps her hands in her lap.

"But, ah—that's okay! It's what we do," she declares with what pep she can muster, forcing her words through the lump in her throat. "I'm happy to help however I can, honest—"

She blinks again, and suddenly he looks alarmed.

"Amy?"

"H-Huh?"

The instant her voice breaks, she finally registers the moisture rimming her eyes. Her vision blurs. Her chin drops to her chest as she covers her mouth with her hand, muffling a sharp hiccup in her glove. It's a futile effort: once the waterworks start, they show no signs of stopping.

"Woah, what's the matter?"

"I—I'm sorry," she stammers out, her mortification as hot and bitter as the tears dribbling down her face. Her hands frantically rub at her eyes. "I don't know why I'm..." That isn't true. She can't bring herself to finish that sentence, fumbling to explain herself.

At a total loss for what to do about one of his best friends bursting into tears without warning, Sonic can do nothing but watch.

"I can't do this," she eventually admits. "I'm not...the right person to be in this position. I'm constantly stressed out. Sometimes, it's—it's hard to even breathe. But who else is going to do it?"

It needs no answer. There's no one but her, and she can't keep up the pretense that she's alright with that anymore. Even so, Amy has too big of a heart to leave her allies without support. No matter how ill-fit she is for this work, she stepped up to the task that Knuckles left behind without anyone to teach her the ropes.

But it isn't Knuckles's fault that he needs to protect the Master Emerald. It isn't anyone's fault that they all have their own lives and things to take care of. The simple truth is that no one forced her to do this. In the end, Amy can only blame herself, but instead, she's throwing her own personal pity party in front of the one she cares for more than anyone else. It's embarrassing.

"I'm really sorry..." She tries to restrain her sniffles in an effort to collect herself. "You're dealing with enough as is. I need to p-pull myself together."

"Amy—..."

Sonic can't close the gap between them. If he touches her, he'll endanger her. A twitch in his hand contradicts that rational worry, impelling him to do something. He's always been a guy of action first and foremost.

The question is, what can he do for her now?

Frustration building, he balls up the throw blanket he's seated on in both hands, crumpling the fabric. He opens his mouth, perhaps to respond by sympathizing or grounding her somehow.

Sonic pauses.

Something clicks into place. Amy hardly notices the rustling sound as he searches for the label, finding it sticking out near a corner of the fabric. Once he's read what's on it, he jumps to his feet and picks up the blanket.

She hasn't yet processed that he's gotten up before she's swaddled by darkness and soft fibers. Her bewilderment momentarily ebbs the flow of her tears. Though, her first reaction is to begin thrashing when she feels what can only be his arms circling around her.

"Sonic, what are you doing!? Let me go!"

He doesn't budge. He knows what Amy's thinking from the panic in her voice, so he immediately answers to quell her fear. "Hey, hey, relax! You're not gonna get infected if you're covered with this."

"But doesn't the virus spread through fabric!?"

"If it's organic, yes. This synthetic fiber stuff, not so much," he explains, relieved as the lump of hedgehog girl and blanket in his arms calms down. Never was he more appreciative of polyester. "Tails let me in on that neat tidbit."

Accepting this as truth, Amy's distress subsides. What's left, however, is her confusion. "Okay, but why are you..."

Then she goes still as a rapid series of realizations about what's happening hits her. That pressure against her front, shoulders, and back is Sonic. Those are his arms, holding her to his chest. He's so warm that she can feel it through the blanket.

"...oh."

Oh.

He's hugging her. And she can hug him back.

Is this okay? Can she really touch him like this?

"It's alright. You can let it out." He gently encourages her as if he knows exactly what's on her mind. Even if he doesn't say it explicitly, the message is clear.

I'm not going anywhere.

So with his express permission, Amy falls apart.

A violent riptide of emotion rends through her. She wraps her arms tight around his waist for purchase as she gives way to a far more intense fit of sobbing. Every ounce of anxiety and sorrow she's bottled up for the sake of the Restoration comes pouring out.

"I miss going on adventures with you," she tearfully confesses. "I miss when we would...save the day, without all this m-mess...and I could just be by your side." What she wouldn't give for the time before the war and the Metal Virus. "Before I had to worry about you losing you for good!"

The thought of having to relive those six months of unimaginable grief, believing he was dead, could shatter her heart. Her form shudders as sharp gasps pierce the air, and Sonic is similarly chilled by her justifiable fear.

Shaking the doubt from his mind, he remains steadfast. His hand moves up to support the back of her head.

"You're not gonna lose me. I always come back, don't I?"

"I know, but...sometimes...sometimes I get scared that, one day, you won't."

She sniffles and shakes and tugs him closer, pressing her face into his chest fur until he can feel the cloth separating them go damp.

"It'll be okay. Things change—that's life. But I'm still kicking, and I won't make the same mistakes again. You live and learn, right?" Slowly, he rubs the part of the blanket conformed to the shape of her quills. "We'll make it work. You and me...and everyone else we know."

Amy makes an attempt at evening out her breathing to respond.

"You think so?"

"Swear it."

Can't waver in front of her.

The top of her covered head bobs up and down with her silent nod. They don't exchange words for a minute, merely staying in the embrace as the blanket collects her tears.

He waits until the hiccups and sniffles have died down before speaking again. "By the way, I get not liking this job, but I dunno what you mean about not being cut out for it. You've got what it takes to be a fantastic leader."

The sincere compliment blindsides her. Amy squirms in his arms, and he takes that as a sign to lay off, taking a step backward. She pulls the blanket off her head, and her red-tinted eyes blink to adjust to the light before settling on him.

"Do you mean that?" Not that she thinks he's lying, but she's unwilling to let that comment pass her by, as quickly as Sonic tends to move along. Catching him verbally is fortunately easier than catching him physically.

"Of course. What you're doing's way more than most of us can manage."

"Haha..." She rubs her arm with a tenuous smile. "Honestly, it doesn't feel like enough."

"And I get that, but for a lot of people? For everyone taking shelter here? It's more than enough for them," he points out. "So don't forget how many you've helped."

Despite feeling like she was dried out before, her eyes mist over again. "Thank you," she croaks out. "I hadn't thought of it that way...but you're the reason I've been able to do so much, Sonic. You always make me want to be the best I can possibly be. Because you'll help anyone in need, no matter how far you have to go."

"It's what I do. S'no big deal."

This response to praise for his heroism isn't new, simple and straightforward and very much like Sonic himself. Effortless, like he makes everything look. Yet, things being what they are, it doesn't feel right to Amy to gloss over how hard he works.

"No, it is. The way you never stop fighting for this world and everyone in it, without a second thought about giving up on all the good life has to offer...it's why I won't ever stop cheering you on. It's what I love the most about you."

The admiration brings a warm glow to her face that he stops to take in. The weight in his chest that never seemed to go away since he stopped getting a full night's rest melts into a fluttery pulse. He can't help but to look away, coughing as his face goes subtly pink. Just what is he supposed to say to that?

She dabs at her slightly wet eyes, adding after a moment, "Also, you should already know that everything you do is a big deal to me."

"Alright, alright," he scoffs, but with a slight grin, satisfied to see her mood's improved enough to take pleasure in flustering him, and possibly for another reason he chooses not to meditate on. "Anyway. I've gotta run—" One sweep of an arm down his body brings attention to the metallic color spreading over his fur. "—literally."

"Yes, you go do that while I...ugh, catch up on filing." Side-eying the worktable of a million documents, she slumps in her chair. Much as she needed it, that big, cathartic cry session didn't do anything to reduce the amount of stuff she had to do. "Back to the grind for me."

Sonic, now also looking at what she has left to do, offers, "If you need a hand, y'can teach me how to do some of this paperwork after I take care of this."

A beat. Did she hear that correctly? She could've sworn—no, he definitely said that.

The strangeness of his suggestion has Amy repeating it regardless. "You want me to teach you how to file paperwork? Who are you, and what have you done with Sonic?"

"Is it that surprising? You make it sound like I'm lazy," he teases. "I'm a hedgehog of many skills, thank you."

"Not lazy, it's just, I can't imagine you pushing pencils."

"Neither can I, but there's a first time for everything!"

"You're going to get bored," she warns him.

"I already was before I came in here. Aaand it's kinda my fault you're behind, anyhow..." Sheepish, Sonic rubs the underside of his nose with a finger. "Might as well do something while I have to keep my eyes open."

"Well..." The daunting state of the worktable makes it difficult to hesitate for too long. "Okay. Just make sure not to slow me down!"

He laughs. "Who d'ya think you're talking to here?"

"Someone who needs to hurry and run off that virus. Go, get out of my office!"

Like a shooing a bird from her window, she waves him off. Sonic pivots on his heel, half-turned to Amy as he salutes to her.

"You got it! I'll be back in a jiff."

Sonic somehow leaves feeling more rejuvenated than he has all day. Meanwhile, Amy keeps the blanket draped over her shoulders, letting his residual warmth stay with her for as long as she can.

It's true that things aren't going great right now. One heart-to-heart doesn't magically solve the problems they're dealing with, and regardless of how much they enjoy each other's company, neither of them can totally forget the situation they're in.

But if nothing else, they'll never fail to lift each other up, even in the worst times. Sometimes, that's all you need to keep going.