「 light in the darkness. 」

≻ . friend

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Amy examined the cut across Light's cheek. It wasn't deep and she'd cleaned up the bleeding, but she imagined Light had never been so much as scratched before.

"I'm fine. I just feel awful for Shadow.."

Light's expression hadn't lifted since she'd been scolded for trying to help. Shadow was outside with Sonic, waiting for her. Amy had taken Light to her room to look her over and to talk with her.

"You know Shadow is right.. you shouldn't have put yourself in danger.." The pink one spoke, grabbing a coat of hers and draping it around Light's shoulders. Hopefully it'd keep her warm on her and Shadow's journey 'home', given as the day was going by fast.

"I had to help him.. like you were going to help Sonic. I know i'm weak, but I couldn't just let him get hurt.." Light tugged the jacket around herself, wet tracks down her cheeks where her tears had fallen. "He's upset at me, but I don't need to be protected all the time.. I can be strong one day, I know I can."

There was a look of sympathy to appear on Amy's visage, her hand rubbing circles on the others back in attempt to calm her. "Light, Shadow doesn't have anyone else to protect.. you're giving him a reason to do so, I guess."

"But I don't want to be a burden to him. If I wish to be close to him and for him to trust me, then I cannot do that if I get myself killed.."

Light stood from Amy's bed, her back aching from where she'd hit the ground.

"I will leave you and Sonic alone now.."

As the pink hedgehog went to reach out in attempt to grab hold of her and stop her, but Light was swift on her feet and headed out of Amy's home. She'd almost bumped into Shadow on her way out, the only thing that kept her from doing so being the hand that pushed against her shoulder gently to stop her.

"Are you alright?"

Shadow's voice had Light's gaze lift to look at him, but all she could see were the cuts and bruises. Those were her fault.

"I am.. can we go home now? Please?"

The tears in her eyes grasped Shadow's attention, leading to him frowning and taking hold of her hand. Had the situation been any different, he'd have walked back with her. But they were beaten up, she was upset and he wasn't going to make the trip if her tears were slowing them down. Besides, there was a special patch of flowers back there to calm her.

When Light's teary eyes opened, they were stood a small distance outside the cave they called home. The familiar smell of flowers that the air in this area carried filled her nose and below her feet laid the patch of flowers Shadow had shown to her for her to use as a means of calming down.

The female ended up falling to her knees, staring at the flowers in attempt to stop the flood of tears she could feel coming.

"Light," Shadow frowned, crouching beside her as his hand settled upon her shoulder. "Don't be upset. Everything is fine now." Though he was trying to aid the flowers in comforting her, the lack of genuine care in his voice did very little to help him. He used to comfort Maria when she was upset, but that was long ago and Light was not Maria.

"You got hurt because of me. All I wanted was to help you and become your friend, but I just made you get hurt and I apologize deeply." Light's voice was trembling, eyes squeezed shut to keep back the tears. It wasn't working, they were spilling.

"All this, simply because you wanted to be my friend. A waste of your time, but.. thoughtful, I will admit. It was a kind gesture, but I meant what I said. Don't do that again."

"Why can't I be friends with you? All I want is for you to like me.. everyone has someone, but you have no one. I don't want you to be alone."

"I have you, do I not?" Shadow seated himself upon the grass now, Light watching as he reached forth and plucked a flower from the ground, examining it within his hands. "For how long that'll last, however.."

Light paused, sniffling in attempt to clear the tears and to steady her voice. "Are—.. are you gonna send me away?" The thought was daunting, Light's entire face just sinking to which Shadow frowned at, almost in shock.

"Why would I ever do that?"

Shadow's hand snatched up one of Light's, grasping her full attention, if he hadn't already had it. "Listen, as much as I hate company or the idea of.. friends, you are not so much as a bother.. at least, when you're not throwing yourself so foolishly into the line of fire."

"That was stupid of me.. I know it was. But Sonic had Amy to help him and even then, they were hurt.. I don't understand the emotion that came over me when I thought about how they had each other, but you only had me who couldn't help you if I gave even my life.. and I was afraid for you."

"You care too much for my wellbeing, but you forget that if you were to die, I would go back to being alone.. as much as I don't hate that idea, it would almost be strange at this point not to hear you ask a million questions.."

Light's ears folded, gaze falling to the flowers once more. "Why would you want someone around if you don't want to be their friend..?"

"You don't seem to be catching on.. I want you to stay, alright? I enjoy your company. You remind me of her and.. it's refreshing to have someone happy around instead of everything being quiet, painful and lonely all the time. Do you understand?" He asked. For once, there was sincerity within his voice. Though his tone was cold, he was genuine and that was what left Light temporarily stunned.

"I understand.."

"Good," Shadow nodded, tucking the flower he'd picked behind Light's ear and brushing her front hanging quills from her eyes. "Now, i'm going to give you time to pull yourself together. I'll be inside when you're ready to come in. I'll have something for you.. alright?"

"A-Alright.." There was a smile that found its way back onto her face, though faint, but there all the same. "Thank you, Shadow."

The male grinned slightly, slowly rising to his feet, but not before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head on his way up— a gesture that had the light behind her eyes sparking back to life and her heart to swell. It was sweet, unlike him, and he knew it too.

"It's the least I could do.. my friend.."