Knuxouge - Clipped Wings

The Part With Lots of Heart-to-Hearts

About a week later, Rouge had gotten her usual manner back. She was bored out of her gourd, and since Eggman hadn't sent another robot yet, the whole team had plenty of time to fuss over her. She had to remind several people multiple times a day that she would be able to move around soon, and her back would be totally fine, and yes her bandages were comfortable, and no her splint was not painful.

Sonic had supplied her with a large pile of comics. At least she was amused while confined to her bed. When she wasn't reading, she would chat with Amy or whoever else came by to see her that time. Right now it was Amy.

"How did your date with Sonic go?" Rouge asked, smoothly referencing their outing just yesterday. Amy still blushed a little when the blue blur was mentioned. You'd think she would be over this.

"It was just lovely! We picnicked in the meadow. He picked me a bouquet of wildflowers," Amy gushed. She loved bragging about her famous boyfriend, and Rouge loved the background noise. Seeing Amy so lively made her feel better.

Amy continued her mushy monologue. "So I used the flowers to make us crowns and he actually wore it! He did! I helped make our meal, of course, and he complimented all of it. He's so sweet. Once we finished desert he held my hand when we walked home."

"Wow! He did all that voluntarily?" Rouge interjected snakily. It was a stark contrast to how Sonic constantly avoided and brushed off Amy before their relationship started.

Amy paused. "Well, he was a little hesitant, but he's definitely just nervous since he likes me so much," she asserted. To her, Sonic had no faults. "Anyway, that's enough about us," She resumed, "tell me about Knuckles."

Rouge coughed. She didn't expect that at all.

"What do you mean, Knuckles?" She sputtered. Amy gave her a look that said 'do you think I'm stupid?'

"He's been visiting you so often. Even before you got hurt, you two were inseparable. You mean to tell me there's nothing going on?" She said it so surely, placing a fist on her hip and staring Rouge down. All Rouge could do was laugh.

"No, really. He just wants to make sure I'm alright, nothing romantic." She paused, looking at Amy to gauge her reaction. Amy didn't say anything, allowing Rouge to continue. "I think he feels like... like he should have saved me earlier. Like he could have prevented this from happening. Which is just ridiculous! Nobody could have reacted fast enough. Yes, it sucks to be unable to fly, stand up, or even move too much. But it sucks more that it's not only impacting me. I can get painkillers for my injuries. So why does he have to be so hurt? It's bringing down my mood! I wish he'd stop moping."

Amy nodded understandably. Her voice was soft when she spoke next.

"That just goes to show how much he cares about you, right? It's sweet of him."

Rouge agreed halfheartedly. Just then the doctor came in and the girls were forced to halt their dialogue. Amy quickly left the room so Rouge could be examined in peace.

The doctor checked on her back wound first, then re-wrapped it. He also checked the cast alignment. While he worked, Rouge was lost in thought about what Amy had said. Could it be more than pseudo-guilt that kept knuckles coming back to visit? Was he finally starting to care about her as much as she cared about him?

"Alright, you're making good progress," the doctor interrupted her thoughts. Rouge snapped her focus back to reality. "You can start walking around immediately. Stay off of heavy exercise and lay off your back, but everyday activities should be perfectly safe." The doctor gave a rare smile. "I bet you're excited to be up again, eh?"

She could get up again! A wide grin spread across her face. Finally.

Upon hearing this news, she swung upright and hopped off the bed. A small "woohoo!" escaped her.