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Big walked into the hut's common area, staring at the decorations around the living room. Pink bows laid about, a deck of tarot cards on a counter, framed photos of her and friends— this was definitely Amy's house.
He yawned, holding Froggy closer to his chest. "Isn't it so lucky that Amy had this place nearby, Froggy?" He gave an affirmative ribbit.
Yesterday morning, during his and Froggy's daily fishing, a huge catfish had leaped out of the water, completely soaking them both. Big had been super excited, but when he went to gush to Froggy, he was gone! The huge fish had scared him off (to be fair, it had to have been record-breaking height).
After a few hours of this, with no trace of him, Big was beginning to panic— and that's when he spotted Amy and Cream picking berries a few yards away. He had nearly fallen to his knees begging them for help, but Amy hadn't even hesitated before saying yes. Despite his worried rambling, Amy had simply shaken her head, reassuring her that they'd find him in her cool, collected tone.
(When Amy was determined, nothing could stop her— Big was sure of it. She was just awesome like that.)
Eventually, just as Amy said they would, they found Froggy hiding in a bush a few hours later. He held Froggy close to his chest, but before he could even utter a 'thank you', rain began pelting down on them. Amy quickly instructed them to follow her, and had led them to a small cabin a half an hour away.
Fighting Eggman can be a very nomadic job, so it's common for many of the Freedom Fighters to have houses set up near attack zones. It allows them to observe the enemy closer, and seek shelter during an emergency. At least, that's what Amy tried to explain to him. Big doesn't understand why anyone would want one house— much less multiple— but if it was coming from Amy, there was definitely a good reason. Besides, it was really nice to get out of the rain.
Froggy ribbited something low-pitched, and Big patted his head. "I hear you. I'm sure Amy's got something we can eat around here. I'm a little hungry myself—" Big paused, something harsh and wet echoing down the hallway.
That did not sound good.
Gently placing Froggy down on the counter, Big walked towards the sound. He hesitantly peered around a corner, bracing himself for the worst, only to see... Amy?
Amy was sitting on the couch, and, well... it wasn't nice to comment on a lady's looks, but she wasn't looking so good. Her emerald eyes were bloodshot with heavy eyebags underneath. Her muzzle was paler than usual, and her posture looked deflated. Crumpled tissues laid all around her.
"Amy? Are you okay?"
Amy looked up, eyes widening, before quickly relaxing into a smile. "You scared me, Big! But, yes, I am okay—" A hard sneeze cut her off, and she reached for another tissue, groaning as she did. "Okay, I think the rain might've gotten me a bit under the weather."
Big furrowed his brows, trying his hardest to think. Under the weather? How could you get under the weather? Did that mean Big was above the weather right now?
Seeming to sense his confusion, Amy sighed. "The rain got me sick." She frowned, placing her head in her hands. "And I think Cream is sick, too. I've already let Vanilla know, but with the storm, we won't be able to head out for another day or two."
Big shut his eyes, going into 'think' mode. Amy was stressed because she and Cream were sick. Her and Cream were sick because they were in the rain. They were in the rain because they were helping Big find Froggy. They were helping him because they are his friends, and he doesn't want his friends to be stressed or sick.
Big clapped his hands together. "Me and Froggy will stay to help until you and Cream are better!"
Amy looked up from her hands. "Really? Are you sure, Big?"
He smiled. "Yes! It is what a good friend does!" And, really, he thought to himself, how hard could it be?
Big rolled the can of soup in his hands, looking at it with a fierce intensity. He found out from volunteering at a Children's hospital with Amy once that children often ate chicken soup when sick, and it made them feel better.
However, he's pretty sure they didn't just eat it out of the can. That's what he always did with Froggy, but Amy had said something about microwaving it. He wasn't entirely sure what that entailed, but he would figure it out!
Big picked at the pull tab, finally opening the soup. He stared at the swirls of noodles and chicken chunks, trying to rack his brain. He knew there were instructions on the back, but without somebody to read them to him, they were useless. He gave a pleading look to Froggy.
"Do you have any idea what to do next?"
Froggy nodded, leaping over to a black box with a handle and some numbers on it. He ribbitted again, and Big gasped. "That's a microwave? You're a genius, Froggy!" He opened the microwave and stuck the can in the microwave.
"Ribbit!"
Big raised an eyebrow as Froggy frantically jumped on the microwave. "What is it, Froggy?"
"Ribbit! Ribbit!"
Big raised an eyebrow. "It'll catch on fire and explode unless I put it in a bowl? Are you sure? That feels pretty—"
"RIBBIT!"
"Okay, okay! I'll get a bowl!" Big snatched the can out of the microwave, walking towards the cabinets.
Who knew Froggy could be so bossy?
Big’s heart broke at the sight in front of him.
Cream, despite her age, was one of the strongest mobians he knew. She had stared vicious robots in the eye, put herself in danger to save her friends, and even faced the metal virus on her own. She was brave in a way he couldn’t even imagine.
But now, shivering in bed with covers up to her nose, sniffling and coughing every few moments, she looked so, so small.
He laid a paw on her forehead, frowning at the unmistakable heat. Cream just barely opened her eyes. “Mr. Big? Is— Is that you?”
Big put on a smile. “Yup! Me and Froggy! We’re gonna help you get over the weather.”
She gave a small nod, seeming to drift back to sleep. “Oh, okay. Thank you.”
Big drew back, putting a hand on his chin. Cream was definitely sick, maybe even sicker than Amy. He needed to make her feel better… but how?
Something clicked, and he jogged out of the room. He made his way to the storage closet near the bathroom (that he had accidentally walked into yesterday), grabbing whatever seemed fluffy and comfortable. “C’mon, Froggy! Help me get this stuff to Cream!”
“Ribbit.”
After a long day of fishing, there was nothing Big loved to do more than lay on a comfy patch of grass— and Cream needed comfort more than ever. He raced to Cream’s room with the blankets and pillows, Froggy not far behind.
He put the covers over Cream, tucking her in the best he could. He gently lifted her head, placing another pillow under her. She slightly stirred, squinting her eyes. “Mr. Big?”
Big patted her head. “I’m just making you more comfortable. Go back to sleep.”
He stepped back and looked at her with a smile. Surrounded in pink, fluffy pillows, and covered in three heavy blankets, she looked smaller than ever. There was no way she’d be cold now.
Big gasped, the thought hitting him fast. Water! She’d probably be so thirsty when she got up! He raced to the kitchen, getting a glass out of the cupboard and filling it with water. He returned and gently placed it on her nightstand, letting out a ‘phew’.
Wait— he had completely forgotten about food! Cream would definitely be hungry when she woke up. He ran back into the kitchen, scanning the counters. His eyes locked with a jar of sweets on the table. He reached in, grabbing a handful and heading back to her room.
He abruptly stopped at the threshold, nearly falling over as he did. Sitting on her bed with a children’s book in front of him, ribbiting out all the words, was no other than Froggy. The stress in Cream’s face had faded, and she was no longer shivering.
He smiled. “Good job, Froggy.”
He slowly crept through the hallway, making his steps as quiet as possible. Cream’s fever had finally gone down, and now she was sleeping soundly in her bed. Admittedly, taking care of sick friends was a lot more than he had bargained for. He was ready to take a nap with Froggy, but there was someone he needed to check on first.
He walked into the living room, cringing at the sight of Amy on the couch. He had taken all her tissues to the garbage earlier, but they seemed to have multiplied since. She looked to be asleep, but was tossing and turning restlessly. Her brows furrowed, and she seemed to be mumbling something.
He walked next to the couch, sitting on the floor beside her. Now that he was so close to her, he could make out some of the words she was saying. Something about being surrounded and not knowing what to do. The names Sonic and Knuckles appeared a few times, usually before the word help.
Big frowned. He didn’t know what to do— should he wake her up? But it had taken her so long to fall asleep in the first place! Still, Amy was his friend. He had to do something.
He gently took her hand into his, giving a small squeeze. She seemed to relax the smallest bit. “It’s just me, Amy. I think you’re having one of those, um, what do you call them? They’re like dreams, but bad.”
The more he talked, the more she seemed to calm down. An idea hit him as he grinned. “Well, since we’re talking anyway, I guess I can tell you about this big fish me and Froggy caught the other day. It was nearly as big as me!”
“I really can’t thank you enough, Big. I don’t know what we would have done without you!”
Big patted Froggy on his shoulder. “You don’t have to thank us, Amy! It’s what friends do for each other.”
Cream walked over and gave Big a hug, looking miles better than she had 2 days prior. “Thank you so much, Mr. Big!” She waved at Froggy. “And you, too, Mr. Froggy!”
“Ribbit.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? Cream and I won’t be leaving for another few hours, and we’d love to have you!”
Big smiled, glancing at Froggy. “Thanks, Amy, but me and Froggy have some fishing to do.”