A week had passed — Sirius was still deeply comatose. The wound on the back of his head healed, leaving a fresh scar; his ribs were back together, and his right front leg had healed. The only issue left was his right hind leg, which was damaged the most.

Despite having no more blood loss, Sirius hadn't woken up yet. He was monitored closely, but nothing wrong was found. His brain structure was different than that of other ponies, so doctors weren't able to find out if Sirius had any real brain damage. They didn't disregard the possibility, however.

Iclyn spent most of her free time with him, sitting at the edge of the hospital bed and softly stroking his chest and neck. Dark circles appeared around her eyes — she hadn't had any good sleep ever since the changeling invasion. Her mind was filled with worries about her beloved, about the one who saved her life. She feared he wouldn't wake up, but she still had hope. He was strong, she believed he would eventually awake. Maybe weeks would pass, months, even years — she would be by his side, comforting him. It was the least she could do for all he had done for her.

"Sirius..." she called him again, her voice quiet and full of sorrow. "Why don't you wake up? What is holding you back? I'm here, Sirius. Please, trust me, wake up and embrace the world. I will show you its wonders, I will show you my... love. Sirius, I love you. Please, wake up."

She repeated the same words every time she came to visit him, but it never worked. He just lied on the hospital bed, looking so peaceful. He breathed deeply and calmly, his heart rate was slow but steady. Nothing disturbed his slumber, not even Iclyn's words.

Iclyn sighed sadly. Everything seemed worse by each day. She felt so sorrowful she couldn't focus on her studies or be with her friends. They gave her support, but there was still a hole in her chest, one she wished Sirius would fill.

She realized she truly loved him. He wasn't perfect, he was troubled in many ways, but she believed she could show him the better, make him better, make sure he would never had to suffer so much again.

Over the course of almost a month, the two created a bond. Iclyn reached out to Sirius, and sometimes he answered. The two made friends. Even while that friendship would seem strange to others, Iclyn thought it was nice to see someone like Sirius talk and express something positive. Sometimes, he was hard to be around with, but in the end it wasn't his fault. He didn't want to trust others because he was afraid of them, afraid of the trust being broken. Iclyn wanted to make sure he wouldn't have to suffer through anything like it. He deserved better, she believed.

Iclyn could swear she saw his eyes slightly opening from time to time, but no matter how hard she tried to get to him, he didn't respond. The filly could do nothing but hope for the best.

Sirius was lying on the hospital bed, his mind in disarray. He could see flickers of light. Sometimes, images flashed before him. They were as clear as if he could see them with his own eyes. He saw a hospital room, himself lying on a hospital bed, wires connected to him. The next image was Iclyn, sitting at the edge of his bed, whispering something to him. He wanted to respond, he wanted to say something, but he couldn't no matter how hard he tried. He wanted to know if she was alright, if Chrysalis was dead or at least locked away, if his weapon weren't taken.

Suddenly, everything went completely black. Sirius was standing in the void, all alone. He turned around and suddenly saw Iclyn. She was mere ten meters way. She was bound in rope, as well as gagged.

Immediately, Sirius galloped to her. Who did this to her? Did they hurt her? How did she get there, was she alright?

Before he could reach her, he was forced to a stop as a figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking his way. It was a tall and gaunt humanoid figure. Its skin was pale, its eyes were dark and sunken, hidden deep in the skull.

Sirius prepared to fight.

"You can't get her." the figure spoke in a morbid tone, stepping closer to Sirius. "Do you know why?"

"Get out of my way!" Sirius retorted, raising his revolver. He was glad it was with him. "Or I will kill you!"

"Just as you killed those who stood in your way?" the figure replied. "Brutally, mercilessly, without remorse. What if she found it out?"

Sirius breathed heavily, his revolver aiming at the figure's head. However, he hesitated to pull the trigger.

"You are a murderer." the figure stepped closer. "You even take pleasure in killing. What if Iclyn saw who you truly are? You murdered people, and not only here. You know it, but she doesn't. She will turn away from you."

"She is my friend." Sirius said, his revolver shaking as tears formed in his eyes.

"It what you think." the figure replied. "She is not your kind, she will never understand you. No one will. You will be alone, and even death will not be your savior."

"S-stand aside. I must help Iclyn!" Sirius said, trying to ignore the hurtful words.

"If you want to get to her, you will have to kill. Again."

Suddenly, the figure morphed. To the sickening sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh, something new appeared. It was a pony like Sirius.

"But you can't kill yourself." it said in his voice.

Sirius shook. What can he do? What must he do? He was confused and scared. Iclyn needed his help, and he?

He was just a monster. A murderer who took pleasure in killing. She would never accept him if she knew the truth. She would abandon him, tell the princesses to lock him away. He would rot away in a cell deep below the ground where light never shines. It was what he deserved for what he did.

He killed, he harmed. He couldn't change his past. If anyone found it out, he would be locked away forever. He didn't deserve a second chance to live.

"You understand now." the figure said.

"I... I..." Sirius tried to say something but couldn't.

Then, he heard the voice of Iclyn. It was everywhere, and it called for him. She said she loved him. She said how much she wanted him to be awake. Soon, her voice started to fade.

Sirius panicked, not knowing what to do. His breath went rapid as he hastily looked around to see if there was a way out. He wanted to be awake, he wanted to tell Iclyn what he did. Maybe... Maybe she would accept him. He just had to pass an obstacle.

Himself.

He aimed at the head of his other self. He realized that even if he was a murderer, it wouldn't hurt to try to get understanding. Sirius never took pleasure in killing random people. He never killed them, too. He only killed those who wanted to harm him or those he cared about.

He pulled the trigger.

The figure fell to the ground and turned to ashes. Dropping the revolver, Sirius dashed to Iclyn. Maybe she would understand him somehow. He would be honest with her, he would tell her about what he did before he fought with Chrysalis. And if she didn't understand him... he would make sure she would never have to see him again.

He felt as if he was trying to run through water. It held him, slowed him down. But he continued to struggle, fighting for his life.

Finally, he awoke. The first thing he saw was the door to the room closing.

"Iclyn..." he whispered weakly, and then tried to get up. "Iclyn!" he tried to say louder, only to cough and fall back onto the bed, his eyes tearing up. "Please..."

"What?" he heard her voice. She wasn't too far away, he could still call her.

"Iclyn!" he said louder, ignoring the pain from the coughing, pouring all his strength into one simple word.

Suddenly, the door bursted open. Iclyn stood there, her eyes wide and hopeful. Sirius looked her in the eyes. He tried to smile, to show her he was awake and fine.

The pegasus filly dashed to him and immediately had the urge to hug and nuzzle him. However, she feared she would hurt him by doing so.

"I... I'll call the doctors!" she said.

"No, I have something to say!" Sirius said quickly. He needed to tell her right there and then. "Please... listen."

Iclyn stopped in her tracks and returned to his bed. She sat at its edge and looked at Sirius. She was full of joy — he finally woke up. To her, the days she had to go without him were bleak. She missed him sitting by her side, learning what she was learning. Helping each-other from time to time, and then train together after the classes. She missed him dearly indeed.

"I... I must say something to you." the former human said. "It is very important that you listen. This... I can't hide."

Sirius told her of what he did to the changelings that stood between him and her. He didn't go into the details of his killing spree, but he told her he indeed murdered them without any remorse.

Silence fell as he finished. He averted his eyes, unable to look at Iclyn. What would she think of him? Would she still stay? And... were the words he had heard in his sleep true? He needed to ask, but only after Iclyn said her own words.

"Sirius..." Iclyn sighed, putting a hoof on his chest. "My father once told me that if my friends are in danger, I may use whatever I have to protect them if I truly care. We pegasi were always warriors, at least more so than other tribes. You did what you did because you feared I was hurt. And I... I see why you murdered them."

She paused for a few moments.

"I won't think any less of you, Sirius." Iclyn continued. "You're not to blame for what happened. Changelings invaded Equestria and tried to conquer it and subdue the ponies. I swear, anypony would do what you did to protect those they... care about.

"Sirius, you are a hero! All of us are praising you for what you did! In fact, princess Luna wants you to speak with her — she said she and her sister want to reward you for what you did not only for me or them, but for the whole country as well."

"I... I don't know." Sirius sighed. "I don't feel I need ceremony."

"Well, I'm sure the princesses will do whatever you ask of them." Iclyn shrugged. "I mean, the ponies already know whom to thank for saving Equestria! And... I want to say something else to you." she leaned closer to him. Sirius was frozen in place — was what he had heard real? "Sirius, you've done a lot for me. You risked your life. I... I love you."

She closed her eyes and kissed him on the lips. Sirius' eyes widened in surprise.

It was all true. Even after what he told her, Iclyn still loved him. But... would he ever be able to love her back? He didn't know. He feared it — if he would die, it would hurt her.

He wanted to push her away just to make sure she wouldn't get attached to him. She would move on and find someone else, someone better. But at the same time, he wanted to return the kiss.

He was greatly confused. He already loved someone, but it didn't work. He wasn't sure Iclyn wanted someone like him. He didn't want to do what he had done to the one he previously loved.

Sirius knew one thing about himself — he was very possessive. No matter the gender, he would always try to demonize those who even as much as wanted to became friends with the one he loved. Later, he realized he wasn't doing good, but would he be able to get rid of his habits? He wasn't sure.

Saddened by his lack of reaction, Iclyn pulled back, breaking the kiss.

"Sirius... You don't love me?" she asked quietly.

He flinched as if a sword went right through him. Those words stung even him. He didn't know how to reply to them. Maybe... maybe honesty could be a way to go.

"Iclyn, I'm scared." he admitted. "I was always... possessive. I don't want to hurt you."

"Don't hold back — tell me about it." the filly replied.

"I... I had one girl I loved." Sirius began. "At first, we were just very good friends. Maybe like you and I. Then, I realized I loved her. But... I only harmed her. I was violent and possessive. I... I once beat up someone who went for her. I sent him to hospital. I also made her lose a friend. I... I don't want to do the same to you."

Silence ensued as Iclyn thought. Maybe she could find a way to make things work? She knew Sirius could change. He already realized his mistakes, after all.

"I believe you won't do it." she said softly. "You saw your mistakes, and you don't want to make them again. What makes you think you will?"

"I... don't know. I already told you I was always violent." Sirius said quietly, his voice trailing off at the end. He was ashamed to talk about it, embarrassed. He always wanted to be calmer. It would make him not so lonely, he thought.

"Sirius, we can work things out. Can you trust me?" Iclyn asked, looking him in the eyes.

"I... I'll try to." Sirius nodded. He felt his throat drying. He was very nervous about the whole thing, and he wasn't sure about the love either.

"Alright." the filly smiled. "First things first, time to call the doctors. Maybe you'll be able to leave the hospital soon."

Sirius nodded and watched her as she exited the room. As the door closed behind her, he sighed. He knew it would be hard for him to deal with love.

He didn't even know if he loved Iclyn at all.

Author's Notes:

How do you think Sirius will deal with romance and his overall relationship with Iclyn?