002. Sick

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She sneezed for the umpteenth time that day.

Her eyes were starting to get swollen, her nose was constantly runny. The flesh on her cheeks had gotten worse, and the coldness shot through her skin quickly, making her shiver relentlessly.

"Tikal," she heard her manager call from behind. The echidna turned to face her, a small smile upon her lips.

"Dear, perhaps it's better that you go home," her managed said, a hand on her shoulder.

"N-No!" Tikal spluttered, her eyes widening, "I—I feel fine!"

"Tikal, you're pale," she commented, taking a look at her face, "I'll give you a few days off. And if you're still not better by then, just give me a call, okay?"

Tikal just stared at her manager, unable to reply to that. She meekly nodded, thanking her before going to the back to grab her things. She made sure to button up her coat this time and made herself some coffee on the go. The echidna bid her manager and co-workers a goodbye before heading off outside.

"Do you need a ride home?" her manager called out.

"I can manage!" she called back with a reassuring smile.

She held on her coat tighter as a gust of wind blew heavily across the streets, prompting her to bury her chin into her collar. Tikal's grip on her cup grew tighter, the comforting warmth helping her get past the people.

Once she got home, the echidna stood in front of the door, vision blurry and her headache had seemingly gotten worse due to the long walk and cold weather. Sighing, Tikal fished for the keys in her bag, the sounds of multiple metals ringing into her ears.

Shaking slightly, she put the key into the lock, turning it a few times so that the door could finally unlock.

However, that wasn't the case.

Tikal blinked and tried to push it open, but no avail. Her vision worsened as she pulled the key away to look at it. All she saw were silvers and golds, the colours of the other keys mixed with the one she had just used.

Oh dear.

Using her instinct, she picked out a gold key in hopes that was the one, feeling silly that she couldn't remember what colour the key was for her own house. Tikal turned it into the lock.

Only to realise that wasn't the right one either.

Weakly, she pulled it out again and stared at the blurry batch of keys one more time, trying to locate the correct one in slight panic.

But a hand stopped her activities.

"It's this one."

Tikal snapped her head up to see traces of black and red in sight. The weight of the keys disappeared in her hand as she heard the lock turning again, the sound of the door finally squeaking open.

"Are you all right?" he asked, voice full of concern.

"Y-Yes," she said, already starting to breath heavily, "I-It's nothing..."

She wobbled herself inside, only to have dropped her cup and fall forward.

...

When Tikal opened her eyes, the first she noticed was that she was on a bed, the covers securely over her body. Rubbing them, she sat up slowly, taking another clear look at her surroundings.

A banging throb from her head paused her looking and she whined softly, her hand pressing against it. Her eyes narrowed as she pulled the covers off her and gingerly made her way out the room and down the steps. Rather cautiously, Tikal entered the living room to see Shadow sitting on the couch reading the newspaper. When he felt her presence, his attention faded away from it.

"You should be sleeping," he said, putting the paper down.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Tikal inquired instead, shuffling along and sat next to him.

"I don't think you heard me saying that I'd be finishing early today," Shadow responded, crossing his arms.

Tikal sighed, her hands rubbing her cheeks. "Sorry."

Shadow stared at her for a moment before resting his hand onto her forehead. He squinted. "You're burning."

The echidna wilted faintly. "I-I'll be fine by tomorrow."

"No, you won't be," Shadow glared at her, "And you will not be leaving the house anytime soon."

Tikal's eyes widened. "B-But—"

"That's final," he snapped, pulling his hand away.

Tikal nodded solemnly, seeing that there was no point in protesting back.

"Here," Shadow leaned forward to reach his mug from the coffee table, "It's still warm."

She thanked him and wrapped her hands around the mug, taking a few pleasurable sips. He caressed her face as she did so and stood up.

"What do you want for dinner?" Shadow asked, causing her to look up.

"Anything's fine," she answered with a small laugh, accepting the fact that he was the one cooking tonight.

He nodded, leaning down to kiss her cheek and sauntered off into the kitchen.

Tikal smiled after him, bringing her knees up to her chest as she began to relax and doze off again.

Not after another sneeze though.