004. For you
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"You should really be careful next time, Shadow."
"Hmph."
Tikal sighed at her partner's stubbornness, rubbing some of the ointment down his arms. "I'm serious. It could've been worse."
"Please," the hedgehog scoffed, "If that blue hedgehog didn't get in the way, I would've destroyed that thing easily."
"Sonic was only trying to help," she shook her head, "Besides, he's not in a better position either. He broke an ankle."
"That isn't a surprise, considering he did get in my way," Shadow retorted off with a mutter under his breath.
Once she was done applying the ointment, she bandaged his wrist carefully to avoid stinging him. "What I'm trying to say is, that you're lucky you got help from the others," Tikal looked at him, "I don't even know why you went out in the first place, you already had injuries from a previous battle and you weren't able to move properly in days."
Shadow threw a glare at her. "Are you trying to belittle me?"
"I'm just worried is all," she said, feeling unfazed by it, "You're pushing yourself too far. A little break won't hurt."
"I've been in tougher battles," he crossed his arms, "You don't need to worry about me."
Tikal smiled sadly and touched her forehead against his making their eyes lock, "I can't help but to," she whispered sincerely before pulling away.
"Don't give me that face," Shadow said, his eyes softening, "I don't like it."
"And I don't like seeing you hurt all the time," Tikal responded back gently, "Everyday, I always wonder if you're even coming back home," she placed her hand on top of his, "I know it's your job and all, but everyone needs a break now and then."
"So what do you expect me to do?" he asked sternly, "Just sit back and watch other people get hurt?"
"Don't underestimate our friends, Shadow," Tikal said just as sternly that it made the black hedgehog rethink his choice of words, "They're just as strong as you are."
Shadow had to groan at the comparison.
"My point is," Tikal giggled out, running her fingers down his quills, "You should stop being so selfless and have faith in everyone else."
The hedgehog just looked at her, his usual frown on his face. Tikal's eyes were pleading at him—and honestly, he found it harder and harder to even resist them, much to his own displeasure.
"I'll try to," he grimaced slightly, "Only if it makes you happy..."
The echidna was delighted. "Of course."
"I still don't know how you do that."
"Do what?"
"Making me feel somewhat inferior to you," he responded with a grunt.
"Is that a bad thing?" she asked, tilting her head a little.
Shadow shook his head, a small smirk gaining on his lips. "I'm just impressed."
"Well, mister," she teased and poked his nose, "If you've got the time to be impressed, then you've got the time to rest up for the day."
"Are you my mother now?"
"No," Tikal smiled, "But I am your girlfriend, and I'll do whatever it takes to make you fully understand such things called 'friendship'."
He rolled his eyes but held onto her hand, squeezing it. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
The echidna put her arms his neck. "But you're doing it for me."
"That's the only good part."
She laughed, shaking her head before closing the gap between their lips.