Chapter Text
It was just another ordinary day in Hedgehog Village. At least if ‘ordinary’ meant receiving attacks from Eggman before he, of course, ends up retreating. That’s what ordinary means around here anyway. Like always, the gang cheers in victory after Eggman leaves while grumbling. Amy sighs, almost in pity.
“When'll Eggman learn that we always win...”
“Yeah! And that he always loses.” Knuckles shakes his head and I fight to laugh out loud. Whenever the Echidna comments it’s hard for me not to. The rest of the team stares at him before Tails breaks the painful silence.
“Victory burgers?” And of course, we all shout in agreeance, starting the journey. I glance back at Sonic, who’s been uncharacteristically quiet. Checking up on him has become something that’s grown instinctual for me. Unlike other days, he didn’t seem too eager to go to Meh Burger. As Tails, Amy, Sticks, and Knuckles walk ahead while recounting the battle, I lag, arms behind my back. He doesn’t seem to notice, instead, he shakes his leg in distaste.
“You alright, Sonic?” I tilt my head coaxingly, but he would tell me regardless. His head snaps up, surprised to see me next to him. He looks me up and down then looks away.
“Well…” Bingo. “When I fell through the trees while fighting Eggman, a branch scratched me up pretty bad.” Sonic twists his leg outward, revealing a cut on his inner thigh. It didn’t look bad, but obviously, it discomforted him.
“How about we hang back for a bit, and I’ll fix that up for you?” Being naturally caring aids my role as the team medic. Plus, I want to spend alone time with Sonic, who smiles at my offer.
“Sure! And then we can get Meh Burgers afterward, you and me.” I grin and look down, hiding the pathetic, swooning expression I make.
“Yeah, you and me,” I agree, slinging his arm around my neck and bringing him inside Tails’ house. He barely limps and maybe doesn’t even need my support, but neither of us pulls away.
I drop him down onto the couch and go looking for an alcohol pad and bandages. He leans back in faux defeat.
“Will I ever run again, doc?” His arms crossed behind his head as he jests.
“It’s hard to tell, we’ll see after the surgery.” I strain to maintain seriousness, returning to the couch with the most stone-cold face I can summon. It’s a serious matter after all. I place the supplies on the coffee table and kneel before him, tying my hair into a low ponytail to keep it from getting into my face. Or in the wound. I’d learned that one the hard way. I silently shake my head, ridding myself of pointless memories. When I look up at Sonic, I frown in embarrassment. He’s already watching me. Chuckling nervously, I shuffle back a bit and signal Sonic to slide himself forward, so the wound is easier to wrap the bandage around. His green eyes travel along one of the strands of my hair that’s too short to pull back into my rubber band. I should wear ponytails more often.
I sit on my propped-up heels and glance at the bleeding cut before looking up at Sonic with determination. His eyes, hidden halfway by each lid, are locked on me. Any ounce of humor from mere seconds ago is devoid of his expression now. I purse my lips at his sudden sternness then ask, “may I?” placing a soothing hand on his knee. His noisy swallow is hard to ignore.
“Yeah… sure.”
I slowly pull his leg a bit further out and then gently push it open, the other staying rooted in place. I feel his leg twitch and my eyes snap up in less than a heartbeat. He refuses to make eye contact, swallowing again while looking off to the side. My eyes fall back down. “It probably just hurts…”
“I’m sure it hurts, I’m sorry Sonic.” Even though I wasn’t the tree that nearly impaled him.
“N-nah,” he starts. “I don’t get hurt.” He grins, finally sober. He moves his foot around in circles like he’s trying to soothe the pain, causing his cut to spill a bit more blood. Without thinking I secure his leg in one place, one hand on his thigh and one on his shin.
“You’ll make it bigger! No moving.” I command. He mutters something I can’t catch under his breath, so I roll my eyes. I find it hard to retract my hands from him, but the thought of Tails’ face after he sees splotches of blood on his couch sets my mind straight. Sonic’s eyes are on me. I can tell, and they’re burning holes. I turn to the coffee table to get the pads and to avoid looking him in the eyes. “This’ll sting,” I warn even though I know Sonic will just brush it off. He gives me a look, clearly, he can’t believe I could ever imagine he’d get hurt. I half-jokingly scoff, “wanna hold my hand?” Now’s his turn to roll his eyes.
“As if, I’m not a kid!”
“Suit yourself.” I clean around the wound expertly and then with a final raise of the eyebrows, I press the wound with the pad. His eyes screw shut, and he hisses like a snake, nearly ripping the fabric of the couch from how hard he’s gripping it. “You’re okay,” I coo. Does it help? I can’t tell. His leg twitches and I instantly hold it down with my free hand. As if ignited by my touch, his eyes open and stare wide into mine. After a few beats of silence, he speaks.
“I feel like… you kinda understated how badly it would hurt,” Sonic tries to laugh but I take his dialogue as a sign that he’s okay, so I dab again, this time a bit harder to permanently stop the bleeding. “Wow! Wow, okay, let’s take- can we take a break?” He whines and I can’t help the smirk that tugs at my lips. Sonic? Begging?
“I thought Sonic the Hedgehog didn’t get hurt,” I tease, “besides, the bleeding stopped. You’re welcome.” Wincing, he looks down at his now clean cut in wonder. His eyes speak volumes compared to what he says out loud.
“Awesome, thanks!” He shoots one of his famous smiles at me, one that any girl would faint at. Thankfully I was on the ground to begin with. I look down at his wound, smiling sheepishly and unable to acknowledge his desperately wanted attention. I wrap the gauze around his thigh with care, lifting his leg when needed and ignoring the burning at my fingertips.
Finally, I finish wrapping it and pat his knee with a sense of pride.
“Good as new.” I reluctantly drag my hand off his leg, trailing down his shin with not nearly enough subtly. As though I were transparent, he narrows his gaze, searching through every inch of me.
“Y’know…” he starts, leaning forward so the both of us would have nowhere else to look this time. “Tails told me that saliva is good for soothing pain.” He leans back once more, this time with arms behind his head, his legs slowly sliding open again. “So…” My fingers twitch, aching to touch something, anything. I look up at him, teeth clenched behind my pursed lips. “What do you say, Doc?”