"No. I've already told you this," Shadow said with all the conviction of a solemn knight on a quest, his tone sharp as a well-honed blade. "I have an important mission to do, and I will not postpone it for something as trivial as... cuddles." He tried his best to keep his gaze averted, almost as if the mere act of looking you in the eyes would cause his resolve to crumble like overcooked spaghetti.

However, when his striking red eyes finally locked onto yours—oh, those eyes—it was like watching a volcano quietly erupt. The hardened stone exterior of his demeanor gave way to a molten softness that caught him entirely off guard. He let out an annoyed (though secretly affectionate) sigh, the kind that spoke volumes of his internal struggle. "Just... just this once," he muttered under his breath, almost as if he were conceding a monumental defeat in a battle he never wanted to fight.

In one swift motion, Shadow scooped you up in his arms, a feat more graceful than it had any right to be for someone so brooding. He planted a gentle peck on your cheek, rolling his eyes dramatically, pretending to be annoyed.

With a flourish that could only be described as him attempting to be both suave and slightly ridiculous, Shadow set you down on the couch before heading over to grab a blanket. He returned, draping it over you both like a master of ceremonies unveiling the main act, and plopped down next to you with an exasperated huff.

"Promise me you won't move too much tonight," he added, the embarrassment in his voice nearly palpable. It was as if he was asking you to withstand a fierce storm while clutching a delicate teacup. Shadow nestled his face against your neck, hiding the sly smile that threatened to spill onto his lips. His body relaxed just a bit, as if being this close to you was the most dangerous yet comfortable mission he'd ever undertaken.