Time to Heal...
(A Vector X Vanilla fanfic) (AU post Zombot) (Updated)
This story takes place several months after the Zombot arc from IDW's Sonic comics.
Although the day is still young and full of sunshine, things are still tense at the Chaotix house. The old Zombot virus seems to have left several after-effects on the inhabitants who had previously been infected by that virus. The new effects could vary from a simple cold to high fevers, which have left several of those affected in critical condition. Vector and Charmy were previously affected by the Zombot virus, and now the side effects are starting to affect Charmy, who has had a fairly high fever and dry cough for several days, which do not seem to diminish as the days go by.
Charmy is resting in his room, Vector opens the door gently, bringing with him a bag full of medicine. Seeing that the bee was still asleep, he wakes him up with a low voice, saying:
Vector: Charmy, wake up, it's time to take your medicine.
As he was waking up, Vector put his hand on Charmy's forehead, it was much less hot than last night. Charmy wakes up with an upset face.
Charmy: Huh?... I don't want to.
After saying that, Charmy starts to cough. Vector leaves the bag on a chair and begins to take out some syrup with a small spoon. When he finishes, Vector brings the spoon to Charmy's mouth.
Vector: Ok... open your mouth.
With a louder tone, but still softly, Vector responds:
Vector: Charmy, please, open your mouth.
Charmy, clearly upset, throws the spoon of Vector's hand and falls over the floor with the medicine
Charmy: I DON'T WANT TO, GET OUT!
Vector clearly getting mad, he respond:
Vector: WHAT THA- CHARMY, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT.
Charmy: NOOOO, IT TASTES AWFUL!
Vector: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE MEDICINE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET BETTER?!
Charmy: I DON'T WANT MEDICINE, NOT ANYMORE!
Vector: DO YOU WANT TO STAY IN A HOSPITAL THEN?! HUH?!
Charmy: … no.
Charmy starts crying inconsolably.
Vector: *Sigh* Sorry Charmy, I know this is really hard for you, but you can't be like this forever. If you want to get better, you have to take your medicine, even if it tastes bad.
Charmy: I don't want it Vector... I don't know if I can keep taking it. *Sniff*
Vector was shut for a moment, so he tried to convince Charmy with a proposal.
Vector: Look, if you promise me that you'll keep taking your medicine, like the doctor asked , When you got better I'll take you to that amusement park you've always want to visit so much. What do you think?
Charmy, with eyes shining with hope, asked in a trembling voice.
Charmy: Do… do you promise?
Vector: Yeah...I promise.
Although Vector knew that the tickets to the park were expensive, seeing the small grin on Charmy's face made Vector feel confident that he was making the right decision.
Vector took again the spoon refilled with syrup and finally was able to give Charmy his medicine, even if he crealy didn't like it.
Vector: See, it wasn't so bad?
Charmy: ugh... if you said so. *Yawn*
Vector: Before i go, let me take your temperature, don't worry, i won't take too much time.
With Charmy calmer, Vector put a thermometer under his arm and they waited together for the results to come back. Meanwhile, Charmy, worried, looked at Vector and asked him.
Charmy: Vector… What if I don't get better?
Vector was speechless for a moment, but tried to comfort him by saying:
Vector: You'll be fine kiddo, you don't need to worry it.
Charmy: If we go to that amusement park, i want to stay all day in there, with Espio and Cream, and we are going to get on every game, can we do that Vector?
Vector: ... Sure Kid
While saying that, The thermometer rang, resulting in a temperature of 38º, although his temperature was high, it was a relief considering that last night, he had 40º.
Charmy: *Yawn*
Vector: Try to get some rest, i'll check you later, ok?
Charmy: ok...
While Charm was falling sleep, Vector put a wet towel over his head and he left his room.
_____________________________________________________________
A silence abounded throughout the house, only the sounds of Charmy's dry breathing could be heard, and sometimes his sudden coughing attacks, but it was enough for Vector to have a moment of peace, but that moment was interrupted when the doorbell of his house rang.
Annoyed, Vector heads towards the door to find out who it is.
Vector: ugh... now who will it be, I just hope it's not some desperate client or the renters looking to collect, I'm not in the mood right now...
Just after opening the door, his annoyed face changes to one of surprise, when he notices that Vanilla was standing at the door, with a basket in her hands.
Vanilla: Hey Vector, Good morning.
Vector blushes, and starts rubbing his face with his hands.
Vanilla: Oh i'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you-
Vector: No no, it's okay, I was just... surprised to seeing you here, sorry.
Vanilla: No worries, sorry me for giving you this unexpected visit... i just want to see if everything is okay.
Vector: Yeah, everything is kinda steady right no, Charmy has just took his medicine and he is taking a nap right now, so things are little more calmer right now.
Vanilla: I'm really glad to hear it. Umm, i don't know if you don't mind it, but I brought some things for him, I don't know if I could-
Vector: Oh Yeah yeah, come in.
Vector signals Vanilla to enter his home, while he quickly goes to clean the couch, which was full of papers and candy wrappers.
As she was walking into the house, Vanilla noticed that the house was somewhat neglected, they have been under a lot of pressure this few days since Charmy got sick. Vector, noticing Vanilla's worried face, he respond to her:
Vector: I'm truly sorry about this mess.
Vanilla: It's okay, you don't need to be sorry, I know this has been hard times for you three.
Vector: Yeah... but we are trying to moving forward, despite everything. But anyway, here take a seat.
He said this while he was pointing the now clean couch.
Vanilla: Thank you...
Vanilla takes a seat and leaves her basket on the table that was near the couch.
Vanilla: And how is Espio?
Vector: He... He went out for a few days... He needs to clear his mind of everything that's going on, but he is ok overall.
Vanilla: Oh... I understand, i know it has been really difficult for him too. I'm really glad he is trying to take some rest after all he passed.
Vector: Yeah...
Vector seeing that the enviroment is getting a little tense, he changed the topic of the conversation.
Vector: So... What did you bring?
Vanilla: Oh right, here take a look.
Vanilla starts to open the basket, which included all of her products wrapped in 3 blankets, separately
Vanilla: I didn't bring too many things, but I hope I can help you with some of this.
Vanilla starts to unravel all the blanktes and putting them sepparatly in the table. The first blanket had several juice boxes, tea bags, and a small jar of honey; the second blanket had a big pot of chicken soup, which still was warm; and the third blanket had some medicine.
Vector clearly shocked, respond
Vector: Vanilla, I-i don't know what to say, this is too much...
Vanilla: I tried to make enough for the three of you, but if you still lack of food i can still bring you more.
Vector: No no it's okay, you have done to much for us, i can't explain how thankful i'm... I will tried to repay you all of this.
Vanilla: You don't need to repay anything Vector, i really want to help you as much as i can, after all, you have help us too multiple times… So i wanted to return the favor
Vector: Thank you , Vanilla...
Following this, Vector gave a rather large yawn, with his eyes getting half-closed. Vanilla noticing this, asked him:
Vanilla: you're quite exhausted... Have you been sleeping well dear?
Vector, changing to a more serious tone, answers him.
Vector: *Sigh* Well, not really... 2 days ago Charmy got a very high fever in the night, the thermometer was reading 40º, and he couldn't stop shaking. So i've been really worry about him since then.
Vanilla: Oh dear... and what happen? did you take him to the doctor?
Vector: Yep, but that night he wasn't available, and all the rest of the doctors were really busy too, so after hours of waiting and no one was attending us, we decided to take him to the house again. I didn't want to give him more medicine than what they prescribed and I don't know what else I could do, other than put wet towels on his head, the only thing i did was lying down with him, while he could calm down and stop shaking and wait to see if the next day the doctor was available, and yep, he was available the next day.
Vanilla: God, it sounds so awful, i can't imagine how hard that night was... and what did doctor told you finally...
Vector: The doctor told me to continue with the medicine, to see if in the next few days his situation gets worse or not. he maybe told me that because he saw Charmy more calmer that day… But i don't feel so sure right now if this is the right decisition. The only thing i can do right now is wait to see if what the doctor said is correct… and is frustrating.
Vanilla: Gosh... i can see why you are so stressful right now, but i'm sure that Charmy is going to get fine, he is really strong.
Vector: Yeah i know, i believe that he is going to get better...
Vanilla: And... sorry for being intrusive, but what does Espio think about all of this.
Vector: ... He also got shock when that happen, and he got really angry when the doctors didn't help him that night. He tried to convince me to try to steal from that hospital some medicine, and try to threaten the doctors so then can check Charmy right now, i opposed to that idea, because more people are suffering fin that hospital, and we can't deny them the help. I try to calm him done, but we got into a really big discussion, so he take the decisition to leave the house, and until this day i don't know what where he got into...
Vanilla: Vector... i'm so sorry to hear that. i've never thought that Espio will get that angry, but he has to calm down and understand sooner or later will that you are doing the best you can with Charmy. After all you three are a team.
Vector: I don't know, Vanilla... He might be right to leave me. I know he lost us once, and he can't cope with the idea off losing Charmy again... just like i. And i'm the one that i'm pushing him away...
Vanilla: Vector don't said... It's not your fault.
Vector: I feel like it is... I'm so scared Vanilla, i'm scared that i'll be never seeing Espio again, i don't know what to tell Charmy if that happen, he might be leaving me too, but at this point i don't know if he is going to get better or if he is going to be aliv-
Vector tried to bear it for a long time, but tears started to come out of his eyes.
Vanilla: Hey... It's okay.
Vector started to cry inconsolably while Vanilla was hugging him.
Vector: I don't want to lose them... I can't...
Vanilla to comforted him, telling him:
Vanilla: You're not going to lose them... you're not alone in this.
Vector slowly calmed down, and coming to his senses a little, the only words from his mouth were:
Vector: I'm sorry... I *sniff*
Vanilla, also with tears in her eyes, looked at Vector and tell him with a soft voice:
Vanilla: I get it Vector... It's understandable that you feel that way... This hasn't been easy for any of us, i also almost give up...
Vanilla: What happened with that virus was catastrophic, in those days we all made bad decisions, which have continued to affect us to this day. The day Chesse, Chocola, and me got sick and stay in the hospital, Cream couldn't stop feeling anxious about all of us, she would get quite aggressive and hostile because she felt like she wasn't doing enough to make us feel better... Gemerl and all of us made her understand that everything was going to be okay, but she became more and more distant, and it got to the point where we didn't know what else to say to her to make her calmer... There would be nights when I would hear her sobbing in the hallways, and it made me feel helpless knowing that I couldn't help her, at that moment I also thought that I was going to lose her. But it was thanks to the support of her friends, and especially yours, that Cream started to calm and be more patient. That encouraged me to keep fighting to be better, and thanks to all of you I have become much stronger than before, something I will always be grateful for...
Vanilla: Things are still kinda steady, Cream is now helping in the hospital and she still feel bad the can't help everyone, but i know is her way to deal with her grief, and i know that she is getting stronger with that experience. Espio is nice kid, and dispite of everything he has a golden heart, so i know he will also find a way to deal with his grief too, And Charmy will get out this, if he survived the Metal virus and every Eggman's menance, he will survive this. The past still hurts, and the future is uncertain, but knowing that today we have our friends who continue to support us despite everything, is a reason to keep living...
Vector was silent for a moment, but then he replied.
Vector: I don't want to lose my friends, they are my family, and I would give everything for them to be fine.
Vanilla: And you are not alone in this. Whatever challenges will come in our way, we will face them, TOGETHER.
Vector gives Vanilla a huge smile, while she also returns the gesture. The beautiful moment is interrupted by the growling of Vector's stomach.
Vanilla: hehe, don't worry about it, how about we warm up the chicken soup and we eat some of it, i know is gonna help you, what do you say?
Vector: I... Would love that
A little bit of happiness as come to the Chaotix house.
Outside the house, right near the front door, a leaf falls on an apparently invisible object, at that moment, the object becomes visible, revealing itself to be Espio who was using his camouflage ability. Espio picks up the leaf that fell on his head, and stares at it, thinking about everything he had just heard, he takes one last look at the window where Vector and Vanilla were, and sees both of them still talking and sharing some laughs; Espio had never seen Vector so vulnerable and open with his emotions, he was shocked...but at the same time flattered. Then he decides to carefully go to the window where Charmy's room is, he finds him sleeping, but with a huge smile on his face. Espio couldn't react in any other way, but to return his smile, while tears fell in his eyes.
Days passed, and Charmy's health gradually improved, and he slowly regained his characteristic energetic attitude. Vector kept his promise, and decided to take Charmy to the amusement park, this time accompanied by Cream, Vanilla and the Chaos.
Everyone is at the Chaotix house, a few minutes before leaving for the amusement park, Vector and Vanilla are already ready to leave, but Charmy and Cream are still in the room finishing getting ready.
Vector: KIDS, WE'RE READY!
Charmy: ONE SECOND, WE'RE ALMOST THERE!
Vanilla approaches Vector and tells him:
Vanilla: Don't worry Vector, we still have time to get there.
Vector: Ugh... I just hope I can find a good parking spot.
Right after saying that, the doorbell rings.
Vanilla: Huh? Who could it be?
Vector: Huh? I have no idea; I hope whoever it is, it doesn't waste us too much of our time.
A little frustrated, he heads for the door, hoping it's a desperate customer or anyone who's going to waste his time. Without thinking twice, he finds Espio in front of the door.
The meeting was a little awkward, this is the first time that they see each other since their intense discussion. The meeting was interrupted by Vanilla, that also notices Espio.
Vanilla: Espio, honey, how have you been?
Espio: I'm fine, thank you very much for asking.
Vector makes a little gesture to Vanilla, telling her that he wants a time alone with Espio. She nods and returns inside to check the kids. Noticing a lot of activity in the house and seeing how Vector was cleaner than usual, he asked:
Espio: Is everything in order?
Vector: Yes, in a while I'm going to take the kids and Vanilla to the amusement park; Charmy insisted a lot to take him there, so i kept him the promise. I sent you a message yesterday telling you about this, So you can knew.
Espio: Yes, I read the message... But are you sure he can go? I mean...
Just then Charmy comes out of his room holding a huge backpack on his back, along with Cream and the Chaos.
Vanilla, noticing the huge backpack, asks the children:
Vanilla: Kids, what do you bring in that backpack?
Charmy: Oh, that's right! so that we are more protected on the Trip, we brought-
Charmy opens his backpack, revealing several slingshots, along with other objects, such as paper balls, stones, small balls, etc.
Charmy and Cream: TADAAAAA
Vanilla: Umm... and why are bringing this?
Cream: Mom, we know that Doctor Eggman is still on the loose, and at any moment he can do one of his misdeeds.
Charmy: And so as not to be caught off guard, we will be prepared when he is attacks again, and we are going to kick his butt.
Vanilla responds with a nervous laugh at everything the children told her.
Vanilla: Dear, but I don't think Doctor Eggman will interfere with our trip, and if he were, I don't think it would be convenient for you to fight him.
Cream and Charmy: Awwwwwww why?
Cream: Mom, we are able to stop him, I am much stronger than I was before, and believe me this time I will not be afraid.
Cream: I'm really strong too, look us.
Cream and Charmy proceed to show their muscles while making differente posses and the Chaos also played along. Vanilla didn't know how to react, but to laugh tenderly.
Vector: I hope that answers your question?
Espio stayed silent for a moment, and began to turn his back to Vector
Espio: Well... Then I won't interrupt you any longer.
Vector: WAIT... since you're here, would you... like to join us?.
The sparkle in Espio's eyes returned, and he paused for a moment, but finally he looked back at Vector and answered.
Vector made a gesture for him and Espio to bump fists, Espio noticing this decides to return the gesture, and both gave a soft and gentle fist bump.
Charmy: I'm glad you have came!, where have you been?
Espio: Umm...
Cream: Oh he has been helping us in the hospital, he has been helping doctors to bring medicine and attend people, we have made a lot of progression honestly and more people is getting attended.
Charmy: Duuude, that so cool.
Vector that was hearing about that conversation, appears behind Charmy.
Vector: That's really cool kid.
Espio: Hehe... Thanks, i know i have to help with something.
Vector give a pat in the Shoulder of Espio and he leave him with Charmy and Cream to tell him all their plans for the amusement park.
While Vector looked at the children talking with a smile, he felt a kiss on the cheek from Vanilla, followed by a hug from her. Vector blushed accept her hug, and they stare their kids having fun and laughing
They all spent an unforgettable day full of laughter and fun, where they could finally they put aside those long months of fear and uncertainty.
End
This a prequel of i comic i made a few months ago, you can see it here: Tumblr
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