#mentioned: vector

*Sonic and Shadow glance at each other. They both burst out laughing*

Ohhh man. Is it weird that I'm kinda glad it was a lecture on not getting involved in dangerous investigations and not a "what are your intentions towards my son" lecture??

*Shadow snorts* I know... Why was that so frightening? I'm twenty three.

I know! Jeez, felt like I was sixteen for a sec.

Hah. Well, at least we've avoided that one for now...

Yeah, every time I lose my keys.

Can’t call it a party or Shads’ll freak out, but that’s a great idea! Honestly, I was getting a little overwhelmed, heh.

We’ve got Jamie and Knux on furniture–they’re making big hedgehog beds for the twins and a new crib for the baby, plus a couple other bits like a diaper changing station that’ll make it easier for Shads if she’s achey.

Rouge is bedazzling the nursery ceiling with glow in the dark stars.

Megs is entertaining the kiddos.

Charmy and Cream are arguing over who picked the best nightlight, Espio and Silver are failing at putting together a mobile, Vector is babysitting Megs.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuure you are

We are! Nobody even suspects—

Sonic? I gotta talk to ya. And bring Shadow.

I honestly can't tell if they're that dense, or if they think we're that dense!

Oh, that reminds me. We should mention...

Ah, right! On it. Sonic! Shadow!

Coming! *Sonic slides down the bannister while Shadow walks down the stairs* What's up?

We gotta talk about sleeping arrangements.

*Sonic almost lands on his face as he departs the bannister. Luckily the back of the sofa catches him* Uhhhhhhhhh. Huh?

*Shadow silently sits on the sofa, avoiding looking at anyone*

Is there something wrong with the current arrangement? I don't mind being down here—

How would the two of you feel about both sleeping in the living room?

*they exchange a single glance, Sonic's eyes bulging and Shadow's narrowed*

Uh. Why d'you ask?

We've got a new kid coming to stay. Emergency foster, probably just for a couple weeks. But he needs his own space, and I know Charmy'd only get distracted if he slept down here.

We were thinking Tails and Charmy could room together temporarily, and the two of you would stay down here. I'm afraid there's only one sofabed, but the other couch is quite comfortable.

*Sonic and Shadow exchange another look. They both nod casually*

Yeah, I think we can manage.

We'll make it work.

We can top 'n' tail or somethin'!

It's only for a few weeks.

We'll figure it out.

Great! Kit's gonna be joining us tonight, so if you could go ahead and set yourselves up down here, we can get your room ready for 'im.

On it!

Thank you both.

This is your home. The last thing I want is to be an inconvenience.

Nah, I'm all good! Just been a crazy couple weeks, y'know?

Sonic? I'd like to talk to ya.

Oh, hey Vex. 'sup?

Siddown, kid.

Oof. 'm I in trouble?

Hah! Should you be?

*Sonic grins and sits cross-legged on the couch* Usually!

Well, you're not in trouble with me. But we've got a few... Concerns, about you 'n' Shadow.

*Sonic shifts a little* Wha'd'you mean...?

We're noticing you're a little... How do I put this... Attached?

Uh. Like, we're friends?

I hear you're not sleeping so great, and you get visibly anxious when he ain't in sight.

Well. Yeah, I mean... I just worry about him. I don't want anything bad to happen to him.

Is he in danger of somethin' bad happening to him in the five minutes he takes in the bathroom?

......... No. But. I dunno. What if he is?

*Vector sighs* I get that you two are a little shaken up over things. But I don't think you're dealing with it in the healthiest way, Sonic.

*Sonic's breath quickens. He leans forward over his crossed legs to try and breathe* You're separating us?

What? No!

Ohthankgaia...

Look. You know I wouldn't ever do that. But when you 'n' Tails first came to me, your attachment to him was not healthy at all. You wouldn't let anybody near him, wouldn't be apart from him, wouldn't let me take him to the doctor—

People separated us before. So many times. I didn't want—

I know. But I didn't do that, right? I gave you the tools to learn that being apart didn't mean you were gonna lose him. Helped you be less scared of it.

...... Right. Yeah. But—

I want you to see somebody again. In fact, I really want Shadow to see somebody, too, but I don't know him well enough to know how to broach that conversation with him yet.

*Sonic swallows* ... Yeah. Yeah, he should... Probably see somebody. But... I'm okay. I just... He's been through a lot. It's him I'm worried about.

Sonic. *Vector claps a hand on his shoulder* Your brother's worried about you. If not for yourself, will you do this for Tails?

...... Y-yeah. Okay.

Good. Good talk. *Vector stands to leave, but pauses when Sonic pipes up*

Vector?

Yeah?

...... Sorry for coming back.

Hey, come on, none of that! *Sonic stands and Vector hugs him* This is your home, for as long as you want it to be.

Thanks.

They like 'im, of course!

I like Mr Shadow's red stripes.

Yeah!! Can I paint my stripes??

We can try hair chalk, but you can't go to school like that I'm afraid.

He seems... Polite!

*Tails stays quiet*

Shadow, dear, would you like some more? You look thin. Have you been eating enough?

I know it doesn't look that way, but this is actually the least thin Shads has ever been.

You don't know that.

Huh?

You don't know what I looked like as a child...

????? Baby fat Shads?? Shadow with baby fat?????

*Sonic and Shadow sit on the sofa, a good foot of space between them. Sonic sits on his hands, trying not to fidget, while Shadow clasps his hands in his lap. Vector sits across from them on the arm of a chair, expression stern*

...... So, uhhh... What's up?

An anonymous informant has told me that you two boys have been... Sneakin' around.

Says who? Charmy? You know he's got the craziest imagination—

No, not Charmy. Tails.

*Sonic winces. Shadow stays stony-faced*

... Damn it, Tails!! Okay, okay, I confess—

Sonic.

But we're being totally safe about it—

Look. You two are adults. What you get up to ain't none of my business. All I can do is tell you to be sensible, not that you'll listen, but, I do what I can.

Yes! Totally sensible!! We are, I swear—

I don't want it happenin' under my roof. I gotta take care of my kids, you know that.

Oh. *Sonic blinks* Well, um, yeah, sure, that's... Fair—

And for Chaos' sake, Sonic, don't involve your brother!

......... Wha?

Excuse me? What the hell are you—

You've had him workin' on this Doom investigation for months! I know he's a smart kid, but he's fourteen. I thought you'd know better than to get him involved!

*Sonic and Shadow both seem to shutdown for a moment, slowly rebooting*

...... Ohhhh that's what—

*Shadow kicks Sonic's foot* I'm sorry. It's entirely my fault. I won't involve your family in these matters anymore.