Work Text:
“Sonic,” Maddie called, “can you come help me?”
After all this, what could she possibly want? He kind of thought that his silence and standoffish demeanor that he's been rocking the past couple days told everyone that he wanted to be, you know, alone. At least, it was supposed to. It worked when Shadow did it.
Sonic followed her voice to the dining room. She was winding up the string lights that dad took down from the house that morning, before he got called into work.
“Can you help me finish putting these away?” She didn't turn around to look at him.
Not bothering to answer, he grabbed one of the empty wheels, ready to get this done and over with–
“Without the speed, please.”
Or not. Huffing, he matched her pace, half-assed wrapping the lights around…and around. Slowly…slowly…this was going to take all day, Sonic was already over it. If it wasn't for the fact that he was not in the mood to talk, he would have complained about it. Loudly.
So, they worked in silence, at least for a couple minutes.
“So,” Maddie started, “anything new going on with you?”
Sonic froze for a beat, eyes wide. She still wasn't looking at him. “Uhh…no, not really.”
Maddie just hummed in acknowledgement. Finishing the set of lights she was working on, she turned to the pile on the table to search for the end of another set.
Shadow did want him to ask Maddie for an exam, and would probably be a good time to ask. Maybe, if he worded it right, he could phrase it in a way that didn't set off the alarm bells. All he had to say was that he got over his fear of doctors, or whatever, and wanted a check up. Easy.
“Hey–Mom?”
Raising her head from her work, she looked at him. She wasn't looking away. Why was she just staring at him? Sonic wasn’t particularly good at selective information sharing, and the eye contact was not going to help.
She was waiting for him to say something.
“Uhhmmm…So, Shadow, he said, uh, he wants to…” Great start, Sonic. “He said he wants you to give him a check up, make sure he's, uh, in tip top shape, ha.”
“I can do that,” Maddie replied easily. “Did he say when he wants to do it?”
Today, probably. “As soon as possible, I think?”
“Is he worried about something?”
Sonic’s mind went blank. “I…don't think so.”
“Okay, I can call Stone to set something up.” She went back to focusing on the lights.
Was that it? Did he do it? Aw, hell–that sucked. But whatever, it's done! He did what Shadow wanted, and now he could rest easy. Well, not easy, since he didn't know what was actually wrong with Shadow.
He was worried, he was, but it's kind of hard to imagine something being wrong with Shadow. The guy’s indestructible! Sonic’s brain couldn't comprehend a world where Shadow of all people was sick. It's probably nothing. What worried Sonic the most was how Shadow was acting.
And Shadow’s theory…yeah. That was a little concerning. Sonic had an even harder time wrapping his brain around that, sooo…probably best not to think about it. There’s no way he’s right, so there’s no point.
What did Shadow think was going to happen anyways?
Did he really think that he was–ugh, he felt weird even thinking it. Pregnant. Yeah, that feels weird. How would that even work? Like, sure, Sonic understands the basics, but Shadow is kinda the farthest thing from basic.
Would he look pregnant? Sonic tried to picture it.
Hm.
He’d look good, at least.
Shit, he was a freak, wasn't he? Definitely. Thinking about his boyfriend looking pregnant was weird, and thinking about his boyfriend looking pregnant and liking it was weird times ten.
Lights. Wind the lights.
What was it that Shadow said? Something about it not being that bad? Was Shadow okay with the idea of…that happening? Ugh, why did Sonic have to argue with him? Now that he’s had the time to cool off, yeah, he knows he was being a massive douche, bringing up his own stupid problems.
Shadow was obviously scared, and what did Sonic do? Yell at him and make him feel like Sonic wasn't on his side. Not one of his best moments, for sure. But, in his defense, Shadow just doesn't get it. Sonic's tried to explain it, but all Shadow says is the same mushy wishy washy bull he always says–you’re overthinking it, Sonic, Tom loves you, Sonic, nothing bad is going to happen, Sonic–every time they talk about it.
Fuck, he's getting mad again.
Okay, sure, Shadow’s right, he’s being dumb, but that doesn't make it any easier. Sonic knows dad wouldn't care, if he had told him back when they first got together, but he’s dug himself so far in a hole that he doesn't know how he'll react now.
Tom asked Sonic back in the summer if there was anything going on between him and Shadow. When he opened his mouth and lied, like an idiot, Tom then asked if maybe Sonic had a crush. Sonic denied it, and Tom dropped it. He didn't even know why he lied, he just panicked. It wasn't like Tom was being a jerk about it, or even a dad about it–Sonic just couldn't say it. Him and Shadow had only been together for like…two, maybe three months at that point, it was the perfect opportunity and Sonic flipping blew it.
It’s not just about the passive lying, the lying by omition–Sonic looked Tom in the eye that day and just straight up lied. And he continued to do it, he's still doing it.
Sonic never did tell Shadow about that.
It’s not about Shadow, it's not about their relationship–it’s all of Sonic’s dumb lies catching up with him. And what does he do when he’s about to get caught? He runs faster.
Speaking of, he’d have to apologize for freaking out on Shadow, definitely. Sonic already told Maddie about the check up thing, so that's taken care of.
Unfortunately, Sonic knew there was one big thing that Shadow wanted him to do. Would that make Shadow happy? Yeah, probably. But Sonic? He really didn't want to.
But Sonic was the one that fucked up, so, if he did this, it might help Shadow forgive him. Sonic would just have to deal with the consequences.
Fuck it. “Mom?”
“Yes, Sonic?” She watched him expectantly.
“So, uh. Me and Shadow.” How should he say this?
“What about you and Shadow?”
Sonic was completely obsessed with him and he's been hiding it for months and now they might have accidentally multiplied. “We're, uh. I know I'm probably going to get in trouble for this, because why wouldn't I get in trouble for this? Because–yeah. But, we're uh. Me and him–are…together. Like, together like, you know,” he finished lamely.
Maddie didn't react. “You two are in a relationship?”
“Yeah.” God, this was not fun.
“And when did that start?”
Sonic didn't think this far ahead, his brain stalled. “A…little while ago.”
“Okay.”
Okay? That was it? She wasn't going to say anything else about it?
Going back to her task, Maddie kept the conversation going. “Is there anything else you would like to tell me?”
Was there more to say about this? Sure. Did he want to tell her? Nope. “Not really.” He felt his shoulders hunching, curling in on himself.
“Nothing at all?”
Why did she say it like that? “Uhh…no?”
“Sonic, Stone called me last night.”
What.
“Did he?” Sonic asked weakly.
Nononono.
“He did. Do you know what he told me?”
Sonic could take a wild guess.
“Sonic, please talk to me.”
What did she want him to say? What was the point? She already knew–he couldn’t believe Stone. He had it handled! He didn't need someone to do it for him; he just did it perfectly fine on his own! This is such bullshit, did they not trust him at all.
“Hey, don't get mad at Stone.” She could see right through him. “He was just worried for Shadow.” She was stern.
That got Sonic’s attention. “Did something happen? He was fine the other day–I’m going to see him.”
“Woah, slow down,” Maddie put her hands up. “Shadow’s fine. But I agree, we’ll be going to the office when we're done here. Right now, we're talking.” It wasn't a request.
Sonic didn’t want to talk, that was the whole problem.
“How do you feel about all this?” Maddie asked, tone softening.
What kind of question was that? He was frustrated, confused, annoyed, so angry. At everything. He was mad at himself, the situation, the fact that everyone suddenly needs to be involved in his business.
Scared? Yeah, that was definitely there, too.
“Do you…what do you think’s wrong with Shadow?” He wanted at least one person to agree with him that this was insane.
“Well, you know I can’t make a diagnosis without seeing the patient, but…Sonic, the first thing I’m going to do is confirm if there’s a pregnancy or not.”
Hearing it said out loud, by his own mom of all people, that was enough for him. If she believed it, then it was as good as done, wasn’t it? She took care of damn near every pet and horse and cow and whatever else animal in this town, and if her conclusion was the same as Shadow’s, then that was it.
What the hell was he going to do?
They weren’t ready–this was something they probably never were going to be ready for. Did Sonic want kids? He’s honestly never thought about it before. He’s never even held a baby before. Wait–screw holding a baby, he’s never even seen a baby before, not one like him. And he knows for a fact that Shadow hasn’t either.
They couldn’t do this–Sonic couldn’t do this.
Sonic was being pulled down before he understood what was happening. Maddie was pulling him into her lap, when did she get on the floor? Curling in on himself, he shook in her hold. She was saying something, repeating something into his fur as she held him. He couldn’t make out the words, but just hearing her voice was enough to help settle him.
“...be okay. It’s going to be okay, baby. I’m here, I’ve got you, sweetheart, it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry,” he choked out the words.
“No, no, baby, it’s okay. You don’t have to be sorry. It’s going to be okay.”
Selfishly, he let himself relax in her arms. Maddie hasn’t held him like this in years, probably not since before Tails and Knuckles came into the picture. There’s been times he’s needed it, but he would never seek it out. Now that he had it, Sonic let himself be petted, comforted, held. Maybe he wasn’t too old for this.
“Is…this a bad time?”
No. Not now, please no. Sonic curled tighter, practically a ball at this point.
“You’re home,” Maddie pointed out.
Sonic could hear the intense clicking of Tom unloading his gun and setting it on the table. “Yeah, they didn’t really need me. What’s going on here?”
Maddie didn’t answer, and Sonic sure as hell wasn’t going to.
Giving him a tight squeeze, Maddie sighed. “Honey, can we talk about it later?”
“Sure, but…”
Sonic jumped as Tom carded a hand over his quills. Peeking out of one eye, Sonic could see Tom’s knees pressed into the tile, but he didn’t look up at his face.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Tom,” Maddie said meaningfully, “we’ll talk about it later, okay? I promise.”
He didn’t stop petting him, and Sonic couldn’t resist leaning into it. “I can take a hint. I just want to make sure my main man’s okay.”
Working his tongue around in his mouth, trying to fix the dryness enough to speak, Sonic finally looked up. Suddenly, Sonic was overwhelmed with how much he missed his dad. Sonic used to think of him as his best friend, used to think how lucky he was that his dad and best friend were the same person.
Leaping out of Maddie’s hold, Sonic rushed at Tom, nearly knocking him off balance, but Tom didn’t miss a beat, wrapping his arms around him. Sonic could feel the uncomfortable hardness of Tom’s bullet-proof vest, but Sonic pressed closer against his chest anyway.
“Alright,” Maddie said, rising to stand, “I’m going to get ready to head out, okay Sonic? Tom–like I said, later.”
As Maddie’s footsteps made their way to the stairs, Sonic realized that he was alone with Tom now. Not giving himself a chance to think about it, to talk himself out of it, Sonic blurted out, “Dad, I’m in love with Shadow.”
Tom stiffened, just for a moment, before breathing out a huff of a laugh. “Is that what this is about? Kiddo, I don’t think you have to worry about that, I’m sure he likes you, too.”
Why did he have to be so nice? “No, I mean–” Sonic backed up enough to look at him, it was the least he could do. “We’re dating. Since March.” Steeling himself, he forced himself to come clean. “I lied.”
Tom just blinked at him, then pursed his lips. “Well, I’m sure a punishment is probably in order for that, but…it’s okay, bud.”
“Huh?”
“I was young once, too, you know?” He smiled. “But don’t think that means there won’t be boundaries moving forward. And I am mad that you didn’t tell me, don’t think I’m not, but…we can talk about that later. Wait–what did your mom want to talk about?”
Sonic felt his ears press back against his skull. “We’ll talk about it later?”
“Yeah, I should've seen that one coming.”
The thuds of Maddie coming downstairs, shoes on, was Sonic’s saving grace.
“Alright–ready to go, Sonic?”
It didn't matter what he was running towards, what he was about to learn, he would take any excuse to push off this conversation. Hopping up, Sonic made course for the door.
The last thing he heard was Tom saying, “I guess I'll finish putting the lights away?”