FicWad

Manic and Sonic stood in front of Uncle Chuck’s grave.
Manic dipped his chin to his chest.
Sonic touched Manic’s shoulder. “Do you need a minute?”
Manic turned to walk away. “I can come back later.”
Sonic walked Manic to the parking lot where Aleena and Sonia were waiting for them.
“We were going to get an apartment.” Manic said. “He said that we could split the rent. He was going to try to help me so I could leave home.”
Sonic nodded. “Just two more years, bro.”
Manic sighed. “Why him?” He asked. “He was more of a parent than Ma is, to us at least.”
Sonic bit his lip. “I know.”
*
Sonic jolted awake to someone trying to open his and Manic’s bedroom window. He sat up and sighed as he realized it was Manic, who was climbing inside the now open window.
Manic fell inside the window and laughed.
Sonic got up and walked over to Manic. “Bro?”
Manic slowly got to his feet and staggered a little. “Hey, bro.”
“Oh, boy, you’re drunk.” Sonic muttered.
Manic huffed. “Am not.”
“Whatever.” Sonic said. “Hey, I bet you’re tired. Let’s get you to bed.”
Sonic walked Manic to bed and tucked him in.
*
Manic groaned as he woke up. “Why did I do that?” He muttered.
“I hope you learned your lesson.” Sonic said, sitting up.
“You saw me sneak in, huh?” Manic asked.
“Yeah.” Sonic replied. “Listen, that’s not going to help you. All that will do is mess up the good things in your life, like our band or your artwork. Surge is not thrilled with that either.”
“Thanks.” Manic said, slowly turning onto his right side to face Sonic.
“Where’d you go last night anyway?” Sonic asked.
“Shadow’s house.” Manic said. “Gerald doesn’t pay attention to how much beer Shadow sneaks out.”
Sonic shook his head. “I know he’s grieving over his adoptive sister, but that won’t help him.”
“Maybe you should talk to him.” Manic said, rubbing his forehead.
“He’ll listen to you quicker than he’ll listen to me.” Sonic replied. “He shoved me into a locker because I sneezed near him. He’ll at least talk about Terminator theories with you.”
Manic started to sit up.
Sonic got up. “You need a-”
Manic threw up, accidentally getting Sonic’s shoes.
Sonic grit his teeth. “Ugh. Dude.”
“I’m sorry.” Manic said.
“No, it’s fine.” Sonic replied. “I’ll get you a towel and tell Mom you have a stomach bug if you promise not to do this again.”
“I promise.” Manic said. “You know I hate being sick, so why would I do this again?”
Sonic nodded. “Fair enough.” He replied. He headed out of the room to get Manic a towel out of the bathroom.
“Boys, was that you?” Aleena called. “Can you help with breakfast?”
Sonic stepped into the kitchen. “I’ll help in a minute.” He said. “Manic is sick.”
Aleena scoffed. “Nice try, but he has to go ‘back to school’ shopping.”
“He threw up, Mom.” Sonic said. “I was getting him a towel.”
Aleena sighed. “I’ll get him a towel. You help Sonia.” She replied. She walked to the bathroom.
Sonic and Sonia started making coconut flour pancakes.
“Manic!” Aleena yelled.
Sonic cringed.
“Ah, stop yelling, Ma.” Manic replied.
“What did he do?” Sonia asked.
“Snuck out and got drunk at Shadow’s house.” Sonic replied.
“It’s not her fault, Ma!” Manic yelled. “It was Shadow’s fault. I’m not gonna drink again anyway.”
Sonia sighed. “Shadow is starting to have a drinking problem.”
“Call Gerald. I bet Shadow’s hungover too.” Manic said. “It’s not her fault. Ma, seriously?!”
Aleena marched out of Manic’s room.
“Shadow does drink, Mom.” Sonic said.
Aleena started making breakfast. “I guess you’ll take him shopping tomorrow, Sonic.” She said, “Do not let him invite Surge along.”
Sonic nodded. “I’ll be right back.” He said. He ran to Manic’s room.
Manic was laying on his bed, crying.
“I tried to tell her that it was Shadow.” Sonic said, sitting on the bed.
“She doesn’t care.” Manic replied. “She just wants to make my life miserable.”
“We’re going back to school shopping tomorrow.” Sonic said. “I’ll let you take Surge. Just keep your mouth shut about it to Mom. It’s not fair that she tried to break you two up for no reason.”
Manic smiled weakly. “Thanks, bro.”
“Do you want pancakes or do you want me to make you some toast?” Sonic asked.
“Toast.” Manic replied. “And some coffee, no creamer.”
Sonic nodded. “Of course.”
*
a week later
Manic sat down at the table. “I’m starving. I didn’t have lunch today.”
“Work was crazy?” Sonic asked.
“Our computers were down.” Manic replied. “Shadow and I were trying to reboot the computers for hours.”
Aleena set a plate down in front of Manic and did a double take at him. “What is that?”
“What?” Manic asked.
“When did you get those piercings and what is that around your eyes?” Aleena asked.
“Uncle Chuck got them for me on my fourteenth birthday.” Manic replied. “It’s eyeliner. I’ve been doing this since I was twelve and you just now noticed it?”
“Take those off and wash your face now.” Aleena said. “You look weird.”
“You literally never noticed this before.” Manic replied. “Why is it a problem?”
“Mom, he’s been doing this for four years.” Sonic said.
“Manic. Now. Unless you want to be grounded.” Aleena replied.
Manic got up and stormed off to his room.
Aleena sighed. “Fine, I guess he’ll eat his dinner cold.”
Sonic and Sonia looked at each other.
“Mom, it’s not a big deal.” Sonic said. “It’s a style he likes. He looks more normal than half the kids we go to school with.”
“He’ll never hold down a real job with that style.” Aleena replied.
“Have you been to a Hot Topic?” Sonic asked. “Do you even know where he works? It’s allowed for him to dress like that at the store.”
Aleena folded her arms. “Is he going to work at Hot Topic forever?”
“He’s trying to get his music career off the ground.” Sonic replied. “He also sells his artwork.”
Aleena rolled her eyes. “That’s a million to one shot.”
Sonic slid his plate aside. “I’m not hungry.” He said, getting up. He headed to his room.
Manic was trying to climb out the window.
Sonic closed the door behind him. “Bro?”
“I’m starving.” Manic replied. “But I don’t want to eat with her and Sonia. I’m going to Shadow’s house. He made sushi and is going to watch John Wick.”
“I guess I’ll join you.” Sonic said.
Manic shrugged. “I’m sure Shads won’t mind.” He replied. “He’s gotta learn to tolerate you anyway if he’s gonna date our sister.”
*
Sonic walked into the house and sighed as he heard singing. “Manic, you know you’re not supposed to listen to your music too loud.” He muttered under his breath. He headed to his and Manic’s room.
Manic flinched as Sonic opened the door.
“Was that you singing?” Sonic asked.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, bro.” Manic replied.
“Why are you sorry?” Sonic asked. “You sound amazing. I thought it was the radio.”
“For real?” Manic asked.
“I think you do the song better than Skillet does.” Sonic replied. “But I am biased because you’re my bro.”
Manic hugged Sonic. “Thanks, bro.” He said. “Ma just tells me to shut up when I sing. That’s why I try to practice when no one’s home.”
“I am so sorry, bro.” Sonic said. He sat down on his bed. “Not that it’s bad to do a cover or two, but have you written any songs?”
“Yeah, I don't do covers.” Manic replied. “I was just warming up.”
“Well, let’s hear it.” Sonic said.
“I’m home.” Aleena called.
Manic sighed. “Later, bro.” He said. He fist bumped Sonic. “Thanks for showing interest, bro.”
“You’re welcome.” Sonic replied.