FicWad

Manic headed out of his room as someone knocked on their door.
“I’ll get it.” Sonia said. She opened the door as Manic walked into the living room.
Aleena hurried into the room.
Manic stood there watching as Sonic and Sonia hugged their mom.
“Oh, I missed you two.” Aleena said. She let go of Sonic and Sonia and looked over at Manic and Nikós. “Manic?”
Manic bit his lip.
“You have a baby?” Aleena asked.
Sonic sighed. “Say whatever you’re thinking, bro. You’ll probably give yourself ulcers if you don’t.”
“Fine, here goes.” Manic said. “I get you couldn’t drag three babies all over Mobius, Ma, but why did you avoid us after we grew up a little more? Even after we were aware of you? Would it really have destroyed the so-called prophecy to see us for five minutes on our birthday? Honestly, I think that was garbage anyway, but you and Sonia fall for that stuff and Sonic’s only buying into it because the Oracle told him exactly what he wanted to hear: that he’d win.”
“Manic.” Sonia scolded.
“I’m right and you know it.” Manic said. He walked back to his room.
Aleena stood there, crestfallen.
“I… I don’t believe he meant it, Mother.” Sonia said, rubbing her arm.
“Mom, I hate to tell you this, but that’s how he feels.” Sonic said, looking away. “I don’t know what you can do or say to change his mind or make it up to him, but go ahead and try.”
Aleena nodded. “I’ll give him a few minutes to calm down first.”
“We can catch up then.” Sonia said, sitting down.
*
Aleena stepped into the room.
Manic sighed. “I’ll hear you out, but I’m not saying you were trying to do what was best for me.” He replied. “You left us on doorsteps and didn’t stick around to make sure we were taken inside. Or at least you didn’t stick around for me.”
“I’m sorry, Manic.” Aleena said, sitting on Manic’s bed. “I should’ve done things differently. I wasn’t thinking clearly, but that’s no excuse. I had been on the run for a while and had very little sleep because I was dealing with five month old triplets and I had to be on alert all the time to keep you all safe. I made sure to leave you with friends. I’m sorry you were snatched off of the doorstep I left you on. I’m sorry that it didn’t occur to me that using a hologram to see you wasn’t any different than seeing you in person.”
Manic nodded.
“I understand if you don’t want anything to do with me.” Aleena said.
“You’ve answered my questions, but it wasn’t as satisfying as I thought it would be.” Manic replied. “I don’t know what else to say to you. It feels like it’s too little, too late.”
Aleena wiped her eyes. “I understand. I’m sorry, Manic.”
“I forgive you.” Manic replied.
Aleena started crying.
Manic shifted in his seat. He awkwardly waited for her to stop crying.
Sonia came in. “Mother?”
Manic looked at Sonia. “Oh, Sonia, can you… I dunno, talk to her?”
Sonic walked in.
“Manic, how can you be that insensitive?” Sonia asked.
“I’m insensitive?!” Manic yelled. “She dumped me off and I’m supposed to feel sorry for her? I grew up in a sewer. Some nights, I went to bed hungry and thirsty. You have no idea what I’ve been through or what I’ve seen living on the streets, Princess. I’ll probably never tell you or anyone because I try to block it out.”
Nikós started crying.
Sonic eased over. “Manic, calm down.”
Manic picked up Nikós. “I’m sorry, little dude.” He said softly.
Sonia quietly walked over to Aleena and hugged her.
Manic walked out, gently bouncing Nikós in his arms.
Sonic followed Manic out and closed the door behind them. “Did you even hear Mom out?”
Manic nodded. “It’s too late to even try.” He replied. “I’ll help take out Robotnik, but I’m going to Mobodoon with Nikós and Surge as soon as it’s over.”
Manic and Sonic sat down on the couch.
Sonic watched as Manic handed Nikós the stuffed hedgehog. “You’re pretty attached to him now, huh?”
Manic smiled. “Totally.”
“So… let me give you a hypothetical question.
Sonic said, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “What if you had to give up Nikós because you couldn’t take care of him? You finally reunite with him after nineteen years and he tells you that he doesn’t want to try to get to know you. How would you feel?”
Manic slumped his shoulders. “I think that would kill me.”
Sonic slid his feet off of the coffee table. “So-”
“I get it.” Manic said. “I’ll apologize.”
Aleena and Sonia walked in.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way.” Aleena said. “If that’s how you feel, I won’t pester you about ever visiting. Just know you’re always welcome to come home.”
“Thanks.” Manic replied. “I’m really sorry, Ma. I’m still moving to Mobodoon as soon as the war is over, but I’ll visit as much as possible.”
Aleena sat down beside Manic and hugged him. “Sounds good,” She said. “I’m sorry. I love you.”
“Love you too, Ma.” Manic replied.