FicWad

Manic walked the twins to the gelato shop after their karate class. He made sure the kids stayed right beside him and was aware of their surroundings.
He’d raise his spines if he happened to see a dark van or if someone got a bit too close to his children.
Therapy only did so much to help him (as well as Surge and Shadow) recover.
“Dad, you don’t have to sit there the whole time while we practice.” Glitch said finally. “It’s not like it’s a tournament.”
“No, it’s fine.” Manic replied. “I like hanging out with you two.”
Cyber groaned. “But we hate running errands.”
Manic sighed. “Yeah, I know.” He said. “I did too when I was a kid, but there’s worse things.”
Glitch scoffed. “Like what?”
Cyber sighed. “Being dead, for one, bro.”
Manic snickered.
“You sound like Maria and Uncle Shadow.” Glitch said, rolling his eyes. He looked at Manic. “For real, Dad. I think our family is the only ones who are so overprotective.”
“Yeah, why does the whole family act like me, Glitch, and our cousins are still babies?” Cyber asked.
“Because your Ma, uncle Shadow, and I were kidnapped off the streets when we were kids.” Manic said. He stopped in front of the gelato shop as some customers walked out the door. “I was kidnapped in front of this shop when I was your age. We didn’t escape until we were eighteen.”
Glitch and Cyber flinched.
“Sorry, Dad.” Glitch said.
Manic knelt down. “That’s the real reason we have super powers.” He said in a low tone. “You two and Maria happened to inherit it and there’s some really evil people out there who’d want to experiment on you or something.”
“So that’s why we take self defense classes?” Cyber asked. “You’re afraid someone will want to take us and experiment on us and you want us to be able to fight back?”
“Someone tried to kidnap you before.” Manic replied. “So, yeah, we’re trying to be prepared. Besides, I want to spend as much time as I can with you. You can ask grandma how she felt when I was missing if you really want to understand why. She says it a lot better than I could.”
“Okay, Dad.” Cyber and Glitch said.
“Sorry about all of that.” Glitch added.
Manic stood up. “It’s okay.” He replied. “It’s nothing I really felt like explaining before and you’re finally old enough to understand it.”
Manic opened the door to the shop. “You can get the medium size cups today. You’ve earned it.”
Cyber hugged Manic. “Thanks, dad.”
“You’re welcome.” Manic replied. He spotted Shadow and Maria heading to the door and held it open for them.
Shadow and Maria nodded.
Manic smirked. “I think the only thing she got from Sonia was the pink in her spines.”
“She has her eidetic memory too.” Shadow replied.
Shadow and Manic, along with their kids, stood in line.
Manic glanced out the window.
A hedgehog boy happened to be sitting in the bus stop. His long maroon spines hung in his face as he looked down at his phone.
Manic drew a shaky breath. That scene was so familiar to him.
Shadow glanced at the bus stop. “Having a flashback?” He asked in a low tone.
“Yeah.” Manic replied. He looked at Glitch and Cyber. “Uh, kids, we’ll have to get it to go.”
Cyber and Glitch shrugged. “Okay.”
Manic nodded. He leaned closer to Shadow. “I had to tell them.”
Shadow looked at Maria. “I guess I’ll have to tell her later too.”
*
Manic, Surge, and the twins were settled on the couch as they watched a movie.
The twins were fast asleep. Glitch rested his head on Manic’s chest while Cyber rested her head on Surge’s lap.
“So you told them?” Surge asked.
Manic nodded. “Yeah, they understood it.”
Surge stroked Cyber’s spines. “We have to let go eventually.”
“I know.” Manic said. “But not now. They’re not quite ready yet.”
“Do you ever think they will be?” Surge asked.
Manic glanced at the kids. “Yeah, I think so.” He replied. “I won’t like it, but I know they have to grow up one day.”