Sonic and Herisson Ch. 5

This is a fanfic series I’ve started about Sonic when he was a baby, and when he was being raised by his father. The story itself already takes up enough room so I’ll say nothing more.

Chapter 5: Why is it hard for me to imagine Sonic at this age? He's older, but not TOO old. He might still be a little childish, but he's beginning to grow that cocky side of his, and I'm thinking Russell is in his fourties somewhere. It's weird to think now when Sonic was a baby, his dad thought he was a girl. I wonder if Herisson ever told him that's what happened. I doubt it, but if he ever does, Sonic's going to feel embarrassed for a long time. This chapter shows Sonic's ease in accepting others.

Chapter 5: The young engineer - Sonic: 7 years old

Russell was greeted with a big smile from a young blue hedgehog. The man was equally cheerful to see him. "Sonic! Hello, my boy!" He bent down the best he could to shake his hand then invited him in. Still standing at the door he looked beyond the porch, then the sidewalk in search of his old friend.
"Where's your father?"
Knowing the status of his father, Sonic acted as if he didn't know. "Uh, he's coming..." Sonic poked his head between the man's legs and looked out the door. "I think he's coming."
Russell was a little confused. "All right, we'll just wait for him then."

Sonic heard a tiny sound as they left for the living room. Russell carefully sat in his soft reclining chair as he looked down at the precious bundle that was being held and tucked the blanket over it tighter.
Sonic sat on the sofa across from him and, despite all obviousness, was curious. "What's that?"
Russell contently closed his eyes and smiled. "I really think I shouldn't tell you until your father gets here." Sonic was disappointed from his own mistake and was lacking patience. There was a knock at the door that Sonic went to in response, already knowing who it was.
He found his father there, apparently tired out, and smartly smiled. "Hi."
Herisson returned his mood walking past him. "Hi... little pest."
"What's the problem, Heriss? Getting too old already? ...Like me?"
He sat on the sofa and was breathing heavily. He sighed. "No... not yet... That little thing of mine is just too fast for me already, I hate to admit..."
Russell was very surprised and looked at Sonic. "Him? ...Well, gee I told you he'd live up to his name. ...Not even ten years old yet and he's already faster than his dad."
Sonic was too excited for flattery and drew his attention to Russell's arms. "Yeah, so what is that?"
Herisson properly sat up. "Yes, you did want us over here."

Russell looked down with joy in his heart, and was preparing to reveal his surprise to them. Even though Sonic was completely clueless, he became even more confused when he looked at his father who was smiling with excitement.
The man saw the hedgehog's happy expression, and gave him the potential announcement he knew was coming... "...I went to the animal orphanage... and finally got a baby."
He chuckled. "...That's wonderful." He was about to get up to see within the man's blanket until Sonic touched his arm and whispered. "...What is it, dad?"
They both looked at him with blank faces that made Sonic wonder if he had said something wrong.

Russell smiled. "Come here."
Sonic got up from his seat and wandered around the coffee table. He curiously looked at his filled lap in the chair until he uncovered the baby's sleeping head.
"I adopted a baby, Sonic..."
Sonic looked upon the cute face of a tiny baby fox.
"...His name is Miles."
Herisson got up to see him closer and touched his small soft head. "...Miles Prower?"
Russell nodded. "He's my son now and I already love him."
For an odd reason, Sonic was almost speechless. He hadn't been exposed to babies very much, and was wondering about things in his own questions. His father knew him well and was expecting him to say something.
Sonic only curiously observed the baby who was sucking his thumb. "He's so little..."
"He's just a young baby, but he'll grow up."
"...How old is he?"
"Only about a year."
Herisson was secretly disappointed at his age, expecting his son would get bored playing with a child who was so much younger than he was. He seemed to be wrong later.

The adult hedgehog had nicely volunteered to watch Russell's baby while he worked. Eventually, he had Sonic watch him as he made lunch hoping his son would have some kind of fun experience.
"Be gentle with him, Sonic." Sonic nodded and tried to baby-sit him the best he could.
Herisson started hearing shrieks of laughter from the other room that startled him at first. When he went to look, he saw the baby on the sofa making squealing chuckles at the hedgehog who was lightly tickling him and childishly entertaining him. Herisson was surprised and happy for their growing relationship.
Sonic was making friendly conversation with the fox, but appeared to be talking to himself as they were comfortably sitting on the furniture. "It's kinda weird that... you have two tails..." Wondering, Sonic stared at his two bushy yellow tails and was a little confused.
He looked back at the fox who was sitting up in the corner of the sofa and, being too young for his own support, was leaning against a pillow that was as big as himself. He looked up at Sonic and with an outstretched arm, gently touched the hedgehog's cold nose. Miles exclaimed in a happy-sounding tone.
Sonic chuckled. "Heh, I guess it doesn't matter... you're yourself. No one should judge anyone else like that..." After their time together, Sonic gave him a quick hug and looked at his bright blue eyes. "You're kinda cute... You'll be my friend, okay?"
Miles rested on him and yawned. "You don't look like a "Miles" to me though..."
The front door opened and the man came through for a break. He was covered in filth, and removed his dirty shoes on the rug. He trotted through the living room where Sonic and Miles were playing.
He was brushing off his jacket and cleared his throat. "Hello, boys."
Sonic saw Miles yawn and incidentally did the same. "Hi."

"Smells good in here, are you about finished yet?"
"Yeah, how are the boys?"
"Ah, they almost look bored."
Herisson chuckled. "Or hungry?"
Russell washed his hands in the kitchen sink. "Your son is very good at getting along with others. I guess Miles really likes him now?"
"Yes. I kept hearing Miles laugh at him..." Herisson sighed... almost sadly. "Sonic... though. He's been growing up too fast. Growing... less attached to me... Even though I know he'll be gone eventually."
Russell put his hand on his shoulder. "You know he'll have to leave you someday, Herisson. Just be happy while he's here... I'm sure he'll see you again when something goes wrong. Like... when a girl breaks his heart, or..." Russell let go of Herisson and seemed to recall a past memory. "...when he breaks your car..."
"Breaks my... car?" Herisson peculiarly looked up at him.
They both started laughing and shaking their heads as Herisson finished lunch.

They all sat at the dining room table where Sonic and Russell were contently enjoying their fill. Sonic felt hungry enough and ate carelessly, but was seriously reminded of his manners by his father a couple times. Russell laughed at this, and thought it was a little silly he cared so much. Herisson felt he had no appetite, so was holding the baby with a bottle in his mouth.

They engaged in some calm conversation. Russell spoke of his new son. "...Yeah I know he's shy, but when he begins to like someone, he gets joyful."
"I'm glad he shows so much emotion already when he's only one. When Sonic was young and met people he only looked at them once, smiled, and would giggle." Sonic had finished up his food and scoffed quietly while his father looked across the table, smiling at him and remembering his baby hedgehog.
Russell finished his meal. "It's a bit surprising to me, the things he does at such a young age... At times I'm in my shop working on something or other, and when no one comes to watch him I bring him in with me. He sits there and patiently watches me." He smiled at them and looked at the baby. "It's like he's interested in my work." Russell laughed.
"Maybe he's just really curious, then."
Sonic appeared to have a content expression toward them.

Russell stretched. "Well, believe my break is over. I should be getting back to work."
Herisson and Miles yawned. "All right well, we will stay to help if you want."
Sonic sighed in telling himself he'd rather not...
"That'd be nice, but I think Sonic believes differently." Russell got up from the table and prepared to go out again.
Sonic sighed with disappointment. "...I'll stay."
Herisson thought in a pause. "Now, son... I know you want time to yourself now..."
Russell was in front of the door slipping his arms through his jacket. "Miles needs his nap now anyway."
Miles proved their words to be true and yawned in Herisson's lap while Sonic looked hopefully at them. "Huh? Can I go outside dad? Please?"
Russell was in the front door, on his way out as his shoes went back on. "Just let him, Herisson. You know those little kids have everlasting energy inside of them. If he doesn't tire out, he'll be up all night." Russell closed the door behind himself and left them.
Herisson looked at his son who appeared to want to run around free outside so desperately. "...All right, fine. Go ahead."
He excitedly ran toward the door and looked into the sunny day outside from the house.
His father put the tired baby on the furniture and covered him up. "Come back before dark though."
"Okay... 'Bye dad!"
Herisson carelessly responded. "Guh 'bye!"
Sonic saw the tired fox and smiled at his new friend. "Bye "Tails"."
He closed the door to go out for a long, relaxing run...

Picture in pencil, gel pen, and marker.

Kati and Herisson
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Sonic and Herisson Ch. 2
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 3
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 3.5
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 4
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 4.5
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 5
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 6
Sonic and Herisson Ch. 7