Kid at training

 10/14/2022 Kid at training

"You…" Sonic elongated every word as his eyes darted between Shadow and the toddler in his arms. "Brought a kid with you?"

Shadow nodded simply. 

"Shadow, we're sparring today," Sonic stated gently. "And toddlers don't exactly go well with sparring."

The toddler squirmed closer to Shadow.

"His care taker is sick and I am apparently the only one he likes." Shadow rubbed the child's back. 

Sonic scratched his neck as he watched the child. Babysitting was the last thing most people would expect Shadow to do. But Sonic knew better. He has heard Maria had a baby a while back. 

"Well, him only liking two people is a sign you two are related." Sonic laughed. He leaned in to look at the hiding toddler. "Hey buddy, I'm Sonic. Let's be friends, okay?"

The child glanced up at him. His eyes were a bright green. His black quills combed down. He tilted his head as he looked up at Shadow. He stretched up like a caterpillar up whisper in Shadow's ear. 

Shadow nodded. "You can greet him." 

The toddler nodded with a smile. "Hello Sonnikkun." He bowed his head before curling into Shadow's chest. 

Sonic smiled. "Has he met Amy?"

Shadow simply nodded. He sat the child down at the table. He placed a bag next to him. "Behave and we'll get Ice cream."

Tails moved to sit next to the kid. "Hi, I'm Tails." He smiled at the small child. "Do you want a snack?" He offered a small bag of chips. 

The child looked up at Tails before turning to Shadow. 

Shadow stared at the bag, scanning it with his eyes. "He's too small."

Tails gave a nervous laugh. "Gotcha." He turned to the kid. "Do you want to cheer for Shadow while he spars?"

"Yes!" He nodded as he patted the bag next to him. "I brought a pompom!"

"I'll beat Sonic and Knuckles in our usual sparring match and we'll leave." Shadow told the toddler.

"Okay!" The toddler beamed.