Chapter Text
When the bright beams of light beamed through Charmy’s window, Charmy perked up almost immediately. This was the day! He’d be obedient, he’ll be nice and good, and quiet. This would benefit both Vector and Espio, considering they had their own things to do and won’t be bothered by Charmy at all! Charmy felt a sense of pride and.. guilt.
Was this truly the path he had to use just for others to enjoy his presence? Suck it up, Charmy! You’re gonna make Espio and Vector happy today!
Charmy hopped out of his bed, grabbing the same piece of paper from the day before, reading it to make sure he didn’t miss anything, then leaving it on his bed. Charmy grabbed his helmet that was put off to the side on the ground (Why would he sleep with his helmet on? That’d be so discomforting!) and put it on top of his fluffy head.
Upon opening the door, he didn’t hear any noises of chattering between Vector nor Espio. It was early in the morning anyways, and Espio usually woke up around this time, but Charmy assumed he wasn’t awake yet because Espio was practicing his little ninja moves stuff. As for Vector .. he was a heavy sleeper; he can sleep so early and wake up near noon!
Charmy decided not to use his wings, they created too much noise.
Charmy halted in the kitchen for a moment, pondering. What can he do? There was barely anything in this somewhat worn down agency. The telephone line was there too, and Charmy enjoyed dialing Sonic and others to prank call them, but that would be too.. disruptive.
Charmy glanced over the dishes. Hm, kids did chores to help out their parents. Charmy would be doing a good deed to Vector if he did them.
Taking out a stool from a closet, Charmy stood on it and began to get to work. Charmy grabbed a dish and a sponge, scrubbing and rinsing the plate with water. Charmy felt proud. He was doing good! Charmy felt himself buzz with delight, but he shut himself up.
After finishing barely five dishes, Charmy sighed. He did good and he felt content with his cleaning. Charmy got down the stool, holding onto the counter to make sure he doesn’t fall. Charmy’s antennas twitched at the sound of the sound of somebody munching on a snack.
Charmy turned around and spotted a looming figure at the doorway leading to the kitchen; Espio. “Espio! H—“ Charmy exclaimed, with joy, but lowered his voice quickly, becoming hushed. “Uhm, hey, Espio.” Charmy waved, giving a small smile.
Espio took a bite of a sandwich he somehow had within his room. Espio glanced at the dishes, seeing stains and smudges on the plates. Espio narrowed his eyes at Charmy, but didn’t say anything about it due to Charmy’s obliviousness.
“You’re awake quite early.” Espio noted, approaching Charmy slowly before stopping at a certain point. Charmy sub-consciously fiddled with his hands, and nodded. “Mhm, I just felt like washing the dishes and making Vector pleased with my work!” Charmy said, his voice oddly quiet yet proud. Charmy noticed Espio gazing at him more closely after listening to Charmy’s low tone, as if suspicious.
What was wrong? Nothing was wrong, why was Espio looking at him like that? The thought left as quick as it entered when Espio questioned, “Are you hungry? I can serve you the remaining cereal we have.” Charmy thought momentarily, then nodded. He wasn’t that hungry, but he did like eating breakfast, even if they were sometimes served in small portions.
As Charmy sat at a small table, Charmy heard another noise coming from Vector’s room. A few moments later, Vector appeared at the doorway, rubbing his eyes as he said something about waking up early. Vector glanced from Espio, then to Charmy, a bit taken aback at the sight of him.
“Charmy,” Vector said, his voice a bit startled but relaxing. “You’re.. up early today, ey’?” Vector tilted his head slightly at Charmy, confused but kept a neutral expression. Charmy nodded quickly, giving a half-hearted grin. “Mhm.” Charmy agreed, and Vector was already heading elsewhere to probably speak to Espio about something else.
The crocodile, chameleon, and the bee sat at the table where they served their breakfast. Vector ate a pastry that Ms.Vanilla had gifted him, Espio ate the usual scrambled eggs, and Charmy ate some kind of cereal with little circles that looked like rings, and colorful like the rainbows. They were very crunchy too.
It was quiet, and Charmy desperately wanted to fill the silence with his typical chattering, but he remembered his goal. Be quiet.
The only sound that was heard was the sound of forks jabbing at the eggs and squishing through enough to meet the end of the plate, the sound of a spoon lifting up liquid and little rings and the sound of snacking on a pastry. It was quiet. Way too quiet.
Espio and Vector glanced at each other, then at Charmy. Vector coughed with the clear attention to grab Charmy’s attention. “How are you gonna spend your day today, kid?” Vector asked, his voice sounding a bit gruff. “We might get a case today, you never know.” Vector shrugged, and Espio’s eyes gazed up at Charmy.
Charmy perked up at the mention of possibly getting a case scheduled by a client, and Charmy grinned. “Yeah! Our case is gonna be how we spend our day today!” Charmy exclaimed, but Espio and Vector’s wince at Charmy’s.. loud voice caused him to halt. Charmy winced internally himself.
Jeez, he really couldn’t keep quiet?! “Right.. uhm, yeah! New case, new way to spend our uh, day.” Charmy nodded, folding his hands into his lap. Charmy stuffed his mouth with cereal as an excuse to not talk anymore.
When he finished his cereal, Charmy got up and reached up to take his bowl and put it to the sink. “Charmy, please, can you put our dishes in the sink?” Espio asked, having small plate on the bottom and a slightly bigger plate on top. Typically, Charmy would blow raspberries and tell either Espio or Vector to do it themselves.
Obedience.
Charmy walked over and grabbed the two plates from Espio’s hands. Charmy tentatively walked carefully so the plates wouldn’t slip out of his hands. Charmy put the plates into the sink, and felt a sense of accomplishment. Obedience and quietness were checked off, and he could even count kindness mixed with obedience for being nice and following orders by putting others dishes into the sink!
Charmy saw how Espio’s expression became slightly more relaxed at the sight of Charmy following his orders and Vector’s small smirk. It made Charmy feel nice, how this version of him made them happy.
So why did his body feel tense with uncertainty and unease?
The rest of the day was natural; Vector wasn’t wrong about the possibility of getting a client to contact them. The case was simple: the client’s cat was missing, and all the three had to do was inspect a few places.
Outside, it was cloudy and there were small sprinkles of rain, but that didn’t stop the Chaotix from doing their job! Charmy used his detective instincts to sense out any hidden things or animals that were nearby. Nothing. Maybe because Charmy was getting distracted by every little thing, unable to stay still for long.
An Ice cream truck honked nearby, alerting children to come get some of that yummy substance! Charmy hovered towards the ice cream truck, until he felt a firm grip on his leg. “Charmy, focus on the case!” Vector instructed. Charmy sighed, he wanted to just tell Vector he’d get right back in the game after he got Ice cream, but Charmy needed to follow his instructions. Either way, they didn’t have any money on them at this moment.
”Yes, boss.” Charmy mumbled. Plus, if they managed to complete this case, they’d get the money from the client and then they’d be able to get ice cream! That was the master plan! (Haha, get it?)
Later on, perhaps an hour or so while the three searched a certain radius, Charmy sensed a little creature by a tree, and quickly, Charmy hovered over.
The cat was right there! The color of snow with a little collar stating “Mittens” and Charmy grinned. He hit the jackpot! Charmy reached out, slowly to not startle it, but it hissed and scurried off.
“Vector, Espio! I found the cat!” Charmy yelled. This was the necessary moment to be loud! Espio perked up from a bush while Vector’s head snapped up by a tree. Charmy started to chase the cat, getting close but at the last moment, the cat would manage to outsmart the six-year old bee. Ugh! This was a really stubborn cat!
Finally, Charmy managed to flutter his wings hard enough, about to catch the cat that had been running around the area, until Charmy perked up at the sound of the ice cream truck blaring noise, turning his head but stopping himself. No, no, no! Focus! Charmy thought, and glanced back in front of him.
The cat was gone.
Oh no, no no no.. Where did it go? Where could it have gone?! Charmy frantically turned left, right, up into the sky to see from bird’s eye view, anywhere to spot the pale cat. Nothing at all. It was gone.
Charmy felt horrible. Focus on the case, Vector said, and Charmy couldn’t even do that! That was mean too, to nod along Vector’s words and fail to cooperate! Exclaiming that he found the cat just to lose it again, what was the point of yelling that out?
Vector and Espio were greatly disappointed upon hearing Charmy’s explanation of the ice cream and cat situation. Vector was the most disappointed, Espio seemed more slightly upset.
The Chaotix didn’t manage to fulfill the client’s demands, and they were denied of getting money. Ohh, Charmy felt so, so bad! Some kid he is..
The walk back to the agency was quiet, Vector was definitely fuming at Charmy, no doubt! Espio remained quiet, his arms crossed.
Back home, Vector began to scold Charmy. “Charmy, what were you thinkin’, kid?” Vector asked, his voice filled with exasperation. “One thing, Charmy. One thing!” Vector uttered harshly under his breath. The crocodile was agitated.
“I-I’m sorry, Vector. I dunno’ why, it just distracted me-“ Charmy tried to explain, his voice shaking. However, Vector shook his head, cueing Charmy to zip it. “Don’t even, Charmy.. Not right now.” Vector sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hand.
Suddenly, Espio spoke. “It.. was truly immature of you, Charmy. You should’ve been more aware and prepared.” Espio uttered, his voice a bit dark. Charmy whimpered, fidgeting with his hands. It felt as if he’d been robbed of all his honey that he rarely ever gets. Charmy felt his eyes sting with tears, and quickly, he flew away and right into his room, slamming the door this time.
Charmy let it out. He sobbed and sobbed, burying his face into his hands as he fell right by his bed, his antennas drooping. The weather didn’t make it any better, it darkened even more as more clouds rolled in.
He really tried, he really did! He tried his best to be normal, he tried to be like all the other kids. When being himself, everything went wrong, and that statement was true! During that moment of chase with the cat and the distraction by the ice cream machine, he was himself!
And that caused problems, causing for the group to unsuccessfully complete the case by losing the cat again! Like the kids at the park — him using his wings was him being himself, even if it was unintentional, and that stirred up another boy falling, hurting himself, and causing small argument with them confirming he was annoying.
Too loud. Too disruptive. Talks too much. Bad, and as well bad at following rules! Oh, why couldn’t he be like the others? Why was he like this?!
Charmy hugged himself, tears rolling down with guilt for messing up everything and frustration at himself. Vector was loud, but he was the leader and was the one who took care of him and Espio, plus he has a good heart, so he’s excused out of this! Espio was quiet, obedient to Vector’s instructions, and was respectful and despite stoic at times, polite to everybody!
Charmy whimpered, until he heard a knock at his door. “Charmy?” Espio’s voice broke through the momentary silence. Without warning, Espio opened the door, gazing away at the first few seconds, “Listen, me and Vector talked about the situation and—“ Espio’s voice cut off short when he spotted Charmy’s tearful form. Charmy whimpered and tried to wipe his tears away roughly.
“Charmy..” Espio’s voice was filled with concern, approaching Charmy and kneeling down. He reached out to touch Charmy’s shoulder, but pulled away last second, a bit cautious at the tense moment. He didn’t really know what to do, but he had to try for Charmy’s sake.
“We’re not that mad at you, we’re just a bit upset, that’s all.” Espio said, but Charmy shook his head. Espio tilted his head questioningly. “Hm? Is it about something else?” Espio’s voice asked, fixing his position by putting his hand on Charmy’s bed to adjust himself, until he heard the sound of crinkling paper under the weight of his hand.
Espio instinctively grabbed in and straightened it. How to be a normal kid. Oh. Espio read the entire thing, and lowered it slightly to gaze at Charmy. “Charmy..” Espio’s voice murmured, his voice a lot softer, crinkling up the paper. Cautiously, Espio decided to reach out and bring Charmy closer to him.
Espio flinched while doing that, but at this moment, Charmy’s comfort mattered. “Tell me, what is this about? Is this why you were quiet today?” Espio asked, his voice questioning as he gestured towards the curled, crinkled paper ball. Charmy nodded slowly, letting out a shaky breath.
Charmy sighed, leaning into Espio’s rare touch. “I-I was at the park the other day, and I was playing some kinda’ tag with other kids.. a-and I was being me for one second, and the kids got mad at me cuz’ I used my wings which was against the rules, and I also accidentally hurt someone. They saw it as cheating and being mean. A kid said I was really loud, and another kid said I was annoying.”
Charmy stammered, his voice cracking a bit with hurt. Espio listened intently, his expression blank, but clearly worried. “So I wanted to be like the other kids so I could fit in. They were all really uhm.. good at listening to their moms and dads, they were nice, and they were also quiet. They weren’t loud as me.” Charmy murmured. “I felt really out of place.”
Charmy sighed, hugging himself tighter. “And today, I wanted to uh, be good and listen and be quiet so I wouldn’t bother anybody. A-and it worked! Didn’t it? In the beginning during breakfast, you and Vector seemed happy with me putting those dishes away cuz’ I didn’t say no.” Charmy said, “But then, I lost track of my mind when chasing that cat, I was being myself when chasing it that the ice cream thingy distracted me.”
Charmy’s tears flowed more freely with each sentence. “Th-then I lost the cat and now because of me being like that, I messed up everything!” Charmy cried, burying his face into Espio’s chest and closing his eyes. Espio quietly patted Charmy’s back.
“How about you listen to me for a moment?” Espio asked, tilting his head down at Charmy. Charmy didn’t look up, but he did open his eyes to show he was acknowledging Espio’s words.
“You being yourself definitely does not cause problems. Your wings are apart of your nature, and of course, they will instinctively flap when they feel it is necessary.” Espio stated, his gaze drifting to Charmy’s small wings, then back down at Charmy. Honestly, in Espio’s personal opinion, those kids were ridiculous. Espio didn’t say it out loud, though.
“About the other child who got hurt, I feel as if you didn’t mean it, didn’t you?” Espio asked, and Charmy shook his head. Espio nodded. “You didn’t have any intention of hurting anybody. You were having fun, being yourself.” Espio murmured to a softer tone, which comforted the young bee a bit.
“Yes, you can be loud at times and also irritating,” Espio started carefully, “but that doesn’t outright mean you are bad kid.” Espio said, patting Charmy’s head. Charmy gazed away.
“Young bees like you often communicate through buzzing, which is practically talking in their own way.” Espio said, granting a small smile, “They buzz and get up all in your face, buzzing and talking nonstop, like someone I know..” Espio joked lightly, nudging Charmy’s side which made Charmy giggle a bit.
Though, his happiness was short-lived when Charmy asked, “But the case.. it was the first one we had in a couple of days!” Charmy said, his voice still a bit shaky and upset. Espio’s eyes softened. “Wait here.” Espio instructed, reluctantly peeling Charmy’s hands off him and walking out of Charmy’s room.
A couple of moments later, Espio entered alongside Vector, his expression showed that he was aware of the situation. Perhaps Espio told him. Vector sighed, sitting on the other side of Charmy so Charmy was in the middle between Espio and Vector.
“Listen, kid. I’ve got to admit, I was a bit angry when you fumbled us up out on our case today.” Vector confirmed, carefully examining Charmy’s expression to make sure he wasn’t too blunt. “But, I know that you were genuinely trying to assist us through this case, even if it went unsuccessful.” Vector said, his voice rough, but full with heart.
“Some days, things go well, other days it goes bad.” Vector said, shuffling a little closer to Charmy, whom gazed up at the crocodile with hope. Espio nodded at Vector’s words. “But in the end, it’s the thought you put into your actions. How.. keen you are on helping others. I see you brighten with excitement when a client calls in, and needs help with somethin’.” Vector said, gently.
“And about the whole.. behavior thing,” Vector murmured. “You don’t gotta change yourself to belong or be enjoyable. In-fact, I was already missin’ your chatterbox self in the morning, since that’s what makes you.. you. And you did put the dishes away, so that’s somethin’.” Charmy giggled at that while Espio huffed a humorous scoff.
Charmy felt tears well up again. He belonged not in the park with the children, but here. Where his family will love him no matter how obnoxious he could get, no matter how much he fails, no matter how much he irritates them all…
Charmy whimpered with relief and gratitude, hugged Vector. Vector smiled, and pulled Espio with his arm into the hug as well. Espio was taken aback, but he relaxed in the embrace.
The three didn’t realize how the clouds revealed the bright sol outside, beaming on them outside of the window.
It didn't matter if Charmy’s actions failed them or made them succeed.
It was the thought and effort that Charmy put into it that made it thoughtful, endearing, and inspiring.
It was The Thought that counts.