Chapter Text
Today was one packed with activity. The Baby had to be left with Nite and Don once more as Vector got called onto a new case with Mighty and Ray. The pair seemed more…distant than usual, with Mighty keeping responses as short as he could. Vector wasn’t an idiot. He knew Mighty enough to know, he withdrew like this when he was upset, undoubtedly about The Baby. He hated when the armadillo got like this, avoidant of talking about the problem directly when talking was the easier solution, the better one even; however, he can’t do much now to fix it, just give space.
It had been a few weeks since The Baby was found, with no nearby Orphanages being able to take an abandoned insectoid mobian. Insectoid Mobians need advanced notice before intake or to be taken to dedicated orphanages, apparently. Their specific needs make caring for them difficult if the orphanage isn’t prepared.
Kinda explains poor kid being dumped in a dumpster now.
Vector looked in the backseat of the car, the back of the bee-themed car seat he bought, greeting him. He couldn’t help but smile. This was something he- whether he liked it or not- was looking forward to all day. Parents’ group. He’d been going for a few weeks now, admittedly very nervous at first due to it being usually for mothers- misogyny and all that, but there were other fathers there. Made Vector feel less out of place, he even met someone around The Baby’s age; she was a rabbit with cream colored fur and oversized ears that made Vector wonder if she’d even grow into them. Fittingly, her name was Cream. Her mother was basically Cream’s copy, named Vanilla. Vector couldn’t deny the butterflies he felt around her and the joy that swelled in his heart when he watched the pair get along! The two even arranged days to go to Vanilla’s house so The Baby and Cream can have a playdate! Vanilla didn’t seem pleased at the…name situation, though, so she came up with her own name.
“Vector! Bugaboo!”
Yup. She chose Bugaboo.
“There are my girls!” Vector called out as he parked the car, grabbing The Baby from the backseat. She was dressed in a blue “Sonic” shirt with one of the many skirts Nite insisted on buying her in their shopping spree- at least he could get whatever licensed “Sonic” stuff people wanted to make of the famous hero for free, cause. You know. He’s known Sonic since the good old days, definitely someone in the tighter-knit circle of friends.
As he made his way over to Vanilla and Cream, who was nestled comfortably in her arms, rattling around a rattling toy as she stared at the crocodile and bee, letting out an excited squeal at the sight of the toy, making Vanilla giggle. “She always gets so excited to see her playmates, I swear! How’s Bugaboo doing?” The rabbit inquired as Vector approached with the little bee.
Vector forced a tight smile, nodding. “She’s good, just noticing a few things, but other than that? Pretty alright! How’s lil Cream doin’ today?” He asked, stopping just in front of the two. The baby was in her own world, as usual, rattling with a little bee rattle, absolutely entranced by the noise.
“Ah, she’s fine, though I was wondering…were you interested in coming over after group today? So- Cream and Bugaboo can have a playdate, of course!”
“Ah- y’know I’d love to Vanilla, but I really can’t, y’see Espio’s comin home any day now and the agency is a little on the rocks right now, so it's kinda all hands on deck, ya get what I mean?” It was the nicest way Vector could say The Baby is causing a lot of tension in the agency, Mighty seems almost convinced that Vector’s keeping her around for this long just because he wants to.
“Aw…that’s too bad, maybe schedule it then? Can you come over this weekend?”
Damn, she’s insistent on Vector coming over. She must really enjoy Cream’s playdates with The Baby; who is he to deny such a beautiful woman that? With a soft sigh, the mobian smiled, “Why of course! I’m sure I can get someone to run the agency while I’m gone, y’know?” The agency was more than capable.
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Babble graced the crocodile’s ears as Vector made his way into the apartment, a goofy smile on his face as he made his way to the kitchen, beginning to make The Baby a bottle. That's when a new noise graced his hearing.
“Vector, we need to talk,” Mighty.
Vector shifted The Baby onto his hip as he let a small amount of the formula drip onto his wrist, hm. Needs some more time to cool first, but The Baby was reaching forward, attempting to grab the bottle herself. Finally, Vector turned around.
“Yea? ‘Sup, Mighty?”
“I…really don’t think that you’re planning on getting rid of….her,” he took the time to motion to the bee mobian who was still trying to reach for the cooling bottle, even as Vector pulled his arm farther from the counter, instead moving The Baby to his chest.
“I’m really not- whasso difficult to understand ‘bout that?”
“I’m not misunderstanding, but you say you keep looking for orphanages, but conveniently, I never see you on the phone with any of them, much less do I ever see you researching them. Just taking her with us to cases, taking more cases, and going to that- weird parent group thing.”
“Mights, do ya really think that narrowly of me? I promise ya I am doing everything I can.”
Mighty grimaced, glaring at Vector as he closed his eyes with a sharp inhale, “Well, you’re clearly not trying enough- listen. I don’t think we should be like- keeping this kid around, y’know? She’s a lot of work and money- that we REALLY don’t have to spend on a baby- do you not understand how much a baby COSTS??”
A sharp inhale exited the crocodile as he stood up straight, adjusting The Baby slightly as he approached Mighty, a glare in his eye. “You don’t think I’m not TRYING to get her somewhere safe? SOMEWHERE WHERE SHE DOESN’T HAFTA GROW UP IN A FUCKING DUMP?? Every day I do something FOR HER is a day I’m doing the best I can while we have her, so she’s not- oh I dunno- NEGLECTED WHILE WE’RE TAKING CARE OF HER??” Vector took a minute to breathe, the high-pitched wails of The Baby piercing his ears- a horrible sound, really. Part of the reason he didn’t want kids in the first place, “Do you have anything productive to say? Or are we done here, Mighty?”
The armadillo didn’t say anything, just glared at Vector before turning on his heels and leaving.
With a soft sigh, Vector turned to the task of checking the temperature of the milk- just right now, not too warm, not too cold. With his sharp, glaring eyes softening at the sight of the baby, he held the nipple of the bottle to her lips, watching her drink. “Sorry ya had to see that, kiddo.”
“Vector, why do you have a child?” Espio’s familiar purple scales came into view, tail swishing behind him.
“HOLY MOTHER OF-”