Chapter Text
Surge came home late .. later than she usually does when she comes home from her monthly check-ups from G.U.N. Manic was worried out of his mind because - of course - he doesn’t know where she even goes for that hour a day. All he knew was she shut her location off once a month randomly, and doesn’t even answer calls until she gets home. He didn’t really ask, since he didn’t want to pry, but this is a time he wished he knew where exactly she went. Especially when she walked in the door, she seemed like she had been through hell, her hair was down, all messed up.
“ Sur- Surge?! ”
At first his voice had relief, but as soon as he saw her, his voice was full of concern. Her face was bruised, and god, her general state and demeanor already had him pissed - but more than that .. worried. Immediately he gets off the couch to run over to her as she shuts the door behind herself, about to hug her, when her hand goes out to stop him. There was faint pink in the white part of her gloves, and his brows kind of furrowed at that. Looking from her hand to her face, meeting eyes with her before she looked away. God, she couldn’t bear looking him in the eyes right now. He finally spoke, the worry more evident in his voice than the anger.
“ What happened? Who did this? ”
Surge still just couldn’t look at him, pushing past as she took a deep breath. She couldn’t talk to him right now, not without breaking down. Of course, this time Manic wasn’t just gonna let her walk off. Grabbing her sleeve gently to keep her from leaving him.
“ Surge. Talk to me, I’m here for you green dawg- Was it your dad..? ”
She considered yanking her hand away, but just gave up instead. Standing there for a few minutes before she took a loud shaky breath.
“ .. Surge? ”
She didn't know what to say, just frozen there as she tried to figure out what to do. All she wanted was to curl up and never come out of her room again, but .. that wasn't an option now.
“ I really- .. I don't want to talk about it, big guy. M’kay? ”
She replied quietly, like either she was holding back tears, had already been crying, or both. Manic felt another pang of worry in his chest, and pulled her into a gentle hug. She winced at any and all contact with her wounds, but didn't complain. Just hugging him back while she still tried to hold back sobs. Now just crying quiet tears as she hid her face in his shoulder. This was what she needed, what she had wanted ever since she saw that corpse. The corpse of someone she had thought was already dead.
“ That's okay, Green Dawg. C'mon.. ”
Manic slowly brought her over to their couch, and god, he was going to kill whoever did this to her. Manic sat down with her, and held her close. Letting her almost lay against him. Surge was absolutely wrecked, mentally and physically. Feeling sick, and exhausted, when Manic let her lean against him, she put her entire weight into him. Far too tired to keep sitting up, she wanted so badly to just become as small as possible in his arms. That’s how she felt, small. Once again she had done exactly what her father wanted, and once again she was just a thing to be controlled.
She still felt like she was in that place, the emotions of that exact moment she held a gun to her brother. The exact moment she shot him, and the yelling after. She slightly shook in Manic's arms, and her crying just got worse. Nearing sobs, she honestly couldn’t tell how loud she was anymore. She didn't care. All she knew was, she was in Manic's arms now, home. She didn't want to be anywhere else. Yet, it didn't feel like it. Manic tried his best to comfort her, pulling a blanket over them and rubbing circles into her upper back.
“ Hey, Surge. You're okay. I promise. ”
She shook her head, and then buried her face deeper into his shoulder. She wasn't okay, in the slightest. She felt so much shame that it didn't feel real. Surge didn't bother speaking again, she didn't move either. Staying in that exact position for hours, and Manic let her. Very early on, turning on one of her favorite movies. Hoping it brought any sort of comfort.
Eventually he brought her to her room, despite how much he wanted to just stay there all night for her. It was 9:00 now, and no one had dinner yet. So .. he’d quickly make something for the three of them and come back. Besides, he knew she didn’t want Kit eventually coming out of his room and seeing her like that. She tried her best to be strong for him, and show no struggle, despite the constant battle in her head. A long sigh as he sets her down, gently prying her off of him.
“ I gotta make the little guy something to eat, m’kay? I’ll be right back with something for you too. ”
Surge made a noise in response .. thinking. She felt like shit that he had to see her like this, it was honestly pitiful to her. Shaking her head after a second.
“ ‘m not hungry. ”
Of course, Manic raised a brow. Then with a sigh he’s sing-songing his words to lighten the mood as he’s leaving. No room for discussion in his tone.
“ You haven’t had anything since eleven this morning, Green Dawg. Unless you got something while you were out, I’m making you something. ”
“ I- ”
Surge sighed, giving up on the not-fight. Manic was as stubborn as she could be despite how much more laidback he was, it was a part of why they worked so well together.
Manic was quick to whip up some bowls of ramen for the three of them, setting his and Surge's aside to drop off Kit’s first. Knocking on his bedroom door before entering.
“ Hey Blue, I got ya some dinner. ”
Kit was busy playing some game with his friends, taking a second before he pulled a headphone off and replied to the hedgehog.
“ Uh- is Surge okay? She’s usually the one making food- ”
“ Yeah, she's fine. She's just sick, so avoid her like the plague! ”
He whispered the last part of that second sentence, teasing. Handing the fennec his bowl.
“ That reminds me, I gotta get Gem to cover her shift- ”
He is veery quickly running off to grab his phone, making a quick call as he picks up his and Surge's bowl. Walking back to her room with his shoulder holding the phone. Surge was now in several of her blankets, it was good for grounding. At least, for her. She frowned though, when she realized who Manic was on the phone with.
“ Yeah, yeah. I'm sure she'll be fine in a couple days. Thanks Gem! We owe ya! ”
Setting his bowl down on her dresser as he's hanging up the phone, meanwhile Surge is trying to stop him.
“ Hey wait- asshole. I can work. We need the money. ”
Her lack of energy was not at all persuasive. Manic gave her a blank look, somewhat judgemental, but in a teasing way.
“ You're not going to work today, at least for tonight. ”
“ I- ”
“ Don't argue with me on this, Surge. You look like shit. ”
He's handing Surge her own bowl of ramen before grabbing his own bowl to sit on her bed with it. At this point Surge was dead silent, slowly eating despite how nauseous she felt. It was a quiet five minutes before Surge stopped taking little bites. Staring at Manic. He stared back, usually he’d be scarfing his noodles down, but seeing her in this state made him sick. He raised a brow at her, giving her a playful look.
“ What’s up, Green Dawg? ”
She kept staring quietly before sighing as she set her bowl on her bedside table. Not looking back at him as she spoke, her tone was as cold as ice.
“ Get out of my room. ”
It was a tone he was only used to when she was talking about her dad to him, never at him. It took him aback. Although, never one to ignore something she asks of him, he’s getting up.
“ I- You’re sure, Green Dawg? ”
“ Out. ”
Leaving the room, he couldn’t help but feel a little dejected. Although he shouldn’t be surprised. Something happened, and although she wasn’t going to tell him what. It was enough to warrant little words from her, it was enough for where she wasn’t the usual stoic and stone cold Surge. She was shaken, likely in shock. He wished he just knew why, and who had caused this. He just wanted to help, but like in the usual Surge The Tenrec fashion, she pushed him away.
End of chapt? Probably