Chapter Text
Today did not go as planned.
Then again, when did any day with a group like this?
Just a ragtag group of friends looking to make some kind of living. Resorting to desperate measures.
But then, a voice broke the silence, occasionally interrupted by the trash rifling about.
“U…uh…V-Vector?” The unsure flying squirrel called out, gazing into one of the many dark green dumpsters that lined the alleyway, reaching into the container as he spoke.
Although not called for, a red armadillo peeked his head up from a beaten silver trashcan, a banana peel sliding off his pointed nose and back into the trash.
Vector finally looked up from his own dumpster with a gruffed ‘hm?’ that sounded like one of the many deep growling bellows that escaped him if he was feeling particularly…crabby on any one day. The trio had been out here to dumpster dive, an activity that has become regular for the 3, as their Chameleon co-worker was usually never around, usually out doing any odd job he can get his hands on so the agency can pay rent and remain afloat, leaving Mighty, Vector, and Ray to scour dumpsters around Cascade City for anything they can pawn off or use for themselves. Something to get extra cash for food and any necessities the group might need in between jobs. It was true that Vector indeed had cash leftover for himself he’d been saving, but ultimately, he justified using that for an emergency! Yea!
“What’s up, kiddo?” Vector inquired, approaching the dumpster the preteened flying squirrel was at, clearly rifling through the dumpster- fighting gripping something maybe? Vector blinked, goldenrod eyes meeting the rich blue of Mighty’s eyes, both conveying equal confusion.
“You, uh. You good there, Ray?” There was a sound emitting from the dumpster, squeaking? No, it sounded closer to a balloon deflating when the ending is pulled tight, leading to a long squeaky now- just occasionally pausing. What in the world could be making that kind of noise?
Well, he got his answer.
As Ray finally stood from his bent-over position, his teal eyes looked to Vector, concern and fear evident on his face.
“A BABY?!”
Vector could hear him and Mighty scream at the same time. In a clearly soiled diaper, wiggling about and producing what can only be described as a high-pitched cry-squeal noise was a baby bee Mobian. Just exiting his larval stage based on the black peach fuzz that poorly concealed the peach flesh beneath.
“I-I just….I f..f..f..”
“Found,” Mighty chimed in, he had a habit of doing that. Helping Ray in definitively know his words.
“T…thanks…I…found…him like this….I…I...uh…w…what do we….do with…this?” His hands were shaking, probably scared he’d drop something so small, fragile. Mighty reached up and gently took the baby from the flying squirrel, laying it back in a prone position and gently shushing it.
“Looks like its been out here for days,” The armadillo offered, “Probably no older than 5 months, maybe even less than that.”
“W…what are…what are we gonna…d…do..?”
“Not abandon the lil’ fella, that’s for sure! You can put me in a pit full’a angry snakes long before we do that!”
“Vector, we can’t even afford to feed ourselves. Where can we even get the stuff for a baby! Much less kow how to care for one.”
“I…I’m with…uh…Mighty here…maybe keep him until….s…someone…uh…clai…claims…him?”
“Ray, who would claim a baby thats been left out here for days?”
“...sorry…”
“Don’t apologize.”
Vector watched the pair bicker, thinking to himself, finally taking the baby from Mighty, holding it up to get a good look at it. The tiny bee stared back at Vector, big orange eyes shimmering, wet with tears that threatened to spill. “We’re detectives we don’t leave any job half-baked! We ain’t no half bakers Mighty!”
That statement is only met with a less than approving glare from Mighty, making Vector sigh. “Okay, okay, fine. I hear you, but listen. My dads can help- I mean. They raised me! So like- how hard cannit be?” He puffed out his chest as he settled the little bee close to his chest, suddenly extremely aware of how big he is in comparison to such a little bee, he found himself routinely looking down at it, as if it’ll like- explode or something.
A sigh escaped the Armadillo, not really sure if this is something that he can necessarily fight Vector on. “Fine, but the second we can we’re giving it to an orphanage or its parents or WHOEVER WILL TAKE IT!”
With a flinch at the tone, the bee begun to let out an ear piercing WAIL. Seems he’s not a fan of Mighty’s tone either, with a grumble, Vector sighed, getting the child taken from him as Ray- the shyest of all of them begun to bounce the little mobian, letting out soft coos.
“Well, do they live nearby?” Mighty finally asked.
“Yea, actually. Come on, gettin the car, and keep a good eye and grip on th’ baby!” Vector ordered, making his way to the car.
It was 10 minutes that felt like 20 with the silence that was the car ride, occasionally interrupted by discomforted grunts from the baby that were immediately soothed by the flying squirrel, when they finally arrived at the titular barn where Vector remembers growing up, he stepped out of the car after parking it, approaching the door with Mighty and Ray, knocking gently.
Nite the owl answered the door, a smile immediately present on his beaked face.
“Vector! How are you doing, son?”
“Well’uh. Dad…I need your help with somethin’..or. More like someone.”