Work Text:
Charmy’s been really bad about so many things.
Baths, eating his vegetables, lying convincingly(even if he does get away with it, his guilty conscience always makes him come clean later, amber eyes sopping wet with tears). His silly pranks where he hides from his reptilian fathers or goes up high, making Espio need to grab him, but above all of that, there was one thing he was the worst at.
Pills.
Shots are unpleasant but easy; let Vector hold him down and apologize with ice cream later. Liquid medication is easy, too; most antibiotics, allergy medication, and what have you when Charmy was still 6 were liquid and flavored. He loved it. It even made getting him to brush his teeth a breeze, but now Charmy was 11. They've been discussing this plan ever since Charmy came out at 5, socially transition, let him figure out his name, all that fun jazz, then at 10 they’d revisit and get him on hormone blockers first chance they could. Well, they did, and Charmy was absolutely up for the hormone blockers.
And now here Vector stood in the kitchen with Espio, a bottle of the kid’s hormone blockers and various snacks in front of them.
“He should be home in an hour, had that hangout with Tails and Cream,” Espio began, picking up one of the candies, a Fruit by the Foot. They had tried that once, knowing how quickly the kid inhaled candy. He didn't speak to them for a week after that, full silent treatment. “Should we do cheese this time?”
“The kid likes cheese but not enough to eat the damn thing straight,” replied Vector, tail swishing with annoyance as he bellowed, “Was it this hard for you, Es’?”
“No, I was a heavily disciplined child. Once I had begun my hormone therapy treatment after leaving my clan, I had no issues like this,” Espio wasn’t exactly the best comparison.
“Right, maybe we can try…holding him down and popping it int’a His mouth?”
“He can lift you and carry you all the way to Angel Island, Vector. Do you think that will work out? Besides, he won't let us near him after that.”
“Right. Right,” the kid has been getting stronger and stronger, despite his small size. His strength and speed shouldn't be ignored. He even started developing minor flame manipulation, being able to vibrate His body rapidly to make sparks, “Maybe…hm…”
“Have we ever tried freezing the candy first?”
“Huh?” Vector looked to his employee, ridged brows raised in confusion, “Why would we do that?”
“Well, for one, it's a texture he hasn't tried yet; it's worth a shot.”
“What if he spits the pills OUT? I like the idea, Es’, but there's gotta be something easier.”
Espio was quiet for a moment, tapping his chin. “We could crush the pill up and put it in some yogurt? Charmy’s always sneaking around, eating our food, so if we make a big show about the ‘special yogurt he shouldn't eat,’ then surely he can't resist.”
There was a long stretch of silence as Vector stared at his chameleon co-worker, eventually sighing. “Fine, I swear to Gaia it feels like we have a dog more than a son sometimes.”
- - - - - - - -
“Pops! Papa! I'm home!” Charmy called as he made his way through the door. He was able to handle himself on the streets, being given a cellphone to call either Vector or Espio should things go awry. Usually, the apartment was packed, loud even. Most of the sound came from Vector; Charmy was a lot like him in that respect, constantly making some kind of noise when he's in the sanctity of his own home, whether that be his rumbling footsteps. A loud snore emitting from him when he sleeps, or his gruff mumbling to himself.
But today everything was quiet. Charmy’s eyes narrowed. The car wasn't outside of the apartment, so the two must've gone on errands, maybe that Dotson’s case they were hired for? They did tell Charmy pretty explicitly he's not allowed to go- something about how it involves organized crime and “that's no place for an 11 year old” right, he can handle himself fine.
Kicking his shoes off, Charmy made his way through the house and into the kitchen- making his way to the fridge and opening it. He’s been feeling pretty snacky ever since he left Cream’s, so….
“Score!” the bee mumbled, pulling out a yellowish colored bowl of yogurt with various berries and pieces of granola atop the masterpiece. It made Charmy’s mouth water at the sight, but one problem stopped him from digging in.
A big red label was slapped on the Saran wrap covering the yogurt bowl: “Espio’s yogurt. DO NOT TOUCH.”
“That can't stop me cause I don't care!” Charmy stated triumphantly, like he just decided the answer to everything was exactly that- maybe it was. This is Charmy after all. Quickly, the bee got himself situated, devouring the delectable honey-flavored goodness like it was the last thing Charmy would eat ever. Though- there was an odd graininess to it. Espio had gotten really into like these weird health mixes and tonics- Charmy tried one by accident, thinking it was a piece of candy once- it was gross and grainy and tasted like sewage, and the word “blah” had a baby together. Finishing the food, Charmy swiftly cleaned up the evidence and set the bowl and spoon on the drying rack before zipping up to his room before Espio and Vector got home, even placing his helmet on the coat rack on his way up.
Oh- right on time; there's the door. Quickly making his way into his room, a mess of various instruments and artworks and whatever Hobby-Of-The-Week Charmy had picked up, he plopped himself on his bed, a simple one, same thing from when he was a kid; he was big enough for it anyway and forcing himself to look busy and Totally Not Guilty, thumbs typed quickly on his phone. Probably to Cream or Kit.
“Charmy Bee.” Espio’s assertive voice suddenly came from the doorway, making Charmy jump, head swivelling to look at the chameleon.
“GEEZ! Ever heard of knocking??” He snapped.
“The bowl of yogurt in the fridge,” Espio started, acting as if he didn’t hear Charmy’s snapping at him for the intrusion, “Did you eat it? I can’t find it?”
Charmy flushed, eyes darting away as his antenna drooped. “I’m- sorry…I didn’t see the label and-”
“It was right on top, regardless. Don’t be upset. It was meant for you.”
Charmy blinked, “What?”
“It was meant for you,” Espio reiterated, “We put your hormone blockers in there so you’d take today’s dose.” With a soft chuckle, Espio approached, sitting on the edge of the child’s bed, “If we left food for you with your name on it, you’d get suspicious, so we had to get creative.”
Charmy’s face went through what can only be described as the 5 stages of grief, somehow making 2 more with expressions the chameleon didn’t think possible, “Wh- I WOULD’VE TAKEN THEM IF YOU ASKED!” He squealed out, teeth gritting.
“That’s what you always say; now come on. We have a case to get to,” Espio stood with a soft sigh, leaving the room.
Charmy sat on his bed- staring at the door that once had his purple father- blinking in pure shock at the idea he was outsmarted. He’ll fall for it again. He always does, or maybe he’ll finally catch on- who knows. Atleast…atleast they’re truthful.