LM Simpson's tidbits: I apologize for the long wait (and the short chapter). I just finished my high school studies and am currently awaiting for graduation night. Plus, I had writer's block (my outlines tend to mutate). Eew.

Chapter Three

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Later that afternoon, Sonic sat across the kitchen table from his son. Before Dash laid a blue-trimmed plate with a sandwich, a red apple, and a glass filled to the top with milk. Instead of chowing down like a young, growing lad, the boy only stared down at the meal, elbows on the wooden table.

"What's wrong, champ? You aren't eating a thing!"

Dash pinched the top right corner of the white bread's crust.

"I don't like crust," he said with a wrinkled nose. "It's icky."

"Really? But it's the best part!" Sonic in reality did not think the crust was the best part, but wanted to speed up something he sensed would elapse longer than he desired.

"Get it off! I don't like it!"

"Just try one itty bitty part…"

"SONIC!" Amy yelled from the living room. "Just take the stupid crust off! It's not worth fighting over!"

Sigh… "Alright, alright, I'll take them off!" With a knife, Sonic moved to Dash's side and removed the offending crusts. A thin layer of peanut butter revealed itself. Thankfully, the boy did not complain again… immediately.

"There… Better?"

"No…" Dash pointed to the apple. "Mama always cuts it up."

Sigh… "Amy, do you have an apple corer anywhere?"

"And Daddy," Dash added, "I'm allergic to milk!" He pointed at the glass this time.

"You gave Dash milk, Sonic?" Amy was finally in the kitchen, clearly angered. She pointed behind her. "Into the living room now, Sonic! I'm taking over!"

Fighting with Amy was never worth it. Sonic left the kitchen without uttering a word.

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Night time arrived. Sonic watched the ceiling instead of the blaring TV set in the dark living room. He heard footsteps from a distant room (most likely Amy after setting Dash to bed), and resumed his daze. That was, until the overhead light came on, briefly blinding him.

"Aah! Amy, turn it back off!" His hand covered his face as he tried to recover.

Amy sighed. The light dimmed again. She sat beside Sonic and did not speak for a few moments.

"Sonic…" She said when she finally spoke, "I'm… Sorry for snapping at you earlier. I know you were trying to just help. But it's very clear that you don't know anything about your son: what he likes to eat, what he doesn't like to do… How long did you plan on staying here?"

"Not too long… Why?"

"I want you to stay for as long as possible. Starting tomorrow, hang out with him. You know, father-son time? I think it'll be good for both of you. That way, next time you make lunch, the crusts will be off, the apple will be cored, and juice will fill the glass."

"Yeah, good point…"

"Just think of you being with Tails when he was younger. Treat Dash like you would Tails. He really is a sweet boy, Sonic…"

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." Tails wasn't much of a hassle… Hopefully fatherhood won't be like that aside from the food stuff…