Chapter 4

"What are you looking at?" Sonic had looked down onto the ground at the small hog let who had lied there, dazed with sudden grief. The tiny hedgehog had no idea why Sonic and Eggman were mad at him. He hadn't even cried or whined to upset anyone, but why was everyone so full of total angst and pure hatred? Had he done something wrong?

"Huh, stupid of me to ask a damn baby…" Sonic muttered under his breath. He honestly knew he wasn't going to remain angry at it forever since children always brightened up Sonic on his saddest days. It reminded him back to when Tails was younger. Tails had always tried to cheer up the older blue hedgehog with gifts, games, songs, and even by trying to earn the trust and loyalty of Sonic. Whenever Sonic had received these kind acts, he started to respect the two tailed fox a lot more.

"Awwa?" Little Ivo had already crawled his way forward towards Sonic's leg in an attempt to get his attention. He was starting to get cold, and if he were on the floor any longer he would freeze to death. His little tiny blue eyes shimmered with curiosity as he looked at Sonic.

"Lemme guess, you want up?" Ivo hadn't completely understood what Sonic had said, but the little hedgehog had nodded a bit and clawed at his leg. Sonic couldn't help but crack a small grin as he carefully lifted up Ivo by his underarms.

"Well hello there," Sonic said while he held Ivo up to eye level. The younger one's blue orbs shinned brightly, astonishing Sonic a bit. Not even Tails' own eyes were this crystal of a blue. This baby must've inherited it from Eggman's side since green was a large eye color in Sonic's family. But his mother did have blue eyes, so it could still be a possibility he gained some of it from Sonic's side too. Ivo had reached out his tiny hand and gently grabbed Sonic's nose. He was just fascinated at how big the hedgehog's nose was.

"Got my nose do ya now?" Sonic half chuckled. He obviously wasn't angry at the little one anymore. Actually, Sonic was starting to enjoy the company, especially with another hedgehog.

"Yeah well," Sonic said quickly as he softly reached out and grabbed Ivo's nose. "I got your nose right here!" Sonic held up his fist and watched as the young hog lets eyes widened in disbelief. How in the world did he do that? Was it some kind of magic? Ivo had started to make a pout face reaching out and taking Sonic's fist.

"Ine!" Ivo whined as he opened Sonic's fist. But when he opened it to find that his nose was missing, he was struck with panic. Looking back and forth he placed his hand on his face, and with relief, he had found his nose was still in place. Sonic started to laugh loudly and uncontrollably at the other hedgehog's shocked face. Little did he know was that Eggman was observing all of this in his security room, alone.

"I see they're getting along," Eggman half mumbled to himself. He smiled a bit as he watched Sonic laughing at the younger's attitude. Ivo certainly wouldn't go down without a fight until he had succeeded in his battle, even if it was for a nose that was never even truly stolen. It made Eggman a bit proud at the little hedgehog's determination to go on.

"Oh look at you Mr. Pouty, I'm sorry I had taken your nose and put it back when you weren't looking!" Ivo didn't seem to care at the moment what Sonic was saying considering his face was flushed with total embarrassment. How could he be so easily tricked into such a prank as that one? Ivo had rubbed his peach cheeks, trying to hide the shame of it all, but Sonic could still see right through the young one. He reminded him of himself at that age. Sonic had always been the 'Hide Your Faults' child and would always try and hide his weaknesses. It worked on everyone except for Rosie who always could see beyond Sonic.

"Okay little guy, I'm sorry for giving you a mini heart attack. Just don't be mad, m'kay?" Ivo hadn't moved from his pouty expression right away, but soon his angry face faded away into a small smile as Sonic had rubbed his belly.

"Like that? I know all the good spots…" Sonic said grinning as Ivo's leg went crazy from a good belly rub. His tiny face was smiling widely as his tongue slightly hung out from the good, peaceful feeling. Eggman was observing how Ivo was thrilled from such a simple feeling. Maybe that would be useful information for a later time when Ivo need reassurance. But why was Eggman even caring about worrying about such a thing? He was just a baby and that's all he was, he didn't need much. Food, changing, and some attention. But why was Eggman feeling so indifferent about the whole situation?

"Alright buddy before you fall off of my legs, come here." Sonic had picked up the now purring Ivo and gently held him in his chained hands. Ivo was totally out of it, purring madly at absolutely nothing. Once again, Sonic was laughing crazily at the little one's funny expression.

"You're a character, eh?" Ivo's ears flicked and he opened one of his eyes and looked up at Sonic. All his anger and fear was completely banished from his thoughts. The little hedgehog was quickly growing quite fond of Sonic and enjoyed to have him near. If you didn't know the two, you probably would've guessed them to be child and father, just playing around like any other family. It was a perfect scene if you took away the cell, the chains, and the dimness. Eggman had sighed and decided he should head back to the two before they got bored of each other. Slowly he walked out of the security room and walked down the corridor straight up to the cell door. He had entered the key and turned it, unlocking it temporarily.

"Apa!" Ivo turned his head over to the left when Eggman had entered the cell. His little face immediately brightened up more as he reached out for Eggman's legs. The doctor cracked a small smile as Ivo slid down Sonic's legs and gently plopped down onto the floor. Ivo made a small giggle and looked back up to Sonic, smiling.

"I see you two got along well," Eggman observed aloud. Sonic seemed to be a bit distracted by the doctor's sudden appearance, but he nodded slowly in understanding. The younger hedgehog was rolling around the concrete floor, giggling as he went back and forth. Sonic was too distracted watching him to even notice Eggman was unsnapping the shackles from his wrists and ankles. When the loud snap from the falling off sounded, Sonic looked up to see Eggman gently removing them. He was shocked. Wasn't the whole point of keeping him chained to the wall important? Was Eggman just 'letting him go'? Then it happened…Eggman had brushes his hand gently down Sonic's wrist, sending Sonic into instant turn on shock.

"Are you…okay Sonic?" Eggman had asked once he saw Sonic's wide eyes and odd facial expression. His face was luckily still peachy fuzz and not flushed.

"I…I'm fine…but why?"

"Why what?"

"Why'd you do it? Why'd you take them off?"

"Because you're not supposed to be held up somewhere long."

Sonic smiled a bit and couldn't help but flick his ear. Was this really happening? Was Eggman his worst enemy finally letting him go?

"Oh Ivo Jr!" Eggman exclaimed once the small hedgehog had rolled back over from his continuous play. His fur looked scorched, a horrible black and grey blotched color. He was smiling; unaware of all the dirt he had received prior to his rolling fest. Eggman gasped loudly and sighed, face palming. Sonic just snorted a bit and picked up the dirty tot.

"Do you have a tub?"

"What?"

"A bathtub…I'll clean him if you'd like." Sonic was making an odd offer out of the blue.

"Why?"

"Well you did say he was part mine too, right? So maybe I can do just this one little thing for him before I go…" Go. The word got stuck in his throat and made him swell up. Was he really going to leave when he had just discovered he had a son? Let alone, would he leave the doctor alone and let him have the chance to do anything he wanted with the child? So many questions poured through his head, but he listened carefully to Eggman as he responded.

"I see. Well I guess you can use the shower room down the hall to the left on the last door. That's where there's a bath tub." Just talking about the subject of tubs bothered Eggman, considering he never used one and only took quick showers. He would be so embarrassed if Sonic would ask him how to work it. Considering he never even wanted to use it or found the need to.

"Okay, come on Ivo," Sonic said carrying the small hedgehog in his arms towards the shower room. Once he had gotten a chance to stop inside he grabbed a towel quickly and placed it on a nearby table near the large tub. Sonic snickered a bit at the thought of Eggman needing a large tub for his large body. He didn't want to offend the doctor by asking if he had gotten it that big on purpose, so he decided to keep the thought to himself.

"Alright, Ivo…just let me turn on the water and you'll get cleaned." Sonic had turned the knobs on the tub, carefully observing the water as it freely flowed out of the spicket. He then had removed his gloves and placed them near the towel. If anyone saw him right now, he'd probably be yelled at for not wearing an accessory on his wrists. It was illegal for male mobians to not have a wrist accessory on at all times when in public due to the sight being 'provocative' and 'naked'. Sometimes, Sonic would enjoy the free air on his hands.

"Wawa?" Ivo said pointing to the near filled tub. Sonic nodded and placed a hand inside. The tempeture was just perfect.

"Yes, water Ivo. I'm guessing this is one of your first baths. I don't really credit the doc on hygiene to be honest." It was like Sonic was speaking a foreign language to Ivo. He understood 'yes', 'water', 'baths.' And that was probably all he would understand coming from the large blue hedgehog who spoke like there was no tomorrow.

"Now I'm just gently going to place you down. Just sit up while I get off all the nasty dirt," He said teasingly as he kneeled down on the floor next to the tub and gently placed him inside. His initial reaction was that Ivo was going to scream or cry once he had hit the bottom, but instead Ivo surprised him with a giggle and a splash. A big smile came to Sonic's face as he watched the little one enjoy the cool water as it washed off all the dirt from before.

"Now we need some soap," Sonic said getting up to his feet and walking over to a large cabinet. Tons of shampoos, soaps, conditioners, and towels lined up neatly inside. He quickly chose the softest looking one and walked back over to the tub, kneeling down once again. Sonic lathered up Ivo so much that you could've mistaken him for a bubble ghost.

"Haha, boo! Alright now let's get all that off." Sonic had gently rinsed off Ivo with some tap water from the spicket again and quickly removed all of the soap from his small fur coat. Ivo kept giggling from the clean experience and ignored the dirty water surrounding him.

"Haha, alright, let me get you your tow-" Before Sonic could say anything else, a towel gently brushed against his head. He looked back to see Eggman holding the towel behind him.

"Looking for this?"

"Heh, yeah, thanks," Sonic said grabbing the towel and picking up the wet hedgehog in his arms, rubbing him dry inside the towel's warm structure. Ivo still continued to kick excitedly, sending some water droplets everywhere. Both Eggman and Sonic chuckled at the puff ball in the blanket.

"Looks like someone their bath," Eggman stated as Ivo purred and shivered. Sonic had nodded and lightly pushed back the little hedgie's soft, fuzzed up quills.

"He did….How long have you've been there?" Sonic asked when Eggman was finished looking at Ivo Jr. The doctor seemed to be a bit distracted, so Sonic asked again.

"You were watching us how long?"

"Oh, I've only just came in…" Eggman lied. He actually had been watching the two the whole time, obsessed with the way Sonic had been so kind to Ivo. It was as if Sonic had raised children his whole life the way he was so careful with his actions.

"Oh, Okay. I was just wondering." Sonic had actually been worried Eggman might have seen him bending over when he was washing off the young hog let during his bath. Eggman did see everything, but he surely wasn't going to admit it anytime soon.

"Okay, Ivo, you can go to your….uhmmm…" Sonic wasn't sure what to call Eggman for Ivo. Was it father or dad? Or was it papa? Eggman had casually smiled and took little wrapped up Ivo into his arms.

"He can come to his Daddy."