Ice cream

A/N: This is just too cute for me to pass up, I'm sure the title explains everything.

Shadow's POV

"Hey, Shadow. Shadow…are you dead?"

I groaned at feeling tiny finger poke my face, peeking open an eye, I slurred, "What is it now?"

For a moment, I forgot Sonic had been turned into a toddler, so I almost threw him off me.

"Well?" I asked, as he grinned, giggling every once and a while.

He smiled, yelling, "Shadow, I want ice cream!"

Not knowing how to respond to that, I sat up and looked at the clock, saying, "It's too early for ice cream; wait a while."

He pouted, whining, "But I want it."

"We'll get ice cream later, okay." I compromised, carrying him into the bathroom.

Folding his arms against his chest, he huffed, "Fine."

Turning on the faucet, I looked at the counter thankfully realizing I had another toothbrush. Picking Faker up, I said, "Alright, bath time."

He whined, green eyes glittering with tears. "I don't wanna, water's evil."

I sighed, momentarily forgetting his intense fear of water. "It won't hurt you, Sonic. I'll be right here, anyway."

"Promise?" The blue blur whined once more, letting go of my hand.

I set him down in the tub, answering, "I promise."

Beginning to wash him, I thought, 'Where the hell did this come from? I'm the ultimate life form, not a father or a babysitter. Damn it, doctor, what the hell are you planning?'

Unfortunately, none of my questions could be answered right away since I was stuck with the task of taking care of Faker. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped him in it, finally noticing how calm how he was. I didn't expect this at all. Drying him off, I asked, "How about we go visit Tails?"

He smiled, shouting, "Yay! I'll go get my shoes."

Watching him blast off, I went back into the bathroom and put toothpaste on the spare brush and wet it. "Sonic, come brush your teeth." I called, starting to brush my own teeth.

Taking it from me, he brushed quickly and spit, later pointing to his teeth seemingly proud. Ruffling his quills, I finished and pulled on my gloves as he stood in front of me.

Glancing at him, I stated, "Once we're done visiting Tails, then we can get ice cream."

He smiled widely, replying, "Okay, Shadow."

Somehow this feels right, I don't know how. Please tell me this is just a phase and my paternal instincts aren't kicking in, much less for my rival. Walking to the front door, I shook my head deciding to let Tails keep him for a while, or at least long enough so I can talk to my attentive father.

Picking up Sonic, I left, locking the door behind us and heading for Tails' workshop. Knocking on the door, I shifted him in my arms as the door opened.

"Hey, Shadow, what…oh, what happened?" The fox asked, letting us inside.

"The doctor." I stated bluntly, grunting lowly as Sonic pulled on the fur on my chest.

Tails nodded, not needing further explanation, he retorted, "Well, I can make something to turn him back; how long does this last?"

"Two weeks. Or at least that's what Amy told me."

"Or you could wait until the two weeks are over."

"No, I can't. I'm not a babysitter." I argued, as Sonic climbed off my lap.

Tails looked at me, responding, "Well, that's the only thing I can think of while I try to work on a way to turn him back to normal."

Glancing at Sonic, I rushed over to him as he pulled on something. Holding him to my chest, I glared down at him, scolding, "Faker, don't do that. You could've been hurt."

Sonic pouted, putting his face in my chest, muffling, "Sorry, Shadow."

"Wow. Shadow, I've never seen you like this. It's actually sort of sweet." Tails commented, chuckling lightly.

I scoffed, muttering, "Shut up, Tails. It doesn't matter because I won't be stuck with him for long. Speaking of which, I need you to watch him while I go somewhere."

"W-what? Shadow, I don't know…"

"You'll figure it out." I interrupted, noticing the scared look flash across the twin tailed fox's face.

Going downtown, I knocked and grunted as I was pulled into an embrace. Pulling back, I looked at my father as he said, "Shadow, it's great to see you again. How's it going?"

"Just fine, father, but I have a small problem and mother might want to hear this." I replied, sitting on a stool beside the table.

Stifling a groan as my mother ran towards me, I stiffened as she hugged me.

"Damien, why didn't you tell me Shadow was here?" She asked, pinching my cheek.

Actually, she's my stepmother, but she's been my mother ever since Trisha was incarcerated; sort of the same thing with Damien except I don't want to talk about Black Doom right now.

He shrugged, and sat across from me, asking, "So what's the problem?"

"I have a baby." I blurted, quickly looking away as their faces transformed to shock.

My father took my left hand and removed the glove, saying, "You're not even married yet."

"I thought we taught you better." Mother added, biting her lower lip.

Rubbing my neck, I retorted, "That came out wrong; what I mean is Sonic got turned into a four year old, so now I'm taking care of him."

Having relief spread over my mother's face, she replied, "I thought you…never mind. What's the issue there?"

"Ever since I took him home yesterday, I've been acting weird. Like something is telling me to keep him safe and I don't know why." I explained, looking between them.

Father chuckled, patting my arm, replying, "You're perfectly fine, Shadow. Nothing to worry about, it's just an instinct people have. Don't worry so much about it; you'll be fine."

I nodded, saying, "Uh, thanks, guys. I'd better go get him from Tails; I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to leave them alone."

Rushing back to Tails' workshop, I opened the door to see Sonic sleeping peacefully…and Tails on the floor with chili on his face. Maybe giving a four year old chili dogs for lunch wasn't a good idea either. Taking Sonic in my arms, I grabbed the bag I prepared and left, before sticking a note on the Tails' bench.

Hearing Sonic yawn, I looked down as he rubbed his eyes and stared up at me. He smiled, asking, "Can we have ice cream now?"

I nodded, heading for the truck and ordering a small Blue Moon cone. Sitting him at a table, I sat across from him getting this odd feeling as I watched him. What was it? Still not being able to put my finger on the emotion, I gave up and waited for him to finish.

"Oh, there you are, Shadow."

I cringed lightly as I heard the voice of the last person I wanted to see. Sonic stopped eating his ice cream and held it out to me. Taking a small bite out of it, I grinned as he laughed and resumed eating. Turning towards the human, I uttered, "It's not like I can disappear, doctor."

Sitting next to me, he asked, "So, how's Sonic doing?"

"He's just fine, can't you see that?" I retorted, gesturing towards him as he looked up at hearing his name.

Seeing he had finished, I wiped his mouth trying to keep him still as he squirmed. "So far he's been calm, and there haven't been any problems." I said, wiping his hands also.

The doctor laughed and stood, remarking, "I should take a picture of this; it's too precious."

Tugging on my glove, Sonic whimpered, "Shadow, I have to pee."

"Uh, alright, let's go." I concluded, taking him into the nearby store. After that, I walked out holding his hand to see the doctor still there.

Grabbing the bag, I left without another word to the scientist. Unlocking the door, I set the speedster down, saying, "Go get ready for bed, Sonic."

Yawning, he protested, "But, I'm not tired."

I chuckled, taking him by the hand and entering the bathroom. "Well, I am, and I can't have you running around getting into stuff."

He yawned again, rubbing his eyes. "Can we visit someone else tomorrow?"

Remembering I had work tomorrow, I answered, "Of course, but I won't be back until later, so when I take you over there be good, alright?"

He nodded, stepping out of the tub and drying himself off. Tucking him in, I got in beside him and blushed lightly as he snuggled up to me, murmuring something in his sleep.

A/N: I think I'm going to die of cuteness if I keep writing this. If Shadow is out of character, please notify me. I think I've out done myself. Review please.