Chapter 5

It was starting to get late by the time the two had finished giving Ivo his bath and they had eaten dinner together. During the whole dinner, Sonic hadn't spoken a word as he slowly ate the food provided while Ivo had watched the older hedgehog throughout the duration, silently. It was as if the two were enemies that couldn't stand each other, but saying that would be too vague.

"You were quiet," Eggman mumbled across from Sonic while they had sat at the large table. He hated to admit it, but for an evil genius, the doctor had a pretty nice dining room. For what purpose, he'll never truly know. Plus, it would be rude to ask such a question since it might offend him.

"I wasn't really in the mood for speaking…" Sonic whispered back half-heartedly. It was true, considering he was a bit shy. What could he say to his enemy? 'Oh hey the dinner was great! How many table spoons full of Arsenic did you put inside?' That probably wouldn't have been the most proper thing to ask, but it made Sonic silently chuckle to himself.

"I see." The doctor also didn't seem in the mood to speak either, so the both remained silent. Sonic watched Eggman carefully take the silverware and place it in the sink. It was probably a later job for the robots to attend to since he hadn't started to clean them himself. Ivo seemed a bit excited about something, but Sonic ignored the little ones mewls and giggles until Eggman had noticed them.

"Oh I know Ivo; I'll quickly get it for you."

"Get what?" Sonic asked curiously as Eggman had taken Ivo out of his little high chair (which was made of a fancy metal) carefully.

"Oh well it's a little thing Ivo likes to sleep with….it's nothing exciting, but it's a small plush doll I found." Sonic's ears twitched as he followed the two out towards Ivo and Eggman's room.

"He sleeps with you? Why?" The hedgehog made an odd gestured face at the larger doctor as he opened the door to the room.

"Ivo is scared of the dark and fears being alone. Unless you wanted to deal with a screaming hedgehog 24/7, then I suggest you try it on your own time." Sonic shrugged it off and quickly followed inside. He was probably right about the whole being alone thing. Sonic knew that babies enjoyed comfort and attention more than anything else.

"Shh, now here ya go," Eggman said handing Ivo a small two tailed fox doll with a red ruby hanging from its head. Sonic got the chills looking at the little doll. It was way too familiar, but once again he shrugged it off and watched the little hedgie hug it tightly. Ivo snuggled it so lovingly, making Sonic smile a bit wider as he watched the little one.

"Where'd he get that doll?" Sonic had asked casually as if the doll wasn't suspicious looking. Eggman looked back up to the older hedgehog and sighed.

"It was an old testing doll I had, but I decided to scrap it in the closet. But once I cleaned out the closet for a playroom, he found the doll and just begged to have it. How could I say no?" The doctor chuckled lightly and walked over to the bed. The bed was covered in a smooth silk sheet that had been dyed a soft baby blue with a tiny pillow at the top containing a small image of a sheep. Or was it a lamb? Next to it laid a few more pillows, probably Eggmans' collection. Oh well, Sonic decided as he looked back over towards Eggman as he was gently laying Ivo on his pillow.

"Now go to sleep, Ivo," Eggman had calmly said, but the hoglet shook his head and stared at the doctor. His small blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and a tint of anger.

"No! Oook!" Eggman rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I read all of your books, Ivo. There isn't really any more left to read. I mean maybe if I looked…" Eggman had said as he made his way back over to a small book shelf. Sonic watched as he picked out a book and slowly slid it from the others. It was a small black book that had an ember colored tree on it next to an old looking overlander. It was much more of a faded book, but it was probably a good classic that old people liked to read. Sonic shrugged at the book's words, considering he wasn't very good at reading. Whenever he would help Sally read to Tails, he would usually memorize the words for himself. Sally had known how to read from her lessons as a princess, but normal poor children like himself didn't attend school often and weren't taught unless their parents or guardians had taught them. Charles, his uncle, tried numerous times on occasion to teach Sonic, but he was an arrogant child and refused to learn any of it. Now he regrets it.

"Hmm," Eggman thought a loud to himself as he sat down onto the bed next to Ivo. The younger hedgehog had crawled under the warmth of the blanket and had popped out his head to see the doctor. Sonic didn't move from his corner where he was observing the two.

"Come, sit," The doctor had said patting the empty spot next to him on the bed. Sonic shook his head.

"I insist. I don't bite….that much," Eggman said with a small grin. Sonic still refused to sit next to him and decided to remain still. Eggman shrugged and turned back to Ivo, opening the book carefully. Then, Sonic's ears flicked as Eggman read out the lines of the pages so calmly, he's never heard him so….mellow. It was really different hearing him speak.

"Abe! Abe!" Eggman had chuckled at Ivo.

"Yes, we'll soon get to Gabe. But first, I need to read the first chapter about Jonas, okay?" Ivo nodded and continued to listen. From Sonic's point of view, it sounded nothing like a book you would read to a normal child, but who ever said Ivo was normal? He continued to listen in, and after a long while, his head bobbed to the side as he was falling into a light slumber. When his ears picked up Eggman finishing, everything went completely black and he fell to the floor, falling asleep. Eggman looked up and laughed as he quickly helped pick him up. Sonic didn't budge for he was really tired and was in a deep sleep. Ivo watched as his father carefully lifted Sonic up onto the bed and placed him near Ivo.

"Sweep?" Ivo asked with wide eyes. The doctor nodded and gently lied on the other side away from Sonic. He didn't want to offend the blue hedgehog or make him feel uncomfortable. Plus, he didn't want to ruin the chance of any potential friendship.

"Uddle it hem?" Ivo had asked pointing to the snoring Sonic. Eggman raised a brow and watched as Ivo crawled over to the sleepy log of a hedgehog. He was going to grab him and pull him back, but something told him to let Ivo be. His mind was right, as Ivo curled up under Sonic's arm and started to purr in his sleep. It was adorable, and if Eggman had a camera, he would've recorded it. But it was sad considering he didn't have one, nor did he really have interest in one. Just seeing this would scar his mind in a good way and leave a pang of guilt that he should have taken more action to save it for everyone later. Oh well though, he had thought silently to himself as he lied back on the pillows and closed his eyes. Tonight had to be the best night ever….because it's been over 40 some years since he last slept with another older being in his bed. And the last time he ever slept with someone was his mother before she had died from the terrible flu.

XxX

Morning had quickly passed and the sun was shining down on Mobius, warming its planical structure. In Eggman's base, Eggman was already up making breakfast by himself for a change. It's been the first time Ivo ever slept through the whole night and remained asleep later in the morning. But it's not like Eggman was going to complain or anything. It was actually nice not having anyone watch him or annoy him while he was cooking or doing something else.

Sonic had just awoke in the other room with a sleeping Ivo under his chest.

"The hell…where am I?" Sonic croaked tiredly as he registered what happened the other night. Once he remembered, he rubbed his eyes and carefully moved his head down to sniff the baby hedgehog. Once he had gotten a whiff of him and remembered that this was little Ivo, he carefully placed his tongue on the little hedgehog's fur and began to lick.

"Hmm?" Sonic asked himself as he continued to lick the smaller hedgehog gently. Why was he even doing this? Was him mother senses kicking in already when he barely knows the kid to begin with? Ignoring the questions, he continued to affectionately lick the baby's quills and fur, being careful of the pricks due to his sharp quills. Sonic knew this considering his own were a pain in the ass, especially during the summer when he would shed. The quills dead pieces would go EVERYWHERE where Sonic would go and would fall into things like food, clothing, hats, and even on the furniture. Getting them out was the hard part, and most people would yell at him for shedding in the first place. But it wasn't his fault, right? He looked back down at the little hedgie and saw him purring and curling up next to him in relaxation. Ivo must be enjoying it, and a lot by the looks of it.

"Heh, enjoying that little guy?" He asked between licks. Ivo's little leg was going nuts like a puppy getting a belly scratch. It was adorable as hell, so Sonic continued to do it. Not only was he cleaning the younger blue hedgehog, but he was also having fun and most importantly, he was bonding. Mobians are like regular animals, cleaning their young when needed and defending them when required. Sonic might have not been around little Ivo for long, but now he knows him and would defend him not matter what. Even if he was born from some kind of green liquid in a tube.

"Mawmaw," Ivo said while he was shaking his leg. Sonic had stopped for a second to hear what he had said.

"What was that little buddy? I didn't quite ca-"

"Mama!" Ivo broke through his sentence sticking his head up looking Sonic straight in the eyes. "Maw maw! Mama!" The way he said it was so adorable, Sonic felt like echoing it back to him. His eyes started to well up with complete happiness as the smaller hedgehog continued his little 'Mother' banter. When Ivo started to see Sonic cry, he slowly stopped.

"Ma…ma?" He had whispered as he crawled up to Sonic's chest. He stared up in his face and gave him a questionable expression.

"At ong?" Sonic just smiled and wiped away the tears, hugging Ivo into an affectionate squeeze. He held him close, refusing to let go as the younger tried to wriggle free. After a long while, Sonic released the gasping hedgie.

"Maw ma! Ooo eit!" Sonic just laughed a bit and blinked quietly.

"I'm sorry Ivo…It's just that…I never had a baby…well a son…to call me 'Mom'. T-Thank you." Ivo looked up at him confused. Wasn't he supposed to call him his mother? He was after all there for him and he felt like a real mother described in the bed time stories Ivo was read. Maybe Sonic just didn't like the word, but oh well, it's all he knew. Before Ivo could start up again with his 'Mama' callings, Eggman walked in with a tray of food decorated nicely on top. Ivo jumped up and down until the tray was put on the table near the bed.

"Do you two always eat breakfast in bed?" Sonic asked watching Eggman gently hand Ivo a small bit of bacon.

"No not at all, but I thought maybe today would be an exception…here," He said calmly as he handed Sonic a huge plate full of bacon, eggs, ham, toast, a bagel finely sliced with butter and cream cheese, some chilidogs, and also to top it off, milk and juice. No wonder Eggman was so plump, he made so much food just for breakfast.

"Ohoho Eggman, I have a big appetite, but this might be too much for me," Sonic observed sniffing the bacon and taking little bites.

"That's fine…You don't have to eat all of it if you don't like. Ivo and I always share breakfast, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing with you." Sonic nodded and handed Ivo another piece of bacon, watching as he devoured it with no problem.

After a while of eating, Sonic mostly finished his serving, while little Ivo had more than Sonic. He was astonished at the little one's eating habits, but smiled it off guessing he inherited it from Eggman. Sonic was also lightly blushing, not sue to the food, but rather the hand that was gently rubbing his back as he ate. What had occasionally made the older hedgehog wince was when Eggman had gently played teasingly with his tail. It was driving him crazy, and before he knew it, his heat cycle started up. Heat was a certain time period in which Mobians would go into a cycle of where they would start getting ready for mating. It usually occurs once every month for a week, but for some it could differ. The whole week a Mobians will change, acting strange and odd until mating occurs. Sonic had never mated before, so he would have to suffer a whole week – sometimes three depending on his month- in pain and wanted lust. Somehow though, he never had gotten that certain lust, but he prayed he would never have to go through it soon.

"Ewa," Ivo said as he quickly bounced up onto Eggman's lap. He was looking for a game to play or something else exciting to do, but Eggman had way too many other things on him mind at the moment to take notice. Luckily, Orbot and Cubot had stopped in the room.

Sir! We wouldn't mind taking Ivo off yer hands fer a while… Cubot had said in his western like voice. He coughed and looked quickly over to Orbot.

Yes, we were wondering when we would see our dear brother again! Just in Eggman's luck the two had arrived and offered to take him off his hands.

"Brother? Hmm, oh well yes, of course! Take him and go somewhere for a long while. I have business to attend to and I can't work around the young one." The two robots didn't object and happily took Ivo away, closing the door behind them. They enjoyed the little hedgie's company, and secretly behind Eggman's back, they were teaching him everything they knew like talking and building. Eggman had blinked a few times quietly and turned to the blushing hedgehog next to him. He was still rubbing his back and Sonic didn't notice his gazing. Instead, Sonic was too busy starring at the empty plates and was busy counting the crumbs on them. The doctor scoffed and quickly took the tray from him and placed it on a nearby table. Sonic's head was still lowered and he hadn't moved from the stare-down gaze at the floor.

"Hmmm," Eggman had then thought of an idea to get Sonic's attention. He slowly reached out his hand and placed it under the hedgehog's peach chin. Moving his jaw upwards, he had pushed up Sonic's head and the two had met eye-to-eye. Sonic's green eyes were brightly glowing with such beauty, making Eggman bite his lip in frustration. Why did he have to be so handsome?

"Y-Yes?" Sonic asked as Eggman kept staring into his eyes. He wasn't too offended by the move, but he wasn't happy about it either. Was Eggman going to tell him something?

"I just…your just…I'm sorry…" Sonic's eyes went a bit brighter and he raised a brow.

"Sorry for what? Is it a crime to be this sexy?" Sonic chuckled as he grinned. Eggman nearly gasped once Sonic had grinned. His face was absolutely amazing. It wasn't only cute, but it was sexy and young, with a bit of defiance in it. Something anyone of any gender would go crazy to have. And right now, he had it all. He could just go and push Sonic down onto the bed and begin with his 'plans' but it would be better to play it cool. They are enemies after all….right?

"So, are you gonna fish gape and look at me all day or do something useful?" Eggman had shook his head.

"No no…just uhm…thinking that's all." Sonic just sighed and looked at the doctor.

"I best be getting home now…" He said looking away and flicking his ears. He didn't really want to go back now that he thought of it, but he couldn't stay with his enemy. But what about poor little Ivo? Wouldn't it crush his heart?

"Sonic, you know you're welcomed to stay with me," Eggman said as he stared back into his eyes. "I would need the extra help with Ivo. He just adores you." Sonic couldn't object to that. A free place to stay where he would get protection, food, and love? Sounds good to him.

"I will under one condition."

"Oh and what's that?" Eggman whispered back.

"You stop your evil fighting. For good." Eggman gulped. Could he really do that? Give up everything he's worked so hard for? Yes, yes he would. No, he will and he can, for Sonic and Ivo. Even if it kills him, he will do it, no turning back or lying. He wasn't crossing his fingers either. So he was making a full honest to god promise right then and now.

"Yes, I promise. I will never ever lie to you ever again starting right now…I promise to be good…as long as your promise me to never go back and be a Freedom Fighter. I want you to stay with me and raise our son…please Sonic." Sonic had nodded.

"I…I promise." And the hand that was under Sonic's chin lifted his face up more and brought him near the lips of the controller. Eggman had pressed gently against the hedgehog's soft lips and began to gently kiss him passionately. Sonic's ear flicked and reddened as Eggman pushed more into his mouth. He didn't mind the kiss and decided to kiss him even deeper, bringing him in closer until the two of their chests touched together. Sonic's heat started to kick in more and the hedgehog pulled the doctor down on top of him, moaning as the two kissed. Finally he got the courage to speak up and whisper into Eggman's ear,

"I want you to be my first."