Miles grinned happily, staring at the small device that sat on the marble white table before him, each individual cog, spring, gear and screw had been perfectly placed together in a functional order and it had only taken him around half an hour.
The tiny pocket watch ticked quietly as the fox's bright, ocean blue orbs stared at it with wonder and curiosity, the machine ticked away anyhow.
"Ah Miles, there you are. The Doctor sent me to come and fetch you for dinner, you've been in here for hours, take a break."
"I know Orbot…Do you think I'm getting better at it though?" he asked patiently… Awaiting the answer from his pseudo-brother/uncle.
"Of course you are! The Doctor thinks you may even be able to drive the Egg-mobile on your own soon."
Miles's face shot up from the table and gave a look of what could only be described as pure…Unadulterated excitement and hope. His ocean blue eyes lighting up as he asked in a very shaky voice.
"W-What? Really?!" he squeaked, his voice wavering, trying his very best to contain his extreme levels of excitement that were rising in him like magma within a volcano.
"Of course, don't think we don't see you staring at it sometimes. Besides we know that you'd love too."
Miles took a deep breath, trying his very best to keep himself from squealing with glee. Something that would guarantee his humiliation in front of the person who found him.
"W-w-well that's great, thank you Orbot…Really that's…great." The fox squeaked out. His voice as high pitched as could be.
Orbot would have smiled upon the sight of the young cub being so excitable, it was truly astounding how far the tiny boy had come since they had found him in that back alley, his fur had been thoroughly washed of the layers of grime, filth and Chaos knows what, the dark circles under his eyes had disappeared as the boy had finally been able to rest in a warm bed and he had become a lot less fearful of the world around him, it was truly a remarkable change.
However the boy's intelligence astounded both The Doctor and them, he could recite his times tables flawlessly, he understood Pythagoras's theorem, he knew the elements on the periodic table and his talent for assembling and disassembling machines was remarkable. Too remarkable…There was something about him, something off but he didn't know what.
Orbot watched as Miles ran from the room eagerly, likely going off to another one of The Doctor's lessons, there may be something off about Miles, but he was still just a child. If there was something seriously wrong with him then he likely wouldn't be aware. Maybe he should stop worrying, maybe he should just relax and let the boy mature a bit before asking him some extremely important questions.
…
"Ah, there's my fluffy little genius! I see you've rushed over to your first driving lesson!" Robotnik grinned, ruffling Miles' hair, the little toddler giggling slightly hugging his father's leg.
"Yeah, I'm really excited dad. Are you sure that I'm gonna be allowed to drive the Egg-mobile?"
"Sure? I'm certain my boy, now here let me lower the step-ladder for you." Robotnik warmly said, pulling down an iron grey step ladder that stood almost double Miles's height. Robotnik gazed at the step ladder and then towards his son, noting the significant size difference.
He opted to go for a far more practical method and lifted up his son, the fox letting out a small squeal of excitement as he was lifted into the air and lowered onto a bright red booster seat with the Doctor's emblem emblazoned on it.
The Doctor grinned as he fastened the boy's seatbelt and climbed into the vehicle himself in the opposite seat next to the toddler.
"When you're ready son, just hit the re-." he was cut off when Miles's little hand pressed down on the red button before he had even finished speaking.
A hiss of steam could be heard as the dome of the vehicle sealed itself from the outside world, making it fully airtight.
"Good boy Miles, next you-." He was cut off once gain as Miles began to press the numerous buttons, flick large switches and place his tiny hands on the steering wheel and his teensy feet on the pedals which were elevated to make it easier for him to reach.
Robotnik gave a stunned look as he saw his son give an excited little squeal as he heard the grav drive of the vehicle kick in, but he shrugged it off. His son was having a nice time, he grinned at him and then lifted the sleeve of his vermillion jacket, around his chubby wrist lay a small console displaying the interior of the hangar.
With a smile he pressed his chubby fingers against the screen and suddenly, a loud beeping crescendo could be heard, and slowly, the air tight blast doors began to open…
…
The stars twinkled ever so brightly in the ebony black void, like the fireflies that would sometimes hang in the air of the old village…yet their faint green glow was nothing compared to the cosmos that stretched out forever.
The twinkle was incredible, it was like he could stare out into the inky black abyss for ever…Every single star looked so small, but was really so far away…God knows the secrets they could hold, or the planets of their solar systems…Maybe somewhere…On a faraway planet, somebody could be thinking the same about his home…
"Miles? Are you okay?" the toddler heard his adoptive father ask from next to him.
The little fox turned to the Doctor and gave a quick happy nod, leaning his head against his father's side he said warmly that.
"Yeah I am dad…It's just a beautiful sight that's all…I never thought the stars would look so pretty from out here…"
"Yeah heh heh, it is a lovely view I can't disagree…It's remarkable that such a little boy could hold so much talent and potential…You're like a miniature, fluffy version of me Miles. I reckon you'll be just as tall as your old man in a few years time too."
Miles giggled slightly at the thought of dwarfing somebody who was quite literally a giant compared to him, it was certainly a comical thought…But it would be a long, long time until he would even begin to get to his shoulders let alone up to his waist.
He closed his eyes slowly, letting out a small yawn and snuggling into the side of his father…Knowing that he would be safe no matter what…Nothing could get him up here, nothing in the slightest.
…
"Good night Miles." Robotnik whispered as he turned off the light to the little cub's room after tucking the sleepy kid into his bed…It was always lovely to see his kid so drowsy after a long day…He truly was a talented little soul.
He then saw the familiar red and grey form of his most loyal servant rushing towards him, his expression his usual emotionless gaze, however with the way he was rushing towards him, something was wrong…Badly wrong
"Doctor? We have to talk to you about so-."
"Shhhh…Miles is asleep Orbot…Please whisper…I don't want to wake him up and neither do you."
Robotnik knelt down to the robot wanting to hear what the machine had to say…
"It's the echidna…He's allied with Sonic Doctor and from what I've heard they've stolen an egg shuttle…They're coming Doctor…"
