I Heart You Too (Including You Shadow)

Chapter two: Arguments

Knuckles was zoned out and didn't reply to Sonic. It was silent the entire time they were reaching their destination Tails was still out the entire time but it was expected.

The trio entered the house and Knuckles instantly called out for Maddie. For some reason Knuckles never addressed her as "Mom" anyways after hearing her name being called Maddie came out of the kitchen sitting the towel down on the table. "Hey your back! How was patrol?"

She asked not taking notice to how badly injured and beat up they were. Sonic looked at Maddie as she came out of the kitchen, still trying to mask the extent of their injuries and exhaustion.

"Patrol was... eventful, to say the least." He began, trying to sound nonchalant. "We ran into a bit of trouble with a new enemy... and Tails got a bit beat up."

He gestured towards Tails who was half-conscious in Knuckles' arms, attempting to downplay the severity of their situation. Maddie took a look at Tails and scooped him off of Knuckles's arms she seemed..Calm about this probably because this is normal for her. The three are always getting into some sort of trouble.

"I'll patch him up and you two then you'll be all set okay?" She said as Tails snuggled into Maddie. "He'll be alright.. Don't worry" She said ruffling Sonic's head making his quills fluffy. Sonic let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Maddie's calm demeanor and confidence in taking care of them. He let out a half-hearted chuckle as she ruffled his quills.

"Thanks, Maddie... We just don't want to worry you, y'know? We can handle ourselves." he replied, though he knew deep down that she was their rock, always there to patch them up whenever needed.

"I know Sonic but you three are just kids so for right now no more missions only patrols" She said carrying Tails to the living room after she bandaged him up laying him on the couch and placed a blanket over him.

Giving him a small head pat once satisfied. Sonic nodded silently in agreement, knowing deep down that Maddie was right.

"Yeah, you're right Maddie..." he replied, his voice filled with a hint of resignation. He watched as she laid Tails down on the couch and placed a blanket over him.

He walked over and sat next to his younger brother, a flicker of worry in his emerald eyes as he looked down at his tired form. "I completely disagree with everything your saying." Knuckles said after a while of silence. "Your words mean nothing to me as a warrior it is my duty to protect people the Hedgehog and the Fox can stay behind they'll only slow me down."

Knuckles hadn't noticed that Maddie had already left the room and was now making tea for Tails for when he wakes up. He narrows his eyes and hummed under his breath slightly annoyed. (Per usual) Sonic let out a sigh, his irritation with Knuckles' stubbornness growing. 

"Knuckles..." he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "I understand your sense of duty and dedication to protecting others, but we are a team for a reason. We've always worked better together, and this time will be no different." "You are not allowed to tell me what to do I am much stronger than you and your brother combined I can handle that copycat of a Hedgehog."

He spat back his narrow turning into a glare as he stared into Sonic's emerald eyes. The Hedgehog's irritation grew further at Knuckles' words. He clenched his fist, his competitive nature rising.

"Oh really?" he shot back. "You think you can take on that 'copycat' all by yourself? You're not the only one who can hold their own, you know."

Sonic didn't back down, maintaining eye contact with Knuckles, refusing to be intimidated. "Your just as weak as the fox. I do not need you weighing me down." And without another word Knuckles left the house and slammed the door behind him just as Maddie entered the room once again.

"Where's Knuckles?" She asked raising an eyebrow at Sonic completely missing the argument that had happened a few seconds ago.

Sonic let out a frustrated huff as Knuckles stormed out of the room. He was already tired and now on top of everything that had happened today, he had to deal with Knuckles' stubborn ass.

Sonic turned to Maddie and shrugged. "He...left. Said something about not needing us to weigh him down and stormed off." he replied with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Another one of those moments? Instead of arguing you could try and talk to him? Maybe try to help him understand the situation?"

Maddie asked kneeling down to Sonic's level. Maddie has always had a way of talking to the boys without yelling or the fighting. She was always calm with them and understanding.

"Knuckles isn't easy to get along with but with the help of you two maybe you can change that?" She added raising an eyebrow with a soft smile on her face. Sonic sighed and looked down at the ground, his irritation slightly easing at Maddie's calming presence.

He knew she was right, as usual. Knuckles was stubborn and had a habit of acting on impulse, but they all needed each other, as much as Sonic hated to admit it.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." he replied, meeting her gaze with a slight smile. "I just wish he'd listen for once instead of always trying to be the lone wolf, y'know?" "I get it buddy but you three are different from each other but when you three work together your stronger." She spoke giving Sonic's arm a squeeze.

"Knuckles may be older but your the big brother and it's your responsibility to make sure you three stay together as brothers and a team"

Sonic nodded in agreement, appreciating Maddie's words of wisdom.

"You're right, Maddie. I'll talk to Knuckles and try to get through to him. We may be different, but we're at our best when we work together."

He smiled softly, feeling the weight of his responsibility as the big brother. "I'll make sure we stay together, as a team and as family."

"Hug it out?" Maddie said wrapping her arms around Sonic bringing him into a tight and comforting hug.

Sonic chuckled softly and hugged Maddie back, letting himself relax in her embrace.

"Yeah, hug it out." he replied, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in her hug. "Thanks, Maddie. You always know just what to say." Maddie smiled at Sonic and stood up brushing herself off. "Now you go talk to Knuckles and I'll watch over Tails deal?" She said placing her hands on her hips.

Sonic nodded, a small smirk forming on his face.

"Yeah, deal. I'll go find Knucklehead and try to knock some sense into him." he replied, standing up and stretching. "And don't worry, we'll be back before you know it."

"Sounds like a plan then kiddo" She replied and went to go attend to Tails. She was definitely the favorite parent..No offense to Tom he's just not that great with kids..(Especially since he only raised Sonic alone.) Even so Sonic cared for both of them deeply and both Tom and Maddie knew it.