Manic absolutely hated being sick. It reminded him of being vulnerable or at risk, which disgusted him, honestly. On the streets, he'd have to remind himself that showing you weren't alert or were impaired in any way could be dangerous.

So being sick, despite now sleeping with a roof over his head, always sucked.

But the only other thing Manic seemed to hate more was Sonia helping him. Or trying to help him.

Manic knew Sonia wasn't stupid, at least most of the time. With that way she fumbled about the room in worry that also seemed confused, or the way she almost set the stove on fire trying to make him soup, he wasn't always sure. Sonia was his sister, somehow. Someone Manic thought had no street smarts and not even the concept of taking care of someone else other than herself in her head.

And yet, here she was. Trying to take care of him.

With Sonic away on a cross-state track meeting, Tails being smart and competent but only eight, and Rosa still at school for tutoring, Sonia had been stuck with her sick twin for longer than either expected.

Manic had refused anything from her at first, just slumping on the couch and saying he'd just sleep it off. Sonia had looked unamused, rolling her eyes (which she did so often, Sonic would joke that they'd get stuck like that) and walking off to her room to change into something more comfortable.

But the fever had only worsened, the cold chills racking his body as his body still burned. He couldn't sleep and he couldn't honestly breath without coughing. If he weren't so trained at sucking it up, he'd have cried for help hours ago.

Finally, he'd used most of his strength to shout Sonia's name, startling his sister from her reading. She sighed, knowing that this would happen eventually, and went downstairs to see what he needed.

Manic looked at her for a moment, biting his tongue. What Sonia called "comfortable after school clothes" consisted of her same top and gloves, but longer pants and a jacket that covered most of her limbs. Manic knew why, his sister had been notorious for the red, rash-like patches that coated her skin. She hid it when she could, but everyone was aware of the blotch across her right cheek.

After a beat of silence, Sonia raised a brow. "Yes?" She asked expectantly.

He mumbled something about being hungry, so Sonia sighed and went over to the kitchen, then almost burned it down. But after a startling couple of minutes, Sonia came back with some food.

"What was all that about?" He snickered. Sonia just scowled at her brother and shoved the plate into his hands.

"Hey, I'm trying to be helpful. The least you could do is not be snarky." She said, putting a hand on her hip.

Manic shrugged, though he still looked amused. He managed to eat some, but his appetite felt diminished.

That was another reason he hated being sick. On the streets, it didn't matter if his sickness made him unable to even think about food, he'd have to force himself to eat. He wouldn't be able to risk any time not looking for food or eating it.

But he felt nauseous still, bile starting to raise in his throat. Manic leaned forward suddenly, closing his eyes and gagging. Sonia jolted instantly and stepped back in nervous hesitation. "Are you gonna-"

Manic threw up. He hunched over, gagging and coughing out the food he'd hardly even eaten. Sonia squeaked faintly, tensing up as she watched. Do something! She scolded herself, then turned and grabbed the trash can.

After a while, Manic stopped and just slumped down. His face shoved into the couch cushions and groaned. Sonia winced- she should probably leave...

She stood up, covering her brother with a blanket. Quietly, she backed away from him and went for the stairs. But then, Manic grasped onto her hand.

"Wait..." He whispered, his voice scratchy and almost weak.

Sonia looked back at him and furrowed her brow.

"Please stay..." He mumbled. It was embarrassing to ask for this. He didn't like realizing how much he wanted Sonia to stay with him. Maybe Sonia would just think it was feverish mumbling.

But Sonia's expression began to soften, and she sat down on the couch by his feet. "Hey, it's alright... I'm not going anywhere..." She promised in a gentle whisper.

That hurt. It was like his actual sister, the girl who she used to be before everything ruined her, was back...