If there was one thing to know about Manic the Hedgehog, it's that he always loved to jam. Morning, noon, and night. He jammed before breakfast and as his dinner went down. It was a running joke that his drum set was the true love of this life. So when the second love, his boyfriend Justin, formerly the popstar know as Justin Beaver, noticed a prolonged silence in the house, he knew something was wrong.
"Hey Manic?" He called as he wandered through their hotel suite. He and Manic were in the same band, so they were quite nomadic.
He finally found the green hedgehog in the ground floor room the band had booked for practice, sat alone by his drums, a lost look in his eyes. He didn't even notice the beaver walking up to him, so lost in thought was he. It took Justin tapping Manic on the shoulder for him to jolt in his place and snap his head around until he locked eyes with his boyfriend.
"Oh! It's just you man. What's up bro?" Manic asked, his face not matching the carefree way he asked the question. The turquoise beaver gave him a sympathetic smile as he tried to budge up and sit next to the hedgehog on the stool.
"I don't think our studio has ever been quieter, it's like a library in here." He began, hoping the little joke would ease any tension.
"So, what's wrong?" Justin asked, getting right to the point. Manic just sat there, occasionally running a hand through his long mop of quills to get them out of his eye.
"I'm keeping it down for your book club, I know you're really getting into... whatever you're reading now."
Well that's a lie. As kind as that sounded, Justin knew that Manic never thought much for his love of literature, hence why he'd convinced him to play lead singer, without an evil producer this time around. Sighing slightly, he lifted a hand onto Manic's shoulder, rubbing it gently.
"Manic..." he started, speaking in a kindly, yet disbelieving tone. This time is was Manic who sighed.
"Okay. Can we go somewhere to talk?"
About half an hour later, the couple were sat together at a small table in a café around the corner from their hotel, two empty cups and plates between them.
"Please Manic, just tell me what's wrong?" Justin asked again, hoping for a proper answer. Giving a shaky breath, Manic did.
"So you know I've got a brother and sister, Sonic and Sonia?" Justin nodded as he continued.
"Well, I mentioned we were headed to Westside Island on our tour, and it turns out Sonia and her husband have some kinda second place there, and Sonic is around at the same time. So he wondered if we should meet up." Sensing that Manic needed a pause, Justin spoke up.
"That'd be nice. I really need to give my brother a ring, I haven't spoken to Dave in ages... So, what's the big problem?"
"Well," he gulped, "they asked if I was with anyone that I'd want to bring, since Sonia has Bartleby, and Sonic's bringing someone. And before I could think I blurted out 'yes'." Justin's ears fell a bit on hearing that, and a saddened expression crossed his face.
"Oh. S-so you'd prefer it if they thought you were single?" Justin could feel tears starting to form in the corners of his eyes.
"Are you... ashamed of me?" Manic almost doubled back on his chair in shock, jumping up to console the wounded beaver.
"What! Like no way, dude! You know you're my guy! It's just, I think Sonic and Sonia are, uh, expecting you to be a girl, hahaha." He said, giving his signature laugh.
Hearing this, Justin pulled the green hedgehog into his arms, gripping his sleeveless orange jacket as he held him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Manic! I had no idea you weren't out to them! How could I ever think you'd be ashamed of me?" Justin rambled, repeatedly apologising as Manic got back to his seat.
"It's no problem, not like I told you. I just, never had the chance. I meant to, but I couldn't ever, like, find the words. I'm sorry-" Justin quickly interrupted.
"Nope. You don't need to be sorry for not being out. Not being out doesn't make you any less who you are, you're just like anyone who's out already." Manic looked down.
"Like you." The beaver gave a sympathetic look.
"Yep. I'm no better, or more genuine than you. Hell, just because I'm out to Dave doesn't mean I'm out to everyone. I'll spend my whole life coming out, to different people at different times. I'm no better than you, okay?" Manic smiled at time.
"Okay bro, okay. So, do you wanna come meet my family at some massive island mansion?"
"I'd love to."
And so, about a week later, Manic and Justin left their new hotel on Westside Island and took the bus up to the gated community where Manic's sister lived. The house itself was very grand, but with how nervous Manic was he was in no state to admire it. In fact he was so nervous that Justin had to reach for the ornate, gold-plated knocker and knock for him. A few moments later the great door opened, and standing there was a young, pinky purple hedgehog in a lime green evening dress.
"Manic!" she cried as she enveloped her brother in a hug.
"Hey Sonia." Manic greeted in a neutral tone.
"Well it's nice to see you too," she let him go, and glanced over him, "you could've changed. Oh, and who's this?" She asked, finally noticing the turquoise beaver.
"Oh uh, this is... my- this... m-my-" he stuttered nervously, trying to get the words out. Sonia just looked at him, a knowing look in her eyes and a small smile on her face.
"Is he your boyfriend Manic?" That shocked the green hedgehog, who finally responded after about ten seconds.
"Uh, yeah! This is Justin. Wait, how did you know I'm gay?"
"Well, you said you'd bring someone, and here you are with this handsome man, not hard to guess." She explained, moving aside to let them in.
"And you don't like, mind?"
"Manic, you're my brother! As long as this guy treats you right I've got no problems." Sonia reassured, leading them through the house.
"And um, Sonic?" At that she chuckled.
"Trust me, he won't mind at all. In fact, I've basically just had the same talk with Sonic and his boyfriend. Shadow, his name his." Taking in this bit of information, Manic couldn't help but laugh.
"Wow, both your brothers are gay. What are the odds?"
THE END
