Light Births Shadows

Tails sniffled. He lay in his bed, curled into a ball, near suffocating himself with his two fluffy, white-tipped appendages. The room was dark, for he had pulled the curtains shut and closed the door, denying any sunlight and warmth from the glorious day outside. After all, happiness does not get along well with a lamenting fox.

Tails sighed and hugged himself closer to his two weaker limbs. He could feel tears coming once more to dazzling blue eyes but he abstained from the bittersweet rapture, fearing more time than should be would be spent under covers. He had trouble composing himself.

You see, Tails has a problem. Some time ago he had started to feel an attraction, one unwanted. Despite heroic attempts at throwing it aside it had taken root. The roots dug far and it had blossomed from a simple attraction to a full blown adoration. Yes Tails had a problem. He was in love. This in itself is not so bad. Perhaps even something to be grateful for. But you can not choose who you love and Tails had drawn the short straw in that area. He was in love with Sonic.

This was the cause for our sorrowful kitsune spending a fantastic day moping inside. In between two large ears, an incredibly smart brain was warring with itself.
'This is preposterous!' Shouted a certain part of Tails consciousness. 'We have better things to do than idle away our days dreaming of some ignorant hedgehog.'
'And besides, what chance would we have? Sonic is too good for us. All that would come from that path is heart ache and pain. Best stick with what we know.' Another put in its two cents.
'O' the sorrow! Why doth thy gods thrust this curse upon us?' Bellowed a different part.
'Oh quit your whining. This is ridiculous. Let's just leave.'
Amidst the uproarious bantering one stumbled forward. It coughed weakly. It squeaked.
'Tell him…' All went silent. A few coughed. Then, like an explosion, all yelled as one. The unbearable noise crescendoed then mellowed out into a nonsensical buzz.

As if waiting for the camaraderie to end, the doorbell rang. Tails red-rimmed eyes shot open. He suddenly felt that staying in for a little bit longer wasn't such a bad thing.
'Go away… Can't you tell I want to be alone?' Tails thought. 'Maybe if I wait they'll just leave…' His eyes drooped lazily. Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Tails groaned and slowly rolled over. He sat up, noticing he still had his red shoes on. It only served to further his anger, at himself and the unwelcome guest. Ding Dong!
"Alright I'm coming!" Yelled Tails, rather unkindly, as he pulled on his white gloves. Wobbly legs forced his feet to shuffle along the carpet. He descended the stairs into the front room. Ding Dong!
'Argh!' An infuriated Tails jumped towards the door and threw it open.
"WHA-…" His voice caught in his throat and his heart stopped.
'Of all the people…' Standing before him was none other than the azure speed demon himself, least wanted amongst the possible suitors for the position of the one stopping by. Millions of thoughts cascaded around Tails' head, foremost among them being, 'Kill me now! Kill me now!'

Sonic's mouth slowly closed from its previously 'startled' position.

"Are… are you okay buddy?" He asked. Seeing no answer forthcoming in the near future he continued. "Well anyway I was just coming around to see how you were doing and if… umm… you wanted to go somewhere with me? But if this isn't such a great time…"
"No! I means yes. I mean, sure I'll go with you… Where too?" Tails replied loudly. A smile gradually crept its way back on to Sonic's face.
"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. Umm… wanna get some ice-creams and go to the park?"
"Sure! That'd be great. Just let me get my things." Tails answered. Sonic nodded.

Tails skipped merrily up the stairs to his room, leaving Sonic to his own devices. Once again primal forces clashed within his mind.
'This will be horrible!'
'Just quickly go down and tell him you can't go.'
'Why don't we fix the plane instead of this folly?'
'Go on it'll be fun!'
'I'm hungry.'

Tails opened a drawer while trying to drown out the insufferable noise that contaminated his mind. He picked out his wallet (storing it wherever it is they store these things) and started playing absently with his bangs. A frustrated sigh escaped his mouth as he let go of his fringe, satisfied that he looked as good as he would ever be with the short amount of time allotted him. (Meaning he hadn't changed one bit.) He left his room and trotted down the stairs. He noticed Sonic peering into an urn that rested on a small table.
"Alright ready!" Tails said. Sonic looked up and grinned sheepishly.
"Great!" He grabbed Tails' hand, sending a slight tingle shooting through his arm, then sped out the door.