Sonic finally came back! Tails was anticipating his return eagerly, watching the clock on Maddie's cell every so often. The fox was really happy school didn't eat him alive.
On the contrary, humans there loved him dearly. Sonic carried on about how he was kinda of an icon ever since he saved Green Hills from Robotnik, Tom corrected the story. When everyone- including Tails and Kunckles saved Green Hills. The hedgehog's streak was snuffed out.
That didn't stop Sonic from the obligatory checkup. "Are you hurt? Any bruises or anything? Like panic attacks or um- traumatic triggers?? Did Knucklehead do his job?"
The fox blinked, nearly choking on his salvia. He silently decided which question to answer first. Obviously the day had gone great, he did nothing too wrong to get himself in trouble. Sonic worrying needlessly about him, agitated his brain cells. "Everything was fine today, Sonic. I'd rather hear about your day!"
It wasn't his place to poke the kit for more information, no matter how much he sought it. The feeling of untrustworthiness ran through his mind. Tails trusted Sonic, more than he trusted anyone else. The hedgehog knew how much it took to truly trust someone- anyone. Especially a complete stranger.
And he would hate to misplace Tails' trust, he wanted nothing to do with the concept. He needed the young fox to believe he trusted him as well, to be brave enough to face his fears. That was the only way to show the kit he was stronger than he lead on.
But decoding your traumatised friend didn't exactly come with a step-by-step manual.
--
Dinner. Last time they tried this, things didn't go down too well. They ended up paying a visit to the hospital, not an exhilarating experience.
Alas, food was yet to be served. As Maddie gathered everyone, Tom set up the table, filling the room with the scent of a delicious home-cooked meal.
The rest arrived, Maddie guiding each one to their seat, until Knuckles insisted he sat next to Tails. That didn't pass as okay with Sonic.
Another fight looked like it was in the works and Maddie needed to disengage it quickly. So with little thought she suggested something else wise. "I know, how about Tails sits next to me or Tom?"
Sonic stared back at the seemingly confident woman, truculent of what she spoke. "Uh..no... Tails sits next to me, right bud?"
The teenager a forcibly locks arms with the fox, attempting to prove his point. Tails yelps at the sudden movement, irritated by how humid the air is. He gazes into Sonic's eyes, unsure why they appear to be so angry, especially at his own mother... figure.
Before Maddie can retaliate, something else pulls the fox away from Sonic's grasp. A large mitt, capable of breaking his wrist in a matter of seconds. The echidna also wears that exact glare, not to Maddie, but to Sonic directly.
"You are not worthy of the fox's presence. I shall guard him." Knuckles huffs, keeping his grip moderately tight. Tails hates how venomous his voice sounds especially towards Sonic.
"Stop, you're scaring the dude!! You're gonna break his arm off at this rate too!!" Sonic retorted, grabbing Tails' vacant arm. Maddie didn't like where this was going, she needed to end it immediately. "Okay Knuckles, Sonic, let go of Tails and let's discuss this as civilised beings."
Her request was ignored by the two ignorant teenagers, eager to help their anxious friend. Their idea of helping differed from what had Tails envisioned, disliking the harsh physical methods. He was in the centre of two obviously stronger mobians, tugging him around like a rope, trying their hardest to win him over to their desired side.
His arms hurt, he might have pulled a muscle. One tentative look into Knuckles and Sonic's eyes showed that they couldn't care less. At this point they were arguing viciously over his head, each time the latter proved a certain point, Tails would be pulled over aside.
No, no, not again, he can't do this again. The pushing, shoving, pulling, nagging, yelling, cursing. It's his village all over, the years of misery and despair reawakened by some fight about dinner table seatings.
They were toying with him, just like his tormentors from his early ages did, treating him as an object and not a living thing. It ran back in his mind, the beatings, insults, death threats.
If Maddie was trying to assist, it certainly wasn't doing much. Tails predicted at any moment, they'd summon their powers, when this squabble got heated enough.
Much as he dreaded this familiar feeling they were unconsciously inflicting on him, he didn't want to see them fight. Break things, get hurt, just because of his own personal problems.
So he did another thing that would come back to haunt him. With a deep breath, he prepared himself. "STOP IT!!" A high-pitched squeal, which sounded more like a desperate plea, echoed through the entirety of the room. To his relief, the two gloved hands retracted instantly.
Tails panted, eyes stinging, as he watched the expressions of surprise and bewilderment, they weren't expecting that were they? Honestly neither was he and he didn't want anyone near him for a long while too.
Not even Sonic and that made his stomach churn.
No one disrupted his exit as he used his namesakes to quicken the process.
Oblivious to the situation, Tom had appeared from thin air, claiming to have been in the bathroom.
--
Tails stuck to his promise, he now truly didn't interact with anyone but himself. Which was unhealthy, so he started speaking to the dog instead.
Who cares if it didn't understand what he babbled or cried about, Ozzy was simply a dog, who happily wagged his tail at any bit of information. He counted as someone, right?
A mere dog, unable to reply to make brash remarks and comments. A dog, who didn't argue because of jealously. A dog, who just listened silently without interrupting at all.
These 'meetups' where held in the attic, in his own bed, stroking Ozzy as he told the tales of the day. It wasn't really the same as doing it with Sonic, but Tails agreed he needed some time away, to cool down just a bit.
He was probably annoying the hero anyway.
"I'm not mad at them Ozzy, well I could never really be. It was heated and I felt scared, what they were doing reminded me of my bullies back home you see.." Well, he never really said the words, he rehearsed them in his mind, convincing himself he was getting a point across.
That's how the 'conversation' started, how many did. The kit conserved himself throughout most of them, having the dog somewhat sleeping in lap to soothe his nerves.
It wasn't the same, as much as he tried to replicate the special moments with Sonic. Ozzy simply wasn't a suitable candidate, so he freed his 'hostage'.
Maybe inventing something could get his gears working and veins pumping. Anything to keep busy and keep his intrusive thoughts at bay.
His stomach interrupted, catching the fox's attention. Some food was perhaps in order, he'll see how many mint candies he has left.
--
This was terrible, just downright terrible. Everyone agreed and pointed out their flaws, guilty for scaring off kit. Well, everyone but Sonic, who was too stubborn to admit he had partaken in Tails' recent isolation.
A week of dissociation, an entire week. Who knows what kind of things is running through the kit's mind. Was he doing okay or had he driven himself insane up there- isolated, stranded, alone, by himself. The attic is pretty suffocating maybe he should check up on him, Tom had to stop the distraught hedgehog several times.
It's fine, it's okay. Tails is gonna come back down, with that timid little smile and everything will be normal again. He'll help the fox, they'll talk it out and fix whatever issues Tails has.
Though one thing was certain, this is all knucklehead's fault, that big dumb oaf. You leave Tails with him for one day, one singular day and he thinks he's anywhere equivalent to a friend.
No, no, no. Not on his watch, first step would be to keep Tails well away from Knuckles. He saw the fear in his friend's eyes when he was being dragged back and forth by that stupid echidna.
That's the last time, that ever happens. His deep retrospection almost costs him dinner, as Maddie's faint calls blow in the air. Something about chilli dogs.
While venturing to the table, he thinks about how this is partly Maddie's fault as well. She had the 'bright' idea of re-arranging the seating plan. Why, he'll never know.
The fox was fine, not perfectly fine, but functioning and well enough. He was smiling and happy, like he deserved to be until they intervened.
He'll never forget the pure horror radiating off of the kit's features as he became a mere blur. They upset the fox, they reminded him of some sort of event in his past, they made him leave the hedgehog. They separated the two.
The more he thought about it, the more clearer it became. That was it, Maddie, Tom, Knuckles even Ozzy for all he cares were tearing their relationship apart.
Destroying it, ruining it, with their feeble attempts to help. The fox proved time and time again, that he trusted the hedgehog the most, enjoyed and felt safe in his company.
That's when Tails was smiling, not with anyone else, with him and only him. That's when Tails was truly happy and free to be himself.
While eating bits and pieces of his chilli dog, he kept his gaze from Knuckles. One look and he might as well knock his teeth out.
--
Oh no... Sonic is becoming a bit too attached!!
Also sorry for not updating much
Next chapter, you can enjoy the fluff