*Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth for like a month. But good news...the kitchen reno is finished! 🎉 Also I got a temporary promotion at work if all goes well in 6 months I'll have more time to write!

With that thought in mind, I just want to ask that you all please remember your precautions. I work in a hospital, and seeing so many people get sick and die so fast is scary. What's really sad is it's so preventable. If possible, please get the vaccine and always wear your mask when you're out, even if you did get the shot. I got the shot and still have to wear a mask when I work, so it only makes sense to do the same when going out. I'd hate for something to happen to you guys, so please stay safe!

On a happier note, while I was busy, I recently dipped my foot into the pool of ABDL/Little fics on Wattpad and was inspired and decided I wanted to try a little something different with the next chapter. You'll see in a few days ;P Enjoy!*

After Shadow and Rouge left, the rest of the day went about normally. Since Sonic wasn't in the mood to be Little and decided he wanted to do his own thing for a while, it gave Eggman a chance to help his team with their project some more.

Sonic spent most of his time running on the race track in the gym and doing various exercises to keep up his skills. Just because Eggman wasn't a villain anymore didn't mean the blue blur was going to let himself go. The doctor was keeping up his skills, though for much less violent purposes, so why not Sonic as well? The hedgehog was pretty proud of how fast, flexible, and athletic he was and wanted to keep it up. Sonic and Metal even had a chance to spar for a while, something they hadn't done on friendly terms since before their newfound brotherhood.

The day went by quickly, and Sonic awoke the following morning excited and ready as usual to see his friends. He said goodbye to Eggman, who kissed him on the cheek, and the doctor wished him a good day before they parted. The blue blur arrived at his little brother's house not 10 minutes after the clock struck 8 am.

Sonic hopped up to the front door with a pep in his step, contemplating if he wanted to knock to announce his early arrival but decided against it. Thinking that it was still too early for the fox to wake up yet, he fished into his quills for the house key instead. As he did so, he suddenly remembered something very important.

"Oh shoot! Almost forgot!" he loudly whispers, then gives himself a sniff, "Baby powder..." he sneers. Casting a quick glance to his surroundings and finding no one around, the hedgehog falls to the ground and rolls himself in the dirt, kicking up grass and chunks of earth up on the lawn. After several minutes of his dirt bath, Sonic gives himself another sniff and smiles, no longer smelling baby powder.

This had been his weekly ritual after Eggman started diapering him. He didn't want his friends to get suspicious that the blue blur was now wearing diapers and baby powder was a dead giveaway. So giving himself a dirt bath before each visit was the hedgehog's solution; thankfully, getting rid of the baby smell wasn't too much of a hassle; a dirt bath could be refreshing every once in a while. Though messy, Sonic knew Eggman would want to bathe him as soon as he came home anyway, as annoying as the baths could sometimes be. Still, precautions and sacrifices needed to be made to keep his Little ways a secret.

Shaking like a dog to get the worst of the dust off, he reaches for his keys again and quietly enters, walking on his tiptoes with a wide excited smile, and goes into the kitchen, "I'll surprise my little buddy with a nice breakfast. But what to make? Let's see how well Amy has been helping him keep stock." opening the cabinets; Sonic looks over the contents thinking about what kind of breakfast he wanted to make.

His eyes light up seeing a package of pancake mix, and he checks the fridge making sure he has the necessary ingredients, "Butter, milk, eggs...yes! Fresh mint and chocolate chips!" he quietly exclaims, knowing precisely what kind of pancakes he was going to make. Taking out the ingredients and utensils, the blue blur goes to work, creating the perfect morning meal.

Half an hour later, a blue velvet ear twitches to the sound of soft thumps from someone coming down the stairs. Flipping the last pancake onto a plate, Sonic sets the tower of speckled brown and green cakes into the dining table. He looks up just in time to see a small fox with bed disheveled fur walking in with a large yawn.

"Morning, Sonic."

"Morning, bud! Sleep well?" The fox stumbles in and pulls out a chair before plopping down, licking his chapped lips, "Yeah. I did...wait-Sonic?! What are you doing here?!" Tails yells, now wide awake surprised to see his brother. "What's it look like? Making breakfast, I made your favorite."

"You did-what?!" Tails stutters, looking at his brother then the stack of pancakes in front of him. His jaw drops, and his mouth waters with stars in his eyes, seeing the warm, spongy cakes; Sonic chuckles under his breath. Prideful that he had put a smile on the fox's face, he goes to get the butter, maple syrup, and peanut butter. "I decided to stop by a little earlier today."

"Wow, Sonic, this is great!" Tails says, giving the pancakes a sniff, and puts a few on his plate, "You haven't made these in forever!" he then takes the syrup from the hedgehog and pours it over his modest stack. Sonic takes his seat across from the fox and takes the rest of the pancakes. He scoops a spoon full of peanut butter and dollops it on top before adding syrup to his as well.

The brothers dig into their breakfast and catch up with what has gone on in their lives since Sonic's last visit, which hadn't been much. Just as Tails finishes telling the blue blur about his recent phone call with Professor Pickle, the doorbell rings, "I'll get it!" Sonic yells, dashing to answer the door. He opens and smiles widely, seeing Amy, Knuckles, Cream, and Cheese, "Hey guys come on in! We were just finishing up some breakfast. Have you guys eaten yet?" he asks, stepping aside to let the small group of animals in.

"Morning, Sonniku! And we're good. We had some before we met up, thanks."

"Chao!" Cheese yells with open arms and hugs the blue devil's face making him giggle, "Haha! Good morning Cheese! Good to see you too!" Sonic nuzzles his face against the Chao's, who chirps happily.

The bothers abandoned their food; they were stuffed anyway and joined their guests who had gathered in the living room and spent the next few hours conversing. Amy mentioned her latest shopping purchases; Cream told everyone of the latest recipe her mother taught her how to bake, she promised to bring samples next time. And Knuckles complained of Rouge stopping by and pestering him again. Sonic was currently telling his friends of one of his latest escapades at Eggman's base with some slight edits to the story, of course.

"So since neither me nor Eggman use the pool, he had Metal drain it. Then I had an awesome idea! I found a set of wheels (a Cozy Coup wink-wink) and used the pool as my own personal skating ramp! It was sick! Metal managed to get himself a set of wheels to, and we pulled off some wicked tricks you should have seen us! All the badnicks came to watch! It was way past cool!"

"Wow, Sonic sounds like your having a great time at Eggman's!" Amy giggles, "Dude, I didn't know you skate?! There's a great skating park I know about we should totally go there sometime so we can see who's moves are better!" Knuckles chimes in enthusiasm about his friends' skills. He holds a mitt out for a high five, which Sonic happily gives. "Sounds cool! And you've seen my moves during our races with The Babylon Rogues. This shouldn't be too surprising."

"Yeah, I just thought you were more of an air board kinda guy and not a skater."

"Pffft! Please, if I can get a rush out of it? I'm in!" The group breaks out into delightful laughter until Amy suddenly stands from her spot on the couch next to the blue blur. "So!" she says, clapping her hands, shutting down the previous topic of conversation, "It's about lunchtime. What do you guys want chef Amy to make?"

"Could I have a sandwich, please? I don't care what kind." Cream asks while raising her hand; Amy nods then turns to Tails, "I'd like a cheese dog if you don't mind?"

"Sure thing! Knuckles?" the echidna scratches his chin, "Hmmm, I'm not in the mood for meat today, so just some fruit will be fine." Amy nods, "Gottcha! And I'll make your usual Sonniku."

"Actually, Amy-" he says, holding a hand up, stopping her from leaving, "Could I have just a salad?" all eyes in the room widen and lock onto the blue devil, who looks around nervously at the shocked stares and the sudden silence he's receiving. "Ummm...what?" He asks uneasily, "Did you-did you just ask...for a salad?" Tails asks, trying to hold back his nervous grimace.

Sonic replies slowly with confusion, "Yeeeaaah? Why? There's something wrong with that?" the small fox gazes at his brother in uncertainty. "It's just...you never eat anything that isn't a chili dog. Ever!"

"Yes, I do! I have burgers and nachos and other stuff!"

"But not salad or any veggies in general. Are you feeling alright, bro?" Knuckles cuts in with a worried look, "Yeah, I'm fine!" Sonic assures not understanding what the problem was. His eyes wander around his friend's faces; when they land on the fox, he watches as Tails' expression changes from mild confusion to anger. Blue eyes narrow suspiciously at the hedgehog, and he begins to feel nauseous, "Come in, Sonic, what gives? All the time I've known you, you NEVER so much as looked at salad. Is Eggman making you do this?"

Sonic sent back to the fox a barely concealed hurt look, "Come on, Tails, we've been over this Eggman is cool now! Yes, he's changed my diet, and I wouldn't say I liked it at first, but I'm coming around on it. At least I'm eating healthier now. Isn't that something you guys have been on my case for before?"

"Healthier or not, I don't like it." Knuckles mumbles, crossing his arms, "See this another thing!" Tails yells with all attitude coming out of him, "We've been trying to get you for years to cut back on junk food, and you don't listen! But if Eggman suggests it, you change! It's like he's your master or something. I mean, he practically is with you still wearing that stupid collar!"

Sonic looked at his little brother in shock, and what was left of his hunger disappeared. Tails' current demeanor was very similar to his dream the other night. It made him feel small and like instead of being supported to improve his life; his friends were cruelly pushing him away like an outcast. His temper flared, resenting the comment about Eggman being his master like Sonic was his pet; he waggles a finger scolding the fox, "Hey, Eggman may have pushed me to change my diet at home, but I decide what I eat when I'm out. And you know this is just a temporary thing, and I can't take the collar off!"

Tails violently flinches when Sonic calls Eggman's base home, he growls lowly, "Ta! Oh, so now Eggman's place is your home now?! What about living here with me, your brother?! Or has that Metal freak taken my place as well?" the fox scoffs, standing up and leaning into the blue devil's face.

Sonic flushed angrily at himself for the slip and sweat drops when Tails implies that Metal had taken his place as a brother. Though somewhat true, Metal was Sonic's BIG brother and didn't replace what the blue blur had with Tails. The hedgehog bit his lip thinking about how he had been waiting for a good time today to inform everyone of his decision to move in with Eggman. Still, now, amid this heated argument with Tails and the slip-up, the blue blur was reconsidering.

Everyone watched in awkward silence at the argument that was quickly escalating between the two brothers. Sonic's quills flared, making him look bigger and more intimidating as he stood up, glaring down at the fox, "Tails, that's not true! I didn't replace you! Why you gotta pick on me about this, huh? I'm just trying to keep the peace, and you're making this so much more difficult!"

"Aaaagh! Your so blind, can't you see?! Eggman's changed you; your not the same as you were before!"

"So what if I have changed?! Maybe it's a good thing!"

"Not if that big bloated tyrannical maniac is the cause of it! I don't like it! I hate it! I hate that you signed that stupid contract. You should have never done it that first place; I hate what he's turned you into! I hate what you've become!"

Tails' face burns red, and he pants, having used all his breath screaming out that last sentence. Sonic steps back and just stares back at his brother, wide-eyed, feeling betrayed and hurt by the fox's comments as they echo in his mind.

Had he really changed so much that now his own little brother couldn't stand him? The blue blur knew that the fox would probably never fully trust Eggman, that he still thought the human was trying to trick them all. But he had hoped that maybe they could all be on at least friendly terms. It seemed that Tails thought Sonic's newfound friend was a bad influence when really the doctor was his beloved confidante. If this was his reaction to the Sonic possibly viewing Metal as a brother and a slight change in the hedgehog's diet, how would he react to finding that his big brother and idol was a Little? Tails refused to accept that Eggman was now a part of the hedgehog's life and wanted him to cut ties, something that the blue devil had no reason and was not willing to do to his caregiver. He could never do something so cruel!

Pressing his lips together and breathing deeply through his nose Sonic blinks away the tears forming in his eyes, fists firmly at his sides shaking. The hedgehog recalls where he is right now and who has just seen their fight.

He wasn't going to cry in front of his friends, he never had before, and after his revelation that his best friend wasn't going to accept anything new about him after this argument, he refused to start now.

"Fine." he says with gritted teeth trying to keep his voice, barely above a whisper, from wavering, "If that's the way you feel. Then I'll just go since it seems I'm no longer welcome here." stiffly, he walks to the door and opens it, visibly shaking, keeping himself together by a few thin threads. Sonic felt like if he didn't leave there right then, he would break down into a million pieces.

Amy reaches out, almost calling him back but hesitates, not knowing what to say. Everyone watches as, without saying goodbye, Sonic shuts the door behind him. Tails sharply sniffs before saying with no emotion, "I'm going to my workshop." quickly walking away, he leaves his friends, slamming and locking the door so no one could follow. Sadly, the group looks back at each other, none of them knowing what to do or say about what had just transpired.

Cheese whines and floats to the window by the door; the little Chao watches as Sonic drops his keys, scooting them under the welcome mat with a sniff, and runs off. "Chao?"

Sonic ran without a care as to where he was going; everything felt fuzzy and out of focus. He was surprised he wasn't having a panic attack since his heart was racing, but the thought vanished as quickly as it had appeared. His heart didn't have time for a panic attack; it was too busy keeping the blue blur's blood pumping because he was running at over 800 mph, leaving sonic booms left and right in his wake.

Tears barely had a chance to drop down his face at the speed he was running; they flew off as soon as they escaped his eyes that stung from the force of the wind. His vision was as blurry as his mind, and after a few thousand miles, he tripped and rolled like an out-of-control bowling ball, only stopping when he ran into a pine tree, the force making the evergreen crack and bend. Birds startled from the impact cawed and flew into the air.

He mewls a soft noise of pain and unrolls slowly as his head starts to throb; this last action sends his fried nerves over the edge. As his mind processes the pain and what had just happened, he starts bawling. Unapologetically ugly, crying as loud as he can muster in the dense forest, there was no one but the odd bit of wildlife here and there, so the hedgehog can be as loud and messy as he feels the need to be without embarrassment.

Sonic paws his eyes as Tails' words scream in his head, echoing along with the whispy memory of his nightmare.

This was...this was...horrible! Stinky! Bad! Stupid! Every other word listed in the thesaurus that could describe how awful the blue blur felt about his and Tails' fight, it was the worst they had ever had. Not even the 3-day silent treatment over bedtime back in 2013 had been this bad! This was mom and dad divorcing and moving to completely different countries, effectively splitting the family, and you can only choose to stay with one of them until you're 18 bad! Or ya know something to that equivalent feeling?

"Tails, why did you say that? Have I really been a bad brother? Do you not like me anymore? I knew I changed, but I didn't think it was enough that you would hate me! How could-how could this happen?! I was just trying to make the world a better, safer place, and instead, this happens! Eggman is reforming, and everything was looking up... I was finally going to have a guardian...and I was even trying to think of a way to talk the doc into maybe adopting you too so we could officially be brothers, but..." his voice breaks as he whimpers and broke down again. His dreams of the future shattered as a great weight of responsibility and disappointment crashed down on him.

It was his job as a hero to keep the world safe, keep the peace, be ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. His job as a big brother was to look after his little brother, keep him safe, happy, and care for him. But it seemed no matter what decision Sonic made that he thought was right turned out to be wrong.

Wrong

WRong

WROng

WRONg

WRONG!

Sonic roars out in anger like a feral animal, getting up; he growls at the tree he had crashed into and thrashes out at it. Not enough...not enough! MORE! He thinks and punches the tree, repeatedly as a makeshift punching bag, screaming his lungs out, imagining that the tree was everyone he was angry at—himself, Tails, Eggman, all the responsibilities he had.

The pressure was more than enough to send anybody over the edge.

"It's never enough! It's never good enough! I'm not good enough! Not good enough!" he trails off 10 minutes later as his last punch from his tantrum fails to hit. His arm gives out and weakly falls to his side; the other grasps the bark and drags down as he slowly falls to his knees with a shaky whimper. "N-no-no-no matter what I do-sniff-it's not-hiccup-not good enough." turning his back on the tree, he curls up and lets the tears silently pour down. Feelings of worthlessness, despair, and misery wash over him; he allows himself to soak in the cesspool of negative emotions for some time.

The soft noises of the forest act as a soothing white noise that gently caress his ears and overheated brain as his crying dwindles to occasional hiccupping. For the first time since moving in with Eggman, he just sits, watching and listening to nature move around him. Though still swirling inside his belly, the negative emotions quiet down from a raging hurricane to a small unthreatening summer rain as the peace of nature surrounds him. As if to say it's all right and the world wasn't ending.

A few leaves fly by in the wind; some flickys drop down by his feet, chirping and prancing around going about their daily routine. One even bravely hops close to him and chirps quizzically as if it were asking if he was ok? Sonic gives a tired smirk and a light huff at the bird, thinking back to the garden in Eggman's base.

He thought of the many decorative bird feeders there were throughout the garden. How often small flickys like this one would come up to the blue blur when he wandered between the pieces of greenery to see if he had any seed to give them. The blue devil's smile unconsciously widened as he recalled a few balls of seed he and Eggman had made for them one day when the doctor was still trying to bond with Sonic and help him be more comfortable around the human.

The crafting event had occurred sometime before the hedgehog had admitted to having and enjoying his Little space. Nevertheless, he had taken the opportunity to let that side of him out briefly while they had been working, and the results hadn't been pretty in the slightest as neither had any experience in arts n crafts. Seed, cardboard, bits of string, and edible glue had gotten everywhere, including his fur but, Sonic could admit that he had had fun that day. Especially at the end when they were watching the birds eat off of an Eggman Esque seed ball, and the mustache fell off.

He half-heartedly laughs at the warm memory, feeling a little better than before. The hedgehog lifts his eyes to the sky, then down again to the ground studying the shadows. Has it only been 2 hours? I don't think I wanna stay here for the rest of the day, and I don't feel like going back to Tails'...maybe I should just go home then?

Stumbling up, the birds flew away as he dusted a few pieces of hard dirt off his knees. Taking a breath and feeling the fresh air energize and clear his head enough to go back to base, Sonic quickly noted which direction he needed to head and speed off. The hedgehog hopped that Eggy wouldn't be upset at him for coming home early and wondered if the doctor would let him hang around since he was sad and didn't want to be alone.

Even if Eggman is busy, we could still cuddle.

Within a few short minutes, Sonic arrived back at the base. Once he entered the grounds, he stopped running and switched into a slow walk instead. He strolled into the building, feeling apprehensive.

What would Eggman say about him coming back so early? He would probably want to know why the blue devil, who usually waited until the last minute to return, was home much earlier than expected. How was Sonic going to explain himself and what had happened between the two brothers to the doctor?

Sonic dragged his feet to the lab delaying his arrival, trying to go as slow as possible. All the hedgehog wanted right now was a hug and not another emotional conversation. He had had enough of those to last a lifetime and felt bad enough for possibly interrupting the doctor from his work.

Before he knew it, he was in the below-ground laboratory hovering between rooms looking for the doc. He found the human in a computer room; Eggman sitting at the desk typing commands into a program and sipping on a mug of honey-filled tea.

The blue blur hugged himself as he approached; he softly coughed to make his presence known without scaring Eggman when he was behind the human. The doctor lifted his head hearing the noise, and looked around, finding Sonic timidly standing behind him to his surprise. "Sonic?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Tails'?" he quietly asked; the hedgehog ashamedly looked away.

Eggman gazes down at the depressed little hedgehog, wondering why his baby looked so sad? With a soft and tender voice, he asks, "Sonic...what's wrong?" The blue blur's eyes dart around the lab, and he wrings his wrists, debating silently for a few minutes before he finally raises his hands, indicating he wanted to be picked up.

In Eggman's eyes at that moment, Sonic looked like a kicked puppy or a small child who needed reassurance that they were loved.

Without hesitation, he picks the blue devil up under his arms, sat the small hedgie on his lap, and began petting him. Sonic closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. They sit there quietly, Eggman petting Sonic while he worked.

The doctor later managed to find out that the blue devil hadn't eaten lunch and had some snacks delivered. Sonic munched on carrot sticks, chocolate-covered nuts, and apple juice content in the silence sitting on Eggman's lap. When the blue blur finished, he fell asleep sucking on his thumb, which the doctor quickly replaced with an Eggman-themed pacifier. Because it could be quite cold in the lab, the doctor had Metal bring a soft blanket to cover the sleeping hedgehog, keeping him snuggled and warm while Eggman continued his work.

The human's eyes returned to the computer screen, but he found himself unable to focus on his work; he kept getting distracted. The back of his mind worried over how uncharacteristically sad and quiet Sonic was; Eggman wondered why he had come home so much earlier than expected. He sighed, rubbing the blue blur's ears, feeling sorry for his sweet baby. So many upsetting things had happened over the last few days the poor blue devil couldn't catch a break. It was bad enough that Sonic struggled with his PTSD and all the misery that came with it; he didn't need any more grief.

Like any other loving caregiver, Eggman wished he could make all the blue blur's troubles disappear so he could have his happy, bouncy, mischievous baby back. Yet wishes are eternal, so all he could do is help where he can to smooth out the rough patches. After all, at least Sonic no longer had to deal with his issues alone anymore; the doctor was here and willing to help!

Eggman looks down and smiles fondly at the hedgie wrapped up in the blanket, sucking on his pacifier peacefully, his head leaning against the doctor's stomach while he naps, "Eggy is here, sweet baby. Eggy is here." Eggman whispers, patting the bundle in his arm.