Tom and Maddie wanted help Tails, they really did. But it proved challenging. They couldn't get the child to interact with them, he was terrified if either one of them came within his proximity.
Only one person was allowed in his bubble of trust, Sonic. He talked to the hedgehog normally and followed him around everywhere. They've been trying to get the scoop on Tails through Sonic, but it backfired.
The slightly surprised teenager, had scoffed, telling them they needed to ask Tails, not him. They were... trying their best.
"What are we going to do, Tom? You heard the shrink, how are we meant to help, if he doesn't spend less than a minute with us?" The worrisome wife, sat on a kitchen stool, staring back at her husband.
"I insist we corner the young one." Tom's eyes widened, facing the gruff voice.
Knuckles. The oldest, last of his species, a warrior. He was the most mature, claiming he didn't have time for childish antics. He was very smart battle-wise, he could construct a perfect war plan, seeping through all the weaknesses and strengths of the enemy. Normal living-wise however...? Not so much. One could assume that from a kid, who's life was spent hunting and gathering.
"Elaborate on 'corner'" Tom crossed his arms, pulling a stool from underneath the table. Any help was welcome.
A smirk formed on the warrior's lips, breaking his usual scowl. It was adorable, according to Maddie. "I have observed the fox, he tends to become tense when placed in big crowds. Especially when Sonic is not there to comfort him in his time of need."
Maddie nodded, already knowing this information. The fox was more than calm next to Sonic. Everyone in the household knew the fact.
Knuckles detected their fallen faces. "Do not fret. For I have a plan. Listen closely." He lowered his tone to a mere whisper. "The hedgehog and fox are in the room of the living." He jerked his thumb back, to the room just behind the group.
The adults shared a look, before emerging from their respective spots. They bent down to the mighty echidna's level.
"I will proceed then. My suggestion is that we organise a tribe gathering, or as you earthlings like to call it 'a family meeting'. We shall complete and ask a series of questions, not individually, it must be a group task."
They were bewildered, he knew a lot more about families than he let on. Tom rose to speak, he was dragged back down by a gloved mitt.
"I am not finished. As we know the kit only trusts the hedgehog at the current time. He does not even look my direction, much less converse with me. I am fumbled, I made peace with him and the hedgehog and yet he still fears me."
Maddie stroked her chin. "That's the same deal with us, he always watches with caution, as if we're going to hurt him. Yet, he did freak out yesterday."
Knuckles raised a brow in interest. "Freak out?"
"Yes. Basically he got really overwhelmed. I think it's my fault, my mouth ran too fast. He apologised and bolted- to I'm assuming Sonic?" Tom huffed out, looking at the ring-leader of the huddle.
Knuckles nodded, scrunching his face. "He came back crying, tackling the hedgehog into a hug. Most concerning."
Maddie piped up, eyes meeting with the alien. "Hey, Knuckles. You said you observe Tails, hm?" She dismissed the lack of privacy this one time.
"Yes. We share the room upstairs. I knew something was wrong ever since we accustomed ourselves here."
Another thing about Knuckles, he was extremely gullible.
--
Two mobians sat on the couch, Sonic slumped across, remote in hand, browsing through Disney plus for an appropriate movie to watch.
Tails just beside him, cross-legged, eyes scanning the TV. Sonic had told him, that this would be cool and fun. He just had to find the right movie. The fox had never watched a movie before, no one would let him.
Stripped from the joy of television, he used to try and create his own entertainment with scraps of litter and rubbish he found around the village. Giving them each respective names and roles. It gave him a sense of happiness, as he played out an alternate life for himself. One where his parents didn't abandon him, where the villagers didn't hate him, in fact they loved him.
He was their beloved inventor, he played with his possessions in the woods careful not disturb anyone. They cherished him, he fixed their things and he was rewarded with praise. He distracted himself with the game, trying ignore the usual rumbling of his stomach and shiver in his bones. He liked this newfound feeling of sensation,
But that wasn't allowed. Nothing was allowed when you're a two-tailed freak. They found him. His toys were broken, scattered. He cried, screamed, they beat at him to shut him up. It burned, every part of his body, they sweared, smeared dirt in his fur and left him to rot.
He scrunched up into a ball, all hope of a better future lost, he sobbed, knowing that there would be nobody there to help him and nothing was ever going to change.
From that moment on, he never played again.
"Ooh! Let's watch this!"
Tails took a deep breath, faking a smile. Sonic was here now, he liked him, the hedgehog was his only friend.
"Helloooo! Buddy!"
"Uhh- whaaut?" The fox nibbled at his lip, looking hazy. He lowered his head bashfully. "Sorry.."
Sonic nudged an elbow into him, noting his sad expression. "Don't be! Ya just got a bit carried away!"
"Alright the movie I'm putting on is Zootopia. It has walking talking animals in it, like us! The deuteragonist is a fox." The hedgehog gave a cheesy smile, both thumbs up. His smile dropped seconds later, Tails observed quietly.
"But it's got bullying in it, so if you're sensitive-"
"It's okay, I'll try my best."
Sonic tossed the remote, turning to the younger mobian. He put a hand on the fox's shoulder, the air in the room suddenly became tense.
"Tails, you don't have to pretend to be okay with this." Sonic gulped, shivering mentally at his own horrid past. It was difficult, trust him, he knew.
"I- I'm not. I really want to watch it, with you Sonic." It makes you happy. If you're happy then I'm happy.
Sonic nodded, shrugging. He regained the remote, pressing the play button. Sounds starting coming out from the TV. The fox stared at his hero, bouncing up and down, content filling his features.
Tails was convinced he had found a new source of happiness, within his idol, Sonic the hedgehog. Ever since he first laid eyes on him, intently observing him, copying him. Watching him closely on his monitor screen, joyful with his new family. It made his heart flutter, that a once abandoned and lonely person had managed to find a place of comfort.
It was inspiring, he admired- adored the hedgehog. Learning how he used his 'weirdness' to be awesomely cool. Natural charisma, super speed and a family. That's all Sonic needed to be how he is.
Spying on Sonic, made him feel better. Especially after a beat down, rains of insults or even a thunderstorm. He went back to his computer screen, checking on what the teenager was doing. It calmed him down, made him feel that same sensation.
It was like with his toys, but much more real. This 'hobby' of his had shifted into an obsession, a duty. He would stare soullessly, till he fell asleep on his desk. To be honest, it changed his lifestyle for the better, Tails forced himself to find sustenance, so he could continue watching Sonic.
He finally had a new purpose, a glimmer of hope. The fox smiled again, trying his best to ignore everyone's snarls. They didn't matter, Sonic did. They meant nothing, not in the slightest.
Anything for Sonic the hedgehog!
--
I totally head canon that SCU Tails has social anxiety, I smell lots of hidden trauma.