It was the same structured routine and he wouldn't have it any other way. The day started with waking up from long hours of snoozing, usually checking on his little fox buddy who 9/10 of the times was curled up beside him after a storm or bad dream. (Yikes)

He would gently shake the kid awake, whispering gibberish into his ear. It worked every time and it got the kit beaming on some occasions. Good to see he was capable of NOT being an anxious ball of fluff. But each time he saw that smile he also saw buried layers of fear and trepidation. It killed his mood. Every. Single. Time.

He wanted to help his friend, his pal, with his anxiety. Heck they still had to have the talk, Sonic wanted to initiate. But no, life always had to make things miserable. After everything the poor fox had been through, maybe it was best to take it slow and delay. Tails needed enough time to breathe anyway.

That and school. It had been nearly a month since Robotnik's- Eggman's attack on Green Hills. To say the least, it took a toll on everyone, even Knuckles who had claimed himself all-mighty. Tom and Maddie agreed the hedgehog (and his newly acquired friends) needed some time to properly unwind, get thoughts together and even themselves. So they dismissed the idea of school for now, which was a perfect decision by the way.

Sonic would have more time to hang out with his new friends! Only there was adjustment issues, hidden pasts, developing trauma and all the nice stuff.

Unfortunately all good things came to an end, and the adults of the house decided it was time for Sonic to go back to school. That was the obstacle stopping the hedgehog from spending time with his friends, or more precisely Tails.

It was the same day, like any other morning, wake up, wake fox kid up, cheer up possibly sad cub, make Knuckles' awakening extra special, head downstairs and officially start the day.

Although this time it would be a bit different. The night before Sonic had informed Tails of such changes.

"Hey dude, you awake?" Last the hedgehog checked it was 2:00 am but his friend was an incredible insomniac. He peered to the bed across him, detecting shuffles and two pointed fox ears.

"Yeah?" It was a tired mumble, as Tails revealed himself from the covers. "What's up, Son-ic..." Ah Jeez, the kid was yawning between words, failing to keep his head up to look back at the hedgehog.

Sonic tapped his bed just loud enough for Tails to decipher the message. The kit was happy to oblige, throwing the blanket off his body, he planted his feet onto the creaky floorboards of the attic. The distance of his and Sonic's beds were not so vast, making it an easy travel for the half-awake fox.

He found himself in the safety of Sonic's lap soon after, purring softly. The hedgehog was pleased by the remarkable sight, a snoozy tiny fox kit, whose fur mixed comfortably into his own. It gave him goosebumps. He'd lecture Tails on how plush-like he was tomorrow.

"Is there something you want Sonic..?"

Oops, better not keep him waiting. "Not want particularly, I just wanna tell ya something. Could you sit up straight to face me?"

He swear he heard the fox whine as he involuntarily pulled away, crossing his legs into a sitting position just on the edge of the bed. "What is the.. thing you wanna discuss?"

Tails was invested immediately, ready to hear the topic. It must've been important, as the discussion was in secret at a disclosed location. Well, almost. This also meant it wasn't about the possibility of getting kicked out because Mr and Mrs. Wachowski were in charge of that and the couple was probably sleeping.

"I'm not going to be here tomorrow." Sonic figured it was crucial to get to the point. Tails blinked, entering the words into his system, trying to formulate a suitable response.

His mind wanted nothing more than to question. "Why?"

"School, dude. Yah, I have it on weekdays. You know what school is right? Did you have school back home? 'Cuz I remember having no school whatsoever." Wow, so many things blurted out, all at the same time. He was always told to slow down with words, apparently sometimes it was just too much to take it.

Tails grimaced upon hearing that hell hole existed on earth as well, he hoped it hadn't. Then again, who was he kidding? Also Sonic was enrolled in school, school populated by humans? Did that mean he'd inevitably wind up back there too?

"Okay, buddy. Calm down, I gotcha."

To his delight he was fished back into the chest of his saviour, his moments of tension always resulted in the delivery of affection.

"Don't cry, Tails, okay? You're brave." The hedgehog crooned to the bickering kit as he wiped away forming moisture. "Are you brave?"

Tails shook his head, namesakes wrapped around him defensively. "I-I'm sorry! I'm such a baby!" The next words were indistinguishable, but still broke the latter's heart.

Sonic pushes back into his pillows, shushing the affrighted fox, assuring him he wouldn't be going anywhere, yet. So this was a touchy subject, Tails was afraid of being separated from his hero. To put it in fancy terms, separation anxiety.

Oh boy, Sonic hates that, a lot. He remembers the days spent alone in his cave, lost and confused. He didn't know what to do in this new world, everything was foreign, weird and scary. So scary. He wanted Longclaw back, now, he wanted to go home.

He didn't want to be left alone. Still doesn't want to be left alone. Sonic'll never admit it in a public forum, especially not near Knuckles. But Tails right now reminded him of his former self, a lone cub in the big world. He wanted to provide some reassurance.

"Hey, lil' dude, wanna know a secret?" Sonic uses his most tranquil tone, tapping the kit on the head to gain his attention.

It is rather dark but Tails can see it all (perks of having night vision) including the determination and sheer will-power presented through Sonic's tone, composure, eyes, everything! He's holding him close, cradling him because of his inability to be docile for two seconds. It comes back to him like a distant memory, his purpose, promise, anything for Sonic the Hedgehog?

"Y-yeah..." Tails croaks out, voice hoarse.

"I get scared being left alone too." Sonic says with way too much ease when it was considerably hard to get off his chest. Tom and Maddie were convinced months ago that he no longer had these issues, but they didn't understand that it never left to begin with.

Tails pauses, realising where he's coming from. He wasn't too far off... one could say he was warm-ish. The fox urgently wants to go back to sleep, maybe this is a nightmare or a hallucination! That's possible if you don't get too much sleep!

So he fakes a yawn, he wishes the part where Sonic tucks him in is real. He doesn't like lying to Sonic though, dream or not, it still feels wrong.

--

meh chapter

oh this happens before the chapter 'Revelations' hope that wasn't too confusing..

Just-Tails - Thanks a ton!! I'm glad you're liking the fic so far, means a lot! :) AND- I'M SORRY I SWEAR THINGS GET BETTER FOR TAILS FURTHER INTO THIS THING, hence why the fic is called 'Curing'