Squirt Prower was in dreamland.
The small fox was twitching in his sleep, releasing small squeaks and yips as he lay curled atop his bed in his twin tails, the top of his leather pilot's helmet the only indicator of his head.
From the doorway, grinning affectionately, Blitz and Feather Prower watched the sleeping little fox, filled with love for their smallest sibling.
"I'm gonna wake him up!" Blitz chuckled, making to stride into the room but being held back by a purple-clad arm.
"No!" Feather hissed, shooting her brother a warning glare before turning back to gaze happily at her tiny brother, "I just wanna watch him sleep a little longer..."
Blitz snorted. "I sure hope you don't like watching ME sleep like this!"
Feather rolled her eyes and thumped Blitz lightly on the shoulder. "You're too big and ugly! It's put me off my breakfast! Besides..." Feather leaned her head against the doorframe and sighed contentedly, "he looks so peaceful..."
Blitz chuckled softly to himself, happy to see his sister in such good spirits.
"If we don't wake him..." he said, voice low and conspiratorial, "he won't get his presents! Do YOU wanna deal with the tantrum?"
Feather stuck her tongue out, before her face fell into a lopsided grin not unlike her brother's. "After you, good sir!"
Blitz tipped an imaginary hat. "Why thank you, kind miss!"
The foxes entered the room, Blitz running a hand through his spiked-up head fur before he gently sat down on the bed, reaching out and lightly scratching his little brother. Squirt grumbled as he woke, big blue eyes slowly gumming open as he was prised from the land of Nod.
"Hey there, little buddy!" Blitz said quietly, "you know what day it is?"
Squirt simply stared, one eye half-closed... before his face morphed into an expression of pure joy and he all but pounced at his spiky-headed brother.
"IT'S CHRISTMAS?!" the small fox screeched happily, beaming up at Blitz as the larger fox expertly caught him in his arms.
"Sure is, little dude!" Blitz chuckled, scrunching the smol boi into his ample chest floof, "and you know what that means?"
"PRESENTS!"
"Absolutely!" Blitz turned and winked at his twin sister, who stood watching the display fondly with her arms folded around her purple-robed form, "yo sis! Catch!"
Feather yelped in alarm as Blitz threw his smaller brother like a rugby ball, Squirt recovering mid-air to fly directly at his big sister like a missile. Feather caught him and the small fox hugged into her tight, beaming up at her with gleaming blue eyes.
"Can we go open my presents, Feather?" Squirt yapped excitedly, "Can I?"
Feather smiled at her little brother warmly, running a hand over his pilot's helmet, "sure we can baby," she said softly, "Sure we can..."
Blitz looked to his sister fondly as she carried their brother from the room, ready for a day of presents and fun.
Squirt yapped excitedly as he tore into another present, unwrapping a box of Butto bricks - a giant model set of a jet fighter, again catering to the six-year-old's love of aircraft.
"WOW!" the small fox shrieked, clutching his newest toy happily, "this is SO COOL! Who got me this one?!"
From the couch, slouching as usual with a game controller in hand and a santa hat hanging from one ear, Blade Prower raised one hand and grunted. "That were me, that one."
"Blade!" Squirt hopped to his feet and cannonballed into the black-haired fox, Blade wheezing as he was winded, "thanks so much it's so awesome I love you so-"
"Don't mention it!" Blade grumbled, shoving the smaller fox away. Squirt looked at him, a hurt expression in his eyes, before Blade offered him a smirk and nudged his arm. "Love ya', lil' bro."
Squirt beamed happily, hopping from the couch and running back to his pile of presents. Midway across the decorated living room, Doc Prower and Sonic the Hedgehog were almost tripped up as they carried trays of food and drink into the living space.
"HEY!" Doc almost jumped from his pelt, the fox glaring at his younger sibling as he attempted to balance his tray, "do you mind?! I'm trying to bring you your chocolate milk, you little pest!"
"Hey, lighten up bro!" Sonic chuckled, before balancing his tray of festive treats in one hand and shooting a thumb's up at Squirt. "Merry Chrimass, lil' buddy!"
Squirt beamed at Sonic, turning and falling to his knees to open another present.
Sonic and Doc set their respective trays down on the table, and Sonic moved to join Blitz, the two speedsters wearing identical grins as they watched their siblings enjoy their Christmas day.
"The guys are having fun, huh?" Sonic said, nudging Blitz with his elbow before setting hands on hips.
Blitz chortled, watching Feather kneel down to hug Squirt while Doc grumpily set himself beside Blade. "S'what we live for, right? Taking care of our lil' buddies?"
Sonic chuckled as he turned to regard Blitz. "Did I ever tell you..." Sonic said mischievously, "that you remind me so much of myself, Blitz?"
"Well..." Blitz looked uncertainly to the floor before his eyes flickered back to meet Sonic's... and the hedgehog couldn't help but notice the different character, the now shyer look on the usually cocksure face of Blitz prower, "I guess you did rub off on me, Sonic..."
Sonic's lopsided grin fell, and he leaned forward suspiciously... before his eyes widened in recognition. "... Tails?"
'Blitz' smiled shyly, his usual cockiness and self-assuredness now evaporated into awkward nerves, "yeah... hi, Sonic..."
Sonic needed a moment to process the switch, but recovered smoothly and offered his brother a welcoming grin. "Good to see ya, lil' buddy..."
'Tails' grinned back, fiddling with the tip of one of his namesakes, "Blitz let me take the wheel for a bit..." he explained, "I can't stay long... it's getting harder the longer the guys remain separated... so I just wanted to say hi while I still have the chance..."
Sonic's smile fell, and he regarded his brother with sympathy. "We'll figure it out, buddy..." he said, reaching out and gently resting a hand on Tails' shoulder, "I swear... we'll find a way to bring you back!"
Tails shrugged, before the lopsided grin returned to his face. "In case we don't?" he said, the confident tone slowly returning to his voice, "Merry Christmas, Sonic..."
"Yeah..." Sonic replied, as Tails once again vanished behind the eyes of Blitz Prower, "Merry Christmas, buddy..."