Hello everyone, I'm finally back! I'm so sorry that you guys had to wait so long. But I have a lot on my plate and not as much free time as I thought I would have, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, while it didn't quite hit the usual word count, I hope you guys like it :D

"What… are you doing with our beanbags?" Tails asked, looking at Tom with a curious and puzzled expression, his blue eyes scanning the beanbags that Tom was holding.

He was screwed.

But to his credit, how could he have guessed Tails would be awake at this hour?

"Well… um…" Tom started struggling to think of an excuse. "I'm... uh... I'm going to wash them! They were dirty." Tom lied, finally coming up with some kind of excuse that, hopefully, would satisfy Tails' smart four-year-old brain.

"Then... why aren't they dirty?" Tails asked, his face now a bit turned from curiosity and from caughting on his (that seemed great but was actually poorly done) excuse.

Tom looked at the bags more attentively than he had done before. He had been moving some things from Sonic's attic by himself since Maddie had a big day ahead and he wanted her to rest. He had been so focused on his task that he didn't notice how clean the beanbags were, even though they had been stored in a cave. He thought that the dim light would prevent Tails from noticing anything suspicious.

But, of course, he did.

So, to avoid ruining the surprise, Tom changed the subject. "Isn't it way past your curfew?" Which was a fair question. He should be sleeping by now, after all.

Tails flinched, his face and posture changing from relaxed to tense. He had made a mistake, hadn't he?

"I'm- I'm sorry, Tom. I didn't mean to-" Tails tried to reply back, more anxious and guilty than ever, before Tom stopped him.

Which, in return, made Tom even more guilty. What did Tails even live for to have a reaction like that? It… couldn't be… Sonic, right?

"Buddy," Tom started, disrupting his line of thought and kneeling down so he could be at a similar height to Tails'. "You don't have to apologize."

"Really?" Tails asked, his eyes showing a glimpse of hope.

"Of course. I just asked because I was worried-" ' And because I needed to change the conversation '… which worked too well'. Tails gave a brief smile, and Tom noticed that Tails' eyes seemed a little... reddish ?

Wait, had he been… crying? Tom stood up and walked over to the switch, flicking it on. The hall becomes illuminated by the artificial lights. He looked back at Tails, and...

He had definitely been crying.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Tom asked, his face now filled with concern.

Tails looked to the ground.

The kid definitely had a nightmare.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Tails shakes his head.

"It's the usual…." Tails started waving his hand that held his half-forgotten cup of milk dismissively.

"The usual?" Tom said. Tails nodded. "Does Sonic know about them?"

"Yes, he does…" Tails began, looking slightly ashamed. "I never… wanted my dad to know, and since he's a heavy sleeper, it should be easy." Tails sighed, while Tom frowned slightly in concern. At least, it was clear Sonic had nothing to do with Tails' turmoil and nightmare.

Sure, it was incredibly unlikely. But still.

"But I always get scared when I have a bad dream... I can't just go back to sleep like nothing happened… so I try to keep myself busy with something else. But then dad would hear me, and he would come to hug me and tell me it's okay… He says he doesn't mind being there for me at night… But I still feel like I'm bothering him." Tails said, finally meeting Tom's eyes while playing with his fingers.

Since Tails didn't want to wake up Sonic, maybe he could talk with him instead.

"Well, since you don't want your dad to wake up. You can talk to me." Tom said, as Tails nodded. "Only if you want to, of course."

"I... thanks, but I don't want to bother you." Tails replied, eventually rubbing his neck.

"Tails." Tom began. Tails really thought that his problems would bother him. He and Maddie (and definitely Sonic) just wanted him to be happy . "You're not going to bother me. I just want you to feel better, okay?"

"... Okay."

"So… Do you feel comfortable talking about it?" Tom asked. While he wanted him to talk about what was bothering him, what was most important was that he felt ready to do so.

"I…I think so."

Tom and Maddie had tried years ago to have a baby. But, unfortunately, Maddie was… infertile. And, so, they eventually dropped the idea of being parents, and the years flew by with just the two of them and Ozzie.

Until now.

The kids they were going to... adopt? Foster? Whatever the label was, it didn't really matter. What mattered was that they were going to help them. Maddie and him knew they had been through a lot. And while they could imagine what haunted them, they really had no idea what it really was.

Because guessing what traumatized someone is only their imagination. Not reality.

And they could only go so far. The only thing that would reveal the truth would be, in the end, themselves.

Eventually, they would come to them. They just had to wait.

That's what both had discussed right before they headed to Sonic's (and Tails)' attic.

But he hadn't been expecting Tails to open up so soon. But he's so glad he did.

Tom felt a surge of anger and sadness as he listened to Tails' story. How could anyone be so heartless as to reject their own son for having two tails? How could they treat him like a freak, a monster, or a curse? And not only that, but the whole town of Wetside had turned their backs on a helpless toddler, leaving him alone and scared.

The same child who had tears streaming down his face from recalling all of those painful and hurtful memories made Tom's heart ache from the pain echoed from the little kit.

No wonder the kid is so traumatized. Tom couldn't deny the anger inside of him building up, alongside his sadness, from how unfair and cruel his own family and everyone else treated Tails. What were they even thinking?

"They are my biological parents," Tails continued, as one tear left his eye. Tom's heart broke slightly at the sight. "but Sonic is my real dad. And I know Sonic won't ever abandon me. He's the first one who loved me and cared." No four-year-old should ever even think about that, let alone feel it. Tom couldn't help but feel an immense level of sympathy for him. "but I still have nightmares sometimes." Tom was so glad Tails had Sonic now… He could barely even fathom how much sorrow Tails must've endured, and at such a young age too.

Tom and Maddie had only known them for a bit more than two weeks, but Sonic and Tails had already won their hearts , and while it was difficult. And Tom and Maddie had no idea if the kids even saw them as guardians or parents. Whatever the future holds for them, they know two things for sure.

The kids need it.

And it will be so worth it.

Then, after Tails asked for a hug and they embraced, Tails looked to the other side and saw the forgotten beanbags lying on the floor. "Tom, you never told me why you were actually bringing our beanbags here."

After Tails told him so much of his (short) life, it was only fair that he would tell him what they were planning. And Tails definitely seemed like he could keep this type of secret for a few days.

"Can you keep a little secret, bud?"

Tails swore to keep their secret with all the joy and excitement a kid could muster, and that filled Tom's heart with warmth. Then, Tom slept soundly for a generous five hours before Sonic woke him up, asking if he wanted to play Mario Kart with them. Right after that, Tom told Maddie what had happened during her lunch break. But the day had a surprise in store for them when Wade showed up at their house after Maddie's shift. He said he had something that could help Sonic and Tails.

"So, you think that..." Tom paused, contemplating Wade's suggestion. "A Minecraft server with other kids online from this town will help Sonic and Tails?"

"Exactly," Wade replied while nodding.

Both of them knew how good this could be for Sonic and Tails. Talking to other people of their respective ages—not just sta- watching (as Sonic would occasionally still do)—would be something that both of them—but especially Sonic—would want.

Wade did tell his cousin—the one that was organizing the whole Minecraft server thing—that he wouldn't tell the rest of the town.

Tom had played Minecraft once or twice, but he never really got the appeal. Wade, however, loved it, and so did his cousin. Sonic and Tails had played an older version of Minecraft on his computer a few days ago, and they had loved it as well.

So, not only would they have the possibility of interacting with people their age, but they would also play a game they would enjoy.

There was, however, a problem. A big problem. With such a united small town as Green Hill, gossip runs like wildfire . And sooner or later, the town would know that Tom and Maddie were… Sonic and Tails's guardians. And they would have to reveal everything eventually.

And Sonic knew that too.

All of them just hoped everything would go well until then.

And having Sonic and Tails introduced that way, with no need or rush to show their faces, would definitely help the town accept… their differences , once they had to introduce them. So it definitely seems like a good idea. But the potential risks weighed heavily on their minds. And besides, they did have to ask for Sonic's opinion on that matter first before they even did anything. (Even though, they did have a suspicion Sonic would say 'yes'.)

"Wade, don't get us wrong. It sounds like a really good idea," Maddie said, her expression thoughtful while Tom nodded in agreement. "But it's a bit risky. What if the whole town finds out about them before we are ready? And, besides, we do have to ask Sonic first, too."

Wade, ever understanding, responded, "At this point, most of the town is absolutely certain you guys are going to have a baby. You might as well ask someone who can help you and who isn't going to ask too many questions. And my cousin is the guy for that." Wade said, somewhat quietly, just in case anyone, by chance, heard them.

"Thanks for your help, Wade." Tom replied this time around, smiling softly at his friend. From the corner of his eye, Tom noticed his wife smiling as well.

"We appreciate it." Maddie started. "Everything is just changing so fast, and what your cousin is doing could really help them."

"It's really no biggie." Wade replied. "Do you want to tell Sonic?"

Tom and Maddie walked over to the living room, where Sonic and Tails were busy with their own activities. They sat down on the couch and cleared their throats, hoping to get their attention.

"Hey, guys, we have something to tell you," Tom said, smiling gently. "I think, with Wade's help, we found a way for you to make some friends in this town."

Sonic looked up from the TV, his eyes widened in surprise and he shook. Tails put down his puzzle piece and tilted his head, listening and looking hopeful.

"But how ? There's no way I'm going to put my child in danger-" Sonic started getting increasingly overprotective of his kid.

"Sonic, don't worry. It's perfectly safe." Maddie interrupted Sonic gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. She looked at him with compassion and understanding. "And besides, it's only if you want to, okay? You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."

Sonic nodded, smiling slightly and relaxing a bit. Tom could tell he understood they were just trying to help him and Tails have a norma l life in this town—that Tom and Maddie only wanted them to have the life and childhood they were robbed of and they so desperately needed. (Especially Sonic).

"Well, Wade has a cousin who runs a Minecraft server online. He invited us to join him and some other kids from this town," Maddie finished.

"Minecraft?" Tails repeated, his ears sparkling with excitement. "That's so cool. I love minecraft!"

"It is cool," Wade said, nodding slightly. "And the best part is, you don't have to show your faces or tell anyone who you are. You can just use your nicknames and chat with them through text or voice."

"Really?" Sonic asked, his interest growing. "That sounds awesome." Sonic said it more excitedly. Even though Tom could tell, Sonic still seemed a bit anxious and unsure about the whole thing. "And safe." Sonic added, letting his overprotective dad side show.

"It is awesome," Wade repeated, nodding enthusiastically. "And it's a great way for you to get to know some people in this town without having to worry about anything. They're all nice kids, I promise."

Tom and Maddie smiled at each other. They were glad that Sonic and Tails seemed so enthusiastic about the idea of playing Minecraft with other kids online.. Sonic did seem even more thrilled , even if he was quite nervous . They hoped that this would be a good opportunity for them to socialize and have fun while also keeping their identities safe.

"So, what do you say?" Tom asked. "Do you guys want to give it a try?"

I hope I didn't write Sonic OC in the part where he goes into overprotective mode. I feel like he would do that here because, first, it is emblazoned in his mind what Longclaw told him. Even if they have their par- Tom, Maddie, and Wade, Sonic would still be very cautious about it, I feel. And also, Sonic is older and more responsible here (for his standards, ofc), since he has a kid.