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stevebabey · 1 year

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you thought it would be all sweetness??? nooo u got to have a little miscommunication angst before anyone gets any hickies. but they will. in time >:) part one. part two. this is a part three :)

Steve blames it all on the clock.

That stupid cuckoo clock on the wall of the Munson trailer. It's an absolute horror of interior design that would make Steve’s mom shiver if she ever laid eyes on it. It’s probably why Eddie loves it — and the god-awful cuckoo! noise it makes when it goes off.

Because the moment Eddie utters that delightful question, asking for a hickie, the nerve of him, Steve loves it — and Steve is more than ready to oblige him — the stupid clock goes off.

It gives them both a fright, Steve more than Eddie. He gives a whole-body twitch that shifts them both, his head snapping to the wall, a breath forced out of his lungs at the sight of the mustard-coloured bird. Shit. Stupid fuckin’ clock, Steve thinks.

But it seems to break the trance over the room. The sweet tension of their shared closeness is sucked out of the room in an instant. Steve is suddenly aware of the time the popping out bird is announcing. It’s late. Far later than Steve intended to stay over, especially considering work tomorrow.

Without meaning to, the prickle under Steve’s skin rolls through his body. It steals away the comfort that he usually feels with Eddie, tenseness filling his body. Steve hates it — hates how he can’t stop himself from tensing up beneath Eddie.

Eddie notices. He's quick to to retract himself from Steve, pushing up and back, giving Steve his space. He sits beside Steve on the couch, still close. Not close enough to touch.

It helps. The rigidness of Steve's body relaxes just a bit but Steve doesn’t want that. He wants Eddie back on him. Wants his hands gripping Steve’s side. His breath fanning over Steve’s face, cheeks cherry red and pupils blown wide. Steve doesn’t say any of that and he sure is shit isn't brave enough to ask for it.

Instead, he croaks, “It’s late.”

Steve reluctantly pushes himself up from his slumped position, eyes already searching for his scattered shoes. He misses the way Eddie’s face falls, the way he tries to tug his hair in front of his face to hide the hurt. It takes another second to school his expression.

Steve hears a cough and then Eddie agrees with a murmur. “Yeah, sure.”

The words ache. No part of Steve is relieved to have Eddie agree with him. He’s not sure what he wanted; for Eddie to egg him to stay just a little while longer? To prove that their kisses hadn’t been a heat of the moment impulsivity? There's nothing to prove they weren't.

No, it was Steve who said he had to go. It is late. But then again maybe, Eddie wanted him to leave. But, no— Eddie just asked for a hickie, he wouldn’t—

“Don’t you have work early tomorrow?” Steve’s spiral cuts short at Eddie’s voice, tinged with… irritation?

O-kay. Now Steve’s not sure what to think. What had been the source of immense joy because Steve had asked for a kiss and Eddie said yes is suddenly… tilted.

The beginnings of embarrassment begin to cling to Steve like a thick fog. He’s done it again. Been overly eager. Asked for too much, too soon— fuck, that had been Eddie’s first kiss too.

“Yeah,” Steve replies, standing and shoving his foot into the one shoe he can find. He spies the other one under the table and wiggles it out with his toe. He can’t find in it to look at Eddie, not just yet. “Yeah, uh, I should get going.”

It’s all wrong. Steve shouldn’t be leaving — not on these terms. Not when he can’t look at Eddie for fear of what he’ll find. Regret? Steve’s not sure if he could face Eddie again, not if there’s even a trace of it on his face. It would feel like Halloween all over again, a bludgeon on Steve’s too-soft heart. It’ll crumble, he just knows it.

Steve wants to stay. He really wants to. He wants to ask for another kiss, ask for a dozen more kisses. Wants to give the hickie Eddie asked so nicely for and receive one back; matching love bites, like a gentler version of their matching twisted scars adorning their sides.

But he’s always asking for more. Steve always needs more. It’s greedy. It’s embarrassing how much he wants it, how he’s already gotten patient touches from Eddie but it’s not enough. Eddie had sounded a pinch annoyed — even aggravated at Steve.

It doesn't cross his mind that it might be for any other reason. Really, Steve thinks he’s doing Eddie a favour.

“Um,” Steve clears his throat, takes the wobble out of his words. Nods to himself and chances a glimpse at Eddie. The older is staring down at his lap, locks of hair trapped between twitchy fingers. They should talk about it. Steve’s not brave enough to risk his heart tonight.

“Well, g’night.” He says quietly, letting himself out the trailer door. He closes it behind him gently, shoes tapping against the stairs on the way down. It feels wrong, it feels wrong — but it would be selfish to turn back.

He repeats the sentiment over and over, raspy whispers beneath his breath as he climbs into his car. It would be selfish. The engine turns over and he hesitates for just a moment, hoping to catch a silhouette in the kitchen window. It’s empty. Of course, it’s empty.

Of course, Eddie is not chancing for a glance at him on his way out because Steve just asked for more and more and more, and he took Eddie’s first kiss and then— He whispers it to himself again. It would be selfish to turn back.

When he thinks about it on the drive home, Steve’s sure it all comes back to that stupid fucking clock.

Eddie stares in the mirror.

He’s not sure why he was so convinced there would be some radical change in him upon popping his make-out cherry but… well, here he was. Staring in the mirror like he had this morning. Except 10 hours earlier, he had been unkissed.

Tonight, the difference shows. His lips are rosier than usual, a swell to them given by hasty sweet kisses. It’s the only evidence of his spit-sharing moment of passion with Steve on the couch. The rosy colour is already beginning to fade.

Eddie sinks his teeth in. He doesn’t want the only physical proof that he even got to kiss Steve to be gone so soon. Even if that fact seems terribly bitter now.

“What the shit did you do, Munson?” He murmurs to himself in the tiny bathroom mirror.

It’s got toothpaste specks splayed across it. Eddie stares past them. Stares into his own face, reading every change in his features as emotions inside him churn. It’s heading for a distraught expression, the upturn of his brows and quiver in his lips giving him away. He always was a crier. Eddie really wishes he wasn’t.

“Idiot!” He pairs the word with a bang on the wall beside the mirror, frustration leaking out. The toothbrush on the sink shudders in its cup with a clink.

Eddie hates the welling in his eyes. He hates that he ruined the first fuckin’ good thing to happen to him in this town. Loathes that he drives away the first person who actually knows him and still wants to kiss him.

Well, wanted to kiss him.

Eddie’s pretty sure Steve scampering out of the trailer is more than a big enough sign. It’s a blazingly bright neon sign — light up words that say ‘This was a mistake!’

Except, it hadn’t felt at all like a mistake to Eddie. It had felt wonderful, better than anything he had thought, the soft curve of Steve’s lips, the grip on his hands on Eddie’s face, the heat in his face, the— Eddie growls, wiping his hand down his face to shake the thoughts. Too good to be true was what it was.

It’s because of what he said. Of what he asked for. It had to be that. But— but Steve had looked eager and almost excited and then the stupid clock had gone off, scaring the shit out of them both. Maybe it was then that Eddie’s words had sunk in and Steve realised what he’d gotten into— and who he’d gotten into it with.

“You had to ask for more, huh?” Eddie scolds himself angrily, wiping his cheeks harshly when a tear streaks free. Another follows, just as fast. Eddie wipes roughly at his face to clear them. Doesn’t care about the streaks of red he leaves on his cheeks. Another trembling reprimand comes out. “You just had to push it, huh? You fuckin’ idiot.”

Eddie can’t stand his reflection anymore. He tears his gaze away as he spins and heads straight for his room.

The button on his stereo is sticky and it takes a few forceful clicks to turn it on, but when he does, he cranks it. It’s loud enough he’ll surely wake some neighbours. Eddie can’t find it in him to care, not even when the neighbours dog starts off with its incessant barking. Anything to stop hearing himself cry.

“Something’s up with Eddie.” is the first thing Robin says when she comes in the front door.

Steve’s mid-yawn when she does, a result of a night of tossing and turning, and he somehow manages a strange choke at her words. In a haste to shut his mouth, he chomps on his fingers covering his mouth — then hisses, pulling it away from his face. He ignores Robin’s perplexed expression, shoving the hand deep in his pocket. His ears feel a tad hotter.

“What? Why? What makes you think that?” Steve asks the questions in rapid succession. Very chill, he chides himself. At this rate, Robin would have him all figured out 10 minutes into their shift.

And it’s not like— well, Robin’s advice is usually great. A bit cut-throat, sure. She doesn’t have a problem trodding on his feelings on her way to tell him the hard truth. Usually, it’s fine. Steve could probably do with a bit of ego-bruising.

Today, he’s… It’s different. That’s what Steve tells himself. This thing with Eddie, he wants to fix it himself. And with too much meddling from Robin’s advice, even if it was with the best intentions, might mix things up too much. It’s hard enough keeping his half-baked apology that’s been brewing since last night in proper order in his mind.

Thankfully, Robin doesn’t comment on his odd demeanor. She just bustles into the back room — there are a couple sounds of her dumping her stuff. When she comes back out the front, she’s fixing her Family Video vest. It looks perfectly straight to Steve.

He checks his own — it’s sitting askew, part of the collar flipped over. He hastily fixes it, running his hands down the front to smooth it a bit.

“Just,” Robin starts, talking as she sits in front of the computer, beginning to take a crack at the admin she managed. She likes doing things as she talks, Steve knows. Helps keep her from letting words run away from her.

Steve’s thankful for it now because she isn’t looking at him when she says, “I think he might have had a bad nightmare last night, or something of that sort. I don’t know. Maybe I’m way off — you know how I am with trying to read people, Steve. I’m not good at it! But when I saw him, he just seemed…”

Robin seems to take an extra moment to deliberate her word choice. Steve’s really glad she’s still facing the computer so she can’t see the myriad of emotions that show on his face.

“…Off.” is the word she decides on.

Which means bad. Steve feels like he’s swallowed a stone. It sinks deep into his stomach. It burns, sour and scorned, twisting up his gut. It means Eddie is bad — it means disappointment, means he regretted it. That Steve had been right; that he’d been too eager, too soon. Too much.

Right. Of course, this happens again. Really, Steve had brought it on himself by asking for so much. It had been one thing to ask for a hug — who actually has to do that? — and then to expect he might get Eddie to kiss him too? What a overstep. Christ, he's an idiot.

“That’s not…” He hears himself say, still lost in his thoughts. It's only when Robin turns on the stool, brows raised, that Steve realises he hasn’t finished his sentence. “Good. That’s not good. To hear.”

Steve turns and starts shuffling around the films on the returns cart, picking them up at random. He stares at a copy of ‘The Princess Bride’ in his hands, a new release, and forces out a causal question.

“What made you think that?” He asks, shoving the film into an empty slot, like he was arranging them. He’s relieved when Robin’s clicking on the keyboard resumes, along with a dramatic sigh.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if I can be trusted to read anyone’s emotions correctly at any given time, honestly. Remember that old lady? I thought she was being sweet that whole time and then you told me she was being rude! And I couldn’t even tell…”

Robin’s ramble is comforting and helpful to Steve in a way he didn’t know they could be. He presses the cart out, finally getting a move on with it, but delivers a quick nod to Robin when she’s looking to let her know he’s still tuned in. He listens to her get distracted by another topic and leaves Eddie’s name in the dust. It’s a silent relief.

It’s a task to multi-task, listening and devising a plan, but Steve has all shift to find the balance. It’s sometime between finishing re-stocking the action section and starting the romance that Steve decides he should apologise. He should go over today and apologise.

Eddie’s a big boy but Steve’s fairly certain now, if he regretted it, Eddie had probably felt obliged to kiss him back. Probably hadn’t minded the first kiss but- but— Something sticks in his brain; it was Eddie’s first kiss.

It makes Steve feel worse. It doesn’t matter, really, Steve should say sorry for all of it. God, he’s such an idiot.

By the time he’s clocked out, it’s all set in place. He’s got a dozen different apologies running in a loop in his head, reciting the words in time with his anxious tapping on the steering wheel. It’s not a long drive out to Forest Hills Trailer Park. The drive is well-known now. Steve tries hard not to wallow in what he might be losing today. What he lost because he’d been too greedy with want.

The sight of a brown van parked roadside yanks him from his thoughts. Eddie’s van. Steve’s stomach turns, nerves gnawing faster. He slows, trying to catch eye of the other boy as he rolls to a stop behind the van. The sun is beginning to dip closer to the horizon, the temperature going with it.

At the same time, they see each other; Eddie’s head popping around the raised hood to see who had stopped, right as Steve pops his door. Eddie retreats in an instant. Steve's chest grows a bit tighter.

Gravel crunches underfoot as Steve takes a few wary steps closer. It doesn’t take more than a couple before Eddie calls out. He doesn’t bother poking his head out again.

“Go away, Steve.”

Steve swallows thickly. Yeah, okay, he deserves that. He deserves probably worse than that. But more importantly than that, Eddie deserves to hear this. And Steve... needs to not lose Eddie.

“Can I… can we talk?” Steve asks, taking a couple steps closer. A car whizzes by on the road, hidden from Steve's view behind the van. He still keeps his distance, hovering. His hands clench nervously at his sides. Steve shoves them deep in his jean pockets, wiping the sweat off them as he goes.

“What part of ‘Go away’ isn’t clear enough for you?” Eddie snarks back. He still doesn't stick his head out, still won’t look at Steve. It stings.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Steve starts, another instinctive step forward taken. “I-I just, I shouldn’t have left like I did last night. I wanted to apologise.”

There’s a clattering from behind the hood like Eddie’s dropped a tool. He swears. Steve wants to take another step, wants to see Eddie — wants to read every emotion and apologise for causing any of the ugly ones.

“Well, apology accepted,” Eddie responds. There’s a bite in his words. His next words are grumblier, quieter. “And message fuckin’ received.”

What? “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That—” Finally, Eddie steps away from the van, rounding the hood to march up to Steve. His arms cross over his chest, a wrinkle set between his brows that pull his face into a glare. Robin was right; he is off. This isn’t normal Eddie. Fuck, Steve had fucked up bad.

“That means message received, Steve.” Eddie seethes. He uncrosses his arms to gesture wildly. Steve misses the wobble in his bottom lip. “Message received loud and clear! I get it!”

And all Steve wants to ask is: get what? He doesn’t ask that. He should know what. That would be an idiotic question, would make Eddie more irritated. Lord knows, Steve has been enough of a fool in the last day. So, he doesn’t ask.

“Look, I just…” Steve starts, words a bit weak. They die in his throat as he tries to recall a single apology he had practiced all day and comes up empty. “I’m just- I just wanted—look, I’m sorry I took your first kiss!”

It’s not exactly what he means to say, but Steve certainly is sorry for it. Eddie’s expression wavers, some anger slipping away. Confusion takes its place.

“What?” Eddie says with a tone of bafflement. “What are you talking about?”

“And I’m sorry I kept… kept asking for more.” Steve continues on, pulling on the thread inside him, connected to the terrible stone he swallowed earlier. He tugs it. Hopes pulling it will unravel the guilt sitting heavy in his stomach.

Steve scrunches his eyes shut and rubs the bridge of his nose. “I know, okay? I know that I can be a lot.” He sighs and drops his hands.

“But I didn’t mean to… shit,” He wrenches his eyes open. Eddie’s a bit wide-eyed now, brown eyes watching him intently. Steve doesn’t know what expression he’s wearing, can’t tell if it’s good or worse. He continues, soft words scraping out his throat.

“I didn’t mean to be like that with you.”

Eddie searches Steve’s face, eyes darting and wild. He licks his lips. His hands are in motion, fingers twisting rings, quick and fast. It’s a nervous action.

“What do you mean by ‘like that?’” Eddie asks, voice gentler. It's lost its snarl from before.

Steve blinks, a scrape of teeth worrying his bottom lip. He murmurs his admittance lowly, just one word, “Selfish.”

Eddie doesn’t try to hide his surprise; it ripples across his face in a wave. Confusion melts away into something closer to, Steve hopes desperately, relief. Steve can feel his own heart thudding hard inside his chest — can feel the beat it skips when Eddie steps closer.

“Steve?” Eddie says, sounding unlike himself. Steve’s never heard his voice that small. He nods, wordlessly. Eddie searches his face once more — wide brown eyes scanning and devouring. Steve can’t help but do the same.

He drinks in the details of Eddie’s face; the soft scruff along his top lip, the darkness of his lashes and the way they kiss in the corner that Steve adores. The pink of his lips. The familiar ache to kiss Eddie surges up within him, still as violent and strong as it had been the night before.

Steve should really stop looking at Eddie’s lips. He’s supposed to be apologising. He drags his eyes up and meets Eddie’s gaze full-on, prepared for whatever he might say. Except, he’s not expecting him at all to say;

“Can I... try this again?” It comes out a ragged breath, Eddie's scared eyes conveying the weight behind his words.

And this time Steve doesn't even need to ask what because he knows. Because Eddie's hands are reaching up and holding either side of Steve's face so gently. Steve can't recall a time he's ever been held so softly. His own hands come up slowly, draping around Eddie's wrists to hold them, to keep them there.

Eddie's thumb traces. It draws a sweet line of that familiar fire beneath Steve's skin along til it's settled on Steve's bottom lip, resting. The blood under Eddie's thumb thrums, gloriously warm, aching with want. Yes. Steve thinks. Yes, yes, yes.

"Yes, please." Steve breathes, so sincere the words comes out as a kiss against Eddie's thumb.

So, Eddie kisses him.

now with a part four !

tags below! sry if i tagged u and u didn't want it just tagging everyone who replied <3 @they-reap-what-we-sow @impeachy @anaibis @resident-gay-bitch @ediewentmissing @newtstabber @original-cypher @invisibleflame812 @hunterbow04 @leather-and-freckles @dracoswifeandlokispet @foolofentirelytoomanyfandoms @lfaewrites @sundead @call-me-big-eyes @the-redthread @goblinmanifesto @etaka @bishopextractions @ketterfuck @persephone13 @beckkthewreck @maya-custodios-dionach @autumnal-dawn @yourstrulyjoko @gleefully-macabre @princess-eddie @savory-babby

#EHEHE SORRY I CANT RESIST A LITTLE BIT OF MISCOM ANGST #MORE SWEETNESS COMING THO!!!#on god eddie needs his hickie #and im gonna GIVE HIM ONE #AND SO MUCH LOVE!!!!!!#BEST BOYS NEED TO BE HAPPY IN LOVE!!!!#maybe one more part :)#i had only one more idea for the can i's and i BET u can guess what it might be <3 #and it needs to draw back to touch cos that was the POINT of this fic originally #IM ALL BOUT PARALLELS BABEY #hope u find this delicious #gay ppl in my phone... this for u #can't wait to write the relieved kisses w the 'YOU THOUGHT WHAT???'#they're such goobers <3 #steddie #steve x eddie #steddie fic #steddie ficlet #can i series #HOW MANY CAN I'S CAN U SPOT THIS TIME !!!#ruby writes steddie #steddie angst #steddie fluff #uhhhh don't flop challenge #or do flop. i can't control the masses #hopefully this hits the brainrot just right

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0vergrowngraveyard · 2 months

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“Y’know keed, I think you could reach the stars one day.”

The look Tails gave him made him chuckle. Big blue eyes stared at him with confusion and his head tilted to the side.

“What?” He asked.

“I said ‘I think you could reach the stars one day’.” He repeated, chuckling again at the bland look the kit shot him. Even at just four years old, he had a nasty stink eye.

“S’not what I meant.” Tails hopped off the branch he was sitting on and made his way over to where Sonic was laying in the grass. He sat down next to him and looked up at the beautiful night sky. “I mean what do you mean? That's way too high up! I can’t fly that far!”

Sonic held up a finger, “Not yet, maybe, but someday you’ll be able to!” He tucked the hand behind his hand again as a makeshift pillow,

The kit furrowed his brows as he continued to look at the sky, thinking about what Sonic had just said, until he shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

Sonic looked up at the kit next to him. His big ears had lowered against the back of his head as he looked longingly at the sky.

With a sigh, Sonic opened his arm, a silent invitation for the kit to lay next to him. Tails quickly snuggled up next to him, his namesakes draping across him.

“Well, kiddo,” Sonic started, squeezing the kit closer to him, “You could do anything you put that big brain of yours to so yeah, I think you could do it”

The fox didn’t respond right away so Sonic turned his gaze back to the stars above. He almost thought that the kit had fallen asleep until he tensed up next to him.

“But it would be lonely up there…and I don’t want to be lonely…” His words tugged on the young speedster’s heartstrings. The kid had been alone for a while, maybe even longer than he assumed. In a way, they could relate to each other in that way. It’s not like Sonic had parents waiting for him somewhere, the only family he ever needed was laying next to him, cuddled up against his side.

Sonic wouldn’t let Tails be alone, not anymore.

“Then I’ll just have to go up there with you!” He said, giving the kit another squeeze.

Wide blue eyes turned towards him like he didn’t expect that answer. “Really?”

Sonic chuckled, “Absolutely! Always wanted to see what it looked like up there! And what better way to check it out than with my little buddy!”

Tails looked at him, considering his words for a bit before he smiled and nuzzled into his chest. “If you’re going too, then I’ll try my best.”

Sonic looked down at him to the best of his ability. “Yeah?”

Tails let out a big, squeaky yawn. “mhm…”

A fond smile spread across his muzzle as he looked at the stars, holding his baby brother close to him as the kit drifted off to sleep.

“I’m looking forward to it, lil’ buddy.”

——————

This wasn’t the most ideal situation to be in.

The hedgehog sat alone, surrounded by the rubble of an exploded Eggman base.

He wasn’t sure why it exploded. It was a little dramatic, and not to mention totally rude, of the doctor to blow up his own base while he and Tails were inside. All they wanted was to delete a few files and completely trash the place!

Sonic was worried about his brother, they had been separated during the countdown and he had no clue where the kid was.

He would be turning this place inside out looking for him if it wasn’t for the world spinning due to a head injury and his leg being broken.

Oh, and the metal rod stabbed through his side, causing him to quickly bleed out.

Yeah, it was far from ideal.

But it would be better once he knew his kid was safe and judging from the vitals visible on his communicator, it seemed like he was fine.

He just hoped he’d be able to see him before-

“SONIC!” A young voice called out. “SONIC! CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

A smile quirked up in his muzzle. Looks like dying wishes do come true.

“I’m…I’m over here, bud!” He called back. He cringed at how weak his voice sounded.

The sound of the fox moving debris around and making his way towards him filled the area until he watched the kit duck under something as he finally came into view.

A horrified gasp came from him as he looked at the hedgehog who was sitting in a small pool of his own blood.

“Hey, buddy…fancy seeing you here.” He coughed out.

“Sonic!” Tails was at his side in an instant. His breathing rapidly increased as he looked over his big brother, not knowing what to do. “D-don’t worry! I’ll get you out- I’ll get you out of here! I promise! Just hang on”

“Tails.”

The kit brought up his communicator and seemingly sent out a quick distress signal to anyone who would see it. “It’s okay- it’s gonna be okay. Let me…I- I can…“ Tears started forming in the kit’s eyes as he struggled with his words, the gravity of the situation crushing him.

“Tails.”

His little brother looked at him and oh how Sonic wanted to get rid of that expression on his face. He didn’t want those tears to be there at all.

“I’m so, so proud of you, bud.” Sonic smiled at him, “I…I didn't tell you that enough….”

“Shut up! Just shut up!” Tails yelled, tears pouring down his cheek, “You’re gonna be okay! I- I promise! I’m gonna fix this! I- I swear—!“

His breath hitched as the hedgehog’s trembling hand weakly cupped his cheek, his thumb wiping away the tears. Tails held the hand closer, eyes squeezed shut as he nuzzled against it as he whimpered.

“Hey.”

Tails opened his eyes and for a precious second, all Sonic could do was stare into them.

Next to yellow, Sonic’s favorite color was blue. Not because he was blue (at least that wasn’t the entire reason, only part of it), but because whenever he looked next to him, aside from yellow, that’s the color he saw the most.

Those big baby blue eyes of his little brother. He watched them go from dull, hopeless, and terrified to bright with trust and wonder. He would do anything to keep those eyes shining.

Though, they were shiny with tears now, which made Sonic sad. He didn’t want the kit to be upset, he didn’t deserve it. His kid deserved nothing but joy and the best the world had to offer.

“This isn’t on you to fix, lil’ buddy. Please—“ He took in a shaky breath, “p-please don’t blame yourself for this…”

Tails just cries into his hand, tears mixing with his brother’s blood. He chokes out apology after apology. Sonic doesn’t understand why he’s apologizing, he didn’t do anything wrong. The kit could never do anything wrong in Sonic’s eyes. Call him biased or accuse him of having tunnel vision all you want, he could never get mad at Tails.

Especially not for this, not for something that wasn’t even his fault.

“Bud, can I ask you a favor?”

Tails’ nods his head violently, face still nestled in his brother’s hand. “Mhm!”

It took a moment to find his voice.

“I-I want you to explore the world for me…”

He knew it was kind of an odd request to be coming from someone like himself, someone who traveled the world almost daily, but he had his reasons.

It was his way of telling the kit not to shut down when he goes. Not to hide from the world, but to continue to embrace and protect it.

To keep living in it.

Tails pauses as he slowly looks at the hedgehog, confusion etched on his face. “B-but…but you’ve-“

“I know…” Sonic weakly chuckles, “I’ve seen all over Mobius more times than I can count.”

“Th-then why-?”

“Because you haven’t, lil’ bro.” Sonic interrupts him, “I want you to see it all too.”

Sonic fights down a cough before he continues, “So can ya do that for me, bud? Go see the world?”

Continue to live. If not for yourself, then for both of us.

Tails once again nodded, pressing against his hand again, “Yes! I promise! I promise I’ll see everything! The tallest mountain, deepest cave, I’ll be there! I’ll be there…!”

Sonic smiled.

Good

He let out a sob, “But…but I want you to be there with me! I want to see it all t-together…”

The hedgehog let out a chuckle that almost sounded painful, “I’ll be there bud, always…just not, y’know, physically.” He coughed, “But you’ll n’ver be al’ne. I’ll ‘lways be right by ‘ur side.”

More tears fell down Tails’ cheek as his words started slurring. Looks like his time was almost up.

His smile wavered a bit. He wanted nothing more in life than to see what his little brother would accomplish in life. He wanted to stand there with him, to be his shadow for once, to watch the kit shine his light that’s been covered for so long.

It hurt knowing he wouldn’t get to see it. It hurt so much more than the metal rod sticking out of his side. It hurt more than the head or leg injuries he sustained. It hurt more than any little cut or bruise he had on his battered body.

But hey. It’s the thought that counts, right? He sure hopes so.

Chaos, he’s so cold. He didn’t even realize it until now. Someone should turn up the heater in this place or something.

There's only one part of his body that feels warm: the hand his brother is holding.

Tails was always so warm. He was lucky he had such thick and fluffy fur. Sure, it sucked in the summer when he would shed and overheat, but it was nice every other season. He loved his brother’s fur, his namesakes, his big ears and, Chaos, he really did love everything about him.

His kid really was amazing.

He silently beckoned Tails to cuddle up against his side, just like he’d do when the kid was having a nightmare.

If only this could just be a nightmare. Just a horrible, horrible nightmare.

The fox seemed to understand that his brother was freezing and he quickly curled up against his side. His namesakes draped across his lap and curled around him and he hugged Sonic, burying his face into the crook of his neck. He could feel his short fur getting soaked with tears but he didn’t care. He never cared about something like that.

He let his head settle on top of the kit and he closed his eyes. He was warm and cuddled up with his baby brother.

He couldn’t think of a more perfect way for him to go.

So with one last, and long overdue, “I love you” (the pained cry that came from the kit broke his heart), he let himself fade.

He couldn’t wait to watch Tails reach the stars from above.

#i did manage to finish it!#it’s a little rushed in a few spots but ignore that #blue boy angst is all that matters #anyway i sure do love parallels #sonic the hedgehog #miles tails prower #unbreakable bond #the brothers ever #fic

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