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essycogany · 2 months

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Rare But Not So Rare Sonic Moments Being Both Extroverted And Introverted

Game!Sonic is more of an Ambivert then you’d think.

Disclaimer: My opinions on Sonic as a character tends to be mixed since I didn’t grow up with this franchise. Forgive me if I have conflicting points of views on this blue brat with his inconsistent characterizations.

I’m not expecting everyone to agree with me. Sonic being an introvert is such an agreed upon head-canon in this community. But I would like to fairly appreciate both introverted and extroverted sides to Sonic. I couldn’t pick between the two regardless because Sonic’s character has always been everywhere, but I like the blue hedgie in general. So, I’m going to gush about both of them.

Traits

This is my personal take, but I’ll do my best to describe them. I’m not speaking for everyone who caries these. To not make things complicated, I’ll use two characters who fit each personality trait the most. In my subjective views anyways.

Introvert: Someone who isn’t outgoing. Who prefers to be alone in their thoughts then be surrounded by people. Introverts spend time with one or two people instead of large groups and gets exhausted by social interactions very quickly. They also don’t like getting too much attention from others either.

Shadow and Whisper

Extrovert: An outgoing person who prefers to be with others and thrives in hanging out with large groups of people. Extroverts enjoy social interactions and can start a conversation with most people. Their energy is gained by spending time with different people and getting attention from them.

Tangled and Amy

Ambivert: A mixture of an introvert and extrovert. They enjoy both stimulating and none-stimulating environments. Can start a conversation with strangers, but enjoy doing their own thing. They gain energy by being in small or large groups simultaneously.

Sonic and Tails

Where Does Sonic Fall Into These Categories?

Let me start with Sonic X’s Sonic. For this analysis, it’s important to discuss different mediums of him to get my point across clearly. I might get off course and discuss how certain characteristics are due to the personality more then what normally falls into personality traits. Hold onto something!

Sonic X: He doesn’t enjoy people praising him and mostly talks to people who speaks to him first. He tends to not be much of a chatter box and is not in the show as much as you’d expect. This Sonic prefers to go off on his own then spend time with his friends at the beach in one episode. In another Sonic bails on his invitation to meet the President in order to spend time with his new friend, Helen.

Showing how he prefers to be with a few amount of people then with a group. He even leaves the group in a bunch of episodes to have his alone time. Sonic also doesn’t like hugs all that much unless he’s protecting someone, (mostly Amy) but I’d say that falls more into personal choice more than having to do with him being an introvert. Especially since he hugged Chris in one episode.

Even in Sonic’s more extroverted depictions he can be awkward with hugs. That being said, my hot take is this Sonic is one of two variants who fully commits to being introverted. Which is not a surprise because of reasons I’ll get into later.

Here’s where I’ll talk about his extroverted variants. I’ll start with Movie and Prime Sonic, since they fall into this personality trait the most.

Movie!Sonic: He lived alone for most of his life after his caretaker “Long Claw’s” sacrifice. Sonic had to raise himself by watching action movies on his soon to be families television. Due to his lack of interactions, love, or anything outside of being alone, he has a mental breakdown and his powers takes over his emotions. Causing the entire world’s lights to shut down.

Once he starts meeting different people he gets ecstatic and has fun with the situation. Getting into different shenanigans with his soon to be father, Tom. Again, Sonic Wachowski has been alone for years. Which makes his reasons of being extroverted make sense.

Prime!Sonic: (I deem this version of the character as not canon, so I’ll treat him as such.) Prime!Sonic is naturally affectionate and open towards anyone and everyone. Even Eggman by the end of the show. Like Movie!Sonic, he hates being alone and is very optimistic when it comes to interacting with people. The First Episode of the show: Sonic: “Are you ignoring me? You’re ignoring me. Why are you ignoring me?! WHY IS EVERYONE IGNORING ME?!”

He inspires others to become their better selves because he reaches out to them and often talks about trust and expressing yourself. Almost every Sonic does, but this energetic ball of stubbornness is the least subtle about it. His naivety seems to be both the worst and best aspect of his character. Worst because it gets really repetitive and best because you can understand how much compassion he has for people.

It getting out of hand at times is more of a flaw in the writing then the character, but I digress. I’d say Prime!Sonic is very emotionally honest with himself, but even in the show he internalizes his emotions at times. It’s not often, but still happens. Proving you don’t have to be introverted in order to want to keep your emotions to yourself.

Ep 3 Of Season One: Nine: “Are you okay?” Sonic: “Yeah, I’m fine.” Obviously wasn’t true. You can tell when this guy is holding back his emotions. All be it not perfectly.

Every Other TV Show Or Comic Depiction Of Sonic: Even if these adaptations are different in some regard, they all carry the core extroverted side to Sonic. Just not as much as the first two.

They are way more egotistical and wants to be the center of attention. (Archie!Sonic is literally a celebrity in his universe.) Likes their alone time, but mostly hangs out and fights with friends. Talks to a bunch of people, and so on.

Let’s finally get into the main canon Sonic.

Game!Sonic: Sonic is 100% an introvert in his Japanese depictions. It’s the same story as Sonic X. In terms of how Sonic’s written in the country he was created in, he is a complete introvert. Like being shy when it comes to being complimented (especially when people view him as an authority figure) In the American dubs before Pontiac and Graff wrote for the games, Sonic’s almost the same way. But as time went on especially during IDW’s run, Sonic tends to be pretty extroverted. It’s mostly how he’s depicted in the west if the examples before means anything.

Even beforehand he’s been more extroverted then one would think. He talks to strangers and in almost every game meets someone new. He doesn’t get exhausted or needs solitude afterwards either.

Sonic always could be around more than a few people at once. Sure, he doesn’t mind being alone, but again you don’t have to be an introvert in order to enjoy being alone. And there are plenty of introverts who talk a BUNCH with the people they’re most comfortable with. Then extroverts who can take the time to listen to others when needed. It all depends on the person.

That goes for Sonic keeping his emotions to himself. No matter where people fall, some may feel the need to keep their emotions to themselves. Extroverted or not. Especially since Sonic from X has expressed himself before. It’s just not as common for him.

I also feel the blue hedgehog does it so everyone else can keep their heads up. His own included. I understand if anyone doesn’t agree with that take though. The classic ara is a good example his ambivert traits as well. He starts out as a none talking loner, but soon starts talking and meeting different people. These are reasons I believe Game!Sonic’s an Ambivert.

I believe Sonic’s a leap before he thinks kind of guy and is bad at expressing himself. He can sometimes be talkative. Especially when it comes to going back and forth with other characters. Villains and rivals to be specific. Sonic’s stubborn about his morals and will stop at nothing to keep those morals. He’s introverted enough to take some time to himself and do things his way without anyone to stop him, but extroverted enough to inspire strangers to become great hero’s themselves.

Let me simplify it even further. The situation is Sonic getting praised by a crowd of people.

X: Gets overwhelmed and runs away.

Every Other Variation: Appreciates the praise and maybe even start flexing to boost his ego.

Game: Would humbly appreciate the cheers and probably leave or stay. It depends on his mood.

I don’t know if I got my point across very well, but I did my best. I honestly believe I might be alone with this take. Hope my rambling didn’t get too out of line.

Stay Creative! 💜

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heckinconfusedparade · 7 months

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hello I don’t know if you’ve wrote this before but what about the wachowski family going to like a spirit Halloween I love your prompts too

Hello, hello!! I haven’t wrote about the fam going to this lovely place yet, and I’m disappointed in myself for not thinking of it, since it’s literally my favourite store! So thanks! AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ENJOYING MY PROMPTS!

Let’s get this shit on the ROAD!

Tom & Maddie:

These two knew they had to take their boys to Spirit Halloween the second it opens. It’s a must. What kind of parents would they be if they didn’t take their children to the greatest seasonal shop on Earth?? Not parents they wanna be, that’s for sure! When they brought it up, Knuckles and Tails are confused, but Sonic is stoked! He’s seen the place and peeked in through the windows, and HE WANTS IN ON THAT! Next thing they knew, they were standing at the doors of Spirit Halloween, unsure of what shenanigans could unfold in there, because every outing with these kids is an adventure.

Knuckles:

You know those big displays they put up, where you step on a little pad on the floor, and it activates the robot? Yeah. Knuckles is responsible for so much damage because Sonic thought it would be hilarious to step on the pad so Knuckles could be jumpscared as he was walking by. In Knuckles’ point of view, this witch came outta nowhere, so naturally he took a swing at her, sending her head across the store, leaving everyone, including his poor family absolutely gobsmacked.

The employees are in too much shock to kick him out, so Knuckie is able to go on his merry way! He likes looking around at all the costumes and props! There’s so many interesting ones! The blow up one’s interest him the most, but he’s not wearing that. It’s embarrassing, and his spines will pop it before it can stir up any joy within him.

Knuckles spots an Indiana Jones costume and thinks it’s perfect to go with his new hat!!

Sonic:

You know this dude was gonna be a little shit from the moment he entered. While the result was the should be expected, but unexpected, he did get a good laugh at scaring Knuckles with that witch. He also spooked Tails with a ghost, and he was unamused, and going to get revenge. He also puts a spider on Knuckles and nearly became the Spirit in Spirit Halloween.

All these costumes, so many choices and possibilities! They’re all so cool and detailed, like the grim reaper one he’s pondering on.

And then he sees it.

The Mario wall.

It’s perfect. He is going to become Mario, and he is going to rock it. He is going to slay. He’s gonna dress Ozzy up as Yoshi, because the best boy has gotta get in on the fun too! Today was great.

Tails:

Sonic’s fate was sealed the moment he scared him. Not much scares the hedgehog, but Tails just so happens to know what gets him uneasy. Clowns. Sonic does not like clowns. So when he spots a huge one, he knows what he has to do. He lures Sonic over by getting him to talk, making him unaware of his surroundings, then points behind him. Sonic slowly turns to face the clown. He looks up at it. Yeah, hate that! Tails sloooowly reaches his foot over to press the pad, activating the clown, making it jump at Sonic, who leaps back in terror. He turns around to scold Tails, and to his horror, his little brother has donned a clown mask and scares him a second time. His quills are so puffed out, he looks ridiculous. Once he calms down, he’s able to laugh about it.

Tails then gets to look around! So many cool things! He’s drawn to the props, and he and Sonic fight with giant swords before their mother tells them to put them away. He makes it to all the ear headbands and tails, and wonders why people would want these. Then he remembers all those folk who like to dress up as animals, and chalks it up to that! He’s not looking around there anymore, it’s a little creepy seeing ears and tails that aren’t attached to anything.

Tails locates a pair of broken goggles and a lab coat and decides he’s going to be a mad scientist! There’s some alterations to be done, but this is his decision.

It was an eventful outing. Knuckles got out with a warning because he genuinely did not know about the jumpscares, so his reaction was totally believable. He did have to pay to replace it though, even though Tails asked if he could fix the head. For some reason, they didn’t take up his offer!

#i literally went there the other day #and there was a wall of Sonic stuff #sonic the hedgehog #miles tails prower #tails the fox #knuckles the echidna #movie sonic #movie tails #movie knuckles #tom wachowski #maddie wachowski #sonic the hedghog movie #sonic 2 #sonic #sonic wachowski #tails wachowski #knuckles wachowski

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cc-cobalt-1043 · 7 hours

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I read in your head canons for what the Wachowski family does on the weekend that Sonic and Tails often like to explore town and end up getting into some crazy shenanigans?

Could you tell us what kind of shenanigans they get into?

*Sorry this is so late*

Well they'll often go to the ice cream parlour and get something (I headcannon Sonic's favourite as being cookies and cream while Tails' favourite is mint choc chip)

They once had a competition to see who could fit the most chilli dogs in their mouths with Sonic winning, both him and Tails ended up with stomach aches after that.

Sonic usually saves up his allowance to buy video games and comics, but also when Tails first arrived Sonic bought him a bunch of toys after learning Tails never had any, sometimes Sonic joins in. Knuckles says he's too old to play with such toys, but sometimes joins in, he's even tried to play with them himself on occasion. (Sonic knows, he walked in and caught him in the act once)

Sonic and Tails also often visit the library as well as the cinema. However Sonic has to make sure Tails doesn't eat too much candy. The first time Tails had a massive sugar rush and crashed, leading to Sonic carrying a fast asleep Tails home.

#sonic the hedgehog #miles tails prower #sonic wachowski #Tails Wachowski #sonic and tails are brothers #sonic is a good big bro #sonic movie 2

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mama-qwerty · 9 days

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How do Maddie and cal (sorry if it’s her wrong nickname) see the other knuckles like do they help Maddie and cal or do they cause trouble are some really chill and who’s the most older brother like if the knuckles

Maddie definitely sees all the Knuckleses as kids who need help. Her Mom Hat is firmly in place at all times, and she uses her vet knowledge to make sure they're all healthy and in tip-top shape--offering advice on how to properly tend to their quills and such. Having her own Knux as a kid makes her extremely motherly toward them all, regardless of their age (in the Knucklesverse, we headcanon that all the various Knuckleses are different ages), and they all see her as the more Mom mom between the two.

Callie (yes, her nickname is Cal) on the other hand, is more like a big sister to them all. Yes, she sometimes puts her own Mom Hat on and can give good advice and such, but the boys mostly see her as someone they can goof on, and drag into their shenanigans at times. She and Dread in particular have a very sibling-esque relationship, though she's close with all three of the triplets, Boom, and Hackett (one of our AU boys).

If the boys do something wrong, they go to Cal first to try and fix it before Maddie finds out. Maddie's their Mom, but Callie's . . . well, she's Cal. Totally different.

Shenanigans occur based on the Knux. Some, like Wachowski and Nile, are more stoic, and aren't too much of troublemakers, but there are some who are gremlins at heart and like to pull pranks and poke at the others. Dread, Little Z, Ova, and even Boom can get in on the action of trying to lighten up the others.

As for who's the big brother of them all, I'd have to go with Boom. Even though he's not the oldest, he's the one who's the most emotionally aware, which makes him the first to realize if another is having a hard time, so he goes to them and tries to get them to open up. If they won't talk to him, one of the moms come into play. It's a very tag team kinda situation, and between the three of them, someone's bound to get the grumpy Knux to smile.

They really are all like a big family in the Sanctuary. It's a great way to let the last echidna feel like he's part of a tribe again.

#ask me #knuckles the echidna #knucklesverse #callie macpherson #maddie wachowski

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zeroheritageposts · 1 year

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HERITAGE BLOGS MASTER-LIST!

because why not, I already made a quick recap of the incident, so...

Shadow - Relaxing during the calm after the storm, with his dear chao "Kurai," and his boyfriend Flower.

@shadowheritageposts

@lancelotshadowheritageposts

Lancelot (Lance) - Slowly adapting to this new world full of advanced and mysterious tech.

@mephiles-heritage-posts

Mephiles - Moving pieces, plotting things, slowly, but surely, plotting devious deeds with Super.

@zeroheritageposts

Infinite (Finn) - Hanging out in his own, trying to relax after having a crisis over his very identity.

@gadgetheritageposts

Gadget - Hanging inside the base Finn left him with Starline and Zonic.

@silver-heritage-postz

Silver - Trying to take better care of himself, after the threat of the metal virus seemingly vanished.

@werehog-sonicheritageposts

Sonic (Wolf/Flower)

[past] Exploring a hidden lab in little planet with Gumi.

[present] Hanging out with his boyfriend, Shadow, just really happy to be with him.

@sonic-exe-heritageposts

Sonic (Ephialtes/Needle) - Plotting his own thing, he wants to play a game, and the world is his playground.

@evilknucklesofficial

Buckles (Knux) - Guarding the world from the danger in his islands.

@heritage-metal-sonic

Metal (Diamond) - Trying to discover who he is, and what it means to be Sonic.

@void-the-coyote

_____ (Void) - seemingly deactivated, he no longer serves a purpose for Starline as of now.

@arjan-the-sonic

Arjan - Exploring the voids, trying to find... something, he is currently missing.

@renard-the-foxbot

Renard - waiting orders from any member of the Kitsune Council.

@tails-heritage-post

Miles "Tails" Prower (Yokai) - involved in different shenanigans

@heritage-tails-posts

Miles Prower - A lone young scientist constantly running away from his bullies in West-Side Island.

Dr. K. Jules Blitz - Mad scientist plotting things from within a hidden lab, jumping across timelines.

@rough-n-tumbleheritageposts

Rough and Tumble - lurking around, waiting to see who wants to hire them, or fooling around.

@creamheritageposts

Cream - Trying to live peacefully with her Chao, hoping to see her mother again.

@espioheritageposts

Espio - Training and doing as per usual, although lacking his family; the Chaotix

@blaze-heritage-posts

Blaze - Hanging out with Maimy after getting involved with the shenanigans of this world.

@excalibursonicheritageposts

Sonic (Arthur) - Hanging around, trying to connect back with a world he once belonged to, but does he still belong?

@megpoidgumiheritageposts

Gumi

[past] Exploring a hidden lab in little planet with Wolf.

[present] Chilling with her girlfriend

@zonicheritageposts

Zonic - In the base where he, Starline, and Finn, were. Recovering from a crisis.

@butterfly-reaper-lily

Lily - Looking around for the missing young deity of life.

@mirror-queen-snow

Snow - Lurking from within the dark, perhaps, involved in some shenanigans herself.

@nova-the-shadow

Nova - Trapped in a repeating nightmare from which he cannot wake up.

@rouge-heritage-posts

Rouge - Hanging around, having a lot of time off given that G.U.N. is gone.

@baba-is-heritage

[Baba] is [showed up] and [nothing else so far]

@fleetwaysonicheritageposts

Sonic (fleetway) - Running around, trying to make up for a damage that is already fixed.

@fleetwaysupersonicheritageposts

Super Sonic (Super/Rift) - Hanging out with mephiles, recovering from being heavily damaged by Shadow before the reset.

@doctorstarlineheritageposts

Starline - Executing and plotting his very own plan, can anyone really stop him?

@moviesonicheritageposts

Sonic (Wachowski) - Hanging out, seemingly missing Tom and Maddie. [mod has some ideas for them]

@tails-dollheritageposts

Tails Doll - Lurking. [mod has some ideas for them]

@shadowthehedgehogheritageposts

Shadow [requires a nickname] - [mod has some ideas for them]

@americansonicheritageposts

Sonic [requires a nicknalme] - Dear GAIA that Mohawk!

@eclipsethedarklingheritageposts

Eclipse - Last time he made a connection with his half-mobian sibling.

@evilsupersonicofficial

Super Sonic [requires a nickname] - unleashed, Not Devin apparently.

@evilsonicofficial

Sonic (Evil/Devin) - having been reborn from the death, he's back to his usual random shenanigans.

@whisperheritageposts

Whisper - sometimes hanging out with Tangle.

MightyAndRayHeritageposts

Mighty and Ray - [not started yet]

@e123omegaheritageposts

E-123 Omega - Standing there... MENACINGLY!

@yoshiheritageposts - never returned from the liquor store

Mr-L-Heritage-Posts

Mr. L - [not started yet]

Darkspinesonicheritageposts

Sonic (Darkspine) - [mod has some ideas for them] [not started yet]

calvin-and-hobbes-heritage-posts

Calvin and Hobbles - [not started yet]

ToadBrigadeHeritagePosts

The Toad Brigade - [not started yet]

Sage-Heritage-Posts

Sage - [not started yet]

@nineheritageposts

Miles “Nine” Prower – involved in shenanigans.

@ninethefoxheritageposts

Miles “Nine” Prower (Nine 2) - [I don't know actually]

#heritageverse #heritageblr #[mod finn speaks]

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nights-nonsensical-ramblings · 2 years

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(Super out of date) Masterpost of My Sonic fics.

Campfire_of_the_night

(Updated as of 06/October) currently outdated and in need of an update

Chaos Uncontrolled A crossover between the movie universe and Sonic X. Featuring the Sonic X crew being befuddled by the movie boys being siblings and their powers.

When your children come from the stars Sonic, Knuckles and Tails get adopted early and Tom and Maddie learn to look after alien kids.

Wachowski one shots a one shot collection for the Wachowski family. Mostly wholesome shenanigans but sprinkles of angst are planned.

7 times someone ‘kidnapped’ Knuckles in the name of friendship, and 1 time he did it back. a 5+1 style fic where Knuckles friends want to spend time with him. First chapter has Rouge and Shadow.

Vector the crocodile is everybody’s dad a collection of moments set during forces where Vector looks out for the younger members of the Sonic cast.

Friendship persists A frontiers inspired fic where sonic, tails, knuckles and Amy are all stranded on the starfall islands together with amnesia.

No child should have to inherit a war. set in the movie universe this begins with sonic and Knuckles meeting up as kids and choosing to search for the master emerald together. They are joined by tails and travel across the galaxy. It’s kinda an adventure/ road trip style fic. Has a lot of cameos.

The ghostly guardian An au where knuckles is a ghost/spirt bound to the master emerald but because he has no one to compare himself to has never realized what’s unusual. There are similar story beats to canon with some deviation.

What’s a ship without it’s crew Set during season 3 of sonic x this is a group of one shots of random things happening on the blue typhoon. Some are chill shenanigans but some are character bonding with a nice sprinkling of angst

Aliens? in my town? it’s more likely than you’d think. Set in the movie universe and details the story of a family being completely oblivious to all the alien shenanigans going on. (Think Linda from phineas and Ferb)

How to deal with an alternate dimensional version of yourself (a guide by Team Sonic)

smaller but mightier

scrambled and over easy

My three sonic boom and sonic movie crossovers fics. Mostly chill tone but has some angst. The boom team also get their emotional awareness boosted up so they can deal with the movie counterparts better.

#sonic the hedgehog #knuckles the echidna #miles tails prower #vector the crocodile #sonic fanfiction #Sonic x #sonic movie #Sonic multiverse #tom wachowski #maddie wachowski #tails wachowski #knuckles wachowski #sonic wachowski #night's sonic stuff #night's writing #early adoption au #ghostly guardian au #sonic movie and boom #Sonic movie and X

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niyana-the-ambiguous-mobian · 1 year

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Actually i would think about the Wachowskis being like the Heelers from Bluey, sweet moments between the parents and the three interdimensional kids playing funny games like in the show, Sonic being like Bluey and Tails like Bingo. I also imagine them doing the dance in the Bluey theme song.

Yep, I second that notion.

Tom is Bandit, Maddie is Chilli and the boys are all like Bluey and Bingo even though there are three of them but they can be just like those kids sometimes, mostly dragging Tom into their daily shenanigans.

The sweet moments that happen between the parents and their kids are always a treat to watch play out with the Heeler family, so seeing that play out in a similar fashion with the Wachowski’s would be extra special. I just want to see them be soft with their sons ok?

#the wachowski family #wachowski fam #scu #asks answered #anonymous

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guardian-of-da-gay · 4 months

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Family Ties

Read it on Ao3

Tails slid the rental skates off his feet. They were just a bit too small. He’d have to ask Mom to get another pair. That was probably okay, though. She had said to let her know if the size was wrong. It wouldn’t annoy her if it wasn’t. Probably.

He looked up and watched as she handed Knuckles his own pair of skates. Tails noticed right away that the skates had laces. Knuckles looked at them and Tails could practically hear him thinking ‘what am I supposed to do with these?’ He looked between her and the skates and back, but she was sitting down and pulling on her own.

Knuckles looked out at the rest of the skaters and Tails did too. There were only a few other families (who were obviously trying not to stare at them), but as far as Tails could see, everyone else's skates had laces. But there must’ve been non-lace shoes, right? Mom had just accidentally gotten the wrong kind for Knuckles too.

Tails watched closely. If Knuckles pointed out the mistake, he could probably tack on that he needed different skates as well. He felt more comfortable with that. Knuckles opened his mouth to say something when–

“Sonic, wait! You have to switch your shoes first!” Mom got up and hobbled off wearing only one skate.

“I wanna see if I can run in place on the ice!”

“I think you’re just as likely to run right into the side of the rink.” Dad steered Sonic away from the ice.

“Aw, come on. Just one lap? I’ll go so fast they won’t even see me–”

It looked like this was going to wind up being a debate, Tails thought.

Knuckles watched them, fiddling with one of his backpack straps. That had been a debate too. Mom was worried if he carried the Master Emerald out on the ice he’d fall and hurt himself landing on it. Knuckles refused to leave it behind or even far out of sight. In the end, she’d allowed him to carry it in a backpack in exchange for him giving in to their other debate: whether or not he should wear a coat. (Tails didn’t mind having to wear his own jacket and scarf though, it was chilly here and he didn’t have his winter fur yet.)

Knuckles glanced his way. He watched as Knuckles’ eyes slid down to the skates in Tails’ hand. At least they were in this together. Maybe they could solve the problem together too.

Tails hopped down from the chair, sliding his shoes back on. “Um… I’m going to get some different skates,” he said before he could overthink it. “Do you want me to ask for snap shoes for you?”

Knuckles scowled and stood. “I can ask myself,” he grumbled.

But Knuckles let Tails lead the way from the stands back up to the rental counter. Which was weird. Usually it was Tails following as Knuckles loudly declared to the cashier: ‘My brother requested NO pickles!’ Instead, Knuckles kept looking around, which made Tails feel like he had to look around too. One thing he noticed: no one was wearing snap skates.

Tails hated talking to cashiers or… any customer service kind of person. It made him anxious. But since Knuckles was being weirdly quiet, it was up to him to do the talking.

“E-excuse me,” he asked, standing on his tip-toes to see over the counter edge. “Can we swap lace skates for some snap skates? And switch sizes?” He set his skates on the counter. He hoped that was okay.

Humans always either acted like Tails was some weirdo freak… or that he was really cute. The guy behind the counter smiled real wide and Tails knew that here it was the latter.

The clerk leaned over the edge of the counter so Tails could step back and didn’t have to stand on his toes. “Hey, little guy!” He said in a candy-sweet voice. “You said you want ‘snap skates’? What’re those?”

“Oh, um… you know… like snap shoes?”

The clerk looked confused.

“Um… button shoes? They’ve got little magnets in them?”

Now he looked even more confused. Tails hadn’t expected this. He glanced back at Knuckles.

“I think they do not have any,” Knuckles said. “It is alright.”

Tails wrung his hands, his tails twisting around each other. That wasn’t right… Knuckles never gave up when Tails said he’d just wipe off the pickle juice. Tails couldn’t give up now! He turned back to the clerk. “Aren’t there any skates without laces?”

“Oh, like velcro? Sure, little guy. What size do you need?”

Both of them perked up at that. Tails looked excitedly back at Knuckles. His big brother stepped forward, holding up his laced skates. “I require an adult human male’s ‘size twelve’.”

“Oh.” The clerk leaned back and looked at Knuckles in surprise. He wasn’t giving him the ‘I think you’re a freak’ look, but he definitely didn’t think Knuckles was cute either. “Uh… sorry, man, we only have velcro skates in kid sizes.”

Knuckles’ shoulders slumped along with Tails’. “Um… you don’t have any other kinds of no-lace shoes?” Tails asked.

Knuckles had already turned and walked away before the clerk could finish apologizing again. Tails wavered between following and staying to mind his manners and thank the man before he remembered he needed to switch his own skates. As soon as he had the new size he hurried back to the stands, feeling extra aware of all the strangers glancing his way.

Knuckles was sitting with the family again, his skates on the floor beside him. He watched Mom watch Sonic tie his skates. “Remember to get them good and tight,” she said. “It’ll hurt your ankles if they’re loose. And tuck the extra string into the lower straps–yeah, like that–that way you won’t accidentally trip on them!”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it Mom.”

Dad looked up from tying his own laces and saw Tails standing there holding his skates. “You need help, bud?”

“Oh! No, I’m okay.” Tails hopped up to sit next to Knuckles and pulled off his shoes.

He thought Knuckles would ask for help. Or… more likely Mom or Dad would offer. But Knuckles didn’t say anything and–

“Last one on the ice is a rotten egg–and it’s even a fair fight ‘cause I cannot run in these things!” Sonic yelled.

“Hang on, let me put my purse in our locker.”

“Should we put our shoes in there?” Dad asked.

“Oh yeah!” Sonic said. “I was just hearing on the news about this ‘Stinky Shoe Bandit’! Better be careful, Dad!”

“I doubt anyone is going to steal anybody’s shoes. And even if they do, we can always buy new shoes! But my wallet is definitely getting put away.” Mom hobbled off toward the lockers and Dad hurried to follow Sonic.

Nobody remembered to check on Knuckles.

Tails stared down at his socked feet and the skates with their long, skinny laces. He realized with mounting dread that he might need to offer Knuckles help. Knuckles! He was good at pretty much everything… except anything to do with technology. But other than that, he could do anything! Except… he couldn’t tie laces.

But some species just weren’t built for stuff like that! Their fingers were too short or their claws too long or they had webbed fingers or… whatever! The point was it happened plenty on other planets and there were usually other options available. Apparently not here though. Here, it looked like it wasn’t something people really thought about. Maybe that was why Knuckles was being so quiet… across the galaxy, people would look at his mitts and his snap shoes and know.

Here Knuckles had to admit he needed help. And he never needed help. He was the one who gave help. That’s probably why Mom and Dad hadn’t thought to offer… and why he wasn’t asking now. And why he’d probably just get annoyed with Tails if he tried to help.

His conflicted thoughts must have shown on his face. “What is wrong?” Knuckles asked.

Tails looked up in surprise. “Uh…” A perfect lie suddenly hit him. “I need help!”

Knuckles perked up. Always ready to assist.

That thought had Tails plucking up his courage. “Tying these skates is kind of tricky…” he said. “Could I practice with you first?”

“Oh.” Knuckles frowned slightly. Tails could see the gears turning in his head. Was tying skate laces really that much different from shoelaces? After a second, Knuckles shrugged. He didn’t know enough about tying laces to call Tails’ bluff. “You may practice on me,” he said.

Tails hopped down from his seat, breathing a subtle sigh of relief. Knuckles snapped the magnetic tops off his shoes and pushed them aside with his foot. Then pulled on his skates. Once they were on his feet, he stopped and looked up at Tails.

“L-leave it to me!” Tails replied, standing up straight and proud before he knelt down and got to work cinching the laces.

He pulled the strings tight around Knuckles’ ankles just like Mom had said. “How’s that feel?” He asked. “Too tight? Too loose?”

Knuckles rolled his ankle a little. “It is sufficient,” he said.

Tails got back to it. It was a little weird tying shoelaces from this side of the shoe. Plus Knuckles was watching him like a hawk the whole time. Tails had to restart once, which probably helped sell his lie that he needed practice. He managed to get the first skate tied before there was a loud thump! on the dasher boards across from their seats.

“Wait, Knuckles, is Tails tying your shoelaces for you?” Sonic cried as his face popped over the top of the boards. “Oh my god… can you not tie your shoes?!”

Knuckles’ quills bristled. “Of course, I can!” He said too quickly and too loud. He was such a bad liar.

“Wait, what?” Dad asked as he came up behind Sonic.

“It is nothing,” Knuckles said at the same time as Sonic announced:

“Knuckles can’t tie his shoes!”

“He can’t?” Oh dear, Mom was back too.

Knuckles crossed his arms with a huff.

“You can speak like a billion languages but you can’t tie your shoelaces?”

Knuckles gave Sonic a dirty look, but before he could say anything, Tails piped up: “That’s not nice, Sonic!”

He immediately wilted as his whole family looked at him in surprise. Oh gosh… he’d scolded Sonic! He’d just been so surprised that Sonic would tease Knuckles about something he couldn’t change… But of course now he thought about it, Sonic grew up around humans. He probably thought it was a ‘knowing’ issue and not a mechanical one.

Ears folded against his head he dedicated his full attention to tying Knuckles’ laces as quickly as possible. If he’d looked up he would’ve seen the very pointed look Mom was giving Sonic.

“Uh… okay, point taken. Um. Sorry, Knux?”

Knuckles just let out a grunt. He was done with this conversation. But Mom wasn’t just yet:

“I’m sorry too, honey. I should’ve checked if you needed any help.”

“I don’t need help,” Knuckles said. “Tails was only practicing his lace-tying skills on me.”

“So… Do you know how to tie laces?” Sonic asked.

“Do you know how to shut up?”

“Okay, neither of you two talk to each other until Tails has his skates on,” Mom declared.

Oh gosh… Tails wasn’t sure if that put pressure on him to go fast or slow. He tied them quickly, just in case.

“Fine!” Sonic huffed and disappeared over the boards once more.

“Fine,” Knuckles grumbled. He stood from the chair. And nearly fell over.

“Oh, careful!” Mom sounded like she was trying not to laugh as she grabbed his arm and helped him stand upright.

“These are hard to walk in!”

“Yeah, they’re not really built for walking in, but they’re perfect once you’re on the ice!” Mom knelt and checked the lacing on Knuckles’ shoes.

“Good job, bud,” she said to Tails. She checked Tails’ laces too. With her back to Knuckles she met Tails’ eye and whispered. “Thanks for looking out for your brother.”

Tails flushed under his fur.

“What was that?” Knuckles demanded.

“I said maybe when we get home, we can all practice tying laces together?”

Knuckles frowned. “No, thank you,” he said. He didn’t elaborate further, just crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Tails expectantly.

Tails’ eyes flicked between Knuckles and Mom and back.

He didn’t say that Knuckles should explain a bit more to Mom, but he definitely thought it. Knuckles must have picked up on it; his expression shifted into a scowl. When he turned back to Mom his mouth was twisted into a grimace. He held up a mitt. “These are not really built for tying shoelaces… But they are perfect for punching! Also digging! And swimming and climbing too!” He bumped his fist over his puffed up chest.

“Okay…” Mom said. She looked down at Knuckles’ gloves and then her eyes slid to his discarded shoes.

Knuckles must have felt like he’d sufficiently proven echidna capability, because he wibble-wobble-walked off to the gap in the boards with his head held high.

Tails glanced back at Mom and saw her picking up Knuckles’ snap shoes curiously.

“Um… Are you coming, too?”

“Oh, yes. You go on ahead. I’ll be right there.”

There was a bit of a clog at the rink entrance. Sonic was taking a little bit of extra time figuring out skating. He clung to the railing while Dad ran through the basics. Knuckles stood at the threshold, listening in. Tails came beside him and realized that he couldn’t reach the railing. Uh-oh. Well, that was alright. He could learn without the figurative training wheels.

Knuckles let out an annoyed hum and Tails instinctively cringed. Was Knuckles annoyed that they’d been caught by Sonic? That he had to explain himself to Mom?

“You are too short,” Knuckles said. He grabbed the edge of the baseboard with one mitt and held out the other. “Hold on to me.”

“Oh… thanks Knuckles.” Tails took the offered mitt. Knuckles’ mitt was practically as big as Tail’s whole torso so his hand looked extra teeny tiny in his older brother’s giant fist. With Knuckles leading the way, they took their first unsteady steps out onto the ice. It was nice that Knuckles had offered to help. Made him feel… the opposite of how being scared of annoying him felt.

“Oh, Tails!” Tom called from where he was trying to get Sonic to stand right. “Do you want a bucket?”

“What?” Tails looked up to see another little kid scooting around the middle of the rink, using a stack of upside-down buckets to keep his balance. The kid was staring at them of course, but a sharp look from Knuckles made him stop.

Tails appreciated the ingenuity of the bucket but… he looked up at Knuckles who looked equally unimpressed with the technique. “Um… I’m okay,” he said.

“You sure?” Tom asked. “The bucket won’t fall down and take you with it.”

“I will not fall!” Knuckles said, outraged.

He fell immediately. Then Sonic laughed so hard that he fell too. Tails avoided the pile-up only because Knuckles let go of him.

“Alright, we will try this again!” Knuckles said, determined. “Hold my tail and I can use my arms for balance.” He turned and pointed his funny crooked tail in Tail’s direction.

“Uh… won’t that hurt if I fall and pull on it?”

“Of course not!” Knuckles boasted. “The bend is for little ones learning to walk to hold onto!”

“Really?” Tom and Sonic asked as one. Sonic’s skepticism was undercut by the way he was slowly and unintentionally doing the splits against the boards. Tom rushed to rescue him.

“That is what my father said…” Knuckles trailed off like it’d only just occurred to him that might’ve been just a little kid story. “Regardless, my tail is very sturdy. Much stronger than yours. You can pull all you need.”

The little tip wiggled like it was waving to Tails to go on ahead and grab it. Tails hesitantly took hold. It felt like a rock covered in bristles… just like all the rest of his brother’s ‘one million percent muscle’ body.

“Okay, I think I’m ready to try again!” Sonic said. He pushed forward, moving along with half his usual grace. Tom kept close to his side, glancing back at Knuckles and Tails and looking around for Mom.

Knuckles took a few experimental steps forward, dragging Tails after him.

Tails wobbled and bobbed, his tails whipping this way and that as he tried to keep his balance. Knuckles glanced back at him over his shoulder and he feared for a moment that he was tugging too much. “You know, you do fly with your tails. They must be quite strong! Have you ever tried lifting weights with them?”

“Oh, um…” Tails' knees shook as he tried to keep his balance. “I’ve lifted you while flying, does that count?”

And then Knuckles actually smiled! Tails was so surprised–he could count on one hand the number of times he’d made Knuckles smile. Distracted, he stumbled and wobbled, trying to keep his balance while his feet kept moving without him. Even when he thought for sure he would fall, Knuckles’ tail was completely firm and still.

“Lean forward more,” Knuckles said. “And bend your knees a bit.”

“What he said,” Dad added. “It helps if you lower your center of gravity.”

Tails thought his center of gravity was easily the lowest in the whole rink, but he did what they said. It did help.

Knuckles focused his attention on the ice below them, taking smooth, short steps. Tails watched his feet and tried to move the same way. Knuckles’ movements became more confident, but Tails was still unsteady. He looked up at his big brother’s broad back and watched how his dreads swayed from side to side over the back of his backpack, purposefully shifting his weight with each step. Tails mimicked his movements, stepping in time with Knuckles. Immediately his movements felt smoother. He was getting the hang of it!

Mom skated up beside them. Like Dad, she didn’t need to hold the wall at all.

Dad looked over expectantly.

“I put Knuckles’ shoes in our locker.”

“Because of the Stinky Shoe Bandit?” Sonic asked as he did a funny T-pose shuffle across the ice.

“Because I realized his shoes would be harder to replace if someone decided they wanted to steal shoes–”

“Because they’re so stink–”

“Because they’re special shoes from outer space.”

Knuckles puffed up at that. “My shoes have received a place of high honor!”

Sonic rolled his eyes so hard he lost his balance and had to cling to the wall. “That’s literally nothing to brag about,” he said.

Knuckles huffed. “Well then, how about this?” He let go of the wall and pushed away, skating around Dad and Sonic and pulling Tails after him.

“Woah!” Tails cried out in surprise and delight. He hung on tight, keeping his posture like Dad and Knuckles suggested. Knuckles was going fast enough to blow his bangs back and Tails tummy flipped whenever his balance shifted too quickly. But it was fun! Like flying, but even easier!

When he realized Knuckles wasn’t going to return to grabbing the wall, Tails focused on copying his movements. It was just like dancing with Sonic–all he had to do was follow his brother's lead! Halfway around the rink, he had it down.

“What the heck, you hadn’t even heard of ice skating this morning!” Sonic said as the two of them passed him a second time.

“I am a fast learner,” Knuckles gloated without stopping.

“Tell that to our last two microwaves!”

“I cannot hear you because of how much faster than you I am going!”

The third time they passed Sonic, Tails felt confident enough to slowly let go of Knuckles’ tail. His older brother looked over his shoulder, slowing as Tails came up beside him. He wobbled a little, but stayed upright.

“You are a quick learner too!” Knuckles praised.

Tails flushed under his fur. “Heh, I um… I had a good teacher.”

There was a loud thumping and scuffing sound and they both looked over and watched as Sonic hurried across the center of the rink, pushing an overturned bucket in front of him. Halfway through he jumped up and sat on top, letting his momentum carry him.

Knuckles and Tails stopped as Sonic drifted to a halt in front of them. “I have decided,” he said magnanimously. “Since you two are both so slow off the ice: I will be a gentleman and let you take the W here.”

Knuckles shot Tails a cocky grin. “Perhaps I should teach Sonic now too.”

Sonic leaned back on his bucket with a frown. “How come I can’t tease you about the shoelaces, but you can tease me about ice skating?”

Tails suppressed a wince. Knuckles probably wouldn’t like the reminder. But Knuckles must have been having too good a time, because he actually answered: “Because my fingers cannot bend that way, but your feet work just fine.”

“Touche.”

“Also I was not teasing that time. I thought it might be more helpful to receive training from someone more similarly proportioned to you than Tom.”

“‘Similarly proportioned’,” Sonic repeated. He looked Knuckles up and down then looked at Tails. “Okay, maybe between the two of you.”

“Tails can help too!”

“I can?” Tails didn’t think he was that good yet.

“Yes, you are very good at being a helpful brother!” Knuckles smiled at him and there was a knowing gleam in his eye. Maybe Tails’ lie earlier hadn’t been that good after all. But Knuckles didn’t seem mad at all, he actually seemed appreciative!

“Alright, I’ll allow the both of you to help me. But first!” Sonic tipped his head to the side and Tails followed his gaze to see Mom and Dad skating along the wall, holding hands while Mom showed something to Dad on her phone.

Sonic shifted on the bucket so he was seated squarely and held out both hands. “You two can pull me!”

“And that will help you learn?” Knuckles asked.

“Nope, but if you pull me super fast and let go I’ll go flying and it’ll be awesome! But we aren’t supposed to do it so that means we can only do it once.”

***

“One more picture! Sonic demanded as they stepped off the ice.

Tails fumbled after him. It felt weird walking after skating so long!

“One sec!” Dad said, pulling his skates off.

Mom had already taken lots of pictures (some very sneakily while the three of them had been goofing off on the ice), but she and Dad seemed to be game for any photo opportunity where Sonic would voluntarily stay still.

Sonic was busying himself taking a bunch of silly selfies with the bucket when Tails noticed Knuckles sitting on the bench behind Dad. The corners of his mouth slipped down as he looked down at his skates. He probably couldn’t untie his shoes either.

Mom appeared, kneeling by Knuckles’ feet with a smile.

“Let me help you get those off,” she said.

Knuckles’ expression crumpled into a pout and for a second it looked like he was going to insist on doing it himself. Mom handed him his snap shoes. “Also here’s these back from the honored locker.”

“Ah! My shoes return, victorious!”

“What did they win?” Mom grabbed one of his skates.

“Most important shoes!”

She laughed, undoing the knot and uncinching the strings in quick, smooth motions. “Dad and I were thinking about getting some hot cocoa, what do you think?”

“I think that I like cocoa. And it will help to warm you up.”

“Warm me up?”

“Both of you! You fuss over us to wear these–” he pulled at his jacket “--over our fur when you have no fur of your own! I worry, you know.”

Mom beamed. “Thank you,” she said. “That’s sweet of you to worry.” She patted his ankles. “And you’re right, I could use some warming up! Get your shoes changed and we’ll go get in line!”

Knuckles looked down to see Mom already had his skates undone. He looked like he’d hardly realized when she’d done it. Honestly Tails was impressed, but Mom liked to tell stories about vets needing fast hands so he shouldn’t be surprised.

“Hey Tails!” Sonic appeared in front of him, pushing the bucket into his hands. In a second he was behind him, hands under Tails’ arms, and zooming the both of them over to Knuckles.

“One last picture!” Sonic ordered. “Us and Bucket Buddy!”

“I agree, we should commemorate Sonic’s noble steed.” Knuckles patted the top of the bucket. “Thank you for throwing Sonic into the wall.”

“I’m pretty sure that was you. Using your strength when I said not to–”

“I did not! It must have been Tails.”

“What?!”

“Alright, I’m ready,” Dad said as he pulled out his phone.

Sonic leaned in on one side as Knuckles leaned into the other. The air was quite cool but Tails felt very cozy with his brothers on either side.

“Smile!” Dad said.

And Tails did.

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