Work Text:
It started out as a small tickle in his throat. One that was easily taken care of with a small clearing of a throat.
Tails ignored it and figured he was just dehydrated.
The next thing was an uncomfortable feeling in his ears. He knew exactly what it was then and as much as he hated the almost soggy feeling that hurt, Tails also knew it would be downhill from there.
He sighed and pushed through to continue working on the project in front of him. He told Knuckles about his idea and the echidna was eager to see how it went.
Tails figured out how to dampen the signal from the chaos emerald and so it would offer more protection if it was harder to find.
He knew Knuckles was still uneasy about letting it be out in the open without a protective shrine around it, even if the elder didn't say anything. Tails was attuned at reading body language.
He tried not to think about how he got good at reading it because it was always through trial and error when he was younger.
Tails shook himself out of that thought and covered another small cough in his hand.
He needed to finish this project for Knuckles. He wanted him to be able to relax and enjoy their little makeshift family. And he wouldn't be able to do that if half his mind was always straying to the gem.
He was very happy that the Wachowskis bought a buildable shed and placed it in their backyard for him to have a small workshop. Within the day he had his set up and after both Knuckles and Sonic did some heavy lifting and making sure there was a solid desk and reinforcing the walls, Tails more or less recreated his workshop he had back on his home island.
He spared a thought to what he used to call his home and wondered if he should go back to retrieve some of his things but dismissed it for now. Maybe in the near future he could make a quick trip.
Tails ignored the slight headache that started to form behind his eyes. Afterall, it wasn't the first time he'd push through a project while being sick. At least now he had a roof over his head rather than roughing it in the woods.
He instinctively stifled another cough. Years of making sure he wasn't found for any reason ingrained certain habits.
And besides, it wasn't that bad.
Tails blinked and lifted his head from his desk. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to get rid of the goopy feeling and leaned back against his chair. The fox didn’t think he’d actually fall asleep when he put his head down while his computer ran some calculations. He stared at the screen for a few moments before taking a small breath.
Which turned into a rough, surprising cough. Tails stifled the rest of it and breathed shallowly. His lungs hurt a little bit but he had to finish the project. He went over to the little coffee maker he had scrounged from a nearby junkyard and fixed up and made himself a cup to make sure he wouldn’t lose anymore time.
Maddie and Tom were thinking about bringing them all to a little theme park that weekend and he wanted to make sure Knuckles could enjoy it freely.
Tails chugged the cup of coffee and sighed as the warm liquid helped ease his sore throat. After cleaning the cup and coffee pot out in the small sink he installed, he went back to his computer. Tails had just sat down when there was a small tap on the door. He turned as it opened and smiled at the echidna, “Hi Knuckles!” He cleared his throat a couple times before continuing, “How can I help you?”
Knuckles blinked at the slight rasp of the kit’s voice, “I was wondering about your progress.”
Tails nodded and looked back at the screen, “I should be done soon. All I really need to do is calibrate the signal and figure out how to attach the dampener to whatever we’d want to keep the Master Emerald in.” He looked back and grinned at Knuckles’ blank face, “Maybe a day or two.”
Knuckles nodded before walking further in, “Have you gotten any rest?”
Tails looked at his watch and blinked at the time, “Oh, I didn’t know it was that late. Yeah I had a small nap earlier.” He smothered what would have been another cough and wiped at his face, “I just had some coffee too so I don’t think I’ll be going to bed anytime soon.” He said sheepishly.
Knuckles gave him a slight disapproving stare.
Tails shook his head, “Don’t give me that look. I’ve gone on less sleep than that and been absolutely fine.” He turned back to the screen and huffed out a quiet, “Sides’ insomnia loves me.”
Knuckles didn’t comment on the remark since he knew that feeling as well and placed a hand on the smaller shoulder, “I am very thankful for your work here.”
Tails' ears perked up as he looked at the red Mobian, “You deserve a bit of a break too, Knuckles. If I can help you get that then I will.”
Violet eyes turned to blue and Knuckles nodded gratefully. He wasn’t sure what to say to this child that was shocking him more times than he could count.
They never continued their conversation about the fox’s past, uneasy to bring up any bad memories but he knew he’d like to learn more about the little one sooner rather than later. The amount that he cared about everyone in their little family was staggering and Knuckles wanted to visit the kit’s home town and beat up every bully this kid had.
After a few moments, Knuckles excused himself from the shed and closed the door after himself. Tails slumped in his seat and as soon as he could no longer hear the footsteps leading away, he let himself cough a few times and rubbed his chest. He breathed through it and shook his head to get back to work.
That little conversation just cemented the fact that he'd work through until he finished.
The next to visit was Sonic, "You coming to bed?"
Tails jumped and immediately breathed out slowly to make sure he wouldn't cough, "...Huh?" He blinked at the blue blue before it focused back into shape.
Sonic watched him with slight worry, "It's ten. We gotta go to bed soon." He looked up at the screen that he couldn't decipher a thing off of.
Tails blinked again before turning away again, "I can use my bed in here for tonight. I'm super close to finishing this!" He pointed a thumb to the tiny cot in the corner just for taking breaks when he needed and went back to it.
Sonic smiled slightly and shook his head, "Don't blame me when mom and dad come looking for you!" He ruffled Tails bangs before pointing at the container on the desk, "This is the thing for the Emerald right?"
Tails pushed off Sonic's hand and nodded, "I still need to figure out how to imbue the box with the dampening energy." He bit his lip as he thought, 'I could do it easily with the stuff in my old workshop.'
Sonic just ruffled his bangs again, "Just don't forget to go to sleep soon, 'kay?" He sped off back into the house, the door not quite closing behind him.
Tails groaned his annoyance but immediately lapsed into coughing. After his fit he sat and breathed for a few moments. He rubbed at his chest again as if it could help with his lungs' soreness. Maybe resting wasn't such a bad idea.
He got up from the chair and let out a small whine at the body aches that now made themselves known. Tails shuffled his way over to the cot and flopped onto it, pulling the blanket over his head since he forgot to turn off the lights and didn't want to get back up.
It wasn't as comfortable as his bed in Sonic's room but it wasn't bad either.
Tails sighed as he relaxed into the bed, knowing the reinforced and insulated walls of the shed would keep the cold out.
He didn't realize when Sonic left, the door was still open just a slight amount.
Maddie glanced out the window and sighed before looking at the clock on their nightstand. Gleaming blue numbers read 12:03 , “He’s still awake out there.”
Tom glanced up from where he was reading on the bed, “Should we go and make sure he goes to bed?”
“You know how he gets when he’s working on something.”
Tom bent the corner of the page he was reading and placed his book on the side table, “Laser focus.” He sighed as well and sat up in the bed, “We’re going to have to start enforcing a bedtime with that one like we did with Sonic aren’t we?”
Maddie just smiled and nodded, “No matter what those three went through before, we have to make sure they’re taken care of. They’re just kids.”
Tom nodded, “Speaking of, when are we going to bring up what he said before?”
She shook her head, “Tails has already told me about his insomnia.”
“Something they all have in common.” Tom mumbled under his breath.
“But I’m not sure if he’s ready to talk about what happened. And I don’t want to push him.” Maddie sighed again before looking back at the shed, “They’ve all been through so much already.”
Tom just nodded.
They both looked at each other before nodding. Tom got up from the bed and Maddie joined him as they left their room to go check on the fox. They both put on jackets, since they knew it was colder outside and made their way to the shed.
Tom knocked on the door but paused when the door was pushed open with his gentle tap, “That’s weird.” He pushed open the door and looked into the small workshop, “Tails?”
Maddie followed behind with a small frown on her face at the lack of reply.
They looked around and both of their gazes stopped on the small shivering pile on the cot in the corner.
Maddie immediately went forward, “Tails?” She slowly pulled the blanket down and softly gasped at what she saw.
Tails was passed out, shivering but also panting like he couldn’t catch his breath. Little whines escaped him as he tossed slightly on the bed.
Tom knelt next to Maddie and tried to wake the small fox, “Hey buddy?” At the lack of reaction, he worriedly looked at his wife before immediately picking up the sick child and standing. They left the shed, closed the door and went back into the house.
Maddie immediately went to get the children’s tylenol before going back to the couch where Tom had placed Tails.
“How did he get this sick so fast?” Tom asked Maddie as she tried to wake the child.
Maddie just shook her head and tried to gently shake Tails awake again, “Honey? Can you wake up for me?” She tried to keep as quiet as she could but they heard footsteps coming down from the attic.
Knuckles appeared, wide awake and Sonic following behind, much more drowsy and rubbing at his eyes, “Mom? Dad? What’s goin’ on?” Sonic bumped into Knuckles when the echidna suddenly stopped, “Knux?” He looked around and his eyes zeroed in on the figure on the couch. Sonic was immediately awake, “Is Tails okay?”
A high pitched whine stole everyone’s attention and glazed blue eyes opened.
Maddie let out a breath of relief before reaching forward. None of them expected the fox to violently flinch away from her.
Tails panted as he tried to get away from his attackers. He’d been caught before when he was trying to sneak into a place that would house him from the unforgiving elements. But he had hoped he would have been able to slip under the radar until the worst of his sickness passed.
Everything blurred together. He only heard warbled voices. Flashes of color. When he was finally able to pry his eyes open he immediately saw a figure reaching towards him. Tails pushed himself away, “M’sorry! Please don’t hurt me!” He cried out before lifting his heavy arms to guard his face.
He didn’t notice the figure freeze, nor the others coming closer. But when no attack immediately came, Tails opened his eyes again and let out a small cry at the fact that he was surrounded now. He still couldn’t understand what they were saying but more hands were starting to reach for him.
He had to get away.
But every movement hurt.
Tails flinched away from the closest hand and let out a small screech before forcing his body up and over whatever was behind him. He let out a grunt at the harsh landing and flattened his ears when he heard the voices raise in volume. Tails heard fast footsteps and started crying into his hands as he was surrounded again. He curled up his body and felt himself tense painfully to prepare for any attack, “Please don’t hurt me again.” He whispered, knowing it wouldn’t work.
Tails felt himself get picked up and panicked. The figure holding him tightened their grip as Tails thrashed around to escape. He knew wherever he would be taken wouldn’t be good for him. He still couldn’t see clearly, but the red figure had him in a tight grip and was walking with purpose somewhere.
The warbled voices never quieted. And he felt more than heard the deep voice of whoever was holding him. Tails never stopped his thrashing, nor his pleas for them to stop. That he promised he wouldn’t come back again. He started coughing violently and shut his eyes tightly when he felt them stop.
Cool water shocked him and he struggled even harder. Were they going to try and drown him? Tails wasn’t sure what was coming out of his mouth at this point. Desperate words to try and get the figures to stop, to let him live.
After a few minutes of his crying, he realized nothing else was happening. He shivered slightly from the cold but felt his heartbeat start to calm down as his panting slowed. Tails blinked a few times and the blurry colors and shapes finally settled. Everything lost its dream-like state and Tails noticed he was in a shower. He closed his eyes again and relaxed in the arms of whoever was holding onto him.
He felt a hand petting his face gently and a soothing voice. Tails could finally start to pick out words.
‘ You’re okay, you’re safe here, Tails.’
Tails let out another low whine before letting his head fall back against who he now knew was Knuckles. He took a small breath before swallowing around his dry mouth, “M’sorry.” He whispered.
‘You have nothing to apologize for, bud.’
Tails coughed again before opening his eyes and looking at everyone. He made sure to make eye contact with them and nodded to let them know he was aware of who they were now. He saw relief hit the two humans and Sonic who was petting him. He felt Knuckles’ grip start to lessen now that he didn’t have to be restrained and Tails felt his feet touch the tub.
He didn’t try to stand and instead let himself sit and lean against the side of the porcelain. He felt Knuckles also sit behind him and start to rub his back.
The shower turned off and everyone was silent before the kit spoke up in a raspy voice, “I think I’m sick.”
There was a small disbelieving laugh from Sonic, “Yeah, we kind of figured.”
“Sweetie?”
Tails opened his eyes and tilted his head from where he was lying against the tub to look at Maddie.
“Do you think you can take these right now?” She held out two colorful looking tablets.
Tails blinked at them before looking back at her, “What are they?” He noticed a slight flinch in her eyes before she knelt next to Sonic.
“They’re to help with your fever. It’s medicine.”
Tails looked back at the tablets before nodding and taking them. He closed his eyes as he chewed them and swallowed, “Never had medicine before.” He mumbled to himself, unaware of the looks he got.
He felt Knuckles tip him backwards and adjusted so he could be carried again, “Rest little one.”
Tails didn’t need to be told twice.
Tails only remembered bits and pieces. Being supported as he was drinking some sips of a cool liquid. Gentle hands petting through his bangs and his back. A weird chalky cherry taste from something that was fed to him. He was just so tired. And he let all those things happen because there was no pain accompanying them. It felt nice and that was foreign to him.
He felt his ear twitch and the pain from earlier wasn’t there anymore. Tails carefully swallowed and found out that he no longer had a sore throat. Sure he was still tired and his body ached but he knew the worst of the sickness was over with.
Tails felt a hand pet his head and furrowed his eyebrows. His ear flicked again from the slight tickle it felt and then he heard low voices. He heavily lifted his eyelids and blinked at the TV screen in front of him. All he could register were colorful blobs moving around. Tails closed his eyes again and sighed. Then he realized he was lying on someone’s lap. The same someone who was gently petting his head.
He forced his eyes open again and slowly sat up. Tails rubbed at both of them before blinking tiredly and sitting against the back of the couch. He curled up inside the blanket that was around him and looked to who he was lying on.
Maddie was watching him with worried eyes, “How are you feeling?”
Tails hummed before yawning, “I’m okay.” He looked at the table in front of them and finally registered all of the supplies. Tails shrunk slightly, feeling self conscious, “...Sorry.”
Maddie reached out, but paused and placed her hand on the couch, where Tails used to be, “What are you sorry for, honey?”
Blue eyes blinked at her in confusion, “That you had to take care of me?”
Maddie’s eyes misted before she cleared her throat, “Tails, may I hug you?”
Tails blinked at the question and nodded slowly. He wasn’t so much as hugged as scooped back into her lap and he felt her face press against the top of his head, “...Mrs. Wachowski?” He felt his body relax into the hug and waited.
“We don’t know what you’ve gone through in the past, Tails. But please try to remember we aren’t like whoever hurt you.”
Tails froze and remembered his nightmare, “Did…. What happened?” He asked in a small voice. He felt Maddie take a small breath before starting to rub his back again.
“Your fever was really high and whatever you saw was very scary. For all of us.”
Tails pulled away from the hug and looked around, “Where is everyone else?”
Maddie just smiled at him, “Tom’s at work and he brought Sonic and Knuckles with him. Those two have been hovering over you more than me the past few days.” She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
Tails felt his ears perk up in shock at the kiss, “So… that was all of you? Wait, ‘few days’?” He blinked as his mind caught up with what she said, “How long have I been sick for?”
“You’ve been out of it for about four days, honey.”
Tails blinked again and then leaned against her, “Oh. Wow.” His eyes strayed to the pill bottle and some sort of red colored liquid sitting on the table, “Is that the medicine?”
Maddie nodded, “I know it’s a long time-” She cut herself off when she felt him push away again.
“No! When I get sick like that it usually lasts a couple weeks.” Tails tiredly wagged his tails before looking at the medicine bottles again, missing Maddie’s shocked and heartbroken look, “I’ve never had medicine before, or-” He turned back towards her and smiled shyly, “Someone who helped.”
Maddie finally let her tears fall and shook her head.
Tails tried to sit up, alarmed, “Mrs. Wachowski? Are you okay?” He let out a small grunt when he was pulled back into a gentle hug.
“You should have had someone caring for you, Tails.” She lifted her hand to hold onto the back of his head and breathed for a few moments, “You also don’t have to be so formal, you can call me Maddie and Tom, Tom.” She pulled away again and looked into his eyes, “We’ll be here for you for as long you need us and then some.”
Tails blinked in shock before looking away. He felt her guide his chin back to look at her.
“And you can always ask us for help. No matter what. In fact, please ask us, Tails.”
The fox blinked away his own tears and slumped slightly, “...I don’t know if I can. This is just how I've lived for... well... my whole life.” He finished quietly.
“I know it’ll be difficult. And I don’t expect you to be able to do it automatically. But try to remember that we care for you.”
Tails scrunched his nose in confusion, “But why?”
Maddie just smiled at him, “You’re our kid.” She watched his eyes widen and continued, “Just like Sonic and Knuckles. You’re also part of this family now.”
Too overwhelmed to talk, Tails just leaned forward and hugged her. And if he started to silently cry on her shoulder and neck, she only rocked him in her arms and started to hum a calming tune to help him.
“Mrs…M-Maddie?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Will you be mad if I can’t ask? O-or don’t remember to?”
Maddie just sighed and started to rub his back, “No. I know it’ll take time.”
Tails felt his heart weigh down with his next thought but he knew he had to ask, “What if it takes too much time?” He whispered.
Maddie never stopped her movement, “No such thing. We will always be here for you.”
Tails just nodded against her shoulder. He believed her.