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With a groan, Nine opens his eyes and is shocked to find himself in the Grim. He stands, looking around the cold, barren landscape. “How did I get here?” He wonders aloud, scratching the side of his head. “I haven’t been here since…”
The fox trails off, catching sight of his reflection. He draws in a sharp breath, staring at the leather jacket, torn pants, and crimson gloves. Nine’s ears flatten against his head, taking a step back, staring at his eight-year-old self.
Had it all been a dream? The life he had built up the last three years? The friends he had made, the family he had been a part of? Had it all been a dream? Something sharp stabs through him suddenly, causing him to freeze. Nine looks down at Deep’s bloodied katana that stabs through his chest. The blade is slowly removed from his chest, the dull pain growing.
Nine collapses on the platform, a puddle of dark red blood growing around him. He looks up, startled to see Sonic standing beside him, his features cold. “Sonic-” Nine begins, wincing as Sonic kicks him sharply in his side. “Serves you right, freak.” The blue hedgehog growls. “You betrayed me, you selfish brat.”
The fox’s ears go flat. “No, Sonic, please, wait.” He pleads, reaching out to his brother. Sonic steps back. “You’re nothing to me. And you’ll never be the real Tails. You're just a freak. A mistake. Did you really think I wanted you around?” Sonic says, tilting his head, a cruel smirk on his face. “Idiot. I could never care about someone like you.”
Sonic turns around and walks away, disappearing from view. “Wait…don’t…leave me…” Nine pleads, his vision growing dark. “Sonic…”
Nine bolts upright in bed, letting out a short cry as he grasps his chest tightly. He breathes heavily as he stares into the darkness, his body trembling. He takes a few deep breaths, trying to regain control of his breathing. Nine looks at the clock on his nightstand, the red numbers glowing in the darkness.
He sighs. It’s two in the morning. I can’t just go running to him. Yet despite this, he couldn’t quite shake off the nightmare. Heaving a sigh, Nine pulls the covers back and hops out of bed. He carefully opens his bedroom door, peeking out into the hall.
The house is quiet. The only sounds he can hear are the chirping of crickets outside, and the faint hum of the refrigerator. Nine steps out into the hall, his socks padding lightly against the cool linoleum as he creeps down the hall toward Sonic and Shadow’s shared room.
Nine stops in front of the door, pausing. His ear twitches, picking up the sound of faint snoring from inside the room. His hand rests on the doorknob, but he doesn’t turn it. For Chaos’ sake. You're eleven years old, Nine. Don’t be such a baby and go crying to him in the dead of night. He scolds himself. Just go back to bed. He won’t be in any mood to talk right now.
He takes his hand off the doorknob and turns away, and prepares to go back to his room. “...Nine…?” Sonic’s sleepy voice says from behind, causing the fox to turn around, his tails puffing up in surprise.
Sonic rubs his eyes wearily, his quills messy as he stands in the doorway, dressed in a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt. “I’m sorry.” Nine whispers, careful to keep his voice down. He knew how grouchy Shadow could get if woken up too early. “I didn’t mean to wake you. You can go back to sleep.” Nine stammers nervously. …And go back to your boyfriend. He’s the one who matters here. Not me. Nine takes a few steps back, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
He’s never going to let me live this down. Seriously. Getting up at two in the morning, running to him like a baby just because I had a nightmare. Nine’s mind begins to race, his heart thumping in his chest. What if he tells the others? Ugh. Then they’ll all start babying me, treating me like a little kid. That or they’ll make fun of me. He shudders, and can already imagine their laughter.
“Nine, wait,” Sonic says, stepping out into the hall. Nine looks up at the blue hedgehog, his gaze drifting to the scar on his arm. Sonic follows his gaze, his expression softening. “Did you have another nightmare?” He asks. Nine looks at the floor, his silence saying everything. Understanding at once, Sonic puts an arm around Nine, tugging him close. “Do you want a glass of water?” He asks the kit.
Nine nods wordlessly and allows Sonic to lead him into the kitchen. There, his brother quietly grabs a cup from the cabinet and fills it up from the tap. He hands it to Nine, and leans against the counter, yawning. “Do you want to talk about it?” Sonic asks, now reaching out to brush a strand of fur out of Nine’s eyes.
Nine quickly chugs the water down before replying, handing the cup to Sonic, and hugging himself tightly. “Just…stay.” He says softly, his ears flattening. After setting the cup on the counter, Sonic moves to put his arm around Nine once more. “Do you want to get into bed with us?” He asks, to which Nine nods.
Silently, Sonic begins to lead Nine into his and Shadow’s shared room. The room is warm, and the only source of light is a faint glow from Shadow’s red quills. Nine stops to look at the softly glowing quills as Sonic shuts the door. “His quills must have some bioluminescent qualities to them.” He says softly. Sonic grins. “It’s two in the morning. Less nerd talk, more sleeping.” His brother says fondly, chuckling a little.
They walk over to the bed, and Nine notices the way Shadow twitches slightly in his sleep, muttering incomprehensible things as he sleeps, and Nine could have sworn he heard the faintest laugh. “Come on, little buddy. There’s plenty of room here for you.” Sonic says as he gets into bed.
Nine hesitates for only a moment before climbing into the bed. Sonic carefully tucks him in, and yawns. “It’s always so strange to see you without your metal tails.” Sonic remarks. “It’s hard to sleep with them on. I can never get comfortable.” Nine replies softly. “I’d imagine,” Sonic says, pausing as Shadow rolls over to use Sonic’s chest as a pillow, humming softly as he buries his face in Sonic’s chest.
Sonic yawns before closing his eyes, falling asleep almost instantly, his arms around both Shadow and Nine. The fox shifts closer, pressing up against Sonic’s side. He’s warm . He’s here. I’m here. I’m safe. Nine’s eyelids grow heavy, and he closes them, letting out a contented purr as he drifts off.
I’m home.