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Tails knew that the machine was going to implode on itself way before it actually happened.
It was, truth be told, a foregone conclusion. He was not the slightest bit surprised that, as soon as he made some crappy adjustments to it and turned it on, it immediately refused to function and overheated to the point of causing a borderline comical explosion.
A curtain of black smoke, oozing out of the burned circuits, steadily filled the air of the cramped workshop. Letting out a disdained cough, the fox flew to his window, rushing to open it wide as a form of ventilation.
He threw a glare at the now carbonised device, as if it was to blame for its own explosion.
He’d normally be disheartened at such a catastrophic failure, rather than mad. This disaster in particular, however, was all Sonic’s fault, so he merely redirected his frustrations towards the hedgehog, who was currently out for a run. Blissfully unaware of the mess he had caused, in all likelihood.
Perhaps blaming his best friend for his own incapability to focus was somewhat unfair.
He was, undeniably, the culprit, but Tails couldn't even hold him accountable for it, since he knew that Sonic hadn't meant to ruin his entire week with a simple interaction.
And yet, the facts remained. He couldn't be bothered to put his mind into fixing this stupid device—a simple repair that should have been done days ago—because something else was occupying his thoughts entirely.
Just remembering it made his face burn, much like the charred metal in front of him.
He had never, ever minded Sonic’s affectionate gestures and words, mind you. They were really nice and he appreciated them a lot!
He liked the friendly nicknames, and the head ruffles, and the pats on the back and the side hugs. All of it made him happy and meant more to him than Sonic could imagine.
But what he'd pulled this time was just—
“Tails! Are you okay!?”
“W-Wah!!”
Startled at the sudden voice, Tails let out a yelp.
His tails instinctively spinned and lifted him up to the middle of the room, as if readying him for the presence of a threat.
What he was met with, though, was nothing other than Sonic’s face, peeking through the open window.
The hedgehog used his gloved hand to wave away some of the gas that blocked his view, and as his eyes landed on Tails, the fox couldn't help but notice the concern nestled in the other’s gaze.
“I saw a tower of smoke and thought a fire broke out,” Sonic said, taking a wary look at the room, only relaxing once he noticed the space was intact. “What happened?”
Huh, so he'd been sprinting nearby. Well, he could tire himself out wherever he wanted.
In response to his inquiry, Tails pointed at the barely recognisable gadget placed on his table.
“Explosion. Nothing to worry about,” he sighed tiredly. “You can go back to your run.”
Sonic eyed him up and down.
A few seconds later, he hopped into the room and grabbed Tails’ hand, giving him an easy-going smile.
As much as he wished he could have, Tails had virtually no time to protest before Sonic dragged him out of the house with another swift, perfectly timed jump.
And then he sprinted away from the workshop at full speed while pulling Tails along. Because of course he did.
Once they finally stopped, the fox couldn't hold back a groan. He made no attempt to hide his exasperation.
“Sonic, I have work to do,” he tried to reason. “Let me go back.”
“You shouldn’t work while you can barely breathe,” Sonic firmly shut him down, rolling his eyes good-heartedly at how stubborn he could be.
His fingers were still wrapped around his palm, preventing Tails from getting away. A childish part of him wanted to take flight while towing Sonic and drop him once they had reached vertiginous heights, to give him a taste of his own medicine, but it was a retaliation too petty for his tastes, even if Sonic had done the exact same thing.
They held their stares for a second, Sonic maintaining the smile on his face, Tails frowning at him in clear protest at being essentially held captive.
It didn’t take long for the latter to relent, though.
With Sonic being faster and stronger than him, even if he somehow managed to bend the other’s will, there wasn’t much of a point in running away.
He’d find him again, like he always did, and Tails would feel guilty for causing him trouble, like he always did. It was best to play along.
“Just so you know, there wasn’t that much smoke,” Tails finally said, dropping the confrontational flare. “You’re exaggerating.”
Sonic’s grin grew wider. A silent acknowledgement of his victory.
“Better be safe than sorry.”
“I’m the hazards expert here, but if you say so,” Tails shrugged, easily letting the matter slide.
The air outside was quite pleasant to bask in, at least. The spring sun was perfectly warm, not hot enough to burn his skin. Coupled with the peaceful chirping of birds in the background and Sonic’s presence, which came with its own soothing effect, the landscape had something of an idyllic feeling to it, almost.
Or maybe the fact he’d been holed up in his workshop for several days was making him way too appreciative of normal scenery.
If only he were like the plants and flowers lined up across the hills. Give him nice lighting and some water and he’d get himself together in a couple of hours, both physically and mentally. It sounded like a beautiful fantasy.
“You’re glaring at the bushes over there,” Sonic suddenly commented, using his free hand to rub at his chin, as if he were a detective making observations about a suspect. “What’s on your mind?”
“If you truly must know,” the other started, delivering his speech in a purposefully slow, lethargic manner, “I am saddened by the fact we lack photoautotrophs’ capability to perform oxygenic photosynthesis.”
“Which means?” Sonic replied, without missing a beat.
“Oh, come on, work with me here. You know what photosynthesis—”
“No, I got it,” the hedgehog waved him off. “I mean, why are you sad about that?”
Tails paused right away, genuinely taken aback.
Whether it was by Sonic’s apparent understanding of biological terminology, or by the rather serious tone the other had taken with him, it was hard to tell.
His friend seemed to take his hesitation as a sign that he’d come off too strong. The look on his face softened considerably.
“Sorry. I’m worrying a little too much, right?” Sonic said with a light-hearted tone, slightly shaking his head as he spoke. “I know it was a joke, but they say there’s always some truth behind them. I just don’t want to hear that you’re sad, especially after… you know.”
Tails did not, in fact, know, although he could make a very educated guess.
He did reveal his deeply-rooted insecurities to Sonic during their latest journey through the Starfall Islands. Sonic had gone to great lengths to take it into account and reassure him of his worth ever since, so it was no surprise that, with the adventure still very much fresh in their minds, the hedgehog wanted to make sure Tails wasn’t bottling up anything else.
The earnest display of care pulled at Tails’ heartstrings. He felt more than a little silly for trying to hide his struggle all this time.
“I have been worried about something. I promise it’s not a big deal,” he added, if only to ease Sonic’s concern as much as possible. “But it would be nice if it went away on its own. Hence, my fleeting desire to turn into a plant.”
The deadpan comment, said in complete seriousness, made both of them crack a laugh. With that exchange alone, the air between them felt much lighter.
“Thanks for letting me know,” Sonic mumbled, sporting a relaxed grin. “I mean it.”
“Don’t thank me for that!” Tails complained, a bit flustered. “If anything, I’m sorry for worrying you. I didn’t mean to.”
The hedgehog shook his head again. For a short while, nothing else needed to be said, and the two of them fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the nature that surrounded them.
That was until Sonic squeezed his hand.
The same one he hadn’t let go of throughout the entire conversation, Tails quietly noted.
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it, though?” Sonic asked, in a much calmer voice, taking both of Tails' hands in his. “You know you can tell me anything, Tails. We're partners.”
Oh, lord.
Whatever progress Tails’ mental state had made in the last couple of minutes had been immediately reset back to zero.
Sonic had done it again.
The fox could feel heat immediately pooling into his muzzle. With so little distance between them, there was no point in attempting to conceal the blush.
Tails’ only saving grace: the two of them were alone this time around. Nobody other than Sonic would bear witness to his embarrassment.
That was a good thing. He wasn't sure his heart could withstand Sonic taking his hand and loudly proclaiming to a crowd that Tails was his partner for life , as he had done earlier in the week.
(Because that was a completely appropriate response to a swallow who subtly suggested he wanted to take Tails’ position as Sonic’s sidekick.
Poor nameless swallow, getting told off by the very same hero whom he admired!)
Feeling Sonic’s eyes boring into him, waiting for an answer, Tails scrambled to find a suitable reply.
Much to his shame, though, it was cripplingly hard to think—just like it had been hard earlier today, and the day before, and the day before that. Every coherent thought had left Tails’ mind at once.
“T-That’s, ah, um…”
He glanced to the side, pointedly avoiding looking at Sonic while stalling and racking his brain.
How was he supposed to go about this?
Hey, you see, that thing you said on Monday that you probably don't even remember anymore has been driving me insane. No big deal, though, for real! I promised!
Honestly speaking, he appreciated the reassurance that Sonic didn't intend to take anyone else under his wing—Tails alone had the privilege of filling that spot in his life and being the one closest to him.
It was an honour that made his chest fill with warmth and pride.
And it was also very, very easy to misunderstand the true meaning behind Sonic's words.
The hushed gasps and knowing smiles that the group of people reacted with were a pretty damning indicator.
Heck, had Tails been one of the civilians rescued by Sonic, he would have definitely thought the same thing that crossed their minds.
Did you know ‘partner’ is regarded as a gender-neutral word to refer to your lover?
The worst part was that Sonic had been calling him by the nickname increasingly often after leaving the islands. It was a simple way to remind them of the fact they were equals, in the whole sense of the word, and Tails hadn’t found a problem in using it within their friend group.
Saying it with his whole chest in front of total strangers, though?
His declaration… totally made them sound like a couple.
Not just a pair of friends with a strong bond; rather, two people who were involved with each other that way.
After all, why would Sonic be so strongly inclined to reject a partnership offer, if it wasn't because someone already fulfilled his every need?
Even Tails, who could sometimes struggle at reading between the lines, was able to comprehend that line of reasoning.
For all of Tails’ talk about going on his own adventure someday, his heart didn’t want to leave Sonic’s side, and he doubted that it ever would. His travelling plans remained as nothing but that: vague, impractical trip ideas that he failed to actually commit to.
He was pretty much glued to Sonic’s hip, in that sense, and it was the same for Sonic. He admitted he’d miss him, after all, despite being the fastest thing alive and having every other place and person on the planet available to him with a few minutes of jogging.
To assume that they were in some sort of relationship was almost a logical conclusion to come to, all things considered.
He didn't know how to feel about Sonic dropping such a statement so casually, like he didn't even get the weight of what he was implying to the population.
And perhaps, more importantly, Tails didn't know how to feel about the fact that he didn't… really mind the implication very much.
He wouldn't mind it if the misunderstanding was the actual truth. He’d realised it almost as soon as the words had first made it out of Sonic’s mouth.
It scared and distracted him, how content the idea of being Sonic’s potential partner made him.
He could shape the affection and admiration he held for Sonic into the foundation of a relationship. He could picture that future with ease; he wouldn't even have to try. Loving Sonic had always been as easy as breathing.
Maybe that was the reason why, despite the initial embarrassment the incident stirred in him, he had been utterly unable to get the scenario out of his head.
What if he just… didn’t have to leave? What if he’d already found his place and purpose all along?
“Tails?”
He knew he'd gotten lost in his sea of thoughts for far too long when Sonic called out to him again, a faint sense of worry clear in his voice.
When he failed to articulate a response once again, the other kept talking for him.
“You’re, uh, really red. Oh, oh,” Sonic’s eyes widened in sudden realisation. “Is it something embarrassing? Personal matters, feelings?” He probed.
Tails couldn’t stop himself from physically cringing and blushing harder, which was essentially proving him right.
“That’s why you don’t want to discuss it?” Sonic looked thoroughly relieved. “Okay, that’s cool. I’m not gonna pry. But if you need any advice, I’m your man! …Actually, no, I’m not, Amy might be better at matters of the heart,” he muttered hushedly after a second. “Then again, Amy can be a little—”
As if noticing that he’d begun to ramble in circles, Sonic cut himself off by taking a deep breath, a light tint of red present in his own cheeks.
It was strange to see his best friend lose his cool like that. Uncharacteristic of him, a peculiar reaction… and an amusing sight. Heartwarming, in its own way.
It made Tails’ chest feel a little lighter, despite the crushing pressure brought about by their hands pressed together.
“It’s not like I don’t want to tell you,” he admitted quietly, catching Sonic’s full attention. “I’m just not sure I should. It’ll… change things.”
That was the most cohesive statement he’d formulated in the entire day. He was proud of himself.
“I’m not going to think of you any differently just because you got a crush, buddy,” Sonic said, giving him such a sweet and supportive smile that he could sense butterflies taking flight in his stomach.
The problem was that Tails didn’t know if this was a crush. Such a simple lexicon didn’t seem enough to define the scope of his current feelings. It wasn’t an emotion that could be labelled and safely classified into a particular box.
How could you even describe the realisation that you wanted to spend your entire life by someone’s side?
It seemed something much grander, something precious that words couldn’t do justice. It was like an earthquake shattering his entire world; two tectonic plates colliding, the convergent boundary faulty and unsteady beneath his feet.
The earthquake couldn’t end if the other plate never settled into place. Just like he couldn’t hope to find his footing while keeping Sonic in the dark about the truth. But who was to say revealing the truth wouldn’t shake the foundation of the plates altogether?
Their bond had been put to the test many times before; it would survive this. So Sonic would tell him not to be scared, obviously.
He was merely finding it hard to apply the principle to practice.
“Are you sure?” He asked the other, for reassurance, hating the light quiver of his voice.
Tails received a firm nod in response, accompanied by the squeezing of his hands. He could feel sweat pooling beneath the fabric of his gloves.
“Of course! No matter what happens, we’re still partners,” Sonic promised.
Again.
“You keep saying that,” Tails mumbled with a smile that could only be called pitiful. And yet, there was undeniable fondness in it, too.
“It’s the truth. I like reminding you of it,” Sonic smiled back, still none the wiser.
Now was as good a time as any to come forth with the reveal. Maybe Sonic would be less willing to repeat those words if he understood how they made Tails feel. If he could see they were on different pages.
Now… was as good a time as any to not say a thing, too. It’d ruin the moment between two good friends. There was no need for Sonic to know that they were on different pages.
Tails stared into Sonic’s eyes. Trust, confidence and warmth shone within that familiar emerald gaze.
If this had happened before their trip to Starfall Islands—Tails wouldn’t have hesitated in his choice.
Shaky ground to stand on was better than no ground at all. Convergence was better than divergence. Taking the coward’s way out suited him too much; he’d rather be allowed to stay by Sonic’s side as a loyal friend than risk a longtime bond for nought.
But he had promised himself he wanted to change.
He wasn’t worthy of calling himself Sonic’s partner if he couldn’t even be honest with him about his feelings. He had to tell him.
He wanted to tell him, despite how much it terrified him. Sonic deserved to know that much.
He didn’t believe Sonic’s reaction would reach such extremes, but if the hedgehog ended up wanting nothing to do with him—the thought alone akin to an arrow piercing through his chest—then, well, he’d finally have an excuse to leave once and for all. There was no meaning to staying without Sonic.
Tails had everything to win and everything to lose. Like an all-or-nothing gamble.
There was, perhaps, some irony to be found in a man of science leaving the trajectory of his life up to luck.
“I’d like it if that was the truth,” he mumbled to Sonic. “If we… really decided to be partners for life. I think that’d make me very happy.”
“You’re in luck, because I meant what I said,” Sonic replied without hesitation. “Whoever it is that you like, I’m not letting them come between us, ever!”
“I’d hope not,” Tails let out a nervous chuckle. “Considering that the one I like is… you.”
There.
It was surprisingly easy to rip off the band-aid when he did it without giving it any second thoughts.
He’d have time to freak out about it later.
“...Huh?” Sonic blinked in complete awe. It took him a few seconds to even say anything else. “M-Me?”
Tails let out a very soft chuckle at his friend’s shocked expression. He doubted many people had gotten to see it.
“Yes, you,” he nodded, both proud and apologetic about the fact. “I noticed it… Thanks to that word. I thought I needed to spend time on my own to find my footing, but what I really want is to be with you. To be your partner, in every sense of the word. To… to give you the rest of my life.”
Whether he failed or succeeded in his missions, whether he laughed or cried, he wanted to do it all with Sonic.
“I thought I was weak, relying on you all the time. I probably still am,” Tails continued, subtly sliding his hands away from Sonic’s hold, letting them fall limp to his sides. “That’s why I’ll come back when I’m stronger. And if you still—”
His next words never made it out of his throat.
Sonic quite literally pushed them back by pulling Tails into a hug so tight, he couldn’t articulate sentences anymore. His torso was being crushed by the weight of Sonic’s arms, wrapped fiercely around his middle.
There was something almost desperate to the gesture that Tails didn’t quite understand.
He returned it, regardless.
“...Guess that means you don’t hate me?” He laughed weakly against Sonic’s chest, trying to relax in his embrace.
Sonic pulled back immediately, as if the words had physically hurt him. And the look on his face was one that Tails couldn’t recognise.
His eyes had a different spark to them than before. His muzzle had to be red enough to match Tails’. Even the smile he was giving him was completely different than usual. His ears were lowered a little, too…
The idea hit Tails a little late.
Was this Sonic’s way of being… flustered?
“Of course I don’t hate you!” Sonic let go of him and grabbed his hands once again, lifting them up and down, as if he was tremendously excited about something.
“I—I thought maybe you would?” Tails watched in bafflement, letting his arms be shaken back and forth by his best friend.
“Are you kidding? Why would I? I like you too!”
“WHAT?!”
That scream startled some nearby birds and came out several octaves higher than intended. Tails couldn’t find it in himself to care very much at the moment.
“Dude, I thought I was making it super obvious!” Sonic laughed, still seemingly on cloud nine. “I mean, was the hand-holding and the promise of being together forever not enough?”
With that, the stress Tails had built up throughout the confession was all washed away in one fell swoop. The sudden change in his emotions would be funny if these circumstances weren't straight-up ridiculous.
“So you absolutely knew that scene made us look like a couple!” He exclaimed at Sonic, almost accusingly so.
“Yep, and I expected you’d be quicker on the uptake,” Sonic teased him. “You have to be if you wanna keep up with me, you know.”
“You did it all on purpose?”
His friend had the decency to look slightly apologetic. The effect was diluted by the cheeky smile on his face, however.
“Should I have told you the normal way? I thought it’d be better if you realised it on your own terms…”
The sentiment, albeit extremely sweet, didn’t fix the mess Tails had gone through for the past few days whatsoever.
“Sonic, so help me,” Tails began, unsure of whether he should sound amused or annoyed or about to cry, “If I’ve been agonising over liking you for the whole week and you've liked me first the entire time—”
“Whoa, whoa, wait!” The hedgehog protested, now frowning, clearly upset. “You’ve been agonising over it? You said whatever had you worried wasn't a big deal!”
“That’s what you're focusing on!?”
“What else should I focus on?” Sonic tilted his head.
About to cry. Yes. Tails should definitely sound about to cry. He couldn’t believe this.
At least they’d be good tears. He felt so happy, he thought he could die right there. The light-headedness was getting to him.
“You know what? Just forget it,” he stammered out, quickly brushing the matter aside, letting some of Sonic’s euphoria spill into his tone. “You seriously like me?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” the other said, “And we could have an enlightening talk about it. Or, we could…” Sonic tugged at Tails’ hands with a huge grin. “Enjoy it for now and leave the questions for later?”
“Don’t you dare think this conversation is over, Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Even as he said that, both Sonic and Tails were aware of the fact that Tails would end up conceding the win to Sonic once again.
Good news for the machine back at his workshop, at least. He could, hopefully, focus enough to patch it up once he got back from his first date.
Tails was lucky. The ground beneath his feet was more solid than ever and, with some more luck, it'd be here to stay.