Work Text:
His twin tails swished behind him as he worked. He was practically part of the stool now, hunched at the kitchen counter tinkering with a small device. His goggles down and causing the fur around it to flatten.
He was the definition of 'locked in'.
He hadn't moved in over an hour, Not minding the numbness creeping into his arm muscle. "Just one more—" he muttered when
Ding Dong !
Tails' ear twitched but didn't look up from his project.
The doorbell rang again. Tails didn't even bother answering it.
He was about to finish connecting the wires when the door bell rang unusually faster. The repetitive sound was like an invisible hammer pounding on his head. Tails let out a low growl before he sighed, got up and began his walk to the door.
Ding ding ding!
"Yeah, I'm coming." He picked up his pace.
Ding ding ding!
"Ugh, Amy if that's you," He muttered under his breath as he pinched the gap between his eyes with one hand while the other found the door handle.
When he swung the door open, his eyes went wide—
No one was there.
He left the doorway and walked onto the stone path, he turned his head both ways to scan the street for any suspicious person but there was no one in sight.
Then a gentle breeze blew past. His tails whipped in the wind, the smell of ozone, and the freshness of something alive took him by surprise. He adjusted his goggles, placing them on his head so he could appreciate the outdoors better.
He tilted his head back to watch the clouds in the clear sky. The unexplainable beauty of the vast blue caught Tails off guard.
He blinked once realising that he hadn't been outside in a while. He cooped himself up in the house and lab for almost a month now. Always moving, always working. He didn't want to stop because that's not what Sonic would want.
Right?
Tails just felt awful now because he had isolated himself since Sonic went on that mission. He wasn't eating properly, wasn't sleeping properly, just alive but not living.
That wasn't Sonic at all.
Tails rubbed his eyes with an arm as he bottled up the thoughts. He took a big breath to clear his head then turned in the direction of the front door.
He had a project to complete.
The walk to the front door was heavy, Tails sighed as he closed the door. The next thing he heard was CRASH! and the clatter of metal coming from the kitchen.
Tails began moving towards the kitchen in careful steps. More metal clattered and Tails heart rate spiked at the sound.
Did another rat get in?
Did he forget to lock the back door again?
The last time was a rat, but this sounded much bigger?
Tails tightened his fists at his side and brought them to face level, ready to strike like Espio had taught him. He turned the corner of the kitchen entrance and froze.
His fists fell with his whole body as his eyes found—
Blue fur.
Blue quills.
Emerald eyes.
And that stupid nonchalant smirk that hadn't changed in years.
That warm smile.
Sonic was standing at the sink with a pan in his hand, looking like he was just caught attempting a crime. The fox for a moment thought he was dreaming, he closed his eyes and rubbed them with the back of his gloved hands.
"Gee, if I knew I would be this unrecognisable, I wouldn't have gotten the piercing."
Tails blue eyes caught the new, golden earring that rounded the edge of Sonic's right ear.
But Tails focused on his voice. It was warm, light and a soft chuckle followed, unmistakably his.
"S-sonic ?" Tails' voice cracked halfway through.
The blue hedgehog in front of him smiled, "Yeah. Hey little bro." Sonic waved.
Tails blinked once more before he launched himself forward, avoiding the kitchen counter easily and half jumped onto Sonic.
As Tails felt Sonic's quills brush his muzzle and inhaled Sonic's outdoor fragrance; pine, grass and chilli dogs, his mind finally registered, 'yep, it's him' as his grip tightened around Sonic's shorter frame.
The longer their embrace lasted, Tails only tightened his hold... to the point Sonic couldn't breathe and he began patting his back in surrender.
"Buddy, buddy. Air."
The teen fox released Sonic who was already taking a huge breath. Tails scrambled a few feet away to watch the blue hedgehog before him as he steadied his breathing again and regained his composure with a smile so warm Tails lit up as well.
"Sonic. You– you're back!" Tails stated casually, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly like he didn't just try to force out the air in Sonic's lungs.
Sonic hummed in affirmation that he was indeed back. "You miss me?" Sonic teased. There were a million ways Tails could have answered but he couldn't pretend, his eyes softened and his shoulders dropped—
"You have no idea."
Sonic's eyes went wide as he processed Tails' words. Then with the pan still in hand, Sonic pointed it to Tails making the fox jump a bit in confusion. "Sit, I'll make dinner."
Tails asked if he could help and began moving towards the fridge but Sonic swatted his hands away when he offered. He wanted Tails to feel that he was home.
Later, over dinner, Tails asked Sonic about how the mission went. Sonic then began his animated retelling of the entire mission, gesturing explosively just to get a reaction out of Tails but mid-way through he stopped.
"What about you bud, how'd you hold down the fort while I was gone?" Sonic smiled.
Tails paused then gripped his fork tighter, he didn't meet Sonic's eyes as he picked at his food. He thought about lying but his conscience wouldn't let him.
"It's been quiet." Tails admitted, he talked about incomplete projects, long nights, working with Amy and Knuckles while he was away, improving defense systems, the usual.
Sonic didn't react immediately, he listened to Tails speak noticing how his ears fell and tails dropped. It hits Sonic that when he arrived, the sink was too clean, "Buddy, when was the last time you took a break?"
Tails froze, "You know I like to work on projects for a long hours"
Sonic frowned, "that's not what I asked, Tails." He crossed his arms, his eyes weren't upset though, just that concerned and worried sad face Sonic only uses with him.
The air between them became thicker. Tails tried to speak again but his mouth clamped shut, Sonic pushed himself off his seat and walked over to him. He stood there for a good minute before placing his hand on Tails' head and ruffling his hair playfully. Tails tried to push him away but Sonic was stuck on him and messed with his hair longer.
Soon Tails erupted into laughter—just like back then— Sonic could only view Tails as a kid again and soon his laughter filled the room as well.
"Okay okay, enough," Tails finally escaped Sonic's hold, still laughing breathlessly. Their mirth soon reduced to chuckles and snorts.
"There you go, you don't have to push yourself to match my speed. I'm proud of you for doing your thing at your pace." Sonic smiled.
And Tails stared up at him. No response.
Sonic's hand left Tails head and rested on his shoulder, "let's get outta here tomorrow." Sonic's eyes were fond, "go out and have a fun day, reconnect with the world a bit." Sonic offered, tilting his head when Tails gave him a blank stare.
Tails pursed his lips, then smiled.
"Sure."
The next day was warm and bright. They had walked most of the way out of their street to the busier part of town. Sonic insisted to stop at a chilli dog cart to buy a few because he hadn't tasted 'a masterpiece from the heavens' in almost a month.
While they walked, they came across the Chaotix. Vector and Espio greeted Sonic and welcomed him back.
Charmy and Tails stood a few feet away from them, back to back as Charmy measured himself with Tails.
"Dude, it's been less than 2 weeks how'd you grow again!?" Charmy wailed as he placed a hand on his heart in a dramatic display of damage to his pride. Tails only laughed and teased Charmy, "You didn't change a bit, did you bumblebee?" Tails smirked as he looked down at his younger counterpart.
Not long after Charmy started his rant, Sonic called Tails saying that they should hit the Arcade next.
The arcade lights flickered and chimed as they stepped inside the next afternoon.
Tails’ ears perked up immediately at the layered sounds — coin drops, blaster effects, electronic music loops.
Sonic eyes sparkled with childish delight as he inhaled dramatically. “Smells like victory.”
“That’s popcorn and electricity,” Tails corrected. Sonic could only snort.
They started with space shooters.
Sonic mashed buttons recklessly, weaving in his seat like it would help. Tails, on the other hand, was precise. Calculated. Destroying enemies before they even fully entered the frame.
“Show-off,” Sonic muttered.
“You’re the one yelling at the screen,” Tails shot back.
They laughed. The shared activity made them connect again.
"Come on let's—" Sonic froze, slowly turned his head.
“No.”
He pointed.
“No way.”
Tails followed his gaze and the dance machine stood glowing in the corner. Sonic walked toward it like it was sacred.
“They have this?”
Tails scratched his neck sheepishly. “It’s been here.”
Sonic inserted tokens with dramatic flair. “Stand back.”
When the music started.
Sonic just flowed.
Fast and smooth footwork matching the arrows perfectly. He spun off the pad once, landing back in rhythm without missing a beat. Tails’ jaw dropped.
“Wow?!” someone shouted over the music. Sonic winked mid-spin.
A small crowd formed with kids, teens. Some people even recorded on their phones.
The song ramped up. Sonic matched it. Faster. Flashier.
He ended with a slide off the pad and a pose that absolutely wasn’t necessary.
The machine chimed.
Perfect combo.
The crowd clapped. Sonic bowed dramatically.
But then he looked at Tails first and he was beaming. And Sonic’s smile softened.
“Your turn?” Sonic teased.
“Absolutely not.”
“Fair enough..”
They left the machine behind with laughter still clinging to them.
Outside, the afternoon sun dipped lower. Sonic stretched his arms behind his head casually. “Hey.”
Tails looked up.
“You wanna fly? Like old times?”
The question was sudden, it carried years worth of weight but Tails nodded.
Sonic stepped forward, holding out his arms without hesitation. Tails grabbed them spinning his twin tails, like propellers, they took a moment to gain some speed.
Wind picked up around them. Dust lifted from the pavement. Sonic’s quills fluttered slightly then a moment after his feet were no longer on the ground.
Then higher till they reached rooftops. The town stretched wide and familiar.
Sonic looked down for a second and a wave of nostalgia hit him square in the chest. He’d done this so many times.
Back when Tails was smaller. Back when lifting him took visible effort.
Now?
The fox ascended smoothly. He was stronger now, still a genius, still super awesome.
Sonic looked up at him.
And really saw him.
Taller. Older. More confident in the air and on the ground.
Growing.
It took a truckload of discipline not to let that emotion crack through. The wind, he told himself. Just the wind.
“Hey, Tails,” Sonic called up.
“Yeah?”
“Remember the first time you flew me?” Sonic asked.
Tails grinned. “You were heavier.”
“Rude.”
“You were.”
“I was heroic weight.”
Tails laughed and Sonic’s expression softened again.
"I missed you" Tails admitted suddenly.
The honesty hung there.
Sonic nodded once.
“I missed you too, buddy.”
Simple. Real.
No dramatics.
Just truth.
They drifted lower slowly. The wind cooled as the sun dipped further. They landed gently. For a moment, neither moved.
Then Sonic clapped Tails on the back.
“Race you home?”
Tails’ eyes lit up.
“You’re on.”
And just like that, they took off — blue blur and spinning gold streak side by side down the road.
Together.
And for the first time in a month, Tails didn’t feel like he was just alive.
He felt like he was living again.