Chapter Text
They say a star shines brightest before it falls.
Sonic tried to keep the pain out of his eyes as he smiled. Thankfully, Tails' enthusiasm was contagious. The not-so-little fox kit was running around the Tornado, triple checking that he'd packed everything and the biplane was fully fueled and ready to go. He hadn't seen Tails this excited about something besides an invention in a while.
"Sonic, do you see me as a burden?"
Those words chipped at the blue hero's heart like no weapon ever could and were forever engraved in his mind. Had his little brother really felt like that this entire time? He knew Tails had struggled with self-doubt in the past, but he'd tried to be reassuring, to show him that he could be proud of himself. He'd never doubted Tails for a second, so why should Tails doubt himself? The kit had accomplished so much! Way more than Sonic had at his age.
Tails was older now. He was twelve, almost thirteen—a few years older than Sonic had been when he'd set off on his first solo adventure. He could totally handle a trip by himself, Sonic thought. He didn't his big brother hovering over him anymore.
How did he miss his little brother growing up?
Tails slammed the Tornado's built-in storage hold shut, loudly, yet unintentionally snapping Sonic out of his thoughts.
"Everything set, little buddy?"
"Yep! All set!"
"GPS to Spagonia?" The literal other side of the planet.
"Check."
"Fuel?"
"Check."
"Emergency flair and first aid kit?"
Tails rolled his eyes. "Check."
"Clothes?"
"We only wear gloves and socks?"
Sonic winked. "And shoes."
Tails raised an eyebrow with a duh expression. Wow, the preteen attitude was already starting to come out.
"Communicator?"
"Sonic," Tails whined, "I've checked and double checked everything. There's nothing left to pack!"
The blue blur's ears pinned back for only half a second, but after years of knowing each other it was enough for the kit to notice. But to his surprise, Sonic placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
That was something they'd both missed on Starfall Islands, when Tails was trapped as a hologram. That grounding, physical reassurance that words couldn't communicate.
"I know, bud. You've thought of everything. And I want you to know that I have full confidence in you. You're going to do so many amazing things!"
He wanted to say more. He wanted to keep saying how proud he was of his little brother. How thrilled he was that Tails was charting his own path.
He wanted to beg his little brother not to go alone. He wanted to make him promise to call and check in every single night, even if it woke him up or if they were in different time zones. Make him promise to call if he got in over his head or if things got too dangerous.
But that would contradict the whole point of this trip—to prove that Tails could be independent—that he was more than Sonic's sidekick.
Sonic's throat was suspiciously tight as he pulled Tails in for a hug, making the two-tailed inventor's fur puff up in surprise. Without any hesitation, Tails returned it, burrowing his nose in the crook of his brother's neck.
Sonic fought back the urge to scent-mark him as his like when they were kids. He'd claimed Tails as family over and over again, making sure no one could take him away and say he was theirs.
But now Tails was his own.
"Just . . . Just promise me you'll be careful. I know you will!" Sonic rushed to add, worried his own complicated feelings could be mistaken for doubt, "But, for me. Promise you'll take care of yourself."
"I promise, Sonic."
"That includes getting enough sleep."
The young inventor gave a boyish groan out of fond annoyance as the two parted, though Sonic still kept his hands on his brother's thin shoulders.
The blue blur's eyes had a glossy sheen, but his smile was genuine and bright. "I'm so proud of you, bud. No matter where you go, I know you're going to do amazing things." He let go.
Tails grinned, his namesakes twirling in excitement. "Thanks, Sonic!"
"Now, shoo!" he replied playfully, "You're burning daylight!"
Sonic committed Tails' accompanying laugh to memory as he watched his little brother run to the Tornado. Then he frowned when the kit paused and suddenly came running back.
Sonic's heart pounded in his ears as he felt two scrawny arms wrap around his waist in a tight hug.
"Love you, Sonic."
Sonic ran his fingers through the floof between his floppy fox ears and returned the hug. "Heh, love you too, little bro."
After that, Tails officially hopped into his plane. And Sonic stood at their makeshift runway until long after the other had disappeared over the horizon.
Late morning gave way to noon. Noon gave way to twilight. It was the longest he'd ever stood in one place.
The crickets were just beginning to chirp as he turned back to the empty workshop. His mind raced through the events of the past few days.
Knuckles in his old adventure hat with a knapsack, officially leaving Angel Island and the Master Emerald to explore the world. Tails had built a topnotch security system for the ME, and the Chaotix were to check in with Knuckles every week to give any updates.
Amy with a pair of sunglasses and a full suitcase as she stood outside the airport, ready to share her love with the world. She'd joined a volunteer group that provided free medical care and disaster relief. Sonic wouldn't be surprised if she came back as the group's leader.
And now Tails, soaring to new heights. He decided to collaborate with Professor Pickle on some new project and use that basis to start making a name for himself as a hero and a respected member of the scientific community.
None of them specified when they were coming back to Green Hill, just that they would.
Sonic wasn't worried. He'd gone off on his own adventures before, sometimes for a month at a time. He wouldn't begrudge his friends for deciding to go their own ways.
But did all of them have to go at the same time?
He shook his head sharply and sucked in a deep breath. No, he wouldn't think that way. He'd been on his own before, and he'd be fine. This wasn't some final goodbye.
It was just a "see ya later" without knowing when the later was. He could hold down the fort and make sure Eggman wasn't up to any new schemes.
Please...look after Father.
Sonic hissed as the memory of Sage sacrificing herself surged to the forefront. Yeah, maybe he'll go check up on the old doc.