“Not right at this moment. It is, however, something you should watch.” The cow says, putting the x-ray back inside the folder. “See, our bodies are made to only comfortably support one tail because it connects to our spine. With Miles having two tails with only one spine to support them, it most likely is causing him some pain. Minor discomfort at best."

“Tails.” Sonic corrects her again, leaning back in his chair as he begins to rub aimless circles on the back of his brother's paw. “So what do we do about it?"

“Your absolute best option to avoid any future hospital trips is for him to have one of his tails surgically removed.” Dr. Clover says, holding up one of her hands to tell Sonic to wait before he responds. “However, I have seen his work so I know that's an option both you and him would like to avoid. The best you can do without the surgery is get him comfortable with telling you how his lower back feels so you can keep an eye on it. I can prescribe a special painkiller and a brace for him to use.”

“C’mon, bud, it’s not that hard.” Sonic says, rubbing his paw down his face. He’s been trying to get the kid to say his name for about 10 minutes now. “Just try to get the first three letters, okay? Just ‘Son’.”

His, now literal, baby brother’s brow furrows as he tilts his head curiously. He's sitting in Knuckles's lap at the moment, playing with his quills.

“Sonic, stop trying to push him.” Amy scolds, frowning at the blue hedgehog. “S is hard for little kids, it'll take time. Don't you remember what he did when he was helping you learn how to talk?”

“I take it from that sigh you didn’t enjoy your little meeting with the Commander?” Tails’s ears flick at the voice. He smiles when he realizes who it belongs to.

“Does anyone enjoy even being within five feet of him?” He asks as he looks over to grin at the white bat.

Rouge lets out an airy sigh as she shakes her head, her ears flopping from the soft movement. “Not at all, Foxboy. C’mon, let’s go get lunch together so you can get it out of your system before going back to Blue. My treat, considering you just paid my boss.” She waves her fingers to tell the kid to follow her as she walks down the large corridor.

"Hey! Knuckles!" Silver calls, waving a paw as he runs towards the echidna. The teenager pauses at the door leading to the armory and glances back to find who yelled his name.

"What?" Knuckles asks as he fully turns around, crossing his arms over his chest. Silver can see the faint start of eyebags on his muzzle.

"Have you seen Tails anywhere?" The hedgehog asks, choosing not point out the dark circles. He's sure the guardian is more than aware of them. "I've looked everywhere but I can't find him."

"Tails?" Charmy peeks around the doorway to look at Silver. "Vector wanted to show him something. I think they're outside?"

Tails’s ears fold back down again as he turns back to the unconscious hero, his shaking getting rougher, “Sonic, please!” He begs, more tears slipping down his cheeks as his head falls onto the hedgehog’s chest.

“Please don’t leave me..” The kit whimpers, nuzzling his head underneath the older’s chin. In any other situation, he’d feel bad about getting the peach chest fur wet, but right now that really was the least of their problems.

He didn’t want to be alone again. He couldn’t do it, he needed Sonic.

During the worst nights, Tails digs through his room until he unearths three very specific things. The hoodie Amy gifted him a few years ago that's styled after the Blue Blur himself, a crocheted plush of Sonic Vanilla made for him, and a blue blanket that's still neatly folded and tucked safely underneath his bed, hidden from the non-existent monsters that he's convinced are going to try and take it if he leaves it on his mattress.

Once he's acquired the three items, he makes his way to Sonic's usually untouched room. Tails doesn't like to go in there while the hedgehog's gone, but laying down in a bed that reeks of chili dogs and grass is surprisingly comforting some nights.

He's yet to understand the logic behind it, but when he wakes up the next morning he feels a little less alone. The silence becomes bearable again, and he's able to get back to work without spiraling. It doesn't make sense to him because he's still alone when he wakes up, but for some reason it makes him feel better.

His attention drifts to Tails next. There's a large cut in his ear that's steadily oozing out blood that trails down the fox's face. His fur looks brown from the dirt that's coating it, a few patches around his arms and legs stained a slight red from blood. There's probably cuts hidden under his fur. One of his tails is curling around his body while the other lays limp behind him.

It takes a few more seconds of studying the fox through heavy eyes before Sonic realizes something horrifying.

Tails isn't breathing.

"I still don't get why I can't go find him." Sonic grumbles from his spot on the couch. He's slouching into the cushion, arms folded over his chest. "I can catch him."

"Because he needs space, Sonic." Maddie says from where she's sitting at the kitchen island, looking out into the backyard for any sign of the youngest. "He'll come back when he's ready."

Before Sonic is able to give her another reason why he needs to go find the little fox, a knock on the front door vibrates throughout the house. Knuckles whips around from where he's standing at the archway between the kitchen and living room, fists raised defensively.

Sonic smiles as he listens to the quiet gasps of awe from everyone. He really couldn't blame them, the view they had was incredible.

He'll never get over just how amazing his little brother looks when he goes super. Blue, green, and purple swirl across his fur like a galaxy is trapped within him as white dots sparkle like they're miniature stars. Seven phantom tails thrash behind him in a mesmerizing pattern, each one of them a matching color to the seven Chaos Emeralds.

His eyes shift from their normal bright blue to a sharp green, vibrant even amongst all the other colors dancing across his body. Two flickies circle around him with several other phantoms birds, all similar colors to the fox’s new rainbow tails.

It makes Sonic want to cry. Tails has come so far from the scared, mangey little kit he met in Westside all those years ago.

He's so proud of his little brother.

"Didn't make it." Knuckles grumbles, looking to the ground. "Walkers got him before he could get out."

"Oh." Vector winces, saying a quiet sorry as he turns to Tails. "How long do you think—"

"I don't know, Vector." The fox shakes his head, arms shaking as he tries to thread a needle. "I don't— I'm trying to focus, okay? Just wait."

Sonic's smile quickly falls when he sees the kit's face. He fully steps into the room and shuts the door behind him. “Are you okay, buddy?” He asks, speeding over to the bed. 

Tails bites his tongue and lays back down, facing the wall. “M’fine.” He mumbles, curling further into himself when the bed dips slightly as the hedgehog sits on the bed.

“You don't look fine.” The teen points out, placing a comforting paw on his brother's shoulder. He frowns at the way Tails tenses up, “You know you don't have to talk about it, but don't lie to me, kid.”

"Mangey?!" Thorn yells out, cupping paws around her mouth to emphasize the sound. Her ears perk up as she strains to listen for any sounds from the fox, but the only response she receives is the sound of her own voice echoing off the trees. Her shout bounces around a few miles until it fades into the air, leaving her alone.

Birdie screeches out a call soon after, but it's ignored just like Thorn's. The hedgehog sighs as she lets her paws sit on her hips, looking around at all the bushes in case she catches any slight movements. The giant flickey chirps sadly as he deflates at th lack of response.

"We'll find him." Thorn promises as the bird walks over to her. She reaches a paw up to stroke his neck as she sighs again, "Well. He'll find us, probably."