#i would tag dreamtale but Noot Noot is not really THERE yet per say

[brainworms-all-night-long]

Hey does anyone remember Running from a Nightmare? I just did and um, finished the first half of it in the hopes it'll get me to finish the second some day soon already

I guess one can read this without any context and as a standalone brother's story but just in case

[Words 3,096]

———

Sonic has been feeling on edge for a couple of days now.

At first, he chalked it up to his sixth sense on the lookout for Eggman cooking something up again since the doctor was uncharacteristically quiet which meant the hatching of a new plot. But after his latest scheme was successfully trampled by yours truly and the steady build of anxiety in his gut didn't stop, he began to suspect something else was amiss.

Soon enough it felt like he was being watched.

Now don't get him wrong, he knows the amount of enemies and, uh, "fans" alike that like to keep a not-so-discreet eye on him, this didn't feel like he was seconds away from being jumped though, it felt like he was being, studied?

The feeling faintly lessened when he was among people, on the back burner but still stewing in there. It was alone where he kept his quills bristled and legs ready to either bolt or kick in any direction necessary.

This caused him to prefer crowds or at least one or two of his friends by him at all times. Obviously Tails noticed it as a weird behavior, Sonic wasn't exactly the overly clingy type, but the hedgehog dismissed him easily at first.

Still, knowing that someone or something had its sights trained on him wasn't the most comforting feeling. He assumed that maybe Eggy had sent one of his bots to spy on him, but then couldn't come up with a sensible enough explanation as to why. They had known each other since he was a hoglet, and Sonic kept no secrets that he was aware of, not to mention subtlety was never Eggman's thing. So what could this observation be for?

It was getting harder and harder to suppress his paranoia, especially after a couple of not-so-peaceful naps that left him sleepless. And others aside from Tails began to notice his odd behavior too.

Not that he didn't appreciate the concern but so far it really seemed to be on him alone. No matter what would come of it Sonic would deal with it swiftly and with no sweat. He was sure of it.

If the perpetrator's goal was just to offset him until they could strike, fat chance.

In the end, Sonic's friends knew not to pry because he'd just shut off further, so the subject dropped for some time again.

Unfortunately in that 'some time', Sonic's state gradually slipped into worse.

Tails complained over blue fur and quills messing up his furniture, nightmares that hadn't gotten to Sonic since he was a little guy running around a giant world with no start or destination began to haunt him, and things that no longer bothered him evoked unpleasant memories and sensations. Eventually, it landed him trapped on a picnic where Amy, Knuckles and Tails were determined to get him to talk.

Except there was nothing to talk about. It was all just a minor inconvenience that cost him a few minutes of sleep here and there and made him just a bit sloppier when dealing with the Doctor's usual badnik swarms. Minor inconvenience one too many maybe, but even if he wanted to, he didn't know where he'd start complaining about nothing.

He just needs to run. That's usually what solves his problems and what he felt the itch forever since this whole wrongness gripped him.

He crashed the picnic that they had been planning to have for a few months now. Feeling sorry for it of course, but he hoped they understood. It wasn't a big deal, he was just tired and needed to go take a nap somewhere.

That is what he told them anyway, but the stop wasn't at Tails' workshop, a comfortable tree or warm patch of moss he passed while trying to run away from an invisible presence.

So he ran.

—

Sonic came back hours into midnight, his legs brought him home by pure muscle memory.

Once he entered Tails' workshop, he wordlessly collapsed onto the nearest couch. His presence didn't go unnoticed though, as soon as he crashed, a little fox stood above him with a worried look.

"Hm, 'sup bud. Isn't it past your bedtime?" Sonic forced a lighthearted tone, which the fox definitely wasn't buying, seeing as he deadpanned.

"Is that really the first and only thing that bothers you."

"You bet it is, I care about the health of my dear little bro." Even if tired, he couldn't pass up an opportunity at a loving jab, but instead of the pout he expected, Tails' face was overtaken by a genuine annoyed expression.

"I do too, you know."

And Tails glared, crossing his arms patronizingly.

Oh come on, Sonic thought he made it clear this wasn't a big deal! He just spent the past seven hours dealing with it, safely calling the case closed. "Bud, I'm fine, you can drop it."

"Like hell I can! When was the last time your ugly mug has seen a mirror?"

The younger's voice was gaining a dangerous edge, but Sonic wasn't up to dealing with a cranky fox in his state. It was none of his business.

Still, even if pestering, Tails did it because he cared. So the hedgehog could do the least by responding. Dramatically of course, trying to break the other's offense by widening his eyes and clutching his chest as if he was physicallh hurt by the comment on his appearance.

Tails didn't seem entertained by that at all.

"You look like you haven't slept for a full week Sonic. Something's up and you refuse to tell me. You refuse to tell anyone. Why."

Ok fine, he'll bite.

The last few days have kind of blurred together which usually doesn't happen, but even the great hero of Mobius has his off days alright.

But now that it's mentioned, he hasn't seen his own face in a while, too focused on looking behind his back just to be safe. He doubts it's as bad as Tails makes it out to be, but he elects to, if anything, at least hear his brother out before making another convenient excuse out of here.

"I don't feel like dragging you out of a fight in case you collapse in the middle of it y'know."

"Why do I always have to play mind games with you."

Tails sighed and plopped onto the couch next to him. Seems that he's strategizing at blocking out the exits huh.

Sonic wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to hear that since the other just mumbled it under his nose with a sigh.

Mind games, as if. There are no mind games, simply things that are inconsequential and that he can take on his own so he doesn't see the reason in sharing them. Yes talk about your feelings and reach out if you need a hand or whatver, but what was there to talk about.

Confess that at best he was being paranoid and brushed off or at worst get his friends dragged into a mess he could've solved alone and feeling the same way? Hard pass.

Still biting back his irritation the hedgehog tried to reach out a comforting hand. He didn't feel like messing anything up between him and Tails when it in a pointless midnight argument and Chaos knew just how annoying the kit could get once he got an idea in his head.

"You guys are making a big deal out of nothing, really–"

"Because even the mildest inconvenience you have is too sacred for me to know apparently!" Tails suddenly swatted at his hand and glared at him,

"But Gaia forbid I go to bed five minutes after your arbitrary bedtime!"

Sonic, too shocked to respond and Tails finally over with his patience, wordlessly stared at each other. Tension seemigly materialized in the physical form between them with something more sinister seeping underneath it.

Neither of them spoke up. Instead, Tails' scowl dropped and went back to just a mildly annoyed yet very serious pout.

Now Sonic would just classify this as a symptom of lack-of-sleep-crankiness his little bro suffered from quite often, but it always took a bit more than two deflection attacks to get him to snap like this (was he really wearing everyone's patience so much?) Not to mention he wasn't a big fan of how annoyed he felt at his little bro either. Something about this was off. Again.

Seven hours of trying to get his mind off things wasted apparently.

"No. You'll try to hightail it out before morning and avoid everyone until you think we've all forgotten about how miserable and tired you look. Again."

"Hey, look I get that you're upset with me and all that, but if you keep this up I feel like I'll say something I shouldn't and regret it once I get some sleep in my system, so I'd call it a night and–"

Tails rudely interrupted him. And while Sonic appreciated the concern, he truly did, he.. well yea fine Tails' got a point. Now Sonic won't say that was exactly his plan but he would most likely end up doing that.

"You'll tell me what's up now or- or I won't sleep. Ever."

God fucking damn this kid.

Sonic pressed his lips into a thin like stared at him, just as Tails did the same. Neither of them dared to blink either, and usually, that would lead to the brothers letting go of the argument and dissolving into giggles and snorts, but not this time. Something made it feel like laughing in this situation was impossible.

It was obvious Tails waited for him to crack but this was an immovable object against a more persistent, immovable object. Yet between stubbornness and little brother pettiness, versus impatience of a tired hedgehog was an obvious winner and Sonic ended up breaking the eye contact and throwing it down towards the striped yellow and blue rug that sat under the couch.

Good, ok fine. But don't you dare blame him for fearing that someone is gonna shank you out of nowhere anytime and no matter where you are almost for full twenty-four hours.

He could see the snarky victorious glee in Tails' eye and Sonic bitterly accepted defeat, trying to gather his words.

He guessed that another way to avoid an argument was to just spill it, but at this point, it was an actual hit to his pride. Whatever. Tails asked for this.

"Do...Do you have a feeling that someone has been watching you?"

"Not really? No." Tails tilted his head slightly after the initial shock of him actually managing to break through to Sonic.

"Is that what's got you so on edge?"

The hedgehog nodded, partially regretting to finally confess about something so trivial.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Didn't think t'was that important." Sonic shrugged. The cat was out of the bag so might as well. He could brush the feeling of being an unreasonable asshole about it under the rug though, you just can't win in some situations.

Tails merely facepalmed in defeat and mumbled "Of course you didn't" under it.

"What? if someone has a problem with me, they better take it up to my face no?" Sonic managed to put up some semblance of a fake cheerful attitude into his tone to levitate the suffocating heaviness the workshop fell under ever since he got in. He landed a gentle elbow into the fox's arm which consequently shook the other one off his face.

"If you truly feel like you've been stalked this whole time, at this point, whoever it is most likely has more than enough information about you to be just as confident about taking it 'up to your face' you idiot."

Tails didn't return his attitude in the slightest if the exasperated voice and tired eyes were a lure to anything. Sonic could only manage a nervous chuckle in response

"Yea, I guess, I guess you're right."

"Guess? C'mon, I'm always right!" Finally, some light returned to Tails' eyes at that "Though I'm not sure if I want to be this time." It went out just as fast.

Sonic sighed as words came to him easier than he thought they would

"I really just didn't say anything because I worried it might be nothing." Tails gave him a condescending side eye "And in hindsight, that was a really stupid way to think." And then he scoffed with the same sarcastic energy.

"It's not like you ever not think stupid."

Tails grumbled and leaned into the armrest away from Sonic.

"You hate it when I go on analysis spires and here you are, doing the same thing except in the opposite direction and with no evidence to back things up."

The hedgehog snorted

"Really? 'Analisys spires'? Is that what you call 'catastrophizing everything' now?"

"Well hey at least I take into account the potential risks always." Tails playfully jabbed his finger into Sonic's shoulder "Unlike someone!"

Playfully. That unnerving edge in his voice was gone. Even if Sonic still felt like any smile or laugh had to be disingenuous and forced, it lifted some of the burden off his chest.

After that, they sunk into a bit more peaceful form of silence. It still felt just a few shades off but hey, Sonic will take what he's given.

He looked over at Tails sitting practically on the opposite side of the couch, tired blue eyes stared forward onto nothing particular and he sat hunched over the couch's armrest, his double tails serving as a blanket.

Sure now he can confidently say this whole ordeal was behind them but it still didn't feel quite right.

Sonic reached a hand over to the kit, but stopped himself halfway. Should he?

"Hey." Stupid question of course he should, that's his little brother sulking about.

"We'll get to the bottom of this eventually."

Sonic leaned closer to the kit and ruffled his already messy bangs. The quiet, barely suppressed giggles that followed smothered over any doubts showing their ugly heads. Sonic scooted all the way to the fox, and then took it one step over and squished the other between his body and the armrest.

"He-hey get your big butt away from me, you're crushing me!"

"No can do little grumpy sir!"

Tails tried his mightiest to push the hedgehog away while he was uselessly locked in a side hug. Suddenly his legs were swiped from underneath him and a horrifying realization followed. His attempts to kick himself free were futile as within seconds he was held trapped in his big bro's arms.

What followed was pure horror and torture.

Sonic rocked the younger from side to side, who periodically got his head hit against the couch, Sonic's mouth that planted an annoying kiss on his forehead and then his knees in his face from how over-exaggerated the movement was.

"Not fair!" Tails cried and then bit a bluff strike into the air, too close to Sonic's nose for his liking, but that didn't deter him one bit.

It was all but adorable actually.

Sonic's shit-eating grin didn't falter in the slightest and he finally felt like it was genuine.

"One day you'll be strong enough to break free I'm sure of it." Nothing but pure, unchallenged smugness radiated off of the hedgehog as he squeezed the ball of golden fluff in his arms. He tried to sneak in yet another kiss when he was stopped dead in his tracks by a paw slapped over his mouth.

When has that sly fox managed to free his arm from his inescapable grasp!? Sonic couldn't let that act of rebellion stay for long, so he poked the younger's side with his thumb. Tails then immediately recoiled with an involuntary giggle escaping his mouth while he was easily subdued again.

"Nah-not fair! Cheater! You're cheating!"

"Using my enemy's weaknesses against them in battle is not cheating!" Sonic proudly proclaimed and drilled his thumb into his brother's side one more time which rewarded him with a couple of strained snorts and giggles from the other. Chaos Tails was trying to stay angry so badly that it was comical.

"Stah'aap!!" Tails cried and perhaps Sonic did feel a pang of sympathy for the poor fox. Dare he even say, have mercy.

"Let go-!" Completely desperate, the other now tried to swat at Sonic with his namesakes. All it succeeded at was shove a face full of fur into the hedgehog's face and maybe that was the goal all along.

After splattering the hair out of his mouth Sonic grinned when seeing the obvious fake pout Tails was putting on.

"Only after you smile." Sonic teased and planted yet another kiss on his whining brother's forehead, who then promptly slapped his face with his tails yet again.

"Oh c'mon smile a little?"

Tails frowned.

"Itty-bitty smirk?"

Tails frowned even harder.

"Pleaseee, just for a split second?"

Somehow, Tails' frown deepened even further and he ended up looking like the picture definition of a "comically grumpy baby." Sonic paid it no mind tho, he'd rather have a grumpy baby brother than a genuinely angry one. Whatever it takes to get a smile on that little muzzle of his, even if it meant he had to be a little bit annoying to get there. He could see it won't be long before the little guy breaks.

He gradually laxed his hold and Tails either didn't notice, or was hoping Sonic would lower his guard so he could escape.

Either way, the veil of dread and unease was all but gone and forgotten as he held his little bro in his arms, now just gently swaying back and forth with his chin rested atop the other's head.

Chaos when was the last time he just held him like this? Hmm gotta be pretty long ago now that he's wondering, better savor the moment before Tails ruins it by "being too big for hugs and cuddles now" which was pure nonsense in Sonic's correct opinion.

But as seconds ticked by and Tails did not move or make a sound, the hedgehog couldn't sit still in anticipation any longer and finally leaned back to look over.

What he found was his lill' bro fast asleep, with the most peaceful expression on his face. A fond smile made its way across Sonic's muzzle.

Perhaps there was nothing stopping him from following suit. This was a long day after all and maybe, just maybe, now that some things were settled and he wasn't sleeping alone, he'd get some proper rest at last.