#sonic is also at his coolest when he's the cringiest creature alive and doesn't give a shit xD

[skimmingmilk]

*Spoilers for the end of Sonic 3 (2024)* Tails had seen that look before. He knew what it meant. Rejection. He'd almost let himself forget. Almost didn't have to remember. Every day since he'd come to this planet, the memory faded a little bit more. Even if it would always be there, it couldn't share the spotlight when the intoxicating feelings that came with living in this place, in that house, with that family overwhelmed him with their potency. It had all been so bright… so warm… There was no warmth in Maddie's eyes when she looked back at him. She looked at him like he was a stranger. - A post-Sonic 3 movie fic based on the last look Maddie gives them before they go to stop the Eclipse Cannon and what it means to Tails in particular. Lucky for him he has two big brothers always looking out for him.

Risking Rejection (For a Chance at Acceptance)

Tails had seen that look before. He knew what it meant.

Rejection.

"Freak!"

He'd almost let himself forget. Almost didn't have to remember. Every day since he'd come to this planet, the memory faded a little bit more. Even if it would always be there, it couldn't share the spotlight when the intoxicating feelings that came with living in this place, in that house, with that family overwhelmed him with their potency. It had all been so bright… so warm…

There was no warmth in Maddie's eyes when she looked back at him.She looked at him like he was a stranger.

"That thing is not my son!"

She'd never asked for this. For them. For him.

Especially him.

This had all been Tails's plan, after all. Tails's gadgets that got them into G.U.N. Headquarters. Tails's gadgets that failed to get them out. Tails's gadgets that got Tom…

That got him…

…hurt.

"Get it out of the village! It's not what we need!"

Not what we need. Not what we need.

"—'s not what I need."

Tails flinched as Sonic's cold voice swept through him like the most brutal winter wind. He'd only wanted to help.

He knew Sonic knew what it was like to be alone—they all did, all three of them—but he didn't know if Sonic had ever faced that look of rejection. The distant dismissal. The regret of ever knowing them at all.

He couldn't imagine he had when Tails thought of the bright light in Maddie's eyes when she laughed at their dinner table shenanigans. Or the warmth in them when she tucked each of them into bed and pressed her lips to their foreheads, as if to say, "I'm here. You're safe. You're not alone anymore."

Without any words at all.

She moved her hand out of his reach when Tails tried to hold it before the medics wheeled Tom away.

He'd only wanted to give her the same feeling, remind her that she wasn't alone either. But she didn't want it. Not from him. It wasn't good enough if it came from him.

And now Sonic didn't want him either.

His first friend… his best friend. His big brother—

The ambulance doors had shut with an empty stare.

The ring portal had closed with a disgusted glare.

And they were gone.

[Continue at AO3]