A Kid Like Him///A Sonic the Hedgehog Fanfic///TWs

Chapter 1

"It's almost midnight, Tails. And how many hours did you get last night?"

Three. Tails had gotten three hours last night. But Sonic didn't need to know that. Tails just grumbled a bit, trying to fuse two wires in his newest gadget. Once more, one of the wires slipped out of his grip before he could grab his fuser. In frustration, he shoved the work-in-progress away and stood up so quickly, his chair clattered to the floor of the garage.

Sonic stepped back slightly, startled but determined. "Hey, you'll be able to get it done when you're more rested, okay?" He said, watching his brother's tense form relax.

"Fine..." Tails sighed, pulling the chair back to its legs. The Fox hybrid walked over to Sonic and mumbled something about not being that tired.

Sonic looked unconvinced as the two went over to Tails' bedroom. Once they reached the door, the Hedgehog turned to the younger. "Okay, wrist-check." He said, kneeling a bit to be at eye-level with Tails.

The Fox hesitated for a moment. "Do we need to, tonight? I've been doing pretty well." He said, his voice quiet. Alarm bells rang in Sonic's head. "I know, buddy, but we just want to make sure it stays that way." Reluctantly, Tails rolled up his sleeves and held out his arms.

In truth, and to his credit, Tails had been doing pretty well, for all of two weeks. And everyone had been very proud of him for that. But stress and bullies happened, and well... He didn't know why he thought he could talk himself out of this. There were only two or three new ones, but Sonic was observant (at least when he tried to be).

He wasn't even made, which only hurt Tails more. If Sonic would just yell or be angry, at least that would tell Tails that his brother only saw it all - his mental state, the self-harm, everything - as only an inconvenience.

But, no. Sonic was never mad. The sad sigh, and the gentle words that it would get better someday, always told Tails that Sonic cared. Cared. About him. Tails was never unaware of the people who cared about him. For how much he hated himself, it always was something he knew. But Sonic - he was just something else.

It didn't matter to the Hedgehog if he was staying up all night to talk with him while he was having a meltdown, or prying something sharp from his grip. Anything, and Sonic would be right there. It was always how he was.

"Alright, buddy..." Sonic mumbled, standing up straight. "C'mon, let's get those cleaned up." Tails nodded, rubbing one of the open cuts. Blood smeared a bit onto his pale skin. "Don't touch it, Tails. Need to keep them from getting dirty, 'kay?" Sonic said firmly. The Fox nodded and removed his hands. The two went over to the bathroom, which was fortunately close.

Tails climbed up and sat down on the counter, waiting patiently as Sonic rummaged through the counter drawers. The Hedgehog pulled out some bandages.

After washing his hands, Sonic used some water and soap to clean Tails' cuts. The younger was quiet with guilt and shame. He'd been doing so well, but here he was again. Gaia, he just didn't want Sonic to get so worried about him.

Soon, the cuts were bandaged up. Sonic put the rest away and sighed. He looked over to his brother and sat on the counter next to him. "Anything that happened today? Anything I should know?" He asked gently.

Tails was quiet for a second, then nodded. "Substitute teacher. She acted like I was an idiot, and told me that I shouldn't be in the AP science class..." He sighed. He didn't dare meet Sonic's gaze. "I-I'm really sorry. I just felt so bad, and the others who heard made fun of me for it, and I got really stressed-" His voice choked up. Gaia, he didn't want to cry. Sonic pulled him close and rocked him slightly. "I-I'm sorry, I'm s-sorry..." Tails whispered.

"It's alright, it's going to be alright. I'm right here, and everything is going to get better." Sonic promised, carefully picking up his brother. "Let's just get to bed, alright?"

And soon, Tails was in bed, his brother wishing him a good night. Then, he was alone again. Alone.

Alone and lonely, two things he didn't want to be.