What it means to become a family...

Chapter 8

Hello everyone! I'm finally back :)

I'm really sorry about the big delay. I know, in the comments, I had promised I was going to publish this next chapter in January, but between school, a new fic and other responsabilites of mine (and even forgetting I had promised I was going to update in January), I could only finish it now :)

Nevertheless, I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter :D It's only a few months, until I'm free of school and my internship, and then I'll finish this story in a flash hahaha

Sonic hesitated for a moment, glancing at Tails, who was practically bouncing with excitement at the idea of playing Minecraft and making new friends. Sonic then turned his attention back to Tom, Maddie, and Wade.

Sonic's mind screamed. Desperately reminding him of what Longclaw had so long told him. All the horrible possibilities that could happen to him and especially his son. He remembered how she had sacrificed herself to save him from the Echidnas' attack and how she had told him to never stop running.

"Wade, I... I really appreciate it." Sonic began running his hand through his quills. "But I have to think about it. Exposing ourselves to you guys was already a really big risk—that paid off, yes—and while this is definitely safe, it might just be too much. You never know what could happen." Sonic finished, frowning slightly. He felt conflicted, as he wanted to give Tails a chance to have fun, but he also wanted to protect him from any danger.

"Dad, couldn't we try it, at least... please?" His son asked, his eyes pleading to accept the offer.

Sonic, even more than a decade later, knew Longclaw's advice word for word. But looking at the kid's face and remembering how welcomed he was by Donut Lord, Pretzel Lady, and Wade, he couldn't help but think that, perhaps, Longclaw was wrong to some extent.

Of course, she was right regarding most people in the world, but would it actually hurt that much to play without anyone knowing who they actually are with some of Green Hills?

Because... honestly... he also wanted to play with other people his age too.

He was at a tug of war with himself. Sonic wanted to honor Longclaw, and he truly hoped that if she were still alive, she would be proud of him. Proud of him trying to be the best parent he possibly could to Tails (like Longclaw, in his very faded memories, was to him)

But would that dishonor what Longclaw told him to do?

He didn't know.

"Sonic, we get it." Maddie said it empathetically, interrupting his line of thought. "But this could be an opportunity for both of you to connect with others in a safe space." Maddie finished, giving a small smile.

Sonic looked down at Tails, whose face was basically screaming, 'Just accept it, please.'

Sonic sighed, briefly running a hand through Tails' head. "I want you to have friends, lil' buddy. I really do. I just can't help but worry." Tails frowned as his ears dropped slightly. He didn't want to put Tails at any risk or lose him. He loved him more than anything.