Chapter Text
It began on a beautiful Sunday morning.
The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and-
Sonic got punched in the face.
Tails winced, hovering in the air, and not interfering with the fight that had escalated the second Sonic and Surge had locked eyes. Likewise, Kit stayed put, nervously glancing between Surge and Sonic, before purple eyes landed on him.
There was an unspoken agreement, a truce really, as neither didn't join the scuffle. Tails and Kit had always gotten along a lot better than their respective older siblings.
They weren't enemies, Surge and Kit have come a long way. They did their own thing nowadays, traveling around the world and helping in their own way.
However, it seemed all that traveling did nothing to curb Surge's temper. Tails physically cringed when the tenrec flipped Sonic over her shoulder hard. Not like it fazed Sonic, seeing as how the hedgehog immediately got up and shoved her to the ground. Both were yelling and punching at each other, trying to get the upper hand.
Yeah, it didn’t look like they were going to stop soon. At this point, they were fighting like children and not the adults they were supposed to be.
Shaking his head, Tails flew closer to the fennec and landed beside him. Kit has grown taller since he last saw him, fur just as fluffy as Tails remembered, and long bangs obscuring purple eyes. Such a shame they were always hidden, Tails thought they were pretty unique. And that was saying something compared to all their wacky and quirky friends.
“Hey Kit!” Tails smiled in greeting, “It’s been a while. How was Christmas Island? I saw you guys on the news there.”
“H-Hi Tails,” Kit said, soft spoken as ever, and lips curling to a small smile, “Christmas Island was… cold. We tried skiing but the avalanche ruined everything,” he smiled a bit wider, chin raised slightly, “I’m glad we were able to rescue everyone who couldn’t leave in time. The owner of a resort gave us vouchers to come back again. We just might in a couple of weeks.”
“You guys should definitely take up that offer, skiing is really fun! The last time Sonic and I went, it got so competitive that we straight up flew off a cliff. I considered letting him fall- I was pretty annoyed with him- but then I’d be accused of first degree murder.”
To anyone else, they would have been freaked out by the words being said by him. But Kit didn’t even bat an eye. The reason for this? Because they understood each other. Siblings, both the bane of their existence and an extension of their limbs.
Kit made a displeased face, “Knowing my sister, we’ll get to that point too. I guess I have to mentally prepare myself to catch her before she goes splat.”
A shriek was heard. Tails couldn’t tell if it came from Sonic or Surge. Either way, they both ignored it. Sonic did have a tendency to be over dramatic. Tails wagered Surge was probably the same.
“W-what about you guys?” Kit asked, “I heard you guys stopped Eggman from kidnapping some princess. Surge was pretty upset about that one,” there was amusement in Kit’s eyes despite the sympathetic tone, “Something about how unfair it is that Sonic’s living her lesbian dream.”
Tails snickered, “Oh yeah, that was fun. You should have seen the way Sonic dropped so many hints about how gay he was. I haven’t seen him act like that since the incident of ‘06.”
“The incident of ‘06?” Kit questioned, brows furrowed.
“What- you don’t know? Has no one told you?” A grin crept up on him and he continued, “You and I need to sit down and talk about the infamous incident of ‘06.”
Returning to glance at Sonic, Tails saw how they were still duking it out. It looked like they could still go on for hours. Which was perfect.
“You know, we were actually on our way to get ice cream,” Tails said, “But seeing as how our older siblings are indisposed, why don’t you join me? They’ll get back to us as soon as they’re done. Hopefully long enough to tell you everything.”
Kit stared at the pair, who were now engaged in arm wrestling. Neither was budging.
The fennec hesitated but his enthusiasm for sweet cold dessert won out, “I-I could go for some strawberry ice cream,” a hint of mischief graced Kit’s face, “and to know more about this incident.”
~
Normally, Tails wasn’t lacking for friends. He made plenty of them over the years adventuring and fighting side by side with Sonic.
But there was something about Kit that made it different.
This wasn’t the first they’ve hung out like this. It was just rare for them to get together, considering how much Surge and Kit traveled. It also didn't help that Tails and Sonic often spend their time outside rather than staying inside, making it hard for people to visit them.
It was why Tails cherished his time with Kit. They were alike in so many ways. Heck, Kit was made to counter him in battle, to match him toe to toe. In a way, they were destined to be friends.
It was why Tails didn’t hesitate to reveal everything about the incident of ‘06.
“She kissed him? Seriously?” Kit asked, hushed, “and he came back to life?”
Tails took a bite out of his mint chocolate, swallowed, and nodded, “Yes, yes, and yes. I will never let him live it down.”
Kit laughed, much more relaxed than the start of their encounter, “We can never tell Surge this. I think she’ll actually kill him.”
“She’s gonna have to wait in line,” Tails took out his phone, and pretended to look at a list, “and it is a very long line.”
They both giggled over it and basked in comfortable silence as they resumed eating their ice cream. The ice cream parlor they were at was decently packed, people of all ages enjoying their own cold treat. Tails had them sit in a booth near the entrance, where they could enjoy the sunny sight of the day and to be alerted the second their respective siblings arrived.
“But enough about that,” Tails said, eager to know more about his friend, “Is your favorite color still green or has it changed? It’s always a different color whenever we meet up again.”
Kit ate the last of his strawberry ice cream before answering him with a raised brow, “Am I that predictable?”
“Only a little,” Tails teased, “I can never guess what color is your new favorite. Is it blue now?”
“Nope. It’s yellow,” Kit proclaimed, “We saw a huge garden on the way here and inside was a bunch of sunflowers in one section. They were very pretty,” Kit looked deep in thought, “Now that I think about it, they were kinda the same color as your fur.”
For some reason, the words made Tails’ insides all gooey. It was a warm feeling. Pleasant. It wasn’t the first time he experienced such symptoms in Kit’s company. But it was a welcomed feeling and part of the reason why he enjoyed hanging out with Kit so much.
Surely it was a sign of how good friends they had become.
“Same color as me?” Tails dramatically raised a hand over his heart, “Then I will wear the honor of being your favorite person as well.”
Kit rolled his eyes, grinning slightly, “You know that’s not what I meant,” purple eyes flickered behind him, “Hey, looks like they’re done fighting.”
Tails turned his head around and was amused by what he saw. Sonic and Surge refused to even glance at each other. They both looked worn out, weary and battered. Sonic was limping. Surge had dried blood near her nose. Neither of them were even acknowledging the other’s presence.
“Drippy, it’s time to go,” Surge commanded and ice blue eyes glanced at Tails, “Hey pipsqueak, tell your brother he’s a loser.”
“Tails, nice of you to wait for me!” Sonic was more cheery, despite the grimace as he took another step, and stared at Kit, “Hey bud, tell your sister she’s a jerk.”
Tails exchanged a look with Kit. The fennec shook his head. Bummer. Tails actually wanted to see what would happen if they played messenger.
“See you around Tails,” Kit sincerely smiled as he got up to join his sister. He always had such a nice smile.
“You should text me more,” Tails smiled back and waved, “See ya.”
It was disappointing to see their hangout come to an end. Who knew when Tails would get to see the fennec again. He sighed and resigned himself to watch Kit and Surge leave the ice cream parlor.
“Finally,” Sonic muttered under his breath, “the witch is gone.”
“Hm?” Tails couldn’t help but stare back at his brother and grinned, “Then why am I still seeing one?”
“Hey!” Sonic pretended to be offended as he slid into the seat Kit had occupied, “I left you alone for 5 minutes and you’re already siding with them? So much for family support.”
“Yeah yeah,” Tails sighed and longingly stared at the direction Kit and Surge had taken, “It was nice seeing Kit though,” he smiled, “It’s always nice to see him.”
“I’ll say! You always have such a goofy smile and a pep to your step every time you see him,” there was a pause, a big one, “Wait. Hold on.”
When Sonic didn’t continue whatever it was he was going for, Tails turned back to look at his brother with a questioning gaze. Sonic was staring back at him, green eyes pinning him to the seat.
“What? What is it?” Tails nervously asked under the attention, “Do I have something on my face?”
“Tails,” Sonic began, face softening, “You were very happy to see Kit, right?”
“Yeah,” Tails didn’t hesitate. Where was Sonic going with this?
“Is he the only one you get this happy to see? No one else?”
Tails blinked, taking a moment to ponder it. But it didn't last long. His mind had given him his answer in an instant.
“Yeah, I mean, we have a lot in common. I don’t see him as often as I wished. Everyone else is great and all but there’s just something about Kit that makes it different.”
Whatever it was that he said had Sonic swiftly nodding, snapping his fingers before pointing at him.
“Bud, it looks to me like you have a crush on Kit.”
Tails’ mind went to a halt.
Embarrassment was the first emotion he felt. And it was quickly followed by indignation.
His cheeks felt like they were on fire as he retorted back, “I do not! Can't a bro just miss his bro?”
“Alright! No need to get so defensive! Two bros just hanging out, got it,” Sonic raised his arms in mock surrender before standing up once more, “Forget I even said anything. Imma get some ice cream. You want another cone?”
With a loud and resounding yes, Tails huffed and crossed his arms as he waited for Sonic to come back with more delicious ice cream.
Honestly.
Tails having a crush on Kit? On his dear friend?
Ridiculous.
~
Okay.
Maybe it wasn't ridiculous.
Tails has spent the last two hours staring up at the ceiling as sleep evaded him. What Sonic said earlier repeated in his mind like a mantra.
Breathing in deeply, Tails did what he did best. Analyzed the situation.
Sonic hinted that Tails was always left in a happy mood after meeting with Kit. This was true, Tails couldn't refute it. Kit was the only person who made him feel that way. Because Kit was different.
Appearance wise, Kit had a nice smile. A smile Tails wished the fennec would show more. Because it was a pretty smile. Kit also had nice eyes. Reddish-purple eyes. Like magenta. They were a pretty shade, Tails always thought they were.
Kit was… cute. An undeniable fact. Tails couldn’t argue against that either.
Tails liked having Kit’s attention. He liked talking to Kit. He enjoyed being with Kit-
And it hit him so suddenly, how obvious it was. How oblivious Tails had been.
Oh.
Oh.
Chest heaving, Tails yanked the blankets off of him and jumped to his feet. The floor thudded under him as he marched out of his bedroom. He twisted the knob to Sonic’s bedroom and hastily pulled the door and entered.
Did Tails care that he was waking up Sonic at midnight? No, no, he did not.
He blindly searched the wall next to the door frame, found the switch, and flicked the lights on. He wasted no time pulling on the duvet covering his brother’s sleeping figure.
The sudden movement caused Sonic to abruptly sit up, bleary eyed, as he spoke, voice heavy with sleep, “Wha- what’s going on? What’s happening?”
“You were right!” Tails exclaimed, “I have a crush on Kit!”
He was breathing heavily, the awareness of his crush very much real and a need to talk to someone about it. He did feel sorry for waking up his brother, but- he needed to talk about this.
Sonic squinted his eyes at him, shoulders dropping, “Are you serious? You woke me up for this?”
“Yes I am!” Tails said, a million thoughts racing through his head, “I don’t- how am I supposed to act normal around him now? Not when I think ‘hey, you have a nice smile. I’d like to kiss your smile’ and ‘Your eyes are so pretty, I can stare at them forever.’”
Sonic had the gall to snort at his turmoil, “Hey, don’t sweat it. There’s an easy way to fix that problem.”
Tails blinked, “Really?”
“Yeah. Obvious solution here is that you gotta get together with him. You want Kit to be your boyfriend?”
The answer was obvious and Tails had zero doubts when he said, “I do.”
“Then woo him,” Sonic shrugged, “Simple enough.”
Alright. Yeah. Woo Kit. Simple enough.
Except, no, it wasn’t simple enough.
“I don’t know how to flirt,” Tails said in distress, flailing his arms in the air, “I’m the tech guy! The wiz guy! The nerdy one! What if-,” he turned pale, “What if he doesn't like me? What I'm not his type? What if I ruin our friendship?”
“Tails, hey, relax,” Sonic stood up, much more awake now, “You have nothing to fear.”
“I don't?” Tails asked dubiously.
“You don't,” Sonic said firmly and smiled wide, “Because I will teach you how to flirt. All you gotta do is follow my example and boom! You'll woo Kit in no time!”
That eased Tails’ nerves. After all, there was no denying Sonic’s charm. Majority of the world seemed in love with him. His brother regularly received marriage proposals in the streets by all kinds of people. Heck, Tails was positive half of Sonic’s rivals were in love with him too.
Under the guidance of Sonic, Tails should have no reason to fail.
“You'll really teach me?” Tails hopefully asked.
Sonic grinned and ruffled the fur on his head, “Of course! Just watch and learn from the rizz master.”
~
After last night's events, Tails was confident. All he had to do was watch how Sonic flirted.
But his brother was currently snoring away, sleeping in. Tails felt guilty, knowing he was the reason why the hedgehog was sleeping longer than usual. He sipped his coffee, wide awake despite the eyebags lingering on his face.
Maybe he should go back to sleep. If he could go back to sleep with the caffeine in his system.
Sighing, he set out to pick up the mail. Something to do while he waited for Sonic to wake up.
He was shuffling through the letters when something poked his back. Curious, he turned to see what it was.
And nearly screamed. His heart jumped to his throat as he was faced with the full frontal assault of his crush.
Wonderful teal fur and mesmerizing magenta eyes.
It was Kit.
Kit was here.
Why was Kit here?
“M-morning Tails,” Kit smiled shyly, and oh no. Tails wasn't prepared by how cute it was now that he acknowledged his romantic feelings. “Looks like we're neighbors.”
Shaken out of his stupor, his mind finally caught up.
“Neighbors?” Tails repeated.
Kit pointed to a red bricked house across the street, “The reason why we're here is because we finally decided to get a house. Sorry I didn't tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. I didn't know we'd live this close to you though.”
“Oh,” was all Tails’ brain could muster.
Kit didn't seem to notice he was practically malfunctioning on the inside. A shout and curse was heard from the red bricked house and the fennec puffed out a small laugh.
“I think that's Surge. She's trying to put together a bookshelf. She insists she doesn't need help. But I'm going back to wait for her to ask anyways,” Kit’s smile was beautiful, “I'll see you around.”
“See ya,” Tails blurted out, his mind still trying to catch up.
He watched as Kit did indeed enter the house across the street. The one Tails knew had a ‘For Sale’ sign posted on the yard for weeks. The same sign that was no longer there. Of course it wasn't.
Because Kit now lived in that house. Kit was going to live here. Kit was now officially his neighbor.
Tails hadn't anticipated that.
He wasn't ready, he wasn't-
Wait.
No, this was perfect.
He would get to see Kit more. The opportunity to woo his crush had now become a very viable factor because he wasn't traveling anymore.
Tails puffed out his chest, determined.
Everything that Sonic would teach him, Tails was going to use to win his crush.
Kit had better be prepared to be effectively wooed and courted because Tails was going to give it his all!