Innocence...lost? Chapter 4
Tails yawned as he sat up in his bed, before he glanced over at his bedside clock. Seven AM, just like always. Though this morning, he certainly felt more apprehensive than usual... he got up, stretching, before he opened his window shades, feeling the morning sun wash over him. Tails gulped. He'd said yes to Rouge's offer. As they'd sat at the bar, the two of them had gone over the general idea... Rouge would teach him how to seduce Sonic... but first Tails had to find out if Sonic was open to being with a male. Tails had told her that Sonic was going to be staying with him while he was visiting, and that he would try to find out in the morning, and call her if he managed to do it.
Rouge had smiled and wished him luck, saying that she hoped to receive good news in the morning. The rest of the night had gone by rather fast, and once it came time to leave, Tails had driven back home with Sonic in tow, Tails asking if Sonic had seen anything particularly cool during his adventures, and they chatted about that, until they'd both started yawning, realizing that it was pretty late. They'd both headed to bed soon after that, Tails to his room, and Sonic to the guest bedroom. Tails had fallen asleep with a stirring of hope and dread flowing through his mind... tomorrow morning would either be the end of his dreams, or the beginning of them.
...And now it was here. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, trying to collect himself before starting out the day. After a moment, he stepped into the hallway, and made his way towards the kitchen, stopping for a moment to peek into Sonic's room. The blue hedgehog was fast asleep, and Tails smiled at the sight. Sonic was normally quite cute, but he was even cuter when he was snoozing. Tails wished he could gently rub behind Sonic's ears, and hear the hedgehog let out a sigh of approval... before he'd open his eyes, and smile up at the fox, just before leaning in and pressing his lips against his... Tails shook his head. He'd spent so many years, fantasizing about a romantic relationship with Sonic... and today, he was finally going to see if it was actually possible to achieve. There was no time, or point, to indulging in a fantasy right now, not when it could be shattered forever in a few short hours. It was time to start breakfast...
Tails looked down at the assembled ingredients... everything he needed to make a batch of Sonic's favorite meal... chilidogs. It certainly wasn't something that Tails would normally make for breakfast, but Sonic would love it... and while the blue hedgehog happily chowed down on chilidogs, Tails would take his chance to ask the question... but how to ask it? He couldn't just blurt out, 'Hey, Sonic, do you like girls or guys?'... he could just imagine Sonic in mid-bite, choking on his food at such a question just being dropped on him. No, he had to be clever about the way the subject would come up...
He recalled that last night at the casino, that Sonic had gestured to Espio and Blaze holding hands, and mentioning that it was probably an interesting story... Tails let a slight smile grace his lips. Yes... he could bring up those two, which could be a perfect way to start talking about couples... and then he could carefully ease in a question about being curious about whether or not Sonic had ever thought about romance... which would lead to the dreaded 'girls or guys' subject. The catalyst to either a deep heartbreak and depression, or a burst of hope, depending on the answer he got... he gulped once more, feeling his heart tremble inside. Sonic would be up soon, once the smell of the food reached his room... Tails took a deep breath once more. He had to prepare himself for the worst... if this... if this went... badly... he could NOT show his true feelings. If he cried... Sonic would be at his side in an instant, asking what was wrong, his eyes full of concern... and Tails would not be able to tell him. But Sonic would realize what was wrong... that Tails had started to cry after such a specific question. And though the thought of his heart being broken was terrible, the thought of Sonic knowing his secret, AFTER breaking his heart... Tails wouldn't be able to bear it.
“Mmm! Something smells delicious!” Tails nearly jumped as Sonic's voice came from the entrance to the kitchen. Tails swallowed down his dread, and looked up at Sonic with a smile.
“Good morning, Sonic! I figured this would be a nice surprise for you! After all, you haven't had my chilidogs for a while!” Sonic laughed as he sat down at the table.
“It's better than a nice surprise... I've had a craving for your cooking for a while now! Nobody makes a chilidog like you do!” Tails let out a modest chuckle, and felt his face heat up a little. He set up a plate, and assembled the chilidogs, buns, a layer of chili, the hotdog, and a second layer of chili. Sonic grinned as Tails brought their plates to the table, and he snatched up a chilidog as the fox set them down. Tails watched as Sonic took a large bite, and then closed his eyes as the familiar taste of his best friend's cooking rushed over his tongue. He let out a groan of satisfaction, and gave Tails a thumbs up, and his signature grin. “It's perfect, buddy! I could eat this all day!”
“Thanks Sonic! I actually haven't made chilidogs since the last time you visited... thought I might be a little rusty.” Sonic shook his head at that.
“Nope! Tastes just as good as they always do.” Sonic took another bite, and Tails took his chance to set the conversation onto the right path.
“So, did you have fun seeing everyone again last night?” Sonic nodded, swallowing his bite of chilidog before answering.
“Sure did! Got to chat with pretty much everyone!” Sonic chuckled a little. “ I still think it's funny to think that after chasing after me so long, that Amy would end up dating someone who tried to kill me... but they make a cute couple!” Tails smiled a little.
'Perfect... he's the one who brought up couples, so now it won't seem odd that I just bring up the subject...'
“Yeah, they're a nice match... did you talk with Blaze and Espio?” Sonic nodded, grinning a little.
“Yeah, I did! That was a cute little story of how they got together... they're a sweet couple, Espio's so formal and gentlemanly with her...” he took another bite of his chilidog. Tails took a bite of his own, thinking of how to drop the question on Sonic... “Lot's of relationship upgrades while I was gone, huh? Amy and Silver, Espio and Blaze... Vector mentioned that Charmy and Cream were dating too! Heh, even Shadow and Knuckles seem like they've become chummy... they couldn't stop laughing at my terrible gambling!” Tails chuckled, blushing a little as he realized Sonic didn't notice the subtle... signs... between Shadow and Knuckles... 'chummy' indeed...
“Yeah... lot's of romance in the air around here...” Tails swallowed. “...hey, Sonic?” The blue hedgehog finished off the last bite of his chilidog, tilting his head at Tails' curious tone.
“Yeah, buddy?” Tails reached out to take Sonic's plate, and started to take it to the sink. It would be better to ask the question while Sonic wasn't looking him in the face... better to make it seem like a casually curious question.
“Have... you ever thought about that? Romance, I mean?” he started to rinse off Sonic's plate, watching out of the corner of his eye, as Sonic settled back in his seat.
“Well... maybe sometimes... but it isn't something that I really dwell on, you know? Just... sometimes when I'm out, at night, standing on a ridge and seeing all the city lights below me, or lying out in a field, and looking at all the stars, I think; it would be nice to share the experience with someone...” he chuckled a little, his cheeks getting a hint of pink in them. “...but I don't really have a burning desire to seek out a romantic relationship... I think it's just something that happens when it happens.” Tails swallowed again... he could ease into the subject now...
“I see... just waiting for someone to inspire those feelings in you?” he stepped over to pick up his own plate, before heading to the sink with it... he took a subtle breath. “What kind of person do you think would make your heart all fluttery, hmm? A pretty girl... or...” he gave Sonic a slight chuckle, trying to seem like the next part was a lighthearted joke, and not a question that could shatter his heart. “...maybe a guy?” He could see Sonic tilt his head in slight surprise.
“Wow, I really never... thought about if it would be a girl or guy before...” his ears flicked and he looked rather contemplative. “Hmm... I suppose I wouldn't mind either way. Love is love, it doesn't matter what equipment they're packing, heh heh...” he chuckled. Tails chuckled too, but on the inside he was practically exploding with joy. His ears perked slightly, eyes brightening, and all his apprehension of possible heart shattering and dream crushing revelations, evaporated, like a puddle on a hot summer day... Sonic... Sonic was open to a relationship with a male! Sonic glanced over at him, smiling. “Why the curiosity about romance, buddy? Have you got your sights set on someone too? The tone was completely innocent, just curiosity, and a completely natural assumption to make... but Tails felt slight panic enter at Sonic's question, and he was drawing a blank on how to answer.
“Well, I, um...” He jumped slightly, as suddenly his cell phone went off, interrupting him, thankfully... he glanced at the number... Rouge. “Sorry, Sonic, give me a minute...” he answered the phone. “Hello!”
“Hey there, fox boy... have you started your little 'mission' yet? Do you need any encouragement, advice?” Tails smiled at Rouge's tone.
“Oh, actually I just got done...” he had to be careful with his wording, not wanting Sonic to get curious. They'd just finished breakfast, so Sonic would assume that whoever was on the phone had asked about that, hopefully.
“Oh? And what did he say? Are things looking good?” Her tone was eager, waiting with bated breath... Tails smiled slightly.
“ Yeah... things are looking good.” he tried to keep his giddy joy out of his voice, but he was sure that she could pick up on the reason behind his cheerful tone.
“Really?! That's great, Tails... I'm happy for you! And...” Tails could hear her let out a slightly ominous chuckle. “...I'll be expecting you, heh heh... see you soon, fox boy...” The seductive bat hung up, and Tails put his phone down, smiling... everything was set. Rouge would teach him how to... how to seduce his best friend. Sonic looked at him curiously.
“What's got you smiling, Tails?” the two tailed fox turned his smile onto Sonic.
“The weather outside does, actually... it's sunny and perfect...” he leaned forward, chuckling. “...hey... want to go on a run? It's been a while since we've done that together...” Sonic's ears perked and he smiled widely at Tails.
“Of course, buddy! Hope being cooped up in your lab hasn't gotten you out of practice, heh heh!” he stood up, and headed over to the door, Tails following behind him... the two tailed fox was feeling great... he'd enjoy a run with his friend, the object of his affection, and later today... he had an appointment with Rouge.
