Believe by Mumford and Sons.
You Will Be Okay by Sam Haft.
~~~

He was terrified. Somehow, he was equally as thrilled. It had been approximately a few days and he'd done a decent enough job to stay hidden. He'd eaten berries and knocked coconuts from trees (scared when he'd hit the one he followed). He'd tried to introduce himself, but the other was too fast or fending off some machine or standing against that man.

Besides, the speedster never spoke. His voice, powerful and confident, was saved for rare moments of jabs against his opponent but nothing more. However, he, himself, almost gave his position away when spooked enough he made the bushes shuffle. Green eyes had looked to him but became distracted by the fleeing man.

So, when he eventually did stumble through the greenery (trying to keep up) and collapsed behind some shrubbery- his spectacular saviour whirled towards him. He looked more surprised than anything. His own blue eyes were wide, he knew, and he held his breath behind his hands.

He'd already distracted the heroic speedster. What would he think of him now? He'd be angry- everyone was always angry. He'd grab him and demand an explanation and scoff and shake his head and-

Oh. When had he started crying?

Branches amidst the bush parted to reveal his remarkable saviour. Brown puffer coat, green and silver bracelet and smaller quills hanging over the coolest of green eyes. He adorned those classic, shiny red shoes and-

Oh! He was reaching for him!

He sprung up and shot past, knocking the speedster down. Vision blurred with tears and he knocked into a tree, quickly and desperately, trying to climb. But a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. He held him, but his expression was warm and he crouched for them to be equals (as if they ever could be).

Blue eyes enlarged and he immediately started rambling. Weak excuses for his silence, thanking him for his rescue, what he's eaten (this hedgehog had looked...worried, shockingly). All the while his saviour stayed completely silent. It was almost chilling.

"Can...you talk?"

His saviour looked rather dejected then. The fox panicked, pulling his large tail around to nervously squeeze.

"Sorry! Um, I'm Miles. Miles Prower. Don't really like the name though." He huffed and searched green eyes.

Wait a minute. Was the older boys silence not by choice?

"I think I get what's going on now. You're mute, right? Not all the time though. I-I've read about it before. What was it called...? Oh! Selective muteness. My book said it could be caused from trauma or brain...damage...."

Miles panicked. The hedgehog looked sad now (and he caused it!) with looking downcast and chewing his lip.

"Sorry! I get caught up in what I'm saying sometimes. I didn't want to bore or upset-!" The hedgehog made him jump by lightly knocking his head.

Miles raised an eye ridge. "Are you...asking how I knew that? I guess I have a knack for learning stuff, but I prefer inventing."

That day was still probably the best day of his life. Even if he did look majorly lame. They spent hours talking after (though, the hedgehog really just listened) and he revealed his two fluffy appendages when silently assured. Even though years have passed, Tails Prower still couldn't wrap his head around how the speedster summoned that sparkly red exclamation mark. It fizzled and died, but was so cartoony and...magical. Fitting, he supposed.

His big brother, carer and picket fence was just as eccentric as he was cool after all.

"I'm Sonic. Sonic The Hedgehog."

Brilliant. Miles had laughed and clapped in victory. He had learned, sometimes, when conversing with someone who was selectively mute they needed to be shown a calm, trusting environment. He had held the hedgehog's hand for the other to direct his focus and kept a warm, peaceful space. Simple, easy questions worked well too. What better thing to ask for but a name?

And Chaos, that name was just as awesome as the hedgehog himself.

Well-

No. Sonic was-is awesome. He's his family. Best friend. They're partners.

So why did he keep lying?

"You're kind. It's going to kill you. Before then, know he lies."

That short man really had the nerve-

"My uncle may be cruel, but at least he's honest. At least he respects me enough for that. Question where your loyalties lay, boy. Your life may just depend on it."

As long as he was with Sonic, he'd be fine. The blue blur said so himself!

So why didn't he tell him about Eggman's...nephew?
Or his uncle?
Or a past home they once shared?

Did Sonic not...trust or respect him?

—————

He was terrified. Somehow, he was equally as thrilled. It had been approximately a few days and he'd done a decent enough job to stay hidden. He'd eaten berries and knocked coconuts from trees (scared when he'd hit the one he followed). He'd tried to introduce himself, but the other was too fast or fending off some machine or-

Hold on. He'd done this before, hadn't he?

Brilliant green eyes looked to him and he sharply inhaled, not wanting to be caught. The hedgehog was outstanding and Miles couldn't take disappointing him.

So why, years later, had he gone and done so?

"Can you...talk?"

The hedgehog was crouched before him (since when?) but his grip wasn't gentle. It wasn't grounding. It was chilling and lonely and terrifying and-

A red exclamation mark burst over the speedsters head. Red and vibrant and sparkling and dying.

Why was it so icy? Was he dying?

"Sonic. Sonic The Hedgehog."

The hedgehog's mouth didn't move. In fact he didn't have lips at all.

"R-remember the moon?" Miles spoke. The moon? What about it?

"You said we'd go there together one day. Will we still get to do that?"

—————

He was terrified. Somehow, he was equally as thrilled. It had been approximately a few days and he'd done a decent enough job to stay hidden. He'd eaten berries and knocked-

No! No no no! He'd definitely done this before. What was going on? Was he missing something?

"Know he lies."

Yeah yeah. Sonic's a big liar, great. How could that possibly help him out of this?

A big red exclamation-

He knew that! He'd seen it! Again and again.

"I'm Sonic-."

"I know who you are!" Miles stomped, tears dripping down cut cheeks.

"You're my brother!" Green eyes faded as he stepped closer.

"My best friend!" He hiccuped and Sonic's claws became one of a beasts.

"I look up to you! I want to be just like you!" Teeth sprung out into staggering triangles.

"Tell me what's going on!" Blue fur twisted into the darkest of blacks.

"How can I idolise you when I know NOTHING ABOUT YOU?!"

—————

He knew nothing. Was that it? Was that what his mind wanted? What Sonic and Mobius and Eggman wanted? That he'd lied to himself for years on the stupid, childish belief he knew the 'oh so' great hero of Mobius better than anyone?

Is he...?

Chao?

Who was that? Sweet Gaia, his head thundered.

Come on, buddy. I'm right here.

Sonic? Sonic!

Chaos, he felt sick.

He's coming to.

Even if Sonic lied or kept him in the dark, Tails refused to listen to Eggman or anyone who suggested he couldn't believe in his brother. How could he be so stupid? So...selfish? After all Sonic did for him and here he was, questioning the blue hero's intentions. Sonic loved him. Cared for him. Raised him. He'd be damned if he took advantage of that.

"Sonic...?"

"Tails!"

Even if his headache got worse, the fox couldn't help chuckling at how thrilled his brother sounded. Which was surprising. Shouldn't he be mad?

"Where...?" He groaned and tried to sit up, vision blurring.

"Easy little bro." Sonic's hand gently pushed him down.

"We're at Knuckles'." Amy chimed in, brushing his fur and smiling when marigold eyelids parted to reveal sky blue eyes.

"Gave us quite the scare." The echidna added. "But you're alright. Just need some food."

"Chao Chao Chao!" Cheese twirled with a smile.

Tails' vision straightened and he looked between the three. The former pair stood and waved but guilt crept in and he turned to emerald green eyes. Sonic always had the softest, kindest smiles reserved for him. Which made him feel worse but he tried to mimic the expression anyway.

It was unnerving how his brother could look so petrifying to looking so warm.

"How're you feeling?"

Only then did Tails notice his purring from Amy's strokes. His cheeks flushed. "Been better."

"Well, you should be proud of yourself." Sonic grinned and for a moment the fox was surprised to see his usual set of teeth.

"Proud? Why? All I did was make things worse."

"In what world? You saved me."

"But-."

Amy flicked his head. "Don't be silly, Tails." She wagged a finger. "And I know your brother does stupid stuff like that, but please don't follow in his footsteps. It was very brave, but we don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I...let's hope there's no reason to. This hurts." He admitted with a crack of a smile.

"So...you're not mad at me?" He sat up with his brother's help.

"Mad?" Sonic chuckled. "Like Amy said, so it'd be hypocritical of me." He winked. "Although I too would rather you not throw yourself into trouble- especially for me."

'He's too special. You only amount to protect him. Nothing more.'

Tails frowned. "I'm not letting you get hurt."

Why did Sonic look so surprised?

"Ah, you know I can take it. In truth, I was worried you'd be cross at me."

"Really?"

"Silly, right?" He gave a pointed glance and Tails huffed.

"Yeah yeah."

"Knowing you two are okay- can I be angry now?" Knuckles huffed.

Amy sighed, pinching her nose and Cheese shook his head. "Boys."