Thunder - Oneshot
Based on a drawing I made some time ago, written mostly in the middle of the night because of rainstorm and a random burst of inspiration that wouldn't let me sleep (kinda fitting considering what the fic is about lol), which I'm now posting months later.
In which Tails can't sleep during a thunderstorm, but his werehog brother is there to help.
Words: 2,067
Thunder.
A dreadful rainstorm raged just outside Tails' bedroom window. Rain poured against the glass with such force the fox feared it would break. Light flashed through the sky, followed a few seconds later by the mighty roar of the heavens.
Tails cowered under his blankets at the sound, his fur standing on edge and his ears flat on his head.
The logical side of his brain told him that things weren't that bad. The storm was moving away. He knew because of how much time there was between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder. He knew that he wouldn't be struck by a bolt of electricity from the heavens.
It told him that the howling wind would only cause a few branches to come loose at worst. That his house, workshop, and everything in them was safe.
It told him that the rain wouldn't be nearly enough to flood their home, just make their backyard a bit soggy. That it'll be okay.
Yet the fearful and childish side of his brain screamed that he wasn't safe. He was in danger. That he needed to run. Hide.
So here he was, listening to the scared part of his consciousness, clutching his pounding heart as he breathed quick and shallow breaths, and panic consumed him.
He tried and tried to steady his breathing, to stop his heart from racing, but every time he managed to calm down just a bit, thunder would crash and send him spiraling again.
It's past midnight. He should be sleeping. Sonic had been nagging him about maintaining a good sleep schedule, that he can't work while sleep deprived.
Not like he's much better than Tails is when it comes to sleeping at decent times…
He takes a deep breath. He's able to calm his nerves, if only slightly. Still wrapped in a blanket, he sets his head down on his pillow and closes his eyes. The rain has yet to subside, but at least he hasn't heard any thunder in a bit. The pitter-patter of the rain hitting his roof could actually help him relax a bit more-
Kra-boom!
Ah, spoke too soon.
Tails yelped, sitting back up on his bed, shaking like a leaf. His namesakes poofed up like a pair of feather dusters, poking out from under the blanket.
Maybe some water will help, he thought, as he slowly slipped out of bed and walked out of his room.
He rushed out past the living room and to the kitchen, but stopped once he heard low grumbling in the dark room. He stood just inches away from the doorway, watching as a large figure walked by the counter to where the trash bin would be.
"Stupid fuckin' earplugs don't do jack shit…" the figure growled as he tossed something into the small bin.
Though Tails couldn't see him too well in the dark, he knew it was Sonic, turned into that beast form again. Just hearing his voice, though gruff and annoyed, made him feel at ease. He smiled, amused by Sonic's uncharacteristic language.
"Two rings for the swear jar, Sonic," Tails said as he flicked the light switch on.
Sonic nearly jumped at the sound of his brother's voice, quills spiking up slightly. He looks back at the two-tailed fox, spines quickly settling back into place as he put a large paw on his chest.
"Geez, kid, you almost gave me a heart attack," the beastly hedgehog said as he began walking towards him.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you…" Tails rubbed the back of his neck, "Since when did you have such a potty-mouth?"
"Eh, I'unno," he shrugged, leaning on the kitchen counter, "Guess you just start swearin' more when you get older. Things start pissin' you off more, I guess."
"That's another one for the swear jar. Now you owe three rings," Tails smirked.
"Oh, that does not count-"
"Yeah, it does-"
"No, it doesn't!"
"Yes it does-!"
Light flashed through the kitchen window, lighting up the dark and dreary skies for a split second, before thunder crashed down. Tails nearly jumps out of his skin, yelping in fear. Sonic jolts, too, grimacing and quickly covering his pointed ears.
After the shock from the thunder had passed, Sonic uncovered his ears and looked back to his younger, terrified brother.
"Storm's keeping you up, too, huh?"
Sonic wasn't scared of storms like Tails was. He can usually sleep through anything.
Guess tonight was an exception.
"Yeah… This happens every time…"
Tails doesn't know why he's so afraid of storms, of the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning. It's not like the shock of hearing a sudden loud noise out of nowhere that everyone experiences, that's just a reflex.
This is fear.
"Need some water?" Sonic asked, his voice as gentle ever, though corrupted by his transformation.
Tails nodded, wrapping the blanket he held tighter around himself. He sat down while Sonic grabbed two glasses, one for himself and another for Tails.
Sonic added ice to his own glass before pouring water in, which confused Tails. They never drank tap water, instead buying it bottled or by the gallon and keeping it in the fridge so they always had cold and clean drinking water. Never knew when Eggman would poison the water reserves (either accidentally or intentionally), so it was always good to have. But it was already cold, and Sonic doesn't usually take ice with his drinks, so why would he need it?
The hedgehog placed Tails' glass on the counter as he sat down next to him. They both drank their water in silence, listening to the rain pouring against their home.
Then Tails heard a crunching sound. He looked to his brother.
Of course, he had gotten the ice to chew on it. Why didn't he think of that before?
His teeth growing like that every night must be painful, and with his ears being more sensitive and all the loud noises from the storm, he must be stressed. Not that Sonic would ever say that outright, of course, but Tails could tell.
He's found a solution to one of his problems, at least. Ice isn't going to help much with loud sounds, though.
"Hey, Sonic? I've got some noise-cancelling earphones in my workshop, if you wanna-"
"Already tried 'em," he interrupted, "They don't work on me."
Tails stared at his brother for a moment as he continued chewing away at his ice.
"... You better have not touched anything else in my workshop."
"I didn't, I swear!" he raised his paws defensively, "That's the only thing I touched, and I put 'em right where I found 'em."
"Mhm. You better."
"... Wish they could've kept out the noise."
They both fell silent again.
Tails thought as he took the final gulps of his glass of water. He really wanted to help Sonic, yet it didn't seem like there were many solutions to their problems, especially not immediate ones. Though he had an idea to design some specialized noise-cancelling earphones for his brother, he logged that away for later, as that would take far too long to make right now.
Working on a project like that right now wouldn't help him get any sleep, either. Tinkering at inventions is usually what keeps him from sleeping, and it won't stop the storm.
Tails sighed. He feels heavy, tired. He was finally starting to get his sleep schedule in order and this storm came in and ruined it. How frustrating…
Lightning strikes again, scaring Tails half to death. Sonic barely even reacts this time, only grimacing and rubbing his head as a low growl escapes his throat. He seemed just as tired, if not even more tired than Tails.
The hedgehog gets up from his seat. "I'm gonna try sleepin' on the couch. You wanna stay with me or do you wanna go back to your room?"
Tails follows, grabbing his hand. "I… don't wanna be alone…" he mumbles.
"Alright, buddy. C'mon," Sonic said as he led the young fox into the living room with him, flicking the light switch off on his way out.
Sonic let himself fall onto the red sofa in their living room, sleepiness beginning to take hold of him. Tails pushed a few crumpled papers away and sat on the rug right in front of it, still too scared to sleep yet.
He looked at the bookshelf on the left wall of the room. His figure collection lay neatly on the shelf, alongside a large array of books he and Sonic had collected over the years. He could try reading, but he doubts he can focus on anything like that with this storm.
He then looked to the low table, covered in papers and crayons. Some of the papers had been doodled on, others crumpled up. Some had rolled onto the floor, and neither he nor Sonic had bothered to clean them up yet. They should do that soon.
Thunder strikes again. The fox yelps. Sonic gives a dirty look out the window, as if that would stop the storm. It seems he isn't as bothered by the noise now, at least.
He yawns, unable to contain the tiredness that has overtaken him. Yet before he lies back and tries to drift off to sleep, he offers a large, blue paw to his shaking brother. His left paw, the one with Chip's bracelet around his wrist.
Tails takes it, holding his older brother's hand as he takes deep breaths. Sonic's thumb gently rubs the top of his hand, careful not to scratch him with his sharp claw. It was fluffy, the peach fuzz that once covered Sonic's skin having grown into short, thick fur. And yet, underneath the fur, he could still feel the callouses and small scars on his skin. The gem on his bracelet emitted a soft, green glow.
All of it was familiar, comforting.
But a part of Tails felt embarrassed for needing this kind of help. He was ten years old now, and a super genius, yet all it took was a little storm to turn him into a shaking mess.
It's kind of pathetic, he thought.
"You okay, buddy?" Sonic asked, voice as soft as he could make it. He looked at him with such kindness in his emerald eyes, despite how sharp they looked now.
"... I feel kind of stupid right now," Tails admitted.
Sonic's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"Because… because of all this. I'm ten already, and I'm still scared of lightning. I've beaten killer robots and mad scientists and this is what gets me. I'm not a little kid anymore. It's so stupid…"
"Hey, we've all got our fears," Sonic squeezed his hand, "I'm almost eighteen, and I'm still scared of water."
"That's… different."
"How so?"
Tails tried to think of some kind of justification, or excuse, but came up with nothing. As far as he knew, both his and Sonic's fears were irrational. There wasn't a difference besides the cause of the fear itself.
Sonic shook his head.
"It's okay to be scared of things sometimes, whether there's a reason for it or not. And it's okay to need help, too."
Tails sighed. He may be right, but that doesn't make it feel any less embarrassing.
Sonic yawns, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. "Alright, I think that's enough talking from me. I'm gonna try and get some sleep, but I'll be right here if you need me, 'kay? And I'll pay for the swear jar tomorrow, promise."
"Okay…" the fox nods, watching his brother as he relaxes on the sofa and slowly drifts to sleep.
Sonic always had an easier time falling asleep. Tails can't say he doesn't envy it.
Tails looks out the window, watching the storm as it begins to relent, if only slightly. It's probably one or two in the morning now, but he can't be bothered to look at a clock to tell the exact time.
He leans back onto the sofa, still holding his brother's hand. He tugged the blanket closer to himself with his other hand.
As the storm raged on, Tails found comfort in his brother's loud snoring. The sound once annoyed the fox, but now it served to drown out the dreadful thunder crashing outside.
A small smile crept onto his face as he finally felt himself drift off to sleep as well.
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