ao3 user OwOtheJester on ao3 dot com

Things had been going great. It was the third time they'd seen Sonic, and while he still wasn't speaking, he looked happier. When Sonic helped them fight against Eggman and free everyone trapped in that labor camp a year or so ago, he hardly looked like himself. Gone was the smiling hedgehog who stole a plane and flew them to the Mystic Ruins, who laughed at danger and went exploring with them on a whim, just because Ray asked him to stay.

Instead, Sonic had been silent and impatient. He saved people and freed all the poor creatures imprisoned in Eggman's machines, but he didn't seem happy. Well, Ray supposed the only time he did seem happy was with them. When Sonic laid eyes on him and Mighty, he smiled and wrapped them up in a huge hug. Except just as quickly, he let go and started doing stuff with his hands. They eventually learned he wasn't able to speak, and after some time managed to learn a few words. Mighty had been really worried, and managed to convince Sonic to travel with them for a few weeks. Unfortunately, Mighty ended up pushing too hard one day and Sonic left.

Now, three days ago their paths crossed again, and this time Sonic had someone with him. A two-tailed fox named Tails. Mighty laughed and accused him of copying him but Sonic shrugged him off. They figured out a few more of his signs, and Tails acted as translator for the stuff they couldn't understand.

At first, Ray had been excited. Not only was Sonic more like he was when they first met, but Ray was no longer the youngest! Tails was like—a whole two years younger than him! Tails had been shy and tried hiding behind Sonic, but Mighty managed to coax him out by joking that Ray did the same when he was younger.

Ray pretended to be offended at that and Tails giggled. After they explained they'd known Sonic for a while, Tails had asked nonstop questions about their adventures. He'd been impressed with Mighty's strength and in awe of how Ray used his patagia to glide. It was a little off-putting to realize how much of a genius Tails was at first. What little kid not only knew what patagium were, but could put words to things Ray innately knew as a flying squirrel? Although, Ray figured the fastest thing alive couldn't help but keep equally odd company.

Earlier today had been the turning point though. While Mighty was entertaining Tails, Ray got a chance to hang out with Sonic. He was showing off all the card tricks he'd learned and even though Sonic didn't say anything, his expressions and gasps of shock were all the encouragement Ray needed.

Then Tails and Mighty joined them. Tails had stared at his cards so intently Ray saw no choice but to show off again. It wasn't often he had an audience who wasn't Mighty. Except after the second trick, Tails figured out how he did it!

He'd been so proud and smiled at Ray as if Ray had been deliberately testing him and expected a "good job!" for figuring it out. Ray could only stand there in shock, unsure of how to feel before Sonic yanked Tails to the side. He signed in such a way it looked like he was yelling or reprimanding Tails, but Tails just looked confused.

"But I f'gured it out, Sonic," he'd whined, using a hard "-CK" at the end of Sonic's name in that weird way of his. Before, Ray had thought it kind of adorable, like some sort of proof that Tails was just a silly kid, but from that point on it bugged him. Ray had half a mind to fire back that he didn't want some dumb kid who couldn't even say his big brother's name right to lecture him—but everything took a backseat when a group of badniks attacked.

One thing led to another and they followed the tracks to spot an Eggman base in the distance. After some discussion, they decided to make camp a few miles back and then attack early the next morning. Ray tried and tried to fall asleep, but he couldn't stop replaying that moment with Tails in his head. He got up, mumbled something about needing to pee to Mighty who was on first watch, and here he was.

"C'mon, Ray. What's bothering you?" There was a light touch to his paw and it was apparent that at some point, Mighty had joined him on the same branch. He lifted his head and saw Mighty's face pinch. He leaned forward and brushed his thumb under Ray's eyes. The glove came away wet, and Ray was surprised to realize he ended up crying after all.

"This is more than Tails figuring out your card trick," Mighty said. "What's wrong?"

"I j-just—I d-do-don't—ugg!" Ray thumped his head against the tree trunk and pulled on his ears. He'd overcome his stutter for the most part, had spent years practicing and following "speech therapy" to the best of his ability from books (with Mighty's help of course). It was practically gone now, only resurfacing when he was exhausted or highly emotional.

And the worst part? The worst part is that being flustered only make the stutter worse, so of course he couldn't help but turn into a blubbering mess!

"Sh-sh-sh-sh." Mighty carefully pulled his paws away from his ears. "Take some deep breaths, okay?" He coaxed Ray into a more manageable sitting position, with his legs dangling on either side of the branch instead of being pressed against his chest. "I've gotcha."

With practiced ease, Mighty removed both of their gloves. He then gently massaged little circles on the back of Ray's paws to ground him. Ray worked on slowing his breathing to match those movements. In time, he felt it safe enough to talk.

"I-I just . . . it m-made me feel we-weak," he said, staring at his paws. It was easier to talk when he wasn't looking right at Mighty.

"Weak?" His brother's tone didn't sound like he was doubting him; more like questioning, and Ray realized it wasn't the right word.

"Useless," he corrected. Mighty's fingers twitched before resuming their circular motion.

"What makes you think that?"

"C-Cuz it's true," Ray said. "You have su-super strength, Sonic has super speed, a-and Tails is su-super smart and he can f-f-fl-fly?! I'm j-j-just me. I d-do-don't—I'm useless!" Ray tried to curl into himself once again, to try and smother the burning ache he'd put a name to, but he was stopped by Mighty's paws on his face.

"Now you look at me."

That was kind of the last thing Ray wanted to do, but he knew Mighty wasn't going to give up. He might as well get this over with. Ray did so, and was treated to the crazed, intense fury his brother was known for.

"You're my brother, and I won't tolerate anyone badmouthing my little brother. Especially if it comes from him." He poked Ray in the chest. "First off, I don't give a damn about whether or not you have 'superpowers'. Do you really think I'm that shallow?" Ray flinched from the forcefulness.

He opened his eyes at the gentle touch on his face. Mighty was now giving him a fond look. "You're my little brother because you're kind, resourceful, quick on your feet, and earnest in everything you do. You don't give up and know how to make me smile. Did you know that Sonic jokes you're the only one who can calm me down when I get angry?" Mighty chuckled and ruffled the fur on top of his head.

"For every insult you have, I've got ten compliments. Feel free to test me, but I hope I've made my point. Now, I know Tails figuring out your trick hurt you and it was mean of him—but have you considered the possibility that Tails is jealous of you?"

Seriously? Ray scoffed. "Yeah, right."

"I'm being serious. Look, while we were hanging out he asked questions about you and of course I couldn't help but gush over my coolest little brother." Mighty dug a fist into the top of his head and Ray batted him away. "So imagine how he felt, hearing all about how amazing this guy named Ray is, and suddenly he sees him making Sonic, his big brother, smile and laugh at card tricks. Something that Tails can't do."

"But he figured out how I did it, so why—"

"He probably thought you were trying to steal Sonic from him."

Ray gave Mighty a dumbfounded look. What kind of a stupid idea was that? "Why would I try and steal Sonic if I have you?"

Now it was Mighty's turn to look surprised. He got that weird look like he wanted to smile and cry at the same time, and settled for a gentle grin.

"Look, just because Tails is smart he's only five," Mighty said. "Sonic didn't tell me the whole story, but apparently he's the only one who's ever been nice to Tails. You remember how some people treated you when you had your stutter, right?" Ray nodded. The way some kids acted, it was like their birthday had come early and their only goal in life was to make him miserable. "Now think about how they'd react if they got one look at Tails."

Oh. Ray hadn't thought of it that way. He shifted to glance down at their camp. Tails was curled up against Sonic's side, and despite the way Sonic was spread out, limbs akimbo he had a tight grip around Tails. It reminded Ray of the way Sonic slept with his plushie Muttski back at Knothole Orphanage.

Back on Christmas Island, Sonic had snuck them into his room for a week. That first day, some of the other kids had made fun of Ray's stutter. Before Mighty could do anything, Sonic shoved those kids to the ground. He'd said anyone who had a problem with Ray had a problem with him. Tails'—well—tails were waaay more obvious than Ray's stutter. If he didn't try to talk, Ray could walk around freely when he was younger and no one would notice. Tails didn't have that luxury and never would.

Ray tried to imagine what it would be like, if he'd had to live at the orphanage and deal with those kids who made fun of him for years. Then one day, Mighty would appear, punch those kids' lights out, and whisk him away to a life of adventure. If some kid who looked like him came along, Ray supposed he could see how it might seem like Mighty could be taken from him.

"It doesn't look like there's anything 'wrong' with you," Mighty said softly. "All Tails sees is a super cool bigger kid with his own older brother who knows how to make Sonic laugh. I doubt he cares about things like super strength or super speed. Honestly, I'd say the fact that he felt threatened by you proves just how incredible you are. Tails wouldn't be threatened by a nobody, would he?"

It . . . no, he supposed not. Ray thought back to the earlier exchange with fresh eyes. He tried to ignore the hurt that came from Tails figuring out the trick so quickly. He shoved it down, and in Tails' place he saw a tiny chipmunk.

He and Mighty had stumbled upon one a year or so ago. It had broken its two front paws somehow and was crying out in pain. Ray reached out to try and help it, but the chipmunk bit his finger. Thanks to his gloves it didn't hurt, but the behavior had confused Ray. He knew the chipmunk hadn't understood him, but he spoke gently and moved slowly, not at all threateningly. They managed to take it to a vet to be treated, and Ray asked Mighty about the strange behavior.

Mighty explained that even though Ray didn't act like a threat, the chipmunk had been so scared it wasn't thinking straight. It felt cornered and lashed out as its only line of defense. Ray supposed that—in today's incident—Tails must have been just like that chipmunk. Instead of injured paws, it was the pain from being bullied for years. Even though Ray just wanted to show off a card trick, Tails had fought back with his only line of defense—his brain.

"So, do you still feel useless?"

Ray frowned and considered it. "I . . . I don't think I do."

"Good enough for me." Mighty slung an arm around his shoulder and pulled him in close. "Now it's time for you to get some sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow and I need ya in top form!"

Ray glanced down at the campfire again to stare at Sonic and Tails. It really was funny how Sonic had "copied" him and Mighty, but Ray no longer felt jealous. Like how Ray had found someone willing to look past his stutter and love him, Tails had found someone willing to look past his two tails to do the same. This time, Ray was happy that Tails lucked out the same way he had.

Ray then turned his attention to Mighty, and felt a overpowering rush of affection. He pounced on his brother, nearly knocking them out of the tree.

"I love you, Mighty."

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Look—I just love the idea of the two, yellow-furred little brothers learning how to be friends together. Both make each other feel insecure for different reasons, but once they realize they have no need to be worried, I feel they'd become very close. I feel like unlike their big brothers, they're great at keeping in touch and are the only reason why either duo knows how the other is doing. They're the ones planning "playdates" for themselves and their spacey big bros. Also—Ray is totally older than Tails! It's such a cute dynamic.

Finally, a random headcanon I have is that normally, when Sonic sleeps its in more of a curl to protect himself or Tails. It's only when he's sleeping with people like Mighty, Knuckles, or Shadow nearby that he feels safe enough to sleep in a more "starfish" position, but of course Ray would never know that. I'm just obsessed with the idea of Sonic looking up to Mighty like his own big brother, though of course he'd never admit it.