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"I guess... I'll see you around," Sonic says, knowing damn well that's unlikely.
"Yeah, well..." Nine looks away. "Whatever."
Sonic gulps.
"... You could come with me."
Nine pauses, then sighs in annoyance.
"I don't belong there, Sonic." He narrows his eyes. "I belong here, in my world. You have your own world."
Your own Tails.
"Go home, Sonic."
"Nine, I..."
A beat drops.
"I don't want to leave you here."
"I don't care what you want," Nine hisses. "I want you to go home. Go home to your brother. I'll be alone, sure, whatever -- but that's not a problem, because I've always been alone."
"B-But that could change!" Sonic reaches out. Nine always looks so far away even though he's right here in front of him. "You don't have to be alone anymore. I could be there for you, if you just let me!"
"Shut up, you stupid hedgehog!" A growl rips itself out of Nine's throat. "I'm not some damsel in distress, and I don't need a hero like you to save me!"
Sonic takes a step back, blinking as he struggles to process those words. "No, what? Wait, that's not... not what I ..."
"I knew it," Nine spits. "You're treating me like some sort of fucked-up pity project that wants to be saved from itself. Well, newsflash, Sonic the Hedgehog: I don't need you. I don't need your help. I need you to leave me the fuck alone."
"Nine..."
Said fox looks away, eyes narrowed and mouth twitching. He looks moderately angry, maybe even a little bitter.
This isn't Tails.
But Sonic can tell there's a degree of sadness hidden underneath that disdainful look.
"You have a brother."
Sonic closes his eyes.
"... I don't."