The Recovery

Umbra immediately went into action, grabbing Tails and pushing him onto his bed. He laid him on his side, gently running his fingers through the boy’s curly hair. Tails writhed and twitched beneath him, gritting his teeth.

Sparks crackled along Tails’s skin, hot and powerful. Umbra grimaced as the magic burned his hands, but he didn't dare draw away from Tails.

Tails’s frantic heaves for breath started to slow, and he relaxed against the bed. Umbra eased his grip as Tails blinked, shaking his head.

Groaning, Tails pulled himself up, rubbing his temples. A sheen of sweat clung to his face, and his dark skin lacked any luster. “What...um…”

“Seizure. Tails, this is serious. Who do I need to report this to?” Umbra said sternly, still hovering over Tails. Despite his disdain for the teen, Umbra’s fatherly instincts had completely taken over.

“No, uh,” Tails paused, disoriented, “It's fine. This is kinda...normal. I don't wanna bother the council with this. I've tried to, um, tell them, but Xantheus told me to leave him alone.”

“Tails, this is not something you can just ignore.”

Tails’s reptilian eyes cut away from Umbra. “It's okay, I swear. No one knows. Most of the time I can feel it coming on, so I go to the bathroom of whatever. I don't wanna annoy anyone.”

“You haven't even talked to your parents about this?” Umbra instantly regretted speaking when he saw the hurt flash across Tails’s face. “Oh, I'm so sorry-”

“It's fine.” Tails directed his attention to his pillow. “I don't have any. Never knew ‘em. The council's raised me my entire life.”

“Tails, may I ask you a personal question?”

Tails blinked. “Huh? Um, sure.”

Umbra rested his hands in his lap. “Tails, are you a hybrid mage?”

Tails flinched. “How did you know?”

Umbra grinned, eyes distant. “I have some...experience with people like you. Let me guess, equilibria magic?”

Tails scratched the back of his head. “Heh, yeah...order and chaos magic all at the same.” He hugged his stomach, “It doesn't feel very good.”

Umbra watched Tails’s trembling hands. He still looked shaken from his seizure. Gently pushing against his chest, Umbra lowered him onto the headboard of the bed. “Lay down for a little bit. You look faint.”

Cracking a nervous smile, Tails relaxed. “I'm sorry for making you do all of this for me,” he whispered bashfully.

“It's no trouble,” Umbra murmured, “In my mind, this is really what a familiar does- take care of people. People seem to forget that combat is only half the curriculum we're taught. I'm primarily an emotional support companion. This whole ‘violence for money’ thing is pretty new for me.”

Tails sat his head on his knees, face still ashen. Umbra mopped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, recognizing his need for comfort.

“So, you have an interest in suits as well?” Umbra asked, sitting down beside him. He hoped that discussing his interests would bring Tails out of his slump.

Tails nodded weakly, “I like bow ties the best. They're cute.”

“I agree,” Umbra said, forcing a chuckle, “Victor has a cute little bow tie I put on him occasionally.”

Tails smiled, the color returning to his cheeks. Standing up, he brushed the wrinkles out of his skirt and held out his hand. “It's time for dinner. We better hurry. The council doesn't like it when I'm late.”

Author's Note- k first of all I would like to thank all of you. i cant remember when ive had this many current voters. ahh i love you all so much,,,,holy dang,,,keep up the good work guys