The Confession

“Tails,” Umbra murmured, rubbing his forehead, “I'm not as strong as you think.”

Tails’s lip trembled. “B-but, you're always so cool! Umbra, you’re like perfect!”

Umbra sighed, watching Tails’s distressed expression with tired eyes. As much as it hurt to deny his ego, he couldn't let Tails mindlessly idolize him. He didn't need an idol, he needed a fellow man to identify with.

“There are no perfect people,” he said, drawing an arm around Tails’s shoulders, “Just really good liars. Lying just happens to be one of my many talents.”

“B-but…” Tails was at a loss for words.

“It's scary being out on a pedestal, you know? You can't mess up, you have people relying on you. You can't allow yourself to feel anything.” Umbra smiled at Tails, raising his eyebrows, “But I suppose you know how that feels, huh?”

Slowly, Tails nodded, relaxing against Umbra's shoulder. “Yeah, I do…”

“It's odd, people seem to look at their superiors as if they're some sort of Übermensch. But that's not the case. We break down and need someone to lean on just like everyone else.”

Umbra squeezed Tails’s shoulder, meeting his gaze. The rain had reduced to a soft, misty drizzle that lapped refreshingly against their skin. Lightning no longer crackled across the sky.

“Sometimes the man on top has to ask for help.” The scarce moonlight shined on Tails’s face, and Umbra seemed to be speaking to the image of himself that reflected in his reptilian eyes.

Tearfully, Tails nodded. He wiped his eyes, watching the wet sand that hung around his knees. “Even if you're not perfect, I still really like you. You love and care for your family...that's all I want.”

Umbra's chest ached as stared down at the child. “Coatl seems like a nice man.”

An uneasy smile crept onto Tails’s lips. “He really is...But I don’t know if he would want to take me in. He's like, y’know, a god, and I'm just...me.”

“You'll never know until ask. He really admires you, Tails,” Umbra replied, returning his grin.

They fell into silence, the stream that ran before them a gentle backdrop. Tails settled against Umbra's chest, his eyes threatening to close. Umbra twisted his fingers through his curly locks.

“It all started when my son wanted to rush to the aid of Aunora, who had posted a stupid letter on the forum. She completely and totally lied to us, but Victor’s a hopeless sweetheart and he just had to help her. And then somehow she managed to drag me into being a mercenary. I could have strangled her,” he rested his chin on his hand, “But, hey, now I don't know what I'd do without her.”

Tails raised up, gasping. “You're telling me the copyrighted information.”

Umbra winked. “And then, right after I think everything is settling down, Matthew meets these two thugs in his restaurant and thinks they're perfect for our first bosses. I love him to death, but Matt is a horrible judge of character. Meanwhile, my son was kidnapped by his new friend and was galavanting in the Celestial Realm.”

“Of course, that's nothing compared to the time I, well, met Time. He's a total lunatic, you see.”

“No way,” Tails breathed, hanging on Umbra's every word.

“And, after that, Matthew, once again, sent me on a disastrous mission. He wanted Aunora and I to get along better. I think couple's therapy would have been a better idea, but I didn't have much of a choice in the matter.”

“Now, I wasn't there for the next mission, but it seemed rather crazy. Victor went back to the Celestial Realm, as Seraph invited him and Esper to a sleepover, but then they got thrown into Ereith and had to live with demon lizards! Apparently Esper fought Celeste herself.”

Tails’s mouth gaped. “As in the Celeste?”

“Yes, she's quite the piece of work. He wasn't able to defeat her, but Victor and Seraph assured me the fight was amazing. That's also how I gained another son.”

Umbra paused, stomach twisting when he realized what story happened next. He shook his head. “And here I am now, with you. That's the adventures of Silver Moon.”

Tails grinned. “It sounds like some kinda book.”

“I guess you’re right,” he giggled.

Umbra took Tails by the hand, pulling him to his feet. “Tails, it's time to go back to the tomb.”

Tails grimaced, fear flashing in his eyes. “I…”

Umbra touched his back. “Everything is going to be fine. I'll be right behind you, Tails.”

Tails took a deep breath, and then set off for the tomb.

Author's Note- dont forget to vote and comment!!! :)

also, im posting the next book!!! pls add it to your libraries!!