New Beginnings

Chapter 28 - Like A Lightning Strike

In the end it had made the most sense to guide Silver to the farthest-removed and quietest part of the beach, away from any prying eyes and people that would only serve to distract him from the other. "But there's no-one here," Silver purred as they walked side-by-side, their hands intertwined and bodies brushing against each other just as closely as when they had embraced. He was right, the only company they had was the gulls in the distance, and yet Espio could not take the risk.

"I am aware, but someone might come down from the main stairs like we did," he responded warmly, giving Silver's hand a squeeze. "And I'd rather not get interrupted by anyone and anything while I, ah... play for you. I want it to be... special."

A quiet chuckle resounded next to him, warm golden eyes meeting his own as the chameleon's stomach did multiple loops in a row. "Oh, Espio. I know for sure it'll be special, no matter how many people are near us," Silver murmured back, squeezing his hand back just like the ninja had done with his.

"Those are bold words, small one. Bold, and also dangerous." Guiding the other farther away from the main part of the beach, the dunes turning more rocky and adorned with larger plants, Espio shot the hedgehog an amused smile. "You have not yet been tortured with our Chaotix Recital, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Curiously Silver hummed, gaze drifting over to the shamisen Espio had left strapped on his back for now. "It sounds cool, though. How can it be torturous when you are doing something?"

"Do not underestimate the ninja," Espio teased, deciding they were far enough away from any interruptions or eavesdroppers. Unwillingly he let the hedgehog go, fingers trailing over the other's dorsum before Silver's hand moved back in full, and he could do nothing else but turn his attention to the instrument he was carrying as he sunk down on the sand. "But the fact that we put Vector on the main vocals might not have aided with making it more pleasurable on the ears," he added, grimacing at the memories of his eardrums nearly being blown out by the crocodile's... interesting idea of lyrics.

Settling on the coarse grains also with his legs folded the hedgehog flicked an ear, smiling as if he knew what Espio was thinking about. "What are vocals?"

"Singing," the chameleon explained as he removed the shamisen and grabbed the bachi, placing the former on his lap snugly and settling the latter in his hand. "A specific way to... talk, I suppose you could describe it as. Ah, I am... not the best singer there is out there either-" he had neglected to mention that his role as back-up vocalist most certainly also had not aided with making their music more pleasurable on the ears- "so I think it's best if I let that be for now." If he ruined his evening with Silver with his terribly croaky singing voice, he'd never forgive himself, even if the hedgehog was grinning so amusedly back at him.

"Now I'm just curious, Espio," Silver purred with a wag of his tail, and the chameleon gently reached out to pet his quills. The radiant warmth in the other's eyes had not dissipated one bit...

"I'll scare you half to death, small one. It sounds terrible."

With a cute huff Silver let cyan spark in the air, battering the chameleon's horn gently. "You wish you could, heh. You're about as frightening as a... uh... a baby Chao!"

"A baby Chao?" Espio repeated with an amused quirk of his eyebrow, getting a fierce not in return as Silver's quills bristled and the other balled his fists passionately.

"Uh huh! And you're, u-um... you're just as, um, as- as cute as one too!"

Silver's cheeks had taken on quite an adorable rosy colour as he proclaimed that, though miraculously his fierce stuttering only made Espio more fondly amused than embarrassed himself. "My, and here I was thinking that you were the cute one here, not me," he wasted no time in teasing the other back, mind drifting back to the bath they had taken together. That was only a few days ago, and yet it felt so far away and so close by simultaneously. "Did we not determine that in order to be cute you need to be small and capable of flight?"