New Beginnings

Finale: New Beginnings

He knew something was looming on the horizon when Silver asked him if they could talk.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" the psychic fretted for the dozenth time in the span of approximately two minutes as Espio shook his head and gently set him down onto the mattress of his bed. "I don't want to interrupt-"

"I wasn't doing anything remarkable, small one," the chameleon responded as he let the other go in full, sharp eyes taking note of any flinches or other signs Silver could not hold himself up and had to lay down. He had not been busy at all; no, he had been aimlessly moving through the pages of a book while pretending to be reading, keeping all his senses sharp and waiting for Sonic to come back with his dear friend. In that time a multitude of different ways to absolutely end the blue hedgehog when that moment arrived had been taken form in his mind, but unfortunately he had not been given the chance to act any out. A door had opened, Silver had been pushed into his grasp and the groceries into Vector's and in that one second of Silver's nose and his horn brushing together the speedster had long left already, an echo of a cheerful greeting and the arrival of both Silver and groceries the only sign he had been there in the first place. Immediately afterwards the psychic had hugged him so closely his breath had hitched in his chest before asking if they could talk, and he had deemed that to be much more important than any revenge, and thus Sonic would probably live to see another day... unless he got back to visit again anywhere between right now and tonight. Surely Silver would not be that upset with him.

"I brought you these," the psychic's voice broke through his musings, the chameleon laughing as he was shown two packaged doughnuts with pink frosting and white sprinkles. Those were Silver's favourites, he recalled with a tiny smile. "I, ah... came across the two people from the- the bakery? In the supermarket, and Sonic said I was allowed to pick out something 'snack-worthy', which I do not know exactly what that is, but, um..." Voice rambling with no small amount of awkwardness Silver shoved the package into his hands. "They're... they're for you. I figured they'd make you happy when we came back."

Putting them safely away on his bedside cabinet and shaking his head fondly Espio sat down next to the other, wrapping him in a hug of his own. At this rate, he had little to hide anymore, what with his slip-up last night...! Pushing the flustering thought away he ran his fingers through the soft white fleece around Silver's neck. "I'm much happier you are back, small one. I was worried about you, what with Sonic-"

"Kidnapping me?" With a soft giggle Silver let his head rest against the chameleon's, though the hedgehog fidgeted nervously in his grasp as well. "Um... I'm glad he did, actually. We, ah... I talked to him about some... things, important things." He fell silent after that, fiddling with his fingers, but Espio knew fully well what was coming next. Gently he held the other against him, letting him find his own words. "Things I want to talk about with you, too," Silver finished, and Espio's throat grew dry at the wide-eyed look sent his way. He could think of some things the other wanted to discuss...

"I... I'm listening, small one."

His voice had wavered just the tiniest bit, and Espio grimaced as he straightened out his back and shot the other as assuring a smile as he could muster. He was older and more experienced with life, it was his task to ensure Silver was safe and cared for; and they had to make up their minds on things, even he could not deny it any longer. Stealing touches and kisses and helping Silver heal from his hurting past without at least knowing solidly where they stood would no longer do. The hedgehog's lips twitched up at his smile, but just as quickly as it had happened it disappeared again, golden eyes sinking down to grey-furred knees and the other swallowing thickly. "...What happened last night, Espio? When we said- when you said, and I..."

"...We- yes." He had known the question would come, and yet he had not been able to brace himself for it; holding Silver only closer Espio tried to relax himself and failed miserably. "I said... I said I love you," he responded in a whisper. "And you said... you love me, too. But..."