Espilver Week 2023

Day 3: Camp

Silver is no stranger to sleeping outside, but that doesn't mean it isn't oddly unsettling after so long of staying in a safe, sturdy house.

Quietly – or as quietly as he can manage, at least – the hedgehog turns again in his sleeping bag, frowning at the flash of a shadow that passes by the fabric of the tent he and Espio lay in. His own, he recognises his quills, but outside of this crowded space the forest they'd set up camp in is alive: it sings, it chirps, it rustles and whispers, and it makes the hedgehog's ears shoot around to listen to every single noise before he can help it. Espio had come up with the idea of a quiet getaway for the two of them, nicely hidden in a nearby forest while making good use of the camping gear that only lays catching dust in the attic otherwise, but the quiet part of it all Silver has not found yet.

The only thing quiet is Espio, laying there like the dead in the way he usually sleeps.

Stifling a deep sigh Silver turns again, not even an extensively study of the features of his beloved enough to lull him into sleep. Whatever threat the outside might present to them he can fight off easily, but he can't if he falls asleep and doesn't hear it, and then how can he protect Espio...

Though, if he's all tired and exhausted tomorrow during their trek towards a new spot he won't be much use either, and thus the hedgehog stifles a quiet groan. He feels unsafe, that is easy to conclude. And Espio does always say he can wake him up for anything- even if the chameleon's noise of sleepy disdain when he gets a nudge with a cold little nose does make Silver falter.

"Es," he whispers all the same. "Hey, Es?"

"Hmhmhh," is the approximate response from within the sleeping bag, purple eyelids remaining firmly pressed shut as Espio turns his head towards him.

"I can't sleep."

"Hm." Scooting backwards a bit Espio moves up an arm- and Silver chuckles quietly at the flicker of surprise crossing his beloved's face next. They're not in their bed back home, so the chameleon can't lift up the blankets more like he usually does to invite Silver to come cuddling closer. Instead his elbow snags on the thick cover of his sleeping bag, that shimmies up a bit before it collapses down again and Espio's arm flops onto the ground as well. "Hn."

With a fond purr at the other's mutters Silver scoots his own sleeping bag closer all the same, until his face is snugly tucked away underneath Espio's chin. "What's wrong..." gets mumbled into his ear, ever so tired and thus ever so adorable. Still, it makes Silver pause: what is wrong, other than the fact it is so noisy outside and it makes his pelt prickle and ears swivel and chest tense? He can deal with noise, what with it constantly being ever so noisy in the future he came from for a variety of reasons, and that had never truly stopped him from getting intermittent bouts of shut-eye.

"I'm not sure," he thus responds honestly. "The forest is loud."

"Creatures..."

"And you're still sleepy." With a soft laugh in full Silver tries to fit himself into the crook of Espio's body like he's so used to, except two layers of wretched sleeping bag fabric put a quick stop to that attempt. "What's that bird?" he inquires instead, a low coo resounding from high above him before another broad shadow flickers over the side of the tent.

"Owl..."

"And that rustle?"

"Wind..."

"And that chatter?"

"...You."

"Es," Silver huffs back, most affronted. "I'm not as loud as the forest!"

Espio for his part finally stirs, groaning deeply as one golden eye opens slowly, then the other. "You're loud enough for me," Silver gets scolded fondly, a few grunts and kicks necessary before Espio can free his arm from the sleeping bag and give Silver's ears a little tug. "What is the matter, tenshi? Are you not tired?"