Part 2 How Opposites Meet - Shadilver

Part 202

On the way back to the cottage, it was quiet in the car. Silver looked very small sitting in their seat. They had their knees to their chest and looked silently down at the picture they were holding, which was still in the ziplock bag. Espio occasionally looked over at Silver. He didn't like this cold silence during their drive and he wanted to say something, but didn't know what. It was still raining badly. The raindrops clattered loudly on the car and the windshield wipers could barely keep up with the raindrops, which made sure that Espio needed to concentrate and focus on the road more than usual.

Eventually, Espio parked the car safely at the cottage. He turned off the car and looked at Silver, who didn't move. He cleared his throat, "We are here."

Silver didn't answer as they were still staring at the picture. Espio looked worriedly at them and laid a hand on their shoulder. Silver flinched, alarmed by the touch.

"What's on your mind?" Espio asked gently.

Silver looked up at Espio with a vague expression, "Nothing."

Espio let out a sigh, "You know you can tell me everything, right?"

Silver nodded slightly and turned back to the picture, but didn't say anything.

Silently, Espio looked Silver up and down, wondering if Silver having the picture back was a good thing. "Come on, we are home," He said. Without answering, Silver opened the door and got out of the car. Walking towards the front door, staring at the picture while the raindrops wetted their fur. Espio himself came out of the car rather quickly to make his way to the door, to try and stay dry. He held the door open for Silver, who quietly entered.

Their cats started to meow excitedly, hoping to get some food now that the two Mobians were home again. Silver just walked straight towards the bedroom.

Espio frowned as he looked after them. He sighed and let them be for now as he closed the door and went to the kitchen to get the cats their food.

Eventually, Espio entered the bedroom to see Silver on the bed, curled up in a ball. The light on the nightstand shone on them as they kept on looking at the picture. Espio walked around the bed to sit down at their side.

"Do you maybe want to talk?" Espio asked.

"About what?"

Espio shrugged, "I don't know, about your parents? Your childhood, caretaker?" He suggested.

Silver shook their head as an answer.

Carefully, Espio took the picture from their hands so Silver would look up at him with empty eyes. Espio looked at the picture and smiled at the young Silver, who smiled bright at him.

"You were very happy, weren't you?" Silver nodded slightly, "Are you happy now?" He asked carefully.

Silver looked away and shrugged their shoulders.

"You know you need to talk about it one day eventually. So you can put all this behind you for real," Silver didn't answer. Espio sighed and stroked their quills. "I'm sorry you have to go through all of this." Espio looked quietly at Silver, who closed their eyes and leaned into Espio's touch. Espio kept stroking them for a while, "Are you tired?" He asked.

Silver nodded and Espio nodded in return. He stood up from the bed. "Get some sleep," He whispered. He leaned down to turn off the light and kissed their forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too," Silver whispered back, still with their eyes closed.

Espio suppressed an endearing smile. "Sleep tight," He whispered. Silver didn't say anything more, so he carefully took the picture with him and closed the bedroom door quietly. As he went back to the living area he lit up the fireplace and took the picture with him to the table to study it.