Fate's Bullet

Aggravated

Third POV:

Sleep had become significantly scarcer for the chameleon for the past few nights. His mind never seeming to properly rest or shut down for the night, leaving him spiraling in his whirlpool of thoughts well into the morning. This pattern had gone on for three days now, each day Espio became more and more irritable with the smallest of things. His thoughts, as random as they were, always seemed to trail back to a certain someone. That someone being Silver. With the hours he spent lying awake in his bed, he was always left thinking about the fluffy hedgehog. He knew by now that his feelings towards him were different from guilt, while it was a contributing factor it wasn't the whole reason. Deep down, in the very corner of his mind, he dare for a moment consider he may feel attracted to the telekinetic hedgehog. Though whenever the voice in his head dared whisper such allegations he'd sink his nails into his skin, curl his body and tail tightly and mentally kick himself in the stomach for even thinking of Silver in such a way. It was selfish to think like that, feeling as though he would be taking advantage of the already injured hedgehog by acting on such feelings.

He shifted his head to face his alarm clock, his tail coiling in frustration when seeing it was six in the morning. Despite not getting a wink of sleep for the fourth night in a row, Espio hauled himself out of his bed, rubbing his eye with his palm before standing up in full. Perhaps it was his sleep deprived addled brain or the fact it was below forty degrees inside the house but something compelled him to grab one of the very few hoodies he possessed. He weakly pulled a black hoodie out of his dresser, getting slightly aggravated when his horn got caught on the inside. He popped his head through the top hole, shoving his hands in his pockets before heading downstairs.

Espio rubbed the right side of his head, a subtle but painful throbbing beginning to form as he walked down the stairs. Despite the pain it caused him Espio ignored the headache, looking down at Silver who was still peacefully asleep and sprawled out on the couch. Espio weakly smiled to himself at the humorous sight, silently walking to the kitchen in hopes to finding sustenance. He opened the fridge, his eyes skimming over the few edible options for breakfast. He looked through a few cabinets, his appetite slowly diminishing and being replaced with nausea at the sight of the food. His headache grew, choosing to skip breakfast and just meditate instead. He quickly glanced at the ovens clock, slightly confused when seeing an hour had passed by when it had only felt like twenty minutes. He jumped slightly when hearing the voice of one of his colleagues echo from the second floor. Grumbling to himself and rubbing the side of his head Espio sat in his designated mediating seat, which in actuality was just a circular decorative pillow beside Vectors desk, and crossed his legs.

"Mornin Es, what's up with the hoodie?" Vector yawned as he ambled down the stairs, taking note of the oddity on Espios person. "It's nothing, just shut up already." Espio hissed, sealing his eyes shut and coiling his tail tighter. Vector grunted at Espios hostile response. He'd lived through Espios bitter teenage years to know better than to snap back at his remarks. Figuring it was just one of those days, Vector continued into the kitchen, Espio sighed a breath of relief once Vector had left. He never liked it when he was rude to Vector or Charmy whenever he wasn't feeling well, but whenever he would open his mouth to say something it always came out as resentful and aggressive. "Hey Es, come over here real quick. I need some help." Vector stage whispered, Espio clenching his teeth as he stood up and stomped to the kitchen. "What do you want?!" Espio growled, glaring up at Vector who glared right back at him. Vectors glare softened though once getting a good look at Espio. His body sagged a bit as he stood and his eyes seemed to be drained of any life or energy. He had dark purple eye bags underneath his eyes and his scales seemed to be duller than their usual vibrant purple, he was also noticeably thinner despite having a hoodie on. "Kid.. you look terrible. What's going on with you?" Vector fretted, resting is hand on Espios shoulder. Espios body subconsciously leaned against Vectors push, Espio quickly tensing up and clenching his teeth. "Get off of me, I'm fine!" Espio huffed, shoving Vectors hand off of him before rubbing the side of his head that continued to throb. Vector sighed, his face clearly displaying his concern for Espios wellbeing. "Just go sit back down for a bit while I make breakfast.." Vector hummed, going back to rummaging through the cabinets. Espio huffed, yanking his hood over his head and returning back to the living room.