Spring had come at last. The flowers were blooming outside the city, trees were growing back their leaves and everything seemed more full of life.

The Chaotix had recently (finally) gotten a few cases. They were minor, so money was still tight, but at least they could stop worrying about making ends meet for a while.

Vector was being a bit friendlier to Espio now, but the chameleon could tell that it was still mostly for Charmy. At least it was better than the resentful silence from before. He could still see anger in Vector's eyes, but it had cooled down considerably.

Espio was trying his best to make Vector like him again. He cooked three meals a day, trying to pick Vector's favourites whenever possible. He cleaned the crocodile's room and the rest of the apartment on a daily basis, and did all the chores, even those that Vector usually took care of. Vector seemed to enjoy having what was essentially a servant, but he didn't show it too often.

Espio was also extremely apologetic, begging for forgiveness at every possible opportunity. It got to the point where Vector told him to just drop the subject. Espio couldn't tell if it was because the crocodile was sick of the apologies and sick of thinking about that night, or if he was hesitantly forgiving him. Either way, the chameleon relented and stopped bringing it up.

The chameleon started to believe he would never get Vector back after what he'd done. He then vowed to get over the crocodile no matter what it took.

But it proved impossible.

The crocodile permeated his thoughts at every moment. He couldn't meditate because it was impossible to clear his mind. He dreamed of Vector almost every night.

He would see Vector doing commonplace things, and fall in love with the crocodilian anew each time. The way he walked. The way he pronounced things, with his gruff voice. The way he bobbed his head while listening to music.

Espio pined for Vector constantly. It got so bad that he couldn't think of anything else.

How he longed to be held by the crocodile once more.

How could he live without him?

Espio sighed, trying to clear his mind. He was lying in bed, with a book open on his chest. He picked it up and attempted to read. His mind kept wandering. Charmy was reading quietly as well, although the bee could actually focus on his book, unlike Espio.

The chameleon got up and went out to the living room to watch TV. Vector was sitting on the couch. The chameleon stopped in his tracks, about to turn around and go back in the room.

Vector spotted him. "Ya can sit with me, Esp. I ain't gonna bite."

As much as he wanted to be near the crocodilian, Espio could tell it would be extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't exactly leave now, however, so he obliged and sat down next to Vector, trying to sit close, but not too close.

The chameleon swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. "What's on?" Espio squeaked, hardly able to form words.

"Baseball."

"Ah."

The awkwardness was so strong, it was almost tangible.

Espio found sports dreadfully boring, but he dared not attempt to change the channel. He slouched and put his head against his hand, ready for another long night.

The pair sat in silence. Minutes crept by, then hours.

"Okay, let's just get it over with." Vector said suddenly.

"W-what?"

"We gotta talk about the elephant in the room."

"What is there to even talk about?" Espio sighed.

"It's obvious things are still pretty damn awkward between us, for a while now. And it's buggin' me, if only for the fact that I can only take so much uncomfortable silence. Look, you were a dick but that doesn't mean I'm gonna hate yer guts forever. We should at least try to be nice to each other, so that maybe sometime we can get back to the way things were."

"I don't think things can ever be the same between us." Espio looked down at his lap.

"Don't be a drama queen." Vector poked him. "Hey, look at me. Can't we at least try to be friends?"

"I guess..."

"That's the spirit." Vector turned his attention back to the television.

"Vector?"

"Wassup?"

"I'm... really sorry. Again."

"Quit apologizin'. What's done is done."

They watched TV for a few more hours. They were still relatively quiet, but they conversed casually during some moments. Espio felt relieved that he could talk to Vector again, even if things still felt somewhat strained between them.

After a while, Espio felt suddenly exhausted and went to bed. It was so early that Charmy was still awake, but he fell asleep quickly nevertheless.

The chameleon woke up in the middle of the night and could not fall back asleep for the life of him. Groaning quietly, he got out of bed and tiptoed to the door, which was still open. He saw Vector, still sitting on the couch.

Espio turned invisible, one of his special skills. He quietly leaned against the door frame, watching Vector.

The crocodilian seemed sad, his vermilion eyes fixated on the television, but seemingly not taking anything in, as if he were lost in thought.

I wonder if he's thinking about me, Espio pondered. The harsh light of the TV lit up Vector's face, his eyes glistening. He looks really depressed... thought Espio. The chameleon knew Vector wasn't an emotional type, and to think that he had made Vector feel that way made Espio's heart ache.

He wondered whether to talk to Vector or leave him alone. Espio stood there for minutes, his stomach in knots, trying to decide what to do.

Then he watched Vector get up and go toward his room, either forgetting or not bothering to turn off the TV. The crocodile stopped walking for a moment, looking confused. He probably could feel Espio's presence in the room, despite being unable to see him. Vector shrugged and entered his room, quietly closing the door behind him.

Well, I've missed my chance... what if he missed me and was willing to get back together? No, probably not... Espio's head was beginning to hurt from thinking too much.

The chameleon went back to his bed, grabbed his blanket and brought it out to the couch, where he sprawled out in front of the television. The couch was still warm from Vector and carried a trace of his unforgettable scent, a mixture of his natural, clean smell as well as his cologne, which Espio loved. The purple reptile inhaled deeply. A mixture of depression, wistfulness and pleasure accompanied the scent, as memories of their time together flowed through his mind like a river.

Turning his attention to the TV, he realized sports were still on.

At least I won't have any trouble falling asleep...

See, I told you things would get SLIGHTLY better :)