(AN: After a great birthday yesterday, it's time for one more Transfer chapter before the end of the month! I'm happy to continue seeing the analytics go up by the days, even if I know readers are busy with work or school and all that. Well, I'm hoping you liked what happened last chapter, it's what this story has been building up to! Will we see more romance? Or pain? Only a read will tell you the answer!)
cw: minor homphobia
Ever since Vector turned off his 5am alarm, before 8 was a scene of peaceful serenity for the crocodile and chameleon as they managed to get their over eight hours of sleep. However, there was one more unspoken aspect of their serenity that was new that morning;
Vector and Espio sleeping together in the same bed.
As the morning sun had already passed by the horizon, beaming dim light into the room, the two reptiles continued to stay asleep. Chests rising up and down, nothing in the room changed or moved as Espio had his head resting against Vector's lower neck and upper chest area.
What could have been a morning of peace, however, was suddenly interrupted by a BEEEEP.
And the sound of a door opening.
"Esupio-kun, ohayou gozaimasu," Valdez said in his native tongue as he walked into the dorm, papers in hand as he dropped a familiar scroll on the desk. "Jikan ga nai. Robotonikku-kouchou to no uchia… wa… s-se…"
Vector and Espio, who were now woken up by the noise, raised themselves from the bed slowly. It was then that they realized who exactly they were staring at. Valdez too said nothing as the two reptiles stared into the eyes of the blue chameleon, who did the same for the two. With pure, deafening silence, no one dared to say anything until Vector could suddenly feel Espio shift, and when he did, he saw the chameleon putting his hands together and suddenly vanishing.
"E-Espio! Not at a time like this!" he screamed, realizing that there was no getting out of this.
"V-Vector…" Valdez asked. "What-what is… what is going on? Why is Espio in… bed with you?"
"M-Mister… Mister Valdez!" Vector replied, covering his sheets up to his chest as he tried his best to avoid Valdez's gaze. "This… this isn't what it looks like, I SWEAR!"
If there was anything that resembled a rude awakening to the crocodile, it was what was going on at the current moment. Vector could even feel Espio still sitting next to him, frozen out of fear as Valdez hadn't moved or opened his mouth from where he stood.
"You… you didn't…" Valdez put his hand over his mouth, taking a step back.
"Mister Valdez, okay okay, I KNOW what this looks like, but before ya kill me with… whatever ninja moves I dun know about, I can explain!"
"I mean, who said I was going to kill you? I just… I suppose you must understand my shock, seeing the boy I've known nearly all my life in bed with someone."
Vector looked around, realizing that the blue chameleon was more smart than he gave him credit for. He proceeded to sigh, tapping the invisible chameleon next to him.
"Espio, he ain't dumb. He knows yer there."
"Esupio-kun…" Valdez said, walking closer. "Kimi wa nani wo shite iru n desu ka?"
Seconds later, Espio finally appeared next to the crocodile as he looked away from Valdez, not wanting to look him in the eyes. It was then that he noticed where Espio's hands had been the entire time.
Connected to Vector's.
And so, everything was explained to Valdez, where Vector would learn that Valdez had been aware of this for some time due to the incident with the Dream Journal ("Ya really wrote about me only, huh?" asked Vector when the story was over). He would also learn that Valdez had been trying to motivate Espio to confess, even in spite of his initial shock.
"I grew up all my life in Gojo, Vector," he said when the crocodile asked for more details. "We grew up with a sanitized version of life."
"Well… d'ya mind?" Vector continued to ask. "Ya did say that ya knew Espio all yer life…"
Valdez sighed as he sat on the chair by the desk. "Well, I can't necessarily CHANGE this, if that's what you mean. It's Espio's life and feelings. If you two are truly in a relationship as you say and you're very much happy as you are well, who am I to stop you?"
"Valdez-san… does that mean you… support me?" Espio asked in his native tongue.
"If I didn't object to learning about your same gender love last month, why would I reject you, Espio-kun? You're still the same boy I've known all these years."
"Valdez-san…"
Espio looked down at his sheets, the fact that Valdez had his support for his new relationship making him feel… even more loved than before.
"But, Espio-kun, I want to remind you that you don't have long before you return to Gojo from the Outside World. By all accounts, this means that… this relationship could only last three months here in the Outside World. I doubt the Bride would ever let you back, and contact with someone from the Outside World would be something she would NEVER permit. Even in spite of this, are you sure you still want to continue this relationship… knowing fully well what's expected of you?"
"What'd he ask?" Vector asked the chameleon.
"Hi-he a-ask about… about fyi-fyu…"
"Future?"
"Fyuture… fyuuture… future…" Espio shook his head, realizing he had to answer Valdez's question. Meanwhile, Vector continued.
"Say, Mr. Valdez, there's somethin' I need to ask ya. Last night, Espio mentioned somethin' to me. He says when he returns home, his mom is marryin' him off. Is… is that true?"
Valdez looked down at his hands before looking back up at Vector.
"So," he replied before sighing. "He told you, hasn't he? Yes, it's true. His mother and the other Brides of the Historic District have been pushing an agenda to have him married as soon as he returns home for the semester. This suddenly came the week after Thanksgiving, and when we left for Gojo for New Year's, his mother used the festivities as an excuse to find out which maiden from the five villages could be his wife-to-be. It surprised both of us just as much as you."
"But why? Ain't it clear Espio ain't into them?"
"I… didn't even know that myself until Espio told me after he came out to me. I assumed he would have just gone through with it for his family's sake."
"Why can't they let him make his OWN choices, eh? We're together 'cause… 'cause I told Espio to think 'bout what HE wants, not to do or think whatever someone wants him to do or think like he's done all his life."
Valdez sighed once again, rubbing his eyes and then his temple. "Vector… I… it really isn't as simple as it seems. I could be here explaining so many reasons why it just doesn't work like that but there's two big reasons. The first is just plain and simple cultural difference. In Yurashia, disobeying the needs and wants of your family because you want to focus on your own is seen as a MAJOR act of selfishness. The family is one of the most important aspects to life in our home. The second is… Well, you… you remember what I've told you about… about Espio's father, right?"
"It's been a bit… what 'bout him?"
"...since his death two years ago, Espio's mother has had to double what she's doing, as she does both hers and his job simultaneously. Espio is believed to be his successor… until the next Bride comes of age."
"Then what happens?"
"Then most of Espio's power will be gone, and all the focus will go to the next Bride and her husband."
Vector's face softly fell as he looked to his boyfriend for confirmation. The chameleon looked back up at Vector, nodding.
"So they're just gonna leave him to the dust?! They're so focused on marryin' him off as if he ain't gonna be treated like tomorrow's garbage in the future?!"
"That's just how things have always been in our villages."
"That ain't right or-or fair!"
"From an outsider's perspective, very much. But I look at it through the lens of someone who grew up there, it's much different than one thinks."
Vector shut his mouth as Espio felt bad for him learning more about the less positive parts of his home.
"Maybe I dun understand everythin' 'bout Yurashia," Vector continued. "But even if Espio has an arranged marriage I can't stop… even if there's limited time until I never see him again, I…"
Espio moved closer to his new boyfriend as Vector looked at him once again. "Being together with Espio like this has been such a joy, learnin' that he felt the same 'bout me. And even if we dun have all the time in the world… it makes me happy knowin' that he's gonna leave this world with the memory of someone he truly loved bein' by him all this time."
Valdez's face softened as even Espio looked surprised. Vector… meant all of this? He had accepted that the two would have to part ways, but that being in a union like this mattered more to him than worrying about a date?
Vector turned to Espio, rubbing his thumb against the chameleon's smaller hand. "That's right, Espio. Memories like these are ones that I wanna think 'bout, which is why we gotta make as many as we can, okay? And I'm gonna make sure ya know every day how much I love ya, and how much ya mean to me, no matter how dull it gets. 'Cause ya do, man."
Vector reached over to give a slight peck to the chameleon's forehead, something that both surprised him and made chills run through his body. It was a good kind of chill though, one that made Espio almost melt due to still not being used to any sort of romantic contact.
"My, you're quite bold already, Vector," Valdez said. "I can see what Espio sees in you. Well, as long as you don't hurt him, you have my support. And it seems like you have a relationship built around trust and support, something that matters a lot. Both of you are honest and virtuous, with goals and aspirations you want to work for. I see a very healthy couple in front of me."
What Valdez said sounded verbatim what Smithy told him last a few weeks back. The chameleon smiled when he thought of the lion, excited to tell him about what happened last night.
"Well, as much as I'm happy for you two boys, I have to get going. I have a meeting with the Headmaster about all this stuff going on. I've had to disable my answering machine to stop all the voicemails I've been receiving," Valdez added as he got up.
"What's goin' on?" Vector asked as the blue chameleon stopped just right in front of the door frame.
"It's…" Valdez's eyes moved towards the floor before turning to look back at the two reptiles in bed. "It's just some work related stuff. You shouldn't worry about it too much."
The blue chameleon quickly made his way out of the dorm as Vector and Espio looked at each other, confused.
"Ya know what's goin' on, Es?" he asked.
"I do not know," Espio replied before he stopped, confused. "U… wait. You say my name rr-wrong."
"It's a nickname. As much as Espio is short and sweet… somethin' 'bout callin' ya Es is just… it's like mah own way of callin' ya. D'ya not like it? It's okay if ya don't! I can just call ya normal ol' Espio."
Espio wasn't sure how to feel about his name being shortened. Never once had such a thing been done before in his life, and his only exposure to people using different names for each other was in the Outside World. He knew Vector used different names for people like Rotor and Knuckles, or how Manic referred to his siblings.
And now… he got his own personal nickname too? One that was special to him and him only because of his new relationship with Vector?
He wasn't going to lie, he did feel like the most appreciated person in the world at that moment.
"It is… o… okay…" he replied.
"Aw, I'm glad ya dun mind! In return, yer free to call me whatever ya want! Although… I assume yer not the type of guy fer nicknames. Well, not to worry! Whatever ya wanna call me, it'll mean a lot at the end of the day. Anyway, we REALLY should get outta bed, we should have frankly been showered up 'both ten minutes ago if ya ask me."
With that, Vector swung his body up and down as he got up and rolled out of bed, falling over as Espio looked on in horror. He crawled over to the side of the bed, seeing the crocodile with his back on the floor.
"A lil' help, please?"
This was who he fell in love with.
And stuff like this reminded Espio why.
"That look on your face," Knuckles said just moments after stabbing a pile of egg and ham hash browns with his fork during breakfast. "You ABSOLUTELY got laid last night, didn't you?"
Vector, who was just seconds into pouring cream into a cup of coffee, looked at Knuckles. "Whaddya mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean, dude! You left the event last night and Mighty and I spent like twenty minutes trying to find you guys before we had to leave! So? Who was she?"
Vector continued stirring his coffee without a care in the world. "I have no idea what yer talkin' 'bout."
"See? That's denial I hear AND see, Vec! I see that smile on your face, the look that says, 'Hey everyone, I got my dick wet last night!' At least, surely it wasn't THAT bad, was it?"
"Just 'cause I vanished on Valentine's doesn't mean it was 'cause I found a girl. Maybe I just thought the party blew."
"Didn't you make us stay until Espio got there?" Mighty asked. Vector bit his tongue as he spread jam across his toast. Damn, he DID forget saying that…
"We-well… I just… I had an excuse that came to mind."
"Being?" asked Knuckles. "Do tell, Vector!"
"Ya ain't gonna let this go, are ya? I dun ask whenever ya get laid."
"That's because I don't-"
Knuckles stopped himself as he realized what he just said.
"Hey, WAIT a minute you asshole!"
"Dun get feisty with me, ya walked into that one."
"He has a point, Knuckles. You fell flat on your face."
The echidna groaned, rubbing his dreads out of frustration. "Nothing good has been coming my way, has it? My shit grades from Espio doing my homework last week, Rouge not even BEING there last night, and my speed date just not going well either. It's like the world said, 'Hey, what if Knuckles DIDN'T get what he wanted?' That's it. I'm gonna become a hermit…"
"Whaddya gonna do? Guard a large gem and call everyone that isn't yeh soft and without honor while only eatin' grapes?"
"At least it'll mean SOMETHING I love will always be by me…"
Just then, Espio walked towards the table the three sat at and sat down next to his lover. Mighty turned to face Espio while putting his hand on his echidna friend's shoulder for solidarity.
"Morning, Espio. How'd you like the Valentine's event?" he asked. "Did you have a good time?"
Vector looked down at his boyfriend, worried if he was going to break the ice. Espio looked at Mighty, then at Vector as he handed him a pack of nuts, raisins, and cheese (that he always had trouble opening).
"Ah… good," Espio said, nodding as the crocodile handed him the pack back. "And you?"
"Honestly, all truths, it was kinda fun. Sure, not ALL of us had the best experience," Mighty turned towards the brooding echidna. "But it was fun to get out and have fun, even IF we can't escape those damn protestors. Hoping they're gone this week…"
"Yer just askin' fer a miracle at that point, Mighty. They ain't goin' away," Vector replied as he took a few sips from his coffee. "They're only gonna be around to annoy us more."
"What makes you certain?"
"Until either Espio is gone or someone gets hurt, they're gonna continue it. But they ain't gonna hurt him, cause they'll have to get past me first."
Knuckles and Mighty looked at the more serious Vector, wondering where this came from.
"W-Well… it was just a desire… not like I expected it to come true…" the armadillo continued. "Maybe we all oughta talk to Connery to come to an agreement-"
But Vector and Knuckles shook their heads, going 'Uh-uh'.
"His ultimatum fer me was to cut Espio outta mah life. Hell naw!" Vector retorted.
"Besides, you seem to think Connery would change his mind. No, no he is NOT that type of person," Knuckles added.
"It was a suggestion…" the armadillo squeaked.
"Plus, he's probably havin' a more fun time strokin' the egos of everyone from his little group," the quarterback continued. "He ain't backin' down anymore, and frankly, I think me just goin' 'bout mah life just angers him more. And if it does well, he can cope."
Mighty snorted. "Well, negativity aside, we got something bigger to focus on than Connery and his group. Midterms are coming up in a month."
Vector and Knuckles groaned in unison, slamming their heads on the table.
"I thought ya weren't gonna talk 'bout negativity, Mighty," the crocodile retorted. "Gaia, if it's anythin' like it was last semester, just throw me to Connery's group. Maybe them tearin' mah limbs apart means I can get out of exams."
"I was just a couple of points from flunking one of mine… can't wait to just FAIL," Knuckles said with pessimism in his voice.
Espio, meanwhile, just looked at the group as he continued to eat, wondering why his lover looked so miserable. He put his hand on Vector's arm, who in turn, looked back at Espio.
"I'm sure that we'll try to find the time to study together. I mean, Espio didn't do bad on his, and he isn't fluent in English like you two," Mighty said. "You're studying with us again, right, Espio?"
Espio looked up from his brief comfort of Vector at the armadillo, nodding out of confusion.
Just then, an alarm rang from Vector's phone as the two reptiles looked over.
"Looks like we gotta get outta here. C'mon, Es, time fer English Lit," the crocodile said as he jumped out of his seat, Espio turning around in his seat. They grabbed their trash and threw it away by the closest trash can, grabbing the bags they left behind and placing them over their shoulders as they made their way out of the K building.
But as they watched their two friends walk away, a look of confusion appeared on Mighty's face as he noticed Espio appear even more lively than normal, even… closer to Vector than he ever had been. His eyes watched with intensity as Espio smiled while talking to Vector, backpack slung over his right shoulder.
"...Es…?" he asked himself. Never ONCE has Vector called Espio this before. In fact…
"Hey, hey Knuckles," Mighty tapped the echidna's forearm.
"Yeah?"
"Is it just me or… or is something different about Vector and Espio today?"
"So it isn't just me. I didn't want to bring anything up. Maybe we should ask them."
"I mean, it's their business. Maybe something happened that we dunno about, and it's fine if we don't ask. But… I KINDA won't deny I am a LITTLE bit interested in asking if something happened.."
Knuckles looked at his friends from afar. "...you don't think… mmm… nah. That sounds like what someone would gossip about. Besides, even if they were, it's their business."
As they made their way to Advanced English Literature, Vector looked down at the chameleon next to him, who stood by even closer than he normally did. He thought about last night, how they walked from the football field to West Hall holding hands, an experience he didn't think he would ever forget.
It wasn't like he expected people to mind if he and Espio were dating. Sure, some of the bigger Badniks fans would probably turn their heads at first, but they weren't like Monk where they would make a big deal about it. Besides, if he WAS mad about him and Espio being a couple, he could frankly cope.
As such…
"Hey, Espio," Vector said, looking down at his new boyfriend. "Did ya like last night?"
Espio looked up at his lover and nodded, the crocodile's eyes looking around.
"Well… I was wonderin' if… ya know… didja wanna… hold hands on the way to class like we did last night?"
Espio stopped, looking at Vector. It was like he wanted to examine the crocodile from where he stood, or was trying to process what he said. Either or…
"Ho… hold hands?" Espio asked.
"Yeah! Ya know, like we did last night?"
Espio looked down, almost seeming… embarrassed?
"I feel… how do you say that word… not right."
"Not right? Like, ya feel weird about it? But ya didn't seem to mind it last night."
"Alone…"
Suddenly NOW, it made sense to Vector.
"Oh… I see! Ya didn't mind cause we were alone, but in public…"
It likely was another cultural aspect of Yurashia that was MUCH different compared to the United Federations. Still, even hand holding was seen as awkward?
"Well, dun worry about it. I understand why ya might not like it," Vector added as he crouched down to Espio's height. "I wanted to ask first in case ya may not like someone touchin' ya this much. But just remember that if somethin' makes ya uncomfortable, lemme know, okay? As yer new boyfriend, we're in this together, and bein' open 'bout our boundaries is what matters a lot."
Espio smiled softly and nodded. Vector patted his boyfriend's shoulder and smiled at him, at least happy that public displays of affection weren't TRULY dead.
"Now c'mon, let's get goin' to class, okay?"
"Okay!"
LATER
Two figures stood far apart as a giant field lay in front of them. Monsters of different species all stood in front of one of the figures, all of them holding different weapons, while the other side of the field was almost empty.
"Look at you, Mark!" Norris said, holding up his arms. "My field is packed to the brim, and soon your HP will fall to zero! Now, it's my turn! Draw!"
The giraffe mobian reached over towards his deck and drew one of the cards from it, raising it up to himself as he looked at himself. He began to smile.
"It's the beginning of the end for you! I first begin to play Fusion, and will evolve Zylo and Duga into Rouen of the Shining Force!"
The two wolfings on Norris' side of the field began to fuse together as a new beastman appeared on the field. Wielding two large blades in his hands, the dark gray wolfing stood front in center of the field as the giraffe continued.
"Rouen's effect will now proceed to activate!" he added, holding out his arm. "Whenever he's evolved to the field, I can add one Shining Force item or negation card from my deck to the hand! Not only that, I can choose to play it immediately if I want to! So I'll use THIS!"
Norris slapped a card to his backrow. "Tactics of the Shining Force! When this card is activated, all Shining Force cards on my side of the field can attack twice per battle, and if they destroy a monster, you have to send the top card of your deck to the discard pile, and their effects are negated too until the end of this turn! Any last words?"
Mark stood by his side of the field saying nothing as Norris began his attack.
"Let's begin! Rouen, attack!"
The wolfing began to run forward as he held up his dual blades. Before he could make his strike…
"Negation card, activate!" Norris yelled out as a pink card raised up from his back row. "Dark Force's Star! When this is activated, any card destroyed is to be removed from play instead of going to the discard pile! Not to mention, if I HAD one, I could bring out the Left and Right arms of Dark Force from my deck first…"
Mark suddenly bounced as a twinkle appeared in his eye. "Hold on, what was that?"
"What do you mean?" Norris looked confused.
"If you activate Dark Force's Star, you CAN bring out a Left and Right Arm of Dark Force, right?"
"Well… I mean YEAH, but this is a Shining Force deck, not a Dark Force deck!"
The tapir proceeded to smile. "Okay, okay, I see how this is. Then what if I did this?"
Mark showed Norris one of his cards. "Look. Carbuncle and Colored Puyo. I can discard this card, and any card you activate that lets you bring a card from your deck is negated."
"WHAT?! It works against Dark Force's Star?!"
"It sure does! Dark Force's Star goes to your discard pile now!"
Norris growled as he had to send the card to his discard pile, as did Mark with Carbuncle and Colored Puyo.
"Not to worry!" Norris exclaimed. "Rouen's still attacking anyway!"
And he was correct, as the dark gray wolfing attacked, destroying the facedown Rainmaker Shaman.
"Now that your field is empty, it's time to put an end to your HP!" Norris bragged as he began to laugh, Rouen running towards Mark's side of the field.
"That's where you're wrong! Negation card activate!" the tapir yelled, revealing his face down card. "Water Shield! Any card that attacks me directly when they have more than two thousand attack causes all cards on your field to be sent back to your deck!"
"WHAT?!"
And such was the case, as Rouen vanished from the field, as did the rest of the giraffe's field. Norris almost seemed flabbergasted as it was now Mark's turn. He smiled as he drew his card.
"You know what I just drew?"
Norris stayed silent as Mark removed three cards from his discard pile out of play.
"Now, it's time for Rainmaker's God!"
A giant angel with various eyes all over it shined above from the heavens as it held a large spear in its hands. As it appeared on the field, its wings flapped as Norris looked at it in horror.
"You know what this does, right? Not only does it have three thousand attack, but it does another one thousand points of burn damage too after it attacks you at all. And you have… how much? Two thousand six hundred?"
Norris's lip quivered as Mark held up his hand. "Now, Rainmaker's God! END THIS GAME!"
The god in question slammed its spear into the ground as the ground began to shake, soon exploding as rays of white light burst from the ground. The ground cracked as bursts of energy quickly moved forward, soon appearing in Norris' side of the field. The giraffe yelled as the ground exploded into the air, shooting rock and light towards him as he put his arm over his face, his HP finally falling to zero as light flashed in his face rapidly...
As Espio, Hacker, and Dave looked over at the duel going on during downtime at one of the tables in the K building lounge area, all of them in complete shock as to what just happened, Mark smiled.
"Yay, I won!" he said. Norris brooded as he put his head on the table.
"I lose…"
Mark and Norris picked up the Warriors and Wizards cards they put on the table as they placed them back into their deck boxes, finishing up with their game.
"Thanks for letting me test my Shining Force deck, Mark," Norris said. "I don't wanna drop big mobiums on some of the cards in the deck, but it looks like I have to. And just when the latest set with the new support is sold out EVERYWHERE cause of scalpers!"
"I'm just glad for all the new Rainmaker support in the last set. Plus, with the cards Espio got me for Christmas, my deck has improved a lot. Maybe I might actually get farther in locals."
"Hey, at least you aren't me and you're playing Lightning Suit's. Do you not know how many years we have to wait for support?" Hacker asked. Dave put his hand on the mole's shoulder.
"Psychic World player. Solidarity, brother," he whispered.
"So when is Espio-sama gonna start playing?" Norris asked. "He's been watching us play so many times, I think it's time he start playing a deck!"
"I think if I were to get him started," Mark replied. "A structure deck should be a good start. I'll teach him the game, although considering when we played DotC, it might be hard for him to understand-"
Just then, Norris sneezed as he covered his arm.
"Oh no, not now…" he said before sneezing again.
"Is it your hay fever?" Hacker asked.
"I think it is. Ugh… it's been way too warm these past couple of days, no wonder it's going off."
"Well, Warriors and Wizards aside," Mark added. "I gotta start heading to class. Sucks…"
"Man, so do I," Dave added. "Although, we've been learning lighting and I gotta say, it's been fun!"
"Espio-sama doesn't have class anymore for the rest of the day, does he?" Norris asked.
"No…" Espio replied, shaking his head.
"Speaking of which, Espio, are you off somewhere in a bit?" Mark asked. The chameleon thought about it for a minute. Alan didn't come by for dulcimer practice until the evening, and he missed today's episode of Setsu. So it was either finishing up assignments or class discussions on Ring or catching up with some of the manga and anime he hadn't finished.
"The dorm," he replied. Not only was there all that, but Vector was going to be there soon, and he couldn't wait to spend time with his boyfriend properly for the first time. He wanted to know more about what it was like being in love, more about what it was like to spend time with a lover since he never had such an experience before.
"What's that smile on your face for, Espio-sama? Do ya got a date with a future waifu soon?" Norris asked.
"Ah, no…" Espio replied. "I am going to be with… with Vector."
"Who?" asked Hacker.
"His roommate," Mark replied. "Actually… Espio… I wanted to ask. How have you… been with… you know?"
"He talk to me yesta-yesterday. And he… say the same."
"What? What do you mean? Come over, you can tell me."
With that, as the other three looked confused, the chameleon walked around the table and sat next to where Mark was, the tapir reaching over as his trunk slightly wiggled.
"Are you saying you told Vector?"
Espio nodded.
"And he… he said yes?"
"Yes. I tell Jewel too."
"So… it's official? He's your boyfriend?"
Espio nodded once again.
"What are you two talking about?" asked Dave.
"Wow, congrats, Espio! I'm really happy for you, man!" Mark added, smiling as Espio felt relief that his friend expressed support for his new relationship. "I think you and Vector are a great match!"
"Wait… what?" Norris asked, confused.
"Oh, Espio's… wait, can I tell them?"
The chameleon nodded for the third time in that span of a few minutes.
"Okay okay, so Espio told me he's been having feelings for his roommate, and he told him yesterday and… they're dating! Espio's got a boyfriend!"
Dave and Hacker looked towards one another, then at their phones. "Oh, that's cool," the blue nutria said.
"Yeah man, that's dope," added the mole, adjusting his glasses. "Congrats and all that."
Norris, on the other hand, looked completely shocked. His eyes were wide, almost bigger than the glasses over them as his mouth was completely agape.
"Wha… what do you mean…?" he asked. "What do you mean… boyfriend?"
"Yeah, him and Vector are dating," Mark added. "...what's with the look for?"
Espio looked over at Norris, noticing how it seemed like he… was completely taken off guard by this. Did the giraffe have any objections?
"Uh… it… it just…" Norris looked at his arms before sneezing to the side, covering his face quickly. "Espio can't…"
"What do you mean? He told me he's been having feelings for Vector for some time?"
"For… some time?..."
It was almost like Norris couldn't believe that he and Vector were dating. In fact, the more lively Norris did a complete 180 in terms of personality change, now seeming more silent and shocked than he usually was.
"I… I guess that… that's cool, I think…"
But from the way it sounded to Espio, Norris didn't seem all that convinced or even SURE about what he was saying. Still, the chameleon was at least glad Mark's friends didn't shun him like he feared.
Just then, Mark got up from his seat.
"Okay, for real I gotta get to class. Hey, Espio. Since you aren't doing much, wanna walk with me?"
The chameleon looked over at his friend, smiled and nodded as he grabbed his bag. Espio waved goodbye to the three, to which Dave and Hacker did so, but Norris only sat where he was, almost stonelike as he and Mark made their way from the K building lounge area to outside.
"They are happy for me…" Espio said as he and Mark walked down the steps of the K building, the wind blowing into their faces and clothes.
"I expected them to be! They're the type of guys who really don't care about a lot, so it shouldn't come as a shock!" Mark replied. "Still, I get why you were worried, even though I'm straight. It can be scary holding something you don't want people to find out about you to yourself. Still, I think you and Vector would be a great couple. I mean, you kinda pretty much WERE dating before you guys made it official, let's be real. When did you guys start dating?"
"Yesterday."
"YESTERDAY?! Wow, where have I been? Oh right, busy playing Witchcarts with some guys from O.O.T.S. Not like I had a date to go to or anything…"
The two continued to make their way towards the direction of Mark's next class over at the ST building. Somehow, he hadn't seen any of the protestors from the last two weeks, which made him happy, as this meant that no one would be yelling at him and Mark at-
"HEY, YOU!"
…he thought too soon.
Mark and Espio turned towards the direction of the voice, and they could see a brunette Overlander marching towards them.
"You're that Espio guy Connery's been warning us about! What the FUCK do you think you're doing here, walking around campus like you own this place, eh?! Gonna look for more places you can vandalize or people you can rob, criminal?!"
"What the…?" Mark questioned, shaking his head. "What's going on? Who ARE you? How do you know Espio?"
"You… you mean to tell me you're FRIENDS with this person?! No wonder the left constantly sees no issue with him, because they're all FRIENDS with him! It's how you get people to support your criminal agenda while destroying the fabric of our society!"
"Hey now, I don't know what Espio did to you, but ba-back off!" Mark raised a fist. "Why are you doing this?!"
"That's none of your damn business, this is between me and the criminal!" the Overlander pointed at Espio. "So why don't you go back to some safe space and cry?! You look like you're on the verge of tears anyway!"
Espio could see Mark trying to hold himself back, trying his best to stand his ground. "Cause you're going after my friend… and judging from how you are, you're one of those CCOCC fascists, aren't you?!"
"Tch! Typical 'tolerant' leftie! Calling people they don't like fascists! At least I don't call CRIMINAL SCUM MY FRIENDS!"
Mark bounced up. He bit his lip as he continued, only looking smaller as he did so. "W-Why don't you just turn around and walk away, bud! You're the one who wanted to mess with Espio first because you ju-just wanna harass him for everything!"
"Not when you wanna escalate this further-" he said as he looked down at Mark. He was about to open his mouth again when he noticed the deck box in the tapir's right hand.
"What the fuck is this? Hey, what is THAT?! You aren't hiding anything illegal there, are you? It's just like you lefties to do so anyway!"
Just then, the Overlander reached over and began to grab at the deck box. Mark gasped as Espio moved closer, his eyes narrowing.
"Hey! What are you doing…?! Let… let go!"
Mark tried his best to wrestle the deck box from his grip as he took a step back. Espio tried to stop the Overlander, but he tried kicked the chameleon's shin as he dodged out of the way.
"Show me… what's in THERE! NOW!"
Espio ran over and tried to help his friend, hoping that he could stop what was going on as a crowd began to form around the three. But it was too late, as both Espio and Mark failed to grab the box as the Overlander opened it up, looking at the Warriors and Wizards cards in the box.
"Cards?! You have fucking CARDS in there?!" he questioned.
"Give it back!" Mark yelled, trying to run up to grab the deck box only for the Overlander to throw Mark to the ground. Espio gasped as he quickly ran towards his friend, helping him up as the tapir's glasses fell to the floor.
"Let me tell you something, you're a grown ass adult. The fact you're still playing… oh GAIA, Warriors and Wizards?! You never outgrew this shit?! No wonder a leftie like you plays this shit, you're always stuck being a fucking BABY!"
That was the last thing he said as the Overlander threw the deck box far into the distance. Mark gasped in horror as Espio watched the box furiously as it flew into the air, cards falling from the sky onto the grass and the pavement as the box soon hit the ground with a 'THUD'.
"My cards!" Mark yelled as he grabbed the glasses Espio held in his hands and quickly got up from the floor and ran after his deck. Espio followed, the sound of the tapir's sneakers and the chameleon's geta drowning out the yells from the CCOCC member behind them as they ignored Mark having to go back to class and focused on getting all the cards from the box.
As Espio and Mark ran in the direction of where the box was thrown, the chameleon's tail and the tapir's trunk moving wildly as they ran, they followed the trial right past the back parking lot and close by the football field and the L building. The two ground to a halt as the tapir's eyes widened.
"No… no!" he reacted in horror, pieces of his deck box completely shattered on the ground. Espio could see that feet ahead, all the cards from Mark's Warriors and Wizards deck were scattered all over the ground as suddenly, there was a slight gust of wind as the cards began to get carried by the winds.
"Espio, please help me gather them all!" Mark said as he ran forward, Espio nodded as he began to help his friend pick up the cards thrown all over the ground. It turned out to be quite a struggle with the wind blowing them all over the place, but Espio was able to get card after card and handed them to Mark. He didn't even care if his hakama got dirty throughout the process, he just wanted to focus on getting all the cards back to his friend. Thankfully, many of them weren't damaged due to being in sleeves, but as the tapir flipped through all his cards…
"Ugh, this still isn't all of them!" he said. "I'm missing a few of my evolution cards, and namely, I can tell I'm missing Carbuncle and Colored Puyo from my main deck!"
Espio looked around on the ground, wondering where they could have missed more cards. They had spent the last twenty minutes trying to find the cards and apparently, that wasn't even all of them.
In the hopes of getting a better look, Espio once again began to walk carefully around the grass, hoping to find more of the cards. He cursed their sleeves being green, as it made searching for them much harder-
"Mark!" Espio called out when he noticed one card sitting in a puddle on the ground in a strange position, the large remains of the deck box sitting… atop of it. The tapir came over, his trunk waving wildly as he breathed heavily.
"What's…" he replied, putting his hands on his knees. "What's wrong-"
Espio pointed out the card in question and Mark's look of horror only intensified.
"No… oh NO!"
He quickly ran over to the card with Espio following behind, watching as Mark pulled the card out from the ground. As water dripped off his fingers as he turned it around, the look of sadness already on his face became much more painful as he realized WHAT card was sticking out of the ground.
"It's… It's Ca-Carbuncle and Colored Puyo…" he squeaked, showing the exact same card to the chameleon that he used in his duel with Norris not even an hour ago. Not only did it appear to be bent, but due to the card landing in the puddle, water had seeped in and caused the card to become completely water damaged. Espio frowned at what he saw, not only sad to see something belonging to his friend become damaged, but also seeing his very clearly upset reaction.
"What do we do?" Espio asked.
"I… I don't know…" Mark replied, sounding more pained by the second. "Why? Why this one?..."
"I am sorry, Mark…"
"It's…" Mark sniffed. "It's fine. I'm used to stuff like this happening to me anyway…"
Espio's face fell even more as Mark could only just stare at the damaged card like a statue. It wasn't the first thing of Mark's he had seen damaged, as he recalled the incident where Vector accidently broke one of his borrowed DVDs after Halloween.
…that he replaced…
"Mark!" he said. "You can ba-buy another!"
But Mark didn't seem convinced by the suggestion.
"I know I can but… it just… it isn't the same."
"Hm?"
Espio was confused. What did he mean? It was just a card-
"You got me this card, Espio. Sure, there's plenty of other Carbuncle cards I can buy online, but it doesn't replace the one you personally gifted me."
And with that, it made perfect sense. It wasn't just a card…
…and Espio's heart only sank more for his friend, especially when he quietly thanked him, collected the rest of the cards from the ground, and soon left the area without saying a word.
It was after dulcimer practice that evening back at the dorm that Vector, who wanted to explore his new relationship with Espio, instead noticed the chameleon seemed out of it today. He seemed much more quiet, almost as if he were upset about something. What did he do? Surely he couldn't have made Espio mad already, could he?
"Es? Are yeh alright?" Vector asked as he helped his boyfriend pack up the dulcimer. "I couldn't help but notice ya seemed solemn durin' practice."
Espio stared mindlessly at the dulcimer case, not even saying a word.
"I understand if it's somethin' serious, but I'm yer boyfriend. I wantcha to know that if yer ever havin' trouble, dun be afraid to talk to me 'bout anythin'. Even if I dunno the best course of action, I'll at least be an ear to hear ya out."
Espio locked up the case, sighed, and looked over at Vector.
"It is… Mark," he replied.
"Mark? What happened with Mark? Didja get into a fight?"
Espio shook his head as Vector felt slightly concerned. He knew that Mark wasn't the type to be confrontational, and he didn't think he and the chameleon would have any kind of beef. Even if they did, he expected it to just be a minor quarrel that could easily be resolved and could end with a hug and apologies.
But when Espio told him about everything that happened that afternoon, Vector had WISHED that had been the case.
"They did WHAT?!" he exclaimed, getting angrier by the minute.
"Hurt Mark's card," Espio replied. "He was sad. He cannot buy ana-another because of my present."
Though the chameleon tried the best he could to explain the situation in English, Vector was easily able to understand what he was trying to say. Some asshole from CCOCC came to harass Espio, noticed Mark's deck of cards, and berated him before THROWING them near the field?! Of all the juvenile, high school aged actions to do…
But it didn't erase the biggest elephant in the room. Not only were CCOCC and its supporters coming after him, Espio, and the Badniks.
Other people were getting involved.
Angry for both his boyfriend and one of his good friends, Vector got up from the floor, tail following behind him as the urge to kill Connery rose.
"All this shouldn't have happened if he hadn't put on that fuckin' conference!" he exclaimed. "Espio, I need ya to come with me. I think it's time we pay Connery a lil' visit. Because he can fuck with me, but if he thinks his little buddies can run around this place actin' like they own it while they call YEH a criminal?!"
Espio could only nod in support, very much having his own reasons to quarrel with the horse himself. With that, Vector grabbed his letterman jacket and was ready to start heading out when there was a knock at the door and a BEEEEP.
"Mr. Valdez…" Vector said as the familiar blue chameleon walked in.
"Ah, Vector. You're here. Is Espio with-" he said before stopping, turning to the fuschia chameleon. "Aa, watashi wa anata o mitsuketa, Esupio-kun,"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Valdez, but Espio and I are a little busy right now. We're gonna pay a certain someone a visit."
"Certain someone? Vector, what's going on? Where are you taking Espio?"
"Espio just told me that one of those CCOCC people came after him and his Mark friend after lunch and that he did something to one of Mark's personal items. That's why I think its high time I FINALLY pay Connery, mah fellow Badnik and the CCOCC student rep, a visit. Especially since all of this has to do with Espio."
"Vector, what are you thinking?! First of all, I'm glad that neither of them are hurt, but… but you shouldn't do this."
"And why not?! It's been almost two WEEKS of this shit, Mr. Valdez! Mahself, the rest of the Badniks, and Espio… we're all so tired from this! Ya think I dun get exhausted by all this discord? I wanna just… I wanna just be in a calm, peaceful relationship with Espio too, but how can I when all this shit is goin' on?!"
"Because I worry that both of you are going to do something to end up in trouble. Officer Wachowski told me that Espio has completed half of his community service hours, and you of course remember what happened between you and Mr. Connery back in December. You heard what Coach Augustus said, no?"
Vector bit his lip. He knew what the blue chameleon was trying to say, if they tried to confront the horse himself, it would likely backfire, and BOTH of them would pay the price. But…
"Then what do we do? Just keep lettin' them do whatever they want, treatin' us like garbage?!" Vector retorted. Valdez sighed.
"Look, the university staff is trying to find common ground with CCOCC in regards to all the protestors on campus. Trust me, we don't like it as much as you do, and I can sympathize with seeing constant harassment. Until then, Vector… promise me that you won't do anything brash. You're a smart man, you know better than to let people constantly bothering you get to you."
Vector looked down at the ground. He didn't want to do that just now. In fact, he wanted to push Valdez to the side, march down to Connery's dorm and kick the door down, screaming in his face.
"But then I'd be like those shitheads," Vector thought to himself. "And I ain't gonna let mahself stoop to their level. I ain't a piece of shit."
"Please? Can you promise me?" Valdez asked again. Vector sighed, knowing that he shouldn't be letting Connery and the rest of CCOCC get away with this. But if it meant that the blue chameleon would get off his back…
"Alright. I understand."
Valdez nodded. "I'm glad you understand. I know it must be frustrating, but we're trying our best. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to borrow Espio for just a minute. Are you boys busy?"
"Not at all. Espio just got done with his instrument lessons fer the day."
"Okay, good. I'll also explain this to him too, if you don't mind."
"I understand."
And with that, Vector watched as the chameleon was led away by Valdez, likely having everything that he told Vector translated to him in his native tongue. However, Vector only watched with intensity because as soon as the two left his sight, the crocodile turned to the desk, grabbed his phone, and opened up his message app to his conversation with Espio. Adding a heart emote next to his name, he wrote a quick message to his boyfriend for him to read since he didn't know how long he would take.
Me
"i know mr valdez said not to do anything"
"but if this continues, ill go over to ccocc. I got this. see you when you return. love you, Es"
THE NEXT DAY
"As we've discussed in previous sections," Professor Cluckins lectured that morning during Public Speaking. "There are four main different types of speeches that one can give. The one our latest project will be focusing on is informative speeches. Can someone tell me the main difference between informative speeches and the other three speeches?"
Gadget was the first to speak up. "Informative speeches are meant for an audience to learn about any sort of topic, usually backed up with sources and fact. Persuasive is meant to convince the audience about any sort of opinion or belief, entertaining is simply meant to entertain an audience, and demonstrative describes actions, like a how to guide."
"Perfect and simple distinction, Gadget," the rodent said. "And as the syllabus in front of you says, your first group speech project will be an informative speech on a topic of your choosing rather than selected like your solo informative speech. Like that assignment, you will need to inform your fellow classmates and myself about anything with an annotated bibliography attached. However, I'm going to make a note now. This presentation will need to be LONGER than your solo informative speech. Not to mention, you will only have one partner for this speech. Your next group speech project will have you in a group, but for this first speech, find a partner who would be willing to work with you. Not to mention, you will need to work on this outside of class, so make sure to make good use of resources like the library and…"
As Professor Cluckins continued to lecture on, Espio read over the syllabus in front of him. From what he could understand, the transfer student was going to have to work with someone for this assignment. Normally, he expected Norris to be incredibly excited upon hearing the news, immediately pairing himself with Espio.
However…
Espio looked behind him, the giraffe's seat empty as he didn't appear at all to class today. He recalled that Norris seemed to be sick yesterday when he was with him, Mark, Dave, and Hacker, which likely explained his absence.
"Are you worried about your Norris friend, Espio?"
Espio turned to the source of his voice, which turned out to be Buck.
"If you don't have anyone, perhaps you'd like to be partners?" the deer asked. "We haven't had much time to interact outside of class, and I'd be overjoyed if we worked together."
Buck had a point. He was so used to being around his other friends at this point that he hadn't had the time to just… be with Buck like he did Alan, Munch, or Bow.
Plus, there was still the biggest elephant in the room. Buck still had no clue of Espio's same gender love, nor his relationship with Vector. If anything, since they would be working together, now would be the perfect time to tell him!
"Okay," Espio replied, nodding as Buck smiled.
"I'm very glad to hear! Class is almost over… so would yeh like to begin our project after our lessons are done for the day?" he asked. "That is, unless you're doin' something?"
Besides dulcimer practice… there wasn't much that was going on. Plus, Vector told him before leaving breakfast that when he came back in the afternoon, he would be in the I building doing his off-season workouts like he had been instructed by Coach Augustus, which meant he and Buck would have the dorm to themselves before Alan came over.
Later, after the day's Public Speaking lesson finished up and everyone partnered up with someone, everyone soon left the room as Buck waited for Espio to leave.
"Remind me, your dorm is B-202, right?" he asked, walking up to the chameleon. "Pardon, I've only been once. Remember? When Bow, myself, and the others dropped off your Christmas gifts before we left for Avalon?"
Espio nodded his head.
"Okay, good. Now, my final class for the day, Religious Ethics II, ends at around… 4:30. Once I'm done, I'll head straight to your dorm, okay?"
"I understand."
"Good! Well, cheers, Espio! I'm hoping we have a good time on this project!"
With that, Buck took his leave as Espio watched him. Happy to finally break the mold with the deer, he couldn't even take one step before his phone in his inro buzzed, the metal surrounding it vibrating. The chameleon stopped, wondering who it was. As such, he opened up his inro, moved his meal card and student ID out of his way, and got out his phone (which only barely fit in the inro). As he unlocked the screen, he could see that he got a new message… from Jewel.
Jewel
"Good morning, Espio!"
"I know I shouldn't be texting you while you're in class, but I wanted to know if you'd like to have lunch with me today?"
"I still haven't been going out as much due to all the CCOCC harassment, and I know you can't leave campus because of your probation, so I was thinking of ordering Ella's from a delivery app. I felt lonely eating in my dorm, so would you like to join me? I don't mind spending a little extra!"
An invite to lunch? That was very nice of Jewel to consider, even if he wanted to deny the offer due to how humble she was, even after everything that happened before Valentine's.
Plus, there was still the thing she didn't know… that he and Vector were now dating.
Normally, had he been more used to his Gojo-centric way of thinking, he would have said no due to his aspects of his culture, but… he still was worried about Jewel. So as such-
Me
"Okay. I tell Vector."
AND SOME TIME LATER…
Espio sat on the floor in Jewel's dorm on his knees. Small, blue boxes filled with food from Ella's sat in front of him as Jewel rubbed hand sanitizer on her hands.
"Always important to be as clean as possible when eating food from somewhere else!" Jewel said as she opened up her box, revealing her usual order of a honey dijon sandwich with a side of soup du jour, a small mousse cup, and a cup of Russian tea. The jewel beetle hummed to herself as she got napkins ready for the two as Espio opened up his box.
"Okay, let's eat!" she said. The chameleon nodded as he put his hands together.
"Itadakimasu," he said to himself as he pulled out his order consisting of an avocado and cucumber tartine and yogurt and granola, with a lavender lemonade to wash it all down.
"I gotta say, thanks so much for coming over, Espio," Jewel said as she held her sandwich in a napkin so she didn't burn herself. "I know you want to be with Vector all the time, but the fact you took time out of your day to spend your lunch with me… it means a lot. Especially with all of this going on. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much…"
"How are you?" Espio asked before taking a bite from his tartine.
"I'm…" Jewel looked down at the floor, still not eating. "I've been better. I'm still trying to lay low and not reveal the location of my dorm, especially since getting rid of all my social media and changing my number, I haven't heard as much harassment. And I want to keep it that way… but… lately I'm starting to get worried that someone in one of my classes is connected to CCOCC in some way. I can't help but shake the feeling I'm being… watched. You know?"
As Espio swallowed, he turned his head, seeming confused.
"Of course, I'm sure you'd know more about having people behind your back talking about you. But… I shouldn't let this be the only thing I talk about. Trust me, it's not easy when I have to recall all this. How have you been? Did you like the Valentine's event that the LGBTQ League set up? And did… did you tell… Vector?"
This was it, he was finally going to tell Jewel about what happened. No longer afraid like he once was, he put down his tartine and explained the entire night to Jewel, who ate at a slow pace as she absorbed everything he said.
Finally finishing up the story with how both he and Vector were woken up by Valdez that morning, the jewel beetle had her hands on her cheeks as she looked over at the chameleon.
"Oh, I'm SO sorry that happened to you," she chuckled, the event clearly amusing to her. "But still Espio, I'm SOOOOO happy for you! You absolutely deserve someone like Vector in your life, and you absolutely have my support as an ally! If anything, had you NOT told Vector, I would have gone back to my old crabby self and gotten on you for that! But it makes me so glad to hear! I can even tell on your face, you aren't as stressed or even as upset as you seemed before hand. How do YOU feel?"
Espio took a sip of his lemonade, liking the feeling of the drink in his mouth. How did he feel about being Vector's boyfriend and having him feel the same? There was only really one word he could use to describe it…
"Good," he replied. Jewel smiled in response.
"I'm so glad. So, what's next for you? Are you gonna start going out on cute dates? Already decided on cute names for each other? Ooh, I'm really so excited for you, Espio!"
The chameleon softly smiled. He was happy for all those things she described, even if he didn't know what a "date" was. But there was still something just as important as being with Vector.
"Tell others," he replied.
"Tell others?... wait… you mean…" Jewel got closer to Espio's face, surprise clear on her face. "Other people don't KNOW?!"
"Only Mark. I tell him first.
"I think it would be a good idea if your friends know, not just about your relationship, but if you haven't come out to them, I would recommend it! Who haven't you come out to?"
Espio thought about it for a minute. Jewel, Mark, Norris, Dave, Hacker, and Valdez withstanding, there were still QUITE a few people he hadn't come out to.
"Na-Knuckles and Mighty."
"Sports guys, right? Since they're already friends with Vector, there's a chance they might already know."
"Sonic, Manic, and So… Sonia."
"Oh, Manic? Oh boy, I'm so sorry. I often have to tell him off because he sleeps on the public sofas around campus and I have to remind him SO often they're not for sleeping. At least his siblings have their heads on straight, and plus, I've talked with Sonia a bit since she helps organize for the Gamma Beta Zeta sorority house. She's really nice!"
"And… Buck… and-"
"Wait… who?"
"Buck."
Jewel looked confused. "I… I don't think I know a Buck. What does he look like?"
Espio put his finger on his mouth. He realized at that moment he DIDN'T know how to describe him, not helped by the fact that he didn't know the English word for shika, Buck's species.
"He has…" Espio replied, trying his best to describe his friend. He pointed upwards from his head, trying to emote his antlers. "...things on his head. And he loves… Sola… Solariss…"
It took a moment for Jewel to process what he said, but when she did, she gasped.
"Wait a minute! Isn't… isn't he from Mercia? I recall there being someone like him who came by during a Club and Organization day!"
"Yes! That is Ba-Buck!"
But instead of being glad like he thought, a look of… hesitation appeared on Jewel's face. What happened? Why was the jewel beetle reacting in such a way?
"Oh… oh… ehhhh…."
"What is ro… wrong?"
"Um… I hate to break it to you, Espio… but," the insect nervously looked around. "I'm sure your Buck friend is nice and all that but… those Solaris worshipping people tend to not really be… the MOST progressive people around. Do you understand what I mean?"
Espio shook his head. Was Jewel asking he… NOT tell Buck? But… why? Buck was friendly, extremely caring, and seemed to enjoy his company. Why would he shun Espio if his other friends hadn't?
"I can tell you don't seem all that convinced. I mean, if you WANT to tell him, I suppose I can't stop you. But… if he doesn't respond positively, well… don't be TOO surprised. You'll be surprised how many people use Solaris or Gaia as an excuse to be hateful. Just… be careful, okay?"
Espio frowned, now starting to become worried. While he hoped that Buck would be like the others he came out to, the idea that he wouldn't react well was now starting to seep into his mind. What if he DIDN'T take it as well as the others? What if somehow, he was able to banish him from this living realm for the sin of same gender love?
"Calm your mind…" he told himself. "Buck is your friend. He should not treat me in such a way."
But it felt like words of assurance more than anything. What was once now a moment for excitement turned into one of panic, fear, and anxiety as he wondered about what Buck was going to do when the truth was revealed to him…
4:39 P.M.
The dorm was completely empty as only Espio occupied it, catching up with the final few chapters of Megami Ibunroku Persona before starting its sequel, Innocent Sin. He figured he could just focus on his homework later tonight when Vector got back from his off-season workouts, but right now, there was something more pressing.
Buck was currently on his way here to start working on their group Public Speaking project.
Though Espio was happy to be spending time with his friend, he thought back to his discussion with Jewel earlier about how the deer would react when the chameleon told him the truth about his same gender love and his relationship with Vector.
"She said that people who worship Solaris aren't…" he thought to himself. "What was that word again? Pro… guressiv?"
He wasn't sure what the word meant, but judging from what the beetle seemed to imply, his love of Solaris meant he wouldn't support him? It was a strange idea, as while the god was a major part of the deer's life, from his own experience with his religion, the gods of the Historic District had their essence stay with the people, forever bound to them within their hearts. It was like the kami were a part of his life force, and Buck would choose one part of his own life force over another when they're all the same thing?
He still was confused by the teachings of Solarinism, definitely nothing like what he was used to-
*knock, knock*
Espio looked up at the door as he gulped. Here he was, Buck finally arrived. He could feel his palms sweat, his heart beating intensely as he tried to muster up courage. He thought he would rid himself of his anxiety and fears regarding his sexuality, but it seemed to come back to life one final time. But if he could just tell Buck… then it would truly be dead, for good.
Espio got up from the bottom bunk and walked over to the door, taking one last deep breath and placing his hand on the door handle, turning it as he opened the door wide.
"Afternoon, Espio! Doing well?"
Buck stood at the door frame, a wide smile on his face.
"I am… good," Espio lied, trying his best to not seem nervous to his friend.
"Well, I'm finally done with classes for the day. May I come in?"
"Ah, yes. Ba-but ri-remove your shu-shoes, please."
"Remove… my shoes?"
"Please?"
Buck turned his head, but soon nodded. "Okay, I understand. I assume you like the place very clean."
The cervid walked inside, looking around the organized dorm room as his eyes almost seemed to shine.
"How neat your dorm is, Espio! Do yeh and Vector work together to keep it clean? Unfortunately, I have a rather messy roommate this year, and I try my best to keep my stuff organized."
He was just as amazed as Alan was when he first arrived. Espio walked behind Buck as the deer noticed the pillow on Vector's bunk.
"Ah! It's my gift!" he said. "I'm so happy to see you make use of it! Have you used… Oh! There's the candle I gifted you too!"
Buck walked over and picked up the candle with the drawing of Solaris on it, holding it up. "But… it seems you haven't lit it up. Do you not have a lighter?"
"I do not know what that is," Espio replied.
"It's how you can light fires. They're very small."
"Fa-Fire?"
He was more used to the nanny starting the fires below the irori in the dojo with a flint box, where the Shinobi Clan's meals would be cooked, tea would be boiled, and where the most warmth could be found during the cold winters. The fact that Buck was describing something similar to it… it really was a reminder to the chameleon that the Outside World and the Historic District weren't as different as he thought.
"Well, we shan't get distracted. We need to begin researching a topic for us to present," Buck said. "Ah, may we sit on the floor? I believe my antlers won't allow us to be on this bottom bunk."
Espio nodded as the deer and chameleon sat on the floor next to each other, Buck placing his backpack next to him as he got out a notebook and his phone.
"Okay, so let's first think up a few ideas for us to discuss. If you have any suggestions, I'll write them down and we can discuss which one sounds best, okay?" he continued.
"I understand," Espio replied.
Buck got out a pen as he opened up the notebook to a blank page, writing 'Informative Speech Ideas' at the top.
"Let's see… I think it needs to be something we can both agree on. While I'd love to discuss something related to theology… I know that's more of my forte," Buck added. "I think we can just discuss a historical event in history. Or perhaps, something related to mythology?"
Buck proceeded to write down the ideas on the piece of paper as Espio watched, his heart back to beating heavily. It was shocking how calm Buck was being right now while he was panicking, not sure how to bring up the issue.
"Espio, do yeh have any ideas you can think of?"
The chameleon bounced in place, taken aback that Buck was speaking to him so nonchalantly at a time like this. It was like there was a barrier in front of him that the deer failed to recognize. Buck instead just smiled happily as he waited for Espio's answer.
"Eeh… ee to.." he said, trying to think of the first thing that came to mind. His eyes wandered off to the bulletin board by the door, seeing all the newspaper clippings and pictures of Vector and the Badniks there. "Fu… football?..."
"Ah! You wish to do… wait, do you mean rugby?"
"Ra… ragby?"
"No, RUGBY. It's a sport where you hold a ball and run to your opponent's goal. It's a little too violent fer me, but Alan, Munch, and Thorn always enjoys playing it with the children back home in Avalon."
Espio was confused for one big reason. "That is… football-"
Buck, without blinking and still with a smile on his face, quickly replied. "I refuse to ever call that nonsense football. You use your FOOT in FOOTball, not whatever that 'soccer' rubbish is. But I suppose that isn't a bad idea, as many people in this country seem to love rugby. We can write that down."
Buck proceeded to write down 'Football/Rugby' on the notebook as he put his finger on his mouth.
"Let's see… that's three ideas we have so far… I feel we can use a little more. I'll think of a few more ideas, then I'll ask yeh if you have something in mind. Perhaps something on Yurashia would be to your liking? I know you would be very happy to inform the rest of the class of your home, and it would be fun to research m'self."
But Espio was silent. He breathed through his nose heavily, chills going up his spine.
"Espio?" Buck asked. "Is… is everything alright?"
It proved too much for the chameleon. He closed his eyes as he put his hands on the side of his head, only concerning the deer even more.
"Espio?! Are you okay? Do yeh need a doctor?" he asked, dropping his notebook.
"No, no… I…" Espio replied, opening his eyes as he looked at Buck. However, seconds later, he turned away from his friend.
"Espio… please tell me. Is everything alright? I couldn't help but notice that over the past couple of weeks, yeh seemed… off. I know you've gone through a lot, but… it's okay to tell me. There's no need to keep it to yerself. You only do your mental health more damage, y'know."
But how could Espio explain that the reason he was panicking was because of everything Jewel told him? Had she somehow scared him into revealing the truth to the deer, even after he told himself he wasn't going to be afraid anymore?
No, he knew where part of his fear came from. He was afraid that the deer would be the first person he would lose as a friend since coming to the Outside World once he knew the truth. And as much as he feared that outcome…
It seemed he had no choice but to reveal the truth.
"Buck…" Espio replied. "Please do not he… hate me."
"Hate you?" the deer turned his head. "Whatever could you mean? Why would I hate you?"
"Because…"
His heartbeat intensely. He could hear it clearly, the room feeling like it was going dark as he and Buck were the only things he could see. It was just like all the previous times he had come out. There was no going back. He was in too deep.
"...I am gay. I am with Vector as my… boyfu-boyfriend? And pi-people tell me… you hate me because of Solaris. I ha-hide this from you."
Espio looked up at Buck, an unreadable expression on his face. What was he thinking? Was he upset? Angry? Or… sad? It seemed like he didn't know how to react…
But him sighing was NOT what Espio expected.
"So… it seems that people have told you that because of my eternal worship of Solaris, that I would shun you, no?" he asked. Espio nodded. He was surprised at Buck's reaction to this.
"Do you hate me?" the chameleon asked.
Buck looked at his friend, then at the notebook he had in his hand.
"Yeh know what? Let me put this away for the time being, Espio," he said. "If I may, for a moment, I want to tell you a story."
"A story?"
"I can't say I didn't expect you to tell me such a thing, but… I understand this fear of not wanting to tell me the truth about such a thing because of my devotion to Him. Because this is not the first time I've had an experience like this."
Espjo blinked. Was Buck implying that… he too knew someone gay like him? Then why would Jewel say that Solaris worshiping people weren't progruessiv?
"I want to tell you about a friend I had last semester while I was at the University of Snottingham, which I think should answer your question about me hating you, as you put it."
Espio turned towards his friend in place, paying heavy attention to the deer as his story began.
"So, as I said, when myself, Bow, Munch, Alan, and Thorn all studied at the University of Snottingham last year, the latter four joined the uni's archery group come the spring season. Of course, I didn't join because I feel much too uncomfortable holding anything that could be used as a weapon, but I was happy to be present for their practice sessions and matches. And while they were in the group, the others befriended a ram. Ari was his name, and he was probably one of the best archers on the team alongside Bow. As such, he became very friendly with the others. He arched together all the time in his free time with Bow, both of them talking about everything relating to it. He loved to be entertained by Alan's songs, always loved to arm wrestle Munch, and when he fell ill in April, Thorn helped him get better quickly, almost like a mother, which was very much like her."
Buck's face, however, fell.
"However… in spite of this friendship he had with the others… he never extended that to me. In fact, despite knowing that the others too were Solaranists, it was myself that he seemed the most… uncomfortable around. Almost as if he forced himself to talk to me, when I could tell he didn't want to talk to me. I felt hurt by this, not sure what I had done to receive this treatment from Ari. It was something I talked about with the others quite a bit, as it did hurt m' feelings."
Buck then looked away from Espio at his lap, the chameleon still watching him intently. "Finally, one day, when Ari joined us for breakfast and we were waiting for the others to arrive for us to share a full english together, it was m'self and Ari waiting on the others. And it was during that time that I finally asked him… Why were you uncomfortable around me?"
"And he say?" Espio asked.
"He confessed to me for the first time why, asking that I don't bring it up with the others. But the reason why was because his mum and dad shunned him for having a boyfriend, using Solaris and the Holy Book as a reason to kick him out of his house and forcing him to live with his nan for the past three years. I was shocked when I heard this. How could a mum and dad force a child, THEIR child, out of their home and treat them like rubbish? That was never what Solaris taught! And… he then told me that when he sees me, hears me talk about Solaris and my devotion to Him… the horrid memories of his mum and dad came back to him."
Buck's face continued to fall. "For the rest of breakfast, and the rest of the day, what Ari told me stuck with me the whole day. I follow the word of Solaris not just because m' family was apart of the Solaran Church, but also because I feel His enlightenment day by day, feel blessed by the life He gave to me so I could follow His morals and virtues. But… for the first time in me life… it was different. Never once had anyone in Avalon done something like this… remove their own child for something like that… I won't deny that before coming to the University of Snottingham, people with same-sex attraction wasn't something you saw at all in our town and it was something we learned about for the first time at uni, but… I knew what Ari's folks had done… that wasn't right."
The deer coughed. "Pardon me, do you have something I can drink? M' throat is getting a bit dry from all this talking."
Espio nodded as he quickly crawled over to the minifridge, handing the deer a bottle of water.
"Ah, thank you very much, Espio," he said before opening up the bottle and quickly drinking it, sighing from relief as he wiped his mouth. "Now… where was I? Ah yes…"
Buck cleared his throat again. "That night, while m' roommate slept, I spent hours upon hours trying to find answers in the Holy Book of Solaris, answers that would try and justify what Ari's mum and dad did to him, to truly see if something like that is what Solaris said. Keep in mind, this is a book I've read from front to back NUMEROUS times growing up. I've memorized proverbs and quotes like the back of m' hand, so it was no hard task to reread the entirety of the Holy Book. And do you know what I found as I finally finished up the book at three in the morning?"
"What?"
Buck looked up at Espio. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing that could justify what happened to Ari. Solaris never said anything regarding same-sex attraction, anything like that, not His guardian angels, not even the Twelve Disciples either. They said nothing about that. I was in shock. If there was nothing in the Holy Book… then why did his mum and dad try to use it as an excuse?"
Espio looked down at the floor, not sure of an answer as the deer's story still hadn't finished.
"The next morning, I went to look for Ari himself, and before either of the others could arrive for breakfast, I was able to find him and asked if we could talk alone. At first, he hesitated, but he relented and we went outside to talk. I told him about what I found and sympathized with him, expressing my apologies that such a thing happened to him and that his folks tried to dare use Solaris' word as an excuse to hate their own child. I then proceeded to hold his hand and told him something that, before I left for the United Federations, he told me that he would never forget. 'Solaris loves you the way you are, and He gave His life to create the sun and make an infinite number of possibilities happen in life. You aren't broken, you're you, and you'll forever be you."
Espio blinked as the message entered his mind, Buck's smile soon falling.
"Ari cried when he heard what I said, apologizing for how he treated me, which I forgave, as I know Solaris would want me to forgive the sins of others. And then, he became much more friendly, even introducing his partner to me and bringing him along to archery practice with the others. But… though I had made Ari happy and he helped us learn about others like him, being his friend caused major tensions between meself and m' fellow Theology peers. They assumed that I had turned my back on Solaris, calling someone like Ari who 'acts on his attraction' sinful, and pointing to several quotes from the Holy Book to justify their reasoning, all of which seemed… cherry picked to me. They all discussed something that criticized true evil in this world, not… LGBT people. And this continued for so long, and I could only ask m'self… why? Why were my peers not wanting to accept Ari? And it wasn't long before I came to an answer."
Buck reached over to his bag and pulled out his copy of The Holy Book of Solaris, holding it in his hands. "D'yeh know the most important thing to the people of Avalon, Espio?"
Espio turned his head, not sure of how he could respond to Buck's question. There was only one thing that popped into his mind.
"Solaris?" he responded. Buck shrugged.
"Well, yes, Solaris IS a major part of the lives of the people of Avalon. But, there's something even more important to us than Him. It's community."
Espio's mouth lay slightly agape as he listened to Buck continue.
"Avalon is a community that relies on one another, where one can come and is treated to great hospice, where we care for one another, grieve with one another, and laugh with one another. If we shun people from our community, then we truly aren't one at all. We welcome those from the large cities, to even the most far away lands, welcoming them with open arms as everyone feels true love from their family, their friends, and their people. M' whole life, I prayed with m' community, loved with them, cried with them, so much I had done with them. I couldn't dare shun someone who had done nothing wrong to me."
Buck put his hands on Espio's shoulders, the chameleon staring back at the deer as he smiled wide.
"Though you aren't a follower of Solaris yourself, Espio," he said. "We both are connected by a love of spiritual beings, of deities who offer us protection. For me, it's Solaris, and for you, it's the gods of your religion, is it not? You can even see it in what we wear too."
The deer pointed at the rosary of Solaris on his neck, then at the magatama necklace on the chameleon's neck. It was almost like Buck read Espio like an open book, especially considering how just days ago, he had prayed to the gods for luck with his confession to Vector.
"Let me tell you a quote I always think back to when I think of Ari, and… I think of you just now revealing what you just have," Buck picked up the Holy Book that he placed on the floor, opening it up and quickly turning the pages as Espio watched. The cervid soon stopped somewhere towards the middle, putting his finger on the page.
"Ah, here we are. From Titans 4:9. Ahem… 'Here, there is no being, person or Animal person, neutered or not neutered, savage or pacifist, that does not have all in them, which Solaris is all. As the chosen beings of Solaris, who gave His life to brighten the planet of Gaia, bove thy clothes with love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear your hand to your neighbor, and forgive one another should grievances rise. Forgive those around you, as Solaris forgave Himself and His children."
Espio blinked as Buck looked back up from the book, smiling at him once again.
"Do you finally understand now, Espio? Do you finally have your answer about whether I hate you or not?" he asked, reaching out to Espio's hands and holding them. The chameleon felt warm on the inside, a feeling unlike anything he felt before.
"But…" Espio replied, before Buck shook his head.
"Don't try to say but, Espio. Solaris wouldn't want me to be a person that shuns another for something that he never had issue with. He believed that all beings on the planet are deserving of love. From the people who care about the plants, to the beings like Chao and Wisps, who care for one another, to society as a whole. As your friend, your happiness means so much to me, and that matters more, knowing that you are just as much a part of my community as m' friends. That… that is why I do not hate you. That is why… I shall continue to be your friend and support you in this new journey in life, finding your own love."
As Buck's smile stayed in place, Espio felt himself tear up. All this time, not only was he afraid about Buck's rejection, but he personified everything his anxiety wanted him to fear about others learning about his same gender love.
Something that died when Buck expressed love, not hatred.
"Buck… thank you…" the chameleon replied as the deer wiped the tear from Espio's cheeks with his finger before hugging his friend, patting his back.
"But of course, Espio. You have not shunned me by way of using your own beliefs or lifestyle, and I do not plan to do the same. I must ask though… do the others know?"
Espio knew Buck was referring to the sparrow, quail, rat, and lop rabbit, and shook his head.
"Seeing as how you showed your bravery to tell me, would you perhaps like to tell them as well? I of course only ask this if you feel ready. But… if you are concerned-" Buck pulled one of his hands away from Espio's, placing it atop the hand that was connected together. "-then I shall be here for you as your friend, so that yeh know someone will be here that you can trust. Would yeh like that?"
And so, that was what happened after the two properly worked on their public speaking assignment, when Alan came by the dorm for dulcimer practice. Like Buck had discussed after his and Espio's talk, not only was the quail there, but so was Munch, Bow, and Thorn, all of them standing patiently outside of the dorm as Espio opened the dorm door.
"You o-all…" Espio said.
"Lovely afternoon, Espio!" Bow said, smiling. "Say, Buck wanted us to come by here. What happened?"
"Everything alroight?" Thorn asked, turning her head. "Is Vector here?"
Buck, at that moment, walked next to Espio and put his hands together, looking at his chameleon friend. "Dear friends," he said. "I invited you here because Espio has something he would like to tell yeh."
The chameleon walked forward, hands over his waist as he looked down on the floor. He could feel the Mercian transfer students' eyes on him, but from behind him, he could hear Buck whisper.
"It's okay, Espio. They aren't the type to treat you differently like I haven't."
And so, with that final push, the chameleon confessed the same thing he told Buck to Bow, Alan, Munch, and Thorn.
And their response?
Loving indifference.
"Really now?" Bow replied, being the first person to speak up after Espio confessed everything. "Wow, it's just like Ari back at uni in Snottingham!"
"Oh, I still do miss him," Thorn replied, putting her hands over her chest. "But… Espio… you know we could never do such a thing like yeh described."
"Mate, it's yer loife," Alan replied, looking down at the chameleon. "Clearly this has been on yer mind for ages, and I couldn't imagine what it was like bein' so afraid that everyone would leave yeh. But… that ain't me, mate. We've been close fer so long, somethin' loike this couldn't ruin our relationship."
"And besides!" Munch added, arms crossed. "It ain't just Ari, we learned all 'bout people like yeh back at uni in Snottingham! It was a bit confusin' learnin' everythin' at first, but we got it down pat and would never even dare to treat people like rubbish! It ain't what we were taught, mate. All of us, no?"
The other four nodded their heads, Espio seeming confused at their reactions.
"But… why? You all… sa-sa… port me?"
Buck then walked up to Espio, putting his hands on his shoulders.
"Because yer Espio," he said. "Since the day we first met yeh, you were Espio. You haven't changed at all. In the past, when you caroled with us, spent time with us, did anything with us, yeh were Espio. Today, as yeh stand in front of us, telling all of this to us, you're still Espio. And tomorrow, when yeh wake up and look at yerself in the mirror… you're still Espio. And nothing can ever change that."
The fuschia transfer student felt his eyes water once again as the feeling of love filled the room, only amplified by the sparrow, who just spoke up.
"Oh, c'mon, Espio! Cheer up and let us all give yeh one giant Mercian group hug! Whaddya say, mates?"
And in a flash, Bow, Alan, Munch, Thorn, and Buck all reached over and brought in the chameleon in for a giant group hug. The chameleon was shocked by the sudden action, unsure of what to do or how to feel, staying completely frozen in place where he stood. But seconds into his group hug, as he could feel the warmth and love eminiating from his Mercian band of friends, the chameleon's look of surprise changed…
…to a bright smile, and a return of the hug he was being given.
But even though Espio felt love in his dorm, across from East Hall, in one dorm, a different feeling was in the air.
Connery sat at the desk at his dorm, laptop in front of him as Monk sat right behind him, watching over his shoulder. The horse tapped away and checked his phones, writing a reply to a journalist wanting to interview him.
"So? What else is next?" Monk asked, arms crossed.
"Currently, we're seeing major support from outlets that support our cause, and I have about… two interviews lined up for next week," Connery replied. "Not to mention, a producer on the Kragrok Tonight Show was interested in doing a piece on CCOCC very soon. To think that we've been experiencing this massive boom of support… it's unlike anything I've seen."
"Which reminds me. I figured I could ask you now since I'm here but… how do you start a petition?"
The horse turned around, raising a brow at the question. "What do you mean? Haven't you realized it's beyond easy to do so?"
"Have you forgotten that I never DID anything like this before joining CCOCC? I'm still new to this, Connery. Besides, it's not like it would have meant much had I done it before joining."
"What were you wanting to petition?"
"To have the university investigate that degenerate homosexual league or whatever group. I think I've received proof from Timothy about them at some gastly pride event where children were present last year, and how last night, they were passing out condoms out in the open for people. And people want to yell in my face for getting the truth out there?!"
"I've noticed you've been very confrontational. My advice, don't give the left what they want. It's fun to debate, but all the left wants to do is yell in your face to make you look like the bad guy. That's how underhanded their tactics are."
"I'll say. The fact that I have to deal with a bunch of prissy carpet munchers one day, then the next, I have gender activists trying to call me 'toxic and transphobic', all because I want that group shut down and for the sheep to wake up. Plus, there's still the biggest elephant in the room. That effeminate roommate of Vector's is STILL here."
"Oh trust me, I don't like it as much as you do. Interestingly enough, I got contacted by a Mr. Pluribus Fink the other day. Wouldn't you know that he was the prosecutor in that boy's trial? Apparently, he's been trying to appeal his not guilty verdict, and when he heard about what CCOCC was doing, he contacted us in hopes that we would be willing to help him."
"You weren't kidding. We really have gotten much support over the last few days. How much have you said membership has gone up?"
"We've gone from thirty-two to ninety six members since our conference."
Monk whistled. "Insane. Although, I wish you would vet who's getting our support."
"What do you mean?"
"I was taking a look at who has been backing our cause, and I couldn't help but notice one group in particular. A conservative organization for homosexuals? Why the hell are they backing us?"
"I understand your… issue, Monk… but you don't realize just how useful they can be. With the left loving to claim us conservatives as nothing but bigots, having an organization like them back our cause would be beyond useful."
"Degenerates are still degenerates, no matter the political class. I refuse to have an organization like THEM supporting us if it means they want to contribute to destroying what it means to be a man! Your group is frankly the LAST place that sees no issue with who I am, and I'm NOT going to have that taken away from me!"
"Calm yourself, Monk!" Connery yelled, his mane swishing. "Look, we have more pressing issues at hand. At this current moment, the leftist student body has no one. The amount of support for CCOCC increases by the day, thanks to our televised conference, and now, people are starting to recognize him. The university and the student body is trying their best to go into overdrive to push us into the margins, but for once, we have the upper hand. The people are fed up with this garbage. This is just in a college setting too. Imagine if what this student body wants spills into the public schools?"
Monk's face scrunched up. "Then I'd make sure no child of mine ever goes, considering pornography in the libraries and how teachers force kids to learn about gender and sexual identity. Even in this place, the fact they have a degenerate section out in the open is frankly sickening. As if there's a reason to celebrate being a degenerate."
"Exactly. This place already turns impressionable young people into leftists that hate this country, it's time we dial this back and make the people proud of who they are."
"Make men proud to be strong and masculine, make women proud of being subservient and doting, be proud that we'll continue biological concepts like procreation and a basic understanding of gender, no?"
"One of many things, my friend. You've been doing that part advocating for that, as have several other people. I'm proud of the work you've been doing, but think outside the box, Monk. That's just one part of it..."
But as Connery turned back to his laptop, he stared at his reflection from the screen.
"I'll make sure the people of the United Federations are proud of their country, proud of getting criminals and terrorists out of their spaces, and back to whatever hellhole they came from…" he thought to himself, one person solely coming to mind.
Though CCOCC and its supporters were having the time of their lives being in the spotlight, having interviews filmed and articles written about them, there was one very large, silent majority that suffered under them.
The remaining Mobius U student body.
Day by day, verbal fights broke out between students and CCOCC members and supporters, at one point, a physical altercation caused Officer Wachowski to intervene. A rare sight, as normally, he and the remaining campus officers of Mobius U simply only observed the protests and counter protests going on, never once intervening until things got physical. Though many students tried to amplify their voices to push back against the ongoing CCOCC influence, it felt more futile by the day as more of the student body began to feel the effects of the backlash from the student group.
This evolved into many different forms of incidents going on, all of which were caused by one thing: someone from CCOCC being involved.
In one instance, Manic complained one night at dinner after appearing to be very gloomy.
"Can you believe this shit happened?!" he said, cheek in his palm. "So you know how we advertised our show at one of the gay bars in downtown? Well, some fuckwit from CCOCC complained that we were trying to advertise porn around campus to the dean in charge of public relations. And apparently, it BLEW up online and we had to take down all our fliers from the bulletin board! I mean, what the FUCK?!"
Manic rubbed his face, clearly frustrated by what occurred as Vector, Espio, Knuckles, Mighty, and Sonic all looked concerned. The blue hedgehog put his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"There there, I'll let you smoke in my dorm as much as you want," Sonic said, patting Manic's shoulder.
"They let anyone advertise stuff on there. I dun see how THAT'S an issue," Vector replied.
"Vec, I'd let you have ONE guess who from CCOCC would complain about something like that," Knuckles replied. Vector shut his jaws as he groaned, clearly knowing who it was.
That wasn't even the beginning of it. The Badniks' phones were being spammed day in and day out with messages from angry people, not one single member sans Connery and Monk free from verbal abuse, something that frustrated Vector beyond comprehension. Complaints after complaints filled the student center about what was going on, even the most unlikely people were soon starting to get sick of what was going on.
"You hear this place is trying to put an end to ANY sort of teasing cause of those numbnuts?" Jet complained aloud in the A building, Espio overhearing. "What, do they think this is some middle school with a no bullying zone or some crap like that?"
"First I'm hearing of it. I think they just don't want people to assume anyone teasing them or something is associated with CCOCC," Wave replied as Jet frazzled the feathers on his head.
"Yeah well, they just HAD to go fucking ruin it, didn't they?! The difference between me and them is that I'm subtle about messing with the freshies! It's how you get the best laugh, not just say it aloud in front of their face! Come on, I can't believe this…"
"You mean we can't mess with the freshies anymore, boss?" Storm asked, twiddling his thumbs.
"Not when all this shit is going on. Tch, and it's not even like I can mess with THEM either. Those CCOCC dipshits can't even take ONE joke…"
Espio simply stared at the three birds, completely shocked at what he was hearing. If even JET was starting to see issues with this group that calls itself CCOCC, then clearly these protests going on around him were only getting worse. Something amplified by what Valadez told him one day.
"The amount of students from the Foreign Exchange program telling me about harrassment has been unbelievable, Espio-kun," Valdez said, ruffling through so many papers in his office. "From Shadi being followed by people harassing him due to his religion, to Dulcy being yelled at in the library due to speaking Chinese with her family on a call back home in Chun-Nan, to even our sole Zeti student almost being physically attacked by a woman saying how he's "unwanted here"... I thought my debt would bring me enough stress... but this..."
Espio was silent as Valdez recounted the complaints and fears from fellow students like him, some of them too afraid to even step out of their dorms just like Jewel. And the worst part, everyone else weren't even the main targets. Espio was still public enemy number one to CCOCC and its supporters, being portrayed as a violent killer who preys on the innocent, from virtuous men to defenseless women, all "under threat from him". Mulltiple times, some people tried to get into the chameleon's face, trying to repeat this point to him as an excuse to harass him.
Despite this, Vector was always there to stop it, something that always made the chameleon feel bad.
Though the crocodile always assured him whenever they were away, he didn't want his boyfriend to just be some sort of shield, as he could stand his ground easily.
Plus, there was one bigger reason why: if Vector got hurt, he couldn't live with himself, especially since being with Vector at the dorm alone were some of the most calm, peaceful, and serene moments, being with his boyfriend doing… well, much of the same as they did, only with a new meaning due to their relationship.
As Vector and Espio were busy doing homework that night, the chameleon sitting on Vector's lap as the crocodile rested the bottom of his snout on Espio's head, he looked down at his smaller boyfriend.
"Ya comfy like this, Espio?" he asked. Espio looked up, nodding.
"Yes."
"Good. Lemme know if yer leg falls asleep. As cute as it is havin' ya in mah lap, I dun wantcha gettin' hurt, okay?"
"Okay. Eh… Vector…"
"Hm?"
Espio turned around from where he sat, looking at his larger quarterback boyfriend. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Vector sighed. While he had been trying to keep his emotions in check, much of the harassment going on had caused him to lock his Scrambler account and private his Friendspace account, something he thought he'd never have to do. It was starting to keep him up at night, even as he told himself to grow thick skin to everything going on.
"I've… seen better days. But, it ain't all bad. I'm here with ya, and that matters more than anythin', Es," Vector smiled.
"I am good. I tell Buck about us. And he… loves me."
Vector smiled down at his friend.
"Comin' out to others, huh? Most people are always there to support ya, Es. No matter whatcha think, ya can find support and good people in times like this. And even if ya get the occasional asshole, I'm still here for ya no matter what. Okay?"
With that, Vector gave a quick peck to Espio's lips as the chameleon put his hands on his lips, his scales glowing slightly lighter as the crocodile brought Espio's closer, their faces almost touching.
As they nuzzled quickly before returning back to homework, it was the reminder they needed that even though everything in the world may be crazy, home was always nearby whenever either one of them were at the dorm.
END OF CHAPTER 33
