A/N:
For r/FanFiction February Prompt
: "Did you send me this card/letter?"
Spring gave a small reprieve from winter's cold touch. The weather slowly waxed into warmth, and though the reprieve was a needed for the cold-blooded, it was much too slow to come. Snow had only recently melted away, and but the trees remained bare that settled within the tight city pavement. Warmth gave way for several days, only to become bitter once more. An agonizing suffering that Espio had to endure as he forced himself through his daily job.
Though this was the slow season to many, but often times it garnered much business for Team Chaotix. Depressingly, it was often found that during the budding season of romance would come the souring souls searching for if their partner were cheating. Not a job that wasn't turned down (especially in their more-often-than-not dire looking bank account), but one duly , as Vector would rave, it wasn't like Team Chaotix to turn down helpless souls, and the crying tears would often provide even bigger payouts.
Scummy, sure. But money was money. And money provided a roof over their head and food in their belly. Espio supposed that was the way the die would fall.
It was here Espio sat within the mostly empty Chaotix Detective office pouring over such depressing studies. Photographs. Text messages. E-mails. Letters. A tiring study, but a job nonetheless. He was thankful that Vector and Charmy had gone out for the day to get groceries that Espio was left alone to review over the documents of the job that Vector had tossed him.
'Better for the ninja to deal with', he had said.
Espio supposed that it was true given his abilities to blend in, it wasn't a job that he was exactly keen to take.
A soft chime of a bell resounded through the empty office, and soon a sigh was followed from it as Espio looked up from the mindless drivel of paperwork. He rubbed his eyes as he looked towards the door to the main office room, and gave a hum of pleasure that Vector and Charmy's bombastic voices did not echo through the building. Most likely a customer to inquire the status of their job or someone else whom required their services. He sat quietly for a moment, contemplating whether or not to greet the stranger in the other room shuffling around. Forward facing roles were never Espio's strong suite, and though he would much prefer to ignore the potential client that entered, he could feel Vector's glare even from where he sat.
Besides, even if Espio wanted to turn the stranger away with silence, he couldn't let money fly out the door. Someone had to pay the heating bill.
Espio paused for a moment, collecting himself, before he stood from the chair. Slowly, he made his way towards the front office with slow but calculated steps. "Welcome to Team Chaotix," Espio began as he passed through the door. "Once we start a job, we finish a job. How can I help you today—." But before he could finish, a surprised but pleasant gasp escaped his lips upon catching whom had entered their office. He stopped in his steps, his mouth agape in confusion and welcomed surprise. "Silver!?"
"Espio!" Silver beamed as he bounded forward towards Espio. His arms swung open as he approached the chameleon and enveloped the other in a warm hug. "Long time no see. Or maybe it was just yesterday?" Silver gave a chuckle as he gathered Espio into a hug with that always warm smile.
Espio became flustered at the soft hug for a moment, but soon recovered to return the hug, albeit awkwardly. "S-Silver!" He drew back from Silver, giving his time-travelling friend a quick once over. "What do I owe the pleasure? I hope nothing dire has happened in your future and all is well. But I suppose if you are here, then something is amiss?" It was at once Espio's smile faded into a more serious and concerned look.
Silver, though, waved his hand back and forth, almost dismissing Espio's concerns. "Not quite. Yes, but also no."
Espio raised his brow at the vague reply, but Silver merely shrugged. "You are here for pleasure?"
"Business." Silver was quick to correct Espio. The hedgehog was quick to see Espio's worry, and once more gave the other a warm smile. "I promise it's not all bad. Actually, it's something you can help me with. Are you busy?"
Espio flicked his eyes towards the pile of paperwork left on the table in the front office. Though he was loathed to leave his work half finished, it wasn't often he was afforded a moment with his friend. Besides, perhaps after he had helped Silver for a moment, he would be able to spend some quality time with his companion outside of the usual world saving duties.
"I can afford a moment for you." Espio gave a small smile. "Let me close the office so we can have some privacy."
"Oh!" Silver looked at Espio with a small amount of shock. "I didn't realize you were working. You don't need to do that! It's not that world ending." The hedgehog trailed off as he watched Espio walk to the front door.
Espio gave a shrug as he flipped the flaying OPEN sign over to CLOSED. Even now he could feel the ire radiate from Vector. "I will always make time for you Silver. It is rare that we are able to speak, and rarer that I am able to enjoy your presence even if it is for business."
His hand lingered on the sign for a moment, pausing at his words. A blush rose from his cheeks for a moment as his heart skipped a beat before he quickly brushing the feeling aside.
What am I even implying here? It's just a visit. Nothing strange about it.
He turned to stare at Silver whom hardly thought anything of what Espio said. There was a relieved sigh from the chameleon before he beckoned the other further inside the office and into their hardly livable living quarters.
Silver gave a nod, following Espio into the back. It wasn't the first time that Silver had visited Team Chaotix, though on previous occasions it was much more chaotic before. World ending calamities where Silver had pushed himself to the brink and crashed on the barely held together couch or Espio's futon. Charmy bombarding the poor youth on questions of the future and what would become of it. The list of his visits could go on, but every time the hedgehog would always return to greet Espio with a hello and a bitter sweet goodbye.
"Tea?" Espio called as he walked towards the kitchen. He opened a cabinet, and shuffled around some items, searching for his well-hidden much-too-expensive tea. A small vice when no one was around.
"Yes, please!" Silver floated over towards Espio, taking a spot on top of the counter. "The tea you made a while ago was much better than the stuff Vector made." He stuck his tongue out, remembering the displeasure of the memory. "It tasted like the stuff we had during the Resistance. And that tasted better than whatever Vector made."
Espio gave a chuckle as he took some mugs out. "I keep my own tea well hidden from our collective stock. Unless it is his own coffee, Vector hardly buys more expensive foodstuff for others."
Before Espio could move to the kettle, the old dingy plastic pot became wrapped in cyan powers. Espio stopped short, watching as Silver traced his eyes to the sink and filled the kettle. It was strange to see Silver so relaxed. Even if he spoke of possible doom earlier, it seemed that the predicament wasn't as serious as Espio was led to believe.
"At least he buys good coffee," Silver hummed as he floated the kettle to the electric stand and turned it on. "Though I think I've drank enough of that stuff to be awake for two lives."
"You always did have a cup in your hand during the Resistance," Espio smirked. "Always had to drag you to bed myself."
"Not like Knuckles could type reports. And you weren't any help either." He gave Espio his own smirk, pointing a playful finger towards the other. "Always hand writing reports and everything."
"It is much quicker to." Espio shook his head as he leaned his back against the countertop. "Technology was never my strong suite. I much prefer espionage than sitting behind a computer and be on reporting duty."
Silver gave a hum of a reply, kicking his feet softly as he stared down at Espio with a gentle smile. Espio raised a brow, his heart beating faster once more, but quickly quelled the feeling as he turned towards the now boiling kettle to lift it and pour the water into the prepared mugs. Silver merely watched Espio pour the water, and leaned slightly forward propping his cheek on his hand as he stared down at his companion.
"Practice makes perfect. Isn't that what you always say?" Slowly, Silver floated down from the counter to stand beside Espio. He took in the aroma of the tea, a gentle hum escaping the hedgehog. "This smells so good. I can't wait to drink it!"
"It needs to seep for a few minutes." Espio chided softly. "But let us retire to my room and we can discuss the business that you have come here for." Before Espio could grab both the cups, Silver picked the two of them with his kinetic abilities. "Ah… Thank you."
Espio turned to lead Silver to his room. His own room was kept mostly empty save for a floor table and tatami pillows. His own bed, a large futon, had been rolled up and placed away to make more room in the cramped space. Tucked away in the corner, beside the closet, was his shamisen.
Silver was quick to enter Espio's room, the cups of tea trailing close behind him. He took a spot on one of Espio's pillows, and made himself comfortable as the cups of tea floated to rest softly against the table. Espio followed him, taking a seat beside Silver with a small smile. He tested the tea for a moment, before allowing himself a sip, for which Silver trailed closely behind with his own gluttonous gulp.
"Right," Silver sighed as he shuffled through the small bag he kept, licking his lips from the savor of the tea. It was only a moment later that Silver procured from the bag some paper. He looked it over a moment, before turning to Espio with curiosity in his face. "Did you send me this letter?"
In Silver's outstretched hand, he held an envelope that had seen better days. Torn, dirty, and shockingly old. Yet painted upon the front of the yellowed white envelope was black ink that named the recipient clear for anyone to see. Silver. In Japanese of course. To anyone unsuspecting, it may have been dismissed that anyone who knew the language wrote it for him. But for the young hedgehog, he only knew one person would write address a letter to him as such.
Espio stared at the envelope puzzled and took it in his hand to stare at it curiously. Though Espio was more accustomed to sending things via mail, he had no recollection of addressing one to Silver. At least, not in recent memory. Besides, it wasn't as if the hedgehog had a physical address. He just hoped to spot the other when he came. And most things were better said than written.
"No?" Espio looked up at Silver confused. "Where did you get this?"
"I found it in the future." Silver gave a nonchalant shrug. "I was looking through the library for something. I thought it was a fluke, but the writing matches yours."
Espio couldn't help but give a chuckle. "You can recognize my own handwriting?"
Silver gave a small smile, "You're the only person who would hand write your reports in the Resistance." He pointed at the letter, "I noticed you'd write my name like that when you'd rush to get something in on time." The smile turned into a playful smirk as Espio looked away with a flushed face.
"It is much easier to convey information in my own language." Espio gave a bit of a cough, trying to hide the embarrassment on his face. "But as for you… Do you make it a habit in bringing items back from the future?"
Silver shook his head, the playful expression being replaced with a much more serious one. "No. But if something is addressed to me then I can't ignore the possibility it might contain something important in keeping the future safe."
"That is why you came back?"
Silver nodded his head.
"What does it say?" Espio turned the envelope in his hand, opening the letter to glance the contents.
"I can't read it."
Espio paused momentarily, the paper half slide out of the envelope folded neatly and tight within. "Pardon?" He glanced at Silver with a raised brow.
"I can't read it," Silver reaffirmed. "It's not in English. It's why I came back to ask you directly about it. But… Um… Judging by the way you're looking at me, you hadn't even written this letter yet." Silver lifted his hand to rub the side of his head, a look of embarrassment crossed his face. "I guess that might complicate things for later."
Espio gave a shrug. Time wasn't really something that he had ever thought about, or really cared to think about too much. Things would happen, it would be collected in his journal or memory, and he might learn from a lesson borne from that memory. He understood that there had to be a certain obsession of time for a time traveler. What meaning would be brought from an interaction? How it would affect the future in a hundred or thousand years? But such fixation, Espio drew to understand, came an unhealthy mix of anxiety and worry.
"We can face that trail if it ever comes to that." Espio reached over towards Silver's hand giving it a gentle squeeze and a reassuring smile. When Silver looked up to share in the warmth, Espio was quick to look away with a blush. Quickly, he retracted his hand, realizing the touch given, and continued to take the letter from the envelope. "Um…" Espio gave a short cough, composing himself. "May I ask what has ailed the future this time to have you come back? Judging by how calm you are, it seems all is well."
Silver gave a heavy sigh, shaking his head back and forth. "I guess it is. There are… some problems. But nothing that can't be fixed myself. I was hoping that the letter has something important about what I could do to fix the problem."
Espio did not decide to press the issue further. Perhaps he might have been more worried, but he knew the future would be safe in Silver's hands.
Carefully, he opened the decrepit paper that practically fell apart in his hands. Slowly, Espio laid out the paper onto the table, placing several paperweights at the corner so that the entire piece was laid flat against the wood. The writing was his own. Masterful calligraphy in ink. If the contents of the letter spelled out a dire future, it would have been odd that it would be written out this way. The letter already looked more personal than a formal recounting of history to Silver.
"Hm-m-m-m." Espio hummed under his breath, his eyes carefully rolling over the calligraphy of his hand writing.
Silver watched Espio with bated breath. Eyes were wide and curious, awaiting to hear the contents of the letter that he had brought from the future. "Well?" Silver urged Espio as he sat beside him, pushing up against Espio with impatience.
"Patience, please." Espio chided as his eyes kept reading the paper.
There was an annoyed huff as Silver leaned back and watched as Espio read.
The contents of the letter were normal enough. But it only took several lines for the writing to become much more intimate. The blush slowly, but surely, rose over Espio's features and it didn't take long for him to become completely flustered by the contents of the letter. However, Silver sat beside his companion, unmoving and oblivious to what had Espio react in such a way.
"What?" Silver closer to Espio. "What's wrong?" Silver urged his friend as the chameleon drew a hand over his mouth with wide eyes. "What does it say? Is it bad?"
"N-No." Espio could not help but stutter at his response. He glanced towards Silver, then back to the letter. "It doesn't say anything of the sort…"
Silver stared at Espio suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at his companion. "Then what does it say?"
Espio remained silent. His lips curled inward for a moment, unsure whether to lie or not.
"It is just a letter thanking you."
"You're a terrible liar," Silver narrowed his eyes towards his friend.
"As are you," Espio attempted to point the conversation away from the letter.
"That's besides the point." Silver waved his hand back and forth, dismissing the comment. "What does the letter say? I don't understand why you're being so secretive."
A pout formed on Silver's face. And Espio couldn't help but think how cute it looked on his face. He quickly shook those thoughts out of his head, refocusing on the matter at hand. For a moment Espio wrestled with himself to determine what should be said about the letter. Though it was not a letter borne from his own present hand, it was a letter that Espio's future self had written in some capacity. But even if these words were spelled out for Espio, he couldn't be sure if that was what he truly felt. But even if he were to hide the contents from Silver, the other would, no doubt, find out at some point or another. Still, even as he sat here, eyes glancing over the contents, he could not deny that some part of him was envious that his own future self was able to muster up the courage to say what his current self could never.
His eyes flicked over to Silver's face. The hedgehog sat impatiently staring at Espio, waiting with an intense stare.
"It is… intimate."
Silver stared at Espio with a confused expression now. "Intimate?" he repeated the words. "What do you mean by that?"
Espio pressed his teeth together, attempting to calm himself to attempt to explain. But the blush only grew. He looked away from Silver, trying to hide himself from the gaze that was fixated on him.
"It's a… Urm…" Espio tried to speak the words, but it felt as though everything was becoming difficult to form. "A… A… Love letter…"
Silver sat, still expressionless on his face as the meaning of the word slowly became understood to him. It did not take long for a blush to rise over his own cheeks and for himself to become flustered. He drew back from the table and from Espio, shock now replacing all the emotions.
"A-A love letter?" Silver stammered as his back became ramrod straight as he stared at the blushing Espio. "To me!?" he practically yelled the words in both confusion and shock. "You wrote this?" Silver gestured to the letter.
"Technically," Espio mustered a joke. But the blush only grew as his eyes fluttered across the paper rereading it again.
There was a long-drawn-out silence. Silver stared from Espio, down towards the letter studying its features. He noted how expressive the ink was to match the supposed words. The quality of the paper that was barely held together. Then, his gaze shifted to Espio who avoided his gaze. The blush was intensely set on both their faces, and it was clear that the words that Espio read were genuine.
"Can… Can you tell me what you said?" Silver murmured, his gaze shifting away from Espio as he turned to stare at him.
"Huh?" Espio's eyes became wide, his face becoming even more red. "You want me to read it to you?"
Silver nodded his head.
Espio's mouth became dry as he stared from Silver then down towards the letter. His heart thumped hard against his chest and hands became suddenly clammy as his eyes glanced across the words that he had written with his own hands. There was no denying the signature that was carefully signed his own name, and even he could not deny the intense feelings that were settling deep within him.
Was this what he truly felt towards Silver?
He reached over to sip his tea, clearing his throat of the dryness that settled. Then, he regarded the letter once more and carefully leaned over it. At once, he reread the paper's contents, glancing towards Silver who evaded his gaze, then back to the letter.
And slowly he began to read what had been written to Silver:
Dear Silver,
It rains tonight. The clouds shroud the stars but the moon remains visible. Even on this cloudy day I can still see it above. I sometimes wonder if you still see this same half-moon as I do on this day.
I gaze into the half-moon and wonder: When will I ever see your sun-filled eyes once more? I sympathize with this moon, forever never having its other half both in body and in soul. The piece of me is gone and the sun that shines on me has disappeared. Your eyes gave me warmth. Your soul gave me happiness. My laughter has become hollow without you to listen to its mirth.
I gaze into the moon, and I wonder what fascination it holds. I see myself in this moon. And you: my sun. Bounded we are, only to meet once every several years in an eclipse. It is only when doom comes that we join, and happiness lay that we depart.
Do you stare at that moon and see my reflection within?
I envy you. That you can gaze to the moon and feel no pain. Whereas I cannot gaze to the sun, where you lay, and become blinded forever.
Perhaps one day I shall blind myself to be with you. For you have left me a beautifully tattered moon. Forever waiting for our eclipse once more. Should I see you again, I will devote myself to you, and let settle above you forever.
Espio.
Silver sat, his face in open shock as he watched Espio hide his face away from Silver once more.
The words were intensely intimate. Though translated the best he could, some phrases were lost in untranslatable double meanings, the core of the letter was spoken to Silver. For a moment, Espio couldn't believe that he was able to muster such intense feelings to write on paper, and briefly he wondered about his future self to feel the need to write such intense words for the other. Yet, even thinking back on the feelings that would come and go in the night, he sympathized with his future self.
"You… You feel that way about me?" Silver gasped as he stared at the letter, to Espio, then back to the letter. "But… But why?"
Espio shifted uncomfortably wrestling with his own emotions. It was complicated to explain. Even Espio himself didn't quite understand it himself since, it seemed, he had much time to grapple with those feelings when the letter was written versus now. Even if he wanted to reply as such, it was apparently obvious based on how his chest was tightening and the blush on his face was growing that he did feel some way for Silver.
Could this be love?
Espio tried to breath slowly out as he tried to relax his tensed body. He shifted side to side, trying to focus on Silver but barely having courage to stare at the hedgehog.
"You're an amazing person, Silver." Espio began, trying to maintain his voice. "Who wouldn't feel that way about you?"
He tried to be logical. But Silver's stare shifted to one of curiosity to intensity. He saw through the meaning of Espio's words and before Espio could evade the question Silver was quick to latch back onto the original question.
"But I don't care about other people. Why do you feel that way?" The question came off blunt, but it was painfully direct.
Espio drew back in surprise, at first. But forced himself to recollect himself. There was a bit of back and forth within himself, but eventually he closed his eyes and gave an exhale, centering himself. There was no use in evading the question when Silver would hunt down the truth.
And like Silver, Espio was a terrible liar.
But only for him.
It was for a moment that Espio wrestled himself with the truth that slowly dawned upon him from this letter. The feelings that have gone unrealized for so long, and the quips that Vector and Charmy would give slowly dawned in realization. How long had he denied himself the feelings that were so deep within him. So long that the emotion burst into a deep sense of longing, to produce this letter from the future, regaling the feelings never felt.
It was not unrequited love. It was love that he had forced himself to forget.
"All you care to do is to save the future. You are intense, brutally honest, but filled with hope for anyone and everything. Because I came to know you, I learned how much I take for granted and how much love I have for the world. It is commendable for anyone to teach another person hope, and I look up to you for who you are and what you have become." Espio shifted slightly, not reaching Silver's gaze. "You consider me your friend, but as I've come to know you, I think I have become to liken you more than just a companion."
Espio sighed a bit, relaxing himself now as the emotions fluttered out of his mouth. Silver stared, mystified.
"I think I love you."
There was that silence again. But it was not awkward, but crushing. Silver pulled back from the table for a moment, taking in the words that Espio had said. Espio chanced a glance towards Silver, watching how his face twisted and bent as he took in all the words and emotions of today.
But before Silver opened his mouth to reply, Espio was quick to speak: "I understand… that because you are a time traveler that this would be impossible for you. I do not want this to ruin our friendship, so if that is the case I can forget this ever happened for our sake—"
"No!" Silver stood suddenly.
Espio drew back in shock at the outburst.
"I-I mean…" Silver looked around flustered. "I don't want you to- I don't want us to—" He opened his mouth several times, trying to convey his own emotions.
Where Espio was calm and collected, Silver spoke without thinking. And Espio could see that on Silver's face as he stood fumbling with himself, searching for the right words. Slowly the shock on Espio's face slowly drew into a warm smile, and he could only help but think of how much he loved that in Silver.
You feel the same, don't you?
Espio stood, approaching Silver carefully. He rounded the table and slowly reached his hands out to gently take Silver's fidgeting fingers into his own. He needn't say a word, and carefully drew him into a hug. It wasn't long before Silver returned that same hug, clutching onto Espio and clasping onto him dearly.
"I don't know how I feel." Silver whispered as they held one another. "I just feel a lot for you."
"I do too." Espio smiled as he drew back and stared at Silver. "We don't need to call it anything. It can simply be just for us."
Some things were better off without labels. Without meaning. Without anything.
"What if I never come back?" Silver blurted out as he stared at Espio with a newfound sadness. "What if I—"
"I choose to stare into the sun and blind myself." Espio was quick to interrupt Silver before his thoughts spiraled. "If it comes to that, I can handle it myself."
But the sadness on Silver's face did not fade. He opened his mouth to reply once more. Before he could, Espio stepped forward again. He took Silver's hand and pressed his face to the hedgehog's lips in a chaste kiss. It was not one that lingered, nor a peck, but one that would eventually promise more. Silver stood stunned at what Espio had done, and slowly reached to touch his lips. Espio had hardly thought about what he had done before he had done it before, and his heart raced as the sensation was left on his lips. He only wanted more, but kept himself patient for Silver.
"I know what my decision will be," Espio gave a smile as his eyes glanced towards the letter. "I understand if you need more time to understand your own feelings, and I can wait." He reached over to clasp Silver's hands together in his once more. "However long it will take."
Silver stared at Espio once more. Before he opened his mouth to reply, a booming voice echoed through the building.
"Espio-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!"
The electrifying intensity of the emotions quickly disappeared as the voice reached Espio's ears. He turned towards the door, an annoyed sigh leaving him as he shook his head. Espio stepped away from Silver, but before he could reach the door to his room for damage control, Vector was quick to burst through the door.
"Espio!" Vector roared as he stared down at the other. "Closed!? Why are we closed!? Did the electricity go out? Are we getting evicted? I hope you got a good reason-!" Before Vector could finish his ranting and ravings, his eyes caught onto Silver who stood awkwardly in the middle of Espio's room.
"Have you never heard of knocking?" Espio sighed as he stared up at Vector.
"Oh." Vector relaxed his shoulders. "Silver. Didn't know you were in town."
Silver lifted himself from the ground, slowly floating beside Espio with a smile. "Just came for some services." Playfully, he bumped Espio's shoulders with his own, a small blush marking his face. "Espio was a big help."
Vector was quick to noticed the blush that marked Silver's face, and soon Espio's. "Oh-ho-ho-ho." Vector gave a wicked grin as he chuckled. "He is the best ninja in town, after all."
A nod in reply was given from Silver, the grin only growing. "I think he's the best detective here."
"I completely agree—Hey! Now wait a minute!" Vector huffed as Silver slowly floated past the large crocodile. "You really don't mean that, do you Silver!?" Vector turned, his hands on his hips as he frowned at Silver who still kept a large grin.
"Maybe," Silver gave a laugh. His eyes caught onto Espio's from behind Vector. His smile only widened as they locked eyes. "You don't mind if I borrow Espio for a little longer. Do you? I have a lot I want to talk to him about still."
Vector gave a sigh. Slowly he looked towards the piles of paper stacked on the dining room table, then back towards Espio who begun to slip past him. Even if Vector said no, Espio would leave regardless. It was only formality that Silver asked, and everyone knew this.
"Urgh…" Vector scratched his head as Espio moved towards Silver. "I guess…"
Silver beamed at Vector, quickly he bounded towards Espio and grasped his hand. Before Espio could react, Silver leaned forward and gave Espio his own chaste kiss. For a moment, Espio stood stunned, but slowly a wide grin reached his face. Vector stood stunned as well, but his mouth was kept open and suddenly speechless. Espio couldn't help but give a chuckle, trying to get a good look at Vector so he could remember this moment forever. Every sensation was warm and fuzzy, and he reveled in the feeling of this moment.
It felt so natural. So right. It was… perfect.
They were quick to depart before Vector stopped them and questioned them endlessly, and Espio bounded forward out the doors and beside Silver, hand in hand.
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Espio smiled at Silver as they walked together.
"Oh-h-h. Nothing, really." Silver smiled as he glanced towards Espio. The smile on his face was practically radiating. "I just wanted to look at the moon."
Espio cracked a grin as they walked. The chill of spring no longer a bother to him any longer. As beside him was the sun, and even as he stared at it, he couldn't help but be blinded by its majesty.