Chapter Text
"¿Qué ocurre?"
-Eh, no es nada.
"Vamos, Silver, puedes decírmelo."
Espio sabía claramente que algo andaba mal. Normalmente, Silver decía las cosas sin rodeos, con brutal honestidad. Espio conocía bien a su amigo, y esto no era propio de él. Bajó la mirada, no sonrió y ni siquiera masticó ruidosamente como solía hacer, haciendo que pedazos de manzana volaran por todas partes.
"Sabes que puedes confiar en mí."
Ante sus palabras, el erizo suspiró y dejó la manzana que estaba comiendo. El camaleón dio un breve sorbo a su jugo.
—Está bien... es solo que Blaze se enfermó —dijo con la cabeza gacha.
"Ah, eso es", respondió el camaleón, esperando algo más serio. "Así que por eso no vino hoy. Pero puedes verla después de la escuela".
"Lo sé... Es que hoy es nuestro segundo mes", dijo el erizo albino con naturalidad.
Espio, que se consideraba tranquilo y serio, reaccionó de la forma menos esperada… escupió su jugo en la cara de su amigo como si fuera una manguera de bombero, con los ojos muy abiertos por la sorpresa, y luego se cayó de la silla de la forma más ruidosa posible.
"¡¿QUÉ?! ¿TÚ Y BLAZE ESTÁN SALIENDO?!"
Su grito resonó por toda la escuela, silenciando a todos. Muchos estudiantes se detuvieron a mirarlo fijamente. Al fondo, un erizo azul se atragantó con su perrito caliente con chile, mientras un equidna rojo le daba dinero a un murciélago. Incluso el conserje dejó caer su trapeador, en estado de shock, lo que desató una oleada de susurros.
Intentando levantarse con cierta gracia, Espio miró a su alrededor mientras casi todas las miradas se dirigían al erizo albino, que tenía la cara aplastada contra la mesa, intentando ocultar su intenso rubor. Su camisa, habitualmente desaliñada, estaba ahora aún más arrugada por la fuerza con la que tiraba de ella, y sus zapatos desgastados chirriaban por su inquietud.
—Yo... eh, lo siento... —murmuró, sintiendo como si su dignidad se hubiera derrumbado.
"…Olvídalo."
"¿Pero por qué no me lo dijiste? Somos mejores amigos."
"No pensé que fuera tan importante", dijo con indiferencia, evitando el contacto visual.
"Pero si tú—"
Una risa maniática estalló entre los susurros. Parecía una hiena con un ataque de asma. Claro, no era otro que el más molesto, arrogante y mentiroso de la clase. Se reía tan fuerte que se agarraba la barriga, y todos sintieron que algo iba a pasar.
¡Pffft! ¡Ni hablar! ¿El cubo de basura y la niña rica? ¿Qué sigue? ¿El conserje y la maestra?
"¡Oye!" gritó un cocodrilo mientras limpiaba el vómito de miel de un niño. "¡Eso podría pasar!"
El camaleón estuvo a punto de protestar, pero su amigo lo detuvo con un fuerte agarre. Se giró y vio que el erizo había levantado la cara de la mesa, con una expresión nada amigable.
"Espio, dame tu jugo..."
"Plata... creo..."
"Sólo dámelo."
And that’s how Silver ended up in the principal’s office, sitting next to the green hedgehog who irritated him just by breathing. They were both a mess, but at least Scourge looked worse.
"Silver, I’m disappointed..." were the principal's first words after a long awkward silence.
"What about me?"
"I don’t expect anything from you, Scourge."
"Whew, that’s a relief, old man. Can I go now?"
"Yes. Go," the older man replied with a frustrated sigh.
The room was now just Principal Gerald and Silver.
"They say you shoved a straw up his nose, then slapped him 25 times with a pizza, and the two of you wrecked half the cafeteria in the process."
"He started it. He’s a jerk."
"Yes, he is. But you, Silver… you're a good kid. Your grades are decent, your classmates and teachers like you. You’re the vice president of your class. You’re supposed to set an example, not the opposite." He paused and opened Silver’s file. "I’d say this is your first time in trouble… but it’s not. You’re not dumb, just incredibly impulsive."
"You wanted me to just let him insult me? Insult her?" the teen shot back, crossing his legs in frustration, his brow furrowed as he stared straight at the principal. "Call me whatever you want, but I don’t let people walk all over me."
The older man scratched his mustache thoughtfully, mulling over how stubborn this kid was, then gave a slight smile at his next thought.
"So this is all about your… 'friend,' huh?"
The blush exploded back onto Silver’s face. He scratched his chest nervously, trying not to make eye contact with the principal, his heart pounding like a freight train.
"So it’s true."
The boy just sighed in shame. Why was everyone at school so nosy? How was he going to explain this to Blaze?
"I’m sorry about what he said about your situation, Silver. It might not seem like it, but we’ll take care of it. Of course, you’ll get punished too, but believe me, his punishment will be far worse."
He knew what that meant. He was thinner than his classmates, rarely ate, and people compared his neighborhood to a post-apocalyptic setting. His clothes were far from new—and yet, he had gotten used to it all.
Was it really so surprising? He knew it was ironic that he was dating one of the richest girls in the city. They were opposites: she ate with elegance, he devoured food like a beast; she was reserved, he said whatever came to mind. Yet… he still wanted to be with her. She was unique—how deeply she could understand him, how she shared her fears, how they supported each other even before dating. They were always there for one another.
"It’s for her," he admitted shyly, quills drooping.
"Was all the chaos worth it?"
"Punching Scourge? Every second," he replied with a slight grin.
Finally, he was allowed to leave. On his way out, he saw several classmates waiting for him: Sonic leaning against the wall, Knuckles yawning nonstop, Amy grinning like a madwoman, and his best friend looking sincerely regretful.
"Don’t you guys have your own lives?" he sighed, then gave a small smile.
"Nope," said the blue hedgehog.
"Not at all," added the echidna.
"We came to say we’re happy for you and Blaze! We support you!" Amy said, whispering in his ear, "Actually, I knew all along—don’t tell her though, she thinks she fooled me."
"You never let any romance news escape, huh?"
"It’s my gift."
Knuckles gave the albino a pat on the back.
"Hey Silver, if you ever need advice—"
"Don’t listen to him, he’s whipped," Sonic said with a smirk.
"Whipped?! Your grandma’s whipped!"
The argument between the two made the group burst into laughter.
"And you? What are you doing here, Shadow?" asked Silver, noticing the black hedgehog lurking behind a column.
"I was leaving, but Amy wouldn’t let me."
"Liar, he stayed for the drama," said Sonic, making Shadow turn his back.
"Silver."
He turned to see Espio suddenly throwing himself on the ground, pressing his forehead to the pavement and clasping his hands like he was begging.
"Please forgive me for embarrassing you in front of everyone! I’ll do anything to make it up to you!"
Silver just sighed. His best friend could be so dramatic. Maybe too much anime had lobotomized his brain.
"It’s fine, it’s over. Get up," he said, offering his hand, which his friend took. "It had to come out eventually. If this is how it happened… so be it. Tomorrow’s a new day. It’s not the end of the world."
His mood had improved a lot. He was happy for the support.
"Oh, and guys… thanks for everything," he said with a small but radiant smile.
Amy couldn’t take it anymore and hugged him tightly.
"GROUP HUG!"
Sonic grinned and joined, followed by Espio, and finally Knuckles, who hugged everyone so hard their backs cracked.
It was obvious he was a professional hugger. All of this was watched by Shadow, who showed a small smile—mostly because Sonic looked like he was about to die.
"Knuckles… can’t breathe…"
"My ribs…"
"Grandma? Is that you…?"
"Oh, sorry! Got carried away," said the echidna, letting them go so they could catch their breath.
"Hey Knuckles, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, Silver."
---
**Later...**
"You know, Silver, I said I’d help you with anything, but… is this really necessary?" Espio asked nervously, wearing a steak costume while being sprayed with BBQ sauce by his friend.
"You’re the only one I could ask to do this," Silver replied calmly.
"This isn’t revenge for embarrassing you earlier, is it?"
"Come on, Espio. You’re my friend. I’d never put you in danger… except now… but you get it."
That didn’t help Espio’s anxiety. He turned to look at their destination: a ridiculously elegant mansion.
"Can’t you just ask permission to go in? Don’t her parents know you’re dating?"
"Eh… it’s complicated." Espio’s look didn’t help. "Okay, fine, they don’t. Actually… they hate me. But don’t worry, I know the place like the back of my hand."
The hedgehog pulled out a worn map with bite marks and burn holes.
"Remember, you’ll distract Pancake, Jelly, Cupcake, and Princess."
"Who are they?" Espio asked nervously, sensing doom.
"The guard dogs. If they catch you, just play dead. They’ll get bored. Except for Princess—you’ll have to rub her belly."
"How will I know which one is Princess?"
"You’ll know from the first bite."
Espio was now completely weirded out by how detailed this was.
"How long have you been doing this?"
"A few years. I’d do it myself, but I’m in a hurry today."
"You worry me..."
Silver scratched his quills, embarrassed. It was dumb how far Blaze’s parents had gone to keep them apart. If only they liked him a little... He shook the thought off. This wasn’t the time for drama. It was time for action.
"You’ll jump the fence, your scent will attract the dogs, and that gives me time to dodge the laser traps."
"THEY HAVE LASERS?!"
Silver pointed to a bird resting peacefully on a fountain. It was instantly vaporized by a laser beam.
"They really don’t like you..."
Silver glared at him.
"Sorry, sorry..."
"Anyway, you jump, distract the dogs, I sneak past the lasers and cameras, climb the tree, and get to her room. Don’t worry, I already told her I’m coming."
"And what about me?"
"You jump the fence again."
After that honest reply, all Espio could think was: *"I deserve this."*
"Alright, I’ll do it… to regain my honor," he said, trying to sound serious—though his steak costume didn’t help.
Right before jumping, the hedgehog stopped him.
"Espio?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for being my friend."
"Only for you, buddy… only for you."
Without further ado, the chameleon jumped over the fence, drawing the dogs’ attention as they started chasing him. Silver didn’t take long to seize the opportunity. Grabbing his backpack, he climbed over the mansion’s fence.
He could hear the barking echoing in the background. He was thankful for having such a good friend. After getting a few burns here and there, he managed to climb up the tree and sent a message to the feline letting her know he had arrived. She simply told him to come in.
Finalmente entró. Se escabulló con cautela a su habitación y la vio descansando en la cama, con la nariz mocosa, la cara enrojecida por la fiebre y el pelaje desordenado. Estaba envuelta en varias mantas y llevaba un pijama morado con ribetes dorados.
Aun así, no pudo evitar sentirse fascinado por ella; de alguna manera, siempre lo cautivaba. Sacó una sopa casera de su mochila y la colocó en una mesa cerca de su cama antes de sentarse a su lado.
“Hola”, saludó.
"Ey."
—Te ves horrible —dijo el erizo honestamente con una sonrisa.
—No más que tú —resopló el felino—. ¿Qué te pasó en el ojo? Está hinchado.
“Ah, me caí.”
“Plata… no me mientas.”
“Fue sólo una pelea, nada más”.
"¿Azotar?"
"¿Cómo lo supiste?"
Simplemente levantó su teléfono, aunque estaba boca abajo. Quizás la fiebre realmente la estaba afectando...
“Amy me contó todo después de clase”.
Se hizo un silencio entre ellos. El erizo sintió que la culpa le recorría todo el cuerpo.
“Perdón por hacer que toda la escuela se enterara…”
“Supongo que ya era hora.”
“Sí, yo también lo creo.”
“Aunque… hay muchas posibilidades de que la noticia llegue a mis padres y a los tuyos…”
—Mi vida les importa un bledo —interrumpió el albino, con evidente frustración—. Ah, lo siento. Pero en serio, ¿estás seguro? —preguntó preocupado, pues no quería acabar con una demanda o lo que sea que hagan los ricos para deshacerse de alguien.
“La gente es entrometida…”
“Cuéntamelo…”
Podía sentir la mirada de la felina fija en él. Sabía que estaba pensando en algo, eligiendo cuidadosamente sus palabras como siempre.
—Siento que estemos pasando nuestro... aniversario así —dijo en voz baja y ronca, evitando mirarlo a los ojos—. Quería que hoy fuera especial...
“Cada día contigo es especial.”
Lo dijo simplemente, sin saber el peso de sus palabras, simplemente diciendo lo que sentía su corazón, para bien o para mal.
“Realmente eres…”
“No lo digas…”
"A…"
“Vamos, lo dices todo el tiempo…”
Ingenua. Pero eso es lo que más me gusta de ti...
“Bueno, me gusta todo de ti…”
Tímidamente, se tomaron de la mano. Ninguno tenía experiencia en interacciones sociales, pero siempre encontraban la manera de expresarse.
Y bajo el esplendor de la noche, el erizo sacó varios cuadernos para mostrarle a Blaze todo lo que habían visto en clase. Su mirada se iluminó de felicidad. Entonces, le contó cómo había aprendido la receta de la sopa de cierto equidna para ayudarla a sentirse mejor.
Fue sencillo, sólo una conversación llena de anécdotas y una comida básica, pero para ellos fue un momento, un sentimiento… especial.