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Vector was always so cheap, and Charmy was always so messy. This unique blend of two distinct personalities seemed to constitute the perfect environment for unwanted pests to take control over their shared office/home, effectively leaving them destitute for the weekend as the exterminators took over.
Frankly, Espio found it offensive how Vector wasn’t willing to invest in some mouse traps considering the state of the half dilapidated building and Charmy’s animal cracker residue. But he found it down right insulting that he was expected to sleep on a lazy boy at Vanilla’s house for the weekend as Vector got the couch and Charmy got cream’s bed as she was gracious enough to give it up.
He took pride in his lithe, noble physique. Being flexible was part of what made him such a great detective, after all. And it didn’t come from anywhere, he spent a generous amount of time practicing and perfecting the ancient art of meditation. But, he feared that a weekend’s sleep on an old, stiff recliner would reverse the effects of all his hard work and leave him with sore impliable muscles. The lazy boy was not even considered an option.
What was a chameleon to do? He didn’t have the cash to stay at a hotel and obviously Vanilla’s was out of the question. His mind suddenly drifted to his old pal Knuckles.
Espio felt he never had enough time around him. Their encounters were always short-lived; over before they could really start. Despite this fact, Knuckles with his strange ways and funny personality made him impossible to forget.
So Espio traveled out to Angel Island. It may have been a shot in the dark when taking into account Knuckles' reclusive propensities, but it was worth a try. They knew each other well enough to understand their mutual appreciation for solitude so Espio hoped this would be enough to grant him his temporary stay on the island. To sweeten the deal, the chameleon made a point to bring a fruit basket to show his cordiality.
“Awe dude, thanks so much!” Knuckles was surprisingly enthusiastic upon receiving this gift. Espio assumed, considering the richness of the fruits of this island, that he wouldn’t be impressed with his present. But, seeing as the echidna was all too willing to try them, he was proven to be wrong.
Espio cleared his throat, ready to make his proposal. “Actually, I was wondering if I could possibly stay here this weekend.”
To the chameleon’s delight, Knuckles agreed with a ‘sure’ and offered to set up a hammock claiming that “Old friends get special treatment.”
With the introduction of this hammock, Espio had assumed he’d been excused for the night. But that simply wasn’t the case as Knuckles had offered for him to share the fruit as he watched the master emerald in blissful silence. Couldn’t let a guest go hungry after all. But, even in all its palatable ripeness, Espio had found it would never compare to the sweetness of anything planted by the hands of the echidna.
That was only the first day. By the morning of the second, Knuckles had already given him a brief tour of the summery island, detailing his attentive, loving appreciation for the plant life that was native here. The detective couldn’t understand the notion that Knuckles was nothing but a vapid moron with a mind strictly inhibited by a tunnel vision only focused on the master emerald. Well he did understand practically everything there is to know about the emerald and its unique properties, in Espio’s eyes at least, it was criminally understated just how much he had to say about plant life and chaos energy.
There was something calming about seeing a guy in his unabating element. But what concerned Espio was how open the guardian was willing to be so open regarding the treasures here. Being a detective and seeing just how much you truly could find out about a person without their knowledge had encouraged Espio to become wary of who he confided in. In his observations of the other, he found that he was troubled with the thought that Knuckles' compassion left him vulnerable, so Espio had to ask. “What made you so willing to tell me all this?”
To that, Knuckles only wrapped a strong hand around Espio's upper back. “Because, you’re my friend. It’s just what friends do. I haven’t seen you around here much, figured you’d want a tour.” Espio couldn’t refute that point.
They had parted ways for a while, only for them to be reunited at nightfall. Espio wanted to ask Knuckles if the water was safe to drink, only to find him transfixed on the night sky atop the master emerald, sitting so very still. He appeared so pensive, it reminded him of the meticulously sculpted statues of old you may see in a museum.
It felt wrong to disturb him in this state. Espio knew better than anyone else it was an art to reach perfect serenity like this. Unfortunately for him, he was lost in the awkward purgatory where he stepped a bit too close to the other that it would be strange to suddenly leave. He decided it would be best to approach, seeing no better option.
“Would you mind if I join you?” A happy compromise really, given that he both didn’t want to disrupt him and didn’t want to simply stand there.
Knuckles opened his eyes, leaning up from his recumbent pose. “Yeah, no problem.” And he extended his hand out to the other allowing him a seat beside him on the emerald. Instantly, Espio was captured by the display above them.
“You don’t get views like this anywhere else…”
Knuckles mumbling snapped Espio back into reality. Up until this point, he hadn’t realized his mouth hung agape like a child as he was lost in his own personal reverie. It was embarrassing, especially considering how well he could usually maintain his poise. “Yeah…” Though the chameleon found it even more mortifying to find that he wasn’t thinking about the stars, but about this moment instead.
The next day, regretfully, the final day, Espio found it imperative that he take a personal detour to practice his meditation. Though his attempt to clear his head was quickly proven to be in vain as Knuckles approached him, waving earnestly as he continued toward the detective. “Are you meditating?”
Espio stretched, “I was looking for a spot, yes.”
“Oh!” Knuckles scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “Did I interrupt you?”
The detective made a conscious effort to quell the other’s sudden humility, putting on a soft smile. “Not at all, I haven’t gotten started yet.” And with that, he sat down, criss-cross, with his wrists at his knees. The furious storm of thoughts that seemed to consume him ever since he stepped foot on this island had started to dwindle only for a light thump to negate all his progress. He opened an eye to see the guardian attempt the same pose.
Espio had to stifle a giggle. He didn’t mean any malice, not at all. It was just that, Knuckles’ face was all scrunched up and serious, it was kind of adorable. “Let’s try some breathing exercises..”
Now here they were, sitting beside each other under a palm tree, hiding away from the intense sunlight. In only a few hours, Espio would be without any excuse to remain here and be forced to reunite with the rest of the Chaotix. He loved them like brothers, truly, but it was so wonderful to have another that could appreciate the sanctity of silence yet remain so spirited.
It was the breath of fresh air he didn’t know he needed. He figured, with such little time he had left, he might as well take advantage of it. He leaned back on Knuckles' shoulder, relaxing his weight onto him as he feigned exhaustion despite the fact that they had done nothing all day. He knew the echidna wouldn’t mind, he was great company after all. He liked Knuckles.
Wait, he likes Knuckles.