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Espio made his side of the double bed this morning, as he did every day, at the same time as always. Neat as a pin, with the undersheet folded over the pillow to keep it clean. The other side of the bed, was carefully crumpled, just as Silver had left it.
He washed and ate breakfast alone, taking the cat-mug from the draining board, left its mousey partner, and made tea for one. He sat in the chair opposite the door and read the paper, filling out the crossword in number order exactly. When he had finished, he washed both Cat and Mouse mugs, so that they could dry together on the draining board, and the mouse one wouldn't become dusty.
Nothing was allowed to become dirty or shabby with time. Not the unused bedside table, nor the drawers that were empty, save for spare paw-shaped socks and some crumpled wrappers. He reached the highest shelves not with a psychokinetic glow, but by climbing the cabinets, ensuring that everything stayed as it was. He even washed the sheets with the utmost care, drying the bedding on the same day, and keeping the duvet-wrinkle just as it had been left.
Espio never knew when Silver would get back, so he never let the signs of him fade from his studio flat. Silver's slippers remained discarded in the hall - one upturned about a foot from the other, so Espio had to step over them every day. Silver's favourite snacks were kept in stock, and replaced with in date ones every month. Silver's toothbrush was covered, left askew on the side, only gently lifted to be cleaned around. Anyone who visited would be absolutely certain that someone else lived here sometimes, and they were oh-so-very missed in every speck of the little apartment.
Espio didn't know that today would be the day Silver returned.
Silver never stayed the same: this time he returned with a cracked tooth, half his fur scraped off on one side, and a new hacking cough from poisonous plant seeds filling the air. But he did remember to appear in the doorstep, not randomly in Espio's living room, and to knock on the door politely before flopping onto Espio.
"Hey! I missed you so, so, so-" He started coughing too hard to finish his sentence. He was carried to the sofa before he finished choking.
Whenever Silver came back to Espio's time, he felt like he slotted straight back in, like a cog in a machine that churned his heart to butter as he dissolved into the squashy sofa with the blankets askew, and was happy to be forced to stay in, eat dinner, 'For God's Sake, Rest', before he could go about fixing the problem. He made so many fewer mistakes this way, and got in far fewer fights. Espio's TV Recommendations remembered where they were on Silver's favourite historical drama, and the bagged popcorn tasted just like it always did. They cuddled on the sofa, Silver dozing on Espio's chest, until neither of them could pretend they were awake anymore.
"Di' I tell you they got teeth?" Silver yawned, staggering to the bathroom.
"You did, and they grew up through the pipes?"
"Oh yea'. Sorry..."
Silver tapped at his face, and looked around for his toothbrush. A neuron must have misfired, because he was sure that was exactly where he'd left it last time he was here; hanging on one tap-handle on the sink.
"Have you cleaned since I was last here?" Silver scratched his dirty fur, then supposed he should jump in the shower. Espio poked his head around the doorframe and frowned.
"Obviously. Why? Where is the dirt?"
"Nowhere! It's just-" Silver gestured to the toothbrush, and started the hot water in the shower. It was too hot for Espio, but the dial was exactly where Silver liked it. His soaps - purple shampoo, quill conditioner, and a coarse bristle brush - were also carefully unbalanced in the basket.
"Is there something missing? I'll help you find it."
"No, nothing's missing!" Silver laughed slightly as he soaked his fur; "Everything is exactly in the same place! How do you do that?"
Espio quickly looked away from Silver to brush his teeth. Silver watched as he used the other handle of the tap, meaning only used hot water on his hands and toothbrush.
"I's no' har'" He said through a mouthful of toothpaste. Silver flicked water on him from the shower until he retreated.
As he shuffled to the bedroom, he noticed his slippers, kicked in front of the door, and tutted.
"You are so-"
Espio looked up from his book, face as plain as it always was but with a soft caste of anxiety.
"...So?"
Silver shuffled round through the small space, was about to get in, when he noticed the carefully crumpled pillow and duvet.
"Sweet. You are so sweet." he sighed, climbing into the bed and curling around him.
Espio's tail wrapped over Silver's back, as he bookmarked his page and flicked the light off, ready to sleep well for the first night in a month, despite Silver's new wheezy snore.
He was drifting off when Silver's lips pressed to his cheek, and rolled him over slightly to lay on him.
"Espio?" He whispered.
"Yes?"
"I don't want you to live in a shrine to me."
Espio kept his eyes closed, and flopped back onto the bed properly.
"I don't."
Silver shuffled back in to be as close as he could.
"You promise?"
"I promise." Espio whispered, and took the hand from his chest to kiss; "I just like seeing your things around. It's nice to feel like you're here."
"Okay. If you're sure."
Silver sighed heavily, his lungs rasping and gaptooth whistling.
"It's okay for you to change too, y'know. God knows I can't help it."
After a minute, Espio rolled over and cosied into Silver's neck.
"But I can help it."
Silver grunted slightly, enjoying the cool pressure of Espio's horn on his forehead.
"Okay, but you don't have to. I don't really care about the house. It's your house, so that's where I wanna come back."