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Espio was on the Chaotix computer, there were several files that had disappeared and none of them knew why or how it happened, he was trying to find out the reason. While at it, Ray was out on a mission, Mighty was doing their monthly shopping, all the food and other things they'd use for the next month, Charmy was out, on patrol, and Vector was about to come back from a mission.
The chameleon was about to burst a few veins, he had spent the past fifteen hours examining the computer back and forth, and he still couldn't find a single hint of what had happened. Suddenly, the door opened, and Vector walked in, visibly exhausted and emotionally exhausted.
He waved at Espio and muttered a lazy “hi” while leaving a few bags on the floor, and then started walking to the bathroom to take a shower. Espio didn't wave back but did reply with an angry, rushed “hey” while slamming the keyboard and moving the mouse maniacally.
Twenty minutes later, Vector came back, and noticed he was stressed and about to send the computer out of the window. The crocodile knew him, he could read him like an open book, so he grabbed Espio by his waist and lifted him up, carrying him to the couch.
-What the heck are you doing!? —The chameleon complained— I'm still trying to figure out why the files disappeared!
-No, you've been sitting there for hours, right? —The crocodile asked, the other turned his head and started whistling innocently— Of course
-Those are important files —He tried escaping— I need to get them back no matter what
-How many hours has it been? —He slammed his face onto the couch, and sat next to him— Since you started looking for 'em?
-Like... —He paused, and hid his face by turning around— Fif... Fifteen hours...? —He said, giggling
-Sleep, now —Vector ordered— Close your eyes and shut your mouth
-Why? I'm not sleepy —He said, and immediately yawned— That wasn't a yawn
-Espio, remember what you promised —Vector softened his voice, grabbing the chameleon's hand— Do you?
-Of course I do... Remember... —He closed his eyes— Rest and sleep when necessary, and if you had to force me to, you would
-So you DO remember —He hugged him, surrounding his waist with his hands— Now, come on, sleep
-Alright, alright... —He got comfortable
After a couple of minutes, the chameleon was already asleep, while Vector watched the TV with a really low volume, so he wouldn't wake him up. Hours later, he started waking up little by little, when he was about to get up and go back to trying to find out what happened with the files on the computer, Charmy came through the door.
They made eye contact and the little bee tried to avoid looking at both of them, he said hello to both and tried going to his room as fast as he could, but Vector grabbed him, not letting him do what he wanted, he sat him down on the couch and they both started questioning him.
-Why are you so eager to go to your room? —The crocodile asked first
-Because I want to rest? —He replied, his voice shaking a little, Espio knew he was lying
-You know you can't lie, what's the actual reason? —He asked, his arms crossed
-I, well, umm... Eeehhhh —He tried to fly away, but Vector grabbed him, and at the same time, Mighty and Ray were back, watching from the door everything that was happening— VECTOR LET ME GO
-Why are you trying to escape!? What did you do now!? —Espio snatched him from the crocodile's hands and hugged him to his chest
-Listen, just tell us
-Promise you won't be mad?
-Promise
Ray and Mighty looked at each other for a second, he won't fulfill that promise. He never did.
-Ok... I, moved the files that "disappeared" to a USB and... Lost it in the kitchen... —Espio's smile widened creepily and he stared squeezing the bee
-Espio? —Vector asked, and then the chameleon aggressively sat Charmy down on the couch— Wow, wait! Calm down!
-I SPENT THE PAST FIFTEEN FUCKING HOURS LOOKING FOR THOSE STUPID FILES AND YOU TELL ME YOU MOVED THEM TO AN USB AND NOT ONLY DIDN'T TELL ANY OF US BUT YOU ALSO LOST IT IN THE KITCHEN!?
-You promised you wouldn't get mad! —The bee tried escaping but the crocodile grabbed his legs
-Hold on Charmy! First, you're grounded! Second, Espio was scolding you! —He sat the bee again
-Yeah, let's get past them, quickly —Ray suggested, he was helping Mighty with the groceries
-Smart —He replied, both walked past them as fast and as cautiously as they could so they wouldn’t get grounded by Espio as well.