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Espio watched in awe as the machine dispensed hundreds of tickets. Silver nonchalantly waited for the process to end before ripping off the end and throwing the bunch in his bag.
“I will never understand how you do that,” Espio stated, still fixated on his friend’s almost-full tote.
“I’m just better than you,” Silver joked.
Espio rolled his eyes back with a hint of playfulness. “Come on, let’s go cash out.”
The two boys combined their tickets into one slip and walked over to the arcade’s counter. Thanks to Silver (mostly), they had six thousand tickets, a new record between the two. While they could’ve exchanged for a rare prize, they instead opted for an overload of sugary candies, much to Silver’s pleasure. Espio doesn’t even eat candy like that, but Silver did, and if it made Silver happy, Espio was willing to pool his tickets for the greater good.
As they exited the arcade, Espio savored every moment of the feeling of transitioning from the air conditioned interior to the warm summer air. The entire aesthetic of summer was easily one of Espio’s favorite things in life. He always felt so happy this time of year, and each time it made him feel like a kid again without fail. For him, the only thing that makes summer just that more euphoric is having Silver by his side.
“Hey Espio, what time is it?” Silver asked.
“Uh, almost seven,” Espio noted. “Why what’s up? You wanna grab dinner?”
“We could do that,” Silver said, “Or…” he slowly turned towards Espio, “we could get ice cream and sit on the beach.”
The answer was obvious to him. “Okay, let’s do that.”
The two boys walked to the beachfront ice cream shop, which was about a two minute walk from the arcade. The temperature was perfect, and Espio still held onto the feeling. He looked past Silver’s quills at the kids on bicycles and up to see seagulls decorating the orange sky. It was like paradise, and before he knew it, they were at the shop.
Silver whispered to Espio, “I’m surprised the line is this short, usually the entire Station Square population is here.” Espio chuckled softly.
He got up to the counter. “Hi, can I get a medium apple flavored bowl with caramel drizzle and rainbow sprinkles please?”
The fox behind the counter nodded at Silver and then turned to Espio for his order. His voice was soft, “Small vanilla… one scoop in a bowl."
The pair moved off to the side to wait and as usual, Silver immediately started making fun of Espio for his boring order. It was his usual so Espio just ignored his playful remarks until their order was ready. Silver eventually went to find a seat on the stone path overlooking the shore. When the ice cream was ready, Espio brought them over.
The chameleon sat across from Silver. Appearance wise, they looked so different, yet their colors went well together. None of that mattered, though. They were the best of friends… and that was the problem.
Espio watched as Silver ate his ice cream. He looked so happy, so blissful—the way his eyes sparkled. The way the ocean reflected in them when he turned to the side. The way he smiled when he took a bite. How happy he looked when he talked so fast his words blended together, and especially when that enthusiasm turned to nervousness as he thought he overstayed his verbal welcome. Espio always loved to reassure him, and he found his nervous state cute.
“Silver,” Espio began, but immediately stopped. Why was he nervous? Was he really
about to confess right here, right now? It seemed like a better time than ever—a hot summer night in the middle of July. It was just him, Silver, and the perfect environment. He had to swallow his pride and just do it.
“Yeah? What’s up?” Silver asked.
“I… like spending time with you like this,” Espio admitted. That’s it, Espio. Ease into it.
“Well, I like spending time with you too!” Silver smiled, cheery as ever.
Espio looked down. “Can I tell you something?”
“Sure, anything,” Silver casually allowed, not expecting what was coming.
Dropping his voice barely above a whisper, Espio just went for it. “I think I… no, I like you.”
“What?”
“I like you, Silver,” Espio confessed louder, looking up this time and meeting his golden gaze. “I really like you.”
“OH! Wow…” he was taken aback. “You really mean it? Like, romantically-like?”
Espio nodded firmly, and Silver’s smile turned even more wide.
“You know, I always had a feeling you did.”
“R-really?” Espio stuttered. He never stuttered.
“Mhm,” Silver confirmed. “But if you’re wondering if your feelings are returned…” Silver drew out the last syllable for suspense, “trust me, they are, and I’m so glad you finally said something.”
The chameleon’s eyes widened, and that just made Silver chuckle. Suddenly, Silver took Espio’s hands in his, and a spark ignited within him at the contact. “Do… should we, uh…”
Espio knew exactly what Silver was debating, and considering that he already took a risk tonight, what harm is another one? He answered for Silver as he leaned across the table and kissed the hedgehog on the lips. It was delicate and quick, but he poured all his affection into it. Silver did the exact same back.
When they pulled away, they were both a blushing mess.
“You know, Charmy always asks me if we kissed every time I get back from hanging out with you,” Espio admitted, looking away shyly.
Silver smirked. “Well, now you can actually tell him you have a boyfriend.” It took Silver a moment to realize what he just said. He actually has a boyfriend now! “Wow…” he murmured to himself.
Espio finished his last bite of ice cream and set the bowl aside. “Hey… do you want to end the day off by playing some mini golf? The course is just a short walk away.”
“You mean the one game you can actually beat me at?”
Espio smiled. “It’s a game of skill and calculation.”
“It’s mini-golf,” Silver insisted, playfully arguing, “learn how to have fun!”
Espio just shook his head, taking Silver’s empty bowl and throwing it away for him. “C’mon, let’s go.”