#Espio does not seem like the type to really marvel all mouth agape when there is an emergency going on around him haha

[true-blue-sonic]

I was honestly so excited to see the new flufftober update when I refreshed AO3 today but wHEN I SAW IT HAD SUPER SILVER TOO that was another burst of excitement cause I love him so much

I kinda wonder; what do you think would be Espio's reaction to seeing Super Silver for the first time, and what circumstances would that "first time" happen in? Cause on one hand I'd imagine Espio would find the super form to be very alluring but on the other hand if they're in the middle of a battle he's not just gonna pause mid-fight just to marvel at his pretty boyfriend

I'm happy to hear you liked it!💕 I'm quite fond of Super Silver too; there's something about his design, the fact that his two largest quills and tuft of fur on his back raise up and his PK and said tuft become golden, that I find very appealing. Especially the fact his neck floof changes colour and rises up on his back really nicely separates him from the other two Super forms, in my opinion! And I really like the Shield of Light; not only the name, but also that it is something protective and used for defense. To me, in a way, it links towards Silver's ultimate goal being protecting others.

As for Espio and Silver's first time turning Super, I think it would be interesting if Silver actually does not know he can turn Super until that moment. Sonic might have elaborated about turning Super before in a recollection of his grand adventures, and then likely also mentioned Shadow can do the same, but I doubt Silver would immediately be incentivised to try it out himself. After all, the might of the Chaos Emerald is no plaything... but Espio can easily see he does wonder what it would be like if he could, haha! Just very innocently daydreaming about turning gold and having his powers be infinitely more strong, like a kid imagining themselves to be a superhero. It's cute to look at, but both Silver and Espio know to not go search for answers until the time is there.

And then one day things go completely to hell, like they tend to do in Sonic's world with a bit of help from Eggman. Everyone gathers the Chaos Emeralds to have a fighting chance, and Sonic turns Super to fight Eggman off; and I like to think that Silver does the same by sheer accident. I headcanon the Emeralds have a level of sentience and can reach out to people, and thus as Silver is studying them, he cannot shake the feeling he needs to get closer. Espio asks what he is doing, easily noticing that Silver is acting very off and almost like he is possessed. But by that point Silver has already reached out to the Emeralds, and Espio can only stare in shock as light engulfs him and Super Silver is revealed from there. All in all I think Espio might not be too startled once the initial surprise wears off; he can reason what happened to Silver because he knows Super Sonic is a thing, and I figure he always had a feeling it would not be odd if Silver with his PK is similarly attuned to the Emeralds to allow for such a transformation. And I like to think that turning Super comes with a sense of knowing what to do and a feeling everything will turn out okay, because they embody such positive emotions. So for Silver everything kind of 'falls into place' when turning Super, and he easily helps turn the tide of the battle after assuring Espio he is alright. If the situation allows for it Espio might catch himself marvelling a little bit, though he's got enough personal restraint to keep his head in the game and not get distracted. It would be a shame if he suffered injury while Super Silver is being all awesome and heroic, after all.

....And then the battle is won and Super Silver can depower, and because it was his first time, he basically collapses from dual exhaustion (the fight itself and the excitement around turning Super) into Espio's arms <3 <3 Espio will carry him to bed, where Silver sleeps for like a good twenty hours straight before waking up somewhat disoriented! But he's got Espio at his side to give him some water and food and fill him in on everything that has happened. Silver can dive further into what it felt like, but I think he quickly concedes turning Super is best kept only for emergencies, considering the strain it does put on him. But luckily Espio's got plenty of memories to marvel at mentally until the next time his beloved needs to turn Super! <3