#it kinda became a combi of both 38 and 40 ^-^

[true-blue-sonic]

WAIT I MEANT TO SAY ESPILVER 38 ESPILVER 38 NOT 40 either or idm

38. …because they’re running out of time.

Espio hates to say that Eggman is right in anything, but the concept that they are about to be destroyed does seem rather likely with a giant, coiling sun sinking down towards the planet.

It's not real; it's even more twisted that they know it's an illusion, yet droplets of sweat have long gathered on Espio's brow and the chameleon's chest heaves at the oppressive heat in the air. No doubt that factoid will bring Eggman even more joy. Silver's much worse off with his long pelt, but it doesn't seem like the hedgehog noticed; he's madly discussing with Knuckles and Amy, after their pleas for their rookie to retreat and come back have fallen on deaf ears.

"It's all up to the rookie now," Silver speaks into the communicator, swallowing.

"The chances of success are miniscule. It's a desperate long-shot!" Tails' voice crackles from the radio, a wave of grim looks and gasps going through the assembled members of the Resistance. Amy whimpers, Knuckles tenses, and Espio can only grimace.

Checking if his own communicator is off and Silver has disconnected from the radio before saying anything Espio gestures for him to come over. His poor psychic is panting, Espio presumes from the stress and the heat alike. "Do you think he can...?" he murmurs, Silver's face twisting with worry... but a nod follows.

"Yes. I believe in him. We all do."

Espio does too. The awkward red wolf Knuckles had scrounged up from the streets somewhere has amassed quite an impressive record in three days' time.

And still, he can feel the heat of the sun scorching above them, the ball of fire slowly but surely sinking down onto the world and a splotch of red on Eggman's towel jumping ever closer.

"Where's Charmy," Espio whispers, a flicker of cyan directing him to Vector holding the bee close while glaring a hole in the army of Phantom Ruby clones lurking at the edge of the battlefield. At least they've relented in their attacking, though the chameleon figures Eggman mostly ordered that to ensure the Resistance ample time to wallow in their despair.

"Don't," Silver murmurs, their shoulders brushing together. "We must have faith, Espio."

"What chance do we have against that? What can de Rookie do?! Tails said the chances of success are miniscule!"

"Espio," his beloved whispers, pressing his head in the crook of the chameleon's shoulder. A purple arm slings around his body, holding him close; Espio doesn't care anymore who sees them like this, not with the air growing heavy and burning while the Resistance stands frozen and gaping at the sun above. "We gave it our all for so long. We must keep believing," Silver adds; and yet his eyes are wide, hands clinging onto Espio just a bit more tautly than normal.

Espio wants to say that he's right. He wants to trust Silver, to share in his faith that the rookie can somehow make things right. But the splotch of red on Eggman's tower has disappeared, and the sun has only grown larger.

"Silver."

The word slips past Espio's lips with surprising steadiness, the chameleon jolting at it as Silver perks up an ear. "I..." follows a whole lot more awkwardly, Espio's eyes trained somewhere between the sun and the ground. But they're running out of time, and he wants Silver to know...! "Thank you, for being at my side these past six months. You've been invaluable to the Resistance," he whispers; and after swallowing and tensing and deciding that if there's ever a moment to say this, it'd be now, he adds: "And to me. I don't know what I would have done without you here."

Silver nods shakily. "That... Yeah. Same. Thank you, Espio." And then he rams a kiss against Espio's muzzle that honestly hurts more than it is romantic, yet a watery smile forms on the chameleon's face at it all the same. His own kiss is light and gentle in return, Silver mumbling something back that he can't make out as their foreheads press together.

They stand like that, side-by-side, staring helplessly at the descending sun as Eggman cackles and counts down...

Until burning heat falls away into nothing and pleasant chill takes its place, until a canvas of coiling reds and yellows turns to stormy grey, until the sun has been replaced by a falling star of ruby. And as Knuckles cries out in surprise and the Resistance takes to cheering, Espio gladly grasps the chance for a better kiss this time, in the whirlpool of delight and stupor and Silver melting against him with a heave of relief that nearly knocks the both of them off their feet.

They made it.