Chapter Text
When Espio awoke that morning, he already knew there was something off. He looked at his alarm and shot up in alarm; it was already 9am! He got dressed and hurried downstairs to find Vanilla already making breakfast for everyone, which he supposed was alright, as he didn't want Charmy or Vector to go hungry for very long. After eating, he left to shower and freshen up, and when he came back downstairs, Vanilla had already cleaned the kitchen, which irked him a little. He went to his tree to meditate and find out what was wrong with today. After an hour, he failed to reach inner peace and walked inside to sort and file their cases, only to realize they were already done. Vanilla was sitting at his desk, on the phone with a client regarding today's case. Soon they were piled in the car, with Vanilla sitting shotgun and he and Charmy sitting in the back. When they arrived, Vector kept speculating on what the case was about, and when he went to inform him to speak to the client, Vanilla had beaten him to it. The case was fairly straightforward, but every time he was about to take a step forward to progress the case, Vanilla was always one step ahead of him. The case was soon wrapped up, and they collected their fee from the client. Vector congratulated Vanilla and Charmy on a job well done, and it was time to head home and relax. He stopped and tried to persuade himself that nothing was wrong, and he was probably just being paranoid, but when he went back to walking to the car, Vector and the rest were already driving away back to the Agency.
He couldn't believe it! They left him behind!!! Didn't anybody realize he wasn't in the car with them? Did they even care? It was a 4-hour walk back to Seaside City; he could have shortened it if he had ran, but he wasn't in the current mood, so he decided to begin his trek back home. Maybe they would realize their mistake and turn around, but as he continued walking, he came to terms with the fact that that wasn't happening. As he came up to the house, the sun was already setting, the car was still in the driveway, and upon walking inside, nobody even glanced up at him or acknowledged that another person had walked into the agency; with Charmy watching TV, Vector reading one of his detective books, and Vanilla flipping through a magazine while still sitting at his desk. He decided to go upstairs to take a shower and try to rinse away the day's bad karma. Entering his room, he asked himself if he really was invisible to everybody, or if he packed up and left right now, how long would it actually take them to realize he was gone? He didn't feel like bringing it up to Vector, as Charmy would just fly over and give a lame excuse, and then they would laugh at his expense about something else. With that, he packed up his items, left a note in case they did come looking for him, then climbed out the window and began walking away, trying to put as much distance between himself and the Agency as possible.
He figured he would stay with Sonic and Tails in Mystic Ruins, and they had a spare bedroom available where he could stay; he would just need to inform them not to reach out to the Chaotix, as he would reach out to them when he was ready, and with another 3-hour trek to his destination, he decided to take the scenic route and find out what all he has been missing with being couped up in the office and working.
With a loud yawn, Vector got up from his chair, turned off the TV, and told Charmy to find Espio and ask him for help getting ready for bed. Charmy flew up the stairs and knocked on the door, asking his older brother for help. Upon no answer, Charmy knocked again before slowly opening the door, not realizing just how empty the room was now, and flying around, he spotted the note. After reading it, he let out a scream before flying back downstairs to show Vector.
"Chaotix,"
"If you are reading this, then I have already left. Due to recent events, it has become apparent that I am no longer the valued member I previously believed. I will be walking away, with my dignity intact, before you come to your senses and tarnish it. Do not look for me, for I will not be found. Please comfort Charmy for he will not understand."
"- Espio"
The Crocodile's jaw dropped, he didn't understand what could have brought this on. He had the other two help him put together today's events and find out if they missed something. Espio had slept in later than usual, but he joined them for breakfast, which he would normally prepare for them before Vanilla stepped forward and made it herself. He went out to meditate as usual, leading Vanilla to answer the phone and document today's case. They had all gone down to solve the case, but what happened then? "Charmy? Did you see Espio after the case?" Vector asked the Bee, suddenly, shocking the two, and quickly started thinking about that point in the day.
"I remember he sat next to me on the way down to the Client, but I don't recall him next to me on the way back. He usually sits up front with you," Charmy answered.
Vector remembered somebody was sitting up front with him, before remembering it was Vanilla. It's always been the three of them, still getting used to a fourth with the adult rabbit joining them, so when he counted three in the car, he thought nothing of it when they proceeded back home. 'Did they leave him back at the Client's location? How long has it been since they got back home? Obviously, Espio made it home if he left the note, but when did he get back? Did he walk?' Too many questions needed answers, but the biggest one was 'Where had he disappeared off to?' Quickly, he told Vanilla to start calling their friends and see if they have seen or if they could keep an eye out for the Ninja and let them know of their findings. He grabbed Charmy and got in the car before driving around to see if they could find him along the road.
Shadow was at home reading his book when his phone started ringing. He bookmarked his page before answering. "Hello, this is Shadow. Wait - What? - Vanilla, slow down and try that again. What do you mean Espio is gone? When did you last see him? How long ago was that?" He was not pleased with the answers to his questions; Espio left a note, and they took a case for a client, around midday? It was already dark outside! "Ok, I'll keep an eye out, thank you for informing me." Shadow hung up the phone. Usually, finding people was easy for Shadow, but this is Espio they're talking about; nobody would be able to find him if he didn't want to be found, but Shadow wasn't giving up that easily. He knew the Chameleon liked calm, quiet places as it helps him meditate, and he would have to pass by Central City at some point, so thinking of such places around his apartment, as well as his few favorite places, he grabbed his Chaos Emerald and disappeared.
Shadow arrived at a field of flowers along a cliff outside the city, and after doing an initial scan and not finding anything, he started skating off for the missing reptile. After 30 minutes of traveling around the area, he spotted something purple, and upon approaching it, found Espio passed out on the ground. Shadow immediately dropped next to him and quickly checked his pulse and breathing. Finding both good, he released the breath he didn't realize he was holding before cradling him in his arms and teleporting back to his apartment. He laid the Chameleon on the couch before examining the other's body for injuries, and upon finding none, left to fill up the bathtub and stopped in the kitchen for a glass of water before going back to the living room to try to wake his guest up.
Espio groaned while slowly opening his eyes and was shocked to see Shadow kneeling in front of him. Before he could question him on what was going on, a glass of water was brought in front of his face, causing him to give a small thanks and drink it all as he was parched. Shadow then helped him stand up from the couch and led him to the bathroom where he was sat down on the side of the tub as the Hedgehog turned the water off and tasked him with taking a bath and relax and they can talk afterwards before heading out of the bathroom, but not before taking one more glance at the Chameleon, "Let me know if you need anything" he said, before leaving the bathroom door open a crack.
After getting freshened up and back on the couch in the living room, Shadow came out of the kitchen with some tea for them, which he was appreciative of. After downing their first cup and refilling the second, Shadow began asking him questions about what happened, which he couldn't find himself trying to deflect or lie about. He told him about everything that happened, hoping he really wasn't being paranoid or the other talking down to him for overthinking everything. Surprisingly, Shadow listened very intently to what he was saying and never once interrupted him, so he could get all of his frustrations out. Once he was done, he took a hesitant drink of his tea while the Hedgehog processed everything he told him.
"Espio, firstly, I want to thank you for talking to me about this. I know it wasn't easy, especially since you prefer to downplay your grievances. You have a right to be concerned about how you are treated by your team, and when I was informed of your disappearance, I was upset with the answers I was given to my questions, and I was right to be as the retelling of your day justified that. I will not inform the Chaotix of your whereabouts, but I would like you to stay here. I have a spare bedroom that you may use for however long you wish. We are both quiet individuals, and although I do enjoy my privacy, I know you do too, which tells me that we will be able to coexist without bumping heads, unlike a certain blue Hedgehog we are well accustomed to."
"Funny you should bring up Sonic, I was actually heading over there to stay," Espio chuckled. "Of course, he was not aware of my intentions in the matter, but when did you get informed of my disappearance?"
"About an hour ago?" Shadow responded, causing Espio to furrow his brow. "When did you leave the Agency?" Shadow knew he wasn't going to like the answer.
"About 2 hours ago, 3 now, I guess. I'm not overreacting or being paranoid about this, right? You do believe me when I told you something was wrong? I never oversleep, I don't even care that Vector didn't congratulate me like he did the others, not like I did anything to be congratulated for anyway." Espio grumbled that last part.
"No, you are justified in your actions, and yes, I do believe you. Don't worry, let's get you set up in your room, and tomorrow you can join me at work, perhaps we can do something there to help improve your mood. And once you are comfortable with returning to the Chaotix, if ever, I will be with you every step of the way." Shadow smiled at him.
"Why are you being so nice to me, of all people? We've only had a handful of interactions, and I'm not anybody special." Espio queried.
"You are special, to me at least. Nobody, especially you, should have to deal with what you've gone through. And why? Well, I've kind of had a crush on you for the longest time, but if you don't feel the same, then that's fine. Just being able to help you regain your sense of peace and self-worth is more than enough for me." Shadow said, looking away bashfully.
"I've kind of had a crush on you, too. I just didn't try to pursue anything since you know, you're the Ultimate Lifeform, and I'm a detective struggling to make rent. But I do believe a good night's rest is in order. Perhaps we can address this again at a later date, maybe when I've calmed down." He explained.
"Ah, I'm glad, and no worries, come on," Shadow said, leading the way. The room was bare, save for a furnished twin bed, nightstand, and dresser. "The bathroom is across the hall from you, and my room is further down to the left, in case you need anything. Good night, Espio, I'm glad I was able to find you and that you were unharmed." Shadow said before closing the door.
With one last look around, Espio began putting his stuff in the drawers, and his weapons along the nightstand, and then, climbing into bed, he quickly curled up on his side and fell asleep.