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"I don't see what you're so worried about, Chameleon. You've shown me them before."
Knuckles weaves a couple of the flowers he was gifted together, the process much easier without his mitts. He wouldn't usually take them off, but today was an important day, and he was determined to be as vulnerable as he could. At least around Espio.
Speaking of the Chameleon, he was currently holding a notebook in his hands, with a.. worried look on his face. Knuckles didn't like it, Espio made the expression way too much for his own good. The lack of self-esteem he had was concerning.
"..This is different. I'm not practicing, I want it to be good." Espio slumped back in the grass, letting out a sigh as he splayed out. Knuckles always thought of him as the dramatic type. Not as dramatic as.. say, Sonic, but his breed of drama was always more like that one show he watched. What was it called again? Something something Pasión, he thinks. Espio would probably like it.
"I think all of what you write is good."
"You laughed at me, last time."
"...I admit I did do that." But choosing to rhyme Bumblebee with Knee was a hilarious choice, anyone else would laugh too. Espio was a great comedian, in Knuckles' eyes. "But I won't laugh this time. You have my word." Knuckles pounded his chest twice for emphasis, swearing quietly when the flowers he was weaving began to unravel slightly. He needed to be careful with that.
"Ugh.. okay.. This one might be my best one yet." The Echidna didn't know how 'high of a bar' that was, but he imagined he'd be able to step over it if it was real. Maybe he'd see if he could get his brother's to trip over it. Maybe he'd be able to get Sonic stuck in The Tree again.. that was definitely a plan for later.
He focused when Espio sat up, holding onto the notebook tightly and already focused on some page. The Chameleon must've rehearsed this, then. Impressive, but he was much more curious to hear whatever material he had. After a few deep breaths, and many failed attempts to start, Espio coughed, giving himself enough room to speak
• • •
I've seen many things in my lifetime.
I've seen a dark sky littered with more moons than life,
I've seen destroyed cities, the air forever tainted with black from smoke.
I've seen endless and bloody carnage that seeps deep and taints even the fondest of souls,
I've seen blackened and harden evil that craves nothing but selfish pleasure.
I've seen new people.
I've seen purity in it's most beautiful and youthful form,
I've seen life in places I only sought damnation.
I've started a new world and new beginnings.
I know what love is now.
I'm content.
• • •
"Hm.." Espio shut the notebook quickly, as if someone could have possibly sneaked up on them and read it. The Chameleon was.. pinker than usual. Embarrassed. Knuckles briefly mourned the fact he didn't wear his contacts before thinking back on the actual poem. "That was... a poem? Don't they require rhyming?" Espio shook his head.
"No.. freeform exists too, where you let the words speak for themselves. I.. the rhymes weren't working out, so I decided something new would be interesting." Knuckles hummed softly again, considering what he heard before chuckling softly. Better than Bumblebee, Knee. That's for sure.
"It's definitely interesting."
"That's just how you say it's bad without saying it's bad!"
"Why would I do that? If I hated it, I would say so, I have no reason to hide my distaste." Knuckles clicked his tongue. Espio has been on this planet much longer than he has, it seemed even with the the Chameleon's lack of knowledge, he still knew much more about Earth culture than Knuckles did.
"It's not good, but I like it." Espio let out a sigh at that, and Knuckles knew just the thing to lift his spirits. Once he had the last flower tightened, he handed over his new flower masterpiece to the Mobian next to him, watching excitedly as Espio grabbed it. "You not only have much more room to improve, Chameleon, but also the time to do it. Do not be disheartened by the fact you're not a master yet. You'll get there eventually, like any other warrior does."
Espio gazed at the intricately weaved flowers. Decent, but not perfect. Not masterful. But no less beautiful than the one across from them. "Well, I suppose you're right." They slipped it right over their hand, admiring the design of the bracelet for another few seconds. "..The affection I feel towards you is immense."
Knuckles just laughed. "Mutual."
• • •
"Oh, I made some for Charlemagne and The Crocodile as well."
"...His name is Charmy."
"Is it? I thought it was Vector."
"Knuckles."