espio prime

deaf?

requested by MissTrypophobia

COVID 19 

A pandemic that affected the entire world 

a deadly virus that attacked the lungs and targeted all, both the naive and the knowing 

Mobius took action immediately 

they ensured individuals stayed 2 meters away, washed their hands regularly and wore a face mask everywhere 

thanks to their quick thinking it wasn't long until the restrictions were soon beginning to ease

friends and family were now able to meet with people in parks up to 6 people 

sonic and tails (who were a bubble in their own) decided to meet up with the chaotixs and knuckles (who was a pro at self-isolation but did need the social interaction) 

"hey, guys! long time no see" Sonic said as a group of familiar individuals made their ways to them 

"hey sonic, sorry we're a little late, someone was trying to get out of it" vector said as he and his group were 2 meters away from the blue blur and yellow fox 

"now knux, you can't be that upset seeing me" sonic laughed at the echidna who had joined the chaotixs on their journey 

"he isn't talking about me," knuckles said as a matter of factly  

sonic looked confused before seeing where vector was looking, indicating just who he was talking about 

there Vector seemed to be mumbling something to the chameleon next to him, who was not paying attention in the slightest 

in fact, he seemed quite nervous, 

"Honestly, he's been giving me the silent treatment since we left the house! pretending he can't hear me!" vector complained with annoyance 

"wow, guess you really like the alone time huh esp" sonic laughed with banter 

but instead, espio's eyesight was elsewhere 

now this really confused the blue hedgehog, the chameleon never acted like this, never this...rude

"esp?!" sonic said a little louder 

but once again nothing 

"espy~" he trilled, sonic knew Espio hated being called that 

but Espio didn't move a muscle 

"ESPIO!" vector shouted as he grabbed the chameleons shoulders, bringing the chameleons  attention finally to the group 

Espio looked frightened and confused as he looked to them 

"h, hello sonic, tails...nice to see you again," he said with shock but with politely

sonic looked to tails who simply gave a shrug 

the fox soon walked towards the group, getting as close as he could without breaking the barrier 

"Espio, can you hear us?" tails asked 

but Espio simply looked at the fox with confusion 

tails tried once again, but this time pointing to his ears and then making an x symbol with his hands

Espio gave a small sigh 

"...no" 

tails had ordered vector, charmy and knuckles (because they had joined bubbles) to take Espio straight home so that they could go face time each other once sonic and tails got home as well

once they did they began to get to the bottom of what was going on with the chameleons hearing 

for some reason, Espio was fully able to comprehend what everyone was saying and able to answer questions 

 which meant he could answer the question- why couldn't he hear us before 

shamefully Espio explained that since his species had no ears, he adapted to lip-reading and sensing vibrations of peoples speech and movements 

but due to the pandemic, the mask hid away their lips, muffled the vibrations, along with not being barely able to sense them due to the 2-meter distance 

"Why didn't you say anything like this before?!" his Chaotix teammates practically screamed, which made an ear-deafening screech through the screen 

"because it's a vulnerability, I didn't want to appear weak" Espio answered lowly 

now this made his friends feel sad for the chameleon

tails soon began to ponder how to get over this barrier 

"hey, what about when your using phones and communicators?" tails asked 

I have personalised phones and communicators that send produces strong vibrations that only me species can hear through so I can sense and understand what is being communicated, there's also a dial to do this on "normal" phones to help mobians like me with hearing difficulties, it's practically law so some individuals are not at a disadvantage" Espio explained 

tails took mental notes of what he was being told 

"hey, why don't we install something like that into everyone's masks" charmy suggested 

"exactly what I'm thinking," tails said with a smile 

it had been ages since he had a proper challenge, especially since even the likes of Eggman was abiding by the pandemic rules 

A few days had passed since their calls 

tails was hard at work 

whilst Vector made sure that if Espio was to go out, he had to be accompanied by someone 

Espio protested but Vector wasn't budging, he was worried that if there was an attack or if he was being followed he wouldn't be able to hear it, he wanted to make sure he was safe 

but soon it was time for another call and with that, a delivery that was delivered two days, only to be opened on the day of the call to ensure any Corona remnants were gone 

inside the package lay a bushel of simple black masks 

"Try them on and one person speaks" tails instructed 

charmy took no time in saying the random weirdness that housed his house "honey cow lemons and baked beans" 

".......did you hear that?" tails asked after a moment of disturbance 

"yes!" Espio exclaimed happily, not even Charmy's random mind could ruin his mood 

"thank you so much tails" Espio thanked, even behind the mask he could see the rare joy on his face 

"think nothing of it, happy to help, you can put them in the wash and they'll continue to work, you don't even have to charge them," tails said proudly 

"Thanks so much, buddy, we owe you one" vector said as he took off his mask 

"that's what friends are for, stay safe you guys" sonic said with a wink 

"you too, see you soon," all the chaotixs said as the call came to an end 

they were almost there, they could practically taste their freedom, they just needed to stay stronger for a little longer 

they can do it