Upon making it back to work, Silver had a different mood than he had had before he went on his lunch date with Shadow. He was anxious before, considerably worried about how the date would go, yet he was still optimistic. His optimism proved to help him when he met Shadow at the café. Sitting down and being able to spend time with the dark figure brightened his spirits, and it would make the second half of the work day much more enjoyable knowing that he could text his current crush when he got home.
The thought of home Silver had as he made his way back to the printing department made him quizzical about Sonic's feelings. Silver could never imagine that someone like Sonic would be interested in him, but, then again, he couldn't imagine anyone like Shadow would be interested in him. An all-star athlete and a biker bad boy both hitting on him sounded more like Silver's freshman year in high school before he switched to a safer one. It was not easy for Silver to feign heterosexuality. He was bullied for his flamboyancy, which is why he freaked out when he accidently starred at Shadow for too long.
Silver shook those thoughts of his past out of his head. He was not the same person back then as he is now. He is more educated, more careful, and happier than he was in high school. Sonic's friendship has been a blessing to Silver, and Silver was forever grateful for Sonic's help with finding Silver a job and a place to stay. 'What if Sonic has been into me all this time? Should I talk to him about it? How could I-' Silver's thoughts of Sonic were cut short. There was someone behind the shelves in the printing department.
"Umm, hello? Can I help you?" Silver asked when he opened the door to his section of the office.
"Oh, hey! Sorry it took me so long to get to your printer: I decided to take a long lunch," the yellow-orange fox smiled and chuckled as he looked up from the printer he was fixing. "You must be Silver. My name is Miles from maintenance, but everyone just calls me Tails."
"Hi, Tails. Thank you for coming up and taking a look at my printer. I apologize for not being here to greet you."
"Oh, don't worry about it! Your e-mail was very detailed on the issues you were experiencing with the printer. In fact, I almost have it fixed! Turns out some of your gears were loose which was causing all the paper jams. Plus, I have keys to all the rooms in Robotnik Corp., so it wasn't hard getting in here while you were out to eat."
"That's good to hear! I usually can fix the printers myself, so I am glad to know that it was a more difficult problem instead of me just losing my edge," Silver laughed.
The fox laughed too as he finished tightening the last gear. "Well, that ought to do it. Do you have any questions?"
"No, I think I'm good! Thank you for helping again. I really appreciate it."
"Sure, no problem! It is my job after all," Tails laughed at his signature line.
The two-tailed maintenance worker was stepping out the door when Silver called out to him.
"Wait! Um, I actually do have a quick question."
"I probably have an answer," Tails smirked.
"You wouldn't happen to no a good mechanic would you? My car's rearview mirror fell off today and the engine never starts correctly."
"I sure do! I used to work in car repairs until I worked in printer repairs. I have their card here," Tails pulled out a business card and handed it to Silver.
"Angel Island Car Repairs: Knuckles the Echidna – Owner," Silver read the card aloud.
"Mention that I gave you his card and he will give you 10% off," the fox proclaimed.
"I'll be sure to. Thanks a million," Silver said.
Silver could not be more relieved that he finally found a mechanic. His car was falling apart, and if he was going to be seeing Shadow for lunch every day, he wanted to make sure he wouldn't have car troubles. Silver put the card in his wallet in front of the card Shadow gave him. His day was really turning around since this morning. Sonic's pepping, his car trouble, and the printer's malfunction did not seem so bleak now. All he could think about was Shadow.
'He's really such a gentleman: paying for our meal like that. I guess he is really into me,' Silver thought as he absent mindedly continued his work. As minutes turned into hours, Silver shift was almost up and he had a good chuck of the day's work finished. 'Maybe I can leave early tomorrow,' Silver wondered.
Making his way down the building, waving casually to his coworkers with a smile on his face, Silver got into the elevator and pushed the button for the parking garage level. When Silver finally made it to his car, he remembered that the rear view mirror was still busted. 'I'll call that Angel Island place after dinner tonight. Hopefully they can fix this quickly,' Silver wished. Getting in his hunk-of-junk automobile, Silver attempted to start it up and begin the drive home from the office. Sonic is always home before him since his training ends at 3:00 and Silver gets off at 5:00. Sonic would have dinner ready for the two of them by the time Silver got home, another reason Silver was grateful for Sonic's company.
Driving through rush hour traffic, Silver decided to turn on the radio to make the time go by faster. He flipped through the stations until he found one that he could bob his head and tap his steering wheel to. While idly waiting at a stoplight, Silver's stomach erupted in a growl.
"Guess I am hungrier than I thought," Silver said aloud to no one. He had to admit that lunch with Shadow was fantastic, and not just because he had a hot guy to watch while he ate, but also because he enjoyed the café's menu items. Nonetheless, he was starving for whatever Sonic was going to prepare for tonight's meal. Sonic was a great cook: the hedgehog equivalent of Bobby Flay. Most nights, Silver felt as if Sonic was making five-star meals for them to eat. When he had the opportunity, Silver would watch Sonic cook in the kitchen from the adjacent living room. The agile hedgehog knew his way around the kitchen well, and his expertise in athletics was tantamount to his cooking ones.
Thinking about Sonic's good food made Silver want to get home even sooner. His mouth watered at the anticipation for Sonic's famous cooking. Finally, Silver made it to his shared home and speedily made his way to the front door. Silver opened the door and was engulfed in the scent of wholesome cooking. He could smell seasoned meat and hearty potatoes along with steamed vegetables and maybe even a sweetened cake for dessert. The aroma of Chef Sonic's cooking lured Silver further into his house and placed him directly at the dining table.
"Wow, Sonic, what are you cooking? It smells delightful," Silver asked.
"Hey, good to see you are home! I actually got home earlier than usual so I decided I'd make a pot roast. I usually never get the chance to make it since it takes so long, but that day is not today!" Sonic replied while applying some of the final touches to his roast. Silver watched hungrily as Sonic brought the dish over and placed it in between their two plates. Sonic preemptively set the table for tonight's special dinner.
"Looks like it's time to chow down! The cooling time just ended too, so don't worry about burning that little tongue of yours," Sonic snickered. Silver ignored the remark for he was too distracted by the delicious meal that was just placed in front of him. Silver pulled off some of the roast to put on his plate, grabbing some potatoes and carrots too. Sonic did the same and then doused it in hot sauce. Sonic used to cook his meals with hot sauce in it, but Silver couldn't handle the kind of heat Sonic enjoyed.
As Silver took some bites of his food, he couldn't help but let out a moan as he stuffed his face full of good cooking. Sonic laughed at the ravenous hedgehog from the other side of the tables as he cut into his meat. The two started casually eating together and made it quarter way through their plates before the spoke.
"Oh, Sonic, this is amazing! You are such a great cook!" Silver praised his roommate.
"Glad you like it, buddy," Sonic said after swallowing another bite. "So, aren't you going to tell me how your date went? You were all concerned about it this morning."
Silver widened his eyes at the remark. He had completely forgotten all about his date with Shadow. He was too absorbed with Sonic's cooking to even think straight at the moment.
"Yeah, it went really well! I was a bit late to it, honestly, but he was very understanding. His name is Shadow and he does tattoos and body piercings," Silver stated.
"Whoa, whoa! A tattoo artist? Are you messin' with me?" asked Sonic jovially.
Silver nodded. "Yes, I know. I was shocked myself too. It is hard to believe a guy like him would be into me."
"What are you talking about Silver?" Sonic's tone changed to a more serious one. "You are one of the most amazing persons I know. You are the hardest worker in your department, you are so friendly and lighthearted, and you are pretty easy on the eyes. Who wouldn't be interested in dating you?"
Silver blushed. Sonic would always complement him when he would put himself down. "Thanks, Sonic. I am glad I have you to remind me that I'm not some loser."
"I am glad I have you so I don't have to eat this meal alone tonight," Sonic said.
Silver was taken aback by the comment. Sonic went about eating more of his food, so Silver did not want to disturb him. 'What did he mean by that? Is he lonely?' Silver thought to himself. It was hard to think that someone like Sonic would feel lonely considering how popular he was. Sonic set down his fork and slammed his hands on the table, scooting his chair out a bit.
"So, you up for some dessert? I made a gooey butter cake for us," Sonic proposed, knowing his friend would accept the offer.
"Hey, that's my favorite kind!" Silver said as Sonic went back into the kitchen to retrieve the confection.
"Yes, I know," Sonic came back with the yellowish cake and a spatula to serve it with. "That is why I made it for tonight. I wanted to celebrate your special day."
"You know, I don't care what anyone says Sonic, you are a very compassionate person," Silver said slyly.
"Oh, thanks, that is so nice- wait who said I wasn't compassionate?" Sonic inquired.
"Ha, ha! I am just messing with you, Sonic. Let's eat this cake!" Silver giggled.
Sonic cut into the cake and served a slice to Silver and himself. He sat back down in his chair, and the two hedgehogs enjoyed the sugary, gooey cake. Finishing up his piece, Silver excused himself from the table.
"I have to go call a mechanic about my car, and I don't want to wait until it gets too late. Thanks for cooking, Sonic. It all tasted fantastic," Silver stood up and pushed in his chair.
"No problem, buddy! I'm glad you are getting your car fixed. That thing can barely drive 10 miles per hour without being a hazard." Sonic picked up the plates on the table and headed toward the kitchen to put them in the dishwasher. Silver made his way to his bedroom down the hall and kept the door slightly ajar. He set his wallet, keys, and phone on his nightstand. Opening up his wallet, he pulled out the card for the mechanic and another card fell on the floor. Silver bent down and picked it up: Shadow the Hedgehog.
'I should send him a thank you text before I call the mechanic,' Silver pondered. Grabbing his phone, he made a new contact for his new date and sent him a text.
"Hey, it's Silver! Thanks so much for lunch today! I really had a great time. Sorry again for being late. I promise it won't happen next time." Message sent 7:34.
Silver went back into his phone app and dialed the number for Angel Island Car Repairs. Silver began to fidget as the phone continued to ring without an answer. He hoped the business hours were not over; he needed to get his car fixed as soon as possible so he wouldn't get a ticket or worse. Sonic wasn't lying when he said his car was a hazard to be on the road in its current condition.
"Angel Island Car Repairs: this is Knuckles speaking."
"Hi, I am having some problems with my car. I was wondering if you could take a look at it soon. The rear view mirror fell off, and it never starts correctly."
"I have an opening tomorrow morning at 9:00. Will that work?"
"No, I will be at work by then. Do you have any other available times?"
Silver heard pages flipping through the phone. "Sorry, that is the only opening I have for the next week. Could you have a friend bring it up for you?"
Silver thought for a moment. Sonic was off work tomorrow, so maybe he could take him to work and then visit the mechanic.
"I think I can do that. It is tomorrow at 9:00, right?"
"Yes, I can pencil you in. What is your name?"
"My name is Silver, but the person bringing my car in is named Sonic."
"Okay, I have you down for tomorrow at 9:00."
"Thank you very much! I am so glad I called," Silver was so happy he was finally getting his car fixed. Things were really turning around for him.
"No problem. Good-bye." The phone clicked.
Silver hung up his phone and called out for Sonic. He now has to tell his roommate he will be taking him to work and his car to the auto repair shop tomorrow.
"Hey, Sonic! Can you come in here for a moment, please?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Sonic had his toothbrush in his mouth so his speech was slurred. Silver also noticed that Sonic was only wearing his boxers. The azure hedgehog had the body of a true athlete: strong arms, defined abdominal muscles, and a sleek body structure. He was leaning against Silver's door frame in his red and white striped boxers.
"Uh, Silver? Hello? Why did you call me in here?" Sonic said. Silver hadn't noticed he was staring at the hedgehog's build. He had completely forgotten what he had called Sonic into his room for because he was too distracted by his roommate's casual appearance.
"I-I just finished calling a m-mechanic, and I was w-wondering if you c-could take me to work tomorrow because the only o-opening he had was too early for m-me," Silver stuttered incisively as he blushed.
"Yeah, sure, I can do that for you," Sonic walked out and spat out his toothpaste in the bathroom. "I'll set an alarm for tomorrow."
"Thanks, Sonic. I owe you one. Good night!"
"Night, Silver. I'm glad you enjoyed dinner," Sonic stopped one last time in Silver's room. "Do you want me to close this door for you?"
Silver nodded with his mouth open. He was still staring at his roommate. The door shut and Silver was forced back into reality. 'I don't think I have ever seen Sonic like that before. I guess I never thought he could be so attractive,' Silver thought as he changed into his pajamas. He turned out the light, checked to make sure his alarm was working, and got into bed.