Sonic always addressed his best friend by his nickname and took advantage of his mechanical skills when it suited him. No one thought much of it.
He was lazing around the workshop again today, half asleep and not really wanting to do anything. Resting here between adventures had become routine for him. Availing himself of his buddy's hospitality, he'd passed the night in the garage where the Tornado was parked, splayed across the lid of a tool box like a stray cat.
It was morning now. The steady click-click-click of a socket wrench echoed around the room. Sonic yawned.
"Oh, you're awake now?"
"Half way, at least" Sonic answered, digging crust out of his eye. He'd dozed off in the middle of a very long and very one-sided conversation about the potential application of recent advances in neural-machine interface systems. Sonic didn't like coming off as insensitive but he also didn't like listening to impenetrable scientific jargon for hours on end.
The hedgehog glanced over to the source of the clicking, hunched over the Tornado, not looking up from his work. "How's that coming along?"
"Almost done reparing the damage to the fuselage. After that I'm giving the engine a major tune-up. Can't believe you put my poor plane through so much abuse, just what were you doing to it?"
"You know, practicing stunts, checking out some of the other islands" Sonic said vaguely, waving his hand around. "And that's my plane. It has my name on it."
"Hmph. Might as well be my plane with how often I'm the one fixing it. I'm the better pilot anyway."
The hedgehog snorted at that.
"These parts have been replaced so many times your old plane is nearly gone by this point- it's practically a new plane now. Plus the logo on the rudder is my own design."
"Yeah but it still has my name on it."
"Funny how things change, yet stay the same."
"How much longer?"
"Be patient. There's plenty of ways for you to entertain yourself while you wait."
Click-click-click.
"Think I'll go for a run" Sonic said, stretching as he got to his feet. "Got anything to drink? It's hot out there."
"Dr. Pepper in the fridge."
"Cool, thanks."
"Grab me one too."
Sonic tossed one of the cans to his friend as he made his way to the door.
"Try to finish before I get back, I can only run in circles for so long."
"So much for gratitude. Why do I put up with you?"
"Funny, I was going to ask you the same question."
Click-click-click.
"Keep talking like that and I'll make sure the plane explodes in the air next time you fly it."
Sonic smirked back over his shoulder as he stepped out into the morning sun.
"Like you could live without me, Eggman."