Metal looks at Sonic confused, not understanding why the other would react like that. So he decided to explain.
"You said that love is when enjoy being around something or enjoy its presence. Well I enjoy being around you, and I prefer it to being alone, or around anyone else. Therefore I love you."
Sonic goes to speak, but takes a moment to finally say something, blushing a little while this whole thing was happening.
"Oh! Oh okay! That's what you meant! Yeah I enjoy being around you too! You're a good friend and nice to hang out with!" Sonic laughs some, then soon takes a sip of his drink and hopes that Metal would leave because this was getting very awkward and he wasn't sure what to do but try and avoid more talk about this.
"Is there another meaning it could have been? I don't understand. You told me what love meant, is there more than one meaning to it?"
"Well would you look at the time I have to go check on Tails I'll be back in a moment, watch over the place for me okay?" Sonic just gets up and races out through the front door.
Metal was extremely confused about this. He would have said something, but Sonic was already gone.
"I'll wait to ask then. Sonic is acting differently..." That's when he gets up and goes outside, looking around frantically. "What if the doctor did something to him!? I have to find him and make sure that he is unharmed!"
The robot then sets out to find Sonic, at the same time doing his best not to be seen by others. He did not want to be attacked while trying to help Sonic!
Meanwhile Sonic was at Tails' place trying to calm down.
"I mean seriously! I didn't expect it! It was the last thing I expected but sure its just because they like being around me but still!"
"Sonic calm down you're talking too fast for me to understand what you're saying. Breath, then tell me what happened. Slowly this time."
Sonic takes a deep breath, then exhales.
"Metal asked me what love meant. I told him it was something you felt when you enjoyed something a lot and liked be around it. I gave the example of me loving chili dogs. After a few minutes of quiet he replies with 'Thank you. I love you.' and I just. I ran. It was awkward! I didn't know what else to do! More so after he asked if there was another definition of love!"
Tails was silent, then lets out a sigh. "Sonic you can't keep running away when things get uncomfortable. Why do you think Amy chased after you for so long?! She wanted answers!"
"I know! I know, but its just... its just..."
"Its just what? I don't see what the problem is here Sonic."
"The problem is... its that..." Sonic starts, blush already growing in his face. "I sort... I sort of like Metal...?" He mumbles the last part and tries to keep his face from being see.
"I couldn't hear what you said...? Sonic is there something you're not telling me?" Tails was concerned now. It wasn't like Sonic to keep big secrets, or anything that would cause him to act this way.
"I said I liked Metal..." He mumbles again, turning so his back was to Tails.
"Sonic! Just spit it out! I can't help you if you don't tell me!" Tails fusses, crossing his arms and pouting a bit.
Sonic sighs and turns around, face red and mustering up the strength to say what he was going to say.
"I said I like Metal Sonic!" He blurts out, then curls up into a ball due to embarrassment.
"You like Metal? Like how Amy liked you?"
"Mm-hm." Was all Sonic said from his curled up position.
"Wow... I'm not sure what to say? Or if I can help. Amy would be a better person to talk about this to than me."
"I'm not telling Amy. I'm not telling anyone else! Ever!" Sonic fusses, then rolls under a table in Tails' workshop.