Work Text:
The gray quilled hedgehog poked and prodded at his bowl, not exactly trying to get any rice on his spoon.
“What's the matter, Silver?” The crocodile asked from across the table, causing the hedgehog to perk up. “You've hardly touched your food.”
Silver scrunched back into his seat, as if shrinking away from the situation. “I'm fine, it's just difficult to comprehend how easily you have access to food.” He mumbled, growing sheepish. “I'm not used to it…”
The chameleon sitting beside the hedgehog looked towards his friend. “If you're not comfortable with this…”
“No, I'm okay, Espio. I'm not going to skip out on my first meal with you guys.” Silver managed a soft smile.
Espio nodded softly before looking back towards his own food, his eyes sneakily lingering on the hedgehog.
Silver gingerly scooped the food onto his spoon, hesitantly raising it to his mouth and taking a bite.
As the rice, peas, and small cubes of carrot touched the hedgehog's tongue, his eyes lit up, quickly moving to scarf down more of it. He ate like he was starving for a week, which may have very well been true. He shoveled food into his mouth like it's the only thing he could do.
Charmy lightly chucked at Silver. “He's really goin’ at it…”
“Slow down,” Vector called out to Silver. “You don't wanna hurt yourself.”
“Hurt myself?” Silver mumbled, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth. He swallowed before speaking again. “I've been to hell and back twice, a little food isn't going to hurt me.”
Vector glanced between Silver and his half empty bowl, then sighed. “I guess so.” He said before turning back to his own bowl. “It's just fried rice, nothin’ too crazy.”
Silver went back to eating, a bit slower at Vector's request.
After a bit, Silver finished off his bowl, happily proclaiming, “That was so good!” He leaned back in his chair with a smile. “Could I have some more?”
Charmy chuckled. “You're like a bottomless pit!”
The playful comment made Silver acutely aware of the shock from the other two, causing him to shrink back into his seat.
Espio, despite Vector's protest, helped Silver to another portion, which earned him a nice smile.
“Hey, Espio?” Vector asked as the three cleaned up Espio and Charmy's shared room for Silver to eventually move into.
“Yes?” Espio inquired, packing the scattered laundry into one basket.
“You should keep an eye on Silver.” Vector replied.
Espio was about to question why, but elected to keep silent and do as asked. He exited the bedroom and made his way to the small living room, where Silver sat on a couch.
As Espio entered, Silver's head turned to greet him. “Hey Espio.” Silver said with a small smile.
Espio nodded in acknowledgment and sat on the couch beside Silver. “Sorry about you needing to sleep on the couch for a few days while we reorganize rooms.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Silver asked. “You give me a hot meal, a roof over my head, and soon my own bed? There's no need to say sorry.”
Espio felt his face get warm at the appreciation Silver has for small things. It's nice. “I just feel bad that you have to sleep on a couch while Vector, Charmy and I get beds.”
“Having a couch is amazing! I'm used to falling asleep on rubble.” Silver shrugged with a smile.
“Right,” Espio smiled back. “Soon, you'll be staying in my room.”
Silver grins, “That sounds great. I'm looking forward to spending more time with you, Espio.”
Espio felt his heart skip a beat. What's going on with me? He asked himself, his outside demeanor hardly wavering at the feeling inside.
“I still find it difficult to believe how much kindness you've all shown me…” Silver mumbled. “You take in some stranger out of the goodness of your hearts, and for what reason?”
“Because I like you.” Espio said without taking time to think. As he saw Silver's eyes widen, his brain scrambled. “I mean, you coming here from the future and helping us? You deserve to have some home, and–”
“Thanks, Espio.” Silver's smile made Espio melt, but Silver wasn't blushing at all. In fact, he was pretty pale. Is he sweating?
“Are you feeling okay?” Espio asked softly.
Silver got caught off guard, before gently placing his hand on his own stomach. “I feel a bit nauseous, I think I just ate too fast. No big deal.”
Espio felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. Why the feeling was so pungent was a mystery, but he felt the immediate urge to act. “Silver? Can you stand up?”
Silver did as asked, his head swimming as he still held his stomach.
“How are you feeling?” Espio asked, looking a bit distressed.
“I'm fine…” Silver said before clutching his stomach, his fingers digging into the limited flesh of his slimmed frame. “Actually, that hurts…”
Espio dragged Silver along towards the bathroom. “I'm sorry, but I've got a bad feeling about this.”
“I should've listened to Vect-” Silver covered his mouth, his body reflexively making him hunch down. After a second of him composing himself, he continues following, his eyes watering with tears. “Oh no…”
Espio was on high alert, quickly dragging Silver into the bathroom and flicking up the toilet lid in time for Silver to spill his guts into the bowl, tears falling as he retched. Each gag, choke, and cough was accompanied by a pathetic sob, All Espio could do is crouch beside him and comfort him, his eyes steering clear of the undigested food Silver's body has rejected so vehemently.
Espio put a hand on Silver's back, feeling each tremble, the fight for each breath. Noticing how defined Silver's ribs were with each inhale was a depressing reminder of why this happened. It hurt Espio, making him almost gag as well, but deciding to stay strong for Silver's sake.
Vector peeked into the bathroom, as the door was left open. Seeing Silver leaning over the toilet bowl with Espio comforting him was gut wrenching. Espio looked towards Vector, the look in his eyes just as depressing. Espio gestured for Vector to close the door, which he soon did.
After more raspy heavy breathing, Silver finally calmed down enough to look at Espio, and his face was covered in tears. It was heartbreaking. “I'm sorry… I'm so, so sorry…” Silver apologizes with broken sobs. “I sh- I should have listened, I…”
“You don't need to apologize, you've been through enough.” Espio said calmly, which calmed Silver in turn.
Silver wiped his mouth with his forearm. “I just… wasted so much though…” Silver cried softly, his voice hoarse and raw from the state of his throat.
Espio held Silver's shoulder. “You didn't know you were going to puke, you didn't do it on purpose.” Silver's eyes watered as Espio talked. “It's not your fault your body rejected the food. And besides, I helped cause this.”
Espio helped him up, quickly washing off the part of his forearm that got dirty. “Thank you…” Silver mumbled quietly.
Espio pulled out mouthwash, then searched and found an old spare medicine cup they kept. Espio filled the small cup with mouthwash for Silver. “Don't swallow this, just swish it in your mouth.” Espio instructed before handing it to Silver.
As Silver did as told, Espio flushed the vomit filled toilet. After a while, Silver spit out the mouthwash.
“We should get you something to eat.” Espio mumbled.
Silver looked confused. “But I just had something to eat…?”
“We should get you something small to eat.” Espio clarified. “We could get you some bread.”
Silver gently nodded, slowly following behind Espio as he opened the door and walked to the kitchen. Espio washed his hands again before grabbing Silver some bread. “I've heard that bread is good for when you have an upset stomach.
Silver smiled gratefully as he bit into the soft bread. “This is really good…” He mumbled softly.