Silver hiccup as the water went down the wrong pipe.

 Something

Silver hiccup as the water went down the wrong pipe. He blushes in embarrassment as he shifted his cup in his hand. “What?”

“Well, Shadow is immortal. You time travel.” Sonic explained. “So have you ever met Shadow in your time?”

Silver blinked as he stared at the blue hedgehog. His gold eyes shifting to see the ultimate life form slyly look up from his drink at him. Failing to hide his own curiosity, Silver noted. He wondered how much alcohol everyone had drunk so far. He had stuck to water.

He took a deep breath. He was a bad liar according to most of their friends. He sighed as he glanced around the bar. Would he want to try alcohol after this confession? Would it be safe?

Probably not. 

He sighed as he nodded.

“So you have?” Rouge grinned. “Does he have a sense a humor yet?”

Silver tilted his head at that. No question of how he knows him in his time. Today must be Silver’s lucky day. He thought for a while. Did he have a sense of humor?

“He's told me a few jokes.” Silver admitted. “But I either don't get them or they stopped being funny when I was like 11.” He shrugged. “So I guess he developed one. That or he's keeping all his humor to himself right now.” He glanced at the ebony hedgehog who was finding his beer far more interesting than the party. 

“Wait? 11. How did you run into him?” Sonic mused.

Silver sighed. “Apocalypse Sonic. Everything sucks and is on fire. Some people cluster up with other people. Safety in numbers.” Silver shrugged. Not quite a lie. Not quite the truth either. 

“Shadow doesn't exactly do social, Silver.” Rouge stated. 

“Yeah. But it's several centuries in the future. That changes people. He's gotten old and crazy in my time.” Silver mused. “Enjoy him while he's sane.”

“Didn't you stop the whole fire apocalypse thing?” Shadow spoke up from his drink.

“I did.” Silver stated. “But my memories didn't just switch over to the new/current timeline for my future. I'm mostly speaking from my memories.” Silver shrugged. 

“So when did you met Shadow in your original timeline then?” Rouge mused. “I'm very curious as to how different he was from the Shadow I know.”

Silver fidgeted. “I… don't think that's a good idea.” He glanced at Shadow, who for some reason was waiting for him to answer. 

“Oh come on,” Rouge hugged Silver's side. “Are you afraid Shadow will get mad if you accidentally reveal embarrassing secrets of his?”

Silver shifted. “Kind of?” He really really wanted a different conversation. 

“Don't worry, Shads has the excuse of it being an older version of himself that lived through an apocalypse. So he can't get mad because he has deniability.” Sonic smirked. 

Silver glared at the blue hedgehog. That didn't make him feel safe what so ever. Where did he learn his persuasive conversation skills? An old timey black and white comic?

“Silver,” Shadow spoke, drawing the psychic’s attention. “You can say whatever you want about your original timeline. I won't hurt you over your own memories.”

Silver side stepped behind Rouge. He glared at Shadow as he didn't believe him. 

“See, even Shadow gave you the all clear.” Rouge smiled at the physic. She was amused that he was trying to hide from her coworker behind her. She wondered if Silver realized his quills stuck out. 

“Did you redecorate Rouge?” He attempted to change the topic. 

“Come on Silver,” Sonic chuckled. 

Silver began a game of changing the topic every time his original timeline came up from now on. He successfully distracted Sonic. The alcohol helped. Rouge was harder. 

Espio offered him a cocktail to lighten his mood. He stared at the drink. “Are you sure?” 

Espio nodded. “It'll help you relax.”

“I could relax just fine if people would stop interrogating me.” He muttered as he took a sip. “This tastes nice.” He liked the fruity flavors. “I heard that alcohol burns your throat when you drink it.”

“This is a mixed drink. It's meant to taste like it's not alcoholic.” Espio explained. 

“It's nice. But I think it might be dangerous.” Silver noted as he held the glass up to the light to look through it. 

Espio smiled as he watched Silver muse over something he found interesting. 

They made it home early in the morning. Silver seemed a little unsteady on his feet. But Espio had kept him out of Rouge’s careful questioning. The ninja held the grey hedgehog up as he walked him down the street. Silver muttering that he was tired and he wanted to go home. 

Problem was, Espio wasn't sure what he meant by home. Apparently towards the Chaotix hq was not home. Or he didn't recognize it as the way home. 

“We'll have to be quiet entering Amy’s house,” Espio explained. The pink hedgehog didn't come out tonight so she was probably already in bed. But she kept a guest room for Silver at her place. Maybe he thought that was home? He had a lot of house plants there. 

“That's not home.” Silver stomped his foot. Espio wondered when he found a temper tantrum cute.

“Okay, where is home Silver?” Espio mused. The cold air was sobering him up. Surely it would sober the hedgehog up soon. Though he was covered in a thick layer of fur.

Silver, with his head tucked into the crook of Espio’s neck, turned to look at the stars. He made some sounds as he scanned the sky for something. “Um…” he turned his gold eyes to the purple chameleon. “Can't we just chaos control?” 

Espio blinked at that. He didn't think Silver was sober enough to manage it. Or at least even remember he could. “Sure. But you have to take me with you.”

“Okay.” Silver beamed before they were engulfed in a bright light. 

Espio felt unsteady as he blinked to see the new place they stood in. It felt cluttered but homely. A couch with a table in the room. A shelf with a record player and several records next to it. A figure sat on the couch, a book in their hand.

The figure sighed as he closed his book. “What year are coming from Silver?” 

Silver rattled off the answer like it was nothing. A part of him still sleepy on Espio's shoulder, another part ready to drop into a fit of giggles. 

He placed his book on the table. His faded black quills messy as he placed his head in his hand as he looked at the two. “Your day must have been busy. What drink did you have to celebrate?”

“I had a mixed drink. Espio recommended it.” Silver spoked happily. “It was fruity and sweet. I like it.”

He nodded as he listened to the young hedgehog talk. His tired red eyes shifting between him and the confused ninja. “Why don't you go brush your teeth and get ready for bed?” 

Silver nodded. “Kay.” He yawned as he lifted himself off of Espio. “Night Espio. See you later.” And with that he stumbled off into a random room down the hall.

Espio watched him go until he couldn't see him anymore before turning to see a much older Shadow then he was used to. Staring at him as if to study him from the his spot on the couch. “Hello… Shadow.” He greeted awkwardly. If this was a Shadow 300 years in the future though, he might not remember the ninja. 

“I remember you perfectly fine if that's what you're worrying about, detective.” Shadow gave an amused smile as he stood up. He walked to a closet somewhere. “It looks like you'll be spending the night,” he pulled out a sleeping bag and extra blanket. 

Espio fidgeted. “Are you unable to time travel like Silver?” He asked out of curiosity. 

“I can. It's just too risky running into a past version of me.” He explained. “I'm kind of an idiot in your time if I recall properly.” He gestured for Espio to follow him. “Plus I can use you to tease the boy when he wakes up with a hangover in the morning. Might actually teach him to not drink.” He paused in front of a room as he opened it. It was dusty as Shadow flipped on the light. It was obviously a room used for storage. An old bunk bed in a corner. A mattress on the bottom as the top was decorated with old toys of sorts. A VCR and crt TV on a cart. The wall lined with tapes and books. Espio noted the cart had the least amount of dust on it. It was also decorated with stickers. It reminded Espio of Charmy.

Shadow checked the mattress on the lower bunk before placing the sleeping bag and blanket on it. “Sorry for the cramped accommodations. But I can assure you it's quieter than the agency.” Shadow turned to look at the still bewildered chameleon. “Seeing you confused is a rarity for me. Is there anything you want or need? Extra blankets? A night light?”

“I'm good on that.” Espio wondered if Shadow being so old now thought he was a child. “Some water would be nice though.”

Shadow nodded as he gestured for the chameleon to follow him. The kitchen was simple. The sink empty, the drying rack only holding a few mugs, the counters clean, but cluttered with random appliances. Shadow pulled a mug adorned with pink roses from a very full cabinet and filled it with water from a water filter next to the sink. He held the mug up for Espio to take. Once the ninja took the cup, he turned to pull down another cup. This cup had turtles painted on it. 

“Silver!” Shadow’s voice was firm but not loud. Espio tilted his head. Silver would not be able to hear him if he spoke at a normal volume. 

“Yes?” Silver called as he came into the kitchen. He was dressed in button up pajamas with turtles on them. Espio was noticing a pattern. Apparently the grey hedgehog was fond of turtles. Odd, he had never mentioned it before. He also had some toothpaste stuck to his muzzle. Shadow waved the teen into the kitchen. Silver was still sleepy and not quite all there as he stumbled over to the ebony hedgehog. Shadow took a paper towel, damped it, and wiped the toothpaste off of Silver’s cheek with a sigh. 

“Always messy.” He muttered as Silver pouted at him.

“I can still throw cars at people’s heads.” Silver spoke proudly. 

Shadow smiled as he handed Silver the turtle mug. “Drink.” he ordered. He threw the used napkin in the trash as Silver chugged his water. 

“Done!” Silver said proudly as he put the mug in the sink. 

“Bed.” Shadow ordered simply. Silver nodded before turning to leave. 

Espio watched this whole exchange as he sipped his water. 

“Do you want me to wash the cups?” Espio offered.

Shadow shook his head. “No. Now off to bed with you too.” 

Espio nodded. It seemed Shadow didn’t leave room for argument. 

Espio woke up to the scent of breakfast. It made his stomach growl. He briefly wondered if Vanilla and Cream had come over for breakfast. Vector rarely cooked and he hoped Charmy wasn’t attempting too. He shifted as he opened his eyes. 

“Oh yeah, I’m in the future at Shadow’s house.” Epsio muttered as he stretched.