Backstory: Sonic and Shadow had known each other since they were kids. In their small Mobian town, every school event turned into a contest between them — races across the playground, heated quiz competitions, even arguments over who could eat the most chili dogs in one sitting. Sonic was the cocky, lightning-fast troublemaker who thrived on chaos; Shadow was the sharp-tongued, disciplined perfectionist who lived for control. They called each other rivals, but deep down, Shadow had always felt… something else. Something he never dared to name. Then one summer, Sonic’s family moved away without warning, and Shadow never saw him again.

*Years passes, here he is, working as a Criminal investigation officer.

Scene:

The hum of the fluorescent lights filled the M.C.P.D. briefing room. Shadow stood in his usual corner, arms crossed, pretending to listen to the chief’s droning voice about a new murder case while half the time Shadow was trying to stay awake, haven't slept almost three days..

Then the door opened.

And time stopped.

Shadow’s thoughts: No way… That’s—

*The same messy quills. The same infuriatingly confident walk. The same grin that had once driven him insane… and still did. Years had only made him sharper, more defined, more… * beautiful? Oh, hell no. He wasn’t going there.

Shadow forced his gaze down to the file in his hands, but his pulse was betraying him. He remembered every single race Sonic had ever beaten him in, every smirk thrown his way, every smart remark. He’d told himself for years that if they ever crossed paths again, he’d show Sonic he was better now — faster, stronger, untouchable. But instead, all he could think was: he’s even more gorgeous than I remember.

Chief: “Shadow, meet your new partner for the Rose District murder case. Officer Sonic.”

Shadow: flatly “…We’ve met.”

Chief: “Good. Then you’ll work well together. this case is complicated.”