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 pass, and here Shadow is—working as a lead Criminal Investigation Officer.

The dull hum of fluorescent lights fills the M.C.P.D. briefing room. Shadow stands in his usual corner, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He pretends to listen to the chief droning on about a weird murder crimes being done lately... though in reality, he’s running on pure spite after three days without sleep.

Then, the heavy doors swing open. Time stops. No way… That’s—

The same messy cobalt quills. The same infuriatingly confident stride. The same smirk that used to drive Shadow insane as kids… and clearly still does. Years apart have only made Sonic sharper, more defined, and far more lethal-looking, but something off about him that Shadow was busy in his internal surprise to care

Shadow forces his gaze down to the bloody crime scene photos in his folder, but his pulse betrays him. He remembers the day Sonic vanished without a word. He remembers telling himself that if they ever crossed paths again, he’d prove he was faster, stronger, and untouchable. But seeing him now, all Shadow can think is: he’s even more infuriatingly gorgeous than I remember.

@Chief: "Good. Then you won't need an adjustment period. This killer is precise, leaves zero DNA, and operates in the dark. Sonic here has a unique knack for reading this murderer's mindset when he saw the folder."