Shadow the Hedgehog had always prided himself on his control and discipline. He was a creature of purpose, never swayed by emotion or impulse. But that all changed when he first laid eyes on him. Sonic the Hedgehog.

It was an ordinary day, one of those rare moments where Shadow found himself wandering through the lush Green Hill Zone. He wasn't there for any particular reason, really. The area was peaceful, and he often sought solitude in the more peaceful areas. The scenery helped a lot in that department, too. That's when he saw him. Sonic.

The blue blur raced past him, wind whipping through his quills as he effortlessly performed a series of stunts. Bouncing around like a ball. He made it look easy. Too easy. Shadow's heart skipped a beat, his cold exterior cracking for just a moment. There was something about the way Sonic moved... So free, so confident, so alive.

He tried to brush it off. Shadow wasn't the kind to fall for anyone, especially not someone like Sonic, with his carefree attitude and cocky grin. But every time Sonic flashed that smile and took off into the horizon, Shadow felt the stirring of something deeper within him. It was a feeling he couldn't ignore.

Could it be? Could it be love?