A few months later...

Zonic and Zhadow were preparing for their mission: to capture a criminal in an unknown zone. Zonic has did some research to see exactly where he was going, and it wasn't good. The zone was considered one of the most dangerous out of every other zone and it scared him. He was scared that he, or Zhadow, or the both of them wouldn't make it back alive, and he still haven't confessed his love for his "best friend" yet. He can't wait any longer. If he doesn't confess now, he may never be able to again.

"Zhadow?" Zonic asked as he packed for his mission with his best friend.
"Hmm?" Zhadow answered, not looking up from his packing. With a sigh, Zonic continued.
"I...I like you...more than a friend..."
Zhadow looked up and slowly turned to face his best friend, his face full of shock and clearly, he was disturbed.
"I..." Zonic couldn't find himself to continue after seeing the look on his friend's face. But he told himself that he had to. "I...I love you, Zhadow. I don't care if you don't return these feelings, I still want to be friends! Please...don't hate me...I don't want to loose you like this..."

Zonic looked down, his emotions running wild. He had confessed, but Zhadow wasn't saying a thing. Is this how they loose each other, rather than dying on a mission like the one they are supposed to do now? He felt tears stream down his face, sadness creeping up from inside his heart at the thought that he best friend may hate him forever now. But to his surprise, Zhadow lifted his face up and wiped his tears away for him.
"I was wondering when I was going to say the same thing." He said, smiling as he caressed Zonic's wet muzzle. Zonic, on the other hand, was completely shocked.
"Does...you....does this mean you..."
"Yes." Zhadow replied before Zonic could even ask. "I love you too, Zonic."

Zonic smiled, tears of joy flowed down his face with no control and Zhadow, with a smile, carefully wiped those away. They shared a warm and long hug, never wanting to let each other go.

"So..." Zhadow said after a long time in silence as they enjoyed their little cuddle. "Why did you confess now? We have a mission ahead, you know?"
"I know." Zonic answered. "And it's dangerous...and I was just afraid that we won't both make it back..."
Zhadow looked at his friend, lover, with tender eyes, trying to say that everything will be fine. But he can't promise him that everything will be fine. He doesn't know what is going to happen to the two of them. There was one thing he needed to do if they don't make it.

Zonic looked up at his newfound love and was met with a sudden kiss on his lips. He was shocked, to say the least, but he slowly leant in and embraced it, closing the gap between and Zhadow until nothing can squeeze through. They broke their kiss a minute later, panting for breath.

"Zhadow?"
"If we don't make it, you'll remember that your first kiss was with me."