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One year. Three hundred and sixty-five days.
That's how long it has been since Shadow and Robotnik sacrificed themselves to save Earth from Gerald's plans. For a lot of people, this was a cause for celebration. Team Sonic even held a picnic to commemorate the occasion. Everyone came to the party... except for Agent Stone.
Technically, he was there - he was the one who drove the squad to the park in the van that used to be Robotnik's mobile laboratory. He looked over numerous nonsense files, trying to find something of his former boss's that he hasn't read a thousand times before; each file, though, had timestamped read receipts spanning over the past year.
Stone would have been alone in his thoughts if it weren't for the light tapping at the door.
"Yo, Stone?" came Sonic's voice from the other side followed by rapid knocks. "You in there? You good? Cause there's-"
Before the hedgehog could finish his sentence, Stone opened the door and looked down to him.
"...there's plenty of food for everyone."
Stone glanced past Sonic. The rest of the team seemed to be focused on the chili dog eating contest between Knuckles and Tails. He sighed, shaking his head at the sight before turning his attention back to Sonic. "I'll be okay. Thank you, though." he said with a weary smile.
"Well, if ya say so..." Sonic teased, turning to walk back towards the picnic. In the distance, a vaguely Tails-shaped blob held up what appeared to be a small box. The fox pointed to the box, then to Sonic. "Oh, right! That's why I was over here in the first place."
Before Stone could blink, the hedgehog ran to retrieve the box and came right back. "When we were clearing the wreckage from the Eclipse Canon, this was floating around with your name on it." Sonic explained, handing Stone the lockbox. In his hands, the locked box felt heavy. It felt even heavier when he saw the label wasn't printed - it was hand-written by Robotnik himself.
He must've been standing there in stone-cold silence for a while, for Sonic had to tug on his sleeve to get his attention. "You alright?" he asked, tilting his head and flattening his ears in concern. "You seem... ya know..."
"...thank you, Sonic." Stone echoed, his lip twitching at the corners. "Really, thank you."
There was a distinct, somber silence between them.
"...ya gonna open that?" Sonic asked, tapping at the lockbox. "'Cause I am dying to know what's inside."
Stone looked between the box and Sonic. After taking a moment to consider it, he nodded affirmatively. "Go on, hop in. Grab a chair. Just don't-" he tried to say, being swiftly interrupted by Sonic pushing himself into the van. He grabbed a stray folding chair and set it up near a worktable. "...don't... never mind."
He shook his head, setting the box down onto the workbench. Stone then grabbed a rolling chair and pulled it up to the workbench and settled in to study it thoroughly. After taking off a glove, his thumb hovered over the fingerprint scanner. There was a moment of hesitation, and that distinct sordid silence returned. He sighed, shaking his head before eventually unlocking and opening the box; he put his glove back on soon after.
The lockbox opened with a small hiss. Inside were two small items: an envelope on the bottom with a small palm-sized gift box sat on top.
"Ooh, a present!" Sonic cheered, pumping one fist into the air. "Come on, openitopenitopenit!!"
Stone ignored the hedgehog.
Instead, he gently pulled the envelope out from under the gift box. He flicked a small razor from a utility pocket on his gloves to open the envelope in one swift slice. After stowing the blade away, Stone gingerly pulled out a folded up piece of notebook paper. He then began to read the hand-written note in silence.
Agent Stone.
If you're reading this, then I have perished in the collapse of the Eclipse Canon. As of right now I'm changing into the suit Papa gave to me. You'll get to see it in the broadcast, I'm sure.
I know that he's going to destroy the Earth. I know how to stop him. But... it'd mean the end for everyone up here, so I'm getting this package together for you.
I want to say that I'm sorry. I've been a grade A asshole to you, even though I shouldn't have. I've been dealing with this internal struggle for far too long... so I'll just say it all out on here.
I'm in love with you. Have been since the first time we hunted that damned hedgehog. I just could never say it to your face because of the situation we found ourselves in. I know I can never say it to you, face to face... so I had this tie pin commissioned using a shard of the Master Emerald that went inert when it was crushed.
I'm sorry I couldn't give this to you myself. I love you. Goodbye.
- R
After reading the last few sentences, Stone's whole being began to tremble. His fingers buzzed, and his eyes began to water. Sonic, who had read the entire thing over Stone's shoulder without the human noticing, could only stare wide-eyed. His mouth was agape with shock, and emerald green eyes darted between the note and the box.
The silence weighed a thousand tons. For Sonic, he didn't quite understand what was going on. For Stone, though, it was as if a year of mourning and loss had hit him all at once. He couldn't believe it - all this time, the feeling of adoration had been mutual; it wasn't one sided. It was never one-sided.
With trembling hands, Stone opened the small box. Inside was a tie pin - a large emerald centerpiece was surrounded by seven colored hearts evenly spaced in a circle around it.
Sonic ruminated for a moment, considering the consequences of his next actions. When Stone eventually set the box down, the hedgehog wrapped his arms around him in a giant bear hug. For a good moment or two, Stone cried into the top of Sonic's head, his tears staining his quills. It took a few minutes for Stone to let go of Sonic, and he offered the hedgehog an understanding smile.
"The invitation's still open, Stone." Sonic offered once more, motioning towards the door. "I'd hate to leave you alone after..."
As Sonic trailed off, Stone gently affixed the pin to his tie, adding a small splash of color to his otherwise monochromatic outfit. "Let's go. I think I've been alone for long enough."