How would Sonic and Shadow fall in love?

This is for a fic since the love I'm building for them seems like a fabrication, and I want it to be as believable is I can, so I'm really just asking you guys on your opinions on how it'd get to that point. I thought like, maybe Sonic could save Shadow from something at the last second and then Shadow would be embarrassed he couldn't defend himself but like, genuinely grateful Sonic saved him. And then Sonic is like: 😳 "...oh, you're welcome!". Do you think that could work, maybe?

That's how I picture the beginning of their love I guess. But they don't know they're in love yet, so...

And I'm really hopeful that this could work because at some point they even become friends (it's a long story, but that's why it's a little believable).