Roses Bloom in Winter

A Cold Shadow

The two males continued to stare at one another in an uncomfortable silence, until Sonic cleared his throat. "Well, um, nice to meet you." He forced a smile onto his muzzle as he spoke to Shadow, who put forth less effort.

"Likewise.". He merely muttered.

Sonic's false expression faulted and he turned his attention back to Amy, who was cautiously looking between the two boys.
"So, do you still want to go for coffee tomorrow? If not, that's totally fine." He ran a hand through his quils.

The pink female smiled. "Yes, Sonic. That's fine." Her eyes fell to Shadow, who had a look of puzzlement on his face.

She looked back to Sonic. "Would you like some hot cocoa?" She asked sweetly. Sonic smiled a genuine smile once again.

"Sure, why not." He walked to Amy's wooden dining table and sat down as she walked back into the kitchen, followed by Shadow.

As Amy reached into the cupboard, Shadow brought himself close to her. "Is that a friend of yours, Rose?" He asked nosily. Amy pulled out a plain white mug.

"Sonic? Yeah, we go back a long time. I've known him since I was little. Why?" She walked to her refrigerator and pulled out the milk again. Shadow turned his head back towards the dining area where the blue hedgehog currently sat.

"I have no reason." He lied. Deep in his stomach there was a feeling he didn't know how to label. He didn't like this feeling; the strange unwanted edge that it placed on him. However, despite not knowing what this feeling was, he knew exactly what had caused it. Seeing Amy with that blue hedgehog. But, why?

Amy paid him no mind. She wasn't particularly worried about his reasoning. She finished making Sonic's cocoa and walked out into the dining area. Sonic grinned happily.

"Thanks, Ames." Sonic loved Amy's hot cocoa. Even though she didn't make it exactly from scratch, it was his favorite. He closed his jade eyes and wafted the scent of the warm, chocolatey drink to his nose. Amy giggled.

"Just drink the damn thing, don't inhale it." She said jokingly. "Oh, but be careful. You might have to blow on it, it's kinda hot." With that being said she walked back into the kitchen where Shadow still stood, leaning against the beige colored counter.

He had an odd look on his face. A look of what seemed to be a cross between confusion and concern. Amy grabbed his cup of cocoa off the counter beside him and pressed the warm glass mug against his chest. "What seems to be the issue?" She questioned.

Shadow allowed his eyes to meet hers. "You are the only mortal who has been able to ever see me until this present moment. Why was that hedgehog able to as well?" His voice was quiet and soft. "I don't understand. . ." His sentence trailed off as his mind continued to wonder.

Amy sighed. "I don't know, Shadow. I'm still having trouble believing this isn't a dream." She laughed. Shadow enjoyed the sound. He placed a hand on top of the female's head, earning a surprised looked from her.

"I blame you." He joked with a smile. Amy swatted away his hand.

"Oh, shut up." She shook her head as she placed his mug back onto the counter and walked back into the dining area. Shadow smiled slightly to himself, despite being concerned. He recognized the phrase from hearing people talk as he continued on with his winter summoning.

Sonic sat with his head tilted back, his cocoa mug pressed to his lips as he gulped down the warm liquid. He placed the now empty mug onto the table and trailed his tongue over his lips greedily. He saw Amy walking into the room again and smiled.
"Wow, done alread" Amy shook her head as she grabbed the dirty glass.

Sonic shrugged. "What can I say? It was delicious as always." He watched as Amy's mouth curved into a small smile. He really liked her smile.

"Hey, Ames. Before you take that," his voice suddenly stopped to a whisper. "Who is that guy?"

She tossed the blue male a confused look. "I already told you who he is, Sonic."

"I know, that's not what I mean." He felt his palms begin to sweat. "Like is he a family member or something like that?" He asked hoping that that is indeed what he was to her.

Amy stiffened for a moment. Sonic noticed this and his stomach dropped. Was he someone she was talking to? Sonic had talked to Amy almost everyday and never once had she mentioned another guy.

"He's just a friend I ran into at the park today." She managed. Sonic stared at her.

"Oh, okay." He nodded as he looked away.

"Why?" Amy asked in response.

The blue male shrugged. "I've never seem him before. Just curious." He lied.

Amy nodded in reply and took the cup into the kitchen. Both guys were acting strange. What was wrong?