Roses Bloom in Winter

Warmth and Hot Cocoa

Amy internally smiled at the sternest in his tone. She found it somewhat. . .attractive. Her thoughts drifted as Shadow pulled her towards the edge of the woods. He was dead set on getting her out of the cold.

He just wanted her someplace warm. Someplace that would keep the cold away, and if that was her apartment then that's where they were heading. He walked through the snow, the white substance crunching under his feet. He glanced over his shoulder at the rose hedgehog. He could see her teeth chattering even as she tried to hide it.

"You can't fool me, you know." He said, but he didn't stop moving forward.

She looked at him in confusion.

"It's obvious you're freezing. Now where's that park you talked about?" He asked as they emerged from the woods. Amy stepped beside him and pointed to their far left.

"That way," She continued to point. "See it? With the slide and the red swing set?" Before Shadow could confirm that he did indeed see the bright red, snow covered swing set, Amy was already marching in that direction.

Shadow followed behind her with a quiet huff. "Rose, please don't just go ahead." He said, his voice thick with concern. "It makes me feel. . .uneasy."

The rose colored hedgehog spun around, a look of annoyance apparent on her delicate face. "Oh, please." She scoffed. "I've traveled the routes of this park for almost three years. I know it like the back of my hand." She declared. As if to prove her point she pointed to the back side of her right hand. "It's perfectly fine, Shadow. Really."

The ebony male released an exasperated sigh and stepped towards her, taking her in his arms, wrapping her in a warm embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she burried her muzzle in his warm neck.

"We need to keep walking, Rose. It's getting colder outside." He whispered, his breath warm against ear. She felt a string of goosebumps trail down her back.

Reluctantly, she released the ebony male and continued walking. Shadow didn't walk far behind her. As she walked through the snow, Shadow watched as her her legs pumped forward. He watched as her hips swayed from side to side as she walked. He watched how her tail twitched when she shivered.

"We're here." Amy spoke happily as they approached a large brick building. Shadow looked up at the building. He'd been so focused on her and how her body moved he didn't notice that they'd walked so far already.

"Where do you live?" He asked, still looking at the building.

"The third floor." Amy smiled into the air as she walked towards the front doors of her apartment building. Shadow, once again, noticed how her hips swayed when she walked. He liked it. He continued to walk behind her just for that reason. Just because, he enjoyed the way her hips moved.

He followed her through the glass doors of the building, through the lobby, and into the somewhat small elevator. He watched as her slim, delicate fingers pressed the large white button engraved with a number three. Shadow felt the elevator begin to move upward and a sudden feeling of anxiety hit him. He clenched his fists in attempt to block it out.

A loud ping filled the elevator as it lurched to a stop. The doors slid open and Amy stepped out. "It's just down this hallway." She said as she pointed to her right. She motioned for him to follow her as she began to walk away.

Soon they approached a redish brown door with a bright green welcome mat. Amy reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of keys.

"This one is your apartment?" Asked Shadow curiously.

Amy nodded proudly. "Yep. I've lived here for almost three years. I love this place." She said as she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

As they walked in, Shadow was hit with the a strange smell. It smelled like Amy. He liked it. The smell was sweet and warm as it surrounded him. "What's that smell?" He asked.

Amy cocked her brow. "What do you mean? Does it stink?" She asked worriedly.

Shadow shook his head. "No! No. Not at all. It smells. . .like you, Rose." He smiled softly. "It smells nice and sweet."

A blush crept onto Amy's muzzle. She unzipped her coat and removed it, revealing a tight, red turtleneck sweater. She turned to hang her coat on the back of the door.

Shadow's eyes wandered her body. He mentally traced her soft curves and feminine figure. She was gorgeous. And it was driving him insane.

She turned to him, a soft, dimpled smile on her face. "Do you want to try some hot chocolate?" She asked as she pointed to her kitchen. "I can make you some."

He remembered trying to taste the warm liquid on her lips. A feeling of warmth began to spread through his lower abdomen. "Yes, please." Shadow nodded.

"Okay." Amy replied with a smile as she walked towards her kitchen. Once again, Shadow found himself staring at her body as she moved. He traced it with his eyes. He memorized it. But, the more he did these things, the more he found himself wanting her. Wanting to touch every inch of her soft figure. The heat in his lower andomen intensified.

What was happening to him? Why was he feeling this way? Why was he thinking such purculiar thoughts?