Continuity: Sonic SatAM (same for the previous fic!)

Cool

Winters in Knothole tended to be harsh. Blustering winds battered the trees and huts. Snow piled high and reached their hips. Only Sonic's speed could disperse it, but his efforts were nullified in an hour or two by more potent blasts of snow. Worst of all, a pitiless chill seeped through the cracks in windows and doors, forcing the Freedom Fighters to wear layers upon layers.

Sanctuary was in the form of Rotor's workshop. He kept his personalized furnace blazing with coals and logs of wood. Sally had requested his mechanisms and devices be stowed in lockers and closets to provide everyone with comfortable space. Their hinges seemed ready to burst at any second if not for the tables piled against them. And although the workshop was cramped, having a plethora of Freedom Fighters in one space, but to brave the storm, they had to make do.

Sitting in the corner, Sally spotted Tails bundled under thick wool blankets. Only the white tips of his tails poked out. Cuddled next to him was Dulcy, a much smaller quilt placed over her slumbering form. Antoine, Bunnie, and Rotor had taken refuge together, the former telling a war story. It was clear to Sally that Antoine was embellishing details, considering how many times Rotor rolled his eyes and Bunnie giggled into her palm.

Other Freedom Fighters were relaxing with warm drinks. Sally glanced at her hot cocoa, the marshmallows soaked in the still powdery chocolate mix. She gently shook her beverage, hoping the warm water would melt the grains soon, listening to clumps of hail battering the building.

"Oh, I hope those windows are still secured," she mumbled, hunching her shoulders.

A blue streak darted next to her and sat down. "And I hope I get a chili dog soon," Sonic replied, grinning.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Seriously? We're in the middle of a blizzard, Sonic. Chili dogs should be the last thing on your mind."

"Sally, hot cocoa and s'mores don't make for a good dinner. A snack, yeah, but a terrible dinner," he insisted.

Spiting him, she sipped. Her taste buds recoiled, and her face scrunched in displeasure. Excessive sugar and sandy chocolate did not mingle with the sweet taste she had anticipated.

Setting aside her mug, she noticed Sonic carried one as well. It was mostly empty except for a stray marshmallow. He dipped his head back and chugged it, swallowing it in one gulp.

"Hardly hits the spot," he said, his gaze drifting to her cup. "You didn't like it?"

She shrugged. "I think I got a bad batch."

Without asking, he grabbed her cup. "Back in a flash."

He was off in the blink of an eye and a wind more bristling than the storm. She fixed her hairdo only to gasp, her arms jerking to her lap. Another round of hail walloped the wall, the metal echoing behind her. Her ears twitched, her breath caught in her throat, the sounds like falling rubble striking the paved streets of Mobotropolis.

She flexed her fingers. It wasn't the time to remember that. She needed to remain strong. It was only a passing blizzard. By morning, it would be over, and they'd proceed to clean up any wreckage.

Sonic returned in a flash as promised. He sat cross-legged, holding out her mug. "Fresh hot cocoa off the presses," he said with a comforting cheekiness.

She smiled and thanked him. Warming her palms, she glanced at the concoction. Miniature marshmallows sat among tiny bubbles produced by the steaming chocolate milk. She asked how he had found the milk, knowing it needed to be stored somewhere cold, and Rotor's lab lacked a fridge.

"Oh, I booked it through the unit chimney, went to Rosie's pad, and snatched a leftover milk carton from hers," he replied, extending a finger for every action. "You're in luck. That was about to expire."

She pursed her lips, less tempted to drink potentially sour milk. But she appreciated the gesture, noting the snowflakes melting in Sonic's quills. "I see. Well, it does look better than the last one."

Taking a risk, she sipped. Saccharine delight soothed her taste buds. Richness washed over the grains still lingering on her cheeks. A pleasant hum left her lips and pressed into the rim, her eyes sparkling in delight, as Sonic smirked, swiping his thumb across his nose.

She swallowed, savoring the last drop. Sighing, she said, "You have a hidden talent for making hot cocoa, Sonic."

"Just add that to my resume. Bashing 'bots, running 'round Robotnik, and curating cocoa." He raised his mug. "Cheers?"

She giggled and clinked glasses with him. "Cheers."

But as she tried a second sip, another blitz of hail struck the wall. She gasped, her shoulders hitching. Her drink sloshed, chocolate rivulets running down the edges. Her heart fluttering, the butterflies in her stomach like a whirlwind, she dug her fingers into her palm, the tension grounding her.

It was nothing like Mobotropolis. They were in Knothole Village. It was only a storm that would last the night.

But Sonic's eyes were wide when she glanced at him. He calmed her tense shoulder and lowered his voice. "Sally, are you okay? We've had way worse blizzards before."

She leaned into the wall, her head suddenly heavy. "Oh, Sonic, I know. It just - it just reminded me of Robotnik's invasion all those years ago." She quickly shook her hand. "Don't mind me. Like you said, we've had blizzards that uprooted homes. This one is nothing in comparison."

"It's still upsetting you," he countered, setting down his drink. He looped his arm around Sally's back, smelling like pine trees, Sally realized, when she nestled into him. "I'm here, Sal. We'll get through the night."

The syrupy vapors rising from their cups meshed together. It blurred the outlines of their friends. Although they still chattered, the howling winds, thundering hail, and twisting metal overpowered their words.

But Sonic was with her. He always remained a constant, comforting companion. He was her friend since she was young and something else now precariously precious between best friend and beloved.

He kissed her cheek. Chapped lips pressed against her fur, banishing her worse thoughts. Sally smiled, easing into his embrace, letting the world melt away like the marshmallows in their cocoa.

When the hail rained anew, Sally was at peace. Together, she and Sonic tapped their cups and drank.