The sounds of joyful chatter and blades dragging against ice filled the frosty air. The atmosphere was a pleasant one, calm and welcoming, making the Winter season the most enjoyable. The Blue Blur and his friends were participants in this icy event. All joining in on the fun that took place. Well, all but one, of course.

Shadow sat slouched on the park bench. His displeased frown almost became a childish pout. As one would guess, he wasn't exactly fond of coming out into the cold just to skate around for a while. Even with the rink decorated with glistening lights, made to create a beautiful view from afar, you'd think he'd at least enjoy watching.

Nevertheless, his friends still didn't hesitate to try and amuse him by peeking over the half-cut wall and sending him a wave. As expected, he shot a glare and ignored their friendly gesture.

Someone who was also watching from the sidelines was Blaze. But instead of distancing herself as Shadow did, she watched from the wall. Amy would often come by to talk or show her a few tricks she had been teaching herself. Sonic wasn't hesitating to impress her either.

Yet, Blaze was beginning to get disinterested. There was only so much attention she could give.

"I wish those two would just stop bickering." Amy rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall. Her cheeks were red from the cold, and her breath was foggy.

"They seem to be having fun regardless," Blaze replied, an awkward chuckle escaping her lips.

Sonic and Knuckles were acting childish as per usual, pushing each other over. A light kick on the back of Knuckles' skate sent him to the ground, Sonic cackling, as he skated circles around him.

"You're a joke! What was that you said about your quick reflexes, Knuckle-hea-?" Sonic was swiftly grabbed by the ankle and pulled down, landing on his face.

"Up yours!" Knuckles yelled back, his cackle more sinister.

Noticing Blaze's unamused demeanour, it spiked curiosity, "Why not join us? I can tell it's boring just watching." Amy asked.

Blaze gently shook her head, "I'm fine, really. I prefer to watch you all. It's entertaining?" It sounded more like a question than a statement, making her lie more obvious, but it still seemed to answer the question.

"Well, alright," Amy pushed herself off the wall with her skate, waving back, "If you change your mind, give me a shout." She called back, gliding gracefully across the ice. The fiery feline eyed her moves as she traveled back over to pry Knuckles away from Sonic after a fistfight broke out. She'd been improving greatly at skating since the beginning of their arrival.

Sighing, Blaze switched her attention behind her. Straight away, Shadow caught her eye. She had grown to like the shady hedgehog over recent events. Well, considering their not-so-friendly encounter from the first time they met.

Shadow caught on to Blaze's observing. Strangely enough, his mood switched once she began making her way over to him.

"By yourself, as usual, I see." Blaze teased as she sat down beside him. Shadow noticed she had become more social than she was before, even with himself, which he found very surprising.

"Personally, I'd rather not get involved with the activities they consider fun." He tilted his head to the side, looking up at her. His fed-up expression made her smile. He looked ahead, cringing as he scanned over the rink, "I wasn't expecting you to be here." He said honestly.

"A pleasant surprise, I hope."

"As always, your highness."

"I told you to quit it with that 'your highness' act." He felt a nudge on his arm.

Unknowingly, he smiled as he continued to watch the patterns on the lights ahead flicker. As happy as he was to be on his own, a sense of comfort came over him when she arrived. He couldn't quite understand why. Of course, the two had become a lot closer. Perhaps he found a friend he enjoyed talking to.

Interrupting his thoughts, Blaze spoke, "Can you not skate? Is that why you're not joining them?" A hint of amusement was in her tone, as if she was expecting him to get offended by her question.

"You're very funny." Sarcasm dripped from his words, his gaze locking with hers, "of course I can."

"Then why not join?" She inquired once more.

"I don't want to."

"But there must be a reason."

"There isn't."

"Are you sure?"

"Never been more." He spoke through gritted teeth, folding his arms, "Ice is considered a hazard, I don't understand why people turn it into a game."

There was a small pause before Blaze spoke. It saddened her to see him still stuck with his negative attitude.

"You know, from my many visits here, along with getting to know my friends more, I've learned that not everything is supposed to be your threat," she let out a breathy laugh, finding it humorous to look back on her old self. "It's okay to enjoy yourself sometimes."

She put a hand on his shoulder, "Maybe... lighten up."

Shadow's tenseness softened. It was such a simple statement, but she seemed sincere with her words. And of all the people to have spoken to him about positivity, he wasn't expecting it to be from her. That said, coming from her made him believe it rather than coming from someone else.

"I know it's easier said than done, and really cliché, but-"

"It's not the end of the world."

Her ears perked up, a smile forming on her muzzle, "Exactly. It's not."

"Yeah, no. I don't ever plan on joining them to skate, or joining them in whatever else they decide to throw together in the future." He stated, with a smug look on his face as he debunked her 'inspiring speech'. Though, expecting him to say something like that, she shrugged.

"I take it you can't skate though." Shadow guessed, relating to their first topic.

Blaze simply nodded, accepting that fact easier than most. "Correct. I cannot."

Shadow raised a brow, "For a girl with a lot of elegance, I would've assumed the simplest thing you could do is skate."

"Elegance?" Her eyes slightly widened, questionably. She tried to find sense within his sharp irises.

"Yes, I'm complimenting you. Take it before I change my mind." He said harshly, but the smirk on his face stated otherwise.

A blush appeared as she smiled awkwardly. She did not know how else to react to the sudden compliment. Something she was noticing about him more was his somewhat adorable way of being kind. Sure, it was mixed with a slight bit of mockery, but she could tell he was trying.

"I would say the same to you, but well, frankly, I would be lying." She bit her lip to suppress her laugh as she watched his expression dull. "But I wouldn't be lying when I say you can be very sweet when you want to be."

Shadow opened his mouth to speak, but found it difficult to let his thoughts out. He was feeling exactly how she had felt when he had done the same to her. Yet, it was as if the odds were on his side; commotion up ahead distracted the two from continuing a conversation.

"He started it!" The hot-headed echidna growled.

"Oh, hush." Rouge pulled Knuckles to a distance. Sonic, who was placed on the other side of her to separate the two, didn't retort. He held his nose, his gloved hand covered in blood. Both had bruises on their bodies as a result of the rink brawl. Shadow and Blaze stared in silence as they came towards them.

"These boys are currently on time out for bad behaviour. This is why we can't have nice things." The ivory bat tutted.

"It was his fault," Knuckle muttered, unheard.

"You two seem comfy." Rouge exhaled in exhaustion. She then scanned the view before her, her lip pouting, "Yeah, you do seem comfy."

Shadow's nerves irritated him. He wanted out of the situation Rouge was about to put him in. He could tell by her tone that she wasn't going to let whatever she came across slide.

"Faker, give me your skates." He blurted out.

"Wha-" Sonic was dazed from the vibrating pain in his face.

Shadow narrowed his eyes, giving him a stern look, "I won't ask you again." He looked over at Rouge, "Same with you; give your skates to Blaze."

"Aye, aye, Shaddy."

"Wait, what?" Blaze looked between the two, then back to Shadow nervously. "Shadow, I told you, I can't skate."

Crimson eyes locked with her amber ones again.

"Then I'll just have to teach you."

Blaze balanced gingerly by the entrance of the rink, her hands gripping the wall beside her. She looked down at the line where concrete met ice. If she wasn't overthinking the situation as much as she was, she'd find it silly that she was being intimidated by frozen water. Ironic considering her abilities.

"You know, the first step to skating is getting on the ice, princess." His deep voice caused her to snap her head up. It amazed her how effortlessly still he stood on the ice without losing his balance.

She slowly lifted her leg, placing her foot on the ice, her grip on the wall tightening. Adding pressure, her foot began to slide. She quickly pulled her leg back, looking back up at the already impatient hedgehog.

"I can't do it." She shook her head. From the number of times he had seen her kick ass, her showing such vulnerability towards skating amused him. He saw it as almost... cute.

"It's been fun," Blaze motioned towards herself, "Now, help me take these off."

Sighing, Shadow went over as told. But giving up wasn't an option for him. He wasn't about to waste all the time he took to get her to the rink in those skates just for her to dip out.

He gently placed his hands on her waist, lifting her onto the ice. Blaze, not expecting the sudden lift, instinctively wrapped her arms around him. Both were unaware of their closeness until she made contact with the ice. Shadow ignored the blush that threatened to appear, slowly letting go once she was steady.

"Wait!" Blaze began to wobble, grabbing his forearms for support, "Don't let go."

Shadow rolled his eyes. He wasn't the teacher type. He didn't even want to be on the ice in the first place. The sudden change of events unnerved him.

Across the rink, Amy had been skating around with Tails and Cream. With a small glance towards the two, she halted herself. A wide grin stretched across her muzzle. Surprised happiness radiated from her expression. It was as if she had been watching a romance film and the romantic interests finally had that heartwarming scene.

Not to ruin the moment with her staring, she giddily got back to what she had been doing with her young friends, guiding them further down the rink.

"Okay, now step two, the actual act." Shadow's curt remark earned a glare from the princess.

Blaze released her grip from his arms, snapping back at him, "I'm sure you weren't exactly amazing at this yourself when you first started." She spread her arms out for balance, glancing up at Shadow. A crimson gaze eyed her back.

Shadow had skated a bit ahead to create a distance between them. Blaze watched curiously whilst still trying to keep her balance on the thin blades.

"Skate over here." He called out. Blaze looked at him bewildered.

Shadow scoffed, irritated by her lack of knowledge. She had stated she didn't know how to skate, but he at least expected her to be able to learn the basics from watching others.

"Look... just use your foot to push yourself off," he demonstrated for her before going back to his original place.

Blaze furrowed her brows, frustrated by his ignorance, "Oh yes, let me just go right ahead and do that." She placed her hands on her hips. Her legs wobbled a bit from her lack of balance.

"Do I have to spoon-feed you?" groaned Shadow as he made his way back over to her. He skated behind her. He encircled one of his hands around hers, his other hand resting on her lower back as he guided her on the ice. Blaze was now very aware of the closeness they were at yet again, Shadow was surprisingly unfazed, obviously too concentrated on the task.

"Just follow my movements." He ordered.

He began to skate slowly, easing her into the process. Eventually, Blaze began to focus on the movements rather than the fact that the shady hedgehog was right up against her. Still a bit shaky, she managed to start up a rhythm.

A sense of relief washed over Shadow once she got the hang of it. He cautiously let go, moving to her side. His hand trailed down to hers as he guided her for more security. She wasn't prepared to skate on her own just yet, her instincts took control, causing Blaze to tighten her grip.

Over time, Blaze had gotten more used to the ice. She had been able to now attempt it on her own without using the support of Shadow. She was beginning to understand why so many others found joy in skating; she had quickly started to like it as soon as she was up and at it. She could also tell Shadow truly enjoyed it too. All he needed was to actually get to the skating. Once he was on the ice, it's as if the 'dislike' he showed towards it never existed.

Blaze was also taken aback by the giddy behavior he had been drawn to. She had fallen a few times, which resulted in laughter from Shadow. Even with opportunities to catch her, he let her fall for his entertainment, and now here he was, laughing at her again. Blaze could only be a good sport about it and laugh back, but it was mostly his loud, unexpected cackles that got her acting up.

"That's twelve times now." Shadow wiped the dampness from his eye, lending the princess his hand.

"It saddens me that you've been keeping count." Blaze joked, brushing herself down.

The approach of another pair of skates attracted the two's attention. Amy, as blissful as ever, giggled as she twirled towards them. Her emerald gaze brightly greeted them.

"Is that Shadow? Shadow the Grumphog? Laughing?" She leaned closer, her expression exaggerated.

Shadow's composure swiftly snapped back, his memorable frown returning once more: "Do you have a problem, Rose?"

"Not at all!" Amy said, winking cheekily at the feline beside her. Blaze cluelessly blinked, scanning both hedgehogs.

"Well!" Amy slid her hand into Blaze's, pulling at her arm lightly, "Let's head back to Sonic's. You both must be pretty cold. We're all gonna hang at his for the evening."

A small scoff was returned from Shadow, but Amy paid no attention as she continued to lead Blaze off the rink. Blaze unintentionally tugged at Shadow's glove gently as she herself was being pulled away. Her grip loosened as soon as Amy dominated the situation. Blaze looked back at him, smiling. A hint that she wanted him to follow.

A warm feeling arose in Shadow's chest. He was somewhat disappointed, even irritated, at the cheery hedgehog. A small attachment had occurred that he hadn't been aware of, so he wasn't expecting himself to be so angry about his time cut short with the princess.

"Shadow!" Her voice called out to him, "Are you not coming?!"

He looked ahead. Even as she was being dragged away, she still attempted to make eye contact with him. He nodded, even though it would be hard for her to tell from afar, "Yeah, I'll be right there!"

The events were taking place indoors, yet Blaze still found herself isolated from the rest. Sonic's backyard was fairly large, mainly for the space to put Tails' workshop. She admired how well-kept the floral was, despite the damage Tails' machines had done to it. The trees were tall and almost fluffy looking as their branches swayed the leaves in a synchronized manner. She was almost hypnotized by their movements. She rested her head on her hand as she leaned against the patio fence that sectioned off an area from the rest of the garden just by the back door.

A lot was on her mind. The sudden flood of thoughts was heavy. She dwelled on the past events that happened that day. Sometimes, positive moments that happen can lead to negative feelings. Perhaps overthinking took over, causing her to overanalyze unnecessary things. Things like her emotions. Confusion pressured her thoughts, making him the main thing her brain wanted to focus on.

"Are you alright?" His memorable deep tone rang through her ears. Abruptly, he was beside her, his hand gripping the fence right next to hers.

She snapped herself from her dazed state, "I'm okay." She answered, looking up at him. He was already looking back at her, his expression surprising her. He didn't look cold or angry like his usual demeanor would suggest, but he looked placid. A small smile even showed, but it was just noticeable.

"Rouge and I are going to head off." He said.

Blaze hadn't realized her shoulders were tense until she had relaxed them from hearing his statement.

"Oh, you are?" Her disappointment was obvious.

"Yeah," he matched his energy with hers, "I'll be sure to say hello next time you visit, instead of just... moping."

She stared up at him, her head lightly shaking, "I'm sure more than just a hello would be better," she pulled him into an unexpected hug. She felt him wrap his arms around her waist tightly. He rested his head on her shoulder, and she felt her knees become weak at his touch.

"I actually enjoyed myself today," he gently whispered. He sounded as if he was in disbelief.

Blaze pulled back, the two of them still stuck in their embrace, their faces inches away. An immense feeling overwhelmed her, her face lighting up in a heated blush. The only thing that was keeping her standing now was the firm grip he had around her waist.

As if their current thoughts were exchanged, Blaze pressed her lips against his. Her hands cupped his face, pulling him in closer as if it were even possible for him to get any closer.

They pulled away, both frozen in place. The shock of what had just happened suddenly washed over them.

"Come on, Shad!" Rouge's voice echoed from inside the house.

"You should get going now." Blaze said, a smile threatening to show. Shadow did nothing but nod, his arms hesitantly releasing her from the tight hold. He stuttered quietly as Blaze ushered him off. Slowly turning him towards the door, leading him away, she spoke,

"I'll see you again soon."

A/N ~ I hope you enjoyed this little one-shot I scraped together, let me know if you liked it!