Cookies

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters in this story.

Character(s): Sonic and Tails

Casting a brief glance at the clock for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day, Sonic helplessly sighed, his impatient nature getting the best of him as an internal battle between his heart and his brain ensued within him. While his heart argued that he could easily be doing something productive (like running, for example), his brain retorted that that kind of thinking is what caused his previous two batches of cookies to fail, and end up in a stiff, scorched mess. But it was so hard to just sit here and wait, and not do anything for a good fifteen minutes; if he tried to do anything, even something as simple as watching TV, he'd end up forgetting to take out the batch at the proper time. Yet again.

So he rid himself of all distractions, intent on baking at least one decent batch of cookies before the day was over. But, god, was it boring. It didn't help that he just didn't care about cooking or baking or grilling or whatever other food-making process there was; he may love food, but he hated making it. He didn't find it enjoyable and he just wasn't good at it. To this day, the only food he can reliably make over and over again, and replicate with the same quality, are – understandably – chili dogs.

Unfortunately, six-year-old foxes don't always desire those, so – whether he wanted to or not – the hedgehog has forced himself to learn how to make a few other basic meals. He still hasn't really mastered cooking anything other than his forte, but he continued to try, regardless of the results. Which were – more often times than not – a failure, in which he would have to swallow his pride, admit he failed, and repress the frustrated sigh fighting its way up his throat. It was a painful process, but one he went through quite often, so he was quite used to it by this point.

Still, familiarity of the sensation didn't lesson the blow on his pride any less. Especially when experiencing failure after failure; by his second failed cookie batch, Sonic had briefly considered forgoing his self-sufficiency in favor of dropping by the store to buy some or convincing Amy to make some instead. Both options sounded good, better than what he was working with currently, and he was leaning really close to both.

One thing stopped him before he could go through with either.

Even though cookies were not his forte, he had promised Tails that he would make him some, and the hedgehog couldn't find the courage to go back on his word after glancing out the window; he couldn't rack up the nerve to go out and disappoint the young fox currently playing in the snow, without a care in the world. No, he had to do this; he had to prove to Tails, and more importantly – to himself – that he could do this. That he could take care of the fox just fine.

Still, if he couldn't even make a batch of cookies, how was he ever supposed to take care of a six-year-old kid when he, himself, was only eleven? He knew it was a gamble taking the kit under his wing, and he didn't regret the decision he made, at least for himself. He just didn't know whether it was the right choice for Tails, when the fox could be living a different, possibly a better, life right now.

Steeling his resolve, Sonic continued to stare down the clock, refusing to let down his charge this time. If Tails wanted cookies he made, he would make sure to deliver. He wanted to believe for both him and Tails that he could do this. However, only time will tell.

Smokestep: Thank you all for reading; hope you enjoyed!

Responses To Reviews:

Christian Ape99: I think you mean "scrooge."

Twin-books: Thank you! I'll try my best to.

ShinyShiny9: Ah, yes, realism is an absolute must in this series; in a franchise that stars a blue hedgehog that runs at the speed of sound, what is not realistic? Sarcasm off. Either way, people react differently to certain things, and even if their viewpoints are unexpected, it doesn't mean that they just drop that perspective (i.e. Shadow's attitude towards Christmas). So, there has to be some balance between the cheerfulness and skepticism, however one-sided that balance is

ABCSonicKirbyWarriors: They are quite a sketchy company, I'll say.