If there were sparks, it is a sign that the connection between the (touching) wires might not have been that good. If the wires weren't hot when you seperated them, that is another indication that not a great deal of current was traveling though them.

Too many "it depends" things, no two shorting events are going to be the same and it's hard to come up with rules as to what is going to happen, other than just saying "Don't do it" or "avoid it if possible".