Chapter Text
Soulmate. Defined as ‘A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner.’
No matter how often the seasons change or if the tides ebb and flow, a soulmate will always be someone you can return to and lean on through thick and thin.
In hindsight, Cocoa Cookie knew she’d be by Mint Choco Cookie’s side forever. The Violinist and her had been practically joined at the hip since the pair came out of the oven. It was Cocoa who helped Mint Choco buy his first Violin. It was Cocoa who attended his first recital. And the one after that. And the one after that.
Support wasn’t a one-way street, though. It was Mint Choco who was first in line when Cocoa opened her cafe. And it was Mint Choco who produced CD after CD for Cocoa to play at the cafe.
From the many song and dance duets in the Hollyberry Kingdom balls to the performances at many kingdom festivals, not a day went by without the pair spending time together. In hindsight, the two getting together was an inevitability, but neither of them would’ve changed it for the world.
-----
Valentine’s Day.
Cocoa had always adored it. Seeing Cookies from all around the Kingdom come together to celebrate love and the many forms it took… really was magical.
Usually, she’d spend the day by Mint Choco’s side- brewing an extra-sweet pot of Cocoa for the two to enjoy under the cool winter sky. Alas- the holiday meant that Cocoa’s brand-new cafe saw a drastic spike in customers, keeping her behind the counter for the day. She didn’t mind, however. Getting to see the smiles of her fellow cookies as they curled up in her little corners of the kingdom kept her going- as did Mint Choco’s promise that a stellar Valentine’s performance would be ready for her as soon as she could close up shop.
Word had seemed to travel around the Kingdom- with acquaintances of the pair pitching in to assist. The whole event had Cocoa in a tizz. If Mint Choco needed the help of so many Cookies, just what would he be planning?
“Someone’s deep in thought, hm?”
“AH!”
Cocoa Cookie snapped back to reality, noticing that the marshmallows she was pouring into one cup of Cocoa had begun to overflow.
“It’s alright, darling! I can drink that cup- you just get another one sorted, alright?” Latte Cookie reassured the other, sweeping the excess marshmallows into a bin. “Let me guess, you’re thinking about Mint Choco again?”
“I… keep thinking about this show he’s planning,” Cocoa confessed. “He seemed really excited about doing so- I mean, more than usual.”
“Hmm- seems like the two of you are just as insufferable as one another when it comes to this, then.” Espresso piped up from behind the pair. “Interesting.”
“Ah, I just think someone’s salty that the republic called his beloved boyfriend over during Valentine’s Day,” Latte replied, getting a glare from the other Cookie in return.
“Ouch… I’m sorry, Espresso.”
“It’s… fine,” Espresso responded, his tone slightly bitter. “Still, I guess I can’t fault your curiosity. From how much help he’s been receiving, it doesn’t appear to be any ordinary performance.”
“Ooh, you don’t think he’ll be proposing to you, little Cocoa?” Latte asked, a glimmer visible in her eye.
“Goodness, no. It’s far too early for that, Latte!”
“Ah, of course. I keep forgetting the two of you have only been a couple for a few months. Almond and I thought you’d been together for years until we heard the news travel around. You two were practically inseparable!
Cocoa giggled. To be honest, at some point all those years ago, she had questioned if the two had both just subconsciously decided they were a couple at some point in time. She gathered it was just one of the tell-tale signs that the two were always meant to be soulmates.
-----
Hours ticked on by, and the beverage-based trio was still cracking on with their long list of orders. That was- until the bell above the door jingled, and an all too familiar figure stumbled into the building. A face that was not often seen within the four walls of Cocoa’s cafe- but a distinct one nonetheless.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Espresso greeted with a smirk. “Vampire Cookie. Not sober, as per.”
“Ah, Espresso. What the heck would I do without your constant judging!” The Redhead Cookie grinned, the slur in his voice painfully apparent. “I’ve just come to fetch the VIP to my darling best friends’ concert.”
Cocoa’s gaze snapped to the clock on the nearby wall. ‘6:13’, it read. She forgot how fast time flew by on the job.
“Don’t worry, Cocoa! Run off to your performance- we can hold everything down for the last 45 minutes.” Latte assured. “Tell me everything when we next meet, alright?”
“Okay!” Cocoa replied, her tone giddy with excitement. “Thanks, Latte! Thanks, Espresso! Take care of yourselves!”
“Enjoy yourself, Cocoa Cookie,” Espresso replied- a slight smile on his lips.
-----
“So…” Cocoa began, her heart on the verge of imploding. “Anything you can tell me about this secret performance, Vamps?”
“Nah. To be honest, I don’t really know much about it.” Vampire replied. “But I will tell you this. M.C hasn’t been able to shut up about it over the last few weeks. There is one thing I’ll say, however. Violin’s not the only thing that he’s performing onstage tonight.”
“Wait, what?” Cocoa asked, eyes widening. “What else will he be doing?”
“Well, that’s all part of the surprise, ain’t it? You’re gonna have to find that out for yourself.”
After a few minutes of back and forth, the pair arrived at Mint Choco’s Stage- scrambling towards their seats in the front row. A lively buzz could be heard around the venue as many cookies pointed out the girl’s arrival.
But the buzz was soon cut off by the gentle sound of a violin piercing through the stage curtains.
The curtain rose- revealing both Mint Choco, microphones in one hand and instruments in another. The pair grinned- waving frantically at the dark-haired girl sitting captivated within it all. As the crowd’s applause died down, Mint Choco tapped his mic, clearing his throat.
“Good evening, Every Cookie. I’m glad that you could make it this evening.”
More applause.
“Before we begin tonight, I… um… have something special I want to give to an incredibly important member of the audience.” The violinist turned to Cocoa, who had a love-stricken smile growing on her face. “I’m… not much of a poet, but I wanted to show just how much she means to me…”
Mint Choco retrieved a small slip of paper from his pocket- briefly setting his violin down to read its contents.
-----
“Soulmate:
I have always found myself
admiring
you from afar.
Cupid’s
Arrow has lodged itself deep inside my heart.
It’s an odd, fuzzy feeling- this electric kind of love.
It’s as pure as a
flower
and as free as a
dove.
I won’t
dance
around the issue, for it has plagued my mind.
I’ve tried to write it in a
letter,
yet it never comes out right.
How do I tell you that I want to stay by your side,
Give you all of my
affection,
for I know it will never subside.
I find myself dreaming of a life in your arms.
Perhaps, one day we could
bake
under a blanket of stars?
Double dates
with friends, our
first kiss-
just you and me.
The possibilities stretch as far as the eye can see.
I
promise
to devote every day to this love so pure and true,
For you’re the only person my shining heart belongs to.
This
serenade
is corny, I know that much is true, but
It’s as sweet as
chocolate,
as
Cocoa
, as you.”
-----
“Thank you.” The Violinist concluded, eyes glancing over to Cocoa- who appeared to be on the brink of tears. She felt like the luckiest cookie in Earthbread.
Mint Choco retrieved his instrument from beside his feet- signaling to Carol that he was ready for the main event. Cocoa simply sighed with contentment- hugging herself as her gaze remained on the elegant man in front of her. The man she wanted to stay with forever.
Because tonight made Cocoa Cookie re-realize something she’d known for years now.
He was just as sweet as the Chocolate found within his dough.