Chapter Text
Valentine's Day was always one of the busiest days at the bar. Couples would come in and stay until the wee hours of the night, celebrating their love by getting drunk, and single cookies would either come in with their friends, look for hookups, or just to drink away their sorrows. Sparkling Cookie didn't mind the extra customers; it created more revenue for him, and he always liked hearing them talk.
But, he has to admit that his favorite part of Valentine's is when the bar closes, and his friends are free to come by to talk as he cleans up.
Herb Cookie was behind the desk helping him clean off glasses (despite Sparkling Cookie's insistence that he didn't have to), Vampire Cookie was sitting in the customer's seat, head down on the table, completely wasted as usual, and Mint Choco Cookie… was nowhere to be seen. That's not too unusual though. Mint Choco Cookie was also often busy on Valentine's Day, performing his shows at different Valentine's Day events. He wouldn't be surprised if he was out cold at his house from all the work he did. But, Sparkling just wanted to make sure.
“Do you guys know if Mint Choco Cookie is coming?” he asked.
“Oh, he said he was busy with a concert, but he said he'd be able to make it tonight since two couples canceled. Isn't that great?” Herb Cookie seemed excited, but then he caught himself. “I mean- that he gets more free time. It sucks that he's losing out on some coins.”
Vampire Cookie groggily spoke up, lazily lifting his arm and waving his hand in the air. “I'm sure he'll be fiinneee. One or two less bookings isn't bad in the grand scheme of things."
Herb Cookie chuckled a bit. “Yeah, I guess you're right.”
Sparkling Cookie heard the bell on the door ring and turned around. “Ah, I'm sorry, but we're closed right now. You can come back tomo- oh! Hello, Mint Choco Cookie!”
“Hello, everyone!” Mint Choco Cookie took off his winter coat, setting it aside on a chair next to the entrance to be picked up later. Usually, he was tired at this time of night, but, he seemed to be more giddy for some reason. His face seemed darker than usual, and it looked like he was holding back a smile. And… is he holding something?
“Mint Choco Cookie, glad you could make it! How were the performances today?” Herb Cookie beamed.
“They went well! This one older couple booked me to perform for them at the place where one of them asked the other to marry her while they celebrated their 40th anniversary with a picnic! It obviously wasn't the biggest performance today, but the scene was so cute and the couple was love-”
“What’s that you got there?” Vampire Cookie sluggishly said. “Is that a heart-shaped chocolate box?”
And just like that, the room turned to face Mint Choco Cookie as his cheeks turned darker.
Mint Choco Cookie stayed silent for a bit before putting his hands up and looking very flustered. “Oh, that? Tha-that was just a gift from a fri-friend! It's nothing really. It was just- it was in sale because of Valentine's Day, and they know that I like chocolate so they thought they should buy the box for me-”
While Mint Choco Cookie was trying to explain away whatever he was explaining, Vampire Cookie picked up the box of chocolates next to Mint Choco on his seat and set them on the table. Mint Choco Cookie tried to grab it, but Vampire had already started reading it.
"From Cocoa Cookie. Heart sign.”
The room went silent for a second, and Mint Choco Cookie looked like he was about to catch on fire.
Wait. Are Cocoa and Mint officially-?
“Aww, that's so cute!” Herb Cookie excitedly said, clapping his hands together. “Did she finally confess to you? Did you tell her you like her back? Oh my goodness, I'm so happy for you guys!”
Sparkling Cookie gives Mint a bright smile. “Ha, it took you guys long enough! I remember when you first took her here to meet us, and you two just kept on making heart eyes at each other when the other wasn't looking.” Sparkling chuckles. “I swear, Mint. I've never seen you look more smitten in your entire life.”
Mint Choco Cookie kept waving his hands away in the air and was stumbling as he tried to explain. “I didn't- wha- it's nothing like that! Cocoa just got them for me as a gift! It's not like it means anything!”
“Mint, she got you a heart-shaped box of your favorite chocolates on Valentine's Day, and she even wrote a heart next to your name. Does that seem like it means nothing?” Herb Cookie was leaning over the desk with an intense gaze, but he still had his super bright smile. He always was a bit of a romantic, wasn't he?
Mint Choco Cookie covered his hands with his face, trying to his embarrassment. “I swear it's nothing like that”, he mumbled. He uncovered his face. “This is why I didn't mention the box! I knew that you guys would be all… this about it!” He spread out his hand and made a waving motion with it to emphasize the point.
“Aww, how could we not?” Herb Cookie rested his head on his hands as he leaned over the counter. “You guys have liked each other for how long now? How did she even give it to you? Was it a love confession?”
“It… wasn't a love confession.” Mint Choco Cookie rubbed the back of his neck. “I was just- walking here after stopping at my house, and she saw me in the street and decided to give me a chocolate box she got for me. She, uhm, looked a bit uncomfortable, and told me to have a great night before she went away.”
Sparkling Cookie decided to chime in. “Sounds like she was just nervous. I mean, who wouldn't be after giving their long-time crush a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day? I definitely know you would be.” Sparkling teased. He loved Mint, but he can't deny that his friend had a tendency to chicken-out when he got nervous.
Mint Choco Cookie groaned. “For the last time, she doesn't have a crush on me, and I don't have a crush on her!” Mint Choco Cookie sighs and looks away from Sparkling. “And even if I did have a crush on her- whi- which I don't- she's like- super sweet and pretty and just- really out of my league.”
Sparkling Cookie laughs at that. How naive could his friend be? “You're telling me a girl wouldn't like a sweet, charming musician such as yourself?”
Mint Choco Cookie buried his face in his hands again and mumbled. “It's too late to deal with this right now…”
“It is pretty late, and I'm tired”, Vampire Cookie yawned. He tried getting up from his seat but immediately stumbled and collapsed on the floor. He made absolutely no effort to get up.
Herb Cookie looks at him and lets out an exasperated sigh. “I'd love to stay a bit longer, but I can't in my good conscience let Vampire Cookie walk home by himself right now. Plus, I've gotta open my plant shop tomorrow anyway.” Herb Cookie helps Vampire get up, pitting Vampire's arm around his shoulder, while Herb uses his other arm to hold Vampire by the waist. “C’mon, let's get you home before Alchemist Cookie blows a fuse.”
The two walked out the door, leaving Sparkling Cookie and Mint Choco Cookie there alone.
“I uh- should probably go too”, Mint says. “It's been a long day, and I'm tired.” Just as he was about to pick up his violin and head out the door, Sparkling Cookie stopped him.
“Wait, Mint, stay for a bit longer. I want to talk to you”, Sparkling Cookie says, pouring him a non-alcoholic drink.
Mint Choco Cookie sighs. “If it's about Cocoa Cookie, I already told you multiple times: it’s nothing like that.”
Sparkling Cookie Cookie snickered. “Come on, Mint. We both know that isn't true.”
Mint Cookie blushes again before letting out a groan. “Okay, fine! I maybe sort of do like her.” He pulls out the chair and sits down, putting his shoulders on the table. He avoids eye contact with Sparkling, but he still keeps going. “But, how do I even tell her that? We've been best friends for a long time. I'll be sad if she rejects me, but I can handle that. But I just… really don't want our friendship to be awkward if she does.” He puts his hands on his face as he vents his woes to Sparkling. “UGH, this is why I play my emotions in my music! It's so much easier than saying them!” He took a sip of his drink.
Sparkling leaned on the table, resting his head on his hand. He's heard all sorts of vents and stories from his time as a bartender. His friends would join in, always coming him for advice, but Mint Choco Cookie usually comes in just to check on Sparkling, talk about his day, or try new juice flavors. He doesn't think he ever gave Mint Choco Cookie advice before; especially not on something like romance. But, he was determined to help his friend out.
“If it helps”, he starts, “Cocoa Cookie definitely likes you back.” He wasn't lying when he said that the two were practically giving heart eyes at each other when Mint first brought her over to his bar. She sat really close to him the entire time, always laughed at his jokes (even if they were bad), and, even if it was his first time meeting her, he could tell how close the two were. It'd be more surprising if she didn't like, him honestly.
“You keep saying that, but it's difficult to believe after I've been second-guessing everything that might indicate that.” Mint Choco Cookie went quiet.
Sparkling Cookie sighed. “Look, Mint. I won't force you to do anything that you don't want to do, but I do think you should tell her. From white I can tell, you two absolutely adore each other, and I just want you to be happy. And even if she doesn't like you back, which I very highly doubt, at least you'll get closure. And you can move on. It's better to actually make what you believe can be, instead of just wondering what would be.”
The silence is very loud. Mint Choco Cookie looks down like he's lost in thought. He taps his fingers on the table for a bit. Finally, Mint Choco Cookie breathes in. “Okay”, he says. “You're right. Telling her and being rejected is better than not telling her and always wondering. I'll do it.”
Sparkling Cookie smiles. “That's great! Good luck. I'll be here if you need any help.”