Chapter Text
Eventually, the strong effect of the alcohol made their head spin as their vision began to blur, difficult to see straight.
They've drank a couple of shots and still couldn't get enough. Empty glasses sat on the wooden counter. Hours has passed since their first shot.
And by the looks of it, it's safe to say Black Pudding and Camembert aren't aware of how long they've been chugging down liquor so mindlessly.
Black Pudding, with his palm on his forehead, groaned, while Camembert stayed sharp, his posture firm. However, the enforcer's flushed face and his occasional hiccups says otherwise.
"Not bad, thought you're all bark and no bite. Guess I've underestimated you." the swordsman's voice slurred.
"Put a sock in it or I'll send you six feet under." Camembert bit back.
"Haven't loosened up a bit, have you? you're drunk, live it up a little. We aren't going to remember anything tonight anyways, not when we've drunk so much."
Black Pudding paused, before offering a deal with the other cookie, "tell me a secret, get it off of your chest, then I'll tell you mine."
There was hesitation from the blonde. This could be the chance he'd be able to peel off the mysterious layers of this enigmatic cookie, find his weak spot and get rid of him once and for all.
He could make up a lie, false information, anything to trick this insufferable pest, have him think that he’s got the upper hand.
However, Camembert felt this urge to express his true feelings to Black Pudding that threatened to consume him whole.
This can't be right, this must be the witches' doing, or maybe it’s the whiskey’s effect on him.
After a few moment of fighting with his own thoughts, he gave in.
"I sometimes wonder what'd have happened if I chose to stay." He muttered under his breath.
Black Pudding blinked, thousand of questions popped up in his mind.
Not only was the dark-haired cookie in deep confusion, but he wasn't exactly sober to comprehend what Camembert was implying. "Do elaborate, young master."
"Must I spell out everything for your feeble brain to understand? Don't waste my time, dirtbag." he replied, only to receive a thousand yard stare from the swordsman, to which the enforcer took as a "yes"
"It's suffocating in here." the blonde confessed through gritted teeth and was immediately filled with remorse. Hell, why did he say that? AND to Black Pudding, of all cookies, who knew what sinister plan the other was scheming to mess with Camembert?
"It's okay, let it all out."
What?
Camembert's eyes widened in surprise, he hadn't heard such words for so long, words that eased the spiralling emotions inside his mind, words that comforted him.
No way, he must be imagining things. There's absolutely no chance that this vermin would dare to even consider belittling him!
Then, a wave of nausea hits him.
Maybe violence isn’t the solution, at least not in this drunken state.
Noticing the Camembert's conflict with his own thoughts, Black Pudding can't help but feel a twinge of worry.
"Take your time."
The young master of Lactose took a deep breath then continued, "Things... are complicated in here and I find myself pondering what I'd become if we were still together." He said as his cheeks turned impossibly redder.
Embarrased, Camembert closed his eyes shut, expecting an insulting remark from the swordsman.
But to his astonishment, he felt a weight on his scarred hand. The sudden physical touch startled him, making the blonde flinch, instinctively opening his eyes too see…
Black Pudding’s gloved hand on his.
”We can put our differences aside today and have a little chat, settle things down?” The dark-haired cookie stammered.
Camembert’s breath hitched while he was fidgeting the hem of his crisp brown shirt. “…You really are drunk.”
“Doesn’t take a genius to know that.”
“Are you provoking me?”
"It matters not, made up your mind?"
Black Pudding leaned forward, his elbows on the cold surface of the bar counter as silence stretched even longer between the two. Camembert swallowed before he whispered, "I miss what we had, I admit. But... It still feels somewhat wrong."
"Wrong? why?"
"We're both guys, it's not right, let alone our... backgrounds."
The blonde's words made Black Pudding's heart skip a beat. He could feel his face burning with anger.
"Cut your bullshit out, you aren't fooling no one. The Lactose can never treat you the same way like I did."
"Shut up, pest! Quit being so selfish and actually consider how guilty I felt for being with the likes of you!"
"You're the selfish one, you couldn't even contact with me and just disappeared out of my life. Have you any idea of how worried I was?!"
Black Pudding paused to catch his breath.
"And guilty? For what? Being with me? Finally getting to know how to love? Being loved?"
The enforcer froze, suddenly felt unable to come up with a response.
"Cat got your tongue? Or was I correct?"
"Either way, you're full of shit, Camembert." The swordsman muttered, his voice heavy with emotions.
"Well, I'm sorry I couldn't make a rational decision back then!"
"You didn't care about my feelings!"
"Of course! Why would I give a flying fuck about your stupid feelings when our heads were on the line!?"
Black Pudding's heart sank, his body suddenly felt cumbersome and heavy.
"...Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't." Camembert answered quicker than the other cookie had expected.
"Listen, is going through their abuse really worth it?"
The blonde gave a hesitant nod as an answer.
"As long as I can overthrow her, surpass that woman..."
"Another thing I want to ask."
The enforcer sighed as he rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"was it you or your family that was against of our... gender, back then?"
"It's something that taught me not to do, it's a filthy sin."
"But you still chose to go out with me as your first love, pretty guy?"
Camembert took another shot, feeling the strong bitter taste of the whiskey. He slammed the glass down with strong force, but not enough to break it. After what felt like an eternity of staring at the counter, he stood up and tossed a sack of coins to the bartender as he grabbed his coat, heading home.
Seeing the young master leave, the swordsman didn't have any other reason to stay at the pub either. He paid up, wore his cape, then left.
The cold midnight breeze sent shivers down his spine despite wearing multiple layers of clothing. Black Pudding stood on the stone pavement, turning to Camembert's side, who is occupied with his phone. But of course, all of those whiskey he chugged down made it difficult for him to see normally. The blonde fumbled and didn't seem to recall his chauffeur's phone number. Frustrated, he put the device into his pocket and decided to walk on his own.
Camembert's silhouette somewhat glowed in the swordsman's eyes. Doesn't matter, he's drunk anyways. But seeing Camembert walk away made him feel unsatisfied. The urgent and growing need to interact with his ex made him clench his teeth.
"Wait."
The blonde stopped in his tracks. He turned to glance at Black Pudding over his shoulder.
Black Pudding pulled him into an embrace
Camembert's dough suddenly felt light
He felt Black Pudding's warm breath against the nape of his neck.
He smelled that greasy and musky scent that he used to like.
He saw Black Pudding holding him tight in the corner of his eyes.
He heard both his rapid heartbeat and the other cookie's breathing.
"W-What is it?" The blonde stuttered.
"I had fun tonight, let's do this more often."
"This doesn't change anything between us."
"Agreed."
They both stood there in the empty alleyway silently. Slowly, Black Pudding loosened his hold on Camembert as he whispered, "See you in our next battle, charming."
And with that, the swordsman disappeared in a blink of an eye.
Camembert couldn't help but smirk.
"See you again,
partner."