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Espresso Cookie was tired. Of what, he didn’t know. Perhaps it was the fact he had been up for almost a week straight, surviving on nothing but espresso shots. Perhaps it was the experiments he conducted, trying to figure out how to improve coffee magic, and fix himself.
He knew he was messed up. He knew he was a burden. He knew the only way to redeem himself was to invent an entirely new magic, a magic that would need to be perfect, that way he wasn’t just depriving the world of food and water.
His world, his boyfriend, had died. He felt like it was his fault, his fault that Salted Caramel Cookie had ran into those vile, evil, cookies. He knew it was due to his imperfections that Salted Caramel had always reminded him of.
You sleep too much, do you ever do any work?
You eat too much, why are you depriving others of food?
You are a burden to this world.
Right?
Espresso would always respond to this in the same way, “Yes. I am just a burden to this world. I should try to fix myself.”
Espresso knew what would be coming for him if he ever disagreed with Salted Caramel.
Espresso pressed his hand to his swelling cheek, noticing how it was decorated by strawberry jam and cookie crumbs. He deserved it though, he had been a burden to the world and everyone around him.
Espresso continued experimenting, looking at his bloody arm, which was now mutilated from the blood and skin samples he needed for his experiment. He also saw a few more cuts, which were just there because he deserved it.
He then heard a knock on the door.
How did anybody find him?
_______________________________________________
Salted Caramel had taken Espresso to his home after their first week of dating. After two months they had moved in together, in a small cookie house away from the rest of the kingdom.
Salted Caramel said that if they lived near anyone Espresso would just burden all of them.
Espresso decided to take a look through the peephole, and just not let anybody in. At least he thought that was what would happen.
He looked through the peephole and saw a bright looking cookie, with blond hair and white and gold armor. The gold-
Espresso had found a friend, one he stupidly beleived he didn’t burden. Later that night Salted Caramel had told him that the cookie was a friend of his, and informed him that he only thought of Espresso as a burden.
He figured he should let any friend of Salted Caramel’s in. Maybe if he was lucky he’d only get away with a few hits and this strange cookie would be the new housekeeper. Perhaps he’d know how to fix Espresso.
Espresso unlocked the door knowing what was to come and quickly started whispering, begging, “I’m sorry for killing Salted Caramel! I’m sorry! I’m sorry for not being perfect! I’m sorry for existing and being a burden! I’m sorry for burdening you that one night! I- I-”
_______________________________________________
The second Madeleine Cookie saw who opened the door, he immediately recognized him. That cookie who he might have had the slightest crush on, that cookie who Madeleine had fallen in love with after just one night together, one boat ride together. The cookie who had suddenly disappeared from the kingdom. Espresso Cookie.
He then heard pleads, he then heard Espresso apologize for his entire existence.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry for killing Salted Caramel. I’m so sorry! I’M SORRY FOR BEING IMPERFECT! I’M SORRY FOR BEING A BURDEN!”
Madeleine then noticed a few things about Espresso, the multiple bruises on his face, his mutilated arms, how he seemed so tired.
Was Espresso being abused?
“Es- Espresso were you and Salted Caramel dating?” Madeleine’s voice trembled.
Madeleine had no idea who this Salted Caramel was, but he sure wanted to stab him a few more times then one with his sword.
“Ye-yes. I- I- thought you would know. Wer- weren’t you guys friends? He said you- you- told him that I burdened you.”
Tears were streaming down both of their faces now.
Salted Caramel had told Espresso what?
“NO!” Madeline shouted, enraged.
Espresso flinched largely, tears now rapidly streaming down his face.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Espresso whispered, obviously scared.
Espresso thought Madeleine was mad at him?
“No- No- Espresso you were never a burden.”
“I wasn’t?” Espresso whispered. “You can’t be suggesting that- that- he was lying?”
“I’m sorry Espresso. I don’t think your relationship with Salted Caramel was a very healthy one.”
“I wasn’t abused. He just let me know about my problems. Now please take your leave.” Espresso’s tears had stopped and his voice returned to normal. “I’m so close to fixing myself. Please just leave.”
Espresso turned on Madeleine and started walking back inside.
Thud
Espresso Cookie had collapsed.
_______________________________________________
When Espresso woke up he found he was in the infirmary. His arms, legs, and chest were all heavily wrapped in bandages.
He heard hushed voices, probably talking about how much of a burden he was.
Then he saw Madeleine come over and sit near Espresso’s bed.
“How- how are you feeling?”
“I- I-”
“Shhh. It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”
As much as Espresso hated to admit it, he really thought that Madeleine was well, adorable.
“Can you stay here?” His mouth acted on his own.
Madeleine’s heart melted, “Of course.”
“I- I- Why do you think that Salted Caramel was abusive?”
“Did Salted Caramel ever hurt you?”
“Only when I deserved it. That’s not an abnormal thing y’know, he said it was perfectly normal in all relationships.”
“Oh.. Essy. It isn’t normal. In a normal relationship cookies care for each other, and do anything to prevent the other one from getting hurt, not vice versa.”
“Was- was Salted Caramel bad?”
“I’m so sorry Essy, but yes, he was a very bad cookie.”
“I don’t think you're a bad cookie.”
“Oh.. Essy. I think you’re an amazing cookie.”
_______________________________________________
Espresso got better.
He got better at sleeping, only sometimes staying up all night.
He got better at eating, now knowing he wasn’t wasting any food.
He got better at loving himself, at not feeling the need to hurt.
He knew he wasn’t a bad cookie, he knew he wasn’t a burden.
Every now and then Espresso and Madeleine would cuddle up together, their dough practically melting into each other’s. They would exchange soft kisses and kind words. Madeleine made sure Espresso knew he was loved, Espresso would love Madeleine.
“I- I love you Madeleine.”
“I love you too, Essy.”