Work Text:
It had been a couple of months since the grape siblings had moved to the Cookie Kingdom.
And the kingdom was amazing, really!
Alchemist had managed to make friends, even a frenemy! She was much happier than the older had seen her in a while, and he was so glad for it!
Even Vampire Cookie himself had managed to make friends, somehow. Shocking, as he had never been social, to begin with- perhaps it was just luck. He didn't care, he liked having friends for a change.
Sure, at first, they hadn't really been friends... they kept inviting him over during the day, which the cookie unfortunately always had to turn down. He stayed away from mirrors as if it was religion. His friends kept asking him why he always looked ill.
They always kept asking why he wanted to be called Vampire Cookie instead of Red Wine Cookie.
They also always asked for what reason he moved to the kingdom.
Sure, Vampire had his excuse ready; "We were lonely in our old house, my little sister was always so sad! When we heard about this kingdom, we decided to take our shot- and good thing we did."
They did not need to know the reason.
"HEY- LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Alchemist cried, being held by two older cookies by her arms, keeping her away from her brother- who was also being held down by a pair of cookies who kept holding him under the sun. Red Wine had screamed and cried, his body burning and hurting and burning and hurting and burning and-
It was smoking.
"Vampires are dangerous creatures! How long before it sucks our jam?!" One cookie yelled.
"We need to keep us safe! The village!" Another one cried, holding tighter onto Alchemist Cookie. Alchemist cried out. It hurt it hurt!
Her cry got a certain someone's reaction.
The vampire stopped crying. Stopped screaming. Stopped everything.
Alchemist gasped, eyes getting small as her heart stopped. No... no...
"Red Wine...?"
"Finally." A cookie groaned, dropping Alchemist to the ground. The younger's eyes never left her brother. "About time. I was getting tired of-"
Growling.
Before anyone could react, Vampire let out an outraged yell, hissing at the cookies holding him as his teeth sharpened and eyes became very bright red- getting free on the spot.
They had moved out that same day.
Sure, Vampire had scared them off- but now the entire village knew his secret.
And if it had been this bad with just four cookies knowing it...
It's not like either knew anyone in the village anyway. But it didn't mean Vampire didn't feel guilty as he watched his sister pack everything as quickly as possible, leaving their entire life behind as they left in the night, Vampire turning into a bat during the day and hiding in Alchemist's hat to have protection from the sun. It hurt.
He was the older sibling, he was supposed to look after Alchemist, he was supposed to-
"You did protect me." Alchemist reminded. "From those cookies who tried to hurt me. From the monster that did... this."
No one needed to know his secret. Not again.
Thankfully, it had become easier to hide with his elixir and suncream.
"Come ooooon, Vamp." Herb Cookie whined, almost leaning over the table to convince anyone at all. "You're on my side, aren't you? You're not gonna leave me lonely?"
"Heeerb." Sparkling huffed. The green cookie whined. "Can't force him to do stuff he doesn't want."
Vampire took another sip out of his juice. "Why do you want us to come so badly, Sprout?"
"Mint Choco Cookie is the only one who ever visits." Herb huffed, crossing his arms. The mentioned cookie looked away from his phone.
"We've never done anything with just... the four of us, you know? I want to get to know you."
"And not me? Rude."
"I've known you longer, Sparkling Cookie!"
Vampire couldn't say he didn't want to go. It could be fun, maybe? But at the same time, he was too lazy and too afraid to do so.
But he couldn't say no to those puppy eyes. Vampire sighed.
"Look, How about... hm... tomorrow night? I'll ask my sister."
"Yes!" Herb cheered, turning to Sparkling. He knew that look.
"No, Herb."
"Pleeeaasseee? You can test your new drink ideas on us!"
"You don't even-... I do have some tea blends I want tested..."
"..."
"Ugh, fine." Herb held up his arms. Vampire drank another sip of juice, trying to calm his heart.
"Are you sure it is safe, brother? Because if someone is making you you can-"
"I'm sure, Al," Vampire told her for the seventh time, putting some sunscreen and elixir in his bag. Hey, bringing a bag along might be suspicious, and yes, it was night- but he wasn't risking it. Not again. "They're way nicer than... ya know."
Alchemist adjusted her glasses, looking over Vampire's shoulder. "I know, but... I haven't even met them, and what if they have different intentions?-"
"Don't worry." He threw the bag over his shoulder, patting Alchemist on the head as he floated upwards. "If anything happens I'll just scream.~ Besides, I'm too fast for anyone to catch me.~"
"And lazy." Alchemist huffed. She tried looking annoyed, but the worried glance was still present. The older one went quiet, before floating down, cupping her cheek and looking right into her eyes.
"I'll be fine, Al. I promise." He held out his pinky. The younger hesitated, before hooking her own finger around it. She sighed, quickly hugging him tightly. Vampire hugged back.
"Just... be careful."
"Heeeyyy... Come on.~ Not made of glass, ya know."
"It would be amazing if that were true."
Alchemist managed to laugh at the offended look she got.
"-and then she gave me flowers as congratulations." Mint Choco giggled, having a love-struck expression on his face. He leaned his head against his head. "She's so nice..."
"Did I seriously close the bar today to listen to Mint Choco Cookie talk about his girlfriend?" Sparkling Cookie whispered to Vampire, who shrugged. Mint Choco huffed.
"That you're destined to be alone forever is not a shame, you know."
An eye roll. A smirk.
Sparkling huffed, before smiling goodheartedly. "Herb Cookie! Come join us before we start the movie without you!"
"Go ahead!" Came a yell back. "I need to season the jellies first!"
"Let him, Sparks." Vampire reached out for the remote, scrolling through random channels instead. "He'll come back soon enough."
"I'm here, I'm here!" Came the plant-based cookie, holding a tray of one pot with four plates on them, quickly set everything up on the table. Sparkling got up to help. Mint Choco and Vampire followed suit, Vampire needing to remind himself to not float towards the table.
"You didn't have to cook dinner, Herb Cookie." Mint Choco spoke, setting all the silverware on the table. "We could have just ordered."
"No, maybe later- but not now! Besides, I want you to try this recipe Sparkling thought me."
"You are trying out my new tea brands after."
"Can't wait!" Herb set four plates down, signaling for everyone to sit. Sparkling was the first to take a bite, his eyes widening. The others seemed to think the same. "Woah..."
"This is great." Vampire cookie said with a mouthful, remembering to cover his mouth with his hand. The others nodded in agreement.
Dinner was eaten, with Sparkling and Herb chatting lively through it, while the other two ate in silence. Mint Choco broke his silence once he had said again;
"This tastes really good, Herb!" The cookie complimented, loving the taste of the dish Herb Cookie had prepared. Vampire Cookie hummed in agreement, putting another spoonful in his mouth.
Herb Cookie smiled, beaming. "I'm glad!"
"No, really- this tastes different than how I normally prepare it. What did you put in this?" Sparkling Cookie asked. Herb's smile just widened.
"The same ingredients you thought me! Tomatoes, jellies, some spices- such as salt, sugar, as well as some greens I grew myself, garlic-"
Vampire Cookie choked on the food he had been eating. The other three looked up.
"Hey, hey- don't choke." Sparkling patted his back. Vampire didn't even think as he swallowed, eyes widening in fear as he realized what he had done.
"What did you say?"
His voice was different. It was urgent.
Herb Cookie frowned. "....I was listing the ingredients-"
"I know! What's in it!?"
"Tomatoes, jellies-"
"The last one!"
".....garlic?"
Vampire looked sick. He didn't hesitate, pushing the cookie patting his back off him, and running straight towards the bathroom. He was faintly aware of someone yelling at him but didn't care, running into the room and locking the door.
The cookie inhaled deeply once he was alone, closing his eyes to calm his pounding heart.
It had been a while since he had eaten garlic.
He tried to recount what he was supposed to do. Once he did, he kneeled down, pulled his hair back, and pressed his fingers against his throat, twisting and pressing them with practiced ease, before he threw up into the toilet.
Garlic was bad.
The first time he had eaten garlic after his transformation, neither he nor his sister had known why he suddenly got so violently ill.
And it just kept getting worse.
With each meal Alchemist had brought him during the time, he had kept getting sicker and sicker, and neither knew why.
Vampire had become paler, sicker, he had almost died. He would have died, had it not been for Alchemist doing research on vampires and finding out vampires can't eat garlic. She had removed the item out of all food kinds since.
He pressed on his throat and threw up again.
He had gotten that sick with just a single bite back then.
If that had been bad, the cookie couldn't even imagine how bad it would be now. He had eaten half his plate.
"Stupid, stupid-" Vampire cursed himself, panting as he leaned his head against the toilet seat.
"Vampire?" There was a knock on the door. "Are you alright?"
He didn't answer, instead forcing himself to sit up and place his hands on his throat again, bracing himself as he pressed down, and threw up a third time that day.
It had been a while since he had accidentally consumed garlic. And Alchemist had been there every single time.
This was the first time he was alone.
Don't get him wrong, he hated having to bother his sister about this issue at all-but he wasn't one to understand the way the elixirs and potions worked, no matter how hard he tried.
After a fourth and final time of getting rid of his dinner, Vampire flushed the toilet, leaning against the toilet seat and panting with his eyes closed. Surely... surely he was alright now.
Vampire was proven wrong when he opened his eyes and saw spots around the room. Darn it.
He started feeling how hot he felt and realized he was sweating. Looking at his arms, Vampire saw they were shaking.
Okay.. okay...
It wouldn't be too long before he would be too out of it to walk anymore... what to do...
Elixir! He had his elixir. That was something.
While it wasn't his time to feed nor the purpose of the potion, it would give him some strength. Hopefully enough to get home.
Having made up his mind Vampire Cookie got up, leaning against the wall.
"Okay... okay..." he mumbled to himself. "One step at a time, Red... one step at a time..."
Somehow, Vampire managed to make his way to the door, unlock it with clumsy hands and stumble out.
Sparkling Cookie stood in front of the door, looking concerned. "Vampire? Are you alright? You just ran off.."
"F'ne." The cookie slurred, still using the wall as support as he walked past the other. The spots in his vision only grew worse, his mind feeling as if it was swimming. All on the vampire's mind was the elixir he hoped would help.
"Uh-huh." Sparkling stepped in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I could hear you talking to yourself in the bathroom. Are you allergic to garlic?"
He had talked to himself? He hadn't even noticed...
"Spar..." Vampire weakly tried to push him away, internally panicking when he felt his stomach drop. He felt nauseous.
He needed his elixir now.
Sparkling only got even more worried, letting go to see Vampire try and get into the living room. He hadn't even set three steps before his knees gave out, almost falling but quickly grabbing the wall.
"V-Vampire!"
"Sparkling... Cookie..." Vampire whined, looking up at the other with teary eyes. This was the first time he used his real name.
"What do you need?"
"....sis... Al... elixir..."
Vampire couldn't say anything else and fainted. Sparkling shouted.
".....What was that about?" Mint Choco frowned, putting his fork down. Herb Cookie looked worried.
"Oh.. maybe he just doesn't like garlic...?"
"I doubt it." They both got up. "He didn't look sick. He looked scared."
Herb gasped. "I- oh divine, is he allergic?! I should have asked for allergies-"
"It's okay, Herb Cookie." Mint Choco smiled calmingly. "Do you need help cleaning the table?"
"But neither of you were done eating..."
"HERB COOKIE!!" Both cookies froze at the yell, quickly turning around to see a panicked Sparkling drag a passed-out Vampire into the living room. "A little help!?"
"O-oh Devine-" Herb's hands had already lit up green before he got to the duo, quickly taking the taller into his arms. Vampire's breathing was shallow, and had he always been that pale?
"He just fainted!" Sparkling made a lot of gestures with his arms, looking around the room as if there was an answer hidden somewhere. "He also looked ill."
Mint Choco was frowning, lost in thoughts.
"S-Sparkling Cookie- my healing... it's not doing anything!" Herb cried out, shocked by this sudden change in his magic. His healing always worked! Yet now it did nothing to improve the paleness of the skin or everything else that seemed wrong.
Sparkling was just as shocked as his friend, quickly grabbing his phone to call the emergency contacts.
"-his situation is odd." The nurse cookie sighed, trying to explain to the three friends in the waiting area what the situation was. "We did a blood test, and he isn't allergic to any of the ingredients you described. But his heartbeat is... concerningly slow, dear. I don't like the way he's breathing either."
Not knowing what to make out of it, one doctor declared Vampire had an allergic reaction. The other claimed he was seizing. The other said he was sick.
Whatever this was, wasn't normal.
Herb Cookie was crying, incredibly guilty with the feeling that he caused this to happen, while Mint Choco Cookie had been uncharacteristically silent. Sparkling did most of the talking, trying to understand the situation.
The nurse said to expect the worse, as she had no clue what was happening.
They had been told to wait in the waiting area, where a doctor would come with updates whenever available.
Although Sparkling had said they wanted to visit, his request had been denied. Not even family was allowed.
Family...
Vampire's emergency contact had been called, which turned out to be his sister. Sparkling hated they had to meet this way.
Thankfully, Vampire had shown pictures of her, so Sparkling knew the purple cookie storming into the hospital had been the famed Alchemist Cookie he heard so much about.
Alchemist stormed past him straight to the desk, slamming her hand into the table. The cookie behind the counter looked calm.
"That's her." Sparkling whispered, making Herb look up. They couldn't tell what they were talking about, but from the way Alchemist seemed to get more upset by the minute, they could tell it wasn't good.
"Poor thing..."
"..." Mint Choco looked up.
A nurse had been called, trying to speak with Alchemist Cookie- but this just made her seem to get mad, waving her arms left and right as she rose her volume.
"-not supposed to be here! It was an allergic reaction is all, I'm sure! Wha- no, Red Wine doesn't have any history of seizures- and no, he is not in your records! So now let me see my brother!-"
"Honey, I can't let you-"
"Alchemist Cookie?" The purple one turned around to face Sparkling, who smiled gently. "I'm Sparkling Cookie, one of Vampire's friends."
"..." her expression was suspicious, which he understood. Alchemist sighed.
"Are you the one who got him here?"
"Yes. I am."
The cookie groaned, turning around. "Ma'm, I need to be with my brother."
"It's not visiting hours-"
"You said you don't know what's wrong with him!" Alchemist cried, suddenly looking scared. Tears dotted the corners of her eyes as she pouted her lip. "What if these are his final moments and I won't be able to say goodbye? He's my big brother!"
Sparkling's heart broke. Then he glanced around.
From how much Alchemist had been yelling, she had gotten the attention of the entire waiting area at this point. Some cookies looked at her with pity, others with annoyance. Alchemist took in a shaky breath, tears starting to fall. The nurse panicked.
"O-okay! Okay. You can go see your brother. But no longer than 10 minutes!"
"..t-thank you.." Alchemist sniffled, adjusting her glasses. The older sighed, waving her hand at Herb and Mint Choco.
"Come on."
"W-wait-" Alchemist paled. "Them too?"
"They're his friends, aren't they?"
"..." Alchemist said nothing, the four now following the nurse into Vampire's room.
The room looked like any hospital room: way too white. Other than some flowers, there was barely any decoration at all. Vampire lay in the middle of the room, having a pained expression and looking extremely pale. He looked as if he had not even baked yet.
Herb Cookie gasped at the state he was in, quickly holding onto Mint Choco Cookie. Sparkling was half listening to the nurse explain to not be too rough as he could crumble, with Alchemist nodding and wiping her eyes a couple of times.
The moment the door had been closed, Alchemist Cookie's scared expression fell, replaced by one of annoyance. She wiped her eyes a final time, adjusting her glasses. "Dear divine, these doctors I swear..."
Sparkling choked on his breath. The other two looked at her with wide eyes. "But you were just-"
"They wouldn't let me in otherwise." Alchemist hummed, walking over to the bed and grabbing a syringe out of her bag. "I swear, Vamp, you're gonna get yourself killed these days..."
"H-hey!" Herb Cookie quickly grabbed the arm holding the syringe. "You can't just inject him with random substances-"
"It's medicine." Alchemist deadpanned, trying to pull her arm away. "This was an allergic reaction is all. Let me just-"
"An allergic reaction does not do that."
"It does now!"
"Wait- did you make that thing yourself?-"
"I know what I'm doing!"
Mint Choco had been quiet, staring at Vampire, then Alchemist with suspicion. He had been thinking...
Doesn't go out in the sun, has sharp teeth, is paler than other cookies, his heartbeat was slower than it should be, can't eat garlic...
And he was literally nicknamed Vampire Cookie.
"..." Wanting to check his theory, Mint grabbed his phone, opened the camera, and pointed it at Vampire Cookie.
Nothing.
Literally.
He could see Alchemist on the camera. He could see Herb Cookie trying to stop her.
But he couldn't see Vampire Cookie.
The place where his friend lay was empty, all that was shown floating tubes at the places where his arms were in real life.
"..."
"Herb. Let her."
"Wha-" Herb turned around. "But she doesn't know what she's doing! She isn't a healer! I get she likes alchemy-"
"Herb Cookie." Mint Choco crossed his arms. "Let her."
"..." Herb let go, Alchemist huffing, before smiling at Mint Choco. Not caring one bit, she pulled the needless out of her brother's arms, throwing them carelessly on the ground.
"Be careful!-"
"Herb." Mint Choco showed the other his phone. Herb paled.
Pulling up his sleeve, Alchemist injected the syringe into his arm, counted in her head until 10, and then gently pulled it out, stuffing it back into her bag.
"....do me a favor... and don't tell the nurses."
"But why wouldn't-" Herb Cookie covered Sparkling's mouth, the other trying to talk in protest. "Hhmmmmm!! Hm hmm!!!"
Mint Choco just nodded.
"........Al."
"Yes?"
"You don't have to keep following me around, ya know."
"I do." The younger cookie huffed, already grabbing the jar of sunscreen from the closet, turning back to her brother. "Strip."
Vampire Cookie rolled his eyes, taking off his cape, then rolling up his sleeves. "I can put on sunscreen myself..."
Alchemist simply took some cream from the jar, rubbing it into her brother's arm.
It had been days since the whole dinner incident, and Alchemist had refused to leave Vampire's side. Her brother was still paler than usual (she didn't understand how that was even possible) and had trouble floating around in the house, as well as his lack of appetite... he couldn't digest normal food anymore. Just the elixirs.
It was a side-effect of the potion Alchemist Cookie had used. Vampire Cookie wouldn't be able to eat normal food for a couple of days as there was the risk of the cookie's body rejecting normal food again, even if there wasn't a trace of garlic to be found. A simple side-effect.
What she didn't like was how pale he looked. She was afraid he would faint at any moment. At least he didn't look sick anymore...
Needless to say, the doctors at the hospital had been concerned by the sudden and dramatic change in Vampire's condition they wanted to do tests on him.
Yeah, no.
Vampire had managed to lie his way out of the tests, had even managed to get rid of the scans they had already taken!
(......so he may have... snuck in... during the night... and perhaps give the nightguard a heart attack... and replace his scans with fakes Alchemist made... but hey, it still worked!)
"Al- honestly! I'm a grown man!" Vampire grumbled as he pulled his hair up, allowing Alchemist to reach the back of his neck.
"Until you can eat a chocolate bar without getting violently ill, you're stuck with me." His sister decided, slapping his hand so he let go of his hair. She grabbed some more sunscreen, and just splatted it on his face.
"Psh- bleh! Hey!" Vampire pushed Alchemist away. The younger looked at him for a second before she snorted at the white spot on his face, which he quickly tried to wipe away. He failed miserably, just making it worse. The younger snickered.
"That's how you wanna play, huh?" Vampire grinned in a way that showed his fangs, suddenly kneeling slightly, and spreading his arms. Alchemist paled.
".....Don't you dare."
A step closer.
"Vampire."
Another step.
"Don't you dare."
His grin widening was the only warning she got as Vampire jumped on top of her with a war cry, pinning her down. Alchemist cried out, trying to push him off. "I'm too old for this- Vampire!"
Vampire Cookie, being the caring older brother he was, first removed her glasses off her face to make sure no damage came to them, carefully placed them on his nightstand- and then started tickling her stomach.
Alchemist cried out. Vampire still got it. "Pssshhhh V-Va-ahahaha Vampire Cookie!!'"
"Yes?~" Vampire crossed one leg over the other, hand going from her stomach to her neck, making his sister wail.
"S-S-stooooOoooop!!! Ahahaha!!!"
"Hm...." One hand slid back to her belly while Vampire looked away, one hand ticking against his jaw as if he was thinking.
"....Nah." Back again at her neck. Alchemist held up her shoulders to deny access.
"Vampi-AHAHAHAHA!!!" The girl cried out when the older one went for her armpits, driving her crazy.
"Tickle tickle little sis...~"
"AHAHAHAHAHA- VAMP- VAMPIRE-"
"Where to next?" The vampire's teeth sharpened, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Perhaps your squishy belly again?~ or how about your feeeet?~" He experimentally nudged her feet with his own. The alchemist lost it.
"BAHAHAHA- RED WINE COOKIE!!!"
His hands stopped.
Alchemist giggled, trying to rub away the left-over tingles from her body while trying to catch her breath. "Y-you're mean..." She went limp against the ground.
"..."
"....Oh so now you're being silent."
"..."
Alchemist, still smiling, gently pushed her brother off, reaching for her glasses and putting them off. "Okay, okay, I won't follow you ar...ound..."
Finally having her glasses back, she could see that Vampire had a haunted look on his face, lost in thoughts. The blank expression turned into a troubled one, taking a deep breath. "....I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"I haven't been careful." He gently took her hands. "It could have happened again... and I keep worrying you. I'm sorry."
Alchemist, although appreciated the apology, was confused as to why her brother suddenly shifted in mood- until she understood.
The girl screamed and cried as the cookies tried to drag her under the sun, wanting to test out if she also was one of those monsters.
"LEAVE HER ALONE! SHE ISN'T A VAMPIRE!! IT'S JUST ME!!!" Someone cried, his voice filled with terror and pain. What were they gonna do to him? What were they gonna do to her?
Red Wine Cookie himself was trapped in the shadows, his arms chained to the chain he and his sister normally used for the little ones' bike.
She was crying. His dear, darling sister was crying.
Because of those monsters.
"OW!!" The girl cried again, whimpering in pain as someone kicked her ankles.
"Move, you freak!"
Finally, she stood in the sunlight. She wasn't burning.
The two frowned. "....huh."
"She's still just as bad!" The other justified, huffing. "She kept him a secret!"
".....true... but if we can't use the sun to punish her."
Alchemist's eyes widened in fear as she saw the knife.
"We have... other ways."
"N-no! No!!" The girl struggled and fought for freedom, getting more scared as it approached.
"Stay back.."
It got closer.
"S-stay back... Stay back!!!"
A terror-filled scream was ripped from her throat as said knife was pressed across her neck.
"RED WINE COOKIE!!!"
. . .
"....I'm sorry too." Her shoulders sagged, and Alchemist gently squeezed the hands she was holding. She didn't see the confused look her brother gave her as she hung her head and closed her eyes. "I have been treating you like a child."
"That isn't your fault, Al. You were worried."
"Of course I was." Deep breaths. "But I have been babying you in the process. I know you can take care of yourself and I... haven't been fair to you."
"....well." Vampire looked away. "I admit, it did hurt me to see you acting this way. But that was because you shouldn't worry about these things, Al. You barely go have fun anymore because you're always after me..."
"I'm always after you because you seem to be a magnet for trouble. And you're always on edge!"
"I'm always on edge because I keep looking after you!"
That confession came as a surprise. Alchemist Cookie looked up. "....what?"
"Al. You're always in danger because you're always near me." Vampire let go of her hands to rub at his eyes. "You're always busy with some project and always forget to eat or rest!"
"I always forget to eat or rest because I'm busy! I have to find the perfect elixir for you! You're always out at night, do you know how dangerous that is?"
"I'm always out at night to give you peace because we're always together during the day! Don't you need some girl-time?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Oh, divine-" Vampire burst out laughing while Alchemist slowly had a smile spreading on her face, chuckling slightly at both their stupidity.
"We are so dumb."
"Speak for yourself, I'm the smartest cookie alive." Vampire flipper a hand through his air, somehow managing to get his hand tangled in the process. He frowned as he tried to pull it away, pulling harder and harder until his hand got free, yelping as he almost fell over.
Alchemist snorted. "Uh-huh."
Vampire huffed, smirking as he suddenly fell over, falling on top of his sister, making her yelp. "H-hey! Vampire!"
"Gravity is too much for me..."
"No, it's not!" With a huff, she pushed the older off of her, making him hit his head on the ground. He got up, rubbing at the top of his head.
"Come on, moron. We gotta talk about rules." Alchemist said, walking downstairs. Vampire flew from behind, floating face-level with her.
"Rule number one: Stop. Following. Me. And. Get. A. Life."
"Rule number two," Alchemist started, adjusting her glasses. "Stop almost dying."
"That I can do."
"Good."
*Knock knock*
The duo frowned, Alchemist walked to the door as Vampire quickly stood straight, making sure his feet touched the ground and taking a step back. Hey, he did have sunscreen on, but Alchemist still was working on it.
When the purple-haired cookie opened the door, she was surprised to see the three friends her brother had managed to make, the yellow cookie holding a black bag in his arms. "Ah- if this is about my brother-"
"May we come in?" Mint Choco asked. His expression was serious. Alchemist didn't like it. She stepped aside, closing the door behind them.
Vampire looked surprised to see them, smiling brightly. "Guys! I am so sorry I didn't let you know-"
The bag was thrown at him. Vampire barely managed to catch it, looking at Sparkling Cookie in surprise.
"You left it at Herb's house."
"....ah." Vampire frowned, hugging the bag to himself- his heart skipped a beat once he felt the bag was empty.
Had he taken his elixir before he passed out?
"Thank you, guys... ahaha.." his smile turned awkward, not liking the silence the three gave. In his anxiety, he started fidgeting with the bag. "Uhm... I'm fine, okay? Just an allergic reaction."
Alchemist seemed just as awkward as her brother, not knowing if she should leave or stay. "...I never got to thank you three for helping my brother. So thank you."
Herb Cookie broke, smiling gently at the youngest. "Of course, little sprout. Your brother is a great friend to us."
"....Thanks... Herb." No... he hadn't taken his elixir. Vampire remembered the hall, talking with Sparkling, and then he passed out. But he hadn't taken his elixir. He pressed the bag against himself again.
Empty.
"Looking for this?"
Vampire's heart stopped when he saw what Sparkling Cookie was holding.
The bartender was holding Vampire's elixir, his arm outstretched to the other. It was bright red... it might as well be confused for jam.
"Yeah. Thought so." Sparkling answered after a beat of silence. Mint Choco Cookie cleared his throat.
Alchemist looked even paler than Vampire at that moment, quickly trying to solve the situation by acting angry at Vampire. "Brother! I knew you had taken my potion-"
"Don't bother, hun." Herb Cookie sighed. "I know the ingredients in that potion. This is a jam replacer... isn't it?"
"N-no-"
"Then you won't mind if I do this-"
"NO!" Alchemist screamed as she sprinted over to Mint Choco, quickly stopping him from opening the window curtain, and blocking the sunlight. Mint Choco looked right into her eyes. She looked back.
They knew.
Without second thought Alchemist pushed him back, sprinting over to Vampire and taking two potions she had tied on her dress, holding them in a way she was ready to throw. "Stay back!"
Vampire took the hint. A look of terror passed his face for just a second before he pushed Alchemist back and roared, his eyes glowing red as his fangs sharpened, covering the younger in a protective matter.
Herb yelped, quickly taking a step back while Mint Choco's eyes widened, not getting off the floor. Sparkling just observed.
Vampire looked as if he was going to kill them. He looked like a beast.
And Sparkling Cookie almost believed the act, had it not been for the way he breathed heavily and his arms shook, even as his expression suggested otherwise.
And from the way Alchemist had been ready to poison them...
Without missing a beat, Sparkling Cookie walked over. "You're not gonna do anything."
The vampire hissed, pushing his sister more behind him as his eyes narrowed.
"Now, you could. You definitely could." The other continued to hum. "But your sister left Mint Choco alone at the window, so he could simply pull up the blinds away and burn you." Vampire froze.
"And Herb Cookie is still at the door, is he not? He could easily run outside and scream bloody murder."
Alchemist whimpered, suddenly pressing herself against her brother.
"Or I could do this."
Both siblings closed their eyes and braced themselves.
Nothing happened.
In confusion, they looked up again.
The elixir was held out. Vampire's anger-filled expression shifted into a confused one.
".....You're giving it to me."
"Yes."
"...Knowing I can kill you."
"You can't. You care too much."
That darned gentle smile was there again. A kind one, not the practiced one he always showed at the bar. Not breaking eye contact, Vampire silently took the bottle back. He relaxed slightly.
"..." Alchemist slowly appeared from behind, pushing the potions back to the belt on her dress. Vampire was still looking at the trio with suspicion, even though both Herb and Mint Choco Cookie had left their posts.
"....We're not going to tell anyone if that's what you're worried about." Mint Choco Cookie smiled sadly.
".....How did you figure it out..?" It would be good to prevent the mistake from happening again.
Sparkling snorted. "You don't go out in the sun and you avoid mirrors as if your life depends on it."
"Vampire, honey, I love you. But your nickname..." Herb whined, making Vampire cover his face in embarrassment.
"I knew that was stupid..."
Mint Choco Cookie chuckled lightly, walking over to the tallest, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your secret is safe with us, my friend. We promise."
The other two nodded in agreement.
Alchemist crossed her arms. "And why should we trust you?"
"Trust is earned," Sparkling spoke, walking to the kitchen. "Your brother earned ours. He could have long hurt us if he wanted to."
"And the way he keeps talking about you!" Herb gushed.
"Stooooop..." He covered his face with his cape, even though his expression softened and his heart warmed. Herb laughed, grabbing his arm and pulling the vampire into the kitchen. Alchemist yelped as she was picked up by Mint Choco Cookie.
"H-Hey!"
"You still have to show me that trick of yours with the nurse."
"Put me down!!"
"Sure. After Sparkling Cookie makes everyone drinks."
"We still have to finish that movie from last week!"
Perhaps the grape siblings did fit in the kingdom.