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It had only been a few days since Luke’s death. So obviously, things were still awkward. Especially for Gerber.
But he wasn’t who Sara was concerned about at the moment.
It was Cookie.
Yes, he wasn’t focused when it happened. He was watching those baby sensory videos, or… something. Sara knew both he and Peppy were watching them after the battle, Peppy watching them as a distraction from the death. But Cookie? He was still a child, basically.
Sara knew the lie wouldn’t hold up for long. She knew Cookie would learn his uncle Luke didn’t actually go to Disney. She knew he would figure out he wouldn’t be getting his “The person who got you this shirt loves you very much” shirt.
She didn’t want him to figure it out in a bad way.
Sara sighed, staring at the stars outside the window as her friends slept. She turned to a corner, solemnly smiling as she approached the child on his tablet.
“Hey, buddy!” She acted, “What are you watching?”
“Bluey!” Cookie grinned. “This one’s my favorite episode! I can’t wait to show it to Uncle Luke once he-when he gets back!”
Sara sighed, sitting next to the child, “Actually I…” She lifted down the tablet, attempting to hold in tears as the child tilted his head in confusion. “I don’t think Lukes coming back.”
“He’s staying in Florida? But that place sucks! Uncle Joe said so.”
“No-no,” Sara clenched her teeth, “Listen, Cookie, when Luke– Uncle Luke– Once he got hit by all that fire to help Gerber, he… he died.”
Cookie then fell silent, with nothing but murmurs. “What?” His voice broke.
“Look– I understand you may be confused so I will try to explain this in a way you may understand, alright?”
Cookie simply nodded.
Sara sighed, grabbing two hand-knitted dolls from her bag, “You see, this one’s Luke.” She put the doll back into the bag. “He went into the bag. This one’s you. You can’t go with him. You can’t contact him.” She held her breath for a moment. “Luke died, which means we can’t…see him anymore. We can’t give him anything, and he can’t give us anything.”
“Is the bag… good for him?”
Sara sighed, “It is. He’s with all of our other friends we had before you. Mykye, Lark, everyone!” Sara pulled a blanket from her bag, handing it to the child. “You would’ve loved The Christine’s. The children were so sweet. Just like you.” Sara began to go back to where she had originally been, “I’m sorry I couldn’t explain it as well. Sleep well, Cookie.”
Cookie smiled, staring at the doll in the bag. “Goodnight.” He grabbed the other doll, putting it into the bag next to the other. “Good…night.”
— — —
Well. It was happening.
“C’mon, Cookie! Stay with us! You can do it.” Peppy panicked as he attempted to grab items from their backpack.
Cookie starred at the… he couldn’t tell anymore. All he knew was it was horrifying.
And he was going.
Cookie looked around, seeing the terrified faces of his friends. His family.
He sighed. He knew what to do.
“Use them on someone else.”
Peppy froze, their eyes beginning to tear up. “Wha—“
“Like what Uncle Luke did. I’m more tanky, though! Heal up Vriska or Puppy! Someone who can actually do something.”
“No—God no. Cookie, I’m not losing you too—“
“PEPPY!” Cookie through his tablet onto the ground, ignoring it cracking. “I may be young, but I’m not a baby anymore! I can do this. Just heal up Vriska so we can win.”
Peppy sighed. “Okay.”
Just then, Cookie stood in front of the thing, bracing himself as it charged.
“See you soon, Uncle Luke. Maybe I can get you the shirt instead…” he paused. “I wonder if the bag’s any good for me.