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His hair was golden white, and softer than anything, spilling down in shimmering tendrils. His tan fingers attempting to contain the mass of it, pulling it back over his shoulders, a white ribbon between his lips, ready to be wound around the hair. He hummed at the loose ponytail that technique produced, then moved his hands around, fingers working to lift the hair off his shoulders. He tried to wind his ribbon around the unruly strands, but they were so fine and soft they slipped right away with a mind of their own. Finally, he flipped his entire head upside down, guiding the mass of hair into his overlarge cone hat, then flipping it all back over again. If someone were to snatch that ridiculous cone right now, the hair would all come spilling back out, all in his face.
Shadow Milk couldn’t help the giggles escaping him as he watched this mighty struggle, tugging his fingers through his own hair. His hair acted more like a living liquid- Shadow Milk himself wasn’t even entirely sure how much control he really had over it, as it floated around him, ignoring gravity. The eyes glared at him as he separated them into pieces, and they formed right back together into their little preferred clumps. He had no hope of controlling the mess, and had no desire to. So long as it stayed out of his way, his hair was allowed to exist, and it did, floating behind him. He remembered the last time he’d tried to tie it into a bun. It had escaped and tried to strangle him to death. He had laughed and laughed until the hair had let go, then laughed some more. His own hair strangling him for the crime of tying it up! He supposed it was a fair, and awfully funny, retribution.
Pure Vanilla Cookie, however, was not amused. He had one, sharp blond eyebrow arched, a look of annoyance on his usually serene face. It served to do nothing but make Shadow Milk giggle harder, but he did take pity on Pure Vanilla Cookie.
“Has no one ever taught you how to tie up your hair?” Shadow Milk asked, tilting his head. Pure Vanillia’s face softened as he looked at him, a soft sigh leaving his light lips with a smile.
“No, Shadow Milk. I never bothered with tying it up before. It is just… so much longer than I have ever had to manage. I am sitting on it,”
Shadow Milk giggled, flouncing over and snatching the hat, delighted at the way the silky hair cascaded down Pure Vanilla like a milkfall. Pure Vanilla let out a defeated huff. Shadow Milk rescued him from drowning in his own shimmering hair, flipping it all over Pure Vanilla’s head and using the motion to simultaneously wrap his arms around Pure Vanilla’s neck, pulling him close and nuzzling him. Pure Vanilla let out the ghost of a breathy laugh and hugged Shadow Milk back. Gentle, soft and sweet and pure. The thought made Shadow Milk desperately need to crush something, so he bit into Pure Vanilla’s neck, drawing a gasp from the man, hands tightening into Shadow Milk Cookie, tilting his head more to allow Shadow Milk access to his neck.
“Now, now, Princess, you have a meeting to attend! Can’t have you melting on me now,” Shadow Milk teased with no shortage of glee “I’ll help you with your hair,”
Pure Vanilla’s head tilted, his eyes tracking to Shadow Milk’s own writhing hair. His hands tugged through it, the strands wrapping themselves around his fingers, greedy to accept as much of his touch as he would allow. Shadow Milk rolled his eyes, physically pulling his hair off Pure Vanilla.
“I used to have normal hair, you know,” He huffed, catching the unspoken message. It was Pure Vanilla’s turn to giggle.
Pure Vanilla liked his hair down, Shadow Milk was sure the method of shoving it into his hat had been made in desperation. Pure Vanilla had a meeting today and didn’t want to wear his full formal robes. Despite his complaints, Shadow Milk knew he liked to keep it free flowing in his ascended robes. It was the way he had ascended, and it only felt right, but right now he was overstimulated with it on his neck and wanted to be more casual. So Shadow Milk Cookie began to braid. A simple three strand braid would suit Pure Vanilla Cookie well. He was a simple guy, preferring things not too extravagant.
But he was also an Ancient and beloved hero, and while Shadow Milk may have made himself the number one enemy to the way of life his gorgeous soulmate fought for, he wouldn’t have Pure Vanilla looking like anything less than what he was.
Pure Vanilla didn’t ask what Shadow Milk Cookie had planned, choosing instead to relax back and close his eyes and let Shadow Milk work. His trust was amusing, but Shadow Milk Cookie wouldn't break it for something like this. Not again.
“So, my dearest brave, beloved hero,” Shadow Milk teased, “Why didn’t you just ask someone? Like-” Shadow Milk exaggeratedly fake-gagged, “White Lily Cookie,”
Shadow Milk gagged again, just so his point was made and enjoyed the way Pure Vanilla rolled his eyes.
“I wouldn’t have my head in your capable hands then, now would I?”
“Ah, so all that struggle was just a ploy for me to take pity on you and do alllllll the work?!” Shadow Milk gasped. Pure Vanilla giggled.
“No,” He stated, raising an eyebrow.
Not even dignifying that with a response, then. Shadow Milk cackled. Pure Vanilla really was just too funny!
“In actuality, I’ve been too shy to ask anyone for help with it,” Pure Vanilla told him “When it first grew, I wanted to, but everyone complimented me when I returned, telling me how shiny and nice it looked. I hadn’t even tried to brush it and had been sleeping in the woods for a week with the little cookies. How on Earthbread was I then meant to ask how to wash so much hair?”
“Oh, Vanilla,” Shadow Milk complained, replacing his hands with summoned strings and shaking his hands off “You don’t know how to wash your hair? It’s been months!”
“I figured it out!” Pure Vanilla protested, pouting “I… think. I put soap in it and it comes out clean,”
Shadow Milk made a show of looking tentative to touch the hair again, gaining himself an annoyed huff and a major pouty frown. It made him want to snuggle his face into the big soft lump in front of him, but managed to hold himself back. Pure Vanilla always said he had no self restraint, but he was doing wonderfully at the moment!
It was tedious and took multiple strings to weave It all together, but Shadow Milk loved to use his magic for fun little tasks like this. It was a woven sort of hairstyle, with several strands that wound together into a big, wide braid in the center. Beautiful, really. Shadow Milk hadn’t done anything like this in so long, not since his little Black Sapphire cookie had announced he’d be cutting his hair short. Shadow Milk couldn’t remember how old Black Sapphire was now, but Shadow Milk vaguely remembered it had been a decision for his 18th birthday. Just a baby cookie, then, really.
Pure Vanilla hummed, a relaxed smile on his face, and Shadow Milk realized something in his thoughts had made his Soul Jam grow warm, sharing the warmth through their connection to Pure Vanilla.. Ah, well. He didn’t pretend he wasn’t fond of Black Sapphire. That cookie had grown into himself well.
“What time is it?” Pure Vanilla asked, eyes opening. He didn't bother looking towards the clock that wasn't even two feet away. Surely he could hear it ticking, but he couldn't see it. According to him, his vision was mostly a glowing white, with vague spots of color and shadow. It was a well kept secret that Pure Vanilla Cookie could barely see at all.
“Near time for you to leave, and time now for you to pass me that ribbon, ‘Nilla,” Shadow Milk answered. Pure Vanilla handed it back, and Shadow Milk Cookie snatched his fingers too before he could draw his hand back, pressing a kiss to them just to hear the soft giggle it drew. Pure Vanilla went to touch his hair, but Shadow Milk swatted his hand away.
“You'll feel it when I say you can feel,” He snapped. It took forever, but finally he reached the end of Pure Vanilla’s hair and wound the ribbon tightly, tying it off at the end. Pure Vanilla hummed again.
“Is it ready? Can I feel now?”
“Impatient, for an old fart,” Shadow Milk teased. Another sigh, another eye roll. “Fine, you can look! I’ll get your staff,”
Shadow Milk heard Pure Vanilla gasp as he bounced away, tumbling himself through the air since it was faster and more fun to float than to walk. Pure Vanilla was grinning as he ran his hands over the braid, his gentle fingers delicately exploring down it’s length. Shadow Milk pretended he hadn’t done that particular braid because it was interesting to feel, and Pure Vanilla loved textures. His hands were his eyes, when he wasn’t using his staff, and just like anyone else he liked pretty things. Shadow Milk kept the staff, letting him keep feeling it, and instead flopped onto the bed behind Pure Vanilla and lined up the staff where he wanted it to see before hooking his legs around Pure Vanilla’s waist. Pure Vanilla startled, being flooded with sight all of a sudden, but then made a sound of delight.
“It’s beautiful, Shadow Milk! Since when have you been able to do this?” Pure Vanilla asked. Shadow Milk gave him a little kick.
“You don’t have to sound so surprised that I’m talented,” Shadow Milk purred “It should be a given by now that I’m the best there is at everything,”
Pure Vanilla snorted, then turned and buried himself into Shadow Milk’s arms.
“Thank you,” He said, then pressed a soft, vanilla flavored kiss to Shadow Milk’s lips. Shadow Milk gently shoved him away.
“Oh, how I would love to stay and kiss awhile, but it’s one fifty-five,” Shadow Milk Cookie told him. Pure Vanilla gasped and snatched his staff, moving it towards the clock so it could see. It was a little uncanny how he kept his face looking at Shadow Milk, eyes closed to focus on the visions coming from the staff.
“You liar, it’s one thirty,” Vanilla huffed, pouting and dropping the staff back onto the bed. His pretty eyes opening and settling on Shadow Milk’s face.
“You aren’t dressed,” Shadow Milk reminded, grinning.
WIth a sigh, Pure Vanilla pushed himself off Shadow Milk Cookie, reorienting himself with being unable to see once more before going to feel through his closet, his new braid swishing behind him.