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Dusk settled over the restless forest, gently enveloping its inhabitants in shadows of the upcoming night - a sign for the critters to hide in their little homes and for the nocturnal life to sprout back. Two cookies sat themselves in a glade, camping for a tomorrow no less eventful than today. Unfortunately, for the disdain of one of them.
Fire Spirit Cookie pouted, sitting on a log, one leg resting on top of the other, finger tapping impatiently on his knee. His staff was leaning over his shoulder, his usually fiery mohawk seeming… fainter.
“You’re worrying for nothin’.” He grumbled. “We should be at the City of Wizards by now.”
“And since when do you care to be on time?” Wind Archer Cookie replied calmly, standing not too far away, looking up at the darkening sky.
“I don’t like stalling!” Fire Spirit Cookie retorted. “You’re stalling me. Just let’s get it over with so I can go back to my Valley.”
He winced with a hiss, stinging pain in his hand making itself apparent once again - and in his mind, he wanted to explode. Nothing hurt him that much before- nothing would come even close to hell he went through to get where he is now, it was not comparable, not at all - but it was annoying . It was making itself very, very hard to ignore.
His fingertips were scorched black, like fading embers. Palm of his hand was just barely keeping its warmth, looking at it made him feel sick. Weak . Pathetic.
He never had problems like this before, but something- something made him jump right in front of it, snow and icicles rushing right at Wind Archer Cookie’s back, with no way of him being able to avoid that- not with the waves and waves of monsters around them he’s been fighting off. Something - stupid and reckless - made Fire Spirit Cookie believe that blocking him with his entire flaming self, no back up plan, with unshattered confidence would be a wonderful idea .
And it was! In some way. Both of them are alive and uncrumbled, and Fire Spirit Cookie is almost sure his hand will be okay, eventually. He can still feel it! Even if the numbness hurts.
He couldn’t look at Wind Archer Cookie.
A sigh escaped Fire Spirit’s companion, as he settled his bow near the log and sat by his side. He would not look, either, hands rested on his knees.
“I can’t let you proceed in this condition, Fire Spirit Cookie.” Wind Archer Cookie started, and before Fire Spirit could complain again, continued, “We are no Gods. We, too, have an endpoint.”
“Did your tree master tell you this, wiseguy?”
Something shifted in Wind Archer’s expression, from the corner of his eye Fire Spirit couldn’t make out what it was - regret? Or fear?
“Regardless, don’t be so rash.” He moved his head just barely, clutching onto his knees, “We need you at your strongest.”
A frustrated huff, fire on top of Fire Spirit’s head lit up for half a moment after Wind Archer Cookie’s words. It stung, and it burnt, and it frustrated him to let the other’s words sink in and realise that he wasn’t speaking nonsense - Wind Archer Cookie never was, and if Fire Spirit had to imagine, he’d obliterate an imposter in seconds. But even with this thought, why would he get so worked up over Wind Archer’s safety? He didn’t even care about the cookie that much.
They just had a mission to fulfill.
“Well,” Fire Spirit Cookie started, shaking his head nonchalantly while he tried to brush his mind off of these annoying ruminations, “Maybe you should kiss it better, hmm? Instead of going on and on with your life lessons, put your holy arrows where your-”
Fire Spirit Cookie slowed down, as his numb hand was taken onto the other’s, turning for the first time to face the cookie after his deed. His eyes widened, an eyebrow raised in confusion and sudden dread.
“Where your-” He tries to continue, but mouth agape, Fire Spirit watches Wind Archer put his hand to his lips, and slowly, giving a chaste kiss to every knuckle.
From one to another.
His flames, bright and warm once again, lit up the entire glade, and yet his face grimaced in a befalling horror as Wind Archer Cookie’s soft lips touched his scorched dough; a sensation becoming clearer the longer his hand stayed under Wind Archer’s breath, numbness growing into pain alike thousands needles piercing through his dough, uncomfortable chill running through his body while he stared at Wind Archer Cookie’s face that held nothing but peaceful… remorse.
From knuckles Wind Archer Cookie looked at Fire Spirit’s palm, his thumb rubbing the barely glowing ember at its core.
His mind, suddenly blank, wouldn’t let him mutter a word. Frozen in place, only his fire gave any sign of life still present within his body, captured in the act of being-
Palm touching Wind Archer’s lips, Fire Spirit Cookie saw his face clearer than ever, his brows arched painfully and eyes closed, the gem adorning his forehead glistening soft yellows and oranges with Fire Spirit’s flames. Something ugly shifted deep in his core, beating rapidly and maniacally, as if remnants of any jam he could have needed to burst out of him immediately - as if the fire gem itself was sitting in his throat.
He yanked his hand away, moving further from Wind Archer with his flames growing ever brighter.
They looked at each other in silence and shock.
“I can take care of myself, sheesh .” Fire Spirit spoke, clearing his throat and stating firmly. “Can’t you take a joke?”
And while he smirked his discomfort off, his hand started to move - clenching his fingers and the glow returning, it was not yet fully released of the numbness, but it was usable; he could feel it, control it. He grasped his staff with it, holding it confidently.
He swayed it left and right, glee returning to his face.
“I suppose we can get a move on, as you wished.” Wind Archer Cookie spoke, picking up his bow.
“Huh? Ohhh- Right.” Fire Spirit drew out, skipping up in the air and floating with ease and lightness of a full night's rest; he clenched his hand into a fist one more time, blackness of the coal crumbling from it, only the tips remaining dark - it was a process, he figured.
Obviously aware of what Wind Archer Cookie was capable of, he didn’t expect it to work so fast - or at all. For all he knew, he was going to either be half a crisp or just wait it out naturally. Who’s to know- not him. That was the Dragon’s promise - he wasn’t supposed to crumble like that.
A laugh bubbled at the top of his chest, but none of it came out; Wind Archer Cookie looked up again, at the sky that was holding its first and brightest stars - no longer sparing him a glance. The same unreadable expression as ever, if a little heavy.
It weighed on his mind, and it was such a bother - Fire Spirit Cookie rolled his eyes, leaning down to close the distance between him and Wind Archer standing on the ground.
“If you’re going to lament over this weird thing you just did all night, I’ll just leave you here,” He scoffed, “I was just-”
Shocked? Surprised? Disgusted? Terrified?
Flattered?
“- taken aback how devious you are. Was it your plan all along? Keep me from slacking around ?” Fire Spirit shook his head, closing his eyes and shrugging. “And here I thought I was the evil element. Shame on you.”
Cracking an eye open, taking a glimpse at Wind Archer, a suggestion of a smile ticked over the other’s face. Fire Spirit Cookie smirked.
“You’re right.” Wind Archer Cookie moved awkwardly, clutching his bow, “It is no time to stall, when Darkness is growing nearer and stronger. Cookies are counting on us. Let’s go, Fire Spirit Cookie.”
“Aye, aye.”
The later it went into the night, it seemed the very stars above were shining through the dark branches of the forest - for the two lights were hurrying to finally reach the Slumbering Moon.
Fire Spirit looked at his hand, then Wind Archer Cookie below. It didn’t hurt at all - feeling every crumb of his fingers, balled in a fist, the scorched tips worried him no more. Elevated and rejuvenated. “ Wind Archer Cookie… What a show off. ” He thought with a serene smile.
He flew ahead, lighting the way further for his companion.
Their path - for now - was clear.