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Pure Vanilla was finally home.
After the partial destruction of the spire, and his failed offer of friendship, everything was a blur. The journey back had been tiresome and long, not to mention all the meetings and letters exchanged with the other ancients after his return.
He slumped onto his bed, glad to finally get a moment of peace–
Something under his robe squeaked as he lay down.
“...what?” he said quietly to himself. He sat up, trying to find the pocket the offending object was in. He still hadn't gotten used to the longer, flowing robes his ascension had granted him, but after a minute of searching through excess fabric he found it.
Oh, he had forgotten he tucked that in his pocket.
He sat on his bed, now holding the small plush Shadow Milk from his room in the spire. He looked over the stitching, it was neat and clearly handmade, though with an impressive amount of care for details. He mused, running a finger along the decorative stitches across some of the seams.
As his surprise faded, the tiredness begun to set in again. He stared at the plush on his lap, “I suppose I should find somewhere to put you, then?” Pure Vanilla spoke quietly to the plush, he made no move to remove it from where it was.
“perhaps,” he shifted, setting the plush on his pillow “he would not mind if I kept you.” he mumbled towards the plush, more sleepy now.
After, begrudgingly, getting up and changing out of his golden robes into something more suited for sleeping, he settled back into the bed.
Pulling the covers around him, he found himself staring at the Shadow Milk plush sitting on his pillow. Surely, nobody would know if he..? he hesitated for a moment, before gently grabbing the plushie and pulling it under the covers with him.
Finally, he could rest.
Distantly, he found himself wishing the real Shadow Milk could somehow feel this, that maybe it could bring him some comfort in the darkness of the ruined spire
Almost unconsciously, he cuddled the plush close to his chest, before slipping into slumber.
Meanwhile, in the remains of the Spire of Deceit
The spire still stood, though several of the towers had gotten destroyed, and the magic building it had severely waned.
Shadow Milk was in the middle of one of these collapsed towers, facing Candy Apple and Black Sapphire.
“Candy Apple, I want you to find any remnants of something useful left here and–” before Shadow Milk could finish, Candy Apple was rushing an agreement and getting to work.
Shadow Milk sighed heavily, at least she was motivated to fix their destroyed home. “Black Sapphire, you should–” He was cut off with a gasp by a strange feeling sparking across him, it felt as if someone was tracing invisible lines down his dough. A blue flush crept up his face as he adjusted to the feeling.
Black Sapphire blatantly stared for a moment at the bizarre twist in Shadow Milks mood, “..my lord– are you alright?” he asked tentatively.
Shadow Milk's mind cleared slightly as the sensation faded, “you should go help Candy Apple.” he ordered raspily. Black Sapphire swiftly bowed, and retreated to where Candy Apple was searching the rubble.
Shadow Milk let himself slip into his other relm, just as he was getting comfy in the cold void of the other relm though, an unfamiliar warmth seemed to settle around him.
He knew there was only one reason, one person, that could be doing this. He knew he should never have left that dammed plushie in the Recluse's room.
It seemed both the feeling of arms around him, and the all encompassing warmth invading his senses, were not leaving any time soon
Nilla, always so sentimental. he thought, scathing.
Still, it's not like he could portal all the way to crispia and take the plushie back, and it's not like he wanted Pure Vanilla to know the plushie was connected to him. Reluctantly, he resolved himself to stay in the other relm for the night.
Slowly, after minutes of silently floating in place, Shadow milk curled into the phantom touch, slowly getting used to the presence unknowingly surrounding him.
He relaxed slightly, drifting into a comfortable sleep.
It was the first time he had been able to sleep peacefully in years.
Pure Vanilla had no intention of starting a routine.
Yet, the very evening after he first found the plush he found himself taking it into his bed again, and the days after.
It was practically habit now, every night he would get comfy in his bed, then hold the plushie close. It was comforting, in a peculiar way.
Over time he had noticed it had a feint sweet smell, though it was so distant he couldn't make out what exactly the scent was, he knew exactly who it reminded him of.
After a month with no notice, he didn't expect Shadow Milk to find out, much less the full extent to which the other knew.
It was that much more of a surprise when one evening just before Pure Vanilla settled into bed, a rift to the other relm opened
Ah, it seems he has a visitor. Pure Vanilla thought just a moment before Shadow Milk stepped through the rift.
“well well well Nilla, you must have reallllly missed me!” Shadow Milk drawled, twisting his head to the side, beyond what was natural. “I'm sure you already know why I'm here.” his voice lowered darkly.
Pure Vanilla did not, infact, know why he was here.
Shadow Milk must have noticed the utterly confused look on his face, he floated close to Pure Vanilla, tapping him on the nose before speaking, “you, kept, my, doll” Shadow Milk tapped him with every word, as If to emphasise the obviousness of what he was saying.
Pure Vanilla felt a blush creep up his ears, but he remained composed, Shadow Milk must have just noticed it was missing from the spire.
Shadow Milk grinned at him in a way Pure Vanilla couldn't deny was knowing. Perhaps he had underestimated the beasts knowledge of his creations whereabouts.
Pure Vanilla glanced anywhere but at Shadow Milk's face, his eyes eventually landed on the plushie sitting next to him. Perhaps Shadow Milk hadn't seen him...
Pure Vanilla tested his theory by subtly moving to gently take one of plushies hands in his own, he expected a glare or mocking laughter.
Instead, he got a feint gasp, Shadow milk had floated up and away from him, eyes wide. The eyes in his hair all squeezed tightly shut when Pure Vanilla turned to look at him.
“Stop that.” Shadow Milk hissed sharply. Pure Vanilla obliged, returning his hand to his lap, although he had one last question for the beast in his bedroom.
“If you can feel through the plush,” Pure Vanilla turned his gaze to match Shadow Milk, “what stopped you from intervening sooner?”
“surely your already well aware of what I've been doing this past month.” Pure Vanilla gave him a small smile as he spoke.
Shadow Milk stammered, he looked away from Pure Vanilla his face a bright shade of blue, all eyes on his hair shut tight to cover whatever expression they would have had otherwise.
Whatever response Pure Vanilla had was cut off by a yawn, “as much as I would like to discuss this with you, I'm exhausted.” Pure Vanilla spoke quietly now, he looked away from the beast thoughtfully for a moment, “if you truly do not mind my actions with the plush, you are welcome to join me.”
Shadow Milk stared at him, Pure Vanilla had turned away to make the bed as if what he had just said was perfectly ordinary, and not something that had left Shadow Milk speechless for once.
Shadow milk watched silently as Pure Vanilla finished making the bed, and settled under the covers, sure, he might not have minded the warmth of Pure Vanillas arms around him every night quite as much as he said.
But that didn't prepare him for this.
Shadow milk stared blankly at the healer who was now smiling at him from his stupidly cozy looking bed, he didn't want to think about what his face must have looked like in the moment, he can only take so much embarrassment in one evening.
Pure Vanilla gave him an infuriatingly genuine smile, and innocently patted the bed next to him before closing his eyes, as if Shadow Milk wasn't a danger, as if he was welcome.
..Maybe one night wouldn't hurt.. perhaps he could wait until Pure Vanilla falls asleep to take back his souljam, or use this as blackmail to manipulate the other, or– in all Shadow Milk's justification, he didn't realise he was drifting towards the bed, until he bumped into the side of it.
Just one night. Shadow Milk thought, as he slowly dropped to the bed.
Pure Vanilla hadn't expected Shadow Milk to accept the offer.
He turned to face Shadow Milk after he felt the other settle slightly, he looked tense but his face was flushed a bright blue, his mismatched eyes were glued to the ceiling, but the ones on his hair were all looking at him as if gauging for his reaction.
His hair.. Pure Vanilla wondered if it would feel the same as his, or of it would be more similar to water? He barely resisted they urge to run a hand through it, cut off only by Shadow Milk turning on his side to face him.
The beast looked tentative, as if he thought Pure Vanilla would kick him out, or revoke the offer.
He had no plans to do anything of the sort.
Instead, Pure Vanilla opened his arms in a silent invitation, after all, Shadow Milk was only here because of his actions with the plushie, perhaps the other would want to–
His thoughts were cut off by a blur of blue crashing into him, “Shadow Milk–?”
“Not. A. Word.” Shadow Milk grumbled into the crook of his neck, refusing to look at Pure Vanilla.
Pure Vanilla settled his arms around the beast, Shadow Milk tensed slightly at the touch, before slowly relaxing in his arms.
Shadow Milk seemed content to stay tucked into his side, Pure Vanilla took the opportunity to lightly run a hand through the others hair. Shadow Milk sighed at the action, so Pure Vanilla continued.
He noted the half closed eyes in shadow milks hair had tiny hearts in the pupils, but he made no comment.
The beasts hair didn't feel normal, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it did feel like. He kept running his hands through Shadow Milks hair, enjoying the peaceful moment.
His attention was drawn by Shadow Milk's breathing slowing. He had fallen asleep in Pure Vanilla's arms, to his hair being pet.
Pure Vanilla couldn't help but think it was cute. He moved to rest his head atop Shadow Milks, before slowly letting his eyes close.
Blueberries, he realised sleepily that was what he'd smelt on the plush, he thought just before drifting to sleep.
The plush was on his bedside table, where it would stay for the foreseeable future. After all, he had something far better now.