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English
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Published:
2025-06-24
Completed:
2025-07-02
Words:
880
Chapters:
2/2
Comments:
10
Kudos:
184
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Before the Grief

Summary:

In an AU where the Ancients lived with the Virtues before the sealing of the Beasts, Pure Vanilla and the Fount of Knowledge meet their child.

Chapter 1: Before the Grief

Chapter Text

"Bluebird."

"I...can't."

"Bluebird."

"What if I drop them?"

"Bluebird."

"They're so fragile-"

"Bluebird."

"Yes, Nilly?"

"Hold your child."

The Fount of Knowledge rarely looked flustered. He was usually sure of himself, even when cookies pushed against the truth and knowledge he offered. Even the other virtues could only count on one hand when he lost control of himself.

All of them were related to the man sitting up in bed.

His husband, his treasured assistant, his Pure Vanilla, smiled softly as he leaned back at the command. The Fount, despite all his knowledge, had no idea how his love could still be so calm. He had to be exhausted from the labour- he was still covered in sweat with matted hair, for witches's sake!

Yet, he looked calm, even radiant, as he held out the bundle. "I..." the Fount stammered, backing up. "I shouldn't-"

"You've held children before."

"None of them were our baby, though."

Despite himself, he gently took the bundle, their newborn child, arms settling into the familiar cradle. His heart fluttered when he looked down, getting a better look at the baby.

They clearly took after his husband, he noted with a secret amount of delight, with his warm skin tone and soft blonde fuzz. They even had some of his freckles dotting their cheeks already. "They're perfect," he sighed, reaching up to gently stroke their cheek.

"I did hope they would look more like you," Pure Vanilla said, a bit of a loving pout in his voice. His next words sent a rush through the Fount, enough that he perked up. "They do deserve to have a little sibling."

As if he willed it, their eyes opened.

Soft blue eyes stared up at him.

His heart melted.

The Fount knew, without a doubt, that his heart belonged forever to the man in the bed and the baby he cradled close to his heart. He may have doubts about truth and knowledge and cookiekind, but he could never lie about this love in his soul.

"Vanilla Custard."

"What?"

The Fount smiled at his husband, his joy pushing doubt about cookies and concern about his new fangs and darker magic all the way to the back of his mind. "Their name," he said. "Vanilla Custard Cookie."

Pure Vanilla's mouth twitched, possibly to bring up their agreement to have the child be named after him (after a very long chess match). However, the twitch faded, replaced by that soft smile.

"It's perfect."

Chapter 2: After the Grief

Summary:

Shortly before Chapters 7-8, Shadow Milk watches his baby.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

They had more freckles now.

It was one of the first things his eye was drawn to as he watched his child. When they were first born, he had made a game of tracing little constellations in what freckles they had been born with. Once again, Shadow Milk traced constellations as he studied his child.

When he had been sealed away, they had been barely older than two...no, three...maybe five? Whatever the age, they had barely reached his knee, already wearing glasses that looked too big for their little face, Pure Vanilla doing an adorable braid to look like "'Unt 'Lil!"

They had grown into their glasses. The little braid had grown and evolved, resembling the way he braided his hair to hide the darkening colors, back when he was terrified of what was happening to him. They wore robes now, instead of little frocks embroidered with bluebirds and cream sheep, in layers of white and gold and hints of blue.

His little Vanilla Custard had grown up.

They were now a leader now. Before Shadow Milk had snatched them, he had watched in a strange pride as they commanded the great heads of the Creme Republic. It would be ultimately useless, once the Beasts got their way, but it was a delight to watch that arrogant Clotted Creme be put in his place.

He couldn't wait to see them grow and evolve thanks to Deceit.

...his baby was old enough to have a baby. To be married and have a little cookie of their own.

When the portal had opened up under them, it had snatched the little cookie. His cry of "Pa!" lingered in his mind. It was a nasty shock- Shadow Milk knew, logically, that he had a grandson, but seeing him in person was different then watching through the Souljam.

Speaking of...

Shadow Milk focused on the spire, searching for the little one. His first step had been to leave Custard III in the company of Candy Apple and Black Sapphire. The minute he had informed them of Custard's existence, the two had been chomping at the bit to entertain their nephew. Otherwise, he would have been disturbed from his reunion with Vanilla Custard.

Oh, they seemed to be doing fine. They were sitting in a parlor with cards. Custard III had the same face as Vanilla Custard did when they were focusing, with a little blep that made whatever was left of his heart melt.

Oh, he missed having small children around.

When his other half- and he was his other half, the Fount had no idea how accurate he had been- was here and had fallen, Shadow Milk would happily open that conversation up.

Right now, he would soak up the time he had with his first baby.

Notes:

I do imagine a larger fic based around 7-8, as well as a bit before and after, mostly set in Vanilla Custard's POV as they watch what can hopefully be described as "pre-martial counseling" and "martial counseling."

Also, for those wondering, the order of kids is Black Sapphire- left on Purefount's doorstep a few months before VC was born, Vanilla Custard, and Candy Apple- born from the first lie the Fount told.