Work Text:
Shadow Milk was not a cookie who missed many things. He had always been hyper observant, a side effect of being the former cookie of knowledge, he supposed. This skill of his had come in handy many times when researching. In more recent years, he had used it to sew chaos throughout the land.
Today, he was using it to watch Pure Vanilla Cookie.
Something was off. Unfortunately he couldn't quite put a finger on what exactly it was. His eyes scanned the healer for what was probably the millionth time. He was leaning more on his staff than usual. His hands were shaking. He looked… tired. Was he sick?
Shadow Milk hovered just out of sight as Pure Vanilla finished his conversation with whichever official that was— he didn't care enough to actually make an effort to remember their name. Once they were gone, he floated down, wrapping arms around Pure Vanilla's shoulders. One hand came up to cup his cheek. No fever.
There was a soft laugh. “Hello, Bluebird. Can I help you?”
He didn't answer the question, instead opting to shift positions in the air so he was face to face with Pure Vanilla, keeping his hold on the healer's face. “Are you okay?”
“Hm?” Hazy eyes opened slightly, a hand placed over Shadow Milk's. “Oh. Yes. I'm alright.”
“You're swaying on your feet,” Shadow Milk observed, bringing his free hand down to steadily rest against Pure Vanilla's waist. His mind raced through options for what could be wrong, before finally landing on… “You've eaten today, right?”
Pure Vanilla tensed, gaze dropping to the floor. He didn't answer.
That was a no.
Shadow Milk's mind was still running on full drive. As far as he knew, the ancients still needed to fuel their bodies. After all, they had been mortal at some point in their lives. He narrowed his eyes.
“When was the last time you ate?”
More silence.
“Nilla.”
“I don't remember.”
Groaning, Shadow Milk held Pure Vanilla out at arms length, getting a better look at him. “You idiot…” Taking a hand in his own, the beast began pulling the healer toward the door. “C'mon. You're gonna go stuff something in that annoying face of yours.”
Pure Vanilla followed behind him, calling out weak protests. Most of which revolved around claiming he was fine. Regardless, he never let go of Shadow Milk's hand, even as they entered the kitchens. Although his grip did tighten.
Pulling ingredients out of cabinets, Shadow Milk laid them all out on the countertop. “What looks good? I'll make you anything. Be appreciative.”
Pure Vanilla looked like he had just been asked to face Dark Enchantress Cookie again. He leaned against the wall, still clutching his staff. “Dunno.”
“Jeez, aren't you the one who's all about using our words?” Shadow Milk scoffed as he began preparing jelly stew. Something simple. Something Pure Vanilla had mentioned enjoying.
Soon the kitchen smelled delicious, if Shadow Milk did say so himself. Leaving the spoon to stir the pot, he turned his attention back to Pure Vanilla. The healer was even more slumped against the wall than before. He looked like he was about to throw up. Not the reaction Shadow Milk had anticipated.
“My cooking isn't that bad, is it?” Shadow Milk asked, floating over to the other cookie. “You wound me, Nilly.” His voice wasn't quite able to achieve the sarcasm he intended.
Pure Vanilla was breathing shakily. He slowly pushed himself away from the wall, only to immediately stumble. Cursing, Shadow Milk grabbed him as he pitched forward, letting them both slide down to the floor at a much slower rate.
This was really not the anticipated reaction.
Still mumbling curses, Shadow Milk scanned Pure Vanilla's face. To his relief, the other was slowly coming back to consciousness, groaning.
“Mm… what..?”
“You idiot.”
“M’kay.”
Under normal circumstances, Shadow Milk would have laughed at the response. This, however, was not a normal circumstance.
Pure Vanilla was slowly pushing himself upright, seemingly growing slightly more aware of his situation. He brushed a hand across his face, pushing strands of hair away. He was still awfully pale. “Mmph… my apologies.”
“Zip it.” Shadow Milk clamped a hand over his boyfriend's shoulder. He summoned a bowl of the stew to his free hand, setting it on the floor between them. “Will you eat this yourself, or will I have to force feed you?”
Eyes widening, Pure Vanilla dug his fingers into the fabric of his robes. “No! You don't need to— I'm fine—”
“You literally just passed out in my arms, dummy. If you're going to try to lie to the beast of deceit, at least make it somewhat believable.” He picked up the spoon, holding it out to the former king. “So? Are you gonna eat?”
“I can't.”
Shadow Milk stared at him. “What do you mean you can't? You literally just put the spoon in your mouth.”
Tears began to form at the corners of Pure Vanilla's eyes. He brought his knees up to his chest. “I can't.”
“Jeez…” Shadow Milk shifted the bowl on the floor so he was able to sit right next to the other cookie. He draped an arm over Pure Vanilla's shoulders. “Would… would it make you feel better if I ate with you?”
“Can… can I just not?”
Sighing, Shadow Milk grabbed hold of Pure Vanilla's chin, tilting the cookie's face toward his own. “You know as well as I do that you have to eat. Clearly. You look awful, Nills.”
Pure Vanilla slumped against Shadow Milk's shoulder. He scrubbed at his nose, before quietly saying, “Alright.”
A wave of relief washed over Shadow Milk at the agreement. He slowly dipped the spoon into the stew, bringing it to his mouth. It was good, of course. Bringing out another spoonful, he held it up to Pure Vanilla. The healer hesitated for a long enough moment that Shadow Milk was starting to wonder if he would have to force feed him after all.
Taking a deep breath, Pure Vanilla reached out for the spoon, grasping Shadow Milk's hand in his own. He brought the spoon up to his mouth, took another breath, and swallowed the spoonful.
“There you go!” Pressing a kiss to Pure Vanilla's cheek, Shadow Milk squeezed his shoulder.
Pure Vanilla laughed nervously, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He was still breathing shakily.
“Let's just do a couple more, m’kay?” Shadow Milk said, softly bonking his head against Pure Vanilla's.
They sat on the floor for a while longer, alternating between bites. Eventually, Shadow Milk set the spoon in the empty bowl, a satisfied grin on his face. Pure Vanilla looked better. His face had a bit more color to it. He wasn't trembling anymore.
“Was that it?” the healer asked, knees pressed up to his chest.
Easily sweeping the bowl into his other realm, Shadow Milk snickered, shifting into a hovering position, facing Pure Vanilla. “It was indeed!” He reached out, placing a hand on the blond's cheek. “You feel better now, riiiight?”
“Yes, Bluebird.” There was a slight smile hidden behind a strategically placed hand.
“Excellent!” Shadow Milk easily scooped Pure Vanilla up into his arms, drawing a yelp of surprise from his other half. “Now, you're going to rest.” He raised his voice over the already forming protests. “You passed out, Nilly. You're entitled to skip the rest of today's meetings.” He flashed a sharp grin. “If anyone is annoyed with you, send them to me.”
“I will most certainly not be doing that.”
They were already back in their room before Pure Vanilla could finish his sentence. Shadow Milk dropped him down onto the bed, shoving him against the pillows.
“This is ridiculous…” Pure Vanilla muttered. “I'm—”
“If you say you're fine, I'll break everything in this room,” Shadow Milk chirped, slipping into the healer's arms.
A soft laugh puffed against his hair. A face was pushed into it. “Thank you.”
Shadow Milk curled closer to him, rubbing circles on his chest. He could feel his face heating up. Ridiculous, that two simple words from a single, annoying, cookie had such an effect. “...of course.”