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Tonight is the night of one of the largest, most grand balls in the entire history of the Hollyberry Kingdom! The Queen Mother has invited Cookies from all across Earthbread to celebrate… who knows what. Nothing, really!
She’s invited all of the Ancient Cookies and their loyal followers, as well as Pitaya Dragon Cookie and a few of the friends she made back in Dragon City.
Wildberry Cookie couldn’t care less, though. The ballroom is far too loud for his taste, so he’s paying no mind to any of the specific guests.
Well, other than Crunchy Chip Cookie, who is passed out beside him on the couch they settled down on. It’s a miracle that he managed to fall asleep amidst all the chaos. It would make much more sense if it was because he was intoxicated, but when Hollyberry Cookie offered him a glass of berry juice, he firmly declined it, saying “A strong Dark Cacao warrior like me doesn’t need juice to enjoy a party like this!” Or… whatever it was.
That was almost two hours ago. Wildberry Cookie doesn’t exactly remember what he said, at this point. All that really matters is that he’s here, and they’re in the same room together after over a year. And that thought—although fairly pathetic and sappy—makes him smile.
He knows better than to dwell on this, though. All that would do is make this feeling in his heart more painful. Which he has more than enough experience with.
This feeling of longing for someone, or even something that is so out of reach… it is all too familiar to Wildberry Cookie. He’s never been in a relationship before. He doesn’t even know what he’d do if Crunchy Chip Cookie did like him back. But there’s still some hope, deep in his heart.
He’s determined to find some way to make this happen.
His eyes suddenly lock with the ones beside him— well the eyelids beside him; Crunchy Chip Cookie is still fast asleep and snoring like an absolute dumbass.
“...” He's about to mutter to himself before a voice interrupts him.
“Hey, Royal Margarine, c'mon! You just gotta come over here and say hi to Wildberry!” The ever-recognizable slurred voice of a drunk Hollyberry Cookie rings out.
Ah, shit. I forgot the dragon rider would be here.
“ Hic… — Wildberry's here? Oh, it's been soooo long since I've seen that pretty face!” He chokes out, holding an empty serving of berry juice in his shaking hand.
Oh, Witches. This is the drunkest I've seen him.
“Hehe, yep, he's here, alright! Just around the corner, snuggled up next to his little friend~! ”
Wildberry Cookie quickly pushes Crunchy Chip Cookie away, waking him up from his nap.
He gently stirs, not fazed until he falls to the ground.
“Ack—! Hey! I was sleeping! Why'd you..!?” He sputters angrily, quickly shutting up when he gets a glare shot at him.
“Sit back down. The Queen Mother is heading our way. With… a guest. And they're both incredibly drunk.”
“Hmph. Fine,” He huffs, sitting back down. “These sofas are far too comfortable. Not good for a devoted Dark Cacao warrior like me.”
“You need to learn how to pamper yourself, Crunchy Chip. Maybe you'd be less abrasive.”
That's all he says, falling silent once Hollyberry Cookie and Royal Margarine Cookie fall into view.
Nobody says a thing, but the latter Cookie finds his way onto the sofa, squishing himself on the other side of Wildberry Cookie.
“...your breath reeks of berry juice, Royal Margarine Cookie.” He brings a hand up to the other's face, covering his mouth.
This action surprisingly makes him shut up. And it causes a blush to rush on his cheeks. Which is, albeit, a pretty red color. Quite similar to the petals of a rose.
The thought causes Wildberry Cookie to move his hand away, wiping it off on his sash.
“Where's Buttercream at?” He quickly restarts the conversation, hoping to pull the attention away from that flustered expression from a moment ago.
“...oh! Wh-where is she?!” Royal Margarine Cookie quickly stands up in a panic, glancing around the room before calling out for his wyvern. “Buttercream?”
The other two immediately cringe at how loud he just became, and glance over at each other.
“ Don't say anything to him. I got this, Crunchy. ” He reassures quickly turning back around.
“ Royal Margarine . Buttercream isn't in the ballroom right now. You left her in the stables right outside, just like Crunchy Chip Cookie did his cream wolf. I can walk you there for proof, if that would help.” He shushes him.
“I-I left her?! What? No! I wouldn't do that to her! She's my baby…‐” He suddenly begins to sniffle.
Okay. I have no idea what I'm doing.
Wildberry Cookie looks around for a moment, trying to find a solution. But all there is around them is… more drunk dumbasses dancing and partying like there's no tomorrow.
“C'mon, I'll bring you outside and back to your wyvern,” He stands up, grabbing his arm and slinging it over his shoulder. “You're coming with, too, Crunchy Chip.”
Nobody says anything after he gives what feels like a string of orders, Crunchy Chip Cookie only speaking up once they've made their way outside.
“What, are we just not heading back inside, then? What about My Lord, Dark Cacao Cookie? And your… ‘Queen Mother?’ And that guy's…” He looks over at the drunken Royal Margarine Cookie. “Who even rules over his home?”
Wildberry Cookie glances over at him as well, nudging him to snap him out of whatever intoxicated daze he was in.
“Hm? Oh. Nobody? There aren't any… hic kings or queens back in… D-dragon City…” He yawns, still looking around for Buttercream. “ Where is she… ”
“The stables are just around the corner, don't worry…”
The trio walk for a few more seconds before— as he said— the stables appear. Obviously, the only Hollyberrian leads them inside, and their attention is immediately brought to the sight of Buttercream cuddling up against the Cream Wolf.
…oh my. Alright. Don't make it obvious how adorable you find this, Wildberry…
He stays silent. Royal Margarine Cookie, on the other hand, quickly rushes towards his wyvern's side, showering her with love. Crunchy Chip Cookie lugs his companion away, though, moving him over to his own corner.
“Hey! Get your pet in order. My Cream Wolves don't… get all sappy .” He barks at him, glaring back and forth between Buttercream and her rider.
“I-.. Buttercream is not sappy! She's just sweet! See?”
She quickly stands up, rushing over to his side and nudging his hand for pets.
“You're treating her like a SHOW PONY, ” He says with a shudder. “Our comrades are built for battle. Not parades and… affection !”
Wildberry Cookie clears his throat, muttering:
“You're pretty sappy yourself. Maybe you should take your own advice.”
“What did you say?!”
He doesn't answer, only gently chuckling to himself. Oh my Witches, seeing these two interact is… so amusing.
The whole group falls silent after a few more moments of his giggling. The only thing the three can hear is the distant partying back in the Hollyberry Palace. Despite this, it's oddly peaceful. Royal Margarine Cookie and Crunchy Chip Cookie are both sitting down on the ground, quickly falling asleep.
Despite this, Wildberry Cookie is still awkwardly standing by the door. He hasn't budged one inch, quietly watching the others.
He's a bit disappointed that things are how they are right now. This is the first time he's seen these two in so long, and it's their first time meeting each other, as well. And… of course the goddamn dragon rider is intoxicated.
Things always happen when he's drunk. He's much more forward when under the influence.
Or open. That's a better word. He's quite the opposite of forward. Only less self-aware, and a lack of awareness obviously results in foolish decisions.
Does this count as a foolish decision, though? Will Royal Margarine Cookie regret this when he sobers back up? Would he even remember that he met Crunchy Chip Cookie?
…this isn't important. He needs to learn how to appreciate the present.
The atmosphere shifts as Wildberry Cookie then decides to sit down in between them, looking out the small stable window and up at the stars littered in the sky.
I wouldn't be against simply falling asleep out here tonight. Everybody seems okay with it.
The silence is oddly comfortable now. None of them feel pressured to break the silence. Which is odd.
He's used to these two jabbering on and on about the most random things. Would it be wrong for him to miss that? To miss their voices?
Wow, I really am hopeless.
That's something he's been told thousands of times. That he's hopeless. That he's holding out for something that will never come to fruition.
But when he glances back at Crunchy Chip Cookie and Royal Margarine Cookie, there's hope. There's that familiar warm feeling in his chest that bursts out even below his cold, heavy armor.
A tired smile tugs at his lips before he yawns. Tears prick at his eyes afterward.
He's tired, everyone else is already sleeping, and there isn't anything to do other than either sleep or keep sulking to himself.
What to do...
He decides to go for the smartest option, shifting into a comfortable position, shoving his face into the Cream Wolf to his left and closing his eyes.