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Clotted Cream could barely contain his contempt for the beasts. They'd made a temporary home in the Vanilla Kingdom, and already a multitude of issues had sprouted up. Shadow Milk in particular seemed intent on testing boundaries. His "pranks" frequently frightened and annoyed the citizens.
Clotted Cream hated them.
"You've all been invited to a festival," Pure Vanilla announced to the beasts. "Many will be attending, so this is a good opportunity to present how much you've all grown to our people."
The beasts, Clotted Cream, and Pure Vanilla gathered in a small meeting room to discuss this opportunity. For all his smiles and warmth, Pure Vanilla only received scorn and irritation.
"Ah, so we need to lie," Shadow Milk mocked. "Play nice so we don't ruin your reputation?"
Pure Vanilla laughed, "Oh I have no reputation to ruin, no -" This much was true, Pure Vanilla's actions had directly led to the destruction of the Silver Tree. Many hated him for that. "- but it would do good to play nice. It would make it easier for the others to come to terms with your presence. Beside, you are deceit. I don't see why lying is an issue."
Shadow Milk rolled his eyes, but no further protest was given. After all, Pure Vanilla had extended an incredible kindness: freeing the beasts and offering them a home. The least they could do was play along.
Not that Pure Vanilla seemed to mind the disrespect. He clearly cared about the beasts, making an active effort to include them and support their path to redemption. As much as Clotted Cream hated every last one of them, he couldn't practically do much about their presence. Hopefully these idiots would do the work for him, shame themselves so gravely that Pure Vanilla had no choice but to cast them out.
"I've asked some servants to help you prepare for the event," Pure Vanilla continued. "The festival - Solspice - celebrates the arrival of summer, so you'll be given some items to keep cool. You may also pick an outfit to be made for you, if you like."
Shadow Milk grinned, clearly already scheming. The others seemed to consider the offer.
"The event begins tomorrow and lasts 3 days. You'll need to meet with the servants for the first day to get your items, but otherwise, you're free to roam," Pure Vanilla finished.
"As if you had any say in where I go," Shadow Milk scoffed.
Clotted Cream grit his teeth. Pure Vanilla chuckled lightly. Obviously none of them could stop the beasts from leaving. The beasts were invited, not kept.
"Solspice, huh?" Burning Spice grinned.
Pure Vanilla rose a brow. "The name did catch my eye. We don't have many records from your time, and the holiday seems to go far back in history."
"It goes way back. I didn't create it myself, but I inspired the culture that did." Burning Spice's gaze unfocused, reflecting on some faraway time. "They didn't last long in this world, but some of their traditions were passed on."
Pure Vanilla smiled. "I'm glad to be able to share such a thing with cookies from so long ago."
Burning Spice blinked, stirring from his daze. "Ah, yeah. It'll be interesting to see what changed."
"If you'd like, you could tell me," Pure Vanilla offered. "I appreciate any knowledge I can gain, especially with the unique perspective you all have, existing far before any of us ever lived."
Burning Spice grinned.
Clotted Cream frowned. He was more than done with this meeting.
"Well, I think that's all," Pure Vanilla said, perhaps noticing Clotted Cream's irritation. "I appreciate you all for coming."
Clotted Cream considered that his cue to leave, so he stood and offered a curt salutation, before rushing out in as dignified a way he could manage. He vowed to avoid the beasts for the rest of the day. Maybe he could hide in his office. He could work and pretend none of those monsters ever even existed.
---
The morning of Solspice festival, each of the beasts made their way to a small dining hall to eat and prepare. Burning Spice arrived first with Shadow Milk, both chatting eagerly about the old traditions and what may await them in the festival grounds.
Silent Salt arrived soon after. They didn't feel any particular excitement about the holiday, but had grown accustomed to punctuality as a soldier. The event itself seemed intimidating. Salt was not exactly the social type. They wondered if cookies knew sign language. If sign language was even the same now.
Eternal Sugar and Mystic Flour took much longer, both arriving together, Flour relying on Sugar's enthusiasm to bother getting out of bed. Sugar enjoyed any excuse to party or celebrate, already eagerly recounting past events she'd held for Solspice with Burning Spice and Shadow Milk. Flour didn't feel much either way, but that was to be expected. The only thing that really interested her was the time spent with old friends.
All 5 casually ate and reminisced, waiting for the servants Pure Vanilla had offered to arrive. The meal was warm and comfortable. It almost made them forget all that had happened. Who they were.
The servants were shockingly chill about everything, professional and accommodating. Evidently, Pure Vanilla had selected them for their cool heads. The beasts were offered hand fans, small drinks, and a towel. Then, their outfits were decided. Most got something simple, similar to their original outfit, but lighter. Eternal Sugar got herself swimwear, something cute and revealing.
Shadow Milk, ever the trickster, chose to make his outfit a message. A wafflecone choker and small dress themed after the Vanilla Kingdom. Something that suggested loyalty. Ownership. Property, perhaps. Vague enough to be dismissed, pointed enough to insult.
"Aren't we supposed to play nice?" Eternal Sugar frowned. "This is ridiculous."
"Supposed to? Really?" Shadow Milk mocked. "I do as I please."
Eternal Sugar scoffed. "Sure, sure. I bet that will work out exceptionally well."
Shadow Milk bristled. "Whatever. It's just an outfit."
The rest of the morning went relatively smoothly, the beasts walking together to the festival grounds outside. The event was already audible, even from within the castle. Many others made way to the event, and the castle was already far less busy as a result. Except for the entrance leading out, there many cookies traveled to and fro.
Outside, the festival was bustling, a variety of booths and activities available to the kingdom. There were even performers about. The beasts saw many stares, but many more simply ignored them, too caught in the fun of Solspice. Pure Vanilla spoke with the ancients near the entrance of the castle, briefly catching the gaze of the beasts and waving with a smile. He faltered for only a moment seeing Shadow Milk's outfit, confusing flickering across his face.
For now, that was the extent of their interactions. The groups split up, wandering around to whatever caught their eye.
---
Burning Spice was popular at the event, having quickly gained some admiration after explaining what he knew about Solspice. Eternal Sugar and Shadow Milk also seemed to navigate the event well enough. Far less people interpreted the outfit the way Shadow Milk hoped, only viewing it as a cute gimmick. Even Pure Vanilla wasn't insulted by it. Clotted Cream was the only person who actively hated it, and avoided Shadow Milk as a result.
Mystic Flour and Silent Salt were far more reserved. Both stuck together, Salt struggling to communicate, as many cookies lacked sufficient knowledge of sign language. Mystic Flour played translator when they bothered to approach someone. The spreading knowledge that Salt was mute seemed to endear many to them. The silence that once seemed intimidating read as a harmless quirk with the cookies' newfound understanding.
Of course, many, many cookies feared the beasts and kept their distance. The positive interactions helped a lot in making the cookies more welcoming and understanding, but there was a long way to go.
---
"I've been meaning to ask," Pure Vanilla started. "Your outfit. Why did you pick that, of all things?"
His tone wasn't offended, but curious. Still, this was an opportunity. Shadow Milk could state the intention of his outfit, and hopefully get under Pure Vanilla's skin. Maybe for once get the gnat to feel unsettled and frustrated.
"Oh, Nilly, this represents my allegiance to the Vanilla Kingdom," Shadow Milk explained. "Since you're so set on keeping me as a pet, might as well show off who I belong to."
Pure Vanilla's eyes widened and face flushed. He was at a loss for words. Shadow Milk grinned.
"B-belong to? Pet?" Pure Vanilla sputtered.
Shadow Milk scoffed. "Obviously, Nilly. Everyone can see it."
Pure Vanilla blinked, processing, then frowned. "You aren't my pet, Shadow Milk. I keep you here for the protection my Kingdom affords, but you are free to leave."
Shadow Milk scowled. "I don't need your permission."
"You don't. I only say it as a reminder. I have no intention of keeping you prisoner."
Shadow Milk sighed. "Whatever. The only reason your Kingdom bothers with me is because they know you own me."
"Shadow Milk."
"A pet project. Something to prove your eternal kindness."
"Shadow Milk, please."
"What?" Shadow Milk spat. "I'm telling the truth."
Pure Vanilla huffed. "Shadow Milk."
"I'm yours, Nilly," Shadow Milk grinned, viscous and sharp. "All yours."
"Not in that sense, absolutely not."
Shadow Milk opened his mouth to retort, only for his mind to catch what Pure Vanilla hadn't denied. "Not in that sense?"
Pure Vanilla blinked, then, suddenly realizing what he has said, flushed bright red.
"What do you mean by that?"
Pure Vanilla looked down, suddenly far more shy. He heaved a breath, collecting his thoughts. Shadow Milk glared all the while.
"Ah, well... You are my other half," Pure Vanilla explained softly, still not looking at Shadow Milk. "You are mine in that sense."
Shadow Milk squinted at Pure Vanilla. "That would mean you're also mine, Nilly."
"Yes."
Shadow Milk stared, suddenly aware of how odd it was for Pure Vanilla to be so abashed about this in particular. The insults, the strange outfit, and Shadow Milk's usual caustic attitude didn't knock him off balance. But this did.
"Say it."
Pure Vanilla looked up at Shadow Milk, searching his face. Shadow Milk felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest, the sound filling his ears.
"I'm yours," Pure Vanilla said. Almost no hesitation, stated like a fact.
Shadow Milk felt suddenly overwhelmed. This what not the reaction he'd expected at all. Everything about this felt strange and wrong. It felt too good to hear that.
"Sha-"
Before he could hear another word, Shadow Milk disappeared into his other realm. He could sense Pure Vanilla calling for him, but he didn't respond. He needed to think. He needed to calm down.
He hoped it was true.
---
Pure Vanilla stopped searching for Shadow Milk after a few minutes. The beast needed space, clearly. They could talk later. Pure Vanilla hoped desperately he hadn't hurt Shadow Milk, but he couldn't keep pushing, every time. Just for now, he'd let this go.
---
The festival slowed significantly after sunset. Some activities continued on, drinking and fires continuing all night long, but the bulk of the event occurred during the day. Pure Vanilla had already returned the castle hours before, along with most of the ancients. Holly Berry stayed out, even into the night, but the rest caught up over dinner.
The beasts tricked in on their own time. Shadow Milk had returned to the festival not long after his...moment, but he'd continued to avoid Pure Vanilla for the rest of the day. He occupied his mind with other things, focusing on enjoying the event and messing around a little. Eventually, he returned to the castle, finding his fellow beasts, and they went to the dining hall.
Even there, Shadow Milk pointedly avoided talking to Pure Vanilla. He had to address it eventually, but kept pushing it off, his anxiety flaring as soon as he gave even a moment of thought to it. So he let himself bury the thoughts and feelings.
Unfortunately, whatever grace Pure Vanilla was giving Shadow Milk ended with dinner. Now, Pure Vanilla chased Shadow Milk, insisting on a conversation.
"I thought I could go where I please."
Pure Vanilla sighed. "You can, but, please. I want to know what I did wrong. I want you to feel safe here."
Shadow Milk felt himself bristle, even now.
"Shadow Milk."
"Why?"
Pure Vanilla blinked in surprise. "Why? What do you mean? Shadow Milk, you're important to me -"
"Why?!" Shadow Milk yelled. "You can't fix me, the witches already tried!"
Finally, Pure Vanilla's face lit up with rage. "Fix you? Please! They ripped a piece of you out and threw you in a cage!"
Shadow Milk flashed his teeth at Pure Vanilla, anger rising in his chest.
"They saw each of you at your lowest, and instead of listening, instead of helping, they threw you away as if you never mattered!"
Shadow Milk opened his mouth to scream at Pure Vanilla, only to be cut off.
"They failed you! All of you! And they lied to all of us!"
Shadow Milk glared at Pure Vanilla, feeling something awful twist in his chest. As Pure Vanilla stared back, defiant and stubborn, Shadow Milk felt something crack in him. He felt abruptly to the floor, a sob ripping itself out of his throat. In moments, he felt Pure Vanilla at his side, hands ghosting over Shadow Milk's hunched form. They didn't touch, a silent boundary. Pure Vanilla wouldn't touch him without permission.
Shadow Milk sobbed, wailing and screaming, his mind fracturing and unable to process the kindness he was shown. Somehow, this was worse than every hateful stare and distasteful remark. It dug into his flesh and made him feel warm and ugly all at once. It felt wrong.
Pure Vanilla sat nearby, hands in his lap. He was patient and still. Shadow Milk wanted badly to be touched, but crossing that threshold seemed frightening. Instead, he let himself cry hysterically, trying desperately to ignore the shame and disgust welling in his gut.
Pure Vanilla reached out again, hand hovering. Shadow Milk cursed his own weakness and foolishness. He couldn't resist any longer, lunging at Pure Vanilla. Shadow Milk curled into his lap, shaking and sobbing and clutching blindly at his other half. Pure Vanilla rested his hands on Shadow Milk's back, gentle and firm.
For several minutes, the two sat there, Shadow Milk unable to stop sobbing. He could hear cookies come by and check on the two, only for Pure Vanilla to send them away with a quick assurance. Shadow Milk was too out of it to fully care or process what was said. After a bit, he stopped crying or moving. Pure Vanilla brushed a hand through Shadow Milk's hair, the comfort of it making Shadow Milk want to cry all over again.
"I know this is hard for you," Pure Vanilla started. "I keep pushing you. I want you to be able to live in this Kingdom with me. Safe and by my side. I want the others to see you for the cookie you are, not the beast they've been taught to hate."
"I hurt a lot of people," Shadow Milk said, tone flat.
"You did. And, yet, the thought of you trapped in that prison, trapped with your misery and sins. It makes me sick. How can you atone, if you aren't given the opportunity?"
Shadow Milk closed his eyes. He could barely feel. He'd practiced this many times. Numbness.
"I don't want to fix you. For all of your sins, I don't think deceit is one of them. You are not a defect. You have made grave mistakes, but you yourself are not a mistake."
Tears fell lazily down Shadow Milk's face. He was shocked he still had any to cry.
"You are mine. Not a pet, but something I cherish. My other half. And I am yours. If you choose to leave, I cannot stop you. But, as long as I live, I will be here for you."
Shadow Milk choked, holding back more sobs. He'd cried, enough, surely. But Pure Vanilla's grip stayed firm, his hand pressed against Shadow Milk's back. He would not leave, clearly. So Shadow Milk sighed, tears falling and body going limp against Pure Vanilla.
Nothing more was said. They stayed there for several minutes longer, until Pure Vanilla seemed to make a decision, slowly gathering and lifting Shadow Milk. He went along with it, reducing his weight to make it easier. Slowly, Pure Vanilla brought Shadow Milk to the latter's room.
"Mm, good nigh'," Shadow Milk muttered.
Pure Vanilla smiled, lowering Shadow Milk to the bed. Shadow Milk let himself be let go, despite the desire to grab Pure Vanilla and never let go. Pure Vanilla huffed, satisfied.
Shadow Milk waited to hear Pure Vanilla's footsteps retreat. Instead, he felt the bed dip as Pure Vanilla joined the bed, lying next to Shadow Milk.
"Mm?" Shadow Milk hummed, out of energy to form words.
"I hope you don't mind," Pure Vanilla replied.
He didn't. Not at all. But speaking was a lot, and Shadow Milk wanted to sleep, so he just pressed his face into Pure Vanilla's chest. That earned him a soft chuckle and a pair of arms wrapping around him.
"Good night, my dear."