Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Solarium of Unity was bustling with activity as cookies mingled with food, drink, and laughter. It was not the first time, nor the last, that the gleaming place would be filled with such entertainment. Another successful meeting between the ancient heroes had taken place hours before, but now the night was spent catching up and revitalizing old friendships. Golden Cheese was busy chatting with Pure Vanilla and Dark Cacao; her intrigue about everything she missed in her slumber piqued. Cookies from all kingdoms enjoyed the festivities and desserts, exchanging stories and pleasantries. Well, all except one.

Crunchy Chip Cookie sat at one of the many éclair couches, watching the scene play out in front of him. He shoved the rest of his raisin bun into his mouth, savoring the sweet bitterness as he finished the treat. His pale eyes, though, were trained on the table in front of him.

The wolf captain wasn’t one who indulged in juice or ale, hating the way it clouded his sharp senses and made him less attuned to his surroundings. He had tried it once, and it was not something he wanted to mess with again. If he didn’t know exactly where everyone was in the room he’d become on edge, and the panicked rambles Caramel Arrow had described in his drunk state were just too embarrassing to recall.

This, however, wasn’t the same for Wildberry Cookie.

The Dark Cacaoian had missed how the challenge started, but the knight was currently banging back another mug of mulled juice. Hollyberry Cookie cackled at the action; her own mug spilling a bit on the table as the bottom clattered with the cakewood. How she coaxed the man into the game in the first place was beyond Chip, but the stumbling pull back of rim to lips was clumsy at best.

“HAHA!" The Queen Mother cheered, murky gaze taking in all the empty glasses littered haphazardly on the table, “A good effort you gave this time! You finally made it past five; a fine achievement!”

The ancient rose from her seat; her steps a bit wobbled from all the refreshments. She patted Wildberry on the shoulder, clear of his inebriated state as he swayed slightly in his chair. While the old queen would definitely regret her decisions in the morning; tonight was a time to unwind and have fun.

“Why don’t you get some rest, hm? Remember to hydrate yourself!” Hollyberry laughed loudly again before her focus shifted to a bitter winter king, “Dark Cacao Cookie! Let’s see if you’ve grown a stomach since the last time we met!”

She disappeared into the crowd not much after the last syllable left her stained lips, and the royal knight was left fuzzy in his chair. The tanned cookie stared at the grains of the cakewood table, head spinning. Crunchy sighed through his nose before getting up and coming over to the mess of a man; their mismatched heights making them eye level for once. Those berry pools were swimming with haziness as they leaned back to face the chocolate cookie, bangs flopping with the movement.

“Lady Hollyberry really did a number on ya, didn’t she, bub?” There was a tiny bit of amusement mixed in the concern, “Let’s get ya somewhere more comfortable, and away from all this booze.”

Wildberry quietly watched as the wolf took his arm to help him up. He rose and followed without complaint, though his other hand did grip every surface and object they passed on the way to the couches. The once skilled fighter slumped against the cushions the second his unclad back hit the seat; thankful he did not have his armor on. Crunchy Chip plopped down beside him not long after, though he kept a small amount of distance between. It wasn’t the avoidant or uncomfortable kind, more the kind to easily dodge any upset stomach issues.

“I can’t believe you even let her talk you into something as dumb as a drinking game.” He leaned back, pale gold flickering toward the ancients than his friend. He was not expecting to see Wildberry staring right back. “Bub?”

The bruiser said nothing, just observing with those misty hot pinks.

Crunchy shrugged it off, chalking it up to the abhorrent amount of alcohol that was chugging through the guy’s system. He looked around once more and took note of the small details.

Hollyberry had indeed roped His Majesty into a glass, willingly or not was beside the point. Black Raisin was talking with Raspberry who had tagged along this trip. Caramel Arrow was supposed to be there as well, but she held the throne for the time the king was gone. In another corner the local residents were talking with Clotted Cream Cookie. His cream wolf was flopped on the floor by his feet, snoring off the treat he’d eaten earlier.

Candle light flickered off the small wicks held in glass tubes, and the moonlight that filtered through the stained glass murals bathed the sanctuary in a tender warmth. It was nice, serene even. There was no threat of attack at that moment, no worry of colliding forces or waking up to a battle cry.

An unbecoming bark left his lips as something large grasped at his hip, and he whipped around just in time to find his friend much closer than before. Wildberry was still silently watching; his cheeks flushed nicely with his tinned crust, but contact made him still. One of those muscular arms slipped around his waist with a natural ease, comfortably resting like a docked ship. A dark blush bloomed on his cheeks and Chip looked at the floor.

‘It was just the booze,’ He thought as his stomach clenched a bit, ‘He’s just being clingy…He’ll let go when he gets bored.’

He did not let go for the entire duration of the party.

Wildberry’s touch did not leave his dough no matter where he went or who he talked to. Crunchy had ended up with a towering drunk following him around after he decided his legs hurt from sitting. No matter who he struck up conversation with, the man stood close, hands somewhere on his person: his shoulder, his waist, his hand, his wrist. It was honestly overwhelming and a total one eighty from the stoic wall, but not entirely bad. His hands were warm and held with care, no pain ever came from his touch. Embarrassment was oozing off of Crunchy for all to see, but he’d feel bad letting his drunk friend alone in such a state.

Nothing was more awkward than when Clotted Cream had come to speak kind with him, and was startled by the giant. He’d stepped a bit too close, and the wolf captain ended up enveloped by large arms from behind, wrapping around his body protectively before a growl sounded behind him. The deepness of it rumbled his back and made the hairs on his body stand on end. A press of soft pink to the side of his face was evident immediately and the blush even more so as Wild leaned down and glared at the consol.

“Bub!” Crunchy hissed as he dragged them to an empty corner by the doors, shooting a glare up at the drunkard, “You can’t keep pullin’ that shit! Spoiling icing, you growled at someone!”

Once again he was met with silence, and it was obvious that things weren’t sticking. It had grown late, definitely after midnight, and the hallways were almost empty besides a few stragglers. That included themselves and his brother, who was still snoozing near the couch. The evening had drained the poor cookie, and honestly some rest would help the both of them.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Chip said, trying to lead the other, but Wildberry was like the statues in the plaza, “Dude, come o-.”

Crunchy Chip jumped as his wrist was taken and he stumbled a bit as he was pulled forward. The closeness wasn’t odd for the evening, but the sudden forwardness was undeniable. He braced himself at the flush nature of their position; eyes squeezed shut. The color tinting his cheeks flared as he could practically taste the juice on his friend's breath. A bead of nervous energy traced down the back of his neck.

The moonlight filtering through the colored shards of hero’s promise made the adjacent walls glitter with rainbows. Hazy vision watched with the way the tiny kisses of the sky’s splendor decorated dark dough with such love. Those pale gold beacons stood out in the dying light of melted wicks as they reopened, shining and melting with the accompanying vibrancy. His free hand, the one usually donned in skull crushing steel, cradled Crunchy’s cheek. A rough thumb pad stroked at the black mark, feeling the crust that laid underneath. The next words came out so painfully soft that their whispers barely caught his hearing.

“Your eyes really are as beautiful as the moon.” 

Wildberry slumped forward like dead weight, passing out on Crunchy Chip and sending them both tumbling. The wolf cookie barely had time to prepare before his back hit the wall, but his mind was too busy trying to catch up to react to the ache. He was stunned and his face became hot as the words soaked into his being. The captain was lucky almost everyone was gone as his lip quivered at the spiking rhythm in his chest.

The drunk laid semi on top of him; his even breaths hovering at his shoulder and tickling the short hairs of his undercut. The weight was warm, always so, as if the Hollyberrian sun was radiating from his veins.

How was he even supposed to process this!? And with all the touching and clingy possessiveness that he endured throughout the night.... Not to mention the fact he was kinda trapped by the smothering hulk of his friend, his crush…. 

A whistle alerted the cream wolf, and the canine flickered his ear before raising and stretching awake. Chip shot a glare at the wolf’s amusement at the situation, and the two of them managed to move the massive cookie to his given room. The process had been long and tedious, but almost everyone was asleep at the time, and his own tiredness wasn’t helping. His best bud was more than awake and eager, and ended up carrying most of the burden.

Crunchy Chip Cookie pushed the door open with one hand when using the other to drag Wild in. This was ridiculous; he’s had cadavers more cooperative than this!

One last heave produced the knight into the bed that Pure Vanilla Cookie had provided for the Hollyberrian. The bedroom was clean, comfortable. At the bedside was a vase of flowers and a pitcher of water already waiting as if gifted. The covers had been pulled back by the wolf’s teeth, and tucked back by the rider, or at least tried to.

“Crun…’hip?”

“Hey bud.” The Cacaoian answered quietly, trying to to disturb his sleepiness, “I’m gonna head to bed, ‘lright? Try and get some rest.”

He turned to leave with the cream wolf as his tent was calling him, but found Wildberry had yet to let go of him. Fingers still laced around his wrist, never breaking. Chip opened his mouth because he was honestly fed up with the behavior and what it did to his heart, but his mouth dried up at the absolute heartbroken expression he was getting. Magenta berries were soft, jawline relaxed and his brows tender. The whole of it all made him look like a kicked puppy, and that alone made Crunchy Chip fold.

“....Fine!” He huffed before letting his body be surrendered to the wimps of the hazed.

A gooey smile pulled at Wildberry’s lips at the small victory as he was joined in bed. It didn’t take but a handful of minutes until the guardian’s chest rose and fell in equal takes, and it left the warrior staring. The whole night had been much different than he ever thought, and now he was in bed with the cookie he held affection for. He could make out the loose bangs that settled against tan features; the subtle moonlight coming through the cracked curtain.

Wildberry was so handsome, even in a drunken slumber.

It felt wrong to Chip, looking at someone like this without their permission, but he was given as much from all the grabbing he dealt with. A yawn pulled itself from the lower depths of his lungs, and the plush of the divine mattress called to him like a siren’s song. Lids felt heavy as they continued to watch the way the other cookie slept; a smile gentle on his lips.

Chapter Text

Crunchy Chip Cookie had never felt so refreshed.

In all his years of sleeping on the ground, on cots, in tents, and even on the beds of the Madeleine Mansion; he’d never woke up feeling this relaxed. There was no stiffness in his shoulders, and all the knots in his joints were dissolved overnight. It was even cozy, and he cuddled up to his cream wolf…Wait. Cream wolves weren’t…

Pale amber cracked open, wincing at the sunlight bathing the room.

The canine commander noticed the hefty weight at his feet first, catching the mix of white and black fur sleeping there. His sight traveled upward, tracing the impression of his legs under the blanket before halting at a crust tone that was not his own. He knew those arms…He knew the overwhelming scent of berrywood anywhere.

His vision finally tilted upward and widened when they met a pair of equally shocked raspberry ones.

“Shit!” He yelped before tumbling off the side of the bed in an embarrassing outlash. His limbs flailed as he did so, concking on the ground head first.

Wildberry moved slowly to take a look at the crash; his throat parched and his head aching. Dry, irritated eyes peeked over the edge of the bed to make sure the other was alright. Crunchy Chip was laying on the floor with his cheeks colored in too many feelings. He let out a whined complaint as his brother came down to greet him, licking his face with greeting.

“Stooooop!” He whined as he tried to push away the wolf, but the large canine plopped down on top of him with a huff.

The Dark Cacaoian struggled at the weight that pinned him down by his stomach, but the two hundred pound mutt paid him no mind. A long, frustrated groan left the man before he gave up entirely, arms and legs spread out like a starfish. A chuckle left the dry throat of the Hollyberrian despite his confusion as he watched the little scene play out. Crunchy was so tiny compared to his brother, which never ceased to amaze him.

“..I…” His words caught themselves in a fit of coughs, and the knight had to cover his mouth that the cottony sensation.

A muffled banging got his attention and he looked down to find a clawed hand smacking the wooden floor. A finger wordlessly pointed at the bedside table and the pitcher of water; Wildberry thanked in a nod before downing half the glass container. The quiet was a bit awkward, but it gave them both time to process.

"I do not remember much of the evening....May I ask what you were doing in my bed?" The soothed voice asked as the owner peered down at the pinned cookie.

"You got into a drinking contest with Lady Hollyberry Cookie last night and got sloshed, bub." Chip raised his head a bit to look over all the white fur, "Ya got super clingy too, like ya wouldn't even lemme talk to anyone!"

A slight blush overcame the usually stoic features at such a claim, and he felt the immediate urge to bang his head against the wall. He should have known better than to give into his Queen Mother’s intentions.

"I did not...I did not make you uncomfortable, or did anything to offend you I hope?" The worry was laced deep in the words, as was the way his brow pinched. He did not like the way Crunchy Chip hid behind the fur of his wolf.

“I…um....I wouldn't call it uncomfortable...." He mumbled in reply, gnawing on his lip, "Just....confusing"

"I see...I apologize for my actions then." Wildberry said, shoulders still stiff with confliction.

"It's nothing a warrior like me can't handle! but I...." Chip sighed, which was a bit diffcult with the extra body crushing his own, "Do you...really think my eyes are as beautiful as the moon?"

The royal guard choked on his own breath, holding his hand over his mouth to stifle the onslaught of harsh coughing. His mind was racing a mile a minute, and he damned his queen mentally.

What had he said?!

Did he spill more than just berry juice?!

"I...said that?" Wild tried to stay calm, but his widened eyes betrayed him.

“Yeah, bub....but I know what booze can do to a cookie...." Pale amber looked away, too anxious to look the guy in the eye, "I get that drunk people ramble of pointless things..."

".....While I do not remember such an encounter....I believe my words hold more merit than you give than credit for." Crunchy jolted up a bit, toppling the wolf off of him with the sudden strength. His cheeks couldn't become any darker of they tried.

"What ya staying?"

“I am saying that while my mind was clouded....My opinion does not waiver from one so drunkly." Wildberry gave a small smile; a break in his stoicness, "They are rather beautiful."

Crunchy Chip’s crust buzzed at the confession and he felt like he was gonna pass out! Beautiful wasn't exactly something he heard, often if at all. Sunrises and sunsets over the frozen mountain ranges were beautiful. Watching new born pups run around in the snow was beautiful. Hell, the cloudless night skies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom were beautiful!

But his eyes?

The animalistic slits that resembled his wolfen kind?

That was a new one.

"W-What are ya sayin'!?" Damn the way his words wobbled!

"What would you like me to say, Crunchy Chip Cookie?"

How Wildberry could keep his cool with all this damned tension was a herculean task within itself. Yet, underneath that gentle smirk and light blush was a malstrom of twisting embarrassment and shame, because this was NOT how he planned this confession. He watched the others tongue dart at his lips, nervous if to speak.

"Say it again." Chip blurted.

"Hmm?"

"Say....Nevermind this is stupid!" Crunchy jolted to his feet, wolf fur clinging to his black top as he headed for the door.

He was practically vibrating with nerves, and the heat on the back of his neck was overwhelming. Why would he say that?! Stupid thing to ask, to say! His hand gripped at the door handle, blackened claws scratching at the metal when a shadow crept quickly at his side.

A large hand covered his own on the knob; warm sun baked dough contrasting against his own chocolate flavouring. The closeness made his nostrils flare, and the radiating presence was all too real.

"Crunchy Chip," Wildberry's voice was still ever monotoned, but also gentle, "I didn't mean to cause you any grief. I will say it as many times as you wish, and each time will hold as much as the first."

Chip looked up, expression guarded and alert, but those stupid mulberry eyes and handsome features made it crumble away. He sighed, shoulders relaxing only partially.

"You really mean that....?" He asked nervously.

"I do, as much as I did not wish to express it so...vapidly." The embarrassment was clear as the knight spoke.

"I don't get you." Crunchy said, noting the hand resting over his own hadn't retreated, "Most people think my eyes are weird, scary even, but you're here telling me there pretty, like there-"

"Beautiful," Wildberry corrected; own eyes softening, "I said they were beautiful, not pretty, though they hold the same sentiment. It is just that pretty does not do such a color justice."

At this point the Dark Cacaoian’s face would permanently be darkened by his never-ending blush, and his lip wobbled at words so gently said to him face to face. The contact was unbreaking; no deceit in berry pearls. The closeness was already a lot, and the feeling of his muscular arms wrapped around his torso still lingered on his mind, and yet the Witches had other plans.

His loyal cream wolf barked happily, rising from its lazing spot and bumping its head into the legs of the Hollyberrian. Wildberry gasped a tad as he lost his balance, and braced his arm to the door to stabilize himself. He sighed, scolding under his breath before opening his mouth to comment. The words died at his tongue as he took in proximity to his crush.

Crunchy back was to the door, hands pressed to his own chest as if not wanting to touch what was pressed in front of him. His face flustered and eyes wide, slits glancing away as if overwhelmed. Ah yes, he is going to jump off the castle roof after this.

"My apologies." He pulled back. "I did not mean-"

"Great Icing Ridge! I can't take this tension anymore!" Crunchy yelled before grabbing those broad shoulders, "Stop being so damn handsome and cool all the time!!"

“....You believe I am handsome?" Wild raised a brow, genuinely shocked.

"Have you seen yourself?!" Chip exclaimed and flung his hands up dramaticly, "You're like a walking mountain of a man! How dare you be so tall and built and cool and then ask me such a stupid thing!? Damn you and your stupid smile and dumb face and big muscles and-mph!"

He was silenced by lips on his own, warm and pleasant as they drowned out his.... Compliments? Insults? It didn't matter because he melted into the kiss like being out under the Hollyberrian sun. It lasted only a few seconds, but spoke enough words to fill a library.

Wild pulled back first, color nipping at his cheeks. Crunchy stared right back, mouth still hanging open as the list died in his fuzzy brain. The cream wolf yapped in delight, as if finally happy to no longer deal with the blatant yearning. The captain shot a glare to the mutt, but jolted as the door at his back was firmly knocked on.

"Wildberry Cookie!" The Queen Mother spoke; voice loud and proud and a bit concerned. "Have you woken yet?! I know that you drank much more than normal last night, though it was quite the effort!" She laughed at the memory of the gauntlet wielder struggling to keep his level head while four mugs deep.

"I...I am awake, My Lady." He glanced down at the wolf captain who glanced right back.

"Ah! That is good to hear indeed! Have you by chance seen that puppy boy as well? Dark Cacao is looking for him, and I know you were all over him last night."

"PUPPY?!" The reaction was incredibly quick, and Wildberry barely had time to dodge the door that swung open, "He is a cream wolf! WOLF! Not some kenne...." His voice seized up as he looked up at the ancient who was startled before a grin lined her features.

Not only was Crunchy still in his clothes from the night before, but the bedhead and blossomed cheeks were enough to fuel her suspicions. Wildberry groaned at put his hand to his face; braid now untwisting at all the commotion.

"Well, that is a sight I didn't expect!" Her smirk radianted volumes, and she patted her hand firm on Wildberry's shoulder, "I'm so proud of you! Finally telling him how you feel AND putting him in bed! OH, I didn't think you had it in you!" She chuckled, oblivious to the rising need to jump out the window, "I will give you boys some space and let Dark Cacao know the great news! He was going on about it all party long after a few pints!" With that she turned and left, closing to door on the chaos.

As soon as the lock clinked into place a bubble of nervous laughter rippled from Crunchy’s chest before being followed by the chuckle by Wildberry.

"Are we really the last ones to know?!" Chip laughed, wiping a tear from his eye.

"It seems so," Wild agreed, sighing as he used his fingers to undo his remaining braid, "we should not keep them waiting."

"Right, right." The wolf cookie said, but paused as a kiss was placed against the back of his neck. He whipped around to face the Hollyberrian.

"W-Wildberry?"

"I’m sorry; I couldn't help myself it seems." He smiled down handsomely, "Let us hurry than."

Crunchy Chip watched as the man headed into the bathroom, and he couldn't help the bouncy excitement that jittered through his system. The howl was completely unintentionally, but who could blame him?