Chapter Text
≪ Prologue ≫
He ran his hand across his little fold-out looking for the fine tipped brush, he pushed spraycans and paint out of the way until he found what he was searching for. Grabbing the brush he faced the concrete wall which was filled with a beautiful display of colors and arrays of gradients.
He squatted down to the corner of the painting and the brush flowed across the wall to form a small little blue jester, and his name next to it, like a signature.
He got up from his position and immediately stretched his arms up and took a couple steps back to see his work.
Spray paint strokes, heavy brush use, and the throwing white paint on the wall was practically worth it, what came upon was a beautiful display of colors with uses of blues and cyans for undertones and its inverted side being the gold and yellow. What formed from the older splashes of reckless painting was a forest, a fantasy forest with plants and flowers never seen and animals never found. Not to be biased but, Shadow Milk found it very well done.
He smirked at his accomplishment, of course he did an amazing job, he's an expert in this field.
He looked down to the mess of paint bottles and spray cans sitting on the floor right below his art. He sighed and furrowed his eyebrows but obviously he had to clean it up.
"Yoohoo, Shadow Milk!"
He whipped his head to face the man standing there, with that long cream colored hair he was obviously very recognizable.
“Ah hello! How are you doing with the mural? I hope your doing just fine” The blonde had a wide smile on his face, he held some glasses in his hand that showed signs of condensation. “Oh hey Pure Vanilla, actually the murals already done, I believe this is the best I have done here!” Pure Vanilla handed Shadow Milk the glass of lemonade which he immediately chugged down, he sighed happily as he continued to admire his work. Pure Vanilla took notice of it and had a hand up to his mouth already.
“Oh wow! You really did great! Cacao would love to see it!" His voice tainted in praise which made Shadow Milk's ego just a whole lot bigger. “Of course he would! I mean this is my third visit here y'know? I guess you just can't help but love my skill, hm?” the corners of his mouth grew into that iconic smirk, Vanilla just gained a wider smile.
“I'll get him, don't worry! He must be inside with our son so don't mind if I take a while.” The shorter man made his way inside the little restaurant, maneuvering through the tables and chairs on the outside space. Shadow Milk took a glance at his clothes, he wore his regular clothes that he went with for painting but maybe it was about time he changed them. He placed the glass down on a table and went to pick up his stuff, grabbing the little fold-out and placing paint jars into the carrier he always brought.
He stood reached into one of the pockets on his cargo pants and pulled out a hair tie which he placed temporarily on his teeth to pull back his hair into a ponytail. He should start cutting it maybe, his hair was getting too long for his liking but eh, he thought he looked badass. He got hold of his Letterman jacket which he custom made obviously and tied off around his waist before getting all his stuff.
“Here dear, look at how well he did!" The blonde man said as he held the hand of a taller dark-skinned man, who was curiously covered in some scars. Dark Cacao looked at the mural and formed a small smile with his lips. “It's a beautiful Shadow, thank you for coming once again, you will always be welcomed you know?” The older man had his gaze on him, which made him grin happily. He really never saw Vanilla's husband smile fondly, he must've done a pretty good job, like always.
“Ah thank you thank you! I do in fact have to leave so you can admire my work for as long as you want, you can pay me through the website no worries." He kept his smirk and Pure Vanilla just smiled before answering. “I hope you come back to eat sometime, we loved to help you.” Dark Cacao nodded quietly and the blue haired man just gave an immediate thumbs up. Shadow Milk left through the back of the restaurant. He did enjoy doing street art for people, what type was he anyways… probably all of them, he knows his skills potential.
He slammed the trunk door of his car which contained all his painting supplies and brushes before climbing in the driver's seat. He grabbed his keys and turned his car on before taking a sec to check his phone. They did send him the money, obviously, and he just has some boring notifications from Candy Apple. Sometimes she scares him with the amount of notifications she sends, she's like an over protective sister or something even though she's way younger then him. A couple messages were from his best friend, Eternal, but she can wait anyways.
He practically anchored his phone on the car's deck and went to GPS to get directions to his house. What he needs right now is a nap on his bed, no waiting. Stepping on the pedal he drove through the streets of the urban city like he always did. He enjoys the little car ride some days when nothing important is after long hours of painting and refining the details of his work. His lips curve to a tiny smile as he wished something cool would happen, he hopes Eternal Sugar would be home so maybe he could piss her off some way, like always.
Finally after 10 minutes of thought he made it home, he was so lucky that the restaurant was only a couple minutes away. He parked his car and grabbed the handful of keys in his pocket before unlocking that door. He sighed warmly as he felt the warm air of his home and closed the door back and immediately ran up to his room after he kicked his boots off and left them at the door, throwing himself onto the well-made bed. He laid on his pillows and pulled a plush from the fat pile he had in the corner of his room, his collection has been growing recently. Picking his phone out of his pocket and going through the messages he got, he obviously had to answer Eternal sugars first cause she's starting to spam the same stupid text. Rolling his eyes he typed out a message.
ShadowMilk:
< WHAT is it
♡EternalSugar♡:
< I thought you would never answer! I've been texting for AWHILE Shadow Milk!
ShadowMilk:
< Then tell me, I was doing my job
♡EternalSugar♡:
< Your acting as like you never spammed me at the speed of light, it was pissing me off
ShadowMilk:
< What doesn't
♡EternalSugar♡:
< Okay just look, did you hear about the new fashion week happening in New York???
ShadowMilk:
< No not really I dont pay attention to the uh news
♡EternalSugar♡:
< Theres something BIG that i need to tell you abt it! Im coming over to tell youuuuu soon!!!
ShadowMilk:
< Why tho
♡EternalSugar♡:
< Because I care enough to tell you, your such a dry texter
ShadowMilk:
< Well sure but uh i feel concerned
♡EternalSugar♡:
< Im coming over right now yknow
He rolled his eyes, why the hell does she just come over at such short notice… Bah he wanted to piss her off so he giggled. But he needed to text something quick.
ShadowMilk:
< Just knock or something don't BREAK IN like last time
No response.
“She's going to do it anyways…." he mumbled under his breath, relenting at the thought of stopping her but he heard a door being kicked, loudly, ah fuck. He grabbed a large plushie of a cat with blue tipped ears and tail and hugged it tightly to his chest.
“There you are!"
That stupid little preppy voice stuck out from the doorway, arms on her hips as she had a cat-like smile plastered on her face. "Dude, I literally sent you a message to NOT break through the door, just call me to unlock the door…. “ The taller man said, he was met with a face that showed she didn't really care..
“Your door is fine! I just wanted to hang out! I wouldn't dare leave you by yourself on a Friday… “ Eternal Sugar sat down on the corner of Shadow Milk's bed. She was wearing a white off shoulder sweater decorated with a silver necklace, she had some flared pants decorated with white ribbon lace and bows paired with some chunky ivory colored heels. Rather overdressed for his house to be honest…
“Okay okay but seriously I NEED to tell you!” She catched Shadow Mik’s shoulders with a death grip as he was forced to stare into her dead pan face, no seriously he felt worried.
“Im going to work on the outfits for the Fashion week.”
Shadow Milk took that in for a minute atleast before his mouth gaped open. “Holy shit Sugar thats amazing-“ “I KNOW! I just can’t believe they chose me to do it like i'm a literal designer who does commissions and posts on insta for money like i’m so HAPPY! And yknow….” Her voice echoed in the back of Shadow Milk’s head, he was thinking or a moment. Maybe one day he could also be seen like that? I mean he would, He has been told by many that he has a lot of talent and knowledge for art. Most aren’t lies, he can easily tell the difference in the tones when they lie, one day maybe. He was poked in the forehead by Eternal Sugar, who finally finished talking.
“What are you thinking about there?” She raised an eyebrow at his stiff expression and he just lifted a hand and waved her off. “Nothing really, also what time is it?” He threw the plush to the side and grabbed his phone from his pocket. It was about 4 PM, he kinda just wanted to relax quietly until night. “Sugar, is it fine if we can talk tomorrow? I’m kinda tired” “Oh of course! I deserve to leave after barging in like that..” She grabbed her phone by the charm hanging off the case and stroked her hair as she walked to the doorframe. “Hey if you want we can go get coffee tomorrow! Unless you have some stuff?” The corner of her mouth rose to a smirk. Shadow Milk gave a sharp teethed grin, “Definitely not, I’m free!” he stated with some movements of his hand. She gave her signature wispy smile and the sound of her heels desecrated into the background. He slammed himself back on his bed and stared at his ceiling for at least a minute, before realizing he looks disgusting right now with the sweat and paint covering him. Ew… he is so taking a shower…
He removed his jacket and grabbed some pajamas from his drawer, making his way to the bathroom. He opened a compartment to his right and took out some makeup remover. He ran it through his face to remove the eyeliner and eyeshadow. He let go of his ponytail letting his hair fall on his shoulder and back. Holy, it basically reaches his hips. Not he minded, he looked awesome! He should really leave his hair like this…but he really had to fix the dye. It was basically all botched after a couple weeks, he’ll do it after showering or maybe tomorrow. He did his quick skincare and jumped into the shower. After 20 minutes he exited all refreshed.
He grabbed a soft blanket and the first plushie he could reach, which was a big chubby goldfish. Walking to his living room he threw his inventory on the couch and went to grab a snack, which was a small box of blueberries he bought a day ago. He propped one in his mouth and walked to the couch. Shadow Milk grabbed the remote and put that movie Eternal Sugar was bothering him about for so long. It was romance shockingly, she loved those and always cried when it was doomed. He sat on the couch as it played.
Untill yknow who waltzed through his door uninvited and with a huge grin on her face.
"Heyy! I decided it might be fun to have a sleepoverrr~!" Her voice was full of sugar as she pranced through Shadow Milks living room like a deer and dropped herself on the couch next to him in some crop top and pink polka dotted pajama pants. Shadow was sitting there, eye wide open, gaped mouth as she just intruded in his business. "Dude there's something called TEXTING! I think you would do better with it!" He said with several hints of sarcasm in his voice. She just smirked. "Can't I have fun with my best friend~? We are neighbors right?" Eternal Sugars hands clamped together in a praying motion as she pouted. Shadow Milk gave a eye roll. "This is a horrible habit get better.."
Her never ending grin widened as she took out her own blanket from her bag and snuggled up. "Oh you are watching the movie I recommended! Oh I'm not here to cry boohoo..." She wiped a non existence tear as Shadow Milk chuckled to himself. He opened his phone and turned off do not disturb to see if he got any calls or texts from his siblings. Sapphire and Candy Apple were away for University and as much as he convinced myself he didn't he DID hope they were doing alright.
He did get an email, weird, who emails nowadays...
He opened it and skimmed through the whole paragraphs uninterested. Until the word "Fashion Project" came up.
He then read through the email entirely.
Holy-
Oh my god...
He shook Eternal Sugar's elbow as she shifted her gaze to his jaw dropped face. He threw his phone on her face and she grabbed it with annoyance. She then Gabe the same equal expression as him.
"Sugar, I'm working with you."
Whiteboard of emotion showed on her face, until she let out a loud squeal that burned his ear drums.
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