Archive of Our Own

Rule Number One: NEVER question where the cabin came from. Merely accept it with open, loving arms.

Eternal Sugar Cookie never bothered to question it. From the very moment Shadow Milk Cookie showed up to the Hollyberry Palace’s gates jingling a pair of keys in her face (like she was some sort of infant), smirking that familiar little smirk of theirs (ughhh), she knew they had pulled some elaborate scheme to get it.

For the betterment of them all, she kept her lips zipped shut (a little lie never hurt, did it?) and went along with the lie it had simply been rented the jester had orchestrated. Shadow Milk Cookie’s old behavior truly shows even through the countless trials the rather unfortunate Pure Vanilla Cookie had to put them through— but she supposes it was foolish enough to believe they would ever let go of such freedom. It’s not as if she’s any better.

The cabin is far from any kingdom her companions rule over. Faraway from society, held high up in the mountains and built deep within the forest, between the pine trees that populate the peaks.

Why acquire a cabin when there’s at least five perfectly good castles a Holiday party can be hosted in? Well, it was not her own suggestion. And, quite frankly, she found it particularly sour.

A certain somebody blue and black and white just couldn’t bear the thought of enduring a Holiday event and sharing the attention of the beloved Vanillian king, and for some strange reason, said king decided on a smaller, more “personal” event in reward of that Cookie before the real holiday event. As training, one could say.

However, as a repercussion for being unable to perform this one, simple task of merely playing the nice host for the king’s beloved subjects, all of the others were strung along as well. No minions, no friends beyond them, just… each other. Alone. In the woods, high up in the mountains. Merely to see how long it will take before they begin to rip each other to shreds.

Oh, whatever. No true point in complaining now. She’s sure the cabin would be a beautiful sight, once they finally find it… if only it wasn’t Shadow Milk Cookie as the group’s guide.

“And you’re sure you know where we’re going?”

The question, so simple and spoken in such a solemn tone, carrying all of the growing sorrow of the group, bounces off the trees and disappears into the growing shadows stretching across the snowy undergrowth. How unfortunate it is that it receives no answer. The only noise is the constant noise of heavy boots marring the snow-powdered grounds, the white powder crunching loudly beneath their feet.

Every step forward leaves a lingering trail— ordinary footsteps next to hoofprints and pawprints, to the furry feelers of an ant’s feet. And as the snowflakes drift aimlessly in the wind, they cover up the remaining tracks, until at last it appears as if nocookie had ever even walked through this very path.

The cold prickles at her dough. Her teeth won’t stop chattering against each other, and the urge to blink claws at her mind every ten seconds. There’s a constant buzzing along the stretch of her spine, where her feathers are the thinnest and serve to provide no warmth.

Even with four wings to wrap around herself, they serve little protection against the rising cold— although, most of that you can blame on the Cookie she happens to be sharing with. Taller, broader, and particularly greedy in this very instance (though, certainly not as greedy as the shiny Cookie currently hogging all of Burning Spice Cookie’s warmth.)

It’s a bit rough, matching Hollyberry Cookie step-for-step. Her steps tend to be wider, quicker, while hers are careful, more patient. Eternal Sugar Cookie had practically begged her to carry her after a full hour of the occasional mishap, to which Hollyberry Cookie accepted… for fifteen minutes or so. Before an entire pack of cream wolves came snarling from around the corner, directly resulting in Eternal Sugar Cookie not being held against Hollyberry Cookie’s chest like the protector she should be.

Rather, it resulted in Eternal Sugar Cookie being dropped into a heap of snow, and a delightful little poem stuffed full of frantic apologies. The laughter was ceaseless— even now, the other (former?) Beasts won’t stop glancing at her with smirks on their faces. Unfortunately, with at least five (six, counting Silent Salt Cookie) supervisors, all she can do is pout and bear it. She can still feel bits of snow in her curls, soaking into her hair.

Her sweater is an inconvenience. It’s wet. Most of it has dried, yes, but portions of it still cling to her dough. It’s all just… awfully cold. She’s awfully cold, and even with the beautiful and perfect Hollyberry Cookie right at her side, supplying her with warmth just using that sweet smile of hers, it does nothing to combat the icy chill that nuzzles her body.

It’s better, at the very least, than what Mystic Flour Cookie is enduring at the current moment, just ahead of them. Even with the thick winter sweater she had exchanged with her typical outfit, the poor, unfortunately soul is trembling. Rather violently, she might add.

Having taken one of the blankets from Burning Spice Cookie’s cart— one of the larger, thicker ones— and wrapped it around her shoulders, Mystic Flour Cookie occasionally tugged the hems. Most of it spans across her back, the rest of it spilling at her sides, almost brushing against the snow below.

(She nearly pities him— while, yes, she is very aware Burning Spice Cookie is perfectly capable of handing himself, she cannot help but question the integrity behind having them walk on foot. The very moment they touched the snow on the higher mountains, it seems as if he had… what’s the proper word to put it? Deactivated. Shut off. Working purely off of autopilot. Yes, all of that. Golden Cheese Cookie, on the other hand, seems to be her ordinary self.)

Dark Cacao Cookie stands at her side, seeming much more well-endured to the drastically low temperatures. Then again, he is wearing a much thicker coat, with a furred inside and an especially fluffy hood over his head— he must be nice and cozy (how… nice). Each breath is another puff of condensation, brushing against the very tip of his nose before fading to join the gentle breeze.

Though his eyes trail along the passing trees, possibly to avoid another occasion of a wild animal causing somebody to fall into a pile of snow. Yet still, after every sixth heartbeat, his eyes sneak a glance towards the shivering Cookie at his side.

Despite her preference for colder temperatures (or, more accurately put, the temperature from Shadow Milk Cookie’s body), Mystic Flour Cookie doesn’t seem to be handling the weather all that well, even with a jacket and a blanket. Returning his gaze to the woods beyond, Dark Cacao Cookie tugs on the sleeves of his coat, his arms slipping out with buttery ease. It grows loose on his form, until at last it falls limp over his elbow.

Mystic Flour Cookie jolts beneath the brand newfound weight of a furred coat resting upon her shoulders. She melts the very moment the heat brushes against her shoulders, sighing deeply as she nuzzles herself into the much needed heat— almost like a feline.

The very moment she becomes aware of her own action, Mystic Flour Cookie freezes. “I do not deem this necessary,” she says, already beginning to take off the coat. “Really. I can bear this temperature for a bit longer.”

Dark Cacao Cookie halts right at her side, shaking his head in return. “I am much more used to harsh snows,” he says, wiping off the snowflakes that have begun to cling to his shoulders. “You seem to need it more than I.”

Mystic Flour Cookie’s shivering resumes the very instant the coat is lifted off her shoulders. Her arms shake as she extends the coat over to him. “I’ve no need, really. I am sure the cabin is not too far, I cannot demand this of you.”

“A simple desire of mine,” Dark Cacao Cookie pushes the coat towards her chest. “is for you to be warm until we get there.” He sighs deeply, turning his head just enough to steal a glance at the particular Cookie leading their group. The eyes in Shadow Milk Cookie’s hair blink at him, narrowing in what might’ve been disgust, before fully closing. “Witches only know how long it shall be before we arrive…”

Mystic Flour Cookie follows his gaze. The eyes are open again in an instant, peering at her specifically, some of them bubbling with hearts. The moment she looks away, they close. How particular.

She puts the coat back on, guiding the hood over her face. “Thank you, truly. I appreciate it.”

Dark Cacao Cookie opens his mouth, yet no noise escapes him. Embarrassed, he quickly closes it and merely nods his head. He looks off to the side, back towards the trees. “Yes, of course.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie sticks her tongue out in particular distaste of the sappy scene (because really, why couldn’t that happen to her?), and quickly comes to regret her decision. The breeze, light as it is, is merciless, and stings her tongue the very moment it dared to leave its cave. She huffs and merely nudges her head against Hollyberry Cookie’s side.

“We should do that,” she says, voice lowered to a mere whisper. She gestures towards the pair just ahead of them— they seem to be avoiding each other’s gazes. “Hollyberry Cookie~ Give me your jacket, please.”

Hollyberry Cookie merely chuckles lightly, shaking her head. “Sugar, this is way too big on you. Besides, don’t I give you enough warmth?”

“Most of the time, yes, but not on this particular occasion…” Eternal Sugar Cookie huffs lightly. She knocks her head against Hollyberry Cookie’s shoulder again, a bit harder this time, merely to behave like a particularly spoiled (that’s typically how she gets what she wants… most of the time). “Besides, my dearest, you never hear me complaining whenever you get on top of me during our-“

Hollyberry quickly peels her arm and forces out a laugh, just boisterous enough to drown her voice out and get a few heads to turn. If the temperature wasn’t so low, there surely would’ve been sweat dripping down her brow. “HAHAHA! Oh, you absolute kidder, you! No need to say any more! REALLY, NO need!”

“It’s true, sweetest.” Eternal Sugar Cookie smiles, thick with honey as she graciously takes the jacket from Hollyberry Cookie’s hand. In an attempt to move her tail, she discovers how numb it has grown, completely limp and dragging along the ground like a depressed snake. She deliberately turns her gaze. It’ll be easier to worry about it later. “If anything, I really, really like it when your thighs wrap around-“

Hollyberry Cookie presses one finger against her lips. “Sshhhh. Please, don’t.” If Eternal Sugar Cookie didn’t know better (and really, she does know better), she would’ve assumed the Queen Mother was begging. Oh, but she knows how Hollyberry Cookie sounds like when she’s truly begging. “Not here.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie nibbles on it lightly, using the dullest parts of her teeth. Hollyberry Cookie, for some strange, particular reason, allows her to, until she grows tired of keeping her arm up.

It has the exact opposite problem— while warm and cozy to press against her dough, it absolutely does not fit around the stretch of her wings. Defeated, she hands it back, and Hollyberry Cookie takes it with a particularly smug grin (she finds it cute, how proud her other half can be with the silliest little things. She can allow her to win the game… just this once).

“Hmph! The Jester still hasn’t answered the question!” Arrives the voice from the Cookie in Burning Spice Cookie’s arm.

Half-asleep and dragging his feet along the snow, the Cookie sharply jolts as Golden Cheese Cookie suddenly shoots her head from against his chest. His eyes snap open, just to droop over again. They’ve heavily glossed over.

“How long until we arrive? Do they know where exactly this cabin is? My feathers are freezing off!”

“Ughhh…” he grumbles, slurring slightly. “I’d prefer no sudden movements. My head is hazed with this persistent chill.”

Golden Cheese Cookie merely pats his shoulder, yet her attention remains on the rest of the group. He accepts this form of apology. “Perhaps someone else should be in charge of the map. The sun is already setting, and it appears we are no closer to our destination.”

Tapping the bottom of his staff against the snow, pushing it away in favor of the dirt below, Pure Vanilla Cookie raises a hand. “For all their faults, I’m sure Shadow Milk Cookie knows exactly what they’re doing.”

He turns to look at the Cookie in question— ahead of them, still floating onwards, seeming completely unaware of the rest of the group’s halt. The dastardly fox has the audacity to keep their eyes closed. “Right, Shadow Milk Cookie? You aren’t leading us to a dead end, are you?”

The silence from them echoes louder. Pure Vanilla Cookie coughs loudly into his fist, and still it doesn’t gain the attention of the hyper-focused Cookie (or, more accurately put, Shadow Milk Cookie doesn’t want to acknowledge the existence of anybody questioning their luxurious guiding skills). “Right, Shadow Milk Cookie?”

With how close the map is to their face, their nose is shoved against the yellowed map they clutch until the tips of their claws rip holes into the paper. Hanging on to the edge of their cheekbone like a lifeline, Shadow Milk Cookie’s monocle serves as minimal help for the map before their very eyes.

Their eyes— the real ones, the ones that can hardly see a foot before them— scan the yellowed parchment over and over again, never lingering on one spot for longer than a mere heartbeat. Every so often they’d grumble and readjust their monocle, and squint their gaze, before redirecting to another gap between the trees.

Silent Salt Cookie— who, unlike the rest of the group (with the sole exception of Burning Spice Cookie, who is currently wearing a teal scarf made by Golden Cheese Cookie), decided to keep his armor and allowed White Lily Cookie to adorn their helmet with a poofy red hat— moved ahead of the group, towards the party leader.

The very moment he steps within punching distance of Shadow Milk Cookie, he flicks the tiny silver crown hovering above their head. It spins in the air with a delightful little sparkle. “Pay attention.”

Shadow Milk Cookie immediately screeches, high-pitched and dissonant. The rest of the group cringes as the noise pierces their ears— not unlike a fox caught in the jaws of a cake hound, producing one final noise before its life is finally cut short.

Golden Cheese Cookie curls her wings around herself in an attempt to blot out the noise, and with his arms occupied, Burning Spice Cookie can do nothing but suffer as his ears droop pathetically (at the very least, he’s fully conscious now).

Hollyberry Cookie covers Eternal Sugar Cookie’s ears, and Eternal Sugar Cookie covers Hollyberry Cookie’s. Dark Cacao Cookie looks like he’s aged a full five years in but a mere second, attempting to appear unbothered even as he reaches to rub at his ear, while Mystic Flour Cookie appears entirely undisturbed at his side. White Lily Cookie’s face is fully scrunched up.

Whipping their head around to glare at the taller Cookie, the strands of their hair whip at Silent Salt Cookie’s helmet, sliming it with an indescribable black residue that oozes down its surface. Silent Salt Cookie wipes it off without comment.

“Uhhh, sensitive body part there, you know!” Shadow Milk Cookie readjusts their little crown, grumbling once it hovers completely lopsided. Some of their dough— so soggy that even the freezing temperatures can do nothing to solidify it— drips onto the snow. “Could’ve just tapped my shoulder, but noooo, you just had to touch a nerve ending! Sheesh. Violent crowds these days.”

Silent Salt Cookie looks down on the Cookie pouting dramatically up at him. “Tell us where we’re going, or else I’ll have somebody else take the map.”

Shadow Milk Cookie shoves the parchment to their chest, gasping in horror. “You wouldn’t,” they shrill. Silent Salt Cookie merely stares at them, almost daringly. “It’s MY map! I drew it myself!”

“I was the one who painted the map,” Mystic Flour Cookie lightly comments.

Shadow Milk Cookie opens their mouth, ready to argue their case, before realizing who it is that spoke. Immediately, they shut their trap. “…Well, I painted it.”

“No.” Burning Spice Cookie shakes his head. “That was me. I painted it. You did the markings.”

“Okay, fine. I did the markings,” Shadow Milk Cookie rolls their eyes. “It’s still my map.”

Silent Salt Cookie turns to the rest of the group, his hands outstretched. “Who can actually read a map and actually get us to our proper destination?”

Everyone else raises their hands— White Lily Cookie’s being the highest. Silent Salt Cookie reaches for the map in Shadow Milk Cookie’s grip.

“Hey— no!” Shadow Milk Cookie tugs back the map the very moment Silent Salt Cookie’s fingers curl around it. The Knight resists, putting more strength into pulling the map towards him. “It’s MY map, I’M leading the group! You can’t just— ugrhh—  demote the main star!”

Now Silent Salt Cookie’s using both hands, his gauntlets tapping against each other. Just a mere tug from him practically yanks Shadow Milk Cookie forward. “Let go, Shadow Milk Cookie.”

More of their dough drips onto the snow, the full stretch of their fangs bared in a rumbling snarl. They wrench it back, their grunt heightened and strained. “You’re practically asking me to crumble!”

“Stop being so dramatic.” Silent Salt Cookie sighs deeply. He tugs again. “And let. Go.”

Shadow Milk Cookie snarls, resistant even when clearly outmatched. “YOU STUPID LITTLE-“

The very instant the rrrriip of the map replaced the infighting, Shadow Milk Cookie’s grip on it faltered, allowing Silent Salt Cookie the easy sliver of victory. He yanked it right out of their hands, bringing it up to the air.

Shadow Milk Cookie collapses into the snow with a heavy “oof!”, the powdered sugar covering him head to toe in an instant. “HEY!”

Silent Salt Cookie waves the map in White Lily Cookie’s direction. “My lady?”

“Blatant favoritism from the Knight again. Who could’ve thought?” Burning Spice Cookie mutters once White Lily Cookie passes by him.

She pauses at his side immediately, tilting her head up to eye him. She raises a brow. “I heard that.”

A bead of sweat forms on his temple. “…That was meant to be a joke, I promise.”

“Hilarious, truly. I almost laughed,” Golden Cheese Cookie snorts in his arms. He immediately shakes her— lightly, just enough to be a surprise. “Hey! Do not mess up my hair any further!”

Burning Spice Cookie immediately rolls his eyes, yet a smile rests easy on his face. “You can fix it in the cabin, Your Radiance.”

Golden Cheese Cookie raises her chin. “That’s if we even get there in the first place.”

“We will,” White Lily Cookie quickly assures her beloved, before finally moving towards Silent Salt Cookie’s side.

“My maaaap…” Shadow Milk Cookie whines as Silent Salt Cookie hands it to the rightful leader, White Lily Cookie taking it appreciatively. They sniffle dejectedly. “Come ON, you’re all supposed to be the supportive type of cast! I knew where I was going! Really, it isn’t that far. The cabin’s in… like… a tower away.”

Fully spreading open the map, White Lily Cookie takes a proper look at the outline of the mountains they’re on. Lifting her eyes to get a proper look at the place they’re standing at, she notices a looming shape in the distance. A boulder— a large one at that, overgrown with rotting moss, and coated heavily in even more snow. She peers back down at the outline. In an instant, she releases a long, dreaded sigh, and rubs at her forehead. Some of the lilies in her hair seem to wilt, their petals turning several shades grayer as they furl inwards.

Silent Salt Cookie tilts his head. “What’s wrong?”

White Lily Cookie has already begun folding up the map. “We’re on the other side of the forest.”

Everyone else freezes the moment her words register.

Golden Cheese Cookie’s fingers curl against Burning Spice Cookie’s chest. “…What?”

“We’ve been walking the wrong direction this entire time?” Eternal Sugar Cookie squeaks.

Burning Spice Cookie is already glowering down at Shadow Milk Cookie— the only thing holding him back is the Cookie in his arms. “You know…” Shadow Milk Cookie gulps beneath the sheer heat of glare; nobody would complain about having their dough freezing off ever again. “I have heard before that bleeding out in the snow feels really, REALLY good.”

“I concur.” Silent Salt Cookie nods.

“I could’ve avoided having snow in my hair,” Eternal Sugar Cookie grouches, twirling one of her ringlets around her fingers. “They deserve much, much worse.”

Dark Cacao Cookie grunts, crossing his arms over his chest. “It was certainly a waste of our time…”

“Is that a yes or no?” Hollyberry Cookie teases, yet judging by the slight scrunch of her facial features, she’s just as bothered.

Dark Cacao Cookie glances at Mystic Flour Cookie. She’s begun to stare at him rather intently.

Looking beyond that, towards Pure Vanilla Cookie, he can see his fellow Cookie shuffling on his feet; a frown deeply mars his face. “…It’s a maybe. Depends on what the puppet’s answer is.”

Shadow Milk Cookie raises both of their hands, spinning spirals blooming in their hair. “Hey— HEY now, I’m still here, by the way! In front of you all! I don’t wanna hear about my own execution!”

“Really, you all.” Pure Vanilla Cookie stands in front of Shadow Milk Cookie, waving his free hand. “There’s no need to jump to immediate violence. It was an honest mistake.”

Burning Spice Cookie leans down to whisper in Golden Cheese Cookie. “Was it, though?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie pointedly stares at him, the eyeball on his staff carefully narrowing its eye, both of them seeming entirely unintimided by the looming size of his fellow immortal. “Yes, it was. Right, Shadow Milk Cookie?”

“I’m legally blind, by the way!”

Pure Vanilla Cookie nods. “Yes, they’re legally blind.”

“Oh!” Eternal Sugar Cookie eagerly claps her hands together. “Just like you! Aren’t you two just an adorable bundle of soulmates?”

“Sugar…” Hollyberry Cookie murmurs through gritted teeth, patting her other half’s shoulder. “Don’t say things like that.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie greedily takes Hollyberry Cookie’s entire arm, nuzzling her cheek against it and purring delightedly. “It’s not appropriate, but it’s true.”

Hollyberry Cookie doesn’t pull away from her, so Eternal Sugar Cookie supposes she secretly agrees deep down. It’s a victory she shall take with pride.

“Being blind doesn’t excuse leading us in the wrong direction,” Mystic Flour Cookie says. “We could’ve arrived to our destination sooner, if only someone else was leading.”

Shadow Milk Cookie releases the loudest, most dramatic gasp no mortal Cookie could possibly hope to muster. They clutch at their chest, the very tips of their claws puncturing the wool of their godawful and ugly sweater. “Misty! My sunny little dream at the edge of the night! You’re arguing against me? Little ol’ me? Your Moonlight? The nightmares to your dreams?”

Mystic Flour Cookie’s lips quickly begin to curl upwards, and she quickly resorts to covering her mouth with her sleeve. “There is no shame in admitting when you are wrong. We all had to, in the end. We wouldn’t get this far if we didn’t.”

Shadow Milk Cookie blinks once or thrice before rolling all of their eyes. They fall backwards onto the snow, some of it shooting towards White Lily Cookie’s feet. “Okay, sure. Whatever. Don’t defend me. I didn’t want your defense anyway.”

“Shadow Milk Cookie…”

Shadow Milk Cookie folds their arms over their chest and turns their head away. Mystic Flour Cookie merely sighs and shakes hers, slowly making her way towards the Cookie throwing a rather childish tantrum.

“On your feet,” she says. Shadow Milk Cookie huffs. “Would you prefer to freeze to death?”

Shadow Milk Cookie releases the most dramatic sigh they can muster, closing their eyes as they pout. “Oh, but my body is too frail and weak to move… so utterly defenseless I am, I can’t do anything…” Their fingers tap against their chest.

“Shadow Milk Cookie.”

She’s pointedly ignored with a louder, more dramatic sigh (somehow…). “If only there was a strong, capable Cookie willing to carry me all the way to our temporary residence…”

“You are embarrassing yourself.”

“Unfortunately, there is no such Cookie. I shall crumble here, by myself, as punishment for leading the Ancient Heroes astray...”

Mystic Flour Cookie ended up giving in. Shadow Milk Cookie looked particularly smug hanging in Mystic Flour Cookie’s arms, wiggling their eyebrows in Eternal Sugar Cookie’s direction.

As a little reward for them, Eternal Sugar Cookie threw a snowball at their face. They behaved better afterwards.

Moving to Dark Cacao Cookie’s side, Pure Vanilla Cookie receives a short nod from the stoic Cookie, which he humbly returns. “Perhaps we should consider giving them the smallest bedroom for leading us in the wrong direction,” he casually mentions, a smile blooming on his face.

“HEY!”

“I didn’t say anything!”

Fortunately, with White Lily Cookie leading the group, they managed to finally find the cabin. Albeit, the moon is already hung up on the sky, paired with the glittering silver stars that shine alongside their beloved crescent in the deep, black ink.

The cabin itself is a large thing, held against the stretch of the mountain itself. A rack of firewood rests against the wall, next to the balcony held on a short platform. On the balcony itself is a full cluster of wooden chairs, fully cushioned, with a circular table in the middle. There’s a grill across from the collection, buried in snow (Burning Spice Cookie bellowed the moment he spotted it), completed with an entire array of metal spatulas, prongs, and knives.

The windows are frosted over, the inside is dark. Snow covers the roof, with a brick chimney poking out the sheet of white. No lights are strung— but it’s alright, because Golden Cheese Cookie had insisted upon bringing ten boxes of holiday lights.

The inside is much more heavily decorated for the holidays, even without a tree (For a peculiar reason, Pure Vanilla Cookie suggested picking the tree themselves from the forest outside when Shadow Milk Cookie went to decorate the place. What a way to contribute to deforestation).

Stockings are already hung over the fireplace, remaining unlit. A coat hanger rests on the side of the door. Lights flashing shades of green and red are strung where the wall connects to the ceiling. A wreath is positioned over the mirror pressed to the wall, a wall of little sugar gnomes in festive outfits spread across the counter.

Mini trees sit next to red candles, unlit. Golden bells coil around the staircase’s railing, leading to the upper floor where the bedrooms are. On the right is the full open kitchen, decorated with reindeer and polar bears. One peculiar sticker is of a polar bear wearing a red scarf, holding a fox by its tail over a fire made in the very middle of a snowy forest, a butcher knife in the other paw. It’s a… rather crude thing, but considering Shadow Milk Cookie was partly responsible for the decorations, it is to be expected.

Letting Shadow Milk Cookie down (despite all their protests), Mystic Flour Cookie was the first to relish their temporary abode. She sheds Dark Cacao Cookie’s coat in an instant and hands it to him, the heat of the cabin much more welcoming compared to the icy temperature outside. She manages a short “Thank you” before rushing towards the unlit fireplace. Shadow Milk Cookie immediately follows after her like a little dog, wagging their nonexistent tail.

Burning Spice Cookie, free from the burden of having to carry the wagon, has to duck his head just to fit through the doorway, grumbling to himself as the Cookie in his arms finally decides she’s done using him as a free chariot. Golden Cheese Cookie, fluttering her broad, golden wings, stretches her limbs with a delighted groan. Burning Spice Cookie goes back outside for some of the firewood.

The Goddess surveys the ground floor, raising an eyebrow at the peculiar decor. After a full minute of silent assessment, and the others merely moving around her, Golden Cheese Cookie finally shrugs.

“Well… I suppose this shall suffice to my tastes— for the time being,” she says. “What else is there here?”

“There’s a small arcade area in the basement.” Pure Vanilla points towards the door against the very corner of the staircase, presumably leading to the grandest arcade one could ever hope to see. “See if it’s to your liking!”

Golden Cheese Cookie hums, her gaze set on the door, picking at her nails. “If only there was somebody to accompany me…” she turns a pointed stare towards White Lily Cookie, who happens to be admiring the line of differently decorated sugar gnomes. “Ahem. I said: if only there was somebody to accompany me!”

“Ah.” White Lily Cookie lifts her head, blinking blearily. Regardless, she joins Golden Cheese Cookie’s side. “Sorry, I got distracted.”

“Hmph!” Golden Cheese Cookie immediately intertwines their fingers the very moment White Lily Cookie is at her side. And though White Lily Cookie sighs, she squeezes her hand anyways. “My treasure, the only thing you should be focusing on is me in all my radiance.”

And as the pair disappear down to the basement below, Eternal Sugar Cookie has been desperately attempting to tug Hollyberry Cookie up to the bedrooms upstairs. And while Hollyberry Cookie is not against the idea of spoiling her Beast, she is much more hyperfocused on the decorations, and the rooms that rest beyond the living room.

“Hollyberry Cookie~” Eternal Sugar Cookie pants with excursion, her wings fluttering restlessly at her back as she tries, again, to bring her other half towards the staircase. “Aren’t you tired? Walking for so long in such dreaded weather… doesn’t it make you want to slide beneath some warm, cozy sheets?”

Knowing how strong Eternal Sugar Cookie is physically (a lot stronger than a Cookie should be, with that skinny figure of hers), Hollyberry Cookie digs the bottom of her heels into the wooden flooring. Not necessarily that she needs to, considering the poor Beast seems to be holding herself back for her.“I feel more lively than ever, really!” She laughs. “Pure Vanilla Cookie said there would be a jacuzzi somewhere… why don’t we check it out, eh?”

“But…” Eternal Sugar Cookie cringes, staring longingly at what rests upstairs. “The bed… the sheets… we can- we can cuddle together?”

“We’ll do that later.”

Hollyberry Cookie drags Eternal Sugar Cookie down a corridor. The pink Beast stops protesting, growing limp in her other half’s grip. The last thing heard from her is a sorrowful “Hooollybeeerryyy Cooookiieeee…” as they vanish out of view.

“Careful, now.”

“Ugh! I know what I am doing, there is no need to guide me.”

Silent Salt Cookie steps backwards into the cabin, his gaze set on the burly Beast of a Cookie wobbling in with his arms full of firewood. The Knight merely crosses his arms after Burning Spice Cookie ignores him in favor of reaching the fireplace, where Shadow Milk Cookie and Mystic Flour Cookie sit.

“Wow,” the Jester grins as Burning Spice Cookie rocks his way forward, teasingly stretching their leg out. “Sure would be a shame if a teensy-little barrier were to-“

“Don’t even think about it.” Mystic Flour Cookie, Burning Spice Cookie, and Silent Salt Cookie all say in an almost frightening unison.

Shadow Milk Cookie rolls their eyes, tucking their leg back in. “Fine, whatever. Have your one star entertainment if that’s what you all want. Bleugh.”

“Are you hungry, Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

The question is gruff, and to be honest, rather sudden. Pure Vanilla Cookie taps the bottom of his staff against the floor, shifting just enough to capture Dark Cacao Cookie’s silhouette looming behind him.

The weary king shuffles awkwardly on his feet. “I am unsure if there is anything worth eating here… but, considering the time we had spent wandering…”

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s face quickly alights, shuffling over to the kitchen. “Ah, yes! I told Shadow Milk Cookie to bring in some groceries the day before.” Blinking, Dark Cacao Cookie follows after him. His steps are slower.

Opening the fridge (it’s decorated with Candy Apple Cookie’s drawings, held up with little magnets. Some of them are deeply concerning), Shadow Milk Cookie had— for once— kept his word. It’s stocked full of random things from the market; vegetables, fruits (there’s an abundance of langsats, for some peculiar reason), meat jellies, and a large jug of milk next to a wheel of cheese.

“Hm,” Dark Cacao Cookie furrows his brows, before nodding in approval. “A larger selection than I anticipated.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie laughs. “It’s always best to come prepared, my friend.”

“Don’t I know it…”

There happened to be a recipe book somewhere on the counter. Searching through it, Dark Cacao Cookie ultimately chose one of the things he’s brilliant at— stew. There’s a whole variety of them in this book alone, and so he chose a simple meat stew. Pure Vanilla Cookie, despite the king’s protests, insisted upon assisting in the kitchen.

With his own handicap, Pure Vanilla Cookie had taken out all of the ingredients, and was left to do the easier tasks. While Dark Cacao Cookie chopped up the vegetables, Pure Vanilla Cookie stirred the pot, humming a little tune as he rolls his wrist.

Setting the knife aside, Dark Cacao Cookie holds onto the cutting board. Pure Vanilla Cookie shifts to the side, allowing the other Cookie to throw all of the cut pieces of carrot into the mixture.

“There’s paprika somewhere, isn’t there?” He asks. “This recipe calls for paprika.”

“Oh, yes,” Pure Vanilla Cookie points to one of the cabinets on his right— it’s decorated by a sticker of a reindeer tripping on a shard of ice. “It’s in there, somewhere.”

Dark Cacao Cookie steps past Pure Vanilla Cookie. The cabinet door creaks as it’s opened, the king peering within with a raised brow. He grumbles as he spots the paprika— at the very back of the cabinet. “…Thank you, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

Dark Cacao Cookie sprinkles just a bit of it into the stew, before padding back towards the fridge. He takes out one of the larger meat jellies. Grabbing the knife, he slices through it with absolute ease, chopping it up. Pure Vanilla Cookie grabs the ladle hanging on the wall, and takes one of the bowls set aside. Stirring the mixture for a bit, he begins to take out the brownish foam forming at the very top.

Using that very same ladle, Pure Vanilla Cookie scoops up a spoonful of the broth. Bringing it up to his lips, he carefully blows on it, eyeing the steam pouring off it before taking a small sip of it. He hums, smacking his lips together. “Hm…”

Dark Cacao Cookie raises his head. “Is something wrong?”

“Mm, no,” Pure Vanilla Cookie takes out another scoopful of foam, reaching into that same cabinet and taking out a container of pepper. “It just needs a bit more pepper.”

“Hmph…”

The fire is lit within seconds, just with a mere touch from Burning Spice Cookie’s hand. The flames lick at the chopped logs, ready and eager, their excitement washing the living room in shades of red and orange. Mystic Flour Cookie sighs as the heat laps at her dough, leaning her head on Shadow Milk Cookie’s shoulder. Shadow Milk Cookie sticks out their tongue, and does not move an inch.

“Soooo…” Burning Spice Cookie dusts off his large, calloused hands. “What kinds of entertainment is there for me to see in this lame little abode?”

“Ugh,” Shadow Milk Cookie rolls their eyes, lazily rolling their eyes. They slyly slide one arm around Mystic Flour Cookie’s waist. Mystic Flour Cookie pats them lightly on the thigh, and they practically purr. “There’s a ping pong table… somewhere in here. Go find it if you’re so desperate for a show.”

“A ping pong table, eh?” Burning Spice Cookie scratches at his chin, nodding his head. His eyes redirect towards Silent Salt Cookie, and he quickly jabs a clawed finger at him. “YOU! The Knight! Face me in a round of ping pong!”

Silent Salt Cookie sighs deeply, yet regardless he steps forward. “If that is your wish.”

“Ha-ha! Prepare to be CRUSHED, little Knight!”

“Overzealous one, isn’t he?” Shadow Milk Cookie lightly nudges Mystic Flour Cookie the very moment they vanish down the corridor. She hums quietly, and speaks nothing beyond that. They quickly begin to pout. “Ah… no immediate response?”

Silence.

“Giving your favorite costar the cold shoulder, are we?”

Mystic Flour Cookie nuzzles her cheek against their shoulder, folding her hands in her lap. “You upset me.”

“Oh, did I?” Shadow Milk Cookie sharply grins. “Name one thing I did.”

Without any hesitation: “We spent five hours in the woods.”

Shadow Milk Cookie swallows thickly, their grin dying on their face. “Name one thing that isn’t that.”

Mystic Flour Cookie merely smiles up at them. “You refused to give up the map.”

“Okay, name one thing that isn’t-“

Mystic Flour Cookie sighs. Reaching up, she presses one hand against Shadow Milk Cookie’s mouth. “Shhh,” she shushes. “Just accept it. It’ll be easier.”

Shadow Milk Cookie squints at her, seconds before something cold and wet and slimy presses against her palm. Mystic Flour Cookie cringes lightly, but she does not pull her hand away. From the very tips of her fingers, she can see the upturn of their lips, just as natural as their taste of oddness. “You are definitely a… peculiarly baked Cookie, my Moonlight.”

The basement is grander than she was originally anticipating. It’s a rather large thing, the walls made of chiseled stone. The air is much cooler, smelling less of earth and smoke— more mineral-fresh, almost, with hints of charcoal and iron.

From wall to wall is a whole array of different arcade machines— ranging from fighting games to adventure games to survival games. Some she can’t quite identify, others seeming like perfect replicas of those she has in the Golden City. If Golden Cheese Cookie didn’t know any better, she might’ve said somecookie stole it from her from right under her nose!

“Admiring, truly.” Golden Cheese Cookie runs the pads of her fingers along its glossy finish. This specific machine is a mix of blacks and teals, with splashes of icy blues. Pressing the power button, the screen flashes to life. Music booms in the machine’s speakers, electronic and pleasing to her ears, as the pixels dance before her eyes. The title screen beams across her face, splashing it in whites and yellows and greens. “I never imagined seeing these prizes outside my own kingdom. Why, dare I say they almost compare to mine!”

White Lily Cookie seems much less intrigued in the machines. She glances at some at the corner, before retreating to Golden Cheese Cookie’s side. “It’s an oddity, I will agree,” she says. The Goddess is quick in stretching out one of her wings, curling around White Lily Cookie’s body just to bring her closer. “It’s intriguing what Cookie minds are capable of creating.”

She grabs the joystick on the control panel, sliding down to Two Players. Pressing the blue button across from it, the screen shines white before showcasing the character selection. “Some can come up with the same concept, the very same idea, when they’ve never once crossed paths. I wonder-“

“Wait a moment…”

White Lily Cookie blinks. Her fingers loosen around the control stick. “Hm?”

The feathers along Golden Cheese Cookie’s neck puff up, her wings flaring out behind her back. “That blueberry little-“ her hands slam against the control panel, squawking indignantly. “This IS my machine! That Shadow Milk Cookie stole it!”

White Lily Cookie pulls her hand up to her chest, pursing her lip. She isn’t going to lie, she has to bite back a laugh (she would hate to take humor in Her Radiance’s misfortune). “Oh…”

Whirling her head around, Golden Cheese Cookie’s mouth drops as she slowly but surely recognizes all of the Arcade machines inside the basement. All of them— every single one of them— is hers. Her eyelid immediately twitches. “They’re ALL my machines!”

White Lily Cookie rubs along her arm, a shaky smile resting on her face. Thoughtlessly, she brings one hand out, gently lacing their fingers together— as they did when they first entered this cabin. “…At least we know you’re still the only one capable of creating these.”

Golden Cheese Cookie trills unhappily, yet does not resist the feeling of bandages rubbing against her exposed dough. She squeezes White Lily Cookie’s hand— just a bit too roughly than usual, sharp talons tearing through the silk wrapped tight around her arms. And despite it, White Lily Cookie does not resist.

“I’m getting my hands on that Cookie.”

“Whew!” Hollyberry Cookie slides the door shut behind her, wiping at her brow. Wrapped around her broad, muscular form is a simple towel, her hair still thoroughly soaked and dripping onto her face. It has a sleek sheen to it; she captures the cool dampness and slick texture just running her fingers through it. “That was a lot warmer than I was expecting…”

The room is dark. She knows Eternal Sugar Cookie is in here, somewhere— she suddenly went quiet the moment they had to pass the others in the living room wearing nothing but a towel (it might’ve been pure horror). Hollyberry Cookie fumbles around for the light switch, breathing in deeply. “You know, as bitter as that ol’ croak makes his stews, I wouldn’t mind having a-“

The lights flash on, washing over all of the furniture in the room. Pure Vanilla Cookie had mentioned that each of their bedrooms had been especially personalized, and had especially emphasized how “romantic” hers is with Eternal Sugar Cookie’s. Unfortunately, she cannot take the time to admire it, because her gaze captures the fine prize that rests atop the mattress.

The soaked towel lays uselessly on the side of the bed. The bed is covered thick with various different blankets and pillows— less something that can fit a cabin, and more like a love hotel. Rose petals decorate the sheets, with a sweet little Cookie resting on top of them, swaying her feet in the air.

Eternal Sugar Cookie, without a single layer to cover her, hair and feathers still moist, rests on her stomach. A rose is stuck between her teeth, its petals a beautiful ruby red, melting to a pastel pink. Her claw draws circles into the sheets.

Hollyberry Cookie’s fingers thoughtlessly loosen around her towel, just for her to jolt and tighten her grip. She swallows thickly, her face flushing with a deep warmth. “Well, this is certainly a welcoming surprise…”

“Hollyberry Cookie~” Eternal Sugar Cookie purrs, grabbing the rose from her mouth and extending it to her beloved. “Come to bed, won’t you?~”

Hollyberry Cookie immediately redirects her gaze to her side— unfortunately, it’s a mirror that’s perfectly positioned to reflect Eternal Sugar Cookie, so she looks off to the other side.

“You know-“ Hollyberry Cookie’s voice cracks. The heat on her cheeks grows hotter, shame biting at her dough. She clears her throat, offering her other half a wide, shaky smile. “Maybe another day?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie’s face slams on the mattress, her tail drooping pathetically and thumping against the floor. “Ughhh… why must you resist me, my love? I merely wish for a night with you…”

“Hey, now.” Dropping her towel, Hollyberry Cookie slowly makes her way over to the bed. She can hardly stifle a smirk, watching Eternal Sugar Cookie’s tail stiffen within seconds. “Don’t be so impatient, you! We still have plenty of time to cause a ruckus… without others overhearing.”

Hollyberry Cookie slips her hand beneath Eternal Sugar Cookie’s chin, cupping it gently. She can feel her throat vibrating against her palm, just as intense as Eternal Sugar Cookie’s delighted purring. “Just not now, okay? There’s still so much we need to do.”

The Beast’s pupils bloat, the white swallowing any hint of pink. A constant thump thump thump thump echoes loudly through the bedroom, her tail regaining its life just to pat against the floor. Her tongue, forked and blue, flicks between her lips. “Tomorrow night?”

“When we get back to the palace.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie immediately whines, her tail falling limp once more. “You hate me.”

Hollyberry Cookie leans down and lightly pecks at her cheek, shifting her hand just to gently cup at her face. The Beast immediately melts and coos, nuzzling against her palm. “I adore you more than life itself, mon amore.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie’s face stretches into a large, droopy smile. “Yes…” she drawls thoughtlessly, so effortlessly lovedrunk just from a little kiss and touch. “Of course. I never doubted you for a second, my dearest.”

“Heh. Don’t need to do that much to get you rolling, huh?”

“Wow. You look uglier than usual.”

For some odd peculiar reason, Eternal Sugar Cookie had decided to sit next to Shadow Milk Cookie of all people. Holding a bowl of stew in one hand, and loosely holding a spoon in the other, Eternal Sugar Cookie has been staring at her own reflection in the stew.

Her eyes seem just the teensiest bit duller. And if the dummies out there can’t tell she’s in a particularly sour mood, the deep pout on her face can tell them. Her wings lay limp behind her back, angled awkwardly, and her tail keeps rattling every time they move too close.

Mystic Flour Cookie had left them, settling between Pure Vanilla Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie. She stirs her spoon in her own bowl of stew, seeming more intent on whatever tale Hollyberry Cookie is rattling about than actually eating her share. Whenever she isn’t pitying her own reflection, Eternal Sugar Cookie’s gaze flicks over to the largest Cookie at the counter.

The sheer volume of her laughter (the laughter she would force herself to bring out from her beloved every single day, just to hear it over and over again), the jacket working desperately to squeeze down her muscles, only for them to bulge against the sleeves with every tiny movement. Every smile Hollyberry Cookie makes here and now seems so heartfelt and genuine, she can melt just seeing them. Truly a goddess in the dough of a Cookie, one Eternal Sugar Cookie desperately wishes to—

“Where’s Silent Salt Cookie and Burning Spice Cookie?” She asks, setting her bowl on the ground.

“Got bored of ping pong and went outside.” Shadow Milk Cookie brings a spoonful of stew up to their mouth, slurping loudly. The pink Beast cringes at their side, but does not voice their discomfort. “Choosing a tree.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie hums. She finally scoops out a spoonful of stew, specifically reaching for the bits of meat. “Well, then…” she brings it up to her lips, slurping it up lazily. When the meat presses against her lips, she swallows it whole without effort. “…could you do me a favor, then? During this little visit?”

Shadow Milk Cookie throws the bit of meat into their mouth, chewing loudly. The Cookie at their side cringes at every wet smack of their lips, the loud slurping they make every time they slurp up the broth. It gets to the point of Eternal Sugar Cookie glowering at them, tail poised up, waving dangerously close to the back of their head.

Just a bit longer and Shadow Milk Cookie’s eyes snap open, immediately drifting over to their fellow Beast. “You’re asking me? For something? You? My least favorite friend, Eternal Sugar Cookie?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie sighs deeply, the burning sense of dread twisting in her stomach. “Yes… begrudgingly, I am. You see…” Her gaze returns to Hollyberry Cookie. With no berry juice in the cabin, she’s resorted to drinking basic water, taking large gulps from her cup. There’s the slight squint of disappointment in her expression, but she does not outwardly complain.

“The festive season has arrived, and yet I haven’t enough time to be romantic with my beloved.” Her button lip pushes up into a childish little pout, directed towards the rather bored jester. “Ever since she agreed to attend your other half’s party, she never has time for me. All she can do is give me a peck on the cheek. Can you believe that?”

Shadow Milk Cookie abandons the spoon and simply resorts to gulping down the stew right from the bowl. “Yeah, I can see it.” They split apart a piece of meat with their spoon. “Honestly, I’m surprised she can even bothers to kiss you.”

The stew spills over as that thick, leathery tail smacks the back of their head, soaking into the wood. Some of the meat and vegetables— the pieces small enough to float in the broth— mocks them from the ground, laying uselessly on the ground. Though the back of their head burns with the sharp smack, they immediately snarl and whine— not in pain (it was actually quite enjoyable), but rather out of devastation, cradling the bowl to their chest. “MY STEW! Vanilla put effort into that one, you know!”

“Anyways… I‘ve heard of a little rule.” She points towards the corridor, lined with countless doorways leading to all the actually fun rooms. “The mistletoe. You must kiss whoever’s under it, no matter what.” Eternal Sugar Cookie eagerly claps her hands together, giggling like a school girl. “If I get my Hollyberry Cookie under one of those… oh, she’ll have no choice but to shower me in affection!” Her tail shifts in the air, vaguely shaping itself into a lovey-dovey heart. “How rewarding that would be. Imagine how many kisses she’ll grant me…”

“Ooorr, you know,” Shadow Milk Cookie pouts down at their half-empty bowl of soup, their evening ruined in an instant. “You could just… ask her. For a real kiss. Like a normal Cookie would their partner. Aren’t you two already, ya know… smashing?” They nudge their fingers together, insistently grinding them together. “Crossing scissors?”

“If you help me get Hollyberry Cookie under the mistletoe, I’ll get you a moment alone with Mystic Flour Cookie.”

Shadow Milk Cookie drops their bowl of soup, letting the contents spill all over the floor. Eternal Sugar Cookie jumps as Shadow Milk Cookie’s hand snaps just a mere inch away from her face.

“Deal.”

“You’ve become an easy Beast to bargain with,” Eternal Sugar Cookie teases, reaching up to intertwine their fingers together. She immediately cringes at the wet, soggy texture of their dough, but keeps her trap shut. “Are you losing your touch?”

“Bleugh! I am not! See?” Shadow Milk Cookie’s head turns, twisting to an unnatural degree, until it returns to its original position. Then they do it again, rolling and rolling around, gaining pace until it becomes a blur.

The pink Beast rolls her eyes, completely unimpressed with the show— which, unfortunately, stretches for longer than it should’ve, until it comes to a sudden stop.

Their eyes roll in their sockets, chiming like a slot machine, before finally landing on Eternal Sugar Cookie. They stick out their tongue. “Not losing my touch! I’m still the bright-eyes, smiling jester here to brighten anybody’s mood! I just REALLY like-like that-“

“YOU!”

The door to the basement bursts open in a flurry of golden feathers, a furious Cookie a mere shadow looming at the doorway.

Shadow Milk Cookie shrinks into their collar. “Uh oh.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie calmly rises to her feet, whispers her condolences, and leaves Shadow Milk Cookie behind. The Beast sputters in protest, just to squeal as an enraged bird flaps her wings in their face. She squeezes herself between Hollyberry Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie.

“Well, hello, beautiful,” the warrior teases lightly, after Eternal Sugar Cookie gently nudges her. “Another bowl?”

Hollyberry Cookie has already stood up, backing away from her touch. Alas, all she can do is pout and say, “Yes, please.”

The squawking blatantly ignored behind them, a sharp interrogation the Beast is desperately attempting to cut short, interrupted only by the occasional beating of furious wings.

White Lily Cookie, finally exposing herself from the dark basement doorway, appears at Dark Cacao Cookie’s side, sighing as she takes a seat. “I haven’t missed anything, have I?” She asks. “Beyond… all of that.”

Dark Cacao Cookie slides her a bowl, already prepped with its own little spoon. “Not at all. Please, sit down.”

Fortunately, the interrogation has ceased by the time Silent Salt Cookie and Burning Spice Cookie return with the “perfect tree”. The roots are thoroughly scorched, reduced to soot trailing the ground.

“You’re dirtying the floors!” Shadow Milk Cookie complains from the ceiling. How unfortunate it all is— they can do nothing as the soot leaves dark tracks along the precious wood, staining the once-pristine surface with its most awful filth… because they’ve been promptly ducktaped to the ceiling. It was Pure Vanilla Cookie’s idea. “Hey! I spent HOURS cleaning this place, you know!”

Nobody turns their heads to look at them— other than a pale-doughed Cookie, that is. “Is my microphone off?! STOP THAT!”

Burning Spice Cookie searches the room for that jester, a crease forming between his brows. “Hm, I seem to hear this agitating, grating voice…” he fumbles, scratching at his chin. “But I cannot see who it belongs to. How queer.”

“LOOK UP HERE, YOU UNDERUTILIZED BUFFOON!”

Burning Spice Cookie lingers a second, continuing to grope his chin. After moments of silence, he shrugs his massive shoulders, and merely drags the tree towards the fireplace.

“I had brought this tree down with my own hands,” Burning Spice Cookie boasts to the Cookies settling near the campfire, puffing his chest out with pride. “No axe needed. Just the sheer strength of my paws.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie opens his mouth, ready to compliment the Beast’s show of capability out of the sheer love of his heart—

“Wooow, real great, big guy. Five stars. Brilliant tree indeed! Just- CLEAN UP THE MESS YOU MADE!”

He exhales deeply instead.

“Eh?” Burning Spice Cookie looks around, a frown settling on his face. He scratches behind his ear, tugging at his lobe. “There’s that chittering voice again… something must be wrong with my ears.”

“OH THERE DEFINITELY IS, BIG GUY! THE SOOT BETTER BE GONE BY THE TIME I’M DOWN THERE!”

“It wouldn’t hurt to decorate the tree already, would it?” Pure Vanilla Cookie comments. Golden Cheese Cookie immediately rises, a wide smile on her face.

White Lily Cookie checks the clock, hung up on the far kitchen wall. “It’s way past midnight.”

“No hot chocolate?” Mystic Flour Cookie asks with a tiny frown.

Dark Cacao Cookie shakes his head. “Tomorrow,” he says. “Unfortunately, I do not have the energy to prepare a batch.”

“Ah… well, I’m sure we can still decorate the tree,” Pure Vanilla Cookie says, already reaching for Golden Cheese Cookie’s hand.

While she already looks crestfallen at the concept of having to go to bed while a perfectly fine tree stands in the room with zero decorations, Golden Cheese Cookie takes the time to inspect Pure Vanilla Cookie’s face. Dark smudges pooled beneath his eyes, a certain puffiness in his cheeks. Every so often his shoulders would sag, and, upon growing aware of his posture, Pure Vanilla Cookie would stand straight again.

Golden Cheese Cookie shakes her head with particular distaste. “Well, this simply will not do,” she ‘tsk’s. “A royal needs their beauty sleep before they share that beauty with others!”

Pure Vanilla Cookie sweats. “Well, I wouldn’t say I am-“

He’s carried away in a flurry of feathers before he can protest any more, disappearing up the length of stairs. One could dare say they can still hear him protesting from the second floor.

“I suppose I shall return to bed, too.” Dark Cacao Cookie grunts as he pushes himself off his seat, easing his way into the kitchen and setting his dishes in the sink. “Are the rest of you finished?”

“I feel quite full,” Mystic Flour Cookie pushes her bowl towards him. Immediately, his eyebrows scrunched— the stew seems completely untouched. She hadn’t eaten anything at all.

Dark Cacao Cookie pushes the bowl back towards her. “One more sip.”

Mystic Flour Cookie shakes her head. “I do not believe it necessary-”

“Perhaps I shall not go to bed then,” Dark Cacao Cookie turns on the faucet, letting the water warm up a bit while he pours soap on the sponge. “Not until all of my stew has been eaten.”

“Oh, be nice to the poor gal.” Hollyberry Cookie’s arm slinks around Mystic Flour Cookie’s waist, tugging her against her chest. “If she knew how great your stew is, she would chow down the rest of the pot!”

The Beast immediately grunts, light hints of gray dusting her cheeks. Her head slowly twists to the Cookie sitting on Hollyberry Cookie’s other side, and finds a pair of wide, hot-pink eyes glowering at her with the intensity of a manticore at the hands of a hunter.

Mystic Flour Cookie purses her lips, daring herself not to look away from Eternal Sugar Cookie’s darkening face. “Em…”

“I can be ‘nice’ when she finally eats,” Dark Cacao Cookie retorts, scrubbing along the inside of his bowl. Foam coats the back of his hands. “I care not if I collapse from exhaustion. As long as I not see a spoonful enter that mouth of hers, I shall not rest.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie, with unwavering eye contact, runs one clawed finger across her neck, before jabbing that same finger at Mystic Flour Cookie’s face.

Mystic Flour Cookie shakes her head. Eternal Sugar Cookie gives her a thumbs up.

“Oh, don’t overestimate yourself— you look like you’re seconds away from collapsing!” Hollyberry Cookie finally pulls her arm away from Mystic Flour Cookie, and she immediately scoots away. “You’re going straight to bed!”

Dark Cacao Cookie merely grumbles before shutting the faucet off, setting his bowl and spoon on a rack to dry. The very instant he does, Hollyberry Cookie rises to her feet, the feet of her chair scraping against the ground.

Dark Cacao Cookie immediately tenses. “No, we are not doing this-“

Hollyberry Cookie grins at him, progressively tugging him out of the kitchen and in direction of the stairs. “Oh, but we are, old friend!”

“Hollyberry Cookie, I still need to-“

“Ah-hah! Not on my watch!”

“Wow…” Eternal Sugar Cookie mutters the very moment the pair disappear up the stairs. Now, without any supervision, she crawls over to the kitchen cabinets, rummaging through every single one of them. Eventually, she takes out the one thing from within— a full glass container full of sugar. “Admirable, isn’t it? My beloved worrying for the health of others...”

Mystic Flour Cookie turns her head the other way as Eternal Sugar Cookie dumps the full container of sugar into her stew. She feels nauseous.

Eternal Sugar Cookie stirs her evil little concoction, humming delightfully as the broth soaks into the sugar. Once she feels satisfied with the mixture, she brings a spoonful to her mouth, humming in utter delight as the taste.

Burning Spice Cookie, on the other hand, looks absolutely horrified, fingers clawing at his mane. Every chew is loud and grainy— what would’ve been soft and chewy is now crunchy and rough. To save his comrade from suffering any longer, Silent Salt Cookie dragged Burning Spice Cookie up the stairs, away from the scene of horror that can scar even the most hardened warrior.

Eternal Sugar Cookie swallows her bite. “You know, I really wish you took the worry of others more seriously.”

Mystic Flour Cookie physically restrains herself from looking in her direction. “I wish you would take food more seriously.”

“Oh, but why should you care what I do with my food?”

She can hear porcelain scraping against wood. Out of the very corner of her eye, the bowl edging suspiciously closer to her. “What are you doing?”

“You really are one of the most hypocritical creatures I’ve ever met,” Eternal Sugar Cookie sighs, shaking her head in disappointment. She takes another spoonful of her sugar-meat-broth concoction. “You say to take food more seriously… yet you do not eat at all. How peculiar, truly. Why should I listen to you, hm?”

She almost rolls her eyes. A bitter, acidic taste curdles at the back of her throat. “It’s common sense, My Muse.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie’s fingers tap against the counter, dancing thoughtlessly, almost childishly, just to capture her attention. It doesn’t work. “It’s common sense to eat, my Cloud.”

Mystic Flour Cookie musters enough courage to face her bowl of stew. Carrots, potatoes, bits of meat. Completely devoid of sugar. The steam it radiates is gone. “Hm.”

This time, she can see the very tip of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s tail pushing the bowl back in her direction. “You know… there’s a Cookie out there who would love to see you eat.”

“Not you?”

“Not me.” Eternal Sugar Cookie stares at the ceiling. “They’re here… somewhere.”

“I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!”

“I wonder where they are… regardless, they would wish to see you with more dough on those bones.”

“STOP IGNORING ME! Helloooooo? Main character STILL taped to the ceiling!”

“Hm.” Indeed, she had left her portion of the stew completely untouched.

“Did you not see the king’s expression when he realized you didn’t even touch his creation? How worried he looked?”

She had been a witness to the amount of effort Dark Cacao Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie put into creating this dish. Everyone else had enjoyed this seemingly simple meal. What a simple desire it is, to long for somebody to simply eat something, anything, and she had been so willing to just…

“Do you know anything except filthy tactics?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie coos, and pushes the bowl again. “I have centuries of experience, sweet thing! Guilt tripping is my favorite.”

Mystic Flour Cookie grabs the spoon, scooping up a mouthful of broth before bringing it to her mouth. “Hollyberry Cookie hasn’t been able to take it out of you, I see.”

“Oh, she certainly tries~” Eternal Sugar Cookie giggles, covering her mouth.

Mystic Flour Cookie slowly slurps the broth. It’s… decent. It would've been better if it were hot (and that is her own fault). There’s light hints of rosemary and paprika, though the most she can taste is the fat. She sighs heavily, and takes another scoopful.

Eternal Sugar Cookie smiles at her. “Good, isn’t it?”

“It’s…” Mystic Flour Cookie slides a piece of potato onto her spoon. “Certainly edible.”

“Awww, you like it!”

“Perhaps…”

Eternal Sugar Cookie stayed at her side as she finished the stew. The very moment only droplets remained within the bowl, she reached to take it, ready to drop it into the sink and clean it tomorrow morning.

“Wait.” Warm fingers come to wrap around her wrist, squeezing gently. Eternal Sugar Cookie hums, giving her a questioning look. Mystic Flour Cookie swallows thickly. “I’d like another one.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie purrs down at her, clearly pleased. “Oh~ of course, my sweetling.”

The first thing Hollyberry Cookie feels waking up is a newfound weight pressing down on her chest, crushing her lungs. Next to that, the first thing she hears is a constant, rumbling noise— deep, loud, and could lead to a sore throat. Something warm and coarse wraps around her calf, squeezing it dotingly. Prickling at her nose is the sweet, sweet mixture of sugar and cinnamon, with the lightest traces of lavender and honey. A combination Hollyberry Cookie can get lost in without effort, just a single lungful can reduce her to a mindless haze.

Peeking one eye open, just for a glimpse, the first thing she sees is a white pair of cartoonish hearts, pumping just by admiring her face. Sharp, scaled fingers knead at her chest, almost kittenish, so gentle Hollyberry Cookie can hardly register the feeling until she’s at least semi-conscious.

“Hollyberry Cookie~” Eternal Sugar Cookie croons, finally growing tired of kneading. She finds a better use for her hands— cupping her beloved’s chubby cheeks. “Wake up, won’t you? I can smell the hot chocolate downstairs, just waiting for me to devour it… I can’t possibly miss a cup.”

“Well,” the Queen Mother grins. The Beast lightly gasps, large hands coming to grip at her sides, just above her wings. “Good morning to you too, you greedy little succubus.” She squeezes lightly, ravishing the soft texture of her other half’s dough, and Eternal Sugar Cookie sighs. “Can’t even let me get up on my own, can you?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie tilts her head, tail growing loose around Hollyberry Cookie’s ankle. “Oh, I’ve been sitting here for an hour.”

The Ancient blinks. “…Eh?”

“And you didn’t even notice. How adorable~”

Dark Cacao Cookie appears to be the first one awake by the time Hollyberry Cookie comes down (with a pink, oversized koala clinging to her back, her face ducked into the crook of her shoulder), a slackness settling over his features, softening the lines. Occasionally he would yawn, just to shake himself awake as he threw bits of chocolate chunks into the steaming milk. The milk is already a deep brown, with only strews of white dancing on its surface.

Hollyberry Cookie almost slips on the stairs as all of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s weight is pushed against her back, the Beast propelling herself forwards just to shoot for the kitchens. Yelping, Hollyberry Cookie’s hand frantically grips the railing, her heart thumping against the bars of her ribcage, each hardened pump loud enough to echo in her ears. “Easy, now!”

“Sorry, darling!”

Mystic Flour Cookie is in the living room, next to the unlit fireplace. The firewood, reduced to cinders, is a mesh of blackened soot. Ash is thick in her nose, yet regardless her head tilts back, towards the Cookie still taped to the ceiling. Completely untouched since last night— the tape had done its job, keeping Shadow Milk Cookie pressed to the wooden ceiling.

Out of all of them, Shadow Milk Cookie arguably appears the worst.

“I just don’t think we should be listening to the cannibal.” Having been muttering nonsense this entire morning, their jaw had gone slack, working only to speak whatever random sentence appeared on their hazed mind. “The pink one, over there, the fugly one.” Eternal Sugar Cookie’s head turned immediately, her mouth dropped, just for Dark Cacao Cookie to refocus her attention on his brilliant mixture. “Now, walk with me here, Sunny. Hear me out. Is it so much hatred disguising love, or is there just too much love that it creates hatred?”

Their dough, usually devoid of any wrinkles, seems to have aged in such little time— carved from exhaustion, it nearly resembles old parchment. There’s a puffiness beneath their eyes, swollen and ugly, blue-black smudges that mix too closely with the rest of their dough.

“Too much love that it creates hatred.” Mystic Flour Cookie says, as if she had understood every word of nonsense the Fountain sputtered. “Are you sure you do not wish to come down?”

“I like the ceiling. Did you know the ceiling is my friend?” Shadow Milk Cookie kicks their feet, squirming in the net of tape they’ve been subjected to for seven hours, and only succeeds in unsticking one of them. “Unlike you. You left me to die here. All alone, all night. Poor, poor me...”

“I stayed with you the entire night.”

“Awww, you did!” Shadow Milk Cookie rolls their eyes— they’re a deep shape of purple, replacing the sharp blues. “I think I like you, Amazing Powder Cookie. Just a tad bit. Please don’t get hit with the curse.”

Mystic Flour Cookie purses her lip, a crease forming between her brows. “…What?”

Shadow Milk Cookie got better when they were finally brought down from the ceiling. They finally shut their mouth.

The pot of hot chocolate was finished soon after everycookie finally piled into the living room. Eternal Sugar Cookie ended up snatching the largest mug, and had— somehow— manifested another box of sugar. Burning Spice Cookie, in a moment of true, genuine fear, had decided to drink his cup of cocoa in the basement.

Shadow Milk Cookie had not been given a mug of cocoa. Rather, they had been given a cold glass of milk. Ordinary, basic milk. They drank it completely, and asked for about three more refills. After the tenth glass they were promptly dragged outside by sharp, pink claws, and then physically tortured for the Beast’s own amusement.

“I don’t like snow,” they say, as their feet are drowned in handfuls of white, cold powder. “It’s awful. And it’s wet.”

Soon, the snow reaches up to their waist, leaving their arms to awkwardly stretch at their sides. “Irritating.”

The snow is up to their chin now, their arms firmly coated in the same cold substance. A pout downturns their lips, eyelids drooping just to appear even more unimpressed. “And it gets everywhere.”

They can hear fire crackling in the distance, and the poking of firewood. Burning Spice Cookie was working the grill, aiming to cook ham for tonight’s dinner. If they strain their ears enough, they can hear White Lily Cookie directing Golden Cheese Cookie, focusing more on decorating the house than the actual tree. The kitchen is no doubt busy at the moment, rushing to get a full feast done before the big night.

And with a white-hot assault, their vision is pelted by a thousand freezing rocks, stained in dark shades of blue. The snow crunches wetly over their hair, soaking into the slimy strands. The snow bites at their dough, just as freezing as the rest of their body— but at the very least, Eternal Sugar Cookie decorates them with a little top hat.

“We need to talk,” she says, suddenly serious after trapping them in this new, snowy life. “About our little deal.”

“You know, sweets, I would love to,” their voice is muffled through their newfound body. “Unfortunately, I have realized my purpose as a snowman.”

“Handsome fox of mine,” Eternal Sugar Cookie rolls her eyes, “you are being delirious.”

Like a dog, Shadow Milk Cookie shakes the snow off their dough. An icy chill buzzes along their spine. “Well, how else am I supposed to react to being kidnapped and transformed into a snowman?”

“Shadow Milk Cookie.”

“Nuh uh.” Shadow Milk Cookie wags their finger, clicking their tongue in disapproval. “Silly Sugar. Shadow Milk Cookie is dead.” Their neck cracks loudly after their head lands on their shoulder, curved unnaturally. “Fortunately for you, my beloved little side character, Blueberry Snow Cookie is here to help you!”

“Hahaha.” Eternal Sugar Cookie poises up her tail, dangerously close to their face. Shadow Milk Cookie immediately shrinks into their collar. “Let us act serious now. It has to happen tonight.”

They snort, almost impressed at how little time it took for Eternal Sugar Cookie to falter. “Impatient for that festive holiday kiss, are we? Can’t wait one more day?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie shivers at the mere thought. “Oh, stars no. I’d rather declaw myself than wait any longer.”

“You’re one awfully lucky Cookie,” Shadow Milk Cookie comments with a light upturn of their lips. Eternal Sugar Cookie narrows her gaze, raising her tail, and Shadow Milk Cookie immediately put their hands up. “Alright, alright! Mistletoe tonight, and my alone time with Flour. Stop tickling my nerves about it.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie takes a long, deep breath. “Thank you. You’re finally being useful for once.”

“Don’t make me snowball you in the face.”

“Oh, you can certainly try.”

She was eventually pelted by snowballs, and retreated like a pathetic wet cat.

“Finely chopped by yours truly,” Burning Spice Cookie slides the sliced meat jelly onto the long table, spinning across the fabric resting on top until it comes to a stop at the very center. Following the ham is a full stack of ribs, covered thickly in barbecue sauce and garnished with parsley. “Seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. Thank the chef!”

“Impressive,” Silent Salt Cookie nods approvingly, a box of utensils in his grip. He throws them to the air, and Burning Spice Cookie catches it with a grunt. “But we don’t know how well it’ll taste until we eat. Help me set up the table.”

“Not even a ‘thank you, chef’,” Burning Spice Cookie grumbles, yet regardless he shakes out the utensils. He carelessly throws them on the table surface. “But if the Knight demands it so, I shall fulfill it without question.”

“Hollyberry Cookie, stay out of the kitchen.”

“Ah, what’s the harm in checking out the chefs?” Hollyberry Cookie grins, hand already aiming for the fridge door.

“I know what you’re looking for,” Dark Cacao Cookie says, taking out the boiled potatoes from the pot water. “You will not find it.”

“Don’t act like you can read my mind.” With a careless air, she draws the door open. The cool air washes over her chest, ignored in favor of the contents. Within seconds, she makes a noise of triumph, pulling out a new, unopened bottle of berry juice. “Hah, just as I thought! You all couldn’t resist!”

Dark Cacao Cookie does not disapprove of her discovery. Rather, he merely begins to crush the softened potato beneath his fork. Angling her head the right way, Hollyberry Cookie swears she can see the slight hints of a tiny, almost nonexistent smile.

Suspicion crawls over her voice. “…What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing in particular.”

She doesn’t buy it. Bringing the bottle back up to her face, she squints at the label. It’s the typical label— what flavor it is, the date it was created, the non-alcoholic label, the family it was from, all of the ingredients listed on the… non-alcoholic?

“Oh, you’ve got to be-“

“Where’s the star?”

“Right over here!”

Golden Cheese Cookie caught the ornament spinning in the air, and quickly sets it at the very tip of the tree. Carefully lowering herself down to the ground until her talons clink against the wood. Setting her hands on her hips, the goddess carefully inspects the gold-strewn tree before their eyes. Turning her head in every direction just to get the full look, she eventually hums in approval.

“Well, I suppose it’s good enough with what we have,” she says.

“Hm…” Pure Vanilla Cookie peers at the tree himself, a frown settling on his face.

The feathers lining Golden Cheese Cookie’s neck puff up in an instant, the glare of panic shining on her face. “What? What's wrong?”

“…I believe we could use more tinsel.”

Passing by, grumbling under her breath, Hollyberry Cookie escapes the stuffy living room and moves towards the lengthy corridor. The bottle of juice is held in her hand by its neck, tight enough to strangle it, as she marches in direction of the pools.

Finally coming face-to-face with said door, she turns the knob before shouldering the door open. The very moment it creaks open, Hollyberry Cookie shoves herself in, and immediately stumbles forwards with a sharp yelp. The bottle nearly slips through her fingers, but fortunately, she keeps her hold.

This is no pool room. Rather, it’s a large, floating void, glittering with distant stars. Hovering several feet in the air, gleaming silver just like the moon, is a giant mistletoe.

Hollyberry Cookie takes one step back. “So this is what the afterlife is like.”

And then there came the “Hollyberry Cookie!~” from the distant space, just as light and adoring as the real Eternal Sugar Cookie.

Hollyberry Cookie runs her fingers through her hair, her face twisted. “Wow, I really must be dead.”

The mistletoe hanging above her head lowers itself down, just as a silhouette shapes itself using the oozing ink of the night sky. The fluids drip and gush, sculpting the shape of a goddess, standing high with trailing ringlets. It molds large, feathery wings, then another pair, until the full shape is recognized.

Hollyberry Cookie can only watch, jaw dropped, as the oozing figure slowly crawls towards her. Her fingers finally loosen, the bottle of worthless juice crashing loudly against the invisible flooring. The glass shatters instantly, the noise deafening to her ears. The deep mulberry stains the ground, and quickly fades into nothingness. Color bleeds into the sea of black, evolving to white, which blooms to pink to baby blue, washing across the slimy sculpture, until at last the body becomes identifiable.

“…Eternal Sugar Cookie?”

“I’m surprised you couldn’t tell!” The Beast coos, looping her arms around Hollyberry Cookie’s neck. Tugging the taller Cookie down, the Queen Mother grunts as her arms comes to rest on Eternal Sugar Cookie’s sides, just above her lower set of wings. Without thinking, she squeezes the soft dough beneath her fingers (…Eternal Sugar Cookie isn’t wearing anything), and immediately brings out a sweet little giggle from her other half’s lips. She wants to melt. “Now, now, dearest, I know you must be terribly excited…”

Hollyberry Cookie blinks. “Eh?”

“Buuuut, we can’t cause a ruckus when others are around!~” Eternal Sugar Cookie looks off to the side, muttering under her breath. “…Your words, not mine.”

“Now, I’m not one to question your particular habits, Sugar,” Hollyberry Cookie’s lips twitch into a nervous grin, her eyes darting around their questionable environment. “But… what exactly did you do to the pool?”

“Oh!” Eternal Sugar Cookie purrs. “I merely had a bit of help~”

Mystic Flour Cookie should’ve known the angel was up to something. Foolishly, she had allowed herself to take Eternal Sugar Cookie’s words at face value. And the one time she does, it results in this.

Tied up in shiny red ribbon, wearing a childish red cap with a little white ball poking out the top, in the middle of a dark room with only her own voice for company. Itching, growing irritation flutters over her head, buzzing in her skull like a clinging parasite. At the very least, Eternal Sugar Cookie had the decency to give her mittens.

Raking her brain for a proper answer, Mystic Flour Cookie finds no true reason why Eternal Sugar Cookie would feel the need to do something like this. It seems too selfish, utterly rambunctious in its cruelty, that she cannot come to a reasonable conclusion as to why—

“Awwww! Is this a gift for little ol’ me? Right before the real Holi-day?”

…Nevermind. She knows why.

A CRACK echoes endlessly through the yawning black void, embodied by the spotlight that rains down upon the festive blueberry milk Cookie. Decorating their skull is a reindeer headband, completed with candy cane antlers sticking out the front; it matches the brown onesie they’re wearing. To truly compliment their show of art, their lips are upturned into that visceral smirk of theirs, one Mystic Flour Cookie can’t help but admire.

“Sole del mio cuore, soleil de mon cœur, sol de mi corazón, 我心中的太阳, Sol cordis mei…” With a little wave of their hand, a rose forms at the very tip of their fingers, lowering down to Mystic Flour Cookie’s level. A bell jingles every time they move. “What a pleasure, truly, it is to see you here.” They clap their hands together. “Entirely by coincidence, I concur! Devoid of sin!”

Mystic Flour Cookie sighs. Yes, of course. Her voice is much too dry, “This is what you were scheming about this whole morning, wasn’t it?”

Shadow Milk Cookie rolls their eyes, all of the romantic glamour vanishing in an instant as they throw the rose into the distant void. “Ugh, you never seem to lighten up!” They whine, collapsing to the floor in an instant, before crawling closer to her side “At the very least let me unwrap my present first, before you infect me with your sourness!”

Mystic Flour Cookie quickly shakes her head. She squirms lightly in the mesh of ribbons, and finds it stubbornly tight— clearly done by somebody with experience. She wonders how frequently Eternal Sugar Cookie ties up others in ribbons, and immediately shoves the thought under a pile of stones. “You know, I believe I am quite alright being tied up.”

Shadow Milk Cookie gasps, as if what she said was extremely filthy (perhaps it was), before poking her nose. It scrunches up under their touch in an instant. “You little freak.”

“Do not mistake me for a mirror,” she retorts instantaneously.

“You love it.”

Mystic Flour Cookie tilts up her chin. “Do I?”

Shadow Milk Cookie, the very instant their knowledge of this Cookie is questioned, freezes. Their gaze is intense. “…Don’t you?”

Perhaps it was the wrong thing to say. She knows how they are. Regardless, Mystic Flour Cookie laughs softly. “I do.”

“Anyways…” Eternal Sugar Cookie jabs one finger towards the mistletoe. Lights brighten in the void, shaping arrows that point directly at the item hovering over their heads. They flash red, then green, then red again (games from that blue jester. She should’ve known they were somehow involved). “I believe I am owed a prize~ aren’t you going to reward a hard worker?”

When she said she could get lost in the perfume Eternal Sugar Cookie emanates, she had truly meant it. Every sharp, heaving intake of air is just another lungful of sugar mixed with cinnamon and lavender, Hollyberry Cookie focused less on her words, and more on her voice.

That sweet, ceaselessly beautiful voice, always seductive in its tone. She can’t even stare at her face properly, more intent on those curved lips of hers, deliciously pink and scratched by her own fangs. Curved into that sweet smile that could hide the cruelest sins, the great Queen Mother can say nothing, and do nothing, as those lips twitch into a pout.

“Hollyberry Coooookie…” the ravenous pink Beast quickly begins whining the very instance she doesn’t get what she desperately longs for (a habit she still retains, and one she will possibly keep for eternity, so long as she keeps spoiling her), sharp claws tearing holes into the back of Hollyberry Cookie’s sweater. “My kiss? Please?”

She isn’t particularly sure why, but she imagines those claws sinking into her dough instead, tearing her open like a savage animal would their prey. Her stomach twists— not with sickness, not with shame, but with this warm, gentle species of butterfly. Perhaps she is merely a masochist (Witches, she is a masochist— she’s fallen in love with a haloed succubus. A haloed succubus more spoiled than a cat on holiday).

“Hollyb-“

Eternal Sugar Cookie’s tail shoots upwards as those plumper, softer lips crash against hers— impatient, greedy, a desperate pressure that steals her breath with ease. The Beast’s claws sink deeper into the knitting of her sweater, just a mere inch away from breaking into her dough.

Hollyberry Cookie fully slinks her arms around Eternal Sugar Cookie’s waist, unintentionally pressing against those featherless set of wings and tugging out a noise from her throat. Snaking around that thick, muscular calf, Eternal Sugar Cookie’s tail comes to squeeze around Hollyberry Cookie’s leg, growing tighter and tighter until the dough pales. And yet still, the tip of it repeatedly slams against her calf, excitement brimming in every squeeze.

She’s just as sweet as she remembered. Just pure candy singing on her lips, urging her forwards, pressing deeper into the other’s mouth. She can feel the light scrape of fangs against her skin, and it does little to deter the rush of heat pumping through her veins. Eternal Sugar Cookie purrs in utter delight, one of her fingers slipping up to one of Hollyberry Cookie’s hair buns. She undoes the ties with a mere slice of her claw, waves of rosy pink cascading down her back. Hollyberry Cookie huffs against the Beast’s mouth.

Eternal Sugar Cookie keeps tugging at her leg. When working at her calf didn’t work, she slides down to put more strength around Hollyberry Cookie’s ankle, and pulls again. It’s more effective this time, successfully causing the slightest stumble. Mischievous critter she is.

Thankfully, Hollyberry Cookie manages to hold her stance, and forces herself to pull off the Beast’s alluring mouth. Her chest aches, every breath sharp and heavy, completely unprocessed in her lungs. The jam is rushing in her ears.

And while she pants and huffs, Eternal Sugar Cookie— truly a goddess in every sense of the word— seems to be breathing just fine. Not a single strand of hair out of place, every breath careful and slow. If it weren’t for the glossiness of her eyes, and the white hearts in place of her pupils, Hollyberry Cookie would’ve assumed this all meant nothing to her.

And like the vile succubus she is, Eternal Sugar Cookie’s hand comes to rest over her own. Smaller, thinner, one could’ve assumed she was a fragile little thing.

A warrior like the Queen Mother can break her so easily, just with the smallest touch. And as she guides her hand up to her hair, to tangle her fingers in those delicious ringlets, Hollyberry Cookie reminds herself of the venom within the jaws of the snake.

“Something tells me you’re eager to share that passion of yours,” Eternal Sugar Cookie teases, already beginning to pepper kisses all along Hollyberry Cookie’s jawline.

Hollyberry Cookie laughs, and attempts to ignore the flush of warmth coating her cheeks. “Come now, don’t act like you aren’t eager yourself.”

Eternal Sugar Cookie sighs. “I have not a single article of clothing on me, dearest. Of course I’m eager.”

Hollyberry Cookie, with a greedy hand, squeezes Eternal Sugar Cookie’s dough. The Beast sighs. “Why don’t you put that eagerness to use, eh?”

Eternal Sugar Cookie’s upper lip pulls up, just enough for the stretch of those incisors to glint. “No need to ask me further, dearest~”

“I think I just really like having my partners tied up.”

The sentence is rather abrupt, but Mystic Flour Cookie has come to expect rather random changes in conversation. It’s one of the things she enjoys about them— how easy they can keep a conversation going, even with strange topics. “I believe that was obvious. Think about the time you-”

“Nuh uh, no it wasn’t. Liar.” Unfortunately, interrupting others is one of the characteristics she likes significantly less.

“Hypocrite.”

Shadow Milk Cookie wiggles their fingers. “Takes one to know one!~”

Mystic Flour Cookie isn’t exactly sure how much time has passed in this cycling void. Shadow Milk Cookie hasn’t undone the ribbons, but she does not expect them to. They take amusement in small things, exactly like this. At the very least, it works for easy conversation, where time melts through as an insignificant construct.

It’s moments like these she’s come to admire. Albeit, they are typically caused from habits of cruelty— the only reason she had been released from her cocoon was because of them, a prized little lie built on the mere desire to feast their eyes upon her. Pale wrappings burnt away in an instant, a yawning emptiness in her dough she had so desperately sought to escape. The faint aroma of peaches that rubbed against her nostrils, had been swallowed by smoke and ash.

It’s foolish, perhaps, to believe anything truly good will shed from the skin of this vile, incomprehensible Cookie. Even now, caught on the leash of the Vanillian King, misbehavior is all this blue Cookie knows.

And though the words they spit are vile, and the way their claws are cruel, Mystic Flour Cookie would never resist, and could never hope to doubt. With the glint of those pearly whites shining through a grin, and those twitching nails— yearning to scratch— that carefully run through her hair, she does not hold any fear.

“Letting your hair get longer?” Shadow Milk Cookie twists a handful of the other’s hair, already halfway through a braid. “I swear, you’ve gained a couple inches.”

“Have I?” She asks.

“Mmhm. See, it was originally here.” It’s a slow, gentle thing, carefully done just to avoid tugging at the strands. Shadow Milk Cookie presses their hand— soggy, just as it always is— just a couple inches above the ends of her hair. “That’s at least seven more inches in… what? When was the last time I did your hair?”

Mystic Flour Cookie tilts her head back a bit, merely to get a glimpse of their face, just for Shadow Milk Cookie to push her head back down. “Five months.”

Shadow Milk Cookie hums. “Seven inches in five months… wow. I’m almost jealous.”

“Your hair is hideous.”

Shadow Milk Cookie immediately scowls— though not out of genuine rage, she can tell. They already know she doesn’t particularly mean it (though… she kind of does). They let go of Mystic Flour Cookie’s hair. “Completely unwarranted, by the way.”

And she, in return, gives them an innocent smile. It has saved her from a lot of things before (plus, it’s a weak spot of theirs). “I just wanted to remind you that I’m not with you for your looks, merely your personality.”

Shadow Milk Cookie presses the back of their hand to their forehead, utterly (and falsely) devastated. “And to think I liked you for your everything…”

And Mystic Flour Cookie merely shrugs. “There are flaws we cannot accept, even if we to love another.”

It was already dark outside by the time everything was fully ready. Plates cover the table from edge to edge— steamed vegetables, grilled meat jellies, smashed potatoes, nut roast and a side of creamed corn, even several dishes of dessert.

Pure Vanilla Cookie sits at the very center of the table. Dark Cacao Cookie sits at one side, White Lily Cookie on the other, and Golden Cheese Cookie settled next to her. Right across from them are Silent Salt Cookie and Burning Spice Cookie, the latter with their arms crossed. The majority of the beast’s side of the table is empty.

“Where are they?” Burning Spice Cookie asks, as the first Cookie to break the awkward silence that had formed soon after conversation went dry. There’s a certain edge to his tone. “I did NOT waste my time smoking meat just for it to go untouched and cold!”

“I’m sure they’re merely busy…”

Smoke jets out of his nostrils in a single sharp huff, his huge paw coming to thump against the floor. “If they do not get here in the next five minutes, I shall rip their dirty little spines right from their-”

“Patience, Burning Spice Cookie,” Pure Vanilla Cookie gently chastises, waving his hands. “They’ll be back before you know it.”

Golden Cheese Cookie quickly rolls her eyes. “I believe I know what our beloved Hollyberry Cookie,” she says, her voice gone dry. “Speaking from experience, we shouldn’t expect her and Eternal Sugar Cookie to turn up any time soon.”

“And Hollyberry Cookie took the berry juice…” White Lily Cookie sighs.

“And what of Shadow Milk Cookie and Mystic Flour Cookie?”

“Lovebirds they are,” Silent Salt Cookie says. “We shan’t expect them, either.”

“Well, even with some of our friends… unusually absent during dinner, we can be glad it isn’t the real party.” There’s murmurs of agreement from the rest of the attendees. Pure Vanilla Cookie slowly rises to his feet, grabbing the wine glass set beside his plate (with the sole bottle of berry juice stolen, they’ve had to resort to mere soda). “Shall we share a toast, then?”

Each of them grab their glasses, Pure Vanilla Cookie holding his the highest. And as he speaks word of this sacred holiday, he lowers his glass down, where his greatest allies wait in silence, holding theirs in preparation of his with smiles on their faces.

Their collected glasses clink together, almost soundless compared to the voices of the chorus. The noble laughs, knocking back the full bottle of berry juice as the other Cookie rattles on about the freshest gossip.

Pitaya Dragon Cookie sits at the bottom of the tree, yet far away from the massive heap of presents remaining untouched, black smoke pouring out of their nostrils. Their tail thumps irritably against the floor, arms crossed over their chest, and a scowl deep on their face as yet another ornament is strung on their horns.

Candy Apple Cookie grins as Cloud Haetae Cookie hands her another glass ball, which she promptly slides onto Pitaya Dragon Cookie’s horns. And though they bare their teeth and snarl, they do not resist as they’re decorated just as beautifully as the tree they sit in front of.

Across the room, near the food table, Black Sapphire Cookie purposely leans towards Sugarfly Cookie. Holding up a plate full of desserts, she can do nothing but awkwardly stare as the minion simply refuses to shut up and get the hint, grinning casually as he yaps up a storm. He only snaps his jaw the very moment he feels somebody tap at his shoulder. Turning his head, he comes face to face with none other than Pavlova Cookie, glowering at him.

Black Sapphire Cookie blinks, fingers tight around his staff. Yet, as quick as a serpent, a smirk slithers on his face. Slinking one careful arm across the cherub’s shoulders, Black Sapphire Cookie tugs him closer, and continues his easy charm. Pavlova Cookie, caught off guard, does not resist. His gaze, panicked, snaps over to Sugarfly Cookie, silently pleading for help. Sugarfly Cookie merely smiles at him, and brings a pastry up to her mouth.

Wildberry Cookie, though standing next to Wild Chip Cookie with a cup of soda in one hand, his attention had turned to a bigger problem— balance. Hollyberry Cookie had piped a mustache on her face just for the occasion, holding a giant sac over one shoulder, filled with random items she says are “gifts”. And while that typically wouldn’t be issue, the Queen Mother just so happens to be holding Eternal Sugar Cookie over the other, forced to focus on making sure she doesn’t slip and fall off.

At th very least, the pink Beast seems utterly content in her position, a particularly smug look on her face every time another Cookie’s gaze lingered too long. Occasionally she’d lean down and toy with the edges of Hollyberry Cookie’s newly-formed mustache, much to the other’s amusement (and she just wouldn’t stop purring— at the very least, it makes for a delightful massage).

Pure Vanilla Cookie was greeting guests as they came in, assisted by the three Cookies he had practically taken under his wing, GingerBrave, Strawberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie. Golden Cheese Cookie keeps flying around the massive tree overtaking the center of the room, fussing over the decorations and making constant readjustments. Burning Spice Cookie was solving a puzzle for a group of children, carefully inspecting every piece, before finally setting them down on the right spot first try. Silent Salt Cookie, on the other hand, was teaching some of them how to handle a sword (thankfully, with the toy swords they were gifted). White Lily Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie were chatting at one corner.

And that leaves Shadow Milk Cookie, all alone for the event. The Cookie had been pouting the entire night, their favorite costar mysteriously vanishing the very moment it was midnight. A full cup of berry juice rests in their hand, untouched since Pure Vanilla Cookie had shoved it into their hand.

The sun’s already crawling over the horizon, sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows. Just where is Mystic Flour Cookie?

Now, out of all the words in the dictionary, the one word Shadow Milk Cookie wouldn’t use to describe themself is clingy. And that is because they simply aren’t. It is “common sense” for one to feel worry when one of their closest companions vanishes without a trace. And, just from a mere glance around the room, nobody has bothered to notice (Mystic Flour Cookie isn’t the type to skip an event— not any event. Don’t they know that?)

Unfortunately, evasive is just another word to perfectly describe that Cookie; wanderer that she is, there are certain secrets she wouldn’t dare share even with them. It’s a certain aspect of her that they’ve only begun to notice these last few years— how she vanishes the very moment the clock ticks to midnight, and only reappears when the slightest lick of dawn crawls over the distant horizon.

The only thing: she still isn’t here. With them.

Perhaps it is selfish, holding this desire to know her every action and every movement. Shadow Milk Cookie had already attempted to spot her through the other realm, but for some odd, peculiar reason, something had blocked them.

The berry juice has long gone sour. It burns unpleasantly down their throat, just as acidic as the frustration crusting over their dough. They regret taking a swig the very instance it stings at their tongue. Regardless, they swallow, and throw the cup into a tiny smiling void (spitting it out on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s flooring is foolish. They could get jumped in an instant).

Is it normal to feel this way? They have nothing to compare it to. The closest description is Eternal Sugar Cookie behaving like a pathetic wet cat whenever—

“Shadow Milk Cookie.”

Shadow Milk Cookie jolts, snapping their neck just to look behind them. There is only one Cookie out there who could say their name as suddenly and dry as that…

Indeed, the Cookie behind them is Mystic Flour Cookie, wearing a pile of snow as a hat. She doesn’t have a single scratch on her dough.

“YOU!” Shadow Milk Cookie immediately grabs Mystic Flour Cookie by the forearms, shaking her back and forth. “Where were you?! Do you know how dull and lame this popsicle stand is without you?!”

“I was giving out gifts.” Mystic Flour Cookie jerks her head in direction of the massive heap of presents clustered around Pure Vanilla Cookie’s tree, each one finely wrapped and color coded according to the Cookie. The villagers had been extraordinarily confused walking in to a mountain of presents— none of which being from their king, nor from any of the party attendants. “I had not enough time to show up. I apologize for worrying you… and for not giving them to you all in person.”

Shadow Milk Cookie’s face scrunches up in an instant, bitterness lacing the show of fangs. “What were you doing giving out presents?” Releasing one arm, their hand sweeps over the room. “All of our friends are here!”

“It’s not just close friends,” Mystic Flour Cookie sighs, before patting Shadow Milk Cookie on the shoulder. It soothes them enough for them to release her fully. “It’s everycookie. Those that refused to misbehave— Eggnog Cookie and I have a tight schedule this time of year.”

She fixes a pointed stare on Shadow Milk Cookie. Shadow Milk Cookie blinks, before a slow wobbling smile stretches across their face. They shrug their shoulders. “Did I get a gift?”

Mystic Flour Cookie sighs, deep and exhausted, because she already knows what comes next. “For all your… misbehavior during our time together, I suppose it’s best to bestow something upon you.” Shadow Milk Cookie quirks up a brow, intently eyeing her face. She lets the silence linger longer than it should, before, finally: “Me.”

Shadow Milk Cookie immediately pumps their fist in the air, laughing boisterously in victory. Mystic Flour Cookie doesn’t resist as they yank her closer. The smirk on their face is suspicious. “Sooo… little ringbearer of mine, did Eternal Sugar Cookie get a gift this year?”

And Mystic Flour Cookie only smiles. “No, she didn’t.”