Chapter Text
Light Milk sat upright on the dock, thinking carefully. Elder Faerie was at his side, so close that he could hear his gentle breaths. Having the king this close to him made his heart race, and he would have to choose his words carefully.
“Elder Faerie,” he addresses cautiously, and his companion hums his acknowledgment. “May I ask you something? Something perhaps silly?”
“Yes, of course.” The faerie stared out at the glistening water, swinging his feet gently.
“Have you ever been… in love?” He throws out the question, then bites his lip anxiously waiting for an answer. He dared a glance to his side to catch any reactions, but Elder Faerie’s expression remained the same; only a small twitch of the wing.
“Maybe,” he answers simply after a hesitant pause. “The process is complicated for us. We only marry once.”
Light Milk nods his head. Mating for life, of course. A common practice within some species — and marrying once is a valued practice within many different cultures. That must be the context of why faeries value love so much; love carries on, even after death.
“…And love is something I don’t believe the Witches created me for,” Elder Faerie finishes.
Light Milk stares at his feet hanging off the dock, his reflection staring back at him in the calm water. After thoughtful calculation, he finally sighs.
“Neither am I, I suppose… I have been told my sole purpose is to lead, to provide, to learn and give. And quite frankly, I don’t think I would even know how to love.” He tries to pry himself open, a specimen for Elder Faerie to inspect.
“But you told me before, love is something that doesn’t have a label, that isn’t something limited. I can only assume you have also seen countless times the bond of what we call love form between the cookies who wander in your wake.” He pushes further. “Even the Bringer of Happiness herself has stated that love is the foundation of happiness. Don’t you think… that maybe there is more to us than ordering others around? That we need to love and to be loved as much as any ordinary cookie?”
When he finally looks up, he realizes Elder Faerie is staring at him with wide eyes, something glinting in them that Light Milk has never seen before. He quickly turns away again, his face heating with embarrassment.
“Oh dear, I apologize. That was too straightforward, wasn’t it? How unprofessional of me.”
“No, please don’t apologize. Light Milk, I have been feeling that way for centuries. I would never have guessed anyone would feel the same, as such cookies are not built for our purposes, let alone would I be able to put it into words so easily. And to think such a prestigious cookie as yourself would understand so perfectly.” He moved closer, and bumped Light Milk playfully in the shoulder with his own.
“Oh, you flatter me too much,” Light Milk laughs lightheartedly. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of belonging. “Besides, who wouldn’t like to be with such a compassionate and empathetic and sparkly cookie like you?”
Elder Faerie laughs as well. “None so far, I’m afraid.”
Except for me, Light Milk thinks to himself hopelessly. Oh how much he wishes he could just shout ‘I love you, you utter fool! You’re the most benevolent individual I have ever met and I literally can’t function because of how much I think of you!’ into his face, but who knows the repercussions of committing an act that the Witches would think is distracting him from his duty as a Virtue.
But what if he kept it a secret?
Light Milk sighed. What was he thinking? He didn’t even know if Elder Faerie reciprocated the romantic feelings he had for him. It seems like he treats everyone with the exact same kindness, so Light Milk wouldn’t even know if he liked him back.
Still he was grateful he was even able to share these moments with someone, even if what they had between each other was merely platonic.
They spent the rest of that evening together, laying on the dock with feet in the water, wings Light Milk could feel brushing against his side. Whatever meaningless conversation they engaged in about their inevitable shared experience would forever be ingrained into his soul, Light Milk knew that very well.
.·:*¨༺ ཐིཋྀ ༻¨*:·.
Light Milk knew the time for him and his fellow Virtues to return to Crispia was near, but it still felt like a stab in the chest to say goodbye to everything he became so fond of over the last few years.
The day previously, Elder Faerie had helped them load food supplies onto their returning ship, as well as small gifts such as hand-spun blankets to keep them warm and comfortable on the way back. During that time, he also had pulled Light Milk aside for a moment, sliding something into his hand.
“I wanted you to have this. It was mine, but I have no need for it, so I thought you may like it.”
When Light Milk looked down at his hand, he saw Elder Faerie slip into it a small butterfly brooch. Its wings were made out of what looked like the stained glass inside the faerie palace, but it looked nearly identical to Elder Faerie’s own wings. And at the end of each of its antennae cradled two bright blue sapphires.
“Oh, wow,” Light Milk gasped, turning the trinket over in his fingers. “You don’t need to, really—“
“Nonsense. I have many like it. I wanted you to have something to remember about this place. So that you don’t forget us. So that you don’t forget… me.”
“I will never forget this place, no matter what happens to me in the future. Thank you, Elder Faerie. I love it, I truly do.”
It felt like Light Milk’s heart was wrapped in thorns. Witches, how could he leave now? Why is it so hard for him to just say how he feels? Why couldn’t he and Elder Faerie just be normal cookies instead of being put up to all these expectations by the divine creators themselves?
Elder Faerie smiled at him with the same kindness he had always shown him, that he shows everyone. Light Milk remembers clearly what Eternal Sugar had told him. He should just tell him, right?
“Elder Faerie…”
“Yes?”
Before Light Milk could open his mouth to say anything, the sound of Burning Spice’s voice shouting for them to return cut him off.
“We should get back, I suppose. I don’t think Eternal Sugar can lift heavy crates by herself,” he laughed nervously.
“…Yeah.”
They both turned to resume their labor, but Light Milk slugged behind slightly. It was no use. Even if he did say something, without a true reason it would be almost never until he would be able to return here.
He would just have to move on. It was part of his job, was it not?
༺ ཐིཋྀ ༻
The entirety of the following day Light Milk dedicated to saying goodbye to all the faeries. Little Silverbell in particular seemed the most upset to see him go; he had spent a lot of time with him and Elder Faerie when he was still learning about the kingdom.
After prying Silverbell free from his robes, the only proper goodbye left to give was for Elder Faerie himself. The two of them now stood where their ship was docked, the rest of the Virtues already waiting patiently on board.
“I must say I am quite upset to see you go,” Elder Faerie told him. “I’ve never seen my faeries so comfortable around a foreigner before. It was certainly a refresher to meet someone new.”
“I’m very glad I got to meet you too. I will greatly miss our moments together.”
Elder Faerie smiled like usual, but as he met Light Milk’s eyes, something close to bitterness remained unspoken behind his facade.
Before Light Milk could properly question himself, Elder Faerie pulled him into a hug. He wasn’t much experienced with hugs (or affection at all for that matter), excluding the occasional squeeze from his friends or from a few empathetic faerie children, but never once had he been given true affection such as this, let alone from someone like Elder Faerie.
He tried awkwardly wrapping his arms around the monarch in return, nervously trying not to touch his wings in an uncomfortable way.
“Wh- whats this for?” He asked, still slightly befuddled.
“Something I know you’ll need,” is all Elder Faerie says.
When he pulls away, his eyes are glossy.
“Keep our world safe for me, okay?”
Their faces are so close together that Light Milk can feel his breath on his skin. But whatever feelings get pushed down as soon as Elder Faerie lets go of him, turning to vanish into the forest once again.
“Goodbye, Light Milk,” is the last thing he says.
“Goodbye,” Light Milk answers regretfully, watching him disappear completely before turning the opposite direction to where his friends are waiting for him.
“Sooo,” Burning Spice bumps him in the arm once he climbs onto the ship. “How’d it go?”
Light Milk stumbled slightly, caught off guard by Burning Spice’s fist, but he caught himself on his staff.
“What do you mean? We only said our goodbyes.”
“You told him though, correct?” Silent Salt asks softly as they approach him, Eternal Sugar and Mystic Flour following close behind.
Light Milk stared at the ground.
Though he is certainly not prepared for Eternal Sugar grabbing him roughly by the shoulders.
“Light Milk, you told him, right?” She asks again for Silent Salt, her face completely serious, lacking her usual humor.
He doesn’t get the chance to defend himself before Eternal Sugar violently shakes him back and forth. “Witches, you really are hopeless. It’s so abundantly obvious he likes you back! I thought that you would figure it out on your own so I didn’t ruin the experience for you but your head is so thick it flew right over you.”
Light Milk stared at her, eyebrows raised. “What- why didn’t you tell me sooner? Now it’ll be forever since I can talk to him again!”
Behind him, he can hear Burning Spice laughing, and he can only imagine how hard Mystic Flour is rolling her eyes at him.
“Light Milk, go after him right now. I can promise you we are in no rush to return to Crispia. Remember, we’re Virtues; we have the right to tread where we please with a proper excuse. Anything is better than living with the fact that you never got to tell each other how you really feel… even if we must leave now, in due time you will see each other again.”
“But the Witches-“
Eternal Sugar sighed. “Instead of worrying about what the Witches think, for once listen to what’s in here.” She tapped him in the middle of his chest. “And I don’t care if it sounds cliche. He makes you happy, and that’s what truly matters. Now hurry up and go before I do something to you that I regret!”
And with a hard shove, Light Milk hobbled back onto the glittery beach, following the direction he saw Elder Faerie last disappear to.
Light Milk found him not far from the entrance of the Kingdom; he must have been walking pretty slow.
“Elder Faerie!” He panted his name, and the monarch spun around instantly at the sound of his voice.
“Light Milk? I thought-“
He yelped as Light Milk toppled into him, causing him to lose his balance and sending them both to the soft earth beneath.
“I’m such a fool for not seeing it sooner,” Light Milk breathed.
Beneath him, Elder Faerie still grasped his sides in his failed attempt to catch Light Milk, his wings spread out against the dewy grass. He remained silent, waiting for Light Milk to continue.
“Elder Faerie, I know simply saying ‘I love you’ has little meaning in your own culture, so listen to me say this instead.”
He took a breath.
“You and I, we don’t have to be simply an extension of the Witches. We deserve to love and be our own, especially you. I have seen you do miraculous things, and the compassion you share with others despite their backgrounds, I’ve seen others similar to you lack. I want you to take my heart the same way the Moon takes the Sun’s. Elder Faerie, you’re the most benevolent and flattering cookie I’ve ever met, and I hope you can accept that I have so much more than just love for you.”
Elder Faerie sat up, bringing his eyes to meet Light Milk’s. He brought his hands to his face, and instead of answering, pulled Light Milk into a kiss.
Light Milk felt his stomach flutter. Elder Faerie pulled away not long after, but Light Milk pulled him back immediately.
The two fell back down into the cushioned grass, tangled in each other’s robes. When they finally pulled apart, both were completely flushed.
“I’m sorry, that was quite straightforward…”
“No! Don’t apologize. I’ve been… waiting for something like that. Affection is not something I’m skilled in expressing, I’m afraid.”
Elder Faerie pressed his cheek against Light Milk’s chest. “That’s alright, neither am I. Maybe we can figure it out together?”
Light Milk rested his head on his in return. “I would like that.”
After a moment of lying there together, they returned to the other Virtues to explain their situation and Light Milk’s preference to stay in Beast-Yeast, at least until his presence was actually needed in Crispia.
Eternal Sugar took a dramatic sigh of relief to hear they finally confessed, but was just as sad as the others to hear she was parting with her dear friend.
With one final goodbye, the Virtues left for Crispia, and Elder Faerie led Light Milk back to the Faerie Kingdom.