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Every third week of spring there was a full moon that rose over the starry sky of the Creme Republic, and every year the illustrious Paladin Academy had their annual Banquet of Divine Light.
It was a grand event for the alumni of the paladin class; a beautiful evening of fine dining and nostalgic conversation. Madeleine Cookie himself had gone every year since his graduation, minus the time he spent searching for the Soul Jam. It had been one of the few things he had so dreamed of as a child, especially with how his mother spoke of it like a fairytale.
Now, years later, he found himself on the planning committee. He was THE Knight Commander after all, and he took great pride in bringing such memories to the new and old of his school. Months of intricate planning and fine tuning came with the occasion, but nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than watching the elegant decorations be put in place.
Well, all expect one thing.
The only thing, or cookie, who could ever bring a bigger grin to his face was his gorgeously smart husband. It was customary for the alumni to bring along their spouse or a date, yet every year since their courtship his dear refuse to attend.
"There are too many people there." His love would say.
It made sense for the most part, as his beautiful other haft was never one for elaborate ceremonies or parties, yet he knew the true reason.
Espresso had always felt uncomfortable around the users of light magic. Madeleine himself remembered clearly when they first met, when they traveled together. The mage constantly complained about his divine connection; how he hated the feeling of the shine on his dough. Now, even after the years of their union, while the disdain had dwindled, it was still there. It came with history of course; the constant blundering of his magic as evil instead of misunderstood. His love was not dark decrepit, but an intelligent sorcerer of the most concentrated. Such things had been said during his youth, and now with his work more understood the wounds had faded for the most part.
That is why Madeleine was taken off guard when his dear love....asked about the dress code. The Knight Commander had never even brought up the idea of Espresso having to attend, knowing all his old attempts came with immovable rejection.
When asked about the sudden change in heart, a shy rebuttal made his heart do a somersault.
"I....This event is important to you, and....I feel it is my turn to do something for you."
The love they made that evening had been very passionate.
That was what led them to the nightly event, and the knot of anxiety that slowly grew as the carriage the pair were in grew closer to its destination. Of course his husband would go all out as usual, it was expected, but it made that age old city dweller in him cringe. Even after all these years being married Espresso would never get used to the lavish lifestyle of the upper city, and as he saw the Paladin Academy come into view, had chewed the inside of his lip. Those old insults tickled the back of his neck, but a hand to his cheek scared them away like always. Madeleine could read him so openly now, noticing the small shifts when that brilliant mind wandered too deep.
The academy was as blinding as ever, lights gleaming off the pristine finish of the exterior. It was always a sight to behold for many in the city, but for the mage it only brought that nipping bit of dread. It wasn't that he feared the divine, but more the shadows their light casted. He spent most of his childhood running from the leaking vile that came with the light with Seaweed, and being with one of their military leader was quite a turn of events.
They stepped out of the cart and were immediately greeted with an array of staff and guards bowing to their presence. Maladine laughed joyfully as he told them to ease, and his touch never left his other as they furthered into the entry hall.
The ballroom they entered was immaculately beautiful. Its architecture was some of the most well crafted detailing in the Republic except for maybe the Lyceum itself. It emanated the chapels of sanctuary; a place of divine safety. Religion of the highest was important to the Creme Knights, and while Madeleine still practiced such, Espresso found the brightness overwhelming.
Whips of high quality cream and tapestries of luxury dawned the spanning windows and doorways of the ballroom, and blooms of blue jelly roses littered the corridor with styled grace. The room was already filled with alumni of all ages. The crest of House Madeleine Cookie stood prominent on the podium at the stage, and seeing the gleaming gem every year brought a swell of pride to the commander. House Madeleine had always been a pillar to the academy; their family was a great supporter and sponsor of not only the event, but the school as well. His mother could not make the banquet this time and sent her deepest regards. He would carry her absence in his heart.
Espresso being by his side made it all the more exciting too, getting to share this piece of him with someone he's given himself wholly too.
The lights made blonde styled icing stand out; the amount of cream he had used that morning was downright deplorable, yet the ponytail had felt right. Madeleine’s suit had been finely tailored with the utmost refinement: gold embroidery lined the collar and the edges, blue mixed with the white in a way that shone with honor, and his emblem was pinned to his suit pocket.
"Ah, Sir Madeleine Cookie, it has been some time." The deep voice made the pair turn slightly, and the commander beamed.
"Preceptor Hazelnut Cake Cookie! Yes, some time it has been indeed!" His voice lighted in delight, letting go of his husband to clasp their hands together, "I have heard the newest recruits were quite a bunch, hmm?" The teacher chuckled at that; his smile soft before his caramel eyes glanced at the mage.
"So this is the husband I've heard so much about?" The acknowledgement made Espresso swallow thickly, but that touch on his dough returned as he was pulled closer.
"Yes! This is my dear Espresso Cookie!" That grin was infectious, "He was generous enough to come this time around. Isn't he just lovely?"
A bit of embarrassment blushed the researcher at such an introduction, but he brushed it aside the best he could.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He spoke kindly.
"Yes, the creator of the Magic Candies," The Crème Knights Preceptor commented with little harbor of hate, "It is an honor to meet a scientist of such high standing." The man turned back to his colleague and patted his shoulder, "A fine pick I would say." The remark certainly was not expected, but wasn't unwelcomed either. Madeleine laughed, before going to ruffle the chestnut mane of the other. The men roughhoused momentarily, and the playfulness was refreshing.
"May I ask how you two know each other?" Espresso mussed.
"This great paladin was my upperclassmen!" Maddie explained in mirth, arm around the man's shoulders in brotherhood, "He taught me how to properly wield my sword!"
"I am only a year your senior," The Preceptor replied, "yet you make me sound like an elder."
"You are a wise warrior, my friend! It is no wonder you became a great teacher!"
"Your compliments are always of the highest praise." The other spoke as they detached from one another, gloved hands smoothing the ruffles from his suit, "I do not wish to keep you any longer, as I have fresh graduates to see. I will speak to you later this evening, yes?"
"Of course! May the divines bless our time tonight!" They watched the man nod before folding his arms behind his back and continuing further into the growing crowd of beige.
"....You really do have a way of making people unwind, don't you." Espresso teased, and his other haft hummed.
"It worked on you, did it not, my sweet?" The mage shoved lightly, rolling his eyes. Those sea blue eyes lidded gently as he leaned a bit, voice ghosting against the expose of his neck, "You look stunning tonight."
The sentiment held true as the deep, chocolatey fabric slipped and clung to the frame of his dough, cascading to pool at the floor around his feet. The ensemble had been a gift from Latte ages ago; the glossy nature making his rose gold eyes stand out.
Such attire was not uncommon for any cookie of the Republic, nor earthbread, no matter the presentation. He enjoyed the flowing of the material, reminding him much of his cloak. One of his arms was clothed in a sleeve of form fitting while the other stood bare. It was not much skin to show he knew, but even his dutiful paladin wanted to touch what he could.
"As astute as ever." Espresso chided, and the knight exchanged his own glee.
Their teasing had been stalled as commotion heeded at the entrance, and there against the blue beaconing carpet stood a familiar pair. Financier’s posture was as straight laced as ever; her long hair pinned back by a rose of white. Her suit hued pure as snow, and gold lined the hems with finish so polished it was of a star. At her gloved arm was the Consul Clotted Cream Cookie himself; his attire traded for something much more fitting the occasion. The entire guard knelt for him in respect, but he held a hand up.
"You need not bow for us tonight; we are simply here to enjoy the festivities." The sight of the couple brought a bit of relief to the mage; at least he had someone there he knew. Yet, it did not bathe all his worries.
It had become increasingly obvious he was by far the most flavoured cookie there; coffee surrounded by cream. While their union had been public for some time; he could still feel the stares.
The hours started to tick together as the actual reunion began. There were many paladins from all walks of age there: old royal guards, freshly graduated knights, champions of days past. It was a sea of cream and beige and blue, and Espresso found himself glued to his date for a majority of the evening.
He found comfort in the air of his husband, but also the fact he would never find the man again if they separated. He was not mute in the manner however, being dragged into plenty of conversations by the banter. Madeleine's smile never wavered as he effortlessly weaved in and out of conversation and laughter like he was enchanted. One moment he was speaking to old classmates of their training, while in another turn recalling times of fierce battles.
Espresso himself tried to keep up, but would be adamant that he was struggling to tell soldiers apart. A few did ask about his work, especially the deepening research of Magic Candies, but besides that most kept to back and fourths with his knight. It was the Crème Knights Preceptor that had broken the endless waves of words, taking Madeleine's shoulder as he approached.
"It is almost time for the ceremony, old friend." He said, and bright blue glanced at the large, ethereal clock on the wall.
"Oh, by the light it is!" He turned to Espresso with a vibrating energy, "I must leave your side for a while, my dear. Will you be alright? I can-"
"Madeleine," The precise voice of the coffee cookie mellowed the rising worry. He took his beloved's hand in his own; fingers smoothing at the metal band, "I will be fine. Go do what you need to; I will lend myself to the refreshments."
The Knight Commander's shoulders relaxed, and he placed a kiss on bitter cheeks before being whisked away. Espresso watched the two disappear into the waves of mingling, and as soon as those blond hairs left his sight, the immenseness of his anxieties reared. He felt the eyes, and ventured his way to the table of delicacies.
Espresso did not normally indulge in the realms of juice or wines, but his fingers clasped at the delicate stem. The spread that the academy served had been much fancier than needed, but with the funding from the church and Madeleine's need for dramatics, it did not surprise him. He plucked a salty snack from the plate, but his brow raised as he found himself not being the only outliner.
"Good evening, Clotted Cream Cookie." He gave a curt nod, which the Consul returned.
"Espresso Cookie, it is quite a shock to see you here, I must say." The man sipped his champagne delicately.
"I would say the same to you." Espresso hummed as he took a spot leaning against the wall beside the politician, "I am surprised to find you alone."
"Financier Cookie was needed on stage much like your own." Sage green lidded as he politely swirled his drink.
"I find it...odd she would leave your side with such a crowd."
"I am surrounded by three hundred of the most well trained warriors on Earthbread.” The light blonde hummed, “I doubt she would feel I am in any danger, especially by those she finds as family."
"....Your point is taken." That made the Consul chuckle, clinking their glasses together as the lights dimmed and the music slipped away.
It was Vanilla Sugar Cookie that stood at the center; her old age still holding her crumbling body together. She tapped her cane to the floor to silence the crowd, raising her shaky hand.
"It is wonderful to see so many faces in our house of the divine," Her voice carried with cracking echoes, "and every year I find new faces for the light to shine upon. I will not keep you all from the night, but we have someone who would like to speak."
It was Madeleine that took the podium; light dazzling off his groomed appearance. The spotlight made his golden luster shine like the stars themselves, and at his side was the guard of the Consul. They were emulated together, strength beyond the will of light itself.
"We, as paladins of light, strive to keep our great Republic safe. My mother, Grand Madeleine Cookie, once stood here in her youth. She was a noble leader and a momentous fighter; she still is. Although I have taken her place now; I feel I owe it to the divines for our safety." He spoke with conviction, voice mellow and smooth like a real leader, "I find before me a group of the most noble; the most capable. The light had shone its grace on all of us, and seeing all that strive to keep our city safe brings pride to my heart. While many of you know me as your commander; I see you all as much more than paladins. You are my friends, my brethren, as well as teachers and students. Our Creme Republic is gifted to have all of you at its side."
The crowd watched in silence as he spoke, many in awe of it. He might have been a rose tinted glasses man, but he did know how to capture a crowd.
"We all became paladins for one reason or another. Whether it be for ourselves, our connection to the faith, our families..." Blue eyes drifted through the crowd, and softened ever so as he spotted a speck that stood out from the crowd, "Our love.... We imbue ourselves with the light. It is in that light we find the will to fight for our capital: our homes! This academy has brought good to this world against all evil, and we will not let it prevail any longer!"
The crowd clapped eagerly at the speech; hearts touched by such genuine words. Madeleine beamed as he raised his fist to his chest.
"May the divine light continue to shine upon us!"
A warmth filled Espresso's chest as he watched the display, seeing his husband in his element. He smiled behind the rim of his glass as he finished the last of the juice, feeling the tingle under his crust. It was not the same as the caffeine that pumped so heavy like syrup, but it would do.
Financier had also given a speech, though hers was much more reserved. She spoke of duty, and helping those in need, before handing out an award, which went to a young pink paladin champion. He had spent that interaction downing his second glass for the night, as the Consul had been rather...distracted.
The orchestra soon overtook the ballroom; music swirling in loving notes of crescendo as strings creased skilled fingers. It felt nice on his nerves which at this point were a bit fried. The juice had helped a bit, but not enough to make the affair dull. Madeleine had returned to him not even a few minutes after he left the stage, which he had desperately been wanting to jump off of as soon as Elder Vanilla Sugar Cookie released him. Like an overenergetic pup hearing the front door open he bolted to find the coffee without creamer, bounding much like a teen than a decorated military official.
"My dearly beloved!" He exclaimed as he basically scooped Espresso's feet from the floor, "Did you see my speech?! I hope it was good enough for you!"
"I-It was quite satisfactory," The mage huffed as he tried not to make his head spin, "please put me down."
"Ah! I'm sorry, dear." He apologized sheepishly, settling his arms around that slender waist.
The commander took a moment just to gaze into those beautifully metallic eyes through rounded lenses, enraptured by how his husband looked in the light. They were the same ones he found so encasing when they groggily blinked at him in the mornings; the ones that cringled ever so slightly as they looked into his own ocean's waves.
Oh, he was such a love sick fool.
He would always be a love sick fool if it meant he could keep Espresso right there in his arms.
The cacophony of strings made his chest fill with love so eternal, and Madeleine held his hand out with that dashing smile.
"It would be an honor if I could have this dance." He bowed slightly as he asked; a true gentleman. There was a twinge in Espresso's expression, a bit of apprehension at dancing in a crowd, but he sighed deeply.
"Its always something with you, isn't it?" The mage joked, but took his hand all the same.
The flutter of his dress trailed behind as they found a spot in the twirl of bodies. Espresso felt himself a bit subconscious at the eyes of the watching bystanders, but the hand that looped at his lower back brought him back to the present. The coffee cookie was by no means a good dancer, as while his calculations were coordinated, his feet were not.
Each sway they took made Espresso's grip tighten just a bit at the shoulder he was holding, and he grimaced as he stepped on too many times of those ridiculously expensive boots he loved.
He grew up in the lower city with no one but himself and Seaweed, and they had nothing like this. They did not delve on fairytales, but reality was looking at him square in the face, smiling at him so softly it took his breath away. As the strings slowed from the waltz it slipped into a gentle sway of personal affection. The pale hand that held his own slid down to the curve of his back, and Espresso sighed as he relaxed. He had never really danced in such a manner except once.
"Does this not remind you of our wedding night?" Maddie reminisced wishfully, lips nuzzling against swirled bangs.
"Always the romantic...." The researcher whispered as he leaned his head against the strong shoulder in front of him; the faint of a heartbeat thumping underneath.
Being there, present in each other's arms, made the last of his nervousness fade. It was almost like it was just the two of them dancing late at night in their kitchen; the record player scratching along. The bliss of the memory was hauled by the clasping of the audience, and Maddie squeezed lightly when he noticed the bit of startlement.
As much as he had enjoyed the event so far; all the dancing and talking had drained the poor introvert. His social battery had started running on fumes, and if he was being honest the heels he had on were killing him. The two glasses of alcohol probably weren't helping either. It would have been pretty apparent to anyone looking at Maddie's date to see him slumping more and more against the refined psychic of their commander. It was after Madeleine congratulated the award winner, Kougin-Ammun Cookie, that the elder came up to him. Her good eye crinkled in suspicion at the scientist, but he was too tired to care.
"What a rousing speech you gave earlier, Sir Madeleine Cookie," She praised leaning on her cane, "I expected nothing less from our finest!"
"Thank you, Elder Vanilla Sugar Cookie!" He smiled, using the arm around Espresso's waist to keep his husband from turning into a pile on the floor.
The mage couldn't help but nuzzle a bit into the shoulder he was perched against; the juice making him feel a bit fuzzy as well as the exhaustion. He always loathed such events, but hearing Maddie's laugh rumble against his ear wasn't so bad.
By the time the splendor had ended the commander’s beloved had passed out in the transport back to their home, which he had not minded at all. He was already grateful that Espresso came at all, and it filled him with such joy seeing him in the crowd like a speckle of love in a sea of adoration.
Their home had not been far from Mansion Madeleine, as he desired some peace for Espresso's sake. The blonde paid the cab handsomely before carrying the dozing man up their front stairs and into the quaint life they had made. His training let him carry his husband like it was nothing, locking the door and kicking off his boots before taking them upstairs.
Deep cakewood followed the stairwell, groves and knots giving each plank a spring of character. It had been his beloved's idea, wanting more color than the blinding of the high life. Their bedroom was much the same: mementos of the paladin's travels mixed lovingly, naturally, with ones of Espresso's stay in the Vanilla Kingdom. While they had both loved the journeys, nothing felt better than being in their home country.
"My love, we are home." His tone was so soft, "You need to worry yourself; I can help you change."
A soft, mumbled okay slipped past those lips, and Madeleine chuckled. A sleepy, slightly mused Es had always been so refreshingly beautiful as he sighed at every slight grace of Madeleine’s hands on his crust. The dress unzipped with little issue, and the paladin was careful as he slipped Espresso into his favourite set of pajamas. The mage hummed lightly at the feeling of softness, and his glasses were folded neatly on the bedside.
Madeleine himself shed the honestly very hot suit, relaxing as he dawned nothing more than his sleep shorts. It felt nice as the cool room air blessed his tired dough. The night's events pulled down at his muscles, and with now being away from everything, he too wished for sleep.
He flicked off the light groggily; yawn heavy at his lips before plopping into their bed. His arms came to wrap around Espresso: protective and warm. His husband nuzzled closer in his sleep, he would deny it, but he was always a cuddler. Night swayed them into slumber, indulging in each other's arms as they rested.