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Banana Roti lay down on her bed feeling hollow. The past few weeks have been unkind to her to say the least. She had to run SugarLand all by herself and without Sundae was a high bar for sure. Barely any cookies visit SugarLand anymore thanks for all the rumors floating around. She considered shutting it down temporarily and explaining that the owner went missing for the time being.
Then again it was not her decision to make since she's not the owner. Though she could utilize that time to find the owner. She needed answers to what happened to her owner of SugarLand…
What happened to her friend…
Just a thought of her made her empty. She wondered what happened to Sundae. Why did she not respond to her cries to stay away from the rift?
Why did she push her aside like she was nothing?
She curled up under the sheets feeling a void in her stomach. She pretended like she wasn't bothered, but no luck. She was sick of it. She sat up and looked outside her window, she needed to get rid of this feeling in her heart.
Right now she's all alone, a complete mess in her room, she could really use some company and she knows who that company will be.
She traced her steps trying to remember how exactly she found the labyrinth. It shouldn't be too hard. It is on the same floor. She recalled herself walking down a path late at night and then her photo was caught up in the wind and made her darted in to her left and.,,
AH HA! There it was — The Glass Labyrinth… She knew he would be her, after all he is now the guard of this place. She stepped inside of the Labyrinth to search for him… Her eyes took a moment to look around the place… The place looks so pretty and shines beautifully under the moonlight. It was polished and cleaned. The shining memory flowers blooming vibrantly. The guard of this labyrinth has taken his task and went beyond expectations.
It made her speechless. She wandered the long hallways taking on the scenery looking for the guard of this labyrinth. It took a while with how this labyrinth was a maze full of twists and turns, but she managed as she saw him in the distance…
Stained Nougat was tending to some flowers, keeping a steady hand as he waters them to keep them hydrated. Banana Roti couldn't help but feel the edge of her lips raise up. He seems to be in a much better place since their last encounter.
“Stained Nougat Cookie!” Banana Roti shouted.
His head snapped up at the sound of his name being called out — from a familiar voice no less. He saw her waving her arm to get his attention, before dashing to him, “Banana Roti Cookie?”
“Looks like you remember my face after all.” she said, a playful edge in her sassy tone as she approached him.
“Of course I did! I didn't want to forget someone who helped me so much…” he insisted, his voice thick with emotion. He did everything in his power to never forget her. He trusts in his memories and it paid off. Banana Roti gave a cheeky look on her face.
It was comforting…
“You came back sooner than I expected,” he said. He honestly thought that it would take her months if not years for her to come back but only just a couple of weeks. Something must be up.
“Yeah, a lot has happened while I was out, so I came in to see how things are going.” she shrugged, glancing at the memory flowers that had bloomed. There was a lot of effort put into them. That was something she admired about him. He is perseverant no matter how many times he is knocked over.
She glances back at him only to find a smile on his face.
“You came to check in on me.” He said softly, his eyes sparkled slightly as a warm fuzzy feeling ran through him. Banana Roti immediately tensed, her cheeks coloring as she regretted her choice of words.
“What?! Don't act like I am doing this for your sake.” Banana Roti hissed back, her tsundere self not wanting to admit she cares about him, and she especially admitting she went to visit him for her own sake. Her ears flattened slightly. She couldn't help but feel a pinch of guilt. She doesn't like using cookies like this for her own benefit. It was morally wrong to her.
And it didn't go unnoticed.
“Tell me… What's troubling you?” Stained Nougat leaned forward, giving her his full attention. He noticed her unusual demeanor and couldn't help but worry for her.
Banana Roti’s composure cracked, by the way her shoulders slumped slightly, “It's my friend…”
“Who was your friend again?” Stained Nougat is aware that she has a friend, but wasn't sure of who exactly it was.
“Sundae Cookie. The owner of Sugar Land.” Banana Roti clarified to try not to buckle under the pressure of saying her name.
“Oh, now I know who you're talking about.” Stained Nougat remembered some of Banana Roti's memories and had a cookie named Sundae. She was very bright and whimsical for what he remembered. “What about her?”
A heavy silence hung in the air before Banana Roti finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, “She is missing…”
A sympathetic ache bloomed in Stained Nougat’s chest. He could guess Sundae was an important friend to her.
“I'm so sorry to hear that… What happened to her?” He said, her voice laced with genuine sorrow. He waited, giving the other cookie the space to continue, to unravel the story at her own pace.
“A rift appeared and she went in it…” Banana Roti explained, her voice dropping to a gloomy hush.
“Rifts…?” Stained Nougat echoed, a cold dread seeping into his core. This was new, and deeply unsettling.
“They happen to appear all over the tower and are more frequent as of recently… Rumors have said if you fall in one you don't come back ever…” Banana Roti explained, her technical mind briefly overriding her grief. A shudder ran through Stained Nougat. The concept was terrifying, “That sounds scary.”
“I can see why, especially since you don't know where you're going to end up.” Banana Roti hugged herself, as if suddenly cold or was it the comforter herself?
“Now… I don't know where Sundae is…” Her brows furrowed as she recalled the events of that day. She tried to stop Sundae from going into the rift only for her to hit her with her hammer and send Banana Roti flying across the park. That thing she saw was her turning her back and entering the rift…
Everything shattered…
“She just simply tossed me aside like I was… Nothing…” Banana Roti let out a weak gawk.
“Banana Roti Cookie…?” Stained Nougat noticed her body language was different from the up right tense shoulders, tail down, and ears flat. Banana Roti took unsteady breaths.
“I didn't understand why she went into that rift. Why would she just leave me…” Banana Roti's voice cracked, not allowing her grief escape her grasp.
She still remembers how painful it was, to see her friend shouting at her to get out of the way and hitting her with a hammer sending Banana Roti flying across and unable to get up. Sundae had cold empty eyes, not the bright whimsical spirit she had.
“I will do everything in my power to bring her back! Even if it kills me!” She shouted, her voice was quavering. She was starting to crack.
“Banana Roti Cookie…” Stained Nougat felt sorry for her. The way Sundae's absence has affected her was very prominent. Erratic behavior, constant anxiety, and sorrow must be too much to handle.
He wanted to do something for her. He reached out his hand and gently placed it on her shoulder. He didn't anticipate her taking it badly. Her eyes narrowed when she felt someone touch her body.
“Don't touch me!” Banana Roti hissed whilst slapping his hand pushing him back to the ground. She glared at him with glossy eyes. Stained Nougat was terrified by how hostile she quickly became.
Because of that terrified look on his face, it made Banana Roti realize what she had done. She looked at the wall behind him. It was stained glass reflecting her, showing her the vicious feline she was.
Stepping back, she looked at him then at the paw she used to toss him aside… She never meant to hurt him… Was she gonna lose him too…? Was she mimicking what Sundae became?
“I…I didn't mean…” Banana Roti realizing her actions guilt hit her hard as her ears flattened. Stained Nougat got back up, dusting himself off, before facing her, “Banana Roti Cookie, is everything okay?”
“I’m fine! Why wouldn't I be…?” Her tone was too sharp, a defensive hiss. The facade snapped back into place, brittle and immediate. Stained Nougat wasn't buying it.
“Because your friend is gone.”
The blunt acknowledgement was a knife being plunged into her heart. It hurt so much… but she wasn't going to falter.
“No, I don't care that Sundae Cookie is gone. I mean I do!” Banana Roti stumbled, the contradiction tangling her tongue, “but not like that I am worried about her.”
“Are you sure… You hitting me tells me you are on edge.” His gaze held hers, unwavering and soft with a concern. He didn't care that she hit him, his focus was on mental state.
“I am not on edge! I am just-” She was grasping for an excuse, any excuse, to hide the side that she is desperately holding back. However, he has had enough of it.
“Banana Roti Cookie!” Stained Nougat raised his voice for once. It wasn't a shout, just a firm tone. That made Banana Roti flinch and withdraw herself as she didn't expect that from him. She felt small, so exposed.
“Be honest with me…” Stained Nougat said, the command softened trying not to frighten her. He sees the scared injured feline that would hiss at anyone who gets close.
“I… I…” Banana Roti fought desperately against the hot pressure building behind her eyes, clenching her jaw until it ached… She didn't want him to see this side of her. The side that is emotionally unstable. It would be humiliating to Banana Roti. She can't stand to show emotions like this…
But it hurt so much.
The ache in her chest, the burning sensation in her face, the lump in her throat, a hollowed-out space in her heart where her pride used to be, now filled with a grief so profound it threatened to swallow her whole.
She did everything to convince him.
To convince herself…
that she wasn't bothered by Sundae’s absence, that it was merely a change in routine. However, the truth was relentless, and she was buried in the reality of it all.
Tears finally leaked its way out of her eyes…
“I-I miss her…! I miss her so much!!!” Banana Roti sobs uncontrollably, her bottled up emotions now shattering in front of Stained Nougat.
She fell to her knees and started bawling out everything. She misses Sundae so much. She always pushed her away, always hiding behind her usual stubborn feisty facade. She regretted doing all of it, wishing she was still here right now.
She never realized how much Sundae meant until she lost her…
Stained Nougat carefully approached her, taking a seat in front of the sobbing feline.
“There there…” he murmured, his voice a low hum.
“Don't pity me!” Banana Roti hissed, embarrassed enough that he had to see her like this. She just wished to be alone. Stained Nougat's heart aches to see her in so much agony, “I'm not… I just want to be there for you…”
Banana Roti curled up into a ball and she drowned sobs in her paws. Stained Nougat could only watch as she was bawling. He pained him that he wasn't doing anything to help the feline out. He thought of what he could do…
He recalled some memories that had sad moments in them. Some of them had another cookie to comfort the sorrow. There was one gesture that was common among them.
“Is it okay if I hug you…” Stained Nougat asked, his voice filled with compassion. He wanted permission first given that when he didn't, he got a slap. Banana Roti uncurled and her eyes landed on him: glossy and sharp. She thought about it for a moment…
“Go ahead…” Banana Roti whispered, it felt so foreign to allow it. He pulled her gently, his arms a secure, warm circle around her delicate trembling body. She didn't want to admit, she refused to, but deep down in the depths of her heart she likes it.
As she cried into his shoulder, another thought seemed to occur to him. Cats like being petted, so will she like it if he pets her. A gentle touch would often soothe their frayed nerves. Would it help her?
“Do you mind if I pet you?” Stained Nougat asked, unaware of how touchy that question was to Banana Roti. Just hearing the word “pet” made her flinched. She froze on the spot unsure what to say to that.
“I mean I did hit you… I should make it up to you…” Banana Roti sighed… she loathed what came out her mouth. She wanted to say no, but her voice refused. She was never really good with apologies. Trying to get it out was always a difficult part for her.
“So is that a yes or.” Stained Nougat asked for a bit more clarity for consent. It was like a minefield, one wrong move could spell disaster.
After a brief pause he finally got a response.
“You can pet me…” she hesitantly murmured, the words barely audible. She was reluctant, but she knew Stained Nougat was not harmful. However she wasn't expecting him to lift her up and placed her on his lap.
"Let me know if I am doing too much..." Stained Nougat asked of her. Right now he was getting handsy with her and didn't want to go too far.
That sounded like a good sign to her.
Banana Roti could only nod her hand giving him permission. Stained Nougat pet the back of her head. He gently glided his hand across her hair then pushed back her ponytail softly before repeating.
Soon, her ear was twitching. That caught this attention by the way it flickers.. Without thinking, he placed a hand on her ear. Banana Roti flinched as his hands landed behind her ear…
She whimpered when Stained Nougat stroked behind her ear, lightly rubbing his thumb on the inside. Banana Roti held back on purring, finding it to be embarrassing.
His touch was intoxicating and her body felt weak. She involuntarily buried her face against his chest. That did not bring him to stop, he continued as the blonde cat twitched in his grasp.
She can't believe she's allowing him to do this. If this was any other cookie she should be scratching them to oblivion, but this was someone she cared for and also given permission to do this.
“I hate it…” Banana Roti grumbled, shifting her body closer together, attempting to keep her stubborn persona in front.
“Do you want me to stop-” Stained Nougat asked, his hand pausing for a moment lifting it slightly.
“No!” Banana Roti cut him off, “Not that…”
“Then what do you hate?” He asked, curiosity softening his tone. His thumb began its hypnotic motion again, a little slower, a little more deliberate. That just now. It felt good… It was a trigger that seemed to bypass her defenses entirely.
She paused for a moment…
“That you know my weakness.” She finally admitted, her voice muffled against his shirt. Banana Roti trembled, that confession felt like it was drawn out of her by that expert touch. Banana Roti trembled, a shiver running through her. That confession felt like it had been physically drawn out of her by that disarming touch.
“You have a weakness?” Stained Nougat tilted his head in confusion. Banana Roti growled for a moment causing Stained Nougat to pause his hand from petting her.
“It’s humiliating…” she muttered, turning her face further into him as if to hide. The warmth and the scent of him were a solace, but also a testament to her current undignified state.
His curiosity was peak and it wouldn't be satisfied unless he got answers.
“Tell me what it is.” The command was gentle, but she deflected not wanting to admit it.
“Why should I? You are already doing it.” Banana Roti hissed, as if the question offended her. It took him a hot second before realizing exactly what she meant.
“Petting your ear?” Stained Nougat asked, genuine bafflement in his tone. He looked at his own fingers as if they had acted of their own accord. A long, defeated sigh escaped her.
“I like it when someone pets behind my ears…” Banana Roti, downcasted, was unable to look him in the eyes after admitting it.
“I mean that's a given seeing that you are part cat.” Stained Nougat offered his tone light, trying to normalize it, to make it less of a confession and more of a simple fact.
She felt like she was giving in way too easily. Allowing her body to be off guard. That is not like her, far from it… She did not believe that her cat instincts were involved. She's only allowing it as an apology, but then again it is not a genuine apology.
But it wasn’t that simple to her.
Banana Roti felt she bent herself too easily , allowing her body to go slack, her guard to drop completely. Ironic coming from her… That was not like her. It was far from it. She wanted to believe it wasn't her cat instincts, but doubt was in the air…
“I hate how submissive I am…I don't want to be…” She murmured, the self-disgust thick in her voice.
“You aren't.” Stained Nougat said with confusion in his voice, “I don't think you are submissive. In fact the exact opposite. You are stubborn and that's okay.”
“Then… what am I feeling?” Banana Roti dared him to answer, finally stared at him in the eyes.
Stained Nougat’s vocabulary was pretty limited, only having to rely on memories for information isn't fun and it's always a gamble on what it would be. Not to mention the psychological damage it does to him.
It took him a second…
“Vulnerability?” Stained Nougat stolidly replied. That lingered in for a bit, Banana Roti looked down with a small murmur. That hit a little too hard…
“Yeah… I guess…” Banana Roti agreed despite her brooding tone and graved face…
Vulnerability…
What a joke…
The idea of being vulnerable with someone disgust her. Not good comes from being vulnerable. Banana Roti's ears flatted as she couldn't control herself from making a slight growl.
Stained Nougat took one of his hands off of her ear. He noticed the sudden shift in tone by the growl. It gave him the impression that she was tired of it. Maybe something else would do the trick.
He held her face with both hands and gently lifted her face forcing her to look at him. Banana Roti looks so pathetic in an adorable way. He rubbed her face in a circular motion being mindful of her whiskers.
That drove her to her breaking point. She couldn't hold back and then purring echoed through the labyrinth; it was painfully obvious.
“Are you purring…?” Stained Nougat asked, surprise coating his words. Banana Roti reacted accordingly – Denial, “No!!!”
“You are…!” Stained Nougat started boldly. Obvious is an understatement. It was loud and sent vibrations through his chest. He didn't mind it though, in fact he found it endearing.
“You sound adorable.” Stained Nougat gave a small smile as he continued to rub her face. Banana Roti gave him a glare as she growled. This was a sign to cut it out, “I can stop petting you if you want-”
“No!!!” Banana Roti shouted before realizing she said too much by the surprised look on his face. She sighs before softening her voice, “Just… no…”
“Alright.” He continues to pet her head. Hearing her purrs was like music to Stained Nougat's ears with how soothing it was. Banana Roti feels like she is making a fool of herself. She wouldn't allow someone to touch her like this – not even Sundae, the closest cookie who she saw as family.
So why him? Sure she gave him permission to pet her as an apology, but this is more than she expected. She didn't pull away…
If anything, she needed it.
"Do you like this?" Stained Nougat questioned, his voice soft and tender. This was absolutely humiliating to her. It feels like he's mocking her. She just wanted to claw his face for this… Why is she into this? Why did she like him touching her body…
Banana Roti rested her chin on his chest to still allow her face to still be accessible. She looked away for a brief moment then back again with a soft reserved expression, "Yeah..."
“That's nice to hear…” Stained Nougat smiled. Banana Roti thought his smile looked dumb… yet she likes it. She sighed before burying her face in his chest, wondering how it all came to this…? Her body relaxed slightly… Her tail slowly coiled around his leg and her paws grasped at his back.
She didn't want to admit this, but she craved for this sort of thing…
Affection
Affection was the one thing Banana Roti dreamed of reviving, but she would never allow herself to indulge. She closed her heart to everyone. She thought she was weak to allow herself to be taken advantage…To be touched like that…
She's now remembering the situation that she was in…
She wanted to be let go… Thrashing around attempting to get out of hands grasping her… Ears and Tail being yanked violently. Arms being pinned. Skirt being pulled… Her cries screaming for help…
No one helped…
Everything was ringing…
It was so loud…
It was all too much to bear…
She clawed on his back whilst her eyes were glossy, refusing the tears to fall again. She was still resisting her emotions.
"Please... Don't hurt me..." Banana Roti wielded. Stained Nougat's eyes widened slightly by the sudden words and the claws poking his back. He didn't have any intentions to hurt her, but that comment was worrisome.
It said a lot about her…
“Tell me… Do you want to feel this way?” Stained Nougat asked, his voice soft and full of concern, “To allow yourself to feel vulnerable?”
She didn't know whether or not to tell him.
Banana Roti woefully stood silent before allowing her tears to pour down. She found it embarrassing that she was crying in front of someone… but at least she isn't being laughed at for it… Not this time…
All she could do was nod her head… In her mind she's just screaming not to say a word, but her mouth betrayed her, “I want to be affectionate… I really do, but I am scared to.”
Banana Roti sobbed trying to wipe her tears. She didn't want to hear it… She didn't want to remember it, but it's repeating in her head over and over again like a record that cannot be paused…
She didn't want to say a word, but her trembling voice continued to speak, not waiting for a second thought, “I remember a time where I was so bubbly… so affectionate… so forward and kind… I wish I wasn't… I- I- wished…”.
Banana Roti felt like her eyes were pouring out a waterfall filled with bottled up emotions. She never thought that she was going to tell anyone about her trauma…
“I- I- I… wished… I wasn't…” Banana Roti sobbed violently as her tears were drowning her. Everything was overwhelming, like she was being a vile sensation in her body. She gasps for air eagerly to feel stable. It was all so bleak.
Then a gentle hand touched her face.
“You don't have to say another word…” Stained Nougat gently caressed her wet face. His thumbs gently brushed away the endless tears, “It will be okay…”
Stained Nougat wrapped his arms around her body suddenly, keeping her close to him. He buried his face in her shoulders realizing the gravity of the situation. Banana Roti choked on her breath with a doleful expression on her face.
“Promise you won't hurt me or leave me.” Banana Roti looks up with watery eyes. Stained Nougat’s gaze softened with a small smile, he whispered, “I promise… and if I ever do it's against my own will…”
She was so moved by his words. Someone showing genuine affection towards her and not twisting it into something vile.
Now she's feeling guilty for not apologizing earlier. Stained Nougat truly cares about her, yet she always shows the side of her that's closed off to everyone. She sobbed, “I'm so sorry for hitting you…”
“It's okay, Roti…” Stained Nougat held her tighter. In his mind he was protecting her, ensuring no one would hurt her. Banana Roti latched on to him as she felt her eyes watering more and choked out a sob, “Don't let go of me…”
Stained Nougat continued to pet her head while having his other arm pulling her waist close to him not planning of letting go. Banana Roti just rests there, melting into his touch. She wanted this... No... She needed this after years of closing herself off. She let her tears roll down her face. She didn't even care anymore. She wanted to be buried in comfort.
Stained Nougat felt her purring body and tears wetting his clothes, he didn't mind. He hummed softly a melody from a memory he once heard when he was younger. He doesn't remember much of it, but that memory radiated tranquility.
Banana Roti's sobs came to a close as her breathing calmed down leaving only silence, her purrs and Stained Nougat’s humming. She was now content with the situation, only wanting for it to continue.
He resumed to play with her hair, scruffing it up now and then to leave behind a mess.
She loved it... She loves this feeling of hands touching head, rubbing her face against someone, allowing herself to purr till her heart's content…
There are good cookies out there… Ones that won't take advantage of her… Ones that won't violate her…
Ones who will love her for who she is…
Maybe when Sundae returns she can show the side of her. The side she locked away from her for so long…
She was happy…
It was the middle of the night, the moonlight shined through stained glass panes, gently illuminating their bodies. Banana Roti got herself comfortable on his lap feeling content with the situation. Allowing her pride to not control her as Stained Nougat ran his hand through her head. He has been at it for a while…
"Should we stop?" Stained Nougat asked as he removed his hand from her head. To Banana Roti it felt like an offense. To his shock she snatched his hand and placed it back on her head, her tail tightening around his legs, straggling his hips, and her leaning in closer.
"Keep petting me..." Banana Roti wittily hiss. It was not just a request, it was a demand. She wanted it to last a little longer to cherish this feeling that she's now finally expressing her affection.
That made Stained Nougat pause for a second now flustered by all of this suddenly happening. He was wondering what happened to the cat who was sobbing in his grasp earlier. Now he's witnessing that cat turn into a needy touchstave feline.
When he didn’t immediately resume, a low, impatient rumble built in her throat.
“What are you waiting for?!” Banana Roti growled with her eyes narrowing. The contrast between her earlier vulnerability and this demanding, feline imperiousness was utterly disarming.
Stained Nougat couldn't help but chuckle as his hands found themselves on her head yet again with her leaning against it in a purring bliss. Might as well give into her demands…
Now there is Roti…