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The late evening sun shined through the stained glass windows of Hollyberry’s room. Hollyberry was sitting on the edge of her bed, polishing her shield as the kingdom settles down for the night along with her. Pure Vanilla was sitting on the bed as well, sitting on the right; his usual spot for when he stayed at the Hollyberry Kingdom. He currently was reading a book in braille. They both were in their “pajamas,” Hollyberry in a sleep robe and Pure Vanilla was in thinner robes than his usual thick ones.
The silence between the two was comfortable, before Hollyberry broke it by leaning over to Pure Vanilla and asking,
“What are you reading, vanilla boy?”
Pure Vanilla looked up from the book, despite his eyes being constantly closed, before responding in the same soft gentle tone he always has. The setting sun’s light shining through the windows made Pure Vanilla’s hair look like gold.
“One of your nobles reported to me that this history book was inaccurate. It probably was just to waste my time, but it is better to be safe than sorry.”
Hollyberry rolled her eyes as she took out the leaf and berry accessories in her hair. She set them on the bedside table before suddenly leaning back into Pure Vanilla’s lap, taking the book out of his grip.
“You overwork yourself too much. Away from your kingdom, with your beautiful wife, and yet you still worry about others.”
Pure Vanilla opened his eyes in surprise when he felt Hollyberry take the book out of his hands. He stared down at Hollyberry, or the pink blob he knew as her, and sighed.
“I know, I know…I can’t help it. What’s that one thing you say all the time? ‘Old habits die hard?’”
“Oh, don’t you use my sayings to defend yourself,”
Hollyberry replied with, before leaning forward to undo her hair buns and the two thin braids holding them in place.
“Now are you going to brush my hair for me or not?”
Pure Vanilla couldn’t help but smile, grabbing the book back to set it to the side.
“Give me a moment. Do you mind grabbing a brush for me, my dear.”
Hollyberry stood up to grab a brush on the large vanity as her long, curly pink hair spilled down her back. The sun was almost fully set at this point, so she closed the blinds just enough to block out most of the glare, but the sun’s rays still shone through. On her way back to the bed, she set some candles to make the room not as dark.
Hollyberry sat back down on the bed next to Pure Vanilla, handing him the brush. Pure Vanilla took it, his eyes closed again as he settled. He started to slowly and gently comb the brush through Hollyberry’s hair, the minute passing in a comfortable silence before Pure Vanilla spoke up.
“So. Tell me something. Could be anything, I just want to hear your voice.”
Hollyberry felt her cheeks heat up as she took a moment to think of something.
“Hmm…well, what is your favorite season of the year? Mine is summer, when it’s all nice and warm. All the berries are ripe too, and the kingdom smells amazing. Plus, going to the beach is always fun.”
Pure Vanilla hummed as he listened to Hollyberry’s words, sitting right behind her to have better access to her hair. The flames from the candles lit up the room, illuminating Hollyberry’s jawline and Pure Vanilla’s cheekbones.
“I like spring. It’s warm, but not too warm. All the plants and greenery come back, and there’s so many baby animals. And falling asleep to the rain always helped me when I was a young cookie.”
Hollyberry nodded slightly to make sure she didn’t pull her hair on the brush or anything, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleep robe as she sat criss cross applesauce.
“Spring is always a good answer. Similar to summer, yet different. Just like us. You can’t have compassion without passion. And our doughs are both sweet, just in different ways.”
Pure Vanilla couldn’t help but chuckle, his own cheeks getting a bit pink.
“Oh, Hollyberry, always such a flatterer.”
Hollyberry scoffed, putting her hands on her hips.
“I thought you were Mr. Truth over here, but I guess you can’t tell. Someone needs to get that checked on.”
“Hey, I’m just saying! You always flirt with me. Literally no matter what. Even when we’re apart, you will send gifts and letters for me.”
Hollyberry moved to cross her arms, but from how much she was smiling and the way she leaned into Pure Vanilla a little gave away her amusement in this serene, almost intimate scene.
“You send just as much, if not more. Wildberry complains every time there’s a big parcel written for me and him in your fancy old handwriting.”
Pure Vanilla paused in the middle of brushing Hollyberry’s hair, just to playfully press a false offended hand to his chest.
“My handwriting isn’t ’old,’ it’s just cursive. And yet you still understand every word. Trust me, I can tell that you can.”
“Oh, you wound me, Vanilla. Of course I trust you. Nothing slips past you.”
Pure Vanilla rolled his eyes at Hollyberry’s words, but moved to the final section of where he hadn’t brushed her hair quite yet.
“How’s Wildberry? Still constantly training?”
Hollyberry let out a sigh, yet it didn’t carry any malicious intent.
“Yep. He’s growing up to be just like his parents; my determination and your habit of overworking yourself. I swear, I’ve had to bribe that kid out of training for another hour more times than I can count.”
Pure Vanilla finished brushing Hollyberry’s hair, setting the brush down on the bed next to him as he wrapped his arms around Hollyberry’s waist and resting his head on her shoulder.
“I say bribery more sounds like your thing, coming from all the would-be fights I had to drag you out of with the promise of dinner in bed or extra berry juice.”
Hollyberry rested her hands over Pure Vanilla’s, about to playfully argue back before she was cut off by a loud yawn coming from her.
“I…think we should go to bed. It’s getting late, and I would like it if I wasn’t woken up by some noble at eight in the morning needing something stupid.”
Pure Vanilla nodded once again, letting go of Hollyberry and pulling back the thick blankets for the two of them. Hollyberry scooted back next to Pure Vanilla, pulling the blankets up and covering her and Pure Vanilla.
Hollyberry slung her arm over Pure Vanilla’s shoulders, pulling him closer as they laid down. Pure Vanilla sat up for two moments to blow out the candles next to them before resting his head on Hollyberry’s chest and resting one arm over her stomach. Hollyberry pressed a kiss to his head before they both closed their eyes.
Pure Vanilla fell asleep first, sleeping in the quiet, peaceful sleep he usually did as he rested. Hollyberry fell asleep after, snoring like a bear, yet her and Pure Vanilla had been in this exact situation for years upon years, so it didn’t stir the two one bit. They both slept peacefully in each other’s embrace, the familiarity of it all was in their worries for the time being.