Work Text:
The library's balcony door was open and a warm, gentle breeze blew the curtains inward. The sun had set a while ago, but the summer air had lulled the cookies inside into a peaceful sort of stillness.
Pure Vanilla Cookie was reclined on one of the couches. His neck was cricked onto a pillow resting on the arm of the couch, and despite having gained an ache down his spine and in his hips, he couldn't move.
He didn't even risk moving his arms.
Because sleeping in his arms was the Beast of Deceit himself.
Shadow Milk had fallen asleep in his arms.
Except, 'in his arms' wasn't quite right.
Pure Vanilla had been in the library, enjoying the summer breeze and sunshine, reading a book, when Shadow Milk had appeared looking extra mischievous.
"Whatcha doooooin?" Shadow Milk floated nearby and batted his long lashes at him.
Pure Vanilla smiled, he couldn't help himself. Even if he knew Shadow Milk had caused some ruckus or another, any time his other half smiled was a good enough reason for him to smile.
"I'm reading." He answered.
"Pfft, borrrr~rinnnng!" Shadow Milk sang.
"What have you been up to, Shadow Milk?" Pure Vanilla knew this song and dance well enough by now.
Shadow Milk had done something and he wanted the proper attention for it.
"Well!" Shadow Milk poofed out of the air and immediately reappeared on his lap where his book had just been.
Pure Vanilla blinked his eyes open in shock at the sudden change, but slowly came to rest one hand on his back, and the other wrapped around his legs. He smiled while Shadow Milk dramatically retold the events of his morning.
He'd have to go apologize to the castle florist later. He didn't know anyone who'd come back to work after their work came to life and tried to eat them.
But that led to Shadow Milk then explaining what mischief his minions had been up to (Candy Apple had "fallen in" with a crowd of other young cookies just as interested in pyrotechnics as she was and Black Sapphire had shown an interest in the local print shop).
Pure Vanilla just smiled and hummed appropriately while he talked. His thumb ran absentminded, comforting lines across his thigh. He was happy the Beast and his minions were settling in so nicely.
It hadn't started out that way. At first, none of them would leave their rooms. Then, they only left to cause trouble. But slowly, ever so slowly, their worlds expanded and now the three felt comfortable enough to come and go to the castle as they pleased.
And then, it led to Shadow Milk “permitting” Pure Vanilla to continue reading his book. He kept his arms around him, fearful if he moved, Shadow Milk would bolt, but he didn't.
He sighed dramatically and kept mumbling about how bored he was, but he didn't leave.
Pure Vanilla cautiously, testingly, lowered the hand on Shadow Milk’s back to his hip.
Shadow Milk had just smacked his lips and picked at his nails.
Pure Vanilla could hardly focus on his book, timing out each measured breath to ensure he wasn't moving too quickly for the easily startled Beast.
After about twenty minutes of reading and rereading the same page over and over again, Pure Vanilla gently squeezed and rolled his fingers around Shadow Milk’s hip.
At first, the Beast didn't react, so Pure Vanilla had done it again.
This time Shadow Milk squirmed, but he didn't say anything, just made himself more comfortable.
So Pure Vanilla had waited.
Another fifteen minutes had passed before he did it again with a bit more pressure. He was inwardly beaming at how soft Shadow Milk’s edges had become since living in his kingdom. Still rough, but softer.
Shadow Milk shifted on his lap again, squirming down until his head was resting on his shoulder and he was practically being cradled by Pure Vanilla.
Pure Vanilla held his breath, too scared to squeeze him again until another five minutes had passed.
The book was long forgotten by then.
Shadow Milk turned and wrapped his arms around Pure Vanilla to keep from tumbling over, and Pure Vanilla held and lovingly squeezed his hips.
At some point over the next hour, Shadow Milk’s head had dipped down to his chest and Pure Vanilla nearly jumped out of his dough when he began to rumble.
At first, he thought Shadow Milk was growling. But when he looked down, he saw his eyes were gently closed and he looked totally at peace.
Pure Vanilla’s heart beat faster and his cheeks grew warmer.
Shadow Milk wasn't growling.
He was purring!
Pure Vanilla slowly, still scared Shadow Milk would bolt, turned and laid down on the couch.
Shadow Milk stayed clinging to him, and Pure Vanilla continued to rub and squeeze his hips. Shadow Milk grumbled and nuzzled his chest before stilling. He continued to purr gently with each little breath he took.
“Poor thing…” Pure Vanilla whispered before he pressed a kiss to his forehead, “Rest. I’ve got you.”
But now, hours later, they were still laying on the couch. Shadow Milk had curled so his knees were up by Pure Vanilla’s hips, and his arms were tucked up and under him. Pure Vanilla had one arm on Shadow Milk’s back and the other holding his arm so he couldn't accidentally roll off of him. He desperately needed to stretch, but he was worried about jostling Shadow Milk.
“I can't move, or he might stir and realize we fell asleep…” he thought with a grimace.
“How could he possibly be comfortable?” Pure Vanilla thought, and he tried to crane his neck down to look at him.
Shadow Milk was absolutely adorable asleep. He looked totally at peace.
Pure Vanilla’s heartbeat raced and Shadow Milk nuzzled him in his sleep.
He blinked, the cogs and gears in his head slowly turning as a thought finally formed.
Had Shadow Milk fallen asleep to his heartbeat??
He looked and, sure enough, Shadow Milk had turned his head so his ear was pressed firmly to Pure Vanilla’s chest.
Pure Vanilla melted. As uncomfortable as he was, he squeezed Shadow Milk once more and kissed his forehead again, “It's okay, I’ve got you.”
He'd let him rest for as long as he needed.