Chapter Text
War
It was such an insignificant word for such a big impact in their lives, and now thankfully it was more or less over. There were things to worry about, there was stuff to still do, but at least there is less of time being consumed by the notion that maybe he would never wake up the next day if he did one wrong more.
At least that's what Crunchy had been thinking. Sure, there are still things he has to do, not just because they are asked of him, but also because he wants to. Life after retiring from his line of work is... kind of boring. Not that he's unhappy living that life with the cookie of his dreams, but waking up to a different routine every day has become tedious, to say the least.
Crunchy wasn't a cookie to change the routine often, and if he did, it was minuscule at best. But now he had more free time than he could have ever thought about. He was now living AWAY from the Dark Cacao kingdom and was now living with Wildberry of all cookies.
The quiet after the war didn’t feel like a victory to Crunchy Chip, it felt like something was missing. The Cacao Kingdom, once sharp with orders and marching steps, had softened into long stretches of silence broken only by wind over snow. Inside their home, it was even quieter. Too quiet. He felt bad for Wildberry.
Crunchy sat in silence, watching Wildberry bask in a state of utter tranquility. The serene ambiance of their home should have brought him comfort, yet it only fueled his frustration. Wildberry seemed completely at ease, as if the world had slowed down just for them, and that calmness drove Crunchy mad. He felt a restless energy coursing through him, a constant nagging thought: Why couldn't he simply relax and embrace this moment? What was so challenging about taking a break and savoring the emptiness of it all? The house around them felt paradoxical, both expansive and suffocatingly small. Every corner seemed to echo with the quietness he found unbearable. He longed for something to think about, something to fill the void of his thoughts, a task to engage his mind. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind—had it truly been wise to retire at this point in his life?
Yet, as he watched Wildberry's serene expression, he realized that he did, in fact, appreciate the moments of calm and the peacefulness that surrounded them. Being next to Wildberry brought him joy. Still, he couldn’t shake off the discomfort that lingered within him, a perplexing feeling that left him questioning why he felt so out of place in this seemingly perfect interlude.
Wildberry stood near the hearth, methodically polishing a piece of armor he no longer needed, his movements steady and unhurried. There was no tension in his shoulders anymore, no constant readiness. Just calm. Every so often, he’d glance toward Crunchy with that same quiet certainty he’d always had—only now, it was warmer. Lighter.
“You’re pacing again,” Wildberry said without looking up.
Crunchy huffed, dragging a hand through his hair as he stopped mid-step. “I’m not pacing.”
“You’ve crossed the room a dozen times just in these last five minutes.” The Hollyberian said as he turned to look at his husband, that same all-knowing smug look written all over his face.
“…I like this room.”
Wildberry’s mouth twitched slightly, just shy of a smile. “Of course. Of Course. Though, do tell what you find so likable in this room?"
"well thats easy," Crunchy said, leaning in to his partner, staring into those deep crimson eyes that he knew he was absolutely weak for "You."
"Touche"
Crunchy was a natural at this. But he knew being honest with Wildberry had its perks. "I'll be honest here. It's just hard for me to relax. Going from constant patrols, having a war to plan for, having someone to protect, to all be gone. Well, it's just hard to fathom sometimes, you know?"
Wildberry set the armor aside and finally stood, walking over to him. He didn’t rush, didn’t fill the space with unnecessary words; he just never did. He simply came to grab hold of Crunchy's hand.
“We earned this,” he said quietly.
Crunchy glanced at him, then away again. “I know. Doesn’t mean I’m used to it.”
Wildberry considered that, then gave a small nod. “You do not have to be. Not immediately, We have all the time in the world to figure out what works best for us anyway, you know?"
"I am aware," Crunchy said, letting Wildberry lean down to kiss his forehead as he always did to ease away his thoughts. "I've actually been thinking."
"Of?"
“The Cream Wolves,” he said finally. “I’ve been thinking about raising a few more. Not for patrols or anything like that, just… having them around again.”
Wildberry didn’t respond right away, but his expression softened. “You miss them.”
“Yeah,” Crunchy admitted. Then, after a beat, more quietly, “And maybe… something else, too.”
Wildberry turned slightly to face him. “Something else?”
At this, Crunchy couldn't help the chuckle that left his lips, because he would never be able to tell Wildberry where his thoughts have truly been. Not without completely thinking it over. There is still a lot left to be desired in their relationship and by default, their domestic life. Crunchy still wanted to partake in all the silly and rather sappy things couples do.
The early days of their union were filled with a sense of wonder and discovery, making it far too soon to contemplate expanding their family, even though he knew that it would inevitably grow in time. For now, he cherished the simplicity of their small trio. Himself, Wildberry, and the loyal Cream wolf savor the quiet moments they shared together.
“Come now,” he urged, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “You can't just drop a hint without telling me what you mean!”
He smiled, a teasing glint in his gaze. “I believe I just did.”
"Please do tell Crunchy."
"That's it?" Crunchy pouted as he playfully crossed his arms. "No Love? No man after my own heart?"
"Crunchy, my Dearest pain," Wildberry said, throwing his head back in Faux hurt as he placed his hand atop his head. "Please do tell what Something else is?"
"I think it may be best if we just leave it as is? Either way i really would just like to start with A few cream wolves here and there to keep me busy and not let my mind wander too much with the silence that is now my life."
"Is it that Hard for you to calm your mind? "
"Is it not for you?"
Wildberry hummed. Chewed on his lower lip as he looked up at the ceiling of their shared home. He did find himself sometimes wondering. The quiet lingered after their last conversation, softer now, but not entirely settled. Crunchy Chip Cookie had stopped pacing, but Wildberry could still see it in the way he held himself, like a soldier waiting for a command that would never come.
Wildberry set aside the small task he’d been occupying himself with and turned toward him. “You said it feels strange,” he began, voice calm as ever. “But… what part of it is hardest to accept?”
Crunchy glanced over, caught a little off guard by the directness. He hesitated, but he was never good at keeping it all in when asked, especially if Wildberry looked at him that way. “…The stillness, I guess. It feels like I’m missing something I’m supposed to be doing.” His gaze drifted toward the door, expecting, needing an order from someone who would never give it to him. “Like if I relax too much, something’s going to slip past me.”
Wildberry nodded slowly, considering that. “A habit formed by necessity.”
Crunchy nodded, his hands together as he decided to ask. “What about you?”
Wildberry tilted his head. “Me?”
Crunchy pushed off the wall, stepping closer. “You’re acting like this is easy. Like you don’t have a single worry left.” He crossed his arms, searching his expression. “Aren’t you concerned? About your kingdom, about… our duties? The cookies we swore to protect? Just because it’s over doesn’t mean it stays that way forever."
Wildberry didn't really like to answer, not that He wanted to keep it a secret, but it was hard to come to terms with the fact that maybe he was terrified as well.
"I worry."
"You do?"
"Crunchy, I don't really believe this peace is going to last. There are still things that are likely to happen. Peace is never guaranteed, but I can do my best to enjoy the here and now." Wildberry said with a small smile, comforting and warm as it needed to be, "I believe if we are ever truly needed again, we will be ready together, no?"
"So you would rather not think about it then?"
"In a way, I guess. Because I would much rather just think about you and what we could be doing together, there's a lot left to life now with all the freedom we have at each other's sides. Crunchy in all the decisions I've made, you are by far my greatest decision."
That made Crunchy pause.
"Crunchy, we have spent so long preparing for the worst. I had prepared to never be able to tell you how I felt if one of us never made it out of it alive. We have endured it, lived it. Is it not ideal to finally not think about that and think about each other instead? If we cannot allow ourselves to rest now that it is finally over, then what was all that for?
Crunchy let out a very audible, pained sigh, looking at the floor because he was never good at this.
"How can I relax? How do I stop worrying about it all?
"Don't think of it as something that’s stopping. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to learn something completely new. We’ve learned how to fight, survive, and protect those we love. This is simply another Lesson we need to learn. One we were never given the chance to practice." A faint hint of a smile touched his face.
"You really are too Sappy with this stuff" Crunchy said pushing his face far from his, His face flustered and He could feel his dough soften just thinking of his husband so close. "Fine fine I'll learn but you have to teach me then.
"Of course, of course. Anything for you, man, after my own heart."
"Stop that!"