Chapter Text
Dawn broke in the forest around the Vanilla Kingdom. The castle in the sky was but a structure, far away from the cottage that it's former King now lived in. Even the Village that lay underneath his old residence was out of sight when you stepped over the hillside.
Warm rays of sunlight bathed the trees and bushes in glowing shades of greens anf viridescents — awakening the birds thst slept within their branches, breaking out in their early morning songs. Their beaks fluttering in tune woke the other animals of the wilderness, eventually even the dozen sheep in their field.
Lambs from last season wobbled on their legs, eagerly jumping and bumping into one another. Other sheep started grassing, waiting for their shepherd to bring them their first feeding of the day.
Their shepherd, however, was just beginning to wake himself.
Pure Vanilla trotted into the small cottage kitchen, incessant bleats from outside telling him to hurry while he took his time. He used his hand along the doorway and counters, eyes still closed while his other rubbed over his eyelids.
The scent of fresh bread and tea had moved him to the kitchen, without thinking to grab his staff. It was simply too sweet to resist, drawing him gently into the morning.
He stopped only when his path along the counter was interrupted, feeling warmth against his fingertips. Pure Vanilla wrapped his arms around her, murmuring something that could have been 'Good Morning," too sleepy to formulate proper words.
White Lily giggled lightly, covering his arms with her own. "Good Morning to you too," she greeted as he buried his face in her shoulder. It didn't last long, as he only raised his head to place a kiss against her cheek, nearly missing his target in favour of her ear.
While Pure Vanilla had often been awoken by attendants and looming councils, since their moving it were the bleats of his sheep and rays of the sun that fell through the window, facing their bed. A trade he much preferred, though occasional diplomatic meetings in the Castle of the Vanilla Kingdom were unavoidable.
Most days they woke together, a tangle of pillows, limbs, blankets and long hair. Getting up slowly before moving to breakfast, cutting last night's sourdough or grating fresh cheese, whatever the mood called for. Pure Vanilla would take a handful of herbs she'd bring back from her strolls into the forest and brew them into a tea for the both of them.
White Lily, meanwhile, had fallen out of rhythm. Sometimes falling asleep by the fireplace, other nights tossing and turning until dawn. Now she was awake earlier than him, taking to preparing herself for them.
"You're up early again..." Pure Vanilla loosened his grip on her only to take a slice of bread ahe'd cut, "is truly everything alright?"
A hand reached up only to tangle in his golden hair, nails gently scratching his scalp, "I'm fine. I had woken up early and couldn't fall back asleep. Your sheep surely appreciated the sooner feeding."
"You fed them?" The healer looked at her with surprise.
Accordingly, he was met with a pleased smile. "I did."
White Lily felt a calloused hand on her cheek, turning her face to him, only to have a kiss placed on her lips. It took a moment of startle from the sudden gesture, before she melted into it. "You shouldn't have," he murmured against her lips, a small, mischevious part of him relishing her jolt.
Outside the kitchen, just out the window above the countertop, another sheep watched and bleated in protest to their shepherd. They begged to differ, very willing for a second breakfast.
Pure Vanilla pulled the curtain for the tiny window shut, blocking their onlooker off. With noone else to intrude, he proceeded to kiss her again, a moment just for themselves.
This time, not as caught off-guard, she had the chance to meet him halfway.
Though the room was slightly darkened by the curtain, when they pulled away, White Lily had a bemused look. She pointed out, "You're still in your sleepwear."
Pure Vanilla looked down at himself, indeed still in a long, linen robe. The hem brushed the floor, light enough to sleep but inconvenient for anything else.
Then his eyes wandered to her.
Despite the early hour, White Lily was already fully dressed. A light green summer dress, cinched at her waist and falling in waves around her legs. Its sleeves intentionally fell off her shoulders, while connected to the intricately stitched bodice.
At her hips fell a chain of ruby-red gems, trailing down the skirt like a rain of pomegranate seeds. It matched her eyes nearly perfectly, just as the red ribbon with which her braid was tied.
"Is that the dress which Hollyberry gifted you?" Pure Vanilla asked as his hands settled on the white embroidery at her waist.
Humming in affirmation, White Lily added, "I had to convince her that I don't require petticoats in the forest."
"Petticoats or not, it looks beautiful on you," his thumbs traced circles where they rested on her waist. "The next time we visit the Hollyberry Kingdom, she won't let you go until you drink a glass of wine again, you know? Especially after refusing previously."
She had her hands in his blond hair, brushing out tangles that had come in overnight. "I'm just not in the mood for anything alcoholic recently. Hollyberry pokes, but doesn't mean it like that."
Pure Vanilla held her close still, only raising his arm to take a bite of the slice of bread he'd taken earlier, brushing the crumbs off that stuck to the fabric. He put it down after one bite to hold her fully again.
Lingering in a quiet morning like this was all he could've wished for in the past, through wars and perils alike. The tender feeling of her ring against his scalp every so often when her hand passed through his hair, peace once so unimaginable. He dearly hoped his friends could find the same joy.
It was then that he noticed the basket sitting on the wooden counter, empty still.
"Are you planning on picking herbs again?" Pure Vanilla inquired, pointing at the object in question.
White Lily turned in his arms, looking at the basket before turning back, "I noticed we're all out of peppermint, and you mentioned wanting to make mushroom stew."
"Peppermint? For tea?"
"Mhm. Why?"
A fond laugh escaped the healer, "nothing. I just had to remember how you'd scrunch hour nose at peppermint tea before. You've been drinking an awful lot this past week."
She blinked at him, taking the basket and letting it drop into the crook of her arm. "I wanted to try it again, and started liking it. Should I bring back some chamomile for you too?"
"I need to head to market aswell. Get some seeds for the Blue Birds, their feeders are nearly empty. And oh, some fresh eggs too. Chamomile would be lovely — I'll make us tea later," he proposed as he watched White Lily take a thin shawl and drape it over her shoulders, intending to head out.
"We can make stew together later," she thought out loud, running a hand over her skirt, "though you ought to get dressed before heading out. You'll give the Villagers and Black Raisin a scare."
For the tease she was pulled closer and kissed as a surprise. "Of course. I'll see you off first."
Smiling at him, her arm, which didn't hold the basket, extended to open the door to the backyard. Or rather, the door outside, when the whole forest was the 'backyard'
Pure Vanilla, not wearing shoes yet, stayed just at the precipice between cottage and grass. "Come back before lunch."
White Lily nodded, cupping his face in her hands and placing a little peck goodbye on his lips. "I will."