Chapter Text
Timekeeper Cookie flexed their fingers as Croissant Cookie replaced their shoulder panel and let their sleeve back down before rebuckling the black band around their arm.
“There we go,” said Croissant Cookie. She discarded the rusted metal that had been bothering Timekeeper Cookie for who knows how long. “How does that feel?”
Timekeeper Cookie sat upright on the floor beneath them, testing the durability of the upgrade.
Timekeeper Cookie stretched their arm. “Much better now! Thank you.”
“How long have you been needing a repair? With how rusted that pipe was…” Croissant Cookie asked. It bugged her.
Croissant Cookie had just been fixing up Timekeeper Cookie’s mechanical shoulder after they had come to her complaining about not being able to move their arm hardly any at all. She wanted to be courteous, so she had made a few tiny upgrades, such as reducing friction whenever they’d move their shoulder.
“Well…” Timekeeper Cookie trailed off.
“Timekeeper!” Croissant Cookie yelped.
“Whaaat?” They said dramatically. “I don’t have time for repairs!”
“That’s not the point! And what do you mean ‘no time for repairs’? Haven’t you been goofing around for hundreds of years? You’ve had plenty of time!” Croissant Cookie scolded.
Timekeeper Cookie shrugged. “It’s just so boring!”
“That’s not an exc-” Croissant Cookie cut herself off when she heard a yawn from Timekeeper Cookie. “Did you just yawn?”
Timekeeper Cookie seemed slightly startled that Croissant Cookie had noticed them yawn. They scrambled to their feet, heels clicking on the hard wood floor beneath them.
“From boredom! You are soooo boring, acting like you’re the boss of me, I’m the director!” Timekeeper Cookie defended themself.
Croissant Cookie didn’t seem upset at them for calling her boring, since she knew it was just their desperate attempt to get her to leave them alone. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t work due to Croissant Cookie’s notorious refusal to leave her wonders unanswered.
Croissant Cookie calmed down, frustration replacing itself with worry. “When was the last time you rested…?”
“Pffft, I rest all the time!” Timekeeper Cookie laughed.
“By rest, I mean sleep. When was the last time you slept?” She glared at them.
“How about we skip this conversation.”
“Timekeeper…” Croissant Cookie warned.
“I don’t need sleep, so why waste time doing so?” They rolled their eye.
Croissant Cookie stomped her foot at them. Are they stupid?! She had noticed their eye bag(s?) before, and had assumed they just slept poorly. She wasn’t aware they didn’t sleep at all!
“But sleep is important! You can’t just avoid sleeping! How are you even functioning?!” Croissant Cookie whined.
Timekeeper Cookie tapped their shoulder. “I’m mostly mechanical these days, obviously!”
Croissant Cookie face palmed. She worried for their brain, working 24/7 365.25 for however many centuries they’ve been without sleep. Sleep is necessary for the brain; it gives it time to rest!
“Your brain needs rest! And I know you have one!” She groaned.
“Oh? But I feel just fine!”
Croissant Cookie stared at them before sighing. “You’re going to sleep.”
Timekeeper Cookie stared at her for a moment before bursting out into laughter. “BAHAHA! Me? Sleep? You’re hilarious!”
“I thought you said I was boring!” Croissant Cookie testified. “But yes, you’re going to sleep tonight.”
“As if!” They said.
“At least try! Just this once! You don’t need to sleep any more after tonight,” she pleaded.
Timekeeper Cookie glared at her. Despite their smile, they looked particularly grumpy. “The only issue is that I quite literally live here at the TBD.”
Croissant Cookie thought for a moment. There was one solution she could think of, but she believed it was a risky move. It was the only one, though, so she had to give it a shot.
“You can come home with me tonight, if you don’t mind! Croissant Cookie said.
“…Well, better than the alternative that I was thinking of,” they mumbled under their breath before speaking aloud. “Fine, but where will I sleep?”
“Uhm…” Croissant Cookie hadn’t thought about that. They could… “Sleep in my bed…?”
“Then where will you sleep?”
“Oh, don’t act like we can’t share a bed!” She scoffed.
“That’s weird.”
“We’re the same person, you idiot! And that’s even weirder!”
Timekeeper Cookie grumbled. “Fine! But no rolling over onto me.”
“No promises!” Croissant Cookie teased.
“Then I call off this deal.”
“Hey! You can deal with a bit of rolling around!”
“I like my space.”
“I can try to keep off of you, but seriously, no promises about that.” She sighed. Hopefully Timekeeper Cookie won’t be this way the whole time.
On the other hand, Timekeeper Cookie was admittedly kind of excited, for two different reasons. Firstly, it would be a strange, new experience with the only Cookie they felt they could trust! Secondly… let’s not think about that!
Timekeeper Cookie opened a rift, a shortcut to Croissant Cookie’s house. More specifically, her room. “Alright, let’s get this over with and go.”
Croissant Cookie was taken aback. “But I’m not done working yet—”
“You’ve worked overtime for long enough, come on.”
She couldn’t give a response, so she walked through the rift. The familiar scent of her room filled her nostrils, and she let herself take a deep breath in. Timekeeper Cookie followed her, and then rudely jumped into Croissant Cookie’s bed.
“Wh— Timekeeper!” Croissant Cookie shouted.
“What? I’m just doing what you said!” Timekeeper Cookie replied.
“I did not tell you to jump into my bed!”
“Hmm, but I’m making myself comfortable, so I can ‘sleep’, or whatever.” They rolled their eyes before tucking themself in.
Croissant Cookie just stared at them. “Are you going to sleep in that…?”
“In what?” They questioned.
“In your clothes! Don’t you want a more comfortable outfit? I find it’s much easier to sleep that way, and I know you would too.”
“You don’t have anything that I can wear, I’m like… three feet taller than you?” Timekeeper Cookie guesstimated.
“I have plenty of oversized shirts. The only problem is pants.” Croissant Cookie mentioned.
Oh boy, they really weren’t going to escape miss sleep fashion police over here, were they? They watched Croissant Cookie go over to her closet to supposedly dig out one of said oversized shirts.
“If I at least wear the shirt, will you get out of my hair? Or should I say clothes?” Timekeeper Cookie sighed. Why couldn’t she let them wear what they wanted?
“Maybe. Do you have ANYTHING you could wear other than your usual pants?” Croissant Cookie asked.
“What do you think?”
“Seriously? Nothing? And I thought you were prepared for anything!” She said, testing their patience with her attitude.
“Hey! The best I’ve got here is something I doubt you’d wanna see!” Timekeeper Cookie huffed.
“What, like your underwear? Or does a time god not need those?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Ew, you’re disgusting! Of course I wear underwear! Who do you take me for?!” They hissed.
“Then SURELY you can just wear those!”
“What, are you so obsessed with my ass you wanna see it?” Timekeeper Cookie smirked. Why were they acting like this?
“WHAT?! No!!” Croissant Cookie spat. “I just want you to be comfortable!”
“And I’m comfortable like this!”
“I doubt that. Just— take this.” She sighed.
Croissant Cookie tossed Timekeeper Cookie a shirt. They didn’t want to make an attempt to catch it, but they caught it anyway. Her attitude was exhausting to them. Grumpily, Timekeeper Cookie headed towards the bathroom to change. There was no way in hell that they were going to take their clothes off in front of her.
“Yeesh… are they that upset about sleeping?” Croissant Cookie muttered to herself.
Croissant Cookie thought. Why were they so upset? Did she do something wrong? She had watched herself to make sure she didn’t make any wrong moves. Was it how she was acting? The only reason she’d picked up her sass was because they were sassing at her.
The reason as to why Timekeeper Cookie was upset? They were touch starved. Very touch starved. Why would this affect their mood? It was because they also *hated* touch. They knew that if they were to accept Croissant Cookie’s offer, they’d have to fight every cog in their body to stop themself from getting too close to her, because it was only her that they could trust with any sort of information that they wouldn’t share publicly, which was just about everything. Only Croissant Cookie knew that they used to ignore their job as the Director of the TBD. Only Croissant Cookie knew that they were mostly mechanical. So why were they so afraid of letting themself be comfortable around her?
Timekeeper Cookie finally walked out of the bathroom, wearing just the shirt, their underwear, eyepatch, gloves, and socks, which were thigh highs for some reason.
“Is this any better?” They grumbled, plopping down onto the side of the bed.
“Aren’t you going to take off the eyepatch? Surely it’s uncomfortable,” Croissant Cookie asked.
“No. I’m not taking off the eyepatch. It’s perfectly fine.”
“I have a medical eyepatch you can borrow! I kind of stole it from a hospital when I was younger and just held onto it ever since… haha,” She offered.
“Ugh, just give it here!”
“Give me a moment!” Croissant Cookie said as she got up to open her side drawer, hurrying to get it out so they didn’t bite her.
She tossed the eyepatch at them, and they caught it before storming back to the bathroom and hurrying back out with the new one on their face.
“There! Happy now?!” Timekeeper Cookie groaned, flopping into the bed as if they had just spent the past 10 hours working their ass off.
“Calm down! And yes, very happy.” Croissant Cookie beckoned them to her side, patting the bed with her hand.
Reluctantly, Timekeeper Cookie lay down beside Croissant Cookie, keeping a distance to avoid touching her.
She didn’t get the hint.
Croissant Cookie pulled them in closer, wrapping her arms around their waist. Timekeeper Cookie froze. What were they supposed to do in a situation such as this?! They dug their fingers into the mattress, feeling sweat begin to bead at the top of their forehead. Their heart ticked at a hurried pace. What could they do?! Why were they panicking so much?? It was such little contact!
Croissant Cookie looked up at them, she seemed worried. “Are you alright, Timekeeper? You look sick…”
They couldn’t even speak. When they opened their mouth, all that came out were heavy breaths they couldn’t control. It was just a hug, no need to panic, they repeated to themself.
“Timekeeper? Timekeeper!” Croissant Cookie desperately tried to get a response from them, but was unsuccessful. She noticed how they were struggling to breathe. “Breathe, it’s okay…! Please calm down!”
She leaned her head against their chest. She could almost feel how fast their heart was ticking, which was concerning because of its mechanical nature. Timekeeper Cookie attempted to calm down, trying to manage their breathing at the least. Their throat hurt from how hurried their breaths were.
Eventually, they had calmed down enough to where they weren’t struggling to breathe. Croissant Cookie let go of them and grabbed their hands instead, massaging the dough underneath the smooth leather with her thumbs.
“Can you talk to me? Are you okay?” She asked.
“…I’m fine. Just… wasn’t expecting that, is all.” Timekeeper Cookie responded, their voice slightly raspy.
“Oh, thank cogs…” Croissant Cookie breathed out. How long had she been holding her breath? “You reacted like I had just told you something that would devastate you! Not sure what that would be, but you didn't seem okay.”
“You worry too much about me…”
“I can’t help it! I just l— care about you a lot!”
What was she about to say?
“I’ll be fine, just watch it with the physical contact.” Timekeeper Cookie murmured.
“Alright,” she nodded. “Do you mind if I play with your hair? I’ve… kind of been curious as to what it feels like.”
“Errr…” They had to think about it. Maybe it could be a way to slowly warm up to another’s touch once again? “I guess, just don’t pull or anything.”
“I won’t!” Croissant Cookie let go of their hands before scrambling to get behind Timekeeper Cookie.
Timekeeper Cookie’s eye widened for a moment before scooting forward a bit to allow her more room. They felt a slight tug on their hair.
“Wow… it’s softer than I thought it would be…” Croissant Cookie mused.
There was a light thud. Croissant Cookie wrapped her arms around Timekeeper Cookie’s waist as she buried herself in their hair. They froze once again, but managed to keep themself from panicking too much. Their clock hand tails that rested beside them began to wag gently.
“Well, having fun back there?” They asked, starting to play with the edge of one of the gloves on Croissant Cookie’s hands.
“Cozy…” she muttered. Croissant Cookie moved her hands up to their head and began to rub their scalp.
A gentle, motor-like noise began. It was almost as if…
“…Are you purring??” Croissant Cookie interrogated.
The sound faded slightly as Timekeeper Cookie paused. “…No?”
It was obviously a lie.
“You are! You can purr!” She exclaimed.
“Stop that.”
“Oh, that’s so adorable!!”
“Nooo…”
Croissant Cookie continued to massage Timekeeper Cookie’s scalp, their purring only intensifying. It was probably the cutest thing Croissant Cookie had ever heard. There was no way she would have ever predicted that they could purr!
“If you keep doing that, I’m going to fall on you,” Timekeeper Cookie warned.
“I’ll take that chance,” Croissant Cookie said.
Croissant Cookie then leaned back herself, dragging Timekeeper Cookie down with her. She heard a soft gasp from them as their head landed on her chest, but only suspected it as a sound of surprise. She readjusted her hands, rubbing their scalp with more ease now.
Timekeeper Cookie had never felt so… calm before, it was surreal. They felt like they could just fall asleep right then and there, but they wanted to enjoy it for as long as they could. They closed their eye, focusing on the gentle feeling of her touch.
“Did you finally fall asleep?” Croissant Cookie asked softly after a few moments. When she received no reply, she whispered. “You’re so cute like this, it makes me love you even more…”
They weren’t asleep.
“Excuse me?” Timekeeper Cookie jolted up, turning their head to glare at her.
Croissant Cookie froze. How was she going to explain?! Falling in love with your boss is one thing, but falling in love with the future version of yourself?! There was no way she was going to be able to get herself out of this mess! She should have made sure they had actually fallen asleep first, but then again they were good at pretending to do things in order to pry for any answers.
“As a friend, as a friend! I swear I didn’t mean it like that! I mean, wouldn’t that be awkward!” She lied. Maybe they’ll believe it…? She doubted they would, considering her face was redder than a tomato.
Timekeeper Cookie lay back down on her, their eye drifting off to the side. “Ah, okay then.” Something about their tone was… off. Were they disappointed?
Oh, witches, she shouldn’t have said anything. Were they upset with her for saying that she loved them? Were they upset that her excuse was about friendship? Were they hoping for more?! Should she have been honest? No, she doubted they would have stayed any longer if she did tell the truth. Croissant Cookie continued to rub their scalp, hoping they’d drop the topic. To her dismay, they didn’t.
“If you have anything to tell me, you should just say it. I get curious sometimes, y’know. I doubt you’d want me peeking into the future, hehe,” Timekeeper Cookie pried. If there was any chance that she…
“There’s nothing, really!” Croissant Cookie defended. She can’t tell them, she can’t tell them, she can’t tell them! What if they hated her afterwards? What if they went back to their old ways?! She unconsciously gripped their head tightly, causing them to wince.
“Owch, will you be careful with your fingers? You’re pulling my hair!” They complained.
She let go of their head, wrapping her arms around their waist and burying her face in their hair. “Sorry, sorry!”
Their purring quieted. “Well, I didn’t say to stop petting me!”
“Petting you…?”
“Well, yeah! Is that not what you were doing?” They asked.
Croissant Cookie thought for a moment. “I guess it was… I just didn’t think you would consider it petting.”
“I call it what it is, now get back to it! It felt nice.” Timekeeper Cookie demanded.
Not wanting to upset them any further, Croissant Cookie brought her hands back up and continued petting them, feeling an odd sense of comfort as their purring intensified. She couldn’t help but smile when she saw how relaxed they were.
“I wasn’t lying when I said you were cute like this.” Croissant Cookie sighed.
Timekeeper Cookie’s heart skipped a tick. Such a small compliment, and they felt like they could turn into a puddle. “Really?” They sounded hopeful.
Croissant Cookie nodded. “Mhm! Very cute!”
She heard them mutter something under their breath, but couldn’t quite make it out. She wanted to pry, but considering she had just told them she loved them not even five minutes ago, it probably wasn’t a good idea. Too bad she’s full of bad ideas.
“What was that?” Croissant Cookie asked.
“Mmm, nothing.” Timekeeper Cookie said.
“Come on, pleaseee tell me?” She begged
“Don’t talk to me like that…” they mumbled.
Croissant Cookie huffed. “If you don’t tell me I won’t kiss you!”
What.
WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!
“I-I mean—” Croissant Cookie stuttered, trying to correct herself.
“OH MY COGS!” Timekeeper Cookie shouted, jumping out of the bed before crawling underneath it.
Timekeeper Cookie threw their hair over their face in embarrassment, trying to hide just how red their face had become. Did she mean it? If she did, that would mean her earlier statement had to be false, right? But why would Croissant Cookie of all Cookies be into them? Why would she actually love them? Maybe they were reading into it too much, and she just meant it in a friend way.
“Wait, I didn't mean to say that— Timekeeper!” Croissant Cookie called for them. Did they leave already?
“Why would you just say that?”
Croissant Cookie could faintly hear their voice. Where were they anyway?
“I’m sorry! I don’t know why, it just came out! Please don’t leave!” She pleaded.
“…I’m still here, just give me a moment to think.”
She could practically hear the embarrassment in their voice. Why were they so embarrassed, though? It was Croissant Cookie who said that. Unless… no! She shouldn’t just assume what they were feeling. Why were they so impossible to read?!
“I’m really sorry! Please don’t hate me for this, I didn’t mean to upset you!” Croissant Cookie could feel tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
There was an uncomfortably long period of silence.
“Hate you? Why would I…” Timekeeper Cookie’s voice was weak, like they were saddened by the assumption that they’d hate her.
Croissant Cookie sniffled. “Why else would you hide from me after that? After I told you I loved you, a-and wanted to kiss you…”
Timekeeper Cookie came up from underneath the bed, hair messy from being thrown over their face. They lay beside Croissant Cookie and held her face with their hand, forcing her to look at them.
“Maybe it was a mistake to try to force you to sleep…” she muttered, trying her best not to cry in front of them. Her eyes darted to the side, not wanting to meet their gaze.
“Please, look at me Croissant.” She did. “I don’t hate you, I could never hate you. And never assume that I do! Because it’s the opposite of what’s true.”
They had such a soft expression on their face, Croissant Cookie felt like she could melt from just looking at it. Their gentle voice didn’t help with that at all. She felt so vulnerable, yet it was almost peaceful in a way. Her heart raced. Was this really happening?
“Timekeeper…” she said under her breath.
“Croissant, I lo…” They trailed off. “I…” Why couldn’t they finish their sentence?
“Are you okay there…?” Croissant Cookie asked.
“Croissant, I love you!” Timekeeper Cookie finally blurted out.
Croissant Cookie could only look at them with wide eyes. She didn’t know what to say!
“…And I know you feel the same. I… got curious and looked into the future, to see if… we could ever be a thing… for some reassurance.” They took a deep breath. “I know you don’t like it when I spoil the future for myself, but—”
“It’s okay, it’s okay! Calm down, Timekeeper! You don’t need to worry about that right now!” Croissant Cookie reassured. “…Would it be okay with you if we kissed, or is that too much right now?”
Timekeeper Cookie’s face reddened. “Haha, definitely too much right now. I just want to lay here right now.”
“Want me to pet you to sleep?” Croissant Cookie asked.
Timekeeper Cookie nodded, curling themself around Croissant Cookie and wrapping their arms around her.
“I can’t pet you if you’re behind me!” Croissant Cookie giggled.
“Mmph…” They stayed right where they were and dug their face into the back of Croissant Cookie’s neck. They thought for a moment before rubbing their cheek against her. “Do you mind if I take off the eyepatch?”
Croissant Cookie was a bit shocked. “Only if you want to! After all, I have no idea what you’re hiding behind that. I don’t want it to feel like I’m forcing you or anything.”
“No, you’re not forcing me, it’s just that this eyepatch itches.” Timekeeper Cookie then removed it and threw it over to the nightstand.
Croissant Cookie watched them toss it over her head. “I doubt you’d want me to see what’s behind the eyepatch, heh. I’ll try not to look ov—”
“No, no! It’s okay for you to see it! As long as no one else sees or hears about it, it’s fine. You’re the only one I can trust with this kind of information.” Timekeeper Cookie played with Croissant Cookie’s hair, flicking it with their fingers. “It’s just… something that I’m kind of self-conscious about, y’know?”
“Awww, Timekeeper! I doubt it’s that bad!” Croissant Cookie assured. She turned her head over enough to get a look at what the director had been hiding, only to almost jump.
There was a void in Timekeeper Cookie’s face! Croissant Cookie had suspected they were just missing an eye, or maybe it was a different color, but a void?! She guessed that’s why there were cracks in their dough coming from underneath the eyepatch. They must have noticed her reaction because they had turned their face over to nuzzle into her neck again.
“I thought you’d react like that…” They sounded so sad, it made Croissant Cookie want to just kiss them all over and tell them that they were still beautiful, no matter what they thought.
“Timekeeper, no! I was just surprised! I wasn’t expecting that! …Does it hurt any?” She asked.
Timekeeper Cookie tilted their head again to look at her. “Only on the edges when something touches it.”
“Does it hurt to wear your eyepatch?”
“It did at first. Then I just dealt with it until it went away.”
Croissant Cookie whined, turning over to hold onto them. She rested her chin on the top of their head and played with their hair. “Would a kiss make it worse?”
Timekeeper Cookie chuckled. “Do you really want to kiss me that bad?”
“Kind of…” she admitted.
“Alright, then, go ahead. Just nothing on the mouth! I’ll bite you if you do.” They let out an extended sigh, as if they had just admitted defeat that they didn't want to.
Croissant Cookie’s face lit up and tilted Timekeeper Cookie’s face up enough to place several small pecks along the outside of the void, making them giggle.
“Heyyy, that tickles!” They laughed, pretending to push her away.
Croissant Cookie smiled, placing a few more kisses to their cheek before leaving them alone. “I’ve been wanting to do that for quite a while!”
“Oh really, now?” Timekeeper Cookie smirked. “It’s your turn!”
Timekeeper Cookie lifted their arms from Croissant Cookie’s waist and cupped her cheeks, gently kissing the area around where she had replaced her eye with a time goggle lens, being sure not to harm the sensitive dough. Croissant Cookie was a giggling mess.
“Timekeeper! Quit that!” She exclaimed playfully.
Timekeeper Cookie moved their hands down to her sides before starting to tickle her. Croissant Cookie’s giggles turned into full-blown laughter as she struggled to breathe. Soon enough, she’d begun to hiccup, desperately trying to get enough air to breathe. She couldn’t even form words to ask them to stop.
Timekeeper Cookie themself was grinning ear to ear, finding Croissant Cookie’s laughter amusing and adorable. It made their heart chime like a clock to see her enjoying herself, especially after all she had been through in recent events. Eventually they ceased their tickling and let Croissant Cookie take some time to breathe again.
The two lay there together in silence, trying to calm themselves down. They were both supposed to be sleeping, but they spent most of the time just goofing around.
“What time is it?” Croissant Cookie asked, moving closer to Timekeeper Cookie.
“About four AM I do believe.” Timekeeper Cookie wrapped their arms around her once again, this time to keep her close.
“Shit, I was supposed to be getting you to go to sleep…”
“Mmmm, but I do feel more worn out now. Perhaps it will be easier now.”
Timekeeper Cookie was unaware Croissant Cookie had already shut her eyes and begun to fall asleep. They only discovered this fact when they looked at her face and had seen her closed eyes and adorable sleeping expression. Well, adorable to them, at least. She had her mouth slightly open and drool had already begun to pool at the corner. For Timekeeper Cookie, it reminded them of their times as a Croissant Cookie, how they’d always end up sleeping in, no matter what they did, waking up with drool on their pillow and their hair messy and knotted, their shirt being halfway up their torso.
Timekeeper Cookie placed a small kiss on Croissant Cookie’s forehead. “Goodnight, my dear.”
They wrapped their clock hand tails around her leg. Had she noticed those tails of theirs before? They had not a clue, considering they preferred to keep them hidden. A side effect of fusing with time and becoming time itself, along with many other things. Slowly, their eye had shut itself, and their descent into sleep had begun.
The last thing on their mind before finally succumbing to their need to sleep?
How were they going to keep their relationship with Croissant Cookie secret from the TBD and SCOOP?