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It was even more silent in the room than it was before. He felt only a little relieved. Shadow Milk carefully used his sleeves to wipe away his running makeup. The warmth of that hug was still there. That irritating, reassuring hug. It’s not like he sees Pure Vanilla on a regular basis, hardly ever, so why would he even bother mentioning his feelings. They aren’t reciprocated anyways, right? The Jester shook his head, stepping back and sitting down on his bed. That was so stupid and sappy that he would allow that insolent gentle healer to hug him. Pure Vanilla probably only comforted him so he could feel content of such a proud lord that terrified his dreams crying in shambles. He doubted that anyone would listen to what he had to say, and even if they did, it’s not like they would care. He’s a beast after all. What was he even mad about again? He can’t remember. There’s so many things to be mad at. He can’t tell if he’s mad or mad in the head, mad like the witches who created him. Him. Him in such a manner, horrific manner. The more time he spent around that stupid healer the more he realizes his use gone to waste. And most importantly, he wants to be friends with that idiot! The one that stripped away his purpose.
“Why the hell… why did I do that? Accepting that purpose stealers embrace… sharing the soul jam? What a joke…” He snickered. Shadow Milk couldn’t deny the fact that if Candy Apple hadn’t burst into his room, he would have stayed in the embrace for as many years as he existed on earth bread. It was sickening to think that he would rather sit in his enemies arms rather than kill him. He clenched his fists, his sapphire eyes looking up at the ceiling, preventing tears from falling.
“..whatever… I don’t have time for this… crying over something so stupid…”
Shadow Milks voice shook with anger as he stood up again, walking to the door. The eyes on the underside of his hair glanced at a mirror as he walked, the vibrant color of blue reflecting off the glass. Shadow Milk opened the door, running a hand through his hair. Only to look down and find Candy Apple on the floor with an angry expression.
“Why are you waiting outside my door?…” The Jester cocked an eyebrow as he asked as he knelt down to where Candy Apple was.
“Black Sapphire threw me!” She pouted. He had to admit, Black Sapphire was right about her being a Brat. She definitely spoke like one too… Shadow Milk laughed lightly, his sound of joy barely audible but enough for any observant cookie as much as Candy Apple to see. “Lord, can you play a card game with us today?! We want to tell you about the rumors we spread today!” Candy Apple asked ecstatically. The sudden question made The Jester roll his eyes. Every-time they play cards Black Sapphire always cheats and somehow manages to put his cards into Candy Apples deck. He’s always the winner… or maybe he shoves cards down his pants, who knows.
“Maybe not. At least not today, I still have stuff to catch up on.” He stood back up straight, walking down the hallway. Candy Apple immediately stood up from her seating, running after him. As they both approached the hallway intersection, chatter filled the hallway. Candy Apple turned, Black Sapphire and Pure Vanilla were right down the hallway.
“BLACK SAPPHIRE BLACK SAPPHIRE! There you are. I thought Pure Vanilla ate you for a second!” She teased, running up to him.
“Ate me?… isn’t that a nice way to think of my departure…” He scoffed, he backed up as Candy Apple approached him closer and closer. Besides Black Sapphire, Pure Vanilla switched his attention to Shadow Milk, giving him a soft smile. As soon as Shadow Milk saw the grin across the healers face, he had to reciprocate it with a mocking, presenting smile.
“So you talked to my dearest Black Sapphire?~ Did he catch you up on all the Rumors about the fairy kingdom?” He announced proudly. The topic slightly faltered Pure Vanillas warm smile.
“No. We were talking about past experiences… certainly lifted weight off my shoulders.” Pure Vanilla shrugged, returning his smile. It certainly made Shadow Milk mad that his words don’t have a big effect on him as much as they used to. He felt the dying urgency that he needed to embarrass Pure Vanilla after what the 2 experienced just a moment ago.
“Past experiences, hmm?? What about the Elder Fairy. Wasn’t that just a swell, happy moment?” He teased, trying to fire up Pure Vanilla at any chance. His attempts were near futile. It seemed Pure Vanilla just countered his attempts to embarrass or torment him.
“I wouldn’t say happy, no. But I supposed however you look at it will be fine.”The healer let out a minor disapproving sigh, before stepping away from Black Sapphire and Candy Apple who were practically strangling each other to death like siblings.
“Do they often do this to each other?” He looked behind him as he spoke with a concerned tone.
“Oh what? Them? Oh yeah, I would assume you’d get used to it after your time in the spire!” Shadow Milk flicked his wrist, rolling his eyes as he spoke with an annoyed tone. Truthfully it was an everyday occurrence that the 2 would try to attack each other. It was always Candy Apple who started it though, poor Black Sapphire.
“Do you need a break from them sometimes?” Pure Vanilla inquired. The question seemed a little offensive as it suggested Shadow Milk had a lack of patience and tolerance (it was very evident). It was true he needed a break from Candy Apple, not Black Sapphire, he loved Black Sapphire almost like a son. But he had to keep is voice low so Candy Apple wouldn’t throw a fit and bawl her eyes out.
“maybe ONLY Candy Apple but its none of your business…” Shadow Milk mumbled. His Sapphire eyes looking behind Pure Vanillas shoulder, watching the 2 fight. The scene managed to draw a light smile on his face, not because it was funny. But because both of them managed to keep him company somehow, he didn’t really want to take a break from them. “…Besides… I think they like my presence.” He added.
“Hm, maybe so. But don’t you think you should take some time off to clear your head?” The Healer replied with a tint of concern. Shadow Milk fixated his eyes back on Pure Vanilla, crossing his arms.
“My head IS clear, it was clear before you showed up. Now you’re here suggesting I take a break from my wonderful assistants? Oh please, leave the jokes to the Jester, Nilla dear.” He tapped his staff on Pure Vanillas hat teasingly with a provoking grin.
‘Nilla Dear’? That was certainly a new way to address his so called enemy. It couldn’t go unnoticed by Pure Vanilla. He decided to try a different approach.
“Well, Shadow Milk. I’ll leave that to you. But truthfully I think we could talk more privately on the matter, right? If you feel uncomfortable around your assistants.” Pure Vanilla said with a smile and a gentle, curious tone. It was alarming how positive Pure Vanilla can be to Shadow Milk. His glazed azul eyes focused back on the 2 fighting behind Pure Vanillas shoulder, then back at the healer infront of him.
“fine. Only because you won’t to being a pest about it.” He rolled his eyes once more, pulling Pure Vanilla aside into another hallway. The sudden movement took him by surprise. “Alright now don’t tell Candy Apple but she’s annoying… sometimes, actually you know what? All the time!” Shadow Milk groaned, his voice almost a whisper.
“Oh, I see. I get that, sometimes my friends can be a bit nerve wrecking sometimes… the way I see it is that you should always be good to them though—“
“Of course you would say that! You have more tolerance than me when it comes down to annoying ‘friends’!” He interrupted Pure Vanilla. Honestly, Pure Vanilla has tons of friends. Of course he would be so forgiving, he has more experience in relationships than Shadow Milk has ever had.
“Do you need another hug?” Pure Vanilla asked, tilting his head. Whenever he asked such a question it felt so random and out of the blue. It wasn’t though.
“Another… hug? Again? Jeez, that was one time! I-I just did that so you would leave me alone!” He stuttered, his face getting flustered again, but he was still rather frustrated with the question.
“Well. You still seem upset, if something is still troubling you, you can always ask me for help, you’re aware of that right?” He spoke sincerely.
“Of course I know that! I just don’t need your help. I’ll never need it, I can handle whatever you can fine on my own… you aren’t any better than me.” Shadow Milk replied with anger, turning his head away.
“Of course I’m not. I’d like to believe we’re equals, right? I would still like to be close friends with you, I forgave you, remember? You can tell me if something is troubling you.” He replied with a tone of gentle honesty. It almost set Shadow Milk off, but he didn’t have the energy to argue with the healer for the hundredth time.
“Gosh, you lie too much. I know you forgave me, but you chose them over me!”
“What?”
“Those stupid cookies! They wouldn’t forgive me… you only did because you’re so blinded by the light side of the moon for witches sake! I don’t get why you want to be friends with me, after all of that? Are you REALLY that insolent?” He hissed with his words, not believing Pure Vanillas words even if it was life or death.
“I would like to be friends, my opinion isn’t written by my other friends. If you think of me as such a follower because of my morals for saving cookie kind, you’re wrong. I will admit what you did to everyone was wrong, I would expect no more from cookies for not forgiving you. But I do. You seem to have an issue with realizing that.” The Healer paused for a moment, considering his next words before speaking up again. “I don’t want to put you on the spot. I know some people don’t like being asked. But, are you okay?” He added. Silence fell over them like rain that had just so abruptly started.
What a question.
What. A. Question.
It almost made Shadow Milk consider if Pure Vanilla was blind mentally too. The silence felt like an entire decade, a decade of him simply staring at Pure Vanilla. The healer didn’t seem fazed, like he wasn’t bothered by the silence. He seemed so patient with him, with everyone. Who was he to judge if he was okay or not? After all he asks this question to everyone. It’s not that he didn’t want to answer the question truthfully, he didn’t want to answer why he wasn’t okay. It was such a burden to carry problem, but more of a burden to know somebody else knows your issues. It’s like proudly announcing your weak spot to an enemy. He was his enemy. But something about the man in-front of him always felt so safe and welcoming. Maybe it was because no matter how much he threw him around he always offered to be friends. The more the silence weighed on them, he could feel the more urgency and embarrassment, it felt like he was on a stage and forgot what to say.
“…no…?”
He mumbled softly, he just wanted to say something. At least something to end the silence and thick tension. He wasn’t even sure if Pure Vanilla heard it, he looked down at the floor, trying to finding something else to focus on. Until the healer spoke, it slightly made him jump.
“So I assume no talking about it then?” Pure Vanilla asked. At least he asked. Normally people would beg you to tell them why and repeatedly nag you to talk to them. Shadow Milk slightly shook his head, at a loss of words. And small chuckle came from the healer.
“No talking in general I see. No judgement. Do you want me to leave?” He added. Now The Jester really didn’t know what to say, but shook his head again. This felt like the same thing over again. The 2 stared at each other again, they weren’t talking or moving. Well, simply put that’s what he agreed to. Maybe he just liked Pure Vanillas company, he’s already gotten this far, if he was to be judged for anything, it would be staring at him in silence. Could he even see that anyways? Isn’t he blind? He wasn’t sure, but it felt like he was watching him. Shadow Milk looked around, making sure the hallway was clear. He slowly took a step towards Pure Vanilla, almost right before him.
“..fine..” Shadow Milk rolled his eyes, looking away. Pure Vanilla tilted his head in confusion. After a moment of waiting in silence, Shadow Milk groaned, holding out his arms. “..hug me you idiot before Candy Apple finds me!..” He hissed under his breath impatiently, awkwardly taking a step forward. Pure Vanilla stepped into his arms, hugging him. It made Shadow Milk nervous, and a bit disappointed in himself for stooping so low. Whatever, maybe Nilla needs it too. The grasp around Shadow Milk tightened a bit.
“Don’t get comfortable with it… it’s never happening again..” Shadow Milk grunted.
“Well if that’s true shouldn’t you take advantage of the moment?” Pure Vanilla laughed, his gentle sound of joy warm against Shadow Milks body. He was right, but both of them knew, it would definitely happen again.