Chapter Text
It had been a month since Pure Vanilla met Fount.
One moment he was in the Spire of Deceit, then the next he was meeting a completely different cookie. The man was beautiful, graceful, but sad. The same feelings he felt when he and Shadow Milk became one.
Now, he’s been living in a personally made room. A giant library with blues and golds. At least for the meantime, until he and the Fount find a way for Pure Vanilla to return home….
“Tea?”
Fount poured steaming hot tea in an expensive looking teacup.
Pure Vanilla nodded, “Of course! I agree everytime,”
Fount placed two lumps, “I know but, you never know when a cookie suddenly changes their mind!”
Pure Vanilla furrowed his brow. He noticed when something was bothering the Fount with his duties he always changed his tone of voice. A fake, cheery one similar to his future self.
Pure Vanilla sighed, “What happened today?”
The Fount groaned, “A peasant-,”
“Cookie,” Pure Vanilla interrupted.
“…Cookie,” Fount continued, “Asked me if he should continue with his business. I told him to continue since he was making progress and he agreed with me,”
The Fount clenched his cup, “But then he returned today telling me it was my fault that he quit his job. He called me a liar,”
Pure Vanilla hummed, “That’s awful but there had to be others who were great full! He must’ve wanted something to blame, a lot of cookies do that even me,”
“Right, let’s change topics,” Fount took a sip of his own tea. “Do you like the new room?”
Pure Vanilla nodded, “It’s wonderful, it’s unfortunate that I can’t stay,”
The Fount spit a bit of his tea back in his cup.
“….Ahaha! Right. Of course,”
“Speaking of, have you made any progress? Fount?”
The Fount swirled his tea with a spoon, trying to wipe his spit with a handkerchief.
“Unfortunately I have not Sunflower,”
The Fount didn’t usually give nicknames. Peasan-
Cookies are just cookies, but Pure Vanilla wasn’t a cookie. Pure Vanilla was more, he had to separate him.
When he learned the other cookie had his soul jam he was at first, rightfully furious. Then, the way Pure Vanilla talked, it was like looking in a mirror.
They push him around, they use his kindness against him. Foolish cookies.
Pure Vanilla is so good, too good for this world. He pities the disgusting creatures who destroy each other with lies. He wishes to return to his home to “save” everyone.
The Fount doesn’t plan for that to happen.
‘Hehehe! Yes! Yes! Your pathetic loneliness is really showing’
The Light of Deceit giggled, ‘However…it will be interesting to see the Pure hearted Vanilla join your side,’
The corrupted Fount smiled, “Because he will! He will understand that we are the same. We won’t need to fight for the soul jam in the future!
….cause will already be one,”
“Fount? Fount?” Pure Vanilla raised his voice concerned.
The Fount shook his head, “Sorry Sunflower, I got distracted,”
Pure Vanilla felt terrible, a part of him didn’t want to leave the Fount alone. Especially knowing what he could become. Hopefully he could change the future before he leaves.
Pure Vanilla reached out to hold the Fount's cold hand, “I’m sorry, but the time I do spend here I will be at your side. I promise,”
The Fount smiled, squeezing his hand back. The icyness pinching Pure Vanilla’s warm skin.
“I have no doubt you will~,”
The Fount put his tea down, regretfully letting go of the healer’s hand.
“Would you like to join me on a morning walk?”
Pure Vanilla was slightly startled, “I usually invite YOU to my walks! What changed your mind?”
The Fount chuckled, “I guess you’re rubbing off on me,”
Pure Vanilla got up from his chair gracefully. It looked as if light surrounded his entire body. His Awakening was…strange. As soon as he broke the soul jam, he Awakened but arrived here. He had to get used to his new looks and abilities in a foreign place.
The Fount stared in awe, imagining how he’d look covered in darkness instead of the light. He would look enchanting. A god who fell from grace because of terrible cookies. Finally, someone who would be exactly like him.
They walked through the botanical gardens. It was beautiful, growing more plants each day because of Pure Vanilla.
“Ah! My Marigolds are looking beautiful! Thank you so much Pure Vanilla,” The Fount touched the blooming Marigold.
Pure Vanilla nodded, “Of course! I even placed new Bluebells,”
The Fount hummed, as he looked at Pure Vanilla. Such Radiance. Such power.
“…They truly are beautiful,”
The Fount was about to get closer to his prized possession, until bothersome cookies arrived.
“Fount! You lied! You said my wife would live!”
Pure Vanilla gasped, “Fount…?”
The Founts face completely shifted, “I didn’t lie, I said she would live if you immediately treated her. Did you?”
The villager pointed a finger, “That’s no excuse! You told me! Now she’s dead!”
Pure Vanilla tried to intervene, “I’m sorry, I’m terribly sorry for your loss-,”
The villager scoffed, pushing the Ancient away,
“I wasn’t talking to a nobody,”
The Virtue clenched his fists, “Don’t touch him, ever,”
Pure Vanilla shook his head, “It’s fine, truly. Fount he’s just grieving-,”
The villager interrupted, “YOU KILLED HER! SHE’S DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!”
No matter how pathetic this man was, he wouldn’t stop. He wouldn’t, until he heard exactly what he wanted.
The Fount smiled, “I apologize, but there is a way to revive her,”
Pure Vanilla turned concerned while the villager completely changed his attitude.
“Yes! Please Fount I’ll do anything!” He begged on his hands and knees. The sight raised the Virtues smile.
The Fount continued as if talking to an ignorant child.
“My friend, Flour of Volition grants wishes. She can grant the wish of your wife returning,”
The villager kissed the Founts feet, “Oh thank you! Thank you! I shall travel to the Pagoda right away!”
As the cookie ran, Pure Vanilla turned worried.
“Can…she really do that?”
The Fount giggled, “No,”
The Fount continued his walk as Pure Vanilla stopped the Fount.
“Fount, you lied. He’ll be disappointed,”
The Fount shook his head, “Sunflower, did you see how he changed his demeanor? I brought him hope even if it was a lie. Besides, if he continued hearing something he didn’t want, he would’ve hurt someone,”
Pure Vanilla squeezed the Founts shoulder,
“Please…don’t lie again. I told you if you do wrong your future won’t look bright,”
The Fount smiled softly, “I understand, I do, but I didn’t hurt anyone did I? I brought happiness, it’s what I learned from you,”
Pure Vanilla shuddered, “Just, try not to do it again,”
The Fount didn’t respond and instead grasped the healer's hand, “You wondered why I wanted to walk, yes?”
Pure Vanilla squeezed the ice cold hand, “Yes,”
The Fount took Pure Vanilla to a secluded area, a corner of the gardens. Even Vanilla never entered.
The gates opened to a giant apple tree.
The Fount showed it off, “I wanted to surprise you, we never had a tree in the gardens before,”
Pure Vanilla stared in awe, “You…you planted this? How did it grow so fast-?”
The Fount spun Pure Vanilla around, “With love and care dear! It’s our tree! Representing the day we met!”
Pure Vanilla giggled as he spun, “Oh Fount! This is lovely! I-I am astounded! This is a beautiful surprise!”
The apples were all a shiny ruby red. The tree was massive but the apples were reachable. Strange, they all were completely ripe.
The Fount reached for an apple and offered it to Pure Vanilla.
“Would you like to try it? Trust me it's so delicious you’ll never want to eat anything else again,”
Pure Vanilla chuckled, “Maybe later, the tea and desserts were enough,”
The Fount shrugged, still with a playful smile,
“Well here, whenever you miss me while I’m gone just take a bite,”
Pure Vanilla stared at his reflection on the shiny apple. It smelled sweet, an aroma of fresh fruit and grass. He placed it in his sleeve.
Even though it was a beautiful gift, he felt a dark presence. Maybe it was his paranoia of knowing Shadow Milk? He shouldn’t assume that everything the Fount does is for sinister reasons.
That assumption could lead to his downfall.
He gave him a gift, a beautiful one at that. Besides, what harm could a simple fruit cause?
He glanced at the Fount, who was gorgeous in the light. He smiled at the healer with glee.
“I’m so glad you liked it, I know you miss home but I want to do everything in my power to brighten your day,”
The Fount held onto Pure Vanilla tight. At first they wouldn’t hold each other at all. That quickly changed. Especially on Fount's part.
Pure Vanilla held him back, “I truly am grateful for this, honest,”
Fount stayed close, “I’m glad. I’m sorry for the interruption earlier,”
“Interruption? Do you mean the cookie earlier?”
Pure Vanilla questioned.
The Fount made an exaggerated sigh, “Yes, unfortunately you got a glimpse of my work. They always threaten me when they don’t have a satisfying answer…,”
The Fount looked softly at Pure Vanilla, “I guess when he touched you I got defensive. I apologize if I overreacted,”
“No, I understand, really. You don’t have to apologize. You were scared, but don’t worry Fount I don’t need defending,”
The Fount nodded, “Of course you don’t, you have a soul jam after all. I wish you would show off what you could do more. Then no one would treat you like a nobody,”
Pure Vanilla’s brows furrowed, “You aren’t suggesting…hurting cookies?”
“No no! Just showing off what you can do more besides healing! Like defending off enemies or threats! Then others will treat you seriously,”
Pure Vanilla hummed with acknowledgment, “I understand but I don’t like to hurt, I heal,”
The Fount got closer, “Do you want to hide your capabilities? I believe in you Vanilla you could do so much more,”
Pure Vanilla couldn’t help but consider it, just a tad. He always felt sad that he couldn’t defend others like Hollyberry of Cacao, even Lily knew fighting magic. He just didn’t believe in it…but…threats keep coming.
Fount is just worried for his safety.
“I’ll think about it,”
The Fount smiled, “Thank you Sunflower. Now, I must return to my duties. I’ll return to you tonight to discuss things,”
Pure Vanilla nodded, “Of course, I’d like to stay in the garden for a little while longer,”
The Fount nodded in return and left into the distance. Leaving Pure Vanilla alone with the apple tree.
He traced his hands against the hard bark. It felt hard like a normal tree but…swirling patterns. No, he needs to stop being suspicious. Just because he’s past Shadow Milk doesn’t mean he’s the same. The Fount was making progress. He’s so open compared to Shadow Milk. Even though he did lie earlier, it was only out of fear and he promised to never do it again.
He pulled out the apple given to him by the Fount. Staring at its shine.
“I thought I finally understood you…but now I’m not quite sure. Have I truly changed your heart? Did all you need was a friend?”
The more he stared at the apple, the more his mouth watered. He must admit…he…he lied as well. The apple was so suspicious he just couldn’t eat it. He wasn’t full from tea, he hadn’t eaten a thing.
He lied, the very thing he told Fount not to do. He feels guilty, like a hypocrite.
Since Fount gave him this gift, he should at least try it.
In order to truly understand The Fount, he must trust him.
He took a deep bite of the sweet apple.