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Assistant: Title: Jambound
        Author: Anonymous undefined 
        Chapter: 32/32 
        Summary: The room is too bright.It’s quaint, in a nauseating sort of way. Polished floors glint from the gleaming honeycomb chandeliers overhead, make him squint. A few vases sprinkled here and there, filling the room with a sickeningly sweet scent – even a waffle-cone headrest framing the silken sheets of a neatly-tucked bed. Outside, the golden sun gleams, the gentle rays of light spilling past curtains that waver in the afternoon breeze.It's meant to be beautiful. Luxurious. Welcoming.With one sweep of his cane, Shadow Milk tears it apart.[[ Updated semi-weekly ]]
        Contents: Chapter 32
    

    


      
        
          
          (See the end of the chapter for  notes.)
          
      
  

  
  
    
    “Can you tell us another story?”The query is soft and tentative, causing Shadow Milk to raise his eyes from the book in hand. There’s a small girl at his feet; more precisely, standing below where Shadow Milk’s legs dangle over the edge of the stage. Behind him he can hear the clamor of children, loudly dragging props across the wood and seemingly mid-argument about something to do with the curtains. Shadow Milk pays the noise no mind, sipping lightly at his mug of tea as he sets the book down and gives the girl another once-over.He doesn’t mind the interruption. Shadow Milk’s always up for a good book, but this so-called Jammy Cake Cookie focuses a bit too much on the bedroom scenes for his liking.Shadow Milk’s gaze rests comfortably on the small child fidgeting before him; she’s not familiar to him, but that’s nothing new. Biscocho and Rosquillo Cookie are always dragging their friends over to visit him, eagerly showing him off to anyone willing to listen. Shadow Milk takes the attention in stride – usually they’re quite loud and noisy, but this one seems shy, a flush to her face as she avoids his eye contact.“Another story, hm?” Shadow Milk glances behind him; Rosquillo is arguing with another boy, tugging back and forth on a large cardboard sheep. Shadow Milk turns his gaze back to the girl, perking a brow. “I suppose we have a little bit of time. My date’s late anyway.”She smiles brightly, placing her hands on the stage’s edge as she begins hauling herself up; while she struggles upwards, Shadow Milk tilts his head as he idly scans the Crow’s Nest Inn’s courtyard.It’s remarkable what they’ve done with the place in his absence; where there had once been empty cobblestones and shattered bits of glass now sits an abundance of chairs and benches, all facing the hand-built stage. The dry fountain filled with dead leaves now overflows with pristine, clear milk, bubbling away for crows and Cookies alike to sip from. Even the dim lighting from the streetlamps has been accentuated with fairy lights strung around the edges of the roofs, twinkling happily even in the rays of the setting sun.Yet, for all the pleasant sights before him, there’s still no Pure Vanilla Cookie stepping out from the alleyway. It’s already well past dinner time as it is.Typical. Always keeping Shadow Milk waiting.The girl’s finally hoisted herself up, settling next to Shadow Milk and smoothing out her skirts. Shadow Milk takes a final sip from his mug, setting it down next to the book before folding his hands in his lap. “What’s your name?” he queries.The girl tugs at her hair shyly. “Paborita Cookie.”“Well then,” Shadow Milk continues, “Paborita Cookie. What sort of story would you like?”She hums, toying with the ends of her curly locks. “Um…” Her cheeks flush pinker. “Maybe… a love story?”Shadow Milk chuckles; this seems to embarrass her further as she ducks her head and averts her eyes. “Hey, don’t worry!” he says with a smile. “I’ve got love stories. Tons of them!” A pause. “A few, anyway.” Shadow Milk folds one leg over the other, thinking to himself for a moment. “Hm… how about…” Shadow Milk clicks his tongue. “The story of the Cookie who wasn’t a Cookie.”Paborita Cookie perks up, her interest instantly piqued. “How can a Cookie not be a Cookie?”“Well, he was.” Shadow Milk shrugs one shoulder. “But he also wasn’t.”The girl scoots closer, head tilted curiously.“You see,” Shadow Milk begins, “this Cookie wasn’t made like you. He was crafted into the world for a singular purpose, blessed with infinite knowledge and the duty to bestow it upon all creation. He was expected to be a Fount of Knowledge, a beacon to guide other Cookies around him. Yet despite his mantle of leadership, he’d never truly lived their lives.”“What do you mean?” Paborita Cookie inquires curiously.“Well, others came to him with questions, and he provided the answers. That was his whole life! There’d never really been any need for anything else. He was meant to live forever, existing just as he was – there was no place for him out in the fields or spending time down in the taverns.”“Sounds lonely.”“It could be,” Shadow Milk remarks. “But he wasn’t alone. Four others shouldered those same burdens alongside him, made to help other Cookies in different ways. And for a time, they were happy. But as eternity dragged on, one by one, his friends cast off their duties. They embraced total freedom and rejected the Cookies that depended on them. And they asked him to join them.”Paborita Cookie’s eyes go wide. “Did he?”“He did,” Shadow Milk affirms. “Instead of a Fount, he became a Beast. A creature that thrived off misery and chaos, who toyed with the lives of mortals as if they were mere puppets on his strings. He delighted in such a change, in the exhilaration of discarding a miserable existence in favor of unbridled delights. He was not a simple Cookie like the gnats that fled before him – he was their better, a higher being whose power was his alone to wield as he’d liked.”“What happened?”“Well,” Shadow Milk says with a sigh, “those that created him did not agree. They struck him down and imprisoned him, along with the others, to serve out the rest of their existences alone and in darkness.”“But…” Paborita Cookie frowns. “I thought he lived forever.”“Correct.”“So,” Paborita Cookie continues, brow furrowing, “he’s just alone forever? What if he changed his mind? That’s not fair.”“Maybe it’s not,” Shadow Milk sighs. “But he hurt a lot of people. It’s hard to say what’s fair when he lived on as others perished at his hands.”“Is he still there now?” Paborita Cookie asks. “Still trapped forever?”“He’s not,” Shadow Milk replies, shaking his head. “How could he be? I told you it’s a love story.”“Oh, good.” Paborita Cookie smiles. “Did someone come free him?”“In… a way,” Shadow Milk says carefully. “He escaped his prison, fled back to his home far, far away from where other Cookies couldn’t find him. He built up high towers to plot his revenge in – for you see, he was still a Beast. Still angry, still wanting to take his hurt out on the world.”“Does he still?”“Well…” Shadow Milk drawls, shrugging one shoulder. “That’s a bit more complicated, I think. But, during his plotting, he did encounter a new Cookie – a Cookie that was unlike any other Cookie he’d met before.”Paborita Cookie’s eyes go wide. “Who?”“A king,” Shadow Milk replies with a smile. “A handsome, wonderful king.”“Oh?” A new voice cuts through the air, tinged with amusement. “And how handsome was he?”Shadow Milk scowls as his head turns; the tap of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s staff announces his presence as he steps into view from the alley. There’s a satisfied smile on his face, one that Shadow Milk meets by sticking out his tongue and rolling his eyes. “Ugh. Of course you’d show up now.”“My apologies,” Pure Vanilla replies easily. “The meeting ran long, and Clotted Cream Cookie wanted a word after.”Of course it was Clotted Cream Cookie.“You’re late,” Shadow Milk sniffs. “I’ve been starving away from neglect because of you.”“Well, we can’t have that.” Pure Vanilla’s smile is annoyingly persistent as he crosses the courtyard, coming to a stop just before the stage. “Did you want to finish your story first?”“No,” Shadow Milk decides. “Not with you here.”“But I want to hear the rest!” Paborita Cookie protests. “We just got to the good part! Does he fall in love with the king?”Pure Vanilla smiles ear to ear.Shadow Milk rolls his eyes. “Not at first,” he mutters. “In fact, he happened to not like the king very much at all. He thought he was annoying, delusional. Stubborn.”“Birds of a feather,” Pure Vanilla murmurs under his breath.“Hey!” Shadow Milk snaps. “Quiet from the audience, thank you very much.”Paborita Cookie tugs on his sleeve, drawing Shadow Milk’s attention back. “So how did they fall in love?”Shadow Milk sighs. “That’s…” His gaze travels over Pure Vanilla’s gentle smile. “A longer story. One we don’t have time for tonight.” He lifts a leg, nudging Pure Vanilla below. “Because someone was late.”“I have said my apologies,” Pure Vanilla Cookie muses, eyes crinkling with amusement. “Will you punish a poor, innocent child for my wrongdoings?”“I’ll tell it tomorrow.” Shadow Milk stretches his arms above his head, stifling a yawn. “When you’re not here.”Paborita Cookie pouts, but Pure Vanilla merely chuckles; he extends a hand up, gaze fond. “Shall we head to dinner, then? Before my poor Shadow Milk Cookie withers away before my eyes?”Shadow Milk huffs a laugh; he takes Pure Vanilla’s hand, lets the other lower him down off the stage until his feet gently touch upon the ground. “Fine. You’re forgiven.”“Wait!” Paborita Cookie calls; she’s looking between the pair of them forlornly, hands twisting in her dress. “Can’t you tell me how it ends? It’s not sad, is it?”“Of course not,” Shadow Milk replies easily; his hand is still clasped tight in Pure Vanilla’s own, even as he turns to face her. “I don’t care for miserable, pointless endings.”“So how does it end?” she asks eagerly. “Just a hint?”“Hm.” Shadow Milk glances upward, looking Pure Vanilla Cookie up and down. A pause, before he smiles slyly. “Want to show her?”Pure Vanilla chuckles back, before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to Shadow Milk’s lips. Shadow Milk grins into it, kissing back as he stands on tiptoe-“EWWWWWWW!!”Shadow Milk scowls as he pulls back, breaking the kiss – Paborita Cookie has flushed completely pink while all the children on stage are bending over, making retching motions and covering their eyes.“Quiet, you little brats!” Shadow Milk snaps, brandishing a fist in the air. “Do you want to be actors or not? How do you expect to perform Ryemeo and Jamliette if you can’t kiss someone?!”“Gross!” Biscocho Cookie wails. “Gross, gross, gross!”“Philistines,” Shadow Milk mutters; Pure Vanilla merely snickers, giving Shadow Milk’s hand a gentle squeeze.“So,” Pure Vanilla murmurs. “Shall we wander?”“Yes.” Shadow Milk rolls his eyes, conjuring his cane to his free hand. “Come on, your majesty.”Pure Vanilla nods, motioning with his staff towards the alley. “Do you want to head straight to the castle, or stop by your home first?”“The castle,” Shadow Milk decides. “Candy Apple Cookie is having Jacaranda Cookie over tonight. I don’t want to intrude.”“You don’t want to be asked to sit still and model again?”“Also that.”Pure Vanilla Cookie laughs; Shadow Milk simply huffs in reply as the two of them head out through the alley, the twin taps of their cane and staff in perfect rhythm with one another.Shadow Milk’s home is a new addition to his life, but it’s an interesting sort of reprieve nonetheless. Only a few short weeks after Dark Enchantress Cookie’s departure, Pure Vanilla Cookie had come to Shadow Milk with a key in hand and a strange sort of resolution in his eyes, as if he’d finally made up his mind about something. They’d talked for a bit – about the pull of the bond, about Shadow Milk’s time within the palace. Pure Vanilla had seemed a bit nervous, as if worried Shadow Milk might take it the wrong way, but he’d made his opinion quite clear; Shadow Milk deserved to have his own space, a place where he alone could retreat to and decide where and how to be with full impunity. Shadow Milk Cookie had been a bit curious at first, expecting maybe a hotel room on loan at best, but he truly hadn’t expected the next words out of the other’s mouth.Pure Vanilla Cookie had bought him a house.Not really, not in a true technical sense, but that’s what Shadow Milk gleefully tells anyone who listens. Yes, it’s more of an apartment and yes, it’s more of the kingdom’s property that has gone unclaimed for quite some time – but it’s an extravagant gift and it’s Shadow Milk’s and that’s more than enough ammo to gloat with. Black Raisin Cookie had been amused, then annoyed with his constant mentioning of it, and has now banned the topic from their time together entirely.She brings him a house plant to help decorate, though. It’s thoughtful, helps liven up the place and gives him something to care for. He’s never done that before either – tended to a living thing that needs him. Perhaps Candy Apple Cookie had come close, but he’d foisted enough of that responsibility onto Black Sapphire Cookie that it hardly counted.The pair of them also stay over frequently; they even have their own rooms that they’ve decorated to their liking. Black Sapphire Cookie had been key in helping him clean up the place, while Candy Apple Cookie had happily directed him around the markets to the best stalls for decorations. It had certainly felt odd spending Pure Vanilla’s money on furniture instead of just summoning it from thin air, but the other had offered and Shadow Milk – Shadow Milk had simply never done such a thing before.It hadn’t been bad. A little too much walking for his tastes, but it had been interesting filling his homes with other’s crafts, finding ways to make it all match together. His own spin on the décor still lined every room, but there’s a very Vanillian flair to it all that’s managed to creep its way in. Nothing too obtrusive, just little bits and bobs that accentuate his style rather than match it perfectly. A little kitschy, but they make the rooms homey in a pleasant sort of way.As nice as it is to have his own place – and as much as Pure Vanilla had insisted on it – it’s not as if Shadow Milk spends the bulk of his time in it. Most of his days are spent out on the town, either walking the streets or spending time at the Crow’s Nest Inn. It’s a bit strange to walk amongst them, feeling their eyes upon him with every tap of his cane; yet instead of suspicious looks, he’s greeted with hearty hellos and often flanked by eager bar patrons trying to usher him in for another story.Shadow Milk had expected some sort of change the first time he’d returned to the inn, the weight of being known heavy on his aching shoulders. Yet the moment he’d taken that first hesitant step through the threshold – nothing really had. He’d received the same chorus of greetings and a few slaps on the back that he’d winced through before being pulled on stage. The only real difference is half of them now call him by his true name, while the other half seemed wary of his own discomfort by letting go of Blackcurrant Cookie altogether. It’s an amusing sort of mix, one Shadow Milk doesn’t mind – largely because the way they smile and laugh with him is still one and the same.The children who roam the markets seem to like hanging around the inn too; they frequent the courtyard whenever Shadow Milk’s sprucing up the stage, treating it like a makeshift playground beneath his feet. When they get too rambunctious, Shadow Milk will simply relax by the fountain, sipping his drink and conjuring up props on request. The children all seem to adore him – the bulk of them, anyway. Biscocho Cookie still seems to have a favorite, has shot Shadow Milk Cookie the puppy dog eyes more than once while asking for the ‘magical princess’ to make a return.Which is a… thorny request.It’s not as if Lady Milk Crown Cookie hates him. She’s simply… unwilling, ducks each call with the same reasoning each time. She has no part to play at the moment, has no desire to step in to entertain a child when her stage is so thoroughly compromised. Perhaps it’s not Shadow Milk’s fault, perhaps she’s being a bit too prideful about it – but she is who she is, and that’s precisely why she’d come into being in the first place. Lady Milk Crown Cookie demands perfection, and Shadow Milk Cookie is, well…Imperfect. In her eyes, at least.Even with a near-total victory under his belt, the problem of Shadow Milk’s fractured body persists. Dark Enchantress Cookie may have fled back to her lair, but the marks she’s left upon him have no easy erasure. His face remains splintered, his chest and shoulder remain torn and blackened. He still limps heavily, still relies on his cane every step of the way. He can float, though only briefly, and while his powers are far from diminished, it can be difficult to wield them with a body that rejects even minor strain.Living with what Pure Vanilla Cookie has dubbed chronic pain is apparently commonplace for normal Cookies; Shadow Milk Cookie can’t say he’s a fan, but presumably neither are they.It’s not the worst way to live; truly, he has no complaints considering he’s living at all. Taking things slower, one literal step at a time, allows him to drink in things he’s never noticed before. A walk around the markets with frequent stops to rest and catch his breath may be annoying, but often comes with moments to simply observe the world around him in ways he’d never bothered before. Soaking in the scent of fresh bread wafting from the shops, gazing at birds fluttering about in courtship in the skies above – even closing his eyes and listening to the sound of wind chimes tinkling in the breeze are all things Shadow Milk Cookie, Beast or Fount, had simply never had time for.The matter of his original body had only been brought up once, and in truth, it hadn’t even been Shadow Milk who’d raised the question. He’d already had his answer; the sight of the chains encircling the Beast Cookies has been burned into his mind for eternity, each tied to another in unbreakable bond. White Lily Cookie had told Pure Vanilla exactly what Shadow Milk had already known – the spell was crafted to hold all five, and could not be segmented as they pleased. To release one Beast Cookie’s body would be to release them all.While Shadow Milk’s reunion with his friends had gone better than he’d hoped, he’s not deluding himself as to their goals. There is, perhaps, a chance of more discussions to come; his time with Mystic Flour Cookie had given him a glimpse of her old touch of care, and Eternal Sugar Cookie had always been fond of him. Burning Spice Cookie may be the toughest nut to crack, and Silent Salt Cookie is…Complicated. That’s the only word for it.Still, even if Shadow Milk’s relationship with the other Beast Cookies hangs precariously, there’s been some progress with the other Ancients at least. While White Lily Cookie’s opinion of him is fragile at best, she had promised to look into soul transference and alternative healing methods within the Faerie Kingdom. It’s more than she owed him, is no doubt done for Pure Vanilla’s sake, but he’d been grateful for it nonetheless. Their conversations are as short and strained as before, but it’s not… entirely hopeless. She needs an apology, but it’s never felt like the right moment, never felt like he’s earned that right yet.Dark Cacao Cookie’s apology had gone remarkably better; the troops had arrived mere hours after Dark Enchantress Cookie had fled with an entire battalion in tow. Dark Cacao Cookie had been leading the charge, greatsword poised and ready – frankly, he’d seemed almost disappointed to find their foes had fled so quickly. A bit amusing, though his trip had once again come with an extended stay to re-assess the situation and bolster their defenses, something that Pure Vanilla Cookie had been all too happy to entertain. He’d also been eager to bring Dark Cacao Cookie up to speed on Shadow Milk’s contributions, as well as –Well. The conversation about the bond had been considerably awkward, as well as Shadow Milk’s own hesitant explanations on the matter. Dark Cacao Cookie hadn’t looked impressed with him, had given him just as critical a once-over as before – but, after many private talks with Pure Vanilla himself, the ire in his eyes had gradually faded. Shadow Milk had given them their space, and by the time Dark Cacao Cookie was ready to speak with him one-on-one, it had been with remarkable civility.Shadow Milk may have overheard him bluntly comment to Caramel Arrow Cookie on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s absurd taste in men but, well, there’s not an extreme sense of disagreement there.Still, it’d been nice to have Caramel Arrow Cookie back in the kingdom, though Shadow Milk’s own appreciation pales in comparison to Black Raisin Cookie’s. Dark Cacao Cookie had even instructed her to remain behind upon his departure, trusting her to keep an eye on things in his stead – and while the old Shadow Milk Cookie may have resented the obvious distrust, he at least likes Caramel Arrow Cookie well enough to enjoy her company. Not that he gets much of it without Black Raisin Cookie at her side but, well, he’s not really one to judge on that front.Pure Vanilla Cookie is Shadow Milk’s constant companion; even with nearly two moons having come and gone since that fateful battle, even with the two of them technically living apart, there’s no delusions as to the complete inseparability of their existence. Their relationship is still kept in the shadows; partly out of practicality, partly for the giddy little thrill of it all on Shadow Milk’s side. Yet, while it’s deeply enjoyable to pull Pure Vanilla into secret little alcoves and kiss him stupid before his next meeting, there’s also a sense of acceptance in Shadow Milk’s presence within the castle walls that Pure Vanilla works tirelessly to cultivate.While Shadow Milk hardly attends every political meeting, Pure Vanilla does request his attendance semi-frequently for some of the more difficult conversations. The meetings are never terribly long – if they drag, Pure Vanilla dismisses Shadow Milk before he becomes restless – but there’s a certain charm to sitting down at a table full of Cookies and having them give Shadow Milk their full, undivided attention. They’re still often nervous, certainly, but being able to so effortlessly dissect and unravel the puffery of a politician trying to throw his weight around is a fun little game in and of itself. Shadow Milk cuts through wheedling attempts at manipulation with blunt precision, a casual sharpness to his tongue that throws each pretender so thoroughly off-guard.Shadow Milk Cookie may no longer be a Fount, but he still wields the other’s knowledge to devastating effect. Plus, it’s more enjoyable than he’d thought to sit at Pure Vanilla’s side at the table and radiate intimidation through his mere presence. Shadow Milk isn’t cruel, doesn’t terrorize or quake the room like before, but he is still a tangible, sharp threat to any who would think to try and manipulate the situation for their own benefit.He still dislikes Clotted Cream Cookie, though.Not every day spent with the other is tied up in meetings; while Pure Vanilla Cookie is just as busy as ever, there are times where they can steal away from the castle for some fun of their own. While Shadow Milk can no longer easily transport Pure Vanilla Cookie through the air, the other has become more comfortable slipping through the Other-Realm in short bursts. He’s still tense about it, but insists upon trying again and again, with Shadow Milk there to pull them out the instant Pure Vanilla asks. Even through the portals they never go far, but being able to walk along their favorite beach hand-in-hand is as pleasant a way to end the day as any.Even on days where Pure Vanilla is tied up in meetings alone, even during evenings that drag on with Shadow Milk preoccupied in the tavern, every night ends the same way – wrapped up in each other’s arms, pressing against each other like every night is their last. While Shadow Milk Cookie may have a bed in his own home, the fine layer of dust atop the sheets hasn’t been disturbed in a very long time. He knows what he likes, treasures the plush sheets and vanilla scent that envelops him in the privacy of Pure Vanilla’s own bedroom. At this point, he’s even all but memorized the way the mattress squeaks beneath him when their kissing tips from gentle adoration into hungry fervor.Yet, each passionate night spent together routinely brings up a problem Shadow Milk has been doing his best to ignore, a problem that thrums at his heart and sends shivers of nerves through him to even recall.His Soul Jam is humming again – and it’s only been getting stronger with each passing day.It’s not the bond; Shadow Milk’s pretty sure of that, anyway. A few days after he’d first noticed the sensation, Shadow Milk had abruptly taken a trip through his portals to the farthest reaches of Earthbread he could manage. Shivering atop a snowy peak a thousand miles away had netted him nothing – no stabs of pain, no morose longing for anything but a warm fire and a hot cup of tea in his hands. He’d tested it a few more times, spending an entire day away in the plains of Scovillia just to be sure, but there’d been no repercussions to be had.It's not the bond, and for that Shadow Milk is grateful. In his more panicked moments before certainty, he’d considered going to White Lily Cookie to be sure – yet considering their past, he considered it not wholly impossible that she’d just toss him back in the tree and be done with it if Shadow Milk had managed to mess this up again.Shadow Milk could ask Pure Vanilla Cookie, but the subject is… difficult to broach. The first few weeks after the battle had been too busy, too strained to really sit down and chat as they should. Pure Vanilla Cookie had been weighed down by endless meetings with his allies, numerous preparations in case of Dark Enchantress Cookie’s abrupt return, and a lingering melancholy that Shadow Milk knew stemmed from Cuccidati Cookie’s betrayal. Even if he’d never cared for the little gnat, Pure Vanilla Cookie had, and losing a friend, even a bad one, had left a lingering mark of sadness that even Shadow Milk’s comforting touch cannot wholly dispel.Yet it is with that same comforting touch that the pulse with Shadow Milk’s Soul Jam grows, as if feeding off his contentment to thrum with power. The feeling is becoming nigh impossible to ignore; with each careless brush of their Soul Jams against each other mid-kiss, the warming sensation in Shadow Milk’s chest is becoming close to scorching.He has to talk about it with Pure Vanilla Cookie, has to know if the other’s been feeling the same. It may not be the bond, may be something new entirely – but if there’s anything Shadow Milk’s learned by now, it’s that putting off the inevitable is pointless at best and exacerbating at worst.He still debates bringing it up at all, all the way through their walk back up to the castle.There’s little more to say once they arrive; they head straight to dinner for a lovely Roast Brie dish that Shadow Milk had purchased himself. When their stomachs are filled and the tedious paperwork finished, the last rays of the setting sun find the pair of them where they always end the day - up in Pure Vanilla’s room. Pure Vanilla himself is seated before his dresser, eyes closed and hands in his lap, while Shadow Milk meticulously brushes through the other’s long, flowing locks before bed.Honestly. For convenience’s sake, Pure Vanilla really should just cut it all off – but then again, he seems to enjoy the attention every time Shadow Milk picks up the brush to dote on him.“Did you use that leave-in conditioner Fresa gave you?” Shadow Milk’s caught on a small knot at the base of Pure Vanilla’s scalp, doing his best to work through the tangle. “It doesn’t feel like it.”“I forgot,” Pure Vanilla replies sleepily. “Can you fix it?”“Of course I can fix it.” Shadow Milk smooths his hand over Pure Vanilla’s head; his magic flows, tiny tendrils weaving their way in to separate the knot. “I can do anything. But you should still use your conditioner.”Pure Vanilla hums softly. “But then you wouldn’t have as much to brush.”Oh, cheeky. He must be tired.“I have plenty to brush,” Shadow Milk retorts, giving Pure Vanilla a playful flick to the back of his neck. “Spoiled thing.”“I’m sorry.” Pure Vanilla yawns, a hand coming up to cover his mouth. “I really did forget.”“Well, try to remember.” Shadow Milk continues, resuming his brushing with a dramatic sigh. “Honestly. What if my shoulder started hurting from all this extra work you’re giving me? Did you ever think about my shoulder, hm? I’m wounded, Pure Vanilla Cookie. You have to be nice to me.”“I’m sorry,” Pure Vanilla repeats, and this time sounds as if he means it. He turns slightly, extending his arms in a beckoning motion. “Come here.”Shadow Milk sets down the brush, sliding into Pure Vanilla’s embrace as he’s drawn effortlessly down into the other’s lap. “I’m only teasing,” he murmurs as Pure Vanilla nuzzles against him. “You know that.”“I know,” Pure Vanilla hums, pressing a chaste kiss to the side of Shadow Milk’s head. “But I’m still sorry you’re hurting. I wish I could do more.”“Yeah,” Shadow Milk snorts. “Because you, of all Cookies, haven’t done enough for me. Fool.”Pure Vanilla merely squeezes him in reply, arms looping comfortably around Shadow Milk’s waist. “I can still wish for things. Just as I wish for you to know the depths of my affections.”“Ugh.” Shadow Milk sighs, rolling his eyes for effect. “Always with the affirmation.”“Mhm.” Another kiss to Shadow Milk’s cheek, one Shadow Milk returns by tilting his head so that Pure Vanilla has access to his neck. There’s a smile, a series of doting little pecks trailed up the curve of Shadow Milk’s throat before Pure Vanilla murmurs: “Ready for bed?”A loaded question, especially when accompanied by the feeling of Pure Vanilla’s hand smoothing against Shadow Milk’s hip.“In a minute,” Shadow Milk replies, with restraint even he’s surprised by. “I wanted to ask you something.”Pure Vanilla’s gentle touches still as he pulls his head back, giving Shadow Milk a curious once-over. “Yes?”“How have you…” Shadow Milk licks his lips. “How have you been feeling? Recently, I mean.”There’s a blink, a brow furrowed in deeper confusion. “I’ve been doing well, as far as I can recall. Are you asking if I’m ill?”“No.” Shadow Milk shakes his head. “I just mean…” His hand comes up, unconsciously brushing against his brooch. “How have you been feeling about your… Soul Jam? Has it felt strange?”Pure Vanilla perks a brow. “Has yours?”“Yes.” A nod, with only slight hesitation. “That’s why I’m asking.”“Hm...” Pure Vanilla trails off thoughtfully. “I suppose it’s been feeling a bit… stronger, I suppose. It feels as though it did when I was a younger Cookie, full of energy.” A smile, soft and sweet. “Full of happiness.”Oh.“I see.” Shadow Milk’s own eyes avert, relief and slight confusion intermingling. “Alright.”“What about your own?” Pure Vanilla’s grasp shifts slightly, adjusting Shadow Milk in his lap. “You seem worried.” A gentle squeeze. “Are you concerned about another bond?”A bit annoying to be read like an open book, but Shadow Milk supposes it’s the most natural conclusion to be found. “A bit. I’ve already tested it by staying far away, so I don’t think it’s… like it was, at least. If there is a bond at all.”“Have you been in any pain?” Pure Vanilla’s gaze roams over him searchingly. “Any feelings of what it was like before?”“No. Not beyond the usual pain.” Shadow Milk shrugs his uninjured shoulder. “My Soul Jam just feels warm. Whenever we…” Shadow Milk waves a hand for the word. “Clink them together, even briefly, it feels… different.”“Any pulling sensation? Like you’re being dragged under as before?”It’d be amusing just how practiced Pure Vanilla’s clinical appraisals are if it were any other matter. “No,” Shadow Milk affirms with another shake of his head. “Just warm.”“Well,” Pure Vanilla remarks, “then maybe we need to test it.”Shadow Milk’s brow furrows. “Test how?”“Press the Soul Jams together.” Pure Vanilla offers him a small smile. “If you’re willing.”There’s a blink, a flicker of unease as Shadow Milk glances down. Their brooches gleam in the soft glow of the lamplight, winking back even as Shadow Milk levies them with a distrustful stare. “Are you willing?” Shadow Milk says after a moment. “You were the one who got the worst of it. What if this just replicates the bond?”“I don’t think it will,” Pure Vanilla replies easily. “We’ve had no pain, no sensation of being tugged towards each other. If you’ve been far away, as you said, then distance is not a factor.” A hand comes up, gently brushing the hair from Shadow Milk’s eyes. “If this new development troubles you, let us set your mind at ease. I want you to remain at my side in contentment, not fear.”“What if it is a new bond?” Shadow Milk says cautiously. “What then? What if I can’t stay beside you without our chains returning?”“Then we shall break them,” Pure Vanilla Cookie says simply. “Over and over, as many times as it takes.”“White Lily Cookie will kill me first.”Pure Vanilla huffs a laugh. “She won’t.”She might.“But,” Pure Vanilla continues gently. “I do not believe we need go to such lengths. I feel no trace of your magics upon me. So, yes – I am willing to test it, if you are.”Shadow Milk averts his gaze, thinking to himself. There’s a prolonged period of silence as he mulls over the options; none of them are ideal, but there is merit in the idea of testing. If Shadow Milk is unconsciously forming another bond, they need to find out sooner rather than later. Shadow Milk wants to, needs to stay; remaining at Pure Vanilla’s side needs to be something he can be secure with. If he’s once again tying Pure Vanilla back to him, that needs to be nipped in the bud now.Pure Vanilla patiently waits as Shadow Milk ruminates in silence, simply holding him close and smoothing a gentle hand down his back. Finally, Shadow Milk decides:“Fine. But you’re the one telling White Lily Cookie if this goes wrong.”Pure Vanilla chuckles, giving Shadow Milk’s hips another squeeze. “Yes, love.”Shadow Milk shifts, leaning closer as Pure Vanilla sits up in the chair. Their Soul Jams hover inches away like this; Shadow Milk sucks in a breath as Pure Vanilla lets out a slow exhale, his shoulders drooping as he smiles.“Ready?”Not really, but Shadow Milk rarely backs down from a challenge. There’s a moment of hesitation, a final inhale to steady himself before Shadow Milk finally leans forward to press their brooches together.
  Clink.
Nothing.Rather, not nothing – the Soul Jam still hums happily, pulsing with warmth - but there’s no tugging sensation at Shadow Milk’s core. Even as they remain there, Soul Jams practically nuzzling against each other, there’s no sudden drop, no feeling of reality melting away. It’s a pleasant sensation, absolutely, a spreading warmth curling through his dough – but Shadow Milk is not being dragged under without say like all those times before.It just feels nice. Like he’s being cradled by the softest pillows, like a gentle hand is running through his hair and scritching his chin in all the right spots. Shadow Milk’s reality stays exactly where it is, yet he also feels like, if he so chose, he could slip away into peaceful slumber if he simply let go.Pure Vanilla pulls back; Shadow Milk does the same. They look at each other, blinking sleepy eyes before Pure Vanilla’s lips curve in a small smile.“Well?”“I feel good,” Shadow Milk replies slowly, trying to pick out the right words from his brain. “Cozy? Like…” He licks his lips again. “Like I do when you hold me.”Pure Vanilla’s eyes flutter, his smile deepening. “I feel the same,” he murmurs. “As if I’ve been laying out in the sun, or napping before the fire.”Shadow Milk’s own eyes close as he lowers his head, resting it against Pure Vanilla’s shoulder. “What does it mean?”There’s a hum as Pure Vanilla shifts, pressing another kiss to Shadow Milk’s cheek. “I think,” he muses softly, “it means our Soul Jams are happy.”“Happy?” Shadow Milk blinks, brow furrowing. “Happy to touch?”“Maybe.” Pure Vanilla’s chin comes to rest atop Shadow Milk’s head. “Our Soul Jams were once the Soul Jam of Knowledge. They were pulled apart and separated for a very long time. To be denied the one that completes you is torturous.” A gentle, teasing squeeze. “Perhaps they’re simply glad to see one another.”“Hah.” Shadow Milk huffs a laugh. “That’s all?”“Well…” Pure Vanilla hums. “It could be that they’re encouraging us.”“To what?” Shadow Milk rolls his eyes beneath his lids. “I’m already yours.”Pure Vanilla’s grip on him tightens, just slightly. Still, his voice is remarkably steady as he replies: “To connect again.”Shadow Milk’s eyes snap open; he pulls back sharply, giving Pure Vanilla a disbelieving once-over. The other simply smiles, sheer contentment in his gaze.“To connect?” Shadow Milk repeats. “What are you talking about?”Pure Vanilla c@cks his head. “Didn’t you feel it?” A nod towards their brooches. “As if you could just… slip away?”Shadow Milk had. The thought is terrifying, yet Pure Vanilla seems wholly unbothered.“I’m not saying we have to.” Pure Vanilla’s hand comes up, smoothing over Shadow Milk’s tightly furrowed brow. “But it does feel different. Before, we had no choice – a single touch and we’d be dragged under, like it or not. Yet, this time I felt…” A pause, Pure Vanilla searching for his own words. “As if there was a door. Something standing between you and myself that I could choose to open, to allow you in.”“You shouldn’t.” Shadow Milk’s words come out harsher than he means. “We could fall again.”“We could,” Pure Vanilla affirms. “But… I don’t think we will.”Shadow Milk Cookie averts his gaze. “You don’t know that.”“I know I love you,” Pure Vanilla Cookie replies easily. “I know you love me. The choices we have made to love one another are our own. There is no bond, no strings that tie us together. I have chosen you, and you have chosen me.” Pure Vanilla’s hand drops from Shadow Milk’s temple to cup his cheek. “I know you are afraid. But I do not think you could force me to love you even if you tried. My true love for you is greater than anything you could possibly imagine. And I know beyond any fraction of doubt that that love is what you truly desire.”“Sap,” Shadow Milk mutters weakly, keeping his gaze on the floor.“Yes.” Pure Vanilla’s hand smooths gently over Shadow Milk’s cheek. “As I said, we do not have to do anything you do not wish. I am perfectly content to continue as we are. I only wish to set your mind at ease against the possibilities I know you are dreading.” A pause. “We could simply ask White Lily Cookie.”Ugh.“We should,” Shadow Milk says after a moment. He toys with the hem of Pure Vanilla’s sleeve. “But…”He’s not… wholly opposed to trying. It’s not as if he’d been pining for the days of Pure Vanilla’s blank, happy stare, but the sensations that had accompanied their connections had been – intoxicating. Shadow Milk has no complaints as to the current state of things, as Pure Vanilla is more than happy to set Shadow Milk’s soul alight in other ways, but…Can they do this? Can they connect as they did, embrace one another without consuming them whole?Can Shadow Milk stop himself?He doesn’t know. He can’t know.Not unless he tries.“Fine,” Shadow Milk sighs. “Let’s do it.”Pure Vanilla smiles. “You’re sure?”“No.” Shadow Milk shifts on Pure Vanilla’s lap restlessly. “But I want to try anyway.”“I do too.” Pure Vanilla leans closer; their Soul Jams are held a breath away yet again, thrumming with renewed interest. “Who knows? It could be better than before.”Shadow Milk snorts. “It could be worse.”“It could be bliss.”“It could be ruin.”“All possibilities,” Pure Vanilla murmurs. “Will you stay with me to find out?”Shadow Milk can’t help the smile that graces his own face. “Yes. I’ll stay.” A roll of his eyes. “You big sap.”Pure Vanilla leans up, pressing a firm kiss to Shadow Milk’s lips. “Thank you, love.”“Yeah, yeah,” Shadow Milk drawls, before slyly tacking on: “Pookie Bear.”A snort, loud and unapologetic; surprisingly, it comes from Pure Vanilla himself. “Goodness. Is that my new pet name?”Shadow Milk shrugs his good shoulder with a lazy smile. “I’m workshopping it.”They kiss again, slow and sweet – and it’s during this kiss that Shadow Milk’s lidded eyes happen to chance upon a miscolored patch on the ceiling. He pulls back from the kiss with a wet pop; when Pure Vanilla leans in again, Shadow Milk stills him with a hand to his chest. “Hey,” Shadow Milk remarks, nodding upwards. “What is that?”Pure Vanilla cranes his head back. “What’s what?”“That patch on the ceiling.” Shadow Milk squints. “It’s different than the rest.”“Oh.” Pure Vanilla blinks. “I just patched the crack up there a few days ago.” Another glance backwards. “Why? Do the paints not match?”They don’t. The difference is noticeable, a clear reminder of the damage that had been; yet Shadow Milk finds himself oddly charmed by the sight. “You patched it?”Pure Vanilla chuckles. “Well, I’d noticed you looking at it before, so I suppose you gave me the idea. And I did have some help.”“Hm.” Shadow Milk turns his attention back, a sly smile on his face. “Who knew you were so good at mending things?”“Well…” Pure Vanilla’s gaze softens.“Shut up.” Shadow Milk nudges him gently, motioning to their Soul Jams. “We doing this or what?”“Of course.” One final kiss is pressed to Shadow Milk’s forehead before Pure Vanilla draws back. “Love. But, we should probably move to the bed. I don’t think my back could take falling asleep in this chair with you atop me.”“Aw.” Shadow Milk flutters his lashes. “You’ve fallen asleep with me atop you before, Pookie Bear.”Pure Vanilla grimaces. “Can’t I just keep being old man?”Shadow Milk grins, all teeth as he slides off the other’s lap. “No.”The pair make their way to the bed, stopping to kiss a few more times along the way. When Shadow Milk finally falls back, letting the mattress groan in protest beneath his weight. Pure Vanilla settles down beside him, leaning over as cascades of golden hair tickle gently at Shadow Milk’s dough. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.” Shadow Milk tilts his head up, willing away the nerves eating at his jam. “Come on. I won’t break.”There’s a sigh, soft and fond as Pure Vanilla leans in, his eyes slipping shut; Shadow Milk exhales quietly before doing the same. The Soul Jams brush, ever so slightly. There’s another moment of hesitation, a final breath before the curtain call, before the brooches come to rest firmly together with an audible:
  Clink.
The world does not rip away. Shadow Milk is not dragged under, kicking and screaming; he is not clasped tight or pulled every which way in rapid descent, dizzying in its ferocity.Instead, a feeling of calm contentment washes over him as, behind closed lids, a gentle sort of light filters through his consciousness.There is no urgency, no desperation in its call. It beckons to him, waiting patiently at the edges of his mind for an answer – but it does not demand. It merely asks, glimmering with a warmth he can feel soaking into his dough.Shadow Milk does not answer at first. He waits, testing the waters that hold firm beneath his feet. The light twinkles, a teasing sort of wink that brings a smile to Shadow Milk’s face. There’s a sigh, a hopelessly affectionate roll of his eyes – before finally, Shadow Milk extends his hand and takes a step forward.Reality shimmers away in a sea of glittering, golden mist.When Shadow Milk’s eyes open, the scene that awaits him is almost painful in its familiarity.He is back in the field, the same grass beneath his paws, the same summer wind caressing at his fur. The world around him seems – clearer, somehow. Gone is the milky silhouette of the grass – it now stands sharper, more defined than ever before as it sways in the breeze. The trees all around him tower high above, but their foreboding presence has been replaced by something softer as gentle sunlight streams through their leaves. There’s even birdsong in the air, blurs of movement hopping amongst the branches as they chatter to one another.At Shadow Milk’s right, a soft bleat carries on the wind.His head whips around instantly; yet, the sight that greets him makes him pause in surprise. A sheep stands in the field, wool dark and glossy – yet it is not alone. All around him are dozens of sheep, snuffling and milling about with bright, shining eyes. A few of them lift their heads and bleat in greeting; several more approach and bump into him in open affection before trotting off. Shadow Milk can only blink, looking every which way as he surveys the herd surrounding him.He doesn’t see the lamb.Shadow Milk paces through the clearing, circling them once as he scans the crowd – yet for every peaceful sheep that meanders past him, not a single one bears the shining golden hue of the lamb. His lamb.Where had it gone?A strange sense of dread curls in Shadow Milk’s chest; he whines at the back of his throat, coming to a halt as he plants his paws in the grass. His head tips back – a low, melancholy howl reverberates through the air, causing the sheep to lift their ears and glance towards him. As the sound dies out, Shadow Milk’s head lowers, his tail drooping in open forlornness.A loud, rumbling bleat echoes in Shadow Milk’s ears; they immediately pr@ck up as his head sharply swivel towards the sound.There, at the clearing’s edge, stands a large, golden ram.Its fleece shimmers in the sunlight, a radiant hue of color that glints off the curves of its mighty horns. Two mismatched eyes shine brightly as the beast steps forward; it bleats again – low and rumbling, a call that Shadow Milk finds himself moving towards without thought. The sheep at his back watch in silence as the ram’s song carries through the clearing; for each step Shadow Milk takes, the ram matches it in kind, the grass crunching beneath their paws and hooves until they stand directly before one another.The ram’s eyes roam over him, gleaming in the sunlight; its gaze is fond and kind. Shadow Milk cautiously inches closer, head lowered as he scents the air around it.Soft and warm, gentle and soothing – unmistakable. Unforgettable.His lamb.The ram’s eyes twinkle with mirth; slowly, it lowers its head to brush against Shadow Milk’s own. Shadow Milk pushes back immediately, rubbing his snout against the lamb as a pleased whine sings through his throat. He shoves his body against the other, winding around it in a circle as the ram nuzzles against him with a pleased sort of chuff. Shadow Milk’s tail is wagging fiercely, a blur of movement he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to.The lamb, his lamb – or perhaps, it had never been a lamb at all. The strength in its gaze is immeasurable, steadying as it watches him circle it and bark. There’s another low rumble and a satisfied huff before it lowers its head once more and offers a gentle lick to his cheek.Then, the ram nudges him; it tucks its hind legs, settling down into the grass before him. Its neck cranes outward, beckoning to him with a toss of its head – and Shadow Milk doesn’t need to be told twice. He lays down right beside it, burying his snout in its fleece as the ram tucks his chin right atop his head.The ram’s heartbeat is slow and steadying; its fleece is warm and soft, wrapping Shadow Milk up in a feeling of utter contentment. All around him, he can hear the soft bleatings of sheep idling closer, the grass crunching beneath their hooves. When Shadow Milk turns his head to look, he can see the sheep crowding up, just to lay down beside them both as they snuggle up against one another.Shadow Milk’s own heart beats happily as the ram gives him another gentle lick to the top of his head.The summer breeze is warm on his fur; the air is filled with the murmurs of his flock, of the ram’s soothing rumbles against his side. Shadow Milk sighs, low and long as his head comes down to rest in the grass; the ram drapes its long neck across him, heaving a contented sigh of its own. He can feel it breathe against him, a pulse that matches his own as they nuzzle together in the grass. Shadow Milk’s eyes slowly slip shut-And reopen to a pale cream ceiling.He’s lying on his back in Pure Vanilla’s bed, just as before; Shadow Milk blinks thrice, refocusing on the world around him. There’s no blurriness, no hazy fog over his eyes as he surveys his surroundings with an idle stare. Judging by the darkness, night has fallen, so some time has certainly passed – yet the moon outside the window has barely crested the horizon. It feels as if Shadow Milk’s taken nothing more than a short nap, as opposed to dragging himself from the dull stupors of before.Pure Vanilla’s curled against him, half-draped atop Shadow Milk as his chest rises and falls with slow breaths. He’s still fast asleep, but there’s a slight flutter to his eyelids that draws Shadow Milk’s fond gaze to them. He looks peaceful, content as can be just lying side by side.He’s also heavy.Shadow Milk wriggles his arm out to give Pure Vanilla a poke; there’s a sleepy grunt before Pure Vanilla’s eyes slowly crack open. He too blinks a few times, his eyes roaming over Shadow Milk’s openly fond expression before letting out a rather dainty yawn. “Mm…” he mumbles, lifting his chin up. “Shadow Milk?”“Obviously.” Shadow Milk gives him an amused once-over. “Expecting any other Cookies in your bed?”Pure Vanilla offers a sleepy little smile. “Not currently.”Shadow Milk gently pinches his side. “How are you feeling?”“M’fine.” Pure Vanilla yawns again, arching his lower back in a mild stretch. “How about you?”There’s a moment of consideration as Shadow Milk toys with the question. He feels… normal. Refreshed, maybe, but not groggy and disoriented like he’d come to expect. Moreover, there’s no pull, no feeling of longing eating away at him as he looks over Pure Vanilla in full. “Also fine.” Shadow Milk tilts his head. “How do you feel about me?”Pure Vanilla’s eyes slowly blink once. “About you? Hm…” Pure Vanilla gives Shadow Milk an open once-over before his smile deepens. “I feel… like you should come to Custard Cookie III’s bakeday party on Saturday.”“Oh good,” Shadow Milk replies dryly. “Clearly there’s no bond, because you don’t love me anymore.”There’s a laugh as Pure Vanilla lifts himself up; the pair of them scoot off one another, pulling the sheets up as they begin settling into bed. “Come now. It’ll be fun. You just had a bad experience at Strawberry Crepe Cookie’s.”“Rubbish,” Shadow Milk sighs, fluffing up his pillow just how he likes. “They hired a clown. A bad clown. And you made me sit there and watch.”“That’s true.” Pure Vanilla Cookie tugs the covers up to his chin. “I don’t think Strawberry Crepe Cookie enjoyed him much either. I had to keep taking the Wafflebot controller away from them.”“Should’ve let them. That would have been a real show.”Pure Vanilla hums, shifting onto his side so he can look at Shadow Milk properly. “Will you come? Black Raisin Cookie will be there.”Shadow Milk grins. “Yeah, her and her new girlfriend.”There’s a small smile twitching on Pure Vanilla’s lips. “I don’t think they’ve given it a name quite yet.”“Eh.” Shadow Milk shrugs his good shoulder. “Neither have we. Doesn’t change much, does it?”Pure Vanilla’s eyes soften; his hand reaches out from the covers, finding its favorite place along the curve of Shadow Milk’s cheek. “If-”“Stop.” Shadow Milk rolls his eyes for effect, even if his smile is gentled. “We’ve had this conversation a hundred times before.”“Twice.”“A hundred times,” Shadow Milk corrects. “And for the last time, it doesn’t bother me. We may have the Beasts off our backs for now, but there’s no point in stirring the pot any further. We’ll sort everything else out after the dust has settled.”Pure Vanilla’s gaze is soft; there’s a tinge of sadness in his eyes, but he still strokes his hand down Shadow Milk’s cheek just the same. “Alright.”“Besides,” Shadow Milk adds. “I already said I’d stay.” A prideful, half-toss of his head. “That’s more than any other Cookie’s ever gotten, you know. You should feel special.”“I do.” Pure Vanilla’s voice is deeply fond. “Very much so. I’m very happy, Shadow Milk Cookie.”“Aw,” Shadow Milk coos, “no problem, Pookie Bear.”Pure Vanilla’s face scrunches unhappily. “Really?”“See, now that I know you hate it, it makes me want to say it more.”There’s a sigh as Pure Vanilla’s eyes slip shut. “You’ve been spending too much time with the children, I fear.”“Maybe.” Shadow Milk snuggles deeper under the covers. “But it feels like good practice for the future, hm?”Pure Vanilla’s eyes snap open instantly; he stares, searching Shadow Milk over with remarkable lucidity for a man that had looked half-asleep. His gaze is piercing, a sharpness that stands in sharp contrast with the amused look Shadow Milk’s giving him in return.“What?” Shadow Milk drawls playfully. “You’ve had descendants before. And you said you liked children.” A sly smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “You never know.”“Are you…” Pure Vanilla says slowly, “are you saying, you…?”“Not right now. Obviously.” Shadow Milk replies easily. “But… I don’t think I’m opposed to discussing it. When the dust settles.”Pure Vanilla sucks in a breath; Shadow Milk simply rolls his eyes and gives him a nudge under the covers.“Enough,” Shadow Milk continues, voice far too thick with affection for his own liking. “Go to sleep.”There’s some more shifting; Pure Vanilla’s arms are reaching for him, pulling Shadow Milk closer by the hip. The other feels warm, remarkably so – Shadow Milk can only huff a laugh as he’s brought upwards, for kiss after kiss to be pressed against his temple. Pure Vanilla’s wrapping him in a tight hug, nuzzling down against him with such fierceness that Shadow Milk can’t help but snicker into the other’s collar.“Sap.”“I love you,” Pure Vanilla murmurs into his hair.Shadow Milk sighs happily, his own arms coming up to circle around Pure Vanilla’s chest. He squeezes, burying his face into the other’s neck as he whispers back:“I love you too.”They stay like this for a while; slowly, Pure Vanilla’s breath evens out as he gradually slips off into slumber. Shadow Milk remains in his arms, eyes lidded as the call of sleep tugs at him – yet he refuses it, focusing on the sounds of the ticking clock and the gentle pulse of Pure Vanilla’s heart against his own. The other’s telltale snores are already beginning to rumble in his throat, but that’s not what’s keeping Shadow Milk awake.
  The story of the Cookie who wasn’t a Cookie.
Perhaps it’s the dissatisfaction with leaving a story unfinished, but Shadow Milk keeps turning the words over in his mind. He’d recalled the tale with ease, as if it was nothing more than a children’s fable to entertain, to please eager young ears.To warn of what-ifs.Upon reflection, it’s difficult to say which Shadow Milk had been longer - the Fount or the Beast. There’d been so much time spent languishing in captivity, feeding into his perpetual rage as he’d stared down the bars of his prison that even now, Shadow Milk is unclear just how many moons have passed. As the Fount, he’d tracked the passing of time with the crumbling away of the Cookies around him, marking each new cycle with the death of a mortal he’d cherished, however slight his affections may have been. A bit morbid to think about in the present, but he’d never known any other way to be.A thousand lifetimes, a thousand faces pretending to be a real Cookie all to lead, manipulate or destroy them – yet only now does Shadow Milk Cookie stand with a new sort of eternity before him.He lacks obligations, duties to uphold or plans to be made. Shadow Milk Cookie does not have to attend meetings, or teach hungry young minds, or even plot the destruction of every living soul around him. Shadow Milk Cookie claims to have always done as he pleased – yet until now, that had been a half-truth at best. There’d always been a plan, a script to follow, something to help guide him to his next role upon the stage. He’d always gone through life knowing what he was supposed to be, whether it be by the Witches or Beast’s own demands.Now, there is no script. No demands to be made of him. All that has been asked of him is to stay.All that’s left to be is a Cookie – and that’s a role Shadow Milk is wholly unfamiliar with.Pure Vanilla Cookie shifts in his sleep, drawing Shadow Milk out of his thoughts. The other sighs, low and long; there’s something mumbled, something that slips away into a half-snore as Pure Vanilla drifts off once more.Shadow Milk bites back a laugh; the smile on his face is enough as he closes his eyes, nestling against the other with a sigh of his own.Shadow Milk doesn’t know how to be a Cookie just yet, but he’s learning. Pure Vanilla Cookie will guide him every step of the way, as will the kingdom, a kingdom full of Cookies that have come to see Shadow Milk as their own. The Fount had no equal; the Beast, no solace. Here, as he is now, Shadow Milk has nothing to offer but himself – yet that is all they seem to wish for. Shadow Milk is as weak and fragile as he’s ever been, but has never felt less alone.A strange sort of paradox, to be so highly valued at his lowest. Cookies really are rather strange creatures.Sleep tugs at Shadow Milk once more; his eyes flutter as he feels Pure Vanilla’s warmth soak into his dough, as his reluctance is slowly giving way to peaceful acceptance. As his tired gaze scans the room one last time, he spies a familiar blue plush resting atop the bookshelf, its buttons gleaming in the moonlight.Such a small, pitiful thing, created for a singular purpose and summarily discarded – yet Pure Vanilla Cookie had taken it home, dusted it off, and treasured it just the same.How amusing. Shadow Milk should have cottoned on to his fate from the start.As Shadow Milk’s eyes finally slip shut, he cannot help the small smile on his face. Perhaps he is not a Cookie just yet; perhaps there is still more to learn than he can fit in one lifetime. But so long as he is not alone, so long as he continues to move forward – Shadow Milk will continue to try.Pure Vanilla Cookie hums against him; Shadow Milk presses a kiss to his chin, heart singing in his chest.He’ll keep trying. Over and over, again and again, a thousand times if he has to.It’s alright. He’s in no rush.He has forever to get it right. 
  
  

    
      
        
        
          I want to thank everyone so much who's followed along to this point; the outpouring of love for Jambound has truly touched me, as well as all your kind words and messages. It's cathartic and a little sad to have this be my last chapter of the work ever, but I will continue to write and tie in any new works in an Ao3 Series so you will be able to find them linked from Jambound itself.I'm so glad you've all enjoyed my work, and I strive to improve with each story, so here's to the future!As always, you have free permission to book-bind this work and translate it to other languages with credit. I can also be found as @jambound on Twitter!'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
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