winterfrosting | Dark Cacao's Inbox

( white lily cookie's been quiet, since the incident at the clinic. they've both been quiet, and the house feels emptier and emptier by the day. but when its safe to go out, she still makes a decision-

when she comes back inside, closing the door behind her, lily pauses like she's trying to figure out what to say when she sees cacao... but words fail her, initially, so she instead just shows him what she went out for. groceries, a dark bottle of plum wine, and a new blanket. )

If... If I'm right, it's almost Valentine's day... I understand if you don't want to do anything. But I thought maybe a little treat might be nice regardless...

[he looks a little better thanks to deeper sleep the last few days: thank Affogato's medicines. But there's still a slightly hollow look to his eyes.

Still, they spark a little seeing Lily. They always do]

...is it already that far into the month?

[He moves to help her carry things]

Maybe. But snow is starting to melt, and isn't that around the time...?

I brought some things for dinner.

( steak, for mr warrior king! and sides, of course. heimr insisted it'd all pair well with the wine, and he sent his love (in a note for cacao to read privately) and they can at least get a nice night in with everything.

she lets him take some of the bundles, sliding her shoes off to head further in. )

... How are you feeling?

[he glances out the window, smiling slightly]

So it is...

[Into the kitchen they go, and Cacao sees the note as he paws through the goods, tucking it away for later- and reminding himself he should go visit. Before now the idea of discussing what happened to their friend hurt too much. But he owes it to him.]

I am... well enough. I took some time to write.

[Nearly all of it trashed, but the attempt was therapeutic, he finds. He's always found it easier to write his thoughts over speaking]

Did it help any?

( she hopes it did. she hopes it brought him any sort of peace, let him work through what he's been carrying for weeks now.

the blanket will be placed far from the food, at least.

tucked into the paper-wrapped meat- tuna!- is a recipe card, because lily is not actually good at improvising in cooking if she tries for others... she gets performance anxiety. if cacao snoops, it's for grilled tuna with a side of seared vegetables- simple but filling and fresh. )

[He snoops a tiny bit, enough to figure out the main meat at least]

I... think so.

[he pauses, gathering his thoughts into words that make any sense for a feeling that is unable to be fully described]

Forcing it into a physical thing. Not just a sea of feelings. That helps.

... I can imagine.

( before she starts any preparations, lily sets everything down in full and pulls cacao down, closer to her, close enough to hold and press a kiss to his forehead. )

I'm here for you, for whatever you need.

[He gives a warm' hmm' to that]

I know. But please, depend on me as well.

...

( something about that hits her oddly- like she's finally close enough to the brink to realize that she doesn't know how to do as he asks.

pure vanilla helped her studies, as did others over time, but she never relied on them. with their friends as adventurers, things were different, but also not.

...

after a moment, lily just leans into him, one arm wrapped around him as best she can. )

[And he uses his one arm to hug her tightly]

I know it is not in your nature. The Jam of Freedom chose you for a reason. But there is no weakness in it like I might have once thought myself.

... It's not... weakness, I know that. I just...

I don't know how.

[He nods. That feels familiar]

Do not overthink it. Simply trust.

[He kisses the top of her head]

... I am aware of my own constant hypocrisy in this regard, mind you.

Cacao. My darling, wonderful Cacao.

It's me. Overthinking is what I do.

[And that, in fact, makes him laugh. A deep low noise, but a clear laugh regardless]

How foolish of me to forget!

Honestly! You'd think that we'd all know this by now, really.

( stars. she's missed his laugh. lily shifts to almost headbutt his chin, relieved. )

You would think.

Here. For a first step let me help you prepare the food.

[He only has one hand so he can't really do much, but still-]

... Alright. Do you remember? How Felicity did things, I mean-

( their girl made a point of not using magic in the kitchen, so if cacao ever observed her, he at least has an idea of how she kept things still or used leverage. regardless, lily is probably going to hover, but she'll try not to. )

I do, and have been practicing. My tail has helped, but it is not clean for cooking.

[It's on the floor too much and also has fur at the tip. Not hygienic!]

Yeah...

( though she's certainly curious about it.

about a lot of things? but it feels like. not great timing, to be honest. )

Let me know if you need anything, please.

[He grunts, a Cacao 'of course' as he focuses on his task.

The aura of 'comfortable silence' is strong with him]

( and that's the most important, truly. lily continues on, but eventually- absently?- she starts to hum. even as she works, it's a light and airy tune- one that she loved back when they were younger, too. )

Dark Cacao's Inbox

[a...proximtely valentines day? time is fake in the grove.]

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