Dark Cacao's Inbox

[winterfrosting]

DC is usually patrolling or at Pure Vanilla's house. But poking his notebook will always eventually get his attention!

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[winterfrosting]

[he relaxes bit by bit. He doesn't want to fight, not right now. When they are comfortable and enjoying each other's company. This place is strange and his body is alien to him and he feels so helpless... but there is the benefit of getting to spend time with his dearest friend again without some overhanging duty or threat. It makes him smile]

Indeed. You said as much in your letter, after all.

[you know, about the future... and the two of them]

[purevanillacookie]

[ Oh his letter. That seems so long ago now, though it may have only been a few months. His smile widens in delight.

He has no idea if Cacao read the underlying meaning. ]

And I meant every word.

[winterfrosting]

[The letter was... well, Cacao is not an idiot, but he IS stubborn. He had laid awake with heavy thoughts for nights after. Over his son, his battered kingdom, the return of the dark forces of this world.

But also Vanilla's wording. The sweet smelling orchid petals in the envelope. He had rubbed the delicate blooms over his palm until it grew brittle days later. Fretting over those specific words.

Not 'us', which would be their entire old party. But 'for you and me'. For the good of them, specifically.

But eventually he had to put those thoughts away. The counsel, which had turned so sour... his mind never really had the chance or, if he was honest, the will, to linger back on those words. Even after they had made peace among their group again. Here, in this peaceful moment, it's easy to think about it again. His skin darkness and he looks back towards the fire, as if scared of his friend's expression]

Thinking about the future for myself has not been something I considered for... a very long time, Pure Vanilla. The idea of sipping tea around a bonfire. Or feeding the birds... it feels almost alien now. I am too old and set in my dough, I fear.

[purevanillacookie]

[ Dark Cacao may turn away but it just makes Pure Vanilla's expression shift into something more fond. He knows his friends worries and fears. He doesn't need to use his sight to see them. The worries about his people. The pain that Power can bring. His worries for his Son.

Thank you, Sesa, for helping him do what he's about to do next. For helping him get over that initial hurdle of hugging.

Letting go of Cacao's arms, Vanilla reaches out to set his hands on the other's shoulders. Then gently tug the bigger man in, make him lean down, to wrap him into a warm, tight hug. There's no way he's fitting his arms properly around Cacao, so he mostly wraps them around his head, holds him against his shoulder. ]

I know you fear that you cannot change, as the weight of your world presses around your shoulders. You care too deeply about your people to allow yourself a vision of the future where we may simply relax, where we are not needed so direly to lead. Yet Resolution is not just the resolve to see things done, but to see things finished. And once it is, I will be by your side for a new journey together. Into peace.

[winterfrosting]

[He stiffens at the hug. Witches, when was the last time? Choco. Of course it was Choco. His breath comes out long and heavy, like he was deflating... before he just sinks into the embrace.

It is... a lovely dream.]

We... could go on another adventure, if you wish.

[purevanillacookie]

[ There it is. It's not quite a concession, but it's the softening of the hardened edges. He squeezes gently and takes the weight easily. ]

I would love that. There is so much to see yet, places we have not yet traveled.

[ Things they are both on the edge of saying. ]

[winterfrosting]

Things... that other cookies do that we can not.

[ He sighs deeply, taking in the freshly washed scent of his friend]

[purevanillacookie]

[ The sigh makes him smile and he rests his hand on the back of Cacao's head gently, then turns his head to press a shy, soft kiss to his cheek. Or ear. Whatever is closest and won't poke his horns into Cacao for. ]

We can.

[winterfrosting]

[He shivers: like the letter the wording, the action, is just vague enough to mean many things. But a kiss to the ear is not the same as one to the crown of the head. Sitting still pressed so close is not quite the same as a hug.

He knows if he plays it off that Vanilla will not press. Will not judge. His heart is too boundless. His shy action speak of a similar loneliness to his own. An ache for peace and closeness. He wonders how horrific that time in the void he wrote of must have been for him. Cold and dark.

The ability to finish things, huh? Witches save him but this cookie knows him too well. He tilts his head into it, wrapping his arms around his old friend, fingers digging into the draped cape]

You are making me greedy, you know.

[purevanillacookie]

[ Cold, Dark, and so alone. More alone than he's ever been. He's used to loneliness, it's become a part of him, but if asked he wouldn't deny he desires something deeper. Warmth. Love. Someone to hold him like they can fit the broken pieces of himself back together.

Which is exactly what Cacao does in the moment. It takes Pure Vanilla by surprise - even though he's yearned for it, to have it actually happen it not something he expected.

And like Cacao, after a moment he melts into it, tightens his own hold. Hides his face in a press to the others head, laughs a soft slightly shaky noise into his ear. ]

If you are greedy, then I am a Dragon.

[ Don't let go, his hold begs. Please don't let go. ]

[winterfrosting]

[Vanilla clings to him like any moment he might be blown away. Or stolen in the night. He doesn't have to ask, Cacao holds him harder. Maybe too hard for most people. He chuckles but it's an almost sad sound- they really are two broken creatures, aren't they?]

You really are. But I am used to dragons.

[purevanillacookie]

[ The hug would border on painful for someone else, but it feels right to him. Solid and heavy, something that weighs him down and stabilizes him. It's just like Cacao's soul. Weighty and heavy and protective, and Vanilla could lose himself in it, fit the pieces of Cacao that are broken into the pieces of him, and together they can make a whole soul.

He doesn't respond for a moment, silent against the other, before shifting his head to bring a hand up to wipe at his eyes, huff out a soft laugh. ]

Thank you...

[ Those two words hold so much meaning, and he knows Cacao will understand. ]

[winterfrosting]

[His heart aches for Vanilla. For all his suffering. For being able to remain kind even in the face of it, something Cacao himself has not fully managed. But kindness breaks you just as much as violence- cutting off parts here and there. That soft thank you answers any doubts he had left, and he carefully takes his face in his hands, cupping it and wiping the tears with his thumbs]

I should be saying that.

[It's enough warning that Vanilla can shift away if he wants, but if he doesn't Cacao leans in for the lightest of kisses, barely touching lips. All his empathy and hope in the tender touch]

[purevanillacookie]

[ He leans into the touch on his face, one hand coming up to cover Cacao's in return. Warm. It's so warm. It's different than dough in that regards, and Vanilla can't say he doesn't like it. He fits his fingers between Cacao's and feels the other lean in. He doesn't pull away, and instead sighs softly into the fragile touch of the kiss. It's just a brush, more of a sharing of air, but Vanilla feels what the other is offering.

He leans in to close the distance. The kiss is soft, uncertain in it's execution, but a return of the empathy and hope. And a promise, as his letter stated. A vision for the future for the two of them. ]

[winterfrosting]

[He feels like something is breaking. Shifting. A possibility opening up. He holds the kiss for a few moments before pulling back just a small bit, breaths still mingling]

You... still manage to surprise me.

[purevanillacookie]

[ The break makes him exhale softly, resting like that to take in the faint scents of Cacao, smiling a little to the comment, his fingers stroking over Cacao's. ]

I could say the same. When you did not mention what I had written in the letter, I did not think...

[winterfrosting]

Ah... well, by the time we saw each other in person again I had... talked myself out of certain thoughts.

[purevanillacookie]

[ The look given to Cacao is so fond. Of course he would. He shakes his head gently. ]

Allow me to ask again, then. Will you step upon this path with me? A new adventurer together?

[winterfrosting]

How could I ever tell you no, when you look at me so?

[purevanillacookie]

[ Witches, that makes his heart lump up. He knew the answer, simply based from the initiation of the kiss from Cacao, but to hear it. He hm's softly in return, folding his fingers with Cacao's, his smile soft and tender.

As his skin slowly begins to redden all over again as he realizes he's pretty much naked now in front of him. Oh. Ah. Do not look at him. Yes he pretty much confessed he'd asked him ages ago to date him but it's still very much not yet territory for the nakedness. ]

Understandable, I am the master of seduction here. Ah, blushing is so much hotter feeling as a human than a Cookie.

[winterfrosting]

It really is. It feels like my jam is boiling.

[He was very casual about it before, but now with this he tries to keep his eyes averted from all that bare skin. For Vanilla's sake, of course.]

[purevanillacookie]

[ He can see Cacao being a gentleman and keeping his eyes to himself, and it makes him tilt Cacao's head a little to kiss his forehead.

Then gently untangle their fingers so he can scoot and get his robes, they're dry enough, and shyly pull them on. Cacao will get to look as much as he likes later. ]

There... I am decent again.

[winterfrosting]

[He turns back, a small actual smile on his face]

And on that... perhaps we should rest. Searching for Clotted Cream Cookie will be an endever no matter what has happened to him. We should be ready.

[And give them both time to process what just happened between them personally, too]

[purevanillacookie]

Yes... We must be prepared as possible, as well. Going into the forest will be no small task, and coming out with Clotted Cream no easy one.

[ He pats his robes a little to dry them further, then glances to Cacao, then away shyly like his own thoughts scandalize him too much, then back again.

His Staff is really annoyed by the back and forth. ]

W-would you care to... ah... [ Haha nervous bleat interjects... softest baa. ] I mean to say, my bed is large enough-!

[ His intentions are obviously just to rest, it's clear Pure Vanilla is thinking nothing else, but even that much flusters him. ]

[winterfrosting]

[His brows arch, surprised that Vanilla is offering. They've been dancing around sleeping arrangements since he arrived since Cacao refuses to just take over the bed and Vanilla doesn't want him camping outside.]

If you are comfortable with it, I would not mind.

[they are both gentlemen there's no reasons to be concerned]