OvenBreak Havoc Chapter 9 - Gentle Affection
Inside the pillow fort, Pure Vanilla chose not to let the other cookies know that he could hear them outside since the sound wasn't disturbing Shadow Milk's rest as he ran a hand along the top of his head in a gentle manner. After what had happened at the Spire, he didn't expect to ever hear the beast in his lap purr again, even if he'd only heard it whenever the other cookie had been trying to annoy him during his time as Truthless Recluse. To be honest, the sound was nice.Â
âI'm surprised a child caused thisâŚâ
Running a hand through the beast's hair, Pure Vanilla softened seeing how he tried to nuzzle up into his touch before curling closer to him. That was until he caught a rather savory smell coming from outside the fort. Seems that one of the humans was making dinner thenâŚthe scent causing Shadow Milk to stir sleepily and peek open his eyes.Â
âDid you rest well?â Pure Vanilla tried not to chuckle when Shadow Milk made a sound similar to one Tiger Nutmeg Cookie would make when her sleep was disturbed before nuzzling into his stomach slightly. It only took a few seconds before the beast's eyes shot open and he practically tried to launch himself from his lap once his mind caught up with him as his face turned a bright shade of blue.Â
Shadow Milk didnât even remember falling asleep, and he could only hope that he wasnât purring as Pure Vanilla pat his head. UghâŚwhy did that insufferable cookieâs warmth have to stick around after heâd already backed away? And why did it have to feel so comfy!? Before he could process that thought, it was quickly washed away by the wave of embarrassment that came once he realized heâd been snuggling into Pure Vanilla like Candy Apple would one of her dolls.Â
âOh, I didnât mean to startle you. I simply wanted to know how you were feeling.âÂ
The beast looked at Pure Vanilla when he said that before looking away seeing the warm and tender expression on his face. Instead, he focused on the entrance of the fort where the scent that had woken him was growing stronger. Eager to change the subject and distract from what heâd done, Shadow Milk spoke up.Â
âW-Whatâs that smell?â
âIt seems that Jasper decided to make dinner while you were restingâŚwould you like to see?âÂ
Pure Vanilla watched through the eye of his staff as the cookie of deceit thought of his answer. While the beast himself may have seemed impassive, the eyes in his hair gave away his hesitation with how they glanced between the entrance and himself around before settling on him. Though Shadow Milkâs voice was barely audible, he heard it.Â
âIâŚIâll stayâŚb-but only for now!â
Pure Vanilla couldnât help but smile from the response before nodding âAlright thenâŚnow that youâre awake, may I properly see where you were wounded?âÂ
Watching as Shadow Milk adjusted his clothes with a huff, the ancient cookie couldnât help but wince in sympathy as his gaze softened. While the bruising on the head had faded due to his healing, there were bruises scattered along the beast's arms and torso as well as portions of his back that still looked fresh. Running a hand along a bruise across the shoulder, Pure Vanilla watched as the action caused the beast to wince.Â
âMy apologies, I didnât mea-â
âShut itâŚitâs fine.â
âFor the Beast of Deceit, that lie was rather obvious, wouldnât you say?â
Shadow Milk let out a growl at that and grit his teeth as he suppressed another wince when the ancient cookie moved his hand to one of the bruises along his back. If he saw another human child, it would be far too soon for himâŚturning his face to one of the plushies within the fort while the eyes in his hair watched Pure Vanilla map out the bruises.Â
âIâve done all I can for today, so try to be careful, alright?âÂ
Shadow Milk rolled his eyes at that as Pure Vanilla withdrew his hands. For witches sake, he didnât need to be coddled like some kid who scraped their knee!Â
âI know youâre strong and like to act it, but even the strongest donât bear their burdens alone.â
âI said Iâm fine, No need to make this into a performanceâŚâ Pure Vanilla had to keep himself from responding with âIsnât that what you like to do?â as he smiled in a serene manner despite the cookieâs grumbling.Â
âVery well. If you need anything, you need only ask.â
Before Shadow Milk could respond, the sound of muffled giggling from outside the fort caused him to tense as the eyes within his hair darted to look at the direction of the sound.Â
âTheyâre eavesdropping!â Shadow Milk had flushed a bright blue as he hissed and flared his hair outâŚoh no, did they see him and Pure VanillaâŚ? The healer in question seemed unbothered as he let out a soft laugh.Â
âPerhaps they're just curious?â Pure Vanilla spoke softly as he readjusted some of the pillows and plushies in a calm manner. âAfter all, it's not every day the Beast of Deceit willingly allows himself to stay somewhere so cozy.â Â
With that, Golden Cheese and Eternal Sugar peeked into the fort's entrance with matching mischievous expressions seeing how blue Shadow Milk's face wasâŚthe pink haired cookie speaking up.Â
âI must admit, while dinner smells amazing, the sight of you both cuddling together smells so much sweeter~â Her voice almost came out as a purr as Golden Cheese snickered when Shadow Milk turned his face away with a grumble of âStupid meddling gnatsâŚâ as his face flushed further.Â
âPerhaps you both would like to join us? Or would you prefer to watch Jasper set the table?âÂ
While Golden Cheese's eyes shone in a playful intent at Pure Vanilla's offer, her response was interrupted by a shout from outside the fort. âBurning Spice put that down!â seems Jasper was having to wrangle the destructive beast againâŚEternal Sugar let out a soft sigh before moving to watch whatever carnage her fellow beast was creating.Â
Pure Vanilla, seeing how Shadow Milk had stiffened slightly from the yell, placed a hand on his shoulder in a gentle manner before speaking up softly. âIt's alrightâŚâ
Noticing the atmosphere of the fort, Golden Cheese decided she could leave her teasing for later. Giving a wink and a grin, she spoke up as she went to follow Eternal Sugar.Â
âI'll save your seats for you both.â With that, the golden sovereign disappeared from the fort entrance as Pure Vanilla finished adjusting some of the pillowsâŚthe quiet atmosphere from before returning.
âWe can stay as long as you need to collect yourselfâ The soft murmur from the ancient cookie caused Shadow Milk to look towards him. âAfter all, everyone needs sanctuary at some point.âÂ
Shadow Milk let out a sigh and relaxed ever so slightly at that before nodding. After all, he had to make sure he was presentable before they saw the others, and he absolutely refused to let the others see the bruising Pure Vanilla had! Burning Spice wouldn't let him live it down!Â
Soon enough, all the cookies had been moved to the table with Jasper setting down the steaming pot of Dublin Coddle. He had a satisfied grin on his face while Lillian quietly put stew in the doll bowls gotten from the hobby shop, letting Dark Cacao pass them out when he offered.Â
âDinner is served! It may have taken wrestling the ladle from Burning Spice like one would a chew toy from a dog, but we did it!â Jasper knew he'd never live down getting smacked upside the head with said ladleâŚespecially not with how Eternal Sugar laughed.Â
Silent Salt had settled near Mystic Flour, who almost seemed to be contemplating something before she began eating her portion of stew quietly once it was handed over. She must be missing her companion, Cloud Haetae...despite how apathetically she carried herself, the silent beast always noticed how her eyes and expression would soften into something more motherly whenever the young cookie was around or mentioned. What he also couldn't help but notice was how Shadow Milk was moving oh so stiffly.Â
Despite Pure Vanilla's insistence to be careful, Shadow Milk refused to let those annoying bruises slow him down. He's endured the painful existence of being trapped in the Silver Tree by the witches for cookie's sake! Why should this be any different?! Sitting on the table, he did his best to mask his stiffness as composure. Unfortunately, Golden Cheese noticed.Â
âYou move like you're being watched.â Lillian looked to Golden Cheese curiously, with the cookie in question smirking as she lounged comfortably in her spot.Â
âI'm moving like I ALWAYS doâŚmaybe you're making me uncomfortable by watching me?â Shadow Milk responded with a mutter causing Jasper to raise an eyebrow.Â
White Lily, who hadn't noticed the stiffness until it was brought up, set her spoon down before speaking up softer. âA-Are you still in painâŚ?âÂ
Before Shadow Milk could deflect, Burning Spice made his way over with the energy around him crackling like fire. âWhat's taking you so long? Hurry up and eat!â The destructive beast sat himself down next to the smaller beast before, without thinking, clapping him right on the back where one of the worst bruises was hidden.Â
Shadow Milk grit his teeth, forcing himself not to react to the sharp flare of pain that shot through him as his hair instinctively bristled with the eyes there widening before returning to normal. His hopes the minor reaction went noticed were dashed the moment he saw how Golden Cheese's expression had changed.Â
âOhhh?â Golden Cheese's eyes gained a mischievous glint as she leaned towards the beast. âDid that tiny tap make you flinch?â Her smirk only grew when Shadow Milk glared back at her.
Jasper looked a bit worried now as he looked between the two cookies and noticed Golden Cheese's smirk shift into a grin that he swore reminded him of the Cheshire Cat. While Lillian had also noticed, she chose to keep out of it for now.Â
âThe fearsome Beast of Deceit? Hurt so badly by a mere child? How tragic.âÂ
Shadow Milk ignored Golden Cheese and focused on his food, shoving a spoonful of stew into his mouth. If he was eating, she couldn't pester him for a response. Of all times for Burning Spice to be more physical, why did he need to choose right then?Â
Pure Vanilla, who was watching the exchange, decided to interrupt with a soft chuckle. âWhile teasing can be fun, best not to let it go too far, my friend.âÂ
âNow now, no need for coddling.â Golden Cheese leaned back, satisfied with her teasing for the moment. âI just don't want to see that spoon trembling in his hands.âÂ
Lillian looked to Shadow Milk, who'd shoveled another spoonful into his mouth and bristled his hair up like an irate kitten like he was daring them to push the issue. He wasn't going to admit he was hurt, was heâŚ? Well, while she could draw attention to it, she knew Jasper was far better suited for doing so. Besides, with the expression Hollyberry had, she wouldn't need to make mention of anything.Â
As expected, Hollyberry's booming voice rang out. âWell now, what's with the grim atmosphere?â She moved and sat herself down right next to Shadow Milk despite his bristling. âThis is meant to be a hearty feast! What's with all this miserable moping?â
Shadow Milk tensedâŚtrying to avoid having her elbow ram into his side and shifting away slightly. Unfortunately, Hollyberry's movement alongside his own quiet and careful movement got the attention of Dark Cacao, who watched the subtle adjustment. He caught the shift in the other cookies' gaze to look him over and dreaded the sight of the ancient cookie opening his mouth.Â
âYou're still hurtâŚâ Dark Cacao's statement wasn't a question, just a simple declaration.Â
Shadow Milk stiffened at that, with the action causing the bruises to sting. âI'm fineâŚnow could you all just drop it? Show's over!âÂ
Hollyberry paused hearing that before slowly turning to the beast. Initially she wanted to make things more lively, but what Dark Cacao said had her focusing on Shadow Milk. âFine, huh?â Looking closer, she could see that the smaller cookie was holding himself unnaturally still and the eyes in his hair almost seemed to be wincing.Â
Jasper had taken to eating as the cookies interacted, but was drawn back to the conversation steadily as it drew on. That was when he noticed a darker color peeking out from under the oversized sweater Shadow Milk had changed into.Â
âWait-â Jasper's expression had turned worried as he focused on the discoloration. âJust how badly did you get hurt? That bruise looks about as dark as my hair.â
That was enough to make Hollyberry's easy going demeanor shift. After all, she was friends with Pitiya Cookie who would often push through pain and refuse aid for the sake of nothing but his own pride. She wasn't about to let Shadow Milk do the same when they didn't have the resources to handle more severe wounds.Â
âLet me see.â Hollyberry reached towards Shadow Milk, who immediately tried to lean away.Â
âI told you, I'm fi-â The beast didn't even get to finish as she grabbed his arm anyway in a firm but careful grip. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't hide how his body tensed since part of where Hollyberry had grabbed was bruised.Â
âForgive meâŚâ With that, Hollyberry adjusted the neck hole of the oversized sweater down with her eyes darkening at what she saw. The bruising didnât look pretty with large splotches of dark blue and purple visible along Shadow Milkâs arm and stretching up his shoulder. She could even see some reaching his back as Jasper gasped.Â
âThat's not âfineâ that's badly injured!â Jasper was incredibly concerned now he could see the extent of some of the bruises, and was looking to Pure Vanilla for reassurance and confirmation.Â
âHe's healing stillâŚI could only do so much for today.â Pure Vanilla sighed softly with his expression gentle but firm as he watched through his staff when Shadow Milk yanked himself away with his teeth grit.Â
Dark Cacao, who had been watching silently, spoke up as he set his spoon in the now empty bowl. âYouâll regret letting your stubbornness become a weakness, you knowâŚâ
Eternal Sugar had been ready to join Golden Cheese in her teasing, but couldn't help but pause when she noticed the extent of the bruisingâŚno wonder the eyes in Shadow Milk's hair looked about ready to bite Burning Spice when he'd slapped his back. In his shoes, she would've probably acted the same way or just avoided dinner all together.Â
Jasper was pinching the bridge of his nose as he spoke up. âLook, if you need anything, just ask. I don't care if it's the middle of the night, I don't want you acting like everything's fine when your hair eye things look like they're watering.â
Shadow Milk clenched his fists with his hair bristling as he fixed his oversized sweater. âI donât need your pityâŚâÂ
âStubborn brat.â Hollyberry clicked her tongue before sighing and backing off. âBut fine, I'll leave you be for now.âÂ
Golden Cheese, who had gone silent when she saw the bruising, took the opportunity to speak up. âYou may want to listen before your body decides to make you take the pain seriously on its own, beastie.â
Shadow Milk, not wanting to respond, put his spoon in his mouth despite the bowl he had being empty so the conversation would end.Â
Pure Vanilla watched through his staff before eating quietly. Hopefully, Shadow Milk would allow himself to be cared for when the time came for it.Â
As for Jasper, he would come to regret telling the cookie he didn't care if he bothered him in the middle of the night. Shadow Milk had taken full advantage of the permission to annoy him.