By the time Pure Vanilla made it back to the cabin, the sun had long since set. He hadn't meant to stay out so late, but the day had gotten away from him. Aside from the usual chores of the farm and tending to the flock, he'd found a hole in the fence to mend, then the children from the nearby village came by to ask for help carrying some kindling back home, then the villagers had come to him with more requests…and things built from there.
As happy as he was to help, the extra errands turned a long day longer. His horns ached against his temples as he continued down the well worn path to the cabin. Soon he would be home, he reminded himself. He looked forward to this every day, especially after long ones like this, when he would crest the hill and see—
The cabin sat silent, windows unlit, in the darkness below.
Concern tightened around Pure Vanilla's heart.
He was back far later than usual, and yet he couldn't think of a time when the other hadn't beaten him back home. The cabin windows should be blazing with light from the lanterns by now, a familiar grumpy face waiting in the doorway, tail lashing, already telling him off for taking so long.
It wasn't supposed to be this quiet.
Pure Vanilla turned towards the edge of the forest past the cabin. Steadying himself with a breath, he forced himself to think rationally. If he was still out there, hurt or captured or whatever else kept him from home, Pure Vanilla could find him. He'd tracked him down a countless number of times before he'd agreed to stay with him. One more time would be nothing—
Leaves rustled at the treeline, and a figure emerged, dragging something behind it. Moonlight caught on blue hair with a white streak. The tension in Pure Vanilla's chest vanished. He felt the smile grow across his face as he took long strides towards the forest's edge to greet his other half.
Shadow Milk dropped the results of his hunt onto the grass, the reflective eyes of a predator flickering up towards Pure Vanilla. He grimaced, eyes widening and soft ears turning down for a moment as he watched the other advance.
"What?" he said, voice cracking. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You weren't home," Pure Vanilla said, opening his arms. "I was getting worried."
Shadow Milk's fluffy tail lashed in the air behind him. Even in the slight light provided by the moon, Pure Vanilla could see the wolf's face flush.
"And how long were you waiting?" he asked.
"I just got back," Pure Vanilla said, still walking towards him. "I was excited to see you. But then you weren't there."
The wolf's blue and white tail traced an appreciative arc in the air behind him.
"Cotton headed ram," Shadow Milk muttered. "Can't even go out on a longer hunt without you worrying about me."
He started to cross his arms, but Pure Vanilla was faster.
Wrapping his arms around the wolf's small waist, Pure Vanilla lifted him off the ground. Feet kicking in the air, Shadow Milk shrieked, flailing his arms.
"Let go of me, you stupid—!" he yelled, fists beating against his partner's shoulders. But Pure Vanilla knew Shadow Milk's behavior. There were no claws in his strikes, no force in his kicks. His ears swiveled towards the sound of the ram's laugh, tail still wagging behind him.
"Is it so bad?" Pure Vanilla said with a smile, softly bumping their foreheads together. "Having someone who worries about you?"
He pressed his lips to Shadow Milk's. The wolf stilled, then melted into the ram's arms as the kiss deepened. Shadow Milk's hands swept up into Pure Vanilla's hair, holding him there until the kiss broke.
"It has its benefits," Shadow Milk admitted, a little breathless. "But still annoying."
Pure Vanilla nuzzled against him with another laugh.
